{"conf": "drool", "generated_at": "2026-04-26T08:00:02.954878Z", "threads": [{"num": 0, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 1, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 10, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 100, "subject": "Spring Pledge Drive", "response_count": 86, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (13:34)", "body": "For the first time ever, the Spring is asking it's users to help out. You don't have to, but do it if you can. It costs $1299.00 a quarter to host the Spring servers on a T-1. Jeff Kramers charges us $250 a month for system admin work, and there is a $100 a month software fee from Armidale Software for our conferencing software. So what's that all come to? Well, if you toss in about $250 a month for misc expenses, which is probably very convservative, it's about $2600 a quarter or $1033 per month. The only income we get comes from website developement and our only website currently paying is childrenstory/tvpc which pays about $600 - $1000 per quarter, some of which goes to a web authoress. So, if you can, sen dyour contibution to: The Spring Rt 2 Box 56r Cedar Creek, TX 78612 You can do it anonymous or opening. Contributors will be sent some kind of memonto like a Spring mug, a hat, or something to express our gratitude. I'll link this into drool also."}, {"response": 2, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (13:38)", "body": "Our T-1 fee is due 7/31/98, so that's why I'm starting this now. No contribution will be too small or insignificant."}, {"response": 3, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (15:59)", "body": "Terry, I shall be glad to contribute (tax deductible?...you are non-profit). However, I have no objection to adverts. Geocities pays a lot of the websites' real estate.If you polled the members, I doubt many would object;. and that would relieve the fund- raising."}, {"response": 4, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (16:10)", "body": "We're not non-profit, yet. But I'll look in to this status. Obviously, we should qualify. And I'm open to adverts."}, {"response": 5, "author": "riette", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (16:15)", "body": "Will do as soon as my painting money comes in, Terry."}, {"response": 6, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (16:31)", "body": "Thank you! Thank you!"}, {"response": 7, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (17:45)", "body": "This is the address that I read, Terry: The Spring Rt 2 Box 56r Cedar Creek, TX 78612 I just wanted to make sure that no letters got dropped. Glad to help."}, {"response": 8, "author": "stacey", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (18:47)", "body": "I'd [refer to hand deliver mine... still working on that ticket... *growl*"}, {"response": 9, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (21:36)", "body": "Thanks Heide, that address is correct."}, {"response": 10, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (22:05)", "body": "Ok, I give up. Why am I unable to forget this Topic? I have saved the Address and have no need to continue seeing new messages, but it won't let me Forget!"}, {"response": 11, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (22:43)", "body": "I don't know, honey :-( I'm having the same problem with other topics...and the mark everything as read..."}, {"response": 12, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (22:51)", "body": "OH goodie! I'm not braindead, after all! *kiss*"}, {"response": 13, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (05:39)", "body": "That sometimes happens when the system has a date glitch, like when the date changes to 2036 or something. I reset the date yesterday."}, {"response": 14, "author": "cherylq", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (07:54)", "body": "Will do."}, {"response": 15, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Jul 25, 1998 (07:02)", "body": "From Jonathon Langley today, $486 for some web work I did for him on http://www.tvpc.com and http://www.childrenstory.com Does anyone have ideas for new children's stories or illustrations for existing, legendary children's story? What stories are we missing?"}, {"response": 16, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Jul 25, 1998 (07:09)", "body": "Pledge Address: The Spring Rt 2 Box 56r Cedar Creek, TX 78612 Checks made out to \"The Spring\""}, {"response": 17, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Jul 28, 1998 (09:06)", "body": "Thanks so much to Evelyn for here most generous contribution which arrived in yesterday's mail! Thank you so much Evelyn. It really helps."}, {"response": 18, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 28, 1998 (09:06)", "body": "Thank you so much Evelyn My pleasure, Terry. We have a great gang on Drool. (Even when we're fighting) :-) Led by our outstanding host, Nan!! Thanks , Doll!"}, {"response": 19, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Aug  7, 1998 (10:36)", "body": "total to date $150 We're a fourth of the way to our goal of raising $600 to make our fourth quarter internet access payment. Send to: The Spring Rt 2 Box 56r Cedar Creek, TX 78612 payable to Paul Terry Walhus or The Spring And thanks to Karen for the note and check received yesterday!"}, {"response": 20, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Aug 16, 1998 (19:55)", "body": "We got some great contributions from some North Country folks, ya know. Ya! A very hearty Spring thank you to Ann Haker and to Kathleen Born for their very kind and generous donations to the pledge drive. Ann is from Minneapolis and Kathleen is from Eagan, MN."}, {"response": 21, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Aug 16, 1998 (20:06)", "body": "Summary to date (9/1 - 11/30/98 budget) income 265.00 contributions 600.00 tvpc.com website 865.00 total income expense 1,299.00 ddc.net T-1 connection for our servers 750.00 Jeff Kramer system administration 300.00 Armidale Software Yapp software license 450.00 Hardware expenses 2,799.00 total expense (1,934.00) net operating loss"}, {"response": 22, "author": "riette", "date": "Mon, Aug 17, 1998 (10:39)", "body": "I haven't forgotten you either, Terry. Just still waiting for my money to come in, so I can send you a donation. Unfortunately my buyer has 3 months to pay, so just be patient."}, {"response": 23, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Aug 17, 1998 (13:36)", "body": "No problem, and thanks! I have an idea on the domain name suggestions. If you make a suggestion, I'll co-register it in your name as the owner and if we sell it, the Spring will split the returns 50/50 with the person who is the name co-owner."}, {"response": 24, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 18, 1998 (03:46)", "body": "Not acceptable - that's not fair. What would be fair is if you told us all how to register, and we share our returns 50/50 with the Spring. And the names that are registered by the Spring should only earn money for the Spring. If we register names, splitting it 50/50 would still earn us money that we would not have had otherwise, plus it would earn the Spring extra money on top of the money it earns from registering its own names. Taking money from the Spring is unfair, as the Spring is working at a l ss, and is unemployed(!!) - unlike those who log in every day. If us users can't however register extra names ourselves, then coming up with them is the least we can do - the Spring should not have to split money with US to induce us to help. Because then we're a greedy bunch of parasites who should not be here, but pimping off people within our reach."}, {"response": 25, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Aug 18, 1998 (07:55)", "body": "Fair enough. I was just trying to provide incentive for folks to help dream up some domain names. And website ideas. artcafe.com is gone. So is sportscafe.com."}, {"response": 26, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 18, 1998 (09:45)", "body": "It's enough incentive that we're allowed to be here in the first place. I think we would all like to keep the Spring going. And besides..... THE WALHUS IS OUR MASTER...WE HAVE BEEN CHOSEN"}, {"response": 27, "author": "autumn", "date": "Wed, Aug 19, 1998 (13:19)", "body": "I AM THE WALHUS--KOOKOOAJOOB..."}, {"response": 28, "author": "riette", "date": "Wed, Aug 19, 1998 (15:41)", "body": "ha-ha!!!!"}, {"response": 29, "author": "mikeg", "date": "Fri, Sep 18, 1998 (06:11)", "body": "Can you charge to credit cards, terry? I was thinking of dumping my WELL account, which would mean that I could divert my $15 a month your direction. Let me know."}, {"response": 30, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 18, 1998 (08:24)", "body": "We sure can! That's awesome, Mike."}, {"response": 31, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Sep 18, 1998 (10:52)", "body": "Hey Mike! When did you get back?"}, {"response": 32, "author": "riette", "date": "Fri, Sep 18, 1998 (11:28)", "body": "How does one do that, Terry? The thing with the credit card? Because I've also been trying to figure out how to send a contribution."}, {"response": 33, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 18, 1998 (11:34)", "body": "We'll set up a page for this as part of the Spring Store. We need to develop our commerce section so we can sell websites, local internet access and process contributions via credit card."}, {"response": 34, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 18, 1998 (11:36)", "body": "For now, the best way is to send a check made out to the Spring to: The Spring Rt 2 Box 56r Cedar Creek TX 78612"}, {"response": 35, "author": "autumn", "date": "Fri, Sep 18, 1998 (16:30)", "body": "Didja get it yet, Terry??"}, {"response": 36, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Sep 19, 1998 (05:24)", "body": ""}, {"response": 37, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Sep 20, 1998 (23:21)", "body": "Not yet. I wonder what happened?"}, {"response": 38, "author": "autumn", "date": "Mon, Sep 21, 1998 (21:08)", "body": "(*sigh*) Guess I'll have to do some detective work..."}, {"response": 39, "author": "riette", "date": "Mon, Sep 21, 1998 (21:55)", "body": "I don't have a check account. How embarrassing. I'll wait till the credit card thing is set up, and send a monthly contribution like Mike."}, {"response": 40, "author": "mikeg", "date": "Tue, Sep 22, 1998 (16:28)", "body": "Hehhee...my financial situation is rather more dire than i had thought. how would $10 a month do for the moment? :)) if you want to sort this out, terry, call me: 6pm-11pm GMT (austin is 6/7 hours behind?) +44 1273 727157"}, {"response": 41, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 22, 1998 (16:45)", "body": "That would be awesome, Mike! Anything anyone can do within their limits is a help. Or help with revenue generating projects can be something you can do, like helping with sysadmin work (like wer does), developing new sites, etc. I never want it to be where anyone feels obligated or where there's any barrier to entry. I want it to be free and open, but the bills still come in and we have to be innovative in figuring out ways to pay them."}, {"response": 42, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Tue, Sep 22, 1998 (21:57)", "body": "yeah...like work at a restaurant and send him and/or his roomies gift certificates..."}, {"response": 43, "author": "mikeg", "date": "Wed, Sep 23, 1998 (14:14)", "body": "I'm happy to work on sysadm stuff, terry"}, {"response": 44, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 23, 1998 (14:27)", "body": "Great, let's discuss it in depth in the projects conference. I posted some things there today."}, {"response": 45, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 1999 (12:26)", "body": "It's Pledge Drive time again. I'm hustling real hard this week to raise $400 to pay ddc.net for our connection. I have had several balloon mortgage payments wihc have laid me flat, and the outlook is good around the beginning of next month, but right now I'm scrapping along. The folks of drool have been great about helping support this community and I'm very thankful for all the help you have given. I've been meaning to put together an appreciation page with acknowledgements and will do so someday soon. If you have it in your heart (and pocketbook) to contribute, please send donations to: Paul Terry Walhus The Spring 9011 Quail Creek Dr. Austin, TX 78758 Make checks out to either me or The Spring. And, by way of appreciation, I've opened a new http://www.jeremynorth.com domain and am looking for volunteers to help run it and build it!"}, {"response": 46, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (19:32)", "body": "Do not take plastic yet, Terry? If not, check is in the mail. Not a big sum, but one of several as I can. We need this place!!!"}, {"response": 47, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (09:52)", "body": "No plastic yet, it's coming, and thank you so much!"}, {"response": 48, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (15:48)", "body": "Ok, Terry, it is in the mail. Let me know when/if you get it =)"}, {"response": 49, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 1999 (10:36)", "body": "Thanks Marcia! Send in those contributions folks, in our hour of need. Paul Terry Walhus The Spring 9011 Quail Creek Dr Austin, TX 78758 make checks payable to me or to The Spring"}, {"response": 50, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 1999 (13:41)", "body": "Oh Terry - Must I stop payment on this check? I sent it to the other address you gave - Route whatever Box something. Will that get it to you?"}, {"response": 51, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 1999 (23:17)", "body": "It should get to me ok. Thanks again."}, {"response": 52, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 1999 (01:30)", "body": "I think I am going to make a pointed comment on one of \"my\" two (or both) Drool topics. If I can spare the money surely they can too. If this shut down, there would be a whole group of clever ladies longing to exchange ideas with like-minded souls and have no place to go. I read where you are a one-man band in the financial department, and it should not be that way. Not from all of the enjoyment we get from your efforts. The least we can do is help support your efforts."}, {"response": 53, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 1999 (01:35)", "body": "Terry, I'll drop a check in the mail tomorrow or Tuesday. Thanks for keeping the Spring going for all of us to enjoy!"}, {"response": 54, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 1999 (11:44)", "body": "Thanks so much Marcia and Jana!"}, {"response": 55, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (02:07)", "body": "Terry, it's 2036 again. Can you reset the date?"}, {"response": 56, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (03:29)", "body": "Ok Terry, I wrote 3 epistles to the devout in Springfolks (our private Droolian BBS) and asked them to please donate toward their own well-being. Thanks for all those who have given so far - I am not satisfied that all are doing their share."}, {"response": 57, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 1999 (19:23)", "body": "We're back from the future. Peter, our peripatetic whiz kid from Georgia Tech is in town and is busily tweaking our server right now. We just went from 99.9% full on disk space to 78% full. It makes a huge performance difference. You can thank Peter by emailing him a kind word at peter@diff.net. He's a great volunteer helper. And again, much thanks for the donations and contributions sent to: Paul Terry Walhus The Spring 9011 Quail Creek Dr Austin, TX 78758"}, {"response": 58, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 1999 (19:35)", "body": "Sent him a Mahalo Nui Loa from Hilo. Thanks for telling us about it!"}, {"response": 59, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 1999 (21:03)", "body": "Terry, can you handle checks in foreign currency? I have a lady in Australia who wants to contribute."}, {"response": 60, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 1999 (23:40)", "body": "Sure, we'll find a way. The Spring 9011 Quail Creek Dr Austin, TX 78758 Thanks. Thanks. Thanks!"}, {"response": 61, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jun 25, 1999 (16:19)", "body": "Terry, your Email @spring.net has been bouncing for three days. Just to reassure potential donors, You will not and do not sell our Snail-mail addreses, do you? I said you did not."}, {"response": 62, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jun 25, 1999 (18:48)", "body": "Absolutely not!!! No way will I sell the emails of the members of this wonderful community. Not even an option. Nah gonna doit. I do, however, occasionally send out a groupmail to folks announcing a pledge drive or to try and drum up interest. This is available to conference hosts, if they like."}, {"response": 63, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jun 25, 1999 (18:51)", "body": "Never mind = it is my ISP. It bounces them and sends them at the same time. How very clever of them..."}, {"response": 64, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jun 25, 1999 (18:56)", "body": "Thanks for the confirmation here in Drool. There are still some very sincere lurkers who have heard nightmare tales of spamming and worse but would like to contribute to Spring's continuation. Good Luck, Terry, and thanks to everyone who cares enough to do something to help!"}, {"response": 65, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jun 25, 1999 (20:25)", "body": "Thanks! Send contributions to: Paul Terry Walhus The Spring 9011 Quail Creek Dr Austin, TX 78758"}, {"response": 66, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Jun 30, 1999 (12:45)", "body": "Thanks so much to the four folks who have sent a combined total of nearly $200.00. Our goal is $400 a quarter. Soon, we'll be putting up an appreciation page thanking all those who have contributed (unless, of course, they specify that they want to remain anonymous). These folks have done so much to help us along. Another way you can help is to sign up for your own \"briefcase\"; the Spring has just beomce an affiliate with Visto and they offer a wonderful web based application that let's you keep track of your calendar, files, photos. email, address book, tasks, bookmarks, events, family, friends and co-workers. It will be a great help to you and your group. And every time someone signs up, the Spring will get $2.00. So this is a way you can help yourself and help the community. Please sign up and make your contribution that way! You can click on this banner to get started. SRC=\" http://service.bfast.com/bfast/serve/mid1291956?siteid=5325183&bfpag e=home\" BORDER=\"0\" WIDTH=\"1\" HEIGHT=\"1\" NOSAVE > HREF=\"http://service.bfast.com/bfast/click/mid1291956?siteid=5325183&bfpag e=home\" TARGET=\"_top\"> SRC=\"http://www.visto.com/affiliate/banners/tab_getvisto.gif \" BORDER=\"0\" WIDTH=\"468\" HEIGHT=\"60\">"}, {"response": 67, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 1999 (16:40)", "body": "I've just put up a page thanking our contributors at http://www.spring.net/sponsors Thanks to all these folks who have donated a total of over $1,200 since January 1, 1999. Ann Haker Ann Whittle Barbara Farley Charlotte Clayton Claire Chan Eileen Green Evelyn Boake Genette Irlbeck Gisela Sardinha Heide Kalbach Jana Hendricks Kathleen Born Lizza Davies Maarit Helena Doinio Marcia Hemming Nancy Palmarini Stacey Vura T McAvoy Willem Friesema If I've left anyone off the list, my apologies. One or two letters were lost in the mails. Overall we're nearly on target to our goal of $4,800 a year which is the cost of colocating our three servers (barton, www and access) on a T-3 connection in downtown Austin. Thanks so much to everyone who's helping and to those who are signing up for Visto via our link."}, {"response": 68, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 1999 (01:45)", "body": "THANKS!!!"}, {"response": 69, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 1999 (10:22)", "body": "Don't forget to sign up your dog and cat (and goldfish) for Visto too!"}, {"response": 70, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 1999 (13:20)", "body": "Terry, please fix whatever was messed up when the Visto icon was added to Drool's pages. We are seeing the date, time, poster's name and email within the body of the response. Very ugly. Disturbs my keen sense of esthetics! ;-D"}, {"response": 71, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 1999 (13:35)", "body": "good point...I'll ditch them and start over..."}, {"response": 72, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 1999 (13:41)", "body": "all better yet?"}, {"response": 73, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (22:31)", "body": "Must be, Dear! No one has complained in over a month. Droolians are not that tolerant, normally =)"}, {"response": 74, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (09:41)", "body": "I am not even taking that bait...*wink*"}, {"response": 75, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (19:24)", "body": "*smile* You are wise!"}, {"response": 76, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (00:44)", "body": "occasionally, I get lucky..."}, {"response": 77, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (10:29)", "body": "*smiling knowingly* I am glad to hear it."}, {"response": 78, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (02:00)", "body": "Only now I read your message closely: (Terry) One or two letters were lost in the mails. Does that mean you never got a letter from me? Never got any kind of confirmation. Terry, I would like to know before I send off another one."}, {"response": 79, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Nov  3, 1999 (20:28)", "body": "I got yours, fortunately, and I am getting them reliably now. I really appreciate your contribution!"}, {"response": 80, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Nov  3, 1999 (20:38)", "body": "Mine will be in the mail to you tomorrow as well as one for Stacey's efforts in the Honolulu Marathon for the Lukemia Society. These checks are my Christmas present to me from me...and to you *grin*"}, {"response": 81, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sat, Dec  2, 2000 (13:48)", "body": "Thanks so much to all those folks who have contributed to our latest fund drive. We are now accepting contributions on Paypal on the site: http://www.spring.net/paypal This has been a great effort and I can't thank everyone enough. As a small token, I'm sending out a picture of the Spring's Cedar Creek location, a nature picture or something, to the next 13 folks who send in a $25 or more donation. I sent out two already today to the nice folks from Cinncinnati and Lansdale, PA who contributed via Paypal."}, {"response": 82, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sat, Dec  2, 2000 (17:57)", "body": "A huge thank you and lots of hugs for the wonderful people of drool who put up at least 80% of the funds we needed to keep our software running! This was a great effort and is very, very appreciated!"}, {"response": 83, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, Dec  7, 2000 (21:30)", "body": "I just paid $199 to our host for extra bandwith for austen.com, if you're a supporter of austen.com and want to help in some way with this cost, please click on this link and send $5 automatically to spring.net just for signing up (it won't cost you anything). https://secure.paypal.com/refer/pal=terry%40spring.net Or you can send contributions the old fashioned way to: Paul Terry Walhus The Spring 182 Clover Rd Cedar Creek, TX 78612 Don't worry about this though, I just cut a deal with our provider to charge (in the future months) for a flat $40 a month for this bandwidth. austen.com uses a lot of disk space, which is ok, and I've covered this for the future. Again, my hearty thanks for everyone who supported our recent drive to pay Kaylene Thaler. I fully understand if you haven't caught your breath from this effort, but am hoping just joining PayPal and getting $5 to the Spring will be an easy way to cover this disk charge. All I need is for 40 folks to sign up . . ."}, {"response": 84, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  7, 2000 (22:04)", "body": "Most austen.com people don't come here, Terry. Ann has put a fund-raising notice up at her place with the PayPal clickthru."}, {"response": 85, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Fri, Dec  8, 2000 (07:46)", "body": "Thanks, Karen. You have helped immeasurably in this effort."}, {"response": 86, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  8, 2000 (08:14)", "body": "I had nothing to do with Ann's action. She did it herself. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 1000, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 101, "subject": "Our Teenage Lust", "response_count": 23, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sun, Jul 26, 1998 (11:58)", "body": "I'm not ashamed to admit that Shaun Cassidy was my man... Who was yours (be honest, now...) ;-D"}, {"response": 2, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Sun, Jul 26, 1998 (12:07)", "body": "*sigh* Go figure."}, {"response": 3, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Sun, Jul 26, 1998 (12:14)", "body": "Aw, geez. This is so embarassing... I was a teenager in the late '50s, early 60's. My peers were swooning over Elvis and Fabian, and Paul Anka, and James Dean. It didn't take me long to learn that if I wanted to be one of the \"in\" crowd, I did not reveal the object of my lust:"}, {"response": 4, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Sun, Jul 26, 1998 (12:38)", "body": "And, this probably goes without saying:"}, {"response": 5, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sun, Jul 26, 1998 (12:44)", "body": "Charlotte, you're killin' me! :-D And Paul...all eyes and hair, he is :-) I never would have pegged you as the Paul type...I would have thought John. Hmmm..."}, {"response": 6, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 26, 1998 (15:41)", "body": "Was intrigued by title. Thought maybe you had opened it to commemorate the release of Lolita in the U.S., Nan. ;-D Two of mine have been mentioned above (James Dean and Paul McCartney). Another is the James Dean lookalike from the late '60s Christopher Jones and then there was this Spanish bullfighter: v. handsome called El Cordobes (real name Manuel Benitex). No main streamers for me! ;-)"}, {"response": 7, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Sun, Jul 26, 1998 (18:00)", "body": "Nan: And Paul...all eyes and hair, he is :-) I never would have pegged you as the Paul type...I would have thought John. Hmmm... John was later; after I matured a little bit and started being interested in what was in men's heads rather than in . . . well, you know."}, {"response": 8, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Sun, Jul 26, 1998 (21:34)", "body": "Okay, here's my guy. He looks so cute it kinda makes me want to gag! But when I was thirteen......oh, the pangs of longing he stirred!"}, {"response": 9, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sun, Jul 26, 1998 (21:55)", "body": "Meggin! You came! ;-p I've always thought Bobby had lovely eyes. I watched the David Cassidy documentary on VH1--made me think I chose the wrong brother. Hot damn, he was cute!! ;-)"}, {"response": 10, "author": "Kate", "date": "Sun, Jul 26, 1998 (22:33)", "body": "well this will be one only the aussies can understand Greg Rowe.... Storm Boy? Blue Fin? I can remember being prostrate for a week because one of my friends got his autograph. I also had a bit of a thing for dancers... (and yes, I know he was gay (well, mostly anyway!!))"}, {"response": 11, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sun, Jul 26, 1998 (23:09)", "body": "You mostly knew or he was mostly gay? ;-p Greg Rowe flew right over my head! No photos, honey?"}, {"response": 12, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Jul 26, 1998 (23:37)", "body": "I watched the David Cassidy documentary on VH1--made me think I chose the wrong brother. } I watched that! I actually saw David in a very bad musical in London many moons ago. The show was made even more embarrasing by an appearance by Laurence Olivier--one of his last. His part was pre-filmed and very cheesy."}, {"response": 13, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Mon, Jul 27, 1998 (07:20)", "body": "Yes, poor David had some rough times, didn't he? I'm sorry to hear that he apparently hated those old Partridge Family songs...I still like them :-} I just love bad 70's music..."}, {"response": 14, "author": "Kate", "date": "Mon, Jul 27, 1998 (07:57)", "body": "You mostly knew or he was mostly gay? ;-p He was mostly gay. But apparently he wasn't fussy! Greg Rowe flew right over my head! No photos, honey? Could not find a thing. I'll have another look."}, {"response": 15, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Wed, Jul 29, 1998 (23:54)", "body": "Margaret...here's a little blurb from today's \"People Online\": BOBBY SHERMAN SINGS AGAIN It's just like old times, according to Bobby Sherman, the teen heartthrob of the '60s and '70s. The former \"Here Come the Brides\" star (who today is an emergency training officer with the Los Angeles Police Department) is making his first concert tour in 25 years as part of the \"Teen Idols\" show with former Monkee Davy Jones and Peter Noone of Herman's Hermits. \"We're all good friends, and we're having a blast,\" Sherman, 55, tells The Washington Post. \"But the bottom line is the audience -- they're half t e show, as far as I'm concerned. It's their response, their enthusiasm that makes it feel like it's 1970. It's absolutely incredible.\" ----------------------- Heading for Ticketron are you? ;-)"}, {"response": 16, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Jul 30, 1998 (00:11)", "body": "Peter Davison"}, {"response": 17, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Thu, Jul 30, 1998 (00:19)", "body": "Margaret...here's a little blurb from today's \"People Online\": BOBBY SHERMAN SINGS AGAIN It's just like old times, according to Bobby Sherman, the teen heartthrob of the '60s and '70s. The former \"Here Come the Brides\" star (who today is an emergency training officer with the Los Angeles Police Department) is making his first concert tour in 25 years as part of the \"Teen Idols\" show with former Monkee Davy Jones and Peter Noone of Herman's Hermits. \"We're all good friends, and we're having a blast,\" Sherman, 55, tells The Washington Post. \"But the bottom line is the audience -- they're half t e show, as far as I'm concerned. It's their response, their enthusiasm that makes it feel like it's 1970. It's absolutely incredible.\" ----------------------- Heading for Ticketron are you? ;-)"}, {"response": 18, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (15:27)", "body": "Heading for Ticketron are you? ;-) Not unless he drags Colin Firth there with him---I'm way past my Bobby Sherman days and he was the reason I got over Davy Jones. ;-) But it is nice to know that if ever I'm in LA and in dire need of assistance that maybe, just maybe, it would be Bobby to the rescue! Hmmmm. Gotta work on this idea. Thanks, Sweatie!!"}, {"response": 19, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (17:30)", "body": "(Margaret) Thanks, Sweatie!! Anytime, hiney ;-p Ann, who is Peter Davison?"}, {"response": 20, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Aug  2, 1998 (09:41)", "body": "Ann, who is Peter Davison? } Tristan from All Creatures Great and Small Doctor #5 on Doctor Who and Albert Campion on Mystery's \"Campion\" series."}, {"response": 21, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (06:33)", "body": "Dare I name my favourite actor from teeny days? T'was Lee Majors from the Six Million Dollar Man!!!! Like, I wanted to marry him! ha-ha!!!"}, {"response": 22, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (07:22)", "body": "Here you go, Riette"}, {"response": 23, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (11:08)", "body": "Oh Jesus! The very man! I can feel a sentimental bout coming on! drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 102, "subject": "Jonathan Firth", "response_count": 70, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sun, Jul 26, 1998 (12:10)", "body": "To start you off..."}, {"response": 2, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jul 27, 1998 (10:44)", "body": "Nan, you read my thoughts!!! Just this morning I was going to see if we could start a baby bro conference!!! Thank you!!!"}, {"response": 3, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Tue, Jul 28, 1998 (00:21)", "body": "Well, there you go...start droolin'! ;-)"}, {"response": 4, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (06:34)", "body": "Wow! Looks alot like his brother!"}, {"response": 5, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Aug 29, 1998 (14:00)", "body": "Dear wonderful Nan! Do you think you could find one of him as Lord Byron? He had never looked better. This will be fun. Thanks!"}, {"response": 6, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Aug 29, 1998 (14:19)", "body": "I have a bad one of him, you only see the side of his face (and the other guy in the shot is cuter)..."}, {"response": 7, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Aug 29, 1998 (19:45)", "body": "Oh, Ann... You and Peter Wingfield:) But JF is a cutie patootie:)"}, {"response": 8, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Aug 29, 1998 (19:45)", "body": "What are Firths when Wingfields are near?!"}, {"response": 9, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (05:29)", "body": "I beg to differ! Thanks Ann, but I hope to see a better one yet of the cutie patootie as Lord Byron."}, {"response": 10, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Nov  3, 1998 (18:48)", "body": "OK-- let's get this party started, right? Reasons why Jonathan Firth is not a bad alternative to Colin: 1) He's talented in his own way 2) He's single!!!!!! 3) He doesn't come off as posh as Colin in interviews ( very down to earth bloke) ... anyone care to add?"}, {"response": 11, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov  3, 1998 (19:26)", "body": "4. He looks a little like his brother 5. Chooses good roles to play 6. Looks v. good in a ruffled white shrt 7. Has a wicked grin ...anyone care to add"}, {"response": 12, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Nov  3, 1998 (20:12)", "body": "8. is cute 9. is my age 10. practically shares my birthday his is April 9, 1967 whereas, mine is April 10, 1968 11. would love a cute blonde (me!)"}, {"response": 13, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov  3, 1998 (21:04)", "body": "Hey Winter...been meaning to ask you what is Jeremy Northram up to these days.Last time I saw him was with Mia Sorvino and the cockroaches in Mimic. (Jonathan Firth an alternative to Colin......LOL)"}, {"response": 14, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Nov  4, 1998 (00:00)", "body": "Evelyn: Hey Winter...been meaning to ask you what is Jeremy Northram up to these days. Last time I saw him was with Mia Sorvino and the cockroaches in Mimic. He's got lots of films either in the can, in editing, on the shelf, etc... He was in southern California this summer shooting a film with William Macy called Happy, Texas . Don't know when that's coming out. Then he has Gloria , opposite Sharon Stone coming out this Spring, and then, he's either wrapping or just wrapped An Ideal Husband opposite Cate Blanchet,, Minnie Driver and Rupert Everett. He's quite busy, and I sincerely hope the days of cockroach films are behind him.... (Jonathan Firth an alternative to Colin......LOL) Yeah-- I call it \"Firth-lite\" (kinda like Diet Pepsi). Still tastes great, but with less of the baggage attached. He seems to have fewer skeletons in his closet than Big Brother. Laura: practically shares my birthday his is April 9, 1967 whereas, mine is April 10, 1968 What does that make him? A gemini? Taurus? Give us the juicy details of his sign. No, but really, I think Jonathan appeals to me in that he approaches his craft as something 'fun', yet at the same time knows it's not rocket science or curing cancer. Colin has revealed that same sentiment in interviews too. They're both humble, and know that they come from privileged backgrounds which allowed them to pursue this sort of work. To be honest too-- I think Jon mentioned having gone to Africa and doing some white-water rafting... I love rafting and that definitely gets some points in my book."}, {"response": 15, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Nov  4, 1998 (08:26)", "body": "ARIES!!!!"}, {"response": 16, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov  4, 1998 (15:13)", "body": "Laura, I hate to disapoint you but his b.day is not April 9. I got this info from the FAQ at the JF Web: Where and when was he born? The sixth of April 1967 in Essex. Where did he train to be an actor? For how long? The Central Drama School for three years. Is he married? Does he have any children? No to both questions What types of things does Mr Firth like to do ? Riding horseback Does he drive a car? Yes, a 10 year old Peugot How tall? What color eyes? Height: 5'11\" -- Color of eyes: Green This was a surprise! He's much shorter than big brother What was his favorite role to date? Troy in Madding Crowd. Winter,I will look up his astrological chart and post here later."}, {"response": 17, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Nov  4, 1998 (16:10)", "body": "So I was a couple of days off, ah well still he is very close to my age!! Oh do mine too, would we be compatible. (I say no, but we'd be exciting wouldn't we!!!) hee hee"}, {"response": 18, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov  4, 1998 (17:02)", "body": "(Winter)Re: Jeremy Northram ......and I sincerely hope the days of cockroach films are behind him.... I didn't think Mimic was that bad. He looked awfully cute with those glasses and and his american accent was excellent...didn't you think so? Re; Jonathan Firth (Winter)....but with less of the baggage attached. He seems to have fewer skeletons in his closet than Big Brother . Less baggage...less talent...less looks.( But he's ok. )"}, {"response": 19, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Nov  4, 1998 (20:47)", "body": "Evelyn, that is quite harsh! he does not have less talent. we shouldn't compare the two, because they are two separate people!! They are not siamese twins. If everything was the same about them, they'd be twins!"}, {"response": 20, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov  4, 1998 (21:24)", "body": "Re; JF.... he does not have less talent. we shouldn't compare the two, because they are two separate people!! Two brothers who are in the same profession can't be compared? OK, if you say so. Actually, it is unfair...Colin has a lot more experience and therefore more gravitas than Jonathan. But Colin's work at Jonathan's age was outstanding. ...albeit some of it better than what he is doing now. (Now don't nail me down on ages and projects vis-a vis brother...I am only generalizing)"}, {"response": 21, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Nov  5, 1998 (08:53)", "body": "JF Birth chart as promised: Sun in Aries Moon in Pisces Mercury in Pisces Venus in Taurus Mars in Libra Jupiter in Cancer Saturn in Aries Uranus in Virgo Neptune in Sagittarius Pluto in Virgo In the Chinese calendar he is a Goat."}, {"response": 22, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Wed, Feb 16, 2000 (10:59)", "body": "Did you see the new picture on the JF site? Quite dashing. If the webmistress frequents these boards:. Any new news?"}, {"response": 23, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (19:29)", "body": "You see? No wonder he has been so depressed lately. Not even his web director will come and visit.. You might like to know Jonathan is filming in France right now. You can find him on Eurostar every weekend.."}, {"response": 24, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (08:48)", "body": "Has he been depressed lately? What happened?"}, {"response": 25, "author": "byebar", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (19:45)", "body": "Hello Gals I am so excited that you are posting over here. When Karen sent me over I saw no one had posted since 1998. So I thought that the site was dead. Glad to find some Jonathan fans here. Yes, Jonathan is filming in Paris. My latest update is the following :At the end of last year Oct - Nov Jonathan played the part of Stephen in A LIKENESS IN STONE for the BBC dir. Charles Beeson. He will be filming REBEL HUNTER in Paris towards the end of this month. I don't have any further details on the production as yet, however the production companies name is Gaumont. I am so happy to find you here. Please excuse my ignorance but what is Eurostar? Thanks, Mickie"}, {"response": 26, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (20:55)", "body": "Sounds like a train, Mickie ;-) (and btw, you don't need to sign your name at the end if you change the \"your name in the conference\" on the main Drool page)"}, {"response": 27, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (14:47)", "body": "Does my brother-in-law stimulate you so? Que stupore! I will tell him."}, {"response": 28, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (16:44)", "body": "Livia che piacere! Devi assolutamente restare con noi. Hai tanto da raccontarci. :-D"}, {"response": 29, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (18:46)", "body": "Va' avanti! Ascolto."}, {"response": 30, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (20:13)", "body": "Va bene, ma ogni tanto raccontaci anche tu qualcosa e non soltanto di tuo cognato. ;-D"}, {"response": 31, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (20:40)", "body": "Basta."}, {"response": 32, "author": "byebar", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (07:17)", "body": "I thought this little mention of Jonathan in his mother's book was sweet. Dying, Death and Bereavement in a British Hindu Community. I do not have the ISBN. It is published by Peeters, 1997 in their \"New Religious Identities in the Western World\" series. In the preface to her book, Dr. Shirley Firth writes: \"I would not have been able to do the research without the help, patience and encouragement of my husband David. Jonathan and Kate made valuable suggestions.\""}, {"response": 33, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (07:20)", "body": "Non ascoltare Arami. Senti Livia, che tipo di musica piace a Jon e tuo marito?"}, {"response": 34, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (19:01)", "body": "I see you're discussing Jon. I'm sure Mickie would very much like to know what you're saying. Or are all the Jonathan Firth lovers fluent in Italian? ;-)"}, {"response": 35, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (13:48)", "body": ""}, {"response": 36, "author": "byebar", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (16:19)", "body": "I must say I love reading the messages. Unfortunately my Italian is very limited. The words the old relatives would shout our way as kids I doubt are printable on a public board. My only recent Italian is Andrea Bocelli. But I must say it looks lovely and quite continental. I know Jonathan is fluent in French -I do not know if he speaks Italian. But I am so happy to see any posts over here and people having fun-I think it's great."}, {"response": 37, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (18:01)", "body": "Non ascoltare? You selfish lot! Surely you must realize that you will only manage to scare the rest of the visitors away. Why don't you go and start a new, separate Mumble Italiano board instead? (And Passionata trying to pretend she's Signora F.? Oh, puh-leeeeeeeeze....) ;-P"}, {"response": 38, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (18:43)", "body": "Mickie, if there are people who visit your website who would like a place to talk about Jon, you can steer them here."}, {"response": 39, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (22:23)", "body": "Yes, Mickie, do invite them. You can even have his birthday party here in April. We would all come! :-) Glad you did not mind our little Italian chat (unlike someone else)."}, {"response": 40, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (22:52)", "body": "Do you think Jon would like the picture of Colin coming out of the cake? ;-)"}, {"response": 41, "author": "byebar", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (08:13)", "body": "Karen I like the idea of sending Jonathan fans here. Great idea. Before I put it up I would like to send the proposed invite to you to check for accuracy. Can anyone explain to me how to post pictures? Thanks"}, {"response": 42, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (08:28)", "body": "img src=\" http://www.whatever.com/nameofpic.jpg \" But you must put around the above. It has to be a .jpg or .gif Also, try to keep the file under 50K Here is Ann's Basic HTML Tutorial, which will help out. http://www.austen.com/tutorial/index.html And Topic 61 here is used for practicing."}, {"response": 43, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (09:13)", "body": "Do you think Jon would like the picture of Colin coming out of the cake? ;-) LMAO!"}, {"response": 44, "author": "byebar", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (12:59)", "body": "I don't know- I know how I would think of seeing my brother jump out of a cake- the thought is not pretty. But Jonathan seeme to have a wonderful sense of humor. He roomed with Rufus don't forget."}, {"response": 45, "author": "byebar", "date": "Thu, Mar  2, 2000 (16:48)", "body": "Hi All I will be calling J's agent next week. Do you have any questions you would like me to ask? Thanks"}, {"response": 46, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Mar  2, 2000 (18:23)", "body": "I do:) My bday is April 10 and his is April 7, can we celebrate together? (Single 32 Y.O from Boston, MA willing to relocate;))"}, {"response": 47, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar  2, 2000 (19:01)", "body": "Mickie, do you think Jon would make an appearance at his Virtual birthday party here? He can come and collect his gifts and have some cake and champagne. We always have one for Colin and it is a blast. Do invite him to come. Remember, you could it here and we will help with any questions you may have. There is plenty of time. :-D Also ask him if he plays any instruments and what his favorite musical artists are. What kind of music does he like to listen to?"}, {"response": 48, "author": "byebar", "date": "Thu, Mar  2, 2000 (20:09)", "body": "Oh Laura-I loved that! If I am not mistaken he was born on the 6th of April. Hi Moon. I can assure you that there is no chance he'll do the party thing but your questions are great. I will add them to the emails inquiring if he has pets, any piercings and does he still smoke?"}, {"response": 49, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Mar  3, 2000 (07:30)", "body": "I do require a non-smoker;) April 6, eh? still close enough to my bday. And I am his age;)"}, {"response": 50, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar  3, 2000 (10:09)", "body": "(Mickie) I can assure you that there is no chance he'll do the party thing Thank God."}, {"response": 51, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Fri, Mar  3, 2000 (16:31)", "body": "Does he like that really rich, dense, dark French chocolate cake (gatteau) which is served with raspberry coulis (a kind of puree)?"}, {"response": 52, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Mar  3, 2000 (17:17)", "body": "(Mickie) I can assure you that there is no chance he'll do the party thing (Evelyn)Thank God. On the other hand... ;-)"}, {"response": 53, "author": "byebar", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (18:06)", "body": "Hi Everyone Some of you asked some questions and I have the answers fron J's agency Here they are Any new projects for Jonathan? NO NOT AT THE MOMENT Does he have pierced ears? NOT ANY LONGER BUT HE USED TO Does he have any pets? NONE What kind of music does he like? TOO ECLECTIC TO DETAIL Was he considered for Talented Mr. Ripley? WE ALWAYS SUGGEST ANYONE APPROPRIATE BUT CASTING DIRECTORS DO NOT ALWAYS AGREE - AND MEETINGS COME ABOUT ONLY WHEN THEY DO! Any new projects for Jonathan? NO NOT AT THE MOMENT Does he have pierced ears? NOT ANY LONGER BUT HE USED TO Does he have any pets? NONE What kind of music does he like? TOO ECLECTIC TO DETAIL Was he considered for Talented Mr. Ripley? WE ALWAYS SUGGEST ANYONE APPROPRIATE BUT CASTING DIRECTORS DO NOT ALWAYS AGREE - AND MEETINGS COME ABOUT ONLY WHEN THEY DO! Any new projects for Jonathan? NO NOT AT THE MOMENT Does he have pierced ears? NOT ANY LONGER BUT HE USED TO Does he have any pets? NONE What kind of music does he like? TOO ECLECTIC TO DETAIL Was he considered for Talented Mr. Ripley? WE ALWAYS SUGGEST ANYONE APPROPRIATE BUT CASTING DIRECTORS DO NOT ALWAYS AGREE - AND MEETINGS COME ABOUT ONLY WHEN THEY DO! There you have it. Thanks Mickie There you have it. Thanks Mickie"}, {"response": 54, "author": "byebar", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (18:08)", "body": "Sorry I don't know why that happened! I was trying to post a picture. Mickie"}, {"response": 55, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (19:43)", "body": "Um, you didn't ask if he would be interested in a woman from Boston, who's single and his age!!! :)"}, {"response": 56, "author": "byebar", "date": "Sun, Mar 19, 2000 (05:32)", "body": "I knew I forgot something! Maybe next month. Mickie"}, {"response": 57, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Mar 19, 2000 (09:25)", "body": "Thanks, Mickie. At least you get an answer even if it appears three times. ;-) Was it ever rumored that he was considered for the Ripley film? Do you need html help for doing pictures? Well, even if you don't... (img src=\"pasteaddress\") but change the parens to and it must end in .jpg or .gif"}, {"response": 58, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar 19, 2000 (09:54)", "body": "Thanks Mickie! I guess I will never get the answer for the music question from either brother. :-("}, {"response": 59, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Mar 19, 2000 (18:36)", "body": "Does he have pierced ears? NOT ANY LONGER BUT HE USED TO\" Has he grown new ears, then? Oooooooh, fancyyyy... is there a limit to those Firths' talents? And the younger they are, the better they get. Colin's holes are still visible even though they must be a little older... ;-)"}, {"response": 60, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Mar 19, 2000 (18:37)", "body": "close tag - sorry, I must be tired... :-)"}, {"response": 61, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (06:12)", "body": "I could close Colin's ear holes for him, but he may need them for other movies, I suppose ;-)"}, {"response": 62, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (15:22)", "body": "Mickie, perhaps next month you could ask if JF has or had piercings anywhere else on his body besides is ears? Or how about tatoos? I'm sorry for being flippant. Forgive me please. Thanks for asking the \"Ripley\" question. Might you consider asking if he is attracted to rather literary projects; i.e., screenplays/teleplays based on books. If he prefers them to original scripts."}, {"response": 63, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (15:53)", "body": "Gi, no one \"needs\" holes anywhere for acting. The make-up and props departments can fix these things with ease - not forgetting the modern digital technology in films."}, {"response": 64, "author": "byebar", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (16:53)", "body": "HI Cheryl, Actually that was the question- \"Does Jonathan Firth have any piercings?\" I was too embarassed to ask that, so I confined the question to the lobes only!!! Mickie"}, {"response": 65, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (17:00)", "body": "I don't blame you! There has to be some sense of mystery. Well, at least decorum."}, {"response": 66, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (17:09)", "body": "The make-up and props departments can fix these things with ease - not forgetting the modern digital technology in films. They slipped up in FP and SLOW."}, {"response": 67, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (19:28)", "body": "In what way? I didn't know he was to sport earrings in those films. What I meant is, it's relatively easy to attach various pendants on an actor's body without the need for piercings."}, {"response": 68, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (20:27)", "body": "The make-up and props departments can fix these things with ease - not forgetting the modern digital technology in films. They slipped up in FP and SLOW. In what way? Sorry...I thought you were responding to Gi who said she could cover up those holes in his ears.In FP and SLOW the holes in the left ear were prominent."}, {"response": 69, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (13:39)", "body": "No, no: the fault is all mine. Evidently I haven't expressed myself clearly enough. Regardless of Gi's willingness to attend to Colin's holes - all I meant was that body piercings are not necessary for actors. They (piercings) are only people's private whims."}, {"response": 70, "author": "byebar", "date": "Wed, Mar 22, 2000 (16:27)", "body": "Hi Everyone I heard from the director of An Ideal Husband It should be out either on TV or directly to video. You can see a wonderful poster at the site http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Theater/3782/ideal.html . Also the movie SIX PACK has a web site. It is in French. You can find it at http://www.cplus.fr/html/cinema/dossiers/serial-killer/six.html . He also filmed an upcoming Relic Hunter in France. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 103, "subject": "Robert Carlyle", "response_count": 7, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Tue, Jul 28, 1998 (00:23)", "body": "Well, he doesn't really blow up my skirt but Kate likes him :-)"}, {"response": 2, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jul 28, 1998 (08:05)", "body": "An unlikely sex symbol:) Kate, he's blonde, BTW;-)"}, {"response": 3, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Jul 28, 1998 (08:21)", "body": "He has a certain appeal, but I don't think it comes from his appearance, but more from the way he talks, the way he carries himself. He was very appealing in The Full Monty ."}, {"response": 4, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jul 28, 1998 (08:27)", "body": "But no so appealing in \"Trainspotting\";-)"}, {"response": 5, "author": "Kate", "date": "Tue, Jul 28, 1998 (10:11)", "body": "But no so appealing in \"Trainspotting\";-) but then you haven't seen \"Hamish MacBeth\" where the accent is to die for... and he has the cute dog called, wait for it \"Wee Jock\" ;-) And to be honest, I like him because I think he is a brilliant actor. Someone who can be so utterly awful in Trainspotting and so amusing in TFM, and so appealing in Hamish is not just (or maybe not at all!) a pretty face - he must be a very intelligent actor. And beauty is more than skin deep...."}, {"response": 6, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jul 28, 1998 (10:17)", "body": "He was wonderful in \"Priest\" also:)"}, {"response": 7, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (06:36)", "body": "This guy will defenitely be sexy in twenty years' time - he shows all the signs. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 104, "subject": "Why do you keep coming back?", "response_count": 158, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "stacey", "date": "Thu, Jul 30, 1998 (18:12)", "body": "eye-hand coordination -- 55% learn new words -- 25% better than methadone -- 15% safe sex -- 5%"}, {"response": 2, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Thu, Jul 30, 1998 (21:34)", "body": "I asked, and I received!"}, {"response": 3, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Jul 30, 1998 (21:44)", "body": "Some of these could be quotable in a publicity flyer for the spring, but notice she didn't say better than sex?"}, {"response": 4, "author": "stacey", "date": "Thu, Jul 30, 1998 (22:44)", "body": "it certainly has its moments!"}, {"response": 5, "author": "autumn", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (02:09)", "body": "LOL! You are too much, Stacey! I would have to say 100% socialization, comraderie, whatever. Let's just say I enjoy the intercourse..."}, {"response": 6, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (09:26)", "body": "More great quotes."}, {"response": 7, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sat, Aug  1, 1998 (18:28)", "body": "addicted....BTW, I AM BACK!! Anyone miss me??? aw, not even just a little?"}, {"response": 8, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Aug  1, 1998 (18:44)", "body": "I miss you a *lot*! And I'm missig Riette, since she went on her trip. I notice the main screen lists the number of logins but it says \"web hits\" instead. I wonder if we can change that, I wonder who wrote cool piece of Yapp code. Wer? Kaylene? Or maybe I just never noticed it before."}, {"response": 9, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sat, Aug  1, 1998 (20:27)", "body": "I did it...the variable in the instructions is defined as a \"read only web variable\"...so I figured it just counted web hits... and it does increment that way at least some of the time...I was the only one on at a certain time yesterday, and it did in fact count my page hits...will re-word it later..."}, {"response": 10, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Aug  1, 1998 (20:38)", "body": "Cool. Yeah, I'm glad you discovered it and it would be great if you could re-word it to say \"logins\"! ... if that in fact is what it counts. I'm really glad someone else is learning the system and getting a fresh mind on things!"}, {"response": 11, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sun, Aug  2, 1998 (01:40)", "body": "oh, and hiya, Wolf!!!"}, {"response": 12, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sun, Aug  2, 1998 (02:26)", "body": "sure, too late now *grin* hiya wer!"}, {"response": 13, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sun, Aug  2, 1998 (18:31)", "body": "oh, well..."}, {"response": 14, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sun, Aug  2, 1998 (18:52)", "body": "specifically, it is \"the number of Yapp hits today from the www\" added a who is logged on via telnet, also... however, I can't get any switches to work with who, and I've found out when AOL crashes and I'm telnetting in, I doesn't log me out..."}, {"response": 15, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sun, Aug  2, 1998 (20:24)", "body": "never mind, those log ins go away with time..."}, {"response": 16, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Aug  2, 1998 (22:42)", "body": "Yeah it resets daily doesn't it?"}, {"response": 17, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sun, Aug  2, 1998 (22:58)", "body": "yes, but the time is off..."}, {"response": 18, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Aug  5, 1998 (09:32)", "body": "I keep coming back hoping we'll grow as a community, I love it when new folks show up. Rollerblade postering service is plastering all the bulletin boards in town with Spring flyers. If you see one, give me some feedback on how to make them better, they're reprints of the Spring main page."}, {"response": 19, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Aug  5, 1998 (09:34)", "body": "Rollerblade should read Motorblade. http://www.spring.net/~motorblade"}, {"response": 20, "author": "riette", "date": "Wed, Aug  5, 1998 (16:30)", "body": "I keep coming back, because I can't stay away. I love it here."}, {"response": 21, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Aug  5, 1998 (21:43)", "body": "I love it that you're here."}, {"response": 22, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Aug  6, 1998 (04:42)", "body": "I love it that you love it that we're here."}, {"response": 23, "author": "riette", "date": "Thu, Aug  6, 1998 (05:46)", "body": "Hi, Ann. Are you new here? If so, since when have you been coming? Or do you just tend to go to other conferences? I don't love being away, but I love coming back without it occurring to me for a moment that anyone will have noticed, and then finding that they did. It is peculiar, but lovely."}, {"response": 24, "author": "CotC", "date": "Thu, Aug  6, 1998 (16:14)", "body": "What the hell else have I got to do?..."}, {"response": 25, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Aug  6, 1998 (19:52)", "body": "Hi, Ann. Are you new here? } I've been around since Pemberley moved here."}, {"response": 26, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Thu, Aug  6, 1998 (20:17)", "body": "Hey, I'm logging on from the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi..."}, {"response": 27, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Aug  6, 1998 (20:59)", "body": "Hey, whatcha doin' there?"}, {"response": 28, "author": "riette", "date": "Thu, Aug  6, 1998 (21:03)", "body": "Hi, WER!!!! Having a good time?"}, {"response": 29, "author": "stacey", "date": "Thu, Aug  6, 1998 (21:47)", "body": "get out and play in the sand WER... get some sea water up yer nose for me!"}, {"response": 30, "author": "wolf", "date": "Fri, Aug  7, 1998 (02:30)", "body": "the aquarium? you on vacation? do they have a dolphin/whale display?????"}, {"response": 31, "author": "riette", "date": "Fri, Aug  7, 1998 (05:52)", "body": "Not to mention the ape display to make him feel more at home. (I can't help it if you posted that photo, Wer, so don't frown so hard at me!) So can you give us a recipe for tastier sandcakes?"}, {"response": 32, "author": "MEC", "date": "Thu, Aug 27, 1998 (01:54)", "body": "Girls just wanna have fun!!"}, {"response": 33, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Thu, Aug 27, 1998 (02:22)", "body": "and we are oh so glad that you do!"}, {"response": 34, "author": "riette", "date": "Thu, Aug 27, 1998 (06:01)", "body": "Mec, who are you? Are you new, or do you just go to the other conferences mostly? Whatever the case, glad you're here!"}, {"response": 35, "author": "stacey", "date": "Thu, Aug 27, 1998 (16:05)", "body": "Howdy MEC!"}, {"response": 36, "author": "riette", "date": "Thu, Aug 27, 1998 (16:13)", "body": "Nice to have you here so regularly again, Stacey!"}, {"response": 37, "author": "stacey", "date": "Thu, Aug 27, 1998 (16:18)", "body": "oh I'm just on another spring binge... *grin* thanks Ree-head! I go back to my 'real job' tomorrow but it has been kinda fun to have such regular access to a working computer. And I can just keep a telnet link open all the time. When I'm printing, or downloading, or slacking off, I can just stop in! Wandered by the art conference yesterday (through a browser so I could see all the groovy pics!) and it looks REALLY great! I love the new wallpaper (guess it's not so new anymore but it sure was something I hadn't seen before!)"}, {"response": 38, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Aug 27, 1998 (17:38)", "body": "Ree Head the art goddess sure rocks, doesn't she?"}, {"response": 39, "author": "stacey", "date": "Thu, Aug 27, 1998 (17:47)", "body": "yep... I just made it to the gallery in all its colorful glory!"}, {"response": 40, "author": "riette", "date": "Fri, Aug 28, 1998 (06:00)", "body": "Thanks, you two. I think the whole spring is rocking at the moment. Oh, and I heard from Mike Griggs yesterday as well. He'll be back in a fortnight or so - going on holiday, the lucky bugger!"}, {"response": 41, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Aug 28, 1998 (13:06)", "body": "Yep, I heard from him too, he emailed me using a friends account."}, {"response": 42, "author": "riette", "date": "Fri, Aug 28, 1998 (13:24)", "body": "Same here. It's a disgrace how we let his Babes conference stagnate...."}, {"response": 43, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Aug 28, 1998 (13:48)", "body": "Shall we pump it up a bit before he gets back?"}, {"response": 44, "author": "riette", "date": "Fri, Aug 28, 1998 (15:49)", "body": "Yes, but what with? I don't know any babes! I don't really look at women like that, if you know what I mean..."}, {"response": 45, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Aug 28, 1998 (17:01)", "body": "Ask a man friend and then tell us what he says then."}, {"response": 46, "author": "riette", "date": "Fri, Aug 28, 1998 (18:55)", "body": "My husband is my only close man friend, and he says he finds Claudia Schiffer ugly - but that's only because he has weird taste in women anyway. He couldn't think of any famous babes either; says he never thinks of other women as babes. Probably trying to play safe with my temper, as I'm having my period! ha-ha!!!"}, {"response": 47, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Aug 28, 1998 (21:04)", "body": "Playing it safe, good strategy."}, {"response": 48, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sat, Aug 29, 1998 (02:18)", "body": "ok, well the dudes seem to like shania twain, should we add her?"}, {"response": 49, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Aug 29, 1998 (04:12)", "body": "Add her, she looks very sexy in the picture I saw of here today in the concert section of the paper."}, {"response": 50, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Aug 29, 1998 (04:19)", "body": "Terry, dear...where's her head? ;-)"}, {"response": 51, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Aug 29, 1998 (04:26)", "body": "Boy I messed that one up Nan, they have real intricate puzzle like coding on http://www.mercurynashville.com/mercury_nashville/artists/new_shania/shania_home.html You'll just have to go there to see it properly assembled."}, {"response": 52, "author": "riette", "date": "Sat, Aug 29, 1998 (05:29)", "body": "There's a woman with reason to be vain!"}, {"response": 53, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (01:43)", "body": "ok, lemme see if i can add her..."}, {"response": 54, "author": "riette", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (06:18)", "body": "Shoot her first!"}, {"response": 55, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (13:18)", "body": ""}, {"response": 56, "author": "riette", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (16:10)", "body": "Are you coming back, muffin?"}, {"response": 57, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (16:48)", "body": "as soon as it is safe..."}, {"response": 58, "author": "riette", "date": "Mon, Aug 31, 1998 (05:53)", "body": "But it IS safe! Don't you miss us too?"}, {"response": 59, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Mon, Aug 31, 1998 (12:37)", "body": "when my head is (relatively) safe, silly!"}, {"response": 60, "author": "riette", "date": "Mon, Aug 31, 1998 (17:26)", "body": "\ufffdkiss\ufffd"}, {"response": 61, "author": "wolf", "date": "Tue, Sep  1, 1998 (01:50)", "body": "*hug* you're head is safe with us!"}, {"response": 62, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Tue, Sep  1, 1998 (02:51)", "body": "ah, but you all aren't safe with it..."}, {"response": 63, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Sep  1, 1998 (05:45)", "body": "Let us be the judges of that."}, {"response": 64, "author": "wolf", "date": "Tue, Sep  1, 1998 (05:45)", "body": "please stay with us, wer, we miss your face around here....."}, {"response": 65, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep  1, 1998 (05:45)", "body": "Yep, stick around please."}, {"response": 66, "author": "isis", "date": "Thu, Sep  3, 1998 (01:58)", "body": "hey kitchenmanager i would like to meet you and get to know you...so stick around or i will be upset....you don't want to miss meeting a real italian woman now do you....??"}, {"response": 67, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Thu, Sep  3, 1998 (03:34)", "body": "with an offer like that, how can I refuse? can you cook? and just cause I'm not talking doesn't mean I'm not watching..."}, {"response": 68, "author": "riette", "date": "Thu, Sep  3, 1998 (05:54)", "body": "?????? Good to see you back, Wer!"}, {"response": 69, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Thu, Sep  3, 1998 (05:58)", "body": "??????"}, {"response": 70, "author": "riette", "date": "Thu, Sep  3, 1998 (06:43)", "body": "What, ??????????"}, {"response": 71, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Thu, Sep  3, 1998 (13:51)", "body": "exactly!!! (I think...)"}, {"response": 72, "author": "riette", "date": "Thu, Sep  3, 1998 (16:07)", "body": "possibly!"}, {"response": 73, "author": "isis", "date": "Fri, Sep  4, 1998 (02:31)", "body": "sorta like when you don't smoke cigarettes for awhile you start shaking and eating more than ususal,,,,what's it called,,oh yeah,,,WITHDRAWALS......"}, {"response": 74, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Fri, Sep  4, 1998 (03:13)", "body": "have NO idea what you're talking about now..."}, {"response": 75, "author": "autumn", "date": "Fri, Sep  4, 1998 (04:08)", "body": "How's it going tobacco-wise, wer?"}, {"response": 76, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Fri, Sep  4, 1998 (04:40)", "body": "worse than ever...are you over your summer binge yet?"}, {"response": 77, "author": "riette", "date": "Fri, Sep  4, 1998 (05:39)", "body": "How does one start smoking? I mean, did you the first time just pick up a cigarette, and it was great? How long does it take to get used to? No, I don't want to start! I've just always wondered how it's done."}, {"response": 78, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Fri, Sep  4, 1998 (06:31)", "body": "it takes about three days to quit getting sick... as to the rest, ?"}, {"response": 79, "author": "riette", "date": "Fri, Sep  4, 1998 (08:30)", "body": "ha-ha!!! And what happens then? Then you're a smoker? Does it taste nice after that?"}, {"response": 80, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Fri, Sep  4, 1998 (08:56)", "body": "depends on the person... depends on the person... depends on what you're smoking..."}, {"response": 81, "author": "riette", "date": "Fri, Sep  4, 1998 (10:01)", "body": "I see!"}, {"response": 82, "author": "wolf", "date": "Fri, Sep  4, 1998 (20:22)", "body": "so you don't smoke for the flavor, you just do it cuz of some psychosomatic need to bring on your own death in short order?"}, {"response": 83, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Fri, Sep  4, 1998 (20:59)", "body": "that's one of my biggest \"reasons,\" yes"}, {"response": 84, "author": "autumn", "date": "Sat, Sep  5, 1998 (03:43)", "body": "Puffing away almost daily, here...can't help it, the weather's been too good. If it gets cold or humid I can't stand it. Damn El Nino!!! #@$%&!!"}, {"response": 85, "author": "riette", "date": "Sat, Sep  5, 1998 (06:10)", "body": "ha-ha!! hilarious business!"}, {"response": 86, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sat, Sep  5, 1998 (14:29)", "body": "well, i'm having food problems. yes, can you believe it? if i just look at something yummy i gain five pounds. this must be the reason cuz it ain't going away and i work out 3 times a week and drink a ton of water. oh, wait! doh! *bangs hand against forehead* it's my old age. yes. snuck up on me again."}, {"response": 87, "author": "riette", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (07:03)", "body": "Wolf, I have always been a firm believer that one can't do much about the way one is put together. I am just the same. Although I never put on weight (I am not small sized though, more sort of medium), excercise changes NOTHING about the way I am put together. I don't acquire more shapely legs - they always just look the way they look, and that's that. I even see it with my girls. Isa, the eldest is probably one of the most active children you'll ever see - constantly jumping and running and climbing; yet her legs already look just the same as mine! The little one sits around all day, sipping on a milk bottle and pestering me to carry her, yet she has these incredibly sporty little legs, and when they run (lazy as she is!)m Isa (with over a year's age advantage, plus ALOT fitter) has BIG trouble keeping up with the little bugger. Unfair, hey? I say, stop giving yourself a hard time. Keep fit by doing things you enjoy - whether that be working out in the gym, or going for long walks or whatever - don't suffer unneccessarily."}, {"response": 88, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (20:11)", "body": "tis true....my kids are different too. my son is tall and lanky, really long-limbed, small boned, much too fair for a boy and my daughter is stocky, tough little girl, small boned but more athletic in build....and yes, i see my husband and me in both of them. we can pick out the feet, hands, ears, noses, etc. etc."}, {"response": 89, "author": "riette", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (06:24)", "body": "Apart from Isa's legs, my kids have absolutely NOTHING of me in their looks. Isa looks just like her dad, and Elza looks kind of Swedish with her white hair and blue eyes (Chris has very dark hair!). I once had tea with a Swedish guy in Namibia - about nine months before she was born!!! - and now I keep thinking: perhaps getting pregnant is easier than one thinks!!!"}, {"response": 90, "author": "wolf", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (15:37)", "body": "hahaha!"}, {"response": 91, "author": "autumn", "date": "Fri, Sep 11, 1998 (01:40)", "body": "I am swearing off tea this instant. Back to espresso!"}, {"response": 92, "author": "riette", "date": "Fri, Sep 11, 1998 (05:34)", "body": "Yuksies!"}, {"response": 93, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sun, Sep 13, 1998 (03:21)", "body": "i much rather take tea....tried cappucinno and, though it smelled good, tasted much differently. why is it that coffee smells better than it tastes?"}, {"response": 94, "author": "riette", "date": "Sun, Sep 13, 1998 (07:56)", "body": "That's just what I say! I just find it awfully bitter, even though I love the smell of coffee. Whereas I've not yet found a tea that doesn't taste better than it smells! My favourite is South African Rooibos."}, {"response": 95, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sun, Sep 13, 1998 (14:54)", "body": "not all coffees are bitter, in fact I prefer the less acidic types..."}, {"response": 96, "author": "wolf", "date": "Mon, Sep 14, 1998 (15:56)", "body": "do tell us non-coffee drinkers the best tasting, non-bitter coffee...."}, {"response": 97, "author": "autumn", "date": "Thu, Sep 17, 1998 (02:32)", "body": "kona blend--from Hawaii. What do you think, wer?"}, {"response": 98, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Thu, Sep 17, 1998 (02:57)", "body": "Kona was the first one that came to my mind... I need to check on some other choices tomorrow... definately stay away from Arabicas, however!"}, {"response": 99, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 17, 1998 (05:04)", "body": "I keep coming back because I'm infatuated with the \"last 50\" feature. I use it all the time now. Being able to see all these lets you see what the login patterns are, like Riette logging in at night, etc. and you can quickly find what interests you the most. I had to put it on the main page. I'd like to see a last 100, a last 500 page also. That would be awesome! Or maybe a page where you could specify the number of last responses to see. Theoretically you could even call up all the responses for the last month, or year, or since the beginning of the Spring. In descending order! You're talking coffee? Kona, Arabicas... The little demitasse I had at Lil' Italy was a great capoff to a great meal. That brione . . . hey, I'll finish this in the restaurant conference in the Italian restaurant topic."}, {"response": 100, "author": "riette", "date": "Thu, Sep 17, 1998 (05:54)", "body": "I love it when you get so excited about technology - it's terribly sweet!"}, {"response": 101, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Thu, Sep 17, 1998 (14:30)", "body": "it's printing in reverse now, Terry... have to get Kaylene to write the one to let you choose a number in a response box... you'd have to fix the \"future\" dates in order for the last month, etcetera calls to work..."}, {"response": 102, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 17, 1998 (17:36)", "body": "That rocks! Kaylene has a routine already that can be run to fix future dates. Call me this weekend and I'll get you set up on access. Awesome!!!"}, {"response": 103, "author": "wolf", "date": "Fri, Sep 18, 1998 (21:28)", "body": "ok, where can i try this kona stuff? do they sell it on the mainland? (ok, here in the bayous or anywhere close?)"}, {"response": 104, "author": "autumn", "date": "Fri, Sep 18, 1998 (21:34)", "body": "You can buy it at any gourmet-style coffee place. It's VERY expensive (because those mules have to schlepp it down mountains with 20,000 foot altitude), so look for the little sample packages that only makes a couple pots."}, {"response": 105, "author": "stacey", "date": "Tue, Sep 29, 1998 (12:43)", "body": "But if you fly to Hawaii, it's cheap, cheap, cheap! While you're there would ya pick up some macadamia nuts for me?!?"}, {"response": 106, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Sep 29, 1998 (14:30)", "body": "You've been to Hawaii lately?!"}, {"response": 107, "author": "stacey", "date": "Wed, Sep 30, 1998 (18:34)", "body": "unfortunately never."}, {"response": 108, "author": "riette", "date": "Thu, Oct  1, 1998 (05:54)", "body": "Same here. Anybody been to Hawaii?"}, {"response": 109, "author": "wolf", "date": "Thu, Oct  1, 1998 (17:45)", "body": "nope. one of my coworkers went in april. she said it was great!!"}, {"response": 110, "author": "autumn", "date": "Thu, Oct  1, 1998 (18:53)", "body": "Never."}, {"response": 111, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Oct  2, 1998 (04:18)", "body": "Nope, never been. Ah, to lay on the beach in Maui and live in a grass hut."}, {"response": 112, "author": "stacey", "date": "Fri, Oct  2, 1998 (04:22)", "body": "in a grass skirt?"}, {"response": 113, "author": "riette", "date": "Fri, Oct  2, 1998 (09:40)", "body": "eating grass?"}, {"response": 114, "author": "stacey", "date": "Fri, Oct  2, 1998 (12:08)", "body": "eating poi (not as yummy as it sounds)"}, {"response": 115, "author": "autumn", "date": "Sat, Oct  3, 1998 (04:22)", "body": "smoking grass."}, {"response": 116, "author": "riette", "date": "Sat, Oct  3, 1998 (09:58)", "body": "ha-ha! You're starting to remind of AB FAB's Patsy!"}, {"response": 117, "author": "autumn", "date": "Wed, Oct  7, 1998 (20:33)", "body": "What a compliment, sweetie, dahling!"}, {"response": 118, "author": "wolf", "date": "Wed, Oct 14, 1998 (00:52)", "body": "OK....where's ree-head???? am getting worried about her...."}, {"response": 119, "author": "stacey", "date": "Wed, Oct 14, 1998 (14:03)", "body": "did she have a holiday to go on?"}, {"response": 120, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Oct 14, 1998 (14:39)", "body": "That's what I'm thinking, she may be traveling."}, {"response": 121, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Wed, Oct 14, 1998 (17:10)", "body": "When was her sister due to visit?"}, {"response": 122, "author": "stacey", "date": "Wed, Oct 14, 1998 (17:19)", "body": "by george! I think he's got it!"}, {"response": 123, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Wed, Oct 14, 1998 (17:33)", "body": "I hope it's curable..."}, {"response": 124, "author": "stacey", "date": "Wed, Oct 14, 1998 (17:35)", "body": "Actually, I believe it's degenerative."}, {"response": 125, "author": "wolf", "date": "Wed, Oct 14, 1998 (19:37)", "body": "i thought she was already there (when riette created a topic for her)....hmmmmm"}, {"response": 126, "author": "mikeg", "date": "Wed, Oct 14, 1998 (22:19)", "body": "give her a call if you like: (international access stuff) 041 382 1064"}, {"response": 127, "author": "riette", "date": "Thu, Oct 15, 1998 (18:06)", "body": "Sonja here: I arrived on Tuesday morning. I wanted to come on earlier, but we had alot of catching up to do. Travelling only consists of day trips this time, I'm afraid - she has too much work. She created a topic about me??? I dread to discover the contents!! I let her out of my sight for a year, and she just goes wild - I don't know!"}, {"response": 128, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Fri, Oct 16, 1998 (08:32)", "body": "guess that means you'll have to keep coming back to check on her when you get back to the states, huh?"}, {"response": 129, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Oct 16, 1998 (14:14)", "body": "See, Sonja, we already know what a *wild and crazy* gal you are!"}, {"response": 130, "author": "riette", "date": "Fri, Oct 16, 1998 (16:02)", "body": "Hi, guys. I'm back too. I almost feel like I should ask for permission to come back, though - I feel so bad about having just taken off like that and stuff. I am truly sorry."}, {"response": 131, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Fri, Oct 16, 1998 (17:29)", "body": "does this mean that you need another spanking, Mistress?"}, {"response": 132, "author": "riette", "date": "Fri, Oct 16, 1998 (17:31)", "body": "Man, that's what I call a WARM welcome! I should dissappear more often!"}, {"response": 133, "author": "sonja", "date": "Fri, Oct 16, 1998 (18:13)", "body": "Is this treatment not for first-timers then?"}, {"response": 134, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Oct 16, 1998 (18:17)", "body": "Sure, first timers get equal treatment."}, {"response": 135, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Fri, Oct 16, 1998 (18:25)", "body": "Yep, so grab your ankles..."}, {"response": 136, "author": "sonja", "date": "Fri, Oct 16, 1998 (18:57)", "body": "LOL! I was thinking we could do it the other way around, perhaps?"}, {"response": 137, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Oct 16, 1998 (19:20)", "body": "So you want special treatment? OK, in your case, you can have it."}, {"response": 138, "author": "riette", "date": "Sat, Oct 17, 1998 (05:48)", "body": "Thank you, sir. Grab your ankles now!"}, {"response": 139, "author": "riette", "date": "Sat, Oct 17, 1998 (05:52)", "body": "(Must warn you though, Terry. The girl's got killer biceps....so be careful with that special treatment!)"}, {"response": 140, "author": "sonja", "date": "Sat, Oct 17, 1998 (12:35)", "body": "Hey, that's my special treatment, and mine only! Only I do the ordering! Back off, girl!"}, {"response": 141, "author": "riette", "date": "Sat, Oct 17, 1998 (19:49)", "body": "Should've never let you on here."}, {"response": 142, "author": "sonja", "date": "Sun, Oct 18, 1998 (09:16)", "body": "Too late now, isn't it?"}, {"response": 143, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Oct 18, 1998 (09:36)", "body": "It's going to be ok, Ree!"}, {"response": 144, "author": "sonja", "date": "Sun, Oct 18, 1998 (13:53)", "body": "Yes, it's going to be okay, Ree!"}, {"response": 145, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Oct 19, 1998 (02:36)", "body": "She's back! Does this mean the Bronte conference is alive again? Item 63 entered Sun, Oct 18, 1998 (17:07) by Amy Wolf (amy2) I'm baaaccckk... Hi fellow Bronte fans -- it's me, Amy, your hostess, returned after many months of being away. Truth to tell, I couldn't find this Board until Mick kindly gave me the new URL. I think part of the confusion was that I had changed my e-mail address. So please check in & let me know you're still there! I hope we can continue your excellent discussions on the Bronte's lives & works. 1 new of 1 response total. Long live the Bronte sisters!!!"}, {"response": 146, "author": "riette", "date": "Mon, Oct 19, 1998 (07:39)", "body": "Hee haw!!! LONG LIVE THE BRONTES!!!!!"}, {"response": 147, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Oct 19, 1998 (11:51)", "body": "Topic 63 of 63: 'I'm baaaccckk...' Resp 2 of 2: Mick Armitage (Mick1) Mon, Oct 19, 1998 (06:25) 1 lines Hi Amy, - Nice to see something stirring on this conference once again: when I re-discovered it, at its new URL, it was looking like a long-deserted ghost town! Now all we need is everybody else . . . Now, he's back. I hope Amy does a mail to the bronte ulist (list of folks who've visited the Bronte Sisters Conference with their emails, available to every host)."}, {"response": 148, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Mon, Apr  5, 1999 (00:49)", "body": "and so we come and go...and come again..."}, {"response": 149, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (03:01)", "body": "It seems this topic has gone missing for a while. I live in Hawaii - on the Island where the Kona Coffee grows, actually. Why do I come here...to maintain my sanity. On a serious note, I do not think you realize how important a link to like-minded, caring people this is (with a few malefactors thrown in for good measure.) You have saved more than one desperate person that I know of from dire consequences just by allowing this forum. Thank you...or as we say here, Mahalo Nui Loa."}, {"response": 150, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (04:23)", "body": "I know there is an upside to living in Hawaii, where we get the day after the entire world is done with it. On New Year's Eve, as the Y2K approaches, each time zone will clear more space on the Internet for the Hawaii users as those non-Y2K computers' Bios go belly-up one after another. Of course, by the time midnight arrives here, there will be no one left to talk to. I exaggerate, but there is little to recommend posting to a world that is asleep. If I get any feedback, it will be when I am asleep!! Stock brokers here keep very odd hours, indeed. They must rise with the opening bell, no matter if it is 2 AM here!"}, {"response": 151, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (05:46)", "body": "I'm awake...although not for much longer...when you get up, have a nice cup of coffee for me, okay?"}, {"response": 152, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (23:27)", "body": "Consider it done. Shall that be straight black or one of those wonderfully aromatic but sometimes distasteful blends with vanilla, brazil nuts, etc added in? I prefer those flavors in my desert and my coffee just the way God made it."}, {"response": 153, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (23:29)", "body": "...and a nice big serving of that Jellyfish salad...! What do you suggest I serve with it?! (Do not tell me a stomach pump!)"}, {"response": 154, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (00:17)", "body": "black is fine... If I was forced to serve the jellyfish salad, I think I'd follow it with some plain grilled shrimp and/or pork or chicken satay and some saffron fried rice with scallions and sunflower seeds and maybe some gingered carrots or green beans..."}, {"response": 155, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (23:57)", "body": "...sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds?! You are more than just a great techie...you are a poet with the second most sensuous thing in the world. In case you wondered about the *most* sensuous...I have been reading your postings on the Sex boards. Ummmmm...poetic there, too (*benevolently dreamy smile*)"}, {"response": 156, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Wed, May 19, 1999 (00:38)", "body": "I appreciate the compliments and you are more than welcome to post along with us \"(sex)crazy(ied)\" folks in the other conferences..."}, {"response": 157, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May 19, 1999 (01:00)", "body": "Thank you...I just may. But, in the meanwhile, I am going back to 72 and looking into the corners for you...(smiling sweetly)"}, {"response": 158, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Wed, May 19, 1999 (02:09)", "body": "I'll be waiting... drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 105, "subject": "Male models", "response_count": 11, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Aug  3, 1998 (11:48)", "body": "Lucky Vanous. Last I heard, he was dropping out of the business for a couple of years to take serious acting lessons. But that was a couple of years ago. :) God forbid if Fabio ever cut his hair, because to my eyes that is the only part of him that is attractive. His face doesn't do a thing for me. I have a model to show ya. Lemme scan it and I'll put it up."}, {"response": 2, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Aug  3, 1998 (12:09)", "body": "Get out your drool bibs, ladies. :) I cut this out of a magazine about 4 years ago. It was a perfume ad, I think. I have no idea who this is. I only know those eyes have carved a permanent place in my heart. Enjoy. Model With Eyes"}, {"response": 3, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Aug  3, 1998 (12:10)", "body": "Rats. LEmme try again."}, {"response": 4, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (06:38)", "body": "spank me!!"}, {"response": 5, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (11:24)", "body": "Um, is that European-speak for \"he's a babe!\" ? :)"}, {"response": 6, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (13:38)", "body": "Yes, I suppose so!"}, {"response": 7, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sat, Aug 22, 1998 (16:48)", "body": "Lisa, found a little something for you ;-) He is just about as perfect as a male gets, I suppose, huh? ;-p I have to say that he's just too handsome for me--it's intimidating. But my 4 1/2 year old cousin thinks he's better than Blues Clues. How's that for a compliment? ;-D"}, {"response": 8, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sat, Aug 22, 1998 (16:49)", "body": "After viewing those photos again, I might wish to change my vote ;-) Mercy, would you just look at those lips! :-)~~~"}, {"response": 9, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Sat, Aug 22, 1998 (17:37)", "body": "Disgusting!!!!"}, {"response": 10, "author": "venezia", "date": "Sun, Aug 23, 1998 (16:45)", "body": "Oh Nan! I was feeling a bit under the weather today and those hot pics just made my body temperature soar another few degrees. Goodness gracious! Mama mia! He is purr-fect! . I can't think of another torso that's more gorgeous to admire. Thanks for the photos. I think I'll get a cold compress to cool me down now. As for your little cousin, who's Blues Clues?"}, {"response": 11, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Aug 23, 1998 (17:04)", "body": "(Lisa) As for your little cousin, who's Blues Clues? Very popular kid's tv show ;-) drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 106, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 107, "subject": "How's your connection to the Spring?", "response_count": 136, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Ann", "date": "Fri, Aug  7, 1998 (04:25)", "body": "Some days yes, some days no. I think a lot of it is on my end with a slow ISP, but sometimes the Spring just loads slowly--I notice it when I am FTPing to, not just when I'm on the boards."}, {"response": 2, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug  7, 1998 (13:17)", "body": "Last night (Thursday) I was unable to log on. The dialog box said \"timed out\". Maybe my ISP..but all the other websites were ok. It's erratic. (Didn't say erotic....maybe that too!!)"}, {"response": 3, "author": "wolf", "date": "Fri, Aug  7, 1998 (13:38)", "body": "had trouble getting in last night too, got a message the computer couldn't connect to the server. Buuuuut, i tried the basic url ( http://www.spring.net ) and got in no problem."}, {"response": 4, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Aug  7, 1998 (14:11)", "body": "Looks like MCI's having router problems. I can't get there from here, so to speak. $ traceroute 206.97.234.70 traceroute to ns1.spring.net (206.97.234.70) 30 hops max, 38 byte packets 1 fw1.wenet.net (206.15.64.252) 2 ms 1 ms 1 ms 2 pb-nap.bdr.hooked.net (206.80.17.2) 2 ms 2 ms 2 ms 3 core3-atm3-0.SanFrancisco.mci.net (198.32.128.12) 5 ms 4 ms 5 ms 4 core1.Dallas.mci.net (204.70.4.217) 43 ms 43 ms 42 ms 5 border4-fddi-0.Dallas.mci.net (204.70.114.35) 43 ms 43 ms 43 ms 6 * * * 7 border4-fddi-0.Dallas.mci.net (204.70.114.35) 43 ms (ttl=251!) !H * 44 ms (ttl=251!) !H $ Twasn't us folks, it wuz mci (points the finger). We staying online and I was able to be logged in during this whole period. But it was getting pretty lonely there for a while!"}, {"response": 5, "author": "Ann", "date": "Fri, Aug  7, 1998 (17:01)", "body": "FTPing is slow right now--practically stuck (Noon Central time)."}, {"response": 6, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Fri, Aug  7, 1998 (20:43)", "body": "just curious...why is this in the Drool conference? :)"}, {"response": 7, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Aug  8, 1998 (05:32)", "body": "Cause I had so many emails and icq's from droolers the other night when we went down. And you are such a large, supportive group!"}, {"response": 8, "author": "riette", "date": "Sat, Aug  8, 1998 (06:18)", "body": "I always want to go to drool too, but I don't know much about actors, male or female, and I'm too lazy to start reading up on them. What a damned shame."}, {"response": 9, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sat, Aug  8, 1998 (16:33)", "body": "(Charlotte) just curious...why is this in the Drool conference? :) This is one of those topics that is linked from it's original Conference (Porch) to Drool and responses appear in both places. Since we droolers often stay within the walls of this Conference, I think this is Terry's way of introducing us to the people who participate at other parts of Spring. Sounds like a good idea to me. (Terry) And you are such a large, supportive group! However single-minded we are ;-p (Riette) I always want to go to drool too, but I don't know much about actors, male or female Really? There is no actor you have a crush on? Come, come...fess up, who is it? ;-D We also do general celebrities (sports figures, musicians, men in the news, Historical Hunks). If you think of someone who does it for you, I'll be happy to start a topic and hunt down some photos to facilitate your drooling :-) Oh, incidentally Terry...my connection is just fine. Except for the times when Spring hiccups, I fly through the boards. I've even grown fond of the Yapp software (something I once thought I'd never get used to). Hope you never change it ;-)"}, {"response": 10, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Sat, Aug  8, 1998 (17:40)", "body": "Thanks for the explanation, guys! What a team! For the record, my connection this morning is superb. I only use the URL through netscape. Wouldn't know how to telnet or ftp if you paid me. :)"}, {"response": 11, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug  8, 1998 (20:50)", "body": "Charlotte Thanks for the explanation, guys! What a team! Come join us. Newcomers are always welcomed . (Riette) I always want to go to drool too, but I don't know much about actors, male or female Honey...on this board...you'll learn fast. Great fun. Hop on!"}, {"response": 12, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sun, Aug  9, 1998 (04:36)", "body": "(especially if it's onto your favorite actor...)"}, {"response": 13, "author": "riette", "date": "Sun, Aug  9, 1998 (06:36)", "body": "Thanks Evelyn - just might!"}, {"response": 14, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Aug  9, 1998 (12:10)", "body": "Hmm, Riette hopping on to her favorite actor, now, there was an offer of posting photos and starting a topic but facilitating this would be pretty amazing, but Nan, Evelyn et al are very capable."}, {"response": 15, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug  9, 1998 (20:21)", "body": "Riette hopping on to her favorite actor, now, there was an offer LOL....See what I mean, Riette. #68, 97 & 98 are my favs..... Colin Firth..... but all are fun."}, {"response": 16, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sun, Aug  9, 1998 (20:32)", "body": "oh, riette, david duchovny is there too! (guess who started that one *grin*)"}, {"response": 17, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Aug 10, 1998 (03:59)", "body": "Hop on it, girls."}, {"response": 18, "author": "riette", "date": "Mon, Aug 10, 1998 (10:07)", "body": "I'm not hopping onto anyone but Sean Connery and Anthony Hopkins - they give me the shivers, they're so sexy. Especially Anthony Hopkins. Hope I never get to meet him, I'll probably go into a coma or something!"}, {"response": 19, "author": "wolf", "date": "Mon, Aug 10, 1998 (14:32)", "body": "LOL!!"}, {"response": 20, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Aug 10, 1998 (14:33)", "body": "You're my kind of woman, Riette! All my friends don't understand why I never want to meet Kevin. It's nice to know someone who does."}, {"response": 21, "author": "riette", "date": "Mon, Aug 10, 1998 (21:29)", "body": "ha-ha!!! So you're a Kevin fan? He's sweet. And which film turned you into his fan? My favourite film with him is Waterworld. I adored it."}, {"response": 22, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (00:02)", "body": "You and I are the only ones on the planet with a fondness for Waterworld, Riette! He first caught my eye in Fandango, and has been getting better ever since."}, {"response": 23, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (00:43)", "body": "(Charlotte) You and I are the only ones on the planet with a fondness for Waterworld, Riette! I liked Waterworld (but, in truth, I've always felt it was because Kevin can do no wrong for me ;-D) It's not Bull Durham , but what is? ;-)~~~"}, {"response": 24, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (00:59)", "body": "Hey, there's now 3 people on the planet who liked Waterworld, count me in! But I was far more interested in Jeanne Triplehorn (who also played in The Firm with Tom Cruise)."}, {"response": 25, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (03:56)", "body": "didn't see Waterworld..."}, {"response": 26, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (04:15)", "body": "Go rent it, KM! We need to start a movement here! I'm sure you'll like it, and then we'll have four people on the planet who liked it. :)"}, {"response": 27, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (05:39)", "body": "I loved it mostly because of the brilliant photography, and all those wonderful scrap metal contructions. Charlotte, Nan would you two like to come and join us in Art? I think (I hope) it isn't boring there, even for people who aren't 'into' art. There's even some art by Wer and Autumns daughters. Plus I promised Terry something very special in return for a sketch from him!"}, {"response": 28, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (05:52)", "body": "(Riette) Charlotte, Nan would you two like to come and join us in Art? I think (I hope) it isn't boring there, even for people who aren't 'into' art. Actually, I've already been...several times. I was going to jump into the American Impressionist conversation then I got sidetracked somehow :-/ Plus I promised Terry something very special in return for a sketch from him! And that would be...? ;-)"}, {"response": 29, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (06:14)", "body": "Go and see for yourself in the 'Let the fun begin' topic! No, it would be great to have you there too, Nan."}, {"response": 30, "author": "stacey", "date": "Fri, Aug 21, 1998 (20:48)", "body": "Been a little 'disconnected' to the Spring... but here I am! How's the drooling going guys and gals?"}, {"response": 31, "author": "autumn", "date": "Sat, Aug 22, 1998 (18:17)", "body": "Welcome back, Stacey! School back in session?"}, {"response": 32, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (05:44)", "body": "We had www down for a bit tonight, and our new access.spring.net machine's been up and down.... Peter's been setting up websites, including austen.com, suzyamis, brucesterling, silkcloth, silkclothes, silkclothing, etc. For a while brucesterling.com and suzyamis were sharing the same address, a glitch. And there are other minor glitches we're working out. I'm down here at the T-1 location standing by at the console while Peter tweaks our dns. Check things out and let me know if you notice any glitches or changes that need to be made."}, {"response": 33, "author": "riette", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (07:07)", "body": "I've had no problems this morning - and last night I was out, so I don't know if it will have worked then. I'll see how it goes from tomorrow night onwards though....tonight I'm out again! Cool, edgy, hip!"}, {"response": 34, "author": "autumn", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (20:27)", "body": "If we get any cooler, edgier and hipper I think I'm gonna throw up!"}, {"response": 35, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (21:35)", "body": "Roll down the window."}, {"response": 36, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Aug 31, 1998 (03:23)", "body": "I'm down at the colocation site for the Spring and I just brought www back up. What an ordeal! I had a spare power supply to swap in but it didn't match the old one on this box. At least the connectors are different, and no soldering iron! Well, it's back together with bubble gum and bailing wire. It's not that bad, it's just the fan inside the power supply that I had to replace. And it's spinning now. And this server is running cooler. Check the time on this box and high tail it outa here. Captains Log, stardate 8/30/98 10:22 pm we are back on line after a brief interuption of about 20 minutes of moaning and groaning. You can resume normal activities now!"}, {"response": 37, "author": "riette", "date": "Mon, Aug 31, 1998 (06:34)", "body": "Thank you, cool guy!"}, {"response": 38, "author": "stacey", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (08:07)", "body": "I dunno... he sounded a bit more edgy to me!"}, {"response": 39, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (22:10)", "body": "Yep, more toward edgy on the proverbial edgy/cool continuum."}, {"response": 40, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 26, 1998 (21:26)", "body": "I hope this posting goes through. I am testing. It went through on Topic 1 Introductions."}, {"response": 41, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 26, 1998 (21:27)", "body": "Thank you....so far, so good. :-))"}, {"response": 42, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Sep 28, 1998 (17:28)", "body": "I've asked William Roland (wer@spring.net) to set up Heidi and Karen as hosts of drool. Congratulations Heidi and Karen! I'm out of pocket so hopefully Wm. can do this sometime today. If not, I can get you set up with hostly powers later. But in the meantime, please correspond with wer@spring.net about this and he'll, hopefully, get in touch with you!"}, {"response": 43, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 28, 1998 (21:34)", "body": "Terry, I finally gave up on Explorer 4. and Yapp.... The latter refused to take my posts.(Ex.3,which I previously had was okay) Nan had the same problem with Ex.4 Suggested I download Netscape. Which I did and now all is well. Pl. tell anyone else who has this problem. Neither Kaylene or Dave could resolve the problem."}, {"response": 44, "author": "mikeg", "date": "Mon, Sep 28, 1998 (21:53)", "body": "anyone having browser problems might like to take a look at Opera - http://www.operasoftware.com"}, {"response": 45, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Mon, Sep 28, 1998 (23:23)", "body": "MSIE 4.0 was quite buggy and had problems with a lot of different applications. I installed 4.01 and have had no problems either here or anywhere else."}, {"response": 46, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Sep 30, 1998 (00:50)", "body": "Thanks, Terry. Will get in touch with William to get the ball rolling."}, {"response": 47, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 30, 1998 (00:59)", "body": "Great! And thanks so much Heide! New folks in apps: Topic 102 of 387: 'PIRCH' Resp 13 of 13: Solarboy (Solarboy) Sat, Sep 26, 1998 (04:12) 2 lines All the chat programs are similar or are they? l'm trying to find a relativly easy way of conversating. [102/387] Respond, forget, or pass? Item 263 entered Fri, Aug 9, 1996 (19:54) by Paul Terry Walhus (terry) I-View 1 new of 1 response total. Topic 263 of 387: 'I-View' Resp 1 of 1: Pierre R. Schwob (prs) Mon, Sep 28, 1998 (16:02) 5 lines This program isn't supported any longer (since 1996!) Please do not attempt to register for this shareware. Pierre R. Schwob PRS Corporation [263/387] Respond, forget, or pass? Item 381 entered Tue, May 5, 1998 (02:54) by Forrest H. Stroud (buzz) Microsoft Media Player 1 new of 2 responses total. Topic 381 of 387: 'Microsoft Media Player' Resp 2 of 2: John Tubbs (WhytKnyt) Thu, Sep 24, 1998 (17:26) 2 lines Version 6.0? The Microsoft download site says it's version 5.2."}, {"response": 48, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Wed, Sep 30, 1998 (04:41)", "body": "Heide, I'll change your host login from Heide to heide tomorrow... is Karen's login name all lower case as well?"}, {"response": 49, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct  1, 1998 (15:20)", "body": "Bill, I login as KarenR. Thanks."}, {"response": 50, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Thu, Oct  1, 1998 (20:09)", "body": "got it...will fix your and Heide's logins as soon as I can..."}, {"response": 51, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Fri, Oct  2, 1998 (21:22)", "body": "done...heide and KarenR are now hostesses..."}, {"response": 52, "author": "stacey", "date": "Fri, Oct  2, 1998 (21:29)", "body": "If i may be so bold (and nosy) what happened to the old hostess?"}, {"response": 53, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  2, 1998 (21:37)", "body": "Nan won the Powerball lottery and retired!! Just kidding. She's in graduate school and, with her work on cf.com, she needed to lighten up on her Drool responsibilities. Took two of us to replace her. :-)"}, {"response": 54, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Oct  3, 1998 (15:51)", "body": "Why, my goodness! I think we're in. Got that big red PANIC button on my screen now. Thanks guys."}, {"response": 55, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct  8, 1998 (01:04)", "body": "Hey, William...Terry...anybody home?? How's about setting Karen and Heide's passwords that they sent you for the sub-directories and setting up their email accounts. Karen has a real neat cover of Colin that we are all eager to see and she can't do it ....Youse' holdin' up the woiks.....:-)"}, {"response": 56, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Thu, Oct  8, 1998 (02:39)", "body": "Calling Terry now..."}, {"response": 57, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Oct  8, 1998 (13:17)", "body": "wuz up?"}, {"response": 58, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Oct  8, 1998 (13:47)", "body": "See my note in the projects conference."}, {"response": 59, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct  8, 1998 (15:42)", "body": "Thanks Terry, William and Jeff. I have alerted Karen and Heide. Karen has pictures to scan and can't do it. Appreciate what you guys can do to install the new credentials. I am off to UK. See ya' at the end of the month."}, {"response": 60, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Oct  8, 1998 (18:18)", "body": "Have fun in the UK, say hi to Mike Griggs if you see him on the street there."}, {"response": 61, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Oct 11, 1998 (22:03)", "body": "Trying to get onto Topic 2, Terry, but I keep getting an internal server error or misconfiguration. Gee, is it just me? I also get the same message in Topic 34 but no problem anywhere else I've gone. Also, can you explain why Topic 98 doesn't show up in the Conference Center page? There is daily activity there but perhaps it's just me again."}, {"response": 62, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Oct 12, 1998 (13:13)", "body": "I'll look in to these problems Heide, seems to be working ok today. You may just need to retry. Important information about the Y2K bug: Topic 7 of 9: Y2K or Year 2000 problem Sat, May 2, 1998 (09:22) | Paul Terry Walhus (terry) 1 new of 2 responses total. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Topic 7 of 9 [computer]: Y2K or Year 2000 problem Response 2 of 2: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Sun, Oct 11, 1998 (10:31) * 1 lines"}, {"response": 63, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 13, 1998 (15:38)", "body": "Terry, According to the conference log, Topic 98 was \"retired\" by Myretta on 10/8. As a result, it does not show up on the main listing or for those of us who use \"new\" even if there are new comments. Can you undo this or will we need to start a new topic for Film Discussions, one of our most active? Also, has a subdirectory been set up for uploading pictures that we wish to link to the drool conference? A ~karen??? or ~heide???"}, {"response": 64, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 13, 1998 (15:42)", "body": "Just decided to do a little testing myself and inadvertenly \"retired\" this topic. Sorry. :("}, {"response": 65, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 13, 1998 (18:56)", "body": "I too wondered why Topic 98 had gone from the main menu. I hope it all gets taken care of quickly. Thank you Terry!"}, {"response": 66, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 13, 1998 (19:15)", "body": "Moon, you can still read and post at 98. All \"retirement\" means is that it doesn't show up on the menu page."}, {"response": 67, "author": "casinosunrise", "date": "Tue, Oct 13, 1998 (23:18)", "body": "new here, what do i need to know to be political,etc. not sure i understand the layout of the land. sounds interesting however want to listen and learn before jumping in ."}, {"response": 68, "author": "casinosunrise", "date": "Tue, Oct 13, 1998 (23:24)", "body": "i took a left while looking to down load realaudio. looked interesting. looking to chat and moving around to see what's happening . loved the name moonbeam.....an intellectually sound decision."}, {"response": 69, "author": "casinosunrise", "date": "Tue, Oct 13, 1998 (23:33)", "body": "yo, just read \"macworld\", i don't have a mac. guess that's it guys. sorry i won't get to know the rest."}, {"response": 70, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Thu, Oct 15, 1998 (12:24)", "body": "According to the conference log, Topic 98 was \"retired\" by Myretta on 10/8. That's odd. I haven't done a hostly deed in months."}, {"response": 71, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 15, 1998 (15:30)", "body": "Thank you cfadm whoever you are for resurrecting the topics. :) And Myretta, I always blame the mouse. ;-o"}, {"response": 72, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Oct 15, 1998 (15:53)", "body": "Willliam most likely restored the topics. cfadm is the administrative account for Yapp."}, {"response": 73, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Fri, Oct 16, 1998 (08:42)", "body": "yep, it's all my fault..."}, {"response": 74, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Oct 18, 1998 (07:51)", "body": "This systems been running continually without crashing for 47 days now. We probably need to do a reboot just to let the processes clear out."}, {"response": 75, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Oct 19, 1998 (12:22)", "body": "The floods have wreaked havoc with our net connection out of San Antonio, but it only seems to be affecting the Spring's subnet isdn connection so far. But there is major work going on at the colocation site to get the routing back to what it was before all the heavy weather. We're on a UPS but there may be outages due to the regions abnormal weather. Stay tuned."}, {"response": 76, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 25, 1998 (19:34)", "body": "Terry, #97 is not accepting postings."}, {"response": 77, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Nov 25, 1998 (21:52)", "body": "Next time you come in it may. wer has some insights on this (email spew@www.spring.net)"}, {"response": 78, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Thu, Nov 26, 1998 (02:05)", "body": "actually, it's probably better to e-mail me at either rotazo@aol.com or kitchen_manager@juno.com or wer@spring.net (don't think you ever did a forward on spew@www.spring.net, or did you, Terry?)"}, {"response": 79, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Nov 28, 1998 (23:21)", "body": "You do have a forward file set up there now and it forwards spewmail to both hotmail and your other email acct but not to wer."}, {"response": 80, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Nov 28, 1998 (23:28)", "body": "It goes to Juno and Hotmail."}, {"response": 81, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sat, Nov 28, 1998 (23:28)", "body": "Who at Hotmail? Should forward to AOL... not sure if I remember my Hotmail address and password..."}, {"response": 82, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (07:01)", "body": "Hi. 3rd Feb 1999 has just changed to 7th Feb 2036 on most boards I visit but not this one I notice!"}, {"response": 83, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (09:45)", "body": "It's fixed now Allison, it was the date on our server. It's our own little premature y2k problem."}, {"response": 84, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (18:20)", "body": "I have been having more and more trouble with Heidi's Colin firth site 116. I click on activity in the last week but it goes through all of them until Jan. 27 and there it stops. It took 11 minutes to get through just that many. It seems to be getting slower and slower."}, {"response": 85, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (10:57)", "body": "I am having trouble posting on 118. I have tried to post twice and got a Server Error."}, {"response": 86, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Mon, Apr  5, 1999 (00:54)", "body": "sorry I missed these posts...is everything okay now?"}, {"response": 87, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Mon, Apr  5, 1999 (01:23)", "body": "found out why I missed these posts... little gremlins have unlinked this topic from it's namesake in porch..."}, {"response": 88, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (07:44)", "body": "Can you tell me why when I post on #118, I get a screen saying nothing but Yapp Error and no explanation?"}, {"response": 89, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (07:45)", "body": "And why has that response not shown up as \"New\"?"}, {"response": 90, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (15:50)", "body": "I'm not sure but I'm running some experiments to see if I can figure it out for you!"}, {"response": 91, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (19:19)", "body": "It just happened again when I tried to reply to you on this board."}, {"response": 92, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (19:21)", "body": "The message I got this time was Yapp Error and then it showed a charater string which started AllisonM+and then each letter of my message separated by plus signs. Does that help?"}, {"response": 93, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (19:49)", "body": "Wer, the message actually says \"Invalid request message\". The problem is intermittant. Thanks for your help."}, {"response": 94, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (19:50)", "body": "That should read \"invalid request method\"...."}, {"response": 95, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 13, 1999 (00:06)", "body": "I hesitate to provoke the cyber-gods by telling you I have never had trouble getting into Drool or any of Sites of Spring. I am here every day, all day. Perhaps Hawaii does have it's up side. You are busy fixing the problems of the day while I am still asleep! Happy thought, indeed. May they all be little ones. My appreciation to those who keep things running so efficiently behind the scenes."}, {"response": 96, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Thu, May 13, 1999 (23:22)", "body": "actually, that happens to me often as well, Allison, and it might, I've got a new idea... are you still unable to post successfully to #118? last I looked, your last two posts wer 1057 and 1094, right? (thanks, Marcia, even if I only do a little bit here and there...)"}, {"response": 97, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (07:51)", "body": "Wer, I posted on #118; 1057 and 1094 were mine. I then posted 1143 and 1144. I got an error when I tried to post 1143 the first time. I clicked on \"clear\", just to seeif that would make a difference and then successfully posted twice. Interesting that you have the same problem. I have just upgraded my PC so I was wondering if it had something to do with that. BTW I got another Yapp error before posting this!"}, {"response": 98, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (15:36)", "body": "Wer, I have found a way round the problem if you are interested. When I get an error message, I click on \"refresh\" on my browser. I then get a window asking me whether I wish to repost form data. I click yes and hey presto!"}, {"response": 99, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (18:30)", "body": "by chance, are you using Internet Explorer 4.0 or AOL4.0?"}, {"response": 100, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, May 15, 1999 (08:47)", "body": "by chance, are you using Internet Explorer 4.0 or AOL4.0? IE4.0 not AOL."}, {"response": 101, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 15, 1999 (12:47)", "body": "Try downloading Netscape. IE seems to be a big problem for most people here. You can get it for free here: http://home.netscape.com/computing/download/index.html?cp=hom05tdow"}, {"response": 102, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (02:21)", "body": "Allison, I add my voice to Karen's in encouraging you to use Netscape. I have used 4.0 (Navigator) with no problems since it came out. Upgraded to Communicator but went back to Navigator as it worked much smoother and I did not want those extra bells and whistles."}, {"response": 103, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (02:37)", "body": "Might I make a little suggestion? You put the current time on our postings. That is wonderful but a little meaningless since it is Austin time. I talk to people world wide, and it would be so much easier to figure out what time it was for them locally if you used GMT or Zulu. Please??? hope...hope...!"}, {"response": 104, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (05:02)", "body": "Actually, the time-stamp is Eastern time, I believe."}, {"response": 105, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (05:03)", "body": "Maybe not..."}, {"response": 106, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (08:11)", "body": "Thank you all for your help. I was using Netscape before I upgraded. I shall give it a whirl."}, {"response": 107, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (19:27)", "body": "I'll let Terry know about the time request..."}, {"response": 108, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 1999 (20:32)", "body": "Where is the latest Colin Firth conference (118)? It's disappeared from my drool index?"}, {"response": 109, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 1999 (21:06)", "body": "It is there Chris, but there haven't been hardly any postings since early this morning. You can always double check by typing in the direct URL: http//www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/118/new Then at the bottom, in the \"redisplay\" box you can put in -1 or -2 to back up a couple of comments (if necessary) or as many as you want to doublecheck if you've missed anything."}, {"response": 110, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 1999 (21:07)", "body": "This one will be clickable: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/118/new"}, {"response": 111, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 1999 (03:04)", "body": "I am having a problem. 34 and 72 have both disappeared from my list. Marcia sent me an adress for 34 but when I click on it all that comes up is the window for posting. The 72 she sent only gives me a couple of messages. I don't know why they no longer appear on the list."}, {"response": 112, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sun, Jul  4, 1999 (08:34)", "body": "probably has to do with the jump to 2036 twice recently... have the topics reappeared for you yet?"}, {"response": 113, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (19:21)", "body": "Terry...could this be a help in funding for cf.com? This is a British Theatre website...has a list of all websites pertaining to British Actors. \"CALLING ALL WEBMASTERS/MISTRESSES! About.com is launching a new Affiliates programme which will enable those who run related sites to become a part of the About.com communuity and earn a little money into the bargain. Your British Theatre related site could carry a banner or button linking directly to mine, and, if you like, a search engine which will carry out searches on the British Theatre site or even the whole of About.com's 650+ sites, and every time a visitor clicks on the banner, the button or the search box, you get paid. I know that many of you already link to this site - you have my gratitude for that - so formalising the arrangement will give you a little back in return. To find out more, pop along to - http://britishtheatre.about.com/library/weekly/blaffiliates.htm"}, {"response": 114, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (16:46)", "body": "Terry: Did you receive the check for Aishlings donation to Spring? And my email? Pl. respond..either here or email. Thanks, evelyn"}, {"response": 115, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Dec 10, 1999 (00:37)", "body": "He responded to me and it is taken care of - or do you still wish information from Terry??? (For those reading this in the far future, Terry was asked and responded to me and I sent the thank you note - thanks to Evelyn's diligance.)"}, {"response": 116, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (17:44)", "body": "Although I am not a voting member, I agree that a discussion like this would bring more meaningful results sooner on springcom. Not all the members log on to Drool daily as we.I shall take the initiative and transfer Terry's remarks there now."}, {"response": 117, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (20:57)", "body": "I have serious difficulties with posting on board 126. I am just testing my connection to \"submit\" function here."}, {"response": 118, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (20:57)", "body": "No problem! So why 126 isn't working???"}, {"response": 119, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (21:39)", "body": "126 works for me, Arami"}, {"response": 120, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Apr 30, 2001 (04:48)", "body": "How's your connection to Spring? To Austen.com? To firth.com?"}, {"response": 121, "author": "Ann", "date": "Mon, Apr 30, 2001 (13:29)", "body": "I can get to Austen.com finally :)"}, {"response": 122, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, May  1, 2001 (11:26)", "body": "Great! We worked through this today, didn't we Ann? How's your connection to http://www.austen.com ? http://www.spring.net ? http://www.firth.com ? http://www.bridgetsequel.com ?"}, {"response": 123, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May  1, 2001 (13:06)", "body": "Question: When will I be able to key in spring.net/yapp-bin.....instead of the numbers ,and get this site. I keep getting the old digihost one."}, {"response": 124, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, May  1, 2001 (13:13)", "body": "Austen.com is working. However this page http://www.austen.com/board/index.cgi is not. Can you find out why?"}, {"response": 125, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, May  1, 2001 (14:09)", "body": "I'll look in to this, it should be very soon when you get this site by name Evelyn. Probably permissions problems."}, {"response": 126, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Tue, May  1, 2001 (18:32)", "body": "the tea room is down too (is that with spring too?? not sure)..."}, {"response": 127, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Jun 14, 2001 (16:16)", "body": "Can anyone tell me if it is possible to change my email address without resiging and re-registering?"}, {"response": 128, "author": "MaryAnn", "date": "Fri, Jun 15, 2001 (00:15)", "body": "I can tell you what worked for me. I clicked on Main Menu at the bottom of this page, then on View/Modify Preferences. The next screen had a place to change email. The URL for that page is http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/userinfo However, I hadn't ever posted when I changed my email address. Good luck."}, {"response": 129, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Jun 15, 2001 (07:29)", "body": "MaryAnn, thanks for that info. Unfortunately when I got there it did not seem to want to change my email. I got some random words which implied that I was not in a conference and then an error message!! Terry are you out there - can you help?"}, {"response": 130, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jun 15, 2001 (13:57)", "body": "I'll need to do some testing on this Allison, for now I'd just get another sign on, but I'll look in to it and see how this is done. Email me your new email address and I may be able to do it manually. Or just post it here as a response and I'll get it next time I read though this topic."}, {"response": 131, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Jun 19, 2001 (10:58)", "body": "Thanks for your help Terry."}, {"response": 132, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 19, 2001 (13:30)", "body": "What was the solution?"}, {"response": 133, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Jun 19, 2001 (14:03)", "body": "I've still got a query out to Kaylene, so it's still open. Hope to close it out in the next couple of days."}, {"response": 134, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 19, 2001 (14:09)", "body": "But I see that Allison was able to change her email address, so perhaps that \"change your preference\" thing did work."}, {"response": 135, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Jun 19, 2001 (16:06)", "body": "But I see that Allison was able to change her email address, so perhaps that \"change your preference\" thing did work No it didn't work for me. I think Terry just rubbed his magic lantern;-)"}, {"response": 136, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 19, 2001 (17:50)", "body": "Sorry, my mistake. Drive on. ;-) drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 108, "subject": "Sir Anthony Hopkins", "response_count": 3, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (01:36)", "body": "Here you go, Riette. You make good use of it, now ;-)"}, {"response": 2, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (01:45)", "body": "He can break your heart, can't he?"}, {"response": 3, "author": "riette", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (08:26)", "body": "I'm totally numb. On the second picture he looks VERY MUCH like my husband - and that's no joke. How weird. What wonderful taste I have in men. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 109, "subject": "The Spring as a whole and pointers to other topics", "response_count": 422, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 1996 (18:05)", "body": "Perhaps this topic will be a place to respond to all the email queries about \"why is this free?\" and \"what can I do to help?\" and other questions along a similar thread. The Spring is building some contract websites. One that is currently under construction is http://www.childrenstory.com I am billing a customer for this website. The revenue will go to replace a badly needed hard drive for one of our servers, make upgrades, and pay our kindly bandwidth provider. So, those of you with website contruction skills, this is something very specific and concrete you can do to help support the Spring and keep it going. You can help build this site, which is going to have a Real Audio server and will provide children with stories in written and spoken form. You can help directly by writing html code (I'll give you access) or you can just make suggestions. I'm going to open a new conference called 'projects' and this will be one of the first topics and we can carry a discussion of how to build and improve this site there. Another website under construction to look at would be: http://www.tvpc.com Let me know!"}, {"response": 2, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 1996 (18:10)", "body": "A pointer to a new conference: poetry. It just started this morning. I sent out a few invitations. If you have that poem hidden away in the bottom of that sock drawer, type it out and post it. Any poets or poetry lovers here?"}, {"response": 3, "author": "churchh", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 1996 (01:38)", "body": "Hey Terry, you can link to or kipe my HTML-ization of George MacDonald's The Light Princess , at http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~churchh/lprincss.html"}, {"response": 4, "author": "jwinsor", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 1996 (02:26)", "body": "Oh, HC - do you have any more MacDonald up your electronic sleeve?"}, {"response": 5, "author": "churchh", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 1996 (02:55)", "body": "I also converted The Day Boy and the Night Girl (The Romance of Photogen and Nycteris) to HTML, but that was for the CCEL people, and it's on their web-site (you can find it through the CMU on-line books page, or I think there might be a lin k to it at the end of the text of the Light Princess )."}, {"response": 6, "author": "jwinsor", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 1996 (06:57)", "body": "Who are CCEL? [something] Children's Electronic Literature, perhaps? Do you happen to have a link handy for CMU on-line books?"}, {"response": 7, "author": "churchh", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 1996 (13:35)", "body": "\"Christian Classics Ethereal Library\", I think... I'm too lazy to look up the CMU on-line books URL right now, but there's a link to it from the Jane Austen info page at http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~churchh/janeinfo.html"}, {"response": 8, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 1996 (19:39)", "body": "I looked at the Jane Austen info page and it's terrific. I got into reading some of Jane Austen's works and I'll be coming back for more visits. What I'd like to do is set up a team of folks who have shell access to this site and who are able to work in various websites of their own and on the projects that I'm developing to help support this conferencing system. Has anyone visited the projects conference yet? I'm on Microsoft Netmeeting all day today so if anyone wants to \"talk\" please drop by. I'm on the uls1.microsoft.com server. You need to have NetMeeting software, which is free from Microsofts site."}, {"response": 9, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 1996 (15:53)", "body": "Poor mixu! He's posting all alone in the books conference about his favorite books and putting out a mystery quote for folks to guess. Is anyone up to giving him a bit of company in the 'books' conference? http://www.spring.com/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/books/all/"}, {"response": 10, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Dec 26, 1996 (03:04)", "body": "Check out the interesting comments on community in topic 4 of the community conference and respond, if you care to."}, {"response": 11, "author": "jwinsor", "date": "Thu, Dec 26, 1996 (03:25)", "body": "Terry, are you sure that you mean topic 4? That is the same (linked) topic as the \"ramble\" topic (with a different topic number) here. We don't have to \"go there\" to see it."}, {"response": 12, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Dec 27, 1996 (03:50)", "body": "Ooops, no it is the last topic added I believe. What other conferences on the Spring have folks here in Austen been visiting? Any suggestions for new topics elsewhere on the Spring?"}, {"response": 13, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Dec 27, 1996 (03:54)", "body": "It's topic 5 in community actually."}, {"response": 14, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Dec 27, 1996 (05:24)", "body": "If you want to read some very eloquent stuff: Topic 14 of 14 [music]: Players you have met Response 21 of 21: drymartini (drymartini) * Thu, Dec 26, 1996 (21:27) * 3 lines One of my all-time favorite interviews. Carlos Montoya, playing for a college crowd at Alfred, NY. Small, very dapper guy in this elegant tux, with a white hanky in his breat pocket, folded just so.... [much more]"}, {"response": 15, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Dec 29, 1996 (20:42)", "body": "We have got permission from ronks@well.com to reprint his celebrated tech news comments, starting today. Here's a sample: Scientific American has an interesting article in its January 1997 issue about developments in fiber-optic bandwidth and their implications for the telephone industry. Companies including AT&T, Fujitsu, and Nippon T&T have already used a single optical fiber to transmit data over \"many kilometers\" in excess of a trillion bits per second. NEC has gone them one better by using wave division multiplexing to create multiple channels transmitting at different wavelengths; with WDM they sent 132 channels, each carrying 20 billion bits per second, over a single optical fiber. While these \"hero experiments\" are not yet ready for commercial deployment, they seem to demonstrate big changes in store: glass cable is much cheaper than copper, and WDM is said to eliminate both the need for expensive boosters along the path to clean up the signals periodically and for a separate laser on each channel. As the cost of providing humungous bandwidth plummets, the phone companies' revenue and even their monopoly status could be in jeopardy. A rogue spokesman at British Telecom says technology will make \"bandwidth free and distance irrelevant.\" The director of H-P's labs says phone companies will become digital utilities something like the water or the power company, and an independent analyst estimates \"telephone service should cost about three cents a month.\" Check out topic 2 in techbusiness."}, {"response": 16, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Dec 31, 1996 (15:29)", "body": "The Spring was down for the past hour. I apologize to Myretta, Henry and others that may have been trying to access it. I'm going through the log and emailing folks that have tried to access it and letting them know that it's back up. I messed it up this morning trying to reconfigure and restart the logs. If you're interested in the technical details of what I did you can read the sordid details in the web conference. Sorry folks, I'm not happy about being down for an hour this morning."}, {"response": 17, "author": "Donna", "date": "Tue, Dec 31, 1996 (15:42)", "body": "That is OK Terry it is working fine now."}, {"response": 18, "author": "tedchong", "date": "Tue, Dec 31, 1996 (16:23)", "body": "Thanks Terry, happy new year 1997 (it's 1997 already here in Singapore)"}, {"response": 19, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Dec 31, 1996 (16:23)", "body": "On a cheerier note, Paul McCartney is now Sir Paul McCartney And you can read all the details in the new Sir Paul McCartney topic in the music conference. Please do my a favor. Do a search on Paul McCartney and find a neat website about Paul McCartney, then email the webmaster or whatever email address is listed on their website and ask them to please put a link on their page to our Paul McCartney discussion group. Tell them this is the link to add: http://www.spring.com/yapp-bin/public/read/music/16 Let's see if we can honor Paul in this way! Thanks."}, {"response": 20, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Dec 31, 1996 (16:29)", "body": "I'm encouraging folks to do this same kind of thing all over the Spring. If you have a favorite topic, do a search for websites about it and then email the person in charge there to put in a link to the Spring. Just copy the link from your browser window and sub the word public for the word restricted. (test it) Beep beep beep beep yeeeahhh!"}, {"response": 21, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Tue, Dec 31, 1996 (18:44)", "body": "The Spring was down for the past hour. I apologize to Myretta, Henry and others that may have been trying to access it No apology necessary Terry. Been there, done that. All's well, they say, that ends well."}, {"response": 22, "author": "elder", "date": "Tue, Dec 31, 1996 (20:30)", "body": "Terry -- thanks for getting things back together so quickly. I did try to get on this am, and kept getting called an \"Unprivileged User\"!! I was afraid it was something wrong w/ my system, and I am much relieved to see that all is again well. Have a Happy!"}, {"response": 23, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Dec 31, 1996 (23:07)", "body": "We're back. And I just got back from installing another server on our network. So we even have more ooooomph now."}, {"response": 24, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 1997 (10:38)", "body": "The austen conference is featured today on the Spring's front page. Along with a revision of the whole page. Take a trip through the past in the archives. The new golf site is my sisters (she lives in the SF Bay area)."}, {"response": 25, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 1997 (21:25)", "body": "The restaurants conference has a much bigger menu of topics and a place to talk about the best restaurant in your town and the best restaurant in the world. Any ideas?"}, {"response": 26, "author": "churchh", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 1997 (22:56)", "body": "Amy, this has started up just recently -- http://www.islandmm.com/islandmm/cgi-bin/bbs.pl?action=bbs&mbaction=msgs&item=alice"}, {"response": 27, "author": "churchh", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 1997 (23:04)", "body": "Amy, this has started up just recently -- http://www.islandmm.com/islandmm/cgi-bin/bbs.pl?action=bbs&mbaction=msgs&item=alice"}, {"response": 28, "author": "Amy", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 1997 (23:53)", "body": "That board looks familiar."}, {"response": 29, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 1997 (17:24)", "body": "That board looks familiar. Indeed."}, {"response": 30, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 1997 (05:23)", "body": "You'll find the rest of this poem in the poetry conference. This is just a taste. Flowing Like Spring Waters Tonight is the night, my dear friend. The feeling has ripened inside for months... Every time you and I were together Laughing, chatting, and rambling endlessly much more in the poetry conference --------->"}, {"response": 31, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 1997 (03:45)", "body": "There's a new conference called 'unix' and I posted quite a few things in the Internet and Web conferences. You'll find out about the seven new domains that are going to be on the Internet. This will shake things up for sure. Maybe we should get austen.art? Or eeyieeyi.io? Or spring.firm? Things are going to get very interesting. You have to read the whole thing."}, {"response": 32, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 1997 (03:47)", "body": "What are you watching on tv right now? That's a new topic in the tv conference. Have fun with this one."}, {"response": 33, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 1997 (03:57)", "body": "In the sports conference, news of a womens' sports site that has been months in the making. Topic 39 on sports web sites ------------ go there -------------->"}, {"response": 34, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 1997 (04:08)", "body": "Like figure skating on ice? Then you'll like the new figure skating topic in sports which has all the latest schedules of ice skating events on tv. And there is a packers joke there too."}, {"response": 35, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Feb  7, 1998 (00:15)", "body": "Very Highly Recommended dept: Gerard Van der Leun, boswell@well.com, has an excellent cookbook recipe for a successful virtual community in the virtual community conference. http://www.spring.com/yapp-bin/public/read/vc/12"}, {"response": 36, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 1998 (13:29)", "body": "Two new Michigan virtual communities are the subject of new topics in the vc or virtual community conference: grex and m-net."}, {"response": 37, "author": "autumn", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 1998 (02:04)", "body": "I am trying to get an alternative medicine topic off the ground in the health conference. Even if you don't take vitamins and think acupuncture is a bunch of hooey, check it out and say so."}, {"response": 38, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 1998 (14:55)", "body": "I'd like to point out some topics getting activity in the travel conference: 16 15 dive travel with Divine Spark 17 3 India 18 4 Micronesia and the Pacific region 19 3 Fiji There is a fascinating tale of travel to India and some comments from some islanders themselves in topics 18 and 19. Have you traveled any places that we could start a new topic about?"}, {"response": 39, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 1998 (16:30)", "body": "How about Germany, where I'm from? (Specifically Swabia)"}, {"response": 41, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 1998 (22:56)", "body": "Swabia?"}, {"response": 42, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 1998 (23:30)", "body": "uh huh. that would be the southern country where i'm from. the city is Stuttgart. Hi wer!"}, {"response": 43, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 1998 (02:28)", "body": "Sure start a topic!"}, {"response": 44, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 1998 (01:19)", "body": "I put some procative posts in the Internet conference today in a new topic. Something called Cyberwar: The Information Revolution and Warfare. It turns out, for the last half century, the US has been intercepting and decrypting the top secret documents of most of the world's governments. It's topic 22."}, {"response": 45, "author": "autumn", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 1998 (03:46)", "body": "Cool! What will we Yanks think up next?! :-)"}, {"response": 46, "author": "mikeg", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 1998 (03:53)", "body": "Hmm...just occured to me that this topic and \"What's hot on the Spring?\" rather overlap with each other. Perhaps one or the other should be frozen?"}, {"response": 48, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 1998 (16:42)", "body": "dunno, wer, maybe we can talk the higher powers into creating a conference just for babbling-we'd never have to leave!!"}, {"response": 49, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 1998 (18:47)", "body": "Good idea Mike, which one should I freeze. Anyone object?"}, {"response": 51, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 1998 (19:05)", "body": "In music, topic 44 is Van Morrison - the Man with news of an upcoming Van and Dylan tour. About time to pay some tribute to Van Morrison. Gotta get me that Astral Weeks CD."}, {"response": 52, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 1998 (19:07)", "body": "Done deal on killing the redundant topics, this is now spring pointer to other topic world headquarters."}, {"response": 53, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Sun, Mar  1, 1998 (00:32)", "body": "wait, what was 16 and 19?? terry, didja catch my hint for a blabbing conference? *grin*"}, {"response": 55, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Mar  1, 1998 (14:48)", "body": "I got the hint, I'll hold hearings for more comment."}, {"response": 56, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Sun, Mar  1, 1998 (17:48)", "body": "thanks *smile*"}, {"response": 57, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Mar  2, 1998 (07:23)", "body": "What's hot, hot, hot. News. There's now a whole news conference. Go there and find out stuff you should know (maybe), talk about your Spring anniversary, discuss spam, enter your offsite email address if you care to do so, request favors, talk about springeurs who have hit the big time or made the news, pat yourself on the back, and find out about places to go and things to do."}, {"response": 58, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Mar  2, 1998 (07:56)", "body": "In the media conference, bet you didn't know we had one, there's a new topic on the Drudge Report. My friend Judith Lewis of the LA Weekly is just down the streeet from Matt Drudge and has been known to pay him a visit every so often. Go to media and get in on this drudgery."}, {"response": 59, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Mar  2, 1998 (08:14)", "body": "And also something about our homeboys. Guess where?"}, {"response": 60, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Mar  2, 1998 (09:45)", "body": "Let's rewind to June 22, 1995 and pick up where we left off. Nike was there. So was Gena. GenX is back!!!!!! Here's the scoop: 1 4 genx conference bidness 2 1 genXer intros 3 0 drugs 4 1 sex or . . . 5 1 Embarassing Things I Did in the '80s 6 1 First jobs from hell and beyond ... and a total of 64 topics to come Melissa Marie, I still love you."}, {"response": 61, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Mar  2, 1998 (09:54)", "body": "The Spring's original topic list from 1995: http://www.spring.com:/~dbii/forum/confs/confs.html"}, {"response": 62, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Mar  4, 1998 (12:06)", "body": "Some very good thoughts on the CFP conference in the last topic in our cfp conference: From: Lorrie Faith Cranor [For the past five years I have written a Computers, Freedom and Privacy conference report (see the archive at=20 http://www.research.att.com/~lorrie/pubs/cfp.html) . This year, turned the job over to Danielle Gallo, an undergraduate student who has been working with me. Feel free to forward this report. -- Lorrie Cranor] Danielle Gallo's CFP98 Conference Report Computers, Freedom and Privacy '98 was held February 18-20 at the Austin, Texas Hyatt Regency Hotel. Although there have been eight in total, this is the first CFP I attended. The program featured daily single-track sessions, lunch breakout sessions, and several concurrent tutorials. . . . contines with her extensive observations. A good read! Recommended."}, {"response": 63, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Mar  4, 1998 (12:14)", "body": "Letter to me and Mike: Sounds like a good trade to me. I am doing a CGI project for the Exploratorium in San Francisco on a volunteer basis and that is why I need the test space. I don't have years of experience doing this, but there are some prewritten CGI libraries available that allow a developer to write a CGI script that will put up the HTML form and collect the data. At this point I would have to say that I could probably write the part that put up the HTML and collected the data. So, in that regard, let me take a stab at what I think you might mean. Name: Email: What you do in real life: Favorite sites on the web: Other interests, and miscellaneous biographical information: Other or different fields that you have in mind: A couple of areas that I am going to have to do some research on, or get ideas about: If there are variables that I can access for the visitor's email address, or am I going to have to make them enter it by hand. How to link the information I collect to the visitor's alias. Maybe the people at the Well would be willing to part with some secrets in that regard. Anyway, I think it would be fun to be involved in writing the CGI script for this, and if the library I mentioned is loaded, or could be loaded, on the server, I don't think it would be too much work to get to the point of having the form displayed and collecting the information. Let me know what fields and other form elements you think should be in there. I will follow up with some questions for Terry. Regards, Bill"}, {"response": 64, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Mar  4, 1998 (15:10)", "body": "Allie McBeal, a new topic in the tv confernce (and also 'babes'). See, there's this tv show called Ally McBeal. And it features three *hot babes*. That little bit of sexual subconscious out of the way, let me say it's a very funny show. It's a great show, I'll go even further. It's about a law firm. And Allie's ex lover just happens to be a member of the firm and he's married to a gal that has a jaw and blonde hair that Allie doesn't have. Billy, the ex lover of Allie, has mixed emotions And Allie has become friends with Billy's wife. We're talking age ranges of 25-28 here, folks. My theory is that this is a guy type show, and that women will find it embarassing. I don't think it will end up on the feminist top ten listing of tv shows, maybe the bottom ten. The women are too cute and too bimboish at times. And the women aren't the aggressive, free wheeling Marcia Clark types, they're quite timid usually. But how can you not like a show whose lead actress is *** Calista Flockhart *** That name just does it for me. I would love to have a girlfriend like her just so I could introduce her to people. Uh, I'd like you to meet my girlfriend, *Calista Flockhart*. Dream, dream. I'll have more to say about Allie McBeal. It's my favorite tv show. I hope others will join me in this quaint little discussion."}, {"response": 65, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Mar  4, 1998 (15:15)", "body": "Jordan's up to bat, does that mean Lewinsky's in the on deck circle. Politics, in the topic on the Clinton Presidency. Hey, it's great to see the new conferences, news and genx, off to such a roaring start! I have a lot more surprises in store in both conferences in the way of stome startling new topics. Stay tuned."}, {"response": 66, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Mar  4, 1998 (15:18)", "body": "There's an *awesome* array of new material in the cfp conference. Warning, this is heady stuff, the legal and moral consequences of today's cyberspace mileau and the implications for our future freedom, privacy and lives are freely discussed. It's a stretch to get past the gate, but the effort may be worth your time. Danielle's observations are far reaching and comprehensive in her roundup of the confernce. Danielle Gallo, on CFP98. j cfp."}, {"response": 67, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Mar  4, 1998 (15:29)", "body": "The most underutilized, ready for prime time conference on the Spring that has potential for future stardom: cultures Hear me now, or hear me later. Pump it up!"}, {"response": 69, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Mar  5, 1998 (02:47)", "body": "Dad!!!"}, {"response": 70, "author": "autumn", "date": "Thu, Mar  5, 1998 (07:49)", "body": "Is there something you want to share with us, Terry??"}, {"response": 71, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Mar  5, 1998 (09:15)", "body": "You mean I haven't been forthcoming, autumn?"}, {"response": 72, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Sat, Mar  7, 1998 (22:36)", "body": "ok, terry (aka wer's dad)..... Hi Autumn!"}, {"response": 73, "author": "autumn", "date": "Sun, Mar  8, 1998 (04:17)", "body": "Heya, Wolfie, havin' a good weekend? :-) Mine has been soooo relaxing...."}, {"response": 74, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Sun, Mar  8, 1998 (21:47)", "body": "not really, kinda stressin', been working on my site and trying to figure out what the deal is with this browser....... got the baby girl's ears pierced yesterday, she did soooo good. the part she can't handle is the cleaning and turning the posts, but today it is going much better and she's doing it for herself. am very proud of her. the whole thing was her decision, told her she didn't have to if she didn't want to, but she was gung ho!"}, {"response": 75, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Mar  9, 1998 (18:16)", "body": "Good coverage by Gary Chapman of the Bruce Sterling speech in the cfp conference. j cfp"}, {"response": 76, "author": "autumn", "date": "Tue, Mar 10, 1998 (16:58)", "body": "My older daughter came to me yesterday asking for pierced ears for her birthday (she'll be 6). Her dad said age 15, I said 10, so it'll probably be next year! How old is your little girl?"}, {"response": 77, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Wed, Mar 11, 1998 (01:46)", "body": "4, she'll be 5 next month (didn't we have that conversation before?) didn't get mine done til i was 16 cuz the big d said heck no. we let her think about it for a while and i carefully explained the whole thing, my big thing was letting her make up her own mind, you know?"}, {"response": 78, "author": "autumn", "date": "Wed, Mar 11, 1998 (20:44)", "body": "yeah, but mine also wants to be bald (she literally cries about wanting to have her head shaved), black (which I can do nothing about) and handicapped (which I'm tempted to do something about--just kidding!) So giving her too much control is definitely o ut of the question. Oh, she also wants me to get a job so she can go to day care (just tear out my heart, I tell her!)"}, {"response": 79, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Mar 11, 1998 (20:47)", "body": "Babe of the week in babes. I know, we pale next to drool."}, {"response": 80, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Thu, Mar 12, 1998 (00:40)", "body": "what is this an invite? Autumn, my daughter hasn't gone that far yet! she wants me to tell my boss i'm not coming back so i can be with her! (she's mama's for sure)"}, {"response": 81, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Mar 12, 1998 (23:49)", "body": "New topics in the news conference: Asteroid! WASHINGTON (AP) -- It's not time to panic, but Earthlings need to keep an eye on a mile-wide asteroid that will zip very close to the Earth in 30 years and could even smash into the planet, causing widespread destruction, astronomers say. Is it time to book that flight to Mars or is this a bunch of hype? Discuss among yourselves in the news conference topic called Asteroid!"}, {"response": 82, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Mar 12, 1998 (23:54)", "body": "That will be the year 2028 in case you need to mark your calendars. It will be 1:30 on a Thursday morning. October 26, 2028. Thursday. 1:30 am. Got that? Did you have anything planned for that day?"}, {"response": 83, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Fri, Mar 13, 1998 (04:22)", "body": "wait.....do dayrunners plan that far in advance? (anyway, it's gonna be a near miss by about 600,000 miles)"}, {"response": 84, "author": "mikeg", "date": "Fri, Mar 13, 1998 (05:04)", "body": "I was very concerned about this when I saw it on the news. As a student of geophysics, and the science of major collisions, if this thing hits it's going to be The Big One. For the religious ones amongst you (including me), it's time to get your on your knees =)"}, {"response": 85, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Fri, Mar 13, 1998 (05:07)", "body": "hey, it's going to MISS US......"}, {"response": 86, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Mar 13, 1998 (18:26)", "body": "Maybe. It will be four months till they have accurate calculations. But even if was aimed dead center at Manhattan, they'd turn it into a media circus and attach rockets to it and turn it into a theme park and steer it into a different orbit. And the commercials would dwarf what it costs to put an ad on the superbowl."}, {"response": 87, "author": "drool", "date": "Fri, Mar 13, 1998 (23:46)", "body": "I wondering Terry what did you mean you pale next to drool? I'm chewing my nails waiting for the day my son will be born. So please you guys don't scare me so that I start chewing my fingers... O.K. thanks, drool"}, {"response": 88, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Mar 13, 1998 (23:56)", "body": "I meant drool the conference!!! ha!"}, {"response": 89, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Mar 14, 1998 (09:08)", "body": "A certain Gerard van der Leun, boswell, shows up doubting the Spring will make it, and giving it poor grades. He posts in the Spring's most infrequently utilized Internet conference."}, {"response": 90, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Mar 14, 1998 (23:21)", "body": "A photography topic is now in the art conference. I talk about some findings I got re: 3d photography."}, {"response": 91, "author": "drool", "date": "Sun, Mar 15, 1998 (01:32)", "body": "terry, theres a confrencecalled drool? really? How do I get there from here? I am sorry if I offended you or anything. drool, the person"}, {"response": 92, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Mar 15, 1998 (13:30)", "body": "There's a link to it from our main http://www.spring.net page. Wow, just getting used to that dot net!"}, {"response": 93, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Mar 15, 1998 (15:09)", "body": "I will be giving a live talk via realaudio at http://www.spring.net today and call ins will be accepted (512.303.4000), it will be a live internet \"talk show\"."}, {"response": 94, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Mar 15, 1998 (18:19)", "body": "Rush Limbaugh has come out in favor of legalization of marijuana. Full details in the Rush Room topic in the radio conference. This is not a joke, he did come out in favor of legalization. It happened March 12 10:40 am pst. Three times!"}, {"response": 95, "author": "pmnh", "date": "Sun, Mar 15, 1998 (20:51)", "body": "wasn't limbaugh one of the bastards that so unmercifully tormented clinton's first surgeon-general (forget her name) for basically saying that we should consider decriminalization of some drugs?"}, {"response": 96, "author": "autumn", "date": "Sun, Mar 15, 1998 (21:18)", "body": "I'll guess Jocelyn Elders, if we're talking about the \"pro-decriminalization/pro-masturbation\" surgeon general."}, {"response": 97, "author": "pmnh", "date": "Sun, Mar 15, 1998 (21:32)", "body": "what elders (thank you) said was that it (decriminalization) was an issue that merited discussion... she's in good company with that view... re: masturbation, don't think it really means a tinker's damn what her opinion is, one way or the other... (and regardless of one's view, really must ask one's self where republicans would be, without it?...(especially rush)... they're certainly repressed enough, as it is)..."}, {"response": 98, "author": "pmnh", "date": "Sun, Mar 15, 1998 (21:35)", "body": "(hi autumn)"}, {"response": 99, "author": "autumn", "date": "Sun, Mar 15, 1998 (21:37)", "body": "Just mentioned that, because she'll forever be remembered for her ideas on masturbation rather than decriminalization..."}, {"response": 100, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Mar 16, 1998 (00:35)", "body": "We'll be going live with our talk show again in an hour."}, {"response": 101, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Mar 16, 1998 (13:48)", "body": "Right here on the Spring we had an event that shocked even the hoary old WELL. Sunday, we all went live and really \"met\" one another for the first time, I only wish I had pumped it up more on the spring. Next Sunday we'll do it again. It was a gas, gas, gas. See Mikes topic 26 in this conference. What should we call this? Sunday Night Live on the Spring?"}, {"response": 102, "author": "drool", "date": "Thu, Mar 19, 1998 (00:08)", "body": "About the canabis thing out of the 265 chemicals in tobbaco I think 80 of them cause cancer. out of the 18 chemicals in pot none are known too cause cancer... also a hemp plant produces forty percent more wood products than the trees being cut down now. I wouldn't mind being able to smoke my coffee table occasionally. hahahah DROOL,"}, {"response": 103, "author": "stacey", "date": "Thu, Mar 19, 1998 (15:41)", "body": "*smile*"}, {"response": 104, "author": "mikeg", "date": "Thu, Mar 19, 1998 (15:59)", "body": "Yeah, cannabis is great apart from the mind-threatening hallucinations and permanent psychological disturbances (e.g. Schizophrenia)"}, {"response": 105, "author": "autumn", "date": "Thu, Mar 19, 1998 (17:45)", "body": "Wow, that explains a lot...."}, {"response": 106, "author": "stacey", "date": "Thu, Mar 19, 1998 (23:21)", "body": "aha!"}, {"response": 107, "author": "drool", "date": "Fri, Mar 20, 1998 (00:49)", "body": "Where in the world did you hear that pot causes schizt. I know that it can stunt your emotional growth if you start at a young age. I think you've been watching to many of those old anti-pot movies. Did you know thatthe gov. did a test were they gave a mentally disturb man some L.S.D and twelve hours later {when he came down} he was no longer clasified as mentally disturbed. If you ever get to the library of congress you should look up these facts. Knowlege Is Power. {or at least understanding..} I do not condone the use of L.S.D. {at least not the street stuff, never know whats in that crap} Remember the gov. has all of the best drugs. And clinton did inhale... And probly still does. Drool"}, {"response": 108, "author": "mikeg", "date": "Fri, Mar 20, 1998 (01:13)", "body": "read it in a newspaper article, quoting some recent research at a UK university. I'll look it up again and post it for you"}, {"response": 109, "author": "mikeg", "date": "Fri, Mar 20, 1998 (01:23)", "body": "this is an extract, since the article is about 500 words -- BEGIN QUOTE \"We do not yet know enough about its causes to say how schizophrenia can be prevented, but one specific factor is important: drug use.\" SANE continues by pointing out that cannabis can cause ahllucinations and paranoid delusions similar to those found in schizophrenia. The psychotic effects induced by these drugs do not always clear up readily, and there is some evidence that they may tr igger a prolonged schizophrenic illness. In addition, such drugs can cause a relapse in an established illness. Most doctors have harrowing stories of psychotic breakdown after a young person has been exposed to cannabis. Detailed research is scant, although a study of the role of cannabis in precipitating schizophrenia in Swedish men who had undertaken national s ervice seemed tod demonstrate a clear link. It is usually considered unlikely that smoking cannabis could be a primary cause of schizophrenia, but likely that it could be a factor in the condition's development in those who are unfortunate enough to have a genetic susceptibility. ... Apart from its intoxicating effects and any persistent damage to the psyche, cannabis may also cause acute anxiety or a panic reaction, particularly if the plant has been bred to give a high yield of cannabinoids, a type of cannabis referred to as \"skunk\" . Panic attacks may be treated with benzodiazepines, acute psychotic reactions with neuroleptic drugs. Smoking cannabis mixed with tobacco combines the delterious effects of both plants on the air passages. The ill effects of cannabis are not confied to the brain and lungs. it also causes impotence in men, reduces the sperm count and alters the reproductive hormonal systems. babies born to cannabis-smoking mothers are smaller than average, and feed and set tle less well. -- END QUOTE Dr Thomas Stuttaford, The Times (Tuesday, 17 March, 1998)"}, {"response": 110, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Mar 20, 1998 (02:39)", "body": "Helen Huth died crossing the bridge over the river in Cape Girardeau Missouri. She was a college student. I loved her and I loved her poems. I got a batch of her poetry in the mail today from Merle Busch, who is trying to dig up some more of her work, about 150 poems, which we are praying are not lost forever. What a loss for the world, that she died so young and didn't get to keep writing these poems and that we only have a few scraps from her prolific output. Reading these today, tears came to my eyes, and I had to go for a long walk in the woods."}, {"response": 111, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Mar 20, 1998 (02:43)", "body": "A few of the ones I got are posted in the poetry conference. In a topic called Helen Huths poems."}, {"response": 112, "author": "stacey", "date": "Fri, Mar 20, 1998 (03:35)", "body": "forgive me Paul, I do not know of the woman you speak... but I will wander over to 'poetry' and see what I can discover."}, {"response": 113, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Mar 20, 1998 (04:44)", "body": "I think you will discover some magic."}, {"response": 114, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Mar 20, 1998 (14:08)", "body": "Today at 1:55 is the start of Spring! We should have an online cyberparty! It's also this Spring's anniversary."}, {"response": 116, "author": "stacey", "date": "Fri, Mar 20, 1998 (15:42)", "body": "WooWoo!"}, {"response": 117, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Mar 20, 1998 (17:18)", "body": "Our fourth anniversary, since we officially went live on the web on the exact beginning of Spring four years ago. And this is the tenth anniversary of the Spring as an organization which started on this date in 1988. We'll be live on the web at 1:55 pm today CST if anyone wants to call in or post something (I'll read it aloud via our realaudio server)."}, {"response": 118, "author": "autumn", "date": "Fri, Mar 20, 1998 (19:48)", "body": "boing, boing--happy spring!"}, {"response": 119, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Mar 23, 1998 (11:47)", "body": "A new topic, number 260 has been started to discuss the potential for bring the show \"My Solitary Elegance\" to Austin. from Karen Hannum (sunflower@well.com): A friend of mine from England is bringing her show on Jane Austen, \"My Solitary Elegance\", to the US for a very limited run. It has enjoyed a great deal of success in England and Scotland including being featured on BBC2. It will be performed in San Franciso from October 2nd-5th at the Jane Austen Society of North America AGM. She has some open dates from the 6th through the 8th and would be interested in filling these bookings. Perhaps at a college or some other venue. If anyone is interested - please contact me at and I can put you in touch with her. Thank you..."}, {"response": 120, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Mar 23, 1998 (11:57)", "body": "Oh, I didn't mention that this topic is in the austen conference. I plan on attending the international Jane Austen conference in SF and promote the Spring's austen conference. Also, I've registered the name austen.com"}, {"response": 121, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Mar 23, 1998 (13:37)", "body": "Good Will Hunting. Titantic. New topics in the movies conference. Have you seen these? Comment in movies!"}, {"response": 122, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Mar 24, 1998 (03:11)", "body": "If you drop in tonight or later on, come by and comment on this years Oscars in topic 29. Hot. Now."}, {"response": 123, "author": "drool", "date": "Tue, Mar 24, 1998 (23:04)", "body": "mikeg, Well without getting long winded you did say the sickness was potentialy pre-exsisting sickness,. If pot was not illegal people would not get peranoid and annxious. as for impotence, I have aa very high sperm count and am expecting a strong and healthy baby boy to arrive any day. as for sexual drive well three times a day doesn't sound like a {decreased sex drive} as you so said. If you take a trip to Amterdam, you would see that somking hemp,pot,skunk,red hair sinns.,ganja, the bomb, bolo rolo,canabis,canaboid,the huch-cauw,a blunt, or canabis sativa, mota, purple, blue, green, or gold haired marajajuana, is not so detrimental to a persons health as you might be lead to beleive by the Ronald Regan, Nancy Drew (just say noer's} people. theend drool..."}, {"response": 124, "author": "autumn", "date": "Thu, Mar 26, 1998 (04:39)", "body": "Funny, I always pictured Nancy Drew for a \"Mary Jane\" girl...."}, {"response": 126, "author": "stacey", "date": "Thu, Mar 26, 1998 (22:22)", "body": "purty graphics! The visuals almost make up for the ridiculously slow pace through a browser."}, {"response": 128, "author": "stacey", "date": "Fri, Mar 27, 1998 (09:30)", "body": "at home. and now I'm at home again, up at a ridiculously early hour, suffering from a bad case of insomnia. *sigh*"}, {"response": 129, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Mar 27, 1998 (13:47)", "body": "Did you drink too much caffeine. I'm in California up at a ridiculously early hour cause I'm still on Austintime. I'm out here because my mom's condition is pretty serious. Lung cancer from years of smoking. She's having an opertion and some chemo treatmetns this week."}, {"response": 130, "author": "stacey", "date": "Fri, Mar 27, 1998 (15:34)", "body": "good luck, Paul. To you and your mom. Sounds like nasty stuff, I'll be thinking good thoughts. No, not too much caffeine. Rain. It rains so rarely in Colorado through the winter that when it starts up in Spring it's always too loud for me to sleep. Snow is very quiet coming down *smile* I wasn't up for too long. The whirr of the computer soon lulled me back to sleep."}, {"response": 131, "author": "mikeg", "date": "Fri, Mar 27, 1998 (19:09)", "body": "I love the sound of rain when I don't have to get up and go out in it. Lying in my bed at about 5am, the weather lashing against the glass, is one of my favourite times. And, moving back on topic, the new community I'm involved in developing, Farrawae, seems to have accelerated from an absolute stop to a snail's pace, which means things are happening! You can check out the website (I encourage you to do so - get a feel for what we're doing!), and then drop into the Farrawae conference to catch up on what's been going on!"}, {"response": 133, "author": "stacey", "date": "Fri, Mar 27, 1998 (22:40)", "body": "My big news : SPRING BREAK!!! starts now! all the kiddos are on busses and I'm hankering for a magarita!"}, {"response": 134, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Mar 29, 1998 (02:44)", "body": "I'm in Walnut Creek with my son watchin' the Final Four and taking care of mom. Party on Stace. Where ya goin for break?"}, {"response": 135, "author": "orange", "date": "Sun, Mar 29, 1998 (18:47)", "body": "terry, very sorry about the family illness, i understand now why you have been scarce. hope everything goes well"}, {"response": 136, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Mar 29, 1998 (19:27)", "body": "Thanks orange. Mom is doing well. And I'm tripping around with my kid in SF and Santa Rosa and trying to hook up with some old friends like fig@well.com"}, {"response": 137, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Mar 30, 1998 (16:49)", "body": "And we're back. We're having problems with the domain change. Please email terry@spring.net if you notice that our system is down. And I'll get it back up and running Sorry for the downtime folks!"}, {"response": 138, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Mar 30, 1998 (16:50)", "body": "Or call 512.303.4000. Either way. Please let me know if you can't get in! Terry"}, {"response": 139, "author": "stacey", "date": "Mon, Mar 30, 1998 (18:37)", "body": "Spring Break plans have changed a few times... first it was going to be Washington DC for a long weekend of museums, Ethiopian food, skating along the Potomac, etc. But since this is Cherry Blossom time, tickets were cost prohibitive. Then it was going to be four days of primitive camping in Fruita Wednesday - Sunday. Then it was going to be three days of primitve camping in Arches Nat. Park and Moab Sat - Tues. (Brandon's business travel keeps f***ing everything up!) BUt NOW it will be Stacey tagging along to Savannah GA w/ B on a consulting job and B taking an extra few days to play around in the garden of good and evil! I'm excited. And Saturday we biked thru Denver in search of \"Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.\" BTW excellent book!"}, {"response": 140, "author": "autumn", "date": "Tue, Mar 31, 1998 (01:56)", "body": "Terry, I too am sorry to hear about your mother's health problems. I'm sure it means a lot to her to have you there. Thanks again for helping me out last night. Enjoy the time you're having with your mom and son."}, {"response": 141, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Mar 31, 1998 (16:20)", "body": "I'm in SF, and having a good time, the system seems to be having a few glitches every now and then but I emailed our system admin, jeff@www.spring.net about them. I just fixed the date. I notice we're having our year 2000 problem again. Yesterday we went and visited Brian Zisk (San Franziskgo website) in SF, and then met in a little bistro in Mill Valley with Cliff Figallo, who just got a conference hosting job with Salon. And then out to dinner at a great Thai place in Santa Rosa. Mom is doing well. And Shey is still beating the pants off me on the basketball court, it's hard to compete against 6'5\" of muscle. I hope I can keep this system together with band aids till I get back, sorry for any downtime! The domain name change from spring.com to spring.net will fully take place in the next few days, so please remember our new address is http://www.spring.net"}, {"response": 142, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Mar 31, 1998 (16:21)", "body": "Or alternatively, it's always: http://206.97.234.70 In case our name server has fits."}, {"response": 144, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Mar 31, 1998 (22:01)", "body": "In the vc.6 topic (Virtual Communities) are details of Vassilios Koronakis (vassilio@well.com) affair with Stacy Horn. Some pretty juicy insider stuff about the doyenne of ECHO by one of its most controversial members. Sizzzling tale... j vc and read topic 6"}, {"response": 145, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Apr 13, 1998 (03:51)", "body": "Myretta emailed me a while ago and said we were down. So I just rebooted the server. Sorry folks, I been out doin' nonvirtual stuff today. In the event you notice you can't get in, please email jeff@spring.net and terry@spring.net And one of us will get things moving again. Wish I had heard about this sooner! I started a coupla new topics in genx. Check 'em out!"}, {"response": 147, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Apr 14, 1998 (04:21)", "body": "What me grep?"}, {"response": 149, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Wed, Apr 15, 1998 (01:25)", "body": "terry sorry about helen and your mom, hope she's doing well. live talks? oh my, not sure if i'm ready for that, everyone thinks i'm a kid when i answer the phone or answer the door-uh, is your mom there? *giggle* please post whenever you plan to have another one *smile*"}, {"response": 150, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Apr 23, 1998 (03:44)", "body": "Wanted. Person to drive my Buick Regal (30,000 miles on it) from the SF Bay area to Austin, Texas. I'll pay $200 and put you up for a week in Austin free and wine and dine you. Serious about this. I need to get this car out here."}, {"response": 151, "author": "stacey", "date": "Thu, Apr 23, 1998 (04:55)", "body": "So tempted... so tempted..."}, {"response": 153, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Apr 23, 1998 (09:46)", "body": "I have several semi-serious inquiries so far but nothing solid. The car is in Walnut Creek, CA at my moms place. If you could do this Stacey, that would be great!"}, {"response": 154, "author": "mikeg", "date": "Thu, Apr 23, 1998 (22:38)", "body": "would you fly me out to SF, too? :-)"}, {"response": 155, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Apr 23, 1998 (22:44)", "body": "Nice try."}, {"response": 156, "author": "autumn", "date": "Fri, Apr 24, 1998 (02:36)", "body": "Hey Terry, why don't you get that author whose doing book signings in SF and Austin to do it? :-)"}, {"response": 157, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Apr 24, 1998 (10:15)", "body": "Autumn! What a knack for putting things together!"}, {"response": 158, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Apr 29, 1998 (03:49)", "body": "Here's a pointer to talk about the NBC miniseries that showed the other night: Merlin Find a discussion in topic 17 in 'babes' and in the tv conference."}, {"response": 160, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Apr 29, 1998 (12:09)", "body": "Just regroup William and take another run at it, because you seem to have some insight and perception in this area of Arthurian legend (surpassing that of your knowledge of babe-onomics)."}, {"response": 161, "author": "stacey", "date": "Thu, Apr 30, 1998 (20:39)", "body": "really?????"}, {"response": 163, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, May  1, 1998 (03:46)", "body": "Gary Chapman asked me a question and a favor. You have probably heard about the shooting of Texas Monthly writer Jan Reid down in Mexico City last week. Jan is in the hospital in Houston now, recovering. (Jan is a friend of Garys.) A bunch of people in Austin are putting together a fundraiser for him at the Driskill Hotel on May 9th. Jan can't be there, obviously, because he'll still be in the Rehab Hospital in Houston. Gary was wondering is if I knew how we might get a live video feed over the net to Jan from the Driskill. They're going to check to see if there's a fast net connection in the hospital itself, but Gary'd like to investigate how he'd handle his end at the gig. So I'm volunteering and looking for someone to assist me, someone with a good on camera presence to interview folks."}, {"response": 164, "author": "stacey", "date": "Fri, May  1, 1998 (21:21)", "body": "yes WER. Surprised (and ticklish!)"}, {"response": 166, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, May  2, 1998 (13:42)", "body": "In topic 8 in the art conference, Lenadams Dorris vegas@well.com Enigma is the focus of discussion, visit her website and comment. Lenadams: Hello, everyone...I've been pretty absent lately, mostly because my cafe, the Enigma, has been so terribly busy. We're up to 14 employees now! We were honored to again win in the 1998 Best of Las Vegas Awards, this time for \"Best Art Scene.\" Many of you have stopped by to visit when in Las Vegas, which is wonderful. You may be interested to know that we are about to celebrate our fifth anniversary, with ten days of art, music and spoken word events. I redesigned our web site to bring it all up to date, and included an ongoing scrapbook of pictures of the Enigma and its people and things, if you want to get a better idea of what we look like. Some of you will remember that on our third birthday in 1996, a lot of WELLbeings sent postcards to help us celebrate our grand re-opening after renovations. While many of those cards are still around, many have been lost to time and careless coffee drinkers. If any of you are into it, we'd love to get a bunch of new cards from all over the world (in the scrapbook you can see some of the cards pasted to the front of the coffee counter...) People love seeing all the cards, and we love hearing from our far-flung friends. If you want to send postcards, our address is: Enigma Garden Cafe (or just \"Enigma\") 918 South Fourth Street Las Vegas, NV 89101 Thanks everyone...even when I am not online so much, you are my extended family who has helped keep me going all these years. Smooch!"}, {"response": 167, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, May  2, 1998 (13:59)", "body": "In the media conference, linked to the news conference: Item 30 entered Sat, May 2, 1998 (08:58) by Paul Terry Walhus (terry) Live from LA, it's suicide on the freeway! They just has a live broadcast of a freeway suicide in LA, with closeup shots of someones head being blow off as they popped off a shotgun. We are at the point where everyone must know everything that's going on as it happens. Both a new low in journalism and a taste of the future."}, {"response": 168, "author": "mikeg", "date": "Sun, May  3, 1998 (15:58)", "body": "euwwww"}, {"response": 169, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, May  9, 1998 (13:03)", "body": "Riette is on a roll in philosophy. She's got the scoop on truth, wisdom and even started up a new topic. Glad to see Riette jumping in to this little known backwater of the Spring."}, {"response": 170, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, May 10, 1998 (10:00)", "body": "Riette has taken philoslophy by storm. I think she's a night person!"}, {"response": 171, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, May 10, 1998 (18:56)", "body": "New topic in travel: England."}, {"response": 172, "author": "mikeg", "date": "Mon, May 11, 1998 (23:54)", "body": "wooo hoooo.....i'm pilin' in there!"}, {"response": 173, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, May 13, 1998 (12:23)", "body": "Windows Conference: Texas vs. Microsoft (AG wants to raise campaign funds and keep job. Bolt from sky tells him he is barking up wrong tree.) Texas Puts Off Action Against Microsoft (05/12/98; 8:58 p.m. ET) By Kora McNaughton, TechWeb Pressure from Texas-based licensees of Microsoft Windows has given pause to that state's attorney general, Dan Morales, who was expected to file an antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft later this week. In a statement issued Tuesday, Morales said, \"Before contemplating any legal action against Microsoft, I feel it is prudent and wise to personally hear the concerns of our Texas-based companies.\" Morales will meet with the Companies over the next few weeks. Morales said his office has received letters from several Texas computer executives worried that a lawsuit against Microsoft would \"negatively impact\" their companies and the state as a whole. Morales' postponement of any action is an additional boost for Microsoft, which won an important victory against the Justice Department Tuesday when a federal appeals court ruled that Internet Explorer may be bundled with Windows 98. Expectations have been building that several state attorneys general and the Justice Department were readying broad antitrust complaints against Microsoft, but Morales' statement indicates such lawsuits may not happen for weeks, if at all."}, {"response": 174, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, May 13, 1998 (13:46)", "body": "The tv conference: 5 19 Seinfeld Tomorrow night, Thursday, is the Last Seinfeld. Some folks are watching jsut for the commercials. The show about nothing is no longer. Just re-runs for here on out. The cast is going to be on the Tonight Show."}, {"response": 175, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, May 15, 1998 (02:10)", "body": "Daniel Cardenas wrote: The Justice Conference will focus on topics of criminal justice. Sample top ics could be Death Penalty v. Life, rehabilitation v. punishment, juvenile justice, women in prison, ethnic makeup of jails and prisons. Also could talk about serial killers, famous prisoners now in prison, current prison cases, laws, crime, statistics, studies, etc.. It could go into Native American law, white collar crime v. blue collar, constitutional law. My plan for getting conversation going, is to talk to friends of mine to signing up, also, since I am new, I havent participated in any conversat ions yet. Through those conversations, I could steer people to the Justice conference. So, now there is a 'justice' conference. j justice"}, {"response": 176, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, May 16, 1998 (16:57)", "body": "Austin's still \"smokin'\". Literally. A surreal pall hangs over us as smoke blows in from Mexican fires out of control. Check out topic 28 in the austin conference or topic 7 in the environment conference (they're crosslinked). air Austin The Mexican government procrastinates and the US Governement does a \"study\" while Austinites choke."}, {"response": 177, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, May 17, 1998 (15:21)", "body": "I hope Riette sticks around, I look forward every day to reading her cool insights in the philosophy conference. New in the spirit conference, a topic on the Sufi Order and Sufi dancing."}, {"response": 178, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Wed, May 20, 1998 (05:06)", "body": "you mean like the Kavadi(sp?)?"}, {"response": 179, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, May 20, 1998 (12:57)", "body": "Guess who's back? Howard Fredrics! Great!"}, {"response": 180, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Fri, May 22, 1998 (07:13)", "body": "Jim Moss aka Leplep Le Plep is doing his fair share in Philosophy, also, things are getting quite interesting in there... and, this in from Wolf (and edited, a little, of course...): Hi Wer!! Dude, thanks for writing me. It's good to hear from familiar folks. You can write here all the time, I do have regular access to it. As for the Spring, I do that when I'm not working and won't be on it as often as before for the time being. It's very very hot here, but it's not too bad. Drink lots of water and stay cool. Got up to 120 the other day, whew! But it's a dry heat *laugh*. Talk later, Elke :) mswolf68@hotmail.com"}, {"response": 181, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Fri, May 22, 1998 (07:15)", "body": "oh, yeah, and I updated the GenX Storybook annex page at http://www.spring.net/~spew/chap1.html"}, {"response": 182, "author": "mikeg", "date": "Sun, May 24, 1998 (15:05)", "body": "I've just opened a new topic in Spirit, which I would like to link to Philosophy - \"Why Christianity is not Religious\""}, {"response": 183, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Mon, May 25, 1998 (20:54)", "body": "But, Christianity is WAY to religious..."}, {"response": 184, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Mon, May 25, 1998 (23:09)", "body": "sorry, I seemed to have lost an o while camping... how are we gonna go about this semantic wrestling match, Mike? see you there..."}, {"response": 185, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Mon, May 25, 1998 (23:09)", "body": "Terry has moved into his new casa, and won't be back on here full time until his ISDN line gets installed somewhere around the 4th or 5th of June...(I think, however, he is sneaking around here tonight)"}, {"response": 186, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, May 29, 1998 (01:30)", "body": "Yup, dialin' in. My isdn line goes in on the 4th. I'll be havin' another pool party soon. I'm sittin' here with my notebook by poolside, with the tv cranked up on the music awards. Swimmin' rockin' out and lurkin' the Spring a bit."}, {"response": 187, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, May 29, 1998 (01:39)", "body": "News conference. Obits. Phil Hartman of SNL fame. Shot dead, possibly by his wife who killed herself."}, {"response": 188, "author": "mikeg", "date": "Tue, Jun  2, 1998 (10:06)", "body": "I'm sorry I haven't been around much. It's Early Finals time here at Sussex again, which means that I'm studying like crazy (just as I should be now...) I will be around occassionally, but not much. However, after June 25 I will be back, with the trauma of 14 examinations over!!!"}, {"response": 189, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Jun  2, 1998 (11:23)", "body": "So, that's where you've been all this time - I was beginning to worry; thought you got run over by a car or something. I didn't know you were English; I just love England and Scotland - I go there at least once or twice a year. It is just so beautiful with the rolling landscapes, quaint little towns, and the people are incredibly nice. I even married one of them! Anyway, I hope your exams will be going well, and hope you'll be back more often after that."}, {"response": 190, "author": "autumn", "date": "Tue, Jun  2, 1998 (14:14)", "body": "Good luck on your finals, Mike!"}, {"response": 191, "author": "stacey", "date": "Tue, Jun  2, 1998 (19:01)", "body": "14 examinations?!?! how many classes are you taking?"}, {"response": 192, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sat, Jun  6, 1998 (16:37)", "body": "excuse me, I'm butting in for a second, the GenX Storybook pages can now be found at http://www.spring.net/~spew/genxstory/chap1.html http://www.spring.net/~spew/genxstory/chap2.html come by and read 'em, puh-leeeze! now, back to our regularly scheduled conversation..."}, {"response": 193, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Thu, Jun 18, 1998 (19:23)", "body": "The index page is up for the GenX Storybook...it's at http://www.spring.net/~spew/genxstory/indeX.html it's kinda graphic intesive, let me know what ya'll think..."}, {"response": 194, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jun 26, 1998 (19:42)", "body": "Thoroughly Modern Jane This conference is for fiction using Jane Austen characters in non-Regency settings. Fiction based on Jane Austen and set in her period is at The Republic of Pemberley Your host is Carolyn http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/public/browse/modjane/all This has been in the works for a while, and the time was ripe to announce it. Credit is due to Amy and Myretta, the wonder workers from the Republic of Pemberly, a board that was incubated right here on the Spring."}, {"response": 195, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jun 26, 1998 (19:46)", "body": "The announcement is at: http://www.pemberley.com/pemb/admin/fiction/webbbs/boi.html and there is a little discussion on the help board at: http://www.pemberley.com/pemb/admin/help/index.html"}, {"response": 196, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Fri, Jun 26, 1998 (19:57)", "body": "and if anyone has noticed, there has been more modjane-ing than firthing lately, so there's already plenty o' stuff to read..."}, {"response": 197, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Wed, Jul  1, 1998 (03:26)", "body": "ok, i'll ask...what in the heck is modjane?"}, {"response": 198, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Wed, Jul  1, 1998 (06:52)", "body": "Moder Jane Austen... Jane's characters in modern settings..."}, {"response": 199, "author": "riette", "date": "Wed, Jul  1, 1998 (10:06)", "body": "I'll have to start reading her works . . . sounds like fun!"}, {"response": 200, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Jul  2, 1998 (03:40)", "body": "Saw a preview for a movie tonight with Jane Austen in the title. It didn't look like it had anything to do with Jane Austen though."}, {"response": 201, "author": "riette", "date": "Thu, Jul  2, 1998 (10:41)", "body": "How exiting! A movie with Jane Austen in the title which really has nothing to do with her!"}, {"response": 202, "author": "autumn", "date": "Sun, Jul  5, 1998 (04:09)", "body": "It's really a novel idea when you think about it! The possibilities for future films are endless!"}, {"response": 203, "author": "riette", "date": "Sun, Jul  5, 1998 (06:31)", "body": "Jane Austin, pet detective."}, {"response": 204, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Jul  5, 1998 (10:59)", "body": "Riette is now set up with host powers in 'art'. Which means she can customize it to her heart's desire. More specifically: The Role of the Conference Host Each conference has at least one host. The duties of the host vary from maintenance-only hosting which might involved clearing out old and unused topics to high-involvement hosting where the host takes an active role in encouraging and participating in the discussions. Hosts can help topics stay on the subject, answer questions, and bring up new subjects. They help new users and lost users. They generally keep things rolling along in the conference. Hostly Powers Hosts can perform the following acts that regular users cannot. Open the first topic in the conference. Retire any topic in the conference. Kill any topic in the conference. Change the conference header. Change the bulletin which is a message displayed (if new) once for everyone. Change the welcome message which is displayed when someone joins for the first time. Change the conference configuration commands. Change the ulist which is the list of participants' logins. Change the login message which is displayed when entering the conference. Change the Logout"}, {"response": 205, "author": "riette", "date": "Sun, Jul  5, 1998 (21:39)", "body": "OOOH, all that power . . . am I allow to tie people up too?"}, {"response": 206, "author": "riette", "date": "Sun, Jul  5, 1998 (22:32)", "body": "allowed, that is."}, {"response": 207, "author": "mikeg", "date": "Mon, Jul  6, 1998 (00:41)", "body": "only if you include me"}, {"response": 208, "author": "autumn", "date": "Mon, Jul  6, 1998 (03:30)", "body": "\"Jane Austen, Pet Detective\"--ROTFLMAO!!! Good one, Riette!!"}, {"response": 209, "author": "riette", "date": "Mon, Jul  6, 1998 (08:40)", "body": "ha-ha! Mike, you mean, you've not even noticed that you're already tied to me? Broken arm to broken finger! Which finger? Because if it's your right, then we can make music together! My right hand, your left. You do the cords, I strum. How does that sound?"}, {"response": 210, "author": "stacey", "date": "Mon, Jul  6, 1998 (18:37)", "body": "woo woo! then BOTH of you are still handcuffed to the couch!"}, {"response": 211, "author": "riette", "date": "Mon, Jul  6, 1998 (21:28)", "body": "So we're tied to one another AND the couch? This is getting complicated. Now all we need is for you and Wer to join us, and we'll be a Spring Quartet!"}, {"response": 212, "author": "mikeg", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (00:07)", "body": "lol :) nice pun, riette :)"}, {"response": 213, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (02:40)", "body": "I changed the Spring's base href tag to \" http://www.spring.net/ by adding the trailing / Check out the website and see if it's working in your browser, if you care to. Is the picture refreshing automatically every 60 seconds like it is supposed to do? We're building a new server soon. I just ordered a CD-R to use for backing up our present system. Should be here tomorrow or the next day. Spring party here the 18th, hope all the local springeurs can make it by, even ok for wer to drop in late after work. We should still be jammin' Everyone, please invite someone you know or don't know to join our conversation! Let's start growing incrementally! Back to the All Start game."}, {"response": 214, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (02:41)", "body": "Start sb Star."}, {"response": 215, "author": "riette", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (05:58)", "body": "Holland is out of the World Cup!!!!!! YAAAAAA-HOOOOOOOOO!!!"}, {"response": 216, "author": "mikeg", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (20:12)", "body": "you're happy? i was gutted. they were the only non-cheating team left in. now Brazil, and their team of professional divers, will win."}, {"response": 217, "author": "pmnh", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (20:17)", "body": "(\"professional divers\"??? what does this mean?)"}, {"response": 218, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (20:46)", "body": "All I gotta say is, GO CROATIA!"}, {"response": 219, "author": "riette", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (21:15)", "body": "Me too. Mike!!! I'm shocked! You shouted for Holland?! They played like big bullies! But I don't really care who wins, and it wouldn't have bothered me much if they HAD won . . . as long as it isn't France (or Germany, I was going to say, but they're out already, thank heavens!)!!"}, {"response": 220, "author": "mikeg", "date": "Thu, Jul  9, 1998 (00:24)", "body": "professional divers refers to the Brazilian penchant for jumping to the floor at the mere hint of an opposition player coming close to them. a technique prevalent on the continent, it is scorned here in England, and rightly so."}, {"response": 221, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Jul  9, 1998 (04:17)", "body": "\"jumping to the floor\" ??? Should we take this to the soccer topic in sports?"}, {"response": 222, "author": "riette", "date": "Thu, Jul  9, 1998 (06:32)", "body": "No, NO NO!! They play with their feet, Holland plays with those big, chunky muscles! And all the teams do that opera thing anyway to try and get the other team a yellow card. Was it in that one game between Paraguay and WHO? where the one guy from Paraguay did that magnificent roll practically from one end of the field to the other after tripping over someone's foot? I was in stitches. But I adore the Paraguayan goalkeeper. He's SO charismatic, and a great player too. I also liked that young English player, Mike Owen who kicked that wonderful goal against Argentinia. WOW! Sorry, Terry, I won't say more - I really can't go to sports; I know Nothing about Nothing there. I just enjoy watching the WC, because then I can cuddle the little guinea-piggies at the same time."}, {"response": 223, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Jul  9, 1998 (21:01)", "body": "So, is Croatia still alive?"}, {"response": 224, "author": "mikeg", "date": "Thu, Jul  9, 1998 (21:33)", "body": "the team? no, they went out to France. France vs. Brazil in the final. I reckon 1-0 to Brazil."}, {"response": 225, "author": "mikeg", "date": "Thu, Jul  9, 1998 (21:36)", "body": "The Babes conference header has had a bit of an update. A new logo, and a couple of \"additions\". Head on over . You might also fancy dropping into the Alicia Silverstone topic, to check out this wonderful wonderful (wonnnnnnderrfulll....i should stop now) actress."}, {"response": 226, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Jul  9, 1998 (21:36)", "body": "Who do you think will score the goal?"}, {"response": 227, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Jul  9, 1998 (21:36)", "body": "Warning: a comment slipped in ahead of yours at 225!"}, {"response": 228, "author": "mikeg", "date": "Thu, Jul  9, 1998 (21:38)", "body": "i've no idea - i didn't watch any of the Brazil matches. and maybe we should this chatter to Sports - it's a bit irrelevant here :) are the slippage warnings supposed to be posted?"}, {"response": 229, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jul 10, 1998 (03:44)", "body": "No, not usually, it's just so rare!"}, {"response": 230, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (20:19)", "body": "Topic 13 in Spirit: 13 1 Steven Seagal, sacred vessel of Tibetan Buddhism and reincarnated lama"}, {"response": 231, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Jul 21, 1998 (10:34)", "body": "I'll have a look, Terry, but that's a good thing, isn't it? I mean those monks look very holy to me - I respect them."}, {"response": 232, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Jul 21, 1998 (11:28)", "body": "Of course it's a good thing. This was brought up in response to your comments on the vacuity of Jean Claude Van Damme."}, {"response": 233, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Jul 21, 1998 (12:17)", "body": "I'm not changing my mind about van Damme though! If he were to become a Tibetan monk, I would advise all the others (including Seagal) ALWAYS to stand with their backs against the wall. He's such a horny old thing, one never knows what he might get up without women to adore him . . ."}, {"response": 234, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Jul 21, 1998 (17:20)", "body": "Did you find the Seagal topic?"}, {"response": 235, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Jul 21, 1998 (18:16)", "body": "Oh, here it is! Found it. Ehm, Terry, this response is now in one of the other topics, the reasons are there too, but I can't remember which topic! Anyway, I just more or less said that is was cool about Seagal being a tulku now. Don't you find?"}, {"response": 236, "author": "ratthing", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (01:42)", "body": "hey folks, i am trying to build traffic to one of my conferences on the spring, science. come on by and post away!"}, {"response": 237, "author": "riette", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (06:21)", "body": "But, Ray, I know absolutely nothing about science. Does that matter?"}, {"response": 238, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (14:23)", "body": "Tell us some of the things you want to talk about there in science!"}, {"response": 239, "author": "ratthing", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (14:25)", "body": "right now i am posting news clippings from cnn.com related to science. these news clippings range from very cool and noncontroversial (stars and galaxies) to very controversial (mammal cloning). these are topics that everyone has at least one comment on. riette (and most folks here for that matter) may not know a lot about science, but is very smart and bound to add something positive. anyway, at least come on by and read then news snippets so when i do a \"parti\" command it shows more than 3 people who have been to the conf!!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 240, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (15:43)", "body": "believe it or not, ratthing, but I lettered in science three years in high school..."}, {"response": 241, "author": "ratthing", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (17:39)", "body": "well, then, come on by!"}, {"response": 242, "author": "riette", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (18:08)", "body": "Will do, Ratthingy."}, {"response": 243, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (19:02)", "body": "Wired for mayhem By Mark Ward Economic booms and busts will become more frequent and more severe if programs called software agents control electronic commerce. Agents tend to exaggerate the worst market swings and create disastrous price wars, say two research groups in the US. As more goods and services are bought on the Internet, observers predict . . ."}, {"response": 244, "author": "riette", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (21:12)", "body": "that people will find ways to overcome problems that may occur, if they occur."}, {"response": 245, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (21:29)", "body": "This points to a new topic in the internet conference, where you can read the rest. Or just take Riette's word for it!"}, {"response": 246, "author": "riette", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (00:41)", "body": "\ufffdsmiling sheepishly\ufffd"}, {"response": 247, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (10:37)", "body": "Did anyone perchance read it?"}, {"response": 248, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (16:27)", "body": "Where was tv banned? What country? Find out in news topic 10."}, {"response": 249, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (19:46)", "body": "In the windows conference a new topic, security. And a new product guranateed to scare the daylights out of you, Back Orifice."}, {"response": 250, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (19:48)", "body": "new topics in art, justice, and genx, as well..."}, {"response": 251, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (19:57)", "body": "And porch 30 has a visual thesaurus (long) discussion to go along with our banter about synonyms."}, {"response": 252, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (20:13)", "body": "vc conference topic 12, an excerpt: Amsterdam Public Digital Culture On the Contradictions Among the Users by Geert Lovink & Patrice Riemens By the late nineties, the (in)famous Amsterdam squatters movement, which had dominated the socio-cultural (and law-and-order) agenda in the previous decade, had petered out in the city's streets, but its autonomous yet pragmatic mode of operation had infiltrated in the working of the more progressive cultural institutions. It was the time that the cultural centres 'Paradiso' and 'De Balie', which were at the vanguard of local cultural politics, embraced the 'technological culture' theme in their programming. In the beginning, this took the shape of a critical, if somewhat passive, observation of the technologies surrounding us, and of their attendant risks, but it quickly evolved in a Do-It-Yourself, from below approach. Technology was no longer seen as the preserve of science, big business, or the government. It could also become . . ."}, {"response": 253, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (21:29)", "body": "In travel, a new topic on Paris and France."}, {"response": 254, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (21:58)", "body": "feel free to talk about their overabundance of wers..."}, {"response": 255, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sat, Jul 25, 1998 (05:15)", "body": "Yesterday, the Senate moved one step closer to passing legislation which jeopardizes free speech and access to information on the Internet. Two measures, which were attached to a spending bill for the Commerce, State, and Justice departments after a voice vote, are based on two previously introduced bills: The Communications Decency Act (CDA) II (introduced by Senator Coats) and the Internet School Filtering Act (introduced by Senator McCain). for the rest see http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/internet/12"}, {"response": 256, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Jul 25, 1998 (12:05)", "body": "Gambling on the net is also about to be outlawed."}, {"response": 257, "author": "riette", "date": "Sat, Jul 25, 1998 (12:36)", "body": "One can GAMBLE here? That can't be fun."}, {"response": 258, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Jul 26, 1998 (13:08)", "body": "It could get expensive, with all they shysters out there."}, {"response": 259, "author": "riette", "date": "Sun, Jul 26, 1998 (15:01)", "body": "Yeah, well, if one is stupid enough to take the risk, one must take the consequences when they present themselves. I must confess that Chris and I adore playing the slot machines in England or Namibia when we're there. It's great fun, and we laugh ourselves to bits over each other's efforts to coax money out of the machine."}, {"response": 260, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jul 27, 1998 (15:54)", "body": "The internet conference has a new topic inspired by some of Bruce Sterling's literary freeware: Topic 25 of 25: 'hackers (Hacker Crackdown by Bruce Sterling)' Response 1 of 1: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) Mon, Jul 27, 1998 (10:52) 743 lines Bruce Sterling bruces@well.sf.ca.us Literary Freeware -- Not for Commercial Use Speech to High Technology Crime Investigation Association Lake Tahoe, Nov 1994 Good morning, my name's Bruce Sterling, and I'm a sometime computer crime journalist and longtime science fiction writer from Austin Texas. I'm the guy who wrote HACKER CRACKDOWN, which is the book you're getting on one of those floppy disks that are being distributed at this gig like party favors. People in law enforcement often ask me, Mr Sterling, if you're a science fiction writer like you say you are, then why should you care about American computer police and private security? And also, how come my kids can never find any copies of your sci-fi novels? . . . ya gotta go there to get the rest."}, {"response": 261, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jul 27, 1998 (16:05)", "body": "But please go there and comment as a special facor to me if nothing else, I want to show Bruce we care."}, {"response": 262, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jul 27, 1998 (16:05)", "body": "facor sb favor"}, {"response": 263, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jul 27, 1998 (16:18)", "body": "In travel: Item 23 entered Mon, Jul 27, 1998 (11:16) by Paul Terry Walhus (terry) bargain airfares Bargain airfares. Where to get 'em mostly on the web. 1 new of 1 response total. Topic 23 of 23: 'bargain airfares' Response 1 of 1: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) Mon, Jul 27, 1998 (11:17) 6 lines A good place to start: www.cheaptickets.com I heard of someone who got a $600 round trip ticket to Paris instead of the $3,000 the airlines wanted."}, {"response": 264, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jul 27, 1998 (16:19)", "body": "Who's beginning to look like a tomato? I won't tell, but you can find out in the food conference."}, {"response": 265, "author": "riette", "date": "Mon, Jul 27, 1998 (16:34)", "body": "\ufffdturning red\ufffd"}, {"response": 266, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jul 27, 1998 (18:10)", "body": "Sssh, you'll give it away."}, {"response": 267, "author": "riette", "date": "Mon, Jul 27, 1998 (19:00)", "body": "Give what away? I didn't tell anyone about your hay fetish!"}, {"response": 268, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jul 27, 1998 (19:28)", "body": "Whew! Good."}, {"response": 269, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jul 27, 1998 (19:41)", "body": "It would be hard to convey how wonderful are the descriptions of Paris provided by Riette, you'll just have to journey to travel to find out for yourself."}, {"response": 270, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Jul 28, 1998 (05:57)", "body": "And oh, if you'd like to find out about Terry's fetishes, you can go look in Music or even, hey, ask him yourself!"}, {"response": 271, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Tue, Jul 28, 1998 (05:57)", "body": "If the Internet is such a wonderful and diverse environment then how come we're all going to the same places. Yahoo, Netscape, AOL, Microsoft, Alta Vista, Excite, Geocities, Amazon and a few others command over fifty percent of Internet traffic. for more ifs, and/or to supply some answers, go to http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/internet/26"}, {"response": 272, "author": "riette", "date": "Wed, Jul 29, 1998 (10:19)", "body": "Because fools never differ?"}, {"response": 273, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Jul 29, 1998 (13:51)", "body": "Been there already, a good read."}, {"response": 274, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Jul 29, 1998 (14:16)", "body": "New topic in the tv conference: Ushuaia: The Ultimate Adventure Hosted by Perri Peltz, \"Ushuaia: The Ultimate Adventure\" offers a fascinating look at the real-life adventures of French dare-devil Nicolas Hulot and his Ushuaia team. The one-hour adventure series, which takes its name from a small town in Tierra Del Fuego at the tip of South America, features incredible expeditions, extreme sports and fierce competitions . . ."}, {"response": 275, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (11:53)", "body": "Do you want to see what the Spring looked like in 1995? check out http://www.spring.net/~dbii/forum/ or for a real pastblast: http://www.spring.net/~dbii/forum/confs.html"}, {"response": 276, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (11:54)", "body": "Ooops, wrong url, it's http://www.spring.net/~dbii/forum/confs/confs.html"}, {"response": 277, "author": "riette", "date": "Wed, Aug  5, 1998 (16:41)", "body": "Will go have a look as soon as I wake up."}, {"response": 278, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Aug  5, 1998 (21:44)", "body": "Tired from your long trip?"}, {"response": 279, "author": "riette", "date": "Thu, Aug  6, 1998 (06:12)", "body": "I sure was, Terry. We were supposed to get back Tuesday evening, but the flight got cancelled after we boarded the aircraft. Then they tried to put us on another flight to London, and from there to Basle, and then they wanted us to take a TAXI from there to Z\ufffdrich. At which point I decided it was a good time for a tantrum - because this was like 22:00 at night, my kids were shattered, and we would not have arrived home before about four in the morning. So they gave us free hotel accommodation, two fre meals, and all that stuff. Which was fun, but we had to be up early again to catch the flight to Z\ufffdrich, which, in the end, didn't go until 12:20 - so we did get in at 4:00 - in the afternoon, that is. I always swore I wouldn't fly Swissair again after the first time I did. Chris thought I was merely being prejudiced, and so the past two days pretty much proved my point! Mad as a bull, he was! They are the most unprofessional airline since the Kipkana express!"}, {"response": 280, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Aug  6, 1998 (16:23)", "body": "How far is it from Basle to Zurich?"}, {"response": 281, "author": "riette", "date": "Thu, Aug  6, 1998 (21:23)", "body": "I'm not sure in miles or kilometres, but per car it's between one and a half and two hours. How far is it from Austin to Boston?"}, {"response": 282, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Aug  6, 1998 (22:20)", "body": "About 1800 miles at least."}, {"response": 283, "author": "riette", "date": "Fri, Aug  7, 1998 (05:56)", "body": "Damn. Was hoping to be able to combine my Spring excursion next year with a little visit to my sister. Well, if she can get holiday I shall just have to bring her along."}, {"response": 284, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Aug  7, 1998 (14:10)", "body": "Great, bring her along!"}, {"response": 285, "author": "riette", "date": "Fri, Aug  7, 1998 (18:08)", "body": "Thanks - I'll consider that an invitation! Think I'd be less nervous about coming with her by my side."}, {"response": 286, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Aug  8, 1998 (05:29)", "body": "I think the two of you would love Austin. And just think all the hours and hours of real live face to face conversation we could all have."}, {"response": 287, "author": "riette", "date": "Sat, Aug  8, 1998 (06:10)", "body": "Real live face to face, eye to eye, mouth to mouth, hand to hand, body to body.... \ufffdBIG BIG SMILE\ufffd Have I seduced you?"}, {"response": 288, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sat, Aug  8, 1998 (19:17)", "body": "not yet, but you can keep trying if you'd like..."}, {"response": 289, "author": "riette", "date": "Sat, Aug  8, 1998 (20:13)", "body": "Damn! My mum always says she hasn't a clue how I was able to produce two children - she says I'm too stupid to be sexy. Guess she's right. Luckily one doesn't have to be sexy in order to have sex! Are you still on holiday, or are you back now?"}, {"response": 290, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sun, Aug  9, 1998 (04:35)", "body": "I'm back..."}, {"response": 291, "author": "riette", "date": "Sun, Aug  9, 1998 (06:35)", "body": "Good. People had better start coming alive in the Spring, or I shall respond to every single topic in every single conference, and cause a spring scandal."}, {"response": 292, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Aug  9, 1998 (12:03)", "body": "Scandal, controversy. Awesome! Go for it Riette! And on the Spring's main page today, a piece put together by my friend Mangala, an English lady who is very passionate about saving Texas from the nukes: The video you are watching is about the proposed nuclear dump in Sierra Blanca, Texas. It was filmed in early July of this year. The 53rd anniversary of the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima in Japan has just passed and, in an attempt to heighten the Public's awareness of the dangerous nuclear situation in West Texas, many brave souls, at least 200, are currently marching from El Paso to Sierra Blanca. Unless the People speak out NOW, a license will be granted by the T.N.R.C.C. for a nuclear waste facility to be built in this beautiful pristine area of Texas which is 16 miles from the Mexican border where the Rio Grande runs and over an earthquake fault line. This facility will serve as a dump for other states including Maine and Vermont. Trucks will bring the waste right across the U.S. If you have the possibility to join the marchers then please do so. They have been on Highway 20 past Fort Hancock and now are joining I10 to march the rest of the way to Sierra Blanca. They are supposed to arrive in Sierra Blanca around 1.30pm tomorrow, August 9th. Topic about this in environment."}, {"response": 293, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Aug  9, 1998 (12:42)", "body": "Does anyone want to put up a gallery page of pix of springeurs that I can point to from the main page?"}, {"response": 294, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sun, Aug  9, 1998 (14:30)", "body": "I'll put it on the list..."}, {"response": 295, "author": "riette", "date": "Sun, Aug  9, 1998 (18:00)", "body": "Hi, Wer!!"}, {"response": 296, "author": "ratthing", "date": "Sun, Aug  9, 1998 (18:35)", "body": "we *really* need to start a weird-like conf here on the spring. there are sooooo many topics there just begging for riette!"}, {"response": 297, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sun, Aug  9, 1998 (19:39)", "body": "new topics in poetry too! (and yeah, this place has been dead, what's up?)"}, {"response": 298, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Aug 10, 1998 (03:58)", "body": "wer now has conference creation capabilities. Go William!"}, {"response": 299, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Mon, Aug 10, 1998 (04:23)", "body": "I wondered when you were going to let that out of the bag... actually I was holding off on starting any new confs until you had the new server up and running..."}, {"response": 300, "author": "riette", "date": "Mon, Aug 10, 1998 (10:02)", "body": "Oh, magnificent!!! What's your conference going to be called? And, Wer, we're all with you! Ray, you think me weird??? You flatterer!!"}, {"response": 301, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Aug 10, 1998 (11:46)", "body": "Check out Mangala's video!"}, {"response": 302, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Aug 10, 1998 (11:52)", "body": "It's ok because we'll be transferring all this content anyway. And I'm not phasing in the new server for a while, because these one chugs along fairly reliably. And the new server will be a support machine until it proves it's metal. And also there's the issue that it's a difference flavor unix (Free BSD instad of BSDI)."}, {"response": 303, "author": "wer", "date": "Thu, Aug 13, 1998 (05:50)", "body": "ok, ratthing and every one else, Riette and I have already gotten http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/screwed and wouldn't you know it, she came first... and introduced herself!"}, {"response": 304, "author": "wer", "date": "Thu, Aug 13, 1998 (05:53)", "body": "yeah, I know, the url should be http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/screwed/all but it worked, didn't it? (and read better, as well)"}, {"response": 305, "author": "riette", "date": "Thu, Aug 13, 1998 (11:11)", "body": "Nothing like a good screw! ha-ha!"}, {"response": 306, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sat, Aug 15, 1998 (02:26)", "body": "is this, like, a whole new conference?"}, {"response": 307, "author": "ratthing", "date": "Sat, Aug 15, 1998 (02:45)", "body": "yes! please visit screwed!"}, {"response": 308, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sat, Aug 15, 1998 (02:50)", "body": "ok!!!"}, {"response": 309, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Aug 17, 1998 (00:49)", "body": "I whupped up a coupla new topics, mostly related to Austin goings on but of general interest also. The first is in poetry. It's about teh 98 national Poetry Slam which is going to kick off in a few days. This is the Superbowl of poetry, folks. And I'll be there. The other is a website and discussion about Body Choir, a group that I have fun with and which I have talked about briefly. http://www.spring.net/bodychoir And the Pledge Drive is still going strong with two new contributions, Read the topic in this conference."}, {"response": 310, "author": "autumn", "date": "Mon, Aug 17, 1998 (02:26)", "body": "Terry, when you click on it, it says \"File Not Found.\""}, {"response": 311, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Aug 17, 1998 (03:21)", "body": "It's fixed now."}, {"response": 312, "author": "autumn", "date": "Mon, Aug 17, 1998 (04:12)", "body": "Oh, very interesting! PS: check your email."}, {"response": 313, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Aug 20, 1998 (11:10)", "body": "Varoom! Keep them names coming, in, of all places, babes? Any Mike Griggs sightings? And catch either the Internet or the Austin conference for a listing of interesting websites about race, class and the Internet from Arthur McGee. Art goddess Riette continues on her roll in the art conference. It's a great education!"}, {"response": 314, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Aug 20, 1998 (11:37)", "body": "Thought you had problems? the entire cap the size of the USA and part of Canada 20,000 feet thick will slide into the ocean causing huge waves... In the news conference."}, {"response": 315, "author": "riette", "date": "Fri, Aug 21, 1998 (06:22)", "body": "!!!!!!!!!!!! WHEN?!?!?!"}, {"response": 316, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Aug 21, 1998 (14:34)", "body": "Don't know. Sounds kind of hokey, should have put it in the news of the weird topic (do we have one?) . . . along with the alien abductions. You'll have to visit news and check the web links, I spose."}, {"response": 317, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Aug 21, 1998 (14:49)", "body": "SpringSearch! http://www.spring.net/search New!"}, {"response": 318, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Fri, Aug 21, 1998 (15:33)", "body": "too cool! check out this feature, as well... http://www.spring.net/~spew/ss/"}, {"response": 319, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Fri, Aug 21, 1998 (16:03)", "body": "Looks good Terry. Now we know why you're so busy ;-)"}, {"response": 320, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Aug 21, 1998 (16:36)", "body": "It only took about 10 minutes to set up. Ooops, didn't call you last night. Give me a buzz later."}, {"response": 321, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Aug 21, 1998 (16:39)", "body": "This topic now linked to drool."}, {"response": 322, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Fri, Aug 21, 1998 (16:46)", "body": ""}, {"response": 323, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Fri, Aug 21, 1998 (16:47)", "body": ""}, {"response": 324, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Fri, Aug 21, 1998 (16:50)", "body": "This topic now linked to drool Yes, I noticed. Did you upgrade the software or something? I've been able yo post without getting a Yapp error the last couple of days."}, {"response": 325, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Aug 21, 1998 (16:50)", "body": "No updates! Unless Kaylenes been working behind the scenes. wer is taking an active role in overall system management and design, which is great. New topic internet (topic 28) which lists communication clients, these are ways we can meet using audio, video and text chat. Here are some of the best communications clients: Here are, in general, the best apps for communicating over the net (not just videoconferencing in some cases) in order of effectiveness and overall quality: Iphone 5.01 ftp://ftp.vocaltec.com/pub/iphone/iphone50.exe WebPhone ftp://ftp.netspeak.com/pub/wpsetup.exe VDOPhone ftp://ftp.vdo.net/vdptrial.exe NetMeeting http://mssjus3.www.conxion.com/msdownload/netmeeting/Nm21.exe OnLive! Traveler http://www.onlive.com/cgi-bin/travreg.cgi PowWow32 ftp://ftp.powwow.com/powwow36.exe PhoneFerret ftp://ferret.aitcom.net/pub/ferret/PFT111.exe Virtual Places http://download.vplaces.com/clients/VP32r21.exe Active Worlds http://aw.mpl.net/downloads/awb.exe Speak Freely http://www.fourmilab.ch/speakfree/windows/speakfb.zip WinTalk ftp://ftp.elf.com/pub/wintalk/wtalk127.zip VoxPhone ftp://papa.indstate.edu/winsock-l/Windows95/tx32v20.exe"}, {"response": 326, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Aug 21, 1998 (16:51)", "body": "Slippage!"}, {"response": 327, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Aug 24, 1998 (21:47)", "body": "Let's talk to a prisoner. See justice topic 4."}, {"response": 328, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 25, 1998 (06:09)", "body": "You mean a married man?"}, {"response": 329, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Wed, Aug 26, 1998 (03:40)", "body": "nope, that's what he'd a meant if I had said it..."}, {"response": 330, "author": "riette", "date": "Wed, Aug 26, 1998 (06:29)", "body": "You feel like marriage is an imprisonment? I don't really, except when Chris doesn't want to go on the merry-go-round with me. Then I wish I hadn't been married, 'cos then I would not have WANTED him to come along in the first place, and I wouldn't have had to nag him about it."}, {"response": 331, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Aug 26, 1998 (22:17)", "body": "Topic 7 of 13: 'NATO and European politics' Response 11 of 11: naive (ergopublic) Wed, Aug 26, 1998 (15:56) 18 lines Strange (or funny) to read this discussion. At \"beeing wired - beeing human\" I was told to have a look at spring. The NATO and European politics page is really astonishing for a citizen that is not member of the U.S. nor the NATO nor even the U.N. ... ... read the rest in the politics conference. Wow, we can mentioned at being wired, being human! New blood. And Swiss too."}, {"response": 332, "author": "riette", "date": "Thu, Aug 27, 1998 (06:15)", "body": ""}, {"response": 333, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Aug 28, 1998 (13:49)", "body": "Read the story of the \"Tech Ranch\" radio program - about Austin technology - in the austin conference (topic 30) and it's linked to the 'radio' conference. Riette's art conference is awesome, it's forcing us telnetties onto the web to see it!"}, {"response": 334, "author": "riette", "date": "Fri, Aug 28, 1998 (15:51)", "body": "All this flattery is going to make me very vain soon..... MORE PLEASE!"}, {"response": 335, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Aug 28, 1998 (16:59)", "body": "She's absolutely stupendous! For you host sysop types, you can click on help on the Spring's main page and now get to a \"sysops corner\" which tells you how to use telnet to create conferences and do sysop type things."}, {"response": 336, "author": "riette", "date": "Fri, Aug 28, 1998 (18:45)", "body": "Keep that technology stuff away from me! They and me - we don't exactly get along."}, {"response": 337, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Aug 29, 1998 (02:29)", "body": "Geoff posted a new topic, number 49, in the web conference about a new postal service on the internet. I was running out the door and could only skim it real fast. Could someone else please take a look and post a better synopsis here? And welcome geoff, 'cause he's finally come out of the woodwork after hanging around here for at least a year. Maybe we can keep him out in the open now!"}, {"response": 338, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Aug 29, 1998 (04:09)", "body": "Gregory Kallenberg's online version of the XL article: http://austin360.com/tech/browser/browser.htm"}, {"response": 339, "author": "ratthing", "date": "Sat, Aug 29, 1998 (04:39)", "body": "thanks for posting the URL, terry. what a great blurb for the Spring! so are we *all* \"edgy and cool\" or just you, terry?"}, {"response": 340, "author": "riette", "date": "Sat, Aug 29, 1998 (06:05)", "body": "Remember, Ray,THE WALHUS IS OUR MASTER!"}, {"response": 341, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Aug 29, 1998 (22:02)", "body": "We're all so hip, groovy, cool and edgy that it's awesome."}, {"response": 342, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (00:31)", "body": "like, totally dude!"}, {"response": 343, "author": "riette", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (07:01)", "body": "No-one should touch us - we're so hot, we'll burn them to ashes!"}, {"response": 344, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (20:27)", "body": "This may be tasteless and it may make you gag. That warning out of the way, it's topic 30 in babes. Jailbabes. Something to stir Mike up on his return."}, {"response": 345, "author": "riette", "date": "Mon, Aug 31, 1998 (06:28)", "body": "I think he'll laugh himself into a coma!"}, {"response": 346, "author": "isis", "date": "Thu, Sep  3, 1998 (01:46)", "body": "hi i am a newbie whats hot....."}, {"response": 347, "author": "wolf", "date": "Thu, Sep  3, 1998 (02:05)", "body": "this is what's hot--the spring! didn't you hear? we're edgy and cooooooool, woohoo!! welcome judy! look around, feel free to jump in on any topic..."}, {"response": 348, "author": "isis", "date": "Thu, Sep  3, 1998 (02:08)", "body": "thank you and well i am,,but right now i am just looking around and thanks again..."}, {"response": 349, "author": "ratthing", "date": "Thu, Sep  3, 1998 (02:41)", "body": "welcome to the spring isis! what are your interests?"}, {"response": 350, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep  3, 1998 (02:48)", "body": "What's hot! The people here. The topics. Food. Art. Restaurants. Science. Babes. Drool. Movies. TV. And we like to hang out on our little 'Porch' and listen to the frogs croak down by the spring, and swap comments about what's hot. And you're hot, cause you're new!"}, {"response": 351, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Thu, Sep  3, 1998 (03:40)", "body": "While there are tens of thousands of websites to visit, it is only the very seasoned netizen who will actually explore the wider reaches of the Internet. We know that most people tend to visit the same sites repeatedly. The average person has a list of ten websites they visit on a weekly basis and outside of that there is not much divergence. check http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/vc/all for the rest of the article...look around, you'll find it..."}, {"response": 352, "author": "autumn", "date": "Fri, Sep  4, 1998 (04:11)", "body": "Books, Isis. Books are HOT. Come tell us what you're reading, even if it's trash."}, {"response": 353, "author": "riette", "date": "Fri, Sep  4, 1998 (08:44)", "body": "Or: get SCREWED!!! That was not an insult!"}, {"response": 354, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Sep  5, 1998 (00:17)", "body": "Really, wolf has read a book in nearly every state (you can take that two ways). And I posed the question to her whether or not she could remember which states she read which books. It's my way of steering a discussion back on topic. Books. Hot. Read. I love the creative direction Ree and wer a giving this place. Here guys, have a high 5! www.colinfirth.com and www.austen.com are coming, if I can get the new machine more organized with Peters help. Then the respective design teams can take over. I love drool and austen. I wish we could revive austen in a cway complemenatary to what Amy and Myretta are doing Sports. Baseball, I know you say ugh. But nonetheless I have made some comments on the current home run race between McGwire and Sosa in the sports topic 10 on the Cardinals if you care to join me. More later...."}, {"response": 355, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Sep  5, 1998 (00:18)", "body": "The get screwed comment was in reference to the Judy topic in screwed. Getting screwed is a peak experience around here."}, {"response": 356, "author": "riette", "date": "Sat, Sep  5, 1998 (06:44)", "body": "ABSOLUTELY"}, {"response": 357, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sat, Sep  5, 1998 (14:38)", "body": "wait! terry, you wanted to know in which states i've read a book? not which states i've been in? well, now, this will have a completely different answer."}, {"response": 358, "author": "riette", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (07:19)", "body": "Waiting to hear it...."}, {"response": 359, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (07:22)", "body": "Yeah, waiting for what states in what states."}, {"response": 360, "author": "wolf", "date": "Tue, Sep  8, 1998 (23:29)", "body": "crazy in all of them and i haven't a clue what i've read where!"}, {"response": 361, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep  9, 1998 (04:27)", "body": "Good things and new people going on in the Internet conference. And, yes, Ray, I'd love it if you'd work on those menu scripts. Topic 1 of 29: 'allow me to introduce myself' Response 38 of 40: Ray Lopez (ratthing) Mon, Sep 7, 1998 (22:57) 3 lines terry, i did not know you needed someone to work on the menus. i'd love to do that! Topic 1 of 29: 'allow me to introduce myself' Response 39 of 40: Arthur R McGee (amcgee) Mon, Sep 7, 1998 (23:19) 3 lines Yeah, thanks. I understand UNIX just fine, I just wasn't aware of how my shell needed to be setup for the conferencing software to work. On most systems, the conferencing software has it's own independent settings. Thanks again. Topic 1 of 29: 'allow me to introduce myself' Response 40 of 40: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) Tue, Sep 8, 1998 (08:20) 5 lines Thanks Art, it's an issue that our conferening software should address. But our web population is much, much bigger than our telnet group, so naturally, the web is where most of our development has been. [1/29] Respond, forget, or pass? Item 10 entered Sun, Sep 22, 1996 (16:09) by Paul Terry Walhus (terry) ISPs - who is the best Internet Service Provider? 1 new of 3 responses total. Topic 10 of 29: 'ISPs - who is the best Internet Service Provider?' Response 2 of 3: Ito (ITO) Tue, Sep 8, 1998 (21:03) 4 lines I use shaw wave through the cable company in Calgary and I love it!, too fast, no phone line tied up and 24-hour connection. I pay $40Canadian a month; it ain't so bad but for those that need it it's worth it, there is no web space for a site but there is for ftp. Also, you are allowed to have up to 5 email accounts, which I guess some people would benefit from. The program I am into is the Home network. We'll be moving to Austin pretty soon, does anyone know whether there is cable internet service through the local cable company?, who is the cable company down there? if the service exists does anyone know what it costs? Thanks and happy surfing! Ito Topic 10 of 29: 'ISPs - who is the best Internet Service Provider?' Response 3 of 3: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) Tue, Sep 8, 1998 (23:23) 4 lines Welcome Ito, yes, we either have it or we're getting it very soon. Very glad you're joining us."}, {"response": 362, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Wed, Sep  9, 1998 (04:37)", "body": "ooh, and don't forget to try the last 50 postings option on http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/main either...will be coming to a conference near you soon, also... (and maybe I can finally get the frames version and the goto button working, too)"}, {"response": 363, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep  9, 1998 (04:44)", "body": "I love that 50 last postings, everyone give wer a hug, ok?"}, {"response": 364, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Wed, Sep  9, 1998 (04:46)", "body": "didya see the cartoon? it changes everyday..."}, {"response": 365, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Wed, Sep  9, 1998 (04:47)", "body": "Terry, e-mail me the mailing address for your Austin casa, okay?"}, {"response": 366, "author": "riette", "date": "Wed, Sep  9, 1998 (06:46)", "body": "Goodness, do you guys actually have enough brain space to store all these techno terms in????"}, {"response": 367, "author": "wolf", "date": "Wed, Sep  9, 1998 (13:14)", "body": "ok, how come i only got the cartoon once? and the 50 option is cool too, so here ya go, wer *squeeze*"}, {"response": 368, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Wed, Sep  9, 1998 (14:37)", "body": "what do you mean, once?"}, {"response": 369, "author": "wolf", "date": "Wed, Sep  9, 1998 (14:48)", "body": "i mean one time, not twice, not more than one time *hehe*...a few days ago, i logged in, got my personalized deal with a cartoon on the right side of the screen. ever since then, no cartoon has shown up when i log in. got it?"}, {"response": 370, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Wed, Sep  9, 1998 (16:11)", "body": "got it...couldn't make it fit right with differenct hotlist lengths, so it now appears at the bottom of the last 50 postings page..."}, {"response": 371, "author": "wolf", "date": "Wed, Sep  9, 1998 (17:07)", "body": "okay! t'anks, wer *grin*"}, {"response": 372, "author": "wolf", "date": "Wed, Sep  9, 1998 (17:21)", "body": "oh, wer, i gots an idear, you know that cartoon you put at the bottom of 50 responses? well, what if we post a cartoon and have folks submit their own caption to 'em? huh, whatcha think, huh?"}, {"response": 373, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Wed, Sep  9, 1998 (18:34)", "body": "I don't care...I can't draw, however... speaking of, everyone go to http://www.spring.net/~spew/b/ and look at the buttons I'm working on, then come back and tell me what you think..."}, {"response": 374, "author": "wolf", "date": "Wed, Sep  9, 1998 (20:13)", "body": "don't have to be able to draw, just post a cartoon!"}, {"response": 375, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep  9, 1998 (21:22)", "body": "That could be a topic too. Post a picture and then the responses that follow are suggested captions."}, {"response": 376, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 10, 1998 (05:18)", "body": "wer's top 50! Check it out: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/fifty"}, {"response": 377, "author": "riette", "date": "Thu, Sep 10, 1998 (10:38)", "body": "HEY HO HO HEY, is there some kind of favourism going on here, or what?? I've got no cartoon!!! \ufffdwailing bitterly\ufffd"}, {"response": 378, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 10, 1998 (23:55)", "body": "Happy Birthday Colin Firth! http://www.colinfirth.com or http://www.firth.com hosted by the Spring and produced by the awesome babes of drool."}, {"response": 379, "author": "autumn", "date": "Fri, Sep 11, 1998 (01:37)", "body": "Wow! Cool and edgy psychedelic new buttons."}, {"response": 380, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Sep 14, 1998 (01:35)", "body": "Kristen has her own Spring page and has said she wants to start taking part in our discussions. It might help if folks here would send her some encouragement in the form of email and comments in her discussion area in 'babes'! http://www.spring.net/kristen ... which has a link to babes."}, {"response": 381, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Mon, Sep 14, 1998 (03:47)", "body": "ooooo...she doesn't even have a tilde..."}, {"response": 382, "author": "riette", "date": "Mon, Sep 14, 1998 (18:19)", "body": "Would it be rude of me to say that I hope flattery is not going to become the basis or condition for our friendship here?"}, {"response": 383, "author": "ratthing", "date": "Mon, Sep 14, 1998 (19:13)", "body": "i hope not! while the core group of us here enjoys a very jovial relationship, we shouild be careful not to let that supress creativity of thought and exposure to new ideas and people."}, {"response": 384, "author": "ratthing", "date": "Mon, Sep 14, 1998 (19:15)", "body": "...with that said, i feel that it is imperative that we maintain a level of civility here. if this place turns into the WELL i am leaving."}, {"response": 385, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Sep 14, 1998 (19:24)", "body": "I think we all really like each other and I don't see any signs of that!"}, {"response": 386, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Sep 15, 1998 (05:54)", "body": "GOOD. Just checking."}, {"response": 387, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 15, 1998 (12:12)", "body": "We're very full on disk space. We have another machine (access) with 8 gb and it's nearly empty. Use it to store graphics files, etc and to start new websites and other projects. If there's anything in your directory you don't need, nuke it or move it to the new machine. We'll crash very soon if this keeps up. We're 95% full on this machine and bursting at the seams. I'm going in and moving everything I can to access that is in my personal directory. And I'm running a diskhog report which I'll publish later ... it takes a long time to run. It shows all directories on the system in descending order of size."}, {"response": 388, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 15, 1998 (12:15)", "body": "Ok: !df Filesystem 512-blocks Used Avail Capacity Mounted on /dev/sd0a 19454 17614 866 95% / /dev/sd0h 2956188 2620738 187640 93% /usr We've got to cut out file storage on this machine and use our other machine(s) for storing files, expecially large ones."}, {"response": 389, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 15, 1998 (12:35)", "body": "The gory details: bash$ cat hog du / | sort -rn > hogwww.txt bash$ su Password: bash# du / | sort -rn > hogwww.txt du: /usr/var/www/docs/.chai.html.tmp: No such file or directory bash# head -100 hogwww.txt 2637922 / 2620310 /usr 994658 /usr/home 929378 /usr/var 831078 /usr/var/www 604854 /usr/var/www/logs 417362 /usr/var/www/logs/spring.net 304514 /usr/bbs 167836 /usr/local 142238 /usr/home/work 115282 /usr/var/www/logs/childrenstory.com 113072 /usr/home/jeff 112028 /usr/bbs/part 102986 /usr/bbs/confs 99812 /usr/var/www/webdocs 86578 /usr/home/terry 82944 /usr/contrib 79210 /usr/var/www/docs 67458 /usr/var/www/webdocs/childrenstory.com 61896 /usr/var/log 56710 /usr/home/dbii 51682 /usr/local/src 46708 /usr/home/terry/Mail 46636 /usr/var/www/rafiles 46044 /usr/home/wmmeyers 45988 /usr/home/wmmeyers/public_html 45330 /usr/var/www/logs/spring.com 45162 /usr/home/jeff/perl 44746 /usr/bbs/www 44378 /usr/home/dbii/public_html 44278 /usr/home/anneh 44170 /usr/home/dbii/public_html/forum 44148 /usr/home/anneh/public_html 42196 /usr/local/src/pine4.02 41956 /usr/local/realaudio 40440 /usr/home/nbba 39502 /usr/contrib/bin 39398 /usr/home/wmmeyers/public_html/album 39238 /usr/bbs/www/home 38054 /usr/home/work/terry 37326 /usr/home/msworks 37296 /usr/home/msworks/MSWORKS 37030 /usr/share 36300 /usr/home/jeff/olddns 33398 /usr/var/mail 33108 /usr/home/anneh/public_html/derby 30402 /usr/home/nbba/incoming 30302 /usr/home/kreblon 29924 /usr/home/kreblon/public_html 29240 /usr/home/dbii/public_html/forum/confs 28588 /usr/src 28586 /usr/src/sys 27742 /usr/var/www/webdocs/childrenstory.com/tales 26680 /usr/home/jeff/perl/perl5.004_04 26062 /usr/local/frontpage 26034 /usr/local/frontpage/version3.0 24748 /usr/home/paul 23924 /usr/home/paul/Mail 23580 /usr/home/terry/public_html 22892 /usr/var/www/webdocs/adultstory.com 22226 /usr/var/log/oldlog 21898 /usr/bbs/confs/drool 21362 /usr/var/www/logs/adultstory.com 21338 /usr/local/realaudio/pnserver.old 21054 /usr/contrib/lib 20976 /usr/home/ham 20680 /usr/home/bernie 19638 /usr/home/mrobens 19070 /usr/src/sys/i386 18914 /usr/bbs/confs/modjane 18834 /usr/local/src/pine4.02/bin 18514 /usr/var/www/docs/wle 18196 /usr/var/www/webdocs/childrenstory.com/christmas 18178 /usr/home/mrobens/public_html 17848 /usr/var/www/webdocs/childrenstory.com/tales/snow 17602 /usr/var/www/webdocs/childrenstory.com/tales/snow/images 17552 /usr/home/jeff/sendmail 17540 /usr/home/work/Mail 17420 /usr/var/www/docs/bayless 17346 /usr/var/www/docs/bayless/images 16998 /usr/bind 16996 /usr/bind/named 16434 /usr/home/bernie/public_html 16034 /usr/bbs/confs/austenarchive 15646 /usr/home/mrobens/public_html/Ann 15496 /usr/src/sys/i386/OBJ 14762 /usr/local/pnserver 14686 /usr/var/www/webdocs/childrenstory.com/christmas/images 14512 /usr/home/nan 14340 /usr/home/snap 14242 /usr/bin 14204 /usr/home/snap/public_html 14168 /usr/lib 14150 /usr/home/ham/Mail 13998 /usr/contrib/man 13922 /usr/share/man 13878 /usr/home/jeff/dns 13460 /usr/home/work/AWORKB 13452 /usr/home/alweeda 13188 /usr/bind/named/bin bash#"}, {"response": 390, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Tue, Sep 15, 1998 (13:06)", "body": "Terry, I nuked the topics on modjane, but don't have permissions to delete the conference. It will give you some more room, but the conference should be deleted."}, {"response": 391, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 15, 1998 (16:27)", "body": "That's pretty much a drop in the bucket, but thanks. I'll delete the conference and remove it from the main page. We just need better log file management which means archiving the big logs over to access.spring.net. And I have about 45 mbs. of personal files that I'm copying and nuking."}, {"response": 392, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Sep 15, 1998 (17:59)", "body": "Terry, does the Art conference have something to do with this problem? Could you move it wherever it has to go in order to solve another drop in the bucket? I haven't a clue about these things - I thought one could just post and post, and it never gets full, 'cos it's internet files."}, {"response": 393, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 16, 1998 (12:41)", "body": "We're in pretty good shape now, I just freed up 45mb last night and when I clean up the log files that will free up a lot more. We can get you an account on access.spring.net and you can have an area there for storage of art files. But, as you can see, we're in much better shape: bash$ df Filesystem 512-blocks Used Avail Capacity Mounted on /dev/sd0a 19454 17614 866 95% / /dev/sd0h 2956188 2450354 358024 87% /usr bash$"}, {"response": 394, "author": "ratthing", "date": "Wed, Sep 16, 1998 (13:59)", "body": "terry, there are several tar files in the /usr/bbs directory, and probably elsewhere. you could get a little more space out of the system by moving or compressing those files too."}, {"response": 395, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 16, 1998 (15:36)", "body": "Cool, do you have any recommendations on log file handling and archiving (to access.spring.net)? Something like: tar cf - ./games | rsh access.spring.net cd /tmp \\; tar xvBpf - (Solaris example of moving directories between machines -- we need something a little different, copying to another machine without compressing so we can grep and analyze still and restarting the log file on the source machine). Something you'd be willing to take on? I think there should be a top 50 button on every page you go to, and the cartoon is great, but I wish it were on another page than top 50 (imho), because I use it constantly now as a bookmark and I when I go to it I immediately hit page down because it is in ascending order. (descending would be better) and then I have to hit the page up key. Top 50 is an insanely great way to navigate the Spring!"}, {"response": 396, "author": "wolf", "date": "Wed, Sep 16, 1998 (15:56)", "body": "there are several topics in poetry that aren't used at all, later, i'll give a warning that those topics will be retired then you can do whatever you need to clear up space."}, {"response": 397, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Wed, Sep 16, 1998 (16:49)", "body": "I can do the fifty to print in reverse, no problem... I just stuck the cartoon thingy there cause it fit... have written the conference fifty page, also, just haven't installed it... hopefully, I'll have them fixed and up by Sunday..."}, {"response": 398, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 16, 1998 (22:34)", "body": "Very cool. Where did you post the dinner thing relating to Kristen. I told her about it but she couldn't find it just now."}, {"response": 399, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Thu, Sep 17, 1998 (02:18)", "body": "her topic in Babes..."}, {"response": 400, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 23, 1998 (12:11)", "body": "Right, speaking of Kristen, she's our Spring birthday girl today. Bend over Kristen, we're going to give you a spanking! (twap) (twap) 26 times . . ."}, {"response": 401, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 23, 1998 (17:33)", "body": "wer, please check out projects. Also, anyone interested in a little paying gig on our cs site, check out projects childrenstory topic (requires some understanding of webtv)."}, {"response": 402, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Thu, Sep 24, 1998 (00:55)", "body": "will do..."}, {"response": 403, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Tue, Sep 29, 1998 (12:39)", "body": "Welcome heidi and karen as hostesses of Drool!"}, {"response": 404, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Sep 29, 1998 (14:39)", "body": "WELCOME!!! I thought Nan was hostess all along. Is she coming to inner, or what? What is going on in there??"}, {"response": 405, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 29, 1998 (15:14)", "body": "Evelyn Boake was the previous droolhostess. And she is passing the baton on to Heidi and Karen. I think I got Heidi spelled right that time!"}, {"response": 406, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 30, 1998 (00:07)", "body": "Any new topic ideas anyone? Does anyone have a burning passion that would be fun to talk about? Ideas?"}, {"response": 407, "author": "mikeg", "date": "Wed, Sep 30, 1998 (01:23)", "body": "Java! It's my new thing to learn, and I'm rather hoping it will get me a very good job after graduation!"}, {"response": 408, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Oct  2, 1998 (04:15)", "body": "Sure, what conference should we put it in? computer? web?"}, {"response": 409, "author": "ratthing", "date": "Fri, Oct  2, 1998 (14:47)", "body": "since it's really just another programming language, how about putting it in computer and linking it to web?"}, {"response": 410, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Oct  3, 1998 (07:17)", "body": "Sure, you want to start it, Ray? We don't have a java topic now? I'll talk to you about Java."}, {"response": 411, "author": "ratthing", "date": "Sat, Oct  3, 1998 (16:44)", "body": "sure!"}, {"response": 412, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Oct  6, 1998 (14:03)", "body": "\"It's a software initiative that could decide who owns corporate desktops for the next 10 years. More vaporware from Microsoft Corp.? Hardly. This time, it's IBM Corp. taking the offensive. Indeed, IBM (NYSE:IBM) has drawn up a strategic blueprint to transform its enterprise business into an electronic-commerce powerhouse that spans millions of corporate desktops. In addition to betting the bank on Java, the blueprint calls for IBM to pump up Netscape's desktop business, head off Microsoft's Web browser and aggressively push OS/2 Warp customers onto other platforms. ... read more and comment in the computer conference topic on java. ratthang, would you mind linking this to the web conference, cause I keep going there to look for this."}, {"response": 413, "author": "ratthing", "date": "Tue, Oct  6, 1998 (14:12)", "body": "can i do that? i thought only hosts of confs could do things like that and AFAIK i dont host this conf or the web conf!"}, {"response": 414, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Tue, Oct  6, 1998 (14:20)", "body": "yeah, yeah, yeah...I'll do it..."}, {"response": 415, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Oct  7, 1998 (02:06)", "body": "We can add you if you want, Ray."}, {"response": 416, "author": "wolf", "date": "Wed, Oct  7, 1998 (02:11)", "body": "wer: hahaha!!!! ray and terry: see, it worked *heehee* i see java stuff everywhere but don't understand what it means. i know it's another code and all that but what can it do? and please explain appelets to me-there is a site on the web with a picture of a wolf sitting by a body of water and the bottom half of the picture is a reflection of said wolf with ripples in the water. HOW does that work? and is it tedious?"}, {"response": 417, "author": "ratthing", "date": "Wed, Oct  7, 1998 (14:46)", "body": "java is a programming language developed by some engineers at sun microsystems. the big deal about java was that it was designed to operate on any computer platform, whether Windows, Unix, Mac, etc. another important aspect of Java is that it was designed to run across networks, so that the programs could transmit themselves across a network to operate and that they could also transmit information across networks. if you already know how to program in C++ or another OO language then Java is actually pretty easy to learn. Otherwise it would be daunting for a beginner to pick up. the wolf near water you are looking at is a java applet. applets are small programs that run inside of web browsers that do any cool things you want them to, all written in java."}, {"response": 418, "author": "wolf", "date": "Wed, Oct  7, 1998 (17:06)", "body": "so where can i learn this stuff? is it easy to pick up like html? should i move this discussion to web????? am i asking too many questions? help!!"}, {"response": 419, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Oct  7, 1998 (19:15)", "body": "Sure, talk to us in web. I'm sure there's an html topic or two there. There are many resources for learning html on the web itself. Try doing a web search in http://www.infind.com and type the words html resources or html tutorial or html class and see what it brings back. What kind of system and software are you running, wolfie?"}, {"response": 420, "author": "wolf", "date": "Wed, Oct  7, 1998 (21:41)", "body": "windows 95, compaq pentium. html is okay, as i learn it as i go, but the other stuff--so, i'll do the search and will probably join web. thanks!!"}, {"response": 421, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Oct  7, 1998 (21:45)", "body": "There's also a great book with color illustrations but I'm not at home now to pull it off the shelf. It has a yellow border and is full of good examples. Let us know what your search unveils ok? Maybe we can post some of the better instructional sites in the web conference or perhaps even make a page of links. I use FrontPage for ease of use, but for years I've mostly coded html using the simplest of text editors like Windows Notepad."}, {"response": 422, "author": "wolf", "date": "Thu, Oct  8, 1998 (03:12)", "body": "i'd really like to know if a code exists to put pictures where you want them-- i.e., center them in relation to each other (if one is bigger than the one next to it) have smaller graphics sprinkled about without having to edit them into wallpaper---that kind of stuff. i tried doing it with the front page thingy i've got with this system but to no avail. will look about and let you guys know. i can't be the only one with questions!"}, {"response": 423, "author": "ratthing", "date": "Thu, Oct  8, 1998 (03:17)", "body": "try using dynamic HTML (DHTML). there is a DHTML editor called Astound that might be useful, wolfie. you might also try some creative use of tables or frames in regular HTML. what i would do in that situation is to simply lay the pictures out the way i want using a photo editor (e.g., PaintShop Pro) then just merging them all into one bigass gif or JPG."}, {"response": 424, "author": "wolf", "date": "Thu, Oct  8, 1998 (03:42)", "body": "yeah but wouldn't that take some time to download? the page would take forever to load up! i've heard of dhtml but don't know anything about it...thanks....."}, {"response": 425, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Oct  8, 1998 (13:33)", "body": "William, please check the projects conference for some notes about what Evelyn needs, eg. getting Heidi and Karen set up to push content. When we get a little further along, wolfie, you can have a front page enabled website here which will make it a lot easier."}, {"response": 426, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Oct  8, 1998 (13:36)", "body": "Ree didn't check in last night!"}, {"response": 427, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Oct 16, 1998 (14:22)", "body": "New! Topic 55 in music: The Beatles."}, {"response": 428, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Oct 17, 1998 (23:25)", "body": "The weather in Austin is getting out of hand. See topic 31 in the austin conference."}, {"response": 429, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Oct 18, 1998 (16:40)", "body": "Topic 27 in cars: car jokes Find the car you drive in the list of cars and their personalities."}, {"response": 430, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Oct 21, 1998 (16:19)", "body": "tv. ally mcbeal. Ally jumps on John Ritters face."}, {"response": 431, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Oct 21, 1998 (19:05)", "body": "Bruce Sterling Establishes \"Viridian List\" If you watch the news, you may have noticed that we Texans have had a summer of unprecedent heat and drought, followed by an autumn of unprecedented floods. I have therefore started a new, second mailing list, which will center around 21st century Green design issues. The new \"Viridian Mailing List\" seeks a historical understanding of technology, society, and their future trends, centering around the Greenhouse Effect. Unlike Dead Media, which has been very calm and scholarly, this Viridian list will probably be rather strident and opinionated. If you would like to join the Viridian List, send me email. I will send you the 6,633-word text of my recent San Francisco lecture, in which I vent some of my strong feelings on this subject. Bruce Sterling (bruces@well.com) Where can we start a topic on this? Which conference and what would the topic be called. Any suggestions?"}, {"response": 432, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Fri, Oct 23, 1998 (00:46)", "body": "hmmm...how about spirit since that is where saving the world started... or put it in cultures..."}, {"response": 433, "author": "riette", "date": "Fri, Oct 23, 1998 (06:26)", "body": "That sounds sensible."}, {"response": 434, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Oct 29, 1998 (13:09)", "body": "topic 333 in apps: What are buddy lists? Read Microsofts astonishing press release. Is this the beginning of the end for ICQ? Can you find our newby from China? I hope he keeps coming back. End male topic creation dominance!"}, {"response": 435, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Oct 29, 1998 (13:44)", "body": "y2k Talk about it in Internet 31 (internet conference topic 31). \" For those absent in byline, I'm being bombarded with vitriolic and often bizarre email about my story last week, \"Y2K: The Missionary Position.\" I'd be interested to know what folks think of the criticisms at... http://www.wired.com/news/news/wiredview/story/15875.html One person who wrote directly to me accused me of blaming Christians for the Y2K problems.\" _ Joe Nickell, Wired writer"}, {"response": 436, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Mon, Apr  5, 1999 (00:57)", "body": "is this not linked to porch anymore? hmmm..."}, {"response": 437, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Mon, Apr  5, 1999 (01:26)", "body": "and the answer would be... why, no, no it isn't..."}, {"response": 438, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (13:48)", "body": "Will you please write a review of 200 words or less here in this topic and then submit it to Alexa? The url for Alexa reviews of websites is: http://reviews.alexa.com/review?url=www.spring.net Write what you feel, good, bad or indifferent (just kidding about the bad or indifferent) and don't forget to give us 5 stars! And, most important, please emphasize your area of interest here (eg. drool, bronte, movies, tv, politics, or whatever pulls you here). drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 11, "subject": "Laurence Olivier", "response_count": 70, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 1997 (19:17)", "body": "I can't believe I'm the first one to post! Above all, I greatly admire and esteem Sir Larry as the finest actor of his generation. But, since this is a drool conference......The only time I ever found him sexy was as the tortured Max De Winter(love that n ame) in Rebecca. I love the way he reads the line-she stood there laughing, her black hair blowing in the wind. I also found him mildly sexy as Lord Nelson in that Hamilton Woman, with Vivien Leigh, especially when he says those immortal lines-now, I have kissed you in both centuries. But as for his portrayl of Darcy-Thank you CF. Maybe Olivier could have done better with VL as Lizzy, instead of Garson."}, {"response": 2, "author": "Inko", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 1997 (21:56)", "body": "I agree, Cass. Olivier was a great actor, and a chameleon as someone pointed out, but I didn't find him to be a particular drool topic. I did find him sexy as Max de Winter and a little as Nelson (but I think that was the story as much as him). He was brilliant in that movie (can't remember the name) about the Nazi Mengele in Brazil--but I hated the movie, it was too scary and creepy! I did love his Henry V, but it was made for propaganda purposes in WW2 and it shows it! I didn't think his Darcy held a candle to CF's - but then the whole film didn't stand up to P&P2!"}, {"response": 3, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 1997 (23:33)", "body": "Boys from Brazil opposite Gregory Peck, brilliant movie, it was meant to be scary and creepy!"}, {"response": 4, "author": "Inko", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 1997 (17:09)", "body": "Thanks, Johanne. I know it was meant to be scary and creepy, but it's not a movie I'd ever rent just to watch it again--as I won't watch any of the Godfather movies! Once is enough!!;-)"}, {"response": 5, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (15:05)", "body": "You're right Inko, not a movie you deliberatly go rent. But if I stumble on it once a decade it sure shake me. That's one I'll share with my kid when she's of age."}, {"response": 6, "author": "mpk", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (02:12)", "body": "I thought he was adorable in \"The Divorce of Lady X\" which just played recently on A&E. (By the way, I think Colin would be great in that comedic role...I kept imagining him in the movie...my ten year old agrees with me!). I also liked him in \"Wuthering Heights\" and find it incredible that he and Merle Oberon just detested each other. I read recently an article that proclaimed Kevin Kline as heir apparent to Sir Laurence Olivier. I dunno, I think Colin has those unique chameleon-like qualities in his acting. I very much enjoyed his tortured portrayal in \"Master of the Moor\"."}, {"response": 7, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (02:21)", "body": "Marina: I read recently an article that proclaimed Kevin Kline as heir apparent to Sir Laurence Olivier. Kevin Kline? I am all astonishment! I adore Kevin (I hoot just thinking about Otto in A Fish Called Wanda ) but really now...I thought Kenneth Branagh already had that dubious honor?"}, {"response": 8, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (14:09)", "body": "Hear hear Cheryl, Kevin Kline I adore but not in LO shoes. Those shoes will be hard to fill. Contender to future Olivier, in the early 70's, was then thinking Timothy Dalton had some promise, in this decade I cast my vote for Jeremy Northam (he would be g reat as Heathcliff). Wuthering heights was one of my favorite. You want to cradle him, giving him back the love he never was offered, this poor torn soul. He would have probably distroyed me as well. Olivier was incredible. Did'nt know about Merle O and him, surprise I am... As it occured to you how much Jennifer Ehle reminds of Merle Oberon? No wonder we would give her every role the later ever played."}, {"response": 9, "author": "Marsha", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 1997 (15:31)", "body": "I totally loved LO in \"Wuthering Heights\"-one of the best ramantic movies of all times, and definitely drool material. I also loved \"Rebecca\" and \"Hamlet\" and \"Divorce of Lady X\", though it is rather hard to drool over \"Hamlet\" (but I managed :-)"}, {"response": 10, "author": "bplaroch", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (23:43)", "body": "I always loved Sir Laurence, even if he was old enough to be my grandfather! He was at his most drool-worthy to me in That Hamilton Woman and of course when he played Darcy!"}, {"response": 11, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 1997 (12:14)", "body": "the new Olivier without contest : Branagh and Northam symbiosis. In the late thrities/forthies, yes, very handsome man..."}, {"response": 12, "author": "bplaroch", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 1997 (18:08)", "body": "He was so charming as Darcy in P&P0, I don't see how she could have resisted him. Not the same as CF smouldering I know, but Olivier did not act detestable at all in the movie as CF did before the visit to Pemberley."}, {"response": 13, "author": "Marcia", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 1997 (20:39)", "body": "Please change the title to reflect the correct spelling of this most worth of drool man: Laurence Olivier - of French Huguenot derevation. Marcia in Hawaii"}, {"response": 14, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 1997 (20:44)", "body": "Will do!"}, {"response": 15, "author": "MarSea", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 1997 (15:39)", "body": "Thanks, Terry! I just had a brief note from Nan that you were to fix it. Great. Now, How do we enliven it? There are surely fans around who remember the first time they saw Henry V and were young enough to be glued to their seats for the entire time e nthralled that someone that handsome could sound that good. I was so numb I sat through two showings the first time, and I can still remember the feelings. Let's hear from you!"}, {"response": 16, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 1997 (17:09)", "body": "Sorry, I don't remember seeing any Olivier films at their first-run showings, but I still get a thrill whenever I see him in \"Wuthering Heights.\" Whew! I never imagined Heathcliff that handsome, but I sure like it. What always amazed me about Sir Laurence is his ability to be both handsome and ugly. That probably doesn't sound like it makes sense, but he is a very attractive man (and remained that way into his old age). Yet he never was a \"pretty boy,\" he played e xciting and diverse roles and managed to change his looks with his character. Seems to be a British thing; most U.S. actors tend to get typed and then play that type no matter what (for instance, Fred Astaire still playing the handsome lover when his lea ing ladies were 1/3 his age)."}, {"response": 17, "author": "MarSea", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 1997 (22:48)", "body": "I knew there were others of us out there. Thanks for your thoughts, Lorie. I just wish there were pictures and .wav files like they have for Colin Firth. I (this just may be a terrible heresy) the Firth IS the successor to Olivier. When he comes into the room in the Inn with Bingley to join Lizzie and and his sister, he looks *just* like Heathcliff/Olivier - and sounds like him, too. Two such in a lifetime is totally amazing and I am gratefully overwhelmed. Or...is it possible...you haven't seen P&P ?"}, {"response": 18, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Sat, Oct 25, 1997 (21:27)", "body": "Oh, I've seen the Firth version, and I agree as much as a person who's never seen the Olivier version of P&P can. I keep hoping to see that version on TV, but I don't get Turner classics or whatever station owns the rights. Darcy is just a wonderful character. He charms us as he wins over Lizzy. And I feel that Sir L does that in many of his movies, too."}, {"response": 19, "author": "arteest", "date": "Sun, Oct 26, 1997 (17:44)", "body": "Here's a start for pictures of Sir L., Marcia. And wav files (what a voice!)would be good. Maybe I ought to do something about that, too..."}, {"response": 20, "author": "arteest", "date": "Tue, Oct 28, 1997 (00:29)", "body": "A word from Mr. Darcy? http://www.wcinet.net/~arteest/Pr%26Pr.wav"}, {"response": 21, "author": "arteest", "date": "Tue, Oct 28, 1997 (01:01)", "body": "The sound clip above takes a LONG time to load. Be patient!"}, {"response": 22, "author": "MarSea", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 1997 (22:19)", "body": "You are terrific! All of you. I was beginning to think I was the lone keeper of the flame, but I go away for a few days and you outdid yourselves. Lorie, you're right, of course. A fresh look at P&P0 (as it is known) gives proper comparison 0 vs 2. I'll keep both...but just for scholarly persuits and a lot of rewinding. In the USA, A&E has the rights to it. The BBC elsewhere. Julie, you gifted soul. Thanks for the great surprise. I don't drool here because the gentleman was too dignified to do that to, but it is supurb! And, to top it off, a .wav file with His voice!!! I can hardly believe it. What a visceral shock of recognition. I can't tell you enough how that thrilled me. A really genuine !s i g h ! of gratitude. Encore!!"}, {"response": 23, "author": "MarSea", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 1997 (01:32)", "body": "Some time ago \"Wuthering Heights\" was mentioned above, and the fact of a real \"loathing\" (I read many years ago) between Oberon and Olivier. Did anyone else feel real dislike for her, too while watching the movie? I thought she was the most arrogant and stupid woman on the planet to behave the way she did toward Heathcliff when I sat in the audience yearning to relieve his pain and humiliation. Perhaps Bronte wrote more of that into the story than I was aware, but the book didn't anger me nearly as muc as the movie did. Perhaps it's because I couldn't imagine anyone as truly astonishingly handsome as he was in this film when I was reading. I actually \"ached\" for him! Anyone else experience the same thing or anything like it?"}, {"response": 24, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 1997 (11:35)", "body": ""}, {"response": 25, "author": "MarSea", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 1997 (01:03)", "body": "Come back, Nan...your *1 lines did not show up! We need you!"}, {"response": 26, "author": "MarSea", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 1997 (19:10)", "body": "Has Hallowe'en candy hangover rendered mute absolutely everyone who has been at one time or another stricken by Olivier? Some rude person suggested this is a *dead* subject. How could they! Don't let that be so! A word or two...you don't need any fancy paragraphs. They're good, too, but just a few words would let me know I'm not alone out here."}, {"response": 27, "author": "arteest", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 1997 (20:17)", "body": "Does the \"rude person\" call this dead if we don't post every single day or something?? LONG LIVE LARRY!!"}, {"response": 28, "author": "MarSea", "date": "Tue, Nov  4, 1997 (20:09)", "body": "Thank you, I needed that. It has been suggested on 51 that Colin Firth play Laurence Olivier when (and they're bound to) they make the Biographical movie of this life. I think that would be superb. I don't even want to think of Vivien Leigh's portrayer - very complex...What do you think, all of you who KNOW he will always be with us. Thank heaven for video tapes!!! (I guess the \"rude person\" thinks quantity equates with Quality.)"}, {"response": 29, "author": "arteest", "date": "Tue, Nov  4, 1997 (23:20)", "body": "Picture files are touchy things, I guess. Well, I'll try & put it back. Portraying either Laurence or Vivien Leigh would be a very tall order; whoever played VL would not only have to be an outstandingly good actress (\"complex\" is right!)but also incredibly beautiful."}, {"response": 30, "author": "MarSea", "date": "Wed, Nov  5, 1997 (02:51)", "body": "And Morgan Fairchild is NOT the answer! I thinks he (LO) called her startling beautiful. Thank you HUGELY for puting your magnificent portrait of Lord Olivier back. Could you tell me something of how you decided on how to portray him. He was so many things so many times - all wonderful, of course. How did you decide? The pride of place on my .wav files is yours. It's the only one I know of that is his voice....and how appropriate with P&P2 so recently re-released. I'd love to have one of him thunde ing some Shakespeare. I have Hamlet and Henry V as well as all of the early ones including \"As you like it\" - but no thundering there. Henry, I think!"}, {"response": 31, "author": "MarSea", "date": "Wed, Nov  5, 1997 (02:56)", "body": "Julie, I'm also curious about his nose. He almost NEVER used his own, so I'm not absolutely sure what it looked like! You have the mouth to perfection and the eyes........aaaaaaaaaaah! What a joy to have it back on our...? (drooling just isn't appropriate for him, though he was so awesome when I first was bowled over by his presence I could hardly breathe!) Do you have a better idea for what to call this convocation of afficianados?"}, {"response": 32, "author": "arteest", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 1997 (21:32)", "body": "I don't know...how about \"The Stun Board\"? That has a nice ring to it. It also describes my first reaction to him, although I must admit when I was a teenager I definitely drooled over Heathcliff, Darcy, Maxim de Winter... My mom & I used to say (still do) that we'd listen to him recite the alphabet -- that VOICE! As far as I know, he had his \"own nose\" (!) as those three characters -- it was just when he got into Richard III (actually most of his stage roles) that he changed it so. Evidently he didn't like his nose...can't say I ever saw anything wrong with it! I'm not sure if there was any conscious decision on how to portray him in the painting; it just sort of...happened. I work from photographs, and this one sort of grew out of several different ones, but mostly when he was older. It seems to be kind of a combination of Mr Darcy and Heathcliff-when-he-returns-rich, don't you think?"}, {"response": 33, "author": "arteest", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 1997 (21:45)", "body": "I was just looking thru my list of LO movies---did you ever see \"Love Among The Ruins\"? It was made for TV, I think about '77? '79? and co-starred Katharine Hepburn. Absolutely wonderful movie! He was very handsome even in his seventies!"}, {"response": 34, "author": "arteest", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 1997 (21:57)", "body": "I don't know...how about \"The Stun Board\"? That has a nice ring to it. It also describes my first reaction to him, although I must admit when I was a teenager I definitely drooled over Heathcliff, Darcy, Maxim de Winter... My mom & I used to say (still do) that we'd listen to him recite the alphabet -- that VOICE! As far as I know, he had his \"own nose\" (!) as those three characters -- it was just when he got into Richard III (actually most of his stage roles) that he changed it so. Evidently he didn't like his nose...can't say I ever saw anything wrong with it! I'm not sure if there was any conscious decision on how to portray him in the painting; it just sort of...happened. I work from photographs, and this one sort of grew out of several different ones, but mostly when he was older. It seems to be kind of a combination of Mr Darcy and Heathcliff-when-he-returns-rich, don't you think?"}, {"response": 35, "author": "arteest", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 1997 (22:04)", "body": "Hey! I didn't post that twice!"}, {"response": 36, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 1997 (22:54)", "body": "Same Marcia, just took off the stupid way I had to register the first time. Julie, that is definitely the gorgeous man from prosperity in WH, and in Rebecca. Of course, Max was always gorgeous. Stun site, it is. Absolutely true. The first time I saw him in Anything was Henry V and I was so stunned I sat through two performances before anyone could tear me away. I still recall the physical jolt the first time I saw him in the movie. ZAP!!!! It still tingles....Stunningly! BTW, Julie, it does that for me, too, with double entry. Cyber-gremlins! My best to your Mother. Does she visit here?"}, {"response": 37, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 1997 (14:42)", "body": "LO didn't write it, but the poem \"Love Among the Ruins\" is beautiful, too. I think it's Browning. Anyway, I only read it because I saw that TV movie you mentioned above. Yes, handsome well into old age. Gives us all something to aspire to, I guess (but whether that means finding an older foxy guy as we age or developing a voice that will seduce even when ravaged by age, I leave you to guess). Still haven't seen the LO P&P, and am getting antsy. Saw it for sale in a video store recently ($20!) and wished I could just rent it. Any hope for seeing it on free or cable TV?"}, {"response": 38, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 1997 (17:53)", "body": "Let's hear it for the Silvery Foxes who know what women are about and how to appreciate them. Yes, I have one of my very own, and they are the most superior male of the species! \"Love Among the Ruins\" was lovely. I was prepared to hate it because Kate Hepburn never did much for me with that voice of hers, but she became wonderful because He thought she was. STUNning! Check with local stations or middle of the night reruns, and A&E runs old classics from all over the world. Scour your local listings on Sunday for the week. Especially for the overnight hours. That's how I got mine. PBS, too. You might Email A&E and PBS at their web pages and ask for them to show it."}, {"response": 39, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 1997 (17:57)", "body": "(Julie - re: his nose) I have his autobiography, and he commented that to get into a role he first had to become (get into the mind and skin of)the person he was portraying. The best way to start was to alter his features a bit, and he did the nose first!"}, {"response": 40, "author": "arteest", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 1997 (23:27)", "body": "I haven't seen that on in a long time, but Turner Classic Movies is a likely candidate -- they seem to have all of the MGM library. I'll let you know if I spot it anywhere, since I'm a major old-movie freak, and apt to run across it. We could email TCM and nudge them.... http://TCM.turner.com/CALENDAR/index.htm"}, {"response": 41, "author": "arteest", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 1997 (23:43)", "body": "I wasn't finished yet, but one of my cats decided I was... (Indiscriminate keyboard-stepping.) The above refers to P&P, Lorie. And, sorry, Marcia, Kate H. is TCM's star of the month this month! I haven't read the poem, but I know he quotes from Browning in 'LAtR.' And another line that comes to mind: \"And after 40 years of devotion, what is my reward? She doesn't remember me! \""}, {"response": 42, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Nov  8, 1997 (03:24)", "body": "Good for Kate. I certainly respect her work....and that line you quote - what memories it invokes! I'll have to check through my Olivier Videos and see if I have LATR. And, Please let us all know if / when you find anyone showing any of his movies, and I shall do the same. Hi to the cats. He had one, you know, named \"NEW\" spoken like a cat would for the New Theatre whence he moved the (Old Vic, as I recall."}, {"response": 43, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 1997 (00:52)", "body": "I have about a dozen books about Olivier, two by him. There is not one good picture of him as either Darcy nor Heathcliff in any of them. I am amazed with all of the photographs available they chose the distant tiny ones of him in profile or partially behind someone else. Somewhere in someone's archives there must be some good ones. Or, better still, someone with the videos and a Snappy and a Scanner who can put them up here where we can remember and sigh a lot!!! Anyone out there?"}, {"response": 44, "author": "arteest", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 1997 (22:42)", "body": "You're right, Marcia -- there just isn't much. (That's why I make my own!) But maybe this will hold us for a little bit...."}, {"response": 45, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 1997 (04:12)", "body": "Bless you Julie! How classy this man is. I say IS because he truly is immortal and I plan to keep on being enthralled and thrilled by his genius - and his incredible looks. You can't believe how much it means after a week or so of inactivity here, and a tough week out in the real world to find you have put a trio of splendid Olivier pictures on this board for us to enjoy. It also shows how truly gifted you are, too, by the way. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"}, {"response": 46, "author": "arteest", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 1997 (11:49)", "body": "You're very welcome! I agree with \"IS\"--he is immortal, and because of film and video I guess he always will be to those like us. \"Rebecca\" was on Bravo yesterday, but I found it too late to alert anyone here. Been awhile since I've seen that--really is a fine film --deserved Best Picture. Did you know Viven L. tested for the role of the 2nd Mrs DeWinter? She didn't get it because she was too beautiful! I tend to agree, in a way, but I saw the test in a documentary and I think she could've done it, I t ink. She really played down her looks, and anyone who could handle Scarlett could do anything!"}, {"response": 47, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 1997 (13:49)", "body": "Poor Vivien, she was slated for just about every role opposite him, but Darryl Zanuck had her under such tight reins from \"GWTW\" she couldn't do any of them. She had the gowns all made to play Katherine of France in Henry V, but her contract forbade it, so they had to find a diminutive actress to fit into them. Fortunately, Renee Asherson did just beautifully. She could play drab...look how bedraggled they made her look at the end of Lady Hamilton! Bedraggled but still beautiful, I might add."}, {"response": 48, "author": "marshA", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 1997 (14:29)", "body": "Oh, how nice it is too see other people who like LO. When I say to people that I do, I am usually met with a blank stare, or \"he's dead, isn't he?\" I remember seeing WH and falling in love with the movie. I remember being stunned throughout the whole movie, especially the scene when he breaks the windowglass and looks at his hands. Wow! And \"Rebecca\" is one of my favorite films and he made perfect Maxim. And his \"Henry V\" made me interested in Shakespeare adaptations. Before that, I thought that while the plays are wonderful, the adaptations are horrible. I remember thrilling to his \"St Crispin speech\" so much I had to rewind and relisten. Anyway, this comes perlilously close to gushing, so I'd better stop"}, {"response": 49, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 1997 (18:12)", "body": "marshA, welcome aboard. And, I was under the impression this was a DROOL Topic at The Spring! Go ahead and let it out so we may relive our passion and share it with others. I know the feeling of the blank-stare \"Isn't he dead?\" comment. I just look at the source and pity their limited minds. Henry V got me started and I thought there would never be someone that handsome who sounded that good. I watched it twice ( sat through two showings)- entranced - then slid out of the theater numb, limp, and forever changed. My video of Henry V can still do it for me!"}, {"response": 50, "author": "arteest", "date": "Mon, Dec 29, 1997 (15:39)", "body": "Hello, look what I found. (Oh, my GOD!) Happy Holidays, all...."}, {"response": 51, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Dec 29, 1997 (17:33)", "body": "Oh, Julie!!! Where did you get that gorgeous picture?! Thanks for sharing it with us. It made my season. Haoli Makahiki Hou to fellow Olivier Enthusiasts."}, {"response": 52, "author": "arteest", "date": "Mon, Dec 29, 1997 (21:41)", "body": "Heh-heh-heh. Thought you'd like that. I found it in a book where I was actually looking for something else -- this filled the whole page, approx. a foot tall -- I about fainted when I turned to it, unsuspecting. I knew RIGHT where it was going: Olivier Enthusiasts need it! I have a web site! It's not exactly Laurence, but it is old movie stars...(Actually, he may be there very soon.) Check it out if you'd like: http://www.wcinet.net/~arteest/Classic%20Stars.htm"}, {"response": 53, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 1997 (03:23)", "body": "Julie, I just visited your webpages. How very wonderful they are! Do put Olivier on. There must be other out there who haven't found the Spring who would be interested. Happy New Year, Dear!"}, {"response": 54, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 1998 (19:04)", "body": "I tried your site for the first time tonight, thank you for the great pics of L. O.. I don't think his P&P compares to P&P 2 but the script has a lot to do with that and Greer Garson didn't look anything like what I have always thought Lizzy looked like as J.E. did. I think L.O. and C.F have a lot in common but C.F. is more of a chameleon, I have seen him in eight movies and I still don't know what he looks like because he looks totaly different in each role. Oliver looked like Oliver even though he took on the characteristics of the person he was playing. I would love to see C.F. in Wuthering Heights and compare them in that role too. I didn't like Ralph Finnes at all a Heathcliff, but I am biased since I dislike R.F."}, {"response": 55, "author": "arteest", "date": "Sun, Feb  8, 1998 (14:17)", "body": "Hello, all, it's your friendly image-supplier, at it again: http://www.wcinet.net/~arteest/Rebecca.jpg This is from about the only site I've been able to find so far that has anything decent on our hero. It is worth visiting for all the other features within it too: http://www.princeton.edu/~tnfung/olivier.htm I caught most of Wuthering Heights the other night (on AMC). I was doing other things, but I STILL found myself riveted to the floor when it came to his speech to the dead Cathy. \"I cannot live without my life; I cannot die without my soul.\" How many times have I seen that scene....? And I still had goosebumps a foot high! Hopeless."}, {"response": 56, "author": "arteest", "date": "Sun, Feb  8, 1998 (14:24)", "body": "This is the way I meant to put the image in! (You can view it through the link above, but this is better. (Been awhile, and I forgot how to do it!)"}, {"response": 57, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Apr  3, 1998 (13:44)", "body": "Did anyone beside me catch Olivier in The Beggar's Opera this morning on Bravo channel? It is the most difficult of his movies to find, and though his voice could use some strength, he was entirely gorgeous and enchanting. I am very glad I taped it. It is a rare thing to be able to see one of his movies for first time containing what is was that first moved me about him. There is a lot of that in this movie. I suggest you watch out for it and tape it for your collection if you can."}, {"response": 58, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Apr  3, 1998 (14:03)", "body": "Correction: I found The Beggar's Opera on TCM - Turner Classic Movies It was in color, and this gentleman looks outstanding."}, {"response": 59, "author": "marshA", "date": "Sun, Apr 26, 1998 (00:46)", "body": "Wow! What a wonderful pic from \"Rebecca\" I saw (and taped of course) Beggar's Opera, and I really enjoyed it. I could see why all those women jumped on him :-) It was all very rollicking and Georian in Spirit. I absolutely love him in \"Rebecca\" It is one of my fave books, and I was worried about how they were going to translate it on screen. But from the first moment I saw Joan Fontaine and LO, I knew the movie was going to be great. Also, did anyone else see \"Fire Over England\"? It's his first movie with Vivien, and while the scriptwriters abosolutely butchered one of my favorite books (by AEW Mason), Olivier never looked better. Check it out!"}, {"response": 60, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Tue, Apr 28, 1998 (07:25)", "body": "test"}, {"response": 61, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jan 31, 2000 (23:26)", "body": "What's the latest on Laurence?"}, {"response": 62, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Feb  1, 2000 (20:37)", "body": "He has been called to act on a higher stage. Alas! He was born May 22, 1907 so he would be pretty old (like the stuff in your basement) were he still alive. Thank you for asking, though! This has been a dormant topic for a while. Occasionally I get bursts of my old feelings for Henry V then I post again."}, {"response": 63, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (19:33)", "body": "Sotheby's to auction rare Kubrick, Olivier letters LONDON (Reuters) - Sotheby's said Tuesday it will auction rare collections of letters by two late and great figures of the world of film and theater Stanley Kubrick and Sir Laurence Olivier. The unpublished correspondence goes under the hammer in London on July 13 as part of a larger English literature and history sale. ``Original material written by the notoriously reclusive Kubrick is of the utmost rarity,'' Sotheby's said in a statement. ``The 11 letters are expected to fetch 14,000 to 18,000 pounds ($21,200 to $27,260).'' The writings by the American director of ``A Clockwork Orange'' and ``2001: A Space Odyssey,'' who died in his adoptive home of Britain last year, include notes to the Welsh-born author who gave him the idea for ``Dr. Strangelove.'' In one letter, Kubrick tells Peter George that his draft for the black comedy about nuclear Armageddon was ``marvelous but for a couple of points'' and a few ``non-American things.'' The sale includes a series of ``Dr. Strangelove'' drafts with revisions by both Kubrick and George. The Olivier papers being sold by his son Tarquin 250 letters and cards written by the British thespian and his family are expected to fetch 50,000 to 60,000 pounds ($75,500 to $90,600). ``Besides touching on many aspects and details of his professional activities, the collection throws extensive light on Olivier's domestic life, on some of his closest personal relationships and on his own personality,'' Sotheby's said. Olivier, who died in 1989, confides to his son in one letter that he has ``made rather a mess of a good many things.'' The auction also features items from late British character actor Denholm Elliott, including a copy of ``The Confidential Clerk'' given to him by T.S. Eliot and praise from the author for his performance in the stage version of the book."}, {"response": 64, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (19:34)", "body": "Oh Man...if only I were rich instead of gorgeous, intelligent, witty and modest ;)"}, {"response": 65, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Jun 17, 2000 (09:26)", "body": "You forgot to mention charming."}, {"response": 66, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 17, 2000 (11:10)", "body": "LOL, Marcia! And a great hostess. :-D"}, {"response": 67, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jun 17, 2000 (12:22)", "body": "*Bowing to your kind comments* I wondered if anyone was alive in here. Thank you, ladies...*sigh*"}, {"response": 68, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (22:44)", "body": "From the Sunday Times (9/16/00) - this is juicy!! Letters hint at Olivier's gay suitor by Jack Grimston HE was the most famous British actor of his generation, revered across the world for his interpretations of Shakespeare. His companion was a dashing Hollywood star, renowned for his sexual dalliances. The carefully preserved archive of Laurence Olivier, seen for the first time, suggests that his friendship with Douglas Fairbanks Jr almost turned to an affair. The personal papers also show Olivier employed a \"minder\" to report on the health of Vivien Leigh, his second wife, before they were even married. The archive, stored in 180 large crates, was bought by the British Library from the Olivier family for \ufffd1m in April. Seen exclusively by The Sunday Times Magazine before it is opened to the public next month, the collection includes passionate love letters between Olivier and Leigh, and accounts from doctors and others of her bouts of mental illness. The archives are reviewed in a three-week series of articles starting in today's magazine. Kathryn Johnson, the curator of modern drama at the British Library, said the Olivier ar-chive was the biggest it had re-lating to a single theatre figure. \"It's going to be one of the stars of the collection and very important for the study of theatre in the 20th century,\" she said. Olivier, who died in 1989 at the age of 82, co-founded the National Theatre and was famous the world over both as a stage performer and a film star. He and Leigh became the most glamorous celebrity couple of their era. But their 20-year marriage, which ended in divorce in 1960, was marred by Leigh's manic depression. Although her illness was believed by most biographers to have come on gradually during their marriage, the archive shows that Olivier knew before they wed that Leigh was unstable. He even employed an assistant, Sunny Lash, to report to him on his future wife's health and state of mind while she was playing Scarlett O'Hara on the set of Gone with the Wind. Lash describes her staggering around her room after taking too many sedatives. \"I get so upset when things aren't right - and Vivien is impossible - or need I tell you?\" Lash wrote to Olivier. The telegrams from his \"Vivling\" during their frequent separations testify to their passionate love and chart her gradual mental degeneration. Although they both had affairs, Leigh's five-year liaison with Peter Finch, an actor renowned for his charm, hard drinking and womanising, had a devastating effect on her and her marriage. After Finch abruptly abandoned her in 1953, she was treated in a mental institution. The archive reveals other aspects of Olivier's sex life. Although his first wife, Jill Esmond, was bisexual, Olivier was not, but he confessed to being tempted by a man on one occasion. In the past, speculation has centred on No\ufffdl Coward, Danny Kaye or Richard Burton, but the archive suggests the real \"suitor\" may have been Fairbanks. An old and close friend of Olivier, famous for his wide-ranging sexual tastes, he was recently named as the prime suspect in the infamous \"headless man\" photograph at the centre of the Duchess of Argyll's divorce. The picture showed the duchess, wearing only a string of pearls, performing a sex act on an unidentified man. There is a series of highly camp letters from Fairbanks, including a set of pornographic drawings featuring a well-endowed man. One of the letters, not dated but evidently in response to a note from Olivier, says: \"'Spurned?' No, dear! Only anxious not to suspect recollections of your visit had placed me in that awkward 'Oh Christ! What'll I do? What'll I say?' category. I gather now that was not the case.\" In contrast to his virtuoso performances on stage and in films such as Henry V and Wuthering Heights, Olivier the man was often portrayed as a dull character, handsome but with little original to say for himself. He was painfully aware of his own inarticulacy, in contrast to his fellow thespian knights Ralph Richardson and John Gielgud. Some of the most valuable papers for theatre lovers relate to the setting up of the National Theatre. There is a letter from Richard Burton declining the offer to succeed Olivier as director of the National, saying he did not have \"the administrative ability . . .and apart from anything else . . . you were a hard man to follow\". Burton adds: \"Haven't had a drink for months and am as lean as Johnny Gielgud's knees.\" Some of the papers - which Olivier's widow, Joan Plowright, was anxious to keep in Britain - will be opened for study by library members next month. Staff are still sorting the crates, however, and it will take two years to complete a full catalogue of their contents."}, {"response": 69, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (10:26)", "body": "Thanks, Karen! I always thought they made such a perfect couple. It was a surprise to see Vivian had and affair whilst still married. She had good taqste though, young Peter Finch was so handsome. I remember reading of their famous parties with Noel Coward. Such wit!"}, {"response": 70, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (12:06)", "body": "Wow!!Juicy alright...What a crowd...talk about living in the fast lane!! And that was considered the \"conservative era\" when people were the paradigms of virtue....Oh yeah? Thanks Karen... drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 110, "subject": "<A HREF=\"http://www.colinfirth.com\">http://www.colinfirth.com</A>", "response_count": 992, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep  1, 1998 (20:48)", "body": "Indeed Terry! Simply marvelous! Ladies, let us have his birthday party here! Mark your calendars: September 10. What will you bring? And ...what is your gift? I will bring the champagne, Don Perignon Vintage 1982, lots and lots of it! I need more time to think about my gift."}, {"response": 2, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Sep  2, 1998 (20:01)", "body": ""}, {"response": 3, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Thu, Sep  3, 1998 (00:38)", "body": "speechless, eh?"}, {"response": 4, "author": "sofie", "date": "Thu, Sep  3, 1998 (01:05)", "body": "Arami speechless? Never! I'd like to bring some Godiva chocolates...they go well with Dom Perignon."}, {"response": 5, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Sep  3, 1998 (01:19)", "body": "I shall look forward to this. Can't think of anything to bring right now, maybe some smoked salmon."}, {"response": 6, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Sep  3, 1998 (12:26)", "body": "Speechless? Moi? Nevah... Just having second thoughts..."}, {"response": 7, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Sep  3, 1998 (15:59)", "body": "Let's by all means have your first, Arami! :-) Hallo, I was away for a while and had several surprises on coming back. This was a good one. Nan stepping down was a bad one, I'm still in shock. I'll try to come back here for the birthday party, but since I'll leave for Toronto on the very day, I can't be sure. I'll have to think up a present."}, {"response": 8, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Sep  3, 1998 (20:01)", "body": "Let's by all means have your first, Arami! :-) I tried, dear, but apparently they were unprintable... ;-)"}, {"response": 9, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Fri, Sep  4, 1998 (06:41)", "body": "Hmmmm...great champagne and chocolates...I'll bring excellent strawberries, cherries, and creme fraiche."}, {"response": 10, "author": "wer", "date": "Fri, Sep  4, 1998 (06:46)", "body": "party, party, party!!!"}, {"response": 11, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep  4, 1998 (13:37)", "body": "( Cheryle) .I'll bring excellent strawberries, cherries, and creme fraiche. Colin told Bridget that Creme Brulee was his favorite dessert...maybe you could include that too, Cheryle. As a good Scotsman Colin must like Haggis....I'll bring some of that and Oatmeal Cakes to accompany it.!!! Better bring lots of champagne...Moon. We'll need it to wash down the Haggis! :-)"}, {"response": 12, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Sep  4, 1998 (16:01)", "body": "Colin is not Scottish."}, {"response": 13, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep  4, 1998 (17:27)", "body": "( Arami) Colin is not Scottish I know he was born in England, but I assumed he has Scottish heritage from his interview in the US VOGUE, Sept. 1997 P. 494 when he says: \" I am not the Brideshead Brit I seem,\"..... \" I am a Scots eccentric\"..... Whatever......:-)"}, {"response": 14, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Sep  4, 1998 (18:18)", "body": "Okay, my sister is due to have a baby on Sept. 9, but she will hold out for the 10th of Sept:) Keep your fingers crossed:) I'm going to be an auntie and Colin is going to be 38:) hee hee."}, {"response": 15, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep  4, 1998 (18:46)", "body": "Does Colin know about this board?"}, {"response": 16, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Sep  4, 1998 (20:41)", "body": "(Terry) Does Colin know about this board? Oh, I certainly hope not. There have been somethings said here that I'm sure he wouldn't find very funny. On the other hand, we hope to make the new page something he would not be ashamed to show his mother ;-p You know, more about his career and less about his chocolate puddles ;-)"}, {"response": 17, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Sep  5, 1998 (02:15)", "body": "impossible! :-) For that he'll have to go to some of the other pages in the web..."}, {"response": 18, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Sep  5, 1998 (08:28)", "body": "Nan, is it really the chocolate pools to come to your mind first? And I thought I knew you a bit! :-D Speaking of chokkies (sp?): I think I will bring some cans of English beer to the party and call for a pizza. :-p Terry: I don't think - hope - he has ever been to Drool (*blush*!), though someone may have told him about. Why do you ask, Terry, are you going to offer him his address as a birthday present? :-)"}, {"response": 19, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep  5, 1998 (11:26)", "body": "Terry, you can contact his agent in LA, I believe Helen lists his address in the FAQ. Lafn, if indeed he feels Scottish, let him come to the party in a kilt. I would like to take this opportunity to claim the first two dances. Don\ufffdt worry, I will bring plenty of Dom Perignon to the party. Even Bridget will not know what hit her. Laura, as long as its after 6pm. What are you bringing? I see we all need more time to think about his gift! Let\ufffds all just show up with it on the 10th. What do you say?"}, {"response": 20, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Sep  5, 1998 (11:34)", "body": "(Renate) Nan, is it really the chocolate pools to come to your mind first? And I thought I knew you a bit! :-D Of course not, dear. If anything, you know me too well. I was trying to check my usual vulgarity ;-)"}, {"response": 21, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sat, Sep  5, 1998 (12:24)", "body": "(Nan)I was trying to check my usual vulgarity missed it again..."}, {"response": 22, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Sep  5, 1998 (12:49)", "body": "(Evelyn) I assumed he has Scottish heritage from his interview in the US VOGUE, Sept. 1997 P. 494 when he says: \" I am not the Brideshead Brit I seem,\"..... \" I am a Scots eccentric\".... It's that funny way some actors talk... He was referring to his character in The World Of Moss aka My Life So Far."}, {"response": 23, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep  5, 1998 (17:18)", "body": "I am not the Brideshead Brit I seem,\"..... \" I am a Scots eccentric\".... It's that funny way some actors talk... He was referring to his character in The World Of Moss aka My Life So Far. Not in my hard copy . But the surname Firth....doesn't that conjure Scottish lineage?"}, {"response": 24, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Sep  5, 1998 (17:42)", "body": "I always thought Firth was Yorkshire in origin. But I'd put even money on one or more Scottish grandparents. Most Methodist missionaries serving in India were from north of the border.....the Scots always provided good missionaries."}, {"response": 25, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Sep  5, 1998 (18:30)", "body": "Firth comes from an Old English word 'frithpe' meaning 'woodland'. It is apparently quite a common name particularly in Lancashire and Yorkshire. The Scottish 'firth' meaning an estuary comes from an Old Norse word for fjord. I would discount any obvious Scottish connection, as people with Scottish ancestry are usually fiercely proud of their roots, while Colin has never made any comment to that effect. Moreover, would you really consider him an eccentric? The article in Vogue speaks of filming, makeup a d Rosemary Harris playing his mother-in-law, all in the same paragraph as Evelyn's quote above - so it quite clearly appears to refer to the film, at least in my hard copy. :-)"}, {"response": 26, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep  5, 1998 (22:02)", "body": ", would you really consider him an eccentric? Definitely not.....but I didn't say he was....I was quoting the article. so it quite clearly appears to refer to the film, at least in my hard copy. :-) I would discount any obvious Scottish connection... Man, that's like in your opinion....man.....:-)"}, {"response": 27, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (00:15)", "body": "Cool background. Note to TeamFirth. Meet in 'projects' to ask/answer questions regarding the pending website."}, {"response": 28, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (09:12)", "body": "Who is TeamFirth? What have I missed? And I thought I was all caught up."}, {"response": 29, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (09:53)", "body": "Man, that's like in your opinion....man.....:-) Or as Nan is fond of saying.... \"If we all agreed....we would have nothing to talk about\" :-)"}, {"response": 30, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (13:30)", "body": "(Terry) Cool background. Thanks. I like it ;-) Meet in 'projects' to ask/answer questions regarding the pending website. Will do."}, {"response": 31, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (16:00)", "body": "(Heide) Who is TeamFirth? I'm part of it. After Terry took us by surprise with this domain site and a date someone had to create and upload something.... that's what we organize. Any suggestions what to do with the new domain? Anyone out there who wants to, and knows how to put together a page by herself please contact me. Nan or somebody else still to be named will upload the html files and pictures. Only rules: such a page should be fit to be seen by Colin Firth himself (it helps to imagine you actually have to get his approval :-) ), and make sure you don't violate copyright, i.e. if you use pictures or articles found on other pages get the permission to do so."}, {"response": 32, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (16:57)", "body": "(Evelyn) Or as Nan is fond of saying.... \"If we all agreed....we would have nothing to talk about\" :-) Yes, blame Nan now... But I think that even Nan won't advocate disagreeing about obvious facts... ;-)"}, {"response": 33, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (17:15)", "body": "But I think that even Nan won't advocate disagreeing about obvious facts... ;-) Hey...what facts? I read it one way....you read it another. Duh........:-)"}, {"response": 34, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (17:28)", "body": "projects is the place for details, like asking me to set permissions on directories and other techy stuff. Renate, Arami, Myretta and Nan are Team Firth. Unless I misunderstand (if I did, please correct me). All these folks have accounts on the http://www.firth.com or http://www.colinfirth.com website and can place content there."}, {"response": 35, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (17:31)", "body": "(Heide) Who is TeamFirth? I'm part of it. After Terry took us by surprise with this domain site and a date someone had to create and upload something.... that's what we organize. Any suggestions what to do with the new domain? Anyone out there who wants to, and knows how to put together a page by herself please contact me. Nan or somebody else still to be named will upload the html files and pictures. Only rules: such a page should be fit to be seen by Colin Firth himself (it helps to imagine you actually have to get his approval :-) ), and make sure you don't violate copyright, i.e. if you use pictures or articles found on other pages get the permission to do so."}, {"response": 36, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (17:57)", "body": "(Heide) Who is TeamFirth? Too bad, it sounded like a pitcrew at the Indy 500. I was going to volunteer to rotate his tires, change the oil or regap his sparkplugs! ;-D I"}, {"response": 37, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (18:27)", "body": "(Renate) should be fit to be seen by Colin Firth himself (it helps to imagine you actually have to get his approval. A happy thought indeed! PEACE & LOVE to Team Firth."}, {"response": 38, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (19:13)", "body": "(Evelyn) Hey...what facts? I read it one way....you read it another. LOL! You say tomato, huh? ;-p (Terry) Renate, Arami, Myretta and Nan are Team Firth. Unless I misunderstand (if I did, please correct me). Nope, you got it. :-) (Karen) Too bad, it sounded like a pitcrew at the Indy 500. I was going to volunteer to rotate his tires, change the oil or regap his sparkplugs! ;-D Sorry babe, that's my job. It was the inducement they used to get me back on the team ;-p"}, {"response": 39, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (21:33)", "body": "Sorry babe, that's my job. It was the inducement they used to get me back on the team ;-p OK, send me a team jacket (with all the sponsor logos) then."}, {"response": 40, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (21:56)", "body": "(Karen) OK, send me a team jacket (with all the sponsor logos) then. Do you want the one with the 2 chocolate puddles on the back or the one with the embroidered ticker and dangler on the breast? ;-p"}, {"response": 41, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (05:32)", "body": "(Evelyn) Creme Brulee was his favorite dessert...maybe you could include that too Consider it done. Oh, and somebody who hasn't signed up yet should bring the birthday cake. Maybe somebody who can post a picture of it after she's designed it, with all the candles? He/we don't have to eat too much of it, but let's give him a chance to make a birthday wish. (wer) party, party, party!!! Great--so the whole extended family is coming! :-) (Karen) Too bad, it sounded like a pitcrew at the Indy 500. Yeah, I like it ;-) (Renate) I don't think - hope - he has ever been to Drool (*blush*!) (Nan) somethings said here that I'm sure he wouldn't find very funny. Or tasteful or comforting or accurate or sane. But at least we don't BOTHER him with them. (Moon Dreams) let him come to the party in a kilt. I would like to take this opportunity to claim the first two dances. Don't you love a guy in a kilt? To Team Firth:(Uh-oh. Do we have to behave differently here now, or on the page that will be created in the future?) (Moon Dreams) we all need more time to think about his gift. Let\ufffds all just show up with it on the 10th. What do you say? Good idea. Don\ufffdt worry, I will bring plenty of Dom Perignon to the party. Even Bridget will not know what hit her. Good. I won't arrive till after 23:00 EST, so I don't want it to be all gone ;-) I will send the Creme Brulee, strawberries, etc. ahead so you will all have them. And not to worry--I don't think Bridget ever knows what hit her, so you can probably just give her water. Does anybody know the time he was born? Then we can go to one of those astrology sites and see that his Moon is in XXX, etc. Maybe someone's already done his chart. Just seems appropriate at a birthday party."}, {"response": 42, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (07:54)", "body": "Colin is a Virgo with the moon in Taurus. We would need the time of his birth for his ascendant. Cheryle, I am so happy to see you in such a party mood as myself! Yes, I think men in kilts are very sexy. Love the birthday cake idea! Nan and Karen you always make me LOL!"}, {"response": 43, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (12:40)", "body": "Why does this man need yet another web site? Just a question."}, {"response": 44, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (12:49)", "body": "(Laura)Why does this man need yet another web site? Just a question. because those four (TeamFirth) can?..."}, {"response": 45, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (12:53)", "body": "Because this is *the* website for CF?"}, {"response": 46, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (13:11)", "body": "Ladies,Cheryle has inspired me to do Colin\ufffds astrological chart (thanks to my extensive library), so for you who might be interested: Sun in Virgo Moon in Taurus Mercury in Virgo Venus in Libra Mars in Gemini Jupiter in Saggitarious Saturn in Capricorn Uranus in Leo Neptune in Scorpio Pluto in Virgo In the Chinese calendar he was born a RAT. Terry, have you contacted Colin\ufffds agent in LA? I\ufffdm certain they will wish to know of the web site. Looking forward to Sept. 10th. Laura, what a question!!!"}, {"response": 47, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (13:29)", "body": "(CherlE) (Uh-oh. Do we have to behave differently here now, or on the page that will be created in the future?) What makes you say that?"}, {"response": 48, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (13:41)", "body": "(Laura) Why does this man need yet another web site? Just a question. Since when are web sites born from necessity? Just an answer. (Terry) Because this is *the* website for CF? Well, I don't know about that. There are some really terrific Colin sites out there. We're just hoping to make this one representative of all Colin fans, not just Drool or Pemberley or the list."}, {"response": 49, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (14:06)", "body": "(Renate) Any suggestions what to do with the new domain? Anyone out there who wants to, and knows how to put together a page by herself please contact me. Nan or somebody else still to be named will upload the html files and pictures. Looks like I'll just be sitting on the sidelines for this, feeling very guilty of course. Not having the know-how or the hardware for such a task as TeamFirth is putting together, I can only be a cheerleader. Like Cheryl, I'd like to know Do we have to behave differently here now, or on the page that will be created in the future? With his name \"officially\" on it, I just feel the need to be more restrained. I'd never want him to see our other topics. (Nan) We're just hoping to make this one representative of all Colin fans, not just Drool or Pemberley or the list. Then we'd definitely have to be more restrained. I think there are people out there who don't necessarily care for our degree of enthusiasm for certain facets of his charms. Or who don't see the joke. Still, I thank Terry for reserving this domain for \"us\". What, if anything can those of us not on TeamFirth do to help?"}, {"response": 50, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (15:09)", "body": "Moon Dreams what about us Aries??? you left us out. I know I can provoke, tease etal:)"}, {"response": 51, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (15:53)", "body": "(Heide) What, if anything can those of us not on TeamFirth do to help? Suggestions are welcome, honey. But, for the time being (because of the time constraints) we are just trying to get things together. Once the page is up, then certainly let us know if there is something you think might be an interesting addition."}, {"response": 52, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (15:53)", "body": "Laura dear, I myself have Aries moon but the above is really his natal chart. I have the books, so you see you will have to chose another topic with which to provoke and tease me."}, {"response": 53, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (18:36)", "body": "(heide) we'd definitely have to be more restrained Oh dear... Not that I'm one of the less restrained (by nature, not option), I so love the spontaneity that I'm afraid will be lost. Aren't there enough serious sites around, as in the Friends of Firth and the like? Do you think he goes ther more often than here, and enjoys it more? Would you? But if you're worried, had you better not ask him? Through his agent, or whatever?"}, {"response": 54, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (19:24)", "body": "I'm sorry to be a bit confused. The new website at www.colinfirth.com will not necessarily be linked with Drool, will it? I thought the web site was to be a general informational site about Colin and that we would still be free to carry on our dialogues here at the Spring without added restraint. I agree that the ColinFirth site should be something he could access without embarrassment (and I would not want him or his agent to ever read some of the things I've posted in the past). Oh the shame :-)"}, {"response": 55, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (19:43)", "body": "(Gi) But if you're worried, had you better not ask him? Through his agent, or whatever? Now, now...sister, calm yourself ;-) It's just a fan page and, other than having a link to this Conference, has nothing to do with the conversations here. Don't let it put a damper on your enthusiasm. (Jana) I thought the web site was to be a general informational site about Colin and that we would still be free to carry on our dialogues here at the Spring without added restraint. You are absolutely correct, Jana ;-) And, for getting the right answer you get a prize! ;-p"}, {"response": 56, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (21:11)", "body": "Nan, speaking of prizes, I'm still thinking about my choice of team jackets. But don't you think the embroidered ticker and dangler might look better on a modified humpy hat? ;-D"}, {"response": 57, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Sep  8, 1998 (08:25)", "body": "(Karen) But don't you think the embroidered ticker and dangler might look better on a modified humpy hat? ;-D I was thinking something more along the lines of baseball caps, but humpy hats would certainly be more appropriate. Hmmmm, I imagine something as...well, humpy, as the humpy hat might get in the way of one's duties. To get them out of the way we'd have to fold them up and stick them under our arms, giving a whole new meaning to the term \"pitcrew\" ;-p"}, {"response": 58, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep  8, 1998 (16:11)", "body": "but humpy hats would certainly be more appropriate. Would someone pl. describe a humpy hat to me?"}, {"response": 59, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  8, 1998 (17:55)", "body": "(Nan) as the humpy hat might get in the way of one's duties. Nevah!! Just turn them on their sides...a more homey approach to humpy hat wearing. :) (Evelyn) Would someone pl. describe a humpy hat to me? Since Nan's officially back in school, I'll put you out of your misery. However, Nan IS the Keeptress of the humpy hat. It's the hat Darcy is wearing when the Bingley party alights from the carriage to go to the Meryton Assembly. Some people say it's a bicorn or tricorn type hat. I know someone shall correct me if I am wrong."}, {"response": 60, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Sep  8, 1998 (19:10)", "body": "Bicorn - i.e. two-horned, vaguely like Napoleon's hat. Part of a Regency gentleman's formal evening attire. Rarely worn: usually held under arm, folded flat."}, {"response": 61, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Sep  9, 1998 (12:41)", "body": "And often called (around here) \"Incroyable\""}, {"response": 62, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep  9, 1998 (14:51)", "body": "Ladies, just walked in the door, I have bought Colin's gift! See you all tomorrow. Wishing the best to Team Firth for the grand opening. Party, party, party!"}, {"response": 63, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Wed, Sep  9, 1998 (15:25)", "body": "oh, yeah, one more time... Party, party, party!"}, {"response": 64, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Sep  9, 1998 (17:41)", "body": "Classic actors votes Go and take a look at the result ..... make haste!!! make haste!!!"}, {"response": 65, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Sep  9, 1998 (18:08)", "body": "It's midnight now in the UK - and it looks as if I am the first one to congratulate... HAPPY BIRTHDAY, C O LIN FIRTH!"}, {"response": 66, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Sep  9, 1998 (20:10)", "body": "Ditto ;-) (I'm shy...)"}, {"response": 67, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Sep 10, 1998 (02:27)", "body": "Happy birthday! When the heck does the site open anyway? It's past 0 hour in most States :-) I'm leaving now, call you back from Toronto!"}, {"response": 68, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 10, 1998 (07:24)", "body": "Colin, I wish you a very happy birthday! I wanted to share my love of music with you, so I hope you enjoy my gift. The complete Waterboys collection, Keith Jarrett\ufffds \ufffdStaircase\ufffd and \ufffdThe Vienna Concert\ufffd and Jeff Buckley\ufffds \ufffdGrace\ufffd. Now, I would like to claim the first two dances."}, {"response": 69, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 10, 1998 (07:29)", "body": "Three Deers and company, Love Colin's picture. Looking forward to more!"}, {"response": 70, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 10, 1998 (15:26)", "body": "CONGRATULATIONS NAN, The website is brilliant.....What a nice gift for Colin. We are all v. proud of you. Lots to celebrate today.:-)) (But now that we are part of the official webring.... we shall have to behave :-) )"}, {"response": 71, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Sep 10, 1998 (17:21)", "body": "WHERE's THE PARTY???"}, {"response": 72, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 10, 1998 (17:32)", "body": "Happy birthday Colin! Love those fireworks! What a great tribute to a fine actor."}, {"response": 73, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Sep 10, 1998 (18:09)", "body": "Congrats to TeamFirth......I love the cartoons! And Happy Birthday Colin! Where's the party? I think the glare of the public spotlight has put us all very much on our best behaviour......maybe we should celebrate by taking afternoon tea. :-)"}, {"response": 74, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Sep 10, 1998 (19:00)", "body": "...or a cold shower... ;-D"}, {"response": 75, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 10, 1998 (20:31)", "body": "I'd say everyone's out dancing in the streets...or attending their own *private* parties."}, {"response": 76, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Sep 10, 1998 (20:54)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COLIN AND MANY MORE!"}, {"response": 77, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 10, 1998 (21:32)", "body": "There's plenty of champagne left, but the haggis is all gone. The creme brulee looks yummy. Eat up everyone! Arami, you can come in now. Wo ist du Renate? Laura, did your sister have the baby?"}, {"response": 78, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Sep 10, 1998 (21:40)", "body": "Hallo ladies, cheers from Toronto! I really can't stay but I've btought some flowers... Have fun! Just saw The Site - congrats! And again - HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLIN!"}, {"response": 79, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Thu, Sep 10, 1998 (23:59)", "body": "Well, it's still the 10th on the west coast, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLIN! The web site looks fantastic! Team Firth did a fabulous job."}, {"response": 80, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Fri, Sep 11, 1998 (00:27)", "body": "Totally, totally, totally awesome. A deep bow to each of you."}, {"response": 81, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Fri, Sep 11, 1998 (02:03)", "body": "I'm sorry I missed the festivities, but glad Moon Dreams was there to receive the Creme Brulee etc. I was out of town and became ill :-( I am in awe of the how much came together so quickly, and the fireworks are perfect. I had the wine shop deliver my present directly: a great Italian wine (1988 Gaja Barbaresco) in honor of L. and a fabulous Bordeaux (1995 Leoville-Las-Cases, St. Julien) in honor of, um, anybody we know who\ufffds been in Bordeaux when C has. Moon Dreams, I should have given him The Koln Concert! BTW, what does the rest of his chart mean ? I'm a double Libra, on the cusp of Virgo, so I have a clue about part of his chart, but what can you tell us? Moon in Taurus would interest us, yes? What about the Capricorn? Nan, Terry, Team Firth: What happens on this board from now on? (me)Do we have to behave differently here now, or on the page that will be created in the future?) (Nan)What makes you say that? Subsequent discussion has pretty much cleared it up for me, I think. There might be more traffic because we\ufffdre linked to our G-rated site, which is linked to others in the Ring. However, the boards are still PG-R rated."}, {"response": 82, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 11, 1998 (11:11)", "body": "The party was great fun, the fireworks were unexpected but so beautiful. We must do it again next year. Dear Cheryle, we seem to have similar tastes in music as well as wine. I suggest you try a 1992 \ufffdPoggio Antico\ufffd Brunello di Montalcino if you get a chance. I was debating whether to give him the \ufffdKoln Concert\ufffd as well!!! The person with the moon in Taurus has a passionate desire for attention and have a strong desire for material success and is also very sensual (as if!), this combined with Virgo who are perfectionists by nature and tend to take care of themselves and are desirous of acquiring knowledge. We get a little in-depth look at his career choices here. Of course the most important thing in one\ufffds chart is the ascendant (your personality), and we don\ufffdt have that because we don\ufffdt know the hour of birth. The most important planets are sun, moon, ascendant , mars and venus, the other ones are relative. I must say you are making me dust off some books I have not looked at in years! You, my dear have a birthday coming up I see. The RAT personality is anxious not to be a failure, the affable, elegant and generous rat lives for today. This animal should never be underestimated. (no, indeed, never!) I hope this helps \ufffdmake out his character\ufffd. There seems to be a bit of Darcy in Colin. (But didn\ufffdt we suspect as much?)"}, {"response": 83, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Sep 11, 1998 (11:47)", "body": "(CherylE) Nan, Terry, Team Firth: What happens on this board from now on? Bring your knitting stuff - Oh, well, just kidding. :-) No reason why it should be much different. But what happens depends on you all, and on the new host to come - can't we find a way to bully Heide into it? :-)) Also I hope we will get some more lurkers and posters. We - the TeamFirth aka 3Deers - will work on the site as we find the time, and we invite suggestions. What would you like to see on such a page, what is not already on one of the other excellent Firth sites? Ok, that makes it pretty difficult. Be creative! My first suggestion would be to make a separate page for a collection of interesting links which were posted here and spread over the boards, a collection like a kind of custom-made online bookmarks. So, when you surf around, and find something interesting, don't forget to take a note of the link, and post it here with a brief description."}, {"response": 84, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 11, 1998 (16:09)", "body": "Hey Nan......Re: \"Reading of the Face\" page........ ...to be followed by a \"Reading of the Hands????? \"Wicked Women of Spring\" ....AKA \"Slurpies of Drool\""}, {"response": 85, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Sep 11, 1998 (16:36)", "body": "Strictly best behaviour type suggestion for new site......how clever are you with sound files? CF has a marvellous voice and (special request coming up!) I would love to hear his rendition of Rupert Brooke's \"Oh haven without wave or tide\", which he reads so beautifully in \"The one before last\". Could you perhaps link this to your opening page? O haven without wave or tide, Silence in which all songs have died, O infinite deep I never knew I would come back, Come back to you, Find you as a pool unstirred, Kneel down by you without a word, Lay my head and nothing said In your hands ungarlanded, And a long watch you would keep, and I should sleep, And I should sleep. Enough good taste!! Re \"Reading of the Hands\" there has apparently been some definitive university research published, which concludes that the determining factor is relative proportion of index and ring finger! So there!"}, {"response": 86, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 11, 1998 (17:01)", "body": "definitive university research published, which concludes that the determining factor is relative proportion of index and ring finger! So there! Y'mean never mind the second crease of the inside of the wrist to the longest finger? OK Bethan. Don't be so cryptic.Tell us more of this academic university report. In our new behavior mode, we are terribly scholarly....:-)"}, {"response": 87, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Sep 11, 1998 (17:25)", "body": "Oh, no, not another scientific hand measurement report! ;-)"}, {"response": 88, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Sep 11, 1998 (19:57)", "body": "Sister has not yet had said baby:( But, I think tonight or early tomorrow. She's having contractions:) My first Niece!!! I'll be an auntie for the first time:)"}, {"response": 89, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep 12, 1998 (10:30)", "body": "(Lizbeth) Re \"Reading of the Hands\" there has apparently been some definitive university research published, which concludes that the determining factor is relative proportion of index and ring finger! It says that if your ring finger is longer than your index, you're a very sensual, sexy, etc. etc. person. Just what we needed, another reason to look at Colin's hands!"}, {"response": 90, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 12, 1998 (14:58)", "body": "It says that if your ring finger is longer than your index, you're a very sensual, sexy, etc. etc. person. Hey Moon.....my index and ring fingers are the same....what does that mean.? I suppose one could always cut the index fingernail shorter :-) OK Nan....let's have the picture of CF's hands again from FP.....enhanced!"}, {"response": 91, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Sep 12, 1998 (19:36)", "body": "(heide) With his name \"officially\" on it, I just feel the need to be more restrained. I'd never want him to see our other topics. Just in case anyone is wondering, this is not an official site--it just happens to have his name. (heide) Then we'd definitely have to be more restrained. I think there are people out there who don't necessarily care for our degree of enthusiasm for certain facets of his charms. Or who don't see the joke. That's true. Personally, I have no shame about drool. It's fun and harmless. I understand that there are those who don't approve of it and that's okay, but it sure as hell isn't going to keep me from doing it. ;-) (Karen) However, Nan IS the Keeptress of the humpy hat. Indeed, I am\ufffdand don't you forget it ladies 'cause I have spies everywhere ;-p (Arami) Bicorn - i.e. two-horned, vaguely like Napoleon's hat. Part of a Regency gentleman's formal evening attire. Rarely worn: usually held under arm, folded flat. As you can see, Arami will be the archivist for cf.com ;-) (Gi) And often called (around here) \"Incroyable\" And not to be confused with INCROYABLE ;-p~~~ (Arami) Ditto ;-) (I'm shy...) Pffft! ;-p (Evelyn) (But now that we are part of the official webring....we shall have to behave :-) ) Hee hee..behave like what? ;-p BTW, we haven't had the chance to join the webring yet\ufffd (bethan) maybe we should celebrate by taking afternoon tea. :-) (arami) ...or a cold shower... ;-D LOL! Now, that's m'girl\ufffd:-D (CherylE)Do we have to behave differently here now, or on the page that will be created in the future?) (Nan)What makes you say that? (CherylE) Subsequent discussion has pretty much cleared it up for me, I think. There might be more traffic because we're linked to our G-rated site, which is linked to others in the Ring. However, the boards are still PG-R rated. Don't let the link to cf.com change the way you choose to speak. Spring has never been a secret among Firthfans. They all know it's here, and some even lurk, even if they don't participate. The link shouldn't make much difference. (renate) Bring your knitting stuff - LOL! (bethan) CF has a marvellous voice and (special request coming up!) I would love to hear his rendition of Rupert Brooke's \"Oh haven without wave or tide\", which he reads so beautifully in \"The one before last\". Could you perhaps link this to your opening page? I think it's a great idea, honey ;-) However, sound files tend to be very large and it would slow up the page. I'll have to play with some more compression programs to see if I can get that file down to a manageable size. Or maybe just take a couple of the lines, rather than the whole thing. Dunno\ufffdgotta play. (bethan) Enough good taste!! Well, that was fast ;-p (bethan) Re \"Reading of the Hands\" there has apparently been some definitive university research published, which concludes that the determining factor is relative proportion of index and ring finger! So there! (Evelyn) Y'mean never mind the second crease of the inside of the wrist to the longest finger? As I've said before, I remain unconvinced ;-)"}, {"response": 92, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Sep 13, 1998 (01:30)", "body": "(Nan) You are absolutely correct, Jana ;-) And, for getting the right answer you get a prize! ;-p Oh Nan, I just re-read this and can't believe I've neglected to respond until now. (see post #55). Do I really get the whole Darcy :-)? My heart is all a-flutter."}, {"response": 93, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sun, Sep 13, 1998 (04:27)", "body": "(Moon Dreams) the moon in Taurus has a passionate desire for attention...is also very sensual.. That's the part I was thinking of. ;-)"}, {"response": 94, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Sep 13, 1998 (11:00)", "body": "(Jana) Do I really get the whole Darcy :-)? I understand, Jana, that you not only get the whole Darcy but you get the Full Darcy too - an upper class version of the Full Monty but he gets to keep his hat on. Your choice which hat. ;-D"}, {"response": 95, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Sep 13, 1998 (11:01)", "body": "\"Oh haven without wave or tide\" What an apt way to introduce our new website... ;-)"}, {"response": 96, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Sep 13, 1998 (13:21)", "body": "Well, if the length of the poem poses technical problems (which I'm sure you can overcome, ladies!), how about a shorter soundbite........\"Here? Yes, here\" ,\"Can I smoke?\" for example. Any suggestions?"}, {"response": 97, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Sep 13, 1998 (20:25)", "body": "The Spring offers a realaudio server, by the way."}, {"response": 98, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Sep 14, 1998 (19:04)", "body": "Okay, sister had said baby today four days too late, but I tried:)"}, {"response": 99, "author": "felicia", "date": "Tue, Sep 15, 1998 (16:12)", "body": "Terry: Because this is *the* website for CF? LOL! Sorry, but I think you guys have a way to go before you can say that. Even if you did get Colin to design it. (Isn't that what it says? \"Designed by Colin?\") But at least you've made him commercial. So to speak. ;-) www.disney.com"}, {"response": 100, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Sep 15, 1998 (17:51)", "body": "Isn't that what it says? \"Designed by Colin?\" And which asylum are you posting from, Felicia?"}, {"response": 101, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Sep 15, 1998 (20:25)", "body": ""}, {"response": 102, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Sep 15, 1998 (21:01)", "body": "(\"Felicia\") Even if you did get Colin to design it. (Isn't that what it says? \"Designed by Colin?\") It doesn't say anything even vaguely like that. Do you honestly think that, if I could get Colin's attention, I'd waste the time by asking him to design a website? Since you just registered at Spring today, I imagine you've done so for the sole purpose of stating your opinion of the site without having to use your real name. *sigh* Everyone is entitled to an opinion."}, {"response": 103, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Wed, Sep 16, 1998 (07:43)", "body": "fe-lic-i-ty PRO: fE lI sE ti POS: noun INF: felicities DEF: 1. an instance or condition of great happiness; bliss. DEF: 2. a cause or source of great happiness. SYC: delight (2), pleasure (2), delectation, joy (n 2) SIC: enjoyment, elation, jubilation, exhilaration, happiness XWN: enjoyment1(1.00) jubilation1(1.00) exhilaration1(1.00) DEF: 3. a talent for appropriate and pleasing behavior, esp.expression, or a display of this talent: EXA: a felicity of speech. Hmmmmmm. If this were an intelligent joke, then I should think the reading comprehension skills would have been a bit better. At least cleverness makes the time and annoyance somewhat worthwhile :-( BTW, Terry, I've been meaning to comment on the blissful lack of random italicizing. Thanks."}, {"response": 104, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 16, 1998 (07:46)", "body": "It has the potential to become *the* website because of the name and the talent assembled here. It's come a long way in a short time! I said that more as a challenge to Team Firth than as a commentary on the site (which at the time didn't really even exist)."}, {"response": 105, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 16, 1998 (07:46)", "body": "(slippage)"}, {"response": 106, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 16, 1998 (21:19)", "body": "Terry...Nan... Point of information ,please. 1. When I invite someone to post on Drool. Which URL do I give.... spring.net and click on Drool...or the spring.net/yapp URL at the top of this page.... 2. When I log in from another computer (library) do I key in this URL\"restricted /read/drool etc and will the dialog box appear asking for my password? Maybe this is listed in a tutorial someplace on Drool. Thanks."}, {"response": 107, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 16, 1998 (21:29)", "body": "Addendum: To previous #1 Would you prefer if I routed people through colinfirth.com . Click on spring Discussion board. Lots of options now :-)"}, {"response": 108, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 17, 1998 (00:20)", "body": "Evelyn, darling. Use this url please. http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/public/browse/drool/all Then they can either log in or sign up after they go to any topic. And I love it when you say you're inviting folks to post! The dialog box will appear asking for your password when you log in from another computer that's lacking your cookie. And you know what the tres cool url is? OK, give up, it's: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/fifty Try it! Keep sending those lost guys to babes, babe!"}, {"response": 109, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 17, 1998 (08:11)", "body": "(Terry) And you know what the tres cool url is? OK, give up, it's: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/fifty Try it! This is cool? OK,..... if you say so, boss. Thanks for all the other directions.I"}, {"response": 110, "author": "Fe1icia", "date": "Thu, Sep 17, 1998 (21:16)", "body": "ARAMI: And which asylum are you posting from, Felicia? Ah, would that there were a sure asylum, Arami. Forgive my abrupt arrival among you, but after a recent web search I did wonder who had had the, shall we say, enterprise, to turn a man's name into a commercial domain name. Perhaps you shouldn't link your page to your conference? In case others may wonder too and want to express their opinions? MOI: Even if you did get Colin to design it. (Isn't that what it says? \"Designed by Colin?\") NAN: It doesn't say anything even vaguely like that. No, really, that isn't what it means? The way \"designed by\" is so cleverly imposed on his name? And I was so sure. . . . NAN AGAIN: Since you just registered at Spring today, I imagine you've done so for the sole purpose of stating your opinion of the site See above. NAN AGAIN: without having to use your real name. *sigh* Oh, Arami is a real name? And Moon? It helps to know these things. I am Felicia. I did notice, however, that the box for my name when I come here is labeled \"pseudonym\". CHERYLE: fe-lic-i-ty INF: felicities DEF: 1. an instance or condition of great happiness; bliss. Excellent display of dictionary usage. TERRY: It has the potential to become *the* website because of the name and the talent assembled here. I understood that outside talent actually did the creating? MM Design is a member of Spring? My mistake. I will watch with interest to see what it becomes."}, {"response": 111, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 17, 1998 (21:31)", "body": "It matters not who does the creating. Or who gets the credit. It's a community effort . . . Team Firth! What a fine group of folks to pour their talents into the project."}, {"response": 112, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Sep 17, 1998 (23:38)", "body": "(Isn't that what it says? \"Designed by Colin?\") The way \"designed by\" is so cleverly imposed on his name? I wonder how this misunderstanding can happen. Felicia is not the first one nor will she be the last one to mistake the domain address. The problem may be that every page looks different depending on your system configuration and software used. Further, someone not knowing us may misinterpret our motivations. So what is it that you see, Felicia, that makes you think we suggest that CF had approved of, let alone contributed to the page, inspite of the disclaimer \"This web site is an independent endeavor, and is not connected to Mr. Colin Firth in any way. It is intended as a tribute to an actor we all admire.\" ? Is it the \"CF\" background pattern? The \".com\" in the domain name? (Would it be any different if it were \"colinfirth.se\" or \"colinfirth.net\"?) IMO it clearly says on the entry page that it was designed by \"MM\" who is one of the most devoted and uncommercial Firthfans you can think of, and I bet you know her page with the inimitable style: Mary Murphy's \"Colin Firth - An Appreciation Page\". Just to clarify: The web space and domain name of colinfirth.com is provided by Spring / Terry. The page is run by the TeamFirth aka 3Deers plus some geeky volunteers. We only use our own collected, snapped and scanned material, or that of friends. Mary was so kind to do the design for us when we were too busy with job/school/private stuff to meet the all-too-close deadline for opening of the page on CF's birthday. I cannot speak for Terry, but for the TeamFirth: this page is an endeavour as uncommercia as any page could be, despite of the \".com\" ending. With the issue \"commercial\" here are some IMO interesting questions raised: To Terry: * To which extend is Spring commercial? Do you make money with it? Or do you intend to? Does it make you rich? Or poor? :-p Terry, perhaps it would be helpful if you could explain your intentions / terms on which you run Spring. If not on this board, perhaps somewhere else. More general considerations inspired by Felicia: * Makes linking to a commercial page the linked page commercial, too? * Is registering a domain.com name commercial in itself even if you run it on a non-commercial basis? * What is commercial on the net? Is putting on a banner to compensate for server cost already commercial? * Would you call my page on AOL commercial, just because AOL makes money with it? I think this could make an interesting discussion."}, {"response": 113, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Sep 18, 1998 (12:28)", "body": ""}, {"response": 114, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Sep 18, 1998 (12:36)", "body": "Renate, deer your post was terrific. Your statements are both accurate and reasonable--sounds very much like me at the beginning of this whole Firth adventure ;-) However, I've had a long week at school, I have piles of work to do and I am incapable of bullshit. So ladies, pardon my unusual lack of diplomacy but... (\"Felicia\") Forgive my abrupt arrival among you, I could easily forgive the abruptness of your arrival if I felt your intent was something more than just pure provocation. (\"Felicia\") but after a recent web search I did wonder who had had the, shall we say, enterprise, to turn a man's name into a commercial domain name. That would be Terry. He surprised us one day by stating that he had registered the domain. While it is not something we would have thought to do ourselves, we felt that it would be safest in the hands of Firthfans, as we have no desire to profit at Colin's expense. This has all been explained several times before, as I am sure you are aware. And btw, it is not yet listed on any of the search engines, so you could not have found it that way. (\"Felicia\") Perhaps you shouldn't link your page to your conference? In case others may wonder too and want to express their opinions? Nowhere on the site does it say to \"post your opinions at Spring\". In fact, it says to send suggestions or comments via email. Therefore, you are obviously a Firthfan who has heard about the site through the grapevine\ufffdand it's galling you. If you have friendly advice or suggestions for the page then, by all means, email them to me. However, if you only wish to enter our circle in order to state your objections (liberally peppered with sarcasm and wearing your \"Felicia\" mask) then I suggest you find a kind ed spirit and do it in email. Trolls are not welcome here. (\"Felicia\") No, really, that isn't what it means? The way \"designed by\" is so cleverly imposed on his name? And I was so sure. . . . LOL! Do you think we had the time to design the page so that it sent an inaccurate subliminal message? Only someone who was searching for something to criticize would have come up with that one. On both my browsers the \"designed by\" overlaps what is clearly a background. (Nan) without having to use your real name. *sigh* (\"Felicia\") Oh, Arami is a real name? And Moon? It helps to know these things. They are regular participants here. You are not. They did not register yesterday in order to post without guilt. I am Felicia. Pffft! Now, now...while I may not be the host of this Conference anymore, Terry has left my host privileges intact. Don't make me hunt down your domain. (Terry) It has the potential to become *the* website because of the name and the talent assembled here. (\"Felicia\") I understood that outside talent actually did the creating? It was a collaborative effort by a group of us, not only those people who participate here. This shows that Firthfans are capable of working together without worrying about whose page is better and who's using what photos. This is about shared resources and community effort. Anyone who thinks otherwise is entirely missing the point of both our site and the web in general. (\"Felicia\") MM Design is a member of Spring? Aah, so you did see Murph's logo. It's interesting how you remembered that when it suited you. (Terry) It matters not who does the creating. Or who gets the credit. It's a community effort . . . Thank you, Terry! I'm glad you understand us...and the other Firthfans who want to participate in some way. Do you see why I was opposed to this topic and why I've always preferred to keep the site conversations in email? And you thought I was just nuts ;-p (Terry) Team Firth! What a fine group of folks to pour their talents into the project. Felicia's comments have inspired me to break out the Snappy and open up the Photoshop ;-) I daresay it had quite the opposite effect of the one she had intended ;-p (Renate) Further, someone not knowing us may misinterpret our motivations. Indeed. It would be very easy to misinterpret our motives if a person didn't know us. I do not believe this is the case here. I'll leave the questions specifically about Spring to Terry, but in terms of .com being a commercial site the answer is no. True, there was a time when .com was designated for commercial use only. However, the guidelines for registering a domain are not as strict as they once were due to the enormous number of names currently being registered. This also applies to .net. .com tends to be the most popular of the TLDs, but it no longer indicates a commercial site. Now, it's more a matter of the registrant' preference. So there ;-p"}, {"response": 115, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 18, 1998 (12:45)", "body": "Well said, Nan. I couldn't agree more!"}, {"response": 116, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sat, Sep 19, 1998 (06:01)", "body": "Ditto. Boy, I'd sure hate to have Nan hunting down my domain.... And everybody knows the story with .com."}, {"response": 117, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep 19, 1998 (07:26)", "body": "Very well said Nan! I would love to see that inspired Snappy! THANK YOU 3 Deers for your time and dedication. Poor Moon Zappa, tell her it is not a real name!"}, {"response": 118, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 19, 1998 (16:03)", "body": "Hey...let's not waste our time with \"food-fights\"..... Remember the LA riots when one of the guys said: \"Can't we all just get along\"..... Let's so something really productive ....... like discussing PLAYMAKER on #98.!!!"}, {"response": 119, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sun, Sep 20, 1998 (01:48)", "body": "(Evelyn)like discussing PLAYMAKER on #98.!!! And our movie!"}, {"response": 120, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Sep 20, 1998 (02:16)", "body": "Nan, I agree - very well said. I just love it when you get smokin'... (and I hope school is going well so far :-) Thank you 3 Deers for all your work on the website. Love it!!"}, {"response": 121, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Oct  6, 1998 (16:05)", "body": "It's still not yet linked to the main page because it is still under construction, but take a look: http://www.firth.com/html/arch-mo.htm"}, {"response": 122, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Oct  6, 1998 (19:29)", "body": "Thanks for the preview, Renate (3Deers). I haven't had time to look at everything yet but I can say I like Press Cutting #4 very much. That profile!"}, {"response": 123, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Oct  6, 1998 (22:49)", "body": "I think I should mention that only some of the items are linked yet - basically those with an explanation - will link them successively."}, {"response": 124, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct  7, 1998 (17:08)", "body": "The MOTM archives is v. impressive. Thank you gang. I look forward to the rest of it and more :-))"}, {"response": 125, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Oct  8, 1998 (08:45)", "body": "Evelyn, got your call last night. You can detail what you need in the projects conference. I asked William to meet there also."}, {"response": 126, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct  8, 1998 (11:43)", "body": "Ooh, sounds like we might be getting close. Thank you, Evelyn."}, {"response": 127, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Nov 12, 1998 (14:10)", "body": "Colinfirth.com is down - HELP!"}, {"response": 128, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Nov 14, 1998 (01:55)", "body": "http://www.colinfirth.com and http://www.firth.com should both be back up now. Blame me. For not being able to pay for this domain till today. Please send any contributions to help pay for these names and the upkeepof the site to: The Spring Rt 2 Box 56r Cedar Creek TX 78612 payable to either the Spring or Paul Terry Walhus Thanks and apologies again."}, {"response": 129, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (00:56)", "body": "3.2.99 or should I say 2.3.99. Colinfirth.com is down!"}, {"response": 130, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (03:45)", "body": "We'll get it back up soon. Mel Riser had to reboot the servers yesterday when he moved them."}, {"response": 131, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (12:24)", "body": "After getting Marcia's pictures and chatting last night I went right to Celebrity 1000 to vote for ODB. He came up to over 500 in the last poll but deserves better IMHO"}, {"response": 132, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (22:49)", "body": "Terry, can we add another user for firth.com? Is that something I should contact Jeff about?"}, {"response": 133, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (21:02)", "body": "I can't stand it!!! I'm absolutely devastated. I thought this was a hot link to colinfirth.com and never came here till today. NO Wonder I missed CF's Birthday last year when I needed cheering the most! I shall go read all 132 postings and beat my breast all the while over what I have missed. Is there no end to the fascinating things Terry and WER think up for us at Spring?! Thanks guys!"}, {"response": 134, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (08:43)", "body": "http://www.firth.com/stats/stats.cgi will show you the stats for firth.com/colinfirth.com Web Server Statistics for www.firth.com Program started at Sun-13-Jun-1999 08:31. Analysed requests from Wed-23-Sep-1998 18:55 to Sun-13-Jun-1999 08:32 (262.6 days). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- General Summary (Go To: Top: General Summary: Monthly Report: Daily Report: Daily Summary: Hourly Summary: Domain Report: Host Report: Directory Report: File Type Report: File Size Report: Status Code Report: Request Report) (Figures in parentheses refer to the last 7 days). Successful requests: 772,068 (21,785) Average successful requests per day: 2,940 (3,112) Successful requests for pages: 111,720 (2,717) Average successful requests for pages per day: 425 (388) Failed requests: 19,495 (427) Redirected requests: 2,030 (28) Distinct files requested: 1,105 (421) Distinct hosts served: 24,160 (1,136) Corrupt logfile lines: 296 Data transferred: 7,036 Mbytes (207,822 kbytes) Average data transferred per day: 27,441 kbytes (29,688 kbytes)"}, {"response": 135, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (08:44)", "body": "Monthly Report month: #reqs: pages: --------: ------: -----: Sep 1998: 2016: 498: Oct 1998: 12020: 3912: Nov 1998: 18527: 4227: Dec 1998: 76751: 9866: Jan 1999: 83553: 16179: Feb 1999: 98721: 17597: Mar 1999: 168171: 22507: Apr 1999: 154474: 18655: May 1999: 115202: 13128: Jun 1999: 42633: 5151: Busiest month: Mar 1999 (22,507 requests for pages)."}, {"response": 136, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (08:45)", "body": "Daily Report date: #reqs: pages: ---------: -----: -----: 3/May/99: 3982: 428: 4/May/99: 3684: 440: 5/May/99: 3509: 394: 6/May/99: 3948: 376: 7/May/99: 4513: 532: 8/May/99: 3203: 389: 9/May/99: 3529: 378: 10/May/99: 4979: 479: 11/May/99: 4433: 435: 12/May/99: 4418: 589: 13/May/99: 3969: 565: 14/May/99: 3717: 424: 15/May/99: 2840: 332: 16/May/99: 3425: 362: 17/May/99: 3983: 471: 18/May/99: 4266: 463: 19/May/99: 3683: 437: 20/May/99: 4142: 422: 21/May/99: 3479: 411: 22/May/99: 2519: 331: 23/May/99: 3922: 412: 24/May/99: 4282: 516: 25/May/99: 4903: 515: 26/May/99: 3826: 436: 27/May/99: 4090: 518: 28/May/99: 2780: 359: 29/May/99: 2546: 323: 30/May/99: 2406: 308: 31/May/99: 2989: 334: 1/Jun/99: 4269: 474: 2/Jun/99: 4028: 464: 3/Jun/99: 5726: 570: 4/Jun/99: 3209: 418: 5/Jun/99: 2844: 386: 6/Jun/99: 3399: 431: 7/Jun/99: 3565: 368: 8/Jun/99: 3335: 395: 9/Jun/99: 3647: 429: 10/Jun/99: 2952: 437: 11/Jun/99: 2720: 335: 12/Jun/99: 2247: 351:"}, {"response": 137, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (08:47)", "body": "And, where in the world is firth traffic coming from? Listing domains, sorted by the amount of traffic. #reqs: %bytes: domain ------: ------: ------ 215347: 27.19%: .net (Network) 192048: 24.46%: .com (Commercial) 109480: 15.07%: [unresolved numerical addresses] 39148: 5.44%: .edu (USA Educational) 35614: 4.25%: .uk (United Kingdom) 22435: 2.79%: .au (Australia) 18129: 2.39%: .ca (Canada) 11158: 1.60%: .dk (Denmark) 10380: 1.43%: .de (Germany) 9871: 1.42%: .org (Non-Profit Making Organisations) 13226: 1.38%: .nl (Netherlands) 9271: 1.23%: .us (United States) 8438: 1.08%: .jp (Japan) 6999: 1.00%: .se (Sweden) 4758: 0.73%: .sg (Singapore) 4427: 0.65%: .nz (New Zealand) 5718: 0.64%: .fi (Finland) 5455: 0.62%: .ch (Switzerland) 4267: 0.49%: .be (Belgium) 3112: 0.44%: .fr (France) 3126: 0.39%: .br (Brazil) 2762: 0.37%: .no (Norway) 2599: 0.33%: .ru (Russia) 3156: 0.33%: .ie (Ireland) 2020: 0.33%: .gov (USA Government) 2341: 0.30%: .es (Spain) 2071: 0.29%: .it (Italy) 1765: 0.27%: .hu (Hungary) 2678: 0.26%: .pt (Portugal) 1856: 0.25%: .my 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91: 0.01%: .cl (Chile) 61: 0.01%: .su (Former USSR) 62: 0.01%: .ba (Bosnia-Herzegovina) 57: 0.01%: .cy (Cyprus) 49: 0.01%: .sa (Saudi Arabia) 54: 0.01%: .pk (Pakistan) 48: 0.01%: .lu (Luxembourg) 65: 0.01%: .uy (Uruguay) 91: 0.01%: .mu (Mauritius) 52: 0.01%: .lt (Lithuania) 49: 0.01%: .eg (Egypt) 42: 0.01%: .qa (Qatar) 29: 0.01%: .cr (Costa Rica) 71: : .ir (Iran) 38: : .az (Azerbaidjan) 23: : .int (International) 20: : .ni (Nicaragua) 14: : .co (Colombia) 21: : .ve (Venezuela) 14: : .bo (Bolivia) 3: : .jo (Jordan) 32: : .cn (China) 2: : .gb (United Kingdom)"}, {"response": 138, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (08:48)", "body": "Listing hosts with at least 8 requests for pages, sorted by the number of requests for pages. pages: %pages: #reqs: %reqs: host -----: ------: ------: ------: ---- 438: 0.39%: 2454: 0.32%: proxy-out.multiweb.nl 388: 0.35%: 1442: 0.19%: 195.63.139.190 344: 0.31%: 395: 0.05%: j4011.inktomisearch.com 340: 0.30%: 688: 0.09%: cache-rl01.proxy.aol.com 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116: 0.10%: 342: 0.04%: cache-dc08.proxy.aol.com 115: 0.10%: 124: 0.02%: 209.167.50.23 115: 0.10%: 206: 0.03%: delmonte.ne.mediaone.net 115: 0.10%: 119: 0.02%: green.alexa.com 114: 0.10%: 659: 0.09%: ww-pa02.proxy.aol.com 114: 0.10%: 492: 0.06%: cache-rb02.proxy.aol.com 113: 0.10%: 113: 0.01%: spy2.ny.rubis.net 113: 0.10%: 549: 0.07%: cache-rl03.proxy.aol.com 112: 0.10%: 114: 0.01%: 209.67.244.77 112: 0.10%: 408: 0.05%: cache1.picknowl.com.au 110: 0.10%: 1733: 0.22%: ds9.kulnet.kuleuven.ac.be 110: 0.10%: 110: 0.01%: spy1.ny.rubis.net 110: 0.10%: 553: 0.07%: cache-rl02.proxy.aol.com 107: 0.10%: 477: 0.06%: sqwwsv01.aflac.co.jp 107: 0.10%: 431: 0.06%: webcache20b.cache.pol.co.uk"}, {"response": 139, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (08:53)", "body": "Listing files with at least 5,000 requests, sorted by the number of requests. #reqs: %bytes: last date: file -----: ------: ---------------: ---- 49223: 2.62%: 13/Jun/99 06:35: /chat/talk.cgi 26425: 0.68%: 13/Jun/99 08:23: / 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/images/smlchst.jpg 5611: 0.02%: 13/Jun/99 06:53: /images/arrwrgt.GIF 5591: 0.13%: 13/Jun/99 06:54: /images/queenx.jpg 5581: 2.43%: 13/Jun/99 06:53: /images/summer2.jpg 5416: 0.32%: 13/Jun/99 02:59: /html/cflinks.htm 5402: 2.07%: 13/Jun/99 08:32: /images/shakeimage.jpg 5072: 1.58%: 13/Jun/99 06:54: /images/newworld.jpg"}, {"response": 140, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (09:40)", "body": "wow..."}, {"response": 141, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (11:09)", "body": "...amazing!"}, {"response": 142, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (20:51)", "body": "I had no idea these things were knowable. How much of that is Drool responsible for, I wonder. We get very busy in there from time to time. Thanks, Terry. Most impressive."}, {"response": 143, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 26, 1999 (16:50)", "body": "Thanks Terry..... Someone should send ODB a print-out of this stuff....it would boost his morale... On the other hand ...send it to Harvey instead."}, {"response": 144, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (22:04)", "body": "ODB's Birthday is only one month away...and it's the proverbial 39th (He's not allowed to admit that he's any older than this, you know!) Anybody cooking up plans?"}, {"response": 145, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (22:18)", "body": "I kinda like it in here. It is his site...and all...your thoughts? Not much happening here so I can fetch all the flowers and tahitian and hawaiian dancers and tell them to be ready.."}, {"response": 146, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (13:56)", "body": "Hi! Let's try and make this party much better than last year's, and at least as good as mine was at 72 (Wat? Impossible!)"}, {"response": 147, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (15:58)", "body": "Moon was in charge last year...with Marcia, I think. Of course, we were not at skilled (?) as now in bringing images here or Karen's scanning. Moon brought the Dom Perignon and I brought haggis, which I will do again in celebration of his latest role as Edward Pettigrew!! ( Everybody... pl.look for a pic of haggis for me on the web) BTW, I need to learn and practice copying the location of an image...is that on #41?)"}, {"response": 148, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (16:19)", "body": "If #41 is the Help topic, go right ahead."}, {"response": 149, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (19:45)", "body": "Not a whole lot was done last year...this year shall be different. We shall never be the same after Gi's shower. I am rounding up the hula dancers as I write this...and the flowers...and the jellyfish salad..."}, {"response": 150, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (19:46)", "body": "Wot!? We're having leftovers? ;-D"}, {"response": 151, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (20:48)", "body": "Nevah! Fresh pig, fresh ladies (fed the others to the Volcano gods)...or would yo rather I think of something not so Hawaiian for him.....I just may do that...more exotic than here...I know!!!! ....but it is my secret!"}, {"response": 152, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (21:50)", "body": "Well let me know because I can take some pesto sauce out of the freezer... ;-D"}, {"response": 153, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (22:06)", "body": "Not for ODB !!! He has never given us left-overs. We should do as well by him as he has for us...at the very least!"}, {"response": 154, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Aug 15, 1999 (07:22)", "body": "Besides, he probably has pasta everyday as a first course, so let's treat him to something else. What do you say to each chosing her favourite national dishes?"}, {"response": 155, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Aug 15, 1999 (13:34)", "body": "That would be great, but Karen thinks that means I cannot have another Luau complete with fresh food and more dazzling ladies - because others have had a luau. Don't quite know how to handle this little problem!"}, {"response": 156, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug 15, 1999 (13:50)", "body": "(Gi)Re: Firthday Party What do you say to each chosing her favourite national dishes? That's a super idea...and since the US is so big..how about regional dishes? **** (Marcia)Karen thinks that means I cannot have another Luau complete with fresh food and more dazzling ladies - because others have had a luau Nah! You wanna' have a luau...go ahead!!After all that's your regional schtick. Mine is a western barbecue...(gag, gag).Rather have a luau :-)"}, {"response": 157, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Aug 15, 1999 (13:54)", "body": "You're on! But no more Jellyfish salad. I am off to find some more exotic pupus to get our tastebuds in working order. It is never to early to post food for thought! (I was going to take him to Antartica via sled-dog team and feed him muktuk!)"}, {"response": 158, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug 15, 1999 (14:12)", "body": "I am re-reading the last few posts... So, everyone is invited and encouraged to being her own national/regional dish...right? So, it's an International Theme....because he belongs to the world...right? You know me...I'm a mega-organizer...like to get the ground rules down- pat...so there are no misconceptions. *** Any other ideas out there?? I'm off to practice on #61"}, {"response": 159, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 15, 1999 (14:13)", "body": "but Karen thinks that means I cannot have another Luau No!! All I meant was no leftovers. ;-D Regional food for Chicago: pizza, hot dogs and BBQ ribs! The holy trinity of Chicago food. Or we could have fried chicken...I could pick up some KFC. ;-D"}, {"response": 160, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Aug 15, 1999 (14:27)", "body": "Karen, if I have to supervise half-naked men who are going to be digging my imu, the least you could do is bring me some popcorn chicken with the sweet-sour sauce, please. This is very hungry work!"}, {"response": 161, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (10:21)", "body": "sadly having missed the lovely shower for dear Gi, I am a bit of a novice at this , is 161 where it's at for technical help for thickies like me? I think it's a great idea especially as some of us will actually be seeing him during his 39th year!!! (sorry Marcia, I won't go on about it). I am going to bring something from Bath, add an Austenesque feel to the festivities."}, {"response": 162, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (10:40)", "body": "61 is our Help for Droolies topic. People have been using it to practice posting pictures or anything else. Something from Bath would be very nice indeed! ;-D"}, {"response": 163, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 1999 (03:10)", "body": "Right, now I've gotten myself in trouble... How am I going to find pics of my favourite Portuguese dishes and pastry? ;-) Like Marcia does, I guess: hunt and dig and travel until I find them! :-)"}, {"response": 164, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Aug 25, 1999 (19:46)", "body": "It is the only way I know of finding goodies. Not so secret way to get quick pictures is to use altavista and have it do a picture search. I got Evelyn's dynamite Tiara that way. (Did not know about it for Gi's shower...)p"}, {"response": 165, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Sep  1, 1999 (20:11)", "body": "Are the native didhes to be state goodies, such as Florida strawberries. Alaskan salmon, Idaho potatoes, SD watermellon, Kentucky mint julep, Minnesota walleye. Since I have lived in all these states, which one is the best."}, {"response": 166, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (08:59)", "body": "I think you should bring them all, Lucie. They sound delectible."}, {"response": 167, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (19:14)", "body": "I declare the bazaar open! Countdown for the 10th!"}, {"response": 168, "author": "ommin", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (21:11)", "body": ""}, {"response": 169, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (15:43)", "body": "Midnight approaching....... I think I can drop this here....."}, {"response": 170, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (16:57)", "body": "Happy Birthday Colin The cakes are made and iced, the meat pies are in the oven warming, the tomato sauce (read ketchup if you're American) bottle is full, the beer is as cold as it can get without freezing, the champagne is chilled and the glasses sparking. Here we go; party, party, party (Aussie style)."}, {"response": 171, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (18:01)", "body": ""}, {"response": 172, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (19:12)", "body": "I'm just going to drop this off now, but we'll open it later... ;-D"}, {"response": 173, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (19:38)", "body": "'Tis past midnight in Portugal and England.So maybe I can say it: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COLIN!"}, {"response": 174, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (20:13)", "body": "That little figure is mesmerizing, Gi. I can't keep my eyes off it. Can't wait to see what's in the boxes."}, {"response": 175, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (20:22)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLIN....FROM THE GANG AT DROOL"}, {"response": 176, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (20:28)", "body": ""}, {"response": 177, "author": "amy", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (20:37)", "body": ""}, {"response": 178, "author": "ommin", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (20:41)", "body": "And a happy birthday Oz style from me. The shrips are on the barbie, read and cooked. Anne"}, {"response": 179, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (21:38)", "body": "Lovely ladies!! Can't wait to see what's will have been posted while we in the western hemisphere sleep. (Amy) 39 Better & Better Absolutely!!"}, {"response": 180, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (22:28)", "body": "Hauoli No Hanau, Colin Firth"}, {"response": 181, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (22:30)", "body": "Hana hou..."}, {"response": 182, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (22:32)", "body": "And someone special to bestow it upon you..."}, {"response": 183, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (22:34)", "body": "ODB relaxing in the tradewinds as he awaits the evening's festivities..."}, {"response": 184, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (22:40)", "body": "As ever, the images from the Aloha State make you want to hop on a plane. But in the meantime, I found another bestower of leis: The Lei Lady ;-D"}, {"response": 185, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (23:18)", "body": "I don't have a scanner to send any lovely images, but HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLIN"}, {"response": 186, "author": "Dawkins", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (23:19)", "body": "Happy Birthday Colin baby from Danielle Meers and Gail Dunn. The women in your life you haven't met yet."}, {"response": 187, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (23:32)", "body": "Lucie, IM me again"}, {"response": 188, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (23:35)", "body": "Oooo. I can't wait!! Better drop off the package for tomorrow! And add my two cents to the decorations: I hope everyone's plans are in place. Here' wishing Colin a: *****HAPPY BIRTHDAY!*****"}, {"response": 189, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (00:04)", "body": "Have lots of goodies coming from Chi-cow-go via my Bovine Messenger Service:"}, {"response": 190, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (00:13)", "body": "A three-wheeled cow? Sevres? What will they think of next....! His ship readies for the evening, lolling in the brilliant sunlight as he snoozes in the shade: The entertainment prepares to board:"}, {"response": 191, "author": "ommin", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (00:56)", "body": "Oh yes and a happy birthday from me. I can't do better than that."}, {"response": 192, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (01:36)", "body": "As the guests gather and the evening draws near the gods of fair weather and good appetite are requested to join the cruise. Good fellowship is bound to follow! The Gods she is invoking:"}, {"response": 193, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (01:41)", "body": "The Blissful Firths enjoying the deepening evening sky and each other... The Climax of a lovely evening for the celebrating couple"}, {"response": 194, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (01:43)", "body": "The tired and happy Firths greet the dawn... HAUOLI NA HANAU, HANA HOU!"}, {"response": 195, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (01:45)", "body": "Fair weather for Firthday in Engalnd, Portugal and Italy:"}, {"response": 196, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (01:52)", "body": "Oops! Meant England, of course. Does this look like a Hawaiian beach to you? Wrong! This is in the Algarve, Portugal."}, {"response": 197, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (01:58)", "body": "Where Colin can also try his hand at golf while he gets ready for the party:"}, {"response": 198, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (04:07)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Colin! You are the Star today, and every day!"}, {"response": 199, "author": "quimby", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (04:19)", "body": "So sorry, away from home and at someone else's computer, so I can't post the actual present, but it's: A week at a private island resort in Fiji for 10. And a large basket of St. Emilion grapes."}, {"response": 200, "author": "quimby", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (04:20)", "body": "Oh and yes, Happy Birthday. Mine is in 16 days :-)"}, {"response": 201, "author": "quimby", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (04:28)", "body": "Marcia, I have an imu that needs digging, I'm sure. Send the lads over when they're finished with yours. I'm sure you've chosen well."}, {"response": 202, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (06:54)", "body": "Dear Colin, knowing what a great horseman you are, I have searched all over the world to find the best and the most gorgeous horse....for the best and the most gorgeous man on Earth!! Yes, I have found what I\ufffdve been looking for.... He\ufffds an Egyptian Arab stallion, currently residing in California doing extremely valuable stallion services. You see, this horse is a genetic miracle but also a very lovable animal and great for riding!"}, {"response": 203, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (07:04)", "body": "Happy 39th Birthday Colin! I have come in mongolfiere from my castle in Umbria to attend your party. Richard Branson was quite put out when I left him and the rest of my guests. He was in the middle of explaining how it all started thanks to Mike Oldfield\ufffds Tuberlar Bells, Virgin Records that is, and since I had heard the story before, I took my leave. But it could not be helped, I simply had to come to your festa. Ciao, ciao! As promised, I have brought lots of vini italiani for the celebration. Cheers! Colin, there\ufffds nothing better that I could wish for you than to have a very musical birthday, so, please accept as gifts two of my favourites. I trust you own an amplifier. The classic Fender Stratocaster. And, the classic Gibson Les Paul. Tanti Auguri! Saluti anche a Livia."}, {"response": 204, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (08:24)", "body": "In keeping with the musical theme, I've taken the liberty of inviting a neighbor of mine (well, a neighbor of sorts). He's on his way into the party right now... ...and is surveying Moon's gift guitars with a gleam in his eye! Now he's grabbed a guitar and is warming up those tender vocal cords... Mi mi mi mi...glory days, in the wink of a young girl's eye...tra la la la la...darkness on the eh-he-he-he-dge of town...do re mi fa so la ti...Rosalita jump a little higher... And is givin' it his all for Colin's birthday concert! BRUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCEEEEEEEE!!!!! Here's wishing all the best for Colin on his birthday. There's nothing like celebrating with a shot of Bruce Juice!"}, {"response": 205, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (08:31)", "body": "Another thought....Colin, you possibly prefer to ride a mare instead of a stallion? To ensure that you get the best possible gifts I also want to give you a wonderful white Shagya mare! With all her equipment and a mile long genealogical table of course. A quick, powerful Shagya could be especially useful in the forthcoming Flashman project! Here she is...."}, {"response": 206, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (08:36)", "body": "BRRRRRUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCE!!!! What great entertainment for the party, Eileen. Does he take audience requests? ;-D"}, {"response": 207, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (08:45)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLIN GREAT ONES!!"}, {"response": 208, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (08:52)", "body": "Happy Birthday Colin, and many thanks for working so hard this year so that we have so much to look forward to."}, {"response": 209, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (08:53)", "body": "Thanks Tineke for the tuition!!"}, {"response": 210, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (08:54)", "body": "Loved the erupting volcano, Marcia. Brings back such wonderful memories of MLSF [*blows nose*] and another discussion on Geo. ;-D"}, {"response": 211, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (09:39)", "body": "Colin, Most importantly and from the bottom of my heart:"}, {"response": 212, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (09:43)", "body": "Check out the home page of firth.com. Lovely job, Renate. Beeeeuuuutiful!!"}, {"response": 213, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (09:49)", "body": "Wunderbar! Renate! Danke!"}, {"response": 214, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (10:09)", "body": "Look who has agreed to play when Bruce takes his break! \"Hope you like my music Colin.\" Marcia, I lost it when I saw that Volcano! Elena, such stallions! You have very good taste! :-)"}, {"response": 215, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (10:12)", "body": "To go with all the great musical entertainment, I booked a very famous dancer:"}, {"response": 216, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (10:26)", "body": "Quimby, I think your offer of a holiday in Fidji is fantastic! More modestly, I had thought (actually, it was Heide's idea) of offering Colin a stay at my DH's hotel in Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal , the setting of some of Bridget Jones' Diary's scenes."}, {"response": 217, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (10:35)", "body": "BTW, Colin, do have a glass of Port wine from the original cellars: and a cracker with some of our best cheeses: and enjoy the day with your friends on the Internet! You know some of us already!"}, {"response": 218, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (10:54)", "body": "HOWDY PARTNER... GREETINGS FROM OKLAHOMA To celebrate the occasion... .....How About The Blue Plate Special of the Day.... PRAIRIE OYSTERS"}, {"response": 219, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (11:01)", "body": "And here's one for you and Livia... UP..UP..AND AWAY YOU GO"}, {"response": 220, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (11:10)", "body": "UP ,CLOSE AND PERSONAL A balloon ride for you and Livia"}, {"response": 221, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (11:14)", "body": "! *****HAPPY 39TH BIRTHDAY, COLIN!! ***** ...And make the most of it! I hope that you are aware that after this one, you are not permitted to admit to having any more of these ... (This is referred to as the \"Jack Benny Principle of Eternal Youth\"!) (... Also this is a requirement of the insurance people ... we mustn't risk burning the place down, you know!) So gather ye rose buds while ye May ... And do it with a vengeance, Oh, our knight in shining armor!: And have the happiest birthday ever!"}, {"response": 222, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (11:35)", "body": "That was some cake you baked....Karen:)))"}, {"response": 223, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (12:09)", "body": "(Evelyn) That was some cake you baked....Karen:))) ...And far too rich!!! You'd better work off some of those calories, Colin, so I've brought around one of your eager and faithful noble steeds ... ... for a quick gallop around the park ... ... But watch out for those swans ... they bite ... might spook your horse and you'd get thrown into the water. Mustn't get that shirt wet must we?? (Hee hee) ... Ah, that was an invigorating ride, wasn't it? Now back to the party champagne ... ... and party, Party, PARTY!! Happy Birthday, Colin! (with love from KJ)"}, {"response": 224, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (12:11)", "body": "(Moon) Elena, such stallions! But the Shagya was supposed to be a mare!! Do you see something different?? Btw anybody know what\ufffds happening to my thank-you box? (resp.no 211) Looks like termites had attacked it."}, {"response": 225, "author": "Xian", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (12:25)", "body": "WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You guys are really some thing. I sincerely hope that ODB Mr. Firth will join us today! Have you heard any thing from Colin's agent yet, Evelyn? Very very sorry, I don't have time to collect gift for you, Colin. Just the best wishes for your birthday and many years to come! We all love you!!!!!! I bet you will have the best birthday party that you ever had, if you come here today (just think : A VIRTUAL PARTY - IT MAKES a HISTORY IN YOUR LIFE)! Any way, I'm enjoying the party very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And mouth watering for those delicious food, Hmmmmmmmmmmmm, yummmmm."}, {"response": 226, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (13:06)", "body": "That was some cake you baked....Karen:))) Hey, I resemble that! ;-D Elena, your giftbox came from the xoom domain. Can't post anything from there and expect it to remain more than a few minutes."}, {"response": 227, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (13:13)", "body": "Colin, If you think you're having problems trying to shake an image... Best wishes on your birthday. XOXOXO Your friend and co-star, Julie"}, {"response": 228, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (13:21)", "body": "The food has begun to arrive, I see. We need something to compliment Evelyn's prairie oysters (*shudder*), so how about a slice of New York cheesecake? Mm mmm good! It's just the thing to 'finish' those oysters! :-P"}, {"response": 229, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (13:22)", "body": "Oh, Karen...ROTFLOL!"}, {"response": 230, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (13:40)", "body": "I see we are clouding up the skies with balloon rides! And Mary Poppins I promised Eric Clapton a ride after the party. I have spoken with Keith Jarret but I'm afraid he's not well enough to join us today. Colin, I hope you still all the CD's I gave you last year at your party. Il mangiare e buonissimo! And the cake Karen is very good too!"}, {"response": 231, "author": "nky", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (13:43)", "body": "Hi everyone! Read all the Birthday greetings and just love all of them. Colin, Happy Birthday!!! In preparation of your big day, I watched P&P last night (all 6 tapes). Hope you do play the role of Mark Darcy for the upcoming movie \"Bridget Jones Diary\" and loved you in \"My Life So Far\". Happy 39th!!! With all my love, Nancy (Did I sound ok? This is my first time and I'm sort of nervous.) Nancy"}, {"response": 232, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (13:46)", "body": "Welcome to the party Nancy, have some Dom Perignon!"}, {"response": 233, "author": "nky", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (13:49)", "body": "YYYYYYYuuuuuuuummmmmmmm!!!! Thanks, that was sweet."}, {"response": 234, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (13:52)", "body": "Here comes Harvey, the Pokemon piggy! (heehee)"}, {"response": 235, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (14:34)", "body": "Good for you, Nancy!! You did just great."}, {"response": 236, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (14:41)", "body": "I've been wandering all over town today picking up the Best of Chicago Foods. And let me tell you, this is one serious eating town. Health be damneed!! Vegans, outta my way!! Grab you're favorite cardiologist and bottle of Pepto Bismol and come along: For our first stop, we'll stop at one of the tens of thousands of stands that sell Chicago-style hot dog with everything on it. Can't forget the greasy fries with ketchup. Yum yum ;-D"}, {"response": 237, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (14:48)", "body": ""}, {"response": 238, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (14:53)", "body": ""}, {"response": 239, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (14:56)", "body": "Next, you can't go out to eat in Chicago without sampling our famous deep-dish pizza. I have ordered us one with *extra cheese*!! A crane will lift us up out of our seats at the restaurant so that we might continue. We're getting a full slab of BBQ ribs at Carsons. (no, namby pamby half slabs for us!!) But, as we've had a few other courses beforehand, I'll order the baked potato skins, instead of the au gratins. Don't worry, the skins come with sour cream. Now doesn't that look tasty!! But there's more... Arnie wouldn't hear of it if I didn't bring my favorite actor to his restaurant. So off we go to Morton's for a steak. Save some room, there's still dessert!!"}, {"response": 240, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (14:57)", "body": ""}, {"response": 241, "author": "Carola", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (15:04)", "body": "For this special day I thought of something really BIG for Colin. Here is my present: HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLIN!! Sorry, if this does not work properly, it's my first try."}, {"response": 242, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (15:07)", "body": "It worked beautifully, and what a glorious idea, Carola!"}, {"response": 243, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (15:09)", "body": "It worked perfectly, Carola. Oh, to have Pemberley *sigh* for real. ;-D Gi, your food is not showing up. Check your urls. I might have to delete the posts because they are slowing down the loading process."}, {"response": 244, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (15:09)", "body": "It worked beautifully, and what a glorious idea, Carola!"}, {"response": 245, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (15:10)", "body": "Meet you at 61, Karen?"}, {"response": 246, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (15:15)", "body": "Now it's time to dance off the calories. Kula Shaker is just starting to play!"}, {"response": 247, "author": "nky", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (15:16)", "body": "BEAUTIFUL! Carola, Oh how I wish to be mistress of Pemberley."}, {"response": 248, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (15:21)", "body": "Now ladies, no need to pine over Pemberley. I have a perfectly beautiful castle in Umbria, where you are all invited next week. My guests will dpart by then. :-D"}, {"response": 249, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (15:24)", "body": "Not fair, Moon! Now that I've booked for Tunisia! :-)"}, {"response": 250, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (15:25)", "body": "Good idea to dance a bit before dessert. I'm awaiting a delivery from my Bovine Messenger Service. ;-D"}, {"response": 251, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (15:32)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLIN!!!!!!! Alas, I have no gift to offer -just my very best wishes. (I considered tying a bow on and offering myself, but had the feeling Livia wouldnt go for that) ;) btw- absolutely ROTFLOL over your Mary Poppins post Karen! *wipeing away tears of laughter* and that volcano, Marcia! (hee hee) that was Too Funny! :) oh! and Welcome Nancy! glad you joined in-"}, {"response": 252, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (15:40)", "body": "Welcome back, Esbee!! ************** Minimal calories while working those jaws. From Chicago's own Wrigley Company, a little chewing gum: Double Moo Double your pleasure, double your fun... And the Juicy [Fruit] Jammer:"}, {"response": 253, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (15:46)", "body": "That double moo must hurt."}, {"response": 254, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (15:47)", "body": "Does anyone else think that the Juicy Fruit Jammer has an awfully boney butt? Thanks Karen, it great to be back :)"}, {"response": 255, "author": "Xian", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (15:50)", "body": "Moon, count me in to your (whatever) the castle ONLY IF ODB will be there!!! Karen, I love the cow with a pair of sneakers, LOL!!! And I remember Chicago's famous dip dish pizza and loved it. Oh, I'm so hungry! (hope I don't sound like Lydia)"}, {"response": 256, "author": "nky", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (15:53)", "body": "Thanks Karen,SBRobinson and all of you. Its been a wonderful party and hope to get in on the other subjects soon. Need to do some catching up."}, {"response": 257, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (15:59)", "body": "(SBR) Does anyone else think that the Juicy Fruit Jammer has an awfully boney butt? LOL!! Only you would notice that!! Yes, I see the bone protruding. Too funny! Glad you're having a good time, Nancy. We don't do this all the time, but today is a special day. And we have lots of people who have just learned how to post pictures debuting today! You've all done so well. *Big pat on the back* :-) Lydia whining is OK here, Xian. :-)"}, {"response": 258, "author": "Xian", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (16:01)", "body": "Where is ice cream??? I ate all mine while re-watching TA three more times (just couldn't make it four because all four buckets were gone before the third watch ended)."}, {"response": 259, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (16:02)", "body": "Xian, of course, ODB will not be there, he is too busy filming, which is just where I want him to be. :-D Hopefully, we will be seeing lots of him next year. Of course Flashman is the icing on the cake."}, {"response": 260, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (16:03)", "body": "(Hey, Esbee, If we take a deeeep breath, I bet we both can squeeze in) HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLIN,HONEY"}, {"response": 261, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (16:09)", "body": "WELCOME NANCY Stick around ....isn't this fun?. Nice to have you around Carola esp. when you brought such a glorious gift. Pemberley is a gift to all of us as well:-) Someone asked if I had heard from Colin...no...but I bet the gang at ICM had a good time."}, {"response": 262, "author": "Xian", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (16:11)", "body": "Evelyn, How can you think to use an evelope? You should use a sleeping bag then we will all fit in without damage our precious skin. Oh, I love this party!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 263, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (16:15)", "body": "Hey, Colin and Livia had such a good time on the balloon ride this morning..they kept going....here they are over Slovenia!"}, {"response": 264, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (16:18)", "body": "For the late arrivals, we will be moving the party to the Italian Riviera. The Chicago beef was good, but now we must have our pasta, pane e vino. :-) That's us at the top. Benvenuti!"}, {"response": 265, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (16:20)", "body": "Xian, LOL! but if the evelope damage our precious skin, ODB would be oblieged to bandage us up! ;) \"Colin dear, i'm afraid i just cant reach that paper cut back there. Would you be so kind...?\""}, {"response": 266, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (16:21)", "body": "So Evelyn, if they're in Slovania, the must be getting closer. Should we expect them? Colin does have an enormous amount of gifts to pick up."}, {"response": 267, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (16:25)", "body": "IGUANA WISH YOU A HAPPY BIRTHDAY,COLIN"}, {"response": 268, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (16:26)", "body": "Xian, here's some ice cream to tide you over! Moon, we wouldn't want to insult Karen by leaving Chicago before dessert. *burp*"}, {"response": 269, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (16:36)", "body": "WELCOME NANCY Stick around ....isn't this fun?. Nice to have you around Carola esp. when you brought such a glorious gift. Pemberley is a gift to all of us as well:-) Someone asked if I had heard from Colin...no...but I bet the gang at ICM had a good time."}, {"response": 270, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (16:36)", "body": "Eileen, You mean to say you still have not had a piece of Karen's delicious cake? I'm already at the Amontillado, and Kula Shaker is still playing! Get yourself on the dance floor!"}, {"response": 271, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (16:40)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COLIN ..FROM THE COLONEL"}, {"response": 272, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (16:59)", "body": "Guess what's in here?! Don't - - -! I have been knitting for weeks. Difficult pattern :-pX__________@ H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y, C O L I N !"}, {"response": 273, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (17:02)", "body": "PARTY! PARTY! Hey Colin, 39 is a great age!"}, {"response": 274, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (17:15)", "body": "More dancing off those calories: Click here"}, {"response": 275, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (17:27)", "body": "Is it salsa time Karen? Let's Samba! Chico Valdez has just started to jam!"}, {"response": 276, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (17:28)", "body": "Cute Karen... Is this the 1999 take on the Netherfield Ball?"}, {"response": 277, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (17:31)", "body": "Xian, here's some ice cream to tide you over! Moon, we wouldn't want to insult Karen by leaving Chicago before dessert. *burp*"}, {"response": 278, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (17:37)", "body": "Did you click and hear the music? A little island reggae for a change of pace. ;-D I hear the hoof beats dessert coming down the street... Chicago cheesecake from Eli's Miserable cow dropped the cheesecake on my toe! Think it's broken"}, {"response": 279, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (17:40)", "body": "Egads! *embarrasment ensues* Please ignore my double post. Pass me a chicken leg, willya?"}, {"response": 280, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (17:42)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COLIN!!! Since I cannot top Pemberley and those beautiful horses, I will extend to you my wish that your greatest personal happiness and highest professional achievements still lie before you. Thanks for all of your remarkable work, too. What a feast - thank heavens, the weight I've gained (and my slight inebriation) at this wonderful party is also of the virtual kind. The Italian Riviera - so romantic. Perhaps we can finish up on the Isle of Man?"}, {"response": 281, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (17:43)", "body": "I hear the hoof beats ...or the melodic sound of dainty hooves encased in roller blades :-D Sorry to hear about your toe. Perhaps the guest of honor can be of service?"}, {"response": 282, "author": "Xian", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (17:45)", "body": "Eileen, thank you very much for the ice cream. BUT I don't eat LOW FAT ones. I need lots of calories and sugar to keep me excited because I think this party will goes to the midnight, not to mention dancing to the end of this happy day!"}, {"response": 283, "author": "Xian", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (17:53)", "body": "Karen, A cow in rollerskites? Please don't mention your little toe, I AM DYING OF LAUGHING!!! Hope ODB could save me (you know, like the prince woke SnowWhite)."}, {"response": 284, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (18:00)", "body": "Bottom right container looks \"high test\" to me, Xian. Better yet, help yourself to some cheesecake from Elsie-on-skates. That'll really get you going! Am off to watch Ent. Tonight. They better mention a certain someone's birthday at the end of the show..."}, {"response": 285, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (18:03)", "body": "Gack! ET's been pre-empted by tennis! How can they do this? Aargh!"}, {"response": 286, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (18:23)", "body": "With all this tres fattening food, thought ODB might want something light - served just the way he likes it ;-D"}, {"response": 287, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (18:36)", "body": "Renate, when are you going to show us what's inside of the giftbox? ;-D"}, {"response": 288, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (18:55)", "body": "(Karen) thought ODB might want something light I was going to make a randy remark, but I suppose we must keep this affair tasteful. After looking at this picture, Xian, how can you resist ODB in this role?? BTW, Filette looks like she's after something a lot more substantial than grapes."}, {"response": 289, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (19:20)", "body": "(Lynda) Filette looks like she's after something a lot more substantial than grapes. LOL!! Let's hope so. ;-D"}, {"response": 290, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (19:21)", "body": "I'm late as usual: the story of my life... I can't give our Birthday Boy anything that he hasn't been offered already... but here are my very very best wishes, a pat on the back and a friendly smile..."}, {"response": 291, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (19:24)", "body": "(Obviously I've arrived virtually drunk...) :-D HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COLIN"}, {"response": 292, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (19:30)", "body": "Q: Name the movie, character, and actor that influenced the artist responsible for this public scupture? ;-D"}, {"response": 293, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (19:32)", "body": ""}, {"response": 294, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (19:45)", "body": "I don't think the slippers match... !"}, {"response": 295, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (19:48)", "body": "..But those femurs - by Jove, those femurs!!! (I don't mean the cow's femurs this time, of course.)"}, {"response": 296, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (19:56)", "body": "...I don't think the slippers match... ! Ya'mean they make Arsenal slippers? :-))"}, {"response": 297, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (20:11)", "body": "ROTFLOL! Where's Heide? Renate, what's in the gift box?"}, {"response": 298, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (20:12)", "body": "Thank you for giving us Mr. Darcy and all the other roles that are MAGIC"}, {"response": 299, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (20:14)", "body": "Karen, the last time I was in Chicago we had some wonderful prime rib but I can't remember the name of the resturant. It is their speciality, so how about some prime rib. HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLIN you just get better and better."}, {"response": 300, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (20:17)", "body": "BTW, Marcia where are you? It's almost time for the fireworks. Whoever is doing the fireworks, please stop drinking now! ;-)"}, {"response": 301, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (20:19)", "body": "Hey Karen...Lookee, Lookee... .....one of those Chicago Cows is really gettin' with the party!"}, {"response": 302, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (20:20)", "body": "Prime rib? That would be Lawry's (as in seasoned salt and salad dressing), but that restaurant came out of LA many years ago if I'm not mistaken. So not indigenous to the shores of Lake Mich... Perhaps, one of our LA Firthettes can wade through the sprouts and find a hunk of beef in out there!!"}, {"response": 303, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (20:23)", "body": "Oh Evelyn, that is a udderly hysterical. Have added Twinkletoes to my repetoire. ;-D"}, {"response": 304, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (20:31)", "body": "I had to do one more cow. Such a good picture! It's called Top Cow. I forgot to tell you that boxer shorts cow is named \"Udderly Romantic\" Ain't that the truth? ;-D"}, {"response": 305, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (20:35)", "body": "And my birthday card to you, Colin: Hope your birthday was a SCREAM!! Because we had a SCREAM celebrating it with you."}, {"response": 306, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (20:37)", "body": ""}, {"response": 307, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (21:08)", "body": "Don't - - -! I have been knitting for weeks. Difficult pattern :-pX__________@ Must have been all I've had to drink. Take a good look at that box, ladies! At 272. Renate, that's a riot. Very difficult pattern, but amazingly, it looks better as wrapping paper. ;-D"}, {"response": 308, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (21:36)", "body": "I'm very late, but I wanted to join the party... Happy Birthday, CF. Sing along with Colin HERE Murph"}, {"response": 309, "author": "Xian", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (21:57)", "body": "Wow, that was beautiful, Mary! Karen, I love all the cows but I think that Colin was born in Year Of Rat! Now I desperately want to see FP, that Arsenal short looks dreaming!!!!!!! This party is getting better and better just like our guest of honor."}, {"response": 310, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (21:59)", "body": "Where am I? Still on that yacht in the lovely Pacific with the happy couple having feasted on all of the aforementioned goodies and a Luau...I think they are like the proverbial sofa...over-stuffed. It has been glorious fun. Thanks all!"}, {"response": 311, "author": "kcjones", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (22:44)", "body": "Wow - what other actor has such a creative and classy group of fans?!! I am so glad to have \"virtually\" met you all, and explore our mutual appreciation of a FANTASTIC actor who transforms himself in every performance he gives us....it really is magical!! My gift to Colin is my effort to create more \"FirthFans\" among my friends, relatives and neighbors by inviting them to see his films, most recently \"MLSF\", (in Cleveland, Ohio). If Miramax was counting, I saw it 5 times, and brought 7 new \"converts\" with me. I also have a \"lending library\" of his videos, and am waiting to see him clutching a (well deserved) Academy Award (which, in my opinion he is overdue for!!). I am now trying to get to London for 3DOR, perhaps I can (get the nerve up!) to give Colin a hearty handshake and thank him for some great performances!!! All my best wishes to you, Colin, and thanks for sharing your talent...I hope you and Livia are having a wonderful birthday celebration!!! By the way if you ever find yourself in the Cleveland, Ohio area....I'd be happy to give you (and Livia), a guided tour of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame...! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!"}, {"response": 312, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (22:47)", "body": "CONGRATULATIONS! to all the lovely ladies who invested their time, effort, expertise, and sense of humor into making this the most wonderful, outrageous, and unique celebration of the 20th Century ... and all in honor of the 39th natal anniversary of that wonderfully talented actor, Mr. Colin Firth I'm sure we all hope that he was able to discover it and enjoy it as much as we did! In appreciation for the many contributions from all of you, I'm sure he'd want to award you this: ... for BEST IN SHOW , ... followed up by THUNDEROUS ... *****WELL DONE, LADIES !! *****"}, {"response": 313, "author": "kcjones", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (23:25)", "body": "OOPS!! I forgot to mention one other somewhat IMPORTANT compliment to our \"Birthday Boy\"..... The general opinion among the Cleveland, Ohio-based \"Colin Firth Fan Club\" is this.... We feel that while Colin has always been attractive, upon closer inspection, we have decided that Colin is now BETTER-LOOKING as he has \"matured\" (Colin, please take that as the compliment we mean it to be!). Seriously, his face has become more expressive, so I guess it can be true - like \"fine wine\" Colin improves with age!!! One OTHER quick request to Colin...how about a BROADWAY play? Talk to Judi Dench and Natasha Richardson...it worked for them!!!"}, {"response": 314, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (23:58)", "body": "You guys are great!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY,COLIN!. I know this is late but, I have had to work all day. These pics are fantastic... Hey, GI,Marci and Evelyn...I am glad to be back. I have missed you guys.."}, {"response": 315, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (00:03)", "body": "For Rita's birthday tomorrow, back to 72?!"}, {"response": 316, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (03:49)", "body": "Unwrapping time! ;-P"}, {"response": 317, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (03:54)", "body": "*argh!* I only do that to enhance the anticipation!"}, {"response": 318, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (03:57)", "body": "Call me the \"Mistress of Suspense\"! (if not something else :-p)"}, {"response": 319, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (07:43)", "body": "Isn't she clever? Did he complain much when you took his shirt off? Did he put the beer down? ;-D"}, {"response": 320, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (07:49)", "body": "Loved the birthday song, Mary. I'll be humming that all day now! And Colin really is the top against whom I measure every other actor."}, {"response": 321, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (08:08)", "body": "No, Karen, *I* did take the beer down - just visualize the coffee cup scene in FP. ;-P Don't you think he enjoyed the fireworks?"}, {"response": 322, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (08:11)", "body": "Nan, if you are out there: it's a long time ago that you created the collage above, isn't it?"}, {"response": 323, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (08:39)", "body": "*I* did take the beer down - just visualize the coffee cup scene in FP. mmmmmmmmm, I am visualizing. Very nice collage."}, {"response": 324, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (10:28)", "body": "Oh Murph...\"You're the Top\"...You outdid yourself ..... I laughed and almost cried....you got it baby!!! ***** Renate...my favorite pic with the fireworks...what a finale."}, {"response": 325, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (12:15)", "body": "Nan, if you are out there: it's a long time ago that you created the collage above, isn't it?"}, {"response": 326, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (12:30)", "body": "That collage with the fireworks is wonderful, truly beautiful. And Murph, your poem to Colin is GREAT. I so much wish that he has been informed about this (who trusts the ICM people in these things? Unfortunately, I do not) because I\ufffdm sure he would have been happy to see so much sincere appreciation and devotion. Thank-you everybody for making Colin\ufffds birthday such a great happening!!"}, {"response": 327, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (15:28)", "body": "LOL at the greetings, great fireworks. I had to leave and unplug my pc when natures fireworks started here. What a storm but not enough reain *%#@%^&*"}, {"response": 328, "author": "livamago", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (19:10)", "body": "My apologies for my tardiness... Happy Birthday Colin! Thank you for being such a talented actor. I am giving you this gift because I am eager to see you in breeches again when you play Flashman...a feast to the eyes..."}, {"response": 329, "author": "livamago", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (19:18)", "body": "And here are the boots to go with it..."}, {"response": 330, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Sep 12, 1999 (18:14)", "body": "Ladies, I am overwhelmed. What a great party! Sorry I missed all the festivities, but my demanding employer has been keeping me at the oars rowing as hard as I can. HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLIN! Thanks for all your great work which brings us such enjoyment."}, {"response": 331, "author": "quimby", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (01:54)", "body": "Even better than I imagined it could possibly be! Karen and Evelyn and Marcia, batting 1.000 as usual. The pix, and Murph, that song! I was traipsin' down Broadway trying to remember more than bits and snatches, so I printed it out and am committing it to memory. Such love, creativity, humor and technical expertise has been lavished on a worthy fella, and that happens so rarely in life. I'm proud to know you all and to have been privileged to watch a rerun of the party. Moon Dreams...oops, it's getting li e an acceptance speech where you cringe to leave people out, so I bow out and let Him do the accepting. As I'm sure he will. Love the laughing lady, Arami. Stop! Stop! Now I really do quit."}, {"response": 332, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (20:12)", "body": "It sounds like you are leaving. Have I missed something? Oh dear....!"}, {"response": 333, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (22:23)", "body": "Marcia, you gotta watch more awards show! ;-D"}, {"response": 334, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (23:21)", "body": "uh...ok...i guess...where do I find them? In Hilo?! Not the Joan Rivers' aftermaths?! That is about all I get to watch. (gotta share the TV with the hairy chest beater of the house, you know!) So, what did I miss?"}, {"response": 335, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (23:44)", "body": "quimby is merely giving us her version of a typical acceptance speech. She's not going anywhere. ;-D Of course, at about line three, the director cued for the music to start... ;-D"}, {"response": 336, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (00:11)", "body": "thenk yew veddy much...."}, {"response": 337, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (14:18)", "body": "A source of funding for cf.com? \"CALLING ALL WEBMASTERS/MISTRESSES! About.com is launching a new Affiliates programme which will enable those who run related sites to become a part of the About.com communuity and earn a little money into the bargain. Your British Theatre related site could carry a banner or button linking directly to mine, and, if you like, a search engine which will carry out searches on the British Theatre site or even the whole of About.com's 650+ sites, and every time a visitor clicks on the banner, the button or the search box, you get paid. I know that many of you already link to this site - you have my gratitude for that - so formalising the arrangement will give you a little back in return. To find out more, pop along to - http://britishtheatre.about.com/library/weekly/blaffiliates.htm"}, {"response": 338, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Oct 22, 1999 (17:02)", "body": "It is just like the visto banner - but how many of us click it to help Terry? One is not more worthy than the other, but this is a PRIVATE web site and the other is commercial. Help Terry, too, please!"}, {"response": 339, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (07:43)", "body": ""}, {"response": 340, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (14:24)", "body": "Oh Karen! That is so neat! We are all \"over the moon\" for the honoree, anyway. Most of us probably don't need the rocket to get us \"high\" on this guy!!! See ya in 5 1/2 days..."}, {"response": 341, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (14:31)", "body": "Is there gonna be a theme this year, boss? (As if this crowd ever follows the rules;-)"}, {"response": 342, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (20:25)", "body": "A theme? Moon is our official party planner. What would you like us to do? Baa, One of the sheep"}, {"response": 343, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (20:48)", "body": "Hello, hello! I was inspired by Colin's colored glasses and all our \"bong\" talks to go psychedelic. \"Imagine me and you, I do... Feeling Groovey\" Is this baaad of me? ;-) BTW, checked out Cicciolina's site. She will definitely NOT be making an appearance! ;-)))))"}, {"response": 344, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (22:38)", "body": "Holy cow! I get busy elsewhere and the high and mighty Darcy is now a pothead??? Oh no! I thought I could trust him in your worthy hands... Licker 'um up and have your way with him,, I guess..."}, {"response": 345, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (07:10)", "body": "TV Times Stars Happy Birthday to Colin Firth: Rugged good looks have endeared Colin to the hearts of the public.As a Virgo,one of the earth signs,Colin,who'll be 40 on Sunday,is lke a mature wine and will improve with age,2001 heralds his Uranus half return,a time when you realise you only live once.In June he'll set off on the adventure of a lifetime."}, {"response": 346, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (07:49)", "body": "In June he'll set off on the adventure of a lifetime. Now you know. That is exactly when Colin and I are planning to meet. ;-) His fortieth shindig will be bang on!"}, {"response": 347, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (08:21)", "body": "Ha ha!! Although, maybe next year..."}, {"response": 348, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (18:37)", "body": "Why are you talking about CF here and not on \"his\" board?"}, {"response": 349, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (21:49)", "body": "Just trying to make it difficult for you to find us. Tag, you're it!! *running like hell*"}, {"response": 350, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (17:53)", "body": "Running in circles, more like."}, {"response": 351, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (22:08)", "body": "Perhaps we ought to be gearing up to celebrate: The Firthst Anniversary of his 39th birthday! Yippee! (**Heehee**)"}, {"response": 352, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (22:33)", "body": "Good idea, KJ! Like this? more days!!"}, {"response": 353, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (07:42)", "body": "I am having so much fun tasting the food for the party! ;-)"}, {"response": 354, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (12:30)", "body": "Creme brulee."}, {"response": 355, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (16:33)", "body": "Chocolate brownies. ;-)"}, {"response": 356, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (16:46)", "body": "I don't care as long as we have enough bubbly....and not that cheap Andre stuff...:-))) evelyn*who is thirsty*"}, {"response": 357, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (17:05)", "body": "A drop of nice Italian red for me, please."}, {"response": 358, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (17:16)", "body": "Evelyn! We have always had nothing but the best at DBs party and this year is no exception. We have just added a few novelties to the menu. (Cue in Groucho Marx and cigar, \"If you know what I mean\"). The cases of Dom Perignon are already chilled. :-D And, Arami, the Brunello di Montalcino has also arrived. :-)"}, {"response": 359, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (19:28)", "body": "Slurp."}, {"response": 360, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (20:39)", "body": "What does ODB drink...besides ale. Did anyone see what he was drinking at the Donmar Gala or the recent RV reception? Red or white?"}, {"response": 361, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (11:26)", "body": "I'm two days early but I most likely won't be near my computer this weekend, so it's time for some early greetings from a few friends... So Colin Firth, the birthday boy, has a personal trainer. He is no longer a big girly man? HA! We can take his flabby pectoral muscles and tie them together in a Christmas bow. So hear us now and believe us later, Hans and Franz are the only personal trainers for Firth...there is still time for us to *clap* pump him up! Hey Firth! It's your birthday, huh old man? I heard you got some time on your hands. Why don't you bring your candy as* into the ring and let The Rock pop open those six-pack abs?! Forty years old--time for a career change. Think about it, Firth. Wrestling can give you a whole new future. It took me from this... ...to this in just a few short years. Why do you want to PLAY Tony Blair when you can BE Tony Blair? Take my advice...you'll see. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COLIN!"}, {"response": 362, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (12:52)", "body": "LOL, Eileen! You are setting the pace quite nicely. Evelyn, we will have some Amontillado for Colin when we start on the desserts."}, {"response": 363, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (12:56)", "body": "How about Guinness?"}, {"response": 364, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (13:39)", "body": "Ding Ding Ding and in this corner, a pencil-legged, beady-eyed star of stage and screen, who shall remain nameless and hidden in brown paper bag (*loud catcalls and boos*) and our own, one and only, THE Bod *loud cheers heard from all continents* Yeah!! LOL! Eileen"}, {"response": 365, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (04:21)", "body": ""}, {"response": 366, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (04:31)", "body": "Following Eileen's lead... Since I'll be travelling the (well, a bit of Europe) tomorrow, I want to leave Colin's present here today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COLIN! Or, if a quill is not appropriate, here's this: Enjoy the party! You will be in great company"}, {"response": 367, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (15:51)", "body": "It\ufffds a minute past midnight... HAPPY BIRTHDAY Colin! To celebrate his birthday thoroughly I\ufffdm leaving for London in a few hours. Have a grrrreat party!"}, {"response": 368, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (16:12)", "body": "Here's somebody to demonstrate the former gift's use: Since I am unable to get online on Sunday, Against all other contingencies, ... I'd like to make my wishes known a bit early:"}, {"response": 369, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (17:31)", "body": "Happy Birthday, COLIN! Also have a look at http://www.colinfirth.com/index.html (probably you have to hit \"refresh\")"}, {"response": 370, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (17:57)", "body": "For the actor who is a standout in his field, a giant among thespians, the big swan in the little duckpond ... ...Who has been described as \"One of the best of his generation\" -- only because he works like a dog (?hamster?)at his craft ... ...Who has so vividly portrayed many different characters, and who is capable of taking on a wide variety of roles ... ...We wish to celebrate the Firthst Anniversary of his 39th Birthday, ...that is to tell him to have a --"}, {"response": 371, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (17:59)", "body": ""}, {"response": 372, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (20:47)", "body": "Colin's birthday? PURRRRRRR-fect! Feeling kind of kittenish lately. He's our cat's meow. Breaking out the catnip and the buck's fizz."}, {"response": 373, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (21:57)", "body": ""}, {"response": 374, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (23:44)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Colin. Wish I could be with you to help celebrate. Instead I'll send you a smooch from afar.. and head on off to bed.. Hey, a girl can dream.."}, {"response": 375, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (03:25)", "body": "Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday DEAR COLIN , Happy Birthday to you. Three Cheers for Colin, HipHip Hurrah HIpHip Hurrah."}, {"response": 376, "author": "odessa", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (04:31)", "body": "I too want to say.... hyv\ufffd\ufffd syntym\ufffdp\ufffdiv\ufffd\ufffd (=happy birthday)"}, {"response": 377, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (05:25)", "body": "Happy Birthday Colin! You know what they say, \"Life begins at.......\" And as a small token of my esteem here's a little something to enhance that new bod we're all aching to see. Enjoy! BTW - If you need any help with applying it there's no shortage of willing volunteers at Spring!"}, {"response": 378, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (08:28)", "body": "Happy 40th Birthday Colin! (Champagne units 4, bongs 2, calories 2000 so far, vvg) Colin, before you become famous after the release of The Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary, I would like you to remember that we have been throwing your virtual birthday parties for many years and we are also planning to have your new millennium birthday party next year so make sure you write it in your agenda. In keeping with the theme, my first gift will be Aldous Huxley\ufffds The Doors of Perception , and all the Quicksilver Messenger Service albums. Much more awaits you here: http://www.geocities.com/davidia7/birthday.html Buon Compleanno!"}, {"response": 379, "author": "tamzin", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (08:30)", "body": "After seeing all the fantastic,technological greetings already posted mine will seem pretty tame. Nevertheless - HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY COLIN and enjoy your birthday. Many happy returns. We look forward to seeing many more of your films and plays in the years to come."}, {"response": 380, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (08:51)", "body": "Happy B Day, Colin! Hope this works. 40 is special 40 is great Too old for pimples Too young to ache. Enjoy each minute, Old love of my life, Drink lots of champagne, Make love to your wife.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY Colin! Murph"}, {"response": 381, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (09:56)", "body": "Adorable, Murph :-D"}, {"response": 382, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (10:58)", "body": "I second that, excellent Murph."}, {"response": 383, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (11:09)", "body": "And nice pages, Moon. Loved the fun and games. :-D Got the munchies, Colin? 'Cause I'm going to take you on I've got an invitation To make a reservation The Magical Mystery Tour is waiting to take you away Waiting to take you away Roll up, roll up for the Mystery Tour They've got everything you need Satisfaction guaranteed The Magical Mystery Tour is hoping to take you away Hoping to take you away Aaaaaah- The Magical Mystery Tour Roll up- roll up for the mystery tour I've got an invitation To make a reservation The Magical Mystery Tour is coming to take you away Coming to take you away The Magical Mystery Tour is dying to take you away Dying to take you away-take you today Play me"}, {"response": 384, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (11:35)", "body": "Peggy at the Firthden posted this today. I repost with her permission. Thought it was neat: ********************* HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLIN 40 years - 40 quotes 1-Mother: \ufffdhe has an enormous capacity for friendship. When he makes friends he stays friends\ufffd 2-Sister Kate: \ufffdSince he became a father I\ufffdve noticed a much gentler, softer side to Colin\ufffd 3-Penny Edwards, teacher: \ufffdHis head is very difficult to turn because he knows which direction he wants to put his face\ufffd 4-Meg Tilly: \ufffdHe\ufffds one of my best friends\ufffd 5-Mother-in-law: \ufffdMy daughter has married an admirable English gentleman .......we knew that a man who could treat our daughter with such beautiful love & respect was the right man for her. He is very dear to us.\ufffd 6-Christopher Fettes, Drama centre: \ufffdI knew instantly that he had quite an extraordinary talent...Colin represents everything that is best about the sort of middle class English background that he has had. He has an inner sense of culture & class & a maturity which is seen in only a few actors\ufffd 7-Yat Malmgren, Drama Centre: \ufffdHe was the kind of student who almost never occurs. He had everything I expect & rarely find; imagination, intelligence, logic, common sense\ufffd 8-Kenneth Branagh, AMITC: \ufffdColin is a supremely generous actor\ufffd 9-Kenith Trodd, AMITC, COF: \ufffd There\ufffds more to Colin than there is to most actors. Even when he\ufffds doing a costume role he brings something to the performance that makes you feel his performance isn\ufffdt just teeth & pantaloons. He\ufffds able to suggest a feeling of inner life in a way that most actors can\ufffdt.\ufffd 10-Martin Donovan, AZ: \ufffdColin- he\ufffds a magic actor......he learnt Spanish, he drank & ate with the film crew\ufffd 11-Fernando Ghia, Nostromo: \ufffdI owe so much to the stoicism of the British actors. While the Italians & Spanish would storm off the set complaining they couldn\ufffdt work in the heat, Colin Firth & Albert Finney would just sit there sweating it out.\ufffd 12-Michael Wearing, Nostromo: (Re Colin & Livia ) \ufffdtheir relationship flowered slowly & was delightful to see\ufffd 13-Anthony Mingella, TEP: \ufffdThere\ufffds a sort of transparency to Colin\ufffds inner life that only the best actors have. He has to do very little it seems to give you access to his inner being.\ufffd 14-Nick Hornby, FP: \ufffd...wouldn\ufffdt you know it, & doesn\ufffdt it make you sick? - Colin Firth is a genuinely nice guy; smart, funny, self-deprecating, complicated, thoughtful, good company\ufffd 15-Ruth Gemmell, FP: \ufffd...he\ufffds so lovely, he immediately put me at ease....Colin is not as serious as people think. He\ufffds also a very sweet man\ufffd 16-Holly Aird, FP: \ufffdColin Firth hasn\ufffdt let fame go to his head....Colin isn\ufffdt arrogant. In real life he\ufffds quiet, shy & mostly sits & reads\ufffd 17-Gwyneth Paltrow, SIL: \ufffdWhen I first met him I thought he was quite serious. But actually he is very funny.\ufffd 18-John Madden SIL: on Wessex. \ufffdCrucial character, brilliantly played, I think. But it\ufffds the kind of performance that gets richer & richer the more you see it\ufffd 19- Nia Long, SLOW: \ufffd.... a sweetheart, a true professional. He tells great stories & has a wonderful sense of humour & he really tries to give everything he can as an artist\ufffd 20-Jodhi May, TOTS: \ufffdColin Firth was lovely, a complete joy to work with\ufffd 21-Mary Elizabeth Mastrantio, MLSF: \ufffdBut he\ufffds fantastic & he\ufffds a dear family friend of ours.......and he\ufffds a fantastic actor. ...if you were to read the script & then you watch these scenes & see the humour & pathos that he\ufffds extracted & imbued them with, it\ufffds astonishing\ufffd 22-Sir Denis Forman, MLSF: \ufffdHe\ufffds my father to a T - the way he walked, the way he talked. I did send them some old time movies.....but it really is almost uncanny. A wonderful performance.\ufffd 23-Julie Andrews, RV: \ufffdColin Firth played my nephew. We had some wonderful scenes together\ufffd 24-Jo Weedon. Womans Own, 1986: \ufffdThere\ufffds more than a little cynicism about Colin Firth & yet, behind the tough facade is a shy, unpretentious young man\ufffd 25-Guiiana Mercorio Films & Filming:1989 \ufffd...this smiling, eminently sane, attractive 28-year-old\ufffd 26-Jane Oddy. Sunday Life 1994:\ufffdDespite protestations that he is shy of women, Colin exudes charm & confident sex appeal\ufffd 27-Kathy Passero. A & E Monthly.1996: \ufffd.....the 36 year-old British actor, who, in contrast to his aloof & brooding character, is genial & pleasant\ufffd 28-Judith Stone. Mirabella 1996: \ufffd...many would say he slices, dices & purees the mustard\ufffd 29-Weekly News, 1996: \ufffdHe is as humorous & articulate as Darcy is chilly & silent. His classic good looks give him a powerful presence, but something happens when he opens his mouth & you hear his amazing voice. The man is magnetic\ufffd 30-TV Times, 1997: \ufffdColin Firth remains that rare thing - an actor who\ufffds more interesting than any of the characters he plays\ufffd 31-Radio Times. 1997: \ufffdHis level-headed attitude is probably genetic\ufffd 32-Daily Telegraph 1997: \ufffd...you would expect a hint of aloof arrogance or impatience from someone who has set the hearts of British womanhood a-flutter. But nothing could be further from the truth, Firt"}, {"response": 385, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (11:45)", "body": "Great brownies, Karen! ;-) The music is great and look who just started playing, Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars! Thank you David Bowie!"}, {"response": 386, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (11:52)", "body": ""}, {"response": 387, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (12:37)", "body": "When I get older losing my hair, Many years from now. Will you still be sending me a Valentine, Birthday greeting, bottle of wine. If I'd been out til quarter to three Would you lock the door, Would you still need me, will you still feed me, When I'm 64, You'll be older too, And if you say the word, I could stay with you. I could be handy, mending a fuse When your lights have gone. You can knit a sweater by the fireside Sunday morning go for a ride, Doing the garden, digging the weeds, Who could ask for more? Will you still need me, will you still feed me, When I'm 64. Every summer we can rent a cottage, In the Isle of Wight, if it's not too dear We shall scrimp and save Grandchildren on your knee Vera, Chuck, & Dave Send me a postcard, drop me a line, Stating point of view Indicate precisely what you mean to say Yours sincerely, wasting away give me your answer, fill in a form Mine for evermore. Will you still need me, will you still feed me. When I'm 64. Since you're only The answer is a RESOUNDING Turn me on"}, {"response": 388, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (13:32)", "body": "May the coming year see all your wishes realized! From you number #1 fan in the whole world, Happy birthday, Colin. Guess who."}, {"response": 389, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (13:51)", "body": "WOW! What a tremendous bash. You sure know how to throw a party. I just want to add my humble congrats to the much cleverer dazzling posts."}, {"response": 390, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (13:55)", "body": "Dear Mr. Firth there is nothing I can give you for your birthday that you don't already have. So I send you the hope that as you stand on the threshold of a new millennium you have much personal happiness and joy in your life's chosen work. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!"}, {"response": 391, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (14:17)", "body": "Happy Birthday to an actor who grows lovlier by the year. Hope this coming year will be your best yet, Colin. And thanks to everyone's efforts in making this a terrific birthday bash."}, {"response": 392, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (14:20)", "body": "Cheryl - wonderfully put! This is one great party, well done all! Vol-au-vent anyone?"}, {"response": 393, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (14:37)", "body": "Great pages everybody.... Hey Murph tell Peggy at Firthden that she forgot to mention Jennifer... \"He's a very nice man, and a terrific actor\"... Hey...where's the food ' drink, Moon? Here's my contribution to the food-fare.... Hope you enjoy it Colin.... And it's as good as the one you had in Liverpool..."}, {"response": 394, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (14:46)", "body": ""}, {"response": 395, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (15:27)", "body": "Evelyn, the food is everywhere! Thanks for the sushi, I never thought you would be the one to bring it. ;-) There is plenty of champagne and through that green door we have a flourescent bong all for you. And do try the brownies, Karen made them and they are delicious. :-D"}, {"response": 396, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (15:36)", "body": "Thanks for the sushi, I never thought you would be the one to bring it. ;-) Weeeelllll last year you all didn't appreciate the prairie oysters...so this year I decided to go a little less provincial.... BTW...I've been looking for a gift that all of us want to give Colin.... A NEW AGENT Better roles @ half the commission!!"}, {"response": 397, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (17:23)", "body": ""}, {"response": 398, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (17:24)", "body": "And a very special message, specially made from ALL of us:"}, {"response": 399, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (19:02)", "body": "Karen, sei molto creativa! Time for the cake!"}, {"response": 400, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (19:10)", "body": "And here is Your horoscope Colin. IF SEPTEMBER 10 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: You are an independent thinker, creative, dynamic, dramatic. People describe you as colorful, temperamental, sensual. Leo, Aquarius persons play memorable roles in your life -- could have these letters, initials in names: A, S, J. During remainder of September, forces could be scattered, you will be flattered and very social. Travel, flirtation in November. Thanks, Marcia"}, {"response": 401, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (21:36)", "body": "Happy Birthday Colin! Hope you have a wonderful year -a warm hug (and perhaps a wee toe nibble) from EsBee"}, {"response": 402, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (22:14)", "body": "A few more goodies..."}, {"response": 403, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (22:22)", "body": ""}, {"response": 404, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (22:36)", "body": "Janey Fothergill about Colin \"People like Colin Firth are quite unusual in that they can play most decades quite easily; there is very little that he can't tackle. Happy 40 Colin and many many more."}, {"response": 405, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (23:13)", "body": "It is still Firthdat In Hawaii... Birthdates which occurred on your SELECTED date of September 10: 1487 Julius III Counter-Reformation pope (1550-55) 1736 Carter Braxton signed Decl of Ind 1753 Sir John Soane England, architect (Soane Museum) 1836 Joseph Wheeler Maj Gen/Cavalry Commander, Army of Tennessee 1839 Isaac Kauffman Funk US, publisher (Funk & Wagnalls) 1872 Ranjitsinhji Vibhaji India, cricketer/politician 1887 Giovanni Gronchi president of Italy 1890 Franz Werfel Austria, author (40 Days of Musa Dagh) 1893 Al \"Fuzzy\" St John Santa Ana Calif, actor (Lash of the West) 19-- Arthur Taxler actor (Lt Zymack-Midnight Caller) 19-- Dennis Burkley Van Nuys Calif, actor (Mary Hartman, Sanford) 19-- Harry Groener actor (Ralph-Dear John) 19-- Michael Pasternak Bkln NY, actor (Co-ed Fever) 1907 Fay Wray Alberta Canada, actress-King Kong's main squeeze 1909 Raymond Scott Bkln NY, orch leader (Your Hit Parade) 1914 Robert Wise movie director (Day the Earth Stood Still) 1915 Edmond O'Brien NYC, actor (Sam Benedict, Johnny Midnight) 1927 Yma Sumac [Emperatriz Chavarri], Ichocan Peru, 5 octave soprano 1929 Arnold Palmer golfer (PGA Golfer of the Year 1960, 1962) 1933 Yevgeny V Khrunov USSR, cosmonaut (Soyuz 5) 1934 Charles Kuralt Wilmington NC, newscaster (On the Road) 1934 Roger Maris Yankee, HR champ (61 in 1961, AL MVP 1960, 1961) 1935 John Palmer Kingsport Tenn, news anchor (NBC Weekend News) 1939 Greg Mullavey Buffalo NY, actor (Tom-Mary Hartman, Rituals) 1940 Roy Ayers LA, disco jazz artist (Fever, You Send Me) 1945 Jos\ufffd Feliciano Lares PR, singer/songwriter (Light my Fire) 1945 Richard M Mullane Tx, USAF/astro (STS 41-D, STS-27, STS-36) 1945 Tom Ligon New Orleans, actor (Joyride) 1946 James R Hines US, sprinter (Olympic-gold-1968) 1948 Bob Lanier NBA center (Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks) 1948 Judy Geeson Arundei Sussex Engld, actress (To Sir With Love, Berserk) 1948 Margaret Trudeau Vancouver BC, former Canadian 1st lady 1950 Joe Perry Boston, rocker (Aerosmith-Walking the Dog) 1953 Amy Irving Palo Alto, Cal, actress (Yentl, Carrie, Crossing Delancy) 1957 Brian Fitzpatrick Upper Darby Pa, actor (Rick Alden-Loving) 1957 Siobhan Fahey rocker (Bananarama-Venus) 1960 Miranda Wilson Nebraska, actress (Sandra-Santa Barbara) 1963 Carol Decker rocker (T'Pau-Heart & Soul) 1963 David Titlow rocker (Blue Mercedes-Rich & Famous) 1965 Allison Daughtry actress (Guilding Light) 19!! Colin Firth Actor (Pride and Prejudice) Deaths which occurred on September 10: 1419 John the Fearless Burgundy France, warrior, murdered at 48 1842 Letitia Tyler Pres Tyler's wife, dies at 51 1961 Leo Carrillo actor who portrayed Pancho on Cisco Kid, dies at 81 1976 Mordecai Johnson 1st black president of Howard U, dies at 86 1977 Hamida Djandoubi convicted murderer last to, die in the guillotine 1985 Alexa Kenin actress (Mousie-Coed Fever), dies at 23 1990 Samuel Kanyon Doe president of Liberia, assassinated 1991 Yves Montand actor (Lets Make Love, Z), dies at 70 On this day... 422 St Celestine I begins his reign as Catholic Pope 1349 Jews who survived a massacre in Constance Germany are burned to death 1608 John Smith elected president of Jamestown colony council, Va 1776 George Washington asks for a spy volunteer, Nathan Hale volunteers 1798 British Hondurus beats Spain in battle of St George 1813 Comm Oliver H Perry defeats the British in the Battle of Lake Erie 1823 Simon Bolivar named president of Peru 1846 Elias Howe patents the sewing machine 1847 1st theater opens in Hawaii 1858 John Holden hits the 1st recorded HR (Bkln vs NY) 1869 Baptist minister invents the rickshaw in Yokohama, Japan 1882 1st international conference to promote anti-semitism meets in Dresden Germany (Congress for Safeguarding of Non-Jewish Interests) 1899 2nd quake in 7 days hits Yakutat Bay Alaska 1910 Great Idaho Fire destroys 3 million acres of timber 1913 Cleveland Call & Post established 1913 George W Buckner, named minister to Liberia 1913 Lincoln Highway opens as 1st paved coast-to-coast highway 1919 Indian's Ray Caldwell no-hits Yankees 3-0 1919 NYC welcomes home Gen John J Pershing & 25,000 WW I soldiers 1922 Largest Polo Grounds crowd Meusel, Ruth & Gehrig consecutive HRs 1924 Leopold & Loeb found guilty of murder 1927 France wins its 1st Davis Cup 1930 Charles E Mitchell, named minister to Liberia 1937 2nd American Football League plays 1st game (LA 21, Pittsburgh 0) Cleveland (Los Angeles) Rams plays their 1st NFL game, lose 28-0 1939 Canada declares war on Germany 1945 KLS-AM in Oakland Ca changes call letters to KWBR (now KDIA) 1945 Vidkun Quisling sentenced to death for collaborating with Nazis 1950 Joe DiMaggio becomes 1st to hit 3 HR in a game at Griffith Stadium 1953 Swanson sells its 1st \"TV dinner\" 1954 12 second shock kills 1,460 in Orleansville Algeria 1955 \"Gunsmoke\" premiers on CBS TV 1956 Louisville Ky public schools integrate 1960 NY Yankee Mickey Mantle hits 643' HR over right field roof in Detroit 1960 Running barefoot, Ethiopian Abe"}, {"response": 406, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (01:40)", "body": "O my God !!! I just love this site. Thank God there are other Firthfanatics out there. Knowing I have on-line company, makes the long, hard wait until The BJ Diaries movie comes out next April, a tad more bearable. Happy Birthday, Colin. \" You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you \" Tee Hee Hee !!!! Rock on everybody and Karen, thanx for the BJ interview link. Bethanne"}, {"response": 407, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (08:41)", "body": ""}, {"response": 408, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (08:43)", "body": "Beth!! Glad to see you made it here. Visit our other topics and join in the discussions."}, {"response": 409, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (10:33)", "body": "WELCOME BETHANNE Stick around and join the year-round fun... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I know I speak for all the droolies when I say a v. special THANK YOU to Karen and Moon who organized the B'day Bash for Colin.And to all who did the original web creations...Murph, Emma,Karen...you know who you are. (But Marcia...did I miss the leis? Remember...everyone should get leid on their birthday;-)"}, {"response": 410, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (12:48)", "body": "It was a fun party! Meet you at the other boards. :-D (But Marcia...did I miss the leis? Remember...everyone should get leid on their birthday;-) I think Murph took care of that with her birthday poem. ;-) Welcome Bethanne!"}, {"response": 411, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (13:40)", "body": "I'm a day late but I wish you a very happy birthday and hope you achieve all your hearts desires in the coming year. Its been a great party but with those wonderful pics of Colin it felt like my birthday:-) Welcome Bethanne!!"}, {"response": 412, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (15:09)", "body": "Just in case.... Double Tuberoses"}, {"response": 413, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (15:10)", "body": "Hana ho!"}, {"response": 414, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (16:38)", "body": "Thank you Marcia....it's gorgeous."}, {"response": 415, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (21:33)", "body": "Sorry I missed the big day, but I was knocked off my post in the Library at the last second and had to be gone through Sunday until now. I've been waiting on pins and needles to see what all you guys have done ... *very impressive*! I know I already said it once, but I hate to waste all that research, so ... Colin! Mickey told me he has been pondering -- -- what might be the best way to celebrate your birthday -- -- Maybe a birthday bouquet -- -- like -- -- Lots of presents -- -- some bubbly -- -- or maybe -- -- Yummy food -- -- and sincerest wishes for a -- . . . Belatedly! Sorry ... Love, KJ"}, {"response": 416, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (10:21)", "body": "Lovingly done, KJ...The party goes on... I'm glad you went ahead and posted when you had a chance."}, {"response": 417, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (17:23)", "body": "Thanks, Evelyn. And thanks, KarenR for wiping out my last desperately entered post, 5 minutes after my time was up with someone breathing down my neck (and rightly, too)so I little sense or time to check for last-minute errors. (Now explain how I got that huge gap in this one! *heehee*) And Welcome, Bethanne! Hope you visit all of ODB's Topics often!"}, {"response": 418, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (17:28)", "body": "That's OK, KJ. The pics didn't show up [there were two urls on each - spring's plus the real location] and you didn't close your center tag. The unclosed tag was the more critical one and would drive people crazy all day...so I deleted."}, {"response": 419, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (18:23)", "body": "KJ, your graphics were wonderful, definitely worth the wait. Marcia, of course it's not a proper birthday without the guest of honor being lei'd by you. The double tuberoses are beautiful."}, {"response": 420, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Sep 13, 2000 (01:32)", "body": "The double tuberose lei I reveived last week hung in the living room and scented the house magnificently. It is like a cross between ginger and gardenia in fragrance and absolutly lovely to wear. My pleasure to Lei him every chance I get =)"}, {"response": 421, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 13, 2000 (07:43)", "body": ""}, {"response": 422, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 13, 2000 (07:44)", "body": "The line forms on the left...or is it right ;-D"}, {"response": 423, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Sep 13, 2000 (19:34)", "body": "Welcome Bethanne"}, {"response": 424, "author": "claire", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (21:05)", "body": "Gee...I never knew that he's 40!! I thought he was probably in his early 30s or something. Is he married yet?"}, {"response": 425, "author": "claire", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (21:23)", "body": "Oh and I forgot to say that I just joined here, and besides liking CF, I also like Toby Stephens *drool*. He was in the Twelfth Night and the Camomile Lawn with Jennifer Ehle."}, {"response": 426, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (22:36)", "body": "Claire You have good taste! (and, yes, CF is married)"}, {"response": 427, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (11:31)", "body": "WELCOME CLAIRE Glad to have you on board..stick around an visit the other CF boards. We love to have new members! (Claire) I also like Toby Stephens *drool*. He was in the Twelfth Night and the Camomile Lawn with Jennifer Ehle. LOL I applaud your good taste in men...TS was also in Onegin and is currently filming Possession (also with Jennifer)."}, {"response": 428, "author": "claire", "date": "Fri, Sep 22, 2000 (04:58)", "body": "Did you guys like CF in Shakespeare in Love??"}, {"response": 429, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Fri, Sep 22, 2000 (06:23)", "body": "Of course! Was there anyone else?"}, {"response": 430, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 22, 2000 (08:02)", "body": "Claire, we're over at topic 134 (our general Colin topic) as well as others. We hardly use this one except for the birthday party. See you there. :-)"}, {"response": 431, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (05:06)", "body": "Just back from my trip and I see you threw a wonderful birthday party for Colin. I expected no less from you ;-) but am amazed anyway at the creativity and energy put into it. I wish the recipient enjoyed it at least as much as I did :-)Congrats, everyone!"}, {"response": 432, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (08:22)", "body": "Whew! That was quite a vacation, Gi. We missed you. :-D"}, {"response": 433, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (09:33)", "body": "Thanks Karen. I missed you too :-)"}, {"response": 434, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (12:27)", "body": "You've been gone too long , Gi.I have been asking about you.... Thought of you and Antonio when I went to the Donmar last night.We've had good times there.....I do hope ODB appears at the Donmar again. Those other stage doors are so dingy and out in the cold etc. Donmar is cozy ;-))"}, {"response": 435, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Sep 29, 2000 (02:43)", "body": "(Evelyn)You've been gone too long , Gi. oh I know... It took me almost a week to read all the posts in only half a dozen topics :-)"}, {"response": 436, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Apr 29, 2001 (23:49)", "body": "I find it interesting that Colin Firth may be playing himself in the BJD sequel. And playing Darcy. That will be a bit of a challenge."}, {"response": 437, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, May  2, 2001 (22:21)", "body": "Ah, Terry, this possibly has been endlessly discussed on these boards... It appears that the majority doesn't find it credible..."}, {"response": 438, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, May  3, 2001 (09:01)", "body": "I think I heard that on the Katie Couric Today Show Interview, or it may have been on Karen's page somewhere. \b\b\b"}, {"response": 439, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  7, 2001 (09:09)", "body": "What's this year's theme again?"}, {"response": 440, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Sep  7, 2001 (10:13)", "body": "Do we need one?"}, {"response": 441, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  7, 2001 (10:17)", "body": "No, we don't. But I'm a very theme-oriented person. Ask anyone who has ever been over for dinner at my place. ;-)"}, {"response": 442, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep  7, 2001 (10:22)", "body": "Ask anyone who has ever been over for dinner at my place. ;-) I had pot roast....but v. good pot roast:-)"}, {"response": 443, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  7, 2001 (10:27)", "body": "That was a leftover in my refrigerator."}, {"response": 444, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep  7, 2001 (10:43)", "body": "I kind of liked the \"Take no Prisoners\" theme. But it's up for discussion. I'm already searching for the right pair of green snakeskin pants to wear. ;-)"}, {"response": 445, "author": "maryw", "date": "Fri, Sep  7, 2001 (10:57)", "body": "For the newbies on the block - can someone pls explain the ground rules for the bday party? (It is the bday party we're discussing isn't it?)"}, {"response": 446, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Sep  7, 2001 (11:51)", "body": "(Moon) I kind of liked the \"Take no Prisoners\" theme. Please describe what you mean by this. Whips and chains? ;-D (Minkee) It is the bday party we're discussing isn't it Yes. That's what you'll find at this topic. I don't know of any specific rules for this other than those that apply to the rest of Drool. Karen will advise. If you have time, scroll through parties of years past to see what we've done, although some of the pics won't come up anymore."}, {"response": 447, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  7, 2001 (12:10)", "body": "Karen will advise. I will? ;-) All I know is that there is lots of *virtual* drinking (but not for under age participants, who shouldn't be here anyway) Other than that, we party, party, party. FYI, in scrolling backward, many of the images will not appear for several reasons: 1. If the image was at one of Spring's older servers, the urls have changed. 2. If the image was at Geocities, Tripod or Xoom, they no longer allow posting at other sites. 3. Another site may have taken down said image. Whips and chains? ;-D Oh dear! I really hate surfing through those sites for appropriate gear. I remember when I had to find a toe-sucking pic for Esbee. Was mental torture. ;-"}, {"response": 448, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep  7, 2001 (12:14)", "body": "(Moon) I kind of liked the \"Take no Prisoners\" theme. (Eileen), Please describe what you mean by this. Whips and chains? ;-D No, we'll leave that to Rupi. TYVM! ;-) Welcome to the pub! I thought it could be in the style of a \"toast and roast\" or \"roast and toast\" considering all his films and recent awards. ;-)))"}, {"response": 449, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep  7, 2001 (12:23)", "body": "And did I mentioned the the 10 piece funk band I hired? We need da funk to get off da funk. ;-)"}, {"response": 450, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep  7, 2001 (17:50)", "body": "(Moon)And did I mentioned the the 10 piece funk band I hired? Try to find that African rock group he likes...or is he dead? (Minkee)can someone pls explain the ground rules for the bday party Moon is the Chairman. She sets the rules and always serves the best champ."}, {"response": 451, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep  7, 2001 (21:06)", "body": "Try to find that African rock group he likes...or is he dead? Sorry, not this year. He listens too much to that stuff. Time for a change, plus, we need da funk to get off da funk. ;-) Moon is the Chairman. She sets the rules and always serves the best champ. xxxooo*smooch* Thank you Evelyn! But truly, I could not do it without such a great group as we have here. And we do love the champagne! Who said anything about virtual drinking? ;-) I would love to see us all in different color snakeskin pants and get up with da band and sing a killer version of \"Mustang Sally.\" You know, we do drive like Bond girls. :-D"}, {"response": 452, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Sat, Sep  8, 2001 (14:49)", "body": "Bond girls ? O man....can I get to be Plenty O Toole ? I wanna shake my Happy Birthday groove thang, dressed in one of those white 70 hot pants thingys, with the long flapping fringe. Looks down at cellulite ridden thighs and imagines look of horror on Col's face when he sees me.....shrugs.....good job this is a cyber space par-tay then, isn't it ?"}, {"response": 453, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep  8, 2001 (17:19)", "body": "this is a cyber space par-tay then, isn't it ? This is the day we all get to meet, dance, drink and eat until ODB leaves the party. :-) I like your choice of outfit Beth. I'm thinking of wearing a little Pucci number with a turquoise-color feather wrap and I've found these great crystal-ball drop earrings. Renate has the chardonnay and vodka ready. The Dom Perignon is icy cold and there is plenty of beer on tap. (Just in case anyone wants to let off steam) ;-)"}, {"response": 454, "author": "maryw", "date": "Sat, Sep  8, 2001 (18:21)", "body": "Hmmm - big dilemma for the Aussie/Kiwi contingent - do we start the party before everyone else since Sept 10 is only about 15 hrs away from now whereas UK/Europe and US Firthettes are still at least 24 hrs away. In which time zone was he born?"}, {"response": 455, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep  8, 2001 (18:39)", "body": "Does this answer your question? ;-)"}, {"response": 456, "author": "maryw", "date": "Sat, Sep  8, 2001 (19:13)", "body": "(KarenR) Does this answer your question? ;-) Excellent! Excellent!"}, {"response": 457, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Sat, Sep  8, 2001 (23:38)", "body": "So who has the lava lamps and mirror balls at the ready ? The lava in my lava lamp is looking rather sad and tired....a wee bit like ya'll did, about 20 minutes into Londcrapium, when you realised what utter tosh it was."}, {"response": 458, "author": "dianespeir", "date": "Sun, Sep  9, 2001 (09:04)", "body": "What's this year's theme again? In the wake of L'dm, perhaps a \"We like you just as you are\" theme would be reassuring."}, {"response": 459, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Sep  9, 2001 (09:11)", "body": "I'm trying to get Renate synched up with the site again so she can make some changes. Email has been sent!"}, {"response": 460, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Sep  9, 2001 (11:54)", "body": "Terry, upload worked - obviously it was just a temporary problem. What's this year's theme again? (Diana)In the wake of L'dm, perhaps a \"We like you just as you are\" theme would be reassuring. Great minds think alike ;-). Have just uploaded our birthday wishes. CF Birthday But they are not linked yet - will link them to cf.com only tomorrow morning or tonight, midnight according to GMT = Grayshott Mean Time."}, {"response": 461, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  9, 2001 (12:18)", "body": "How To Make Your Fans Happy An Easy-to-follow Step-by-step Guide For Clueless Idols LOL!! Clueless, indeed. Good one, Renate."}, {"response": 462, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep  9, 2001 (12:49)", "body": "LOL! Brilliant, Renate! Are we going to have fun tomorrow!"}, {"response": 463, "author": "maryw", "date": "Sun, Sep  9, 2001 (16:45)", "body": "Renate - that's really very clever bday messages - thanks. I wonder whether the yet unwritten chapters will be complete \"bound and published in what we call a book, Jones\" by the end of the day. All able-handed and able-minded Firthettes to contribute?"}, {"response": 464, "author": "maryw", "date": "Sun, Sep  9, 2001 (17:40)", "body": "Hmmm - tough choice - just trying to put together something remotely interesting that's worthy of inclusion in Renate's 3 chapters - with one eye on the internet IBM scoreboard on USOPEN finals. Just saw Hewitt getting up against Sampras in Sets 1 and 2. Since it's not yet CF bday GMT - I might be forgiven for abandoning CF love task for a while in favour of what looks like a Hewitt win in USOpen. Happy CF bday (in advance) to all."}, {"response": 465, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  9, 2001 (17:54)", "body": ""}, {"response": 466, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Sun, Sep  9, 2001 (21:40)", "body": "Allow me to be one of the Firthst to wish CF the happiest of birthdays, with many more to come! Don't duck out the back door! The fun has just begun! HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"}, {"response": 467, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Sun, Sep  9, 2001 (21:57)", "body": "Woo Hoo.....65 minutes to go here on the East Coast, until D-Day. Appropriately enough, The Longest Day is now showing on AMC."}, {"response": 468, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sun, Sep  9, 2001 (22:12)", "body": "A birthday poem for Colin: Colin, you are the sexiest man. We Drooleurs seek you wherever we can. If you try a disguise To baffle our eyes, You'll not fool these most ardent Firthfans! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COLIN! *clinking glass of chardonnay against computer screen*"}, {"response": 469, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  9, 2001 (22:36)", "body": ""}, {"response": 470, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Sun, Sep  9, 2001 (23:32)", "body": "Happy, happy, joy, joy !!!!!! Raising a glass ( filled with Kaluha, Baileys and vodka ) to ya babe. Can you hear the ice cubes clink ? I promise by next year, I will know how to do all those funky birthday graphics too. By the way, what am I drinking ? Is this thing a Black/White Russians or a Mudslide ? Anyhoo, its going down very easily. Thanks Col, you should have birthdays more often. I have a whole pitcher of this stuff in my fridge, if any one wants some."}, {"response": 471, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (00:39)", "body": "It's too early in Europe for Chardonnay or Vodka, so I raise my tea-cup to you, Colin: Happy Birthday!"}, {"response": 472, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (00:43)", "body": "This had to happen today! Grr! ;-) Oh, well, there are more birthday cakes on http://www.colinfirth.com !"}, {"response": 473, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (02:19)", "body": "Counldn't miss the party so I'm stepping out of lurkdom to say: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COLIN!! Another year, older, wiser & sexier."}, {"response": 474, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (02:48)", "body": "HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COLIN, may this be the best year yet especially career wise, lots of wonderful projects for your ardent admirers to watch and drool over, Best Wishes, to you and your family"}, {"response": 475, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (02:49)", "body": "and Hi Tracy, good to see you back again."}, {"response": 476, "author": "maryw", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (05:23)", "body": "I will join Beth (Bethane) in graphics classes in time for next year's celebration...in the meantime...just a simple... MANY HAPPY RETURNS TO COLIN!!"}, {"response": 477, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (07:28)", "body": "Happy Birthday Colin! In the past, because of my love of music, I have given you guitars and amplifiers and lots of CD\ufffds, Keith Jarrett, The Waterboys, Corner Shop, Tim Buckley, etc. etc. Remember? This year we are having a little fun \ufffdroasting and toasting\ufffd you with the themes like \ufffdTake No Prisoners\ufffd and \ufffdWe like You Just as You Are.\ufffd Lately, my pet peeve has become the way you kiss on screen. That also goes for your recent, Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary and Londinium, in fact, we have to go all the way back to Femme Fatal for a good kiss. Now, after having consulted \ufffdyour psychologist\ufffd Stephen F. on this problem, I have come up with a practical gift this year: Kissing Lessons ! Kiss - To engage in mutual touching or caressing with the lips. Now come this way But before we start, let\ufffds toast with a special martini created just for you. It\ufffds better if your lips are wet."}, {"response": 478, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (07:29)", "body": "Now let\ufffds begin: Kissing Exercise: Spend part or all of a kissing scene concentrating on just your lips... no tongues allowed. Slowly slide your lips together, enjoying the subtle feeling of each other's skin. Lick, nibble, kiss each other's mouths... go slow, and really enjoy the sensations. This exercise should make you more aware of your lips, and will add a new layer to your kissing experience. Head Movement: On camera head movement is definitely one of the more subtle aspects of successful kissing, but it can really add a great deal to the experience. Coordinating all the different moving parts of a kiss can seem pretty overwhelming, and it may help for you only to think about one at a time. However, a really good kisser manages to get everything moving at the same time (lips, tongue, head, teeth) without any seeming effort. Each of these aspects should complement each other, allowing the kiss to be playful or passionate, coy or demanding, silly or serious at a moment's notice. A little can go a long way. Remember, everything should work together like a symphony, with you as the conductor. Coordination is the key. So do not freeze up and panic when you hear \ufffdKiss scene take 1, ACTION.\ufffd"}, {"response": 479, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (07:30)", "body": "Now to the games\ufffd AKA Do you sizzle or are you a wet fish? Step this way: The Firthettes are ready to play: Slo-Mo Kisses The object of this game is to see how slow you and your partner can kiss each other. This is also just good practice, as slow kisses are generally considered quite desirable and passionate. You and your partner begin kissing each other. As you kiss, concentrate on moving your lips and tongue slower and slower. Try to feel each little nerve signal that is being sent to your brain as you sssslllooowwwllllyyy explore each other's mouths. Once you've got this down... move even slower! Nuthin' But the Lips Since kissing can tend to concentrate too much on tongues (just ask moi!), this game is designed to help develop other parts of your technique. The simple rules of this game are... no tongues! That's right, you can only use your lips. Don't worry... the passion level of this game can be through the roof if done correctly! Begin by just kissing each other on the lips... softly and slowly. Concentrate on drawing out the lip contact... not just kissing the lips, but brushing them against each other, sucking softly on both the top and bottom lips, and maybe even nibbling a little! Remember, this game is all about the lips , so really feel what they are doing. Feel the texture of your partner's lips, and what they are doing against yours. Slowly brush, kiss, and suck your way around each other's mouths... then do it some more! Trust me, you'll be amazed at the sensations you can get from just using your lips. Tippy Tongues This game is almost, but not quite, the exact opposite of the 'Nuthin' but the Lips' game above. To play this game, you get to use your tongue... but just the very tip! Just play with each other's tongue tippies with your own tongue... just barely making contact. Swirl and dance your tongue tip around, and play with the various motions you can make using just your tongue tip. You can kiss this way with lips touching or not touching... though touching lips generally makes things a little more comfortable and controlled. Don't forget to concentrate on the tongues! Just the tippy tongues! For being such a good student you will receive this to wear instead of your Arsenal ones. And don\ufffdt forget, you owe me one. Enjoy the party! Auguri di cuore! Non arrabbi\ufffdrti troppo \ufffd solo uno scherzo e noi ci divertiamo un sacco. Un bacio. Now let\ufffds dance. Another martini anyone?"}, {"response": 480, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (07:46)", "body": "Oh Moon...that was *wonderful*...I'm still swooning.Hope he takes a hint. Pennis Award coming up... (pun intended!!)"}, {"response": 481, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (07:54)", "body": "In Honour of the Great Film Spring is pleased to present the 1st Annual PENNIS AWARD"}, {"response": 482, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (08:08)", "body": "Get with da funk! We need a drum roll."}, {"response": 483, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (08:32)", "body": "Oh, Moon, way too early in the morning for ca-laaaaaasssss. But am taking notes. Hopefully he can put those instructions into play on his next film, either that or he should rewatch Tumbledown. Good to see you dropped in, Tracy. :-) My, oh my, Ev!! Can't you just see that award on the mantle? *snort*"}, {"response": 484, "author": "nky", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (08:45)", "body": "Just want to wish our dearest Colin a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!!! I've enjoyed all your posting for the past couple of years and now I think its time to come out of the closet for our dear Colin. Sorry, not very good at being creative like some of you."}, {"response": 485, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (08:51)", "body": "Speaking of P-awards, try this one on for size :-)"}, {"response": 486, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (08:59)", "body": "Welcome to our party, nky. Have some champagne. Karen, it's never to early for class if the subject is kissing. And it's not too early for champagne either. Evelyn, we are all anticipating this great(big) award."}, {"response": 487, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (09:01)", "body": "LOL, Donna! This mortal coil. (The band, that is)"}, {"response": 488, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (09:03)", "body": ""}, {"response": 489, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (09:05)", "body": "LOL! Are we going to have dueling P Awards? eh eh eh More than two can play at that game... As we walk through the Valley of the P-Awards..."}, {"response": 490, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (09:13)", "body": "Everybody Dance!! Click here"}, {"response": 491, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (09:19)", "body": "LOL! Are we going to have dueling P Awards? eh eh eh More than two can play at that game... Groovey, Karen! Yeah, baby! How about this charmstone. Picked this one up from the post Planet of the Apes studio sale."}, {"response": 492, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (09:36)", "body": "GREETINGS FROM ST. LOUIS YO, COLIN Happy Boitday from your ole classmates, thanks a lot for all the good press you're giving us"}, {"response": 493, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (09:46)", "body": "We can't have a 'roast and toast' without a Mistress of Ceremonies, so I have contacted one of Colin's special fans. Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Spring's annual Colin Firth Birthday Bash. I am your Mistress of Ceremonies, Caroline. To mark the occasion, I am *not* dressed in a curtain today. As you know, I have thoroughly researched your films and have acquired a special present for you. It's the motorbike you rode in Playmaker! And I thought The Advocate was a sexy film...good thing I hadn't seen the shower scene before we met on the Rosie Show. *whew* Let's go for a ride, Colin! I know a wonderful spot where we can review those kissing lessons Moon has given you. Evelyn might even be there with the 'L' Pennis Award. Vrrrrooommmm! Vrrrroooommmm!"}, {"response": 494, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (09:48)", "body": "I just convinced Curly here we got room for one more in our cell... Nyuk nyuk nyuk"}, {"response": 495, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (09:51)", "body": "Moon's instructions say to turn your head a little to the left and lean in We're gonna keep doin' it til you get it right"}, {"response": 496, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (10:00)", "body": "Moon's instructions say to turn your head a little to the left and lean in ROTF! You're a very good student. Hey Caroline, do you think we might take turns on that Vespa? There are these hills around Bologna that are perfect for it. (Italian inside joke)"}, {"response": 497, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (10:25)", "body": "Our next event is a fashion show, to give our dear birthday boy some ideas. I'll start. First, look at my shoes. They may not be trainers, but they are all one color. We've called in our experts to give you some ideas on what trainers are supposed to look like: See? Black trainers, black laces. Next, let's talk about color. Here's what a tee shirt looks like when it's not black. [Hope this works] In anticipation of a very special event taking place in LA on the 16th, we have a few suggestions for formal wear. Note the fit of the collar, Colin. It comes in contact with the neck. Also note the length of the tie. One's tuxedo tie should not reach one's knees. Or perhaps you prefer this style? The tie is straight, not at a 30 degree angle. Just a final warning as far as tuxedos go...do not, I repeat, do not show up in this outfit! (The same advice applies to your sidekick.) We hope you enjoyed the fashion show, Colin!"}, {"response": 498, "author": "myou", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (10:29)", "body": "What a party!!!!!! Raising my coffee cup at work in honour of a man that has given us so much \"virtual pleasure\"! Even if the kissing scenes are a little mushed, the nude scenes are few and far between, but I for one do like him just as he is! Happy 41st!"}, {"response": 499, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (10:33)", "body": "ROTF!! Where'd you go, Eileen, TuxesRUs for those? ;-D Love our Mistress of Ceremonies. She's dressing better too since she won the coveted afternoon talk show slot."}, {"response": 500, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (10:56)", "body": "Moving on...we now arrive at the most contentious of subjects in the world of Firth fandom...*shhhhh* your career! I've brought in a few friends to give you advice. Whoopi says: 1. Don't date Ted Danson. 2. Join Hollywood Squares. Gloria says: 1. Make your husband your manager. Or your wife. We all say: STAY AWAY FROM THIS MAN. Promise?? ;-)"}, {"response": 501, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (11:05)", "body": "Honest! We don't know where Colin will be filming New Cardiff. Please, lady, put down that gun!! Phew! Those Firth fans can go a little too far."}, {"response": 502, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (11:15)", "body": "\"Hey Col... HAPPY BIRTHDAY.... See ya'in January for the sequel to LONDINIUM."}, {"response": 503, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (11:19)", "body": "Those Firth fans can go a little too far. *guffaw* That's no lady, that's MysteryMan! You're walking a fine line, Evie. ;-P"}, {"response": 504, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (11:19)", "body": "Eileen, LOL! Caroline, don't forget to include a tip about what type of socks to wear."}, {"response": 505, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (11:31)", "body": "ROTF, Eileen. Tuxedo for the Emmy's? Bet he comes in an open collar.With short socks. \"Hold the white laces, Colin.\" Can we have some bubbly now, boss? It's evening in Winchester... Which reminds me...this one just came in.... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FROM THE CITIZENS OF WINCHESTER Don't look like STRAW DOGS to me;-)"}, {"response": 506, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (11:38)", "body": "Got an early peak at the storyboards of \"The Prisoner of L'Dumb.\" Our story opens with: Allen Portman (said in repressed manner) But, I'd rather have a meat pie."}, {"response": 507, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (11:47)", "body": "(Evelyn) Tuxedo for the Emmy's? They're formal. Caroline says his gray 'LA suit' with the black shirt (unbuttoned to hide poor neck fit) is out for this event. ;-) Too funny, Karen. But, I'd rather have a meat pie. Heehee...with extra beans and onions."}, {"response": 508, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (11:49)", "body": "But, I'd rather have a meat pie. Oh no, boss...please. No meat pies.Consequences make one unsocialable:-D ROTF. That pic...from Hostages? Where's the brown teeth?"}, {"response": 509, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (12:03)", "body": "(Ev) Where's the brown teeth? He's saving them for the big kissy scene with Mikey. ;-)"}, {"response": 510, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (12:09)", "body": "Those kissing lessons are paying off. There's no stopping him now, but with Mikey? (gulp) Tall martini just went down straight, wow!"}, {"response": 511, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (12:34)", "body": "Here is another game to play: http://www.virtualkiss.com/kissastrology/horoscopes/"}, {"response": 512, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (12:37)", "body": "This is Colin's horoscope says:For 9/10/2001 Somebody is simply not hearing what you're saying. You say one thing with a simple and straightforward intention, and they hear something else entirely. Perhaps you need to push verbal communications aside and say what you must in nonverbal ways. non verbal ways, as in kissing"}, {"response": 513, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (12:52)", "body": "Another birthday wish from a co-star Richard's written another for you, Col, called Blackadder - Up and Down. You're featured heavily in the Down segments. Be sure to get fitted for that padding as I'm practicing my kicks. ;-)"}, {"response": 514, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (12:53)", "body": "(Karen) He's saving them for the big kissy scene with Mikey. ;-) *ewwww* *grand mal seizure ensues* (horoscope) You say one thing with a simple and straightforward intention, and they hear something else entirely. Aha! That explains this \ufffdTo hell with it, this is fun.\ufffd I can\ufffdt wait to play a clich\ufffd.\""}, {"response": 515, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (13:43)", "body": ""}, {"response": 516, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (13:44)", "body": "boston.com: Today's Birthdays: Actress Fay Wray is 94. Movie director Robert Wise is 87. Golfer Arnold Palmer is 72. Country singer Tommy Overstreet is 64. Actor Greg Mullavey is 62. Jazz vibraphonist Roy Ayers is 61. Singer Danny Hutton (Three Dog Night) is 59. Singer Jose Feliciano is 56. Actor Tom Ligon is 56. Actress Judy Geeson is 53. Rock musician Joe Perry (Aerosmith) is 51. Actress Amy Irving is 48. Country singer Rosie Flores is 45. Actress Kate Burton is 44. Director Chris Columbus is 43. Actor Colin Firth is 41. Rock singer-musician David Lowery (Cracker) is 41. Rock musician Robin Goodridge (Bush) is 35. Rock singer-musician Miles Zuniga (Fastball) is 35. Rapper Big Daddy Kane is 33. Movie director Guy Ritchie is 33. Actor Ryan Phillippe is 27. Happy Birthday, Colin!"}, {"response": 517, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (13:50)", "body": "\"The guys in the next cell said that the Londinium torture is by far the worst they've had to endure\" And the guys in your cell said the meat pies were;-D"}, {"response": 518, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (13:53)", "body": "Colin ... To a Rare Specimen ... KJ"}, {"response": 519, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (13:55)", "body": "London Times Sept. 10 \"Birthdays Sir Thomas Allen, opera singer, 57; Mr Michael Barry (Michael Bukht) broadcasting executive and food journalist, 60; Professor Sarah Coakley, Professor of Divinity at Harvard University, 50; Mrs Beryl Cook, painter, 75; Baroness Emerton, Chief Commander of the St John Ambulance, 66; Mr John Entwistle, bass guitarist of The Who, 57; Mr Colin Firth, actor, 41; Professor C.H.M.J. Gilles, expert on tropical medicine, 80; Mr Christopher Hogwood, musicologist and conductor, 60; the Very Rev Michael Mayne, Dean Emeritus of Westminster, 72; Mr Norman Morrice, dancer and choreographer, 70; Lord Nolan, chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, 1994-97, 73; Mr Arnold Palmer, golfer, 72; Sir Peter Reynolds, chairman of Ranks Hovis McDougall, 1981-89, 72; Mr Denis Richards, air historian, 91; Dame Betty Ridley, Third Church Estates Commissioner, 1972-81, 92; Mr Bill Rogers, golfer, 50; Dr Sir Brian Smith, chairman of BAA, 1991-98, 73."}, {"response": 520, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (13:57)", "body": "Wow, he gets a Mr. in the London Times. He doesn't even garner one in the Globe;) Happy Birthday, MR. Colin Firth:)"}, {"response": 521, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (13:58)", "body": "Notice that Guy Ritche is missing..."}, {"response": 522, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (14:28)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Colin! In honour of this momentous occasion (and the upcoming DVD), I present you with the new Pride & Prejudice Lego set. Featuring Bingley, Jane, Wickham, Darcy, and Lizzie. Despite your best efforts to avoid fame, you just are not going to be able to escape Mr. Darcy. Maybe you should consider playing the evil, action movie villain :-)"}, {"response": 523, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (14:40)", "body": "OMG, this is all so incredibly funny. Happy Birthday to Our Darling Boy.....and bloody well done to all you computer savvy peeps out there, who have come up with all these hysterical graphics and pictures. You have us all rolling in the aisles."}, {"response": 524, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (14:48)", "body": ""}, {"response": 525, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (14:50)", "body": "From the ET Online site: Today's Birthdays Colin Firth, 41 Also listed: Amy Irving (48) and Ryan Philippe (27) *** Photo looks vintage 'SiL promo' to me."}, {"response": 526, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (14:54)", "body": "KarenR.. please delete my last post (524). Thanks, KJ"}, {"response": 527, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (14:55)", "body": "Hooray!! They updated. Checked earlier and was ready to barrage with nasty emails about Valerie Perrine Who!! That means he'll be shown tonight. Yippee!!"}, {"response": 528, "author": "rachael", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (15:00)", "body": "9pm UK time - just about right for crawling in late to a party then ... Happy BD, ODB - my *wish* present to you is a big bundle of decent scripts to maintain high happiness levels in all these fab lasses who've been at this party before me"}, {"response": 529, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (15:02)", "body": "Colin! It's your 41st birthday! We all hope you ... Have a ball! We annually virtually celebrate the anniversary of the day that your Mum and Dad brought you forth, little knowing the extraordinary individual they were loosing upon an unsuspecting (and unprepared) world. Indeed it can be truthfully said that many of us are still stunned witless and reduced to jelly, once we become aware of, and contemplate, the unparalleled phenomenon that you are, and have become. Behold, we giggle and say inane things when attempting to communicate our thoughts and impressions concerning your being and accomplishments. Through seasons lush or sere, we remain fascinated and faithful, both critical and complementary, willing or unwilling (depending on our mood) to cut you some slack. But the thing is ... um ... What we're trying to say -- VERY inarticulately -- is ... that, um ... in fact ... Perhaps despite appearances ... ... We like you -- VERY MUCH -- JUST AS YOU ARE. To demonstrate this, yearly we bring forth outrageous and brilliant celebratory virtual party trappings: We charter a flotilla of virtual yachts to float serenely off the Menoracan coast: Then sail merrily to our virtual private beach off Cancun where a bit of sea-bathing will set us up forever! We import virtual goodies from all over -- Virtual Cheesecake from New York: Cans of virtual goodies from Brazil -- \"where the nuts come from\" -- Virtual beverages from Germany to whet the appetite... From Kashmir some virtual Yakhni Pulao... SRC=\" http://www.angithi.com//images/RecipeSite/menu/yakhni_mutton_pulao_and_mutton_curry.JPG\" > Virtual pasta from a hideaway trattoria in Orvieto: All topped off by yummy virtual chocolates and champagne *hic*: [The advantage of bingeing on virtual champagne is that you wake up the next morning suffering from only a virtual hangover -- **Virtual Ooog!**] ... Not to mention The Virtual Cake: ...And, dear Colin, by the end of the evening, we all concur that -- despite the fact that you habitually \"protesteth too much\" -- the general consensus here is that You Are (and Ought To Be) Definitely One of the Good Guys... Happy Birthday, Colin! Love, KJ"}, {"response": 530, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (15:20)", "body": "Wow, KJ! We can take the virtual eating but who said anything about virtual drinking? ;-) From the birthday list above I noted, Mr Denis Richards, air historian, Now can someone please explain what an air historian does?"}, {"response": 531, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (15:20)", "body": "Karen, your prisoner is suffering poor chap! ROTF!"}, {"response": 532, "author": "rachael", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (15:41)", "body": "who updated? what'll be shown? where? where?"}, {"response": 533, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (15:53)", "body": "Talk about side-splitting--you guys are too much! ROTF! In honor of your birthday, Colin, and your Emmy nomination, we're rolling out the red carpet! And look who's here to greet you--take it away, Joan! J: Welcome back to our LIVE Emmy coverage here on the red carpet. Let's see who'd headed this way. Hiya, handsome, are you a nominee? C: Er, yes, I'm Colin Firth J: Oh, right! Colleen! I loved you in Bridget Jones, but how the hell did she almost go for that floppy-haired schmuck instead of you??? Jeez, you're awfully cute. What are you nominated for? C: Best Supporting Actor in Conspiracy. J: You played a Nazi??? C: Yes, I played . . . J: I didn't realize they had cute Nazis! Go figure. And you speak so nicely you English guys--not like those Nazis, everything is ach! and ich! and uch!--oi, sounds like my cat trying to cough up a fur ball. Anyway, I hate Nazis--what they didn't do to my Uncle Morty! C: Sorry to hear that . . . J: Oh, Morty's ok. I was just thinking--what they didn't do to him! So, what are you wearing? C: Armani. J: Listen, we had an e-mail from a fan in Miami. She says your collar is too loose, and the tux isn't fitted properly. C: How would she know? I just got here! J: Maybe she's psychic. Anyway, who's this lovely lady with you? C: This is my wife, Livia. J: Hello, Olivia! You wait right here while we take a station break. We'll be right back, folks!"}, {"response": 534, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (16:01)", "body": "(Mari channeling Joan) J: Listen, we had an e-mail from a fan in Miami. She says your collar is too loose, and the tux isn't fitted properly. C: How would she know? I just got here! J: Maybe she's psychic. LOL!! Can't wait until Sunday. Maybe it'll be deja vu."}, {"response": 535, "author": "maryw", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (16:07)", "body": "Moon - when I clicked on your link to virtualkisses - this is the horoscope I got for MR FIRTH's bday... There you are ladies - you'll have a lot of fun taking this horoscope apart - I am sure the words are just too apt for all the themes that you have expounded on earlier today. Thanks all for the hysterically hilarious riotous bday party - but I missed waiting for someone to serve up the blue soup, the green gunge, the omellette and the marmalade. Maybe we can serve that up at the hang-over recovery tent in the morning. For 9/10/2001 If you ever wanted to intensify a relationship by sitting around coffee houses and bantering about the more subtle aspects of ethics and existentialism, now is the time to do it. Someone may be moved to tears by the clarity of your thought. You are sensual and sensitive."}, {"response": 536, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (16:14)", "body": "As the day wears on, I'm mellowing out... ;-)"}, {"response": 537, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (16:24)", "body": "ROTF...everybody. Hey KJ, don't get booted outta the library for overtime! (Minkee)Horoscope:\"Someone may be moved to tears by the clarity of your thought\" Dunno know about anybody else,but *I* was moved to tears by his IQ or (is it GQ?) interview I mean, 'like it's sooo' much worse than what happened to poor Uncle Morty!"}, {"response": 538, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (16:41)", "body": "ROTF, Mari. I should have known you write for Joan. ;-) Are her ears really in back of her head now? (Minkee)serve up...the omellette Can't make one. Lizza has the whisk."}, {"response": 539, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (16:48)", "body": "Would it be too much to wish for to have Colin \"let off some steam\" with Joan or Missy? ;-)"}, {"response": 540, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (16:51)", "body": "Have been away for a while but am glad to have caught up on all the prestigious awards CF has won: the GQ one and the 'P' one ;-). I couldn't let the day go by without wishing ODB a very happy 41st birthday. I found this horoscope and thought it quite good advice for our birthday boy. Your Daily Horoscope: September 10, 2001 by iVillage Astrologer, Kelli Fox Attention to detail is extremely important right now, Virgo. The Gemini Moon blows through your life like a wind across a stack of important papers. No problem is too small for you to stop everything and deal with. Forget about your own quality time, and make sure that nothing flies out the window. The basics require a lot more mind power than you've given them lately. As long as you keep in mind how important it is to build a solid foundation, you should be in good shape by nightfall. (our Moon is more a part of his life than she may have thought ;-) and I love the part that begins, \"Forget about your own quality time...\") Happy Birthday, Colin, we love you just as you are (or we wouldn't have so many fun things to talk about)!"}, {"response": 541, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (16:59)", "body": "(Boss)As the day wears on, I'm mellowing out... ;-) Well as long as we're getting \"marshmallo-dramatic\" HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COLIN YOU TAKE THE CAKE!!"}, {"response": 542, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (17:02)", "body": "The Gemini Moon blows through your life I tried to keep that a secret! Is is my fault if we're both ruled by Marcury? LOL!! Can't wait until Sunday. Maybe it'll be deja vu. After all this advice... Mari, I had been waiting for you, ROTF! I agree with Eileen, you do write for Joan."}, {"response": 543, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (17:07)", "body": "And my present for Colin this year is being shipped to his door as we type... The Computerized Boxing Workout Partner Say good-bye to stress! Punching SlamMan may be the ultimate stress buster. The SlamMan workout is so engrossing that you will quickly feel your frustrations and anger drain away. Better yet, you can hit SlamMan but he will never hit you back. Unique target lights help to dramtically improve your hand-eye coordination. Speed hitting the lights on SlamMan takes the same reflexes and corrdination as using speed bag. The SlamMan workout will definitely improve your reflexes and hand-eye coordination which, in turn, can really improve your tennis or golf game. SlamMan is going to become your all-time favorite workout. SlamMan offers just about everything you could ask for in a workout. You can get aerobic conditioning and major muscle toning spontaneously...just like a boxer. Plus, you naturally develop grace, reaction time and stamina. The SlamMan workout will not only help you look great, it will help you feel great. Hitting SlamMan is so invigorating and such a great stress reliever that you will feel totally energized. And best of all - SlamMan is right there whenever you're ready to slam. When it comes to workouts, SlamMan is totally unique. He's challenging, he's fun, he's friendly and he's incredibly effective. Your're going to love what SlamMan can do for you. There's nothing like SlamMan on the market anywhere. He's a completely original and incredibly effective way to train because... -He's durable. -You can hit him hard. -He tells you when and where to hit him by lighting up. -He's sensitive. -He's strong and silent. -He's adjustable. -SlamMan's mini-computer will keep you on your toes."}, {"response": 544, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (17:16)", "body": "LOL, Karen! Can he take a hint? Have some more champagne."}, {"response": 545, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (17:19)", "body": "Happy Birthday Colin! I just gave myself a birthday present by going to see BJD again. Loved it even more than firth time. Many happy returns of good films! Great party, ladies - as always :-)"}, {"response": 546, "author": "maryw", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (17:39)", "body": "Gi - me too. Saw it for the nth time but thought it was a most appropriate way to celebrate the bday. Still partying ladies (and gentlemen)??? A new day has dawned for me...and must off to work I go - I don't know why I can't just stay and put my head over where it should be after a hard day/night's partying like most normal people. anyway..carry on..."}, {"response": 547, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (17:52)", "body": "Time to go for me, too. Party hearty, ladies. *clink* More bubbly! Happy birthday, Colin! If pigs fly and hell freezes, we *might* just be celebrating something here before next September. Maybe. Possibly. Well, one can hope. ;-)"}, {"response": 548, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (18:34)", "body": "Hauoli Na Hanau Pakalana Lei This lei is one of the most outstanding leis ever created with (12) Rope Pakalana twined into one lei. It's lime green and light yellow flowers give you a very unique fragrance. Individual's use this lei for weddings or special occasions. Very fragrant."}, {"response": 549, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (19:15)", "body": "So many gifts, so many \"lessons.\" This has been the best party yet! We are ready to cut the cake so come this way and make sure you have plenty of Champagne. Cheers! Tanti auguri, tanti baci, tante cose buone!"}, {"response": 550, "author": "maryw", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (19:24)", "body": "When the bday candles have been blown out, the lights are dimmed, the party rubbish thrown out...here's a consolation party compliment to all those Down Under - I noticed that MLSF is showing at 3 am on Foxtel Showtime (urgh - no beauty sleep for a hangover-stricken partygoer). Thank you very much to all Firthettes for such an enjoyable virtual experience - I'm glad I overcame my shy-ness and de-lurked. See you next year. 3 cheers for our guy."}, {"response": 551, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (19:43)", "body": "I've had a lot of good laughs reading these posts. Thank you one and all. HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLIN, hope to see more next year."}, {"response": 552, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (20:12)", "body": "No party is complete without being lei'd by Marcia! ;-) Hey, that one looks like a wreath. Fortunately, our boy has broad enough shoulders to carry it off."}, {"response": 553, "author": "WinniePeg", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (20:23)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Colin!"}, {"response": 554, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (20:30)", "body": "Karen, Sweetie, I try to do my best by our Colin. Never let it be said I passed up the chance to lei the DB =)"}, {"response": 555, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (21:30)", "body": "Would it be too much to wish for to have Colin \"let off some steam\" with Joan or Missy? ;-) With pleasure.;-) \"Joan, would you please, please, please, please, please, just *ucking *uck off! This is the worst day of my life, Brian Cox is probably going to win the Emmy, and I really don't want to see you!\""}, {"response": 556, "author": "Anek", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (09:15)", "body": "Sorry, I missed such a wonderful party with a lot of virtual drinking and such useful kissing tips. But though I'm late I also have sth to say to someone who has a very special place in my heart Happy Belated Birthday COLIN! Many gripping scripts, enticing characters, main parts in blockbusters, comedy parts, overflow of awards, a lot of successes, and great happiness and excitement in your family life"}, {"response": 557, "author": "Anek", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (09:18)", "body": "........I really thought that 12 font is smaller."}, {"response": 558, "author": "maryw", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (09:44)", "body": "TO ALL OUR FRIENDS AT DROOL IN THE US (INCLUDING ODB WHO IS IN LAX, ISN'T HE?) FROM YOUR FRIENDS IN AUSTRALIA WE ARE THINKING AND PRAYING FOR YOU ALL DURING THIS HORRIBLE MOMENT IN HISTORY. TAKE CARE ALL OF YOU!!! GOD BLESS ALL OF US!!"}, {"response": 559, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (09:49)", "body": "Thank, this is the worst day of my life in the US. Our nation is under seige. More reports in the news conference."}, {"response": 560, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (10:44)", "body": "This is beyond words. What a nightmare, what a senseless, terrible crime. My thoughts are with the poor innocent victims and their families and friends. I send my heartfelt condolences from Germany to America, and say with Minkee: Take care all of you."}, {"response": 561, "author": "dianespeir", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (15:46)", "body": "I heard on the TV that the Emmys have been canceled. I called BAFTA/LA to learn whether the Donovan Quick presenters had been accounted for, but only got their voice mail. Can anyone at Drool confirm ODB's safe location and post it? Thanks for the condolences from abroad. Federal buildings have been closed in this part of the midwest and people are glued to their TVs. However, I have gotten the most detailed information from the last topic at this site posted by Paul Terry W, so appreciate his efforts."}, {"response": 562, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (10:28)", "body": "(Diane) Can anyone at Drool confirm ODB's safe location and post it? Doubt if ODBB (our dear birthday boy) was LA-bound via Boston yesterday a.m. Doubt even further that he was in lower Manhattan. I'm sure he's safe."}, {"response": 563, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (11:05)", "body": "Ok, I hope this is where you post boat names.. LOL Il Pecked di Gallina: The Henpecked La Madre Pu\ufffd io: The Mother-May-I Il Giro Intorno: The Turnaround La Commedia Romantica: The Romantic Comedy Il Dodger di Dramma: The Drama Dodger Il Sordo e Muto: The Deaf and Dumb Il Puppy Frullato: The Whipped Puppy Il Si Caro: The Yes Dear The Emasculate Conception Liv's Lobotomy Ok, there's ten.. (snickering)"}, {"response": 564, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (11:12)", "body": "Il Puppy Frullato: The Whipped Puppy Il Si Caro: The Yes Dear The Emasculate Conception *hee hee hee* Good ones."}, {"response": 565, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (11:37)", "body": "Il Sordo e Muto: The Deaf and Dumb LOL!!! Il Pecked di Gallina: The Henpecked Il Puppy Frullato: The Whipped Puppy The Emasculate Conception Ouch! The Emasculate Conception Cute."}, {"response": 566, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (11:48)", "body": "LOL! I like them all but we must make realistic. The Costa family need to approve it. ;-) My DH would suggest: Il Cornuto: the Cuckold. ;-) Keep those suggestions coming. :-D"}, {"response": 567, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (12:12)", "body": "Il Si Caro: The Yes Dear The Emasculate Conception ROTFLMAO, Jeanie! The only one I could possibly add would be : Il Pussi de Whippa. ;-)"}, {"response": 568, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (12:19)", "body": "LOL! I bow to your knowlege, Ms. Moon. It was just feeble guessing on my part! LOL! I couldn't resist, though. ;) Hmmmm... what does \"Cornuto\" mean?"}, {"response": 569, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (12:22)", "body": "Oh.. nevermind.. you were translating.. DUH.. \"The Cuckold\".. sometimes.. ok, most of the time, I'm really thick! Mari, \"Il Pussy Ha Frullato\" was one of my earlier considerations, but I didn't want to offend more than I already have! ROFL!"}, {"response": 570, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (12:54)", "body": "Il Si Caro: The Yes Dear The Emasculate Conception Il Pussi de Whippa My favorites so far! :-) All I could come up with was \"Per Favore Mas Amore\""}, {"response": 571, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (13:02)", "body": "Il Pussi de Whippa.....big LOL Il Si Caro.....nice ring to it Well done ladies!"}, {"response": 572, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (13:03)", "body": "Slight variation: Il Pussi con una fusta"}, {"response": 573, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (14:16)", "body": "Il Si Caro My overall favorite, but running a close second.... Il Pussi de Whippa"}, {"response": 574, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (14:49)", "body": "il idiot del villaggio"}, {"response": 575, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (14:52)", "body": "(Karen)Slight variation: Il Pussi con una fusta Zoinks, my translation must be WAY OFF... Please define, \"Il Goddess di Colinary Alletta\". ;) \"Il Si Caro\" is my favorite, too.. rolls right off the tongue. However, I'll go see if I can stir up some more. =P"}, {"response": 576, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (15:04)", "body": "my translation must be WAY OFF I'm using altavista's translator for the \"con una fusta\" part."}, {"response": 577, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (15:12)", "body": "il idiot del villaggio Il idioto del villaggio a masturbatorio ;-) Does this thread remind anyone of Opera Man, one of Adam Sandler's SNL characters? LOL!"}, {"response": 578, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (15:24)", "body": "ROTF, Mari!!! Il Si Caro I like it. It should be Il Si Cara. Which has a double meaning of \"Yes, dear\", and \"Be so kind as to\" and we can all finish that sentence. ;-)))"}, {"response": 579, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (16:00)", "body": "See, I knew I was wasting my time taking French in high school. Should have taken Italian instead."}, {"response": 580, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (16:21)", "body": "il baggato (the joker)Doesn't mean anything, just the name of a restaurant in Rome that I went to. Sorry, but my Italian is lacking and my class doesn't begin until the 17th. I was feeling left out. (Moon)\"Be so kind as to\" and we can all finish that sentence. ;-))) ...Get out of my vicolo(sp?)I could think of a few others to end that sentence, but I don't want to get kicked off by the boss just before the big day."}, {"response": 581, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (17:43)", "body": "LOL, Mari! Il che i Mancando Testicoli: The Missing Testicles (yeah, I know, too long) L'attore di Neutered : The Neutered Actor... LOL! Il Dolore nel Come: The Pain in the Ass La Giovanna, me prende via da questa cosa matta: (laughing) The Jane Get Me Off This Crazy Thing! (singing ala Adam Sandler).. \"Opera Man... bye-BYEEEEEEE! (waving hanky)"}, {"response": 582, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (17:57)", "body": "Il Dolore nel Come: The Pain in the Ass According to my DB, this is my boat...LOL"}, {"response": 583, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (17:58)", "body": "See? Closing I hope"}, {"response": 584, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (18:19)", "body": "Can we all just PLEASE,PLEASE,PLEASE get back to English? I think I meant il viale-what does vicolo mean anyway?"}, {"response": 585, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (18:26)", "body": "(Linda) I think I meant il viale-what does vicolo mean anyway? alley. Not sure if that's good for you or not, depending on what the word \"alley\" means to you ;-)"}, {"response": 586, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (18:31)", "body": "(Linda) Can we all just PLEASE,PLEASE,PLEASE get back to English? Typical American. ;-)"}, {"response": 587, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (18:44)", "body": "ROTFLOL! *wiping tear away* i cant pick a favorite -i'm laughing to hard! :-D"}, {"response": 588, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (18:52)", "body": "(Dorine)Not sure if that's good for you or not, depending on what the word \"alley\" means to you ;-) For me, cara, it means: Out of my way(vicolo). I'm coming through."}, {"response": 589, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (20:29)", "body": "(Linda) Can we all just PLEASE,PLEASE,PLEASE get back to English? I have just spent a fun-filled hour translating English to Italian, and then back from Italian to English, on some free translation website. LOL! Nothing means what it was supposed to mean. For instance, \"Ho un mal di testa\" was supposed to mean \"I have a headache\" but translated back as \"the evil says head.\" I tried \"You are getting sleepy,\" which was \"lei prendono addormentato,\" but that translated back as \"she take gone to sleep.\" I've decided to stick with English, or let others do the translating. ;-)"}, {"response": 590, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (21:08)", "body": "(Mari)Does this thread remind anyone of Opera Man, one of Adam Sandler's SNL characters? LOL! ROTFLOL!!! I was thinking the same thing and then read your words! Still LOL! So who needs Italian, when you can do it Opera Man style: Mr. Darcy...(pic of Fitzwilliam in upper right) Mr. Darcy... Women liked him in wet shirta But with good roles, he's a flirta! He not so younga anymora, So some roles he must ignora. He listen to his Dottaressa (sp.?) Or his marriage in distressa (Louder)Puts his careera in a messa!!! (feel free to add more;-)"}, {"response": 591, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (21:52)", "body": "I was trying, I really was. I was gonna behave but Lora....OMG, He not so younga anymora, So some roles he must ignora. It's too good....:::wiping away tears:::::"}, {"response": 592, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (22:00)", "body": "(Lora) He listen to his Dottaressa (sp.?) Or his marriage in distressa (Louder)Puts his careera in a messa!!! Ok, I just wet my pants and spewed coke out my nose.. sheesh, and you girls said I couldn't multitask!"}, {"response": 593, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (22:05)", "body": "Lora! I had just gotten off the floor, up to my knees after reading Lisa's knock, knock joke, read this, and landed back on the floor LMAO!! I think the Tootsie Roll I was eating came out of my nose!"}, {"response": 594, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (22:16)", "body": "LOL! Great one, Lora. And I can't even stand Adam Sandler...though Opera Man was an exception."}, {"response": 595, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (22:27)", "body": "LORA! Post a warning before you do something so funny! I laughed so loudly that the cat ran out of my office! That was much better than any of the songs Sandler actually did on SNL. I just got caught up on posts at 163, and I have Jack Jones crooning in my head. Am suddenly seeing Colin as Gopher, wonder how he'd look in shorts and knee sox? (Jeanie)The Emasculate Conception LOL, but is that possible????????"}, {"response": 596, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Aug 30, 2002 (07:27)", "body": "LOL, Lora, I never saw AS do Opera Man but that was brilliant!"}, {"response": 597, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Aug 30, 2002 (08:06)", "body": "He listen to his Dottaressa (sp.?) Or his marriage in distressa (Louder)Puts his careera in a messa!!! LMAOPIMP! Waving a white hankie at you, Lora! This is *so* funny--you've nailed it perfectly. Here he is, ladies--and check out the pic of Hillary & Bill--LOL, I've been scooped! http://adamsandler.jt.org/andrea/SNL/opera/operaman.htm"}, {"response": 598, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 30, 2002 (08:10)", "body": "Incredible! El Presidente es pusso whip-ah. Have we got talented people here or what? ;-)"}, {"response": 599, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Aug 30, 2002 (12:47)", "body": "No matta how his fans may wisha He no like to do da kissa Droolers think some tongua mora Make de love scenes less a bora"}, {"response": 600, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Aug 30, 2002 (14:22)", "body": "(Kathy F)He no like to do da kissa I like it! May I suggest a slight revision? He no allowa do da kissa or LD say no do da kissa (Perhaps a sub theme of the party could be a collectively written aria?) Thanks for the link, Mari. That brought back memories or scandals past. I'm surprised OM never did a Monica aria."}, {"response": 601, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Aug 30, 2002 (15:27)", "body": "(Mari)I've been scooped! No way, Mari, you are my comedic inspiration! (Kathy)No matta how his fans may wisha He no like to do da kissa Droolers think some tongua mora Make de love scenes less a bora I love it! Well done, Kathy! (Kate)He no allowa do da kissa or LD say no do da kissa (Perhaps a sub theme of the party could be a collectively written aria?) I love this too, what a great idea for the party, Kate! Thanks for the link to OM, Mari. Wonder if Hillary and Livia have ever met? ;-)"}, {"response": 602, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Aug 30, 2002 (15:39)", "body": "Droolers think some tongua mora Make de love scenes less a bora LOL, Kathy--great stuff! You ladies have really gotten into the spirit of things.:-) (Lora)Wonder if Hillary and Livia have ever met? ;-) Actually, they have! Hillary came to the NYC premiere of Shakespeare in Love, as did Colin and Livia. According to the press reports, Hillary mingled with the cast at a pre-premiere party at one of the posh midtown hotels. I know we have pics somewhere . . . Anyway, sounds like maybe they compared notes? ;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 603, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Aug 30, 2002 (20:38)", "body": "Oh, gee whiz, Kathy you're killing me! LOL! Ok, here's my first tribute to \"Opera Man\": (borrowing shamefully from Adam Sandler) Liv con bambino Darce es el dad-doh Con-cep-tionee Itssah bologna!! No Tes-tos-te-rone-oh No Grande Stiff-oh Papa's Gonnad-ohs In Mama's Purse-oh!!!!!!!!! (waving hanky madly) Opera Man.. Bye BYEEEEEEEEeeeeee!!"}, {"response": 604, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Aug 30, 2002 (21:19)", "body": "Papa's Gonnad-ohs In Mama's Purse-oh!! ROTFLOL Jeanie! My face hurts from laughing. Molto bene!"}, {"response": 605, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 30, 2002 (21:49)", "body": "Tears rolling down my cheeks. Boss say Byeeeeeeeee!!"}, {"response": 606, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 31, 2002 (09:56)", "body": "[ to the tune of Dino's \"Amore\"] Tongua mora ... Make de love scenes.. less a bora ROTF...Lora...Kathy...Better watch out... youse gonna get in trouble with The Apologists. Good thing we're hiding out on #110 ;-))"}, {"response": 607, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Aug 31, 2002 (11:55)", "body": "(Lora) So who needs Italian, when you can do it Opera Man style So funny and clever. How about: (Louder)Puts his careera in a messa!!! Now it needs alot of pepsa. (Kathy) No matta how his fans may wisha He no like to do da kissa Droolers think some tongua mora Make de love scenes less a bora So funny: How about: Fans they like so much more nessy But he want to stay a dressy Da Bossa Lady \"you must behave\" \"Si Cara Mia whatever you say.\" Good stuff ladies. Il Si Caro: The Yes Dear The Emasculate Conception Il Pussi de Whippa My favorites too."}, {"response": 608, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Aug 31, 2002 (21:24)", "body": "...And who said, There are no real poets anymore? Thanks, Lora and Kathy. I'm determined to add some lines to this before the weekend is up. How about right now... So now he no do-a the drama Causa the wife says only rom-comma The fans they sure hope-a He no be a dope-a"}, {"response": 609, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Sep  1, 2002 (11:02)", "body": "Should read rom-com-a Sorry, but one must be critical of one's own work."}, {"response": 610, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Sep  1, 2002 (16:02)", "body": "Phew! Y'all have been busy this weekend while I've been away! Lora, Jeanie, everybody - well, I just woke DH up from his nap because I was up here laughing so hard. I'll tell him it's your fault! So are we moving away from ocean liners and towards Italian songs as our theme? Though I suppose as long as it's an Italian ocean liner we can do both...."}, {"response": 611, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep  1, 2002 (16:20)", "body": "as long as it's an Italian ocean liner we can do both.... It works for me! ;-) We should each bring a song as a gift."}, {"response": 612, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sun, Sep  1, 2002 (20:11)", "body": "Oh no, shades of Dean Martin."}, {"response": 613, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Sep  1, 2002 (22:19)", "body": "Yup, that's the song that's been going through my mind all evening."}, {"response": 614, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep  2, 2002 (11:37)", "body": "I don't know what came over me! Did I say song?! Heavens, no! I meant poem. Everyone bring a poem. It can be something as silly as: actor tractor crushing roles"}, {"response": 615, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  2, 2002 (11:57)", "body": "*shuddering* (Noooooooooooo!!!)"}, {"response": 616, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Sep  2, 2002 (12:06)", "body": "Let's not and say we didn't ;-)"}, {"response": 617, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep  2, 2002 (13:50)", "body": "OK, so I'm outvoted, still. Heehee. There once was an actor named Colin Who didn't like his name to be calling But what's in a name said Will Shakespeare When what really counts is not letting the signora ignora the actor named Colin forevermore. Now I will stop. ;-)"}, {"response": 618, "author": "airstream", "date": "Wed, Sep  4, 2002 (18:38)", "body": "(Howl/Ginsburg) I saw the best minds of my generation turned by breeches, boots knee high, diving head first into a lake in white shirt trying to cool off, levelheaded women hoping for a glimpse of short socked white ankle, running up stairs, ................................feel free to continue"}, {"response": 619, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Sep  4, 2002 (21:02)", "body": "...gasping at long, sensual fingers touching a gloved hand, dark eyes glaring, smoldering in love, anger, frustration"}, {"response": 620, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Sep  4, 2002 (22:31)", "body": "You guys are too much! From Sandler to Ginsburg? Where to we go from here? ;-) Can't wait for the big bash. You ladies are so clever and CF seems to inspire us to recite in many poetic genres. (I was thinking today how Opera Man's hair could work for CF's hair for GWAPE ;-) - it's just like the hair of the Dutch Masters on the top of a cigar box!)"}, {"response": 621, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Sep  4, 2002 (23:22)", "body": "Just checking in to see how the decorating is going for the big day. Only 5 days left now. You all are very creative and it has been good reading."}, {"response": 622, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Sep  4, 2002 (23:40)", "body": "...eyes sparkling and questionning dimpled cheeks rosely flushed hair wet and curly lips quivering.... tall and stately grace abounding the smile that melts my heart the man of my dreams..."}, {"response": 623, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  4, 2002 (23:59)", "body": "Why is there poetry here? Sorry, but when I read that psychological profilers consider poetry and underwear the two scariest things that can be sent to a person from an admirer or fan, I haven't exactly encouraged that kind of thing here. Now, Opera Man's humorous arias were different IMO."}, {"response": 624, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Sep  5, 2002 (11:58)", "body": "(Karen)psychological profilers consider poetry and underwear the two scariest things that can be sent to a person from an admirer or fan POETRY? The underwear, I understand. That would be a creepy thing to receive. But poetry? That's a surprise. I hope the Fibbies haven't been monitoring this site. Moon, still laughing over actor/tractor rhyme. Am picturing Colin as Jess, driving his John Deere across the field to pick up Jessica Lange..."}, {"response": 625, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep  5, 2002 (14:39)", "body": "LOL, Kate! Just checking in to see how the decorating is going for the big day. Only 5 days left now. The cases of champagne have arrived! Am working on setting up a Martini Bar by the pool. The Costa group have given us a choice of chefs, I have picked one from the Liguria region (hint, hint, Karen), we will have lots of lobsters, focaccia, and trenette al pesto. The freshest sushi will part of the aperitivo. Of course, we will have plenty of flavors of gelato, including mango. Which flavor do you think Colin might prefer? ;-)"}, {"response": 626, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Sep  5, 2002 (17:59)", "body": "(Karen) I read that psychological profilers consider poetry and underwear the two scariest things that can be sent to a person from an admirer or fan, I haven't exactly encouraged that kind of thing here. Gosh, I hope that the wearing of underwear while posting on Drool isn't discouraged as well! 8-D (Though given that I'm at work right now, that would certainly add spice to my day.)"}, {"response": 627, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  5, 2002 (19:41)", "body": "(Rika) I hope that the wearing of underwear while posting on Drool isn't discouraged as well! 8-D Wrong again. Basic attire for Drool reading and writing is no underwear. ;-)"}, {"response": 628, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Sep  5, 2002 (19:46)", "body": "(Rika) I hope that the wearing of underwear while posting on Drool isn't discouraged as well! 8-D (Karen) Wrong again. Basic attire for Drool reading and writing is no underwear. ;-) That goes for *everyone* right, including YKW?"}, {"response": 629, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  5, 2002 (20:05)", "body": "YKM, I'm an equal opportunity employer. ;-)"}, {"response": 630, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Sep  5, 2002 (21:15)", "body": "(Karen) Wrong again. Basic attire for Drool reading and writing is no underwear I am confused. Do I need to take off the rest of my underwear (bra goes as soon as I get home) and then wear something else (robe, sweats, T-shirt), or do I just take off everything??? I don't want to break any Drool rules!"}, {"response": 631, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Sep  5, 2002 (21:25)", "body": "Shouldn't we celebrate his b'day in our birthday suits. Seems only fitting ;-D"}, {"response": 632, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Sep  5, 2002 (21:54)", "body": "Well everyone, much as I hate to consider it, I may not be able to attend the one party for Colin I wouldn't have to attend surreptitiously. Work is calling me to Los Angeles for a weeklong meeting and it will be unlikely that I will have much time to check in. :-( You know how they love to fill *every* minute of your time. Sheesh!...just because they pay for everything they think I'm their slave. :-P My luggage is quite full now, so no room to bring presents with me. I was so looking forward to partying hardy! So please have lots of chardonnay and champagne for me....that way I'll be able to stand up and walk a straight line the next morning this time ;-D."}, {"response": 633, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  6, 2002 (10:54)", "body": "Mango gelato is fine with me, Moon. Makes you want to pucker up. ;-) Oh no, Dorine!!! It's not fair. Excuse yourself from the meeting, saying you have much more important business to attend to (*air smooch air smooch*) and will have your people get in touch with their people to set something up later. ;-) Am mixing up a batch of mojitos for the big day."}, {"response": 634, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep  6, 2002 (16:45)", "body": "Am mixing up a batch of mojitos for the big day. I'll have one now, TYVM! ;-) Dorine, dear, you must find a solution!!! The boat will not stop over in LA long enough to wait, you must come on board at the right time."}, {"response": 635, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Sep  6, 2002 (18:16)", "body": "(Dorine)Shouldn't we celebrate his b'day in our birthday suits. Seems only fitting ;-D LOL, and you have the nerve to say I pick out the risque stuff. (Dorine)That goes for *everyone* right, including YKW? It better go for YKW! (Karen)Wrong again. Basic attire for Drool reading and writing is no underwear. ;-) Suppose we're posting from work? Then wot? I start Monday-need advice v. soon. BTW,Moon, I love hazlenut gelato, can we have some of that too? Since DORINE is leaving, Rika and I will bring the coffees and lattes. We'll make sure they are v. frothy and tangy! We'll save you some, Ms.Executive.*snif*"}, {"response": 636, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Sep  6, 2002 (18:18)", "body": "Uh, that should read hazelnut. Still looks wrong. Anyway I still like it"}, {"response": 637, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sat, Sep  7, 2002 (11:03)", "body": "Ok, so in keeping with my ethnic background, I'm gonna bring fried chicken, tea cakes and goo-goo clusters. (grinning) That's about as fancy as it gets here, so hopefully that will suffice. Besides, I don't condone eating anything that I can pronounce. (grinning) (Karen)(Karen)Wrong again. Basic attire for Drool reading and writing is no underwear. ;-) Ok.. but, I can still where YKW's underwear on my head, right?"}, {"response": 638, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  8, 2002 (11:08)", "body": ""}, {"response": 639, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep  8, 2002 (14:31)", "body": "Attention Firthettes!!! Join us on board the \"Si Cara\" on Tuesday September 10th for a \"Turn the Ship Around\" inspired Birthday Party for our dearest loveliest boy wonder, Colin Firth. And remember, all hands on deck. ;-)"}, {"response": 640, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Sun, Sep  8, 2002 (15:27)", "body": "The Observer Magazine If it's your birthday this week...(I'm just ignoring the fact that Huge Gnat's picture is below this) Sure, you've had a pasting this year but you've survived the Pluto-Saturn dust storm to tell the tale and, with any luck, passed 'Go' and collected \ufffd200. Pluto, the planet that wants power at any price, remains active in your chart for months yet, so issues surrounding autonomy are not going away. Since you are a nice-guy Virgo, you know better than to act like a power-crazed idiot. If you're dealing with one, negotiate. Relocation, if you seek it, is favoured in the next six months."}, {"response": 641, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Sep  8, 2002 (17:30)", "body": "Beautiful colors Karen!! Thanks for the horoscope, Emma."}, {"response": 642, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Sep  8, 2002 (17:30)", "body": ""}, {"response": 643, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Sep  8, 2002 (21:07)", "body": "(Moon)And remember, all hands on deck. ;-), The whole time? geeze."}, {"response": 644, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  8, 2002 (22:17)", "body": "In case anybody wants to know, the official celebration starts on 10 Sept at midnight BDT (not GMT). Adjust your clocks accordingly."}, {"response": 645, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  8, 2002 (23:18)", "body": "And, ladies, the party invites have been sent out: http://www.firth.com Lots of last minute presents to pick up...plus the cake!! Liquor store already made its delivery so am all set up (looking for jar of olives). ;-)"}, {"response": 646, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Sep  9, 2002 (00:20)", "body": "v. clever, Karen! My first CF birthday party.... I'm so excited, no wonder I can't sleep!"}, {"response": 647, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Sep  9, 2002 (00:46)", "body": "Whew! Managed to slip out for a few minutes.... (Moon) And remember, all hands on deck. ;-) Is that the only place hands can go? ;-P Thanks Rika and Linda, my latte buddies, for picking up the slack for me with the coffee and lattes. :) Back to the grind....*sniff, sniff*....."}, {"response": 648, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Sep  9, 2002 (00:53)", "body": "Hang on Karen! You're going to make me calculate from Aussie time to BDT???? ***Sigh....*** (Moon) And remember, all hands on deck You don't mean Colin's hands too?"}, {"response": 649, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Mon, Sep  9, 2002 (06:19)", "body": "Hmmmm... I'm gonna just assume, since I am the ignorant hillbilly of this group, that \"BDT\" would be London time. If I am wrong in that assumption, please do clear up my confusion as best you can. (grinning) So, let's see, (looking at clock and adding six hours) that it's lunch time in the land of Colin. hmmmm.. (attempting to decide whether or not to take dramamine and risk falling asleep during Linda's naked macarena, or just throw caution, as well as the contents of my stomach, to the wind and attempt to overcome my sea sickness.. hmmm.. very risky)"}, {"response": 650, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Sep  9, 2002 (09:54)", "body": "(Dorine) Thanks Rika and Linda, my latte buddies, for picking up the slack for me with the coffee and lattes. :) Dorine, I assure you, we've been making diligent preparations for the event all weekend. We even made an acquisition to ensure that our coffee service would have the level of professionalism required by the occasion."}, {"response": 651, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep  9, 2002 (09:58)", "body": "Virgo, you know better than to act like a power-crazed idiot. If you're dealing with one, negotiate. Relocation, if you seek it, is favoured in the next six months. ROTFLOL! Si, cara (Moon) And remember, all hands on deck. ;-) (Dorine),Is that the only place hands can go? ;-P (Linda), The whole time? geeze. (Lisa), You don't mean Colin's hands too? Heehee, I get him first. ;-) There is that old story of kissing lessons. ;-) Yeah, Karen! Love the invite! Colin has actually taken over the Bucket. :-D"}, {"response": 652, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  9, 2002 (10:09)", "body": "(Moon) Colin has actually taken over the Bucket. :-D He has always been The Bucket since Day 1 for the cognoscenti ;-)"}, {"response": 653, "author": "maryw", "date": "Mon, Sep  9, 2002 (12:14)", "body": "Karen/Moon - I will plead ignorance of \"BDT\" and add that like Dorine I am also tied to a grindstone with the proverbial tyrannical master at the wheel, so as as this may be my only chance to send my greetings today and as it is already long past midnight Down here, I will be the first one at the docks/pier to celebrate the \"Turn the Ship Around birthday party\" Dear Colin I have but a simple bunch of flowers and heartfelt wishes for you. Alas - I will not be able to stay for your party as duty calls for me to be someplace else... but wait! I do have a proxy to help you and my sister firthettes to turn that ship around Happy Birthday, Caro!"}, {"response": 654, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Mon, Sep  9, 2002 (14:25)", "body": "3 hours & 40 minutes to go!!! (slathering on sunscreen)"}, {"response": 655, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Mon, Sep  9, 2002 (18:15)", "body": "Happy 42nd Birthday, M'DEAR!!! Whooo-hooooo!!!"}, {"response": 656, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Sep  9, 2002 (19:08)", "body": "So very clever Minkee. Karen WONDERFUL Bucket page. You are so very, very talented. HAPPY, HAPPY, BIRTHDAY, MR. WONDERFUL!!!! THANK YOU FOR SO VERY MANY HOURS OF PLEASURE AND ENTERTAINEMENT. PAM"}, {"response": 657, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Sep  9, 2002 (19:13)", "body": "Thanks for the picture, how very yummy! And to Colin, the author of our feast (the main course at our feast?!) Happy Birthday!"}, {"response": 658, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Sep  9, 2002 (19:18)", "body": "It's well past midnight here in the UK, so I'd like to wish ODB a very happy 42nd birthday.:hug"}, {"response": 659, "author": "dalec", "date": "Mon, Sep  9, 2002 (19:30)", "body": "Happy Brithday Colin!"}, {"response": 660, "author": "dalec", "date": "Mon, Sep  9, 2002 (19:31)", "body": "Sorry can't type, one more time, Happy Birthday Colin!"}, {"response": 661, "author": "airstream", "date": "Mon, Sep  9, 2002 (19:54)", "body": "Happy Birthday Mr. Firth!"}, {"response": 662, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Sep  9, 2002 (19:55)", "body": ""}, {"response": 663, "author": "airstream", "date": "Mon, Sep  9, 2002 (19:57)", "body": "this is the picture i wanted to use, but it doesn't seem to work! alas. cheers anyway! ttp://www.eeyoreshideaway.com/eeyore/cgi/index.pl?file=display_image&id=6"}, {"response": 664, "author": "airstream", "date": "Mon, Sep  9, 2002 (19:57)", "body": "http://www.eeyoreshideaway.com/eeyore/cgi/index.pl?file=display_image&id=6"}, {"response": 665, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Sep  9, 2002 (20:01)", "body": "OOOPS. My first ODB birthday celebration, and I forget the two most important things. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COLIN, dahling. Please don't get too tired with the kissing lessons. There's lots more to come. and to close the tags! am v. excited."}, {"response": 666, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  9, 2002 (20:40)", "body": "Reposting Linda's from above: (Dorine)Is that the only place hands can go? ;-P See what I mean, Dorine. (Jeanie)or just throw caution, as well as the contents of my stomach, to the wind and attempt to overcome my sea sickness.. hmmm.. very risky) Make sure you throw it to the wind. Who said I'm doing the Macarena nekid? I only do that in Morocco."}, {"response": 667, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  9, 2002 (21:02)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLIN!!!!"}, {"response": 668, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep  9, 2002 (21:29)", "body": "Happy # 42 Colin! Our lovely boat the \"Si Cara\" has just picked me up. http://www.charterauction.com/images/GlobalExpress.gif And if I'm here, you know we must be in the tanti baci Heading to the Martini Bar. Your gifts will be delivered much later. Ciao tesoro, a pi\ufffd tardi. :-D Auguri di cuore!"}, {"response": 669, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep  9, 2002 (21:30)", "body": "This was my port of departure, lucky me!"}, {"response": 670, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  9, 2002 (21:36)", "body": "We're waiting for you, Moon: I've already ordered for you *hic* Colin is going to have to catch up quickly. ;-)"}, {"response": 671, "author": "meg", "date": "Mon, Sep  9, 2002 (22:42)", "body": "Some day I'll have something half as clever as the rest of you to say here, but for now, I'll just have to settle for Happy Birthday Colin! :)"}, {"response": 672, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Sep  9, 2002 (22:43)", "body": "(Jeanie) or just throw caution, as well as the contents of my stomach, to the wind and attempt to overcome my sea sickness.. hmmm.. very risky You weren't supposed to eat all that food by yourself -- you were supposed to share the fried chicken, tea cakes and goo-goo clusters! I don't think CF is awake yet. Perhaps Lisa should sneak into his bedroom and blow a noisemaker right in his ear. Startled, he'd probably jump right up out of the bed, and who knows what Lisa could report to us?! ;-)"}, {"response": 673, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (00:29)", "body": "Happy birthday, Colin! Now, dahling, listen to the cruise directors here at Drool. We'll be offering good wishes and a little birthday advice, too. As a veteran of many cruises, I can tell you that arts and crafts time on the Si Cara will be LOTS of fun. So, relax, enjoy the waves, and here's a little something to help you get ready for your role in GWAPE."}, {"response": 674, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (00:46)", "body": ""}, {"response": 675, "author": "Odile", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (01:24)", "body": "Have a great birthday Colin! And stay away from Richard Simmons on the Si Cara And how about some French lessons: Bonjour! Je m'appelle Colin Firth. J'ai quarante-deux ans et aujourd'hui c'est mon anniversaire. :) Come on to the lower deck for costuming and non-verbal French..."}, {"response": 676, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (01:45)", "body": "Wanted to drop this off while I have a moment, to help ensure the Si Caro makes its turn toward Dramaland.... As I'm unable to stay to navigate myself, I'm leaving my trusted assistant Michelangelo with this sextant in the event the shipboard computers malfunction."}, {"response": 677, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (02:03)", "body": "Had time at lunch to run out for a few small decorations"}, {"response": 678, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (02:58)", "body": "Just before my dinner meeting, I had time to sneak out to get your present. I thought you could use this to help you prepare for any roles as a mute, deaf or otherwise, you may look for that I'd be willing to bet would bring you the big awards and recognition you deserve. When we meet again at your next premiere in NYC, I'll quiz you to see how well you picked up the sign language and tutor you if needed. You appear so good with your hands in other activities, I'd guess you wouldn't have a problem with this. But just in case, I'll bring my teaching assistants, Rika and Linda to help us out. I bet eight hands could be more fun and educational than 4. Happy, Happy 42nd Birthday, Colin! Thank you for the variety of entertainment you've brought to all of us. You just keep getting better and better!"}, {"response": 679, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (04:18)", "body": "OMG\ufffd.!!!!!!!!! I got hungry when I was at work in North London today and could not contain myself. Gasp! I saw this great cake on the counter. Sob! I couldn\ufffdt hold back. Blast! I ate over half of Colin\ufffds Birthday cake! (I am a bad bad girl! I deserved to be spanked!) Now, I must replace this before the big \"do\" tonight. What would Colin prefer????? Strawberries???? Humm, could be fun eating it! A Mocha Ice Cream Cake???? Possibly, he could get his caffeine hit! Oh , but what about chocolate???? Perhaps\ufffd.. I\ufffdll run out to the bakery now and see what I can find!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 680, "author": "WinniePeg", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (05:51)", "body": "Have a Happy Birthday, Colin!!!!"}, {"response": 681, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (07:04)", "body": ""}, {"response": 682, "author": "chili", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (07:21)", "body": "Attenzione!!!!! Reading this parody may cause tea and coffee spewing, coke spraying, or even wine spurting. It may make you choke with laughter, or even want to choke us! It might remind you of certain people whose names you would never want to hear associated with ODB ever again. And you might want to have a bottle of Windex and some paper towels handy before you begin. Go ahead and get them, we will wait. All set? OK, then. Andiamo! Nightmare in North London: A Trilogy The Nightmare Begins The fine mist of a salty sea breeze smacked Colin straight in the face. He sat up and looked around in confusion, shouting, \"What the hell is going on?\" The bed seemed to have turned into a boat, one that was rocking and rolling from an entirely different activity than one might think. The waves lifted up the bow, which was inscribed S.S. Si Caro, then let it crash down with a splash as the crests disappeared. He shook his wife furiously to wake her up. \"We\ufffdre out on the high seas!\" \"Si, si, I know! We go out for the Indian food to celebrate il compleanno, your birthday. You know the restaurant, she has the candles on the tables.\" Why is she dressed in a sea captain's uniform? He looked down and saw that he was dressed in his own Sunday best. \"Give me that spyglass,\" he insisted, and took it from her. \"This boat isn\ufffdt going to the restaurant! We're setting a course straight home,\" he yelled. \"And now I\ufffdm craving some turkey curry!\" He wore a decided pout on his handsome face. As the boat docked beside their front door, Mary Elizabeth jumped out from behind the shrubbery with a brightly wrapped package in her hand and shouted, \"Happy birthday, old friend, I brought you something patriotic.\" She saluted him grandly, which looked very silly since she was in a rather odd costume. Oh boy, a fancy dress party! Colin ripped open her gift to discover a Union Jack folded neatly within. The sea seemed to have disappeared, revealing a crew of workmen, who were busily digging a hole in the middle of his front garden. He watched in disbelief as they poured a concrete base and inserted an 8-metre tall flagpole into the hole. He gave the workmen the flag to hoist, and saluted smartly as it was raised. His wife and their unexpected guest laughed as they went into the house arm in arm. He trailed along behind, and noticed his wife had changed from her sailor suit into white go-go boots and a mini skirt. I wonder if those come in my size? His own clothes seemed to have changed, too. Oh lord, not the codpiece. Well, I guess this means we aren\ufffdt going out to eat! His front door swung open to reveal an entrance packed with people. \"Happy Birthday, Mr. Darcy!\" They blinked in surprise when they saw what he was wearing and shouted, \"Happy Birthday, Count Wessex!\" The room was filled with old friends, all in fancy dress. So touched was he that he sniffled with emotion. The rich aromas of Italian food were coming from the kitchen, and the Chianti and Lambrusco were flowing. Damn! Not Italian food again! Before he could go any further, Mikey fought his way through the crowd, carrying the tail of his rat costume. \"Colin buddy! Another year older! I didn\ufffdt really know what to get you,\" he said, wiggling his whiskers in a most ratlike way. Binder put his tail in Colin\ufffds hand, then saw his mistake and quickly exchanged it for a rope. He leaned in and whispered confidentially, \"Let\ufffds talk later. I\ufffdve got the hottest project yet! You'll want first crack at this one. It's called \ufffdThe Story of Coach Muto.\ufffd It's about a mute who's so crude he turns all the women off, but winds up with a tall blonde anyway. Your gestures will make the film.\" He walked away swinging his tail, and Colin looked down at the rope he was holding. It was attached to a goat that was staring at him blandly and chewing on a copy of yesterday\ufffds Mirror. \"A goat?\" he wondered aloud. His wife came up and said, \" Caro! Il capretto! Is perfect gift! We no need the gardener any more. I fire him in the morning.\" She sashayed on over to welcome Kenneth, who was dressed like a Nazi officer, but talking about the Tuscan countryside. An envelope appeared in his hand, inscribed \"Best wishes from Evelyn.\" Wasn\ufffdt she my co-star in Femme Fatale? She was a hottie! Or was she the tea lady on Fever Pitch? Hey, she\ufffds the one who's offered to be my publicist! I really should call her. Inside was a pair of theatre tickets. Great, I love Shakespeare. \"Hey Ken, how about going with me to see Hamlet?\" Ken nodded and waved, but continued to babble on about Italy. He had a particular passion for olive oil. Colin looked down and noticed that the goat was now chewing on his shoes. Before he could deal with the pesky beast, the phone rang. \"Dahling! For you!\" his wife sang out as she put the receiver into his hand. \"Colin,\" he heard O\ufffdToole\ufffds distinctive voice crackling through the long-distance connection. \"I heard it's your birthday. And I've been meaning to tell you something. You know that bit about \ufffdone fo"}, {"response": 683, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (07:46)", "body": "ROTFL!! LOVE the pics, chili!!! Since I don't know how to post with amazing graphics, I'll have to keep it simple: (BIG smooch!!) HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLIN!!! Use your birthday wish well!!"}, {"response": 684, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (08:09)", "body": "Carissimo Colin, we always use your birthday bash to roast and toast you, and you must know it is all in good fun. Now come by the pool with me, we need to talk. Looking back this year I have learned a few new things about you: 1. You can draw! 2. You can write! 3. Your fav. food is Moulakhie. 4. Your son was saved by Spider-man. 5. You love doing rom/coms! 6. You\ufffdre a prude (pending the towel and bed scene in Hope Springs. ;-) 7. You hate your name. 8. The kissing lessons didn\ufffdt pay off. 9. You make a funny odd couple with Rupert Everett (but have you seen him in chains? 10. You might move to Rome. We have also been burning lots of candles this year in the hopes of you aggressively pursuing a DRAMATIC ROLE. The answer my friend is blowing in the wind\ufffd lalala. As is my tradition, my gift of cd\ufffds starts with Norah Jones. The latest Jonathan Richman and in keeping up your Keith Jarrett collection his latest trio effort. My biggest gift this year is this jet. I have tried it out and you will love it! Now there\ufffds no excuse to miss any audition or screen tests. Location, location, location. Fly baby! Now let\ufffds have some champagne, sushi\ufffd Buon Compleanno!"}, {"response": 685, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (08:18)", "body": "In honor of your special day, Colin, your personal LD's (No, not your wife, your Latte Divas) have decided to take our coffee-service capabilities to a higher level of excellence. We have purchased the La Pavoni Europiccola \"Romantica Commedia\" espresso machine. We will now be able to meet your needs - um, your coffee-related needs - at any hour of the day or night. And we do mean any hour. Also, to commemorate this special day, we have created a Latte di Giorno just for you: the Si, Cara Latte. This frothy drink is hot, sweet, and just a little tangy-the perfect libation to enjoy with pillow talk. Happy Birthday, Colin, from your LDs Rika and Linda, Dottoressas di Latte"}, {"response": 686, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (08:19)", "body": "Great party, ladies! Glad to see you managed to sneak away, Dorine, to join in. Loved the book. Let's hope...NOT! Lisa, would you believe I had that same cake saved for another auspicious aussie event?? ;-) chili front!! What a hoot. Good thing you gave us that warning, as I carefully set my coffee down. Wouldn't want to short-circuit anything today. ;-) (PO'T) You know that bit about \ufffdone for show and one for dough\ufffd? You did know I was only kidding, didn\ufffdt you dear boy?\" Colin hung up to the sound of the venerable actor's laughter. *snort* Loved the pic of MEM (a treasure, surely, a national treasure) and what can I say about the ratman. *hee hee hee* so very appropriate."}, {"response": 687, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (08:22)", "body": "Looking forward to \"la seconda parte.\" ROTF! Hello Peter!"}, {"response": 688, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (08:30)", "body": "Happy birthday, Colin. We've gotten back together today to give you a very special gift, your very own: A Goldfish Called Colin We avoided the green ones because they're not ripe yet."}, {"response": 689, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (08:57)", "body": "I didn't think the party would be complete without Nessie. In honor of your special day, Colin, this elusive sea creature has come all the way from Scotland to board the S.S. Si, Cara. Nessie will keep you company while you play naked in the puddling pool-sipping the Latte di Giorno. Happy Birthday, Colin!!"}, {"response": 690, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (09:01)", "body": ""}, {"response": 691, "author": "Andie", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (09:03)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLIN! This is the best I can manage. Hopefully I can bring some presents next year. What a great party! A big international bash for ODB! Wonderful graphics & stories, everyone. This is sooo cool!!"}, {"response": 692, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (09:05)", "body": ""}, {"response": 693, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (09:08)", "body": "So, for your birthday, Colin, I'm giving you lessons on How To Turn Around the Si Cara. First, you're going to need a captain's hat. It is an essential item. However, should you prefer to work on this problem in period costume, here's something that might suit you better. But remember, the Si Cara is not only off course, but it is heading backwards, so I'd advise a newer model for your future voyages. Remember, that hat means you're in charge. No one onboard has more authority than you. Next, we're going to familiarize ourselves with bigger boats. Here's my friend Enrico, who will take us into the area where you'll be in command. This is the Bridge, not to be confused with the Bridget. There are lots of complicated dials, buttons and readouts, and so many monitors. But you needn't worry because there are trained professionals who will watch them for you. All you need to do is bark out orders, like turn left, probably a favorite of yours. Now that you're on the bridge, I've enlisted a couple of veterans to give private instruction on commanding large vessels. Again, if you've opted for the period look, here's your man: While his approach might be considered a little brusque and his crewmembers didn't support him 100 percent, you could learn a lot. If not, I suppose you will get used to the native entertainment on any of the islands they leave you on. But if you want to brush up on some more modern equipment, here's your man: Like you, Colin, this man became so totally identified with one television role, so it would seem a natural fit. Besides, I hear Isaac makes a mean martini. In fact, the whole crew has been summoned to help you, as turning the ocean liner around is our first priority: In order to practice all that you've learned today, you'll have some time for simulation in the privacy of your own bath. And, finally, Colin here is the Tugboat Drool, which is standing by to help push you in another direction:"}, {"response": 694, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (09:41)", "body": ""}, {"response": 695, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (09:58)", "body": "I see we have moved into the dining room. \ufffd buona la torta? The Si Cara seems to be set in its way, so here's another tug boat to help it turn."}, {"response": 696, "author": "chili", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (10:21)", "body": "Nightmare in North London: A Trilogy The Nightmare Continues Colin awoke to a horrid smell, not to mention a wet cheek. He opened his eyes and screamed. Why is this goat licking my face? Then he remembered he was missing his own birthday party, and grabbed the goat\ufffds rope as he hurried out of the loo to get back to the action. He was stopped along the way by that little Italian tailor, who wanted to remeasure his inseam. The tailor made some notes and muttered \" Ha la grillione!\" under his breath, which Colin translated into something rather vulgar. He studied the writing on the tailor's notepad. What the hell does 'commissioned by Drool' mean? Then the tailor gave him the measuring tape as a birthday gift. Well, that's good; it seems like someone's always asking for one of these. The doorbell rang, and in walked a messenger with a big box. \"Is there a Colin here?\" The delivery man laughed. \"That's my dog's name.\" There was nothing for it but to raise his hand and say, \"That\ufffds me!\" \"Hey, you even look like my dachshund, too. Sign here,\" the courier instructed and handed over the carton. Inside was a gift from someone who he thought sounded vaguely familiar, but he couldn\ufffdt quite connect the name with a face. Whoever \ufffdRosie\ufffd was, she had sent him a brand spanking new laptop computer. \"Wow!\" He plugged it in and shooed the goat away to keep it from slobbering on the screen. It connected immediately to the Internet, but for some reason he could only get to one particular website, no matter what he typed in. He was soon immersed in reading a rather wild tale about Hong Kong. Why do I have this sudden hankering for mangoes? He was so absorbed in the story that he missed seeing Hugh come stumbling through the door. The man hadn't been invited, and he was quite obviously drunk. He isn\ufffdt even in costume! At least he brought his own champagne. Hugh immediately headed to the kitchen and set his sights on Livia\ufffds mother. \"Hellooooo, mummy,\" he began, then started inquiring about her underclothing. Within seconds, Hugh was leading her up the back staircase, champagne and glasses in hand, to the sound of girlish giggles. In the meantime, the trio of notorious authors were pushing him away from his new laptop. They were totally engrossed by the rom-com on the screen, so he left Archer holding the goat and went in search of a glass of vino . As he entered the kitchen, a wave of floodlights outside switched on, illuminating the entire street. The inside of the house was as bright as the lights at a Leicester Square premiere, luring all the guests to the windows. Whatever was coming was clearly a spectacle not to be missed. A golf cart came roaring down the middle of the otherwise deserted pavement, and a disembodied loudspeaker blared out \"God Save the Queen.\" Everyone inside the house clapped furiously as they recognized Judy and Rupert. Judy gathered her skirts and made a regal descent from behind the wheel; Rupert simply jumped off the back and saluted the flag. Their costumes were splendid, elaborate full length gowns complete with sparkling crowns. Rupert wafted a hand in the air and trilled \"One can never have too many queens!\" \"Where is the birthday boy?\" Judy inquired imperiously. She indicated he was to kneel before her and she pronounced, \"I hereby command you to enjoy your party, my dear boy. And I picked up a little something for you the other day. Now, rise from your semi-recumbant posture, and open your gift.\" With that she tossed a wrapped package at his feet and moved to stand beside Lord Archer, for despite his recent run in with the law, he was the only member of the peerage in the room. \"Get that goat away from my cake,\" Colin bellowed across the room, realizing that he should never have trusted a politician, even to watch a goat. He struggled to open his gift from the Dame, just as Hugh came down the stairs with his wife\ufffds mother. They were laughing and joking. Cazzo! \"What are you doing here?\" he insisted. \"This party isn\ufffdt for you. Your birthday was yesterday. And, what, may I ask, have you been doing upstairs with my mother-in-law?\" \"Oh, calm down, Pencil Legs,\" came Hugh's flippant reply. \"That\ufffds Signore Pencil Legs to you,\" Colin snapped back. \"And get away from la suocera ,\" he growled. \"Or what?\" Hugh challenged with that really smug look he always seemed to get. Thankfully, the assembled partygoers burst into \"Happy Birthday to You\" and insisted that both men join in the song. As the last strains of the festive refrain faded away, he fell back into the black void of dreamless slumber. Fine seconda parte"}, {"response": 697, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (10:29)", "body": "He studied the writing on the tailor's notepad. What the hell does 'commissioned by Drool' mean? ROTFLMAO!! ;-)))))))) a disembodied loudspeaker blared out \"God Save the Queen.\" Everyone inside the house clapped furiously as they recognized Judy and Rupert. Rupert wafted a hand in the air and trilled \"One can never have too many queens!\" *coughing* Great story Chili Front! Am on edge of chair, waiting for your next installment."}, {"response": 698, "author": "Odile", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (10:46)", "body": "ROTFL! Great stuff chili front. I can't wait to see the next part!"}, {"response": 699, "author": "dianes", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (11:07)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLIN!!! I had no time to shop or get a card, so all I can give you is a ludicrous amount of my respect and hope that this is enough to turn the boat around."}, {"response": 700, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (11:11)", "body": "Love all the stories and pics! LOL about jet, lattes, Captain Stubie (sp?), and trilogy! Here's a little something for Captain Colin on his 42nd birthday! Captain Colin, it's time to turn that ocean liner around! So use your row boat from the BJD mini break as a tug boat (BJD was supposed to be a \"vehicle\" to other great roles, wasn't it?) and turn the S.S. Si Cara around like the ant who moved that rubber tree plant! You can do it! (picture of Colin in row boat from BJD, which I couldn't find :-( ) Row, row, row your boat Gently out to sea. Use it to turn the S.S. Si Cara A full 180 degrees! Row, row, row your boat And earnestly decide Whatever role is best for you Without Dott.ssa at your side! Row, row, row your boat Gently out to sea Now choose a drama with good karma And Oscar quality! Those are my wishes for you, Colin, on your 42nd birthday! Nothing like a boat ride to help a man clear his mind and help him make decisions. May you make many wise choices this year! We'll be watching ;-)!"}, {"response": 701, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (11:21)", "body": "(Lora) picture of Colin in row boat from BJD, which I couldn't find :-( *Slaps side of head* Forgot to add that to Colin's nautical CV above. (BTW, you should've emailed me. Have lots of them.)"}, {"response": 702, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (11:21)", "body": "Chili...whoever you are...you've been lurking out there a long time and know us v. well ...Hilarious. \"Pencil legs.\"ROTF"}, {"response": 703, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (11:35)", "body": "Great stuff, ladies! The best parties on are 110.;-) Chili, do you clean houses in North London, by any chance?:-) Bring it on!"}, {"response": 704, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (11:38)", "body": "Stop Everything... a parcel just arrived : ...Your spectacles are in HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COLIN FIRTH, 000-245-6895 The National Health Service"}, {"response": 705, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (11:41)", "body": "My warmest greetings to Chili. I hope there is a Terza parte. Cazzo! I can't believe he said that! LOL! I have just managed to get te Incredible Hulk to jump on the tug boat to help turn the \"Si Cara\" around. ;-)"}, {"response": 706, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (11:49)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COLIN Greetings from.... THE TONGUE BRIGADE We can hope, can't we;-)"}, {"response": 707, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (12:00)", "body": ""}, {"response": 708, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (12:09)", "body": "Some other things I learned this year. 11. You sing like a Beatle. 12. You\ufffdve embraced the bourgeoisie. 13. You\ufffdve learned to live with Mr. Darcy. 14. You\ufffdre chilling with the Travolta crowd. 15. You helped discover Minnie Driver. 16. Co-starring in a smash such as BJD did not help much. 17. You don't belong to the tongue brigade. :-( 18. You drive a VW. 19. You drive me nuts. ;-) 20. Loro drive you nuts. ;-))))) Caro Colin, can\ufffdt party with you today because it\ufffds also my guy Ritchie\ufffds birthday. Ciao, ciao. And remember, we must do a movie together, darling. Sorry Col, but today is also my Ryan\ufffds birthday. Sheesh! What a coincidence. Blowing air kisses. Catch them if you can. Heehee."}, {"response": 709, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (12:23)", "body": "(Mari)Chili, do you clean houses in North London, by any chance?:-) Bring it on! I wondered the same thing. LOL, ladies. I love this party. Now, I'm off to the bar. Moon, when you're finished with the lessons-can I be second to try him out? I want to respectfully put the boss first-unless she's too busy with the martinis."}, {"response": 710, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (12:42)", "body": "NEWSFLASH: The Si Cara has dropped anchor due to an emergency onshore shopping expedition for script-reading supplies . . . In the confusion of the disembarking process, Mr. Firth was instead hustled aboard this ship. . . . . . which is headed in the right direction. Onboard entertainment featured this woman . . . . . . singing HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MR. FIRTH"}, {"response": 711, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (12:44)", "body": "OK, who on this ship snapped The Captain seabathing on his birthday?"}, {"response": 712, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (12:52)", "body": ""}, {"response": 713, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (13:02)", "body": "Reposting Pam's message from above (today, I delete any messages with unclosed tags...) Response 712 of 712: FanPam (FanPam) * Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (13:52) * 6 lines COLIN, HAPPY, HAPPY, BIRTHDAY. YOU ARE TRULY BLESSED TO HAVE SO MANY WONDERFULLY TALENTED WELL-WISHERS. ALL THE BEST. LOVE, PAM"}, {"response": 714, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (13:06)", "body": "LOL! Loved the birthday message from the NHS! And the script-reading supplies, Mari! *hee hee hee* Having a great time here, today! We're nowhere near done. [one little admin note: please try to select images of manageable sizes, i.e., under 100K] The sheer quantity of images used today is enough to send most of our computers to nursing homes.]"}, {"response": 715, "author": "AnnieZ", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (13:20)", "body": "Happy Birthday Colin Firth Please don't take this ship, it is the Titanic Take this new ship to go to wherever your birthday wish might be. Do you remember your American pal? Turn your ship around, go to TEoR !!! \"> She's desperate, \"Colin, I beg you!!!\" I hope this works"}, {"response": 716, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (13:20)", "body": "Yo, Colin.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY From the gang at the Earlham Street Pub"}, {"response": 717, "author": "AnnieZ", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (13:23)", "body": "Try the last part again. cross my fingers Turn your ship around, go to TEoR !!! She's desperate, \"Colin, I beg you!!!\""}, {"response": 718, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (13:24)", "body": "This is fantastic! Can't wait for the third story installment. Brain fried by day at work does not allow much creativity, but I must say at least something. As I thought about the big day today, I realized that although I feel I hold values of equality, anti-oppression, etc., and although I love Colin's acting and characterizations, his politics, his story-writing -- ultimately...mmmm...those eyes...that voice...that walk up all those stairs...I can go on...but I won't!...yumma yum... Happy birthday to the object of my objectification! (v. shameful! but can not be helped)"}, {"response": 719, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (13:32)", "body": "(Karen), Having a great time here, today! We're nowhere near done. That's right, We're working on our 6th Martini. Here's another stop."}, {"response": 720, "author": "AnnieZ", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (13:34)", "body": "Geez, I kept messing up with my post. Take this new ship to go to DRAMALAND (I like this word;-)) Got to go back to the meeting my boss is calling"}, {"response": 721, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (14:21)", "body": "GO COLIN!!! BIRTHDAY GREETINGS. Shame your favourite newspaper could only list your name and not your face today in its birthday column! Here's to your role as a gorgeous red head. I can't wait! Ladies, a fantastic party , love all the fabulous graphics. LOL Evelyn! Chili, waiting with bated breath for the next instalment, great stuff. And last but not least to our gracious hostess for making it all possible, Cheers Karen, (if you are still standing;-)"}, {"response": 722, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (14:22)", "body": "This morning, Katie meets with Colin Firth to discuss new developments with an organization that has been exerting substantial and ongoing personal pressure on the actor for the past several months. Katie (face flushed but attempting to remain cool): Thank you for coming into our studio this morning, Colin. Colin: It is very nice to be here, Katie. Katie: I'm very grateful you could make it in, since I know what a busy schedule you have and that you barely have the time to promote your own films, especially in England. Colin: Yes, that's true. I have never been out of work since drama school. In fact, I've just finished one film and must jet back this evening to start work on another. Katie: I'd really like to hear more about those films, but first we need to talk about the current situation relative to The Tongue Brigade or TTB, who first laid siege to your home in June. According to my monthly newsletter, sorry, our sources, there were to be candlelight vigils throughout the entire month of September. Are you aware of that? Colin: Yes, these women mass on the sidewalk every night at about ten o'clock with their candles. Katie: Has this been a major inconvenience? Colin: Thus far, they've maintained order but the local constabulary are expecting a far larger gathering this evening. Katie: Luckily for you, you're here in New York. But why this evening? Is there anything significant about the date? The way the stars are aligned? A full moon? What? Colin: We've concluded that the larger rally may be due to my birthday. Katie: (gasp) How would they know that fact, such a personal detail? (slides PDA away) Colin: (shaking head) Honestly, I have no idea and have asked several fans that question myself, when it has arisen in conversation. Katie: And their answer... Colin: They typically have none. In actuality, most women have a difficult time speaking to me and I have no idea why. I seem to get an almost ludicrous amount of respect. Kate: (hand making fanning motions toward face) Surely, Colin, you are being modest. You are a handsome, leading man. Heads must turn when you enter the room? Colin: Never. I'm really just an ordinary person and I lead a very quiet and normal life with my family, which is very important to me. Katie: I admire that in a man and am very happy that you have your priorities....but, now, we have some footage from recent protests in North London. (their heads turn toward the monitors) Here you see a large number of women marching behind a banner. Can you tell us, Colin, what the message is? Colin: I speak Italian but can make out a bit of the Spanish... Katie: (pressing hand to ear) I've been told it says, \"Long live kissing with the tongue.\" Colin: That seems fairly accurate. Katie: Does this mean the TTB's message is becoming more widespread, in concert with its international membership? Colin: So I've been told by the authorities. Katie: Do you have any conception of TTB's global reach? How many countries? Colin: Initially it was limited to only those countries in which Pride and Prejudice had been broadcast, but then grew tremendously in the aftermath of Bridget Jones's Diary. I'm afraid it has spread to all corners of the world as a result of our computer age. Katie: That internet is something, isn't it. Have you taken a look at some of the websites dedicated to you? (starts twirling a strand of hair) Colin: (practiced disingenuous look) I didn't know there were any. Katie: (eyebrow shoots up) Hmmm, alright. And here's another recent shot of a group of women draped in paper chains. Isn't that a unique and peaceful approach? Colin: I believe it has been done before. Katie: Really, by whom? Colin: (mumbling, fairly inaudibly) By a large number of concerned citizens, myself included, who were protesting the government's treatment of asylum seekers in the UK. Katie: So your fans are following your example. (winks) Colin: Possibly, although my actions are not and should not be the public's concern. Katie: (looking off to the side) Do we have any B roll of Colin at that protest? Hmmm, they're looking and think they might. Colin: Let me reiterate, Katie, that there is a fine delineation between the public and my personal life. I seek the input of my family, my wife in particular, for career decisions. She is highly intelligent and a grounding influence on me. Katie: A very good point, Colin, but perhaps these fans are attempting to show their support for certain statements you've made about the direction of your career. Colin: I've said many things in the past. Which statements? Katie: Ones in which you've expressed regret over not getting or being considered for certain dramatic roles. I believe you've mentioned on several occasions how The End of the Affair was such a film. Colin: Yes, I had been interested in Graham Greene's novels with their complex characters but was never offered the film. Katie: This is purely hypothetical. That film had several very sexy scenes between Ralph Fiennes "}, {"response": 723, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (14:22)", "body": "Whew! I finally got my row boat out of the mini break pond (it took me awhile since Hugh wouldn't help me - he was still hung over from celebrating his own birthday) and into the open seas in order to find the S.S. Si Cara and turn her around. I'm determined, but I'm going to need some help from you, ladies. I'll need something to energize me. Any rhythmic songs or dances out there to inspire me? Isn't it time for a conga line on this cruise ship?"}, {"response": 724, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (14:26)", "body": "Guess, I'll have to take Natasha with me (whoops) ;-). Maybe we can busy her with some of that nail polish and put her on the Miss New Jersey and put me back on course towards the Si Cara ;-)."}, {"response": 725, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (14:37)", "body": "(Lora) Any rhythmic songs or dances out there to inspire me? Isn't it time for a conga line on this cruise ship? The main act doesn't come on until after dinner. Have you booked a table? ;-)"}, {"response": 726, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (14:46)", "body": "Cabaret for Colin? Or is he the Cabaret? I know you'll keep us in suspense. Ho hum , nothing to do but order another martini and wait expectantly for a tantalising finale;-)"}, {"response": 727, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (14:51)", "body": "ROTFLOL, Karen! (K/K) Have you taken a look at some of the websites dedicated to you? (starts twirling a strand of hair) Colin: (practiced disingenuous look) I didn't know there were any. So, so funny! You've got her nailing him on every issue! Colin: (mumbling, fairly inaudibly) By a large number of concerned citizens, myself included, who were protesting the government's treatment of asylum seekers in the UK. Katie: So your fans are following your example. (winks) ROTF! Like Elizabeth's conversation with Mr. Darcy at the Rosings piano, using his own words/actions to justify an admirer's ;-)"}, {"response": 728, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (14:56)", "body": "*hee hee hee* Oh yes, this act was brought in at great expense just to appear one night only on the S.S. Si Cara. (then later, we'll have something for the Playgirls After Dark crowd, which is against Evelyn's better judgment. She of the Pennis Award!] ;-) Admin Note: If anybody out there wants to post a birthday message to Colin and can't figure out how, you need to register at the site (hit \"Join In\"] then contact me at nomdedrool@yahoo.com for the final step. Your Cruise Director"}, {"response": 729, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (15:30)", "body": "Clap*, Clap* Katie, er, I mean Karen. Colin: Hmmm, reminds me of an old Rolling Stones song. Tata tarara, tatarara, tata... You've got it babe! LOL! (Lora) Any rhythmic songs or dances out there to inspire me? How's that song for inspiration? ;-) (Karen), She of the Pennis Award! Cherie, you must pronounce it \ufffd la francaise. Which reminds me of that song, Tu ma promis, et je t'est cru, tu est fou... ;-) tuo...tutututututu. ;-) Ladies, the bartender is suggesting a chocolate Martini, to go with the cake anyone else? :-D"}, {"response": 730, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (15:47)", "body": "(Moon) Tata tarara, tatarara, tata... Could be ;-) Maybe he'll join our headliner later on the main stage. Dessert? Now? Did you get stuck on the early seating, Moon? I haven't even dressed for dinner yet. The purser is bringing up my jewels in a bit. But a chocolate martini would be lovely. *smacking lips* you must pronounce it \ufffd la francaise Isn't it typed that way? ;-)"}, {"response": 731, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (16:11)", "body": "Karen...OMG how can I follow that hilarious interview...A winner. GWAPE:Six kids and a domineering wife: On what do you plan to draw your inspiration for that role? ROTF.... LA: Sign language? (lackluster tone) Here you see a large number of women marching behind a banner. I'm the third white babushka from the left;-)"}, {"response": 732, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (16:16)", "body": "Karen....excellent interview....now I know what you've been doing all week!!"}, {"response": 733, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (16:19)", "body": "OK, I went to the bakery to find a new cake. I wanted to get a big one. (Do you have any idea how expensive bakeries are these days????) Never mind. Money is no object when it comes to ODB. Now, the Blue Angels know how to say it with big cakes\ufffd.. And so do the ladies on a street close to ODB\ufffd\ufffd Too big???? Yep, I agree. How would I carry it or fit it on the bus? (I\ufffdm afraid LD doesn\ufffdt pay me enough to own a car!) So then I thought\ufffd.A BOAT CAKE!!!!!!! I can sail it over to Islington. Perfect, I\ufffdm getting them to write S.S. Si Caro on it\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdWill cruise over shortly."}, {"response": 734, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (16:21)", "body": "Here's a greeting that just came in.... From Mario (I need your help in packing. http://www.asdubai.org/hs/arts/grease/greaseimage/gangs.gif\" > And your amicos at ICI"}, {"response": 735, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (16:23)", "body": ""}, {"response": 736, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (16:27)", "body": "D*** Karen, That pic of the Blue Angels (and the others too) looked so very small until it popped up here. I don't want to melt any computers! I know just enough to make trouble."}, {"response": 737, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (16:49)", "body": "Great interview, Karen! Chili, when do we get part 3? Do we have to wait for the late-night in-cabin movie? Love all the boat motifs. No chocolate martinis for me, thank you. I'm saving my calories for birthday cake!!!"}, {"response": 738, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (16:51)", "body": "This is indeed a truly auspicious day. Not only is it Colin's 42nd Birthday, but it is also the day when a very important Hall of Fame announces its annual inductees. Take it away, Fred and Robert! Colin, ever since that remarkable day when you appeared in My Life So Far as the hare-brained inventor father of six precocious children, you made a lasting impression on our Board of Governors' Selection Committee. You did this at such a young age. Then you followed as a surrogate father in that classic Secret Laughter of Women. Our hearts melted at the way you reached out to that boy and provided him with the father figure he needed. You set a fine example, even though you were legally married to another at the time. Then, we saw you in Donovan Quick, playing a father figure to the mentally handicapped Sandy Pannick. Our Selection Committee did have to go to great lengths to see this performance, but it was worth it, as it caused you rise up through the ranks of potential candidates and to make it to the all-important short list. Then, more recently, you appeared in The Importance of Being Earnest, with a part which required you to take care of your ward Cecily. Not only did you have to fend off the advances of a man old enough to be her father, but you had to stand up to the formidible midget, Dame Judi. Our admiration continued to grow. Now we've been told that you're playing a father again in American Girl and will have six more children in the film Girl with the Pearl Earring. Our hats are off to you, Colin. You've already played father to more than we ever did in our careers (three each), and you are miles ahead of both Harrison Ford and Mel Gibson, who never seem to be parents in any of their films. Therefore, it is our honor and privilege to present you with this plaque: In addition, we have a few other gifts for you. All TV/Movie Dads need to wear authentic 50s'-style cardigan sweaters: And at the end of hard day at the studio or on location, a man just wants to have his slippers: Congratulations and Good Luck!"}, {"response": 739, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (16:53)", "body": "Wow - I've been offline most of the day and it took quite a while to catch up! Lots of great stuff! Especially love the interview, Karen! I am a little worried with all of us trying to get the boat to turn around that we could wind up with a confused little boat....."}, {"response": 740, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (17:05)", "body": "Is it time for cocktail hour yet? I'm Kate, and I'll be your server, this evening, Mr. Firth. (Glad to serve you any time!) May I suggest these?"}, {"response": 741, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (17:11)", "body": "First, let me say how sorry Linda and I are that our compatriot Dorine is only able to pop in now and then for the party. We miss her. But in the spirit of carrying on no matter what, we present..... Dramatic roles are blowing far Across the North Atlantic Sea. While Daniel Craig is Gwynnie's star, The rom-coms pile up all 'round me. Oh Roman captain, tell me true, Why must I do this comedy? Is that the script I want to do? It's \"Gidget Goes to Tuscany\"! Turn 'round, Lady, turn me around. She will not budge, I know her well. For kissing scenes she doth not care, And little change may I compel Of one so lacquered and so fair. My love scenes are my woman's toy; She'll never know the actor's pain. And on film I'm chaste as a boy - I'll never bare my arse again! Turn 'round, Lady, turn me around. from Linda and Rika"}, {"response": 742, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (17:20)", "body": "This just in from the Psychic Network: the \"SS Si Cara\" appears to be turning around slowly, very slowly. And it seems that the ghost of Orson Wells is trying to warn Colin that other actors are in hot pursuit of the OW role in Fade to Black. Orson would be pleased to have Colin play him because he's an actor that would gain the weight and settle into his character very well. Karen), Dessert? Now? Did you get stuck on the early seating, Moon? What about all that cake that Lisa brought? You mean you didn't bite? I can resist everything but temptation. ;-) And, congratulazione Colin for you excellent award. ;-)"}, {"response": 743, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (17:23)", "body": "Linda and Rika! LOL! That bit of music was great."}, {"response": 744, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (17:41)", "body": "This is the signal for turning the ship around. Just in time, as we are entering, Venezia!"}, {"response": 745, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (18:17)", "body": "Oh my, love the TV/Movie Dad Hall of Fame. LOL! (L&R)My love scenes are my woman's toy; She'll never know the actor's pain. And on film I'm chaste as a boy - I'll never bare my arse again! I love this part. I can just hear CF saying \"pain\" as his voice changes ranges a little and he hits his chest in angst. Linda and Rika, the song is great. How positively delightful!"}, {"response": 746, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (18:18)", "body": "(Karen)Playgirls After Dark crowd I'm a card carrying member. Love the interview, Karen. I could almost see Katie's ankle doing that little dance. Chili, Chili, Chili must have part three before I get too sloshed to read it. Yep, one more choclate martini for me, please, Forget the cake-unless of course it's rum-filled. I hate first seating. Moon, get out of there and get up to the bar! Rika, have you saved any latte for Dorine? Poor girl."}, {"response": 747, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (18:19)", "body": "Moon, so we are already in Venezia? My, how time flies when you're having fun!"}, {"response": 748, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (18:24)", "body": "Yup, it's not wise to leave your computer for too long today, as the catchup can be agonizing. Great job, Latte Divas Rika and Linda! Dorine is sorely missed, but your tuneful rendition of that pop classic is brilliant, as well as all the pains you've taken with your presentation. Gidget Goes to Tuscany! LOL!! (only if YKW plays Moondoggie and not the father!) Kate, we've started out here with a dish representing Colin's cultural heritage: pizza, but your appetizers look scrumptious. (Moon) the ghost of Orson Wells is trying to warn Colin that other actors are in hot pursuit of the OW role in Fade to Black It may be time for old Hans and Franz to come in \"pump you up\" ;-) BTW, Colin is shown on Entertainment Tonight's website for having a birthday today. Pretty soon, the show will be on here, but there's no guarantee he'll be listed at the end. *crossing fingers* The pic is one I don't recognize. Could be from an old junket (note edge of lamp in corner). Need to see more of clothing to tell for sure:"}, {"response": 749, "author": "chili", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (18:47)", "body": "Nightmare in North London A Trilogy The Nightmare That Keeps on Giving His wife stood before him, holding a birthday cake. The candles were lit and shining brightly. As soon as the song was over and he blew them out, he grabbed the cake from her hands and threw it in Hugh\ufffds face. They immediately began to sissy fight, rolling on the ground in the smashed cake, as the goat tried to grab pieces in between their thrashing bodies. This was right up Queen Rupert\ufffds alley; he immediately began offering suggestions to both men to improve their fighting prowess. Archer began furiously scribbling notes for his next book, and Andrew was heard to say rather predictably to Ken that it would look more realistic if they would imagine... Finally, both men agreed to call it enough. But Hugh, never one to keep his word, began to throw bits of the cake at Colin. Colin then commanded the goat to, \"Attack! Get\ufffdem boy!\" When the goat just stared at him, chewing cake, he tried again. \"Attaca!! Aizzare!\" The goat took off after the troublesome guest. Hmm, this goat understands Italian! Hugh decided a hasty exit was in his best interest. He saluted the flag as he passed the flagpole, and stumbled straight into a group of girl guides selling cookies. When they discovered whose birthday it was, the girl guides burst into song, making it through \"Happy Birthday\" twice. Hugh couldn't help but inquire about their boarding school antics; they shrieked, dropped their cookies on the lawn and ran towards home, calling out \"It's past our bedtime.\" Suddenly the loadspeakers outside began to play \"Mustang Sally\" and a strange sound could be heard coming from the front walk. It sounded as though a pig was outside, rooting through the cookie boxes. His ears pricked up. I'd know that voice anywhere. \"Sally! Sally's here.\" He rushed o the door to let her in; she grunted in acknowledgement, then headed straight for the cake that was strewn around the room. He just looked at her with a big smile. The party's made now! My favourite co-star has arrived. By now, Queen Judy had had enough of this shindig. She dragged her royal counterpart out the door and Colin walked them to their golf cart. A heated argument broke out between the queens over who was going to drive. Judy won, of course, and took off like a bat out of hell. A huge lorry cut right in front of her and she executed a sharp turn, swerving onto two wheels to avoid hitting it. The driver cursed and then laughed at the sight of two queens in a golf cart as it disappeared into the darkened streets of North London. Rupert could be heard clearly, imploring \"Slow down! My skirt's caught in the wheel.\" Then the lorry backed up to the front garden and dumped a load of overripe ripe tomatoes on what was left of the lawn. The goat rushed over to the pile and began to frolic amongst the fruit, eating to its heart's content. The teamsters got down from the truck and began to unload an enormous birthday cake. They handed him a receipt to sign. \"Coffee wenches? Who are the coffee wenches?\" he wondered aloud as the truck roared off into the night. His darling wife came out onto the steps. \"Cara mio, how lovely, we can have leftovers.\" They jumped back in surprise as the blast of a big brass band issued forth, then the top flew off the cake. An all-American guest, holding shimmering sparklers in each hand, popped out. \"Katie! What a great surprise. All the way from New York.\" She waved the sparklers, gave him her perkiest smile and said \"Yes, when I heard it was your birthday, well, I just had to come.\" She eyed him adoringly and shuffled her feet against his. He looked down and exclaimed, \"Hey, I love your shoes! Darling, look! \" he called to his wife. \"Look at Katie's shoes! Aren't they attractive? You\ufffdll have to find out where she shops.\" \"Oh, si si, my love,\" his cara spouso said between clenched teeth. She smiled and waved as Joe and Ralph came out of the house and approached her with wicked grins. \"Oh no you don't!\" Colin shouted. \"You may get the parts, but you won't get my wife! At least not in this dream!\" \"Have you been on that 'Interneto' again, where all those women say you need the kissing lessons?\" He seized her and murmured, \"Per te,\" as he kissed her soundly, and she smiled. \"What's so funny?\" He furrowed his brow at this thought just before they were nearly knocked off their feet by Sally the pig grunting madly as she rushed out to get at the tomatoes. His mother in law followed, swatting at its rump with the empty champagne bottle. She pointed to the garden. \"Look, look! Il pomodori! We can make the sauce, enough to last a year with them.\" She began to fill up plastic bags, fighting over the best tomatoes with the goat and the pig. The guests began to leave; ever the charming host, Colin politely thanked each one for coming with a handshake and a gift bag. After surveying the wreckage in his front garden, he tethered the goat to the flagpole for the night; the pig had already cleaned up th"}, {"response": 750, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (18:55)", "body": "APPLAUSE!!!!! Fabulous, dahlings!"}, {"response": 751, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (19:11)", "body": "Turn, turn, turn your ship Toward some decent roles. Tongues and tasteful nudity; These are Droolers' goals! I wish I had something more impressive to offer, like all you talented Droolers! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COLIN!! You just keep getting better and better!"}, {"response": 752, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (19:13)", "body": "Thanks so much to the Anagram Twins!! The best laugh was Huge's picture, what a hoot!"}, {"response": 753, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (19:14)", "body": "(Chili)\"Coffee wenches? Who are the coffee wenches?\" he wondered aloud as the truck roared off into the night Rika, Rika, OMG, we're famous. We made it into Colin's nightmare. Thank you, Chili. I could almost hear him say \"coffe wenches\". Gave me the chills just thinking about it. Thank you, Chili. My sides hurt from laughing so much. I wish you could put all three parts together-I want to save it. Fabuloso. But Hugh, never one to keep his word, began to throw bits of the cake at Colin. Colin then commanded the goat to, \"Attack! Get\ufffdem boy!\" Can't you just see it? Hilarious!"}, {"response": 754, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (19:15)", "body": "I know it's getting late in the evening, but I figure the night is young and I\ufffdve not yet seen the song list for the evening\ufffds entertainment. Being a female of a certain age, remakes of some 70s classics come to mind: Turn The Ship Around Baby, Do It My Way Walk On The Wilde Side The Things You Do For Love We Ain\ufffdt Seen Nothin\ufffd Yet One Tongue Over The Line Stuck In The Rom Com With You Ride Colin Ride (No one looks better on a horse!) Hot Rod Nessie It\ufffds Not Too Late Mama Told Me Not To Tongue (Just preparing this list was fun\ufffdI of course skipped The Happiest Girl In The Whole USA , Night Moves , and Stairway To Heaven and any number of other (totally in-)appropriate possibilities!) What a fun day! Thanks for making the trip on the S.S. Si Cara so much fun!"}, {"response": 755, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (19:17)", "body": "I wish you could put all three parts together-I want to save it. Fabuloso. Is this a candidate for the fanfic archive?! Surely this is not lost to posterity!"}, {"response": 756, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (19:32)", "body": "Thanks to everyone here for making my day with all this great Birthday fun. You all have done a fablulous job of it and I hope that, possibly, someone special will pop in to see all the efforts. And, now more about the cake fiasco! On my way back to Islington, I ran into the Queen on the bus. (Circumstances have led her to travel by a more economical mode of transport lately.) When she discovered whom my boat cake was for, she insisted upon coming back with me to wish ODB a Happy Birthday in person. It seems she\ufffds long been a fan and especially enjoyed Relative Values. As she said to me, \ufffdLisa, Colin\ufffds character reminds one very much of someone one knows!\ufffd (????) Anyways, she had to go back to the palace and change\ufffd.. \ufffd\ufffdand insisted that this guy come along with us. ***Sigh*** They couldn\ufffdt wait to get out to the S.S. Si Caro\ufffd\ufffd \ufffd\ufffd\ufffdbut there wasn\ufffdt enough room for the entire entourage and they had to make their own way on board. Prince Phillip brought some fine German wine along for the celebration! Now, we are all set to party. Just everyone be careful you don\ufffdt knock the Queen\ufffds crown off!!!!!"}, {"response": 757, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (19:41)", "body": "He looked down and saw that he was wearing his favourite vintage shirt. I look pretty hot in this! The look that started it all! Grazie di cuore a le gemelle Anagram. (Linda), I hate first seating. Moon, get out of there and get up to the bar! I've had first seating at the bar, ladies. Ready for another round. :-) Now, who wants to go to Capri? Next stop, la Grotta Azzura."}, {"response": 758, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (19:49)", "body": "\"Richard, look at wot those twins have done to your famous fight scene from BJD. Can't you direct them to behave? Even though I know they do it out of love, actually . . ."}, {"response": 759, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (19:50)", "body": "(Lisa), everyone be careful you don\ufffdt knock the Queen\ufffds crown off!!!!! Who would have thought we'd have so many Queens in attendance? ;-) Lisa, you are the official cake girl! *smooch*"}, {"response": 760, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (19:51)", "body": "Ah, well, mebbe da Boss can help me out.:-)"}, {"response": 761, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (19:52)", "body": "Kathy and Barb, you've got it down. ;-) LOL!"}, {"response": 762, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (19:54)", "body": "If you can manage to open this, there are 3 party favors for all crew memebers, cortesy of Meluchie:-) http://194.68.33.51/fotoweb/Grid.fwx?columns=5&rows=2&folderid=5003&SF_GROUP1_BOOLEAN=and&SF_FIELD1_GROUP=1&SF_LASTSEARCH=Sean+Bean&Stemming=&Synonym"}, {"response": 763, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (19:56)", "body": "Oh, hell, just put Colin Firth in the search engine. Si Caro has sailed into French waters.:-)"}, {"response": 764, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (19:59)", "body": "It just took me 1-1/2 hours to read all the posts that had been added since this morning, and my face hurts from grinning and laughing! Loved the graphics, interviews, stories and songs. What a lovely party!! So many talented Droolers out there! Now I'm going to go mix up a little something with which to toast the birthday boy. :-)"}, {"response": 765, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (20:07)", "body": "Magnifico!! Anagram Twins. And multo grazie for coming out of lurkdom with your epic masterpiece. Brava!! *whistling*"}, {"response": 766, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (20:07)", "body": "So I've got the TV on in the background while I'm reading the latest posts. Suddenly, as I'm looking at Lisa's photo of the Queen in her launch, I hear some dialogue from a promo for a Star Trek episode: \"Turn this ship around!\""}, {"response": 767, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (20:16)", "body": "Mari, thank you, for those pictures. Too bad they don't have any from the party in Morocco. More on that tomorrow. It will help our hangovers"}, {"response": 768, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (20:17)", "body": "WOW! This is some party -what with the Anagram Twins' offerings and Karen's interview! :-) Great work ladies!! (Kathy) 1-1/2 hours to read all the posts - i've been trying to keep up at work all day and kept getting further and further behind! I dont have anything fancy to offer, but will extend my heart felt wishes for a very happy happy birthday to Our Dear Boy- *smooch* HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLIN!"}, {"response": 769, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (20:18)", "body": "Grazie, Mari and Meluchie! Colin looks vvg. Here is a map of where he is filming now. Vidauban, France, en Provence."}, {"response": 770, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (20:19)", "body": "Lol Barb....... Walk On The Wilde Side Very good! We Ain\ufffdt Seen Nothin\ufffd Yet And the prospects just get slimmer and slimmer!!!! Mama Told Me Not To Tongue Sad, but quite possibly true. Don't worry Mari, you efforts are commendable. Kathy....Tongues and tasteful nudity; These are Droolers' goals! Tasteful?? Tasteful?? Who said that was a requirement?? ;) la Grotta Azzura. Excellent stop and still in boat mode."}, {"response": 771, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (20:20)", "body": ""}, {"response": 772, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (20:21)", "body": "Next stop, St. Tropez. I bet we're all getting off here. ;-)"}, {"response": 773, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (20:25)", "body": "Click Now Turn the boat around Want to see the passion Turn it upside down Want to see the passion Need to see it Turn it on, turn it on, turn it round Turn it on, turn it on, turn it round Turn it on, turn it on, turn it round Turn it on, turn it on, turn it round Actor man do your thing 'cause I know that you want to get your thing off But you see I've made up my mind about it It's got to be a drama, no doubt about it, woah woah 'Cause when the camera starts to roll And those eyes smoulder with desire, with the motion of the lips, lips, lips Makes me wanna move my body yeah, yeah, yeah And when the bum starts thrusting to that beat It nails that beat with the groaning rhythm With a bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce on the springs, hey Turn the boat around Want to see the passion Turn it upside down Want to see the passion Need to see it My apologies to everyone. I know my lyrics suck, but so do the original's. ;-)"}, {"response": 774, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (20:26)", "body": "(karen), My apologies to everyone here. Not only do my lyrics suck, so do the real ones. ;-) LOL! I'll just say you shocked me. ;-) But what really matters is the dancing."}, {"response": 775, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (20:27)", "body": "Karen..ROFLMAO...I thought about it, I really did (see my earlier post) but I could not do it. You are the master...I am not worthy! With a bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce on the springs, hey LOL"}, {"response": 776, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (20:27)", "body": "For Karen and those in later time zones, Colin is shown as one of the birthday boys on ET tonight. Pic is slightly different than what Karen posted above. What a bash! So many goodies . . . HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COLIN FIRTH, 000-245-6895 LOL, Evelyn! Innit cute, he has his own personal NHS number.;-) OK, who on this ship snapped The Captain seabathing on his birthday? An all-time fave pic of mine, Murph! But what's that white stuff at the bototm of the pic--waves?;-) According to my monthly newsletter, sorry, our sources, there were to be candlelight vigils throughout the entire month of September ROTFLMAO! Oh, Karen, you've outdone yourself with this latest dispatch on The Tongue Brigade! And the Dad Hall Of Fame--too funny, girl! Is that the script I want to do? It's \"Gidget Goes to Tuscany\"! Turn 'round, Lady, turn me around. Ok, now I'm on the floor! LOL! Cheers to our latte divas, Rika and Linda! Prince Phillip brought some fine German wine along for the celebration! Oh, Freulein Lisa, you sly devil! Mama Told Me Not To Tongue \"That ain't the way to have fun, son!\" Good ones, Barb! And many thanks to the Anagram twins for the Trilogy--brava, ladies!"}, {"response": 777, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (20:31)", "body": "And for some after dinner entertainment (totally tasteless, so I'll apologize in advance, and I plan to remove this posting after a while but it was too funny)... \"You don't like me? You don't like my government? You think I care if you and your Commie friends hang out at the Instituto, drinking espresso and reciting poetry? You think I care what you write to some crummy English newspaper? \"You think I can't fire Mario, the little culatone, and put whomever I want to run the Instituto in London? Well, think again. If I wanted my cleaning woman to run the instituto, she'd be there faster than you can say, tortellini en brodo. So, big shot, you want a piece of me? I'm here and I'm waiting.\""}, {"response": 778, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (20:34)", "body": "ROTFLOL!!! Brilliant, Karen! Che ridere! Devo farlo vedere al mio marito. Questo \ufffd troppo bello."}, {"response": 779, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (20:36)", "body": "I can't stop laughing, Karen. I didn't know Berlusca was so well endowed. ;-) You know, he is still the president of my soccer team, AC Milan. Ma come hai fatto?"}, {"response": 780, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (20:37)", "body": "BWAH I need to send that to my brother posthaste, Karen; he'll want to pass it back to Parma. Fabulous work, ladies, simply fabulous. I may or may not be able to stop laughing long enough to find something of my own to contribute..."}, {"response": 781, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (20:38)", "body": "That photo kinda renders the \"Right vs. left\" question unnecessary, eh?"}, {"response": 782, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (20:40)", "body": "That photo comes in S M L and XL. I posted the S version. ;-) But you really have to thank Evelyn who found it."}, {"response": 783, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (20:43)", "body": "That photo comes in S M L and XL. I posted the S version. ;-) Really? It boggles the mind! (Thanks Evelyn!)"}, {"response": 784, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (20:54)", "body": "Well, my first comments were, to borrow words from Karen, totally tasteless. Scrambling for some phrase that does not contain an expletive, I can only shuffle off to the corner and utter \"Appeso come un cavallo!\""}, {"response": 785, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (20:57)", "body": "LOL, Lisa! I can hear a Wagnerian score in the background. ;-)"}, {"response": 786, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (20:58)", "body": "LOL! I think I can figure that one out. ;-) Giddyup!"}, {"response": 787, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (21:00)", "body": "Off to do some dancing. See you all in Barcelona for \"churros and chocolate\" in the wee hours. :-)"}, {"response": 788, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (21:01)", "body": "WOW. Good thing you didn't post that XL version. I can't afford a new monitor."}, {"response": 789, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (21:02)", "body": "And that's what *I* call...A BODY OF WORK Salut Colin....Buon Cumpleano"}, {"response": 790, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (21:04)", "body": "As a very wise woman once said, \"Waste not. Want not.\""}, {"response": 791, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (21:09)", "body": "(Lisa) Tasteful?? Tasteful?? Who said that was a requirement?? I have anticipated your question. \"Full frontal\" and \"gratuitous\" didn't scan, and I really didn't think we wanted \"tasteless.\" Well, maybe a little tasteless. Are we going for an R, or do we want X? Do we want something that will be critically acclaimed, or are we going for pure sex? Okay, maybe a stupid question... ;-)"}, {"response": 792, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (21:18)", "body": "I can't afford a new monitor. :::wiping spit off trusty old 17\" monitor...:::"}, {"response": 793, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (21:23)", "body": "(KathyF)Are we going for an R, or do we want X? I know what I want. I think the prototype was just posted."}, {"response": 794, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (21:25)", "body": "Since it\ufffds getting late, I thought I would make one last post before we all went to sleep\ufffdnice images to dream about! I hope eight is not too many. And, I just realized I never wished Colin a Happy Birthday in any of my posts today. Happy 42nd!!!!!! Best wishes to you for a great year!"}, {"response": 795, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (21:32)", "body": "To Moon...The Great Party Organizer.... To our ever-faithful Boss and Everyone who contributed to this great day...."}, {"response": 796, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (21:32)", "body": "Lisa, eight is enough...and I especially like #7 (sucker for dimples.) And it is late. DH says it is time for bed. I say Si Caro. And for those who remain to party on, I say \"go for it.\" And thanks all for making my first birthday cruise with you all so memorable. Sweet dreams!"}, {"response": 797, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (21:38)", "body": "I have been trying to leave for the last hour. But the party gets better and better. Oh, Lisa, those are great pictures. How about eight more?:-) Such pleasant images to take to bed. What a fantastic day. Thank you, everyone. Colin, Happy Birthday."}, {"response": 798, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (21:51)", "body": "(kathy) Are we going for an R, or do we want X? I wasn't trying to escalate this. Really I wasn't. But there was something (I don't know what) about Silvio that just spoke to me. OK, to Colin through me. ;-) Those eight worked for me, Lisa. What a fantastic parties, ladies. I've had a great time toasting and roasting our fabulous boy, who is responsible for bringing us all together. Three Cheers for On his Birthday! *smooch*"}, {"response": 799, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (21:55)", "body": "This came in the mail for all of us:"}, {"response": 800, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (22:03)", "body": "Ah, Colin darling, just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, the ship's band, \"Je Suis un Rock Star\" has arrived...late as usual, and complaining about the absence of beer, no doubt. Some teenage kicks are better left in front of the mirror... Dennis, darling, we loved you in that bedroom scene, but heartbreak is a poor excuse... Ah yes, Keanu, living proof that anyone can learn to play electric bass and chew gum at the same time... Hey Robert? That stuff you're doing? Can't be good for the pipes... Put the guitar down slowly, Russell, and back away from the barbecue... Six degrees of something , if we could only figure out what... Giving it to charity yet, Rupert? Aren't you glad you kept your day job, even if it requires an occasional kissing lesson? Buon compleanno Colin!"}, {"response": 801, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (22:09)", "body": "(Elizabeth) Keanu, living proof that anyone can learn to play electric bass and chew gum at the same time... LOL!! All of them are sooooooooo good. I might as well have highlighted them all. back away from the barbeque *snicker* And that last one. Holy Moly!!"}, {"response": 802, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (22:11)", "body": "Ya see, was I lying when I said on the invite about all the celebs? Don't know why this party isn't being covered by a photographer. ;-)"}, {"response": 803, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (22:50)", "body": "(Lindak) I know what I want. I think the prototype was just posted. I like the Italian Stallion best if I scroll down until his head is just above the frame. Lacking a paper bag, this makes it much more enjoyable for me! ;-) And by the way, would that be underwear or a swim suit, because if it's the latter, I'm concerned about waves. (Lisa) I hope eight is not too many. Absolutely not! Three and seven are my favorites. Sweet dreams, indeed!! Thanks, everyone!"}, {"response": 804, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (23:58)", "body": "THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I CAN HONESTLY SAY I HAVEN'T HAD SUCH A FUN DAY IN A LONG, LONG, TIME. YOU ARE ALL SO WONDERFULLY TALENTED. I WILL REMEMBER THIS WONDERFUL DAY FOR A LONG TIME TO COME. THANK YOU AGAIN. Sweet Dreams Everyone."}, {"response": 805, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 11, 2002 (07:51)", "body": "What a party ladies! I just had breakfast with \"Je Suis un Rock Star.\" They are so funny, Elizabeth! It was great to have them along. complaining about the absence of beer, no doubt. Not for long. The all agreed on Jack Daniels. ;-) Cheers, Firthettes. See you next year, Colin! :-D"}, {"response": 806, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Sep 11, 2002 (22:11)", "body": "I am too sad. I keep poking my head in here hoping there are echoes of yesterday but they are all gone... siiiiiigggggghhhhhh A Bridget Jones wannabe is slumped over the bar updating her alcohol units in a PDA (won't calculate my own) and the janitors are sweeping up. I swipe a popped balloon and an orchid off a lei to tuck in my memory book, run my fingers through the last of the icing from the birthday cake and determine to mark my calendar for next year. This was the best. You guys sure know how to throw a party."}, {"response": 807, "author": "jellybean888", "date": "Thu, Sep 12, 2002 (17:49)", "body": "Hi I'm Jen and I'm new here. Happy belated birthday Colin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 808, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Sep 12, 2002 (18:34)", "body": "Welcome, Jen. Hope you were around for the party (Barb)I am too sad. I keep poking my head in here hoping there are echoes of yesterday but they are all gone. I know what you mean. I'm having party withdrawl-it's worse than a hang over-but the memories are wonderful."}, {"response": 809, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 12, 2002 (18:38)", "body": "Sorry, I've been busy supervising the clean-up crew. Wow! Did this rowdy bunch make a mess here. They charged me extra. And a number of the crystal glasses were missing. Who took 'em? Who took 'em. Welcome Jen! Join on on the regular, active topics, like 163, where we discuss Colin on a daily basis."}, {"response": 810, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 12, 2002 (19:34)", "body": "Hi Jenn ..."}, {"response": 811, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Sep 12, 2002 (22:55)", "body": "Welcome, Jen!"}, {"response": 812, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Fri, Sep 13, 2002 (15:24)", "body": "You're in the best place Jen, Welcome. Hmmn Karen, what else was found in the middle of the debris? Anything red, white and green ? ;-)"}, {"response": 813, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Sep 13, 2002 (23:02)", "body": "(Lizza) Anything red, white and green ? ;-) The image of something in those colors is indelibly etched on my brain!"}, {"response": 814, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 13, 2002 (23:08)", "body": "(Lizza) Anything red, white and green ? ;-) Found it tied to someone's toe. She was passed out in the corner and it was like a toe-tag. ;-)"}, {"response": 815, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Mon, Sep 16, 2002 (14:51)", "body": "She was passed out in the corner No prizes for guessing.... not even a pearl earring;-)"}, {"response": 816, "author": "jellybean888", "date": "Fri, Sep 20, 2002 (00:18)", "body": "Hello again. Thankyou v. much for your welcome *goes off to topic 163*"}, {"response": 817, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 20, 2003 (13:53)", "body": "Only how many days left? We do need a theme. Any suggstions? I wonder if this fragment of a quote from today (\"overly obtuse and cryptic to being boringly prosaic and explanatory\") will spawn any ideas? Ants in his pants?"}, {"response": 818, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Aug 20, 2003 (15:50)", "body": "Oh Karen! You've opened up the room! Talk of the TFF and the dates, I knew this could not be far behind! (Getting excited just thinking about it!)"}, {"response": 819, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (10:58)", "body": "... (Karen)Ants in his pants? LOL, looks like turning the ship around has produced vibrations;-) Can it be a year, already? Wow! Looks like 21 days and counting."}, {"response": 820, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (12:10)", "body": "(Linda), LOL, looks like turning the ship around has produced vibrations;-) I do believe someone did listen. ;-) (Karen)Ants in his pants? But does he? Canada is like a second home. (CF) but it\ufffds gratifying to know some people realise my range is still broad. This could be fun to work with too. ;-) Ahem. ;-)))))"}, {"response": 821, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (12:51)", "body": ""}, {"response": 822, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (12:54)", "body": "The ad hoc Party Planning Committee was inspired by Colin's statement that \"it's gratifying to know some people realise my range is still broad.\" Therefore, our 2003 theme is...drumroll please: The Range is broad aka Home, Home on the Range or I'm Back in the Saddle Again! This should be good. ;-D"}, {"response": 823, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (13:39)", "body": "Capital! Capital! I'm Back in the Saddle Again! LOL! Now that tune is stuck in my head. :-)"}, {"response": 824, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (15:40)", "body": "I'm Back in the Saddle Again! (Dorind)LOL! Now that tune is stuck in my head. :-) Well, I've got Home, Home on the Range if that's any better ;-) The saddle tune makes me think something in the line of western (hopefully not as ridiculous (sp?) as in RV) ;-P My first ODB birthdayparty ever - Yeppeee"}, {"response": 825, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (15:53)", "body": "Like I said, lots of possibilities with this theme. ;-)))"}, {"response": 826, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (17:35)", "body": "...back in the saddle, huh? (Annette)(hopefully not as ridiculous (sp?) as in RV) LOL, that came to my mind as well...;-) Ok bucko...I'll give it a try."}, {"response": 827, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (18:05)", "body": "Yeehaw! :-DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD"}, {"response": 828, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (11:57)", "body": "Only four more days!!"}, {"response": 829, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (13:01)", "body": "Ah! The anticipation mounts!"}, {"response": 830, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (11:03)", "body": "It's midnight here in HK, so I'm very very honoured to announce the party 2003 has started. First of all, let me say it: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COLIN!! You deserve every good thing in the world! Why? Because you ARE one of them! Okay, now, the present. With the theme of this year's party on my mind, I found this Chinese landscape painting: It's painted by an Italian priest, Giuseppe Castiglione, in the early 18th century. Hope this can give a little bit special \"home\" feeling to you, Colin. And look, I also have something for the party! For this year, the big day is only one day before the Mid-Autumn Festival. Therefore, I bring you some traditional food for this Chinese festival. First, mooncakes: And starfruit: And of course, bottles of wine (though they're not Chinese food, they match perfectly with mooncakes): Hope you like it. Let's party and have fun!! (me go to sleep now. :))"}, {"response": 831, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (11:30)", "body": "Just a reminder: Our 2003 birthday party theme, THE RANGE IS BROAD is inspired by Colin's recent statement, \"it's gratifying to know some people realise my range is still broad.\" Thankfully, the pencil dick line was cut from LA. ;-) Yeehaw!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 832, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (11:39)", "body": "Love the mooncakes and other delicacies, Josie. A little appetizer before the big blowout event later, which starts at midnight Colin's time (which would be British Daylight Time (an hour before GMT). Also, try to keep the K-size of the images you post down to a manageable level. Loading will be a bitch for many people as the day is image-intensive and they don't read the new messages every hour on the hour. Your computer will be coughing and spitting by the end of the day. So under 100K is a good rule of thumb. Hmmmm, I think that's about all I can think of...for now. (only small corner of blanket is wet) ;-D"}, {"response": 833, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (19:05)", "body": "Since it's after midnight in the UK, I thought I'd bring along some goodies for us to enjoy while we wrap our pressies for Colin's birthday celebration. I'm wrapping mine as we speak. There is plenty for everyone so Enjoy! An assortment of White Wines from Umbria to start and a bit of Creme Brulle to end"}, {"response": 834, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (21:12)", "body": "(Karen) A little appetizer before the big blowout event later, which starts at midnight Colin's time (which would be British Daylight Time (an hour before GMT). Also, try to keep the K-size of the images you post down to a manageable level. ..So under 100K is a good rule of thumb. Oh, sorry. :-P Thanks for letting me know. I shall take extra care about it next time. And to express my apology, here're some hor d'oeuvre: However, I still have no regret to start the celebration early. :-))"}, {"response": 835, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (21:42)", "body": "So git along little doggie and Parteeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!"}, {"response": 836, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (21:59)", "body": "I thought I'd brew up some coffee for the celebration. Hope this is enough for all the ladies at their computers."}, {"response": 837, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (22:04)", "body": "*hee hee hee* with all that coffee, don't you think you should provide a catheter? [Please no pictures necessary]"}, {"response": 838, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (23:09)", "body": "Giddyyap...I'm coming back to my roots...."}, {"response": 839, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (23:25)", "body": "Duke Wayne here. Now listen, and listen good. I understand that your ideal role is that of a stuttering masturbatory village pervert. Can\ufffdt quite see it myself, but what the heck. The only way you\ufffdre gonna rustle up a character like that is to take the bull by the horns and start your own production company: Stuttering Masturbatory Village Pervert Productions, or SMVP Productions for short. Now that you\ufffdll be able to develop this role, let me give you another hint. Basically it comes down to two archetypes: The Stutterer and The Masturbatory Village Pervert. Happy Trails , partner, and Happy Birthday, too! (With apologies to any Pee Wee fans out there\ufffd.)"}, {"response": 840, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (03:14)", "body": "Trying to adapt to \ufffdthe range is broad\ufffd, I thought I\ufffdd provide some breakfast, whether you like the picturesque stile or just Coco Pops And \ufffd no birthdaybreakfast without a rose: this is my first b-party, so I\ufffdm still learning ;-)"}, {"response": 841, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (04:14)", "body": "Here's some bubbly to get you well into a party mood, Colin ... ... And for your gift, here's something you've always wanted -- your very own Mark Rothko!! ... .. And here's another one... ... and yet another one. ... Don't worry about finding wall space for them -- they're only on loan ...(Couldn't afford the few mil each would go for...) ...Thanks for broadening *our* art range !... ... Stare at them as much as you want while you have a ..."}, {"response": 842, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (05:11)", "body": "If he's back in London, unfortunately it was a bit of a dreary start to the day, but now the showers are clearing. Although he's likely still across the pond. In honour of today, and reflecting the fact that I just discovered I have an NTSC enabled tv and vcr, last night I got to watch the Lisa Tape for the very first time (and it was a riot!). It inspired me, actually, not to wish him sunny skies at home in London on this day, but to wish him back Home on the Range -- of west Texas that is. god I hope these photos work having not done it successfully before Since he apparently enjoyed it so much in his youth, what with the snow and everything. And Big Bend National Park. So Colin, glad you are back in the saddle, and am immensely looking forward to what some of the lucky ladies on here have already seen - the results of your non-specific selection criteria in the recent past!"}, {"response": 843, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (05:12)", "body": "Oh and HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I missed the important part =)"}, {"response": 844, "author": "Leah", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (06:04)", "body": "Happy birthday Colin ! I'm just that you have talent to give your characters depth and good looks. Enjoy your day!"}, {"response": 845, "author": "smitten", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (07:23)", "body": "Happy Birthday Colin!!!"}, {"response": 846, "author": "smitten", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (07:24)", "body": "Happy Birthday Colin!!!!"}, {"response": 847, "author": "smitten", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (07:30)", "body": "Something strange is going on here with my computer. Want to say that I have no art, no wine, no tasty snacks, Just these wishes.... May this year bring you: A producer with a great book who is not convinced that every movie has to appeal to the teenagers to make money A screenwriter who knows what to keep and what to throw away and a casting director who appreciates your value as we do. Many Happy Returns Of The Day"}, {"response": 848, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (08:15)", "body": "As usual, I'm late for the party :( But, I just wanted to say happy, happy b-day, Colin!!!! ***SMOOOOCH***"}, {"response": 849, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (08:42)", "body": "Last year the accepted mode of travel, for your party was a ship. This year, in honor of your birthday, dear Colin, I thought another means of travel would be more appropriate to cover that very broad range. Also, I've stocked the wagon with all sorts of goodies to help you navigate your way back to the saddle. Here is your first present, one at a time, it's going to be a long day. This is the Tex Tan Tex Flex Pleasure Saddle It's the \"extra\" wide model; built to accommodate more than one. So hopefully it will live up to its name. Enjoy! and, Happy Trials!"}, {"response": 850, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (08:55)", "body": ""}, {"response": 851, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (09:04)", "body": "The Range is broad... (All together now!) How broad is it?!!! Happy Birthday Dear Boy!"}, {"response": 852, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (09:09)", "body": "...ooooh, those breeches will go well with the Tex Tan Tex Flex. Colin"}, {"response": 853, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (09:12)", "body": "(and that would be the Tex Tan Tex Flex model that Linda gave me)"}, {"response": 854, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (09:14)", "body": "Dear Colin, I wish you a happy birthday.May all your dreams come true."}, {"response": 855, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (09:15)", "body": "That's OK, didn't I mention that I'll be here as long as you need me for lessons on how to use that Tex Tan Tex Flex Pleasure Saddle? Practice makes perfect. ...this is going to be more fun than kissing lessons."}, {"response": 856, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (09:35)", "body": "Ooops! This was supposed to go up much early. Must be a little tzdrait with all the excitement. ;-D"}, {"response": 857, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (09:43)", "body": "So your back in the saddle? Happy 43rd Birthday, Colin! Be reassured that I always knew your range to be broad. Angry Colin and one of our favourites, Colin in costume with Pearl Earring Now don\ufffdt point your finger at me, you know that I prefer you in costume, Mr. Darcy. You know I always bring the music to your party. So I got Steven Tyler and the Aerosmith gang to start the party with \ufffdBack in the Saddle\ufffd Getting back on topic. I googled \ufffdThe Range is Broad\ufffd and came up with some very good tips which may help you with future roles: If the range is broad, therapeutic drug monitoring becomes relevant. The range is broad: denims pants and jackets, tees, shirts, tops, pants and knits. If the range is broad, it can be traded by somebody who is going short near the top and going long near the bottom. The range is broad and the analysis largely methodical and balanced. \ufffdbut the range is broad and encompasses many styles. You will see that the range is broad\ufffdfrom physics to theater, from business to biology. The range is broad, shifting slowly, constantly over time. And to end it all, the other one I like to call, \ufffdthe man himself\ufffd David Bowie, the original \ufffdChchchchch Changes\ufffd one. May you find inspiration with many character changes in the future. Je t\ufffdembrasse comme toujours and remain yours ever. Have a very Happy Birthday"}, {"response": 858, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (09:55)", "body": "LOL Moon! I can't believe you actually found my Colin on greyhound pic. ;-D If the range is broad, therapeutic drug monitoring becomes relevant. I think we all know what a mind on drugs looks like:"}, {"response": 859, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (10:02)", "body": "Hey dude....Happy Birthday.... Even cowboys get the blues.... Blue suit, that is... From http://www.usbluesware.com/ebay/8-18/mvc-417f.jpg And just to keep up with your new style... Baci, Baci.. Colin for all the entertainment you give us through the year... And thanks to all the Drooleurs. Hey, Let's Never Grow-Up."}, {"response": 860, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (10:05)", "body": "Drum Roll.... Here it is...."}, {"response": 861, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (10:28)", "body": "Now, Evelyn, you do realise that the jacket should have three buttons and smaller lapels? I want those little flat boots, too cute! If the range is broad, therapeutic drug monitoring becomes relevant. (Karen), I think we all know what a mind on drugs looks like: ROTF! My thoughts exactly!"}, {"response": 862, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (10:41)", "body": "(Moon) Now, Evelyn, you do realise that the jacket should have three buttons and smaller lapels? Aw....dudes don't know no difference;-)"}, {"response": 863, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (10:43)", "body": ""}, {"response": 864, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (10:48)", "body": "(Moon) Now, Evelyn, you do realise that the jacket should have three buttons and smaller lapels? Hang on, a few surprise guests have arrived. I think they can settle this dilemma"}, {"response": 865, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (10:50)", "body": "Where do you think yer goin, birthday boy? Get back on me and start, er, flexing yer pleasure! Powerful dry 'round here, anyone up for a whistle wettin'?"}, {"response": 866, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (11:13)", "body": "I see the QE guys are here, daarling! And while we're on the subject of fashion... Colin, please don't wear these with your dark suit. Not brown!"}, {"response": 867, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (11:33)", "body": "I thought I might expand the range past the \"Wild West\" to the \"Wilds of Northern Africa and Central Asia.\" We know you have the ability! Such a broad range of talents! Here's a lovely antique two seater saddle frame. Good for taking the boys out for a ride... ...and all of the exciting lessons Linda has prepared for you. ;-) Happy birthday, dear Colin!"}, {"response": 868, "author": "soph", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (11:35)", "body": "Cryptic Quotations Inc. formerly known as \"Weeeeell, what has he got himself into now\" Inc. (and recently renamed after a vicious takeover by The Double-Entendre Co.) is proud to present its very own reading of Mr. F.'s: \"it's gratifying to know some people realise my range is still broad\" This quote-du-jour had our best brains working feverishly for the past few days, and after careful examination, cross-examination, and passionate debate (not to mention barrels of choice beer and cartons of exotic cigarettes), we at Cryptic have narrowed down the options to a very likely interpretation in view of what he has achieved this year : mr. f. was definitely *not* refering to his weight : the bjd2 reports were mentionning only ms. z.'s complimentary donuts, and not even a leaf of salad for him (talk about a tight budget) mr. f. was not refering either to this monstruous new side of his skills re: suit and shoe color matching : in fact, we had trouble invalidating this one, since the pen pix showed a laid back version of the very same desastrous match (btw watch out for new ones next year, how about mixing burnt orange and shocking pink ?) mr. f. was definitely not refering to some (\"wohoho, next year, elbow patches !\") nasty comments at the shocking admission that he only has one good suit in his closet (albeit blue) : after all, the trauma pix were proof enough that he can vary the wardrobe as well as the answers (go chuckies, go !) in fact, what a surprise, one of our team members suggested he might actually be refering to his acting abilities. but of course ! acting abilities, broad range and all that, hmhmmm... so, we brought back from the 2002-2003 time vault the very evidence of this \"broadening of his range\". we sincerely hope this blinding demonstration will allow the man a first class ticket to thespian heaven (in an as-late-as-possible future). i believe you all know the first one quite well by now, no preliminary explanation necessary then, let the power of the image convince you we are right : Fig. 1 : Wiggle King but you are probably less familiar with this fresh approach : the thrilling originality, the nuanced performance is admirable. i have to say our animators at Cryptic are very very happy to witness this u-turn in your career, mr. f. : it is so much more exciting afterwards to get animatronicolins with *ants in their pants* rather than ole-grumpy-who-looks-like he-swallowed-a-porcupine-and-cannot-get-rid-of-it-and-who-doesn't-even-flex-a-muscle-except-when-showing-off-while-riding-a-horse . hey, i heard you back there, shut up and get back to work you lazy animators ! ah, peace and quiet, that's better, here's our second piece of evidence of the \"broadenang range thang\" : Fig. 2 : Bouncy Boy very impressive i must say... We at Cryptic believe that if he would exercice a little, he might be able to combine the two moves and become the next cha-cha god this side of the universe. until then, we suggest that he has himself a happy bouncy birthday. and of course, keep up the good suit. errr, sorry, work."}, {"response": 869, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (11:41)", "body": "Brilliant, brilliant!!! Kudos to vouz at Cyptic. ;-D"}, {"response": 870, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (11:46)", "body": "Fantastic, Sophie, you rock! Colin, did you know the range extends here too: Home, home on the range... Hurry up now boy, ya hear? We know you love that Country (hic), music."}, {"response": 871, "author": "Gina2e", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (11:49)", "body": ""}, {"response": 872, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (11:53)", "body": "ROTFCyptic (Moon)And while we're on the subject of fashion... Colin, please don't wear these ... with your dark suit. Not brown! Or go to nice stodgy Mossbros For these"}, {"response": 873, "author": "Gina2e", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (11:57)", "body": "Happy Birthday Had hoped to bring a cake to the birthday bash but not able to post the cake!"}, {"response": 874, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (12:04)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Colin! Sure, it's great to see you back in the saddle. But to really explore that broad range - to fully rove over it, one might say - you're going to need something with a little more than one horsepower. So I'm sending you a special gift: You can ride it downstream to new roles and challenges It can keep you from getting mired in the mud. And above all, if you find yourself getting stuck in a rut, it can pull you out!"}, {"response": 875, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (12:11)", "body": "Ok, time for more gifts from that covered wagon of pleasure... This is the E Z mount stirrup. I've included the instructions, as well. Don't want you falling off, again. Place your foot in the bottom bar and mount as usual. ...and to go along with your Tex Tan Tex Flex-- The Easy Rider Seat System -with instructions, of course Reversible -- one side non-slip; the other side, smooth. For those who like more freedom, this seat saver makes long rides more pleasurable. Absorbs shock and grips. Also will not absorb sweat or water. Makes old, hard seated saddles a pleasure to ride."}, {"response": 876, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (12:11)", "body": "Looks to me like he might need this one"}, {"response": 877, "author": "houstonandy", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (12:11)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, dear Colin You can put your boots under my bed ANYTIME you're in range!!!"}, {"response": 878, "author": "Gina2e", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (12:25)", "body": "Dear Colin , Hippo birdie 2u, Hippo birdie 2u , Hippo birdie dear Colin Hippo birdie 2u! Really sorry not to post your cake but my technical range is not as broad as I would like however have a super day, wonderful week and successful year."}, {"response": 879, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (12:26)", "body": "Hello ladies. Knowing your great interest in my son, I thought I'd share a little something I found buried in a cupboard. While in America, we took a lovely roadtrip through the Wild Wild West, and David put together an album of our experiences many years ago. Colin did manage to write several notes next to some of the pictures when we returned to England, despite having to endure being called \"The American\" by his classmates. It was a horrible ordeal for him, but I expect he has forgotten about it now. As an aside, Jon and Kate were so over the moon about the trip that they insisted on wearing costumes throughout. Perhaps I should have recognised how that would foreshadow their career choices. Colin seemed more interested in rock music at the time, and I caught him--more than once--pretending to be a rock star in front of the hallway mirror. After our little holiday, I had him working at one of the soup kitchens once a week. He had too much idle time, if he could dance in front of mirrors. I worried what he would become. :-( Here is a map of the initial path of our trip: Starting out in St Louis, we took the older, scenic Route 66 west to Amarillo, instead of the bigger motorways. We stopped at many lovely and convenient modern establishments along the way, like this one: I think the children liked the orange tabletops nearly as much as the ice cream. I wasn't terribly fond of some of the waitpersons. Cracking gum sets such a bad example for the children. I can't remember precisely which town this was taken in, but Colin managed to snap a few pictures of these men in a flashy sports car. Note from Colin: These guys were totally cool and so was the Vette, not like the bloody station wagon we were driving. Quite a bit of the landscape looked like this: and we had to be careful so the undercarriage of the car didn't get tangled up with the loose ones blowing across the road. In West Texas, we exited the highway for a real look at the countryside on our way south to San Antonio. Colin's eyes appeared to glaze over during this portion of the trip. I don't believe he recalls the hundreds and hundreds of miles of this particular landscape. No matter. However, these photos of the Western sky made up for it all: Aren't those lovely? When we arrived in San Antonio, our first stop was The Alamo. For some reason, Colin wanted a coonskin cap as he had seen in the movie, but we refused. There are many people starving in Africa, you know. A cowboy hat would be slightly more practical. Apparently, he snatched the camera away from his father again, possibly a little adolescent rebellion. Note from Colin: Hot babes in odd costumes. Serves them right. None of the children would pose for the camera in front of the Alamo. They all appear to be camera shy in front of people. Something they must have gotten over, given their choice of careers. Some very lovely scenery when we arrived at Big Bend National Park: Note from Colin: I did get that cowboy hat and was made to pose hear those rocks, but I've removed the picture from this album. I know how travelogues typically bore one's friends and relatives, so I'll sign off now and perhaps join you again sometime with my recollections. Regards, Shirley"}, {"response": 880, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (12:52)", "body": "Ladies, who are hoot, all of you. I'm sitting here laughing my head off. I wish I had more time to come up with something and knew how to post it. Oh well, next year I suppose. So let me just be pathetically simple... HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLIN!!!"}, {"response": 881, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (12:56)", "body": "I know how travelogues typically bore one's friends and relatives, Thank you, Shirley. No, no, no...we're never bored around here. Colin's broad range seems to have been inspired years ago. (Colin)Hot babes in odd costumes. Serves them right. LOL...You know all about that, don't you? Thanks, Karen, for inviting Shirley and her travelogue to the party."}, {"response": 882, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (13:02)", "body": "Shirley, indeed this is a privilege that you would share family memories such as these! Come and share any more if you'd like! *I'm sorry... I was laughing so hard I bit the inside of my cheek... ow!*"}, {"response": 883, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (13:17)", "body": "Psst , hey Shirley......you forgot to take pics of our outhouses."}, {"response": 884, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (13:18)", "body": "ROTFLOL! Shirley, so nice of you to drop by. Looking forward to more pictures and insights."}, {"response": 885, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (13:19)", "body": "Too bad they didn't stop by my house ;-)"}, {"response": 886, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (13:22)", "body": "From our own herd of Foolish Antelope: ;-D"}, {"response": 887, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (13:23)", "body": "(Evelyn) Too bad they didn't stop by my house ;-) Ha ha!! Maybe it was because you were hanging around the Boyz in the Hood back in Saint Louie ;-D"}, {"response": 888, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (14:00)", "body": "Since the party is outdoors, it is nice to know we have a full moon tonight. Tonight's full moon, the harvest moon, will flood the twilight sky with natural light just after sunset, providing folks a few extra hours to complete outside chores. Unlike the rest of the year, the nearly full moon will continue to rise shortly after sunset for the next several days. These consecutive evenings of moonlight-filled twilight sky prompted ancient European farmers to name this particular full moon the harvest moon, explained Chester. The moniker is given to the full moon that falls closest to the autumnal equinox. Those nice farmers and their coffee beans."}, {"response": 889, "author": "cyndy", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (14:36)", "body": "I have a home, Where no buffalo roam, Even though I live in the middle of Kansas. My homes in the city, But please don\ufffdt feel pity, Buffaloes smell and really shed much!!! From the city to the prairie, And all points in between, Happy Birthday Colin!!!"}, {"response": 890, "author": "houstonandy", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (14:41)", "body": "Moon Tonight's full moon, the harvest moon, will flood the twilight sky with natural light just after sunset, providing folks a few extra hours to complete outside chores. ....or a few extra hours of moonbeams and moondreams!! How about our handsome, virile birthday boy in a Western out on the Open Range.... ???"}, {"response": 891, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (14:43)", "body": "For the \"American\" boy on his Birthday!"}, {"response": 892, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (14:47)", "body": "Colin, I'm so excited, I can't even say boo, Hey looky, this is my B'Day wish for you!"}, {"response": 893, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (15:02)", "body": "Actually love it, Ildi! I just hope he wears a real bowtie when if it happens.;-) Birthday cake looks delish. The \"Open Range\" Martini Bar is officially open."}, {"response": 894, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (15:07)", "body": ""}, {"response": 895, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (15:08)", "body": "Shirley did manage to discover where the picture had been hidden:"}, {"response": 896, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (15:09)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLIN! For your birthday I'm sending you the latest self-help book for actors. It's entitled Spot The Clunker or How To Avoid Bad Scripts Like The Plague. This should be required bedtime reading to counteract the influence of *friends* who say they've seen a script that has your name written on it."}, {"response": 897, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (15:09)", "body": "You are good Karen! LOL!"}, {"response": 898, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (15:10)", "body": ""}, {"response": 899, "author": "houstonandy", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (15:15)", "body": "Hey, Colin, dude, Pack your new birthday boots, your new birthday saddle, your new birthday spurs, and come on over to our big event. We'll celebrate your birthday with a big, ol' Texas welcome BBQ and lots of hootin' and hollering'. Then, we'll mosey on down and enjoy the show. Then, we'll have some more fun out on the Katy prairie with the Zellwegers. Then, we can all sit by the campfire and sing songs, and roast marshmallows.. And finally, bed down in the bunkhouse. By the way, they'll be several droolers from Texas rooming with you..."}, {"response": 900, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (15:35)", "body": "Hello big boy..... I hear that you are into getting a \"Broad\" on the Range for a Birthday celebration this year...... So why don't you come up and see me sometime!"}, {"response": 901, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (15:42)", "body": "Ah, it's tea time (at least in my time zone) and I thought a selection of delicacies might refresh the ladies who have been so diligently partying for so long. ;-) First, tea and coffee (fair trade, of course) for everyone who has been drinking too much Chardonnay... (I know sugar is not fashionable, but hey, I like sugar in my tea). ...then, cucumber sandwiches (mind, I had to pay ready money for those cucumbers)... ...and muffins... ...and finally, chocolates... ...tiramisu (\"pick-me-up\"), cr\ufffdme caramel, and chocolate hazelnut torte. Don't eat too much, though. Lots of Droolers to share with and more party to go (and I hear a too-full stomach makes riding uncomfortable)! ;-)"}, {"response": 902, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (15:45)", "body": "Look Greit, there's Beedee stationed at Cape Cod Lighthouse making sure that the ship doesn't turn itself around again and land at \"Romcom Port\"! What are those signal flaggs saying? Have............ A .............. Wonderful ............... Birthday!......to Colin and the Droolers! Beedee! Back on Saturday!"}, {"response": 903, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (15:47)", "body": "Gotta get out of this cyber cafe and find the DH at the Bar or the beach! Love to all of you! I can't wait to get the full picture on Saturday...... Beedee"}, {"response": 904, "author": "houstonandy", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (15:49)", "body": "Just in from Oliver Stone Dear Colin, Just heard it was your 43rd birthday. So sorry I wasn't prepared. Do have an idea, however. Call me crazy, but I think it'll work. Let's just call it a Colin-substitution. Given your broad range , this should be a triumph for you. Anyway you've aged so much better. Even though this guy was a conquering hero, we know many who say you're a conqueror of your own world, too. So, here's the new poster. And many happy returns of the day."}, {"response": 905, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (15:53)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLIN!!!! AND MANY MANY MORE. From Richard, Fitzwilliam and Mark to Jack, Colin and oh my God Henry you have given me such elation. Anxiously waiting to see Mark again and Vemeer from all accounts will do me in. But what a way to go. You rock my world. Thank you. HAPPY BIRTHDAY."}, {"response": 906, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (15:55)", "body": "Time for some Western vittles.... I'm gettin' the prairie oysters ready."}, {"response": 907, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (16:01)", "body": "(Evelyn)Time for some Western vittles.... I'm gettin' the prairie oysters ready. LOL! You're probably right; perhaps a proper afternoon tea doesn't travel quite as well on the open prairie as food that already has hooves. Good to have options (a \"broad range\" so to speak)!"}, {"response": 908, "author": "soph", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (16:17)", "body": "Cryptic Quotations Inc. having now absorbed \"We speak colinese better than you\" Inc. (after a successful merger with The Let's Get Physical Co.) is proud to present its last report to their Drool competitors before bedtime Okay, huh, due to some new business developments here at Cryptic, we thought we might add a little something. The thing is, we checked the competition, and we saw this *$*#W Shirley has cornered the market in terms of western style travelogues. clever, veeeery clever... and we saw that the whole thing was drifting west, a lot more west than we had expected : sissy saddles, cowboy boots (when wear the finest italian leather, cream and chocolate colored, toe capped shoes), waggons (when we drive studebakers), hee-haas and \"bring me my whip, colin\" nonsense plastered all over the board, not to mention the lettuce girls, duh ! back to their roots obviously... (turning back to the animator currently cufflinked to the heater) : how the hell could you not see this coming ? *double-slap sound* hmmff... (ruffle sound of tie knot getting smoothed). well, obviously, we cannot compete on this \"ride 'em cowboy\" segment of the market, besides, we are all down here plagued with lousy backs, thanks to computer work, and hemorroids, what with the howard johnson's stops and all that spicy western food (no thanks to *you*, shirley), so all this talk about saddles, you know, thank you but no, thank you... but, but, this very fifties mood not to mention the dry martinis got to our heads here at Cryptic, while we were assessing our losses due to this colinskin (oops, sorry, that's coonskin) cap fad, so we dusted out all our Perez Prado & Xavier Cugat LPs and launched a \"Havana 1953-it's a free for all country\" party at our main offices, to complement (read: compete) with this ridiculous \"ain't nothing but a drool thing, pardner\" party. And yes, now that you mention it, we hate country and western, we hate square dancing, and we hate you. To prove our rightousness in doing so, a miracle happened : entranced by the subtle rythms of \"mambo n\ufffd8\", mr. f. showed up unanounced at Cryptic, proclamed the Drool C&W fad \"ludicrous\", and after downing a couple of martinis at the tiki bar, decided to take these dancing lessons we were suggesting a couple of posts earlier. yeah, i know, some of you think it's not the dancing that needs urgent fixing, but still, you have to admire this boy's dedication to his broadening habit *** (frantic voice of the cufflinked animator) *They're lying, they're lying ! mr. f. didn't just show up like that, he was not himself, it was something with the martinis, and i have proof : he's been acting weirdly lately, like wearing brown shoes with a blue suit ! they abducted him because they have a contract to trash him with compromising pictures ! they got a huge amount of money for this from Hugh...\" *SLAM* *** Shut up you texan scum, or you'll be beef jerky in a second ! anyway, what was i saying... oh yeah ! dancing lessons. evidence #3 ! broad range indeed, ahaha : Fig. 3 : Cha-cha chap next time you'll see him, he'll be wearing the fugly shirt, trying to get tickets to the \"rat pack extravaganza\" being held at the santa anita racetracks, ahahaha ! ed. note : boy, this is exhausting ! the party's just getting started and i am all out of captures already ! night night, had a lot of fun with all the hilarious posts today, mille mercis"}, {"response": 909, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (16:23)", "body": "Sophie (and Cryptic quotation animators) Fantastic! And a hoot to boot! Yeehaww!!!!!"}, {"response": 910, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (16:40)", "body": "Omigod, you ladies are too much. ROTFLMAO!! Will review, savor and comment more later, but thought I'd better get my tribute in before the day is over. Colin, in honor of your birthday theme and in light of your absorption of the Italian culture, I bring you A Spaghetti Western to show the linkages between the two. The Western man is taciturn, brief of speech: \"Yup. Nope. I reckon.\" The Italian man takes an oath of omerta when faced with shockingly personal questions that the general public should never find out about, i.e., \"Colin, is it a boy or a girl?\". The Western man wears a neckerchief. The Italian man wears a scapular with a picture of Saint Anthony of Padua on it. The Western man rides into the sunset to the strains of the theme to \"For A Few Dollars More.\" The Italian man uses \"For A Few Dollars More\" as criteria for choosing certain roles."}, {"response": 911, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (16:48)", "body": "Well, at least we know his fingers have a \"broad\" range. But, seriously, on his 43rd birthday he can learn a lot from all his devoted fans who have recently shown a broad range of determination driving through a broad mountain range and going great distances to film festivals to see him in his films and in the flesh! They have even sent back the most glowing, well written, and informative reports of his movies. So happy birthday, Colin, you big hunk of inspiration, you! You can learn a ot from your fans about going the distance! LOL, Karen, over the Firth's tumbleweed trip. Does Shirley remind anyone of Aunt Bee? Am having trouble getting that whistling theme song from Mayberry, RFD out of my head as I read about their West Texas journey! That last picture of him with the cowboy hat could even be Opie sans the red hair ;-)."}, {"response": 912, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (17:00)", "body": "You wonderful drooleurs amaze me! I'm all astonishment :-) But Colin, dear birthdayboy, there is no one like this guy to get you back in the saddle (that is, if Lindas attempts fail ;-)), so - he'res *looking* at you, kid!! And - I just realised, I'd forgotten something - to give you a birthday kiss. Do you mind? Nevermind, you'll get one nevertheless :-D Happy birthday, Colin"}, {"response": 913, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (17:08)", "body": "Oh Mari...the scapular...the oath of Omerta not to divulge sex of offspring.... I'm dying here."}, {"response": 914, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (19:35)", "body": "Wow... sure can get quiet and lonely out here on the open range. I wonder if there's an echo. Happy Birthday Colin! Happy Birthday Colin! Happy Birthday Colin! Happy Birthday Colin! Happy Birthday Colin! Happy Birthday Colin! Hehe! Back to my Firthday movie marathon."}, {"response": 915, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (19:44)", "body": "Ladies, you are all cracking me up! Sophie, Colin in chacha mode with the coat! Hot, hot, hot!!! (Mari), The Italian man wears a scapular with a picture of Saint Anthony of Padua on it. Aha! That's what it was. LOL! It's still early on the West coast. Bowie is singing and the martinis are flowing. Some party!"}, {"response": 916, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (19:51)", "body": "(Soph)a miracle happened : entranced by the subtle rythms of \"mambo n\ufffd8\", mr. f. showed up unanounced at Cryptic, proclamed the Drool C&W fad \"ludicrous\", and after downing a couple of martinis at the tiki bar, decided to take these dancing lessons we were suggesting a couple of posts earlier LMAO, you are too, much. I'll laugh all night. Mari, I was hoping you'd drop by. Can always count on an Italian connection with you:-) ...and now for the last of the presents from the wagon. (Hey can we move the martini bar in there? Now that all the presents are cleared out, we can spread out;-) This little leather number is for lassoing in those hard to get roles.(it may even work for the ones you don't want to test for)It's tricky to use until you get the hang of it. I thought you could practice on some of us, later...much later. Here's a little present for your horse, as well. Now you can't blame the horse for steering you off course. You're in the saddle, big boy! Colin, I hope you've enjoyed today as much as I have. Thanks, everyone for making this such a fun day. Now, where did I put my martini?"}, {"response": 917, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (21:02)", "body": "I don't even know where to begin. I've never laughed so hard at my own parties! Lisa, loved the SMVP Productions. If the Duke says it's hunky dory, it's ok by me! Linda! Where can I order me one of them thar Tex Pleasure Saddle thingies?;-) And so happy to see the Fab Five made it! (Maria)The Range is broad...(All together now!) How broad is it?!!! LOL! *Never* thought I'd see Gene Rayburn at a Drool party. Is Charles Nelson Reilly coming too?;-) Evelyn, lovely to hear from Senor Brioni again! Like your teepee by the way.;-) Sophie, loved the bouncy boy and the good people at Cryptic Inc.! Good work on the Oscar winner, Ildi--from your lips to God's ear! One of these days . . . BeeDee, no turning back to that RomCom Port--you keep them away! LOL! Karen, Karen, Karen. *Still wiping tears* reading Shirley's scrapbook of the Firth family getting their kicks on Route 66--can picture them in one of those station wagons with the faux wood panels on the sides.;-) After our little holiday, I had him working at one of the soup kitchens once a week. He had too much idle time, if he could dance in front of mirrors... I wasn't terribly fond of some of the waitpersons. Cracking gum sets such a bad example for the children.. . . Colin wanted a coonskin cap as he had seen in the movie, but we refused. There are many people starving in Africa, you know. Must stop, my stomach hurts--LMAO. A Drool Spoof Hall of Fame piece!:-) Moon, excellent entertainment and martinis! Thanks so much to everyone for the laughs! Carry on, the night is still young. Or as one of Karen's guests might say, \"Everybody have fun tonight. Everybody Wang Chung tonight!:-)"}, {"response": 918, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (21:35)", "body": "(Hen) For your birthday I'm sending you the latest self-help book for actors. It's entitled Spot The Clunker or How To Avoid Bad Scripts Like The Plague. This should be required bedtime reading to counteract the influence of *friends* who say they've seen a script that has your name written on it. LOL and Amen. ;-) Remember, this man is only your friend and should not be relied upon for career advice. Would he ask your opinion on what he writes? Doubtful. (Beedee) Hello big boy..... Pffft! Yeah, that broad would make mincemeat out of him and she wouldn't let him get away with a neck nuzzle. (knew you couldn't stay away on such an important day!) Andrea, I think Oliver may want to talk some Conspiracy theories over with the birthday boy, probably the coffee cartel... Please, please!! Let the animator go! We'll pay good money (or not) and trade you some perfectly cured beef jerky for Sophie. *bottoms up* she says, holding her chocolate martini, whilst reading hilarious stream-of-consciousnous semi-paranoidal rantings of the Jeune Fille in the Iron Mask, who only wants to cha-cha in the style of Arthur Murray. Totally hysterical, Soph and your colleagues at Cyptic. ;-D (Mari) The Italian man uses \"For A Few Dollars More\" as criteria for choosing certain roles. *snort* Ah yes, I can see a future in Spaghetti Westerns. Perhaps they'll use some of the supporting cast from Nostromo, while they're at it. Am loving it all, ladies, and so thrilled to see so many of new Drooleurs jumping in and having a good time. Many, many kudos, ladies, for your humor and initiative. BTW, Shirley left the album in good hands...(can't believe I left this one out of the other posting) and you never know when more will be shared with us:"}, {"response": 919, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (21:58)", "body": ""}, {"response": 920, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (22:01)", "body": "checking my master list and think I've now posted most everything) Phew!! Anyone taking umbrage with my Western potshots is free to ridicule my area of the country. Plenty to laugh about when the flatness and the cornfields don't bore you to tears."}, {"response": 921, "author": "caribou", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (22:29)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Colin and many returns of the day!! Day is dying in the west and it's time to take out Jack's guitar I'm keeping for him. It's not every Sept. 10th we have such good movies lined up so, in celebration, I bring my own rendition of an old favorite: Drooltown ladies sing this song, Doo! Dah! Doo! Dah! The GWAPE ticket line five blocks long! Oh, the Doo! Dah! Day! Born to act all night, Born to act all day, Bet my money on Vermeer, Somebody bet on LA!"}, {"response": 922, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (22:43)", "body": "You know I like to be fashionably late, but this is absurd. Of course, no one has ever accused me of being fashionable. ;-) Well Colin, Shirley was so kind as to give us a lovely album providing a chronicle of your first visit to the West which you seemed to love so. But as that was so long ago, I thought I\ufffdd point out some interesting sights you may want to check out on the return to your Home on the Range. Here are some chaps to go with you new saddle and boots... Feel free to wear them however you wish. While I\ufffdm not a fashion consultant, I do have a couple of suggestions, if you\ufffdre interested. ;-)"}, {"response": 923, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (22:45)", "body": "Would that be with or without pants? Do dah, do dah ;-)"}, {"response": 924, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (22:46)", "body": "First stop is Mt. Drama. The guide book recommends Earring Point, Dead Wait Trail, and Webber Glacier. Next up.....Mt. Horror. I found this to have some particularly tough trails including Trauma Pass and Trail of Craven. Lots of thin pathways on the edge of deep, dark canyons. It takes a while to traverse, so you may want to stop to water the horse at Mark Evans Lake. The one I thought would be most interesting is Mt. Thriller. It\ufffds the tall, jaggedy, imposing one in the middle. The Park Service said not to miss M. Night Grove with it\ufffds fields of wildflowers still in bloom this time of year. Schumacher Canyon and DePalma Point Loop aren\ufffdt to be missed either. But you must be aware not to get too close to \ufffdMt.\ufffd Rom-Com. There are all sorts of things there that will crawl out to bite you on the butt if you aren\ufffdt careful. Depending on how you decide to wear your new chaps, that might make the ride back a tad uncomfortable. :-("}, {"response": 925, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (22:49)", "body": "I have just a couple of things left to bring in yet. Sheesh! And I haven't made my way to the bar yet for my Chardonnay and Champagne."}, {"response": 926, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (23:13)", "body": "Doo! Dah! Doo! Dah! Great, now that's stuck in my head! Must have something to drink..."}, {"response": 927, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (23:15)", "body": "Here are the last few things for the birthday boy.... Went to Barney's to pick you up a little something since you have a lot of premiering coming up. In an attempt to break you out of what seems to have become your premiere \"uniform,\" I've picked up a couple of colored shirts. My personal preference is this one (**hint, hint for Nov 6th ;-)) . This one is nice, also, I thought. I think these colors look smashing on you and either would go with a blue suit if you didn't want to branch out to a black one. I'll have to check with Carson about that, though. ;-) And one last thing. So you're never caught again without the proper footwear to go premiering and you don't want to spend a fortune on some Italian pair you don't want to add to your luggage home, I thought this would help out in a pinch...a gift certificate to .... Figure you could keep the certificate in your wallet when you travel and toss the shoes, or leave them behind in the hotel (the staff might be appreciative of a new pair of shoes left behind). Nothing extra to cart home."}, {"response": 928, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (23:15)", "body": "I had a wonderful animated guy picking a guitar to accompany Caribou's bookmarked. Too bad I didn't save him to my hard drive, as he's no longer there. :-("}, {"response": 929, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (23:24)", "body": "Whew! I'm right behind you Shoshanna! I'm starving, too. Is there any food left? Well Colin, I'm thrilled to see you return to your Range (that you may have left in body, but not in spirit). Happy 43rd Birthday, Colin!! sorry the actual birthday wish is 20 mins too late, but better late than never I suppose) :-) I wish you lots of success and happiness in your career over the coming year!"}, {"response": 930, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (23:56)", "body": "TOO LATE TO DO ANYTHING CLEVER! Happy Birthday, Colin! Thanks for all the wonderful moments you've given all of us... and we'll even accept the plonkers, too! May next year be even better than this year has been. Thanks to all the Droolers who made this a memorable, and often hysterically funny, birthday for Our Dear Boy!"}, {"response": 931, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (01:23)", "body": "Shhhhhh.......Is almost midnight here.....am v. v. late, but want to wish ODB a very Happy Birthday....and sweet dreams! And thank you \"O Ladies of Drool\" for making this such a fun place to visit and play!"}, {"response": 932, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (08:37)", "body": ""}, {"response": 933, "author": "caribou", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (10:22)", "body": "(Karen)I had a wonderful animated guy picking a guitar to accompany Caribou's bookmarked. Thank you so much, Karen. It's the thought that counts. I appreciate your looking out for the clip art deprived!:-) Wonderful party, ladies. So many great interpretations of the theme."}, {"response": 934, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (10:52)", "body": "I was rather surprised that Mari's analysis of Spaghetti westerns and Colin didn't include this: I know I've seen it. ;-D"}, {"response": 935, "author": "houstonandy", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (10:55)", "body": "Had a wonderful time at the party yesterday. I think it would have been hard for me to imagine just how much fun one can have in cyberspace before joining the Droolers. Karen, thanks for helping me out, and thanks to everyone for the wonderful imagination and creativity. It was just plain firthulous!!!"}, {"response": 936, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (12:28)", "body": "Thanks, Karen. It was a wonderful party. I'm now trying to catch up on all the RL stuff that I totally ingnored, yesterday. Yeah, right. Heck. Any martinis left?"}, {"response": 937, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (14:00)", "body": "Ladies my hat is off to you, as usual. What a wonderful party. And such talent. I'm still laughing. Wonderful job."}, {"response": 938, "author": "soph", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (15:00)", "body": "auuugh ! just woke up in a puddle of drool, lying on the floor behind the tiki bar. my mouth feels like it's been padded with cotton wool : must be all these martinis... and my feet hurt from all these mambo & chacha lessons... boy, does this boy know how to shake it. i was so plastered i realize now i couldn't even set the lines right in my last post, i missed a blue tag and offered you guys & gals a rather interesting mind slip (cufflinks for handcuffs, hmmm, what do you think about this doktor sigmund ?). before i passed out though, i remember i had two important messages for humanity : one of them was about the perfect martini mix, but i just can't remember. the other one was to thank you all for all the fun, esp. karen for hosting such a great party."}, {"response": 939, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (16:56)", "body": "We were too plastered to notice any minor errors. Your hostess made plenty of mistakes. This year's party was great fun and the guest list was A-List all the way."}, {"response": 940, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (17:16)", "body": "A bit late... HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COLIN All is forgiven...come on home..."}, {"response": 941, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (22:02)", "body": "Too late..."}, {"response": 942, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (18:06)", "body": "Note to self after trip from hell without high-speed modem---If you still have a job this time next year, schedule vacation...this is not to be missed. 80+ (heavily imaged) messages letter, I have cackled over SMVP Productions, Tex Tan Tex Flex Pleasure Saddle, omerta, Colin, the dancing fool and the Firth Family travelogue. (I'm working now on catching up to the apparent blood alcohol content.) Big secret ladies, even without ODB, the wit and repartee of this group would be a strong lure. You outdid yourself. Now, if you all don't mind that it's belated and you have one more message showing up on this board, I'd like to finally get to say Happy Birthday Colin!"}, {"response": 943, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (14:22)", "body": "(Ada)BTW, Boss, may I ask what is this year's theme for September? I must have many weeks to figure something out;-) Been wondering this myself! Ever since I scheduled my vacation to be near my home computer this year!;-))"}, {"response": 944, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (14:36)", "body": "what about a 'Mark & Bridget reunion' theme. (it's better than a Nanny theme) ;-)"}, {"response": 945, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (14:53)", "body": "Holy cow, I just realized some of us may be in Toronto for the special occasion. Would be kinda cool if Trauma is screening that day. Maybe a theme to do with him now playing (or hopefully will be) some characters that are less than together, ethical, or to say the least, slightly off kilter? (for Trauma, WTTL, and hopefully Toyer). Just throwing that out there. Otherwise have no idea at this point."}, {"response": 946, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (18:12)", "body": "(dorine)Holy cow, I just realized some of us may be in Toronto for the special occasion. Crikey . .have images of us running after limos in the streets of Toronto w/ b'day cakes;) Dorine . .you're bringing your laptop right?:) How about a Bollywood bash? Or everything old is new again . .(since everyone happens to be doing remakes of his stuff . .FP, P&P) or a Disney party (in honor of WTTL?:)"}, {"response": 947, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (18:22)", "body": "LOL....We can all go to Disneyland...meet at Club 33 for drinks!"}, {"response": 948, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (18:52)", "body": "Wot??? Dineyland is no where near Toronto !!! :o)"}, {"response": 949, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (18:58)", "body": "Yvette's quite right . .how about a Canadian themed partay . .since that's where he'll be located;)"}, {"response": 950, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (19:06)", "body": "(Tress)LOL....We can all go to Disneyland...meet at Club 33 for drinks! Oooh, that's a suggestion I can deal with;-) I've been searching this year's article archives to see if YKW said anything funny on which a theme could be based, but other than describing himself as \"an old converted houseboat moving slowly down the Thames\"...I'm at a loss for a birthday theme suggestion."}, {"response": 951, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (19:25)", "body": "(Yvette) Wot??? Dineyland is no where near Toronto!!! :o) LOL....It's all a state of mind....as I'm sure Vince/Rex could tell us! ;-D 'Sides...not everyone will be in Toronto...okay, the birthday boy may be... I'll have to look through the archives too...always fun to look back....but really, who needs words when there are tub pics? ;-) To quote Frank...it was a very good year..."}, {"response": 952, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (19:31)", "body": "(Tress)To quote Frank...it was a very good year... Betcha we could tie in a Rat Pack themed party too;)"}, {"response": 953, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (19:38)", "body": "(Terry)To quote Frank...it was a very good year... Can't you just hear it playing in the background of that picture?;-) Actually, it was a very good year!"}, {"response": 954, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (22:36)", "body": "(Kimberly) Or everything old is new again . I like this, but maybe as it pertains to his career in dramas? ;-) (Ok, except for Nanny M and BJD....well, maybe nevermind! ;-))"}, {"response": 955, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (22:39)", "body": "I was thinking about a Bollywood style party bacause of the new P&P one coming out, but I like the the idea of a Rat Pack themed party too. Dorine, if you do see him on his bday in Toronto, you will have to guide him over to this party too. Take the laptop!!! ;-)"}, {"response": 956, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (23:31)", "body": "But really, what does the Bollywood thing have to do with him, other than it will have a Mr. Darcy."}, {"response": 957, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (07:48)", "body": "(dorine)But really, what does the Bollywood thing have to do with him, other than it will have a Mr. Darcy. Just seems that Bollywood/the South Asian influence is creeping up on the entertainment field finally . . .for example, something like Bombay Dreams probably wouldn't have come to Broadway a few years ago if the timing wasn't right . . and besides we can dreg out those cute pics of Richard Herncastle in his turban for this one;) . . can't you imagine . .saris . .Colin trying to make curry and splattering it all over the place (since he is supposedly not that great when it comes to neatness in the kitchen . .:) - I'd sign up to give him private lessons in the kitchen:)"}, {"response": 958, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (07:57)", "body": "(Moon)I was thinking about a Bollywood style party bacause of the new P&P (dorine)But really, what does the Bollywood thing have to do with him, other than it will have a Mr. Darcy. (Kim)Just seems that Bollywood/the South Asian influence is creeping up on the entertainment field finally . Oh heck, think about how much fun it would be to dress for it? Bells on our fingers, bells on our toes and the earrings Louisa!;-))"}, {"response": 959, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (08:50)", "body": "Oh heck, think about how much fun it would be to dress for it? You mean all of us belly -dancing all over the place... I've a sari for my b'day ; thank you Moon;-) PS: I vote for the It's- a -small- world-Disneyland party."}, {"response": 960, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (09:14)", "body": "My druthers would be the Disneyland party, too. At least there is a real connection to him in some way, whether they actually use it in the movie or not."}, {"response": 961, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (10:40)", "body": "(Evelyn)I vote for the It's- a -small- world-Disneyland party. (Dorine)My druthers would be the Disneyland party, too. I like that, too. Gives partygoers a wider range (not to bring up last year's theme;-))to explore."}, {"response": 962, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (11:43)", "body": "The upcoming publicity for Trauma (interviews/articles) may provide some better ideas. So far I've come up with \"With a Little Help From My Friends\" ;-) You know, people like Marc Evans. *snort*"}, {"response": 963, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (12:54)", "body": "What about a Montone/Italia theme? Something to do with \"key to the city\". Think of those comfy (linen?) trousers, that hat, the wine, the food....."}, {"response": 964, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (14:02)", "body": "(Karen), So far I've come up with \"With a Little Help From My Friends\" ;-) You know, people like Marc Evans. *snort* LOL! This year we do have lots of possibilities. Disneyland is good too because, \"All is Not What it Seems\". Referring to when he gets a big starring role such as Trauma and it looks like it might go straight to video. :-( He gets to co-star as Mr D in the huge hit BJD and he follows it up with a kids film. :-( I hope to keep the Bollywood theme for another year because... I love it. Everyone breaking into song at any given time has lots of fun possibilities and humor. The dancing, the saris, the hot spicey foods and the mangoes! Oh, baby!"}, {"response": 965, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (14:21)", "body": "How about All is Not What It Seems With a Little Help From My Friends? ;-) I actually like this a lot."}, {"response": 966, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (14:39)", "body": "All is Not What It Seems With a Little Help From My Friends? ;-) I like it! Lots to work with, lots to fail with, to chose or to be chosen..."}, {"response": 967, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (14:53)", "body": "Too soon to decide on. I'd like to comb through the articles as well."}, {"response": 968, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (21:14)", "body": "August 16, 1998 was the birthdate of this website. So, we're coming up on our sixth year. It's a fabulous run. http://colinfirth.com first registered August 16, 1998."}, {"response": 969, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (21:31)", "body": "How cute...the anniversary of Elvis' death. ;-)"}, {"response": 970, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 2004 (09:34)", "body": "I'll add \"Char-Monkey See; Char-Monkey Do\" to the list of possibles."}, {"response": 971, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 2004 (10:07)", "body": "Definitely think this year's party demands a theme from the last interview. Remember the \"Turning around the ship\" theme. There is *Tradition* here!"}, {"response": 972, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 2004 (10:42)", "body": "\"Char-monkey shines\", \"Don't char-monkey with me\", \"Char-monkey business\"?????"}, {"response": 973, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 2004 (11:14)", "body": "\"Char-monkey on my back.\""}, {"response": 974, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 2004 (11:36)", "body": ""}, {"response": 975, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 2004 (14:04)", "body": "Have best ideas while driving. Might be because of the stickshift. How about: Spanking the Char-Monkey or PG PG go away. Come again some other day (though not in my lifetime)"}, {"response": 976, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 2004 (14:16)", "body": "(Karen) Spanking the Char-Monkey ROTFL...line forms in the rear ;-D"}, {"response": 977, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 2004 (15:39)", "body": "(Karen)Spanking the Char-Monkey How about \"doing the Char-Monkey\" Minds out of the gutter, ladies. Doing the Char Monkey as in a dance;-) Char Monkey see-Char Monkey Do"}, {"response": 978, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 2004 (15:51)", "body": "(Linda) Minds out of the gutter, ladies. Doing the Char Monkey as in a dance;-) (LOL. I dunno, I like the gutter one better.) Anyway, I vote for \"Doing the Char Monkey\". Lots of possiblities;-)"}, {"response": 979, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 2004 (16:22)", "body": "(Linda) Minds out of the gutter, ladies. Hey, I resemble that comment. Was I the one who told a journalist that I wanted to play stuttering masturbatory village perverts? ;-) Also, let me reassure any PETA members that no real char-monkeys will be harmed during the course of this birthday celebration. Like ants, they're good sports. ;-)"}, {"response": 980, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 2004 (19:05)", "body": "(Karen)Was I the one who told a journalist that I wanted to play stuttering masturbatory village perverts? Speaking of perverts, in honor of WTTL, I've thought of another possible theme. Vince Collins/Rex starring as... CHAR Love that Daddy A Go Go"}, {"response": 981, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 2004 (20:53)", "body": "(Karen) Spanking the Char-Monkey He could use a good spanking. LOL! ;-)"}, {"response": 982, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 2004 (20:59)", "body": "Everyone line up behind me! ;-)"}, {"response": 983, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 2004 (23:09)", "body": "I love \"Spanking the Char-Monkey!\" So, does anyone else remember Spanky Pants ? ;-) Or should those be spanking pants? Hmmmmmm."}, {"response": 984, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 2004 (08:55)", "body": "Spanky Pants LOL- no I don't remember them. Am a little horrified, though, at the use of the word \"Vintage\" about something so close to my own age!! ;o)"}, {"response": 985, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 2004 (09:03)", "body": "(Linda) Speaking of perverts, in honor of WTTL...Monkey in the Middle Maybe for Kevin's birthday. Anybody know when that is? ;-) LOL! Malcolm in the Middle (despite Emmys) is one TV show I've never watched."}, {"response": 986, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 2004 (12:00)", "body": "Just missed his bday: Kevin Bacon, born on 8 July 1958 in Philadelphia."}, {"response": 987, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 2004 (14:44)", "body": "(Lisa JH)So, does anyone else remember Spanky Pants Ha! . .Must say I have a few pairs of \"spankys\" I've used recently w/ some rather teeny dance/theatre costumes . . Wonder if the Char-Monkey Temple will accept those - they are in the jollyhose family after all . . ."}, {"response": 988, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 2004 (12:57)", "body": ""}, {"response": 989, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 2004 (12:58)", "body": "Been dawdling way too long and being indecisive. The theme for the our 2004 birthday bash is... [ta dah!] Get that Char-Monkey Off Your Back or The Stage Beckons Lots to work with and plenty of humorous possibilities. So I say, \"Go forth, Fellowship of the Firth, and get ready to party\" ;-)"}, {"response": 990, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 2004 (16:12)", "body": "Capital! Capital! Thanks, Karen!"}, {"response": 991, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 2004 (16:50)", "body": "(Karen) \"Go forth, Fellowship of the Firth, and get ready to party\" Yippeeee!!! A Char-monkey theme! This will be more fun than watching the Alaska DMV (they look busy today)!!! ;-) http://www.state.ak.us/local/akpages/ADMIN/dmv/AFOwebCam.htm"}, {"response": 992, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 2004 (16:54)", "body": "Did you doubt it wouldn't be a char-monkey theme? The problem was always the second part. The message was too long. But have no fear, they will be resurrected on the 10th. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 111, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 112, "subject": "Colin Firth - Darcy Drool (cont. from 68)", "response_count": 1999, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Nov  9, 1998 (17:40)", "body": "...and I guess that would be me. Before our comments were consigned to LimboLand, we had just started a discussion on that spot on your tape that is worn so thin you're afraid it will break next time you freeze frame. For me it was the look at Lizzy after the bath. For others it was that LOOK and the kiss. Anyone care to continue this discussion and also tell us why your tape is so thin there?"}, {"response": 2, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Nov  9, 1998 (19:07)", "body": "Technical difficulty;-) is that what she's called now:) hee hee. Sorry,had to do it the devil made me actually!"}, {"response": 3, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Nov 10, 1998 (07:38)", "body": "Well, there can't be too much Darcy drooling in my book. Glad to see our man FD merits two topics! Actually I have already given my opinions on the moments with greatest freeze frame potential but I had to see if my lap top would cooperate and let me post. I am drooling from afar in Singapore tonight but am still keeping up with your lively discussions. Ain't technology grand?"}, {"response": 4, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 10, 1998 (11:21)", "body": "Is this the look?"}, {"response": 5, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Nov 10, 1998 (16:53)", "body": "Oooh, sweetie, sweetie, sweetie, you got it. And my tape looks even grainier at this spot than this photo. This is Darcy unmasked...confusion, curiousity, longing. I like this from the essay, Mr. Darcy's Body: Privileging the Female Gaze by Lisa Hopkins in the book Jane Austen Goes to the Movies - \"Once again, he looks at her, and we look at him.\""}, {"response": 6, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Nov 11, 1998 (14:17)", "body": "\"Once again, he looks at her, and we look at him.\" ] Yah, we always look at him! Cool photo, Karen. But what about the one right before the valet puts the robe on him:) hee hee. Darcy in full glory. (well almost)"}, {"response": 7, "author": "StefanieB", "date": "Wed, Nov 11, 1998 (14:38)", "body": "Mine is the Netherfield Ball dance . . . .I could watch that dance 1000 times and not get enough (slurp!!) I have watched it a thousand times! You all are doing a mighty fine job here. Sorry I don't post very often. For Nat, I shall try to continue the \"First Time,\" though I think I have lost my momentum . . . Have not looked at either one for quite a while. Nice to be able to lurk every now and then!!"}, {"response": 8, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Nov 11, 1998 (15:52)", "body": "yeah, stefanie and you have a french little picnic you have to attend to as well:) We have not forgotten Summer Masquerade Ball:)"}, {"response": 9, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 11, 1998 (17:10)", "body": "Please Stefanie, we have been v.v. patient!"}, {"response": 10, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Nov 12, 1998 (18:07)", "body": "I love the look he has when he returns to the music room after everyone has gone to bed at Pemberley. He is beautiful here, the look of love and rememberance on his face as he recalls the look they exchamged makes me melt and run off under the coffee table."}, {"response": 11, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov 12, 1998 (20:29)", "body": "My tape starts running thin....as Lizzie and the Gardiners are approaching Pemberley in the carriage...they cross over the bridge (full symbollism...she is crossing over to his lifestyle etc.) and the look on her face as she gazes at Pemberley for the first time is charming...then of course the rest of the Pemberley event develops..walking up the stairs together...when D. asks Lizzie to meet his sister...\"Am I asking too much of you.....\" Sigh, sigh."}, {"response": 12, "author": "amess", "date": "Tue, Nov 17, 1998 (22:14)", "body": "I've been \"lurking\" and reading for ages and finally figured out how this thing works! I'd have to agree with Stefanie for favorite moments...the Netherfield Ball, when their hands first touch 8)"}, {"response": 13, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Nov 18, 1998 (16:12)", "body": "Definitely the Netherfield Ball. .....and the quiet dark walk of remembrance to the music room after all are gone.....and most especially at the Lambton Inn when he rises to greet her. That look in his eyes!!! Welcome back Stefanie! It is lonely without you!!!"}, {"response": 14, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 18, 1998 (17:15)", "body": "(Andrea)I've been \"lurking\" and reading for ages and finally figured out how this thing works Welcome Andrea, Glad to have you join us. Now that you figured out the procedure,I hope you go to #98 and join us in the discussion of DUTCH GIRLS starting Nov. 22nd. The more , the merrier ;-)"}, {"response": 15, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Nov 18, 1998 (22:35)", "body": "Oooh, Dutch Girls?! I have not seen that yet, though I think I have it. I am here to invite all you lurking Darcyians over to 113 to claim and exclaim over your Keepsake. Please!!!"}, {"response": 16, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Nov 19, 1998 (20:01)", "body": "Welcome, Andrea. So glad you figured out how to post. Now if you could only figure out why we're so mired in this Darcy drool. A most pleasing diversion though. I agree that the electricity is felt by more than just E&D when their hands first touch at the Netherfield ball. I just thought of another spot on my tape that's in danger of breaking...and Darcy's not even in it. Love when Lizzy tells her father \"I love him\" when she explains her feelings toward Darcy. Giving all due credit to Davies for honoring JA's portrayal of Elizabeth's restrained proposal acceptance, wouldn't you have loved to hear her tell Darcy she loved him?"}, {"response": 17, "author": "amess", "date": "Fri, Nov 20, 1998 (14:15)", "body": "Oops! Forgot another favorite (true, these could go on indefinitely)! Just after Elizabeth reads Jane's letter and Darcy arrives. There's that brief moment when he helps her sit down, asks about calling a doctor...meanwhile he's holding her hand, just for a moment. I don't know how proper this would be in this time period , but I love it and my tape will wear thin catching that moment!"}, {"response": 18, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Nov 20, 1998 (17:51)", "body": "Love that walk down the dark hallway after all have gone to bed. He tries to supress smiles so charmingly...he is just too cute!!! That walk and the stare he gives Lizzie as he sees her coming into the room at the Lambton Inn as he awaits the introduction of her to his sister. That look beggars all wordsw, but it gets me right there! My tape is not thin there, but that part where Lizzie tells her father how much she loves him is her prettiest and most exalted moment. Surpasses all of her other scenes by miles."}, {"response": 19, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Nov 20, 1998 (18:06)", "body": "Sheesh...sorry about repeating myself. At least I'm consistent!!!"}, {"response": 20, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 20, 1998 (18:08)", "body": "(Andrea)There's that brief moment when he helps her sit down, asks about calling a doctor...meanwhile he's holding her hand, just for a moment. Known as \"The Hand-Fondling Scene\"....my fave too, Andrea. (You know , he just wants to put his arms around her.)"}, {"response": 21, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Nov 20, 1998 (19:14)", "body": "Me too!! Me too!!!!!"}, {"response": 22, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Nov 20, 1998 (19:14)", "body": "At the risk of adding a February 7, 2036 date here (it's infecting the other topics!), another thin spot I recall - I'm forever trying to freezeframe my tape at the spot where Darcy & Elizabeth are in the same shot as she walks by him wearing that little smirk after she's heard him \"dissing\" her at the Assembly. That moment where both their expressions are seen at once is so elusive. I also like to get both of them in the same shot when he is handing her into the carriage at Pemberley but that's a littl easier. Yes, Marcia, love the walk down the hallway at Pemberley even if my mother insists on saying he walks like a farmer(!!). Such a satisfied expression on his pretty mouth. Forgive me but another thought just came to me too. I also like at the Inn at Lambton when Darcy bows as he leaves E & Georgiana alone to fetch Bingley. He turns away but don't you think Elizabeth watches after him just a second too long before turning her attentions back to G.?"}, {"response": 23, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 20, 1998 (19:14)", "body": "(Heide)Re: Inn at Lambton when D. leaves to fetch Bingley. He turns away but don't you think Elizabeth watches after him just a second too long before turning her attentions back to G.? I've noticed that too, Heide.Ever so subtle, Lizzie's juices are certainly starting to flow!"}, {"response": 24, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Nov 21, 1998 (22:58)", "body": "Ummmm,Indeed she does. And then rather disinterestedly she turns back to Bingley who seems to have lost the knack of small talk at an awkward moment. Each mind longs to be somewhere else!"}, {"response": 25, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Nov 22, 1998 (13:07)", "body": "Yeah!! Kisses to Terry (or William or whomever) who got rid of the Feb 7, 2036 date. I've been thinking of this scene we've been discussing at the Inn. All these subtle glances and looks of longing. Sigh. Marcia says: That walk and the stare he gives Lizzie as he sees her coming into the room at the Lambton Inn as he awaits the introduction of her to his sister. and Evelyn and Marcia agree with me about that longer than necessary glance Lizzy gives Darcy as he leaves the room (sorry, Marcia, but do you mean Georgiana instead of Bingley? or else we're talking about a different moment). Here's another - same scene - right after Darcy jumps up and greets Elizabeth and he says \"not at all\" (I think) when Elizabeth hopes he has not been waiting long. Doesn't it look as if he's forgotten why he's come? Georgiana is standing behind him but he's just drinking in Elizabeth. It's almost as if he shakes himself out of his reverie to remember the purpose of his call."}, {"response": 26, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Nov 22, 1998 (15:50)", "body": "Oh, yes, Right you are! She (Lizzie) is slow on the uptake with whomever she is discoursing. I guess Bingley has his awkwardness later when Georgiana whispers to Darcy about the next evening's dinner."}, {"response": 27, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 22, 1998 (15:54)", "body": "... but he's just drinking in Elizabeth.... (Read:...he wants to rip the clothes off her.)"}, {"response": 28, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 22, 1998 (16:03)", "body": "(Heide)... but he's just drinking in Elizabeth.... (Evelyn)(Read:...he wants to rip the clothes off her.) LOL!!! Only you, Evelyn!"}, {"response": 29, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Sun, Nov 22, 1998 (17:26)", "body": "Heide: I think I have figured this out after two hours today. I can't wait to chat with all of Darcy's admirers."}, {"response": 30, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Nov 22, 1998 (18:24)", "body": "Join us, Rita, as we acknowledge all of the places Darcy feels the urgent necessity to share his DNA and other things lustful and wonderful about this man. Yup, Evelyn, You have it exactly right from what I can see in those chocolate pools of his!"}, {"response": 31, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Nov 23, 1998 (20:53)", "body": "Glad you perservered, Rita. It does get easier - bookmark it! Unfortunately, anyone or no one might be logged in the same time as you so chats are rather random but we welcome your insights anytime any-Darcy-where. Or Colin-where too if you're into him too. (hope so;))"}, {"response": 32, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Tue, Nov 24, 1998 (23:46)", "body": "Heide: Yes, I do adore COlin. I love him as Darcy but, I knew him before and I loved him in Valmont. That is where I first encountered his acting abilities. One of my favorite scenes in P & P is when he says\"WHAT\" tp Caroline. I love that. I would want to address her that way even if it is rude. There are so many scenes you must adores then all. I'm sure we all have favorites. I am so glad I found other people to talk to about this. I have begun to think I am crazy."}, {"response": 33, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Nov 25, 1998 (13:56)", "body": "Hallo Rita! The WHAT scene is fantastic acting, isn't it? Just one word...I don't know that many people could say it in just that shade of absent-mindedness :-)"}, {"response": 34, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 25, 1998 (16:07)", "body": "Since this one appears to be working thought I'd post here (better here than no where). Was wondering why Colin left town so quickly. Only reasons I came up with were: 1) Stores were already too crowded to do Christmas shopping. 2) Checked the TV Guide and noticed that for the next week everything is either a rerun or football (not his kind). 3) Wanted to avoid one of the busiest days at the airports. 4) Transit pass expired. 5) Nothing good left in minibar. I'm sure you all can do better!!"}, {"response": 35, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Nov 25, 1998 (16:12)", "body": "That \"Wot?\" Darcy aims so sharply at Caroline is the first sign of incivility he has shown toward a most unctuously nauseating woman. It is full of comtempt, and I rejoice in it. Before that, I was afraid he did not have the uh.... stuff... to make such a retort!"}, {"response": 36, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 25, 1998 (16:21)", "body": "Photo courtesy of our hostess. Be glad I didn't scan in one of the others, but I still might ;-)"}, {"response": 37, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 25, 1998 (16:51)", "body": "What a picture. What a place! I wanna' go there.....right NoW!"}, {"response": 38, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Nov 25, 1998 (17:10)", "body": "Let's all go to Pemberley. Why did Colin leave so quickly? 1. Found out P&P was being shown this weekend. 2. The Monica Lewinsky tapes were all sold out. 3. Too much sunshine - missed London's rain. Others?"}, {"response": 39, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 25, 1998 (17:20)", "body": "4. Couldn't miss mama Lucia's birthday 5. Joining Arsenal at the stadium with brother for the UEFA cup match today 6. Cat accidentally dies 7. Helping Helen with this weeks BJD"}, {"response": 40, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Nov 25, 1998 (21:00)", "body": "8. His Internet connection was so bad he could not keep up with the postings on Spring!"}, {"response": 41, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Nov 26, 1998 (16:47)", "body": "9 It's the first time he's been separated from his wife 10 He's starting a new JOB!"}, {"response": 42, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov 26, 1998 (19:34)", "body": "11. Was afraid of being hit on the head with a balloon at the Macy's parade. 12. Hates turkey and it's subversive to eat anything but T. in the US on T'sgiving."}, {"response": 43, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Nov 26, 1998 (23:31)", "body": "13. He is allergic to Cranberry Sauce, and today, *Everything* came with Cranberry Sauce."}, {"response": 44, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 27, 1998 (10:02)", "body": "10. He's starting a new JOB! A *winner*!!!! Let's hope."}, {"response": 45, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Nov 27, 1998 (10:19)", "body": "11. Livia phoned to say water broke and he better get home NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (okay really bad!)"}, {"response": 46, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Nov 28, 1998 (10:12)", "body": "11. Livia phoned to say water broke and he better get home NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't think that is bad! Could be close to the truth. I hope so anyway. I like the idea of CF as a Daddy again. (also would mean he would have to work harder to keep his family, so we would see more of him!)"}, {"response": 47, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Nov 28, 1998 (10:13)", "body": "Whoops! Got the end tag wrong. Hope this works Testing."}, {"response": 48, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 28, 1998 (11:06)", "body": "To accompany Evelyn's writeup of her visit to Main Street Meryton!"}, {"response": 49, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov 28, 1998 (18:00)", "body": "14. He was afraid that GP would get laryngitis and Harvey would make him go on The Tonight Show."}, {"response": 50, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Nov 28, 1998 (18:08)", "body": "15. He realised I was in Boston and had to go get his brother and bring him to Boston. Because he loved my When Fitzy met Lizzy story so much, that they had to meet me! (And JF falls madly passionately in love with me, etceteras...;))"}, {"response": 51, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Nov 29, 1998 (04:23)", "body": "14 ....LOL Evelyn! Harvey will twist his arm one day though! And he's the Boss!"}, {"response": 52, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Nov 29, 1998 (16:22)", "body": "Well, ladies I have P&P on while I'm typing and have once again fallen under the spell of F.D. (and C.F. impossible for me to separate the two!) Good God that man gives me the squinges. Probably why he beat a hasty retreat out of town - terrified that Darcy fever would overtake American women in earnest. Hmm, if he were still in NY I might be heading for the airport right now ;-)"}, {"response": 53, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Nov 29, 1998 (16:26)", "body": "Forgot to say welcome to Rita! Thanks for joining and please come and play often. (Karen) Photo courtesy of our hostess. Be glad I didn't scan in one of the others, but I still might ;-) Oh Karen, please do. I have seen them and they are charming. I'm ducking so that our great hostess cannot smack me :-)"}, {"response": 54, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 29, 1998 (18:27)", "body": "Did you notice that his was the only name used at each break? Starring Colin Firth. Starring Colin Firth. Starring Colin Firth. (I could listen to that for hours, shoot I just did.) Poor Evelyn, not one mention of Jenn. But you're right, Miramax/Disney, which owns A&E, is using this to bring his name to the American public's mind for the gonzo opening of Shakespeare in Love. Also, promoting the boxed set for Christmas gifts."}, {"response": 55, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 29, 1998 (18:29)", "body": "(I can do better than buildings, Jana ;-D)"}, {"response": 56, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 29, 1998 (18:30)", "body": "The \"Look\""}, {"response": 57, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Nov 29, 1998 (19:13)", "body": "Sigh, sigh, sigh. I just can't get enough. When is this ever going to wear off? I too just spent 6 hours in front of the TV absolutely glued (except fo those pesky Wickham parts). Have you ladies in England watched Fever Pitch tonight? That was tonight, right? Boy, I envy you."}, {"response": 58, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Nov 29, 1998 (20:55)", "body": "Not being able to fast forward the usual scenes, I found I enjoyed watching it all! You're right Heide, we are hooked aren't we?"}, {"response": 59, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Sun, Nov 29, 1998 (23:58)", "body": "Oh my gosh!!Another day of this terrible addiction. I loved P & P 2 and had to tape it even though Ihave the box set. I did have to remove all the commercials. Just when I thought I was going to be able to have a day with out Darcy. Love those pictures someone sure does know how to tease. Rita"}, {"response": 60, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 29, 1998 (23:58)", "body": "Karen) Photo courtesy of our hostess. Be glad I didn't scan in one of the others, but I still might ;-) I have them too, and they deserve to be seen. Also Heide, please tell us about your day at Pemberley. Does Lyme Park have a website? A telephone number? There must be an easier way to get there than \"on foot\". Karen, your scanning skills are excellent. Bill Gates couldn't do better. (Bethan)Harvey will twist his arm one day though! And he's the Boss! Harvey is tough. And he'll twist more than his arm if Colin doesn't stop that coy stuff when it comes to publicity.Publicity translates into $$$$."}, {"response": 61, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Nov 29, 1998 (23:58)", "body": "Harvey is tough I read somewhere that he can make grown men cry! Miramax invested nearly $8million in MLSF (not a huge Hollywood sum admittedly, but still a lotta money) and I think Colin will have to do what Harvey wants! BTW, I did watch FP (b&w TV in the kitchen!). My younger son retreated to his bedroom and watched it there (we seem to be a family of solitary viewers!), and really enjoyed it."}, {"response": 62, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Dec  1, 1998 (12:55)", "body": "Miss Bennet?"}, {"response": 63, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Dec  1, 1998 (18:34)", "body": "Oh, delightful, Laura. I can't get enough of that wet shirt. And I was there!! And I walked around that lake and I climbed those stairs and I walked along that path. But I wasted my time in the house though it was cute to see the comments written in the guestbook \"Loved it but where was Mr. Darcy?\" \"Kept expecting Mr. Darcy to come around the corner\". And of course the elderly ticket taker instructing my pal Debbie and me how to get into the house - \"There by the stairs where Mr. Darcy came down.\" If I'd ever go back (and I would, I would), I'd definitely do the \"Pemberley Trail\" first. Please believe me, though -it's not commercial in any way and the P&P references are very few and far between. By the way, when I told Debbie her picture was up, she said she wanted a phot credit so here's that photo credit: photo by Deb"}, {"response": 64, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Tue, Dec  1, 1998 (23:16)", "body": "Heide: Lucky you. I can't believe that you were there. Hopefully, I am going this summer . I have English friends. I really want to see Pemberley but, I don't know if there will be time. I am trying to convince myself to stay a fortnight. Rita P. S. I am so jealous"}, {"response": 65, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Dec  2, 1998 (19:04)", "body": "Rita, my dear, you must make time. Though if your base is London you'll have to reserve a whole day for it. If you go, get in touch with me. I'll tell you how to get there. It was very easy (yes, Evelyn, even on foot). Just walking around that lake and viewing the house from the other side made me gasp just like Lizzy did."}, {"response": 66, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Thu, Dec  3, 1998 (00:16)", "body": "Heide: \"ON Foot\" Yes, as you see\" , Does this remind you of anything. SIGN**** You know from the other board they say he is in town. *sigh***. Of course, you know that I will think he will be a Pemb. Yes, London will be the base. I am debating in how long to stay. I hear from my friends that t is so beautful. They are big fans also. They just saw Fever Pitch the other night. Rita"}, {"response": 67, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Dec  3, 1998 (17:48)", "body": "Ooh, then you'll have to go to the Arsenal stadium. I know it's sick but I just had to check that out too. Well I don't get to London very often. (Sorry for putting that on the Darcy Drool board - maybe we should have a Paul Ashworth one too ;-)). Back to Darcy - when I was watching it on A&E on Sunday, there was very little new I noticed but I was reminded again of moments I love. For instance, after Mr. Collins accosts Darcy at the ball and Darcy removes himself and goes to the Bingley sisters....I love that look of disdain he wears. Don't you wish we knew what he muttered to Caroline? And the expressions on the Netherfield people when Mary starts to sing. They all look as if they've been assaulted. Also love the looks everyone gives Mr. Hurst when he asks through his mouthful of food if there will be any sport today. And doesn't your heart break when Darcy prepares to leave Lizzy after being turned down for her hand. Aften listening to the listing of his faults, he ays, \"You have said quite enough, madam. I perfectly comprehend your feelings\" (gives a little smile - sob) \"and now have only to be ashamed of what my own have been.\" I am still amazed that this very difficult scene was one of the first he had to film. So masterful."}, {"response": 68, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (01:55)", "body": ""}, {"response": 69, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (02:12)", "body": "Sorry for the phantom posts! Just lurking I must have hit the wrong key."}, {"response": 70, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Dec  7, 1998 (20:17)", "body": "I cannot believe that A&E's presentation of P&P2 has caused no new drool for Darcy. What is happening to the women of the world? Too busy in pursuit of the almighty (put your local currency here)? Too many children to tend? Would it be slavish attention to husband that is using your libido leaving nothing for Darcy? Something serious is amiss with the women out there if this is the case."}, {"response": 71, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Dec  7, 1998 (20:31)", "body": "Not, I hasten to add, that I mind the regulars who are such expert droolers. I just thought there might be some new local flooding going unacknowledged, and fan that I am, I want to wade into it, too!!!!"}, {"response": 72, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Dec  8, 1998 (10:14)", "body": "Ah, nah, too busy flogging, actually;) hee hee, I am a bad girl!"}, {"response": 73, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Dec  8, 1998 (12:41)", "body": "From the lady who named her Keepsake \"Whipper\" that is to be expected =P"}, {"response": 74, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Dec  8, 1998 (12:46)", "body": "From the lady who named her Keepsake \"Whipper\" that is to be expected =P [ You know me so well;)"}, {"response": 75, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Dec  8, 1998 (17:52)", "body": "They're out there, Marcia, I'm sure of it. It takes a little while to gather up the nerve to post at Drool. It took me several months. I think we'll see some new names pretty soon. The question is, will they stick around?"}, {"response": 76, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Dec  8, 1998 (22:31)", "body": "Heide, we must make it interesting enough to pique their curiosity, then challenge them enough that they post an opinion. Any ideas out there? I first posted when the old mainline Board threatened to collapse due to the old guard having drooled themselves temporarily dry, and the rest of us were just lurking. Do not worry about phantom postings. Just say Hi and we will encourage you. We need the fresh insights to reinvigorate our salivary glands and whatever else...=)"}, {"response": 77, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Dec  8, 1998 (22:34)", "body": "BTW, I did not think my little writing about the Billiard Shot was so bad that it would close down 113. That is not a good sign to a beginning writer =P"}, {"response": 78, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Dec 15, 1998 (00:00)", "body": "OK... Maybe this question will get people to post: Besides the obvious \"The Look\" scene (for newcomers-- when Lizzy plays the pianoforte at Pemberley, and Darcy drools over her) and \"The Kiss\" (very last P&P2 scene)... which scene would you most likely be reincarnated into, which character would you be, and why? This is a tough one, but for now, I'd go with: -Wickham flashback scene, when Darcy finds the two at Ramsgate and banishes Wickham. -I'd be Georgiana -I love that embrace--- though brotherly, it's the closest anyone gets to him besides the kiss."}, {"response": 79, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Tue, Dec 15, 1998 (00:12)", "body": "Okay WInter: I would have loved to been Lizzy when she saw him get out of that pond. Believe me, I probably could not quit starring. I probably would have made a fool of myslef but, him in that wet shirt. Oh my!!!! P. S. My real firends don't get this either. In fact, it has made them sick for years. They just don't get it and can't understand that there is a wahole group of us. After your conquest last week I was in awe for many days."}, {"response": 80, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Dec 15, 1998 (14:54)", "body": "I would do the dance at Netherfield, that first step, the hands, his intense stare...even if we do not get on at all, I'll find the experience quite rewarding."}, {"response": 81, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Dec 15, 1998 (15:05)", "body": "I'd be Lizzie in the Rosings piano scene... the first time he looks vulnerable and earnest."}, {"response": 82, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Dec 15, 1998 (18:18)", "body": "I'd be Lizzie when the fact that her \"opinion had become quite the opposite\"...and watch the actuality of that splendid news sweep across his face. My favorite hug is the one he gave Georgiana after he had brought her home and had paid off Wickham. That was so close and tender...and lots fewer clothes between them =P"}, {"response": 83, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Dec 15, 1998 (19:41)", "body": "That was so close and tender...and lots fewer clothes between them =P Tsk, Tsk, Tsk Marcia! You naughty girl... Where is your mind? Obviously, it's where MY mind should be... Good point, I hadn't thought of that! ;-)"}, {"response": 84, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 15, 1998 (19:55)", "body": "My favorite is the second scene at the Inn at Lambton. The one where he is comforting her on the news of Lydia and Wickham. He came to the inn to see her wearing that exquisite green waistcoat...and is so in love. She is in love too...but doesn't quite realize it. It's all so subtle...and underacted. Love the way he fondles her hand too :-)"}, {"response": 85, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Dec 15, 1998 (20:13)", "body": "(Winter)Tsk, Tsk, Tsk Marcia! You naughty girl... Where is your mind? Oh, the joys and perils of archives. You have not been here long enough to remember that I was the Button Snipper who collected buttons from each of his garments as Keepsakes (with his active participation, of course)...=)"}, {"response": 86, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Wed, Dec 16, 1998 (00:01)", "body": "I just thought of another scene. The one where she happens upon him outside Netherfield. Where he says \"On foot\". Oh he looks too cute. If I was Lizzy I would have wanted him to escort me anywhere but, not to Jane at that time. DIrty shoes and all."}, {"response": 87, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Dec 16, 1998 (12:11)", "body": "Rita, I see we think alike on these things. Alas, if WE had been confronted by such a cute Darcy we would have capitulated straight away. Then he would not have had to go through the refining process which made him a much better husband for Lizzie. Of course, we would have ended up with egotistical churls, but that is the nature of the male beast, and somehow we must love them in spite of this. We all know that No man would change like Darcy did for Lizzie, I think! But, it is a wonderful fantasy!"}, {"response": 88, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Dec 16, 1998 (14:35)", "body": "Marcia, I beg to disagree! One, I would not take Darcy before his change - or at least I wouldn't take him for more than one night he he ;-) Second, count me lucky, someone has changed a lot for me =-)"}, {"response": 89, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Dec 16, 1998 (16:11)", "body": "What about being Lady Caroline when he has that outburst in the Drawing room at Pemberly. He talks of Lizzie being \"one of the handsomest women of my accquaintance\" That would have been some passion to witness, all errupting brooding and longing (Well you have already done all the best ones!!)"}, {"response": 90, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 16, 1998 (18:48)", "body": "(Lizza) (Well you have already done all the best ones!!) How about the scene of them walking through the woods at Pemberly...when he asks her permission to introduce his sister..\"Would I be asking too much....\" The one in those tight pants... That one hasn't been taken yet...."}, {"response": 91, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Dec 16, 1998 (20:04)", "body": "(Gi)One, I would not take Darcy before his change - or at least I wouldn't take him for more than one night he he ;-) I love this answer!!! And you are indeed a special lady to warrant a gentleman who is willing to change for you. I never thought it was possible for a long-time husband to change, but I am most fortunate to have one who wants only to please me, now. It is Very Special!"}, {"response": 92, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Dec 16, 1998 (22:34)", "body": "Gi: count me lucky, someone has changed a lot for me =-) You indeed, are lucky! Hang onto that man! It's a rarity to see men make changes for the women in their lives...it usually goes the other way around. But at least, seeing your case, there's still hope for !"}, {"response": 93, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Dec 16, 1998 (22:35)", "body": "Gi: count me lucky, someone has changed a lot for me =-) You indeed, are lucky! Hang onto that man! It's a rarity to see men make changes for the women in their lives...it usually goes the other way around. But at least, seeing your case, there's still hope!"}, {"response": 94, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Dec 16, 1998 (22:35)", "body": "YIKES! What happened? Sorry..."}, {"response": 95, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Thu, Dec 17, 1998 (00:03)", "body": "Another scene with Darcy: When he says \"WOT\" to MIss BIngley. I love that part. I wish that Lizzy could have been there to hear that. I love the look on the other sisters face. A great scene. Winter: You are so right. WOmen usually change for the men :(. This truly is a man world but, imagine during Lizzy's time. Oh I don't think I would have made a very good wife. My mouth tends to carried away at times. Like Lizzy's."}, {"response": 96, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Dec 17, 1998 (14:59)", "body": "Thank you for confirming what I have known to be true about men. I guess it is left over from the cave-man days. No wonder JA never married....she could not find a real-life Darcy!"}, {"response": 97, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Dec 18, 1998 (10:06)", "body": "(MarciaH) I never thought it was possible for a long-time husband to change, but I am most fortunate to have one who wants only to please me, now. It is Very Special! Indeed! I'm glad for you, my dear. (MarciaH)you are indeed a special lady Thank you, but you see, it really doesn't count... I've been myself for 42 years and nobody else has changed for my sake before ;-)So I guess he 's the special person. (Winter) Hang onto that man! I intend to marry him next summer :-)"}, {"response": 98, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 18, 1998 (16:18)", "body": "(Winter) Hang onto that man! (Gi)I intend to marry him next summer :-) WOW! A wedding.....Cool. Is this a first on Drool? Promise, Gi, you won't desert us after you become Mrs...."}, {"response": 99, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Dec 18, 1998 (20:36)", "body": "hurray! Gi's getting married! We can hold an on-line wedding shower for you! And... we can bring on a male dancer/stripper for you too... perhaps in the form of a certain... Mr Darcy?!"}, {"response": 100, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Fri, Dec 18, 1998 (22:35)", "body": "Congrats to you GI. I hope that you get a real life Darcy. I know some firneds that husbands come pretty close to that....A male stripper in the form of Darcy WOOOOOO!!! That would be too much. Rita"}, {"response": 101, "author": "dl2531", "date": "Sat, Dec 19, 1998 (09:54)", "body": "Newcomer! I would like to be Lizzy in the scene at Lambton. As soon as Darcy would stop me from leaving, I would fall into his arms... weak-knees and all. Changing the whole scene. Just to have him hold me!"}, {"response": 102, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 19, 1998 (10:32)", "body": "Congratulations Gi. Such happy news. (Winter) an on-line wedding shower for you! This could be interesting....hmmmm.... And... we can bring on a male dancer/stripper for you too... perhaps in the form of a certain... Mr Darcy?! Tut, tut, tut, ladies, some decorum. He is a fictional character...but Wickham would be more likely to oblige.... Nice to see you joining us here, Danielle. Welcome!! :-)"}, {"response": 103, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec 19, 1998 (17:22)", "body": "Welcome Danielle...we love newcomers.They always give us a fresh perspective. However, I think I already picked that scene at the Inn at Lambton ...the Hand Fondling scene. But if you really insist, I'll take the one where she's walking up the stairs and through the woods at Pemberley when he asks permission to introduce his sister....(sigh) .A male stripper in the form of Darcy WOOOOOO!!! That would be too much. And I know just the picture we could use....I bet Nan could fix it up!!"}, {"response": 104, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Dec 19, 1998 (19:05)", "body": "A male stripper in the form of Darcy WOOOOOO!!! That would be too much. And I know just the picture we could use....I bet Nan could fix it up!! And do we get to see the Fully Monty?! ;-D"}, {"response": 105, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Dec 20, 1998 (09:20)", "body": "Let me add my welcome, Danielle. Have you been around long? Or was it the recent P&P airing on A&E (US) that finally threw you over the edge? Good question, Winter. And good answers but since no one has mentioned this one, I'll have to grab it...being Elizabeth (of course) and standing next to him in church during the wedding ceremony. Sure, he doesn't look at her but that's because he's taking the solemnity of the ceremony so seriously. This is the most important thing that's ever happened to him in his life and it shows!! Elizabeth sneaks a peek at him to get that pulse racing again but he's staring straight ahead absorbing every word. T en again, he could be planning his evening. Either way, I'd want to be Elizabeth in that scene. And it looks like Gi will be reenacting that scene herself but with her very own Mr. Darcy. ;-) Best wishes, dear."}, {"response": 106, "author": "susanne", "date": "Sun, Dec 20, 1998 (11:01)", "body": "One of my favorite scenes is the wedding. Lizzy and Darcy standing side-by-side looking like they want to take a peak at each other but don't, Darcy all serious and Lizzy so radiant-it just turns my heart to mush. Also like the tap she gives him in the carriage-so proprietal,so wifely."}, {"response": 107, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Dec 20, 1998 (18:53)", "body": "Ooooh!!! I had no idea my comments would elicit such happy news, indeed. Gi, Dear, most sincere best wishes to you and the lucky gentleman. There was never a wedding not to cry for. A Happy New Year is assured for us all. But, I fear we might have to share Gi with him for some of the time!!!"}, {"response": 108, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Mon, Dec 21, 1998 (00:41)", "body": "I also would have liked to be Elizabeth when she just finished playing the Piano at Pemberely. Of course, just to vex Caroline I would have went and sttod next to Darcy immediately."}, {"response": 109, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Dec 22, 1998 (14:05)", "body": "Ladies, thank you all for your best wishes. You warm my heart :-) and his, because I let him see the posts. I promise not to desert you because of my marriage - the marriage to me means giving form to the commitment, nothing else. Oh, of course I want to have a party too!;-) Anyway, I told him about our group (not in all the lurid details) and he thinks we're crazy, but it's OK with him. So , I'd love that shower you suggested, Winter! Evelyn, would you get in touch with Nan about that photograph you have in mind? This would be fun. And since we now have a special chat channel, we could use it too."}, {"response": 110, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Dec 24, 1998 (20:05)", "body": "Mele Kalikimaka me ka Hauoli Makahiki Hou to all. Please go to 113 and claim your Keepsake, or I get them all for Christmas!!!!"}, {"response": 111, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Dec 24, 1998 (20:09)", "body": "Gi, by the way, My husband think we are all certifiably mad with the time we spend here - but he knows nothing of which we really speak. That is between us!"}, {"response": 112, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Dec 26, 1998 (19:41)", "body": ""}, {"response": 113, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Dec 26, 1998 (19:42)", "body": "Oops. Sorry. Just lurking. :-)"}, {"response": 114, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Dec 26, 1998 (20:43)", "body": "How disappointing, Arami. I have been talking to myself on 113. I have requesitioned all of the Keepsakes which have no essays, and NO one said a word. No protests, no pleas for more time. Nothing. I think everyone is partying and no one is writing."}, {"response": 115, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Dec 27, 1998 (20:18)", "body": "I have since explained why I had been silent. Apparently."}, {"response": 116, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Dec 27, 1998 (20:39)", "body": "You lept to the challenge and claim your ticker and dangler. That is more than anyone else has done, and it makes me wonder if the rest of the world had some great disaster befall it. We are the last to get stuff out here - including the day. The international date line is out there between us and the next large land mass! I do not know why no one is writing these days unless it is because they have a life somewhere else!"}, {"response": 117, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Dec 28, 1998 (16:42)", "body": "The holidays have claimed most of us, I daresay. First it was the shopping, now it's the visiting. I'm looking forward to four days of doing NOTHING starting on Thursday. I'll write my whistle essay then. I think I did my duty with Mr. Darcy's pen. (I did whip it out to write a story for #34.) We will not forget our duty to our keepsakes here. But keep reminding us anyway!"}, {"response": 118, "author": "shelly", "date": "Tue, Dec 29, 1998 (23:37)", "body": "Newcomer - not really - I've lurked for almost a year. Since most of the good 'scenes' have already been referenced, Here's mine. I would like to be the 'person' who pours the water over Mr. Darcy for his bath at Netherfield. It should provide some interesting viewing... Also Marcia - I am deep in thought about my 'keepsake'. Hopefully some of the good ones will remain unclaimed... Or I will come up with a new one."}, {"response": 119, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (00:51)", "body": "Welcome, Shelly! Excellent choice of scene, I must say ;--)"}, {"response": 120, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (13:27)", "body": "(Shelly) Here's mine. I would like to be the 'person' who pours the water over Mr. Darcy for his bath at Netherfield. It should provide some interesting viewing... LOL!! Welcome, Shelly. What a very interesting POV new participants to Drool bring!! On the Keepsake thing, if a previous Keeptress hasn't checked in, you may put in your claim on any item."}, {"response": 121, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (13:27)", "body": "(Shelly) Here's mine. I would like to be the 'person' who pours the water over Mr. Darcy for his bath at Netherfield. It should provide some interesting viewing... LOL!! That is the same 'person' who hold up the bathrobe! Welcome, Shelly. What a very interesting POV new participants to Drool bring!! On the Keepsake thing, if a previous Keeptress hasn't checked in, you may put in your claim on any item."}, {"response": 122, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (16:54)", "body": "Hi Shelly.....We love newcomers....Welcome to Drool. Love your scene choice.( Hey...this girl has a Big Future on Drool:-)) Stick around; we want to hear from you."}, {"response": 123, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (17:55)", "body": "And I'll add my welcome, Shelly. Since you've been around for awhile, you probably know us very well. I hope we get to know you too. Karen's got a point about the \"holder of the bathrobe\". Someday you'll have to tell us what you \"see\". This girl here doesn't have a date for New Year's Eve so guess who she's inviting over. Why, Mr. Darcy, of course. I figure if I watch the whole thing in one sitting, I'll be able to stay up til midnight. I have a theory why Darcy wants to wear his green coat to see Lizzy at the Inn at Lambton but I have to view again to see if I'm right."}, {"response": 124, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (19:11)", "body": "Welcome, Shelly... how on Firth did you manage to remain silent for a whole year? you'll have to tell us what you \"see\". I see an enormous...."}, {"response": 125, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (19:12)", "body": "...possibility here... oops! ;-D"}, {"response": 126, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (19:21)", "body": "Welcome, Shelly... how on Firth did you manage to remain silent for a whole year? you'll have to tell us what you \"see\". I see an enormous...."}, {"response": 127, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (19:54)", "body": "Oh, sh**, I see an enormous ghost of Count All Mushy again!"}, {"response": 128, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (21:25)", "body": "(Arami) Oh, sh**, I see an enormous ghost of Count All Mushy again! Has no sense of humor, that guy ;-p"}, {"response": 129, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Thu, Dec 31, 1998 (01:29)", "body": "Nan!! Welcome home for the holidays :-). Been missing you..."}, {"response": 130, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Fri, Jan  1, 1999 (23:45)", "body": "Please tell us your theory on Why Darcy wants to wear the Green Coat. I have always wondered that myself but, I don't have any theories. I would also like a theory on why he goes to the Parsonage that day to see Elizabeth than talks a short bit then leaves. His nervousness is so adorable. Hi Shelly. Welcome. I am pretty new at this and lurked for a really long time. Like Darcy I dont' perform well for strangers but everyone here is so nice. Happy New Year"}, {"response": 131, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jan  2, 1999 (11:18)", "body": "I'm afraid my theory doesn't really hold up too well, Rita, on the green coat. I had been wondering if Darcy is wearing his green coat whenever he has a a \"civil\" encounter with Lizzy. He's wearing it on his solo visit to Hunsford when they talk about the distance between Hunsford and Meryton. He's wearing it when he changes from the wet shirt to intercept Lizzy before she leaves Netherfield. He's wearing it again when he brings Georgiana to the Inn. So I'm thinking...is this his \"lucky\" coat? But of course he wears it other times when their exchange is less than civil. \"On foot?\" though he's quite at ease in that scene. And he certainly does pretty well when he's wearing what I think of as his evening clothes - that black suit he wears at the piano at Rosings. Hose me down when I watch that scene. It was just a theory - maybe I'll do further study without the bottle of wine I drank while watching it."}, {"response": 132, "author": "susanne", "date": "Sat, Jan  2, 1999 (13:46)", "body": "Here is my theory on the green coat. He simply wears it because he looks so damn fine in it, especially paired with the nubuck breeches. Definitely a Lizzy catching outfit."}, {"response": 133, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan  3, 1999 (16:07)", "body": "Oh Yes!!! Most definitely!!! He caught more than just Lizzie in that outfit. Green always compliments people with his reddish coloring (still had it even through the darkening dye they put on him.) He *knew* he looked good in it."}, {"response": 134, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Jan  3, 1999 (18:02)", "body": "(Marcia) He *knew* he looked good in it. And so did we ;-)"}, {"response": 135, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (01:42)", "body": "OK, it's about time I got to posting at 112; after all, it was Darcy that got me interested in Colin in 1997 (second US showing of P&P2). It is quite addicting, isn't it? Darcy is my favorite Colin role so far but I also enjoyed him as Valmont. Ditto to all favorite scenes mentioned above (liked the part about videotape thinning in certain places!). My faves: Pemberley piano scene (I know, I know, but I do turn to mush every time) followed by Rosings piano scene. I like how, just when he's getting into i with Lizzy, Lady Catherine pipes up and Darcy rolls his eyes. Also liked the bath scene and Lambton crying (\"May I get you something? A glass of wine, perhaps?\"--YES, I'll take the whole bottle!) scene. Question: just why was Darcy in such a rush to see her that morning? The night before in the music room (after everyone has gone to bed and he's rejoicing in his memory of 'the look') it looks as though an idea, or resolve of some sort, has come over him. What do you think? As I mentioned at 115, I saw \"You've got Mail\" yesterday strictly for P&P references. The lady next to me looked at me funny when I gasped and laughed during the close up on the P&P book cover, featuring our favorite actor and actress! If you've not seen the movie yet, as hard core P&P fans you'll recognize the basic plotline beyond the blunt references to our fave. I think the sisters Ephron are P&P2 fans. I SURELY would have enjoyed our DB as the lead instead of Tom Hanks. Sigh."}, {"response": 136, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (01:49)", "body": "(Eileen) Question: just why was Darcy in such a rush to see her that morning? Wearing the green coat....for good luck? JA doesn't give us a clue in the book. It's all conjecture. I think he went to court her...it was Sunday.... a drive around Derbyshire? We know she was due to have dinner that night at Pemberley. Heide has been to Pemberley...what do you think Heide?"}, {"response": 137, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  6, 1999 (12:12)", "body": "I've always thought he was going to propose to her again. Why else would he be in such dither?"}, {"response": 138, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan  6, 1999 (15:52)", "body": "(Karen)I've always thought he was going to propose to her again. Why else would he be in such dither? He does come in to the Inn with the same determined look as at the first proposal.Hmmmmmm.But the gods at RoP don't seem to think so."}, {"response": 139, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Jan  6, 1999 (17:24)", "body": "Maybe it was a teeny weeny bit too early to propose again. But he was keen to be with her and to see if she really enjoyed his company. And to show her his best attention. To court her in all earnest."}, {"response": 140, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Jan  6, 1999 (17:31)", "body": "Since JA doesn't write scenes describing the actions of the gentlemen except when they are in the company of the ladies, I think we can leave Darcy's motives up to our own interpretation. This romantic here (there are quite a few others, I believe?) prefers to think Darcy was going to renew his proposal. Realistically though, I think Darcy would have gone about it a little slower this time and probably wouldn't have proposed just then. Just my opinion."}, {"response": 141, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  6, 1999 (20:19)", "body": "Would it be out of the question for him to state his objective, i.e., that he wanted to show her that he had taken her words to heart and that his feelings for her were \"unchanged\"?"}, {"response": 142, "author": "susanne", "date": "Thu, Jan  7, 1999 (11:27)", "body": "Much too early for the second proposal, remember this is a man of pride even if he trying to change some aspects of his character. I conject the reason for his rush was a high state of anticipation of seeing his lovely lady again. I like the idea of perhaps making plans for a drive around the park or a picnic at Pemberley. Regardless, of the reason I am sure he would want to spend every minute he possibly could to show her the new and improved Darcy."}, {"response": 143, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan  7, 1999 (14:55)", "body": "He might have wished to propose again but I also tend to think that he would have to court her and really woo her. Not enough had happened betwen them at Pemberley for him to be so sure of himself. The last thing he would want is to give her a chance to turn him down again."}, {"response": 144, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan  7, 1999 (15:02)", "body": "He went to see her that morning to spend some time with her. Maybe even go on one of her walks with him."}, {"response": 145, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan  7, 1999 (17:09)", "body": "Actually, that's a good chat-up topic when we meet The Man Himself: \"And pray tell us, Mr. Firth, what were your intentions on going to the Lambton Inn wearing your green coat\" Hmmmmmmm? The other query I have is: \"And pray tell us, Mr. Firth,is that really your picture on the video cover of \"The Advocate\"? (Sure looks like his hands)"}, {"response": 146, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jan  7, 1999 (19:44)", "body": "\"And pray tell us, Mr. Firth,is that really your picture on the video cover of \"The Advocate\"? (Sure looks like his hands) Can you have it scanned and posted here?"}, {"response": 147, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan  7, 1999 (20:09)", "body": "Re: The Advocate Picture Can you have it scanned and posted here? Sure. I'll send it to Karen sometime."}, {"response": 148, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Jan  7, 1999 (21:12)", "body": "(Evelyn) He does come in to the Inn with the same determined look as at the first proposal. Hmmmmmm. But the gods at RoP don't seem to think so. Now, now...is it really necessary to make those kinds of comments about Pemberley because some of the people there have a different opinion? Many Pemberleans visit Drool and it hurts their feelings. Remember what we talked about on the FICLIST? If I can refrain from commenting (particuliarly at present!) then anyone can ;-) And, btw...I think it was too soon to propose again. Now, despise me if you dare ;-)"}, {"response": 149, "author": "GabriellaB", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (04:01)", "body": "I must must must introduce myself to this fantastic board. I am Gabriella, a true P&P, CF devotee who has been searching for somewhere to drool for at least three months since my last totally orgasmic (hoping I can say that word?) experience watching P & P for the nine millionth time. I can no longer justify my CF obsession to my husband and have become someone I never thought I could - secretive, cunning and tormented, reduced to joining fourteen different video shops to avoid the belittling stares of he video attendant as I try to rent P & P for the third time in a month and running out of credible excuses. I am English but am unfortunately stuck on an island (New Zealand) which does not have a huge enough number of tv channels to offer reruns of P & P at a rate to enable me to get my much-needed fix of CF. I have never been entranced by someone so much in all my life and I can tell I am in very good company on this board. Thank goodness I have found you. I see that everyone has offered their views on \"favourite scenes\" so I feel I must do likewise. I think my absolute two favourites are \"after the bath\" (the long and loving look down to Lizzie) and \"Darcy being caring\" scene where he fondles her hand. I just love that. But, really, any scene which involves Breeches Hugging Thighs, Wet Shirts or Fine Ey s Close-ups are just magnificent and I cannot get enough. And the happiest thing - I adore the womens' costumes also and have long tried to emulate Lizzie's figure (if you catch my drift) and last week, after a trawl through every lingerie shop in the country, I have been able to find just the garment to do this. I now point skywards in true P& P style - what a happy thought!!!!!!! Gabriella"}, {"response": 150, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (07:44)", "body": "(Evelyn) \"And pray tell us, Mr. Firth,is that really your picture on the video cover of \"The Advocate\"? (Sure looks like his hands) (Arami) Can you have it scanned and posted here? Hasn't this already been done? Nan didn't you post all the video covers once before? ********* Now, a big welcome to Gabriella. This is definitely the place to drool over everything Firthish. No need to be tortured and tormented; we love to hear about CF's acting, facial expressions, the turn of his ankle, the trimness of his thigh... Oh you get the picture. Sounds like you need to get your own copy of P&P not to mention other Firth classics that you might be embarassed to rent at the video store (for Nan's sake I won't name names ;-)). But your last revelation is truly a unique! Emulating Lizzie's figure. What a devotee! I hope your husband appreciates your efforts. Maybe you get him to put on a wet shirt and breeches. What a fantasy."}, {"response": 151, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (09:18)", "body": "Great discussion! I also think he went to further court her and show her he took her criticism to heart. Gives way to some interesting fantasies on just how he would do that, doesn't it? Perhaps he would have ventured so far as to validate that her feelings had taken a turn for the better. Good pickup about the green coat; I missed it entirely. Welcome, Gabriella. I also have a husband who long ago abandoned understanding of why I'm so stuck on this series (\"who's that actor you like? Colin Frith?\"). Do tell, are those undergarments as uncomfortable as they look? BTW, I thought Lizzy was never pointing quite so skyward (if I can borrow your term) as she was in the Pemberley piano scene. On purpose?"}, {"response": 152, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (09:38)", "body": "Welcome Gabriella, I agree with Karen, you must purchase the P&P tapes. They are available at a very reasonable price now. BTW, your emulating Lizzy hit a chord. I even did my hair like her. In fact this past summer visiting JA s house in Chawton, I wore my lovely regency-style dress. (fantasies if you can live them are healthy and lots of fun)"}, {"response": 153, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (13:50)", "body": "(evelyn)But the gods at RoP don't seem to think so.... (Nan)Now, now...is it really necessary to make those kinds of comments about Pemberley because some of the people there have a different opinion? Sorry...apologies all around. Did not mean this in a pjorative sense.Would not want to hurt their feelings.Should have put:-) after it. Your term \" Pemberleans\" is far more appropriate. Will use it firthforth. ******** Welcome Gabriella. I like the Lizzy look-a-like part.Whe I visited Chawton there were some tourists attired in Lizzy-dresses. Maybe one of them was you , Moon."}, {"response": 154, "author": "GabriellaB", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (14:36)", "body": "Thankyou, everyone,for your warm welcome. I feel so at home here and have read just about all the posts on our beloved...and chuckled away to myself thinking how hilarious you guys are - just like me!! Re: the uplifting garment. It is made by Gossard and no, Eileen, it is not that uncomfortable to wear, though one's boobs sort of go \"phew\" when one takes it off at the end of the day. I read on one of the many P & P sites that Jennifer Ehle said the costumes/corsets weren't as bad as she thought they were going to be and the wardrobe people let her pick a lot of the dresses for each shoot. By the way, I totally agree with you about her figure during the Pemberley scene - there's a side-on shot and I r member thinking the first time I saw it that they positively defied gravity!!! No, Moon, it wasn't me at Chawton, unfortunately though how I wish it was. I just adore those Regency dresses but can't get any here. Have taken all your advice and am seeking my own copy of P & P. Now, could I ask a wee favour of you guys - would you kindly tell me which Firth videos you would recommend to gratify my needs. I.e which star him in a substantial enough role to enable satisfaction. SIL isn't being released here till March. Of the others he's starred in, which do you guys like best? Thankyou everyone. Gabriella."}, {"response": 155, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (16:14)", "body": "(Karen)Hasn't this already been done? Nan didn't you post all the video covers once before? Yes. Check in my file--I think they're still in there. (Karen) (for Nan's sake I won't name names ;-)). Bless you, dear ;-) (Evelyn) Should have put:-) after it. No problem, dear...it happens. But I agree; when in doubt, use an emoticon ;-D"}, {"response": 156, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (17:54)", "body": "Welcome, Gabriella! I just can't believe it - yet another newbie! We're growing like mushrooms here, and I bet there is still a host of lurkers waiting to pounce. Firthers of the world - come forth! BTW, general Firth discussion is on board 116, I hope you have discovered it already. It may be advantageous to repost your last question there. :-) (And whilst I'm at it, can someone tell me please what is topic 111 for? Thanks.)"}, {"response": 157, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (19:22)", "body": "Welcome Gabrielle! So glad you found this safe haven. Darcy Drool needs all new droolers to perk things up every now and then. Aren't those eyelashes just to die for after the bath? And during too. (Eileen) BTW, I thought Lizzy was never pointing quite so skyward (if I can borrow your term) as she was in the Pemberley piano scene. On purpose? You mean while she was taking those deep breaths whilst singing? Her undergarments definitely were a model for uplifting construction. I was also surprised how she managed to keep from falling out of her dress when she rose from the sofa to greet her unexpected visitor at Hunsford after everyone else ran off to Rosings. Other than making me wildly jealous, the only other thing Lizzy's cleavage does for me is make me speculate as to what kind of jokes were made on the set about this fashion. Think the same kind of contest was going on between Jennifer and Julia Sawalha as I've heard reported went on between Colin and Crispin?"}, {"response": 158, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (19:25)", "body": "Darcy Drool needs all new droolers This was a mistake, I swear. I hope not a Freudian slip. :-o"}, {"response": 159, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (19:41)", "body": "(Nan) But I agree; when in doubt, use an emoticon ;-D Oh...I thought that was a diahrea medicine:-D (Heide)contest was going on between Jennifer and Julia Sawalha.. I don't know about on the set...but there were comments in the press after the series about the \"Wonder Bras\" worn...which BBC denied. Saying they used the uplift garment of the era...whatever that was. BTW in real life, JE dresses v. conservatively. Check out the dress at the 96 BAFTA. At the 98 BAFTA her dress looked like a nun's....only close-up in slo-mo it had a slit up to here!! She is quite voluptuous. But she stays away from low necklines consistently."}, {"response": 160, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (19:45)", "body": "Correction: diarrhea.....you know what I mean't."}, {"response": 161, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (20:10)", "body": "(Arami) ...topic 111... My first attempt months ago at creating a topic and I thought I had immediately killed it. Guess it's dying a slow death somewhere though I haven't found it. Ignore it if you can."}, {"response": 162, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (10:24)", "body": "(Nan) But I agree; when in doubt, use an emoticon ;-D (Evelyn) Oh...I thought that was a diahrea medicine:-D ROTFLMAO!! I think we need to start a permanent archive (is that redundant?) for funniest Drool comments. This would have to go in. Oh Evelyn, you are a riot! h o-|-\\ [that's me falling off my chair]"}, {"response": 163, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (11:16)", "body": "Hi Gabriella, I'm another newbie who just unlurked on #116. I love this conference as well. It's reassuring to know there are other married firthaholics -- sometimes I feel like an adulteress! Re: my fav Darcy moment, I love all the \"usual suspects\" (the Look, bath, wet shirt, etc.) but one of my favorites occurs during the Rosings piano scene -- just after Lizzy's line \"...because I would not take the trouble of practicing\" he looks at her with this sort of flicker or sparkle in his eye before he says the line \"You're perfectly right...\" I don't know why, but that really sets me off. I also love that \"stuttering\" thing he does with his eyelashes when he runs into Lizzy at Pemberley and says \"E cuse me...your family is in good health?\" and again when he says goodbye to her and her carriage pulls away. It's so rare to see such great chemistry between an actor and actress. It wasn't until long after I'd first seen P&P2 that I heard they were romantically involved during the filming. I also heard somewhere it was she who initiated the breakup -- Evelyn, can this be true? I would tend to think so -- I can't imagine JE thanking him in her BAFTA speech or her mum Rosemary Harris agreeing to work with him in MLSF if he had treated her so badly. Nevertheless, it's hard to comprehend any woman voluntarily leavi g our DB..."}, {"response": 164, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (13:29)", "body": "Oooh! How marvellous to see such a flurry of new activity and enthusiasm here! I must admit that although I've moved on to enthuse about all things Firth, nothing has ever stirred me quite as much as P&P. The whole series cast a spell on me, and I really did \"fall\" for CF/Darcy, which I've never done before (if you discount a couple of teenage crushes!), and I'm sure I'll never do again!!"}, {"response": 165, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (13:45)", "body": "(Susan)it\ufffds hard to comprehend any woman voluntarily leaving our DB... I must say that when I first read all those stories about JE and CF falling in love during the filming of P&P I immediately thought it\ufffds just a classical pr trick, you know, promoting a romantic film by building up a gossip about a love affair between the stars! And the trick really has worked, hasn\ufffdt it.....but maybe it wasn\ufffdt a trick after all, probably wasn\ufffdt. Sorry for being such a heretic (this certainly is a crime gainst the official Firtheology!) but who says they fell in love? The film crew? Th press??? I\ufffdd just like to know."}, {"response": 166, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (14:22)", "body": "Yes, Bethan....believe me, I know what you mean. It was P&P for me that started my crazy Colinism. Funny thing is, when I first saw it I didn\ufffdt pay so much attention to him, I liked Jennifer! I really admired her as an actress and watched the video over and over again. Soon my appreciation moved to Colin and...something just happened. Haven\ufffdt been the same since then, if you know what I mean.... I\ufffdve really had all the symptoms of falling madly in love. It\ufffds a wonderful but such an insane phenomenon as the object of your desire is someone you\ufffdll probably never meet. But I\ufffdve decided to let this happen to me and enjoy it. By the way, it was my husband who first introduced Colin to me! Knowing how much I like good British drama he bought the P&P video to me, and when I liked it, he gave me The Making of PP book as well. It does make me feel a bit guilty that since then I\ufffdve been thinking about another man."}, {"response": 167, "author": "GabriellaB", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (15:49)", "body": "(Susan)....but one of my favorites occurs during the Rosings piano scene -- just after Lizzy's line \"...because I would not take the trouble of practicing\" he looks at her with this sort of flicker or sparkle in his eye before he says the line \"You're perfectly right...\" Yes!! I agree with you about that scene - I love it too. Aside from the obvious fact that it involves a close-up of his gorgeous face, he is actually being very vulnerable in that scene with admitting he is shy, and it comes across so beautifully. It is as if they are the only two in the whole world at that moment. (Oh I've gone all weak-kneed....) -- sometimes I feel like an adulteress! Now Susan (and any other \"guilty\" marrieds) cast those feelings asunder as I have done. Oh yes, I still have pangs of guilt that I am spending time thinking/fantasising/etc about CF, searching sites, posting comments, seeking pictures of him for instant gratification.....but ultimately we are doing nothing wrong by engaging in harmless day-dreaming activity. Well, that's what I've convinced myself of anyway.... I have just watched The English Patient (my first attempt at watching something other that P & P with CF in it) and I was not displeased, albeit he had only a smallish role. I thought the straight, shortish hair was nice and he looked just as edible as ever. Like you, Lizbeth, it will take a lot to knock Darcy from the number 1 spot."}, {"response": 168, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (16:03)", "body": "(SusanMC)I heard they were romantically involved during the filming. I also heard somewhere it was she who initiated the breakup -- Evelyn, can this be true? I would tend to think so -- I can't imagine JE thanking him in her BAFTA speech or her mum Rosemary Harris agreeing to work with him in MLSF if he had treated her so badly. Nevertheless, it's hard to comprehend any woman voluntarily leaving our DB... Sorry Susan...I know as much as you do. I do know that she has never mentioned the relationship in an interview ...that is never personalized it.Colin has...said that it was not an affair... they had known each other for a few years before and the relationship grew...\"we were together for almost a year\". But she has never uttered a word. And never will. She is a v. private person, by her own admission, shy. Anyway, that was a long time ago...they are good friends...we rejoice that he has found a lovely wife. Hope she finds someone too someday. And we all hope they co-star in another production sometime..You're right...they had amazing chemistry that really made the film such a success."}, {"response": 169, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (16:22)", "body": "Elena, Susan and Gabriella, There are a lot of \"guilty marrieds\" out there. But it really is a harmless diversion, almost like a secret, pleasurable \"hobby\"! And by all accounts, the object of our affections is an unassuming, modest, warm and likeable man. I can be VERY critical, and there are lots of things about \"celebrities\" that I really dislike. But I've never found anything to be critical of in CF (apart from the fact that he doesn't take enough leading roles, oh, and the smoking...not good for the health!) There's never anyth ng about him in the tabloid press and he seems to be a very private man. So, don't feel guilty...just enjoy! Who says they fell in love? (Elena) Well, they did. CF said in an interview that the relationship lasted a year and seemed annoyed to hear it described as a \"location romance\"...said it was more than that. Jennifer also made some brief comments in an interview. The only reference I saw as to how it ended was a brief snippet in the Telegraph diary, that JE had broken off with CF, and that he had flown back from filming in South America to plead with her, but to no avail. Makes a lovely story, but the truth of it may be extremely dubious!! Ac ording to a tablod paper, CF's mum said that they remained good friends, and Colin, Livia and Jennifer were all seen chatting amicably at the BAFTA ceremony. So there y'are! I must say that I think JE is also very nice, and very charming, and I'm sure the relationship must have ended amicably."}, {"response": 170, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (17:24)", "body": "I seem to recall JE was once reported as saying that she felt he would let her into his life \"only so far\", and for that reson apparently the relationship was emotionally unsatisfactory for her... or something to that effect. There's never anything about him in the tabloid press Well, before he was married, the stories about his relationships were being blown out of proportion, especially when he hit the headlines as Darcy; if he just said that he liked someone, that person would be described as his secret passion; the tabloids implied that he was in a habit of seducing practically all his screen partners. He was branded a womanizer, but but the bottom line is that they could name only two women with whom he had longer relationships (there must have been other girlfriends, of cou se, but no one knows their identity - that's how private and discreet he and his ex-ladies are), and his comment on the subject was, that he had never left one woman for another. The most \"scandalous\" gossip that the tabloids were able to concoct after days of stalking him was that when Livia visited him in London before they were married, they were spotted (and photographed) buying a vacuum cleaner together, and on another occasion, shock-horror, a pack of chocolate flavoured condoms..."}, {"response": 171, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (20:09)", "body": "I seem to recall JE was once reported as saying that she felt he would let her into his life \"only so far\", and for that reason apparently the relationship was emotionally unsatisfactory for her... or something to that effect. That was never her direct quote; I have all of her interviews...even the ones that have not been posted on her website. That comment was supposedly said by a friend of hers. But never confirmed by either side. They are v. discreet ...as it should be."}, {"response": 172, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (07:27)", "body": "(Arami) shock-horror, a pack of chocolate flavoured condoms Oh god, did you really have to endanger our innocency by telling us a horrible thing like that? Ruins my romantic idea about him. It must\ufffdve been a joke....;-) (((...but the idea sounds good)))"}, {"response": 173, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (07:50)", "body": "did you really have to endanger our innocency by telling us a horrible thing like that? LOL! Sorry, children - the evil Arami is at it again... ;-) Seriously, I thought everybody knew about it! And anyway, what's so horrible about the facts of life?"}, {"response": 174, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (09:36)", "body": "(Arami) buying a vacuum cleaner together, and on another occasion, shock-horror, a pack of chocolate flavoured condoms... (Elena) Oh god, did you really have to endanger our innocency by telling us a horrible thing like that...It must\ufffdve been a joke....;-) It was in the British tabloids--so we can assume someone just got carried away. It was an interesting bit of gossip at the time though. As I recall, it caused a bit of an uproar ;-)"}, {"response": 175, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (09:47)", "body": "Hey Livia is human and a woman, of course she likes chocolate!"}, {"response": 176, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (11:40)", "body": "God. I happened to be milling around, and thought I'd idly pull back the curtain on Topic 175. What do I hear? Colin's chocolate-coloured condoms. Knowing this to be the \"Dacry Drool\", I am racking my brains to remember the chapter in which Darcy reaches into his saddle bag, retrieves the CCCs and offers them to Lizzie: \"Madam, would you do me the honour?\", but for some reason it escapes me."}, {"response": 177, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (11:55)", "body": "Seems that my knowledge of the facts of life (or at least His life) is seriously inadequate. I think we really should\ufffdve asked him if it\ufffds true in the question list....:-):-) This revelation made me realize that there must be a ton of ****important**** things that I don\ufffdt know about him because I haven\ufffdt read the British tabloids. Anything else, Arami?? BTW, when did this tasteless (!) fact come out and what do you mean with an uproar, Nan?"}, {"response": 178, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (12:12)", "body": "(Elena)BTW, when did this tasteless (!) fact come out and what do you mean with an uproar, Nan? Actually, I don't think it was a \"fact\". It was more of a rumor. At the time, all of us being freshly infected with Colin-lust, you can imagine how well we took such a rumor."}, {"response": 179, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (12:31)", "body": "(Ben), I am racking my brains to remember the chapter in which Darcy reaches into his saddle bag, retrieves the CCCs and offers them to Lizzie: \"Madam, would you do me the honour?\", but for some reason it escapes me. ROTFLOL! Most of us (married or not), seem to have fallen for CF with Darcy. To think that Livia had not seen P&P when she met him! Maybe that was a prerequisite of his after P&P, to find a girl who had not seen him as Darcy. I must say it worked for him v. well."}, {"response": 180, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (13:21)", "body": "At the time, all of us being freshly infected with Colin-lust, you can imagine how well we took such a rumor. (Nan) Like manna from heaven, really! We're much more serious these days, fretting all the time why he's not playing King Lear or taking the lead in Titanic 3 or being awarded the OBE. (Robert Carlyle?!!!!!) Time to re-focus, and remember why we really, really like him. :-) This revelation made me realize that there must be a ton of ****important**** things that I don\ufffdt know about him because I haven\ufffdt read the British tabloids. Anything else, Arami?? (Elena) I'm sure Arami will oblige! All I can come up with is a reported preference for older women (until JE) and having a bruised face as a drama student after being slapped by person unknown (probably a lamp post or revolving door). Pretty tame stuff....no hot, steamy \"my torrid night with Darcy\" kiss-and-tells! Arami?"}, {"response": 181, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (14:03)", "body": "(Arami) there must have been other girlfriends, of course, but no one knows their identity (Bethan) ....no hot, steamy \"my torrid night with Darcy\" kiss-and-tells! Surprising really that the biggest Darcy mania didn\ufffdt produce a heap stories like that; one could have easily made a lot of money with them. It can only mean that he isn\ufffdt such a womanizer after all or at least that he hasn\ufffdt had too many sloppy one night stands with women he doesn\ufffdt know better."}, {"response": 182, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (15:16)", "body": "I'm sorry if my earlier comment sounded like I was anti-JE. Actually I'm a huge fan of Jennifer's -- we all drool over CF, but her performance is the one that really carries P&P2. And if she wants to break up with (if that was indeed the case) the man most of us would have killed to have dated, well, I'm sure she had her reasons -- regardless, the situation seems to have worked out to everyone's satisfaction, so who am I to judge? Nevertheless, sometimes I worry/wonder about CF. We've all questioned some of his career decisions, but in a sense that is somewhat out of his control. But in his personal life he seems to get into situations in which he's guaranteed to be stretched too thin. I mean, take the thing with Meg Tilly -- as anyone who's ever gone to a different college than their sweetheart knows, out-of-state romances are hard enough, let alone transcontinental ones. (Digression: If you had been MT, wouldn't you have moved yo r ass to London rather than making him have to fly all over the world to and from the backwoods of Canada? I mean, it's not like her career -- such as it is -- was red-hot at that time. Or if not London, wouldn't you have moved to N.Y., which is still a reasonable \"commute\" to London and would allow him to see his son without having to make 24-hr., multiple-time-zone expeditions? end digression) And if he and Livia start a family, as they no doubt will, my guess is that she will want to be near her family in Rome -- I know I would if I had a husband who travels a lot. So then you have the bulk of his film work in London (most likely), home base primarily in Rome, and constant jaunts to son #1 in L.A. -- God, talk about being stretched like a rubber band. And it's one thing to be jetting around the world at 30 -- it's another at 40 or 45, with multiple family obligations... Sorry -- must be the mother in me that makes me worry about him like this. Colin, if you're reading this, yes I actually do have a real life of my own that entails things other than speculating about famous people's personal lives."}, {"response": 183, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (15:20)", "body": "No, I can't come up with anything else. The CFCFC (rather than CFCCC, Ben) story, reported naughtily as a one-line aside within some other, totally unconnected story, was indeed an unconfirmed rumour of a sighting (by whom exactly? someone must have practically stuck their nose right in his fist!) and had absolutely no effect whatsoever, it went completely unnoticed and without one word of further comment in the media, as far as I'm aware. The British are fortunately very laid-back about that sort of thin . So the guy buys shampoo, shaving cream, some plasters and other bits and pieces for his bathroom cabinet - so what? Completely normal, no? What a blow for gossip mongers ;-) (BTW, Ben is right - this scientific discussion doesn't belong on Darcy board. Who started it, anyway? ;-))"}, {"response": 184, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (15:34)", "body": "Sorry. CFCs. Shows how exciting my love life is. Livia must have seen that 70s flake ad. (\"Only the crumbliest, flakiest chocolate....\" Remember, those in England?)"}, {"response": 185, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (15:35)", "body": "Sorry. CFCs. Shows how exciting my love life is. Livia must have seen that 70s flake ad. (\"Only the crumbliest, flakiest chocolate....\" Remember, those in England?) ] Oh dear Lord! I like Flake;)"}, {"response": 186, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (15:37)", "body": "(Susan)If you had been MT, wouldn't you have moved your ass to London rather than making him have to fly all over the world to and from the backwoods of Canada? MT was someone notable in Hollywood and obviously pulled rank on him. Later she whined in an interview about him having left her, but I too think she asked for it."}, {"response": 187, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (15:40)", "body": "(Laura) Oh dear Lord! I like Flake;) There's your chance, Ben ;-D"}, {"response": 188, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (16:05)", "body": "Sorry. CFCs. Aren't those the things that have been outlawed as piercing the ozone layer? ;-)"}, {"response": 189, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (16:25)", "body": "No, no - CFCFCs. Perfectly legal, but don't stand piercing. ;-) (This discussion seems on a slippery slope now...)"}, {"response": 190, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (16:41)", "body": "Who needs chololate flavoring when you have *him*?????? I eat Chocolate when there is nothing \"better\" to be had at the moment =P"}, {"response": 191, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (17:42)", "body": "Slippery slope Yep. Downhill, all the way! Sorry. CFCs. Shows how exciting my love life is (Ben) LOL! Must be the mother in me that makes me worry about him like this. (Susan) If I had been Colin's mum (now there's a weird thought!) and my son, after an extremely promising start to his career, had jettisoned everything for love, I'd have restrained myself for about two weeks and then rushed off into those Canadian backwoods to drag him back home by his curly locks! Seriously, his emotional life does seem transcontinental, but a Rome-London axis isn't too difficult, and how old is his son now...nearly 10? He'll soon be a confident young teenager, well able to travel to join his dad! I am racking my brains to remember the chapter in which Darcy reaches into his saddle bag, retrieves the CCCs and offers them to Lizzie: \"Madam, would you do me the honour?\", but for some reason it escapes me. (Ben) Sounds like an anachronism from \"Darcy in lurve\". Or maybe it's not so anachronistic. Has anyone read \"The French Lieutenant's Woman\" by John Fowles. Fowles includes notes on the history of the condom...first available in the late 1780's, made of sausage skin. The first \"sex manual\" published, denounced sheaths as likely to cause impotence and states that \"any preventative means, to be satisfactory, must be used by the woman, as it spoils the passion and impulsiveness of the venereal act, if the man has t think of them\".!!! :-) Okay, back to Mr Darcy and romance!"}, {"response": 192, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (18:59)", "body": "sausage skin Sheep's gut, to be precise. Yummy for carnivores ;-p (Chocolate in solid form was not yet commonly used then)."}, {"response": 193, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (19:55)", "body": "Ah, so it was like dipping select morsels into the warm chocolate, then licking it off??? I like the idea, but do not understand the science of preventing conception behind it. Is there more to chocolate than I know, or was this done instead? Just asking!!!"}, {"response": 194, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (20:03)", "body": "Ooooh, Sorry. Must be the paint fumes from those bleacher seats we were finishing. This is *Darcy Drool* and the fine points of the gentleman are our interests here. With everything so perfect about him (and his interpreter), little wonder JA stayed unmarried. A Darcy would be difficult to find in the best of times. Many of us are still looking..."}, {"response": 195, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (20:56)", "body": "(Bethan) The first \"sex manual\" published, denounced sheaths as likely to cause impotence and states that \"any preventative means, to be satisfactory, must be used by the woman, as it spoils the passion and impulsiveness of the venereal act, if the man has t think of them\".!!! Hmmm, must have been written by a man! I have belly laughed through this entire discussion, but must admit it has me wondering. What is the purpose of a flavored condom? I didn't think they were supposed to be taken orally ;-)"}, {"response": 196, "author": "GabriellaB", "date": "Mon, Jan 11, 1999 (00:24)", "body": "Oh my word. I thought I had strayed by some terrible accident into an x-rated site discussing the virtues of flavoured condoms and the people that use them. I must say, I am feeling rather unsettled reading about the possibility of CF buying these items. I just can't get my head around it. No pun intended, of course. I have to say that I have never tried them myself, although I have experienced the glow-in-the-dark variety. At the risk of turning discussions to a more wholesome bent, I must share with you all the most profoundly happy experience I have had today whilst grocery-shopping. The mundance turned into sheer glee when I happened to glance up from my shopping to the rows of magazines and spied the latest TV guide with CF and JE emblazoned across the front. Well, the next few minutes were a frenzied blur as I abandoned my cart, pushed old ladies out the way and shoved through the crowds to get my hands on a copy. It transpires that P&P is returning to our screens (happy news for me, as I've not got a copy yet; yes,yes, shame on me, I know) and the accompanying article was predominantly about the series and how it has (favourably) affected the actors who starred in it. Everything you will all know, so I certainly won't bore everyone with a repetition, but I ID think the following was a delightful extract : \"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of skin-tight breeches must set countless female hearts aflutter....Darcy's cooling dip, along with moments of throbbing sexual tension...helped make the BBC's Pride and Prejudice a television triumph.\" Andrew Davies is quoted as saying \"Suddenly all these women were writing to the papers saying what they'd like to do with Colin Firth.\" So, everyone, I have my tapes poised and my remote control at the ready. Yippee! Can anyone tell me how to get on to CF chat? Is this still going? Gabriella"}, {"response": 197, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Jan 11, 1999 (08:10)", "body": "Hallo Gabriella, I hope everything goes well and you finally tape P&P for yourself. To go to Chat, just go to www.colinfirth.com and then click on Colin chat (I think). You'll be asked for your username and a password, and you can dive right in! (JanaH)What is the purpose of a flavored condom? I didn't think they were supposed to be taken orally ;-) You must be joking!"}, {"response": 198, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 11, 1999 (08:34)", "body": "(JanaH)What is the purpose of a flavored condom? I didn't think they were supposed to be taken orally ;-) You must be joking! Hmmmmm....Monica can tell us"}, {"response": 199, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jan 11, 1999 (10:51)", "body": "(evelyn) Hmmmmm....Monica can tell us I thought hers were cherry flavored;) Talk about a double whammy w/ CFC's. I mean if chocolate produces the same feeling as sex (according the brain), then eating chocolate while having aforementioned activity should be pretty amazing! Sorry, Bridgetesque reply!"}, {"response": 200, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Jan 11, 1999 (13:28)", "body": "(Susan) If you had been MT, wouldn't you have moved your ass to London Digression again (but if we can discuss condoms in Darcy Drool we can discuss Meg as well): I used to adore Meg in that beautiful, serious, quite non-hollywoodish movie....what was it called now. Ave Maria or something? Her acting was unbelievably good. I also think she\ufffds gorgeous, no wonder Colin left \ufffdeverything\ufffd for her for a while. AND I just don\ufffdt get it why she should\ufffdve moved to London or anywhere from where she wanted to live with her three kids. This couldn\ufffdt be a reason for the breakup, it\ufffds ju t an official explanation for something else we do not know anything about. To blame her admirably strong will for the breakup is terrible. (Susan) Colin, if you're reading this Yes, could he be? Imagine him having read this topic these days and found a blooming renaissance of his CFCs...:-)"}, {"response": 201, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Jan 11, 1999 (14:37)", "body": "Oops, sorry, Meg\ufffds movie was of course Agnes of God (visited her website). btw, strange indeed how much she does resemble Mrs. Firth."}, {"response": 202, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 11, 1999 (15:00)", "body": "Elena, I too, like Meg Tilly....esp. in Agnes of God (Golden Globe award?),Valmont and The Big Chill. Her career went south after V. But she is a very capable actress.And yes, she does resemble Livia (when she was younger). MT has two children by her first husband....we don't know...perhaps the court would not have allowed her to take them out of the country to live in London. Speculating...of course. But agree that it's not fair to blame her for the split."}, {"response": 203, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Jan 11, 1999 (19:55)", "body": "(Gabriella) ...although I have experienced the glow-in-the-dark variety. I'm never able to keep a straight face--makes me think of air traffic controllers ;-D (Gabriella) The mundane turned into sheer glee when I happened to glance up from my shopping to the rows of magazines and spied the latest TV guide with CF and JE emblazoned across the front. Ooh...is it a new photo? Well, not new...but one we haven't seen before, perhaps? (Laura) I mean if chocolate produces the same feeling as sex (according the brain), then eating chocolate while having aforementioned activity should be pretty amazing! Well, I suppose it could happen. Personally, I think it would make me want to toss ;-p"}, {"response": 204, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 11, 1999 (20:13)", "body": "Personally, I think the birth of new acronyms in the last few days have been priceless....CFCFC....or for short: CCC No one can ever accuse us of:a) being dull b) not be creative"}, {"response": 205, "author": "GabriellaB", "date": "Mon, Jan 11, 1999 (21:06)", "body": "I'm never able to keep a straight face--makes me think of air traffic controllers. Oh...ROFL!! Yes, yes. Totally concur with your assessment! In fact, after seeing the thing bobbing about the boudoir seemingly unattached to a body and undertaking a strange, almost ritualistic comic dance, I was unable to do *anything* but laugh. But that, of course, is another story. Ooh...is it a new photo? Well, not new...but one we haven't seen before, perhaps? Definiely not new...and have we seen it before? Well, I think probably yes, it is a very \"standard\" one of Lizzie and Darcy. Believe me, I am VERY sensitive to everyone's emotional and psychological needs for Darcyiana and if I thought these piccies were worth scanning and posting, then I truly would, without a moment's hesitation. But rest assured I don't think we are missing anything too huge. Could someone advise if I am correct in thinking Livia is pregnant? Either I'm completely misled, or I am pathetically gossip-challenged. Gabriella"}, {"response": 206, "author": "GabriellaB", "date": "Tue, Jan 12, 1999 (00:47)", "body": "Oops...sorry, I'm still getting the hang of HTML and forgot to close my italics. G"}, {"response": 207, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jan 12, 1999 (18:38)", "body": "Let's see if I can fix it... (Evelyn) new acronyms in the last few days have been priceless....CFCFC....or for short: CCC Correction again: CFCFC or CFC. CCC has nothing much to do with the aforementioned report. It was just a recipe variation as discussed here, I guess... ;-)"}, {"response": 208, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 12, 1999 (21:09)", "body": "Correction again: CFCFC or CFC. CCC has nothing much to do with the aforementioned report.It was just a recipe variation as discussed here, I guess... Thank you . I stand corrected. I don't want to decipher them again...but I thought some one referred to the items once as \"CCC\".Eliminating surname and F for flavor :-)"}, {"response": 209, "author": "scollins", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (12:14)", "body": "Gosh, sorry if I offended any MT fans. (Already you're regretting letting me on this site!) What prompted my digression was I had read something in which CF's sister said Colin ultimately was made to choose between living in isolation in Canada or having a career. One has to wonder, was there no middle ground? I mean, there ARE places to live other than Timbuktu... Anyway, as JA would say, we don't know the particulars, nor do I really feel comfortable delving into them. So back to Darcy (the reason we're all here): I've always wondered, were there other actors being considered for the part? Or was CF their first and only choice?"}, {"response": 210, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (12:43)", "body": "(SusanMC)Gosh, sorry if I offended any MT fans. (Already you're regretting letting me on this site!) LOL Susan...have no fear...; lots of people agree with you re; MT. As Nan says...if we all thought alike we wouldn't have anything to talk about.! I just happen to like MT as an actress...Recently, she was interviewed and said that she was no longer taking acting roles, she prefers to stay home with her three children.(She is also married to John Calley, CEO of Sony Pictures)"}, {"response": 211, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (13:21)", "body": "(Susan) Or was CF their first and only choice? Not sure if Colin was their first and only choice, but Sue Birtwistle has often said that she wanted Colin for the part and she had worked with him before on Dutch Girls. Is it in the \"Making of\" book? I've heard her refer to the casting in interviews for the videotape."}, {"response": 212, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (16:40)", "body": "All of this talk of chocolate flavored condoms and wonder bras with breasts pointing skyward; ladies, I am all astonishment! Having recently delurked at CF\ufffds conference, I thought I would take a tour of the other droolworthy topics. I do have a confession to make, however: I viewed and taped P&P2 when it first was aired on A&E in 1996, and then I put the tape way without watching it again until last year. I hope this confession does not find me exiled from further postings. Please allow me o explain. P&P has always been on my short list of favorite books. I was skeptical about the series, as I absolutely detest the 1940 version of P&P. As much as I admire Olivier, I felt that he did not do Darcy (or Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights, for that matter) justice. In any event, I loved P&P2, and was delighted by the wit, vivacity, and sexual tension which prevailed in the production. Like most of you, P&P2 made me take notice of CF, and I have followed his career ever since. Now then. Like I said, I put the tape away, and didn\ufffdt think much more about it, until around early November of last year. I began to work very long hours around this time and was in need of a relaxing diversion after work. It was then when I came across my tape of P&P2. I started watching it late at night, especially savoring the Darcy and Lizzy moments. Then an odd thing happened. I started to rewind and replay certain scenes over and over again: Darcy\ufffds lustful look out the window apres bath; the dance at the Netherfield Ball where Darcy and Elizabeth\ufffds hands touch; the Pemberly wet shirt scene, etc. You get the idea. Suddenly, I was approaching P&P2 with the fervor of a Rocky Horror Picture Show devotee: I had memorized lines, and could practically act out the scenes. I was getting worried\ufffd.would I next want to start throwing rice at the television screen? And then I found Drool and understood that this was merely a case of full-blown Firthaholism. It helps o much to name the ailment. Sorry for these digressions, but it feels so good to have found my support group. I am home."}, {"response": 213, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (17:42)", "body": "( Lisa ) but it feels so good to have found my support group. I am home. And we're the luckier for it!! BTW I just mailed your \"Making of P&P \"tape. Enjoy!"}, {"response": 214, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (18:23)", "body": "I was approaching P&P2 with the fervor of a Rocky Horror Picture Show devotee: I had memorized lines, and could practically act out the scenes. I was getting worried\ufffd.would I next want to start throwing rice at the television screen? LOL! And then I found Drool and understood that this was merely a case of full-blown Firthaholism. Firthoholics Anonymous we (well, some of us ;-)... And no - I don't want to be cured!!!"}, {"response": 215, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (18:38)", "body": "Arami and the other experts, a question: are they milk or plain, just out of interest? And aren't they rather dangerous? I cannot taste a Mars bar, for example, without wishing to bite into it. I was going to come up with a 12-step programme, but as with every addiction, the victim must want to be cured. Since Arami emphatically does not, we are not going to get very far, I see. So, seeking to take something positive from Lisa's confession, perhaps a list of Rocky Horror-style audience participation gimmicks for P&P would be good. Anything is allowed, but remember that P&P is a family show and, in particular, there is no call anywhere for CFCs. (I was thinking more along the lines of bonnets, redcoats, music, various drinks....) Allez les Demoiselles! Get to work, and \"I shall be the judge of it as occasion arises\"."}, {"response": 216, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (20:10)", "body": "Darcy s On foot line is followed by: the Firthettes Dance to Netherfield Lots of curls bopping to the wind while our DB just follows along with a big grin."}, {"response": 217, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (01:20)", "body": "(LisaJH) I do have a confession to make, however...I viewed and taped P&P2...then I put the tape way without watching it again until last year. I hope this confession does not find me exiled from further postings. Heck, no...I did the same thing. I think I put the tape away for about 6 months after I first watched it. Okay, so I watched it several times then put it away for 6 months--but you know what I mean ;-) (Ben) are they milk or plain, just out of interest? I prefer bittersweet, myself. And aren't they rather dangerous? I cannot taste a Mars bar, for example, without wishing to bite into it. Mars bar, huh? I can resist biting into anything which is devoid of nuts ;-p perhaps a list of Rocky Horror-style audience participation gimmicks for P&P would be good A couple of years ago, at the first Pemberley get together, they actually did a Rocky Horror P&P viewing. I don't remember all the details, but someone around here must have the script. It was hysterical. Okay, who remembers?"}, {"response": 218, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (07:14)", "body": "A couple of years ago, at the first Pemberley get together, they actually did a Rocky Horror P&P viewing. I don't remember all the details, but someone around here must have the script. It was hysterical. Okay, who remembers? Oh, okay. Here's The Script We departed from it a lot... that is we recited a lot more of the movie than the script indicates. It was a hoot. ;-)"}, {"response": 219, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (09:35)", "body": "Oh Myretta, thanks for the link. I swear I was ROTFLMHO! I wish I had been there!"}, {"response": 220, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (11:07)", "body": "(Nan), Mars bar, huh? I can resist biting into anything which is devoid of nuts How true! LOL! Myretta, what fun you had. I hope you will do the P&P musical next."}, {"response": 221, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (12:01)", "body": "Myretta, That is brilliant! Perhaps I might have changed a couple of things - like drooling at EB's cleavage and throwing twigs at Darcy (instead of your way round) - but otherwise, excellent. Who invented them all?"}, {"response": 222, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (12:37)", "body": "Perhaps I might have changed a couple of things - like drooling at EB's cleavage and throwing twigs at Darcy (instead of your way round) - but otherwise, excellent. Who invented them all? I imagine you would have, Ben. This is why it's probably a good idea to keep these things segregated by gender. The script was largely done by Cheryl. Here's her business card, in case you want to get in touch with her:"}, {"response": 223, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (13:03)", "body": "Myretta, I should have know you'd have it handy. It's even funnier this time around. Cheryl just kills me. \"Chief of the Tawdry Arts\", indeed ;-)"}, {"response": 224, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (13:12)", "body": "Myretta, thanks ever so much for posting the link to the RHP&P2 script. Kudos to Cheryl. Haven't laughed this much in ages. Capital! Capital!....I have stockpiled enough endorphins to ward off a migraine or two! Alas, unbeknownst to me, my RH reference was not an original one.... There is something very intriguing about an interactive P&P2. Last night I was thinking how great it would be to have a P&P2 cd rom, and one could modify various scenes to one's liking......mmmmmm."}, {"response": 225, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (14:06)", "body": "Great card. Fantastic card. I've often wondered where you found the C.18 font, by the way. Myretta - \"That is why it is probably a good idea to keep these things segregated by gender.\" (If I weren't so hopelessly HTML-illiterate, I would quote this automatically). Is this why there are to be no men at the Pemberley gathering? (I quite accept this, though I am not so uncontrollable that I couldn't have a book handy, or a bowl of nuts to look into, or a scarf to knit while the Darcy drool is actually in progress.) Or do men cramp the droolin' style even in the virtual sphere, on this site?:-(."}, {"response": 226, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (14:27)", "body": "Dear Ben, I think I can safely speak for everyone else in saying that you at least haven't cramped anyone's style by being here, au contraire! (LisaJH)Last night I was thinking how great it would be to have a P&P2 cd rom, and one could modify various scenes to one's liking......mmmmmm. Oh Lisa, this is the best idea ever !"}, {"response": 227, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (15:11)", "body": "(Ben)Or do men cramp the droolin' style even in the virtual sphere, on this site?:-(. You might have reformed us a bit..... ...........we're cleaner than we use to be..:-)"}, {"response": 228, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (16:09)", "body": "(Evelyn) BTW I just mailed your \"Making of P&P \"tape. Enjoy! Thanks, Evelyn. I can hardly wait."}, {"response": 229, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (16:10)", "body": ""}, {"response": 230, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (16:10)", "body": "(Evelyn) BTW I just mailed your \"Making of P&P \"tape. Enjoy! Thanks, Evelyn. I can hardly wait."}, {"response": 231, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (21:31)", "body": "Arami and the other experts, a question: are they milk or plain, just out of interest? And aren't they rather dangerous? I cannot taste a Mars bar, for example, without wishing to bite into it. LOL, Ben! My expertise doesn't extend that far... (and BTW, opportunity is definitely not an issue here...;-D), but I happen to know that they're the most expensive of all c's on the market in UK, and really yummy. I was thinking that perhaps I should conduct some tests in the interest of empirical evaluation, but I'm really off chewing gum at the moment... I was going to come up with a 12-step programme, but as with every addiction, the victim must want to be cured. Since Arami emphatically does not, we are not going to get very far Nevertheless, why not let us evaluate your treatment - just in case there are some applicants after all... ;-)"}, {"response": 232, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (23:32)", "body": "(Arami)My expertise doesn't extend that far... Oh poor, Arami!!! Perhaps one should take the time to practice!"}, {"response": 233, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Jan 15, 1999 (15:20)", "body": "Oh, yes, pity me, indeed ;-)! But you are apparently diligent - perhaps you'd like to enlighten us further? :-)"}, {"response": 234, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jan 15, 1999 (15:44)", "body": "(Arami)perhaps you'd like to enlighten us further? Now, I can't give away all my secrets, now can I?"}, {"response": 235, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jan 15, 1999 (18:03)", "body": "Or do men cramp the droolin' style even in the virtual sphere, on this site?:-(. Ben, as Patas remarked, au contraire! BTW have you ever sampled the scrumptious chocolate delights of Fan Fic (#34). There are some stunningly talented ladies out there, and their writing is toe-curlingly good! Or perhaps Fan Fic is exclusively a woman-type thing. I've often wondered about this...men seem to reserve their enthusiasm for soccer and the prequels to Star Wars!!"}, {"response": 236, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Jan 15, 1999 (20:36)", "body": "the scrumptious chocolate delights of Fan Fic (#34) LOL! The atmosphere there often resembles titillating Victorian decadence... I remember a story in which rope and whipped cream played a significant part, but can't recall any chocolate episodes..."}, {"response": 237, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Jan 15, 1999 (20:59)", "body": "Oh good Lord, don't encourage him. However, lest he or any other intrepid sould dares to put a toe in the pool at #34, be forewarned. A healthy sense of humor is required. We have a ball writing and the more tawdry, the better."}, {"response": 238, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Jan 15, 1999 (21:19)", "body": "(Arami) but can't recall any chocolate episodes... If I remember correctly there was some chocolate involved in that one as well. That story was deleted at the author's request...so all you kinky chicks out there who like that stuff, don't bother searching ;-p"}, {"response": 239, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 15, 1999 (21:37)", "body": "so all you kinky chicks out there who like that stuff, don't bother searching ;-p Aaaaaaw. There's one in every crowd....:-) (I put an emoticon this time, Nan)"}, {"response": 240, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (10:25)", "body": "You are very good ;-)"}, {"response": 241, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (10:32)", "body": "(Nan) That story was deleted at the author's request...so all you kinky chicks out there who like that stuff, don't bother searching ;-p Isn't it back? I think it should be at the Archive. As I recall, there was hot fudge and whipped cream at a little cottage. ;-) Myretta, the Rocky Horror P&P was great! Too bad we didn't have it when we had our first get together at Bill's house. Would have liked to have seen Bill dressed up with a Wonder Bra as well. If we schedule a showing in NY, could you play that part Ben?"}, {"response": 242, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (10:48)", "body": "(Karen) Isn't it back? I think it should be at the Archive. As I recall, there was hot fudge and whipped cream at a little cottage. ;-) Yes, you're right. I didn't realize that you'd found her and added the story again. In fact, that's the first time I've been to the archives. Looks good. BTW, Lou's story really shouldn't have my name on it...I just added the visuals--she did all the work."}, {"response": 243, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (10:53)", "body": "Lou's story really shouldn't have my name on it...I just added the visuals--she did all the work. You are too modest."}, {"response": 244, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (16:33)", "body": "I look forward to Fan Fic. As for the wonder bra, be aware that you are conversing with Miss Trinity Hall 1987. At college, one of the charity fund-raising events - \"Drag for Rag\" - was a sponsored day, attending all lectures, supervisions and practicals, in a twin-set and pearls. I had three girlfriends dress and make me up v. expertly, and consequently won the prize at the evening Revue. (This was the key, it turned out - all the other oafs had ridiculous fishnets and miniskirts, with far too much make-up. The delicate hands of the experts, and moderation, was the answer. Without wishing to boast, I actually look d quite fetching.) I can only thank God that I'm a man, however. To think of having to go through that rigmarole every morning...not to mention periods, childbirth, the menopause.... I have nothing but admiration. (Nor would it only be the morning, obviously. For some reason I kept having to dive into the lav. (either men's or women's - I'd get weird looks in both), and daub some more lipstick on my chops. What a nightmare.)"}, {"response": 245, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (17:15)", "body": "Ben....I'd give anything to see a pic of \"Miss Trinity Hall '87\". And, pray tell...did you wear a Wonder Bra....'n \"falsies\"?"}, {"response": 246, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (17:43)", "body": "Too funny, Ben :-D What a good sport you are. Tell me, did they spare you the part where you shave your legs and did you have any problem \"hiding the kitchen\"? ;-p"}, {"response": 247, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (19:03)", "body": "Thanks, Ben, for being so sympathetic and understanding towards the discomforts of being female. A serious design flaw, if you ask me. I have no particular quarrel with Our Lord, but considering the way I've been put together, I sometimes think that he must have delegated the job to a junior assistant with a wandering mind."}, {"response": 248, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 17, 1999 (16:09)", "body": "(Miss Trinity Hall 1987) Without wishing to boast, I actually looked quite fetching. As others have requested on these boards, \"I need proof!\" ;-p Another thought, for the Rocky Horror P&P show, when the Superior Sisters ask if whether Darcy and Bingley have seen Lizzie's muddy petticoat, I'd say that calls for a can-can-like move. Ben, have done the female lead (Shirley MacLaine's part) in Can Can too? ;-)"}, {"response": 249, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Jan 18, 1999 (16:44)", "body": "(Me) \"hiding the kitchen\" It just occurred to me that this could be misinterpreted as vulgar by someone who didn't have any drag queen friends. I don't know why I didn't catch it sooner--I usually have a much dirtier mind ;-p So, just to clear it up and regain my reputation as a lady.... In Drag-queenese the \"kitchen\" is the point of hair at the back of the neck which sticks out from beneath a wig. See? Perfectly harmless ;-)"}, {"response": 250, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Jan 18, 1999 (17:34)", "body": "Thank you for that explanation, Nan. For some reason I thought it may have meant something else and was on the point of pulling the level of discussion here even lower. Anyway, my hair was quite long then, and rather unruly, so I didn't have a wig. (Why \"kitchen\", by the way?). Leg hair didn't seem that much of a problem, partly because the tights were reasonably thick. (This was a good thing, because it was bloody cold.) By the way, you can add bicycling in a tight skirt to my list of female burdens. I could only manage it by hitching the skirt right up, which prompted lots of mocking cat-calls from other students. How it should be done I never found out. There is a photograph, but it's buried deep in a box somewhere in England, so there's little hope of seeing my feminine side, short of \"dragging\" her out again..."}, {"response": 251, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Jan 18, 1999 (17:49)", "body": "Thank you for that explanation, Nan... I thought it may have meant something else and was on the point of pulling the level of discussion here even lower. Drat! I am seriously displeased (with Nan). ;-p"}, {"response": 252, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Jan 18, 1999 (19:56)", "body": "(Ben) For some reason I thought it may have meant something else and was on the point of pulling the level of discussion here even lower. Oh dear, don't tell me I'm responsible for stifling what would have been a very enjoyable read? While I wouldn't want to be accused of being a bad influence, I'm rather sorry I posted the explanation so soon. I can only imagine what was going through your head ;-) (Ben) (Why \"kitchen\", by the way?) I'm not sure. The explanation has to be either witty or raunchy (possibly both). The next time I speak with one of my friends, I'll ask. There is a photograph, but it's buried deep in a box somewhere in England, so there's little hope of seeing my feminine side Oh sure, Ben...here I was, scanner warmed up and ready to go...;-p (Arami) Drat! I am seriously displeased (with Nan). ;-p I know! When did I become such an adult? ;-p"}, {"response": 253, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 18, 1999 (20:46)", "body": "Arami) Drat! I am seriously displeased (with Nan). ;-p I know! When did I become such an adult? ;-p Yeah....that prestigious Graduate School is cleaning-up our ole Nan oh Nan."}, {"response": 254, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Jan 18, 1999 (21:33)", "body": "Evelyn, in answer to your original question, I made do with some strategically-placed cotton socks. These have a buoyancy all of their own, and a wonderbra was not necessary. (Anyway, had the contraption even been invented then?) Again, the secret was not do overdo it. I must have been, oh, around a b/c cup? The competition, lacking all self-control, stuffed huge balloons down their little tank-tops."}, {"response": 255, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jan 18, 1999 (22:20)", "body": "Oh Ben, what a man!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 256, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Jan 19, 1999 (00:27)", "body": "Ben, what a good sport you were to dress up like a woman for an entire day! Your heightened appreciation of women after your \"drag for a day\" experience reminds me of the movie, Tootsie (another one of those movies on tape which I have practically worn out from repeated viewings), in the scene where Dustin Hoffman\ufffds character realizes that his experience as Dorothy made him a better man\ufffd. Nan, your talk of drag queens takes me back to a Halloween party I attended in New York. A gay actor friend invited me to a party, which proceeded the Halloween parade in the Village. The party was great: drag queen heaven, if you know what I mean. :-) It was fun being the token straight female. I was having a wonderful time until I realized the \"girls\" (as they called themselves) all looked better in their dresses than I did in mine\ufffd..::sigh:: A very low body image moment; it was their lim hips which really did me in. ::wistful sigh::"}, {"response": 257, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Jan 19, 1999 (00:30)", "body": "Oops, I was trying to type \"slim hips\" in the above post."}, {"response": 258, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Jan 19, 1999 (10:03)", "body": "Evelyn, in answer to your original question, I made do with some strategically-placed cotton socks. These have a buoyancy all of their own, and a wonderbra was not necessary. (Anyway, had the contraption even been invented then?) Again, the secret was not do overdo it. I must have been, oh, around a b/c cup? The competition, lacking all self-control, stuffed huge balloons down their little tank-tops."}, {"response": 259, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 19, 1999 (11:23)", "body": "(Nan) \"hiding the kitchen\" Perhaps what we're thinking of is the \"kitchenette\"! ;-)"}, {"response": 260, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 19, 1999 (11:48)", "body": "(Ben)....I must have been, oh, around a b/c cup? The competition, lacking all self-control, stuffed huge balloons down their little tank-tops. Such dignity....no wonder you walked away with the prize:-)"}, {"response": 261, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Jan 19, 1999 (11:53)", "body": "(Karen) Perhaps what we're thinking of is the \"kitchenette\"! ;-) What you're thinking of (naughty girl!) would be the \"basket\" ;-) I'm sure there are other words for it, but I don't know them. Lisa, I'm just itching to answer your Halloween post, but fear that we are seriously off topic here. How about over at Odds and Ends (#72)?"}, {"response": 262, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Jan 19, 1999 (14:34)", "body": "(Nan) Lisa, I'm just itching to answer your Halloween post, but fear that we are seriously off topic here. How about over at Odds and Ends (#72)? Of course, Nan. You are absolutely right.....I should be drooling over Darcy here, instead of drag queens and the like. See you at Odds and Ends."}, {"response": 263, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Sun, Feb  7, 1999 (18:48)", "body": "Hi all! THis is my first time on this board (I'm really only on the fan fic). But as I was reading the posts of above I came across something...there is a \"making of P&P[2]\" tape???? How could I have missed this??? can some one tell me where to find it??? PLEASE! thanks! I'll forever be indebted to you!"}, {"response": 264, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb  7, 1999 (20:02)", "body": "Hi Liz...glad to have you on this board...stick around. Do you live in the US? The Jennifer Ehle Lending Library has \"The Making of P&P\" (Actually, called \"P&P from Page to Screen)in NTSC formatted for US televisions.We'll be glad to lend it to you. Email me if you are interested."}, {"response": 265, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (20:10)", "body": "Evelyn, good for you!!! You really do check with all the web pages. Must put another Hawaiian essay on mine to keep it alive! Welcome, Liz! Go up to 113 and choose a keepsake to tend for Darcy, Lizzie, or other CF permutations!"}, {"response": 266, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (23:14)", "body": "Evelyn, I would LOVE to borow the making of P&P2 tape as well! what do i have to do? SBR"}, {"response": 267, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (17:09)", "body": "(SRRobinson) I would LOVE to borrow the making of P&P2 tape as well! Email me....first come....:-)"}, {"response": 268, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (17:49)", "body": "Hello, SBR, Sorry I did not get to talk to you over the weekend. Perhaps next thime?! Are you flooding, or is that north of you?"}, {"response": 269, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Feb 10, 1999 (00:09)", "body": "Hi Marcia! I just posted a \"weather\" report over on 113- but i'm fine. :) no flooding. lots of rain though- How's David holding up? Next weekend definately! :)"}, {"response": 270, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (03:23)", "body": "High and dry, thankfully. He's into WX and has gadgets to monitor it. He was the one who told me and sent me the warning he found from the Ca. water board. Thanks for asking =) Did see your message on 113. Interesting antipodal postings!"}, {"response": 271, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (00:29)", "body": "Ooof! Scotland! Love it!!! I saw on 116. Wonderful. Must talk on the weekend for sure! And how lucky for you to have a firthette in your family. My family thinks I'm totally weird since he is just a bit older than son David. Funny, I do not think of CF that way =). Perhaps that is why I am firthst and foremost a Darcy Drooler."}, {"response": 272, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (11:48)", "body": "I have been re-viewing the P&P tapes. A nice way to spend these cold evenings. I know we've rehashed so many of the scenes but since there are so many newer people posting lately, I thought they might like to bring some of their thoughts into the conversation. This scene always bothers me each time I see it though it's one of my absolute favorites. In the drawing room at Netherfield (tape 1) when Lizzy exclaims she is not a great reader, then shortly after Darcy mentions another accomplishment ladies should have...\" in the improvement of her mind by extensive reading . In the series, Lizzy clearly thinks this is a slap. She quickly responds to the effect that Darcy's lofty requirements are too much for any woman to attain. It is clear to me that Darcy me nt it as a compliment. Apparently Lizzie is so convinced by this time that everything he says is meant as a dig to her and her family that she can't see a compliment when he gives it to her. It's an excellent scene, of course, but I want to shake Elizabeth for not comprehending. And for not noticing that powerfully sexy stare he's giving her after her \"impertinence\". Then at the Netherfield ball, Lizzy and Darcy's dance...I love watching the people standing to the side watching the dancers and talking among themselves. How come no one notices who Elizabeth is dancing with? Mrs. Bennet must only have eyes for Jane and Bingley and is not aware her other daughter is dancing with one of the richest men in the country. Surely she'd quickly overcome her distaste for the man if she thought Elizabeth had a chance. Mr. Collin watches her but the importance of this dance ce tainly escapes him. That old matchmaker, Mr. Lucas, is the only one who seems to notice. Another thing during the dance, Lizzy and Darcy are so wrapped up in each other, they're almost rude to their other partners when the dance steps require they are part of a foursome. The other partners nod or smile when they all come together, but L & D are so wrapped up in their thrust and parry, they are oblivious to all else. Any comments on the above or anything else are welcome."}, {"response": 273, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Sun, Feb 21, 1999 (19:25)", "body": "Heide, i agree that Lizzy thinks he's insulting her with the improvement of her mind comment and with your observation that she's already made up her mind that his comments will always be a dig at her and/or her family. i got this impression even more in reading the book, than i did in watching the movie. And that stare he gives her!!! Hello! how does she keep from melting into one big Lizzy puddle on that yellow couch? now, it just so happens, i was watching tape one last night (yes i know... you're all shocked) :) ...and i noticed something i never had before. At the Meryton Assembly Rooms, when Lizzy over hears Darcy saying she was tolerable, etc. As she stands up to make her way to Charlotte, there's a man standing behind her wearing a yellow waistcoat, he's holding something (not a pipe) and belowing smoke out of his mouth. Has anyone else seen this, or know what the heck it is? i was driving my mom crazy cause i ept rewinding, and watching - rewinding, and watching - trying to figure it out. SBR"}, {"response": 274, "author": "Giz", "date": "Mon, Feb 22, 1999 (11:48)", "body": "Hello! This is my 1st posting here(but I've been observing for some time) In reply to Heide, I also wonder why when Darcy and Lizzy dance nobody sees them! It seems that they're all \"blind\"! I expect that people should be staring at them instead of chatting and gossiping in their own ways without giving a glance to the very unusual pair! I think I've seen that \"yellow man\", but I never pay much attention to him. Will watch the vid tomorrow morning and see if I could come up anything. Most probably I'll be as confused as you, trying, in vain, to figure it out! My most fave part is definitely the part when Lizzy and Darcy meet in the garden of Pemberley. It's just awesome and I always repeating that part for many times which irritates my sister VERY much! She's often so fed up that she walks away! I saw you guys mentioning the vid of the making of P&P2. I would really love to know more about that. Can anyone tell me more? I'm living in a very deserted place where I can get nothing of or about P&P2(except they shown the series 3 years ago). Would love to watch that \"Making of P&P2\" vid. Giz"}, {"response": 275, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Feb 22, 1999 (12:24)", "body": "Hello GiGi and welcome! :) I'm relatively new here at Drool myself, and have found everyone to be simply wonderful. I currently have the 'making of P&P2' video and i'm enjoying it very much indeed. :) You'll have to email Evelyn when she gets back from London about getting your hands on it next. I concur with your favorite moment of P&P2- (although there are several i flip back and forth between, depending on my mood) Actually that was the first scene i ever saw. I was fipping through channels one day and i passed this gorgeous guy stripping next to a lake. I thought:'i dont know what the heck this is... but i bet its gonna be good!' I was more than slightly annoyed when the show ended a few minutes later. i didnt see it again till more than a year later, when a friend of mine brought the six tap s over for me to watch. i was about 10 mins in, when i suddenly realized it was the same movie and blurted out: \"this is that movie where he dives in a lake and then meets that girl, isnt it?\" i've been addicted ever sence. :) anyway... let me know what you think about the guy in the yellow wasitcoat. glad you delurked! SBR"}, {"response": 276, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Feb 22, 1999 (19:50)", "body": "I was fipping through channels one day and i passed this gorgeous guy stripping next to a lake. I thought:'i dont know what the heck this is... but i bet its gonna be good!' What a fortuitous moment for you. Too bad you didn't tune in the next day (or the next week) to get the LOOK scene when Lizzy's playing the piano. But all worked out well since you saw it eventually. You've given me yet another reason to watch the tape again. A man in yellow smoking a pipe? I confess I've never seen. Gigi, so glad you posted! I hope you'll stay awhile. My most fave part is definitely the part when Lizzy and Darcy meet in the garden of Pemberley. Perhaps my favorite too...but there are so many. Love the way the music builds to a crescendo. Such a climax."}, {"response": 277, "author": "Giz", "date": "Mon, Feb 22, 1999 (23:38)", "body": "Hello!! SBR, you're right. Everyone seems to be very friendly and wonderful here. Thanks for telling how to get \"the Making of P&P2\" vid. I'll email Evelyn when she's back. Just got back from checking the yellow waistcoat man. Well, he seems to be smoking a pipe when Lizzy and Mary are talking about observing and dancing. I think that is just a weird looking pipe. He's also talking to the old lady next to him. But then, when Lizzy walks to Charlotte, that man seems to be smoke a straw like thingy rather than a pipe. It just looks like an extremely long, but thin cigar. I also notice that there's no smoke coming out from the pipe thing at all. It is rather strange, I think. Gigi"}, {"response": 278, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (04:22)", "body": "The long thin things they smoke are clay pipes. These were quite common especially in the country. You can still find broken pieces scattered in the garden and farm soil all over England. The small head holds only very little tobacco - it wasn't serious smoking then, and at that time still rather unpopular with high society. In the early 19th century, some house owners forbade smoking indoors and sent their smoking guests to the servants' quarters for a puff. I imagine Mr Darcy would do that in Pemberley."}, {"response": 279, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Feb 24, 1999 (08:37)", "body": "(Heide) Apparently Lizzie is so convinced by this time that everything he says is meant as a dig to her Which speaks to the heart of their conflict. Later in the same evening, Lizzy tells Darcy his character defect is to \"hate everybody;\" he says hers is to \"woefully misunderstand them\" (or words to that effect). That Netherfield exchange is one of my favorites as well. It wasn't until my second viewing (on video) until I understood all this. I hadn't read the book so I didn't know the story. I first watched the series during A&E's second showing (2/97). They did 3 episodes on a Saturday and the rest the next day. I think the show ran until midnight that Saturday and I was falling asleep. I missed the whole Rosings thing. It wasn't until 'the LOOK' the next day that I was signed, sealed and fully delivered. And here I am, two years later! I didn't notice the smoking. Will check next time."}, {"response": 280, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Feb 24, 1999 (18:50)", "body": "\"...wilfully to misunderstand them.\""}, {"response": 281, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Feb 24, 1999 (23:25)", "body": "Thanks Arami, i knew somebody here would know what was up with the smoke! :)"}, {"response": 282, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (03:35)", "body": "In Darcy's case it's steam, not smoke..."}, {"response": 283, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (15:04)", "body": "Hot...Smoldering steam..."}, {"response": 284, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (17:34)", "body": "SBR, you are quite right. A little local color, the gent with the yellow waistcoat smoking the little clay pipe. There are all sorts of curious people in the background at the assembly - some quite potted by the looks of it =)"}, {"response": 285, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (07:55)", "body": "What always grabbed my attention in the past was that the men were all short with v. bad wigs! Read that their height was important to make Darcy appear taller. Guess 6'1 wasn't enough!"}, {"response": 286, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (15:56)", "body": "Darcy and his ilk were not wearing wigs. Why did the good men of Meryton not seek to emulate their betters. Is that not what fashion is all about? Or were they hopelessly behind the times?"}, {"response": 287, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (08:26)", "body": "No, I meant that P&P2's hairstylists might have done a bit better. It's one of the few criticisms I have about the production."}, {"response": 288, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (17:06)", "body": "In the early 19th older men, especially those living in the country, had preference for earlier styles - breeches, stockings, powdered wigs, - whilst younger men would naturally follow the new trends: long pantaloons or trousers, and no wigs. Instead it became very fashionable to sport a full head of rich curls, and since not everyone was appropriately blessed by Mother Nature in quite the same way as Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley, every morning lots of gentlemen had their hair elaborately styled by their vale s using hot curling tongs."}, {"response": 289, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (21:47)", "body": "True, but Uncle Gardiner and Mr Bennet did not wear wigs. Neither did Charlotte's father, for that matter, and he thought he was elevated in class. Makes me wonder who got the better curling iron, the men or the women?!"}, {"response": 290, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 1999 (15:18)", "body": "IMO the production spent more time (for obvious reasons) on the speaking characters' hair than on the extras. Take a look next time you watch P&P2's assembly and ball scenes."}, {"response": 291, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 1999 (19:43)", "body": "Uncle Gardiner and Mr Bennet were forward-looking older men... slightly \"Dickensian\" in appearance, I'd say."}, {"response": 292, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 1999 (23:28)", "body": "Yes, and yes! They obviously spent (low budget that it must have been)less on the extras than on the focal characters, but until I nit-picked it, I had not noticed. Actually, it was absolute months and months before I noticed anything but Darcy. It is still a conscious effort to drag my eyes from him! Yes, Dickensian is the word! Indeed they do look like they'd popped out of David Copperfield!"}, {"response": 293, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 1999 (14:40)", "body": "I thought I had nit-picked enough until I read the \"Did you Notice\" section at Yvette's P&P Paradise (link is available at firth.com) I missed almost all of what's on the list. I've lost count of how many times I've watched this--something like 15 in two years. I did what you did through most viewings, Marcia. He is rather captivating!"}, {"response": 294, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 1999 (22:29)", "body": "Thanks, Eileen, I'll check when I am finished here. I ended up with Darcy pics everywhere printed out from the jpegs. I said it gave new meaning to Computer Wallpaper =P My PC also started Windows to the theme from P&P2 and closed them with the end of the credits music. All of my Email notices and other computer noises were all his quotes. Amazing!!! Of course, he was my PC Wallpaper, too"}, {"response": 295, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (15:51)", "body": "Was? Were? So who is it now, then, huh?"}, {"response": 296, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (16:43)", "body": "(Arami)Was? Were? So who is it now, then, huh?Was? Were? So who is it now, then, huh? Well, it is in there hiding. He still announces my mail, says \"hang on, Hang on!\" whenever I do something the PC does not like, but with W95, I cannot stand all those icons others must have there all over his tiled pix. I am working on it...I shall not be deterred. Just have to be a little more subtle."}, {"response": 297, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (16:45)", "body": "If it is not CF, it is not done! Period! Darcy goes back up directly!"}, {"response": 298, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (20:53)", "body": "Marcia- i have W95 and would love to have Darcy speaking to me, and decorating my screen. When you have everything to your liking- will you email me instructions on how to do it? (remembering of course that i am hopelessly techno challenged) If i can figure out how to do it, i can start secretly 'sabotageing' the PCs at work. Anything to promote the DB! :)"}, {"response": 299, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (17:04)", "body": "Count on it =) I have wav files and bmp files. The latter you use for wallpaper. I shall send you my fav montage. if you want any others I can send them, too. AS SOON AS THE IDIOTS AT HAWAII ON LINE GET MY EMAIL UPA DN RUNNING. They were to have completed their upgrading the system by 6am. It is now 1pm and I still cannot get or send Eamil. However I will tell you to go into your icon called \"explore windows\". all sort of manila folders are in there. Make a new one (highlight C: and go to File at top, then new then folder. Name it P&P2 or Darcy. Put all the stuff I am sending you in there."}, {"response": 300, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (17:07)", "body": "BTW, SBR, have my tape recorder all loaded for tomorrow's SiL viewing =)) I'll get your song for you."}, {"response": 301, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (19:27)", "body": "Thanks Marcia! Your so sweet. I am still dying with laughter over the 'come to bed' clip. I woke up my cat i was laughing so hard. :)"}, {"response": 302, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (20:26)", "body": "Oh good, they got there! I am in chat with you and you are not hitting the reload button."}, {"response": 303, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (00:28)", "body": "come back!!! I am in chat SBR"}, {"response": 304, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (00:31)", "body": "I am back in chat again and again. waiting"}, {"response": 305, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (13:29)", "body": "Wav.files, Marcia?I'm interested too!"}, {"response": 306, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (15:24)", "body": "I have all sorts of them. I shall send one at a time as they take a while to up-and-download. Do you want just the speaking ones or do you also want the theme and very end of P&P2's music? To open and close Windows, of course! will send some straight away."}, {"response": 307, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (16:07)", "body": "Gi, they are on their way via AOL. Tell me what other sorts you'd like to have."}, {"response": 308, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (16:27)", "body": "Thank you, Marcia, I think I'm downloading them now... But the stupid connection crashes all the time! Did you get the pic I sent you?"}, {"response": 309, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (17:44)", "body": "It is here and I am absolutely thrilled to have a live CF picture. Thanks so much. I am all smiles and happiness right now."}, {"response": 310, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (09:35)", "body": "Did a power viewing of P&P the other night. Oh, that Mr. Darcy (who is that actor who plays him?) We often talk about scenes we wish they would have included. This time I thought of how I would have changed the scenes if I had been the director. For instance: Don't you wish when Lizzy and Darcy are taking their final walk Darcy would have taken off his hat? It was such a windy day, wouldn't the scene be more affecting to see those curls blowing as he tells her his feelings and wishes have not changed. Give him a more boyish look since he's at his most vulnerable. When he comes to call at Hunsford when Mrs. Collins and Maria have gone to the village, don't you wish they had pulled their chairs closer to each other. I suppose from that long shot we're supposed to see the distance between them but I hate that at some moments, practically all I can see of Darcy are his legs and nose. And when he comes upon her at Pemberley after his dip. Why didn't he undo all three of his buttons? That last one is just straining to come undone and I just want to reach into that telly and oblige it. Please know that I'm just kidding. The production is near perfection but I've seen it too many times."}, {"response": 311, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (13:14)", "body": "Heide, I have wished he never had that hat on all through the movie. He should have removed it and placed it over his heart. Oh Yeah!!!"}, {"response": 312, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (14:26)", "body": "Why didn't he undo all three of his buttons? Oh yes, WHY, WHY?? ---------Maybe to make us want to undo them, the strained one at least! You know, the movie is so clever in all its subtle sexy hints that this button thing might also be very carefully planned. Actually it\ufffds much sexier this way, showing more of his chest would just ruin the thrill, at least for me it would. He\ufffds supposed to be vulnerable in this episode....and at the same time you\ufffdre allowed to see what a desirable thing he is."}, {"response": 313, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (15:32)", "body": "After pondering the button opening problem I have come to the conclusion that knowing how powerfully effective his presence would be on us; in the living rooms of the world, in front of dogs, cats, birds, relatives, small children and husbands who just would not understand it was probably prudent that they left those buttons just the way they were. Every woman with eyes could see, in Elena's words, what a desirable thing his is!!! Whew!"}, {"response": 314, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (10:55)", "body": "(Marcia) He should have removed it (hat) and placed it over his heart. Oh Yeah!!! Lovely effect. That hat sometimes gave his face a squashed appearance. I so prefer him without it especially when that errant lock of hair falls onto the forehead. And don't you wish instead of Lizzy saying, \"in fact, they're quite the opposite.\" she would have said, \"in fact, I've fallen in love with you.\" Yes, I know that would be very bold but JA never does tell us exactly what Lizzy says. Hmmm, yes, Elena and Marcia, I suppose you've given valid reasons for keeping that last button closed on his wet shirt. We all would have come undone had it been released. Don't you wish when Darcy comes across Lizzy walking muddied across the fields to Netherfield and he smirkingly gestures for her to go before him, that he would have just stopped for a moment or two longer and watched her walk away from him, giving her an appraising look from behind?"}, {"response": 315, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (13:37)", "body": "(Heide)I suppose you've given valid reasons for keeping that last button closed on his wet shirt Alas, 'Twas only a reason they did it, not my choice at all. Sigh upon sigh!!! He was so incredibly beautiful striding across the flatland before descending to the lake to meet up with Lizzie. When my hair gets wet, I look like a drown rat! He looks so incredibly...(put your own word here)...!!!"}, {"response": 316, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (18:05)", "body": "(Heide)Don't you wish when Darcy comes across Lizzy walking muddied across the fields to Netherfield and he smirkingly gestures for her to go before him, that he would have just stopped for a moment or two longer and watched her walk away from him, giving her an appraising look from behind? Oh, I think he drank her all in...slurp,slurp. The guy was drooling. *** How I wish they would have published a screenplay of P&P."}, {"response": 317, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (20:01)", "body": "(Heide) The production is near perfection But it is still debatable how near... ;-)"}, {"response": 318, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (01:16)", "body": "(Heide) Don't you wish when Lizzy and Darcy are taking their final walk Darcy would have taken off his hat? In this scene, I'm always dying for Lizzy to take his arm as they continue to walk down the road. After he makes his \"Dearest, lovliest Elizabeth\" speech it just cries out to me that they need a gesture of their increased intimacy. Just a small, proper gesture, mind you ;-) And I will fall asleep tonight thinking of that straining button. Phew!"}, {"response": 319, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (10:06)", "body": "(Jana) After he makes his \"Dearest, lovliest Elizabeth\" speech it just cries out to me that they need a gesture of their increased intimacy. Just a small, proper gesture, mind you ;-) I know exactly what you mean. He doesn't even hold her hand. They continue to walk down the road with arms hanging listlessly at their sides. That's why I always wished they did the scenes after the engagement in the movie, where Lizzy asks Darcy when he fell in love with her. I think you would have seen a little more intimacy of looks at least between them, especially as she teases him mercilessly."}, {"response": 320, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (11:39)", "body": "(Karen) I know exactly what you mean. He doesn't even hold her hand. They continue to walk down the road with arms hanging listlessly at their sides. Oh yes, I agree. Back when I first saw it, I remember thinking \"he's not going to kiss her? But they *have* to kiss!\" I imagine it was done purposely to keep the tension until that rather benign post-nuptial kiss; in JA's time it would not have been at all proper. Left me feeling rather high and dry, though! ...where Lizzy asks Darcy when he fell in love with her Yes, good one. Another missing scene I would have liked to see was at Rosings, when Lizzy kept meeting Darcy on her walks. In one encounter he asks her \"a series of odd, unconnected questions.\" That would have been fun! (Evelyn) Oh, I think he drank her all in...slurp,slurp. The guy was drooling. Isn't this the scene in which Andrew Davies gave Colin a particular stage direction? ;-)"}, {"response": 321, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (11:57)", "body": "No, I believe that was The Look scene at Pemberley."}, {"response": 322, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (14:23)", "body": "Hmm, not according to Bridget Jones' interview (if that can be believed)! There was something about Lizzy being all sweaty... ;-D"}, {"response": 323, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (15:57)", "body": "(Evelyn) Oh, I think he drank her all in...slurp,slurp. The guy was drooling. Isn't this the scene in which Andrew Davies gave Colin a particular stage direction? ;-) No, I believe that was The Look scene at Pemberley. I always thought it was after his bath as he is gazing out the window. ***** (Eileen)There was something about Lizzy being all sweaty... ;-D When was Lizzy sweaty...don't remember that."}, {"response": 324, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (17:08)", "body": "(Evelyn)When was Lizzy sweaty...don't remember that. Sure you do. It was when had she has hiked 3 miles!!! to see Jane at Netherfield. She arrived with a dirty petticoat and just oozing pheramones. Only the men noted how wonderful she looked and the \"ladies\" noted the dirt!"}, {"response": 325, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (20:08)", "body": "(Marcia) She arrived with a dirty petticoat and just oozing pheramones. Only the men noted how wonderful she looked and the \"ladies\" noted the dirt! Oh yes!! Love the way it's described in the book \"The Making....\" Andrew Davies says she arrives \"she's so full of whatever chemicals are released by healthful exercise and the chaps unconsciously respond to it.\" Bingley: I thought she looked remarkably well Darcy: her eyes were brightened by the exercise . Oh dear, I made a mistake in my button counting. He only has his top button undone when wet at Pemberley. He really could have undone that second one (ala after writing the letter to Lizzy at Rosings) and still kept the third one closed. I demand a re-shoot!"}, {"response": 326, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (20:10)", "body": "Bingley: I thought she looked remarkably well Darcy: her eyes were brightened by the exercise. Only I bet he wasn't just lookin' at her eyes :-)"}, {"response": 327, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (20:50)", "body": "(Haide). He really could have undone that second one (ala after writing the letter to Lizzy at Rosings) and still kept the third one closed. I demand a re-shoot! LOL. Heide...we know a thing or two about tidal waves out here and you do not want to risk that in the living room. Closed space and all. Frighten the dogs and small children! But, he would have been fantastic striding with that second button undone. Oh gasp! Pant...drooling copiously just thinking how (loss for words) he looked anyway in that scene!!! (Evelyn)Only I bet he wasn't just lookin' at her eyes, LOL again! When *did* he look at just her eyes. It seems that each time he saw her he reacquainted himself with every detail of her anatomy that he could...and noticed the eyes, too, eventually!"}, {"response": 328, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (01:54)", "body": "(Eileen) Hmm, not according to Bridget Jones' interview (if that can be believed)! Well, HF said at her book signing that she really interviewed him... Maybe she stretched the truth a bit, though :-)."}, {"response": 329, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (08:24)", "body": "(Jana)Well, HF said at her book signing that she really interviewed him... Yes, I read that over at 80 (I think that's the right number). HF was pretending to be BJ and CF was pretending to be FD. I would have paid money to be there (EG as EG!!). My prior speculation about which scene it was: those mentioned above (bath, *look*). I thought it might have been their verbal volleyball at Netherfield, when they're talking about eachother's weaknesses. Hmm, bet there was more than one!! I'm gonna have to watch this again!"}, {"response": 330, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (10:33)", "body": "(Eileen)My prior speculation about which scene it was: those mentioned above (bath, *look*). I thought it might have been their verbal volleyball at Netherfield, when they're talking about each other's weaknesses. Hmm, bet there was more than one!! LOL. To be sure, Mr. Darcy didn't need Viagra!!"}, {"response": 331, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (17:37)", "body": "Eileen, when you go checking for the \"likely\" scenes, and if you have slo-mo on your playback, check out his look when he is espying her from the sidelines at the Netherfield Ball as she is escorted into the room by Wickham's friend. There is definitely something going on. I have seen that look!!! Poor Darcy, if someone had slipped him Viagra, we should not have torn our eyes away yet!"}, {"response": 332, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (08:36)", "body": "I know the look you mean, Marcia--the slight double take. It's one of my rewind moments! If Darcy took Viagra, he would have exploded. Darcy is Viagra!"}, {"response": 333, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (13:00)", "body": "Oh Yea verily!!!! The man is indeed Viagra...he works for me!!! How clever you are this morning, my dear =)"}, {"response": 334, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (13:04)", "body": "Yup, the old double take at Netherfield is it . And in super slo-mo there is a range of facial distortions only made a certain times by men. He is doing a good job of \"pretending\"...Awesome!!!"}, {"response": 335, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (14:40)", "body": "I loved catching up on all your \"straining \" posts, and having also discovered Eileen's fabulous COTTAGE fanfic, it is enough to send a girl running to whip out her video forthwith."}, {"response": 336, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (14:49)", "body": "Did anyone else feel compelled to watch it again asap after their Donmar experience? I couldn't really believe that we had really met Darcy at all and soon slipped back to my old approach when watching it. However I really did identify so much more with the way he MOVED as Darcy ( not that it hadn't registered enormously before!!) but it is the way he uses his body, and that seemed to me to be the link with what i had seen on stage. One of my favourites is when he happens on Lizzie at Netherfield after she has walked over to see how Jane is. He walks ahead of her in that wonderful long coat and the loose, long limbed way he moves,the effect heightened by the garment, seems just vaguely familiar to me. it is one of the things I love best about his acting."}, {"response": 337, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (17:10)", "body": "(Lizza)...long limbed way he moves, That Darcy walk was v. apparent with Walker in 3 DOR when he ran up the stairs ( as in Rosings aft the 1st proposal) and walked with the long strides (as at Pemberley). I found a lot of Darcy mannerisms (probably CF mannerisms) in 3 DOR. On Friday night when K& I were waiting for him to arrive, I immediately recognized the long strides he took from the taxi to the lobby and the back of his head.We found him casually looking at the photos in the lobby. BTW, did Renate succeed in getting the lobby photos? I bet the photographer would give them to thecolinfirth.com website. They like to have their work on the web."}, {"response": 338, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (18:22)", "body": "(Eileen) If Darcy took Viagra, he would have exploded. (Lizza) I really did identify so much more with the way he MOVED as Darcy ...but it is the way he uses his body, Good Lord, girls. I know you don't mean to but you're getting me all hot and bothered. There are Darcy mannerisms in every film I've ever seen him in (except for Camille, Evelyn :-P)and they were noticeable on stage too. But as someone said earlier (Karen?), we realize now they're Colin's mannerisms. And to think then how much of Mr. Darcy is Colin. Though he would deny it, the devil. (Evelyn) On Friday night when K& I were waiting for him to arrive, I immediately recognized the long strides he took from the taxi to the lobby and the back of his head. I can still hear you say oh so quietly, \"There he is!\". Gives me chills. Karen and I were chattering away and probably would have missed him completely but never that stride."}, {"response": 339, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (19:36)", "body": "(Heide)There are Darcy mannerisms in every film I've ever seen him in and they were noticeable on stage too. But as someone said earlier (Karen?), we realize now they're Colin's mannerisms. And to think then how much of Mr. Darcy is Colin. Though he would deny it, the devil. Absolutely. If he only knew that we know him better than he knows himself ;-)"}, {"response": 340, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (20:41)", "body": "(Heidi) Don't you wish when Lizzy and Darcy are taking their final walk Darcy would have taken off his hat? It was such a windy day, wouldn't the scene be more affecting to see those curls blowing as he tells her his feelings and wishes have not changed. I couldnt agree more! I'm such a sucker for those gorgeous curls! And I'm now off to fight traffic and rush home to watch tape 2 (or one scene inparticular) in slowmo! Thanks for the tip Marcia!"}, {"response": 341, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (06:22)", "body": "SBR you have identified the one bit that bugs me ENORMOUSLY in the whole production. The aerial shot after the proposal might well have been done BEFORE of the 4 of them walking up the lane. Not only is there no hat off but they are so far apart from each other that you could drive a coach and horses between them, it is totally unrealistic. I have simmered about this for years, honestly what were Simon and Andrew thinking of?"}, {"response": 342, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (06:24)", "body": "That is coupled with the fact that some of my favouite exchanges in the book were cut out, in fact from then (proposal scene) until the Wedding, so much that i adore never appears in the script. Still you can't have everything in life as WE know!!!"}, {"response": 343, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (07:58)", "body": "I would have liked included the dinner at Longbourn, why would they omit it?"}, {"response": 344, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (12:58)", "body": "So they could put in the bits that JA never wrote!!!"}, {"response": 345, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (13:39)", "body": "But, Ladies!! You would not be so compelled to write those lovely stories if Jane Austen had filled in all the gaps. There are sequels she could have written to keep her in tea and scones for the rest of her life! But, I would not have the pleasure of knowing the author as well as I know you =) The thing I did notice as they walked on after the proposal and the arial shots was that his arm and her arm were brushing by eachother when before they had walked with their arms behind them. I guess that was all they were going to allow us - we who fervently wished for a hat removal and a chaste lip kiss to seal their love. **!sigh!**"}, {"response": 346, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (14:06)", "body": "You would not be so compelled to write those lovely stories if Jane Austen had filled in all the gaps. Poor JA, I don't think she knew how to fill in the gaps!! (At least in the matter we've filled them ;-D )"}, {"response": 347, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (14:18)", "body": "She probably could have guessed at the gaps, but our Ladies are Soooo good at filling in the gasps =D THAT, JA would most likely not have known anything about!"}, {"response": 348, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (17:51)", "body": "--Oh, you might be surprised what those spinsters were aware of in those days!! --To me, one of the most serious omissions of the series (because it's so funny)was the abrupt about-face Mrs. Bennett makes re: Darcy--from totally detesting him to singing his wonderful attributes--once she realises that that impressive ten-thousand-a-year will soon be part of the family. I had truly been looking forward to that...and was sore disappointed!!"}, {"response": 349, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Mar 20, 1999 (07:16)", "body": "I believe they did film them kissing after his proposal on their walk. After he says: If it had not been for you my.... but they decided to edit it out. They wanted to save the big kiss for the end. Maybe they will put together all the edited pieces to the original once a big P&P2 anniversay comes round. :-D"}, {"response": 350, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Mar 20, 1999 (07:17)", "body": "Your right KJArt, I also wanted that scene with Mrs. Bennet."}, {"response": 351, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Mar 20, 1999 (16:48)", "body": "Well, we all know that they saved the kiss because it was the climax of the whole series. What they didn't realize was we wanted to see more than one kiss!!! Still and all, they could have done with some actual contact. Why couldn't she at least have taken his arm after his second proposal? There's so little contact, we get all dizzy when they accidentally bump into each other as they continue their walk. See, we don't ask for much. That scene you mention, Moon, \"if it had not been for you...\", that would have been the perfect spot for a kiss. He's looking at her so intently and almost stops walking, ducks his head just a bit as she looks up at him. Then she coyloy drops her eyes and the moment is lost. That was it!"}, {"response": 352, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Mar 20, 1999 (17:43)", "body": "LOL! You girls want more (and who doesn\ufffdt, I agree with everything above about the obvious missing scenes and deeds) but if there was more sex in P&P, it would not be such an utterly sexy movie!! It deliberately leaves you longing for something ;-) and having to fantasize the rest. When I watched it the firth time I really was disappointed with the second proposal and that idle walking along the lane, I felt the episode was not very good, it left me cold. I still think it could have been a bit better, it lacks WARMTH. Btw, who says there was a kiss that was cut off later?? Seems unlikely, I think the whole episode is carefully planned to keep all passion under cover and only in the minds of the audience."}, {"response": 353, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Mar 20, 1999 (18:09)", "body": "--The warm exchanges AFTER the engagement could have supplied a certain measure of satisfaction that they were settling into one another...they let that go too. And my favorite reference to Darcy \"really loving the Gardners\" to illustrate his reform from prideful attitudes wouldn't have hurt, either!"}, {"response": 354, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Mar 20, 1999 (21:20)", "body": "I'm not talking about sex, Elena, I'm talking about a kiss! Now I don't mean that a kiss was cut out (though I'd love to see what was left on the cutting room floor). But it almost looks at that moment that if she would have kept his eye for another second, he just might have leaned over for one. Written into the script? Or just a fanciful notion? Watch for yourselves. -The warm exchanges AFTER the engagement could have supplied a certain measure of satisfaction Yes indeedy..and my favorite line is taken out. When Elizabeth asks him when he fell in love with her he says, \"I was in the middle before I knew I had begun.\" I love that line - so romantic. So from Davies' viewpoint, when do you think Darcy was in the middle of loving her before he knew he had begun?"}, {"response": 355, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 1999 (04:12)", "body": "(Heide)So from Davies' viewpoint, when do you think Darcy was in the middle of loving her before he knew he had begun? \"On foot?\" would be my guess ;-) but I'd have to go watch the whole thing again. What a happy thought! :-)"}, {"response": 356, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 1999 (08:10)", "body": "(Heide), I'm not talking about sex, Elena, I'm talking about a kiss! Now I don't mean that a kiss was cut out (though I'd love to see what was left on the cutting room floor). But it almost looks at that moment that if she would have kept his eye for another second, he just might have leaned over for one. Written into the script? Or just a fanciful notion? Watch for yourselves. I agree, and I believe it is stated in the book the Making of P&P, that they did shot a scene(the very one here), at that moment he did kiss her, but it was edited out. The DVD P&P version someone at VV says is 12 min. longer. I wonder... So from Davies' viewpoint, when do you think Darcy was in the middle of loving her before he knew he had begun? When she leaves Netherfield and he looks out at the carriage, the expression on his face said quite a lot."}, {"response": 357, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 1999 (12:13)", "body": "So from Davies' viewpoint, when do you think Darcy was in the middle of loving her before he knew he had begun? Hmm, good question. It would have to be sometime at Netherfield. \"On foot?\"--Too early. \"They were brightened by the exercise?\" or the \"perfect woman\" argument? or the \"yours is to willfully misunderstand them\" debate?--Perhaps. Since we're specifically talking about Davies viewpoint, I'll wager it's when he looked out the window after his bath."}, {"response": 358, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 1999 (15:02)", "body": "So from Davies' viewpoint, when do you think Darcy was in the middle of loving her before he knew he had begun? Since he can't remember when it started,.. has to be sometime during Netherfield....IMO (unconsciously) when he says:Ref. to Georgianna \"She's about as tall as Miss Elizabeth Bennett\"."}, {"response": 359, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 1999 (16:16)", "body": "\"The middle\" is a highly reletive term. But as they played the Andrew Davies script, it is at Sir Wm. Lucas' party...That stare after her \"fine eyes\"--it was enough for me to spontaneously exclaim \"GOTTCHA!!!\" at the screen--that definitely demarked the starting point..."}, {"response": 360, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 1999 (16:42)", "body": "In \"Picture the Scene\" by Andrew Davies from the London Times 15 Sept 1995 he says it is when, after their very first meeting and he makes disparaging remarks about her which she overhears, he does a double take as she walks by. I think that is when he first fell for her, but was eagerly underway to the point of pain upon her leaving Netherfield with Jane after Jane's recovery. He was all hers from then on! (IMHO, of course!)"}, {"response": 361, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 1999 (17:20)", "body": ""}, {"response": 362, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 1999 (17:24)", "body": "Whoops!! Re the kiss, there was SO much fuss here about the number of retakes they had to do in the carriage for the kiss and that our DB did \"seem\" flustered by the end, it was only then that crew etc realised something was going on with CF and JE. I am inclined to think it was just convienient publicity material!!"}, {"response": 363, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 1999 (17:28)", "body": "BTW I once nearly married Sir Wm Lucas' nephew, and for some years counted it as a lucky escape, however when P&P came out I realised that he would have had his uses after all!!!"}, {"response": 364, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 1999 (17:54)", "body": "( Lizza)BTW I once nearly married Sir Wm Lucas' nephew, Wow . Nice to know people in high places!!!Did he look like Sir William?? **** The Kiss: In an interview Colin said not true...about the 30 takes and \"bruised lips\". **** At the Red Lion Inn Assembly:... he does a double take as she walks by...I think that is when he first fell for her, I thought he did a double take because he didn't realize she had overheard him and her cheeky look gave him every indication that she had!! You really think it was love at first sight...before she even spoke to him...insulted him...fought with him?"}, {"response": 365, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 1999 (19:06)", "body": "I'd be willing to say that he was falling for her when she gave him that cheeky look but he'd never call it love. Actually, I don't think he realized he was in love until Rosings and by then he was already \"in the middle\" of it. I think he fought it all the time at Netherfield - thought this fancy would pass when he was away from her. Then bang - he sees her again and he realizes he's completely lost. I'll date it at the piano scene. Lizza, do tell more about Sir William's nephew!! Did you ever meet Sir WIlliam himself? ;-)"}, {"response": 366, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 22, 1999 (14:11)", "body": "(Heide)..I don't think he realized he was in love until Rosings I think you are correct, Heide. And they were at Rosings for a month or two...weren't they? They would have met often at Lady Catherine's,he did viist her and we know he stalked her on her walks."}, {"response": 367, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 22, 1999 (15:21)", "body": "(Heide)..I don't think he realized he was in love until Rosings . I see your point. That's when he knew he was in love, although it began much earlier. One look at Darcy during their first meeting in Kent (at the parsonage, when Mr. Collins is prattling on and Colonel Fitzwilliam is talking to Lizzy) and you can tell. I read it was at Rosings when Darcy began a period of \"pursuing and rejecting her at the same time.\""}, {"response": 368, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 22, 1999 (17:15)", "body": "at the parsonage, when Mr. Collins is prattling on and Colonel Fitzwilliam is talking to Lizzy Up to that time no one else had been interested in Lizzy and at Rosings, he must have noticed that Colonel Fitzwilliam paid an inordinate amount of attention to her.And she to him.Nothing like a little competition to spur a guy on!"}, {"response": 369, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Mar 22, 1999 (20:34)", "body": "IMHO...1) She acquired his interest at the Meryton dance. 2) He was already hooked at Sir Wm. Lucas' party beyond the point of no return...he just spent the rest of the time between that and Rosings in denial and self-delusion. 3) I'm sure Col. Fitzwilliam's interest spurred his determination to face up to it at last and yield to this irresistible attraction."}, {"response": 370, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar 22, 1999 (22:12)", "body": "Precisely Right, My dear Karen J."}, {"response": 371, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (15:21)", "body": "There was an interesting thread at ROP a week or two back. I would have posted my thoughts because it was a cute topic and piqued my interest but it had already run its course by the time I saw it. It went something like this...why are the men so godawful ugly at the Meryton assembly? Actually it seems like all the Meryton men are missing some genes somewhere. Is it to make Darcy, Bingley, Wickham even more desirable? What do you think and who are some of your favorite dancers at the local parties? Is it any wonder Charlotte was an old maid considering her choices? Who in the world would Jane and Elizabeth have married if the rich folk hadn't come to town?"}, {"response": 372, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (16:01)", "body": "(Heide)...why are the men so godawful ugly at the Meryton assembly Just the men? Women too...'cept for Lizzie:-) (I'm ducking...you'll never get me...nevah!)"}, {"response": 373, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (10:50)", "body": "Actually it seems like all the Meryton men are missing some genes somewhere. Is it to make Darcy, Bingley, Wickham even more desirable? LOL! Most definitely. Also, the men had to be short to make Darcy appear taller (in the book JA makes him sound like a giant)."}, {"response": 374, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 1999 (09:48)", "body": "Spring Pledge Drive Terry will gratefully accept any small donation you can make to help keep the Spring out of the hole. No obligations, of course, but if you're able to help out, a check can be made out to The Spring and mailed to: The Spring Rt.2 Box 56r Cedar Creek, TX 78612 I will post this at the other topics, so bear with the repetition."}, {"response": 375, "author": "susanne", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (11:38)", "body": "Not only do I wish the screenplay had been published, but also a video of all the outtakes. I can only imagine what ended up on the editing room floor-exactly how many smouldering looks did we miss. I always thought the engagement to the wedding was much too rushed. It's almost like they put it together and found it was getting to be too long so they just decided to not piut in a bunch of scenes at the end. I really miss the wonderful scenes and dialog from the book that relate to their engagment. In addition to the screenplay and out-takes I think some poseable figures would have been nice.:-)) The marketing people really missed a money-making opportunity. Hum.......maybe some Lizzy and Darcy dress-up dolls........the possiblities seem endless."}, {"response": 376, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (14:28)", "body": "In addition to the screenplay and out-takes I think some poseable figures would have been nice. LOL!!! You are SO right! :) I can see it now, \"Lizzy and Darcy action figures- collect them all!\" And of course, doll houses in the shape of Longbourn and Pemberly (where else would they live?) You know, this has real potential! Maybe someone should contact MacDonald and we could see if we can get them into Happy Meals or something :)"}, {"response": 377, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (16:20)", "body": "(S B Robinson)Maybe someone should contact MacDonald and we could see if we can get them into Happy Meals or something :) LOL! I'd become a hamburger and coke addict in two days!"}, {"response": 378, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (18:08)", "body": "Can you imagine the shattered decorum of MacDonald's as one too many Darcy fans get yet another Mr Collins and Wickham? Perhaps in a town such as Hilo which has more than one outlet, let the Wickham/Lydia fans go to the one decked out as an unmade bed in dingiest London, and the Fans of the Merytonians get the homely dolls with the awful wigs in a shop adorned with horse-troughs and muddy streets, etc. Think of the price wars as the Darcy shop outsells hamburgers 100 to one of the others, and some go en irely without sales at all! BTW, Is there a fan page for Wickham and Lydia? Or, ala Barbie and Ken, we can do Lizzie and Darcy with houses, horses, servants, ponds, carriages and relatives sold separately?! SBR, you have piqued my tired little imagination!"}, {"response": 379, "author": "susanne", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (18:50)", "body": "I love the Lizzy and Darcy as Ken and Barbie idea, then they can dressed and undressed them at will-maybe act out some of fanfic at #34. :-)) The thought of all those outfits and all those accessories,makes me heart beat faster. I miss my Barbie days. Unfortunately, I only have sons. They like sports and dirt."}, {"response": 380, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (19:45)", "body": "(Sue)I miss my Barbie days. Unfortunately, I only have sons. They like sports and dirt. I know...I know! Been there and had the same dirt and sports! But they are cute =)"}, {"response": 381, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (19:46)", "body": "when SO hurries one, that is what happens. Sorry!"}, {"response": 382, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (21:43)", "body": "(Sue)I miss my Barbie days. Unfortunately, I only have sons. They like sports and dirt. ROTFLOL! How adorable...having no kids of my own, I'm always fascinated by the most trivial aspects of their lives--adventures in dirt included! BTW, a former Prof. of mine (a well-known scholar in masculinity and sports studies) was elated when his 5 year old son declared he wanted a Barbie doll. It was practically a ceremony, going to the store, standing in an aisle of Barbies, deciding which one was going to make it home. Anyway, my Prof. said that the very first second his son took the Barbie outside to play, the neighborhood bully (ooohh, I hated them) promptly humiliated the little boy in front of the other kids. He was much too embarrassed o take it out after that. The Barbie is probably now at the bottom of the toy bin, collecting dust."}, {"response": 383, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (22:09)", "body": "(Marica) Can you imagine the shattered decorum of MacDonald's as one too many Darcy fans get yet another Mr Collins and Wickham? LOL!! i was totally thinking that right after i posted my MacDonalds idea! :) I know I would throw a complete fit if I got Mr. Collins instead of Darcy in my Happy Meal! :)"}, {"response": 384, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (22:45)", "body": "(SBR) know I would throw a complete fit if I got Mr. Collins instead of Darcy in my Happy Meal! :) They would be required to rename it The Seriously Displeased Meal I AM sorry about the Barbie doll episode. Druther marry the kid who wanted the doll when he grows up than those with the bully problems. The Bullies tend to take their childishness out on their wives! But, that little guy sounds like a winner, bottom of dustbin or not!"}, {"response": 385, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 1999 (14:52)", "body": "LOL, Sue, SBR and Marcia! (Sue) Unfortunately, I only have sons. They like sports and dirt. My brother and his GI Joe (do they still make that?) used to regularly pull the head off my Barbie doll (among other things). (Sue)also a video of all the outtakes. What an idea! Are you out there, Sue B?"}, {"response": 386, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (13:13)", "body": "Oh for a snappy. I watched part of P&P last night. What can I say...no date. I practically burned up my pause button. Do you realize you could have a whole photo album of fantastic Darcy shots if you could snappy every frame? There are still freezeframes of him I've not noticed before. My alltime favorite is when he comes across Lizzy walking to Netherfield. \"Would you be so kind as to take me to her?\" He looks at her quizzically for a moment and then turns to the side gesturing with his arm. The looks on his face here are priceless. He's toying with her, smirking, enjoying her discomfort and enjoying her appearance. Someone once said Colin's Darcy never smiles though he does smile in the book. I contend Colin's smiling here. A close second is the twin to this scene when they bump into each other at Pemberley. Just getting snappies of each of his subtle facial movements would be a lesson in how to show embarrassment. Is it too early to put a snappy on my Christmas list?"}, {"response": 387, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (18:38)", "body": "Oooh, Heide, it is never to early to begin a Christmas list! Snappy is on mine, too =) One of my all time fav places to freeze then march slowly through the frames is when he is lakeside undoing his shirt. His face shows all the passion and deep thought connected with his current problem of winning the affection of Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Too delightful and precious. You want to leap through the screen to hug and kiss him!!! (At least, I do!)"}, {"response": 388, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (19:31)", "body": "Love the idea of the Lizzy and Darcy dolls, but I think it's lucky for me that such a thing does not exist. My husband thinks my obsession is odd enough and I know I couldn't resist dressing up those dolls :-) I watched some P&P today too and was sighing over the tortured looks FD gives as he's writing his letter to EB. Poor, injured boy. I agree with you, Heide. I love his expression in the \"on foot\" scene!"}, {"response": 389, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 1999 (13:50)", "body": "(Jana2) I know I couldn't resist dressing up those dolls LOL ! I was thinking the same thing, but with the anatomically correct Ken and Barbie...would you not peek?! ;) I adore the way, in \"On foot?!\" he really gives her a thorough once over with a smirk to end all smirks. It has to be all those pheromones calling to him!"}, {"response": 390, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 1999 (20:29)", "body": "(Marcia) I adore the way, in \"On foot?!\" he really gives her a thorough once over with a smirk to end all smirks. Yes! And then when he turns to one side to let her pass, he gives her another one. He's blatently admiring this saucy little thing."}, {"response": 391, "author": "susanne", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (10:05)", "body": "(Heide)\"Would you be so kind as to take me to her?\" He looks at her quizzically for a moment and then turns to the side gesturing with his arm. The looks on his face here are priceless. He's toying with her, smirking, enjoying her discomfort and enjoying her appearance. Someone once said Colin's Darcy never smiles though he does smile in the book. I contend Colin's smiling here. He definitely gives a tight little smile, looks like he wants to grin, but it would be impolite to be so unrestrained. I wonder exactly what Darcy is thinking about Elizabeth -prob. impolite lecherous thoughts ;-)) ."}, {"response": 392, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (11:10)", "body": "(Sue), I wonder exactly what Darcy is thinking about Elizabeth -prob. impolite lecherous thoughts ;-)) \"I would rather take you somewhere else, my dearest, loveliest Elizabeth\" ;-)))"}, {"response": 393, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (11:27)", "body": "(Sue)I wonder exactly what Darcy is thinking about Elizabeth -prob. impolite lecherous thoughts ;-)) . In Andrew Davies' mind, yes, Darcy was indeed thinking impolite thoughts. Remember the mock interview between Bridget Jones and CF? The stage directions for this scene indicated that at that moment, Darcy was to have...er...how shall I put it...not so much a gun in his pants, but something else going on in there. :-D"}, {"response": 394, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (12:11)", "body": "(Winter) Remember the mock interview between Bridget Jones and CF? The stage directions for this scene indicated that at that moment, Darcy was to have...er...how shall I put it...not so much a gun in his pants, but something else going on in there LOL!! I really have got to read BJD!"}, {"response": 395, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (12:53)", "body": "SBR: You can find Helen Fielding's Bridget interview of Mr. Darcy at this url: http://hem.passagen.se/lmw/bridget.html This was in The Independent, not in the book, but the book is worth reading as there are several mentions of Darcy/Firth in it."}, {"response": 396, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (14:16)", "body": "Oh Karen!!! That was SO Funny! * wiping eyes * I was literally ROTFLMAO!! My co-workers probably think i've totally lost it! :) Thanks a million times! what a treat during a long and boring work day! :)"}, {"response": 397, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (15:02)", "body": "(Moon) \"I would rather take you somewhere else, my dearest, loveliest Elizabeth\" ;-))) Precisely! LOL! Her eyes weren't the only thing \"brightened by the exercise.\""}, {"response": 398, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (15:32)", "body": "Oh dear, I had never read that interview, it is *so* funny! \"What you always wanted to ask Colin Firth but would die before you ask him\" :-P"}, {"response": 399, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (16:20)", "body": "(Gi) \"What you always wanted to ask Colin Firth but would die before you ask him\" LOL!! All those questions about his Wet Shirt! ( How many times did you take it off and on? ) :) Absolutely TOO funny!! and when he finally gave up and agreed with her that Mr Darcy was the only real life historical figure he'd ever played- LOL!"}, {"response": 400, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (17:32)", "body": ""}, {"response": 401, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (17:34)", "body": "Forgot that end tag. It's in and the next time you all come back to the topic it will be OK. No need for everyone to keep trying. Done. :)"}, {"response": 402, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (19:03)", "body": "The BJD interview is marvellous....I hooted when I first read it! Thanks Karen for spreading the word! Shows CF is very adept at sending himself up...didn't HF comment somewhere that he really entered into the spirit of the \"interview\". And took her on a tour of Rome. Lucky girl!"}, {"response": 403, "author": "susanne", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (11:04)", "body": "Karen, Thanks for posting the picture of the smile. I'm starting to get a hankering to watch P&P again. I think it's been about 8 months and that's a kind of record with me. I was at Sam's Warehouse looking at the books the other day and I looked up a very quickly scanned the next aisle which was videos. All of a sudden my heart starts pounding and I'm not quite sure why. As I slowly rescan,yes, there he is-my darling Darcy with $34.99 sticker slapped on his face. I must never let my husband know that I sprang for the full $100 for the vids. He just would never understand the obession. :-))"}, {"response": 404, "author": "susanne", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (11:07)", "body": "Sorry for the various typos in my post, but my heart is still pounding. I'm sure you ladies understand. The thought of Darcy just makes my blood heat up. I think I have a fever."}, {"response": 405, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (12:56)", "body": "(Sue) I sprang for the full $100 for the vids You're not alone. I'm certain we all are getting our money's worth! Karen, great snappy. You caught him just at the right time. Insert Moon's interpretation of what he was thinking and viola ! I howled when I read BJ's interview. How about their discussion of \"erotic?\""}, {"response": 406, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (13:50)", "body": "(Sue) I was at Sam's Warehouse looking at the books the other day and I looked up a very quickly scanned the next aisle which was videos. All of a sudden my heart starts pounding and I'm not quite sure why. As I slowly rescan, yes, there he is-my darling Darcy with $34.99 sticker slapped on his face. LOL!!! I know exactly what you mean! When I'm shopping at Costco (Cal's version of Sam's) and my family loses me- they know to go look down the 'Darcy isle' where invariably -there I am, starring at that gorgeous man, a look of complete adoration on my face. Then i hear the lecture; \"you are not buying another copy of that movie!\" (i have two copies currently. one for me, one to lend out!) :)"}, {"response": 407, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (15:02)", "body": "Ah yes, over here too at Costco. Talk about sticker shock! My Original was $104 but I had a $20 coupon from the store (Suncoast Video), so it cost me, in the end, a bit less than $100. At this price I just might get another and \"save\" it for when all the others are all streaky from wear and tear and drooling."}, {"response": 408, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (16:59)", "body": "I understand the new DVD version of P&P is even better than the VHS one. Anybody see it yet? There was a discussion on the P&P Board about it."}, {"response": 409, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (17:45)", "body": "(SBR) they know to go look down the 'Darcy aisle' That is too funny. The Darcy aisle!! And you have two sets of it? I will only lend out the one I taped off of television. So what if those people don't get the other 18 minutes. I couldn't bear to part with my *good* set. That $35 price is pretty tempting and I did get Laura one of those, but if I get another, it will be the DVD. Re: BJ's Interview of Mr. Darcy Bethan originally posted the interview for us at Drool, laboriously typing the whole thing. I loved the differences between Paul Ashworth and Mr. Darcy. \"Mr. Darcy is not an Arsenal supporter. He lived nearly 200 years ago. Whereas Mr. Darcy can't even tolerate a country dance.\""}, {"response": 410, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (20:11)", "body": "Evelyn, one of my friends has the DVD version. Her husband went to Costco and bought it for her as a B-day present. The poor (dear) man stood in line for 20 mins holding just that in his hand. He claims to have recieved several odd looks. :) i havent seen it yet, but she told me that it has the BBC/A&E beginning inbetween each hour like the tapes do. I think that's kinda werid, i was rather hoping they would fix the out of order scenes at the end of tape 5 and beginning of tape 6, and just run the whole thing together. Karen, every time i think of that interview i start giggling again! :) How did i miss Bethan's wonderful work? Must have been during my occasional lurking days, before i was so throughly addicted to Drool. :)"}, {"response": 411, "author": "amess", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (20:57)", "body": "I have been lurking for ages but can stand it no more! Just a few a weeks ago I read Bridget Jones....and now have just read the interview! I'm still laughing! I think it's time to watch P&P2 again! Oh, he is just too cute!"}, {"response": 412, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (20:59)", "body": "(SR Robinson)...one of my friends has the DVD version. Does she see a measurable difference in the quality of the film? In other words....should we go for the $34.at SAm's or spend the extra amount (which will be a lot more!) for the DVD."}, {"response": 413, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (21:07)", "body": "Hey AMess...welcome to the Spring group. We love it when new folks join us.. Jump in and give us your comments any ole time. We never tire of hearing Colin-friendly remarks."}, {"response": 414, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (23:48)", "body": "Welcome AMess (interesting name, one that hits quite close to home!) Since you've read BJ the book and now the interview, did you read the continuing column at the Telegraph? If not, we can give you instructions on how to get to it. We have a Bridget topic here at Drool. It is #80. Take a look there. We go on and on about who should be cast in the movie, if they ever make it. Evelyn, I heard that the DVD is just like the tapes as SBR only better quality. They didn't go back and add anything as they do for other DVDs. Oh well..."}, {"response": 415, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 1999 (14:34)", "body": "Feel very guilty about putting out the blunt at the time too...especially since they played the full version (sans commercials) on A&E's \"Classroom\" and I could tape it for free...anyway also made copies of the valuable one and only watch the copies."}, {"response": 416, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 1999 (16:00)", "body": "(Evelyn) ...should we go for the $34.at SAM's or spend the extra amount (which will be a lot more!) for the DVD. Actually I think the DVD version is only about $5 or $10 more- at least at Costco. will check when i'm there tommrow and let you know. :) My friend doesnt have her own copy of P&P tapes, but she thinks her's is a sharper image than when she watched it at my house. Welcome AMess! Love the name! :)"}, {"response": 417, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 1999 (20:40)", "body": "When I was visiting StefanieB last year, she and I watched all of her versions. She has the original videotapes, Laser Disc and DVD. Unfortunately, Laser disk is great and clear as is the DVD, but you have to watch endings and recaps of the previous episode before each new installment - just like on the six volume tapes. I am quite content with the video, but with the DVD you can hop around like you can on a CD music disk. So it is easier to avoid Mrs Bennet, Mr Wickham and Mr Collins! And to concent ate on ODB, but I do not think there is slo-mo on either of the two more exotic forms. (Correct me if I'm wrong!!!)"}, {"response": 418, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (08:59)", "body": "you have to watch endings and recaps of the previous episode before each new installment - just like on the six volume tapes. I don't have this on mine (only the theme and credits at the beginning of each tape). ??? I bought them in April of '97; perhaps they changed 'em by then. but I do not think there is slo-mo on either of the two more exotic forms. This will never do. Got to have that slo-mo! Ever go to hit the rewind button then realize you're watching a movie real-time? I do that alot."}, {"response": 419, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (14:26)", "body": "(Eileen)Ever go to hit the rewind button then realize you're watching a movie real-time? I do that alot. Sheesh, the story of my life. That is what made me so restless in SiL. I kept obsessing on the fact that I could not go back and drool quietly(in public, you know) and reverently! But when you are watching on TV, it is even worse. I yell \"Instant Replay\" whether it is sports or not! They never listen to me =P"}, {"response": 420, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 18, 1999 (14:20)", "body": "I have forgotten myself. In answer to your question, Elena, this belongs on Drool:"}, {"response": 421, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Apr 18, 1999 (15:20)", "body": "And that of course is the right side (our left). Thank you Karen."}, {"response": 422, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Apr 18, 1999 (15:21)", "body": "What exactly is that in his pocket? Avenging angel indeed."}, {"response": 423, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr 18, 1999 (20:59)", "body": "Wow...god bless the Snappy!!"}, {"response": 424, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 1999 (00:33)", "body": "Nice Karen, but I have a certain dragging scene snappy I will send you later for your bulge collection. Outstanding!!! Heide, he is carrying an old-fashioned sash weight for self protection as he prowls about the seedier parts of London searching for the errant Lydia. Evelyn, Amen, Firth-Sister of hightst regard =)"}, {"response": 425, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 1999 (07:07)", "body": "Thank you Karen, the nature of bulges is quite clear to me now. Absolutely seminal work! (Heide)What exactly is that in his pocket? I\ufffdd really like to see it. Probably a pair of socks, or two pairs:-)"}, {"response": 426, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 1999 (08:39)", "body": "Always happy to help out. Now if only someone had the one coming down the stairs at Netherfield. Looking forward to receiving the Snappy, Marcia."}, {"response": 427, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 1999 (10:38)", "body": "(Heide)What exactly is that in his pocket? (Marcia) Heide, he is carrying an old-fashioned sash weight for self protection He's carrying weight all right, but I don't know about one intended for self protection! Hee hee ;-P Reminds me of the old adage: \"Do you have something in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?\""}, {"response": 428, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 1999 (17:10)", "body": "\"Do you have something in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?\" ROTFLOL...never heard of that one!!! Myabe they gave him a bag of marbles like they gave Viola/Thomas Kent:-) Didn't Mr. Darcy and Mr Bingley have a contest on their bulges?...or so it was reported in a tab."}, {"response": 429, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 1999 (20:57)", "body": "\"Do you have something in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?\" That is a famous Mae West line...so I am told by those old enough to remember =P"}, {"response": 430, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 1999 (21:06)", "body": "The correct quote is: \"Is that a gun in your pocket or are you just glad to see me?\" I've always loved it and admit to having used it now and again. :-D"}, {"response": 431, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 1999 (22:33)", "body": "Yes, Moon, Thank you...I'd never have imagined you were that old =P"}, {"response": 432, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (12:08)", "body": "Not as fun, but I wanted to let you all know: the house next to Antonio's is called \"Bennett's\". I never saw Lizzie there, nor did Mr. D. come to visit :-("}, {"response": 433, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (15:50)", "body": "(Evelyn)Didn't Mr. Darcy and Mr Bingley have a contest on their bulges?...or so it was reported in a tab. I\ufffdm thinking about bulges too, must be the spring or something:-D Yes, was this famous Bulges Contest just some sort of tabloid sh** or is it from a reliable source?? I don\ufffdt remember, maybe somebody does. Surely it wasn\ufffdt a Colin quote?"}, {"response": 434, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (16:03)", "body": "Gi, if Darcy had been to visit, we would make it a site for pilgrimages to rival Fatima! Too bad! But had it been so, we might never have gotten you back ;) Elena, that comment was supposedly made by Bingley's interpreter, Never Darcy's!!! And, considering his less-than-staggering intellect and the sact that it was reported in a less-than-reliable news source...!"}, {"response": 435, "author": "livamago", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (18:06)", "body": "Hello there! Here I am joining yet another CF topic. There are a couple of things about P&P2 that I have been thinking about for a while, and would like to share them with you. First, in \"The Making of P&P\" book there is a picture of E&D walking that has the caption Darcy's second proposal (if you have the book, it is on page 81).This photograph is different from what we see on screen; it shows Bingley and Jane behind them, and Darcy is playfully turning to Elizabeth, who is smiling wide. This makes me think that there were parts they cut out, and I cannot say how angry that makes me feel. I wonder if Simon Langton could be prevailed upon to issue a director's cut; would willingly write to anyone who could make it happen. Also, I read an interview with AD, in which he says that what he tried to express in his dramatization is that Darcy gets aroused whenever he looks at Lizzy (ahem, he used another expression). Now, isn't that too funny? I know that some lucky ladies here have the Making of P&P video, and I would really like to know how I can get a copy. I have looked in several JA mail order services without results. Can someone help? I will not risk sounding forward or pretentious by asking anyone to lend their copy to a stranger! Something that really annoys me about the final episode is that when D&E are walking out of the church, a girl moves right in front of the camera, blocking them out of view. Why did they not re-shoot? No wonder this is the episode I watch the least. Do not misunderstand, I absolutely love this movie, but P&P is so dear to me that I cannot help but take offense at such oversights. Has anyone seen P&P1 (Garvie/Rintoul)? I bought the tape, maily because there is a picture of E&D walking arm-in-arm on the cover, and I thought it would have the final chapter of the book. It does, but I declare! what a waste! I thought I was watching a skit from SNL...I laughed histerically. Some people at the RoP think this version closer to the spirit of the book, but I utterly disagree. This version has no spirit, and just the fact that it uses the title \"First Impressions\" under P&P should te l it all. JA never used that title again. I know Fay Weldon, who wrote the script, is a well respected writer, and is still very active, but I despise what she did here. I think our own fan fic writers would do a better job. Ann2 & Pamela T of BoI and our own Eileen come to mind. Well, now that I have unburdened myself, nothing remains but to thank you for your forbearance."}, {"response": 436, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (18:28)", "body": "(Lidya)I know that some lucky ladies here have the Making of P&P video, and I would really like to know how I can get a copy. I will not risk sounding forward or pretentious by asking anyone to lend their copy to a stranger! First of all No One on Spring is a stranger...we all trust each other implicitly. Secondly: \"Your Lucky Day\",... Lidya....The Jennifer Ehle Lending Library has a NTSC copy of the \"Making of P&P\"(actually called \"P&P From Page to Screen\"..same, same)Please email me and I will get one off to you...if you live in the US, that is...our copy will not work in Europe.."}, {"response": 437, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (18:50)", "body": "yawn yawn time to fix the italics... It is done. Now onto the donuts... ;-)"}, {"response": 438, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 1999 (09:06)", "body": "Italics don't seem fixed to me:)"}, {"response": 439, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 1999 (09:07)", "body": "Amazing how that works. Mr Darcy, did you do it???"}, {"response": 440, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 1999 (09:18)", "body": "Italics don't seem fixed to me:) No, they didn't because an italicized message was on the screen at the time. How many times I gotta tell you!! ;-)"}, {"response": 441, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 1999 (14:17)", "body": "Karen, sometimes you *need* to draw them a picture =P"}, {"response": 442, "author": "livamago", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (09:46)", "body": "Is anybody out there? I have been thinking of his first proposal, and wonder what I would answer. I think the expression on his face is so beautiful, and how he walks about the room, sits down, looks at her for a second, stands up again and then...sigh...he lets loose. \"In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire...and love you.\" Pardon me...I just fainted..."}, {"response": 443, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (10:05)", "body": "Lidya, am having heart papitations right along with you... *sigh* If he had just cut off his proposal speech there -i would have would have been hard pressed not to bellow out \"YES\" in a very unlady like manner and attact the darling boy. But like an idiot he keeps talking, and pretty much everything after the I admire...and love you is so insulting that i probably would have slapped him. But still.... *sigh* He could tell me how much he admires and loves me any time he wants... (Drool, drip,drip...)"}, {"response": 444, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (10:50)", "body": "(Eileen) He could tell me how much he admires and loves me any time he wants... (Drool, drip,drip..) And by the look on Lizzie's face in the carriage on the way home....as she remembered those same words....she was impressed too."}, {"response": 445, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (12:15)", "body": "(Eileen) He could tell me how much he admires and loves me any time he wants... Thanks for the credit, Evelyn, but it was SBR's comment. Not that I feel any differently! If Lizzy hadn't run into Col. Fitzwilliam that day, she wouldn't have known about Darcy's interference with her sister and Bingley. Poor Darcy might have stood a better chance. If he skipped the uppity stuff and jumped to \"I beg you most fervently to end my suffering and consent to be my wife\"--movie over!"}, {"response": 446, "author": "livamago", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (13:46)", "body": "Eileen: \"I beg you most fervently to end my suffering and consent to be my wife\" Oh Eileen, this is one of my favorite sentences! I have to agree with SBR. As much as I adore him, even when he behaves like such a snob (he looks so gorgeous walking about like a peacock), I would not have accepted a man who thought so little of me, and who considered me his inferior. I would like Lizzy much less if she had said yes to a proposal so dismissive and disrespectful. CF says that Darcy is just honest to a fault, and could not refrain from explaining his reasons, but I also think that he didn't really care about wounding her feelings. Not until his feelings are trampled on, does he realize what his faults are. Don't you agree that Lizzy is such a role model for us all women? She doesn't let anyone push her down."}, {"response": 447, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (14:27)", "body": "(Lidya) Don't you agree that Lizzy is such a role model for us all women? She doesn't let anyone push her down. Indeed I do agree Lidya! Lizzy knows her own worth, and is not swayed by greed or desperation. Think of all the unhappy divorices that would not occur and children that would not be living in single family homes if women today adopted such standards as Lizzy did in her life. I adore him, even when he behaves like such a snob (he looks so gorgeous walking about like a peacock) LOL!! I coulnt agree more! ;) (more Drool, drip,drip,drip)"}, {"response": 448, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (14:30)", "body": "Yes, a role model that is someone lost in today's society, just look at Monica. It gets to me to see all those women buying her (so-called), book. Then again, how many true gentlemen are there? That is why we get along so well here at Spring, we are of one mind. :-D"}, {"response": 449, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (15:23)", "body": "(Moon) just look at Monica I nearly gagged last night during one of the entertainment shows when Donald Trump announced his intent to make her a judge in the Miss USA or Miss Universe pageant. Gasp! Choke! A judge of what?! Is there a new category in the competition? The Donald will do anything for publicity. The spirit of Lizzy is lost indeed. (Lidya) I would like Lizzy much less if she had said yes to a proposal so dismissive and disrespectful Darcy thinks he's telling her that he loves her *so* much, he's willing to set aside all the other issues. Until she tells him off, he has no clue as to how offensive his remarks are. IMO it wasn't his intention to insult her--just the opposite."}, {"response": 450, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (17:59)", "body": "I hope Lidya's couch is a very long one. I am also saying, \"Move over!\" Even in his anguish he is lovely. But, can you imagine the arrogance of some guy telling you he is(implied)sexually deprived and he wants you to end his suffering?! What is he going to do for you?! There is something decidedly distasteful in that whole discourse. He should have kept quiet while he was ahead. But then, it would have been a short story, not a novel of delight for all these years! Heaven Help Us when we have Monica (!!!) judging women. She is worse than Spam! (Eileen)Is there a new category in the competition? LOL! I cannot imagine what her expertise is...Kneeling won't help her this time =P"}, {"response": 451, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (18:05)", "body": "What is he going to do for you?! Do you need a picture?"}, {"response": 452, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (18:17)", "body": "What is he going to do for you?! Do you need a picture? Oooooooooh....Do you have one? I *know* what he does for me. It might have been nice to let her know, too ;)"}, {"response": 453, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (19:26)", "body": "can you imagine the arrogance of some guy telling you he is(implied)sexually deprived and he wants you to end his suffering?! I can image HIM telling Me that he's secually deprived and wants me to end his suffering! ;) Infact, I'll think i'll go imagine that right now.... be back later."}, {"response": 454, "author": "livamago", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (21:52)", "body": "Marcia: can you imagine the arrogance of some guy telling you he is(implied)sexually deprived and he wants you to end his suffering?! What is he going to do for you?! There is something decidedly distasteful in that whole discourse. I have to admit that I do not take offense. We must remeber also that this is AD's addition; he does not say it like that in the novel. In it he only says that he hopes his attachment will be rewarded by her acceptance of his hand. I think maybe we are attaching sexual connotations (is that all we think about, perhaps?) to the sentence, but in the early 1800 it would refer more to his emotional state. Just a thought. Moon: just look at Monica. It gets to me to see all those women buying her (so-called), book I totally agree. I was saying to a friend today, that if I had been given the opportunity to work in the White House, my object would never have been to have an affair with anyone, let alone the President. I would have instead looked to further my careeer and my knowledge. Working in such a place where history is made every day,and meeting important and interesting people would have been of much greater importance to me."}, {"response": 455, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Apr 29, 1999 (11:30)", "body": "(Marcia)Heaven Help Us when we have Monica (!!!) judging women. She is worse than Spam ......OK sucking the **** of your boss is not exactly the neatest way to get publicity nor the best conduct in the office anyway :-) but what really is it in Monica that makes you guys despise her so much?? She wanted him and acted accordingly, foolish of her of course but really it\ufffds not HER who reminds me of spam in this case. I really wish that a stupid mistake like that won\ufffdt spoil the rest of the poor girl\ufffds life."}, {"response": 456, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Apr 29, 1999 (11:49)", "body": "(Elena) but what really is it in Monica that makes you guys despise her so much?? She wanted him and acted accordingly, foolish of her of course but really it\ufffds not HER who reminds me of spam in this case Uck! both of them disgust me! And so what if she wanted him? Since when is wanting something or somebody license to act on that desire?"}, {"response": 457, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Apr 29, 1999 (12:05)", "body": "(S B Robinson)He could tell me how much he admires and loves me any time he wants... (Eileen)Not that I feel any differently! I have a wav. file whereby he tells me just that! Whoever wants it, let me know and I'll e-mail it to you. (Lidya McCarthy)Don't you agree that Lizzy is such a role model for us all women? She doesn't let anyone push her down. You mean she doesn't kneel for anyone? ;-) (Sorry, I couldn't resist, especially if we are going to discuss \"that woman\") (S B Robinson)Indeed I do agree Lidya! Lizzy knows her own worth, and is not swayed by greed or desperation. Think of all the unhappy divorices that would not occur and children that would not be living in single family homes if women today adopted such standards as Lizzy did in her life. Hear hear! (Eileen)The spirit of Lizzy is lost indeed. 'Tis not! Not around here, it seems to me. (Eileen)Darcy thinks he's telling her that he loves her *so* much, he's willing to set aside all the other issues. Until she tells him off, he has no clue as to how offensive his remarks are. IMO it wasn't his intention to insult her--just the opposite. I think you're absolutely right there. Isn't it what Colin says about how he decided to play it? (Re: The Making of P&P)Colin does the same kind of reasoning about Lord Wessex in SiL - that his actions and words seem natural *to Wessex* in his situation, and that he could not understand why Viola would find him offensive or distasteful. (Marcia)Monica...is worse than Spam! ...Kneeling won't help her this time =P LOL! But kneeling will be the only thing that'll help her, and I predict she'll be asked to do that a lot during her whole life. (S B Robinson)I can image HIM telling Me that he's sexually deprived and wants me to end his suffering! ;) Infact, I'll think i'll go imagine that right now.... be back later. ROTFLOL!"}, {"response": 458, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Apr 29, 1999 (12:11)", "body": "(Elena)what really is it in Monica that makes you guys despise her so much?? For my part, it is not the fact that she wanted to have sex with her boss and had it, many young women go that way, but the fact that she talked about it and in such detail. Gentlemen do not discuss their liaisons...and neither do ladies. IMO, both of them should have said, when asked, that sex was a private thing and nobody else's business."}, {"response": 459, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Apr 29, 1999 (15:34)", "body": "You all are right about Darcy. I was just being spiteful for the moment. I am never disappointed with the seriousness and wisdom which comes from the ladies of Drool when a topic worthy of their concern surfaces. Makes me proud to be one of you - for yet another reason =) SB, wait up for me. I want to bponder, too!!!"}, {"response": 460, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Apr 29, 1999 (17:02)", "body": "Spiteful, Marcia? No, you had it right - he might think he wasn't being offensive, but he was, and as Lizzie would not accept him, neither would I."}, {"response": 461, "author": "livamago", "date": "Thu, Apr 29, 1999 (17:29)", "body": "(Elena) but what really is it in Monica that makes you guys despise her so much?? I really wish that a stupid mistake like that won\ufffdt spoil the rest of the poor girl\ufffds life. What I censure about her is her lack of principles. Did she not admit to lying all of her life, and not thinking it is wrong? It is true that people make stupid mistakes all the time, but if you have integrity and a sense of personal dignity, your mistakes are less likely to damage so many others in so grand a scale. I cannot feel pity for a woman who lets a man use her for nothing else than an entertainment. Though I value fidelity very highly, it is not the fact that she had an affair with a married man that lowers her imo, but that she did it with a man who could not give her anything in return. Why he never even condescended to have full intercourse with her! How little does she esteem herself as a woman and as a human being. Gi: I have a wav. file whereby he tells me just that! Whoever wants it, let me know and I'll e-mail it to you. I want it! Eileen)The spirit of Lizzy is lost indeed. 'Tis not! Not around here, it seems to me. I agree. Isn't it great? Gi: as Lizzie would not accept him, neither would I. But would you accept the second time around? I know I have, so many times...sigh..."}, {"response": 462, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Apr 29, 1999 (18:00)", "body": "(Marcia) She is worse than Spam! LOL!! (Elena) but what really is it in Monica that makes you guys despise her so much?? I don't despise her but think her \"young and dumb.\" She was/is naive and had/has poor impulse control (we won't get into the behavior of the other party). I watched the Barbara Walters interview. I don't begrudge her writing the book. But all this other stuff? Shut up and get on with your life, Monica! (SBR)In fact, I'll think i'll go imagine that right now.... be back later. Ooh, should we check out Fan Fic? ;-p"}, {"response": 463, "author": "livamago", "date": "Thu, Apr 29, 1999 (18:27)", "body": "I wonder if anyone has a snappy of the first proposal scene? His eyes after he hears her rejection make me want to sob! I bet he would have fallen to his knees and declared his undying love if she had said yes, but alas, it was not to be, thanks to his abominable pride."}, {"response": 464, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 29, 1999 (18:36)", "body": "This one??? Might not be the right one."}, {"response": 465, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 29, 1999 (18:38)", "body": ""}, {"response": 466, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Apr 29, 1999 (19:42)", "body": "*sigh* that snappy works for me. I'll sob right along with you Lidya :) Then I'll indulge in a lovely fanasy where He turns to me for comfort *double sigh* ...."}, {"response": 467, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (06:19)", "body": "Great topic, Lidya, and one to sink the teeth into. The comments have been very entertaining. I have a hard time now whenever I read the book to figure out if I'm influenced by AD's POV or if I truly do see all these sexual undercurrents which I totally missed when I was 12 and first read it. But it's drool here so let your fantasy fly. So....if Darcy had skipped all that stuff after love and gone right to relieve my suffering and consent to be my wife , maybe Elizabeth would have gone for it. What a match for the family! What a face! What a body! He's been fairly agreeable at Hunsford. Lizzy, go for it! It would have taken so long for them to get out of bed, by the time she had learned what Darcy did to Jane and Bingley the equation would already be in his favor: looks x sex appeal 3 x ardor / pride x those long fingers = \"Baby I'm yours.\" Marcia, I confess I never thought of his suffering as being sexual. Thanks for the lightbulb. I suppose his manservant or at least the maids must have been wondering why they were changing the sheets so often."}, {"response": 468, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (06:21)", "body": "I have to try that equation again without the strikeout: looks x sex appeal 3 x ardor / pride x those long fingers = \"Baby I'm yours.\" (I'm going for sex appeal cubed but don't know how to do superscript.)"}, {"response": 469, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (06:23)", "body": "Now I've gone and done it."}, {"response": 470, "author": "lg", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (07:16)", "body": "LOl Heide. It's quarter past ten on Friday night here and I've had too much to drink (alcohol, ie) ... so don't you mean a googleplex of sex appeal? ;p"}, {"response": 471, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (07:48)", "body": "(Heide), looks x sex appeal3 x ardor / pride x those long fingers = \"Baby I'm yours.\" LOL, Heide! You have many talents. I bet Dilbert could use your help."}, {"response": 472, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (09:31)", "body": "(Heide), looks x sex appeal3 x ardor / pride x those long fingers = \"Baby I'm yours.\" (Leanne) so don't you mean a googleplex of sex appeal? LOL, Heide and Leanne! ...and the square root of the hypotenuse equals...(my math skills are on a par with ODB) Poor Darcy was suffering physically, all right. Remember the line in the first proposal \"...a most (slight pause) passionate regard...\" Having recently watched P&P2 for about the twentieth time, I usually don't find too much new in it. This last time was different, though. It must be due to the whole Donmar experience, so well reported herein by the Lucky London Ladies in both text and pictures. That was as much of CF being himself as I've ever seen. I always knew he was very different than Darcy (a point he tries to emphasize each time he's interviewed on the subject) but now the difference seems huge. Colin's interpretation of Darc was superb--specifically how the \"audience never quite knows what he's thinking\" (I believe those are CF's words from the 'Making of P&P'). That aspect seemed to jump out at me this last time. How about the rest of you (particularly those of you who went to London, spoke with him, had his arm around you, etc. etc.)? I remember most of you posting that you watched P&P2 sometime after returning home. Was your reaction similar to mine?"}, {"response": 473, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (10:00)", "body": "Lidya, I'm sending you the wav. file, hope your e-mail address here in Drool works. (Lidya)But would you accept the second time around? I know I have, so many times...sigh... What do you mean the second time around? The second proposal? Of course I would! :-)"}, {"response": 474, "author": "livamago", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (12:42)", "body": "Karen: This one??? Might not be the right one. It is close enough...sigh! I meant the one where he stands right in front of her. Heide: I have a hard time now whenever I read the book to figure out if I'm influenced by AD's POV or if I truly do see all these sexual undercurrents Whenever I read the book I inevitably have P&P2 in my mind. The actors are inextricably linked to the characters. Mr Collins was on on A&E's Poirot the other day, and to me he looked just like MR C without the black coat. Scholars have always called JA \"cold\", when compared to people like the Brontes, but the fact that she doesn't use sappy words does not mean her characters do feel strongly. Ultimately, any human attraction aims to end in physical contact (the evolutionary urge to reproduce?)and in the n vel, Darcy is bewitched by E, so he obviously fancied her appearance. I suppose reading the book two hundred years later, it is impossible to see it from our own POV, and sex is so prevalent in our times, and so openly discussed, that it is only natural, (sorry for my long-winded paragraph). looks x sex appeal3 x ardor / pride x those long fingers = \"Baby I'm yours.\" You are perfectly right, my dear. SBR: I'll indulge in a lovely fanasy where He turns to me for comfort *double sigh* I saw him first! But seriously, do you not think he looks about to weep when he is putting on his gloves as he walks to Rosings? and to think that they cut this part in the original broadcast. Gi: Lidya, I'm sending you the wav. file, hope your e-mail address here in Drool works Thank you, Gi. My e-mail address her probably won't work, so I give it to you. It is Chusmanali@aol.com I have a Pentium II computers, with Windows 98. Will the file work?"}, {"response": 475, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (15:00)", "body": "(Lidya) I have a Pentium II computer, with Windows 98 We should all be so lucky! (that laptop just hasnt been the same since i dropped it) :( But seriously, do you not think he looks about to weep when he is putting on his gloves as he walks to Rosings? and to think that they cut this part in the original broadcast. I agree, he looks so mournful. And think, if they didnt originally include that for our viewing pleasure, what else ended up on the cutting room floor??? Maybe it's best not to think about it; we'd all end up with a heart condition and be shuffled off to nursing homes at a premature age."}, {"response": 476, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (15:52)", "body": "That little bit is on the purchased tapes or from the A&E Classroom broadcast, which didn't have commercials."}, {"response": 477, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (16:13)", "body": "I paid over $100 just to get those bits. I consider it money well-spent =) (I know...I know...now you can get it at Costco for next-to-nothing!)"}, {"response": 478, "author": "livamago", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (16:40)", "body": "Marcia: I paid over $100 just to get those bits. I consider it money well-spent =) (I know...I know...now you can get it at Costco for next-to-nothing!) Not only did I pay $104 (with tax), but had to wait about two months to get it, because it was out of stock. Probably too many ladies were ordering it at the same time."}, {"response": 479, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (17:07)", "body": "(Heide) I confess I never thought of his suffering as being sexual. Thanks for the lightbulb. I suppose his manservant or at least the maids must have been wondering why they were changing the sheets so often. I have seen that episode with the men in my family and they all recognize the symtoms....\"He's got it baaaad\". Seems to be the popular male remark. They all got it alright....but was that JA? Or Andrew Davies' interpretation of JA."}, {"response": 480, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (17:34)", "body": "Probably both, but mostly AD, I think. JA would never have been so uncouth as to burden her incomparable Darcy with uncontrollable animal lusts - at least not to the extent that he would admit it aloud!"}, {"response": 481, "author": "livamago", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (18:08)", "body": "Evelyn, I just sent you an e-mail, but it seems my previous one did not reach you, so I will post it here. I have received the JE tapes, and am enjoying them very much. Thank you again for sending them."}, {"response": 482, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (23:07)", "body": "(Leanne) googleplex of sex appeal? Sorry, Leanne, we still used slide rules when I was in school ;-) What the H is a googleplex? (Eileen) Poor Darcy was suffering physically, all right. Remember the line in the first proposal \"...a most (slight pause) passionate regard...\" Ah, and the question tonight is...what word was he going to say before he checked himself and said \"passionate\"? My vote is he was going to say something more conservative but decided to go for the big guns. (Marcia) I paid over $100 just to get those bits. I consider it money well-spent =) I know...I know...now you can get it at Costco for next -to-nothing!) But consider the months of deprivation waiting for it to go on sale. Definitely \"money-well-spent\"."}, {"response": 483, "author": "lg", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (23:30)", "body": "(Heide) Sorry, Leanne, we still used slide rules when I was in school ;-) What the H is a googleplex? Sorry! :D A googleplex is ten to the power of ten to the power of ten."}, {"response": 484, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, May  2, 1999 (11:03)", "body": "(Leanne) A googleplex is ten to the power of ten to the power of ten. Ah!!! Very appropriate then. Sex appeal to the googleplex. Lizzy won't have a chance."}, {"response": 485, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, May  2, 1999 (17:49)", "body": "(Leanne)...a googleplex of sex appeal? (Heide) What the H is a googleplex? (Leanne)...ten to the power of ten to the power of ten. Sorry, Leanne, that is a mere googol (i.e. a one followed by 100 zeroes. Since a million is a one followed by 6 zeroes, you can see that a googol is a very large number.) A googol plex, is a googol raised to the power of ten (i.e., 10 billion times a googol!! One could write it out, but that becomes veryu tiresome. Suffice it to say, Heide, that that's a LOT of sex-appeal!!!"}, {"response": 486, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, May  2, 1999 (18:37)", "body": "test . Test."}, {"response": 487, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sun, Jun  6, 1999 (15:17)", "body": "I am a new Colin and Darcy crazy; the actor and the character are so enthralling that I just had to delurk. Some thoughts on the first proposal... What if Darcy is still debating with himself until he actually blurts out the words. The way he paces around and is breathing heavily indicates an unresolved emotional turmoil IMO. This is 1813, Darcy is a serious and responsible man and it has been drummed into him since infancy that a major DUTY to his family is to marry well. Marrying Lizzie is a serious br ach of his obligations as master of Pemberley. He has two choices here; he can marry Lizzie and injure his sense of self-worth, family duty and social responsilbilty or he can give her up and deny himself personal (emotional and sexual) happiness. So I think, from the way Colin played him, that Darcy is expressing verbally the struggle that is still ongoing rather than making a proposal; he is still not committed to having Lizzie as his wife-- almost seems as if he's tossed a coin in his head and heads s Lizzie. Of course once he's said the words, of course he's hurt and humiliated that she refuses him. Haven't we all had to make decisions for which no option is satisfactory? That's Darcy's situation. IMO, his words are impulsive, not planned, and certainly not intended to wound Lizzie. He should have waited until he was committed to and comfortable with his decision to marry Lizzie... then he could have wooed her properly. Am I way off base here? And thanks for the fun I've had reading the previos p stings."}, {"response": 488, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jun  6, 1999 (15:31)", "body": "Lynda, I think you are right on the mark. He could have gone through all of these options and internal conversations prior to their meeting, and still have bungled it by being so 'up-tight' that he was doomed as soon as he opened his mouth. Nerves do that to me, and I can manage to get both feet into my mouth with hardly any effort at all. Getting them out again is another problem entirely, as he discovered. It is lovely to have you Drool and post. Now, pop next door to 113 and claim something Darcy, r of any CF character in any movie, a scene in which you would like to be with him, or in a fan fiction story. We have lists which don't quit! We'll even begin a new one for you if you can think of something we have not, and oh yes, let us know when your Birthday is."}, {"response": 489, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jun  6, 1999 (20:59)", "body": "AnneH, the CF fan whose browser is keeping her from posting (I am working on it) told me the following: I spoke to my 96 year old coming up 97 year old Aunt yesterday on the telephone, I mentioned MLSF and how I was looking forward to seeing it, she asked who was in it, I said \"Mr. Darcy\", \"Oh, she sighed, \"My favourite actor, if only I could go and see it, unfortunately the nearest cinema is just a few miles too far. I said perhaps it will come on television, \"If I last that long,\" she sighed. Thus I claim my Aunt as his oldest fan!!!!!!!! Anne. I shall run over to 113 and make another list!"}, {"response": 490, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (19:43)", "body": "Where is your new list, Marcia? Glad for your thoughts, Lynda. I tend to agree with your line of thinking. He has two choices here; he can marry Lizzie and injure his sense of self-worth, family duty and social responsilbilty or he can give her up and deny himself personal (emotional and sexual) happiness. What a delicious thought...he ends up going for personal happiness. A major step in itself. Just running some thoughts here for fun... What if Lizzy had gone to Rosings that day? Would he have seized the moment then? If not there, would he have ever done so? Or did he decide to make his proposal beforehand and rush to Hunsford Parsonage because he knew he'd find her alone? So I think, from the way Colin played him, that Darcy is expressing verbally the struggle that is still ongoing rather than making a proposal; he is still not committed to having Lizzie as his wife-- almost seems as if he's tossed a coin in his head and heads And isn't his inner turmoil so clearly portrayed? Masterful, and even more so when you realize (from the Making of P&P book)that this is one of the first scenes he had to film."}, {"response": 491, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (20:53)", "body": "If Lizzie had gone to Rosings instead of pleading a headache, would he still have proposed that day? I have always been of the opinion that her sudden \"illness,\" when heretofore she had been in such high spirits and good health, galvanized him into action. He, for the first time, realized she was not indestructible. It seemed to be a panic move because he could not bear to lose her, even then."}, {"response": 492, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (20:55)", "body": "To finish my thought...If she had gone to Rosings, I would think he would not have proposed then. There would have been no urgency to do so."}, {"response": 493, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (09:04)", "body": "Good point Marcia. :) Also, does anybody think Col Fitzwilliam may have fessed up to Darcy about his blunder? The Col is a fairly intelligent man, and surely he realized that his comments had caused Lizzie distress."}, {"response": 494, "author": "livamago", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (10:37)", "body": "Marcia: ...If she had gone to Rosings, I would think he would not have proposed then. There would have been no urgency to do so. But wasn't he leaving in two days? I think the fact that he didn't see her that evening made him think of what it would be like to be without her."}, {"response": 495, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (13:14)", "body": "(Heide) Or did he decide to make his proposal beforehand and rush to Hunsford Parsonage because he knew he'd find her alone? I think he did just that. He certainly struggled with the decision; having made it, actually going through with it was something else entirely. IMO this is why he stayed so long in Kent and was restless after his arrival at the parsonage. Nervous, striding, sitting, standing, speechless, etc: he knew his opportunity had come...did he have the nerve to go for it? (Lidya) But wasn't he leaving in two days? This point is made more clearly in the book: [L] \"'Do you certainly leave Kent on Saturday?' [Col. F] 'Yes - if Darcy does not put it off again.'\" This line has led me to believe the above. V. good points all around. It's nice to have discussion here again!"}, {"response": 496, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (15:06)", "body": "Good points, indeed! I think there would not have been opportunity at Rosings to propose to her, no matter what the urgency, with his nosy Aunt there. He followed her almost continuously on horseback as she took walks - the book makes it quite clear that she found it unnerving to find him at every turn looking as though he would speak but he would turn away each time. I think he had the means and could have arranged the time to propose to her if he was to leave in 2 day's time. A special trip would no have inconvenienced him, perhaps! As for Col Fitz, I do not think he *knew* he made a gaffe! Thus, most likely not recounted the episode to Darcy."}, {"response": 497, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (15:59)", "body": "I always wished they had shot some of those *chance encounter* scenes in Rosings Park. They would have been precious. Also wish they had done the post-second proposal scenes, in the drawing room when the coffee is being served, when she teases him about when he fell in love with her. But then again, the series might have been 8 hours long. BWAAAA!! I would have paid extra. :-)"}, {"response": 498, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (16:20)", "body": "(Karen) But then again, the series might have been 8 hours long. BWAAAA!! I would have paid extra. :-) You and me both! Eight Hours of Darcy! * sigh * ...and maybe AD would have added another wet shirt scene... a post nuptiual wet shirt scene. (be still my heart!)"}, {"response": 499, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (17:39)", "body": "(EsBee)a post nuptiual wet shirt scene. ...from the collective drooling in the audience and in the living rooms of the world?! But, would that not have cramped your writer's style? Perhaps not! JA could never have dreamed of your carriage ride to London =D (Karen)series might have been 8 hours long. BWAAAA!! I would have paid extra. So would we all...*sob*..."}, {"response": 500, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (17:53)", "body": "Reading your comments is so much fun. I wonder if JA put as much thought into writing this book as you have in analyzing it. Before I start watching P&P yet again, some comments. I haven't seen anyone mention this, although I'm sure you have, but IMO Darcy sitting upright on the back of that magnificent galloping horse in the opening scene is incredibly erotic. At first, I thought it was a stuntman, but it seems CF is quite a horseman, which makes it even more exciting. And when he leans his head back while writing the letter, and the light picks out his throat, I want to jump in and make it all better. There is nothing sexier than a vulnerable man, especially a powerful one like arcy. Two quibbles with P&P."}, {"response": 501, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (18:08)", "body": "Reading your postings is such fun. I wonder if JA put as much thought into writing this novel as you have in analyzing it. Before I start watching P&P yet again, some comments... Haven't seen this in the more recent postings, but I'm sure it's been mentioned. IMO, the sight of Darcy sitting absolutely upright on the back of that magnificent galloping horse in the opening scene is so thrilling, especially since it appears that it is CF and not a stuntman riding. Can DB ride a horse or wot!! Also loved the moment when Darcy throws his head back while writing the letter and the light picks out his throat. I want to jump in and kiss it and make it all better. Two quibbles with the production: 1. NOT NEARLY ENOUGH DARCY 2. Why, oh why, when they cut all of the Darcy/Lizzie scenes after the second proposal, did the Lizzie/ Lady Catherine scene have to go on and on and on. I know this scene was even longer in the book, but when there was a choice to be made, this scene could have been shortened in favour of more L & D. The ending seemed a little anti-climatic and somewhat dissatisfying, but I did LOVE the wedding scene."}, {"response": 502, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (18:10)", "body": "Sorry for the double posting. The Internet connection seems to cut out every once in while and I know not why"}, {"response": 503, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (18:37)", "body": "Oh Lynda, I know! I Know !!! There is a *very* long line waiting to make it all better! His emotions of grief and anguish are the most powerful to me in the entire movie, and I loved him more in that part than any other. Does he not have the most glorious neck?! ...and eyes?! ...and =)) We all felt slighted by the abrupt ending, my other favorite scene where the actuality of Lizzie's love for him sweeps over him...I needed much more time to let it sink in and to enjoy it. The intense way he stares at her upon entering the parlor at Longbourne just before the second proposal is also etched on my retina. Her knees buckled; mine would have had I not been sitting in a puddle on the floor! I think it is a view universally held here that there is never enough Darcy. That is why some of us yearn for him to make another such film. How much could it damage his career? It would keep some of us going for another millenuim ;)"}, {"response": 504, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (19:21)", "body": "Marcia, maybe we should print out these postings and mail them to DB (well, perhaps not the left/right discussion). If Colin could only know how intensely (and for you ladies, for such a long time) we love him in this role, he might be persuaded to do just one more period romantic role.(He thinks he's to old to do this kind of role; can he be entirely serious?) Pretty please, Colin! We promise to watch all your neurotics and cads, in return."}, {"response": 505, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (20:37)", "body": "LOL, Lynda!!! How funny about all of his neurotics and cads. There have been so many of them and so few of the Darcy sort that we are surely not out of line with our *desires\" =) We need to have a long talk with that man!!! BTW, Dear, Please email me at marci@aloha.net Thanks!"}, {"response": 506, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (07:45)", "body": "(Marcia), The intense way he stares at her upon entering the parlor at Longbourne just before the second proposal is also etched on my retina. I love that look too Marcia! We all agree on not getting enough Darcy. And, do not get me started on Colin the horseman. ;-) Why does he hate period drama? Even Jeremy N. has recently stated he would not do more of them. No more Mr. Darcy and no more Mr. Knightly. :-("}, {"response": 507, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (09:06)", "body": "Colin on a horse. Now how the heck am I supposed to get ANY work done today, when I'm starting out my morning with THAT visual in my mind? ...* sigh * I shall be distracted (make that -plesantly distracted) the entire day! (Lynda) If Colin could only know how intensely we love him in this role, he might be persuaded to do just one more period romantic role.(He thinks he's to old to do this kind of role; can he be entirely serious?) Pretty please, Colin! We promise to watch all your neurotics and cads, in return. LOL! too funny (and true) Lynda :)"}, {"response": 508, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (14:22)", "body": "Fine thighs, chocolate intense pools, astride his horse...I am gone for the day into a Darcy Stupor! There is just nothing about this man which is not totally droolable. I also like JN. (I would have been a much better match for him than that silly shallow Emma =P) How sad. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is now on PBS. Both or either of them would have fit in so very well. There is a reason these stories have lasted for so long. They are good! Cannot say much for what they choose for story lines lat ly! Grumble...grumble!"}, {"response": 509, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (14:47)", "body": "Marcia, I saw The Tenant of Wildfell Hall on Sunday night- stayed up late watching it. I thought it was quite good. :) ACK! Meeting! gotta run!"}, {"response": 510, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (20:13)", "body": "(SBR)Eight Hours of Darcy! *sigh* Say that out loud in the same manner as Lydia said \"A whole campful of soldiers...\""}, {"response": 511, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (21:13)", "body": "Eileen, warm me of your humor - I just about choked with laughter at your comment re: 8 hours of Darcy!"}, {"response": 512, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (19:30)", "body": "(Marcia) Eileen, warm me of your humor - I just about choked with laughter at your comment re: 8 hours of Darcy! ROTFLOL! Me too -scared that poor cat again. ;)"}, {"response": 513, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (19:34)", "body": "I also like JN. This is not the right place to announce it. (What do you expect - applause???) ;-P"}, {"response": 514, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 1999 (12:14)", "body": "As some of you might have heard, Jeopardy had an Austen-tacious category last week. Ann put this up at her Austen Tea Room board. Check it out. http://www.spring.net/~anneh/jeopardy.htm Harumph!! Why couldn't this have been on February 16. Not fair."}, {"response": 515, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 1999 (13:28)", "body": "Expecting appalause for my comment on JN? Here? Now?....Not likely. Just a bare admission of guilt. Though I like him, there is no posting on my part on his Drool Board. I am still and always a Darcy Lady. Karen, as I watched that Jeopardy with the JA topic, I thought of you and how you would have run the entire topic with half your brain tied behind your back ;)"}, {"response": 516, "author": "SeymourGoodwin", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 1999 (21:19)", "body": "New here, My mind is on Tim Cohen's book, \"AntiChrist and a Cup of Tea\" WOW! You can see proof that Prince Charles IS the anti-Christ at www.prophecyhouse.com"}, {"response": 517, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 1999 (23:23)", "body": "Hey, Seymour! check out the following conferences instead... http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/spirit/all/new http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/cultures/all/new http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/books/all/new they may be more to your liking!"}, {"response": 518, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 1999 (23:37)", "body": "Thank you, William. The poor fellow was really lost in here. Don't think he spent much time checking the postings before he did his. Pat on the head with affection for your prompt work."}, {"response": 519, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (10:21)", "body": "Prince Charles is the Anti-Christ? LOL! That's gotta be the most off topic this board has ever been! :) Now... back to Darcy Drool. While recently re-watching our beloved P&P2 (for the millionth time), I was reminded of when I first fell in love with Darcy. I hadnt read the book before seeing the movie, and so basically knew nothing of his character and while intrigued by his aloof behavior he really did nothing to endear himself to me, up to and including the first proposal. What melted my heart, and secured it into his keeping for all time, was a portion of the letter he wrote to Lizzy. You can tell a great deal about a man by the way he treats his mother and sisters, and Darcy's gentleness when dealing with Georigana during the whole Wickham fasico, was very revealing. When he pulled Georigana into his arms and pressed a kiss to her head (instead of ranting and raving about what an idiot she had been -like most men would be inclinded to do) I thought; \"now this is a man that a woman could trust her heart to.\" And I've been in love with Darcy ever since. :) Course- by the time he got to the wet shirt scene, and the adorable \"and your parents are well?\" questions -i was practically foaming at the mouth. ;)"}, {"response": 520, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (13:12)", "body": "I wonder if Seymour realizes his entertainment value? \"and your parents are well?\" ...and [pause] all your sisters? *sigh* I had also never read the book (I wonder how I missed it because I've always been a voracious reader) before watching this miniseries (even passed on the first US showing). As I've posted before, I was dozing off and on through episodes 2 and 3. By the time the first proposal came around, I was thinking don't you know she hates you, you fool? That letter brought me around also. But it took me until the *look* (OK, I admit it, I'm slow) to foam at the mouth! ;-)"}, {"response": 521, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (13:41)", "body": "(Eileen) By the time the first proposal came around, I was thinking \"don't you know she hates you, you fool?\" LOL! Exactly! I kept thinking shut up, she's not going to say yes! and you're only making it worse by continuing to insult her! By the time I got to *The Look*- I had grabbed a magazine and was fanning my overheated skin! ;)"}, {"response": 522, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 1999 (12:52)", "body": "You are all too funny! I loved your thought about the neurotics and cads, Lynda! ;-) I think I must watch those tapes again..."}, {"response": 523, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 1999 (19:28)", "body": "When he pulled Georigana into his arms and pressed a kiss to her head (instead of ranting and raving about what an idiot she had been -like most men would be inclinded to do) I thought; \"now this is a man that a woman could trust her heart to.\" And I've been in love with Darcy ever since. :) SB, Eileen! It took you that long! Jeez, I was in love watching him watch Lizzy after his bath. Of course, that was actually another 4-letter word beginning with L... I'm sure the love you speak of is the more mature, satisfying and lasting kind. ;-)"}, {"response": 524, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 1999 (19:36)", "body": "Heide, it not for nothing that we call this Drool. How mature is that ;) Besides, it healthy to lust after the one you love. What does maturity have to do with it?? Age does not dim nor change the animal urges =D"}, {"response": 525, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 1999 (21:35)", "body": "I didn't pay too much attention to Darcy until the Netherfield ball, when the heads parted and he turned to look at Lizzie. Loved his smirk when Mr. Collins collided, actually CRASHED, into that poor woman. Was head over heels when he bowed before the dance. What a profile!! And the bow itself was so submissive (nothing more erotic than a powerful man humbled). I was enthralled. And what can I say about the dance that you all haven't said. I have never seen any man so graceful!! (I remember seeing some omments a while back about whether ODB is clumsy - is it possible for a clumsy man to dance so beautifully?) And his hair...everytime he makes a pass in front of the screen, I want to tangle my hands in that hair. Yeesh!! ...I have to stop, right now, or I'll be awake half the night."}, {"response": 526, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (08:12)", "body": "I find that the Netherfield Ball is when you are SUPPOSED to notice Darcy in the miniseries. Before he's just a fly on the wall. But you really get to see his emotions. I remember hating, positively HATING Darcy when I first read the book. It took even after Lydia's elopement for me to really say, \"wow, what a great guy.\""}, {"response": 527, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (16:39)", "body": "Ok, time to confess; it took me two times watching it before I was struck by Darcy for all time. I fell for the dunk in Pemberley Pond, initially, but I had been leaning in his direction since he met her on the way to visit Jane at Netherfield. I was young enough when I first read the book that I admired Lizzie above all else. When I began to notice the other gender, I immediately reread the book and was hooked on him. He is so dear in the end of the book when he tells her of the turmoil and loving her and not being able to have her. He just melted my heart. It has never solidified since ;)"}, {"response": 528, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (16:52)", "body": "Lynda, to make those all-night Darcy fests that much more rewarding, go to that scene where he is staring at herfrom the sidelines at the Netherfield Ball. Using the slow-motion and freeze-frame buttons on your VCR remote, go through it frame by frame. It is the most erotic and revealing scene in the entire movie to me. You will like to slo-mo your way through most of his scenes, but that is the most amazing one!"}, {"response": 529, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (17:32)", "body": "(Heide) It took you that long! They don't call me \"a day late and a dollar short\" for nothing. What can I say? I don't recall the bath scene having an effect on me during my first viewing and it's one of my favorites (tape must be weak from rewinding). As for the Netherfield ball, I think this is where I began to nod (A&E ran the '97 showing in two 3 hour segments with endless commercials; the first three episodes ran from 9-12mn). I actually thought the fencing scene took place at Rosings until I bought the tapes and set myself st aight! (Lynda) everytime he makes a pass in front of the screen, I want to tangle my hands in that hair *Sigh*"}, {"response": 530, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (18:10)", "body": "(Heide) It took you that long! Jeez, I was in love watching him watch Lizzy after his bath LOL! I wasnt repulsed or anything- just intrigued. I wasnt sure what was going on in his mind. For all i knew, he was going to ask her to be his mistress rather than his wife. After all, up to that point what did we know about the man, other than A) he was handsome (ok- make that Extremely Handsome) B) he had rather odd friends and annoying relatives (with the exception of Col Fitzwilliam) C) he was a bit of a snob (ie;\"I saw no breeding at all\") (Lynda) everytime he makes a pass in front of the screen, I want to tangle my hands in that hair (Eileen) *Sigh* Oh Yeah, me too... * double sigh * I still get a tingle everytime I watch it and think 'I'm the keeper of that adorable curl' :) -better make that a * triple sigh *"}, {"response": 531, "author": "livamago", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (19:06)", "body": "Lynda: the Netherfield ball, when the heads parted and he turned to look at Lizzie. That is one of my favorite looks! Don't you think he has the most amazing voice? I love it when he says: \"I should as soon call her mother a wit.\" He says it with such disdain, and so matter-of-factly, he melts my heart. I also like the look her gives her when he says \"Do you often walk into Meryton?\", like he's saying, I will play your game. Eileen: the fencing scene Ahh! I love it!!! His open shirt, his sweaty neck...sigh...and the smile he gives Mr. Baines! He was perfect in every sense."}, {"response": 532, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (21:06)", "body": "Hmmmm. Interesting. Looked through an old journal for 1996. Entry for Sun 14 January--\"began taping Pride & Prejudice on A&E. Most good, but don't like Darcy...sullen!\" Hee hee My! How things can change!!"}, {"response": 533, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (21:20)", "body": "Lynda, you cannot know how much good you are doing us. It feels so good to bathe in fresh Darcy Drool after worrying about SiL sequels and FP openings (or the possibility of being out of the scheduled theaters area). You are a wonderful addition to our Boards. Now, all of you lurkers out there. Cease and desist and join us. Post something. Surely Darcy is worthy of your efforts!"}, {"response": 534, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (21:22)", "body": "LOL KarenJ, I did the same thing. Only taked half of it and then taped over it. It cannot have been the right one the firthst time =P"}, {"response": 535, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (21:53)", "body": "I know, I thought the same thing after the first installment. I remember thinking \"does this guy think he's playing Heathcliff?\" But he grew onme... I don't think I need to get into that. ;-)"}, {"response": 536, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (23:11)", "body": "My Firthst thought was \"He's no Olivier!\" Much later, I ammended that statement to add \"thank heaven!\""}, {"response": 537, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (09:01)", "body": "Thanks for the kind words, Marcia. You are such a close group, I do feel rather awkward posting, but you all have been lovely. (Lidya) Don't you think he has the most amazing voice? Colin does have an amazing voice, along with an amazing everything else. As Sue Birtwistle said, \"He's just perfect in every regard\". I love his face during the \"pride and vanity\" debate at Netherfield, especially right before he says, \"It might be called resentful\". Looks so vulnerable and young. And although he is trying to be so still and self-controlled in this scene, he gives his agitation away with his hands. (Marcia) My Firthst thought was \"He's no Olivier!\" Much later, I ammended that statement to add \"thank heaven!\" Amen to that. I tried watching the Olivier P&P after I saw P&P2. Couldn't get through it; the screenplay was awful, Garson seemed old enough to be Lizzie's mother and Olivier was hammy and not at all like Austen's Darcy (Darcy is not supposed to be charming)."}, {"response": 538, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (09:45)", "body": "(Lynda) I tried watching the Olivier P&P after I saw P&P2. Couldn't get through it; the screenplay was awful... I did as well, thought it was dreadful and only lasted about 30 or 40 mins. why did everyone talk so fast? It was like they were competeing to see who could get off the most lines per minute! :) Love the Sue Birtwistle quote! \"He's just perfect in every regard\". Yes, isnt he. * sigh * ;)"}, {"response": 539, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (14:34)", "body": "To be fair, I think we cannot blame all of the bad things in P&P0 on Olivier and the rest. The screen play did not stay true to the story (a benevolent Lady C, and a perky Lady Anne?!), and the directing is what we see as the result. A mincing Darcy and an old Lizzie. Very odd indeed. For some reason, I also got the impression from that version that Mary ended up marrying Mr Collins. Am I forgetting something?"}, {"response": 540, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (05:40)", "body": "Inasmuch as this topic has been inactive for a while I thought I would post a Big \"Hi\" from Lizza. She told me on the phone that yesterday she went to Bath and found the city **crawling** with American tourists looking for Mr. Darcy at the new Jane Austen Museum which has just opened there. She thought of us....!!"}, {"response": 541, "author": "livamago", "date": "Sat, Jul 31, 1999 (15:54)", "body": "I'm glad to see some activity here, because I was watching episode V, and I have a question that has bothered me for a while. At the very end, when Lizzy says that she cannot bear to think that Mr. Darcy is out in the world, thinking ill of her, we see his face with an inscrutable expression, and I wonder what it means. Is he thinking ill of her, longing for her or in pain from having to deal with Wickham? I cannot decide!"}, {"response": 542, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jul 31, 1999 (16:01)", "body": "It is the pain she imagines she has caused him and that she will not see him again even though she is realizing she loves him very much"}, {"response": 543, "author": "livamago", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (09:24)", "body": "Do you mean that it is what she imagines he is feeling? I know that \"The making of P&P\" book says that some of the scenes we see when Lizzy reads the letter are supposed to be her imagination, but until I read that I did not see them in that way."}, {"response": 544, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (10:23)", "body": "I agree, Lidya. I think we are supposed to be seeing Darcy's face as he is at that moment, not how Lizzy is imagining him to be looking. Now in my imagination, I think he's managed to keep his mind off losing Lizzy because he's been busy playing the avenging angel, tracking Wickham down and bribing him to marry Lydia. Finally that work is complete and he has to face his loss again. Another take on it could be that now his work with W & L is down, he has another job to do...winning back Lizzy. Either way, I think he's thinking about her. Thanks for reviving the topic again, Evelyn. It's sinful to let it lie moribund. ;-) she went to Bath and found the city **crawling** with American tourists looking for Mr. Darcy Good to know that Mr. Darcy is still alive and well and foremost in the minds of American tourists. Reminds me of Lyme Park when the kindly old gent selling tickets pointed out the entrance to the house as the one before the stairs \"that Mr. Darcy came down.\" Though I don't think it was the fact I'm American that he knew why I was there, more likely just the fact that I'm female."}, {"response": 545, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (11:30)", "body": "....we see his face with an inscrutable expression, IMO...I think it's his face as she remembers him from the first proposal. The pain and anguish she caused him is now bothering her conscience."}, {"response": 546, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (13:32)", "body": "(Evelyn) IMO...I think it's his face as she remembers him from the first proposal. A good possibility too. See ladies, this topic can never die. I think we should next discuss the expression Darcy's wearing as he gives Lizzy that long look at Longbourn before they all go out walking. We know that wasn't Lizzy's imagination so whatever could he be thinking there? \"Hey, baby, you're mine.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 547, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (16:25)", "body": "And, did you notice that when he fixed her with that stare, not just my knees buckled, so did Lizzie's. Never saw the man look quite that intense in any other role, but we say that all the time about Darcy looks, mannerisms and other ezquisite details."}, {"response": 548, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (19:43)", "body": "(Heide)Re: The final stare:We know that wasn't Lizzy's imagination so whatever could he be thinking there? \"Hey,baby, you're mine.\" ;-) He wished but he wasn't certain, IMO. Lady Catherine's visit to him in London \"had the opposite effect...it caused me to hope as I never dared to hope before....\""}, {"response": 549, "author": "livamago", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (19:52)", "body": "(Heide) \"Hey, baby, you're mine.\" ;-) Ohh, could he give me one of those looks!! I think he's saying, could it be that you really love me? (Marcia) not just my knees buckled, so did Lizzie's . I love her expressions here, and when he comes to Longbourn for the first time too, so vulnerable and full of feeling. She has a very expressive face. And when Mrs. Bennet mentions Lidya's marriage, the way he rolls his eyes and looks away is priceless! I could go on and on..."}, {"response": 550, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (22:40)", "body": "The expression on his face in the scene at Netherfield when they are discussing \"vanity and pride\" is where I really began to take notice of him. Before that I had been watching her because she seemed to me to be the ultimate Lizzie. He sat there with such a quietness about him, you could see that he was getting madder and madder because he knew she was besting him, but he couldn't let the other people in the room know that she could effect him. There was a tightness about the corner of his mouth and his eyes were giving away his feelings. I sat up and said \"Whoa, this guy is really some kind of actor, who is he anyway.\" When he walked back to Rosings and Col F. Says, \"Darcy where have you been (or something like that) he looks like he's aged ten years when he answers him. How did he do that?"}, {"response": 551, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (22:55)", "body": "The whole entire movie is incredible, but I scarsely see anything but him each time I run through it. He is so enchanting and captivating and....on and on..."}, {"response": 552, "author": "livamago", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 1999 (08:19)", "body": "Lucie: The expression on his face in the scene at Netherfield when they are discussing \"vanity and pride\" is where I really began to take notice of him This scene is great, but when I fell for him was at Lucas Lodge, when he smiles as he looks at Lizzy and Miss Bingley walks away! When he walked back to Rosings and Col F. Says, \"Darcy where have you been (or something like that) he looks like he's aged ten years when he answers him. How did he do that? I love the way he reacts when the voice over of Lizzy's voice comes to the part about not being a gentleman. He really shows that this the part that stings the most, as he tells her when she accepts him. I still cannot believe that he didn't win best actor at the Bafta's and that the series did not win either. Must have been some jelous people there! The book \"The making of Emma\" had a copy of the script by Andrew Davies, and I wonder why they could not include that in the P&P book. I'm sure it was a wond rful screenplay, though of course they left out some important things, and added too much in some scenes (like Wickham telling Lizzy that if things were different he would have chosen her. I think this would have been improper)."}, {"response": 553, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 1999 (11:00)", "body": "Yes, yes, Darcy's been dormant for far too long ;-) (Heide) \"Hey,baby, you're mine.\" ;-) I think of it more as \"it's now or never...\" (Lidya) we see his face with an inscrutable expression Interesting discussion about this! I interpret it as being Lizzy's remembrance of his parting look from the doorway of the inn."}, {"response": 554, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 1999 (12:01)", "body": "Lidya's mention of the Emma screenplay - does anyone know if there was one published for P&P2? I would most assuredly purchase one if such existed!!!"}, {"response": 555, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 1999 (13:48)", "body": "From everything that I've seen, no screenplay was published for the BBC/A&E production. Just the \"Making of\" book. I know, what a blown opportunity."}, {"response": 556, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 1999 (15:38)", "body": "(Lidya)...Netherfield when they are discussing \"vanity and pride\" is where I really began to take notice of him I think that sparring- match is one of the acting high-lights of the film. The dialogue is so difficult...yet they make it sound colloquial.With such subtle facial expressions.He tightens his lips...she rolls her eyes...Wow!you could feel the sexual tension slowly building."}, {"response": 557, "author": "livamago", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 1999 (19:39)", "body": "(Heide)From everything that I've seen, no screenplay was published for the BBC/A&E production I have been looking for the address where I can write the author of the P&P book, to see if I can get them to publish something else. Maybe we can persuade them to come out with scenes left in the editing floor. It is surprising that they have not taken advantage of the popularity of the film...they could make a fortune! (Eileen) I interpret it as being Lizzy's remembrance of his parting look from the doorway of the inn. But she remembers his expression at the inn when she is looking in the mirror...I actually do not like what she says to Jane, because by that time she already knew that she loved him, and her words imply doubt."}, {"response": 558, "author": "livamago", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 1999 (19:40)", "body": "sorry... on the editing floor"}, {"response": 559, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 1999 (19:52)", "body": "(Lidya)..But she remembers his expression at the inn when she is looking in the mirror...I actually do not like what she says to Jane, because by that time she already knew that she loved him, and her words imply doubt. IMO she did not realize she was in love....She had a feeling that she never had before. I think Lizzie, unlike Jane, had never been in love before.."}, {"response": 560, "author": "livamago", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 1999 (20:39)", "body": "(Evelyn) She had a feeling that she never had before. I think Lizzie, unlike Jane, had never been in love before What I do not like is that this part is not in the book, and in it, Elizabeth realizes she is in love around this time. Right after Mr. Gardiner writes with news of Lidya being found, we have this: \"She was humbled, she was grieved; she repented, though she hardly knew of what. She became jealous of his esteem, when she could no longer hope to be benefited by it.\" By having Lizzy say that she does not know why she is sorry she told Mr. Darcy about Lidya, AD makes it sound as if she cannot suffer for the loss of his love, because she does not know she is in love. This is another thing I wish they had shown, how much she feels his apparent indiference when he comes to Longbourn."}, {"response": 561, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 1999 (20:40)", "body": "(Lidya) Is he/.../ longing for her or in pain from having to deal with Wickham? I cannot decide! (Marcia) It is the pain she imagines she has caused him... (Heide)...Finally that work is complete and he has to face his loss again./.../, he has another job to do...winning back Lizzy. *****How about \"all of the above\"??? I suspect he couldn't think ill of her, but the contemplation of having to deal with her family for the rest of his life might help engender such an expression, too!!! :-D ***** (Evelyn) I think we should next discuss the expression Darcy's wearing as he gives Lizzy that long look at Longbourn before they all go out walking. /.../ so whatever could he be thinking there? \"Hey, baby, you're mine.\" ;-) *****The intensity of that expression was, to me a mix of looking for the answer to that most all-important of Questions: \"Is there any love for me there?\" and the determination that -- if it is at all possible -- If it wasn't there, he was bound and determined to PUT it there!! :-) (By the way, I was always of the opinion that his declaration that he'd never speak of this again if she still said no, was merely a figure of speech meant to allay any fears she might have for being honest with him. I suspect he'd go back on it, if necessary...I think he would NEVER give up the pursuit, especially if the memory of that look she bathed him with at Pemberley was ever remembered!! ;-D)"}, {"response": 562, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 1999 (20:56)", "body": "(Lidya) Is he/.../ longing for her or in pain from having to deal with Wickham? I cannot decide! (Marcia) It is the pain she imagines she has caused him ... (Heide) ...he has to face his loss again. /.../he has another job to do...winning back Lizzy. How about \"Al of the Above\"?? ;-D (He can't think ill of Lizzy but he can of her family...contemplating that he'd have to deal with them for the rest of his life also might engender such an expression! (Heide)..the expression Darcy's wearing as he gives Lizzy that long look at Longbourn before they all go out walking. We know that wasn't Lizzy's imagination so whatever could he be thinking there? \"Hey, baby, you're mine.\" ;-) I believe that intense look was a mixture of that all-important Question:\" Is there any love for me there\" combined with the determination that if it isn't there now, he'll PUT it there, come what may!! :-) (By the way, I was always of the opinion that his promise to Lizzie of never speaking of it again if she still didn't want him, was merely a figure of speech meant to allay any fears she might have of speaking honestly. I fully believe he would go back on it, if necessary...he'd NEVER stop the pursui ...especially when he remembered that look she bathed him with at Pemberley...!!! ;-D)"}, {"response": 563, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 1999 (20:57)", "body": "test"}, {"response": 564, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 1999 (20:59)", "body": "test Sorry.!!"}, {"response": 565, "author": "livamago", "date": "Tue, Aug  3, 1999 (09:02)", "body": "(KJArt) I think he would NEVER give up the pursuit, I don't know...when I remember that he would really not have considered speaking again if she had not come to Pemberley, I wonder if they had met again at all. He would not have come to Netherfield again, I think. Even the last sentence in the book says that they were grateful to the Gardiners who had been the means of uniting them by bringing her into Derbyshire...I shudder to think of how differently Jane Austen could have ended the book. I am grateful she disliked drama and unhappy endings."}, {"response": 566, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Aug  3, 1999 (12:30)", "body": "(Lidya) But she remembers his expression at the inn when she is looking in the mirror... Isn't he talking when Lizzy imagines him in the mirror? Oh, well, I suppose I'll just have to watch it again! Regardless, to answer your original question, I think the image exists in Lizzy's imagination. (Lidya)...writes with news of Lidya being found...sorry she told Mr. Darcy about Lidya Freudian slip, Lidya? Or is it Lydia? heehee :-P By having Lizzy say that she does not know why she is sorry she told Mr. Darcy about Lidya, AD makes it sound as if she cannot suffer for the loss of his love, because she does not know she is in love. Above all, she wants to keep her feelings to herself. In both the book and the series, Lizzy doesn't tell Jane, her most beloved sister and confidant, that she's changed her mind about Darcy. It all goes to building suspense as to whether or not these two lovebirds will get together in the end."}, {"response": 567, "author": "livamago", "date": "Tue, Aug  3, 1999 (16:33)", "body": "Eileen: Freudian slip, Lidya? Or is it Lydia? heehee :-P Too funny! I did not even notice! anyway, I have an article that says that the name Lydia was popularized by Lydia Languish in Sheridan's play The Rivals. Mine is Lidya, but even though the character is not one I wish to emulate, I'm glad my name appears in JA's writing."}, {"response": 568, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (16:33)", "body": "Someone...was it Lydia or Lynda??..wanted to write to BBC and request they publish the P&P Screenplay. Here's an address that they gave me for such requests: (Artist's Name & program)...Andrew Davies, P&P BBC Information BBC Television Centre London W12 7RJ United Kingdom"}, {"response": 569, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (17:03)", "body": "We're not the only ones Droolin' after Mr. Darcy!!! This was posted on Virtual Views.... Re: BEDROOMS & HALLWAYS \"It's a small budget UK film (comedy) about a couple of gay guys living in London trying to sort their lives out. One of them goes to a Mens Group (hysterical!) led by Simon Callow (aka Mr Beebe from ARWAV), and falls in love with one of the (straight) participants....it's very complicated, but very funny (though people's sexual orientations are somewhat flexible, and you may find this hard to deal with) The JA connections are several: Jennifer Ehle has a fairly major role in the movie, as does Harriet Walters (think nose-pulling and S&S). But the funniest connection is that the lead character is recommended P&P as bedtime reading to take his mind off sex... and off course it has exactly the opposite effect, with the object of his desire turning up in his dream as.....Mr Darcy. ;-)"}, {"response": 570, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (19:12)", "body": "Wonder who personifies his Mr. Darcy. Funny, Evelyn. We were talking about Darcy gazes and the meaning behind them. Excuse me, our interpretation of the meaning behind them. ;-) One of my favorites is the scene when he returns to Longbourn with Bingley (He's here! He has come at last!) Darcy walks in, stands silently while the niceties are exchanged and we see his eyes slide over to Lizzie for just a moment. She is looking sideways at him too. He quickly looks away. We know he says he's there for Bingley's sake to check out Jane and see if she is indeed in love with B. But we know better. He tries not to look at Lizzie but can't help himself. He looks away quickly because he sees she caught him in the act. His second sideways glance in that scene is a bit later. But to me, it looks like he's looking at Jane though Lizzie is desperately trying to catch his eye."}, {"response": 571, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (21:00)", "body": "(Karen)I fully believe he would go back on [his promise to never speak of it], if necessary...he'd NEVER stop the pursuit...especially when he remembered that look she bathed him with at Pemberley...!!! ;-D) (Lidya)...he would really not have considered speaking again if she had not come to Pemberley, I wonder if they had met again at all. He would not have come to Netherfield again, I think. Perhaps we've got our statements mixed up. I was referring to the final proposal when he said, \"*My* affections and wishes are unchanged; but one word from you will silence me on this subject forever\" It is this promise I think he would go back on if she hadn't accepted him then and there. You seem to be speaking of his feelings BEFORE he met her again at Pemberly, but when he had said the above, a lot of things had changed: a) He has encountered her in Derbyshire and impressed her with his *improved* manners. b) He has introduced her to his sister, and they like each other very much c) He has cleared up the Lydia mess, which would have been a barrier to any further dealings with her if left as it had been. d) He has heard a long harangue from dear Aunt Catherine, complaining that she has to gall to refuse to promise not to get engaged to him, and, e) Bingley's marriage is forthcoming. That single event alone must bring them back together, and chances are good that they would encounter each other often via the Bingley-connection. That is why I say that even if she had demured at that time or expressed reluctance, they were on much better footing than before, and he'd be a fool not to persist...he's no dummy...he can read the signs! ;-D"}, {"response": 572, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (08:47)", "body": "(Heide) One of my favorites is the scene when he returns to Longbourn with Bingley (He's here! He has come at last!) Good one! When Kitty announces Bingley's arrival and adds \"who's that with him? It's that tall, proud man...' [or something like that] I recall saying \"yesss!\" to myself during my first viewing (I had never read the book). By this point I was dying for these two to get together. The glances are a riot (esp. when Mrs. B pipes up about Lydia's wedding announcement and Darcy rolls his eyes). Another telling moment is when Lizzy's voice cracks as she asks Bingley how long he plans to stay in the neighbor ood. Yes, KJ, you and Lidya are addressing two different matters. The question of what would have happened if Lizzy had never gone to Derbyshire is a good one. Their meeting at Pemberley forms the basis for the remainder of the story. (KJ)That is why I say that even if she had demured at that time or expressed reluctance, they were on much better footing than before, and he'd be a fool not to persist...he's no dummy...he can read the signs! ;-D To me, he was being like a good trial lawyer--never ask a question to which you don't already know the answer. He had to know her feelings had changed. I think he was being polite in adding that last bit. I do agree with you in that if she had been reluctant or unready, he wouldn't back off."}, {"response": 573, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (09:43)", "body": "(Evelyn) Re: BEDROOMS & HALLWAYS ... and off course it has exactly the opposite effect, with the object of his desire turning up in his dream as.....Mr Darcy. ;-) (Heide) Wonder who personifies his Mr. Darcy. Funny, Evelyn. Funny? What do you mean, funny? I say, LOLing funny! :-)I must see this film!"}, {"response": 574, "author": "livamago", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (09:52)", "body": "(Evelyn) Someone...was it Lydia or Lynda??..wanted to write to BBC Lidya was the one...thank you for the address Evelyn. (KJArt) I was referring to the final proposal whe he says \"one word from you will silence me on this subject forever\". You seem to be speaking of his feelings BEFORE he met her again at Pemberly. Well, I knew I had managed to jumble my message and not express myself clearly, but I pressed the submit button too quickly. I did understand that you were speaking of what he would do after the second proposal, but what I meant to say was that considering that he would not have spoken again if he had not met her at Pemberley, I doubt he would have pursued her if she had refused him a second time. It seems to me that it was unusual for a man to propose a second time, let alone a third, and I think it was matter of honor to either accept or refuse a man. Jane Austen herself backed out of an engagement, and she was staying in the man's home at the time, but left immediately and under great distress. Also Capt. Wentworth from Persuasion, when he meets Anne Elliot again after their break-up, hardly speaks to her. From all that Darcy says to Elizabeth after they become engaged, I think that if Lady Catherine had not given him (unintentionally, of course) the hope of being accepted, he would not have spoken th n. He said to her that he wanted to judge if he could ever make her love him, so I do think he would have courted her, but I don't think he would have asked her had he not thought she would accept him. they were on much better footing than before, and he'd be a fool not to persist...he's no dummy...he can read the signs! I think that because he can read the signs, he asked her again, and, having read all these signs, it would be totally contradictory if Elizabeth had refused him. (Heide) We know he says he's there for Bingley's sake to check out Jane and see if she is indeed in love with B. I've always wondered why he could not trust Elizabeth's word on this. Does he not think that she would know her sister better than he could? He says to her that he became convinced of Jane's affection for Bingley, and when Elizabeth asks him whether it was from his own observations or her words to him, he says that it was from what he had seen. Maybe it is the effect of 200 years past that makes uncomfortable with this, but I think he should have considered Lizzy's opinion on this matter, and not needed h s own judgement to validate it."}, {"response": 575, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (17:35)", "body": "I am always confused by his \"aloofness\" to Lizzie when he returns to Longbourne with Bingley.(Hey, I'm not trashing those smoldering looks!) I love the vulnerability on Lizzie's face; she seems so hopeful...her voice qivering .It's contradictory to his tender behavior at Lambton and the beguiling smile she gives him at Pemberley.Why come back and act as if he just came from Rosings? ..... (Lidya)I think that if Lady Catherine had not given him (unintentionally, of course) the hope of being accepted, he would not have spoken then Has he forgotten the tender moments they shared at Derbyshire? Or is he contemplating the 2nd proposal and afraid of rejection again. He can't be that thick."}, {"response": 576, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (17:49)", "body": "(Evelyn) I am always confused by his \"aloofness\" to Lizzie when he returns to Longbourne with Bingley. And this is where one of my favorite lines from the book comes in. I fear I shall make a hash of it but after their engagement Lizzy asks Darcy why he barely spoke to her when he returned to Longbourn with Bingley. He says, \"A man who had felt less might have (spoken more).\" Even with all the signs, he was tentative and possibly afraid of making an ass of himself by presuming too much."}, {"response": 577, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (20:49)", "body": "IHeide) Even with all the signs, he was tentative and possibly afraid of making an ass of himself by presuming too much. Oh yes, indubitably torn...nothing blatant was being shown by either of them for fear that they were misinterpreting the signs. But Darcy kind of gets them both off the hook when he finally broaches the subject: You'll notice that he doesn't *actually* ask her to marry him a second time -- just asks about her feelings...it's Lizzy's reply (in the book, not specified) that makes him sure of what she really wants...thus his relieved and pleased reaction."}, {"response": 578, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (08:39)", "body": "K J, I think you got it right. He did ask about her feelings. The first time it had not ocurred to him that she might say no, so he must be afraid that he was wrong again this time."}, {"response": 579, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (14:56)", "body": "\"Elizabeth feeling all the more than common awkwardness and anxiety of his situation, now forced herself to speak; and immediately, though not very fluently, gave him to understand, that her sentiments had undergone so material a change , since the period to which he alluded, as to make her receive with gratitude and pleasure, his present assurances .\" That seems specified enough. :-)"}, {"response": 580, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (09:50)", "body": "Arami, there is such a thing as misunderstanding, or shall we say, information lost in the communication process? :-)"}, {"response": 581, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (14:53)", "body": "? I trust old Jane's instinct. I'm sure there was no misunderstanding. Unless I lost some information in the process, that is :-)"}, {"response": 582, "author": "livamago", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (09:50)", "body": "*sigh*... I could not contain myself and had to post this picture..."}, {"response": 583, "author": "livamago", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (09:51)", "body": "oops...how did that happen? sorry, Mr. Darcy."}, {"response": 584, "author": "livamago", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (10:32)", "body": "My apologies. Has anyone noticed how he lowers his eyes to her bosom in this scene? I nearly fainted... I guess it is obvious that Darcy is my favorite CF role. I despair of seeing MLSF for several months, so despite the good amount of drooling to be had in that movie, from what I've heard, I will reserve my judgement on that score."}, {"response": 585, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (12:55)", "body": "Thanks a lot Lidya, that pic made my day!"}, {"response": 586, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (13:25)", "body": "...and was immediately set up as my wallpaper!:-)"}, {"response": 587, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (15:08)", "body": "Thanks Lydya. I also saved it for low moments."}, {"response": 588, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (17:38)", "body": "Yum, yum! Thanks, Lidya."}, {"response": 589, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (19:54)", "body": "Achingly beautiful. Thanks also, Lidya. Yes, that scene is not complete for me until he lowers his eyes for just a fraction of a second. Couldn't help himself, could he? Heck, they're practically presented to him on a silver platter and he's been such a gentleman."}, {"response": 590, "author": "livamago", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (20:19)", "body": "(Heide) Heck, they're practically presented to him on a silver platter and he's been such a gentleman. I wonder sometimes how they could all keep a straight face! Emma Thompson said that all the crew members in S&S were always ogling her because she was so exposed. She has nothing compared to our Lizzy, of course. Colin must have had a handful while he dated JE... and so did she (uhmmm in the Lydia & Kitty style)!"}, {"response": 591, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (20:29)", "body": "(Lidya)Colin must have had a handful while he dated JE... LoL, Dear! You had to say it like that? His hands must have runneth over from the comparative size of things...and we all know that size matters..."}, {"response": 592, "author": "livamago", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (20:35)", "body": "Make that two handfuls, my dear!"}, {"response": 593, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 1999 (20:22)", "body": "This is at Heide's request....From Meluchie's website; Courtesy of Lyda....who practiced with me on #61. THE MOST BEAUTIFUL NEWLYWEDS EVER"}, {"response": 594, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 1999 (20:28)", "body": "*sigh*"}, {"response": 595, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 1999 (20:29)", "body": "Eureka!!!I DID IT!! ***** Don't you love the way they have their eyes closed.Where did I read that it took 30 takes (what a bummer!!). Apparently, the carriage , the horses, the driver and the newlyweds all had to be in sync. **sigh** ****** Hey gang...this pic is my desktop wallpaper....you'd be surprised what a buzz it gives you every time you log on :-))"}, {"response": 596, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (11:24)", "body": "Evelyn, you have made my morning! :) Thank you for that lovely, lovely pic!"}, {"response": 597, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (19:39)", "body": "Lovely photo and I'm glad you posted it. But what about that one of them walking toward the carriage? You know, where he's not wearing his hat. I LOVE that photo! C'mon, Eveln, how about a bit more practice? Not that you need it."}, {"response": 598, "author": "livamago", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (20:06)", "body": "Oh Evelyn...this picture sends shivers all over me! I love the way they look at each other just before they decide to go for it...*sigh*... (Heide)But what about that one of them walking toward the carriage? And what about the one in which she is touching his tigh??? I just love that little possessive touch (Hands off, droolers!)...and here it is...(I hope)"}, {"response": 599, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 1999 (09:36)", "body": "( Lidya)And what about the one in which she is touching his thigh??? I just love that little possessive touch Yeah. I love that one too. However,in the film the carriage was giving a jerk and she braced herself by touching his thigh....but I like to think it was a figure of endearment...and at that point in their real lives it probably was. *Sigh*"}, {"response": 600, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 1999 (09:46)", "body": "(Heide) But what about that one of them walking toward the carriage? You know, where he's not wearing his hat. I LOVE that photo Here it is...comin' up( I hope )"}, {"response": 601, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 1999 (09:47)", "body": "Why does he look as if he's gonna start crying???"}, {"response": 602, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 1999 (10:23)", "body": "LOL! it's true -it looks like the man is in a great deal of pain. Thanks for the pics everyone- they're wonderful!! :)"}, {"response": 603, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 1999 (15:32)", "body": "Maybe there's somethin about weddings that he doesn't like...."}, {"response": 604, "author": "livamago", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 1999 (20:01)", "body": "(Evelyn) Why does he look as if he's gonna start crying??? Too much emotion, perhaps? I cannot stand the other photo, though. I wish him happy by all means, but cannot forgive him his marriage...grrr (I would, on the other hand, have loved it if he and Jennifer had married and lived happily ever after!). Do not even get me started on that subject!"}, {"response": 605, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (02:09)", "body": "(Lidya)Do not even get me started on that subject! I feel tempted to say something about this because I never did before. Honestly, I was shocked when I heard he was going to marry and found it very difficult to accept when it happened. Tried to forget him, without success! And I still can\ufffdt look at his wedding photos without my heart bleeding."}, {"response": 606, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (05:15)", "body": "There, I said it! There\ufffds nothing like blurting out one\ufffds most illogical, irrational and unfair emotions sometimes!! :-)"}, {"response": 607, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (07:32)", "body": "Evelyn, thank you for the wedding picture of Lizzie and the hatless Darcy. I have never seen it before; where did it come from? Please, please don't say it came from the series; I know I'm not very observant, but... I watched some of P&P last night (inspired by this fresh drooling). Having seen so many other CF films and now MLSF, I am struck by how different he is as Darcy, and it's more than the makeup and hair dye. And after so many viewings, I still can't get over how different he looks from scene to scene."}, {"response": 608, "author": "livamago", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (09:38)", "body": "(Elena) There\ufffds nothing like blurting out one\ufffds most illogical, irrational and unfair emotions sometimes!! :-) But I think in this place your feelings are the most rational and logical! I agree with you...I try not to think about it, it puts me in a bad mood."}, {"response": 609, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (10:59)", "body": "Well, now...we all have to come to grips with reality,sometimes...and after all It's Mr. Darcy who is our hero and he will always belong to each and every one of us for evah and evah!! (Lidya)I would, on the other hand, have loved it if he and Jennifer had married and lived happily ever after!) LOL..well, that's because each one of us is \"Lizzie\" in P&P...and we feel betrayed.We get a lot of mail from guys who have crushes on \"Lizzie\"... Ironically, most of them do not like Colin ...you should hear what they call him!! But in real life it would not have worked between them...for starers, they are v. much alike.Had they married, they would have gone to live in a cave in the Hebrides!! (Lynda)Lizzie and the hatless Darcy. I have never seen it before; where did it come from? I dragged it over from Jennifer's website under the P&P segment. But I am sure Meluchie's FOF website has it. I'm gonna post this on 119 also, but she has recently reorganized the photo webpage and it's terrific...new format. **** (Elena)There, I said it! There\ufffds nothing like blurting out one\ufffds most illogical, irrational and unfair emotions sometimes!! :-) And I'm glad you did...this is the place ..with all your kindred souls.:-)"}, {"response": 610, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 1999 (21:16)", "body": "I wish I could read lips. In the last scene just before he kisses her he says something but I can't tell what. I took my back up tape up to Ketchikan so my daughter in law could see it and guess what. I am back in Florida and it is still in Alaska. I got up one night and went down stairs and there was Michael watching it again. He said \"Hi Mon, I couldn't sleep so I thought I would get up and watch Lizzie and Darcy get together at last."}, {"response": 611, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 1999 (22:26)", "body": "Wow, you really did something right with him. A guy actually watching it by hinself. Had good Mom!!!"}, {"response": 612, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 1999 (22:34)", "body": "...and all this while I thought the painful expression was due to her not yet having relieved his suffering...?!"}, {"response": 613, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Aug 21, 1999 (09:11)", "body": "painful expression was due to her not yet having relieved his suffering...?! LOL, Marcia! And in that case, he's wearing that pained expression in the whole scene after the wedding, at least until he gets some relief with the kiss. Watch it again! I did last night. I love the picture Evelyn posted because it's hatless. I suppose it wouldn't be proper for him to be without it but I so wish a gust of wind had come and blown it off his head so we could see more of those curls. Ditto for the proposal scene. I confess in some scenes I think his face looks scrunched under that smokestack on his head."}, {"response": 614, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Aug 21, 1999 (12:19)", "body": "The 16 year old twins watched it at least three times in the two weeks we were there. Good taste, \"Wot\"."}, {"response": 615, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Aug 21, 1999 (13:34)", "body": "Lucie, Good taste, Indeed! Heide, I wish I had been directing his last proposal scene. He would have removed his hat (gentlemen always remove their hats to a lady) and plced it over his heart as he told her that his feelings remained unchanged. It would have been perfect! I shall see how much suffereing she is going to relieve by the end of the night...(getting out the video for some serious study)...What an enchanting thought!"}, {"response": 616, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Aug 23, 1999 (13:45)", "body": "Whoooee, thanks for these pictures, Evelyn! Not to detract from the drooling (as if that's possible), but has anyone else noticed the difference in Darcy's skin tone just above his collar? Go back to post 593 to check it out. It looks as though his makeup was a bit short, since he's leaning over. No matter, they're still the most beautiful newlyweds ever! LOL over the carriage pic from his real wedding (aka \"the tie that took over the world\"). I'm sure he's not smiling because he's too busy trying not to eat his knees. He's folded up like an accordion! I, too was a bit put out by his marriage...but I had to knock myself in the head and say \"For God's sake, I'm married!\" That wasn't the case when I was 13 and in l-u-v with David Cassidy ;-P Marcia, if he had put that hat over his heart in the proposal scene, there wouldn't have been room for Lizzy in the frame. \"Smokestack\" indeed, Heide!"}, {"response": 617, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Aug 23, 1999 (18:23)", "body": "Have been looking at the pics again. Thanks Evelyn. In the one without his hat it looks like he's squinting in the sunlight. That or he has a small case of indigestion."}, {"response": 618, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Aug 24, 1999 (19:28)", "body": "(Eileen)...has anyone else noticed the difference in Darcy's skin tone just above his collar? I had to do a double take on that but found there was a deep shadow cast by bright light (spot or reflector)to his left. Made it look awfully odd. Same problem with a shadow on his neck from the right during the Rosings piano scene. I, too was a bit put out by his marriage.. I must be the exception to the rule. Probably partly due to not being tied into any source of information until almost exactly a year ago, when I discovered the Net (and all else is history), so I missed the wedding by over a year. But I remember my initial feeling upon this discovery was one of relief! What little I knew of him before had had me worried that, at his age, he still apparently hadn't settled with someone who he could depend on and from whom he could derive support. I kept wishing that he would quit running around the world all the time and stay in one place long enough not to be the always-absent boyfriend! :-D.) I was SO glad to discover that he had found someone at last!... and I must admit that his taste in wives is apparently impeccable!! I was and am so happy for him because I wanted that for Colin-the-man more than I can say...(But this does not apply to any attitude I might have had toward Darcy...that was, and is, an entirely different kettle of fish!!) ...But I guess I don't confuse my fantasies with my perception of reality...I really wanted a stable relationship for him in real life. ( I suppose a y lack of jealousy on my part was due to the perfect understanding of the reality that that someone couldn't possibly be me!!). ;-D"}, {"response": 619, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Aug 24, 1999 (20:30)", "body": "Not indigestion...I still say it is the suffering that Lizzie has not yet relieved! And, are they not called \"Stove-pipe Hats?\" That's ok...perhaps he could have held it behind him and talked to her...*sigh*"}, {"response": 620, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Aug 25, 1999 (09:52)", "body": "(KJArt) I must be the exception to the rule...But I remember my initial feeling upon this discovery was one of relief! That makes two of us, my dear. :) I was pleased when i learned of his marriage... perhaps this is due in part to my not having 'a thing' for him, during his single days. Or at least, my not knowing if he was single or not during the early days of my obession... :) Not till i stumbled across Drool did i learn any of the particulars of his life. (Marcia) ...I still say it is the suffering that Lizzie has not yet relieved! Well, if Lizzie cannot do her duty, and relieve his suffering... i am more than prepared to do it for her. ;)"}, {"response": 621, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Aug 25, 1999 (10:58)", "body": "(EsBee)if Lizzie cannot do her duty, and relieve his suffering... i am more than prepared to do it for her. Get in line, Dear!!! My happiness for him on his marriage was also due to my unsuitability as a bride for him, as well. It is uch better than having stuff like Hugh Grant's escapades spread all over the gossip sheets, surely!"}, {"response": 622, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Aug 25, 1999 (11:41)", "body": "(KJArt) But I remember my initial feeling upon this discovery was one of relief...I really wanted a stable relationship for him in real life. This is precisely how I felt once logic took over. When I became aware of his existence (early '97) ODB and Livia were already rumored to be engaged. I was glad to see him settle down instead of sprouting kids all over the world ;-P Seriously (and a bit OT, but what the heck), I was also glad with Livia he put the end to his 'itinerant bachelor' lifestyle. I confess I was always curious as to why he didn't marry Meg when Will was on the way nosey,nosey,nosey . Regardless, I'm v. happy or him and impressed they were able to come to consensus about where to live. It couldn't have been easy constantly jetting from London to Rome to LA and back again (have profits fallen for British Airlines? He must have a bizillion frequent flyer miles!). The apparent decision to spend last year in Italy then settle in London must have meant sacrifice on both parts. Good for them. Now back to Darcy...his multi-colored neck in the kissing scene is quite apparent in the video. (Marcia) perhaps he could have held it behind him and talked to her...*sigh* Ummmm."}, {"response": 623, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Aug 25, 1999 (14:39)", "body": "(Marcia) It is much better than having stuff like Hugh Grant's escapades spread all over the gossip sheets Absolutely. I was in pain when he got married because of pure and genuine JEALOUSY. But actually I\ufffdm very happy for the fact that his personal life is in balance and especially because the wife seems to be a woman with brains."}, {"response": 624, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 25, 1999 (16:53)", "body": ".....especially because the wife seems to be a woman with brains. ....And beauty, n' a pleasant personality, good sense of humor (...\"not always\"),looks gorgeous in all her clothes, wakes up next to ODB everyday ...and I bet she has $$$$ too.... Ya' know what? ... turning green ..I could learn to hate that woman :-D"}, {"response": 625, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Aug 25, 1999 (19:01)", "body": "*lol* It is taking all of my couth lessons to keep my sense of humor about the overly generously gifted and lovely and married-to-our-guy Livia. (Sucking in my gut and sticking out my proud chin in protest that I am so base as to think such things...)"}, {"response": 626, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Aug 25, 1999 (21:15)", "body": "(Evelyn) Ya'know what? ... turning green ...I could learn to hate that woman :-D Not I. I shall be ever grateful to that magnificent woman for getting him off The Weed, if for nothing else!! **Smeerp** hee hee"}, {"response": 627, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Aug 25, 1999 (22:05)", "body": "Oh heavens, YES!!! give the lady credit. She must have had something very special to replace his oral fixation....hmmmmm....;)"}, {"response": 628, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 26, 1999 (10:15)", "body": "I shall be ever grateful to that magnificent woman for getting him off The Weed, I doubt she was the motivating force...since she currently smokes herself."}, {"response": 629, "author": "livamago", "date": "Thu, Aug 26, 1999 (11:28)", "body": "As my dear Lizzy said, (quoting loosely, you understand) my benevolence and good will towards Livia are all done away by seeing you all so full of both! I am sorry to say that I am irrationally jealous of her and cannot but feel cheated...Of course, I wish him happy and I am glad he has found someone he loves enough to have married, but cannot help to wish that his welfare depended upon myself rather than upon anyone else. This is all due to my insane infatuation with him. I am really a sen ible girl..."}, {"response": 630, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Aug 26, 1999 (12:12)", "body": "since she currently smokes herself. She does?? Where did you get that from, Evelyn? This is all due to my insane infatuation with him. I am really a sensible girl Lol! About as insane and sensible as the rest of us it seems. But you can always try to comfort yourself by thinking about the regrettable fact that he didn\ufffdt know you before he married Livia. That\ufffds the essential point.....if he had known you, the story could be quite different!!...:-)"}, {"response": 631, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 26, 1999 (14:24)", "body": "Livia and her friends and Colin's relatives were smoking inside the Donmar (even though it has a no-smoking policy) during the interval. ;-D"}, {"response": 632, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Aug 26, 1999 (14:29)", "body": "I withdraw all approval I heretofore gave to her. Unworthy!"}, {"response": 633, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Aug 26, 1999 (18:47)", "body": "Livia and her friends and Colin's relatives were smoking Sorry for continuing this tangent on Darcy's topic, but I can't resist another question---was she seen smoking or was it assumed in conjunction with that \"not always\" comment? If she is indeed a smoker, I give more credit to Colin for quitting. It must be very hard (unless he kicks her out of the house before she lights up;-))!"}, {"response": 634, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 26, 1999 (19:52)", "body": "....-was she seen smoking or was it assumed in conjunction with that \"not always\" comment? She was seen smoking....and the \"not always\" comment was overheard by a fellow smoker standing next to her.I would bet the motivating force was his son. Young children are adamant about the ramifications of smoking. Get indoctrinated at school."}, {"response": 635, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Aug 26, 1999 (21:19)", "body": "REALLY?? HORRORS!!! So THAT'S why he has been taking back-to-back projects all the time ... to escape the temptation to resume the wicked habit at home!! Then I am doubly impressed at his quitting and sticking with it!! Let's hope HE converts HER, then! 8-D That's what I get for making assumptions"}, {"response": 636, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (00:36)", "body": "(Evelyn) I would bet the motivating force was his son. Actually I always assumed that he quit smoking simply because of his job. Heavy smoking affects one\ufffds looks and voice. You know, premature ageing, unclear skin, wrinkles, stuffed voice and bad condition in general. Karen, I didn\ufffdt know that the Italian crowd was smoking in the Donmar. Poor Colin, it\ufffds terrible to have a smoker in the house when one tries to get rid of the habit."}, {"response": 637, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (03:51)", "body": "(Evelyn) I would bet the motivating force was his son. I bet the motivating factor was the heavy weighting of life assurance companies against smokers. He is bound to have taken out further policies because of house buying, new responsibilities etc. and looking at the actuarial consequencies of being a smoker may have finally given him the strength to give up. \"An old enemy\" was what he called his habit, so he must have tried before."}, {"response": 638, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (10:37)", "body": "(KJArt) That's what I get for making assumptions You weren't alone--I made the same assumption, likely comparing it to my own situation. My DH smoked for more than 20 years before we started dating. He quit because of me. Must have been that gas mask I wore whenever we went out :-D Whatever his reasons for quitting, I am exceeding glad he did and hope he meets his goal to keep off the *&%$ things. An old enemy, indeed!"}, {"response": 639, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (12:49)", "body": "Just throwing this one in OT.... Jennifer quit smoking last year too! She had one relapse that she confessed to...the day she moved into her new flat at the beginning of the year...said she smoked a pack one after the other.... But is clean now. I noticed in TRT others in the cast smoked onstage but she didn't despite the fact that the written play gave directions for Annie (JE) to smoke. Colin didn't smoke in 3 DOR either even though Mr. Greenberg had Walker smoking"}, {"response": 640, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (13:05)", "body": "Although it shocks me to see the sudden psychological violence to which smokers are being subjected in countries like the US and Canada, I am a nonsmoker and love it when someone quits. My DH quit too and kissing him is so much pleasanter since! ;-)"}, {"response": 641, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (16:19)", "body": "Someone posted this on the RoP, P&P board. \"....has anyone noticed that in PP2 Darcy looks out windows frequently? I don't know if this was done on purpose, or just an interesting coincidence. It seems to be saying that Darcy longs to break free of his confined world and emotions\" *** \"....And did you notice, then, that at Pemberley, Lizzy looks out a window? She's thinking of being \"trapped\" by a certain someone...or remembering Netherfield?\" ******* Well, what do you think? Was this a coincidence or was Andrew Davies trying to convey something about their subliminal feelings?"}, {"response": 642, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (16:36)", "body": "I will not let this ruin my opinion of Livia's other virtues and really good effect she seems to have on him and the great affection he seems to have for her. Mustn't throw stones ... lived in a glass house nearly thirty years before succeeding (didn't really try before ...), so Colin's record is probably much better than mine ... and she's still young and inclined toward the immortality theory, I'm sure. At that age they still are."}, {"response": 643, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Aug 28, 1999 (11:16)", "body": "Re: Windows - It seems to be saying that Darcy longs to break free of his confined world and emotions\" I like that idea, Evelyn. Is there a more self-contained creature than Darcy in P&P? (For myself, I prefer to use the film rather than the book for drool discussions.) The few times he does let his emotions get the best of him, it shocks us and everyone around him - Lizzy is shocked by his proposal, Caroline is shocked by his \"Wot?\" outburst. I like the idea of him wanting to brek free of his self imposed restraints and find the window symbol apropos. Of course, he could just like looking at his refl ction in the window (as in the mirror scenes). that at Pemberley, Lizzy looks out a window? She's thinking of being \"trapped\" by a certain someone...or remembering Netherfield?\" Can't say I buy this. Lizzy has no need for the tight restraints on her character. I don't think Darcy ever made her feel trapped. Perhaps conflicted and confused. If Davies meant to convey that, it doesn't work for me in Lizzy's case but I do think the meaning behind the window gazing by Darcy is quite clear. BTW, the Garson/Olivier P&P was on TV a few nights back. I only watched a few minutes because it is such an abomination. I mean, the plot twist at the end involving Lady Catherine was horrific and I won't even mention the costumes. Found it funny to see Mary going into a Rare Books Shop . What kind of books would have been rare in 1810? Gutenberg's Bible? (just teasing)"}, {"response": 644, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 28, 1999 (12:06)", "body": "Speaking of Lady Catherine, I was watching \"The Merry War\" last night, which what they renamed \"Keep the Aspidistra Flying\" and Barbara Leigh-Hunt was in it, looking/acting very Lady C as the boarding house owner...more so than as Robert Lawrence's mom. ;-D"}, {"response": 645, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 28, 1999 (14:38)", "body": "...then at Pemberley, Lizzy looks out a window. She's thinking of being \"trapped\" by a certain someone...or remembering Netherfield?\" (Heide)... Lizzy has no need for the tight restraints on her character. I don't think Darcy ever made her feel trapped. Perhaps conflicted and confused. But if you look at Lizzy being confined to her own character by her prejudice against Mr. Darcy...the he did trap her in a way. She has read the letter, listened to Mrs. Reynolds, looks at the portrait of this genuine man...then goes to the window.I can see where the window could be symbolic of wanting to break out of her current thinking. Of course, then she meets him by the lake ...and the rest is history:-)"}, {"response": 646, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Aug 28, 1999 (18:10)", "body": "Lizzy looks out a window? She's thinking of being \"trapped\" by a certain someone... But if you look at Lizzy being confined to her own character by her prejudice against Mr. Darcy...the he did trap her in a way. Or you could look at it this way.... she has trapped herself by her violent prejudice of the man and realization is setting in? Still not sure if I buy it though. She hasn't even been overcome yet by the wet shirt and I don't think she faces her prejudice until Lydia runs away. Simply pondering here."}, {"response": 647, "author": "kcjones", "date": "Sun, Aug 29, 1999 (00:13)", "body": "Heide - I totally agree on the Olivier version of P&P...from the opening moments, not only the costumes, but the age of Greer Garson playing \"Lizzie\" was was SUCH a HOOT!!!! It was like a \"middle-aged\" Pride & Prejudice!!! And I'm not being TOTALLY prejudiced, since I turned 40 yrs. old 2 weeks ago!!! Whew!!! I understand from previous conversations \"on-line\" about the craziness of the \"Olivier\" version, the following:The producers were trying to capitolize on the \"Gone With The Wind\" fad, re:costumes (the cinched waists,etc.), but what a difference from MY favorite version, the Colin/Jennifer version!!! Appropriate ages, costumes, etc...!!! The hats in the Olivier version looked like \"Personal Satellite Dishes\", compared to the Colin version!!!!!"}, {"response": 648, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Aug 29, 1999 (17:57)", "body": "I think I will not participate in this conversation...I always feel the need to defend Olivier, when it was the director and producers who should be faulted. (slinking back to Geo unitl the Olivier problems go away.)"}, {"response": 649, "author": "livamago", "date": "Sun, Aug 29, 1999 (18:06)", "body": "(Evelyn) I can see where the window could be symbolic of wanting to break out of her current thinking. I interpret Lizzy looking out of the window at Pemberley as symbolic of her having penetrated Darcy's private world, and looking from the inside instead of being a spectator looking in from the outside. This scene is particularly mentioned in the book, where JA even says that Lizzy moves from window to window, seeing the different views with delight. This gives me the impression that she realizes there are different ways to look at the events that have occurred. Davies was very smart in including this par , and I agree that the symbolism of Darcy gazing out is very sharp. My favorite is when he looks out at the carriage and says, in that wonderful voice of his, \"Quite the contrary, I assure you.\""}, {"response": 650, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Aug 29, 1999 (19:23)", "body": "Absolutely, I agree, Lidya...and I get chills just hearing him in my mind saying it. I will never get past Darcy, I am afraid. Imagine seeing him live in London!!! *Huge Sigh*"}, {"response": 651, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug 29, 1999 (19:32)", "body": ""}, {"response": 652, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Aug 30, 1999 (00:06)", "body": "I agree with you Marcia. In 1947 (or whenever) they didn't know any better. I still contend, after looking at the closing credits, that the movie was in turn an adaptation of a stage play of the period ... it certainly plays like one. And if it's any comfort to the rest of you, Olivier's arm had to be twisted hard to get him to take this part (they had ways in those days ... ). :-)"}, {"response": 653, "author": "kcjones", "date": "Mon, Aug 30, 1999 (00:50)", "body": "MarciaH and everybody...I did not intend to \"diss\" Olivier... in fact, he is QUITE fabulous as Darcy....I was just surprised at the costuming...which obviously he would have had no control over."}, {"response": 654, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Aug 30, 1999 (00:59)", "body": "You mean you did not like the dotted Swiss Chastity Belt masquerading as a hoop skirt on GG??!! LOL, neither did I in that movie!!!"}, {"response": 655, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Aug 30, 1999 (02:50)", "body": "(Marcia)I will never get past Darcy, I am afraid. Imagine seeing him live in London!!! *Huge Sigh* Ah, but we didn't meet Darcy in London, Marcia... We met this excellent actor and very pleasant bloke, Colin Firth..."}, {"response": 656, "author": "susanne", "date": "Tue, Aug 31, 1999 (09:28)", "body": "I could not believe what they did you the P&P story in the O/G version. JA must have been rolling over in her grave. That lame garden party instead of the Netherfiled Ball, the changed ending where Lady Catherine put Lizzy to a test and passed with flying colors which then in turn induced LC to welcome Lizzy into the family-please let's get real. Longbourne looked like it was the town flea market with those birdcages and knick-knacks everywhere. The changes AD made to the CF/JE version are small compared o that version."}, {"response": 657, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Sep  1, 1999 (22:25)", "body": "Paraphrasing ODB, he notes that a great deal of our unhappiness is caused by expectations. I think that is the case here. P&P0, as it's been called, is quite an enjoyable movie, as long as you watch it for what it is, not for what you expect it to be. If you expect it to mirror the efforts of the redoubtable Miss Austen, then you are bound to be disappointed. All Miss Austen did, as far as 40's Hollywood was concerned, was to suggest a premise, and they took it from there, no longer consulting the original. Movies averaged about 70 to 100 minutes at that time, and everything was expected to be wrapped up by then. Un er those constraints, they couldn't possibly deal with all of the plot elements nor wrap them up as neatly and completely as a 5-hr. mini series is able to do. I still watch it on occasion. I simply go along with the new plot line, dialog, etc., and sit back and enjoy some really good performances by the character actors of the day. I savor some especially witty remarks and also some elements of the original that were EXCLUDED from the A&E extravaganza, such as Mrs. Bennett's abrupt about-face in her opinion of Mr. Darcy once she realizes that he is to become her future son-in-law. I was really waiting in hope at the end of P&P2 for that scene to appear, and because I had that expectation, I was very disappointed in it on first exposure. But it grew on me with each new viewing until I \"forgave\" A. Davies for leaving such a savory part of of his version. (Same with Colin's performance ... I was expecting -- [that is, Hoping for] something else, and was not sure I liked this new version of Mr. Darcy. It was only when I took it for what it was, rather than what I wanted it to be, hat I began to appreciate this powerful and subtle performance [I must have -- I'm here aren't I?] ;-D ). Thus, I can appreciate P&P0 for what it is and P&P2 for what it is, which is entirely different. (I can also appreciate P&P1 for what it is, although I'm afraid one can carry this process only so far (Hee hee)). Still, all versions contribute something different. I think of P&P0 as a fluffy H'wood comedy, don't expect it to resemble the original in the least, and watch it again and again on that level with a great deal of enjoyment. And within the context of that story, I think Olivier's performance was wonderful!"}, {"response": 658, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep  2, 1999 (17:23)", "body": "(KJArt)Re: All versions of P&P.. Still, all versions contribute something different. Thank you for an insightful comparison. I shall have to remember that ...not only about P&P , but all remakes."}, {"response": 659, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Sep  2, 1999 (18:13)", "body": "until I \"forgave\" A. Davies for leaving such a savory part of of his version. (Same with Colin's performance ... There's no way of knowing with absolute certainty what was really left out of the script itself. Some portion of the shot material must have ended on the cutting room floor. While blaming A. Davies for missing scenes and criticizing actors for apparently failing to enact something, do not forget that the final say was with the director, script and film editors, and - above all - the producers."}, {"response": 660, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Sep  2, 1999 (21:23)", "body": "...And after that, a good perspective on my own prejudices. I think that is one great value of #98 -- it forces you to confront your own prejudices and expectations that you employ while viewing a work. These really do alter perception. Often we will \"remember\" a detail in a particular movie which was not there at all, but which we *wanted* to be there. :-D"}, {"response": 661, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  2, 1999 (22:01)", "body": "(KJ) Often we will \"remember\" a detail in a particular movie which was not there at all, but which we *wanted* to be there. :-D And these are not *small* details, are they? ;-D"}, {"response": 662, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Sep  2, 1999 (22:19)", "body": "Well, going by the average level of responses in this group, I would tend to estimate some very extensive imaginations, resulting in substantial detailing, yes. This is an estimate only. ;-D"}, {"response": 663, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Sep  3, 1999 (16:59)", "body": "And of course we are very, very serious and have no ability to differentiate fantasy from reality. ;-) My fantasy of Darcy started as a 13-year old when I first read the book. Colin's portrayal was the only one that has fulfilled it. Couldn't abide P&P0 when I first saw it pre-Colin and I can't abide it now."}, {"response": 664, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Sep  3, 1999 (17:19)", "body": "I hadn't even read the book until I saw the 1995 TV version. I am totally unable to visualize a different Darcy. Correction: I am able to visualize almost anything, but I can only accept Colin Firth as Darcy."}, {"response": 665, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep  3, 1999 (17:44)", "body": "but I can only accept Colin Firth as Darcy. Quite right my dear. I think it's time for another Darcy fix. ;-)"}, {"response": 666, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Sep  3, 1999 (20:15)", "body": "Right - so once again, what's your order of preference? :-)"}, {"response": 667, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep  3, 1999 (20:43)", "body": "Since you asked, PP2 is the best. I have watched PP1 several times as well, but PP0 I don't even consider as P&P. Olivier is Heathcliff, Anthony Andrews(sp?) is Sir Percy(The Scarlet Pimpernel), and Colin Firth is Mr. Darcy. Punto e a capo!"}, {"response": 668, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (07:20)", "body": "Bene! E da capo al fine. So how about the best Darcy moments in PP2 again? In case anyone has doubts... ;-)"}, {"response": 669, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (08:24)", "body": "All?! My list is endless... ;-D (Oh, why does the series have to have all those other people? excepting Lizzy of course)"}, {"response": 670, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (09:14)", "body": "I think a rehash of Darcy moments would be perfect. How about a vote for all-time favorite? (Is that possible?) I submit three now. Add on, anybody and then we can put all entries up for a vote. And if no one submits any, then mine win! Hah! a) gazing at Lizzy playing after the tub scene b) at the piano at Rosings \"You're perfectly right\". c) running into her at Pemberley \"And your parents are in good health?..and all your sisters?\" Just realized that two of the three aren't even in the book. So you can still mess with perfection and come out ahead."}, {"response": 671, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (09:38)", "body": "a) The look when he enters Longbourn before the second proposal. b) The smile when she plays the pianoforte in Pemberley. c) When they first touch hands at the Ball (for the dance). d) When they meet \ufffdOn foot?\ufffd at Netherfield."}, {"response": 672, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (10:03)", "body": "a) Darcy waiting to dance with Lizzy at Netherfield and then his bow. b) Darcy turning to look at Lizzy when the heads part at the ball. c) Darcy leaning his head back in the chair while writing the letter at Rosings. d) The looks of misery on his face as he leaves Hunsford after the rejection and right before he takes the pond plunge (I am a real sucker for Darcy in torment)."}, {"response": 673, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (11:51)", "body": "You guys have picked all the winners. I'll add : a) The look when he tenderly takes her hand at the Lambton Inn. b) When he takes her hand as she leaves Pemberley with the Gardiners...(and the cameras zoom in on the hands....is that erotic, or what!!) (They only **touch** three times in 6 hours....what torment!) c) The look on his face when he goes to visit her at Hunsford and is trying to be so casual and yet so shy....\"you wouldn't want to always live near your family..\""}, {"response": 674, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (12:04)", "body": "And where does the sweaty, disheveled Darcy (post-dueling) who says \"I will conquer this\" rate on your list, Heide? ;-D"}, {"response": 675, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (14:15)", "body": "And the scene when he's talking to Bingley before leaving for London... \"Utterly and completely....\" \"Do you need my blessing?... Then go to it!\" And what about the avenging angel? Wandering through the streets? Knocking on Mrs Younge's door? Have we got them all now?"}, {"response": 676, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (14:40)", "body": "My God!! Ladies!! Omitting the very essence of Darcymania?? How can you?? a) His long-strided return to Pemberly from his little dip. b) the embarrassment when he comes face-to-face with his beloved moments after. c) The \"Pride\" debate at Netherfield. d) his long, analytical stare when she disagrees with him about \"accomplished\" women. e) The look he gives her after complimenting her \"fine eyes\". f) His eyes following her as she walks under his nose after the rejection at the Meryton Ball. And on. And on ..."}, {"response": 677, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (15:49)", "body": "And all the times he rides a horse: a) Racing with Bingley b) Meeting E at Rosings c) Galloping to Pemberley d) Galloping to Lambton e) Arriving at Longbourn with Bingley He rides so well! :-)"}, {"response": 678, "author": "livamago", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (18:34)", "body": "Lord! This is what happens to me when I stay away from Drool, all my favorite moments have been listed!! I shall add this, * Gazing out the window when Lizzy leaves Netherfield. \"Quite the contrary, I assure you.\" * When he stands up to walk away from Mr. Collins at the ball, who ends up staring at his chest. * When he embraces Georgiana and presses her against him (I nearly fainted when I saw that in slow motion!) * \"Every savage can dance\" * \"I should as soon call her mother a wit\" * \"WHAT?\" * The sight of him in knee-high boots and tight breeches at Pemberley. Drooling myself away as I write..."}, {"response": 679, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (18:47)", "body": "Undressing before the swim!"}, {"response": 680, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (18:59)", "body": "And leaning on the mantle, dog at his feet, candle in hand, thinking of Elizabeth after she's left Pemberley."}, {"response": 681, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (19:47)", "body": "And walking down the corridor with the dogs (after reprimanding Miss Bingley) and looking mighty pleased with himself. Ans have we had watching Lizzy from the window after he's taken his bath? Oh, and in the bath... The list is endless!"}, {"response": 682, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (20:09)", "body": "(Moon Dreams) And all the times he rides a horse: ... Agreed ... in this and in every other role he's played involving astride equine transportation! (**SIGH**)"}, {"response": 683, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (20:09)", "body": "OK - here's a difficult one: the LEAST favourite moment?"}, {"response": 684, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (20:24)", "body": "(Arami) ... the LEAST favourite moment? Poor guy ... having to deliver that line: \"May I summon him?\" :-)"}, {"response": 685, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (20:59)", "body": "(Arami) ... the LEAST favourite moment? Every moment in P&P without Darcy (okay, it's a cheap answer, I know). (Moon Dreams) And all the times he rides a horse: (KJArt) ... Agreed ... in this and in every other role he's played involving astride equine transportation! (**SIGH**) This is one of the compelling reasons that ODB simply must do Flashy...he's constantly astride - cantering, trotting, galloping - Arab horses, ponies, mules...and women."}, {"response": 686, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (21:43)", "body": "I know I am out of sync with the above but I think the P&P0 version was made to capitalize on the popularity of Gone With The Wind. Hence the costumes etc. A. I love the scene where he walks around, sits down, gets up, walks around again, taking deep breaths all the time and then proposes to her at Huntsford cottage. b. When he sees Wickham the first time at Meryton, and sits back on his horse and rides stiffly away. C The way he stalks back to Rosings after she refuses him, we can just see his back but you can tell he is mad, frustrated and hurt just by watching him. D The look on his face when he is writing to Lizzie telling her about Wickham and Georgianna. In one scene he has tears in his eyes and shuts them to get rid of the tears. It makes me want to cry for him. E the look on his face as he slams the billard ball into the pocket after she leaves the doorway. The list goes on. I would say every scene he is in would suffice."}, {"response": 687, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (05:43)", "body": "My favourite moments? Well, every one of you have already mentioned. Least favourite? The first ball, when he is so despising of everything around him(although I have acted in the same way, I'm sure)and (stone me) the toothy grin at the end."}, {"response": 688, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (07:06)", "body": "Every moment in P&P without Darcy (okay, it's a cheap answer, I know). That'll do me. Please don't confuse cheapness with honesty! ;-) When he sees Wickham the first time at Meryton, and sits back on his horse and rides stiffly away. Oh, yes! How could I forget! That flash of noble indignation and disgust in his eyes - simply incomparable! The look on his face when he is writing to Lizzie... as he slams the billard ball... every scene he is in...\" Yes, yes, YES!"}, {"response": 689, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (07:07)", "body": "Shhhhhhhhh......t"}, {"response": 690, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (12:56)", "body": "...The look on his face when he is writing to Lizzie telling her about Wickham and Georgianna. Inone scene he has tears in his eyes and shuts them to get rid of the tears. Gee, I'm gonna have to look at this one again..I don't remember those tears. Do you have DVD, Lucie? ***** Least Fave Moment: (Gi)....(stone me) the toothy grin at the end. Ya better duck!! :-D ***** Fave Moment.. (Lucie) (the look on his face as he slams the billard ball into the pocket after she leaves the doorway. Absolutely.....the most erotic moment in the whole thing.... The cue stick....the red ball....WOW...that Andrew Davies is quite a guy!!"}, {"response": 691, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (14:29)", "body": ".I don't remember those tears. No tears, I don't think. He's no cry-baby. Just deeply tormented."}, {"response": 692, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (14:48)", "body": "(Gi) Least favourite? The first ball, when he is so despising of everything around him (although I have acted in the same way, I'm sure) ... Oh, yes. Especially that look of contemptuous amusement at that gaffe made by Mr. Collins with Lizzy ... you just wanted to slap his gloating face!! and (stone me) the toothy grin at the end. Consider yourself stoned ... twice! ;-D . (Lucie) (the look on his face as he slams the billard ball into the pocket after she leaves the doorway. (Evelyn) Absolutely.....the most erotic moment in the whole thing.... Weeelllll..... (Evelyn) ... b) When he takes her hand as she leaves Pemberley with the Gardiners...(and the cameras zoom in on the hands....is that erotic, or what!!) (They only **touch** three times in 6 hours....what torment!) Closer ... closer ..... For me, the most erotic moment was The Look at Pemberley (small) ... Across a crowded room ... Absolutely electrifying!! 8-P~~~~~~~~"}, {"response": 693, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (17:11)", "body": ""}, {"response": 694, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (17:12)", "body": "The hands touching at the Netherfield ball is the most electrifyingly erotic moment for me, followed by the \"wham bam, thank you ma'am, red ball in the side pocket.\" ;-D"}, {"response": 695, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (17:25)", "body": "(Gi)....(stone me) the toothy grin at the end How could you? Gi....Wanna take it back? :-))))"}, {"response": 696, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (20:05)", "body": "No I don't have DVD. My son has it and I dion't like it. I love the look he gives Caroline when she is abusing Lizzie so abominably after she and the Gardiners leave Pemberley. If she had looked at him she might have shut up or choked. Talk about a drop dear dearie look."}, {"response": 697, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (21:34)", "body": "One more try on that picture.....Count Almasy is at it again...could have sworn it came out the first time...."}, {"response": 698, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (21:36)", "body": "sorry...won't work :-("}, {"response": 699, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (22:16)", "body": "Not exactly the same one, Evelyn, but here: What's wrong with this smile? Maybe it's your TV set, Gi. ;-D"}, {"response": 700, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Sep  6, 1999 (02:42)", "body": "Gi, I have to admit I am not a huge fan of the toothy grin either. I found it so shocking the first time I saw the film. He almost looks like a completely different person, not the Darcy of the \"oh-so-subtle smile\" we had come to know and love over the last five hours. But, the big smile look has grown on me over many repeated viewings."}, {"response": 701, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Sep  6, 1999 (10:04)", "body": "Gi and Jana, you're very brave. But now that you mention it, the grin was a bit shocking the very first time. Certainly has grown on me. Wow! The list goes on and on. I'm copying them all, including the \"Worst\" and \"Most Erotic\" if anyone wants to continue. For me the worst was at the Inn in Lambton when Lizzy is telling Darcy the news. He gives a little shudder when she says about Wickham, \"You know him too well to doubt the rest.\" I always avert my eyes when he gives that shudder - it seems out of character to me."}, {"response": 702, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Sep  6, 1999 (13:58)", "body": "Au contraire - the gooey look at the piano, little shudders, the way he reaches out to touch her hand at the inn, all this is glimpses of the real man under the mask he consciously wears in public... the final toothy grin is the surprising moment when that mask finally slips quite openly. Not permanently and for ever, mind you, but just a longer moment of personal relief and happiness."}, {"response": 703, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Sep  6, 1999 (14:00)", "body": "Well, It should really be \"all these are glimpses...\" :-)"}, {"response": 704, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep  6, 1999 (14:10)", "body": "the gooey look at the piano, You call it gooey, I call it yummy."}, {"response": 705, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Sep  6, 1999 (15:25)", "body": "Jana and Heide, thanks for your support... I was getting all bruised <-( And KJ, I really meant the first ball at Meryton, when he comes in as an invited guest, doesn't know anybody in the room yet looks at them so disdainfully. That is when he refuses to dance with Lizzy. I really was disgusted by him then, and it took me a while to forgive and change my feelings for him."}, {"response": 706, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Sep  6, 1999 (19:33)", "body": "As I hadn't yet read the book when I saw him in the first Meryton scene, I was convinced he was bad news and some sort of a dark anti-hero. I expected him to introduce a tragic twist of sorts. And then the black veil gradually lifted... and suddenly I understood... and then I felt elated and happy and completely overwhelmed - just like Lizzy... You call it gooey, I call it yummy. I call it both. It makes me smile back - and fall in love again."}, {"response": 707, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (03:48)", "body": "(Susan Johnson) If you\ufffdre not already swooning, you obviously missed Colin Firth\ufffds sodden Mr Darcy climbing out of the pond I realize now that I must have missed something. Imagine, I\ufffdm swooning although I\ufffdve never seen him climb out of the pond!!.......But does he really CLIMB OUT of it in some of the P&P versions? In the two-pack I managed to buy from Video Plus Direct in 1996 he just jumps into the pond and swims underwater, and next he walks toward Pemberley."}, {"response": 708, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (07:56)", "body": "Same here, Elena. Our six-tape version only shows those scenes. He does rise up out of the bath...but alas and alack, some other bozo (oops, I mean his valet) is standing in the way with a robe. ;-D"}, {"response": 709, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (09:43)", "body": "Susan was taking artistic license, I'm sure. Unless she's psychotic and is confusing wishful thinking and reality! (Karen) some other bozo (oops, I mean his valet) is standing in the way with a robe. ;-D Tee hee! Pity...some things had to be left to our ferTILE imaginations."}, {"response": 710, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (09:58)", "body": "Actually this is not the first time that I read about Colin emerging from the pond with water dripping, or climbing out of it like S. Johnson put it. It\ufffds a bit strange to talk about a scene which doesn\ufffdt exist, isn\ufffdt it! I suppose these people haven\ufffdt actually seen P&P at all."}, {"response": 711, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (10:15)", "body": "Ya know...I must be one of the few for whom the wet shirt did nothing. It made no significant impression insofar as 'getting me going' when I first saw P&P2 and the countless times I've watched since reading about the all the fuss over it. But give me the Pemberley piano scene and the *look* and I'm reduced to mush every time."}, {"response": 712, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (10:38)", "body": "Lol Eileen, the wet shirt really is not the hottest thing in P&P for me either. Who says it is?!?! What\ufffds so sexy about it anyway, compared to *some* other scenes. I have a theory that the whole wet shirt mythology was made up by the press, namely by the male writers. They possibly just couldn\ufffdt see what was it in Darcy that made women so wild and the only explanation seemed to be the wet shirt!"}, {"response": 713, "author": "Xian", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (13:23)", "body": "I think the \"Wet Shirt\" wave was started from that famous Bridge Jones' interview. Did she keep mentioning it and annoyed ODB?"}, {"response": 714, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (13:25)", "body": "I have to agree. The wet shirt was no big deal. Now if he had NO shirt on walking the grounds of Pemberley, well, that would be another story. (You know how men enjoy a wet t-shirt contest.)"}, {"response": 715, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (13:31)", "body": "(Karen) You know how men enjoy a wet t-shirt contest. That\ufffds exactly what I mean (but I wasn\ufffdt quite sure if things like that happen outside Finland. I see that\ufffds universal entertainment!). And poor guys imagine that women must be just as crazy about a person in wet clothing as they are :-)"}, {"response": 716, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (13:41)", "body": "(Elena) but I wasn\ufffdt quite sure if things like that happen outside Finland. I see that\ufffds universal entertainment!. Men have not evolved beyond that level of entertainment worldwide. And poor guys imagine that women must be just as crazy about a person in wet clothing as they are :-) hee hee (Xian) I think the \"Wet Shirt\" wave was started from that famous Bridge Jones' interview. Did she keep mentioning it and annoyed ODB? Oh no, it's the other way around. Helen Fielding used it because it was already such a big thing in the UK. I believe one of the *wet shirts* was auctioned off for charity."}, {"response": 717, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (14:04)", "body": "Well, I sincerely wish that Colin doesn\ufffdt think like men in general in this case!!! =That women liked him as Darcy mainly because of the wet shirt!"}, {"response": 718, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (14:16)", "body": "In Portugal condoms are also called shirts, and so are they in Brazil:-)"}, {"response": 719, "author": "Xian", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (14:34)", "body": "(Elena) Well, I sincerely wish that Colin doesn\ufffdt think like men in general in this case!!! =That women liked him as Darcy mainly because of the wet shirt! Colin did talk about it on the third week's TV Guide in UK. This is what he said: \"I wore football shorts in Fever Pitch and a codpiece in Shakespeare in Love, but all everyone remembers is a white linen shirt!\"."}, {"response": 720, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (15:03)", "body": "but all everyone remembers is a white linen shirt!\". Hey, was that Darcy's, Valmount's or the Advocate's? Gi, thanks for sharing that wet tid-bit. ;-)"}, {"response": 721, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (18:01)", "body": "(Eileen) Ya know...I must be one of the few for whom the wet shirt did nothing. I didn't particularly notice it (or the tight breeches) until I went on-line and read all of the media comments. What impressed me the most was Darcy's expressions of misery before the dive and embarrassment upon meeting Lizzy afterwards and the wrenching vulnerability with which CF so quietly yet powerfully invested the character in that scene."}, {"response": 722, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (19:51)", "body": "(Lynda)....embarrassment upon meeting Lizzy afterwards and the wrenching vulnerability with which CF so quietly yet powerfully invested the character in that scene. I'm going to give Lizzy a little credit on that scene...because I think they both had to play it in sync for the scene to turn out so well. Let's face it...it wasn't a monologue:-)"}, {"response": 723, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (20:20)", "body": "The wet shirt has become so symbolic of his sex appeal now. It's a universal point of reference for all his fans, isn't it? Don't we all pick out the wet shirt scenes now? Even in Three Days of Rain. So maybe we were led by the nose by the media's fascination with it but I kind of like it. Better than a bare chest and rippling muscles."}, {"response": 724, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (21:51)", "body": "(Elena) Actually this is not the first time that I read about Colin emerging from the pond with water dripping, or climbing out of it like S. Johnson put it. It\ufffds a bit strange to talk about a scene which doesn\ufffdt exist, isn\ufffdt it! I suppose these people haven\ufffdt actually seen P&P at all. Oh, I daresay they did. It just illustrates beautifully the point I made awhile back at 660,to wit: (KJ) Often we will \"remember\" a detail in a particular movie which was not there at all, but which we *wanted* to be there. :-D And considering the repercussions of this particular but seemingly universal invention, Karen's remark was so apt: (Karen) And these are not *small* details, are they? ;-D Yes, and also, it seems, long-lasting! ;-D"}, {"response": 725, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (22:10)", "body": "(Eileen) Ya know...I must be one of the few for whom the wet shirt did nothing. / ... / But give me the Pemberley piano scene and the *look* and I'm reduced to mush every time. I'm 100% with you on this one, Eileen!! I think the exaggerated effect of the wet shirt was because it represented a rare \"unbuttoned\" moment in an otherwise tightly controlled and \"buttoned-up\" culture ... it was not only a revelation, but a relief! :-) I remember showing a set of stills taken from the tape to a girlfriend of mine. It represented only a small portion of that movie right around the end of episode 3 and the beginning of 4. I watched her go through them with a quizzical expression on her face which expressed louder than words the opinion:'I just don't get what you see in this bloke!' ... until she came to a shot of The Look. All was revealed! The response: \"oh, yeh!\" (hee hee) She saw the light. But not in the wet shirt!!"}, {"response": 726, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (04:41)", "body": "(KJ)a rare \"unbuttoned\" moment Quite right m\ufffddear! That is what makes the scene important, not the wetness exactly. Darcy is vulnerable and human all of a sudden, we see his bare skin and can imagine what it feels like to walk in a wet shirt in a summer breeze. He looks like any fresh, young and lovable man with damp hair and not like the proud, disagreeable man with ten thousand a year. To come to think of it, every time I see this part of the film I can almost sense the smell of the grass, the horse, leather etc.! Proves something about the sensual effect of the scene."}, {"response": 727, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (09:26)", "body": "(Elena) And poor guys imagine that women must be just as crazy about a person in wet clothing as they are :-) Sad, but true! Well said. \"I wore football shorts in Fever Pitch and a codpiece in Shakespeare in Love, but all everyone remembers is a white linen shirt!\". I remember this quote, Xian. The press' persistent recollection of Darcy at the expense of all his other work must bug the cr*p out of ODB. Which is why I think he won't do Mark Darcy. Oops, wouldn't do to bring that up on this topic. (KJArt) the exaggerated effect of the wet shirt was because it represented a rare \"unbuttoned\" moment in an otherwise tightly controlled and \"buttoned-up\" culture Good insight. (KJArt)I remember showing a set of stills taken from the tape to a girlfriend of mine That's pretty much how it went with me, although I wasn't watching Darcy in particular (the first time I saw P&P2, that is). I was totally absorbed by the story until the *look*. After that, it was Colin first, story second. *Sigh* Life hasn't been the same since! (Elena)To come to think of it, every time I see this part of the film I can almost sense the smell of the grass, the horse, leather etc.! Ahh, yes. I'm gonna have to watch this again (right after I see Another Country, freshly taped this morning)."}, {"response": 728, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (10:08)", "body": "My favourite shirt scene is not the wet one, but the letter-writing after the first proposal. Does he look gorgeous when he lays back and exposes that neck any vampire would die for! ;-)"}, {"response": 729, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (12:28)", "body": "(Gi) exposes that neck any vampire would die for! ;-) LOL! Oh yes, yes, YES!! There\ufffds absolutely enough vampire in me to appreciate that sight, I assure you. Actually this is among the top five Darcy moments..."}, {"response": 730, "author": "Xian", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (14:06)", "body": "Elena, Can you tell me what are the top five Darcy moments? Where have they been voted ?"}, {"response": 731, "author": "nky", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (14:11)", "body": "Hey Karen, I finally got in and thanks for your support."}, {"response": 732, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (14:14)", "body": "(Xian) Can you tell me what are the top five Darcy moments Xian, you tell me! I believe the voting is still going on, forever I guess!! Actually, I\ufffdm talking about the recent discussion here, starting from Heide\ufffds response nro 670, or earlier.....I still haven\ufffdt been able to decide what\ufffds my number One."}, {"response": 733, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (17:01)", "body": "....I believe the voting is still going on, forever I guess!! We never came to any conclusion....(this is a difficult crowd to get any consensus:-) Xian & Nancy Pl.why don't you give us your favorite Darcy scenes. Mine were.... 1. \"On foot?\" 2. When he takes her hand at the Netherfield Ball 3. When he helps her into the carriage at Pemberley 4. Everybody's favorite....watching Lizzy play the pianoforte at Pemberley 5. Taking her hand at the Lamton Inn But running close is the billiard scene....erotic, wow! Ok...what are yours?"}, {"response": 734, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (17:14)", "body": "(KJ) Often we will \"remember\" a detail in a particular movie which was not there at all, but which we *wanted* to be there. :-D It is actually a measure of the film's success when it manages to make the audience \"see\" what is only hinted upon. the exaggerated effect of the wet shirt was because it represented a rare \"unbuttoned\" moment in an otherwise tightly controlled and \"buttoned-up\" culture Well put. The scene was in fact a somewhat bold metaphor aiming at the above described effect (and achieving it quite memorably, as it appears) and only works when viewed exclusively from the modern perspective. It doesn't work in the same way - or even at all - when one realizes that historically and factually it would have been highly improbable. The knowledge of that changes the effect for me and makes me totally immune to the dangling wet shirttail factor: instad of drooling, I feel uncomfortable like Darcy and embarrassed like Lizzy :-)"}, {"response": 735, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (17:19)", "body": "I mean \"instead\", of course. Hey, is Nancy another newbie here? welcome, sister-in-drool, welcome in Drool, sister. ;-)"}, {"response": 736, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (17:33)", "body": "Arami, don't you have a present for your Mr. Darcy today?"}, {"response": 737, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (17:40)", "body": "Yes, Nancy is a newbie. She jumped into Drool to wish Colin a happy B-day and we've been welcoming her there."}, {"response": 738, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (18:02)", "body": "(Eileen) Which is why I think he won't do Mark Darcy. Perhaps not, sigh. However, CF was quoted in January in The Mail on Sunday as saying \"I'm quite happy for it (Mr. Darcy) to follow me around a bit.\" and the blurb in the August issue of People has him saying \" At any point in an actor's life , to have made a genuine impact is something to be cherished.\" Perhaps he's softened his attitude towards our beloved Mr. Darcy. MD doesn't have to be played like FD (though he must be kept out of a wet, white shirt)."}, {"response": 739, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (18:20)", "body": "He was quoted as saying in Parade Mag (July): \"it's boring to play the same kind of role again and again\". The way BJD was written, it *is* the same role. However, they've had enough time to conceive a whole new concept and story by now. The finished product may not resemble anything we have in mind (that's it! Everyone knows horror is hot right now! Bridget will be an ancient witch and Mark will be the documentary film student investigating her death. Or Bridget will have an uncanny ability to see dea people, and Mark will be her psychologist. Yeah--that's the ticket!) ;-P The People quote is also a re-tread. But who knows? If they ever get around to announcing the cast, our endless speculation will be put to rest. Amen!"}, {"response": 740, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (18:25)", "body": "Bridget will be an ancient witch and Mark will be the documentary film student investigating her death. Or Bridget will have an uncanny ability to see dead people, and Mark will be her psychologist. Yeah--that's the ticket!) ;-P Hon, you gotta go to Hollywood. You've missed your calling!! ROTFLMAO"}, {"response": 741, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (18:42)", "body": "(Eileen) Or Bridget will have an uncanny ability to see dead people LOL! As long as MD isn't one of the corpses. I have had quite enough of CF in that role. I must read BJD again, because I never got the impression that MD was as repressed and (outwardly) arrogant and snobbish as FD initially appeared, or as tortured, either."}, {"response": 742, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (18:58)", "body": "(MD)Arami, don't you have a present for your Mr. Darcy today? What could I give him that he hasn't been offered already? :-)"}, {"response": 743, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (15:13)", "body": "Xian, and others, by all means add your favorite Darcy moments. I'll list below those already offered in order of appearance in the video. I'll start with what's on Tape 1 (of the 3-tape set) which ends with after the ball with Lizzy's refusal of Mr. Collins' marriage proposal. 1) Racing with Bingley on horseback 2) His eyes following her as she walks under his nose after the rejection at the Meryton Ball. 3) \"I should as soon call her mother a wit.\" 4) \"Every savage can dance.\" 5) The look he gives her after complimenting her \"fine eyes\" 6) When they meet \"On foot?\" at Netherfield 7) The look on his face as he slams the billard ball into the pocket after she leaves the doorway. 8) In the bath. 9) Gazing at Lizzy playing after the tub scene 10)His long, analytical stare when she disagrees with him about \"accomplished\" women. 11)The \"Pride\" debate at Netherfield. 12)Gazing out the window when Lizzy leaves Netherfield. \"Quite the contrary, I assure you.\" 13)When he sees Wickham the first time at Meryton, and sits back on his horse and rides stiffly away. 14)Darcy turning to look at Lizzy when the heads part at the ball. 15)Darcy waiting to dance with Lizzy at Netherfield and then his bow. 16)When they first touch hands at the Ball (for the dance) 17)When he stands up to walk away from Mr. Collins at the ball, who ends up staring at his chest."}, {"response": 744, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (04:50)", "body": "(Lynda)CF was quoted in January in The Mail on Sunday as saying \"I'm quite happy for it (Mr. Darcy) to follow me around a bit.\" And I\ufffdm quite happy that he said that (I didn\ufffdt know he did, thanks for telling us Lynda). I\ufffdve always been pretty annoyed by the fact that he doesn\ufffdt seem to be happy and proud of the role that made him a national institution (according to Channel Four)!! And where would he be now without Darcy?"}, {"response": 745, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (13:06)", "body": "(Lynda) I must read BJD again, because I never got the impression that MD was as repressed and (outwardly) arrogant and snobbish as FD initially appeared, or as tortured, either. And FD didn't wear bumblebee socks and hideous diamond-patterned sweaters, but we won't split hairs, will we? Tee hee!"}, {"response": 746, "author": "nky", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (13:33)", "body": "Evelyn, my favorite Darcy scene is the look on his face after he was rejected from his first proposal. He kills me everytime with that look, that look of utter disappointment!!!!! My second favorite is the look on his face when Lizzy tells him at the end of the sixth tape \"that her feelings are quite the opposite\". Hi Arami, yes I am new and I love it very much indeed."}, {"response": 747, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (13:55)", "body": "(Nancy)...my favorite Darcy scene is the look on his face after he was rejected from his first proposal...... that look of utter disappointment!!!!! My second favorite is the look on his face when Lizzy tells him at the end of the sixth tape \"that her feelings are quite the opposite\". I think you're the first one who has named those scenes as her Darcy favorites...am I right??? The second one has been discussed a lot...some people find it obscure. See, that's what I like about newbies, they bring us a new perspective on scenes."}, {"response": 748, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (16:06)", "body": "I\ufffdve always been pretty annoyed by the fact that he doesn\ufffdt seem to be happy and proud of the role that made him a national institution (according to Channel Four)!! And where would he be now without Darcy? I think Colin may have been worried at first incase he became typecast. In the UK, paradoxically, success can sometimes badly misfire, because the viewing public are unwilling to accept the actor in any different role. I remember CF commented that he was very worried after playing Darcy because, for the first time in his career, offers of work actually dried up!! And there was a review of Nostromo in the Daily Telegraph (female reviewer (and Italian!))in which the usually sensible reviewer wrote that wh n she saw him in a beard she could have wept (she complained she couldn't see his mouth!). So I'm afraid that over here \"heart-throb\" actors really aren't taken very seriously (handsome actors can't act, you see!) I'm sure that CF wouldn't relish the hunk label...it can seriously damage your career!!"}, {"response": 749, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (16:34)", "body": "Bethan, thanks for the inspiration! Top 10 Reasons Why CF is such a Hunk. 10) I lost track of all his Internet sites. 9) We spend quite a bit of time fussing over him. 8) We spend quite a bit of time drooling over him. 7) Who else looks so good in Arsenal boxers? 6) Dear Husbands everywhere are ready to challenge him to a duel. mine is 5) Makes us go out and watch his other films, many times over. 4) Makes women fly to London to see him in a play, repeatedly! 3) He smiles too much. ;-) 2) He sings, he dances, he plays guitar... 1) He is a man without fault!"}, {"response": 750, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (17:43)", "body": "(Bethan)So I'm afraid that over here \"heart-throb\" actors really aren't taken very seriously (handsome actors can't act, you see!) So, how come the Britsh public goes crazy over US \"heart-throbs\" when most of them can't act ?Brad Pitts, Tom Cruise,Richard Gere, Kevin Costner...those guys make the \"Favorite Actors List\" in UK Empire Magazine consistently. Burns me up...Grrrrrr."}, {"response": 751, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (17:49)", "body": "( (Bethan)...when she saw him in a beard she could have wept (she complained she couldn't see his mouth!). And I thought DB's Charles Gould was so handsome. I can't say I liked Wessex's mustache, though - that really did obscure Colin's lovely, expressive mouth. I'm sure Flashy's facial hair will be quite flattering, as he is a world-class ladies' man. BTW, that quote was taken from Lisbeth's site, Elena, in the quotes and comments section. Another favourite Darcy look... When Darcy is at the bottom of the stairs at Rosings after Lizzie's rejection, right after her voiceover ends. He looks sooo hurt."}, {"response": 752, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (18:34)", "body": "handsome actors can't act Or rather \"handsome actors don't have to act\" - i.e. they don't need good scripts: their presence alone guarantees success. Colin's struggle is against becoming a piece of Hollywood furniture. Or wallpaper."}, {"response": 753, "author": "kcjones", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (22:37)", "body": "Evelyn... re:the appeal of Kevin Costner....BLECHHH!!!! I did like him as an actor in \"Bull Durham\", BEFORE he (in HIS opinion), became GODS GIFT to all womankind...You could not PAY ME to see him in a film now....He has the acting ability of a potato chip, one layer only!!! (IMO). It is sooooo pathetic that after the films \"Waterworld\" and \"Postman\", he still can get the studios to cough up the big bucks....It becomes all about \"Hollywoo Glitz\", not true ability, as in the case of Colin....well, continue to seee a film like \"MLSF\" (5 times!!), or anything with Colin, vs. the \"Hollywood Hunks\" like Mel Gibson, Kevin Costner, etc. Well, I'll be \"mature\" and patiently wait for the REST of the world (other than the intelligent ladies here on Drool), for film goers to realize Colin's ability and give him an Academy Award for.....anything!!! Isn't it frustrating to have such \"sophisticated\" tastes in our favorite actor??!!!! The rest of the world needs to catch up!!! (stepping off my soapbox, now....thanks for listening!!!) such as"}, {"response": 754, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (04:40)", "body": "I would like Mel Gibson cast in something different from Lethal Weapons...Man without a Face was quite good, at least I thought so when I saw it years ago."}, {"response": 755, "author": "Xian", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (09:50)", "body": "Moon, LOL! Very funny of your Top 10 Reasons Why CF is such a Hunk. I especially like the number one which is the only reason for the rest, don't you think? Another favourite Darcy look: when he walked into the sitting room in Longbourn before the second proposal, he looked into Elizabeth's eye, his eyes were so dark, deep and very intense. It was like he wanted to see her very soul. It always makes me weak every time I focused on that pair of extreme fine eyes!!!"}, {"response": 756, "author": "livamago", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (09:57)", "body": "3) He smiles too much. ;-) 2) He sings, he dances, he plays guitar... 1) He is a man without fault! LOL Moon!! This is too funny...and too true for contradiction! Number 2 sounds very much like the description of an accomplished gentleman, don't you think? You have made my day with this!"}, {"response": 757, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (10:06)", "body": "(Xian), Another favourite Darcy look: when he walked into the sitting room in Longbourn before the second proposal, he looked into Elizabeth's eye, his eyes were so dark, deep and very intense. It was like he wanted to see her very soul. It always makes me weak every time I focused on that pair of extreme fine eyes!!! After many viewings, I have to agree, this is my #1 Darcy look, it takes my breath away! #2 is the smile at Pemberley while E plays the pianoforte. Xian and Lidya, glad you enjoyed the Top 10! We always have fun doing them. :-)"}, {"response": 758, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (10:12)", "body": "(Moon) We always have fun doing them. :-) Don't be so modest, dear. Moon is very good at these. She should be writing for Letterman. :-o"}, {"response": 759, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (11:11)", "body": "(Xian)... he looked into Elizabeth's eye, his eyes were so dark, deep and very intense. It was like he wanted to see her very soul Yeah...but it wasn't her soul he wanted:-D"}, {"response": 760, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (11:25)", "body": "Thanks Moon for the Top Ten list -it was brillant! :) All my favorite Darcy moments have been mentioned i think (The Look, the billards room, etc...) but has anybody mentioned his first visit to Longbourn after having rescued Lidya? That stare he gives Elizabeth, when he just eats her up with his eyes, gives me the shivers every time i see it! *shutting ecstatically in rememberance*"}, {"response": 761, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (11:26)", "body": "LOL, that should be shuttering :)"}, {"response": 762, "author": "nky", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (12:13)", "body": "Ooooooooohhhhhh! I get shivers just thinking about him and I have a picture of CF (dressed as Darcy)hanging on my wall at work and he gives me the LOOK all day! HELP!!!"}, {"response": 763, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (12:49)", "body": "(Evelyn) Brad Pitts LOL! Freudian slip? You must be referring to his starring role in Meet Joe Black. The screenwriter and editor of that first-class stink bomb should have been arrested for torture. Bleecch. Bravo, Moon. 3) He smiles too much. ;-) *sigh* And he has such a lovely smile now. 2) He sings, he dances, he plays guitar... Now there's something I'd love to see! What's that song Flashy sings? 1) He is a man without fault! Only in our adoring eyes..."}, {"response": 764, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (14:22)", "body": "(Moon)1) He is a man without fault! (Eileen)Only in our adoring eyes... Or, to quote Livia, who should know: \"Not always!\" ;-)"}, {"response": 765, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (14:36)", "body": "That would be from one \"latina\" to another! ;-D"}, {"response": 766, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (15:12)", "body": "(Moon)1) He is a man without fault! (Eileen)Only in our adoring eyes... Or, to quote Livia, who should know: \"Not always!\" ;-) Hey! I've done that Top 10 as well! ;-) Karen, if I worked for Letterman...ODB would have been on by now. (thanks for the compliment)"}, {"response": 767, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (19:58)", "body": "He is a man without fault! ...to quote Livia...: \"Not always!\" ;-) Is she complaining, then? Does she need help?"}, {"response": 768, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (20:26)", "body": "Love your Top 10, Moon. SBR, the look you mention as one of your favorite, first visit to Longbourn after having rescued Lidya? That stare he gives Elizabeth, when he just eats her up with his eyes - do you mean the second visit or do you mean the sidelong look he gives her during the first visit while Mrs. Bennet is prattling on to Bingley? Here are the favorite moments from the second tape (also known as tapes 3 & 4)which start with Lizzy finding out Charlotte is engaged to Mr. Collins and ends with the Gardiners and Lizzy driving away from Pemberley after the surprise meeting with Darcy. What could we possibly have missed? 1) Meeting Elizabeth at Rosings woods on horseback. 2) Smile at Pemberley while E plays the pianoforte 3) At the piano at Rosings \"You're perfectly right\". 4) The look on his face when he goes to visit her at Hunsford and is trying to be so casual and yet so shy....\"you wouldn't want to always live near your family..\" 5) He walks around, sits down, gets up, walks around again, taking deep breaths all the time and then proposes to her at Huntsford cottage. 6) The look on his face after he was rejected from his first proposal... that look of utter disappointment! 7) The looks of misery on his face as he leaves Hunsford after the rejection. 8) The way he stalks back to Rosings after she refuses him, we can just see his back but you can tell he is mad, frustrated and hurt just by watching him. 9) When Darcy is at the bottom of the stairs at Rosings after Lizzie's rejection, right after her voiceover ends. He looks sooo hurt. 10)The look on his face when he is writing to Lizzie telling her about Wickham and Georgianna. 11)When he embraces Georgiana and presses her against him. 12)Darcy leaning his head back in the chair while writing the letter at Rosings. 13)\"I will conquer this\" 14)Galloping to Pemberley. (well, cantering anyway) 15)Undressing before the swim! 16)The looks of misery on his face right before he takes the pond plunge. 17)His long-strided return to Pemberly from his little dip. 18)The embarrassment when he comes face-to-face with his beloved moments after the swim. 19)Running into her at Pemberley \"And your parents are in good health?..and all your sisters?\" 20)The sight of him in knee-high boots and tight breeches at Pemberley. 21)When he takes her hand as she leaves Pemberley with the Gardiners...(and the cameras zoom in on the hands....is that erotic, or what?"}, {"response": 769, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (20:44)", "body": "Perhaps she needs a break from all of the lust-inducing presence of ODB. I did not think that would be necessary, but she has not been hardened through endless viewings of P&P2 and rewindings and slo-mo play. It takes vigour to submit to that, and we are ready to leap into the ...dare I say it...Breech(es)"}, {"response": 770, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (20:46)", "body": "And, Moon is hunkering down in a bunker watching the Hurricane blow over as she remains with us on her computer with a very long cord. Hang in there, Dear! Your list is a classic!"}, {"response": 771, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (08:51)", "body": "(Heidi) SBR, the look you mention as one of your favorite, \"first visit to Longbourn after having rescued Lidya? That stare he gives Elizabeth, when he just eats her up with his eyes\" - do you mean the second visit or do you mean the sidelong look he gives her during the first visit while Mrs. Bennet is prattling on to Bingley? Oh dear, your right, it's the second visit. The one where he walks through the door and ignoring everyone else in the room, bows and just stares at her. *sigh* btw- thanks for composing these lists! :)"}, {"response": 772, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (08:53)", "body": "And Moon... Be safe dear! you're in my thoughts and prayers-"}, {"response": 773, "author": "Xian", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (12:36)", "body": "(Evelyn) Yeah...but it wasn't her soul he wanted:-D It comes with a package, of course ;-D Heide, Thanks for the loooooooong list. Actually, all Darcy's scenses should be included on the list. Unless some one want to take some of them off the list, if any body dare? (Arami) Is she complaining, then? Does she need help? Or does she want to get out (can we hope)? Just kidding, we sure don't want ODB suffering."}, {"response": 774, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (22:20)", "body": "I haven't seen \"P&P\" in a while (I'm going to have to dig up a copy, aren't I? If I weren't a starving college student, I'd just buy my own,) so what I'm going to say comes out of memory. I have a picture of Colin as Darcy hanging above my bed, and I don't know if it's an actual scene from the movie or if it's a publicity shot, but he has the most vulnerable, \"please be gentle\" look on his face that just tears my heart to pieces. Anyone know what one I'm talking about? If that's a scene from the movie that has to be my favorite. And to the lady who said she doesn't like him with facial hair--me too! I find most men pretty attractive with a goatee or something, but not Colin. His face is just so lovely that I hate for any part of it to be obscured. I wish I had his complexion! And yes, I am a \"newbie,\" as you call them. Karen invited me over here!"}, {"response": 775, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (22:43)", "body": "(Amy) I wish I had his complexion! Yeh. He's still breaking out at thirty-nine! Nice oily skin that will age slowly. I should know ... I have the same stuff ... and I'm still breaking out in my mid 50's!! Hee hee!!"}, {"response": 776, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (02:39)", "body": "Welcome, Amy!"}, {"response": 777, "author": "livamago", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (18:18)", "body": "So nice to have you here, Amy!"}, {"response": 778, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (18:28)", "body": "Aloha Amy!"}, {"response": 779, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (19:27)", "body": "Bonjour, everyone!"}, {"response": 780, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Nov  1, 1999 (19:41)", "body": "As if our tapes aren't enough, US (and Canada?) viewers get to see P&P on A&E Sunday, 11/28. Showtime begins 2:00 pm Eastern Time. Six hours all in one day."}, {"response": 781, "author": "Xian", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (09:51)", "body": "Thanks, Heide. It is a very good news. Hope it can gain ODB's popularity Just cross a post on RoP, it was a part of debate of which P&P is better, P&P1 or P&P2. I think it is very interesting (a little annoyed by it too). It was a vote for P&P1 of course: The other Darcy (I'm so sorry I don't know the actors' names) was not so very convincing as an upper crust aristocrat--much too impulsive and \"emotional\"...physically on the \"robust, peasant\" side, if you will, sort of carrying his heart on his sleeve. ODB, a robust peasant? I am all astonishment!! She did not even know CF's name, poor, poor girl. I pity her."}, {"response": 782, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (12:31)", "body": "Wot? Someone prefers David Rintoul to ODB? Sacrilege!"}, {"response": 783, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Nov  3, 1999 (09:08)", "body": "Good God! We really must take up a collection to buy the poor girl a pair of glasses. Obviously she's having serious visual difficulties. ;)"}, {"response": 784, "author": "baine", "date": "Wed, Nov  3, 1999 (10:25)", "body": "not so very convincing as an upper crust aristocrat--much too impulsive and \"emotional\"...physically on the \"robust, peasant\" side, if you will, sort of carrying his heart on his sleeve. I'm shocked--shocked, grieved! Is there nothing we can get this blind fool for present relief? Tapes of Circle of Friends, Shakespeare in Love, Valmont? She is very ill! And of course Darcy is not an aristocrat--he is a commoner as Lady Catherine points out to Elizabeth. However, if our misguided friend really wants to see him as a robust peasant, let's get a tape of FP to her. Will she be able to discern the difference?"}, {"response": 785, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Wed, Nov  3, 1999 (12:09)", "body": "US (and Canada?) viewers get to see P&P on A&E Sunday, 11/28. Showtime begins 2:00 pm Eastern Time. Six hours all in one day. Thanks for the heads-up, Heide. Seems like it's becoming an A&E tradition to show P&P2 on the Sunday following Thanksgiving. An unfortunate tradition from my standpoint, since like last year I'll have a houseful of out-of-town guests who are sadly immune to the charms of P&P2:-( Just curious: Does anyone prefer viewing P&P2 in one of these marathons, vs. A&E running an episode or two on consecutive nights? I myself prefer one episode each night, so I can savor every morsel;-)"}, {"response": 786, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Nov  3, 1999 (13:43)", "body": "I agree with you, Susan. I was traveling last year and missed the P&P2 marathon (probably would have been at a football game anyway) but I can't watch the tapes all at once any more. By the time episode 5 rolls around, I have no patience for Mrs. Bennet's \"rumblings and flutterings.\" I enjoy it more in smaller doses."}, {"response": 787, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Nov  3, 1999 (13:45)", "body": "Oops, that should read \"all at once.\" Sometimes my fingers confused get."}, {"response": 788, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov  3, 1999 (15:22)", "body": "Marathons are fun and, since we've all seen P&P so many times, you can get up and do things during the unnecessary parts (i.e., all involving Mary Bennet singing, George Wickham, and Mr. Collins, except when he's dancing)."}, {"response": 789, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov  3, 1999 (16:04)", "body": "I vote for P&P marathons too. Plan my meals for viewing ...won't answer phone, doorbell etc. TRy it sometime. Real experience...gets you into the whole era. Apparently A&E got an excellent response last year."}, {"response": 790, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Nov  3, 1999 (18:25)", "body": "I like the marathon too. I feel so satisfied when it's done. I wish they'd show it on Thanksgiving. Make the men watch what I want to for a change."}, {"response": 791, "author": "Xian", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (10:22)", "body": "The P&P1 and P&P2 discussion is getting more interesting. Here is from the same girl: Perhaps I will try to cultivate a greater liking for P&P2--if I can get past Darcy swimming in the pond and taking a bath scene. My, my, my! Don't we drool over those two scenes most? ;-))"}, {"response": 792, "author": "baine", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (13:53)", "body": "if I can get past Darcy swimming in the pond and taking a bath scene. This is a purist. She hasn't got the hang of missing scenes yet. Perhaps a little more time on RoP or maybe someone should tip her off to the fanfic. Once she understands that the book is just a bit of a jumpstart for one's own creative juices, beginning with Andrew Davies's, she'll probably dive right in the pond with the rest of us. Maybe she doesn't feel at ease with us yet. After all, none of us performs to strangers--at first. BTW I know why the valet had to hold the robe up when ODB got out of the tub. To the average nonFirthette viewer, it's meant to look as though he were naked as he would naturally be in the bath, but since this was a movie set of course he wasn't really au natural , and they had to hide his Arsenal boxer shorts."}, {"response": 793, "author": "Xian", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (14:33)", "body": "but since this was a movie set of course he wasn't really au natural, and they had to hide his Arsenal boxer shorts. LOL!!! But I thought it would be some thing much smaller than a boxer;-))"}, {"response": 794, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (15:19)", "body": "LOL here as well!"}, {"response": 795, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (15:55)", "body": "if I can get past Darcy swimming in the pond and taking a bath scene. I can understand this view. I have trouble getting past those scenes as well. I keep pausing the tape, backing up and replaying those over and over. Tough to get past them. ;-D"}, {"response": 796, "author": "Xian", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (16:13)", "body": "(Karen) I keep pausing the tape, backing up and replaying those over and over. Tough to get past them. LOL!!! A good technic (we all own it) to have her \"cultivated a greater liking for P&P2\" ;-]"}, {"response": 797, "author": "baine", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (17:38)", "body": "Yes, ladies, the old rewind button is hard to get your thumb off. Viz, I watched my brand new copy of Dutch Girls today (yes, ebay knows me well, and I am a buyin' fool right at the moment), and boy oh boy it was hard to get past that slow dancing scene. Sorry, sorry, I got right off Mr. Darcy for a moment there, but actually Mr. D's indescribable voice runs all through DG."}, {"response": 798, "author": "livamago", "date": "Fri, Nov  5, 1999 (08:59)", "body": "I think I will tape my favorite moments on Nov. 28th. That way I don't have to forward those horrid Wickham moments. What were they thinking when they cast him ? I know that Crispin went for that part first, and I have to say that I would have liked him better than I do Adrian Lukis, though I think he is cut as Bingley, in a 'golden retriever' kind of way. I cannot think of anyone preferring AL to Darcy. He was the only casting mistake imo."}, {"response": 799, "author": "baine", "date": "Fri, Nov  5, 1999 (09:47)", "body": "(Lidya) He was the only casting mistake imo. Would you elaborate? Where was he lacking? How would you have preferred him to be? I'm curious b/c I hadn't thought about the casting, only that Wickham's character is so unlikable. Why would you have preferred CBC? Bingley is the only part I've seen the latter in, so it's hard to imagine him as anything but a sort of cheerful puppy, although I must say I think his publicity still in the MoP&P makes him look very good and also a bit more mature. I'm wondering if the 19th-century cad isn't a bit difficult to do believably now days since it's almost impossible to put a girl into that situation now--in the US at any rate. I wonder if we bring a different set of expectations about how a rat will behave than Jane Austin did and that makes it hard to find Wickham believable. I remember that I didn't like the blond guy who plays him in the BBC version very much either. Anyhow, it's an interesting point, and btw I noticed that Wickham is also on the Dutch Girls hockey team in a virtually nonspeaking role I believe."}, {"response": 800, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Nov  5, 1999 (09:51)", "body": "Xian, it's obvious that poor female (aha! Perhaps it's a jealous male) has an aversion to wet Darcy. *tsk-tsk* What a pity. (Cymbeline) they had to hide his Arsenal boxer shorts LOL! Reminds me of a story Heide started way-back-when in Fanfic--Lizzy meets all of Colin's characters. Check it out, it's a hoot. (Karen) I keep pausing the tape, backing up and replaying those over and over. Tough to get past them. ;-D Too true! I'm waiting for my tapes to break..."}, {"response": 801, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Nov  5, 1999 (10:24)", "body": "(Lidya) I know that Crispin went for that part first, and I have to say that I would have liked him better than I do Adrian Lukis, though I think he is cute as Bingley, in a 'golden retriever' kind of way. I cannot think of anyone preferring AL to Darcy. He was the only casting mistake imo. I think AL was odd casting as well, not neccessarily because I find fault with his acting, but because i dont find him attractive at all. Something about his eyes makes my skin crawl- i dont see how Lizzy (or anyone else) ever found him handsome. Another odd casting decision (IMHO) was Lydia. Why did they pick the AbFab girl, who has got to be 10 yrs older than the character she was playing? She looks particularly old when she's near Maria Lucas, who she's supposed to be the same age as. (Karen) I keep pausing the tape, backing up and replaying those over and over. Tough to get past them. LOL! I think my tapes are getting thin in certain spots as well. -good thing i have a back up copy. :) (Eileen) Reminds me of a story Heide started way-back-when in Fanfic--Lizzy meets all of Colin's characters. Check it out, it's a hoot. Heide, what is the name of this story? Is it archived? I remember it vagely, but would love to read it again. :)"}, {"response": 802, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Nov  5, 1999 (13:15)", "body": "I'm guilty of finding AL rather attractive as Wickham. Remember that british actors are not set in the american model!:-)"}, {"response": 803, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Nov  5, 1999 (18:39)", "body": "And of course Darcy is not an aristocrat--he is a commoner as Lady Catherine points out to Elizabeth. This is somewhat more complicated, I'm afraid: the British aristocracy has several grades, and one of them (possibly the lowest in hierarchy) is the group without titles. The lack of a title alone doesn't make Darcy a commoner sensu stricto . If you really REALLY want me to elaborate on the subject (hopefully not ;-)), I'll try to find my relevant sources... or better still, why don't you enquire at RoP, they have excellent resources on the subject."}, {"response": 804, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (02:47)", "body": "(Gi) I'm guilty of finding AL rather attractive as Wickham. I guess I'm somewhere in the middle. I found AL's acting convincing enough - he really talked to Lizzy about serious topics (of course he was lying, but she didn't know that). I think that willingness to talk seriously about personal subjects was a rare trait in gentlemen of that day. Heck it's a rare trait today and is still a very appealing one! But I must admit that AL's looks did nothing for me. There is something very odd about the way the white soldier's uniform pants fit him. Particularly in he scenes when he's walking with Lizzy in the garden he appears to have a horrid pot belly. Sorry Gi ;-)!"}, {"response": 805, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (08:14)", "body": "I think Adrian Lukis is a great actor and very good as Wickham, it\ufffds among the best performances in the whole series. What happened to me was a bit like what happened to Lizzy in P&P, Wickham looked nice enough at first and totally disgusting in the end. AL made this happen with pretty subtle ways, just with his strange eyes, changing face expressions, voice, body movements and posture. Look at him in the first scenes where he pretends to be a nice guy and then the last ones. He really makes Wickham look ridiculously deceitful and uncertain in the scene where Lizzy says mockingly, \"we\ufffdre brother and sister you know\"."}, {"response": 806, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (08:48)", "body": ""}, {"response": 807, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (08:51)", "body": "What a lovely conversation you have going here, ladies. (Lidya) I cannot think of anyone preferring AL to Darcy. (SB) Something about his eyes makes my skin crawl- i dont see how Lizzy (or anyone else) ever found him handsome. (Cymbeline) I'm wondering if the 19th-century cad isn't a bit difficult to do believably now days... (Gi) I'm guilty of finding AL rather attractive as Wickham. (Elena) What happened to me was a bit like what happened to Lizzy in P&P, Wickham looked nice enough at first and totally disgusting in the end. Perhaps they could have found a better looking Wickham but AL sure can do a sleazy and oily character to perfection. How many of you ladies who hadn't read or had forgotten the book were taken in by him at first? I always found it interesting that there were only three or four good looking men in the whole production. Compared to Mr. Collins and the townfolk we see represented at the dances, I'd probably have run straight to Wickham too. (Jana) There is something very odd about the way the white soldier's uniform pants fit him. Particularly in he scenes when he's walking with Lizzy in the garden he appears to have a horrid pot belly. Jana, you really should stop checking out those tight breeches so closely. I wonder if you've even found some rather awkward protrusions disturbing the smoothness of Mr. Collins' knickers. SB, my little tale was never completed and I didn't want it archived. It was a joke for Evelyn at 34 when we were discussing the propriety of including other CF characters for Fan Fic. Off topic too - (Cymbeline) btw I noticed that Wickham is also on the Dutch Girls hockey team in a virtually nonspeaking role I believe. But he does have some choice lines - \"What girl's going to look at us in this get-up, you daft prat?\" (I confess I just watched DG myself the other night.)"}, {"response": 808, "author": "livamago", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (10:13)", "body": "(Cymbeline)Would you elaborate? Where was he lacking? How would you have preferred him to be? I'm curious b/c I hadn't thought about the casting, only that Wickham's character is so unlikable. I just think he was not believable in the role. Wickham is supposed to be so charming and handsome that when he tells Lizzy about Darcy, she is thinking of how handsome he looks as he talks. He is so amiable that his manners are taken as proof of his good character, and I was not convinced. I had not read the book when I saw the series (to my perennial embarrassment) and I doubted him from the first and could not believe that anyone would fall blindly for him. I wanted Mr. Darcy from the moment I saw him, you see. Why would you have preferred CBC? I would have liked Wickham to be more like Bingley at the beginning, and I can see how CBC would have made him look angelic, which is how Wickham is described once (\"angel of light\"). I think it only fitting that the blackguard of the story should incite my distrust! I like CBC's acting. I saw him in Masterpiece Theatre's \"Wuthering Heights\" and he was very believable in his character (he was not Heathcliff). it's almost impossible to put a girl into that situation now--in the US at any rate Well, if you consider that Lydia is only 16 years old when she runs away, and that Wickham must be around 28, Darcy's age, it is something that can warrant reproof. (SB)She looks particularly old when she's near Maria Lucas, who she's supposed to be the same age as. But Lydia is supposed to be 'stout' and well-developed for her age. I thought Julia Sawalha was hilarious. (Gi)Remember that british actors are not set in the american model!:-) I have seen AL in other films, (he was the murderer in a Miss Marple story) and I have no problem with his looks."}, {"response": 809, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (10:35)", "body": "(Heide)Compared to Mr. Collins and the townfolk we see represented at the dances, I'd probably have run straight to Wickham too. Yes, they really seem to have done some work to find all the ugliest little actors in Britain to fill the ballrooms with! Only to make the difference between Darcy & Bingley and the rest of mankind more obvious, of course. Another thing about Wickham\ufffds looks, I don\ufffdt think that\ufffds a very important point actually. We must remember that Elizabeth\ufffds situation is actually pretty desperate even though she doesn\ufffdt want to let it affect her. She needs to find a man to support her and when she meets a guy with a job who seems to be sensible, nice and good-mannered enough she naturally gets very interested. I think AL was a good choice for Wickham because he\ufffds not very handsome. Making the mistake of liking a man like this mak s Lizzy\ufffds situation apparent and also makes her look very human; she needs to find someone, but not at any cost."}, {"response": 810, "author": "baine", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (11:13)", "body": "(Elena) the ugliest little actors in Britain Is that a subchapter of the Screen Actor's guild? I can't stop laughing. Good thing I'm home alone. (Heide)I confess I just watched DG myself the other night. I love DG--and I think he wore the same pajamas he wore in AC. I just love him as a teenage schoolboy although I have to say I wanted to smack Neal when he was at the DG's house and wouldn't make a pass. To return to the ULAB, I assumed a number of them were dancers--like the old bald guy who is in the next couple during Mr. B.'s Maggot. In my neck of the woods (which is btw the Wessex estate), we have a lot of 18th c. dance groups who perform at festivals, and I imagined they would use them in movies as they used US Civil War re-enactors in the movie Gettysburg. They're chosen for skill, not looks. Does anyone know anything about this?"}, {"response": 811, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (12:16)", "body": "Yes, Cymbeline, if I remember my Making of..correctly, the dancers were froma professional group. Still, have they no good looking dancers in England? I'm sure they were still picked for their looks (or lack of) rather than their skill. (how does one draw a mischievous impish look?) Oh and back to DG for a moment (sorry girls), your pajama comparison looks right, Cymbeline, but I'm sure you noticed how his top is opened in AC but shut tight to the neck in DG. Is this boy repressed or what? (If anyone ever wants to bring this to 98, I'll join you there.)"}, {"response": 812, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (16:14)", "body": ".... dance groups who perform at festivals, and I imagined they would use them in movies as they used US Civil War re-enactors in the movie Gettysburg. They're chosen for skill, not looks. Does anyone know anything about this? As a matter of fact I do! I was talking a year or so ago with somebody involved with a dance agency. Apparently P&P was very popular amongst dancers. There are very few oppportunities for dancers of a \"certain age\" and P&P was a godsend. They had about 2 weeks work for which they were paid, by dancing standards, a handsome amount but because of the success of P&P, they ended up earning well betweem 5 and 10 times the original contract. They are all still waiting for another opportunity like that. So they were not a dance troupe. They were just jobbing dancers, recruited for the film."}, {"response": 813, "author": "Xian", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (23:06)", "body": "(Lydia) I think I will tape my favorite moments on Nov. 28th. That way I don't have to forward ... Very good idea, Lydia! I think that I will do it too, just to save my fingers (they got too busy some times between the remote and the ice cream spoon ;]). I agree with those who do not find AL's Wickham convincing. However I do think that his performance were pretty good based on our JA's creation of P&P. Just he does not look like JA's description of Mr. Wickham, not charming at all IMO. I was disappointed when I first laid my eye on him. He had this shifty-eyed look from very beginning which made me feel uncomfortable. But think again, how could any one compete with ODB's Darcy? Thus I have mercy upon AL's look. (Gi) Remember that british actors are not set in the american model! Sorry, I'm NOT an american but just can't find AL attracted ;-( (Jana) There is something very odd about the way the white soldier's uniform pants fit him This reminder me of ODB's breaches. Don't get me wrong about what I am thinking of though;-). Do you notice the fitting of it was terrible in several scenes? It was creased right in front of it, even in the wedding scene (compare to Bingley's)! The worst one was when he walked on the dark London street searching for Lydia, it looked like he was wearing another pair underneath it."}, {"response": 814, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (06:29)", "body": "(Elena)What happened to me was a bit like what happened to Lizzy in P&P, Wickham looked nice enough at first and totally disgusting in the end. (Heide)Compared to Mr. Collins and the townfolk we see represented at the dances, I'd probably have run straight to Wickham too. (Lidya) I doubted him from the first and could not believe that anyone would fall blindly for him. I wanted Mr. Darcy from the moment I saw him, you see. Well, I intensely disliked Mr. Darcy at first. Handsome, yes, but too disdainful to tempt me ;-) Compared to him, Wickham was pleasant, open, friendly, yet it seemed there was more to him than to the other officers of Lydia's circle. He was not as good looking as Darcy, sure, but as Heide says, he looked much better than everybody else, so between Darcy's insufferable conceit and Mr. Collins' snobbery and the townsfolk provincianism, Wickham became indeed very attractive, IMHO. (Heide)Still, have they no good looking dancers in England? I'm sure they were still picked for their looks (or lack of) rather than their skill. Makeup can make people look ugly too! ;-) (Xian)Sorry, I'm NOT an american but just can't find AL attracted ;-( Neither am I, but isn't the American cannon of beauty the one we in the west live by? Where do we go for beauty? To Hollywood ;-)"}, {"response": 815, "author": "baine", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (08:44)", "body": "(Gi) Where do we go for beauty? To Hollywood Right--the home town of Natasha Richardson, Rupert Everett, Kate Winslett, Rufus Sewell, Emma Thompson, Joseph Fiennes, Gwyneth Paltrow, Juliet Binoche, and ODB himself. Time for another American revolution here. Ask yourselves how AL stacks up against them and what role his looks play in the film--in what way should he look different from Darcy, from Mr. Collins, and from Bingley to convey most effectively the part he plays. And btw I thought Denny was pretty cute. Maybe he should have been chosen to play Wickham?? He looked more boyish. Maybe if he'd been Wickham, he'd have been more Valmont-like, the veneer of charm might have covered the slime more effectively and therefore more believably."}, {"response": 816, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (10:06)", "body": "Now now...are we talking about Adrian Lukas or are we talking about Wickham? I didn't think Wickham was too bad and I thought AL as himself in the Making of...looked rather cute. JA describes Wickham as \"he had all the best part of beauty, a fine countenance, a good figure, and very pleasing address.\" Perhaps we're just disappointed that AL doesn't fit those rather lofty standards but he does well enough. And btw I thought Denny was pretty cute Not bad but oily too. He just oozes smarminess when he introduces Wickham to the sisters in Meryton... \"outswagger us all, eh Wickham?\" (Xian) But think again, how could any one compete with ODB's Darcy? Thus I have mercy upon AL's look. So true. We must forgive him the unfavorable comparison since no one else can compare either. '-) (Gi) Makeup can make people look ugly too! ;-) That's true. Even David Bamber doesn't come across too ill in his publicity still. ;-)"}, {"response": 817, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (11:51)", "body": "but isn't the American cannon of beauty the one we in the west live by? Where do we go for beauty? To Hollywood ;-) Not all of us, surely? To Hollywood Right--the home town of Natasha Richardson, Rupert Everett, Kate Winslett, Rufus Sewell, Emma Thompson, Joseph Fiennes, Gwyneth Paltrow, Juliet Binoche, and ODB himself. LOL! ODB has called Hollywood various things, but home was not one of them... (Sorry, American friends...) JA describes Wickham as \"he had all the best part of beauty, a fine countenance, a good figure, and very pleasing address.\" Perhaps we're just disappointed that AL doesn't fit those rather lofty standards but he does well enough. Two points here. One: the standards of \"beauty\" or handsomeness have always been changing throughout the ages. AL's looks in P&P coincide well with a lot of Georgian/Regency portraits. Two: different people at different times and places have different expectations of how fictional characters should ideally look like. The hard trick for the filmmakers to pull is to convince as many viewers as possible that what they see is what they wanted/expected to see."}, {"response": 818, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (14:30)", "body": "And isn't Jane the beautiful one? I didn't think she looked better than Lizzie? Still, by Regency's standards, she actually was and the actess was very well cast."}, {"response": 819, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (14:47)", "body": "(Cymbeline)Right--the home town of Natasha Richardson, Rupert Everett, Kate Winslett, Rufus Sewell, Emma Thompson, Joseph Fiennes, Gwyneth Paltrow, Juliet Binoche, and ODB himself. Aye, but who was it who showed them to us? And don't forget Harrison Ford, Brad Pitt, Mel Gibson, ecc. I never meant they were born there, only that it was Hollywood who recruited them and soldd them to us as Beautiful. Emma Thompson beautiful? Kate Winslett? Gwyneth Paltrow? Ok, Ok, tastes differ, but I agree they too are soldd as beautiful"}, {"response": 820, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (15:11)", "body": "IMNSHO, Hollywood has never bought or indeed sold ODB - except down the river, perhaps... (sorry, again, American friends, but there it is...;-))"}, {"response": 821, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (15:17)", "body": "(For the international droolies who are less familiar with the English idioms, I should explain, so that there's no misunderstanding: \"sell down the river\" means \"let down\".)"}, {"response": 822, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (16:54)", "body": "(Cymbeline) Right--the home town of Natasha Richardson, Rupert Everett, Kate Winslett, Rufus Sewell, Emma Thompson, Joseph Fiennes, Gwyneth Paltrow, Juliet Binoche, and ODB himself. The irony in your statement has not gone unnoticed. And I think you're right in including GP - she's not Hollywood either. Now Rupert....;-)"}, {"response": 823, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Nov  8, 1999 (02:09)", "body": "(Heide) Jana, you really should stop checking out those tight breeches so closely. I wonder if you've even found some rather awkward protrusions disturbing the smoothness of Mr. Collins' knickers. Oh dear, my embarrassing secret is unmasked ;-)."}, {"response": 824, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Nov  8, 1999 (15:01)", "body": "Just what I did not want to know...bulges in Mr Collins' breeches? Yak!!!"}, {"response": 825, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov  8, 1999 (17:10)", "body": "(Marcia) Just what I did not want to know...bulges in Mr Collins' breeches? Yak!!! We have a comprehensive listing of Darcy's and Bingley's. Why has no one volunteered to do the same for Wickham or Collins, if in fact there are any bulges to detect in the latter? ;-D"}, {"response": 826, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Nov  8, 1999 (19:55)", "body": "Now where's Mary Bennet when you need her? I think this job would be right up her alley."}, {"response": 827, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (10:22)", "body": "Ah, but would Charlotte approve? ;-)"}, {"response": 828, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (11:06)", "body": "(Gi) Ah, but would Charlotte approve? I'm sure Charlotte would be heartily relieved. Suppose Mr.C. had just gone on to Mary after his fiasco with Eliz. A much more suitable match on both sides, but probably no trip to Rosings."}, {"response": 829, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (11:06)", "body": "No trip to Rosings for Elizabeth I meant."}, {"response": 830, "author": "Xian", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (11:51)", "body": "(Cymbeline) No trip to Rosings for Elizabeth I meant She could still visit her sister there, I suppose. But probably had to go along with the other two silly girls and Darcy might never proposed because the daily refreshing his memory of her family :-("}, {"response": 831, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (12:59)", "body": "(Marcia) bulges in Mr Collins' breeches? Yak!!! Suffice to say that was one place not many of us were looking! How are your yaks, BTW? (Cymbeline) Suppose Mr.C. had just gone on to Mary after his fiasco with Eliz I remember Mary preening for him in a scene but can't place which one it was. It wasn't the one where Mrs. Bennet tells him Jane is off limits and he sizes up the other sisters before settling on Lizzy (Mary's reading a book in that one). Hmmm. Was it when he asks Lizzy for the first two dances at the upcoming Netherfield ball? Does anyone know the one I mean? Mary's got a look on her face as if to say \"pick me! Pick me!\" and she's disappointed when he doesn't."}, {"response": 832, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (13:09)", "body": "still Yak - y.... >\u007f\u007f"}, {"response": 833, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (15:40)", "body": "Was it when he asks Lizzy for the first two dances at the upcoming Netherfield ball? Yep, that was the one. Too bad he didn't take the hint. They would have been much happier."}, {"response": 834, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Nov 28, 1999 (10:23)", "body": "US and Canadian viewers can see the best version of Pride & Prejudice ever made today on A&E starting 2:00 pm Eastern Time. Is there any doubt it's the best? Even without that smoldering presence of CF as Mr. Darcy it would still be my favorite version. Would dear Jane roll over if she saw it today? No way - it's as vibrant and lively as everything she hoped to convey in words. I can't help myself, I'll be watching it today. See ya later."}, {"response": 835, "author": "livamago", "date": "Sun, Nov 28, 1999 (10:29)", "body": "Is there any doubt it's the best? Even without that smoldering presence of CF as Mr. Darcy it would still be my favorite version. Hear! Hear!"}, {"response": 836, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Nov 28, 1999 (13:41)", "body": "\"Go to it\" all you P&P2 watchers, six hours of total bliss. Our new classic starts tonite \"Wives and Daughters\" and I see that one of the male suitors(?) is played by Ian Glenn. Isn't he Jane Bennet's husband. S. Harker's in real life?"}, {"response": 837, "author": "livamago", "date": "Sun, Nov 28, 1999 (15:22)", "body": "(Lizza) Ian Glenn. Isn't he Jane Bennet's husband. S. Harker's in real life? Yes, he is. They have a son named Finn. Someone said that she was pregnant during P&P, but I have not read it anywhere else. It didn't look like she was."}, {"response": 838, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (18:12)", "body": "She was. Just as well it wasn't so obvious in the film."}, {"response": 839, "author": "livamago", "date": "Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (10:04)", "body": "She was. Just as well it wasn't so obvious in the film The empire waist certainly helped!"}, {"response": 840, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (19:59)", "body": "For Sewellites lurking here (in the absence of a better place to go or more interesting things to do :-)): Has it been mentioned here before that about a year before P&P hit the TV screens in the UK, Rufus Sewell had apparently played Darcy on stage - I believe in Manchester?"}, {"response": 841, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Dec  6, 1999 (01:24)", "body": "(Arami) Has it been mentioned here before that about a year before P&P hit the TV screens in the UK, Rufus Sewell had apparently played Darcy on stage - I believe in Manchester? That's interesting - I hadn't heard it before. I can't really picture RS playing the subtle shades of Mr. Darcy, but then again ever since P&P2 I can't imagine anyone but CF as Darcy!"}, {"response": 842, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec  6, 1999 (11:36)", "body": "but then again ever since P&P2 I can't imagine anyone but CF as Darcy! Go over to Rambles. Moon and I had a time defending that premise over the weekend."}, {"response": 843, "author": "baine", "date": "Mon, Dec  6, 1999 (15:46)", "body": "(Evelyn) Go over to Rambles. What does that mean please?"}, {"response": 844, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec  6, 1999 (17:38)", "body": "(Evelyn) Go over to Rambles. (Cymbeline)What does that mean please? That's a board that belongs to pemberley.com. It's a virtual community for all projects pertaining to Jane Austen. Rambles is like #72...a catch-all for what doesn't belong anywhere else.Virtual Views is a board that comments on current films.We all started out on the P&P board.Go over some time...it's a neat place. http://www.pemberley.com/bin/ramble/ramble.cgi"}, {"response": 845, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Dec  6, 1999 (18:41)", "body": "...or on other Spring conferences it is a place to talk about the conference but not about things worthy of a topic or necessarily topic-worthy. Blow-off-steam places, actually...as: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/porch/7"}, {"response": 846, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (10:47)", "body": "Did anyone else watch the US Learning Channel's \"Great Books\" program on P&P yesterday? I bring it up only to complain. ;-) (What else is new.) if they really wanted the words of Jane Austen to come alive, why couldn't they have shown clips from better actors to prove her wit? Elizabeth Garvie as Elizabeth can not wipe that grin off her face even when she's crying and I always knew David Rintoul had a stick up his rear but I hadn't realized 'til last night how that stick goes all the way up to his chin. Those lips barely move. If they really wanted to do JA justice, they should have used both of P&P2's proposal scenes. P&P1 was simply reciting lines. Yes, of course I realize that the program could not use P&P2 for licensing reasons. Sigh.. Was good to see Helen Fielding though. Too bad when she said what influenced her most to base Bridget Jones on P&P was the line \"It is a truth universally...\" rather than CF."}, {"response": 847, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (10:54)", "body": "And they showed clips from the Garson-Olivier P&P! Definitely has to be a case of not getting permission from A&E, as all those other Austen productions (Clueless, S&S, etc.) were shown. BBC wouldn't have been the holdout, as P&P1 was their production and, if you watched the next show (Madame Bovary), the old BBC version was shown as well. I liked Helen Fielding's comments too (although we've heard so many of them before). Probably didn't want to appear too shallow by mentioning CF. ;-)"}, {"response": 848, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (13:40)", "body": "Actually I always thought the Fay Weldon script for the 1979 BBC version of \"Pride and Prejudice\" was superior to that for the 1995 adaptation by Andrew Davies. Whenever you read a book you get your own novel more or less in your head, and Weldon's version is much closer to how I see the book."}, {"response": 849, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (15:06)", "body": "Weldon's version is much closer to how I see the book. In many scenes, yes. Which is why I had no quibble with them showing Wedlon's version in the Pemberley encounter which is closer to the book than Davies'. But Cheryl, the recitation of Jane's animated dialog just sounds deadly dull coming from those two leads, especially Rintoul. IMO, does not do Austen justice at all. Faye Weldon was a hoot though. I've always liked her and love that plummy voice. Besides Nora Ephron, who was the other American opining?"}, {"response": 850, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (15:55)", "body": "Besides Nora Ephron, who was the other American opining? Some college professor.An Austen authority?The whole program was d...u...l...l, IMO. Helen Fielding was refreshing .Worse than Rintoul, was the TLC Darcy ...with the little short legs and fat thighs..leaning against the columns of Pemberley(?). Looked more like Connecticut to me."}, {"response": 851, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (15:58)", "body": "And there was the other white-haired lady, who was identified (I think) as a \"collector.\" She had the license plates \"Janeite\" and all the books and made reference to the fact that Austen is all over the web. (Evleyn) with the little short legs and fat thighs..leaning against the columns of Pemberley(?). hee hee. I noticed the columns too. Kept thinking they needed to shot elsewhere or at least pose him differently."}, {"response": 852, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (22:13)", "body": ". .I preferred Weldon's script for the dialog, I think, and missed some of it in P&P2, but she had no sense of visuals and motion like Davies had. Her script appealed to the ear, his to the eye. Her script played more like a modified stage play. And I think her additions and alterations to the plot were more jarring and than his -- they seemed much less utilitarian to the flow of the story. ...And I don't care what you say about Greer Garson, she could deliver some of those lines with the proper slyness and humor, as she deflated the pomposities around her with eclat. (It wasn't P&P, I know, but once you stopped expecting it to be, it was very enjoyable on its own terms. So there!! ). :-D"}, {"response": 853, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (22:16)", "body": "(KJ) it was very enjoyable on its own terms. So there!!). :-D It was. I used to like it. Just as I *used* to think that Olivier was a great Darcy. Have since changed my mind. (bet that surprised you, especially that last revelation!)"}, {"response": 854, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (08:22)", "body": "(Evelyn) Worse than Rintoul, was the TLC Darcy ...with the little short legs and fat thighs. Snort...and all those staring out the window scenes. Humph, think I know what they were influenced by. I didn't find the program dull but maybe that's because I was all in anticipation waiting and hoping for a glimpse of our DB. Heck, I would have been satisfied just seeing a copy of the book with JE and CF on the cover. Surely the Janeite had that in her collection. (KJ) ...And I don't care what you say about Greer Garson, she could deliver some of those lines with the proper slyness and humor, as she deflated the pomposities around her with eclat. Yes, yes and yes. Neither Garvie nor Garson were terrible Lizzys. But both of them could not stop smiling throughout as if that is the only way Lizzy could show her \"slyness\". JE smiled, yes, but used so much more expression. I grant that Garvie was hamstrung by the static presentation but it is the one-note acting I objected to. Sorry, I know I'm preaching to the choir but I do love spouting off on this subject. ;-)"}, {"response": 855, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (11:58)", "body": "I agree with everyone's view. I only wish that Davis had included that dinner scene at the Bennets with the coffee and the cards. (As in the book)"}, {"response": 856, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (21:31)", "body": "That and the prompt about-face by Mrs. Bennett in her opinion of Darcy at the end."}, {"response": 857, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (16:34)", "body": "(Heide)..the recitation of Jane's animated dialog just sounds deadly dull coming from those two leads, especially Rintoul. IMO, does not do Austen justice at all. Although Jane Austen didn't write for actors to perform her work, her dialogue is very much actor-proof. No matter who does it, the words are glorious. Good acting is, however, a plus. (KJArt) I preferred Weldon's script for the dialog, I think...but she had no sense of visuals and motion like Davies had...Her script played more like a modified stage play. That really wasn't Weldon's fault. It had more to do with the BBC style at the time; they used videotape. In the 1979 \"Pride and Prejudice\" the only scenes in which film was used were some of the outdoor scenes. 1970's era videotape was notorious for making everything look worse than in real life. So no one even bothered with cinematic effects for lighting. Cinematography was pretty much unknown, things were just lit, badly. Everything the BBC did from that time looked overexposed. However, I do prefer the overall production design of the 1979 P&P to the 1995 P&P, the costumes and sets were more appropriate in the earlier version. Just about everything in the 1995 was just a little too grand; i.e., Eliza and Jane Bennett should not have worn dresses comparable to those of Miss Bingley."}, {"response": 858, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (16:54)", "body": "(CherylB)Just about everything in the 1995 was just a little too grand; i.e., Eliza and Jane Bennett should not have worn dresses comparable to those of Miss Bingley. Were they? I thought the Bennetts' dresses were mostly cotton prints or muslins, while the Bingleys' were heavy silk."}, {"response": 859, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (17:25)", "body": "Not all the Bingley dresses were silk, the ball gowns were. Still cotton was considered fashionable for daywear; very fashionable young women would dampen their cotton dresses so that they would cling. Some of these belles in fact caught their \"death of cold\" from this practice. A few unlucky beauties developed pneumonia. The cotton dresses of the Bennett sisters were much like those a young lady of Miss Bingley's worn for morning or afternoon wear. The dresses for the Bennetts should have been more like the costumes for the Dashwood sisters in the film adaptation of \"Sense and Sensability\"."}, {"response": 860, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (20:06)", "body": "And to think this all started with me complaining about the acting. ;-) Anyway, I have nothing to quibble about regarding Mr. Darcy's wardrobe . I just love those breeches and when worn with the boots....oops, passed out again."}, {"response": 861, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (06:08)", "body": "I saw the documentary The Making of Pride and Prejudice and they explained how they had tried to show the differences in wardrobe, in the houses and even in the carriages and horses. I thought it interesting and wish they could have gone into more detail. But then again, I suppose this may have been discussed at length in RoP."}, {"response": 862, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (09:16)", "body": "Gi, I believe you are correct about the use of different fabrics and I think one of the background tapes (From Page to Screen) touched upon it. The Bingleys wore richer fabrics and more brightly colored fabrics as the use of dye was always more costly, while the Bennets wore cheaper cotton muslins, usually lightly patterned. From the Making of book (pp. 33-4): \"We made an exception with the Bingley sisters, we felt we could point out differences in wealth and class by contrasting their wardrobes with the pretty simplicity of the Bennet girls'. The Bingley sisters wear the equivalent of Gucci. \"I used a lot of silks from India, quite a lot of lace and much brighter and stronger colors - pinks and lime-green, for example. Evening head-dresses were more elaborate and reflected the medieval influence fashionable during this period. Apart from wanting to look like Grecian columns, women aimed to look exotic, so they used rich colours and lots of wonderful feathers. We really wanted something that would stop the conversation in the village assembly rooms when they walked in.\""}, {"response": 863, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (09:50)", "body": "Being far from an expert on Austen's life and times, and without seeing/reading any 'Making of' material, I can say the differences in dress between the Bennet and Bingley sisters was quite apparent to me in P&P2. We really wanted something that would stop the conversation in the village assembly rooms when they walked in.\" That headgear really did the job!"}, {"response": 864, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (09:53)", "body": "(Eileen) That headgear really did the job! ECC alert Don't you think it was overkill? Caroline's face alone has stopped Mack trucks. ;-)"}, {"response": 865, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (10:22)", "body": "(KarenR)ECC alert Don't you think it was overkill? Caroline's face alone has stopped Mack trucks. ;-) I confess I have a hard time convincing myself that they are the height of genteel fashion ;-)The Empress Josephine herself wore much (apparently) simpler clothes..."}, {"response": 866, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (10:34)", "body": "When I visited Chawton in '98, they had some original dresses from the JA era and they were exactly like the simple cotton/muslin dresses that the Bennett sisters wore in P&P2."}, {"response": 867, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (16:06)", "body": "(Gi)I confess I have a hard time convincing myself that they are the height of genteel fashion;-)The Empress Josephine herself wore much (apparently) simpler clothes... No. They weren't. And yes. She did. The Bingley costumes were intended as a visual joke, to indicate that although there was money, and perhaps even breeding, it could not bestow taste and refinement. It just seemed to me that it was unecessary, Austen's wit and the acting were enough to suffice. The Bennett sisters clothes were comparable to Miss Bingley's in point of their workmanship and detail. Cotton was worn by ladies of fashion, the type of material one dressed in was determined by the time of day. A lady of Miss Bingley's class would have worn a dress similar to one of Jane Bennett's for morning or afternoon wear. The costume design for the film version of \"Sense and Sensibility\" and the 1995 BBC \"Persuasion\" were better than those for the 1995 \"P&P\". The Bennett's costumes should have been more like those for Anne Elliot or the Dashwood sisters. But it doesn't matter if you dress actors in aluminum foil if they can act."}, {"response": 868, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (19:04)", "body": "But it doesn't matter if you dress actors in aluminum foil if they can act. Ah, back to the \"material\" point."}, {"response": 869, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (00:24)", "body": "Hello, chickies! Yes, I'm still alive (but barely awake) and have been thinking of all of you for some time now. Thought I'd do a little pop-in to see how if the drool still flows in rich, glistening waves ;-)~~~ Then Yapp choked my computer with all the new messages since I'd last been here and I thought, \"Aaah, it's good to be home!\" ;-p So...what's new? How are things? Everybody happy? ;-) Believe it or not, I'll graduate on May 11th. Amazing, yes? Those two years, which seemed like an eternity at the beginning, flew passed my head--WHOOOSH!--like the Concord. I'm feeling rather ambivalent about the whole thing. It will be nice to earn money again I suppose, but I don't feel ready yet. I could use another year, if you can believe that (though I don't think my wonderfully patient friends could take it ;-p)...Renate and Arami and Evelyn have each periodically checked in with me, passed on news and have been good enough to ignore my absorption with school. Excellent creatures! I will not forget it ;-) But I digress\ufffd The reason I chose to visit this board is that I'm in high Darcy-drool mode. Indeed, I am in earnest! Feels good since I've had no time in all these months to appreciate the very great pleasure a pair of fine breeches on the loins of a pretty man can bestow ;-p A couple of weeks ago, stressed about my thesis, frazzled over my CGI final, and terribly sleep-deprived, I decided to take a night off. My roommate (who is a better sport than I realized) said, \"Let's watch Pride & Prejudice\" since he'd never seen it and wanted to understand why he is forced to look at pictures of Colin all over the house. I warned him about it being a sort of dignified \"chick flick\", but he was game and I certainly wasn't about to turn down the opportunity. We watched the first tape and ladies, let me tell you, it was a bee-yew-tee-ful thing! It just never gets old for me. It doesn't matter that I can recite the whole thing and know every nuance of the performances. Each time I watch it I fall hopelessly in lust all over again (bless Colin's little cotton socks) ;-p Though my roommate liked it, I couldn't talk him into doing a marathon. So, when we have an extra hour in between classes and homework, we sit down for another episode. I've never had the willpower to watch it this way, and you know what? It's kinda nice...gives me something to look forward to. Unfortunately we only have one tape left *sigh* What will I do then? If I do the usual obsessive watch-it-five-times-in-a-row thing, he'll goof on me for the next two months. As it is, he's been picking on me for being incapable of watching an episode without making some kind of comment about the breeches or the voice or the...INCROYABLE ;-p Of course, for me watching P&P is a completely different experience than it is for him. I can't look at the dangling watch and fob without thinking of Arami's hysterical...erm...short story. I can't see the dripping, clingy wet shirt without remembering Megan's hilarious attempts to keep people from stealing it. And of course, every horse I see has a name! It's too funny. Half the time I'm laughing and it has nothing to do with the film. I\ufffdve missed it and I realize that I need a little diversion into the depths of depravity to regain my sense of humor. And so, here I am, looking for the comradeship of kindred spirits. My roomie, though a decent fellow I suppose, isn\ufffdt exactly enthusiastic about my devotion to Darcy. Men just don't get it :-/ See you soon, chickies ;-)"}, {"response": 870, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (00:52)", "body": "Nan!!! How splendid to see you. Does he play hockey? Oh well, he did watch P&P2 with you - *sigh* Mine hasn't in 18 years worth of fighting over it. I'm with you. I think I am over it until I get just the merest whiff of the man and I am as good as gone all over again. INCROYABLE is only one part of the man and it without him would just be another...um....yeah! Need the works! Hugs and wonderful things to you. Soo good to see you here again. You were the first to greet me when I first peered in to Drool all wet behind the ears. I try to be as kind to newbies as you were to me - always!"}, {"response": 871, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (01:27)", "body": "I have made myself a video of just the Colin parts of P&P2 so I don't have to \"waste\" time fast forwarding when all I want to look at is Mr Darcy."}, {"response": 872, "author": "apps1243", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (05:16)", "body": "dsdddsdsvdv"}, {"response": 873, "author": "apps1243", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (05:16)", "body": "eeeeeeeeee"}, {"response": 874, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (07:31)", "body": "Hello, Nan, and congratulations! We have missed you and are ready to welcome you back with open arms. . My roomie, though a decent fellow I suppose, isn\ufffdt exactly enthusiastic about my devotion to Darcy. Men just don't get it :-/ Just like at my house. Believe me it gets worse."}, {"response": 875, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (08:11)", "body": "Nan, oh Nan!! Welcome back and great to hear you're graduating. Always good to hear someone so eloquently admiring Colin's finer points."}, {"response": 876, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (11:09)", "body": "What a fine surprise! I was wondering what had suddenly revived this board and look who I found here! :-) Always glad to see you around here, Nan, and have a great graduation! I think I can safely promise we'll be thinking of you on May 11th. We haven't drooled much lately, have we? Been very serious. Count on you to change that ;-)"}, {"response": 877, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (15:21)", "body": "Nan, we've never met on the boards here. I know you from your older posts, but I joined while you were in the midst of your education. Your reputation does proceed you, and I mean that in a good way. So -- hello Nan."}, {"response": 878, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (20:14)", "body": "Aaaah, here you are, Nan, oh, Nan! Practising before jumping back in - what a splendid drooler she is! I'm in high Darcy-drool mode. We need you back here to revive these boards! What an absolutely wonderful splurge of fresh drool... My roommate Careful! People may think you have (or use?) only one room... ;-P Btw, in the UK, where an apartment is called a flat, he would be called a flatmate... ??? I can't look at the dangling watch and fob without thinking of Arami's hysterical...erm...short story. Should I be thinking about reworking it into a... erm... long story, perhaps? ;-) looking for the comradeship of kindred spirits We are here, ready and waiting!"}, {"response": 879, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (23:49)", "body": "What a lovely welcome! You know, I even forgot the joy of logging in and seeing a topic active. I have been away too long\ufffd (Marcia) Does he play hockey? The roommate? No, no hockey. However, he does have that rather annoying I-used-to-be-a-jock way about him. The more exposed I am to testosterone, the more I like fictitious men\ufffdhence Darcy ;-p You were the first to greet me when I first peered in to Drool all wet behind the ears. I try to be as kind to newbies as you were to me - always! Aww, that\ufffds sweet, honey! Glad to see the years haven\ufffdt dampened your enthusiasm. (Cathey) I have made myself a video of just the Colin parts of P&P2 so I don't have to \"waste\" time fast forwarding when all I want to look at is Mr Darcy. A girl with a Colin power tape--now that\ufffds what I like to hear! I think I need one of those\ufffdpreferrably all daggy shots of breeches and big chocolate eyes ;-) (Gi) What a fine surprise! I was wondering what had suddenly revived this board and look who I found here! :-) Well, you can always count on me to surface when I feel a Colin attack coming on ;-p Good to see you, m\ufffddear\ufffdbeen too long\ufffd We haven't drooled much lately, have we? Been very serious. Count on you to change that ;-) Serious? This group? Nyah\ufffdI refuse to believe it. It\ufffds not only impossible, it\ufffds sacrilege and against all the fundamental beliefs upon which this great, wet place was founded ;-p (Cheryl) Your reputation does proceed you, and I mean that in a good way. So -- hello Nan. Hello, to you too Cheryl ;-) Good to know I didn\ufffdt leave any really offensive posts behind me (I think I removed all of those ;-p) (Arami) Practising before jumping back in\ufffd LOL, you know me too well. I was just sort of dipping my toes in the water before really going to town ;-p We need you back here to revive these boards! What an absolutely wonderful splurge of fresh drool... Well, here I am ready to let loose my fantasies and make an ass of myself. Who wants to play? ;-p Careful! People may think you have (or use?) only one room... ;-P Goodness, no! We don\ufffdt want to give anyone that impression. Btw, in the UK, where an apartment is called a flat, he would be called a flatmate... ??? You know, I\ufffdve been trying to come up with a better word for it myself. I suppose \ufffdflatmate\ufffd is the most appropriate word, but few people in my sphere would understand what it meant. Also, you need to have a cool British accent to get away with saying a word like that. If you say \ufffdflatmate\ufffd with a New York accent, it just sounds like affectation ;-p (Arami) Should I be thinking about reworking it into a... erm... long story, perhaps? ;-) I would by no means suspend any pleasure of yours\ufffdor mine for that matter. Lay it on me, babe! ;-p Thanks everyone for the graduation wishes. I still have a killer week of final projects coming up and, of course, the dreaded thesis\ufffdbut I\ufffdll keep checking in as time allows. XOXO"}, {"response": 880, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (23:56)", "body": "(Nan) Good to know I didn\ufffdt leave any really offensive posts behind me (I think I removed all of those ;-p) We've created a special topic for those... Marcia keeps them on her hard drive next to Esbee's stories on:"}, {"response": 881, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Apr 29, 2000 (00:03)", "body": "*lol* It is so good to remember what it was about Drool which made it so special. Gads, yes! Escape from Testosterone poisoning and related ills. But, some of them are still very dear and I have them in my pocket where they are safe and sound. As soon as I wipe the tears from my eyes I shall polish up the glasses, get out my poweer tape of Darcy, blast the tape I made to go with it and hang the cost! Yippee! Nan and Drool are back!"}, {"response": 882, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Apr 29, 2000 (00:04)", "body": "Woo, before you think I have the very dear men in my pocket (have not drooled actively in some time, and it shows)...it is the files....Yes!"}, {"response": 883, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Apr 29, 2000 (07:43)", "body": "Ah, I see some first-rate drool in the horizon. Can always count on Nan to prime the pump. Only one tape left? Ooh, I still get chills when I hear Mrs. Bennet's He has come. He has come at last. So what if she meant Bingley. We know who has really come. And now Nan has really come at last. Mahvelous to see you here again, my dear. :-)"}, {"response": 884, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr 30, 2000 (14:49)", "body": "(Marcia)You were the first to greet me when I first peered in to Drool all wet behind the ears. I try to be as kind to newbies as you were to me - always! Me too...ole buddie.You held my hand for...almost six months! Welcome Back! Let's hear some Serious Drooling now!Wait til you see SLOW!He's gorgeous..."}, {"response": 885, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, May  1, 2000 (03:43)", "body": "(Evelyn)Wait til you see SLOW!He's gorgeous... Isn't he though? I fell for him all over again... ;-)"}, {"response": 886, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, May  1, 2000 (19:36)", "body": "(Karen)We've created a special topic for those... Marcia keeps them on her hard drive next to Esbee's stories on: Karen, you have to tell me what's the deal with the foot fetish? ;-P (Heide) Only one tape left? Ooh, I still get chills when I hear Mrs. Bennet's He has come. He has come at last. So what if she meant Bingley. We know who has really come. LOL, I know. Poor Bingley is just filler for me. How are you, honey? Long time no see... BTW, we haven't watched the last tape yet (no time with finals and all). But, one day when he was out of the house, I did watch numbers 4 and 5 again (yeah, yeah...I know, I'm hopeless). Oh that walk through the grounds at Pemberley, it is too much for me in my present lascivious condition.. To be able to enjoy the aching lovliness of our freshly dressed DB bolting out the door and running down the steps in search of Elizabeth. Then, the walk up the steps, with the marvelous boots and super hero thighs\ufffd SA-LUURP! . Just knock me down and pinch me in the mornin\ufffd! ;-p (Evelyn) Let's hear some Serious Drooling now!Wait til you see SLOW!He's gorgeous... Hey you! There you are! I thought, for a moment, that you'd taken a drool break. I'm glad you're still here. When school is over, I'll call...I swear on my Aunt Tillie's eyeballs ;-) And, no I haven't seen SLOW yet. I haven't seen anything more recent than SIL. It sad to be so out of the loop. But think of how much I have to look forward to ;-)"}, {"response": 887, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May  1, 2000 (21:01)", "body": "Oh good grief....the stroll around Pemberley....the *wiping my chin* \"Miss Bennet??!!\" at Bingley's ...so many and only one lifetime to do it in....*SIGH*"}, {"response": 888, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, May  2, 2000 (17:32)", "body": "It's like the good old times here at Spring... I feel at home again."}, {"response": 889, "author": "Leec", "date": "Tue, May  2, 2000 (23:27)", "body": "Hello I'm new here. I'm an Art and English major ( graduating in June). I came to the States 4 years ago - I'm actually Malaysian. I've just finished watching P&P 2 for the 4th time. It doesn't help that I can borrow the tapes over and over again from the college library for free. I can't convince any of my friends to watch P&P with me. And I'm heartily ashamed of the way I'm behaving. What is happening to me? Why have my senses left me? I am too old to have these sorts of crushes aren't I? Squealing and clapping my hands to myself alone in my room everytime I come across a favourite part ( any sequence with Mr Darcy in it heh heh). Getting misty eyed and smiling to myself at crowded dining halls. What would my bf of 6 years think of me if he knew? Gosh this is so embarressing. Yet the feelings are not alltogether unpleasant and I hate to think that a year from now....this would have been just a phase in my life and that I won't be as coo-coo or hilariously happy as I am now. Anyway here are a few things I have to get off my chest: I just love it when Darcy wears completely black pants . I don't believe that anyone has mentioned this. He has them on when he is giving EB the \"look\". And I love the part at the Netherfield ball when he's dancing with EB -- precisely at the moment where he says \"this is no striking resemblance of your character I am sure\" *siiigh* He looks so sardonic and the movement of his head.. the slight rolling of the eyeballs. It always cracks me up and I start having this really crazy loopy grin on my face ( I scared myself looking into the mirror!) Ok... i'm off to lurk at the Republic of Pemberley website now. Bye for now, carol"}, {"response": 890, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (01:40)", "body": "Sounds quite normal to me Carol ;-) I have been at Drool quite a while now but don't usually find time to say much; trust me though, you will be made feel very welcome. Enjoy!!!"}, {"response": 891, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (02:36)", "body": "Welcome to Drool Caroline! We hope you stay with us. As Cathey says, we all know what you were talking about ;-)"}, {"response": 892, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (07:07)", "body": "Welcome Carol! Only four times??? Believe me after a while the 6 year old will know who Mr. Darcy is. ;-)"}, {"response": 893, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (10:13)", "body": "You know, this topic is Darcy drool, so does that mean we can also drool over Mark Darcy here as well, when the movie finally opens???? Just a thought;)"}, {"response": 894, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (10:14)", "body": "Congratulations and good luck, Nan."}, {"response": 895, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (10:25)", "body": "WELCOME CAROLINE How about that cute half-smile when he says to EB...\"On foot\"? That's a sure \"melter' for me... Stick around Caroline...we love to talk about ODB (Our Dear Boy) in any of his films."}, {"response": 896, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (11:45)", "body": "(LauraMM)You know, this topic is Darcy drool, so does that mean we can also drool over Mark Darcy here as well, when the movie finally opens???? Just a thought;) Happy thought indeed... :-)"}, {"response": 897, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (15:37)", "body": "Welcome Caroline! You sound like you'll definitely fit in here...perfectly normal behaviour... I hate to think.....this would have been just a phase in my life and that I won't be as coo-coo or hilariously happy as I am now Don't you believe it hon' you'll still be a-grinning and a-drolling like the rest of us for years to come!"}, {"response": 898, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (15:38)", "body": "That should read drooling, of course! Sorry too much moisture on the keyboard ;-D~~~"}, {"response": 899, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (16:27)", "body": "I rather like the way her peruses her up and down then lets her pass and takes in the sight of her backside straight in front of him... (Tell me about moisture... =)..."}, {"response": 900, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (17:06)", "body": "So tell us, Carol: ...how old is too old? ;-D"}, {"response": 901, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (17:08)", "body": "*grin* (was wondering the same thing...)"}, {"response": 902, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (17:14)", "body": "Welcome Carol. You've come to the right place. Art and English major, mmm, congratulations on your upcoming graduation. I was trained as an artist, and ended up in advertising. Go figure."}, {"response": 903, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (17:21)", "body": "Carol!!! And I'm heartily ashamed of the way I'm behaving. You're behaving perfectly normal. No one is too old to appreciate a fine performance by an incredibly fine actor and want to watch it over and over again. And, since your friends won't watch it with you, no one will even raise an eyebrow when you slip such phrases as \"shelves in the closet\" or \"pair of fine eyes\" into your conversation. ;-) Stick around and unburden yourself. I too am a fan of the toss-off line during the Pemberley ball scene with the eyeroll. It's right behind the \"on foot\" look."}, {"response": 904, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (17:28)", "body": "THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 905, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (17:34)", "body": "You're behaving perfectly normal. No one is too old to appreciate a fine performance by an incredibly fine actor Blessed Karen, the guardian of our sanity. Yeah!"}, {"response": 906, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (17:45)", "body": "In fact, if a person doesn't act in the manner you've described, Carol, I'd take their pulse, check for signs of stroke or whip out the CPR instructions, and start dialing the paramedics. ;-) So, you like the dark pants, huh? They lack certain, er, textural qualities, but they'll do in a pinch. I'm rather partial myself to the outfit he dons at Pemberley after his dip. Those fawn trousers... they lack for nothing. And btw, meant to say Netherfield ball before.... Oh where are my thoughts??"}, {"response": 907, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (17:51)", "body": "Welcome back Nan!!! You've been very much missed! I have a confession to make....I've been dying to drool again, but all I seem to talk about these days is the direness of the British Film Industry or the idiocy of BBC scheduling...(s-o-o terribly boring!)...not the Man Himself! But that little sideways grin in DQ, the way he leaps out of the bus, arms swinging, the scene in SLOW when he tells Nimi he's frightened because he needs her....mmmmm, he's still got it! And of course there's no-one to beat Mr Darcy, Wot! (Look forward to hearing Mark Darcy say \"what?\". \"Don't what me Mark Darcy\"). Hello Carol!"}, {"response": 908, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (19:07)", "body": "Unburden yourself here, Caroline. The only people who get funny looks from us are those who can't understand the reasoning for all our tremblings and flutterings. Poor sods, I feel sorry for anybody whose pulse doesn't quicken from watching Darcy watching Elizabeth from the window after his bath. THat perfectly tapered waist, those artfully arranged damp curls, that moist lip, those soulful eyes...;-) We could go on and on like this and never question each other's sanity."}, {"response": 909, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (20:02)", "body": "Caroline, as they say: been there, done that, have the T-shirt to prove it. Each time we falter and dry up a little, another Firthian with fresh Drool staggers into our conference and we are all renewed by her eagerness, her way with words, and her ability to bring on fresh flooding for the ones of us who have been at this for years! Aloha and Welcome!"}, {"response": 910, "author": "leec", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (21:07)", "body": "Thank you all - I do feel so welcomed! If I don't post for the next 4 days it would be because my bf is arriving tonite from Boston for a visit. He is too curious about my internet haunts and I don't want him to read my messages! ha ha ha oh the nerve of me! -- I couldn't think of a password so I'm actually using my bf's name as a password to get into a forum for Colin Firth's besotted women. I would also have to delete my huge desktop wallpaper of Darcy sitting-astride-a-black-horse. karenR - hahahah I don't blush easily but lordy! \"Textural qualities\"??!! He does look so fine in those black pants and jacket. What a beautiful man. Hate to wax lyrical but I am reminded of Hamlet's words. What a piece of work is a man ... well in this case it should be \"What a piece of work is this man! How noble in reason! How infinite in faculties! in form and moving, how espress and admirable! in action, how like an angel! in apprehension, how like a god!...\" And I AM beginning to use phrases from P&P! How did you you know? Fortunately, my friends have always heard me with a slight British accent (Malaysia was a British colony) so I might just get away with saying \"Wot\" -- oh I love the way he looks the moment before he says \"wot\" to Caroline Bingley ( URGH... are there no good decent Carolines in literature? Byron's wife was a Caroline and she was reputed to have bad manners, unhygenic and ulgy to boot) I think I shall be inspired by all you ladies. I think I'm having it bad right now because I'm watched this version of P&P only 1 week ago. And I've watched it only 5 times ( counting today). Thank you once again for making me feel so welcome. It's wonderful to be understood!"}, {"response": 911, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (21:29)", "body": "Now you must visit Drool 113 and get yourself a keepsake!"}, {"response": 912, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (03:00)", "body": "Caroline: are there no good decent Carolines in literature? Byron's wife was a Caroline ... Worse still, I'm afraid Lady Caroline Lamb was only Byron's mistress (\"mad, bad and dangerous to know\". You could find a more sympathetic Caroline in Charlotte Bronte's Shirley , or in the film A Thousand Acres , in which I believe there is another attraction also (the girls will say more)... Welcome, Caroline"}, {"response": 913, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (07:57)", "body": "Caroline, uppity Cook girl who started all the trouble? No, I don't think so. ;-)"}, {"response": 914, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (08:51)", "body": "Whoops, sorry! Clearly I haven't seen the film, but I keep seeing Caroline being described as the Cordelia character."}, {"response": 915, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (09:04)", "body": "True, she's the dutiful daughter but she's not portrayed in a very favorable light. Could it be that Goneril and Regan co-produced the film? A shot in the dark."}, {"response": 916, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (19:18)", "body": "Caroline, Y\ufffdur waxing lyrical brings it all back. Let me add another poetic line which Darcy brings to mind:: \"O brave new world that hath such people in it!\""}, {"response": 917, "author": "ommin", "date": "Fri, May  5, 2000 (06:41)", "body": "Mym my me reading this again set me off. I have recently watched SLOW and lo and behold I am besotted again! Then you talking about the dance, the meeting in the gardens, the bath and I shall never be cured, 1995 and still counting!!"}, {"response": 918, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (02:28)", "body": "Oh my, oh my, oh my..... it's so lovely to see some new activity for our dear boy, Darcy. I haven't drooled over the boy for awhile and you all are reminding me what I've been missing. Nan, so good to see you back and thanks for priming the Drool pump :-). Welcome, Caroline. It's great to see a new face here. (Karen) I'm rather partial myself to the outfit he dons at Pemberley after his dip. Those fawn trousers... they lack for nothing. Oh, absolutely. While I do like the long black trousers favored by Caroline, there is something special about those fawn breeches as he's walking up the steps with Lizzy. They display the form to perfection, don't you know :-)."}, {"response": 919, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (08:04)", "body": "there is something special about those fawn breeches as he's walking up the steps with Lizzy. Maybe it has something to do with those oh-so-sexy riding boots he wears with them. Do you ever wonder what possessed him to take the extra seconds to drag those boots back on again when he was in such a hurry to catch Lizzy? Could it be he knew what kind of killer impression he made in those breeches and boots? ;-) (No, I didn't expect him to go barefoot either.)"}, {"response": 920, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (09:49)", "body": "Carol, I think Byron's wife was named Annabella. She was Anne Isabella Milbanke, a cousin of William Melbourne, who was Lady Caroline Lamb's husband. You mentioned there not being very many sympathetic Carolines in literature. One I can think of is in a children's book titled \"Caddie Woodlawn\" by Carol Ryrie Brink. She is the title character, Caroline Agusta Woodlawn, known as Caddie. From what I remember, Caddie is a very spirited and spunky tom-boy growing up in Wisconsin in the 19th century. She was someone who would rather gallop her horse across a frozen lake than do something like knitting. She is a headstrong girl who befriends the local Native Americans. The character was based on the author's grandmother."}, {"response": 921, "author": "leec", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (21:47)", "body": "Thanks for clearing things up Cheryl and Mark. I kinda knew I made a mistake right after submitting the post. It would be fun to check out the books you mentioned. I have to return the 6 tapes of P&P tomorrow and I've made a promise to myself that I won't borrow the series until I've finished my term papers. I would have to visit this board frequently to for \"sustenance\" heh heh..."}, {"response": 922, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (21:29)", "body": "Hey drooly chickies! I\ufffdm baaaack\ufffd It\ufffds over. I\ufffdm done. Time to get a job :-/ But first\ufffdsome slurpin'... We were so crazy with final projects and graduation that we didn\ufffdt get to the final tape until just a couple of days ago. We had very different reactions that night. I was sprawled on the sofa, head propped on a throw cushion with a big grin on my face the whole time. The roommate was sprawled on the other sofa, with both amusement and derision all over his face. I think that last episode was a little too sappy for him. He\ufffds lived here long enough to know what happens when he makes fun of P&P, so he wisely kept his mouth shut. But as soon as he saw the final kiss and the music swelled, he popped off the sofa like his butt was on fire. Other than that insulting action, he liked it rather well. For someone like him, that\ufffds pretty amazing. However, he has taken to walking throughout the house saying, \" BING -ley\", a la Mrs. Bennet. Wiseass. So, even though it wasn\ufffdt a total success, I refused to concentrate on that as my mind was more agreeably engaged ;-) It\ufffds been a long time since I watched that tape and I\ufffdd forgotten how high it is on the droolability scale. I love the stifled anger of Lydia\ufffds wedding: ...and thought of Arami when I saw it, as I know it is one of her favorite moments. Such sullen beauty! Such revulsion! Whoa baby! I was (yet again) reminded of how expressive his eyes can be. Just looky here, now... ...in the \"I must have it\" scene. Those big chocolate orbs are just brimming over with remorse. Yoo-hoo, Coooolin\ufffdI forgive you... ;-p Awww, look how happy he is now that he\ufffds made amends. Isn\ufffdt he just darling? Don\ufffdt you just want to squish his face? Go to it... And, of course, the scene that even I couldn\ufffdt help giggling over\ufffd At this point the roommate said, \"Well, could they slap you over the head with it a little more?\" My response was, \"I should be so lucky\" He's not the only one who can be a wiseass. ;-} There were, of course, many other moments during which I made happy noises (much to the disgust of the roomie): The first visit to Longbourne, where Mrs. Bennet makes a total ass of herself. I always squirm during that scene. I\ufffdm not sure if it\ufffds thinking of poor mortified Lizzy or...other things ;-p Probably both. And the second visit, where he looks freshly bathed (woo-hoo!) and squeaky clean with those wide, velvety sideburns (which no one could carry off half so well). The frightened expression he wears while he says, \"You are too generous to trifle with me...\" Poor, desperate fellow! Come here and let mommy make it better ;-p Of course I had Snappies of all these scenes, but they were lost in the great Nan computer crash of 1998 (sigh). 300 Snappies gone. I still haven\ufffdt recuperated from the tragedy of it all :-/ So, ladies...I\ufffdve started the ball rolling. Who wants to play with me? ;-D Nan (still luststruck after all these years) Also, sorry if these photos take a little time to load. I can\ufffdt seem to get my Spring password to work so they are uploading from another server..."}, {"response": 923, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (22:19)", "body": "Welcome back, Nan. A woman after my own heart!"}, {"response": 924, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (01:54)", "body": "Nan, the best part of Mrs. B. at Longbourne was his slow and all-encompassing study of Lizzie's fine form. That was the most over he ever was in his animal appreciation of her - like a candid moment caught on film. I usually watch this part with the sound OFF. Um...couldn't you manage to print a Huger image of him with it ALL there?! I need to be slapped over the head with it again...badly!"}, {"response": 925, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (02:11)", "body": "That's the ticker and dangler picture for sure =)...."}, {"response": 926, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (09:45)", "body": "Hi Nan...good to have your ole lusty self back... Yeah...the tickler and dangler is always a charger. Really should be Drool's logo:-)"}, {"response": 927, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (12:17)", "body": "Swat! Swat! Grrrrr..... Welcome back, Nan. Congrats on being school-free. Time to unleash all that pent-up drool. (Mr Acia) Um...couldn't you manage to print a Huger image of him with it ALL there?! I need to be slapped over the head with it again...badly! Nice to see you back at drool too, Marcia dear!"}, {"response": 928, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (14:57)", "body": "That's the ticker and dangler picture for sure Wow, your roomie noticed it too! ;-) It is great to have you back, Nan. I hope you will be working on getting more snappies. Have you seen the last smile in MLSF? My favorite Darcy visit to Longbourn is his last when he is decided to ask her and he enter the room with that passionate look. That split second takes my breath away."}, {"response": 929, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (15:34)", "body": "Oh yes! It takes her breath away, as well. Her knees buckle ever so slightly, and ours a great deal. I think if I were ever gazed upon so intensely by someone I loved, I would incinerate in a blaze of glory!"}, {"response": 930, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (16:48)", "body": "(Moon)My favorite Darcy visit to Longbourn is his last when he is decided to ask her and he enter the room with that passionate look (Marcia)Oh yes! It takes her breath away, as well. Her knees buckle ever so slightly Her lower lip quivers...A very erotic moment...hey, they want to tear each other's clothes off...!"}, {"response": 931, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (17:03)", "body": "But they didn't! Which may well make it all the more erotic."}, {"response": 932, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (17:05)", "body": "No, they didn't, but how many Droolians did?! Not asking for a show of hands or whatever, of course - this is private stuff *giggle*"}, {"response": 933, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (17:06)", "body": "Yup, I agree entirely, clad is much more erotic than letting it all hang out no matter how much we wish we could see it..."}, {"response": 934, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (17:21)", "body": "(Evelyn) Her lower lip quivers (Marcia) Not asking for a show of hands or whatever, of course - this is private stuff *giggle* Uh-oh, here we go again with the lowers and uppers :-))))"}, {"response": 935, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (17:34)", "body": "I think, to be physilogically correct, it should be stated that women have six lips. Two upper and four lower. (I've done medical illustration, trust me on this.) Anyway, whatever you can imagine is sexier, at least to you personally, than what can be put on the screen, be it tv or movie screen. Imagination is very sexy."}, {"response": 936, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (18:27)", "body": "Hey, what's this? Am I late for the party? A huge welcome back to our returning lost sheep... erm... I mean, lost Deer! Hooray! Things will soon be back to normal... erm... abnormal... um... enormous... well... yes! thought of Arami when I saw it, as I know it is one of her favorite moments. Such sullen beauty! Such revulsion! Bless you! You remembered well. Don\ufffdt you just want to squish his face? His face and all the rest of him... At this point the roommate said, \"Well, could they slap you over the head with it a little more? LOL! The guy was evidently jealous! those wide, velvety sideburns (which no one could carry off half so well) That's because they were his very own, lovingly grown and beautifully tended on his lovely, shapely, manly jowls! Come here and let mommy make it better ;-p Aha! Now we know why he married an Italian ragazza ;-P! still luststruck after all these years You're still not alone... I can\ufffdt seem to get my Spring password to work Have you heard about the great Spring migration to another server? that's the ticker and dangler picture for sure There are at least two more. What a talent! they want to tear each other's clothes off...! Imagination is very sexy. Seriously, in plain historical terms, their passion would be much more subtle. Really romantic. Not raw and animal. (Well... maybe later... ;-))"}, {"response": 937, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (18:34)", "body": "*sighing blissfully* Now I remember what it was which kept me in Drool all those years before I ventured out of the Silken tower to see what else was around... Thank you ladies - I have not breathed this deeply in a very long time and I missed it! *wiping the keyboard and monitor*"}, {"response": 938, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (18:36)", "body": "Just a thought, but isn't that what old topic 34 and now one-hundred-something was for? Various forms of disrobing and the inevitable result thereof?!"}, {"response": 939, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (18:52)", "body": "There's a subtle difference: we don't do fan fiction here, Marcia. This is fan reality. ;-)"}, {"response": 940, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (19:12)", "body": "*whew* I thought I was the only one! It is nice to be amongst those who understand..."}, {"response": 941, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (20:33)", "body": "(Arami)... in plain historical terms, their passion would be much more subtle. Really romantic. Not raw and animal Think so?I dunno...don't think Andrew Davies is so caught up on the historical aspect of lovemaking...I sorta' think he'd go for the 'raw and animal'....:-)"}, {"response": 942, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (20:48)", "body": "Has mankind really changed? Our external display has become more subdued due to society's demands, but I think the most primordeal of them all has remained just that - but within the confines of the bedroom."}, {"response": 943, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (22:37)", "body": "(Evelyn) Yeah...the tickler and dangler is always a charger. Really should be Drool's logo:-) Oooh...an excellent idea. That gave me a vision, honey. Unfortunately, I don\ufffdt think I could draw that without being even more tasteless than I normally am ;-p (Eileen) Welcome back, Nan. Congrats on being school-free. Time to unleash all that pent-up drool. Thank you, m\ufffddear. Good to be back. And you\ufffdre right...I\ufffdm positively brimming over with naughty thoughts\ufffd (Marcia) Um...couldn't you manage to print a Huger image of him with it ALL there?! I need to be slapped over the head with it again...badly! Okay then. I know Marcia is with me ;-) I would have loved to slap ya with a big one, babe...but not only did I lose my old photo collection, but I can\ufffdt seem to get my Snappy to work at all now. I\ufffdm most seriously displeased! (Moon) Wow, your roomie noticed it too! ;-) Well, it\ufffds pretty hard to miss--no pun intended. ;-p Have you seen the last smile in MLSF? I haven\ufffdt seen any Colin films more recent than SIL. Isn\ufffdt that sad? And isn\ufffdt that great? I\ufffdm looking forward to a lazy Saturday with a bunch of movie rentals, a bag of Cheetos and a 4 pack of Guinness ;-p That split second takes my breath away. Oh, I know just what you mean. As I mentioned, not only is he looking squeaky clean (always a plus for me), but he\ufffds looking especially dark and luscious. As a general rule, I prefer a man with lighter coloring (I think it\ufffds a residual effect from the Kevin Costner days). But when I see Colin, all done up in that costume which suits him so well, and his big, dusky eyes fringed with black lashes...to quote Marcia, I get the \ufffdsquinges\ufffd ;-)~~~ (Donna) Uh-oh, here we go again with the lowers and uppers :-)))) Damn! That sounds like a juicy conversation. Drat that school! What did I miss? (Cheryl) I think, to be physilogically correct, it should be stated that women have six lips. Two upper and four lower. (I've done medical illustration, trust me on this.) Okay. Got it. You can scratch that last question. ;-) (Arami) Hey, what's this? Am I late for the party? Hi honey. Never too late. Jump on in... normal... erm... abnormal... um... enormous... well... yes! LOL! I particularly like the \ufffdenormous\ufffd...as you knew I would ;-D (Nan) At this point the roommate said, \"Well, could they slap you over the head with it a little more? (Arami) LOL! The guy was evidently jealous! Indeed! And I'm not ashamed to say that I took great pleasure in seeing him feel inadequate ;-p Aha! Now we know why he married an Italian ragazza ;-P! Yes, yes...we are a very maternal brood ;-) (Nan) I can\ufffdt seem to get my Spring password to work (Arami) Have you heard about the great Spring migration to another server? I vaguely remember seeing that somewhere. I suppose that could be the problem. I\ufffdll check into it. that's the ticker and dangler picture for sure There are at least two more. What a talent! LOL! You are killing me here ;-D (Arami) their passion would be much more subtle. Really romantic. Not raw and animal. (Evelyn) Andrew Davies...I sorta' think he'd go for the 'raw and animal'....:-) Historically, I don't know. But in this adaptation I think it's both. P&P is really successful in subtly expressing sexual desire. There are scenes, innocuous in and of themselves, where you can't help but feel the underlying sexual tension. All that staring and verbal fencing always seems like foreplay to me and is therefore, far more erotic than blatant scenes would be. Look how much time we've all spent analyzing every Darcy nuance. Both Colin and Jennifer are so good at it, too...bless them. On the other hand, there are times when subtlety is overrated and some primal, noise-makin' is all a gal needs ;-p And I get the feeling it wouldn't take much for Darcy and Lizzy (of this adaptation, anyway) to go to it with a right good will ;-) Come to think of it...they did. I'm jealous :-/"}, {"response": 944, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (22:59)", "body": "Here you go, ladies, knock yourselves out... ;-)"}, {"response": 945, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 19, 2000 (07:07)", "body": "What a nice vision to wake up too. Thanks, Karen! (Nan)), I haven\ufffdt seen any Colin films more recent than SIL. You have three, Nan. MLSF, DQ and SLOW. The last two you will have to get from one of us."}, {"response": 946, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, May 19, 2000 (09:23)", "body": "Bless you Karen! Of course you know I swiped that photo in a hot second ;-)"}, {"response": 947, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May 19, 2000 (10:16)", "body": "Thank you, m\ufffddear. Good to be back. And you\ufffdre right...I\ufffdm positively brimming over with naughty thoughts\ufffd Does everyone here know that Nan is now 'The Big Kahuna' of upscale Virtual Views on Pemberley? We're proud of you..ole buddie...but don't forget your ole 'trailer park droolies'."}, {"response": 948, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (03:16)", "body": "(MarciaH)Yup, I agree entirely, clad is much more erotic than letting it all hang out no matter how much we wish we could see it... In this case, I doubt it would hang out... Probably stand up, or out, whatever, no? ;-)"}, {"response": 949, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (07:03)", "body": "Gi! I don't believe I'm reading this ;-P... I mean... you're beating me at my own game here... ;-D"}, {"response": 950, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (14:44)", "body": "I bow to you, Arami :-) but my mind also works like this... sometimes... :-P"}, {"response": 951, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (15:12)", "body": "*Whew* Knock me down and bail out the living room, I am about to be overwhelmed by my own Drool.......and it feels so Good Thank you, Karen, m'dear!"}, {"response": 952, "author": "leec", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (00:10)", "body": "Woah woah... I MISSED THAT -- Her lower lip quivers when he enters Longbourne at the last part??? Now I would have to borrow the tape again. And Karen and Nan.... Thanks for the pictures. I am going to be the minority here and say that I don't like those fawn colored pants/pantaloon..whatever. Ladies! He looks absolutely positively beautiful oh-be-still mybeatinghart gorgeous in black pants. Now if only I could get a picture."}, {"response": 953, "author": "leec", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (00:19)", "body": "Auuuuuuuugh!! Why are my eyes only riveted to a particular spot in that picture??"}, {"response": 954, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (01:51)", "body": "Do not miss the forest for the trees, Caroline... however tall!"}, {"response": 955, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (07:51)", "body": "(Gi) Do not miss the forest for the trees, Caroline... however tall! *snicker* Caroline, those are not the fawn pants. He tosses those on after the pond dunk in order to run after Lizzie. Let's see if I have a pic of those around..."}, {"response": 956, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (12:50)", "body": "Karen, please translate \"snicker\" for me :-)"}, {"response": 957, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (14:17)", "body": "Whew! i disappear for a few weeks and this topic positively explodes with drool. Well, i'm ready to jump right in. I, ah, dont suppose anybody has a snappie of Colin's feet handy? ;-) Nan, well back! :-) and Gi, *hee hee* you're being so nauty! I love it!! pray continue -while i dig out my water wings."}, {"response": 958, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (16:46)", "body": "I see you're a foot woman, then? :-) Personally I don't really relish the sight of bare human feet. Not even Colin's. I wonder whether there's a deeper significance in this... I was rather disappointed that they managed to persuade him to pose for photographs sans socks (except the photo on the beach which made some sense), but I suppose it's to do with trends in modern images for publicity. And, btw, does anyone know what is the female equivalent of a breast man? (Gi might - she's our medically qualified expert here... ;-)) (Not really a Darcy subject, I grant you, but where can a girl air kinky ideas these days? ;-))"}, {"response": 959, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (17:19)", "body": "does anyone know what is the female equivalent of a breast man? I don't believe it requires a medical degree; however, the equivalent for females is an emphasis a tight tush."}, {"response": 960, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (17:27)", "body": "Thank you, nurse :-) - so what is a female equivalent of the bottom man? (You see? It's like a vicious circle, really...)"}, {"response": 961, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (17:31)", "body": "a chest woman"}, {"response": 962, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (18:34)", "body": "Oh, I give up. Ran out of suitable body parts. Time for someone else to provide entertainment!"}, {"response": 963, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (21:47)", "body": "This conversation is getting on my tit(s). This is a Colin quote.;-))) (excuse my firthiology)"}, {"response": 964, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (21:53)", "body": "Sheesh! I get busy in Geo for a moment and the discussion deteriorates do deliciously that no one missed a beat. Hmmm, checking the anatomy at hand in in the other room, I guess it is a female with a chest hair fixation. It is about the only thing the normal male has going or not going for him in that area. I'll go check the resident hairy-chest-beater and let you know if I discover anything further...*grin* What I won't do for the sake of Drool...*sigh*"}, {"response": 965, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (22:13)", "body": "Maybe in your clime, Marcia, chest hair is on more prominent display. If it shows around here in unsuitable situations (i.e., not at beach or similar), then I'd probably react with a \"yuck\"--button it up, you sleaze bag! ;-)"}, {"response": 966, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (22:23)", "body": "There are always those individuals who are furry to the max (such as a personal favorite of mine) and I think there is no way that he can help but share a little peek with the rest of the world. Yeah, here what you got mostly hangs out or dangles or whatever without much thought. Not me, of course. I am the original inhibited lady...but I am NOT blind ;)"}, {"response": 967, "author": "ommin", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (06:05)", "body": "Marcia inhibited - nevah."}, {"response": 968, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (07:11)", "body": "(Marcia) Yeah, here what you got mostly hangs out or dangles or whatever without much thought. Where I live, what hangs out or dangles is usually somebody's potbelly hanging over the waistline, with the crack in the back peeking out :-)"}, {"response": 969, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (18:43)", "body": "Same here, on the other side of the pond. I guess we call it civilization."}, {"response": 970, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (19:05)", "body": "...or as civilized as it gets these days of loose clothing, loose lips and looser morals. Geez, sounds like I just got out my soapbox !!!"}, {"response": 971, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, May 27, 2000 (22:01)", "body": "Whoa! I go off to solve a little thesis problem and whap! The drool is flying all over the place in here ;-p Excellent! (Caroline) Auuuuuuuugh!! Why are my eyes only riveted to a particular spot in that picture?? Wicked, naughty woman! I am in complete sympathy...I can\ufffdt seem to take my eyes off it either. (Arami) Personally I don't really relish the sight of bare human feet. Not even Colin's. I wonder whether there's a deeper significance in this... LOL! No surprisingly, I don\ufffdt get the foot thing either ;-) I\ufffdm very anti-feet. Don\ufffdt like to look at \ufffdem, certainly don\ufffdt wanna get near them and I absolutely cannot have a pedicure--makes my skin crawl. I\ufffdm sure this has some kind of bizarre psychological meaning, but whatEVER...;-p (Arami) And, btw, does anyone know what is the female equivalent of a breast man? (Karen) ...the equivalent for females is an emphasis a tight tush. (Arami) so what is a female equivalent of the bottom man? (Karen) a chest woman Hmmm...I would imagine the bottom thing goes for both sexes (though it holds little interest for me). I think that all men and women are fascinated by each other's unique protrusions. Therefore, the equivalent of a breast man would be a crotch woman (now THAT interests me greatly ;-p). (Karen)chest hair\ufffdIf it shows around here in unsuitable situations (i.e., not at beach or similar), then I'd probably react with a \"yuck\"--button it up, you sleaze bag! ;-) I agree. ICK! Well, I\ufffdm not opposed to a normal amount, but anything that peeks out of the neckline of a t-shirt has got to go ;-D"}, {"response": 972, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May 27, 2000 (22:24)", "body": "The things we learn on the Spring - and they said the Internet was not educational...*scoff* I'll take the guy I love furry all over if that is the way God made him...! Now. back to that protrusion which goes straight from the eye to the libido without stopping at the brain...*sigh* Why IS that?! (Never mind!) Nan, you ARE allowed, encouraged, begged, even to post in Geo. Coitainly you have something to say about Poils?!"}, {"response": 973, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, May 28, 2000 (02:18)", "body": "I guess we're all terribly refined in the UK...a renent survey asked women to list the five most attractive parts in a man. Winners (in winning order)..eyes, smile, nice butt/ass, hands and GSOH. Wot! No feet!"}, {"response": 974, "author": "Ruperbear", "date": "Sun, May 28, 2000 (07:56)", "body": "What is GSOH?"}, {"response": 975, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, May 28, 2000 (09:31)", "body": "Good sense of humour!"}, {"response": 976, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, May 28, 2000 (12:03)", "body": "Thanks for asking, Rupert. I rather thought it was inside-out for GOSH and astonishment...sometimes shorthand can impede progress on these responses...or have I lost touch. In Geo I have enough problems making the stuff I post sound good - and unmysterious. Guess I got out of touch with abbreviations..."}, {"response": 977, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, May 28, 2000 (19:37)", "body": "(Marcia) Nan, you ARE allowed, encouraged, begged, even to post in Geo. I will do just that, m'dear. I warn you, my knowledge of all things Geo is minimal at best. I saw the topic on \"Vulcanism\" and wondered why you were all talking about Mr. Spock ;-p Coitainly you have something to say about Poils?! Oh honey...every girl has something to say about poils...or at least they should. And Bethan is here! It's like old home week. How are you, honey?"}, {"response": 978, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, May 28, 2000 (20:21)", "body": "Ah Vulcanism...My Cfadm for the day (month, year, and on....)wanted to work Vulcan in somewhere so I came up with that. I wondered how many Spock fans we disappointed by so doing. (Actually, it is a token homage to the UH Hilo Vulcans - our local college's teams' names) Don't worry about the intellectual content there...discussion of tango lessons broke out in the Bioregions topic, and other frivolity abounds - just as elsewhere on Spring!"}, {"response": 979, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, May 29, 2000 (12:10)", "body": "(Marcia)...discussion of tango lessons broke out in the Bioregions topic... Hehe... You won't forget that one, will you, Marcia? :-)"}, {"response": 980, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 29, 2000 (12:41)", "body": "It was hilarious. Come back home, Elena, Gi and Alexander! At the time I was dispairing of the topic's ever being normal again, a certain wise gentleman suggested I fire the band! *lol*"}, {"response": 981, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 29, 2000 (12:48)", "body": "...I think levity is off for the time being! How I miss it. Perhaps with Nan's timely arrival we might have fun once again!"}, {"response": 982, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (16:22)", "body": "On the subject of those \"furry\" men, I could never love a man who had hair growing out of his back. I'm sorry, it's infantile on my part, but I cannot be attracted to someone who looks as though he needs to evolve a bit more. I don't get the foot attraction either. I can't stand the thought of getting a pedicure, much less giving one. Gross! They couldn't pay me enough. Hands, for me are another story. I notice mens' hands. It would seem the body part I notice on all men whether I'm attracted to them or not/"}, {"response": 983, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (08:06)", "body": "Foot attraction: I guess it depends on the foot. Most people have ugly feet, congenitally or because of wearing the wrong shoes all their lives. but there are some pretty feet around there too :-)"}, {"response": 984, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (09:55)", "body": "I had a dream about CF last night. He was himself and I was a gushy, silly, mute. V. embarrassing. Thought it meant I better start talkin and a'droolin. You know, as therapy, to unsilence myself. Hehehe. Some one (Heide? Love your stories btw!) wanted a picture of his feet. Hope this direct link works. If not, you can find the pic under Friends of Firth, under the off-screen images category, where there are lots of thumbnails. This particular thumbnail is at the bottom of the page. You just need to click on it, to get the enlarged version."}, {"response": 985, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (09:59)", "body": "Oops, that didn't work! Where'd my link go? Here is the URL at least: http://www.grin.net/~meluchie/anna5.jpg And here's the URL for the offscreen images page at FOF (sort of like SOS, eh?) http://www.grin.net/~meluchie/offscreen.html"}, {"response": 986, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (10:00)", "body": "Hmmm. That worked as active links, no html required. Neat!"}, {"response": 987, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (10:34)", "body": "Oh my, Sadie! It took forever to load but it was worth it. Thank you!<-D"}, {"response": 988, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (11:05)", "body": "Glad you enjoyed Gi. So tell me, what makes for sexy feet, versus not so great, in your opinion? What do you think of CF's feet? -- just as an illustration of your foot theory of course. :-) I know what does it for me regarding men's hands, but I haven't much considered the foot-thing before. Except I find dirty feet a real turn-off. That is to say, grimy unwashed feet...dirty is another matter... Also, I know that size doesn't matter, but how come this board prints such teeny responses? Oh my poor eyes!-D"}, {"response": 989, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (11:06)", "body": "And of course, I say that wise-ass size remark, and it all prints as a regular size!"}, {"response": 990, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (12:04)", "body": "Sadie: The size of the font (viewing and printing) is determined by your own PC, not this website. Check font preferences. BTW, you guys are all nuts. A pedicure is the ultimate luxury, especially when they massage your tootsies. ;-)"}, {"response": 991, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (15:01)", "body": "Karen, I didn't alter my font preferences, and all the other boards looked normal, while this one did not. Well it looks normal now, but I swear I did nothing! V. weird!"}, {"response": 992, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (15:23)", "body": "Better than a pedicure is reflexology. It is the ultimate! ;-) Sadie, I believe in our past here we have discussed the relative size of hands to the incroyable. Remember ladies? :-D"}, {"response": 993, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (20:03)", "body": "One of our more scintillating discussions to be sure, Moon. I know it exceeded my expectations but then Colin/Darcy always does. ;-) Hmmm, Sadie, it wasn't me who wanted another peek of Colin's tootsies though I certainly don't mind sneaking a look myself. Thanks."}, {"response": 994, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (21:21)", "body": ""}, {"response": 995, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (03:24)", "body": "I also remember that discussion about relative sizes. Very educational :-) I do not find feet especially sexy in themselves, Sadie, but I like good-looking, clean, callus-free, proportionate feet as much as any other part of the human anatomy... Only they are harder to find, probably because people tend to not care for them properly..."}, {"response": 996, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (20:43)", "body": "Oy! I step away and the feet have taken over ;-p (Karen) BTW, you guys are all nuts. A pedicure is the ultimate luxury, especially when they massage your tootsies. ;-) Oh, ick! My sister agrees with you, Karen and always tries to talk me into joining her when she goes for a pedicure. I don't think I could bear it. I had my little toes fixed a few years ago and the pain was nothing compared to the torture of enduring the surgeon's hands on my feet ;-p Where did this conversation come from? Was it barefoot Colin on the stairs or barefoot Colin on the beach?"}, {"response": 997, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (20:52)", "body": "Beats me, but I never actually knew he had feet. I just assumed.....*silly me!*"}, {"response": 998, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (20:53)", "body": "Myh eyes always travel as far as the calves then travel upward again then downward then.......*sigh*"}, {"response": 999, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (22:13)", "body": "(Nan) Was it barefoot Colin on the stairs or barefoot Colin on the beach? On the beach. Ahhh ... One of my favorite pics of him because it shows clearly his proportions. Also a couple of nicely-shaped tootsies to go along with the rest of his nicely-shaped physique. **Sigh** (Even if he does look like he was assembled by a committee...)(**Heehee**) ;-)"}, {"response": 1000, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (22:16)", "body": "Ooops!! On the stairs!! On the stairs!! Shows to go you how tired I am this time of night...I MEANT on the *Stairs*"}, {"response": 1001, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (22:47)", "body": "(Nan) My sister agrees...and always tries to talk me into joining her when she goes for a pedicure. Have your sister to make an appointment for me at her place and I'll make one for her at mine. Love the slathering in cream part. Heaven! (and I've had foot surgery too)"}, {"response": 1002, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (08:58)", "body": "(Karen) Love the slathering in cream part. Heaven! Oh...ICK! They would have to give me a sedative first ;-p Since we're on the topic of feet, here's something I took down from my wall and scanned just for you guys... Sorry, I can't find my copy of the one on the stairs :-/"}, {"response": 1003, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (10:20)", "body": "(KJArt)(Even if he does look like he was assembled by a committee...)(**Heehee**) ;-) Wot? Colin Frankenstein Firth? :-o (Nan)Sorry, I can't find my copy of the one on the stairs :-/ But you did check the url that Sadie posted a few days ago?"}, {"response": 1004, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (10:27)", "body": "Wow, the beach shot has got to be one of the nicest I've seen. And showing a little ankle no less. Very risque (pretend I know how to make an accent on the 'e' using html). Could the stairs shot be the one I put up as a link, which Gi downloaded? If so, it's the jpg doc. in response 985. Where did this beach shot come from Nan? It's veeery flattering to say the least. Oh dear, I'm having an American Beauty moment again (only, the converse, since I'm younger.) Now wait, before you imagine me in the shower, this was a completely innocent reference. All I meant is that I'm all moony-faced, like Kevin Spacey during the cheerleading. All I can say is: my my my... Although, \"mine, mine, mine\" would be better!"}, {"response": 1005, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (10:29)", "body": "Hey neat, I crossed postings Gi. Phew, just checked to make sure that I am indeed on the Drool board. But to borrow from the poetic lyricism of Bridget's boss: I'm thinking vanilla and chocolate fudge sundae, I'm thinking holy sand Batman, so let's consecrate it, I'm thinking 'hold me by the ears and call me a Virgin'. I'm sorry, I don't know where that came from. Board is smokin' from mix of electrical and drool overload. She's breaking up, she's breaking up...I cannoo hoold herr mooch lungerr, Captan."}, {"response": 1006, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (10:30)", "body": "Ya, I know. Lousy Scottish accent. Sorry. Feeling like an actor in MLSF, but without the talent."}, {"response": 1007, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (10:51)", "body": "Where did this beach shot come from Nan? Harpers...1997,98? I think March.It was taken in Santa Monica and he was about to start shooting ATA (\"pardon the expression\"). My favorite Nan of all time (next to \"on foot?\"). ~~~~~~~~~ (Sadie)Oh dear, I'm having an American Beauty moment again LMAO....have to remember that one....a winner, Sadie, thanks."}, {"response": 1008, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (16:02)", "body": "RAOTFLMAOFLIA - Sadie what can I say except can I have one of whatever you're having??"}, {"response": 1009, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (17:40)", "body": "(Gi) But you did check the url that Sadie posted a few days ago? Now, how did I miss that one. I'll back up and swipe it ;-) (Sadie) Where did this beach shot come from Nan? It's veeery flattering to say the least. Truthfully, I don't remember :-/ Where's Renate? She'll know. She has an amazing memory for those things. She's breaking up, she's breaking up...I cannoo hoold herr mooch lungerr, Captan. LOL! You are definitely a kindred spirit, honey ;-)"}, {"response": 1010, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (00:58)", "body": "Wow, it's so nice to be appreciated for drooling well. This is a total refuge. (well not a total refuge , I can own more than a monk's bowl. And there's no vow of celibacy... right?) (Tracy T)RAOTFLMAOFLIA - Sadie what can I say except can I have one of whatever you're having?? You sure can, Tracy T. It's at response 1002, Nan's famous posting. And we ain't talkin' text. But pleeease, what does RAOTFLMAOFLIA stand for? I need a Drool Acronyms for Dummies Bible! Nan, knew it all along. Who else but a kindred spirit would post such a drool-inspiring photo to begin with? I'm still reduced to 'my,my,my' even now! And you are all aposting and adrooling kindreds! Virtual group hug moment!"}, {"response": 1011, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (09:33)", "body": "(Sadie) (well not a total refuge , I can own more than a monk's bowl. And there's no vow of celibacy... right?) Celibacy! Pffft! Not if I can help it ;-p Nan, knew it all along. Who else but a kindred spirit would post such a drool-inspiring photo to begin with? I'm still reduced to 'my,my,my' even now! And you are all aposting and adrooling kindreds! Virtual group hug moment! Indeed, you've come to the right place. The wetter the better, I say. Everyone is kindred to a certain degree (even those who won't admit it ;-p) but when you use words like \"aposting and adrooling\" and use a Star Trek reference to make a point, it's almost spooky. Sounds exactly like something I would do. Tell me you like hockey and I'll know we were separated at birth ;-)"}, {"response": 1012, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (21:30)", "body": "So, we weren't exactly separated at birth, Nan. I rarely watch sports. BUT, I have been known to get swept up in a hockey game on occasion, and then, before I know it, I'm yelling and swearing with the best of them. Before there were disappointed Arsenal fans, there were disappointed Leaf Fans."}, {"response": 1013, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (16:16)", "body": "(Sadie) I have been known to get swept up in a hockey game on occasion, and then, before I know it, I'm yelling and swearing with the best of them. Close enough, m'dear ;-) Before there were disappointed Arsenal fans, there were disappointed Leaf Fans. ...and disappointed Ranger fans *sigh* So, back to the original topic... I was thinking today that maybe we need a little Darcy diversion (preferrably something that has nothing to do with feet ;-p). Anyone have a suggestion? We've each watched P&P a jillion times, talked about every outfit and facial expression, we even laid claim to his possessions. What's left? Maybe a little Darcy poll...not a quiz (what's the point? we all know everything...) but it would be kind of interesting to see an overview of the opinions of Colin fans in general. If anyone has questions you think would be interesting you can let me know and I can whip up a little cgi script for the occasion. I wonder if there is still a cgi-bin though...used to be when we had the chat room at Firth, but with the new server and all...?"}, {"response": 1014, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 10, 2000 (16:57)", "body": "Nan, I think it will be fun once BJD is out to compare our Mr. Darcy with MD. Disect, compare and contrast from head to toe. (God, I hope MD has a little ring he plays with). ;-)"}, {"response": 1015, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Jun 11, 2000 (04:53)", "body": "Moon -God, I hope MD has a little ring he plays with Erm, I suppose a dangler's too much to hope for ;-P **quiver, faint, crashing noise**"}, {"response": 1016, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Jun 12, 2000 (15:34)", "body": "I think we should hold a free-association poll. What random thoughts/daily activities lead people back to thoughts of CF in the course of the day, when they are not on the Board? For example: bought fresh tomatoes. Made me think of Annette Benning's line in The Grifters when she's romping with aweful landlord in lieu of rent. Annette Benning + romping = Valmont = CF. Or this: munched on cookies while watching 60 Minutes. Coooookies. English Ginger Snaps --- CF! (Kinda like that old \"Who's on Firth\" routine *wink, wink, nudge, nudge*)"}, {"response": 1017, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (15:55)", "body": "Tomatoes make me think of CF in SLoW."}, {"response": 1018, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (17:00)", "body": "(Sadie) Kinda like that old \"Who's on Firth\" routine *wink, wink, nudge, nudge* Sure, I remember--Who's on Firth, *WOT?*'s on second..."}, {"response": 1019, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (17:13)", "body": "*lol*"}, {"response": 1020, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (00:06)", "body": "(Eileen) Sure, I remember--Who's on Firth, *WOT?*'s on second... LOL!"}, {"response": 1021, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (01:05)", "body": "test"}, {"response": 1022, "author": "mondragon", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (01:15)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1023, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (07:34)", "body": "Sadie: We've designated topic 61 for practice postings and (in advance) no need to apologize. :-)"}, {"response": 1024, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (11:35)", "body": "O.K. Karen, thanks (see, I didn't apologize :-D) I know that poor CF has been thoroughly appreciated and dissected. But, a picture is worth a thousand drooling words. So lookie here, even though you've already seen it, can you deny the beauty of this profile? Or get tired of looking at it?"}, {"response": 1025, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (11:36)", "body": "Damn, Damn, Damn!"}, {"response": 1026, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (11:42)", "body": "Ok. This ought to work!"}, {"response": 1027, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (15:14)", "body": "YESSSSSSSSS!! Never get tird of looking at him...*sigh* Congrats, Dear! You did it!!!"}, {"response": 1028, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (15:15)", "body": "sheesh......never get TIRED.....*bigger sigh* See what he does to me?!"}, {"response": 1029, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (14:09)", "body": "I ask, \"with such beauty before you\" why settle for Fabio?"}, {"response": 1030, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Jun 17, 2000 (09:29)", "body": "Personally, I'd run from Fabio. I never understood the attraction for him."}, {"response": 1031, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jun 17, 2000 (16:53)", "body": "Especially with a dead seagull sitting on his face. Colin's our poster boy (love that jawline on that DQ photo) and Mr. Darcy can rip my bodice anytime. ;-)"}, {"response": 1032, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Jun 18, 2000 (12:39)", "body": "Yes, he's certainly looking, er, archetypical. I think this must be hardwired in our, er, brains. (Or something like that! *loud sudden cackle*)"}, {"response": 1033, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jun 19, 2000 (12:21)", "body": "(Heide) Especially with a dead seagull sitting on his face. ROTFLOL! Personally, I can't read the name Fabio without conjuring the image of those bloody blonde locks post-roller coaster ride. \"I caahn't beelieve...\""}, {"response": 1034, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (22:41)", "body": "So we're in agreement on Fabio. What good taste we have! LOL Heide! p.s. Thanks for posting revised story, Gail! When are other legendary drool authoresses going to favour us with some more drool-dripping fan fic? Hmmm? When? We need more Darcy! Get making him! The bodice-ripping sounds most promising, Heide *wink, wink, nudge, extra nudge*"}, {"response": 1035, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (18:33)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1036, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (19:19)", "body": "Aha! Gotcha!"}, {"response": 1037, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jul 20, 2000 (03:09)", "body": "Playing hide and seek, are you, ladies? ;-)"}, {"response": 1038, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Jul 20, 2000 (12:58)", "body": "Ladies you're not playing fair I thought I was going to take part in Darcy Drool at last.I will have to sulk if I don't."}, {"response": 1039, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Jul 20, 2000 (18:14)", "body": "I will have to sulk if I don't. Ooh, like Darcy sulks while he's watching Lizzie and the Colonel flirting at the piano and he has to sit there listening to his old aunt yammering away. Finally, he just gets up and with a flick of those tails strides purposefully to that little minx. He was well rewarded with playful banter and an eyeful (c'mon, everyone noticed his eyes drop down from her face for just that second). Of course now that I'm writing this, I'm thinking maybe I'm getting \"sulking\" mixed up with \"sultry\". That works for me too."}, {"response": 1040, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jul 20, 2000 (19:04)", "body": "Judy, you musn't wait for anyone else when you feel an urge... Just come here and drool to your heart's content... as you see, people will soon follow! So tell us what precisely you like about Darcy? And is there anything about him that you dislike, perhaps? (Ooooh, I haven't Darcydrooled for far too long...) everyone noticed his eyes drop down from her face for just that second Yes, a masterful take... especially that I'm not really sure she was sitting there when they took his close-ups... you know how films are made, don't you? ;-)"}, {"response": 1041, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Jul 21, 2000 (02:52)", "body": "Finnnnnnnnallllly. everyone noticed his eyes drop down from her face for just that second. Yes, a masterful take... especially that I'm not really sure she was sitting there when they took his close-ups... you know how films are made, don't you? Oh yeah, I noticed. Ah c'mon, Arami, don't spoil the illusion! I don't want to know that his eyes dropped down and up again while Mr.Collins was sitting there, waiting for his next scene! And have you noticed Heidi, how his heels hit the floor with a determined manly click, before he flicks his tails? Click and flick, that's all it takes, and I'm lost. *sigh*"}, {"response": 1042, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Jul 21, 2000 (13:41)", "body": "Ah c'mon, Arami, don't spoil the illusion! My dear friend, I'd have to change my name and a few other details (e.g. my leopard's spots). In other words, I am the Chief Spoiler Of Illusions in this place. ;-)"}, {"response": 1043, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Jul 21, 2000 (16:22)", "body": "Do I remember correctly? You make documentary films? You realize of course, that all of reality is an illusion anyway. There is no escape! I just pick my illusions and run with them. Here's one of my favourites: Darcy looks like Colin Firth, walks like Colin Firth, and talks like Colin Firth. Don't tell me he's really a duck! :-)"}, {"response": 1044, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Jul 21, 2000 (16:35)", "body": "(Sadie)Don't tell me he's really a duck! :-) LOL"}, {"response": 1045, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Jul 21, 2000 (16:52)", "body": "OK, I won't."}, {"response": 1046, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Jul 22, 2000 (08:21)", "body": "There is, of course, that nasty rumor that CF is really a goose."}, {"response": 1047, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jul 22, 2000 (09:24)", "body": "Here's a scene that's not a illusion...Bride and groom sitting in the carriage after their wedding. Bride drops her hand down to her new husband's manly thigh. Oops! Quickly removes it but my, what a bold move for a virginal blushing bride to make. Conscious move or unconscious reflex? Could it be that she's noticed those tight sinews for so long and just had to feel the firmness now that it's all legal. Or has she had the pleasure of feeling limb against limb for a bit of time now and is getting used to these quick caresses? ;-) Please don't say that she meant to pat her husband's hand but missed. :-p"}, {"response": 1048, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Jul 22, 2000 (09:34)", "body": "Are you going to take a nice cool bath now, Heide? Actually, I felt that Miss Eliza Bennett would have waited until after the wedding to explore certain territories pertaining to the unexplored (to her thus far) geography of Fitzwilliam Darcy."}, {"response": 1049, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Jul 22, 2000 (10:10)", "body": "Tell me Cheryl CF+goose=fantasy have I got the equation right? (Heidi)limb against limb oh god help me!"}, {"response": 1050, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Jul 22, 2000 (10:48)", "body": "(Judy) Tell me Cheryl CF+goose=fantasy have I got the equation right? It's really quite mundane in reality, Judy. I sleep with my head on pillow stuffed with goose down, and sometimes CF shows up in my dreams. So that may explain CF+goose=fantasy."}, {"response": 1051, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Jul 24, 2000 (22:46)", "body": "Forgive me for raising such a delicate subject... but is there not some sort of expression like \"and then he goosed her?\" I could be completely mistaken about this, since I'm so pure. *cackle* Oh Heide, the sinewy limbs did it. You know, you might add a line or two about what happened in the closed carriage. I nevah tire of closed carriage stories! (There are great ones in the drool fic archives, in case anyone has been on another planet.) ...back to the thighs. I bet its all been fairly tame until now. She's probably used to sitting in his lap, while he instructs her in the fine art of kissing. She would have noooo clue what innocently shifting around in his lap can do to a man violently in love. But there was that one occasion...when he suddenly got to his feet and turned his back because, well... and Elizabeth misunderstood, thinking he was displeased rather than too pleased.... But I digress. Back to Heide's delicious reflection: As they leave the church in the open carriage, she caresses his thigh (we all caught her doing it!) and gives him one sexxxy look. But her sexuality is still highly unconscious. She simply craves a kiss. But later, after they have said their goodbyes and are on the road to London, Darcy does not scruple to draw down the shades.... What will happen next? Anyone is welcome to speculate."}, {"response": 1052, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Jul 25, 2000 (12:34)", "body": "(Sadie)I might have Known it was you-goosed her- prodding between buttocks I believe-easier in a carriage I would have thought!"}, {"response": 1053, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Jul 25, 2000 (12:36)", "body": "actually I can think of some other way but I would think perhaps not for her first time!"}, {"response": 1054, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (10:21)", "body": "I am all astonishment! But we can be sure that whatever he does, he's going to hang on possessively to her neck."}, {"response": 1055, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (21:10)", "body": "Sadie But later, after they have said their goodbyes and are on the road to London, Darcy does not scruple to draw down the shades.... What will happen next? Anyone is welcome to speculate. ....Hmm how about - As Darcy drew down the shades of the coach, Elizabeth's heart raced in anticipation. They were finally alone. Neverously she smiled at him in the dim light and with a slight blush bit her full lower lip and met his eyes. Darcy's hands clasped her waist and she found herself drawn onto his lap. \"My love,\" he whisphered, then brought his mouth gently down on hers. The kiss was soft and tender, melting away any hesitancy she might have felt at their new intimacy. His right hand left her waist and moved slowly upward till he reached the top of her dress. His fingers softly caressed the flesh he found there, causing Elizabeth's heart beat harder. His mouth left hers and replaced his fingers. Slowly, ever so slowly he moved his lips across her tender flesh. Nibbling and licking he moisened the skin, pausing to dip his tongue eagerly between the mounds, tasting her as he had yearned to for months. Elizabeth sat with some astonishment upon her husband's lap. The attentions he was performing to her bosom was not at'all what she had expected to occur en route to London. Hesitantly she brought her hand up rest on his head. She weaved her fingers into his silky locks and shuddered. This was pure bliss. Often she had noticed how Fitzwilliam's eyes were drawn to that region of her body, but never had she imagined that his mouth on her flesh would affect her like this. With a groan Darcy pulled himself away from his wife just long enough to draw down her bodice. Elizabeth froze in shock. She reached for the gown, intent on covering herself up, but his hand stilled her own. \"You are so beautiful.\" The words came out hoarsly, as his eyes drank in every bit of her loveliness. Slowly he raised them to meet her gaze. \"So very, very beautiful.\" Their eyes locked for a moment, then wonderous expression appeared on his feature, and he smiled at her with pure joy. Nearly overcome with emotion, Lizzy reached out her hands and cupped his face. Slowly she ran her thumbs over the perfect arch of his brows, then remembering the way his tongue had dipped into her clevage, she extended her own and tasted the dimple on each of his cheeks. His hands captured her face and angled her mouth to meet his. - then the author realized that she really needed to get back to work... :-( oh, and Judy... that last bit was just for you. i figured since i stole it from your wish list, you should at least get credit. :-) Esbee"}, {"response": 1056, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (21:26)", "body": "Esbee, I do not have your email address and I will not get to be with you this time.....alas. I have the California plague and a sore throat and fever and a head full of gremlins... So sorry I could cry.......!"}, {"response": 1057, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (21:34)", "body": "You poor thing! *hugs* Tell iki I said he needs to make you some chicken soup. I will miss not getting to see you, *sniff*. I'm sorry California made you sick... we have been having nasty weather, have we not? Hope you feel better for your flight home tommrow!"}, {"response": 1058, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (21:46)", "body": "Now we're drooling! Thanks Esbee, for such a great continuation of the closed-carriage scenario! Do you know, I was so beside myself, I had to type my name twice to get it right when I logged in! Speaking of drool-worthy scenes, just re-watched The Advocate. I do believe, however, that the video version I just saw was censored by so many seconds, compared to the first time I saw it!"}, {"response": 1059, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (02:43)", "body": "OH ESBEE-'Elizabeths heart beat harder' well mine whizzed round my chest',stopped dead,then somehow re-started itself when I read this scene.WOW When I reached the end to find my 2 wishes included bliss they're even sexier than I'd dreamt. Please don't go back to work you've forgotton his other dimples..."}, {"response": 1060, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (02:47)", "body": "Not wanting to \"pull an Arami\" ;-), isn't this fan fiction? Marcia, hope you get better soon."}, {"response": 1061, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (09:46)", "body": "(Sadie) just re-watched The Advocate. I do believe, however, that the video version I just saw was censored by so many seconds, compared to the first time I saw it! Oh yeah, you'll never find the HotPig version in your local Blockbuster's (if you live in the States, that is). And a couple of seconds here and there can make a lot of difference. Whoa, doggie!"}, {"response": 1062, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (12:33)", "body": "(Sadie)censored by so many seconds,compared to the first time I saw it! yes I can see you there stop watch in hand. (Eileen)Whoa,doggie! can you explain to little innocent me*snort*"}, {"response": 1063, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (12:57)", "body": "doggie! is the operative word. ;-) We weren't allowed to see Colin standing up behind that curtain. There were other scenes cut as well like the walk along the river, him signing her butt and other little bits, but the aforementioned bow-wow scene was the one that landed the movie an NC-17 rating, and Miramax (a Disney company) couldn't release it as such or an \"unrated,\" and hired a high-profile attorney to protest the rating. It failed and the movie was cut. And there's that fondling scene that Heide is so fond of... ;-)"}, {"response": 1064, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (13:04)", "body": "Ah fondling and doggie- drooling at its best! I'm obviously lucky to have my copy intact,well-worn but intact nevertheless."}, {"response": 1065, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (13:09)", "body": "The authorities may have prevailed, but it didn't prevent us from seeing those scenes."}, {"response": 1066, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (14:37)", "body": "It happened again, but this time it took me 3x to get my ID right! Ah yes, I knew I'd seen more of CF behind the curtain --- or words to that effect! How silly of the censors. Whot, only the missionary is permitted? But, they actually also cut some seconds from that position too! I wonder if we'll ever see CF in new scenes that are that, er, telling? Do you think he would refuse, now that he's respectable and married and all? (Oh the tragic reality of becoming status quo!)"}, {"response": 1067, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (15:08)", "body": "(Sadie)I wonder if we'll ever see CF in new scenes that are that, er, telling? Are you trying to ruin my night?"}, {"response": 1068, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (02:44)", "body": "(Judy)Are you trying to ruin my night? Is it the thought of no more or more , i.e. did it ruin your night with despair, or ruin your night by destroying your concentration? I highly recommend taking a gander back at response #1002. It's an ancient curative measure, known to Chinese herbalists as \"dousing with virility\". The great thing about chinese medicine (I've been seeing an acupuncturist) is that its all about balance. So if your tongue (they read your tongue, the mirror of your body) is too dry or too moist, it doesn't matter. \"Dousing with virility\" is guaranteed to fix you up, help you achieve, er, balance.... You see, I have been staring at #1002 for the last half hour. Balance. Excuse me. I really have to run upstairs for awhile now..."}, {"response": 1069, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (03:23)", "body": "well It was of because no more.but now you mentioned it(& I have been to bed since I posted that) I've definitely lost concentration to the point that I'm not sure what I'm talking about!! I've made a note of that post 1002 & will definitely check it out"}, {"response": 1070, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (03:25)", "body": "Any one in your house wonder at the furious running up and down stairs?"}, {"response": 1071, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (03:29)", "body": "All fast asleep although my furious typing maybe disturbing their conscious.Its 9.30am here what about you?"}, {"response": 1072, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (03:32)", "body": "It's the middle of the night! I tried to post again at Odds & Ends, but got an error message for posting too much. Oh well. Perhaps on that note, I better get some sleep. It's been fun talking to you! Goodnight/morning."}, {"response": 1073, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (03:35)", "body": "Good night Sadie its been fun I've feel like I've run a mile chasing after you!I've not even checked out the other topics yet so I'll do that while you're in theland of nod."}, {"response": 1074, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (05:51)", "body": "SADIE HURRY UP AND WAKE UP where am I looking for 1002? MY tongue always seems to be wet these days what does that mean about me? I think I know the problem with 127 we've reached 1999 KAREN HELP"}, {"response": 1075, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (19:10)", "body": "Esbee, you just love to tantalize. There's been so much of that around here lately and I do enjoy joining the fray. I thought I'd do a little research for you girls and check out the size of those sideburns being paraded around in P&P. Ladies, Mr. Bennet wins handsdown. Mrs. Bennet certainly had a handful at one time. Now Colonel Fitzwilliam's and Wickham's are rather long too but barely thick enough to hold onto, not a lot of substance Mr. Hurst's aren't that long, just wide in a triangular shap, sort of indicative of his own body shape. Poor Mr. Bingley's are rather short and stubby, kind of comma shaped. I'm afraid his look only half grown, not quite reaching a satisfactory level of maturity. Mr. Collins has no sideburns to speak of at all. What a relief for Charlotte. Our Mr. Darcy's are long but end in an L-shape. Make of this whatever you will."}, {"response": 1076, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (01:23)", "body": "(Judy) SADIE HURRY UP AND WAKE UP where am I looking for 1002? Sorry Judy, scroll back to message #1002 on this very board. MY tongue always seems to be wet these days what does that mean about me? I do believe that it's a symptom of DROOLING! I think I know the problem with 127 we've reached 1999 KAREN HELP You are so right! I must have been severely sleep deprived not to notice last night! Funny how I still had energy to scroll & drool, scroll & drool."}, {"response": 1077, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (01:32)", "body": "LMAO Heide! (Heide) Ladies, Mr. Bennet wins handsdown. Mrs. Bennet certainly had a handful at one time. It's always the bookish ones who surprise you. Now Colonel Fitzwilliam's and Wickham's are rather long too but barely thick enough to hold onto, not a lot of substance. Not surprised about Wickham, but how could this be about Colonel Studmuffin? Mr. Hurst's aren't that long, just wide in a triangular shap, sort of indicative of his own body shape. Let's not go there! Poor Mr. Bingley's are rather short and stubby, kind of comma shaped. I'm afraid his look only half grown, not quite reaching a satisfactory level of maturity. But think how much energy his sideburns will have! Mr. Collins has no sideburns to speak of at all. What a relief for Charlotte. Judging from the way he simpers, sideburns are not all he's missing. He clearly has no jaws (as in stubble) --- both sides. Our Mr. Darcy's are long but end in an L-shape. Make of this whatever you will. Are you saying that Mr. Darcy's are not well hung?"}, {"response": 1078, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (12:29)", "body": "Aha I'm finally allowed back in I was getting paranoid for a while there. Sadie finally managed to find 1002,love that pic went and found my larger one to look in more detail.I love that grin and those feet and as for slathering(is that a real word?) with cream, well leave the cream off for me, some people like it as it comes! Colonel Studmuffin? tell me you're joking. Heidi great research project on sideburns but you're all missing the point with Darcy's L shaped ones,don't you know what L stands for?-lust,lickable,length, liquefy shall I go on?"}, {"response": 1079, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (12:30)", "body": "(Heide) Ladies, Mr. Bennet wins handsdown. Mrs. Bennet certainly had a handful at one time. (Sadie)It's always the bookish ones who surprise you. This of course begs the question; just what type of books has Mr. Bennet been reading? *giggle* (Heide) Our Mr. Darcy's are long but end in an L-shape. Make of this whatever you will. (Sadie) Are you saying that Mr. Darcy's are not well hung? *GASP* Surely not! ;-0"}, {"response": 1080, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (13:17)", "body": "(Judy)went and found my larger one to look in more detail AM green with envy! Where did you get it? Colonel Studmuffin? tell me you're joking Yes actually, I am. But if you check out fan-fic at Pemberley, you'll notice that the Dwiggies have this running gag. Am crossing virtual worlds so much, I know not where I am. Heidi great research project on sideburns but you're all missing the point with Darcy's L shaped ones,don't you know what L stands for?-lust,lickable,length, liquefy shall I go on? Yes do go on! (Esbee) This of course begs the question; just what type of books has Mr. Bennet been reading? *giggle* Sexactly! (Refer to fanfic board if confused by this reference)"}, {"response": 1081, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (13:26)", "body": "...lecherous,licentious,lewd Its just the picture out of the magazine,full page yummy.talking of which am relieved about the studmuffin, wouldn't want you nibbling the wrong sort"}, {"response": 1082, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (13:31)", "body": "Which mag, Judy? I live such a sheltered life. Or, at least I did til I came here!"}, {"response": 1083, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (13:42)", "body": "Unfortunately I've not kept full mag just the pretty picture.Although there is a smaller one in Harpers at time of FP."}, {"response": 1084, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (13:58)", "body": "Oh well, thanks for info on Harpers. I shall just have to keep returning to the little scanned one. :-( Why am I ( ? That is certainly satisfying enough :-)"}, {"response": 1085, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (14:05)", "body": "Do you have a list of favourite posts that you go back to re-drool over?"}, {"response": 1086, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (14:16)", "body": "So far just that one. It was my definitive moment as a drooler. I still think its one of the nicest photos I've ever seen of CF. Of course, there are other nice shots on other sites. What about you? What's you're all-time fave photo? And this applies to anyone else out there who wishes to join in! BTW, it would be a real treat if you posted it while saying why it's your fave!"}, {"response": 1087, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (14:25)", "body": "Oh what a question off the top of my head I loved the one of him as Darcy that RT mag produced as a poster(its also up in the shop at Lyme Park) a while back he looked so perfect.There's another one of him,I think he's in DQ mode,all in black sat down hands clasped but I'm not sure if I've seen it posted anywhere.For the other photos I will go thro' all my CF stuff yes,yes!"}, {"response": 1088, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (14:34)", "body": "A woman's got to do, what a woman's got to do!"}, {"response": 1089, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (19:08)", "body": "(SadieR) I wonder if we'll ever see CF in new scenes that are that, er, telling? Do you think he would refuse, now that he's respectable and married and all? (Oh the tragic reality of becoming status quo!) You're no doubt right. We shall never see the like of CF in that sort of scene again. Still, he has been working out -- so who knows."}, {"response": 1090, "author": "Xian", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (14:17)", "body": "Sadie: What's you're all-time fave photo? And this applies to anyone else out there who wishes to join in! BTW, it would be a real treat if you posted it while saying why it's your fave! It's been a while since I posted here last ;-) My all time favourite Darcy photo is IBM (I hope you can recognize the name ;-)) Why? Because it's not only shown Darcy's haughty, aloof side but also shown mix of mocking, mischievous and even a slight gallant. It is the most complex expression on one single handsome face I've ever seen. *big sigh*"}, {"response": 1091, "author": "gailw", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (15:11)", "body": "(Sadie) Are you saying that Mr. Darcy's are not well hung? Not possible, no nevah!!!"}, {"response": 1092, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (15:44)", "body": "(Xian)My all time favourite Darcy photo is IBM (I hope you can recognize the name ;-)) Brain is clearly not working. What is that they say about the sympathetic vs. the parasympathetic systems? Please tell me more! (Cheryl) Still, he has been working out -- so who knows. Oh for another Hotpig type script now!"}, {"response": 1093, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (15:53)", "body": "Yes Sadie I am lucky to know the area well I spent most of my childhood holidays there.Even luckier I onlylive about 6 miles from Lyme. (Cheryl) Still,he has been working out-oh I can just imagine it,I would love to towel him down."}, {"response": 1094, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (15:56)", "body": "Took me a while, but didn't IBM stand for Ideal Breeding Material? But can't for the life of me remember the pic... am obviously not functioning on all gears :-("}, {"response": 1095, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (17:28)", "body": "You're not alone Karen ;-(( As to my fave Darcy pic, it'd have to be the 'Pemberley Look'.....makes me go all unnecessary just thinking about it *sigh*"}, {"response": 1096, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (17:37)", "body": "'all unnecessary' I like that, however it makes me getall undressed. Another of my favourite looks is when he goes to Longbourn for the first time & Lizzy is pretending to sew,he's stood at the window & he keeps glancing across at her,it melts me everytime."}, {"response": 1097, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (17:39)", "body": "Hmmm....I'd forgotten that one! Ah but what about the look he shoots her out of his 'bathroom' window when he's all drippy and dishevelled (drippy in a wet sense not in a weedy one ;-D)...*gulp*"}, {"response": 1098, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (17:52)", "body": "OH GOD yes that neck yummy I would love a nibble and then slowly taking his robe off..."}, {"response": 1099, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (18:09)", "body": "...it is amazing the effect that the damp Darcy has on us all, whether it be white shirt or robe clad. ;-}~~~~~ I cannot somehow imagine a soggy Collins would get our hearts a fluttering, a wet Wickham wouldn't do much for me either."}, {"response": 1100, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (18:11)", "body": "What about a wet Willy then?"}, {"response": 1101, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (18:30)", "body": "*Pfft* Do you mean Col Fitzwilliam? Nah, cannot see the fascination levelled at him on these hallowed boards, I'm a Darcy girl through and through. Oh-o - PC problems seem to be contagious, now PC keeps freezing and disconnecting internet *boo* so this may be my last post until tomorrow..."}, {"response": 1102, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (18:34)", "body": "No never accuse me of that I mean the Fitzwilliam! yes this is my 3rd reconnection so I'll go before I throw it out of the window."}, {"response": 1103, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (21:26)", "body": "My fave: On foot?"}, {"response": 1104, "author": "Xian", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (09:19)", "body": "Karen: Took me a while, but didn't IBM stand for Ideal Breeding Material? But can't for the life of me remember the pic... am obviously not functioning on all gears :-( You are right. It is Ideal Breeding Material and I like the name very much indeed ;-)"}, {"response": 1105, "author": "Fran", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (12:07)", "body": "Isn't this gorgeous? Takes my breath away! Thank you Xian."}, {"response": 1106, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (15:03)", "body": "*GLUP* thanks Xian, I have a big 'ole puddle of drool around my PC after viewing that lovely pic. ...he's just so freaken cute!"}, {"response": 1107, "author": "gailw", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (15:24)", "body": "Thanks for the pix ladies. Love that expression in the IBM picture. Is this guy cute or what? (Judy)OH GOD yes that neck yummy I would love a nibble Yes, yes, yes. I love neck view when he's writing the letter to Lizzy. He's all disheveled with his shirt open and then leans back in the chair. My teeth are always aching to take a little nip!"}, {"response": 1108, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (16:17)", "body": "Gail keep your teeth to yourself the necks mine:-) You know Gail I've never noticed a mans neck before CF,you look at their face,bum, whether they fill their pants out properly but not their neck!so why do I always look at his.That scene you mentioned always gets me too it needs a good lick & nibble,it definitely brings out the Vamp-ire in me"}, {"response": 1109, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (21:42)", "body": "Thanks Karen, you have an impressive memory even when not on full gears! Freakin cute is right! Thanks for pics Evelyn & Xian. My its hot in here. What a second Gail & Judy: I might be late in posting, but you will have to wrastle for the neck! (Gail) Yes, yes, yes. I love neck view when he's writing the letter to Lizzy. He's all disheveled with his shirt open and then leans back in the chair. My teeth are always aching to take a little nip! Well, I'm a little 'all unnecessary' myself at the moment Tracy. LOL! Gail, you've expressed my feelings & the scene so well! Sure hope there's a similar delectable moment in What Matters Most . Yes, another hint! Vamp-ire. LOL Judy!"}, {"response": 1110, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (22:59)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1111, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (04:01)", "body": "Thank you for this pic, Sadie, I've been hunting for it because that's my favourite. Unlike you, Judy, I do tend to look at men's necks... and wrists, if you please! ;-) They can be most erotic, I assure you..."}, {"response": 1112, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (04:15)", "body": "Hmmm, pic was there and now has disappeared? Anyone know why that would be? I am down to some last drooling hours before computer gets disconnected!"}, {"response": 1113, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (09:35)", "body": "(SadieR)I am down to some last drooling hours before computer gets disconnected! This sounds ominous! What happens after that?"}, {"response": 1114, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (12:43)", "body": "Sadie you wicked woman thats my neck you're showing to all & sundry! Gi thanks for the tips on man watching it just goes to show that you can teach an old dog new tricks. I'm taking your advice and looking at a pic of CF showing his hands & wrists in all their glory.Must admit to already having a thing about his hands especially those lovely long fingers-very erotic."}, {"response": 1115, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (17:54)", "body": "Nothing ominous Gi. Just moving to new apartment soon. (Judy) Must admit to already having a thing about his hands especially those lovely long fingers-very erotic. Yes, nice hands are v. importante!"}, {"response": 1116, "author": "gailw", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (18:30)", "body": "Oh Sadie, I am in heaven with that picture!! Ummmmmmmmm ....nibble....nibble.....nibble.....nibble. I think it affects me so much because for most of the movie he is so covered up that any view of skin is intensely erotic. Sure hope there's a similar delectable moment in What Matters Most. No promises but you've certainly given me food for thought. Ummmmmmmmm ....nibble....nibble.....nibble.....nibble."}, {"response": 1117, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Aug 27, 2000 (09:33)", "body": "Back by one request-you know who you are. I have a love/ hate relationship with the first proposal scene.When I first read the book I wanted toget this part over & done with,I really felt for Darcy To this day this is a scene I find difficult to watch,asa child I used to hide my head behind a cushion or hide behind the sofa if there was anything on TV I didn't want to watch ,although I didn't quite do this when I saw Colin act this part out it was a close run thing:-D It was Darcy as we know & love him arrogantbut cute & I wanted to kiss him better,I would have made my move & took him in my arms when he went outside,the look on his face & later when he returned to Rosings was a real stomach churner. Another fave for me was \"Do not you feel a great inclination,Miss Bennet,to seize such an opportunity of dancing a reel?\" She smiled,but made no answer.He repeated the question,with some surprise at her silence. 'Oh !' said she,'I heard you before:but I could not immediately determine what to say in reply.You wantedme,I know,to say \"Yes,\" & I will but only if you will change into your kilt first,sir!"}, {"response": 1118, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Aug 27, 2000 (13:12)", "body": "Another fave for me was \"Do not you feel a great inclination,Miss Bennet,to seize such an opportunity of dancing a reel?\"....You wanted me,I know,to say \"Yes,\" & I will but only if you will change into your kilt first,sir! Damn, I knew you Brits had a better version that what we were shown on these shores. ;-) As for the first proposal scene, I can't hide my eyes at this; rather, I quite like it. But for scenes with Darcy in that I dislike watching it's when Lizzy tells Darcy at the Inn in Lambton about Wickham running off with Lydia. Colin gives a little shudder when Lizzy says, \"You know him too well to doubt the rest.\" That shudder is so hokey! C'mon, Colin you can show distaste better than that."}, {"response": 1119, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Aug 27, 2000 (13:40)", "body": "(Heide)That shudder is so hokey! its his only mistake & the little hand stroke is a winner for me. I like the proposal scene its that he does it so well & he evokes the feelings I had at 14 reading it for the first time that I revert back to feeling embarrassed for him ."}, {"response": 1120, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Aug 27, 2000 (15:34)", "body": "LOL Judy, the kilt was in Austen's private unpublished version. How did you get your hands on it (the manuscript I mean)! Thanks and thanks again for starting this off!! I must confess, I love the first proposal scene. Such a great battle. You know, I can't remember my feelings from the first time I read it. I know I was just as shocked as Elizabeth to learn how unfair she'd been about Wickham. But still, Darcy was so sexy I couldn't help hoping for him all along, even though I didn't know how he stood a chance. I find the line \"you have said quite enough Madam\" to be very sexy. He'll never be a wuss, even when he's feeling shot down. Ever notice that in most of their exchanges, Lizzy attacks but Darcy eventually calls a halt to it and has the final word. I agree, Colin did overact with that shudder. On other hand, he was able to say :\"Are you certain, absolutely certain?\" in just the right way. I always stumbled over that when reading it. Could never hear it in my head without Darcy's voice rising unpleasantly. *sigh* such a wonderful voice there now. I love Darcy's reply to Lizzy re: dancing the reel. \"Indeed I do not dare.\" Can just picture the amused and smouldering look."}, {"response": 1121, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Aug 27, 2000 (16:43)", "body": "(Sadie)How did you get your hands on it(the manuscript I mean) you were right first time I did needed both hands. I love the way he says abhorrence it gives me delicious shivers. (Sadie)Ever notice that in most of their exchanges, Lizzy attacks but Darcy eventually calls a halt to it and has the final word . There goes our pretence at being modern independent women but yes I have & yes I do love his masterfulness but maybe Lizzy does it on purpose because she gets a thrill out of it as well.She'll do it even more when they're married if she knows whats good for her \"you have said quite enough madam,now to bed!\" *sigh*shiver*sigh*sigh*sly smile*"}, {"response": 1122, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Aug 27, 2000 (16:44)", "body": "needed=need"}, {"response": 1123, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (11:14)", "body": "Now Heide, where'd you go? Hope you come back soon, haven't bumped into you drooling for awhile. (Judy)I love the way he says abhorrence it gives me delicious shivers. And he says it twice! I love the way he looks while at the Collinses when he says \"Yes, I call it a very easy distance.\" Such a nice profile! And \"but you would not always wish to be a Longbourn I think\". And of course the way he scrambles for self-control and arrogantly takes his leave."}, {"response": 1124, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (11:15)", "body": "(Judy)There goes our pretence at being modern independent women but yes I have & yes I do love his masterfulness but maybe Lizzy does it on purpose because she gets a thrill out of it as well. Yeah, it's Lizzy who stops arguing and lets him have the last word --- such a good girl, really. But then, I figure she knows that she's already stepped out of line by going on the attack. I think she does get a thrill out of pre-empting him. He's a worthy opponent, but she can only make war so far because the rules of politeness (and of being a good girl) demand that she stops when he makes it clear he's had enough harrassment. I think I find his masterfulness acceptable because Darcy is no bully. It just happens to be damned sexy too! A little risk, a worthy opponent, but no real threat. Honestly though, a little fight in a man means that I wouldn't have to run the relationship all by myself. For me, the Darcy fantasy means someone whose equally strong and not going to turn into a little boy when I lose my temper. \"you have said quite enough madam,now to bed!\" *sigh*shiver*sigh*sigh*sly smile* LOL Judy! I've always imagined that Darcy knew how to settle disputes."}, {"response": 1125, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (13:46)", "body": "(Sadie) such a nice profile! yummy, plus his hands ooh I'm doing a Tracy and going all unnecessary!! 'And of course the way he scrambles for self control' Its the thought of him losing that self control that I fantasize about ' 'For me the Darcy fantasy means someone who's equally strong and not going to turn into a little boy when I lose my temper' If you find another man capable of that then let me know in the meantime at least with Darcy there's always the advantage of looking at his breeches to make sure Okay time for another fave moment-Darcy gazing longingly at her as the carriage drives away at Pemberley & what about the witch turning back to look at him?"}, {"response": 1126, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (14:05)", "body": "(Judy) Its the thought of him losing that self control that I fantasize about Bingo! i never realized it before, but you're perfectly right :-)"}, {"response": 1127, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (18:26)", "body": "LOL! Include me in that thought."}, {"response": 1128, "author": "gailw", "date": "Tue, Aug 29, 2000 (10:49)", "body": "(Judy)Darcy gazing longingly at her as the carriage drives away at Pemberley & what about the witch turning back to look at him? Do you really think Lizzy is being a witch here? I thought she was finaly realizing that she had feelings for him and was reluctant to leave. I do agree this is a great scene. It's one of those thin places on my tape. Don't you just want to take that boy in your arms and made it all better?"}, {"response": 1129, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug 29, 2000 (12:30)", "body": "(Gail) Do you really think Lizzy is being a witch here?I do & I don't. She knows what he feels for her & sheknows what he thinks her feelings for him are so I do just a teeny bit in that respect & that look on his face is a real heart tugger & then again I agree with your view about her realizing her true feelings at lastand maybe thats her way of showing encouragement in a restricted society.And of course who couldn't resist another look at that face,that bod,that still damp hair & as for making it all better I'd go for good old fashioned kissing,neck nibbling & stroking to ease all the pain away . One of my 'thin tape' parts is when he's just got out of the bath & is watching her at play,I can imagine just whats going through his mind probably because I'm thinking the same thing about him.Plus you see his neck in all its glory. *yummy*"}, {"response": 1130, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Aug 29, 2000 (12:56)", "body": "Do I hear my name being taken in vain again?? ;-D This part of the tape is a bit care worn for me too...and though I wouldn't go so far as label her a witch, don't you think you can see those tell-tale pund/dollar signs in Lizzy's eyes as she glances back?? Don't do it Darcy..she only wants you for your dosh! Whereas we adore your \"other qualities\" ;-o~~~"}, {"response": 1131, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug 29, 2000 (13:05)", "body": "Okay I'll amend it then -a greedy witch:-D"}, {"response": 1132, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Tue, Aug 29, 2000 (15:24)", "body": "I interpreted that look to be \"he's not as proud and disagreeable as I first thought AND he owns this magnificent place\" ;-) My tape is worn is several places but one main part is where Mr Darcy and Bingley walk down the stairs together (Mr Darcy is off to London) and Mr Darcy says \"utterly and completely\". I swoon."}, {"response": 1133, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Aug 29, 2000 (16:26)", "body": "(Cathey) My tape is worn is several places but one main part is where Mr Darcy and Bingley walk down the stairs together (Mr Darcy is off to London) and Mr Darcy says \"utterly and completely\". I swoon. I agree that is a swoonable moment, but I always have a hard time keeping my eyes focused on Mr. Darcy's eyes where they belong. For some reason they keep drifing downward ;-)."}, {"response": 1134, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug 29, 2000 (16:50)", "body": "Yes no matter how thin the tape is worn there's always a bulge in certain places & Jana has obviously spotted one :-) My top bulge moment is, erm let me think a minute there's so many of them,what about in London searching for Lydia,definitely a ripe moment."}, {"response": 1135, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Aug 29, 2000 (18:30)", "body": "Well, I must agree with most comments \"utterly and completely\" myself. On subject of Darcy losing control: There are certain ways I fantasize about that, and certain ways not. It's fun to imagine post-wedding 'cause we know how susceptible he is. After all, he's already lost the battle with his will to his passion. What more will follow? By extension, we get to enjoy Lizzy's power over Darcy and I'm just mean enough to feel a certain enjoyment in his self-torturing along the way to love too. BTW, IMHO, his best breeches are the tan ones he's wearing while atop his horse (used in all the promotions). Have nearly suffered whiplash, travelling between that fine profile (can anyone wear a tophat better, I ask you?) and those thighs...etc."}, {"response": 1136, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Aug 29, 2000 (20:46)", "body": "(Sadie) BTW, IMHO, his best breeches are the tan ones he's wearing while atop his horse Hmmm, lovely, lovely. I've said this many times before but my favorite are the light brown breeches he's wearing as he walks up the steps at Pemberley to escort Lizzie to the carriage. And you're right about that top hat. How does he manage to look gorgeous in it instead of silly? (Judy) My top bulge moment is, erm let me think a minute there's so many of them,what about in London searching for Lydia,definitely a ripe moment. LOL, ripe indeed. But do you think his slightly bunched up shirt tail is adding to the ahem, effect just a bit in that scene? Somehow the proportions seem a little off ;-). Another lovely scene for ripeness though is the second proposal - that is until that #$*@*& camera pans up anyway ;-)."}, {"response": 1137, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Aug 29, 2000 (22:25)", "body": "(Sadie) BTW, IMHO, his best breeches are the tan ones he's wearing while atop his horse *sigh* i quite agree, in fact I have a pic of that as my wallpaper. makes starting the morning sitting at a computer alittle more tolerable. (Jana) Another lovely scene for ripeness though is the second proposal - that is until that #$*@*& camera pans up anyway ;-). *double sigh* Oh yeah - camera man was obviously a)male and b)jealous -cause a lady (*cough* perhaps i should say female) would have kept that lovely bit of ripeness in view. ;-0~~~~"}, {"response": 1138, "author": "gailw", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (07:30)", "body": "I have to agree that he does wear a top hat well (certainly much better than Bingley - sorry Crispin lovers) but I much prefer him without it. That curl that always seems to make its way across his forehead drives me wild. And I long to dig my fingers into that beautiful hair. I have always wished he wasn't wearing a hat for the second proposal scene. How about those silly Napoleon hats they wore at the Meryton assembly? Even ODB couldn't pull that one off. Although again he did look much better than Bingley and Hurst (who wouldn't look better than Hurst?). I also have my favorite bulge moments (in fact I wrote a story about some of them for fanfic) but I hadn't noticed the two mentioned above. I'll have to take another look-see!"}, {"response": 1139, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (12:30)", "body": "Gail - what story was this? i dont remember it, was it recently?"}, {"response": 1140, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (13:26)", "body": "(Jana)But do you think his slightly bunched up shirt tail is adding to the ahem, effect just a bit in that scene? I could cry! but at least it gives me a reason for checking especially if I'm measuring his proportions when my hubby walks in Ladies & Sadie *running to avoid thwack* You can argue as much as you like about which breeches you prefer but as far as I'm concerned the best are the ones you're pulling down at the time. His wedding breeches were strange but if they're going to be ripped off you don't wear your best. (Sadie) atop his horse ooh I wish I was his horse giddy up!! Yes Gail which story"}, {"response": 1141, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (15:58)", "body": "(GailW)How about those silly Napoleon hats they wore at the Meryton assembly? Even ODB couldn't pull that one off. Wot! You mean you didn't like the incroyable bicorne? Take care, it is a much prized keepsake of a highly respected drooler! ;-)"}, {"response": 1142, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (19:18)", "body": "Ladies, I have contributed but little here... (but I lurk most constantly!) However, I must add my share in the conversation! Darcy swings his prominence in Lizzy's face (she's sitting and he's standing) several times... my favorite is when they first meet up again at Hunsford Parsonage and he stands in front of her while she's talking to the Colonel, then he walks away to look out the window... *sigh* ah yes, IT made it's impression on me... FOREVER! And finally, I agree with Judy. I don't know how many times I wished I was his horse! *snicker* Naaaaaaaay!"}, {"response": 1143, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (20:10)", "body": "It sounds like you really know how to start the day Esbee! (JanaJH)I've said this many times before but my favorite are the light brown breeches he's wearing as he walks up the steps at Pemberley to escort Lizzie to the carriage Those are my second choice. I was going to say, forgive me for raising such a delicate subject, but Danielle beat me to it: The parsonage, as he's walking to the window. Now there is a scene that stands out in my mind! No shirttail there, I can tell you. The man himself is in motion. And isn't he wearing those light brown/beige breeches? (GailW)How about those silly Napoleon hats they wore at the Meryton assembly? Even ODB couldn't pull that one off. (Gi)Wot! You mean you didn't like the incroyable bicorne? Take care, it is a much prized keepsake of a highly respected drooler! ;-) The Napoleon hat definitely does something for me too! I say he looks extremely sexy in it, in an arrogant sort of way, as opposed to the top hot (I mean hat, hat!)where he looks extremely sexy in a macho sort of way (the duster coat helps too). Have to agree with you about the hair Gail....It's v. hot all of a sudden in here, what with breeches and hats and bulges and curls, and fine profiles and sensitive hands. Oh my! So Danielle, do please list all the scenes where Darcy is a swinger."}, {"response": 1144, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (20:14)", "body": "Judy and Danielle, regarding this horse business. Don't forget the scene in Hotpig for a clearer taste of what you're missing!! BTW Judy, filly or brood mare? (*ducking*) Did I mention that the way he uses his riding crop really turns me on?"}, {"response": 1145, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (20:16)", "body": "ps. I wouldn't need to be his horse to enjoy such equestrian skill! *loud whinney-like cackle*"}, {"response": 1146, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (22:24)", "body": "(Sadie) Did I mention that the way he uses his riding crop really turns me on? ROTFLMAO! I'm sure I never noticed it... at all! (Sadie) So Danielle, do please list all the scenes where Darcy is a swinger. I know I have them catalogued somewhere... you must excuse me, while I tear up my room!"}, {"response": 1147, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (22:39)", "body": "I know I have them catalogued somewhere... you must excuse me, while I tear up my room! ROTFLOL *cackle* Too funny Danielle. But tear up your whole house if you need to!"}, {"response": 1148, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (22:44)", "body": "This is a repost from 1997 and Topic 68 BRIEF LIST Since I don't have the aptitude for writing fiction, I applied my analytical and data-gathering abilities to the PP2 tape. As you can see from the data presented below, I was interested in whether there was a common thread (e.g., color of pants, long vs. short, flap vs. flapless). However, I could find only one. With dark pants, you do not get egg roll. Anyway, I had a \"hard\" time decyphering my scrawls, but here they are for your amusement and/or edification: Meryton Assembly: D: dark pants, 99% waist-up shots, concentrating on face B: light pants; left but not that bouncing in a couple of scenes (\"I must have you dance\") after MA, Back at Netherfield: D: full length shots (\"I would not have you so\") but can't tell Lucas Lodge: D: long dark pants, nada B: light, but hardly in scenes, except in background talking to Jane Lizzy at Netherfield: D: tan pants; waist up; at lunch - barely; full shot as he walks to window with coffee - nothing B: light green or grey; definite crumpleness/stuffing as he gets up from table when EB enters room (Billiard Room - nothing) (Parlor - seated at cards or writing) Mrs. Bennet Over to N: D: light pants B: grey pants; a little lump on his left Netherfield Ball: D: dark breeches - nada B: light breeches - no Hunsford - First Visit: D: grey pants; no flap; in middle Rosings (Piano): D: long dark slacks Hunsford - Second Visit: D: light slacks; no flap; can't tell First Proposal: D: long, dark, nothing Gives Letter: D: light slacks with flap; definite left (long strides to catch her) Fencing: D: light slacks with flap; nothing Pemberley: Riding to pond - light pants with flap; definitely on left Sitting down getting undressed - yes, same Wet walk - shirt not long enough for nappie; certainly clingy but nada Dry clothes - camel pants with flap; on left Inn at Lambton: D: light slacks with flap; nothing B: can't tell; coat Pemberley - Piano: D: dark slacks B: light breeches; looks stuffed on both sides Inn - Letter re: Lydia: D: camel slacks, flap, nada What?? Scene: B: looks very stuffed on both sides (talking to Georgianna by piano) London: Drinking leaving Inn - light pants, definitely left Walking streets for Mrs. Yeunge - light pants, on right; very large (something in there) When finds Wickham's place - same Visiting Longbourn: D: camel pants; nada B: his left (as he sits down); flap gapping as he talks to Mrs. B Netherfield Stairs: D: light pants; right; something else there B: camel pants; kind of looks stuffed, but so briefly (see proposal scene - same outfit) Second Proposal: D: light pants with flap; definitely left Wedding: D: light slacks; on right B: light grey"}, {"response": 1149, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (22:57)", "body": "ROTFLOL!! V.v. funny and clever Karen. Bloody brilliant analytic skills! Generally speaking then, you would say he's a lefty, although with signs of being ampisexdrous?"}, {"response": 1150, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (23:04)", "body": "Glad you liked. Was submitted in partial fulfillment for degree in crotchology."}, {"response": 1151, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (02:01)", "body": "And *that* was when I found Drool! Left-versus-right discussion was raging on :-) 1997, was it? And we're still at it? What a tenacious gang :-)"}, {"response": 1152, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (07:37)", "body": "Not that we're still at it, but that it keeps coming up. :-)"}, {"response": 1153, "author": "gailw", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (07:53)", "body": "(Gi)And *that* was when I found Drool! Left-versus-right discussion was raging on :-) 1997, was it? And we're still at it? What a tenacious gang :-) There are some things that are just too good to let go of. The story I wrote in fanfic was called 'The Stage Direction' Just a silly piece of nonsense dealing with crotchology. I had never noticed the direction however(ampisexdrous indeed!)so I do thank you Karen for that edification. I will have to watch P&P2 again with your list in hand. It makes it more fun to watch (for the 32nd time) with a clear goal in mind!"}, {"response": 1154, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (08:15)", "body": "LOL! The Art of crotchology features heavily in the Stanislauski (SP) acting method.;-)"}, {"response": 1155, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (12:04)", "body": "Gi)And *that* was when I found Drool! Left-versus-right discussion was raging on :-)1997, was it? LOL...Spring of \"97..Feb.? March? Has it been that long? Several of us signed on at that time. Die-hard Droolers;-)"}, {"response": 1156, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (15:06)", "body": "(Danielle) Darcy swings his prominence in Lizzy's face.LOL I'm having palpitations just thinking about it, in fact its hypnotic & I have now taken over Lizzy's body,leaning closer,closer... (Sadie) BTW Judy,filly or brood mare? (*ducking*) LOL but that leaves you as the old nag *galloping away* (Sadie) Did I mention that the way he uses his riding crop really turns me on? are we talking S&M again:-) ampisexdrous-LOL thats some dictionary you're using Karen loved the definitive crotch collection maybe you could publish it with illustrations:-)"}, {"response": 1157, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (17:58)", "body": "Karen! Loved the list... must keep notes and rewind tapes to fill-in missing catalogue! (Sadie) ampisexdrous... A new word! I love this board! (Karen) Was submitted in partial fulfillment for degree in crotchology. ROTFLMAO! I'm sure you passed with flying colors!"}, {"response": 1158, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (01:11)", "body": "(Gail)The story I wrote in fanfic was called 'The Stage Direction' Just a silly piece of nonsense dealing with crotchology. Not silly. Is part of Drool legend now. (Moon)LOL! The Art of crotchology features heavily in the Stanislauski (SP) acting method.;-) Which involves visualizing exercises such as \"be the ball\"? (Judy)LOL but that leaves you as the old nag *galloping away* LOL! The art of dressage. This nag can't compete. (Judy)are we talking S&M again:-) Got to keep breaking free of those Habits and into some habits. BTW, you haven't given me back my outfit yet! Yes Karen, maybe you could illustrate with snappies? (Any excuse for a cheap thrill ;-P)"}, {"response": 1159, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (11:42)", "body": "Karen - that list!!!! ROTFLOL! OH I love it and i add my vote for snappies :-)"}, {"response": 1160, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (14:44)", "body": "I raise my hand for the snappies as well!"}, {"response": 1161, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (15:15)", "body": "(Danielle)I raise my hand for the snappies as well! LOL! I bet that's not all you're raising your hand for! ('Cause you're a smart woman.) Stand in line sister. BTW, another kilt war should be breaking out any day now, if Judy ever shows up at the same time I'm here..."}, {"response": 1162, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (15:30)", "body": "What did I say Sadie nag.nag,nag no you can't have it back a girl needs a riding habit afterall. Kilt war right I'll meet you outside :-D Amazon Queen!"}, {"response": 1163, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (15:33)", "body": "While we're at it I'll be needing that whip as well, you've had plenty of practice by now. Do you remember that nursery rhyme ride a cock horse"}, {"response": 1164, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (15:54)", "body": "a girl needs a riding habit afterall LOL! We already know what your fave riding habit is too! And no, I never learned a lot of nursery rhymes but that one sounds promising. I'll be needing that whip as well Too bad, it matches my leather boots! I may lend you a chain though. But first, there's the small matter of THE SECOND KILT WAR."}, {"response": 1165, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (16:06)", "body": "You didn't tell me about the leather boots.A sex shop in Manchester has been robbed this week Know anything about It? The chain though I'd be grateful for anything. Why don't you just admit defeat over the kilt I am determined to have it"}, {"response": 1166, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (16:11)", "body": "I was nowhere near that continent! No chain until War or Peace. (That's a really short novella 'cause everyone chooses Peace at the getgo.) Regarding kilts,you've already got one, remember? Besides, I thought this time you'd go for the prize and not just the package. But if not..."}, {"response": 1167, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Sep  2, 2000 (08:28)", "body": "(Sadie) I find the line \"you have said quite enough Madam\" to be very sexy. \"Are you certain, absolutely certain?\" \"but you would not always wish to be a Longbourn I think\" (Judy) I love the way he says \"abhorrence\" (Cathey) Mr Darcy says \"utterly and completely\". I swoon. Good lines, ladies, and I quite agree. There are so many delectibles to choose from. I quite like: \"You know not how those words have tortured me.\" Ach, just that little inflection on \"torture\" says it all! And then Lizzy responds in such an adorable way: \"I had not the smallest idea of their ever being taken in such a way.\" Almost flirtatious. This woman's gonna drive this man wild. Love also when Darcy's waiting for Lizzy at the Inn with Georgiana. She comes in the room - he stands up - (any prominence there? nah, not with his sister in the room). Lizzy says she hopes he has not been waiting long and Darcy replies, \"not at all\". Pause as he drinks her in. Oops! Suddenly remembers the \"real\" reason he's there and introduces his sister. (Danielle) my favorite is when they first meet up again at Hunsford Parsonage and he stands in front of her while she's talking to the Colonel, then he walks away to look out the window... LOL! Yeah, it is kind of IN YOUR FACE. Get a kick also in that scene how absolutely everyone else turns to watch Darcy at the window. Notice how Maria's jaw just drops. Hey new girls! You've brought out a few long-time droolers here. Yeah, we may have said it all before but it's simply a lot of fun to refresh oneself at the from time to time and remember what brought us here in the first place."}, {"response": 1168, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Sep  2, 2000 (09:05)", "body": "(Sadie) Besides,I thought this time you'd go for the prize and not just the package.AAGH you tricked me again & got away with the booty! (Heide) Ach,just that little inflection on \"torture\" saysit all.Mmmm yes a member of Sadies S&M club. (Heide) any prominence there?nah,not wuth his sister in the room.LOL I love this scene as well he's sooo delectable. Karen I'll have to join the placard brigade we want snappies! we want snappies!"}, {"response": 1169, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Sep  2, 2000 (19:05)", "body": "With blow-ups."}, {"response": 1170, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sat, Sep  2, 2000 (19:14)", "body": "(Heide) Notice how Maria's jaw just drops. ROTFLMAOAPIMP!!! Whenever I watch that scene, I'm always saying to myself... Nah, she's too young to understand! Plus the fact that I have a whipped, er, warped mind when it comes to Darcybulgitis... hee hee! Thanks for clearing that up!"}, {"response": 1171, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Sep  3, 2000 (00:09)", "body": "(Heide) Love also when Darcy's waiting for Lizzy at the Inn...Lizzy says she hopes he has not been waiting long and Darcy replies, \"not at all\". Pause as he drinks her in. Oops! Suddenly remembers the \"real\" reason he's there and introduces his sister. Yes, I adore this scene too & the way he says \"not at all\" --- thanks for reminder of this. (Heide)\"You know not how those words have tortured me.\" Ach, just that little inflection on \"torture\" says it all! (Judy)Mmmm yes a member of Sadies S&M club. LOL! My club has some distinguished members! (Danielle)Plus the fact that I have a whipped, er, warped mind when it comes to Darcybulgitis... hee hee! Another Drool term! But come now Danielle, you started with \"whipped\". Finish the thought!! Does it have anything to do with scenes that swing, hmmm?"}, {"response": 1172, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Sep  3, 2000 (04:45)", "body": "LOL Danielle -Darcybulgitis-highly contagious Agree with Sadie finish the thought 'whipped' are we talking flagellation here? brings to mind that song whip me with your rhythm stick,whip me ,whip me."}, {"response": 1173, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Sep  3, 2000 (18:50)", "body": "Sadiemasochism...? Enough, madam, enough, I beg you!"}, {"response": 1174, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (05:00)", "body": "Truthful factual reply to Judy's Outrageous Ficticious Stories about Sadie (carried over from Fan-Fic Board) some people say I talk a load of balls but thats another story NAYYY! (as in Nag) that's not story, that's biography -D she understands perfectly afterall she is a Bollock Sister She speaks the truth. I've got my habit to prove it. Sadie I've been trying to get hold of a copy of The Crying Game ever since you started involving me in it LOL! I completely missed the earlier reference to \"has bells on\". It would kinda fit here. *clue to puzzle* Psst, \"DIY DOGGIE\" Doggie? As in earlier discussion about being his horse?Remember? It was on this very board only days ago. DIY and DOGGIE: Both at same time are quite an achievement, although hopefully redundant."}, {"response": 1175, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (12:22)", "body": "Sadie Thats biography-please clarify :-D 1 Sadie's a nag 2 I talk a load of balls 3 both 'I've got the habit to prove it' & what a dirty habit it is!! All these references to The Crying Game should I be worried or feel flattered? DIY DOGGIE DIY=master of own feelings =one handed typer DOGGIE =bitch on heat =kilt Darcy/Colin=cause of DIY DOGGIE Kilt=on heat=master of own feelings =one handed typer Its a humbling moment having to explain my jokes!!"}, {"response": 1176, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (14:12)", "body": "(Sadie) Does it have anything to do with scenes that swing, hmmm? (Judy) 'whipped' are we talking flagellation here? I no longer count sheep jumping a fence when trying to sleep... Is that vague enough for you? (Judy) brings to mind that song whip me with your rhythm stick,whip me ,whip me. ROTFLOL! Who sang this? I must have it, I must!"}, {"response": 1177, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (14:12)", "body": "Oh... Judy and Sadie, you two are too much!"}, {"response": 1178, "author": "gailw", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (18:50)", "body": "All this talk of bulges reminds me of the hilarious scene in 'The Bar Sinister' when Lydia comes back to Longbourn shortly before Lizzy and Jane's wedding and takes it upon herself to explain what they should expect on their wedding night. She does this after dinner one night and when the gentlemen rejoin the ladies, Lizzy \"studiously inspected her shoes, quite determined that her gaze would not alight upon that explicit bulge in the fork of his unhintables.\" And poor Jane was so spooked she could not speak to her fiance. Lizzy \"would have liked to reassure Jane. For she was certain that, regardless of what Lydia told them, Bingley's privates were unlikely (especially in company in the parlour) to burst from his inexpressibles as if an enraged squirrel.\" Lizzy's discomfort continued when Darcy sat next to her on the sofa \"undoubtedly bringing his easily agitated male member with him.\" \"It was now impossible for her to think of anything but Mr. Darcy's tights and what they contained.\" Join the club Lizzy!"}, {"response": 1179, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (19:16)", "body": "All in the style of mid-Victorian erotica, a good half-century too late. Georgian society was much better informed on the subject, but then it would not give \"the Sinister authoress\" an excuse to be so frivolous."}, {"response": 1180, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (00:48)", "body": "LOL Gail, I have not read The Bar Sinister yet. Sounds like a hoot! (Danielle)(previous comment)I know I have them catalogued somewhere... you must excuse me, while I tear up my room! (then)I no longer count sheep jumping a fence when trying to sleep... Is that vague enough for you? Gang-ho! So you found that list, or was it Karen's that you memorized? But what a tease, vagueness is not what we were hinting at!...crotchology as meditation?"}, {"response": 1181, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (01:02)", "body": "Judy The answer is both or neither! & what a dirty habit it is!! It's from all that kneeling (practicing my religion). All these references to The Crying Game should I be worried or feel flattered? Flattered, have you seen him in a basque? DIY=master of own feelings =one handed typer Agreed! DOGGIE =bitch on heat =kilt Got it! But, you did say you'd like to be his horse, so naturally I assumed..."}, {"response": 1182, "author": "gailw", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (08:05)", "body": "Sadie, 'The Bar Sinister' has gotten a lot of negative reviews but I found it a really fun, sexy book. There is a lot to hate - poor to nonexistent editing, incorrect spelling, wrong names given to people, etc. Fine literature it is not but I think the author wrote it with tongue firmly in cheek and the first section especially is very humorous. It does get serious later, too serious in my opinion, but all in all I liked the book. I loved the characterization of Darcy as sexy, romantic, and heroic - just as I always imagined he would be. I keep the book by my bed and anytime I want a sexy Darcy fix I pick it up and browse my favorite sections."}, {"response": 1183, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (12:33)", "body": "The Bar Sinister sounds my kind of book-yet another one for my reading list.Can you please let me know the author? (Sadie)The answer is both or neither! oops I've forgot the question:-D ' Its from all that kneeling' - ha its all the stains you mean! 'flattered,have you seen him in a basque ?' HIM? aagh (Gail) Darcy as sexy,romantic,and heroic *big,big sigh*"}, {"response": 1184, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (12:46)", "body": "Re The Bar Sinister, Pride & Prejudice Continues (to give it its full title).. it's by Linda Berdoll and Amazon.co.uk have it for \ufffd11.32. Haven't read it myself ..but agree with you, definitely one for my bed-time reading list!"}, {"response": 1185, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (23:15)", "body": "Gail, I hated 'The Bar Sinister' except for that scene with Lydia (hilarious) ; the one with L&D in her bed chambers at Netherfield when comes back before the wedding (I soooooo wanted them to get it on!) , and the 'you're so small/you're too large' wedding night brouhaha (ROTF) ! Sadie, it was Karen's list, plus some others I imagined when he was sitting down and staring at her - you know - Darcy crossing his legs and all to keep it down... But I still can't find my list! Agonies!"}, {"response": 1186, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (14:00)", "body": "(Gail)anytime I want a sexy Darcy fix I pick it up and browse my favorite sections LOL! It's important to be a discriminating reader. (Gail) Darcy as sexy,romantic,and heroic (Judy) *big,big sigh* DITTO (Danielle)Sadie, it was Karen's list, plus some others I imagined when he was sitting down and staring at her - you know - Darcy crossing his legs and all to keep it down *cackle*"}, {"response": 1187, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (16:09)", "body": "Just been rechecking a few of my fave moments & now have the urge to Darcy drool! 1 leaving Hunsford after first proposal,the look on his face as he struggles to control his feelings makesme fill up as well. 2 while writing the letter he leans back in the chair exposing his neck in all its glory.Now IMO there are 2 courses of action here-either sink my teeth in or let that apple bob up and down in my mouth. 3 he swills his face after writing letter (I like to think that he is cooling down after what I've just done to him) & his shirt is open & hanging off just begging to be ripped off completely exposing even more of his flesh *slurp,slurp* 4 In the fencing scene he is slightly out of breath & sweating the obvious effect of all that thrusting am now imagining same scenario in the bedroom *panting* 5 His return to Longbourn after Lady C chat,only shortscene but his eyes are so intense that I even forgot to look at his breeches I'm afraid thats all I could take in one session as I'm having hot flushes forming damp patches"}, {"response": 1188, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (16:16)", "body": "*Sigh* All very yummy indeed Judy! Hmm... espically number 4 - that may have some fanfic potential... Darcy teaching Lizzy how to fence. When he taught her how to play billards she ended up bent over the table, and there was serious thrusting involved Must meditate on this for awhile.... ;-P~~~~~~"}, {"response": 1189, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (17:10)", "body": "Judy what about when Darcy enters Longbourn before the second proposal? That look he gives her makes me swoon."}, {"response": 1190, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (18:16)", "body": "Go for it Esbee! (Moon Dreams) Judy what about when Darcy enters Longbourn before the second proposal? That look he gives her makes me swoon. Yup, yup! uh huh! that's the one... I just start creaming right then and there! uh huh! yup! that's the one..."}, {"response": 1191, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (12:59)", "body": "(Esbee) that may have some fanfic potential,oh yes please the more thrust the better 'When he taught her how to play billards she ended up bent over the table' Oh wow woof woof:-D I'm adding that to my ambition list! BTW whats the story called? Moon,Danielle that was the scene I was talking about in no.5 obviously my mind was more agreeably engaged to be able to explain myself properly-P (Sadiedo you like?) (Danielle) creaming LOL *mock shock* & me a shy girl! BTW where are you self-creamer? I've been at it again today so here goes. 1 On his way back from London to P. he's galloping along & stops.The look on his face at this point is a real tummy tugger ,this guy really needs comforting! 2 Okay that dip scene where he starts stripping off-It got me thinking that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife who could undress him-she would have done the job properly & took his breeches off as well 3 The clinging damp shirt should have had a warning because no matter how many times I see it I'm not prepared for it and come undone! Just wish those breeches were see-through as well (I can't tell you how many times I've retraced his path just imagining him *feeling sheepish*) I didn't get any further because kept having to rew/ffwd to check I didn't get anything wrong"}, {"response": 1192, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (13:29)", "body": "1 On his way back from London to P. he's galloping along & stops.The look on his face at this point is a real tummy tugger ,this guy really needs comforting! I thought he looked a bit plump round the jowls and needed a slimming diet. Or maybe not, who cared. 2 Okay that dip scene where he starts stripping off-It got me thinking that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife... And I thought he was going to drown himself. Seriously. (Never read the book before then.) But all that was shortly before I sort of stepped on the road to Damascus. Yes, it's true: I didn't really like him at all at first - would you credit it? And then, suddenly, wham, 180 degrees on a sixpence..."}, {"response": 1193, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (15:21)", "body": "Judy, the story where Lizzy ends up bent over the billards table is called Mr. Darcy, in the Billards Room, with a Candlestick. :-) enjoy!!"}, {"response": 1194, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (15:22)", "body": "Judy, I like, I like! *Ding, ding, ding* *New sweepstakes spot-the-P&P Reference Winner* Must agree with all scenes people have mentioned. V. sexy. Cannot forget the nice hand as he helps Lizzy into the carriage. I must add the scenes where he's selecting his jacket and then riding off to court Lizzy in Lambton. (Yes, riding crop in hand.) I also love the close-up of him in his sports-carriage as he's heading to London. (Me and profiles) Must also add his posing moments: the way he stands when dealing with George Wickham and then comforting Georgianna at Ramsgate; the way he stands and removes his gloves after dismounting at the pond,and his pose when Lizzy turns round in the carriage as she's leaving Pemberley. Also, his walk up the stairs just previously. Nice thighs! You know, my favourite part of the Pond scene is actually when he's sitting down, removing his neckcloth. Not only for the neck, but because of the contrast between his rugged good looks and the portrait (which does not do him justice, IMO) (Esbee)that may have some fanfic potential... Darcy teaching Lizzy how to fence. When he taught her how to play billards she ended up bent over the table, and there was serious thrusting involved Must meditate on this for awhile You have unerring instincts! Don't just meditate, please perform writing act. Judy, you can find the billiards game story in fan-fic archives. It's by Esbee, entitled: Mr Darcy in the Billiards Room, With a Candlestick. I seem to recall more than one story involving the billiards room. Check out Lisa's The Darcy Diary and The Experiment too (the two go together)."}, {"response": 1195, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (15:23)", "body": "Oops, crossed postings with you Esbee."}, {"response": 1196, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (18:44)", "body": "(Judy) 3 The clinging damp shirt should have had a warning because no matter how many times I see it I'm not prepared for it and come undone! Just wish those breeches were see-through as well (I can't tell you how many times I've retraced his path just imagining him *feeling sheepish*) Sometimes I actually bend down to see if I can see under his shirt! *bah, baaaaah* (Sadie) Must also add his posing moments: ... then comforting Georgianna at Ramsgate; ... Oh yes! just to hear him say... 'Come...' *slurp* (Sadie again) ... and his pose when Lizzy turns round in the carriage as she's leaving Pemberley. Also, his walk up the stairs just previously. Nice thighs! Thank goodness I have napkins by the keyboard at the ready! drooling can be very dangerous around wirings and such!"}, {"response": 1197, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (18:44)", "body": "Sorry I left the italics on!"}, {"response": 1198, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (18:45)", "body": "ACK! I did it again!"}, {"response": 1199, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (18:45)", "body": "seems better now... I hope!"}, {"response": 1200, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (18:45)", "body": "YES! hee hee!"}, {"response": 1201, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (19:17)", "body": "FYI, I just noticed that P&P is being released in the UK on DVD, October 23rd. Included will be a \"making of\" featurette."}, {"response": 1202, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (01:13)", "body": "LOL Danielle! your mind was more agreeably engaged! Thanks for info. Donna. The behind-the-scenes would be fun to see; I already have the book but can never have too much P&P!"}, {"response": 1203, "author": "gailw", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (07:57)", "body": "(Sadie)You know, my favourite part of the Pond scene is actually when he's sitting down, removing his neckcloth. Not only for the neck, but because of the contrast between his rugged good looks and the portrait (which does not do him justice, IMO) You have hit on one of my pet P&P2 peeves - I thought all of the portraits were AWFUL! The one of Georgiana especially. If they were going to go to all that trouble to make portraits you'd think they could use someone that could capture a likeness. I've seen better characiture artists (or however the he-- you spell it, it doesn't even come up on spellcheck in Word) in the mall."}, {"response": 1204, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (12:54)", "body": "characiture artists (or however the he-- you spell it, it doesn't even come up on spellcheck in Word) You've damaged the poor machine, you see. It's given up on you."}, {"response": 1205, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (07:34)", "body": "(Gail) You have hit on one of my pet P&P2 peeves Me too! The 'Darcy' miniature, I think, is particularly awful...so much so that when the housekeeper says \"And that's my master, and very like him too!\" I find myself bemoaning the standards of 19th century opticial care, clearly this woman needs glasses! ;-). But when Mrs Gardiner adds \"It is a handsome face....\" - I pity the poor woman (who is obviously mad) but then looking at what she is married too to I can understand her confusion! Am also v confused, the \"fine, larger portrait of him upstairs in the gallery\" appears to be of non other than Des O'Connor (??!!??) (Note to those lucky enough not aquainted with DO - a British so-called entertainer who seems to have forged a career from being a very bad singer!) Must go and lie down in a darkened room. Donna - thanks for the DVD info, do you have any more details?"}, {"response": 1206, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (09:10)", "body": "Thank you Tracy for explaining who Des O'Connor is."}, {"response": 1207, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (09:18)", "body": "Am now going to answer my own question re P&P2 DVD, have been having a quick browse of various online stores and the best deal at present seems to be Blackstar who are offering it at \ufffd23.99 (no postage & packing). So I've just exercised my flexible friend ( no not THAT one Sadie & Judy )to add this prize to my collection as my poor tape is becoming extremely careworn particularly in the *ahem* 'full-breech' sections ;-P~~~"}, {"response": 1208, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (10:16)", "body": "Has anyone ever seen both the US and UK versions of P&P? I am wondering if the UK versions (VHS and DVD) are more widescreen than the US. I vaguely recall reading somewhere on the web about seeing Charlotte in the scene where Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam meet Lizzie for the first time at Hunsford. In the US version, we never see Charlotte in that scene. So I always suspected that the UK version is more widescreen and she got cut out of the US version. I'm sort of rambling to myself, sorry... Unless it's my TV and any of my American buddies out there have seen Charlotte in that scene. I see Mariah, but no Charlotte. But on my TV, the scene with Lizzie and Darcy in the house alone (Lizzie is sitting on the far left and Darcy is on the far right, the \"easy distance\" scene) always appeared to be cut off. I always wondered if the UK version in that scene was better blocked, if that is the correct term. Also I'm wondering out loud if the extra making of featurettes (plural) are the same that were talked about on other websites that were not shown in the US. A long ramble..."}, {"response": 1209, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (10:41)", "body": "TV screens are different widths in the UK, which accounts for the cropping. Although there was some discussion about the Hunsford scene where they sit far away from each other...it has a symbolic reason as well."}, {"response": 1210, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (07:31)", "body": "But surely not so symbolic that at times only our dear Darcy's nose is visible. Joyfully those lovely breeches and boots are always evident. Thanks for explaining the different TV screen size. Looks like we are missing an extra millimeter of Darcy and darn it, that's just too much. ;-) Interesting about Charlotte in the Hunsford scene. I'll be waiting to hear from our non-US friends if she is indeed visible. (Tracy) The 'Darcy' miniature, I think, is particularly awful...so much so that when the housekeeper says \"And that's my master, and very like him too!\" I find myself bemoaning the standards of 19th century opticial care, clearly this woman needs glasses! ;-) Tee hee! There is not an ounce of imperfection in Darcy in Mrs. Reynolds' myopic eye. I agree with you that the miniature is an awful likness unless our dear Darcy weighed considerably more in his younger days. He looked quite swollen. I don't mind the \"finer, larger portrait\" as much."}, {"response": 1211, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (13:41)", "body": "(Tracy)And that's my master, and very like him too!\" I find myself bemoaning the standards of 19th century opticial care, clearly this woman needs glasses! ;-) LOL Tracy! (Heide)But surely not so symbolic that at times only our dear Darcy's nose is visible. Joyfully those lovely breeches and boots are always evident...Looks like we are missing an extra millimeter of Darcy and darn it, that's just too much. ;-) LOL! Hmmm, am thinking literalism has it's advantages. On other hand, nose, breeches and boots make a fine symbolic statement."}, {"response": 1212, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (14:00)", "body": "(Heide) I agree with you that the miniature is an awful likness unless our dear Darcy weighed considerably more in his younger days. He looked quite swollen. Baby fat, perhaps. It makes you wonder just how many famous portraits painted before the advent of photography bear a good resemblance to their sitters."}, {"response": 1213, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (10:51)", "body": "wonder just how many famous portraits painted before the advent of photography bear a good resemblance to their sitters. Portrait painters of the past were often known to produce flattering rather than accurate images. Depending on what was then considered flattering, of course."}, {"response": 1214, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (18:28)", "body": "Very true, Arami. The painters to the Spanish Court really did have their work cut out for them, having the Spanish Hapsburgs as their raw material. Not the most attractive of families with which to create a flattering image that did bear some resemblence to the sitter. Still, I would have been nice had the production design team on P&P produced more flattering images of Darcy, in both minature and full portrait."}, {"response": 1215, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (19:10)", "body": "Very true, Cheryl! :-)"}, {"response": 1216, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Sep 13, 2000 (16:21)", "body": "His is a tough likeness to get, especially when younger. (I'm not sure why. Perhaps because the features are so vague) The miniature looks like something done from a publicity photo without the dark coloring. The larger one is just plain too vague to resemble anyone. Still and all, the artist(s) have my complete sympathy ... I shall always contend that he doesn't HAVE a likeness. ;-)"}, {"response": 1217, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Sep 13, 2000 (19:42)", "body": "the features are so vague Neutral, KJ, the word is neutral. ;-)"}, {"response": 1218, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (09:45)", "body": "Well, we've had the left and right discussion (gives whole new meaning to politics, I thought)and perhaps we can conclude that CF really is too good to be true, which is why he doesn't HAVE a likeness...but at least we know Darcy is real -D and no gurly-mon. I would like to comment on his v. fine chest ---which lies in the middle, between his face and breeches --- in the interest of being politically in the center . When he stands so well in his various macho poses, doesn't his chest invite hugging!?! The coat and vest hang soooo well, they seem to emphasize its strength (those Regency designers knew what they were doing). I cannot fix on the exact shots, the hour, or the spot...but those with worn tapes must know what I mean."}, {"response": 1219, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (11:43)", "body": "(Sadie) .but those with worn tapes must know what I mean. hmmm... indeed we do :-P~~~~~ Must agree that his chest is delectable in the extreme. Makes one want to lick and nibble their way across it, closely examining every inch. * fanning flushed cheeks from mere thought of doing so *"}, {"response": 1220, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (13:17)", "body": "I agree Sadie and Esbee, however, the way his great (gray) swings from left to right (especially as they stroll back from a day of shooting at Netherfield), rear view, of course!, also makes me *siiiiiiiiigh* There is just something about a man with a confident strut about him... again... *siiiiiiiiiiiiigh*"}, {"response": 1221, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (14:39)", "body": "Thank you Sadie for bringing up the subject of his very fine chest.I agree its enhanced by those clothesI love the waistcoats,I can imagine myself undoing all those buttons slowly ,revealing more & more of him * shiver* Its like opening a bar of chocolate,first the wrapper,oooh the anticipation,then you suck the chocolate off & finally nibble at the centre.OK I'm gone *thud*"}, {"response": 1222, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (18:00)", "body": "(KJ)the features are so vague (Arami)Neutral, KJ, the word is neutral. ;-) Well, I like what's happening to him as he ages. He is losing the neutrality and gaining individuality. Before it was only certain of his characters that had distinct likenesses (like Darcy or Birkin). Now he's developing one of his very own (definitely very Colin) ... and I like it, I like it!! :-) Mostly because I no longer live in fear that I'd see him walking down the street and not recognize him ... until he spoke! How embarrassing!! KJ"}, {"response": 1223, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (18:06)", "body": "Of course, by now, the walk alone should be a dead giveaway!! ;-)"}, {"response": 1224, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (19:17)", "body": "I no longer live in fear that I'd see him walking down the street and not recognize him ... until he spoke! Let me assure you... those of us who have been blessed with the sight of him in real life have no doubt... no doubt at all..."}, {"response": 1225, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (19:25)", "body": "(KJ)I no longer live in fear that I'd see him walking down the street and not recognize him ...until he spoke! (Arami)Let me assure you... those of us who have been blessed with the sight of him in real life have no doubt... no doubt at all...) LOL....Mari recognized him at Starbucks....then she heard the famous voice ordering...."}, {"response": 1226, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (21:20)", "body": "Yeah, and Evelyn saw him from across the street getting out of a taxi (from the rear) going into the Donmar. Took her all of two seconds."}, {"response": 1227, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (22:18)", "body": "Yeh, but that was the \"older\" Colin. Which brings to mind something I've been meaning to ask -- One of the pictures at the \"Webshots\" site was definitely of a younger \"more neutral\" Colin. Did anyone recognize the source? Did it come from a role or just an informal shot for something? The picture in question being: This One (Gee, I sure hope this works.)"}, {"response": 1228, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (23:03)", "body": "KJart, that is Colin in the Caretaker."}, {"response": 1229, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (11:11)", "body": "(Esbee)Makes one want to lick and nibble their way across it, closely examining every inch. You do have such a way with words! (Danielle)however, the way his great (gray) swings from left to right (especially as they stroll back from a day of shooting at Netherfield), rear view, of course!, also makes me *siiiiiiiiigh* There is just something about a man with a confident strut about him... again... *siiiiiiiiiiiiigh* Yes I love that shot too! It definitely is a confident strut. (Judy)Its like opening a bar of chocolate LOL! You may have hit on the finest analogy I can think of."}, {"response": 1230, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (11:38)", "body": "(Judy)Its like opening a bar of chocolate (Sadie)LOL! You may have hit on the finest analogy I can think of. LOL as well - excellent analogy! :-) Reminds me of the 'there's no wrong way to eat a Recess Peanut Butter Cup' commericals .... going straight for the good stuff in the middle; nibbling slowly around the edges; top to bottom/left to right... (Danielle) ...as they stroll back from a day of shooting at Netherfield -(the)rear view... there is just something about a man with a confident strut about him) HMMM Yes! i could watch that scene for hours on end -(or at least until i had drooled enough to become seriously dehydrated, and had to be rushed to the emergency room...) ;-)"}, {"response": 1231, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (13:56)", "body": "Thanks, Lassie. I appreciate the information. (This probably belonged on #134, I guess.)"}, {"response": 1232, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (14:17)", "body": "Sadie and Heide, its time for you to stand up and take a bow and, pat yourselves on the back while you are at it. I have been looking at some old posts on #112 as I have had absolutley no life since I discovered the Darcy drool. Let me take you back to post #1039 regarding Darcy at Rosings and, the wonderful way he gets up from the sofa to go over to Lizzie at the piano. Heide \" Ohhhh like Darcy sulks while he is watching Lizzie and the Col flirtting at the piano and he has to sit there listening to his old aunt yammering away. Finally, he just gets up and with a flick of those tails strides purposely over to that little minx.\" Sadie \" And have you noticed how his heels hit the floor with a determined, manly click before he clicks his tails ? Click and flick, thats all it takes and I'm lost..sigh !! \" Girls you have hit the nail so far on the head, its not funny. I have loved that scene for soooooo long. I could never figure out why I loved it so much, its not like its the wet shirt ( gulp ) scene or even Darcy gazing adoringly at Elizabeth as she plays the piano at Pemberley. However, I just love it to death and I keep rewinding it over and over. It's nuts, as we barely see his face, maybe its a body language thing. His movements are so decisive, the way he snaps his torso up from the sofa, the speed that he feels is necesary to get his butt over to the other side of the room, is just SO DAMM SEXY !! Don't you feel he could have been born in tails he wears them so elegantly ? Anyway, thanks for this Drool topic as I was absolutley floored when I read somobody explain the attraction of the scene so well. Plus, have you watched the way he then approaches Lizzie at the piano ? He leaps up from the sofa as he knows Lizzie can't see him from where she is sitting at he piano. However, as he approaches her, he is then in her field of vision and he doesn't want to advertise his feelings to her, just yet. So he walks to the piano slowly, but surely, kinda like a shark circling his prey, intently, purposely, knowing he will not let her get away. O God !! Ok I'm feeling all hot and bothered now, I think I need to lie down for a bit. Keep this up, girls, I LOVE IT !! Beth PS Tracy, Your reference from Sep 9, of Darcy looking like Des O'Connor in his portrait had me in stitches. O well, it could have been worse, it could have been Les Dawson, or even worse.....Bob Monkhouse...O the horror !!!"}, {"response": 1233, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (15:26)", "body": "Bethanne glad you've found darcy drool.What other scenes do you lust over.This is the place to own up & anything goes,as you've already guessed from reading Sadies posts. Danielle I love that confident strut.While the rest of the shooting party are all spent Darcy's gun is still cocked,primed & ready to shoot its load BTW does anyone have a comprehensive list of his waistcoats or do I need to watch & count buttons?"}, {"response": 1234, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (02:18)", "body": "Hi Judy....what other scenes turn me to mush.....there are so many !! I'll go with my top 5 for now coz if I don't limit my self I'll be up until dawn drooling. 1. Watching Lizzie play the piano at Pemberley has to be my numero uno. For me, it even surpasses the famouus ( drum roll please ) \"wet shirt\" scene. The look on his face just gets me every single time. There are so many emotions on his face, sheer joy at being with the women he loves again, incredulous amazement that she is in his own house of all places considering the bitterness of their last meeting, overwhelmig pride in her poise and beauty compared to the brittle bitchiness of the Bingley sisters. There are so many emotions on his face, but in a restrained way,as after all, they are in a room with a bunch of other people. The feelings that flare like laser beams, out of his eyes alone, are just breathtaking. 2. The first proposal scene when he is walking around the drawing room working up the courage to speak of his true feelings to Lizzie. The poor lamb, he is so much in love and his regular, composed world is so out of kilter since he fell for Lizzie, that you really have to feel for him in his distress. 3. Meeting Lizzie by the carrige at Pemberley while she is trying to make her escape. He has just changed out of his wet clothes but his hair is still damp. He's wearing the green coat and those amazing fawn coloured breeches as he asks to be introduces to the Gardiners. They go for a walk in the grounds and, as they are climbing the steps,those breeches, those thighs... O God ! 4. The bath scene watching Lizzie play with his dog. What can I say, just what can I say ? The look on his face...he is just transfixed by what he sees, he just can't look away and neither can we. 5. Watching Lizzie as she enters the ball room at Netherfield. He is leaning on the mantlepiece and looks up to see her coming in. The camera goes back to Lizzie ( probably looking for Wickham ) and then goes back to Darcy. He is facing toward her and I just love the look of indignation on his face. It's almost \"How dare you make me feel this way\" or \"Who the hell are you to make me feel like I'm not in control any more.\" Don't forget,he is a rich and powerful man. He is used to being in control and always calling the shots. Now all of a sudden, this impudent little upstart has turned him into an emotional basket case. As attracted to her as he is physically, in the early stages of the relationship, I think he resents her terribly too for turning his world upside down. This combination of anger and desire on his face as he watches her walk into the room GETS ME RIGHT HERE !! OK, thats it for now. Tell me to shut up if I am too longwinded, but I have only known about the exhistence of this site for about a week,so I have 5 years worth of pent up drooling to get out of my system !!!!!!!"}, {"response": 1235, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (03:31)", "body": "No Bethanne,I can't tell you to shut up,not when you drool sp eloquently. 1 I love the way you've explained his emotions for this scene 'sheer joy at being with the woman he loves again' sums it up perfectly.You can imagine the wheels turning round as he wonders what to do.I wonder what would have happened if he'd managed a few moments alone with her. 'the feelings that flare like laser beams,out of his eyes alone,are just breathtaking ' wow you should be writing fan fic.I don't need to watch this scene those eyes are etched on my mind. 2 First proposal scene.A fave of mine as well though I feel uncomfy watching it,Colin portrays this scene so well 3 and another one...mmm yes that damp hair is a real turn on.I also love the unshaved look,as for those thighs oooh I can't take much more. 4 you've done it again 'he just can't look away and neither can we' yes we've all got that problem.What do you think of his neck? 5'combination of anger and desire' oh god yes he really doesn't seem to understand whats happening to him,that confusion of feelings seeps out of every pore. later in the Ball,when she starts to dance with CollinsI love that smirk-cum-snort,sooo sexy & naughty on his part.Then he follows her down the line ,I'll never understand how she managed to resist him for so long,I would have thrown myself at him Next 5 soon please!!"}, {"response": 1236, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (04:14)", "body": "Bethanne - ...it could have been Les Dawson.... LOL! That does not bear thinking about! Les Dawson as Darcy....don't go there! If your Top 5 is anything to go by I'm looking forward to your trying to get the pent up drooling out of your system..., believe me it can't be done but we have a great time trying!"}, {"response": 1237, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (06:01)", "body": "(Bethanne) This combination of anger and desire on his face as he watches her walk into the room GETS ME RIGHT HERE !! Hmmm, is that above or below the waist? :-) One of my top 5 - His first visit to Hunsford as he is fidgeting looking at Lizzie while Mr. Collins is, what did Heide call it, yammering away."}, {"response": 1238, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (08:12)", "body": "(Bethanne) when she starts to dance with Collins (Judy) I love that smirk-cum-snort, sooo sexy & naughty on his part Isn't it though. ;-D"}, {"response": 1239, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (09:05)", "body": "And to think we have all replayed these 5 scenes and more... for almost 5 years now!!! Thank you BethAnne for expressing all of it so well. Your analysis of his expressions is very insightful."}, {"response": 1240, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (10:52)", "body": "Welcome Bethanne. Welcome Lassie, I may have missed you earlier. Ladies, you may have only just found this place, but those of us who've been here a little longer never get tired of bringing up the same scenes again and again. We can't get bored and can live with the fact that there aren't new scenes to discuss though we have been known to make up a few of our own. Our family and friends would never recognize us here though if they'd look a little more closely they may notice a few signs of Darcy madness - that constant swallowing as we try to keep the drool down, the locked doors and shuttered windows as we closet ourselves away with the VCR, and of course the sudden barks of \"Wot?!\" when we hear something truly impertinent. This place is a release - a mad release we know but heck, we can't be serious, sensible people all the time. (Bethanne) 4. The bath scene watching Lizzie play with his dog. What can I say, just what can I say ? If you weren't hooked by CF as Darcy yet, this scene had to pull you through. Though amazingly enough I know there are some who have not yet let his power take over the first time they watched until much later. He is used to being in control and always calling the shots. Now all of a sudden, this impudent little upstart has turned him into an emotional basket case. As attracted to her as he is physically, in the early stages of the relationship, I think he resents her terribly too for turning his world upside down. This combination of anger and desire on his face as he watches her walk into the room GETS ME RIGHT HERE !! Ah yes, so true. This is when it's fun to compare Darcy's feelings as described in the book with what we're seeing portrayed on the screen. Those love/hate, or should I say desire/repress feelings, are masterful. You know Lizzy's what he wants but he doesn't know she's what he needs. (Judy) What do you think of his neck? LOL! The bath scene, my, my. And those lovely moles. Don't forget the neck scene (that's what it's called, right?) when he writes the letter. ;-)"}, {"response": 1241, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (13:04)", "body": "Lovely Jubbley...nobody thought I was getting carried away describing my Top 5 Darcy scenes. So here goes, 6-10. It's a dirty job, but someones gotta do it, right ? To recap 1-5 1. Watching Lizzie play the piano at Pemberley 2. Walking the grounds with Lizzie at Pemberley, those steps, those breeches, those thighs Ohhhhhhhhh........ its ok, I'm all right now. 3. His nervous tension just before the first proposal scene. 4. Watching Lizzie frollic with his dog . 5. Watching her walk into the ballroom at Netherfiedd. 6. Writing the letter to Lizzie. He finishes writing and leans his head back in sheer tormented weariness. The look of torture on his face...torture at being rejected, torture because she doesn't just reject him, she DESPISES him, torture beacause his status and position mean diddley-squat to her, all added to his pain at having to reveal his painfilled past with Wickham to another person. Remember his words in the proposal \" I beg you most fervently to relieve my suffering and, consent to be my wife \" Well, this is him suffering and boy does it get to you !! Of course, the unbuttoned shirt does help as well. Makes you want to just to reach into the screen and try to ease the pain on his fevered brow, doesn't it ? Not to mention other, ahem, afflicted places. 7. Lizzie at Huntford Parsonage talkning to Col. Fitzwilliam. Darcy just sits there watching intently, thinking \" How come she never laughs and smiles with me like that ? \" The look on his face as he fiddles with his ring listening to Mr Collin babble on... Remember, he hasn't seen her for several months. He wants to look away, but he can't. I think, he hopes her power over him would fade, while he was away from her. It hasn't, he wants her am much as ever. He comes over to them briefly and then walks slowly, contemptously over to the window as he is probably angry that he is still attracted to her. Plus, her little dig at him about not seeing Jane in Lindon, probably reminds him that verbally, she can run rings about him. He know that talking to her will always be a verbal battle. I think her spirited responses turn him, on but he hates how she can so effortlessly make him feel stupid. This is our first hint at how grief stricken he will be later on as he looks seriously pissed off in this scene ( yum yum ) Of course, those tight grey breeches help somewhat too. Look at the stricken look on his face, as he looks back at her from the window as she is saying \" So, you see, it is a hopeless case is it not, Col Fitzwilliam ? \" I love his hair in this scene too, its faily short. I don't like it all bouffant looking later on. 8 Breakfast with the Bingley's. The sisters are bitching about the Bennett sisters and their low class relations in Cheapside. Darcy has his back to them drinking his coffee and says \" But with such low connecions, it must greatly reduce their chance of marrying well, that is the material point, Bingley ! \" The way he spits out the words \" that is the material point \" its so snooty and delicious. As he talks, he puts his coffee cup down and turns around coz' Lizzie has now entered the room, I might also say whirled around, as you can almost feel him thinking \" O m God, she looks gorgeous \". See him grip the back of the chair ? He wants grip her but can't, so hangs on to the nearest object for dear life. O to be the wood in that chair frame !! 9. Darcy comes to visit the Bennet's at Longbourn with Bingley. He walks into the room, Lizzie curtsies, he bows, their eyes meet and, I am positivley stuck to the sofa !! O my Gawwwdd, words fail me. The words to describe how he looks as their eyes meet, just don't exhist. This man is so besotted and so are we ! I just love the little furtive, sideways glances. It's as if he doesn't have the nerve for a full blown smoulder, coz he's afraid she might reject him again. He has a sense that she might, just might, not be completley indifferent to him, but he is not sure. He wants to just gaze at her and try to assess her feelings ( as well as satisy his own craving for her ) but he is too nervous. He can't help remembering her stinging words to him at Huntsford and is terrified of a repeat. This I feel, is a great depiction of how his earlier arrogance and big-headed presumption that she will accept him, has given way to uncertainty and shyness. It's just so darn adorable. 10. His tortued pacing of the room just prior to the first proposal. He sits down, he gets up, he walks to the fireplace, he turns around, he looks at her, he looks away. The man is in agony and boy, do we feel his pain. His flustered demeanour is such sexy contrast to his normal, rigid one. But, you know what they say, still waters run deep and this one sure as hell does. I can't get enough of the way he says \" I BEG you most fervently to relieve my suffering \". The emphasis he puts on \"beg\" just floors me every single time. It is just sooooo powerful. I mean he is humbling himself before her. The proud and arrogant Mr Da"}, {"response": 1242, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (13:36)", "body": "Hi Judy,sorry, I meant to thank you for your response to my earlier drooling. I thought I was getting a wee bit carried away. Anyway, you bring up an excellent point that I forgot to mention.....his slightly unshaven look as he is greeting Lizzie at Pemberley after he has changed into dry clothes. ( I love a stubbley man ) As we know, he has been traveling from London all day and hasn't had a chance to shave. Remember what Andrew Davis said about all the Darcy shots in P&P of him bathing, fencing etc... \" I wanted to show the man being a man and not just a stuffed shirt \" The slight stubble is just so maculine and it just emphasises how eager he is to get back to his beloved. He just pulls on some dry clothes and belts it outa' there, without taking time to shave or comb his hair properly. His eagerness to get back to her is sooooooo drool worthy !!"}, {"response": 1243, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (14:37)", "body": "(Bethanne) I have 5 years of pent up drooling to get out of my system!!!!!!! I've only been here a short time but I've realised I'm here not to get it out of my system but to imbibe it even more-P Heide its not possible to forget that neck scene & asfor those moles perfect for nipping with my teeth. Whew Bethanne 6 ah the neck scene Heide was referring to.You also mentioned torture,Sadies the expert here.I also love it when he swills himself afterwards,That combined with the stretched neck always activates my tongue.BTW you can list those afflicted places I don't mind. 7 'fiddles with his ring' he does that on purpose because he's aware the effect his hands & fingers have,can't you just imagine them stroking your body *shiver* 8 'see him grip the back of the chair ? He wants grip her but can't, so hangs on to the nearest object for dear life' LOL yes perfectly described,needs to get those hands out of danger. 9 great scene,she's pretending to sew & he doesn't know what to do with himself so he resorts to his old trick of standing at the window Its a shame that Lizzy can't walk over to him & sod propriety & slip her arms around him. 10 I play peek-a-boo with this scene,I watch,look away,watch,look away.I take her refusal to heart,howcould she do it to him & all that pacing,can you imagine him as an expectant father damp hair,unshaven & perhaps a slightly male smell after the journey, just enough to turn you on."}, {"response": 1244, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (17:17)", "body": "Wow! Drool has swelled to a river since yesterday. What a nice deluge to return to! Danielle, I suspect you are going to freak with thrilling excitement when you see all this! (Esbee) Reminds me of the 'there's no wrong way to eat a Recess Peanut Butter Cup' commericals .... going straight for the good stuff in the middle; nibbling slowly around the edges; top to bottom/left to right... Yes Esbee, and there is practically nothing better than chocolate that melts in your mouth. Practically... (Judy)This is the place to own up & anything goes,as you've already guessed from reading Sadies posts. LOL! You might want to read earlier Kilt ravings by Judy too. (Where was that Judy, on the Odds & Ends board?) Danielle I love that confident strut.While the rest of the shooting party are all spent Darcy's gun is still cocked,primed & ready to shoot its load. BTW does anyone have a comprehensive list of his waistcoats or do I need to watch & count buttons? You want to know how many times you need to bite a button off? -D Observation about phallic symbol:1. V. good! Times I have drooled while reading all these posts by entire drool crew: 2000. Good. Newest Member: Bethanne, bloody fantastic! (Bethanne)This combination of anger and desire on his face as he watches her walk into the room GETS ME RIGHT HERE !! Now where would that be again?...(BTW Donna, I thought your question was a v. good one!)Don't stop drooling, pleasssssse. Tracy's right --- I know I cannot get it out of my system. You are obviously divinely sent. Some things are eternal afterall, and the mystery of Darcy is never solved. (Judy's made it into a new religion *slight scamper sideways as she tries to keep a straight face at calling the kettle again*) And I'll second Judy's comment, you should write fanfic, you have such a way with words. O to be the wood in that chair frame !! LOL! I can think of some other things I'd like to be! (Yet not like Charles and Camilla routine. V.confusing...) (Judy)Its a shame that Lizzy can't walk over to him & sod propriety & slip her arms around him. (Heide) Our family and friends would never recognize us here though if they'd look a little more closely they may notice a few signs of Darcy madness - that constant swallowing as we try to keep the drool down, the locked doors and shuttered windows as we closet ourselves away with the VCR, and of course the sudden barks of \"Wot?!\" when we hear something truly impertinent. LOL Heide, so well said! *sigh* It's a good thing we have fanfic authors (like Heide and Esbee, Gail, and on occasion Danielle. Hint, hint, hint). Actually, I'd really like to see the man begging more! (Bethanne, Judy knows what a cruel streak I have towards Darcy, even if he is irresistible -D) Imagine his suffering during their courtship? So delicious! Ok, now be honest people. \"Indeed I do not dare\"? But how much would he dare? Lassie, I don't think we've met before, but you mentioned you've been around for 5 years. Hello! Oh dear, have burned my food again, was sooooo preoccupied."}, {"response": 1245, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (17:29)", "body": "Have just forced myself (oh what tortune ;-P~~~) to watch the first half of P&P again with an eye on the subtle. It hasn't struck me before, but I noticed how on many occasions, when Darcy utters what should be a stinging attack or damning comment on somebody - particularly in conversation with Bingley, the faintest glimmer of a wry smile graces that gorgeous face. Perhaps Darcy is making poor attempts at humour but the poor boy gets it all wrong and he winds up being sooo misunderstood! Anybody else noticed this or is it just me staring at the screen willing the corners of his mouth to turn up! One of my favourite 'looks' comes when he asks Lizzie to dance at Lucas Lodge (or is it...damn showing my ignorance) and is rejected. There is that initial look of absolute gob-smackedness - how dare she reject me, ME - coupled with Hmmm - she has spirit....I LIKE that! . He watches her, completely mesmerized, as she walks off and when Caroline Bingley says she knows what he is thinking ..he is totally transfixed and has an X rated look on his face...\"I should imagine not\" *smirk*...you can most definitely read his mind - it would make fantastic fanfic material I've no doubt! ;-o"}, {"response": 1246, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (18:16)", "body": "Sadie how could you- kilt- *woof* woof*pant*woof* I've no idea where it was you're the elephant*duck* As far as I'm aware I tried to talk about it on every board,I get around you know-D 'you want to know how many times you need to bite a button off?-D' now you given me the idea I do,all the way down! *slight scamper sideways as she tries to keep a straight face at calling the kettle again* Lmao & you a founding member .'scamper sideways* sounds like crabs to me *running fast* 'Imagine his suffering during courtship? So delicious!' LoL you've just given prove of that cruel streak, although I'll always back you up on it (Tracy) It would make fantastic fanfic material! I've no doubt!;-O okay you've just volunteered yourself"}, {"response": 1247, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (19:14)", "body": "(Tracy)he is totally transfixed and has an X rated look on his face...\"I should imagine not\" *smirk*...you can most definitely read his mind - it would make fantastic fanfic material I've no doubt! ;-o LOL Tracy! I know what was going through my mind watching his naughty expression. (Tracy)I noticed how on many occasions, when Darcy utters what should be a stinging attack or damning comment on somebody - particularly in conversation with Bingley, the faintest glimmer of a wry smile graces that gorgeous face. I agree Tracy. And in the book, we only know of Darcy being rude on the one famous occasion (until much later, when Miss Bingley reveals his \"I should as soon call her mother a wit\" remark) On reading the book again, it's easy to see how Lizzy is misconstruing both his motives and character on several occasions. Jane points out that she never thought Mr.Darcy looked as disagreeable the way Lizzy did. And so often, he smiles at all the saucy things Lizzy says to him. I agree with Aunt Gardiner: he \"only wants a little more liveliness\". His sense of humour is already there. (Remember how he teases her about dancing a reel, and she replies, only if you put on your kilt --- oops, sorry --- was Judy's version!) (Judy)now you given me the idea I do,all the way down! But can you handle those big buttons on either side of the breeches? Hmmm, comment may be misconstrued...kilt, kilt, kilt...down DOGGIE down. 'scamper sideways* sounds like crabs to me *running fast* LOL! Yes you better run, but it won't save you from going insane eventually -D *takes a bow, but only to examine those buttons*"}, {"response": 1248, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (19:15)", "body": "The way Lizzy thought Darcy was disagreeable, I mean. I believe that may be a dangler. -D"}, {"response": 1249, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (19:54)", "body": "(Tracy) ...I noticed how on many occasions, when Darcy utters what should be a stinging attack or damning comment on somebody - particularly in conversation with Bingley, the faintest glimmer of a wry smile graces that gorgeous face Tracy i've noticed this as well. It's almost like he's attempting to start a lively debate - or encourage Bingly to voice a point of view that is different from his own. But, before he can get the converstation going- the sisters immediately jump in with their opinon of how right Darcy is. This is one of the things i believe Darcy finds so apealing about Lizzy - she forms her own opinion and says what she thinks. (Tracy) He watches her, completely mesmerized, as she walks off and when Caroline Bingley says she knows what he is thinking ..he is totally transfixed and has an X rated look on his face...\"I should imagine not\" *smirk*...you can most definitely read his mind - it would make fantastic fanfic material I've no doubt! ;-o (Judy) okay you've just volunteered yourself LOL! she did indeed! Go to it Tracy... that's an excellent idea you had, and a great place to start writing fanfic - alittle fantacy interlude is just the thing for a new writer to start with!!! and, speaking of fanfic.... Bethanne!!!!!! YOU need to be writing! (oh, and hello btw *grin* I dont believe we've actually met... i'm EsBee) When i was reading the descriptions of your top ten i kept thinking to myself 'Why is this girl not writing fanfic?' I see Sadie and Judy agree with me - hope to see you posting over at 134 soon! (er... it is 134 isnt it? might be wrong, hav'ta double check) Also - Lassie - hello to you as well! i dont believe we've met before either"}, {"response": 1250, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (21:18)", "body": "Hi Folks I just got back from Barnes and Noble where I saw the P&P DVD for sale. Isn't it supposed to have a \"Making of \" feature added to it ? I saw nothing on the cover blurb about any additional material. The total running time is 310 mins too, which is only about the basic 6 episodes worth. I don't want to splurge for something, if its the exact same thing that I already have on video tape. Anybody know ? What's the deal on the documentary \" From page to screen \" that I have seen redered to in several earlier drools. How does one acquire a copy ? Have any of you seen it ? Is there much Colin/Darcy in it, or is it all boring stuff about costumes, sets, music etc ? In earlier drools, I have also seen references to Darcy leaving Huntsford Parsonage in great distress, after the first proposal scene. The way he stalks back across the fields to Rosings, is listed in several drools, as a Top 5 moment. I have never seen this on my version taped from the A&E Channel. I heard that several scenes were cut short to facilitate all the commercial breaks, but this is one I just JUST LOVE TO see ! Could anybody post some snappies ? See ya !"}, {"response": 1251, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (21:27)", "body": "(Bethanne Denny) Isn't it supposed to have a \"Making of \" feature added to it ? The DVD with the making of feature is being released in the UK."}, {"response": 1252, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (22:31)", "body": "However, the US DVD should have all the scenes that were cut from the A&E broadcast. They were shown when A&E broadcast P&P on its classroom series early in the morning. Wasn't it commercialess? These two are from his walk from Hunsford back to Rosings: Here's another you wouldn't have seen. After Lizzy leaves Lambton, the darling Bingley sisters make a crack about \"aren't you glad they're gone?\" To which Darcy erupts with a \"Wot?!\" and gets up and stamps out of the room."}, {"response": 1253, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (22:32)", "body": "Here's that second one. Don't know what I did..."}, {"response": 1254, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (23:53)", "body": "Thanks for posting these Karen. Like Bethanne, I've only seen the A&E version. I'm planning to treat myself to watching the extra minutes as soon as work settles down. BTW, that first is a lovely shot! Such a dear curl and he looks so devastated! And in the last shot, so stricken yet also angry!"}, {"response": 1255, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (00:03)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1256, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (00:24)", "body": "Ladies, you have unleashed a ferocious beast here ! O stop it, I'm not talking about Darcy and Lizzie's wedding night ( gulp .) No, I'll leave that for the talented ladies at Fan Fic. I'm talking about your response to my Darcy drools. I was going to stop at a Top 10 a la David Letterman, but screw it, there are a lot more than 10 drool worthy clips in P&P, so here goes 11-15 11. Mr Darcy takes a dive. (Jeez I can't believe this is only number 11, what on earth is the matter with me ? ) Anyway, that wet shirt......'scuse me a sec while I take a few deep breaths.... breathe in, breathe out, breath in....ok, I'm fit to continue now. Anyway, I just love watching him disrobe in stages, first the jacket, then the cravat, then the waistcoat. The way his delectable body is gradually revealed to us, mirrors how his charms are gradually revealed to Lizzie also. I love the look on his face before he dives in, so tormented,so unhappy. His distress is in such contrast to the icy cool man we first see at he Assembly Rooms at Meryton. On the walk back to Pemberley I love how the shirt is not completley plastered to his chest. I mean, the sun would have partially dried it, wouldn't it ? However, it is wet enough to just HINT at a manly,hairy chest beneath, without revealing everything that's there. After all, what is hinted at, is often far more erotic, than what is displayed out in the open. Dontcha' think ? It is probably Lizzie's first glimpse at a partially disrobed lucious male animal, so we know she HAS to be just a tad hot and bothered. I know we are ! 12. Watching Lizzie dance with Mr Collins. I love the sneering smile he gives her as he watches Mr Colins bump into that lady. It mirrors the distain for her family that he later mentions in the proposal scene. Anyway, as disgusted as he is by the idiotic Mr Collins, he can't help but smirk, as for once, he gets to laugh at HER. Up to this, she has been the one laughing at him, but now he gets to turn the tables on her, by sniggering at the stupidity of her dancing partner. For once, HE has the power to make HER feel inadequate and you know he has to be enjoying it. I don't think he is a malicious person at heart, who likes making people feel small. Its just that in a way, its pay-back time, for the way she made him feel like a fool while she was staying at Netherfield. Then in the blink of an eye, the O so sexy, snooty distain is back, as he watches the dancers go down the line. Yum, yum, yum. 13. The \"on foot\" interchange as she arrives at Netherfield. I love the \" up- yours, asshole ! \" curtsey that she gives him. She follow the polite convention of the day, by curtseying to him, but we are left in no doubt as to her feelings for him. I feel he is already attracted to her here, but is not so completley under her spell that he can't respond in kind to her impudent display of dislike. He stands back to let her preceed him into the house (ladies first, afer all ) but his body language drips sarcastic dilike also. Look at the semi-mocking smile on his face as she passes him by. He all but says \" Good God, look at the state you are in \" He is able to give as good as he gets here and I feel, they meet as equals for the last time until Pemberley. From now on, as she stays longer and longer at Netherfield, he falls more and more under her spell and, he has to struggle to maintain his composure, as Lizzie constantly bests him in their verbal sparring matches. Look at the delicious way 2 people outwardly are following the polite conventions of the day, but bubbling underneath, are fat stormier feelings. 14. \"I shall overcome this\" fencing scene. Ooooooooooo....... his pain, his torment, his overwhelming physical longing for Elizabeth that he trys to channel into other physical activities, but he fails miserably ! Look at the intensity on his face as he parries and thrusts ( picturing Wickham bleeding to death, maybe ) and the tortured look on his face as he says \" I shall over come this \" . He is determined to overcome his longing for Lizzie as he feels his sanity may depend on it. but remember, this intense emotional turmoil takes place 6 months after he last saw Lizzie. Just imagine what a wreak he must have been in in the days and weeks immedialtley following his departure from Rosings. Sigh !!!!!!! Another simpler explanation for the attraction of this scene, is the heaving, sweating wet white-shirt-clad hunk of a man that is once more, on display. Makes perfect sense when you think about it. 15 This one is hard to explain, but bear with me. Lizzie playing the piano at Rosings. Darcy with a flick of his coat tails (see previous post of a few days ago ) and a click of his heels leaves his aunt talking to herself and, stalks over to Lizzie and Fitzwiliam at the piano. They enter another verbal fencing match and the conversation veers towards Darcy's self-confessed inability to converse eaily with strangers. Still with me ? OK. Remember Lizzie and Darcy dancing at the Neth"}, {"response": 1257, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (00:30)", "body": "Oh yes, Bethanne. These are fave scenes of mine too. I have no idea how to decide between so many, but it's fun to see how others rank them. It is probably Lizzie's first glimpse at a partially disrobed lucious male animal, so we know she HAS to be just a tad hot and bothered. I know we are ! Yes, his appearance must hit her with full force, not to mention his politeness. Look at the intensity on his face as he parries and thrusts ( picturing Wickham bleeding to death, maybe ) and the tortured look on his face as he says \" I shall over come this \" . Or he may be thinking of Lizzy as he parries and thrusts. She has not relieved his suffering after all. Clearly the earlier billiard shot gave him no relief, so he's moved on to a more powerful activity. For, although the gun cocked and loaded is potentially v. effective, it never did get to discharge. -D"}, {"response": 1258, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (00:32)", "body": "Dunno what happened there. It posted twice but cut #15 off in the first one. O well, hope you can stil read it. Yikes, sorry its so long. So that sthe story behind \"Wot\" I always wondered. Jeez, I wish I could have seen him storm out of the room. He moves so beautifully when he is pissed off. Amaaaaaaaazing pix. I can't wait to see them for real on the DVD. O God look at the stormy expression on his face at Rosings. Someone help me please, I'm falling.....thud....I'm gone !!!"}, {"response": 1259, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (03:03)", "body": "Sadie, you are toooooo funny. \" Clearly the billiard ball gave him no relif \" You lot are hysterical !! I don't think I have laughed so much in my entire life as I have, since I discovered this site. PS The third line from the end on fav drool scene #15 should read \"intellectual and emotional equal \" I left out 2 words by mistake."}, {"response": 1260, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (08:22)", "body": "Bethanne, am getting rid of the first, incomplete post. (Sadie) I agree with Aunt Gardiner: he \"only wants a little more liveliness\". His sense of humour is already there. (Remember how he teases her about dancing a reel I always wished they'd included this scene; it's a fav of mine and would've shown far more of his true character."}, {"response": 1261, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (09:46)", "body": "Yikes! Ladies, get thee to a BestBuy or Costco and get that A&E boxed set! You're missing plenty...okay, maybe 5 minutes in total but there are extra precious seconds of Darcy in there. Besides, if all you're relying on are your home tapes, they must be worn very thin. A&E only shows P&P but once a year now. (Bethanne) Does Lizzie feel the first flickers at Pemberley or does it start earlier but remain dormant because Darcy is acting like a moron ? LOL!! Watch out, you might get a debate going here. I think there's the Jane Austen version (the inimitable original) and the Andrew Davies version. Much of the time the twain meets but there are tangents Davies takes that real students of the book (not me) would barely recognize. Some of those tangents have been so deliciously described by the ladies above. Then there are further developments Jane takes that Davies doesn't adapt as Karen suggests. (Karen) I always wished they'd included this scene; it's a fav of mine and would've shown far more of his true character. Would have been lovely. Jane describes Darcy after this scene that he \"had never been so bewitched by any woman as he was by her\". I'm all for more scenes showing Darcy going under. I also wish we could've had the scene in the garden at Netherfield where Elizabeth and Louisa run into Darcy and Caroline walking together. Louisa abruptly leaves Lizzy alone to join her sister but Darcy \"felt their rudeness\" and suggested they all walk together in the avenue. Of course Lizzy is happy to decline but we see Darcy is attentive to her feelings."}, {"response": 1262, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (11:45)", "body": "(Bethanne)As for Lizzie, I feel that she feels a pull toward him from the get go, an unconsious attraction if you will. Bingo, Bethanne...Jennifer Ehle says so in that \"From Page to Screen\"tape. and she plays it that way... Isn't anybody gonna mention their second meeting at the Lambton Inn..after she has received Jane's letter about Lydia...and he drops in to find her distressed... Take it away....Bethanne..."}, {"response": 1263, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (12:33)", "body": "WOW! 34 new of 1262 responses total. This was greeting as I returned to my beloved Drool today! Oh, if all weekends could end as blissfully as being able to drool for half-an-hour! OK, I could think of a few more blissful events, but CF is otherwise engaged! Anyway... thank you Bethane for stirring it up again! The scene with Darcy walking to the piano at Rosings....! *siiiiiiiiiiiigh* At one or two little instances, you could see right betwen his coattail and legs... *siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh* bowl legs! yippee ki-ya!!! CF definitely has been riding horses for a while..."}, {"response": 1264, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (15:32)", "body": "Heide, actually there are 20 extra minutes in the commercially boxed set as opposed to the A&E version."}, {"response": 1265, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (16:01)", "body": "Yup, Heide, I'm aware I may be stirring some stuff up here but sometimes I just can't help myself. It's such a delicious topic to conjecture upon, dontcha' think ? I'm not for a minute suggesting Lizzie feels for Darcy the way he feels for her, at the very begginning. I have too much respect for the integrity of Jane Austen's character to propose that theory. However, I have always had a problem with Jane Austen's reasons for Lizzie finally falling in love with Darcy (ie) he has a nice house and wasn't such a jerk to Wickham after all. To me, it just never added up. So I just think there was a teeny, weeny attraction there, that his utter jerkdom at the beginning all but obliterated. I think there HAS to be, or her subsequent falling for him, doesn't seem plausible. Then again ,it could just be the product of my overactive imagination. Here are my reasons and, I am taking these all from the book, not the TV series. 1. She DOES think and talk about him a a lot, especially in the book. Mind you her thoughts are rarely complimentary, but he IS on her mind a lot. She puts a lot of energy into verbally sparring with him, why does she put so much time and effort into this ? Why does she feel such a compulsion to cut him down to size ? Maybe she subconsciously, feels threatned by his possible power over her, so she deliberately trys to keep him at a distance. 2. At the Netherfield ball, Lizzie's mother and sisters are embarressing her with their vulgarity and she watches Darcy to see his reaction to them. Here is a direct quote from the book: \" She could not help frequently glancing her eye at Mr Darcy, though every glance convinced her of what she dreaded \" Why does his like or dislike of her family matter so much to her ? If she really despised him, she couldn't care less what he thinks...but she DOES care. Why is that ? We know that the Bingley sisters and Lady Catherine don't really like her, but their disapproval doesn't really seem to bother her all that much, but HIS does. Why ? 3. At Rosings she talks with Col Fitzwilliam about Darcy breaking up Bingley's romance with Jane. In the book, that scene is 4 pages long. The Bingley/Jane bit is on the last page, but they spend the first 2 1/2 just talking about Mr Darcy. For a man she dislikes so much, she sure does talk about him a lot. What is going on with her mind subliminally here ? 4. I really feel that from the get go, she is stimulated mentally by him and that is very important to her, especially when you consider the rather stifling, dull, word she lives in. Don't forget how intelligent she is, in a time period when women were supposed to be nothing more than dainty little wallflowers. He respects her intelligence and lets her give full reign to her opinions, while also displaying his own considerable brain power. It's a shame he is such a pompous ass at the begining, as it wipes out his good character qualities( his treatment of her as a intellectual equal, which is really ahead of its time ) but then we wouldn't have a story if she falls for him on page 1, now would we ? Thats it, I'm out !"}, {"response": 1266, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (16:34)", "body": "His legs are quite straight. His gait makes them look less so."}, {"response": 1267, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (00:16)", "body": "(Bethanne)However, I have always had a problem with Jane Austen's reasons for Lizzie finally falling in love with Darcy (ie) he has a nice house and wasn't such a jerk to Wickham after all. To me, it just never added up. So I just think there was a teeny, weeny attraction there, that his utter jerkdom at the beginning all but obliterated. I think there HAS to be, or her subsequent falling for him, doesn't seem plausible. LOL Bethanne, this debate rages on at the Pemberley site every so often. Here are my two cents. I pretty much agree with you about a prior attraction, but I differ with you a little bit about Austen's reasons for Lizzie finally falling for Darcy. I've always thought Lizzy is incredibly strong; she simply will not give her heart to a man who has not learned to \"please a woman worthy of being pleased\" no matter how sexy, intelligent, good-looking, powerful, and wealthy he is --- and no matter how much she feels an attraction. I think it's in keeping with Austen's view of love as reasonable love directed at a worthy object --- and love as a function of real knowledge of another person, rather than fantasy (love at first sight). After all, Darcy's behaviour is not acceptable (until he reforms) no matter how basically decent a person he is; his greatest failure in behaviour is committed against Lizzy when he insults her --- very ungallant, considering his power in the world, compared to hers. (Remember, Emma com its a similar wrong.) But I also think Austen enjoys teasing us with hints of human frailty and timing of events as factors in characters' subjective judgements about others e.g. the very human thoughts Lizzy has while touring Pemberley. (I think Austen is having a little fun at Lizzy's expense, too.) Ok. this is not very drooly. So in the interest of focus: Darcy's no gurly-mon! Imagine how exciting their quarrels will be after they are married! I like Judy's suggested scenario: You have said quite enough Madam! To bed!"}, {"response": 1268, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (02:14)", "body": "Bingo Sadie, you hit the nail on the head. You describe perfectly, how Lizzie's spirited disgust over his unchivallrous behaviour, will always win out over his considerable worldly attributes, until he reforms. I couldn't have have said it better myself. What was Judy's scenario suggestion ? Did I miss something ? Yup, I am slobbering over my keyboard thinking of the electricity in the air during one of their married quarrels. The sexual tension in the air, as they fight, is what makes the TV series so amazing. Just imagine how much more intense it would get as a married couple, when they both know where the fights will end up being settled. ( gulp ) I doubt if they would even make it to the privacy of their bedroom, half the time ! Gotta go now, my keyboard is so wet I'm afraid I'll electrocute myself. Where the heck is the bloody Cling-wrap when I need it ?"}, {"response": 1269, "author": "gailw", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (08:31)", "body": "Wow! My first time on-line in a few days and so much to read! Love it! Thanks Bethanne for getting a lively conversation going. And I love your drool list - it's fun to hear (well, see) someone else's take on those treasured scenes. The opposite of love is not hate but indifference. Lizzy is certainly not indifferent to Darcy either in the book or show. I think Lizzy is well on her way to feeling more amiable towards Darcy after his letter. Remember she keeps it all those months and I sure she reads it over and over again. I think at first she is more ashamed of her own behavior but gradually her feelings turn to warmth towards Darcy. His actions at Pemberley were the little nudge she needed to get to love."}, {"response": 1270, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (08:37)", "body": "Hi Gail - I agree 100% with your post. After reading his letter and going through the normal period of resentment and mortification, I believe she started to see his decent side. Although, she would not allow herself to admit it. But by the time she got to Pemberly, she was open to seeing his good side. As you said, all she needed was the little nudge. She was open to his advances, imo, before she ever set eyes on Pemberly."}, {"response": 1271, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (10:44)", "body": "My, my, this topic has exploded! Great analysis of your top 15, Bethanne. Agree with all (but also agree with Evelyn, scene at Inn is one of my favs--'shall I call a doctor?'). As Heide advised, anyone not in possession of the boxed set of tapes or the DVD must invest--many of us paid around $100 for them a few years ago (money well spent, IMO); the prices are much more reasonable now. Karen and Heide, agree with that missing scene (about dancing a reel). Love the line 'indeed I do not dare.' There are so many from the book I can imagine being well done by the P&P2 cast, such as Mrs. Bennet effusing about Lizzy's engagement. I've always been of the opinion that Lizzy (Austen and Davies versions) was definitely subliminally/subconsciously attracted to Darcy from the get-go. Hello and welcome, Lassie. Was that you in the movie 'Frannie Come Home'? ;-D"}, {"response": 1272, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (17:03)", "body": "(Eileen)but also agree with Evelyn, scene at Inn is one of my favs--'shall I call a doctor?'). What he wants to do is to envelop her in his arms ..but he only dares to hold her hand ever so gently....What a moment..."}, {"response": 1273, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Sep 19, 2000 (00:07)", "body": "(Evelyn) he only dares to hold her hand ever so gently....What a moment... *sigh* oh yeah. that gets me everytime too. *double sigh*"}, {"response": 1274, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Tue, Sep 19, 2000 (00:14)", "body": "Another nomination for \"best ommitted scene\" Darcy and Lizzie are in the library at Netherfield. He keeps his nose stuck in his book and won't even look at her coz' he is afraid he has been paying her too much attention already. This is what JA writes in the book. \" Steady to his purpose, he scarcely spoke 10 words to her through the whole of Sunday, and though they were at one time left by themselves for half an hour, he adheared most conscientiously to his book and, would not even look at her \" Just Imagine how it could be filmed and how much intensity CF could inject into the scene without even opening his mouth. Here goes. A clock ticking on the mantlepiece is the only sound in the room as its 2 occupants keep their head lowered, both refusing to look up or be the first to break the silence. Darcy's eyes are glued to the pages of his book but he doesn't see a word and his hand trembles slightly as he turn the pages. Not a word is spoken, but the silence gets louder and louder and the tension in the room can be cut like a knife. Darcy wills himself not to look up and with icy determination, he keeps his head lowered as the words on the page dance befoer his eyes. Lizzie sits there all calm and composed, probably enjoying his obvious discomfort at having to share a room with a woman he dislikes. However, the REAL reason for his discomfort, would probably shock her if she knew of it. He sticks a finger in between the top of his cravat and the base of his neck (which feels hot and flushed to the touch) and loosens his cravat imperceptibly, wondering why Lizzie doesn't seem to feel as bothered by the heat as he is. A fine film of persperation breaks out on his forehead and upper lip and, he can feel a bead of sweat slowly trickle down between his shoulder blades to pool at the top of his fine buckskin breeches. Before too long, his fine linen shirt is soaked to the skin and he grimaces in distaste. He shifts slightly in his chair and turns his body away from the heat of the fire. Finally, mercifully, after 30 minutes of sheer physical torture, he hears voices in the hallway. Bingley and Jane have returned from their tour of the portrait gallery and he says a silent prayer of thanks for their arrival. He gathers his wits, to at least APPEAR civil when they arrive back in the room. He shitfs in his chair again, trying to ease the painful tightness in his breeches and forces a look of polite distinterest onto his overheated, flushed face. Lizzie gets up to greet her sister, also happy to see them return. She sneeks a peek at Mr Darcy and leaves the room, arm and arm with her sister, thinking \" Wot' a disagreeable man ! \""}, {"response": 1275, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Sep 19, 2000 (00:45)", "body": "LOL Bethanne, thankyou for this scene! You know how I love for Darcy to suffer with his desire! There were a couple things I meant to add on the Lizzy attraction thing. I remember it once being discussed that her admiration of Pemberley was really an encoded way of Austen describing her admiration for Darcy's sexual potency. Pemberley \"stood well on rising ground\". LOL! at v. least, his house reflects his taste. I'm so glad that Gail and Donna mentioned the letter too. His letter is really lifegiving; Lizzy grows as a person because of it, just as Darcy grows after Elizabeth's setdown. It's funny how much this model of love fits today's \"new\" thinking about relationships here in the U.S. And elsewhere? Danielle, I knew you'd be thrilled! Regarding Judy's earlier reel comment --- it's not that far back --- probably within a few weeks, on this very board. I have to agree with others about the inn scene. He so gently leads her to her chair, and so reluctantly relinquishes first her one arm, and then the other. *sigh*"}, {"response": 1276, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Sep 19, 2000 (00:47)", "body": "Other ommitted scenes: *feel free to write them, Bethanne, hint, hint* The three scenes Austen only briefly mentions when Darcy seeks Elizabeth out in Rosings Park. He obviously thinks he's actively courting her, and she's completely clueless about why he's asking all these odd, unconnected questions! V. sexy when he alludes to her staying in the house on her next visit. I can just imagine all the fantasizing he must be engaging in at this point, when he's on the verge of proposing. So go to it, Bethanne!"}, {"response": 1277, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Tue, Sep 19, 2000 (01:46)", "body": "Yup, yup, yup to everything, Sadie. I love the \"odd\" questions he asks her at Rosings, especially the one implying that she will be staying there, the next time she is in Kent. Also, he asks her about her love of \"solitary walks\"...a coded way of saying he recognises and admires her love of....ahem.... strenuous physical exercise, perhaps ? Naturally, my overheated brain isn't just refering to walking and neither is his ! Did you notice in the scene where he visits her at Huntsford and she is by herself, that they ommitted the bit where he moved his chair toward her slightly ? They left that out totally. In fact, in the book, her surprised reaction to his doing so, is the reason he gets up and leaves. It would have been a nice touch to add, dontcha' think ? I too, love the inn at Lambton scene where he reluctantly lets go of her hand. What intruiges me is, what is he doing there in the first place and by him self too ? We know she will be dinning again that night at Pemberley, so why not wait until then to see her ? I love how he just can't bear to be away from her and the wait until dinner-time is just too long for the poor lamb. Would he have proposed again so soon ? I don't think so, but its nice to imagine what they would have gotten up to, but for Jane's letter about Lydia. I think he goes there just to ressure himself that he wasn't dreaming, that she was actually NICE to him the night before and, that the whole wonderful evening wasn't just a product of his fevered dreams and longings. Plus, his intentionally going to see her, by himself, without the Bingley's or Georgiana in tow, is sexy as hell. He does not feel the need for others to be around to act as a buffer zone between them.. He is starting to feel confident in his ability to make her want to be with him also. In the past they were only ever alone by accident....but now he is blatant in his desire to see her by herself and, he is not afraid to advertise the fact to the world. I love his the impatient way he gets dressed that morning. He just can't wait to see her again. You can just imagine the joy he must be feeling considering her hasn't seen her in 6 months and the impatience he must feel to make up for lost time. I can just imagine his spirits soaring coz' she isn't giving him the cold shoulder, which must surprise him, considering the disatrous 1st proposal. See how impatient he is with his valet as he gets dressed ? It's out of character, if we can believe the housekeeper, Mrs Reynolds who calls him the \"best of masters\" but God love him, he's not in his right mind now that Lizzie is back in his life. Watch him gallop off to Lambton and just before he passes out of the camera shot, he applies the whip to the horse to speed him up....sigh...drool....sigh !"}, {"response": 1278, "author": "gailw", "date": "Tue, Sep 19, 2000 (09:50)", "body": "Well Bethanne, you sure do know how to get the rest of us drooling!! Glad that you found us! I loved your library scenerio. he can feel a bead of sweat slowly trickle down between his shoulder blades to pool at the top of his fine buckskin breeches. Wait...I'll get that! slurp....slurp....slurp.... And the scene at the Lambton Inn - He does not feel the need for others to be around to act as a buffer zone between them.. He is starting to feel confident in his ability to make her want to be with him also. In the past they were only ever alone by accident....but now he is blatant in his desire to see her by herself and, he is not afraid to advertise the fact to the world. I never looked at it like that before - I like your perspective. (Sadie) at v. least, his house reflects his taste. I always thought that Lizzy's attraction to Pemberley was not due to its obvious wealth but to Darcy's good taste (although I do like the analogy to sexual potency!). She was not motivated by money, even though she later jokes about it with Jane, otherwise she would have accepted Darcy's first proposal. And she was not at all impressed by Rosings even though it was described as being even more sumptuous than Pemberley. This was just another side of Darcy that she could admire and which helped to move her further along the route to love."}, {"response": 1279, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 19, 2000 (10:26)", "body": "(Sadie) when Darcy seeks Elizabeth out in Rosings Park. He obviously thinks he's actively courting her, and she's completely clueless about why he's asking all these odd, unconnected questions! I have to agree. Would've loved to have seen these scenes."}, {"response": 1280, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Tue, Sep 19, 2000 (13:09)", "body": "Re: Lizzie's attraction to Darcy 'coz has a beautiful, elegant home. I hate to say it, but he is probably not the one responsible for it. Don't forget, the Darcy's are an old and noble family. The house has probably been around for a very long time and he probably inheirited it as it was, more or less, from his father. Remember ( in the book ) where Caroline Bingley is gushing over the wonderful library at Pemberley ? Darcy replies \" It ought to be good, it has been the work of many generations \" I know we all know him to be a man of taste and refinement, but we probably shouldn't give him all the credit for the gorgeous house. Still, its nice to drool over it, isn't it ?"}, {"response": 1281, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Tue, Sep 19, 2000 (22:00)", "body": "Another nomination for best scenes left out of the TV series. Anybody else sorry that the part in the book, where Darcy comes to dinner at Netherfield, but doesn't talk much to Lizzie, was left out of the TV version ? It's one of my favourite parts of the book. I love how the tables have now been turned on her. For most of the book/TV series, Darcy is the one gazing longingly at Lizzie, but now she is the one acting all mushy and love struck. Ths is what JA wrote: Darcy had walked away to another part of the room. She followed him with her eyes, envied everyone to whom he spoke, had scarcely patience enough to help anyone to coffee; and then was enraged with herself for being so silly. Wouldn't that have looked wonderful on film ?"}, {"response": 1282, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (08:40)", "body": "And in that scene they stare at each other whilst playing cards. He returns the coffee cup to her and she is so disappointed that she is not able to linger there with him. Definitely should have been added along with the Rosings walks."}, {"response": 1283, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (12:11)", "body": "Yes, Bethanne, I did notice the absence of a moving chair in the Hunsford scene! But I didn't mind this more understated version. I wonder if we could have believed that Lizzy can't sense his attraction if it were more overt --- despite Darcy's quick reversion to distancing tactics. Forgive the double negatives. In the book, the tete-a-tete ends when Charlotte and Maria return. (Bethanne)I think he goes there just to ressure himself that he wasn't dreaming, that she was actually NICE to him the night before and, that the whole wonderful evening wasn't just a product of his fevered dreams and longings. I really like this account of it! And I agree, he's not afraid to show the world that he's courting. And don't you love his bedroom? I think they deliberately included it to tantalize us."}, {"response": 1284, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (12:13)", "body": "(Bethanne)Re: Lizzie's attraction to Darcy 'coz has a beautiful, elegant home. I hate to say it, but he is probably not the one responsible for it. Don't forget, the Darcy's are an old and noble family. The house has probably been around for a very long time and he probably inheirited it as it was, more or less, from his father. True, but he did just redo \"a very pretty sitting-room, lately fitted up with greater elegance and lightness than the apartments below\" for his sister. (BTW, a further contrast between his true taste and Lady C's ostentation at Rosings?) He's very much in charge and placing his stamp on his own house. And, he is always buying books for that libary too. I've always thought that if Lizzy had any weakness, it would be for his fairyland woods. The wood nymph has found her home. Regarding Longbourn scene: I really miss it in the film version for every reason you've said and also Moons' reasons."}, {"response": 1285, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (12:14)", "body": "Well, you know I meant \"Moon's\" 'cause I know there is only one of you!"}, {"response": 1286, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (12:26)", "body": "They shouldn't have missed any scene out that involved Darcy .I've always thought that they concentrated too much on Lydia & Wickham at the endat the expense of some wonderful Darcy scenes,some of which have already been mentioned,the meal at Longbourn should never have been missed out but also the scene after their engagement has become public knowledge,thats Darcy drool lost & wasted, instead I have to imagine it myself,which bulging breeches he wore,which waistcoat."}, {"response": 1287, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (12:30)", "body": "Well, you know I meant \"Moon's\" 'cause I know there is only one of you! Here on Earth there is only one Moon, but where I come from well... ;-)"}, {"response": 1288, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (17:34)", "body": "Now that I've got your attention.... Spring needs money in order to operate. There are many different kinds of expenses we incur at Spring. Some are one-time only and others are ongoing. Right now, we are raising money to pay for the very specialized software (Yapp) that makes these discussion boards very unique. We need a larger license to accommodate all the people who visit these boards, whether they post or not. If you are a lurker and visit here and just read, you are still creating a \"hit,\" and the license we have is not sufficient for the number of visitors we get on a daily basis. When we exceed the license limit, the conference boards shut down automatically until Yapp determines that a new day has started. To keep Spring alive, we need to raise $1,000. In the past, a handful of people have kept Spring afloat. Many of our Drool supporters in the UK have taken advantage of get-togethers with US friends in order to pass along cash contributions. So for this fund-raising effort, I have put out the call for everyone to do what they can. For those in the US, payment can be made by check or by an electronic transfer via the PayPal system. In the UK, we will have a person who can accept your payments (by cheque or bank draft) and see to it that the monies reach us. For those of you in other countries, please email me. No addresses will be posted on these boards. Please email me for details."}, {"response": 1289, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (21:31)", "body": "Bethanne! Loved the library scene! And I agree with all the missing scenes too! It was such an excellent miniseries, but I can tell that at least some of us have read the book as much as watched the tapes! Bravo! I must also add that I wanted to see all the arguments at Netherfield, especially the one with 'poetry being the food of love' and the one with Bingley describing Darcy as 'I do not know a more awful object... on particular occassions', etc. Talk about CF melting the stage camera with his eyes on those scenes! *sigh*"}, {"response": 1290, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (22:41)", "body": "Yum, yum, what lovely drooling today. MOON, I agree about the missing cards scene. It would have been cute to see them both being chided by their playing partners, for not paying attention to the game. I can just see Darcy sitting there, with his cards upsidedown and not even realising it. Dontcha' just drool over the possibilities of the coffee cup. You can just see them standing so close to each other, 2 heaving chests separated only by a dainty little porcelain cup. Maybe we can hear a faint rattle of cup on saucer, coz' Darcy's hand is trembling ever so slightly. SADIE, You are right about not showing Darcy moving his chair toward Lizzie when he visits her at Huntsford. I suppose it would have made his attraction to her, a wee bit too obvious. But then, he hasn't exactly been subtle in his attraction to her her, has he? I mean all those invitations to dance, not to mention all those intense, smouldering looks. They sure as hell send our blood pressure skyward....dunno why Lizzie remains unaffected for so long. Is she human ? I disagree about Darcy's bedroom. Yes, it was lovely to get a peek into his boudoir, but don't you think red satin wall paper and bedcoverings are just a tad gaudy for a man of such taste and elegance ? The blue bedroom at Rosings was far nicer, I thought. JUDY: I agree wholeheartidly that NO scene with Darcy and Lizzie should have been left out. They gave Lydia/Wickham and Jane/Bingley waaaaaaaaay too much time, in my humble opinion. I know they had to show some of them, coz' they are relevant to the story, but not at the expense of leaving out so much Darcy and Lizzie. I especially, would have loved to see the post-engagement scene, where she gets him to account for falling in love with her. However, a relaxed, laid back Darcy speaking freely about his love for her....guys I don't think I could have handled that. Maybe, for the sake of my hormones/sanity/heart-rate I'm glad they didn't show it. ( In another 48 years, I'll actually start to believe that too. ) DANIELLE: Bingo on the wonderful love poetry arguement between them and especially the \" I do not know a more awful object......\" scene too. Do you remember in the book that Lizzie was about to laugh at Bingley's remark, but that she checked herself because she could sense that Darcy was offended by the remark ? Doesn't this show how tuned in she is to his feelings, when she wants to be ? She wants to prevent him pain, if she can help it, without even being aware of it. Sigh, drool, slobber......keep it up !!!!!"}, {"response": 1291, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (00:58)", "body": "OK, here we go........ Darcy dines at Longbourn. This has long been one of my favourite scenes from the book and I was very sad it didn't make it into the TV version. CF could have just murdered this. It is very drool-worthy. We can just imagine how his chocolate pools could smoulder in candle-light. Slurp-slurp-slurp........ Ooops.....I just realised, this should be at Fanfic, shouldn't it ? Sorry ! I only realised my mistake when I already had it all typed up. I'll put Part 2 The Coffee Cup Scene at #130.....that is when I can figure out a way to work in a reference to \"painfull tightnesses in his breeches\" into drinking coffee. I bet the folks at Starbucks never had this problem ! Anyway, enjoy !! MR DARCY DINES AT LONGBOURN. PART: 1 The dinning room door closed behind Mrs Bennet, with a quiet click, as Darcy leaned back in his chair and let out a deep sigh of relef. He reached for his wine glass and took a deep, satisfying draught of the cool liquid to ease the pain of his dry, parched throat. He exhaled deeply, his first breath, seemingly in over an hour. He had just sat through a 4 course meal at the Bennet house and, he felt as if he had been holding his breath for most of the preceeding hour. In a way, he was glad that he and Lizzie were seated at opposite ends of table, as he didn't trust himself to get through the meal without slobbering all over himself or knocking over his glass, if she had been seated beside him. It was all he could do to keep his countenance, as he watched her bite into a ripe, succulent strawberry earlier, over dessert. It took a mammoth effort of will, not to groan out loud, as he saw her beautiful, rosy red lips stained even redder by the succulent juice of the strawberry. When her tongue snaked out to catch a drop of juice that would have slid down her chin, the tightness in his breeches turned into an actual physical pain. He had to force his brain away from the tempting, tantalising vision in his head, of her mouth opening slowly for him, as he fed her a strawberry from a bowl, balanced precariously on top of a tangle of rumpled, red, silk sheets as they lay in his bed at Pemberley........... With intense willpower, he had forced himself to concentrate on what Mrs Bennet, to his left, was saying, but he remained intensley conscious of Elizabeth's presence accross the table. Her appetite didn't seem any better than his had been, through out the meal. She seemed to push her food around her plate just as listlessly as he did. Was her stomach tied up in the horrible knots that his was ? Did she also feel that she would choke, if she tried to force even the smallest morsel of food down her throat ? With an almost angry glare, he looked up at her, as he clenched and unclenched his fists under the table. But at that moment, Mrs Bennet arose, bidding the ladies to join her in the drawing room for coffee and leave the gentlemen to their brandy and cigars. His back was to the door that Lizzie left through, but he could sense and feel the exact moment that she passed behind his chair. He closed his eyes and caught just the faintest whisper of silk on silk and a delicate, tantalizing scent of roses. He felt momentarily lightheaded and hung onto the back of his chair for suport. He was very grateful that the dim candlelight of the dinningroom did not reveal his heaving chest and sweat slicked brow, so he sat back down and let his breathing slowly return to normal. For the next 30 minutes Darcy listened with half a mind to Mr Bennett and Sir William Lucas discus the upcoming autumn harvest. He had little time for Sir William, but he found himself enjoying Mr Bennet's subtle, dry, wit. In spite of his earlier diapproval, for the way Mr Bennet seemed to let his younger daughters run wild, he could see and appreciate where Lizzie got her own way with words. A tiny smile played about his mouth, as he remembered all their verbal battles over the past year. Even though, she continually ran rings around him, he treasued every single second of them. As grateful as he was, for this time to compose his overheated thoughts and body, he was the first one out of his seat, when Mr Bennet suggested they all join the ladies in the drawing room for coffee. TO BE CONTINUED............."}, {"response": 1292, "author": "gailw", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (08:14)", "body": "Bethanne, Whew!! What a delightful way to start the day. Loved that bit with the strawberry! Please, please, please do continue...."}, {"response": 1293, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (12:03)", "body": "Yikes! That strawberry! *fanning flushed face* Simply wonderful Bethanne, you had me completely drawn in. Can't wait for more..."}, {"response": 1294, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (12:07)", "body": "VVG, Bethanne! I am waiting to see what happens next. ;-)"}, {"response": 1295, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (13:45)", "body": "*fanning self* arggyto dlsovl ok, good, human speech dropped back into lust-filled brain! Please do continue!! Do have them ever so slightly touching fingers over the coffee cup! *chest heaves in sympathy with imagined scene* I too wholeheartedly agree with Judy that no Darcy scene should have been left out! LOL Bethanne! Just call me gaudy, I loved the red! Just think of all that repressed passion it implies. Do you remember in the book that Lizzie was about to laugh at Bingley's remark, but that she checked herself because she could sense that Darcy was offended by the remark ? Doesn't this show how tuned in she is to his feelings, when she wants to be ? Yes! and it also shows how refined her manners truly are."}, {"response": 1296, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (13:55)", "body": "Bethanne wonderful story,I can't believe how many talented writers we have here at drool. Sadie I agree about the red & its implications of repressed passion,love that bed,I even bought a postcard of it when I went to visit.-P"}, {"response": 1297, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (14:16)", "body": "Sadie- Just call me gaudy, I loved the red! Just think of all that repressed passion it implies. Repressed passion??...Those sumptious red drapes, IMO, represent full on, in your face passion *thinks to self*..\"If only!\" ...*severe bout of unneccessariness*. I'm loving this topic, I hadn't really analysed P&P beyond the obvious areas before. It struck me that the curtains are metaphors for Darcy's feelings (G*d, am sounding like somebody really pretentious in manner of whatsername out of BJD) *getting back to point*.. hear me out, those icy blue curtains of the Rosings chambers echo Darcy's coolness in the handling of the letter in response to Lizzie's refusal of the Hunsford proposal and the dampening of his ardour *clutching at straws*.. And the red - well I don't think anyone is in doubt of his thoughts/feelings as he hurriedly dresses for the Lambton encounter. ;-P~~~ Oh dear ...is that really how my mind works? Now I read this it makes no sense whatsoever, but I'll not delete it as then would not get your fabulous feedback! Be kind..pretty please!"}, {"response": 1298, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (14:18)", "body": "Note to self - stick to what you're good at hon - drooling, analysing just ain't your forte!"}, {"response": 1299, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (14:29)", "body": "I don't know Tracy you're doing well it makes perfect sense to me,The blue & red colours could also represent the coldness & warmth of the atmospheres at Rosings & Pemberley respectively. Although I prefer your idea of them representing the state of D's arousal at any one time."}, {"response": 1300, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (14:31)", "body": "Ok, I give in on the red (passionate Darcy) vs blue (icy, cold Darcy) drapes on his bed. You are all right, screw his good taste and elegance, I'm all for rampant, uncontrollable desire. Part 2 of Darcy dines at Longbourn to follow shortly"}, {"response": 1301, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (14:58)", "body": "LOL! AM glad we have concensus on the drapes! Tracy: *applause for analysis* BTW, the Georgians loved bright colours too. I also covet that yellow of the entrance hall. Did anyone wonder if his bedroom also doubled as Drawing Room at Lucas Lodge? Sorry, not v. drool-worthy speculation. Bed looks v. comfy and huge. Imagine the curtains drawn, the soft glow from the fire..."}, {"response": 1302, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (14:59)", "body": "Oh, and the Pier glass. Let us not forget interesting potential of full-length mirror near bed."}, {"response": 1303, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (14:59)", "body": "...the heat from the bed"}, {"response": 1304, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:01)", "body": "oops that was in response to 1301 but the mirror sounds good to me,"}, {"response": 1305, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:02)", "body": "...the friction..."}, {"response": 1306, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:03)", "body": "off the rubbing?"}, {"response": 1307, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:08)", "body": "oh yes, no need for etchings here! Ok Tracy, where'd ya go? Bethanne?"}, {"response": 1308, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:14)", "body": "LOL there's no escape,I'm still here."}, {"response": 1309, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:19)", "body": "You'd better be! I didn't ask where others were in hopes you'd disappear on me!"}, {"response": 1310, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:21)", "body": "I know but I'd always catch you elsewhere! I love Darcy!! (just in case anyone wonders why I'm here-D)"}, {"response": 1311, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:23)", "body": "LOL! Would that be in his kilt or his breeches? And when and where did you love him?"}, {"response": 1312, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:24)", "body": "All over him once I removed his kilt & breeches (v. trendy that wearing skirt over trousers-D)"}, {"response": 1313, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:27)", "body": "Yikes....what have we started here ? Yup, red is a very erotic colour isn't it ? That's why I couldn't resist the strawberry bit in \"Darcy dines at Longbourn\" Plus have you noticed that his bed is a four poster job ? Were silk scarves in vogue in Regency Times ? Ooops, sory...wrong movie, thats Basic Instinct ( gulp ) Anyway, if I don't answer it's because I'm outside trying to rescue all of my potted plants from the torrential downpour we are having right now.....cue lust filled thoughts of Darcy striding towards Pemberley, all damp and magnificant...take it away Sadie and Judy !!!!"}, {"response": 1314, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:27)", "body": "LOL! a triple entendre! v.good. Skirt over trousers: Nice... You mean yours? Hmmmm. Nice for you, anyway. Shaggability (his) V. high. -D"}, {"response": 1315, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:28)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1316, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:30)", "body": "Oops, we crossed posts, Bethanne! Hope your rescue mission is successful! Silk scarves, nice! Although, Darcy comes fully equipped with long cravat wound around his neck. Four poster, oh yes, I noticed."}, {"response": 1317, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:31)", "body": "I missed that post Sadie but I didn't realise I was so clever,nice of you to let everyone know-D skirt over trousers-like being on top."}, {"response": 1318, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:32)", "body": "what about tying him to the bed with that silk scarf?"}, {"response": 1319, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:33)", "body": "Crisp white linen is more the thing, imho."}, {"response": 1320, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:34)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1321, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:40)", "body": "yes! Don't you just want to unravel that neckcloth, tie him up to those posts, and lie against that white linen shirt, and then...*ding, ding, ding* is not fanfic board. My lips are sealed. (No, don't go there!)"}, {"response": 1322, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:42)", "body": "Too late I've been 'sexy legs' as long as you've no plans to wrap them round Darcy."}, {"response": 1323, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:48)", "body": "LOL! Are we on to a shirt war then? But I have to go for now, so next round will have to wait. (Mental note to self: Keep your back to the blue ropes.) Am having girls' night out tonight. Lunch with Mr.B tomorrow. Will email you. Consider him wrapped and ready to go."}, {"response": 1324, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:49)", "body": "O my God, how could I have not remembered he wears cravats, what's the matter with me ? Remember, pond scene, where he unbuttons waistcoat and snaps his cravat off, with a delicious flick of his wrist ? I wonder if CF practiced undressing after each days shoot, so he could undo his cravat with such ease, later on ? ( Reminds me of the great scene at Rosings where he gets up from the sofa, click and flick, remember ? ) Anyway, I can just se him undoing it a wee bit slower, as he drawwwwwwwwwws out the moment, and Lizzie, quivering with anticipation, wonders what on earth is he going to do with it ? Maybe he has just returned from a hard days in the saddle ( !!!!!!!) visiting with his tenants and he is all hot and sweaty, his shirt plastered damply to his chest ( gulp )"}, {"response": 1325, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:50)", "body": "can't wait! have a great meal .I'm left with Mr D!!!!"}, {"response": 1326, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:52)", "body": "Ok, now I'm really leaving! Bethanne, you've left me leaving all drooly. Judy, You got me this time!"}, {"response": 1327, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (19:39)", "body": "He had to force his brain away from the tempting, tantalising vision in his head, of her mouth opening slowly for him, as he... Oops! have fallen off chair! OH Bethanne, this is marvelous! I love the way you all are taking this apart! this drool heaven here!"}, {"response": 1328, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Fri, Sep 22, 2000 (01:08)", "body": "Here you go ladies, part 2 of Darcy dinning at Longbourn. I know I said I would post part 2 on Topic 130, but I'm putting it here as I need to be able to read back over Part 1, so I don't repeat myself. If I bounce back and forth between Topic 112 and 130, my piece of crap computer will log me off. So apologies for cluttering up Darcy Drool with my meanderings. I promise any further episodes, will go on Fanfic 130. MR DARCY DINES AT LONGBOURN. PART: 2 Mr Bennet stood back and let his guests preceed him into the hallway, as they filed slowly out of the dinning room. He was quite taken aback to recieve a blinding smile from Mr Darcy as he passed by. \" Odd fellow \" thought Mr Bennet. Darcy had not spoken much over dinner, in fact, he seemed rather distant and distracted throughout the entire meal. Mr Bennet remembered hearing Darcy spoken of as a proud, disagreeable sort, but Mr Bennet really couldn't see why. Mr Bennet respected people who didn't rattle on needlessly and, he liked the fact Darcy only seemed to speak, when he felt that he had something of interest something to say. He tried to remember something his wife had told him once, of Darcy insulting his beloved daughter Lizzie, at a dance in Meryton, but he couldn't quite remember what it was. Anyway, to judge by the flushed sparkle in Lizzie's eyes as she danced with Mr Darcy, the following week at Netherfield, she didn't appear to hold it against him. Mr Darcy took a deep breath and walked on into the Bennet's gracious hall way. The other gentlemen moved into Mr Bennet's study momemtarily, to look at some first editions folios, newly arrived from London. He, however, headed for the drawing room, drawn there irrestibly, as if by some invisible nagnet. He looked up as he walked and his heart stopped, as he saw Elizabeth sitting in the drawing room with a look of utter boredom on her face. Hill, the Bennet's housekeeper entered the room with a coffee urn and not seeing Mr Darcy, she closed the door partially behind her. Darcy, however could still see Lizzie and he couldn't help but wonder at all the impatient, furtive glances she cast at the doorframe. What was she looking for ? Could she be as eager to see him as he was to see her ? Did she feel that an absense of even 30 minutes was too long ? His heart pounded even faster, as he suddenly realised with a spurt of intense joy that she never had a bored look on her face when she was with him....ang y, impatient, amused, indignant, yes...but never bored ! His eyes swept hungrily over her face, loving the shadows cast by the firelight on her beautiful, smooth throat. He imagined himself tracing the same lines with his tongue, as she dug her nails into the bare skin of his back, leaving 10 perfectly formed, half-crescent moon shaped, scars on his naked back. He imagined her moans as he sucked a tiny, smooth, piece of skin into his mouth...proudly marking her as she marked him. Were the moans that rang out in the silence of the Bennet's hallway, her imagined ones or his real ones ? With a quick shake of his head, Darcy gathered his thoughts and moved to join the other gentlemen in the library. Before too long, they were done admiring Mr Bennet's prized folios and they proceeded on into the drawing room. Darcy's heart nearly stopped at the look of intense joy, that spread across Lizzie's face as he walked into the room. She quickly lowered his her head, but not before he saw a look that catapulted him back to that joyous evening at Pemberley 4 weeks before, when Lizzie seemed to enjoy, even invite his admiration as she played the piano. He moved over to where Lizzie sat as if in a daze. Did he imagine it or did she move her skirts just imperceptibly, to allow him room to sit down ? Just before he reached her, Maria Lucas leaned over to talk to Lizzie and to his intense annoyance showed no signs of moving away. Muttering a curse under his breath, he accepted a cup of coffee from Mrs Hill and moved away to stand at the opposite end of the room, where he could still watch his beloveds reflection in the window. He was tremendously heartened by the look of intense annoyance that flashed accros her face at Maria'a interferance. He leaned his hot forehead on the cool glass of the window and closed his eyes briefly. As his eyes were closed he missed the looks of intense longing on Lizzie's face as she looked at his ramrod straight back standing by the window. He had no idea how his tall, black clad torso was affecting her. Her fingers has itched all evening long, to reach beneath his beautiful silk waistcoat and undo the crisply starched cravat, to reveal the thin lawn shirt beneath. She had seen once, before what lay beneath his damp, shirt as it clung lovingly to his chest after an impromptu swim at Pemberley. The vision had tortured her these past 4 weeks and, she was racked with guilt for feeling things that she knew no well brought up young lady should feel. Earlier, over dinner she had gotten up to assist Mrs"}, {"response": 1329, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Fri, Sep 22, 2000 (02:04)", "body": "Stupid compuer...it just logged me off and posted this before I was finished. So, sorry for the confusion and here is where the above left off. O yeah, ignore the last paragraph. Darcy was not having as much luck. He watched Lizzie smile at Sir William and he was eaten alive with an intense jealousy that she wasn't smiling at him like that. The beautiful ruby cross that Elizabeth always wore around her neck sparkled in the fire light and his eyes were uncontrollably drawn to where it lay gently between her breasts. His eyes slipped even lower, to where her heart beat beneath the beautiful ivory silk of her dress. The smooth, creamy expanse of her chest made his throat go dry as he imagined himself licking his way down from the gold chain, to where its pendant lay....his tongue flicking out to enclose, lick and suckle the ripe mounds of flesh that Elizabeth lifed up to his mouth............. A sudden movement of Elizaeth's head brought him crashing back to reality, as he saw her beautiful, lustrous curls bounce and bob as she laughed at something Sir William said. He had to fight the urge to cross to the other end of the room, kicking over the chairs that got in his way, and pull her up out of her seat with one hand and, pull out the tiny roses that held her hair up, with the other. He had such a longing to bury his face in the long, apple-scented softness of her hair that his fingers itched. He would turn her face up to his and watch the excitement flare in her eyes, as he ripped her bodice open to find out for himself if her hear beat as rapidly as his did. \"I can't take much more of this\" he thought to himself \" I am losing my mind over this woman ! \" He stood for a few more moments and conversed with one of the Lucas boys, in an effort to compose his thoughts. Once he felt in control of himself he walked slowly over to Elizabeth, trying not to spill the by now, stone cold coffee in his cup. He stood in front of her with his coffee cup and saucer and tried to speak, but found that all his powers of converstion had deserted him. Lizzie's small hand closed around the saucer to put it back on the table, but Darcy found to his embarresment that he just couldn't let go of it. He clung on to it as a drowning man would to a lifejacket. He looked down and saw her tiny hand, dwarfed by his much larger one and was suddenly short of breath. Lizzie seemed similarly afflicted and he watched the rapid rise and fall of her chest with facination. Finally, she was the one to break the spell, that seemed to have wound its way around them. \"Mr Darcy ?\" she said in a tiny voice. She didn't sound at all like her normal,composed self. He let go of the cup and as she did so, his fingers brushed slightly against hers. He felt a bolt of lightening go up his arm at her touch and could soon feel the effects of it in single every part of his body. Lizzie started up a conversation and, enquired most kindly, after his sister, Georgina, who much to his delight, Lizzie had met and seemed to really take to, 4 weeks previously at Pemberley. However, Darcy found hmself in the mortifying physical predicament, of not being able to converse for very long. Upon seeing Maria Lucas lean over once more to talk to Lizzie, he bowed slightyly and once more walked away from her To his intense relief, Mrs Bennet soon invited the assembled party to partake of a Whist drive and he was further parted from the temptation that Elizabeth Bennet represented, for the remainder of the evening. Phew.......thats it ladies. Jeez, I hate that its so long. I wanted to edit a lot of it out and correct all of my spelling mistakes, but my computer posted the first two thirds before I was done, so I had no choice but to follow it to its conclusion. God, I'm pooped !! No more FanFic for me for a while !!"}, {"response": 1330, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Sep 22, 2000 (08:57)", "body": "(Bethanne)I hate that its so long. You're going to be the only one who does! Wow, that was deliciously steamy. Please write more soon! (Have you tried writing in Word and then cutting and pasting into box? That might be easier.) \"I can't take much more of this\" he thought to himself \" I am losing my mind over this woman ! \" *sigh* How nice to see the full extent of his torture! This was very enjoyable; I really hope you keep writing!"}, {"response": 1331, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 22, 2000 (10:25)", "body": "Yes, Bethanne, you must keep writing! Thank you for this treat."}, {"response": 1332, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Sep 22, 2000 (12:19)", "body": "Bethanne this is so romantic!! Please, please you must write more... He had no idea how his tall, black clad torso was affecting her. Her fingers has itched all evening long, to reach beneath his beautiful silk waistcoat and undo the crisply starched cravat, to reveal the thin lawn shirt beneath... her eyes fell helplessly on the bulging muscles of his thighs within his fine fawn coloured breeches. Mr Darcy had ridden over to Longbourn and, he wore leather boots polished to such a shine she could almost see the hungry look on her ownface as she gazed at his long, muscular leather shod legs stretched out before him. *sigh* am one large puddle of drool :-P~~~~~~~~"}, {"response": 1333, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Fri, Sep 22, 2000 (13:11)", "body": "Hi guys, thanx for your favourable response. I am somewhat relieved. I was so bleery-eyed with tiredness toward the end, that I didn't really know what I was writing. I had the beginning bouncing around in my head for a day or so but nothing beyond the first paragraph or two. So I was making the rest up as I went along.....not a good idea as my somewhat longwinded style always needs to be edited in my head, before I actually write it. When my computer began acting up, I knew I'd have to finish the damm thing in one go or lose it all. I was very proud that I had managed to avoid all references to \"bulging breeches\", but I was just so ready to crawl into bed, that I had no choice but to give our darling boy a massive boner, so that he could walk away from Lizzie and I could get some sleep !!"}, {"response": 1334, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Sep 22, 2000 (14:06)", "body": "Oh, Bethanne, you do have a way with words! How delicious. Your post from yesterday even inspired me to pull out the PP2 tapes again. I was watching the opening scene last night, where Darcy and Bingley ride their horses back toward Netherfield, and noticed that whereas Darcy was perfectly erect in his saddle, Bingley --dare I say it-- was quite flaccid! :-P Also love all the posts about the missing scenes in PP2. Makes me want to read the book all over again."}, {"response": 1335, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Fri, Sep 22, 2000 (14:48)", "body": "Yup, he does sit a horse rather well, doesn't he ? Do you have the book \" The Making of Pride and Predudice\" by Sue Birtwhistle ? If you do, go to page 96 and take a look at the pic of our boy astride his horse. Does this take your breath away or what ? This is where I got my inspiration in my story, for Lizzie being momentarily overcome with lustfilled thoughts at the sight of him in boots and breeches. If you don't have it, maybe somebody could post a pic of it, if that doesn't infringe copyright rules. It's the opening page of the interview with Colin. Also, remember at Rosings, where he cuts across Lizzie's path on horseback, as she is out for a stroll ? Have you ever seen such a MASSIVE stallion in all your life ? ( and the horse isn't half bad either...... sorry, I couldn't resist ! )"}, {"response": 1336, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Sep 22, 2000 (18:46)", "body": "Doesn't this stuff belong on 130? :-)"}, {"response": 1337, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Fri, Sep 22, 2000 (19:18)", "body": "*fanning herself vigorously!* Whew! Bethanne! Whew! You must put this on 130, so that it will be on display for eternity... and then I can read it again and again and again. Just... drooly!"}, {"response": 1338, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Sat, Sep 23, 2000 (01:18)", "body": "Danielle - How do I put \"Darcy dines at Longbourn\" on 130 without having to re-type the entire thing ?"}, {"response": 1339, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Sat, Sep 23, 2000 (01:21)", "body": "I'm not Danielle... but all you have to do is highlight the text and press control C (this will copy the text to your clipboard) then when your cursor is where you want the text to go, you press control V - and it will paste it there. Good Luck :-) Esbee"}, {"response": 1340, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Sep 23, 2000 (09:54)", "body": "Bethanne, glad you published. ;-) Haven't been to 130 yet but I hope to see more stuff from you there. (Bethanne re Inn scene) but now he is blatant in his desire to see her by herself and, he is not afraid to advertise the fact to the world. Blatent ! I love that idea. Do you think he couldn't sleep the night before tossing and turning wondering when it would be decent to see her again? Or did he go to bed firmly resolved to see her first thing in the morning and had a very sound sleep (not counting all those erotic dreams. ;-))? (Judy) They shouldn't have missed any scene out that involved Darcy. That's it in a nutshell. And I agree that we needn't have seen so much of Wickham and Lydia. I do think they dragged out the search for Lydia just a tiny bit too long. But as much as we miss those scenes with Darcy that Jane wrote, we do get a few bonuses added by Davies. Need we go back to the bath scene? cough, cough (Sadie) And don't you love his bedroom? I think they deliberately included it to tantalize us. Oooh, what a thought. Must slo-mo again to see if that bed is unmade. I love that the room's done in red. (Tracy) those icy blue curtains of the Rosings chambers echo Darcy's coolness in the handling of the letter in response to Lizzie's refusal of the Hunsford proposal and the dampening of his ardour Clutching at straws? Certainly not. If there are truly students of Davies' masterpiece, they are we. (it is we?) Anyway, I say that with tongue firmly in cheek but no nuance should remain unexplored. I think the blue/red analogy is brilliant."}, {"response": 1341, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Sat, Sep 23, 2000 (13:41)", "body": "Hi Heide... re Darcy getting a good nights sleep or tossing and turning all night, prior to riding over to visit her at the inn at Lambton.....Hmmmmmm What a delicious topic to conjecture upon. My two cents worth, is that he lay awake all night long, just staring at the ceiling, reliving the events of the previous evening, over and over in his head. I imagine he is much too wired to sleep. Rememeber how you felt as a little kid, the night before your birthday, Christmas or some other greatly anticipated event ? Could you sleep ? I bet that's how he felt ! I'd bet he probably didn't even go to bed until nearly dawn. He probably knew how futile it would be....perhaps that is what Andrew Davis meant to imply, by showing him walking the halls of Pemberley with the candle in his hand. I can just see him, sitting in a deep leather armchair, brandy snifter in hand....staring into the flames of a roaring fire, seeing nothing but Lizzie's face and her smiling at him over the piano.....a tiny, but delighted smile tugging st the corners of his mouth. He probably trys to talk himself into taking it slow and, not to read too much into her reaction to him....but Jeez, he just can't help himself. He has waited SO DAMM LONG for her to look at him, with even a fraction of the desire, that he has looked at her with. When he did finally go to bed and fall asleep, I imagine he slept like a baby..out of pure exhaustion, maybe his first deep, relaxing sleep in months. I imagine he dreamt of Lizzie, but that they were happy dreams, hopeful dreams and, not the tortured nightmares of her reaction to his proposal. Phew....I said it was a delicious topic, didn't I..... too delicious, maybe !"}, {"response": 1342, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Sep 23, 2000 (15:07)", "body": "(Heide) But as much as we miss those scenes with Darcy that Jane wrote,we do get a few bonuses added by Davies.Need we go back to the bath scene? cough,cough. Okay Heide you forced me!I've alaways fancied myself as a his bathmaid (job made up just for me) needed to search for that bar of soap he's lost in the water,'I found it Mr Darcy ,Sir,its big & slippy' There are plenty more scenes he could have missed out to make room for more Darcy scenes (ask Sadie) my fave would be Darcy in kilt,need to *check* that bulge!!"}, {"response": 1343, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Sep 23, 2000 (18:57)", "body": "(Esbee) I'm not Danielle... but all you have to do is highlight the text and press control C (this will copy the text to your clipboard) then when your cursor is where you want the text to go, you press control V - and it will paste it there. And if your little gadget doesn't have the capacity, just ask anyone to copy it directly off the conference for you and post it under their auspices. Elementary! :-)"}, {"response": 1344, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sat, Sep 23, 2000 (19:24)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1345, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Sat, Sep 23, 2000 (19:24)", "body": "By all means.....go ahead and copy the stories to 130 for me. I know I'd probably screw it up, if I did it myself. Thanx Judy.....\"its big and slippery\".....God, that is TOO funny !! Dunno about you, but I don't have any slipperyness problems.....rememeber, it's all in the wrist ! (Jeez, I can't believe I just said that)"}, {"response": 1346, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sat, Sep 23, 2000 (19:27)", "body": "oops New speculations. What scenes are missing from both the book and the movie? All the months of Darcy's torture, aside from fencing scene in movie, for one thing. What did he do when not fencing? And of course, most of the courtship moments after their engagement have been left out, not to mention the wedding night..."}, {"response": 1347, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sat, Sep 23, 2000 (19:28)", "body": "(Bethanne)(Jeez, I can't believe I just said that) Ah, but you did! And I'm glad. It was funny!"}, {"response": 1348, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Sat, Sep 23, 2000 (19:32)", "body": "Yeah, but I'm still blushing."}, {"response": 1349, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Sep 24, 2000 (05:57)", "body": "(Sadie)Reputation aside,see how hard you work to keep it clean! Ha who wants to keep it clean,I want it to make a mess. (Sadie)What did he do when not fencing? Hasn't Bethanne already answered this-'it's all in the wrist'"}, {"response": 1350, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Sun, Sep 24, 2000 (14:35)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1351, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Sep 24, 2000 (14:52)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1352, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Sun, Sep 24, 2000 (15:28)", "body": "LOL Judy but no fair....how come you get all the fun ? Anyway, is that a tiny, little piece of drool I see dribbling out of the corner of your mouth ? You've obviously bitten off more than you can chew. Never fear, Eliza is here, so move over...you saucy wench !! Thats MY man you are slobbering over."}, {"response": 1353, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Sep 24, 2000 (15:39)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1354, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Sun, Sep 24, 2000 (16:22)", "body": "Thats what I was thinking too, but I didn't have the nerve to type the actually word, yes, I know...I'm a big sissy. Anyway, while we are on this, ahem, topic...scoot over to the Bridget Jones movie website. ( Does Karen run that one too, I think there is a link to it at Afirthianado. ) Click on the \"Telegraph BJ columns\" and read the one from Jan 3rd. It's he one where she describes a family Christmas Day dinner. Mark Darcy and Bridget are discussing the hassles of Christmas gift buying, but are really talking about something far more urgent. Read over it and let me know if our sanity can remain intact, if this scene makes it into the movie. I mean......Mark Darcy looked down at his lap and murmurred \" Its very, very hard\" Yes I know this probably belongs over at # 131 but their double entendre conversation, is strangely apt in this instance. CF casting a \"firthive\" glance at his own, dare I say it\"bulging breeches\", would just about do me in."}, {"response": 1355, "author": "gailw", "date": "Mon, Sep 25, 2000 (10:36)", "body": "(Judy) come,come thats not drool you see! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Judy you are too funny!!! I'm at work screaming in laughter and everyone is wondering what the heck is wrong!!"}, {"response": 1356, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (00:36)", "body": "Where is everyone today ? Saw the A&E boxed set of P&P at Blockbuster today and, my hot little fingers were all over it, before you could say \"lickitty-split\" or even \"sigh, drool, slobber\". Anyway, I got my first glimpse of the wonderful \" Wot \" scene and Darcy stalking back to Rosings after his first disastrous proposal. O my goodness, O MY GOODNESS !!!!!!! Why O why were these wonderful scenes left out of the broadcast version ? I don't get it. These are important scenes, especially the Rosings one, as it shows Darcy's torment at Lizzies rejection of him, which then leads to his subsequent transformation into a nice guy. I mean is it just me, or wasn't that the whole narritive thrust behind the second half of the book ? Stupid, stupid editing decision...why couldn't they have just cut some of Lydia and Wickham out instead, as nobody gives a rats ass about them, right ? That walk back to Rosings.....gulp....the look on his face, the torment, the anger, the pain...the little curl on his forehead...sigh..... Doesn't he look spectacular in all-black ? As for those long, purposeful strides up the driveway and up the steps, as Bridget would say, Mmmmmmmmmmmmm... Gotta go as Bingley and Darcy are about to visit Longbourn and I need to find something to hang onto, as the look on Darcys's face as he enters the room, usually has me in a state of near collapse. I had the good intention of limitting myself to watching just 2 espisodes before I went to bed, but as you can see it didn't last long. God, I have the will power of a turnip ! Observations to follow tomorrow re hand holding at Lambton Inn and, Lizzies hand ( lucky bitch ) on Darcy's thigh in the wedding carrige."}, {"response": 1357, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (02:07)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1358, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (13:50)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1359, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (13:58)", "body": "Sadie, ok I give in, if Judy is the Gutter Guru and you are her sandle carrying disciple, can I be the one following behind, scattering rose petals in your wake ? Re a Fanfic of Darcy of in his bath. I'm sorry, that is way too much a sacred territory for little ole me to trample on. Out of respect for what that scene means to all of us, I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole ( stop it Judy ! )so I'll leave that one well alone. No responses to my Bridget/Mark Darcy scene, O well....."}, {"response": 1360, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (15:56)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1361, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (17:53)", "body": "(bethanne) O my goodness, O MY GOODNESS !!!!!!! Why O why were these wonderful scenes left out of the broadcast version ? I don't get it. Haven't you noticed what they do that to any full length feature when it is shown on the tube? The networks snip parts out of every one of them, no matter how vital, in order to leave room for the sole reason for their existance... They're called commercials. As the other Karen has pointed out several times, A&E did show them as part of their \"classroom\" series, which is a commercial-free hour on week-day mornings, usu, at 7 AM Eastern (that's 4 AM Pacific). If you had the important skill of knowing how to set your VCR, you could have gotten the series in its entirety without the cuts and more importantly, without the expenditure... (except for blank tapes of course) (which I did several times, greedy little me!) It just might have taken 6 weeks of Mondays to accomplish it or whatever. Does anybody know if they still do this periodically?"}, {"response": 1362, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (21:42)", "body": "One handeded, Judy, one handed ? Sorry butI need both my hands free for what I have in mind and, if you're honest, so do you ! Look, Ma, no hands !!!! Yeah, I know about the whole commercials-pay-the-bills-philosophy of cable networks. I'm just PO'd that they gave so little thought to what scenes they would leave out, to make way for these commercials. I mean A&E co-funded the thing with the BBC, so you'd think they'd have a vested interest in making sure that none of the really important bits were left out. The immediate post-proposal scenes ARE important aren't they or is it just my lust addled brain completley bowled over by the stricken look on Darcy's face....sigh...drool....slobber"}, {"response": 1363, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (07:30)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1364, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (09:45)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1365, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (14:27)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1366, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (15:12)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1367, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (15:27)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1368, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (15:52)", "body": "O Lord, Sadie and Judy....you just crack me up ! Sadie, I'm glad you liked the rose petals. I was going to go with my carrying a symbolic candle at the head of the procession....but I don't thnk Judy could have coped with the foot long, rock-hard, slab of wax, with the teeny little bits of candle grease oozing out of the end....despite her convictions that she would have no problems with a ten foot barge pole. Must agree with you all about all those deliciousscenes left out of P&P, that are currently locked up in the BBC vault. Could we persuade one of our UK based fellow droolers, to scale the walls of the BBC and break into the vaults? We could use Karens's Spring donations as bail money if she got caught. I'm sure that \"top barrister\" Mark Darcy would be only too willing to come, ( down, Judy, down ) er.. I mean leap to her defence. ( NOTE TO SELF: Atleast make an ATTEMPT when drooling, to stay in roughly the same parallel universe as your fellow droolers ) As to the Olynpic sport of pole vaulting....hmmmm....that strilks me as a pretty solitary undertaking. I would recommend participation in either the synchronised swimming, or the ball room dancing. We all know how well he does when he is immersed in water and as for his excellent dancing, what can I say but Step one two three, parry one two three, THRUST one two three. Don't you love a man who can do two things at once and think on his feet ? That last bit was shamelessly stolen from Tracy's post over at # 130 regarding his dancing and its very, very funny. Sorry, Trace, I couldn't resist."}, {"response": 1369, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (16:25)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1370, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (16:30)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1371, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (16:31)", "body": "Am glad to see my Unnecesary dance is catch on across the boards! Bethanne -foot long, rock-hard, slab of wax, with the teeny little bits of candle grease oozing out of the end *crash* Your teetering on the edge of joining us in the gutter club, B! I would offer to scale the walls of the BBC for you and force someone at candle-point to let me into their vaults to search for the Darcy's missing bits (!), but given their inability to have the foggiest idea about their productions, I'd predict their response to be \"You want Pride and what? Oh yes, keep an eye on the Radio Times..erm, we have no immediate plans...You will be pleased to hear that Pride and Prejudice, the interior decoration show , will be broadcast at the next full moon...\""}, {"response": 1372, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (20:20)", "body": "All of this talk of the gutter reminds me of the OW quote: \"We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.\"... Or at least ONE star, that is! :-)"}, {"response": 1373, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (23:48)", "body": "Tracy.....50 lashes my girl...How dare you .....Mr Darcy doesn't have ANY missing bits.....the NERVE !!!! Oops....you meant the missing P&P scenes...sorry ! Whaddaya' mean, I'm in danger of joining you in the gutter ? That's me, third corrugated iron and cardboard shack on the right ! Sadie and Judy threw me a welcoming party last week. It was great....baloons, a band, lots of booze and some guy jumping out of a cake dressed in skin tight breeches and a dripping wet white shirt....Mmmmmmmmmmm !!!!!!!"}, {"response": 1374, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (12:23)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1375, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (12:42)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1376, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (14:42)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1377, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (17:25)", "body": "*carringon from #130* (Bethanne) - When you were there, was the meadow our hero walks across, ablaze with the beautiful yellow flowers that we see in the movie ? I'm not sure what time of year those scenes were filmed but at the end of August there were no pretty yellow flowers ;-( just lots of sheep. Although in the Lyme blurb it says that Drinkwater Meadow was where they shot the post dip scenes, I found it hard to decide whether it was the same place or not - probably due to the lack of flowers ..or the absence of the familiar tall,dark, lean, handsome figure clad in dripping shirt and soggy breeches *collapsing into a puddle*. Judy is our woman on the spot, I expect she has seen Lyme in all weathers, seasons and can probably answer your question more sensibly than I (by way of a change *grin*). If you ever get the chance to go...take it I could spend ages there and would probably join you in pitching a tent and standing sentry over the Will stop raving about Lyme now (am fast turning into walking National Trust guidebook). That dance? Heaven knows where that came from but it sure was fun. Altogether now......"}, {"response": 1378, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (17:28)", "body": "Arggh what is happening to my PC (or is it the operator - I'm sure I proofread this before I posted it.) This should read If you ever get the chance to go...take it I could spend ages there and would probably join you in pitching a tent and standing sentry over the bum-spot!"}, {"response": 1379, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (19:52)", "body": "Ladies, ladies, an imagination is a wonderful thing but I'm afraid I didn't dare read everything you posted about ambidexterity, bars of soap, inches, etc. 'cause I was peeking out from between my fingers. Kinda shy, you know. Methinks I prefer the romance of Darcy rather than the unexpurgated version. So Bethanne, did you like that scene of Darcy in a fury as he walks away from Hunsford after being spurned? Those curls straying down his forehead yet again. So dark, so brooding, so menacing. Sigh, so Byronic. You can be sure no women were consulted when it came to deciding what was to be cut for commercials."}, {"response": 1380, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Fri, Sep 29, 2000 (00:13)", "body": "Hi Heide, yup, we did get a wee bit carried away, didn't we ? Every day it got a little bit more out of hand and I would say to myself \" OK, no more \" but Judy and Sadie were just so darn funny, I couldn't resist responding. Sorry if our carry-on spoilt the romance of Darcy for you. Did I like those post proposal scenes ? O Lord, did I ? He is so.....I dunno, not just sullen or brooding, but really, really pissed off too and it just kills me. Menacing, hmmmm..... I like that, as if he wants to just go back in there, jump her bones and bring her to her senses. It looks like he is just about to EXPLODE from the sheer intensity of it all. That curl, Lawdy, Lawdy....his hair looks a bit dishevelled, doesn't it, as if he had been running his hands thru it in despair. Yum !! 'Scuse me a sec while I dry off my keyboard. Tracy - Pitching a tent at Lyme Park, hmmmmmm ??? Squatters DO have rights you know ? Remember, possesion IS 9/10ths of the law ! I'll put the tent up if you learn how to make a fire and forage for food. Deal ?"}, {"response": 1381, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 29, 2000 (05:25)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1382, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Sep 29, 2000 (12:50)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1383, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Fri, Sep 29, 2000 (14:09)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1384, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Sep 29, 2000 (14:47)", "body": "(Heide) Methinks I prefer the romance of Darcy rather than the unexpurgated version. Me three. :-) ...but I hate to see all this discord on the board, Me three again. Now if EVERYONE could just stop indulging in the temptation to have the absolute *last* word ..... ;-)"}, {"response": 1385, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Fri, Sep 29, 2000 (15:01)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1386, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 29, 2000 (15:11)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1387, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Fri, Sep 29, 2000 (17:23)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1388, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 29, 2000 (18:11)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1389, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Sep 30, 2000 (07:29)", "body": "(Bethanne) Judy and Sadie were just so darn funny, I couldn't resist responding. Oh, I agree. And don't forget Tracy! I love the free flow of drool and so many things I've read here just make me laugh out loud. I've always marveled at the wit and creativity of all the drool girls. It looks like he is just about to EXPLODE from the sheer intensity of it all. Ummm, absolutely. He's contained himself (just barely) throughout this huge debacle, everything's gone wrong, and he still remains so very civil at the end. \"Please forgive me for having taken up your time and accept my best wishes for your health and happiness.\" Such fine manners but he must have been a pressure cooker inside. He walks out of that house looking like he doesn't know what hit him."}, {"response": 1390, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Sep 30, 2000 (14:05)", "body": "(Heide) He walks out of that house looking like he doesn't know what hit him. I don't know which was more stunning to him ... her refusal of marriage to him (very puzzling, that. Wasn't he presenting the offer of a lifetime?!)... or the discovery of being truly detested by the woman he loves (THAT would stun anyone!) Of course, even as he's walking back, already the analysis is happening in his head .. he realizes that her dislike because of Wickham is due to a total misapprehension and the dislike because of Jane is due to a misinterpretation. He is determined to set things right in regard to those objections, (\"At least in THAT I can defend myself!\") and so immediately begins his letter. (An aside here. A lot of people object to Davies' version of an all-night session. If you actually take a look at that letter in the book, it would take the average person all night to copy it out, let alone compose it. I'd always felt that there was *no way* he could have written all that by starting in the morning.) As to her third objection, he realizes he has no defense, and ultimately begins the attempt to change for the better in those directions. Got to admire a man of persistence against overwhelming odds, eh?"}, {"response": 1391, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Sat, Sep 30, 2000 (20:56)", "body": "Yup, yup,yup Heide, on Darcy's impecable manners to Lizzie even after she rejects him. \" Please accept my best wishes for your health and happiness \" I LOVE it !! He still loves her and wants her to be happy even though he knows she hates his guts........so it shows the true depth of his feelings. Yummy !! Rememeber, in the book too, he finishes his letter by saying \"God Bless You\" To me thats code for \" You might hate me, but I will love you until the day that I die and no amount of distain on your part, will ever change that \" KJart ( What do we call you ? ) I agree totally on the letter being an allnighter as opposed to being written that morning. No body as upset as he was and, who had so much to say, could sit down calmly and write such a well thought out, articulate letter unless they had neen up half the night composing it. Whether he actually sat down at 8am to write it or not, you can bet he was up half the night figuring out what he wanted to say before he actually put pen to paper. Remember this is the most important letter he will ever write in his life. As you so eloquently pointed out, he can potentially eliminate 2 of Lizzies objection to him ( his treatment of Wickham and Jane ) with this letter. So you can be sure he is bloody careful of what went into it. If he did indeed write it at 8am, its because there are 20 odd discarded versions in the wastepaper bucket before he was happy with the finished product. They didn't have Microsoft Word and Spellcheck back then !!!!"}, {"response": 1392, "author": "gailw", "date": "Sun, Oct  1, 2000 (08:26)", "body": "(Bethanne)If he did indeed write it at 8am, its because there are 20 odd discarded versions in the wastepaper bucket before he was happy with the finished product. I whole-heartedly agree. We learn earlier in the story that Darcy is a deliberate letter-writter. At Netherfield when he is writing a letter to Georgiana, Bingley comments that Darcy \"does not write with ease. He studies too much for words of four syllables.\" He is also scornful of Bingley's \"defects in writing\". Since this is the most important letter he has ever written he would want it to be perfect, with no incomplete thoughts or, God forbid!, ink blots. He must have gone through several drafts before finally getting to the finished product at 8:00 a.m. In that respect, I thought the Davies interpretation to be spot-on."}, {"response": 1393, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Oct  1, 2000 (08:45)", "body": "And when he splashes the water on his face, almost in a babtismal manner, as in born-again Darcy, \"I will conquer this mode\". :-) All the thoughts in his head! Ouch, that hurts."}, {"response": 1394, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Oct  1, 2000 (09:06)", "body": "(KJ) If you actually take a look at that letter in the book, it would take the average person all night to copy it out, let alone compose it. Every now and then someone hits me with a lightning bolt. Of course! I never thought before how painfully long it must have taken him to write that letter. It takes me 20 minutes at least to post a paragraph here and I don't put nearly the same amount of thought into it. ;-) He's all business with the first two sentences. Must have composed in his head while stalking back to Rosings (oh, those long legs). Love the emphasis on \"disgust\". Think he's saying \"your rejection of me was a bit excessive\"? (Gail) At Netherfield when he is writing a letter to Georgiana, Bingley comments that Darcy \"does not write with ease. He studies too much for words of four syllables.\" Excellent. I love it when we find support from the book to back our theories. This should be enough to satisfy any radical Janeite. By the way, I always like to think that Darcy rode to Hunsford that day but was so angry and distracted when he left that he completely forgot to get his horse. Just teasing, I know there's no support in the book for that. ;-) Besides he wasn't wearing his lovely riding boots."}, {"response": 1395, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Sun, Oct  1, 2000 (16:29)", "body": "Ooooooo yes, yes yes Moon !!!!! I just LOVE how he splashes his face with water and his shirt is all rumpled and undone. It's such a pity he has his back to the camera as he turns around ans we are all deprived of a front view. He looks so gorgeous when he is dishevelled. See how he then extinguishes the candle with his wet finger...he is in so much emotional torment, he doesn't even feel the pain of the flame. Poor baby ! Glad we agree on the whole letter thing. Another point to make for it being an all nighter as opposed to an 8am composition....he tells Caroline Bingley \" You are mistaken, I write rather slowly \" So, a letter of that importance and length, there is no way he could just dash it off in 20 minutes before brekkie. Heide, I too just loved the way he says \"disgust\" There is so much anger and bitterness in his voice. I think though, he would prefer her disgust than her indifference. Disgust is a very powerful emotion and it shows that she has powerful feelings for him....even if they are not the ones he would want her to have. It's acknowleging that she is a woman of powerful emotions and that he likes it...even though he knows he has has work cut out for him to change her opinion of him. As for the horse thing....I like the idea but there are numerous references in the book to how close Rosings is to Huntsford and, the inhabitants of both houses walking to and from the other. Anyway, I'm glad he didn't ride over..we would have missed those long, luscious, black clad legs."}, {"response": 1396, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct  2, 2000 (10:10)", "body": "*guffaw* Karen, LMAO. *wiping tears* (KJ) I don't know which was more stunning to him ... or the discovery of being truly detested by the woman he loves (THAT would stun anyone!) I recall thinking increduously at the time (as one who hadn't read the book before coming out from under rock and seeing P&P2) 'don't you know she can't stand you?' I was amazed he had not picked up on her cues. But that's the material point, isn't it? ;-) her refusal of marriage to him (very puzzling, that. Wasn't he presenting the offer of a lifetime?!)... Ah, another material point. We love Lizzy because she thinks with her heart rather than her head. Wealth means nothing if she doesn't love the guy. *sigh* (Bethanne) I just LOVE how he splashes his face with water and his shirt is all rumpled and undone. It's such a pity he has his back to the camera as he turns around ans we are all deprived of a front view. He looks so gorgeous when he is dishevelled. Funny you should mention this scene--it's one of those points after which my tape automatically jumps into rewind (must be defective ;-)). And Cornel calls CF's Darcy 'podgy?' Ha! As one given over to many hours of study, I can say with confidence there is *no* evidence of said 'podge'. ;-)"}, {"response": 1397, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct  2, 2000 (14:11)", "body": "I took the BBC Experience Tour because I was led to believe that the P&P costumes were on view....Wrong. They have the Gormangast ones on [ugly!]. I asked, and they told me the P&P costumes were in the BBC Costume warehouse! Do those guys know how much those things would bring in on a charity online auction??I'd bid on the green vest he buttons hurriedly on the way to the Lambton Inn."}, {"response": 1398, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Oct  2, 2000 (16:14)", "body": "I'd bid on one of Lizzie's dresses... hoping I'd fit in it ;-) I was in a village in Austria last month and there was this photographer who dressed you up in Victorian costumes and took your pic. We had one of the three of us (yes, Patas too) but you can bet I checked to see if they had anything from an earlier period ;-)"}, {"response": 1399, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Oct  2, 2000 (18:47)", "body": "(Bethanne) KJart ( What do we call you ? ) Anything you like as long as it isn't late for dinner (*cough**wheeze*). The Other Karen settled on \"KJ\" which is fine with me. (Gail ... BTW, that's where my middle \"g\" comes from ... ) Since this is the most important letter he has ever written he would want it to be perfect, with no incomplete thoughts or, God forbid!, ink blots. He must have gone through several drafts before finally getting to the finished product at 8:00 a.m. Also, since he was planning to leave the next day anyway, he was probably thinking about his all-night session: \"That's OK ... I can catch up on my sleep during that long carriage ride.\" ;-) KJ"}, {"response": 1400, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Tue, Oct  3, 2000 (02:10)", "body": "Evelyn...what's the matter with you, have you lost all your marbles ? You would take a waistcoast/vest over one of his many wet white shirts or those fawn breeches he wore at Pemberley ? It's official folks, Evelyn has totally lost her mind ! Personally speaking, I would take his bathrobe, that he got into soaking wet...Yum, yum, yum !! Eileen, its funny your video does the same thing as mine does during the face splashing scene at Rosings....poltergeists maybe, or it could just be bad batteries. S'funny..it happens to me especially during \"On Foot\" and \"In vain I have struggled, it will not do.....\" also. V.odd Another add-on to the whole Darcy's letter thing. When Darcy gives it to her, she stays and reads it there, in the Rosings grounds. She doesn't go back and read it at Huntsford. It's lucky for her that she did, coz' on her eventual return to the Parsonage, we learn that Darcy and Col Fitwilliam hve both been by, to pay their respects, before leaving Rosings. Wouldn't that have made just a delicious scene if Lizzie HAD been there when Darcy arrived. Can't you just imagine all the underlying tensions in the room, as they both sat there listen to Mr Collins babble on, while trying to act as if nothing has happened. Talk about smouldering looks and underlying tensions...yikes !!"}, {"response": 1401, "author": "gailw", "date": "Tue, Oct  3, 2000 (08:01)", "body": "Put me down for a pair of breeches - any pair will do. Not fussy, nope. Any one would do just fine."}, {"response": 1402, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Oct  3, 2000 (12:22)", "body": "Bethanne, Gail, have you been to topic #113? If you ask her nicely, I'm sure Marcia can still find a couple of unclaimed Keepsakes for you ;-)"}, {"response": 1403, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Oct  3, 2000 (12:55)", "body": "(Bethanne) Eileen, its funny your video does the same thing as mine does during the face splashing scene at Rosings....poltergeists maybe, or it could just be bad batteries. S'funny..it happens to me especially during \"On Foot\" and \"In vain I have struggled, it will not do.....\" also. V.odd How 'bout after 'I shall conquer this...I SHALL!' Happens every time. ;-)"}, {"response": 1404, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct  3, 2000 (14:29)", "body": "(Bethanne)You would take a waistcoast/vest over one of his many wet white shirts or those fawn breeches he wore at Pemberley ? It's official folks, Evelyn has totally lost her mind LOL..you just finding that out??? That waistcoat is sort of sexy..don'tcha think?"}, {"response": 1405, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Wed, Oct  4, 2000 (00:17)", "body": "Yeah Evelyn, the waistcoats are definatley mucho sexy, but c'mon now, that wet white shirt is on a level with Dorothy's red Wizard of Oz shoes or Elvis's white jumpsuits for sheer cultural icon status....and thats before we even mention the female hormone factor. Eileen - How could we forget Mr Darcy in the Billiard Room with a pool cue and \"I would be very happy if you would dance with me Miss Bennet\""}, {"response": 1406, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct  4, 2000 (04:05)", "body": "(Bethanne)but c'mon now, that wet white shirt is on a level with Dorothy's red Wizard of Oz shoes or Elvis's white jumpsuits for sheer cultural icon status.. I know...but I don't have a chance for that wet shirt...hey, I take whatever \"crumb of earwax \" I can get...:-)))"}, {"response": 1407, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Wed, Oct  4, 2000 (21:41)", "body": "Ok Evelyn, that's fine, if you don't want to just give up and not wage war over the wet white shirt, that's just fine by me.....thats just one less dead body I will have to climb over to get it. Anybody else who wants it, you can have it......... as soon as you prise it out of my cold, dead hands ! Cue bloodcurdling war cry straight outa' a Tarzan movie."}, {"response": 1408, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Sun, Oct  8, 2000 (22:15)", "body": "Where is everybody ? Ok, I take back what I said about killing you all over Darcy's wet white shirt. I didn't mean it.....honest ! PS. Just got thru watching a rerun of the MTV Awards...lots of ugly rock stars with long hair and tight leather pants. Anyway, it got me to thinking, weren't leather pants actually worn in olden times ? Didn't some horse mounted soldiers actually wear them as uniform, or is it just me ? I know lots of pirates wore them in old swashbuckler movies. Can't you just imagine Darcy in leather breeches, thigh high boots and a flowing white shirt ? Yum, yum, yum. Hello, hello anybody there ?"}, {"response": 1409, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (14:21)", "body": "Bethanne, you've not scared me off ...yet! Re leather trousers, (I know its off topic before anyone starts ;-D) check out Hour of the Pig, leather trousers, flowing white(ish) shirt and gorgeous long hair ....but on downside - also silly hats. I know it's not Darcy ...but sounds the same as Darcy, it's all v confusing (in manner of confused Bridget Jones). Can't you just imagine Darcy in leather breeches, thigh high boots and a flowing white shirt ? *swoon*"}, {"response": 1410, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (19:49)", "body": "Have to say I never really liked leather on men. Hells Angel phobia? Hour of the Pig, leather trousers, flowing white(ish) shirt ..ah, but then Richard. OT maybe, but yes, I'm starting to see the appeal. Was just thinking of that furious scowl of Darcy's during the dance with Lizzy when Gabby Lucas prattled on about Bingley and Jane. Head turns left, brow draws together and that stare just shoots lasers down the column of dancers as he focuses on the pair. I do like my Darcy in a foul mood occasionally. ;-)"}, {"response": 1411, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (02:39)", "body": "(Heide)I do like my Darcy in a foul mood occasionally. ;-) Don't we all? In fact, what I don't like about most P&P sequels is how sugary he is made..."}, {"response": 1412, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (08:35)", "body": "(Gi) what I don't like about most P&P sequels is how sugary he is made... I never did that. ;-D"}, {"response": 1413, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (09:12)", "body": "(Heide)I do like my Darcy in a foul mood occasionally. ;-) (Gi)Don't we all? In fact, what I don't like about most P&P sequels is how sugary he is made... (Karen)I never did that. ;-D Would you really want a married Darcy that arrogant? Hmmmm foul moods? I don't think he has to be Lizzie's door-mat...but an amenable , attentive, Darcy would be more attractive, IMO."}, {"response": 1414, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (09:20)", "body": "There would be a \"public\" Darcy, aloof, never showing his emotions, etc., and a \"private\" Darcy IMO."}, {"response": 1415, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (09:24)", "body": "There would be a \"public\" Darcy, aloof, never showing his emotions, etc. You don't like the adoring look as she is playing the piano forte at Pemberley?"}, {"response": 1416, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (10:13)", "body": "Yes, the adoring look is \"to die for,\" but that is an Andrew Davies note in the margin. Can't remember any love-sick puppy looks mentioned by Austen. In the book, when he was trying to flirt with Lizzie, he tried being devilishly cute, as in \"do you want to dance a jig\" or whatever. I can well-imagine a bit of sparkle in his eyes as he gazes at Lizzie, but think, in public, he keeps up appearances."}, {"response": 1417, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (13:50)", "body": "(Evelyn)Would you really want a married Darcy that arrogant? Of course not. In real life. But in a novel/movie, it's part of his sexyness, I think. Perhaps not the arrogance, but the way he keeps apart and above. It makes him mysterious and alone. Sartre once wrote that there's no greater attraction for a woman than aloneness in a man; of course, he added, she would want to keep him company, and then he'd cease to be alone ;-)"}, {"response": 1418, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (15:01)", "body": "Yeah the arrogant, superior Darcy is sexy as hell, especialy when we see him with Bingley who I thought was portrayed as a bit of a idiot. I agree that he a wee bit less sexy in Fan Fic, coz he is being such an all round nice guy. However, thats a hard problem for Fan Fic authors to get around, as his snooty nastiness carrying over to his married life, would really spoil the happy-ever-after ending that we all want, wouldn't it ? I disagree that he doesn't ever look like a love sick puppy in the book. Jane Austen writes in a very subtle, understated way and you just have to look for them. Even though the piano scene was an Andrew Davis creation, the emotions around it are not. Regarding Darcy looking at Lizzie, JA states quite clearly that Darcy's attentions \" seemed to have fixed them on her more, and more cheerfully \" From that I take that (a) he is looking at her very intently and (b) he is not doing the angry smoulder, but something far more friendly.....does he look lovestruck, maybe not, but its a distinct possibility, dontcha' think ? Then again when Darcy brings his sister to the inn at Lambton to meet Lizzie and the Gardiners Jane Austen writes \" it was evident that he was very much in love with her \" and \" that the gentleman was overflowing with admiration was evident enough \" How could the Gardiners draw these connclusions about Darcy, a very taciturn man, after just ones days aquaintance, if he wasn't looking seriously lovestruck ? Phew...shut up Bethanne !!!!"}, {"response": 1419, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (15:08)", "body": "Evelyn)Would you really want a married Darcy that arrogant? (Gi)Of course not. In real life. But in a novel/movie, it's part of his sexyness, I think. Perhaps not the arrogance, but the way he keeps apart and above. It makes him mysterious and alone My Mr. Darcy is the one who takes Lizzy's hand at the Lambton Inn and comforts her...dives right in to resolve her problem. Doesn't stand aloof... alone... mysterious and think \"that's your problem, babe\". Mr. Sartre and I don't often agree on most things anyway;-)"}, {"response": 1420, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (15:52)", "body": "Yeah, but you know what Evelyn, he does give off \"thats your problem, babe\" vibes to Lizzie after she tells him what has upset her so much. WE know he is going to leg it off to Londinium post haste, to try and sort out the whole sorry mess. But Lizzie doesn't know that yet. His reserve only adds to her pain, especially as she has just realised that she has feelings for him too. I know in his mind he is rapidly forming a plan of how to fix the whole sorry mess, but I do think he could have been just a wee bit more tender to her and a wee bit more reassuring to her, just before he left the inn. O well, we wouldn't have had the rest of the delicious scenes in the book if he did. However, dontcha' just love the way he puts his knuckles ot his mouth, as he waits for her to stop crying and tell him what's wrong ? He looks so tortured that she is in pain, but trys to cover the impatient, worried look on his face up with his hand....sigh....... As she is apologising for crying, he says \" No, No\" in a very chivalrous manner, but his voice is slightly husky as he says it. That is MY Mr Darcy...giving just the barest hint that the fact that his beloved is in pain, affects him deeply too.....drool, sigh, slobber....."}, {"response": 1421, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (17:29)", "body": "(Bethanne)but I do think he could have been just a wee bit more tender to her and a wee bit more reassuring to her, just before he left the inn. I agree, but he probably didn't have his plan formed and didn't want to raise Lizzie's hopes.First he had to search out Mrs. Young...and force the door open...I love that scene....\"The Avenger\" .He's such a knight to the rescue! However, dontcha' just love the way he puts his knuckles ot his mouth, as he waits for her to stop crying and tell him what's wrong ? Yes, yes.In fact I think that's a little Colin there...He's done that in some of his other films.*sigh, sigh*. That scene always leaves me wiped out."}, {"response": 1422, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (23:43)", "body": "O my GAAAAAAAAAAAAAADDDDDD Evelyn, YES!!!!!!!!!!! I just adore how he masterfully forces Mrs Young's door open, wih his cane. The look on his face as he enters......\"Lady you are in soooooooooo much trouble. Your scumumy friend Wickham, has caused ma' woman some serious grief and I am PISSED !!!! \" Re the knuckles and mouth thing....I'll take your word for it that thats Colin there. My years of exhausive research and dedicated study of Darcy's mannerisms ( its called a PH-D.....Pretty Hot Darcy degree ) has led me to the following conclusions. When Darcy is in emotional turmoil, he fiddles with his pinkie ring or puts his hand to his mouth. I love all the times he plays with the pinkie....listening to Lady Catherine blather on at Rosings, sparring with Lizzie as she sits at the piano with Col Fitzwilliam, watching her talk with Col F. on his first visit to Huntsford....Yum, Yum, Yum I mean, I just love how he takes a tiny little piece of his wardrobe and, turns it into an expression of his body language. It just shows what an amazing actor he is doesn't it ? All those hand to mouth shots .....sigh.... The best one of all though, is when Lizzie rejects his first proposal. He stands at the fireplace, and trys to compose himself as he comes to terms with the horrifying reality that she is rejecting him. Very droolworthy indeed."}, {"response": 1423, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (08:34)", "body": "(Bethanne)I mean, I just love how he takes a tiny little piece of his wardrobe and, turns it into an expression of his body language. You are v. observant, Bethanne, Ph.D, (LOL). Even though it wasn't a piece of his wardrobe....(but v. symbolic;-) he did this with the cue stick in the billiard room scene.And even buttoning up my green vest in haste. Where else in P&P?...hmmm *thinking*"}, {"response": 1424, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (11:33)", "body": "(Bethanne)(...)) he does give off \"thats your problem, babe\" vibes to Lizzie(...) WE know he is going to leg it off to Londinium post haste(...) But Lizzie doesn't know that yet. (Evelyn)(...)he probably didn't have his plan formed and didn't want to raise Lizzie's hopes. I say, that sounds very reasonable, Evelyn. We actually know he does *not* go off to London imediately... In fact, he stays in Pemberley at least that night, entertaining the Bingleys (\"Wot!\")and I never understood why."}, {"response": 1425, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (13:47)", "body": "Evelyn, don't over exert your brain coming up with other great use of props/wardrobe moments.....please,let me help, no, no....I insisit. Bingo on the pool cue, O Lordy...and the force with which the ball slams into the corner pocket.....Mmmmmmmmm..... Steve Davis, eat yer' heart out ! Honourable mentions must go to to his riding crop, that he speeds his horse up with on the ride over to Lambton, just the merest flick of the wrist. Yum How about the coffe cup he is drinking out of over brekkie at Netherfield, when he replys to Caroline Bingley's bitchiness about Lizzie's eyes and says \" Not at all, they were brightened by the exercise. \" Over to you Evelyn......everybody ?"}, {"response": 1426, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (15:19)", "body": "In the first scene as he's coming out of the carriage with that \"Napoleon\" hat and cape....the wardrobe emphasizes the arrogance....\"I'm of the upper class here\".. Intermission: *off to view P&Pwith new focus*:-)"}, {"response": 1427, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (18:24)", "body": "The riding crop! Ah, another extension of Darcy's manhood that just makes us sit up and pay attention. New focus Evelyn? - think that's why I come here. To gaina new perspective so I have an excuse to watch the whole thing all over again. ;-) Whew! I like my Darcy a little moody (you too Gi?), Evelyn likes her Darcy to be comforting but determined, Bethanne likes her Darcy's mask to slip just a bit when he's around Lizzy. How do y'all like your Darcy, girls? (Karen) There would be a \"public\" Darcy, aloof, never showing his emotions, etc., and a \"private\" Darcy IMO. Yes, I agree. And I like it best when he lets the \"private\" Darcy show in public. But you have to catch it quick 'cause he recovers himself so beautifully."}, {"response": 1428, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (21:00)", "body": "How do I like my Darcy, Heide ? I'll take him butt naked, on a desert island with a bottle of chanpagne and a big vat of whipped cream......Oops, sorry, you meant how do I like him PERSONALITY wise ? Um, well... tormented but passionate, I guess.... yeah thats it. I'll take a raincheck on the desert island, though."}, {"response": 1429, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Thu, Oct 12, 2000 (09:23)", "body": "(Heide) How do y'all like your Darcy, girls? I'll take mine with a heap of smouldering, and a small dose of flashing passion in his eyes... small yes, because if it was any more than that, I'd jump on him with alacrity!"}, {"response": 1430, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Oct 12, 2000 (14:48)", "body": "(Heide) How do y'all like your Darcy, girls? Weelllll, I'll have a dash of smoulder, a pinch of sensitivity and a huge dollop of passion with mine please...to go!"}, {"response": 1431, "author": "gailw", "date": "Thu, Oct 12, 2000 (16:17)", "body": "I'd like my Darcy in bed captured between my thighs!! If I had him there who cares about personality? Whew - what that thought does to my hormones!!"}, {"response": 1432, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Oct 14, 2000 (07:32)", "body": "Interesting recipes, girls. ;-D"}, {"response": 1433, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sat, Oct 14, 2000 (19:35)", "body": "Sorry I'm a bit late, but it's never really too late to lust over Darcy, is it ;-)? When you were talking about favorite scenes one came to mind and I must have my share of the conversation. During the piano scene at Rosings, I absolutely love the interchange starting with Darcy's assertion that Lizzie often speaks opinions that are not her own. When Lizzie threatens to tell the Colonel how Darcy first acted in Meryton she throws him this little challenging look to make you wonder if she's going to repeat his ungallant comments about Lizzie. That look Darcy fires back saying \"I am not afraid of you\" just slays me every time - like he's saying, \"bring it on you little minx. You've met your match in me.\" I love the fact that they're sharing a secret. oooooh, I just gave myself the chills ;-)."}, {"response": 1434, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Oct 15, 2000 (01:04)", "body": "(Heide) How do y'all like your Darcy, girls? Ooooooooh! Stirred, not shaken. That's Darcy -- Fitzw. Darcy. (Ouch, could not resist. Sorry.) ;-) Seriously, I like the private Darcy moments, when he smoulders without the scorn. (Tracy) Weelllll, I'll have a dash of smoulder, a pinch of sensitivity and a huge dollop of passion with mine please...to go! Tracy, I'm with you!"}, {"response": 1435, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Oct 15, 2000 (06:46)", "body": "(Heide) How do y'all like your Darcy, girls? (LisaJH)Ooooooooh! Stirred, not shaken. LOL!That is perfect, Lisa!"}, {"response": 1436, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Oct 15, 2000 (10:05)", "body": "(Jana) That look Darcy fires back saying \"I am not afraid of you\" just slays me every time - like he's saying, \"bring it on you little minx. You've met your match in me.\" Shivering right along with you. By now thoughts of being married to this \"little minx\" have surely crossed his mind. He's coming over to inspect the goods again and damned if they don't keep rising higher in his estimation. Now I'm talking about her brain as well as her other more visible attributes."}, {"response": 1437, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Sun, Oct 15, 2000 (15:46)", "body": "O Jana, that is such perfect description of Darcy and Lizzie at the piano at Rosings. Dontcha' just love the tiny, o so sexy smile playing about his mouth. In their earlier exchanges at Netherfield, he never smiles at her. In fact, he acts rather pissed off at her, for turning his world upside down. However by the time they get to Rosings, he so used being besotted with her, he is starting to relax and enjoy how turned on she makes him feel....gulp !!!!!! I love how it is just them in the conversation. They are so intently focused on each other, a bomb could go off without them noticing. Don't you love the way he slightly rolls his eyes when Lady Catherine butts in. Quite a compliment to Lizzie don't you think....making it obvious he would rather talk to someone who is by far his social inferior, than to his aristocratic relations. In the book, he says \" I have had the pleasure of your aquaintance long enough to know.....\" However, in the film they leave out the word \"pleasure\". Can't you just imagine how delicious it would have been if they left that in ? I can just hear him pausing slightly, before he forms the word, giving it a resonance and a deeper meaning, that just reduces us all to mush. Remember in the first proposal scene when he says he has come to feel \" a passionate regard \" for Lizzie ? Well the way he pauses before he says the word \" passionate\" just reduces me to a puddle of drool every time. The pause really gives a deeper meaning to what he is about to say. Anybody agree, or am I just rambling on here ? Why am I shivering ? Did somebody open a window ?"}, {"response": 1438, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Oct 16, 2000 (01:09)", "body": "(Bethanne) Remember in the first proposal scene when he says he has come to feel \" a passionate regard \" for Lizzie ? Well the way he pauses before he says the word \" passionate\" just reduces me to a puddle of drool every time. The pause really gives a deeper meaning to what he is about to say. Anybody agree, or am I just rambling on here ? Oh my, yes. The passionate pause before the word \"passionate\" sends me over the edge ;-)."}, {"response": 1439, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 18, 2000 (16:23)", "body": "I have a question for Jana and Marianne: In Londinium when Allen tell Fiona: \"I love you tenderly and dearly\" does Colin say it in the same way as Mr Darcy at the 2nd proposal: He's walking along and then stops and turns to her.... \"...and such I might have been but for you dearest and loveliest Elizabeth\". That's always a 'stopper' for me.In the book Lizzie goes gabbing on...but andrew Davies has Lizzie melting a little too.I wish Jane Austen would have let Lizzie defrost some at that point and tell him how much she now ardently loved him instead of just \"...it's the opposite\".."}, {"response": 1440, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Thu, Oct 19, 2000 (11:12)", "body": "Jana might have a different take on how Allen said it, but I thought he said it kind of sheepishly ... as if he's still embarrassed to be admitting his feelings, though he does know that he must for their relationship."}, {"response": 1441, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 19, 2000 (12:53)", "body": "Avert your eyes: Fundraising Notice Ahead We've done very well, ladies, so a big Thank You for being so generous. As a housekeeping detail, I have personally contacted every person who made a donation. If you haven't gotten a thank you from me, then I haven't received it. Please let me know."}, {"response": 1442, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Thu, Oct 19, 2000 (14:57)", "body": "Y'know what ladies, I have to admit to being hugely disappointed in the second proposal scene. We have 5 plus delicious hours leading up to this very moment and then it just falls flat. Anyone else agree ? For one thing, it is far too short. Bingley's proposal to Jane was given far more time and I don't get that. I mean, who gives a s**t about Bingley for crying out loud ? I thought Lizzie's mixture of happiness and embaressment was very well done, but Darcy.....hello Colin.....anybody home ? The woman you have loved and lusted after for a year, has just agreed to marry you and according to Jane Austen you are supposed to \" act as well as a man violently in love can be supposed to \". So come on now, a little measure of happiness, nay joy, would be nice. I'm all for playing a scene in a subtle, understated manner, after all Darcy is still a fairly taciturn man. However, I think Colin and Andrew Davis took it a little too far and as a result the scene feels a little flat to me. I do love how he pauses and turns to her and gives the little \" dearest lovliest Elizabeth \" speech, but that's at the end of the scene and its too little too late. I hate too, when the camera pans back to view then walking together, they are so far apart. She could have at least taken his arm, dontcha' think as I suppose a kiss would be out of the question for proprieties sake. Ok, I'll shut up down. I'd better go get my plastic raincoat to protect my clothes from all the tomatoes and rotten head of lettuce soon to be coming my way, for daring to criticise our beloved P&P. Sorry if I ticked ya'll off, but really this is my only gripe with the whole movie.....apart from the obvious one, that there were far too many Darcy/Lizzie scenes from the book left out of the movie. Karen, those eyeaballs are hilarious !!"}, {"response": 1443, "author": "gailw", "date": "Thu, Oct 19, 2000 (16:47)", "body": "Bethanne, you won't get any tomatoes from me. I wholeheartedly agree with you. Besides the fact that Darcy is still wearing his hat (isn't it polite to remove your hat when you propose marriage?) thus hiding those delicious curls, there's absolutely no token of affection. If he was truly so happy, wouldn't he at least kiss her hand? Or, as you say, wouldn't Lizzy take his arm? The whole engagement & leading up to the wedding was given altogether too little attention in P&P2 and that has also been my biggest disappointment with an otherwise fine, lovely, funny production. But it has fueled a ton of fanfic related to the 'missing' scenes so I guess that's something good to come out of it."}, {"response": 1444, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Thu, Oct 19, 2000 (22:22)", "body": "Glad you agree Gail, I thought it was just me. Yeah, you are right about the hat, it hides his lovely curls not to mention that gorgeous face. Bingo on Darcy kissing Lizzie's hand too, or if that is to risque for such a prim and proper man, how about him gently squeezing her fingers as he draws her arm thru his, all the while looking into her eyes. Did you notice that between the initial \" You are too generous to trifle with me \" bit right up to the \"dearest, lovliest Elizabeth \" bit that ends the scenes...they don't make eye contact once ? I found that very odd. I know they are probably a wee bit embarressed, but c'mon now, not to look at each once, is a bit much, not to mention downright un-passionate. All the engagement FanFic s wonderful, but I still would have loved to have seen that wonderful bit in the book, where Lizzie gets Darcy to account for his falling in love with her. However I dunno if I could cope a loving, teasing Darcy bantering easily with Lizzie, after all the earlier repressed passions and smouldering intensity. I think that would just floor me !!"}, {"response": 1445, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Oct 20, 2000 (08:44)", "body": "(Bethanne)I'd better go get my plastic raincoat to protect my clothes from all the tomatoes and rotten head of lettuce soon to be coming my way, for daring to criticise our beloved P&P (Gail W)you won't get any tomatoes from me Or from anyone else here, I daresay. We have all, at one point or another, made the same criticism of this scene. I can only think that Darcy really expected another rejection and that Lizzie's acceptance didn't sink in... I once had a real life scene somewhat similar... It was so anticlimatic that I almost regreted having said yes :-("}, {"response": 1446, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct 20, 2000 (09:54)", "body": "Agree with you all on that scene and we have discussed it through the years.....I bet that was Simon Langton's direction and not Colin's call.At the end of that scene, you can see Bingley and Jane arm 'n arm but not our guys:-("}, {"response": 1447, "author": "Xian", "date": "Fri, Oct 20, 2000 (11:52)", "body": "Gail: Besides the fact that Darcy is still wearing his hat (isn't it polite to remove your hat when you propose marriage?) Talking about hat, is it not polite for a gentleman like Mr. Darcy to keep his hat on when he performed his only kiss to his beloved? It said that the scene had to be shot for many times because of that hat (fell off many times) but too bad, they never got the hint ;-/"}, {"response": 1448, "author": "Xian", "date": "Fri, Oct 20, 2000 (11:56)", "body": "Obviously, she only could touch his chin because of that hat. Poor girl!"}, {"response": 1449, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Fri, Oct 20, 2000 (15:32)", "body": "Ok thank you very much for posting those 2 pix....I wlll now be now a complete, drool-soaked wreak for the rest of the day and absolutley inacapable of forming a cohearant thought or removing my butt from the chair facing this screen. So my boss thanks you too ( get your own damm coffee, Sh**head ! ) for rendering me completley useless for the rest of the day. Oops....my computer is frozen, O no, its locked up and stuck on this page forever, what a shame !! Yikes, look...his eyes are closed..sigh...and doesn't he have a gorgeously firm, masculine jawline ? I thought they had to keep re-shooting this scene coz' CF and JE kept wouldn't stop giggling ? Lordy, catch ME giggling at having to kiss CF...I don't thnk so ! Running hysterically around the room, passed out comatose on the floor, yes, but GIGGLEING.....Nooooooo way !!!"}, {"response": 1450, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Oct 20, 2000 (18:28)", "body": "Remember, they were in the process of doing it for real on the side at that time. I was just reading an old article that said that they had kept pretty discreet up until that point, but constantly fluffing the kiss was the first many knew of the off-set romance...a dead giveaway...Good thing it was one of the last scenes shot between the two. **Heehee** KJ"}, {"response": 1451, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Oct 20, 2000 (22:03)", "body": "Blaming the hat for her kissing his chin is an interesting thought. I thought she had started at his mouth and was progressing... well, perhaps not. But, what a thought. Yes, kissable cheeks and incredible jawline does me in every time."}, {"response": 1452, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Fri, Oct 20, 2000 (23:34)", "body": "Karen, I don't think the wedding kiss was shot at the end of filming. I know it appears at the end, but rememeber none of the film was shot in sequence, it was all done based on when the houses were available and when the seasons were right. So I think it was shot before they started their affair, or at the very beginning. Maybe they were fighting against the attraction ( gulp ) and that's what gives all the Huntsford/Rosings scenes ( which were shot first ) such a delicious tension and electricity ? Do you have the book \" The Making of Pride and Predudice \" ? In it, Colin talks about doing 5 straight weeks of filming and then being banished for 6 weeks while all the Longbourn scenes ( where he almost never appears ) were shot. He said he would be called back to the set for the odd day or two, presumably to film the 2 times he visits the Bennet's with Bingley and, then the wedding scene. So this means the wedding was shot some time in the second month of a 5 month shoot. Yikes, sorry to be so analytical....I think I was a scientist in a previous life time ! Wouldn't it be a lovley drool topic...when does it become apparant that CF and JE aren't just acting any more, but really do have the hots for each other ?"}, {"response": 1453, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 21, 2000 (08:19)", "body": "That would be KJ's post, not mine. ;-) However, I do agree with my alter-cyber-namesake that I've read or heard the same, i.e., the wedding scene was the final one shot."}, {"response": 1454, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Oct 21, 2000 (09:34)", "body": "The last scene shot with Jennifer Ehle in was the \"wilderness\" scene with Lady Catherine. And I believe the 2nd proposal scene was shot the day before. I may safely point to the book for that bit of info. ;-) (Xian) It said that the scene had to be shot for many times because of that hat (fell off many times) but too bad, they never got the hint ;-/ LOL, Xian. It is doubly frustrating when we know there were so many stills taken of our newlyweds with the hat off. Do you think they may have filmed it both ways? I want to see the outtakes! What a happy thought. Hours and hours of unused film all packaged on a video for us. I'd pay for that."}, {"response": 1455, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Sat, Oct 21, 2000 (17:44)", "body": "I'd do more than pay for it, I'd break into the BBC and offer up my lifesavings to any security guard who would look the other way, while I stuck these unused footage tapes up my sweater while I made my getaway. O well, so I guess I am outvoted on when the kissing scene was filmed. Pity, as I kinda' liked the idea of it being filmed while CF and JE were in the throes of fighting their own powerful attraction to each other a la Darcy and Lizzie....sigh.... Not to belabour the point, but in the book there is a pic of the Longbourn grounds being hosed down with fake snow, to make it look all wintery for the wedding scenes. If this was shot in late October ( which is when filming ended ) why are there leaves on all the trees ? Wouldn't they be shedding and wouldn't the grounds look all autumnal, if it was really October. Hmmmmm ? Lord, I need to get a life....now I'm analysing the stupid tres !! Coming tomorrow, a facinating insight into the Bugs and Insects of 19th Centuary England ! So why did the hat keep falling off ? It stayed on ok when he was on horseback, didn't it ? What's so rigourous about a little ole kissaro to make his hat keep falling off ? Maybe JE just couldn't restrain herself from the impulse to run her hands thru his gorgeous curls, thus knocking the hat off....You go girl.....We're with ya' all the way !!"}, {"response": 1456, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Oct 21, 2000 (18:48)", "body": "(Bethanne) Karen, I don't think the wedding kiss was shot at the end of filming. You may be right. (My memory is shot anyway) As the excerpt below says, the kiss was \"screened\" at the end, not shot then (You have permission to believe as much or as little as you like ..it was part of a series in the daily Express ...) ;-) (Bethanne) So I think it was shot before they started their affair, or at the very beginning. According to the same article, it was well underway by that (?whenever) time, to wit: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Colin has not, [his mother] says, been pleased with the huge amount of publicity given to his brief liaison with Pride and Prejudice co-star Jennifer Ehle. The relationship between the actors, described by one who witnessed it, as blossoming while filming progressed in Wiltshire and Cheshire, \"was quite simply a location romance,\" it lasted a matter of months and was over before it was leaked by one of the production team. Firth and 26 yr.old Ehle could have rivalled Hugh Grant and Elizabeth Hurley as a showbiz couple but Ehle called a halt to the affair after the filming ended. \"The first hint that anything was going on between the two of them was actually during the filming of the kiss that was screened right at the end of the production,\" says one of the production staff. \"They both kept fluffing things and it was re-shot again and again. Jennifer kept laughing and even Colin seemed unusually ruffled.\" /.../ (his mother) ..\"He and Jennifer were seeing each other for some time. Now they are just good friends. They are still in touch with each other. he has an enormous capacity for friendship. When he makes friends he stays friends.\" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I have no idea how much or how little of this is true. The whole thing (first of three parts) can be seen at: http://members.nbci.com/_XMCM/firthfiles/articles/95exp1221.html KJ"}, {"response": 1457, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Sat, Oct 21, 2000 (20:01)", "body": "I know, the whole affair thing may be a load of old cobblers...but it DOES make a good Drool topic, doesn't it ? All the attention given to it, may have ticked off CF, but it has kept us royally entertained.....cue guilty, sheepish look. PS According to some interview JE gave during her recent Tony Award success, she has not dated anybody seriously, since she and Colin broke up all those years ago. It would seem our Colin packs quite a punch, doesn't it ? Then again, we already knew that, or we wouldn't be here."}, {"response": 1458, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 21, 2000 (20:08)", "body": "Remember that this is \"The Express\" and we don't really believe what they write most of the times....so why should we believe this??? Colin has discounted some of it and Jennifer has never commented on the article at all."}, {"response": 1459, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Oct 22, 2000 (03:21)", "body": "(Evelyn) In Londinium when Allen tell Fiona: \"I love you tenderly and dearly\" does Colin say it in the same way as Mr Darcy at the 2nd proposal: (Marianne) Jana might have a different take on how Allen said it, but I thought he said it kind of sheepishly ... as if he's still embarrassed to be admitting his feelings, though he does know that he must for their relationship. Sorry I'm so tardy in replying, but my recollection is about the same as Marianne's. The details of the film are kind of slipping away from me, but I don't remember thinking this line being awfully romantic."}, {"response": 1460, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Oct 22, 2000 (09:33)", "body": "Huh, wha? Evelyn, you're not disputing they had an affair/relationship/ fling/whatever, are you? There never was a question about it, I thought. Just perhaps as to the seriousness of it. Anyway, when I first got on the Internet (and the first thing I searched for was \"Firth, Colin\") I was dumbstruck when I first read of the connection. Didn't believe it at first, then I could only think how right it was and it makes that chemistry between Lizzy and Darcy even more exciting. Bethanne, you're not nuts (or at least no more nuts than the rest of us). I examine those leaves on the trees too. It is very autumnal-looking during Lady Catherine's scene and the 2nd proposal. So too in the Meryton scenes. JE looks downright freezing. Leaves are very green under that fake snow when the Gardiners come at Christmas but it's hard for me to tell in the kiss scene. However in the \"Making of\" book (my bible), some of the crew are dressed warmly during the shooting of this so my guess is it was towards the end and poor Jennifer is freezing yet again in her light frock. I know the point's moot now but I do enjoy figuring out the sequence of shooting."}, {"response": 1461, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Sun, Oct 22, 2000 (17:01)", "body": "Ha Ha Ha Heide, so the Making of P & P Book is your Bible too, I'm glad it's not just me. The pic on page 96 oF Col on horseback, is what has me reaching for it over and over and over and over again. Those thighs, those breeches......gulp ! I know Lady Catherines's visit and the second proposal were all filmed last and the settings/trees reflect that. It's just the wedding kissyface scene that I'm wondering if it was filmed during those 6 weeks that Colin mentions in the book, as when all the Longbourn scenes were done. Remember he says that he only came down to the set for the odd day or two of filming ? As he only appears in 2 shortish Longbourn scenes, wouldn't this fit in with this time frame ? Dunno' about people who just describe the affair a \"location romance\". It lasted a year acording to Colin and his mother ( !!!! )but the filming of P&P only took 5 months, so if my math is right they stayed together for a further 7 months. That's a little bit more than a \"location romance\" dontcha' think ? Also, seeing as Col and Meg Tilly broke up in 1993 and P&P was filmed in the summer of 1994, this was probably Colin's first serious relationship after the break up with Meg. So if you have lived in the Canadian backwoods for 5 years and had a child with someone and it falls apart......you probably don't just plunge back into another longish relationship with someone, unless you really feel something for them. Sorry Karen, hope this tabloid/personal life stuff doesn't bug you. I'll shut up now."}, {"response": 1462, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 22, 2000 (18:23)", "body": "Sorry Karen, hope this tabloid/personal life stuff doesn't bug you. I'll shut up now. So will I. Sorry...that was six years ago and I don't wanna go there."}, {"response": 1463, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Sun, Oct 22, 2000 (22:56)", "body": "Yup, I agree...... no more \" Did they or didn't they ? \" posts from me. Back to far more serious and worthy topics, like bulging breeches and wet white shirts. PS Karen, when are we gonna get Part 3 of your great story ?"}, {"response": 1464, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Oct 28, 2000 (11:44)", "body": "(bethanne)....now I'm analysing the stupid trees !! Coming tomorrow, a fascinating insight into the Bugs and Insects of 19th Century England ! Sometimes you might want to take a break from Colin Firth. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Regarding the \"Insects of the 19th Century England\" topic. You may want to consider posting that at the Geo conference. Just kidding. Your posts are great fun to read."}, {"response": 1465, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Sat, Oct 28, 2000 (21:09)", "body": "Where is everyone ?"}, {"response": 1466, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Oct 29, 2000 (01:52)", "body": "a)Watching P&P for the umpteenth time? b)Analysing trees? c) Getting into Entomology? :-D"}, {"response": 1467, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Oct 29, 2000 (08:25)", "body": "I am here. Just busy at a), b), and c). Also d) counting buttons on breeches e) counting moles on neck, and f) counting hairs on chest. ;-D"}, {"response": 1468, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Oct 29, 2000 (09:44)", "body": "I can't tell you all how pleasurable it has been to digest such a wonderfully evocative backlog of posts, thank you one and all! I was at Wilton House on Friday (where they filmed S&S), I am afraid i always go off into a Darcy Drool in such situations, the proportions of the rooms etc inspire Pemberly Passions in me, luckily there was no guide to lag behind to give me away! It is around this time that the final episode was screened in England, our local news at the time featured it because the church used for the wedding was in Somerset ( Jana and Heide will correct from their bible , I am sure!). So to continue Heide's theme g)counting smouldering looks h)counting swaggering greatcoat tails i)counting pinkie ring twisting j)counting my own much increased heartbeats"}, {"response": 1469, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 29, 2000 (12:41)", "body": "Thanks to our Tineke who found this at Pemberley... A new P&P pic from the cover of the new P&P DVD... [Hope it works..]"}, {"response": 1470, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Oct 29, 2000 (13:10)", "body": "Ooh, loverly, thanks Tineke and Evelyn."}, {"response": 1471, "author": "gailw", "date": "Sun, Oct 29, 2000 (14:24)", "body": "Oooooohhhhh, that's so lovely!! Makes one daydream about just what might have happened after the photo was snapped.........."}, {"response": 1472, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Oct 29, 2000 (15:35)", "body": "Delicious!! Thank you for that ladies. Do we know if the DVD contains any hidden extras previously kept from us? Maybe interviews etc Of course what I really wanted to see was Darcy's dressing gown slip from clumsy fingers holding it out to him in the bathing scene. Anyone else got some favourite scenes they think could have been left out ------ steady now. You fanfic authors have an advantage already. We could create our own Drool DVD!"}, {"response": 1473, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 30, 2000 (19:51)", "body": "Hmmmm, lovely cover for the new DVD. Thanks Tineke and Ev. Wonder if the American one is being redone/reissued by A&E and if we'll have that cover. Now, back to my job, heating up water for Darcy's tub. ;-D"}, {"response": 1474, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Oct 31, 2000 (10:37)", "body": "So if you heat the water and get to see the mole Karen, I will bags holding out that the dressing gown. You wouldn't want aching arms now!"}, {"response": 1475, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Sat, Nov  4, 2000 (03:54)", "body": "O my.....I'm gone for a week and I return to this delicious pic on the DVD cover....exceedingly yummy ! I do have one problem though....has Jennifer Ehle had a growth spurt in my absense ? Is she 6ft 1' all of a sudden ? Shouldn't Colin be towering over her in a suitably, masterful pose ? Doesn't it lessen the impact when they are the same height ?"}, {"response": 1476, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Nov  4, 2000 (08:22)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1477, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Nov  4, 2000 (08:29)", "body": "Re video cover - Be still my heart. Karen, if that's going to be a reissue of the P&P video, I think they can expect another best seller. Perhaps we should suggest that .-) (Gail) Makes one daydream about just what might have happened after the photo was snapped.......... My thoughts exactly. What were they about to do? (Bethanne) Shouldn't Colin be towering over her in a suitably, masterful pose? Doesn't it lessen the impact when they are the same height? Oh yes, I agree Darcy should be looking down at his beloved. One can only imagine he placed her on the steps the better to stare laser-like into her eyes. Don't you love getting giddy over a video cover? Now to get my greedy little hands on it. Lizza, I envy you. How many Austen-related sites have you been to now? I never tire of imagining how our characters might have lived by looking at the homes, portraits and clothing of the period."}, {"response": 1478, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Sat, Nov  4, 2000 (14:07)", "body": "O this is killing me. I would love to get my hot little hands on this pic, but I am sooooooooo broke right now, there is no way I spend 40/60 bucks on a new set of tapes or the DVD just to get the picture. Sigh !!!!!!! Nah Heide, I still think he need to be taller than her, laser like stare or not. Can't he do that from a height, coz that way she can gaze adoringly up at him ? Don't we all just adore him in black ? I love his beige breeches at Pemberley and that great green coat, but I'm sorry....Darcy in black just absolutley floors me."}, {"response": 1479, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov  4, 2000 (14:16)", "body": "(Bethanne) Shouldn't Colin be towering over her in a suitably, masterful pose? Doesn't it lessen the impact when they are the same height? Well, Lizzy followed Mr. Darcy outside and called out his name. Hearing her voice he quickly turned round and found her so close to him that his hand was able to touch hers sending an electric current throughout his body. Lost in his gaze all Lizzy could do was stare, hypnotized by closeness. Cut! That's a wrap. (And now we know what landed on the cutting room floor). Love the cover. Thanks, Tineke and Evelyn. It sure did set me dreaming. ;-)"}, {"response": 1480, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Sat, Nov  4, 2000 (21:44)", "body": "Hee Hee Hee that was so funny What about................ Lizzie fell over backwards as the full force of the electrical current from contact with Darcy, went shooting thru her body. She felt her self falling backwards into space, when all of a sudden an arm shot out and wrapped itself around her tiny waist, drawing her back to the safety of a rock hard chest. She found herself on eye level with a crsiply starched white cravat and an expanse of smooth brown flesh, where a pulse beat O so rapidly. Her eyes were drawn up from contemplation of a freshly shaven jaw, to a face that contained eyes that made her melt, as the suble but masculine aroma eminating from his skin made her feel dizzy. With a great effort of will, she stopped herself from reaching out and touching the rapidly beating puslse with her tongue and as she forced her eyes upward to meet his gaze, her heart stopped at what she saw reflected in his deep, dark eyes....... Over to you, ladies ! I'm pooped !!!"}, {"response": 1481, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Tue, Nov  7, 2000 (02:47)", "body": "Hey, I have an idea.....why don't we all take turns writing a paragraph of this and see where it takes us ? Moon and I started it.......so why don't ya'll take the ball and run with it from here ? Wouldn't it be funny, a story that we all write ? Lord know where it will end up, or rather where Darcy and Lizzie will end up, Hee Hee Hee.....Ladies ??????"}, {"response": 1482, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Nov  7, 2000 (21:27)", "body": "(Bethanne) .. Wouldn't it be funny, a story that we all write ? Bethanne, have you not been made aware of the Drool Fan Fic site, where such things are happening all the time? If you haven't visited yet, here's an Inroad to FanFic's recent activity. KJ"}, {"response": 1483, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Thu, Nov  9, 2000 (15:15)", "body": "Yup KJ, I visit FanFic a lot. I even have a few stories of my own on there. What I meant, was one story that we all take turns writing a paragraph of. Y'know, kinda like passing a ghost story around a camp fire, where every person picks up where the other one left off ? I just thought it might be funny to see everyones writing style combinded in one story. O well, obviously nobody else does, as no-one comes in here anymore half as much as they used to. Darcy is feeling very neglected....poor baby, don't worry, I'm here and I'll make it up to you !!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 1484, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Nov  9, 2000 (19:12)", "body": "Bethanne, I think it's a clever idea but am not feeling particularly bright or clever myself right now to aid and assist. Glad your enthusiasm remains undimmed. Obviously our dear Darcy needs to feed on new blood or else gets very anemic so I'm counting on you to eat a lot of spinach. Long live Darcy Drool. ;-)"}, {"response": 1485, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Fri, Nov 10, 2000 (00:19)", "body": "Heide......I'm just the woman for the task, its a dirty job, but someones gotta do it right ? Poor Darcy, I have damm near worn him out. Maybe its Darcy who we need to give the spinach to.....Hee Hee Hee !!!!! Where is everyone, by the way...Karen, Sadie, Gail, Evelyn, Judy etc etc Have they all been abducted by aliens ?"}, {"response": 1486, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Nov 10, 2000 (08:29)", "body": "Everybody is at topic #98, I suppose, discussing Apartment Zero. Whoever isn't there must be watching the new installment of \"General Election\" :-)"}, {"response": 1487, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Nov 11, 2000 (18:30)", "body": "So disappointed not to find A&E re-broadcasting P&P on the Sunday after the American Thanksgiving holiday. It had become a tradition. I hope I just missed it on A&E's not very user friendly board and it will appear after all."}, {"response": 1488, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 12, 2000 (11:34)", "body": "We didn't lobby for it this year...also there is a new program director at A&E...probably isn't a fan of P&P. Breakfast with the Arts crowd is though... I hope they have Jennifer back this winter when she returns to Broadway."}, {"response": 1489, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Nov 13, 2000 (12:57)", "body": "Just checked my monthly cable listings: P&P is indeed not being broadcast that day, Heide :-("}, {"response": 1490, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 13, 2000 (14:04)", "body": "We do not need A&E to have our own broadcast of P&P do we? ;-) Remember, our courage always rises when..."}, {"response": 1491, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 13, 2000 (15:35)", "body": "We do not need A&E to have our own broadcast of P&P do we? ; but I always looked forward to Marathon Sunday....all 6 Episodes in one day... Next year, Heide, let's marshall the troops early.Last year we even got the folks on Pemblerley to email. I dropped the ball this year...sorry."}, {"response": 1492, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Nov 18, 2000 (11:14)", "body": "(Heide) So disappointed not to find A&E re-broadcasting P&P on the Sunday after the American Thanksgiving holiday. At least, thankfully, there are the media of video and DVD. Not quite the same and you can watch your own copy of P&P at anytime during the year. Still, it is better than nothing."}, {"response": 1493, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov 18, 2000 (12:09)", "body": "You'd be surprised how many *new* P&P , CF & JE fans emerge from the re-showing of P&P on A&E. The JE website always gets a wave of hits on the night of and several days later. ....and then there's the residuals ($$$$$) for the cast;-))"}, {"response": 1494, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 18, 2000 (12:55)", "body": "Here's something for Darcy Droolers or FF-lovers that I ran across. A professor has inserted his own commentary on the text for Chapter 8, when Lizzie goes to Netherfield. This is a good one: \"Eliza Bennet,\" said Miss Bingley, when the door was closed on her, \"is one of those young ladies who seek to recommend themselves to the other sex by undervaluing their own, and with many men, I dare say, it succeeds. But, in my opinion, it is a paltry device, a very mean art.\" \"Undoubtedly,\" replied Darcy, to whom this remark was chiefly addressed, \"there is meanness in all the arts which ladies sometimes condescend to employ for captivation. Whatever bears affinity to cunning is despicable.\" What Darcy really means: Hee hee! It is gratifying to see her get what she deserves. Austen knows this will furnish the reader great pleasure, and it is important we like Darcy. Miss Bingley's wiles are transparent (and tiresome) to Darcy. Once again, some careless readers miss the keen edge of some of Austen's dialogue. Though ever so polite on the surface, Darcy's remark is fairly brutal."}, {"response": 1495, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 18, 2000 (12:56)", "body": "Oops, forgot to post the url: http://www.mssc.edu/english/ackiss/pnp_chapter_viii800.htm"}, {"response": 1496, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Nov 19, 2000 (08:56)", "body": "Thanks for the site. I love reading analyses of P&P. You never know what you might have missed though I think you'd have to be nodding off or else Caroline herself to miss this example of Darcy's scorn: \"there is meanness in all the arts which ladies sometimes condescend to employ for captivation. Whatever bears affinity to cunning is despicable.\" Ooh, you can see why Davies left that out. In today's world it makes our Darcy sound downright nasty."}, {"response": 1497, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 19, 2000 (09:12)", "body": "Perhaps, some here would like to try their hand at such a commentary of another chapter? *wink wink*"}, {"response": 1498, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Nov 19, 2000 (09:27)", "body": "Thanks for the site. I love reading analyses of P&P. You never know what you might have missed though I think you'd have to be nodding off or else Caroline herself to miss this example of Darcy's scorn: \"there is meanness in all the arts which ladies sometimes condescend to employ for captivation. Whatever bears affinity to cunning is despicable.\" Ooh, you can see why Davies left that out. In today's world it makes our Darcy sound downright nasty."}, {"response": 1499, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Nov 19, 2000 (09:32)", "body": "Oops, sorry for the double post. Too lazy this Sunday morning to delete. Just wanted to say that I just finished reading his analysis and it was absolutely delightful. Anyone who takes as much enjoyment in the book as in the film should read this. It's done with a great deal of humor and I wish he'd done more chapters. Great find, Karen. Of course students such as we '-) may not learn much new but it's nice to have our notions affirmed. (read that with a double winkey)"}, {"response": 1500, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Nov 19, 2000 (10:55)", "body": "Thank you so much Karen. Perfect for an Autumnal Sunday afternoon."}, {"response": 1501, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sun, Nov 19, 2000 (11:43)", "body": "Two quotes from the professor that made me howl... Miss Bingley. Ugh. and Miss Bingley. I wonder when the contemporary phrase \"brown nosing\" first gained currency? Nothing surprising, but it was good to see it all along with the JA's own words! Thanks Karen!"}, {"response": 1502, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Dec  2, 2000 (12:01)", "body": "Somewhere in the previous 1500 responses, you may have already drooled over this but, my most serious Darcy Drool occurs when he bows. He is essentially offering his head and his heart. It is so much fun to see how ODB offers this in varying degrees at different times. Sometimes the bow is so slight as to indicate he is really only interested in giving that person a piece of his mind and other times the bow is do deep and sincere that he seems to be offering Elizabeth even the depths of his heart. Swoon!"}, {"response": 1503, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Dec  2, 2000 (13:01)", "body": "Ah, bows... I remember the director of Sense and Sensibility commenting on the significance of bows in Regency times. A matter of significance for an Oriental too, I believe."}, {"response": 1504, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Dec  2, 2000 (17:03)", "body": "Actually, my source is Emma Thompson in her book, The Sense and Sensibility Screenplay & Diaries. She writes, \"Our session with Jane Gibson (movement duenna and expert on all manners historical) is both revealing and rewarding. We learn the root and meaning of the bows and curtsies -- or reverences, as Jane calls them.\" \"The bow is the gift of the head and heart. The curtsy...a lowering in status for a moment, followed by recovery.\" Jane Gibson also worked with the actors in Pride & Prejudice as choreographer. Colin certainly learned well and uses this so masterfully -- another example of those subtle nuances he adds to his characters."}, {"response": 1505, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sat, Dec  2, 2000 (18:21)", "body": "Okay, now I'll have to watch P&P again! It's almost been a week... ah, something new to look for! thank you Caribou!"}, {"response": 1506, "author": "gailw", "date": "Fri, Dec  8, 2000 (08:32)", "body": "(Dani) ah, something new to look for! Yes!! Another viewing is definitely called for! Thanks Karen for that link to the commentary. It was fun to read."}, {"response": 1507, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 21, 2001 (08:52)", "body": "Had a question from a CF fan and thought someone here could answer it, more easily than I. Did Darcy's pinkie ring have a diamond or some stone set in it?"}, {"response": 1508, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Jan 21, 2001 (09:36)", "body": "Didn't think it did, but that's the best answer, 'cos now need to go and check to be sure!"}, {"response": 1509, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sun, Jan 21, 2001 (13:12)", "body": "To me it looks like a diamond."}, {"response": 1510, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 18, 2001 (08:53)", "body": "Ran across this review of a new book entitled \"Jane Austen - Lives\" by Carol Shields. Note the beginning of the review in the New Statesman: Maiden Aunt Feb 5, 2001 Lisa Allardice Ever since Colin Firth strode out of the pond at Pemberley wearing skintight jodhpurs and a transparent shirt, in the latest BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen scholarship has never been the same. The much-loved maiden aunt of old has been banished to the cobwebs, and a racier, more experienced lady novelist has emerged in her place. In this brief biography, the novelist Carol Shields reiterates the case that Austen's life was not so uneventful, nor her world so Oosmall, as we had cosily imagined. It is fitting that the novelist who famously worked in miniature should be commemorated in a series of short lives. (Sylvia Townsend Warner's sparkling 29-page life of Austen is hard to find today.) Neither an academic nor critic, Shields - often compared to Austen for her elegantly plotted, deceptively domestic novels - is an inspired choice of biographer. She writes compassionately as a fellow novelist and \"devoted reader\" (once past some ominous transAtlantic throat-clearing about the Jane Austen Society of North America). Instead of telling Austen's \"story\" as we might have expected, Shields provides illuminating readings of her work, informed by what she calls a \"contemporary sensibility\", but never forgetting the cultural differences of a 21st-century reader. Without being in the least bit theoretical, she is drawn to the glances, silences and shadows of Austen's life and fiction. Notwithstanding her own rather opaque intention to \"read into my own resistance\", the result is sincere and balanced; the book's brevity leaves Shields mercifully free to concentrate on the author in question, unlike recent biographers who have been forced to root around distant relations and secondary characters. Taking her cue from Claire Tomalin's Jane Austen: a life (1997), Shields perceives a pattern of displacement, beginning with Jane's exile to a country wet-nurse, continuing with her brief spell at a girl's boarding school and culminating with her family's traumatic departure to Bath when she was in her mid-twenties. Austen was always a home-girl, and her novels can be read as a search or return to a true home - exemplifying Shields's contention that this, not current events, wars or politics, is the real subject of \"serious fiction\". The novels enact further wish-fulfilment in the second and third chances allowed to their heroines thwarted in love. Such a happy ending was sadly denied poor Jane, whose tentative romance, in her 20th year, with the clever Tom Lefroy was brutally aborted by his family as an impecunious match. In an episode worthy of her own work, Austen accepted the offer of a marriage of convenience from the appropriately bumptious Harris Bigg-Wither, only to retreat in embarrassment the next day. Austen repeatedly created young women able to overcome foolish parents and social disadvantage through their own wit and intelligence. They are each rewarded with an independent existence, something she herself an unmarried, dependent daughter - craved but which always eluded her. Shields is particularly interested in the young writer's apprenticeship - her reading, juvenilia and experiments with genre. With three impressive novels under her bonnet by the time she was 25, Austen makes today's literary prodigies seem positively tardy. (Those publishers who passed over Harry Potter might console themselves by remembering the editor who declined Pride & Prejudice \"by return of post\".) Austen criticism often focuses on character at the expense of technical accomplishments, so Shields's understanding of \"the architecture of the novel\" is especially satisfying. Plot dynamics make a welcome change from speculation about Aunt Jane's sleeping habits. Shields empathises with her subject as a novelist, chummily sympathising with.the frustrations and excitement of seeing a work of fiction, one of Austen's \"darling\" children, through to publication. Austen never enjoyed Emily Dickinson's \"heaven\", a solitary space upstairs, or Virginia Woolf's room of her own, writing instead in the downstairs parlour. Shields takes the conventional view that Austen's ten-year silence in Bath was the result of a disruption in her military work routine, not that she was too busy letting her hair down. It is perhaps unnecessary and uneconomical to brief English readers on the history of \"Bath, in Somerset... about 100 miles from London\". There is rather too much careless repetition for such a short book. All the favourite quotes are here, however, which show just how many words have been spun out from a relatively slender legacy of letters and recollections. This is an affectionate, sceptical appraisal of Austen's life and work. And even if by the end we do not feel we know the elusive, cherub-cheeked lady on the cover any better, we suspect somehow tha"}, {"response": 1511, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sun, Feb 18, 2001 (14:10)", "body": "Skintight jodhpurs??? Where do those people take their imagery from?"}, {"response": 1512, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Mar  3, 2001 (10:30)", "body": "Thanks for the heads-up, Karen. I shall put this on my reading list, right behind Obstinate Heart which I have yet to pick up. Trying to figure out whether the \"Lives\" in the title is a verb or noun. Is she trying to say Jane was schizophrenic or an immortal? ;-) Skintight jodhpurs??? Where do those people take their imagery from? Surely not from here. 'Tis shocking. As for the \"transparent shirt\", I think it's more apt to use \"translucent\". Nothing sheerly obvious here, just a hint of the form and its features underneath. I concentrate on the essentials."}, {"response": 1513, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sat, Mar  3, 2001 (11:00)", "body": "Skintight jodhpurs??? Where do those people take their imagery from? Surely not from here. 'Tis shocking. 'Tis historically somewhat inaccurate as well. Shocking indeed. Nothing sheerly obvious here, just a hint of the form and its features underneath Oooooh.... a sheer thrill of obvious delight..."}, {"response": 1514, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Mar  4, 2001 (15:49)", "body": "First I better say that this post is not meant as a disparagement of a thread brought up at ROP. The topic was what actor would you choose to recast P&P if you were limited to Americans and I thought it quite interesting. Once I picked myself off the floor after hearing Tom Cruise and Johnny Depp proposed as Mr. Darcy, I realized I've got to be a generation removed from the respondents and perhaps I'd have proposed them too if I were that young. But here's the rub - it's my belief that a good actor can play any nationality but an actor can not play TALL unless you're Alan Ladd and are given props. I don't want my Mr. Darcy standing on a box. Cruise and Depp are definitely out. Is there any American actor who could fill our boy's breeches, er shoes?"}, {"response": 1515, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Mar  4, 2001 (17:01)", "body": "(Heide) Is there any American actor who could fill our boy's breeches, er shoes? Pause. Hardly a name comes to mind. Robert Sean Leonard? If Guy Pearce were American, I think he could smoulder very nicely."}, {"response": 1516, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar  4, 2001 (18:01)", "body": "Russell Crowe is tall and smouldered in \"Gladiator\". I know he's an Aussie. Alec Baldwin smoulders. I heard an insidious rumor last year that there were plans afoot to make P&P into a movie with Jude Law and Nicole Kidman. I pity them."}, {"response": 1517, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar  7, 2001 (13:15)", "body": "(Evelyn)I heard an insidious rumor last year that there were plans afoot to make P&P into a movie with Jude Law and Nicole Kidman. I pity them. Arrrrgh! I think I'd drown in self-pity."}, {"response": 1518, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Wed, Mar  7, 2001 (16:34)", "body": "Say it ain't so, Jo!"}, {"response": 1519, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Mar 19, 2001 (14:52)", "body": "Heide, the suggestions were Tom Cruise and Johnny Depp. Interesting, I quess. I suppose it could be worse, someone might have suggested Brad Pitt with a dark-brown rinse job. That would've been pretty much on parity with the Cruise and Depp suggestions, actually. Robert Sean Leonard seems a good choice for an American. Edward Norton is a brilliant actor, but he does tend to be on the average side, looks-wide. Plus, I've no idea how well he'd do in a period piece. At least with Leonard I've some idea of him in period work from \"The Age of Innocence\"."}, {"response": 1520, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (13:18)", "body": "American's playing Darcy??? Hmmm... that's a tough one... The guy from Will and Grace (who plays Will). I think he could do it. David Boreanaz (Angel); He smoulders... Can't think who'd be a good Lizzie..."}, {"response": 1521, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (17:28)", "body": "May I have the dorky Frosty the Snowman tie, pl.? Unless Eileen...who named it such...wants it.She has first dibs. The rest of you *don't*. ( Someone else can have the vile suit...see, aren't I generous?)"}, {"response": 1522, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Mar 24, 2001 (16:32)", "body": "Nope, just can't see any of those guys doing it for me for Darcy. They're too short or too skinny or too smirky. However, Frosty the Snowman is a novel idea."}, {"response": 1523, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (09:12)", "body": "(Evelyn) Someone else can have the vile suit...see, aren't I generous? Jacket is not bad compared to tie. I'll pass on Frosty (have no prejudice toward Xmas ties but there are limits to these things). I'm waiting to see the movie before I lay claim to something. ;-)"}, {"response": 1524, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (09:33)", "body": "I'll take \"The Tie\". Merci. (Eileen) I'm waiting to see the movie before I lay claim to something. ;-) Better go early or you'll end up with one of the shirts that are too big around the collar ;-)"}, {"response": 1525, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (09:38)", "body": "Oops, have just realized we are OT..hey boss (to use Evie's term), can you move these to the keepsie topic? Thanks. ;-)"}, {"response": 1526, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (20:13)", "body": "Would anyone like to volunteer to take over Keepsake List maintenance? Marcia has emailed me to say that she's far too busy to continue. I thank her for all her work and hope that someone equally devoted will step forward to take over. A Big Thank You, Your Marcianess!"}, {"response": 1527, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (09:10)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1528, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (09:14)", "body": "Were you trying to volunteer, Heide? ;-D"}, {"response": 1529, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (09:25)", "body": "A big smooch to you, Marcia. Hope you'll still drop by from time to time."}, {"response": 1530, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (09:27)", "body": "Heh heh. No, let's just say my earlier graphic was a bit inappropriate. Should look at them before I post."}, {"response": 1531, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (18:32)", "body": "Were you trying to volunteer, Heide? ;-D Now, all together.... WE WANT HEIDE....WE WANT HEIDE...."}, {"response": 1532, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Sat, Apr 14, 2001 (17:21)", "body": "I'll vote for Heide too! :-) Has anybody claimed the suit MD was wearing when he told Bridgit that he likes her just as she is? If not, i'm laying claim. If that's gone already then i'd like the shirt he wore at the tarts and vicars. btw - why are we doing this at Darcy drool, rather than Keepsakes? any certain reason? You have my graditude as well Marcia for being the head Keeptress for so long, you did a great job! *big hug* *whispered* we want Heide, we want Heide..."}, {"response": 1533, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 14, 2001 (17:43)", "body": "Gaah!! *blurred vision from no BJD today* OK we should take this to Keepsakes, whatever number that is.... ;-D"}, {"response": 1534, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 30, 2001 (04:55)", "body": "Thanks, Fran\ufffdoise, for sending me this report from some friends who went to see Andrew Davies at the Humanities Forum at the University of Wisconsin this past Friday: ~~~~~~ Andrew Davies was quite a witty speaker. While the auditorium was filling (a good 20 minutes before the speech) P&P was playing on a fairly large screen set up on the stage. It was very interesting to see P&P enlarged. The audience actually groaned when that stopped and Davies was announced. But Davies showed various clips from P&P during his talk. Davies began by saying that he and Sue Birtwistle had always seen P&P as a fairly lusty tale. He noted that the famed beginning of the novel presented a daunting challenge to the screen writer. So he described how he envisioned the beginning (the two young men galloping across the country side -- \"*big* men on *big horses\"), Bingley showing his impetuous youth by seeing the house and deciding on the spot to rent it, Lizzie's pent up sexual energy as illustrated by her running about the countryside (she spies the new young men galloping across the field and this puts a \"skip\" in her step). The next shot of Lizzie passing the mare and foal (suggesting fecundity as well as impregnation) he blamed on the director -- all of this in preparation for the famous line \"It is a truth....\" (clip of all of this shown) Next he talked about Darcy's first proposal. Noting that Jane Austen only wrote the first few words and then generally described the rest of the speech, he felt he was presented with a pretty difficult task in crafting the rest of that scene. He did say that it was Colin's idea on how to begin by using what Davies called the longest pause in the history of film! (clip of first proposal shown) Next he talked about Darcy's letter which immediately followed the first proposal. He said that you could always recognize his works because he favored a lot of scenes with \"head and shoulder shots\" usually between two characters in a bedroom with bed clothes slipping off one shoulder (I *love* those! he said). The letter writing gave him a chance to undress Darcy since he reckoned that the letter being longish took most of the night to write and he could gradually reduce Colin to an undershirt during its writing. He also talked about this as an opportunity to introduce Georgiana visually as a character earlier than she appears in the book and to give the audience a glimpse of Darcy's caring and gentle nature by his gently holding Georgiana after Wickham is expelled from the premises. (letter writing scene shown) Then he said he would like to talk about his favorite scene in P&P - the Music Room scene!!!!! He noted that this is not a scene that you can actually write as the power of the scene is in the looks between Darcy and Lizzie. He did talk about the dialogue, particularly having Caroline make the faux pas of mentioning Wickham (he noted that Caroline was always putting her foot in her mouth) which caused Georgiana to misplay her piano piece, giving Lizzie the excuse to rush to her rescue thus impressing Darcy with Lizzie's protectiveness of Georgiana which mirrored Darcy's own, and upheld Darcy's belief that he had not made a mistake in confiding his secret to Lizzie. Okay ladies -- Andrew Davies said that there was no reason for Darcy to gallop off to Lambton the next morning except to propose once again to Lizzie!!!!! Of course, Lydia's indiscretion intervened. He said that neither Colin nor \"the actor who played Wickham\" (his words) knew how to use a walking stick. Then he said \"That is the only criticism I can make of Colin Firth!\" Wow He said -- at some point during his talk -- that he knew that the ending had left us \"unsatisfied\" (boy, that was an understatement). He said that his main contribution to BJD was bringing a more general closeness to P&P and the \"I like you exactly as you are\" scene -- which was shown. He then began talking about his screen adaptation of Emma which was greatly overshadowed by the Paltrow version. He said that he wrote a great script for Northanger Abbey, working with Miramax, but that the Weinsteins had decided not to proceed with filming but now owned his script! So, he has put it up at Pemberley.com (a site he recommended) for free. The talk began promptly at 7:30 and ended about 9:15 with Andrew Davies saying \"I drink quite a lot and, frankly, it has been quite a while since I had one.\" The audience was very friendly to Davies and also seemed to really enjoy the evening. P.S: When noting that Darcy was galloping off, after the musical night at Pemberley, to propose again to Lizzie, Andrew Davies couldn't remember where Lizzie was at the time -- the audience shouted \"Lambton!\" During the Q&A, he was asked why he didn't use any of the men's first names in P&P. He replied that he didn't think Mr. Bingly *had* a first name -- at which point the audience shouted \"Charles!\" Maybe he wasn't joking about drinking a lot."}, {"response": 1535, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 30, 2001 (05:33)", "body": "\"Andrew Davies said that there was no reason for Darcy to gallop off to Lambton the next morning except to propose once again to Lizzie!!!! Well, it's only taken six years to put that one to rest... He said that he wrote a great script for Northanger Abbey, working with Miramax,but that the Weinsteins had decided not to proceed with filming Esp aft the Mansfield Park disaster.I bet Patricia Rozema is disappointed;-) He said that his main contribution to BJD was bringing a more general closeness to P&P and the \"I like you exactly as you are\" scene -- which was shown. Well...I'm wrong ..could have sworn that was a Richard Curtis look-a-like \"I'm just a girl..\"line from NH. Thanks Karen and Francoise....wish I had been there..."}, {"response": 1536, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Mon, Apr 30, 2001 (06:09)", "body": "He then began talking about his screen adaptation of Emma which was greatly overshadowed by the Paltrow version. He said that he wrote a great script for Northanger Abbey, working with Miramax, but that the Weinsteins had decided not to proceed with filming but now owned his script! So, he has put it up at Pemberley.com (a site he recommended) for free. Before you go looking for this script at Pemberley, let me tell you that it's not there. As the script actually belongs to Miramax, we do not feel comfortable publishing it on line. However, if you want a copy, feel free to e-mail me."}, {"response": 1537, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, May  2, 2001 (22:26)", "body": "Thanks to Karen and Fran\ufffdoise. I really enjoyed this. And thanks to Myretta for the warning."}, {"response": 1538, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, May  3, 2001 (00:02)", "body": "Thanks Karen and Francoise for all those insights. Good excuse for another viewing? As Mr. Davies does not live a million miles from me, it's a shame we could not have had this pleasure here! C'est la vie."}, {"response": 1539, "author": "rustynation", "date": "Sun, May 13, 2001 (12:55)", "body": "Okay, maybe I can at least get rid of the center, even though I can't view the source to find the fontsize. As I wrote on the CF board, I travelled 70 miles to four libraries to find all six tapes. I called ahead to the last three, and I still couldn't find everything. I found 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 in the penultimate library, and had to travel to the last to get a 3/4 set, of which my VCR tried to eat number three. It took me a few hours to remember not to start conversations with the phrase \"Hello, do you have the 1995 BBC/A&E miniseries of Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle?\" I'd say, for that amount of travel, time and aggravation, CF and JE owe me phone calls, or maybe I should interview CF in a manner unlike Bridget/Helen Fielding, with nonobsessive questions. So anyway, I'm NOT a Jane Austen fan. I very much dislike her writing style, although I found the story interesting, I suppose. On borrowing the miniseries, I expected this total droolfest. Instead, my inner film critic kicked in during all the allegedly droolworthy scenes and I questioned those scenes' purposes, laughed and threw a cheesehead at the television. Liked the miniseries, though no way in heck I'd actually buy it. My biggest complaint is about the Darcy Dive. Bridget drools over Darcy's *emerging* from the lake. All I saw was Darcy after he'd seemingly already been out of the lake for quite some time; he was walking towards Pemberley. He was drying and very little clung. Is the emergence a huge Bridget joke, or was that particular scene cut out from the library version? I was not moved at all. Also, the \"looks\" just didn't do anything either. I told him repeatedly to stop staring. In fact, I had such high hopes about the miniseries that I complained to the TV screen throughout the five hours. The only times I even came close to drooling were when the camera focused on his hair. Mmmm, those curls. Feel free to mock me. However, I do need an explanation for apparent lack of lake."}, {"response": 1540, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 13, 2001 (13:04)", "body": "We don't mock people here. We might kid around a lot, but we're friends and don't mock one another."}, {"response": 1541, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, May 13, 2001 (16:29)", "body": "(Rusty) In fact, I had such high hopes about the miniseries that I complained to the TV screen throughout the five hours. ... However, I do need an explanation for apparent lack of lake. Frankly, the lake thing wasn't an instant turnon for me either. Only after the 3rd of fourth viewing, however, did I start to appreciate the backlit silhouette of the bod. Mmmmmmm. I also found the look very touching at first and only started melting at the 3rd or fourth viewing (obviously, for me, it takes repeated exposure for things to sink in) ;-) This was back five years ago, though and my vacuous memory may be faulty. But I had just taped it off air from the original US broadcasting on A&E (Jan, 1996). I was ready and waiting and I was disappointed in many ways by the series because I was a rampant Pride & Prejudice fan (the original book -- I read it often) and approached the series with certain expectations of my own, many of which were not met. It was only after the 3rd or fourth viewing that I could look past my own personal agenda and see it for what it was, not in light of what I had wanted it to be. Only then were my eyes opened to things it offered that went well beyond my expectations in certain areas. I expect that if I had read all the hype, the mangled facts (some article-writers not only 'saw' him emerge from the lake -- scene not present -- but dive in naked in the first place!! -- It's all journalistic exaggeration to fulfill *their* agenda.), the squeals from overwrought fans, etc., I definitely would have been disappointed. If, on top of that, I had gone to such trouble to obtain it in the first place, I might even have come out disliking it in many ways, as you do. But I think that we here are Darcy maniacs because of was he DOESN'T do as well as what he does, how he can express in his eyes one emotion, while speaking just the opposite, how he can be positively dislikeable at the beginning and gradually evolve into the admirable creature that emerges in the end. We appreciate Colin's restrained, subtle, and affecting performance, just as our first (for many) exposure to CF's astounding talents. Only a personal opinion, by the way."}, {"response": 1542, "author": "rustynation", "date": "Sun, May 13, 2001 (22:10)", "body": "(in reference to KJArt's entire post which I refuse to cut and paste.) I'm used to hearing \"only a personal opinion\" used as an extreme personal defense rather than just being used to preface an opinion...wow. Weird to realize you were doing the latter. Should I blame Helen Fielding for my feelings about P&P? I think it's her fault. Or maybe it's the fault of the woman who doesn't know how to spell Firth. I can understand not being able to spell Ehle; I couldn't pronounce it until I heard Terry Gross say it, but Firth is phonetic, dangit! It's great to know that he didn't emerge from the lake, and that I didn't miss it. I dare say I watched that scene 12 times before returning the tapes; I had to drive a friend to work in the same town as the 3/4 library so there was actually a reason to go. Even after the 12th viewing, I just thought \"wot?\" I positively loved Lizzy, which I don't think I mentioned before. In fact, tonight I went to dinner in Boston's North End, and inwardly \"woo-hoo\"-ed while passing N. Bennet St. She was just, well, sassy. In fact, I could definitely picture myself in her position in both the book and miniseries. Darcy...ummm... But as for subtleties, they must have been so subtle I missed them. I'm all for less obviousness and gratuitousness in film (god help me if I end up seeing hello mummy returns), but I just saw absolutely nothing going on with Darcy. He had no more redeeming qualities to me at the end than he did at the beginning. There was something more I had planned to say here, but now I forgot. well, of course I'm into curly hair right now, so that's the only thing that would prob. have affected me anyway. \"Fitzwilliam, your scalp masseuse is here.\" BTW, is \"Colin Firth...mmmmm mmmmm.\" a copyrighted quote yet?"}, {"response": 1543, "author": "Echo", "date": "Mon, May 14, 2001 (10:10)", "body": "Firth is phonetic Only for the native English speakers, methinks. :-) This site attracts multinatonal company. :-)"}, {"response": 1544, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, May 14, 2001 (14:25)", "body": "(Rusty) BTW, is \"Colin Firth...mmmmm mmmmm.\" a copyrighted quote yet? Gee, I hope not. I use it often. ;-) KJ"}, {"response": 1545, "author": "rustynation", "date": "Mon, May 14, 2001 (19:50)", "body": "Firth is phonetic Only for the native English speakers, methinks. :-) This site attracts multinatonal company. :-) Now that I think about it, it's not phonetic in English either...but the person who couldn't spell it is a librarian in Massachusetts. It was very frustrating to talk to her after hitting three libraries and needing the elusive fourth tape. I still think CF owes me an interview in exchange for my trek, so I'm continuing my oar-obtaining story on my own website."}, {"response": 1546, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Tue, May 15, 2001 (20:34)", "body": "\"So anyway, I'm NOT a Jane Austen fan.\" I suspect this is the real reason Darcy as a character (and P&P2 as a mini-series) didn't do it for you. Those of us who grew up loving tall, dark, handsome, brooding heroes from Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, etc., find in Darcy the ideal romantic hero--he is, in fact the archetype from which all subsequent romance heroes spring, IMHO. Darcy may have had one or two predecessors in poetry, but he is the one and only original as far as novels go. Why do we love him? Let me count a few of the ways: 1. He doesn't say much in the beginning, but you just know, as the story progresses, that underneath all of that punctilious reserve there are some deeply passionate feelings just waiting to be let loose. As Darcy's devoted fans, we'd all love to be the one to make him lose that iron control. 2. Because he doesn't say much, you have to rely on Darcy's expressions (the \"looks\") to even have a clue about what he's thinking. In Austen's time, it wasn't considered polite to stare at someone, especially a young unmarried woman, because of what people might think--either about the young woman or the guy doing the \"ogling\". In P&P2, I love the way CF starts out trying to be at least somewhat inconspicuous. He looks out the window a few times when no one can see him. Many times his \"look\" is half fascinated, half angrily unwilling. He doesn't want to stare but he can't help himself, and it makes him angry with her for being so bewitching. Lizzie even kids him about it a couple of times. And why is CF's Darcy the best? Well, I've loved \"Pride and Prejudice\" all my life, but before CF's version, I never really got the impression that Darcy was having a really tough time keeping his hands to himself. He spends the first half of P&P2 looking at Lizzie like he wants to carry her off to his four-pos er for a couple of weeks, and the second half looking at her like he wants to do anything and everything in his power to make her happy--including carrying her off to his four-poster for a couple of weeks. What's not to love about him? 3. Darcy is a take charge man who knows how to get things done. Even though Elizabeth thinks that her family's situation is \"hopeless\", he makes all their troubles disappear, anonymously, just to make her happy. Who among us wouldn't want a man like that? 4. Finally, Darcy (especially CF's Darcy) is gorgeous, from the top of his curls to the tips of his booted feet. But unlike a lot of \"gorgeous\" film heroes, there is also a piercing intelligence, a sense of humor (although at times very well hidden), and a very strong sense of honor. He is, in fact, the perfect hero, except for his pride. And by the end of the book, Austen sees to it that pride is no longer a problem. Well, those are just the four main reasons I love CF, Darcy, and Pride & Prejudice. I have a lot more, but don't want to be thought a \"verbally incontinent\" poster (sorry, couldn't resist that delicious phrase from BJD)."}, {"response": 1547, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 15, 2001 (21:17)", "body": "As Darcy's devoted fans, we'd all love to be the one to make him lose that iron control. LOL. Very well put...thank you Louise. You speak for a lot of us here."}, {"response": 1548, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Tue, May 15, 2001 (21:54)", "body": "Ditto, louise! You rock!"}, {"response": 1549, "author": "rustynation", "date": "Tue, May 15, 2001 (22:12)", "body": "Ahh, feels so much better to use my real name. Louise, I LOVED your explanation. You're right, though, I never grew up with that image of a romantic hero, though I read and liked Jane Eyre during some summer when I was younger. In fact, I still can't say I have any image of a male coming to sweep me off my feet, though by looks alone, if Darcy wanted to carry me off to his four-poster bed for a couple of weeks, I would gladly follow his instructions. I indeed agree that he actually has more than one dimension though the other dimensions were harder for me to find than they were for you. However, I guess that wouldn't explain why I wanted crackers with the miniseries. And as mentioned before, I had major trouble getting into P&P just because of Jane Austen's writing style. Finally, Darcy (especially CF's Darcy) is gorgeous (sarcasm)YA THINK?(/sarcasm) verbally incontinent...gaaaah, I just realized *I'm* verbally incontinent! But though I don't like P&P much, will always love to hear about Darcy."}, {"response": 1550, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 15, 2001 (22:13)", "body": "Great explanation, Louise, and so eloquently put. No need for Depends. ;-D"}, {"response": 1551, "author": "Vosloolicker", "date": "Tue, May 15, 2001 (22:17)", "body": "Hey guys i'm new and love arnold. Does he have a fan club where i can write him?"}, {"response": 1552, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 15, 2001 (22:31)", "body": "Benita, you are on the wrong topic. There's info about Arnold on his topic."}, {"response": 1553, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Tue, May 15, 2001 (23:22)", "body": "Thank you. I feel that I have missed a lot of drool time since I did not have the internet at home at the time of the original discussions, so I must now make amends. Better late than never! I have another comment regarding the \"lake/wet shirt\" scene, which failed to move the young lady above: \"My biggest complaint is about the Darcy Dive. . . I was not moved at all.\" Perhaps you need to consider the subcontext of the scene (the between the lines stuff with which all P&P2 obsessives are familiar) rather than just the actual dive and emergence themselves. This scene is all about Fitzwilliam Darcy's lowest point in the entire story--he is losing his self-control--nay his very self--because he fears he can never have the woman he loves and desires to the exclusion of all others. He is \"stripped\" of his pride and his reserved mask and is showing his true feelings in spite of everything he tries to do to control them. So Andrew Davies decided to strip off part of his clothing to show that we are seeing the real man underneath the aristocratic, icy demeanor--and boy, this guy is like Vesuvius with molten feelings boiling just underneath the surface. This is what makes me drool, along with the hint of manly chest we can see through the famous wet shirt. When he arrives at the edge of the lake, Darcy is suffering. He has spent months engaged in physical activity and mental discipline, but to no avail (\"I shall conquer this. I shall!\"). He has trouble eating and sleeping due to his obsession with Elizabeth. When he does fall asleep from sheer exhaustion, he has fevered dreams about her (I'll leave it to your vivid imaginations to invent those). In short, he's well on his way to becoming an embarrassment to himself--and to top it all off, he knows it's all his own fault for being such a jerk. He has no hope that he will ever be able to change Lizzie's mind about him. So he decides to ride home ahead of his house party guests (again the physical activity to try to \"conquer this\") rather than come with them in his carriage as he normally would. He knows he's no fit company anyway, especially for his impressionable young sister, who must be wondering what on earth is wrong with him. By the time he reaches Pemberley, he's hot and exhausted from his ride. In spite of this, his hormones are playing up again. He decides that a dip in the lake is the answer to his immediate problems. (I'm sure that even on a hot day the lake temperature in England is \"chilly\".) He removes only the pieces of his clothing that will be ruined by the water and dives in. When he emerges, he decides that a brisk walk the rest of the way home (again the physical activity--poor guy must be in really good shape after all that--mmmmmmm). Ahem. He gets halfway to the house and who does he run into in his own garden but Lizzie. He must think for a few seconds that he's finally lost it and he's seeing things. But the apparition speaks his name and there are a couple of strangers behind her so he figures out that she's real. After a stilted conversation during which he is so rattled that he asks after her family's health twice in a few sentences, he realizes that the chill of the water is wearing off and if he doesn't get out of there he's going to further embarrass himself by being way too obviously \"happy to see her\". He excuses himself and hotfoots it to the house to make himself presentable. By the time he emerges from the house his intellect has taken over again. He has realized that if Lizzie is willing to speak civilities to him she must not hate him as badly as he thought. He immediately begins planning his campaign to win Lizzie at all costs. Between the time he dived into the lake and the time he re-emerges from his house, properly clothed again, Darcy has undergone a sea change. He is no longer the despondent lover, unable to think of any way to win his love. He has once again become the dominant alpha male--capable of doing whatever needs to be done to win Lizzie's love. He still has to perform his \"knightly deeds\" to win her hand, but we know that for the first time since that awful day in the Collins' parlor, he can succeed. I guess what I'm trying to say (in my long-winded way--forgive me, I was an English lit major as an undergrad), is that the glimpse of Darcy after his dive into the lake is not only exciting because of what it reveals of him physically (although that part is to many of us very, er, inspiring), but because of what it reveals about him as a person--the man underneath the social mask he has worn during the first half of the book/series. And underneath, unlike Wickham, Darcy is pure gold. And Colin Firth embodies him better than any other."}, {"response": 1554, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, May 16, 2001 (06:13)", "body": "Thank you so much Louise for your \"defence\" of Darcy! Thought of being a lawyer like MD?!! You've really hit the nail on the head with your comments. Andrew Davies would be proud of you (not to mention JA!) We get to see so much of the man not openly revealed to us but hinted at in the book via the serialisation. I also think that Cf's own interpretation of Darcy was a perfect foil to AD's script, who wanted to make Darcy even more \"sexy\" with naked dive and other possible changes we haven't heard of! We know Colin had an input eg the pause at the first proposal scene and the veto to appearing naked etc"}, {"response": 1555, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Wed, May 16, 2001 (07:04)", "body": "Louise, you're my hero!"}, {"response": 1556, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 16, 2001 (09:18)", "body": "Hey Louise...don't go away. Your part of the team now... No going back to lurkdom... Your impressions of the wet-shirt scene goes in my P&P scrapbook. Sure you weren't a consultant to Simon Langton?"}, {"response": 1557, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, May 16, 2001 (09:48)", "body": "V. good explanation of the droolability of the wet shirt scene, Louise. I believe it is his sudden appearance of vulnerability that really attracts us to him in that scene."}, {"response": 1558, "author": "chrisycram", "date": "Wed, May 16, 2001 (10:42)", "body": "Dear Louise, well-done, well-done! I'd been formulating in my mind a response to Emily's opinions about the book and the series, but I could never hope to do better than you. I especially enjoy your analysis of the Lake Scene (must watch again to test your theories...) and think it's a testament to CF's incredible performance that a single scene can contain so many layers to dissect. Emily, for those of us who love the book, CF's Darcy can not be equaled. I hope you will view the series again (and read the book) with a new perspective--to this day, I am still amazed by the portrayal from an acting standpoint. It's just a bonus that a heart-throb emerged for us intellectual types. ;-)"}, {"response": 1559, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, May 16, 2001 (11:19)", "body": "Louise, I agree that your analysis of Darcy is both astute and eloquent. I like the idea of Darcy as the archetype for the romantic hero. As a girl, I thought Heathcliff and Rochester were equally romantic and dashing, but as an adult, Heathcliff\ufffds violence and vengeance can\ufffdt be overlooked, and if I were the new Ms. Rochester, I\ufffdd certainly watch my step--wouldn\ufffdt want to get locked up in the attic like the first Mrs. R. :-)"}, {"response": 1560, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, May 16, 2001 (12:04)", "body": "I still think that, on the balance of historical probabilities, Darcy would not have dived in the lake at that particular time and in that particular manner. But - who cares... :-)"}, {"response": 1561, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 16, 2001 (15:48)", "body": "I like the idea of Darcy as the archetype for the romantic hero. As much as I like Mr. Darcy, I don't think if him as the archetype for the romantic hero. I go for the Scarlet Pimpernel. And who can forget Dante with his Beatrice?"}, {"response": 1562, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 16, 2001 (16:32)", "body": "(Moon) I go for the Scarlet Pimpernel I don't *seek him* anywhere. ;-D"}, {"response": 1563, "author": "rustynation", "date": "Wed, May 16, 2001 (19:47)", "body": "Louise, love the dissection...I just have to comment on two things: subtext, wot? I was so dismayed with cheesiness I forgot to look. (uggh, high school drama.) And everything I'd read about the scene (including Helen Fielding's interpretation) seemed to focus solely on the aesthetics of the wet shirt, and I was concentrating on that purely aesthetic level. I would've liked to see the shirt wetter...(or feel it)...or something. I not sure naked would have cut it for me either. And Christine, if you'd read about the trouble I went to to find all six tapes, you wouldn't ask me to watch it again. Reading it won't help at all. Eurrrrrrgh."}, {"response": 1564, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Wed, May 16, 2001 (20:05)", "body": "Thanks to all of you for the votes of confidence. However, I strongly suspect that most of the positive response is due to the fact that I am, on this particular message board (Darcy Drool), \"preaching to the choir\". \"I still think that, on the balance of historical probabilities, Darcy would not have dived in the lake at that particular time and in that particular manner. But - who cares... :-)\" I definitely agree with the last part. But I have a feeling that if Jane Austen could see P&P2, she might say, with a twinkle in her eye, \"Well, that's not precisely how I wrote it, but I must admit that your Mr. Darcy is an exceedingly fine figure of a man.\" I mean, the woman obviously had taste or she wouldn't have described Darcy as she did. \"As much as I like Mr. Darcy, I don't think if him as the archetype for the romantic hero. I go for the Scarlet Pimpernel. And who can forget Dante with his Beatrice?\" I'll give you Dante as a predecessor, although that was some of the poetry I referred to, not a novel. But I believe that \"Pride and Prejudice\" predates \"The Scarlet Pimpernel\" by about 100 years (I think that the latter was written about 1900 or so), so if Darcy and Percy are considered the same heroic \"type\", then Austen was there first, not Orczy, which is all that I meant. And of course there are dozens of variations on that archetype, of which Percy is one. For instance, I've always thought that the person who wrote Zorro must have read \"Pimpernel\" or vice versa, they have so many similarities. However, we each have our own little list of \"perfect hero\" prerequisites, and yours are as good as anyone's. I like Percy too, I just don't like him as well as Darcy. Finally, as I mentioned above, when I took a course on Jane Austen in college, my professor thought that \"Emma\" was the \"most perfect novel in the English language.\" But I always figured he thought so because he had a crush on Emma. Personally, I loved Mr. Knightley, but I thought Emma herself was a royal pain to her friends and family (although usually well-intentioned). However, I could not identify with her the way I could with Lizzie--who had no money, and was not the most beautiful woman in town, but she could hold her own in witty repartee with the Darcys of the world. In all but \"connections\" and wealth, she and Darcy were a match of equals from the beginning--it just took them a while to figure it out. And the novel itself--wonderful structure--just like the dance at Netherfield they come together and move apart again and again in the time-honored dance of courtship as performed by two of the most entertaining romantic characters in literature."}, {"response": 1565, "author": "chrisycram", "date": "Thu, May 17, 2001 (09:09)", "body": "Emily, I did read with amusement about the enormous effort you put forth to find all six tapes (when we were both posting on the wrong topic, I believe) and even responded. I commend you for your perserverance and am very sorry that you were disappointed. You can't blame a girl for trying to defend her man! Have tried to rent it at the video store? BTW, I just realized that I delurked here rather abruptly. I'd just joined on 143 last week. Sorry to just pop up without a proper hello!"}, {"response": 1566, "author": "rustynation", "date": "Thu, May 17, 2001 (16:28)", "body": "Christine, re: having heard about my struggles, oh, oops, sorry :) I've been to at least five video stores and the only CF I see and recognize is TEP, SiL, and Circle of Friends. I own the first (luv the Fiennes boys), am indifferent on the second (own Elizabeth instead), and hated the third. I rarely even see any version of P&P. And my current novelish copy of P&P is too hard to read, especially with no CF on the cover! It's the killer Austen anthology. (Changing topic back to Darcy) So, everyone, should I rerent tape four and just watch the Darcy Dive over and over? Or just watch the tape over and over? That's actually the one tape for which I had to hit the fourth library."}, {"response": 1567, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Thu, May 17, 2001 (16:38)", "body": "Apropos of nothing - finished watching P&P2 again last night. I think my favorite Darcy Moment is in tape 3, the first proposal. His out-of-character floundering and the (pause)(almost says something)(looks pained)(pause) cycle always makes me laugh."}, {"response": 1568, "author": "Echo", "date": "Thu, May 17, 2001 (17:37)", "body": "Hasn't it been said here already and several times over - don't bother watching Darcy dive - it's not Colin! The bod never seemed right to me, anyway - the calves are a tad too thick... ;-)"}, {"response": 1569, "author": "chrisycram", "date": "Thu, May 17, 2001 (17:44)", "body": "(Emily) So, everyone, should I rerent tape four and just watch the Darcy Dive over and over? Or just watch the tape over and over? That's actually the one tape for which I had to hit the fourth library. I would definitely recommend to watch again in its entirety if not for your difficulties. V. puzzled by lack of availability at video store. I don't live in what is considered a large city and found it very easily at my Blockbuster. It was in the drama section. I would expect that the demand for it has increased since the release of BJD, therefore increasing its availability. As for the lake scene, that is not the one I replay. Like KJArt, my appreciation for Darcy slowly developed over several viewings. Darcy's physical appearance in the lake scene didn't do it for me (and still doesn't); it's the subtext that stirs you. I get the feeling that you feel like you have to love P&P2 as much as the rest of us. I'm pretty new here, but I don't think you'll be ostracized if you're not a full-on Darcy devotee! Laura T, I just watched it again last night too! That pause is classic, thought my favorites are 1) drawing room scene in which Caroline Bingley parades by with Lizzie and he makes the \"shocking\" comment about admiring their figures; the mischievous smile kills me, and 2) the tortured post-proposal letter-writing scene ending the next morning with wet face and open shirt. Mmmmmm, that is truly scrumptious..."}, {"response": 1570, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, May 17, 2001 (17:49)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1571, "author": "Echo", "date": "Thu, May 17, 2001 (18:01)", "body": "Oh, goody, we're really into drooling again. Don't stop, everybody, keep going! :-)"}, {"response": 1572, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 17, 2001 (18:04)", "body": "Frankly, he had me intrigued when he said 'on foot?' and then looked fairly amused. But the clincher was the Netherfield Ball, when their hands touched (and later the eyeroll...) The pond scene was fine, but it didn't affect me. Actually, I prefer the fencing scene before (I will conquer this). (Christine) I don't think you'll be ostracized if you're not a full-on Darcy devotee! Quite right, but I don't think you can convince anyone. They either like it or don't. No amount of explanation is going to convince anyone that the pond scene or any scene has or should have a sensory feeling for them. That's the nature of the beast. Most missed scenes from book to movie: (1) the others in the Netherfield drawing room while Jane is sick, particularly the one where Darcy asks Elizabeth to dance with him. No way should that have been left out and (2) their post engagement walk."}, {"response": 1573, "author": "Echo", "date": "Thu, May 17, 2001 (18:16)", "body": "I can't tear my eyes away from Colin and the little nuances in his facial expression and the body language - so virtually all Darcy scenes are my favourite. But the greatest favourite of mine is the Netherfield Ball dance scene, a veritable concert of acting while dancing, apparently so airy and effortless and so utterly electric. I never tire of watching it over and over again."}, {"response": 1574, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 17, 2001 (19:12)", "body": "Lamptom Inn and \"On Foot?\" did it for me. All the scenes with Lizzie are electric....and in Episode 6 when he goes back with Mr. Bingley...\"Jane, Jane...he's come, he's come...\" Those looks...erotic."}, {"response": 1575, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Thu, May 17, 2001 (19:27)", "body": "Lamptom Inn Yeah, the unconscious hand-holding and \"Are you ill?\" is very sweet. :) On a less salubrious topic - what was up with CF's and CB-C's pants in the wedding scene? There's some serious ... crotch-area funniness going on. (Excuse me if this has already been discussed ad nauseum. ;) )"}, {"response": 1576, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, May 17, 2001 (19:39)", "body": "My answer to your question, Emily, would be that watching the pond scene again and again won't help you appreciate P&P more than you do now. It's just another piece of Darcy, though vital to us as Louise so eloquently explained, but as you can see from the other favorite scenes listed above, each of us has many different favorite Darcy moments. Each scene pulls back the curtain just a tiny bit more on the man. I don't think one scene alone can help you appreciate the character though it certainly wouldn't prevent the appreciation of his looks. I'll add my \"amen\" to all the above and add the piano scene at Rosings. We know at this point he's besotted by Elizabeth and is actually thinking of taking the drastic, almost impossible step of making her his wife. He thinks he's in control of his feelings but at the same time finds any reason he can to be in her company. He is looking mighty, mighty fine, dark and handsome in his black suit. He strides purposefully to the piano not just to escape his vulgar aunt but to check out what kind of flirtation is going on between Elizabeth and his cousin. She allows him into the conversation with the intention of making sport of him but it turns out that his directness and perception ends up unsettling her. \"We neither of us perform to strangers.\" He's left her speechless for a moment and it wasn't just those piercing dark eyes though frankly that's all I\"d have needed to have slid under the piano."}, {"response": 1577, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 17, 2001 (19:48)", "body": "You forgot something, Heidi...when he (ever so quickly) glances down at her cleavage...*drooling*. She's got Colonel Fitzwilliam under her spell...and she's making the most of it."}, {"response": 1578, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Thu, May 17, 2001 (20:01)", "body": "I agree with Karen. No amount of rewatching is going to do any good. You either get it or you don't and please don't feel bad about it! Go on and watch those movies you love! Forget about P&P."}, {"response": 1579, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, May 18, 2001 (09:04)", "body": "Dear god, hell is freezing...pigs are flying...I actually agree with Lassie on this point. You sound quite convinced that you don't like P&P, Emily, so by this time I doubt you can be swayed. We'll also spare you the trouble of recounting your library trials and tribulations any further."}, {"response": 1580, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Fri, May 18, 2001 (11:51)", "body": "Oh God...Gwynnie (or is it Sally) just flew past my window..."}, {"response": 1581, "author": "chrisycram", "date": "Fri, May 18, 2001 (14:33)", "body": "Phew! After several days (what with work and sleep getting in the way), have finally read through the first 1500 posts on this topic. As I mentioned earlier, I delurked at 143 recently--prematurely I think. For had I come here first, I would have known that I am home! I've missed so much (Gi's marriage, Nan's graduation) and learned so much (glad to be in the company of other Guilty Marrieds). Such wit and intelligence abound here, I scarcely feel qualified to speak. Like Caroline (where have you gone?), I too was feeling a little insane at first. I'd long admired CF and been a fan of P&P, but it wasn't until I saw BJD that I succumbed (surrendered!) to true Firthaholism. That's when I went on the internet, secretively at first, looking at the websites, reading about CF's earlier works, devouring any information about ODB. Then I stumbled across the Drool conference and the rest is history. I've mentioned my new hobby to some friends and was met with a lot of chiding--but I do not care! Now, every ne, please start the 12 steps with me, \"My name is Christine and I'm a Firthaholic...\" ;-)"}, {"response": 1582, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 18, 2001 (15:16)", "body": "but we're not trying to recover. Did you see Gi's Shower or our other birthday celebrations? Yes, we have fun here, out in the open, shaking our fists at the world to despise us if they dare. ;-D"}, {"response": 1583, "author": "caribou", "date": "Fri, May 18, 2001 (15:23)", "body": "I was in the middle before I knew it had begun. So, during my umpteenth viewing of P&P, I tried to assess what had happened. It was the open-collar scenes: the bath, the letter, the pond and meeting. Darcy is most appealing when he looks his most vulnerable. Because he is never, ever vulnerable; he makes a study of not being. He always, always wins in every situation--until-- he meets his match. Re: the pond scene. For me, it's not seeing someone jump into water or even come out wet, it's meeting the one person on the planet who has refused him what he wanted when he is the least prepared to meet her. Jane Austin reaches out, past 200 years, with her words and I still feel a pit in my stomach when I read that section or think about her words while watching Colin."}, {"response": 1584, "author": "chrisycram", "date": "Fri, May 18, 2001 (16:54)", "body": "(Karen) but we're not trying to recover. Quite right! Was attempt at humor failing miserably. (Caribou) I still feel a pit in my stomach when I read that section or think about her words while watching Colin. Groooooan. I concur wholeheartedly. I just purchased the tapes from A&E and am giddy with anticipation! No more looking sheepish at video store."}, {"response": 1585, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 18, 2001 (17:04)", "body": "Your humor didn't fail. Got it. I should put *winkie winkie* next to my remark. You're very much on the same wavelength (Martian or further galaxy) as most others here. ;-))))"}, {"response": 1586, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Fri, May 18, 2001 (18:36)", "body": "You're very much on the same wavelength ... as most others here. 589 nm? [1] ;) (Whoa. Obscure chemistry reference. How can I make that relevant to CF or Mr. Darcy. A challenge indeed.) Hmm. John Dalton, who was a prominent early 19th century chemist, came up with the idea of partial pressures of gases being additive, and did some of the first work on atomic theory, if I remember correctly. There was quite a few 'gentleman scientists' in Britain at the time who came up with some great stuff. I can see Darcy getting into that sort of thing - it's all controlled and intellectual. He could join the Royal Society and build a lab in an unused wing of Pemberley; work in his lab in slightly stained lawn shirts with rolled up sleeves and a distracted look in his eyes... See, I managed to get back to drool. :) (running away as people pelt her w/ rotten tomatoes) [1] wavelength of sodium light, in nanometers; first discovered by somebody important and it ended up being influential in spectral analysis..."}, {"response": 1587, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 18, 2001 (22:23)", "body": "(Laura) work in his lab in slightly stained lawn shirts with rolled up sleeves and a distracted look in his eyes... Wire whisk in hand, beating something... ;-D"}, {"response": 1588, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, May 19, 2001 (08:21)", "body": "(Christine) Guilty Marrieds LOL! I like it, I like it. So, will you keep your new P&P tape set out in the open or stash it where hubby never goes, like next to the vacuum cleaner? Will you be watching your new video when the mood strikes or wait until hubby is safely out of the house? ;-) I think there's a GM here who watches it in the middle of the night when her DH is fast asleep."}, {"response": 1589, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Sat, May 19, 2001 (17:38)", "body": "\"Then I stumbled across the Drool conference and the rest is history.\" Same here. I have been drooling over CF for years, but had never really been able to find such a lot of good Firthaholic \"comrades in arms\". The kind who will agree wholeheartedly with your \"ravings\" on such important matters as which tight breeches are most becoming to Darcy and which Darcy scene is the most drool-worthy. It's too bad we can't have weekly midnight screenings of selected P&P2 episodes (similar to Rocky Horror Picture Shows) where people quote the dialog and dress like their favorite characters. It would be great to have a big group who would sigh and groan and oooh and aaah over the same scenes at once. BJD was v. good for this, but needed to have many more CF scenes to give sufficient fix to Firthaholics. In one of the interviews I read CF comments that he finds leading man/romantic type parts to be boring, but that they make his mum happy. Surely he must know by now that she's not the only one."}, {"response": 1590, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sat, May 19, 2001 (18:40)", "body": "Darcy... in his lab... whisk in hand, beating something... ;-D The image that conjures is far from scientific. ;-D next to the vacuum cleaner Are we allowed to mention this particular object now? ;-)"}, {"response": 1591, "author": "chrisycram", "date": "Mon, May 21, 2001 (11:36)", "body": "(Heidi) So, will you keep your new P&P tape set out in the open or stash it where hubby never goes, like next to the vacuum cleaner? Will you be watching your new video when the mood strikes or wait until hubby is safely out of the house? (still have not learned how to italicize as the HTML help link is broken...anyone have suggestions?) I boldly watch whenever I please since DH is very indulgent and understanding, if not a little bewildered. Laura, very funny re: lab. It was a stretch, but you managed to bring it back! I was at a dinner party the other night and the topic got round to books and I mentioned that I had just re-read P&P. A woman piped up and said, \"Oh, I loved the A&E series! Did you know that actor Colin Firth is featured in People magazine's 50 Most Beautiful? I was surprised but I thought, well he IS, dammit!\" I remember thinking to myself, \"She must be very intelligent...\" ;-)"}, {"response": 1592, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 21, 2001 (11:57)", "body": "Instructions have been sent."}, {"response": 1593, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (19:40)", "body": "Favorite scenes:"}, {"response": 1594, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (19:41)", "body": "sorry...:-("}, {"response": 1595, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, May 25, 2001 (08:27)", "body": "Gaah! You've been xoom'ed. :-/"}, {"response": 1596, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun 17, 2001 (09:00)", "body": "For all the P&P obsessives, there is a v. cute story by Karen N.in FF topic #130. Part 3 is posting #850. Lizzie sprains her ankle at Pemberley and has to stay over to recover..."}, {"response": 1597, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Wed, Jul 11, 2001 (07:16)", "body": "Reading all your comments on the P&P2-subject made me laugh more than I've done in a long time, as I see my own thoughts in yours:) Glad not be alone with this obsession - I believe my family are growing quite tired of me seeing the tapes all the time and talking of CF. Indeed I like all the Darcy-scenes, but one of my favorites are when he says: \"You take an eager interest in that gentleman's concerns' and \"His misfortunes...yes, his misfortunes have been great indeed.' I find him very powerful (as he knows that he's being wronged). And yes: the eyeroll is quite cute! ;oD"}, {"response": 1598, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Wed, Jul 11, 2001 (07:21)", "body": "Another thing... what about the scene where Lizzy (during her stay at Netherfield) is walking down the stairs and into the room, where Darcy is playing billiard by himself??"}, {"response": 1599, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 11, 2001 (09:08)", "body": "what about the scene where Lizzy (during her stay at Netherfield) is walking down the stairs and into the room, where Darcy is playing billiard by himself?? Erotic...full of symbolism. *sigh*"}, {"response": 1600, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Wed, Jul 11, 2001 (19:53)", "body": "I've desided to see all my P&P-tapes through again, while I think of what you've been written. Oh my...I can hardly wait, but right now I'm too tired, so it'll have to be tommorow morning. See you then;oD"}, {"response": 1601, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Jul 11, 2001 (20:03)", "body": "Darcy is playing billiard by himself Isn't what they call pocket billiard? ;-) An advance notice to the Brit fans: BBC2 TV is preparing a program about 1990s - called \"I Love 1990s\", in a series usually screened on Saturdays at 9 p.m. - and one of the subjects they are researching for 1995 is Darcymania. Don't know when it will be shown yet."}, {"response": 1602, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Jul 11, 2001 (20:05)", "body": "Ooops again. Please insert \"that\" where appropriate ;-) ."}, {"response": 1603, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 11, 2001 (20:39)", "body": "Yes, I posted a message about this a long time ago, as I was contacted by the BBC. I asked for volunteers to be interviewed for the program. I know at least one has been contacted. Have you been interviewed?"}, {"response": 1604, "author": "LyndaL", "date": "Wed, Jul 11, 2001 (21:05)", "body": "Hi all, am coming out of lurkdom (don't faint Evelyn or Karen)for a few minutes. Was flipping channels and happened upon CNN with Marial Hemingway as guest on Larry King. I didn't see much but I believe she said Londinium is scheduled to be shown on HBO September 2, back to back with other Mike Binder movie ... name of which escapes me right now. They also apparently showed a clip (probably small and possibly just Marial--I didn't see it) of Londinium. Will post quickly in case someone wants to catch the replay of Larry King later tonight and have get more thorough info."}, {"response": 1605, "author": "LyndaL", "date": "Wed, Jul 11, 2001 (21:12)", "body": "Oops, didn't see your post first, Karen--shoulda known I couldn't beat you to the punch ;-)"}, {"response": 1606, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 11, 2001 (21:15)", "body": "*just picked myself off the floor* LOL! So you missed the clip too? I'm setting my VCR for the replay. All they did was talk about her sister and her grandfather that I got antsy and went into the other room. When I went back I heard the movie names and that there had been clips, I speed-dialed Evelyn and she missed it too! ...never thought I'd live to see the day. :-)"}, {"response": 1607, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 11, 2001 (21:17)", "body": "WELCOME LYNDA!!!! Dear Buddy ...Now don't go away. You're here now...there's no going back to lurkdom!!"}, {"response": 1608, "author": "LyndaL", "date": "Wed, Jul 11, 2001 (21:26)", "body": "Hey Evelyn, wouldn't you know, in my haste, I posted on wrong board, DUH! Think I will slink back to lurkdom now . . . (anyway, my computer crashed after I posted, maybe that was a sign!)"}, {"response": 1609, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 11, 2001 (22:34)", "body": "Oh noooooooooo you don't. Feel like I should've deleted my news posting so you could do it but it's too late."}, {"response": 1610, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (02:47)", "body": "Just seen the first four episodes(P&P)... and I've come across another Darcy-moment: The look he has when he says:\"Yes, I call it a very easy distance\", looking down as if he doesn't really dare to meet her eyes... Back to the last two episodes;o)"}, {"response": 1611, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (05:26)", "body": "Stumbled on the Rocker Horror P&P2script, but can't seem to find it again (thought it would be funny to try it out) Could anyone help? continuing congratulating myself on discovering this place...am I in Heaven??(*sigh*) Pocket billiard???*lol* What a thought;oD"}, {"response": 1612, "author": "Echo", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (09:00)", "body": "K:Have you been interviewed? No, but they have asked Three Deers (firth.com) for some info. Pocket billiard???*lol* What a thought;oD Pulling your leg(s) as Regency trousers had no sufficiently deep pockets... there was a watch pocket, of course, but that's a separate story altogether... ;-)"}, {"response": 1613, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (09:02)", "body": "Yes, that occurred to me afterward that they would've contacted you as well."}, {"response": 1614, "author": "Echo", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (09:13)", "body": "Perhaps out of curiosity if nothing else."}, {"response": 1615, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (10:32)", "body": "I'm beginnig a scrapbook -thought of using some of your lovly comments...hope you don't mind...?? What is to become of us? Sometimes I catch myself in smiling dreamingly, while thinking of that hansome guy...\"What is to be done? I know very well that nothing can be done...How are such feelings to be worked on?\";oD -well, never mind...I've wouldn't under any circumstances have them altered;o)"}, {"response": 1616, "author": "Echo", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (09:24)", "body": "CALLING ALL DARCY FANS! BBC TV is URGENTLY seeking Darcy fans - they want to talk to ANYONE who feels they are/have been constant, unshakeable, devoted, super Darcy maniacs. But time is running short! BBC will be filming in New York on Monday and in Los Angeles a little later in the week - if any American Darcymaniac wishes to talk to them, please let Three Deers (at www.firth.com) know so I can put you in touch. British Darcymaniacs are also eagerly sought!!! Interested parties may use the following e-mail address initially (but please HURRY!): threedeers@yahoo.com Unfortunately The Republic of Pemberley is closed until Monday - any ideas where else we may find Darcy fans?"}, {"response": 1617, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Thu, Jul 19, 2001 (18:54)", "body": "So I rented the video of A&E's production of Emma today. It stars a pre-Pearl Harbour Kate Beckinsdale. I haven't gotten very far into it, coz I keep rewinding back to the P&P trailer that ran at the start of the tape. Oddly enough, it showed a bunch of snippets ( the famous 'Wot, stalking back to Rosings after the first proposal ) in the trailer, that aren't in the A&E broadcast version. I know, coz thats what I have on tape and I'm seeing these bits for the fist time and boy o boy, are they yummy or what ? That angry, tortured look on his face as he leaves Huntsford Parsonage just gets me right here !!!!"}, {"response": 1618, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jul 20, 2001 (13:55)", "body": "Our firth.com and colinfirth.com domains were renewed today though 8/12/2002 and 8/16/2002. They've been active since August 12 and 16 of 1998."}, {"response": 1619, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Fri, Jul 20, 2001 (14:54)", "body": "By the way, in this A&E production of Emma, there is a fabulous portrait of Frank Churchill, one of the central characters. It is very life like and doesn't makes its object look stilted at all. So if the producers of Emma,( a aproject with a smaller budget than P&P,) were able to drum up a decent portrait...why, o why wasn't a similar effort put into the portrait of Mr Darcy in P&P ? The Darcy pic is MUCH more important to the P&P storyline and the pic gets much more screen time.....but my goodnes, its absolutley awful. It doesn't even look like him, does it ?"}, {"response": 1620, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 20, 2001 (15:34)", "body": "Thanks Terry.We appreciate your efforts. Webmasters: Any updates in the pipeline?"}, {"response": 1621, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Jul 22, 2001 (13:00)", "body": "Webmasters: Any updates in the pipeline? Well... can't access cf.com by ftp presently, but I think/hope Terry is already working on it. After that we may consider removing some broken links, and add a pic or two. ;-)"}, {"response": 1622, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Jul 22, 2001 (14:57)", "body": "Go to it ;-)"}, {"response": 1623, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Mon, Jul 30, 2001 (21:20)", "body": "I have been re-watching P&P2 lately, and subsequently felt the urge to check out the continuing adventures of EB and FD (in addition to those at fanfic, of course). Do any of you recommend any of the post-P&P2 \"literature\", such as \"The Diary of Fitzwilliam Darcy\", etc. I have been tempted to give a couple of them a try, but wanted to get a little feedback before I do. The reviews on Amazon appear to be mixed."}, {"response": 1624, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 30, 2001 (22:21)", "body": "I've only read The Diary of Henry Fitzwilliam Darcy and thought it was OK. Can't remember too many details however. Weren't there a bunch of mistakes? However, the *good* parts were pretty good as I recall. ;-) There's a gender bender contemporary update that I liked called Lions and Liquorice."}, {"response": 1625, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Mon, Jul 30, 2001 (23:29)", "body": "Thanks. I may just give the \"Diary\" a try, as long as the \"good parts\" are worth it. I had not heard about the second one. Will check it out."}, {"response": 1626, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jul 31, 2001 (10:07)", "body": "Louise and Karen, look on #148. I've submitted The Miami Herald's write up (cogle@herald.com)of a book that could be very interesting to fans of Austen (it may have P & P2 tidbits as well). Karen, does the above address enable one to pick up the picture of the book cover that was included? It's very cute and was definitely inspired by P & P2! Sorry I'm not computer literate enough to do it myself."}, {"response": 1627, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 31, 2001 (10:14)", "body": "The above is an email address. I have checked the newspaper site and there isn't any illustration. Actually, the best places to talk about Austen books/sequels are here or on Fan Fic (130)."}, {"response": 1628, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 31, 2001 (10:17)", "body": "Book cover from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0141001925/qid=996592461/sr=1-3/ref=sc_b_3/107-6849898-0887708"}, {"response": 1629, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jul 31, 2001 (10:30)", "body": "Thanks, Karen. The cover looks so much better in color. It was in B/W and much smaller in the article. I think those are PF Flyers ;-). Why do I feel like Mr. Collins on the dance floor? Can't seem to figure out which way to go when posting...should I put the article over here?"}, {"response": 1630, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, Jul 31, 2001 (11:09)", "body": "The lady's got very sensible shoes, but what has that man got on his head?"}, {"response": 1631, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 31, 2001 (11:13)", "body": "Whoever did that cover should be shot...What creeps. Gaaaaagh...are those red trainers that she's wearing? With a star, makes them Converse.Not even cool Nike's."}, {"response": 1632, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jul 31, 2001 (12:21)", "body": "I think the artist has a good sense of humor. Lizzie is a walker and a runner and that's what the shoes suggest. It's cute. It's no different than the Bond/Darcy cartoon though that was a combination of two characters. They're slightly exaggerated, that's all. It is also apparently *Jane Austen for the layman* (though written by a college professor). It's interesting, light, beach reading ;-). So I say it's cute."}, {"response": 1633, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 31, 2001 (13:08)", "body": "Lizzie is a walker and a runner and that's what the shoes suggest. That's Lizzie??? Ohmigod...with that face? And so that makes the guy Mr. Darcy? Sense of humor? A kindergartener could have done better. (Lora)So I say it's cute. Cute for *you*...but I'm sticking to my story... \"creepy\" ...not *my* beach reading."}, {"response": 1634, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Tue, Jul 31, 2001 (14:06)", "body": "Yikes that guy in the cartoon looks like Mr Collins"}, {"response": 1635, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Tue, Jul 31, 2001 (14:08)", "body": "I have the hardcover version of that book, and the book is very good, and fun reading. I must admit I like the HC cover art better, though: http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0670874256.01.LZZZZZZZ.gif"}, {"response": 1636, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 31, 2001 (15:27)", "body": "(Evelyn) That's Lizzie??? Ohmigod...with that face? Naw, that's Jane. Cool off."}, {"response": 1637, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 31, 2001 (15:27)", "body": "Ooops, I meant Austen, not Bennet."}, {"response": 1638, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 31, 2001 (15:59)", "body": "Evelyn) That's Lizzie??? Ohmigod...with that face? (Karen)Naw, that's Jane. Cool off. Whew!! The HC Jane...Austen looks like a sister to Alfred E.Neuman No? Glad to hear the book is good & funny. Redeems the covers. \"Can't judge...\" ;-)))"}, {"response": 1639, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Tue, Jul 31, 2001 (16:39)", "body": "I can't check 'cause I'm at work, but I seem to remember that the HC pic was based on the only extant pic of JA, but they added a smile? So if JA's the one on the PB cover, who's the guy supposed to be?"}, {"response": 1640, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Tue, Aug  7, 2001 (22:27)", "body": "I've been rewatching P&P2 a lot lately, and have a question about something that has been puzzling me: whenever Bingley and Darcy go to visit Longbourne together, the maid always announces them in that order (Bingley before Darcy). Doesn't she know that FD is the grandson (and cousin) of an Earl? And that he is much more droolworthy in every way? Why then does she introduce him last? Is she a closet pre-Marxist? A strict alphabetarian? A believer in affability before Beauty? For some reason, I would expect that the protocol of the day would put Mr. Darcy before Mr. Bingley (duh) at all times. Do any of you know why they did not in P&P2?"}, {"response": 1641, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Tue, Aug  7, 2001 (23:36)", "body": "First of all, thank goodness we have some activity at #112 again. It's been awfully dead here of late. Woo Hoo, lets get to it. My take, is that yes, the maid should have announced Darcy first, as he is undoubtidly the social superior of the two. In a strictly formal household, like that of Mr Collins or Lady Catherine, the proper social protocol would definatley be followed and, the Mr Darcys of the world would always be announced first. Any servant who screwed up, would be probably be reprimanded or fired, because of the resulting \"insult\" to the person of higher rank. However, the Bennett household is not so grand, and matters of that sort are probably treated a bit more casually. The maid is probably a simple country girl and nowhere near as schooled in matters of etiquette as maids in other posher households. She probably doesn't even know which of the two men has the higher social rank, to her a gentleman is just a gentleman. There is also the possibility that sweet, affable Bingley endeared himself to the maid, with a nice smile and that he rememberd her name from his last visit,so she announced him first. Darcy on the other hand, was probably really nervous about meeting Lizzie again and was quiet and withdrawn. The maid may also have been imtimidated by his reputation as a proud, cold man. ( Remember, after all of Wickhams badmouthing of him, all of Meryton turns against him. ) The maid has also had a year of listening to Mrs Bennet rave about how wonderful Bingley is, thus leading her to announce him first, knowing how eager Mrs B. is to have him wooing her daughter again."}, {"response": 1642, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Wed, Aug  8, 2001 (14:58)", "body": "Good Lord, where IS everyone ?"}, {"response": 1643, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Aug  8, 2001 (18:06)", "body": "Louise and Beth, I believe all your reasons are valid for the maid's error (particularly like the pre-Marxist possibility).;-) My take is that she, along with everyone else in the county, favors Bingley over Darcy. And the second time she knew he is going to marry Jane. Darcy's just a nuisance. Hey, I love discussing this important stuff. It's always bothered me that no one in the Bennet family except Mr. Collins seems to notice that Lizzy is dancing with Darcy. You'd think Mrs. Bennet would have had something to say."}, {"response": 1644, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Wed, Aug  8, 2001 (19:13)", "body": "I always thought the reason Hill announced Bingley first was because he had a 'card' (didn't they always present cards back then?) and was still a resident of the county... maybe not. I'm glad you brought it up LouiseJ! (Heide) It's always bothered me that no one in the Bennet family except Mr. Collins seems to notice that Lizzy is dancing with Darcy. You'd think Mrs. Bennet would have had something to say. JA really didn't bring up either, except to say that the by reading her nieghbors looks of amazement that they had noticed. But I agree Heide, perhaps if the general populace didn't think so poorly of Darcy then maybe they would have done more than accept it as compliment to Jane and Bingley... 'cause you know Mrs. B shouted to the entire neighborhood that her Jane was staying at Mr. Bingley's house as his guest and that Lizzy was merely the chaperone..."}, {"response": 1645, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Wed, Aug  8, 2001 (20:40)", "body": "Hmmmmm....why did the rest of the Bennets not noticing that Lizzie was dancing with Darcy ???? I guess they were all too preoccupied with their own affairs...Jane with Bingley, Lydia and Kitty with the officers, Mary with her music and Mrs B. gossiping with the neighbours. I suppose it IS odd that her father didn't notice who she is dancing with, considering she is his favourite daughter and that only a short while before, Lizzie swore she would never dance with Darcy after he slighted her at the Assembley Rooms. I also don't think Lizzie has a close enough relationship with her younger sisters or her mother, that would warrant them really paying close enough attention to what she gets up to at a ball. The two people who really do care ( Jane and Mr. Bennet ) probably have enough tact and delicacy NOT to make their surprise evident, when they saw her dancing with Darcy."}, {"response": 1646, "author": "AnnieZ", "date": "Mon, Aug 13, 2001 (16:58)", "body": "This is my 2-cents: Why the maid always announces in the order of Bingley before Darcy? 1. Bingley was a prestigious rich resident of Netherfield Park. Darcy was mere a guest of Bingley's. Darcy was only a gentleman not an Earl himself no matter how rich he was ;-) 2. Bingley was a well known husband candidate for Jane in the household. Darcy was believed a proud man who took no interest in the local girls including the Bennet's. why did the rest of the Bennets not noticing that Lizzie was dancing with Darcy ? They did notice it and so did everyone in the Ball, IMO. But the reaction would be a sympathy (and puzzled a little too ;-)) for Lizzy who had to endure such a disagreeable man by dancing with him - poor girl! . This reminds me what Mrs. Bennet said when she suggested Lizzy to take a walk with Darcy: \"I am quite sorry, Lizzy, that you should be forced to have that disagreeable man all to yourself. But I hope you will not mind it: it is all for Jane's sake, you know; and there is no occasion for talking to him, except just now and then. So, do not put yourself to inconvenience.\" You don't mention something that will be a pain to some one, do you? Besides, every one knew that Darcy was a proud man who didn't take a fancy on the inferiors. So dancing with one wouldn't have any consquence. Annie who can't resist any discussion about Mr. Darcy ;-)"}, {"response": 1647, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Mon, Aug 13, 2001 (22:00)", "body": "Re the maid not acknowledging Darcy first: I still go with the pre-Marxist theory. I thought she had a proletarian gleam in her eye. I remember a great line I once read a great line (from a character in an English book): \"I'm just like the proletariat--boring from within.\" I remember thinking that the latter was an excellent description of Karl Marx and his writings, TSTVL (or at least the part I had to read in political science. Marx might have had some great joke books that I didn't get around to, if Groucho, Harpo and Chico are any indication.) As for the Bennett's maid, for whatever the reason, she obviously saved the best for last."}, {"response": 1648, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, Aug 14, 2001 (09:18)", "body": "Bingley was Bennets' \"next door\" neighbour and Darcy was a guest staying in his house - therefore in that particular situation Bingley took precendence as the more important of the two visitors. When in Netherfield and neighbourhood, Darcy was just someone in Bingley's tow, regardless of his social superiority."}, {"response": 1649, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Wed, Aug 15, 2001 (10:32)", "body": "There is an article in today's Chronicle of Higher Education on new Jane Austen scholarship (titled \"Sex and Sensibility: Scholars Redefine Jane Austen.\") that focuses on the debate as to whether it is appropriate to research the sexual undertones (or lack thereof) in her writings vs. the asexual nature of some of her work. Its a fascinating article. Here's the link: http://chronicle.com/free/v47/i49/49a01001.htm"}, {"response": 1650, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Wed, Aug 15, 2001 (14:25)", "body": "Wow, that is one heckuva' article. There is almost too much too take in. However, I do feel it would be a shame if too many authors induldge in fanciful conjecturings on Jane Austen's sexuality in her own life and in her books. While its fun for us to ponder on it ( propmpted a lot by mega hunks like Colin Firth ) I think is does JA no favours, by broadcasing these theories to the world at large. I'm all for scholarly exploration of her works. But coming up with and publishing crazy notions, that she and Cassandra were gay is just ridiculous, wrong and very disrespectful of Jane herself. I wonder if these authors ( who may have better qualifications than we do,) truely love her as we do and, if they love her for HERSELF not what THEY want her to be. It seems to me, that in a time when it gets harder and harder to come up with a new angle,( on an author who has been researched in depth for 200 years,) these acedemics are exploiting Jane for their own ends. They get all the publicity/notariety that attends coming up with this bold new theory, but poor Janes name gets dragged thru the mud as a result. I don't think thats fair. I don't want to seem close minded to new ideas on long dead authors. However, Jane Austen is what she is. There are no direct sexual references in her book. Any theories that we come up with, are always going to be the products of our own minds and wishes, and not Jane Austens pen. Ok, phew.....steps down off soap box"}, {"response": 1651, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Wed, Aug 15, 2001 (22:28)", "body": "Yeah, what a bunch of turkies, trying to turn Jane into a \"modern\" woman. I think that she just met her \"Darcy\" when young and lost him. She never got over it (would Elizabeth have gotten over it? would you? I think not!) Your heart would probably bleed for her if you could read the true story. She always gave her characters (well, the good ones, anyway) happy endings to their love affairs. It's too bad she didn't get the same. We love JA just as she is, so don't try to change her into something she's not."}, {"response": 1652, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Thu, Aug 16, 2001 (11:33)", "body": "How interesting. The Cambridge set of books sounds like a winner (and a budget-breaker). And they quoted F.R. Leavis. :) Seems like Janet Todd in the last paragraph says it well: \"Austen becomes in a sense much funnier and more acute if you put her in context. Because quite often she's satirizing her sisters. She finds them, I think, moving, but also ridiculous.\" I (personally) think that this is where some of the films fall down. If you take the story out of context, it just doesn't work as powerfully."}, {"response": 1653, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Thu, Aug 16, 2001 (17:18)", "body": "I agree with all of your comments. But as a historian, myself, I do have to agree/defend with the comment of Beth: that in a time when it gets harder and harder to come up with a new angle . That's just it. We as academics, are dependent upon getting a new angle on a subject. I don't doubt the scholarship the literary people (mentioned in the article) who have suggested different (or shocking, to some) readings into Jane's work. Nor do I think that they are trying to tarnish her image, per se...but rather, get people discussing her, disagreeing with their ideas, and furthering field. I agree with you, Laura, on the films. Many of them ignore historical context, and concentrate almost too much (if that is possible) on the romantic aspects of the stories. I thought the comments on the 1999 Mansfield Park were dead on. What did everyone think about P&P2 in terms of showing the class relationships? I'm curious to what you all thought."}, {"response": 1654, "author": "rachael", "date": "Thu, Aug 16, 2001 (17:48)", "body": "Liz I thought the depiction of class relationships in P+P2 was almost non-existent - the servants hardly existed as real characters so it wasn't possible to have much of an idea of relationships. One instance where there was a contrast in behaviour, was outside the Meryton assembly where one of the coachmen says something like \"I'll show them ..... \" and falls in the trough, i.e (to my mind) showing coarse lower class people messing about drinking and falling over while nice upper class ones dance politely and behave properly. mind you having said all that, Mr Hurst appears to be a bit of a drinker and an oaf, although whether this says anything about class I'm not sure? The thing that is striking about P+P2, IMHO, is that it shows how clearly stratified one particular class is - i.e the upper class - Darcy is above Bingley on account of wealth, Bingleys are above Bennets on account of how long it is since their money was aquired in trade; meanwhile Lady C bemoans the fact that although Darcy may be rich he is without title on his father's side, therefore he's a gentleman but no more than that, so Lizzie can claim equity (he is a gentleman and I am a gentleman's daughter). JA, I think, had an exquisite sense of the ridiculous snobbery around at that time, and poked fun at it. all this waffle from a non-scholar! forgive me if I'm wrong."}, {"response": 1655, "author": "Echo", "date": "Thu, Aug 16, 2001 (19:17)", "body": "Mr Hurst appears to be a bit of a drinker and an oaf From what I have gleaned on the subject, that was the more usual appearance of a great many so-called gentlemen of the period in question. But surely Jane Austen did not aim to explore class differences in depth. Her subtle and yet exquisite satirical eye was turned towards the relationship within the society of her immediate acquaintance."}, {"response": 1656, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Thu, Aug 16, 2001 (20:06)", "body": "As to the class difference in P&P, I thought the Longbourn house and estate a bit too large, to give the impression that they are only upper middle class, or lowest of the upper classes. I thought it was a tought stretch to view someone who was brought up in such a large, beautiful, old country house, as not worthy of a man like Darcy. Yes, is it nowhere near as palatial as Pemberley or Rosings, but it is still pretty damm spectacular. But maye I'm looking at it from a modern perspective, where it would be seen as a very desirable property. I suppose to the Lady Catherines of the world, it is nothing short of a hovel. Then again, its hard to portray Longbourn as big enought to support a family of 7 and give Mr Bennet the income of a gentleman and, still show that thE Bennets are nowhere near the levels of the Bingley and Darcys. EKelly, I'm sorry if I unintentionally slighted your profession. I really didn't mean that ALL academics looking for new angles on old material, necesarily exploit her. What I meant, was that academics of integrity like youself, study her works to further peoples knowledge and interest in their subject. But a small majority are less interested in accuracy, and more in their own resulting fame, if they can come up with something really juicy or salacious. In these days of the 30 second sound bite, its always gonna be the \" Two headed lesbian Alien runs of with corpse of Jane Austen \" theory that trickles down to the masses, or appears on Larry King and not the work of more serious, scholarly academics, mores the pity. Maybe I'm just biased. My sister dated a guy for 5 years who was working the supposed definitive history of Silicon Valley, its creation and the impact on computers. It turned out his book was all about Bill Gates sex life and that he was only dating my sister, coz he thought she could get him closer to Bill's ex girlfriends. So maybe I'm just predudiced......now a definitive biography of Fitwilliam Darcy, thats a whole different story....LOL"}, {"response": 1657, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Thu, Aug 16, 2001 (20:56)", "body": "No offense taken, Beth! Not to worry. But I do enjoy hearing the opinions of those not on a campus day in and out, who are still very connected to Jane's work, through personal interest or otherwise. : ) I would agree with you, definitely, there are people that I come across on a daily basis in a variety of fields, who are \"researching\" and publishing solely for their own personal gain (read: fame, fortune, etc.), that detract from academe as a whole. I guess, I just don't throw everything out of the realm of possibility, until I have been walked on and taken (which I try not to let happen too often). I've never been to the trust house that they used for Longbourne, but in my own studies of the period (my field is Georgian England, social history), I think its about the right size, for a man of what I'm guessing Mr. Bennet's income was (approx. 2-3,000 1800 currency...can't remember what that equates to in today's money). Echo, I think you picked up on the main issue that Austen's work brings to light. She was of the upper middle/middle class (\"middling sorts\"), and she, along with other writers of her time (Feilding, Richardson, etc), bring to life for us what they experienced, or witnessed. Another film you all might enjoy, which shows the royal circles of the times, is The Madness of King George . And on the flip side, a bit of contemporary historical fiction, The Secret Wife of George IV . Both show a different, though not so different, class maneuvering, and though the time frame is about 20 years or so before where P&P is dated, it still shows an interesting side of English politics and classes. Sorry about all this. I don't mean to sound so...up-ety; I just get excited talking about this! I don't get to have really open discussions of this in some of my seminar classes...I don't mean to be giving a talk...I just love discussing this particular topic, especially P&P. I use it in practically all my classes, and show clips from P&P2. Although, its pretty hard to justify the pond scene to my dept. chair... ; )"}, {"response": 1658, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 16, 2001 (21:44)", "body": "Although, its pretty hard to justify the pond scene to my dept. chair... ; ) An exploration of the ramifications of horse travel on country living in 19th century England."}, {"response": 1659, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Thu, Aug 16, 2001 (22:54)", "body": "How about the use of aquatic sports as a metapor for the emotional repression of male 19th century literary heros ? Anyway, you actually get PAID to discuss Fitwilliam Darcy day after day ? Holy Moley, can I come back as you in my next lifetime ?"}, {"response": 1660, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Fri, Aug 17, 2001 (00:28)", "body": "I thought the depiction of class relationships in P+P2 was almost non-existent I think that maybe what we Americans think of as \"class distinction\" and what the early 19th century English \"gentleman/woman\" thought of as \"class distinction\" are quite different. Jane Austen was only marginally interested in the class distinction between the servants and their masters. She was interested in the subtle ways that \"gentlemen/women\" distinguished themselves from each other--and she held what she considered bad examples up to ridicule where she considered it necessary. You'll notice that she pokes the most fun at people who think that title and wealth are the most important characteristics that a \"gentleman\" can have (Lady Catherine and Mr. Collins). She reserves the most praise for those \"gentlemen\" who treat their servants and dependents kindly and generously, and who consider themselves as stewards of their estates and property for the generations to come (rather than seeking to squander it all on themselves, leaving their heirs penniless). By the end of P&P2, Darcy has been shown to be the former. A man who was considered a \"gentleman\", but who did not have enough money or property to live on, had to work--he was a soldier, a clergyman, etc. (Only certain professions were considered acceptable for \"gentlemen\".) Austen obviously doesn't think much of the \"military gentleman\" who overspent his income and spent his time drinking and gambling (and looking for a rich girl he could convince to elope). They were not \"honorable\", even though some still considered them \"gentlemen\". Gentlewomen with money tried to marry gentlemen of equal or greater wealth and status. Woe be to the woman who married beneath her--such as Fanny Price's mother in Mansfield Park. Gentlewomen without money tried to \"marry up\" (i.e., married to attain greater wealth and status). If they did not, they were doomed to be like Miss Bates in Emma, or worse, governesses or companions. Jane Austen's heroines married \"up\". Whatever else anyone could say about Elizabeth Bennett--she married spectactularly up. So I think you could say that Jane Austen was extremely interested in depicting class relationships--specifically the relationships of the varying strata of her own \"class\". Although, its pretty hard to justify the pond scene to my dept. chair... Oh, come now. The pond scene is obviously crucial to the historical and socio-economic perspective of P&P2. . . Mr. Darcy, as the wealthiest man in England, is shown in the pond scene to have such a huge estate that it takes the afternoon to get to the front door, but more importantly, he is the only person in the mini-series who has his own lake! Into which he can dive at will! And he can afford to ruin his clothing by diving in fully clothed! One can only imagine the perturbation of his valet (not to mention the person who washes his clothes--one hopes he tipped her generously). This scene also demonstrated that Darcy was a strong swimmer (as well as skilled horseman, skilled fencer, etc. Pause for drooling at the mental images these conjure up.) He was obviously superior to your run-of-the-mill, garden variety gentleman, who drank himself into a stupor every evening. He should be encouraged to reproduce. He will obviously produce superior children with Elizabeth Bennett. Persons like Lady Cathe ine should not be so encouraged--they produce sickly children of questionable intellect. I will stop now, as I have gone on at length. But I can think of many more reasons supporting showing the pond scene to your classes. It's so very educational. . . ;-)"}, {"response": 1661, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Fri, Aug 17, 2001 (01:18)", "body": "Wow Louise, you deserve a medal for that, or at least a scholarship to her univerity to sell her chair on the supreme cosmic importance of the pond scene, to the over all stability of our planet. I mean, WE all get it, but obviously there are some heathens out there who need converting."}, {"response": 1662, "author": "Echo", "date": "Fri, Aug 17, 2001 (07:20)", "body": "Echo, I think you picked up on the main issue that Austen's work brings to light Why, thank you, Liz! :-) Since watching P&P I have spent a lot of time studying the period in all its glory. It has become my favourite - late 18th to mid 19th century, the awakening of the modern social and industrial revolutions, the beginning of today's modern world - and I get as excited about it as you... even though I'm just a dilettante, an amateur to your scholar. the trust house that they used for Longbourne I believe this is a strictly private house. (Louise)Jane Austen was only marginally interested in the class distinction between the servants and their masters She didn't have the same perspective as we do today. In her time, it was the accepted and natural state of things, people generally had their \"predestined\" places and roles in life and the thought of social injustice was still seen as rebellion against the divine law. And an early attempt to reorganize it by force it had just ended in monstrous bloodbath (an a re-emergence of tyranny) across the English Channel! Mr. Darcy, as the wealthiest man in England I think Liz will confirm that Mr Darcy, wealthy though he was, in reality could not be the wealthiest man in England... I think this is another example of Jane Austen's biting wit and irony: it is only in the eyes of the small and isolated society of a provincial town (Meryton) that Darcy was regarded as extremely rich. To them, he was probably the wealthiest man they rubbed their shoulders with - and it all started because he was also evidently bored with high society and curious of Bingley's attempts to settle down."}, {"response": 1663, "author": "Echo", "date": "Fri, Aug 17, 2001 (07:23)", "body": "Oh, and I DO passionately like the scientific justification of the pond scene... but still consider it historically highly unlikely as presented in the TV series... What do you say, Liz?"}, {"response": 1664, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Fri, Aug 17, 2001 (10:27)", "body": "Hehehe...loved all of your justifications for the pond scene!!! All very plausible.. actually, the scenes I show initially, are the first proposal (FD to EB), where FD is searching around the less-polite areas of London for Wickham, and Lady Catherine's \"talk\" with EB in the 'pretty-ish little wilderness.' I give my students the option at the end of the semester if there is time, to watch the full versions of some of the films I show clips from ( Clarissa, Tom Jones, P&P ). They tend to stay away from Clarissa b/c of the rather morose demise of the heronine, and its always a split b/w the other two. Interestingly enough, the male students almost always want Tom Jones , and the women almost always want P&P2 ! Hmm...Darcy's \"wealth.\" Well, my own personal opinion is that the residents of Merryton, while they probably would have been very impressed with a man of Darcy's consequence, would not have found it too out of the ordinary. There were great estates all over England, with small towns near almost all of them. He certainly would not have been one of the wealthiest men of his time. He was not titled, so that gives a particular distinction from Austen, shows her awareness of the difference (at least I think) b/w the polite classes and the nobility. ok...*steps away from podium* back to writing my article...I'm writing on how women identified themselves (in their diaries, in letters, etc) from 1740-80...need to get another 15 pages done today (out of a total of 80), and only have 3 so far since 9 this morning (its now 11.30)! I'll check in later tonight and see what other comments you all have! I'm enjoying this discussion!!! Thanks for indulging me!"}, {"response": 1665, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Aug 20, 2001 (16:33)", "body": "(Liz K.) Hmm...Darcy's \"wealth.\" Well, my own personal opinion is that the residents of Merryton, while they probably would have been very impressed with a man of Darcy's consequence, would not have found it too out of the ordinary. There were great estates all over England, with small towns near almost all of them. He certainly would not have been one of the wealthiest men of his time. He was not titled, so that gives a particular distinction from Austen, shows her awareness of the difference (at least I think) b/w the polite classes and the nobility. By coincidence Iove been reading from: Friendly Jane Austen: A Well-mannered Introduction to a Lady of Sense & Sensibility. by Natalie Tyler Monday, August 20, 2001 Money , pp.86-87 In each of Jane Austen's novels, with the exception of Emma, her heroines have significant economic problems. While Emma is immune from economic worries, her neighbors Mrs. Bates, Miss Bates, and Jane Fairfax are shown struggling financially. Austen usually tells her readers the precise annual incomes of her main characters. The historian Edward Copeland has described the approximate value of income in Austen's novels. One hundred pounds a year is a very low income, typical of very poor curates. Two hundred a year is an uncomfortable income for a family. When Austen's parents tried to live on this amount with their growing number of children, they were very hard pressed and had to devise ways to augment the family income. Three hundred pounds a year: Colonel Brandon, in Sense and Sensibility, claims that this is \"comfortable\" for a bachelor, though he does not have to live on it himself. Four hundred a year is an income that does not go very far if there is a family to care for. Fanny Price's moth r has this much. Five hundred a year was the amount that Jane, Cassandra, and Mrs. Austen had to live on after the death of Mr. Austen. It is also what the four Dashwood women are going to be left with, much to their anxiety. Seven hundred to one thousand a year is a comfortable living. Elinor Dashwood says that it would make her happy to live on a thousand pounds a year, although Marianne wants about eighteen hundred to two thousand pounds to fulfill her needs. Copeland points out that this was the minimum income that would have perhaps supported a carriage. Austen's father found a carriage too expensive to maintain when he reached the peak of his income at seven hundred pounds a year. Two thousand pounds a year is the amount that Colonel Brandon has in Sense and Sensibility. It is also the income of the Bennet family in Pride and Prejudice. But with it they have to provide dowries for five daughters, which would have made domestic economy essential. Four thousand a year is the amount that marks eal wealth. Mr. Bingley has four or five thousand a year and Darcy, the best catch of them all, has ten thousand pounds a year. With such a yearly livelihood comes an enormous amount of discretionary income. No wonder Mrs. Bennet is so giddy when such wealth comes into the neighborhood! Heiresses usually have incomes that are reported as bulk sums. The annual yield would be approximately 5 percent. In the case of Elizabeth Bennet, however, she has one thousand pounds invested at 4 percent. Mr. Collins, in his elegant marriage proposal, reminds her that she can never hope to have more than forty pounds a year on her own, but reassures her that \"no ungenerous reproach shall ever pass my lips when we are married.\" When Darcy writes to Elizabeth he reveals that his sister has a fortune of thirty thousand pounds, which would have yielded fifteen hundred pounds yearly--enough to make even the covetous Wickham happy. Emma Woodhouse also has a fortune of thirty thousand pounds. Mansfield Park commences with a financial report: Miss Maria Ward with only seven thousand pounds \"had the good luck to captivate Sir Thomas Bertram.\" Yet her fortune is considerably greater that that of any of Austen's heroines aside from Emma. Jane Austen herself had a personal annual income of little more that fifty pounds for most of her life. She wished to be above the frugality of \"Vulgar Economy,\" as she wrote to Cassandra, and enjoyed her visits to her prosperous brother, who could afford to provide good wine and exquisite desserts. Average Income, England and Wales, 1803, pp 87-89 So how did the Austen family compare with other families? The following table breaks down the population of England and Wales into numbers of families and their estimated average annual income for 1803: CATEGORY NUMBERS OF FAMILIES ESTIMATED AVE. FAMILY INCOME The King 1 200,000 pounds/yr Peers 287 8,000 pounds/yr Bishops 26 4,000 pounds/yr Baronets 540 3,000 pounds/yr Knights 350 1,500 pounds/yr Esquires 6,000 1,500 pounds/yr Gentlemen 20.000 700 pounds/yr Clergy (higher) 1,000 500 pounds/yr Clergy (lower) 10,000 120 pounds/yr Education (higher) 500 600 pounds/yr Education (lower) 20,000 150 pounds/yr Naval Officers 3,000 149 pounds/yr Army Of"}, {"response": 1666, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Aug 20, 2001 (16:42)", "body": "Sorry, hit the \"post\" button before any explanation... First, these statistics are for 1803, not 1813 when P&P was finally published, but I think it illuminates the fact that Austen tended to circulate her characters in higher circles than one would expect. The Bennets are very well off by these standards as well as Bingley and Darcy. My only frustration with these data was no listing for the lot of the average domestic servant, stable worker, or other type of servant. Maybe it is included under another catagory, like \"Labourer\", or something. KJ"}, {"response": 1667, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 20, 2001 (17:01)", "body": "Thank you KJ. OT: Emma Woodhouse also has a fortune of thirty thousand pounds. Did they say how much Mr. Knightly 's income was?"}, {"response": 1668, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Aug 20, 2001 (17:23)", "body": "Must get off now, but in the same book is stuff on Primogeniture and Entailment, How Pemberley demonstrates Darcy's character, What \"white soup\" and \"Syllabub\" were, (with recipes) and the Publication history of the book (w. letters). If anyone's interested in any of this, let me know. KJ"}, {"response": 1669, "author": "Echo", "date": "Mon, Aug 20, 2001 (17:46)", "body": "These are \"estimated\" and \"average\" figures. Statistics often introduces more confusion than illumination. Darcy, Bingley, Bennet, Wickham, were all gentlemen. Also I'd like to know why lunatics are listed as a group receiving income. And how do paupers have 16.4 pounds, while no other group's income specifies any fractions? The problem with domestic servants is that their remuneration usually included housing and food, so it is misleading to compare their cash income with groups who had to pay for these commodities."}, {"response": 1670, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 20, 2001 (19:39)", "body": "Not lunatics, but lunatic keepers. My job. ;-)"}, {"response": 1671, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Mon, Aug 20, 2001 (22:53)", "body": "Very interesting income breakdown for the 1800's, thanks for sharing. I also agree that while Darcy was indeed a very, very, wealthy man, he was probabaly far from being the wealthiest man in the country. For example, the greatest of the titled landowning families of the day, often had SEVERAL estates....one huge mansion taking up a whole city block in London, an estate near London for quickie get away breaks, another estate in the \"real\" country that was probably the ancestral family seat, a shooting lodge in Scotland and probably a few lesser, but still grand, country houses for younger sons, ummarried sisters and widows. I recently read a biography of one of the oldest and wealthiest old English families. My goodness, I soon lost track of all their property and estates. Poor Darcy, the poor baby has to make do with just Pemerley. Lets take up a collection."}, {"response": 1672, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Mon, Aug 20, 2001 (23:05)", "body": "It's depressing to note that even Jane Austen, as a published author, never earned much above the bottom rungs of the above list. It's a good thing that her brothers were not like the one in \"Sense and Sensibility\". Imagine the desperation of a \"lady\" with no income trying to stay out of the poor house. Shudder. Much as I love to imagine living in those times (with Mr. Darcy, of course), when I think of the \"reality\" of it, it gives me a chill to think how dependent on men the women were. We all love \"Pride and Prejudice\", but \"Tess of the d'Urbervilles\" is probably a lot more realistic (gaaah, what a depressing thought). :-( Am off to view lake scene, \"look\" scene, and 2nd proposal scene to put self in a better frame of mind for good night's sleep."}, {"response": 1673, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, Aug 21, 2001 (05:58)", "body": "...lunatic keepers. My job. ;-) Which doesn't necessarily mean you're sane... ;-) Anyway - lunatics as well - look towards the very end of the list. As for the relationship between men and women, despite the tales of horrendous moral decay (which was true), there were also many very happy marriages and liaisons with partners touchingly devoted to each other. Mr Darcy could exist in real life, he was not wholly impossibly good... Sadly, he was not the norm - but when was an ideal partnership a norm, anyway? Women were dependent on men, that is true. The law was changing throughout the 19th century, women were fighting for more personal freedom, but mainly because the working classes were gaining in the size and importance. Upper class ladies were not so unhappy, though."}, {"response": 1674, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 21, 2001 (08:20)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1675, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 21, 2001 (08:21)", "body": "Ooops, my mistake. Drive on."}, {"response": 1676, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Aug 21, 2001 (17:37)", "body": "(Echo) Also I'd like to know why lunatics are listed as a group receiving income. And how do paupers have 16.4 pounds, while no other group's income specifies any fractions? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sorry, you'll have to ask Natalie Tyler that one.... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The problem with domestic servants is that their remuneration usually included housing and food, so it is misleading to compare their cash income with groups who had to pay for these commodities. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Yeh, I thought of that after I asked the question. (but I'm sure statisticians could probably come up with \"equivalent\" figures. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (LouiseJ) It's depressing to note that even Jane Austen, as a published author, never earned much above the bottom rungs of the above list. It's a good thing that her brothers were not like the one in \"Sense and Sensibility\". Imagine the desperation of a \"lady\" with no income trying to stay out of the poor house. Shudder ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Yeh, and I had had a vague impression that she'd died before realizing her (potential) popularity. Not so. According to Natalie Tyler -- The Publication history of Pride and Prejudice , pp.115-116. When Austen was twenty-one and had completed First Impressions, the original title of Pride and Prejudice, her supportive father was delighted, as he had been by her juvenilia. He wrote a letter to Cadell & Davies, a major publishing company in London: Sirs I have in my possession a Manuscript Novel, comprised in three Vols. about the length of Miss Burney's Evelina. As I am well aware of what consequence it is that a work of this sort should make its first appearance under a respectable name I apply to you. Shall be much obliged therefore if you will inform me whether you chuse to be concerned in it; what will be the expense of publishing at the Author's risk; & what you will advance for the Property of it, if on a perusal it is approved of? Should your answer give me encouragement I will send you the work. I am, Sirs, Yr. obt. hble. Sevt: GEO AUSTEN Steventon near Overton Hants 1st Novr. 1797 Inscribed on the letter is the legend \"declined by Return of Post,\" which must have been a great disappointment to Jane and her family. However, after the success of Sense and Sensibility, and Austen was able to write to her brother Frank that she had earned 250 pounds--\"which only makes me long for more.\" When the book was published, Jane wrote to Cassandra on January 29, 1813: I want to tell you that I have got my own darling child from London...Miss Benn dined with us on the very day of the books coming & in the evening we set fairly at it, and read half the first vol. to her, prefacing that having intelligence from Henry that such a work would soon appear, we had desired him to send it whenever it came out, and I believe it passed with her unsuspected. She was amused, poor soul! That she could not help, you know, with two people to lead the way, but she really does seem to admire Elizabeth. I must confess that I think her as delightful a creature as ever appeared in print, and how I shall be able to tolerate those who do not like her at least I do not know. There are a few typical errors; and a \"said he,\" or a \"said she,\" would sometimes make the dialogue more immediately clear, but I do not write for such dull elves As have not a great deal of ingenuity themselves. [Scott, Marmion (1808) 6.38] The second volume is shorter that I could wish but the difference is not so much in reality as in look, there being a larger proportion of narrative in that part. I have lop't and crop't so successfully, however, that I imagine it must be rather shorter that S&S. altogether............ Certainly Pride and Prejudice was Austen's first immediately successful novel, and she lived to see it go into more that one edition and to be translated into French. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I found it interesting. I hope you did too. KJ"}, {"response": 1677, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Tue, Aug 21, 2001 (21:24)", "body": "Wouldn't it be wonderful if lost scenes, that JA loped and croped from P&P, were mysteriously discovered ? ( Pauses for the cries of \" Well duh !!! \" to subside, before continuing ) Shivers with delight at the thought of new Darcy/Lizzie scenes that are the real McCoy. Still, the talented authors at FanFic keep us royally entertained, until these missing scenes are unearthed."}, {"response": 1678, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Tue, Aug 21, 2001 (22:40)", "body": "Thanks, KJ, that was very interesting. I'm glad that JA lived to see how popular her books were. But she still made peanuts compared to the joy she's given all of the generations of readers since. There aren't many authors who have lasted 200 years and are still \"readable\". Of course, it doesn't hurt that in Darcy and Lizzie, she created an ideal couple for the ages. Especially as personified by CF and JE. Sigh. JA's one of those people you just know would be marvelous to meet in person--just like Lizzie. Did JA ever mention Darcy in her letters, I wonder, and if so, what did she say? I'll have to see if I can find any info in our small library."}, {"response": 1679, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Tue, Aug 21, 2001 (23:10)", "body": "In a letter to Cassandra, JA mentioned going to see an exhibition of Sir Joshua Reynolds paintings. She found a likeness in a painting to what she imagined Jane to look like, but was disappointed not to find one of Lizzie. Here is what she wrote \" We have been both to the Exhibition & Sir J Reynolds - and I am disappointed, for there was nothing like Mrs D at either. I can only imagine that Mr D prizes any Picture of her too much to like it should be exposed to the public eye. I can imagine he would have that sort of feeling, that mixture of Love, Pride & Delicacy. Setting aside this disappointment, I had great amusement among the Pictures \" I have always utterly LOVED that inferance that after many years of marrige, Darcy is still so head over heels in love with Lizzie, that he can not bear to have her portrait removed,( from where he can see it every day )even for a famous London exhibition. This is the only instance I know of, where JA refers to Darcy."}, {"response": 1680, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Tue, Aug 21, 2001 (23:19)", "body": "Thanks, Bethanne. How wonderful it is to know that JA thought like this about \"D\". I think she must have had quite a \"soft spot\" for him, just like we do. If Lizzie ever had to leave him alone (due to visiting her mother, or something), I can picture him reading in the room with her portrait, and giving it longing \"looks\" as he waits impatiently for her return. What a sweetie he is. No wonder he makes us all swoon. Sigh."}, {"response": 1681, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Aug 22, 2001 (18:28)", "body": "(LouiseJ --But she still made peanuts compared to the joy she's given all of the generations of readers since. There aren't many authors who have lasted 200 years and are still \"readable\". After I had time to settle down and read my last post at leisure, was I able to finally notice a huge gap that had opened during transcription in the most important paragraph of the piece!! Mea culpa!! I present the revised paragraph with my apologies\ufffd: Inscribed on the letter is the legend \"declined by Return of Post,\" which must have been a great disappointment to Jane and her family. However, after the success of Sense and Sensibility in 1811, Austen was able to sell Pride and Prejudice , revised from its earlier form as First Impressions , to Egerton for 110 pounds. The success of the novel was considerable enough that Egerton published a second edition along with a second edition of Sense and Sensibility , and Austen was able to write to her brother Frank that she had earned 250 pounds--\"which only makes me long for more.\" At least she was able to make about 2 -yrs - worth of income on P&P alone and about 5 on the total... I shall never feel any equanimity towards Cassandra for destroying most of Jane's correspondence at her death. Talk about \"the cutting room floor\"!! I cringe to think of references to Mr. D that are no longer available to us because of an overdeveloped 'sensibility' on Cassandrs's part. **sob** KJ"}, {"response": 1682, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Wed, Aug 22, 2001 (20:18)", "body": "I know, I know...the line to smack Cassandra upside 'da head starts here. I know her it was her desire not to see her sisters memory exploited, that motivated her to destroy most of Jane's letters, but it still eats me up. If my memory is correct, there was a scandal regarding the letters of another recently deceased author and that is what motivated her to ensure the same thing would not happen to Jane, but I still have a problem with it. I mean, at the time of her death, Jane's reputation and fame was nothing, compared to this other guy. ( Dangit, I wish I could remember his name. ) So I don't really see why Cassandra just presumed that scandal would arise, if Janes correspondece was made public. After all, its not like Access Hollywood and the National Enquirer would come knocking at the Austens door after Jane died. The access to the private papers of a famous person, can be restricted to just those with a genuine scholarly interest. This goes a long way to protecting the integrity of their works, but gives the world at large, a much better perspective on the author and their works. Why O why couldn't Cassie have thought of this ???? Ok, I'm down off my soap box now."}, {"response": 1683, "author": "caribou", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (12:13)", "body": "I get to post so infrequently that my posts are always out of sync. Please pardon. However, I have a questions about Darcy's social standing. At 10,000 pounds a year, he is higher than the 8,000 listed for peers. Wasn't he a peer through his mother, Lady Anne? I always assumed that was why he needed the special license to marry Elizabeth which Mrs. B mentions in the book. Isn't that special license why Lord Wessex was taking Viola to Greenwich in SIL?"}, {"response": 1684, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (12:43)", "body": "I always assumed that was why he needed the special license to marry Elizabeth which Mrs. B mentions in the book. I don't think that was the purpose of a special license. I believe that in England a special license was needed in order to marry without the required waiting period. If I remember correctly, if you wanted to get married, the \"banns\" were read in church, and you then had to wait several weeks (about three??) before you could get married in that church. With a special license (obtained from a bishop of the Anglican church), you could get married immediately (or in a day or two) without banns and waiting period. You still had to have a clergyman perform the marriage, though. Presumably this was before \"civil marriages\" came into being. All of you scholars out there, correct me if I'm wrong. I'm just going by books I've read that mentioned this subject."}, {"response": 1685, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (13:42)", "body": "re: Darcy being a peer thru his mother, no he wasn't. His mother was the daughter of an earl, hence her being Lady Anne Darcy. However, titles can only be inheirited be passed down from male realtive to male relative. So Darcy could only have been a peer if his father was titleed too. Mr Darcy Sr was not titled, so consequently, neither is his son. The oldest form of type of title, a baronet, can be passed down thru the female line, but everything above that ( Lord, Earl,Viscount,Marquis,Duke ) can only be passed on thru the male line. So while Darcy came from an old, aristocratic family on his fathers side and had close family connections to an earldom on his mothers, he himself is not a peer."}, {"response": 1686, "author": "rachael", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (15:32)", "body": "Doesn't Lady C say something about \"although he is not titled on his father's side\" - which is why he is Mr Darcy, not Lord, Sir or anything else. Louise is right about a licence being needed in order to marry without waiting for Banns to be read (BTW C of E has just decided to do away with Banns altogether), rather than it being special permission; in SIL Wessex says \"the Queen's consent is required when a Wessex takes a wife\" which I always assumed to be something to do with Lords needing clearance to make sure they take someone of the required social standing - my guess, anyway."}, {"response": 1687, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (15:48)", "body": "Ooops, I don't think I explained myself properly. Lady Anne was titled because her father was an earl. The daughters of an earl are always titled. However, her title dies out when she does, she can not pass it on to her son."}, {"response": 1688, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (18:22)", "body": "LouiseJ -- With a special license (obtained from a bishop of the Anglican church), you could get married immediately (or in a day or two) without banns and waiting period. (Rachael)-- Louise is right about a licence being needed in order to marry without waiting for Banns to be read (BTW C of E has just decided to do away with Banns altogether), rather than it being special permission; I believe the reason that Mrs. Bennett insisted that \"they must be married by special license\" had more to do with its being a status symbol than anything else. Special licenses were very expensive (and enriched the bishopric enormously) and thus they were only affordable to the very rich. Marrying by Special License demonstrated how rich the licensees were, so Mrs. Bennett wanted that demonstrated... (Beth) -- However, titles can only be ... passed down from male relative to male relative. ...As is property in most cases. The \"maleness\" is covered by Primogeniture whereas Entailment was more related to keeping the property as one solid chunk by not giving the inheritor any power or control over its inheritance. According to Natalie ... Primogeniture and Entailment , p. 117 Laws and custom protected landed estates by prohibiting landowners from dividing their holdings among their children. Primogeniture designated the eldest son as heir to the entire estate, including the land. Subsequent sons were lucky to inherit some money, if the estate had been well maintained. Most younger sons had to find a profession, and the ranks of the clergy were swollen with them. Entailment , along with primogeniture, was the legal way the British aristocracy could maintain its great estates through the generations. An entailed estate was an estate tied up so that its inhabitants, such as the Bennets at Longbourn, would not have rights to sell, mortgage, or dispose of it in any other way than the entailment dictated. Because these laws with few exceptions did not permit female children or their children of either sex to inherit, sometimes a distant cousin would inherit the estate, and any title that might accompany it. Because the Bennets have no sons, Mr. Collins, a cousin, has the right to the entailment, a critical element of the plot to Pride and Prejudice and an additional motivation for the Bennets to hope that their daughters would marry."}, {"response": 1689, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (19:31)", "body": "Wessex says \"the Queen's consent is required when a Wessex takes a wife\" I think there were a couple of reasons that the queen's consent was needed when a member of one of the prominent noble families wanted to get married: 1. she wanted to make sure that she approved of the proposed spouse politically speaking, so that two extremely powerful but rebellious families did not unite against her, and 2. if a nobleman was one of her \"favorites\" at court, she was sometimes reluctant to let him marry someone that she considered to be \"competition\", romantically speaking (i.e., she expected her good-looking courtiers to be in love with her, not some \"other woman\"). I seem to remember reading about several cases where she did not approve of the marriage and made life extremely difficult for the offending subject. I think it may even have been \"illegal\" for some people to marry without her approval. Remember in \"Elizabeth\" how angry Cate Blanchett was when she found out that Robin was married? Similar thing. I don't know if this was really true about Elizabeth, but it sure has been featured in a lot of movies about her. re: Darcy being a peer thru his mother, no he wasn't. Well, Darcy may not have been a \"peer\", but as a romantic hero, he is indeed without peer, IMHO. (Not that I'm a bit partial, or anything.)"}, {"response": 1690, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Aug 25, 2001 (08:50)", "body": "What a delightful conversation. Thanks, KJ, for initiating it. I enjoyed seeing everyone answering each other's questions. The laws of inheritance are fascinating to me - so orderly yet so ruthless. I'm sure loopholes were to be found everywhere as they are today, yet I feel sorry for the second son. I think of Lydia wrinkling her nose. \"Imagine wanting to marry a clergyman. \" ;-) Pity the poor souls of the parish too whose source of solace and spiritual wisdom came from disinterested clergy who had nothing better to do than to put on the collar. (Beth) Lady Anne was titled because her father was an earl. The daughters of an earl are always titled. However, her title dies out when she does, she can not pass it on to her son. Lady Catherine was doubly titled then...first her father, then her husband, Sir Lewis de Bourgh. Which makes me wonder. Since Lady C. and A. kept their titles will Ann de Bourgh be Lady Ann when her own mother dies? If so, I'm wondering why she's not titled while her mother is alive. Of course Darcy would have remained untitled even if married to his cousin just as his own father remained Mr. Darcy. Ew, I may just watch P&P tonight (it's been eons) to get the picture of ODD married to Ann out of my head. (Louise) Darcy may not have been a \"peer\", but as a romantic hero, he is indeed without peer, IMHO. No question. And of course he's also our Lord....and Master too. ;-)"}, {"response": 1691, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Aug 25, 2001 (08:54)", "body": "Sorry, but realized my questions about Ann de Bourgh may be misunderstood. I hate to be misunderstood. ;-) Since Ann's father is an Earl (we presume), will she inherit the \"Lady\" title as well? And why wouldn't she be a Lady now? I suppose she has to wait for the old horse to kick the bucket but am not sure if that's true."}, {"response": 1692, "author": "MaryAnn", "date": "Sat, Aug 25, 2001 (10:59)", "body": "This is how I understand the title, at least for the case of Anne de Bourgh: Anne de Bourgh's father, Sir Louis (Lewis?) de Bourgh, was a knight, a title which was not hereditary. Her mother was known as Lady Catherine Fitzwilliam before her marriage and Lady Catherine de Bourgh after, because she was the daughter of an Earl. If she'd been the daughter of a non-peer, say Mr. Smith, she would have been Catherine Smith before marriage and Lady de Bourgh after (but not Lady Catherine de Bourgh). Anne de Bourgh is not entitled to any courtesy titles like \"Lady\" for being the granddaughter of an Earl, and since her father's title is not hereditary she will continue to be Miss de Bourgh until she marries. In general, Lady Firstname Lastname indicates the woman in question is the daughter of a Duke, Marquis or Earl and not married to a Duke, Marquis, Earl, Viscount or Baron. Lady Lastname indicates she's the wife of a knight or baronet, and is not the daughter of a Duke, Marquis or Earl. Lady Title (sometimes Title is the same as the Lastname) indicates she is the wife of a Marquis, Earl, Viscount or Baron, or is a peeress in her own right, meaning she had no brothers and inherited her father's title (not possible with most titles)."}, {"response": 1693, "author": "MaryAnn", "date": "Sat, Aug 25, 2001 (11:04)", "body": "Aargh! I could have sworn I closed all the tags! Anyway, here's a website with more about British Titles of Nobility, if you're into the details: http://laura.chinet.com//html/titles01.html It's linked from RoP's Regency Links page."}, {"response": 1694, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Sat, Aug 25, 2001 (15:08)", "body": "I think in the book too, Mr Collins in his ususal fawning manner, refers to Lady Catherine as The Honourable Lady Catherine de Bourgh, which is incorect. She has the title \"Lady\" Catherine twice over ( once from her father and once from her husband ) but she should not be refered to as \"Honourable\" as well. The appelation of Honourable is another quasi title and, one she is not entitled too. The title of Honourable was given to the younger sons and daughters of peers, who were not in line to inherit a peerage themselves and had no courtesy title either. So while they had to put up with being only a Mr or Miss so and so, the little \"Hon\" before their name, differentiated them from the common riff raff. Lady already has the title of Lady twice over, so she shouldn't be greedy and try and hog this one too. I wonder if Mr Collins thought it up himself out of pure enthusiasm, or if he does it because thats how SHE refers to herself."}, {"response": 1695, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 25, 2001 (15:47)", "body": "and so, the little \"Hon\" before their name, differentiated them from the common riff raff. As in the Honourable Blanche Ingram"}, {"response": 1696, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Sat, Aug 25, 2001 (16:07)", "body": "Isn't Col. Fitzwilliam supposed to be \"the Honourable\" since he is the second son of an Earl? Can't remember if JA referred to him this way in the book."}, {"response": 1697, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Aug 25, 2001 (17:03)", "body": "I will be offline both tomorrow and Monday (Library closed both days) so wish all our US people an enjoyable Labor Day Holiday now. See you Tuesday. ;-) KJ"}, {"response": 1698, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Sat, Aug 25, 2001 (23:06)", "body": "Yup, Col Fitzwilliam would be an Hon too if he wasn't a military man. However,I believe when you go into the army, you must forfeit all your other forms of address and tiitles and, you are then known only by your military rank. So that's why JA does not refer to him as the Honourable Col Fitzwilliam. I think the great military men of the day like Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington etc or the ones who were raised to the peerage due to their victories in battle, were allowed to keep their titles, but ordinary military men were not....even the well born ones."}, {"response": 1699, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sun, Aug 26, 2001 (18:19)", "body": "when you go into the army, you must forfeit all your other forms of address and tiitles and, you are then known only by your military rank Am not an expert on this, but have seen titles like Major General Sir John Humpty-Dumpty... Would it be a relatively new custom?"}, {"response": 1700, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 26, 2001 (18:27)", "body": "Is that used exclusively for military men who sit on walls?"}, {"response": 1701, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sun, Aug 26, 2001 (18:46)", "body": "Or on de fences...? ;-)"}, {"response": 1702, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 29, 2001 (15:30)", "body": "Bath to stage Jane Austen festival A festival to mark the bicentenary of Jane Austen's stay in Bath aims to recreate the fictional world of her books. The first Bath Jane Austen Festival will run from September 28 to the 30. Actress Amanda Root, who starred as Anne Elliot in the BBC film Persuasion, will attend the screening of Persuasion to open the festival. Festival goers will be able to take guided walks around Bath, watch plays and films adapted from Jane Austen's work and attend talks on 18th century life. More information can be found at the festival website. http://www.janeaustenfestival.com/ [I bet they'd get a huge turnout if Mr Darcy were there instead...]"}, {"response": 1703, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Aug 29, 2001 (19:42)", "body": "Here's another tidbit on Jane's income -- from 'The Friendly Jane Austen, A Well-Mannered Introduction to a Lady of Sense & Sensibility' by Natalie Tyler What Jane Austen Earned from Her Books During Her Lifetime Tho' I like praise as well as anybody, I like what Edward calls Pewter too. Jane Austen -- Letter, November, 1814 ~~~~~~~~~~ 1803: 10 pounds from Richard Crosby for the manuscript of Susan (eventually Northanger Abbey ). 1811: 140 pounds from the publisher Thomas Egerton for Sense and Sensibility . 150 pounds from its profits. 1812: 110 pounds for Pride and Prejudice . 1814: 450 pounds from the publisher John Murray for the copyrights to Sense and Sensibility and Mansfield Park . Austen made a total of about 700 pounds in her lifetime. In terms of today's value, that could range from about $14,000 to $35,000 or even up to about $120,000 according to the most generous estimates. For a lifetime of work she was lamentabley underpaid."}, {"response": 1704, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Wed, Aug 29, 2001 (23:04)", "body": "From _Irish Chain_ by Earlene Fowler (a great book if you like mysteries in the style of Linda Evanovich): \"The minibus from Oak Terrace [the retirement home] arrived at nine sharp, and within half an hour everyone was situated around the quilt rack, mouths and fingers moving a mile a minute. ... I listened with amusement to the women's high, silvery voices as they compared the successes and foibles of their children and grandchildren. The sound of their voices relaxed me, bringing back childhood memories of long summer visits down South to Dove's only sister, my great-aunt Garnet. In Sugar Tree, Arkansas, quilting bees were a twice-a-week habit with the Women's Missionary Union of her church. A good deal of my sex education was acquired by faking sleep on Aunt Garnet's scratchy Victorian sofa and listening to the quilting ladies refer obliquely to the trouble the new wives of the Darcy brothers had due to the rather oversized proportions of their 'maleness' or how 'that' was never satisifed, no matter how often it happened. Always, just as it started to get detailed and my seven-year-old imagination went wild t ying to picture exactly how it all fit with what my obnoxious thirteen-year-old Uncle Arnie told me one of Daddy's Black Angus bulls would do to my sweet-faced little heifer, Dossie, Aunt Garnet reprimanded them in her tight, hard-shell Baptist voice. \"Little pitchers have big ears, ladies.\""}, {"response": 1705, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Wed, Aug 29, 2001 (23:45)", "body": "OMG, the Darcy men are overly endowed ? I knew, it I know it.( To quote one of my fellow droolers ) Dance of joy now commences. Wait a minute....there is more than one Darcy brother ? Does that mean there are enough, so that we all can have one ? I know which one I want."}, {"response": 1706, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Thu, Aug 30, 2001 (13:50)", "body": "Hehe, well, in Rachael's universe there's at least two, Will and Mark... I think we should clone them so we can all have one. :)"}, {"response": 1707, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Thu, Aug 30, 2001 (14:04)", "body": "Can I call my one Dolly ? Well Hello Dolly...da da da Dolly"}, {"response": 1708, "author": "Becka", "date": "Thu, Aug 30, 2001 (15:27)", "body": "I'm just reading 'The Bar Sinister', the P&P sequel and the writer goes into, um, great detail about Darcy's manhood being a bit too generous. Forgive me for saying this, but I am really enjoying this book!"}, {"response": 1709, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Thu, Aug 30, 2001 (16:22)", "body": "The Bar Sinister cracked me up, especially the sex scenes. They were a bit strange, too (the actions involved weren't strange, just the writing of it). It seems like you can't really do the erotic thing without being somewhat anachronistic, and if you're going to anachronistic you might as well go whole hog, imo. Hrm, back to Darcy Drool. How close do you think Darcy and Bingley really were, as friends? Do you think they shared confidences of a sort when they were alone (i.e. not pictured in the book)?"}, {"response": 1710, "author": "Echo", "date": "Thu, Aug 30, 2001 (17:13)", "body": "Of a sort, yes. But e.g. Bingley didn't know about Georgiana's being a silly filly. On the whole, Bingley tended to look up to Darcy - naturally - and Darcy felt a little paternal towards B. This is particularly stressed in the film, when B. asks Darcy's blessing before proposing to Jane."}, {"response": 1711, "author": "rachael", "date": "Fri, Aug 31, 2001 (16:10)", "body": "Laura, in my universe Will and Mark are cousins but I could always create another universe where there are some brothers? :-) and some cousins as well, and some good looking mates .... how many would you guys like?"}, {"response": 1712, "author": "Echo", "date": "Fri, Aug 31, 2001 (18:09)", "body": "I want them all. Of course."}, {"response": 1713, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Fri, Aug 31, 2001 (19:44)", "body": "brothers, cousins, friends. as long as they're male and hetereosexual, it's all good. ;)"}, {"response": 1714, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Sat, Sep  1, 2001 (00:06)", "body": "or how 'that' was never satisifed, no matter how often it happened An insatiable Darcy whose \"maleness\" is of \"oversized\" proportions!!!!!! How in the world do you expect me to sleep with that image in my mind? Mercy! how many would you guys like? Rachael, if you could clone such Darcys to order, you'd have an impossible task to keep them in stock. . . ;-)"}, {"response": 1715, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sat, Sep  1, 2001 (06:58)", "body": "An insatiable Darcy whose \"maleness\" is of \"oversized\" proportions Hang on a minute - can we have this model slightly customized here? ;-) We don't want Darcy turned into one of those endlessly fornicating Georgian/Regency males who readily shagged anything that moved (and anything motionless in between) - do we???"}, {"response": 1716, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Sep  1, 2001 (08:26)", "body": "Luckily dear JA left that to our imagination too. Now he can be pretty much whatever you want him to be. I'll take a regular, please, no ice but with a straw. Thanks for the \"is she or isn't she Lady Ann\" info above, ladies. I'm not sure where we know Sir Lewis is a knight but it sounds good. I'll take it. (Laura) How close do you think Darcy and Bingley really were, as friends? Do you think they shared confidences of a sort I think Bingley told Darcy everything and Darcy told Bingley nothing."}, {"response": 1717, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sat, Sep  1, 2001 (11:57)", "body": "I'll take a regular, please, no ice but with a straw. LOL! That's better. I'll have mine with a dash. (Of what? I'll leave that to our imagination.) I'm not sure where we know Sir Lewis is a knight I'm not sure what you mean, but the title \"Sir\" used with the first (Christian) name is the indication of his being a knight. Bingley told Darcy everything and Darcy told Bingley nothing. Excellently put."}, {"response": 1718, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Sat, Sep  1, 2001 (14:40)", "body": "Well Darcy told Bingley of his success after the second proposal. Remember, he shakes Lizies hand the next day \"with great warmth\" and conveniently suggests the walk to Oakham Mount would be too much for Kitty. So Bingey knows this, but none of Lizzie's own family do, except Jane. I think when Darcy is happy and has good news to tell, he would take Bingley into his confidence. However, when something bad is bothering him, I'd say he tells no one and bottles it up in his usual repressed, tormented manner. I mean, if he was able to vent about his passion/anger/love/lust for Lizzie, to Bingley....he really wouldn't be that repressed, brooding hunk of manliness that we all know and love so well, would he ?"}, {"response": 1719, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Sat, Sep  1, 2001 (19:59)", "body": "Yes, I think he talks to those he trusts about Lizzie, mainly because he can't help himself--he's a man in love. He has obviously been talking to Col. Fitzwilliam about her before they arrive at Rosings. I've been wondering if they just happened to arrive at Rosings and found out Lizzie was at the parsonage, or if Darcy heard that Lizzie was visiting and hotfooted it there immediately, dragging Fitzwilliam with him and telling his cousin all about this perfect woman there. I got the impression that it was the latter. Then the poor baby has to suffer through Lizzie being charmed by Fitzwilliam's easy manners and address. I can just picture Darcy (in private) trying to get Fitzwilliam to buzz off so that he can have a chance. And then Fitzwilliam (who seems to me to be the type to tease his cousin unmercifully) obviously refuses to yield the field. Poor Darcy is probably having nightmares worrying that she'll end up married to his cousin! But he bears his suffering so heroically. He is such a complex, intriguing character. You can speculate at length about his thoughts in any given scene. And CF gives you so many fleeting, varying expressions to ponder. How can anyone think of Darcy as \"expressionless\" when CF is playing him? Emotions follow each other so quickly across his face that you almost have to use slo-mo to spot them. Can't wait for the DVD so that my slo-mo quality is good enough for his performance. Sigh."}, {"response": 1720, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Sep  2, 2001 (06:34)", "body": "(LouiseJ) You can speculate at length about his thoughts in any given scene. Yes indeed, and here's mine. :-) This scene at the Collins' is one of my favorites (acually I love the 3 scenes that take place in that room, probably my favs of the whole series). Like you, I think Darcy found out that Lizzie was going to be there and he hotfooted it! But I don't think he was ever jealous of his cousin. I think Darcy was admiring the ease of conversation between Lizzie and the Colonel, hoping that the Colonel would approve of his dear Lizzie. I don't think Darcy felt threatened, and I thought his discomfort came from the fact that he wanted some face-time with his honey and he was tongue-tied. Not so much frustrated with his cousin for hogging the conversation, but more frustrated with himself. I thought the Colonel recognized that Darcy was quite smitten, as Darcy apparently was much more at ease around other people. It really was perfectly played by everyone. Such a gem of a scene."}, {"response": 1721, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Sep  2, 2001 (06:38)", "body": "Correcting my own response, LOL. I think Darcy may have been jealous of his cousins' ease of conversation, but not the jealousy or anxiety stemming from feeling threatened by competition."}, {"response": 1722, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Sun, Sep  2, 2001 (11:45)", "body": "Yes, now that I think about it, Darcy had to have known his cousin well enough to know he would never take his girl. But he sure envied him his ability to sit there and amuse Lizzie with his \"lively conversation\". I also loved Lizzie's inquiring look when Fitzwilliam said that Darcy was \"lively enough in other places.\" It gave her (and us) just a hint of the real Darcy that his family knew."}, {"response": 1723, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep  2, 2001 (12:02)", "body": "And she flirts unmercifully with both of them."}, {"response": 1724, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Sun, Sep  2, 2001 (12:15)", "body": "And the piano scene at Rosings--when Lizzie threatens to reveal something about Darcy that \"may shock his relations\"--Lizzie's look at him made me wonder if she was thinking of saying something else about his behavior but changed her mind after he said \"I am not afraid of you.\" One of the things I enjoyed the most about JE's performance was the way she would look at him after he said something that made her wonder if she was reading him right. Little looks of puzzlement and frustration--like she was thinking \"If I didn't dislike you so much I would find you very intriguing.\" Which of course she does."}, {"response": 1725, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sun, Sep  2, 2001 (15:29)", "body": "she was thinking of saying something else about his behavior but changed her mind What could it be, can you possibly imagine?"}, {"response": 1726, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Sep  3, 2001 (08:58)", "body": "Sir Lewis a knight. Of course, my bad. I think I've had enough of title, coronets and kings and won't even get into Sir William Lucas. ;-) (Beth) Darcy told Bingley of his success after the second proposal. True. He couldn't keep that joy a secret though I picture it said as they were returning on horseback from Longbourn that day. Something said with a smirk like, \"Oh by the way, Miss Elizabeth Bennet has accepted my proposal of marriage\" and then let Bingley do all the exclaiming. ;-) conveniently suggests the walk to Oakham Mount would be too much for Kitty. As an aside, we've moaned about this before but if only this scene had been filmed...big sigh. I mean, if he was able to vent about his passion/anger/love/lust for Lizzie, to Bingley....he really wouldn't be that repressed, brooding hunk of manliness that we all know and love so well, would he ? LOL. And I think Darcy would be embarrassed to admit he had those feelings for Lizzie. She was so beneath him.;-) (Louise) He has obviously been talking to Col. Fitzwilliam about her before they arrive at Rosings. What does the Colonel say? \"I've heard much of you and none of the praise has been exaggerated, I assure you.\" That was manufactured by Davies, it's not in the book. An interesting thought, nonetheless. From whom would the colonel hear about Lizzie? We'd naturally suspect Darcy but how would he have said such a thing? I've been wondering if they just happened to arrive at Rosings and found out Lizzie was at the parsonage, or if Darcy heard that Lizzie was visiting and hotfooted it there immediately, dragging Fitzwilliam with him and telling his cousin all about this perfect woman there. In my mind it's both. He and his cousin make an annual courtesy call to the old battleaxe, usually around Easter (in the book), but this year when they arrive they're told of the visitors to the parsonage. Then Darcy makes up an excuse for paying a call there which normally would never be done so soon and gets his cousin to come along by saying some nice things about Miss Bennet. Quick wit? Fine figure? How can anyone think of Darcy as \"expressionless\" when CF is playing him? Boggles the mind. (Donna) This scene at the Collins' is one of my favorites (acually I love the 3 scenes that take place in that room, probably my favs of the whole series) My absolute favorite series of scenes are (1)the Rosings piano scene; (2)Darcy calling on the parsonage and finding Lizzie alone; and (3)the proposal scene. All come in quick succession with just a bit of filler in between. And he looks just so damn good. I think Darcy was admiring the ease of conversation between Lizzie and the Colonel, hoping that the Colonel would approve of his dear Lizzie. I agree. He's more jealous at how easy and relaxed his cousin is around Lizzie. I still don't think he's expecting to propose to Lizzie but perhaps his cousin's \"approval\" would affirm to himself that she isn't unsuitable for his admiration. Thank God her family's not there too. (Evelyn) And she flirts unmercifully with both of them. And they're both lapping it up. I love it."}, {"response": 1727, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Tue, Oct  2, 2001 (23:22)", "body": "Couldn't resist resurrecting Darcy Drool as I just received my P&P2 DVD. Hurrah! Those lips, those eyes, that curly hair. My drool runneth over! No more time. Must go back and replay again. Anyone care to join me??"}, {"response": 1728, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Wed, Oct  3, 2001 (01:21)", "body": "Don't have the DCD yet, but I'm always up for a spot of Darcy....er... resurrecting."}, {"response": 1729, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Wed, Oct  3, 2001 (11:18)", "body": "Louise, how is the dvd? better than the tapes by far, or do you think it's ok to wait for Xmas to justify the purchase??"}, {"response": 1730, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Thu, Oct  4, 2001 (15:07)", "body": "I love the DVD, mainly because my VHS tape is so worn in the \"good\" (i.e., Darcy) parts. The picture clarity is, of course, much better. You can see many details that disappeared into the background before (designs on clothes, mute colors, etc). And the sound is much better quality stereo. I did have to adjust the color on my TV set. I had reduced the color and tint because my vcr always seemed to make people too red in the face. The DVD doesn't do this, so I had to put some color back. I also love being able to go directly to the scenes you want without waiting for rewind. They have also added some new snippets (someone on another thread mentioned that they added in Darcy's looking down at Elizabeth during the wedding scene--this is a very much needed enhancement, IMO--can't figure out why they ever cut it from the tape version.) I am still looking for other additions. I'll let you know if I find any. If you can wait until Christmas, you have more will power than I."}, {"response": 1731, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  5, 2001 (16:00)", "body": "Drool is kicking off its Annual Fund-Raising Drive. Spring needs money in order to operate and we appreciate whatever people can send to help keep this place online every single day of the week, barring screw-ups by Terry when he's trying to make untested changes on a live server. ;-) This year, I've made arrangements with Tracy in the UK to collect funds, which she can then easily send on to me. For other countries, we have alternatives that have worked fine in the past. Our Drool boards are a source of enjoyment for many people, participants and lurkers alike. So if you'd like to make a contribution, please contact me for information, as no addresses will be posted on this board."}, {"response": 1732, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Thu, Oct 18, 2001 (01:24)", "body": "Hey, odd little question, which I can't seem to answer w/ a flipping through of P&P - did Fitzwilliam Darcy have a middle name?"}, {"response": 1733, "author": "Echo", "date": "Thu, Oct 18, 2001 (09:08)", "body": "It doesn't appear so. (It is not mentioned.)"}, {"response": 1734, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Thu, Oct 18, 2001 (23:31)", "body": "There is no mention of a middle name, in either the book or the TV series. Speaking of names...did anyone else think it odd/noteworthy that Darcy is the only central male character in all of Jane Austen's books, that has a slightly unusual name ? I mean, her books abound in lots of Charles, Henrys, Edwards, Williams etc, etc. Maybe she felt from the get go, that as he was a one of a kind man, he needed a one of a kind name."}, {"response": 1735, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Thu, Oct 18, 2001 (23:32)", "body": "Oops, by the way, I mean a slightly unusual first/Christian name of Fitzwilliam...there is nothing all that unusual about Darcy."}, {"response": 1736, "author": "Echo", "date": "Fri, Oct 19, 2001 (07:55)", "body": "Yes, Fitzwilliam might sound unusual today, but years ago names like Fitzherbert, Fitzhugh, Fitzwilliam were extremely fashionable. The \"rage\" was in the fact that the prefix \"Fitz\" denoted an illegitimate offspring of royalty in some distant past... With time, these names have become associated with titled families. In a nutshell, the family name starting with \"Fitz\" usually means that the family is descended from a royal bastard. These royal bastards normally received titles and land (nowadays it's called alimony) and went on to head respected aristocratic clans. Darcy's mother was supposedly a daughter of an earl (English count) whose family name was Fitzwilliam (and there really was such an aristo family during Jane Austen's times!) - and she named her son Fitzwilliam to honour her family. It would be a good bet that FD's sons would eventually all bear the middle name Fitzwilliam after some other first name."}, {"response": 1737, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Fri, Oct 19, 2001 (14:54)", "body": "Yup, I know Fitz-whatever was/is a very common last name.....but as a first/Christian name its pretty unusual, isn't it, even if Lady Anne gave it to her son to honour her side of the family. I have heard that theory before, about Fitz's being descended illegitimetley ( sp ?) from royalty, but I dunno. Fitzmaurice, Fitzpatrick, Fitzgerald etc etc are all very, very common names in Ireland, mainly coz we too were colonized by the Normans in the 1100's. They are just as common as names like Murphy and Kelly. So we can't ALL be descended from royalty now can we ? O no wait a minute, yes we can.....I have a Fitzherbert great grandfather...LOL.. Does this mean ya'll have to bow down before me ? Please don't, I'd blush."}, {"response": 1738, "author": "Echo", "date": "Fri, Oct 19, 2001 (20:14)", "body": "Fitzmaurice, Fitzpatrick, Fitzgerald etc etc are all very, very common names in Ireland, mainly coz we too were colonized by the Normans in the 1100's. I'm not sure how different that may be in the case of Ireland... I'd venture a guess that in the 1100's the Norman ruling classes were commonly regarded as royalty - thus the explanation may still be valid both in England and Ireland. But perhaps not all Fitzes managed to remain closely associated with nobility over the centuries."}, {"response": 1739, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Sat, Oct 20, 2001 (23:33)", "body": "I recalled reading somewhere that \"fitz\" is just the Irish equivalent of \"son of\". I put it into Google and came up with the following: as a variation on the patronymic. \"Fitz\", in modern times considered distinctively Irish, grew out of the French \"fils\", meaning \"son\". The French part must have come from the Normans' occupation of Ireland. No mention of any \"royal\" connection. However, I also vaguely remember that the morganatic wife of at least one of the George III's sons was called \"Mrs. Fitz\" something. I seem to remember \"Mrs. Fitz. . .\" being given to more than one of the sons' wives, so maybe this was a euphemism for \"royal mistress\" since technically, they weren't legally married due to the Royal Marriage Act (or whatever it was called). One of you history experts, please correct me if I'm wrong."}, {"response": 1740, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Oct 21, 2001 (05:50)", "body": "Could not Fitzwilliam be Darcy's middle name, and not his first name?"}, {"response": 1741, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sun, Oct 21, 2001 (11:32)", "body": "It could, but it's not by any means certain... while the custom of using certain surnames as first (Christian) names goes back to the 18th century in the English custom - for example, the son of the poet S.T.Coleridge, Hartley Coleridge, born in 1796, was named after David Hartley, the philosopher. The prefix Fitz is not exclusively Irish, it is a shared feature. Until early medieval times there were no surnames as such. The most common way of naming a person was his/her first name followed by his/her place of origin. The name of the father (patronymic) was also used to identify people - particularly handy if they shared the same first name. \"Filius\" = \"son\" in Latin - \"fils\" in French - then \"fiz\" and eventually \"fitz\" in English. So - the name Darcy is an example of the first source of modern family surnames: being the anglicized medieval French reference to someone coming from - \"de\" - Arcy in Northern France: \"de\" + \"Arcy\" = D'Arcy = Darcy; while \"son of William\" = Fitzwilliam - is an example of the second one. (Williamson is a vernacular, but somehow less interesting, version of the same name.) Bingley and Wickham are actually English place names (the preposition \"from\" having simply been dropped). Collins suggests a past connection with someone originally called Nicholas and probably also of French origin, while Bennet comes from the Christian name Benedict (Latin \"benedictus\" = blessed). Other surnames were based on people's characteristics, skills, occupations, nicknames, dwelling places and suchlike. The Republic of Pemberley site has excellent links to historical research sites with an in-depth knowledge of the subject."}, {"response": 1742, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Sun, Oct 21, 2001 (22:08)", "body": "Patas, I doubt if Fitzwilliam is Darcys middle name. Why sign your middle and lsat names to a letter, and totally leave out your first name ? Wouldn't that be a bit odd ? Also, earlier in the book when Wickham is telling his sad little tale of woe to Mrs Gardiner, she refers to Darcy as \"Fitwilliam Darcy\"...so that pretty much confirms that his first name is Fitzwilliam and his last is Darcy."}, {"response": 1743, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 25, 2001 (13:29)", "body": "Not yet! But it could be. This is the final week of our Annual Drool Fundraising Drive. Please contact me to get information on how to make your contribution. If you haven't received an acknowledgment from me, then I haven't received it yet. There are still quite a few people who emailed me, but from whom I haven't received anything yet. So, if it's slipped your mind, now is the time to get that checkbook out. We are nowhere near the $1,300 raised last year. We all find Spring's Drool boards very entertaining and some even consider them an important part of the day. What if they wasn't there anymore? Every little bit helps."}, {"response": 1744, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan 27, 2002 (15:56)", "body": "I just didn't know where to post this: Not really OT... Don't miss a continuing story of a contemporary Elizabeth Bennett and William Darcy on Fan Fic: UNDER MY SKIN FF #130 Chapter 1 message 1942 \" Chapter 2 message 1987 Written by our own Lisa L. she promises us a chapter every Friday. I normally don't read contemporary P&P stories, but this one has a Hong Kong setting which is interesting to me, and v. well written. I recommend it. Thanks Lisa"}, {"response": 1745, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Jul 10, 2002 (18:21)", "body": "(lisa -from 162) Elizabeth count me \"in\" on that project. All other comments will be at 112 Karen. Promise. (Have many thoughts on the boob issue.) LOL -okay Lisa, start sharing - what are your thoughts on the boob issue? :-)"}, {"response": 1746, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (13:56)", "body": "I'm not Lisa but I'll share in the meantime. I did a bit of research on this project the night before last (combined with a study of Karen's \"right vs. left\" list), but I couldn't remember all of the incidents people had mentioned. The only one I could remember was the Rosings piano scene, and I did see a subtle downward eye flicker on Darcy's part. I also found one scene that I think is worth a look. When Lizzy sweeps past Darcy at the Meryton assembly, after his \"She is tolerable...\" remark to Bingley, Darcy glances down as she goes past. I can't tell if he's inspecting her charms or if it's just an embarrassed reaction to her cheeky attitude. But she passes very near him, so he's in a perfect position to get an eyeful. The poor dear boy - his mortified look as Lizzy and Charlotte laugh at his remark makes me want to take his hand and say, \"There, there, it all turns out just fine towards the end of the second DVD.\" My favorite \"staring at the chest area\" moment is not Darcy's, but Lizzy's, when her eyes drop from his face to his wet shirt. JE's expression is priceless, and I love that it happens as Lizzy is saying \"I did not expect to see you....\" Indeed - I should imagine not! :-D"}, {"response": 1747, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (14:36)", "body": "(Rika) My favorite \"staring at the chest area\" moment is not Darcy's, but Lizzy's, when her eyes drop from his face to his wet shirt. A universal favorite ;-D And such a lovely chest it is *sigh* JE's expression is priceless, and I love that it happens as Lizzy is saying \"I did not expect to see you....\" Indeed - I should imagine not! :-D i always think that she's about to say \"I did not expect to see you so wet\" but breaks off before the \"wet\" bit. i vagely remember the glance at the Meryton assembly. will have to re-watch to form an opinon :-)"}, {"response": 1748, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (15:37)", "body": "LOL.. the fact that my son's game has suddenly taken on a following has thrilled him beyond words.. his take on it is that Darcy does, indeed, look down her bodice as she walks by him with that \"poop eating grin\" on her face at the Meryton Assembly. He also says there's a quick glance at the end of the scene when Darcy comes by the parsonage and rattles on about Lizzy's like or dislike of living near Longbourn. My son loves to heckle and do the voices and such.. you should hear him do Bingley rapping. You really haven't lived until you hear him say in his Bingley voice \"Girl, you are stupid fly!\". Anyways, when Elizabeth walks by at the Meryton Assembly he does CF's Darcy voice \"Oh, m'GAWD BOOBIES!.. What have I done???\" Also, it's always \"Miss Boobies.. I mean Bennet\" when Darcy addresses her."}, {"response": 1749, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (15:49)", "body": "Note to self: Do not read Jeanie's posts while drinking beverages, as danger of Pepsi Syndrome-like event is too great. Jeanie, have you ever seen the Rocky Horror viewing instructions for P&P2? We should have your son create one of his own!"}, {"response": 1750, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (16:02)", "body": "LOL! Jeanie your son sounds like a riot -lucky girl! :-)"}, {"response": 1751, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (17:00)", "body": "I was amused to see a little something relevant to our current project in a story over at DWG. It's called \"Your Honesty is Refreshing\", and in it Professor Snape from Harry Potter visits the Netherfield Ball and spikes the punch with a potion that causes all those who drink it to blurt out their inner thoughts. This leads to a lot of unusual encounters between characters. The one of interest here is when Darcy, who has sampled the punch, decides to ask Lizzy to dance (she hasn't had any yet, but wonders why people are behaving so oddly). He approaches her, and: \"Yes, Mr. Darcy?\" Those eyes, he thought. How they sparkle and flash! \"Miss Bennet, I wonder if I might lick your cleavage.\""}, {"response": 1752, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (18:23)", "body": "LOL (but HP is never relevant IMO) ;-D However, I was just running an errand in our Indian neighborhood and sign caught my eye for a place called Maboobs and thought of Jeanie's son immediately. (But the one at the grocery store, offering a free gallon of milk with the purchase of a whole goat, I found LOL hysterical.)."}, {"response": 1753, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (19:05)", "body": "To summarize, the tally so far is four, and I believe there are probably more. Meryton assembly (I'd call Jeanie's son an expert observer here) Lucas Lodge party Desk at Netherfield, letter writing Piano at Rosings (an oversupply of whole goats AND the presence of MB in the vicinity? Coincidence or convergance? )"}, {"response": 1754, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (20:31)", "body": "Doesn't he quickly size up the rear-view while guiding her to Netherfield [Nether -end??]after her long walk?"}, {"response": 1755, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (20:32)", "body": "...and I actually saw MB today by accident filming on Oak St."}, {"response": 1756, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (20:49)", "body": "(Karen)(But the one at the grocery store, offering a free gallon of milk with the purchase of a whole goat, I found LOL hysterical.)....and I actually saw MB today by accident filming on Oak St. Eh, with all due respect, boss, sounds like you've been sampling some of the HP potion. (KJ)Doesn't he quickly size up the rear-view while guiding her to Netherfield [Nether -end??]after her long walk? So it would seem, however, I have sized up his rear-view several times."}, {"response": 1757, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (22:27)", "body": "(Karen) But the one at the grocery store, offering a free gallon of milk with the purchase of a whole goat, I found LOL hysterical.).and I actually saw MB today by accident filming on Oak St. Ok, now it's my turn to shower the monitor with pepsi.. too bad the spray came from my nose.. LOL.. oh, and what or who is \"MB\"? (KJ)Doesn't he quickly size up the rear-view while guiding her to Netherfield [Nether -end??]after her long walk? \"Nether-end\" ROFL!!! Oh, and the all-knowing, all-seeing Sam says, \"Yup.. He's definitely checking out her backside\" (Linda) So it would seem, however, I have sized up his rear-view several times yep, me too.. oh, and after doing a great deal of my own research I have surmised that \"the little drill sergeant\" generally resides on HWM's left, methinks. (check out the fawn colored britches in the \"Elizabeth visits Pemberley\" scene.. I think there's more there than a mere wrinkle.. LOL)So, SALUTE! (No, I didn't share that observation with Sam) =P"}, {"response": 1758, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jul 13, 2002 (08:15)", "body": "(Jeanie).. oh, and what or who is \"MB\"? An MB is someone who totally annoys the boss of this place. And I'm putting it mildly. Lets just say he was connected with L. However, any further descriptions of MB as regards to character, physical characterists, acting/directing abilities, and whether or not he should be in the who or what catagory should be directed to Karen. I think you are beginning to catch the drift."}, {"response": 1759, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jul 13, 2002 (08:24)", "body": "(Jeanie)\"the little drill sergeant\" generally resides on HWM's left, methinks. Oh, God. Here we go again. Methinks, though it has resided on the right on a few occasions. Would love to be in his boot camp. Left, right, 234"}, {"response": 1760, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 13, 2002 (08:58)", "body": "(Linda) An MB is someone who totally annoys the boss of this place. True, but he annoys critics nationwide. ;-D Jeanie, MB is the writer, director, and star of L'dum. We don't spell out his name or the name of the film due to search engines. You should go back on the Spoiler topic to read what we said about the film. Some of the funniest stuff ever...am recalling our lexicon with a chuckle. ;-)"}, {"response": 1761, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 13, 2002 (10:17)", "body": "We even gave it an award;-D"}, {"response": 1762, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Jul 13, 2002 (13:53)", "body": "(LindaK, responding to Jeanie's speculation about the right-or-left question) Oh, God. Here we go again. But of course! From what I've seen in the archives, this subject has resurfaced periodically ever since the first airing of P&P. And as Karen pointed out recently, DVD players make it a lot easier to do this type of research, what with zoom capabilities and all. Jeanie, if you haven't yet seen Karen's listing of left-vs.-right observations from P&P, check out response 1148 in this topic. The Lefts do indeed predominate, but she notes some exceptions. It's well worth verifying these sightings for one's self, I assure you! (Evelyn) We even gave it an award;-D Yes, indeed they did - in fact, one not entirely unrelated to the subject above, if memory serves. :-0"}, {"response": 1763, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sun, Jul 14, 2002 (10:58)", "body": "ROFL.. Karen, I've never known a more thorough research expert on crotchology!"}, {"response": 1764, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Sep 27, 2002 (18:36)", "body": "P&P: The Game. Has anybody seen this? or own it? i was thumbing through the latest (Oct) issue of Victoria Magazine last night and noticed a write up on it at the bottom of page 14 (for those of you who have a copy handy) ;-) it's $30 plus $6 S&H -and this is the address to send away for it if anybody is interested. Ash Grove Press PO Box 8564 Prairie Village, KS 66208-8564 Also, in the current Romantic Times Magazine, (which is pub that reviews new mystery, romance, mainstream and paranormal books) there is a write up on Favorite Romantic Books that have been made into movies -guess what is number one? P&P -with Colin Firth :-) BJD is rated number four. (the English Patient was also listed, but cant remember where it ranked...)"}, {"response": 1765, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Sep 27, 2002 (20:49)", "body": "A game? What, like a board game? Just imagine - you pick a card that says, \"Go directly to Hunsford. Do not pass Pemberley. Do not collect your pocket allowance. You must spend two months living under the same roof with Mr. Collins, periodically visiting Rosings to listen to Lady Catherine yammer incessantly. You will then refuse an insulting marriage proposal from a incredibly rich, devastatingly handsome man with intense eyes and haughty manners.\""}, {"response": 1766, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (09:36)", "body": "Do not pass Go. Read letter instead. Go directly to mental institution."}, {"response": 1767, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (19:21)", "body": "(Rika)Just imagine - you pick a card that says, ...Get into bed with Darcy. You may use this card-anytime you pass Pemberley."}, {"response": 1768, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (19:31)", "body": "Just imagine - you pick a card that says,.. Keep incredibly rich, devastatingly handsome man with intense eyes and haughty manners guessing,flirt with best friend.... works every time."}, {"response": 1769, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (21:22)", "body": "I bet we're coming up with a better game than the real one!"}, {"response": 1770, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Oct  1, 2002 (11:38)", "body": "(Rika) My favorite \"staring at the chest area\" moment is not Darcy's, but Lizzy's, when her eyes drop from his face to his wet shirt. JE's expression is priceless, and I love that it happens as Lizzy is saying \"I did not expect to see you....\" Indeed - I should imagine not! :-D I love this scene too. One of my favorites. Her expression is priceless. She is so good with facial expressions anyway, but this is one of the best. There are so many downward glances in this movie. He can't help it with the push-up bras anyway. But IMO he is a breast man any way as substantiated in other movies as well. I also thinks he drops a look when she comes into the Inn where he's been waiting for her to meet his sister. May be wrong but think I do see it. I would take all the \"you may sleep with Darcy\" cards out of the game and keep them all for myself."}, {"response": 1771, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Oct  1, 2002 (12:11)", "body": "(FanPam)I would take all the \"you may sleep with Darcy\" cards out of the game and keep them all for myself. Sorry, they've already been removed:-)) Rika will have to come up with something to persuade me to put them back."}, {"response": 1772, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Oct  1, 2002 (14:14)", "body": "well, i've ordered a copy of the game, with the mindset to give it to a younger cousin for Christmas -may not be able to stand the suspense though, and have to open it up as soon as it arrives! :-) love the card selections! LOL!"}, {"response": 1773, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct  1, 2002 (17:01)", "body": "Rika) My favorite \"staring at the chest area\" moment is not Darcy's, but Lizzy's, when her eyes drop from his face to his wet shirt. They both play the 'chest game\" v. well indeed;-) (Rika)There are so many downward glances in this movie Best for me; Darcy glancing down at Lizzie at the piano in Rosings. Whole scene is a winner. The flirting...whew!"}, {"response": 1774, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Oct  1, 2002 (20:29)", "body": "(Linda) Rika will have to come up with something to persuade me to put them back. How about these?"}, {"response": 1775, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Oct  1, 2002 (21:05)", "body": "GAWD, Rika I'm just about to sign off and go to bed. Guess I'll be having pleasant dreams tonight. Thank you, Dahling. Oh, ok I'll be putting the cards back now. I'm passing Pemberly on the the way to bed-guess I'll just have to use one. Well who will scrub his back, after all?"}, {"response": 1776, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Oct  1, 2002 (22:30)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1777, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct  2, 2002 (12:51)", "body": "In those pictures, that wig really stands out. I've never noticed it so closely before."}, {"response": 1778, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct  2, 2002 (13:01)", "body": "(Moon)that wig really stands out. I've never noticed it so closely before. I didn't know he wore a wig....ug. Thought he wuz \"the real thing\";-)"}, {"response": 1779, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Oct  2, 2002 (17:30)", "body": "I'm pretty sure it was his own hair. They told him to let it grow somewhat, and they dyed it very dark."}, {"response": 1780, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Oct  2, 2002 (17:47)", "body": "(Rika)I'm pretty sure it was his own hair. They told him to let it grow somewhat, and they dyed it very dark. I think you are right, Rika. I read that when he went in to talk to SB he had just come from filming AMITC, and she mentions that he had this ghastly hair cut and moustache. She told him to grow it out, and they did dye it dark. She also said she was a bit shocked when she saw him, because the head shot she had been used to seeing was of a very handsome CF."}, {"response": 1781, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Oct  2, 2002 (22:13)", "body": "I remember that story too, but it couldn't have been AMITC - that was 1987. From the description and timing, I assumed it was from The Widowing of Mrs. Holyrod. The timeframe was right and heaven knows (based on the snappies I've seen, anyway) the moustache was indeed ghastly."}, {"response": 1782, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct  3, 2002 (09:41)", "body": "Article about Andrew Davies and his reputation for \"heating\" up all the literary adaptations. Several mentions of CF and P&P. http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/features/story/0,11710,802849,00.html For all the debates over JA fanfic, especially of the period variety: And why, one might ask, didn't Darcy and Bennet in the book? Because she was not yet Mrs Darcy."}, {"response": 1783, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Oct  3, 2002 (11:17)", "body": "Thanks for the link, Karen. LOL about RoP as a \"self-help group.\" What does that make us? \"Oh, Mr Darcy!\" cried legions of female fans - and some blokes - as the luscious Colin Firth emerged from a lake in his sodden, skintight undergarments. I get tired of the emphasis on the pond scene - while I loved it for what it said about Darcy's emotional state, IMHO it was by no means the sexiest scene in the production. But I do love the adjective \"luscious.\""}, {"response": 1784, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct  3, 2002 (11:26)", "body": "he went in to talk to SB he had just come from filming AMITC remember that story too, but it couldn't have been AMITC - that was 1987. From the description and timing, I assumed it was from The Widowing of Mrs. Holyrod. CoF Thanks Karen. I can see that the Guardian has the knives out for yet another British citizen who makes it big. \"Reputedly, he commands \ufffd200,000 for a six-part adaptation \" Peanuts in US television scale. I like most of what he does.And can't wait to see the leacherous dog;-)"}, {"response": 1785, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Oct  3, 2002 (11:35)", "body": "(Evelyn) CoF Really? Gee, and I didn't think that moustache was so bad. I like most of what he does.And can't wait to see the leacherous dog;-) I just kept imagining them auditioning the dogs. \"No, no, MORE lecherous!\""}, {"response": 1786, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Thu, Oct  3, 2002 (13:09)", "body": "There will be a lot more stuff on Andrew Davies about, probably w/e papers etc because \"Tipping the Velvet\" starts next week. Saw a preview with Anna Chancellor yesterday. She looks good in the period underwear;-) We will have to count the CF references."}, {"response": 1787, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Oct  3, 2002 (13:33)", "body": "Thank you, ladies. I stand corrected about AMITC. I didn't think he looked that bad in CoR either, Rika."}, {"response": 1788, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Oct  3, 2002 (19:18)", "body": "Oh, man. Should read CoF. I went back to The Making of P&P. Don't know where I got the idea that SB mentioned AMITC. She did say he came in looking like an unmade bed, and that the moustache was horrible. The unmade bed part reminds me of Paul Ashworth. Good thing she had her mind set on him for the part."}, {"response": 1789, "author": "LizBeth", "date": "Thu, Oct  3, 2002 (22:33)", "body": "Is that where the \"Bill and Hillary\" look came from, AMITC? Gawd, that is one of the few pitures of MDB (My Dear Boy) that makes me hurl. Anyway, regarding dogs and post-coital scents. I was on a group camping trip of about 160 people (with ~15 dogs) and a friend who had just made love to his girl friend made a speech. One of the dogs was attached to his leg for an hour (not an exaggeration) because of the scent. Canines are very succeptible to affection. ;) LizBeth"}, {"response": 1790, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Oct  3, 2002 (22:56)", "body": "(Rika) LOL about RoP as a \"self-help group.\" What does that make us? Self-starters ;-)"}, {"response": 1791, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct  4, 2002 (09:32)", "body": "(lizbeth) Is that where the \"Bill and Hillary\" look came from, AMITC? If this the one you mean No, the \"Bill and Hilary\" (LOL..you go waaay back with that one)look came from CoF. I sorta like the British country gent look . It was taken pre-production of P&P.She was livid at BBC for releasing later during the P&P love fest. Making it look like an engagement pic."}, {"response": 1792, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct  4, 2002 (09:33)", "body": "Yikes...it was smaller on Meluchie's website.Pl. take it down Karen."}, {"response": 1793, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  4, 2002 (10:00)", "body": "It's OK. While it is enormous visually, it is only 38K."}, {"response": 1794, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Oct  4, 2002 (11:49)", "body": "Thank you, Evelyn. It is enormous visually. Makes me want to run my fingers through those curls. Isn't this the picture Bridget mentions that was in the newspaper? Can't remember if it was BJD(book) or TEoR."}, {"response": 1795, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Fri, Oct  4, 2002 (12:11)", "body": "It's also known as the \"Blue Peter Garden\" photo, as taken ,as you say, for BBC. reproduced in London Evening standard. The look may not be everyone's favouite but his performance in TWOMH, was pure dynamite, as was stephen Dillane's."}, {"response": 1796, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (18:24)", "body": "My P&P the Game arrived today! (was deliverd to work address, where guy across the hall immediately demanded to know where i'd got it, so could buy his wife one....) the box has Darcy promoting the game, saying \"you must allow me to tell you how ardently i admire and love this game\" (okay, slightly cheesy ...but it got my attention!) ;-) have to say that the artist who did the characters should be taken out and shot. Have never seen such ugly portrails of Lizzy and Darcy -or the others, in my life. Except for Collins, who apears to be the handsomest of the lot. (Perhaps artist was blind?)"}, {"response": 1797, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (23:31)", "body": "Ugly Darcy, and handsome Collins? Nevah!!!!!! So how does the game work?"}, {"response": 1798, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (23:34)", "body": "Can we all play a virtual game when you find out the rules? ;)"}, {"response": 1799, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Oct  9, 2002 (10:43)", "body": "i havent actually opened the game -it's still in its clear plastic wrap (i'm giving it away as a Christmas present) but according to the box the goal is to get your couple to the church and married first. Couples are Darcy & Lizzy, Jane and Bingly, Charlotte & Collins and Lydia & Wickham. my question is; wouldnt you instinctively WANT to lose, if you got stuck with one of the last two couples? ;-)"}, {"response": 1800, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Thu, Oct 17, 2002 (16:20)", "body": "...wouldnt you instinctively WANT to lose, if you got stuck with one of the last two couples?;-) Quite so!!! And I suspect that there's going to be quite a fight about the couples too. Who wont want to be Darcy and Lizzy?? (haven't been around drool for a whole year -shame on me!! Glad to be back)"}, {"response": 1801, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (02:58)", "body": "Thought I might continue the topic of Regencystyle in here (as it is the proper place for it -Karen ;-)) HG did look funny in 'Sense and Sensibility', and I noticed that Jeremy Northam seemed to drown in his cravat in Emma, but I don't recall that ODB had any such problems? I meen, he looked perfectly at ease in it (no matter what scene - or am I wrong?)"}, {"response": 1802, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (09:02)", "body": "Jeremy Northam seemed to drown in his cravat in Emma, I dunno...he was a yummy Mr. Knightly.With that wicked little look in his eyes."}, {"response": 1803, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (09:03)", "body": "No, Diane, I agree. He's built to wear Regency clothes."}, {"response": 1804, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (10:34)", "body": "(Evelyn)I dunno...he was a yummy Mr. Knightly.With that wicked little look in his eyes. He was yummy, and that look of his could make me swoon any day, all I'm saying is that there were times (especially when he sits),when his chin seemed to be all covered up by the cravat (that is the word, right?) Something I don't think I've seen with ODB."}, {"response": 1805, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (10:50)", "body": "(Diane) all I'm saying is that there were times (especially when he sits)... I agree. I thought that when I first saw Emma as well. Though, I do think JN looks very good in regency clothing overall. No one compares to ODB, so JN is a second best...well, maybe third...I liked Mark Strong as Mr. Knightley a bit better (don't hate me). I just liked the BBC version more than the GP/JN version. HG in S&S looked very uncomfortable in his clothes...talk about a neck getting swallowed up! His shoulders looked hunched the whole time as well and when he moved, he seemed like he was walking on glass...I know his character was to be a bit 'mousy' and in the book Edward Ferrars was not a good-looking man, so maybe HG was compensating..."}, {"response": 1806, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (10:56)", "body": "(Tress)I know his character was to be a bit 'mousy' and in the book Edward Ferrars was not a good-looking man, so maybe HG was compensating... -I think that had something to do with it....:-)"}, {"response": 1807, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (12:03)", "body": "I liked Mark Strong as Mr. Knightley a bit better (don't hate me). I just liked the BBC version more than the GP/JN version. LOL. No, I don't hate you:-)) I just disagree.I think Colin has a longer neck and looks good in high collars...mobetta than black tee shirts, IMO.;-) But Mark Strong as \"Mr. Anything\"?;-((( (Liked him in \"Sunshine\" though)"}, {"response": 1808, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (12:41)", "body": "(Evelyn) I think Colin has a longer neck and looks good in high collars...mobetta than black tee shirts, IMO.;-) He does wear the period clothing VERY well. But I think a lot of it had to do with a good taylor (regardless of the length of his neck). The costume department in P&P did an exceptional job (giving ODB those wide shoulders and slender hips...and those boots Louisa!!!). The costumers certainly knew how to outfit him to his advantage (and ours). I about died the first time I saw 'Camille' Those cravats! They looked like bibs. I just couldn't get over the clothes in that movie and the all the makeup worn by the women (did they use eyeliner in the 19th century??). I just thought the women all looked like 1980s style bar-flys with hoop skirts... Still love him in the black Ts though...(but good to know he 'cleans up' well)! ;-)"}, {"response": 1809, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (13:12)", "body": "But I think a lot of it had to do with a good tailor Agree. Have you seen \"Turn of the Screw?\"Talk about period clothes that don't fit. The shirt is two sizes too big around the collar. Same neck too;-)"}, {"response": 1810, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (14:33)", "body": "(Evelyn) Have you seen \"Turn of the Screw?\"Talk about period clothes that don't fit. The shirt is two sizes too big around the collar. I have only seen TOTS once...and I'll have to admit that I wasn't looking at his collar. ODBs screen time was so short, I just got lost in those fine eyes. ;-) About ODB's long neck...When Mr. Darcy is writing the letter to EB at Rosings. When he leans his head back and you get that view of his adam's apple...Great shot. I think because he is so covered up in P&P, that by the time you do get to see some skin you nearly gasp."}, {"response": 1811, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (00:44)", "body": "(Diane) but I don't recall that ODB had any such problems? I meen, he looked perfectly at ease in it (no matter what scene - or am I wrong?) IMO you're not wrong. He looked absolutely divine. I haven't seen him in a period piece where he doesn't look good. He's just got the body for anything. Much to our pleasure. (Evelyn) I didn't know he wore a wig....ug. Thought he wuz \"the real thing\";-) I agree. I read in article where he was told to let his hair grow and they dyed it dark, so IMO it is the real thing. (Evelyn) I dunno...he was a yummy Mr. Knightly.With that wicked little look in his eyes. He was a deliciously yummy Mr. Knightly. I agree. Just perfect. (Tress) I have only seen TOTS once...and I'll have to admit that I wasn't looking at his collar. ODBs screen time was so short, I just got lost in those fine eyes. ;-) I watched it a couple of times and the first six minutes many times. Never noticed the clothes just noticed the eyes and the flirting. Loved it."}, {"response": 1812, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (14:11)", "body": "It's his real hair with dark brown dye applied. ;) I think he made \"Fever Pitch\" fairly soon after P&P, and the hair is VERY similar. I just finally finished reading \"The Bar Sinister\", and it was much better than what I expected! Gosh, he's a sexy beast, is he not? (laughing) His neck is not only long, but is large. I bet he wears a 17 or 17 1/2 dress shirt. That's very strange considering he's so lean."}, {"response": 1813, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (14:37)", "body": "(Jeanie) I just finally finished reading \"The Bar Sinister\", and it was much better than what I expected! Gosh, he's a sexy beast, is he not? (laughing) That book should come in a plain brown wrapper...I haven't 'offically' started it yet (it's in a pile by my nightstand), but a took a peek (okay, I read all the dirty parts)...my goodness...Mr. Darcy!!! I had no idea that he and Elizabeth could be so frisky. (Jeanie) His neck is not only long, but is large. I was going to comment here, but decided that I really shouldn't go there.... ;-)"}, {"response": 1814, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (15:40)", "body": "(Jeanie) His neck is not only long, but is large. (Tress) I was going to comment here, but decided that I really shouldn't go there.... ;-) Don't worry. I don't believe there have been any scientific studies with your intended correlation. Is always size of foot."}, {"response": 1815, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (17:13)", "body": "(Karen) I don't believe there have been any scientific studies with your intended correlation. Is always size of foot. I always thought it was your foot fit between the bend in your elbow and base of the hand (it does, I have tried this) and 'the other' was the distance from thumb to index finger when pointing...(and to think, I said I wasn't going to go there). ;-) The neck correlation would have been more hypothesis than scientific fact. A point at which to start an investigation."}, {"response": 1816, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (17:27)", "body": "(Karen) Don't worry. I don't believe there have been any scientific studies with your intended correlation. Is always size of foot. And I know there have been plenty of comments on foot size. Was it here or elsewhere that I once read the relevant comment from a doctor, \"Tall people have larger appendages.\""}, {"response": 1817, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (17:48)", "body": "(Rika)\"Tall people have larger appendages.\" I bet that relevant comment was from here, Although I cannot say I have personally been privy to all of Mr. Darcy's appendages, I would say the comment is correct-based on the appendages I have been able to see."}, {"response": 1818, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (18:16)", "body": "Question: I am confused with the topics and need clarification. I find that the subjects here and at the new 'Firthology\" are somewhat interchangable! Can anyone set me straight! BTW....indeed it is well known fact that height, feet, hands and , uhhum, well you know whats all are related in terms of size!"}, {"response": 1819, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (18:30)", "body": "(Lisa) I am confused with the topics and need clarification. I find that the subjects here and at the new 'Firthology\" are somewhat interchangable! Can anyone set me straight! It all started as a very highbrow discussion on the fine-ness of ODB's neck. Unfortunately, I took the path of least resistance (with some help from Jeanie and Karen). I apologize profusely and will try to contain myself in the future (let's see how long that will last...)."}, {"response": 1820, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (21:14)", "body": "(Lisa) BTW....indeed it is well known fact that height, feet, hands and , uhhum, well you know whats all are related in terms of size! Risking dating myself here and admitting things I shouldn't but high-profile Madam Xaviera Hollander wrote a book (The Happy Hooker) I \"happened\" to see as a teen and she (and one would presume she would know) insisted the hands were the best \"indicator.\" That single comment has contributed to more than its share of conference room daydreams. Since we are in Darcy Drool I will attempt to bring the topic back home by saying that in P&P during many of the best \"hand times\" he is unfortunately wearing gloves, but I find there is an especially nice hand shot during BJD, the birthday toast."}, {"response": 1821, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (22:34)", "body": "(Barb)but I find there is an especially nice hand shot during BJD, the birthday toast. LOL... yup, big hand and very long fingers wrapped around his wine glass. Oh, and as most of you probably know , despite what some may think, height generally doesn't carry an absolute guarantee of \"size\". There's plenty of short cowboys out there that, well, carry quite the astounding lasso. However, I've never seen it fail that if the man has large hands and long fingers, well.. you know. (insert the winkster here)"}, {"response": 1822, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (23:23)", "body": "(Lisa) I am confused with the topics and need clarification. I find that the subjects here and at the new 'Firthology\" are somewhat interchangable! Can anyone set me straight! Here's my understanding of it: 112 is for P&P and CF drool related thereto, obviously. 149 performs the same function for BJD. 165 is for current CF NEWS (movies in production, awaiting production, possible parts, and other miscellaneous CF news but not silly drool). 166 is for major-league drooling and silly stuff about CF in general and all roles (except for P&P and BJD drool, which have their own topics -- except when citing examples for general discussions of all roles). Now, are you as confused as I am?"}, {"response": 1823, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (22:40)", "body": "LOL... hmmm, I just realized that I should've posted my passion for Darcy Sim here, instead of Firthology.. Oh well, it's gonna take me awhile to get it all straightened out, but anyways.. (sigh) I've decided, since there hasn't been an \"Elizabeth Sim\" created yet that I'm gonna move in next door so he can come see me and we can sit in the hot tub (hmmm.. Regency times I guess it would have to be a hot spring) and check the bounce on the \"love bed\"! I just hope Darcy's character is one that likes to hot tub nakey.. I doubt it, though, since he's so serious by nature. ROFL.. .you may never see me again!"}, {"response": 1824, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (22:44)", "body": "Mostly this Sim stuff is a mystery to me and I have a feeling if I were smart, I would leave it there, but I must say I am intrigued."}, {"response": 1825, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (22:58)", "body": "(Barb S) Mostly this Sim stuff is a mystery to me and I have a feeling if I were smart, I would leave it there, but I must say I am intrigued. It's pretty much of a mystery to me, too. I'm on a Mac, and maybe that's why (I don't have Sims). However, curiosity just sent me visiting the links to the Sims downloads on 166, and I still don't get it, really. Pemberley looks NOTHING like Pemberley. It's the wrong color! Where's the lake? Rosings isn't nearly tacky enough. Who the heck is Lady Priscilla (or whatever)? And Darcy looks more like that odd chap in P&P1 (the one with Elizabeth Garvey) instead of ODB. Methinks it needs lots of work."}, {"response": 1826, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (06:21)", "body": "(whacking Kathy on the backside with my special edition velvet Elvis poster) Oh, you mac snobs.... (taking on superior high pitched voice).. \"the graphics are simply ghastly.. blah, blah, blah!\" (laughing) Trust me, the sim people are improving more and more all the time! They are terribly addictive. I didn't particularly like the pemberley download, either, so I'm modifying mine. =P There's just too many pinkish tones. Ick! Plus, what's that roof doing there? I'm gonna go back to my P&P dvd today and see if I can figure out a way to make \"Pemberley\" more.. well.. pemberleyish. As far as Darcy, well, I haven't really been able to see him up close. There are some celebrity sims that one can download that are very realistic. Before my computer crashed I had Faith Hill as well as Angelina Jolie Sims, and they were gorgeous!"}, {"response": 1827, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (09:31)", "body": "(Jeanie) Oh, you mac snobs .... (taking on superior high pitched voice).. \"the graphics are simply ghastly.. blah, blah, blah!\" (laughing) Trust me, the sim people are improving more and more all the time! They are terribly addictive. Calm down and don't harm velvet Elvis! I meant that Sim doesn't come on Mac as a standard feature (at least, not on any of mine) and so I'm not really indoctrinated in all this. Is this like Sim City (that my son used to play on Nintendo)? I just looked at the links posted and could see some graphics, but don't know if that's all you get or not. There were three head shots of Darcy. Did not see Lizzy at all. Since I don't have Sim, there's no reason to download. I hope you CAN make Pemberley look more like itself! And by the way, what does one do with Faith Hill and Angelina Jolie Sims? My curiosity is definitely piqued! Will they be visiting Pemberley?"}, {"response": 1828, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (10:09)", "body": "(Jeanie) Oh, you mac snobs .... (taking on superior high pitched voice).. \"the graphics are simply ghastly.. blah, blah, blah!\" (laughing) Trust me, the sim people are improving more and more all the time! They are terribly addictive. I have a mac (and the Sims)....wasn't my pick, the DH HAD to have it (he does a lot of photo work)...I could care less about such things as I am lucky to find the on/off button. I didn't load up my Sims last night though...am going to try this weekend. Really want to put Pemberley in my neighborhood, but am stress-out about teaching everyone to cook (I hear you can burn your house down fairly quickly if your people aren't adept at this skill)...and do Georgiana and Darcy have to cook as well??? and the five maids??? Gahhhh!!! Also have heard that if they don't know where 'the facilities' are located (or you ignore them) that there can be 'little accidents' in the corners...is this true?? I don't think my heart can take seeing Mr. Darcy wizzin' in a corner.... (though for some reason, I can imagine Angelina Jolie doing this with no problem)...;-)"}, {"response": 1829, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (10:39)", "body": "I'm finding this topic interesting, the idea of \"sim\" fic is intriguing and I might want to learn more (and it seems there is ample interest in the topic) but should we take this to Odds and Ends? I do want you to keep talking though, I hope to either absorb enough to run away shrieking or venture into it myself."}, {"response": 1830, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (10:45)", "body": "There are many \"Tech\" conferences here at Spring. O&E wouldn't be the place for it."}, {"response": 1831, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (19:59)", "body": "Well, since I was dealing with the \"Pemberley Sims\", specifically Darcy, I thought this would be the place to talk about it. Maybe not, though... It's gonna take me forever to figure out how to get the little folks back on my computer, anyways, so I won't post about it anymore. =) The new posting system is, I think, a good idea, but I'm still confused by it all, but what's new? LOL! No need to show me the rules again, it won't help! LOL! I'm sorry for taking up space with my rogue posting. ;) I'll try to be more sensible about such things in the future. Oh, and I want Kathy & Tress to know that I wasn't seriously slighting mac users. My brother in law, a graphic artist, goes on and on about his machine, so I couldn't help but tease. Hope everyone has a lovely weekend! =D"}, {"response": 1832, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (23:17)", "body": "Jeanie, it is tricky to try to figure out where to talk about a Sim version of Mr. Darcy! But really I think the only thing that has changed in the posting system is that the CF mainline topic has been split into News and Firthology. Karen has always wanted us to use the Darcy Drool and BJD topics for P&P and BJD specific stuff. But we got lazy and didn't bother to do it, and she tolerated it for quite a while before she reminded us."}, {"response": 1833, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 26, 2002 (10:51)", "body": "(Rika) a Sim version of Mr. Darcy! *scratching head* Youse are too smart for me...."}, {"response": 1834, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Oct 26, 2002 (20:11)", "body": "(Evelyn) Youse are too smart for me.... Too smart for me also. I'm lost. Nothing new."}, {"response": 1835, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (09:32)", "body": "On Yahoo News : Movies - Variety Bollywood Director Jolly for Jane Tue Oct 29, 4:18 AM ET By Adam Dawtrey LONDON (Variety) - Director Gurinder Chadha will follow up \"Bend It Like Beckham\" with a modern-day Bollywood musical version of Jane Austen's \"Pride and Prejudice.\" The project is in early pre-production and will start shooting next March. Mr. Darcy, the romantic lead, will be played by an American actor backed up by an all-star Bollywood cast to be announced shortly. Chadha and her co-writer, Paul Mayeda Berges, are in India working on the music and lyrics. The writing and recording of the songs must be completed before the start of principal photography in India, the U.K. and the U.S."}, {"response": 1836, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (10:00)", "body": "LOL! I have *got* to see that!"}, {"response": 1837, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (13:49)", "body": "Thanks for report Tress. An American playing Darcy. I couldn't begin to guess who they may cast. I agree Dorine, LOL. Should prove interesting."}, {"response": 1838, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (14:31)", "body": "(FanPam)An American playing Darcy George Cloney, perhaps? Then Bridget would actually be interviewing Mr. Darcy in TEoR."}, {"response": 1839, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (15:13)", "body": "(Yahoo News) Mr. Darcy, the romantic lead, will be played by an American actor backed up by an all-star Bollywood cast to be announced shortly. Let me get this straight. An American Darcy, and would that mean everybody else is Indian? My imagination is in overdrive now. I keep envisioning all the women in saris (Caroline's orange, of course) and everybody speaking in strange, clipped accents..."}, {"response": 1840, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (15:31)", "body": "(KathyF) I keep envisioning all the women in saris (Caroline's orange, of course) and everybody speaking in strange, clipped accents... LOL...not just speaking! Remember, this is a musical. I hope they have a 'proposal song'...would love to hear the dialogue from that scene sung...\"in vain I have struggled, it will not do...\""}, {"response": 1841, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (20:08)", "body": "LOL, Tress! It actually went through my head as a song when I read this."}, {"response": 1842, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (21:05)", "body": "You know, this could work! I'm visualizing the stage version of Beauty and the Beast meets Pride & Prejudice. Just for fun, let's let Elizabeth be Beauty instead of the other way around :-D Or even better -- the Gaston song for Darcy! \"Oh what a guy -- Fitzwilliam\" -- ok, it might need work but there ARE parallels."}, {"response": 1843, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (00:03)", "body": "How funny!!! I forgot it was going to be a musical as well as Indian. I agree. This could work as Beauty and the Beast. All kidding aside they could never come up with as good a sound track as P&P2. The themes were perfect for the characters."}, {"response": 1844, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (00:07)", "body": "Evelyn asked for a Lambton Inn DVD capture. It turns out that the table partly obscures the view of Darcy's hands on Lizzy's arm - I never really noticed that while watching. This particular shot is from the midst of the time when Darcy is regaining his composure and his sense of propriety. He just finished sitting back in his chair so he's no longer leaning in so close to Lizzy, and he has just realized where his hands are - in a few more seconds he's going to remove them from her arm. I also think there's some leftist evidence on display as he is sitting down earlier in this scene, but that's a subject for another time."}, {"response": 1845, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (05:34)", "body": "I've never seen it fail that if the man has large hands and long fingers, well.. you know. Okay Jeanie this was going back a few posts, but I'm allowed, I've been busy! I've got a question and I'm sure it *must* be able to fit into this topic somehow. Um, err, well, just HOW is it that you have never seen it fail??? What are you up to??? (insert curious winkie) Rika...what's on the table above???..looks like brains, or tripe next to \"that\" letter! (BTW---That is the perfect arguement for bringing mutton chops back into fashion...) Finally, this is what I think we all should do. Start posting whatever, wherever you want. Don't pay any attention to what topic you're in. Then sit back and watch Karen jump from room to room and try and sort everyone out. It'll be a hoot. Bring some wine and cheese. We can have a little \"do\"."}, {"response": 1846, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (08:03)", "body": "(Lisa) Bring some wine and cheese. We can have a little \"do\". Woohoo! I think someone is feeling her oats, perhaps she's been working a little too hard and is giddy now that one story is out of the way? ;-) And yeah, Jeanie, how about what she asked?!"}, {"response": 1847, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (09:38)", "body": "(Lisa) Rika...what's on the table above???..looks like brains, or tripe next to \"that\" letter! I'm 90% sure that's a bonnet of Lizzy's. (BTW---That is the perfect arguement for bringing mutton chops back into fashion...) Though they wouldn't look that good on just anyone. Finally, this is what I think we all should do. Start posting whatever, wherever you want. Don't pay any attention to what topic you're in. Then sit back and watch Karen jump from room to room and try and sort everyone out. It'll be a hoot. Bring some wine and cheese. We can have a little \"do\". You're so EVIL! Here I am trying to be a good girl and follow The Rules, and there are anarchists like you about inciting us to be naughty (but what fun it would be......)"}, {"response": 1848, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (10:08)", "body": "(DVDiva) I'm 90% sure that's a bonnet of Lizzy's. I'm 100% sure...I'd put money on it! Thank you again for that pic Rika...It looks as if she is looking at his face (can't quite tell) and all he can do is look at her arm as he touches her...you're right, \"he has just realized where his hands are\", it's as if he just can't help himself...\"I gotta touch her, I just gotta\". Then he realizes he has an audience (Elizabeth) and withdraws. Poor boy, so in love and Lydia just had to go and spoil it all for him! (Rika) Here I am trying to be a good girl and follow The Rules... I was told not to read \"The Rules\". According to my Bibliotherapy book, it's a \"book to be thrown with great force\"! ;-) (Lisa) (BTW---That is the perfect arguement for bringing mutton chops back into fashion...) I have been saying this to my DH for a long time! He says he refuses to indulge in my Darcy fantasies! Silly boy!! (FanPam) All kidding aside they could never come up with as good a sound track as P&P2. The themes were perfect for the characters. But the lyrics! Imagine! I just hope we will be able to see it here...the entertainment value of something like this could be very high! ;-) Though I agree, I love the P&P2 (can I ask why everyone puts the 2 at the end? I'm being a bit thick this morning) soundtrack. Great music!!"}, {"response": 1849, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (11:29)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1850, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (12:27)", "body": "...randy grasshopper. THAT'S IT! My search is over! That is EXACTLY what he reminds me of! Thanks Murph, I can rest now...."}, {"response": 1851, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (13:09)", "body": "(Lisa) Finally, this is what I think we all should do. Start posting whatever, wherever you want. Don't pay any attention to what topic you're in. Then sit back and watch Karen jump from room to room and try and sort everyone out. Keep repeating to self, \"do NOT listen to Lisa, do NOT listen to Lisa...\" (Tress) It looks as if she is looking at his face (can't quite tell) and all he can do is look at her arm as he touches her...you're right, \"he has just realized where his hands are\", it's as if he just can't help himself...\"I gotta touch her, I just gotta\". Then he realizes he has an audience (Elizabeth) and withdraws. Poor boy, so in love and Lydia just had to go and spoil it all for him! Absolutely! I always feel like killing Lydia over this -- lucky for her Lizzie was her sister instead of me! Poor Darcy wants so desperately to go for it and comfort her, but propriety demands he keep his distance. *sigh* Thanks, Rika! Another great one!!"}, {"response": 1852, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (14:28)", "body": "Thanks Rika, great pic. Murph, what a talent. This is great stuff. Please let us know where more are. So clever. Thank you. I agree, its the hat on the table."}, {"response": 1853, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (15:51)", "body": "(FanPam) Murph, what a talent. This is great stuff. Please let us know where more are. So clever. Thank you. I second that....very funny stuff. And now about the Lambton Inn scene...I know this has probably been talked about before, but I am of the opinion that he went there that day to renew his proposal. I think he was planning a heart to heart with Lizzie as he walked in (there was a real purpose to his stride as he entered that room, and he had seemed edgy when getting dressed that morning)...if only we could have an 'alternate history' of that moment (had Lizzie not received Jane's letters, or better yet, if Lydia had been better behaved, what would have happened in that moment??). We'll never know and it makes me sad...Wish we could see the famous script (what kind of direction did Andrew Davies give CF and JE in that particular scene??)."}, {"response": 1854, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (16:18)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1855, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (16:53)", "body": "Murph, this is hilarious stuff! (Murph, channeling David Bamber) Even Firth doesn\ufffdt have his own theme. Hey, you tell Davie-boy that there kind of IS a Darcy theme. Or maybe it's more of a Darcy-Lizzy love theme. I'm thinking of the music that was used for a lot of the scenes on the grounds of Pemberley. It's also used when he watches her play with the dog, when he encounters her walking around Rosings, and after she accepts the second proposal."}, {"response": 1856, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (16:53)", "body": "(Rika)It turns out that the table partly obscures the view of Darcy's hands on Lizzy's arm -I never really noticed that while watching Around the 100th time.....thanks Rika...it's my favorite scene. (lisa) Finally, this is what I think we all should do. Start posting whatever, wherever you want. Don't pay any attention to what topic you're in. Then sit back and watch Karen jump from room to room and try and sort everyone out.. Rika) You're so EVIL! Here I am trying to be a good girl and follow The Rules, and there are anarchists like you about inciting us to be naughty (but what fun it would be......) Warning to Anarchists: ROTF...you'll suddenly find your posts MIA."}, {"response": 1857, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (17:50)", "body": "(Murph)Oh my God, look at the top of his head! Should I tell him? No time... He is going to hate this scene the rest of his life!...Even Firth doesn\ufffdt have his own theme. LOL. This is excellent stuff, Murph. Hope you have more, Thank you Rika for the picture. Do you get tired of me saying that? (Lisa)looks like brains, or tripe Wrong story, that's ACWE type of thing."}, {"response": 1858, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (20:52)", "body": "(Tress) And now about the Lambton Inn scene... I agree. He definitely went there for a purpose. If not to renew his proposal at least to definitely propose some sort of understanding, leading to a proposal. But most definitely to have a heart to heart. Obviously it was arranged that they would see each other at Pemberly as she asks him to apologize to Georgiana for their leaving and not being able to see her that day. So inroads had definitely been made, and he was feeling a bit more confident about her. But you know, if it wasn't for Lydia he wouldn't have admitted that he had a problem with his Pride and JA definitely had to make him aware of it. So the obstacle was necessary, but it also proved to Lizzy how much he cared for her to go out of his way like that, plus major points scored with Gardners. I just wish the movie showed the family knowing about what he had done as she tells her father it was Darcy who took care of everything in the book. I would have liked to see him receive thanks from the family on screen as well as some of the Longborn scenes after the engagement. Would have tied it up neatly. (Murph) Oh my God, look at the top of his head! Should I tell him? No time... He is going to hate this scene the rest of his life! This is priceless!!! Murph you have a true comic talent. I am really enjoying this. Good stuff. (Rika) Hey, you tell Davie-boy that there kind of IS a Darcy theme. Yes, there definitely is. It's played over and over again when a scene involves him. Especially noticeable when he rides into Pemberley. Lizzy has her own, especially noticable in the very beginning when she's watching Darcy & Bingley ride, and Bingley has his theme, listen when he's going to Longborn to propose to Jane. Four distinct themes including Collins', perhaps others as well but those come to mind immediately."}, {"response": 1859, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (22:33)", "body": "(Tress) I know this has probably been talked about before, but I am of the opinion that he went there that day to renew his proposal. Andrew Davies confirmed that was his intent with the scene when he spoke at the U of Wisc last year."}, {"response": 1860, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (22:42)", "body": "Thanks for answer to Lambton visit question, Karen."}, {"response": 1861, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (22:45)", "body": "Remember, that is only Andrew Davies' interpretation. We don't know if JA agreed with it."}, {"response": 1862, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (23:30)", "body": "(FanPam) I just wish the movie showed the family knowing about what he had done as she tells her father it was Darcy who took care of everything in the book. I would have liked to see him receive thanks from the family on screen as well as some of the Longborn scenes after the engagement. Would have tied it up neatly. I have often thought the same thing. I almost felt uncomfortable for Darcy in the movie (as if the elder Bennet's did not approve of the match). All that had to be done would have been to add a line (or two) to the scene were Lizzie tells her father that D has 'no improper pride'. I suppose Andrew Davies had his reasons for leaving it out, but it would have made me feel better (and that's the whole point, right?)...there was also a part in the book with a dinner party at Longbourn that I would have liked to have seen...(were Darcy is seated next to Mrs. Bennet). (Karen) Andrew Davies confirmed that was his intent with the scene when he spoke at the U of Wisc last year. Good to know! I can now watch it w/o all those questions floating around in my head. Although, it's unfortunate that Ms. Austen could not be consulted to see what her opinion would be on the whole matter. I do think it is the best adaptation of a JA novel I have seen (I know that many think Persuasion was done quite well, but I'm a superficial sort of girl, and I liked the costumes and hair better in P&P2 (and no one has told me why we add the 2 at the end yet))....okay, okay...I'm also partial to ODB..."}, {"response": 1863, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (23:37)", "body": "We add the 2 because there was a 0 and a 1 preceding this version. The numbering convention either started on the Austen-L list or ROP. The zero version is the Greer Garson-Laurence Olivier one. P&P1 was also from the BBC and starred Elizabeth Garvie and David Rintoul. I don't have the date handy."}, {"response": 1864, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (01:24)", "body": "(Tress) I know that many think Persuasion was done quite well I've always heard this, and it totally escapes me. IMO almost every part was horribly miscast, although Amanda Root did an admirable job and Corin Redgrave was marvelous. On the whole, I was terribly disappointed, and can't understand why it was so well received. Of the Austen adaptations, P&P2 seems vastly superior, to my way of thinking. Elizabeth Garvie is good in P&P1, and there are aspects of that production which were well executed. David Rintoul, though...ugh! :-("}, {"response": 1865, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (06:44)", "body": "(Karen)Remember, that is only Andrew Davies' interpretation. We don't know if JA agreed with it. Exactly, artistic license there, that's for sure. That particular scene is a much-discussed part of the story and, take this as you wish, from what I've read concensus is that JA did not intend for the scene to be interpreted as Darcy's second proposal attempt."}, {"response": 1866, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (07:33)", "body": "David Rintoul, though...ugh! :-( He was such a stiff! It's surprising he could sit down at all. ;-) (Pam), at least to definitely propose some sort of understanding, leading to a proposal. But most definitely to have a heart to heart. This is more believable, IMO. (Rika)It turns out that the table partly obscures the view of Darcy's hands on Lizzy's arm -I never really noticed that while watching I loved that! And, I did catch it on my first viewing. :-)"}, {"response": 1867, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (09:58)", "body": "(Moon) I loved that! And, I did catch it on my first viewing. :-) I need to clarify what I meant. I noticed his hands on her arm right from the start. I love that part too - he's so desperate to comfort her, and when he's leaning towards her you can tell he's having to use every ounce of self-control to stop himself from taking her in her arms. What I meant to say was that I didn't notice until I went to do the captures that the table partially obscures his hands - I would have bet that they were much more visible at that point. I found it interesting that my imagination filled in the missing part of the image without my ever realizing it."}, {"response": 1868, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (10:19)", "body": "(Kathy)Elizabeth Garvie is good in P&P1, and there are aspects of that production which were well executed. David Rintoul, though...ugh! :-( Ah..but just as you preferred Garvie (who IMO was better as Camilla Parker Bowles in \"Diana\" )there are people who liked the David Rintoul interpretation of Darcy more than Andrew Davis. They feel it was more in keeping with Austen's intent. Of course we all go for the Colin rendition of sexy Darcy. Just depends if one is an Austen purist."}, {"response": 1869, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (10:39)", "body": "(Rika) he's so desperate to comfort her, and when he's leaning towards her you can tell he's having to use every ounce of self-control to stop himself from taking her in her arms. I like the way he's almost gnawing on his fist, due to his frustration at having to keep his distance. (Evelyn) but just as you preferred Garvie Oh, heavens no! I didn't mean I preferred Garvie to JE. I prefer JE, but thought that EG was one of the best things about P&P1."}, {"response": 1870, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (10:44)", "body": "(Karen) We add the 2 because there was a 0 and a 1 preceding this version. Thank you...it now makes perfect sense. (KathyF) David Rintoul, though...ugh! :-( (Moon) He was such a stiff! It's surprising he could sit down at all. ;-) I have yet to see P&P1 (I have the hang of this title thing, I think), but I really want to...glad to hear that DR did not outshine ODB (but that would be impossible I think). (KathyF re: Persuasion) I've always heard this, and it totally escapes me. IMO almost every part was horribly miscast, although Amanda Root did an admirable job and Corin Redgrave was marvelous. On the whole, I was terribly disappointed, and can't understand why it was so well received. I saw Persuasion after P&P2, and I was surprised that many thought it was the best adaptation. Amanda Root did well (but her hair seemed too short in front to me (after seeing Susannah Harkers hair)), I did also like Corin Redgrave and Sophie Thompson (I always like her). (FanPam) But you know, if it wasn't for Lydia he wouldn't have admitted that he had a problem with his Pride and JA definitely had to make him aware of it. So the obstacle was necessary, but it also proved to Lizzy how much he cared for her to go out of his way like that, plus major points scored with Gardners. Which is why I don't write well! I wanted Darcy to talk to Lizzie sooooo bad at the Lambton Inn scene. JA knew what she was doing (it's amazing to me that almost 200 years later, we can still find this one story so engaging). Darcy did still need that extra kick in the behind at that point (and Wickham and Lydia were a perfect 'test' for him)."}, {"response": 1871, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (10:58)", "body": "KathyF re: Persuasion) I've always heard this, and it totally escapes me. IMO almost every part was horribly miscast, although Amanda Root did an admirable job and Corin Redgrave was marvelous. On the whole, I was terribly disappointed, and can't understand why it was so well received. How about Ciaran Hinds as Capt. Wentworth.*sigh* Not a glitzy production, but beautifully executed, IMO.Amanda Root is no beauty, but brought powerful inner emotions to the surface with her subtle facial expressions.Who can forget the scene at the music concert in the Assembly Room at Bath.Their eye encounters...powerful stuff."}, {"response": 1872, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (11:03)", "body": "Chiming in on Persuasion, I really liked the Amanda Root-Ciaran Hinds production over the BBC one."}, {"response": 1873, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (14:30)", "body": "I think that's the version I recently taped from the ABC......."}, {"response": 1874, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (19:50)", "body": "(Evelyn) Just depends if one is an Austen purist. I know they say that, but I've never understood why it's \"purist\" to portray Darcy as a cold fish with a great big ol' stick up his butt. We're talking here about a man who overcame his substantial pride and changed himself for the sake of a woman. And it wasn't a woman who brought a huge dowry or connections to the nobility that would have enhanced his social position. If anything, his position might suffer due to the marriage. So if he wasn't motivated by money or social advancement, what's left? The only possible explanation is that he was being ruled not by his head, but by his heart (perhaps with encouragement from some other organ further south). And that leaves you with a Darcy who, though he attempts not to show it in public, is in the grip of powerful and bewildering emotions that he can't entirely control. In other words, Firth's Darcy. I know the purists object to some of Davies' added scenes (particularly the plunge in the lake), but they don't have anything to do with the basic characterization of Darcy, and that's the part that bothers me about P&P1. Rintoul's Darcy doesn't have deep enough feelings to make major sacrifices in the name of love."}, {"response": 1875, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (21:08)", "body": "(Tress) I do think it is the best adaptation of a JA novel I have seen (I know that many think Persuasion was done quite well, but I'm a superficial sort of girl, and I liked the costumes and hair better in P&P2 (and no one has told me why we add the 2 at the end yet))....okay, okay...I'm also partial to ODB I agree with you. I think it is the least disjointed, shall we say, of the adaptations. It seems to flow alot better than some, and I had less unanswered questions about it than any of the others. Saw Persuasion for the first time the other night. Watched it three times consequtively to get accents, but still found it disjointed, so now will return to book to piece it together. I know this is a silly question but does anyone else think Amanda Root and Sophie Thompson resemble each other? I wonder if they are related somehow. I thought there was a strong resemblence. Read a recent Q & A interview of AD. He said his least favorite scene was the second proposal. He said it was poorly directed and poorly acted as there was no spark or emotions between Lizzy and Darcy. Apparently not how he had envisioned it when he wrote it. He also said that CF helped JE alot with her Lizzy interpretation. I found this interesting. (Kathy) (Rika) he's so desperate to comfort her, and when he's leaning towards her you can tell he's having to use every ounce of self-control to stop himself from taking her in her arms. I like the way he's almost gnawing on his fist, due to his frustration at having to keep his distance. I agree, but I also think he's beginning to feel guilty about not publicly exposing Wickham. (Tress) JA knew what she was doing (it's amazing to me that almost 200 years later, we can still find this one story so engaging). That's why stories like P&P are classics IMO. They are so well written and have so many human failings and successes in them that they will endure through generations and centuries because people can identify with them. Alcott, Austen, Dickens, Shakespeare, Homer, Wilde, just to name a very few extremely talented and gifted writers. No matter how they are updated and modernized the basic essence of what they have written is translated in its truest form for all to enjoy. Also everyone loves a good love story with a happy ending, and especially a beautifully done top-drawer interpretation of that love story with CF as the hero and heartthrob. It doesn't get better than that. (Evelyn) How about Ciaran Hinds as Capt. Wentworth.*sigh* *sigh*sigh*sigh*oooooooooo"}, {"response": 1876, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (21:35)", "body": "(Evelyn) How about Ciaran Hinds as Capt. Wentworth.*sigh* Not a glitzy production, but beautifully executed, IMO.Amanda Root is no beauty, but brought powerful inner emotions to the surface with her subtle facial expressions. Well (hope I don't make any enemies here) as I said I thought it miscast pretty much all around. AR was good, but never achieved the glow that Anne was supposed to have attained when Capt. Wentworth returned. IMO Ciaran Hinds has too many teeth to be really attractive (ducking tomatoes), but it's all a matter of taste, obviously. Just didn't think he would have inspired such admiration in so many women. I reread the book immediately prior to seeing it, so everything was fresh in my mind, and nothing lived up to my expectations. (Rika) Rintoul's Darcy doesn't have deep enough feelings to make major sacrifices in the name of love. He doesn't look as if he has any feelings at all. He's as rigid as a Ken doll, with about as much sex-appeal, IMO. I can't imagine a woman as intelligent as Lizzie ever forming an attachment to DR's Darcy! So if he wasn't motivated by money or social advancement, what's left? The only possible explanation is that he was being ruled not by his head, but by his heart (perhaps with encouragement from some other organ further south). And that leaves you with a Darcy who, though he attempts not to show it in public, is in the grip of powerful and bewildering emotions that he can't entirely control And that, IMO, is what is so appealing about Darcy, and the reason I keep reading P&P over and over."}, {"response": 1877, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (21:55)", "body": "(Pam) I agree, but I also think he's beginning to feel guilty about not publicly exposing Wickham. I just checked, and she doesn't tell him about Wickham until after the hand thing. But I must admit that he might not be so much gnawing his fist as perhaps trying to surreptitiously wipe his nose. ;-) Still, I prefer the gnawing-from-frustration angle. (Evelyn) How about Ciaran Hinds as Capt. Wentworth.*sigh* (Pam) *sigh*sigh*sigh*oooooooooo Et tu, Pam?"}, {"response": 1878, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (23:34)", "body": "(KathyF) AR was good, but never achieved the glow that Anne was supposed to have attained when Capt. Wentworth returned. OMG! I thought she positively blossomed, a huge change in appearance and attitude. (BTW, there's no need to apologize for one's opinions here) When I compare the two adaptations, the AR-CH version wins hands down, even though I don't find CH the least bit attractive."}, {"response": 1879, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (09:27)", "body": "(Pam)He[AD] also said that CF helped JE alot with her Lizzy interpretation. I found this interesting. That's why she thanked him [Colin]when she received the BAFTA award for Best Actress in 1996. (Kathy)achieved the glow that Anne was supposed to have attained when Capt. Wentworth returned. IMO Ciaran Hinds has too many teeth to be really attractive (ducking tomatoes), LOL. Never tomahtoes, or finger pointing on this board, Kathy.As our former host, Nan, used to say: \"If we all thought alike there would be nothing to discuss\" However,the fact that neither CH or AR are handsome stars like the leads in P&P, is what I like about Persuasion. They were ordinary people in love. BTW I've seen Ciaran Hinds on stage and he has a commanding presence."}, {"response": 1880, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (11:55)", "body": "(Kathy) I can't imagine a woman as intelligent as Lizzie ever forming an attachment to DR's Darcy! Another good point. He was tall and wealthy, and that's about it."}, {"response": 1881, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (12:12)", "body": "(Pam re: AD) He said his least favorite scene was the second proposal. He said it was poorly directed and poorly acted as there was no spark or emotions between Lizzy and Darcy. Apparently not how he had envisioned it when he wrote it. I thought that from the time of Lady Catherine's visit to Longbourn to the actual marriage was a bit rushed in P&P2 (my only real complaint about the entire production). In the book, there is a lot more dialogue during the second proposal, there is a second walk (a time when we could have seen some pre-marital affection)...and then there is the conversation were Lizzie tries to get Darcy to talk about when he fell in love with her...(I love that in the book, even if it is a bit cheesy, because it gives us another chance to see Lizzie being witty...and her teasing Darcy about his feelings for her). In P&P2 it was almost as if once they got to the second proposal, they didn't want us to wait much longer for that final kiss, so things had to be moved along quickly...(don't they know we would have sat through another 5 hours for that kiss?). Funny AD said he thought it was poorly acted...I just wanted CF's Darcy to finally touch her as they walked (he didn't even offer his arm to her)! (Pam) He[AD] also said that CF helped JE alot with her Lizzy interpretation. I found this interesting. (Evelyn) That's why she thanked him [Colin]when she received the BAFTA award for Best Actress in 1996. Smart on ODB's part! He molded the perfect Lizzie, so that he could have his Darcy work to perfection. I mean, what better way for characters to have chemistry, if you can get your acting partner to act exactly like you want them to, so your responses to each other will be dead on..."}, {"response": 1882, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (17:52)", "body": "(Tress) In the book, there is a lot more dialogue during the second proposal, there is a second walk (a time when we could have seen some pre-marital affection)...aIn P&P2 it was almost as if once they got to the second proposal, they didn't want us to wait much longer for that final kiss, so things had to be moved along quickly...(I just wanted CF's Darcy to finally touch her as they walked (he didn't even offer his arm to her) This is the only part I felt was rather poorly done. In the book their first walk (the second proposal) was so lengthy as to cause comment, making Lizzie invent the excuse of having lost her way. Surely something interesting ;-) must have occurred at this time. The walk to Oakham Mount must have been quite a hike, too, since Bingley suggested it would be too much for Kitty. I've always wished AD had used those scenes to \"fill in\" what JA left to our imaginations. I also wonder, while we're on the subject of the second proposal, why Lizzy and Darcy stopped right near that worker with the cart. In other words, why was the worker with the cart in the scene at all? Wouldn't L&D have wanted privacy for this most important conversation? It bothers me every time I see it."}, {"response": 1883, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (17:56)", "body": "(Tress)Funny AD said he thought it was poorly acted...I just wanted CF's Darcy to finally touch her as they walked (he didn't even offer his arm to her)! I'm surprised AD would say this, too. Wasn't he giving all the stage direction? IMO, they did rush the ending. And, yes I would have gladly sat through another episode, or an extra hour on the last episode, at least."}, {"response": 1884, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (21:19)", "body": "(Tress) I thought that from the time of Lady Catherine's visit to Longbourn to the actual marriage was a bit rushed in P&P2 (my only real complaint about the entire production). I agree. Rushed much too much. There was so much personal interaction at the end of the book that would have been so very very good in the movie, and IMO it was needed. I would have loved to see some affection between them. Thanks Evelyn for the information about JE. I didn't know that she thanked him when she received her award. Good to know his efforts were appreciated. And I agree, Tress, very smart move on his part to help \"create\" a workable, responsive, Lizzy to his Darcy. (Linda) I'm surprised AD would say this, too. Wasn't he giving all the stage direction? I don't know if he was giving stage direction. I was surprised too but he was quoted as saying that it was his least favorite scene and for the reasons given. I went back to read the Q&A and its per batum. Maybe was there an editing issue. I just know I agree that atleast in that scene there wasn't very much \"spark\" between them as AD said. IMO much more \"spark\" when they meet at Pemberley by surprise. (Kathy) CH, Captain Wentworth can take me to the West Indies any time he wants. Am definitely attracted. (Kathy) I also wonder, while we're on the subject of the second proposal, why Lizzy and Darcy stopped right near that worker with the cart. In other words, why was the worker with the cart in the scene at all? Wouldn't L&D have wanted privacy for this most important conversation? It bothers me every time I see it. I have two thoughts on this (1) they were so into each other that they didn't notice the worker, or they didn't think their voices would carry to him. They didn't appear to pay the slightest bit of attention to him or (2) maybe sound equipment was in the wagon."}, {"response": 1885, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (21:21)", "body": "Sorry Karen, there was some sort of glich in this post."}, {"response": 1886, "author": "LizJP", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (22:36)", "body": "closing tags"}, {"response": 1887, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (01:54)", "body": "(Tress) I thought that from the time of Lady Catherine's visit to Longbourn to the actual marriage was a bit rushed in P&P2 (my only real complaint about the entire production). (FanPam) I agree. Rushed much too much. //... I would have loved to see some affection between them. I was just listening to the Davies talk online, and a part of it addressed this issue and one other we had discussed. I tried to make a decent transcript of it, but -- he talks in so many sentence fragments, it is difficult to make sense of some of it on paper, so I had to edit the repetitive parts. Anyway, he had just finished playing the Music Room scene for the audience, and right after that, he said ... \"In fact, I don't know whether you'd agree...but I've known a lot of people who know the adaptation very well and have watched it quite a lot, ... I don't think we got the final bit done very well. \"There's a final scene between Darcy and Elizabeth which I don't propose to play because it would just make us all miserable, which didn't work ... Where there's... where they're going for a long, long walk through the fields -- and you'd just wish they'd stand still and look in each other's eyes again. \"He's doing that walking with a stick which actually neither he nor the Wickham actor quite sort of managed ... to be frank they both lean on their sticks as if they'd got a bad leg which isn't quite the point [laughter] -- My *only* criticism of Colin Firth .. my only, *only* one... [laughter]-- and anyway, ... And it's um, also the writing wasn't all that good in that last bit. But I'll stand by that [i.e.: the Music Room scene which he had just played..], I mean it's just so great, that scene, and you can tell afterwards -- and the next morning is when he rides over , ... and I am sure -- [bit about the names of the villages tangled up]-- I mean it never says in the boook why he rode over, but I'm sure he rode over to propose again on the strength of those looks -- that *I wrote* into the Music Room. [generous laughter.] So he does admit the writing had flaws -- and that he had only one criticism of CF. ;-) And that he was sure Darcy intended to propose in the Inn scene."}, {"response": 1888, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (09:41)", "body": "(Davies talk) \"There's a final scene between Darcy and Elizabeth which I don't propose to play because it would just make us all miserable, which didn't work ... Where there's... where they're going for a long, long walk through the fields -- and you'd just wish they'd stand still and look in each other's eyes again. KJArt, thanks so much for taking the trouble to transcribe some of his talk for us! I agree with Davies on this part...I did wish they would have stopped and actually looked at each other (and Darcy needed to take her hand, or something!)...they both seemed not to want to make eye contact (maybe they were both aware of his pants in that scene...I don't know if I could look at his face either!). But as AD said, the writing could have been better in that one particular scene. The book had more dialogue...and there were some great book moments that were not included after that proposal. The part about his walking stick is v. v. funny. Why didn't they tell ODB not to use it as a crutch (it is something I noticed he had, but I didn't even think about how he leaned on it...)...LOL, like how AD also refers to Adrian Lukis as \"the Wickham actor\". Thanks KJArt!"}, {"response": 1889, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (11:45)", "body": "Thanks, KJ - great stuff!"}, {"response": 1890, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (12:57)", "body": "Thanks KJ for the info. It is hard to transcribe him, he jumps all around and does speak in fragments. Good job."}, {"response": 1891, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (18:03)", "body": "Thanks KJ,I enjoyed the information."}, {"response": 1892, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (20:40)", "body": "(Tress) I agree with Davies on this part...I did wish they would have stopped and actually looked at each other (and Darcy needed to take her hand, or something!)...they both seemed not to want to make eye contact ... Unfortunately, JA herself was partly to blame for this approach. She refers to Elizabeth as being \"much too embarrassed\" to say a word about his protesting it was all done for her. And after he professes his intentions are unchanged, and Elizabeth responds with a yae vote, JA says \"Had Elizabeth been able to encounter his eyes, she might have seen how well the expression of heartfelt delight diffused over his face became him; but although she could not look, she could listen, ... etc\", so I am afraid JA was not thinking cinematic design here ... perhaps AD should have overrruled her here, or at least modified it a bit..."}, {"response": 1893, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (21:13)", "body": "(KJArt) I am afraid JA was not thinking cinematic design here ... perhaps AD should have overrruled her here, or at least modified it a bit... Many here ardently espouse the fact that movies need to stand on their own. I agree. I also can be thrilled though by the glory of hearing JA spoken and being true to the text. But there was a happy medium here and I'm not sure they found it. At the very least, the Lizzy at the end did not feel like the spirited Lizzy of the rest of the movie. JA wrote multiple post-proposal scenes. There were several opportunities to expand on their joy for our benefit. I do believe they rushed through the end. As much as I love the dimples as they leave the wedding scene, the abrupt change from the 2nd proposal Darcy to the married Darcy needed some buffering, they missed that opportunity."}, {"response": 1894, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (21:44)", "body": "(KJArt) JA says \"Had Elizabeth been able to encounter his eyes, she might have seen how well the expression of heartfelt delight diffused over his face became him; but although she could not look, she could listen (Barb) JA wrote multiple post-proposal scenes. There were several opportunities to expand on their joy for our benefit. I do believe they rushed through the end As much as I love JA, I have never been satisfied with the second proposal scene as she wrote it. As with the first proposal, JA only gave us an outline of Darcy's words. She left the rest to our imaginations. I wish AD had let his imagination run wild at this point, and I might be more satisfied with the second proposal scene. Still, a very small complaint for almost six hours of extreme viewing pleasure!"}, {"response": 1895, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (22:13)", "body": "(KJArt) And after he professes his intentions are unchanged, and Elizabeth responds with a yae vote, JA says \"Had Elizabeth been able to encounter his eyes, she might have seen how well the expression of heartfelt delight diffused over his face became him; but although she could not look, she could listen, ... etc\", You are right about how JA wrote the scene, she was vague. The line prior to your quoted line is \"The happiness which this reply produced, was such as he probably never felt before; and he expressed himself on the occasion as sensibly and as warmly as a man violently in love can be supposed to do.\" Although JA gave little detail, I would expect AD to add some filler for us. He is, after all, the man who gave us a pond jumping, bath taking, horseback riding, fencing Darcy. If Darcy was so in love, I wanted him to show it! Lizzie may not have been able to look at him, but he could definitely have changed that! ;-) The scene in the book covers so much more, they walk for miles and talk about the letter, her visit to Pemberley, Georgiana, Jane and Bingley...there was so much time in there, that although JA didn't talk about Darcy and Lizzie's 'countenance', AD could have!! (BarbS) At the very least, the Lizzy at the end did not feel like the spirited Lizzy of the rest of the movie. If only AD had added the part where Lizzie teases Darcy about his falling in love with her... (KathyF) Still, a very small complaint for almost six hours of extreme viewing pleasure! Hear! Hear! Still one of my absolute favorite films of all time!!"}, {"response": 1896, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Nov  5, 2002 (22:38)", "body": "(KathyF) Still, a very small complaint for almost six hours of extreme viewing pleasure! I agree 100%. Definitely one of my all time favorites."}, {"response": 1897, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Nov  7, 2002 (00:07)", "body": "Due to the fact that this topic starts with posts that are, for whatever reason, dated 2036, it appears we will be taking the long way home (to recent posts) until we simply run out of space. (Perhaps in 102 more posts?) Every time I check this topic, I find myself reading different old posts. Must admit I've yet to read them all. How I wish I'd discovered Drool (or had access to a computer with the internet, for that matter) back in 1999 when these responses were posted! You women were insane!"}, {"response": 1898, "author": "Leah", "date": "Thu, Nov  7, 2002 (00:20)", "body": "I also wish that I had discovered these sites long ago - sometimes I want to respond to a post and then I look at the date and just give up! But oh, it makes watching P&P2 soo interesting - thinking that at least I am not alone in the world, while others have all the fun. Just a note about one of my fav scenes. Mr Collins dancing with Lizzy - and Mr Darcy's smirk - I like to think that is Colin thinking, 'at least they aren't going to show me making a mistake like that!'"}, {"response": 1899, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Nov  7, 2002 (01:11)", "body": "(Leah) Mr Collins dancing with Lizzy - and Mr Darcy's smirk - I like to think that is Colin thinking, 'at least they aren't going to show me making a mistake like that!' I never thought of it that way, but now that you mention it, I'm sure all the actors occasionally had \"wrecks.\" Those were mighty intricate dances. I love the way Mr. Collins hops around like a crazed crow! In fact, in some ways I just love Mr. C!! David Bamber was perfect."}, {"response": 1900, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Nov  7, 2002 (15:16)", "body": "The part I can't imagine is how hard it must have been for Colin and Jennifer to keep track of the dance AND their dialogue. I bet it took a lot of rehearsal. Kathy, I've run into the \"2036 problem\" too. Apparently it used to happen from time to time. So I say, let's fill this one up with lots of drool so we can have a new one! And I agree about wishing I'd been here ages ago. I can remember in 1996 being just nuts about P&P - re-watching my home-recorded tape over and over - but not having any friends who were as crazy about it as I was."}, {"response": 1901, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov  7, 2002 (15:34)", "body": "(Rika)Colin and Jennifer to keep track of the dance AND their dialogue. I bet it took a lot of rehearsal. Lots of takes."}, {"response": 1902, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov  7, 2002 (16:00)", "body": "back in 1999 when these responses were posted! You women were insane! LOL...Really insane back in 1997. (Rika) And I agree about wishing I'd been here ages ago. Kath, Leah, Rika...& all I just want to say how much we enjoy all the new folks on the board now.You bring us new enthusiasm and vigor. It's the friendliest it has ever been.No kidding. C'mon you lurkers...come join the fun."}, {"response": 1903, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Nov  7, 2002 (20:19)", "body": "(Rika) And I agree about wishing I'd been here ages ago. I can remember in 1996 being just nuts about P&P - re-watching my home-recorded tape over and over - but not having any friends who were as crazy about it as I was. I was lucky, because immediately after I taped it in '96, I indoctrinated my mother and we formed a mini-drool club of two. We still watch it at the drop of a hat. Still, I thought for the longest that we were alone in our insanity. It's so nice to find out there are others out there! I've run into the \"2036 problem\" too. Apparently it used to happen from time to time. So I say, let's fill this one up with lots of drool so we can have a new one! I don't think it's that much of a problem, except when I'm trying to read quickly at work, and have to wait forever for it to load. At other times, I actually enjoy reading the old posts. (Evelyn) I just want to say how much we enjoy all the new folks on the board now.You bring us new enthusiasm and vigor. It's the friendliest it has ever been.No kidding What a sweet thing to say! I mean it!"}, {"response": 1904, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Nov  7, 2002 (20:31)", "body": "(Rika) The part I can't imagine is how hard it must have been for Colin and Jennifer to keep track of the dance AND their dialogue. I bet it took a lot of rehearsal. (Evelyn) Lots of takes. I would have loved to have seen the outtakes on P&P2. Not just the dancing ones (and I bet there were some good goofs), but just general dialogue as well. I'm sure there were some flubbed lines because it isn't written the way we speak today. I also head (regarding the dance scenes) that one of the dances got messed up because there was a hair on the lense the entire day of filming. They had filmed using two cameras (I think). One stationary and another that was moving. They had to go with the moving shots, because the other film was so messed up. I think they did use a frame or two, because I remember looking for the hair, and it is visible (I think I read this in the \"Making of P&P2\")...just can't remember if it was the Netherfield Ball or the Meryton Assembly. I'll have to check again. (Rika) And I agree about wishing I'd been here ages ago. I agree with Kathy and Rika. It has been so much fun reading old posts, and I wish I had known about Drool earlier. Very clever, funny ladies prowl here!! I was going to say that I have started \"Darcy's Story\" by Alymer and it is fairly good so far (in case anyone was on the fence about reading it). I am enjoying it far better than \"Diary of Henry Fitzwilliam Darcy\", which I never finished. I couldn't take all the errors (and I'm a fairly liberal JA fan). His name is not Henry, the dates were all wrong, he would never consider being an actor, he would never say (let alone write) la-te-dah (or was it fiddle de de?)...anyway, never finshed that one. This one has quite a bit of dialogue lifted right from P&P. The proposal scene is interesting...I'm enjoying his thoughts about his parents, Georgiana and the Bingleys."}, {"response": 1905, "author": "Leah", "date": "Thu, Nov  7, 2002 (23:14)", "body": "(Tress) I would have loved to have seen the outtakes on P&P2. Not just the dancing ones (and I bet there were some good goofs), but just general dialogue as well. I'm sure there were some flubbed lines because it isn't written the way we speak today. I don't have a problem with this - I can recite everyone's lines, including the way they say it, eg 'Is that my nephew, where have you been?', and 'Mr Darcy!'(Mr Bennet speaking to Lizzy after the 2nd proposal). What was their problem??"}, {"response": 1906, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Nov  8, 2002 (00:25)", "body": "(Leah) I don't have a problem with this - I can recite everyone's lines, including the way they say it, eg 'Is that my nephew, where have you been?', and 'Mr Darcy!'(Mr Bennet speaking to Lizzy after the 2nd proposal). What was their problem?? I believe they didn't study their lines with quite the intensity with which you appear to have studied their lines. ;-) I can't explain to myself why some of my favorite lines ARE my favorites, such as \"Drive on, Rossiter\" and \"Have a care, Dawkins.\" Or why I positively MUST see that squinty-eyed look Lady Catherine gives Elizabeth at the end of their first meeting at Rosings, and why it's so important for me to do the hand thing with Mr. Collins whenever LCdB interrupts him."}, {"response": 1907, "author": "Leah", "date": "Fri, Nov  8, 2002 (00:42)", "body": "I believe they didn't study their lines with quite the intensity with which you appear to have studied their lines. ;-) I know, I know..."}, {"response": 1908, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Nov  8, 2002 (12:22)", "body": "P&P2 is just so great as evidenced by all the great discussions eight years later. It will always be current viewing and a lively topic of discussion. Great stuff ladies, it's so exciting seeing such a classic through so many brilliant eyes. Thank you."}, {"response": 1909, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (20:36)", "body": "(Evelyn) Kath, Leah, Rika...& all I just want to say how much we enjoy all the new folks on the board now.You bring us new enthusiasm and vigor. It's the friendliest it has ever been.No kidding. Evelyn, that's so nice of you to say. Some of us newbies have worried that we may be annoying people because we tend to get somewhat boisterous and - well, let's just say it, utterly insane - at times. (Leah) I can recite everyone's lines, including the way they say it, eg 'Is that my nephew, where have you been?' Oh, Leah, I'm sitting here cracking up because her reading on that line ALWAYS makes me laugh! I think I could say it along with her in perfect synchronization. (KathyF) Or why I positively MUST see that squinty-eyed look Lady Catherine gives Elizabeth at the end of their first meeting at Rosings, and why it's so important for me to do the hand thing with Mr. Collins whenever LCdB interrupts him. YES!!! YES!!!! (Sorry - didn't mean to sound like I was having... well, never mind. :-) It's just, I SO understand what you're saying! Isn't it a shame we're all scattered to the winds? It would be so much fun to watch it together. This of course is making me itch to pull out my P&P DVD, but unfortunately it's at home and I'm not. Sigh....."}, {"response": 1910, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (21:22)", "body": "(Rika) Isn't it a shame we're all scattered to the winds? It would be so much fun to watch it together. Well, there ARE airplanes (and cars, trains, buses). It might be feasible, someday. And it WOULD be a total gas!"}, {"response": 1911, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (21:55)", "body": "(Rika) Evelyn, that's so nice of you to say. Some of us newbies have worried that we may be annoying people because we tend to get somewhat boisterous and - well, let's just say it, utterly insane - at times. Oh Gawd!! If they haven't kicked me off this board yet for insulting virtually everyone (by accident of course) at one point or another, then you *really* don't have to worry. ;-) (BTW, sorry Jeanie re your sim. You know I was kidding ;-)) BTW, thanks Evelyn!"}, {"response": 1912, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (22:00)", "body": "Jeanie, speaking of the Sim, I couldn't see it! Is it gone? (I know you posted it on 166 but I just thought of it and I figured I could contribute to the overall chaos around here by asking the question elsewhere..... rather as Lisa suggested that we do a while back. :-)"}, {"response": 1913, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 10, 2002 (09:15)", "body": "(Dorine) Oh Gawd!! If they haven't kicked me off this board yet for insulting virtually everyone (by accident of course) LOL. Have no fear, we know you. But that's the reason I use the ;-) so folks will know I'm teasing, tongue-in cheek ...whatever. Some folks \"noses have gotten out of joint\" in the past.Not always easy on an international board when one is dealing with different cultures for people to grasp the humor in a remark.I keep using 'em cause I don't want to offend anyone. LOL..Enough of the ;-) lecture!!"}, {"response": 1914, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Nov 10, 2002 (10:59)", "body": "(Rika) It would be so much fun to watch it together. What a wonderful time that would be. I don't have anyone near me to do that with. Would surely love to though. And with all of you what fun. It is such a pleasure visiting with all of you every day. I just love you."}, {"response": 1915, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Nov 10, 2002 (12:25)", "body": "(Evelyn) Kath, Leah, Rika...& all I just want to say how much we enjoy all the new folks on the board now.You bring us new enthusiasm and vigor. It's the friendliest it has ever been.No kidding. (Rika) Evelyn, that's so nice of you to say. Some of us newbies have worried that we may be annoying people because we tend to get somewhat boisterous and - well, let's just say it, utterly insane - at times. I have often thought I might be way out of line, simply cuz I'm either too enthusiastic or rambling about something that has already been spoken about months (maybe years) ago. It is an odd feeling to be a newbie on a board with so many who have been together for a while...I feel like the new kid at school (just hoping my clothes are alright and I fit in!)! I really love it here though.... (Rika) Isn't it a shame we're all scattered to the winds? It would be so much fun to watch it together. Like \"The Rocky Horror Picture Show\"! We could recite all the lines and bring props...there are so many great (and truly funny) moments in P&P2, that it would be a hoot to actually watch it with another person (my DH won't sit through it with me to save his life, and he would make fun anyway, so it's best I leave him out of it). (Evelyn) LOL. Have no fear, we know you. But that's the reason I use the ;-) so folks will know I'm teasing, tongue-in cheek ... Just for the record, I'm always teasing! ;-) (FanPam) What a wonderful time that would be. I don't have anyone near me to do that with. Would surely love to though. And with all of you what fun Someday we'll have to plan a P&P2 / Drool Convention! I am with you Pam, it is great fun to visit here everyday with people who understand the obsession for ODB...I am surrounded by unbelievers! Just shaking their heads, but here, everyone seems to understand (or at least tolerate) me!"}, {"response": 1916, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, Nov 10, 2002 (19:33)", "body": "Aw heck, this might not be the place for it but with all the positive vibes above, I feel the need for a group hug! (((((((((Drooleurs!)))))))) Pam said: It is such a pleasure visiting with all of you every day. I just love you. I've just spent the last 36 hours taking care of my father who probably just had a stroke and after a short \"how-do-you-do\" with my family, I come here to decompress. So I ditto Pam."}, {"response": 1917, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Nov 10, 2002 (19:34)", "body": "(Tress) I have often thought I might be way out of line, simply cuz I'm either too enthusiastic or rambling about something that has already been spoken about months (maybe years) ago. It is an odd feeling to be a newbie on a board with so many who have been together for a while...I feel like the new kid at school (just hoping my clothes are alright and I fit in!)! I really love it here though.... IMO there cannot be enough rambling about ODB. That's what I think its all about. I ramble too. And who's better to ramble about than Darcy as an example. He will never get old. Everybody IMO fits in here as seeing things through many different eyes is an advantage IMO. Your clothes are just fine. There are no snobs here. IMO."}, {"response": 1918, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Nov 10, 2002 (19:39)", "body": "(Tress) It is an odd feeling to be a newbie on a board with so many who have been together for a while...I feel like the new kid at school (just hoping my clothes are alright and I fit in!)! I really love it here though.... I think you fit in great. Besides, it may seem like some of us have been here longer than we actually have. I remember feeling the same way when I arrived in June, and then finding out that some of the people I thought were old-timers had only found Drool a few months before I did. Like \"The Rocky Horror Picture Show\"! Somebody on RoP wrote a Rocky Horror-type set of instructions for viewing P&P2, and it's pretty funny (though I'm sure we could think of some enhancements). Here's a link: http://www.pemberley.com/images/vegas/weekend/rhpp.html"}, {"response": 1919, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Nov 10, 2002 (19:49)", "body": "Found this surfing around.....I *really* can't wait to see this. My curiosity is quite piqued. Jane Austen goes Bollywood By Jessica Hodgson, Media Correspondent, Evening Standard 8 November 2002 The Director behind Bend It Like Beckham is to adapt Pride And Prejudice with a Bollywood twist. Cinema audiences flocked to see Gurinder Chadha's tale of a young Asian woman's love affair with football earlier this year. Now Chadha plans to put another British institution, Jane Austen's classic, through the Bollywood filter. \"We did Austen at school and I'm sure my English teacher would be shocked,\" she told Eastern Eye. \"But I'm a huge fan of Austen. She was a clever and witty writer.\" The book's themes of love across social barriers and the restrictive social position of women will work within an Indian setting, she says. \"I hope we can do justice to Jane Austen with our script, which follows the book very closely,\" she added. The Bennet sisters of Pride And Prejudice will become the Bakshi family of India, and Mr Bingley will become a British Asian character called Balraj, who studied at Oxford. Mr Darcy, who eventually wins the heart of Elizabeth Bennet, is to be an American character called Will Darcy, played by a Hollywood actor. Chadha, a former BBC reporter, would not be drawn on who would star. Bend It Like Beckham chronicled a young woman's struggle to play football against the wishes of her Asian parents. Along with the musical Bombay Dreams and the film The Guru, it rode the wave of the summer's Bollywood fervour. However, Chadha's project is not the first Asian adaptation of a Jane Austen novel. Kandukondein (I Have Found It), a Tamil remake of Sense And Sensibility, was a huge Bollywood hit. The BBC's successful 1998 adaptation of Pride And Prejudice starred Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. Tom Carpenter, a trustee of the Jane Austen Memorial Trust, said: \"I see no reason why Pride And Prejudice cannot be updated to modern India. There will be those on the purist side who only want the totally unadulterated version but that doesn't mean people shouldn't adapt or derive from it.\""}, {"response": 1920, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Nov 10, 2002 (19:51)", "body": "Barb, I just tried to find a good \"hug\" graphic to download and haven't found one yet, so for the moment, I'll just send my thoughts and prayers your way."}, {"response": 1921, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sun, Nov 10, 2002 (20:21)", "body": "Barb, you and your family will be in my prayers, too. And consider yourself hugged. (Pam) Everybody IMO fits in here as seeing things through many different eyes is an advantage IMO. Your clothes are just fine. There are no snobs here. I think it's wonderful that so many people of varying ages and occupations, representing all parts of the globe, can come together to drool over one actor. Kinda restores my faith in womankind! And I'm glad you can't really see my clothes, because I'm usually in sweats or something equally informal."}, {"response": 1922, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Nov 10, 2002 (20:55)", "body": "(Rika) Somebody on RoP wrote a Rocky Horror-type set of instructions for viewing P&P2, and it's pretty funny (though I'm sure we could think of some enhancements). ROTFL....some of these are great! Some favs: \"I long for a ball!\" (an addition I would add would be to throw tennis balls, Nerf balls ect at the screen) \"Her Ladyship is fond of a good blaze, then.\" and turn on flashlight or cigarette lighter. Mimic the Collins hand to mouth thing-- what did we call that? Say \"Ouch!\" When Darcy snuffs out candle. Sigh, \"A whole campful of soldiers!\" Clutch bosom to avoid spillage as Lizzy runs to her father Thanks Rika! That made me laugh. Rocky Horror is the only movie I have seen more times that P&P2 (I was 'lucky' enough to be the projectionist at a small theater for three (v. v. long) years). So, this is all very amusing to me! BTW, I thought you were one of the ones who had been around Drool for ages! (KathyF) I think it's wonderful that so many people of varying ages and occupations, representing all parts of the globe, can come together to drool over one actor. Kinda restores my faith in womankind! A nice, safe place with perfect company! It is my favorite place to 'visit' when I am a bit down....cuz I know someone will be 'drooling' and make me either think or laugh!!! Barb, take care. You are in my thoughts..."}, {"response": 1923, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Nov 10, 2002 (23:37)", "body": "(Tress) BTW, I thought you were one of the ones who had been around Drool for ages! See, that's just what I'm talking about. I had the same mis-impression in Linda's case - I thought she was an old-timer but later learned that she only got here about three months before I did. It was the MLSF film discussion last summer that really helped me to get to know people and feel comfortable here."}, {"response": 1924, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (01:04)", "body": "(Rika) It was the MLSF film discussion last summer that really helped me to get to know people and feel comfortable here. That was the first thing I really took part in, too. I had been lurking for many, many months before I finally managed to get registered and get up the nerve to post. But MLSF was already a favorite of mine long before the discussion was announced, and I was determined to join in! I still feel like a newbie (and unlike others, I haven't a clue as to how one goes about adding graphics, or doing anything else that might impress my fellow Drooleurs)."}, {"response": 1925, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (15:29)", "body": "(Rika)I thought she was an old-timer Auh shucks, Rika, you just made my day. Thinkin I was one of these here ole timers, when I was a newbie just like you. (Rika)It was the MLSF film discussion last summer that really helped me to get to know people and feel comfortable here. That was so much fun, wasn't it? I definitely think it's time for a discussion of some sort...film, or book. (KathyF)I haven't a clue as to how one goes about adding graphics, or doing anything else that might impress my fellow Drooleurs). Kathy, this is lindak, the most graphic challenged person here. I worried for weeks about CF's birthday, I saw what had been done in the past, and felt so inadequate. I got some advice from the boss. Then I asked Rika if we could team up and do some joint posts. I printed out Ann's tutorial, and slowly have been doing things I never thought I'd ever learn. Then came Rika's birthday, Dorine and I were lamenting about what we could do. Again, we got some help from Karen, and I must compliment Dorine, Her posts were great. Don't worry about this kind of stuff. If I can do it, so can you. Plenty of people around that are always willing to help. And, I'm so glad you joined in for the MLSF discussions, I remember your posts, and learned a lot from them. As for impressing fellow Drooleurs, speaking for myself, I was so proud when I learned how to do italics. We're glad your here, stick around. Barb, my prayers are with you and your family, and a speedy recovery for your dad."}, {"response": 1926, "author": "neshacat", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (17:53)", "body": "(lindaak) I printed out Ann's tutorial Delurking finally! Where is Ann's tutorial?"}, {"response": 1927, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (18:13)", "body": "(MaryH) Delurking finally! Where is Ann's tutorial? Welcome Mary! Glad you are joining us!! Hope this helps. I just found it myself about two weeks ago (and finally learned how to do tags)...You already know how to to do that, so you are waaaaay ahead of me!! http://austen.com/tutorial/index.html"}, {"response": 1928, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (18:19)", "body": "Hi Mary Glad you delurked! Stick around....there's no going back:-) Now how's about someone else delurking tomorrow...c'mon, we know you're there:-))"}, {"response": 1929, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (18:27)", "body": "Welcome Mary! Glad you're coming out (as it were!) And thanks all for the thoughts and support, I'll post a brief update on O&E."}, {"response": 1930, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (19:57)", "body": "Welcome Mary I see that Tress has led you to Ann's tutorial. Print it out and keep it close by, it's a great help. So glad you have joined us."}, {"response": 1931, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (22:46)", "body": "Welcome, Mary. I lurked for years ... Not strictly Darcy, but this one has its (ahem) charms."}, {"response": 1932, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (23:12)", "body": "BWAHHHHHHH...oh Elizabeth! While I don't really think that's Nessie, G.D. I might be wrong. Why would he take a pic like that if it was??? Surely he would know the state he's in and excuse himself for a moment. And, if he was in said state, what or who put him there???? Oh, the things we will never know! :) Welcome Mary, I feel as if I should constantly re-de-lurk myself as I come and go and come and go!"}, {"response": 1933, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (23:14)", "body": "BTW....The Shoes Louisa, the shoes.... shakes head and goes of muttering about white laces and black dork shoes on such a hunky fella..."}, {"response": 1934, "author": "Leah", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (23:25)", "body": "The Shoes Louisa, the shoes.... You were looking at the shoes?"}, {"response": 1935, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (23:29)", "body": "(Lisa) BTW....The Shoes Louisa, the shoes....shakes head and goes of muttering about white laces and black dork shoes on such a hunky fella... (Leah) You were looking at the shoes? LOL! It's the second thing I looked at, too. ;-)"}, {"response": 1936, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (23:31)", "body": "(Lisa) white laces and black dork shoes on such a hunky fella... Still laughing at this description Lisa, LOL! Pretty much my thoughts, too. ;-)"}, {"response": 1937, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (23:37)", "body": "Ooooohhhhhh Elizabeth!! Looks like ODB is happy to see us!! Great pic! (Lisa) Surely he would know the state he's in and excuse himself for a moment.... Wot? And deprive us, his loyal fans, of a cheap thrill??? NEVAH! (Lisa) And, if he was in said state, what or who put him there???? I'm just thankful.... (Lisa) BTW....The Shoes Louisa, the shoes.... (LeahP) You were looking at the shoes? I like them!! Really I do! They look like bowling shoes...I tried on a pair very similiar, but the DH said he would not be seen in public with me if I wore them!"}, {"response": 1938, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (12:15)", "body": "(Tress) I like them!! Really I do! They look like bowling shoes...I tried on a pair very similiar, but the DH said he would not be seen in public with me if I wore them! How so very very funny. I'd like to \"bowl\" with him. WELCOME MARY. Thanks for pic Elizabeth."}, {"response": 1939, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (14:45)", "body": "Welcome, MaryH! I'd give you a nice graphic but I'm buried in a pile of papers to grade (which begs the question of why I'm Drooling and not grading them) - I'll try to find something appropriately Colin-y to welcome you more properly this weekend. On Elizabeth's picture - grading papers must be hurting my eyesight because I didn't even notice anything unusual till I read Lisa's comment. It's probably a tucked-in tee shirt or a weird crease caused by the right front trouser pocket, but of course neither of those possibilities is any fun to consider, so we'll stick with Option A. :-)"}, {"response": 1940, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (21:18)", "body": "(Rika)but of course neither of those possibilities is any fun to consider, so we'll stick with Option A. :-) When in doubt, always stick with option A. (FanPam) I'd like to \"bowl\" with him. I wouldn't mind a tumble down the alley, or a tumble anywhere with him. Ugly shoes or not. BTW, I've seen worse."}, {"response": 1941, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (23:52)", "body": "Okay, Mary, I'm back - and somebody just dropped by wanting to welcome you himself:"}, {"response": 1942, "author": "neshacat", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (05:31)", "body": "Rika Thank you! Love those eyes . . . and dimples . . . and smile . . . This is outside Pemberley when Elizabeth and her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner are visiting, right?"}, {"response": 1943, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (11:34)", "body": "Exactly. He has just made his mad dash down the steps to prevent her from leaving, and they're standing beside the carriage discussing her opinion of Pemberley. His hair is tousled because it's still not quite dry from his dip in the pond."}, {"response": 1944, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (12:28)", "body": "The DVDiva strikes again! Thankyouthankyou! How could Lizzie not love him? He just made that mad dash to make himself 'more presentable' (like he was not dishy enough in the wet clothes)...he's still all damp and trying so hard to impress her! And the way he looks at her during this entire scene (he does that great little head bob thing here too)! And you're right Mary! There is the hint of dimple in this picture that just makes him...well....mmmmm...you know!"}, {"response": 1945, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (13:21)", "body": "Thanks Rika for making my day, as usual. Nothing better than Mr. Darcy evah."}, {"response": 1946, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (18:23)", "body": "Oh,Rika, Rika, Rika, gorgeous, beautifully captured, DVDiva-licious. Yes, the hair is still damp, but nonetheless makes me want to let these tired old fingers grab those curls. Oh, not fair, Rika."}, {"response": 1947, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (07:43)", "body": "Just a quick run through...as I catch up. Am dying to see who among our newbies stepped in to search for Colin-related news on 165. For now, all I have time for is answering Q's and the like. (KathyF) I don't think it's that much of a problem, except when I'm trying to read quickly at work, and have to wait forever for it to load. The '2036' will not be a problem if you use a more efficient url to navigate Drool. I suggest the /new instead of a since/date type. MaryH Glad to see you've delurked finally. The link to Ann's HTML Tutorial is posted periodically, but I should probably put a link on the main page as well. Practice--with or without LadyC's oversight (to be on topic) takes place on #61. (Elizabeth) Not strictly Darcy, but this one has its (ahem) charms. Strictly in your imaginations, dearhearts. Do you all realize that pic was on the cover of the Sunday Times magazine? Trust me, I have the hard copy so to speak and it ain't what you think it is. I doubt a photoshoot in Shoreditch would be *that* exciting. ;-)"}, {"response": 1948, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (10:01)", "body": "(Karen) The '2036' will not be a problem if you use a more efficient url to navigate Drool. I suggest the /new instead of a since/date type. I do use that when I've been checking regularly, but when I have to catch up with a day's worth of comments, it's just easier to take the slow boat. Posts will refer to a previous post, and I'm too old to remember them -- need to have 'em in front of me to I can scroll up and down and copy and paste. Strictly in your imaginations, dearhearts. And you know we have very fertile ones! ;-) By the way, welcome back, Karen! WELCOME, MARY! (I apparently forgot earlier.)"}, {"response": 1949, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (10:20)", "body": "(Karen) Strictly in your imaginations, dearhearts. (KathyF) And you know we have very fertile ones! ;-) I will continue to imagine what I imagined (it makes my day a bit nicer)...I will not be swayed to think otherwise! Ignorance is bliss!! ;-) And what Kathy said! Welcome back Karen! and we've been caught 'general drooling' in the Darcy Drool...sorry...."}, {"response": 1950, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (12:08)", "body": "...and not closing tags ;-) (KathyF) it's just easier to take the slow boat. And increases our bandwidth charges. Technical assistance is on 61, as I've offered before."}, {"response": 1951, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (12:11)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1952, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (13:36)", "body": "WELCOME BACK KAREN."}, {"response": 1953, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (13:36)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1954, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (14:47)", "body": "(Karen) ..and not closing tags ;-) I didn't want you to think we were doing alright without you! Just thought I'd try to keep you busy your first day back....I'm sure you have nothing better to do than fix my gaffes! ;-) Sorry!"}, {"response": 1955, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (16:55)", "body": "I'm listening to that audio program of the lecture on Jane Austen adaptations that Andrew Davies gave at University of Wisconsin (I think the link was posted recently, but I couldn't find it, and then stumbled onto it in a search for something else). The first 45 minutes is about P&P and it's enormously entertaining, so if you haven't heard it I highly recommend it. Like I said, I know the link has been posted before, but just in case you missed it, here it is again: http://www.humanities.wisc.edu/archives/davies/index.html You'll find a link to the audio program on this page. The second half of it is a discussion of \"Emma,\" and he's getting pretty twisted."}, {"response": 1956, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (08:51)", "body": "Thanks Rika, I listened to it and it was good. He does indeed get twisted about Emma though. P&P stuff was very entertaining."}, {"response": 1957, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (10:26)", "body": "Oh, Rika.. I've never listened to the Andrew Davies' lecture. It's pretty funny! \"Big Horses, Big Men, Big Thighs!!!\" LOL!"}, {"response": 1958, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (10:36)", "body": "(Jeanie) \"Big Horses, Big Men, Big Thighs!!!\" LOL! That's the best, I can't watch P&P begin now without saying that...and sighing!"}, {"response": 1959, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (13:40)", "body": "Ok... my children have named this guy \"norbert\".. I don't why. They practically squeal with laughter everytime it comes to this scene because he looks like he's either been glued into the actual frame or is simply a cardboard rendering because he doesn't move in that one part... The people are swirling around him, and he doesn't even blink!"}, {"response": 1960, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (13:51)", "body": "With all the times I've seen P&P, and I'm sure I've watched it at least five times a year for the past seven years, I've never noticed \"Norbert.\" I've noticed a lot of other strange-looking people in the dance scenes (including that guy with the hair that looks like an animal perched on top of his head), but not Norbert. Your kids must have sharper eyes than mine! (Let's hope so, since mine are fading fast!)"}, {"response": 1961, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (17:20)", "body": "Kathy, The next time you watch P&P, just look for him.. it's when Mrs. Bennet is introducing Charles to her daughters. When she gets to \"Kitty & Lydia\" she gestures over to them and there he is.. just keep your eyes on him and see if you think he's as funny as my kids do."}, {"response": 1962, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (20:00)", "body": "(Jeanie) They practically squeal with laughter everytime it comes to this scene because he looks like he's either been glued into the actual frame or is simply a cardboard rendering because he doesn't move in that one part... LOL...I love that your kids have named him! I had not noticed him before and will now take extra care to 'spot' him. Perhaps Norbert knew his screen time was limited and wanted to make the most of his special moment.... ;-)"}, {"response": 1963, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (00:31)", "body": "(Jeanie) \"Big Horses, Big Men, Big Thighs!!!\" LOL! OHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MY (Jeanie) Ok... my children have named this guy \"norbert\".. I don't why Kudos to the kids. How appropiate. Suits him to a T."}, {"response": 1964, "author": "Leah", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (00:37)", "body": "I am all astonishment! I have watched these videos more times than I care to count, and there are still things that I miss, oh well, I suppose I'll have to watch again..."}, {"response": 1965, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (05:43)", "body": "Damn I watched that dance scene today, the first time in ages, to try and find a line. I missed Norbert. Well, I guess I'll just have to go watch it again! ;)"}, {"response": 1966, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (21:55)", "body": "Yes, I've noticed Norbert, Jeanie, but I'm glad he has a name now! I think you need a Norbert Sim!"}, {"response": 1967, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (22:20)", "body": "(Rika) Yes, I've noticed Norbert, Jeanie, but I'm glad he has a name now! I think you need a Norbert Sim! LOL....I agree! But poor Norbert will have to quit dancing long enough to learn to cook! ;-)"}, {"response": 1968, "author": "odessa", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (09:43)", "body": "i`m listening to Andrew Davies. Why is the audience laughing so much around 11 minutes? any ideas?"}, {"response": 1969, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Nov 24, 2002 (01:41)", "body": "I think that is the point in the clip where Lizzie walks past the mare and foal, and with the atmosphere of smirks and inuendo having been established, his following line (once he could be heard after the laugh died down) explains all: \"That metaphor of fecundity was the director's idea, not mine!\""}, {"response": 1970, "author": "Leah", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (06:43)", "body": "Time to gripe about a P&P2 scene that irritates me everytime, and I watch it often. Has anyone noticed the butler/servant in the Pemberley Piano scene? He is trying so hard to impress his boss, that he does the unforgivable and stands right in front of Lizzy obscuring Darcy's (and our) view. Couldn't he *hear* the converstion they were having with their eyes? I always imagine Darcy craning his neck and muttering to the butler/servant - won't you please please please please please just f****** f*** o**. (well that's what I would say anyway)"}, {"response": 1971, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (07:13)", "body": "(LeahP)Has anyone noticed the butler/servant in the Pemberley Piano scene? Oh yes, and I've had the exact same thought as you, even the FP-references. I still haven't found any reasonable explanation for him to stand there, except if he has been waiting (as in serving something to) on Louisa or Charlotte."}, {"response": 1972, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (13:21)", "body": "I have never noticed that - ah, another excuse to watch P&P2! Something else happened to me today, though. I recently got the P&P soundtrack CD. While it's missing some things that I can't BELIEVE they didn't include, I do love what's there. The music that accompanied Darcy's long night of letter-writing was on, and I was getting all teary-eyed just imagining the poor tortured boy.... amazing how powerful that music is (especially, of course, when accompanied by having seen the movie so many times that I can play it in my head to go along with the music). Listening to the wet-shirt scene music is fun too...."}, {"response": 1973, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (13:39)", "body": "(Rika) I recently got the P&P soundtrack CD. While it's missing some things that I can't BELIEVE they didn't include, I do love what's there. .... amazing how powerful that music is (especially, of course, when accompanied by having seen the movie so many times that I can play it in my head to go along with the music). That's one of the benefits for me. That CD is practically my default CD, it's almost always on in my car. I especially like it on long drives because the music cues the scene and it's like watching the movie just based on the soundtrack. As far as the stuff that's not there, I guess the CD is just the stuff Carl Davis wrote specifically for the soundtrack. I understand that ages ago there was a cd produced with all the older compositions on it to benefit a London hospice. I've got an ebay search built to notify me if one gets posted but so far no luck...I keep hoping lightning will strike!"}, {"response": 1974, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Dec  3, 2002 (04:25)", "body": "I am a musician - not a true proficient (didn't practice enough), but the Rosings piano scene is just a little unbelievable. There is no way that Lizzy could have played the piano and contributed to a conversation at the same time. My husband delights in telling me that Lizzy can play (well) and speak (inteligently), and when I try it, I make the most awful mistakes. Is there anyone who thinks otherwise?"}, {"response": 1975, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec  3, 2002 (09:28)", "body": "Why?...people do it all the time. And she admitted to making mistakes. I bet with practice you could too Anyway,in P&P JE didn't play the piano, someone off stage played."}, {"response": 1976, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Dec  3, 2002 (17:14)", "body": "I think she could, as long as she knew the piece well enough. It helps that she wasn't playing anything terribly difficult or demanding."}, {"response": 1977, "author": "kattas", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (16:04)", "body": "This may not be the right conference to put this link, but there's an article in the Guardian comparing Will Straw (president of the Oxford University Student Union) to P&P's Mr. Darcy which I found amusing: http://education.guardian.co.uk/students/story/0,9860,855004,00.html Kat"}, {"response": 1978, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (17:50)", "body": "At least you gave it some thought. ;-) Cute article. Something that sounded suspiciously near Bridget-like at the end."}, {"response": 1979, "author": "kattas", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (19:54)", "body": "Yeah, I was looking at the main Drool page to see where I should put it. :-) Was debating between here and the CF discussion conf, and decided here although seems to be a bigger audience in the ofher conference. Kat"}, {"response": 1980, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (08:19)", "body": "Check out the last paragraph regarding the breeches... http://www.eadt.co.uk/content/news/story.asp?datetime=30+Jan+2003+05%3A36&tbrand=EADOnline&tCategory=News&category=News&brand=EADOnline&itemid=IPED29+Jan+2003+21%3A36%3A46%3A180"}, {"response": 1981, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (09:05)", "body": "Thanks, Maria. Easier to post it all here: Suffolk museum celebrates 10th birthday January 30, 2003 05:36 A WORLD-renowned Suffolk museum celebrated its 10th birthday with a special cake - and news that visitor numbers are rising. People looking round the historic Manor House Museum in Bury St Edmunds yesterday were treated to a slice of cake before setting off on their tour of the museum's attractions. Maggie Goodger , Museums Manager for St Edmundsbury Borough Council, said the Manor House, which was once owned by the Bristol family of Ickworth Park, was flourishing. The museum was internationally renowned for its clock collection and watches and also had a highly prized collection of costumes, particularly from the jazz age. Although visitor numbers had dropped from the 30,000 people attracted in its first year, figures for this year were already well up on last year's totals, she said. \"We're already 1,500 above last year's total of 11,500 and we have until the end of March. It looks like the number of people visiting the museum this year will be considerably higher than last year,\" said the manager. Mrs Goodger said: \"We are well respected around the world and when locals come in they are very impressed but sometimes a great big Georgian building like this can be a bit intimidating and residents of the area can be a little reluctant to come in.\" Activities such as a tea dance and tours of the old servants quarters of the building, which was built as the then Lady Bristol's town house, would help attract local people in. The Residents' Week programme of events is being organised for February and exact details will be available from the museum in the next few days. Mark Ereira, St Edmundsbury council's cabinet member for culture, said: \"My congratulations go to all the dedicated staff at the Manor House whose enthusiasm has helped the museum to reach this milestone. \"Much has been achieved here over the past decade and I would encourage anyone to call in, especially if they haven't paid a visit for a while, and see what a fine range of treasures and fascinating exhibits are on display.\" Some staff have been at the Manor House throughout its 10-year history as a museum. They recall the time when the museum displayed costumes from the BBC drama adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. A member of staff had to keep guard at all times to stop people touching actor Colin Firth's riding breeches, which he wore as Mr Darcy \ufffd and were drenched during his swim in the lake before one of his dramatic encounters with Elizabeth Bennet played by Jennifer Ehle. To contact the museum telephone 01284 757072. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Didn't Lizza see the traveling costume collection?"}, {"response": 1982, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (14:16)", "body": "A member of staff had to keep guard at all times to stop people touching actor Colin Firth's riding breeches, which he wore as Mr Darcy ROTF!! Oh the visions this conjures up. Bet there were some particular worn-out spots, LOL. ;-)"}, {"response": 1983, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (14:29)", "body": "(Dorine)Bet there were some particular worn-out spots, LOL. ;-) *sigh* reminds me of TEoR...where the hair had been loved off. Ok, I'm going to stop right there. Too early in the day. Maybe, not!"}, {"response": 1984, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (15:03)", "body": "A member of staff had to keep guard at all times to stop people touching actor Colin Firth's riding breeches, which he wore as Mr Darcy \ufffd Ohhhh...I long to touch Mr. Darcy's riding breeches....*sigh* (Dorine) Bet there were some particular worn-out spots, LOL. ;-) I'm not picky, I can leave the 'worn-out spots' alone...I'll touch a knee, a fold, an inside thigh 'spot', a....okay...I'll stop!! ;-) (lindak) Ok, I'm going to stop right there. Too early in the day. Maybe, not! LOL....are you kidding??? It is never too early (or too late, for that matter)!! ;-)"}, {"response": 1985, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (18:42)", "body": "(Karen)Didn't Lizza see the traveling costume collection? Think so...but thought it was at the JA museum at Bath. When I toured the BBC studios (a loser, don't bother) 3 yrs ago I missed seeing them by a week. I inquired and was told they are stored in the costume warehouse there."}, {"response": 1986, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (22:53)", "body": "(Tress) I'm not picky, I can leave the 'worn-out spots' alone...I'll touch a knee, a fold, an inside thigh 'spot', a....okay...I'll stop!! ;-) Oh, my, the very thought......... (Evelyn) I inquired and was told they are stored in the costume warehouse there. Hmmmmm....... am thinking of a midnight \"costume heist\" conducted by a crack team of Firthettes..... ;-)"}, {"response": 1987, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (09:03)", "body": "(Rika)am thinking of a midnight \"costume heist\" conducted by a crack team of Firthettes..... ;-) LOL...Hey, count me in. If we could pull this off, imagine what else we might be able to do."}, {"response": 1988, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (10:01)", "body": "(Rika) am thinking of a midnight \"costume heist\" conducted by a crack team of Firthettes..... ;-) (lindak) LOL...Hey, count me in. If we could pull this off, imagine what else we might be able to do. I'm game....we could go in, in our street clothes, and emerge in Regency wear....do you think anyone will notice? I imagine we will all be donning Darcy duds...I'm short, so think I may have to find those boots to tuck those trouser legs into.... ;-D"}, {"response": 1989, "author": "townranny", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (10:06)", "body": "(Evelyn) I inquired and was told they are stored in the costume warehouse there. (Rika) am thinking of a midnight costume heist conducted by a crack team of Firthettes. . Just to clarify, are we definitely talking riding breeches here? THE RIDING BREECHES? As in plunged into the pond pants? It couldn't possibly be the tan Pemberly walk-arounds w/Lizzy and the Gardiners? Could it? GAAH! Before I risk life and limb I need to know. Coordinate watches. Plunged Pond (Code name Panker-Panker)or Pemberly Walk-Arounds (Code name Panker Wanker) I could come up with an old babuska (ala Jackie O) and large owl sunglasses for disguise. Does that qualify me for the \"crack team\"? Over and out."}, {"response": 1990, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (12:18)", "body": "(Rika) am thinking of a midnight costume heist conducted by a crack team of Firthettes.. Count me in. Would love to touch that which held that marvelous body. Thanks Maria and Karen. I used to live near Bury St. Edmunds and toured the Manor House unfortunately not when most famous BREECHES were in residence. Maybe good thing as could probably not restrain self."}, {"response": 1991, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (13:34)", "body": "(Rika) am thinking of a midnight costume heist conducted by a crack team of Firthettes Woohoo!! Lets go! I'll bring the flashlights, walkie talkies (Romeo Foxtrot, this is Juliet Tango,the breeches are in the bag!), chocolate and secret decoder rings (I'll hide the magnums of bubbly outside in the bushes to toast after the successful heist!) Passport Bridget, and pants!!"}, {"response": 1992, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (16:33)", "body": "I'll go along, but I want the dressing gown. I know it touched bare skin! I don't even care that it will drag behind me like a train..."}, {"response": 1993, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (16:49)", "body": "Count me in too! I\ufffdm all set, all I need is this: Someone might have to distract the guards! I even have a little crocheted purse to hold these: I suspect they will be needed both during and afterwards!"}, {"response": 1994, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (16:51)", "body": "(Kathy)I'll go along, but I want the dressing gown. I know it touched bare skin! I don't even care that it will drag behind me like a train... This is turning in to another keep-sake topic ;-) Just fine by me. I'll be the lookout round the corner, where you can keep in touch via our saracen communicators. Just - please bring the fencing-shirt. That'll do it for me."}, {"response": 1995, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (16:53)", "body": "(Lisa)I suspect they will be needed both during and afterwards! ROTFL - sorry to post twice, but just had to applaud you all. What a force, we women hide for those special occasions;-)"}, {"response": 1996, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (17:04)", "body": "(Annette) you can keep in touch via our saracen communicators. ROTF! I'll stand on any potted plants as a lookout. I'll help Lisa schmooze guards using an alias in my schmoozing guards outfit..."}, {"response": 1997, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (17:47)", "body": "Is it too late to join up with this team? A pair of boots would set me up for life! But Dorine, you got me worried. You better not be planning on running if we have to get away fast...you'll be just like every (fully-clothed) Bond girl who ran in heels and fell at the most inopportune time!"}, {"response": 1998, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (18:16)", "body": "(Barb S) Is it too late to join up with this team? Nevah! Besides, it looks like we will need all the help we can get. We're cleaning them out! (I'm having 'Ocean's 11' flashbacks). Annette, we'll make sure you get the glove to go with that fencing shirt! (KathyF) I'll go along, but I want the dressing gown. I know it touched bare skin! Ohhh....skin. Someone remember to grab the pants from the first proposal! Lisa, glad it is you wearing the bikini...I'd frighten them to death with my paleness! The little purse makes the 'outfit'. Just big enough to fit one of Maria's decoder rings (to go with the valium and chocolate). ;-)"}, {"response": 1999, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (20:24)", "body": "I'll take the socks. They were so close to those gorgeous feet. Great stuff ladies. Love the standing on plants uniform Dorine. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 113, "subject": "Keepsakes, etc. (cont. from Topic 53)", "response_count": 1999, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Nov 12, 1998 (18:09)", "body": "I have the carafe that holds the wine at Pemberley. the one he holds in his hot little hand twice."}, {"response": 2, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Nov 14, 1998 (17:53)", "body": "Marcia has the list of owners of these delightful keepsakes. Right, Marcia? I think it's time to air them and perhaps ask people to make their claims again? I'd hate to think of some keepsake off somewhere gathering dust because it's been forgotten by its owner when there's someone else who is salivating to caress and treasure it. ;-) Lucie, I am jealous."}, {"response": 3, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Nov 14, 1998 (19:52)", "body": "I own the horse that Mr Darcy is riding whilst going to the Inn at Lambton to do only God knows what!"}, {"response": 4, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Sat, Nov 14, 1998 (21:41)", "body": "I'm still the Boot Lady, aka The Keeper of His Boots (they're mine--to have and to hold, to polish and to cherish until He should need them again). Also, I'm certain Megan still reserves her claim on the WET shirt."}, {"response": 5, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 15, 1998 (16:07)", "body": "Laura.... the horse that Mr Darcy is riding whilst going to the Inn at Lambton to do only God knows what Laura, that's what you can ask Colin when you meet him. \"What exactly were you going to do at Lambton ....hmmmmm?\""}, {"response": 6, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Nov 18, 1998 (16:26)", "body": "I am his lovely delicate teacup, made of fine bone china and I love Mr. Darcy. From what I know of him he is warm and loving. Sometimes he holds me like a proper gentleman, and sips so delicately, drawing everything from me with his tender lips. I love the touch of his lips against the edges of my body, the occasional touch of his tongue as he runs it along . . .well, you know. And then there are times when he is cold and wraps his hands snugly around me to warm him; his hands are so soft and gentle, they never hurt me, he never squeezes to tightly. I warm his hands and fingers with the warmth within me. I feel his breath as he blows against me or inhales the warm fragrant scent of me. Once, this nasty woman was talking about someone \"looking absolutely wild,\" and he bit me. I thought I would break under the pressure, but he quickly regained his countenance, and began sipping tenderly. I want his lips to be always against me, I think I love him. Stefanie, The Keeper of his Teacup"}, {"response": 7, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Nov 18, 1998 (16:43)", "body": "My original posting essay in honor of my keepsake. Stef asked me to post hers which you see above mine. I am his University Notebooks. When he takes me away from my home on his bookshelf he carries me securely in his arms. In rainy weather he tucks me inside his coat to keep me dry. It is warm and snug in there, and I feel very safe. On occasion, he puts me in his lap while sitting and reading. Sometimes I know what his Watch Fob knows. I like that! He also puts me on polished tables when he is studying. He opens me up and writes on my parchment pages with very careful strokes of his pen. He sometime br> sketches little pictures to help him remember his studies. My bindings are special to him, so he takes very good care of me and strokes and buffs my leather. I sit on his bookshelf beside his writing desk, and even now, several years after attending Cambridge, he takes me in his warm and gentle hands and opens me after caressing my leather covers. He makes me feel very special because I contain what he thought was important, distilled into his own words written by his own hand. I could not have a kin er nor gentler master."}, {"response": 8, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Nov 18, 1998 (17:46)", "body": "Please bear with me as I post this older list for you to work on. Stef has promised to Email me the current one as mine is inside my laptop whose case has shattered and cannot be opened!!! The Keepsake List: Updated 11 December, 1997 Unclaimed Keepsakes: His Tankard His Coins (The tip He gave the London street urchin) His Promissory Note (The $$ note He gave to Wickham) His Red Pool Ball His Georgiana Letter His Fencing Glove His Childhood Clothing (When He was fishing with Wickham) His Fishing Pole His Tackle Box His Grey Horse His Gun Claimed Keepsakes: His Ring, Valen His Dent, Ann2 (This is the =only= CF body part being permitted) His Pemberley Breeches, Cheryl His Wet Shirt, Megan His Writing Quill, Other Terry His Fencing Foil, Carolyn His Riding Crop, Cindy His Pool Cue, Suzanne His Wine Goblet, Donna His Bath Towel, Vivian His Boots, Margaret His Bathrobe, Kat(h) His Black Horse \"Pride's Foal\", Erin His Riding Gloves, HeidiL His Great Coat, Clare His Netherfield Evening Clothes, Michele His Walking Cane, Inko His Carriage(s), Stacey His Billiard Room Waistcoat, Lesley His Nameless Hat of a Thousand Names (aka Incroyable Bicorne), Nan His Dogs, Linda K His Pemberley Evening Clothes (long pants), Kat His Blue Wedding Coat, Sarah His Pemberley Candlestick, Beth His Rosings Candlestick, Nathalie R His Silver Wash Basin, Deb His Saddle, Barbara His Watch & Fob, Arami His Bathtub, Marina His Washcloth, Catherine His Mirror, Renate His Miniature, Tineke His Cravat, Robyn His Top Hat, Kathy F. His Book, Lon His Castille Soap, Brioni The Letter, Karin His Cap & Gown, Jan His Copper Bathing Pitcher, Marilyn His Wine Decanter/Carafe, Lucie His Hand Towel (He used at Rosings after washing His face), Bethan His Pemberley Cushion, Mary D. His Green Pemberley Coat, Laraine His Portrait, Anita T His Teacup, Stefanie His University Notebooks, Marcia"}, {"response": 9, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 18, 1998 (20:02)", "body": "Where are all these people who have claimed the keepsakes? Why don't they ever post? Have they deserted him? Lost interest?"}, {"response": 10, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Nov 18, 1998 (22:23)", "body": "I think the idea is to get this site ready for the next influx of Droolers after the next showing on A&E of P&P2. It took me about a week of heavy hunting to find this place for myself the first time, so wre must be patient. On the old 53 Board, I announced that all of his things had been abandoned and I had gathered them up and stacked them in my closet. No one even commented!!! BTW, Evelyn, have you written YOUR essay and posted it???"}, {"response": 11, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 19, 1998 (11:40)", "body": "Marcia, you had a wonderful idea about having an auction for the unclaimed keepsakes. Let's set a date for announcing one's continuing interest in ownership and, after that date, they go on the block. Start thinking ladies of what you would bid (not monetary though) for the items. It would be like a silent auction, but the bids would be posted for all to view. A committee would do the final awarding. What do you all think?"}, {"response": 12, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Nov 19, 1998 (11:53)", "body": "Actually, grey horse is mine!! Remember I've named her Whipper;)"}, {"response": 13, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 19, 1998 (15:12)", "body": "Didn't know Whipper was a mare? So Darcy's astride a female horse..."}, {"response": 14, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 19, 1998 (15:12)", "body": "astride, straddling, mounted...hmmmm"}, {"response": 15, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Nov 19, 1998 (15:46)", "body": "Karen, splendid idea of the silent auction format. Might just get some fresh juices flowing. I am most sorry not to have yet received from Stephanie the updated list, but indeed Whipper is yours, Laura!!! I read the comments wherein he/she was named yesterday when I was seqarching for my essay and stef's. There are other owners of livestock out there, surely. Come forth and claim yours. Or it just might be ridden by someone else - or worse - OFF TO THE KNACKERS!!!!"}, {"response": 16, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Nov 19, 1998 (15:56)", "body": "Didn't know Whipper was a mare? So Darcy's astride a female horse...astride, straddling, mounted...hmmmm Only you, Karen, only you!"}, {"response": 17, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Nov 19, 1998 (16:01)", "body": "Has anyone checked Whipper's \"undercarriage\" lately???? I think she is a he! Hey, we check ALL the details, do we not?!"}, {"response": 18, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Nov 19, 1998 (16:55)", "body": "FYI, I finally got around to correcting my Email address when you hit that hotlink beside my login name. Feel free to contact me...about anything!!!"}, {"response": 19, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov 19, 1998 (17:13)", "body": "(Marcia) BTW, Evelyn, have you written YOUR essay and posted it??? You mean about Chawton/Winchester and Lacock (Meryton)? I really thought you were all being polite asking me for my impressions. But now I am getting requests (read [silent]pressure).:-) I have it written; have been waiting for a lull . But in this crowd that does not seem to happen.Heide consented to add to the Chawton part. And how's about writing about Lyme Park (Pemberley), Heide. This weekend,I promise .....on the wet shirt."}, {"response": 20, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Nov 19, 1998 (17:35)", "body": "(Evelyn)I really thought you were all being polite asking me for my impressions. But now I am getting requests (read [silent]pressure).:-) Nevah!!! One of the charms of this particular refuge is the very Lack of pressure. I would be the last to add it as I have just been anointed Head Keeptress (ok, now let your fertile minds run with that!!) We DO really want to know your inmpressions, but we also do not want your precious keepsake to go neglected and unclaimed only to fall into the lusty hands of a new keeper!"}, {"response": 21, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Nov 19, 1998 (20:08)", "body": "Well there are some worthy items yet unclaimed but I think I'll wait for th auction. I have my eye on some items he actually holds and caresses. And perhaps there is something not yet mentioned. Hard to believe but my myopic eyes may be able to pick something out next viewing. Hmmm, can't be someone else's article of clothing, right? Thanks for keeping the board alive, Marcia."}, {"response": 22, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov 19, 1998 (20:23)", "body": "(Marcia)we also do not want your precious keepsake to go neglected and unclaimed only to fall into the lusty hands of a new keeper! (Heide)can't be someone else's article of clothing, right? Correct. 'cause I selected Lizzie's long gloves at the Netherfield Ball that he holds in his hot little hand,and was told only his article of clothing are acceptable.(Don't know why...he doesn't wear the candle or the letter or the fishing pole). Anyway, I shall pick the fencing glove cause I was in Rickmansworth where that scene was shot at a fencing gallery. What's this about an essay?Marcia you should maybe post the guidelines to acquiring such keepsakes."}, {"response": 23, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Nov 19, 1998 (20:30)", "body": "(Heide)...can't be someone else's article of clothing, right? Since I do not have a life outside of the Boards and an occasional game at the University, I recall that all is fair game as long as it was visible on the screen. In my new days as a Spring member, I claimed a laprobe from his carriage. I was sure there was one. But, since it was not visible, though all agreed there was one, I was not allowed it. Any inanimate object as far as I know is fair game as wall as a few four-legged ones. I am sure we will hear from the multitudes if we are wrong! Thanks for posting. It gets lonely here!"}, {"response": 24, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Nov 19, 1998 (20:38)", "body": "(Evelyn)...I selected Lizzie's long gloves at the Netherfield Ball that he holds in his hot little hand,and was told only his article of clothing are acceptable That is something of which I was unaware! Perhaps we could have an companion list of those thing which others own but he touched?! As far as I know, there are no guidelines other than that they had to be viewable on the screen and they were not part of his physical person ( *sigh* ) Please, lurkers of the most seasoned sort, help us with guidelines - if any were ever formulated."}, {"response": 25, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Nov 19, 1998 (20:50)", "body": "(Evelyn)What's this about an essay? Marcia you should maybe post the guidelines to acquiring such keepsakes. The now-famous watch/fob essay Arami wrote (which got her into hot water at another eurdite JA website) was one of the first I saw - along with the one concerning his mirror which sees EVERYTHING! Stefanie and I immediately wrote and posted ours lest we lose our newly acquired keepsakes. Someehow, it seemed to be the way to validate your claim by writing a short but thoughtful essay about your keepsake. Few did, though, and I would like to encourage the idea. And, those who posted theirs long ago, pleas repost them!"}, {"response": 26, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Nov 19, 1998 (22:05)", "body": "Whilst you were dining, sleeping or whatever you do at this hour in your part of the world, I was downloading my complete files of 53 before March 1998. It seems they had essay contests, limerick contests, song contests...whatever you felt for your keepsake. Some would be pretty surprising now, considering the august state in which we hold some of the elders of the Boards. Hee Hee!!! I could always post some of them from time to time if it gets REALLY slow!!!"}, {"response": 27, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Nov 20, 1998 (15:19)", "body": "Ladies, here is the most current list. No excuses now!!! Updated September 12, 1998 Unclaimed Keepsakes: His Tankard His Coins (The tip He gave the London street urchin) His Promissory Note (The $$ note He gave to Wickham) His Red Pool Ball His Georgiana Letter His Childhood Clothing (When He was fishing with Wickham) His Fishing Pole His Tackle Box His Gun Claimed Keepsakes: His Ring, Valen His Dent, Ann2 (This is the =only= CF body part being permitted) His Pemberley Breeches, Cheryl His Wet Shirt, Megan His Writing Quill, Other Terry His Fencing Foil, Carolyn His Riding Crop, Cindy His Pool Cue, Suzanne His Wine Goblet, Donna His Bath Towel, Vivian His Boots, Margaret His Bathrobe, Kat(h) His Black Horse \"Pride's Foal\", Erin His Riding Gloves, HeidiL His Great Coat, Clare His Netherfield Evening Clothes, Michele His Walking Cane, Inko His Carriage(s), Stacey His Billiard Room Waistcoat, Lesley His Nameless Hat of a Thousand Names (aka Incroyable Bicorne), Nan His Dogs, Linda K His Pemberley Evening Clothes (long pants), Kat His Blue Wedding Coat, Sarah His Pemberley Candlestick, Beth His Rosings Candlestick, Nathalie R His Silver Wash Basin, Deb His Saddle, Barbara His Watch & Fob, Arami His Bathtub, Marina His Washcloth, Catherine His Mirror, Renate His Miniature, Tineke His Cravat, Robyn His Top Hat, Kathy F. His Book, Lon His Castille Soap, Brioni The Letter, Karin His Cap & Gown, Jan His Copper Bathing Pitcher, Marilyn His Wine Decanter/Carafe, Lucie His Hand Towel (He used at Rosings after washing His face), Bethan His Pemberley Cushion, Mary D. His Green Pemberley Coat, Laraine His Portrait, Anita T His Teacup, Stefanie His University Notebooks, Marcia His Grey Horse (\"Whipper\"), Laura His Fencing Glove, Gi ************"}, {"response": 28, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Nov 20, 1998 (16:28)", "body": "Marcia, I am to have his white stockings and the buckled shoes he wore at the N. ball. It was OK'd by Nan not so long ago in a previous post. Please relieve my suffering and add me to the list!"}, {"response": 29, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Nov 20, 1998 (17:19)", "body": "Aloha Moon! I know your angst and will add them immediately! anyone else need to help me update this list, and anyone want to try for other things he has touched such as Lizzie's formal whiet gloves? His Ring, Valen His Dent, Ann2 (This is the =only= CF body part being permitted) His Pemberley Breeches, Cheryl His Wet Shirt, Megan His Writing Quill, Other Terry His Fencing Foil, Carolyn His Riding Crop, Cindy His Pool Cue, Suzanne His Wine Goblet, Donna His Bath Towel, Vivian His Boots, Margaret His Bathrobe, Kat(h) His Black Horse \"Pride's Foal\", Erin His Riding Gloves, HeidiL His Great Coat, Clare His Netherfield Evening Clothes, Michele His Walking Cane, Inko His Carriage(s), Stacey His Billiard Room Waistcoat, Lesley His Nameless Hat of a Thousand Names (aka Incroyable Bicorne), Nan His Dogs, Linda K His Pemberley Evening Clothes (long pants), Kat His Blue Wedding Coat, Sarah His Pemberley Candlestick, Beth His Rosings Candlestick, Nathalie R His Silver Wash Basin, Deb His Saddle, Barbara His Watch & Fob, Arami His Bathtub, Marina His Washcloth, Catherine His Mirror, Renate His Miniature, Tineke His Cravat, Robyn His Top Hat, Kathy F. His Book, Lon His Castille Soap, Brioni The Letter, Karin His Cap & Gown, Jan His Copper Bathing Pitcher, Marilyn His Wine Decanter/Carafe, Lucie His Hand Towel (He used at Rosings after washing His face), Bethan His Pemberley Cushion, Mary D. His Green Pemberley Coat, Laraine His Portrait, Anita T His Teacup, Stefanie His University Notebooks, Marcia His Grey Horse (\"Whipper\"), Laura His Fencing Glove, Gi His White Stockings & Buckled Shoes worn at Netherfield Ball, Moon Dreams"}, {"response": 30, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Nov 20, 1998 (17:25)", "body": "Moon Dreams, with a name like that there should be a most romantic little essay or poem on what these things mean to you!!!"}, {"response": 31, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 20, 1998 (18:17)", "body": "I want Lizzie's white gloves that she wears at the Netherfield Ball; if it is alright with the elders. (Are you sure Gi asked for the fencing glove, Marcia?I thought I did last nght \"since I had been to Rickmansworth where the scene was filmed\".) However, I prefer the long white gloves. I think limericks, essays, and songs would be cool!!"}, {"response": 32, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Nov 20, 1998 (18:35)", "body": "(Marcia), Moon Dreams, with a name like that there should be a most romantic little essay or poem on what these things mean to you!!! True Marcia, I love to moon bathe with the full moon and am quite fond of Baudelaire, but alas, what I love most of all is dancing. So after a round or two, I'll see what I can do."}, {"response": 33, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Nov 20, 1998 (19:02)", "body": "(Evelyn)I want Lizzie's white gloves that she wears at the Netherfield Ball; if it is alright with the elders. You have them! But, as was pointed out to me, you are to keep them safe until such time as their owner wishes to use them. With your Treasure, you have begun a new category of Keepsakes. Since the true title of this Conference is Keepsakes and other Amusements, you may name this list if you wish. I received the list from Nan - or rather, she posted it on Sept 12 on the now-missing part of 53 - and Gi and Laura's items had been added by her. Sorry!"}, {"response": 34, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 20, 1998 (21:01)", "body": "Thank you for letting me have Lizzie's long white gloves that she wears at the ball.( But...I was thinking, maybe Ben might want them.Hmmm....have to ask him.) Sure, you don't want to name this new category? You're our leader... How's about...Precious Moments Mementos (only kidding, Arami)"}, {"response": 35, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Nov 20, 1998 (22:27)", "body": "Well, Let's open it up to those whose interest brings them here and whose creativity is piqued. My working title is (most prosaic!) ****Other's Items associated with Darcy Keepsake list**** Surely we can do better than that! Shall we throw it up for grabs and, of course, you and I will be the final arbitors =)since I was appointed the exeutrix or somesuch ceo-type title of the whole lot. I found some rules that Nan posted on 53 on March 1st, my last entry on 53 that I saved. Sorry, I should have posted the Keepsake rules. Actually, I don't have an original copy (from the days of Valen) so this is from memory. Anyone who remembers something I've left out, please add it... Keepers can choose any item which the master either uses, owns or wears. Exceptions to this are \"General Domain\" items that we all share (such as Pemberley, furniture, His bath water ;-p, etc...) Body parts are a no-no, with the exception of the aforementioned \"dent\", kept by Ann2. If there is something you want to keep which is not on the list, post it and we'll all give our opinions as to whether or not it's an allowable item. I don't have a copy of the Keeper's oath...anyone have it somewhere?"}, {"response": 36, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Nov 20, 1998 (22:36)", "body": "I do think it is time to expand our horizons to include those things belonging to others of which Darcy was particularly fond (either way you want to interpret that) or were meaningful to him. Ergo the new list. Perhaps it will stimulate some interest in looking carefully at the movie YET AGAIN!!! Perhaps we might own one item from each list?!"}, {"response": 37, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Nov 22, 1998 (13:15)", "body": "Marcia, you have stimulated my interest in looking at the movie YET AGAIN!! I watched most of it last night. \"Another Saturday night and I ain't got nobody\" but Mr. Darcy. ;-) And now I have decided on my keepsake. My essay practically wrote itself as I watched Mr. Darcy grip the object of my desire. But woe is me - this item has been claimed by another. I think the silent auction idea you and Karen have would give me a chance. When can we begin?"}, {"response": 38, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Nov 22, 1998 (14:30)", "body": "Oh, Heide, I know those Saturday nights with Mr Darcy. Ray watches something mundane and gratuoously violent, my son is on a trip, and no one posted so there wasn't even anyone to talk to on the net. Hate to think of the Holidays!!! Anyway, about starting the silent auction....the droolers who began this enterprise had a year or better start by the time I had arrived, and I still have never seen anything Valen has posted other than in archives. She (?) began the Keepsake Topic, I think. So, with just week until the next airing of P&P2 and the influx of fresh new droolers, I'd say anytime from now on is a good time to begin. Any idea of how we are going to do this and with what we are going to bid?"}, {"response": 39, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 22, 1998 (16:07)", "body": "(Marcia) Any idea of how we are going to do this and with what we are going to bid? I know what I'm going to bid, but not sure about the item yet. Creativity should count. Let's discuss offline. I say two years is long enough for people to be keeptresses. Time to pass on the crown and scepter."}, {"response": 40, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Nov 22, 1998 (18:12)", "body": "Amen, Karen! Especially those who have vanished into Cyber-Space and have not been part of this for a very long time. Talk to you in Email!"}, {"response": 41, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Nov 23, 1998 (12:39)", "body": "Evelyn, I did claim the Fencing Glove in a previous era (#53)and have been granted it for keeping, so you cannot have it, I'm sorry, but I will defend my right to it! Thank you Marcia for aknowledging it. (awkward word)"}, {"response": 42, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Nov 23, 1998 (16:20)", "body": "Gi, I consider your claim recent enough to validate it, but might you not like to write a little something about why the fencing glove is so special? Or, might you like to say what you'd be willing to do (in the manner of a bid) to maintain your Keeptress (talk about awkward words!) status?!"}, {"response": 43, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 23, 1998 (19:56)", "body": "It's OK with me Gi...you can have the fencing glove. I only claimed it because it was listed among the unclaimed articles one night when I logged on. Enjoy it! I'm claiming the long white gloves that Lizzie wore at the Netherfield Ball...that were taken in hand by Mr. Darcy. *sigh*"}, {"response": 44, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Nov 23, 1998 (20:33)", "body": "Evelyn, how perfectly amicable you are! Thank you. Now, I am not going to ask, but have wondered if you are tempted to try on the gloves just to see if some lingering electricity or Darcy warmth lingers????"}, {"response": 45, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 23, 1998 (21:03)", "body": "(Marcia) but have wondered if you are tempted to try on the gloves just to see if some lingering electricity or Darcy warmth lingers???? Don't tempt me!! But really, I am supposed to keep them safe and in perfect condition. Should the owner (JE) wish to have them back.(Which I doubt. Hey, she's been there, done that,....has the tee shirt!)"}, {"response": 46, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Nov 23, 1998 (23:48)", "body": "A"}, {"response": 47, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Nov 24, 1998 (12:01)", "body": "Note to self: Do not try to post from a laptop whose multi-tasking abilities are non existant. Sorry, all. We are each charged with the sacred duty to keep the precious objects we are entrusted with in the most pristing condition, unfondled, unworn, unsniffed (though I might be tempted to try the last one!) I most assuredly hope that Lizzie kept her gloves unwashed and just exactly as they were once his hand left hers. I know I would have. To wash away all of the Darcy magic would be unthinkable. Just like Stefanie said about her tea cup. It had to be unwashed from when his lips touched it. No, we must ot run the risk of contamination of our precious Keepsakes. But, the temptation is always there!"}, {"response": 48, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Nov 24, 1998 (14:34)", "body": "Thank you both, Marcia and Evelyn, for your kindness and civility.:-) And here's my essay - Hope you enjoy it! His fencing Glove I am his fencing glove. I have known his \"\ufffdtats d'\ufffdme\", his changing moods. I was with him when he was happy, when fencing was just an exercise for keeping fit and having fun. I was also there when he thought his honour was at stake, and he might have to use his knowledge of the sport to vindicate himself and his sister. Then he fell in love, and was spurned, and I shared in his pain, and was drenched in his sweat when he tried to beat the suffering out of his system by working out. I pitied him so. I keep the memories of those times. When he fences now, it is a game again to him. I keep the faintest traces of those days, and gently fit his hand."}, {"response": 49, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Tue, Nov 24, 1998 (14:44)", "body": "Heide: I am answering you from SUnday. I absolutely adore Colin. I have for years since Valmont. I was shocked when I found out he married. I thought he was linked to Jennifer Ehle. Then I thought long ago his was involved with MMeg Tilly? Do you know any of this. I didn't realize he had married until I was on the P & P board and someone wrote in and they had to take it to drool. He is so handsome no wonder someone snatched him up. This is so odd, I neve4r react to actors this way. Rita"}, {"response": 50, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 24, 1998 (14:44)", "body": "Hi Rita, Welcome to our group. Have a little obsession? You'll fit right in. Keep posting. Gi, your essay was v. poignant...tender...compassionate. What a lucky glove!"}, {"response": 51, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Tue, Nov 24, 1998 (14:44)", "body": "Actually I think this is more of obession. I have never behaved in this manner. I am quite astounded. It is actually kind of weird because I never did this when I was younger. Its just that he is such a babe."}, {"response": 52, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Nov 24, 1998 (14:44)", "body": "(Rita)This is so odd, I neve4r react to actors this way. I believe most of us wrote the same thing the first few times we posted things here. You have found the right group. Welcome! Gi, thanks for a wonderfully sensitive essay. I got chills of empathy for the suffering his glove shared with Darcy. You have set a new standard for excellence in essay writing!"}, {"response": 53, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Tue, Nov 24, 1998 (14:44)", "body": "I just don't know what has made me react this way. I think it originally was Valmont. Those pants."}, {"response": 54, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Nov 24, 1998 (14:44)", "body": "(Rita)I just don't know what has made me react this way. I think it originally was Valmont. Those pants. Oh goondess, have you not read our expoundings on the fit of Darcy's pants? Go back and check. We spent hours and hours of time and eye strain trying to catch the \"fit\" of his pants....and noted the best ones for all to check. I do not think there is a thing about this man we do not yet know (providing the information is not too personal in nature). His loves, his wife, his son, his family, etc. We respect the actor in all things and do not comment on him directly. However, Darcy or Valmont's endowments in the pants category, that is another thing and open for careful scrutiny. join us in the hunt and share your findings!"}, {"response": 55, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Tue, Nov 24, 1998 (14:44)", "body": "I especially loved Colin in the Advocate. I felt this was one of his best performances. He is a wonderful actor."}, {"response": 56, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Nov 24, 1998 (14:44)", "body": "Rita, are you aware that TA is a sanitized version for American audiences, and the original version is better and has him in his altoghthers? Though filmed from a discrete distance, thankfully, and nothing can be noted particularly...even those of us with super slo-mo and stop-frame on our VCRs! He is indeed excellent, and TA - HOTP has been my second favorite of his for a long time. Darcy will always have pride of place for me."}, {"response": 57, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Nov 24, 1998 (14:44)", "body": "HOTP (\"HOT Pig\") is The Advocate's original name, and is full is \"The Hour of the Pig.\" In case I lost anyone on that last posting."}, {"response": 58, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Nov 24, 1998 (14:44)", "body": "HOTP (\"HOT Pig\") is The Advocate's original name, and in full is \"The Hour of the Pig.\" In case I lost anyone on that last posting."}, {"response": 59, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Nov 24, 1998 (14:44)", "body": "Not only are we getting double postings but we have time-travelled yet again! No Y2K problems here - we just lept over it and landed on the other side!"}, {"response": 60, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Nov 25, 1998 (16:17)", "body": "I cannot tell if this Keepsake Board is broken or just in a time warp. So, I am posting this as a test. Come back, 1998!!!"}, {"response": 61, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Nov 25, 1998 (17:03)", "body": "I think we're okay, thanks to Terry, but my fingers are still tightly crossed. Tell me what I should do, Marcia. Let you know what item I covet? I suppose I should wait until the person who currently owns it has an opportunity to see my request. Should my request come in the form of a bid or an essay? Or should I just lay it out and wait for a response from her? Your wish is my command. Rita, if you haven't been there already, you must check out the other topics. You sound like a committed Firth fan. And yes, some would argue we should be committed...to an asylum."}, {"response": 62, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Nov 25, 1998 (19:47)", "body": "(Heide)Should my request come in the form of a bid or an essay? Or should I just lay it out and wait for a response from her? Your wish is my command. Since Karen thought of it, but graciously gave me credit for it, I asked her the same thing. If it belongs to someone else who has been absent or neglectful, you might bid for it - anything that comes to mind. My suggestion was very Hawaiian in the Email to Karen, and I am saving it for something I REALLY want. If it is unopposed, stake a claim. If no one challenges you, you just write a little something to pique our interest and it is yours. Or write a limerick or a song or whatever moves you. What o you think? I am easy to please!"}, {"response": 63, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Nov 27, 1998 (08:59)", "body": "My bid is for the Writing Quill currently owned by the Other Terry. The itme I use as my offer is the blood-rushing sensation I felt upon my first viewing of P&P that here finally was the perfect actor to play Mr. Darcy. I have never been able to recapture the intensity of that feeling even though I try to block out all thought and remember. Was this the point when he comes across her \"on foot\". Or was it here at the piano in Rosings? Surely I felt it when he looked out at her after his bath but mayb it was earlier when he was admiring her \"fine eyes\". I was surely already gone by the Pemberley meeting. The moment I felt that shock, that satisfaction, and that romantic longing when I recognized that this was something special is a feeling I treasure and while I can never feel it with that same intensity again, I'd like to offer it to the Other Terry so she can savor that moment in time again."}, {"response": 64, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sat, Nov 28, 1998 (04:04)", "body": "The Keepers Oath, I finally found it! I,...(name).., solemny swear to be a Keeper of His ...(fill in keepsake)...I will do all in my power to prolong and extend the magic of P&P2 and Colin Firth as Mr.Darcy by protecting my Keepsake...(fill in keepsake)..., by mentioning it whenever appropriate to a conversation, by caring for it in a manner as is suitable to the Keepsake, by forwarding and promoting its particular attributes, by highlighting at will Mr.Darcy's use of said Keepsake in P&P2, etc. Moreover, I shall aid my fellow Keepers in all imilarly diverting endeavors. This, I most ardently swear, and to Jane Austen will I ever be true! I hope this helps:-) BTW, I also found some of the limericks Megan and I wrote for our Limerick Cat Fight, but I haven't got the first ones so there's no use in posting the others. Tineke, proud Keeper of His Miniature:-)"}, {"response": 65, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 28, 1998 (09:39)", "body": "Thanks, Tineke. I don't think I've ever seen the Keeper's Oath. I'd say it thoroughly outlines one's responsibilities."}, {"response": 66, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Nov 29, 1998 (03:03)", "body": "Tineke, you are a real life saver. I most sincerely appreciate your finding and posting the Keeper's Oath. I shall endeavour to do as it charges and I shall keep a finely lettered Parchment copy of it in a leather binding similar to his Collegiate Note Books. They are as important to him as this Oath is to me, and I will keep the leather supple and well rubbed as he did his Note Books with his strong and gentle hands. University life is what makes us what we are as adults and teaches us to learn for ourselves. The memories they invoke keep his Note Books and their contents ever ready on his shelves. They eagerly await his perusal. Thank you once again. Marcia, Honored to be the Keeper of his Cambridge University Note Books."}, {"response": 67, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Nov 30, 1998 (00:34)", "body": "I am returned from three days of Basketball Tournament t-shirt vending, and a session with the Angel tree for underprivileged children sponsored by the Salvation Army. I missed the showing of P&P2 but had my book in hand and ran the movie through my head where Darcy lodges forever as the most perfect of CF. Now, the big question. Where is everyone? Vapors? Stunned by the beauty of this man? I understand, but come on.....we MUST have Drool!!!"}, {"response": 68, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Dec  1, 1998 (18:38)", "body": "Drool? We've missed your drool. Why aren't you at 112 more often? And 97? I'm just waiting to hear about my bid here...."}, {"response": 69, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Dec  2, 1998 (17:46)", "body": "Oh, Heide, I am more than neglegant to have not commented on your tortured quill essay. It is YOUR Keepsake from now on, to have and to hold, etc. How Poignant! Not sure who the other Terry is, but he/she has not been heard from, so it is yours uncontested. Thank you. I can only blame Basketball saturation as I have not had as much as a sniff of turkey all week."}, {"response": 70, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Wed, Dec  2, 1998 (20:34)", "body": "Okay ladies, I'm popping in my head long enough to stake my claim on the humpy hat (not to be confused with HIS INCROYABLE). If it goes to auction I shall be quite put out! ;-p Also, I have a message from Mega Megan (who is currenly offline due her move): \"The WET SHIRT is mine, Mine, MINE! ;-D) Hope everyone is well. I'll be checking in more frequently after school ends in a couple of weeks. Best to all. Nan, La Gardienne du Bicorne Incroyable--dear friend of the WET SHIRT, yadi yadi yada... ;-)"}, {"response": 71, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Dec  3, 1998 (17:55)", "body": "Darling Nan, we'd never give away your humpy hat. Never fear. Thank you, thank you for that quill. Though I shall just call it a pen, not a feather quill for there is no feather in sight. I shall keep this pen in its own little compartment and only bring it out to write Fan Fiction. ;-) And of course, at times I shall inhabit the pen as I shall do now: My keepsake is the quill pen Mr. Darcy clutches so tightly as he writes his letter to Elizabeth Bennet. Never has he clasped me so tightly as he did that fateful night. Not even when he was at Netherfield as he wrote to his sister. I felt his fingers grasp me convulsively at moments when Miss Bingley spoke. Sometimes I thought I would snap in two when her voice interrupted our communion but he relaxed his grip when the voice of Miss Bennet was heard. He is possessiveof me, not wanting Miss Bingley to mend me. How cared for I feel that he will not let anyone touch me but himself. Though I suspect he would allow Miss Bennet to pick me up every now and then. But on that night at Rosings, he was careless with me, flinging me onto the desk at times but then always retrieving me to continue his letter. I was in tune with him that night as the words flowed from his heart through his fingers to me. Then, when the letter was complete, he gently held me as he wrote the final words of address, Miss Elizabeth Bennet. I know this will not be the last time I will write that name, and feel the strength of his fingers as he so smoothly guides me."}, {"response": 72, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Dec  3, 1998 (19:47)", "body": "Nan, you are most worthy of the Bicorne Incroyable , and so you have maintained during these years of Drooling. I know you are the Wet Shirt Keeper's best friend and all that, and if I can do so for the much Overworked Stefanie, so can you for Megan. Her shirt is secure for now. Thanks for popping in! We miss you!!! Heide, you are so talented with words, I'd have given you custody of just about anything. Thank you for the lovely essay which firmly establishes your worthiness to be Keeper of his Pen. Others????"}, {"response": 73, "author": "StefanieB", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (13:30)", "body": "Heelo all, I am but a stranger here now . . .I should let you know that Mr. Darcy's teacup is a most treasured possession (along with Michael Crawford's) and sits proudly (in my mind) on the mantle next to MC's. However, if someone else wishes to claim it I shall relinquish it . . .it is flu season again and I shall not be here much and have not even had time to watch our beloved one in P&P drool tape. I do plan to try to see SIL when it comes out and he is such a gorgeous specimen of those of the \"Y\" chr mosome! Incase I don't get back here very soon . . .I wish all of you a Happy Holiday Season . . .and stay well! StefanieB"}, {"response": 74, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (14:11)", "body": "Stefanie, unless you REALLY want to be rid of the \"burden\" of his cherished cup, which you so eloquently claimed, I shall defend it for you. Flu season cannot last forever, can it?! Come back any time. We are delighted to hear from you."}, {"response": 75, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (14:11)", "body": "I'm posting on behalf of Lesley who can't seem to get this page loaded. She would like to remain the Keeper of the Billiard Room Waistcoat. She has kept it well these last couple of years, so I'm sure no one will object ;-)"}, {"response": 76, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Dec  5, 1998 (13:36)", "body": "Nan and Leslie, I have checked the Keepsake list, and hearing no objections, the Keeping of the Waistcoat is Leslie's honor. Might we expect an exposition on that theme?! I do not recall anything relating to it, and it surely deserves some comment as it is an especially splendid piece of work."}, {"response": 77, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec  5, 1998 (17:01)", "body": "Marcia, is the billiard stick (cue) taken? Hey, that's some symbollism!!"}, {"response": 78, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Dec  5, 1998 (17:01)", "body": "Evelyn, Suzanne (do not know her) is listed as keeper of his Billiard Cue, but if we do not hear from her shortly, I shall assume it is neglected and award it to you. It is indeed symbolic, and I wrote a little exposition on it and the Cherry Red Sphere he shot into the corner pocket with said sybol."}, {"response": 79, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Dec  6, 1998 (11:25)", "body": "Oh, Evelyn, the Billiard Cue would be a lovely item to have. It's so, um, ahem, symbolic. If you get it, where will you keep it? Nice to know that there are still holders of the keepsakes unwilling to give them up. I wish too though, that they would be able to check in with us every now and again. Why is our page so difficult to load?"}, {"response": 80, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Dec  6, 1998 (17:30)", "body": "At the stroke of Midnight, hearing nothing from Suzanne, the Billiard Cue is now in the safekeeping of Evelyn. How often would you keepers like me to post the list, or shall I just post the updates? Heide, I have had no trouble loading this, but I only go for the new postings as I save them to disk and have the others. Are you still using squirrel cage to run your PC?"}, {"response": 81, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Dec  6, 1998 (17:35)", "body": "Hmmmm, Yes....where *are* you going to keep your new Keepsake for Safe Keeping, Evelyn? Hmmmmmm.....!"}, {"response": 82, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Dec  6, 1998 (17:37)", "body": "Hmmmm....does that Billiard Cue unscrew??????"}, {"response": 83, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec  6, 1998 (18:09)", "body": "Evelyn, Suzanne (do not know her) is listed as keeper of his Billiard Cue, but if we do not hearfrom her shortly, I shall assume it is neglected and award it to you , Yes....where *are* you going to keep your new Keepsake for Safe Keeping, Evelyn? Sorry to disappoint you girls....but I already claimed and was awarded Lizzy's long white gloves. But I think that Billiard Cue has many possibilities. Did you notice how he held it *up*? Hmmmmmm.....!.does that Billiard Cue unscrew?????? Probably ....for traveling...! Does Karen have a keepsake? I think the Billiard Cue should be hers. She'd know where to keep it safe and sound....."}, {"response": 84, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Dec  6, 1998 (19:31)", "body": "Response 77 of 77: Evelyn (lafn) * Sat, Dec 5, 1998 (17:01) * 2 lines Marcia, is the billiard stick (cue) taken? Hey, that's some symbollism!! Heavens, Evelyn, my dear!!! I had n9o idea you were NOT requesting the keeping of same. Sorry. So, I guess Suzanne is safe for the time being. Here is the list current to date. I do not see our Karen's name! Ladies, here is the most current list. No excuses now!!! Unclaimed Keepsakes: His Tankard His Coins (The tip He gave the London street urchin) His Promissory Note (The $$ note He gave to Wickham) His Red Pool Ball His Georgiana Letter His Childhood Clothing (When He was fishing with Wickham) His Fishing Pole His Tackle Box His Gun Claimed Keepsakes: His Ring, Valen His Dent, Ann2 (This is the =only= CF body part being permitted) His Pemberley Breeches, Cheryl His Wet Shirt, Megan His Writing Quill, Heide His Fencing Foil, Carolyn His Riding Crop, Cindy His Pool Cue, Suzanne His Wine Goblet, Donna His Bath Towel, Vivian His Boots, Margaret His Bathrobe, Kat(h) His Black Horse \"Pride's Foal\", Erin His Riding Gloves, HeidiL His Great Coat, Clare His Netherfield Evening Clothes, Michele His Walking Cane, Inko His Carriage(s), Stacey His Billiard Room Waistcoat, Lesley His Nameless Hat of a Thousand Names (aka Incroyable Bicorne), Nan His Dogs, Linda K His Pemberley Evening Clothes (long pants), Kat His Blue Wedding Coat, Sarah His Pemberley Candlestick, Beth His Rosings Candlestick, Nathalie R His Silver Wash Basin, Deb His Saddle, Barbara His Watch & Fob, Arami His Bathtub, Marina His Washcloth, Catherine His Mirror, Renate His Miniature, Tineke His Cravat, Robyn His Top Hat, Kathy F. His Book, Lon His Castille Soap, Brioni The Letter, Karin His Cap & Gown, Jan His Copper Bathing Pitcher, Marilyn His Wine Decanter/Carafe, Lucie His Hand Towel (He used at Rosings after washing His face), Bethan His Pemberley Cushion, Mary D. His Green Pemberley Coat, Laraine His Portrait, Anita T His Teacup, Stefanie His University Notebooks, Marcia His Grey Horse (\"Whipper\"), Laura His Fencing Glove, Gi His White Stockings and Buckled Shoes worn at the Netherfield Ball, Moon Dreams"}, {"response": 85, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Dec  6, 1998 (19:38)", "body": "Might I suggest you copy the list onto a floppy or into another file for easy access?! It makes it ever so much easier to find!"}, {"response": 86, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec  6, 1998 (20:19)", "body": "Can you add Lizzy's long white gloves (which he touched)...evelyn..?"}, {"response": 87, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Dec  6, 1998 (20:38)", "body": "Indeed, I should have in the first place. Thank you for reminding me. Other's Items associated with Darcy Keepsake list: Lizzie's formal white gloves worn at the Netherfield Ball, Evelyn"}, {"response": 88, "author": "StefanieB", "date": "Mon, Dec  7, 1998 (13:10)", "body": "I shall keep the teacup! No burden involved, Thank you, Dear for defending my right to keep it! Oh, BTW, why do you not post your ode to the cherry red ball and cue????? {;^P"}, {"response": 89, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Dec  7, 1998 (16:57)", "body": "Shall do. Was just waiting for a little encouragement since I am NOT known as a writer by any stretch of the imagination. Thanks for the support. I'd love to claim the cherry red sphere, but then I'd have to relinquish his note books. *sigh* THE CHERRY-RED SPHERE Lizzie was guiding her footsteps toward the Drawing Room when the sharp clack of ivory on ivory diverted her. She turned in the direction of the sound and found herself in the doorway of the Billiard Room at Netherfield. Her eyes were drawn to Mr. Darcy who stood on the far side of the table staring at her. 'I cannot stay here. I do not belong here. He is staring so intently at me that I am powerless to look away. I must leave here right now...my heart is in my throat and I am without speech. If I do not leave now I will be rooted to this place forever. Staring into those eyes which are probing my very soul. Yet, he looks so handsome...I wish he would smile or say something. I must leave here!' With all of the fortitude she had she forced herself to turn away and she ghosted back into the hall from whence she had come. Darcy was standing at the Billiard table sizing up his next shot. His mind was not entirely occupied with the game. Turmoil of feelings kept intruding. This was disturbing his concentration; he was not used to having uninvited thoughts taking over his objectivity. He thought a practice round of Billiards just might clear his mind. On the table were a white ball, the cue ball and a cherry-red ball. He had taken off his jacket and stood back to survey his next shot. At that moment his eyes were diverted fro the table by a flash of ivory silk in the doorway. He looked up and noticed Elizabeth Bennet looking back at him. She seemed to have floated into his gaze and now held him transfixed. He managed to do a bow of recognition to her but she was immobile and her face was glowing against the mahogany paneling. He had never seen her look so lovely. He could not alter his gaze or his attitude nor utter a sound. 'Why can I not say something civil to her? ...About the weather perhaps? Why can I not smile at her and tell her it is good to see her? I want to tell her how lovely she looks and how her skin is more radiant than a thousand roses...how bewitched I am by her presence. In the same room with me, she attracts my gaze and holds it captive until she leaves. Why can I not give utterance to how much I would like to dance with her and how I regret the things she overheard me say to Bingley at the Meryton Assembl ...' As these things flashed through his mind she suddenly turned and disappeared. Poised with the Billiard Cue he had been holding, he bent over the table. With all of the unresolved emotion of the encounter, he unleashed a stroke of great vigor and determination and sank the cherry-red sphere into the corner pocket."}, {"response": 90, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Dec  7, 1998 (18:45)", "body": "With all of the unresolved emotion of the encounter, he unleashed a stroke of great vigor and determination and sank the cherry-red sphere into the corner pocket. Wonderful, Marcia. I hadn't read this in a long time. You voiced my idea of Darcy's thoughts perfectly. \"great vigor and determination\" - you betcha. I am not having trouble loading our topics even with my squirrel at half speed but Lesley, Keeper of the Billiard Room Waistcoat, apparently is. Was wondering if anyone else is. Not counting the days when the date changes to 2/7/36."}, {"response": 91, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Dec  7, 1998 (18:58)", "body": "Heide, you have no idea how comforting your words are to a first-time publisher. Thank you!!! I wonder what gremlins put that particular date (2/7/36)on the Boards. Perhaps Count A's second coming?!"}, {"response": 92, "author": "StefanieB", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (13:26)", "body": "Marcia, Wow! Most intense! I have alwyas loved your vignette, and wished you to publish it before. Glad you have finally done it!"}, {"response": 93, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (15:57)", "body": "Thank you, Stefanie Dear. I needed that. I even suggested on 112 that it was so bad I had succeeded in closing down the Board. That would be sad indeed."}, {"response": 94, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (10:40)", "body": "Marcia, that was lovely. I had never read the Cherry Red Sphere before. Since both you and Evelyn think I should claim Keepsakeship of the cue, I just might; however, I've never liked settling for less.... I will cull out my billiard scene from A King's Tapestry, which was inspired and dedicated to you, Marcia, and post it here as my official essay. But and this is a BIG BUT (!) I also claim Paul Ashworth's leather jacket. Sometimes you just got to go for the gusto! ;-)"}, {"response": 95, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (16:52)", "body": "Congrats, Marcia! I had just read your complaint over on 112, and it was unfounded! I loved your story."}, {"response": 96, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (18:57)", "body": "Ladies, thank you! High praise indeed, coming from you! You made my author's soul take heart to write something more, perhaps. Karen, here is the newest keepsake list with just you claiming something. Perhaps your idea will reinvigorate this site (and take the lurkers from 97 for a moment or two.) Thanks for the idea! Firth Items from movies other than P&P2 Paul Ashworth's Leather Jacket from Fever Pitch , Karen"}, {"response": 97, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (19:25)", "body": "Ooohh, if Karen gets his jacket then I want his whistle! But I digress. The Christmas holidays are coming upon us. I feel the need to take out my keepsake, the quill pen, and twirl it between my fingers a bit, perhaps getting a little inspiration from it for a new Darcy story. I may need to chew on the end a bit too."}, {"response": 98, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (19:50)", "body": "You may Keep your Keepsake in Pristine Condition Until its owner needs to use it. Please refrain from chewing on it!!!! You would not like him to comment \"Bah! Humbug!!\" when he next takes it up to write to Georgiana..."}, {"response": 99, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (20:54)", "body": "( Gi) Congrats, Marcia! I had just read your complaint over on 112, and it was unfounded! I loved your story And so do I :-) Re: Firth items from movies other than P&P: I think the little steel eyeglasses he uses in Playmaker are pretty sexy.... but I know Laura will want them. Great idea Marcia....lots of good ones in Dutch Girl....those pajamas buttoned to the neck.. the blue duvet he covers himself with......the grey sweater... I think I'll spring for the GREY SCARF he wraps around his neck in DG..before anyone else does!!"}, {"response": 100, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Dec 11, 1998 (07:16)", "body": "I think the little steel eyeglasses he uses in Playmaker are pretty sexy.... but I know Laura will want them. ] Ah, the glasses, he looks onederful in them!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 101, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Dec 11, 1998 (13:46)", "body": "Hmmmm, now you have me thinking. Laura, I KNOW you think his glasses look wonderful. but, are you claiming them? Listmaker needs to know. I am torn between his many-\"rags\" hat from HOTP and the little grey undies in FP. I think I must claim the little grey undies which he wears so cleverly with his goodies all wadded up so we cannot get more out of the movie than intended!!! Thank you all for your compliments. I did not realize how vital they are to the creative process! Evelyn, the Grey Scarf from DG has been put in your cyberhands for safekeeping."}, {"response": 102, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Dec 11, 1998 (19:35)", "body": "Ah, yeah, the Glasses, I'll take them!!!!"}, {"response": 103, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Dec 12, 1998 (02:45)", "body": "(Marcia)I think I must claim the little grey undies which he wears so cleverly with his goodies all wadded up so we cannot get more out of the movie than intended!!! LOL! I am sooo jealous. I love those shorts. I must, therefore, claim the small towel that is almost not covering those same goodies in the bath scene in HOTP. Is it taken? Oh, the thought makes me go all all quiver!"}, {"response": 104, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 12, 1998 (12:03)", "body": "I'm surprised the Arsenal boxer shorts haven't gone yet! Let's see now, what other films show Colin in underwear? This shouldn't be too difficult for us! ;-)"}, {"response": 105, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Dec 12, 1998 (16:58)", "body": "The blue ones peeking out in Femme Fatale? I do want his Fever Pitch whistle but I must look at the film again to see how many times he actually uses it. Or else I may end up just being an appendage hanging around his neck. Hey! I actually like that idea."}, {"response": 106, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Dec 12, 1998 (17:57)", "body": "This is the Keepsake list as it now stands with the latest additions: Firth Items from movies other than P&P2 Paul Ashworth's Leather Jacket from Fever Pitch, Karen His Grey Scarf from Dutch Girls, Evelyn Paul Ashworth's grey undies from Fever Pitch, Marcia His Steel-rimmed glasses from Playmaker, Laura Small bath towel from Hour of the Pig, Allison M Why do I have the feeling that those bogus little blue shorts do not really exist? Perhaps the magic of film editing?"}, {"response": 107, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec 12, 1998 (22:10)", "body": "Correction: Allison's claim should read: the small towel that is almost covering those goodies in the bath scene in HOTP. Let's be specific here.....not any ole bath towel!!!"}, {"response": 108, "author": "Stacey", "date": "Sun, Dec 13, 1998 (00:14)", "body": "Well, since no one else has claimed it yet, I'd love to claim the Arsenal boxers from Fever Pitch!"}, {"response": 109, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Dec 13, 1998 (12:03)", "body": "Too funny Stacey, we'll look forward to reading your little essay or poem or..."}, {"response": 110, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sun, Dec 13, 1998 (15:34)", "body": "I'd like to claim his wig in Valmont. Oh, and Laura, I LOVE those glasses:-)"}, {"response": 111, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 13, 1998 (16:42)", "body": "Correction: Allison's claim should read: the small towel that is almost covering those goodies in the bath scene in HOTP. Let's be specific here.....not any ole bath towel!!! Very true. He did have some kind of rag on his head during the bath scenes as well. ;-)"}, {"response": 112, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Dec 13, 1998 (18:01)", "body": "Thank you for the input. I have added the new Keepsakes to the list and amended the towel entry. How do you like this one? Firth Items from movies other than P&P2 Paul Ashworth's Leather Jacket from Fever Pitch, Karen His Grey Scarf from Dutch Girls, Evelyn Paul Ashworth's grey undies from Fever Pitch, Marcia His Steel-rimmed glasses from Playmaker, Laura Small bath towel covering his hidden assets from Hour of the Pig, Allison M Paul's Arsenel Boxer Shorts from Fever Pitch, Stacey Valmont's Wig from Valmont, Tine"}, {"response": 113, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec 13, 1998 (20:24)", "body": "This is probably the wrong topic to post this....but I was wondering why all Fan Fiction is about P&P. Has anyone written one about any of CF's other films? I think THOTP would be a terrific one. And introduce more attractive looking people for starters."}, {"response": 114, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Dec 13, 1998 (20:27)", "body": "Don't forget my whistle, Marcia."}, {"response": 115, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Dec 14, 1998 (14:48)", "body": "(Heide)I do want his Fever Pitch whistle but I must look at the film again to see how many times he actually uses it. Or else I may end up just being an appendage hanging around his neck. Hey! I actually like that idea. The whistle is yours. In your above statement you expressed everything except that you actually were claiming it as a Keepsake. Just wanted to be sure. I like your idea of Fan Fic for the other movies, especially the period pieces which interest me the most. Hmmmmm....Wonder what interesting stuff might come to be added to Playmaker?! I am thinking of the idea of Keepsake List for each of his movies when we get enough interest in this newest list. What think you?"}, {"response": 116, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Dec 14, 1998 (15:12)", "body": "I am the softest, most intimate thing Paul Ashworth owns. I am his grey knitted Jersey T-shirt and matching shorts. He sleeps in me, and I know just about everything of interest that he is feeling - asleep or awake. He is not as tender with me as I am with him. He tends to throw me on the floor when I am in need of laundering, and I have gone missing beneath his bed for several days at a time. Nevertheless, my favorite time is when he takes me out of the drawer he threw me into when I was clean and uts me on. Ahhhhh...it is bliss. I am least fond of the times he wears only me and sits on the scratchy upholstery in his living room while he watches his favorite team, Arsenal, play on the telly. I always know how he feels about the way his team has played. Actually, he goes through many emotions during the course of a game, and I often need refreshing when the game is over. He is very fond of me judging by the frequency with which he chooses to wear me. I return the affection and will protect m territory with great vigor."}, {"response": 117, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Dec 15, 1998 (16:11)", "body": "marcia, that was very funny! :-))"}, {"response": 118, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Dec 16, 1998 (13:27)", "body": "That rustling sound you hear is me going through the Keepsakes to check for essays. Seeing very few, I am now checking for neglect. Keepers, you must give some little sign of why you wanted your specific Keepsake or you shall have to bid against me for it!!!"}, {"response": 119, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 16, 1998 (13:50)", "body": "I want to see virtual mud-wrestling!! ;-)"}, {"response": 120, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Dec 16, 1998 (15:59)", "body": "May I claim the pressed rose from AMITC? How \"little\" does the sign have to be Marcia please?"}, {"response": 121, "author": "Stacey", "date": "Wed, Dec 16, 1998 (18:11)", "body": "I have two keepsakes now, but I need to have a little time to come up with some poems because I'm in the middle of finals right now. As soon as I can I will post my poems!:)"}, {"response": 122, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Dec 16, 1998 (19:52)", "body": "(Lizza)May I claim the pressed rose from AMITC? How \"little\" does the sign have to be Marcia please? You are now the official Keeper of the Rose from AMITC....check my grey underwear essay or my college notebooks posted above. It need not be that long, though. Just some reasons it is so special to you. (Stacey)As soon as I can I will post my poems!:) That is all I can ask. Thanks for thinking about it. It is what keeps this Board special."}, {"response": 123, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Dec 24, 1998 (12:18)", "body": "Pomolo trees and orange and lemon trees. You really do not need to raise them yourself because they all ripen at once and your neighbors share theirs with you. In my case it is a fruity-tart apple banana patch which is busily making bananas. One stalk of bananas will number better than 100, and the entire stalk ripens at the same time, so the neighbors with the tangerines and oranges and lemons get to share my bananas. Flowers continue to bloom. Poinsettias are spectacular over here and the plants gr w to small tree size and are covered by red, white and pink blooms the size of cabages. We must cut the lawn weekly or it begins to attract tigers and you lose your small pets in it. The usual orchids hang out of the trees or from baskets, and plumeria and ginger add beauty and fragrance to the atmosphere. The sugar cane tassels in December, and so grows its own silvery decorations. At night, it gets down to the low 60's and even into the 50's here in Hilo (we have two 13,500+ foot mountains behind the town and they ski on them!) Since really severe weather in so rare here, people decorate the outside of their homes as an extension of the interiors. They festoon tall cedar trees and Norfolk Island Pines growing there with balls, lights and garlands. They also outline their homes with lights. One fellow up the street has Royal Palms around his home, and somehow has managed to wrap \"jillions\" of lights around the trunks and around the midribs of the fronds. The effect is a static firework display. Absolutely stunning! We all bundle up like we were freezing. Actually, water freezes at 55 degrees (F) here - or feels like it does - so we dress for the cold. While visitors from the colder places on earth come to visit and are comfortable in shorts and sleeveless shirts, we all have lined jackets and warm slacks on to keep warm. I have been known to wear long underwear under a floo -length hostess gown while entertaining! Mele Kalikimaka me ka Hauoli Makahiki Hou, Everyone!"}, {"response": 124, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Dec 24, 1998 (16:34)", "body": "I've never spent Christmas anywhere but here in Pennsylvania Dutch country so I thank you, Marcia, for the colorful summary. Tigers indeed. It sounds delightful and I should treat myself sometime. Frohliche Weinachten!"}, {"response": 125, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Dec 24, 1998 (19:58)", "body": "This time of year I miss the cold and snow so vwery much. I guess that is why we decorate so much and make little white sparkling things all over our hibiscus bushes and palm trees. Please make a snow angel for me if there is enough on the ground. Penn State Christmases were lovely, and I'll always remember them this time of year. You are right, though....it IS pretty out here now! Just not cold and snowy at sea level."}, {"response": 126, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Dec 24, 1998 (22:29)", "body": "Heide, please Email me...your address is in my broken laptop!!!! and I do not think the one here is right, somehow...."}, {"response": 127, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Fri, Dec 25, 1998 (01:34)", "body": "Hmmm, Marcia my dear. I am finding myself somewhat intrigued by an item called \"Darcy's Bath Towel\" that is currently cared for by Vivian. Since he didn't use a towel after the lovely bath scene, is this item referring to the towel he dries his face with after writing the Wickham letter to Lizzie? If so, my goodness that might be something worth having. Vivian, are you out there in lurkdom? I don't want to abscond with your treasure unless you are no longer able to care for it. I have hesitated spea ing up until now because my writing ability leaves a lot to be desired. Could I balance Darcy's Pemberley accounts instead? Just kidding. If I am the lucky recipient of this item I will try and write something worthy of it. What say you, oh keeptress of the list?"}, {"response": 128, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Fri, Dec 25, 1998 (01:42)", "body": "Karen and Karen, that picture is to die for. It is my new wallpaper and my husband will just have to suffer through it. Merry Christmas, all. Thanks for making 1998 such fun!"}, {"response": 129, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Fri, Dec 25, 1998 (01:43)", "body": "Oops, I meant that for topic 116. How did I manage to get back here? Obviously some computer lessons for 1999 are in order!"}, {"response": 130, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Dec 25, 1998 (13:46)", "body": "Jana, is this the one to which you were referring? His Hand Towel (He used at Rosings after washing His face), Bethan If so, you can wrestle Bethan for it...or if she doesn't restake her claim to it, ......"}, {"response": 131, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Dec 25, 1998 (13:49)", "body": "Whomever posts the first essay about how important the towel is to them.....has first choice! How say you to that?"}, {"response": 132, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Dec 26, 1998 (20:10)", "body": "What the Firth is going on here??? I must voice my strongest protest. I usually get in by the \"back door\" - straight in the respective boards via the bookmarks. Darcy drool and Keepsakes seemed to be strangely \"dead\" and only recently I looked at the \"front door\" (=main menu) and quite accidentally discovered that new boards had been created sort of behind my back!! But the change should have been permanently announced on/linked from the respective old boards and the boars \"frozen\" for replies. I am pretty sure there are some other Keepers who have been thus confused. Peeved Keeper of His Ticker and Dangler (aka Watch and Fob)"}, {"response": 133, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Dec 26, 1998 (20:14)", "body": "Btw, the essay thing was originally a competition. We also had competitions for the names of horses, dogs, etc. Anyone can remember and repost for newbies?"}, {"response": 134, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Dec 26, 1998 (23:06)", "body": "Arami, I agree with you, and I should be more specific when I announce forfeiture of Keepsakes. Your excellent essay stands for all time. I have it safe and repostable, as I imagine you do, too. Your watch and fob are safe. I do have the horses and Pemberley Pups. I shall post them this week as they have to be gotten off another disk and whisked here when I find them! Thanks for coming over and adding to my evening. Your ticker and dangler under your most careful attention and Keepership."}, {"response": 135, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Dec 26, 1998 (23:12)", "body": "Here is another essay I found. I do not think Vivian will be outdone for this one!!! Response 26 of 227: Vivian (Mon, Sep 1, 1997 (15:32) * 16 lines In the meantime, I offer the following. I apologize in advance for my pathetic endeavors, but it has been a long time since I posted anywhere. I hadn't posted in the Pond for a long, long time-- I'm Darcy's bath towel, so fluffy and white I get to dry my master off in the day and in the night I get to caress his magnificent thighs and stroke his skin and go penises (I mean) places where no one has been If only I had eyes and could behold the magnificent sight!! ---------------------------------- Keeper of His Bath Towel"}, {"response": 136, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Dec 26, 1998 (23:27)", "body": "Response 72 of 227: Stacey Mon, Nov 3, 1997 (10:29) * 12 lines Ok, here are the names that I have chosen for the carriage horses. I hope that you all like them!! 1. Merryton Assembly- Passion, Desire, Admiration, Regard 2. Ramsgate- Serendipity 3. From Pemberley to London- Shocked, Grieved, Nono, Chestnut Season 4. From Netherfield to London- Utterly, Completely 5. Wedding- Shakespeare, Pope, Burns, Byron"}, {"response": 137, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Dec 26, 1998 (23:30)", "body": "The names for the horses were suggested by several members. Stacy merely gathered them and made her choices as head horse-namer."}, {"response": 138, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Dec 28, 1998 (01:03)", "body": "(Marcia) Jana, is this the one to which you were referring? His Hand Towel (He used at Rosings after washing His face), Bethan If so, you can wrestle Bethan for it...or if she doesn't restake her claim to it, ..... Oops, I didn't realize the bath towel was separate from the hand towel. Since Bethan is still a regular contributor to Drool I wouldn't dream of wrestling her for her lovely keepsake. Bethan, the hand towel is safely in your hands. After reading Vivian's bath towel ditty, I'm having second thoughts about the keepsake thing in general. Hmmm, I don't really think I could compete with her, ahem, graphic description. Believe me, what I had in mind to write was tame in comparison! Perhaps I'm better suited to lurking. Before giving up entirely I'll review the list again and see if something inspires me like the towel did. Maybe the muse will strike again...."}, {"response": 139, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (00:36)", "body": "Jana, please do not be put off by someone else's writings. Each of us have our own style, and with some of the more prosaic items (like \"my\" college note books) there sometimes is not a whole lot of juicy material to work with. Please give it a go. Should I post other essays ? Arami's ticker and Dangler essay is a classic and it got her ousted from RoP!!! I think it is delicious."}, {"response": 140, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 28, 1998 (13:56)", "body": "Marcia, perhaps you need to set up a \"Post-Christmas Returns\" window? Just kidding, my dear. Sorry if I haven't written anything. Not in the mood."}, {"response": 141, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Dec 28, 1998 (16:49)", "body": "Sorry if I haven't written anything. Ditto. See my post at 112 (I forgot myself there and thought I was in Keepsakes.) I like the idea of posting other essays. And I really like the names of Darcy's horses. I think I like \"Nono\" the best but they all give me a little thrill. So dig up another essay from the archives, if you like."}, {"response": 142, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Dec 28, 1998 (18:02)", "body": "I seem to be a little confused here. So what is the difference between this topic and 112? Arami's ticker and Dangler essay is a classic and it got her ousted from RoP!!! I was only severely reprimanded, not really ousted. But my mini-essay was indeed hurriedly deleted. Apparently it was too graphic. I still say it's all in the mind...;-)"}, {"response": 143, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Dec 28, 1998 (18:40)", "body": "Karen, I understand. I try to be here just to keep my sanity. Have not felt like it, either, as you know. Heide, do not know about the \"Nono\" essay. Could you tell me where to find it? I have some of the archives saved to disk. Arami, this site is for Keepsakes and 112 is for Darcy Drool. I have expanded it here to include items from CF's other movies. Perhaps when the members get back to their usual routine lives they will pick up on it again. May I post your essay again, or would you like to? It is one of my favorites! I stand corrected about the reprimand....they lost a genuine piece of work when they expunged it from their site."}, {"response": 144, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Mon, Dec 28, 1998 (21:55)", "body": "My dears: I would like to know if I can have a keepsake. I would like that pinky ring that Darcy constantly tunrs on his fingers. Who does it belong to???"}, {"response": 145, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Dec 29, 1998 (13:41)", "body": "His ring seems to be held by Valen, the person I have never heard from and never seen a posting from. Would someone tell me if He/she is still interested and to come forth! Otherwise she will have her ring kept by someone more interested in it!!! Claimed Keepsakes from P&P2 : His Ring, Valen His Dent, Ann2 (This is the =only= CF body part being permitted) His Pemberley Breeches, Cheryl His Wet Shirt, Megan His Writing Quill, Heide His Fencing Foil, Carolyn His Riding Crop, Cindy His Pool Cue, Suzanne His Wine Goblet, Donna His Bath Towel, Vivian His Boots, Margaret His Bathrobe, Kat(h) His Black Horse \"Pride's Foal\", Erin His Riding Gloves, HeidiL His Great Coat, Clare His Netherfield Evening Clothes, Michele His Walking Cane, Inko His Carriage(s), Stacey His Billiard Room Waistcoat, Lesley His Nameless Hat of a Thousand Names (aka Incroyable Bicorne), Nan His Dogs, Linda K His Pemberley Evening Clothes (long pants), Kat His Blue Wedding Coat, Sarah His Pemberley Candlestick, Beth His Rosings Candlestick, Nathalie R His Silver Wash Basin, Deb His Saddle, Barbara His Watch & Fob, Arami His Bathtub, Marina His Washcloth, Catherine His Mirror, Renate His Miniature, Tineke His Cravat, Robyn His Top Hat, Kathy F. His Book, Lon His Castille Soap, Brioni The Letter, Karin His Cap & Gown, Jan His Copper Bathing Pitcher, Marilyn His Wine Decanter/Carafe, Lucie His Hand Towel (He used at Rosings after washing His face), Bethan His Pemberley Cushion, Mary D. His Green Pemberley Coat, Laraine His Portrait, Anita T His Teacup, Stefanie His University Notebooks, Marcia His Grey Horse (\"Whipper\"), Laura His Fencing Glove, Gi His White Stockings and Buckled Shoes worn at the Netherfield Ball, Moon Dreams Other's Items associated with Darcy Keepsake list Lizzie's formal white gloves worn at the Netherfield Ball, Evelyn Firth Items from movies other than P&P2 Paul Ashworth's Leather Jacket from Fever Pitch, Karen His Grey Scarf from Dutch Girls, Evelyn Paul Ashworth's grey undies from Fever Pitch, Marcia His Steel-rimmed glasses from Playmaker, Laura Small bath towel covering his hidden assets from Hour of the Pig, Allison M Paul's Arsenel Boxer Shorts from Fever Pitch, Stacey Valmont's Wig from Valmont, Tine Paul Ashworth's Official's whistle from Fever Pitch, Heide the Rose from A Month In The Country, Lizza"}, {"response": 146, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Dec 29, 1998 (15:19)", "body": "A while ago there was some confusion about His towels,and I see there are indeed several listed. I'll have to go through the recent posts again to be sure who asked about His bath towel and got an answer about His hand towel... but confusion there was!"}, {"response": 147, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Dec 29, 1998 (15:36)", "body": "This list is current with the last request."}, {"response": 148, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Dec 29, 1998 (16:13)", "body": "This list is also full of folks who may have moved on to other interests since many of them are just known to me from having been on this list when I first posted over a year ago. Perhaps a recycling of those items would be a good idea."}, {"response": 149, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Dec 29, 1998 (16:54)", "body": "Hey, why is there no link to colinfirth.com from the top of the main Drool menu? There are pages for Northam, Ehle and just about everyone else - but not this, most important one!!! Hosts - action, please!!! :-) *** Marcia, go ahead and post my Watch And Fob Mini-essay if you can find a copy - it would take me too long to search for it at the moment. I just want to say that not many things in my life have made me feel THAT proud! ;-D And perhaps one day I will develop the theme for fanfic, too! ;-P"}, {"response": 150, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Dec 29, 1998 (18:17)", "body": "Herewith is Arami's essay on her Keepsake: A TALE OF THE FOB I was dangling peacefully down from Darcy's pocket watch as usual, a little bored and minding my own business, when a close neighbour of mine - the one who mostly hangs about loose on my left and slightly below, albeit usually on the inside, rather, than out - suddenly popped up all swollen and tense, straining against the cloth from within, pushing and nudging me fiercely. \"I shan't be able to stand this tension much longer!\" he gasped flustered. \"He's looking at that woman again!!!...\" The End. Response 122 of 227: MarciaH ( MarciaH ) * Mon, Nov 17, 1997 (21:47) * 3 lines Oh, Arami! Thank you!!! How many times did this happen? Or is that classified? When was the first time? The one that gets to me is that coal black eyes stare he gives her (even turning around to get a better look) at tge"}, {"response": 151, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Dec 29, 1998 (18:20)", "body": "OOps Sorry! I seem to have included part of my initial response in the essay posting. Arami, I do not know how to do what you wish done on the top of the page, but I am sure someone checking in will know. You are right...we should have those links here."}, {"response": 152, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 29, 1998 (19:46)", "body": "... suddenly popped up all swollen and tense, straining against the cloth from within, pushing and nudging me fiercely. The poor pocket watch.......what a bummer....:-))"}, {"response": 153, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (01:07)", "body": "Mmm, mmm thank you Arami and Marcia. The tale of the watch and fob definitely bears repeating. I am still mulling about selecting a keepsake but am now feeling rather drawn to Darcy's boots. I see they are currently in the care of Margaret. Margaret, are you out there and still cherishing being the keeper of that enticing footwear?"}, {"response": 154, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (13:21)", "body": "LOL, Marcia, I didn't expect a repeat of your original accolade! How inquisitive, too... ;-P"}, {"response": 155, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (16:12)", "body": "(Rita) My dears: I would like to know if I can have a keepsake. I would like that pinky ring that Darcy constantly tunrs on his fingers. Who does it belong to??? (Marcia) His ring seems to be held by Valen, the person I have never heard from and never seen a posting from. Would someone tell me if He/she is still interested and to come forth! Otherwise she will have her ring kept by someone more interested in it!!! I don't know where Valen disappeared to...she went ::poof:: (as she used to say). I know that some people have seen her in chat so I'll pass the word around to see if she still wants to keep the ring. Since Valen is the creator of the Keepsake list and was, for a time, our \"Grand High Exalted Mystic Keeptress\" we should give her the courtesy of asking. Keep you posted. As far as the rest of the list, there are many people I haven't seen in ages: Suzanne, HeidiL, Michele, Linda K, Kat, Sarah, Beth, Nathalie R, Deb, Marina, Catherine, Robyn, Kathy F., Lon, Brioni, Karin, Jan, Mary D, and Anita T. I imagine that most of these people won't be back and their Keepsakes should be the first to get new keeptresses. The people I've seen around Pemberley: Carolyn, Cindy, Donna, Erin, Clare, Inko, Barbara and Laraine. I'll see if I can hunt them down. Those I'm sure who want to keep their keepsakes: Ann2, Cheryl and Marilyn - I'll ask them. Can you tell I'm having a slow day at work? ;-p"}, {"response": 156, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (16:18)", "body": "(Arami)LOL, Marcia, I didn't expect a repeat of your original accolade! How inquisitive, too... ;-P Oh heavens, I did not remember that. How embarassing my comments. How delightful your essay!!!"}, {"response": 157, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (16:24)", "body": "Nan, Dear! Welcome home!! Thanks for clarifying some of the Keepers of the Goodies. I am rather surprised not more people have claimed things from his other movies. I claimed his little gray shorts and t-shirt from FP."}, {"response": 158, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (17:46)", "body": "I'm sorry, Marcia, if I wasn't clear. I don't believe there is a \"nono\" essay. I was just referring to the names of his horses from Stacey which you recenlty posted. All of the names are very clever but I think I like Nono the best. I do think it's a good idea to re-post older essays on the keepsakes and thank you for posting Arami's. Arami, I get a lot of fun from watching the film and thinking which particular look he's giving Elizabeth that is causing that most, um, rigid(?) situation."}, {"response": 159, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (18:46)", "body": "Whew, Heide, thanks for the clarification. I spent a few humorous hours rereading the postings on 53 which I had saved to disk, and will post essays from time to time. Renate, do you want your song reposted??? There was a limerick I particularly liked... Darcy's Lovely Lively Lilting Limerick to Lizzy \"How can I describe my affection? explain my feelings' direction? But by letting you know: \"Lizzy, I love you so! And I have a tremendous respect for you as a person!'\" (posted by Renate)"}, {"response": 160, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (18:50)", "body": "(Marcia) I am rather surprised not more people have claimed things from his other movies. Well, I'm a Darcy gal myself. I'm afraid none of the objects from his other films excites me much. Well, I like the freezer from FF, but that's not really his ;-p"}, {"response": 161, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (18:59)", "body": "It is an object associated with DB so it goes on the second list of things associated with him but not his in...(whichever) Shall I put you down for the freezer against which he presses her.....etc etc...sigh!!! Nan, I too am a Darcy fan first and foremost and compare all of his pix and movies against this impossible standard (at least he is making it impossible by not making other Georgian movies.) Someone should have a long talk with that boy!"}, {"response": 162, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (19:25)", "body": "(Nan) I like the freezer from FF LOL! Together with all the contents, no doubt?"}, {"response": 163, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (21:33)", "body": "(Marcia) Shall I put you down for the freezer against which he presses her.....etc etc...sigh!!! It's tempting, but no thank you, honey. I'll stick with Darcy and his humpy hat ;-)~~~ LOL! Together with all the contents, no doubt? Yes. The frozen peas, especially ;-p"}, {"response": 164, "author": "shelly", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (21:53)", "body": "Since Nan has indicated that we may put 'dibs' on items that have keeptresses that haven't been around in awhile... I would be VERY interested in being given the honour of the keepsake the Bathtub... sigh... That is if Marina does not claim it. I will attempt to write an essay, but must warn you that I am not a great writer! But I do enjoy reading!! :-)"}, {"response": 165, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Thu, Dec 31, 1998 (00:14)", "body": "If Valen doesn't want that ring that I need it. And anything else that I can keep for I just love Darcy."}, {"response": 166, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Dec 31, 1998 (02:27)", "body": "Nan! You may have More than One of his keepsakes as long as they are each from a different list or perhaps a different movie!!! You keep you precious bicorne (it IS lovely on him!!!) and you may claim additional things! Rita2 The ring is reserved for you pending Nan's ability or lack thereof to get in touch with Valen. Hello Shelly! Same with the bathtub. It is thine pending Marina's reclaiming it. The New Year is upon us shortly. Let us not leave his valuables unclaimed and unkept. Pass the word that the REALLY good goodies are up for claiming again."}, {"response": 167, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Dec 31, 1998 (09:12)", "body": "Frankly I wouldn't mind having his family jewels. Or is that taken, Karen?"}, {"response": 168, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 31, 1998 (09:40)", "body": "(Heide)Frankly I wouldn't mind having his family jewels. Or is that taken, Karen? Oy gevalt! We're not opening that can of worms here, are we? Besides I believe there are rules about ownership of such things! ;-) Nan, I believe it's a refrigerator (saw OJ-not the former running back and current wife stabber-in there)"}, {"response": 169, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Dec 31, 1998 (09:49)", "body": "(Marcia) Nan! You may have More than One of his keepsakes as long as they are each from a different list or perhaps a different movie!!! I understand that, honey. But none of the items from his other films has the same aura as the Darcy objects, so... (Heide) Frankly I wouldn't mind having his family jewels. Or is that taken, Karen? Ooh, now that sounds like something promising ;-)"}, {"response": 170, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 31, 1998 (11:31)", "body": "Regarding the family jewels, I believe Livia has ownership of them, but I haven't seen a poem or essay. Has anyone told her that it is required or she must forfeit? ;-)"}, {"response": 171, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Dec 31, 1998 (13:13)", "body": "LOL! Wrench them away from her!"}, {"response": 172, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Dec 31, 1998 (13:14)", "body": "I see we all understand each other. Just whiling away the afternoon here thinking about my whistle essay. So many possibilities."}, {"response": 173, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec 31, 1998 (15:02)", "body": "(Karen), Regarding the family jewels, I believe Livia has ownership of them, but I haven't seen a poem or essay. Has anyone told her that it is required or she must forfeit? There, another start up line in case you meet Colin! Your comments are too funny. Arami, I remember your essay or should I say your vision, my compliments once more."}, {"response": 174, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Dec 31, 1998 (15:31)", "body": "We do not, I believe, have a Keepsake list of items belonging other than to fictional characters here. That being the case, Darcy's family jewels are fair game if they are mounted in precious metal and have been mined out of the earth and cleverly shaped by the hands of a truly skilled artisan. That information alone should give some fresh insight... But, to wrench them...OWWWWWwwwwwwww"}, {"response": 175, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 31, 1998 (19:58)", "body": "(Heide)Frankly I wouldn't mind having his family jewels. Or is that taken, Karen? Karen has the billiard cue ...and isn't that a symbol of....ahem... you know what I mean...."}, {"response": 176, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Dec 31, 1998 (21:49)", "body": "It sure was in my little tale I called The Cherry Red Sphere posted above some time ago! Hauoli Makahiki Hou, Evelyn!"}, {"response": 177, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Thu, Dec 31, 1998 (22:43)", "body": "Jana2 said: I am still mulling about selecting a keepsake but am now feeling rather drawn to Darcy's boots. I see they are currently in the care of Margaret. Margaret, are you out there and still cherishing being the keeper of that enticing footwear? I'm still here and still take a great deal of pride in being the Keeper of His Boots. They're mine---to have and to hold, to cherish and to polish until He should need them again! :-) So, sorry Jana, but you must select another keepsake. I wish you well."}, {"response": 178, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jan  1, 1999 (00:23)", "body": "Happy New Year, Meggin!!! You are legendary to me. You were one of the older and wiser (in the ways of the Boards) contributers when I was but a naive lurker. Indeed, the boots are safely in your care. Thanks for gracing 113. Anything of CF's you'd like from his other movies? Or are you, like Nan and I, a Darcy fan first and foremost?!"}, {"response": 179, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Fri, Jan  1, 1999 (02:59)", "body": "(Meggin) So, sorry Jana, but you must select another keepsake. I wish you well. Meggin, I'm glad you're still around and would not dream of trying to abscond with your keepsake if you're still enjoying keeping the boots! But come to think of it, maybe I should go after another item because it's a great way to get people to de-lurk :-)."}, {"response": 180, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jan  1, 1999 (18:00)", "body": "Jana, please claim more things! You have been successful where I have failed. Apparently, a direct claim on a singular item is more threatening than my claim to take them all back if no one wanted to write an essays or tell what was so special about their particular item. Good for you, and do look for another item so you too may Keep Something For Him."}, {"response": 181, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Fri, Jan  1, 1999 (23:11)", "body": "I went back to the beginning of this thread and retrieved this: Topic 113 of 116 [drool]: Keepsakes, etc. (cont. from Topic 53) Response 4 of 180: Margaret (Meggin) * Sat, Nov 14, 1998 (21:41) * 1 lines I'm still the Boot Lady, aka The Keeper of His Boots (they're mine--to have and to hold, to polish and to cherish until He should need them again). Also, I'm certain Megan still reserves her claim on the WET shirt. So, you see I haven't been lurking so much that I have neglected my Keepsake duties. I always rise to the occasion when it's necessary to defend my Boots (and repeat the same ditty!). But perhaps Spring had the hiccups that day and no one saw my message. Thanks, but I don't feel the need for a keepsake from one of his other films. His dear Boots are enough for me and have already proved their value by being coveted by someone else! Marcia: Happy New Year, Meggin!!! You are legendary to me. Alas, only to you! Thanks, though. I've always lurked more than posted and, although I've been here and at Pemberley more than two years, I didn't think I was memorable, not to mention legendary, to anyone! It's nice to have been noticed. :-) Happy New Year to everyone!"}, {"response": 182, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sat, Jan  2, 1999 (01:06)", "body": "(Meggin) His dear Boots are enough for me and have already proved their value by being coveted by someone else! Oh my, yes. Anything that fits that snugly on those delectable legs is worth having. Meggin, I will content myself with the pleasant mental picture I have of you lovingly polishing his dear boots until Mr. Darcy should need to wear them again :-). Marcia, I'll keep mulling about another item but must wait for inspiration to strike me!"}, {"response": 183, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (00:35)", "body": "Marcia, would it be too daring to want to claim his Gun? I gather it is not yet taken? It\ufffds sad that it can be seen in P&P only for about two seconds but he looks so delightfully smug after \ufffdusing\ufffd it! Now I know he doesn\ufffdt even shoot in the film and actually holds it like someone who never does but you know, it\ufffds not REALLY a gun at all but a powerful symbol; just look at the angle of it. I\ufffdd be so good to it."}, {"response": 184, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jan  7, 1999 (18:53)", "body": "Elena, You may be Keeper of his Hunting Rifle (much more befitting name than \"gun\" I think, though it is listed that way.) I am adding you to the list. BTW, you did notice that he was the only one not discharging his weapon. (Is that sentence fraught with double meanings...!!!!)Me and the pool cue; Elena and the rifle. Yes!!!"}, {"response": 185, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jan  7, 1999 (19:47)", "body": "His watch and fob are still the closest to his... erm... heart...;-p"}, {"response": 186, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jan  7, 1999 (20:10)", "body": "Indeed so, as you know better than all others =)"}, {"response": 187, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan  7, 1999 (20:13)", "body": "I thought the billiard cue belonged to Karen. We talked her into taking it ....remember?"}, {"response": 188, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jan  7, 1999 (20:41)", "body": "Here is the current update. Karen, did you claim the Cue Stick and I forgot to note it? Claimed Keepsakes from P&P2: His Ring, Valen His Dent, Ann2 (This is the =only= CF body part being permitted) His Pemberley Breeches, Cheryl His Wet Shirt, Megan His Writing Quill, Heide His Fencing Foil, Carolyn His Riding Crop, Cindy His Pool Cue, Suzanne His Wine Goblet, Donna His Bath Towel, Vivian His Boots, Margaret His Bathrobe, Kat(h) His Black Horse \"Pride's Foal\", Erin His Riding Gloves, HeidiL His Great Coat, Clare His Netherfield Evening Clothes, Michele His Walking Cane, Inko His Carriage(s), Stacey His Billiard Room Waistcoat, Lesley His Nameless Hat of a Thousand Names (aka Incroyable Bicorne), Nan His Dogs, Linda K His Pemberley Evening Clothes (long pants), Kat His Blue Wedding Coat, Sarah His Pemberley Candlestick, Beth His Rosings Candlestick, Nathalie R His Silver Wash Basin, Deb His Saddle, Barbara His Watch & Fob, Arami His Bathtub, Marina His Washcloth, Catherine His Mirror, Renate His Miniature, Tineke His Cravat, Robyn His Top Hat, Kathy F. His Book, Lon His Castille Soap, Brioni The Letter, Karin His Cap & Gown, Jan His Copper Bathing Pitcher, Marilyn His Wine Decanter/Carafe, Lucie His Hand Towel (He used at Rosings after washing His face), Bethan His Pemberley Cushion, Mary D. His Green Pemberley Coat, Laraine His Portrait, Anita T His Teacup, Stefanie His University Notebooks, Marcia His Grey Horse (\"Whipper\"), Laura His Fencing Glove, Gi His White Stockings and Buckled Shoes worn at the Netherfield Ball, Moon Dreams His Hunting Rifle, Elena Other's Items associated with Darcy Keepsake list Lizzie's formal white gloves worn at the Netherfield Ball, Evelyn Firth Items from movies other than P&P2 Paul Ashworth's Leather Jacket from Fever Pitch, Karen His Grey Scarf from Dutch Girls, Evelyn Paul Ashworth's grey undies from Fever Pitch, Marcia His Steel-rimmed glasses from Playmaker, Laura Small bath towel covering his hidden assets from Hour of the Pig, Allison M Paul's Arsenel Boxer Shorts from Fever Pitch, Stacey Valmont's Wig from Valmont, Tine Paul Ashworth's Official's whistle from Fever Pitch, Heide the Rose from A Month In The Country, Lizza"}, {"response": 189, "author": "shelly", "date": "Thu, Jan  7, 1999 (20:52)", "body": "Please do not forget my request of His Bathtub - if it is not reclaimed by Marina!! I have been trying to come up with a worthy 'essay'. How long does one have to wait before 'a takeover'!? Thanks..."}, {"response": 190, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jan  7, 1999 (21:04)", "body": "It is a whole 'nother year, and I have not heard from Marina nor anyone purporting to speak on her behalf. The bathtub is in your safekeeping, Heide. Come, come...essays do not need to be lengthy, and I cannot believe this from the lady who transformed the Netherfield Ball the way you did!!!"}, {"response": 191, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jan  7, 1999 (21:05)", "body": "OOPS!!!! Heide, the bathtub is SHELLY'S....Sorry. Putting things right- NOW!!!"}, {"response": 192, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jan  7, 1999 (21:06)", "body": "Still and all, Shelly, just look at him rising out of that tub and write down what is happening in your head and elsewhere!!!"}, {"response": 193, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jan  7, 1999 (21:22)", "body": "I am so sorry I messed up Shelly's request for the bathtub, but I have been preoccupied with my current assignment from Ray...to decorate a softball field and adjacent area for a dedication next weekend. Anybody have any ideas how one decorates a softball field in the rainiest city in the entire world?"}, {"response": 194, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (00:03)", "body": "I still want that ring if she is going to give it up. Has anyone heard. Can we have things from other films??"}, {"response": 195, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (13:05)", "body": "I await Nan's report re the ring. Will award it to you soon if I hear nothing. It is in reserve for you. Of course you may have things from other movies. I have his grey undies from FP as well as the University notebooks from P&P2. Here is what has been claimed thus far: Firth Items from movies other than P&P2 Paul Ashworth's Leather Jacket from Fever Pitch, Karen His Grey Scarf from Dutch Girls, Evelyn Paul Ashworth's grey undies from Fever Pitch, Marcia His Steel-rimmed glasses from Playmaker, Laura Small bath towel covering his hidden assets from Hour of the Pig, Allison M Paul's Arsenel Boxer Shorts from Fever Pitch, Stacey Valmont's Wig from Valmont, Tine Paul Ashworth's Official's whistle from Fever Pitch, Heide the Rose from A Month In The Country, Lizza"}, {"response": 196, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (14:28)", "body": "(Shelly)How long does one have to wait before 'a takeover'!? Hush-up girl...don't remind her...she's a tyrant that way:-) Some of us having been hiding our cache hoping she'll forget about those ##$*&*essays."}, {"response": 197, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (16:34)", "body": "(Marcia) I await Nan's report re the ring. Will award it to you soon if I hear nothing. Haven't been able to find Valen so I suppose it's safe to pass it on. However, Cheryl asked me to say \"hands off the breeches\" ;-D"}, {"response": 198, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (17:28)", "body": "Doesn't Cheryl talk to me? I do not understand why it is necessary for you to carry messages to 113 as though I had something contagious! I would be offended if I though she was worth the effort =P Seriously, my efforts to get people to claim their items and to write essays has just one goal....to keep this site alive. If no one wants to write, so be it, but I am not going to do soliloquies forever just to entertain the lurkers. Rita, you are now listed as the Keeper of his Ring"}, {"response": 199, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (19:33)", "body": "If no one wants to write, so be it, but I am not going to do soliloquies forever just to entertain the lurkers. But Marcia, you entertain us so well. Even if that softball field does have you cracking up. You're doing an admirable job and will have my whistle essay soon. Just have to count how many time Paul puts it in his mouth. So far I come up with zilch. (I may have to change my keepsake.)"}, {"response": 200, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (20:29)", "body": "Heide, you are such a dear to say those nice things about me. I shall not let this place go vacant...even if I have to tell all about that opening day at the softball field!!! Please note the above comments I incorrectly directed to Shelly when I thought it was you. It is still true! You have just not gotten the right juices flowing. Go look at FP again! That should not be too hard on you or your eyes =)"}, {"response": 201, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (20:37)", "body": "(Marcia) I do not understand why it is necessary for you to carry messages to 113 as though I had something contagious! It certainly is not meant as an insult to you. I carry messages because I speak with people who don't always have the chance to read the large amount of messages posted here at Spring. (Marcia) I would be offended if I though she was worth the effort =P Seriously, my efforts to get people to claim their items and to write essays has just one goal....to keep this site alive. Marcia, do whatever you want. You just lost me. Give the Humpy Hat to someone else."}, {"response": 202, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (20:44)", "body": "Nan, dearest Nan!!!! This was not directed at you!!! I would never give your bicorne incroyable to anyone else. It would have to moulder unclaimed. It is as much a part of you and my early memories of being here as anything else. Please forgive me for lashing out... It was a poor attempt to raise a little guilt in the lurkers and other and to encourage the writing of something other than the softball field. Please come back and take you proper place with the humpy hat. Please!!! Besides, you post and do more for this place than all of us others put together."}, {"response": 203, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (20:46)", "body": "Folks, it has been a very difficult day. One of the dearest people I have ever known has become an overnight stranger to me, and I do not know why. So, rather than mess up this place with any other alienating comments, I'll go away for a while and try to regroup. See you later. Please, no one leave!!!"}, {"response": 204, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (21:10)", "body": "Don't go away, Marcia....we need you...do you get Century Cable Company in Hawaii? The Making of SIL a one hour show will be shown in California at 8:30 tonight. Lots of Colin scenes and an interview are featured. I better go to bed...I've offended enough people for one day. Apologies all around. Marcia...we so enjoy your postings, and this topic."}, {"response": 205, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (22:24)", "body": "Thanks, Evelyn...I cannot but feel terrible about Nan. I hope she forgives me. I too claim things for a person who cannot get on line very often. I do understand her feelings, but I know some of these ladies hang around on 116. Could they not spare a moment to check the Keepsakes?! I will be here. I will try to uphold the finest aims of this board - to make it good enough that I would not be embarassed to have the man himself read it. And to make him smile a little, too. Do not get Century out here - Time Warner Cablevision is our supplier. You'd think they'd have it!!! But which station??? They do not have their own on our cable. Sigh! But thanks for telling me. I'd tell Stef, but I do not think she reads my stuff much anymore. It is here if she lurks. Again, thanks."}, {"response": 206, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (08:23)", "body": "(Marcia) It was a poor attempt to raise a little guilt in the lurkers and other and to encourage the writing of something other than the softball field. Oh geez, woman...why didn't you say so? I'm all for getting lurkers out of the woodwork, but I'm not as subtle as you are. I'd just say \"come and get it or lose it\" ;-) I thought, that by hunting down some of the old timers on the list, I was helping you get the \"what belongs to whom\" thing out of the way so that we could get back to drooling. I didn't realize that you wanted them to come over themselves and write an essay as well. Also, I think you may be confusing Cheryls. Cheryl (of the breeches) and CherylE are two different people. If CherylE didn't come by herself, I would be upset too, if I were in your place. I thought you were inexplicably harsh on my friend, but if you did confuse the 2, then that would explain it. So, you see...we are both misunderstanding each other. Sorry, babe...didn't mean to send you off on a fit of guilt. It's all in a day's drama at the boards. We can all go back to drooling now :-)"}, {"response": 207, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (08:32)", "body": "(Marcia) I cannot but feel terrible about Nan. I hope she forgives me. Oh, stop...it's fine. Just a misunderstanding (see above). All will be fine ;-) Poor thing--I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get you all upset :-( (Marcia) but I know some of these ladies hang around on 116. Could they not spare a momet to check the Keepsakes?! This is the line that made me think you'd confused Cheryls. Cheryl (of the breeches) almost never has the chance to get here. She hasn't posted in ages, but she was part of the Keepsakes at the beginning and so, I thought, deserved the chance to hold on to the breeches. Actually, when the Keepsakes started at the old Pond, Cheryl was one of the hosts. Hope this clears everything up. See, so easy to misunderstand...Sorry, again dear ;-)"}, {"response": 208, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (16:14)", "body": "(Marcia)these ladies hang around on 116. Could they not spare a moment to check the Keepsakes?! I know this was not intended for me....but I want you to know that when I log on to Drool...Keepsake is the first topic I go to....always good for a laugh...always upbeat.A true fantasy.(Imagine grown women fighting over a pair of breeches...LOL) Promise you'll keep it this way."}, {"response": 209, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (16:57)", "body": "Marcia is removing both feet from mouth so she can type. I had *no* idea we had 2 Cheryls. Auwe!!! I am used to looking for a numeral after the name for a second one...but I have an H after mine because there is another Marcia here. Oh well...must be that time of the month? year? Milennium!!!!! Sorry all. (Evelyn)Hush-up girl...don't remind her...she's a tyrant that way:-) Some of us having been hiding our cache hoping she'll forget about those ##$*&*essays. This humorous comment set me off...in the wrong direction. Ok, No more pussy-footing around. Come out and claim something. Then write why you wanted it!!! It's Easy!!! I am smiling again even though it is raining here and messing up the softball field. At least the grass is gonna be green! Thanks all!!!"}, {"response": 210, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (17:50)", "body": "(Evelyn) (Imagine grown women fighting over a pair of breeches...LOL) Breeches that belong to a fictional character, no less. LOL (Marcia) Marcia is removing both feet from mouth so she can type. I had *no* idea we had 2 Cheryls. I knew that first comment didn't sound like you. I should have asked you about the Cheryls first :-/ BTW, CherylE (not the Cheryl with the breeches) has been away from the boards because of a problem with her hand, I believe (I think she said Carpal Tunnel)...just so you know where she is. (Marcia) Ok, No more pussy-footing around. Come out and claim something You go, honey ;-)"}, {"response": 211, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (18:11)", "body": "Marcia, Keepsakes is a super topic, it\ufffds almost ART in its lovely absurdity. I think you\ufffdve been hosting it in a unique manner. I haven\ufffdt posted here much because of my linquistic inhibitions concerning the high standard of this topic but I\ufffdve laughed at things every time I\ufffdve visited. Btw, thanks for His Rifle or Gun or whatever it is, I\ufffdm very happy with it. I must confess that I pictured it in my hands for quite a while before I actually dared to ask for it. About not discharging it.....for a long time I was amused by the scene where Darcy just aimed with the rifle without shooting. It seemed a bit impotent to me until I realized how carefully that little episode is planned: why indeed should he fire his gun before the right moment?"}, {"response": 212, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (18:56)", "body": "Ooooh! Good juices flowing now! I am sure that Darcy did not shoot his *wad* needlessly or without much thought as to the consequences, rifle or personally. (I always picture a gun as a hand weapon used by gangsters and not a gentleman.) He does hold things carefully and tenderly in his hands, does he not! Even the Humpy Hat of Nan's Keeping. Our man is not ham fisted or clumsy - ever! Another part of his appeal. Would we all not love to be in his hands...~sigh~ And, Elena, your English is lovely. You'll have to think up a better excuse =P Oh, Nan, I remember reading CherylE's posting that she has C-T. Me too. It never goes away really, though I have not had the surgery. It is most painful and debilitating. For about 6 months, when it was the worst, all I could manage was to eat cut-up food with a light-weight plastic utensil. Fun and games eating out! I could not part Cheryl from his breeches. We have all stared holes through them - at least, certain *parts* of them...=D BTW, fictional character breeches are the only ones it is safe to fight over!!!"}, {"response": 213, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (19:00)", "body": "...ooooooooooooooh.... (Elena)Btw, thanks for His Rifle or Gun or whatever it is, I\ufffdm very happy with it. I must confess that I pictured it in my hands for quite a while before I actually dared to ask for it. ......whew!!!"}, {"response": 214, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (20:26)", "body": "(Elena).....thanks for His Rifle or Gun or whatever it is, I\ufffdm very happy with it. I must confess that I pictured it in my hands for quite a while before I actually dared to ask for it. WOW! This board is as hot as Fan Fic on #34. Wheeeeeew......Turn on the air-conditioning ;-)"}, {"response": 215, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (21:48)", "body": "Amazing, is it not, what libidinous women with senses of humor and Dirth of Firth will come up with!!!"}, {"response": 216, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (21:51)", "body": "Before anyone asks, the Dirth of Firth is a body of water surrounding to a Drooling Firthophile."}, {"response": 217, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (23:07)", "body": "Thank you for securing the ring for me. I will treasure it and keep it safe. I I hope I did not cause any hard feeling trying to secure this ring. I just love it. THere are other things. I want those flowers from TEP. He really meant to give them to me. LOL"}, {"response": 218, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (04:12)", "body": "(Maria) Oh well...must be that time of the month? year? Milennium!!!!! Sorry all. Do you think there's something like a milennium PMS???!!!! Well, that would explain something :-o. ---------- Did I mention that I would like to claim Lord Wessex' earring as a keepsake? Since I haven't seen SIL I don't know which other goodies are attached to the man, but the earring sounded just too good. Renate, Observant Keeper of HIS MIRROR Future Keeper of Lord Wessex' Earring Member of the Carpal Tunnel Development Society"}, {"response": 219, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (04:15)", "body": "(Maria) Oh well...must be that time of the month? year? Milennium!!!!! Sorry all. Ooops! Forgot that little \"c\". This message was written by MarCia. :-)"}, {"response": 220, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (08:01)", "body": "(Phew....;-D) (MarCiaH) I am sure that Darcy did not shoot his *wad* needlessly or without much thought... Hey, I just got told off for referring to something very similar next door...;-D"}, {"response": 221, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (12:48)", "body": "(Renate), Since I haven't seen SIL I don't know which other goodies are attached to the man, but the earring sounded just too good. You are quite right my dear, then there is also his many rings, his ruffled collar, his sword, his... We must all be suffering from Millenium PMS because these boards are becoming as addictive as chocolates."}, {"response": 222, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (13:59)", "body": "Shooting one's wad is a term perfectly acceptable in long rifle society =P It Musy be the Milennium PMS (Good grief! 100 years worth at once?!) Renate, I read the C as being there...not to worry! The earring is in your safekeeping! Lucky lady. I'll have to study the snappies to see what I would need of his....(everything!!!)"}, {"response": 223, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (15:46)", "body": "Who said anything about an unacceptable term? ;-p"}, {"response": 224, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (16:27)", "body": "I thought you meant you were reprimanded verbally over the very idea and inuendo. Is evil not in the eye of the beholder? But, I shall go look and see what happened to you before I say more. Right now, though, I must go outside and help Ray sand risers for the bleachers for the softball field. They'd better name it after us~!!! =P"}, {"response": 225, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (19:15)", "body": "Ha! In vain have they struggled! My innuendo will not be repressed... ;-D BTW, nothing much happened. The discussion has developed along a very civilized, scientific, and thoroughly enlightening line. We're exploring the history and flavours of birth control now."}, {"response": 226, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (19:46)", "body": "So I noted. I still think with the man himself there, why opt for other flavors. Just a personal observation...=D"}, {"response": 227, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (20:59)", "body": "(Marcia) So I noted. I still think with the man himself there, why opt for other flavors. Just a personal observation...=D LOL and Amen to that!"}, {"response": 228, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Jan 11, 1999 (15:10)", "body": "True, but someone inexperienced may need a brief variety tasting session, just for reassurance."}, {"response": 229, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jan 11, 1999 (15:46)", "body": "Yes, I understand. But, when one is offered diamonds, one does not wear Rhinestones just to see if they are better. One knows that. Of course, when one has had the best there is and it is no longer available, nothing else will satisfy. Cherish the flavor you have! And pray it does not have a change of heart."}, {"response": 230, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 11, 1999 (20:25)", "body": "The February Movieline mag came today and in the interview with Catherine Zeta- Jones( CF's co-star in Deep Blue Sea)the interviewer asked her; \"What would you choose first sex or chocolate?\"Zeta-Jones sends me an\" are- youu joking -look\" while answering, \"No contest, whatsoever. Sex. The only thing better than sex is sex with chocolate on top.\" Seems our discussion is pretty timely......"}, {"response": 231, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 12, 1999 (10:27)", "body": "Marcia, your cherry red sphere makes another appearance. This time in SiL. Will stabs his quill into something red, round and soft (kinda squishy). Could be a tomato. Thought of you immediately. Quill, billiard stick, whatever. ;-)"}, {"response": 232, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jan 12, 1999 (12:28)", "body": "Oooh! Karen, good thing it was not smaller. A cherry would come to mind, and that is far too Freudian. BTW, did you claim the cue stick as your keepsake?"}, {"response": 233, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jan 12, 1999 (12:38)", "body": "In passing, I like chocolate as much as anyone else, but it is Not as satisfying (or whatever) as the *act* is. Just a personal observation. I can go for months without chocolate, but....=P"}, {"response": 234, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jan 12, 1999 (18:46)", "body": "A tomato in Shakespeare's time? Wouldn't it be a wee bit too early? Or is it one of those subtle visual jokes? Only two weeks to go... and I'll know the answer! (I hope.)"}, {"response": 235, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jan 12, 1999 (20:31)", "body": "Not impossible. As I recall Shakespeare lived from 1564 till 1616. Columbus brought tomatoes back from the New World when he was here in the late 1400's. Of course, everyone thought they were poisonous! Then they thought they were \"love apples\". Could be a tomato!!!"}, {"response": 236, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (13:24)", "body": "It's hard to tell what that thing is and \"why\" he would be sticking his quill into it. (It's definitely not an inkpot.) I'm going for the Freudian though because the psychiatrist scene is full of it. ;-) Yes, Marcia, I'll take the billiard stick, if I can't have the real thing! You've got to play it as it lays. ;-)"}, {"response": 237, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (19:50)", "body": "Since things are going slowly in the keeperships, I shall tell you what January is like in Hawaii. At least, in Hilo. We end up on the drought side of the island this time of year since the normal trade winds shut down and the storms come to the islands from the west of us. The sky is cobalt blue, and there is snow on Mauna Kea and it sparkles brilliant white. There is a foot of the stuff up there making it difficult going for the astronomers who populate the summit. In the moonlight it is lovely and most visible and photographable. The nights are quite cool (in the 50's F.) The wind changes around to come down off the summit around 7pm. Very good sleeping! Our one drawback to this lovely weather is with the wind from the west rather than the northeast, we get the volcano \"vog\" most thickly. Kilauea has been erupting since 1983 non-stop. The activity is 30 miles from Hilo, so not much dissipates it before we have to breathe it. It tarnishes silver and makes your chest ache. Sore eyes and throats are also common. Aloha!"}, {"response": 238, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (19:55)", "body": "Cheers, Karen! The billiard cue stick is in your safekeeping officially. Delighted to have you accept it. Cannot someone get a snappy of that elusive object into which Wessex plunges his rigid, straight....writing implement?! Guess not until we get videos of the movie."}, {"response": 239, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (20:32)", "body": "Geez, it's snowing here in Boston and we hit a high of 0 degrees F today!"}, {"response": 240, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (20:41)", "body": "Wow! Warmed up to Zero, did it?! Good grief...you cannot even breathe deeply when it is that cold. I'd have to go the top of our mountains to encounter such inhosiptable temps. Not only is there no warmth up there, there is no oxygen, either. They are almost 14,000' above sea level, and over 40,000 from sea floor to summit! I do miss snow, though. Go out and make an angel for me!!! But, our yard guy just brought a huge stalk of bananas from our patch out back. It is in the 70's, as it most always s in the daytime."}, {"response": 241, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (21:35)", "body": "Marcia, you cruel woman... ! ;-)"}, {"response": 242, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (22:26)", "body": "I had to go through Christmas in shirt-sleeves while the stores were selling wonderful festive sweaters. Somewhere there is a great leveller! BTW, as I told the lady in London (who had little sympathy for my wanting to stay there instead of coming home to Hawaii,) dust collects here; one has to do laundry; the grass has to be mowed 52 weeks a year, etc! And we wage war on bugs 365 days a year. Now, do you feel better?!"}, {"response": 243, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (23:35)", "body": "Very cruel!!! eeck, but saturday should be a balmy 51 degrees or 12 degrees C (I think)"}, {"response": 244, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 15, 1999 (11:03)", "body": "(Marcia) Cannot someone get a snappy of that elusive object into which Wessex plunges his rigid, straight....writing implement?! Sorry, dear, but it was Shakespeare who was doing the quill sticking. Weatherwise, it's supposed to go up to a balmy 30 degrees today and higher over the weekend. Now everyone's afraid of flooding. I saw two dump trucks and front-loading tractors near my house picking up snow and hauling it away. We are serious about snow here. One mayor was removed from office because he couldn't deal with a snowstorm!! Since then, it has become the number one municipal issue for our politicians."}, {"response": 245, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jan 15, 1999 (12:36)", "body": "Well, since it was JF who did the sticking, I am no longer interested =P Poor Laura awoke to a foot of snow and full coverage on CNN. Karen, do you fall heir to the lake-effect snow, too? I remember about snow removal in NYC. Most important as so much of the transport and storage is underground, and there is no place for the water to go as the snow melts. (I wonder where the dump trucks take it?!) Yuck...that is the one thing about snow I do not miss. I can remember being elegantly dressed for the opera in NYC and stepping off the curb into a foot of slush-water in my bran new suede pumps. It was a particularly nasty feeling, and my shoes were never the same. Meanwhile, today is much like yesterday...another boring day in Paradise =D"}, {"response": 246, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (01:51)", "body": "Tonight's baseball game was called because of rain. In a town that gets almost 200 inches of the stuff a year, that is not uncommon. But our rain is gentle and soft and whispers down to water the orchids in the trees and all sorts of wonderful epiphytes growing there. In the building next to us a Hula Halau (school)was practicing for the upcoming world competition, The Merry Monarch Hula Festival which attracts halaus world-wide. Across the soft and warm evening air we could hear Hawaiian music all ev ning. It was truly lovely, and many of us remarked on it. I hope this evening was as pleasant for you. Oh yes, we lost to Sonoma State 10-4."}, {"response": 247, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (09:26)", "body": "Yesterday afternoon as the sun began its descent, the ice-encrusted skeleton branches of the trees turned red from the reflection of the sun. Driving home in the dark, crystallized trees, wires, fences shined like diamonds - frozen drops suspended almost in mid-air. Can you tell I'd rather be at the beach? But for a few moments, winter can be the most beautiful season of all. Too bad you're busy with softball and not soccer, Marcia. I'd gladly lend you my keepsake whistle since I know you'll take care of it."}, {"response": 248, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (09:29)", "body": "By the way, in Pennsylvania trees, wires and fences can drive home, but only with a special permit. ;-)"}, {"response": 249, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (10:37)", "body": "(Marcia) Karen, do you fall heir to the lake-effect snow, too? Since the lake is but four blocks away, the answer is yes. However, there are two different lake-effect snows. With storms coming from the west, it usually hits NW Indiana and S. Mich. From the east, it dumps on me. Re: slush, they've been uncovering all the sewers and power-rodding them out. This is big time prep work going on."}, {"response": 250, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (12:10)", "body": "There is not a prettier sight than ice encrusted fences, trees and wires driving home at night in Pennsylvania! =P I remember it well...and I think it is only as a child who doesn't have to worry about driving in the stuff or having the food spoil due to blackouts caused by ice-laden wires snapping, that it is truly magical and wonderful. I guess Heide, Laura and Karen are digging out yet again this morning...The sun is out here and it will be a very pretty day for outdoor games. Once chorus of Take me out to the Ball Game coming up!!!"}, {"response": 251, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (13:43)", "body": "Okay, who feels like going to Hawaii for an execution party??? hee hee... All i see outside is dirty snow:("}, {"response": 252, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (15:26)", "body": "Oh Laura!!! This is the only thing I have going for me. No SIL, no Bravo channel interview, no sneak-peeks at CF himself in his own guise... I'll trade you some dirty snow and the chance to see either one for sun, bananas on the lanai, and Hawaiian music for background to your baseball game! Bring your surf board - there is a high surf advisory (meant to keep people out of the water, but usually sends the surfers on treks to the most suicidal beaches) and the temp is in the mid 70's right now (11am). Bring sunscreen too. I don't want you blaming me for any premature (aren't they all?!) wrinkles you might find in the future =P"}, {"response": 253, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (16:13)", "body": "Convertible tops were down today--it was in the mid-30s!!"}, {"response": 254, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (17:38)", "body": "Unseasonably warm. Now your spring bulbs will think summer is coming and will put forth greenery only to be turned into a green slurry when the next cold snap shows up! How terrible. I hope you got some basking time in =)"}, {"response": 255, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (19:10)", "body": "We had a hungry hedgehog in the garden just now - very unusual in January. They normally hibernate and only wake when it's mild."}, {"response": 256, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (19:32)", "body": "The best we can do is mongoose. They eat anything. Any time!"}, {"response": 257, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jan 18, 1999 (23:39)", "body": "The Softball field is blessed, the game played, and as you look out on dirty snow, I am rubbing soothing lotion into my sunburnt lips, nose, and other places. It was Sunny with a capital SUN!!! Now, would someone like to claim something to safekeeping from one of CF's movies?"}, {"response": 258, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jan 19, 1999 (22:48)", "body": "I have had some devastating news of a family nature this evening, so I was hoping to free my mind to think of something happier, but no one is posting here. Is anyone still out there?"}, {"response": 259, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Jan 19, 1999 (23:47)", "body": "Oh honey, I'm sorry to hear that. You have my email if you want to vent. I'm still here, but not for long, I fear. School starts tomorrow and, though I'm looking forward to it, it has a way of cramping my Colin style."}, {"response": 260, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (00:16)", "body": "Thanks, Nan, You are a Dear of the finest sort...but then, I always knew that!!! I am getting inured to the news as I write the interminable letters. Dear, you show 'em. I know these collegiate types. They love to get inside your head, then head south. Be careful!!! =P"}, {"response": 261, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (20:34)", "body": "I'm here too Marcia. I always come here first. I think everyone is worn out after this hectic day. I can't believe we were in Chat for two hours!! Nan there were 8 to12 people there most of the time. Such excitement. Heady Daze indeed."}, {"response": 262, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (20:54)", "body": "Someday I will have to get up the courage to go in and get wet. I know using Instant Messages with someone you have a lot in common with can use up a tremendous amount of time without your even knowing! Thanks for being there =)"}, {"response": 263, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Jan 21, 1999 (00:13)", "body": "(Evelyn) Nan there were 8 to12 people there most of the time. Aww, geez...I miss all the fun! :-( (Marcia) Dear, you show 'em. I know these collegiate types. They love to get inside your head, then head south. Be careful!!! =P I don't mind the south part, but I wish they'd leave my head alone ;-p"}, {"response": 264, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jan 21, 1999 (14:00)", "body": "You are on your way, Nan! You are far smarter than they are already!!! Yeah, they mess about with your grey matter, and it is never the same again! They're a queer bunch, though, so I would worry as much about their going south as in the head. Nothing they do is conventional, so you might get a nasty surprise - or not - depending on your sensitivities ;)"}, {"response": 265, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jan 21, 1999 (14:29)", "body": "Watched CF storm Tumbledown with bayonet drawn and ready on the History Channel. Anyone not having seen the movie may have trouble picking out who CF is in the clips. Not the best visual image of him, but definitely great acting!"}, {"response": 266, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 21, 1999 (15:34)", "body": "Quite the image, wasn't it!! Interesting to see the real Robert Lawrence. Marcia, we are going to do Tumbledown on #98, so join us. Not sure what the start date will be."}, {"response": 267, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 21, 1999 (19:48)", "body": "I saw the History Channel clip too on bayonets. A lot on Robert Lawrence. Who does not look like CF one bit.At least McCarthy in Hostages did sort of resemble Colin."}, {"response": 268, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jan 22, 1999 (02:11)", "body": "Nan or somebody would it be possible to put a photo up of Colin at the Premiere, with your snapppy, although I was there I would love to see a full length photo of him."}, {"response": 269, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Jan 22, 1999 (02:42)", "body": "Marcia, am I allowed two keepsakes? I would like to claim the interesting yellow and black tie he was wearing at the London premiere, all tightly squeezed under his high buttoned suit. I wouldn't be prepared to give up the extremely small towel not quite covering his er \"kitchinette\" in HOTPig but the tie would be a tasteful addition to my collection."}, {"response": 270, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 22, 1999 (10:33)", "body": "I think Nan said that was called the \"basket\"! ;-D"}, {"response": 271, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Jan 22, 1999 (11:24)", "body": "Rereading my response, it should have been \"kitchEnette\"."}, {"response": 272, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 22, 1999 (17:18)", "body": "I think Nan said that was called the \"basket\"! ;-D I like \"kitchenette\" better....:-D"}, {"response": 273, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jan 22, 1999 (19:02)", "body": "(AllisonM)Marcia, am I allowed two keepsakes? I would like to claim the interesting yellow and black tie he was wearing at the London premiere, all tightly squeezed under his high buttoned suit. You are allowed more than one keepsake as long as they are not from the same source (ie: P&P2, FP. HOTP, etc.) In this case you have begun yet another list, which we must be most circumspect about. Real Life Colin Firth! You indeed may have the tie for safekeeping until its owner needs/wants it. You need not give up your precious towel! I would claim his wedding band, but I am old enough to be his mother =P"}, {"response": 274, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jan 22, 1999 (19:07)", "body": "OK, Kiddies, would someone let me know what posting 270-272 are all about, please? I wait and wait for someone to post, then I find a whole bunch and I have not the slightest idea what they mean! Evelyn, I think \"our\" Robert Lawrence is better looking than Robert Lawrence!!!"}, {"response": 275, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jan 22, 1999 (19:11)", "body": "And, here is the newest Keepsake list with first possession: Firth's Real Life Keepsakes Yellow and black striped necktie worn to London Premier of SIL, AllisonM"}, {"response": 276, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Jan 26, 1999 (20:20)", "body": "Hi Marcia! I would like to claim a \"Real Life\" keepsake- that adorable curl that so frequently rests on his noble brow. Now, I know that the rule is 'no body parts' or something like that, but I would like to point out that his dimple is being most reverently cared for by a fellow drooler, and this has not caused any rioting amoungst we, his idolizing masses. Therefore I propose that my keeping his curl, can have no ill effect either. :) Now... having said that- I might as well go one step further, and confess that I am absolutly dying to have Lizzy's necklace as well. Once again I am hampered by a rule (isnt it something about Darcy has to have touched it?) but, there is NO doubt in my mind that Darcy at least fantasied about touching it. Can't you just see him, longing to reach and run his finger along the chain, until he reached the cross; then blushing for having such indecent throughts about Miss Bennet. I throw my wants and desires most humbly at your feet, and promise that should you choose to bestow these treasured items to me, I will care for them most deligently, until such time as they will be needed by their true owners. :) I also promise to compose great epics (or at least a paragraph) in their honor, to be submitted here for your amusement. Humbly, SBRobinson"}, {"response": 277, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jan 26, 1999 (21:21)", "body": "Dear DEAR SBR!!! We have the following Keepsake Lists. One may have an item from each list for their safe keeping until the owner needs/wants it. Other's Items associated with Darcy Keepsake list Firth Items from movies other than P&P2 Firth's Real Life Keepsakes Thus, you may have in your safe-keeping, Lizzie's Garnet Cross on Gold Chain. You may also, since it is at my discretion, barring a riot from other Droolers, Darcy's curl. Your offer to compose something (at this point, I am grateful for any and all offers) to let us all share in your cherishing these particular objects, has won me over. I am putty in your hands. Your items are now part of the permanent record. Welcome!"}, {"response": 278, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jan 26, 1999 (21:23)", "body": "Of course, the original Keepsakes from P&P2 is also worthy. Would you not like to have something from there, also?"}, {"response": 279, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jan 26, 1999 (21:26)", "body": "Now, After rereading your post request, I wonder do you wish to claim Darcy's or CF's curl?"}, {"response": 280, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Jan 27, 1999 (09:22)", "body": "Ack! choices, choices. Best make it Dary's. That way i can delude myself into thinking that this is purely a literary intrest, and i haven't lost it completely. :) Having now placed these cherised objects in my china hutch, (where they can be ogled and cooed over daily) I'll begin working on the promised tributes. Expect them in the next few days. SBR (The very Joyous keeper of; Darcy's curl and Lizzy's necklace)"}, {"response": 281, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jan 27, 1999 (13:15)", "body": "(SBR)Best make it Darcy's. That way I can delude myself into thinking that this is purely a literary intrest, and I haven't lost it completely. :) We have been doing this for years. Join the happy group! Waiting expectantly and most happily, The Keeper-in-Charge, Marcia"}, {"response": 282, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Jan 27, 1999 (20:00)", "body": "SBR, you wrote most amiably and reverently about your desired objects so I am not about to protest but the curl! That is indeed an item to be cherished. Can you perhaps join us more often on this topic and any other Darcy/Colin topics you enjoy? It would be a comfort to me to know that the curl was being diligently guarded (as well as occasionally washed, dried and gelled). You write very charmingly and am sure would be a welcome addition to the pool."}, {"response": 283, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Jan 27, 1999 (22:32)", "body": "Heide, thank you ever so much for the kind welcome. However, it is I who must lavish praise on your literary achievements, assuming that is, that you are the exsalted authoress of A Brief Interlude, over on Topic 34. That work of art is without a doubt my favorite piece of fan fiction ever created. And i do believe i have read very nearly every piece of fan fiction here at Drool, as well as at the RoP and DWG. The beloved curl spends most the day wrapped around my finger, where i can dilgently attend to all of its needs. And the necklace now rests on my own rather prodigious (i flather myself) bosom, so that it will feel comfortable and right at home."}, {"response": 284, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jan 28, 1999 (14:19)", "body": "Oooh, what a nice sentiment...to keep him wound around your little(?!) finger! I am envious of the necklace. Only the bounteously endowed should consider keeping that object. I am more shaped like a young teenager, still awaiting the arrival of my \"womanly\" figure. Are you another advocate of the WonderBra, which figured so prominently in our discussions of feminine underclothing in modern adaptations of Restoration literature? (A strictly rhetorical question.)"}, {"response": 285, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Jan 28, 1999 (16:45)", "body": "WonderBras scare me. I tried one on once and had cleavage up to my chin. Did JE wear one rather than stays under those dresses? I wouldnt presume to say, but she did look rather, *ahem* buoyant. I must say that I am rather envious of Renate's good fortune to have claimed Wessex's earring. One of my first thoughts when CF appeared in SiL was \"I wonder if anyone's claimed that earring yet?\" It was then that I knew what I had become- a Drooler, and so I hurried home determined to join your ranks. :) So Renate dear, please give that darling pearl a wee caress for me, will you? :) Thanks! -SBR"}, {"response": 286, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jan 28, 1999 (19:14)", "body": "(SBR)WonderBras scare me. I tried one on once and had cleavage up to my chin. LOL, now I know where my share of Womanly Figure went!!! Did JE wear one rather than stays under those dresses? I wouldn't presume to say, but she did look rather, *ahem* buoyant. The idea has been suggested often on the Boards. I do not have the facts in hand, and as a researcher, I must...but I do no shy away from passing on common knowledge."}, {"response": 287, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Jan 28, 1999 (20:47)", "body": "OK Marcia, here it is... the promised tribute to Lizzy's garnet cross necklace. :) It started out as prose, but soon deteriorated into a limerick (i've been in a silly mood all day, and this is the consequence). The tribute to his curl is still under construction. There once was a garnet cross necklace whose mistress was frequently restless. She'd take merry walks to avoid silly talks with relations who acted like peasants. The necklace was frequently sought by men's eyes, for who she cared not. They'd dream they were petting the necklace's creamy white setting instead of the muslin they'd bought. The necklace was admired by one, Mr. Darcy, a member of the ton. His pride and conceit failed to win him the sweet hand of Miss Bennett, that he'd thought he had won. The two were eventually wed after apologies and love words were said. Now the garnet cross necklace is kissed by Darcy before breakfast and again each night before bed."}, {"response": 288, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Jan 28, 1999 (21:12)", "body": "(Marcia) now I know where my share of Womanly Figure went LOL! you may have it back when ever you desire, my dear. :) I must confess that it occasionally gets bothersome carrying it all about."}, {"response": 289, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jan 29, 1999 (13:48)", "body": "Oh, SBR, you chose my favorite verse form. How funny and quite to the point it is. Thank you. Perhaps it will inspire others to compose. I noted more than one man looking at the creamy white setting and wishing to get closer and more familiar with the tempting flesh pulsating right under their noses (and libidos). As to your kind offer to share in your bounty, and after thinking of what gravity does to get even with those who are so endowed, I think I will be happy with perky handfull and be grateful they are healthy."}, {"response": 290, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 29, 1999 (13:52)", "body": "(SBR) WonderBras scare me. I tried one on once and had cleavage up to my chin. LOL!! Conjures up images of that old campfire song that went: \"do your ears hang low? Can you something something something? Can you tie them in a knot? Can you tie them in a bow? I must say that I am rather envious of Renate's good fortune to have claimed Wessex's earring. When did that happen? ;-D Excellent limerick, SBR, you truly deserve both the curl (which figures prominently in your story about toe nibbling at the DWG) and the necklance. They are indeed in good hands!"}, {"response": 291, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Jan 29, 1999 (14:25)", "body": "(Karen) Conjures up images of that old campfire song... LOL!! How did you know? :) My college roommate and i used to sing \"do your boobs hang low\" all the time! I'm glad you enjoyed Lizzy gets her toes kissed. It was my first attempt at fanfic and i was sure nobody would read it. My nerves rivaled Mrs. Bennett's all night. :) (Marcia) thinking of what gravity does to get even with those who are... It isnt pretty -best not to think of it. :)"}, {"response": 292, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jan 29, 1999 (16:18)", "body": "Hmmm...Find yourself staring at the floor rather than straight ahead...as it were?! =P Scary thought, indeed!"}, {"response": 293, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jan 29, 1999 (16:21)", "body": "Karen, Renate requested the earring on Response 218."}, {"response": 294, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Jan 29, 1999 (22:44)", "body": "Here it is -the tribute to Darcy's Curl. Now\ufffd before anyone begins to wonder if I've plagiarized in creating this, let me set the record straight by stating- heck yes! And so I present to you my version of: Shakespeare's Sonnet XCI Meggin keeps his boots, Robin his cravat, Marcia keeps his notebooks, Kathy his top hat. His garments are also kept, and Ann2 has his dimple, And though confusing to some, the reason is quite simple. For every keepsake provides its keeper pleasure, With them they find a measurement of joy. But these keepsakes are nothing to my treasure, For I posse the curl of our Dear Boy. To be Keeper Of His Curl is better than high birth to me, For that curl, which rests so oft upon his noble brow, Inspires sweet dreams at night and thus do I sleep peacefully, And waking, I do straightway repeat this vow: For this cherished object forever will I care; And of its splendor, with others wilt I share."}, {"response": 295, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jan 30, 1999 (12:48)", "body": "The sonnet is wonderful. Poignant, clever, funny, it has just the right amount of lust mixed in to make it perfect for the purpose. You are indeed worthy of being Keeper of The Curl *and* her necklace. Thank you. Whip-cracking time for the rest of you. Procrastination time is over. Post your thoughts on your Keepsake!!! Please...!"}, {"response": 296, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jan 30, 1999 (13:00)", "body": "Applause! Applause! Wonderful ditties and I can't argue, SBR, that you won't be a worthy keeper of the curl and necklace. By the way, I read your first creation at DWG. Excellent! Let's see, first child conceived on the sofa, second in the carriage, where was Annabella (is that right?) conceived? How about the pool table? Very witty and charming. I hope you join us at 34 sometimes (and don't forget the other topics!)"}, {"response": 297, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jan 30, 1999 (15:34)", "body": "From the keeper of Darcy\ufffds Netherfield Ball\ufffds white stockings and black slippers. The day had finally arrived! I could feel the excitement as my master slipped me carefully over his strong legs up over his knees. The grip on the garters had never been tighter, I could barely breathe! Trying to maintain my silky white contenance was indeed quite a feat. I could feel the blood rush up and down his legs, up and down, up and down, and then he stopped, turned, and grabbed the black slippers, brought them to his lips and whispered, \ufffdDon\ufffdt let me down, I plan to dance the best dance of my li e tonight\ufffd."}, {"response": 298, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jan 30, 1999 (16:03)", "body": "Aaaaah! Indeed, it was the best dance of his life. I think half of us here were victims of the Netherfield Ball and the silken-clad calves which underpinned such an exquisite male form. Ummmmm! Delicious! Thank you!!!"}, {"response": 299, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jan 30, 1999 (16:10)", "body": "BTW, Moon, Dear, I am happy to see that moon bathing and Baudelaire delayed your posting only by 2 months ;}"}, {"response": 300, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Jan 30, 1999 (17:00)", "body": "The black court shoes are called pumps. It's a 16c word of an unknown origin. Over to the poets... ;-)"}, {"response": 301, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jan 30, 1999 (17:49)", "body": "Excellent, Moon. Sends my blood rushing too to think of those strong legs. And ending...perfect."}, {"response": 302, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jan 30, 1999 (17:50)", "body": "Even Opera Pumps, sometimes"}, {"response": 303, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jan 30, 1999 (18:50)", "body": "Arami, I\ufffdm always happy to oblige, black pumps it is. Marcia, moon bathing has indeed kept me quite busy. BTW, on Jan 31, we are to have a blue moon ( two full moons in a month, something that does not occur often), so make sure you catch some of those rays in Hawaii. (no pun intended) From the keeper of Darcy\ufffds Netherfield Ball\ufffds white stockings and black pumps. The day had finally arrived! I could feel the excitement as my master slipped me carefully over his strong legs up over his knees. The grip on the garters had never been tighter, I could barely breathe! Trying to maintain my silky white continence was indeed quite a feat. I could feel the blood rush up and down his legs, up and down, up and down, and then he stopped, turned, and grabbed the black pumps, brought them to his lips and as I prepared to be kissed, whispered, \ufffdDon\ufffdt let me down, I plan to have he best dance of my life tonight\ufffd."}, {"response": 304, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jan 30, 1999 (19:20)", "body": "The tiny Moon Phase icon on my task bar is a glorious royal blue instead of the usual golden yellow. I shall bask in the blue moonlight if the blasted rain will just let up for afew moments. (I am also sitting out a rain-out double header baseball game7^| ) It is indeed a blue moon! How elegant your essay is now. How befitting the gentleman who inspired it!"}, {"response": 305, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Sat, Jan 30, 1999 (23:09)", "body": "Moon, excellent essay! It had my blood rushing! :) Heide -the pool table! Captial idea! LOL!! I'm currently attempting a little something for 34, we'll see how long it takes me. I keep embrassing myself when i read over what i've written, and end up deleting large portions of it. oh well..."}, {"response": 306, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (12:58)", "body": "SBRobinson, I agree with Heide. I read your DWG story and look forward to your post on 34. Ladies, you should have seen Darcy practicing his dance steps before he put on his black pumps, up & down, up & down, stop and turn...I'm quite dizzy from the whole affair."}, {"response": 307, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (12:58)", "body": "And of course the kiss. *sigh*"}, {"response": 308, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (15:49)", "body": "I need your help, Please! I just hunted through DWG and Bits of Ivory and cannot find any stories written by SBR!!! I want to read them. Please someone help by giving me the Title, at least! Mahalo."}, {"response": 309, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (16:21)", "body": "Marcia, here's the url fodr SBR's story about Lizzy getting her toes kissed.. Really cute! Enjoy. Ben, take notes. http://www.austen.com/derby/sbrob1.htm"}, {"response": 310, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (21:38)", "body": "Thanks much, Karen. I wandered all around the fan fic places and could not find her. I also tried to Email her, but the Email address here does not work. SBR, please Email me so I can ask you a simple question. My email address here has been corrected so I know it works (marci@aloha.net). BTW, if anyone is interested in having a correct Email address beside your name here, it is easy to correct: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/userinfo"}, {"response": 311, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (22:19)", "body": "Hi Marcia, i just sent you an email. :) SBR"}, {"response": 312, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (22:51)", "body": "Thank you, Dear. I replied, and it should be in you hot little mailbox right about now! Thanks =)"}, {"response": 313, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (23:38)", "body": "SBR must have children or be realted to someone (a sister perhaps) who has the I know the feeling when you are \"great with child\" and your back aches. She told it so well. That is such a cute story. I recommend it to everyone!!!"}, {"response": 314, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (23:54)", "body": "Ack! Such praise! I am excessively flattered! And Marcia, such intuition! (LOL!) Said sister has threatened me with bodily harm if I suggest even once more that the new addition be called Fitzwilliam. :) Honestly, thank you Every One for you kind reception to Lizzy gets her toes kissed. I'm glad it was enjoyed. :)"}, {"response": 315, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Feb  1, 1999 (00:50)", "body": "She is not a Firthian, I gather. Too bad. (Actually, I posted this before I read your Email) Does this new nephew have a conspicuous curl which might indicate your sister does not have a choice but to name him Fitzwilliam??? After all, his Auntie is the esteemed Keeper of the Curl of the original!! If your sister is into write-in campaigns or other sorts of pressure, we have the woman-power here to do it =P"}, {"response": 316, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Feb  1, 1999 (08:53)", "body": "LOL!! :) I can just see her flooded with mail from Darcy fans the world over. She'd kill me. :) I am currently promoting the advantages of twins named Jane and Austen. Alas, this is not going so well either. :("}, {"response": 317, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Feb  1, 1999 (15:48)", "body": "Cannot imagine why she does not leap at the chance to name them Jane and Austen. Unless, that is, that they are both boys!!! Austen is a very sophisticated name and goes well with either sex. Jane, alas, is so mundane by comparison, that she'd need a drop-dead middle name. BTW, did JA have a middle name? I do not recall ever hearing of one. Perhaps your sister would like to have a naming contest like we did for the horses?! We are *very* clever ladies =)"}, {"response": 318, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Feb  1, 1999 (19:32)", "body": "We are *very* clever ladies :) Of this i have NO doubt! however i missed the horse nameing contest, it was before my time. what were the winning names?"}, {"response": 319, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Feb  1, 1999 (21:21)", "body": "You do not know me as the button snipper then?! Hmmmmm.... I shall repost the horses for you and those not remembering them. BTW, David was most kind about my bragging!!! He thinks it's what Mom's Do =) These horse names were determined more than a year ago and posted Nov 3, 1997: 1. Merryton Assembly- Passion, Desire, Admiration, Regard 2. Ramsgate- Serendipity 3. From Pemberley to London- Shocked, Grieved, Nono, Chestnut Season 4. From Netherfield to London- Utterly, Completely 5. Wedding- Shakespeare, Pope, Burns, Byron"}, {"response": 320, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Feb  1, 1999 (21:35)", "body": "Help! Has anyone seen the Feb 9th issue on the news stands yet? Over here (again!!!) the old ones are still there and a Spanish version. No issue with CF. Could it be they all sold out on the mainland and I shall not get a copy?"}, {"response": 321, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Feb  1, 1999 (23:29)", "body": "Hi Marcia! I havent been able to find the new People yet either, hopefully soon. :) And I'm glad David responded so well to your bragging! He's right, it seems to be a significant past time with mothers. :)"}, {"response": 322, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Feb  1, 1999 (23:35)", "body": "Since misery loves company, I am sort of happy I am not the only one without \"People\" Mag. And all those people going to London!!! How great! It is a 20-hour flight from here (done it 3 times) and costly. Tomorrow I head out to chase the elusive magazine and will buy 2 of them just in case someone does not have success. We must each have a copy!!! Is is blasphemy to note that in the pic with the dogs he looks like he is growing prosperous and a little jowly - but cute!!!!"}, {"response": 323, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Feb  2, 1999 (00:01)", "body": "For those who'd like to read an article about Fever Pitch from Time online: http://cgi.pathfinder.com/time/magazine/1997/int/970414/acine.man_woman_fot.html If you go here and put CF's name in the search window you will get over 300 places to read good things! http://www.pathfinder.com/people/web/toc.html"}, {"response": 324, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (01:31)", "body": "Ray just came back from the store looking like the cat who swallowed the canary and presented me with the current People Magazine. Unfortunately, it is Feb 1st issue. But he is going to be well rewarded for his thoughtfulness =))"}, {"response": 325, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (02:12)", "body": "Could someone please tell me when the Feb 9th issue of People is due to hit the newsstands? Perhaps I should go to Borders and reserve a copy. Or Waldenbooks."}, {"response": 326, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb  3, 1999 (16:49)", "body": "Run...don't walk...the Feb. 7 issue is out now...and for some reason selling out. I just bought the last one at the supermarket to send to Lizza in UK. And they were delivered on Monday."}, {"response": 327, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb  3, 1999 (22:25)", "body": "Evelyn, I am so glad you Emailed me today. I would surely have not gotten one unless they are going to dump the unsold ones here, but I think there will not be many!"}, {"response": 328, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (20:37)", "body": "Evelyn, I just went to JE's Board here at the Spring, and what a gorgeous picture of her graces the cover page! I am more and more a fan of hers thanks to the pictures you sent me. I have made a collage of them and am considering using it for wallpaper. That would be a change!!! Thanks for letting me know what a lovely lady she really is."}, {"response": 329, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (03:42)", "body": "(Marcia)JE.... and what a gorgeous picture of her graces the cover page! I am more and more a fan of hers thanks to the pictures you sent me. Only woman I know who looks gorgeous in dreadlocks and nose stud... for \"This Year's Love\".. premieres on Feb 19th in UK. Hope to see it when I go for the \"Firth-in-the-Flesh\" weekend. \"( I didn't coin that, Colin...Lisa did)\""}, {"response": 330, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (04:12)", "body": "Is a picture available of the dreadlocks and nose stud? I cannot imagine it! (Love that \"Firth-in-the-Flesh\". One could almost turn it inside out and make something totally carnal out of it =D)"}, {"response": 331, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (17:44)", "body": "It is time for me to write another little tale of Hawaii to keep this webpage alive. February is lovely here. Cool days and chilly nights (into the 50's F at night) in Hilo. There is a lot of snow on Mauna Kea this time from a storm which came through at the end of January. There have been snowboarding championships up there (won by someone from Maui). You can ski, and sled, too, but remember to bring your own oxygen with you. The air is Very Thin at 13,000 feet and it is a most nasty feeling to get the woozies up there. Meanwhile, on the north and west shores of the Islands, the big winter surf is up and surfboarding championships are being held. World wide competetion, too. Read : there are competitors from Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii as well as from California."}, {"response": 332, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (18:49)", "body": "Thank-you Marcia! In return I\ufffdll give you a weather report from the other side of the planet: In the Southern Finland it\ufffds about minus 25 degrees centigrade daily, (sorry I do not know how to put that in Fahrenheit) and there\ufffds snow up to your calf. Days are very clear and sunny and I\ufffdm trying to feed the hungry winter birds in our garden with sunflower seeds. When we got back from a trip the water pipes of our house were blocked by ice and we had to warm them up for hours to get some water. Husband goes in and out, carrying firewood and keeping fire in all the fireplaces because it seems that the normal heating system of our old house isn\ufffdt enough. My mother asked me today if I wanted a down coat for my birthday present but I thanked no, I\ufffdm hoping that the temperature will shortly rise back to the normal minus ten degrees!"}, {"response": 333, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Feb 10, 1999 (00:04)", "body": "Oh Fun! Global wheather reports! :) Well... in Calif (San Fran area) it's raining. temps around 50 and my cats are beginning to go crazy from having been cooped up in the house for so long. :) SBR"}, {"response": 334, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Feb 10, 1999 (12:03)", "body": "In Lisbon, now, the weather is absolutely irrational:one day it pours (yesterday, for instance) and the next brings in a lovely blue sky with the sun shining warm at lunchtime. The other day I had lunch on a beach restaurant, and had to take my sweater off and keep omly a tee-shirt. Then I caught a cold that's lasted me more than a week :-( And by late afternoon there rises a cold wind and we all walk around in our coats."}, {"response": 335, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb 10, 1999 (12:16)", "body": "In Miami, we are having a wonderfully balmy winter, dry and sunny. The bromiliads are in bloom as well as the orchids. It's strawberries for the picking and the juiciest tomatoes too(I love tomatoes). LA has decended here also, on Sunday at a restaurant sitting next to us was James Woods with the youngest Baldwin brother. Last week next to us was Cameron Diaz and friends. Joe Fiennes is also in town filming."}, {"response": 336, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb 10, 1999 (14:15)", "body": "This is wonderful! And non-controversial, too =) I have my trusty metric converter calculator right here beside my PC and I shall never again post just one form. Our 13,000 foot snowboarding = 3562.4 meters Elena, if I am doing the calculation correctly, your -25C = -13F"}, {"response": 337, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (01:07)", "body": "Hawaii is so close to the equator that tides seldom varies more than a foot or two between high and low. Our sunrise/sunset also varies very little from winter to summer - perhaps an hour or two between minsummer and midwinter. There is very little twilight here. An hour between sunset and completely dark night. But, because we are so close to the equator, the sun is closer and we are singed outdoors even in the shade. This has to be different in Finland!!!"}, {"response": 338, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (00:54)", "body": "Yep, you know, in the summer it\ufffds funny to go to sleep in the evening when the sun is still up and darkness practically doesn\ufffdt fall at all. But like all Finns, I love this phenomenon, I mean the birds starting to sing in the morning at two or three o\ufffdclock when the sun gets up etc. In winter it gets dark at 4 pm at worst here in the south and in the north you have to bear the KAAMOS time when the sun doesn\ufffdt rise above the horizon. Finnish climate and seasons are very contrasting, winters are cold and dark but summers are full of light and quite warm. So, Finns also tend to behave very differently depending on the season. In the summer we turn almost talkative and even laugh once in a while! But summer comes oh so slowly, there\ufffds often a lot of snow still in April."}, {"response": 339, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (01:30)", "body": "Your summers sound lovely, and I miss snow!!! (I do not consider 70+F (21+C) outdoors and looking at a distant mountaintop with snow on it as I sit under my palm trees to be \"snow\".) It is more like looking at a photo. I recall being in Scotland at midsummer and wondering what people were doing coming out of the theater in elegant dress in the middle of the afternoon. Of course it was almost 11PM, but it most certainly looked like afternoon!"}, {"response": 340, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (01:34)", "body": "(Elena)In the summer we turn almost talkative and even laugh once in a while! Have there not been studies done on depression in those folks living through 24-hour-a-day darkness over winter? I seem to recall there a study using special artificial lighting to alleviate it. Guess it cut down on the alcohol consumption, too!"}, {"response": 341, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (02:35)", "body": "Yes, this is actually almost pop in Finland these days and these \ufffdbright light lamps\ufffd are sold a lot into homes also here in the south. They\ufffdre also used in hospitals etc. but I haven\ufffdt seen a reliable study on their positive effect. By the way Finns do not drink as much as everybody else seem to think!! I was a bit amazed when I recently happened to read a big pile of international newspapers, also the D. Telegraph etc. and found this idea about Finns having serious trouble with vodka. Don\ufffdt know where that assumption has come from. (And when we do get in trouble with alcohol it\ufffds our \ufffdnational drink\ufffd KOSKENKORVA that\ufffds causing it) Moon, I see you move in quite fashionable circles!! I believe not one international celebrity has ever been to my home town or even in a ten kilometres range."}, {"response": 342, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb 11, 1999 (12:42)", "body": "Could you give us the recipe for KOSKENKORVA ? It is doubtless very strong. At least, it sounds strong. I think the Finns are being mixed up with the Swedes in the heavy drinking category. At least over here. My town is only full of celebrities when they are using it for outdoor shots for movies. Most of those have been really bad ones, too. Your consumption of CF at 3DOR should banish the winter gloomies better than anything else I could think of. Enjoy!!!"}, {"response": 343, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Feb 11, 1999 (13:53)", "body": "Elena, are you not Spanish born? I at least thought so, but am I mistaken?"}, {"response": 344, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb 11, 1999 (14:13)", "body": "Could you give us the recipe for KOSKENKORVA ? Yes, pease do, I'm curious too."}, {"response": 345, "author": "Stacey", "date": "Thu, Feb 11, 1999 (14:14)", "body": "All of you guys are lucky to have fairly consistent weather. I live in Kansas and it was sunny and 70F yesterday while today its 30F and snowing! Talk about a change in weather!"}, {"response": 346, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Feb 11, 1999 (15:14)", "body": "Gi, afraid not! I\ufffdm a full-blooded Finn. Sorry for having given you the wrong idea, with \ufffdElena\ufffd I guess. My real name is not Elena, it\ufffds Helena. Btw, I think your English is very good if it\ufffds not your own language. Dare I ask you how come? Aha, got you interested, Marcia! But Koskenkorva is nothing too interesting, just plain strong unblended spirit that you traditionally drink straight from the bottle. It\ufffds actually one part of the Finnish macho thing. Yes, 3DOR....I\ufffdve read your comments about that expedition at 116, Marcia. I know I\ufffdd feel the same if I wasn\ufffdt going but now that I am, I\ufffdm almost scared! I just know that the experience will do something dramatic to my (and the other droolers\ufffd) feelings about CF but what, that\ufffds to be seen."}, {"response": 347, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Feb 11, 1999 (16:40)", "body": "Do you think Drool might collapse? So perhaps it's pointless to plan any further development of www.colinfirth.com? ;-)"}, {"response": 348, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb 11, 1999 (16:54)", "body": "Arami, what do you mean Drool might collapse, if anything since all this good news it seems stronger than ever, have I missed something and please continue the development of Colinfirth.com. we don't want to lose any more Firth sites."}, {"response": 349, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb 11, 1999 (16:55)", "body": "Ah, I have just read Elena's comments, I believe our admdiration for CF will increase after seeing him live on stage not decrease so there will be no problem."}, {"response": 350, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Feb 11, 1999 (17:10)", "body": "Do you think Drool might collapse Ha! Not exactly........I hope! A funny thought indeed. And what do YOU think that the Firth In The Flesh weekend will do to us Arami, being such an extraordinary realist & sceptic? Btw, are you coming to see the play on Sat. the 6th?"}, {"response": 351, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Feb 11, 1999 (17:18)", "body": "Sorry Ann, I was just toying with the thought of how the bunch of us will take the experience! I honestly do believe that most of us will fall for him harder than ever. Heaven forbid....I feel I\ufffdm already now pretty deep in this."}, {"response": 352, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb 11, 1999 (20:03)", "body": "I rather think as long as we can keep our noses above high-Drool-tide we will continue. Collapse? Nevah!!! Elena, if Your CF experience is like my Olivier-in-the-flesh experience, it will take on a surreal quality. After you have returned to us and Drooled a while, it will almost seem dream-like. I could not imagine not falling for him all the more, just for having shared the same air he breathes! Think of it...! sigh !"}, {"response": 353, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb 11, 1999 (20:08)", "body": "(Stacey): I live in Kansas and it was sunny and 70F yesterday while today its 30F and snowing! (That is 21C and -1C) How do you know what to wear in the morning?! I would not be surprised to hear that you had colds or the flu with some frequency. Do you get tornados, too?"}, {"response": 354, "author": "Stacey", "date": "Thu, Feb 11, 1999 (23:36)", "body": "I always watch the weather at night so I'll know what to wear the next day, but I really haven't had many colds this year! We do have tornados, but they usually don't come till March or April and even then there aren't too many close to my home."}, {"response": 355, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (12:43)", "body": "Please tell me you do not live in a tornado magnet (trailer park). Or are you into getting into the car and chasing them?! Did that last summer with my son."}, {"response": 356, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (14:33)", "body": "(Marcia)... if Your CF experience is like my Olivier-in-the-flesh experience Marcia, what was that experience like?! I\ufffdd love to know. When and where was this and how did you (I mean: your illusions) survive it? I remember that you have referred to this before but without any details."}, {"response": 357, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (15:13)", "body": "Ooooh, Elena! What memories! And you are such a dear for asking. The first great love of my life (I was 14 at the time) was Olivier. I recall sitting through Henry V two times in succession (after convincing my mother that a story about a war was ok for me to watch). Afterward, I recall crawling out of the theater in a daze of amazement that an actor who looked that good and sounded that good could act that well. I was hooked. I gleaned very periodical I could find, wrote my English friends and rela ives (none of whom responded!) asking for any pix or articles on him. Just prior to my going away to college, he and Vivien Leigh brought \"Caesar and Cleopatra\" (GBS) and \"Anthony and Cleopatra\" (WmS) to NYC and my Dad offered to take me to one of them. I thought long and hard. Loving Shakespeare, (while hating that he dies in the play), even though he was far handsomer in it, I chose the GBS comedy. It was a surrealistic experience. I was in the first row balcony and could see him very well, but under Caesar's homely makeup, he was not handsome. But, that Voice!!! I dragged out into the real world at the finish like I had been thought a waking dream, and to this day it seemed so very trancelike. I can recall all sorts of detail as I etched them on my heart and on my retina!! In the early 80's when I was in London I was walking through the subway (under-pavement walkway) at Westminster. I was the only one down there except for a chalk-striped-clad gentleman coming the other way. As he neared I lowered my eyes because I was passing Laurence Olivier by mere inches, and I dared not breathe till I got out the other end. Then I whooped quietly to my family what had just transpired. I would NEVER have intruded on his personal space. But, that thrill I have forever and now ave \"Chicken Skin\" just remembering it!"}, {"response": 358, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (15:16)", "body": "Nothing Olivier did in my experience ever did anything but increase my admirtation for him. It lasted until I watched a certain man play Darcy... I only watched CF's Darcy to ridicule his interpretation and compare it unfavorably with Olivier's. Well, I am here, and the rest is history!"}, {"response": 359, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (17:10)", "body": "....amazement that an actor who looked that good and sounded that good could act that well That\ufffds it!! Reminds me of someone. CF of course does have something in him that reminds from Olivier, I only recently saw the old P&P and it finally dawned on me why Sue Birtwistle wanted Colin for The role, apart from his being such a good actor. ........Oh, Marcia! What happened in the subway was unbelievable. Are you sure you\ufffdre SURE it was him (but of course he was, you couldn\ufffdt be mistaken). It\ufffds just such a strange coincidence, for a fan like you to see him just like that, and in a place like that. Like all of us I guess, I\ufffdve tried to imagine what I would do if I happened to bump into CF somewhere (not too likely over here, I\ufffdm afraid!). I\ufffdd probably respect him too much to approach, like you did. Too bad I can\ufffdt make confessions here about people I have adored in my youth, you\ufffdd just LAUGH."}, {"response": 360, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (19:47)", "body": "(Elena) And what do YOU think that the Firth In The Flesh weekend will do to us Arami, being such an extraordinary realist & sceptic? Hard to tell. Anything is possible. There is always the danger that one may be disappointed to realize he is merely a human being, albeit an actor with an extraordinary magnetism. Btw, are you coming to see the play on Sat. the 6th? No."}, {"response": 361, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (22:03)", "body": "Oh yes, I am SURE it was Olivier. The moment I saw his walk, his face, an electric shock bolted up my spine. No one else has ever done that to me. I had not thought of him in quite a while and never thought to see him walking about on the street. Absolutely!! He had offices in the area, anyway, so it made sense. Trust me, we shall not laugh at your early crushes. We had quite a soul dumping on the subject last year (make that 1997), and everyone from Shawn Cassidy to well, all sorts of teeny-bopper guys. Go on, no one will think any the less for your past. Look where it has brought you!!! Olivier's P&P is officially P&P0. P&P1 was a very bad version put out by the BBC. Yup! CF has defined Darcy for me. Forever!!!"}, {"response": 362, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (22:08)", "body": "Remember, we still adore CF - even after watching him in Playmaker!!! I cannot imagine you will be anything but spellbound by being in the same space and time with him. Soak it all up then squeeze it all back out and let us wallow in it a bit vicariously!"}, {"response": 363, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Feb 13, 1999 (05:37)", "body": "Shall I tell you about my hero-in-the-flesh experience? When I was about 13-14 or so there was a tv-show in which a celebrated Portuguese poet/writer/professor of literature spoke about the classics and said poems. I was absolutely in love with his voice, his poise, his pipe... Many years later I was walking down some street and suddenly saw him coming in my direction. He gave me an all-over appraising look... I felt vindicated! :-)"}, {"response": 364, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Feb 13, 1999 (07:44)", "body": "Well, when I was about 16-18 I used to be just crazy about this British....erm...musician. That\ufffds really the biggest crush I\ufffdve had for a celebrity before CF. I used to write him several deeply confessional love letters too, with NO response ever. I belonged to his fan club and receiving a couple of very friendly hand-written answers from the club was enough to almost make we swoon! Anyway, I forgot about it when I started to date with my husband. Surprisingly, several years later one summer when we strolled in a park where a summer rock festival was held, I heard something familiar. And there He was, appearing on the stage, just a fifty meters from me at that moment! I had no idea about his appearance beforehand. Can\ufffdt describe the feeling. I felt like wanting to rush closer, to finally see him with my own eyes. But he did not play & sing very well!!! And from that distance I saw that he had put on quite a deal of weight. So, I stayed where I was, trying to explain the situation to my husband. I didn\ufffdt want to go any closer because I knew I would have lost my illusions COMPLETELY!"}, {"response": 365, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Feb 13, 1999 (13:48)", "body": "Elena, as soon as *he* opens his mouth and speaks, you will be his! Besides, how can you be disillusioned when we are so current on his looks, his demeanor, haircut, outfits, etc. Something happened on my first trip to London, which I wonder, is European or just the gentleman involved. I was waiting in the hotel lobby for the rest of my family to appear and nestled in the corner of a big leather arm chair. I was in my early 40's and \"in my Prime\" looking very good. A man about 10 years older than I walked by, looked at me, kept walking, then stopped. He turned around, walked back, and took a veGi, you have the best ending to the story I can imagine. It must have made your day? week? month!? ry comprehensive look at me (I was avoiding eye contact), then walked away again. Most curious. But I felt very good for the rest of the trip!"}, {"response": 366, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Feb 13, 1999 (13:50)", "body": "Gi, you have the best ending to the story I can imagine. It must have made your day? week? month!? Elena, as soon as *he* opens his mouth and speaks, you will be his! Besides, how can you be disillusioned when we are so current on his looks, his demeanor, haircut, outfits, etc. Something happened on my first trip to London, which I wonder, is European or just the gentleman involved. I was waiting in the hotel lobby for the rest of my family to appear and nestled in the corner of a big leather arm chair. I was in my early 40's and \"in my Prime\" looking very good. A man about 10 years older than I walked by, looked at me, kept walking, then stopped. He turned around, walked back, and took a very comprehensive look at me (I was avoiding eye contact), then walked away again. Mos curious. But I felt very good for the rest of the trip!"}, {"response": 367, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Feb 13, 1999 (13:51)", "body": "Please ignore posting 365. I do not know how it got so messed up. Sorry =("}, {"response": 368, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Feb 14, 1999 (14:10)", "body": "Happy Valentine's Day to Livia Firth, Keeptress of Colin's heart."}, {"response": 369, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Feb 14, 1999 (15:20)", "body": "Can not argue with that. And I'm sure she keeps it very well. Happy Valentine's Day to all."}, {"response": 370, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Feb 15, 1999 (00:08)", "body": "I knew it. I just *Knew* it! We do get everything last in Hawaii. Tonight, after a lovely dinner out, we went shopping. There were Caroline-of-Monaco People issues all over the place. Loads of them. So, if anyone is still without, just let me know. My Email address here works. The one consolation of being the last place before the International Dateline is that hours after everyone's PC's and everything else has crashed on 1/1/00, ours will still be working!"}, {"response": 371, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (13:42)", "body": "(Marcia)Gi, you have the best ending to the story I can imagine. It must have made your day? week? month!? Indeed it did! :-) (Marcia)The one consolation of being the last place before the International Dateline is that hours after everyone's PC's and everything else has crashed on 1/1/00, ours will still be working! That's a perfect consolation! I swear I was ROTFLOL at this one!"}, {"response": 372, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (14:00)", "body": "When one is denied all things CF that everyone else has (SIL, People mag, live stage plays, etc.,)one seeks solace wherever she can find it."}, {"response": 373, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (15:30)", "body": "(Marcia)When one is denied all things CF that everyone else has Oh, I\ufffdm your fellow in pain, Marcia......SIL still hasn\ufffdt reached Finland and by the time it will (March or April I think), nobody here wants to hear a word about that old thing anymore. I also have a weird feeling that I must be the only Colinist in this country! (......ja jos nyt joku suomalainen alan ihminen lukee taman, osallistukaa ihmeessa tahan keskusteluun ja todistakaa olemassaolonne.....). And I only recently received the People article from Kjart and the A&E video from Maria, the kindest droolers on earth. Finally, another weather report. Now there\ufffds snow up to your knees or more and it\ufffds so heavy on trees and everywhere that my eldest and biggest apple tree collapsed today because of the weight. Husband is upset, that tree was his favourite. On my way to work today I saw about six cars that had slipped out of the road because of the heavy snowfall plus a couple of collisions that caused a great traffic jam. And more snow is coming down. Snow is most natural here of course but this much isn\ufffdt."}, {"response": 374, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (16:03)", "body": "Elena, I will be here, and I Want you to talk to me about SIL and everything you think about it. I seem to be the only Hawaiian Islands drooler that I am aware of. If there are lurkers out there from Hawaii, let me here from you!!! Drooling can be a very lonely business when you have to poke yourself in your ribs and mumble \"isn't he Gorgeous?!\" and say \"Oof\" when an especially exquisite look sweeps over his face and you are too overwhelmed to say anything else. Condolences on your apple tree. I adore apples. In the winter we get them from the USA, and in the summer we get them from New Zealand. Sorry to say I have never had a Finland apple. What is the variety? BTW, snow up to your knees is overkill, is it not! Over here we get in excess of 150 inches of it (3.81M) and particularly wet years we can get in excess of 200 inches (5.1M). That is far more than we could drink, flush, launder or irrigate with. Could you share your snow excess with some foreign ot place? They have seriously considered a pipeline to Honolulu where too many people live for the natural resources. We call it \"dust control\" =)"}, {"response": 375, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (16:10)", "body": "(Elena)......ja jos nyt joku suomalainen alan ihminen lukee taman, osallistukaa ihmeessa tahan keskusteluun ja todistakaa olemassaolonne..... Before we are inundated by the curious, please translate! As a parttime linguist I know finno-urgric is one living language (possibly the only one)with no progenitors. Fascinating. Pictish is also, but, alas, it is defunct."}, {"response": 376, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (17:00)", "body": "Before the Hawaii Visitors' Bureau gets angry with me, let me hasten to add that all of the copious rain falls either at night or in 1 or 2 day storms. We do not get the lengthy rainy spells which the continental area get. Hilo is also on the windward side of the island. The leeward side is almost a desert. Today it is glorious, cool and breezy with a deep blue sky. Temp 77F (25C)"}, {"response": 377, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (20:13)", "body": "Elena, How much snow do you get in a year? and, when do you have to mow the lawn again? Over here we mow 365 days a year!!!"}, {"response": 378, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (20:20)", "body": "But, we hardly Ever shovel snow. They do bring it down from the mountains in pick-up trucks for the kiddies to play in. It does not last long as snow!!!"}, {"response": 379, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Feb 17, 1999 (12:57)", "body": "Marcia, do you know when SIL is coming to Hawaii? It can\ufffdt take longer than Finland, surely. Let\ufffds have a debate after we both have managed to see it! (I haven\ufffdt read the Spoilers topic at all to protect my fresh attitude). The next time we shall mow the lawn (what a hilarious question. I\ufffdve almost forgotten that there IS a lawn. Thanks for giving me hope!!) is by the end of May, I believe. About apples then, this region is famous for extensive apple growing. There are a lot of different types of Finnish apples, the type that stands the climate and brings fruit in quite a short season. Yes, there was a picture in the Finnish papers by Chistmas from an American town where kids were playing in melting, waterlike snow that was brought from somewhere. Caused some incredulous (but friendly) laughs! The Fenno-Ugric languages....Marcia, you\ufffdre too much! I can\ufffdt believe I\ufffdm reading that term here in the Drool! I guess this must fall into the category of Other Amusements. Translation: ....and if any of you Finnish droolers are reading this, do take part in the discussions here and prove your existence.....but I see they\ufffdve decided to stay silent or then there are none. Finns generally like the Mel Gibson and even Sylvester Stallone type of masculinity in movies, I\ufffdm afraid."}, {"response": 380, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Feb 17, 1999 (13:42)", "body": "Drooling can be a very lonely business when you have to poke yourself in your ribs and mumble \"isn't he Gorgeous?!\" LOL. Ah, Marcia, believe me, I know EVERYTHING about that!! Btw, calling yourself a parttime linquist must be just great modesty. A parttime linquist cannot possibly know anything about the progenitors of the Finno-Ugric languages. Most people in the world do not know that such languages exist. This makes me really wonder about your knowledge of things......!!"}, {"response": 381, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb 17, 1999 (13:54)", "body": "(Elena)do you know when SIL is coming to Hawaii? It can\ufffdt take longer than Finland, surely. Let\ufffds have a debate after we both have managed to see it! (I haven\ufffdt read the Spoilers topic at all to protect my fresh attitude). When!!! In my lifetime, I hope. I have not been reading the spoilers discussions, either. I'd love to debate and drool with you! Thanks for the translation. We have not noted any Hawaii lurkers coming forth, either. Consider it their loss =P My textbook is from my University days and I see the Fenno rather than Finno is now used. The extra r in Ugric was my clumsiness. (You can tell I was married to an academic for 25 years. I can talk about almost anything - enough to get myself into deep trouble, sometimes;/) BTW, is Finnish musical like Swedish....you know, up and down inflections where English does not have them? Another hing, do all Finnish Surnames end in nen?"}, {"response": 382, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb 17, 1999 (14:07)", "body": "(Elena)Most people in the world do not know that such languages exist. This makes me really wonder about your knowledge of things......!! My claim to fame is as a researcher. I have done my own things in chasing the Kelts back as far as I could. And,as the most curious individual on the planet, I had to get into their belief systems, clothing, food, relics, languages, lineages, etc etc. Then take 3 trips to Britain to walk where they walked. I need another lifetime to come back as an archaeologist. The Picts really bother me. I WANT to know about them as they were the REAL highlanders of Scotland before the Gaelic tribes came over from Ireland. My favorite thing to do is chase down as far as I can, \"what was before that\"as in who inhabited Wales (a small-statured dark group) before the black Kelts got there. There are still many things out smart ancestors knew that we are trying to figure out. I (even as a Protestant) blame Christianity for blotting out a lot of that after the Fall of Rome. And, I'd love to get my hands on the (^&%$$%@#) idiots who burnt the Library at Alexandria. What, other than Snow-staring are your interests?"}, {"response": 383, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb 17, 1999 (14:15)", "body": "I am going to bore everyone to death who comes here, but I noted in your translation that suomalainen is your name for the Finns. What do you call your nation? I also note \"nen\" is a plural ending, yes? As in \"people of\", or \"Belonging to\"."}, {"response": 384, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 17, 1999 (16:28)", "body": "Elena)The next time we shall mow the lawn (what a hilarious question. I\ufffdve almost forgotten that there IS a lawn. Think I'll emigrate to Finland....hate anything to do with gardens...yards...!"}, {"response": 385, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Feb 17, 1999 (16:57)", "body": "Marcia and Elena, this discussion is fascinating to me, albeit not particularly connected to the title topic... I believe that basque (as on the Pyrinees)is another living language of no known descent. Am I wrong? Also, to my foreign ears, Finnish sounds a lot like Greek... When I hear it, I look at the person speaking, if she or he is tall and blond, it's Finnish, if short and dark, it's Greek :-) I'm also an apple-lover. And I, too, would mourn the loss of the Alexandria Library."}, {"response": 386, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Feb 17, 1999 (16:57)", "body": "Marcia and Elena, this discussion is fascinating to me, albeit not particularly connected to the title topic... I believe that basque (as on the Pyrinees)is another living language of no known descent. Am I wrong? Also, to my foreign ears, Finnish sounds a lot like Greek... When I hear it, I look at the person speaking, if she or he is tall and blond, it's Finnish, if short and dark, it's Greek :-) I'm also an apple-lover. And I, too, mourn the loss of the Alexandria Library."}, {"response": 387, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Feb 17, 1999 (16:58)", "body": "Sorry for the double post."}, {"response": 388, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb 17, 1999 (17:17)", "body": "(Gi)I believe that basque (as on the Pyrinees)is another living language of no known descent. Am I wrong? IMHO I think you are right, but there are those in the field of etymology and linguistics who argue it is a dialect. I am enjoying these subjects as well. Other than CF, is there anything quite as satisfying as a crunchy, juicy cool apple?!"}, {"response": 389, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Feb 17, 1999 (20:03)", "body": "I believe Finland is the name not of Finnish, but of Norwegian origin for Suomi."}, {"response": 390, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 17, 1999 (20:11)", "body": "... mourn the loss of the Alexandria Library. Do you mean the library at Ephesus in Turkey? I have been there and it is quite thrilling."}, {"response": 391, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb 17, 1999 (20:50)", "body": "The greatest collection of manuscripts in the ancient world was collected at Alexandria, Egypt's Library; founded C 300 BC. It housed, among other things) thousands of plays by Aristophanes. Only a few survive today. I envy your trip to Ephesus! Must have been exciting beyond belief. I am getting (as we say here) \"chicken skin\" just thinking about it. There have been some pretty good shows on TV (History Channel or The Learning Channel) concerning what still exists on the ground in Ephesus and what wa originally. Most interesting!!! Arami, Thank you for little lesson in Finnish history. Were the Suomi realted to the Sammi (sp?)? Seems I did some looking up when the Olympics were held there. (I am also a huge Olympics fan - or used to be =P )"}, {"response": 392, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb 17, 1999 (20:52)", "body": "Evelyn, some time when you have a few moments, tell me about what you experienced at Ephesus. I'd love to hear about it while others make up their minds about keepsakes."}, {"response": 393, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Feb 18, 1999 (12:27)", "body": "I believe Finland is the name not of Finnish, but of Norwegian origin for Suomi Yes, the word Finland is of Scandinavian origin. The word Suomi that we use for our country came with us from the east and the South. Strangely, both the words have something to do with FISH you know, a fin in English, Finne auf Deutsch, fena in Swedish. The word Suomi on the other hand is very close to the Finnish, Estonian and Lappish words suomu/soome/cuobma meaning a scale of a fish. The language of the Lapps is Saame that is spoken in the Finnish, Swedish and Norwegian Lapland. Saame is the third official language of Finland and it\ufffds one of the Fenno-Ugric languages!!! (And a VERY beautiful and original language that you can only hear in the reagions beyong the polar circle). Marcia, one more thing! Nen is not a plural ending, it\ufffds more like an adjective ending. Glad=iloinen, sad=surullinen, red=punainen etc. Also, it\ufffds a diminutive ending, like in my maiden name Salonen which means \ufffdsmall forest\ufffd a bit poetically. Enough of linquistics??! Truth is, I\ufffdm the real parttime linquist here, Marcia. Have no degree yet but I\ufffdm madly interested in languages and would like to learn them all."}, {"response": 394, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Feb 18, 1999 (12:42)", "body": ".......reagions beyong = regions beyond!! Seems that I started to write English like Saame when I thought about it. (Gi) to my foreign ears, Finnish sounds a lot like Greek... Gi, I\ufffdve never heard that one before, never occurred to me. Really?? And Gi, I asked you this before but I\ufffdm doing it again------your English is very good for a Portuguese, are you bilingual? Btw, I think Portuguese is a very beautiful language too, I\ufffdd like to learn it because of those very very soft consonants."}, {"response": 395, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Feb 18, 1999 (12:54)", "body": "Elena, maybe we can teach each other a few words in our respective native languages... I learned English in secondary school, and my parents sent me to England a couple of summers to practice.I read a lot in English, and movies in Portugal are usually in the original languages, with subtitles, which helps one to become familiar with them. I consider English my second language, although I also speak French, Spanish and Italian. I studied German for three years but gave up, and am sorry, but can't learn everything in one lifetime! So many things interest me that I sometimes say I would like to be born a computer in my next incarnation...:-)"}, {"response": 396, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Feb 18, 1999 (13:00)", "body": "I hope this didn't sound like bragging. What I mean is, there's so much I'd like to know! I started learning a number of things (languages, sports...) but most of them I have just let go of without becoming really profficient in any of them ;-)"}, {"response": 397, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Feb 18, 1999 (13:05)", "body": "Another matter:Antonio and I are trying to plan our honeymoon trip (the wedding is to take place in July) and we think we might go to Sweden, Norway and Finland, and perhaps visit Saint Petersburg. Elena, do you think it would not be too much trouble to bring us some tourist information on your country when you come to London? Shall I e-mail you about this? Thanks!"}, {"response": 398, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Feb 18, 1999 (13:55)", "body": "(Gi) I hope this didn't sound like bragging Oh no, I read everything with interest. I think it\ufffds just great that the discussion turned personal for a change! One tends to get so curious about people behind all these postings. Yes, I\ufffdll try to find the sort of info you need, just tell me what is it that you\ufffdd like to know. Are you planning to come over to Finland from Sweden by boat and then go on through Finland to St.P.? By the way, don\ufffdt use the word PERHAPS about going to St. P., I think it\ufffds worth seeing (depending on what it is that you want to see abroad in general!) Let me know."}, {"response": 399, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb 18, 1999 (15:28)", "body": "Pardon me while I wipe up my intellectual drool. This is the best stuff I have read in a very long time. Best of all, friends are writing it =) It would take a very long time, indeed, to bore me with any of this discussion. Coming back as a computer is splendid. Just one problem (which may be irrelevant if I am a computer): I am a very huggy person. I have felt many things about my PC, but very few times has it been to hug it ;) And, Please do your language lessons here. There is nothing more interesting to me. Well...almost!!! Elena, thank you for the very-well-done discourse on your territory and ultima thule (We live in the area on old maps which designate:\"beyond here be dragons.\") Saami! Of course. Got the double letters, but the wrong ones. Gi, a large percentage of this Island's population is from Madeira. They were contracted to work in the sugar cane fields and stayed, marrying local ladies. I too find Portuguese a lovely language. No hard aspirates. Just as a matter of curiosity, you do not capitalize proper nouns in Finnish? Are you related to the conductor of the Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra? Same last name, I believe."}, {"response": 400, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Feb 18, 1999 (18:54)", "body": "(Gi) I hope this didn't sound like bragging. Not at all. I'm finding this conversation fascinating and it's fun to learn little tidbits about each of you. Sorry I'm not joining in but the US presence is already so dominant here. No one needs to know more, I'm sure, except for Hawaii of course."}, {"response": 401, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb 18, 1999 (19:27)", "body": "This person in Hawaii can vouch for that. I am like The Elephant's Child, curiouser and curiouser. The only way I am truly happy is with information overload. I fairly wallow in the stuff and gather strength from it. BTW, we are still in the Keepsakes business, but this is Other Amusements until someone comes to claim one."}, {"response": 402, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Feb 18, 1999 (20:30)", "body": "No time to cut in more often, alas, but I love this thread, even though so vastly off topic. But Colin would enthusiastically approve, I'm sure. ;-)"}, {"response": 403, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (12:30)", "body": "Arami, that is why we are doing this. To let him know we are intelligent ladies and able to discuss a wide range of topics intelligently. Yeah!....UmmmHmmm I is mostly for Him that we are doing this, Yes?!"}, {"response": 404, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (12:45)", "body": "(Arami)Marcia) it is what we love for... Indeed... :-) It's amazing how Freudian that slip was!!! Too funny!"}, {"response": 405, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (18:11)", "body": "Since there is a scarceness of Keepsake takers, and Hawaii is just same old-same old gorgeous, and in the spirit of another entertainment - just once mind you - I offer this for your perusal: The Smiths had no children and decided to use a proxy father to start their family. On the day the proxy father was to arrive, Mr. Smith kissed his wife and said, \"I'm off. The man should be here soon\". Half an hour later, just by chance, a door-to-door baby photographer rang the doorbell, hoping to make a sale. \"Good morning madam. You don't know me, but I've come to....\" \"Oh, no need to explain. I've been expecting you,\" Mrs. Smith cut in. \"Really?\" the photographer asked. \"Well, good! I've made a specialty of babies.\" \"That's what my husband and I had hoped. Please come in and have a seat. Just where do we start?\" asked Mrs. Smith, blushing. \"Leave everything to me. I usually try two in the bathtub, one on the couch and perhaps a couple on the bed. Sometimes the living room floor is fun too; you can really spread out.\" \"Bathtub, living room floor? No wonder it didn't work for Harry and me.\" \"Well, madam, none of us can guarantee a good one every time. But if we try several different positions and I shoot from six or seven angles, I'm sure you'll be pleased with the results.\" \"I hope we can get this over with quickly,\" gasped Mrs. Smith. \"Madam, in my line of work, a man must take his time. I'd love to be in and out in five minutes, but you'd be disappointed with that, I'm sure.\" \"Don't I know!!\" Mrs. Smith exclaimed. The photographer opened his briefcase and pulled out a portfolio of his baby pictures. \"This was done on the top of a bus in downtown London.\" \"Oh my God!!\" Mrs. Smith exclaimed, tugging at her handkerchief. \"And these twins turned out exceptionally well when you consider their mother was so difficult to work with.\" The photographer handed Mrs.Smith the picture. \"She was difficult?\" asked Mrs. Smith. \"Yes, I'm afraid so I finally had to take her to Hyde Park to get the job done right. People were crowding around four and five deep,pushing to get a good look.\" \"Four and five deep?\" asked Mrs. Smith, eyes widened in amazement. \"Yes\", the photographer said. \"And for more than three hours too. The mother was constantly squealing and yelling. I could hardly concentrate. Then darkness approached and I began to rush my shots. Finally, when the squirrels began nibbling on my equipment I just packed it all in.\" Mrs. Smith leaned forward. \"You mean they actually chewed on your, Er, um.., ah.... equipment?\" \"That's right. Well madam, if you're ready, I'll set up my tripod so that we can get to work.\" \"Tripod??\" Mrs. Smith looked extremely worried now. \"Oh yes, I have to use a tripod to rest my Canon on. It's much too big for me to hold while I'm getting ready for action. Madam? Madam? Good Lord, she's fainted!!"}, {"response": 406, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (04:05)", "body": "LOL! Does CF have a Canon? If so it's mine:-)"}, {"response": 407, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (10:11)", "body": "My husband must think I\ufffdm losing my mental sanity because I\ufffdm laughing aloud alone here in my room, thanks to your story, Marcia. \"What is it?\" he shouted from the kitchen (actually he shouted \"mit\u00e4 nyt?\", to go back to our linquistic discussion. Hope I got the codes right to make the dots above a!) Anyway, I\ufffdd love to go on with the Other Amusements section by telling a funny story, I just don\ufffdt know one that could top yours, Marcia. And Allison, I\ufffdm afraid you\ufffdre facing some SERIOUS rivalry if you want to claim that Canon you\ufffdre talking about....!!! Marcia, as an answer to your questions, NO, proper nouns are not capitalized in Finnish, and I\ufffdm wondering what makes you think we would? I\ufffdm not related to Esa-Pekka S. There are about 1300 people by that surname in the Helsinki territory phone catalogue so in the whole country there must be thousands. But Virtanen is the name that I would put in the place of Smith in your story if I translated it to Finnish.....but not nearly all our surnames end in nen. The next biggest surname here is Laine (1200 in H. territory!)."}, {"response": 408, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (12:40)", "body": "(Allison)Does CF have a Canon? If so it's mine:-) LOL, Allison! I am Sure he has. Did we not note every apparition in those nifty Regency pants (which caused pants amongst the droolers). However, I do believe Livia would be a fierce adversary for said Canon, and she has the Tripod! Elena, Most interesting. Laine I always thought was native to the British Isles. Saying that, My maiden name (Hemming) is English - but got there with the Danes. I think our peripetetic ancestors spread their DNA and surnames far afield from their origins. Surely, Laine is not Fenno-Ugric?! The more I hear of your lovely snowy land the more I should like to visit it. Speaking of others naming our nations (as in Finland), the Kelts got their name because the Romans, pointing at them holding their spears tipped with finely chipped stones as sharp as razors, gestured that they desired to know what they called themselves. The kelts looked back, thinking they wanted to know about the spear points, told them \"Kelts\". Thus we have no idea what they called themsselves (probably no collective name for so many differing tribes), but we do know what they called their weapons. Same with the Welsh. Not their name, either. Which makes me wonder why Sibelius named his signature work \"Finlandia\" ?!"}, {"response": 409, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (12:47)", "body": "In wondering about the capitalization of proper nouns, I am at a loss to know of another language that does not. In English, American, French, German, (all indo-european languages, I know.) I am most curious to know of others who do not capitalize. You spell your name elena rather than Elena or Helena? I suppose it was to make the name stand out from the rest of the text rather than any other reason that we do so."}, {"response": 410, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (12:52)", "body": "Even as I write this I am watching \"a little touch of Harry in the night\"... Henry V (Olivier's) and it still stirs me soul as it did when I was 14 all those years ago. ! Sigh !"}, {"response": 411, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (14:18)", "body": "BTW, my one claim to family fame which is tenuously attached to CF is that I am a direct lineal descentant of John Heming - Shakeseapre's publisher and fellow actor. (Hemming is spelled many ways, as Shakespeare did his own name in his lifetime.)"}, {"response": 412, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (15:35)", "body": "Okay, all very interesting but do I get the Canon???"}, {"response": 413, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (15:36)", "body": "(Marcia) Livia would be a fierce adversary for said Canon Yes, that equipment could REALLY be too hard to obtain. Anyway, being the keeper of his Gun feels quite good too! I sleep with it (ooops, for some reason I keep forgetting that it\ufffds Darcy\ufffds, not Colin\ufffds!). Marcia, I reaIly should use a dictionary more often! This makes me wonder what sort of horrible flaws I\ufffdm making continuously! It just takes too long to check out everything before writing it. SO: of course I should have known that nouns and proper nouns are not the same thing. Naturally we do capitalize proper nouns but not nouns. Sorry for that mix-up. I use the name Elena here simply because when I logged in, Helena was already taken! So, I just cruelly dropped off the initial. I definitely use the name with H normally. Surely, Laine is not Fenno-Ugric? Yes it is, it means a small wave, like a big part of our surnames have something to do with water/forest. It\ufffds just one of those words that look the same but have completely different origins and pronunciation in different languages. We pronounce it like \"lie-neh\". For instance, the word perse is a perfectly Finnish word as well meaning arse over here! About Hemming - I happen to know a Finnish guy with that surname and there are about 40 Hemmings in Helsinki (studied the phone catalogue again!), obviously swedish speaking people. Marcia, were you born in Hawaii?"}, {"response": 414, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (16:23)", "body": "(Heide) the US presence is already so dominant here. No one needs to know more I\ufffdm not so sure about that. I\ufffdve never been to the US and I\ufffdm sure that the idea that the rest of the world gets of America through movies and tv is in many ways quite distorted. Hollywood films and tv series rule the market here but they lack realism of course, because reality isn\ufffdt entertaining enough! What life and people and their thoughts of things are really like in ordinary homes in ordinary towns in America is unknown to the world. I suspect that there is another America, the real America that nobody makes movies and documentaries about. Or am I completely wrong?! Maybe I should come over and see for myself."}, {"response": 415, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (17:52)", "body": "Indeed, Elena, there is a real America. It is not necessarily in the huge cities on the coasts, but rather in small towns. There folks know each other, share concern on a local level, where they can actually change and make better those things which need help. They are the people who run little shops, work in bigger factories or teach school and pay their taxes on time. Without them, this country and the massive government we seem to have spawned would cease to function very well. They vote, and when they do, they have done their homework and know exactly why they are voting for or against something. There are many other things to say, and if no one does, I will give it another go. Very thoughful subject you have brought up."}, {"response": 416, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Feb 21, 1999 (15:27)", "body": "In honor of SIL coming to Hilo, the Weather Bureau published the following BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED FLASH FLOOD WATCH NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HONOLULU HI 630 AM HST SUN FEB 21 1999 ...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN HONOLULU AT 630 AM HST HAS EXTENDED THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH AND MADE IT EFFECTIVE UNTIL 12PM HST FOR PERSONS IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS... ...WINDWARD BIG ISLAND... EVEN THOUGH THE AREA UNDER THE WATCH HAS EXPERIENCED MOSTLY LIGHT RAINFALL DURING THE PAST FEW HOURS...RUNOFF AND RIVER FLOW CONTINUES HEAVY AND THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR ADDITIONAL RAINFALL DURING THE NEXT FEW HOURS. FOR EXAMPLE THE AUTOMATIC RAIN GAGE AT PAHOA ALARMED AT 545 AM WHEN 0.38 INCHES OF RAIN FELL WITHIN THE PAST 15 MINUTES. THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS THEREFORE CONTINUED. A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR HEAVY RAINFALL AND FLASH FLOODING. PERSONS IN THE WATCH AREA...ESPECIALLY THOSE IN LOW LYING AREAS ALONG STREAMS... RIVERS...AND OTHER DRAINAGES SHOULD BE PREPARED TO TAKE QUICK ACTION IF HEAVY RAINS OR FLOODING OCCURS OR A WARNING IS ISSUED. MOTORISTS SHOULD BE ALERT FOR FLOODING AND SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS FAST FLOWING OR RISING WATER...MANY FLASH FLOOD DEATHS OCCUR WHEN MOTORISTS TRY CROSSING FLOODED ROADWAYS. ESCAPE RISING WATER BY GOING DIRECTLY TO HIGHER GROUND. NEVER TRY TO OUTRUN A FLOOD EITHER ON FOOT OR IN YOUR VEHICLE. DO NOT CAMP NEAR STREAMS OR OTHER AREAS SUBJECT TO FLOODING. STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO...LOCAL TV OR RADIO FOR FURTHER NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INFORMATION. ROSENDAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HONOLULU"}, {"response": 417, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Feb 21, 1999 (15:57)", "body": "Flash flood watch? Are they forecasting an excess of drool once SIL hits your shores?"}, {"response": 418, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Feb 21, 1999 (16:08)", "body": "(Heide)Are they forecasting an excess of drool once SIL hits your shores? LOL That is what is causing it?! They have just extended the flood warnings till 6 pm. There just have to be closet droolers on this side of the Island who have not become known to me yet. I shall take note of who is in the theater and who looks all flushed and bothered as we exit. Taking names..."}, {"response": 419, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Feb 21, 1999 (16:56)", "body": "Aha! I have figured out my weather woes. It is only partially due to excessive drooling over SIL. It is also because I cannot get to London, that the weather men have brought me Three Days of Rain. It is Not the same!"}, {"response": 420, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Sun, Feb 21, 1999 (18:52)", "body": "Marcia- going back to your dispare over Hawii getting everything last- i empathize. During the summers i spent trapped on Maui (i get island fever REALLY bad after about 3 weeks) i felt left out because all my friends back in Calif would see all the new movies before me. Of course, Kehei didnt have a theather, and we had to drive around to the other side of the island to even see anything (and i think it was just one or two screens) so the movies they showed frequently didnt even interest me. anyway... when you do go see SiL, i'll be happy to discuss all its particulars with you. i'm thinking of going to see it again soon. i saw it twice the first week it came out in Dec, so i'm ready for a third showing. :) (oops... i wasnt trying to rub it in, really!) :)"}, {"response": 421, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Feb 21, 1999 (19:11)", "body": "SBR, a true Firthian you are! As soon as this incredibly copious (and some other unprintable things) rain lets up, we will be going to see SIL. Will let you know, and I will be very happy to discuss every old and nuance we discover. i saw it twice the first week it came out in Dec, so i'm ready for a third showing. :) (oops... i wasnt trying to rub it in, really!) :) I knew you were just stating the happy fact that you are up on your supporting role of patron of Firth Arts. I do my best, too, suffer...suffer...;^)"}, {"response": 422, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Sun, Feb 21, 1999 (19:40)", "body": "Actually, during this next viewing i'm going to attempt to overcome my urge to drool heavily into my little box of overpriced milkduds everytime that Colin comes on the screen and conctentrate on choosing a keepsake. i shall endevor to select something that will compliment my current collection. Is the ear ring the only thing that's been claimed so far? (Lucky, Lucky Renate!) i dont want to get my hopes up over something someone else has claimed."}, {"response": 423, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Feb 21, 1999 (20:25)", "body": "The Earring is the only object claimed so far from SIL. If it is true that Earls do not wear codpieces, I shall have to hunt for something else for myself. I'd rather set my heart on that. Drooling into Milk Duds is a requirement for all Firthians, is it not?! At least in the public theater. It is the only moisture we will admit to. At home...well, that is another matter. We have gone over those damp subjects many times. Always happy to reminisce, though!"}, {"response": 424, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Feb 21, 1999 (21:17)", "body": "For those of you following the excitement of ark-building and gill-growing going on in Hilo, they have extended the flood warnings till 10:30 tonight, and put up winter storm warnings for the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. That means it is snowing up there again. It is 66F (18.8C) and I am freezing!"}, {"response": 425, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Feb 22, 1999 (08:57)", "body": "Freezing at 66F? You've been in warm climate too long, Marcia. It's a crisp 18F here in the NYC area today (actually, the coldest its been in a long time). You would be frozen solid! Hope by the time you read this the 3 days of rain (LOL) have let up and you've had a chance to see SiL. I saw it again this weekend, this time with my hubby. He loved it, and it's not his kind of movie. Come on over to 115 and tell us what you thought! Re: keepsakes--the earring is nice, but I kind of liked his tights ;-p !"}, {"response": 426, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 22, 1999 (13:04)", "body": "Haven't read all of this carefully (will do later, as I try to catch up) but when I was in Turkey, I was told that Turkish is more related to Finnish as a language and Hungarian (if I recall correctly). Since the Turks came out of central Asia, would that be where the Finnish tribes also originated, Elena? But they went north and west?"}, {"response": 427, "author": "Stacey", "date": "Mon, Feb 22, 1999 (14:21)", "body": "I'd be happy if it was 66F today! We just got two inches of snow this morning and some of the roads are closed because it so icy!!"}, {"response": 428, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Feb 22, 1999 (15:51)", "body": "(Karen)Turkish is more related to Finnish as a language and Hungarian (if I recall correctly). Since the Turks came out of central Asia, would that be where the Finnish tribes also originated? Yes, I\ufffdve heard that assumption about Finnish and Turkish too, but as far as I know, it is just a misunderstanding, probably due to a couple of superficial similarities. Hungarian and Finnish on the other hand are clearly related as languages and their origins have been traced to the Ural/ Volga area like the other other FU languages. But tribes then-----even though F. and H. are linquistically related, Finns and Hungarians obviously aren\ufffdt related racially. Lucky you didn\ufffdt ask me how that is possible! Btw, where do you live, Karen, was it Chicago? You must give us your weather report and some linquistic observations too, please!"}, {"response": 429, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Feb 22, 1999 (17:12)", "body": "The weather is back to drop-dead gorgeous but the mountains are socked in, so I cannot see the snow. We got many inches of rain, and Lake Hilo is now being considered for stocking with trout in our side yard. (Eileen)but I kind of liked his tights ;-p ! Would you like claim them? Hmmmmm...? Bet there are no buttons on them. Shucks ;^) I remember NYC winters very well. I grew up in New Rochelle. My sister still lives on Long Island. This is not a beautiful time of the year there! I will be over at 115 ASAP after we see it. Delighted to hear your husband liked it! Gives me hope for mine. He can always look at GP. BTW, how did you manage to keep from gasping loudly or making other noises we drooler are prone to?! Oh Stacey, where are you that it is snowing when it should be spring?! How unkind. Neat stuff this lingusitics. Had no idea the Finns got around that much."}, {"response": 430, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Feb 22, 1999 (17:43)", "body": "Just spent a delightful half an hour catching up with all the wonderful and witty postings at this board. I never realised there was so much activity here. Thank you ladies! BTW if we're moving on from Darcy keepsakes, I'd like to declare an interest in his as yet unseen kilt and sporran from MLSF! There's something about a man in a skirt.. :-)"}, {"response": 431, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Feb 22, 1999 (18:12)", "body": "(bethan)There's something about a man in a skirt.. :-) Oh, Indeed there is. Even more if he has a bagpipe and is playing same =)) Welcome, bethan. Sometimes it gets lonely over here, and since I have been given the chief Keeptress post, the least I can do is keep something new on here so the curious will come to read and perhaps post. We now have several Keepsake lists: Darcy's Keepsakes Other's Items associated with Darcy Keepsake list Firth Items from movies other than P&P2 Firth's Real Life Keepsakes I have claimed Paul's little gray T-shirt and shorts from FP as well as the University Notebooks Darcy cradles so lovingly in his arms. Other things associated with Darcy but not belonging to him are Lizzie's long white gloves which he first touched as her partner at the Netherfield Ball, and her Garnet cross necklace (which I know is lovingly kept on a lusciously bountiful endowment of a fellow drooler - I envy her =P) Would you like me to repost all of the lists?"}, {"response": 432, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Feb 23, 1999 (00:02)", "body": "I am beside myself. Tomorrow I am going to see SIL and I am wondering what to wear...in a dark theater at 1:30 in the afternoon (hoping to get the fewest in the audience with which to share him.) I can now imagine what you who are going to be his live audience; those to whom he looks for approval, must be going through. You cannot let our DB down. It would be impossible, I think. I am so excited for you - and for me. This is the first time I shall see him in a public place where I cannot rewind, free e frame, super slo-mo my way to Drool Heaven. Whatever shall I do? See it several times if I can get away with it =)"}, {"response": 433, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Feb 23, 1999 (10:00)", "body": "(Bethan) I'd like to declare an interest in his as yet unseen kilt and sporran from MLSF WHAT!?! Colin in a kilt? * pausing to breath heavily and fan paper in front of my face * God help me I nearly went into carridac arrest when i read that! Is there a picture available? do we know what Clan plaid he's wearing? Can Bethan really claim BOTH the kilt and sporran? Is he wearing full highland dress or just the kilt and sporran? What time period is MLSF set in? Does he have a claymore? Marcia, if he has a claymore I'm laying claim. Ok... i'm calming down. * check pulse rate * Marica- i'm SO excited for you to finally see SiL! :) And New Rochelle- isnt that where Rob and Laura Petri lived? Still breathing heavily, the lusciously bountifully endowed drooler"}, {"response": 434, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Feb 23, 1999 (12:12)", "body": "(Marcia)I can imagine what you who are going to be his live audience; those to whom he looks for approval, must be going through. Can you? I do not know myself what I\ufffdm going through!!!! Just received the script from Kjart (Karen, you\ufffdre the best!) and started to read it, imagining Colin to speak those words. The reality of soon seeing him on stage hit me. Oh, god.... Which reminds me-----whatever clothing he wears in 3DOR is mine, OK, Marcia?!"}, {"response": 435, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Feb 23, 1999 (13:59)", "body": "(SBR)if he has a claymore I'm laying claim As it is entered here for the world to see, it will be yours if it exists. And, if there is a bagpipe anywhere near him, it is mine, oh LBED that you are. Can't wait to see his cute little knees and his Sporran. I want the sporran. Forget about the bagpipe! You know about sporrans?! How they are worn...!!! It is getting very warm in here and I need to loosen my clothes....BRB (Elena)-whatever clothing he wears in 3DOR is mine, OK, Marcia?! Our DB gets only one set of clothes for the entire play? Ok, but if there is a sweater or something on top of the slacks and shirt, might you share? I imagine there will be very few things to claim. That is another topic you could attach during those slack times at group meals. Fight over keepsakes! ;^)"}, {"response": 436, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (00:55)", "body": "(Marcia) might you share? Oh, you think I\ufffdm too greedy??.....Well, I do feel like that when I picture him there on stage, you know; I\ufffdd like to have everything. BUT I\ufffdm flexible, I could be almost but not quite satisfied with everything that\ufffds closest to his skin (See what that script is doing to me. I must go now or else I\ufffdm going to just******) ......I\ufffdm on page 23 now and nobody hasn\ufffdt even whipped his sweater off yet."}, {"response": 437, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (00:57)", "body": "Elena, do not wait for SIL to get to Suomi, arrange to see it in London. Would that not be possible?! And, in this lifetime!!!"}, {"response": 438, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (01:03)", "body": "What time period is MLSF set in? Does he have a claymore/ (SBR) 1930s. I should think it will be full Highland dress....worn as evening dress... and not casual Braveheart attire. And most probably no claymore! But most definitely a sporran and perhaps a dirk!"}, {"response": 439, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (01:05)", "body": "Oh no, Elena, You greedy? Not any more than the rest of us. We want the entire package, with him in it, preferably. =) But, being the mediator that I am, I will have to placate those posting on 116 ( where it does not count!!!) who want the sweater and whatever else they can get their hands on (perhaps literally!). We should also discuss whether keepsakes from 3DOR should be limited to those actually attending. I think they should be. Would anyone like to comment?"}, {"response": 440, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (01:09)", "body": "Thank you, bethan! The Sporran is mine sight unseen. I cannot wait to remove it from him, then to write a pithy little essay on the event! How about the dirk, Elena?"}, {"response": 441, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (01:15)", "body": "arrange to see it in London Marcia, are you going to see it in a few hours?-------- I mean to go see SIL in London in case my travel (a friend of mine) companion won\ufffdt be objecting. I don\ufffdt think the movie is exactly what he\ufffdd like to see if he could choose. Btw, he doesn\ufffdt know exactly what I\ufffdm really after in London, seems to think it\ufffds only natural for me to want to go to London and see a play in some fringe and meet net pals from all over the world! I just couldn\ufffdt tell him I\ufffdm nuts for this actor and that\ufffds what this trip is a l about."}, {"response": 442, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (01:18)", "body": "Honey, the sweater doesn't get whipped off until Act 2!! Think I might like to claim whatever he is or isn't wearing when he hops out of bed in said act. ;-)"}, {"response": 443, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (01:23)", "body": "(Elena) he doesn\ufffdt know exactly what I\ufffdm really after in London, seems to think it\ufffds only natural for me to want to go to London and see a play in some fringe and meet net pals from all over the world! LOL!! That's pretty much what I've told people. Of course, when they ask what play we're going to see, I get strange looks. You see, it's playing here in Chicago, so why would I go traipsing off to London to see an American play."}, {"response": 444, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (01:27)", "body": "Yes, going in a few hours to see SIL...Yeah!!! I wish I were your travelling companion. We could do all the Austen trails we had time for, and all the SILs we could stand + seeing him live. Oooh, it is too exciting to think upon. Is your male friend so oblivious to the actors that he will not recognize the incredible coincidence of everything you want to see has a certain actor taking part? When he meets your Net Friends, you will be unmasked for sure =D"}, {"response": 445, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (01:31)", "body": "(Karen) I might like to claim whatever he is or isn't wearing when he hops out of bed in said act. ;-) Heavens, this is gonna be a battle!!! Oh, why oh why did I not read the script faster to be able to state my claim more precisely....OK, I\ufffdll have anything he wears closest to his skin in Act 1, you take Act 2!"}, {"response": 446, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (01:35)", "body": "(Elena) OK, I\ufffdll have anything he wears closest to his skin in Act 1, you take Act 2! Truly gracious of you. It did help that I was the first to have read the play on this board. (hee hee)"}, {"response": 447, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (01:41)", "body": "Pack smelling salts and a spare supply of oxygen. With the senario I see developing, you're going to need it! I am going to be glued to the BBC on short wave for the entire time you are there just in case I hear of some \"lunatic fringe\" Droolers getting out of hand. LOL!!! I am soooooooo jealous!!!"}, {"response": 448, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (01:42)", "body": "When he meets your Net Friends, you will be unmasked for sure =D Yes, poor guy has this fantasy that I\ufffdm a highly rational person :-).....that idea will probably change for good."}, {"response": 449, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (01:47)", "body": "I feel a case of the vapors coming on... No way, don't want to miss a single nanosecond of Firth in the Flesh!!"}, {"response": 450, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (01:55)", "body": "Ladies, I have to go now but still one thing: it was great \ufffdtalking\ufffd to you tonight, I really feel we\ufffdre sharing this **crazy** thing together! Marcia, I\ufffdm looking forward to reading about your SIL experience tomorrow."}, {"response": 451, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (02:00)", "body": "Could someone please tell me the running time for SIL. Thank you."}, {"response": 452, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (02:06)", "body": "Two hours. Gotta go. Bye."}, {"response": 453, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (00:36)", "body": "Thanks Karen (now gone). It is going to be interesting seeing this movie with Ray. Conversation has revolved around the lack of mention of CF in all of the write-ups of SIL. He suggests it may be because CF is not a very good actor. I retort that the movie has gotten 13 Oscar nominations. He looks at me expectantly, and I continue saying that CF was not nominated. He grins. Sheesh. He is jealous!"}, {"response": 454, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (00:40)", "body": "(Karen) I might like to claim whatever he is or isn't wearing when he hops out of bed in said act. ;-) Hops out of bed? This is just too tantalising! He's asleep in bed and the doorbell rings at midnight, or he's taking a mid-day cat nap, or he's totally impoverished and has gone to bed fully clothed to keep warm....which scenario is nearest?"}, {"response": 455, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (01:06)", "body": "(Eileen)but I kind of liked his tights ;-p ! Would you like claim them? Hmmmmm...? Oh yes, consider them claimed. He wore several sets in different colors so I'm happy to share. The bright blue ones seem to stick in my memory, so those are mine. Bet there are no buttons on them. Shucks ;^) Wait until you see what they look like on his thighs. You won't be thinking of buttons. I remember NYC winters very well. I grew up in New Rochelle. A fellow Westchester county-an! I grew up a few towns from there. Now I live in Jersey (you've fared MUCH better!). Yeah, winters are not much to speak of around here. BTW, how did you manage to keep from gasping loudly or making other noises we drooler are prone to?! Well...it was the third time I saw it! I steeled myself appropriately but did laugh louder than anyone around me at our DB's funny lines. Looking forward to your comments over at 115. In case nobody's answered you yet, SiL runs about 2 hours."}, {"response": 456, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (02:43)", "body": "I am returned from SIL and claim for my Keepsake, the gold and square-cut Sapphire ring he wore on his left index finger. Off to 115 to report."}, {"response": 457, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 24, 1999 (13:10)", "body": "(Bethan) ....which scenario is nearest? I can't recall the time of day but think it's probably morning...and he wasn't alone in bed...so let your imagination take it from there. Oh yes, it's the third day of rain! Didn't you ask KarenJ for one of her electronic screenplays? It should only take no more than an hour to read. ;-) Will let you know what the actor in Chicago wore in that scene on Monday!"}, {"response": 458, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb 24, 1999 (15:29)", "body": "(Karen)and he wasn't alone in bed...so let your imagination take it from there How many women are in this play?!"}, {"response": 459, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Feb 24, 1999 (18:54)", "body": "I want his ruff, over which the loose skin folds were creasing so tantalisingly... I hope it's still available?"}, {"response": 460, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb 24, 1999 (21:07)", "body": "It is in your safekeeping. Talk about a real tickler!!! One wouold think they'd itch if they were starched, and if they were not starched they would not hold their forms. A dilemma."}, {"response": 461, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb 24, 1999 (21:13)", "body": "Here is our newest Keepsake List Keepsakes from Shakespeare in Love Lord Wessex' pearl earring, Renate Lord Wessex' blue tights, EileenG Lord Wessex' Sapphire abd Gold index-finger ring, Marcia"}, {"response": 462, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb 24, 1999 (21:15)", "body": "to which we add Arami's ruff: Keepsakes from Shakespeare in Love Lord Wessex' pearl earring, Renate Lord Wessex' blue tights, EileenG Lord Wessex' Sapphire abd Gold index-finger ring, MarciaLord W Lord Wessex' ruff, Arami"}, {"response": 463, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb 24, 1999 (21:15)", "body": "to which we add Arami's ruff: Keepsakes from Shakespeare in Love Lord Wessex' pearl earring, Renate Lord Wessex' blue tights, EileenG Lord Wessex' Sapphire and Gold index-finger ring, MarciaLord W Lord Wessex' ruff, Arami"}, {"response": 464, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb 24, 1999 (21:16)", "body": "corrected and cleaned up. Sorry:: Keepsakes from Shakespeare in Love Lord Wessex' pearl earring, Renate Lord Wessex' blue tights, EileenG Lord Wessex' Sapphire and Gold index-finger ring, Lord Wessex' ruff, Arami"}, {"response": 465, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Feb 24, 1999 (23:31)", "body": "Ok, i think i've narrowed my choice down to Lord Wessex' gold wedding cape. Are we supposed to be writing essays on these items as well?"}, {"response": 466, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (03:11)", "body": "Can I have Lord Wessex, I am sure that underneath he is really loveable."}, {"response": 467, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (03:32)", "body": "Ha! Obstinate woman! ;-p His person is a national treasure and belongs to all... and no one."}, {"response": 468, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (04:40)", "body": "Are you talking about Colin Firth or Lord Wessex, I am claiming Lord Wessex but if I can't have Lord Wessex, then I claim his horse which he rides so nobly."}, {"response": 469, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (10:08)", "body": "(AnnW) but if I can't have Lord Wessex, then I claim his horse which he rides so nobly. That is one magnificent steed! ;-)"}, {"response": 470, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (13:02)", "body": "I want his sword, scabbard, and belt. Is that Freudian?"}, {"response": 471, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (13:36)", "body": "The list as it now stands: Keepsakes from Shakespeare in Love Wessex' Pearl Earring, Renate Wessex' Blue Tights, EileenG Wessex' Sapphire and Gold Index-Finger Ring, Wessex' Ruff, Arami Wessex' Gold Wedding Cape, SBR Wessex' Horse, AnnW Wessex' Sword and Scabbard, KJArt (SBR)Are we supposed to be writing essays on these items as well? They are always welcome. There are many of a few years standing who have said nothing about their keepsakes. It would be nice for your immortality and your keepsake's to have another limerick from you!!! (AnnW)Can I have Lord Wessex, I am sure that underneath he is really loveable. LOL I am sure he is, but not keepable. When we were walking back to the car after seeing SIL, Ray commented about the ending as a natural lead-in to a sequel. Perhaps FanFic can provide a Darcy-like transformation. (KJArt)Is that Freudian? There are all sorts of Freudian things flashing through my overactive mind concerning the horse and sword and their implications. Or my Keepsake ring, for that matter =)"}, {"response": 472, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (14:45)", "body": "Can I claim his hat for Nan? She's got a thing about hats, you know... I'd hate her to miss this one!"}, {"response": 473, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (15:15)", "body": "I know this is kinda abstract.... but is there any way I could be keeper of the song that he sings? would I have to give up the gold wedding cape?"}, {"response": 474, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (16:18)", "body": "(Arami)Can I claim his hat for Nan? She's got a thing about hats, you know... I'd hate her to miss this one! You can and you may. You are very thoughtful, and I know Nan will cherish this flumpfy hat with the tickly feather as much as her other bicorne incroyable. (SBR) is there any way I could be keeper of the song that he sings? would I have to give up the gold wedding cape? There is no limit to the imagination of our gifted Droolers. You may keep the song as it came from his lips (....oh...my!!!....). He sounded happy for the first and probably the last time in SIL singing that little song. Would you like to name it? Or shall it be The Song Wessex Sings?"}, {"response": 475, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (16:22)", "body": "Keepsakes from Shakespeare in Love Wessex' Pearl Earring, Renate Wessex' Blue Tights, EileenG Wessex' Sapphire and Gold Index-Finger Ring, Marcia Wessex' Ruff, Arami The Song Wessex Sings, SBR Wessex' Horse, AnnW Wessex' Sword and Scabbard, KJart Wessex' Flumpfy Hat with Tickly Feather, Nan"}, {"response": 476, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (19:28)", "body": "Oooohhh, Thank You Marcia! :) that song makes me giggle everytime i hear him sing it. i think this calls for another trip to the theater, to celebrate my good fortune. At the moment i'm off to the Mall, (promised to meet my sister there- she found out today that the next baby is going to be a boy and we're celebrating) As i try on over priced clothes i cant afford to buy i'll try to decide if i want to give the song a specific name. :) Ta Ta SBR"}, {"response": 477, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (00:23)", "body": "Well, my dear, I hope you are getting something tiny, black and clingy to wear with Lizzie's Garnet Cross. Oh, and do get a good wrap for it. It might be chilly in as you stroll by The Firth (that is why you're going?!) I have to see that movie a whole lot more times. Too good. And such fun with all of us seeing it almost at the same time. I do wish we could get us all together in one theater for Firth Festival of Drool. It make me all tingly to think of it."}, {"response": 478, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (11:29)", "body": "Well, Marcia,I beat you over \"The Last Place They Show SiL in!\" But it is definitely going to open in Lisbon...\"sometime soon\"..."}, {"response": 479, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (12:11)", "body": "(Gi)Well, Marcia,I beat you over \"The Last Place They Show SiL in!\" Yes, and I am pleasantly surprised. If you do not have to be in suspense for the entire SIL, I would recommend reading the Spoilers postings. It allowed me more precious time to soak up the experience of seeing CF on a very big screen and getting immersed in the story. You will love it. Not entirely for our DB, but for the beauty and charm of the entire work. The casting was superb. Poor Elena in Finland is going to win the \"Last Place to Show SIL\" I am afraid. Do take it in whilst you are in Lond n!"}, {"response": 480, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (12:39)", "body": "I find that Elena will be seeing SiL in Finland, so You just may be the last place, Gi. I am happy that you are going to London. Do see it there. And while you are watching, look for a keepsake. I did !"}, {"response": 481, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (18:04)", "body": "I am giving up the Sapphire index-finger ring and exchanging it for his Codpiece"}, {"response": 482, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (18:07)", "body": "They now stand as follows: Keepsakes from Shakespeare in Love Wessex' Pearl Earring, Renate Wessex' Blue Tights, EileenG Wessex' Codpiece, Marcia Wessex' Ruff, Arami The Song Wessex Sings, SBR Wessex' Horse, AnnW Wessex' Sword and Scabbard, KJart Wessex' Flumpfy Hat with Tickly Feather, Nan (Viola's breast binder, Ray)"}, {"response": 483, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (18:52)", "body": "Wonder what I can write that is fit for publication universe-wide about a codpiece. This is going to take a bit of research, perhaps with my nimble fingers and my very sharp little snippers...=) Did anyone notice how many buttons Wessex had on that royal-teal-blue and gold jacket? Jillions! Hmmm...There was a young Lord named Wessex..."}, {"response": 484, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (19:08)", "body": "Youngish... ;-p"}, {"response": 485, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (19:33)", "body": "Arami)Youngish... ;-p Too cruel! Besides with a little poetic license... Besides it makes the rhythm better, and we all know that you have to get the rhythm right =P"}, {"response": 486, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Feb 27, 1999 (13:11)", "body": "May I have the Ring then? I like rings."}, {"response": 487, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Feb 27, 1999 (14:35)", "body": "Marcia, I'm only kidding! From where I stand, he's just a baby...;-p"}, {"response": 488, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Feb 27, 1999 (14:38)", "body": "I adore rings, but when faced with the option of the codpiece...I just could not resist. He wears three rings in SIL. The large sapphire on the index finger of one hand and two plainer gold rings on the middle and smallest finger of the other. I will put you down as Keeptress of the Sapphire unless you inform me otherwise. I know it will inspire you =)"}, {"response": 489, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Feb 27, 1999 (14:45)", "body": "(Arami) From where I stand, he's just a baby...;-p This is a battle I do not wish to win, but I am afraid I have a few years more of existance than you do. I do *Not* enjoy thinking him any younger than he apppears now. My son is only a few years younger than he is, and I think I am older than his mother! I do not like to think about it.=P How about... There once was a man named Wessex...."}, {"response": 490, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Feb 27, 1999 (17:26)", "body": "Stop showing off, Marcia, you're definitely not the oldest of his fans that I've heard about, so there... ;-p Alas, I'm not good at verse..."}, {"response": 491, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Sat, Feb 27, 1999 (20:05)", "body": "Codpiece! Marcia i am Very Much looking forward to your poetic essay lauding the attributes of such a *err...* strategically placed member of Wessex' ensemble. :)"}, {"response": 492, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Feb 27, 1999 (23:34)", "body": "Thank you, Arami for making me feel not quite so antique. Actually, it is my Son who gets older. I stopped counting at 32 =P As to whether or not I am good ar verse, when I get it all rhyming and in the proper rhythm (it is necessary!) we shall all find out! Perhaps I should do one of each. SB, an essay would lend it legitimacy, and I could write the verse just to tickle your fancies (and to remind everyone that I do have a sense of humor =P)"}, {"response": 493, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 28, 1999 (14:05)", "body": "(Marcia) and I could write the verse just to tickle your fancies (and to remind everyone that I do have a sense of humor =P) We'd welcome either an essay or some verse, but it's not required to remind us that you have a sense of humor, dear. Anyone who devotes her life to the snipping of buttons must have a sense of humor!! ;-D Tickle away..."}, {"response": 494, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Sun, Feb 28, 1999 (17:05)", "body": "OK.... somebody has to explain the button snipping thing for the newbie. :)"}, {"response": 495, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Feb 28, 1999 (17:36)", "body": "Well, my dear, are you sure you are old enough?! I shall send some things I wrote as a newbie via Email. Would not want to bore the truly dedicated ;)"}, {"response": 496, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (05:05)", "body": "I'll take the saphire ring, if you please, Marcia, at least until I see the film :-) Meanwhile, I'm drooling in anticipation of your poetry/prose :-)"}, {"response": 497, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (13:14)", "body": "It is in your safe-keeping, Dear! Keepsakes from Shakespeare in Love Wessex' Pearl Earring, Renate Wessex' Blue Tights, EileenG Wessex' Codpiece, Marcia Wessex' Ruff, Arami The Song Wessex Sings, SBR Wessex' Horse, AnnW Wessex' Sword and Scabbard, KJart Wessex' Flumpfy Hat with Tickly Feather, Nan (Viola's breast binder, Ray) Wessex' Sapphire and Gold Ring, Gi"}, {"response": 498, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (16:33)", "body": "Here is our latest Keepsake list and the newest entry: Elizabeth Bennet's Keepsake list from P&P2 Formal white gloves worn at the Netherfield Ball, Evelyn Garnet Cross on Gold Chain, SBRobinson Undergarments, Ben"}, {"response": 499, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (15:29)", "body": "LizzaJ has just requested and been given Keepership of Wessex' Goatee. If someone can claim his Curl, then the Goatee is acceptable. Just do not try to claim his Incroyable (with capital letters!)"}, {"response": 500, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (17:30)", "body": "Gi, if you are out there, and Elena and all others who have a celebration like Mardi Gras the day before lent begins, do you have some national specialty to consume on that day? Over here, thanks to the large part of our population is of Portuguese ancestry, we have Malasadas to eat. Do real people from Portugal still eat them, or are we observing an obsolete custom?"}, {"response": 501, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (15:50)", "body": "THank you Marcia dear, much appreciated."}, {"response": 502, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (15:51)", "body": "henceforward call me \"Goatee Girl\""}, {"response": 503, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (21:39)", "body": "(LizzaJ)henceforward call me \"Goatee Girl\" LOL That is not how I pictured you! Butt, if you insist...=P"}, {"response": 504, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 1999 (13:25)", "body": "Nathalie, Dear, delurk and choose a keepsake from something Firth! Or just say Hi!"}, {"response": 505, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 1999 (16:49)", "body": "Drop by and say hi, and join in our mirthfro swaggering Firth!"}, {"response": 506, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 1999 (16:52)", "body": "Drop by and say hi, and join in our mirth for swaggering Firth!"}, {"response": 507, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 1999 (23:31)", "body": "Forthwith I am opening a new Keepsake list. Three Days of Rain Keepsakes"}, {"response": 508, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 1999 (03:31)", "body": "Oh good. I just dropped by in the hope of getting a little something from 3DOR. Just a small keepsake...the bed which he lies on? If I grab it quickly it might still be warm...."}, {"response": 509, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 1999 (11:47)", "body": "Allison, I shall put it on the list unless I hear otherwise. You are the first."}, {"response": 510, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 1999 (11:51)", "body": "Keepsakes from Three Days of Rain The Bed on which He Lies, AllisonM"}, {"response": 511, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 1999 (12:28)", "body": "I am not eligible to claim anything in 3DoR since I have not seen it, but I would imagine that balcony would be pretty choice. Especially if he is as effecting in the role as the reviews have him (and we know they are stingy with praise). But...it will go to the lucky CFitF person who agrees with me."}, {"response": 512, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 1999 (12:31)", "body": "! I did not forget anything in italics for html, but I am trying to fix it. It is even writing in Italics on the response space. Very odd, indeed"}, {"response": 513, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 1999 (14:29)", "body": "Yes, Nathalie, do delurk- you will be welcomed here with open arms Marcia, i too would like to grab a 3DOR keepsake, but alas- i also fail to qualify. Allison dear, do enjoy that bed! :)"}, {"response": 514, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 1999 (14:43)", "body": "Us stay-at-homes have first dibs, laying claim to keepsakes while our fellow droolers are there watching the real thing? What a good joke! I claim his NY accent!! One can dream, can't one?"}, {"response": 515, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 1999 (15:11)", "body": "The Bed on which He Lies, AllisonM Still warm, I hope, Marcia."}, {"response": 516, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 1999 (22:21)", "body": "(AllisonM)The Bed on which He Lies, AllisonM Still warm, I hope, Marcia. My Dear, you are the only one who can tell us. It is in your safekeeping. Is it??? I will put us London-deprived Droolers on 3DoR list. I am claiming the master from which the programmes were printed. Eileen may claim his New York accent"}, {"response": 517, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 1999 (22:32)", "body": "This is where it stands as of right now. Keepsakes from Three Days of Rain The bed on which he lies, AllisonM The Program, MarciaH His New York Accent, Eileen"}, {"response": 518, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (14:59)", "body": "From 3DoR, AnnW is keeper of his White T-Shirt"}, {"response": 519, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (15:57)", "body": "Out, damn italics. Poof! I'll have his black jeans, please. In eager anticipation of my attendance next Friday... ;-)"}, {"response": 520, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (16:38)", "body": "Keepsakes from Three Days of Rain The bed on which he lies, AllisonM The Program, MarciaH His New York Accent, Eileen His White Tee Shirt,AnnW His Black Jeans, Arami"}, {"response": 521, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (20:59)", "body": "what about that sweater he was supposed to whip off- did he? and if so, i would very much like to claim it. :) (er... could somebody tell me what color it was- what it looked like -was it knit, etc.)"}, {"response": 522, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (22:30)", "body": "His dark knit sweater, SBRobinson"}, {"response": 523, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (09:21)", "body": "Marcia, I NEED his green sweater and the green t-shirt or something under it that Colin wears as Walker in Act 1. (Not the same one that he whips off in Act 2 as Ned, in fact I can\ufffdt remember what was Ned\ufffds sweater like (believe it or not. I seem to have concentrated in something else than clothes)."}, {"response": 524, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (16:27)", "body": "I'll make you a deal. If you allow Gi to Email me the pics....No, Dear Elena, you may have keepership of his Green Sweater-and-T-shirt. I just hope devoutly that I might see some of you there. We thought of you all weekend and hoped and prayed for your safety. All turned out well...except for those of us remaining at home."}, {"response": 525, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (16:31)", "body": "Keepsakes from Three Days of Rain The bed on which he lies, AllisonM The Program, MarciaH His New York Accent, Eileen His White Tee Shirt,AnnW His Black Jeans, Arami His(Ned's) Dark Knit Sweater, SBRobinson His (Walker's) Green Sweater-and-TShirt, Elena"}, {"response": 526, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (22:53)", "body": "It has come to my attention that there are those amongst us who are computer challenged. Poor KJArt had her source of succor for Firthness withdrawn for a whole day. Then she managed 4 entire minutes in chat which no one would share with her. Others are sabotaged by AOL (Americans Off Line) and windows which crash without so much as a popup box to warn them. SBR, I would mention your name here, but I do not wish to embarrass you =P Try Netcom.com. Iki has hhad wonderful luck with it for several year , and it is cheaper than Aoffline is."}, {"response": 527, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (12:25)", "body": "A 3DOR Keepsake List!! Guess I shall have to claim the cigar that he puts in his mouth at the end of Act 1! How those lips just curled around it...perhaps recollecting the taste or the feel of those cigarettes he has given up. What does no one want the brown slacks he wore in Act 2, especially the ones from the matinee in which his fly was not zipped up!! ;-)"}, {"response": 528, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (12:34)", "body": "the ones from the matinee in which his fly was not zipped up!! ;-) They were not zipped up on Friday evening either. I think he is starting to learn how to really turn on his fans;-)"}, {"response": 529, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (13:26)", "body": "Just a note or two on his clothes:under the green sweater he wore a green plaid shirt, not a t-shirt. The sweater in the second act was a brick coloured cardigan.Enjoy! PS- Did anyone else notice that the shoes in the first act still had the price tag on? :-)"}, {"response": 530, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (13:27)", "body": "Just a note or two on his clothes:under the green sweater he wore a green checkered shirt, not a t-shirt. The sweater in the second act was a brick coloured cardigan.Enjoy! PS- Did anyone else notice that the shoes in the first act still had the price tag on? :-)"}, {"response": 531, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (14:16)", "body": "under the green sweater he wore a green checkered shirt, not a t-shirt Gi, how did you find that out?;-) But anything he has worn next to his skin is a treasure to me. the shoes in the first act still had the price tag on Yes, just another proof of something wrong in the theater clothing department! By the way, he was so sweet when he walked about in socks only! I watched the touching black socks when he laid on the bed just two or so meters away from me.....and here I come to his bodyparts again, I just can\ufffdt get them off my mind....just to let you know, his FEET are not very big, Marcia."}, {"response": 532, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (15:20)", "body": "Keepsakes from Three Days of Rain The bed on which he lies, AllisonM The Program, MarciaH His New York Accent, Eileen His White Tee Shirt,AnnW His Black Jeans, Arami His(Ned's) Dark Knit Sweater, SBRobinson His (Walker's) Green Sweater-and-TShirt, Elena His Cigar from the end of Act I, KarenR Elena, do you want to change your request to the green plaid shirt? I don't like to have too many complete outfits for fear we will run out of items to claim. Small feet have nothing to do with what we are thinking about =) It is not particularly hands either, but long appendages (arms, legs, hands) usually go together....!!! Is no one claiming the attention-grabbing pants?"}, {"response": 533, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (15:45)", "body": "I claim his hair, dry in Act1 and wet in Act2, and even where it is getting thin, I claim it as a keepsake. This is because I was close enough to run my fingers through it, in the play but did not (how noble of me) so please, I would like it now."}, {"response": 534, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (15:47)", "body": "Elena, I also noticed his feet. Not at all large!! They were practically under my nose in Act 2. Now as to the smell, Marcia and Eileen, I can't say there was any!!!"}, {"response": 535, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (15:49)", "body": "Eileen would you still like a review from the TIMES? I e-mailed you but it was returned, send me your address and I would be glad to."}, {"response": 536, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (16:07)", "body": "Okay Marcia, it\ufffds fair I guess. I\ufffdm happy with the green sweater, if someone wants the shirt under it."}, {"response": 537, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (16:15)", "body": "Keepsakes from Three Days of Rain The bed on which he lies, AllisonM The Program, MarciaH His New York Accent, Eileen His White Tee Shirt,AnnW His Black Jeans, Arami His(Ned's) Dark Knit Sweater, SBRobinson His (Walker's) Green Sweater , Elena His Cigar from the end of Act I, KarenR His Hair - Dry in Act I and Wet in Act 2, LizzaJ You ladies are too funny with your comments!!!"}, {"response": 538, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (16:35)", "body": "Marcia, it's probably not for me to say, but I think it was agreed a long time ago that no part of his body could be claimed as keepsake with one exception only, and that I think should apply to hair! Which reminds me, I do hair transplants, so have no fears about his thinning hair, for him I'll do it for free!"}, {"response": 539, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (16:37)", "body": "If Elena doesn't mind, then, I'd like to claim his green shirt :-)"}, {"response": 540, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (16:44)", "body": "Gi you are too kind in your offer to my keepsake. I think it makes him kind of human and ordinary to have thinning bits and boy have I got some good pictures of those bits, Perhaps your talents could be better employed on other bits of him!!!"}, {"response": 541, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (16:46)", "body": "Sorry, I meant \"Parts\" of him. Our DB is not really a \"bits\" kind of a man!!!"}, {"response": 542, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (17:23)", "body": "(Gi)Which reminds me, I do hair transplants, so have no fears about his thinning hair, for him I'll do it for free! LOL. I'll bet you would even kiss it to make it better!!! Yes, hair is the only thing allowed, facial and head only, of course....!!! Since it is cut and trimmed and shaved and such it is agreed that it is the ONLY part (other than the cleft which the starter of this whole idea chose) And, the green shirt is yours to safekeep. And, in case anybody wonders, it is Everybody's business how and what we do on the boards I work on. I need input as much as anyone. Thanks."}, {"response": 543, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (17:27)", "body": "Keepsakes from Three Days of Rain The bed on which he lies, AllisonM The Program, MarciaH His New York Accent, Eileen His White Tee Shirt,AnnW His Black Jeans, Arami His(Ned's) Dark Knit Sweater, SBRobinson His (Walker's) Green Sweater , Elena His Cigar from the end of Act I, KarenR His Hair - Dry in Act I and Wet in Act 2, LizzaJ His Green Shirt, Gi"}, {"response": 544, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (17:39)", "body": "Gi, thank you for my Firthst picture ever of CF taken by a person I know! That is so exciting!!! I am all huge smiles right now!"}, {"response": 545, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (20:09)", "body": "the brown slacks he wore in Act 2, especially the ones from the matinee in which his fly was not zipped up!! ;-) Are you serious Karen? LOL!! He's such a darling, -but perhaps Liv should be back in his dressing room, overseeing the zipping and unzipping aspects of his costume changes. on the other hand... if she'd rather be in the audience, i'll gladly volunteer to help out. ;)"}, {"response": 546, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (21:17)", "body": "What a wonderful idea, Marcia. May I claim his Ned-the-nerd glasses? They remind so me of Clark Kent's. You know, under that nebbish exterior is a strong, virile man just waiting to burst out. SBR, you may have opened up a whole new category - which backstage role wold you like to play. You have claimed the most important one already. Go to it, girl."}, {"response": 547, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (23:41)", "body": "Heide, now that I've seen you, how could I deny you the Ned-the-Nerd glassses. Just do not run into doors whie trying them out! ;) SBR sounds like a good candidate for my Button Snipping Investigatory Team She is hereby drafted into the distinguished rank of sleuths."}, {"response": 548, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (09:24)", "body": "(Lizza) Eileen would you still like a review from the TIMES? I e-mailed you but it was returned, send me your address and I would be glad to. Thanks again for your offer, Lizza. That's the \"Wet Nappy\" review, right? I'll pass. Oh, and my e-mail address here doesn't work. I have another but my DH downloads (and probably reads) my mail by flashsession while he's at work. If I don't get to it first, I'll have some explaining to do (I'm still in 'Married Drooler Stage 1: Husband Unaware.' I'm resolved to out myself if CF ever comes back to NY). If 3DOR keepsakes start to run out, I'm willing to give up mine since I wasn't there. I just thought nobody else would want his NY accent! Ooh, how I wish I could have heard it!!"}, {"response": 549, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (11:48)", "body": "Eileen, your keepership of his NY accent is safe, I think. There are shoes, those black socks, other slacks he wore, the balcony and much other of the stage props available. I do not think anyone but a native NYer will want it. Re the fact that you are still a Stage 1 Drooler, I will not forward the newspaper when I get it if you do not want it, but am still willing to dop so. Hawaii's climate is terrible on newspapers."}, {"response": 550, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (12:25)", "body": "SBR, I have your Henry V tape in my hot little hands and will get it out to you shortly. Perhaps under the same wrapper as your song from SiL. Will let you know when it is on its way. The big thing was finding it amongst all the stuff I had to wad thru and rearrange in the spare rooom!"}, {"response": 551, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (19:10)", "body": "O.K. Marcia, I'm a little late, what about his boots with the price tag? (I noticed them also) When he flew up the stairs, his jeans pulled up just enough to show the top of those boots. Loved the way he stomped around in them. I think he probably dresses like Walker in real life. That little touch of the green shirt peeking out of the sweater, just the right touch of sloppyness. Eileen (I'm still in 'Married Drooler Stage 1: Husband Unaware.' I'm resolved to out myself if CF ever comes back to NY). My dear, I'm in the same boat, made the London trip without \"outting\" myself. Where there is a will, there is a way. Think creative :-) and it sure helps to have good female friends too."}, {"response": 552, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (19:31)", "body": "No one has asked for the boots, so they are in you safekeeping. I loved seeing what you look like. Everyone is much classier than I ever imagines, though why should they not be?! You are the one who helped me last year (or earlier!) with my CF collection, did you not? How special to finally meet you. Now, i just have to get my picture and a scanner together and you can see what I look like. That touch of sloppiness makes one think of an unmade bed...and that conjures up all sorts of other things =) Here is the list to date Keepsakes from Three Days of Rain The bed on which he lies, AllisonM The Program, MarciaH His New York Accent, Eileen His White Tee Shirt,AnnW His Black Jeans, Arami His(Ned's) Dark Knit Sweater, SBRobinson His (Walker's) Green Sweater , Elena His Cigar from the end of Act I, KarenR His Hair - Dry in Act I and Wet in Act 2, LizzaJ His Green Shirt, Gi His Ned-the-Nerd Glasses, Heide His Boots With The Price Tag On Them, EmmaE"}, {"response": 553, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (20:45)", "body": "I just spent half an hour composing a response which was summarily cancelledd when I hit the \"submit response\" button. This is the 2nd time today an extensive composition has been eliminated...it's enough to give up the Internet!!! (I had the misfortune to enter reply #2000) ATTENTION!! TOPIC 116 IS CLOSED!!! OPEN A NEW ONE!!!"}, {"response": 554, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (21:07)", "body": "You are right! I just tried a test and it was rejected! I will Email Heide immediately. Meanwhile write your posting on a word deal (like wore, write or notepad) then paste it over! Put it here or 112 till it gets up somewhere eklse. Off to Email Heide!"}, {"response": 555, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (21:31)", "body": "Since this is a fairly active topic, please let me interrupt a moment to say that Colin Firth drool is continuing now on Topic 118. We seem to have filled 116 to capacity with 1,999 posts. I'll freeze 116 shortly. We're blowing our circuits with all this news!!"}, {"response": 556, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (12:13)", "body": "Oh Marcia, the Song Wessex Sings and Henry V all in one package! How i look forward to recieving it! :) Till they arrive i'll just have to amuse myself with zipping. (*sigh*... and such a delightful amusement it is)"}, {"response": 557, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (13:22)", "body": "SBR, wait till you read my comments on acrobatics and the pillow. LOL!!!"}, {"response": 558, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (13:50)", "body": "I want to tell you something pretty funny.....or how should I put it!!!!!! Why did I want to have that green sweater of Walker\ufffds? I liked it instantly on Colin and just KNEW what it feels like to hug a solid man in a sweater like that. This morning my kind husband came down to the kitchen for breakfast and what did he wear, the SAME sweater, for god\ufffds sake! Seems I didn\ufffdt remember he has one like that, and it was actually me who bought it for him a couple of years ago. But don\ufffdt get me wrong, I\ufffdm not giving up Walker\ufffds sweater because of this!"}, {"response": 559, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (15:16)", "body": "Dear Elena, you are nothing if not consistent! LOL! Now you have a matching pair, and I agree a big huggy man in a good sweater is very appealing."}, {"response": 560, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (15:22)", "body": "Elena, was that a happy coincidence or what !:-)"}, {"response": 561, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (17:26)", "body": "Elena that's too much! How funny - LOL!!! :) Marcia- I'm dying- havent had a chance to check my email since Tues nite. And now here I am, stuck at work doing OT for several more hours! AAgghhh! :("}, {"response": 562, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (17:37)", "body": "Oh, Poor Dear! and I am being deprived of your company. BWAAAAAAAA! Can you tell me how far into the movie your song is? Hour? longer? Going this afternoon later"}, {"response": 563, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (17:41)", "body": "Thinking of adding a list of which there will be only the choicest items - things which CF touched and belong to our ladies. Like Evelyn's Pen. These are the owners' to keep. It is a bragging list! Any takers?"}, {"response": 564, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (18:40)", "body": "Items touched by CF Kept by Owners Cross Pen used to sign autograph, Evelyn"}, {"response": 565, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (19:30)", "body": "Marcia- does my heart count? (i think it's right after Kit dies, before the church scene.)"}, {"response": 566, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (20:00)", "body": "Marcia, thanks for the brand new boots. I wonder what size they are. Did anyone on the front row get a good look at the price tag itself? and yes, I'm the same Emma who sent you those tapes early last year, still at the same email address. And it would be lovely to see a picture of you. Elena with the matching sweaters, now you just need to get your husbands some black jeans and boots to finish the Walker outfit."}, {"response": 567, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (22:05)", "body": "I would like to claim the Journal in which Ned wrote: Three Days of Rain. I found it so romantic. Hey, there's lots more to a guy who can just write those four little words....and makes him happy forever. ***** In the items touched by CF.....Heide's raincoat....wait til you see that beautiful hand languishing on her right shoulder!!"}, {"response": 568, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (00:16)", "body": "Oh, sigh! gasp! I was going to make Heide's whole self a Spa treasure. Just her raincoat? I will put it down. Evelyn the journal is safe with you. SBR come into chat and tell me about your heart! Cannot claim the codpiece. It is not visible, so I am claiming his pinkie ring."}, {"response": 569, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (00:23)", "body": "Here it is to date Keepsakes from Three Days of Rain The bed on which he lies, AllisonM The Program, MarciaH His New York Accent, Eileen His White Tee Shirt,AnnW His Black Jeans, Arami His(Ned's) Dark Knit Sweater, SBRobinson His (Walker's) Green Sweater , Elena His Cigar from the end of Act I, KarenR His Hair - Dry in Act I and Wet in Act 2, LizzaJ His Green Shirt, Gi His Ned-the-Nerd Glasses, Heide His Boots With The Price Tag On Them, EmmaE Journal In Which Ned Wrote, Evelyn and Items touched by CF Kept by Owners Cross Pen used to sign autograph, Evelyn Heide's Raincoat through which he hugged her"}, {"response": 570, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (13:38)", "body": "Here is the newest List. Additions are welcome! Items Touched by CF Kept by Owners Cross Pen used to sign autograph, Evelyn Heide's Trenchcoat through which He Hugged Her The Pen with which he signed his autograph for her, Elena Her Right hand which He Shook Hands, Winter"}, {"response": 571, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (13:56)", "body": "Does anyone recognize this Email address? YIB4E@AOL.COM It was with a request for the photos. If I do not see someone I know at the signature end of the letter requesting photos of the group, I do not send them. There was no identification with this Email."}, {"response": 572, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (14:00)", "body": "Elena with the matching sweaters, now you just need to get your husbands some black jeans and boots to finish the Walker outfit Should I change his hair colour too?? He\ufffds blond, with blue eyes! He\ufffds exactly the same height though.....hmmmm.... (....here I go again. If he\ufffdll see this one I\ufffdm sure he\ufffdll stop being so helpful scanning the Donmar photos for me:-))"}, {"response": 573, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (16:20)", "body": "Stop being so paranoid, Elena. Mine took me to SIL and sat thru it a second time yesterday. Perhaps you are, as we say, selling him short? Not giving your DH the chance to show how understanding he is and how secure he is in your love?"}, {"response": 574, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (16:55)", "body": "(Marcia) If I do not see someone I know at the signature end of the letter requesting photos of the group, I do not send them. I agree!"}, {"response": 575, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (22:47)", "body": "Our Volcano, Kilauea is erupting (and has been since `1983) in a new and most exciting way. It is dome fountaining along the coast making new land for us. Check it out at http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/"}, {"response": 576, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (00:00)", "body": "Gi, check out this picture. He has a whole fist full here to choose from for the ring of choice. I'll take the ring-finger one if you'd like to keep the index finger one! Http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/4144/wessex.html"}, {"response": 577, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (17:19)", "body": "Marcia,I think we are going to see SiL tomorrow; i'll let you know! BTW, thanks for your pic...taken from afar, but still it's you, so pleased to see you!"}, {"response": 578, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (18:17)", "body": "I am eager to know what you think of it - SiL, of course ;) Uneasy as I was about posting a picture of me, I thought that one was the least offensive and far enough away that my horns did not show. LOL! I'll send closer ones when I get them scanned."}, {"response": 579, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (18:51)", "body": "All of you eager lurkers out there...please post something before you ask me to send you the pictures taken in London. Please try to imagine my posting your photograph and name all over the world for people to see. I will not do that to these very special ladies. Become one of us and I will be delighted to accommodate you."}, {"response": 580, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (22:51)", "body": "Claimed Keepsakes from P&P2 His Ring, Rita His Dent, Ann2 (This is the =only= CF body part being permitted) His Pemberley Breeches, Cheryl His Wet Shirt, Megan His Writing Quill, Heide His Fencing Foil, Carolyn His Riding Crop, Cindy His Pool Cue, Karen His Wine Goblet, Donna His Bath Towel, Vivian His Boots, Margaret His Bathrobe, Kat(h) His Black Horse \"Pride's Foal\", Erin His Riding Gloves, HeidiL His Great Coat, Clare His Netherfield Evening Clothes, Michele His Walking Cane, Inko His Carriage(s), Stacey His Billiard Room Waistcoat, Lesley His Nameless Hat of a Thousand Names (aka Incroyable Bicorne), Nan His Dogs, Linda K His Pemberley Evening Clothes (long pants), Kat His Blue Wedding Coat, Sarah His Pemberley Candlestick, Beth His Rosings Candlestick, Nathalie R His Silver Wash Basin, Deb His Saddle, Barbara His Watch & Fob, Arami His Bathtub, Shelly His Washcloth, Catherine His Mirror, Renate His Miniature, Tineke His Cravat, Robyn His Top Hat, Kathy F. His Book, Lon His Castille Soap, Brioni The Letter, Karin His Cap & Gown, Jan His Copper Bathing Pitcher, Marilyn His Wine Decanter/Carafe, Lucie His Hand Towel (He used at Rosings after washing His face), Bethan His Silver Candlestick, NathalieR His Pemberley Cushion, Mary D. His Green Pemberley Coat, Laraine His Portrait, Anita T His Teacup, Stefanie His University Notebooks, Marcia His Grey Horse (\"Whipper\"), Laura His Fencing Glove, Gi His White Stockings and Buckled Shoes worn at the Netherfield Ball, Moon Dreams His Hunting Rifle, Elena The Curl on his forehead, SB Robinson The Shirt he tucks in as he runs downstairs to meet Lizzie at Pemberley, Susan A *this last one is provisional on the lady's posting her request.*"}, {"response": 581, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (15:53)", "body": "Ack! I was digging in my purse this morning looking for a pen and lo and behold, what do I pull out but the very pen CF used to sign my program. And it's not even my pen! I borrowed someone's (Jana's?) and never gave it back. I swear it was not intentional. Anyway, is anyone missing a black Sanford Uni-ball Micro tip pen? I promise I will return it to you if it's any of our girls. If not, then I think I have my keepsake."}, {"response": 582, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (16:30)", "body": "It will go on the list immediatly. The only provisional part of this one is the owner. LOL!! =D"}, {"response": 583, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (16:32)", "body": "Marcia, I want to give up the saphire and gold ring from SiL. Has anyone claimed the golden cape he wore on his wedding day? If not, may I have it instead, please?"}, {"response": 584, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (16:33)", "body": "Heide, we already have you for a keepsake. Check it out!!! Items touched by CF Kept by Owners Cross Pen used to sign autograph, Evelyn Heide's Trenchcoat through which He Hugged Her The Pen with which he signed his autograph for her, Elena Her Right hand which He Shook Hands, Winter Black Uniball Pen He used to sign Heide's Program, ??"}, {"response": 585, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (16:34)", "body": "Golden cape is yours, Gi. I loved that whole outfit, hat included. Thank you for the Sapphire ring. Much more seemly, I think!"}, {"response": 586, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (16:35)", "body": "Keepsakes from Shakespeare in Love Wessex' Pearl Earring, Renate Wessex' Blue Tights, EileenG Wessex' Ruff, Arami The Song Wessex Sings, SBR Wessex' Horse, AnnW Wessex' Sword, Scabbard and Belt, KJart Wessex' Flumpfy Hat with Tickly Feather, Nan (Viola's breast binder, Ray) Wessex' Sapphire and Gold Ring, Marcia Wessex' Goatee, LizzaJ Wessex' Golden Wedding Cape, Gi"}, {"response": 587, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (17:26)", "body": "Thank you. The reason I do not ask for the whole outfit is I don't like the bouffant shorts... Also, I don't want to monopolize ;-)"}, {"response": 588, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (18:10)", "body": "(Gi)I don't like the bouffant shorts. LOL! Join the group. I cannot abide them either. It perhaps served to keep the unwelcome from getting too close to you? Of course, the reverse would work, too. It is unflattering to the leg, and, worst of all, they eliminated my codpiece!"}, {"response": 589, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (19:54)", "body": "I have a black Parker ballpen which I handed to Colin to sign my program..."}, {"response": 590, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (20:06)", "body": "Ooooh delighted. That is exactly what I would have used. Mine is right here beside me =) Items touched by CF Kept by Owners Cross Pen used to sign autograph, Evelyn Heide's Trenchcoat through which He Hugged Her The Pen with which he signed his autograph for her, Elena Her Right hand which He Shook Hands, Winter Black Uniball Pen He used to sign Heide's Program, ?? Black Parker Ballpoint Pen with which Colin signed her program, Arami"}, {"response": 591, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (20:09)", "body": "Arami, is there anything from 3DoR you might like as a Keepsake? This is the list to date: Keepsakes from Three Days of Rain The bed on which he lies, AllisonM The Program, MarciaH His New York Accent, Eileen His White Tee Shirt,AnnW His Black Jeans, Arami His(Ned's) Dark Knit Sweater, SBRobinson His (Walker's) Green Sweater , Elena His Cigar from the end of Act I, KarenR His Hair - Dry in Act I and Wet in Act 2, LizzaJ His Green Shirt, Gi His Ned-the-Nerd Glasses, Heide His Boots With The Price Tag On Them, EmmaE Journal In Which Ned Wrote, Evelyn"}, {"response": 592, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (18:49)", "body": "I've already got His Black Jeans, do you want me to claim more? His lighter, his Ned's socks and shoes, Ned's kitchen knife, coffee pot, Walker's case and takeaway tub, Ned's record player, draughtsman's table, the towel he uses to dry his hair, the plate, the wine bottle and glass... come on! I don't mind if I am to have it all, but surely, others may still wish to consider these things Firth..."}, {"response": 593, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (18:51)", "body": "Oh, I'll have Ned's brown trousers as well."}, {"response": 594, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (20:24)", "body": "LOL!!! Arami, you are a wise and thinking lady! You claimed your (His) black Jeans in advance. How perceptive of you. It must be the dearth of postings by recent playgoers which made me ask you to claim a keepsake. If I do not hear from anyone else, and I never get a program, I just might need that towel...keeping it safe for his use, of course!!! I have not had much success with my own keepsakes lately. I claimed the codpiece he said he \"donned\" for SiL and, lo! it must have been under all those ple ts (excessive modesty?!)rendering it not visible, and thus, like the carriage robe I first attempted to claim, unkeepable. Thus no codpiece and no three verse limerick I had all ready to post."}, {"response": 595, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (20:56)", "body": "My 3DOR program is here in my hot and eager little hands. Thank you, Karen. It is my Keepsake and a treasure from London half way around the world and from the same air space as CF and all the classy ladies who represented Spring so well (and so much better than any other group IMHO =P). The towel is back on the block!"}, {"response": 596, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (21:55)", "body": "Marcia, give us your limerick away. I'm furiously thinking of things that rhyme with \"cod\"...bod? scrod? wa..? Oh, dear, never mind."}, {"response": 597, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (23:30)", "body": "SBR just told me she had seen SiL 3 times and she SAW it each time. The buregundy outfit, the gold wedding outfit and the blue one, too. My screen must have been much smaller! So, as illusive as it is, I shall post my ode to said item in the morning when I am a little fresher. I did not end any sentences with cod so I didnot have to rhyme with it!"}, {"response": 598, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (08:16)", "body": "Marcia, give us your limerick...SBR just told me she had seen SiL 3 times and she SAW it each time. I saw it 3 times and never spotted the codpiece, but if SBR says it was there and you have your limerick ready to go, I'm glad to see your decision to post! I've not received my 3DOR program yet so I may need that towel! I am hopeful to get it today!"}, {"response": 599, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (10:46)", "body": "Eileen, I sent you the program last Friday...should be there today. I have TWO extras. I purchased 8!!Any poster who has not received one let me know. First come....Lisa..how about you? Laura?"}, {"response": 600, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (14:59)", "body": "Correction- i've seen it (SiL) 4 times :) -and didnt spot the codpieces until the last time. The most obivous codpiece is the gold one he wears on his wedding day. You can see it just briefly when he's standing at the top of the stairs. Look fast! It blends a bit with his ' bouffant shorts '. So... Marcia, you now have no reason to not post your limerick! (Yippee for us!) I eagerly await your masterpiece. :)"}, {"response": 601, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (15:44)", "body": "Eileen, I sent you the program last Friday...should be there today Indeed it was!! Thank you, THANK YOU, Evelyn XXOO!"}, {"response": 602, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (20:54)", "body": "Adi and EllieP, come and claim some keepsake from P&P2, SiL, or any of the other lists. This is part of the fun. If you have been lurking as much as you say, you know all about it, so join me and I will make you feel as welcome here as in all the other places. We need your fresh insight to keeep us going. Without newbies we will dry up and disappear! All you other lurkers, come in and get wet. It is delicious!"}, {"response": 603, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (14:02)", "body": "My black trenchcoat has to go on the list as his right arm has lain across the back of it. OOOhh those extra long digits."}, {"response": 604, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (14:06)", "body": "Eileen G just checked out your Fanfic contribution. WOW!! \"The Cottage\" is new to me. Congratulations, I am almost rushing out of here to see P&P again. I hope Andrew Davies doesn't know about you, he would feel really threatened!!"}, {"response": 605, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (15:25)", "body": "What has happened over at Drool FanFic? I have tried and treid to get in but all I get is the index and a box that says the server is not answering. I want to read The Cottage, too!"}, {"response": 606, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (16:38)", "body": "Finally got in and printed it. I will be in and out over the weekend. Sinbce disaster relief does not need my volunteer service (my main voluntary choice) I will be doing my thing at the U of HH Softball tournament both in Hilo and in Kona. Will take a laptop to check up if I have the energy! Post lots, especially the new ones. We need fresh drool! Here is the state of the Keeper List: Items touched by CF Kept by Owners Cross Pen used to sign autograph, Evelyn Heide's Trenchcoat through which He Hugged Her The Pen with which he signed his autograph for her, Elena Her Right hand which He Shook Hands, Winter Black Uniball Pen He used to sign Heide's Program, ?? Black Parker Ballpoint Pen with which Colin signed her program, Arami Her Black Trench Coat Across Whose Shoulders He Draped His Arm, LizzaJ"}, {"response": 607, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (12:28)", "body": "This is not very good, but I have spent all the grey matter on it I can spare. Please be kind. I should have stayed with the essay, I fear! I wanted his Codpiece for me; To make me look better than he. A Sapphire and Gold ring Is not such a grand thing As his codpiece in Burgundy. The Codpiece is much the better Its shape is quite an eye-getter With bangles and pearls And fur shaped in curls Spikes too, the men did beset her. But Wessex, an Earl, quite the man Was fashion's slave looking quite grand His Pants all in pleats Had no place for deceits, The codpiece's not my demand I really do fancy the ring All golden it is quite the thing All lords had many and Ladies a-pleanty My Keepsake is fit for a king."}, {"response": 608, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (13:31)", "body": "Bravo, Marcia! You deserve both codpiece and ring!"}, {"response": 609, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (13:56)", "body": "I'll guard them with my life!!! LOL!! You are too kind, but vital to my sort of poster. Thank you!"}, {"response": 610, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (16:33)", "body": "Well Done Marica! I am all amusment! :) Curls made of fur and spikes, LOL!!!! And I agree with Gi, you deserve both the codpiece and the ring! xoxo sbr"}, {"response": 611, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (06:12)", "body": "Yes BRAVO, Dear Marcia the Poet Laureate of the Keepsakes."}, {"response": 612, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (07:55)", "body": "Marcia how wonderfully you combined the two. Brava! Just wondering, you don't write these as you sit in your stand, do you?"}, {"response": 613, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (13:01)", "body": "Thank you all for the kind words. LOL, I am composing Limericks all the time in my head. They are just too cute and funny not to! It is interesting that yesterday Ray did the selling and I sat next to the announcer and kept score so he would know how many outs, who was up next after a side was out, and so forth. It makes me pay attention!!! We won both games in the last innings. Whew. More today as the dust control rain is doing its thing. Miss talking with you SB!! Your Limerick dedicated to you keepsake was what inspired me, as well as another one further back in time. Off to softball again! I shall think up more verses today if the time presents itself!"}, {"response": 614, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (13:56)", "body": "Marcia, LOL!! Very entertaining limerick--first ever I've read about a codpiece! Wessex would be most flattered..."}, {"response": 615, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (14:16)", "body": "Oh, and glad you liked my story, Lizza. I hope Andrew Davies doesn't know about you, he would feel really threatened!! LOL! I'm most exceedingly obliged...but I really don't think Andrew has to worry!"}, {"response": 616, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (14:26)", "body": "Eileen ,you are yet ANOTHER modest drool lady. Combine the collective talents of this board and you could take the world by storm."}, {"response": 617, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Mar 20, 1999 (16:37)", "body": "Marcia, in honor of your super human efforts to keep this board hopping, I have finally composed my Fever Pitch whistle essay. Unfortunately this can not compare to your codpiece limerick for I can't rhyme two words together in any sense to save my life. Yours was truly an inspiration though. Side to side...the shiny whistle slides side to side over the worn red knit shirt of its wearer, Paul Ashworth. It rubs and bounces against his chest as he paces along the sideline while his boys practice the offside trap. The cord of the whistle nestles just below those long, touseled curls but the whistle reaches down, just grazing his navel (mysteriously never seen in this film - his nudity clause must have run out by then). It waits in vain for Paul to raise it to his lips. Every day it hopes to b taken into that mouth and every day it is denied. But luckily there's always another season. Until that day comes when Paul grabs that whistle and really uses it, I mean really uses it, it will wait patiently. What's wrong with that?"}, {"response": 618, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Mar 20, 1999 (17:59)", "body": "when Paul grabs that whistle and really uses it, I mean really uses it Well, THAT was pretty sexy. Heavens....or then I\ufffdm just far too apt to think metaphorically at this time of night!"}, {"response": 619, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 1999 (00:39)", "body": "(Heide)It waits in vain for Paul to raise it to his lips. Every day it hopes to be taken into that mouth and every day Oh, I know....I KNOW!!!! Don't we all?! Lovely, Heide. I could feel it. The Queen of the Netherfield Ball triumphs again. Thank you."}, {"response": 620, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 1999 (04:19)", "body": "Beautiful, Heide!"}, {"response": 621, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 1999 (08:14)", "body": "Heide, what an ending! Good thing the AC is on."}, {"response": 622, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 1999 (16:50)", "body": "Heide, I wondered why you did not use first person singular to tell your story. That is, until I reread it. That would give it a whole new meaning...oh my!"}, {"response": 623, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 1999 (17:33)", "body": "Excellent Heide!! The Gunners could not fail to take you to their hearts on a permanent basis."}, {"response": 624, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 22, 1999 (08:53)", "body": "Well done, Heide! Regarding keepsakes: all this Oscar hype got me thinking. Past winners are frequently asked where they keep their Oscars. Let me use the same line of questioning on our LLL's (lucky London ladies). It's been 1-2 weeks since your Donmar experience. Where are you keeping your pictures/program/autograph etc.?"}, {"response": 625, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar 22, 1999 (13:28)", "body": "Good Question, Eileen!!! All those 3L FirthFans must have special containers for the sacred objects so other people's finger prints do not contaminate ODB's. Perhaps they are on display in the bedroom where just they can glory in the achievement. I have an inquiring mind, and I'd like to know, too."}, {"response": 626, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Mar 22, 1999 (14:32)", "body": "Marcia, I\ufffdve tried to find the FP Keepsake list but there isn\ufffdt one it seems? Anyway, after having watched the movie four (4) times now I WANT something in it, and this could be a tricky one!! I\ufffdd like to have Paul\ufffds watch, and the reason is that it\ufffds Colin\ufffds in real life too. Check the watch in the mag I gave you Heide & Evelyn, it\ufffds exactly the same one that Paul Ashworth has in his wrist!.....But I understand if you need to ask Colin\ufffds permission for this one, Marcia. And if it\ufffds a no, could I have Paul\ufffds blue jeans then? (But they\ufffdre probably Colin\ufffds too, he\ufffds possibly wearing them right this minute in that corner pub in Islington!)."}, {"response": 627, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar 22, 1999 (17:26)", "body": "Elena, There is a Keepsake list of items from CF movies other than P&P2, and when there are sufficient takers (as in SiL and 3DoR) I make them a separate list. I have added you as Keeper of the requested Wrist Watch! Here is the Firth movies list thus far: Firth Items from movies other than P&P2 Paul Ashworth's Leather Jacket from Fever Pitch, Karen His Grey Scarf from Dutch Girls, Evelyn Paul Ashworth's grey undies from Fever Pitch, Marcia His Steel-rimmed glasses from Playmaker, Laura Small bath towel covering his hidden assets from Hour of the Pig, Allison M Paul's Arsenel Boxer Shorts from Fever Pitch, Stacey Valmont's Wig from Valmont, Tine Paul Ashworth's Official's whistle from Fever Pitch, Heide The Rose from A Month In The Country, Lizza His sporran from My Life So Far, Marcia Paul Ashworth's Wrist Watch, Elena"}, {"response": 628, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (02:42)", "body": "Marcia, see my post at 115 re codpiece, will you? Where are my real keepsakes from 3DoR? With the other theatre programs, and the pix are waiting to go in the album... Nothing out of the ordinary...But Sabine's pic is my computer wallpaper at present :-)"}, {"response": 629, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (09:10)", "body": "Where are my real keepsakes from 3DoR? Thanks, Gi! How about the rest of you? Where are you keeping your treasures?"}, {"response": 630, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (13:18)", "body": "Gi, I did read your heart-stopping comment on possible sighting of the most outstanding kind. They cannot get that into Video stores soon enough for me! Shall I put down your Firth-touched-it keepsake from 3DoR as the program he signed for you? No one else has that yet! It goes beside Ned's Green Shirt you are Keeping Safe."}, {"response": 631, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (13:20)", "body": "BTW, I think CF has the most important real Keepsakes of all. He has part of the heart of every one of the lucky ladies who got to know him first hand."}, {"response": 632, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (01:37)", "body": "Marcia, I'd rather not mix real and virtual keepsakes :-)"}, {"response": 633, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (14:37)", "body": "Of course, we shall not. I was just trying to get some interest going here. I though my comment might provoke some sort of reaction. I prefre to deal with fully-dressed men. Remember, the particular item one wants to claim must be visible, and I am just old enough to believe that robed is sexier than disrobed. If ODB had been Full Monty in the first thing we saw him in, there would have been nothing else to be said and fully 3/4 of the old Drool would have gushed and dried up long ago =P"}, {"response": 634, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (11:16)", "body": "(Marcia)I prefre to deal with fully-dressed men. LOL! You\ufffdre kidding? If ODB had been Full Monty in the first thing we saw him in.... Yes, there\ufffds absolutely no need for that, I see him disrobed in my imagination about 9 times a day anyway. With deepest respect of course."}, {"response": 635, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (14:15)", "body": "Ah, Elena, that is what I meant. You put it much better than I did. There are *many* people of whom I am grateful that I do not have to see any more of them than I do now. =P After all, as you point out, the imagination is the true erotic stimulus. The other is just animal instinct. Long may they work together!"}, {"response": 636, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (23:13)", "body": "There is a new Shakespeare in Love Keepsake claimed by Marina, who lives in Moscow, Russia. She is valiantly trying to perfect her English to where she is comfortable about posting her own messages. Until then, know that she has finally seen it, Loved ODB, thought the role to small for him, Drooled over his eyes...his lips...his (you get the idea)...but horror of horros, she had to see it with a voice-over which completely blanked out the magnificent tones of Firth. More about this on 115 tomorrow. Me nwhile, Marina, here is your Keepsake! The Romeo and Juliet Play Notice which wrapped around Wessex' Face, Marina (in Moscow)"}, {"response": 637, "author": "SusanA", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (00:22)", "body": "As a keepsake from SIL I want to claim the kiss that Wessex bestowed on Viola, for myself. She clearly didn't want it and I sincerely do. I hope it's still up for grabs."}, {"response": 638, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (11:57)", "body": "Gracious, you give me ideas, Susan. But I always thought that DEEDS can\ufffdt be given for safekeep, or can they, Marcia? In case they can I want to claim a certain scene from FP, with Ruth Gemmel kicked out of it naturally :-)) Btw, you\ufffdre so right Susan, I just do not get it why Viola didn\ufffdt GRAB him to make the kiss last longer. A great kiss totally wasted."}, {"response": 639, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (16:02)", "body": "Oh No! Elena wants to claim the shagging she did with Paul for which she owed her roommate a new bed? Or was it a different scene? Remember, we have to have seen it occurring. If you can put it into a Noun form (such as Susan's Kiss) then it will be acceptable. Watch out for all the HOTPig lusters flocking to claim his athletic pursuits involving sheets ;) Just to see where this leads the creative minds of the Spring Ladies I am allowing SusanA to claim Viola/Wessex' Kiss. The slap does not come with the attached kiss (unless you really want it.) It sounded most painful."}, {"response": 640, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (16:26)", "body": "Watch out for all the HOTPig lusters flocking to claim his athletic pursuits involving sheets ;) There's going to be a free-for-all for the \"Big Hug\" with Maria the maid at the inn. And there's the shower scene in P. And the \"freezer scene\" in FF. WOW this topic is gonna be X-rated....cool:-)"}, {"response": 641, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (17:01)", "body": "Right, then I must claim the vertical shag from Femme Fatale."}, {"response": 642, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (19:02)", "body": "Announcing the first Adult Keepsake List on Drool (that I am aware of..) Lusty Ladies Wish List From Firth Films The Vertical Shag from Femme Fatale, Arami Against the Mine Shaft Wall in Nostromo, Marcia"}, {"response": 643, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (20:25)", "body": "Lusty Ladies Wish List From Firth Films I want \"The Look\"and \"The Smile\" at Pemberley."}, {"response": 644, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (21:35)", "body": "As you see, it is yours! Nice choice!!! Lusty Ladies Wish List From Firth Films The Vertical Shag from Femme Fatale, Arami Against the Mine Shaft Wall in Nostromo, Marcia The Kiss Wessex Bestows upon Viola for which he gets slapped, SusanA \"The Look\" and \"The Smile\" from Pemberley, Evelyn"}, {"response": 645, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (21:56)", "body": "Against the Mine Shaft Wall in Nostromo, Marcia Was there a wall? Or are you thinking of another scene from somewhere else? ;-)"}, {"response": 646, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar 30, 1999 (02:28)", "body": "Good heavens, we have come a long way in this topic, haven't we? :-)"}, {"response": 647, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Mar 30, 1999 (05:23)", "body": "Shagging?! Ladies, you shock me! I only want to claim that *KISS* for myself from FP (before the not-on-the-carpet happenings)."}, {"response": 648, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar 30, 1999 (13:13)", "body": "As for the mine kisses, etc...I guess there was no wall except for the side of the mine. Sort of like a cave. I know you know which scene...in the rain...in the dark...here? now?...HERE! Lusty Ladies Wish List From Firth Films The Vertical Shag from Femme Fatale, Arami Against the Side of the Mine Shaft in Nostromo, Marcia The Kiss Wessex Bestows upon Viola for which he gets slapped, SusanA \"The Look\" and \"The Smile\" from Pemberley, Evelyn The Kiss in the kitchen from Fever Pitch, Elena This was not an area I planned on entering, but it just presented itself with Arami's wish...and I could no longer help myself. Besides, this moribund board needed something to get it jump-started again. This, at least, will pique curiosity.;)"}, {"response": 649, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Mar 30, 1999 (13:33)", "body": "And this is also filmographically so enlightening. I realize now that Femme Fatale and HOTP are movies that I need to see."}, {"response": 650, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 30, 1999 (14:13)", "body": "To be truly proficient, one must see all of CF's works. HOTP is actually pretty good and Femme Fatale has its momments. ;-) You are in luck because HOTP is only available on PAL, so \"go to it.\""}, {"response": 651, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar 30, 1999 (15:40)", "body": "(Marcia)...but it just presented itself with Arami's wish... To be fair....I think it started last evening with Elena wanting the kiss from FP and then well...I ..uh... went on with other scenarios.And the list took on a life of its own..... So Karen...it's your turn....:-) I think there is a special one from THOTP we should save for Heide:-)"}, {"response": 652, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Mar 30, 1999 (16:38)", "body": "I can be blamed for lots of things here ;-D, but this time it wasn't me who mantioned shagging first!"}, {"response": 653, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar 30, 1999 (18:41)", "body": "Oh Dear! What have we done ;) Evelyn, did you mean the stroll along the river in the alltogether? For Heide? If so, I'd LOVE to hear the rest of the story, and cannot wait for the little essay!!!"}, {"response": 654, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar 30, 1999 (20:40)", "body": "(Marcia)Evelyn, did you mean the stroll along the river in the alltogether? No....but I better let Heide pick her own \"lusty moment\":-D Ah, yes...as Walker says: \"The Story of a Moment\"."}, {"response": 655, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 30, 1999 (21:36)", "body": ""}, {"response": 656, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 30, 1999 (21:36)", "body": "Before anyone gets my scene, it's when Madame de Torvel comes to Valmont and there's all that whirling and twirling, except I would be there in the morning. :)"}, {"response": 657, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 30, 1999 (21:37)", "body": "Need to fix the lack of an end tag. Also, there is another vertical shag scene. Wings of Fame ring a bell? ;-)"}, {"response": 658, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 30, 1999 (21:45)", "body": "I think it is fixed, but you may see the centering ONCE. After you leave this topic, the next time you come back you won't see it again. I think I have this yapp thing figured out. Don't keep putting in the tag fixes. They are there. I think."}, {"response": 659, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 30, 1999 (21:46)", "body": "It worked. Trust me."}, {"response": 660, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar 31, 1999 (08:12)", "body": "(Karen)Before anyone gets my scene, it's when Madame de Torvel comes to Valmont and there's all that whirling and twirling, except I would be there in the morning. :) Great choice....great pic.(Where does this woman keep all these pictures so handy!)"}, {"response": 661, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Mar 31, 1999 (08:33)", "body": "Great choice....great pic Ditto! \"Do you want me to lie to you?\" \"Yes!\" Blame it on the fact that I've got the flu yet again (I've got to stay away from my neices/nephews, they're adorable but walking viruses) therefore I'm not feeling my usual self...and some of the best scenes are taken, so I'll choose the letter Valmont dictates to Cecile (not the deflowering afterwards, just the dictation)."}, {"response": 662, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Mar 31, 1999 (10:08)", "body": "Thanks for that beautiful Valmont pic, Karen. I\ufffdve seen Valmont only once the year it was made and liked it quite a lot. At that time Colin of course was just another good British actor to me so I watched the film quite unbiasedly. I don\ufffdt remember the film very well except for the lovely costumes and Meg Tilly\ufffds fantastic beauty. But what I do remember well is that I found Colin\ufffds performance very erotic, enough to remember it for years. It took me some time to realize that it was the SAME actor in P&P that made me think of....erm.....I mean: the same brilliant actor and even more erotic this time. Marcia, is it possible for one to claim TWO scenes from the same movie?"}, {"response": 663, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Mar 31, 1999 (13:38)", "body": "(Elena)is it possible for one to claim TWO scenes from the same movie? Go for it. If no one wants to contest it, there should be no reason you could not claim to be the object in the scenes you choose. I am all curiosity!"}, {"response": 664, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 1999 (09:40)", "body": "Spring Pledge Drive Terry will gratefully accept any small donation you can make to help keep the Spring out of the hole. No obligations, of course, but if you're able to help out, a check can be made out to The Spring and mailed to: The Spring Rt.2 Box 56r Cedar Creek, TX 78612 I will post this at the other topics, so bear with the repetition."}, {"response": 665, "author": "SusanA", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 1999 (22:13)", "body": "Great Scene Karen R. The fact that Colin and Meg were real-life lovers makes that scene all the more believable. Every time I watch it I feel I am getting a glimple into the true emotional responses of CF and it makes me shudder with passion and envy. P.S. Any news or pictures of their son William?"}, {"response": 666, "author": "SusanA", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 1999 (22:14)", "body": "glimpse"}, {"response": 667, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 1999 (22:49)", "body": "Here we are so far in the lusty ladies' wish list: Lusty Ladies' Wish List From Firth Films The Vertical Shag from Femme Fatale, Arami Against the Side of the Mine Shaft in Nostromo, Marcia The Kiss Wessex Bestows upon Viola for which he gets slapped, SusanA \"The Look\" and \"The Smile\" at Pemberley from P&P2, Evelyn The Kiss in the Kitchen from Fever Pitch, Elena When Madame de Torvel comes to Valmont and there's all that whirling and twirling, except I would be there in the morning, KarenR"}, {"response": 668, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr  3, 1999 (08:03)", "body": "I think we can shorten it to \"The whirling and twirling love scene from Valmont\""}, {"response": 669, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Apr  3, 1999 (12:27)", "body": "Thank you, Karen. Last evening, when I was so tired, I read through my saved postings to see which scene you mentioned which elicited SusanA's comment. Then I found I had not added it to the list. Rather than forget it again I pasted your comment on the bottom of the list and posted it. Now it reads appropriately, but not that YOU would be there in the morning...which I imagine we all understand without saying!"}, {"response": 670, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Apr  3, 1999 (20:24)", "body": "Karen...Oh Fearless Leader... are you only going to treat us to a pic of your favorite lusty scene?"}, {"response": 671, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Apr  3, 1999 (23:35)", "body": "Here is a try at getting my fav moment from Nostromo into HTML:"}, {"response": 672, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Apr  3, 1999 (23:36)", "body": "Sorry! It doesn't work for snappies from your own files."}, {"response": 673, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 1999 (09:17)", "body": "Marcia, nope it doesn't work. Email it to me and I'll get it posted. I assume it would be a Snappy of *your favorite scene*??? :) Evelyn, what more do you think I could post about that Valmont scene? I'm clueless."}, {"response": 674, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 1999 (19:46)", "body": "(Karen)Evelyn, what more do you think I could post about that Valmont scene? I'm clueless. Enough of Valmont and M. Torvel...I was thinking more about the other scenes that have been\" secured\"....Got anything in the archives on ... my P&P?....WoF?, the kiss in FP?,FF?"}, {"response": 675, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (01:29)", "body": "Ok, group. Tomorrow you learn more about Hawaii, volcanoes and perhaps some other good stuff. This place needs dusting it has been so long since anyone posted. I cannot believe the three or four scenes chosen from his movies so far have exhausted the topic. Think about it, and be back tomorrow (meeting now) to post interesting goodies!"}, {"response": 676, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (04:20)", "body": "Marcia, you missed my request (the letter dictation from Valmont). I can come up with more but don't want to be greedy ;-P !"}, {"response": 677, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (05:09)", "body": "Sorry, Eileen. Last week was a very busy one. Please remind me - everyone - if I have not responded appropriately to your request for something on a list. It now stands as follows: Lusty Ladies' Wish List From Firth Films The Vertical Shag from Femme Fatale, Arami Against the Side of the Mine Shaft in Nostromo, Marcia The Kiss Wessex Bestows upon Viola for which he gets slapped, SusanA \"The Look\" and \"The Smile\" at Pemberley from P&P2, Evelyn The Kiss in the Kitchen from Fever Pitch, Elena The Whirling and Twirling Love Scene from Valmont KarenR The Letter Valmont Dictates to Cecile, Eileen"}, {"response": 678, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (04:32)", "body": "(Marcia) I cannot believe the three or four scenes chosen from his movies so far have exhausted the topic. Think about it, and be back tomorrow (meeting now) to post interesting goodies! But Marcia, when is tomorrow? It's always February 7 here. Here's my wish: Nuzzling of Maria whilst hands are roaming all over her (fully clothed), only in Hour of the Pig"}, {"response": 679, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (09:32)", "body": "i claim the moment in WOF, post coital or in 113 speak \"post shagging\" when he is lolling on the bed watching the woman(?) move naked around the room it goes without saying that he is unclothed too!! I hope I got all this right!!"}, {"response": 680, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (09:34)", "body": "I mean the right film etc, it is pretty exciting reading getting this far. But of course, this is exactly what our clever Marcia intended!!!"}, {"response": 681, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (09:56)", "body": "How about the shopping scene from FF? When he kisses her and says \"are we done here?\" Doesn't anyone want that one? ;-)"}, {"response": 682, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (14:01)", "body": "Eileen, I think that was the first one taken - by Arami - which is referred to as the vertical shag. (Frozen peas and all!) Oh Lizza, you clever lady, That is what spices up this place. Love yours...and as I recall you have located it exactly right. (If not, we will be corrected =P) Cannot believe only one from P&P chosen, but another was requested in chat last night, so I am saving the Post nuptual kiss in the carriage for SBR. Wot?! No one wants the pearl crawl from PM?!"}, {"response": 683, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (14:05)", "body": "Lizza, are you sure you do not want the \"coitus\" too? After all, half a scene is not as worthy as a fulfilled one;)"}, {"response": 684, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (14:16)", "body": "Eileen, I think that was the first one taken - by Arami - which is referred to as the vertical shag. (Frozen peas and all!) LOL! No shagging at the refrigerator case amongst the cartons of OJ. Just says, \"you have to marry me!\" I believe the vertical shag to which Arami refers is part of the overall bed scene, prior to *that look* (out of body experience, perhaps) and the little triangle of blue becoming visible. You do recall one position (also used in WoF) sitting up in bed? Do you not? ;-)"}, {"response": 685, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (14:27)", "body": "Whew! Glad to know our man has couth. He waited for a more provate moment to comsumate the frozen peas...ummm...OJ! OK, Eileen. You get your wish, but was it not from Femme Fatale? Not WoF? Or do I need to go back and watch all of his movies again...suffer...suffer =D"}, {"response": 686, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (14:37)", "body": "Sitting up in bed was the first scene I ever saw from WoF. It was sent to me by a fellow Firthian wound to that very spot. I need clarification as to which of these Eileen wants."}, {"response": 687, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (14:45)", "body": "(KarenR)I believe the vertical shag to which Arami refers is part of the overall bed scene, prior to *that look* That's the one I thought Arami meant. It was from FF (or 'Fatal Woman' here in the states). and the little triangle of blue becoming visible Hah! I knew I wasn't the only one to notice that! \"Did the earth move?\" Back to the shopping scene: they're remarking about the lady buying all the cat food; he says \"...that's why she turned to cats,\" she says \"you come when I ca l.\" Don't you love the look on Joe's face? OK, Eileen. You get your wish I have one already, Marcia. I'm just making suggestions."}, {"response": 688, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (15:22)", "body": "Does this look familiar: Snappy courtesy of Marcia"}, {"response": 689, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (15:54)", "body": "What are you guys talking about? WHAT little triangle of blue?? Sorry, I really should see more of his movies, my knowledge seems to be seriously inadequate."}, {"response": 690, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (15:57)", "body": "Oooooh! Chicken Skin time!!! Thank you Karen. Snappy done by StefanieB to illustrate a scene I had not yet seen...to entice me to watch Nostromo. Tape is getting very thin at that spot! I love the though of being pushed (willingly) up against a strong solid upstanding wall by the same sort of person!"}, {"response": 691, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (16:11)", "body": "(Marcia) Oooooh! Chicken Skin time!!! Is that all it takes to get you going?! I'll post the other one since it isn't a mystery any more! (Elena) WHAT little triangle of blue?? Took me a long time... and a new TV set... to see the blue triangle! In FF, as CF falls out of bed unto the floor, you can catch a little blue triangle in the lower-left-hand corner of the shot, only proving that he's not in the buff. Sorry, I really should see more of his movies, my knowledge seems to be seriously inadequate. The pursuit of knowledge is always a worthy goal. ;-)"}, {"response": 692, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (16:12)", "body": "I'll let others of you explain the blue triangle to Elena. I could not see one in my video. BTW, what is the matter with 118? Sometimes it let me in yesterday, but today so far, I have had not luck at all!"}, {"response": 693, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (18:31)", "body": "O.K Marcia , fine by me, what the hell, I'm going to go for ALL of it. So in 113 speak that would be \"Pre-shag, shag and post-shag\" Great stuff as long as none of Peter O'Toole creeps in. This is a great board to visit late at night, this is a keepsakes list with endless possibilities!!!"}, {"response": 694, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (18:33)", "body": "Oh and thanks for the tip to visit Murph's site re Wessex in Virginia etc, althou' this is the wrong board to post my appreciation, but it is late!!"}, {"response": 695, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (18:59)", "body": "Hmmmm....Lusty Ladies' List.... (LizzaJ)as long as none of Peter O'Toole creeps in. LOL! \"Creeps\" is the perfect word to use with him. He makes me shudder and squinch up tight! Lusty Ladies' Wish List From Firth Films The Vertical Shag from Femme Fatale, Arami Against the Side of the Mine Shaft in Nostromo, Marcia The Kiss Wessex Bestows upon Viola for which he gets slapped, SusanA \"The Look\" and \"The Smile\" at Pemberley from P&P2, Evelyn The Kiss in the Kitchen from Fever Pitch, Elena The Whirling and Twirling Love Scene from Valmont, KarenR The Letter Valmont Dictates to Cecile, Eileen Lovemaking Scene in Bedroom from WoF, LizzaJ Post Nuptial Kiss in Carriage between the Darcys, SBRobinson"}, {"response": 696, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (19:05)", "body": "(LizzaJ)This is a great board to visit late at night, this is a keepsakes list with endless possibilities!!! Indeed it is, but there has been a suggestion from someone up later, possibly, than you: Scenes from FacFic in which you would like to replace Lizzie. Is that not fraught with possiblilities of the most purient sort?! Make that P U R E sort ;)"}, {"response": 697, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (19:06)", "body": "test"}, {"response": 698, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (19:23)", "body": "Emilia: Here? Charles: Yes (growl) here"}, {"response": 699, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (19:24)", "body": "Waaa! Marcia, did you not see my post 678? I must have my wish as well. And keep in mind, this scene can only be found in the Hour of the Pig, it's not in the Advocate and no.... it's not that scene. Ooh, Lizza, I do like that scene from WOF. I love her mantra... Don't stop, don't stop. You remind me of someone. Good Lord, how did Marcia figure out that puzzle piece? What other pic are you going to put up, Karen, to make it all clear?"}, {"response": 700, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (19:25)", "body": "Spoke too soon."}, {"response": 701, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (19:31)", "body": "Love scene from The Advocate/HOTPIG with Samira when he tries to quote poetry and forgets the next line. Some really decorous choices for which I'm sure there'll be absolutely no competition, but I like them!! The Deep Blue Sea..scene from where kisses Hess to studies letter. CF at his most handsome ever (IMHO), and he has a moustache! Circle of Friends (told you...no competition, moustache again) when he kisses Nan as they enter the cottage. FP...Paul hugs Sarah as they view the house for sale."}, {"response": 702, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (19:58)", "body": "Heide, good luck! Today is the Tomorrow I spoke of and forgot about your wish. Here is is: Lusty Ladies' Wish List From Firth Films The Vertical Shag from Femme Fatale, Arami Against the Side of the Mine Shaft in Nostromo, Marcia The Kiss Wessex Bestows upon Viola for which he gets slapped, SusanA \"The Look\" and \"The Smile\" at Pemberley from P&P2, Evelyn The Kiss in the Kitchen from Fever Pitch, Elena The Whirling and Twirling Love Scene from Valmont, KarenR The Letter Valmont Dictates to Cecile, Eileen Lovemaking scene in Bedroom from WoF, LizzaJ Post Nuptial Kiss in Carriage between the Darcys, SBRobinson Nuzzling of Maria whilst hands are roaming all over her (fully clothed), only in Hour of the Pig, Heide bethan, shall I put you down for each of them? I imagine one would be allowed a scene from each movie...as we have a keepsake from each movie?!"}, {"response": 703, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (10:12)", "body": "(Elena) Sorry, I really should see more of his movies, my knowledge seems to be seriously inadequate. You're not alone. I haven't seen WoF, DBS, PM, Tumbledown, FP (yet) and others. And I call myself a Firthfan! Some nerve! Here's a few more suggestions: the vertical shag from HOTP/Advocate (you remember it--Maria kicks a hole in the wall! Tee hee!) From FF, when Joe is trying to talk Cynthia to sleep (kind of tame, but a nice little speech) From Nostromo, when he's giving Emilia the house tour and they get to the bed he was born in"}, {"response": 704, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (20:57)", "body": "Gee, so much to drool over--so little time!! How about the \"shower parade\" for Jamie at the beginning of Playmaker?? Mmmm, visuals outstanding but no real action... The looks that Birkin searches Mrs. Keach with...when she cuts him the rose...when she goes down the ladder...when she explains about apples...the longing is so intense, but unfulfilled. Ooo...how about the victory kiss between Paul and Sarah at the end of FP...maybe that should be the one. OR...TOSS-UP TIME...how about that lingering kiss with Bianca at the center of the maze on WoF? Doesn't lead to anything more substantial than a good shag later on, but oh! to have those beautiful hands around my face!!! I think I'll take that one for the sake of the hands!!! Mine, mine!!"}, {"response": 705, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (20:57)", "body": "Gee, so much to drool over--so little time!! How about the \"shower parade\" for Jamie at the beginning of Playmaker?? Mmmm, visuals outstanding but no real action... The looks that Birkin searches Mrs. Keach with...when she cuts him the rose...when she goes down the ladder...when she explains about apples...the longing is so intense, but unfulfilled. Ooo...how about the victory kiss between Paul and Sarah at the end of FP...maybe that should be the one. OR...TOSS-UP TIME...how about that lingering kiss with Bianca at the center of the maze on WoF? Doesn't lead to anything more substantial than a good shag later on, but oh! to have those beautiful hands around my face!!! I think I'll take that one for the sake of the hands!!! Mine, mine!!"}, {"response": 706, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (21:53)", "body": "( KJArt)....but oh! to have those beautiful hands around my face!!! Honey....those hands...anyplace.....those are the most beautiful hands in the world. And does he ever use them on stage.!!Think he knows they're wonderful??"}, {"response": 707, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (22:29)", "body": "KJArt, the lingering kiss with Bianca in WoF is yours. Gasp! I wondered if you would be able to contain yourself. Such fun!!!"}, {"response": 708, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (22:34)", "body": "To further Pique your interest, the newest list is ready for posting: Wish List of Scenes from Fan Fiction Netherfield Ball as written by Heide, SBRobinson"}, {"response": 709, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (23:42)", "body": "Wow! I'm at the top of a List! Thanks Marica! :) And of course, Many thanks to Heide for writing that delectable little piece of Fan Fiction. :)"}, {"response": 710, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 1999 (07:40)", "body": "Who would NOT want to be Lizzie in that novella of Pulitzer Prize winning dimensions known only to those with undisputed literary taste as \"The Cottage\" by Eileen AUSTEN. I would settle for that for even a nanosecond!!"}, {"response": 711, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 1999 (07:41)", "body": "Please drool on about those hands, and on and on"}, {"response": 712, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 1999 (09:32)", "body": "Oh Lizza, The Cottage! *sign* excellent choice my dear."}, {"response": 713, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 1999 (14:39)", "body": "Oh, Lizza! Eileen AUSTEN ROTFLMAO! Thanks, you made my day :-)))"}, {"response": 714, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 1999 (15:11)", "body": "Wish List of Scenes from Fan Fiction Netherfield Ball as written by Heide, SBRobinson The Cottage by Eileen(Austen), Lizza Ummm...now to choose mine...decisions...decisions...!"}, {"response": 715, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 1999 (19:41)", "body": "My wish scene is the Bathing Scene from The First Time by StefanieB"}, {"response": 716, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 1999 (21:53)", "body": "Thanks to the creative mind of the resident lovely creature who captured Firth's gaze, Gi, we have a new topic to list. My choice is unique in that they were not suited to the roles they played, not to mention eachother! All-Time Worst Pairings in Movies Worst Darcy and Lizzie ever - Laurence Olivier and Greer Garson"}, {"response": 717, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (02:06)", "body": "I have changed the lists a little ... Gi's original idea stands and is waiting for the first entry. I have started a second list with my choice as the first listing. Please add your choices including a certain DB in Playmaker =P All-Time Worst Pairings in Movies All-Time Worst Miscasting in a Role or Roles Worst Darcy and Lizzie ever - Laurence Olivier and Greer Garson"}, {"response": 718, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (13:19)", "body": "(Lizza) Who would NOT want to be Lizzie in that novella of Pulitzer Prize winning dimensions known only to those with undisputed literary taste as \"The Cottage\" by Eileen AUSTEN. And would that be the scene where she's sitting on his lap and wearing nothing but his white shirt? You may have to wrestle me for that one, Lizza. Oh, lists are fun. LOL at your miscast roles in P&P0. And a big zero that is. I love Larry but why did he play Darcy so gay? And Greer....oh groan. I guess this fits better in worst pairings but I hated Audrey Hepburn with Gary Cooper in Love in the Afternoon. I love them both but separately, please. Gary looks ancient next to her."}, {"response": 719, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (13:35)", "body": "marcia , I have another claim on a keepsake, Am I allowed more than one?"}, {"response": 720, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (13:41)", "body": "Can I have the bit fromTEP where he is Santa and it begins \"I love you sausage.\" I watched it the other day after along absence and I was reminded how \"shocked\" everyone here was because he looked so unlike Darcy that noone could recognise him. But having seen him \"live and kicking\" he does not look so very different from ODB at all, and it now seems odd to have been surprised by his appearance in the first place. Anyway I digress, I love the bit where he is so eager and puppylike in his devotion to her and says \"What do you smell of , is it marzipan?\" etc"}, {"response": 721, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (13:42)", "body": "\"puppylike\" LOL!!!!!"}, {"response": 722, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (13:44)", "body": "BTW Heide, sitting on his lap is but one of the little scenarios that Eileen A conjures to mind, try something with a bath in it too. Fight you for the soap!!!"}, {"response": 723, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (16:30)", "body": "(Heide) I hated Audrey Hepburn with Gary Cooper in Love in the Afternoon. I love them both but separately, please. Gary looks ancient next to her. It was Fascination.... You're right, though. He looked so old and tired next to her. Coop was 56 (but looked about 65) and Hepburn was 28. In addition to Love in the Afternoon and Sabrina, what about Charade? Again, with the older men, this time Cary Grant. She was 34 and he was 59. The one I hated the most lately was \"A Perfect Murder\" with Gwynnie and Michael Douglas, especially when I heard her talk about Michael Douglas being her own father's good friend and how her own father wouldn't go to see it. Now that's disgusting! However, rich men (Douglas' part in the film) have young trophy wives. What can you say?"}, {"response": 724, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (17:26)", "body": "Lizza, you may claim as many things on lists as long as they're from different movies or plays. In other words no two items from P&P2, So your scene from TEP is now in your dreams...just you and CF...Sausage! Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn looked great together. He made any woman look great, come to think about it. I agree about \"Coop\" though. He always looked old!!! Audry and Cooper have been added to the mispairing list. Thank you Heide. \"A Perfect Murder\" with Gwynnie and Michael Douglas....yeesh! Thank you Karen!"}, {"response": 725, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (19:20)", "body": "I do not know what has happened to our little community of mutual support and conviviality, but anyone wanting to see ugly and hateful, check last night's postings in Chat! As I mused to myself there, I though Men started wars, not women. I am ready to reconsider the proposition after reading the ugliness I saw there. Heide, I am truly sorry!!!"}, {"response": 726, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (19:32)", "body": "Karen too. I am at a loss to know what to do except to leave when they show up."}, {"response": 727, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (21:06)", "body": "Don't worry about it, Marcia. I didn't take offense..I was just the unluncky one who posted last. Unfortunately it's bound to happen again and as you suggest, it's best to just leave. Since we're talking about Audrey Hepburn's pairings - how about with Fred Astaire in Funny Face? Love Fred too but that's almost revolting. Jeez, did Audrey Hepburn make a film with anyone close to her own age? Oh yes, Albert Finney and can't forget George Plimpton. '-)"}, {"response": 728, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (22:13)", "body": "Heide, re: Audrey Hepburn and older co-stars, the 50's did strange things to women. I was grew to adulthood in that decade. Much older and wiser (and monied!) men were the cherished ideal of both parents of the daughter, and the daughter, herself. Look at Henry Kissinger and Nancy, the lovely younger blonde he captivated. It did happen in real life. I knew a few in college whose mothers had older men all chosen for them, and they did not mind. Of course, sexuality was something we were not expected o have as ladies. I cannot imagine how those pairings turned out in the long run, but some I know are still hanging in there! We have come a long way in 50 years, but at a large price. I am not sure it was worth it."}, {"response": 729, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (22:17)", "body": "On the other hand, I did not choose my husband that way. I had to marry someone with whom I could imagine happily sharing a bed! Anyway, here are our newest lists: All-Time Worst Pairings in Movies Audrey Hepburn with Gary Cooper in Love in the Afternoon(Heide) Gwynneth Paltrow and Michael Douglas in \"A Perfect Murder\" (Karen) Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire in \"Funny Face\" (Heide) All-Time Errors of Miscasting in Role or Roles Worst Darcy and Lizzie ever - Laurence Olivier and Greer Garson(Marcia)"}, {"response": 730, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (22:20)", "body": "Is this a better title? All-Time Casting Errors in Role or Roles"}, {"response": 731, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 1999 (12:37)", "body": "'Miscast' is fine; that's the term the critics use. The one that jumps into my head is Lucille Ball in \"Yours, Mine and Ours.\" Too old (apologies for the age discrimination)! She and Henry were wrong, wrong, wrong. I'll be back to claim my fanfic keepsake...need to re-peruse the selection ;-p Eileen Austen? I'm v. flattered, but what's that humming sound in Winchester cathedral? It's Jane, spinning in her grave!!"}, {"response": 732, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 1999 (13:40)", "body": "Aunt Jane would be proud to claim you as one of her own. In fact, those posting Fan Fiction would all be welcome into her fold. Aunties love large families! Thanks for the great addition. It just proves that mistasting goes back probably as far as movies (and plays) do."}, {"response": 733, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 1999 (14:11)", "body": "Decisions, decisions! Marcia, for my fanfic keepsake it will have to be Lizzy (who else?) in Lou's A Seaside Rendezvous . It was a close call between this and Heide's Bobby's Story (there's something about reunions, isn't there?) and Teg's Picnic . So many choices! Too many summers at the Jersey shore helped me decide...;-)"}, {"response": 734, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 1999 (14:39)", "body": "Eileen, great choice. It is not an easy thing to do, this choosing just one. I went for my firthst-time personal personal favorite since I could not decide... Hamlet was not the only \"man who could not make up his mind!\""}, {"response": 735, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 1999 (20:33)", "body": "test"}, {"response": 736, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 1999 (20:57)", "body": "Problems, Heide? Or are you going to lay a really big one on us? Oh Joy!"}, {"response": 737, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 1999 (21:15)", "body": "Marcia, we haven't had a recap of the \"Lusty Ladies\" list for quite some time...seems to me there have been several additions you haven't acknowledged..."}, {"response": 738, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 1999 (22:35)", "body": "Indeed, Karen, I ma remiss. Let me remedy that right now with both the movie scene list and the Fan Fiction list. Thanks for reminding me. Lusty Ladies' Wish List From Firth Films The Vertical Shag from Femme Fatale, Arami Against the Side of the Mine Shaft in Nostromo, Marcia The Kiss Wessex Bestows upon Viola for which he gets slapped, SusanA \"The Look\" and \"The Smile\" at Pemberley from P&P2, Evelyn The Kiss in the Kitchen from Fever Pitch, Elena The Whirling and Twirling Love Scene from Valmont, KarenR The Letter Valmont Dictates to Cecile, Eileen Lovemaking scene in Bedroom from WoF, LizzaJ Post Nuptial Kiss in Carriage between the Darcys, SBRobinson Nuzzling of Maria whilst hands are roaming all over her (fully clothed), only in Hour of the Pig, Heide His Lingering Kiss With Bianca in WoF, KJArt Scene in which he is Santa and it begins \"I love you sausage.\" from TEP, LizzaJ Lusty Ladies' Wish List Scenes from Fan Fiction Netherfield Ball as written by Heide, SBRobinson The Cottage by Eileen(Austen), Lizza Bathing Scene from The First Time by StefanieB, Marcia A Seaside Rendezvous by Lou, Eileen"}, {"response": 739, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 1999 (22:48)", "body": "I am seriously reconsidering my choice of Fan Fiction scene. Not that the bathing was undesirable, but it happened before the marriage had been consumated. Where is the fun in that?! The poor dear was distraught. Must hunt further"}, {"response": 740, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 1999 (23:45)", "body": "The Whirling and Twirling Love Scene from Valmont, KarenR I was looking for a few scenes in Valmont tonight and must have watched this one about three times before I could move on to what I was looking for! :)"}, {"response": 741, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (00:56)", "body": "It is a burden we all must bear. Having to tear ourselves away from something so exquisite to hunt for the more mundane (if anything of his can be so designated)...! sigh ! Karen, I am going to remove your R from your name as I am trying to remove the H from mine. We are the originals as far as this place is concerned, are we not?!"}, {"response": 742, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (09:30)", "body": "(Marcia) We are the originals as far as this place is concerned, are we not?! Absolutely! And there are stiff federal penalties for reproducing us or trying to impersonate us. ;-)"}, {"response": 743, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (12:08)", "body": "(Marcia) We are the originals as far as this place is concerned, are we not?! (Karen)Absolutely! And there are stiff federal penalties for reproducing us or trying to impersonate us. ;-) I've been seriously worried that that may happen in Chat."}, {"response": 744, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (16:01)", "body": "(Gi)I've been seriously worried that that may happen in Chat. I am going to do my part by entering my email address when I enter. I did not think it necessary till the debbies and karens proliferated! Any other signal we can give? Might have to discuss this in S-folks or Email for privacy. Too bad it comes to this, but we have been lurked by the underaged before and regrouped back to \"normal\" after a cautious period. We shall again!"}, {"response": 745, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (16:55)", "body": "(Marcia) Any other signal we can give? A secret code! what fun- I'll feel like an online Trixie Belden or Nancy Drew! :)"}, {"response": 746, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (17:40)", "body": "A secret code is perhaps better than our e-mail address, because I think we'd hate to be pestered by those people in our own mail-boxes. What do you all say?"}, {"response": 747, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (20:27)", "body": "A secret code! what fun- I'll feel like an online Trixie Belden or Nancy Drew! How some things comeback to haunt you...My Dad, when I was immersed in Nance Drew every living second of my life that my Mother did not commandeer, called her Nancy Drool. How perceptive he was without knowing it! No, we do not want obscene or hate-Email. We shall think of something, but not here!!!"}, {"response": 748, "author": "livamago", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (11:29)", "body": "Hello! This is my firth time posting on this topic! It is a lot of fun, and sweet. I would like to claim a keepsake from fan fiction, if my choice is available. I want to keep for myself the outdoor scene in Heide's \"Bobby's Challenge\", as well as all the letters. I shall treasure them forever. May I?"}, {"response": 749, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (14:47)", "body": "Lidya, You are now the lady in Bobby's Challenge by Heide. Thanks you for coming here and participating The outdoor scene and the letters are yours. Welcome, and thanks for the nice comments, too =)"}, {"response": 750, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (14:52)", "body": "As the list now stands: Lusty Ladies' Wish List Scenes from Fan Fiction Netherfield Ball as written by Heide, SBRobinson The Cottage by Eileen(Austen), Lizza Bathing Scene from The First Time by StefanieB, Marcia A Seaside Rendezvous by Lou, Eileen Outdoor Scene and Letters from Bobby's Challenge by Heide, Lidya"}, {"response": 751, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (12:09)", "body": "Haven't had any luck posting here recently."}, {"response": 752, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (12:13)", "body": "There you see it's all working smoothly again!! Marcia your inspiration has at least made us all go back and enjoy or even discover Fanfics, hitherto not known to us . Great idea, keep those lists coming ."}, {"response": 753, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (14:19)", "body": "Thank you, Lizza Dear! It was so quiet I was thinking up things to write about again. Think I will anyway - about food =) Shall you not claim something? You cannot have used up all of your options...?..!"}, {"response": 754, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (21:10)", "body": "Well, gang, as I was booting this little beauty we had an Earthquake. No damage, but it kept up for about 20 seconds rolling and rolling around in circles. Water doing the hula in the sink, wire plant stand swaying to and fro, and chandeliers swinging gently across the ceiling in arcs."}, {"response": 755, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 1999 (00:13)", "body": "Oh Marcia arent they fun? do you know what it regiestered on the richtor scale? we get them (espically little ones) all the time here in Calif :)"}, {"response": 756, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 1999 (00:54)", "body": "It was 5.6 on the Richter Scale (preliminary report) Kind of exciting!"}, {"response": 757, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 1999 (00:58)", "body": "This new story of Eileen's on 34 is full of scenes worth capturing for your very own! Ummmmm!"}, {"response": 758, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 1999 (20:04)", "body": "It has been a while since I posted the P&P2 Keepsake list. I know there are some lurkers just itching for something of his to keep safe until he needs it. Just ask and you too will be on the famous list of goodies: Unclaimed Keepsakes His Tankard His Coins (The tip He gave the London street urchin) His Promissory Note (The $$ note He gave to Wickham) His Red Pool Ball His Georgiana Letter His Childhood Clothing (When He was fishing with Wickham) His Fishing Pole His Tackle Box Claimed Keepsakes from P&P2 His Ring, Rita His Dent, Ann2 (This is the =only= CF body part being permitted) His Pemberley Breeches, Cheryl His Wet Shirt, Megan His Writing Quill, Heide His Fencing Foil, Carolyn His Riding Crop, Cindy His Pool Cue, Karen His Wine Goblet, Donna His Bath Towel, Vivian His Boots, Margaret His Bathrobe, Kat(h) His Black Horse \"Pride's Foal\", Erin His Riding Gloves, HeidiL His Great Coat, Clare His Netherfield Evening Clothes, Michele His Walking Cane, Inko His Carriage(s), Stacey His Billiard Room Waistcoat, Lesley His Nameless Hat of a Thousand Names (aka Incroyable Bicorne), Nan His Dogs, Linda K His Pemberley Evening Clothes (long pants), Kat His Blue Wedding Coat, Sarah His Pemberley Candlestick, Beth His Silver Wash Basin, Deb His Saddle, Barbara His Watch & Fob, Arami His Bathtub, Shelly His Washcloth, Catherine His Mirror, Renate His Miniature, Tineke His Cravat, Robyn His Top Hat, Kathy F. His Book, Lon His Castille Soap, Brioni The Letter, Karin His Cap & Gown, Jan His Copper Bathing Pitcher, Marilyn His Wine Decanter/Carafe, Lucie His Hand Towel (He used at Rosings after washing His face), Bethan His Silver Candlestick, NathalieR His Pemberley Cushion, Mary D. His Green Pemberley Coat, Laraine His Portrait, Anita T His Teacup, Stefanie His University Notebooks, Marcia His Grey Horse (\"Whipper\"), Laura His Fencing Glove, Gi His White Stockings and Buckled Shoes worn at the Netherfield Ball, Moon Dreams His Hunting Rifle, Elena The Curl on his forehead, SBRobinson The Shirt he tucks in as he runs downstairs to meet Lizzie at Pemberley, Susan A Ladies????!!!"}, {"response": 759, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Apr 18, 1999 (20:38)", "body": "(SBR) Oh Marcia arent they fun? do you know what it regiestered on the richtor scale? we get them (espically little ones) all the time here in Calif :) Oh dear, I used to think they were fun until my beloved apartment of 10 years fell down around my ears in 1994. V. scary indeed! Must admit that even though I'm a native CA and always thought I was made of sterner stuff, I'm terrified of the tiniest aftershock now :-(."}, {"response": 760, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Apr 18, 1999 (23:59)", "body": "Ray's brother and family live in Northridge. Five years after their quake they are still fixing things. They sent pictures of their interiors...massive destrustion. Ghastly, though none was hurt. I know what it is to think tiny aftershocks are not fun. After the 7.2 one several years ago, every time the substrate wiggled, I froze and got a worried frown, bracing for what I thought would be an intensification of the jolt into major proportions again! Jana, I do know!!!"}, {"response": 761, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 1999 (10:33)", "body": "Thankfully we don't get earthquakes here in the NYC area (I do remember a tiny one, quite unusual, about 15 years ago). That's the last thing we would need around here (or anywhere, for that matter). It's not nice to fool mother nature! Marcia, thanks for posting the unclaimed items from P&P2. I thought everything was taken long ago. What's a tankard?"}, {"response": 762, "author": "livamago", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 1999 (11:20)", "body": "I hereby respectfully request permission to become the Keeper of his Red Pool Ball. Yes, that ball that received the hardest hit intended to relieve all the passionate feelings he harboured for a certain young lady of fine eyes. Poor ball! I think I can guess what he really wanted to do...sigh...but now it will be under my care, if my humble entreaty is rewarded, I shall tenderly and lovingly caress it and bestow upon it all the emotions its owner inspires in my person..."}, {"response": 763, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 1999 (14:29)", "body": "OH Lidya! well expressed! :) and Marcia -you have another taker! Are you doing the Dance of Joy? :)"}, {"response": 764, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (23:45)", "body": "There is a lady who has asked to safe-keep Darcy's tankard. No one else has claimed it, so as soon as she requests it here, it is hers. Come on Darlene, Post!"}, {"response": 765, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (23:54)", "body": "Lidya, the Cherry-Red Sphere, as I called it once in a little episode I wrote on this site a while back, is in your safe-keeping. I am delighted to have one new real and one tentative keeper of the Man's wonderful things. Someone? I know he had a tankard and I noted it as a possible item for myself. Now, I cannot remember when he used it. Darlene, enlighten us!!!"}, {"response": 766, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Apr 24, 1999 (21:36)", "body": "I am still waiting for the lady who claimed his tankard to put it in a posting so it is official. I have it reserved for her, but it is not official until she does. Darlene, Post or say something so people do not think I am hoarding the keepsakes under assumed names =P As long as you Fantasize about Firth or Cleave unto Colin, come on in and say so!!!"}, {"response": 767, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Apr 24, 1999 (23:30)", "body": "Time for us to learn what there is to eat in Hawaii at dinnertime. Almost any housewife gets stuck in the rut of the same 5 things for dinner each week with variations thrown in on the weekends. No matter where in the world she is, this seems to happen. It is just the locality and ethnicity which makes my five variations different from yours. Written history began in Hawaii in the 18th century with the voyages of Capt. James Cook. As a consequence, there was no firmly established cuisine other than the Hawaiian native foods here which made use of the sea, and wild veggies, plus pigs and the bananas and taro they brought with them from the Marquesas when they colonized the Hawaiian Islands shortly after 1000 BCE. Shortly after Capt. Cook arrived, so did contingents of merchant ships eager for sandalwood (which they stripped from the islands) and the whales offshore. Close behind them came the Missionaries from New England bringing religion and \"civilization\" which meant clothing with very high necklines, long sleeves and long pants or skirts even in the hottest weather, and boiled *everything* with little eaten raw. They introduced New England style cooking and contents to the meal choices: Boiled salt beef and ork, beans, home-preserved fruit and vegetables, bread, cheese, milk and lots of poultry Sugar cane was planted and so was Pineapple. Contract labor was needed in the fields and for planting and harvesting, so men from the orient and from the Philippines and from the Portuguese Island of Madeira were hired. Tenure was several years, after which they were free to return home. But, that was a long time to be without a family. Many of the Portuguese married Hawaiian ladies. Oriental men took picture-book brides or had parents send them a bride. In each case, a new category of food was add d to our menu. Men from the Philippines did all of the above or else went back to choose themselves brides. The next generation born to these first immigrants intermarried and blessed these islands with the most beautiful children on Earth. To be continued\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd"}, {"response": 768, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (01:25)", "body": "Hmm, very interesting Marcia. I always assumed the tankard that is referred to is the metal mug that our handsome FD took a swig from as he was engaged in the desperate search for Lydia? The mug the servant held out that he drank from while striding along looking handsome and protecting. A worthwhile keepsake indeed."}, {"response": 769, "author": "Darlene", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (09:50)", "body": "Yes, Yes I will claim the tankard. It is that metal (pewter?) one that our darling man took a swig of while searching for Lydia. From his lips to mine.....how can I bear such happiness."}, {"response": 770, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (12:34)", "body": "Darlene, Welcome!!! I am overjoyed at your success in claiming something which has touched that exquisite mouth of his....sigh!!! It is in your tender care! It is most assuredly Pewter. They did not have silver on those London streets, and Aluminium (Br) was not in use then. Ergo, Pewter =)"}, {"response": 771, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (15:14)", "body": "Glad to see you found a treasure, Darlene. How in the world did we ever miss such an object that has actually touched his mouth? Considering that the man never ate anything, we only have had wine glasses and tea cups that have gotten that close."}, {"response": 772, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (18:10)", "body": "Correction on the history of Hawaii in the first part. The first Hawaiians got here around 1000 CE, not BCE. Food: Hawaiian Style With the short history of Hawaii fresh in your mind, it is time to consider what to have for dinner. Before we do, there are a few more nationalities to add. The conflicts of the 20th century have added European, Korean, and Southeast Asian to our melting pot as well as some Russian. Men have come back from various wars and remembered our gentle climate. They, too, have come back to live out their retirement years in a place where snow shovels are non-existent. All of the food is available somewhere in town as carryout, so you can dine at home, dine out at a restaurant specializing in that particular cuisine, you can purchase the ingredients at the store and ask your neighbor for help in assembling it. That is what I do =) American food ranges from steaks to pot roasts to beans and cornbread. Pizza is everywhere as well as permutations of formerly \"ethnic\" food, which have been adapted and adopted by the locals. Saimin, a noodle soup based on oriental-style soups, contains not only oriental noodles and broth, but also slices of fish cake, scrambled egg, green onion, thin strips of luncheon meat, and anything else on hand. Musubi, a plain ball of Japanese-style rice, is embellished with a slab of Spam in the middle and wrapped with seaweed. It is delicious and makes a wonderful snack to take along with you or to eat at the ballpark. Good hot saimin is wonderful on chilly nights at the ballpark and competes favorably with coffee and hotdogs."}, {"response": 773, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (18:48)", "body": "Musubi, a plain ball of Japanese-style rice, is embellished with a slab of Spam in the middle Well that just blew the lid off of the aura of Hawaiian cuisine! :-)"}, {"response": 774, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (19:26)", "body": "Hey, Spam and Vienna Sausages are gourmet food here. But that is adaptations, not true Hawaiian food. That was the appetizer. Main course coming up next !"}, {"response": 775, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 1999 (00:02)", "body": "Boiled peanuts are also delicious for a snack. Much easier to digest and much more flavorful. Their texture is different from regular roasted ones, but I prefer it. I think it is an acquired taste =)"}, {"response": 776, "author": "Darlene", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 1999 (07:47)", "body": "Marcia, next time I visit Hawaii, you can expect me to show up at your doorstep for dinner. Gourmet Spam, now that is food for thought."}, {"response": 777, "author": "Darlene", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 1999 (10:20)", "body": "While Darcy is my passion, I am trying to view CF's other roles. Does anyone have a list of his films? The acronyms used here drive me crazy."}, {"response": 778, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 1999 (13:05)", "body": "Darlene, you are too funny! I shall have it ready for you...would you prefer it baked with pineapple and cloves (fake-bake ham), or teniyaki, perhaps? Stirfried? My favorite Spam chips (fried till all the fat is out and a tasty salty snack is left - great with plain rice ball and kim chee. You name it. I can do it. One Christmas I sent my son a Spam cookbook and he prepared teriyaki Spam for the office party. It was a huge success - he did not tell them what it was till after they had eaten every o e! You can find a complete list of *His* films at http://members.tripod.com/~firthpage/rolespage/index.html"}, {"response": 779, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 1999 (13:42)", "body": "My husband tried serving Spam for dinner once. I drove him crazy singing the \"Spam, Spam, Spam, Spam\" song from Monty Python. I find the stuff horrid. Welcome, Darlene! I'm glad Marcia convinced (bribed? we'll do whatever it takes) you to de-lurk."}, {"response": 780, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 1999 (16:41)", "body": "Hallo and welcome, Darlene! And congratulations on your keepsake ;-) Marcia, I'm delighted at your description of Hawaian history and cuisine. *But* I'm going nuts trying to figure out what Spam is!"}, {"response": 781, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 1999 (17:01)", "body": "How can one describe Spam? You're going to have to send her some. Preferably some from after WWII (or is that what you're still using in the islands??) or maybe it doesn't make a difference? Can Spam improve with age? Does it have a sell by date? ;-p"}, {"response": 782, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 1999 (19:17)", "body": "Oh dear...what is Spam. It is a loaf (squarish can similar to a corned-beef can) of meat consisting of pork and ham (including \"everything but the oink\") which is smoked and tastes like ham - sort of! It can be sliced right from the can, but it very greasy that way. It is used like canned ham is used. My father, as a matter of pride, would not allow the stuff in the house. I never tasted it till I got over here! There is no sell-by date on the can, but there are coupons with which I am getting my so a Spam t-shirt, mug and baseball cap! Their website is Spam.com, of course!!! I think it is packaged for the long haul in aluminum cans. That makes them the darling of the long-distance yachting set and the military (for whom it may have been first created...anyone know?) One day, archaeologists digging in Hawaii will come upon fully edoble Spam under a thousand years of debris. You should see the preservatives listed"}, {"response": 783, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 1999 (14:48)", "body": "Dear gods, it sounds... :-("}, {"response": 784, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 1999 (19:43)", "body": "(Gi)Dear gods, it sounds... :-( LOL, Gi! It is not even that good. You must trust me on this...and my Father who forbade it in his house. My Father was a very wise man, indeed!"}, {"response": 785, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 1999 (19:54)", "body": "One of the biggest problems with Spam is that you have to look at it as you eat or prepare it. There is no discernable meat fiber visible. It is chopped so thoroughly and pressed into its shape, that it hardly resembles meat. It is not uniform in coloring, either. There are nasty-looking pale patches interspersed with darker pink ones. You wonder (but not for long if you are going to eat it) just what it was that comprised the different colors. Then there is the smell. Not that much like ham. A bit on the rank side. It must be from all the chemicals and the odd goat which falls into the vat. =P"}, {"response": 786, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 1999 (20:02)", "body": "More amazing is the fact that Spam is now an Internet item of very low repute. It is when someone posts very wordy and needless, unwanted stuff and fills your Email inbox or chatroom with it. Spamming is a No-No!!!"}, {"response": 787, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (12:08)", "body": "Stay away from Spam, Gi (I'm making a cross with my index fingers). Trust me on this. Marcia said it all: including \"everything but the oink\"... It must be from all the chemicals and the odd goat which falls into the vat. =P She knows her Spam! Marcia, what's left from the P&P2 Keepsake list? Dust from the road upon which Darcy traveled?"}, {"response": 788, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (13:57)", "body": "(Eileen)what's left from the P&P2 Keepsake list? Dust from the road upon which Darcy traveled? There *is* that, but I think you can do better. I have posted below some suggestions. You just might have to force yourself to watch P&P2 yet again to see what might have escaped others' notice. Unclaimed P&P Keepsakes His Coins (The tip He gave the London street urchin) His Promissory Note (The $$ note He gave to Wickham) His Georgiana Letter His Childhood Clothing (When He was fishing with Wickham) His Fishing Pole His Tackle Box"}, {"response": 789, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (14:59)", "body": "(Marcia) One of the biggest problems with Spam is that you have to look at it as you eat or prepare it. There is no discernable meat fiber visible ROTFLMAO!!!! This is SO True! Gi, Stay far, far away from it. Spam is a very scary substance! BTW Marcia - has anyone claimed Darcy's carriage? Not that I plan to give up that divine curl (*sigh*)- just curious... ;)"}, {"response": 790, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (15:33)", "body": "As a matter of fact, I watched it last week (such torture we endure ;-p). Hmmm, not much left. The letter to Georgiana? ('Tis no secret...). Or the coins he gives to the street urchin? Well, the coins were in the pocket of his waistcoat and since he spent them so wisely--I think I'll go with them. Sign me up!"}, {"response": 791, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (15:52)", "body": "Ohhh Eileen... his coins! No doubt he rubbed his fingers over them gently, then clutched them firmly in his hand before passing them over to the wee lass. (OH! To have been one of those coins! and to have been blessed, no matter how briefly, with the feel of his hand upon your person!) *pleasant day dreams ensue* But, it is Your Keepsake, and I am quite eager to read your essay extoling the virtues of his coins! :)"}, {"response": 792, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (16:47)", "body": "Marcia...you forgot to add that Spam smells......bad."}, {"response": 793, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (17:06)", "body": "Eileen, his coins are yours. The hands that touched those coins, touched other things of his...but this is your story =) I am posting the claimed articles...and some are Kept by people who are long gone (with the exception of Cheryl who is battling C-T as even I am =0, and a few others), you might want to challenge for items of those you do not know. SB, his carriage is in the keep of a droolie as you will see. I had to deny his seat therein because I thought the keeper of the carriage might just take umbrage against the large hole I had cut into the chassis =D Evelyn, I did mention the peculiar smell of Spam... It must be from all the chemicals and the odd goat which falls into the vat =P"}, {"response": 794, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (17:10)", "body": "Eileen, his coins are yours. The hands that touched those coins, touched other things of his...but this is your story =) Hmmm, let's see...I think I'll go over to 112 and check out that snappy Karen posted awhile ago (the one with the \"weight in his pocket\") hee hee! ;-P"}, {"response": 795, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (17:21)", "body": "Claimed Keepsakes from P&P2 His Ring, Rita His Dent, Ann2 (This is the =only= CF body part being permitted) His Pemberley Breeches, Cheryl His Wet Shirt, Megan His Writing Quill, Heide His Fencing Foil, Carolyn His Riding Crop, Cindy His Pool Cue, Karen His Wine Goblet, Donna His Bath Towel, Vivian His Boots, Margaret His Bathrobe, Kat(h) His Black Horse \"Pride's Foal\", Erin His Riding Gloves, HeidiL His Great Coat, Clare His Netherfield Evening Clothes, Michele His Walking Cane, Inko His Carriage(s), Stacey His Billiard Room Waistcoat, Lesley His Nameless Hat of a Thousand Names (aka Incroyable Bicorne), Nan His Dogs, Linda K His Pemberley Evening Clothes (long pants), Kat His Blue Wedding Coat, Sarah His Pemberley Candlestick, Beth His Silver Wash Basin, Deb His Saddle, Barbara His Watch & Fob, Arami His Bathtub, Shelly His Washcloth, Catherine His Mirror, Renate His Miniature, Tineke His Cravat, Robyn His Top Hat, Kathy F. His Book, Lon His Castille Soap, Brioni The Letter, Karin His Cap & Gown, Jan His Copper Bathing Pitcher, Marilyn His Wine Decanter/Carafe, Lucie His Hand Towel (He used at Rosings after washing His face), Bethan His Silver Candlestick, NathalieR His Pemberley Cushion, Mary D. His Green Pemberley Coat, Laraine His Portrait, Anita T His Teacup, Stefanie His University Notebooks, Marcia His Grey Horse (\"Whipper\"), Laura His Fencing Glove, Gi His White Stockings and Buckled Shoes worn at the Netherfield Ball, Moon Dreams His Hunting Rifle, Elena The Curl on his forehead, SBRobinson The Shirt he tucks in as he runs downstairs to meet Lizzie at Pemberley, Susan A The Red Billiard Ball, Lidya His Tankard, Darlene His Coins (The tip He gave the London street urchin), Eileen His soap is kept by Brioni. Is she still about?"}, {"response": 796, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (17:33)", "body": "A scary thought, indeed, has haunted me these past few days. There are things worse than Spam. There are the imitations. These are so terrible I cannot eat them in any form, no matter how well disguised. There is no way of making silk purses out of these Pigs' Ears. They go by names such as Treet (not a treat by anyone's imagination). Makes one wonder what Spam means. Spoiled Ham is all I can conjecture =P Now, are you not happy you know more than you needed to about the subject. Tomorrow, more e ible Island Delights =)"}, {"response": 797, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (18:02)", "body": "Everytime I read one of these Spam postings, I burst out laughing! Should we create a Spam Topic? Argh! I don't think I've ever had Spam intentionally, but I did go to a state university and lived in a dorm my freshman year, so... Nor have I smelled it. But it is something I am not losing any sleep over."}, {"response": 798, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (18:02)", "body": "My side hurts now."}, {"response": 799, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (18:30)", "body": "It just shows that there in some good in everything (well, almost everything). Spam postings have made my glasses fog up and my sides ache. If not for Gi's intellectual curiosity, the topic may well have been relegated to the great forgotten vacancies in our skulls. As it is, we shall not forget. Spamming on the internet has taken on a whole new meaning. But than, a lot of things have, thanks to the clever ingenuity of the Drool population ;) Karen, you are not missing anything. Should you ever get o the Big Island, I might slip you some. Even if you did not eat it, it would double us over in gales of laughter. =D"}, {"response": 800, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (19:40)", "body": "(Marcia) SB, his carriage is in the keep of a droolie as you will see. I had to deny his seat therein because I thought the keeper of the carriage might just take umbrage against the large hole I had cut into the chassis =D oh dear, where the knee imprints permanent? (giggle, giggle) (Karen) Everytime I read one of these Spam postings, I burst out laughing! You and me both! :) I say we send poor Gi a can so she can appreciate it in person. :) whose's in charge of her virtual bridal shower? we can serve it along with the champaign (*virtual heaving ensues*)"}, {"response": 801, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (21:50)", "body": "Deep Knee Prints....Sigh! SB, they are permanent parts of my memory and how happy that thought is. (Smirk...smirk...knowingly!) As for your suggestion of Spam for their virtual stomach pumping session, That is not nice =P and Gi is most worthy of *Niceness*. =) Do you sometimes wonder what non-Americans are thinking about Spam now? Maybe the truly weird and curious will be driven to import some for their own delectation! What sort of wine do you think suits it best, my dear?"}, {"response": 802, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (22:34)", "body": "champaign Where I went to school? (*virtual heaving ensues*) Even without the goggles, the thought regurgitates me beyond words. Moon is in charge of the shower. Am thumbing through the cookbook, \"Gourmet Dishes for Fido\" as we speak. I believe Ripple an approriate wine selection. Nonvintage of course."}, {"response": 803, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (22:48)", "body": "Well if you insist, I guess we could create spam pate. But I will have to ask Wolfgang Puck who is doing the catering. Just be sure to try it after several glasses of champagne. :-D Karen, about that cookbook...."}, {"response": 804, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (22:57)", "body": "Spam pate! But that is the obvious. What do you say about Spam empanadas? \"Barf\" is not an acceptable answer..."}, {"response": 805, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Apr 29, 1999 (12:49)", "body": "ROTFLMHO! I have no words. I imagine Spam as a sort of canned dog food that my dog would not eat for the life of him, and I cannot even start to conceive of its smell (dog food smells good sometimes. It just has no taste to speak of. I know. I tried). One day I will find it on a shelf at some american grocery store and will be tempted to buy it just to check how accurate your description was. But I'll probably be too afraid to open it. (S B Robinson)I say we send poor Gi a can so she can appreciate it in person. :)whose's in charge of her virtual bridal shower? we can serve it along with the champaign (*virtual heaving ensues*) Oh no! Is this a thing to say to a friend? If somebody brings Spam to my shower, shall I not have to consider her a personal enemy, trying to poison me and everyone else? I vote for no Spam! The electronic nor the (un)edible one."}, {"response": 806, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Apr 29, 1999 (14:17)", "body": "Sheesh, just as I was about to garnish the Spam Musubi...but not for Gi...for those who cannot resist a delicacy (that's what they call all food which has an unappetizing origin - such as Rocky Mountain Oysters and Sweetbreads.)That is all right. Ray will have eaten every last one by the time the event gets here. Gi, Critter would not eat Spam, either! Keep it away from Patas!!!"}, {"response": 807, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Apr 29, 1999 (14:37)", "body": "(Karen), Spam pate! But that is the obvious. What do you say about Spam empanadas? As I said, I would have to ask Wolfgang Puck, and if he decides for Span crepes with maple syrup (from Vermont of course), then maybe we will. (Gi), I vote for no Spam! The electronic nor the (un)edible one. I am so glad to hear it! Very wise Gi, rest assured that it will all be molto appetitoso. :-D BTW, I have sent an invitation to Livia. ;-)"}, {"response": 808, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Apr 29, 1999 (14:48)", "body": "Alright, alright. No Spam, virtual or otherwise, at the bridal shower. :) (Moon) BTW, I have sent an invitation to Livia. ;-) Captial Notion! what a fun party we will be! :)"}, {"response": 809, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 29, 1999 (14:50)", "body": "(Moon) Rocky Mountain Oysters Fortunately, there were no flies on me when I saw these on a menu in Denver. Wonder if they eat these in Europe? ;-) (Moon) BTW, I have sent an invitation to Livia. ;-) Have you suggested what she can wrap up as a gift?"}, {"response": 810, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Apr 29, 1999 (15:05)", "body": "Great Carear's Ghost!!! Who could have conjured up something like Spam pate' ?! Served with chilled Sham-pain, no doubt! Yesterday's vintage ;)"}, {"response": 811, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Apr 29, 1999 (15:08)", "body": "(Moon) BTW, I have sent an invitation to Livia. ;-) (Karen) Have you suggested what she can wrap up as a gift? Better yet, why dont we ask Livia to bake the cake? That way what (read who) pops out of it can be shared by one and all :) Colin in pink frosting (and only pink frosting) -happy thought indeed! ;)"}, {"response": 812, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Apr 29, 1999 (15:39)", "body": "...I'm *not* going to say it...I'm *not* going to say it... I'm *Not* going to Say it ...but I can think it! =))"}, {"response": 813, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Apr 29, 1999 (15:41)", "body": "..... Sluuuuuuuuuuuuuuurp! =)"}, {"response": 814, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Apr 29, 1999 (15:48)", "body": "What? *blinking innocently* (giggle,giggle)"}, {"response": 815, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Apr 29, 1999 (17:14)", "body": "Ladies, you are killing me! :-D"}, {"response": 816, "author": "livamago", "date": "Thu, Apr 29, 1999 (17:38)", "body": "(Moon) BTW, I have sent an invitation to Livia. ;-) (Karen)Have you suggested what she can wrap up as a gift? ;-} LOL! Don't we all want such a gift. I envy Livia...If I had know he liked latin girls!"}, {"response": 817, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Apr 29, 1999 (17:41)", "body": "Thank goodness, no Spam at Gi's shower! Spam, spam, spam, spam...Spam, spam, spam, spam... Sorry, it happens every time--a knee-jerk reaction! *virtual heaving ensues* (Moon) BTW, I have sent an invitation to Livia. ;-) Goody! (SBR) Colin in pink frosting (and only pink frosting) -happy thought indeed! ;) With or without the frosting...doesn't matter!"}, {"response": 818, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Apr 29, 1999 (21:23)", "body": "Luau Part 1 Tonight we are having a Luau. That means you have asked nicely, begged, threatened with starvation the strongest men you know to dig a large pit in your back yard. It will be large enough to hold your entire feast, for that is what a luau is. First, these same men, most likely, have gone off and gotten a large pig (wild or domestic), skinned it and cleaned out the innards. Coarse Hawaiian sea salt is rubbed into the flesh all over, inside and out. Meanwhile, others have been making a fire in which s ones will be heated until they are red-hot. These stones do all of the cooking. They line the bottom and sides of your Imu (this pit we have been talking about.) Seaweed has been gathered and is now placed on the rocks until they are entirely covered. This accomplishes two things. It keeps your pig from drying out while it is cooking, and it also keeps the meat from scorching on the hot rocks. The lining was finished off with a layer of Ti leaves. They keep the meat from the seaweed (which is not ea en) and also imparts a pleasant taste to all of the items being cooked. The cleaned pig is carefully placed in the Imu and hot rocks are placed in the body cavity to help it cook evenly. All around are placed fresh sweet potatoes, taro roots, breadfruit, bundles of taro leaves, and fresh fish. Chicken or game birds can also be added. More seaweed and hot rocks are placed on the top of the food. On top of this they placed more Ti leaves then heaped palm fronds across the top to keep the heat in. On occasion they have thrown a damp canvas cloth over the top then heaped dirt on to keep the temperature higher inside. This was done in the morning. The rest of the day the men went swimming or fishing or gathered more seaweed for eating later. Women, meanwhile, spent the rest of the day in the kitchen preparing the rest of the feast. Years past, they would clean and steam the taro root, then pound it into a thick paste using a heavy stone. Water was added gradually until the substance had the consistency of paste. This is Poi. It is much better if it is made a few days before the feast and allowed to ferment a bit It takes on a whole new flavor and is delicious! Now, you can buy it in the stores in plastic bags and add your own water. Next, they would make Haupia. This is for dessert. It is made from coconut milk (not the water which is poured from the ripe nut!). Get your fresh coconut, husk it (no easy chore) and crack it open. Pour off the water. Grate the fresh coconut and squeeze the pulp through cheesecloth. The resulting liquid is coconut milk. This is sweetened slightly then thickened using cornstarch or arrowroot. It is chilled and sliced into squares and served plain. Delightful! to be continued........"}, {"response": 819, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (07:34)", "body": "(Marcia) Rocky Mountain Oysters Fortunately, there were no flies on me when I saw these on a menu in Denver. Wonder if they eat these in Europe? ;-) No, they stick to female eels.;-)) What a feast that Luau, Marcia! I remember going to one in Hawaii, but for some reason all I remember where those ChiChi's I drank. :-D Now you see what you have to look forward to Karen when you take that trip. (Moon) BTW, I have sent an invitation to Livia. ;-) Goody! (SBR) Colin in pink frosting (and only pink frosting) -happy thought indeed! ;) (Eileen), With or without the frosting...doesn't matter! When he drops her off, I hope he'll be wearing his Don Q quilt."}, {"response": 820, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (13:22)", "body": "I will get to the ChiChi's and other loaded-with-rum drinks later, but that is a mainland addition. Here is is strictly beer and juices for the non-beer drinkers. Same effect if you have been at it all day +)! Today we eat. But there are things I will not consume. More on that later. Female Eels? Why just the females? How do they taste?"}, {"response": 821, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (14:15)", "body": "(SBR)...Colin in pink frosting... Not having a sweet tooth, I'll have mine without, please! :-D"}, {"response": 822, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (15:03)", "body": "(SBR)...Colin in pink frosting... (KJArt) Not having a sweet tooth, I'll have mine without, please! :-D I'll be happy to lick him clean for you dear :)"}, {"response": 823, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (15:06)", "body": "They don't call 'em \"showers\" for nothing!"}, {"response": 824, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (17:17)", "body": "Would you believe I found Spam limericks on the Internet! There once was a girl from Siam And all that she ate was Spam The spam did its trick The girl, she got thick And now she's as big as a ham! There was an old maid who liked Spam And she spread every slice with plum jam. She said \"Listen, dagnabbit Don't follow my habit Or you'll be just as fat as I am!\""}, {"response": 825, "author": "livamago", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (18:03)", "body": "(SBR)...Colin in pink frosting... (KJArt) Not having a sweet tooth, I'll have mine without, please! :-D (SBR)I'll be happy to lick him clean for you dear :) L O L ! What tongue you have, dear (he,he)"}, {"response": 826, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (19:15)", "body": "Spam Limericks! LOL Bravo Marica -you never cease to amaze me! :) ok, here's a Darcy one: There once was a chap named Fitzwilliam, so handsome that women would drool 'or him. They'ed make silly rhymes with nonsencical lines To boast about how they would lick him. (corny i know, but that spam poetry was so inspiring!) :)"}, {"response": 827, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (19:46)", "body": "Inspiring...and fattening, 'twould seem! Thank you, Dear!"}, {"response": 828, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (20:31)", "body": "Oh Marcia...I've had Poi...and IMO , it's on the same level as Spam on the food chain.....tastes A little like liquid chalk ....."}, {"response": 829, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (21:33)", "body": "(Evelyn)I've had Poi...tastes A little like liquid chalk LOL, that is a universal comment on fresh poi. Let it ferment a few days and it gets a tart and fruity taste. Probably an acquired taste =P"}, {"response": 830, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (22:54)", "body": "Mmmm, sour chalk. Now doesn't that sound tasty? ;-p"}, {"response": 831, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May  1, 1999 (00:49)", "body": "I told you it was an acquired taste! );P"}, {"response": 832, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, May  1, 1999 (16:12)", "body": "I have been having the hardest time logging onto Spring!!! ( Marcia), Female Eels? Why just the females? How do they taste? It is the traditional food in Rome at Christmas time. I had these visions of Livia feeding Colin at Xmas time, and he raving about the taste of the female eel. I'm sure that is also an acquired taste. I can't tell you how they taste because, luckily, my DH is from Milan and we stick to the more traditional bird. See what happens when you mention oysters?"}, {"response": 833, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May  1, 1999 (16:42)", "body": "But Rocky Mountain oysters don't live in water ;-D"}, {"response": 834, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, May  1, 1999 (17:00)", "body": "Re; Poi Mmmm, sour chalk. Now doesn't that sound tasty? ;-p Now Karen, when you go to Hawaii, we'll expect an assessment of Poi. ***** Let's\" bag\" Poi for the shower menu,Moon. Now about those female eels...there's a possibility. Would they go with champagne?"}, {"response": 835, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, May  1, 1999 (17:12)", "body": "(Karen), But Rocky Mountain oysters don't live in water ;-D It's the word oyster that triggers all sorts of images. (Evelyn), Let's\" bag\" Poi for the shower menu,Moon. I have tasted Poi and well... Now about those female eels...there's a possibility. Would they go with champagne? A local red wine(Rome), would be the best choice, and I would suggest drinking lots of it. :-) Should I get rid of the famous caterer, Wolfgang Puck, and have everyone bring some traditional food that CF might have eaten? Please let me know, I am open to suggestions. We could turn it into the food that Colin might have eaten list.;-)))"}, {"response": 836, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May  1, 1999 (17:14)", "body": "Moon, did you want to have the shower preparation discussion at another topic? #72 (Odds and Ends) might be a good place. You know it well, Marcia!! ;-)"}, {"response": 837, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May  1, 1999 (22:38)", "body": "(Karen)#72 (Odds and Ends) might be a good place. You know it well, Marcia!! ;-) Oh yes, indeed I do, and You figured out who we were by my choice of name LOL! I love the idea of food CF might have eaten. I have always wondered what \"white soup\" was that Bingley's cook had to amass enough of before they could have the Netherfield Ball. I ask you, with the primitive refrigeration in those days, what sort of soup keeps while you make enough of it?! Sounds miserable.=P"}, {"response": 838, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, May  3, 1999 (10:29)", "body": "Good Morning Marcia! :) You HAVE to go check out the link Karen posted at 72! I was absolutely ROTFLOL! Our systems crashed at work this morning, and all i have access to at the moment is the Internet! What's a girl to do, but... DROOL! :)"}, {"response": 839, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, May  4, 1999 (16:15)", "body": "I see I am going to have to miss my own shower... Eels and oysters! Spam and Poi! :-(((((("}, {"response": 840, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, May  4, 1999 (18:11)", "body": "My Dear Gi, Please let me reassure you that on 72 we do not contemplate any such assault on your delicate and refined senses. Perhaps I have given a secret away by telling you of our planning site, but anything you might read here is just for subterfuge. All will be sweetness and light. You'll see =) I do not think I would attend with that menu, either =P"}, {"response": 841, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (13:44)", "body": "Another hilarious \"catch up\" on 113, Ladies you will be the death of me!! It was all too delicious for words and I am licking my lips in anticipation of the crumbs (of icing?) to come."}, {"response": 842, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (14:00)", "body": "Lizza, i will personally section off a icing for you alone... now, which section did you want? ;)"}, {"response": 843, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (15:49)", "body": "I am authorized to hold auctions for things wanted by more than one person. And, if you want the place I want (*wink...wink..*) you're gonna have to wrestle me for it =P Sluuuuuuuurp!"}, {"response": 844, "author": "livamago", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (20:13)", "body": "Dear Marcia, can we have a list of those desirable items available for auction?"}, {"response": 845, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (22:54)", "body": "I should put up the entire early P&P list to see who surfaces to claim their goodies. But I was just referring to who licks icing off which part of Darcy! Perhaps you would like to make a list of the parts of the man?! Hmmmm...Oh goodness! Whew!!!!"}, {"response": 846, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (07:47)", "body": "Well Marcia I would like to lick that little bit of icing off his lips."}, {"response": 847, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (08:49)", "body": "Moon , how genteel of you and how generous to leave those other slivers of icing elsewhere for the rest of us!!! Actually as it is only early afternoon right now I had better content myself with the icing dripping on his neck. In honour of that picture from the Aussie mag!!! But like Moon I am being generous to the rest of you, it's not actually where the icing is that counts, but HOW you lick it off!"}, {"response": 848, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (09:12)", "body": "OK, lips and neck are called.... so i guess i'll claim rights to his icing covered chest. (Yum!) No doubt he'll manage to get a big smear of it across himself as he pops out of that cake. :)"}, {"response": 849, "author": "livamago", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (09:45)", "body": "Marcia: But I was just referring to who licks icing off which part of Darcy! Even better! Well, the best parts have been called for, so I shall content myself with licking the sweet, creamy icing off the dent in his chin, where I'm sure exertion will be required, as it will certainly be lodged obstinately in the crevice. Need I say more?"}, {"response": 850, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (10:58)", "body": "SBR, I was sure you were going to claim the *toes*!!"}, {"response": 851, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (11:01)", "body": "LOL!!! anticipating a Darcy Gets His Toes Kissed secquel are you? ;)"}, {"response": 852, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (11:09)", "body": "Why not? Fair's fair. Besides, that's the only appendage we'd allow to be thus engaged on the Fan Fic board! ;-p"}, {"response": 853, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (12:29)", "body": "Actually that is a good idea! I'll brainstorm for a couple of days then start work on DGHTK later this week. :) Thanks Karen!!!!"}, {"response": 854, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (13:44)", "body": "New List Ladies!! Darcy's Icing-Licking List His Chest - SBRobinson His Chin Crevice - Lidya His Neck - Lizza His Lips - Moon Dreams His Navel - Marcia"}, {"response": 855, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (13:57)", "body": "Though she is not a member here, I think that we should add Lizzie/Livia for the most ...ummm...choice part of him so we will avoid any unnecessary handling and licking and commenting on it's massive...throbbing...nature =P"}, {"response": 856, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (15:56)", "body": "Ugh...!"}, {"response": 857, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (16:12)", "body": "HA HA!!! In our dreams Marcia!!!"}, {"response": 858, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (16:30)", "body": "Call me Old Fashioned. This topic is...too tawdry for the elevated nature of this website. We Drool, but delicately. I shall stand back and try behave with dignity. Anyone want the navel?!"}, {"response": 859, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (16:31)", "body": "In our dreams, indeed. My error was voiving them!!!"}, {"response": 860, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (19:24)", "body": "(Marcia) we will avoid any unnecessary handling and licking and commenting on it's massive...throbbing...nature =P ROTFLMAO, Marcia!! I feel sorry for anyone who thinks we're serious. The cleft in his chin is taken? Well then I'll have to settle for the jawline from the ear down to that chin. May I? And I want buttercream."}, {"response": 861, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (20:41)", "body": "Heide, You are a true blessing to a weary soul. I was afraid I had offended the gods of Spring yet again...then you saw how ludicrous it is but how much amusement it affords. Buttercream jawline for the Lady from Reading!=)"}, {"response": 862, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, May  7, 1999 (01:05)", "body": "Hey, what flavour buttercream is this? Chocolate is best, that way you can spot the bits you've left more easily and keep going back , the cleft is tricky like that."}, {"response": 863, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, May  7, 1999 (09:27)", "body": "Oh my...you ladies are sooooooooo BAD! I'll take his fingers! BTW before we go much further, shouldn't we defer to Gi, the guest of honor? She should have access to the area of her choice ;-D"}, {"response": 864, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, May  7, 1999 (13:47)", "body": "(Eileen)BTW before we go much further, shouldn't we defer to Gi, the guest of honor? She should have access to the area of her choice ;-D Absolutely, and she may have whichever part she desires. I will relinquish my part if she desires it above all others. After all, this *is* her party! We are only bad if we would actually do something like this. I am brave and a bit risque' from the safety of my PC, but put me in the same room with him, and I will find the darkest corner to hide in...! Chocolate vs Vanilla Buttercream - since it will be high summer and he just might have a nice tan (Cannes and South of Italy), white may just show up better. ladies, shall we test this theory on the man of the house and report back?"}, {"response": 865, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, May  7, 1999 (13:51)", "body": "Come and get it....=) Darcy's Icing-Licking List His Chest - SBRobinson His Chin Cleft - Lidya His Neck - Lizza His Lips - Moon Dreams His Navel - Marcia His Jawline to the chin on either side, Heide His Fingers, Eileen"}, {"response": 866, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May  7, 1999 (15:45)", "body": "His Navel - Marcia Marcia...you'll never get all that chocolate out of his navel.... You lucky girl, you ;-)))))"}, {"response": 867, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, May  7, 1999 (20:11)", "body": "I want buttercream. Double ugh! I need a shot of brandy..."}, {"response": 868, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May  8, 1999 (13:01)", "body": "Buttercream is not to your liking, Arami?! Pray tell, what would you rather have in it's stead? Submerged in a vat of Napoleon Brandy with straws for everyone?"}, {"response": 869, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, May  8, 1999 (16:02)", "body": "Who's everyone? Nah... Get your tickets at the door... Strictly limited numbers only."}, {"response": 870, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May  8, 1999 (16:59)", "body": "Invitation only. No Straws. Only the finest crystal snifters allowed. This will be have as much class as the gentleman we celebrate. Liquors, not lickers =P"}, {"response": 871, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, May  8, 1999 (20:18)", "body": "Class. Precisely. No lickers. Exactly. Not so long ago there was so much agonizing over a possibility of someone's visit around here... have you lost your hopes? :-P"}, {"response": 872, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May  8, 1999 (20:26)", "body": "Nevah! Just checking to see if you were about, My Dear! You have never let me down. It is a thankless job, but someone must do it =P Happy Mother's Day to all, even if the only thing you mother is your SO or your furchild =)"}, {"response": 873, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May  8, 1999 (21:01)", "body": "(am looking around) Who was agonizing over that? The link from firth.com to this place was severed (few here liked that but that's over and done with) and we all agree it takes a degree in quantum physics to make the leap from Spring's home page to here. Besides, he's got better things to do--like jump into a fountain with Pia Zadora!"}, {"response": 874, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May  8, 1999 (22:13)", "body": "Anyone but Pia Zadora! Good grief!!! Our CyberCouthPerson Arami was concerned about the prepriety of lickers at Gi's party rather than liquors =D"}, {"response": 875, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, May  9, 1999 (15:18)", "body": "Believe me, I am not as couth as you imagine - I had my share of exceptionally blatant naughtiness long before most of the present frolickers joined Drool and I pride myself on having caused some serious uproar and consternation in several places, my dears... but that was before Drool was a close neighbour to such a worthy site as cf.com... And I thought the eGroups mailing list had been created for being really really improper away from the public eye? As to a degree in quantum physics, I, with a degree n something vastly different :-P, found this place loooong time ago just by exploring various loose associations with the name of our illustrious hero."}, {"response": 876, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, May  9, 1999 (16:22)", "body": "Unfortunately (or not, depending on your view of the matter), Springfolks was open to more than just Spring. I do not \"let it all hang out\" unless I know the audience, and there are people on the membership list of whom I have no knowledge. Others and I find this inhibiting. Ergo, SFolks has defeated its own purpose!"}, {"response": 877, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May  9, 1999 (18:06)", "body": "I thought Springfolks was set up in place of \"Drool in Exile\"...for when Spring.net is down. Not for ordinary \"everyday\" postings."}, {"response": 878, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, May  9, 1999 (20:20)", "body": "I do not \"let it all hang out\" unless I know the audience But at least members know exactly who is registered on the list of Springfolks. Whereas Spring is a public forum, open and accessible to anyone in the whole world with minimum cybercuriosity - there are many, many more in the audience than \"just Spring\"! - there are truly unknown lurkers galore and anyone can witness our exchanges, including hordes of whom we definitely have not the least knowledge. Also, it seems debatable what might constitute \"an ordinary everyday posting\". Going OTT used to give me a huge giggle and a delish thrill, too - still does! - but what if there is a bit ore to lose, like Spring credibility as a public forum for fans of celebrities, perhaps? Finally, I'm not against naughtiness for fun's sake, but I do believe that more discreet innuendo gives more satisfaction."}, {"response": 879, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, May  9, 1999 (21:13)", "body": "We haven't even discussed the whipped cream yet!"}, {"response": 880, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May  9, 1999 (22:45)", "body": "We haven't even discussed the whipped cream yet! Ok, now you've got my interest! ;-) Frosting yuck; buttercream frosting double yuck! Bring on the whipped cream! Yeah!! I'm there."}, {"response": 881, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 10, 1999 (00:19)", "body": "Perhaps we could quarter or halve the gentleman in question, and use the preferred spread where it is most desirable?! We aim to please =D I guess this Board is for the fun and games while 72 is for food and drink. I wonder where he fits in ;)"}, {"response": 882, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 10, 1999 (00:20)", "body": "By which I meant butt-ercream on the back of him and whipped cream...well, I'll leave it there before I succomb to vapours for a second time today."}, {"response": 883, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 10, 1999 (00:22)", "body": "Most importantly, who gets to spread it on him?"}, {"response": 884, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, May 10, 1999 (04:54)", "body": "LOL! Girls, you crack me up. And I really do not think that Mr. Darcy (it\ufffds him we\ufffdre talking about aren\ufffdt we?? :-) would mind this sort of very innocent naughtiness but it\ufffds always interesting to hear different views, thank-you Arami."}, {"response": 885, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 10, 1999 (09:29)", "body": "(Marcia), I guess this Board is for the fun and games while 72 is for food and drink. I wonder where he fits in ;) We can have fun and games at 72 as well, it is Gi's Bridal Shower afterall and we know how much she admires and .... So it is safe to say he fits in at 72 as well. Of course if the board were 69 then you couldn't get us to 86. :-))) (Forgive me, I couldn't resist)"}, {"response": 886, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, May 10, 1999 (09:38)", "body": "Of course if the board were 69 then you couldn't get us to 86. :-))) (Forgive me, I couldn't resist) LOL, Moon! Innuendo, indeed! I agree with Karen--since the link to Spring from cf.com has been changed, I believe we are safe to express ourselves freely without offending ODB. Besides, there's such a wealth of goodies at cf.com that he wouldn't be compelled to leave it :-) Let's just keep having fun...that's why we come here, after all! What else is up for \"keepsaking,\" Marcia?"}, {"response": 887, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, May 10, 1999 (12:32)", "body": "NAUGHTY but nice! Frolic on Ladies, I'm just here for the discarded rivulets of cream (creme fraiche is more of a preference!), now where's a good place to bag a rivulet? Suggestions please-----!"}, {"response": 888, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, May 10, 1999 (19:29)", "body": "Perhaps we could quarter or halve the gentleman in question I see we're into morbid sadism as well? there's such a wealth of goodies at cf.com There isn't yet, believe me. ... that he wouldn't be compelled to leave it :-) I think he would find it boring... ;-)"}, {"response": 889, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (00:45)", "body": "Suddenly this little exercise into semantics of Firth has hit a nerve. By Quartering the Darcy cutout figure, I meant making one quarter (as in a flag) with whipped....oh never mind! But, do *not* ever place my name in the same place as \"morbid sadism.\" I read that man's works. I know of what you speak. Have a care lest you do more damage than you intended. It is no longer clever. I shall go back to the luau and stay far from this little discussion barbed with poison-tipped hooks. Do what you will. I shall stay with the lists and those who celebrate Darcy and all that was wonderful about him may join me. Enough!"}, {"response": 890, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (11:21)", "body": "I'm going to suprise myself and say that Arami was just being witty re: the morbid sadism. She knows that you didn't mean to halve or quarter the REAL Darcy. The whole topic is quite funny, actually. And yes, whipped cream is better than buttercream."}, {"response": 891, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (11:21)", "body": "I'm going to suprise myself and say that Arami was just being witty re: the morbid sadism. She knows that you didn't mean to halve or quarter the REAL Darcy. The whole topic is quite funny, actually. And yes, whipped cream is better than buttercream. ah, but then again, I'm a Nutella girl at heart;)"}, {"response": 892, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (13:25)", "body": "Laura - you can say that again... ;-D Actually you have also surprised me. You understand me much better than I suspected previously. Thank you. :-)"}, {"response": 893, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (17:47)", "body": "I've been LOLing at many of your posts... I will not, however, make a choice for this licking business, no no. I will, however, pick at a cherry if he can balance it at the tip of his nose...or any other tip he prefers...;-)"}, {"response": 894, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (18:47)", "body": "Gi, you have saved my day and brightened it considerably. The cherry is yours to pluck from where ever you wish...or he wishes =))"}, {"response": 895, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (18:54)", "body": "Gi's Bridal Shower Wishes To pluck the Cherry from his Prominence - Gi To place a Salmon-colored Orchids in his lapel - Marcia"}, {"response": 896, "author": "livamago", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (11:28)", "body": "Gi: I will, however, pick at a cherry if he can balance it at the tip of his nose...or any other tip he prefers...;-) My dear Gi, you have made my day! LOLROTF"}, {"response": 897, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, May 13, 1999 (15:11)", "body": "While taking a few moments out of my otherwise boring workday to drool over that lovely picture Murph has posted, I noticed that ODB appears to have a scratch maring his beautiful skin. Has anyone else noticed this? Perhaps we should gently hint to Livia that she needs to trim her nails- afterall, we dont want the DB to be uncomfortable during Gi's party... and wouldnt whip cream and icing sting abit on open cuts? Of course, i'm more than willing to kiss it and make it and make it better :) Actually, now that i think about it, it might make a great dividing point between neck and chest. So Lizza, everything north of the scratch is yours, while everything south... (oh yum)"}, {"response": 898, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 13, 1999 (16:10)", "body": "EsBee, You are safe with that scratch. Since we must not involve ourselves intimately with the man himself, we must deal with Darcy. He never had a scratch that I noticed! However, should you like to imagine one...and do the north-southing that you noted above, that is fine. We Just may Not deal with the real man. Just his roles. Ladies, am I correct in this?"}, {"response": 899, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 13, 1999 (16:11)", "body": "Of course, it all depends on the cutout you bring, EsBee =))"}, {"response": 900, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, May 13, 1999 (19:08)", "body": "(SB) While taking a few moments out of my otherwise boring workday to drool over that lovely picture Murph has posted, I noticed that ODB appears to have a scratch maring his beautiful skin. Does anyone still have that Daily Telegraph article? The one explaining that a speaker fell off the wall as our DB (aka ToolTime Tim) was trying to hang them? Your answer lies there, SB."}, {"response": 901, "author": "livamago", "date": "Thu, May 13, 1999 (20:03)", "body": "SB: I noticed that ODB appears to have a scratch maring his beautiful skin. Has anyone else noticed this? Is it on the right side of his neck,(our right side as we look at the screen)partially covered by the shirt? I actually thought it was a love mark, and meant to comment on it, but was too embarrassed. Are my thoughts unchaste, or does anyone share my impression?"}, {"response": 902, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, May 13, 1999 (21:02)", "body": "IT'S ONE OF HIS LOVELY MOLES!!!! He has three moles on the left (his left) side of the neck, one largish and two smaller ones, just inside the edge of the collar. Also some on his back (check Femme Fatale) and one on his right thigh (check Fever Pitch)."}, {"response": 903, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, May 13, 1999 (21:04)", "body": "Correction, I think it's his left thigh."}, {"response": 904, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 13, 1999 (22:51)", "body": "He may have even more than you know now. Moles have a tendency to proliferate."}, {"response": 905, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (08:44)", "body": "He has three moles on his neck,....Also some on his back.. and one on his thigh **Sigh**"}, {"response": 906, "author": "livamago", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (10:15)", "body": "Arami: IT'S ONE OF HIS LOVELY MOLES!!!! He has one on his back I saw this one in the tub scene, sigh... Karen: Moles have a tendency to proliferate I've read that moles should be inspected regularly, for health reasons of course. I pledge myself to do all the inspecting required...*sigh again*"}, {"response": 907, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (10:32)", "body": "Too funny, SBR and Lidya!"}, {"response": 908, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, May 15, 1999 (06:00)", "body": "MOLE HUNTERS COMMENCE!!! You can start with the one on the left back, shoulderblade high. As I didn't think of this I will have to relegate myself to a very minor role in all this. I will volunteer for the worst and least rewarding job in this deeply important episode, namely to be the one to hold out the silk dressing gown for him as he rises from that steaming tub. Sadly he will be facing me,you lucky ladies will all have his back moles toward all of you, but I am prepared to put up with this disadvantage in the name of Darcy mole research!! SBR, I am happy with ANY division!!!"}, {"response": 909, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, May 15, 1999 (08:37)", "body": "Lord! I go off to get an education and look what you're doing. Mercy! Prominence, orchids, navels, mole hunts...tsk, tsk, tsk--naughty women ;-p Gi, I'm telling...;-) BTW, I've always considered whipped cream to be the sure sign of an amateur ;-)"}, {"response": 910, "author": "livamago", "date": "Sat, May 15, 1999 (10:50)", "body": "Lizza: Sadly he will be facing me,you lucky ladies will all have his back moles toward all of you Here you will have all the advantage, my dear."}, {"response": 911, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, May 15, 1999 (13:35)", "body": "Damn Lidya , you've unmasked my cunning plan!!! Having been shoulder to shoulder with him, I thought to try a different angle!!!"}, {"response": 912, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, May 15, 1999 (13:58)", "body": "Nan, oh, Nan, am I glad to see you at long last... I can't manage on my own... I'm trying to stem the flood of whipped cream quite in vain. (Btw, have read recently that some 40% of women responding to a glossy mag readers' poll want to smother George Clooney in whipped cream. How common and unimaginative. Come on, Droolies, surely you can muster more class and style than that - if only just to welcome Nan back to our fold for a while? ;-P)"}, {"response": 913, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, May 15, 1999 (13:58)", "body": "Nan, oh, Nan, am I glad to see you at long last... I can't manage on my own... I'm trying to stem the flood of whipped cream quite in vain. (Btw, have read recently that some 40% of women responding to a glossy mag readers' poll want to smother George Clooney in whipped cream. How common and unimaginative. Come on, Droolies, surely you can muster more class and style than that - if only just to welcome Nan back in our fold for a while? ;-P)"}, {"response": 914, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, May 15, 1999 (14:00)", "body": "(Oops... I can say that again...)"}, {"response": 915, "author": "livamago", "date": "Sat, May 15, 1999 (15:14)", "body": "Arami: have read recently that some 40% of women responding to a glossy mag readers' poll want to smother George Clooney in whipped cream. They should have asked me. I care for neither whipped cream nor George Clooney. How common and unimaginative. [S]urely you can muster more class and style than that. How about some alternatives? I would not need any whipped cream to smother Mr. Darcy..."}, {"response": 916, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (15:33)", "body": "(Arami) Nan, oh, Nan, am I glad to see you at long last... And it's good to see you too, sweetie :-) I've just finished the semester and am taking a week to recuperate before diving into the puddles..."}, {"response": 917, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (17:19)", "body": "Nan, glad you're back. Enjoy your week off and come visit at Odds & Ends."}, {"response": 918, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (15:19)", "body": "Good to have you back, Nan! (Nan)Gi, I'm telling...;-) Please don't... <-( (Nan)BTW, I've always considered whipped cream to be the sure sign of an amateur ;-) Amateur means one who loves... I like whipped cream, although not by itself."}, {"response": 919, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (21:21)", "body": "All right, then - count me in the game: only let me see to his moles sans whipped cream ;-P. Much tastier, I'm sure."}, {"response": 920, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (21:55)", "body": ""}, {"response": 921, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (23:49)", "body": "I know it's been a long time, but have you forgotten how to post, Nan? ;-P"}, {"response": 922, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (13:55)", "body": "Nan has not forgotten how to post. She has just found the most illustrative photo of ODB with all of his attirbutes displayed and is having second thoughts about posting it where she will have to share them. We are only to imagine what there is to admire while she has the proof all to herself ;) Welcome back from the grind, Nan Dear! BTW, I much prefer clotted cream, but this is exceedingly difficult to spread on anything (dollups are more like the way it is served), but alas, this too needs something with which to go (with =P)"}, {"response": 923, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (14:15)", "body": "Nan has not forgotten how to post. She's just realized we've gone completely gaga, and is having second thoughts on rejoining this place."}, {"response": 924, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (16:42)", "body": "Nan..you've been gone too long......a few days and you'll be in the swing of things.... ****** Dollups of clotted cream on moles!!.....yummmmmm."}, {"response": 925, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, May 19, 1999 (15:15)", "body": "Arami, I'm sure Nan has no delusions about the quality of our brains ;-)"}, {"response": 926, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, May 19, 1999 (20:45)", "body": "LOL! As ever, Arami knows me too well ;-) I did actually post something then changed my mind and deleted it. You excellent woman! I just love how I can't slip anything past you ;-D (Gi) Arami, I'm sure Nan has no delusions about the quality of our brains ;-) Indeed, I do not. It is my own twisted brain I have doubts about ;-p I'm afraid I can't get into the cream thing (don't like to dilute my sex with food, ya see...) but I understand the impulse in this case ;-)"}, {"response": 927, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 20, 1999 (13:12)", "body": "Nan, since you have experience in this which we do not, might you tell us how we are to have sex (virtually all of us =P) with a life-sized cardboard cutout? About the best we have to offer is a virtual licking which ODB so richly deserves. How it is to be applied (I suggested using 1/4 of the picture as icing, 1/4 whipped cream, etc and was accused of being sadistic)...I will leave my little board while you and Arami drool over one another, and off I go to make Gi's Party as festive as I possibly can."}, {"response": 928, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, May 20, 1999 (18:00)", "body": "(Marcia) Nan, since you have experience in this which we do not, might you tell us how we are to have sex (virtually all of us =P) with a life-sized cardboard cutout? LOL! Clearly someone is telling stories about me. I've never had sex with a life-sized cardboard cutout...at least not that I remember (some of the days between 1984 and 1986 are a bit of a blur) ;-p I will leave my little board while you and Arami drool over one another Not to be confrontational, but what is that supposed to mean? and off I go to make Gi's Party as festive as I possibly can. I understand that I've been volunteered for a part of the festivities, which I will cheerfully do for dear Gi and for the fun of it. I'll even add the cream if it makes her happy."}, {"response": 929, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 20, 1999 (19:46)", "body": "I meant nothing particular that the pervious postings did not say (read: we with silvery stuff in our normally brown locks are getting testy from time to time - no names please =P). Happy your sense of humor is with us and your modesty, too I hope your Master's thesis is about those years of 1984-86 so we might all enjoy them (I think there is space for them in the http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/public/read/sex/ conference =}) When you make the cake / Darcy for Gi, she requested a cherry to pluck from his...(unspecified); Evelyn and I are into Dollups of clotted cream... BTW, did you know you had a Wessex cap in your safe keeping on the SiL list?"}, {"response": 930, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, May 20, 1999 (20:15)", "body": "(Nan) You excellent woman! Hear, oh, world... :-D while you and Arami drool over one another And Marcia is just a teeny-weeny bit green... ;-P I've never had sex with a life-sized cardboard cutout There's a crude joke in there somewhere... only we wouldn't want to offend any visiting gentlemen, so... :-& ;-D a cherry to pluck from his...(unspecified) Drool lexicographers - add \"unspecified\" alongside \"incroyable\", perhaps...?"}, {"response": 931, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 20, 1999 (20:43)", "body": "LOL Arami, You are in excellent for tonight! As to my green shade, 'tis a reflection of my emerald birthstone and comes with the territory...;) I am such a child in these things, I would like a picture of the crude joke so I might compare it with my imaginings. How lewd can one get with cardboard?! One begs to ask if there has been intimacy with cardboard of any sort...=P To top it all off, you pondered the possiblities and concluded that adding unspecified alongside incroyable in the Drool Lexicon was a *Good* thing. Hear! Hear!"}, {"response": 932, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, May 20, 1999 (21:03)", "body": "(Marcia) When you make the cake / Darcy for Gi, she requested a cherry to pluck from his...(unspecified); Evelyn and I are into Dollups of clotted cream... And I will, of course, indulge you ;-) I've been drawing little cherries since Evelyn told me about the cake. I'm trying to come up with something that you won't need a plug-in to view...but, oh the things I could do if you all had Shockwave ;-) BTW, did you know you had a Wessex cap in your safe keeping on the SiL list? I heard, yes. Does anyone know the name of that type of hat? If this turns into an Incroyable debate, forget I asked the question ;-) Marcia, I think that was before your time but trust me when I say that the name \"Humpy Hat\" came out of pure desperation... (Arami) only we wouldn't want to offend any visiting gentlemen, so... :-& ;-D Speaking of which, I had the great pleasure of meeting Ben this past weekend during the Pemberly Tea and the Barbizon. I am going to give him the best compliment I can think of--he gets the joke. He had us roaring at the end of the table. I intend to get him drunk and see if there is any way he can possibly be more entertaining than he already is ;-) (Arami) Drool lexicographers - add \"unspecified\" alongside \"incroyable\", perhaps...? I believe you mean \"INCROYABLE\" ;-p"}, {"response": 933, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 20, 1999 (21:34)", "body": "Is Ben not the cutest thing this side of ODB?! I would love to meet him in person. I'll bet it was a lively eveing =) INCROYABLE is so different from the humpy, incroyable hat. But, that is another topic. This one I have dubbed, for lack of better description, his Flumpy hat. So, you have Humpy and flumpy...cottontail and peter? or are we working on a set of diamond-mine-owning dwarves? Anyhoo...it is in your tender care!"}, {"response": 934, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (01:44)", "body": "since you are all asleep and I get first crack at it, I want his towel from MLSF for my keepsake."}, {"response": 935, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (01:45)", "body": "and EsBee has claimed his glasses."}, {"response": 936, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (09:15)", "body": "A-Ha! I knew you were going to claim the towel! :) Thanks for claiming the glasses for me! Now to compose an essay in their honor..."}, {"response": 937, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (12:27)", "body": "Pipped at the post again!!! May I claim his Scottish accent then?"}, {"response": 938, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (12:48)", "body": "Oohh, Lizza -his accent! (I'm getting chills of anticipation!) ;)"}, {"response": 939, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (14:03)", "body": "I am surprised no one opted for his swim trunks (the brown or burgundy wool ones with the white belt). Here is the list so far from My Life So Far His Towel From My Life So Far , Marcia His Wire-rimmed Eyeglasses from My Life So Far , EsBee His Scottish Accent from My Life So Far , Lizza Nan, here is the citation for the hat you are keeping safe for Wessex: Wessex' Flumpfy Hat with Tickly Feather, Nan"}, {"response": 940, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (15:58)", "body": "Since I have been anointed Keepers of the Keepsake lists, I have another list we all need to participate in. I need a birthday month and day list so we know whom to applaud and when. I know there is another beside Heide and me having a birthday - a week after mine, in June. Please give me your month and day and I will publish it throughout the month appropriate. Mahalo!"}, {"response": 941, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (16:58)", "body": "(Marcia) I need a birthday month and day list so we know whom to applaud and when. What happy thought! I went to RoP the other day looking for that information and found nothing. So I'll be the firth to volunteer: October 25th."}, {"response": 942, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (17:17)", "body": "Marcia) I need a birthday month and day list so we know whom to applaud and when. Hate the thought...July 13th."}, {"response": 943, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (18:20)", "body": "Thank you ladies. I'd like to mention that plaudits are in order for Gi whose Art Exhibition opened last night. Congratulations, dear! And, you thought she did not have enough to do with surgery and an upcoming wedding...!"}, {"response": 944, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, May 22, 1999 (11:30)", "body": "(Marcia) I'd like to mention that plaudits are in order for Gi whose Art Exhibition opened last night. And, you thought she did not have enough to do with surgery and an upcoming wedding...! Oh dear, Marcia. I feel quite inadequate already, thank you. Even with the techno-wizardry you and Karen have been offering, I still can not see the MLSF trailer. No matter. But at least if I can not do, I can appreciate Gi's accomplishments. Tell us more about the exhibition, Gi. I'm off to check out the shower arrangements."}, {"response": 945, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, May 22, 1999 (15:25)", "body": "Congrats, Gi!!! For the new list, born exactly 2 days after D-Day."}, {"response": 946, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May 22, 1999 (17:54)", "body": "8th of June for KarenJ. Thank you!"}, {"response": 947, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 22, 1999 (18:02)", "body": "18 days after Colin's"}, {"response": 948, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May 22, 1999 (18:16)", "body": "September 28th for The Karen ;)"}, {"response": 949, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 22, 1999 (19:27)", "body": "Knew I should have made it tougher! ;-p"}, {"response": 950, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May 22, 1999 (20:18)", "body": "I need all the help I can get. If I run out of fingers and toes, as I did in your case, I cannot always rely on Arami to correct something I have cast in cyberspace months before. I just put it up there for lurkers to snicker at and feel superior about...about which to feel ...Pttttttt =P"}, {"response": 951, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, May 23, 1999 (19:48)", "body": "Let me guess Karen, you said Michelmas?"}, {"response": 952, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 23, 1999 (20:04)", "body": "That's true. Forgot about that."}, {"response": 953, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (09:11)", "body": "I'm 8 days after Gi...(30 days has September, April, June and November...). We're not making this easy for you, are we? :-P"}, {"response": 954, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (09:42)", "body": "Ok, i'm not clever enough to make this too complicated... 20 days before Gi's oh...and Gi Congrats on your Art Exhibition! :)"}, {"response": 955, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (12:14)", "body": "Thank you for the congrats, Marcia, Heide, KarenJ, Esbee... I have always drawn, but only started to paint 6 years ago. I worked in the studios of two different painters in succession, and now paint usually at home, then ask some artist friends for criticism and help. I do oils on canvas, and my themes are always figurative. This exhibition has two nuclei: one is called Tangos, and depicts (10 pairs of)tango dancers, the other is called Travel Impressions and consists of (5) scenes that I photographed in various places, like four retired old ladies sitting in a garden bench talking, ecc. I promised to scan some photos I took of the paintings and e-mail them to Marcia, Darlene and Moon Dreams, so if anyone else likes to see them, let me know :-) The pics aren't brilliant, I'm not very good at photographing paintings :-( but the catalog they made for the exhibition is worse :-(("}, {"response": 956, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (14:54)", "body": "It is Monday morning and I stagger to the computer with coffee in hand to commune with the most intelligent and witty people in my universe. Eagerly, I anticipate your postings. Then I discover math problems. On Monday morning! That is not a nice thing to do. Now, I have to go back and see when Gi's birthday is and do some extrapolating...Seaweed salad with extra stingers...=P"}, {"response": 957, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (14:56)", "body": "Good morning, Gi dear! Thank you for your posting. We are all amazement at your endeavors and wonder when your expedition to climb Mt Everest (because it is there!) commences...as though you needed something else to do ;)"}, {"response": 958, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (15:28)", "body": "Gi , let me add my congratulations to the others. I would love to be included in the list of those who get to see your pictures. It is a talent that I envy."}, {"response": 959, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (15:30)", "body": "Marcia , also thank you for helping out with my downloading. :@))"}, {"response": 960, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (17:13)", "body": "Ok, Listen up. I just put my shoes back on and my abacus in the drawer. These are your Birthdays. EsBee, Octember 5th and Eileen, Novober the tooth. If that is incorrect, we shall celebrate them then anyway. Teach you young whipper snappers to make fun of the cyberslow ;P"}, {"response": 961, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (19:40)", "body": "Oh yes, another thing to admire: Gi is fluent in 5 languages and has worked on a 6th (but I suspect she could order food in a restaurant and know ahead of time what she was getting to eat.) And she is gorgeous, too. Just lucky you are nice or we'd all hate you, dear ;)"}, {"response": 962, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (04:35)", "body": "C'mon, Marcia, if I don't brag about myself, why should you? I am very curious about everything and try to learn asmuch as I can, but I'm not so good at most things as you would have it!"}, {"response": 963, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (09:01)", "body": "Gi dear, I too would love to see photos of your paintings! :) and Marcia... excellent math skills my friend -You get a star at the top of the page :)"}, {"response": 964, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (09:01)", "body": "Gi dear, I too would love to see photos of your paintings! :) and Marcia... excellent math skills my friend -You get a star at the top of your homework! :)"}, {"response": 965, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (09:02)", "body": "oops...."}, {"response": 966, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (11:13)", "body": "Sorry, Marcia, I couldn't resist. You are correct, though--November (Novober) the 2nd (tooth) it is! I know, payback's a b**ch! Bravo, Gi. Those pics of your paintings are fabulous! Thanks for sharing!"}, {"response": 967, "author": "livamago", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (11:50)", "body": "Oops, I think I posted my birthday in the wrong topic. Well, let me re-post it here ... mine is January 10 (such a boring date). Gi, can I see your pictures? so talented...Hablas espanol, my dear?"}, {"response": 968, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (15:18)", "body": "Gi--I'd love to see your art as well. Please?"}, {"response": 969, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (18:04)", "body": "Bravo, Gi. Those pics of your paintings are fabulous! Thanks for sharing! Oops - seems I've stumbled on a private party here... Sorry.. sorry... I'll close the door behind myself. Ciao. :-("}, {"response": 970, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (22:37)", "body": "They will go up for all to enjoy. Since I couldn't email you, Gi. Make them about 4 x 6 inches or smaller (whatever that is in centimeters) on the screen, but the important thing is to keep them under 40K or so. Might be difficult with the brightly colored ones. Corrientes was about 90K and it was fairly monochromatic."}, {"response": 971, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (09:17)", "body": "Bravo, Gi. Those pics of your paintings are fabulous! Thanks for sharing! ditto from me Gi! :) They are wonderful!"}, {"response": 972, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (15:46)", "body": "(Karen)Since I couldn't email you, Gi. Make them about 4 x 6 inches or smaller (whatever that is in centimeters) on the screen, but the important thing is to keep them under 40K or so. I don't know how to do that, but Marcia e-mailed me a URL where I can download a program from that does it, so I'll try."}, {"response": 973, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (15:49)", "body": "Gi thanks for sending me those wonderful images!! You are very talented. :~))"}, {"response": 974, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (18:58)", "body": "Found the following at a monarchy site. I thought it interesting. No wonder Darcy was such a gentleman. Descendants of Royal Historical Figures Jane Austen"}, {"response": 975, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, May 29, 1999 (13:08)", "body": "Can you try that again, Marcia? Or give the address? Does sound interesting."}, {"response": 976, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May 29, 1999 (15:13)", "body": "You may look through it for yourself - many interesting links there, also http://www.worldroots.com/~brigitte/royal/royal00.htm"}, {"response": 977, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May 29, 1999 (18:14)", "body": "On this Memorial Day, with our young men in harm's way, please take a moment to go to http://www.buffnet.net/%7Eambrosia/memorial.htm Thank you."}, {"response": 978, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, May 30, 1999 (03:01)", "body": "I have been away far too long, but just wanted to throw in my birthday too since it seems we have quite a cluster around the October November time frame. Mine is October 26. Do I get a prize for being the closest to the lovely and talented Gi :-)?"}, {"response": 979, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, May 30, 1999 (04:01)", "body": "Jana, how nice! A fellow october scorpio! :-)"}, {"response": 980, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (19:18)", "body": "My daughter, Rebecca is October 27! Can she be honorary flower girl? (she's 8)"}, {"response": 981, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (19:38)", "body": "Of course! Virtually anyone is wlecome. I have just the head dress for her"}, {"response": 982, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (19:46)", "body": "Virtually anyone in Drool of the Firthian sort is welcome. We have had no other flower girls. Ring bearers?"}, {"response": 983, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (20:04)", "body": "I am going to claim a Keepsake. The H?HN Silver Mine from Nostromo Thank you."}, {"response": 984, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (20:07)", "body": "Firth Items from movies other than P&P2 and SiL Paul Ashworth's Leather Jacket from Fever Pitch, Karen His Grey Scarf from Dutch Girls, Evelyn Paul Ashworth's grey undies from Fever Pitch, Marcia His Steel-rimmed glasses from Playmaker, Laura Small bath towel covering his hidden assets from Hour of the Pig, Allison M Paul's Arsenel Boxer Shorts from Fever Pitch, Stacey Valmont's Wig from Valmont, Tineke Paul Ashworth's Official's whistle from Fever Pitch, Heide The Rose from A Month In The Country, Lizza Paul Ashworth's Wrist Watch from Fever Pitch, Elena The Car He Drove in Tumbledown, Lucie His White Fisherman Knit Sweater from Tumbledown, Marcia His Towel From My Life So Far, Marcia His Wire-rimmed Eyeglasses from My Life So Far, EsBee His Scots Accent from My Life So Far, Lizza The H?HN Silver Mine from Nostromo, Marcia"}, {"response": 985, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (20:27)", "body": "What happened to the (all right, let's be elegant) Kama Sutra style lovemaking scene from Femme Fatale? Doesn't it belong on this list?"}, {"response": 986, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (20:39)", "body": "Yes it does, and it is yours, as I recall. Going back to check the master list! Ah yes, different list. I decided since I chose the mine for my wish scene, I should also claim the mine in items belonging to CF in other film roles. Lusty Ladies' Wish List Scenes From Firth Films The Vertical Shag from Femme Fatale, Arami Against the Side of the Mine Shaft in Nostromo, Marcia The Kiss Wessex Bestows upon Viola for which he gets slapped, SusanA \"The Look\" and \"The Smile\" at Pemberley from P&P2, Evelyn The Kiss in the Kitchen from Fever Pitch, Elena The Whirling and Twirling Love Scene from Valmont, KarenR The Letter Valmont Dictates to Cecile, Eileen Lovemaking scene in Bedroom from WoF, LizzaJ Post Nuptial Kiss in Carriage between the Darcys, SBRobinson Nuzzling of Maria whilst hands are roaming all over her (fully clothed), only in Hour of the Pig, Heide His Lingering Kiss With Bianca in WoF, KJArt Scene in which he is Santa and it begins \"I love you sausage.\" from TEP, LizzaJ"}, {"response": 987, "author": "livamago", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (20:56)", "body": "Since we are on the topic of lists, can we have a list of all the birthdays we have compiled? Please?"}, {"response": 988, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (21:14)", "body": "Birthday List so far (please help me correct errors!) Spring Birthday List January 10 - Lidia - Chusmanali@aol.com February 4th - Stacey - Stacey Bowling sbowling@eagle.cc.ukans.edu March April 10 - LauraMM - lauram30@hotmail.com May 1 - StephanieB - mhatter869@aol.com ; stephanie.bergstrom@tenethealth.com 31 - Marcia - marci@aloha.net ; critter 514@aol.com June 4 - Heide - Hkalb@aol.com 7 - Lizza - barns@sparks44.freeserve.co.uk 8 - KJArt - kgjart@yahoo.com 14 - Moon Dreams - Motjuste7@aol.com July 13 - Evelyn - eboake@tanet.net August 30 - Barbara - mantyb@gte.net September 10 - Colin Firth - cf@myhouseinhilo 28 - Karen - rosie45@hotmail.com October 5 - SBRobinson - Dojutland@aol.com 25 - Gi - patas@starmail.com 26 - JanaJH - JanaJH@aol.com 27 - Rebecca (LauraMM's daughter) November 2 - Eileen - Eigreen@hotmail.com 22 - Nan - nan@ntr.net December"}, {"response": 989, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (23:42)", "body": "CF@myhouseinhilo LOL!! in your dreams ;-) BTW, should there be a .comovertomyhouse2 extension?"}, {"response": 990, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (00:52)", "body": "Marcia, are you sure about CF's email address? The one he gave me was cf@anytimeanyplace.com! His backup is cf@yourplaceormine.com"}, {"response": 991, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (06:59)", "body": "LOL! .....Marcia, my birthday is 21 Feb."}, {"response": 992, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (07:51)", "body": "LOL! Marcia, there is a majority of Gemini's in drool. Our ruling planet is Mercury and that goes for Virgo's too (CF), so you see, we share the same planet:-) What about Dame Winter's birthday?"}, {"response": 993, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (09:43)", "body": "Oh, geez...I'm really out of the loop. I've been trying to catch up with all my \"real world\" friends and family (the ones I've been ignoring all semester) and I haven't been home to check the boards. I'll have to come up with something pretty for Marcia's birthday. Hmmm... BTW, I missed all this Scorpio talk...what's going on? I'm a Scorpio (barely)..."}, {"response": 994, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (10:43)", "body": "Here's the flower Girl, Rebecca (pic is a bit old, but she still looks the same;) Marcia, the headpiece would be quite nice on her!"}, {"response": 995, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (14:32)", "body": "I think his revised and brand-new address is CF@myhouseinhilowhenhecan.com Laura, such a lovely broth of a lass with the smiling Irish Eyes. Now, tell us she us the image of you at that age. The headpiece will be lovely, but put it on her properly - level and parallel to the ground. The little girl in the picture I posted looked to have had a little too much champagne punch!"}, {"response": 996, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (15:06)", "body": "Yes, she is the image of me when I was that age, except I had platinum blonde hair and banana curls (yuck!). However, she is definitely prettier! Although her classmates think she has the prettiest mom (okay, it's going to my head!) You know I really think that CF would like Boston, quite Londonish in it's own way, and walkable, he could walk everywhere. Perhaps when he's done in Hilo, he can stop here?"}, {"response": 997, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (15:31)", "body": "Re: Gi....And she is gorgeous, too. I must add that CF thought so too....He was extremely attentive to every word she uttered....!!!I know, I wuz there....standing next to Antonio!!!"}, {"response": 998, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (19:19)", "body": "Wow! Rebecca is gorgeous! I'd like to have a daughter that looked like that. Please don't let her be spoiled, Laura, she also looks very clever and sweet. (Moon Dreams)What about Dame Winter's birthday? Winter was born July 9th. (Nan)BTW, I missed all this Scorpio talk...what's going on? I'm a Scorpio (barely)... November 22 is more saggitarius, I believe... Sorry Nan, I'd love you to be a scorpio but...:-( BTW; I thought KarenR's birthday was September 18. Evelyn, here we go again...CF was very attentive to everyone of us in turn...However much I may wish it had been special for me ;-) But thank you :-)"}, {"response": 999, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (19:57)", "body": "(Gi)November 22 is more saggitarius, I believe... Sorry Nan, I'd love you to be a scorpio but...:-( Well, I've had my chart done several times and they all assured me I was a Scorpio based on the hour of my birth, but just barely. Unless they are wrong and I've been reading the wrong column all these years, I suppose it's a safe bet."}, {"response": 1000, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (20:04)", "body": "Karen wrote Response 947 of 951: Karen (KarenR) * Sat, May 22, 1999 18 days after Colin's Let's see (removing my shoes once again...) Colin's is September 10. 10+18=28 Yes?"}, {"response": 1001, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (20:13)", "body": "Yes, at least that's what it says on all my official documents, though someone could be lying. Will go look for my birth certificate. Haven't seen those little footprints in a long time. ;-)"}, {"response": 1002, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (20:15)", "body": "Nan is a tiny little bit too extreme for a true Saggitarius, but only just - by about an hour or so... ;-)"}, {"response": 1003, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (06:59)", "body": "Thank you, Gi. Yeah, Rebecca is gorgeous. Re: the spoiled part, a, too late. When one is a single mom, one must overcompensate. (I wear two hats, mommy and daddy.) Rebecca is a very precocious 8 year old going on 15!;) And she is a true and tried Scorpio and mix that with my Aries, oh boy! Nan, if you want to be a Scorpian, then be one;) Saggitarius are pretty cool, too!"}, {"response": 1004, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (07:51)", "body": "Nan, Scorpians are supposed to be intensely sexual people. Maybe that's what dominating your Saggitarius sign. (Or blocking it out all together) ;-)))"}, {"response": 1005, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (11:14)", "body": "Scorpios rule! (Moon)Scorpians are supposed to be intensely sexual people *Blushing* well, that explains alot about Fan Fic ;-) LOL about those e-mail addresses!"}, {"response": 1006, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (13:59)", "body": "Everyone is so anxious to get to shore on 72 that even the cats and mice are into open rebellion. Too long at sea!"}, {"response": 1007, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (14:14)", "body": "Marcia, where DO you find these;) They are adorable!"}, {"response": 1008, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (16:19)", "body": "I hesitate to mention that all I had to do was start a search engine and type in search for: animated gifs. Up popped more than a life-time's assortment of websites, each with hundreds of good and bad examples free for the taking. Ecard sites are also good for opening flowers, waving flags, hearts, animals and fireworks all moving and doing their things."}, {"response": 1009, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (18:37)", "body": "(Arami) Nan is a tiny little bit too extreme for a true Saggitarius, but only just - by about an hour or so... ;-) Uncanny! \"By about an hour or so...\" were almost the exact words my astrologists used. ;-) (Laura) Nan, if you want to be a Scorpian, then be one;) Saggitarius are pretty cool, too! Scorpio...Saggitarius--doesn't really matter to me. I just got tired of not knowing which horoscope to read (or believe) so I finally had some \"experts\" figure it out. I suppose all three could be wrong, but that isn't likely. In truth, I prefer the Chinese Horoscope. There is something compelling about being a snake, shedding one's skin every so often ;-) (Moon Dreams) Nan, Scorpians are supposed to be intensely sexual people. Maybe that's what dominating your Saggitarius sign. (Or blocking it out all together) ;-))) Yes, well we won't go there ;-p"}, {"response": 1010, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (20:16)", "body": "Moon Dreams) Nan, Scorpians are supposed to be intensely sexual people. Maybe that's what dominating your Saggitarius sign. (Or blocking it out all together) ;-))) (Nan)Yes, well we won't go there ;-p Hee hee, I suspect we'd get quite a history? I mean Astrological history;)"}, {"response": 1011, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (21:44)", "body": "Well....we have heard about the Hockey Players...;)"}, {"response": 1012, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (21:52)", "body": "(Marcia) Well....we have heard about the Hockey Players...;) Oy, I should be so lucky ;-)~~~"}, {"response": 1013, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (05:47)", "body": "Ok, as I said, I'd be very pleased to have you a Scorpio, so on everybody else's say-so, I'll agree you are! :-) Anyway, I don't believe in any of that... I believe in people, not in horoscopes..."}, {"response": 1014, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (07:48)", "body": "(Gi)I believe in people, not in horoscopes Honestly loved to read somebody say it....and who else could put it as nicely as you, Gi."}, {"response": 1015, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (14:48)", "body": "SusanC, Claim your keepsake from MLSF!!! you really know what is available. Did he wear a sporran with his kilt?"}, {"response": 1016, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 1999 (19:43)", "body": "(Gi) Ok, as I said, I'd be very pleased to have you a Scorpio, so on everybody else's say-so, I'll agree you are! :-) I'm still not sure what all this Scorpio talk is. Will someone please explain?"}, {"response": 1017, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (20:11)", "body": "The Utimate Firth List Hugged most by Firth, Heide Looked at most intensely by Firth, Gi Eldest Firth Fan, AnneH's Aunt"}, {"response": 1018, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (20:33)", "body": "List of Lists Unclaimed Keepsakes Claimed Keepsakes from P&P2 Firth Items from movies other than P&P2 and SiL Firth's Real Life Keepsakes Keepsakes from Three Days of Rain Items touched by CF Kept by Owners Lusty Ladies' Wish List Scenes From Firth Films All-Time Worst Pairings in Movies All-Time Casting Errors in Role or Roles The Utimate Firth List"}, {"response": 1019, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (09:06)", "body": "Marcia, you forgot the fanfic list :)"}, {"response": 1020, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (09:07)", "body": "and to close the tags.... (hee hee) can i do it?"}, {"response": 1021, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (09:08)", "body": "apparently not :P"}, {"response": 1022, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (09:23)", "body": "You did, EssBee. The tags are closed."}, {"response": 1023, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (14:05)", "body": "Ladies, I do not know what happened, all of my tags I just checked again and they are all closed. But everything is in Italics here, but having learned my lesson yesterday I shall do nothing. EsBee, Thank you for the correction. I thought it was a duplicate at a glance so I deleted it at the last moment. List of Lists Unclaimed Keepsakes Claimed Keepsakes from P&P2 Firth Items from movies other than P&P2 and SiL Firth's Real Life Keepsakes Firth's Real Life Keepsakes Keepsakes from Three Days of Rain Items touched by CF Kept by Owners Lusty Ladies' Wish List Scenes From Firth Films All-Time Worst Pairings in Movies Lusty Ladies' Wish List Scenes from Fan Fiction All-Time Casting Errors in Role or Roles The Utimate Firth List"}, {"response": 1024, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (14:09)", "body": "Speaking of Scenes from Fan Fiction, EsBee Dear, I hope you were writing in the Snow at Tahoe while you were gone. Your fans are waiting...;)"}, {"response": 1025, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (16:02)", "body": "Do I give the best cyber hand slapping or what?! ;-D"}, {"response": 1026, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (16:29)", "body": "Oh Dear... I fear I must confess that I've been abominably lazy this past week. (and the week before, and the week before that, and...) I have several stories started, but none completed. I will try to apply myself this week -I promise! :)"}, {"response": 1027, "author": "livamago", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (18:03)", "body": "(SB)I have several stories started I am all eagerness...I love your stories."}, {"response": 1028, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (18:41)", "body": "EsBee, your editor is getting antsy, too =)"}, {"response": 1029, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (09:19)", "body": "This weekend I SHALL write - I promise! Actually, having just read the postings over at 112, I'm having lovely little visuals of Darcy on his mount (stop snickering! I meant horse!) and shall doubtless spend the day toying with story ideas, springing from that image. Perhaps it's time for Darcy to take Elizabeth out riding a warm spring day, so that he might enjoy certain parts of her antomy jiggling in their natural state. ;) Then again... I really should finish the stories I have half done already...."}, {"response": 1030, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (13:53)", "body": "But, EsBee Dear, you wrote that he made mental note to take her out riding the first warm spring day as he admired the jiggling mounds so temptingly close to his...whatever...?! But, the starving multitudes of your fans will be happy with anything you write. Brushes at the ready...Go to it! Paint us another droolworthy episode in the lustful life of Lizzie =)"}, {"response": 1031, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (15:24)", "body": "Marcia dear, I need a bit of help. I'm having the worse time coming up with a suitable nickname for Elizabeth to call Darcy. Could you be persuaded to start a list of nickname ideas, so that I can benefit from the creative genius of our little group here? Do you think the idea has any merit? BTW -sending off Darcy Gets His Toes Kissed for your editing pleasure tonight. :)"}, {"response": 1032, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (15:34)", "body": "That will probably get rid of her headache faster than an aspirin. ;-)"}, {"response": 1033, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (15:49)", "body": "Karen, are you the one who suggested I write Darcy Gets His Toes Kissed ? Somebody did, and I want to put in a nice little Thank You when I post it at 34. -I really need to learn to write these things down..."}, {"response": 1034, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (17:14)", "body": "That is a headache remover if ever there was one. But...but...I keep clicking on my \"check mail\" and it keeps coming up empty....sniffle...Owww!!! Good idea for new list Lizzie's List of Pet Names for Darcy"}, {"response": 1035, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (17:22)", "body": "Always a great believer in equal employment opportunity, SBR!"}, {"response": 1036, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (17:21)", "body": "Lizzie's List of Pet Names for Darcy Hmmmm....\"Slick Willie?\" No, no, that's taken! Not to mention Darcy's far from \"slick\""}, {"response": 1037, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (17:55)", "body": "(Eileen)Lizzie's List of Pet Names for Darcy Hmmmm....\"Slick Willie?\" No, no, that's taken! LOL! Besides, Lizzie kneels to no one! =D Thanks tyo AnneH's sharp eyes I am able to report that the codpiece lives.Oh Joy!!! Check the photos on http://members.xoom.com/firth_place/sil_pics.html"}, {"response": 1038, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (18:19)", "body": "\"Slick Willie?\" ACK! and ACK! again. Now there's a 'fanfic' topic I wouldnt touch with a ten foot pole. *repulsed shivers* I am warning everyone though, that if you dont make suggestions, Darcy's pet name will likely be something riduclously silly. -Darcy Fartcy? No, No! that won't do at all! must think harder...."}, {"response": 1039, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (18:26)", "body": "Ohhhhhhhh, now I see it. I missed it the other night (was looking for it in the bottom right pic, not bottom left. I confess I was looking at other things in that particular pic). Enjoy, SBR!"}, {"response": 1040, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (18:29)", "body": "Whoops, that should be Marcia. What, you don't like my suggestion, SBR? heeheehee Darcy gives Lizzy a gift of a book..."}, {"response": 1041, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (21:43)", "body": "(*Thinking*....)Biblical: Thy Rod and Thy Staff comforteth me.... Cinematic: The High and the Mighty.... Nursery Rhymes: Ride a Cock Horse... EsBee, what did you have in mind? Something for the Drawing room or something just between them ? =D"}, {"response": 1042, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (22:55)", "body": "Ok, Nan's is His INCROYABLE"}, {"response": 1043, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 1999 (20:35)", "body": "Glad to see the dickscussion in full swing again (left-right-left-right...) ;-D"}, {"response": 1044, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (14:39)", "body": "Yes, Arami, we got off to a good start, but it seems to have dried up lately. (Sounds most painful for all parties involved.)"}, {"response": 1045, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (14:56)", "body": "BTW, tomorrow I shall be missing. I am to help officiate at a Charity Golf Tournament. More scholarship funding for local students!"}, {"response": 1046, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (16:33)", "body": "Arami dear, can you not be persauded to suggest a pet name for Elizabeth to call Darcy? I fear I am throughly lacking of talent in the name giving area -and all of my efforts are ridculous in the extreme. Marcia- Have fun at the golf tournament! :) Being of Scottish decent I should never deride the amusement, but I must wonder why on earth grown men would wish to chase a wee ball around with a stick -Espically when, with a bit of practice, they could be performing in tournaments that involved jousts, and sword fights. *sigh* ok- putting away the midevil romance novel and going back to work...."}, {"response": 1047, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (16:44)", "body": "(crawling on hands and knees...dragging myself over jagged lava...) what do I have to do to get you to post your story? It is most needed! Anybody who is loathe to part with 1/2 pencil with point so miserable it is all but unusable, (I tried to collect their scoring pencils unsuccessfully one year)is different from the sailors (me) in the population. I will never understand whomping a little ball and chasing it when you could hike somewhere else and see Lava fountaining."}, {"response": 1048, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (17:36)", "body": "Congratulations to Australia on winning the World Cup of Cricket. My sympathies to Pakistan, who they had to best to win the Cup! And, my heart goes out to those wives whose husbands are sitll mourning the loss."}, {"response": 1049, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (20:21)", "body": "Keep massaging it, Marcia, it'll be all right... ;-) And dear SBR, presumably we're talking period? Like 200 years ago? In that case nicknames as terms of endearment weren't very common, unlike today. I'm afraid you will have to use your imagination - with a touch of poetic licence perhaps, and a measure of discretion."}, {"response": 1050, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (21:43)", "body": "I do regularly, but it will never be as big as yours, my dear ;)"}, {"response": 1051, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (21:48)", "body": "It's those little glassy shards which imbed themselves in your knees... Is it likely, with those little intimate names, that no one outside the bonds of matrimony truly knows what they called precious parts of each other? EsBee, free license to create. But, always, as Arami says, with a measure of discretion!"}, {"response": 1052, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (21:54)", "body": "LOL! And how do you know how big mine might be? ;-D"}, {"response": 1053, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (22:19)", "body": "Your heart? Shall I give away all of your secrets?!"}, {"response": 1054, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 1999 (19:44)", "body": "LOL! Good try - people might think you really know my secrets... But this one is no secret, alas: the size of my... you're right, it's MEGA! ;-)"}, {"response": 1055, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 1999 (21:44)", "body": "I knew that!!! =)) I know no secrets. It is a dangerous habit to pry where one does not belong. Anything I do know - it's *my* secret ;)"}, {"response": 1056, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 1999 (21:46)", "body": "BTW, all you Royal watchers, You already know that tomorrow our fair shores will be graces by HRH the Prince Andrew, Duke or York."}, {"response": 1057, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 1999 (23:19)", "body": "New List Titles Bestowed Upon Firthians Marchioness of Middle Earth, Karen Duchess of Jutland, EsBee Marcianess of Stonehenge sans Druids"}, {"response": 1058, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 1999 (00:29)", "body": "Titles Bestowed Upon Firthians Marchioness of Middle Earth, Karen Duchess of Jutland, EsBee Marcianess of Stonehenge sans Druids Erstwhile QE II , bethan Duchess of Darcy, Rita Prairie Princess, Stacey Princess of Asturias, Lidya Earl Of Wessex, Colin Firth Dame Winter of that Ilk, winter"}, {"response": 1059, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 1999 (02:30)", "body": "Does \"saint\" Susan count, or do we give her another one? :-)"}, {"response": 1060, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 1999 (02:32)", "body": "Why is Lidya Princess of Asturias (a bona fide title, the Prince of Asturias is the Spanish Heir, Prince Philip)?"}, {"response": 1061, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 1999 (13:15)", "body": "Until Lidya can answer for herself, she told me she rather fancies him. However I shall encourage her to choose another title which is entirely fictious Oh yes, Saint Susan is good. How about thee? .....adding Susan and her sainthood. She may choose another if she wishes or have one bestowed...St Susan the Navigator?"}, {"response": 1062, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 1999 (20:35)", "body": "Mistress of Pemberley, Lidya"}, {"response": 1063, "author": "livamago", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 1999 (20:40)", "body": "Gi: Why is Lidya Princess of Asturias (a bona fide title, the Prince of Asturias is the Spanish Heir, Prince Philip)? I think he's gorgeous, and since he's not married yet, there is no Princess of Asturias. I had an aunt in Spain, and when I was a child she used to joke with me telling me he was waiting for me. But, in any case, I have thought of a better one!"}, {"response": 1064, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 1999 (20:40)", "body": "Titles Bestowed Upon Firthians Marchioness of Middle Earth, Karen Duchess of Jutland, EsBee Marcianess of Stonehenge-sans-Druids Erstwhile QE II , bethan Duchess of Darcy, Rita Prairie Princess, Stacey Mistress of Pemberley, Lidya Earl Of Wessex, Colin Firth Dame Winter of that Ilk, winter St. Susan the Navigator, Susan MC"}, {"response": 1065, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Jun 25, 1999 (02:10)", "body": "I challenge Lydia for the title \"Mistress of Pemberley\" in Lizzie's name. I'm sorry, I don't think anyone has the right to that one except Lizzie, and am most unhappy at the way this list is going :-( Please take notice that I ask no title for myself. It just does not seem right to me. Any other opinions?"}, {"response": 1066, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jun 25, 1999 (13:43)", "body": "Lidya has requested that she be removed from the list. I shall do so forthwith. Perhaps this is one of my worst-copnceived lists. I should go out of the business."}, {"response": 1067, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Jun 25, 1999 (14:37)", "body": "(Marcia) I should go out of the business. ACK! Bite your tongue woman! It's just that there were no ground rules laid out -so things could easily become jumbled; and so it appears they have."}, {"response": 1068, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jun 25, 1999 (19:10)", "body": "(ACK! Suddnely I feel like I am in a Mickey Rooney-Judy Garland Movie) Let's make a list of ground rules for Honorary titles. 1. They may not belong to real people or future real people. 2. It is best if they pertain to fictional places (excpting Stonehenge, of course) 3. They must not offend anyone's sensitivities (we may never get this off the drawing board) 4. They must be...um...\"couth\" as opposed to uncouth."}, {"response": 1069, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 25, 1999 (21:34)", "body": "4. They must be...um...\"couth\" as opposed to uncouth. Please define further. ;-)"}, {"response": 1070, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jun 26, 1999 (14:31)", "body": "Couth = polished; sophisticated. And, as we are in here as Firthians firthst and foremmost, said title should allude to something having to do with him; the pursuit of knowledge about him, close encounters, etc - but \"tastefuly.\" Does this take all the fun out of it?"}, {"response": 1071, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Jun 28, 1999 (09:04)", "body": "(Marcia) said title should allude to something having to do with him; the pursuit of knowledge about him, close encounters, etc I shall be more than happy to oblige Colin with a tour of Jutland, at his earlist possible convience. ;)"}, {"response": 1072, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 1999 (15:34)", "body": "EsBee, You are most kind. I am sure the Wessex's were familiar with the most famous antiquity in all of the British Isles, Stonehenge. Having grown up in the southern counties, I am sure Colin himself has been there, too. My Danish ancestors came from your tertritories - most probably your vassals and varlets and churls ;D"}, {"response": 1073, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 1999 (15:38)", "body": "I could opt for the Kahuna of Kilauea, but I do not want my home overrun by lava nor do I want to offend the native Hawaiian population who outsize me by many inches tall and many pounds heavy. It has that FF connection, though."}, {"response": 1074, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 1999 (16:27)", "body": "Just so long as you don't ask for the Big Kahuna. That will be Cliff Robertson forever in my mind!! ;-D"}, {"response": 1075, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 1999 (16:28)", "body": "...just as there is only one Moondoggie! ;-D"}, {"response": 1076, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 1999 (16:48)", "body": "LOL, Karen, Gidget I am not and, alas, never have been."}, {"response": 1077, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (14:30)", "body": "I want Joe's sweater...the one he's wearing when he proposes."}, {"response": 1078, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (16:48)", "body": "checking the lists...You have started a new one. Keepsakes from Femme Fatale Joe's sweater...the one he's wearing when he proposes, JKArt There is aready a list of places in films you would like to replace the actress. Arami has the \"vertical shag in front of the frozen peas\""}, {"response": 1079, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (17:47)", "body": "...but that isn't a shag...?!? Can I have the one in the bed, then?!?!?"}, {"response": 1080, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (17:54)", "body": "ok - coming right up (I did not think so either!) Lusty Ladies' Wish List Scenes From Firth Films The Vertical Shag from Femme Fatale, Arami Against the Side of the Mine Shaft in Nostromo, Marcia The Kiss Wessex Bestows upon Viola for which he gets slapped, SusanA \"The Look\" and \"The Smile\" at Pemberley from P&P2, Evelyn The Kiss in the Kitchen from Fever Pitch, Elena The Whirling and Twirling Love Scene from Valmont, Karen The Letter Valmont Dictates to Cecile, Eileen Lovemaking scene in Bedroom from WoF, LizzaJ Post Nuptial Kiss in Carriage between the Darcys, SBRobinson Nuzzling of Maria whilst hands are roaming all over her (fully clothed), only in Hour of the Pig, Heide His Lingering Kiss With Bianca in WoF, KJArt Scene in which he is Santa and it begins \"I love you sausage.\" from TEP, Lizza Bed scene from Femme Fatale, JKArt"}, {"response": 1081, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (18:02)", "body": "She didn't specify peas...she's already got it...and I've got my WoF kiss. Must generously decline. (But if we can have one from other movies too, then I'll take the peas, please!!!! 8-D)."}, {"response": 1082, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (18:06)", "body": "You can have one from each movie...I'm gonna leave you this one - it is different from hers."}, {"response": 1083, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (18:08)", "body": "check again: Lusty Ladies' Wish List Scenes From Firth Films The Vertical Shag in frozen foods from Femme Fatale, Arami Against the Side of the Mine Shaft in Nostromo, Marcia The Kiss Wessex Bestows upon Viola for which he gets slapped, SusanA \"The Look\" and \"The Smile\" at Pemberley from P&P2, Evelyn The Kiss in the Kitchen from Fever Pitch, Elena The Whirling and Twirling Love Scene from Valmont, Karen The Letter Valmont Dictates to Cecile, Eileen Lovemaking scene in Bedroom from WoF, LizzaJ Post Nuptial Kiss in Carriage between the Darcys, SBRobinson Nuzzling of Maria whilst hands are roaming all over her (fully clothed), only in Hour of the Pig, Heide His Lingering Kiss With Bianca in WoF, KJArt Scene in which he is Santa and it begins \"I love you sausage.\" from TEP, Lizza Bed scene from Femme Fatale, JKArt"}, {"response": 1084, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (18:11)", "body": "Arami would have my head and yours and my Title of Chief Keeptress if I let you have the peas - there is a long discussion about it back aways in 72. Hers is definitely the peas!"}, {"response": 1085, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (19:25)", "body": "There are no peas in that scene. Can't you see the orange juice in the case? ;-D"}, {"response": 1086, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (19:27)", "body": "Maybe not orange juice...but at least beverages. OK, that's the ticket."}, {"response": 1087, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (19:28)", "body": "...and no peas in the Bedroom, but ever since we first discussed this vertical shag...someone suggested it was among the frozen peas, and it took on a life of its own. That is Arami's is it not? Surely, there are not two verticals in there...?!"}, {"response": 1088, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (19:34)", "body": "(You cannot imagine what this warping between Upper Spring where dwells the couth and polished ladies and mid-Spring where I am carving a niche with Geo and keeping it strictly lofty in purpose and posting. Then there is The Spring...whose depths I have yet to plumb. I am trying to stay afloat there and it is proving to be a most entertaining exercise. (we should have moved the Spam discussion down there, but it would not have ended up being half so funny if we had. 'Tis tricky to talk loftily about S am, but I think we did it!)"}, {"response": 1089, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (20:50)", "body": "(KJArt)...Can I have the one(shag) in the bed, then?!?!? Grabby, Grabby...(pun intended) :-D"}, {"response": 1090, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (21:21)", "body": "*lol* I had forgotten how much fun it is up here in the lofties. Grabby?! Aren't we all! Please check my hard work out and critique is welcome from any of you, I have never worked so hard at anything in my life on a purely intellectual level. What an experience! Thanks! http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/geo/all"}, {"response": 1091, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (23:11)", "body": "Will see what new things you've done. But important update first: Have rewatched FF. He proposes in front of the refrigerated beer case. She starts dancing in front of the OJ. There is only one vertical shag in FF and it's in the bed with beads of sweat dripping down their faces. :)"}, {"response": 1092, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (23:24)", "body": "Thanks Karen. Shall it be pistols at dawn? I am sure Arami mentioned the frozen foods and it is nothing like the one in the bedroom...but...I shall await further developments..."}, {"response": 1093, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 18, 1999 (12:16)", "body": "WOW..Marcia...am I impressed. Now don't go getting too academic... Come back to \"Shag-Country \" on #113 every now and then...:-)"}, {"response": 1094, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (08:56)", "body": "All shagging aside ;-), Joe does kiss Cynthia twice in the grocery store--the first is after \"who are you calling a tart\" and later after \"you have to marry me.\" If it's within these ever-more-complicated rules, sign me up for the first one! Yowza!"}, {"response": 1095, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (09:19)", "body": "The tart kiss! Good choice, Eileen. ;-D"}, {"response": 1096, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (09:20)", "body": "or should I have said you have \"good taste\"? ;-D"}, {"response": 1097, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (11:52)", "body": "Eileen's \"tart\" kiss in now on the list of scenes you would have liked to be the object of his affection. That was indeed, good taste. Ummmmm! Thanks for the kind words Evelyn. My heart and home is here in drool, but when I was offered a Conference of my very own (and terrified to say yes - I had turned down a topic for fear of messing up in front of God and Everyone)...and wer's most patient and expert help...there I am. Every day, when I boot Geo/all, I hold my breath lest it has been just a lovely dream."}, {"response": 1098, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (12:41)", "body": "(Karen)..The tart kiss! Good choice, Eileen. ;-D Yummmmmmm."}, {"response": 1099, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (13:22)", "body": "The tart kiss! Good choice, Eileen. ;-D Am off to buy some apples. *Virtually puckering up now* (Marcia) ...terrified to say yes - I had turned down a topic for fear of messing up in front of God and Everyone Don't sell yourself short! BTW, perhaps Karen will lend you her 'Marchioness [Marcianess] of Middle Earth' title! Don't remember--is there a board for 'Druids and other tree worshipers'??"}, {"response": 1100, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (13:27)", "body": "Couldn't get online until now. There is only one shag in that movie and it's in bed. According to that first list you posted, Arami had \"the vertical shag from FF\" , ergo, Arami should have it. But now all sorts of clouds of detail are obscuring both the original requests and subsequent ones. Tell you what: The two scenes I was talking about were: a) the vertical shag in bed and b) the proposal dance in front of the freezer...(I couldn't care less what the contents of said freezer are...)(Frozen peas was just a figure of sp ech...)(Karen's, I think...) Since some question has been raised, I would suggest we go to the horse's mouth and find out what she MEANT, and then when that is cleared up, I will take the other one...(And, C'mon guys...first dibs!!!) 8-D"}, {"response": 1101, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (13:54)", "body": "...Actually, I hope the freezer one is open...it will go with the sweater! ;-)"}, {"response": 1102, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (14:00)", "body": "I kicked the Druids out of Stonehenge when I assumed the title of Marcianess of Stonehenge-sans-Druids. There is a Paraspring for the paranormal, but have not had the time to investigate it as yet. Arami? Clarification please???"}, {"response": 1103, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (15:00)", "body": "The only other vertical shag is in Wings of Fame, but then again there must be one in HOTPig. Every other position was used. ;-p"}, {"response": 1104, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (19:14)", "body": "Arami would have my head and yours and my Title of Chief Keeptress if I let you have the peas... Hers is definitely the peas! ...ever since we first discussed this vertical shag...someone suggested it was among the frozen peas... That is Arami's is it not? Shall it be pistols at dawn? I am sure Arami mentioned the frozen foods... Helloooo... Been away for a couple of days and... WHAT IS GOING ON IN HERE FOR FIRTH'S SAKE??? Pass my pea-shooter, anyone! Marcia, of all people in the world!!! I've never, NEVER, mentioned frozen vegetables with reference to ODB, and that's a fact. The so called \"frozen peas scene\" - which is not a shag (surely that would be kinkier than the Playmaker!) - is particularly beloved of Nan, but I can't recall whether she's ever claimed it here. Mine is the lovemaking in bed scene. Sitting up, beads of sweat, misty eyes... sheer poetry in motion ;-)... And just so that there's no further arguing, I claim the whole scene to its conclusion including the blue flash! And Marcia, I shall not dethrone or behead you just yet, as long as you promise to make up for this dreadful, dreadful faux pas. So be a good girl and get a copy of FF pronto. We can't have a mistress of ceremonies who has no clue what she's talking about! :-P"}, {"response": 1105, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (20:14)", "body": "Yes...yes Ma'am. (If I am good, will you pop down to Geo and see what occupies so much of my time lately?!) The true shag with all of that passion and sweat is yours (yes, and the poetry too...) Arami. Eileen, you get the \"tart\" kiss. KJArt, you get the freezer one with \"You have to marry me\" Did I get that right? (I checked back - I keep copies!!!)"}, {"response": 1106, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (20:19)", "body": "I have FF. I just need to have a few more hours of up time to watch it again. The best vertical shag is against the mine walls in Nostromo. That is the one scene in which I wanted to be the leading lady!"}, {"response": 1107, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (20:22)", "body": "Lusty Ladies' Wish List Scenes From Firth Films The Vertical Shag in bed from Femme Fatale, Arami Against the Side of the Mine Shaft in Nostromo, Marcia The Kiss Wessex Bestows upon Viola for which he gets slapped, SusanA \"The Look\" and \"The Smile\" at Pemberley from P&P2, Evelyn The Kiss in the Kitchen from Fever Pitch, Elena The Whirling and Twirling Love Scene from Valmont, Karen The Letter Valmont Dictates to Cecile, Eileen Lovemaking scene in Bedroom from WoF, LizzaJ Post Nuptial Kiss in Carriage between the Darcys, SBRobinson Nuzzling of Maria whilst hands are roaming all over her (fully clothed), only in Hour of the Pig, Heide His Lingering Kiss With Bianca in WoF, KJArt Scene in which he is Santa and it begins \"I love you sausage.\" from TEP, Lizza Freezer scene from Femme Fatale, JKArt The \"tart\" kiss in the Grocery Store from Femme Fatale, Eileen"}, {"response": 1108, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jul 20, 1999 (15:38)", "body": "The best vertical shag is against the mine walls in Nostromo. It's very much a matter of personal preference. I do not find the Nostromo shag too attractive: it's more violent than erotic. I prefer a gentle, unselfish male."}, {"response": 1109, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jul 20, 1999 (16:00)", "body": "Oh, and btw, I've been to Geo and am totally awed and overwhelmed. Honest."}, {"response": 1110, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jul 20, 1999 (18:14)", "body": "Perhaps I just got carried away that he could do it against the wall (I have not been so fortunate...) Thanks for the kind words about Geo. Whatever one thinks of it, I did it, so I get the flowers as well as the brick bats!"}, {"response": 1111, "author": "livamago", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (09:48)", "body": "(Arami)I do not find the Nostromo shag too attractive And all that mud and moisture, too! Marcia, can I have the bed scene in The Advocate where the girl has her feet through a hole in the wall? I have not seen the movie, but a kind friend sent me a picture. I hope it is not taken."}, {"response": 1112, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (12:52)", "body": "It is only in HOTPig that this particular scene is fully shown, but it remains unclaimed. Lidya, it is yours! Hope you don't injure yourself poking the holes next time =)"}, {"response": 1113, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (14:28)", "body": "And that, Karen, is your vertical shag in HotPig! ;-)"}, {"response": 1114, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (14:32)", "body": "Correction: And that, Karen, is LIDYA'S vertical shag in HotPig!! 8-D"}, {"response": 1115, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (15:25)", "body": "Not so much vertical only, but a whole succession of athletic multi-shags in that particular scene. Still, it all ends quite tamely - that's how the girl is able to kick out at the end... (I don't know how she finds the energy... ;-P)"}, {"response": 1116, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (18:48)", "body": "Arami, she was so young...*sigh* I think I can remember that far back...;)"}, {"response": 1117, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (20:05)", "body": "And the rooster still crows..."}, {"response": 1118, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (20:54)", "body": "*Big Sigh*....... (surprised you did not use the other word, but you are a lady and would not have thought of it) ;D"}, {"response": 1119, "author": "livamago", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (21:18)", "body": "(Arami)Not so much vertical only, but a whole succession of athletic multi-shags in that particular scene Lucky me...*sigh*"}, {"response": 1120, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (21:21)", "body": "Lidya - this is the perfect one for you. Lucky, indeed!"}, {"response": 1121, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (13:54)", "body": "but you are a lady and would not have thought of it Pppffffttttttttt! ;-P"}, {"response": 1122, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (14:01)", "body": "Oh Good! Another human in the disguise of a Firthian of elevated thinking admits to his carnal attractiveness...*sigh*"}, {"response": 1123, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (14:11)", "body": "....Not so much vertical only, but a whole succession of athletic multi-shags in that particular scene Great commercial for Viagra....better get in shape Lidya :-))"}, {"response": 1124, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (19:09)", "body": "No, no - not Viagra: just natural youthful exuberance."}, {"response": 1125, "author": "quimby2", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (18:20)", "body": "How delightful! What a challenge: to 1.) review all extant CF films; 2.) find objects and/or \"memories\" I'd keep and treasure; 3.) delete all that someone else has claimed; 4.) bid quickly. And I thought I had something _else_ do this weekend...."}, {"response": 1126, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (18:37)", "body": "We also used to compose mini essays and limerics about the relevant revered objects... but that was a long time ago..."}, {"response": 1127, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (18:58)", "body": "... but that was a long time ago... ] Yes, during the ice age, when Arami ruled the earth;)"}, {"response": 1128, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (19:35)", "body": "Not long ago at all - mine are all up to date as are Arami's. Those whose are not, I have your Keepsakes in my closet where I fondle (make that fold) them carefully and frequently to be sure they are fresh for the master should he need them...;) (Fight nicely or I'll send you all to Geo to crack rocks!)"}, {"response": 1129, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (19:45)", "body": "(Fight nicely or I'll send you all to Geo to crack rocks!) ] But are they throwable? LOL:) *sometimes I just crack (get it) myself up!*"}, {"response": 1130, "author": "quimby2", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (00:45)", "body": "LOLOLOL! You are all _too_ funny."}, {"response": 1131, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (00:51)", "body": "Laura, you get your \"pick\" to crack yourself up with...and rocks there come in molten form, precious gems, fossil Dinosaur dung, and stuff from \"out there\". Just watch you don't go throwing my diamonds around!"}, {"response": 1132, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (17:01)", "body": "Just watch you don't go throwing my diamonds around! ] Ah, those can I keep????"}, {"response": 1133, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (17:19)", "body": "I frisk everyone entering and leaving just to prevent such things...=)"}, {"response": 1134, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (19:20)", "body": "during the ice age, when Arami ruled the earth;) At least I have something to remember. Unlike those who have only ruled Firth - out of their world."}, {"response": 1135, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (19:22)", "body": "...* S I G H ..."}, {"response": 1136, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (21:25)", "body": "Thank you, Marcia dear. Your efforts don't go unappreciated."}, {"response": 1137, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (22:58)", "body": "My Dear, I know...I know....=)"}, {"response": 1138, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (14:29)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1139, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (20:44)", "body": "Want to see what Wessex was really mumbling? Check http://robin.ml.org/~tstone/curse/"}, {"response": 1140, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (08:51)", "body": "Thou craven hell-hated mumble-news! Wow! Makes me feel better already!"}, {"response": 1141, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (12:48)", "body": "ooh, censored, hmmmm... I thought only the Gestapo did that?"}, {"response": 1142, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (13:48)", "body": "Laura, what censor? You posted something in that blank space on 1138 and it has disappeared? Curious! I do not have that power in this conference, so 'twas not I."}, {"response": 1143, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (14:08)", "body": ", so 'twas not I. ] I know it wasn't you."}, {"response": 1144, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 1999 (21:59)", "body": "Has anyone claimed anything besides the sporran from MLSF?? If not, I'd really like the beret-type hat he wears in the curling scenes, please."}, {"response": 1145, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 1999 (22:20)", "body": "Firthstly, it has to be a Scottish Tam, no?! Here is the current list of MLSF keepsakes: Keepsake list from my Life So Far His Sporran From, Marcia His Wire-rimmed Eyeglasses from, EsBee His Scots Accent , Lizza The Cap he wears while Curling, KJArt"}, {"response": 1146, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (17:31)", "body": "Ooh, you mean I'm in time to claim his outfit from the opening 'running up the stairs to save Baby Fraser' sequence?! Marchioness Marcia, sign me up! :-) (I'd love to claim that crazy truck with the cigar on top but 'tis far better to claim something--um--more personal, shall we say?) Who wants those rubber pants? How about the whole floatation thingy? Better grab it quick... Don't forget those goggles. C'mon gals!"}, {"response": 1147, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (20:23)", "body": "Keepsake list from my Life So Far His Sporran From, Marcia His Wire-rimmed Eyeglasses from, EsBee His Scots Accent , Lizza The Cap he wears while Curling, KJArt The'Running up the stairs to save Baby Fraser'Outfit, Eileen"}, {"response": 1148, "author": "livamago", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (20:25)", "body": "Eileen, you beat me to it! Dear Marcia, can I have the jacket he's wearing at the dinner table? I think he looks gorgeous here..."}, {"response": 1149, "author": "livamago", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (20:39)", "body": "I changed my mind. Can I have the towel he is carrying while he runs to the lake? (I have paused on this scene so many times trying to check him out!)? Thanks, your Marcianess..."}, {"response": 1150, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (20:40)", "body": "Keepsake list from My Life So Far His Sporran From, Marcia His Wire-rimmed Eyeglasses from, EsBee His Scots Accent , Lizza The Cap he wears while Curling, KJArt The'Running up the stairs to save Baby Fraser'Outfit, Eileen The Little Towel Hiding his assets as he runs to the lake, Lidya"}, {"response": 1151, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (22:25)", "body": "The towels are hiding the boys' assets...at least for the time being ;-p"}, {"response": 1152, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (22:38)", "body": "Thank you Karen - is there one of the Sporran??!!"}, {"response": 1153, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (22:40)", "body": "I suppose I must make up a hymn to the Sporran or whatever... to keep the tradition going...*sigh*"}, {"response": 1154, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (22:40)", "body": "Not yet, Miramax kept that prize out of the promotional materials so we wouldn't faint dead away and not be able to buy tickets to the movie. :-)"}, {"response": 1155, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (22:44)", "body": "They know us too well =P"}, {"response": 1156, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (02:02)", "body": "Does he wear a kilt, if so I would like that. If not the scarf he's wearing in the picture with Morria and Heloise that Karen has on her page will suffice."}, {"response": 1157, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (16:12)", "body": "Well...if Lidya changed her mind and it's ok with her, I'll have to take the navy-blue suit he wears at the dinner table....breathtaking:-). I hope he got to keep it ....and I get to see him in it before I die!!:-D"}, {"response": 1158, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (17:29)", "body": "If he is wearing a Sporran, he is definitely wearing a Kilt. Lucie. And I would like to see him in the movie before I die! Keepsake list from My Life So Far His Sporran, Marcia His Wire-rimmed Eyeglasses from, EsBee His Scots Accent , Lizza The Cap he wears while Curling, KJArt The'Running up the stairs to save Baby Fraser'Outfit, Eileen The Little Towel Hiding his assets as he runs, Lidya His Kilt, Lucie His Navy Blue Dinner Suit, Evelyn"}, {"response": 1159, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (18:08)", "body": "Oh hell, I'll take his dorky striped pajamas... ;-D"}, {"response": 1160, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (18:10)", "body": "Hid Dorky Striped Pajamas, Karen"}, {"response": 1161, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (18:13)", "body": "Keepsake list from My Life So Far His Sporran, Marcia His Wire-rimmed Eyeglasses from, EsBee His Scots Accent , Lizza The Cap he wears while Curling, KJArt The'Running up the stairs to save Baby Fraser'Outfit, Eileen The Little Towel Hiding his assets as he runs, Lidya His Kilt, Lucie His Navy Blue Dinner Suit, Evelyn His Dorky Striped Pajamas, Karen"}, {"response": 1162, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (18:21)", "body": "Wait!! You didn't let me finish!! .......off! ;-D"}, {"response": 1163, "author": "livamago", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (19:40)", "body": "(Evelyn) if Lidya changed her mind and it's ok with her You may have it! I would love to keep the person inside it, if I could, but the towel will have to do... (Karen) Wait!! You didn't let me finish!! .......off! ;-D Too funny, Karen! *wink*"}, {"response": 1164, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (19:54)", "body": "Ok, as lady of record, does Karen want him with his dorky pajamas off, or does she want those dorky pajamas???!!!"}, {"response": 1165, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (20:49)", "body": "(Marcia) Ok, as lady of record, does Karen want him with his dorky pajamas off, or does she want those dorky pajamas???!!! I suspect she wants the former [don't we all!] but has already reconciled herself to accepting the latter. ;-) Wise child. :-D (Or am I putting thoughts into your head that you don't have, Karen??)"}, {"response": 1166, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (21:13)", "body": "One is never sure of these things...must ask to be absolutely positive...;D"}, {"response": 1167, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (21:52)", "body": "If I have the dorky pajamas, then the other has been achieved. Correct? ;-D"}, {"response": 1168, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (21:58)", "body": "You are too clever by half, My Dear!!! Your goal has been achieved...*LOL*!"}, {"response": 1169, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (11:11)", "body": "*****ROTFLMAO!!!!! *****"}, {"response": 1170, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (11:42)", "body": "That was always my understanding: once the keepsake is yours, you get to do with it as you please...right, Marcia? I liked those PJ's too, Karen. A few buttons undone...*sigh*"}, {"response": 1171, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (11:55)", "body": "A few buttons undone...*sigh* You know, he starts out in the chair with them buttoned all the way up a la Neil Truelove, but when he goes in to the bedroom to apologize, I think a couple of buttons are open. Must recheck to be sure."}, {"response": 1172, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (12:03)", "body": "Indeed, they are. I don't remember every detail about the film, but I manage to retain all the *really* important things!! ;-D"}, {"response": 1173, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (12:15)", "body": "It is my understanding that we are to keep these items in sacred trust as pristine as we got them ready for the master would like to use them. We are not to use them for purient pleasures (unless you are very sneaky!)"}, {"response": 1174, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (13:11)", "body": "(Marcia) unless you are very sneaky! Gotta love those loop holes! ;)"}, {"response": 1175, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (14:01)", "body": "Hey, the button-snipper makes the most of loop holes, button holes and anything else she of which she can avail herself. The creative Droolian mind never sleeps!"}, {"response": 1176, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (14:08)", "body": "....I liked those PJ's too, Karen. You might as well take the dorky plaid bathrobe (Brit-talk:dressing gown ) that he uses over the pj's at Gamma's bedside...as he puts his arm around Moira and says...\"let's go, angel\" or something like that.(**sigh**)"}, {"response": 1177, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (08:38)", "body": "Well, Karen, since you have my favourite outfit, well, not my favourite, but Edward is wearing them in two of my favourite scenes - the dancing in the rain bit (way too short, don't you think) and the last bedroom scene (in which not even the dorky PJ's can make him look less than breathtaking), can I please claim his wedding ring, which never, presumably, leaves his finger, at least not during those moments when he slips upstairs for a slank...pardon me for my most *ahem* respectful prurience."}, {"response": 1178, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 1999 (12:34)", "body": "You most certainly may. Keepsake list from My Life So Far His Sporran, Marcia His Wire-rimmed Eyeglasses from, EsBee His Scots Accent , Lizza The Cap he wears while Curling, KJArt The'Running up the stairs to save Baby Fraser'Outfit, Eileen The Little Towel Hiding his assets as he runs, Lidya His Kilt, Lucie His Navy Blue Dinner Suit, Evelyn His Dorky Striped Pajamas, Karen His Wedding Ring, Lynda Is a shag anything like a slank? Or am I hopelessly lost again?"}, {"response": 1179, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 1999 (13:30)", "body": "Is a shag anything like a slank? Or am I hopelessly lost again? Methinks, they are the same. ;-D"}, {"response": 1180, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 1999 (13:57)", "body": "Euphamisms...where would we be without them...on an adult web site ;)"}, {"response": 1181, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 1999 (14:14)", "body": "Not euphemisms, just slang, most likely made up by men who have to have alternative names for everything!! BTW, I posted the links on 119, the last post. Check it out."}, {"response": 1182, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (14:31)", "body": "(Esbee) *Attention Marcia* has anyone claimed the leather jacket he's wearing in the lobby to sign autographs as a \"real life\" keepsake? If not, I would dearly love to have it. :) I might even be persuaded to compose an essay, extoling its virtues, over on 113. :) It is yours: Firth's Real Life Keepsakes Yellow and black striped necktie worn to London Premier of SIL, AllisonM Leather Jacket he is wearing at teh DonMar autograph signing, Esbee"}, {"response": 1183, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (14:35)", "body": "The promised tribute to Colin's leather jacket- Oh jacket divine, oh leather so sweet, how I long to caress you, and savor the heat which radiates from, the form you enclose a vision of splendor, right down to his toes A man so well made, in all of his parts a mere glance from him, has been known to melt hearts Oh jacket divine, I cant help but sing your praises and those, of our much lauded king."}, {"response": 1184, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (15:07)", "body": "Wow, Esbee! *clap clap*"}, {"response": 1185, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (15:15)", "body": "Thank You, Eileen. *curtsy* ....*falling over because I dont know how to cursty* . . . . Ahem, maybe I had to much cold medication. *giggle*"}, {"response": 1186, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (15:29)", "body": "Must get to work myself about adorin' his sporran...."}, {"response": 1187, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (09:27)", "body": "Yoo hoo, Marcia!! We miss you around here, dear. Perhaps those lucky, lucky ladies and gentleman who have seen SLOW (did I mention they were lucky?) would like to claim a few keepsakes."}, {"response": 1188, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (16:16)", "body": "Indeed, they are lucky and I will make them a list if they would just claim something... First draft; first verse: His Sporran How can I explain my adorin' CF in his shaggy fur sporran It hangs about where He's something to share But not with me, I am foreign."}, {"response": 1189, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (17:30)", "body": "LOL Marcia!! Have you ordered MLSF on DVD? Might be the only way you're going to see it."}, {"response": 1190, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (18:58)", "body": "I guess I'd better get at that right away. Reel.com was it? Thanks for the reminder."}, {"response": 1191, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (12:18)", "body": "I love the poem Marcia! :) Hurry and order MLSF... just wait til you see ODB in a kilt *sigh* he doesnt wear it for long, but even a glimpse is enough to start my heart pounding and pulse racing. *double sigh* btw- i've noticed that your keepsakes always seem to adorn the same general area of ODB... what on earth can account for this? *snicker*"}, {"response": 1192, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (14:21)", "body": "I have no idea...Had not noticed that my keepsakes were so obvious. I started out so purely with his University Notebooks...it was downward from there, I guess. *lol* Thanks for pointing it out!"}, {"response": 1193, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (14:05)", "body": "Esbee and Marcia, loved your poems. You are truly worthy!"}, {"response": 1194, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (14:34)", "body": "Thanks *blush* But, that was just the first draft...must work some more on it..."}, {"response": 1195, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (15:25)", "body": "Thanks Gi :) Marcia, what do you mean first draft? i thought it was great!"}, {"response": 1196, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (16:01)", "body": "Thanks EsBee...perhaps I will not try to fix what ain't broke (as they say). A second verse perhaps? Anyone need to see the lists? Here are the ones extant at the present time (I had no idea we had this many!): List of Lists Unclaimed Keepsakes Claimed Keepsakes from P&P2 Firth Items from movies other than P&P2 and SiL Firth's Real Life Keepsakes Firth's Real Life Keepsakes Keepsakes from Three Days of Rain Items touched by CF Kept by Owners Lusty Ladies' Wish List Scenes From Firth Films All-Time Worst Pairings in Movies Lusty Ladies' Wish List Scenes from Fan Fiction All-Time Casting Errors in Role or Roles The Utimate Firth List Lizzie's List of Pet Names for Darcy Titles Bestowed Upon Firthians"}, {"response": 1197, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (18:47)", "body": "Hey, can we resurrect the list of the names of P&P horses? We had a competition for them and some names are really hilarious. There were also names for the Pemberley pups. It would be a shame to lose them. Yours Truly, Keeper of His Ticker and Dangler."}, {"response": 1198, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (20:35)", "body": "For us newbies, how do we get to the lists? Do you post them? I've got something I want to claim plus I'd like to see the wish lists. Thanks, all--there's no end to the creativity here."}, {"response": 1199, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (23:52)", "body": "They are all on here but I can paste the entire set if you don't want to read back through 1199 responses... Unclaimed Keepsakes His Promissory Note (The $$ note He gave to Wickham) His Georgiana Letter His Childhood Clothing (When He was fishing with Wickham) His Fishing Pole His Tackle Box Claimed Keepsakes from P&P2 His Ring, Rita His Dent, Ann2 (This is the =only= CF body part being permitted) His Pemberley Breeches, Cheryl His Wet Shirt, Megan His Writing Quill, Heide His Fencing Foil, Carolyn His Riding Crop, Cindy His Pool Cue, Karen His Wine Goblet, Donna His Bath Towel, Vivian His Boots, Margaret His Bathrobe, Kat(h) His Black Horse \"Pride's Foal\", Erin His Riding Gloves, HeidiL His Great Coat, Clare His Netherfield Evening Clothes, Michele His Walking Cane, Inko His Carriage(s), Stacey His Billiard Room Waistcoat, Lesley His Nameless Hat of a Thousand Names (aka Incroyable Bicorne), Nan His Dogs, Linda K His Pemberley Evening Clothes (long pants), Kat His Blue Wedding Coat, Sarah His Pemberley Candlestick, Beth His Silver Wash Basin, Deb His Saddle, Barbara His Watch & Fob, Arami His Bathtub, Shelly His Washcloth, Catherine His Mirror, Renate His Miniature, Tineke His Cravat, Robyn His Top Hat, Kathy F. His Book, Lon His Castille Soap, Brioni The Letter, Karin His Cap & Gown, Jan His Copper Bathing Pitcher, Marilyn His Wine Decanter/Carafe, Lucie His Hand Towel (He used at Rosings after washing His face), Bethan His Silver Candlestick, NathalieR His Pemberley Cushion, Mary D. His Green Pemberley Coat, Laraine His Portrait, Anita T His Teacup, StefanieB His University Notebooks, Marcia His Grey Horse (\"Whipper\"), Laura His Fencing Glove, Gi His White Stockings and Buckled Shoes worn at the Netherfield Ball, Moon Dreams His Hunting Rifle, Elena The Curl on his forehead, SBRobinson The Shirt he tucks in as he runs downstairs to meet Lizzie at Pemberley, Susan A The Red Billiard Ball, Lidya His Tankard, Darlene His Coins (The tip He gave the London street urchin), Eileen Firth Items from movies other than P&P2 and SiL Paul Ashworth's Leather Jacket from Fever Pitch, Karen His Grey Scarf from Dutch Girls, Evelyn Paul Ashworth's grey undies from Fever Pitch, Marcia His Steel-rimmed glasses from Playmaker, Laura Small bath towel covering his hidden assets from Hour of the Pig, Allison M Paul's Arsenel Boxer Shorts from Fever Pitch, Stacey Valmont's Wig from Valmont, Tineke Paul Ashworth's Official's whistle from Fever Pitch, Heide The Rose from A Month In The Country, Lizza Paul Ashworth's Wrist Watch from Fever Pitch, Elena The Car He Drove in Tumbledown, Lucie His White Fisherman Knit Sweater from Tumbledown, Marcia The H?HN Silver Mine from Nostromo, Marcia Firth's Real Life Keepsakes Yellow and black striped necktie worn to London Premier of SIL, AllisonM Leather Jacket he is wearing at the DonMar autograph signing, Esbee Keepsakes from Shakespeare in Love Wessex' Pearl Earring, Renate Wessex' Blue Tights, EileenG Wessex' Ruff, Arami The Song Wessex Sings, SBR Wessex' Horse, AnnW Wessex' Sword, Scabbard and Belt, KJart (Viola's breast binder, Ray) Wessex' Flumpfy Hat with Tickly Feather, Nan Wessex' Sapphire and Gold Ring, Marcia Wessex' Goatee, Lizza Wessex' Gold Wedding Cape, Gi The Romeo and Juliet Play Notice which wrapped around Wessex' Face, Marina (in Moscow) The Kiss Wessex Bestows upon Viola for which he gets slapped, SusanA Keepsakes from Three Days of Rain The bed on which he lies, AllisonM The Program, Marcia His New York Accent, Eileen His White Tee Shirt, AnnW His Black Jeans, Arami His(Ned's) Dark Knit Sweater, SBRobinson His (Walker's) Green Sweater-and-TShirt, Elena His Cigar from the end of Act I, Karen His Ned-the-Nerd Glasses, Heide His Boots With The Price Tag On Them, EmmaE Journal In Which Ned Wrote, Evelyn Items touched by CF Kept by Owners Cross Pen used to sign autograph, Evelyn The Trenchcoat through which He Hugged Her, Heide The Pen with which he signed his autograph for her, Elena Her Right hand which He Shook Hands, Winter Black Uniball Pen He used to sign Heide's Program, ?? Her Heart - right after Kit dies, before the church scene., EsBee Lusty Ladies' Wish List Scenes From Firth Films The Vertical Shag in bed from Femme Fatale, Arami Against the Side of the Mine Shaft in Nostromo, Marcia The Kiss Wessex Bestows upon Viola for which he gets slapped, SusanA \"The Look\" and \"The Smile\" at Pemberley from P&P2, Evelyn The Kiss in the Kitchen from Fever Pitch, Elena The Whirling and Twirling Love Scene from Valmont, Karen The Letter Valmont Dictates to Cecile, Eileen Lovemaking scene in Bedroom from WoF, LizzaJ Post Nuptial Kiss in Carriage between the Darcys, SBRobinson Nuzzling of Maria whilst hands are roaming all over her (fully clothed), only in Hour of the Pig, Heide His Lingering Kiss With Bianca in WoF, KJArt Scene in which he is Santa and it begins \"I love you sausage.\" from TEP, Lizza Freezer scene from Femme Fatale, JKArt The \"tart\" kiss in the Grocery Store from"}, {"response": 1200, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (09:38)", "body": "Myohmy, we've been busy. Marcia, is that the complete MLSF list? It looks like an early one (after trailer, but before release). Thanks for checking, dear. PS. Are you serving Spam stuffing in your turkey tomorrow? No? Scrapple, then?"}, {"response": 1201, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (10:36)", "body": "Yellow and black striped necktie worn to London Premier of SIL, AllisonM Striped? I thought it had yellow flowers on it. I shall have to take another look. Not that I mind what it has on it as long as it has been round that lovely neck."}, {"response": 1202, "author": "livamago", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (11:08)", "body": "Marcia, dear, what happened to the towel he carries when he runs down to the lake in MLSF? That one belongs to me! Can I claim his fishing pole? He can 'fish' for me anytime..."}, {"response": 1203, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (11:27)", "body": "Sorry...updated MLSF list Keepsake list from My Life So Far His Sporran, Marcia His Wire-rimmed Eyeglasses from, EsBee His Scots Accent , Lizza The Cap he wears while Curling, KJArt The'Running up the stairs to save Baby Fraser'Outfit, Eileen The Little Towel Hiding his assets as he runs, Lidya His Kilt, Lucie His Navy Blue Dinner Suit, Evelyn His Dorky Striped Pajamas, Karen"}, {"response": 1204, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (11:29)", "body": "newer update.. Keepsake list from My Life So Far His Sporran, Marcia His Wire-rimmed Eyeglasses from, EsBee His Scots Accent , Lizza The Cap he wears while Curling, KJArt The'Running up the stairs to save Baby Fraser'Outfit, Eileen The Little Towel Hiding his assets as he runs, Lidya His Kilt, Lucie His Navy Blue Dinner Suit, Evelyn His Dorky Striped Pajamas, Karen His Wedding Ring, Lynda"}, {"response": 1205, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (11:29)", "body": "My...are't we proprietory today :-) Hey Marcia....I claimed Lizzy's long gloves that he held at the Netherfield Ball"}, {"response": 1206, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (11:33)", "body": "Let's start new SLOW list.... 1. I claim the ghastly \"Ever Ready Eddie\" bathrobe."}, {"response": 1207, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (11:34)", "body": "And i have Lizzy's necklace :)"}, {"response": 1208, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (11:45)", "body": "I thought so!!!...let me check. Apparently I have updated the lists in here but not on the separate file in which I keep them all together. I am having trouble finding it, so bear with me. I know it exists. Lizzie's keepsakes are Her gloves by Evelyn and her Garnet cross by Lidya or Esbee?? Huinting back through the files of 113 and posting asap."}, {"response": 1209, "author": "livamago", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (11:47)", "body": "Speaking about the Netherfield Ball, can I have the tiny flowers in Lizzy's hair? He didn't touch them, but Lizzy is my idealized self, and they were in his presence, as was her necklace."}, {"response": 1210, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (11:48)", "body": "Esbee, have you received an email I sent you about a week ago? If not, Marcia would you take care of that one. Thanx, must chop the pancetta (which I overfroze and now had to thaw...)"}, {"response": 1211, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (11:53)", "body": "OK Karen, will do. Oooh, more lists. Thank you ladies. Lizzie's list grows to three items Lizzie's List of Keepsakes from P&P2 Her long white gloves from the Netherfield Ball, Evelyn Her garnet cross necklace, EsBee The flowers in her hair from the Netherfield Ball, Lidya"}, {"response": 1212, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (11:57)", "body": "Keepsakes from SLOW The ghastly \"Ever Ready Eddie\" bathrobe, Evelyn"}, {"response": 1213, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (12:35)", "body": "Karen, I just emailed you from work... sorry havent checked my AOL account for a while *sheepish grin*"}, {"response": 1214, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (14:25)", "body": "Ijust sent you a duplicate of Karen's per her request."}, {"response": 1215, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (17:15)", "body": "(Lidya)Speaking about the Netherfield Ball, can I have the tiny flowers in Lizzy's hair? Those will look as beautiful on you as on Lizzy....I thought she looked dazzling that night....those sparkling \"fine eyes\"."}, {"response": 1216, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (17:24)", "body": "I have seen Lidya's image, with dark flashing eyes and beautiful dark shiny hair. Those flowers will indeed be exquisite on her. Lizzie and Lidya...a formmidable pair!"}, {"response": 1217, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (17:25)", "body": "(only one m, kiddo! Yes, I know!!!)"}, {"response": 1218, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (17:58)", "body": "Hey, I also own a pen which he used to sign my program and I'm sure it was on the list of Items touched by CF Kept by Owners. And has no one claimed His Codpiece from SIL? Extraordinary."}, {"response": 1219, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (18:15)", "body": "And has no one claimed His Codpiece from SIL? Extraordinary. Far better to have seen it in person...as Lizza has."}, {"response": 1220, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (18:21)", "body": "Hey! That is mine!!! I even wrote a limerick of two stanzas about it!!!"}, {"response": 1221, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (18:40)", "body": "Sorry Arami, Dear....I am sure you are correct, and your keepsake (touched by *Himself* is duly entered (I hunted back to January and could not find my error) Items touched by CF Kept by Owners Cross Pen used to sign autograph, Evelyn The Trenchcoat through which He Hugged Her, Heide The Pen with which he signed his autograph for her, Elena Her Right hand which He Shook Hands, Winter Black Uniball Pen He used to sign Heide's Program, ?? Her Heart - right after Kit dies, before the church scene., EsBee Pen used by CF to sign her program, Arami"}, {"response": 1222, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (21:58)", "body": "Marcia, since we are posting corrections... my item touched by CF should just read 'My Heart' (i was trying to be witty) the \"right after Kit dies, before the church scene\" was in reference to something else. :)"}, {"response": 1223, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Nov 25, 1999 (00:44)", "body": "EsBee, if we listed all of the anatomical parts CF has touched in Drool, it would be NetNanny-worthy ;D (butm I surely appreciate your corrections) Items touched by CF Kept by Owners Cross Pen used to sign autograph, Evelyn The Trenchcoat through which He Hugged Her, Heide The Pen with which he signed his autograph for her, Elena Her Right hand which He Shook Hands, Winter Black Uniball Pen He used to sign Heide's Program, ?? My Heart, EsBee Pen used by CF to sign her program, Arami"}, {"response": 1224, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Nov 25, 1999 (08:29)", "body": "Marcia, are you looking for the claimant of the black Uniball Penn he used to sigh my program? Guess what?! I've lost the pen! Oh the shame of it. It may be buried somewhere in the bowels of my purse - I just had it last week and used it to write a phone message down and then I don't know what I did with the pen. So right now it can not be claimed because it has disappeared. You may properly chastise me."}, {"response": 1225, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Nov 25, 1999 (13:02)", "body": "It was valid at the time of your claim. What has happened since then is irrelevant as you did have it in your precious possession (why did you not enshrine it?!) at that time. It is yours to keep as a memory no one else can have in quite the same way. *grin*"}, {"response": 1226, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Nov 25, 1999 (13:04)", "body": "Items touched by CF Kept by Owners Cross Pen used to sign autograph, Evelyn The Trenchcoat through which He Hugged Her, Heide The Pen with which he signed his autograph for her, Elena Her Right hand which He Shook Hands, Winter Black Uniball Pen He used to sign Heide's Program, Heide My Heart , EsBee Pen used by CF to sign her program, Arami"}, {"response": 1227, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Nov 25, 1999 (20:30)", "body": "He also touched my, er, program... he held it tightly pressing with his left thumb against his palm and supporting it with his fingers whilst scribbling away. He asked for my name and looked deep in my eyes. Yes, his beautiful eyes touched mine. (I don't know how I survived this.) Mmmmmmm....."}, {"response": 1228, "author": "baine", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (07:38)", "body": "Since the process for claiming keepsakes seems to be claiming them (as opposed to submitting an application, being vetted for worthiness, and subject to vote by a quorum of fellow droolers), may I claim In Movies Other Than Those Listed Specifically Tommy Judd's bathrobe (AC) In P&P2 Since body parts are disallowed--I claim his wick. That is of course the one he extinguishes with his bare hand at Rosings. This is assuming he did not use a finger double for insurance purposes. I wish to be absolutely assured upon this point as I do not want to be squeezed by someone I don't even know. Titles Bestowed I don't know if one can bestow one's own title, but mine is a very humble one, so perhaps that will be acceptable. I ask only to be a tenant on the Wessex estate. For example I might be a maid at an inn where he might be staying while his house in Virginia is being built. (The fact that there were no inns in Virginia in 1593 is a minor irritant we will simply ignore.)"}, {"response": 1229, "author": "livamago", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (08:11)", "body": "(Evelyn)I thought she looked dazzling that night....those sparkling \"fine eyes\". She really did! I play the whole scene over and over. One thing I like is that if one looks at the other actors who are standing on the sidelines, they are all in character. Mrs. Bennet is twitching away, Lydia is being her usual self, and Mr. Collins, oh dear, he is looking at Lizzy with such an adoring expression! Col. Forster gives a very eloquent smile when he looks at Lizzy, too. (Evelyn)Those will look as beautiful on you as on Lizzy. (Marcia)Lizzie and Lidya...a formmidable pair! You ladies have made my day. Thank you!"}, {"response": 1230, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (12:35)", "body": "Cymbelline, you have been granted your three wishes. Happy Holidays! Now, write something about the Keepsakes, please!"}, {"response": 1231, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (12:43)", "body": "(Arami) He also touched my, er, program... he held it tightly pressing with his left thumb against his palm and supporting it with his fingers whilst scribbling away. He asked for my name and looked deep in my eyes. Yes, his beautiful eyes touched mine. (I don't know how I survived this.) Mmmmmmm..... Duly noted on the proper list...*gasp* Just reading about it buckles my knees =)"}, {"response": 1232, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Nov 28, 1999 (13:54)", "body": "I have so enjoyed those lists. Marcia, dearest, thank you!! May I claim Lizzie's muddied petticoats from her walk over to Netherfield? (\"Six inches deep in mud\" etc). i love the way Darcy swaggers ahead of her to lead the way, his great coat flapping around those comely calves of his! Also may I claim Lizzie's stick with which she teases and plays with the dog while he looks on damp from his bath, hair curling at nape of neck etc Loved your poems Eileen and Marcia, heady stuff. Can anyone tell me how the fanfiction is going, anything along the lines of the Cottage Eileen? I have been out of touch for a while."}, {"response": 1233, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Nov 28, 1999 (13:56)", "body": "I guess no one will read this for ages as you are all watching P&P2 you lucky lot!!!"}, {"response": 1234, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Nov 28, 1999 (23:41)", "body": "I think we are only allowed one keepsake per character in P&P2. Which of Lizzie's items would you enjoy keeping safe the most (I would certainly opt for the pheramone-laden petticaots!!!) *sigh* I was toed up on National TV in our basketball tournament all weekend and I am about to crash. Night-night till tomorrow..."}, {"response": 1235, "author": "baine", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (11:31)", "body": "Lyric poetry to a schoolboy's sleepwear--'twas an honor that I dreamt not of. Yet velvet-voiced though he may be, of iron is duty's glove. We hesitate and stammer, yet he is such a man When Colin whispers low, \"Thou must,\" Firthettes reply, \"We can.\" Sonnet MCMXXXI -- Tommy Judd's Bathrobe Shall I compare thee to Darcy's dressing gown? Thou art more ratty and less functional. Rough winds could penetrate thy faded plaid That offered thin protection for that lovely bum Against the fowler's cane and wintry bite Of nights spent reading guilty Marx under a shaded light. But ghosts of celluloid are all that fill thee now, which never dim. Tough as an old bathrobe was Tommy till the Spanish got him. A lonely usherette could crush thy hollow shape between her hands And press her face into the Tommy smell and close her eyes And see that corner of a foreign field that is forever England. \"Like you, I would have kept him safe and warm.\" That flame-hard boy whose passion like his blood ran red. But that was in Another Country, and besides the boy is dead."}, {"response": 1236, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (11:44)", "body": "Well Done Cymbeline!!! :)"}, {"response": 1237, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (12:26)", "body": "Thanks for that, Cymbelline. The creativity and imaginations of the ladies of Drool never cease to amaze me."}, {"response": 1238, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (12:54)", "body": "Positively brilliant, Cymbeline! Is there a print edition of your Complete Works? The one I have with Shakespeare on the cover is missing this sonnet. ;-D"}, {"response": 1239, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (13:06)", "body": "Cymbeline, your breadth is staggering. From Chaucer to Shakespeare to ...? Do I hear Blackadder travelling through time? Karen, your copy probably doesn't go up to Sonnet 1931 (love the subtle dating, Cymbeline). Never has a bathrobe been serenaded so."}, {"response": 1240, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (13:17)", "body": "your copy probably doesn't go up to Sonnet 1931 Quite right, Willy petered out after 154. ;-D"}, {"response": 1241, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (16:46)", "body": "Wonderful, wonderful stuff Cymbeline. Marcia, I will keep the petticoats, and give up my greedy claim to the stick."}, {"response": 1242, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (16:48)", "body": "Oh dear, \"stuff\" is not quite the adjective to use on such a board as this! Heady poetry of the highest order Cymbeline!"}, {"response": 1243, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (16:59)", "body": "Well done, Cymbeline! He is certainly the face that launched a thousand Firthettes. :-D"}, {"response": 1244, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (17:24)", "body": "Cymbeline....you should publish!! (Moon)He is certainly the face that launched a thousand Firthettes. :-D Don't forget the bum and thighs :-D"}, {"response": 1245, "author": "baine", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (17:33)", "body": "You are all too kind--all it takes is a muse worthy of the effort, and we see such a cornucopia of results on all our topics that I really think we should put together a virtual literary mag devoted precisely to our outpourings of devotion, including of course illustrations by the Artists' Coliny I'm sure we have working but whose pieces so far we've seen little of. How about *Firther and Firther*?"}, {"response": 1246, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (17:41)", "body": "Willy petered out... Oh My...! Tres descriptive, no?! I can see it in my mind's eye and it has nothing whatsoever to do with sonnets ;D (btw, it was not just his face that launched a thousand Firthettes...as we have seen)"}, {"response": 1247, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (17:48)", "body": "...oh yes, the muddied petticoats are duly entered as Lizza's to keep safe (with mud intact)"}, {"response": 1248, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Nov 30, 1999 (14:45)", "body": "Cymbeline, I adored your sonnet. Too clever for words! \"Thou art more ratty and less functional...\" LOL!"}, {"response": 1249, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Nov 30, 1999 (20:05)", "body": "LOLOL! It's much too good to be lost in cyberspace. I support the call for an archive with index for these gems! (And we all know that it can be done.)"}, {"response": 1250, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Nov 30, 1999 (20:33)", "body": "...but do we know who can and will do it? Those without conferences to run along with multiple topics on diverse conferences, please step forward...;)"}, {"response": 1251, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Nov 30, 1999 (20:46)", "body": "(Marcia)...but do we know who can and will do it? Those without conferences to run along with multiple topics on diverse conferences, please step forward...;) How much technical knowledge and equipment are needed? That sort of cataloging is up my alley if all you technies can tell me what I need to know. If there is anyone who has the knowledge and the time, I will certainly defer but would be glad to do it if needed."}, {"response": 1252, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 30, 1999 (22:45)", "body": "Minimum requirements: a Cray-class computer and credentials to run the Jet Propulsion Labs ;-D What kind of archiving are we talking about? Like the Fan Fac from 34? And how much material? Cymbeline, have you html'd anything? Do you want to learn? Do you want some candy, little girl? ;-D"}, {"response": 1253, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (00:11)", "body": "Psst...Cymbelline....see Karen...she has what you want....! (Nan was given the Cray on 72. If she has not taken it to her mansion with all those cute guys to help her, it is up for grabs!)"}, {"response": 1254, "author": "baine", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (07:54)", "body": "(Karen) Minimum requirements: a Cray-class computer and credentials to run the Jet Propulsion Labs ;-D OK. I've got those. have you html'd anything? Do you want to learn? Do you want some candy, little girl? ;-D Yes, I've worked with it a bit and taken a couple of tutorials as well a short course in archival HTML. I'd have to brush up the tags. I'm a library cataloger, so excessively fussy formatting is my specialitee. Graphics I'm not experienced with, but I guess we're not talking about that with this. And I'd love some of that eye candy we get around here. In the words of Annette Bening, \"More. I want more.\""}, {"response": 1255, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (08:53)", "body": "Excellent!! Now what exactly are we supposed to be archiving? ;-)"}, {"response": 1256, "author": "baine", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (09:36)", "body": "(Karen) Excellent!! Now what exactly are we supposed to be archiving? ;-) The fan fic, but I know there's already an archive. I think indexing was the main request. I'm already imagining the index terms--hot!"}, {"response": 1257, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (09:49)", "body": "Thought, perhaps, we were talking about all the Keepsake lists. The items, who's got what, what prose/poetry goes in suppport of what items, etc. And if anyone wanted to get fancy, there could be a link to an image of said item. This would be really easy to do and, Marcia, you could set up a subdirectory for Keepsakes or I could. Or then again, there's the Fan Fic index, as you suggest. My oh my, what terms it could generate... ;-)"}, {"response": 1258, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (12:33)", "body": "Go to it, Karen...I think the subdirectroy is the way to go and not under Fan Fic. There is enought stuff in there already. This needs a proper index and I can furnish whatever is needed. It is all available here on 113, but I also have the lists under a separate file for easy access. I can forward that to whomever is compiling this. I simply do not have the time as my Geo conference needs help and is languishing from lack of posts."}, {"response": 1259, "author": "baine", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (13:07)", "body": "(Karen) Thought, perhaps, we were talking about all the Keepsake lists. You are right. It's the keepsake lists and the writings about them. I guess there is no archive for that. Marcia, I can take the lists you have or glean off the topic postings themselves. My email is baine@erols.com. Say the word, tech gurettes, on what you want done. A whole catalogful of Colin--what a dream job. No, dear, I'm sorry we don't have any dinner tonight. I was cataloging all day. I may have to apply to the Library of Congress for a new official Subject Heading: Actors - British - Male - Tall, Handsome, Droolable. That will go along with Actors - British - Little - Ugliest ( see Austen, Jane, 1777-1817 - Pride and Prejudice - Television adaptations - 1995)."}, {"response": 1260, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (13:46)", "body": "Amen, My Dear ! I would know precisely to whom it referred and would home in on it like a bat on a moth. I'll allow Karen and you to hash it out and then I will forward the lists if you would like. In fact, I have all of 113 and its predecessor saved to file, so if you need....just ask. My email is exactly what it says it is on that hotlink with my (MarciaH) on it."}, {"response": 1261, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (15:32)", "body": "Go to it Cymbeline!! ;-) Email me and we'll work out the details."}, {"response": 1262, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (18:51)", "body": "Capital, capital..."}, {"response": 1263, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (04:29)", "body": "Wow, what a great project, I love it. Karen and Cymbeline, have fun! I'll be eagerly waiting for the results ( she says, and - cough cough - snugs back into the bedcovers )"}, {"response": 1264, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (10:50)", "body": "Is it still permissible to request a keepsake? If so, I would like to request the red wine stained shirt from \"The Advocate\". That's the shirt Richard Courtois is wearing when he has the illuminating dream."}, {"response": 1265, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Sun, Dec  5, 1999 (00:34)", "body": "There were also names for the Pemberley pups. It would be a shame to lose them. } Natural and Just. Sorry, don't have any idea about the horses, except Ann2 suggested Get-me-to-her or somesuch."}, {"response": 1266, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Dec  5, 1999 (11:22)", "body": "I have never found that post listing them. Thanks Meggin - will add them to the master list and send it on to Cymbeline. I appreciate all the help I can get!"}, {"response": 1267, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (16:22)", "body": "Look forward to the fruits of your labours. just keep saying \"I shall conquer this---- etc.\""}, {"response": 1268, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (16:52)", "body": "(Lizza) Look forward to the fruits of your labours. As do I! I know there were many essays submitted before my time, which I would dearly love to read. Can't wait! :)"}, {"response": 1269, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (17:21)", "body": "They are all archived on Topic 53 (as it says in the title.) If you wait till she gets all of the incidental posts out of the essays, you will miss some of the finest drool there is!"}, {"response": 1270, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (17:48)", "body": "They are all archived on Topic 53 uh...Marcia...don't you remember what happened to 53? It only has 5 messages in it now."}, {"response": 1271, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (17:53)", "body": "That's right but I have them all saved to file!!! Want'um?"}, {"response": 1272, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (17:57)", "body": "Rats! What a disappointment, I was hoping to catch up on back essays, poems, etc. To change the subject, might I still request a keepsake, i.e., Richard Courtois' red wine stained shirt, perchance."}, {"response": 1273, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (18:02)", "body": "That's right but I have them all saved to file!!! Want'um? Then I misread. Cymbeline should have'um if she's doing her indexing, referencing, anotating, cross-citing, etc. ;-) Am thinking about how she will reference the red billiard ball from P&P. Under Sports-indoors? Sports-indoors-bedroom?"}, {"response": 1274, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (18:04)", "body": "Want me to put them on the unused Drool 100 topic??? Firth Items from movies other than P&P2 and SiL Paul Ashworth's Leather Jacket from Fever Pitch, Karen His Grey Scarf from Dutch Girls, Evelyn Paul Ashworth's grey undies from Fever Pitch, Marcia His Steel-rimmed glasses from Playmaker, Laura Small bath towel covering his hidden assets from Hour of the Pig, Allison M Paul's Arsenel Boxer Shorts from Fever Pitch, Stacey Valmont's Wig from Valmont, Tineke Paul Ashworth's Official's whistle from Fever Pitch, Heide The Rose from A Month In The Country, Lizza Paul Ashworth's Wrist Watch from Fever Pitch, Elena The Car He Drove in Tumbledown, Lucie His White Fisherman Knit Sweater from Tumbledown, Marcia The H?HN Silver Mine from Nostromo, Marcia Tommy Judd's Bathrobe from Another Country, Cymbeline Richard Courtois' red wine-stained shirt from The Advocate, CherylB"}, {"response": 1275, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (18:06)", "body": "Sorry. The last sentence should have been as follows: \"To change the subject, might I still request a keepsake, i.e., Richard Courtois' red wine stained shirt, perchance?\" I'm not a very good typist, actually I'm not really a typist."}, {"response": 1276, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (18:14)", "body": "Merci to you Marcia. And thank you Karen for saving the essays, etc."}, {"response": 1277, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (18:15)", "body": "So far Cymbeline just has the Keepsake lists. I think there is no way to annotate the comments and wonderful stuff on 53 and 113 unless she just culls the essays and poems about our keepsakes...Don't know, actually, but they are here for the asking. The horses' names are listed in 113 as well - back a ways because someone asked me to repost them and I did."}, {"response": 1278, "author": "baine", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (19:52)", "body": "I'm not sure I'm following all the discussion about archiving the Keepsakes. Are they already somewhere and, if so, is there any need for me to do anything? My assumption is that the latest list and all the literary offerings would be posted to a whatever-it-is that is listed at the top of the drool page along with Fan Fiction Archive, JE link, etc. Further these could be indexed in a number of ways if that would be helpful. Marcia, you didn't send me the file to which you refer from the old topic 53, did you? The file you sent me is only Keepsake lists, right? Do you just want the topic 53 file posted somewhere? Or what exactly? I'm still to much of a newbie to know the history of where everything is. I'm glad to do anything useful (for I love to be of use) but don't want to do The Wrong Thing."}, {"response": 1279, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (20:26)", "body": "I asked Karen what she wanted to do about the rest of 53. I could post it all there, of course but the last four would be out order - which is better than their not being accessable at all. Most of the neat early essays are on there as well as the horse-naming contest etc. I can send it to you... if you would like, but lets see what Heide and Karen say. Did you are the shirt to your lists? There is a new keepsake CherylB claimed just above!"}, {"response": 1280, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (20:35)", "body": "Nope, Cymbeline, you just have the keepsakes lists. Did you want other stuff?"}, {"response": 1281, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (21:27)", "body": "Marcia, whichever is easiest for you: post the literary offerings here or send them to Cymbeline for her project. Cymbeline, other than Marcia's hard drive, those items are not archived anywhere else to my knowledge. They were inadvertently lost shortly after a management change here. ;-)"}, {"response": 1282, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Dec 24, 1999 (18:53)", "body": "Mele Kalikimaka"}, {"response": 1283, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Dec 24, 1999 (18:54)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1284, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Dec 24, 1999 (18:55)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1285, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Dec 31, 1999 (19:38)", "body": "Ok No one has tended their Keepsakes for months. The moths are eating holes in some lovely items. Must confiscate them for repairs and reweaving. Hmmm...he seems to be still wearing this item. Oooh! Sorry! Hope I didn't hurt you when I checked that...Tickled did it? *giggle* So happy it was good for you, too. BTW, Hauoli Makahiki Hou, luv!"}, {"response": 1286, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Jan  1, 2000 (18:55)", "body": "Keep your little frozen hands off His Ticker (tick-tock...) and Dangler (swinnnng low... sweet... erm... oh, yes: fob), OK?"}, {"response": 1287, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jan  1, 2000 (19:39)", "body": "Arami! Happy New Year. My hands have never touched your precious keepsake. I was just wondering how many and who might still be webbing onto Spring and Drool in particular. If you are not telnetting as I am, you are one of the few lucky ones! *lol* Love to hear the rest of the lyrics...*grin*"}, {"response": 1288, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (12:22)", "body": "(Marcia) No one has tended their Keepsakes for months. The moths are eating holes in some lovely items. Surely not in his adorable curl, which I cherish so! I keep it washed, gelled, and combed with a slightly obessive diligence, i assure you! :-)"}, {"response": 1289, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (16:13)", "body": "EsBee, that is more than reassuring to know. (Warren said g'night to you last night...!)"}, {"response": 1290, "author": "livamago", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (22:16)", "body": "My dear Marcia, I hope my keepsakes are still intact! I could never forget them..."}, {"response": 1291, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (23:12)", "body": "Ah yes....I love having check-in time. I was just wondering about the state of admiration in the hearts of the Keepers and I see that it beats as steadily and as strongly as it ever did!"}, {"response": 1292, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jan  6, 2000 (12:32)", "body": "You can bet on it! :-)"}, {"response": 1293, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jan  6, 2000 (13:44)", "body": "*I am happy that my heart does not beat alone...*beaming*"}, {"response": 1294, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Jan  8, 2000 (18:38)", "body": "If you are not telnetting as I am, you are one of the few lucky ones! Not telnetting, God forbid - you wouldn't see me here if anything required more intimate knowledge of computing - but I took the hint from Springfolks and use the site numeric address. Meaning - it still doesn't work properly. Love to hear the rest of the lyrics...*grin* Why not compose your own version? ;-P"}, {"response": 1295, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jan  8, 2000 (18:59)", "body": "You want me to add my own lyrics? That goes on all the time inside my head but I let few escape. I think that is a wise decision both for the composer and for the reader who may come upon them unwittingly..."}, {"response": 1296, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (14:29)", "body": "Firth's Real Life Keepsakes Yellow and black striped necktie worn to London Premier of SIL, AllisonM Leather Jacket he is wearing at the DonMar autograph signing, Esbee The boyish green parkab he wore to the 3DoR autograph session, Elena Thanks for the chicken-skin inducing reports from London. No matter how great I imagine it to be, it always defies my imagination. Lovely stuff, Ladies!!!"}, {"response": 1297, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Jan 22, 2000 (17:35)", "body": "I now own another ballpen which he used to sign my poster. When I took it back, my hand touched his, and the sensation was... well... sensational... I'm still speechless."}, {"response": 1298, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jan 22, 2000 (21:18)", "body": "...and I trust you have not washed that hand yet...Ball pen #2 for Arami... Items touched by CF Kept by Owners Cross Pen used to sign autograph, Evelyn The Trenchcoat through which He Hugged Her, Heide The Pen with which he signed his autograph for her, Elena Her Right hand which He Shook Hands, Winter Black Uniball Pen He used to sign Heide's Program, Heide My Heart , EsBee Pen used by CF to sign her program, Arami Her program from 3DoR which he pressed as he signed his autograph, Arami Ballpen #2 He used to sign her poster and touched her hand returning it, Arami"}, {"response": 1299, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (20:45)", "body": "AND the poster, of course...;-)"}, {"response": 1300, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (21:20)", "body": "Oh, yes! I shall amend my list to include the poster...of course!"}, {"response": 1301, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (21:22)", "body": "Items touched by CF Kept by Owners Cross Pen used to sign autograph, Evelyn The Trenchcoat through which He Hugged Her, Heide The Pen with which he signed his autograph for her, Elena Her Right hand which He Shook Hands, Winter Black Uniball Pen He used to sign Heide's Program, Heide My Heart , EsBee Pen used by CF to sign her program, Arami Her program from 3DoR which he pressed as he signed his autograph, Arami Ballpen #2 He used to sign her poster and touched her hand returning it AND the poster, Arami"}, {"response": 1302, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Jan 26, 2000 (04:45)", "body": "Marcia, thanks a bundle for the parka! I\ufffdm in *love* with it. Thinking daily about the soft fabric of it and the white fur in the hood that brushed our necks during the photo sessions. And about the one who puts it on to keep his lovely body warm in the cold breezes of London."}, {"response": 1303, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  3, 2000 (22:12)", "body": "*S W O O N * How you describe it makes my knees weak and I am sitting down. Imbed that in your memory so it is never far from you...*sigh* I am so happy for you, Elena! There should be a star on your front door, as well!"}, {"response": 1304, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  3, 2000 (22:13)", "body": "Missing posts from the server change: Response 1303 of 1305: Arami (Arami) * Wed, Jan 26, 2000 (16:19) * 1 lines Hm... Perhaps I could have The Button...? Response 1304 of 1305: Gi (patas) * Wed, Jan 26, 2000 (16:51) * 2 lines (Arami)Hm... Perhaps I could have The Button...? LOL! Yes, please marcia, give it to her, she deserves it! :-D Response 1305 of 1305: Marcia (MarciaH) * Wed, Jan 26, 2000 (17:24) * 8 lines Is this button on the Parka trimmed with rabbit fur? If so: Firth's Real Life Keepsakes Yellow and black striped necktie worn to London Premier of SIL, AllisonM Leather Jacket he is wearing at the DonMar autograph signing, Esbee The boyish green parka trimmed with rabbit fur he wore to the 3DoR autograph session, Elena The Button from the green Parka trimmed with Rabbit fur etcetera, Gi Response 1306 of 1306: Marcia (MarciaH) * Wed, Jan 26, 2000 (17:29) * 9 lines Ooops!!! I would give the button to the wrong lady...*sigh* I was just preoccupied thinking of the picture of him framed with the piping of coney and how Grand he looked. He would make a terrific clothes model...or a bellhop or a physician or a .... anyway the corrected list follows: Firth's Real Life Keepsakes Yellow and black striped necktie worn to London Premier of SIL, AllisonM Leather Jacket he is wearing at the DonMar autograph signing, Esbee The boyish green parka trimmed with rabbit fur he wore to the 3DoR autograph session, Elena The Button left undone as it ought to have been done, Arami Response 1307 of 1310: Arami (Arami) * Wed, Jan 26, 2000 (18:26) * 3 lines No, that's the wrong button... give it back to Gi. I want THE BUTTON. The one we discussed in Springfolks... ;-) Btw, the parka was navy blue. Unless he has several parkas, of course: but when I saw him, he wore the same parka on three consecutive days. Then again, I seriously suspect that he doesn't dress up for me... ;-D Response 1308 of 1310: Marcia (MarciaH) * Wed, Jan 26, 2000 (18:43) * 1 lines Maybe it is reversible? I had one like that when I was a little child. THE BUTTON??!!! Oh, That button!!! ...and I know Rabbit is spelled with two tt's ;) Response 1309 of 1310: Marcia (MarciaH) * Wed, Jan 26, 2000 (18:47) * 1 lines Would you like it left as he left it or as it perhaps should have been? (And what kept you from leaping upon the stage to do it up proper, she wondered...) Response 1310 of 1310: Marcia (MarciaH) * Wed, Jan 26, 2000 (18:48) * 6 lines Firth's Real Life Keepsakes Yellow and black striped necktie worn to London Premier of SIL, AllisonM Leather Jacket he is wearing at the DonMar autograph signing, Esbee The boyish green parka trimmed with rabbit fur he wore to the 3DoR autograph session, Elena The Button left undone as it ought to have been done, Arami Response 1311 of 1311: Marcia (MarciaH) * Wed, Jan 26, 2000 (18:53) * 15 lines Oh dear, wrong again...that was a 3DoR Keepsake, was it not? Redoing the two lists... Keepsakes from Three Days of Rain The bed on which he lies, AllisonM The Program, Marcia His New York Accent, Eileen His White Tee Shirt, AnnW His Black Jeans, Arami His(Ned's) Dark Knit Sweater, SBRobinson His (Walker's) Green Sweater-and-TShirt, Elena His Cigar from the end of Act I, Karen His Ned-the-Nerd Glasses, Heide His Boots With The Price Tag On Them, EmmaE Journal In Which Ned Wrote, Evelyn The Button left undone as it ought not to have been done, Arami Response 1312 of 1314: Elena (Elena) * Thu, Jan 27, 2000 (02:28) * 6 lines (Arami)Btw, the parka was navy blue. Good god, was it really? Something wrong with my eyes?? I swear it looked like something between blue and green to me. (Marcia)The Button from the green Parka trimmed with Rabit fur etc, Gi NO, the parka is mine, MINE! Please don\ufffdt give any parts of it to anybody else!! :-D Response 1313 of 1314: Gi (patas) * Thu, Jan 27, 2000 (02:37) * 2 lines Don't worry, Elena, I will not take anything out of that parka, it was a mistake Marcia has already corrected. According to my pics, the parka *is* navy blue...I thought it was green too, but I guess that was the lining. Eyes and memories do play tricks on one :-) Response 1314 of 1314: Marcia (MarciaH) * Thu, Jan 27, 2000 (11:36) * 2 lines Elena's Parka in the interesting shifting color of blue-cum-green remains intact. Some years ago we had this little discussion of snipping buttons off of items for my keepsake (I got to choose the bottons and he got to wear the item when removed). You never heard such howls of protest! Of course, it was said in jest, but I assiduoudly protact the items INTACT for the keepers. Imagine the frantic activity should he need to use the items and we had to resew the buttons back onto the garments...if we could find them, that is...! Response 1315 of 1316: Elena (Elena) * Thu, Jan 27, 2000 (14:41) * 3 lines (Gi)I will not take anything out of that parka I\ufffdm sooo relieved, thanks. I was already quite desperately clutching that dear green/blue thing against my breast, ready to RUN. Response 1316 of 1316: Ara"}, {"response": 1305, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb  4, 2000 (17:39)", "body": "I can't believe no one has claimed the khaki pants and white (er...a....sort-of) trainers , (which he wore for three days) . Black tee(Saturday), and navy pulley with grey tee) Friday..."}, {"response": 1306, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Feb  4, 2000 (23:00)", "body": "Sheesh...and these are real life thing of his? How could they be languishing unclaimed? Ladies???!!!"}, {"response": 1307, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Feb  5, 2000 (21:34)", "body": "I would like the pink glasses through those brown eyes are looking. Please"}, {"response": 1308, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Feb  5, 2000 (22:57)", "body": "OK Lucie, it is yours If I can have the Navy Wooly Pully Firth's Real Life Keepsakes Yellow and black striped necktie worn to London Premier of SIL, AllisonM Leather Jacket he is wearing at the DonMar autograph signing, Esbee The boyish green parka trimmed with rabbit fur he wore to the 3DoR autograph session, Elena His wedding ring, Moon His dark-franed pink glasses, Lucie His Navy Wooly Pullover sweater, Marcia"}, {"response": 1309, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (07:59)", "body": "(Marcia)How could they be languishing unclaimed? They can\ufffdt. Marcia, can I claim those blue jeans he wore on Friday 14th? I just realized that I\ufffdve been having a secret passion for them ever since I caught a glimpse of them!"}, {"response": 1310, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (08:47)", "body": "Wasn't he wearing the same pants Thursday, Friday and Saturday? The dark khaki army pants?"}, {"response": 1311, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (11:04)", "body": "I don't begrudge anyone any little virtual piece of Colin but I sure would like to read why each of you chose your items."}, {"response": 1312, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (13:47)", "body": "I told you, that parka was never green. Why won't you listen? And the pants he was wearing on Thursday looked a lightish colour to me. Grey - maybe khaki. Soft, loose, very casual, but hardly army style. More like something you'd wear to paint the garden fence in. On Thursday he wasn't screened by such a dense crowd as on Friday and Saturday, so it was possible to see his whole figure. His dark navy (or black?) trainers (sports shoes) with white soles looked spotless and brand new and clashed with those sad pants... If no one wants them, I'll have them for now. I can always trade them later for something else. (Why don't we have trade-ins, swops and Colin keepsake fairs?) ;-)"}, {"response": 1313, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (14:22)", "body": "Having just immersed myself in images of CF wearing this jacket with fur trim, I will change the color to blue on the list. It does not photograph any shade of green I know about - that is dark blue. Elena, we are supposed to be able to claim only one item from each happeningm, movie, play or on the live list. Anyone??? Shall we amend the rules? OK Arami, do you want his new trainers (runners, shoes) or those sad baggy pants?"}, {"response": 1314, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (14:32)", "body": "\"Both, I imagine...!\" (I.e., I was thinking of the sad pants, primarily... I'm not really a foot woman ;-) but I will take care of the trainers too, if no one else wants them...)"}, {"response": 1315, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (15:29)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1316, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (15:31)", "body": "Until we settle the matter of double items in the same category I will let you be keep-mistress of his sad pants. (I guess they give new meaning to the term Fatigues...) Firth's Real Life Keepsakes Yellow and black striped necktie worn to London Premier of SIL, AllisonM Leather Jacket he is wearing at the DonMar autograph signing, Esbee The boyish blue parka trimmed with rabbit fur he wore to the 3DoR autograph session, Elena His wedding ring, Moon His dark-franed pink glasses worn at DonMar, Lucie His Navy Wooly Pullover sweater worn at DonMar, Marcia His sad light khaki-tan pants worn at DonMar, Arami"}, {"response": 1317, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (15:42)", "body": "dark khaki army pants? Arami, when we say \"dark khaki army pants\", we are describing the color not the style. There are different shades of khaki. ~~~~~~ Jacket definitely navy blue (not necessarily the style they wear in the navy ;-) We too saw him on T. F.& S. Thursday at Starbucks.I thought the trousers were the same all three days. Although when I saw him in November, he was wearing the dark beige(or light khaki ) pants with the suede(light khaki) jacket he wore in the protest march with paper chain around his neck. Both baggy -style.Comfy. Saturday's trainers were white. I was standing behind him and could take it all in."}, {"response": 1318, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (16:19)", "body": "(Evelyn)I was standing behind him and could take it all in. Be still my heart...how did you keep from getting the woozies from the very proximity? Or, are you immune from all that by now?! *sigh*"}, {"response": 1319, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (16:21)", "body": "Guess that's why you keep going back. To get your anti-woozies immunity updated by being around him so much you are blase' about it all. Is that possible?!"}, {"response": 1320, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (20:00)", "body": "...did you keep from getting the woozies from the very proximity? One does get a little woozie ...and one tends to walk around in an amnesiac stage afterwards.But it all comes back vividly."}, {"response": 1321, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (20:19)", "body": "Fortunately for us, it comes back to you vividly. We can do just about everything but taste him from your descriptions and pictures. And, for that, we are most grateful."}, {"response": 1322, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (21:01)", "body": "when we say \"dark khaki army pants\", we are describing the color not the style. There are different shades of khaki. My dear friend, I do apologize! When I see a phrase \"dark khaki army...[something]\", I invariably tend to visualise \"dark khaki\" as a description of a colour; and \"army\" as an attributive to the following noun. I am still a little confused, though, because if we were to list colours, then \"dark khaki army\" doesn't invoke a vision of one... ;-) Jacket definitely navy blue (not necessarily the style they wear in the navy ;-) Aha. \"Navy blue\"... so, correspondingly, \"army khaki\"... no? ;-) But \"dark army khaki\" might perhaps imply a shady force of sorts... (Are we in the right topic for this?) Saturday's trainers were white. I was standing behind him and could take it all in. And I have it all on my video..."}, {"response": 1323, "author": "Donna", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (01:05)", "body": "And I have it all on my video... OMG WTG ARAMI!"}, {"response": 1324, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (06:27)", "body": "(Elena)Marcia, can I claim those blue jeans he wore on Friday 14th? (Karen)Wasn't he wearing the same pants Thursday, Friday and Saturday? The dark khaki army pants? Well, it COULD be khaki instead of blue jeans. Maybe I should just shut up about his clothes from now on, it\ufffds clear that all I could do was to stare at his divine face and eyes and mouth and hair and didn\ufffdt pay that much attention to the details of his clothing. Hi Donna!"}, {"response": 1325, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (07:51)", "body": "(Elena) it\ufffds clear that all I could do was to stare at his divine face I never once glanced down at his shoes. He could've been barefoot in the lobby for all I know. ;-)"}, {"response": 1326, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (08:47)", "body": "(Arami)On Thursday (...) His dark navy (or black?) trainers (sports shoes) with white soles looked spotless and brand new and clashed with those sad pants... (Evelyn)Saturday's trainers were white. I'm glad he at least changed his shoes :-) and hope he changes his underwear as well... Marcia, the rules as they were (one item per movie per person, no body parts except the dimple) were quite reasonable IMO... It leaves room for newcomers to claim previously unclaimed items. But I like Arami's idea of trade-ins, swops and Colin keepsake fairs?"}, {"response": 1327, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (11:48)", "body": "WELCOME DONNA"}, {"response": 1328, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (12:17)", "body": "Indeed, that idea of FirthFair sounds great providing we can figure out how to run it. Anyone care to try it out? E Komo Mai! Donna"}, {"response": 1329, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (15:40)", "body": "OMG WTG ARAMI! Are you swearing at me? ;-) that idea of FirthFair sounds great providing we can figure out how to run it. Everyone should be allowed to \"own\" only one \"main\" item per event; In addition, \"secondary\" items should be allowed to be claimed and held temporarily by everyone: these items should be listed separately and always offered (available) for sale/transfer/swop/exchange; Newcomers may claim \"unclaimed\" items only; And then swaps/trade-ins etc may take place openly, here, at any time, by means of addressing one another on the subject... Special pleas will be made... and if someone persistently refuses to swap, there should be appeals and judgements... What fun!"}, {"response": 1330, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (17:14)", "body": "I think I'm gonna need your grit if it comes to leveraging stuff out of the tight fists of the greedy. Sounds like a really great way to reinvigorate this sometimes-sluggish topic!"}, {"response": 1331, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (20:22)", "body": "We should start with appointing the judge, the jury, the appeal court, and the executioner."}, {"response": 1332, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (21:05)", "body": "*grin* I'm not gonna touch that with a ten foot length of wood rounded on the edges and sooth all around. (Am I being politically correct, or what ?!)"}, {"response": 1333, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (03:01)", "body": "May I choose my Advocate? ;-)"}, {"response": 1334, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (13:45)", "body": "(Arami) and if someone persistently refuses to swap, there should be appeals and judgements. Let me make myself perfectly clear, as Tricky Dick used to say. No one gets Tommy Judd's bathrobe until you rip it off my cold, dead back."}, {"response": 1335, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (14:34)", "body": "There's only so much one can hold on to, dear. ;-)"}, {"response": 1336, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (18:24)", "body": "Oh My! It is good to see Visceral Drool is back and thriving as well as is intellectual and virtual Drool. But, unseemly fighting over such lovely keepsakes cannot benefit their owner. Imagine the shame of having to return them for his use all in shreads and tatters?!"}, {"response": 1337, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (21:02)", "body": "A wandering bathrobe I, a thing of shreds and patches??"}, {"response": 1338, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (21:44)", "body": "ROTFLOL!!!"}, {"response": 1339, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (22:46)", "body": "Hmmm, someone must have just seen Topsy-Turvy! ;-) \"I'll put it on my list\""}, {"response": 1340, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (13:20)", "body": "First time 113-er here..I've been lurking for a while enjoying it all! I wish to register my sacred raincoat and Pilot rollerball as a keepy in the \"Items touched by CF Kept by Owners\" category But could I also put dibs on Paul's Arsenal Football Shirt from Fever Pitch or am I being too greedy???"}, {"response": 1341, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (13:37)", "body": "You are allowed one item on each list. We have lists for everything, actually, and if we don't have one for the item you want, we'll start one! Items touched by CF Kept by Owners Cross Pen used to sign autograph, Evelyn The Trenchcoat through which He Hugged Her, Heide The Pen with which he signed his autograph for her, Elena Her Right hand which He Shook Hands, Winter Black Uniball Pen He used to sign Heide's Program, Heide My Heart , EsBee Pen used by CF to sign her program, Arami Her program from 3DoR which he pressed as he signed his autograph, Arami Ballpen #2 He used to sign her poster and touched her hand returning it AND the poster, Arami Her sacred raincoat she wore as he put his arm around her and Pilot rollerball he used for autograph, Tracy Firth Items from FEVER PITCH Paul Ashworth's grey undies from Fever Pitch, Marcia Paul Ashworth's Wrist Watch from Fever Pitch, Elena Paul's Arsenel Boxer Shorts from Fever Pitch, Stacey Paul Ashworth's Leather Jacket from Fever Pitch, Karen Paul Ashworth's Official's whistle from Fever Pitch, Heide Paul's Arsenal Football Shirt from Fever Pitch, Tracy"}, {"response": 1342, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (18:12)", "body": "I will defend Richard Courtois's red wine stained shirt from \"The Advocate\". I keep packed in lavender (very Provencal) in the archives of my mine. Anyway, I'm working on my poem to the aforementioned garment. What can I say, I'm verbose and the poem is going to be too long. So be warned I shall be posting it here. Eventually. If anyone was wondering why lavender can be Provencal, it's one of the ingredients in \"herbs de Provence\". Without the lavender it would be Italian seasonings."}, {"response": 1343, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (20:05)", "body": "Now, ladies, time to write our little essays or poems of praise to our new keepsakes, as Arami reminded us...=) Me, too...!"}, {"response": 1344, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (22:01)", "body": "Does anybody know the words to \"Wolly Bully\"...I think I'm gonna need them!"}, {"response": 1345, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (23:37)", "body": "I have a big blue sweater that goes in and out with me, And what can be the use of it is more than I can see..."}, {"response": 1346, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (18:07)", "body": "Your Marcianess!!! We've started a new list of items from Peter in Relative Values. So far, this is what's been claimed: 1. His limp wrist - Karen 2. His Campshirt, yellow cravat, Judy Garland record collection, and autographed photo of Montgomery Clift - Mari"}, {"response": 1347, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jul 14, 2000 (14:32)", "body": "3. His plane tickets to the annual Greenwich Village Halloween parade - Eileen"}, {"response": 1348, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jul 14, 2000 (14:36)", "body": "OK List at the ready..... Keepsakes from Relative Values 1. His limp wrist - Karen 2. His Campshirt, yellow cravat, Judy Garland record collection, and autographed photo of Montgomery Clift - Mari 3. His plane tickets to the annual Greenwich Village Halloween parade - Eileen Limp wrist, Karen?! Like he is a little light in the loafers??? Eeek!!"}, {"response": 1349, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 14, 2000 (14:46)", "body": "Oooweee! You catch on quick. BTW, make sure you order Starz in October when RV will be broadcast. Did you want the tasseled loafers? ;-)"}, {"response": 1350, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jul 14, 2000 (15:03)", "body": "Oh my yes!!! Gotta go with them since you got the limp wrist!!! Thanks... Keepsakes from Relative Values 1. His limp wrist - Karen 2. His Campshirt, yellow cravat, Judy Garland record collection, and autographed photo of Montgomery Clift - Mari 3. His plane tickets to the annual Greenwich Village Halloween parade - Eileen 4. His Tassled Loafers - Marcia"}, {"response": 1351, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jul 15, 2000 (07:48)", "body": "I guess claiming his Bette Midler record collection would be from the wrong era so how about his George Cukor pool party pass?"}, {"response": 1352, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Jul 15, 2000 (11:25)", "body": "How about his tickets to the Provincetown Playhouse season?"}, {"response": 1353, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jul 15, 2000 (15:27)", "body": "You are claiming these items for the \"official List\"....or merely suggesting??!!"}, {"response": 1354, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jul 15, 2000 (16:25)", "body": "Just teasing. Shall be more serious after I actually see the film. Perhaps he uses a cigarette holder. I would covet that. ;-)"}, {"response": 1355, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jul 15, 2000 (16:33)", "body": ".....or personal jewelry..."}, {"response": 1356, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 15, 2000 (16:38)", "body": "Am sensing a pattern here. Peter's cigarette holder (if any). Paul's whistle. Hmm, things Colin puts his lips around. Is this new category on that pyramid game show?? Or perhaps, one \"keepsake\" literary effort fits all? ;-)"}, {"response": 1357, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jul 15, 2000 (16:40)", "body": "Oh my dear.....what a thought. Something of his I'd like to be??!!"}, {"response": 1358, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jul 15, 2000 (16:50)", "body": "um...the Sporran is MINE !!!"}, {"response": 1359, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Jul 17, 2000 (19:27)", "body": "It's all wrong. No sporran in RV, surely? And his limp wrist shouldn't be allowed. There was only one exception made regarding his body parts in this topic and if you break it again, then he'll be shredded into several hundred very fine strips. In which case can I claim his limp lips before anyone else does? And talking about cases, I don't recall a cigarette holder, but there was a silver cig case and I also claim that - just in case... ;-)"}, {"response": 1360, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jul 17, 2000 (21:25)", "body": "The Sporran was for the \"list of things I'd like to be\" ....I'd like to be his Sporran in MLSF. Shall I draw you a picture? Surely not....;)"}, {"response": 1361, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jul 17, 2000 (21:27)", "body": "No limp body part, I beg you....or else I claim pride of place and um... better not do that."}, {"response": 1362, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Jul 18, 2000 (12:16)", "body": "(MarciaH)No limp body part, I beg you.... If limp parts are allowed, others not so limp will be claimed too ;-)"}, {"response": 1363, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jul 18, 2000 (15:11)", "body": "Well, yes...I should certainly have been more inclusive, Dear. This topic is fraught with pitholes and dangers at every turn...sigh! Nothing he arrived on earth with at birth shall be allowed. (Nothing I can think of has been added...)"}, {"response": 1364, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Jul 18, 2000 (18:26)", "body": "Oh drat! And I wanted his adnoids."}, {"response": 1365, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jul 18, 2000 (18:43)", "body": "I shall await Karen's reply to all this with interest. A wrist is a body part, surely? I expect raised voices and stamping. ;-) Cheryl, it is likely that his adenoids had been had by someone else long before we Droolers invented this game."}, {"response": 1366, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Jul 18, 2000 (18:57)", "body": "You're no doubt right, Arami. Rats, I knew I'd spelled adenoids incorrectly. I suppose tonsils are pretty much a no go as well."}, {"response": 1367, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 18, 2000 (19:59)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1368, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 18, 2000 (20:54)", "body": "LMAO ,Karen. (Pun intended!)"}, {"response": 1369, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jul 18, 2000 (20:58)", "body": "Oh my!!! Vapours hitting me....*giggle* What a hoot!"}, {"response": 1370, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (17:34)", "body": "Just as I thought... no decorum... ;-)"}, {"response": 1371, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (18:36)", "body": "Would this satisfy your need for decorum? ;-) (am still looking for animated shuttlecock!!)"}, {"response": 1372, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (19:17)", "body": "Surely, this belongs to Darcy Drool? (Sigh...) And even though that gentleman wasn't himself very animated, I'm sure his shuttlecock was."}, {"response": 1373, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (20:48)", "body": "You had to say it. Actually, you beat me to it *sigh*"}, {"response": 1374, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jul 20, 2000 (03:08)", "body": "What is a shuttlecock? Sounds like a very animated anatomical part ;-)"}, {"response": 1375, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 20, 2000 (09:32)", "body": "What is a shuttlecock? A serial adulterer;-)"}, {"response": 1376, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 20, 2000 (10:00)", "body": "LOL!!"}, {"response": 1377, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jul 20, 2000 (10:52)", "body": "goes with a battledore...which sound more scary. *lol* There are lots of virtual shuttlecocks on the web according to that definition!"}, {"response": 1378, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Jul 20, 2000 (12:53)", "body": "Arami I would give up any hope of decorum,after reading the last few posts you are definitely losing the battle.Is it a case of if you can't beat them join them? (Evelyn)A serial adulterer-thats a killer! It seems to be all balls and shuttlecocks at the moment,ah well it helps us to keep fit."}, {"response": 1379, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 20, 2000 (13:22)", "body": "(Judy)It seems to be all balls and shuttlecocks at the moment,ah well it helps us to keep fit. Judy...it's #129 you should be at...that's where the ballgame takes place;-) This board just inventories the equipment ."}, {"response": 1380, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Jul 20, 2000 (14:22)", "body": "Apologies if you think I'm in the wrong place but I am only commenting on previous posts."}, {"response": 1381, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 20, 2000 (14:27)", "body": "(Judy)Apologies if you think I'm in the wrong place but I am only commenting on previous posts. No apologies...pl...(see the winkie ;-) ?? It's just that some folks only go to 129...and we don't want anybody to miss out on the fun;-)"}, {"response": 1382, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Jul 20, 2000 (14:36)", "body": "some folks only go to 129...and we don't want anybody to miss out on the fun Indeedy, they're obviously not keeping their wits about them, unlike us. It's been like hide n seek here lately, but we can't be shaken off that easily ;-D On the keepy front, have the former keeptresses (myself included) now forfeited their rights to the sacred artefacts in view of the lack of activity here? Or are those valuables still locked safely in our respective hidey-holes!"}, {"response": 1383, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jul 20, 2000 (14:49)", "body": "Beg your pardon, Tracey Dear, but this lady, Keepstress in chief and Marcianess of ... You betcha I keep an eye out for the neglect of the scared objects."}, {"response": 1384, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Jul 20, 2000 (14:49)", "body": "Tracy what you hiding in your hole? I'm going to read through the old posts to see if there is anything left(just so I've got a legitimate reason for being here:-D)"}, {"response": 1385, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Jul 20, 2000 (14:59)", "body": "Marcia -You betcha I keep an eye out for the neglect of the scared objects. I was just hoping (sadly in vain)that there'd be a chance of snapping up a few neglected bargains! ....Soggy Darcy Shirt *swoon* ??? DANGLER *sigh*? ....No? Oh well I shall have to content myself with my own keepies."}, {"response": 1386, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Jul 20, 2000 (15:05)", "body": "Judy -Tracy what you hiding in your hole? What a question to ask a lady ;-o If my memory serves I have Paul's Arsenal Shirt from Fever Pitch and a couple of items in the Items Touched by CF, kept by the owners category...all are in pristine condition but am aware that I should be composing an ode or something witty to validate my keeptressdom. Gah!"}, {"response": 1387, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 20, 2000 (15:23)", "body": "(Judy) Tracy what you hiding in your hole? Is it larger than a bread box? ;-) (Judy) I'm going to read through the old posts to see if there is anything left (just so I've got a legitimate reason for being here:-D) Good thing! We might shoo you off for loitering. ;-)"}, {"response": 1388, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jul 22, 2000 (09:29)", "body": "(Marcia) You betcha I keep an eye out for the neglect of the scared objects. Wot?! Are we mistresses so frightening? (Sorry, couldn't resist.)"}, {"response": 1389, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jul 22, 2000 (20:13)", "body": "I wondered about that as well...but lest anyone think they can poach ... judt let them try."}, {"response": 1390, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Feb  2, 2001 (18:38)", "body": "I want to lay claim early to Mark Darcy's turtleneck sweater (? jumper in UK?) Too yummy for words!!! ;-) KJ"}, {"response": 1391, "author": "Echo", "date": "Fri, Feb  2, 2001 (19:57)", "body": "Polo neck."}, {"response": 1392, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (12:32)", "body": "I claim Mark Darcy's fugly sweater. I love that reindeer. I can't imagine why BJ didn't fall for him immediately."}, {"response": 1393, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (12:35)", "body": "I would also like his barrister's collar. I have to say that on most barristers they are someting of a turn off, but the thought of how snuggly it sits around his neck;-) Am I being greedy?"}, {"response": 1394, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (13:16)", "body": "When I saw the posts to this topic, I just knew someone was after the reindeer sweater. ;-D"}, {"response": 1395, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (17:46)", "body": "(Allison)I love that reindeer. I can't imagine why BJ didn't fall for him immediately. ROTF...Good for you Allison! We can all rest assured that it's in good hands now;-) Marcia...are you keeping tabs? BTW has anybody laid claim to the Real Life Navy Parka with the fur collar...the one in the pic with Karen? I've grown fond of it on my bookcase, and would like to have it pl. Or does that belong to Karen? Squatters rights;-) But I took the picture"}, {"response": 1396, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sat, Mar 10, 2001 (09:18)", "body": "(Allison) Am I being greedy? Now, now, be fair. If you get the sweater (don't you just love the reindeer's eyes? ;-D) then Ann gets the collar, IMO. [Marcia usually adjudicates such matters but she seems to have fallen off the earth] ;-) Hmm, think Mari will also want to claim the striped 'Bada Bing' suit before I grab it (it's a Jersey thing ;-)). Me, I'm going to put in early dibs for *the* turtleneck, provided it is completely deer-free (can't tell yet, pic shows coat covering sweater)."}, {"response": 1397, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Mar 10, 2001 (18:15)", "body": "Seems to me I already lay claim to that sweater in 1390! Sorry, Evie!! ;-) KJ"}, {"response": 1398, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Mar 10, 2001 (18:17)", "body": "Oops! I mean Eileen! =:~P (**Duh**) .... Way back in February! KJ"}, {"response": 1399, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Mar 11, 2001 (02:04)", "body": "BTW has anybody laid claim to the Real Life Navy Parka with the fur collar Yep, I did and am very keen to keep it!"}, {"response": 1400, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar 11, 2001 (09:17)", "body": "(Elena)Yep, I did and am very keen to keep it! ROTF...hi Elena..glad you're still out there. Ok..I'm glad to know it's in good hands;-)"}, {"response": 1401, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 11, 2001 (09:28)", "body": "Really, now, all it takes is someone saying they want to claim an item, and people start popping up all over the place! ;-D (KJ) Seems to me I already lay claim to that sweater in 1390! In 1390, you claimed the turtleneck sweater in that pic with Bridget. However, Allison is claiming the reindeer sweater, which is also a turtleneck. We have no idea at this point whether they are one and the same. To me, the one you claimed is a different color. We shall see. Welcome back, Elena."}, {"response": 1402, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sun, Mar 11, 2001 (11:24)", "body": "Elena, you little lurker, you!!! Not coming out to play any more when we need you? ;-D"}, {"response": 1403, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 11, 2001 (12:06)", "body": "BTW, if Mark Darcy is shown wearing a towel (and possibly striding in barrister mode), I am placing my claim for the towel!"}, {"response": 1404, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar 11, 2001 (12:13)", "body": "(Karen)if Mark Darcy is shown wearing a towel (and possibly striding in barrister mode), I am placing my claim for the towel! *In Lucy mode*: You can't claim an item in anticipation.First come.... after it surfaces... evelyn *who will probably be expelled from Drool*...."}, {"response": 1405, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar 11, 2001 (12:57)", "body": "Really, now, all it takes is someone saying they want to claim an item, and people start popping up all over the place! ;-D I thought that if you claim a keepsake you had to write a poem, a song or something to express your love and gratitude? This has been negleted."}, {"response": 1406, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 11, 2001 (13:00)", "body": "I see London I see France I see Mark Darcy's underpants ;-)))))))))))))))"}, {"response": 1407, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar 11, 2001 (15:53)", "body": "You're getting off too easy, Karen, LOL! Now work on it a little more. We know you can make it bigger and better. ;-))))"}, {"response": 1408, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 12, 2001 (09:59)", "body": "*hanging head in shame* I can hardly recall what was posted yesterday, KJ, let alone way back at 1390 ;-P ...but of course, the turtle is yours. Am sure there will be more than enough keepsies to go around once the film opens. One thing is certain--I won't be claiming any barrister robes!"}, {"response": 1409, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar 12, 2001 (15:40)", "body": "One thing is certain--I won't be claiming any barrister robes! Is this supposed to be my cue... ;-) I can think of a lot of things to do in two on or under it. ;-)))) OK, I accept."}, {"response": 1410, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Mar 12, 2001 (16:22)", "body": "(Eileen) One thing is certain--I won't be claiming any barrister robes! Hmmm, I actually think the thought of MD striding purposefully, with robes flapping behind is kind of appealing :-). But pleeeeease don't make us look upon him in a wig!"}, {"response": 1411, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Mon, Mar 12, 2001 (17:35)", "body": "Yes!! A wig and a robe!!! OOoooo...."}, {"response": 1412, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar 12, 2001 (17:45)", "body": "Hang on dears... let me catch up and post what has been already claimed and sort out what is whose... There is always plenty of ODB for all. No unseemly squabling, please... as difficult as that may be to control! Hang in there - I need to retrieve the drool 113 files from my old computer...."}, {"response": 1413, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar 12, 2001 (17:48)", "body": "Marcia's back!!!"}, {"response": 1414, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Mar 12, 2001 (21:12)", "body": "Whew!! Marcia's back! Everything will be in order now. :-D KJ"}, {"response": 1415, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr  2, 2001 (23:20)", "body": "Ahem....having just come from the WORLD PREMIERE, it's time to lay claim to a few keepsakes. Aside from the personalized reserved seat signs that Lizza nicked, I just gotta have his outfit from the final scene - that coat that he wraps around RZ as they kiss. It's MINE, MINE, MINE (and no one else's!!). Lizza has claimed the whisk from the birthday party scene. [she did attempt to claim a body part or two but we spazz-wrestled to the ground]"}, {"response": 1416, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (08:31)", "body": "OK OK so I was overcome at the total complete mind numbing gorgeousness of the man in a premiere performance that I forgot , just for a nano second, that body parts are out!! Still his wrist and forearm when he uses a whisk are sublime. Off to crack some eggs and dream ......on!"}, {"response": 1417, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (11:56)", "body": "Since I never knew this particular topic was here, until WAY too late to claim anything, I'm stepping in now to claim my BJD prize! Karen has the great coat... that's really what i wanted! Allison has the barrister collar... darn that was my next one! so, it seems that Eileen didn't really go for the pinstripe suit and Mari hasn't taken it, I will! You just have to see it hang on THAT MAN, to beleive it! There now, i'm very happy! If i missed a post and someone has claimed it, I choose the um... christmas tie. All i can think of his 'Pretty Woman' where Julia Roberts greets him with nothing but a tie on... OKAY, I am claiming the tie too! Whew... forgive me, but i am an impulsive shopper."}, {"response": 1418, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (13:02)", "body": "(Danielle)If i missed a post and someone has claimed it, I choose the um... christmas tie. Not a chance, chum...\"Frosty the Snowman\" is mine. You can have the suit. Period ;-))"}, {"response": 1419, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (13:26)", "body": "MY Tie YOUR suit.... Flute isn't bad...look at that hand...."}, {"response": 1420, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (13:39)", "body": "That's not the suit. Danielle wants the pinstripe (baddabing) suit he is wearing as barrister and later at Bridget's birthday party. Strange all all the scans show that suit to be blue, didn't appear that way in the movie. More of a heatherish, brownish thing. But I might be wrong. Have to see it again. ;-D"}, {"response": 1421, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (13:44)", "body": "(Evelyn) Not a chance, chum...\"Frosty the Snowman\" is mine. Alright Evelyn, you may have the tie, but a girl can dream, can't she? And Karen's correct, not that suit, which is quite nice actually, but the barrister pinstripe. CF really looks good in blue! (Karen) Strange all all the scans show that suit to be blue... I thought it was blue, especially in the room where BJ interviews him."}, {"response": 1422, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (14:11)", "body": "Yes, the barrister suit is blue. I meant the one in the picture Evelyn posted from the Ruby Anniversary (snowman tie). That wasn't blue. At least, it didn't appear so to me."}, {"response": 1423, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (15:01)", "body": "(Karen) I meant the one in the picture Evelyn posted from the Ruby Anniversary (snowman tie). Oh! *snort* sorry. it looked brownish to me too. Just another reason to see the movie again. Should take pen and pad to theatre to describe MD attire completely, but cannot write in the dark. May take mini-recorder though. Can comment and drool at the same time!"}, {"response": 1424, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (15:12)", "body": "Make it a camcorder instead. ;-D"}, {"response": 1425, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (16:23)", "body": "Hmmm? Don't have one, but i'm sure my credit card could use some stretching. and I've always wanted a camcorder, just never had the use for it. thanks Karen, now I do!"}, {"response": 1426, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (17:36)", "body": "And Karen's correct, not that suit, which is quite nice actually, but the barrister pinstripe. CF really looks good in blue! Blue suit in MLSF 'more better'....but that one's mine too ;-)"}, {"response": 1427, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (17:49)", "body": "(Evelyn) Blue suit in MLSF 'more better'....but that one's mine too ;-) *SNORT* As i said, I found this topic WAY too late to bid on something! I like to look at a man in uniform (yes I know, Lydia and Mrs. Bennet come to mind... though no redcoats PUH-LEASE!), but a beautiful suit does just as well. CF definitely has the stature for it. I can't rmember him not looking great in a suit. :-D And if we can claim one that he wears outside a film, then I choose that one he was wearing at the Londong BJD premiere!"}, {"response": 1428, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (21:48)", "body": "Saw BJD last night and was so entranced with ODB's beautiful face, completely forgot to watch for keepsake to claim. Like every one else -will just have to go see it again weekly (bi-weekly? daily?) basis, until i can drag my eyes away and focus in on the clothing ;-) what i really wanted was the bumble bee socks .... dont suppose anyone noticed if he was wearing them?"}, {"response": 1429, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (19:01)", "body": "Esbee, i don't the beleive the camera panned past the reindeer..."}, {"response": 1430, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (22:25)", "body": "(Danielle) Esbee, i don't the beleive the camera panned past the reindeer... that's what i was afraid of .... oh well, i'm sure i'll see something i cant live without during my next viewing :-)"}, {"response": 1431, "author": "CathyW", "date": "Sat, Apr 14, 2001 (21:22)", "body": "Okay....sticking neck out of cave to delurk. I volunteer to care for the Keepsakes. I know this carries with it great responsibility in manner of referring and lively debate. If offer is too late, please let me know."}, {"response": 1432, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 14, 2001 (21:24)", "body": "Pffft! You're never too late. Welcome CathyW. You have job or else nextcomer will need to spazz wrestle you for glorious position."}, {"response": 1433, "author": "CathyW", "date": "Sat, Apr 14, 2001 (23:24)", "body": "Okay....sticking neck out of cave to delurk. I volunteer to care for the Keepsakes. I know this carries with it great responsibility in manner of referring and lively debate. If offer is too late, please let me know."}, {"response": 1434, "author": "CathyW", "date": "Sat, Apr 14, 2001 (23:25)", "body": "Sorry about double post...have no idea how browser did that."}, {"response": 1435, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Apr 15, 2001 (05:05)", "body": "Well Cathy if no one else has asked for it, I would like the grey polo neck jumper Renee snuggles up against under that loverly overcoat (karen's overcoat)."}, {"response": 1436, "author": "CathyW", "date": "Sun, Apr 15, 2001 (09:18)", "body": "And I want the gloves he wears....v. nice how he uses them to pull his coat around."}, {"response": 1437, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Apr 15, 2001 (09:46)", "body": "Congratulations to our Keepsakes mistress . You'll do a super job and I'm sure you'll have fun with it."}, {"response": 1438, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Apr 15, 2001 (16:44)", "body": "(Ann W)Well Cathy if no one else has asked for it, I would like the grey polo neck jumper Renee snuggles up against under that loverly overcoat (karen's overcoat). This is the *second* time someone is trying to snatch that jumper from me! I refuse to yield!! Cathy, you are desperately needed to ward off any bouts of fisticuffs (although they would probably only be scratching and hair-pulling -- so humiliating!) The sooner you can come in and keep the record straight, the better. And just to keep the record straight ... Response 1390 of 1437: KJArt (KJArt) * Fri, Feb 2, 2001 (18:38) * 1 lines I want to lay claim early to Mark Darcy's turtleneck sweater (? jumper in UK?) Too yummy for words!!! ;-) KJ (Note the date ... in Febr. that was the only picture with him in a jumper available.) All OK? (Sorry Ann ... ;-D)"}, {"response": 1439, "author": "CathyW", "date": "Sun, Apr 15, 2001 (18:13)", "body": "LOL.....it will take me a while to go through the whole topic, so please no fisticuffs. And since I'm off to the 510 showing of BJD, it will be a bit longer, still. Is research as I need to get an precise accounting of all objects. If need be, I'll go twice more this week...purely research, of course, as am in pursuit of accuracy and v. dedicated. Hmmm...where is penlight for making notes?"}, {"response": 1440, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Apr 16, 2001 (15:49)", "body": "Just remember who is REALLY suffering from whiskitosis too!! Welcome Cathy, know you will do a great job on this!"}, {"response": 1441, "author": "CathyW", "date": "Mon, Apr 16, 2001 (16:27)", "body": "Thanks...once I catch up that is. I made copious notes last night. The friends I was there with kept asking what I was doing. I had to tell them I would explain later. Really is no explanation, though. Have decided that I want the grey scarf he is wearing in the final scenes. Ummm....excellent....."}, {"response": 1442, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Apr 16, 2001 (16:27)", "body": "Might not have been paying attention (most remiss of me) but I rather fancy the grey scarf (which I've just spotted accompanies KJ's turtle neck and Karen's coat ensemble...grrr deeply envious). What sayest thou O Mistress of the Keepies?"}, {"response": 1443, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Apr 16, 2001 (16:29)", "body": "Argghh...you just nipped in there *sob*....must have something, has the blood stained spazz-fight shirt gone yet?"}, {"response": 1444, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr 16, 2001 (16:46)", "body": "Thank you, Cathey and welcome! I had originaly claimed his barrister's gown, but in the film he doesn't wear one, so I would like to take this opportunity to claim his watch. That big clunky one he wore today on the talk shows."}, {"response": 1445, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 16, 2001 (17:28)", "body": "Thanks Cathey. It's wonderful to have you actively part of our group. This crowd can get rowdy as you know...and grabby:-) Be firm...be tough. You're the Keepsake boss here... Remember, seniority means nothing ;-))))))"}, {"response": 1446, "author": "CathyW", "date": "Tue, Apr 17, 2001 (00:08)", "body": "Hmmm...are you saying that I have no debt to repay to the person who helped obtain my most cherished CF keepsake, thus far? Yes, I'm referring to the signed 3DOR program that travelled through many hands to reach mine. *sigh* With my name written by his own hands....*deep sigh* Okay.....no prob!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 1447, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Apr 17, 2001 (08:32)", "body": "Hearfelt thanks to Marcia for great times had in this topic, and best wishes to the new Keepsakes Mistress, CathyW ;-) Have no claims to make since there's been no BJD for me yet, apart from what you ladies have acquainted me with... Thanks again."}, {"response": 1448, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Apr 17, 2001 (17:21)", "body": "Marcia is great. The best thing for me to do is to state that simply. She is quite simply exceptional in her generousity, humor, intelligence, and graciousness. No one else here has ever matched her. (There are a few who came close.) No avatar she, Marcia is the goddess of Spring. Cathy it was kind and really admirable of you to become the new Mistress of the Keepsake List. Good luck to you. I hope that you find your role pleasant and enjoyable."}, {"response": 1449, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Apr 17, 2001 (17:47)", "body": "This is to Our New Mistress of the Keepsakes! Thank you, CathyW! And I certainly hope geocities allows the image to appear at least once!"}, {"response": 1450, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Apr 17, 2001 (19:34)", "body": "Ask and ye shall have...but don't forget the price, girls. Keepsakes aren't free. Once you get a breather, Cathy, and get your list together you'll be able to ask for payment...a short story, essay, little ditty, etc. explaining why that keepsake is special for you and how very well you shall keep it. Gi, honey, don't despair. There should be plenty of goodies left for you. How much longer must you wait?"}, {"response": 1451, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 18, 2001 (08:40)", "body": "get your list together you'll be able to ask for payment...a short story, essay,little ditty, etc. explaining why that keepsake is special for you and how very well you shall keep it. Ahem...new topic host...she makes the rules ;-) ( See...I told you Cathey...the olde guard;-) )"}, {"response": 1452, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 18, 2001 (08:56)", "body": "Actually, I know Cathy would accept bribery in the form of Cadbury chocolates or similar. *hee hee*"}, {"response": 1453, "author": "CathyW", "date": "Wed, Apr 18, 2001 (11:12)", "body": "LOL, definitely!!!.....or Bourneville...ummmm *wiping drool off keyboard* I think this the list as it stands thus far. I am still considering what price to exact for placement..... Keepsakes from BJD His Overcoat in final scenes, Karen His Gloves & Scarf in final scenes, Cathy His Grey Jumper, KJ His Reindeer Jumper, Allison His Barrister's Collar, Ann His Snowman Tie, Evelyn The Whisk, Lizza The Pinstripe Suit, Danielle His Watch, Moon"}, {"response": 1454, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr 18, 2001 (13:29)", "body": "I'll take his ticker and dangler...oh shoot, wrong list. *cracking myself up*"}, {"response": 1455, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Apr 18, 2001 (15:52)", "body": "Mistress Keepie, if you would, As I have been oh so good, Let me care for the white fight shirt, Or I will be very hurt. Last line kind of lets it down, but hey I'm no Keats but at least I tried ;-)"}, {"response": 1456, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Wed, Apr 18, 2001 (17:56)", "body": "I'm satisfied with my lot! He wore MY SUIT the whole day... from the courtroom through the glass window! His manly scent is all over it! Yes, it's mine! yes! YES!! YES!!! okay... add my drool too."}, {"response": 1457, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Apr 19, 2001 (12:42)", "body": "(Heide) Gi, honey, don't despair. There should be plenty of goodies left for you. How much longer must you wait? No idea. Check newspapers everyday but no news :,("}, {"response": 1458, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Apr 24, 2001 (13:31)", "body": "Cathy, thanks so much for taking on the role of Mistress of the Keepsakes! I put a bid in for some keepsakes over at 112, but am now renouncing them in exchange for MD's sideburns and BJ's heart necklace - as i think these will be a lovely addition to P&P collection, which consists of Darcy's curl and Lizzy's cross necklace. :-) Brava Tracy on the poem - excellent choice of keepsake btw. :-) (Eileen) I'll take his ticker and dangler...oh shoot, wrong list. *cracking myself up* *snicker* made me laugh too Eileen! :-) (Danielle) He wore MY SUIT the whole day... His manly scent is all over it! Yes, it's mine! yes! YES!! YES!!! ROTF - tell us how you really feel about it Dani.... no, no - dont hold back... ;-) Gi, *fingers crossed* for you that BJD will show up in a nearby theater soon Hmmm.... seems to me there is a pledge we used to be required to take before being formally awarded keepsakes. Will dig through some old files and see if i can locate it... :-)"}, {"response": 1459, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Apr 24, 2001 (13:33)", "body": "Gaah! ment to type \"My P&P Keepsake Collection\" above - oh well..."}, {"response": 1460, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 24, 2001 (14:01)", "body": "(Esbee) ..but am now renouncing them in exchange for MD's sideburns and BJ's heart necklace - as i think these will be a lovely addition to P&P collection, which consists of Darcy's curl and Lizzy's cross necklace. You can't take parts of his body. *She said being a part of the olde guard:-D*"}, {"response": 1461, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Apr 24, 2001 (14:32)", "body": "*whinning* But Evelyn.... I have FD's curl, how are MD's sideburns any different? Surely it should be up to the new Mistress of the Keepsakes... (btw Cathy, have i told you how lovely you look today?)"}, {"response": 1462, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 24, 2001 (16:26)", "body": "WeEl.... before you know it someone will want his deep chocolate eyes, ,his pierced ears(2),his aristocratic hands, his feet...his....*feeling faint* Nothing left for the rest of us:-(((( I thought his body belonged to all of us.*sigh* *suspiciously*...Anyway, how'd you get the curl?"}, {"response": 1463, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Apr 24, 2001 (18:11)", "body": "Cathy I am dying to know if you want us to compose fetching little ditty or dirty limerick in manner of Daniel Cleaver in order to \"own\" our keepsakes. Loving Eileen and Evelyn's comments, LOL Ladies!"}, {"response": 1464, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Tue, Apr 24, 2001 (19:35)", "body": "Thank you Marcia for Keepsake-ing. Brava Cathy for taking over! (Esbee) Hmmm.... seems to me there is a pledge we used to be required to take before being formally awarded keepsakes. (Lizza J)Cathy I am dying to know if you want us to compose fetching little ditty or dirty limerick in manner of Daniel Cleaver in order to \"own\" our keepsakes. Er... there once was a man from Reno...? (Evelyn) You can't take parts of his body. WeEl.... before you know it someone will want his deep chocolate eyes, ,his pierced ears(2),his aristocratic hands, his feet...his....*feeling faint* And making the rest of us faint as well! *fanning self* It's really quite pervy, but I LOVE IT!"}, {"response": 1465, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Apr 24, 2001 (20:45)", "body": "(Evelyn) ...Anyway, how'd you get the curl? Marica approved it when i asked nicely - even wrote a sonnet in it's honor. Besides, sideburns are not ACTUAL body parts, in manner of eyes, ears, hands, feet, and, and, *falling over in excessive drool-induced faint*"}, {"response": 1466, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 24, 2001 (22:23)", "body": "...but at what point do we draw the line for claiming hair? The bikini line? ;-D"}, {"response": 1467, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Apr 25, 2001 (03:58)", "body": "Imagining someome de-waxing in manner of Bridget ----- of course without that turquoise towel and fag!!!"}, {"response": 1468, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 25, 2001 (09:00)", "body": "(Evelyn) ...Anyway, how'd you get the curl? (SB)Marica approved it when i asked nicely - even wrote a sonnet in it's honor. I don't remember...let's hear it... ...but at what point do we draw the line for claiming hair? The bikini line? ;-D Ok...I guess it's open season for hair. Nothing's sacred anymore...;-D"}, {"response": 1469, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr 25, 2001 (09:23)", "body": "(esbee) (btw Cathy, have i told you how lovely you look today?) Your future in politics is v. bright. (Evelyn) You can't take parts of his body. *She said being a part of the olde guard:-D* Humph. I was going to claim the part of MD's leg we get a peek at as he runs up the stairs after his 'just the way you are' revelation. Will have to take his right sock instead. :-/ As for requisite sonnets, limericks, haikus, etc.: Oh, Mistress Cathy, no poems, I beg you, no poems! (Ev) Ok...I guess it's open season for hair. Uh-uh. There's not enough to go around ;-)"}, {"response": 1470, "author": "CathyW", "date": "Wed, Apr 25, 2001 (12:02)", "body": "EsBee: (btw Cathy, have i told you how lovely you look today?) Mmm...thank you, but flattery will get you nowhere, unless includes financial reward in manner of flights to England. You may email me for specifics.....*smirk* Mistress Keepie, if you would, As I have been oh so good, Let me care for the white fight shirt, Or I will be very hurt. Lovely poem, Tracy, but I have something else in mind. As far as requirement to claim Keepsakes, I suggest a Diary Item. This can include manner in which said keepsake was acquired by Mark Darcy, feelings upon seeing MD with said item, plan to acquire item from MD, etc. *grin* no pornography, please"}, {"response": 1471, "author": "CathyW", "date": "Wed, Apr 25, 2001 (12:08)", "body": "In addition after much soul-searching, I have decided that body parts are not allowed to be owned by other than He To Whom They Are Attached . Any previous agreements are exempt as are before my time. *gavel hits desk* Court is adjourned."}, {"response": 1472, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 25, 2001 (12:26)", "body": "Then, the jury is still out insofar as hair goes... May it please the court, I'd like to call Mistress Hair Wrangler to the stand. ;-D"}, {"response": 1473, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Apr 25, 2001 (12:49)", "body": "oh goody. I'm already in the public gallery for this one!"}, {"response": 1474, "author": "CathyW", "date": "Wed, Apr 25, 2001 (13:10)", "body": "Jury has entered after deliberation. Unless hair is on collar, then is attached, so may not be claimed."}, {"response": 1475, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Apr 25, 2001 (13:58)", "body": "Cathy, what a good sport you are to take on this unruly mob, which I am now preparing to join\ufffd.:-D What a rite of passage\ufffdMY very first keepsake! It looks as if we are at the secondary level of keepsakes now for BJD\ufffd*sob* That being said, I would like to lay claim to the navy blue jumper/sweater ODB wears in the rowing scene. Also, I would like to have the glass of wine MD pours and hands to Bridget when he says \ufffdHappy Birthday.\ufffd As for payment, is this on an accrual basis? IOW, do past literary efforts suffice if they are BJ-related? Pretty please with Milk Tray on top? :-D"}, {"response": 1476, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 25, 2001 (15:21)", "body": "(Cathey)This can include manner in which said keepsake was acquired by Mark Darcy, feelings upon seeing MD with said item, plan to acquire item from MD, etc. *grin* no pornography, please Aw.... Which reminds me...don't you think MD must have been issued a \"Box\"? Huge has said he wore one (Yuck...who would want it!)in the fight scene. Surely, ODB's \"credentials\" would require the same safeguarding protection."}, {"response": 1477, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 25, 2001 (15:42)", "body": "Are you prompting someone to claim said Box? *guffaw* (It wasn't manly former SAS-Gnat who brought it up, but stunt coordinator)"}, {"response": 1478, "author": "CathyW", "date": "Wed, Apr 25, 2001 (16:02)", "body": "Does bring up interesting point, but unseen items cannot be claimed, right? Is only our rampant imaginations running away with is."}, {"response": 1479, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 25, 2001 (17:17)", "body": "(E)Which reminds me...don't you think MD must have been issued a \"Box\"? (Karen)Are you prompting someone to claim said Box? *guffaw* (It wasn't manly former SAS-Gnat who brought it up, but stunt coordinator) (Cathey)..but unseen items cannot be claimed, right? Is only our rampant imaginations running away with is WOW...that one brought out The Boss and Mistress Keepsies. *I* wuz just curious :-D"}, {"response": 1480, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Wed, Apr 25, 2001 (17:31)", "body": "Hiya. I'd like to request the paper that Mark shows Bridget when he shows up at her flat on her bday. Flipped up and down by those lovely hands. :) [I'll have to go see the movie again (that'd be #4) to see what paper it was; did anyone else notice?] I shall be happy to write a diary entry extolling its many virtues."}, {"response": 1481, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Apr 25, 2001 (19:42)", "body": "(Cathy) Jury has entered after deliberation. Unless hair is on collar, then is attached, so may not be claimed Oh Man... okay, will give up on the sideburns *pouting* ;-) and reclaim the suit he is wearing when he tells Bridget he likes her just the way she is. Unless that's been taken in the meantime..."}, {"response": 1482, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Apr 25, 2001 (20:01)", "body": "(Evelyn) ...Anyway, how'd you get the curl? (SB)Marica approved it when i asked nicely - even wrote a sonnet in it's honor. (Evelyn) I don't remember...let's hear it... *cough* you asked... The Sonnet of Darcy's Curl Meggin keeps his boots, Robin his cravat, Marcia keeps his notebooks, Kathy his top hat. His garments are also kept, and Ann2 has his dimple, And though confusing to some, the reason is quite simple. For every keepsake provides its keeper pleasure, With them they find a measurement of joy. But these keepsakes are nothing to my treasure, For I posse the curl of our Dear Boy. To be Keeper Of His Curl is better than high birth to me, For that curl, which rests so oft upon his noble brow, Inspires sweet dreams at night and thus do I sleep peacefully, And waking, I do straightway repeat this vow: For this cherished object forever will I care; And of its splendor, with others wilt I share. (bear in mind, that i was a newbie when i wrote this and didnt realize that Colin, and not Darcy, was ODB) :-) btw - the request was made at response 276"}, {"response": 1483, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 25, 2001 (20:14)", "body": "Aw....v. sweet Esbee....*hand over heart* Now the bad news:I think the suit is Eileen's."}, {"response": 1484, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Apr 25, 2001 (20:26)", "body": "Gaahhh! oh well.... i guess this is just a good excuse to go see the movie again. (Which would make it viewing #6.) Hmm... wonder if local theater has frequent viewing discount available?"}, {"response": 1485, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 25, 2001 (22:14)", "body": "(Esbee) wonder if local theater has frequent viewing discount available? Was wondering same thing myself or if get a discount if come accompanied by a whisk. ;-D OK, Cathy, time to repost the BJD claimed items list again. This is *really* what the job is all about. Does Eileen have the Bada Bing suit? Because if that's the case, then the Magda and Jeremy suit hasn't been taken."}, {"response": 1486, "author": "CathyW", "date": "Thu, Apr 26, 2001 (02:26)", "body": "Keepsakes from BJD ~Need diary entry to claim~ Overcoat in final scenes, Karen Gloves & Scarf in final scenes, Cathy Grey Jumper, KJ Reindeer Jumper, Allison Barrister's Collar, Ann Snowman Tie, Evelyn Whisk, Lizza Pinstripe (BadaBing) Suit, Danielle Watch from London Premiere & chat shows, Moon White Shirt~rumpled & bloodstained after fight, TracyT Navy Jumper, LisaJH Newspaper, LauraT Dinner Party Suit, SB Right sock, Eileen (If in fact you are serious....)"}, {"response": 1487, "author": "CathyW", "date": "Thu, Apr 26, 2001 (02:28)", "body": "Oops...should read: Smug-married Dinner Party Suit...sorry Es Bee"}, {"response": 1488, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Apr 26, 2001 (08:59)", "body": "(Cathy) Right sock, Eileen (If in fact you are serious....) Who me? Serious? Look, if I can't have his lower leg, I don't want anything... *serious pout ensues* Hahahahahaha! ;-D"}, {"response": 1489, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 26, 2001 (09:10)", "body": "That would be the lower leg that delivers a powerful kick or two.... box or no box... ;-D"}, {"response": 1490, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Thu, Apr 26, 2001 (19:03)", "body": "(Cathy) Keepsakes from BJD ~Need diary entry to claim~ Pinstripe (BadaBing) Suit, Danielle Okay, here's my entry... ~ Saturday 27 April 130 lbs. (shag frenzy v.v.g. for weight reduction), cigarettes 0 (high on MD so no need), alcohol units 0 v.g. (see cigs for reason). 8:05 am. Love the lovely Mark Darcy. Must not wake him. Thoughts of striptease apparently still on mind as sweet smile plastered on face. Mmmmm\ufffd 8:10 am. Still not awake yet. I know! Will cook him French provincial style breakfast. Cr\u00eapes Suzette Belgian Waffles (not exactly French but small country near France, so counts as same) Country Ham (left over from Easter, but drizzled with French wine concoction) French wine (Chardonnay, of course!) 8:20 am. No eggs, cheese, or flour. Toast though. No syrup or powdery-sugary stuff. Does Spam count as ham? Hmm\ufffd Can is dated 20 years ago. Perhaps still good? 8:25 am. Will just have cigarette and Chardonnay. That is what every French person has in the morning anyway. 8:33 am. Mark has not yet waken up! Will look at him some more. Mmmmmm\ufffd 8:35 am. Was just thinking of last night\ufffds shag happy marathon. Mark came over, very tired from work, but gorgeous! He dropped his briefcase and kissed me. Then sat down on sofa and told me about his day. \"It\ufffds such a shame what people do to get elected in this country!\" he exclaimed. \"Politicians, the lot of \ufffdem, will do us all in!\" I nodded like I knew or cared what he was ranting about. Was mesmerized by gruff removal of high barrister collar. Dreadful thing\ufffd Covers up delicious throat. Maybe will let me remove his BLUE pinstripe suit? Mmmmm\ufffd \"Bridget! Are you with me?\" \"Of course I am!\" I blushed. \"Why would you say that?\" \"It didn\ufffdt seem like you were listening to me just now.\" \"I was\ufffd\" I smiled. \"Would you like some wine?\" \"Yes. Thank you.\" I waltzed into the kitchen. A moment later, in Stepford wife synchronicity, came back with two glasses filled. Stopped cold as he had already taken off his BLUE PINSTRIPE SUIT jacket. \"What\ufffds wrong?\" \"Could you put it back on?\" \"My jacket?\" \"Yes.\" \"Why?\" \"I\ufffdd like to take it off myself\ufffd\" Mmmmm\ufffd was fantastic! 8:45 am. A little big, but then it smells nice. Manly yes, but I like it too! Must remember to steal from closet when he is not looking. Probably has one for everyday. But he is always there. I wonder\ufffd GAAAH! \"Bridget! What are you doing in my suit?!\" was Mark; wide-awake now. You didn't say it had to be good, di you?"}, {"response": 1491, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Apr 26, 2001 (19:55)", "body": "LOL! Danielle it is brillant! simply wonderful! *clapping* too funny! Hmmm... as Keeper of other suit (aka Smug-married Dinner Party Suit) will have to work very hard to top Bridget's stripping him then donning the suit herself (perhaps box of milk trays and large glass of Chardonnay will stimulate brain...)"}, {"response": 1492, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Thu, Apr 26, 2001 (21:10)", "body": "Thanks Esbee... BTW, LOVELY poem!"}, {"response": 1493, "author": "CathyW", "date": "Thu, Apr 26, 2001 (21:20)", "body": "Excellent job, Danielle.....will the rest of us be able to follow suit ? sorry..could not resist Seriously, you have set a high standard. I can't wait to read the rest."}, {"response": 1494, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Apr 27, 2001 (09:14)", "body": "(Dani) Manly yes, but I like it too! LOL! *wiping tear*"}, {"response": 1495, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Fri, Apr 27, 2001 (18:42)", "body": "Brava Danielle - that's going to be hard to beat!"}, {"response": 1496, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, Apr 28, 2001 (13:37)", "body": "Oh dear! All this talent on view. I am still in very wobbly and inarticulate mode due to being feet away from ODB so will need to take a long time to recompose self before can make contribution that merits this board."}, {"response": 1497, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sat, Apr 28, 2001 (19:03)", "body": "server closing down, new server is at http://66.70.14.230 . this one of the very last posts on the old server"}, {"response": 1498, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Apr 29, 2001 (23:52)", "body": "And one of the first posts on the new server which seems to be ticking along. The old server will still be available by ip address for a short time, if you need to move something over from it."}, {"response": 1499, "author": "CathyW", "date": "Thu, May  3, 2001 (10:10)", "body": "Tracy: Brava Danielle - that's going to be hard to beat! Yep....it's a hard act to follow, but must be tackled. There are still lots of you who have not written your diary entry. It need not be as detailed as Danielle's. EsBee: (perhaps box of milk trays and large glass of Chardonnay will stimulate brain...) Definitely the best way to start...but remember BJ's fiasco with same beverage and writing of Christmas cards. *smirk*"}, {"response": 1500, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, May  5, 2001 (04:19)", "body": "OK here\ufffds my diary entry for retention of fight shirt. Friday 4th May 9st (slight fabrication), alcohol units 4, cigarettes 0 (as don\ufffdt smoke), 1471\ufffds 5 (as v.sad), calories ?(how many calories in Bolognese?) 7.30pm Mark Darcy is here. Have just lovingly prepared lovely meal for us \ufffd Spag Bol, the bol is in the mini slow-cooker (I knew Mum\ufffds Christmas present would come in handy one day). Therefore have \ufffdoohh by my reckoning an hour or so to kill. He does look absolutely gorgeous straight from work in his suit, shirt and tie -----and equally as delicious out of it. Mmmmm. 9pm Gah! Woke up after post-shagfrenzy snooze \ufffd he is not there. The front door is wide open and there\ufffds a terrible commotion coming from the street below. Grabbed Mark\ufffds jacket and retrieved pants from lampshade, scrambled into fluffy-bunny slippers and dashed downstairs to investigate. Could not believe what was seeing. Mark and Daniel Cleaver were bashing seven bells out of each other. Both were hot and sweaty, tousled and did I say HOT! Mark was attempting a half nelson and Daniel was trying his damnedest to separate Mark from his kneecaps. \ufffdWill one of you tell me what the hell is going on?\ufffd I asked in as commanding a way as possible given current state of dress. The two of them stopped. Mark looked so dishevelled n his ripped and bloodied shirt and soooo sexy..then suddenly. Smash! Daniel had snatched the nearest dustbin lid and sent it flying frisbee-like straight at Mark\ufffds torso. He buckled on impact and sank to the ground. As I dashed over to him I caught sight of the rat running like a thing possessed \ufffd as well as he could with a sprained ankle. Aaaaarrrggghhhhh! 9.10pm Woke up! Was Mark Darcy yelling from kitchen, strange could have sworn we were in the street! Got out of bed and slopped to kitchen where Mark was standing, wearing only his shirt, with bottle and corkscrew in hand \ufffd covered head to toe in bolognese. \ufffdBloody thing\ufffds exploded\ufffd he muttered, \ufffdYou really are the most god-awful cook\ufffd and he smiled that wondrous smile of his. \ufffdAnd you,\ufffd I smirked looking him up and down, \ufffdI really need to get you out of that shirt!\ufffd And I did! Mmm. Love the lovely Mark Darcy, love the lovely bol\ufffd sauce - is better than whipped cream - less calories v.g."}, {"response": 1501, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May  5, 2001 (08:27)", "body": "These are too good. The pressure...."}, {"response": 1502, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May  5, 2001 (12:41)", "body": "Hang on while I catch up... I know you have a new mistress and I have to respect that. Unless it is the will of the ladies that I return. I, of course, claim his buttons. If you doubt it, you are new around here and need to seek the archives for my button-snipping expeditions. Only one from each piece of course I will not deface the garments (will only take the spare one hiding inside where only he and I know where it is =) Aloha from Marcia, Button-snipper extraordinaire Not much contour checking *sigh*"}, {"response": 1503, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sat, May  5, 2001 (13:50)", "body": "Loved the dream sequence TracyT! LOL! ...where Mark was standing, wearing only his shirt, with bottle and corkscrew in hand \ufffd covered head to toe in bolognese. Oof! Tumbled over..."}, {"response": 1504, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, May  5, 2001 (14:40)", "body": "Tracy, that was brilliant! Mmmmmmm. Will never look at 'Spag Bol' the same way again! :-) I'll say the pressure is on...."}, {"response": 1505, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Sun, May  6, 2001 (09:56)", "body": "LOL! That was great Tracy :-) *having lovely fantasy of MD in My Kitchen, clad only in fight shirt* Mmmmmmmm. Hi Marica! Glad you popped in Have fun with all those buttons ;-)"}, {"response": 1506, "author": "rustynation", "date": "Sun, May  6, 2001 (11:10)", "body": "Okay, in the CF board I already claimed Mark Darcy's law degree. I'm hoping I can have that item, as I still might procure a law degree of my own after my bachelor's (Y2K) and masters (have been accepted to journalism program at BU this fall). Does the UK have, in the manner of the US, this insane need to display the pieces of paper that prove you're fit to practice law or medicine? What I actually want is that piece of paper. I cannot write any diary entry unless I'm sure there is an actual piece of paper. (well, we don't see the piece of paper, but if the idea is in use, the diploma is mine.) I could also write a sonnet if needed, as long as it's in the Elizabethan style."}, {"response": 1507, "author": "CathyW", "date": "Sun, May  6, 2001 (16:23)", "body": "Tracy...wonderful effort!!! You sure deserve that applause!! Am feeling I'm in over my head....and have too much to live up to. Mmm. Love the lovely Mark Darcy, love the lovely bol\ufffd sauce - is better than whipped cream - less calories v.g. LOL...good point....I'm so glad I chose as a means to claim items. It's definitely bringing out everyone's creative side. Rusty, I'm sorry but items not in the movie cannot be claimed. There was an initial claim for his barrister robe, but since he doesn't wear one a different item had to be substituted. There are many other items still unclaimed, it may take a few more viewings to choose yours ;)"}, {"response": 1508, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Mon, May  7, 2001 (04:16)", "body": "(This had somehow gotten posted to the old server last week and has now disappeared. Trying again.) Ok, here's my diary attempt to claim the paper MD brings to the blue soup evening. My last viewing at the theater indicates that finding the name of the paper (header, etc.) will require pausing a DVD w/ my face up against the TV screen. :) Hope it suits. 2 December 132 lbs (v. bad as holidays upcoming), cigarettes 10, alcohol units 0 (v.v. good) 11:20 am. Should tidy flat. Cannot put it off any longer, as wine bottles, takeaway containers, and copies of Hello! are beginning to take over. Ug. 12:35 pm. Ok, really getting up now. 1:20 pm. Went round to the shops for cleaning supplies. Truly shocking how much they charge for odd-smelling water. 3:47 pm. Dilemma. Was going along swimmingly, tossing trash with abandon, when I came across the copy of The Telegraph that Mark Darcy brought on my birthday. Toss or keep? Reasons to keep: me, in the paper. Immortalized interviewer of news-worthy couple. Functionally erases Brazil incident from TV career memory. Reasons to toss: Mark Darcy lunatic. Paper shameful reminder of crush-like behavior. 4:10 pm. Ok. Am throwing it away. Back to cleaning. 3 December 2:03 am. Ran down to the trash bins like fool. I just couldn\ufffdt throw it away. Now my arms are covered in scary banana-peel-coffee-ground mixture. ...... 18 January 135 lbs (but am fat and happy, so ok), cigarettes 3, alcohol units 5 (Tom\ufffds party) 10:13 am. Mark Darcy is flailing around flat, making odd noises. I blearily raise my head to ask him what he\ufffds doing. \"Cleaning.\" \"On a Saturday morning?\" \"Bridget. Did you know that the takeaway Chinese in your fridge is about to claim resident alien status?\" He\ufffds got this militant look in his eyes that\ufffds oddly appealing. 11:58 am. Came back from the bath to a horrible sight \ufffd Mark throwing away the pile of papers and magazines from the kitchen table. \"Wait!\" \"What?\" \"The one that you... er, that I was in is in there somewhere.\" \"The Aghani-Heaney article?\" \"Yar, ug,\" I say, flipping through the pile. \"Aha, here it is,\" I announce triumphantly, pulling it out. \"Bridget, why is it covered in coffee grounds?\" \"Well, I couldn\ufffdt decide whether to throw it away or not...\" He snorts. \"And to think I agonized for at least 10 minutes in the shop whether to buy it or not, or even whether to stop by, or not.\" \"Really?\" \"Well, I had to come up with some excuse to show up, I figured.\" He looked so adorable and indignant that I had to go over and start a serious round of snogging. We got back to cleaning, eventually."}, {"response": 1509, "author": "rustynation", "date": "Mon, May  7, 2001 (06:11)", "body": "Whoa, am really obsessed as have logged on from work hour after listening to interview thru realaudio. My name is about to get deleted, as this is a temp. job, so I suppose it's all good. I claim the paddling pool...I've only sat thru the credits once (second viewing I left after words \"The Beginning\") but it's his paddling pool, so I claim it. I'm sure that scene is closer in age to me than most other posters. If I can't have the paddling pool I want the law briefs he was reading during the boat scene. Haven't seen any claims on either yet."}, {"response": 1510, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Mon, May  7, 2001 (10:33)", "body": "Excellent Laura! \"Well, I had to come up with some excuse to show up, I figured.\" *siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh*"}, {"response": 1511, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Mon, May  7, 2001 (10:57)", "body": "Excellent Laura! Thanks, Danielle! :) \"Well, I had to come up with some excuse to show up, I figured.\" *siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh* This movie, the more you think about it, makes you wonder about the different characters' motivations at different points. Like, why did Mark change his mind about Bridget after the buffet? Seems like he was just being protective at the book launch... Oh well, suppose Keepsakes is the wrong place for these meanderings. :)"}, {"response": 1512, "author": "rustynation", "date": "Mon, May  7, 2001 (11:03)", "body": "Bugger, I forgot who had those legal briefs on their lap. And while the paddling pool isn't exactly in the movie, nor is it in the UK version at all, I have the perfect scene. BTW thanks to whomever closed the center and bold!"}, {"response": 1513, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May  7, 2001 (13:49)", "body": "LOL! v.g. one, Laura. (Rusty) I'm sure that scene is closer in age to me than most other posters. Really? How old are you?"}, {"response": 1514, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, May  8, 2001 (05:32)", "body": "(Laura T)why did Mark change his mind about Bridget after the buffet? Answering a question with a question: why did Fitzwilliam Darcy change his mind about Elizabeth Bennet at the Meryton Assembly? ;-)"}, {"response": 1515, "author": "rustynation", "date": "Wed, May  9, 2001 (13:41)", "body": "Okay, I hope this works! (me) I'm sure that scene is closer in age to me than most other posters. (Karen) Really? How old are you? I am of the ripe old age of 23...17 years, five months, etc...younger than CF (and HG for that matter). May I please claim the paddling pool or whatever he's touching in the boat scene, whether it's the legal briefs or the oars? I'm sorry, but I'm embarrassed enough having seen it twice, and besides, the only other movie I've seen three times in the theater I'd never want to see again. I can't remember exactly what he was holding."}, {"response": 1516, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Wed, May  9, 2001 (17:56)", "body": "or whatever he's touching in the boat scene, whether it's the legal briefs or the oars? ... I can't remember exactly what he was holding. I believe he was holding the oars and rowing, while Natasha held the legal briefs. Wasn't he carrying a briefcase during the scene at the inn by the stairs?"}, {"response": 1517, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, May  9, 2001 (23:54)", "body": "OK, it's MINE!!! ;-D"}, {"response": 1518, "author": "CathyW", "date": "Thu, May 10, 2001 (18:45)", "body": "So.....Rusty claims the oars and Echo the briefcase. Is that right? Start writing your diary entries, ladies."}, {"response": 1519, "author": "rustynation", "date": "Sun, May 13, 2001 (15:40)", "body": "Oars are MINE! BTW movie I can no longer watch cuz saw too many times in theater: \"Air Force One\"...unfortunately not as fond of Harrison Ford as before, prob. v. good because he's older than my father. Oh yes, please excuse my blatant lack of HTML alignment skill. I did however try to convert everything to British, and do effing research. This took way too much time and is strangely self-referential. ~~~ Saturday 25th August 9 stone 4 lbs. (but am loved just as I am), alcohol units 1 (in hotel lounge), cigarettes 0 (lounge gone non-smoking? Gaaaahhhh!), calories 750 (cappuccino and chocolate croissant before picked up for mini-break) Wovingham Hall, noon. Cannot believe Mark Darcy has taken me to the same place as ill-fated Daniel mini-break of two years ago, when Mark and Natasha were only other couple not in wedding. Surprised has not remembered horrible incident when Daniel, reciting bawdy limerick, fell into lake, though did not look anything like Colin Firth in wet shirt. (Every boyfriend I ever shag shall have to live up to that image. Mark Darcy bears a strong resemblance, but I cannot quite figure it out. Think I will keep him.) Hope M. does not tell me to forget last year because I cannot. However, this time have dressed appropriately for weather. Is 29 degrees, and have all manner of summery clothing, including trailer-park-trash pink jelly mules. Not leaving until Monday, as August Bank Holiday leaves us extra day. 1 p.m. Have put bags in room, Mark fanatically folding own clothing and placing in bureau. I let him put away most of my clothing, but left all my sexy undergarments in the bottom of my bag. He won't see those until later this afternoon. Mark then decided we should return to the lake. I sat in the boat as he rowed. He then started discussing his latest case, that of a girl who, on holiday in America, was caught in a crime ring. Though I struggled mightily not to drift off, I finally managed to ask Mark, \"Are we not on this mini-break in order to not talk about work?\" \"You're right,\" said Mark, as he attempted to kiss me without letting go of the oars. \"Mark, those oars belong to the hotel, so get away from me before you drop them into the lake!\" \"I think it's time to return to our room, do you think?\" Was talking so that was not using mouth for snogging? He actually carried me up the stairs, which I should think would be impossible at my current weight. 4 p.m. Mark is asleep. Have decided not to wake him up by staring, even though as always, enjoy looking at him. After shag and nap, am quite bored and have decided to return to boathouse and find oars so able to row by myself. (Sign of extreme boredom.) 5 p.m. In bikini and wrap, as discovered hair in same state post-shag as would be post-swim. Arrived in boathouse to find oars in same place where Mark had left them. Apparently, when the lady at the front desk said the boathouse manager would return this afternoon, she was wrong. 6.15 p.m. Developed crazy idea to take the oars up to the room, as will not be missed for a few days. Will hide them in closet, so Mark doesn't see them, then go outside for a fag. Gaaahhh, I forgot I do not smoke in his presence. Shall I call Shazzer instead? No, will slip back into bed with Mark, who is, amazingly, still asleep. Why do men sleep so much after shag? Oops, I seem to have woken him. \"Bridget, move over, you've got all the linens...and what is that you've got on? I've never seen it before.\" He did not see my bikini for long, as soon after we were shagging like mad. My day was quite enjoyable, really. ~Finis~"}, {"response": 1520, "author": "rustynation", "date": "Sun, May 13, 2001 (15:42)", "body": "Hope M. does not tell me to forget last year because I cannot. Should be: Hope M. does not tell me to forget events of two years ago, as I cannot."}, {"response": 1521, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Sun, May 13, 2001 (16:20)", "body": "Rusty, how cute. That was great. :)"}, {"response": 1522, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Mon, May 14, 2001 (18:17)", "body": "as discovered hair in same state post-shag as would be post-swim... ROTF! Does BJ plan to use those oars for something?"}, {"response": 1523, "author": "rustynation", "date": "Mon, May 14, 2001 (19:36)", "body": "(DanielleL) ROTF! Does BJ plan to use those oars for something? No, I don't think so, though I was thinking of it. I might join the Boston University crew team and use those oars. Well, anyway, I'm strangely enjoying writing this stuff so much that I decided to repost on my own webpage and continue, as CF owes me an interview for my P&P trek. The address will be http://www.geocities.com/rusty_nation/bridget"}, {"response": 1524, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, May 14, 2001 (23:24)", "body": "LOL! Laura and Rusty your diary entries were great! :-) v.v. good -made me laugh, and wonder about the future use of those oars ;-)"}, {"response": 1525, "author": "rustynation", "date": "Tue, May 15, 2001 (00:59)", "body": "Okay, I'm outing myself now...I have a given name, and it eloquently details my gender. Anyway, since, as posted before, it has been duly decreed by myself that I deserve an interview from CF, am I indeed allow to repost and continue with both CF and myself entering the story on (a section of) my own website, the site I basically use to drool over people? Are real people allowed? Must Bridget (whose name I can't spell at 1:45 am) and MD use the oars? I just have to make as many jokes as possible about the wet shirt, as I don't get it! (Though I must say I love the reindeer jumper, the snowman tie and the TEP Santa costume. Funny, he could definitely get me to celebrate Christmas! In fact, I think one of the snowmen jumped off the tie into my bed...mmmmm...ouch, I'm right now very alarmed at the thought of calling my snowman Colin.)"}, {"response": 1526, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May 30, 2001 (23:54)", "body": "Ok kiddies who is running this show? I have to pick back through a mere 4000 posts to find the lists - they are back there in entirety. I get what is under those legal briefs. Is that illegal briefs?"}, {"response": 1527, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Jun  9, 2001 (14:38)", "body": "I respectfully submit my request for the pepper grinder MD used after whisking the eggs in the omelette. Since the caribou is a close relative of the reindeer he so elegantly displayed on that lovely sweater, I would dearly love to have that. However, I (unlike others) am not SAS trained and would not fare as well as MD who landed no less than five effective punches on the face of his opponent. So, keeper of the sweater please take good care of it for all of us and I will try to make do with a lesser item.:-) Date: Weds Something the something. Birthdays: 33, Alco...oh, who cares? Just finished saying good bye to the best friends any one in the world could ever have. Went to the kitchen to finish cleaning up. When I picked up the pepper grinder some pepper spilled out. Just the fragrance reminded me of him, here, in my flat, just hours ago, making an omelette. So close but...was it ever meant to be? v.v. confusing."}, {"response": 1528, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sat, Jun 16, 2001 (22:01)", "body": "Very cute, caribou! Where are the other ladies keeping their diary entries?"}, {"response": 1529, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Tue, Jul 24, 2001 (18:49)", "body": "WOT?! No new diary entries?"}, {"response": 1530, "author": "rachael", "date": "Wed, Aug  1, 2001 (14:11)", "body": "have finally managed to get to the end of the entire keepsakes board ... have not asked for anything before (ever) so please could I have the wine glass MD has at Bridget's dinner party? The one he's holding when he gazes at her just after Tom's toast? Someone else has the glass he gives her in the kitchen but I think his is unclaimed. Will write diary entry if claim is OK"}, {"response": 1531, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  1, 2001 (14:55)", "body": "Our Keepmistress is on vacation right now, but you shall probably hear from her shortly. :-)"}, {"response": 1532, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Tue, Aug 14, 2001 (02:07)", "body": "Can I claim the sausages on Mark Darcy's plate at the Vicars and Tarts party ? I have no idea what I am going to do with them, but I'll think of something. Maybe I'll make blue sausage soup."}, {"response": 1533, "author": "caribou", "date": "Fri, Aug 31, 2001 (15:21)", "body": "I haven't seen the L movie and will probably be the next to last Drooler to see it so, I am making a preimptive strike. If CF appears wearing a reindeer, moose, or caribou sweater or jumper, I would like to claim it ahead of time. If not, but a random stuffed animal appears in or near his hands, I would like to claim it, especially if it resembles a deer. And, if L fails to deliver on these basic comic levels, I will claim the pepper grinder or shaker and add it to my new collection of one. :-)"}, {"response": 1534, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Fri, Aug 31, 2001 (17:58)", "body": "LOL!"}, {"response": 1535, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Sep 22, 2001 (12:16)", "body": "No stuffed animal appeared so I would like to request the pillow that he puts over Carly's head to silence her snoring (that's funny!) and the companion purple one that he falls back on. Nothing resembling a caribou appeared so, I would also like to request the head set from the museum because it could be rearranged to look like antlers. :-) Also, it resembles the set I wear to listen to ODB's voice on the Fresh Air interview. Okay, that's two so, I've shown my true greedy nature but if no one else wants a keepsake I'll also sign up for the objects on the table that might be salt and pepper shakers, the purple T-shirt, the tie collection (I could sew them together to make a vest) and the wrist watch that he winds when he describes a therapist."}, {"response": 1536, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 22, 2001 (12:36)", "body": "You can have the whole movie. ;-)"}, {"response": 1537, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 22, 2001 (15:24)", "body": "(Karen)You can have the whole movie. ;-) LMAO. You can have my share, Caribou.I don't want to be reminded of that movie."}, {"response": 1538, "author": "caribou", "date": "Tue, Sep 25, 2001 (14:27)", "body": "LOL! Ladies, you're the greatest!"}, {"response": 1539, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Tue, Sep 25, 2001 (19:28)", "body": "What I want to claim back are the 90 minutes of my life, that I wasted watching the utter tosh that was Loncrapium. I also want back the brain cells that died off as a result of aforementioned viewing."}, {"response": 1540, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 25, 2001 (20:15)", "body": "ROTF...rock bottom, huh? Now you see why it deserved The Pennis Award!!"}, {"response": 1541, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Oct  3, 2001 (15:03)", "body": "So I guess not even a suitable kitchen implement makes an appearance. AW shucks!"}, {"response": 1542, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr 21, 2002 (08:34)", "body": "Hey Kathy.... I wanna claim the fedora hat and glasses Jack wears on the train in TIOBE when he's in route to London to metamorphose into Ernest."}, {"response": 1543, "author": "maryw", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (22:36)", "body": "Though I haven't seen the movie yet - I think I'd like to claim the muffin (and imagine that it's me) for which CF had to fight RE! (one can dream!)"}, {"response": 1544, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (18:58)", "body": "Time to put in for my keepsie. It's a rather difficult decision as Colin has such gorgeous attire and those wire-rimmed glasses (yowza), but I must have that dressing gown he wears in bed, while looking through the scrapbook and is barefoot. I shall imagine... ;-D"}, {"response": 1545, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, May 25, 2002 (08:25)", "body": "(K)...he wears in bed,while looking through the scrapbook and is barefoot. I shall imagine... ;-D Naughty , naughty;-)) (Karen)and those wire-rimmed glasses (yowza), Take your fingers off those glasses! Don't even *think* about it...those glasses are mine along with the fedora hat ;-)"}, {"response": 1546, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 25, 2002 (08:36)", "body": "Is that a fedora? I found the shape rather strange. Kind of a cross between a federo and something I might describe as Tyrolean. Besides, you are not allowed to have two items."}, {"response": 1547, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, May 25, 2002 (11:47)", "body": "Then I must claim that hat! The funeral one. I love the way the tail caresses his his neck. ;-)"}, {"response": 1548, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, May 25, 2002 (12:03)", "body": "(Karen) Besides, you are not allowed to have two items. We-el, those two items sorta go together. 'sides...Cathey-Keepsie is the topic host.Keeper of the Treasures."}, {"response": 1549, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, May 28, 2002 (14:52)", "body": "NO No No! *pouting* ;-D i want the glasses!!!! Evelyn you can have the hat, with my blessing. but i would REALLY like to have those glasses. (i'm collecting ODB's glasses. i have the pair from MLSF as well)"}, {"response": 1550, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (18:11)", "body": "I want everything. The bed he sits on, and the cheek that had Gwendolyn tatooed on it. But, if I have to settle for just one thing, and the above mentioned are claimed, then I would like to have the little gold vial of smelling salts Jack uses to revive Miss Prism."}, {"response": 1551, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Jun  1, 2002 (20:12)", "body": "The western wind is blowing fair! Yeah! Everyone is wanting glasses so I will sneak in and claim the guitar. He might need it to sing the kids to sleep so until then I'll keep it safe and in tune."}, {"response": 1552, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun  3, 2002 (16:37)", "body": "(Esbee) you can have the hat, with my blessing. but i would REALLY like to have those glasses. Thank you for letting me have the hat, Esbee;-)))You are too kind. They go together, IMO. *Benevolently*OK..I'll relinguish the sexy glasses. I'll take the urn. He holds it close to his heart and caresses it affectionately:-)))"}, {"response": 1553, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Jun  3, 2002 (17:17)", "body": "(Evelyn) *Benevolently*OK..I'll relinguish the sexy glasses. *happy dance* Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. *hug* :-D Are we still writing essays on our objects of choice? (or am i showing my 'drool' age by even asking?)"}, {"response": 1554, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Jun  3, 2002 (17:23)", "body": "Sigh...there are some of us who aren't even going to have access to the movie for another month...what are we to do about picking something when we haven't even seen the film?????:((((("}, {"response": 1555, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Jun  3, 2002 (19:29)", "body": "OK it has been sugested that I might want the silver muffin try? how is that?"}, {"response": 1556, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun  3, 2002 (20:57)", "body": "Well... I'll take the guitar if it's still available. The musicologist in me demands it. ;-)"}, {"response": 1557, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun  4, 2002 (09:42)", "body": "(Moon)I'll take the guitar if it's still available. That's a good one...he holds it close to his bod. Lots of hand movements;-) But I thought you had chosen the funereal hat."}, {"response": 1558, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun  4, 2002 (10:51)", "body": "(Moon)I'll take the guitar if it's still available. (Evelyn), That's a good one...he holds it close to his bod. Lots of hand movements;-) But I thought you had chosen the funereal hat. I thought you had claimed it first? LOL! But I want to be lulled and cradled, and just fall asleep in his arms, so the guitar does suit me best. ;-D"}, {"response": 1559, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Jun  4, 2002 (11:13)", "body": "(Moon)But I want to be lulled and cradled, and just fall asleep in his arms, so the guitar does suit me best. ;-D LOL - and you wonder why your DH doesnt have warm fuzzy feelings for ODB ;-D The funeral hat is a great keepsake -that little ribbon on the back! *grin* i'm surprised it hasnt been snatched up yet."}, {"response": 1560, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun  4, 2002 (11:48)", "body": "The funeral hat is a great keepsake -that little ribbon on the back! *grin* i'm surprised it hasnt been snatched up yet. I am happy to have both. :-)"}, {"response": 1561, "author": "caribou", "date": "Tue, Jun  4, 2002 (14:16)", "body": "(Moon) Well... I'll take the guitar if it's still available. The musicologist in me demands it. ;-) Ah, but you see, my dear Cecily Moon, I have the prior claim. I claimed it on Saturday (Post 1551). But, we will still be best friends. Yours truly, Gwendolyn Caribou :-)"}, {"response": 1562, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun  4, 2002 (14:32)", "body": "(Esbee)The funeral hat is a great keepsake -that little ribbon on the back! *grin* i'm surprised it hasnt been snatched up yet. (Moon)I am happy to have both. :-) *Warning*: The Boss will come after you...she wouldn't let me have the hat and glasses on the train.Said we can only claim *one* item . And no body parts....don't even think about it;-)"}, {"response": 1563, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Jun  4, 2002 (14:42)", "body": "I went back to Evelyn\ufffds post from April and complied the following: Evelyn: The fedora hat and glasses Jack wears on the train Minkee; The Muffin Karen: Dressing gown Moon Dreams: The funeral hat (which I think was half of Evelyn\ufffds combo, and since she cannot have 2 things, it\ufffds hers!) lindak: Gold vial of smelling salts Caribou: Guitar (yes, she got there first) Evelyn: Now switched to The Urn (Thus giving the hat officially to Moon and the glasses to S B Robinson or \ufffdEsbee\ufffd) S B Robinson: Glasses Lisa L: Silver (very heavy sterling no doubt) Muffin Tray"}, {"response": 1564, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun  4, 2002 (14:56)", "body": "(Lisa) Moon Dreams: The funeral hat (which I think was half of Evelyn?s combo, and since she cannot have 2 things, it?s hers!) Small correction here: I never wanted the funeral hat....I wanted the one he wears on the train when Jack morphs into Earnest. [ I said it was a fedora and Karen said it was tyrolean.] Regardless: I relinguish both since the Boss said I could only have one. Therefore: I switched to The Urn."}, {"response": 1565, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Jun  4, 2002 (14:56)", "body": "(Evelyn)And no body parts....don't even think about it;-) Hey! I didnt even try this time. ;-P"}, {"response": 1566, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Jun  4, 2002 (15:00)", "body": "Ok...having not seen the film yet and knowing nothing about the number of hats available!, I think that then means that the fedora/tyrolean hat is still up for grabs! :))))))"}, {"response": 1567, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  4, 2002 (15:07)", "body": "Very good, Lisa, stepping in and making order where there was none. Actually, the fedora and the funereal hat are two different items. On the train, I wouldn't call the hat a fedora. It doesn't have that crisp angularity of a fedora. Seems related to homburg (sp?) because it is rounded but very dapper. Here's the funereal hat: And here's the hat from the train, once he arrives in London:"}, {"response": 1568, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun  4, 2002 (16:55)", "body": "(Gwendolyn Caribou ), Ah, but you see, my dear Cecily Moon, I have the prior claim. There I was dreaming again. Must replace it on my diary. For I admit I love the hat. ;-D"}, {"response": 1569, "author": "caribou", "date": "Tue, Jun  4, 2002 (18:09)", "body": "(Moon) There I was dreaming again. Must replace it on my diary. For I admit I love the hat. ;-D :-) LOL! And a very nice hat on a very charming head it is, too!"}, {"response": 1570, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jun  4, 2002 (18:34)", "body": "I wish to claim the red rose that Jack/Ernest/CF catches in the dancing hall (the one he snatches before Algy can). Did it ever end up as one of his button holes in the movie? I'll try to notice the next time I see it. I would like to press and preserve it in my diary...if I had one ;-)."}, {"response": 1571, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun  4, 2002 (19:58)", "body": "(Karen) And here's the hat from the train, once he arrives in London: Wrong hat. That's an \"Earnest hat\" and does not go with the specs.Earnest doesn't wear specs. The hat I claimed was a \"Jack -hat\" that he wears with specs as he boards the train and starts to umpack his Earnest clothes for London. Shaped like this...but pattern fabric, no feather and he wears it with the brim down."}, {"response": 1572, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (09:06)", "body": "Guess what? I want Henry Dashwood's black leather pants..."}, {"response": 1573, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (09:10)", "body": "That was fast! and very sneaky"}, {"response": 1574, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (09:16)", "body": "(Me) I want Henry Dashwood's black leather pants... (Boss)That was fast! and very sneaky LOL. Does that make me a \"Sneaky Winkie Cop?\" (You guys are full of compliments around here...could give a girl a complex:-(("}, {"response": 1575, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (09:30)", "body": "That was fast! I'll take the blue shirt and the Rolls. I am leaving the black leather outfit for Karen. Go to it and shake, shake, shake. Can I reserve Vermeer's cloak and hat? ;-)"}, {"response": 1576, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (09:37)", "body": "(Moon)I am leaving the black leather outfit for Karen She can't have 'em...see #1573;-D \"Sneaky Winkie\""}, {"response": 1577, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (09:44)", "body": "(Moon) I'll take the blue shirt and the Rolls. You no like the Bada-Bing suit?"}, {"response": 1578, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (09:45)", "body": "(Evelyn), She can't have 'em... LOL! Well there's always that tight black tee. ;-)"}, {"response": 1579, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (09:48)", "body": "(Evelyn), You no like the Bada-Bing suit? You know me so well, LOL! I do love men in suits, but that blue shirt, so soft, so blue, just slightly rolled up... it is sure to come off in the Rolls. ;-)"}, {"response": 1580, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (10:08)", "body": "As I wipe the sleep out of my eyes on the West Coast, I realize ODB's stuff is up for grabs??? Anything left for me???"}, {"response": 1581, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (11:07)", "body": "Nothing here is ODB's. The items belong to his characters in movies."}, {"response": 1582, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (11:09)", "body": "And, since you like to load entire topics *winkie winkie*, you might want to do so here to see what is taken."}, {"response": 1583, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (19:52)", "body": "(Karen) Nothing here is ODB's. The items belong to his characters in movies. Ohhhhh......the item I would want has a home. Will have to envy a fellow Drooler. ;-) (Karen) And, since you like to load entire topics *winkie winkie*... Cr*p! I think I fixed it...if I didn't, please 'school' me over on the Help for Droolers topic! Terribly sorry...*duck and hide* ;-)"}, {"response": 1584, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (19:54)", "body": "(Tress) Ohhhhh......the item I would want has a home. Will have to envy a fellow Drooler. ;- Keep looking at the films...you'll find another.Nice to have a keepsake of every film."}, {"response": 1585, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (20:59)", "body": "(Evelyn) Keep looking at the films...you'll find another.Nice to have a keepsake of every film. You mean not everything is gone from the others? Or only scraps are left now ;-)"}, {"response": 1586, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (21:16)", "body": "Yeah Dorine, it is truly disappointing. And think of this.....we don't see the films as soon as those of you in the Northern Hemisphere do so while you all are snatching up this and that, we down here don't even know what you are talking about!"}, {"response": 1587, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (21:16)", "body": "Forgot my disappointed winkie ;)"}, {"response": 1588, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (21:25)", "body": "I claim the mirror he dances in front of (if that's permissible - I've never claimed a keepsake before)."}, {"response": 1589, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (21:33)", "body": "How does this work? Do I ask everyone's permission? I'll try: May I please, please, please have Paul Ashworth's lighter (I'm thinking that it may have done some time in a pocket)? I did a search and did not see any prior claim. If I am wrong, please let me know! Would also like the scotch bottle (ODB can swing on by and unscrew the cap any ol' time)...did not see this claimed.... Please?"}, {"response": 1590, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (22:20)", "body": "(Tress) Do I ask everyone's permission? No, just that it isn't already taken. Unfortunately, our last Keepmistress has gone MIA and she would consult her list and give you the official okie-dokie. The only rule (besides NO body parts) is one item per person, designed especially for people in the Southern Hemisphere, who see the films several years after many of the rest of us. ;-))))) Looks like the lighter from FP (Tress) and the mirror in WAGW (Rika) should be alright. Now, who wants to keep these !@$#$%^* lists?"}, {"response": 1591, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (23:30)", "body": "Can I have the clothes that are hanging over the whatever next to the mirror? Does the whole outfit count as one item? No....ok, then can I have the dress shirt? Bet it would smell like him, Mmmmm.....maybe has some cologne on it."}, {"response": 1592, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (23:33)", "body": "Yes, I'd like to know what's been taken in Earnest. Never noticed this topic before to get dibs earlier. And you mean there are still things up for grabs from FP? What about BJD. Know what I want from there but I'm sure is long gone."}, {"response": 1593, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (07:05)", "body": "Originally we would have to write a liitle story or poem to go with what we would do with the keepsake, but no one is doing it anymore. I would like to remind everyone that I had claimed the blue shirt and the Rolls.:-)"}, {"response": 1594, "author": "Leah", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (07:11)", "body": "If no-one has the letter 'Jack' received from Gwendoline, then I want it. If it belongs to someone, let me know soon, as I'll have to find something else dear to my heart."}, {"response": 1595, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (07:58)", "body": "Hey...you're all catching on. Who had the list? It started with Marcia, then \"Kathy Keepsake\". Will someone step up to the plate? All those articles mentioned sound good to me. (Evelyn) Keep looking at the films...you'll find another.Nice to have a keepsake of every film. (Dorine)You mean not everything is gone from the others? Or only scraps are left now ;-) Dorine...honey...this topic has been here for a long time...before I came 5+ years ago. *winkie*But you can do it. Be resourceful.Yup. BJD is still in there. OK..girls get going. (The real challenge is P&P).*winkie, again* I've got the tie from HS because I heard that scene was in the film and I loved it in the book."}, {"response": 1596, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (08:26)", "body": "(Moon) I would like to remind everyone that I had claimed the blue shirt and the Rolls.:-) Grrrrr! Well, may have to dredge later for things, no time now. :-("}, {"response": 1597, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (08:40)", "body": "Those look like two items to me, unless the Rolls is wearing the blue shirt. ;-)"}, {"response": 1598, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (10:41)", "body": "And I am not willing to give either up. ;-) I passed on FP so I have a credit. :-D"}, {"response": 1599, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (10:47)", "body": "Talk to the people at AA&Co. about your accounting suggestion. ;-)"}, {"response": 1600, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (10:53)", "body": "LOL! Consider it a done deal. They applauded me. ;-D"}, {"response": 1601, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (13:49)", "body": "V. funny, in that case the only thing I do have is the silver muffin tray from Earnest. I have tons and tons of credits and it no one took it, I want Jack's tatoo. (That's not a body part just attached to one.) Or if I'm going to get vetoed, can I change? ;)"}, {"response": 1602, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (13:51)", "body": "Annnnnnnnnnnddddddddd...... \"If\" there's a towel scene in HP (a la the book), I want the towel."}, {"response": 1603, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (13:52)", "body": "Darn it, I'm only halfway through my first cup of coffee, you KNOW I mean HS."}, {"response": 1604, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (14:12)", "body": "(Lisa)(That's not a body part just attached to one.) LOL, I asked for the cheek that the tatoo was on--way back when, before I knew body parts weren't allowed. I hope you have better luck with the tatoo."}, {"response": 1605, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (18:37)", "body": "(Lisa)\"If\" there's a towel scene in HP (a la the book), I want the towel. Hey wait a minute, are we allowd keepsakes from a book before we see the film? HS, that is."}, {"response": 1606, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (23:01)", "body": "(Linda) Hey wait a minute, are we allowd keepsakes from a book before we see the film? Or at least the trailer? Or production stills? Or something? I wondered about that too. (Moon) Originally we would have to write a liitle story or poem to go with what we would do with the keepsake, but no one is doing it anymore. That sounds like a challenge! Okay, I commit to writing a story about the mirror (though not tonight - my brain is fried)."}, {"response": 1607, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (16:38)", "body": "(Moon) Originally we would have to write a liitle story or poem to go with what we would do with the keepsake, but no one is doing it anymore. How on earth (using my Ken Scott voice) is a newbie or whatever you call someone like me, going to get a keepsake. I do understand about the story or poemwriting - but what am I to write about? It seems, there is nothing left. Does anyone have an opdated list? Perhaps, if I go all the way back to AMITC - has anyone claimed the apples, he gets in the bellfree? I think I recall reading, that the rose is taken."}, {"response": 1608, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (16:40)", "body": "Sorry - it seems I haven't gotten the italics right just yet. I hope, it works this time."}, {"response": 1609, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (16:42)", "body": "Okay, I think it'll work this time. Otherwise I might have to fall back in disgrace for messing up this board......."}, {"response": 1610, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (16:45)", "body": "I usually don't swear at all, but this is one of the situations, where all my FP quotes pop up: shit, bollocks, f***** - you all know them, I,m sure."}, {"response": 1611, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (16:48)", "body": "Annette..... Hi and Welcome. I'm getting all italics here. Try going out of the topic completely and into another. Then come back and see if you have close them."}, {"response": 1612, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (16:49)", "body": "Yep they're gone from my view."}, {"response": 1613, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (16:59)", "body": "Hi Lisa - I still just se all italics. I have wondered around other topics, hoping someone would have correctet my mistakes, when I came back. But - alas - it was not to be."}, {"response": 1614, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (17:01)", "body": "Yes - yes - yes, doing a banana-song look-a-like. The italics have gone and I'm off to bed."}, {"response": 1615, "author": "Leah", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (23:54)", "body": "Does the blue comforter (sisters and seasons conversation) in FP belong to anyone? I would long for it, this blue comforter would set me up for life."}, {"response": 1616, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 29, 2002 (08:56)", "body": "I'm grabbing the white tie and tails from WAGW for Lora for her Hanukkah gift... and I'm giving up my rights for the black leather pants to .... The Shake, Shake Girl, herself...Da Boss!"}, {"response": 1617, "author": "townranny", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (07:54)", "body": "Must have white shirt from Instyle magazine. Sorry ladies. Have not asked before. Will lend with good references and send with Brinks guard. Must claim my treasure and andale away."}, {"response": 1618, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (23:46)", "body": "The white shirt is nothing, but those jeans - ooh baby - I'll take them anyday."}, {"response": 1619, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (16:51)", "body": "Getting in here fast! Please, please, please, I want the earring(s) from WAGW! I said I wanted the scarf in an earlier post but it was the wrong wrong topic so I'm changing my mind. Could wear that round the clock without attracting suspicion."}, {"response": 1620, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (17:20)", "body": "Have not seen HS yet, but I'd like to claim Mandy's scarf. According to Emma, you can't believe what he does with it. So, I'm claiming it sight unseen."}, {"response": 1621, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (17:23)", "body": "As I said before, if we don't have a Keepmistress to create and maintain the lists, then nothing can be claimed."}, {"response": 1622, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (21:59)", "body": "Uhm..what does being mistress of keepsakes exactly entail? Is it just writing down and sorting everything? If so, and since I'm still stay-at-home until little one goes off to school, I'll volunteer to try."}, {"response": 1623, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (22:07)", "body": "Whew! I was this { }close to doing it myself but with much trepidation since time is a big factor. If there's anything I can do... like to help scoping old posts.. *right, I'll do it!*. now can I have that earring? In my other life I nevah grovel."}, {"response": 1624, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 2003 (01:51)", "body": "Grrrr. I came so close to claiming the earring when I noticed it the other day. Well, my fault for procrastinating."}, {"response": 1625, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 2003 (06:39)", "body": "I can certainly help out Ada. Karen please let us know what we need to do. I'm sure we're going to have a lot interested with all the films ready to come our way."}, {"response": 1626, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 2003 (18:12)", "body": "I'd like to claim the white bath towel that adorns his beautiful body in HS. I know that's a little unfair on the majority of you who haven't seen this movie yet, but what the hell, it's my only chance!"}, {"response": 1627, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Mar 28, 2003 (13:43)", "body": "Since everyone's eagerly snatching up all these lovely keepsakes, may i please request that we at least make an attempt to follow the orignal rules/guidelines/suggestions/whatever, which required the keepsakees to write a short poem or essay in praise of their keepsake? It's been several years since we did this with any regularity -and it's one of the best parts of the whole keepsake tradition (IMHO) :-) in the meantime, i'm going to be choosing my WAGW keepsake tomorrow, when i get to see the movie *happy dance* ... i cant wait!!! (and yes, i'll write a little something in it's honor ;-) )"}, {"response": 1628, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sat, Mar 29, 2003 (12:51)", "body": "Esbee, I'm working on the rules right now and hopefully will be able to post them sometime today. As far as any WAGW keepsakes, I'll list what I have so far. If there is anyone who claimed something that I missed, or if I have anything wrong, please let me know. WHAT A GIRL WANTS 1. Beedee - earring from the 80's 2. Lora - White tie and tails 3. KarenR - Black leather pants 4. MoonDreams - Blue Shirt/Rolls 5. Rika - Mirror Also, if you do want to claim something, please post it here so I won't have to go searching all over....I'm very lazy ;-)!"}, {"response": 1629, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Mar 29, 2003 (13:05)", "body": "(AdaVW) Also, if you do want to claim something, please post it here so I won't have to go searching all over....I'm very lazy ;-)! You're not lazy! You're our accountant! And thank you for doing this!! I would like the tennis ball...(you know the one...) if no one else has possession. ;-)"}, {"response": 1630, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Mar 29, 2003 (17:30)", "body": "We can only pick one thing?"}, {"response": 1631, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sat, Mar 29, 2003 (20:57)", "body": "Don't be greedy, Dorine. Remember that a lot of people don't get to the preview and it would be a shame if we early birds stole all the goodies. For my pick, I want the lovely white shirt he wears in the desert scenes because he looks so sexy and un-stuffy in it."}, {"response": 1632, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Mar 29, 2003 (21:05)", "body": "I won't see it til Tues, so there may not be anything left. ;-) I could pick something now, but change my mind or want to add after I see it."}, {"response": 1633, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Mar 29, 2003 (21:10)", "body": "Of course, something must be left for our friends around the world who have to wait a while to see it, too."}, {"response": 1634, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Mar 29, 2003 (21:34)", "body": "I'd like the white formal shirt, the one he wears unbuttoned into Daphne's room after she's gone."}, {"response": 1635, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Mar 30, 2003 (09:04)", "body": "Will get out the rules today, had a houseful of kids yesterday and couldn't do it....and I will put up a new list so everyone is current. Also, as keeps-mistress I am claiming for myself his sheik (wedding)outfit. (heh..this job has it's perks!) I'll attempt a story when I can think of one :-)"}, {"response": 1636, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar 30, 2003 (09:14)", "body": "Wot..no one wants the camel?;-)"}, {"response": 1637, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Mar 30, 2003 (09:20)", "body": "Evelyn, I was just trying to cook up a poem for that one ;-) One little question: Can you pick a keepsake from every movie or just one in total?"}, {"response": 1638, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Mar 30, 2003 (09:28)", "body": "Okay, here it is (pathetic, I know, but you can only come up with so much under pressure): There was a young woman from far out who wantet a keepsake so much. A camel, she thought, would suit her just fine though riding it might cause pain to her spine. Nevertheless, that's the one she chose, 'cause ODB had been riding one of those ;-) Now, can I please have my camel?"}, {"response": 1639, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sun, Mar 30, 2003 (12:55)", "body": "Annette, as far as I'm concerned, you can have the camel. Nasty creatures, they spit when they're pissed off, which is a lot of the time."}, {"response": 1640, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Mar 31, 2003 (11:46)", "body": "Wonderful Annette! :-D Now, i would like to claim his Henna Tatoo (*fingers crossed* that Evelyn doesnt scold) ;-P failing that, i'd like to claim is trousers from the Father/Daughter Day. Will post my essay after permission is granted :-)"}, {"response": 1641, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 31, 2003 (12:33)", "body": "(Esbee)Now, i would like to claim his Henna Tatoo (*fingers crossed* that Evelyn doesnt scold) ;-P ROTF. Uncross fingers Esbee...why should I care what you claim?;-) \"Go to it\":-D"}, {"response": 1642, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Mar 31, 2003 (14:20)", "body": "*happy dance*"}, {"response": 1643, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Mar 31, 2003 (15:59)", "body": "(Esbee?)Now, i would like to claim his Henna Tatoo Well, in case you should miss it, you could allways try to get lucky here: http://www.channel3000.com/shopping/2072542/detail.html I would love to have the Italian Leather Photoalbum, but alas and alack, it is only for US residents ;-)"}, {"response": 1644, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Mar 31, 2003 (17:31)", "body": "(Evelyn) Uncross fingers Esbee...why should I care what you claim?;-) LOL -remember Mark Darcy's sideburns?????? hmmm...and since you dont care, i'm going to trade in my BJD keepsake and replace it with said sideburns *rubbing hands together with glee* :-D Thanks for the link Annette! (wonder if Henna Artist could do a decent CF tattoo????)"}, {"response": 1645, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 31, 2003 (19:13)", "body": "You're launching into body parts and you only want \"sideburns?\""}, {"response": 1646, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Mar 31, 2003 (20:51)", "body": "Evelyn! What ever do you mean?!? I think we need to consult the rules here--are body parts eligible for the taking???? I wouldn't want some antivivisection group after us!"}, {"response": 1647, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Mar 31, 2003 (21:08)", "body": "(Evelyn) You're launching into body parts and you only want \"sideburns?\" (Kate) are body parts eligible for the taking???? LOLing....dying on the floor....I want...OMG, what do I want?..(I feel like a kid in a candy shop!) A dimple...and you unimaginative folks can have the upper body ones...I'm thinking HOTPig for mine...but there has to be an essay or whatever...must go get some inspiration!"}, {"response": 1648, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (09:19)", "body": "I think we need to consult the rules here LOL! Okay, okay, I get it, y'all want the rules...and I am two days late with them. Sorry but the hubby had a case study he had to type up (always blame the DH, much easier that way;-)!) THE RULES! 1. Everyone will be allowed to \"own\" one and only one item per film. - no trading or giving back items from other movies to claim 2 from the new film in question. 2. Newcomers may claim \"unclaimed\" items only. 3. Body parts (including hair) is forbidden. If you can prove CF wore a wig in the role, that you may claim. (Sorry ladies, there's only so much of CF to give out, we have to share :-).) Guideline (not a rule, as guidelines are not enforceable) Claimants should write a poem, essay or other creative expression of their regard for said claimed items. While this guideline cannot be enforced, following it is desirable as (a) these creative submissions will be used to resolve any cases of dispute and (b) your Keepmistress wants to read them and you know how important it is to stay on the good side of your Keepmistress. ;-) That's about it. Thanks to Marcia for posting them way way back and thanks to Karen for all her help in the past week. Esbee, as far as your tattoo is concerned...hmmm, not too sure about that. It isn't a body part but it is on his body. Gonna have to think about it. Maybe a great story will sway my mind ;-)."}, {"response": 1649, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (09:50)", "body": "(AdaVW) Sorry ladies, there's only so much of CF to give out, we have to share :-) LOL! Thank you, oh, noble Keepmistress. Am off to work on my \"tribute\" to the shirt."}, {"response": 1650, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (12:23)", "body": "(Ada) Esbee, as far as your tattoo is concerned...hmmm, not too sure about that. It isn't a body part but it is on his body. Gonna have to think about it. Maybe a great story will sway my mind ;-). off to pen the greatest, juiciest epic ever written (or a lymric at the very least) ;-) (Evelyn) You're launching into body parts and you only want \"sideburns?\" LOL, i was going for a 'matched set'. i have Fitzwilliam's curl (the one that rests so oft upon his noble brow) and i thought if i had Mark's sideburns -it would be a lovely Darcy set. But, i'll abide by the rules -just know i'm pouting like a spoiled little princess (heehee!) ;-D (Ada) (always blame the DH, much easier that way;-)!) LOL, talk about \"The Rules\"!! -that's one i can really get behind ;-P Am off to work on my \"tribute\" to the shirt Can't wait to read it Kate!!"}, {"response": 1651, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (09:48)", "body": "Okay, a while back (before I saw WAGW) I claimed the tennis ball...well, that will 'learn me'! The lovely TB from the promo photo of ODB sitting in the swing next to 'Daphne' did not appear in the movie! The scene was shot in close-up so there is no view of my beloved ball. Since that is probably against the rules, I will have to pick something else and will do so later...after I have had time to 'shop' during another WAGW viewing....and I was getting reading to come up with some great Haiku incorporating toes and a fuzzy ball....gah! (sorry)!"}, {"response": 1652, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (20:40)", "body": "Oh, Tress, Haiku! I\ufffdm impressed. The only poetry I can write is limericks. So in lieu of a poem, my offering is a short story. (BTW, Tress, I think there is one long shot in which you can see the tennis ball. But you don't see him touching it.) Kate Claims the Shirt The scene: a desert in Morocco Newly hired temp production go-fer Kate stood off to one side of the action, holding the clapper board for the clapper guy. She watched as the camera operator checked the focus on the man beside the Jeep. The director called \ufffdPlaces!\ufffd and Kelly gamely flopped down in the sand, taking the place of her stand-in. Kate held her breath as HE walked over to the Jeep, nodded to his stand-in, and took his position. \ufffdWait! Glasses!\ufffd called Continutity. \ufffdRight, right,\ufffd muttered Colin as he dug in a pocket and retrieved the glasses. Kate watched in fascination as her heart throbbed wildly. How could he look so cool in the desert sun? Surely no man could look so cool and so hot at the same time. What is it about this man and a white shirt? Hmm, white shirt\ufffd Kate\ufffds thoughts began to drift, but she was brought back to reality when the clapper guy grabbed the clapper board out of her hands. The director was still talking to his star when an inspired Kate ran to the caterer\ufffds tent. Thank goodness the caterer was well prepared for this environment! The clapper guy clapped the clapper board. The director called \ufffdAction!\ufffd Kelly shrieked as if she had just tumbled down a sand dune. Colin turned, removed the glasses and ran toward her, then SPLASH! Where did that water come from?!? \ufffdCut!\ufffd the director hollered. Colin and Kelly looked around dazedly. Then they saw Kate, eyes glazed over, heart still throbbing, a trickle of drool escaping from the corner of her mouth. She held an empty bucket. \ufffdWho are you?\ufffd asked Colin. \ufffdUm, er, um, ah\ufffd\ufffd He wanted to be angry, but she looked at him so adoringly that he smiled. Ever the gentleman, he said, \ufffdWell, that was, erm, refreshing. \ufffd \ufffdGet her out of here!\ufffd cried the director. Then he turned to Kate. \ufffdDo you work here? Because if you did, you\ufffdre fired! Get out. Wardrobe! Makeup!\ufffd Colin\ufffds dresser arrived with a fresh shirt. As she was being hauled away, Kate called, \ufffdIf you\ufffdre not going to wear that shirt again, may I have it?\ufffd Alas, she was not allowed to have the garment in question, which is why she is claiming it as a Keepsake."}, {"response": 1653, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (20:55)", "body": "(Naughty Kate) Alas, she was not allowed to have the garment in question, which is why she is claiming it as a Keepsake. Oh what a bad girl you've been...clever ...but bad. The only problem is, at my house that would count as positive reinforcement of negative behavior. But conversely, you were creative, prepared, resourceful and considerate (I'm sure he was pleasantly cooled!) so I say go for it!"}, {"response": 1654, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (20:59)", "body": "The clapper guy clapped the clapper board. ROTF...this cracked me up! Hope no one got the clap! Colin turned, removed the glasses and ran toward her, then SPLASH! Where did that water come from?!? It came from the pond at Pemberley, perhaps? Bravo Kate!! Very funny!! BTW, Tress, I think there is one long shot in which you can see the tennis ball. But you don't see him touching it. I saw it too...all buried in the sand (as if someone's toes had been very busy getting it all sandy). But, like you said, he wasn't touching it (and it was on screen for probably about a nano-second)."}, {"response": 1655, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (10:38)", "body": "(Annette) There was a young woman from far out Annette, Wonderful limerick! Very cute and not pathetic at all. Much better than I could ever do. The camel is yours. Don't forget to feed and water him every couple of days, he might get grumpy and start spitting ;-). (Kate)Kate Claims the Shirt Very funny and very sly :-)! No one saw you with that bucket? The shirt (wet or dry)is yours to keep. The keepsakes claimed for WAGW are as follows: Beedee - Earring from 80's Lora - White tie/tails KarenR - Black leather pants Moondreams - Blue Shirt/Rolls (I'm letting Moon have the Rolls, even though I said only one item, because she claimed it so long ago, but for the next movie....sorry darlin!) Rika - mirror KateF - Desert Shirt from 80's Annette - Camel Esbee - Tattoo Ada - Sheik outfit Linda, I haven't listed your shirt because Evelyn gave Lora the white tie/tails and I think the shirt he's wearing is from that outfit. Can someone else remember because I just kept staring at his face(it does give me another reason to go see the movie though :-))!"}, {"response": 1656, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (12:41)", "body": "Yes, white tie and tails, but not the shirt as far as I know. So I'd still like to claim it if I may"}, {"response": 1657, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (13:12)", "body": "I would like the Desert shirt at the end, in the present time, please. :-D"}, {"response": 1658, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (15:42)", "body": "(Kate's limerick)What is it about this man and a white shirt? Hmm, white shirt\ufffd Kate\ufffds thoughts began to drift, Well, who's doesn't after this wonderful appetizer. Well done! And thank you for the camel. I'll be shure to treat him kind. He won't have any reason to spit (unless some of you want to hire him for that exact purpose? ;-))"}, {"response": 1659, "author": "joyce", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (17:16)", "body": "Unless I hallucinated it, WAGW is the bathrobe from the kitchen scene when he says, \"Sweet Dreams.\""}, {"response": 1660, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (20:53)", "body": "Joyce, excuse me, but hunh?"}, {"response": 1661, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (21:04)", "body": "(Joyce) WAGW is the bathrobe from the kitchen scene when he says, \"Sweet Dreams.\" (Ada) Joyce, excuse me, but hunh? LOL...I think Joyce is saying ODB is a hottie in that bathrobe and she wants it. Good call, BTW! (if I'm wrong I apologize). Okay, I gave up the tennis ball as it didn't have any screen time in the film....I would now like to ask for ODB's trash (that's right)! I would like to claim the plane ticket and other stuff he takes out of his jacket pocket at the end....as he fumbles to tell Daphne he loves her..."}, {"response": 1662, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (21:34)", "body": "(Tress) I would now like to ask for ODB's trash (that's right)! I would like to claim the plane ticket and other stuff he takes out of his jacket pocket at the end....as he fumbles to tell Daphne he loves her... OMG! This is too good--what good stuff! I *might* argue though this is more than one thing! (running and ducking!) How do you call this, oh Keeper of the Keepsakes? (I feel so deeply for that poor tennis ball that was left on the cutting room floor...)"}, {"response": 1663, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (09:18)", "body": "(Tress)I would now like to ask for ODB's trash (that's right)! I would like to claim the plane ticket and other stuff he takes out of his jacket pocket at the end.... Great, Tress. I haven't heard back yet if I can have the formal white shirt, the one from Daphne's party. I don't want the tie and tails, I know they have been claimed. Need to know, so I can quick claim something else;-)"}, {"response": 1664, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (09:51)", "body": "I haven't heard back yet if I can have the formal white shirt Linda, I was waiting to see if Lora wanted the shirt(when I think tie/tails I think the whole tux) but since she hasn't said anything, I'm assuming she's happy with the tuxedo itself so the tux shirt is yours :-)! (BarbS) I *might* argue though this is more than one thing! (running and ducking!) How do you call this, oh Keeper of the Keepsakes? Thank you so much Barb, giving me such a dilemma on my first movie:-P!Technically it is more than one piece of paper, Tress, but since you called it trash (stretching it I know)I'll let you have it. (especially since the tennis ball is a no-show and we know you loved that ball!)I think to help your cause more, you might want to write down something in your admiration of said trash. (Joyce) Unless I hallucinated it, WAGW is the bathrobe from the kitchen scene when he says, \"Sweet Dreams.\" (Tress)I think Joyce is saying ODB is a hottie in that bathrobe and she wants it Joyce, if Tress is right, and you do want the bathrobe, it's tagged for your closet. Okay, let me update the list again: Beedee - earring from the 80's Lora - white tie/tails KarenR - black leather pants MoonD - blue shirt/Rolls Rika - mirror KateF - desert shirt from the 80's Annette - camel Ada - sheik outfit LindaK - tuxedo shirt Esbee - tattoo (still waiting for that ditty;-)!) Dorine - desert shirt from present (good call!) Joyce - bathrobe Tress - \"trash\" (plane ticket, papers)"}, {"response": 1665, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (10:09)", "body": "(Linda) I haven't heard back yet if I can have the formal white shirt, the one from Daphne's party. I don't want the tie and tails, I know they have been claimed. I see Ada just posted, but usually when someone claims an outfit (white tie and tails) it cannot be broken up into pieces. It means the whole thing. Presumably, the pants he wore with the white tie/tails haven't been claimed. An outfit like that is an outfit."}, {"response": 1666, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (10:46)", "body": "(Ada) Technically it is more than one piece of paper, Tress, but since you called it trash (stretching it I know) I'll let you have it. (especially since the tennis ball is a no-show and we know you loved that ball!) LOL....I think of that ball often with a tear in my eye. To end up on the cutting room floor like that! Such a pity! (and thank you for allowing me to have Henry's trash!) (Ada) I think to help your cause more, you might want to write down something in your admiration of said trash. I'll promise something worthy of the dusbin in honor of my beloved trash!! ;-)"}, {"response": 1667, "author": "joyce", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (21:13)", "body": "Petition to the Great and Powerful Keep Mistress for the WAGW White Terry Bathrobe by Joyce Should I be granted, the robe white and terry. I'd swing chandelier style, and be very merry. I'd have a housecoat, that'd make me go loco. And I'd have a wrap, when I eat pops de cocoa. It's loopy thick fabric, is better than silk. It'd keep me quite cozy, when I poured on the milk. I'd prop up my feet, and I'd stop my bitchin'. while wearing that man's gown, when I'm in my kitchen. Yes, I'd stop my fussin, I'd stop my bawlin'. If I could just once smell, the scent of that Colin. I'd lean back and send myself, out of my gourd. As I remembered, Henry Dashwood - the Lord. I go off to Bedfordshire, wrapped up in mirth. Remembering two hours, that I spent with Firth. There's no other way now, And so it seems. That only my keepsake, will give me Sweet Dreams."}, {"response": 1668, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (22:34)", "body": "Well done, Joyce! Give this woman a bathrobe! the scent of that Colin. Reminds me of the debate about the auctioning of the reindeer sweater, and whether it had been washed or drycleaned."}, {"response": 1669, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (09:43)", "body": "And I'd have a wrap, when I eat pops de cocoa. Excellent! Well done. Brava!"}, {"response": 1670, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (14:36)", "body": "while wearing that man's gown, when I'm in my kitchen. Wouw, Joyce. There is something about that man and kitchen-scenes. It will surely provide me with sweet dreams (though the bathrobe will be with it's original owner for this one). Great poem, your bathrobe is well deserved!!"}, {"response": 1671, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (21:34)", "body": "Can't decide whether to claim the navy blue \"Vote-for- Dashwood\" suit, (I have the look-a-like navy suit at the dinner table in MLSF) or the kaftan. If I take the latter, can I have the bedouin hat to go with it...it's an outfit. (I'll skip the hippie wig, thank you;-))"}, {"response": 1672, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (22:04)", "body": "Having been privileged to see it a 2nd time, I think I want to claim the black muscle tee he was wearing for his mirror-dance. I am working on a tribute..."}, {"response": 1673, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (22:32)", "body": "(Joyce) WAGW White Terry Bathrobe Brava Joyce! Wonderful poem. The robe is forever yours :-)! (Evelyn) Can't decide whether to claim the navy blue \"Vote-for- Dashwood\" suit, or the kaftan. If I take the latter, can I have the bedouin hat to go with it...it's an outfit Oh Evelyn, I'm sorry, the kaftan is the outfit I claimed. I called it the sheik outfit because I didn't know what else to call it. But if you really want it I have no problem giving it up. I pretty sure I can find something else. (KJ)I think I want to claim the black muscle tee he was wearing for his mirror-dance Actually, that is still up for grabs, so I will await your tribute with bated breath. He must have worked up a sweat for that scene :-P!"}, {"response": 1674, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (09:54)", "body": "Thanks Ada.No. \"Claimers , Keepers\". I'll take the navy suit....I always do. That seems to be his uniform when he plays a \"repressed\" Englishman. Although the gray pin-stripe is sorta cute too."}, {"response": 1675, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (15:24)", "body": "O.K., I am verrry slow to catch on... Just realized I was missing out over here. Please be gentle, I have not the talent(or the time today!)..yada yada (I'm going to cringe when I hit send)... The watch, I must confess, its true I would forever treasure My spirits would delight anew With thoughts of him at leisure A stab of guilt? His watch less hand No, my conscience is quite clear For in this crystal, stem and band His time was spent so near The owner is the sort of man That makes the clock stand still And I the sheepish sort of fan, With a bottom the size of Brazil? (oh come on! You would have done it too!!) So please I beg for this one piece Of Henry\ufffds neat possessions I do not care if it is Suisse As long as it soothes my obsessions\ufffd"}, {"response": 1676, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (16:06)", "body": "(MariaT)With a bottom the size of Brazil? (oh come on! You would have done it too!!) LOL, right - only in my case it happens to be true ;-) No need to cringe at all - v.v.g."}, {"response": 1677, "author": "joyce", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (17:03)", "body": "(Maria) His time was spent so near The owner is the sort of man That makes the clock stand still Very nice. Definitely a Keepsake worthy poem. Thanks Maria. I must apologize. I want the bathrobe from the kitchen scene but it may not be white. I'll need another trip to the theater to verify. Somebody has to do it. ;) There were two kitchen scenes? One when he finds her (dark blue robe?)and the other when she surprises him and he hits his head. Please give me until Friday to verify, unless someone can do it sooner. : )"}, {"response": 1678, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (17:07)", "body": "(joyce)I want the bathrobe from the kitchen scene but it may not be white. I thought it was navy. I only remember the kitchen scene where he hits his head, and then almost at the end when he's remembering her, after she's gone. I thought he may not have had a robe on in that last one. I think it was a blue shirt, the same one when his mother comes into the study and talks about his heart.(Just after that last kitchen scene)"}, {"response": 1679, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (17:12)", "body": "(Joyce)I want the bathrobe from the kitchen scene but it may not be white. (Linda) I thought it was navy. I'm pretty sure it is navy and it has white spots (very small...part of a pattern). (Linda) I thought he may not have had a robe on in that last one. I think it was a blue shirt, the same one when his mother comes into the study and talks about his heart. The blue Coco Pops shirt!! That's the 'sweat shirt' Notice when he lifts his arm to pour the pops!! ODB is sweatin'! I almost claimed that instead of my trash!"}, {"response": 1680, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (17:17)", "body": "My spirits would delight anew With thoughts of him at leisure Happy thought indeed!!"}, {"response": 1681, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (22:28)", "body": "(Maria) I do not care if it is Suisse As long as it soothes my obsessions\ufffd You are a poet(tess) and now we Know it! This is a line we all can relate to, too!"}, {"response": 1682, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (14:47)", "body": "Great poem, Maria. Enjoy the watch!"}, {"response": 1683, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (13:44)", "body": "Joyce!!! Loved the bathrobe poem and Maria -that was great! silly girl to be so nervous. i'm still grining over the 'bottom the size of Brazil' bit (Annette) LOL, right - only in my case it happens to be true ;-) that makes two of us chica! ;-) (Ada) Esbee - tattoo (still waiting for that ditty;-)!) Gah! *blushing in shame* i'm still working on it. A line here, a line there... will make serious attempt to finish off this weekend :-)"}, {"response": 1684, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Apr 12, 2003 (14:39)", "body": "(Joyce)I'd have a housecoat, that'd make me go loco. And I'd have a wrap, when I eat pops de cocoa. I'd lean back and send myself, out of my gourd. As I remembered, Henry Dashwood - the Lord. Joyce, as I sat in the theatre last night waiting for viewing #4 to begin, the pops de cocoa and HD the Lord bit came back to me and I sat there with a silly grin staring at the screen waiting...classic..."}, {"response": 1685, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (10:55)", "body": "Ladies, I am so sorry I've been remiss in keeping up with the keeps. It's been a tad hectic here lately. We had guests over the weekend and more are coming this weekend. We've been trying to grow some sort of grass for our very bare yard and suffice to say it's going very slowly. Now it's spring break week and I'm having a lovely time keeping up with these two scamps of mine. I need a calgon moment thats for sure. Heh..okay, I'm done complaining. On with the list!! BTW, I've been having such fun reading all your submissions and am thrilled that you're taking part in this. Hopefully you are all having a great time too. Maria, your poem was wonderful. Hopefully your obsession gets soothed a little with Henry's watch...but not too soothed, that's what makes obsessions so much fun ;-)! Evelyn, if you're sure about the blue suit, then it's yours, darlin'. But, you are right that grey striped suit is very very nice. Then, there are those tan pants with the strange bulge in the back pocket...those are still free. And that blue shirt when he's pouring the cocoa pops, and the present day earring, and his tan jacket from Morocco and his pajamas under that blue robe....hmmmmm, my, oh, my, it's getting rather hot in here, and I'm too young for hot flashes yet ;-)! Got to go get some water. Will have the new list up today sometime."}, {"response": 1686, "author": "joyce", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (14:46)", "body": "This is errata for the bathrobe poem. It is navy and dotted with a small pattern. Please grant me poetic license to call it a blue dotted robe. Looks like it is woven fabric and so I shall also call it nubby which means having nubbles. I will treasure the robe and every nubble. Petition to the Great and Powerful Keep Mistress for the WAGW Bathrobe by Joyce Should I be granted, the robe blue and dotted. I'd swing chandelier style, and be quite besotted. I'd have a housecoat, that'd make me go loco. And I'd have a wrap, when I eat pops de cocoa. It's nubby blue fabric, is much better than silk. It'd keep me quite cozy, when I poured on the milk. I'd prop up my feet, and I'd stop my bitchin'. while wearing that man's gown, when I'm in my kitchen. Yes, I'd stop my fussin, I'd stop my bawlin'. If I could just once smell, the scent of that Colin. I'd lean back and send myself, out of my gourd. As I remembered, Henry Dashwood - the Lord. I\ufffdd go off to Bedfordshire, wrapped up in mirth. Remembering two hours, that I spent with Firth. There's no other way now, And so it seems. That only my keepsake, will give me Sweet Dreams. Thank you Ada. I can't even think about the pajamas. Could we call it a bedroom ensemble?"}, {"response": 1687, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Apr 19, 2003 (17:18)", "body": "So how come no one has picked the Eddie Bauer blue plaid shirt he wears while reading the parting letter from Libby;-)) ( *holding nose*Euuuuuu"}, {"response": 1688, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Apr 19, 2003 (18:26)", "body": "(Evelyn)So how come no one has picked the Eddie Bauer blue plaid shirt he wears while reading the parting letter from Libby;-)) (*holding nose*Euuuuuu It could be worse Evelyn...He could be wearing the plaid shirt and sporting a mullet...;-)) (Saw just such a sight about 6 weeks ago outside my office window...I wish the mother ship would return soon and take me back to my galaxy...)"}, {"response": 1689, "author": "Odile", "date": "Mon, Apr 21, 2003 (23:51)", "body": "First time in this topic... let me do a quick request before going for my 6th viewing tonight. How about that \"Pops de Cocoa\" box for me (droolable as touched by Lord Henry Dashwood (insert bow) yet sensible as can be used in a pinch -- Julian talk). That would set me up forever.... Will think of a poem later (that would be my first in the English language). Thanks AdaVW for taking up this keepstress task ! (now say that 6 times faster :) )"}, {"response": 1690, "author": "Odile", "date": "Tue, Apr 22, 2003 (00:39)", "body": "Ok could not wait any longer with fingers just crossed (H-1 to HD on the big screen again). So here is a small offering - a first verse in French (syllable counts are off towards the end but they get lost in translation anyway): Ce ne sont que des c\ufffdr\ufffdales Qui, bien qu\ufffdun r\ufffdgal, Ne pourraient, dans d\ufffdautres mains, Que traduire un besoin bien humain. Mais que d\ufffd\ufffdmotions vous trahissez Pendant que vous et votre fille d\ufffdjeunez... Lord Dashwood ne croyez pas Que votre contrebande soit hors-la-loi Elle n\ufffdest que juste compensation Pour partager votre palais Avec une parfaite abomination - Une descendante de Caroline Bingley! English translation: These are only cereal Which even though a tasty treat, Would, in other hands, Only translate a very human need. But what emotions you betray As you and your daughter are eating... Lord Dashwood do not believe That your contraband is out-of-law It is only a just compensation For sharing your palace With a perfect abomination - A descendant from Caroline Bingley!"}, {"response": 1691, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Apr 23, 2003 (13:19)", "body": "Joyce - Should I be granted, the robe blue and dotted. I'd swing chandelier style, and be quite besotted. Joyce, I loved your poem before, now I'm completely jealous that I let you keep it ;-)! (Evelyn) So how come no one has picked the Eddie Bauer blue plaid shirt he wears while reading the parting letter from Libby;-)) (Maria) He could be wearing the plaid shirt and sporting a mullet...;-)) Heh..could even be more worse than that...he could be wearing the flannel, a mullet with dirty old boots AND a can of chew in his back pocket. (and yes, I do know people that still dress this way..unfortunately some are related to me ;-)!) Odile, your offering is wonderful either in french or english. Since it's been way too many years to remember my high school french correctly, please forgive me if I screw this up. Le \"pops de cocoa\" sont pour vous a demain et demain et demain (which in my very bad way means forever :-)) Okay, updated list: Beedee - earring from 80's Lora - white tie/tails KarenR - black leather pants MoonD - blue shirt/Rolls Rika - mirror KateF - 80's desert shirt Annette - camel Ada - Moroccan wedding outfit LindaK - tux shirt Esbee - tattoo Dorine - present day desert shirt Joyce - blue nubby bathrobe Tress - plane ticket/trash KJArt - black t-shirt Evelyn - blue suit or grey stripe suit - whichever ;-) MariaT - watch Odile - \"pops de cocoa\" box"}, {"response": 1692, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Apr 23, 2003 (13:42)", "body": "(Ada)Lora - white tie/tails Love the white tie/tails, but I wasn't the one who requested them. Maybe it was Laura? Wouldn't want to take anybody's keepsake. So whoever claimed these they're still yours! I haven't asked for a keepsake yet, but maybe this will get me looking for one at my next viewing... Ada, thanks for putting the list together. I'll let you know when I decide. I guess I'll need to be poetic too, huh? Have been eyeing the spoon he uses when eating pops de cocoa in the kitchen. Loves the way he grabs it with agility with the same hand that's holding the bowl."}, {"response": 1693, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Apr 23, 2003 (14:39)", "body": "(Lora)Have been eyeing the spoon he uses when eating pops de cocoa in the kitchen. Loves the way he grabs it with agility with the same hand that's holding the bowl. Go for it. I always love the way he grabs the bowl and spoon together. He does it again when he's thinking of her and walks into the kitchen a second time."}, {"response": 1694, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 23, 2003 (15:27)", "body": "(Ada)Lora - white tie/tails (Lora)Love the white tie/tails, but I wasn't the one who requested them. It wuz me!!...*I* gave them to you either for your birthday or Hannukah. I think it was the latter. 'Cause I gave the boss the black leather pants then I originally claimed. I felt she should have the numero uno item in this film. (*violins in the background*..Awwww) But should you prefer the coco puffs spoon, you can exchange it . 'won't hurt my feelings:-))) BTW. pl. I want the navy blue suit.It's the 'same suit';-) he wore at the dinner table in MLSF and to Bridget's b'day party."}, {"response": 1695, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Apr 23, 2003 (15:34)", "body": "(Evelyn)BTW. pl. I want the navy blue suit.It's the 'same suit';-) he wore at the dinner table in MLSF and to Bridget's b'day party. OH, I loved that suit in MLSF...lucky girl."}, {"response": 1696, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Apr 23, 2003 (15:47)", "body": "(Evelyn to Lora)But should you prefer the coco puffs spoon, you can exchange it . very pp as in whispering: If the white tie/tails get \"released\" is it possible to exchange your keepsake? I'm afraid I was a bit quick to claim the camel. I'm having trouble making room for him. As for the white tie/tails I have just the right place to keep them :-) Your poems and limericks are great, ladies. (Big applause!!) (Linda)OH, I loved that suit in MLSF...lucky girl. Loved the suit, the man, the hair..................."}, {"response": 1697, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 23, 2003 (16:20)", "body": "(Evelyn) BTW. pl. I want the navy blue suit.It's the 'same suit';-) he wore at the dinner table in MLSF and to Bridget's b'day party. I'd hate to open your closet. A bunch of dark blue suits. Tres boring. ;-) But to each, her own. *sniffing leather pants*"}, {"response": 1698, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Apr 23, 2003 (16:24)", "body": "Might I have the cell phone? If so, I'll produce a poem later."}, {"response": 1699, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Apr 23, 2003 (16:53)", "body": "(KathyF) Might I have the cell phone? If so, I'll produce a poem later. Ohhhh....good call (pun intended)! We all know where that cell phone usually resides! And the added bonus of probably having Glyniss' number in memory so you can crank call her! ;-)"}, {"response": 1700, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Apr 23, 2003 (17:12)", "body": "(Evelyn)It wuz me!!...*I* gave them to you either for your birthday or Hannukah. Oh, Evelyn, where have I been that I didn't realize that you had given the white tie/tails to me? I'm so sorry I didn't know! If it was for Hannukah that would have been the end of November when I was not on line a lot. I feel terrible that I didn't know and never properly thanked you for such a ravishing present. There's nothing like white tie and tails to light up my Menorah! Thanks so much, Evelyn! So it would seem that the white tie/tails are mine! How perfectly delightful! Feel like cinderella at the ball! Thank you, thank you, Evelyn! Annette, so sorry. You can have the spoon if you want :-/. Like Linda says, he scoops it up twice while masterfully still holding his bowl in the same hand. Sort of like how he keeps the diary in his hands while still using those hands to cover Bridget up in his coat (BJD) ;-). Now I must find a specal place in my closet for white tie and tails. Oh Henry! And thanks again, Evelyn!"}, {"response": 1701, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Wed, Apr 23, 2003 (19:09)", "body": "I know that Joyce has claimed the blue bathrobe, but could I possibly have the pajamas? I absolutely adore that open-necked look and I'm busy working on a little poem to be posted soon. There were a few other choice items left, but I think the PJ's would have to be my first choice."}, {"response": 1702, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 23, 2003 (19:27)", "body": "(Da boss) I'd hate to open your closet. A bunch of dark blue suits. Tres boring. ROTF. Hey,I should be so bored;-D Glad you liked your prezzie, Lora. I knew you were busy at the time:-)))"}, {"response": 1703, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Apr 23, 2003 (20:48)", "body": "I'm scrolling back through, I have not seen any poo-poo-ing of his motorcycle and... (Tress)Ohhhh....good call...! We all know where that ...usually resides! (Paraphrasing wickedly -- ab-so-lutely could not resist!) Unless I missed something and the motorcycle is \"hands-off\" I'll come up with a tribute quickly (as soon as I can get Springsteen off my mind and quit \"strapping my hands across his engines.\") In the spirit of WAGW, I'm trying to stay PG but keep leaning more toward NC-17. I shall conquer this. In the meantime, in the spirit of all sibling back-seat rivalry, I claim it! (So keep your hands off the engines!)"}, {"response": 1704, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Apr 23, 2003 (21:21)", "body": "OK, looking through the web searching for inspiration, I find the following and offer it up as means of claiming the motorcycle *used* (any other verb threatens to melt my monitor) in WAGW. Any resemblance to anyone, living, dead (or currently posting) ... is purely an accident --- This biker lady has a heart attack and is taken to the hospital. While on the operating table, she had a near death experience. Seeing God, she asked, \"Is my time up?\" God said, \"No, you have another 43 years, 2 months, and 8 days to live.\" Upon recovery, the woman decided to stay in the hospital and have a facelift, liposuction, and tummy tuck. Since she had so much more time to live, new roads to ride, she figured she might as well look even nicer. After her last operation, she was released from the hospital. While riding her motorcycle home, she was run into by a delivery truck and killed. Arriving in front of God, she demanded, \"I thought you said I had another 40+ years? How come you didn't pull me out of the path of that freakin' truck?\" God replied, \"I didn't recognize you.\""}, {"response": 1705, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Apr 23, 2003 (22:17)", "body": "God replied, \"I didn't recognize you.\" LOL! That deserves the \"HD's\" Easy Rider."}, {"response": 1706, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (08:40)", "body": "(Barb S)..claiming the motorcycle Cute story, but I had to slap my forehead; why didn't I think of this alternative transportation to the camel ;-) Never mind. Lora, I would love to have the spoon. I'll take your word for the hand-ability and look forward to see it for real."}, {"response": 1707, "author": "Odile", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (10:21)", "body": "Thanks Ada for the Cocoa Puffs box. It was on a short list of mine as treasured props along with the Vote Dashwood billboard and the Orwood plants. There is something about pushing HD against a wall, slathering him in liquid (glue) and unfolding him little by little... Oops, I'm probably due for another viewing soon (next scheduled: Sunday). And also how about being the hanging plants at the Orwoods. There is one that positively caresses him along the arm first then up to the neck using just about all its length. The down part would be of course to have to reside in that house given the owners..."}, {"response": 1708, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sat, May  3, 2003 (15:08)", "body": "Goodness gracious! So many things being taken away. I'm going to have some empty shelves here soon, thank goodness HS premiered this week ;-)! Let me update WAGW today and I'll try to \"premiere\" the HS list sometime today. WAGW Beedee - 80's earrings Lora - white tie/tails KarenR - black leather pants (apparently getting sniffed quite a bit ;-)!) MoonD - blue shirt/Rolls Rika - mirror KateF - 80's desert shirt Annette - camel...no wait...spoon from coco pops..no wait..no that's right, the spoon. Ada - wedding burnoose (can't help it, I just love that outfit) LindaK - tux shirt Esbee - tattoo (STILL waiting...foot tapping! ;-)) Dorine - present day desert shirt Joyce - blue nubbly bathrobe (may have to fight Hen for the pj's.) Tress - Plane ticket/trash (what no peanut bag?) KJArt - black t-shirt Evelyn - blue suit (to match all your other blue suits but he does look so good in blue) MariaT - watch Odile - coco pops box KathyF - cell phone Hen - pajamas (may have to fight Joyce for these!) BarbS - motorcycle (I keep thinking of Steppenwolf's \"Born to be Wild\"..get your motor runnin'...uhm, never mind ;-)!) That's it so far for WAGW, as far as HS is concerned, I only have a couple of things that were claimed a few months back but I'm not sure what procedure is, since there wasn't a keeps mistress at the time. I'll check with Karen and let you all know. By the way, please forgive the editorial comments above. My only excuse is that I'm in a strange mood today. My boys got me a cake yesterday and I must be coming down from all that sugar;-)!"}, {"response": 1709, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, May  4, 2003 (06:13)", "body": "Oh no, are we on to HS already? Then I must ask for the pencil Colin Ware has in his mouth from the page that the boss posted over in the HS gallery. If I'm too quick to jump in, or someone else has claimed it, then just slap me. I'll choose something else. Poem--TBA."}, {"response": 1710, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, May  4, 2003 (10:45)", "body": "Linda, you can have the pencil, but a few months ago (way back in November, I think) I see that you asked for Mandy's scarf. So honey, you're going to have to choose. Which one, which one...hmmm...teeth marks wrapped around pencil or marks from (maybe)mascara-ed chest hair ;-)!"}, {"response": 1711, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, May  4, 2003 (11:32)", "body": "For HS, I would love to have his drawing pad, all of it. They way he holds it so very close, I feel his hands going up and down, roughly... softly. ;-)"}, {"response": 1712, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, May  4, 2003 (22:15)", "body": "Moon, the pictures you brought to mind with that drawing pad were...ahem, well almost pornographic...but we're not concerned with my mind (thank goodness!)! I would love to see some sort of tribute from your mind though(which you really don't have to do if you want to spare our blushes);-)! Even so the drawing pad is yours darlin', enjoy! And while Linda figures out which keepsake she really cannot do without :-), I'll go ahead and list what I have so far for Hope Springs. HOPE SPRINGS White Towel - Janet Tie - Evelyn Drawing Pad - MoonD That's all I have for now. Ladies, if there's something you would like, let me know and we'll discuss terms ;-)!"}, {"response": 1713, "author": "joyce", "date": "Sun, May  4, 2003 (22:45)", "body": "(Ada) Joyce - blue nubbly bathrobe (may have to fight Hen for the pj's.) Hen (Lisa, Ron or Bob) - pajamas (may have to fight Joyce for these!) Sip water. Smile. Okay. All right, this, okay, hello all right. Hello Lisa. Hello Lisa can you hear me? Okay Hello Lisa. Hello Hmm. Maybe she\ufffds also known as Ron or Bob or something. Smile, cheek puff, water sip, forehead scratch, chin jut, look at papers, count interviews. Sigh. Hello Lisa. Can you hear me? Hello Lisa. Hello. Shakes head. Listening. Sigh. Jut. Hello Lisa. Hello Lisa. Hello. I can. Did you say you want my pajamas? They're all yours my love."}, {"response": 1714, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (07:24)", "body": "(Ada), Moon, the pictures you brought to mind with that drawing pad were...ahem, well almost pornographic...but we're not concerned with my mind (thank goodness!)! I would love to see some sort of tribute from your mind though(which you really don't have to do if you want to spare our blushes);-)! Heehee, well, it's hard to think of anything else while those hands keeps moving. ;-) Off I go, he's starting another one. ;-))))"}, {"response": 1715, "author": "joyce", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (07:32)", "body": "Re: HS If Linda doesn't want the scarf I'd like it. I'm not proud will take cast-offs."}, {"response": 1716, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (09:29)", "body": "I'm going to go out on a limb and claim something (provisionally) sight unseen. I think the butterfly chair might suit me... ;-)"}, {"response": 1717, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (09:58)", "body": "(ADA)Linda, you can have the pencil, but a few months ago (way back in November, I think) I see that you asked for Mandy's scarf. . MOI? I don't remember that. Not unless I chose it after reading the book, but it doesn't ring a bell. In any event, I'll stick with the pencil, caught oh, so sexily between his teeth and lips. OHHHHHHHHHH."}, {"response": 1718, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (11:38)", "body": "Can I dibs the underwear that was'nt there? Those that Colin Ware does'nt wear? Dare I dare? Think the thought of them not being there? That man with those eyes, those lips, that hair?! I'll faint, I need a chair! I'd like to invite him into my lair, that underwear defying Colin Ware. These things I am thinking! Too much to bear! He is a man all too rare. Life just is'nt fair..."}, {"response": 1719, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (11:46)", "body": "I thought about that item myself, but if it isn't there, then..."}, {"response": 1720, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (12:13)", "body": "ROTF, MariaT, the Dr. Seuss of Drool! I, too, was tempted by the nonexistent underwear. However, my request wouldn't have been nearly as witty and stirring as yours!"}, {"response": 1721, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (12:38)", "body": "I hate to follow my own post, but if nobody else has claimed it, I'd like the black sweater (he's wearing it in Mari's post #1587 on Topic 175). He looks drop-dead gorgeous in it, IMO, and it would set me up for life."}, {"response": 1722, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (14:04)", "body": "I would like to lay claim to Colin Ware's blue yoga matt...if there are no objections and/or prior claims."}, {"response": 1723, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (17:17)", "body": "If it hasn't been claimed - and I can claim without any clever dialogue, poem, haiku or whatever for the time being - I would like the black jacket, he wears in the end (have to stop for air!!). I'll try to think of something to honour the claim at a later fortuetist (sp) occasion :-) Maria, your dialogue was really witty, and our boss surely is quick at following cleverly :-)"}, {"response": 1724, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (18:31)", "body": "(Karen)I thought about that item myself, but if it isn't there, then... ...Lord knows he is quite bare, under there...that Colin Ware with no underwear."}, {"response": 1725, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (19:29)", "body": "(Joyce)(Ada) Joyce - blue nubbly bathrobe (may have to fight Hen for the pj's.) Hen (Lisa, Ron or Bob) - pajamas (may have to fight Joyce for these!) Sip water. Smile. Okay. All right, this, okay, hello all right. Hello Lisa. Hello Lisa can you hear me? Okay Hello Lisa. Hello Hmm. Maybe she\ufffds also known as Ron or Bob or something. Smile, cheek puff, water sip, forehead scratch, chin jut, look at papers, count interviews. Sigh. Hello Lisa. Can you hear me? Hello Lisa. Hello. Shakes head. Listening. Sigh. Jut. Hello Lisa. Hello Lisa. Hello. I can. Did you say you want my pajamas? They're all yours my love. Joyce, I owe you big time for the jammies! I think he's actually wearing them without the robe in the library scene near the end of the film. I'm still working on my poem, but there's no way I can compete with you, our poet laureate. The funny thing about Lisa on the tape is that after having such a hard time with the phone connection, the best she can come up with is to ask him what the time is in London. I would probably say something equally stupid if I had the chance to talk to him. Sounds like Lisa (aka Ron or Bob) might be one of us. (Maria)Can I dibs the underwear that was'nt there? Those that Colin Ware does'nt wear? Dare I dare? Think the thought of them not being there? That man with those eyes, those lips, that hair?! I'll faint, I need a chair! I'd like to invite him into my lair, that underwear defying Colin Ware. These things I am thinking! Too much to bear! He is a man all too rare. Life just is'nt fair... LOL Maria! I think you have been pondering upon those nonexistent undies for quite some time. There is nothing to compare, to Colin's nonexistent underwear."}, {"response": 1726, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (20:07)", "body": "(Maria)Those that Colin Ware does'nt wear? Dare I dare? Think the thought of them not being there? That man with those eyes, those lips, that hair?! You clever girl claiming the nonexistent underwear! And how cleverly you claimed them, too. And The Places You'll Go (not to mention the amount of times) to see/not see them! ;-) (If and when HS ever comes to this side of the pond!!!)"}, {"response": 1727, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (22:29)", "body": "Maria, I think you have identified a tragedy of epic proportions! Assuming Colin Ware has a mother, it follows he has underwear...because, I mean really, what mother can resist? I know a significant portion of *my* life revolves around making sure my son has sufficient, \"acceptable\" underwear. I trust as he ages, his wife will help bear the burden (discretion being the better part of valor, the heavier burden of the two, the mother's or the wife's, I will not indentify.) But, my point, can you *imagine* being CW underwear and being abandoned? Worn, perhaps once, to satisfy mom so she sees them in the laundry when you visit? Then to be tossed aside and forgotten like yesterday's dirty laundry? You are a brave soul if you stick to your choice and our keepmistress will prove herself especially enlightened if you are confirmed in your choice, but you can let your rallying cry be \"Let none be left (on) behind!\""}, {"response": 1728, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (21:11)", "body": "(Maria)Can I dibs the underwear that was'nt there? Sorry ladies, but this keeps running in my head and I have to get it out ;-)! Oh where oh where has my underwear gone, oh, where oh where can it be? Not Heather nor Minnie but perhaps with Marie(a). Oh, maybe that's where it's gone to be! Maria, I'm not really sure I can give you underwear that's not there, but since I got such a chuckle out of it, I have to let you have them...or not have them since they don't exist...or do they? Well I guess they must exist (or his momma is going to be completely embarrassed) but since he's not wearing them, they're nonexistent,aren't they?...Oh, I'm totally confused now! HOPE SPRINGS Pencil - LindaK Scarf - Joyce Butterfly chair - Karen Drawing Pad - MoonD White Towel - Janet Tie - Evelyn Black Sweater - KathyF Blue Yoga Mat - Tress Nonexistent Underwear - MariaT Black Jacket - Annette Going to take some motrin now, cause my head hurts ;-)!"}, {"response": 1729, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  1, 2003 (15:34)", "body": "By Executive Order (*hee hee*), Karen hereby swaps the butterfly chair (which she's heard is fairly nothing) for the swimming trunks. Could be a once-in-a-lifetime type viewing. ;-)"}, {"response": 1730, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jun  1, 2003 (18:06)", "body": "(Karen)By Executive Order (*hee hee*), Karen hereby swaps the butterfly chair (which she's heard is fairly nothing) for the swimming trunks. Could be a once-in-a-lifetime type viewing. ;-) ...and I was just about to say, nah, not the boss from over on 176... Well in that case! No, No, No...I'll stick with the pencil between the lips. They must be some AFG pictures to make you swap;-)The chair really isn't anything to write home about...I'd say your EO was a good choice."}, {"response": 1731, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  1, 2003 (23:37)", "body": "One pic sort of reminds me of a shot in WOF *crawling up from the gutter*"}, {"response": 1732, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Jun  2, 2003 (13:05)", "body": "By Executive Order (*hee hee*) Well..uh..ahem..executive order, eh? Ya know, I've been reading a biography of Queen Elizabeth and right now, I just know that it's in my best interest to deeply curtsey and say graciously, \"Of course, your Majesty, anything you desire!\" I must admit that said trunks have not passed mine eyes, as my queen has taken away that pleasure, though I do sorely wish that I may partake in the delight that awaits her ;-)! (hint hint! ;-D)"}, {"response": 1733, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  2, 2003 (22:40)", "body": "This is the one that reminded me of WOF in an outdoorsy, camping kind of way. ;-)"}, {"response": 1734, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (21:56)", "body": "You're so smart, Karen - I saw those trunks days ago and should have claimed them. Never thought of it. So I hereby claim the piece of melon that is fed to him in this scene."}, {"response": 1735, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (22:06)", "body": "(Rika) So I hereby claim the piece of melon that is fed to him in this scene. Um....Rika.....that melon was consummed a while ago...I imagine it is in a very different 'state' about now! ;-)"}, {"response": 1736, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (02:07)", "body": "Ah, but I will freeze it in time just as it was being lowered into his mouth. ;-)"}, {"response": 1737, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (09:36)", "body": "(Tress)that melon was consummed a while ago...I imagine it is in a very different 'state' about now! ;-) Oh no:-((( Before you know it someone will want to claim that pork pie in L'dum. Gross."}, {"response": 1738, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (10:14)", "body": "(Evelyn) Before you know it someone will want to claim that pork pie in L'dum. Gross. ROTFL!! We all have our limits when it comes to ODB.....I hope. Because this should be one of them. ;-)"}, {"response": 1739, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (13:36)", "body": "Answering Tress's post here: (Tress) Psst...Lisa...check out the last post on keepsakes! The boss left a lovley pic of ODB's belly and his...trunks...over there! I've been quite content all day! ;-D Thanks, Tress. I'm glad you explained the compostion of the pic--was scratching my head before. (Thought it was part of Drool's Rorschach test. ;-)) Rika, regarding the melon, won't food keepsakes spoil? ;-)"}, {"response": 1740, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (18:30)", "body": "(Lisa) Rika, regarding the melon, won't food keepsakes spoil? ;-) Naaaah, it's frozen forever in its pristine, fresh state on celluloid."}, {"response": 1741, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (23:16)", "body": "(Rika) Naaaah, it's frozen forever in its pristine, fresh state on celluloid. Frozen melon slice, eh? Well, what the heck, I gave nonexistant underwear to Maria, nothing could be stranger than that ;-)! Rika, the melon is yours, though I would absolutely adore to see some tribute you can think up for it! By the way, what kind of melon is it, cantalope or honeydew? I'm just trying to satisfy a craving to know ;-)! HOPE SPRINGS Pencil - LindaK Scarf - Joyce Swim Trunks - Karen Drawing Pad - Moon Janet2 - White Towel Evelyn - Tie MariaT - Nonexistant underwear (boxers or briefs do ya think?) KathyF - Black sweater Tress - Blue Yoga Mat Annette - Black Jacket Rika - Melon Slice I've been going over all the older posts and making lists from his past movies. I'll post the more recent ones first (starting with TIOBE) and go back from there. If I've missed something or have it wrong,please let me know. TIOBE Silver muffin tray - Lisa Jack's letter from Gwen - Leah Smelling salts vial - LindaK Glasses - Esbee Red Rose - Lora Guitar - Caribou Muffin - Minkee Tennis Ball - Tress (though I'm pretty sure it's not in the movie, I'll have to check. If not you'll have to pick something else Tress, sorry.) Dressing Gown - Karen Funeral Hat - Moon Urn - Evelyn (is this one right or did you want Jack's hat?) I'll get to BJD later this week."}, {"response": 1742, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (01:12)", "body": "(AdaVW) Tennis Ball - Tress (though I'm pretty sure it's not in the movie, I'll have to check. If not you'll have to pick something else Tress, sorry.) LOL...Ada...the nonexistent tennis ball I originally claimed was from WAGW.....I never claimed anything from TIOBE! Though...there WAS a nonexistent one in TIOBE too! Wasn't there a pic with ball and racket that didn't make it to the final cut? My goodness! Can I just claim ALL invisible/nonexistent balls?? ;-)"}, {"response": 1743, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (01:32)", "body": "(Tress)I never claimed anything from TIOBE Neither did I (wasn't around at the time) - so this is not the best time to have the dvd out of the house. But - as you I shall conquer this and find a k eepsake. (Tress)Can I just claim ALL invisible/nonexistent balls?? ;-) ROTFLOL - Too early for those comments, Tress. Luckily I'm not having breakfast at the moment or the cornflakes would have been all over the keyboard ;-) Ada, thank you for the updated lists :-)"}, {"response": 1744, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (07:03)", "body": "(AdaVW)MariaT - Nonexistant underwear (boxers or briefs do ya think?) Which won't show an invisible line through his non-existent trousers? (Tress)Can I just claim ALL invisible/nonexistent balls?? LOL! If I can lay claim to nonexistent underwear, why should'nt you lay claim to the balls...but only if you'll share..;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 1745, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (08:44)", "body": "(Ada)Keepsakes Thanks Ada, for the great job you have done using great organizational skills and wit! It gives us the leasure pleasure to dreamily choose our treasures."}, {"response": 1746, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (08:49)", "body": "(Tress)Can I just claim ALL invisible/nonexistent balls?? ;-) Now, just what balls are you claiming are nonexistent??"}, {"response": 1747, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (10:39)", "body": "? was that me?"}, {"response": 1748, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (22:04)", "body": "(lindak) Now, just what balls are you claiming are nonexistent?? ROTF....now, now! I just have a way of claiming things that aren't really there....maybe I should have asked to just claim all balls seen and unseen! Is that better? ;-)"}, {"response": 1749, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (21:21)", "body": "(Tress)Can I just claim ALL invisible/nonexistent balls?? ;-) ROFL! I'm sorry Tress for thinking you wanted the ball from TIOBE, but for some reason, whenever I think of you and keepsakes, balls keep coming to mind;-)! As for all nonexistent balls...well I suppose you could be the eternal claimer for those but if any real ones make their way onscreen, well honey, those are up for grabs! As I was going over the keeps for BJD again, I noticed that there was a claim for Londinium. Caribou originally requested a couple of things at which time Karen replied that she could have the whole movie if she wanted ;-)! But since there are some new people around now that may want a keepsake from that movie ( don't know who, but you never know), I'll be the bad guy and just let Caribou have the original pillows and headset that she requested. Okay, here's the keepsakes list for BJD..again, if I've got something wrong, please let me know. Reindeer Sweater - Allison (I hope you're taking very good care of that sweater) Whisk - Lizza (don't really want to know what you're doing with this ;-)!) Barrister collar - Ann Grey Turtleneck/Polo neck/jumper/whatever - KJ Briefcase - Echo Watch - Moon (was this from the movie or a personal thing?) Long Coat in final scene - Karen (oooooh, I'd kill for this one!;-)) Pin-stripe (BadaBing) suit - DanielleL Christmas snowman tie - Evelyn (wot, not the suit?) Grey scarf/gloves - CathyW White fight shirt - TracyT Smug-married dinner party suit - Esbee Right sock from smug-married dinner party - Eileen (not both..just the right) Blue Sweater from Rowboat scene - Lisa Newspaper - LauraT Buttons at least one from everything - Marcia (not asking...not asking) Black pepper grinder - Caribou Wineglass from birthday party - Rachel Oars - Emily(a.k.a. Rusty) Sausages from Tart and Vicars Party - Beth (hopefully frozen like the melon) That's all I could find so far. Anyone wanting something from either L'dum or BJD, just let me know!"}, {"response": 1750, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (22:25)", "body": "Oh Ada, you rule! As a relative newbee it has been too confusing to request a BJD keepsake but now that you have clarified ownerships I'll take the invisible pack of Amnisties that Mark was buying when he ran into BJ at the stall before *the interview*. I choose to believe that he got them and put them in his pocket and sweated on them during that hot interview where I too delevoped a(nother)crush actually."}, {"response": 1751, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (22:30)", "body": "Just an inquiry. Isn't the cigarette brand \"Embassy\". (Yes, I thought it sounded like Amnesty too, but I don't think that is a brand ... is it?)...(UK people?)"}, {"response": 1752, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (22:37)", "body": "Just an inquiry. Isn't the cigarette brand \"Embassy\". (Yes, I thought it sounded like Amnesty too, but I don't think that is a brand ... is it?)...(UK people?) Thanks for the clarifiaction! Embassys then. What I really want is his butts! Whatever they were called.;-) You know, the ones with the dimples........ There are those things (.......) again."}, {"response": 1753, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (23:52)", "body": "Wot an excuse Ada! The realization that one better speak now or forever be left out caused me to do the BJD thing tonight again and remember how it all started. For those of you who have been around, forgive me...it may be F. Darcy that sealed the pact, but it was still M. Darcy who roped me in. My first request was going to be for the black leather gloves from the end scene, but those appear to have already gone with the grey scarf to Cathy W. So, I will \"settle\" for the khaki slacks and white shirt (later covered by the blue sweater in the row boat scene) that he is wearing when he comes down the steps at the hotel. Please tell me that I am not too late?"}, {"response": 1754, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (08:09)", "body": "Thank you, Ada...I've always wanted in on the BJD keepsakes...See all good things come to those who wait. I'd like the soup spoon he used during Bridget's birthday dinner. He could feed me blue soup anytime... Now as far as a keepsake from L...that may require a bit of, eh, thought;-)"}, {"response": 1755, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (08:26)", "body": "Ada...thank you so much for doing this! Since I don't recall any balls in this film (*snort*), may I lay claim to his wine glass (not the blue soup one, the 'ding, dong' wine glass....it was in those few moments that I realized I was a goner....again!)? BTW, Linda.....I got all excited reading Ada's list. I couln't believe no one had claimed that spoon!!! Congrats! \"it really is the most incredible sh*t\"!!! ;-)"}, {"response": 1756, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (09:58)", "body": "(Beedee)I'll take the invisible pack of Amnisties that Mark was buying when he ran into BJ at the stall before *the interview* Oofa..what have I started with this nonexistant stuff? We all know that keepsakes are supposed to be for things that are SHOWN onscreen. Which means of course that nonexistant tennis balls are supposed to be \"illegal\". Yes, I know that I fudged and you can rightly blame me for that. But, I've got to put a stop to this before it all goes overboard and someone starts asking for nonexistant underwear ;-)! Beedee, I'll let you have the invisible pack of ciggies (and not lecture about how ciggies are bad for you!), only cause I'm too damned nice and don't want you to feel bad :-). But ladies, please, no more invisible/nonexistant keepsakes! Okay, I'm done ranting, let's continue :-)! (BarbS)So, I will \"settle\" for the khaki slacks and white shirt I don't consider that such a bad settlemant, darlin'! It's all yours. If you'd like to write a tribute about his slacks and shirt, I'm sure everyone would like to see why you settled for that;-)! (Linda)I'd like the soup spoon he used during Bridget's birthday dinner Ugh...I knew I should have claimed it last night, but I was too tired and figured I'd get it today...ahhh, go ahead and take it. BUT, I want a tribute on this one for sure...you're not gonna get it that easy! (Tress)may I lay claim to his wine glass (not the blue soup one, the 'ding, dong' wine glass LOL! The ding-dong wineglass...too funny. Yes, honey, it's yours! As for me, since I missed out on the blue soup spoon, I'm claiming the \"marmalade\" spoon he was licking...hmmmm...yup, gotta have that one! And I will do something for a tribute..can't have the mistress of keeps not do what she's asking everyone else to do :-)!"}, {"response": 1757, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (11:00)", "body": "(Tress)may I lay claim to his wine glass (not the blue soup one, the 'ding, dong' wine glass.. So I'm not too late to claim the blue soup wine glass? Gah! The one he holds while wishing her Happy Birthday and then still has as he seductively says \"I like to think so\" and then thinks better of it and wipes that sexy look off his face only to bring it back on as he looks at her over said glass while taking a sip in toast and then fully gives her the once over with it, a scene that was cut just a bit too short IMHO? OMG! My cup(glass) whatever runneth over if it is still there for the taking!"}, {"response": 1758, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (13:07)", "body": "OK, I hope I'm not too late to claim the pants and shirt from the Tarts & Vicars party, even though I think someone mentioned this outfit in a discussion of his *nerdiness*. This is exactly what a top barrister would wear to an outdoor party, IMO. Love the open-necked look. Will have to view film again for inspiration for tribute. Such a hardship!"}, {"response": 1759, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (14:54)", "body": "Tribute to the Blue Soup Spoon Once there was a blue soup spoon I can't tell you how it made me swoon When it was dipped in a bowl of blue A color of the most beautiful hue My heart sang and skipped a beat Waiting for Mr. Darcy's treat Will that do, ADA? Sheesh, a girl has to work hard around here:-)"}, {"response": 1760, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (17:36)", "body": "(Linda) Sheesh, a girl has to work hard around here:-) The best things in life aren't free. ;-D"}, {"response": 1761, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (18:38)", "body": "(Maria)So I'm not too late to claim the blue soup wine glass? This one was a toughie. I double and triple-checked and found that LisaJH had asked for both the blue sweater and the wine glass at the same time. BUT when Cathy (the keeps mistress at the time) typed out the list, she only gave Lisa the blue sweater and nothing was said about it(it was only one item per movie at that time too). When Rachel claimed the wine glass from dinner, she even mentioned that someone had the first glass and still no one said anything. So for all this time that lovely little wine glass has been free and no one caught it, except you! Smart girl! I don't think I'm even going to push for \"payment\" on this one(but it would be nice;-))! (Hen) I hope I'm not too late to claim the pants and shirt from the Tarts & Vicars party Nope you're not. They're yours. Even if someone commented on the outfit, if they didn't claim the outfit here, it ain't legal;-)! (Linda)Will that do, ADA? Sheesh, a girl has to work hard around here:-) As Shrek said to Donkey...\"that'll do\"! And it isn't hard work when you love what you're doing (or doing it for;-))!"}, {"response": 1762, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sun, Jun 15, 2003 (14:55)", "body": "Tribute To The T&V Party Outfit To this one thing I must confess A fancy for his nerdiness A shirt with boring windowpane check Delights me with its open neck A casual look will sometimes be better Than white tie and tails or reindeer sweater. OK, it's my first try, so give me a break!"}, {"response": 1763, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Jun 15, 2003 (17:15)", "body": "(Tress)may I lay claim to his wine glass (not the blue soup one, the 'ding, dong' wine glass.. Please correct me, if I'm wrong, but this is the one at the turky, curry buffet - right? Then - has nobody claimed the wineglass from the launch-party (toasting after having introduced Natascha and commenting on the padling-pool)? If nobody has, I would really like to have it. About Lond... I might have a chance to get a \"close to the body\"-part. I would like to claim the white shirt and blue pants her wears, running round the house, getting ready for dinner with Fiona and Ben (open neck, bare feet - that'll do me anytime, even from something as cr.... as L.... ;-)) I think I owe a tribute to the black jacket from HS. I promise to think of an \"ensemble-piece\" in tribute to all three items, if they are all up for grabs (sp?)."}, {"response": 1764, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Jun 15, 2003 (21:32)", "body": "(Hen)OK, it's my first try, so give me a break! Bravo, Hen! It's a wonderful first try. The outfit is yours to keep! :-) (Annette)Then - has nobody claimed the wineglass from the launch-party (toasting after having introduced Natascha and commenting on the padling-pool)? Nope,nobody has, and if you want it, Annette, it's all yours, as is the outfit from L'dom. I'll wait for your ensemble tribute with anticipation. Actually there are still a couple more glasses unclaimed from BJD(I know because I watched it again just to count them :-)!). Tell y'all what...the first 2 people who can tell me which scene they're in, can claim that glass as a bonus keepsake. This is a one time offer(well, at least for BJD) so get looking:-)!"}, {"response": 1765, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Sun, Jun 15, 2003 (22:31)", "body": "(Ada) Actually there are still a couple more glasses unclaimed from BJD I believe one of them is from the book launch, and I would love to have it."}, {"response": 1766, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Jun 15, 2003 (23:36)", "body": "Oh Sandy, I'm sorry, but that's the one that Annette had requested. She's actually the reason I rewatched the movie. There were so many glasses, I wasn't sure what was what anymore(it was also a great excuse to avoid cleaning the boy's bathroom ;-)). If you can think of where another glass might be, let me know :-)!"}, {"response": 1767, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, Jun 15, 2003 (23:58)", "body": "I believe it was Mr. Darcy, at the non-Tarts & Vicars picnic, in the checked shirt with one unknown glass (and a hot dog, for that matter, but I think I'll pass on that.) Do I win Vanna?"}, {"response": 1768, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (01:44)", "body": "(Ada)Tell y'all what...the first 2 people who can tell me which scene they're in, can claim that glass as a bonus keepsake. There must have been a glass at the \"smugmarried\" party and there certainly was one at the \"ruby-wedding\", when he excuses himself to talk to Bridget as she arrives. I don't think he let's go of it untill after Bridget has \"dashed\". Could it be any of those?"}, {"response": 1769, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (09:54)", "body": "(BarbS)I believe it was Mr. Darcy, at the non-Tarts & Vicars picnic, in the checked shirt with one unknown glass (and a hot dog, for that matter, but I think I'll pass on that.) Do I win Vanna? Indeed you do, Barb! And as our first place winner, you've won a self-paid trip to the heart of deepest South Africa to view the filming of Dead Wait sometime in the next year, along with the most fugly giant ceramic dog statue you've ever seen ;-)))! (As far as the \"hot dog\", you would have to pass anyway, Beth has that:-)!) (Annette)There must have been a glass at the \"smugmarried\" party and there certainly was one at the \"ruby-wedding\", when he excuses himself to talk to Bridget as she arrives No smug-married glass (just silverware) but there was one from the ruby-wedding. As our second place winner, you now have a beautiful set of unmatching glasses! Along with that, you too, have won a fugly dog statue! Next week, tune in when Pat and I head off to lovely Acapulco for a week of find the hidden keepsakes on Wheel of Colin!! Thank you all so much for joining in, you've been a wonderful audience!!"}, {"response": 1770, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Jun 29, 2003 (20:54)", "body": "Hmmmmm...2 weeks and no comments on my Wheel of Colin bit...oh well, I guess I'll never make it as a comedienne;-)! Okay, well, enough of that...I'll update BJD for those that are keeping track and list a couple of other movies that haven't been updated. I know I keep saying this but if I'm wrong anywhere or missed something/someone, please let me know. BRIDGET JONES' DIARY Reindeer sweater - Allison Whisk - Lizza Barrister collar - Ann Grey jumper/sweater/turtleneck - KJ Briefcase - Echo Watch - Moon Long coat - Karen Pinstripe(Bada-bing) suit - Danielle Christmas tie - Evelyn Grey scarf/gloves - CathyW Fight shirt - TracyT Smug Married dinner party suit - Esbee Right Sock from dinner party - Eileen Blue sweater(Rowboat scene) - LisaJH Newspaper - LauraT Buttons - Marcia Black pepper grinder - Caribou Wineglass from toast at birthday dinner - Rachel Oars - Emily(Rusty) Sausages from Tarts/Vicars party - Beth Shirt/Khakis in rowboat scene and (Bonus Keep)Tarts/Vicars party glass - BarbS Nonexistent Embassy Cigarettes - BeeDee Blue Soup Spoon - LindaK Ding-Dong Wineglass(reindeer sweater scene) - Tress Marmalade spoon - Ada Blue Soup Wine Glass (where MD wishes BJ a happy b-day) - Maria Tart/Vicars \"nerd\" outfit - Hen Launch Party Wine Glass and (Bonus Keep) Ruby Wedding Glass - Annette"}, {"response": 1771, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Jun 29, 2003 (21:05)", "body": "Oops..forgot the other lists, sorry :-)! MY LIFE SO FAR Scots accent - Lizza Wire rimmed glasses - Esbee Kilt - Lucie Navy blue suit - Evelyn Sporran - Marcia Cap (worn while curling) - KJ Running-up-the-stairs-to-save-Baby-Fraser Outfit - Eileen Tiny Towel - Lidya Dorky Striped Pajamas - Karen Wedding Ring - Lynda FEVER PITCH Leather Jacket - Karen Grey Underwear/T-shirt - Marcia Arsenel boxer shorts - Stacey Whistle - Heide Wrist watch - Elena Arsenel shirt - Tracy Lighter - Tress"}, {"response": 1772, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Jun 29, 2003 (23:19)", "body": "Oh good grief! you have \"excited my anticipation\"at this late est hour! There are items left to be got! Best go back to MLSF! And FP! Oh Goddess of All Things Material....... and the immaterial, can I please have the Champagne bottle and fizzies that run down his chin (and those downey chest hairs I'm sure).......that Paul guzzles in the street? I'll think of something to deserve it."}, {"response": 1773, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (07:33)", "body": "If it hasn't been claimed...from FP, I'd like the sweater Paul is wearing when he and Steve are playing the board soccer game. If I must, I'll do a tribute... Now, for MLSF...(can one claim the imaginary underwear from under the kilt???) Guess not, but if Tress can claim imaginary balls, and Beedee can claim non-existant cigarettes... To silence the critics that I can hear already...\"Real men don't wear anything under their kilts\"...I say, Exactly ...that's why it's imaginary. However, I'll defer to Mistress Ada regarding this matter:-)"}, {"response": 1774, "author": "CeeJ", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (10:30)", "body": "These lists are great fun -- forces you to ponder scenes over and over and over and -- oops, lost there for a second. Anyway, is the diary MD bought for Bridget still up for grabs? (I suspect he wrote a dedication in it . . ) From FP, has anyone claimed his television-watching chair? If not, would like same. Thanks!"}, {"response": 1775, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (10:32)", "body": "(Beedee) Oh Goddess of All Things Material....... and the immaterial, LOL! So I'm a goddess now eh? All this is going straight to my head...if you keep this up I'll be making you all curtsey before you ask for something;-)! can I please have the Champagne bottle and fizzies that run down his chin Champagne bottle and fizzies on chest? Hmmmm,sounds good, sounds very very good, especially if you were to lick the....Ahem, yes, well,sorry about that! Bee, yes, you can have the bottle and fizzies, especially if I could see that your imagination is as good as mine is right now ;-D!! (CeeJ) forces you to ponder scenes over and over and over and -- Yes well I'm having that kind of morning...pondering ;-)! The diary is yours (very good call by the way)as is the chair. No one had claimed either one yet. As you may or may not know, I don't require a story or poem or limerick to claim these keeps but it would be nice to see just why you need to have them:-)! Linda, Paul's sweater has been placed aside with your name on it. As far as the imaginary underwear, I'm not ignoring your request,I'm still pondering over it and I'll have to get back to you, okay? I'm going to post SIL and RV sometime today and hopefully be able to post the old P&P list before the weekend is out."}, {"response": 1776, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (10:32)", "body": "closing tags sorry"}, {"response": 1777, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (11:55)", "body": "I still owe tributes for WAGW and HS, and while the Saga of the Cell Phone is partially done, I will wait on the HS tribute until I see the movie. From MLSF, if it isn't taken, I'd like the striped swimsuit. Sure, it's dorky, but nothing comes closer to the skin. And like Gamma, I enjoy watching ODB run! From FP, I'd love the faded blue denim shirt (he wears it in the house hunting scene)."}, {"response": 1778, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (20:49)", "body": "trying to close tags again..I am so no good at this Kathy, I've marked your name down for the keepsakes you requested. Yes, the striped swimsuit may look dorky but it can't compare with my burnoose wedding outfit from WAGW. At least yours shows some skin;-)! As far as your tribute from HS, I'm in no hurry and neither apparently is Disney;-) but do show us your cell phone saga as soon as you can. Okay, I'll re-update MLSF and FP in a couple of days. Right now, I'm going to post SIL and RV. Shakespeare in Love Pearl earring - Renate Blue tights - EileenG Ruff - Arami Song Wessex sings - Esbee Horse - AnnW Sword/scabbard/belt ensemble - KJ Hat with feather - Nan Gold wedding cape - GI Romeo/Juliet play notice - Marina (from Moscow) Kiss Wessex give to Viola and gets slapped (not the slap just the kiss) - SusanA Goatee - LizzaJ (yes, I know it's a body part, honestly it was a one time only thing...I had nothing to do with it!) Gold sapphire ring (on index finger) and codpiece - Marcia (yes, she has 2 keeps, she was mistress at the time, did a heck of a job, honestly she deserved it...I had nothing to do with it!) Relative Values Tasselled loafers - Marcia Silver cigarette case - Arami Limp wrist - Karen Campshirt, yellow cravat, Judy Garland record collection, autographed Montgomery Clift photo - Mari George Cukor pool party pass - Heide Plane Tickets to Greenwich Village parade - Eileen Tickets to Providencetown Playhouse season - CherylB (yes, I know half these things don't exist in this movie and there's another body part...honestly, I had nothing to do with it;-)!)"}, {"response": 1779, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (21:59)", "body": "Yes, the striped swimsuit may look dorky but it can't compare with my burnoose wedding outfit from WAGW. At least yours shows some skin;-)! LOL!! For such a busy mistress you do maintain a sense of humor!! I have visions of you in some kind of a salvation army back room rummaging through the ghosts of keepsakes past to make some sense of things...... You deserve a break today....... src=\" http://pages.prodigy.net/bestsmileys1/emoticons3/martinitrayCLR.gif\" >"}, {"response": 1780, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (22:02)", "body": "Oh pooh! It worked on the practice board but let me try again cause you deserve it ADA!"}, {"response": 1781, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (23:47)", "body": "(Ada) and there's another body part...honestly, I had nothing to do with it;-)!) Think of it as more a lifestyle choice. ;-D"}, {"response": 1782, "author": "Leah", "date": "Fri, Jul  4, 2003 (06:15)", "body": "Could I please claim the blue comforter (bed cover) from FP?"}, {"response": 1783, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jul  4, 2003 (08:03)", "body": "From RV...may I have the piano Peter is playing? ...I'll have to think about SIL..."}, {"response": 1784, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jul  4, 2003 (10:57)", "body": "From Relative Values I would love the Martini glass he drinks from. Almost forgot about that one! ;-) We could do a lot toasting and singing together. ;-D"}, {"response": 1785, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Jul  4, 2003 (11:06)", "body": "Leah,I knew you had requested the blue comforter awhile ago but as I couldn't find the specific post, I wasn't sure where you had requested it (finally found it late last night...I think I need new glasses;-)!) But thank you for re-requesting, the comforter is yours. Linda, the piano is yours. But it's a bit big, darlin', do you have the room for it? Do you know how to play piano? I'm not trying to be picky,I just need to make sure that it will be taken care of and played with correctly ;-)!"}, {"response": 1786, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jul  4, 2003 (12:15)", "body": "Ohhh...thanks Ada! You are doing a really great job....May I please claim the following (if there are no objections): RV: Peter's hip flask SIL: Lord Wessex's ring on his ring finger (can't tell what stone it is...and is the plural of Wessex is Wessex's?? Doesn't look right....) MLSF: Edward's rod and tackle"}, {"response": 1787, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jul  4, 2003 (13:40)", "body": "(Ada)Linda, the piano is yours. But it's a bit big, darlin', do you have the room for it? Do you know how to play piano? I'm not trying to be picky,I just need to make sure that it will be taken care of and played with correctly ;-)! I'm very accomplished. I sing and play all day. It will be in good hands, trust me;-) Thank you, dear Ada (Moon)We could do a lot toasting and singing together. ;-D Yes! Yes! Yes! I'll hire a piano player,(Peter), and we can sing and toast all day. How's that? Cosmos... Mimosas...Champagne...Martinis...anyone?"}, {"response": 1788, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul  4, 2003 (14:49)", "body": "(Tress) MLSF: Edward's rod and tackle *snort* Excellent choices. BTW, our diligent Keepmistress informs me that I own the cue in P&P and not the billiard ball, so it would seem we're on the same page. *snicker*"}, {"response": 1789, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Jul  5, 2003 (00:08)", "body": "(Tress) ...and is the plural of Wessex is Wessex's?? Doesn't look right....) Well, if the plural of index is indices, then the plural of Wessex must be Wessices... Wessex's is the possessive (leastwise that's what I'd want to do with him...)"}, {"response": 1790, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sat, Jul  5, 2003 (11:43)", "body": "(Beedee)I have visions of you in some kind of a salvation army back room rummaging through the ghosts of keepsakes past to make some sense of things. LOL! I've got to tell you, I've been having such a blast re-reading those old posts. You never know what kind of treasures you find back there. I recently discovered a list that became a very hot topic awhile ago. I've been thinking of re-viving it just to see what kind of requests I'll get....I know that you'll love it when you see it! (Moon) I would love the Martini glass he drinks from. Almost forgot about that one! ;-) Yes, Moon, you are more than welcome to have the glass. Now, I haven't pushed about those thoughts you had with the drawing pad, but oh,I really want to know what you think of this one with his lips..and sipping..and maybe....oooo well this is your keep, I'm sure you can think of something ;-)! (Tress)RV: Peter's hip flask SIL: Lord Wessex's ring on his ring finger MLSF: Edward's rod and tackle Tress, Tress, Tress...honey, you do know what to go for, don't you;-)? I've gone ahead and put your name down for these keeps. But instead of 3 tributes, I think maybe you can make up something that can bring all three (and maybe his tennis balls and dingdong wineglass)keeps into one tribute..I know I'd love to see what you can think of! (Karen)...that I own the cue in P&P and not the billiard ball, so it would seem we're on the same page. *snicker* Karen, you let the cat out of the bag! I wasn't going to say anything about your mixup with his ball and stick.(How anyone could mix those two up, I don't know,but I won't go there.) I was just going to post the list and hope that no one would catch your memory lapse. It wouldn't do to have the ladies thinking that our boss was...uhm, a trifle forgetful;-)."}, {"response": 1791, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jul  5, 2003 (12:17)", "body": "(Ada), oh,I really want to know what you think of this one with his lips..and sipping..and maybe....oooo well this is your keep, I'm overflowing with admiration I know he finds me an inspiration The way he holds me tight And lets his lips delight... in my sight As I am swallowed with a sigh."}, {"response": 1792, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jul  5, 2003 (12:18)", "body": "closing tags"}, {"response": 1793, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul  5, 2003 (12:35)", "body": "Really closing tags in most efficient manner. ;-D"}, {"response": 1794, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jul  5, 2003 (13:26)", "body": "LOL! What can I say? My cup runneth over. ;-)"}, {"response": 1795, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Jul  6, 2003 (11:12)", "body": "(Moon)And lets his lips delight...in my sight As I am swallowed with a sigh. Woooooo..Moon, what a lovely way to wake up on a Sunday morning. Thank you:-)! So now, with little fanfare (and biting my nails hoping I got everything) I present to the ladies of Drool an updated list of keeps from P&P. It's a long list but not to worry, there are a few things still unclaimed. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE Chin Dent - Ann2 (yes,I know another body part - way way before my time;-)) Curl - Esbee (ditto) Black horse (Pride's Foal) - Erin Riding gloves - HeideL Boots - Margaret (not sure if she meant the riding or the hessians) Riding crop - Cindy Saddle - Barbara Top Hat - KathyF Grey Horse (Whipper) - Laura Great coat - Clare Walking cane - Inko Carriage(s) - Stacey Billiard room waistcoat - Leslie Pool cue - Karen Red billiard ball - Lidya Hunting rifle - Elena Bathrobe - Kat(h) Bathtowel - Vivian Bathtub - Shelly Castille soap - Brioni Washcloth - Catherine Copper bath pitcher - Marilyn Fencing foil - Carolyn Fencing glove - Gi Fencing shirt - Annette Fencing breeches w/belt - LindaK Book (at Netherfield) - Lon Teacup - StephanieB Evening clothes at Ball - Michele Stockings/Buckled shoes at Ball - MoonD Nameless hat of a thousand names (aka Incroyable Bicorne) - Nan Watch and Fob - Arami Ring - Rita Mirror - Renate (not sure which, Lizzie's or the one over fireplace at Pemberly) Cravat - Robyn (again not sure if she meant all or just one specific) Writing quill - Heide (assuming the one where he writes the letter to Lizzie but not sure) Silver wash basin - Deb Rosings candlestick - NathalieR The Letter - Karin Hand Towel (at Rosings) - Bethan Cap and Gown - Jan University notebooks - Marcia Wick from candle at Rosings - Cymbeline (The infamous) Wet shirt - Megan Breeches - Cheryl (not sure if she meant the wet ones but I'm assuming so) Wine Goblet - Donna (not sure if she meant the one at Pemberly or Lucas Party or the Ball) Wine decanter - Lucie Dogs (I assume the ones at Pemberly) - Linda K (not our LindaK but another) Pemberly evening clothes - Kat Pemberly candlestick - Beth Miniature - Tineke Portrait - AnitaT Pemberly cushion - MaryD Green coat - Laraine Shirt he tucks in on Pemberly steps - SusanA Blue Wedding coat - Sarah Tankard (at the inn when he goes in search of Wickham) - Darlene Coins given to urchin - Eileen Well that's it. As you can see, there are a few items I wasn't sure about and I'm hoping by listing this I can clarify a few of them. Like I always say, if I've got something/someone wrong, please let me know. And just because I want it, I'm claiming his shirt from the all night letter writing, so there!"}, {"response": 1796, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Jul  6, 2003 (11:23)", "body": "Before I forget, there is another list from P&P in regards to Lizzie's things. Let me list those too. Lizzie's Keeps White Gloves from Ball - Evelyn Dirty Petticoats - Lizza Garnet Cross necklace - Esbee Flowers in hair for the Ball - Lidya Okay, now I'm done."}, {"response": 1797, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sun, Jul  6, 2003 (14:05)", "body": "I have missed out on several keepsakes by procrastinating, so I will just jump in here and ask for the chair he sits in while he writes the \"all night letter\". The scene where he leans back in it with that agonized expression is one of my absolute favorites. As for MLSF and FP, I'm away from home and didn't bring those DVD's with me, so I'll have to take my chances and wait until I have another chance to check them out. Maybe some little something will be left;-)"}, {"response": 1798, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jul  6, 2003 (15:37)", "body": "Ada from P&P I own his white socks and the black shoes he wore at the Netherfield Ball. If you go back far enough you will see I had also done a little tribute. I don't understand what could have happened?"}, {"response": 1799, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Jul  6, 2003 (18:33)", "body": "Moon, your keep is there, honest. I put it down as \"stockings/buckled shoes at Ball\". It's under Michele's evening clothes and above Nan's nameless hat. I just called it something a little fancier I guess;-). Hen, the chair is yours. You have very good taste, darlin'! I love that look too, that's why I took the shirt:-)!"}, {"response": 1800, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Jul  6, 2003 (22:14)", "body": "(Ada)And just because I want it, I'm claiming his shirt from the all night letter writing, so there! And boy, do you ever deserve them! What a job....."}, {"response": 1801, "author": "Leah", "date": "Mon, Jul  7, 2003 (07:47)", "body": "(Ada)thank you for re-requesting You're doing a great service, and I can be persistant if I want something.:,) I've just mangaged to have a sneak preview of WAGW, and have debated all day in my mind as to what I want. The choice was narrowed down to the love notes HD wrote to Daphne on the airoplane, or the outfit he was wearing in the last scene (walking to the picnic table). My desision is for ... Drum role... the love notes. (I decided that although he really does look AFG and you get a walk in that last scene, I want him without the clothes, and... I already own the letter Gwendolyn wrote (IOBE)- this was even before I knew about the significance of letters, (Valmont), and so I need lots to ' read ' under the blue comforter (FP)"}, {"response": 1802, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Jul  7, 2003 (08:51)", "body": "Uhm..Leah, I hate to do this, but I'm sorry, Tress already has the papers from the plane. Or as she and I both called it, the trash from his pocket (I've got to admit, love notes sound better:-).) The shirt/trousers is a very nice choice though. He looks very relaxed and happy in that scene. But if that doesn't tempt you enough, well, the camel is free, you could go for that;-)!"}, {"response": 1803, "author": "Leah", "date": "Mon, Jul  7, 2003 (09:02)", "body": "(Ada)the camel is free Thanks, I'll pass on the camel. I've had one too many bad experiences with them.:-) I'll take the Shirt/trousers - that look is to die for! Girl, where are your manners not i'll take, but may i please??"}, {"response": 1804, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul  7, 2003 (09:45)", "body": "\"Nameless hat of a thousand names (aka Incroyable Bicorne) - Nan That's the hat he puts on as he is getting out of the carriage to attend the Assembly at Meryton. My long white gloves are the ones Liiza wears at the Netherfield ball. If I could have two objects, I'd take the gloves she is wearing when he helps her into the carriage at Pemberley.*sigh*"}, {"response": 1805, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Jul  7, 2003 (10:37)", "body": "(That's the hat he puts on as he is getting out of the carriage to attend the Assembly at Meryton. Evelyn, I eventually figured that one out:-)...a hat that's called the incroyable bicorne has got to be pretty....memorable. And that one was the most memorable of them all;-). If I could have two objects, I'd take the gloves she is wearing when he helps her into the carriage at Pemberley.*sigh* I don't see why you can't have 2 thinggs. Lizzie's things are on a seperate (okay technically not but hey, I'm mistress, I can be flexible.) But you'd have to get something of his for the main P&P list..why don't you ask for HIS gloves in that scene? I don't think anyone has claimed that yet."}, {"response": 1806, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Jul  7, 2003 (10:38)", "body": "heh...I meant to say Lizzie's things are on a seperate LIST. Too much coffee this morning:-)."}, {"response": 1807, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Jul  7, 2003 (10:56)", "body": "O.K. Ada, so it looks like there may be some \"grey\" area surrounding the wine goblets...If this is ever sorted out, and it turns out that the one he drinks from and then wipes his mouth with the back of his hand (thud) is available, I would gladly do a tribute to it...."}, {"response": 1808, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Jul  7, 2003 (11:55)", "body": "(Me)why don't you ask for HIS gloves in that scene (answering myself)pfffft..because dummy, he isn't wearing any gloves in that scene! Sorry Evelyn, apparently I had wayyyy too much coffee this morning:-)! Hmmmm, gloves gloves...okay, how about the ones he has when he proposes the first time? Maria, this is certainly a grey area. I've been trying to figure out which goblet it is for days. Though the one you're requesting is the most visible, I'm not sure that's the one that Donna wanted. What I'll do is this, as there are (I think) 3 different goblets in 3 different scenes, I will put your name down for A goblet. If it turns out that the goblet Donna has is from your scene, you'll at least have one of the other ones, is that okay?"}, {"response": 1809, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Jul  7, 2003 (12:56)", "body": "(Me) MLSF: Edward's rod and tackle (Karen) *snort* Excellent choices. LOL...I expected a comment from Maria...or Linda....I didn't even snicker when I wrote that...okay, I did, but I left it winkie free to see if I could slide by without anyone saying anything...and the Boss catches it! Can't understand why no one claimed that before! My foremost thought is ODB's rod and tackle (oh....and his fine eyes)! ;-) (KJArt) Well, if the plural of index is indices, then the plural of Wessex must be Wessices...Wessex's is the possessive (leastwise that's what I'd want to do with him...) LOL...again...my ugly grammar. Can't even keep plural and possesive straight (I was once told that people who have problems telling their left from their right...those that need a second to figure it out...also lack the grammar gene. That's me)! And you are right, of course, the possessive is needed (despite his completely lack of poetry)! (Leah) My desision is for ... Drum role... the love notes. Sorry Leah! I claimed his trash (love notes sounds better) a while back. I need to work on a tribute (incorporating my many newly acquired goodies) per Ada's suggestion. And now...I would like to claim a P&P morsel. May I be granted, instead of the living, the sum of three thousand pounds? I would like to claim the cheque that Darcy writes out to Wickham, if there are no objections."}, {"response": 1810, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jul  7, 2003 (13:21)", "body": "(Tress)LOL...I expected a comment from Maria...or Linda....I didn't even snicker when I wrote that... Actually, I didn't snicker either, until Karen snorted about it;-) It was an excellent choice, though, (especially since Karen has enlightned us),and thank you for the inspiration \"of all things invisible\". That's why I chose the imaginary underwear from under the kilt."}, {"response": 1811, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Jul  7, 2003 (13:39)", "body": "Me) MLSF: Edward's rod and tackle (Karen) *snort* Excellent choices. (Tress)LOL...I expected a comment from Maria...or Linda....I didn't even snicker when I wrote that. LOL! Wot? And ruin my reputation as the picture of respectability? (Heh heh, I'm working on obtaining my second wine glass of his, then I just need his wine bottle and well, obviously your imaginations don't need prodding but...)"}, {"response": 1812, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (00:19)", "body": "(Tress)I claimed his trash (love notes sounds better) a while back It's okay. (Bowing down graciously) I should have read the previous posts a little more carefully, but I was on a high from my first viewing so you have to forgive me.;)"}, {"response": 1813, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (01:07)", "body": "(Leah) but I was on a high from my first viewing so you have to forgive me.;) LOL...completely understandable! I love Hunk Daddy a million Swedish fish AND a million red M&Ms. He's just too AFG!!! Very distracting....and I think he improves on repeated viewings! Besides, that scene....with the stubble....geesh....a girl can really get all light headed and lose her bearings....not that that ever happened to me! ;-)"}, {"response": 1814, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jul 11, 2003 (19:10)", "body": "Since my imaginary underwear from under the not-so-imaginary kilt, is a no-no, May I request the robe Edward is wearing in the scene at Gamma's death bed? ...also since I'll be very with a family reunion tomorrow, may I also put in my request for Valmont as well...it will save some space;-0 From Valmont, may I request Valmont's bow and arrow?"}, {"response": 1815, "author": "Odile", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (02:04)", "body": "Ada, can we start a list for Love Actually? From the trailer, we can see 5 different outfits: - the thick turtleneck blue sweater when he watches the girl by the lake; - the blue shirt he most likely was wearing underneath the sweater since in the scene we see it, the girl is wet; can't unfortunately distinguish if his shirt is wet too (the race is on to find a better resolution copy of the trailer.... :) ); - the wedding suit (I mean the wedding he's attending, with the musicians behind him); - the long robe (?) he's wearing while ruffling papers, when he \"brushes\" against the girl; - the \"kiss the relatives\" coat (high-neck, stiff); All right; so I'm still recovering from watching the thing, but could I please take care of that first lovely big blue sweater? I will try to work on a poem later, when I'm more lucid... -"}, {"response": 1816, "author": "caribou", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (00:21)", "body": "I would like to respectfully request Vermeer's ring as a keepsake. I offer this humble poem: Hands! Have you seen hands? Moving hands, Supporting hands, Lazy hands. Hands! Have you seen hands? Painting hands, Grinding hands, Rubbing hands. Hands! Have you seen hands? Caressing hands, Convincing hands, Blocking hands. Hands! Vermeer hands!"}, {"response": 1817, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (11:57)", "body": "Gah!! Has it actually been 2 months since I've done anything with Keeps? I am so sorry ladies...I barely survived summer vacation with my boys. On Tuesday, I actually did a happy dance in the middle of the street when the bus drove off. Now I can spend a little time on the computer without being interrupted with cries of \"mommy, I spilled the juice all over the kitchen floor!!\" Yes, well enough of that...Caribou,thank you soooo much for going to Telluride! I can't put into words my admiration (without sounding too much like a gushing idiot)for both you and your DH. All I'm going to say is whatever you want it's yours, anytime (wellll within limits);-)!). You won't even need to submit a tribute ever, but I do thank you for \"Hands\". It's good..whew..it's very good...smoulderingly good (yeah I know not a word but it's all I could think of)! The ring is yours. I do have a question though. Is there a scene of Vermeer wearing a cloak and hat anytime? I had a request from Moon months ago and I'd like to know so I can give one to her. By the way, Odile, I do have your request for the blue sweater from Love Actually....nice choice, darlin'! Even though it's in the trailer, I can't assume it will be in the movie. It looks like it's a big scene so I can't imagine that it will be cut but I can't be sure. So, if anyone is going to Toronto, could you please let us know to end the suspense? Thanks! Okay, what I'll do in the next couple of days is update some of the last lists I did before my summer prison sentence and make up lists for GWAPE and LA. Like I always say, if I've got something wrong, please let me know :-)!"}, {"response": 1818, "author": "caribou", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (16:54)", "body": "Thanks Ada. I'm so glad you guys didn't have to wait long after my posting that to say, Yes, we have seen hands! (Ada)Is there a scene of Vermeer wearing a cloak and hat anytime? There's a black hat for sure and though the scene is very quick, I think it was outside in the winter, so I think there must be a cloak to go with the black hat. Nice hat, too. Not nearly as silly as the ones Pieter and his Dad wore. What a relief!"}, {"response": 1819, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (19:02)", "body": "Dear Mistress Ada, Keeper of the keeps I would love to have Colin's, eh, Vermeer's shirt from the camera obscura scene. Mr. Darcy or Mr. Vermeer your white shirts make it clear You are the man of the moment Frozen in time and, oh, so sublime. (I sweat blood turning these little masterpieces out)."}, {"response": 1820, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (19:04)", "body": "I'd like to make a keepsake claim...if I may... I want Vermeer's piercer. Will go nicely with Edward's rod and tackle, I think. ;-D"}, {"response": 1821, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (21:26)", "body": "Ada, I would like the camera obscura...even if Vermeer didn't own it...;-)"}, {"response": 1822, "author": "caribou", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (23:43)", "body": "Oh, Linda, wait until you see those little white ties crystal clear and on the big screen. I'm sure my eyes where the size of saucers when I first noticed them!!!! Very good choice. (LisaJH)I would like the camera obscura..even if Vermeer didn't own it. I went by the rule of thumb: Did he touch it? We definitely have the answer to that about the camera obscura.:-) He owns a very impressive pianoforte with an oil painting on the entire underside of the lid--very unusual. But, I never saw him touch it so, I didn't ask for it."}, {"response": 1823, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (01:56)", "body": "Okay - Caribou, you just lifted a stone from my heart. I would so love to have the pearl earring, if noone else have claimed it. And - he most certainly must have touched it at some point. If I could be privelidged to get the shining pearl, I'd be so very grateful and dance a happy twirwl I'd close my eyes and dream of all that it would mean for me to \"own\" this treasure You'll find no happier girl than this one with her pearl It's bound to give me pleasure. (this was the best I could do from the top of my head - hope it will do :-))"}, {"response": 1824, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (08:31)", "body": "Bugger, Annette!! I knew I should have inquired about the earring last night when I thought about it. Drat! ;-)"}, {"response": 1825, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (08:32)", "body": "Well, there have to be some advantages about being 8 hours ahead of you; I thought of it last night too, and went for it this morning ;-)"}, {"response": 1826, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (12:27)", "body": "I was going for the earring myself! LOL! Glad the keepsakes mistress got it.:-) If I may, I would like the other white shirt, the one with all the strings. Caribou described two white shirts."}, {"response": 1827, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (13:08)", "body": "Ooh! Never claimed a keepsake before... May I have the coat under which Vermeer and Griet viewed the camera obscura? I will begin working on a tribute right away!"}, {"response": 1828, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (13:18)", "body": "Sorry about the earring, Moon - but I got it (jumping up and down, cheering ;-))"}, {"response": 1829, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (13:58)", "body": "Hmm...seems like I've gotta get a list up for GWAPE asap! (Linda)I would love to have Colin's, eh, Vermeer's shirt from the camera obscura scene. Honey, it's yours, you always do such lovely tributes. But, please, don't sweat blood for them...first, everyone knows this is all meant in good fun and we'll like anything you do and secondly, the sight of blood grosses me out, so please, please, I'm begging..no blood,'kay;-)? (Tress)I want Vermeer's piercer. Will go nicely with Edward's rod and tackle, I think. ;-D Somehow, I'm not surprised that you went for this one:-). I just know when you get this multi-keeps tribute of yours together, it's going to be x-rated;-D! (Lisa)Ada, I would like the camera obscura...even if Vermeer didn't own it...;-) He may not have owned it but it looks like he knew how to work it well. It's all yours, Lisa. Take good care of it...oiling, polishing..you know that sort of thing;-). (Annette)I would so love to have the pearl earring, if noone else have claimed it. Oooooh good one Annette! I'm more than happy to let you have the earring. And your poem is perfect..I'd do a twirl too. (Moon)If I may, I would like the other white shirt, the one with all the strings. Caribou described two white shirts. Not a problem, Moon. Then I assume you don't want the hat and cloak you requested months ago, eh? And nope, keeps mistress didn't get the earring either, dang it. That 8 hour thing of Annette's is a plus sometimes;-)! So right now the list is like this: Girl with a Pearl Earring Ring - Caribou Earring - Annette Shirt from camera obscura scene - LindaK Ear piercer (awl?) - Tress Other white shirt with strings - Moon Camera Obscura - LisaJH"}, {"response": 1830, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (14:48)", "body": "Oops, did I not say pretty please, Ada? May I please have Vermeer's tan coat under which he and Griet view the camera obscura?"}, {"response": 1831, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (15:23)", "body": "Heh..so sorry Shoshana, I started typing before your request so I didn't see it until after I posted (I need to type faster). Yes you may have Vermeer's coat. I'm sure your tribute will be a good one."}, {"response": 1832, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (14:02)", "body": "I promised I'd have some lists updated and here they are: WAGW 80's earring - BeeDee Formal Tuxedo (no shirt) - Lora Black leather pants - Karen Blue Shirt/Rolls - Moon Mirror - Rika 80's desert shirt - KateF Cereal Spoon - Annette Moroccan Burnoose - Ada LindaK - tuxedo shirt Esbee - tattoo Present day desert shirt - Dorine Bathrobe - Joyce \"Love notes\" - Tress Black t-shirt - KJ Blue suit - Evelyn Watch - Maria Coco Pops Box - Odile Cell Phone - KathyF Pajamas - Hen Motorcycle - BarbS Outfit from Outdoor picnic (final scene) - Leah HS Pencil - LindaK Scarf - Joyce Bathing Trunks - Karen Drawing Pad - Moon White Towel - Janet2 Tie - Evelyn Nonexistent underwear - Maria Black Sweater - KathyF Blue yoga mat - Tress Black Jacket - Annette Melon Slice (uneaten and frozen) - Rika GWAPE Ring - Caribou Earring - Annette Shirt from Camera Obscura scene - LindaK Ear piercer - Tress White Shirt w/strings - Moon Camera Obscura - Lisa Tan Coat - Shoshana Love Actually Blue Sweater - Odile (and I know I shouldn't do this but I just can't resist) Long dark coat - Ada That's it for now...if there's anything else wanted, just let me know:-)!"}, {"response": 1833, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (16:09)", "body": "LA, Pl. may I have the scarf.(Unless a blue suit surfaces) GWAPE, his paint brush (since a blue suit is MIA)"}, {"response": 1834, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (17:51)", "body": "From LA, may I please have the dark blue shirt? It's the one from the scene where he's walking (the walk, of course) away. From the trailer, you can only see him from behind. ...if you ask me, there aren't enough blue shirts;-)"}, {"response": 1835, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (22:23)", "body": "From picture posted on 176, resp 1461: New one from the GWAPE premiere Looks like a blue suit to me! Shall we petition the mistress of the keeps for rights to \"film related\" belongings? I would yield to Evelyn (hate to break up a set and she's unlikely to find another one from GWAPE!) Maybe this should be \"in addition to\" items procured from the actual movie?"}, {"response": 1836, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (22:25)", "body": "But this is the same blue suit he's worn to [insert number] of premieres. Methinks he needs to go shopping."}, {"response": 1837, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (22:33)", "body": "Is that the one he wore to the HS premiere? Or was that pinstriped?"}, {"response": 1838, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (22:38)", "body": "Same suit; probably same white shirt."}, {"response": 1839, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (22:39)", "body": "(Karen) Methinks he needs to go shopping. As long as he remembers to stay with what works...did I hear AFG?"}, {"response": 1840, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (07:47)", "body": "As long as he forgets those brown shoes. Brown shoes with dark blue suit = big faux-pas."}, {"response": 1841, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (09:39)", "body": "(Moon) Brown shoes with dark blue suit = big faux-pas. Picky, picky...Beats trainers. Yeah...that's *the* recent Premiere Blue Suit.BJD & TIOBE too. SIL's was black. But Keepsakes only does film-related stuff."}, {"response": 1842, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (10:28)", "body": "(Moon) Brown shoes with dark blue suit = big faux-pas. (Evelyn) Picky, picky...Beats trainers. Not *black* trainers. ;-) Funny, I thought the TIOBE suit was black. Didn't realize at that time, being quite a newbie, that such details weren't unimportant. ;-D"}, {"response": 1843, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (10:59)", "body": "Also wore same blue suit/white shirt to the GW Man of the Year and lots more events. Is always the blue one. Sometimes with different shirts, but most often that white one without tie."}, {"response": 1844, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (12:16)", "body": "(Moon) Brown shoes with dark blue suit = big faux-pas. (Evelyn) Picky, picky...Beats trainers. (Dorine)Not *black* trainers. ;-) With white laces?*Blech*"}, {"response": 1845, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (12:44)", "body": "Also wore same blue suit/white shirt to the GW Man of the Year and lots more events. Is always the blue one. Sometimes with different shirts, but most often that white one without tie. You'd think that blue suit was getting a bit threadbare by now. You think maybe he has 12 different blue suits in his closet? (Evelyn)But Keepsakes only does film-related stuff. You're right Evelyn, but what's a keepsakes mistress if she can't fudge the rules every once in a while:-). By official keeps decree, for this one and only time (so no one ask me for those brown shoes),Evelyn is now the proud holder of the blue \"Premiere\" suit! At least it rounds out the collection:-)."}, {"response": 1846, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (13:34)", "body": "(Karen) Is always the blue one. Sometimes with different shirts, but most often that white one without tie. This must be the unofficial dress up uniform for men that normally would just rather wear jeans..As I was going through TIFF pics, I kept getting tricked into thinking it was Colin as there were others dressed so similarly..."}, {"response": 1847, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (14:40)", "body": "(Evelyn) With white laces?*Blech* Hmmm, forgot about the white laces, but still....it's a hard one to call. ;-)"}, {"response": 1848, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (14:39)", "body": "Brown shoes with dark blue suit = big faux-pas. But he learnt by example. I have just been trawling the pictures from the HS premiere but I cannot find the evidence again. His Dad was wearing a grey suit with (scruffy) brown shoes."}, {"response": 1849, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Sep 17, 2003 (12:28)", "body": "I was reminded that I didn't claim a keepsake from LA....I would like Jamie's clunky typewriter. I was thinking about an ugly coat he wears...as it has kinda grown on me, but the typewriter was the reason we got to see him jump into the lake, so I'll stick with that if the keepmistress gives the okay."}, {"response": 1850, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Sep 17, 2003 (14:08)", "body": "Heh..Tress,your keepsmistress gives the okay for your typewriter. It's all yours even though I think it's the maid who starts drowning that makes him undress but we won't quibble over something so minor;-)! Well ladies,Isabel is headed (rapidly!) my way, and since I have no idea when I'll have electricity again after tomorrow, I'll update the LA and GWAPE lists tonite. Yup, I said when not if, I'm a pessimist when it comes to the power company;-). If anyone has a request I promise I'll take care of it when I'm able."}, {"response": 1851, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (07:23)", "body": "Here are the lists ladies. LOVE ACTUALLY Blue Sweater - Odile Scarf - Evelyn Long Dark Coat - Ada Dark Blue Shirt - LindaK Manual Typewriter - Tress GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING Ring - Caribou Pearl Earring - Annette Shirt from Camera Obscura scene - LindaK Ear Piercer - Tress White Shirt with strings - MoonD Camera Obscura - LisaJH Coat - Shoshana Paint Brush - Evelyn Well, it's started raining and the wind has picked up. Looks like Isabel is coming even though she wasn't invited. Boy, I hate party crashers:-)."}, {"response": 1852, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (08:20)", "body": "Thank you oh mighty keepmistress......and stay safe!!!!"}, {"response": 1853, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (11:49)", "body": "Be safe Ada! We hope that you won't be offline for long. We finally have you back with us after your Summer with the kids!!"}, {"response": 1854, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct  4, 2003 (17:20)", "body": "Leather leash cum medal from Trauma."}, {"response": 1855, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (20:29)", "body": "(Evelyn)Note: That scarf is mine;-))))) (Hen) I'm glad you spoke up about the scarf because I was just getting ready to go to Keepsakes and beg for it ;-) So sorry ladies, I've been very remiss in not updating the lists more often. I'll update LA now and start a new list for Trauma. LOVE ACTUALLY Blue sweater - Odile Scarf - Evelyn Dk blue shirt - LindaK Long dark coat - Ada Manual Typewriter - Tress TRAUMA Leather leash/medal - Evelyn (are red fingernails gripping other end?)"}, {"response": 1856, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (21:39)", "body": "ROTF, Ada! And you're doing an awesome job. :-)"}, {"response": 1857, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (09:12)", "body": "TRAUMA Leather leash/medal - Evelyn (Ada)(are red fingernails gripping other end?) LOL . Wouldn't be surprised if it's attached to a chastity belt."}, {"response": 1858, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (20:24)", "body": "Whoa...I see my navy blue suit....thatsa' for me."}, {"response": 1859, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (20:27)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1860, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (07:50)", "body": "I'll take the white shirt underneath that suit. ;-) (hoping for a wet one) ;-D"}, {"response": 1861, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (14:56)", "body": "Hi Ada, Thanks for doing such a great job here! I would like to claim the Chuck Taylor's from Trauma...Tribute forthcoming! Thanks!"}, {"response": 1862, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (10:14)", "body": "Hmmm...still filming and already I have requests for TEOR!:-) Okay, okay, I'll start a list. Since this is such a different movie from the first one, we'll assume the fight scene will be in the movie...again;-). THE EDGE OF REASON - Blue striped suit (fight scene) - Evelyn (you sure this is blue?) Dripping wet shirt (no visible nips) - Moon TRAUMA - Leather leash - Evelyn Chuck Taylors - Maria (when I was a kid we used to call them basketball shoes...sheesh, modern fashion;-))"}, {"response": 1863, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (12:24)", "body": "Hello and thank you Mistress Ada Edge of Reason I'd love to have Mark Darcy's overcoat."}, {"response": 1864, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (12:42)", "body": "Oh! Ada! If available, I would like the key from TEOR (was going to ask for dodgy shoes, but I like the idea of sitting on Bridget's couch when the lovely couple isn't at home)! ;-)"}, {"response": 1865, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (13:04)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1866, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (13:20)", "body": "You know, there won't be any keeps to be had by the time this movie comes out;-). Linda, I've got a dilemma with your request(you always do this to me;-)!). Is this the \"same\" overcoat as in the first movie? I've tried looking but I really can't tell. If it's different, no problem, darlin', it's yours. But if it's the same, then we're in new territory here (never had a sequel before)and I'm not sure what to do. I'm going to request some help here, ladies. Karen had originally claimed the overcoat from the 1st movie. Does her claim still hold for the sequel, or does it go up for grabs again? Remember, this will also reflect on anything else that may be from the first movie too. So let me know what you all think, please:-)! Tress, you're easy (ROFL!)! If the scene is in the movie (gonna have to wait for it) then yes it's yours. Mind you, sitting on a couch with a key in your hand when no one is home is rather pervy but then.....;-)!"}, {"response": 1867, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (14:34)", "body": "(Ada)THE EDGE OF REASON - Blue striped suit (fight scene) - Evelyn (you sure this is blue?) Emma said ."}, {"response": 1868, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (15:44)", "body": "(Ada)I'm going to request some help here, ladies. Karen had originally claimed the overcoat from the 1st movie. Does her claim still hold for the sequel, or does it go up for grabs again? LOL, Oh No, I'm up against the boss. But...wouldn't you think MD, successful human rights barrister, would have more than one overcoat? I understand completely if he doesn't. So may I reserve the white shirt from the picnic/fantasy scene just in case the boss keeps the overcoat? Thank you. I can't believe I'm always in hot water with these keepsakes;-) Sheesh!"}, {"response": 1869, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (15:53)", "body": "I gotta look at the coats a little more carefully. But if he's still got the reindeer sweater, then...."}, {"response": 1870, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (15:59)", "body": "I know our Keepmistress is watching my back. Bribery helps, you know. ;-)"}, {"response": 1871, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (18:34)", "body": "(Keeps Mistress) Is this the \"same\" overcoat as in the first movie? ...If it's different, no problem,..if it's the same, then we're in new territory here (never had a sequel before)and I'm not sure what to do. Of course you could choose to rule that each movie exists within its own space/time continuum. As each movie must stand separate from its book, each movie must stand alone. (ooh ooh, I really hope she buys this...could this be chance two at pin-striped lawyer duds---which we can't know are there but surely are?!)"}, {"response": 1872, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (22:07)", "body": "(Evelyn) Emma said. Okay, then it's blue, we'll take Emma's word for it:-). (Karen)Bribery helps, you know. ;-) Cadbury, Hershey's, Godiva, Nestle, Perugina.... I'm not picky;-)"}, {"response": 1873, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (22:20)", "body": "(Karen)Bribery helps, you know. ;-) Sheesh, well it's not like I'm above bribery or anything. Just name your price. But does this mean we have to wait for the film to be released to solve this matter? I can wait...just as long as my white fantasy picnic shirt is on reserve."}, {"response": 1874, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (22:42)", "body": "(Linda)Just name your price. Linda, like I said before, Cadbury, Hershey's, Godiva....I'm not picky honestly;-)! I'm waiting a bit to see if any more pics show up or if I get a consensus one way or another. But, your shirt will be held in reserve just in case, okay?"}, {"response": 1875, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 28, 2003 (10:57)", "body": "(Linda) But...wouldn't you think MD, successful human rights barrister, would have more than one overcoat? Now, if MD were a woman, then I'd have to agree *counting number of coats in my closet and on hall rack* (BarbS) Of course you could choose to rule that each movie exists within its own space/time continuum. As each movie must stand separate from its book, each movie must stand alone. Now, this argument I *could* accept more easily than Mark having more than one navy wool overcoat. ;-) Though, you all realize, the draw of the overcoat from movie 1 was his enveloping her within it, don't you? BTW, the pics clearly show him wearing another pin-striped blue suit, but not the one from the first movie which was more badabing in nature. Am leaning in the \"once an item is claimed, it's gone\" camp..."}, {"response": 1876, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 28, 2003 (12:27)", "body": "(Karen), BTW, the pics clearly show him wearing another pin-striped blue suit, but not the one from the first movie which was more badabing in nature. Yes, well, he stole that other one. ;-) I would like to do my tribute to the wet TEOR shirt after I've seen the film, I will probably have more to say. ;-)"}, {"response": 1877, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Oct 28, 2003 (13:11)", "body": "(Karen)Am leaning in the \"once an item is claimed, it's gone\" camp... Well I guess you are;-) But, wait. Here's the thing. I just saw US magazine for Nov.3rd. pictures, and in the light, the top coat is definitely blue. I thought MD's (from BJD1)was black. But wait, but wait Would MD, human rights barrister, wear a blue overcoat with a black tux? So I'm thinking there must be more than one coat. If so, and the wemistress agrees (yeah, yeah and the boss, too) I'd like to claim the other coat. If this happens then I'll unreserve the white fantasy picnic shirt. Sorry, Ada. I know I'm a pain in the royal arse."}, {"response": 1878, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Oct 28, 2003 (15:21)", "body": "(Linda)But wait, but wait Would MD, human rights barrister, wear a blue overcoat with a black tux? As conceived by the actor Colin Firth he would also be wearing brown shoes...;-) I'll just bet it's a *new* coat as he probably filched the first one.;-))) Linda seems to have a Bridget-esqe propensity for trouble on this topic which amuses the hell out of me and seems to bring out Lizzie-esdqe philosophers."}, {"response": 1879, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Oct 28, 2003 (17:53)", "body": "(Beedee)Linda seems to have a Bridget-esqe propensity for trouble on this topic LOL, only on this topic? I figured I'd say it before someone else does;-)"}, {"response": 1880, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (10:39)", "body": "Since so many are going to see the sneak tonight(sniff sniff, can't go, DH working tonight:-((boohoohoo), I'll post the list for LA keeps claimed so far: LOVE ACTUALLY - Blue Sweater by lake - Odile Scarf - Evelyn (on look out for blue suit) Dark Blue Shirt - Linda Overcoat - Ada Manual Typewriter - Tress"}, {"response": 1881, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (12:48)", "body": "I would love to claim this Vermeer hat: Thanking Evelyn for the suggestion. ;-D"}, {"response": 1882, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (13:23)", "body": "IMO this is the best pic of V. so far. Breathtaking, like a Rembrandt. I don't go for those long (dirty looking!) locks."}, {"response": 1883, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (13:36)", "body": "(Moon)Moon Dreams (Moon) * Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (09:30) ...Can I reserve Vermeer's cloak and hat? ;-) Moon Dreams (Moon) * Sat, Sep 6, 2003 (12:27) ....If I may, I would like the other white shirt, the one with all the strings. Caribou described two white shirts. Moon Dreams (Moon) * Sat, Nov 1, 2003 (12:48) I would love to claim this Vermeer hat:-) Moon,I am soooo confused? Which one do you want? (and no, you can't ask for both;-)!)"}, {"response": 1884, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (14:29)", "body": "Once you claim something, you're done. Kaput. capiche? (a restatement of a previous Drool Rool) ;-)"}, {"response": 1885, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (15:27)", "body": "We can always change our minds though after we see the movie;-)"}, {"response": 1886, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (15:30)", "body": "I capice boss...I capice and obey (what's italian for obey?);-)! So, Moon (from your original request way way back in Nov, 02), the hat's yours,'kay:-)? We'll, uh, just forget there was a, uhm, request for the cloak too..um, 2 things ya know...can't have the boss mad at me;-)"}, {"response": 1887, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (15:40)", "body": "(Ada)(what's italian for obey Obey: Italian: Ubbidire (Evelyn)IMO this is the best pic of V. so far. Agreed, this caught my eye on the GWAPE website, last night. I'm breathless."}, {"response": 1888, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (21:29)", "body": "I want the tweed shirt-jacket that Jamie wears when he first gets to France. It looks so soft and comfy (not as good as the blue sweater, but still pretty good)."}, {"response": 1889, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (21:36)", "body": "Though I was tempted by the velvet wedding suit (which looked very familiar... perhaps the LFF :-P), I would really like Jamie's Portuguese listen and learn casettes and headset, please."}, {"response": 1890, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (22:11)", "body": "I'm new at this, so please forgive me if I screw it up, but I would very much like to have that nubbly zip up cardy with the white flecks that Colin wears in LA (if that's yours, Kate, forgive please?). If that's taken, can I please have the shirt he wears underneath it?"}, {"response": 1891, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (22:55)", "body": "I'll take the hat from GWAPE. I don't remember asking for the cloak and hat, but I trust you, Ada."}, {"response": 1892, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (00:31)", "body": "Since I can't have the overcoat or the nubby cardigan (actually my first choice too), I'll take the cabled turtleneck:"}, {"response": 1893, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (10:55)", "body": "Kate...is this the one you wanted? Or you Eithne? (Karen)Since I can't have the overcoat or the nubby cardigan (actually my first choice too), I'll take the cabled turtleneck Ooooh upset tummy coming...I'm sorry boss, but I can't ubbidire (is that right Linda?) on this keep. Odile requested it way back in July (though I'm still waiting for her to become lucid so she can do a tribute;-)). You're going to have to choose another keep. You might look around for another sweater, apparently lots of sweaters in this flick:-)!"}, {"response": 1894, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (10:56)", "body": "eek..sorry..didn't think it would be so big"}, {"response": 1895, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (15:14)", "body": "That's OK...Bigger is better! ;-) If no one else has claimed it (the cardy), I'd sure like to. Looks cuddly-licious!"}, {"response": 1896, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (09:45)", "body": "So many sweaters jackets! My first choice would have been Odile's blue turtleneck--definitely be best of the garments. I claimed the brown tweed shirt jacket (from his arrival in France), not the black cardy (worn later), so I think that leaves the path to the black cardy free, Eithne. Thanks for keeping track of this, Ada. I think you need to take notes on his wardrobe (and prominent props) when you go to see a CF film."}, {"response": 1897, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (20:59)", "body": "Thank you, Kate! I found a similar zip up cardy on the web and may just order it for this winter. Also, a big Thank you to Ada for keeping track of all this!"}, {"response": 1898, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Nov  4, 2003 (09:01)", "body": "Thanks so much Ada for keeping track of the keepsakes and keeping us in line while doing it! On that note I have a request, I would like to claim Jamie's watch, however I am not certain if it ever shows in the movie... It is in the on location gallery here - http://www.firth.com/images/loveac/btslon7_wm.jpg but I can't seem to find it in any other pic so am not certain if it is really part of the movie or just ODB's personal watch??? So, in case the watch being a personal object that does not appear in the film is unclaimable, as backup I would like to claim the lighter blue shirt, shown at the villa here - http://www.firth.com/images/loveac/lapub16m.jpg , which I am pretty sure is different than Linda's dark blue suit here - http://www.firth.com/images/loveac/lapub19cu.jpg"}, {"response": 1899, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Nov  4, 2003 (14:57)", "body": "(Maria)but I can't seem to find it in any other pic so am not certain if it is really part of the movie or just ODB's personal watch??? Maria, go for it. He did wear that outfit in the film and I assume that picture was between takes so I don't imagine he'd put the watch on only to take it off. IMO, I think it was part of the film;-) Of course I'm not the Mistress of the Keeps...just trying to help;-)Since all I do around here is make trouble;-)"}, {"response": 1900, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Nov  4, 2003 (15:22)", "body": "(Linda??)Of course I'm not the Mistress of the Keeps...just trying to help;-)Since all I do around here is make trouble;-) LOL!!"}, {"response": 1901, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Tue, Nov  4, 2003 (22:55)", "body": "(Linda) Since all I do around here is make trouble;-) Linda, you, make trouble? Let's see, I've got too many and yet not enough sweaters, a couple of mixed up blue shirts, a dutch masters hat that keeps getting forgotten, and an unseen in the movie but seen in a promo pic watch! ROFL! Your overcoat that may be or may not be the same as Karen's? *Pfft* no trouble whatsoever;-)))!"}, {"response": 1902, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Nov  4, 2003 (22:58)", "body": "Ada, you are the dream Queen of Keeps! My mother thanks you, my father ...oh you know...."}, {"response": 1903, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov  9, 2003 (13:27)", "body": "(Maria) I would like to claim Jamie's watch, however I am not certain if it ever shows in the movie... Several times (hardee har har). You can safely assume that, whatever is on his bod, is a costume...at least while he's filming...though afterward, it might be a other story. Since both the sweaters I tried to claim have been taken, I've decided to claim something rather minor. I'd like Jamie's house in the south of France. Don't worry, ladies, the contents are still up for grabs. (and since you are only limited to one Colin item/movie, I also want Carl's black briefs; I can't seem to get those out of my mind) ;-)))"}, {"response": 1904, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Nov  9, 2003 (21:53)", "body": "Oh beloved mistress of the keeps, I wish I may, I wish I might have the headset that Jamie wear in his language course at night....... Ok, so it's not so hot a tribute but this is a talented crowd:-) I wouldn't dream of competing. Groveling is what I have chosen as a ploy."}, {"response": 1905, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (13:30)", "body": "testing for our Keepmistress..."}, {"response": 1906, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (14:06)", "body": "Finally saw LA on Saturday..even took my little journal to write down keeps seen or unseen...do you know how hard it is to write in the dark? (Some ladies kept nudging and whispering everytime I wrote something down..wonder what they were thinking;-)? Anyway, I'll go over the requests for LA and update the list. (KateF) I want the.... Kate, I could be mean and say no because you didn't say please;-)! But I'm in a good mood today so I'll let you have the tweed shirt thingy (it does look very comfy and warm..I wouldn't mind borrowing it as it's very cold today). Evil keepmistress that I am though, I am going to force you do a tribute if you really want it (insert evil grin here!)! (Eithne)If no one else has claimed it (the cardy), I'd sure like to. Eithne, I'd be more than glad to give you the cardigan. Since you're a newbie I won't push for a tribute but it would be nice to see what your imagination can come up with:-). (Maria) On that note I have a request, I would like to claim Jamie's watch, however I am not certain if it ever shows in the movie Maria, it's because of you that those ladies started whispering. When I saw the watch (in the scene with the dumb g.f.) I said \"AHA\" (very loudly) in the (very quiet)theatre. I slunk down in my seat and covered my head with my coat, I was so embarrassed (almost as embarrassing as my child shouting \"that's mommy's boyfriend\" at WAGW;-)!)! But the watch is yours, hon! Btw, don't you have a watch already? (Karen)decided to claim something rather minor. I'd like Jamie's house in the south of France. Something minor?! I'd love to see what you consider major:-)! Boss, the house is yours but only if you share during the summer (do you think we could get Carl to be the housekeeper;-)?)! As far as Carl's black briefs...yeah okay, I'll grudgingly give you those..wanted them for myself really! (Shoshana)), I would really like Jamie's Portuguese listen and learn casettes and headset, please. (Bee), I wish I may, I wish I might have the headset that Jamie wear in his language course at night Oh joy, another conflict! You all want me to be completely white haired by the time BJD2 comes out don't ya;-)? Okay, I'm making an executive decision here. Shoshana, I really really can't give you your request since the headset and cassettes are technically 2 keeps...so I'm letting you have the tapes (unless you want to switch for something else), Bee, I'm giving you the headset (unless you too want to switch for something else). There, done. Now I feel horrible. You have my permission to beat me up later;-)! LOVE ACTUALLY - Scarf - Evelyn (it disappears from England to France..where'd it go?) Manual Typewriter - Tress Dark blue shirt - LindaK (very very nice shirt) Overcoat - Ada (no cuddling but it is so nice and swishy) Brown tweedy shirt - KateF Watch - Marie (why g.f. would want brother instead of CF I just don't know) Black zip-up cardigan - Eithne Blue sweater - Odile Language cassettes - Shoshana (sorry sorry sorry sorry) Headset - Beedee (see the trouble you get me into;-)?) House in France - Karen (also Carl's black briefs..grrr) Like always if I got something wrong or missed someone, please let me know. Now going to eat some chocolate to make me feel better! (heh..like I need an excuse to eat chocolate;-)!)"}, {"response": 1907, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (14:53)", "body": "(Poor overworked Keepsmistress) Bee, I'm giving you the headset (unless you too want to switch for something else). There, done. Now I feel horrible. You have my permission to beat me up later;-)! Oh my.... I must have spent too much time with that lovely Linda this week, LOL!! I also spent time with that cute Shoshana so we'll take it off the boards and let you know how we work it out. I could never be cross with you but you can continue to eat chocolate if you wish.;-))"}, {"response": 1908, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (15:49)", "body": "(Ada)Oh joy, another conflict! You all want me to be completely white haired by the time BJD2 comes out don't ya;-)? Okay, I'm making an executive decision here. Shoshana, I really really can't give you your request since the headset and cassettes are technically 2 keeps...so I'm letting you have the tapes (unless you want to switch for something else), Bee, I'm giving you the headset (unless you too want to switch for something else). There, done. Now I feel horrible. You have my permission to beat me up later;-)! Oops! Sorry to cause a muddle! Sweet, sweet Keepsmistress, may I cede the tapes (I'm not even sure if they were a valid keep as they are never seen), let dear Bee have the headset, and instead claim the brown t-shirt? I have no desire to beat anyone up, and offer a package of Cadbury Milk to make up for the trouble!"}, {"response": 1909, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (16:08)", "body": "Shoshana and Bee, both of you are just too wonderful! (on a high right now from all the snickers I've chowed down;-)!) Especially since our eagle-eyed boss just told me that the cassettes do not make a showing and I had no idea how to tell you both. Shoshana (gotta get you a nickname girl!) I would love to give you his t-shirt if you want it, and after all this muddle, don't even worry about a tribute...the chocolates, those I'll take! ;-)"}, {"response": 1910, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (13:58)", "body": "Correction on my keepsake from GWAPE: Henceforth to be known as: the phallic paintbrush;-)"}, {"response": 1911, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (16:54)", "body": "Oh, kind and generous (not to mention incredibly hardworking and devoted) Mistress of the Keeps, what would you consider appropriate tribute? We have a local chocolatier who makes the most marvelous candies. Would that be acceptable? That tweedy cardy is certainly worth a few pounds (would be worth even more if he were still inside it, but alas)."}, {"response": 1912, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (08:29)", "body": "(Evelyn) Henceforth to be known as:the phallic paintbrush;-) ROFL!! Your wish is my command Evelyn;-)! Soooo updating GWAPE's list of keeps: Girl With A Pearl Earring - Ring - Caribou Earring - Annette Hat (Dutch Masters style) - MoonD Shirt (camera obscura scene) - LindaK Coat (camera obscura scene) - Shoshana Camera Obscura - LisaJH Ear Piercer (awl?) - Tress Phallic paintbrush - Evelyn (watch out SJ doesn't steal it;-).) (Eithne)We have a local chocolatier who makes the most marvelous candies. Eithne, heh..I'd love to sample some of your local chocolate, but if I got chocolates from everyone, my hips wouldn't be able to fit through the front door:-)! Thank you really but when I ask for a tribute I don't mean something for me personally (mind you, I have said I'm suseptible to bribery;-).) I want to see a poem, a limerick, a short short story, something you can come up with to show your appreciation for the keep in question. And you have to post it here at Keeps so everyone can see it. No one judges and we won't take away your keep if you don't post..it's not mandatory but it would be nice to see where your imagination takes you."}, {"response": 1913, "author": "Darla", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (14:58)", "body": "can I have the wig?"}, {"response": 1914, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (15:59)", "body": "You mean this one? \"WIG - BEE GEES (brown) \ufffd18.99 SM96228 Our Bee Gees wig is a super shiny, super layered, super sexy option...\""}, {"response": 1915, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (18:02)", "body": "Oh . .I hope I'm not too late to get a keepsake!!!! Are there claims to any of these??? I guess whichever is available . . I list them in order of preference. . . I think I read correctly we can get one item per film? Don't want to be too greedy!!!! Can't think of any Pride & Prejudice items . .seems like everything has been taken there . .I must view the film again . . The Importance Of Being Earnest - His cigarette holder, not the case . .the holder he places between his lips (**sigh**) when he actaully smokes or perhaps his pinky ring ( question - do you think its the same ring he used in P&P?)or his gold rimmed wire spectacles that he uses as Jack? What A Girl Wants - Either the light blue shirt & khakis he's wearing when he and Daphne make a break for it after running away on the motorcycle . .or perhaps the teacup and saucer he uses during the scene when he tells Glynnis . .\"She has my picture, she has my name on her birth certificate . .for God sake, she has my eyes . . .\" My Life So Far - That jaunty little tweed cap he wears during the whole curling games scene outside! Fever Pitch - His striped Arsenal scarf Bridget Jones Diary - That Barrister outfit . .you know, the pin striped suit and collar he was wearing when he caught Bridge in the convienince store buying cigs and candy;) Thousand Acres - the black leather?/string bracelet he wears . .he fiddles with it when Ginny comes to tell him that she loves him . ."}, {"response": 1916, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (18:21)", "body": "Oh . .are you still keeping the \"Lusty Ladies Wish List\"???? Is the kiss at the end of BJD . .when he wraps her in his coat taken?"}, {"response": 1917, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (18:47)", "body": "(Kimberly) Is the kiss at the end of BJD . . Sorry, no body parts allowed."}, {"response": 1918, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (09:55)", "body": "(Sorry Evelyn, but this post is gonna be a tad long today;-).) (Darla)can I have the wig? Darla, if you mean GWAPE, yes, you can have it. Though I think it looks like a rat's nest (I know, there's no accounting for my taste)I would like to see what you think about it:-)! (Kimberly) Oh..I hope I'm not too late to get a keepsake!!!! Whoa Nelly;-)! LOL...You have been watching a few ODB's films for awhile haven't you? It's never too late to claim a keep, there's always something lying around here. Let's see what we can find for you:-)... Can't think of any Pride & Prejudice items . .seems like everything has been taken there Oooh there's a few items still left..just got to search a bit harder that's all. The Importance Of Being Earnest - His cigarette holder, not the case . Very very nice choice. I'll put your name down for that one. What A Girl Wants - You tell me which one:-)? They are all available though. My Life So Far - That jaunty little tweed cap he wears during the whole curling games scene outside! Ooh,I'm sorry, that one has been claimed, you're going to have to choose another there. Fever Pitch - His striped Arsenal scarf Strangely enough, not taken, so that one is yours if you desire. Bridget Jones Diary - That Barrister outfit - Oop, that's been claimed also (it's the badabing suit)...choose again:-)! Thousand Acres - the black leather?/string bracelet he wears Actually I don't have a list for this one, so you'll be first. Ooh, almost forgot...the Lusty Ladies Wish List...well that's a list that's best left back in 1999 along with a bunch of other ones..like Keeps from 3 day of Rain,items touched by CF Kept by Owners, etc, etc...so sorry Kim, no BJD kiss. Maybe someday if there's another \"dirth of Firth\" I'll revive them(in desperation):-). Whew...what a busy day! I'm going to update a few of the lists this weekend so all our new lady Drooleurs won't have to scroll through 1900 & some posts to figure out what's out there. As always, if I got something wrong....ah you know the rest:-)."}, {"response": 1919, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (09:56)", "body": "dang..knew I forgot something"}, {"response": 1920, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (10:28)", "body": "(AdaVW) - Whoa Nelly;-)! LOL...You have been watching a few ODB's films for awhile haven't you? It's never too late to claim a keep, there's always something lying around here. Let's see what we can find for you:-)... I'm new to the board . can't you see my enthusiasm!!! Hee hee . . .I am a big fan;) You can tell, can't ya! . .And there is still quite a bit of his work I haven't seen yet! . . .I'm starting a DVD/VHS library of his films(to my husband's chagrin!!!) Wonder if we could have a page to keep these lists on somehwere on the Drool Conference . .You have such a monumental job of keeping track of all of all these Keepsake lists on it . . . . Wonder if that would make your job easier? Will have to re-search P&P as you say . .might have to have the list in hand at the time! What A Girl Wants - I'll actually take the cup and saucer;) . .I thought I saw in one of the previous lists some one had a blue shirt . .I think it may be the one from the park scene I was thinking of . . . I cede that to whomever has the prior claim. My Life So Far - Darn, I envy the girl who has that cap! . . Has someone taken that white shirt he wears at the beginning of the film . .when he rushes into the house house to get his son off the roof? How gallant and dashing he was rushing to the boy's rescue! Bridget Jones Diary - Again . .envy the women who have that collar and that suit! . .Whew what pinstripes do for that man! . . . Hmmm . . Is the tie that he wore when he was helping Bridge out with her b'day party available? . .The one that he adjusts just as Shazzer, Tom and Jude some in . .(He's adroable in that snippet of a scene, worrying what her friends will think of him!) Hope I didn't make more work for you . .I bow to your skills in maintaining all of this!!!!"}, {"response": 1921, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (11:30)", "body": "Fever Pitch - His striped Arsenal scarf Strangely enough, not taken, so that one is yours if you desire. Wow, I find that so hard to believe too, that it hasn't been taken. Great keep, if I do say so myself. The lists can be posted via a link from the main page."}, {"response": 1922, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (12:50)", "body": "Fever Pitch - His striped Arsenal scarf Strangely enough, not taken, so that one is yours if you desire. Karen - Wow, I find that so hard to believe too, that it hasn't been taken. Great keep, if I do say so myself. Karen, It's such a cold, windy, blustery day here in NYC . .thought it'd be something nice to keep me warm;)"}, {"response": 1923, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (12:54)", "body": "I actually own an Arsenal knit cap that I bought on Portobello Rd. Use it when I go out to shovel snow. I also have an Arsenal keychain (from Ev) and host of assorted team products. I don't think anyone sprung for the Arsenal duvet cover, even when it was on sale. ;-)"}, {"response": 1924, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (15:38)", "body": "Ada . . . Psst . . I know I've trouble you way too much as a newbie Drooleur . .but if no ones claimed it . .can I have his coffee mug from Love Actually . .(anything that boy puts to his lips . .well, I'll take it!)"}, {"response": 1925, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (15:41)", "body": "bleah . .\"caused you way too much trouble\" (**sigh**) see this is what I mean when say I think faster than I type!"}, {"response": 1926, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 2003 (19:14)", "body": "(Kimberly)What A Girl Wants - I'll actually take the cup and saucer;) Oooh that one was easy! Done...it's all yours:-). Has someone taken that white shirt he wears at the beginning of the film . .when he rushes into the house house to get his son off the roof? Honey, I'm sorry but you're just striking out with this movie. Someone claimed that keep way way back. (I'll post the list for this movie right now so you can see what's been claimed and what hasn't. Maybe that'll help) Hmmm . . Is the tie that he wore when he was helping Bridge out with her b'day party available? Well, the tie is with the BadaBing suit but technically the keep wasn't claimed as an \"outfit\". (I love technicalities;-).) Okay, I'll let you have the tie BUT I'd really love to see a sample of your writing for this one:-). can I have his coffee mug from Love Actually Yes, you can have a mug but, gads, I remember about 15 mugs in several different scenes...can you help me out with which one in which scene, I'd appreciate it very much. This give me a great excuse to go see the movie again. (me)Arsenal scarf- Strangely enough, not taken, so that one is yours if you desire. (Karen)Wow, I find that so hard to believe too, that it hasn't been taken. I actually re-checked, just in case. Nope..it had never been claimed at all. I guess the movie came out before Keeps really got started."}, {"response": 1927, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 2003 (19:29)", "body": "Okay, my typing is leaving something to be desired tonight...but I promised lists. So,I'm starting with the easy ones;-)! A Month in the Country Rose - Lizza Apples - Annette Another Country - Bathrobe - Cymbeline Dutch Girls Grey scarf - Evelyn Femme Fatale Sweater (proposal scene) - KJArt The Advocate Small bath towel (covering assets) - AllisonM Wine stained shirt - CherylB Nostromo Silver mine - Marcia Playmaker Steel Rimmed Glasses - Laura Tumbledown Car - Lucie White fisherman's sweater - Marcia Valmont Wig - Tineke Bow and Arrow - LindaK Secret Laughter of Women Bathrobe - Evelyn (did you want the teacup Bee?) A Thousand Acres String bracelet - Kimberly Londinium (or Fourplay...whatever) Headset/pillows - Caribou White shirt/blue pants - Annette As always, if I got something wrong, or missed...blah blah blah:-)."}, {"response": 1928, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 2003 (21:16)", "body": "Kimberly, as promised here's MLSF along with a couple of others. My Life So Far Scot's accent - Lizza Wire rimmed glasses - Esbee Kilt - Lucie Navy blue suit - Evelyn (the one that started it all!) Sporran - Marcia Cap (worn while curling)- KJArt Outfit worn while saving baby Fraser - Eileen Towel - Lidya Dorky striped pajamas - Karen Wedding ring - Lynda Striped swimsuit - KathyF Rod and Tackle - Tress Robe - LindaK Relative Values please don't ask about some of these....please;-). Limp wrist - Karen Tassled loafers - Marcia Silver cigarette case - Arami Yellow cravat (along with Judy Garland record collection, campshirt, and Monty Clift autographed photo)- Mari George Cukor pool party pass - Heide Plane tickets to Greenwich Village parade - Eileen Tickets to Providencetown Playhouse season - CherylB Piano - LindaK Martini glass - MoonD Hip Flask - Tress Fever Pitch Leather jacket - Karen Grey underwear/t-shirt - Marcia Arsenal boxer shorts - Stacey Whistle - Heide Wrist watch - Elena Arsenal football shirt - Tracy Lighter - Tress Blue comforter - LeahP Champagne bottle (and fizzies) - BeeDee Sweater (board game) - LindaK TV Chair - CeeJ Faded blue denim shirt - KathyF Striped Arsenal scarf - Kimberly Shakespeare In Love Pearl earring - Renate Blue tights - EileenG Ruff - Arami Song Wessex sings - Esbee Horse - AnnW Sword, scabbard and belt - KJArt Hat with feather - Nan Gold Wedding Cape - Gi Goatee - LizzaJ Sapphire ring (index finger) and Codpiece - Marcia Play notice - Marina Kiss Wessex give to Viola and gets slapped (kiss not slap) - SusanA Wessex's other ring (on ring finger) - Tress Whew, done for now. I'll update the other ones tomorrow. I'm gonna relax with some wine and the LA soundtrack (such a hot saturday night for me;-)!)"}, {"response": 1929, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 2003 (22:50)", "body": "(Keepsmistress)Secret Laughter of Women Bathrobe - Evelyn (did you want the teacup Bee?) I'll take the little coffee cup and knock off those handles myself.;-) Thanks for asking.:-)))"}, {"response": 1930, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (08:11)", "body": "Dearest Mistress of the Keeps, I can't believe that I have not claimed anything from SLOW. May I please claim Matthew's wedding band? He only wore it in his first scene when we see his hands typing on the lap top. Oh to be forever joined to Matthew Field."}, {"response": 1931, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (09:04)", "body": "(Ada) Navy blue suit - Evelyn (the one that started it all!) ROTF. I thought I had claimed the navy suit he wore in the courtroom in ATA. ,"}, {"response": 1932, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (11:34)", "body": "(Ada)Well, the tie is with the BadaBing suit but technically the keep wasn't claimed as an \"outfit\". (I love technicalities;-).) Okay, I'll let you have the tie BUT I'd really love to see a sample of your writing for this one:-). OK Ada, . .hold that BJD tie for me . .I will force myself to write . .am inspired by Arami's watch and fob essay . .perhaps something along that vein? . .how naughty can I get???;) can I have his coffee mug from Love Actually Yes, you can have a mug but, gads, I remember about 15 mugs in several different scenes...can you help me out with which one in which scene, I'd appreciate it very much. This give me a great excuse to go see the movie again. OK . .I'll take that brown (I think it was brown) mug that was resting on his manuscript as he was typing by the lake. The one Aurelia exchanges which than propells her (& him too!) to go diving in after the manuscript. Although you don't see him actually (hmm using that word quite a bit lately too) to his lips . .in my mind, he must have finsihed whatever was in it or she wouldn't be coming to give him another cuppa! it's the closest thing I can get to a kiss, right?;) Arsenal scarf- Strangely enough, not taken, so that one is yours if you desire. (Karen)Wow, I find that so hard to believe too, that it hasn't been taken. I actually re-checked, just in case. Nope..it had never been claimed at all. I guess the movie came out before Keeps really got started. Hee hee . .I got a good one with that . .what luck!!! (***dancing about w/ the red and white scarf about my neck***) MLSF - I AM striking out w/ this film!!! , hmmm . . let's try again - May I have the large bust of Beethoven that he leans on as he tells Fraser that \"Beethoven is the sound of God\" Now that I see the lists . .can I take care of a few other items?? SIL - May I take care of his pouch (money purse thingy I mean . . keep your minds clean!) . .the one he asks Viola's parents to fill with an adavnce of her dowry Londoninium/Fourplay - Can I have his vandyke??? . .Do love facial hair on a man . .(mmm . . esp those . .got my husband to grow one before our wedding!) . .and I like that better than Colin's mustache in COF! (Or is that considered a body part?) If I can't have that may I have his brown suit/plaid tie outfit . .see this pic? http://sunlightproductions.com/Londinium/56x.html RV - The song he plays on the piano"}, {"response": 1933, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (12:24)", "body": "(Bee)I'll take the little coffee cup and knock off those handles myself.;-) Thanks for asking.:-))) Thought you might like it:-). I wondered why you hadn't requested it before though. (Evelyn)ROTF. I thought I had claimed the navy suit he wore in the courtroom in ATA. Really? Wow, I didn't know that. There wasn't anything on the lists from 1999 to tell me that(those are the oldest ones I can access). SO, I spent my morning, looking for claims on the old CF topics from way back to 97 and all I got was crossed-eyes and a headache;-). ..lol! Evelyn, we'll go with it....cannot search anymore this weekend;-)."}, {"response": 1934, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (12:25)", "body": "Kimberly, not ignoring your requests hun,I'm just going to rest my eyes a bit;-)"}, {"response": 1935, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (17:02)", "body": "Um, do I, um, understand that the only keep claimed from Nostromo is the silver mine? I can certainly see that...but if that is the case, may I be so bold as to claim his boots (trying not to wiggle out of my chair...) --the ones (and I have no clue how many he seems to have in this and will re-watch to help establish this if necessary) where he is about to be executed and his looooong legs are stretched out from here to Brazil? (Rest your eyes HKM --Honourable Keep Mistress-- I will await your decree.)"}, {"response": 1936, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (17:06)", "body": "Oh - keeps from Nostromo. Is the white shirt, he wears in the silvermine part of that keep, or is it possible to ask for it seperately ?? And no hurry, HKM Ada, we would be lost without you, so please get all the rest, you need :-)"}, {"response": 1937, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (17:55)", "body": "Yes . .yes . .oh, please rest Ada, close your eyes, take a break . . .you are doing such a wonderful job!!!!! (**hands her a cup of chamomile tea and some chocolate biscuits**) I can wait . .take as long as you need . .you have a DAUNTING task keeping track of everything! (**tip-toes out quietly and turns off light**)"}, {"response": 1938, "author": "Leah", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (01:33)", "body": "I have watched my first LA screening, and ask ( beg/plead/grovel ) if I can please have Jamie's car. The one in which he's glad and she's sad. The look on his face when he drops her off for the last time would have melted my heart if it wasn't already melted (huh, is there such a thing?) Thanking you in anticipation, ;-)"}, {"response": 1939, "author": "Odile", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (13:35)", "body": "Okay, here is my little offering: Long ago I've gently requested The LA lake sweater to me be entrusted. For it seemed to hold the promise, To be somewhat thrown amiss. Indeed now that the movie Has reached the boonie I can confirm the sighting Of sweater-less swimming He braved the chills And even the eels But showed great care Towards my beloved sweat-air! Enough already! Although one wondered who truly braved the chills. It was -15F when I went opening weekend, and I haven't been back due to -30sF temperatures. Although, cabin fever forces you to become a silly poet! (silver lining) :)"}, {"response": 1940, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (20:31)", "body": "Ada - Just wanted to let you know . .my piece of writing for you is forthcoming. It's a silly piece of fiction . .but it's a bit longer than Odile's nice poem about the LA sweater. I emailed Karen to see where I should post it. I hope it is to your satisfaction;) . . .and I hope I may take care of the BJD tie b/c of it!"}, {"response": 1941, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (22:20)", "body": "I have lots of important work to do, so what have I been doing? ;-) My most sincere apologies to Michaell Drayton for mangling his four-century old poetry( http://www.shakespeares-sonnets.com/Helicon2.htm) , to Tracy Chevalier for destroying her descriptive phrases, and to my DDs to whom I subject me feeble poerty ... My tribute to Vermeer's coat Griet, lift sight from the floor, Pray glance past painting dear, Art\ufffds beauty pales for through yon door Saw\ufffdst thou Master Vermeer? He\ufffds in a robe of ochre gold, The colour my own joy, And never will my eyes behold Finer man than Our Dear Boy. Of woolen coarse was his robe made, Not velvet soft and fine, But my Vermeer o\ufffderwhelms brocade And heats my heart like wine. Though I do no justice to Vermeer, It is not full a day Since garbed by robe he entered here And stole my breath away. Its warmth escapes like noontime sky, His robe shields winter\ufffds chill, Though master gaze to you may fly, He smolders throughout me still. O Griet: know why I persevere, My true keep didst thou not see. For know: robe belov\ufffdd of Vermeer Is worn of none but me. FINIS."}, {"response": 1942, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (07:54)", "body": "(Shoshana) I have lots of important work to do, so what have I been doing? ;-) LOL Shoshana! That was wonderful! All I can say is I just hope they keep grading on a curve around here..."}, {"response": 1943, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (08:44)", "body": "Odile & Shoshanna - All I can say is WOW!!!!! Two fabulous pieces!!!!I hope my humble piece of fiction can stand up with this poetry!!!!"}, {"response": 1944, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (10:01)", "body": "Ada - Here it is . .nothing like the lovely poetry already posted . .but a bit of fiction, which I hope, will earn me that tie from BJD! It isn't Fualkner, nor HF . .just a silly little Mark Darcy and Bridget Jones interlude . .with some commentary by the aformentioned tie. Hope you approve!!! ********************************************** Closet Confessional by Kimberly S. A shaft of light pierced through the darkness. **GAHHHHHH!!! ** It was blinding, that light. It was sharp . . . even painful to one who hasn\ufffdt seen the light of day for oh, God only knows how long. One could try to squint against the brightness, but still not be able to make out anything at all. **As if it wasn\ufffdt bad enough that I\ufffdve been relegated to the back corner of this closet. I can\ufffdt believe I\ufffdve been stuck in Siberia back here with the holiday cast-offs . . .squeezed in between a wretched reindeer jumper who has been making eyes at me constantly and a snowman print tie that won\ufffdt stop humming Christmas carols. I swear if I had arms, I\ufffdd tie that shoddy piece of silk into a knot and chuck him right back at Father Christmas or whoever decided to give him as a present. Grrrr . . .** A hand then appeared out of the brightness. Its fingers were smooth, long, and yet undeniably masculine. The owner of this hand slowly began to browse the contents of the closet, scrutinizing each item with care. There was a definite, deliberate feeling to his actions. Mark stepped in closer to get a better view, his fingertips lingering for a moment on a dark pinstriped suit. He smiled, an impish, naughty sort of grin played around the corners of his mouth, as he recalled something. **Ah, yes . . .take the suit . . .take the suit . . .then take me!!!!!** The power of suggestion, perhaps? Who knows . . .but somehow it worked it\ufffds magic. The suit left the closet along with its usual partner of a shirt, white and crisply starched to attention. And then for our exiled comrade - liberation from the eternal Christmas monotony! The period of hibernation was finally over. The items of clothing were laid carefully on the bed as Mark proceeded to get ready for the evening. **Thought I\ufffdd never get out of there! Humph, can\ufffdt say why I was taken out of the normal rotation and stuck back there in the first place. Just be happy it wasn\ufffdt you in my place. Believe me, after the three hundred and fortieth time of hearing \ufffdDing Dong Merrily On High\ufffd hummed off-key, you\ufffdd be going stark raving mad and pulling your fibers out by their roots too. Nice to see you chaps again, though. Any idea where we\ufffdre off to this evening? ** Mark pulled the suit jacket over his shoulders. He surveyed his image in the mirror meticulously. Then, lost in thought for a moment, he took the tie, its cool silk trickling though his long fingers, and smiled again. \ufffdI think Bridge will approve.\ufffd Mark murmured as he deftly fixed the tie in place. He ran his fingers slowly through his dark curly hair as he gave himself on final look before he left his room. \ufffdYes, I think she will definitely approve.\ufffd **Bridge??? Not that Bridget Jones girl he was obsessing about for so long? The last time I saw her was . . .God that seemed like ages ago. That day of the Agani - Heeney case . . . the one I slept through most of. She was that reporter girl, the cute blonde with the birthday that evening. What a wretched night for the poor boy . . .I recall an odd smell of orange marmalade, eggs and a curious vision, a soup, which I swear, was blue. Then that other fellow came and made a mess of it all. Next thing I knew, I found myself face down in a plate of souvlaki (I think I still have a stain or two somewhere on me from that nasty chap) and then after a brief sensation of flight, I was dragged along a wet cold pavement. And even after all that he STILL ended up with the girl??? Good show!!** Mark rang the buzzer to Bridget\ufffds flat, balancing an extremely large bouquet of roses, a box of Milk Tray and a bottle of Chardonnay tentatively. \ufffdYes . . .\ufffd Bridget\ufffds voice crackled over the speaker. \ufffdLet me up Bridge, before I drop something.\ufffd \ufffdMark? What are you doing here?\ufffd she asked curiously. \ufffdIt\ufffds your birthday, darling . . .\ufffd \ufffdBut the party is tomorrow, you know that . . .at 192 with Shaz . . \ufffd \ufffdAnd Jude and Tom and EVERYONE. Look, I know that . . .\ufffd Mark tried hard not to sound exasperated. \ufffdBut. . .\ufffd \ufffdNo buts. . . hang up the phone and hit the buzzer, Bridge!\ufffd **Hmm . . . perhaps it would have been better if I stayed back with the Christmas contingency in the closet. If these two are already snippy with each other, I rather listen to the millionth bad rendition of \ufffdChestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire\ufffd than hear these two argue all night . . .this will not make for a good evening.** As Bridget opened the door, she came face to face with the largest bouquet of long stemmed red roses she had ever received. They actually took up most of the doorway. \ufffdMark?\ufffd she giggled, \ufffdMark, are you under all that foliage somewhere?\ufffd \ufffdOf"}, {"response": 1945, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (10:07)", "body": "My tribute to Vermeer's coat What a lovely effort Shosh! Time well spent IMO!"}, {"response": 1946, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (13:01)", "body": "Apparently my crossed eyes and headaches weren't due to missing blue suits but to a touch of the flu my dh thoughtfully brought home from work. That's why it seems my brain hasn't been working for the past few days (my excuse and I'm sticking to it). Today, it seems to be working at it's normal 45% so I figured I'd catch up with all these requests.... Just remind me never to work on keeps when I'm sick, 'kay? (Evelyn)ROTF. I thought I had claimed the navy suit he wore in the courtroom in ATA. LOL! Oh lord, I'm sorry, Evelyn I did screw this up didn't I? Yes, as far as I can tell, your first blue suit was from MLSF and not ATA. But, if you want the suit from ATA, hey, no problem, it's yours:-)! (Kimberly) OK . .I'll take that brown (I think it was brown) Actually it was beige with some funky pattern on it. I can't remember if he actually touches the mug but someone had to put it on the manuscript. We'll assume it was Colin and not the prop guy. The mug is yours to keep! MLSF - May I have the large bust of Beethoven ... Heh..yes you can have his large bust. But I'd really like to know why you want his large bust...sorry sorry...in a strange mood today:-). SIL - May I take care of his pouch His money pouch yes, that's the only one you can have. Someone else is keeping his other pou...no no not going there..never mind. Londoninium- Can I have his vandyke??? Nope nope sorry no body parts. That includes vandykes, fu manchus and mexican banditos... If I can't have that may I have his brown suit/plaid tie outfit Yes, you can have it Kim, but you know for this keep, I'm going to ask for a tribute, definitely. I want to know why, oh why you want this suit from this movie;-). RV - The song he plays on the piano hmmm..those fingers on those keys. Ahhh. Okay, the song is yours if you'd like it. If you don't, it won't be hardship to take it back. (pssst..btw, not chamomile, earl grey please) (Linda)May I please claim Matthew's wedding band? HAH! Thought I'd forgotten you Linda (aka trouble;-)!), didnt you? No I didn't, the wedding band is yours to have and to hold:-). (BarbS)may I be so bold as to claim his boots (trying not to wiggle out of my chair...) Yes you may be so bold. Go ahead and wiggle if you want, too. (Annette)-Is the white shirt, he wears in the silvermine part of that keep, or is it possible to ask for it seperately ?? It's possible. Marcia only requested the mine itself. Soooo do you want it or not? ;-) (Leah)I have watched my first LA screening, and ask ( beg/plead/grovel ) if I can please have Jamie's car LOL! No begging/pleading/grovelling needed to ask. Although, a tribute is fine if you'd like to share your thoughts with us. Even if not, the car is yours anyway. Odile! A very beautiful offering. You've come back to lucidity very nicely:-). A little coldly, it sounds like but I'm sure that sweater will keep you warm:-). Shosh.. I have lots of important work to do, so what have I been doing? ;-) I have lots of nonimportant work to do...and what have I been doing?;-)Having a wonderful time reading your lovely, lovely poem. Thank you. (Kim)just a silly little Mark Darcy and Bridget Jones interlude Oh Kim, very funny, very cute! (paraphrasing badly...again) A very good way to start your keeps. Sooo are we done yet? Did I miss anything, anyone? Ok, well,I'll be back with the last of the updated lists later tonite. (heh..and y'all thought you got rid of me for awhile didn't ya?) Don't ask for anything;-)!"}, {"response": 1947, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (14:08)", "body": "Ada - Thanks so much for leting me have such wonderful keeps!!!!! (Ada)SIL - May I take care of his pouch His money pouch yes, that's the only one you can have. Someone else is keeping his other pou...no no not going there..never mind. Oooh . .naughty, naughty;) You are in a randy mood after recouping from the flu!!! I hope you are feeling much better! (Ada) Londoninium- If I can't have that may I have his brown suit/plaid tie outfit. Yes, you can have it Kim, but you know for this keep, I'm going to ask for a tribute, definitely. I want to know why, oh why you want this suit from this movie;-). Hmm . .you're really getting me to work hard now. . .give me a few days, I'll come up with something;) (Ada)RV - The song he plays on the piano hmmm..those fingers on those keys. Ahhh. Okay, the song is yours if you'd like it. If you don't, it won't be hardship to take it back. (pssst..btw, not chamomile, earl grey please) Oh yes please, I'd love the song . . .and now I know your tea preference ( I think I have a vat of loose earl grey here I can give you. . .what do you prefer to have with your tea??? Muffins?? Tea Cake??? I hope not cucumber sandwiches. There were no cucumbers in the market this morning. Not even for ready money. . . . (Kim)just a silly little Mark Darcy and Bridget Jones interlude (Ada)Oh Kim, very funny, very cute! (paraphrasing badly...again) A very good way to start your keeps. **Blushes . .glad you liked it, I was so hoping you would!"}, {"response": 1948, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (22:20)", "body": "(Linda)May I please claim Matthew's wedding band? (Ada)HAH! Thought I'd forgotten you Linda (aka trouble;-)!), didnt you? No I didn't, the wedding band is yours to have and to hold:-). Hey! That was no fun. I always look forward to Linda's *special* requests and Ada's tactful negotiations.;-) Next time....bound to be;-))"}, {"response": 1949, "author": "Leah", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (03:49)", "body": "I asked for the car Jamie\ufffds car : He was so glad To drive each day And she was so sad To be driven away The look he gave As she gave her last wave Broke his heart, And made him depart To London, by plane Leaving the car, again The question of right or left Is still unanswered but this is deft {(definitive) \ufffd it\ufffds called poetic licence} He loved his car and took it with He drove in France And this is my chance To claim the car Which drove him so far I asked for the car Jamie's car and now it's mine because I did a rhyme."}, {"response": 1950, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (20:01)", "body": "Dearest Ada, I hope I don't overwhelm you, but I have been inspired by Kimberly's forthrightness, so I come to you, begging, with a list of items I am desirous to claim, and love, and cherish. ;-) HOTP - are the leather leggings only held together by strings available? Playmaker - the towel that he (thank you!) does not use to cover up after the shower Valmont - are whole outfits ok? I'd love the outfit he wears when he falls into the pond! SLOW - I'm not sure if it is unclaimed, but what about the royal blue (Colin blue) shirt? FP - oh, his very faded black jeans (rolled up at the cuffs) that he wears through half the film SIL - the very tall, very nice, pointed toe black boots that go to his thighs (hmm... is a pattern emerging here?) WAGW - again another outfit (am I being greedy?), the shirt and jeans and embroiderd vest and necklace, from when Henry and Libby are wandering in the Moroccan souk (captured in Daphne's prize photgraph) BJD - the casual white shirt with dark gray buttons from when Mark is checking into the bed-and-breakfast P&P - I think I actually found something unclaimed (miracle of miracles): the pale gray gloves Darcy wears as he leaves the church after the wedding Whew! I could go on, but I think I've been greedy enough for now, sweet and generous Keepsmistress!"}, {"response": 1951, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (22:01)", "body": "(Shoshanna) I have been inspired by Kimberly's forthrightness Sigh . .I have no shame, I'll admit it, it's sad, but oh so true! . .ahh but to take care of any of Colin's items . .that is a privelige!!! You found a P&P keepsake! . .I'm waiting for Ada's final list on that . .I thought everything was claimed! . .I like your request . . . Ada - I know I owe you a tribute for the brown suit!!! . .damned if I haven't had some writer's block . .and been busy rushing to auditions . .I'm tempted to try my hand at poetry . .now that I'm reading everyone else's!"}, {"response": 1952, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (14:49)", "body": "(Me) Don't ask for anything;-)! (Shosh)so I come to you, begging, with a list of items *Sigh* Nobody listens anymore. ;-) I'm barely recovered from Kim's requests and now this. Shosh, I have five loads of laundry to do, that's just sitting, waiting, smelling. Now because of you, I HAVE to re-watch some (okay most) of the movies in question so I'm absolutely certain of your requests. And my laundry is still sitting, waiting, smelling. LOL!! Am I making you feel guilty yet?;-)))! Heh...Of course not..let's go see what we can dig up. ;-) HOTP - are the leather leggings only held together by strings available? Yup they're available. Now, my mind is boggling with what could be done with them but hey, if you want them, tell us what's in your mind;-). Playmaker - the towel that he... - hmm..the towel. Yes, well, I wish that he had used it to dry hims...no no behave Ada!, this is a nice clean place;-)! Ahem, yes Shosh the towel is yours. Taking a shortcut here... Valmont - I'd love the outfit he wears when he falls into the pond! SLOW -...but what about the royal blue (Colin blue) shirt? FP - oh, his very faded black jeans... SIL - ...pointed toe black boots that go to his thighs Yes, yes, yes, yes:-)! WAGW - (am I being greedy?) Yes, you are. LOL! But, don't worry about it though, I'll make you work hard for them. the shirt and jeans and embroiderd vest and necklace Ack! Uhm...no, sorry. But I have a reason..two reasons actually. One,you can't have an outfit and jewelry...that's 2 keeps, and Two, I think (not one hundred percent sure)that the shirt in the photo is the same desert shirt that KateF had claimed. You can ask for the necklace or the vest even but not the whole thing...sorry Shosh:-(. BJD - the casual white shirt with dark gray buttons from when Mark is checking into the bed-and-breakfast Well, to be correct, he's actually going out in the rowboat with whatshername, and BarbS already claimed that keep. So gonna have to say no to this one too but keep looking:-). P&P - I think I actually found something unclaimed (miracle of miracles): the pale gray gloves Darcy wears as he leaves the church after the wedding You did find something unclaimed! Good eye, Shosh. Yes, the wedding gloves are yours all yours but I would like a tribute for this one. Yeahhhh!! All done with Shosh (for now I know;-)!) (Bee)Hey! That was no fun. I always look forward to Linda's *special* requests and Ada's tactful negotiations.;-) LOL! (*whining*) Beeeeee, I was tired after doing all Kim's requests...couldn't think of anything...next time I promise;-). Leah, you asked for the car Jaime's car and since you did a rhyme the car is yours not mine I know you'll go far (in it). Don't forget the gas that's all I as-k. LOL! This is why your keepsmistress does not do poetry! Kim,don't have to rush with your tribute. I've been waiting for months for some people. (Y'all know who you are too;-)!) Evelyn, I know the joke is getting old but I'm sorry this is so long;-). Off to do some laundry now!"}, {"response": 1953, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (15:25)", "body": "(Ada)Don't forget the gas that's all I as-k. LOL! This is why your keepsmistress does not do poetry! LOL!! You are poetic in your largesse! I know it's a work for you but an entertaining joy to read for me and I guess I'm not alone!!"}, {"response": 1954, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (15:53)", "body": "Dear Keepmistress, Before the holiday season descends, I really need to get some more glassware. It doesn't matter if they don't match -- they will all have special sentimental value anyway. So without further ado, I submit my request list and hope at least some are still available. Murky buckets. From P&P glass FD uses to drink brandy or port after first Assembly ball when Caroline & Louise are dissing the local beauties From RV glass sitting on top of piano that girl snitches drink out of From HOTP mug used in banquet scene From CoF glass used at luncheon where Saffron Barrows \"accidently\" runs into him and agrees to share table From BJD glass used to toast B in Blue Soup scene, or one used at dinner party just before fight, or one held in hand at book launching party (I would ask for all 3, but you might think I'm greedy!) From FP glass he dips napkin into just before setting fire From WAGW glass into which Alka Seltzer is plopped From MLSF one of the cut glass decanters he tries to put away before the company comes in From TIoBE glass used in nightclub scene where Rupert teases about the cigarette case And, oh yes. May I please have the glass jar from Hostages, that John uses to relieve himself? No, of course we won't drink out of it, but I could stick flowers in it, right? Thanks ever so much!"}, {"response": 1955, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (16:59)", "body": "(Ada answering about the shirt in the mine)It's possible. Marcia only requested the mine itself. Soooo do you want it or not? ;-) Ada, I would love to have it :-) (Ada)I've been waiting for months for some people. (Y'all know who you are too;-)! I know, I'm one of them. I'm still working on it (did that sound convincing enough??)"}, {"response": 1956, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (12:56)", "body": "What's this? Oh, No! *Running away in (mock)horror!* Not another list! No no nono! gonna need theraby...gonna need medicine...gonna need spelling lessons! ;-DD Sorry, Deb, couldn't resist;-). Let's go see if your glasses are available. From RV glass sitting on top of piano From HOTP mug used in banquet scene From CoF glass used at luncheon From BJD glass used to toast B in Blue Soup scene, or one used at dinner party just before fight, or one held in hand at book launching party From FP glass he dips napkin into From WAGW glass into which Alka Seltzer is plopped From MLSF one of the cut glass decanters From TIoBE glass used in nightclub scene May I please have the glass jar from Hostages, that John uses to relieve himself? (I'm apologizing for this beforehand...but I'm feeling a bit like Madeline Kahn in History of the World - part one;-).) *singing in very bad voice* Yes,yes,yes,nonono, yes,YES,yes yes and Yeeeeessss! Ahem...well that's over, thank goodness;-)! I'm sorry about BJD but all the glasses are taken already hon:-(. As far as P&P, this has been a tricky one. There were a couple of goblets available but I've never been sure which one was originally requested...I'll do for you what I did for Maria and just say that you have A goblet. I'll work out who's got what eventually. Now don't forget, I'd like to see tributes for at least some of these...you want them, I'm gonna make you work for them;-)! Annette - the shirt already has your name on it:-)! And no, it didn't sound too convincing but I'll pretend it did;-)."}, {"response": 1957, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (08:50)", "body": "I'd promised I'd put up the rest of the lists before this..sorry been busy:-). Hope Springs Pencil - LindaK Scarf - Joyce Bathing trunks - Karen Drawing Pad - MoonD White towel - Janet2 Tie - Evelyn Black sweater - KathyF Nonexistent underwear - MariaT Blue yoga mat - Tress Black Jacket - Annette Melon Slice - Rika The Importance of being Earnest Silver tray - Lisa Letter from Gwendolyn - Leah Smelling salts vial - LindaK Urn - Evelyn Wire rimmed glasses - Esbee Red rose - Lora Guitar - Caribou Muffin - Minkee Dressing gown - Karen Funeral hat - MoonD Cigarette holder - Kimberly Cocktail glass - Deb Nonexistent Tennis Ball - Tress Love Actually Scarf - Evelyn Overcoat - Ada Dark blue shirt - LindaK Manual Typewriter - Tress Brown t-shirt - Shoshana Tweedy Shirt - KateF House in France - Karen (also Carl's black briefs...grrr) Watch - Marie Black Zip-up cardigan - Eithne Dark blue sweater - Odile Headphones for language tapes - BeeDee Coffee mug on manuscript - Kimberly Car - Leah Girl with a Pearl Earring Ring - Caribou Earring - Annette Hat (dutch masters style) - MoonD Shirt (camera obscura scene) - LindaK Coat (ditto) - Shoshana Camera Obscura - LisaJH Ear piercer - Tress Phallic paint brush - Evelyn Wig - Darla What a girl wants 80's earring - BeeDee White tie/tails - Lora Black leather pants - Karen Blue shirt/Rolls royce - MoonD Mirror - Rika 80's desert shirt - KateF Spoon (cocopops scene) - Annette Wedding burnoose - Ada Tuxedo shirt - LindaK Tattoo - Esbee Present day desert shirt - Dorine Bathrobe - Joyce Pocket \"love notes\" - Tress (wishing for tennis ball) Black t-shirt - KJArt Blue suit - Evelyn Watch - Maria Coco pops box - Odile Cell phone - KathyF Pajamas - Hen Motorcycle - BarbS Shirt/trousers from final scene - Leah Cup and saucer (\"she has my eyes\") - Kimberly Alka seltzer glass - Deb Bridget Jones' Diary Reindeer sweater - Allison Whisk - Lizza Barrister collar - Ann Grey jumper/turtleneck/whatever - KJArt Briefcase - Echo Watch - MoonD Overcoat - Karen Pinstripe (BadaBing) suit - Danielle Christmas tie - Evelyn Grey scarf/gloves - CathyW White shirt (fight scene) - TracyT Smug married dinner party suit -Esbee Righ sock from s-m dinner - Eileen Blue sweater (rowboat scene) - LisaJH Newspaper - LauraT Buttons - Marcia Black pepper grinder -Caribou Birthday dinner toast Wineglass - Rachel Oars - Emily Sausages from Tarts/Vicars party - Beth Shirt/Khakis (rowboat scene) and (Bonus Keep)Tarts/Vicars party glass - BarbS Packet of Embassy Cigarettes - BeeDee Blue Soup Spoon (metal) - LindaK Ding-Dong Wineglass(reindeer sweater scene) - Tress Marmalade spoon - Ada Happy Birthday Bridget Wine glass - Maria Tart/Vicars \"nerd\" outfit - Hen Launch Party Wine Glass and (Bonus Keep) Ruby wedding party glass - Annette New diary bought by MD - CeeJ Badabing Tie - Kimberly Pride and Prejudice Chin dimple - Ann2 Curl - Esbee Black horse (called Pride's Foal) - Erin Riding gloves - HeideL Boots - Margaret Riding crop - Cindy Saddle - Barbara Top Hat - KathyF Grey horse (Whipper) - Laura Great Coat - Clare Walking cane - Inko Carriage(s) - Stacey Billiard room waistcoat - Leslie Pool Cue - Karen Red billiard ball - Leslie Hunting rifle - Elena Bathrobe - Elena Bath towel - Vivian Bath tub - Shelly Castille soap - Brioni Washcloth - Catherine Copper bath pitcher - Marilyn Fencing foil - Carolyn Fencing glove - Gi Fencing shirt - Annette Fencing Breeches w/black belt - LindaK Book (Netherfield) - Lon Teacup - StephanieB Evening clothes at Ball - Michele Stockings/Shoes at Ball - MoonD Nameless hat of a thousand names (aka Incroyable Bicorne) - Nan Watch and Fob - Arami Ring - Rita Mirror (I think at Pemberly) - Renate Cravat - Robyn Writing Quill (I think at Rosings) - Heide Silver wash basin (Rosings after all nighter) - Deb Rosings candlestick - Nathalie Letter to Elizabeth - Karin Cap and Gown - Jan Hand towel at Rosings - Bethan University notebooks - Marcia Wick from candle (at Rosings) - Cymbeline Shirt (from all nighter) - Ada Chair (ditto) - Hen Infamous Wet shirt - Megan Breeches at Pemberly (assuming wet ones) - Cheryl Wine Goblet (Pemberly?) - Donna Wine Decanter - Lucie Dogs (assuming Pemberly) - Linda Pemberly evening clothes - Kat Pemberly candlestick - Beth Miniature - Tineke Portrait - AnitaT Pemberly cushion -MaryD Green Coat (at Lambton) - Laraine Shirt tucked in on Pemberly steps - SusanA Blue Wedding coat - Sarah Tankard (while searching for Wickham) - Darlene Coins given to urchin - Eileen Wickham's check - Tress Wine goblet - Maria Grey wedding gloves - Shoshana Wine goblet - Deb Last but not least... Lizzie's things White gloves from Ball - Evelyn Dirty petticoats - Lizza Garnet cross necklace - Esbee Flowers in hair for Ball - Lidya Again...if I got anything wrong, or forgot someone, let me know:-)."}, {"response": 1958, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (09:51)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1959, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (09:54)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1960, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (14:07)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1961, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 2003 (16:35)", "body": "Ada -- Here's my tribute to the collection of glasses you so kindly bestowed upon me. Thanks! (OK, please hum along to the tune of \"A Few of My Favorite Things.\" A one-anna-two-anna: No matter which century, no matter which movie Our Dear Boy gets thirsty. It really is groovy To see him lift glasses in strong fingertips. Watch flicker of tongue and soft touch of lips. CHORUS: When emotions flare and his eyes glare And he\ufffds feeling hot, He grabs for a glass or a tumbler perhaps, And acts pretty cool (which he\ufffds not). In the film Fever Pitch \ufffdCF\ufffd went napkin dipping, And in several others we watched brandy sipping. In What A Girl Wants, the tablet was plopped. In Relative Values the drinks never stopped. CHORUS: When he\ufffds dancing, or romancing, When his shirt gets wet, Whatever he touches, some Firthfan soon clutches A prized souvenir, we bet! The glasses I\ufffdve chosen have more attributes Than any ol\ufffd everyday goblets or flutes. And now that they\ufffdre mine I will finally say THEY\ufffdVE GOTTA BE COATED WITH HIS DNA! CHORUS: When my boss yells and my life\ufffds hell And I\ufffdm feeling sad, I\ufffdll simply remember my favorite Colin things, And then I won\ufffdt feel so bad."}, {"response": 1962, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 2003 (17:11)", "body": "CHORUS: When my boss yells and my life\ufffds hell And I\ufffdm feeling sad, I\ufffdll simply remember my favorite Colin things, And then I won\ufffdt feel so bad. Wonderful!! Your glasses are surely more than half full.;)))"}, {"response": 1963, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 2003 (21:20)", "body": "Deb - BRAVO!!!!!!!! Rodgers and Hammerstein would be proud!!!!"}, {"response": 1964, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (20:26)", "body": "Ada . .haven't made a request in awhile . .but I just saw SLOW. Shoshanna asked for that wonderful royal blue shirt . . so is the red shirt that he wears when he calls Nimi for lunch available? . . .If not, is the emerald green shirt he wears when he goes to her office still up for grabs? I know . .still have the brown suit from Londoninium tribute due . . - Kimberly"}, {"response": 1965, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (22:09)", "body": "Does a keepsake have to be from a film? May I have that Santa hat from Today (today)? ;-)"}, {"response": 1966, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (22:20)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1967, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (09:04)", "body": "I'm going to let our Keepmistress be the bad guy here. ;-)"}, {"response": 1968, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (09:16)", "body": "I saw that! LOL! Hey, I knew the answer when I asked. ;-)"}, {"response": 1969, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (09:55)", "body": "(Dorine)May I have that Santa hat from Today (today)? ;-) (Karen)I'm going to let our Keepmistress be the bad guy here. ;-) LOL! Oh thank you so much boss, you know how I love being the bad guy;-). Luckily, my brother just sent me some lovely chocolates from Italy so...Dorine, I'm sorry, hun but No...no filmie, no keepie;-). (unofficially of course, if you want to pretend that the hat is yours to...wear, fondle, whatever, who's gonna stop you? ;-)) (Deb)Ada -- Here's my tribute to the collection of glasses you so kindly bestowed upon me. Ack! So sorry Deb, I thought I posted this before. Great tribute, thank you so much. I went around the house for days humming that tune:-). (Kim)...but I just saw SLOW. so is the red shirt that he wears when he calls Nimi for lunch available Yup, it's available. I'll put your name down for it. As far as the brown suit...I can imagine it's taking some time to think up something;-)...no worries."}, {"response": 1970, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (11:43)", "body": "(Ada)(unofficially of course, if you want to pretend that the hat is yours to...wear, fondle, whatever, who's gonna stop you? ;-)) Goodie, excellent news, then I can unofficially pretend that Colin put me in the sack, slung me over his shoulder, and took me home? All inuendos accepted;-)"}, {"response": 1971, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (12:26)", "body": "(Linda)All inuendos accepted;-) Well, then, can I pretend that he slung ME over his shoulder, took me home and sacked me? :-) (unofficially, of course)"}, {"response": 1972, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (14:00)", "body": "(linda)Goodie, excellent news, then I can unofficially pretend that Colin put me in the sack, slung me over his shoulder, and took me home? (Deb)Well, then, can I pretend that he slung ME over his shoulder, took me home and sacked me? :-) (unofficially, of course) You girls are too much!!! . .will you be wearing wreaths of mistletoe and clad only in strategically placed bows and ribbons???"}, {"response": 1973, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (14:28)", "body": "will you be wearing wreaths of mistletoe and clad only in strategically placed bows and ribbons??? NOT FOR LONG!"}, {"response": 1974, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (14:29)", "body": "closing tag for overexcited Drooleurs"}, {"response": 1975, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (14:42)", "body": "Karen- So kind of you to always keep a level mind! ;-) Ah, but caqnnot let mind wander to bows and Santa hats and such, at least not now, but it sure is a lovely thought..."}, {"response": 1976, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (14:47)", "body": "Sorry Boss . .yes, best to nip this in the bud!!!"}, {"response": 1977, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (21:55)", "body": "Time to claim my keep from GWAPE, but I'm not sure the list is specific enough. Does Shoshana have the cloak he puts over their heads to view through the camera obscura or is it the vest-like garment, with all the strings, he wears? As this gets ironed out, I will temporarily put my dibs on the muller."}, {"response": 1978, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (22:11)", "body": "I was pretty sure Shosh has the coat but I went back and checked... Response 1827 of 1977: Shoshana Froman (Shoshana) * Sat, Sep 6, 2003 Ooh! Never claimed a keepsake before...May I have the coat under which Vermeer and Griet viewed the camera obscura? I will begin working on a tribute right away! Does that help Karen? And please forgive this poor little person who doesn't live major metropolitan area and cannot see this lovely movie yet and probably won't until January, but what in the heck is a muller?"}, {"response": 1979, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (22:21)", "body": "(Karen)Time to claim my keep from GWAPE, I hate to be pushy but you're drivin' me crazy Karen! What do you think??? I check in spoilers........;-))"}, {"response": 1980, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (22:27)", "body": "OK, I thought he called it a cloak, but he calls it a Robe when she goes to pick it up off the floor; that is what Shoshana has. A muller is like a mortar. They use it to grind the pigments. v. sexy scene."}, {"response": 1981, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (22:29)", "body": "Beedee: first things first! (especially while they are fresh in my mind) I did watch this time with potential Keeps in mind and made quite a little list of strange things, including his brown stockings over his nicely formed calves as you see him climb the stairs. ;-)"}, {"response": 1982, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (22:44)", "body": "(Karen) including his brown stockings over his nicely formed calves as you see him climb the stairs. ;-) Oh my, I'm such a glutton for punishment. How will I wait till January? I shall conquer this, I shall........"}, {"response": 1983, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (09:37)", "body": "Ooooh .want to get a GWAPE too before all swiped up . .) (Karen)I did watch this time with potential Keeps in mind and made quite a little list of strange things, including his brown stockings over his nicely formed calves as you see him climb the stairs. ;-) Risa & I did too .kept leaning over to each other during the movie . . . Saw some interesting things too . . like those shoes (he wore w/ those brown stockings! . .the wine glass when he is drinking rom when he stares at Griet . ..too hard to decide . .something he actually wore .or something he actually touches/uses? Ada . .may I have the actual pearl earrings?"}, {"response": 1984, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (16:33)", "body": "(Linda)Goodie, excellent news, then I can unofficially pretend... (Deb)Well, then, can I pretend that... I should have known someone would read the small print;-)! (Karen)I will temporarily put my dibs on the muller. A muller is like a mortar. They use it to grind the pigments. v. sexy scene. A mortar eh? Okay, you're the boss...but I'd much rather go for those stockings ;-). (Kim)Ada . .may I have the actual pearl earrings? Ahh sorry Kim, but Annette requested those months ago. You'll have to pick something else. I'll post the updated GWAPE list later tonight."}, {"response": 1985, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (16:47)", "body": "OK . .the long awaited brown suit from Londoninium tribute . .I unfortuantely was not inspired by the film (sorry, Colin, no offense) . .He just looked so adorable in it, that's really the only reason I want it. . . Here goes . . . this can be sung to the tune of Cole Porter's song, \"All of You\". Never heard it? . .Here are two sites you can hear sound bits from: http://entertainment.msn.com/album/?album=120711 http://uk.towerrecords.com/product.asp?pfid=1008564&oldid=1c2b15e1621a66d6c5 Enjoy! . . .(As sung to Colin . . .) I love the look of you, I swear, it's true . . . You are the only one that I care for, not Hugh (Grant) Oh Colin, dear, I'd be so blue . . If I could not keep something here of you . So darling, please, I'll say to only you . . I'd love to keep that scruffy brown suit, that's true . . The tie as well, if Ada see that is fit too . Cause I love the look of you!!!! Silly, sweet and to the point . . . Will await to see the GWAPE updated list before asking for something else . .sigh . .those earrings would have been nice;)"}, {"response": 1986, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Dec 16, 2003 (14:46)", "body": "OK . .so I'm impatient . . . Just thought of this as a possible keep, if not already taken. May I have the painting knife that he uses to mix paint colors with during the scene in the attic w/ Griet where they almost touch hands? It looks like one of these, I was going to call it a mini trowel;). . . I've read, technically a palette knife is used for mixing paints (see pic below: . .but I think what they used in the film looked more like a painting knife"}, {"response": 1987, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Dec 16, 2003 (14:49)", "body": "Painting knife pic -"}, {"response": 1988, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 16, 2003 (17:03)", "body": "It was on my list of possibles too and I was going to call it a palette knife, though it resembles a trowel more. ;-)"}, {"response": 1989, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 16, 2003 (17:15)", "body": "Who took the needle he uses to pierce poor Griet's ear? Talk about a phallic symbol;-) Oh Lora and Caribou are going to have such fun with this movie dissecting all the symbolism....all that grinding in the attic;-)"}, {"response": 1990, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Dec 16, 2003 (17:42)", "body": "(Evelyn)Oh Lora and Caribou are going to have such fun with this movie dissecting all the symbolism....all that grinding in the attic;-) Can others have such fun, too? I've been rereading my Freud and Jung, not that you need the stretches of the imagination of those two for this film. ;-) But back on topic, Ada, I'm almost done with a sonnet for Darcy's wedding gloves. Really."}, {"response": 1991, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Dec 16, 2003 (18:56)", "body": "(Evelyn) Who took the needle he uses to pierce poor Griet's ear? Talk about a phallic symbol;-) Ahhh....that would be me. You really think it's phallic?? I guess I never thought about it....;-)"}, {"response": 1992, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Dec 16, 2003 (20:00)", "body": "(Tres)You really think it's phallic?? I guess I never thought about it....;- Hmmmmm, yes. Colin and Scarlett said so at the Q&A in NY;-)I forget who said what maybe Dorine will remember. Scarlett said something about all the painting instruments looking like phallic symbols and Colin asked her if she stole them from the set, she said she did;-)"}, {"response": 1993, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 16, 2003 (23:13)", "body": "Yeah, but the act itself...and the tool used... I leave it to your imagination."}, {"response": 1994, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (08:57)", "body": "(Tress)You really think it's phallic?? I guess I never thought about it....;-) Oh god yes . .I definitly agree with Karen .that whole ear piercing scene is an allusion for a young girl's first sexual experience IMO . . Hey, wasn't there even a \"phallic paintbrush\" someone claimed sometime back?"}, {"response": 1995, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (09:25)", "body": "(Kim)Hey, wasn't there even a \"phallic paintbrush\" someone claimed sometime back? Moi. But the needle is mobetta;-) Though the act of painting a woman on a canvas has often been alluded to the artist making love to her. evelyn*who always has her mind in the gutter*"}, {"response": 1996, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (09:39)", "body": "(Eveyln)But the needle is mobetta;-) That's why I wanted those earrings . . .just b/c of that scene (and I knew that needle was already taken!) *who always has her mind in the gutter* Hey, that ain't a bad place to be every now and then . . ."}, {"response": 1997, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (10:22)", "body": "I'm so sorry ladies, been horrible with upkeeping keeps. Been awfully busy with baking cookies, cheesecakes, and rum sauces (also with sick munchkins). Let me tidy up a bit and then I'll update GWAPE as I promised last week. (Kim)OK . .the long awaited brown suit from Londoninium tribute Kim, love your tribute! All of Me has always been one of my faves. Thank you very much. The brown outfit is yours to treasure. (Kim)OK . .so I'm impatient Nah,not you;-)! May I have the painting knife that he uses to mix paint colors with... Of course you may...but in keeping with this topic of symbolism, what should I list it as, paint knife, phallic paint knife, phallic paint trowel?? (Bee)I'm such a glutton for punishment... Bee, you and me both, hun;-). *fanning face* Okay, updated list for GWAPE Pearl Earrings - Annette Ring - Caribou Fabio Wig - Darla Shirt (camera obscura scene)- LindaK Robe/Coat/long cloak thingy (over camera obscura)- Shoshana Symbolic Virginity Piercer - Tress Phallic Paintbrush - Evelyn Phallic Paint Mixer/trowel/knife - Kim Muller (is this phallic too?)- Karen Hat (definitely phallic)- MoonD Camera Obscura (not phallic but finger stroked)-LisaJH Got to go outside to cool off now."}, {"response": 1998, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (10:49)", "body": "(Ada) Muller (is this phallic too?)- Karen From the Puritan website: \"Innuendo includes a man makes a comment about a young woman 'grinding and stirring' while blending paints with a man.\" What do you think? ;-)"}, {"response": 1999, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (10:52)", "body": "The new Keeps topic is here: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/188/new Signed, Your Management, who is thinking about grinding a lot ;-) drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 114, "subject": "Olivia's Obsession: or why her obsession of pride has reached a Fever Pitch", "response_count": 13, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Dec  2, 1998 (10:27)", "body": "December 2, 1998 Margaret just called; it is settled that the Shakespeare in Love premiere is definitely tomorrow, and will there be any sign of the MAN. I think not! I've called ICM and UTA and where does that get me. Nowhere. I mean it was a coup that I found out that the MAN was in New York not but a week ago. I was planning on braving the cold and probably wet weather to get any sightings of him. Maybe get an autograph? Offer him a cancer stick? He would be eternally grateful to me for that one, no doubt! Margaret came over on Sunday, November 29 for the P&P marathon and were we in Darcy heaven. The drooling, the panting, the repeating of lines over and over again, \"Miss Bennet!\" , \"In vain I have struggled\ufffd\" , \"She was but fifteen\ufffd\" Oh how lovely a lazy Sunday afternoon spent wallowing in Mr. Darcy. Eh, the best way, no? Oh well, I guess I'll try Europe again and find out if there have been anymore sightings of the MAN. Eventually, he must show up\ufffd To be Continued"}, {"response": 2, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Dec  3, 1998 (18:02)", "body": "Wednesday, December 3, 1998 6:55 pm Would it be too sick to grab my little lawn chair, camera and a pack of cigarettes and head off to NYC to camp out in front of the Ziegfeld? I mean, I don't want to appear too obsessive. I've been wavering back and forth on this all day. What? The premiere is at 7:00 pm? Hmm, guess it's a glass of wine and Entertainment Tonight for me instead. I flunked my fan test again. kind of strange, Laura, but I like it"}, {"response": 3, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Dec  3, 1998 (19:43)", "body": "Wednesday, December 3, 1998 Margaret called; it is confirmed that the MAN is definitely in NYC tonight. She begged and pleaded to head down to the Ziegfield Theatre. The thought of actually seeing the MAN scares me to no end. What could I say, what would say. \"Well, you could start with hello?\" Margaret said sarcastically. \"Yes, and then I trip over my tongue and make a big fool of myself. I'm too misunderstood.\" I wailed. I never quite understood why they would premiere a movie only show it in two states, when the rest of the populace can't see it for at least two or three more weeks? What is up with that? \"Olivia? Olivia, you're fantasizing again. You have a stupid grin on your face.\" \"What time do you think it would be safe to just see a glimpse of him?\" I asked quite dubiously. Margaret thought about it for a moment. Tapping her finger on her cheek. \"I would say to safely see him without actually being seen? We get there at five watch all the dignitaries show up, wait for the cast to show up. See who he's with and why. Then we leave. Are you up for that?\" I wasn't sure. I mean I've never done anything like this before in my life. I don't normally go chasing movie stars... But the hair, the eyes, the lips... \"I'll miss Friends.\" \"It's a repeat.\" \"Stop doing that! Margaret,you're rationalizing the irrational. He's not gonna notice me and there will be hundreds or thousands of people trying to get a glimpse of Ben Affleck.\" Margaret had that Chesire cat grin on her face. \"Ben Affleck too? Oh is it hunk heaven or what?\" \"Margaret, you're old enough to be his mother.\" She choked on her drink. \"I am not. I'm old enough to be his older sister or better yet, his aunt!\" Margaret drained her diet coke and went to the door. \"Well, Olivia, are you coming or not?\" It was time to make a decision, and I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. To be Continued? If anyone has taken offense, it was done unknowingly and unwittingly. I thought a columnesque-type would be fun especially now that CF has been in the States. I think Olivia can be a fun character, and she doesn't just have an obsession with CF, she likes men and chocolate! I will introduce other people (Heide, I could use you as a friend to Olivia and Margaret if you okay that?), but right now in the here and know, she likes CF. Whether or not she goes to the premiere, well that remains to be seen. If ou don't like this, then let me know here, and I'll have Heide or Karen delete it. Laura"}, {"response": 4, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec  3, 1998 (20:14)", "body": "Laura, I'm a lurker on this one....I have no creative writing skills. But it doesn't seem offensive to me."}, {"response": 5, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Dec  3, 1998 (20:53)", "body": "Thank you, Evelyn! I hope that this is fun and people like. Already, I'm starting to like Olivia!"}, {"response": 6, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Dec  3, 1998 (21:45)", "body": "There is a little (or a LOT)of Olivia in each of us. Thank you for such an original idea. Through Olivia, we can get our jollies or at least rid ourselves of some frustrations!"}, {"response": 7, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (02:17)", "body": "So? Don't keep us in suspense. Did Olivia go to the premiere? What did she see and what did she (and he) say? Can't wait for the next instalment."}, {"response": 8, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (08:32)", "body": "Friday, December 4, 1998 I combed the New York Times this morning for any and all information on last night's gala premiere at the Ziegfield Theater. There was NOTHING! But I was able to drop off the film I took last night... \"Come on Olivia, it's a mild night -- Very warm to stand out and watch all the limos drive up. Which one do you think is Colin's?\" I felt like a fool allowing her to drag me off. However, secretly my heart was doing flip flops. What if I saw the MAN, and I couldn't control myself. Then he'd think not only was I an obsessive person, but he'd think I was crazy too. Just caught a sight of Hilary Rodham Clinton, amazing how she keeps up a brave face when her personal life is crumbling around her. Now if I had a husband like that... (perish the thought, actually.) \"Olivia, what on earth are you thinking of?\" I turned to her and smiled brightly, \"I was thinking of Bill Clinton.\" She opened her mouth to say something, then looked at me as if she had just lost the thought. She shook her head and kept jumping higher in the air to see something. Anything. I hung back. For about twenty minutes, time stood still. All the stars had arrived, but they stayed in their warm comfortable limousines. We were far enough away that we weren't about to get trampled on by all the Ben Affleck fans. Some were chanting \"BEN, BEN, BEN, WE WANT BEN!\" Fools really. Margaret found an opening for us and quickly grabbed my hand and pulled me into that direction. We were there for about five minutes when a security guard came up to us and told us to under the rope, we were in the wrong location. We were now in commoners no man's land. Margaret hugged me close. \"We will definitely get to see him here!\" Okay, I'll admit I can hardly contain myself. I mean to actually be withing breathing distance of smelling him. Hmmm.. Wonder if he's wearing cologne. Personally, I do prefer the natural scent of a man (really, no pun intended), but still... Same security guard came up, we thought he was going to tell us to go back behind the rope, but he did the strangest thing. He let us into the theater! Margaret thought she'd get sick. I was confused. We had no tickets, we weren't dressed all fancy. Although, I was wearing a cute skirt and sweater set. Oh, my heart continued on in the same manner, I just knew it was too good to stay. We would be found out and soon! The stars finally exited their limousines. Geoffrey Rush was the first one out. Cameras were flashing people were screaming. The air was electric. Gwyneth came with Ben and all the teenyboppers uniformly started screaming, fainting and chanting. Still no sighting of what I was looking for. Margaret had her camera at the ready, barely able to contain herself. She caught sight of some other women who were chanting, \"Colin, Colin, Colin.\" She muttered a derogatory remark, which I silenced her with my glare. Finally, emerging from the limo with, I did a double take, not I did a triple take! Colin Firth came out of the limo right behind, Dame Judi Dench! I waited to see if anyone would come out of the car. I was expecting about 12 clowns to keep piling out of the car. As soon as I had the camera ready to take a picture, the security guard stepped into the picture completely blocking out the MAN. \"He's coming in here, you can take your pictures then.\" the security guard told us. \"I could manage to even have him take your picture.\" he smiled as if he just told the greatest joke. \"How about you tell him that we...\" Margaret stopped. \"Olivia!\" She tapped me on the shoulder. I turned around and standing before me was the MAN... To be Continued Note: Wouldn't weekly be better?? Laura"}, {"response": 9, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (10:05)", "body": "Laura, OLIVIA, what ever your name is - HOW CAN YOU DO THIS TO US ? Okay, I know I am shouting. What happened next?"}, {"response": 10, "author": "Arlene", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (10:51)", "body": "Good one, Laura. I like it. ;-p , , , , (Those little commas are drools over COLIN!"}, {"response": 11, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (14:41)", "body": "I like it too. (And I'm across the street 'cause I'm too chicken (read: proud) to get up close)"}, {"response": 12, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (14:41)", "body": "Laura, do you know some other Margaret or have I been leading secret-even-to-myself double-life? ;-) I get first hiney pinch! (If I'm that Margaret......)"}, {"response": 13, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (14:41)", "body": "This will be moved to this site: http://www.insidetheweb.com/messageboard/mbs.cgi?acct=mb94760 So you can visit Olivia weekly on Tuesdays. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 1140, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 115, "subject": "Shakespeare in Love SPOILERS!!", "response_count": 374, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (22:48)", "body": "Brilliant idea Heide. I wonder if those of us who have to wait until Jan 29th will be able to resist a visit now and again? Probably not, with all that talk of goatees and earrings, it will prove more than tempting!!"}, {"response": 2, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (23:14)", "body": "You're right, Lizza. See? I saw there was a posting here and checked inright away. Though I told myself if it was from someone who saw the film, I wouldn't read it. Yeah, sure."}, {"response": 3, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (02:08)", "body": "I am here lurking and looking for any info I can get. Out on this bit of Paradise, we will likely not see it until I purchase the video!!! So, if I collect enough snappies, I just may get some idea of what is going on!"}, {"response": 4, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (02:37)", "body": "Me? I don't care about \"spoilers\"....we all know the story anyway. I'll lurk, for sure."}, {"response": 5, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (03:05)", "body": "Heide: I can't wait to see this movie. Judi Dench was on Good Morning America this morning talking about her role. THey shouwed a good clip of her and Colin. Rita"}, {"response": 6, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (03:17)", "body": "Just FYI--the National Board of review named Shakespeare in Love one of the top ten movies this year (#5 to be exact). See, I told you it was good ;-) Here's the complete list: 1. Gods and Monsters 2. Saving Private Ryan 3. Elizabeth 4. Happiness 5. Shakespeare in Love 6. The Butcher Boy 7. Lolita 8. Thin Red Line 9. A Simple Plan 10. Dancing at Lughnasa"}, {"response": 7, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (03:48)", "body": "I'm so glad 'The Butcher Boy' was included in this list!!! I dragged two friends to see it, after I had already seen it the day before. THey weren't impressed.. but I think you might have had to have grown up Catholic in order to understand. Evelyn, you're right. We all know the story. There really isn't anything to spoil. The only parts that might be a \"surprise\" are the ones in which Shakespeare takes different elements from his and Viola's late night trysts, and incorporates them into the play. Sort of like the fanfic someone had rewritten a while back, recreating the lines from the Netherfield ball into a Darcy-Lizzy lovemaking exchange."}, {"response": 8, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (16:45)", "body": "(winter) The only parts that might be a \"surprise\" are the ones in which Shakespeare takes different elements from his and Viola's late night trysts, and incorporates them into the play. Even those might not be considered spoilers because we've seen some in the trailers. A balcony scene, the palm to palm dancing (kissing as two pilgrims do), \"the show...must go on.\" I've gotten the idea from seeing Tom Stoppard that their Shakespeare picked up a lot for R&J and 12th Night from things that were going on around him and things other people said. I think I even read somewhere that Will writes down neat phrases that say in regular conversation. So what would be a spoiler? I'd say it would be critical things that might bias an opinion, but then again not. We are all reading the print reviews and sometimes there are critical things there as well."}, {"response": 9, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Dec 11, 1998 (01:38)", "body": "I think there's plenty to spoil for some people. Then why am I here? I'm not really that concerned about it for myself though I do not want to know if there are any surprises at the end of this movie. I don't want to know intricate plot details. In short, I don't want to know anything I don't already know from the trailer and clips I've seen. And I don't want to know that everything I've seen is all there is to the movie. I do, however, want to hear how he looks, sounds, acts. I'd be happy hearing a out that here or anywhere. Tomorrow is D-Day for NYC and LA."}, {"response": 10, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Dec 11, 1998 (21:36)", "body": "Gwenythe Paltrow was on Rosie a few minutes ago with a clip of the scene when Wessex tells her that she is to marry him. I can't see where he looks fat, as a matter of fact he is gorgeous. She sauid, \"Wessex is played brilliantly by Colin Firth, he is wonderful, he' so funny. Hip Hip hurrah. She said it opens tonight in N.Y and L.A and the rest of the country Christmas day. I must see it he looks too good to be true. SIGH, SIGH SIGH"}, {"response": 11, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Dec 12, 1998 (16:22)", "body": "In the NY Times today there is a v. good review of SIL. It states \"Colin Firth plays Viola's fianc\ufffd as a perfect Mr. Wrong\". That is the only mention of our DB, but it's better than nothing."}, {"response": 12, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Dec 13, 1998 (15:16)", "body": "Here's a review at film.com ATTENTION SPOILER! No CF mention, but his character is described rather unflattering...."}, {"response": 13, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Dec 13, 1998 (15:20)", "body": "Well, that did not work at all. This is the address in case I fail again: http://www.film.com/ film.com Or, still better, here's the review: Masters on Display | Peter Brunette Though it's hard to imagine something new being said about or done to the Bard of Avon after all these centuries, the delightful Shakespeare in Love proves that when talented people work this vein, there's still plenty of gold left. I had high hopes going into this film, since it was written by the brilliant Tom Stoppard (author of \"Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead,\" and a host of other witty plays that utilize a postmodernist approach to classic literature, for laughs as well as for more serious matters), and directed by another Britisher, John Madden, who gave us the very well-done Mrs. Brown two years ago. These talented men do not disappoint. The central conceit of this occasionally profound and frequently hilarious film is that William Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes) was once a young, unknown playwright, an ink-stained wretch fully engaged in the day-to-day struggle to make a buck, working on a play called \"Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter.\" The theater manager (the ubiquitous Geoffrey Rush), wants him to work as many crowd-pleasing pratfalls and funny dogs into his opus as possible, but Will just can't get the words down. Along comes the ever-lovely Gwyneth Paltrow in the person of Viola, a rich but bourgeois young woman who is slated to marry a piggish, impoverished but heavily titled duke, but who would rather embark on an acting career, despite the period's strictures against women on stage. Not surprisingly, romance flares between the Will and Viola, and Stoppard has a grand old time interweaving the plot of their love story with the emerging masterpiece, now happily re-titled \"Romeo and Juliet.\" Madden keeps the editing and movement at and beyond an MTV pace, accompanied by a nonstop flurry of sight gags and restrained slapstick, and my guess is that this film is going to be popular among high-school English teachers searching, as ever, for ways to make the Bard relevant to their image-addled, print-challenged charges. The director also gets a lot of comic mileage out of the cross-dressing that was an unexceptionable feature of the Elizabethan stage. Stoppard's luxuriant, richly comic language cascades and washes over you, and, for once, more than keeps pace with the sprightly pictures. The constant, purposeful anachronisms, both verbal and visual, are wonderful and the usual problem with mounting Shakespeare--how to handle the famous bits of dialogue--is here wittily milked for its rich comic potential. The playwright also indulges himself in some in-crowd jokes (for example, having John Webster, the notorious author of some very grotesque plays, pop up throughout the film as a sicko teenager who likes \"the bloody parts\"), but that's just added pleasure for the cognoscenti that others won't even notice. Fiennes, Ralph's younger brother, is convincing and utterly charming as the feckless but promising playwright, though he needs to do something contemporary if he's not to be typecast as an Elizabethan (he was Elizabeth's lover in the recent film about her early days as monarch). Paltrow, on the other hand, has such a classic physiognomy and beauty that she seems more at home in period than contemporary roles. Here, she's fine as Viola, but when she actually acts Shakespeare (sporting a cute, pasted-on moustache) she is less than convincing. The same can be said for Ben Affleck -- who plays an egocentric actor whom Will Shakespeare entices into the role of Romeo's famously slain kinsman by telling him that the play is to be called \"Mercutio\" -- but his American-bred robustness and affability carry the day anyway. The action does drag a bit on occasion, and the film could have been nipped and tucked here and there, but when Stoppard and Madden contrive to make a happy ending out of a sad one, by segueing magnficently from \"Romeo and Juliet\" into the Bard's next play, \"Twelfth Night,\" you know that Shakespeare is not the only master on display here."}, {"response": 14, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 13, 1998 (22:44)", "body": "Just to satisfy my curiosity, one of the clips showed someone on horseback riding toward a castle (?) Was it Wessex? Do you know the scene?"}, {"response": 15, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Dec 14, 1998 (00:04)", "body": "Yes, I believe it was."}, {"response": 16, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 14, 1998 (17:38)", "body": "Yes, I believe it was. Kinda scary when you know a guy's backside and riding style that well! ;-)"}, {"response": 17, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Dec 14, 1998 (17:57)", "body": "I can't resist. I'm going home tonight, and swore I wouldn't have time to fritter away with my pals on this site, but I saw the movie on Friday AND IT'S WONDERFUL. Great fun - well acted, directed and, above all, written. It makes such a difference to have at least a passably well-done screenplay. CF is very good and there are plenty of scenes for you lot to dissect. I think Fiennes is good too, and Paltrow is, as the cliched film hacks say, \"luminous\". One oddity was the reaction of the audience. The film is bloody funny, true, and there are some good gags, especially early on. (There are not, thank God, TOO many jokes about 20th century references in the 16th cent. A few are amusing, and, no doubt, essential to draw in an audience many of whom would run away from Shakespeare unless, for the sake of being \"relevant\", he is made to eat at Wendy's and listen to the Spice Girls. There are also plenty of cute references to his plays.) BUT, it is also very p ignant, and there were some weirdly misplaced titters at some points. Anyway, all in all, a great show. I would put it in my top three films of the last couple of years (the others are LA Confidential and The Butcher Boy). So, you should perhaps allow a couple of days to talk about script/screenplay/acting/direction/cinematography and then proceed to Colin's deep brown eyes/ tight buns, which I suppose will take a year. (;-))."}, {"response": 18, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 14, 1998 (18:02)", "body": "(Ben) Colin's deep brown eyes/tight buns, which I suppose will take a year. (;-)). Since this is ***THE SPOILER*** topic, are those tight buns visible? Inquiring minds want to know. If so, I will want to lay in my supplies for that yearlong discussion!"}, {"response": 19, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Dec 14, 1998 (18:44)", "body": "(Ben)There are not, thank God, TOO many jokes about 20th century references in the 16th cent. A few are amusing, and, no doubt, essential to draw in an audience many of whom would run away from Shakespeare unless, for the sake of being \"relevant\", he is made to eat at Wendy's and listen to the Spice Girls. As I sit here eating my biggie fries and bleu cheese chicken sandwich, I think that I resemble that person. Oh, Spice Girls just popped on the radio, as I read, Twelfth Night (or what you will). (I'm not really, already read it and had bagel for lunch;)) Okay, Tom Stoppard I'm not. I don't understand why people think that the masses won't get the jokes? We are not all entirely ignorant. Do some of us not have faith in the American cinema-going public??? And Ben, GP as luminous, don't you think she resembles a Barbie doll? Ben have wonderful trip to Old Blighty, eat, drink or be merry and have wonderful holiday!"}, {"response": 20, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Dec 14, 1998 (20:13)", "body": "Renate, thanks for posting that review. Ben, is there a hint here that you are transferring your affections from JE to GP ? You have already seen that those tight buns attract the \"best\" leading ladies. Will you be staking out JE's London pad after all this holiday? Actually for \"Luminous\" read \"flavour of the year\" or as Laura said a bit of a Barbie!!"}, {"response": 21, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 15, 1998 (22:08)", "body": "(Laura) I don't understand why people think that the masses won't get the jokes? We are not all entirely ignorant. Isn't the \"Jaywalking\" segment your favorite? And isn't there a famous quote about no one ever lost money underestimating the intelligence of the American public????? I just look at the glazed over eyes of my high-school nieces and the groans I hear whenever I mention any British author, movie, television show, etc., and immediately understand what Miramax is trying to counter in its PR for this movie. They've got a major uphill battle, but at least the critics are helping them out. Do some of us not have faith in the American cinema-going public??? If you asked your average person on the street about Romeo and Juliet, they'd say it was a movie with Leonardo di Caprio...maybe."}, {"response": 22, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 16, 1998 (02:12)", "body": "Re: SIL... what Miramax is trying to counter in its PR for this movie. They've got a major uphill battle, but at least the critics are helping them out. I must say that GP and Ben Affleck have worked overtime in publicizing this film; they've made it cool and hip. With that title, and a heavy British cast....this movie was headed down the tubes in the US. Great strategy, Harvey. Now we want it repeated for MLSF!!"}, {"response": 23, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 17, 1998 (02:52)", "body": "From VARIETY December 14th: As the year-end award season got under way, a number of newly minted specialized releases showed early B.O. promise, most notably Miramax\ufffds critically-acclaimed \ufffdShakespeare in Love,\ufffd which wooed $220,000 on eight stages in New York and L.A. for a snappy $27,500 average."}, {"response": 24, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 17, 1998 (16:37)", "body": "Nursie... The movie is fantastic, and Colin has much more screen time than I had imagined. He is there from beginning to end. About the only scenes he's missing from are the ones of Will and Viola in bed (and there are lots of those). There are so many funny bits and sly jabs at the acting profession and movie/theater business, which many people miss. Ben Affleck is very good as the vain leading actor and his accent works just fine. I hadn't known who Jim Carter was exactly, but when I saw Mathieu from The Advocate, looking the same as he did, I couldn't believe it. He plays an actor who plays the Nurse in R&J. Well that's all for now. Will continue later."}, {"response": 25, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 20, 1998 (22:47)", "body": "From the Orange County Register (as referred to me by KJart or the other Karen): Biting the Bard that feeds them REVIEW: Strong supporting performances can't save 'Shakespeare's' slow pacing. December 11, 1998 By HENRY SHEEHAN The Orange County Register 'Shakespeare in Love' Stars: Joseph Fiennes, Gwyneth Paltrow, Geoffrey Rush Behind the scenes: Directed by John Madden; written by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard; produced by David Parfitt, Donna Gigliotti, Harvey Weinstein, Edward Zwick, Norman Playing: Opens today at Edwards South Coast Village Rating: R for sexuality Grade: B- Running time:2 hours You might like it if: You liked \"Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.\" There were many hands at work concocting \"Shakespeare in Love,\" a romantic comedy based on the fictional premise that a real-life love affair propelled the playwright, at a crucial stage in his young, as yet uncelebrated, career, into writing \"Romeo and Juliet.\" So, as you might expect, it's a bit of a patchwork affair, with wonderfully funny or touching moments suddenly giving way to stretches of dull overstatement or misbegotten attempts to reveal the playwright's sources of inspiration. But for its first half, at least, the movie is a lively entertainment, full of wit and, if not fully romantic, then at least romantically ambitious. The second half of the feature comes nowhere near the first's achievements, not an insignificant failure in a movie which is fully two hours long. But it does pull itself together for a \"surprise\" ending whose blatant employment of a grossly improbable dramatic invention to save the day may, on the one hand, be charitably read as a sly reference to Shakespeare's own fondness for such devices. For this, and for the sprightly verbal inventions that sprinkle the script, it's tempting to credit Tom Stoppard, the popularly intellectual playwright (\"Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead,\" \"Travesties\") who did a significant rewrite of a screenplay first penned by Marc Norman (whose more humble credits include \"Waterworld\"). But then, you'd have to also lay the blame for some verbal clunkers at Stoppard's feet, as the movie displays an almost compulsive need to drop a not-so-clever reference to the genesis of Shakespeare's plays or dialogue into nearly every street-corner conversation. Best then to concentrate on the laugh-embroidered romance, enacted by a matinee-idol style Joseph Fiennes (younger brother of Ralph) who plays young Shakespeare, and Gwyneth Paltrow, whose over-familiar tricks are roughly in sync with a young gentlewoman, Viola De Lesseps, who yearns for a career on stage. When the movie opens, Shakespeare is doing a bit of dramatic yearning himself. Still considered a junior rival to the more well-known Christopher Marlowe (Rupert Everett), Shakespeare's need for cash has led him to accept a double commission: one, from his regular impresario, Philip Henslowe (Geoffrey Rush), for a romance called \"Romeo and Ethel the Pirate's Daughter,\" and the other for a comedy for Henslowe's rival, Richard Burbage (Richard Clunes). Henslowe's need is the more pressing, since he has a we lthy merchant, Hugh Fennyman (Tom Wilkinson), after him for debts, and he's not above stooping to torture in his collections. Into this crucible of pressure, heightened by the playwright's inner need to make a splash, walks Viola, the stagestruck daughter of a wealthy merchant. Having seen Shakespeare's plays at the court of Queen Elizabeth (Judi Dench), she has fallen in love with the sensibility behind the poetry. When she disguises herself as a boy, Thomas Kemp, to take part in the Elizabethan Age's male-only universe of actors, she finds herself cast as Romeo. And when Shakespeare finally discovers that the young boy who so trangely stirs his fancy is actually a young woman, he not only pursues her with an ardency that challenges social order, but begins to transform the play into the passionate tragedy it became. The movie gets considerable pep from its supporting characters. Rush and Wilkinson make for a particularly fine comic team and Dench brings a sense of dramatic risk the overall action requires. But Colin Firth is also excellent, in a more straightforward part as the proud, if bankrupt nobleman who has planned to wed Viola and her fortune, even if it means running through an inconvenient playwright with his sword. It's when these supporting players are not around for contrast and the lovers are on their own that the movie sags. For some reason, director John Madden seems unsure that audiences will understand Shakespeare's literary inspiration arises from his own love affair, and so wastes many minutes cutting between Will and Viola's lovemaking and play rehearsals long after the point has been made. Then, too, Fiennes is livelier when his amorous advances are punctuated with comedy or action, while Paltrow's three asic facial expressions would be better parceled out over a longer period of time. Your final assessment of "}, {"response": 26, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Dec 21, 1998 (19:33)", "body": "Dame Winter, firstly I just wanted to add my admiration and thanks for your efforts on our behalf at the Special Screening of SIL in LA., you were very brave and your report was riverting. I hope he attends the London Premiere in which case I may make the trip to London but I can't imagine myself going anywhere near him. I hope you don't mind my asking but I have been dying to know how Colin's performance in SIL compares with his other roles, I have to wait until the end of January to decide for myself nd would love to hear your opinion, Hope this is not too cheeky from a newcomer."}, {"response": 27, "author": "juliep", "date": "Tue, Dec 22, 1998 (14:45)", "body": "I can't believe that negative review. I saw the movie the weekend it opened in New York and I LOVED it. In fact, I plan to see it again with another friend. GP doesn't turn me on (duh!), but I thought she was wonderful. CF's portrayal of an Elizabethan creep was terrific, and Joseph Fiennes does things to me that his brother never could. I must admit, however, that I just don't get Ben Affleck. He's another androgynous child as far as I'm concerned. GP seems to like males who look as if they won't s art shaving for a couple of years yet. Not me! Give me CF or Joseph Fiennes any day!"}, {"response": 28, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Dec 22, 1998 (16:28)", "body": "Joseph Fiennes does things to me that his brother never could. LOL, today is Count Almushy's 36th birthday too:) Joe Fiennes' star is definitely rising. I see him as the hottest thing to hit the American Shores since.... Ralph Fiennes;)"}, {"response": 29, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Dec 26, 1998 (07:22)", "body": "I've seen it!!! Yea!!! Joseph Fiennes does things to me that his brother never could. Absolutely. Ralph has never done anything for me, he's always seemed passionless and wooden, but little Joey doesn't have that problem. Gwenyth -- Got sick of her English = nasal accent Affleck -- Nice part and nicely done Rupert -- Good to see him with less hair. Colin -- I think I could settle for him if I couldn't have Shakespeare ;-) I liked it quite a bit, but I thought it seemed a little slow at times. Part of that is the fact that I think love scenes tend to slow movies down. They are almost never interesting (The Tall Guy with Emma Thompson is one humerous exception.)"}, {"response": 30, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Dec 26, 1998 (23:08)", "body": "Saw it finally! Just read the review, Karen. Too early for me to make a fiar assessment, most of my film viewing moments were waiting for Colin to come on screen or watching his every facial expression while he was on screen. I'll see it again it 2 weeks but I see some justification in the reviewer's assessment of Viola and Will's scenes. But Joe Fiennes was excellent! Have to agree that he blows his brother away. Did like all the asides and innuendo in the script though I'm sure I missed many. Like the bits about show business: (Henslowe) \"The show must...you know...\" (Shakespeare) \"Go on!\" And the priest (or whoever he was always outside the theatre) constantly spouting about \"the business of show\". (Ann) Colin -- I think I could settle for him if I couldn't have Shakespeare ;-) Absolutely. The colonies didn't look that bad. (Ann W) I have been dying to know how Colin's performance in SIL compares with his other roles It's probably too early for me to really say but considering that he's playing a character with absolutely no redeeming qualities and did it without overplaying it or stretching it out for laughs speaks well to me. My first impression, of course, is his curly locks are looking fine, that voice makes me melt as always, and I really like the earring. Plus anytime Colin is using his sword is a happy day for me. ;-)"}, {"response": 31, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Dec 27, 1998 (02:11)", "body": "(Heide)Plus anytime Colin is using his sword is a happy day for me. ;-) Well, well, well and from reading topic 34, I think I know where your head was during the sword scenes;)"}, {"response": 32, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Dec 27, 1998 (03:40)", "body": "Colin plays something of a baffoon again. I don't know why he keeps getting cast in those sorts of roles. I thought he made his character more multifaceted than the script might have called for. I kinda liked Wessex, though he was a bit thick."}, {"response": 33, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Dec 27, 1998 (11:26)", "body": "Ann, from reading your comments and one over at Darcy Dilliriums, I am afraid that by taking this role Colin will alienate many of his fans (not me he can do no wrong as far as I am concerned), what do you think? BTW I have not seen it yet I have to wait until the 29th Jan. Also its a shame that if he had to take this unpopular role that he has not been noticed by the critis who by and large have ignored him and mentioned other supporting roles as being worthy. I'm really sorry to sound so pessimistic but I think like everyone else I had such high hopes for him in this film."}, {"response": 34, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Dec 27, 1998 (11:28)", "body": "by th critics (of course) sorry"}, {"response": 35, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec 27, 1998 (16:35)", "body": "I have just seen SIL also. This is a magnificent film....one that any actor would want in his resume. The script is so fast paced, it is electric.Tom Stoppard and Marc Norman.should win an award for the screenplay The ensemble casting flawless..It well deserved all the kudos it is receiving. I thought GP and JF were superb.Great chemistry. (I happen to like brother Rafe more...puts more gravitas in his acting. But Joe is young) Colin's part is small,but he is in it from start to finish. Always looks gorgeous. He played the role perfectly without overdoing it. I have two tips for anyone who has not seen it: 1. Do NOT let anyone divulge the ending. 2. Do Not wait to see this film on video. Must be seen on big screen. You will feel you are back in 16C. England. The sounds of the crowd in particular. I felt I was in the audience of the Rose Theatre.Sound Track a must to own. I think this film will win many awards. The theatre was 99% full when I saw it. Everyone laughed at the right time, and people stayed to see the credits!! I would rather see Colin in this film than in a starring role of a B film."}, {"response": 36, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Dec 27, 1998 (21:12)", "body": "Ann, from reading your comments and one over at Darcy Dilliriums } I don't know if I've ever been there, so that might be another Ann."}, {"response": 37, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 27, 1998 (22:18)", "body": "OK, I've seen it three (3) times now!! And Joe Fiennes gets better and better. The more you watch him and listen to him, he puts GP to shame. Initially, you write it off to the fact that she is playing a man when she's reciting Romeo's lines, but later, when she's doing Juliet, she just doesn't compare. Don't get me wrong, she brings quite a bit to the role and their chemistry is fantastic, but Joe is something else. (And you all know how much I detest the big bro.) Re: Colin as Wessex. After seeing SiL the second time, I went home and watched Valmont. After the third time, I watched Fever Pitch. I needed a Colin-as-cutie chaser after a tall and cold Wessex."}, {"response": 38, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Dec 27, 1998 (22:28)", "body": "Ann, I'm sorry if I confused you what I meant was that your comments re Colin being cast as a buffoon tied in with another fan's similar comments at Darcy Deliriums and I was afraid that he may be losing fans by accepting such unsympathetic roles. Do you you still consider your self a CF fan after seeidng him in SIL. the same question to Karen."}, {"response": 39, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Dec 27, 1998 (22:30)", "body": "Sorry about the typing errors."}, {"response": 40, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 27, 1998 (22:47)", "body": "Ann W, of course I consider myself a Colin fan. I am just troubled that the last two roles he has had in major motion pictures (TEP and SiL) may become a continuing trend. It would be a shame because he is capable of so much more. Another thought could be that Colin is purposely taking these roles to get away from the period drama romantic lead typecasting that he mentioned before. If that's the case, then he has succeeded."}, {"response": 41, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Dec 27, 1998 (23:03)", "body": "I absolutely agree Karen that Colin is capable of so much more than a small supporting role and I think the Producers think so to or otherwise why would they give him such high billing, fourth in the credits seems higher than the role would warrant. re your second paragraph, if you are right then I am very sorry."}, {"response": 42, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Dec 27, 1998 (23:04)", "body": "Too not to, sorry again"}, {"response": 43, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Dec 27, 1998 (23:25)", "body": "So Evelyn, when you left the theatre, were you remarking loudly about what a fine actor that Colin Firth is? I dropped his name a few times but the audience in the theater I was in was sparse. This was Saturday at the 12:15 pm showing. Figures these local neanderthals wouldn't see a film with the word \"Shakespeare\" in it. (Karen) After the third time, I watched Fever Pitch. I needed a Colin-as-cutie chaser after a tall and cold Wessex. LOL. So right. Not that Wessex's bad looking but I think you've got the \"cold\" part down pat and I wasn't particularly enamoured of him to see him scrambling away from the Queen like a little roach. Ann W, you've brought up some interesting points and if you bring them over to 116 others may want to share in the discussion too. For me, I'd say if someone is turned off Colin because of this role, then they aren't really an admirer of his acting talent, just his looks. I see what you mean about his past choices of roles. He's in few mainstream movies but the ones we've seen of him in the past few years he's played the cad, Simon Westwood in Circle of Friends, the buffoon, Geoffrey Clinton in EP, and now Lord Wessex. People I know who have seen P&P can not believe that this is the same actor who has played these roles. That's where a dose of Fever Pitch is needed and that kind of role would be the one I'd love to see him do again. So Evelyn, when you say you'd rather see him in a role like SiL than a leading role in a B movie I'd agree that I like him in this but if Fever Pitch is a B movie (what do you think?), I'd rather have him do that. That's just me, though. The more I read the above, the more I think if we continue this thread, we should continue at 116. Evelyn, would you prefer we not talk about the ending here? It's okay by me."}, {"response": 44, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Dec 28, 1998 (00:44)", "body": "For those of us who still haven't seen it; although Gwyneth and Bennie boy have been all over Boston and Cambridge. They have been everywhere and the fans are having the greatest time of it!"}, {"response": 45, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec 28, 1998 (01:39)", "body": "(Laura) Gwyneth and Bennie boy have been all overBoston and Cambridge. Those tow kids have worked their buns off promoting SIL. And Ben Affleck is terrific. His British accent is fine and he delivers his lines with great skill..he has a natural timing that plays to comedy.I was v. impressed. (Heide)Evelyn, would you prefer we not talk about the ending here? Heide, I would hate for anyone who has not seen SIL to come upon a discussion of the ending on this board. I know before I saw it I could not resist clicking on here. Thanks to everyone for not spoiling it for me.But, you're the boss:-) (Heide)So Evelyn, when you say you'd rather see him in a role like SiL than a leading role in a B movie I'd agree that I like him in this but if Fever Pitch is a B movie But how many people have seen FP? I'm just talking about exposure.SIL and TEP are timeless films. Any actor would be a fool to pass either one up. I agree this belongs in 116. (Heide) when you left the theatre, were you remarking loudly about what a fine actor that Colin Firth is? I dropped his name a few times but the audience in the theater I was in was sparse My theatre was 4 seats short of sold out....maybe 400 people. And yes, I did remark about CF's performance. The man next to me said: \"The whole damn cast was good\".I was v. proud of the mid-America audience... We tend to patronize the great \"unwashed\", but they recognize excellence."}, {"response": 46, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec 28, 1998 (02:36)", "body": "The Sunday NY TIMES rated SIL #5 among the Best Films of 1998. \"5. 'SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE' Mischievously literate Elizabethans, hilarious backstage farce and the sultry teamwork of Joseph Fiennes and Gwyneth Paltrow (as passionate prototypes for Romeo and Juliet) made this the most enchanting entertainment of the year. With a sparkling screenplay by Tom Stoppard and Marc Norman, John Madden's film had the temerity to speculate about Shakespeare's life on the basis of his work. Rarely has such presumptuousness paid off so shamelessly well. Amid a splendid supporting ast, the stars shone even more brightly than Sandy Powell's spectacular costumes."}, {"response": 47, "author": "juliep", "date": "Mon, Dec 28, 1998 (20:41)", "body": "I agree with those who don't think Ralph Fiennes is the second coming, and would also like to put in a word for those of us who didn't like TEP. I started looking at my watch after around 10-15 minutes. CF was wasted in this film. I hadn't even realized he was in it. I was so bored that my mind started to wander and all of a sudden it hit me that Kristin Scott-Thomas' jerky husband was being played by - of all people - Mr. Darcy! I took a little more interest from then on, but not much. I thought th movie was far too stupid to pay serious attention to. In fact, I thought it was the most boring film I could remember seeing. Until Titanic, that is. But that is a rant for another time and another place."}, {"response": 48, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec 28, 1998 (21:47)", "body": "I have just ordered the sound track of SIL from Tower Records; SIL #63387 $18.94 Total Tower records 1-800-648-4844 (This is a UK company so the London one must have it too) Neither Barnes & Noble or Amazon.com have the screenplay yet. But coming.. :-)"}, {"response": 49, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Dec 28, 1998 (22:05)", "body": "That's a lot of money for a soundtrack, Evelyn."}, {"response": 50, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Dec 28, 1998 (22:44)", "body": "I must admit I have some sympathy with Julie P.'s point of view."}, {"response": 51, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Dec 28, 1998 (22:59)", "body": "About discussing the ending here....the whole point of the topic is for those who have seen it, to be able to talk about it without spoiling it for others. The people who are visiting here, I am assuming, aren't concerned with finding out what happens in the film or they wouldn't be here. I would like to discuss the ending at some point because I think we'll find there are two very different opinions as to what happened. Other thoughts...? I'd prefer this be as democratic as possible. (Laura) For those of us who still haven't seen it; What? Please 'splain, Laura. Julie, you'll get no argument from me either, especially about Titanic, but yes, that's a whole other rant."}, {"response": 52, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 29, 1998 (01:23)", "body": "(Laura)That's a lot of money for a soundtrack, Evelyn. Unless one goes to Best Buy or Cost Plus that's the going rate for mail order CDs($18.75). And hey, if you lived in UK you'd be paying that in UKP!! Sorry,... I liked TEP, RF, and Titanic. And I don't feel like I'm not being a faithful fan of Colin's. I see every one of his films at the cinemas. Thursday I'm taking a carful for the second time to see SIL.I just think there is a lot of excellence out there.And I'm not afraid to acknowledge it.But...that's my opinion."}, {"response": 53, "author": "Ann", "date": "Tue, Dec 29, 1998 (05:52)", "body": "Do you you still consider your self a CF fan after seeidng him in SIL. } Well, I've always been a semi-fan of his. (I'm a bit of a heritic on this site.) I likes AMITC, Valmont, and P&P, but he has shown som poor choices in the films he gets--or is offered. I know he went through that Meg-Tilly induced dry period, but lately his small, supporting, almost-background roles have also been disappointing career choices."}, {"response": 54, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Dec 29, 1998 (13:48)", "body": "Okay, I SAW IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and I..... LOVED IT!!!! The sight gags, the wordplay, swordplay, Joe Fiennes (WOW!), Rupert Everett(small part, I know, but so damn handsome!) and of course, Mr. Evil incarnate himself, Wessex.... Colin Firth was hysterical! I laughed at just about every scene he was in. Making an arse out of himself sometimes, but... There was one scene in which he turns and I totally expected him to spew forth \"And this is the reply I am to expect!\" He had the exact same look! Gwyneth Paltrow was luminous, but she still reminds me of a Barbie Doll! Ben Affleck, was hysterical. And the dog... Well there has to be a dog I guess. I saw SIL in Cambridge with all the literarati so they got ALL the jokes, however, I was the only one who laughed at the Tobacco futures! (I think because I work in the financial biz?) CF delivered that line so deadpan! it was perfection. Anyway, must see it again, for the lines I MISSED from laughing so hard!"}, {"response": 55, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Dec 29, 1998 (13:49)", "body": "ugh"}, {"response": 56, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Dec 29, 1998 (13:50)", "body": "ugh!!!!"}, {"response": 57, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 29, 1998 (15:29)", "body": "Good Morning America just listed SIL as #3 on the Best Films of the Year. his small, supporting,almost-background roles have also been disappointing career choices. I am reminded of an interview I saw with Judi Dench who said she told John Madden (director) that she would be in any of his films.... even to walk the dog!! I think actors select roles on a different level. And hey...write to the guy...tell him you don't like his current roles.. After all it's his fans who put the pasta on the table."}, {"response": 58, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 29, 1998 (16:29)", "body": "Laura, what did you do to our font??? Close whatever tag you opened, please!!"}, {"response": 59, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 29, 1998 (16:33)", "body": "Looks like it's ok now. Bizarre. Anyway, I'd like to discuss the ending as there seems to be some difference of opinion. I'm on the side that the ending is all in Shakespeare's mind. He is writing Twelfth Night and this is what he is visualizing taking place. I never took it for what actually happened to Viola and Wessex enroute to America. The only reason it is GP on shore is that Viola will always live in his imagination as he writes his plays. Anybody else?"}, {"response": 60, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Dec 29, 1998 (16:52)", "body": "It did look like CF in the water, tho???? I did close the tags several times!!!! everytime I did UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 61, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Dec 29, 1998 (16:55)", "body": "ah, normality, if one can call it that! Okay, re: Ending. definitely what Karen said. but in Twelfth Night, Viola is NOT the only survivor, her brother Sebastian and his man, ugh, can't remember name yet, survive also. Actually a whole entourage of people survive! Anyway, \"If music be the food of love, play on....\" a play on that was in the movie too!"}, {"response": 62, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 29, 1998 (17:00)", "body": "Yeah, but they don't wash up on the same beach. Remember they are separated until the end."}, {"response": 63, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 29, 1998 (17:05)", "body": "Another thing, Wessex didn't say \"tobacco futures\" he said he thought it had a future. A little different, Laura. I thought it was pretty funny that way as well. ;-)"}, {"response": 64, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Dec 29, 1998 (19:41)", "body": "I know that, actually he did say tobacco futures but before he says there is a future in Tobacco;) hee hee."}, {"response": 65, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 29, 1998 (20:44)", "body": "But future doesn't mean necessarily \"financial futures.\" I'd go with the simple on this one. Stoppard may not be a pit denizen."}, {"response": 66, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Tue, Dec 29, 1998 (20:59)", "body": "(Laura) Mr. Evil incarnate himself, Wessex.... Colin Firth was hysterical! I laughed at just about every scene he was in. Making an arse out of himself sometimes, but... And I think he had great fun with the character. My fav scence is toward the end, just outside the church, when the R&J playbill smacked him in the face, just before GP escapes back to the play. I LOVE this movie! (Karen) I'm on the side that the ending is all in Shakespeare's mind. He is writing Twelfth Night and this is what he is visualizing taking place. I never took it for what actually happened to Viola and Wessex enroute to America. The only reason it is GP on shore is that Viola will always live in his imagination as he writes his plays. I'll buy that. In this case, Wessex may be the loser, but he gets the girl in the end. (Evelyn) I think actors select roles on a different level. Actors and other creative types usually follow their emotional rather than intellectual instincts. The lucky ones have the right management. And don't forget, stardom does not equal happiness."}, {"response": 67, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 29, 1998 (21:42)", "body": "(Karen)I never took it for what actually happened to Viola and Wessex enroute to America. The only reason it is GP on shore is that Viola will always live in his imagination as he writes his plays. Anybody else? Aw, Karen...I think you're reaching for it. I'm the literate kind.... Essex and Viola are both in that water and both die. It's her ghost walking on the beach. Isn't that just like Tom Stoppard to write such a controversial ending? I hope he has his Oscar speech ready."}, {"response": 68, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (00:21)", "body": "test"}, {"response": 69, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (00:23)", "body": "oh f**k!"}, {"response": 70, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (00:26)", "body": "again?"}, {"response": 71, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (00:39)", "body": "I don't think there was a shipwreck at the end either. I think it's just a device to move forward to Twelfth Night. His inspiration was already the cross dressing Viola did - Shakespeare has to continue the story now from his own imagination. I think the scene of Viola walking on the shore alone was more symbolic than real. I thought the narrative said that there was a survivor in this fabled shipwreck. (Am I wrong, Karen? You've seen this more times than anybody.) If Viola really had survived a shipwreck, do you think she'd just be walking aimlessly forever - that no one would have returned her to England? Is this the ending some people don't want to discuss?"}, {"response": 72, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (00:58)", "body": "Sequel, Sequel, Sequel!!! Tricky Tom is setting us up here (heehee)"}, {"response": 73, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (19:43)", "body": "(Heide) I thought the narrative said that there was a survivor in this fabled shipwreck. I believe you are correct. Haven't bought the screenplay yet, as it hasn't hit the stores yet. (Am I wrong, Karen? You've seen this more times than anybody.) Well more than anyone else posting on this board.... ;-) If Viola really had survived a shipwreck, do you think she'd just be walking aimlessly forever - that no one would have returned her to England? The Viola of Shakespeare's imagination (and Twelfth Night) washes up on shore in Illyria or something like that, not Miami Beach. In the actual play, she is not alone, but with the Captain and a bunch of sailors. The disparity here may just be that this was his first draft. He then figured out that he needed her to have companions who would be able to dress her up like a boy. ;-) A couple of times I thought I found mistakes with the script (like the Henry number that Affleck uses) but they have been very true to the facts as they are known. However, if anyone is going to see SiL soon, please pay attention to the Scene number that Shakespeare writes at the end as he begins. I thought he wrote \"Scene 1. The Sea Coast.\" That scene is actually Scene 2. (Evelyn) I hope he has his Oscar speech ready. I agree, he cannot lose. Only members of the Writers Guild vote in this category and they would most certainly appreciate the full extent of the script. I would be embarrassed for Marc Norman though. It would appear that his only contribution was the idea (from his son) and maybe the \"Pirate's Daughter\" part of the title. ;-)"}, {"response": 74, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (23:11)", "body": "(Karen), The Viola of Shakespeare's imagination (and Twelfth Night) washes up on shore in Illyria or something like that, not Miami Beach. In the actual play, she is not alone, but with the Captain and a bunch of sailors. The disparity here may just be that this was his first draft. He then figured out that he needed her to have companions who would be able to dress her up like a boy. Very true Karen and the cross dressing once more would tie it nicely to Romeo & Juliet. Heide, not only did it say there was a survivor, we saw her as the survivor. I would like to add what a wonderful job Colin did on horseback. It is not easy to ride with the heavy costume and effortlessly jump off and continue a scene. He played the chump once more and that was disappointing, frankly, I do not understand how Livia could see SIL so many times. But then again, all she has to do is look at him and he smiles back. I miss his smiles. Joe F is certainly a discovery after SIL and E. Karen, how many times have you seen it?"}, {"response": 75, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (23:25)", "body": "(Karen) The disparity here may just be that this was his first draft. That's the assumption I would make and a perfectly plausible one it is. In my case, when I say Viola walking on the beach, I mean Viola of SiL, not of Twelfth Night. In other words, if there was indeed a shipwreck and Viola was the only survivor, (hence Will's inspiration for his next play) why would she not be returned to England? Since I think it implausible that she would remain in the colonies, I think the shipwreck is when Will's imagination kicks in and his inspiration is only Viola dressing like a man. From then on it's all Shakespeare. Whew! A lot of words to explain one viewpoint. There are definitely two interpretations of the ending of this film, though. So anyone who hasn't seen it and really didn't want to know the ending, know that at least you can come up with your own understanding of what actually happened at the end. (Karen) I would be embarrassed for Marc Norman though. It would appear that his only contribution was the idea (from his son) and maybe the \"Pirate's Daughter\" part of the title. ;-) I missed that one. Must be why he's kept such a low profile. I hope he makes a very gracious acceptance speech. So would those of you who have seen this say that Viola's mother was truly distraught to see her married and gone away? Or was it a show? Kind of like Mrs. Bennet. I loved Colin's rolled eyes at her sobbing when he came to pick up his money from her father."}, {"response": 76, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (23:30)", "body": "Welcome back Moon! He played the chump once more and that was disappointing.. Well we certainly know he can do it to perfection. Maybe he'll start looking for a new challenge - the hero!"}, {"response": 77, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (23:41)", "body": "Yes Welcome back Moon, I hope you don't think this is cheeky of me as I am a relative newcomer but I was wondering as Colin may be in the US this weekemd, is there any chance that he may answer the questions, sorry to be so pushy. I must say that by reading everyone's disappointment at him playing the chump that I am not looking forward to to 29th January, quite as much as I was. However, it certainly shows what a great actor he is , a chameleon among actors and he is said to have had great fun doing it and that is the main thing."}, {"response": 78, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (23:51)", "body": "What a mishmash, I really don't know what happened, please let me repeat my posting. Welcome back Moon, I hope you don't think this is cheeky of me as I am a relative newcomer but I was wondering as Colin may be in the US this weekend, whether there is any chance that he may answer the questions, sorry to be so pushy but I am dying to know if he has any future projects in mind, I want to move on from SIL as I regret I am not looking froward to it as much as I was in view of everyone's disappointment as his playing the chump, however, it shows what a versatile actor he is and he is said to have had great fun doing it and that is the main thing."}, {"response": 79, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec 31, 1998 (02:30)", "body": "Hello Ann W, so happy to meet you. I too am waiting for Colin to answer and we must be patient (always a good New Years Resolution). It is hard I know. I do not think the A&E interview is live so he could be anywhere. My guess is that he is in Italy. Heide do you think there is a sequel in the making by the way they ended SIL?"}, {"response": 80, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Dec 31, 1998 (15:22)", "body": "You sure sound like you're hoping, Moon, but I don't think the ending was left open for the possibility of a sequel. An ending filled with questions is always more tantalizing than an ending tightly wrapped. Sequels rarely live up to the original anyway. I don't think I'd like to see one in this case. By the way, since it's not always easy to write to you ;-), the questions were re-sent to London on 12/22."}, {"response": 81, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec 31, 1998 (15:54)", "body": "It is only because I am starved for good films that I wonder if there might be a sequel. I look forward to a Firthfilled New Year!"}, {"response": 82, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 31, 1998 (17:27)", "body": "(Heide) In my case, when I say Viola walking on the beach, I mean Viola of SiL, not of Twelfth Night. In other words, if there was indeed a shipwreck and Viola was the only survivor, (hence Will's inspiration for his next play) why would she not be returned to England? Since I think it implausible that she would remain in the colonies, I think the shipwreck is when Will's imagination kicks in and his inspiration is only Viola dressing like a man. From then on it's all Shakespeare. I don't follow. Need more coffee."}, {"response": 83, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Dec 31, 1998 (19:20)", "body": "Just say you agree with me, Karen. ;-) I'm afraid if I keep on, I'll dig myself an even deeper hole in the sand."}, {"response": 84, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan  1, 1999 (01:49)", "body": "( Heide)I think the shipwreck is when Will's imagination kicks in and his inspiration is only Viola I agree. Just saw it second time. Shipwreck scene...(even with a male that looked like Essex) is in Will's imagination. Earlier in the film he talks about this to Viola as a dream he had.The shipwreck scene then acts as his inspiration for Twelfth Night:Scene 1. The coast."}, {"response": 85, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sat, Jan  2, 1999 (19:09)", "body": "I'm with you, Heide and Evelyn, the shipwreck was entirely in Will's imagination. It was the only way he could cope with Viola leaving with Wessex. Remember, the scene starts with Will writing away, then fades to the shipwreck. I don't think there will be a sequel. I made a quick scan of the comments. I noted one about Colin's horseback riding, but how about his singing? I was LOL. Shorter than 'yes, we have no bananas,' but equally entertaining! I will definitely have to see this again. I missed alot. I was glad to see so much of Colin, even if he was the bad guy. I enjoyed hearing the rest of the audience (small, since I was at a matinee) chuckle and grunt when he was left alone in the carraige after the wedding. The more people dislike Wessex, the better Colin is at doing his job! He can get so much across with his facial expressions. I've always known this, but it seemed instantaneous in this movie."}, {"response": 86, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan  2, 1999 (22:31)", "body": "The CD of SIL is **wonderful**. I bet Stephen Warbeck who composed the original score gets an Oscar Nomination. The CD features two themes involving Wessex: #9 The Arrival of Wessex #17 Wessex Loses a Bride. Didn't you love it after the wedding when he says to the guests: \"You all come and visit us in Virginia\".Then he goes into the carriage and is alone.....reminiscent of Geoffrey Clifton waiting for Katherine in the taxi!! She doesn't show up either. This guy says he hates to be stereotyped ...so what does he call those two roles in a row!"}, {"response": 87, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jan  3, 1999 (00:18)", "body": "(Evelyn) Didn't you love it after the wedding when he says to the guests: \"You all come and visit us in Virginia\".Then he goes into the carriage and is alone.... Yes, that is my new favorite scene. I'm still laughing out loud while I'm reading your description of it, Evelyn. Like he really wants these people to come visit him in Virginia. \"you all\" I'm curious... so she leaves him alone in the carriage. At this point, what's to stop him from just leaving her there and continuing on alone? I'd guess you'd have to say it was his pride - I suppose the money was his by then."}, {"response": 88, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Jan  3, 1999 (01:02)", "body": "Siskel and Ebert have put out their top ten lists for 1998: Siskel #5 = SIL (#1=Babe Pig in the City) Ebert #8 = SIL (#1=Dark City)"}, {"response": 89, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Jan  4, 1999 (00:09)", "body": "I finally saw it this weekend (twice!) I really enjoyed the film and thought CF was a great villain. With an actor of lesser talent, Wessex could have been a cartoon, but CF made him seem real. Just not very likeable! I just wish there had been more of him. Maybe I got my hopes up too high by reading other's posts but the role was a smaller than I realized. I agree Evelyn and Heide that the carriage scene was hysterical. I also loved the way he said \"You are allowed to show your pleasure.\" Too funny."}, {"response": 90, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Jan  4, 1999 (00:47)", "body": "For those of you who missed the interview, following is a URL that will lead you to the transcription (as well as I could do it) and appropriate Snappies. Enjoy :-) http://firth.com/html/bwaintvw.html"}, {"response": 91, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan  4, 1999 (19:42)", "body": "(Eileen) I noted one about Colin's horseback riding, but how about his singing? I was LOL. Shorter than 'yes, we have no bananas,' but equally entertaining! Wasn't that a little surprise. I know this is the SPOILER topic, but when I've talked to other Colin people I still haven't divulged that little bit. Don't know why... Other parts I haven't told people about are the \"ghost\" scene and the flat-footed running."}, {"response": 92, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (08:13)", "body": "We are all devoted to Colin and his acting ability but perhaps less enthralled with his character, Lord Wessex. From the interview, we've gathered he was up for Will in 1992. He was just 31/32 -not too old then, I don't think, but he certainly would be in 1998. Question: If Colin could not play Will, and if he hadn't played Wessex, is there any other role in this film you would have preferred he play?"}, {"response": 93, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (12:23)", "body": "Queen Elizabeth? I think I would've liked to have seen him in that get up:)"}, {"response": 94, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (06:33)", "body": "How about Ben Affleck's role? A bit smaller, but more agreeable, wouldn't you say? I couldn't imagine him as anyone else. What would they have done to his teeth (i.e., Goeffrey Rush, Judi Dench)?? Hah! I would have loved to see Colin as Will (you're right, he wasn't too old) but regret is completely offset by realization that in '92, it wasn't this script or this director. Julia Roberts was to be Viola. The thought of this movie \"Hollywood-ized\" leaves me cold. Hmmmm, perhaps a comet would have smashed into the Globe theater? BTW, I saw \"You've Got Mail\" yesterday solely for P&P references. SiL is a *MUCH* better movie."}, {"response": 95, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  6, 1999 (18:20)", "body": "I agree, I think Colin would have been smashing as the vain actor Ned Allyn that Ben Affleck played. It would have been something we haven't seen him do yet, or has there been a part like that? The neat thing about the Ned Allyn role is that he comes off very well, putting the play finally ahead of his own ego and we like him for that. When I said that Colin was too old for the part of Will Shakespeare, that didn't mean he is too old in anyway to do romantic leads. Playing against a Julie Roberts, his age (32) wouldn't have been a problem, but against a Gwyneth Paltrow, definitely. Much as Colin still has his boyish good looks (that we last saw in FP), they would have looked at the whole picture (Gwyneth and her leading man together) and frankly Joe F as made up to be WS looks right."}, {"response": 96, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  6, 1999 (18:21)", "body": "I agree, I think Colin would have been smashing as the vain actor Ned Allyn that Ben Affleck played. It would have been something we haven't seen him do yet, or has there been a part like that? The neat thing about the Ned Allyn role is that he comes off very well, putting the play finally ahead of his own ego and we like him for that. When I said that Colin was too old for the part of Will Shakespeare, that didn't mean he is too old in anyway to do romantic leads. Playing against a Julia Roberts, his age (32) wouldn't have been a problem, but against a Gwyneth Paltrow, definitely. Much as Colin still has his boyish good looks (that we last saw in FP), they would have looked at the whole picture (Gwyneth and her leading man together) and frankly Joe F as made up to be WS looks right."}, {"response": 97, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan  6, 1999 (22:01)", "body": "I am sorry Colin didn't get to play Will in 92...the right age.Although JF looks like Shakespeare.He is slighter in build than Colin. But I'm glad they gave the script re-write to Tom Stoppard. IMO the script makes this film... and the direction."}, {"response": 98, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan  7, 1999 (02:27)", "body": "Today's Chicago Tribune has printed a guide to SiL. All those burning questions of who's who? Then there's a picture of Colin with Judi Dench (one of his bowing and scraping ones) but he goes uncredited!! Caption reads: Elizabeth I (Judi Dench) went to the theater in \"Shakespeare in Love.\" In truth, the theater came to her. Questions asked and answered: 1) What's with that young, preteen ragamuffin John Webster, who shows a fondness for pet rodents and gory stage business in the movie? 2) Who is Christopher Marlowe and, as the movie suggests, might he possibly have helped Shakespeare to write his plays? 3) Was there really a woman named Viola De Lesseps and might Shakespeare have ahd an affair with her? 4) Was there really a Rosaline, the promiscuous wench sleeping with Shakespeare, Burbage and a government official in the movie? 5) Was there really an actor named Ned Alleyn, the boisterous, declamatory character played by Ben Affleck? 6) Is it likely Queen Elizabeth I went to a public Elizabethan theater as she does in the play and met William Shakespeare? 7) Was there really an Elizabethan theater called the Rose? 8) Was there a rival company run by an actor named Richard Burbage?"}, {"response": 99, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan  7, 1999 (02:29)", "body": "(Evelyn) IMO the script makes this film... and the direction. Interesting thing, Evelyn, is that this article only talks about Stoppard doing this and Stoppard doing that. Does make one wonder what else Marc Norman might have contributed beside the pirate angle?"}, {"response": 100, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan  7, 1999 (16:09)", "body": "Karen...would I be asking too much if I asked you to give us the answers to the Chicago Tribune questions, please. I know some, but not all...Rosaline?Ned Alleyn?.. did E.I go to a public theatre? Great PR even if poor Colin goes uncredited in the photos. BTW, I have wondered why Rupert Everett went uncredited in SIL. Personal choice? Anybody know?"}, {"response": 101, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan  7, 1999 (16:42)", "body": "No problem, but will have to boil them down. 1) John Webster wrote 2 bloody classics: The White Devil and The Duchess of Malfi. Little is known of his life, but he may have been an actor as well. 2) Big explanation of Marlowe. He did die in a tavern fight. Long-standing literary debate about whether Marlowe secretly survived the tavern fight and wrote S's plays. 3) No Viola and no Wessex. Explanation of S's marriage to Anne Hathaway and how he was in London without her around 1592. But points out use of name Viola and gender changing relevance to Twelfth Night. 4) Is one of S's fictional characters in R&J, the one Romeo is mooning over at the beginning. \"Her portrayal as a slut who two-times S is Stoppard's playful way of suggesting the playwright was getting Cupid's revenge in naming the Romeo and Juliet character.\" 5) Edward Alleyn was an actual actor celebrated for his bombastic style and known to have appeared in a number of Marlowe's plays. 6) No the theater came to her. 7) \"As the movie states, an actual impresario named Richard Henslowe ran the Rose Theatre...and he left behind a diary that provides scholars with information about the operation of such theater organizations...In reality, Henslowe is known to have had poor relations with his actors and document...accuses him of embezzling their money and property.\" 8) There was a rival company which Richard Burbage inherited from his father James. Burbage was considered the first outstanding English actor and he became one of S's more important players, creating such roles as Hamlet, Othello, Lear and Richard III. In 1599 Burbage and his brother built the Globe Theatre. Think that's it!"}, {"response": 102, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan  7, 1999 (23:02)", "body": "Thanks Karen for condensing the background.Geoffrey Rush really does portray Richard Henslowe in an accurate form. I found this in the Yahoo Review of SIL by their own reviewer: \"Colin Firth, the British heartthrob who played the male lead in the recent, superlative Pride and Prejudice TV mini-series, is Lord Wessex, the cold-hearted noble who stands between Will and Viola's love.\" I find it interesting that after three years they still mention P&P. He'll never live that part down....nevah!"}, {"response": 103, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (00:19)", "body": "(Evelyn), I find it interesting that after three years they still mention P&P. He'll never live that part down....nevah! He will never live it down in my heart. The surprising part is that they called him a British heartthrob. Why does he not get heartthrob scripts then?"}, {"response": 104, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (00:21)", "body": "Why is he not in Star Wars with Ewan? etc"}, {"response": 105, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (02:19)", "body": "(Moon)Why is he not in Star Wars with Ewan? etc Mobetta than Liam Neeson...did anyone see \"Les Miserables\"? Jean Valjean was perfect for Colin. LN was awful. But why aren't we lobbying Miramax...instead of just talking and whining ?"}, {"response": 106, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (02:33)", "body": "(Evelyn) Mobetta than Liam Neeson... Oh, I like Liam. He's so...large ;-p"}, {"response": 107, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (18:13)", "body": "(Evelyn) I am sorry Colin didn't get to play Will in 92...the right age.Although JF looks like Shakespeare.He is slighter in build than Colin. Absolutely, IMHO. Joe gets my \"longest eyelashes of the year\" award. The film was perfectly cast and acted. I know we're all pining for Colin to shine in a protagonist role before a large, world-wide audience (again!)."}, {"response": 108, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (05:31)", "body": "Am I the only one who kinda liked Wessex?"}, {"response": 109, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (11:17)", "body": "Am I the only one who kinda liked Wessex I've not seen SIL...just a brief clip! But one thing that puzzles me is why everyone sems to think Wessex is such a sleaze. Correct me if I'm wrong, but after the wedding, Viola runs off to Will. Why does Wessex go after her? Why does she go back to Wessex? And does he want her back? He could have quite legitimately divorced her/consigned her to a nunnery (accepted practice for errant wives), re-married and kept all the cash. Once they were legally wed, the marriage settlement was all his. And in some ways Wessex seems to be acting quite normally...arranged marriages were commonplace, and romance didn't enter the equation. And he might have been a very successful tobacco farmer!!"}, {"response": 110, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (14:15)", "body": "(Ann), Am I the only one who kinda liked Wessex? Wessex as a character is not very likeable. He is a chump and we want a hero. But, he is so handsome! I really like his looks goatee and earring, I am just waiting for a tiny picture of him to appear in a mag to slip it into my wallet. At least we get to see him fence again and have I mentioned how well he rides?"}, {"response": 111, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (16:40)", "body": "(Ann) Am I the only one who kinda liked Wessex There is something to be said for Wessex. He's been approached apparently by the father (not vice versa) to marry the daughter and give her a title, in effect pulling her out of the middle classes. (\"Your father was a shopkeeper.\") When he goes after her and is seen in the theater, he sits down rather than cause a scene. How did it look to you? Was he taken in by the performance and therefore we could give him a smidgen of amiability or was he just being a sniveling coward again? (Bethan) But one thing that puzzles me is why everyone sems to think Wessex is such a sleaze. Sniveling coward is a better term and Moon's use of a \"chump\" does describe how Viola inadvertently and QE deliberately make him look. Why does Wessex go after her? He's got a boat to catch and how would it look to have lost one's wife a few minutes after the ceremony. Why does she go back to Wessex? Queen Elizabeth essentially orders it, although she addresses those remarks to Thomas Kent (Viola's male alter ego). And does he want her back? Had to be ego and reputation because everything you've said about his being able to keep the money would appear to be true. And he might have been a very successful tobacco farmer!! That is becoming a very bothersome point. It was 1593 and as some have pointed out that was way before Jamestown and even the ill-fated Roanoke settlement in Virginia. I must unearth my American History books. Lent an early immigration history book I had and it was never returned. Will do some research. Seems so strange they blew the history."}, {"response": 112, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (19:55)", "body": "Jamestown was founded in 1607 by the British settlers. It's in all the History books here in America. Pocahontas, James Smith, remember????"}, {"response": 113, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (19:57)", "body": "Ooops John Smith, sorry had a very late night!"}, {"response": 114, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (20:01)", "body": "I guess if Wessex had been amiable, it would have spoiled the plot. He sounds like an intellectually-challenged aristo....the product of too much in-breeding! Marrying into the middle classes seems like a good idea! And maybe the New World will be the making of him...!"}, {"response": 115, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (20:16)", "body": "(Karen), When he goes after her and is seen in the theater, he sits down rather than cause a scene. How did it look to you? Was he taken in by the performance and therefore we could give him a smidgen of amiability or was he just being a sniveling coward again? Good points and I would say true on both counts. He would not make a scene, it was bad enough his wife of 10 minutes was making a spectacle of herself on the stage (not v. noble). Afterwards, he was taken by the performance (yes, amiable!). What was absurd, was the Queen showing up there, they blew the histoty here too."}, {"response": 116, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (21:30)", "body": "Have skimmed through a couple of books on Roanoke given up in 1590ish (Raleigh's place) and Jamestown (1607). Wessex I suppose could have gone to Virginia (yes that was what it was called) although it would appear more likely that he would have gone to the West Indies. The earliest tobacco crops in Virginia were in the Jamestown settlements of about 1612, although they were growing tobacco on Trinidad and other places. Seems like there was a great deal of talk and planning prior to the formation of the Virginia Colony Company, which underwrote Jamestown, but highly unlikely that an individual would set off. Since the loss of the Roanoke settlements, popular thought was \"go in greater numbers.\" More later, with details. This is from memory."}, {"response": 117, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (22:05)", "body": "I actually thought Wessex might redeem himself at the theatre because he did seem to be taken in by the play. Unfortunately he doesn't but at least he doesn't create a scene. He's a better man than some in this film. Very few men besides Colin could carry off that big pearl earring he wears. I believe the anachronisms in the movie were intentional. What's one of the first things we see in the film? The Stratford mug? As we all know, this is not a historical film."}, {"response": 118, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (23:47)", "body": "From \"They saw it happen\" by CR Routh (I got it yonks ago as a school prize!) The Discovery of tobacco On April 9th, 1585, Sir Ralph Lane (d.1603) sailed in an expedition led by Sir Richard Grenville to establish a plantation in North America. The colony was established in what is now North Carolina, and was then named Virginia. After Grenville sailed for home, the colony was moved to Roanoke where much exploration of the country took place. But in the end the colony was a failure and Francis Drake brought the survivors home in 1586. Do these dates fit in with SIL? Perhaps Stoppard part based Wessex on Sir Richard Grenville. But it seems likely that Wessex and Viola, if they survived, would have returned home. AHA! A sequel is possible!"}, {"response": 119, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (02:16)", "body": "(Bethan)But it seems likely that Wessex and Viola, if they survived, would have returned home. AHA! A sequel is possible! True, True....Starring GP and CF. She falls madly in love with her husband in the New World and upon returning to England decides that Will Shakespeare was just a schoolgirl crush. Fan Fic writers....take off...."}, {"response": 120, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (22:18)", "body": "(Heide) Very few men besides Colin could carry off that big pearl earring he wears. Inside every grey cloud, there's a silver lining.... I believe the anachronisms in the movie were intentional. What's one of the first things we see in the film? The Stratford mug? As we all know, this is not a historical film. Loved the mug, \"prefent from Stratford on Avon.\" There should've been a t-shirt next to it with \"my parents went to Stratford and all I got was this lousy t-shirt.\" Granted it's not a historical film, but I don't think anything really contradicts history or prevalent literary views where no documentation exists. Of course, Shakespeare is seen writing Act I, Scene 2 of Twelfth Night at the end...not Scene 1 as we see he has written. I chalk that up to it being his \"first draft.\" ;-) (Bethan) Do these dates fit in with SIL? The problem with the dates is the years between the abandonment of Roanoke and the establishment of Jamestown, much later. It's certainly not out of the question that there were other sailings. But it seems likely that Wessex and Viola, if they survived, would have returned home. AHA! A sequel is possible! Wessex probably gave Viola to the local Indian chief because she kept moping about having poetry in her life and married Pocahontas' sister. He then set off across country and reached the Pacific Ocean, where he founded a settlement called Los Angeles. The weather was better and he wouldn't have to wear all that heavy clothing that hid his legs. ;-)"}, {"response": 121, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jan 11, 1999 (00:48)", "body": "Or perhaps the tobacco plantation flourishes and Wessex makes a fortune out of cigars.And his great-great-great-great-great-gradson becomes President of the United States! Strange experience.....my husband has just seen a clip about SIL on BBC News24, and wants to go and see it. \"Have you heard about Shakespeare in Love..it looks very good. Judi Dench is in it.\" Praise be to the Lord..and he doesn't even like costume drama! Saw CF again in the clip...very handsome. I know I'm wholly biased , but I actually feel rather sorry for Wessex!"}, {"response": 122, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jan 11, 1999 (18:26)", "body": "IMO, Wessex was drawn to Viola for her money, but it was a bonus that she was attractive as well (...your eyes...no, your lips). I also don't think the writers were sticklers for history facts; they could have had the Wessex's going to the West Indies just as easily as Virginia. (Karen)Loved the mug, \"prefent from Stratford on Avon.\" There should've been a t-shirt next to it with \"my parents went to Stratford and all I got was this lousy t-shirt.\" LOL! Does anyone think there were shrinks back then? Loved the bit when he turned over the hour glass at the start of the session."}, {"response": 123, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 11, 1999 (21:09)", "body": "(Eileen) Does anyone think there were shrinks back then? Loved the bit when he turned over the hour glass at the start of the session. How about JF reclining on the doctor's leather couch..... and ending with...\"See you next week\"."}, {"response": 124, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (20:00)", "body": "Here is something you might enjoy from USA Today. Many questions answered. Still, many of the best bits are takeoffs on lines from the Bard's plays \ufffd and there, as Hamlet would put it, is the rub. Most everyone will get the joke when the Puritan preacher Makepeace rails against \"sinful\" theaters in phrases lifted almost whole from Romeo and Juliet, but what about those sly references to less-familiar works? If you don't know your Cymbeline from your Coriolanus, here's a cheat sheet: Shakespeare's signature. Wrestling writer's block, Joseph Fiennes' Shakespeare scribbles his name over and over. Look closely: You'll see he uses different spellings \ufffd a nod to the fact that the six surviving copies of Shakespeare's signature show considerable variations in abbreviation and spelling. It's not that he couldn't remember his own name; in his era, few standardized spellings existed, even of names. 'One Gentleman.' Fiennes says theater owner Henslowe still owes him for \"one gentleman of Verona.\" Apparently Henslowe has paid only half the fee for The Two Gentlemen of Verona \ufffd an early Shakespeare play, and the one that catches the attention of Gwyneth Paltrow's Lady Viola with the lines she quotes for her audition: \"What light is light, if Silvia be not seen?\" 'The Rose smells thusly rank by any name.' Makepeace is talking about the Rose Theatre; he concludes with, \"I say a plague on both their houses.\" Both phrases are much like famous lines from Romeo. It's a funny moment, but an important one, too: In this early scene, Stoppard and Norman begin to show how their Shakespeare makes art of the stuff of life \ufffd the film's central idea. As the film goes on, Fiennes turns many more everyday events into high drama. Dr. Moth. The shrewd alchemist/shrink who ponders Shakespeare's outrageously Freudian complaints (\"The proud tower of my genius has collapsed\") bears the name of a smart-aleck page-boy who punctures the pretensions of his buffoonish master in Love's Labours Lost. (There's also a fairy named Moth in A Midsummer Night's Dream.) 'Master Crab is nervous. He's never played the palace.' Not a Shakespeare gag, but one some younger audiences may not get: In vaudeville days, the Palace was a top-rank New York house; to \"play the Palace,\" literally or figuratively, means to make it to the big time. Today's Palace is home to Broadway's Beauty and the Beast. Rosaline's fall from grace. Smitten by a seamstress, Fiennes changes the title of his work-in-progress Romeo and Ethel to Romeo and Rosaline. But when he catches her in bed with another, the seamstress loses her chance at immortality. Rosaline never appears onstage in the Romeo and Juliet we know, but we're told early on that she's the object of Romeo's affection. In fact, Romeo and his cohorts crash the Capulet ball chiefly because Benvolio, Mercutio and the rest want to get a better look at Rosaline; Romeo, of course, forgets her nstantly when he sees Juliet. 'Give me to drink mandragora.' A dejected Fiennes orders this potion at the local tavern. Mandragora is a sedative, and the line is from Antony and Cleopatra; the Egyptian queen, distraught that her lover has returned to Rome, tells her servant Charmian to \"Give me to drink mandragora. . . . That I may sleep out this great gap of time.\" Marlowe's advice. Christopher Marlowe helps Fiennes define Romeo's character and outline the play's plot. It's funny because Marlowe is among the writers said by some doubters to be the true author of Shakespeare's plays. That bloodthirsty kid. A sadistic street urchin with theatrical ambitions likes Shakespeare's horrific Titus Andronicus best: \"Plenty of blood \ufffd that's the only writing,\" he says. His name, Fiennes asks? \"John Webster\" \ufffd who grows up to write the morbidly violent revenge tragedy The Duchess of Malfi. Possibly the most esoteric in-joke in the film. Marlowe's 'ghost.' The church scene in which Lord Wessex glimpses a man he believes to be dead will remind some of the ghostly visitations in Hamlet. But Claudius, that play's murderer, never sees his victim's shade. Better parallels are Macbeth, in which Banquo's ghost appears to the usurper responsible for his death, and Julius Caesar, in which Caesar's ghost stalks Brutus on the battlefield. 'Twelfth Night.' The play Fiennes begins at the movie's close does, indeed, feature a lead named Viola who disguises herself as a boy when shipwrecked in an unknown land. And it was commissioned \ufffd probably by Elizabeth I \ufffd for a court performance on Twelfth Night (Jan. 5, the last of the Twelve Days of Christmas). But it was written years after Romeo, and almost certainly wasn't inspired by a lost love \ufffd though it is the most tragic of Shakespeare's comedies. The apothecary's hat. Cast as the apothecary in the play-within-the-movie, producer Hugh Fennyman (Tom Wilkinson) fusses anxiously over wearing just the right hat. His concern comes not from pride but from a need to be part of a story that has moved him deeply, and it echoes"}, {"response": 125, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (20:08)", "body": "Just correcting the author:by on Twelfth Night (Jan. 5, the last of the Twelve Days of Christmas). The Twelfth Night is Jan. 6 ( when the Three Kings arrive)"}, {"response": 126, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (21:46)", "body": "Thanks heaps for the info, Moon! As I posted at 116, I just saw it again (second time) and got much more out of it. It's been more years than I care to admit since I had anything to do with Shakespeare, so this article was most helpful. I think the rest of the audience (and it was a big one, for a matinee) missed all the references. At least I knew about John Webster. Nobody else got it (they missed most of the Hollywood refereces, too). What makes this movie so good is, as the critics have said, you d n't need to know Shakespeare. There's plenty of laughs to go around. Colin's bit on the stairs with the nurse (when Viola is late for Greenwich) is hilarious. One of the funniest moments, which has made many clips, is at the end: \"that woman is a woman!\" when Jim Carter motions with his hands. If Colin wants to take his time and judiciously choose more projects like TEP and SiL, that's fine with me!"}, {"response": 127, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (00:14)", "body": "'Master Crab is nervous. He's never played the palace.' ...the Palace was a top-rank New York house; to \"play the Palace,\" literally or figuratively, means to make it to the big time. Couldn't it be quite simply a reference to appearing in a play at the royal court? Same meaning, yet a more plausible connection..."}, {"response": 128, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (22:03)", "body": "Mary Murphy from \"Murph's Corner\" on colinfirth.com has written a sequel to SIL a real tear-jerker. She has given me permission to pass on the URL to all interested Droolies. http://www.colinfirth.com/html/tale.html"}, {"response": 129, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (00:27)", "body": "Oh, I feel a sequel coming on. How about Mel Gibson for Wessex? :-)"}, {"response": 130, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (10:17)", "body": "LOL, Bethan! How you twist the knife!"}, {"response": 131, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (01:15)", "body": "Hi, just my thoughts on the film before I go to bed, firstly I loved it and am going to go and see it again with my sister and this time I will concentrate more fully on the film and some of the Shakespeare jokes which my husband got but I didn't , I was so busy waiting for the next glimpse of CF. Secondly I wasn't at all disappointed with Colin's performance or his chartacter, I particularly liked it when he was being forceful not so much when he was being a whimp but he brought a smile to my face on one or two occasions when he was being wimpish. I thought Joseph Feinnes was excellent and he has the most wonderful eyes, those lashes but he is still not Colin. GP was very good also but, and I think I am on my own I did not think there was as much chemistry between them as the critics have said, however, I thought GP'S accent was wonderful especially after hearing her speak in her own voice. As the critics have said all the performances were perfect the only one I would argue with and I apologise to any BA fans \ufffd"}, {"response": 132, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (01:19)", "body": "Hi, just my thoughts on the film before I go to bed, firstly I loved it and am going to go and see it again with my sister and this time I will concentrate more fully on the film and some of the Shakespeare jokes which my husband got but I didn't , I was so busy waiting for the next glimpse of CF. Secondly I wasn't at all disappointed with Colin's performance or his chartacter, I particularly liked it when he was being forceful not so much when he was being a whimp but he brought a smile to my face on one or two occasions when he was being wimpish. I thought Joseph Feinnes was excellent and he has the most wonderful eyes, those lashes but he is still not Colin. GP was very good also but, and I think I am on my own I did not think there was as much chemistry between them as the critics have said, however, I thought GP'S accent was wonderful especially after hearing her speak in her own voice. As the critics have said all the performances were perfect the only one I would argue with and I apologise to any BA fans out there, was that whilst Ben Affleck was as good as everybody else I didn't think he deserved to be singled out as he has been. I hope it gets loads and loads of Oscar nominations, a must see film."}, {"response": 133, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (02:43)", "body": "Oh yes, we much prefer a forceful Wessex over a wimpish one. Your review didn't give any secrets about the movie away, Ann. Post it at 116 if you like. I'm amazed you got as much of it as you did considering you know who was sitting somewhere behind you. Didn't you want to turn around?"}, {"response": 134, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (14:36)", "body": "Ann, I've seen it twice and like you, the first time I focused only on Colin. I understood it better the second time and it was even funnier. I think the only reason BA has been singled out in the US is because he is a familiar face and has developed a following since the blockbuster Armageddon (what an awful movie that was). What were your favorite scenes?"}, {"response": 135, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (15:03)", "body": "Ann, you went with your husband? What a good sport! I gather he accepts your firtholism. Again I say brava. Any news on where they held the premiere party? Hopefully we'll chat later."}, {"response": 136, "author": "marshA", "date": "Mon, Feb  1, 1999 (09:14)", "body": "Hi! Can I post? Just saw SIL (second time in two days) and absolutely loved it! Definitely gets my vote for the movie of the year. The script was brilliant (I am a big Shakespeare lover) and they put in Christopher Marlowe, whose plays I haven't read but whose poetry I adore. I was pleasantly surprised, since I don't like GP and did not like JF in Elizabeth (what I think of *that* movie is another matter entirely). They were both magnificent and the chemistry was incredible. JF even looks like Shakespeare, and more importantly, he looks like someone who could write those plays. He is almost as good as his brother (and since Rafe is my favorite film actor, that's saying a lot). Judy Dench: just how I imagined Elizabeth (totally opposite of Cate Blanchett's vulnerabilty in Eliza eth the movie), Geoffrey Rush was simply wonderful, but I liked Tom Wilkinson even better. And was Imelda Staunton playing the nurse? It was a shock to hear Ben Affleck spouting Shakespeare, but an even bigger shock to realize that he was very good! Rupert Everett was very handsome (my friend leaned over when he was on scree with an audible \"wow\" ) and what is even better, properly blase. I wanted to see more of him. Colin Firth as Wessex....well, he always seems to be losing the girl to the Fiennes broth rs. Talk about being type-cast :) He was funny! \"it were you eyes...no, your lips\" I liked CF in P&P, but he is not my #1 favorite actor, so I did not mind him playing the relatively uncomplex buffoon, as long as it was well-played and it was. R&J is my favorite Shakespeare play (along with Coriolanus), so it was thrilling to see another take on it (though certain lines were engraved in my mind exactly the way they were in the Zeferelli version, I must say JF made an excellent Romeo) And GP must be the only actress to ever do both Romeo and Juliet. Was it just me, or did anyone feel like learning Elizabethan dances? And last but not least. Did you notice that the entire film everyone was speaking in iambic pentameter. All the dialogue, for 2 hours, not just the shakespeare bits. What a great Stoppard joke."}, {"response": 137, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Feb  1, 1999 (16:03)", "body": "I also saw SIL on Friday, the first day it opened in the UK. Well, it was interesting in that my husband and I had exactly the same reaction. Which was initially one of disappointment. I think the problem for us is that we are great Stoppard fans and this did not satisfy in the way that Arcadia, Travesties or Jumpers did. The language is clever (no, Marsha, I hadn't noticed the iambic pentameters, that is another reason for seeing it again) but the plot is very simple. It is basically a tudor romp. Once you accept that then it is very enjoyable. Didn't CF say it was \"Carry on Shakespeare\"? He was right. When we got home and started discussing the film, we realised that there is a lot to enjoy and we both want to see it again because there is just so much going on that you cannot take it all in. The acting is all superb. It seems a shame to single out single performances because they are all so good. The recreation of Elizabethan street scenes was wonderful. The crowds on their own would be worth a second look. I loved the players and their wonderful parody of modern Hollywood attitudes. I thought the lovers were very believable. JF made a wonderful Will, a Jack the Lad poet on the make. And once again GP's english accent is so amazing. It is not just that she makes the right sounds. Her intonation is absolutely right for the type of upper/upper middle class person she usually plays. It is really astounding. As for CF, well he was as good as ever. I have to go back and see him again. When I watch him for the first time in a new part, I have the same feelings as I have when watching one of my children perform in a school play - I am so apprehensive that I am just grateful that they have not forgotten their lines or tripped over. I was almost holding my breath every time he spoke! I fear he will always be cast by Hollywood as a baddie or cuckold but it does pay the rent and enables him to appear on the London stage occasionally at \ufffd400 per week!"}, {"response": 138, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Feb  1, 1999 (16:15)", "body": "Glad you saw it twice, Allison. Once is not enough. What was your favorite scene?"}, {"response": 139, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb  1, 1999 (23:10)", "body": "Thank you Allison and Marsha for your reviews. V. well put. And iambic pentameter....a reason for me to see it a 4th time!! (Allison)Didn't CF say it was \"Carry on Shakespeare\"? He was right. Yes, he did in the A&E Interview and I missed the parallel. Is it in relation to a UK television program perhaps? And don't you think that making SIL \"Stoppard-lite\" was deliberate....to appeal to a cross section of the public...which they have been v. successful in doing. I think perhaps we will see this genre copied again."}, {"response": 140, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb  2, 1999 (00:01)", "body": "From The London Theatre Weekly Newsletter... It is reported that DAME JUDI DENCH has been given a souvenir from the set of the film \"Shakespeare In Love\", a full-sized replica of Shakespeare's first theatre! \"I was so taken with the whole thing that they actually gave me the replica of the Rose Theatre which was built at Shepperton Studios,\" Dame Judi said. The set is now in storage while she finds a suitable site for a working theatre. Dame Judi is thinking of using it to stage performances and raise money for young people trying to get into acting. Nice gesture from Miramax. BTW 3DOR was announced but no mention of CF in the cast... only Elizabeth Mc Govern. Do you think they want to avoid a \"Darcymania\" onslaught?? If so....too late:-) ----------------------------------------"}, {"response": 141, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Feb  2, 1999 (00:20)", "body": "Oh no Evelyn, my worst nightmare, all Colin's fans turn up at the Donmar only to find he is not in 3DOR. I shall nver get to sleep now!"}, {"response": 142, "author": "marshA", "date": "Tue, Feb  2, 1999 (07:15)", "body": "Allison, I loved your review! I did not find it \"light\" but that is because I went with no expectations. It was a comedy, very witty and exhuberant, with a tragic core, and as such, was beautiful (I must confess that I felt near tears in the mea culpa scene). I loved it more the second time, since knowing the plot allowed me to concentrate on the language and the screenplay, which is the pre-eminent beauty of this film. I must say, the fisrt time I saw it and learned that Kit Marlowe (one of my favorite poets) was dead, and as it seemd, by the hand of Wessex, any synpathy I felt for CF's character evaporated. I was very relieved later on. And that brings me as to why Colin has not been mentioned often: he is the straight man in a comedy. Everyone else, from Queen Liz to Henslowe is given witty lines and is funny. CF's role is not like that so it might get overlooked for that reason. And, yes about the iambic pentameter: when I caught on, I spent most of the movie counting the line size with a huge grin on my face :)"}, {"response": 143, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Feb  2, 1999 (08:36)", "body": "Is it in relation to a UK television program perhaps? The \"Carry On\" films were a series made in the UK in the 1960's. They all had the same cast and had titles like \"Carry On Doctor\" or \"Carry On at Sea\". They were full of naughty schoolboy humour and immensely popular. They are still often repeated on television and have become a part of UK cinema history."}, {"response": 144, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Feb  2, 1999 (20:01)", "body": "I saw it on Friday too and feel it was such an uplifting film and can't wait to see it again. I wanted to ask those of you who saw it in \"Packed\" cinemas with audiences maybe clapping at the end, how was the atmosphere? The reason I am curious is that we were only 15 which gave the effect of being the only ones there , a little like a private showing, with space to delight in Wessex fully, without being observed (not that he is the only delight). I think next time I will go at a peak time, when it is busier. re Allison's comments on Stoppard, I agree with you, but the film has been calculated to fit a certain niche , more mainstream, therefore his style has been \"toned down\"? Also thanks for the Iambic tip, shades of English A level!!"}, {"response": 145, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb  2, 1999 (23:19)", "body": "I am so glad that our UK Firthettes agree with us on SIL. I was afraid that our exhuberance was a little \"over the top\" and would lead you to expect more.When did we ever think that it actually would be competition for Saving Private Ryan!!It actually took the steam out of \"You've Got Mail during the holidays."}, {"response": 146, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Feb  3, 1999 (00:29)", "body": "Well I have seen it for the 2nd time and hard as I tried to concentrate on the film and not just CF, I was mesmerised by that voice which sounds even more wonderful in Dolby sound or whatever. Also having seen it before I kept anticipating his entrance, my favourite CF sscene is when he is charging up the stairs after Nursie demanding that Viola appear, so masterful. The cinema was packed, not a free seat and everyone laughed when they should laugh and remained completely silent at the end of R&J. My s ster and friends who are not particularly Firthfans thought he was excellent and at times very funny and that the film lived up to all the hype. His voice is still ringing in my ears, I can't wait for it to come out on video."}, {"response": 147, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Feb  3, 1999 (00:48)", "body": "When I watch him for the first time in a new part, I have the same feelings as I have when watching one of my children perform in a school play - I am so apprehensive that I am just grateful that they have not forgotten their lines or tripped over. I was almost holding my breath every time he spoke! (Allison) I do so agree with you Allison! I'm going to see SIL on Friday, and already I'm feeling nervous! I fear he will always be cast by Hollywood as a baddie or cuckold .. Again, I agree. Hollywood seems to have failed to spot his true potential, but fortunately there are alternatives to Hollywood! Ann, I'm looking forward to hearing him speak in Dolby sound....the man has a \"Voice\". Hollywood, are you listening?"}, {"response": 148, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (09:23)", "body": "If Colin keeps going as he has been, sooner or later Hollywood will catch on and proclaim him as their \"find\"--if Colin lets them. I don't think he will. He seems very happy with being on the fringe of superstardom. (Bethan) but fortunately there are alternatives to Hollywood! Agreed! And these alternatives are very hot right now. Maybe I'm just becoming more aware, but there seems to be much more of a mainstream US audience for British films since the Full Monty. Anyway, on to SiL. I was in a shopping mall yesterday having lunch, minding my own business when I hear \"...is she ferTILE?\" It seems they've installed a movie preview kiosk for patrons to watch as they eat, and there was Colin in his Wessex-ly glory for all to see! I had quite a good laugh. Oh, Ann, isn't that a funny scene? I liked that one and the singing one, when he encounters Viola on horseback on her way to church. She says something like \"it's not my day for riding\" and he replies \"No? What about the horse?\" or something like that. I'm contemplating making my third viewing sometime this week."}, {"response": 149, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (09:24)", "body": "If Colin keeps going as he has been, sooner or later Hollywood will catch on and proclaim him as their \"find\"--if Colin lets them. I don't think he will. He seems very happy with being on the fringe of superstardom. (Bethan) but fortunately there are alternatives to Hollywood! Agreed! And these alternatives are very hot right now. Maybe I'm just becoming more aware, but there seems to be much more of a mainstream US audience for British films since the Full Monty. Anyway, on to SiL. I was in a shopping mall yesterday having lunch, minding my own business when I hear \"...is she ferTILE?\" It seems they've installed a movie preview kiosk for patrons to watch as they eat, and there was Colin in his Wessex-ly glory for all to see! I had quite a good laugh. Oh, Ann, isn't that a funny scene? I liked that one and the singing one, when he encounters Viola on horseback on her way to church. She says something like \"it's not my day for riding\" and he replies \"No? What about the horse?\" or something like that. Come back to 115 when you've seen it Allison, and let us know your favorite scene(s)!"}, {"response": 150, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (09:24)", "body": "If Colin keeps going as he has been, sooner or later Hollywood will catch on and proclaim him as their \"find\"--if Colin lets them. I don't think he will. He seems very happy with being on the fringe of superstardom. (Bethan) but fortunately there are alternatives to Hollywood! Agreed! And these alternatives are very hot right now. Maybe I'm just becoming more aware, but there seems to be much more of a mainstream US audience for British films since the Full Monty. Anyway, on to SiL. I was in a shopping mall yesterday having lunch, minding my own business when I hear \"...is she ferTILE?\" It seems they've installed a movie preview kiosk for patrons to watch as they eat, and there was Colin in his Wessex-ly glory for all to see! I had quite a good laugh. Oh, Ann, isn't that a funny scene? I liked that one and the singing one, when he encounters Viola on horseback on her way to church. She says something like \"it's not my day for riding\" and he replies \"No? What about the horse?\" or something like that. Come back to 115 when you've seen it Bethan, and let us know your favorite scene(s)!"}, {"response": 151, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (09:26)", "body": "Three postings? Count All-mushy is back. Sorry."}, {"response": 152, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (21:59)", "body": "From VARIETY 2/8/99 The complete list of nominees for the 71st edition of the Academy Awards will be posted on Daily Variety\ufffds Web site, variety.com, just minutes after the noms are announced Tuesday. In addition, the site will be updated during the day as more Oscar-related news is filed."}, {"response": 153, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (22:27)", "body": "Next week's Time magazine has a two-page spread about Shakespeare and how play ideas were regularly lifted from other sources. Has to do with newest rumor about how SiL's plot was stolen from some old book. Pictures of JF as Shakespeare to lure you in.... ;-)"}, {"response": 154, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (14:22)", "body": "OSCAR NOMINATIONS Just been announced this am BEST PICTURE SIL, Elizabeth, Pvt. Ryan, Thin Red Line , Life is Beautiful BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR G. Rush & others BEST ACTRESS Gwyneth Paltrow, (yeah!), Cate Blanchett, Meryl Streep, Emily Watson, ? Montenegro (for Central Station, Brazilian film) BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Judi Dench & others BEST SCREENPLAY Marc Norman & Tom Stoppard for SIL SIL must have gotten noms in other categories; they announced that SIL had received 15 noms.Full list will be on VARIETY and YAHOO probably. AA Night...Sunday March 21. (If date coincides with FP premiere, maybe Harvey will make CF attend!!)"}, {"response": 155, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (17:09)", "body": "Was it 15 nominations or 13? Anyway, it's the second highest in Oscar history (after the Ben Hur/Titanic tie for most)!"}, {"response": 156, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (17:10)", "body": "OSCAR NOMINATIONS Whatever happened to the Trueman Show? I really liked that. Not as much as SIL, of course ;-)"}, {"response": 157, "author": "Stacey", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (17:17)", "body": "SIL got 13 nominations!"}, {"response": 158, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (17:24)", "body": "Truman Show's director Peter Weir got nominated, but his film didn't get the nod. Was edged out by Elizabeth. It's rare that a director and not his/her film gets nominated, but it has happened. Elizabeth's director was a new kid on the block, unlikely to be nominated. Truman Show also got nominated for best original screenplay, but Jim Carrey was a surprise non-nominee after having won at the GG's. Thank goodness Laura called me, otherwise I would have missed the show."}, {"response": 159, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (17:42)", "body": "13 nominations, wow! The complete nominations list: http://us.imdb.com/awards.html http://us.imdb.com/Title?Shakespeare+in+Love+(1998 ) The first 15 names you get when you click IMDB's SIL do not include Guess Who. Though, GP isn't mentioned either, only when you click on \"show more\"."}, {"response": 160, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (19:04)", "body": "Great thanks for the news. At least our DB's face was freeze framed on national news due to Oscars. They have the right idea!!! No Nom, no mention in the articles but his is the image chosen for the leading story. At 'em Colin."}, {"response": 161, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (19:24)", "body": "Frankly, Elizabeth as best pix is a surprise. The interior shots looked as if they were always in a dark church. Truman Show eventhough it is not my fav. Weird film deserved the nomination. Did anyone see Kate Blanchet on Letterman? She came off as a really ditzy rather stupid person. Happy for GP and Montenegro. I think it will be Gwynnie's Oscar. Now, is she wants to be Bridget, who will stop her? What a break for Colin that would be."}, {"response": 162, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (19:25)", "body": "That should be Weir."}, {"response": 163, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (19:27)", "body": "One more thing, is anyone else disappointed that Joe F did not get nominated? The Academy has nominated Travolta in the past on much less."}, {"response": 164, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (19:47)", "body": "Frankly, Elizabeth as best pix is a surprise My impression is that this made much more of a stir in the US than in the UK. The reviewers here praised Blanchet but not much else. It struck some sort of chord with people in the US which it missed with the British IMO. V. contrary."}, {"response": 165, "author": "Stacey", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (19:50)", "body": "I too was disappointed that Joe F did not even get a nomination because I thought he did a wonderful job in SIL. Wonder how he feels about being in two of the films nominated for best picture but not receiving an Oscar nomination himself?! I also saw Cate Blanchet on an interview (but I don't know the name of the show!) She talked about how hard she tried to \"become\" Elizabeth and she didn't seem ditzy at all! I am glad that Elizabeth was nominated for best picture because I thought it was a great movie, but I still want SIL to win!"}, {"response": 166, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (21:16)", "body": "15 nominations! Hoooooray! I for one am not surprised at those for best pic, GP, JD and JR and for the screenplay. I missed the show this a.m. but surmise the others are for costumes and the like. There was so much pre-nom hype about whom from the cast would get the nod and JF's name was never mentioned. His reviews were mixed. Glad to hear our DB's pic (surely the one with Judi) was on national news. Given the lack of CF recognition by the US when the film came out, I highly favor this new sublimin l approach. OK, now we have--what is it? 6 weeks? to discuss who and what should win and why. IMO the screenplay is a sure bet but the others are going to be close (politics and all...but then, Harvey must be on full blast)."}, {"response": 167, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (21:27)", "body": "OK, I checked the links up at 159 (thanks Renate) and now I'm better informed. SiL deserves every one of these noms. Considering her competition, GP has a great shot. So glad to see no noms for Stepmom (read they were pushing Sarandon for best actress and JR for best supporting). Hah! Now what's Harvey to do? Two of his pics are up for best picture (SiL and Life is Beautiful). Good year for Miramax, huh? (Bring on MLSF!)"}, {"response": 168, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (22:16)", "body": "It is 13 Nominations...sorry..not my error the guy on Today show said 15. But it was 5:30 in LA...whaddaya expect? All of them are deserving; and remember you heard it HERE from Moi about the soundtrack (Stephen Warbeck)and I hope he gets it. But he is opposed by Hans Zimmer who did Prince of Egypt (also did the B'way show Lion King...and forthcoming Sunshine:-) ) LOL, when I heard all the acclaim....last summer when spirits were down around here, we were wondering if anyone would go to see SIL!! ***** I liked Elizabeth, not the Truman Show (I bet Jim Carrey is furious, hee, hee) Agree that JF should have been nominated. ****** (Allison)Re: Elizabeth... My impression is that this made much more of a stir in the US than in the UK Last October when I was in UK they were lining up to see \"There's Something About Mary\"(gag, gag) and ignoring E. It already was receiving early accolades in the US. Shocking!!"}, {"response": 169, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (22:19)", "body": "Have looked over the complete list of nominations and am ticked that SiL's score is in the \"Original Musical or Comedy\" category, so it goes against all the animated stuff. No chance now, but if it had been the 'dramatic' group, that would have been one more little statuette! I too thought that Fiennes got slighted. Guess I will have to go see American History X now to see if Edward Norton was that good. 13 Oscar nominations usually bodes very well toward a big win. The exception being Apollo 13."}, {"response": 170, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (22:20)", "body": "Oh, I forgot....SIL last week was #6 and so far has made $36.1M ***** My video store tells me that Miramax announced that SIL will be released in Video next July. Has anyone heard if the screenplay has been published yet?"}, {"response": 171, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Feb 10, 1999 (13:36)", "body": "Moon, I thought Elizabeth was an excellent film! I have seen many previews for Edward Norton's movie, but it is a tough subject (white supremacy), I'm interested in seeing it too. I think Norton is a great actor! Was slightly miffed about JF being slighted, he was the movie!!!!"}, {"response": 172, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Feb 10, 1999 (14:26)", "body": "Evelyn, 13 noms...15 noms...what's the difference? :-)!! Either way it's great! When SiL first opened in the US last Dec., many critics called JF's performance \"unvarying\" while giving Gwynnie consistent raves. The critics don't decide who gets nominated (I believe the actors do) but perhaps these early reviews had planted some seeds. He's getting mentioned on the entertainment shows as being passed over along with Carrey and Travolta, so I guess that's some consolation. I thought he was perfectly cast and did a more striking job than JD or GR, but they're in a different category. ABC News (national) had a story last night about the noms, pointing out the Elizabeth I trend. It featured 3 SiL clips, each with our DB!!!! This week's Newsweek has a story about the \"new\" focus on Shakespeare and begins like this: \"'Shakespeare in Love' isn't going to come near big-bang champ 'Armageddon's'1998 box-office gross of more than $200 million. But the romantic comedy about the young Bard is the year's big surprise, winning three Golden Globe awards and sure to grab a garland of Oscar nominations this week. The Miramax movie has grossed $32.7 million in nine weeks of limited release, propelled by extraordinary word of mouth, and is poised to jump from 750 to 1,500 screens next weekend...\" That Harvey sure is shrewd, isn't he?"}, {"response": 173, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 10, 1999 (17:57)", "body": "Thanks Eileen...for taking the time to type the Newsweek comments. And Sue for giving us the Playbill link. Kudos to fans on the board who do this ..instead of just mentioning it in passing....\"Oh, by the way, there's an article in....about DB....\". Leaving us all hanging out there."}, {"response": 174, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb 10, 1999 (18:06)", "body": "(Laura), Moon, I thought Elizabeth was an excellent film! I enjoyed everyone's performance but I had trouble with the interiors. It looked as if it was filmed in a dark church. For best pix the film should have it all, great acting, script, cinematography and art direction. Frankly, it missed out on the last two. Ed Norton's film does not interest me in the least bit. I saw the previews and have no tolerance for violent films all one has to do is read the papers. Give me a man and his horse anytime(and if he sings, it's even better)."}, {"response": 175, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 10, 1999 (19:10)", "body": "I was peeved that the Truman Show didn't get nominated (and believe you me, I will not go to Jim Carrey films); thought it was really interesting, very well done and so very original. How those dummies can justify nominating a director without his/her film is beyond me! Should have dropped Elizabeth. I had problems with all those overhead shots, drove me crazy. Another film that got snubbed: Pleasantville. I really liked that movie and everyone really expected Joan Allen to be nominated for best supporting (she was great). They could have dropped Brenda Blythen. However, if they don't give best supporting to Lynn Redgrave, they are out of their minds. I have an awful feeling that Gwynnie is going to win, but I really think Cate Blanchette deserves it. That's just how she impressed me after seeing the movie for the first time. I said that was \"Best Actress\" of the year. Sorry folk, but for me the epitome of Juliet was Olivia Hussey. GP just didn't have it when she was performing as either Romeo or Juliet."}, {"response": 176, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Feb 10, 1999 (19:29)", "body": "I didn't see Elizabeth so I can't compare GP with CB. GP's getting raves because she had to balance the accent with playing a female playing a male playing a female (...right?) in a heavy period piece. Between the two performances, the accents and period piece aspects cancel themselves out. From all the clips and commercials I can tell CB was good but I confess I hope GP wins. IMO she's talented (not to say CB isn't) and she's been the only one to acknowledge Colin. I'd love to hear her do it again in front of Oscar's huge worldwide audience! Haven't seen 'G and M' either but from the single clip of LR, she was great! And I agree 'Truman Show's omission was surprising. The concept belw me away(and now here comes copycat 'Ed TV'). And frankly, Ed Norton scares me. He's so creepily intense."}, {"response": 177, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (07:02)", "body": "Re: Elizabeth.... enjoyed everyone's performance but I had trouble with the interiors. It looked as if it was filmed in a dark church. For best pix the film should have it all, great acting, script, cinematography and art direction. And that includes being able to see it .As I was leaving the theatre I overheard someone say:\"I guess I've seen a darker movie..but I can't remember when!\" I agree with John Madden....people have decided that they want to see movies that are fun to watch! **** (Karen)I have an awful feeling that Gwynnie is going to win, but I really think Cate Blanchette deserves it. GP is the favorite, I read. What's so awful? She played her role brilliantly. You heard Colin in the interview....she's a fantastic actress or something like that.I got my money on Gwynnie; IMO...deservedly so."}, {"response": 178, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Feb 11, 1999 (20:03)", "body": "Saw Elizabeth last weekend. I didn't have a problem with the dark scenes, but thought from the point of view of History a few things were very debatable. Also, wondered why somebody at some point had said (here in Drool) that Joseph Fiennes was very different (for the better) from brother Ralph. I thought they had the same eyes... At last saw a trailer from SiL, was all excited... Now that it's been nominated it's bound to open here sometime!"}, {"response": 179, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (01:33)", "body": "VARIETY February 12th.... \"\ufffdShakespeare,\ufffd which expands to roughly 1,900 engagements (from 833) today, moved up to become the second most watched film in North America Wednesday after ranking sixth on the weekend. Its Tuesday box office climbed 15% from a week earlier and had a staggering 106% increase from Monday.\" Too bad this isn't a lottery- money film...they could pay it back!!!"}, {"response": 180, "author": "lg", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (02:56)", "body": "I've only been skimming the posts in this topics, since I hadn't seen the movie until last week, but I seem to recall that some of you were looking for the screenplay? Amazon.co.uk have it listed and you can pre-order it from them. But, I haven't seen it at Amazon.com, itself, yet."}, {"response": 181, "author": "lg", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (02:56)", "body": "I've only been skimming the posts in this topic, since I hadn't seen the movie until last week, but I seem to recall that some of you were looking for the screenplay? Amazon.co.uk have it listed and you can pre-order it from them. But, I haven't seen it at Amazon.com, itself, yet."}, {"response": 182, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (22:33)", "body": "Thank you Leanne for this bit of info...I shall pick it up when I'm in London on the 6th of March."}, {"response": 183, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (23:13)", "body": "VARIETY : February 16 In an article about the Berling Film Festival.... Apparently the Festival organizers were disappointed when stars failed to show up to promote their films. \"Where\ufffds Will? \ufffdShakespeare in Love\ufffd also made a strangely low-wattage showing, with Colin Firth the lone acting representative alongside director John Madden and a gaggle of producers, although the pic was predictably well appreciated by the Berlin audience.\" YEEEESSSSS!"}, {"response": 184, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Feb 17, 1999 (17:07)", "body": "The only cast member there but HOW he looked!! You will haveno problem picking your book up here Evelyn."}, {"response": 185, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Feb 17, 1999 (20:15)", "body": "\"Low-wattage\"...Huh! Don't they realise that they were in the presence of a real \"star\"!"}, {"response": 186, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 17, 1999 (22:20)", "body": "Also from VARIETY: HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Oscar nominations boosted weekend ticket sales for most, but not all, of the Academy Award finalists announced Feb. 9. The biggest winner was clearly Miramax's ``Shakespeare in Love,'' which staged an impressive expansion into wide release Friday after receiving Oscar nominations in 13 categories. Widening its run from 833 to 1,956 theaters, the Elizabethan farce starring Gwyneth Paltrow enjoyed a 127 percent jump in ticket sales to $9.5 million, according to studio projections. Saving Private Ryan'' and Miramax's ``Shakespeare in Love'' were the biggest beneficiaries at the box office post-Tuesday Oscar announcements. ``Ryan'' experienced a 26% bump from Monday to Tuesday, while ``Shakespeare'' had a staggering 106% increase from Monday. ******* In a fantasy world Heide,....these are the stats I would like to read for BJD with Colin as Mark!!!I don't want him to be \"in the unnominated contingent\" Want him a winnah!!"}, {"response": 187, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb 18, 1999 (22:01)", "body": "I don't want him to be \"in the unnominated contingent\" You mean that \"minute but crucial\" unnominated contingent? Not that I've listened to the press conference more than once ;-) I saw \"Thin Red Line\" last weekend. The husband's pick. It was soooooooooooo sssssllllllloooooooowwwwww. It went onandonandonandonandon. After the second hour, every time the scene changed I would shout (in my head, of course) MOVIE OVER! MOVIE OVER! ...But it wasn't over! It is beautifully photographed. If you are into that kind of thing, wait until it comes out on video and you can at least stop it to go to the bathroom. SiL was *much* better. Hear that, Academy?"}, {"response": 188, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (03:26)", "body": "Had a lovely lunch with KarenR this afternoon, who's visiting L.A... I always have a great time whenever I get a chance to sit down and talk with you folk IRL. KarenR also just phoned me and alerted open up my LA Weekly magazine. Apparently, Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard are going to be appearing at a local bookstore this Saturday to sign copies of the SiL screenplay!!! I'm there baby!"}, {"response": 189, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (21:00)", "body": "Dame Winter , we know you will be right in there!! Ask some of your probing questions,"}, {"response": 190, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, Feb 21, 1999 (03:01)", "body": "Just back from the booksigning... Surprisingly, not very many people. I would think that a huge line would've formed outside, but as I pulled into front of the bookstore, I saw 10 people at most in line. There was no reading...I think because the two were pressed for time, as they were off to the Director's Guild of America (down the street) for some awards banquet or something. So I guess under the circumstances, it was nice that they showed up at all. I bought 3 copies: for me, KarenR and Evelyn. I brought the Sharpie pen, and wrote each name on a post-it, so as to make sure they would personalize it without bothering to ask me all 3 times. But when I stood in line to have them sign the screenplays, the bookstore guy took the post-it's off and told me they aren't personalizing anything! Big disappointment. Anyway, Norman signed them first and passed them over to Stoppard. As Stoppard was signing the copies, I asked him \"So you got anything coming up soon?\" Well, MN just jumped right in and said something to the effect of, \"Maybe. As soon as I rest my right hand!\" Who asked him?!?!? TS didn't reply, and I didn't feel like repeating myself and embarrasing MN because the original question was not for him in the first place. TS gave me back the screenplays and gave me a nice, friendly smile! I felt so honored. .but this time, tongue tied to even think of anything else to say."}, {"response": 191, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Sun, Feb 21, 1999 (19:55)", "body": "More good news for Shakespeare in Love. Last night (Saturday)February 21) -- The authors of the romantic comedy \"Shakespeare in Love\" beat the writers of the harrowing war drama \"Saving Private Ryan\" to win the Writers Guild of America award for original screenplay. Winter didn't you have an encounter with TS and MN before they went to this awards presentation?"}, {"response": 192, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Sun, Feb 21, 1999 (19:56)", "body": "Opps wrong date! Should say February 20."}, {"response": 193, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Feb 21, 1999 (22:07)", "body": "As always, Winter, your description of your evening was entertaining. MN does appear cocksure of himself but he does speak well or at least he did at the Berlinale. Was your encounter the same night as the Writers Guild award? I'd imagine SiL would win the Oscar in this category too."}, {"response": 194, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, Feb 21, 1999 (23:08)", "body": "You're both right. It was the Writers , not Director's Guild Awards they were going to last night."}, {"response": 195, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Feb 22, 1999 (14:46)", "body": "Good work, Winter. At least you had the presence of mind to ask the question in the first place. MN hogged the acceptance speech at the GG's, did he not? Seems he's following a pattern. (Heide) I'd imagine SiL would win the Oscar in this category too. Absolutely. No contest."}, {"response": 196, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 22, 1999 (19:11)", "body": "Oh, Winter, maybe I should've given you a copy of the *Marc Norman only* script for him to sign. ;-D About the only thing it had in common with the movie was the title and about two little bits. Absolutely no dialogue carried over, and the plot is really different. There's no Romeo and Ethel, etc., even that was a cute reference to Norman's work by Stoppard. Someone has got to muzzle that man. Who's he kidding? No one."}, {"response": 197, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (08:04)", "body": "Received my autographed copy of SiL today in the mail. Thank you Winter!!! Cover is the same as the movie poster and there is only one b&w picture of Colin as Wessex in the wedding carriage. Was v. disappointed that no one wrote any introductory words or afterwords to supplement the text as I've found in my other books...although that wouldn't have made any difference to me. Would want the SP anyway. Did check the directions whenever Wessex appears and he is always supposed to deliver his lines in an evil, venomous way. Will let you know more later."}, {"response": 198, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (09:01)", "body": "I have just returned from SIL. It was in a small theater with about 20 people who were well educated about Shakespeare. and his time They and we laughed at all the clever and funny things and were silent and moved during the emotionally charged scenes. The casting was an act of genius. The only oaf was our DB, and he was excellent as such. GP was gorgeous. She stole every scene ion which she appeared. The ending was allegorical as WS put pen to paper to write Twelfth Night,IMO. Ray loved it. He really laughed at stuff I did not think he'd notice. The audience here also sat through the credits to the end. Then, in the ladies room, they rehashed their favorite allusions and insider jokes. So did we on the way home. What a joy that movie was to watch. And, Ray, as a final compliment to me, noted that John Hemmings (we in the family do not all agree how to spell it just as Shakespeare did not settle on one spelling of his name.) and James Hemmings were characters in the movie. I am a direct lineal descendant of John Hemming(s) who became Shakespeare's publisher as well as his fellow player. WS left him a gold ring in his will. More tomorrow. I am now going to read your postings and make notes."}, {"response": 199, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (09:45)", "body": "Please could someone suggest a URL for the cast of SIL with their pix. Like they did for P&P2. I need it to refresh my memory. Thanks"}, {"response": 200, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (00:45)", "body": "There should be a link from firth.com and Murph's Corner."}, {"response": 201, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (02:58)", "body": "Thank you, Arami. I did look there and did not find what I was seeking. Perhaps it does not exist. I wanted a page with thumbnails and the name of actor and character. Will check these more closely and hope. Of course, I can always do it the hard way and create one of my own!!! I am glad you are here. You cannot imagine how disappointed I was dashing in last night and posting my first thoughts. Then all day looking for people to talk to, but no one posted. Of all of Firth's ouvre, I think this used his considerable talents the least. I was disappointed. Perhaps I need to see it again...and again...=)"}, {"response": 202, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (10:12)", "body": "Try these: http://www.teleport.com/~aeneas/Shakeslinks.shtml http://www.atnzone.com/shakespeare.shtml http://www.miramax.com:8888/mm_front/owa/mp.entryPoint?action=0&midStr=742 http://www.usatoday.com/life/enter/movies/lfilm486.htm http://www.mrqe.com/lookup?Shakespeare+in+Love http://www.bomis.com/cgi-bin/ring.cgi?page=8&ring=shakespeareinlove http://www.multimedia.calpoly.edu/libarts/smarx/Shakespeare_resources/Shak_inLove/SM_Sh_in_Love.HTML I know what you mean - I also feel short-changed when I see an outstanding talent doing a cameo. But what else could he do, having initially been rejected by Julia Roberts as Shakespeare to her proposed Viola? Six years on, he was no longer young enough... Still, it was a good thing to be associated with this production. It's edifying to see he can swallow false pride and harbour no resentment, and just get on with the job in hand."}, {"response": 203, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (19:59)", "body": "Wessex Was the only role for him in this movie, and I am so happy it is a big success. I have a thought on how they could have made it commercially viable (that is the reason for most of the movies being made, is it not?). I did not have to see GP's breasts, nor see other sexual activities so graphically depicted to understand the story line. IMHO,if these had been toned-down a bit, it would not have the R rating and would have a wider audience. Thanks for the links. Am going hunting straight way."}, {"response": 204, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (20:02)", "body": "BTW, I read this entire Board before seeing SIL. I like to know the story and as much of the detail as possible beforehand so I do not waste precious time trying to figure out what the author was trying to say. This is not really a Spoiler Board; I used it as a most valuable and knowledgable place to gain insight before indulging my senses with this visually gratilfying experience."}, {"response": 205, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (20:18)", "body": "Harumph!! And I was afraid to mention anything about his various spellings as he was practicing his signature when you brought it up on the other board a couple of days ago. Regarding the sex scenes, inocuous as they were, my favorite scene in the entire movie is the bedroom scene which is closely cut with the rehearsal for the R&J balcony scene. You know the one with \"Would you leave me without satisfaction.\" \"Wait, madam, I come again.\" (close but not exact) That was absolutely fantastic, a brilliant job of editing and writing. Kids see far more on television these days to necessitate cutting out anything from this movie, even Gwynnie's little bubbies (isn't that how Webster said it!!) ;-)"}, {"response": 206, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (20:31)", "body": "Of course, you are right about what kids see and know nowadays, but will that R rating keep them from seeing it (read: Spending their money on it,) thus make less for the backers and make the actors less valuable in the eyes of the casting directors? I am desperately trying to get him into something he apparently does not want: a good solid worthy-of-his-talents motion picture which makes money. And so do we all. Can I claim a connection to CF via the Hemming brothers in SIL? Tenuous, at best... Probably only to (W)essex..."}, {"response": 207, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (20:53)", "body": "Now, now, don't play down Colin's role. IMO it wasn't a just a cameo. There's been much discussion here about how he coulda/shoulda/woulda been the lead, something I didn't necessarily agree with (although this last time I saw it, I started to change my mind). I thought he was great as Wessex. Just the right degree of snarling, wonderful bowing and scraping, etc. Lots of humor (\"now listen here, nursie\"...\"are you taking your laundrywoman with you?\"...and the ever-popular \"is she ferTILE?\" and \"you ar allowed to show your pleasure.\") Definitely not a crowd-pleasing, popular part, though. See it again if you can, Marcia. I found it even better the second (and third!) time around. ...And so do we all. Of course we do, but for now, I'll take what I can get. If he keeps working (last year was such a drag for us fans) and all this publicity keeps up, it will be but a matter of time."}, {"response": 208, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (22:24)", "body": "If there are any of you who have not been over to 113, we have a new keepsake list going. You are welcome to claim something! Response 475 of 475: MarciaH (MarciaH) * Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (16:22) * 9 lines Keepsakes from Shakespeare in Love Wessex' Pearl Earring, Renate Wessex' Blue Tights, EileenG Wessex' Sapphire and Gold Index-Finger Ring, Marcia Wessex' Ruff, Arami The Song Wessex Sings, SBR Wessex' Horse, AnnW Wessex' Sword and Scabbard, KJart Wessex' Flumpfy Hat with Tickly Feather, Nan"}, {"response": 209, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (22:38)", "body": "Eileen, I know I will love it the more I see it. There is so much meaty stuff in there to grab hold of, it will take *many* airings to see it all =). I discovered, not altogether happily, that as a \"senior\" at a matinee I paid $3.75 US to see it ($4 regular matinee prices). How were the prices elsewhere? Those were terrific lines you quoted and we all laughed at their expert delivery and pointedness. Her Father's recommendations of her in the role of wife reminded me of TA and the father of that daug ter who was a little free with her hands and other things. His recommendation of her was about as blunt! Whatever CF does, Keep his name in the public. I agree it is too long since we have seen anything new, and this is the first time I could not stop, slo-mo, rewind and drool again. I would Love to see P&P2 on the big screen!!!"}, {"response": 210, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (23:37)", "body": "I am desperately trying to get him into something he apparently does not want: a good solid worthy-of-his-talents motion picture which makes money. And so do we all. Well said Marcia! I think he does want it though....I'm sure I sensed in some of his interviews a tinge of regret that he didn't have the lead role in SIL. He must realise the knock-on effect a role like this has on an actor's career, and post-Darcy, I still don't think he's had the break or role he deserves. Hey there, Hollywood!! Are you listening?!"}, {"response": 211, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (01:57)", "body": "Hmmmmm....."}, {"response": 212, "author": "Mannen", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (13:22)", "body": "Hi, I'm new, so please stay with me... My friend and I (loyal CF devotees) went to see SIL. It was a great movie altogether... The only problem was that whenever we laughed, it was usually at opposite times to the rest of the audience. Every time Wessex (CF is quite adorable in the villian-type role) came out on top in a fight, or said something witty, we would cackle and consequently receive some very strange looks from the 'Will' supporters in the audience."}, {"response": 213, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (17:08)", "body": "Welcome Mannen! The only problem was that whenever we laughed, it was usually at opposite times to the rest of the audience. You shouldn't consider it a \"problem.\" The rest of the audience were Philistines. You and your friend *got it* ;-) Colin had his share of witty lines (see Eileen's posting above), but not enough screen time."}, {"response": 214, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (18:36)", "body": "Aloha, Mannen. Pop down to 113 and think of a keepsake from SiL you might like to claim. Karen is right. You cannot help the general public's poor taste. Remember they are the ones who make Rambo and Rocky such big successes (plus a whole bunch of others I would rather not mention.) You are at home here if you are a Firthian, and you surely sound like one =) Is your Firth friend aware of this place? Tell her to stop lurking and post something."}, {"response": 215, "author": "Mannen", "date": "Sun, Feb 28, 1999 (07:17)", "body": "Do most people find it enormously difficult to dislike the villain in a movie when he is played by such a cutie? It completely throws me, but yes I am a Firthian so my loyalties will always stay with him. (Potential 'bad-buy' or not)"}, {"response": 216, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Feb 28, 1999 (15:44)", "body": "(Marcia)I think this used his considerable talents the least. I was disappointed. Perhaps I need to see it again..... (Marcia)I am desperately trying to get him into something he apparently does not want: a good solid worthy-of-his-talents motion picture which makes money. And so do we all. Yes! Maybe I shouldn\ufffdt say anything about SIL really because you already said all that\ufffds crucial, Marcia. I saw the movie last night and after that experience I needed a couple of drinks. Coming home after midnight I landed here but had enough sense not to write anything. Decided to sleep over it!! I\ufffdve read all the earlier postings about SIL and it seems that most of you liked it......still I dare to tell you that I didn\ufffdt think much of it, not my taste. Sweet, light as a feather, mainstream as anything could be = definitely Oscar potential. I\ufffdm afraid I like rougher stuff, realism that is. I also didn\ufffdt think much of GP or JF, they\ufffdre very pretty people surely but as actors they\ufffdre just about adequate, GP even less. She doesn\ufffdt seem to have expressions in her face. (Sorry any GP + JF fans, this is just my personal point of view). Which gets me to Colin: Ann, I now I fully understand why you wanted Wessex as a keepsake. I think Colin\ufffds pretty sexy as the ice cold, stupid Wessex in some perverted way! Oh, and his excellent, heavy sort of horse riding is very droolworthy. And even when he tries to look \ufffdmenacing\ufffd as he says, that intelligent gaze of his steals its way out. And his singing is really too much....LOL! He should make an album...:-) Also, I felt he\ufffds a bit nervous or self-conscious in the part, as if he was using too much energy for a minor role like that. It\ufffds simply because he\ufffds a gigantic actor in a far too small a role in SIL; what he needs is roles where he can really put all his skill and energy to use. But ARE THERE any movies in the making with good enough roles for him in this world? Seems to me that most films made these days are this desperate mainstream soap. These films don\ufffdt need good actors in the leading roles, just good-looking actors."}, {"response": 217, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Feb 28, 1999 (15:57)", "body": "Why is it that whatever he does, the more I like him? Btw, the role as Wessex shows a new and interesting side of him as an actor.....I used to be a bit amazed about him being offered the part in The Shining, but from Wessex I see that Colin could be really good in horror movies, as a sadistic psychopath! :-) (KIDDING, I\ufffdd be shocked and sad if he accepted a role as one)."}, {"response": 218, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Feb 28, 1999 (20:08)", "body": "Oh Elena, Dear!!! The dark gloomies of the Scandanavian winter have beset you. Did you not enjoy the many-faceted duelling scenes? (I almost expected someone to slip on a banana peel. =P ) You are not alone. No matter what ODB does, we love him all the more just for having done it. We seemingly cannot get enough of him. ! Sigh ! How do you think he'd do in a Bergman movie? I cannot imagine him as a psychopath. He was bad enough in Playmaker. I do not think I would like him to be more Jack-Nicholson-like. I envision him as a noble sufferer triumphing in the end and more enobled as a consequence. There would not be a dry eye on the Drool Boards!"}, {"response": 219, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Feb 28, 1999 (20:13)", "body": "I definitely need to see it again. I had the terribly uncomfortable feeling each time Wessex showed up that he was trying too hard. Like some tyro amidst a group of theatrical giants. This was not the case, but I kept appologizing and making excuses for why his interpretation was so abrasive and brusk. I blamed the Director! =P Surely CF knows better and is secure enough in his own talent that he would not be that way if not told to do so!??"}, {"response": 220, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Feb 28, 1999 (21:04)", "body": "(Marcia) I definitely need to see it again. Yeah, me too, but just for the sake of Colin, I really do feel that the rest of the movie is soap. Or am I badly wrong? Btw, I saw the movie on a pretty small screen and my seat was far from it, it could look much better on a bigger screen. About Bergman.....yes, that\ufffds about exactly what I\ufffdm thinking about! I\ufffdd like to see him do something much more serious than SIL and I know he could do it shockinly well. You see, we LIKE the gloomiest sort of realism more than anything over here, you should see some Finnish movies to really know what is gloominess :-)) So, Colin\ufffds unsympathetic menace worked for me very well!! A TYRO?!?! Oh god, now we\ufffdre really getting somewhere. I can hardly believe you used that word about him!"}, {"response": 221, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Feb 28, 1999 (21:51)", "body": "(Elena)A TYRO?!?! Oh god, now we\ufffdre really getting somewhere. I can hardly believe you used that word about him! I meant that the director was trying to get him to forget every instinct on how to play this part and to do it as a...! CF a Tyro? NEVAH!!!! I think SIL was a parody of sorts. Did anyone else see the Tom Stoppard interview on CBS morning with Charles Osgood? Even had a clip of ODB Dancing with GP from the movie. Just about everything was an exaggeration in this movie, from the overly dramatic BA character to the stammering Prologue reciter. The duelling was hilarious, especially when JF poked his epee into CF's chest and it bent into a harmless parabolic curve. I think it must be viewed with this in mind. That is what I am going to remind myself next time I see it. I hope I enjoy it more for having that attitude. Great drama it is not!"}, {"response": 222, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Feb 28, 1999 (23:20)", "body": "The duelling was hilarious, especially when JF poked his epee into CF's chest and it bent into a harmless parabolic curve. That was the moment Wessex realized that Will was using a theatrical prop, and not a real sword... whether props were so sophisticated in those times, is another matter altogether. Another one of those multifaceted jokes, then."}, {"response": 223, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Feb 28, 1999 (23:37)", "body": "(Elena) but just for the sake of Colin, I really do feel that the rest of the movie is soap. Or am I badly wrong? Elena, dear, your own opinion can never be wrong. I am so glad you liked our dear boy. I tend to think that those who start seeing this film for the first time now will feel slightly underwhelmed because the hype has been so great and they build-up by the rest of us has been so strong. You may be expecting more. It a parody, as Marcia says and must be taken as a very good joke. I saw it for the second time two weeks ago and loved it even more then."}, {"response": 224, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Feb 28, 1999 (23:38)", "body": "oops"}, {"response": 225, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Sun, Feb 28, 1999 (23:52)", "body": "(Marcia) Great drama it is not! You said it my dear! however i loved it anyway [sorry Elena :) ] it was a great light-hearted comedy, definetly a paraody. I mean 'Romeo and Ethel the pirates daughter?' what a hoot! And Colin singing! Elena i love your idea for him to make an album! 'Colin sings Gilbert & Sullivan' Be still my heart! :) Or Marcia, how about Colin accompanied by the Edinburough Pipe band? :) LOL! I wonder if we'd be the only ones who would buy it."}, {"response": 226, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (00:19)", "body": "(SBR)how about Colin accompanied by the Edinburough Pipe band? :) That *would* require Amazing Grace! LOL! I'll buy two of them. One just to keep. As I recall, you are so enamored of his singing that you requested the honor of being The Keeper of His Song!!!"}, {"response": 227, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (04:00)", "body": "How quickly they turn on you when they have gotten what they want. I was just told we did not need to see SIL again. We have already seen it. (No!) I said he could drop me off and I could watch alone. He did not like that thought. He said I did not want to see the movie, I just wanted to Drool over \"That Guy again.\" How little they know...how much they suspect!"}, {"response": 228, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (05:03)", "body": "Poor dear! I have to admit that one of the best thing about being single is that i have complete freedom in the movie arena. (That and there's no one to bellow 'you spent how much at the mall?' at me) Good luck convincing Ray -maybe reminding him GP is in it will do the trick. :)"}, {"response": 229, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (05:14)", "body": "Indeed, or I shall find him unsuitable to be Keeper of her breast binder. Odd that no one mentioned his being on the list! I should be so lucky to get molested watching SIL. When we were there for the Seniors' matinee, Ray was one of only 2 men in there. Most of the ladies were older than I by quite a bit. He will let me see it. I do not ask for much, but with this I am determined. I shal lnot take on another man after this one. They are too hard to train. Make that difficult =P"}, {"response": 230, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (08:34)", "body": "(Marcia)I hope I enjoy it more for having that attitude. Great drama it is not! I do so agree. I was disappointed the first time I saw it but then I realised that I was expecting too much from a Stoppard play. It is really Marc Nrman's play with Stoppard dialogue so it is basically a glorious romp. The second time I saw it was in the afternoon. I went with my 16 year old son. Not only was he the youngest in the audience but so was I. The good thing was that the audience looked like P&P watchers to a man (or Woman) so there was a buzz when CF appeared as they all recognised him nd, it seemed to my biased ears, that they all liked him. He definitely got lots of laughs. shal lnot take on another man after this one. They are too hard to train. LOL, Marcia. There are times when I wish I could share some of the things I read on this board with my beloved but I fear he would not understand."}, {"response": 231, "author": "aishling", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (13:34)", "body": ""}, {"response": 232, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (15:25)", "body": "Just thought you all might like to kmnow that the Bafta film nominations have just been announced and not surprisingly SIL tops the nominations. I am surprised, however, that Tom Wilkinson has been nominated in the best supporting actor category so now Colin is even more in the minority as regards those nominated., Josepth Feinnes has been nominated best actor, GP best actress and JD, GR & now TW best supporting actor. I'm sorry and call me biased and don't get me wrong I thought TW was very good, but if he can been nominated then so should CF, personally I think he was equally as good as JD, GR & TW. Still never mind we have more interesting things to look forward to such as 3DOR."}, {"response": 233, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (15:41)", "body": "Welcome Mannen. You are not alone! Not in your firthmania or your reaction to SiL! I was absolutely the only one laughing when he came thumping through the woods on that horse while bursting with song. Your perspective will change when you see it again, Marcia. I saw it twice without my Ray (that's my hubby's name, too), alone at a matinee (a bargain at $5). He seems to shout and stomp alot, particularly in the scenes when Viola is late (didn't you howl when she comes in the room, all smiles, still with the fake mustache and beard?). But IMO it was really just the right amout to set up the character as the pompous blow-hard. His snarling \"Marlowe\" line was delivered perfectly. Yes, SiL was certainly comedy, not drama. I didn't find too many terribly original gags (although the bit in the dining hall, when the waiter says \"our special today is a pickled pig's foot...\" was pretty funny). The stutterer, the oarsman/writer, the star-struck Fennyman, etc. all seemed vaguely familiar. But I loved this movie. As the critics say, it works on so many levels. Anyone into high art: see 'Thin Red Line' instead. Only bring a blanket, you will need to nap during the showing. Anyone into high drama: 'Saving Private Ryan' is for you. Hope you also like steaming entrails and flying extremities. An RN for 20 years, I thought I was used to blood and guts but my knees were weak by the end of the movie."}, {"response": 234, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (16:46)", "body": "I am surprised, however, that Tom Wilkinson has been nominated in the best supporting actor category so To tell you the truth, I think that is well deserved. I thought he was much better than GR. It is a better part with which to get an award. Wessex is too one dimensional. I do wish they hadn't announced them on the day that 3DOR has its press review. It will not put our Boy in the best of spirits, I fear."}, {"response": 235, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (17:10)", "body": "Allison, sorry to contradict but isn't press night, tomorrow night? or should we look for reviews from tomorrow onward."}, {"response": 236, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (18:41)", "body": "I think it is previewing tonight. First night is tomorrow. I think."}, {"response": 237, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (19:34)", "body": "Keeper of the breast binder? Sounds like a good job, but if someone else has beaten me to it, I shall have to make do with keeper of the breast. I'm glad the reaction to SiL was generally good. The only things I would criticize - (i) the Webster joke was made once too often, and (ii) but for some v. fine editing, the frequency of the mood switching would certainly have got out of hand. I am THE most intolerant movie-goer - I glare horribly at people who talk and rustle paper and I hate the smell of pop-corn. So when people laughed during the most poignant bits of Romeo and Juliet, which I thought was wonderfully acted, they were lucky to leave with their heads on. One of my favourite scenes, for some reason, was the prologue. The (ex-)stutterer speaks his lines beautifully, and it suddenly pulls you into the theatre and the play. If I'd had a little Beretta 9-mm to hand, the two people n the row behind me, who tittered just a little too long at that point, might have been in trouble."}, {"response": 238, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (19:40)", "body": "BAFTA AWARDS....what a downer! Was GR nominated as well? It's just this constant overlooking that makes me wince for him. He may as well have had 8th billing. And the timing is VERY bad. Opening night....I hope no-one tells him! And even the Evening Standard omits his name from the billing of 3DOR. And he IS head of the billing. Sorry, it all p*sses me off! too much! I actually don't think awards matter all that much, but if he was overlooked when nominated as Mr Darcy (when everyone else connected with Jane Austen (deservedly) got an award, well, he doesn't stand a chance! Have you seen my good news about BJD and Mark Darcy on #116!!!"}, {"response": 239, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (19:51)", "body": "Would you believe GR was nominated twice, for Elizabeth and SIL."}, {"response": 240, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (20:26)", "body": "(Allison)There are times when I wish I could share some of the things I read on this board with my beloved but I fear he would not understand. Oh Yes! I wonder if you ladies have any idea how much of my sanity I owe to your wisdom and approbation. Thank you, and thank CF for being so incredible!"}, {"response": 241, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (20:35)", "body": "(Ben) Keeper of the breast binder? Sounds like a good job, but if someone else has beaten me to it, I shall have to make do with keeper of the breast. Alas, Ben, anatomy is always with the person to whom it is attached. I cannot put you down, but I shall remember it with a smile! when people laughed during the most poignant bits of Romeo and Juliet, which I thought was wonderfully acted, they were lucky to leave with their heads on My sentiments exactly. I was very touched by the truth they were portraying and we had old-enough-to-know-better folks giggling. I was insenced, indignant and they ruined the moment for me. Boom~! The (ex-)stutterer speaks his lines beautifully, and it suddenly pulls you into the theatre and the play. did it not remind you of Olivier's Henry V ?!"}, {"response": 242, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (21:06)", "body": "(Marcia) did it not remind you of Olivier's Henry V ?! Actually it reminded me of Kenneth's Henry V. 'We few. We mighty few. We band of brothers-' gives me chills everytime. (sorry never saw Oliver's version - blasphmy, i know.) :) (Eileen)I was absolutely the only one laughing when he came thumping through the woods on that horse while bursting with song. You and me both Eileen! :) I've seen SiL 3x's and broke into giggles everytime when he started singing!"}, {"response": 243, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (21:17)", "body": "Marcia: {i} Alas, Ben, anatomy is always with the person to whom it is attached. I cannot put you down, but I shall remember it with a smile! {\\i} I would have to follow her around, then. What chances have I of tending Miss Eliza Bennet's breast binder (now THERE's an enjoyable tongue twister)? Of course, it would be a travesty ever to let her wear it. The chorus opening Henry V is wonderful too..\"Oh, for a muse of fire, that would ascend the brightest heaven of invention!\" Or something. It sets the scene perfectly. SB - I urge you to take a peek at the Olivier Henry V. I like the Branagh version too, but it suddenly seems a bit melodramatic when compared to LO's. And it's hard to fail with the St Crispin's day speech. Cry God for Harry, England and St George!"}, {"response": 244, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (21:19)", "body": "Bloody hell. WHY am I so hopeless with this effing HTML? What was wrong, pray, with the last post? Why didn't Marcia's remark get italicized??????"}, {"response": 245, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (21:24)", "body": "Because you didn't use the pointy brackets (greater than and less than signs for mathematicians and economists) above the comma and period. If my prior post confused you, sorry. I was just trying to be funny. Guess you didn't get it! American vs. British humor problems."}, {"response": 246, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (21:28)", "body": "Karen - to corrupt Miss Austen, I can't bear to think that you are in this world thinking that I am thinking ill of you. Which prior post???"}, {"response": 247, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (21:35)", "body": "The brackets above the comma and the period are the ones to use, Ben, and thank you for defending a most wondrous Henry V. Even the breezes wafting the notices around, and the panning shots of the model of London and the general theater scenes as they were preparing for the performance. All splendid. And all very familiar to SIL viewers."}, {"response": 248, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (22:25)", "body": "Ben, I am granting you the Keepership of Lizzie's undergarments which we saw in the movie. And, you may follow her as closely as she will allow. Surely, you do not need my approval for that!!! Check 113. Lizzie is getting her own Keepsake list."}, {"response": 249, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (23:52)", "body": "Ben & Marcia- i shall take your advice and indulge in a wee bit of OL's Harry in the night. :)"}, {"response": 250, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (00:45)", "body": "SBR, if you do not have it, I can get it to you easily! Just let me know."}, {"response": 251, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (23:58)", "body": "I did it!!! THIS IS IT : http://members.aol.com/mouseuk/stage/index.htm"}, {"response": 252, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (00:39)", "body": "Ooops, that was supposed to be on 116 for a 3DoR review. Cannot wait for those London-bound ladies who have until now been SiL deprived. Then we shall see some new Drool here. oh Joy!!!"}, {"response": 253, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (04:08)", "body": "Can anyone tell me how many minutes into the movie Wessex does his Gene Autry imitation?"}, {"response": 254, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (22:17)", "body": "Some of You Who Were In London MUST have seen SiL. A few thoughts before you forget them? Please?"}, {"response": 255, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (03:40)", "body": "(Ann)Tom Wilkinson has been nominated in the best supporting actor category Disgusting. I can't help but feel that this is the final blow. Now, I'm really glad 3 DOR received such superb reviews.....makes up for the stupid BAFTAs."}, {"response": 256, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (16:04)", "body": "One thing that I'm really going to miss about this year's Oscar ceremony is Billy Crystal's sendup of the Best Picture nominees at the beginning. Wonder which scene and person he would choose from SiL? I kind think he might be Gwyneth as she spins out of her binding!!"}, {"response": 257, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (17:35)", "body": "Oh yes, Karen, you are right. It is Ray's favorite scene and the reason for the keepsake he claimed. Actually, I think he was not cherishing the binding so much as what was bound! =P And she does it with such grace. Lovely! Fraught with possibilities for satire."}, {"response": 258, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (17:36)", "body": "Another thought, whoever said Earls do not wear codpieces (Arami?!) was right and CF (gasp!) was wrong. This afternoon I went to my second viewing of SIL and taped the sounds of Wessex and others with my pocket-sized portable tape recorder. I stared and stared and could not see even a hint of a codpiece. I will put up a little essay on 113 in a short while, but I must claim something else."}, {"response": 259, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (20:53)", "body": "Ditto to your latest post, Karen. Yes, I could also see Billy in long blonde wig, twirling around. He would have had some improbable person responsible for the unwinding, too. Remember what he did for TEP? David Letterman replacing Colin in the yellow plane? I was ROTFLMAO. I hope Whoopi can equal his emcee performance. All I can remember from the last time she hosted was alot of personal political commentary and inciting remarks. Boo, hiss. No codpiece, Marcia? My condolences ;-P"}, {"response": 260, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (22:15)", "body": "then he would have to add the little interchange with the nurse, whilst clutching the sheets: \"It is a new day.\" \"No, it is a a new world!\" Those scenes are in all the trailers and we've seen them over and over and over again. ;-)"}, {"response": 261, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (23:34)", "body": "Marcia, you were the first to claim His gold and saphire ring, and since I have not seen SiL yrt - plan to do so with Antonio (who \"is curious to see him on film\")this week end - I think I should relinquish that ring to you and maybe later claim something else."}, {"response": 262, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (00:40)", "body": "No Codpiece visible, alas. That is the reason for all the volume around his hips. A mere slot could be hidden very successfully thereby rendering the codpiece needless. I was severely disappionted! Gi, I gave up the ring. Hold it until you see the picture. If you find something other than Wessex himself which you like equally as much, I will be happy to guard it. However, his pinkie ring is lovely, too. And, considering what I was after in the first place, not altogether disassociated! =P"}, {"response": 263, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (03:01)", "body": "Murph has new pics of Lord Wessex Http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/4144/wessex.html"}, {"response": 264, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (04:01)", "body": "this is from a newbie who needs help posting I have seen SIL five times now. The first time I was disapponted . It took a while to become accustomed to the whiskers, earrings and slight jowliness. However, with each viewing he seems to get cuter and sexier. He still has those wonderful eyes, that fabulous voice and his graceful way of carrying himself. he must bow at least six times and he does it so impressively. I also loved the sword fight. He must be a trained fencer as he uses a sword in Valmont, P&P and now SIL. I will probably see it at least one more time in the theatre before it goes to video. Susan A. YIB4E@aol.com"}, {"response": 265, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (04:03)", "body": "Susan, welcome! I always thought the jowliness was due to that infernally scratchy ruff he was wearing up under his chin. Looked terribly hot and uncomfortable! But....CUTE!!!!"}, {"response": 266, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (22:29)", "body": "I just saw SiL - miracle!- and loved it. Antonio says it is wonderful. And CF reminded me so much of Darcy... I'll say more about it all tomorrow."}, {"response": 267, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (02:29)", "body": "Re codpieces: Henry VIII wore enormous ones: they became unfashionable after 1590. The only reason why an earl woudn't wear one around 1593(?) would be the demands of fashion. They might possibly still be worn by poorer men who couldn't afford new styles on demand."}, {"response": 268, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (03:56)", "body": "Perhaps worn by the poorer classes, but I did not espy even one codpiece, and that was my main object in going to SiL the second time (uh...huh!) I did a bit of research on the item in question in preparation for my essay. They had all sorts of embellishments including fur, spikes, jewels, pearls and gold cording. Gussets and pleats increased the roominess to the point of curiosity as to what Else they were keeping in there! I am much safer with the Sapphire ring on his index finger. Henry VIII had en ugh wrong with him, I would not like to venture into his codpiece - not for all the jewels in the crown!"}, {"response": 269, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (07:24)", "body": "(Arami) Re codpieces: Henry VIII wore enormous ones: Heavens, I don't even want to ask the reason for this ;-). Gi, glad you finally got to see it and that Antonio liked it also. Thanks goodness, a CF film that is also a hit with the significant others. I can still hear the complaints after dragging the DH to TEP. But he loved SIL!"}, {"response": 270, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (17:09)", "body": "(JanaJH) But he loved SIL My DH liked it as well, to my surprise. He called TEP and ATA \"chick flicks.\" I didn't think he'd go for all the poetry in SiL (\"talk prose!\") but he recognized it better than I did! Glad you and Antonio liked it, Gi! It was worth the wait, wasn't it?"}, {"response": 271, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (18:04)", "body": "Yes, indeed. And in a way I'm glad I only saw it after 3DoR, because that meant having something else to look forwards to after seeing Colin in the flesh.While most Droolers have already had to go back to the wait and worry for what he'll do next, I can begin the wait and worry a few days later...:-)"}, {"response": 272, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (18:27)", "body": "test"}, {"response": 273, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (18:45)", "body": "Just to point out, I have changed my email address. If anybody sent me messages starting from 14th of March to my former address here, I\ufffdve lost them."}, {"response": 274, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (22:03)", "body": "(Gi) And in a way I'm glad I only saw it after 3DoR, because that meant having something else to look forwards to after seeing Colin in the flesh. Now there's a girl who really knows how to mega-manage her fantasy-life.. even got the Lisbon distributor of SIL to release it aft 3 DOR :-))))"}, {"response": 275, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (08:25)", "body": "LOL! Evelyn, you give me more credit than I deserve! :-)))"}, {"response": 276, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (21:22)", "body": "Welcome Susan! may your posting problems soon be resolved! :) I saw our DB in SiL for the 4th time this last weekend, and am happy to report that he definately is wearing a codpiece. You have to watch VERY Closely - they're made out of the same material that his bloomers (or whatever the heck you call them) are. You can see the first one briefly when he's at Grenage (Marica, I know you told me how to spell that, but i've forgotten already) he's wearing green. The second time is when he's wearing a purplish color (i think it's sunday when he thinks he sees a ghost) and the final time is when he's standing at the top of the stairs on his wedding day. This one is the largest and most obvious- but like i said, be prepared to look FAST or you'll miss it. :)"}, {"response": 277, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (21:35)", "body": "It's spelt Greenwich, S B:-)"}, {"response": 278, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (21:36)", "body": "Ohh, something to do when SiL comes out on video! Sharp eyes, SBR!"}, {"response": 279, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (23:48)", "body": "SBR, they cannot bring that video out soon enough. May have to delay my limerick of three + stanzas now till I can wzx eloquent on this most esoteric of apparel. I NEED to see it!!!"}, {"response": 280, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (14:30)", "body": "Hey, ODB's picture is in next week's TV Guide (it's the one we've seen a million times before, bowing to Queen Judi as he's told Viola has been 'plucked') with his name in the caption . Story was about their pics for Oscar. Let's hear your limerick, Marcia!"}, {"response": 281, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (01:22)", "body": "Thanks Gi! I'm dyslexic and I know half the time my posts are riddled with spelling errors and difficult to read. Marcia dear, if you do not stop torrmenting us with your non-posted Limerick, we shall be forced to conspire to get back at you in someway. :)"}, {"response": 282, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (08:32)", "body": "S B, you're too hard on yourself! But some of our drooling friends do deserve some punishment for keeping us waiting for their posts...Marcia and her limerick can perhaps be forgiven, but what about Arami, Renate and Kirsten?"}, {"response": 283, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (18:10)", "body": "Gi, I sent SB my drafted and reworked ad nauseum limerick for her input but have received nothing. This leads me to think it is as poor as I thought it was. I just may post it to show the others that anything posted is better than an empty space!"}, {"response": 284, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (19:32)", "body": "see 113 for my input :-) Marcia, Elena, since we 3 were the last to see SiL, how about re-launching its discussion?"}, {"response": 285, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (20:14)", "body": "Sounds wonderful. I still cannot find my ancestors in the movie. According to the \"cast in order of appearance\" they are right after the first boatman (which WS chases \"the boy\" to find out who he is)...I think...! SBR also just saw it for the 4th time, and she posts from work from time to time. She can drool so eloquently as to puddle my machine miles and miles away!"}, {"response": 286, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (20:59)", "body": "I definitely would like to hear comments from everyone who has recently seen SIL.Gi, Kirsten, Elena, Renate, Carola....Sabine...a whole bunch. Did our previous discussions ( which started on Christmas Day...except for Winter and Nan who saw previews...) spoil the plot for you? I hope not. **** BTW when I was in LA end of Feb. SIL was playing in 94 theatres!! That's more than Italy...where it's #2!!Perhaps they know that one of its stars is a resident!"}, {"response": 287, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (23:28)", "body": "(Marcia) sent SB my drafted and reworked ad nauseum limerick for her input but have received nothing ACK! Marica I havent check my email in days! I'm SO sorry! Just read your final product over at 113, and thought it was marvelous! I've been working 12 hour days (and with and hour commute each way) I pretty much just colapse in bed by the time I get home. I promise I'll catch up on my email this weekend! Meanwhile, I shall sneek in these lovely excursions to Drool -while nobody at work is looking. :)"}, {"response": 288, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Mar 20, 1999 (13:55)", "body": "what about Arami, Renate and Kirsten? Dear ladies, it's either limericks or trying to develop www.firth.com - I'm afraid there's also real life intruding..."}, {"response": 289, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Mar 20, 1999 (13:56)", "body": "tag!"}, {"response": 290, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 1999 (10:22)", "body": "(Arami)Dear ladies, it's either limericks or trying to develop www.firth.com - I'm afraid there's also real life intruding.. Is that what prevents us from having the priviledge of reading a full report of your experience at the Donmar?"}, {"response": 291, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 1999 (12:30)", "body": "(Evelyn) spoil the plot for you? I hope not. Evelyn, I practically did not read this topic before I saw SiL, simply because I felt so jealous about other people having the chance to see him as an Elisabethan creep while I hadn\ufffdt! Anyway, I have seen the movie once and have not planned to see it again before I can buy the video, and I\ufffdll do that only because of Colin. Like I said before, I really didn\ufffdt think much about the movie but I loved Colin in it...maybe that\ufffds it, I only had eyes for Colin and everything else seemed unimportant !!! I really felt IMPATIENT during all those soapy GP/JF episodes, they did not interest me at all especially because I don\ufffdt think they are very good actors, in my opinion they\ufffdre just pretty people and real actorship is out of their reach. I know many of you like the two, but to me their performance gave nothing. All in all, I hate it that all you need is exceptionally good looks to become a megastar while high quality actors with real substance get the smallest roles. Substance really isn\ufffdt what counts in this world, Colin would be a megastar by now if it did. Btw, I\ufffdm going to see Aki Kaurismaki\ufffds Juha in an hour, he was promoting this film in Berlinale at the same time when Colin was there. It\ufffds a black and white silent film, basing on the most famous Finnish triangle drama in literature. With passion, adultery and suicide of course! 100% uncommercial."}, {"response": 292, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (00:39)", "body": "Gi is demanding the priviledge of reading a full report of [my] experience at the Donmar ... It wasn't outstanding in terms of content; I was happy just to be there and watch... Colin came downstairs soon after the end of the show. He stood patiently as people approached him with requests for autographs and photos. I pushed forward clutching my silly little pocket camera and asked him if he didn't mind if I snapped a few pics... (Why did I bother? No one else did...) He assured me he didn't (I wonder if he thought I was being facetious!) - and the results will hopefully be seen on firth.com pages one day soon... It was fascinating to watch him making this very deliberate effort t acknowledge fans, well-wishers and curious ones milling around. He happily signed anything anyone wished, and readily posed for photographs with delighted ladies. His amiability, patience, and generosity were very special and unquestionable, even though he looked a little tired - later we discovered that he had been fighting a nasty cold. He signed my program adding a usual personal dedication and a little \"x\", and I asked for another one to be signed for a fan in Russia. My request caused Colin's eyes to light up appreciatively and he raised his eyebrows in surprise. I thanked him for his patience and complimented him on the performance. I said something like: \"I feel lost for words, but it really goes without saying that\ufffd\" This brought a broad smile of visible pleasure to his face and he thanked me. I also asked him not to leave it too l ng before returning to the live theatre and he said he'd try. Soon after that he left the theatre accompanied by a small group of personal friends. On foot."}, {"response": 293, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (02:08)", "body": "Thanks for telling us about your encounter, Arami Each story I read just adds another assurance that I'm not backing the wrong guy for favorite actor. He's real class. On foot But of course."}, {"response": 294, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (02:41)", "body": "Does \"Best Picture\" spoil anything??? How about GP and DJD?? Costumes? Perhaps Screenplay...Gee, hate to spoil anybody's suspense!! YIPPEE!!!!(frankly, I coulda had a cow!!!)"}, {"response": 295, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (03:34)", "body": "KJ I know what you mean. I came out of my seat when they announced Judi Dench and again when Harrison Ford said, \"Shakespeare In Love\" I let out a whoop. It's a good thing I was watching by myself, anyone would have though I was ready for the loony tune mobile, jumping around and yelling. Thank heaven my husband slept through it."}, {"response": 296, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (04:10)", "body": "Arami, thank you for a very interesting tale of 3Dor. If I remember correctly, you had about the most meaningful and substantive conversation with him that I have heard of as yet. Congratulations for the level head and cool nerves, and intelligence to ask the things which would make him beam! Congratulations!"}, {"response": 297, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (08:42)", "body": "Arami, thank you very much for your report, how can you say it was not outstanding? You were the only one, I believe, who had the presence of mind to ask him to come back to stage soon. I'm so glad you did! I saw SiL again yesterday (Antonio wanted to confirm how good it all was - said it was) and feel ready to start discussing it. I'll begin with a few minor points. The actor who played Kit Marlowe, and whom I remember from My Best Friend's Wedding, was not credited? I bought the book (screenplay) and unless my eyes fail me, he is not credited there either. I am not sure what a codpiece is, but in the duel scene and in the wedding scene through Wessex's plaits protrude either the handle of his sword or a very erect phallus... You tell me. I think Gweenie is a very good Viola, but a lousy Thomas Kent. Anyone agrees? As for CF, his villain lacks evil. I think he tries to empathize with his characters (remember, for Darcy's first proposal he says he tried to understand his POV and could not understand for a while afterwards what was so wrong with the things he had said), thus Wessex comes out as a bloke for whom \"the only matter under discussion\" is a trade of a name for money. He has been bought for her, he says. Still, he is attracted to her... to her eyes, no, to her lips... He fights Shakespeare not only for his honour (\"you covet my property\") but also, I think, from jealousy. And see how sad he looks at the theatre, after the show! So, he is not a strong character, like the Queen, nor a caricatural one, like Henslowe. Hence no nomination. I think."}, {"response": 298, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (13:53)", "body": "Arami, thanks for your 3DOR tale. How did you feel after finally meeting with him, and what do you feel now? I know how much you admire and ... him.;-) Gi, I hope you got my e-mail."}, {"response": 299, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (14:44)", "body": "If I remember correctly, you had about the most meaningful and substantive conversation with him that I have heard of as yet. I think Karen had the most substantive conversation. We were privileged to see him on two nights. On Friday night just K&I alone in the lobby. Karen told him about having seen the play in Chicago the weekend before and he was most interested. On Saturday night when we went to group for the picture he remembered us and he asked Karen how his performance compared to Chicago.He was most interested. ***** the presence of mind to ask him to come back to stage soon. I overheard several Spring people ask him to pl. appear in a play soon. And in my thank you note I requested that he not let 5 years go by without appearing in a play...after all \"we want to get together (Spring)before then!!)"}, {"response": 300, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (15:04)", "body": "(Arami) It wasn't outstanding in terms of content Thanks for your 3DOR report, Arami. As one who did not go, I can't read enough about these close encounters of the Firth kind. IMO anyone who has seen or talked to ODB has plenty to share. (Heide) Each story I read just adds another assurance that I'm not backing the wrong guy for favorite actor. Ditto! (Gi) through Wessex's plaits protrude either the handle of his sword or a very erect phallus... You tell me. LOL, Gi! 8-o ! It's the sword handle, dear. The only criticism I had about GP as Th. Kent was that her voice wasn't always low enough. I see your point about Wessex, but I think that if Colin made him more evil he would have been overacting...but I am biased. I enjoyed Colin as Wessex much more than as Jess in ATA (I thought that performance was flat and underemotional)."}, {"response": 301, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (15:58)", "body": "Evelyn, my short term memory is getting shorter... Abject apologies to all who said significant things to ODB...or wrote them :-)"}, {"response": 302, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (19:12)", "body": "Arami, thanks, I enjoyed your report. Really, we can\ufffdt compete about who said the most significant thing to him!! It\ufffds a subjective thing. Take me for instance, the moment he turned to us I suddenly lost my ability to say or think in English, and I\ufffdm very happy for the few quite insignificant words I managed to say and hear from him. On the other hand, it\ufffds strange but I possibly did not really want to have too much personal contact with him. I don\ufffdt know if you guys understand a crazy thing like this but I believe I needed to keep a certain distance and would again if I had another chance to meet him."}, {"response": 303, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (20:53)", "body": "(Elena), I possibly did not really want to have too much personal contact with him. I don\ufffdt know if you guys understand a crazy thing like this but I believe I needed to keep a certain distance and would again if I had another chance to meet him. Really? I would love to dance with him and to have a very long conversation with him and to watch him horseback ride and... etc, etc. :-D"}, {"response": 304, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (22:52)", "body": "I would love to dance with him and to have a very long conversation with him and to watch him horseback ride and... etc, etc. Moon, you crack me up! :-D And don't forget: watch him go shopping for antiques, listen to him practice his Italian, etc... etc...(I wonder how he fares in Italian pronunciation)"}, {"response": 305, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (23:38)", "body": "Gi, I like your \"take\" on Wessex. I've only seen SIL once (I look forward to studying the video) but I'm puzzled why so many people dislike Wessex so much...villainous, wicked, male chauvenist etc. I felt rather sorry for the impoverished Earl, and I've been interested to read CF's comments on him. He's correct in saying that Wessex's behaviour was quite normal for the period...marriages were business arrangements and breeding ability did matter...especially if there was a title to carry on! I thought Wessex as inept with women, stiff, and certainly lacked poetry!...but he wasn't a villain! I hope that now Harvey's got his Oscar, he'll do something with MLSF, so that we have a long overdue chance to see CF in a more sympathetic (but still flawed) role! :-)"}, {"response": 306, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (00:26)", "body": "(Winter), ...(I wonder how he fares in Italian pronunciation) So do I, and I hope I will find out one day. Bethan, I hope someone finally asks Harvey, now that he has his most wanted Oscar, if he plans to release some of his stash of films. Why didn't anyone ask him that at the Oscar's press conference? That would have been my first question."}, {"response": 307, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (01:48)", "body": "Moon Dreams: How did you feel after finally meeting with him, and what do you feel now? I know how much you admire and ... him.;-) I still do, maybe even more so... I saw a smashing (that's great in Brit speak), modest, friendly guy, working really hard and diligently at keeping his fans happy. People approached him with respect and admiration, and he reciprocated very generously. Even though he was feeling unwell towards the end of the second week, he still came down to meet the fans. He could have left the theatre using the back emergency exit, but he never did. I was aware of his dual image: Colin the actor and Colin the ordinary guy. I was looking at his famously \"neutral\" features, thinking about his various screen roles, and I had to admit it again: he was a magician in more ways than one... Yes, I am still under the spell..."}, {"response": 308, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (02:02)", "body": "Gi, I liked your comments on SiL. Yes, Rupert Everett was not credited for his role. A bit odd to me that he was at the Oscars supporting the film. I saw him being interviewed the next day along with JD, GR and John Madden. I too found GP hard to believe as a boy. I don't think it was her acting - just very too feminine looking. Had to laugh at the idea that such a good boy's wig was available at that time and that she could pile that mass of hair underneath it. As for CF, his villain lacks evil. . . So, he is not a strong character, like the Queen, nor a caricatural one, like Henslowe. Hence no nomination. Precisely, but as Bethan points out, Wessex is behaving quite normally, not doing anything very reprehensible and CF sees the validity of that. I like that he's not an over-the-top villain. You're right, that kind of portrayal will rarely bring a nomination. He fights Shakespeare not only for his honour (\"you covet my property\") but also, I think, from jealousy. I like this. He's fighting for his honor, his livelihood, and his machismo. Practically Neanderthal. ;-) (Eileen) but I think that if Colin made him more evil he would have been overacting.. I love that he always goes for the subtleties (excluding Tumbledown). (Elena) the moment he turned to us I suddenly lost my ability to say or think in English, and I\ufffdm very happy for the few quite insignificant words I managed to say and hear from him. I agree. I won't berate myself for the things I should have said but am glad for those who had more presence of mind. So glad it was such a group event. I hope next time the group is even larger."}, {"response": 309, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (02:04)", "body": "Almost forgot, Moon... loved your question for Harvey. Too bad you weren't there. Now if we could only get people to answer our questions."}, {"response": 310, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (07:44)", "body": "(Heide)Now if we could only get people to answer our questions. Yes! You still remember that list we sent Colin through his agent, don't you? (Eileen) but I think that if Colin made him more evil he would have been overacting.. (Heide)I love that he always goes for the subtleties. So do I, my dears, do do I..."}, {"response": 311, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (13:32)", "body": "(Heide), I like this. He's fighting for his honor, his livelihood, and his machismo. Practically Neanderthal. Never neanderthal! Noblesse oblige. With Wessex I felt the same way as I did when I saw Titanic. Why would Gwynnie prefer Shakespeare over Wessex? Why would kate prefer Leonardo over her fiance? There was something so much more substantial in them, more manly. (Gi), You still remember that list we sent Colin through his agent, don't you? He is probably all talked out now. He has given quite a few interviews(who would have thought it!), we will have to wait and see what happens to his career now. ;-)"}, {"response": 312, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (19:44)", "body": "(Moon) Really? I would love to dance with him and to have a very long conversation with him and to watch him horseback ride and... etc, etc. :-D For some reason this brought to my mind's eye the picture of JE, clad in a pair of skin-hugging jodpurs, bouncing gently on a muscular steed. Her cheeks are flushed and her breath slightly short. Riding crop in hand, she gives a gentle thwack to Xanthus' rippling flanks. Flinching, .... SORRY. Off subject again. I am v. happy about SiL, I must say. I thought it was great, and I also thought GP was wonderful, especially as Romeo. The opening 20 mins. of SPR are astounding. After that, I thought, it grew increasingly ordinary. By contrast, SiL got better and better through the film. Sour grapes from other studios, and from Spielberg of all people, reduce them both in my estimation and provides a nice contrast with all the schmalzy, sickly, Uriah-Heepish backhanded self-congratulation at the Oscar ceremony. All this looks even more ridiculous when, moments later, someone can't accept being judged second best with a little more grace."}, {"response": 313, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (22:11)", "body": "Now, Moon, I beg to disagree on several points: Why would Gwynnie prefer Shakespeare over Wessex? Why would kate prefer Leonardo over her fiance? There was something so much more substantial in them, more manly. Both Wessex and Kate's fiance were nasty characters, who considered their women as their property and could be abusive, were self important, and were cowardly when in difficult situations. He is probably all talked out now. He has given quite a few interviews Oh, but we sent him a number of questions nobody else asked him, did we not? ;-) (ben)SORRY. Off subject again. LOL! You didn't stray very far...;-)"}, {"response": 314, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (22:15)", "body": "(Ben) someone can't accept being judged second best with a little more grace. Good article in NYTimes yesterday on \"Morning After Complaints\"..... Go to http://www.nytimes.com/library/film/032399oscar-commentary.html Why the 5,500 member of the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences split their vote between \"Shakespeare in Love\" and \"Saving Private Ryan\" was the source of discussion all over Hollywood. The Academy did split their votes as we surmised."}, {"response": 315, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (23:45)", "body": "Just read the article from the New York Times, \ufffdMorning After Complaints\ufffd\ufffd What planet are these people from\ufffdSIL was a hard sell and Harvey was just doing his job. Which in my opinion, he surpassed greatly. Those idiots in Hollywood whine too damn much and need to get in the game. I wait with great anticipation at what Weinstein will do with MLSF. Colin is lucky to have this guy in his corner. Go Harvey\ufffd Go Harvey!"}, {"response": 316, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (00:47)", "body": "After HW's underselling (in our estimation) CF early on in SiL and removing his name from the webpage, are we to become a new version of the Harvey Girls?! Self-congratulatory Hollywood has done more damage to creative thinking in movies than almost any other source I can think of at the moment."}, {"response": 317, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (04:11)", "body": "Marcia, you know I had forgotten how HW dissed Colin--and your'e right about the damage to creative thinking in movies--Had to vent because I couldn't understand why some of the Academy were now crying foul play just because someone sold a better product. Besides, I hated SPR. Wouldn't want to be a Harvey Girl though, would perfer to be Colin Girl. (Hmmm, Colin Girl sounds a bit funny almost like Call Girl)."}, {"response": 318, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (04:13)", "body": "Sorry that's \"prefer.\""}, {"response": 319, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (13:51)", "body": "(Gi), Both Wessex and Kate's fiance were nasty characters, who considered their women as their property and could be abusive, were self important, and were cowardly when in difficult situations. I did not find Wessex to be a nasty character or cowardly. Kate's fiance was a little more of a problem granted, but leaving him for Leonardo? He is probably all talked out now. He has given quite a few interviews Oh, but we sent him a number of questions nobody else asked him, did we not? I agree with you but actors take into consideration all the interviews they give at a given time. Plus, someone has to type the answers. It is likely that he will be giving more interviews for the release of MLSF too. Of course, the questions he will be asked will not be as satisfying to us as the ones we sent. :-) ( Marcia), Self-congratulatory Hollywood has done more damage to creative thinking in movies than almost any other source I can think of at the moment. I agree! Spielberg should be ashamed of himself. Why doesn't he start producing small independant films? Harvey has a nice list of low-budget films to be very proud of. Thanks Evelyn for the NYT's article."}, {"response": 320, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (14:23)", "body": "Thanks for that article, Evelyn. How about that line (I'm paraphrasing) some studios are \"making different kinds of movies [than Miramax], some are Oscar material and some aren't?\" It's a business consumed with money for 99% of the time. Art seems to matter only around Oscar time for most studios and then they have a temper tantrum because they didn't win. And does art really matter to these studios? Probably not. An Oscar win = more box office, so it all comes back to $$$. One Dreamworks executive said that \"Shakespeare\" may have triumphed because the biggest bloc of academy voters are actors and the film is a tribute to acting and theater. On the other hand \"Private Ryan\" is the work of a virtuoso filmmaker, and as a result he was given the Oscar for best direction. There was the possibility, too, that the majority of academy voters simply preferred the comedy to the tragic war drama. (From the article) This is consistent with my opinion. As for Harvey, waddaya want? He's from Brooklyn!"}, {"response": 321, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (17:00)", "body": "(Marcia)Self-congratulatory Hollywood has done more damage to creative thinking in movies than almost any other source I can think of at the moment. Marcia, I just couldn\ufffdt agree more. The productions of Hollywood film industry seem to me like a load of completely estranged junk these days....and I also think that if SiL is the best picture of 1998 and GP is the best actress, something is badly wrong in the business altogether. Pretty, conventional superficiality. (Gi)Oh, but we sent him a number of questions Moon, was the Internet and Spring mentioned in the question list? In case he has received the list and seen those words, he could have reacted somehow in Donmar when he heard those words again....or did anybody of us mention them to him in fact?? ......but of course he couldn\ufffdt have remember it anyway. All in all, my guess is that he has not seen the list at all and it\ufffds no use asking about it in ICM, it\ufffds just a policy of theirs to tell you that he has received everything you\ufffdve sent him."}, {"response": 322, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (17:02)", "body": "I mean: couldn\ufffdt have remembered"}, {"response": 323, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (17:38)", "body": "Love it: here's the follow-up article to the one Evelyn posted http://www.nytimes.com/library/film/032599hollywood-miramax.html Enjoy!"}, {"response": 324, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (18:41)", "body": "Elena, his LA agent gave him the list first. Then, we sent via Fax to London a copy as well to be forwarded to him as a reminder. He does know of the questions and he does know that it is from cf.com. I had hoped that someone might have mentioned cf.com to him at the Donmar, but I do not believe anyone did. Thanks Ben!"}, {"response": 325, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (19:14)", "body": "(Moon)He does know of the questions I see! In case that\ufffds 100% certain, I\ufffdd be very curious to know what the problem is.....probably simply that he has forgotten all about it right away! I\ufffdd also like to know how much mail he gets actually, maybe too much to answer anything.....oh sh**, I MET him recently for god\ufffds sake!! I could have ASKED him."}, {"response": 326, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (20:30)", "body": "(Elena)I MET him recently for god\ufffds sake!! I could have ASKED him. LOL! It is amazing how articulate we become after the fact. You might have asked him, but could you have?! ;) All of that Drool does get in the way when we are confronted with the most drool-worthy man in the known Universe!"}, {"response": 327, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (21:44)", "body": "Thanks Ben for alerting us to the NY Times article. Harvey must be gloating. (Moon)I had hoped that someone might have mentioned cf.com to him at the Donmar, but I do not believe anyone did. I believe someone from the other group did mention cf.com and Gi , I think, mentioned it to Livia. But no one from Spring , to my knowledge. To tell you the truth, I went to enjoy the play, wallow in The Man Himself,and meet up with the Spring crowd. I did not want to ask him any questions, or explain the provenance of our group.Somehow, it just didn't seem prudent. The group picture was pure luck:-)"}, {"response": 328, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (22:48)", "body": "Has this got to be the most contentious and acrimonious Oscars in history? Evidently, Fernanda doesn't subscribe to the Judi Dench \"I'm-just-thrilled-being-nominated\" philosophy! Ran across this news blurb (and I loved Central Station): FERNANDA'S NO GRACIOUS LOSER Appearing to evince much of the cold cynicism that distinguished her character in Brazil's Central Station (1998), Fernanda Montenegro accused Motion Picture Academy voters of awarding the best actress Oscar to Gwyneth Paltrow not for her performance but for her \"thin, pure, virginal\" appearance. Speaking on her return to Rio De Janeiro from Los Angeles, where she attended the awards ceremony as a rival nominee for best actress, Montenegro said, \"They don't have much of this type of actress like Paltrow i American cinema. The Oscar for Paltrow is an investment.\" Montenegro had few complimentary words for Roberto Benigni's Life Is Beautiful (1997) as well. \"It didn't deserve to win,\" she said. \"I thought it was just him that won, not the film itself.\""}, {"response": 329, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (02:31)", "body": "(Moon Dreams) He does know of the questions and he does know that it is from cf.com. I had hoped that someone might have mentioned cf.com to him at the Donmar... Excuse me: by whose authority are those questions \"from cf.com\"? Has this been cleared with the administration of the site?"}, {"response": 330, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (02:33)", "body": "Fernanda is lucky they let her in the door. I don't remember a Brazilian actress ever being nominated...since Carmen (Boom, chick-a-boom-chick)Miranda. Nothing beats Judi Dench's grace.I just wish she hadn't dissed GP early in the game...remember?\"It would be nice if the leading lady would speak to other members of the cast every now and then\"."}, {"response": 331, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (07:51)", "body": "Evelyn,, do we know for sure she really said it, or is it just the media again. I personally find it hard to believe Dame Judy Dench would be so petty, she is above all that. She is such a professional like our DB."}, {"response": 332, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (08:28)", "body": "(Moon Dreams)I had hoped that someone might have mentioned cf.com to him at the Donmar, but I do not believe anyone did. I did, to Livia. (Evelyn)...Judi Dench's grace.I just wish she hadn't dissed GP early in the game... (AnnW)do we know for sure she really said it, Maybe she did, and maybe it was true. Just because she won an Oscar for SiL, and because she mentioned CF a couple of times, do we suddenly prefer to believe she has no faults? And maybe it was not said, or maybe it was not true, or maybe she was having problems in her personal life... Fernanda Montenegro: I saw an interview she gave after the nominations and before the awards. She said she was proud to have been nominated, and also surprised, because she is much older and not as good looking ad the other nominees, and Brazilian cinema is done with a lot less money than American cinema, which means the brazilians have two cameras for every four of the americans, the plans are fewer, the editing less brilliant, the films have less rythm, and the actors are not showcased as well. She said Hollywood looks after their own, and an old latino woman in a depressing movie all about poverty is surely not going to win. She was very articulate and intelligent in the way she put all this. She did not accuse Paltrow or Blanchett of being youg and pretty, she just said they were, and that they were good actresses as well. Of course if she had won, you would have had a graceful speech of acceptance."}, {"response": 333, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (14:19)", "body": "(Evelyn)...since Carmen (Boom, chick-a-boom-chick)Miranda. Evelyn, you crack me up. I read Fernanda's comments in my local paper (it was probably in everyone's local paper). My first reaction was \"crybaby\" but hey--she's speaking her mind. It's almost refreshing. She knows she has nothing to lose. (Gi) and because she mentioned CF a couple of times, do we suddenly prefer to believe she has no faults? I think we have the life experience to know there's no such thing as a person without faults (even--gasp--ODB). If what Dame Judi was rumored to have said was true, so what? I still appreciate GP for mentioning Colin's name when NOBODY else was."}, {"response": 334, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (15:38)", "body": "(Ann)Evelyn,, do we know for sure she really said it, or is it just the media again I only know what I read...'cause I wasn't there.I don't think they would make something like that up however, Imelda Stauton in an interview in The Daily Mail raved about GP.She said the girl was exhausted...had to go to NY to do TV promos and the premiere for \"A Perfect Murder\".Said GP was a real trooper. And she should know , she was Gwynnie's nurse!! ****** Fernanda's interviews: Sometimes these stars give different views on things once they get back to their own country.....and lose."}, {"response": 335, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (17:45)", "body": "While we're still discussing the oscars... when Judi Dench made her comment about feeling like she deserved only a small part of her supporting oscar since she was only in the film for 8 minutes (or whatever), I couldn't help but wonder if she was really thinking: \"Yeah, and when I deserved to win the bigger prize last year, they give it to some twerpy Yank sitcom star -- go figure!\" The only part of the oscar thing that really had me on my feet was Norman Jewison's speech (accepting his Thalberg award) in which he exorted filmmakers to \"focus on telling good stories\" and \"bigger budget doesn't mean better film.\" Amen, brother!!"}, {"response": 336, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (18:59)", "body": "(SusanMC)...when Judi Dench made her comment about feeling like she deserved only a small part of her supporting oscar... ...I swear I wondered which part she meant! ;-)"}, {"response": 337, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (22:09)", "body": "(Gi)..I swear I wondered which part she meant! ;-) I can't say I've paid Oscar's anatomy very close attention, but isn't he sadly lacking in vital areas? Great pecs he may have, but...."}, {"response": 338, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (22:58)", "body": "(Ben)isn't he sadly lacking in vital areas? Exactly! That's why I wondered...:-)"}, {"response": 339, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (23:08)", "body": "(Arami) Excuse me: by whose authority are those questions \"from cf.com\"? Has this been cleared with the administration of the site? Actually, the questions were not specified as coming from cf.com. But we did say that if he chose to answer we would post them at that site. I had asked either Nan or Renate (maybe both, don't remember) if we could post the answers at cf.com if he should answer. I would have asked Maria but she's hard to get hold of. However, if she should choose to question me, I'm easy to find."}, {"response": 340, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (00:23)", "body": "Re Oscar's anatomy: apparently that part had been claimed years ago. Sort of gender neutral, is he not?!"}, {"response": 341, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (01:17)", "body": "the questions were not specified as coming from cf.com Thank you, Heide, for this assurance. I would have asked Maria but she's hard to get hold of. All the Three Deers are equally accessible to everyone via their email address."}, {"response": 342, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (05:42)", "body": "I can't say I've paid Oscar's anatomy very close attention, but isn't he sadly lacking in vital areas? Great pecs he may have, but.... } He does have a very long sword, though. ;-)"}, {"response": 343, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (08:00)", "body": "(Ann)He does have a very long sword, though. ;-) Aha! Touche! ;-)"}, {"response": 344, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (14:40)", "body": "But surely, it's not the size of the weapon..."}, {"response": 345, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (20:17)", "body": "Yes. His weapon scrapes the floor which is mighty impressive, I admit, but also inconvenient, surely?"}, {"response": 346, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (20:39)", "body": "(Ben)... but also inconvenient, surely? For whom? :-D Sorry, sorry, sorry! I couldn't resist!"}, {"response": 347, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (22:49)", "body": "Does it mean that your floor needs scraping, Winter, dear? ;-) (Sorry - couldn't resist, either!!!)"}, {"response": 348, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (02:26)", "body": "Ouch."}, {"response": 349, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (15:28)", "body": "Someone inquired as to the BAFTA Awards; Films only. TV in May. Sunday April 11th. For a short listof nominees go to: http://www.pa.press.net/news/backgrounder/bafta/main.html on the Press Association website pa.press.net Last year they posted the results as they were awarded...anybody in UK hear whether they'll do it again?"}, {"response": 350, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 1999 (15:38)", "body": "Spring Pledge Drive Terry will gratefully accept any small donation you can make to help keep the Spring out of the hole. No obligations, of course, but if you're able to help out, a check can be made out to The Spring and mailed to: The Spring Rt.2 Box 56r Cedar Creek, TX 78612 I will post this at the other topics, so bear with the repetitions."}, {"response": 351, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (02:43)", "body": "Murph's charming story about Lord Wessex and Lady Viola in the New World has now grown to Four Parts. They can be found on her website: http://www.colinfirth.com/html/shakes.html"}, {"response": 352, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (04:02)", "body": "Ooooh, Evelyn, thank you for this. I had no idea anyone was tackling that yet."}, {"response": 353, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (03:35)", "body": "Marcia)Re; Wessex and Viola in the New World:I had no idea anyone was tackling that yet. I only wish our gifted Fan Fic authors would get inspired to develop sequels for the rest of Colin's films."}, {"response": 354, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (04:25)", "body": "From the UK Press Association Page: Oscar-winning star Gwyneth Paltrow and movie legend Liz Taylor are jetting in to Britain to join the celebrations at the British Academy Film Awards Paltrow took the Academy Award for best actress for her role in Shakespeare in Love and will be hoping to repeat the feat at Sunday's ceremony. The film has been short-listed for 16 awards - 15 Baftas and the Orange Audience Award. I hope she wins and thanks \"Colin Firth\". I think CF & Livia will attend. They went to every other SIL function."}, {"response": 355, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (05:27)", "body": "and movie legend Liz Taylor are jetting in to Britain to join the celebrations at the British Academy Film Awards I thought she was ill. (Or was that her ex?)"}, {"response": 356, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (14:54)", "body": "(Or was that her ex?) Yeah, poor Larry fell off a balconey. He's lucky to be alive. (Evelyn) I hope she wins and thanks \"Colin Firth\". Ditto. I was disappointed she didn't at the Oscars. She must have gotten heat for not thanking JF at the SAGs, where her acceptance speech was spontaneous (thought she wouldn't win) and more like her GG speech. I also wonder if C&LF will attend. When are the BAFTAs? This month, right?"}, {"response": 357, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 1999 (04:07)", "body": "E Taylor is ALWAYS ILL! That woman has had more problems!"}, {"response": 358, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 1999 (19:12)", "body": "(Evelyn) Murph's charming story... can be found on her website: http://www.colinfirth.com/html/shakes.html Correction: with all respect to Murph, www.colinfirth.com is not her website. She is a guest co-laborator running a section called Murph's Corner - and long may she continue to do so! But she also has at least one other place on the web which is wholly hers - you can find all relevant links in Murph's Corner."}, {"response": 359, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (02:33)", "body": "May I add my voice in urging everyone to visit this website. It is full of *everything* Shakespeare, SiL, and Firth in it, including a MIDI file of the music he sang - but, alas, not of his singing it =( I was delighted to find Shakespeare's Last Will and Testament in which he leaves my ancestor a ring of remembrance (it was a popular thing to do in those days.) Excellent layout and graphics, it is compleat and most wondrous."}, {"response": 360, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 1999 (05:35)", "body": "Queen Eilzabeth must be a Colin Firth fan! She gave Edward a title in honor of the dear boy! Though, if I were Edward, I don't think I would like being named after the villainous Lord Wessex!"}, {"response": 361, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 1999 (07:18)", "body": "Ann, there are all sorts of baddies in almost every title she could have given him. On 72, we discussed it a bit - but should have been here! I did The Times and Laura did The Telegraph. The latter was better, but both were interesting. Ann!!! It's you! My absolutely favorite writer of all time. Your Tapestry is printed out and dog-eared from frequent reading. It was the first Fanfiction I ever read and it is still the best in my heart =)) Welcome!"}, {"response": 362, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 1999 (07:24)", "body": "OOK = Karen's was King's Tapestry which I loved for another reason. Ann, Heartfelt Delight...as I read unfinished JA you filled in the spaces where I needed them to be filled. Karen took it another step farther. For the longest time these two were the only ones I ever read. They still have pride of place in my manuscript file. Welcome!"}, {"response": 363, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 1999 (13:21)", "body": "Sorry, Marcia, but this is Ann (no initial or number Ann, who runs the DWG and Austen.com). While she didn't write Heartfelt Delight (that's Ann2 officially, from Sweden), this Ann has written a number of very lovely stories that I know you would love."}, {"response": 364, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 1999 (13:22)", "body": "Oh yes, thank you, dear, for the kind words about my old story. ;-)"}, {"response": 365, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 1999 (20:27)", "body": "Oh my! My Stephanie erred?! She was the one who separated the Anns for me. Your old story is a toss-up with Ann2's HFD as my fav's I pulled them out and reread them last night as my disgusted DB went to sleep with his back to me. Thank you for your clarification. I felt most sorry about Ann2's departure from RoP and was delighted to see her new DWG and Austen.com all ready for my belated perusal. I hardly go to RoP anymore, unless it is to hunt through their archives for something. 14 hours on the Boards is just too much, and this was when I tried to write last night and got everything confused. I also tried to write Ann Haker a letter but it bounced back to me this morning."}, {"response": 366, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 1999 (20:46)", "body": "I felt most sorry about Ann2's departure from RoP and was delighted to see her new DWG and Austen.com Uhm, Marcia, it looks as if you're still mixing them up. Ann Haker is the host of Austen.com, she posts as 'Ann'."}, {"response": 367, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 1999 (20:50)", "body": "Ann Haker, host of DWG/Austen.com, no longer uses the U of Minn that's shown with her login. Try this: anneh@www.spring.net Ann2 hasn't left RoP; she still posts her Heartfelt Delight there. I believe Lizzie is getting closer to her wedding night. You're at the computer too long!! Get some sleep. ;-p"}, {"response": 368, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 1999 (22:10)", "body": "Thank you again. Am getting out of the Ann business and going to read some fan fiction. I really do appreciate your clarifications. I do not know how I managed to be so confused (need that sleep!)"}, {"response": 369, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 26, 1999 (20:13)", "body": "Dear Drool Hosts.... When MLSF is released can we look forward to a MLSF Board? Hope so :-)"}, {"response": 370, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 26, 1999 (21:58)", "body": "I don't see why not."}, {"response": 371, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jun 26, 1999 (23:40)", "body": "And why not here? SiL is moribund for the present."}, {"response": 372, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jun 27, 1999 (00:57)", "body": "I would think there's no reason to post anything here anymore. This topic has served us well but we've all seen Shakespeare in Love by now, haven't we? No reason why we can't discuss any other SIL topics on 118/119. If anyone is concerned about reading spoilers for My Life So Far on our regular topics, I'll gladly make a new topic for the lucky few who will see it in a few weeks. I'll copy this onto 119."}, {"response": 373, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 27, 1999 (02:39)", "body": "I'll gladly make a new topic for the lucky few who will see it in a few weeks. So positive I can't stand it. ;-) Heide does topics. I don't do those or windows."}, {"response": 374, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Jun 28, 1999 (07:43)", "body": "Well, clever distribution of labor is what a good partnership is all about :-) drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 116, "subject": "Colin Firth (Part 3)", "response_count": 1999, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "AnneR", "date": "Mon, Dec 14, 1998 (02:51)", "body": "Hello everyone, I am an old (pre-Pemberley) citizen of Drool who looks in now and then to see how things are going. I read Winter's tale of going to the L.A. screening of SIL and meeting Colin and then being shattered to discover that her photos didn't come out. Perhaps I can help. Two friends and I went to the premiere of SIL last week in New York, and were also lucky enough to meet Colin, however briefly. He signed autographs (\"Love, Colin Firth x\")very sweetly and posed for a picture with one of my friends. Fortunately, our photos did come out, and can be seen at: http://members.tripod.com/~i_love_movies/sil/silpremx.html (Note--I have the webmistress's permission to post this link.) So, go to it!"}, {"response": 2, "author": "Stacey", "date": "Mon, Dec 14, 1998 (06:04)", "body": "I don't know about everyone else but I'm loving those pictures! Real close-ups of Colin! Wow!!!!"}, {"response": 3, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Dec 14, 1998 (16:51)", "body": "Thank-you very, very much, Anne! Finally we get a good glimpse of him (and without straw-coloured hair. I\ufffdm relieved...) Could you please tell us a bit more about your meeting with him? Did you ask him something and what did he say? What was your general impression of him?"}, {"response": 4, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Dec 14, 1998 (17:37)", "body": "Thanks so much Anne, you've made my day!!!! He looks pretty good for pasty, don't you think. Winter talked of his face lighting up etc Any info on his expressions or gestures? Were you also impressed by Livia?"}, {"response": 5, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 14, 1998 (17:58)", "body": "Great pictures, Anne. Thanks for returning and sharing them with everyone here. Saw The View this morning. It had Gwyneth Paltrow in a segment by herself and no discussion of the movie, although it was preceded by a long clip with a few shots of Colin that we've all seen before. Then they brought out the *rest* of the cast...unfortunately, that did not mean Colin... It meant: Geoffrey Rush, Judi Dench and Joseph Fiennes. The ladies started with Geoffrey Rush, moved on to Judi Dench for a question or two, then landed on Joseph Fiennes. Now I can see why he isn't on any othe shows. He cannot speak or string together more than one or two words. Then you could barely hear him. I can't imagine that he didn't have a microphone, but he was barely audible. Something about wearing tights being liberating, like at the beach.... He came across as a \"no personality type\" more so than a shy, introverted type."}, {"response": 6, "author": "Stacey", "date": "Mon, Dec 14, 1998 (18:55)", "body": "I saw The View this morning also and got real excited when I thought that they might have Colin on there, but my excitement soon faded. There were quite a few long shots of Colin from the movie and I was surprised that no one said anything about him and that the show hosts didn't ask, especially since he was in 2 out of the 3 scenes that they showed. I think that they would have been much better off to have Colin on the show instead of JF, but he is the \"star\"!"}, {"response": 7, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Dec 14, 1998 (19:09)", "body": "Thank you, Anne, for your lovely gesture. One very much appreciated. Saw The View too. Now I know why I've never watched it before. This chatty girl-talk worked fine with Gwynie but they could only think of one question each for the guys. JF looked uncomfortable, GR looked bemused. JD was great and GP is getting very good. I have to applaud all the work she's doing for this film. At least the clips predominantly featured Colin."}, {"response": 8, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Dec 14, 1998 (20:27)", "body": "Forgive me Winter. I referred to you earlier without your bestowed title, gained in the pursuit of bringing pleasure to hundreds( that's the lurkers as well). Sorry Dame!!"}, {"response": 9, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Dec 14, 1998 (21:47)", "body": "Every time I convince myself that it is Darcy I am in love with, a new photo of CF is posted and I fall in love all over again. These photos are splendid. What a Holiday Gift you have given us. Do not quite see the \"straw-colored\" hair, but that he is gorgeous, there is *no* doubt! Thank you, Anne and the rest."}, {"response": 10, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 14, 1998 (22:20)", "body": "Nan has been busy Snappying everything Colin that's been on TV. These are from the E! interview, which Winter taped."}, {"response": 11, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 14, 1998 (22:21)", "body": "....and more...."}, {"response": 12, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 14, 1998 (22:22)", "body": "Hmmmm, those are different shots, but let's see:"}, {"response": 13, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 14, 1998 (22:23)", "body": "Now, if we could only have the Voice!!"}, {"response": 14, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Dec 14, 1998 (23:11)", "body": "More Friendly FoF share their finds: An interview with HIM! Have you been there already? http://www.filmscouts.com/scripts/clips.cfm?Film=sha-lov And filmclips: http://www.nytimes.com/library/arts/shakespeare-in-love-film.1.ram.html It takes some time to load as Realplayer always does."}, {"response": 15, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Dec 15, 1998 (00:12)", "body": "Yeah, I don't know what I was thinking with the straw colored hair thing... but it was a lot lighter than how I see it in the pictures. But maybe that was because we were standing underneath these huge bright lights, I don't know. Hey-- when is Ben getting back from England?"}, {"response": 16, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Dec 15, 1998 (00:59)", "body": "Thank you ladies for such a great group effort. *sigh*"}, {"response": 17, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 15, 1998 (01:49)", "body": "People magazine this week referred to CF's performance in SIL and \"stuffily amusing\"....well..... it beats any remarks about being a cuckold. Thanks to Anne R. and FOF for the pics."}, {"response": 18, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Dec 15, 1998 (01:59)", "body": "That *really* irritates me. People is published by Time-Warner, and Time Magazine did not even mention his name!!! (I subscribe to Time, but not to People.)"}, {"response": 19, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Tue, Dec 15, 1998 (06:17)", "body": "*Sigh on the pictures** Oh, he is too cute. Is so hard to forget he is very married. Rita"}, {"response": 20, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Dec 15, 1998 (08:11)", "body": "Lisa's Timeline of CF has a detailed transcript of his interview in the News section...he's still fond of \"mmmmmmm\"! I like his explanation as to why men of that period wore earrings....at a time of natical expansion, when most noblemen would actually so to sea, it seems a wise precaution!"}, {"response": 21, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Dec 15, 1998 (08:15)", "body": "Oops! One finger typing lets me down.....\"nautical\" and \"go\"!"}, {"response": 22, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 15, 1998 (15:57)", "body": "Rather than individually post the Snappies, Nan has created some lovely pages with the best of the best: E! Interview The View Clips Rosie Show Clips Hopefully, these will work! Thank you, Nan. :-)"}, {"response": 23, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 15, 1998 (16:03)", "body": "Next week's Time Magazine has the \"Best of 1998.\" Full list: 1. Saving Private Ryan 2. Decalogue 3. Shakespeare in Love 4. Happiness 5. The Butcher Boy 6. The Thin Red Line 7. Bulworth 8. The Opposite of Sex 9. Without Limits 10. Live Flesh"}, {"response": 24, "author": "susanne", "date": "Tue, Dec 15, 1998 (16:46)", "body": "It was very gratifying to have Siskel and Ebert praising this movie. They even mentioned Colin's name and not BA's. I did wish they had preceded his name with the words fine British actor. Well, I can't have everything. At least they didn't mention Colin Friel and his wife Olivia. :-)) I love all the pictures that have been posted."}, {"response": 25, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Dec 15, 1998 (17:43)", "body": "Well Ladies, our DB was on T.V this morning. GMTV (OK OK I am desperate) showed their Hollywood report with mostly Wessex clips. This was to have been followed by a GP interview but they ran out of time!!! Apparently it's a \"surefire winner\" for the Golden Globe noms. Are they out at the end of the week?"}, {"response": 26, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Dec 15, 1998 (17:47)", "body": "BTW I was so excited about SIL on Brit tv that I should have begun by thanking FOF for the truly delicious snappies. I shall devour them slowly."}, {"response": 27, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 15, 1998 (21:43)", "body": "I believe the Golden Globes are being announced this Thursday."}, {"response": 28, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Dec 15, 1998 (23:19)", "body": "Great Karen. Please keep us posted."}, {"response": 29, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Dec 16, 1998 (01:10)", "body": "This got in topic 97 before I froze it. Topic 97 of 116 [drool]: Colin Firth - PART II Response 1196 of 1196: Lucie (alyeska) * Tue, Dec 15, 1998 (18:14) * 3 lines Winter, it sounds like you had a great time. Thank you for the colorful account. It sounds like your experience was like every interviewer I've read. They all say how nice he is. I wish I could find the one that said she was so surprised to find an actor who wasn't concieted at all but very down to earth and a great sense of humor, with the ability to laugh at himself. Lucie"}, {"response": 30, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Dec 16, 1998 (01:37)", "body": "Thanks, Lucie. I had a lot of fun, and as I've said before, you were all there with me in spirit that night. Wow! I just realized it was exactly a week ago! Yes, Colin seemed very down to earth. His smile does it a lot..."}, {"response": 31, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Dec 16, 1998 (01:52)", "body": "Lisa's Timeline of CF has a detailed transcript of his interview in the News section. I'm looking all over the place and can't find it! Can someone give me the exact URL? Thanks!"}, {"response": 32, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 16, 1998 (02:04)", "body": "Thanks Winter... Re: Lisa's Timeline ....I can't find it either. Which reminds me ...if anyone finds something new on one of the CF websites, would you pl. post it and the URL.Some of us don't have the time to hit all his websites v. often. Just think....last year at this time...we were all in the doldroms over ATA and what a lousy movie it was...hey, of the top 100 movies in '97 ATA was 94. Here we are in '98...looking for SIL as a Golden Globe nominee and TIME listing it as #3 movie of the year. Well done, Colin."}, {"response": 33, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Dec 16, 1998 (08:37)", "body": "Here we are in '98...looking for SIL as a Golden Globe nominee Can SIL really be in the running for a Golden Globe? I saw in Variety that nominations had to be in by the 1st December, I think. Surely that would rule out SIL?"}, {"response": 34, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Dec 16, 1998 (15:41)", "body": "Thanks a million for all the info & beautiful pics that some of you (Winter, Anne, Karen) have provided us with. The pictures really make me weak at the knees, he\ufffds so....you know. Beyond words. I hate it that I can\ufffdt give you anything in return because I live here close to the Arctic circle, far from the Firthlized world (!!). The Finnish press is not the least bit interested in Colin and as far as I know, SIL has been mentioned here only once this week in a tabloid. It was mainly about ms. Paltrow\ufffds mammary glands. Aargh! (Rita)Oh, he is too cute. Is so hard to forget he is very married. Exactly, Rita. OK, jealousy is a forbidden feeling in civilized circles but how can I deny it? It\ufffds such a paradox because one naturally wishes Colin ALL the best in life and his marriage is surely one of the best things in life for him. The premieres with Livia everywhere just made it so very very visible. Aargh again....:-)"}, {"response": 35, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Wed, Dec 16, 1998 (17:43)", "body": "I love it when this board is jam full of posts, so much excitment and anticipation. Thank you all for sharing. Finally, it takes a woman to notice. From NY Times Sarah Lyall's SIL review: ...the hunky Colin Firth as Viola's unpleasant fianc\ufffd, the Earl of Wessex... For those of you in the DC, MD, Nothern VA area: There's going to be a special preview of SIL at the United Artists Bethesda Cinemas to benefit the Shakespeare Theatre. Monday 12-21, call 202-547-1122 for more info."}, {"response": 36, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 16, 1998 (19:24)", "body": "(Allison) Can SIL really be in the running for a Golden Globe? I saw in Variety that nominations had to be in by the 1st December, I think. Surely that would rule out SIL? Sure can!! The critics saw the movies at previews, etc. Thin Red Line hasn't even opened anywhere is on Time's best list. I know some people put great stock in the Golden Globes, but I think they are closer to a popularity contest than anything. Sort of like a \"People's Choice\" award from the Hollywood Foreign Press. The Oscars have their own politics too. I tend to look to the Directors' Guild for Best Picture/Director clues, not the Golden Globes. Remember, the critics in LA, NY or Timbuktu don't vote for the Oscars. (Emma) Finally, it takes a woman to notice. I thought the exact same thing!! The reviews by women have mentioned his status as \"British heartthrob\" or \"Mr. Darcy in P&P.\" We don't forget so easily and little padding and little sneering and subservience won't do it."}, {"response": 37, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 16, 1998 (19:54)", "body": "Now, here's a Keepsake that belongs to Winter!"}, {"response": 38, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 16, 1998 (20:19)", "body": "Here's the link for the Timeline: Lisbeth's Timeline"}, {"response": 39, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Dec 16, 1998 (20:52)", "body": "Great Karen, many many swoonable thanks. Anyone want to analyse the DB's handwriting? I think his flourishes signify a passionate, private man with a great sense of humour and exceptional thighs."}, {"response": 40, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Dec 16, 1998 (21:08)", "body": "My dear, I think it just shows a person in a hurry... Is there really an F for Firth?"}, {"response": 41, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Dec 16, 1998 (21:36)", "body": "Well his exceptional thighs are ideal for hurrying etc!!!"}, {"response": 42, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Dec 16, 1998 (22:37)", "body": "Lizza: I think his flourishes signify a passionate, private man with a great sense of humour and exceptional thighs. Gi: My dear, I think it just shows a person in a hurry... Lizza: Well his exceptional thighs are ideal for hurrying etc!!! Y'all have me ROTFLMAO!!!!!! Too funny! Thanks for the best laugh I've had all day. Boy, I'd love to see those thighs up close and personal... BTW, AnneR, THanks so much for sharing those pictures! What a sight to behold! And thanks Karen for posting the photo and the URL to Lisa's Timeline. I like the frequent \"mmmms\" peppered throuought the interview.... As long as they don't resemble Mr. Collins' 'Mmmms\" :-)"}, {"response": 43, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Dec 17, 1998 (00:43)", "body": "I'd love to see those thighs up close and personal... There is an interesting glimpse or two in Fever Pitch... no doubt, Nan will be snappying in due course."}, {"response": 44, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec 17, 1998 (00:56)", "body": "To be in such good company! Do you believe how exited we get at just looking at his signature? It is true that it has either changed or he was in a hurry, nevertheless, we are v. proud of you Dame Winter. I can't wait to meet you in LA this Feb. and shake the hand that touched the man himself! Thanks to Nan and Karen who are such sweethearts to snap and post. We do appreciate all your efforts."}, {"response": 45, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Dec 17, 1998 (01:58)", "body": "There is an interesting glimpse or two in Fever Pitch... If so, I can't wait to see those thighs on the big screen! Whoa baby! Thanks to Nan and Karen who are such sweethearts to snap and post. We do appreciate all your efforts. I second that! Nan and Karen rock!"}, {"response": 46, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Thu, Dec 17, 1998 (05:57)", "body": "I third the motion Nan and Karen do Rock!!! This site is exactly what you need on any given day. Winter; I certainly would be glowing after looking at that signature every day. I am in awe of you. You lucky girl."}, {"response": 47, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Dec 17, 1998 (15:30)", "body": "This is my first posting! I have found this discussion very informative. Unfortunately, I don't have any new info to add. I have enjoyed the past few weeks of seeing Colin's face on my TV screen. I caught Gwyneth on the Rosie show also and thought she was quite complimentary of Colin. Of course, we all agree with her assessment! Up until then, I had been disappointed that he wasn't getting mentioned even though all the clips predominantly featured him. Since the SIL openings, things seem to have died down ..I guess until Christmas and the film's nationwide release. Can't wait! There is a *GREAT* picture from the LA premiere at www.colinfirth.com (Murph's corner). Enjoy!"}, {"response": 48, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 17, 1998 (16:02)", "body": "Hi Eileen....Welcome to the Spring Community. It's good to get your sentiments and comments . One doesn't have to report any news to post....Be sure to stick around and lets hear from you often:-) I think that next week the TV stations will start airing the advertisements for SIL in preparation for the Christmas Day blitz. Cheryle: We miss you. Is your wrist recovering?"}, {"response": 49, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 17, 1998 (16:30)", "body": "I'VE SEEN IT!!! Last night, I was minding my own business, walking out of \"Waking Ned Devine,\" when I heard three little words...Shakespeare in Love. I whip my head around and see three people standing near the entrance to the theater where \"Elizabeth\" was playing and they are holding pamphlets of some sort. I eye them for a while, wondering what is going on, watching if people have tickets of some sort, and then walk downstairs to the concession area to mull things over. I debate with myself for a couple of minutes a d then, what the hell, I go back up the stairs and walk right in. The theater is pretty crowded (it was one of the smaller of the complex) and seats are being held all over the place. I find a seat, making someone remove their coat in the process, and wait, not daring to ask anyone anything for fear I will be thrown out. All the while I'm thinking that if it is Elizabeth showing, I will have to crawl over all these people to leave, since I've seen the movie already. Lights dim. Screen illuminated. Big M....Miramax flashes...(Yes, I silently mouth to myself). Then Universal (Eureka!! I've hit paydirt!!). London 1593... It was a private screening of some sort. People had little questionnaires to fill out from Miramax on whether they liked the movie and some demographic information. It was great. So as not to spoil anything for anybody, more detail will be provided on the other topic...but suffice to say I want to see it again!"}, {"response": 50, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Dec 17, 1998 (16:50)", "body": "I told you Karen, you will see this movie about a hundred times, then you will buy it when it is out on video, and we'll probably bury you with it;) Hey, Lucky you!!!! Can we still see it when I'm in Chicago????"}, {"response": 51, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 17, 1998 (17:53)", "body": "For Bethan and Allison: At the very beginning, Geoffrey Rush (Henslow) and Tom Wilkenson (Fennyman) do a great bit about movie/theater accounting. (Laura) Can we still see it when I'm in Chicago???? Only if I can put duct tape across your mouth!! hee hee"}, {"response": 52, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec 17, 1998 (18:50)", "body": "V. happy for you Karen. I got tix to a private showing on Monday but I'm leaving Saturday for CO. Ca va sans dire, I was most upset (the reason for my drinking a whole bottle of champagne), I couldn't bring myself to write it on the e-mail I sent you last night. I will now have to wait for my return to see it. C'est la vie! Wishing all of you lovely ladies very Happy Holidays, I will be back to celebrate the new year together. Still waiting for Colin's answers: fingers crossed."}, {"response": 53, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 17, 1998 (18:52)", "body": "From E! Online News : Thursday December 17 12:11 PM ET \"Shakespeare,\" \"Truman\" Span the Globes One World War II drama got stripes; the other got stripped. But in the end, it was Jim Carrey and Will Shakespeare who carried the day. Life-as-a-TV-show dramedy The Truman Show, starring a surprisingly ungoofy Carrey, and meet-cute-costume-comedy Shakespeare in Love, featuring a surprisingly loopy Bard character, earned a field-best six nominations today for the 56th Annual Golden Globe Awards. Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan--the most likely of Oscar frontrunners--managed five nods, including ones for best drama film, best director (for Spielberg) and best actor (Tom Hanks). The upcoming The Thin Red Line, the other gritty battlefield flick praised by critics, was ignored--nothing for acclaimed director Terrence Malick, nothing for its all-star ensemble cast (led by Sean Penn). The other top multiple nominees (with three each): Warren Beatty's gangsta-rapping political comedy, Bulworth; the Queen Elizabeth flick Elizabeth; Gods and Monsters, the art-house drama about 1930s horror director James Whale; and, the British comedy, Little Voice. A-list stars celebrated by the Globe's Hollywood Foreign Press Association included: Cameron Diaz, nominated for pretending not to notice what was in her hair in There's Something About Mary; Gywneth Paltrow, nominated for pretending to be British (again) in Shakespeare in Love; and Sharon Stone, nominated for being Sharon Stone (and, oh yeah, being in The Mighty, too). Diaz is arguably the front-runner in her category. Wednesday, she was named best actress by the New York Film Critics Circle. After The Thin Red Line, the other notable snub was Pleasantville. The life-inside-a-sitcom fantasy might have picked up its share of critics awards, but got zippo today. Also shunned: Italian star Roberto Benigni's much-hyped holocaust fable Life Is Beautiful. Technically, Oprah Winfrey's equally hyped slavery epic Beloved was denied glory, too, but that box-office bomb detonated months ago--so what's one more snub? The awards will be presented January 24 in a NBC telecast. Here's a rundown of today's major nominations: Best drama: Elizabeth Gods and Monsters The Horse Whisperer Saving Private Ryan The Truman Show Best comedy/musical: Bulworth The Mask of Zorro Patch Adams Shakespeare in Love Still Crazy There's Something About Mary Best actress--drama: Cate Blanchett (Elizabeth) Fernanda Montenegro (Central Station) Susan Sarandon (Stepmom) Meryl Streep (One True Thing) Emily Watson (Hilary & Jackie) Best actress--comedy: Cameron Diaz (There's Something About Mary) Jane Horrocks (Little Voice) Gwyneth Paltrow (Shakespeare in Love) Christina Ricci (The Opposite of Sex) Meg Ryan (You've Got Mail) Best actor--drama: Jim Carrey (The Truman Show) Stephen Fry (Wilde) Tom Hanks (Saving Private Ryan) Ian McKellen (Gods and Monsters) Nick Nolte (Affliction) Best actor--comedy: Antonio Banderas (The Mask of Zorro) Warren Beatty (Bulworth) Michael Caine (Little Voice) John Travolta (Primary Colors) Robin Williams (Patch Adams) Best supporting actress: Kathy Bates (Primary Colors) Brenda Blethyn (Little Voice) Judi Dench (Shakespeare in Love) Lynn Redgrave (Gods and Monsters) Sharon Stone (The Mighty) Best supporting actor: Robert Duvall (A Civil Action) Ed Harris (The Truman Show) Bill Murray (Rushmore) Geoffrey Rush (Shakespeare in Love) Donald Sutherland (Without Limits) Billy Bob Thornton (A Simple Plan) Best director: Shekhar Kapur (Elizabeth) John Madden (Shakespeare in Love) Robert Redford (The Horse Whisperer) Steven Spielberg (Saving Private Ryan) Peter Weir (The Truman Show) Best screenplay: Bulworth The Truman Show Shakespeare in Love Saving Private Ryan Happiness Best foreign language film: The Celebration (Denmark) Central Station (Brazil) Men With Guns (USA) The Polish Bride (The Netherlands) Tango (Argentina) (I've left out the television nominations.) BTW, I had a feeling that they would go for Geoffrey Rush."}, {"response": 54, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Dec 17, 1998 (19:06)", "body": "Thanks for the welcome, Evelyn! So, Karen, did you grab a fistful of those questionnaires and \"stuff the ballot box\" with positive comments? Although with this film, that probably wasn't necessary! Does Colin have alot of screen time? It seems so from the clips and commercials."}, {"response": 55, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Dec 17, 1998 (19:16)", "body": "Missed the most recent entry while posting my last. Yippee! SIL is up for a Golden Globe! There's been much award buzz about the film for months now. Glad to see it's coming true. I hope bizillions of people see it and notice Colin. Frankly, I think that's why Miramax delayed MLSF's release."}, {"response": 56, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Dec 17, 1998 (19:43)", "body": "(Laura) Can we still see it when I'm in Chicago???? Only if I can put duct tape across your mouth!! hee hee ] Not me, Rebecca will be with us! hahahaha. Hey is it safe for my 8 yo daughter?????"}, {"response": 57, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Dec 17, 1998 (22:03)", "body": "Just think....last year at this time...we were all in the doldroms over ATA and what a lousy movie it was.. (Evelyn) I know I'm a year behind (and there's all this buzz about SIL!), but having \"sort of\" watched ATA (didn't have time to watch it \"properly\" all the way through...will rent again), I honestly didn't think it was too bad. I genuinely liked the opening shots, the crisp cinematography and the voiceovers. I thought it was a worthy but flawed effort, with good performances, especially Jessica Lange (who was nominated for a Golden Globe). The male parts were all underwritten, and if compared with the novel, it w s disappointing....but if it was shown on terrestial TV on Sunday evening, I'd quite happily watch it! Nothing to be ashamed of! Is so hard to forget he is very married (Elena) I rather like the fact that he is very married! Actually, he's very, very married!! I attended a Catholic wedding last week, and I was very much struck by the seriousness (and beauty) of the marriage vows, and by the Catholic understanding of marriage...that when properly entered into, it is a holy sacrament dissolved only by the death of one of the parties. Anyone want to analyse the DB's handwriting? (Lizza) Too illegible! Looks like squiggle, squiggle to me! I hope bizillions of people see it and notice Colin. Frankly, I think that's why Miramax delayed MLSF's release. (Eileen) I hope so too, Eileen! I'm pleased that SIL seems to be a winner, and hopefully Miramax will also promote MLSF. There seems to be so much LUCK in determining how an actor's career progresses. CF had leading roles in \"Appartment zero\", \"A month in the country\", \"Valmont\" and \"The Advocate\", (all good, all different) and yet remained almost unnoticed. Time for a change!"}, {"response": 58, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Dec 18, 1998 (01:19)", "body": "Welcome, Eileen. Looks like you're in the swing of things here already. Like you, I'll be waiting for Christmas to see this (actually the day after). No sneak screenings in my town but I'm very happy for Karen. What terrific luck. Too late to play the lottery that day? (Bethan) t having \"sort of\" watched ATA (didn't have time to watch it \"properly\" all the way through... One can only imagine what you did watch \"properly\" in this movie. Was it the doorway leaning scene? the jogging scene? the bed of the truck scene? We did you a favor, Bethan, by panning this movie so severely. You could not have been disappointed. Is so hard to forget he is very married (Elena) I rather like the fact that he is very married! (Bethan) That's 'cause you're married, Bethan. We single girls once had hope. ;-) ;-) (That's a double wink so you know I'm not really serious. I think he's found the perfect wife.) That shot of Colin's autograph turned out fantastic. So what if no one else knows what it says but us!"}, {"response": 59, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Dec 18, 1998 (03:09)", "body": "Hate to dredge up an old question last mentioned in #97, but I am holding in my hot little hand a reply to sent mail. I sent Colin a birthday card with a short written note (complaining that as an artist, I was trying to get a likeness, but have found he doesn't HAVE a likeness!) plus a photo of my latest effort. Sent from Paddington London on 24 November (r'cd on 30 Nov.) was a small typewritten note. QUOTE: \"Dear Karen, Thank you for your birthday card, your kind words and the photograph - I do appreciate them. Here is a recent likeness. Kindest regard, \" Followed by first-name signature (matches one shown as sample. And accompanied by the most gorgeous portrait photo of him I have ever seen. I am willing to send a copy of it to anyone who has a scanner, given an address to use. YES, HE REPLIES TO ?SOME?) mail!"}, {"response": 60, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Dec 18, 1998 (10:03)", "body": "(KJArt)Hate to dredge up an old question last mentioned in #97 Hey, nothing wrong about dredging up old questions. I can\ufffdt think of anything about him that I wouldn\ufffdt like to talk or think about all over again (and again). I\ufffdm shocked, the man does answer to his fanmail? Last week here I was made coldly reconciled to the fact that he generally doesn\ufffdt. Should I dig up my steamy love letters from the waste bin after all? Anyway, thanks a lot for telling us about it, I\ufffdd love to see the picture. Wonder if he did type that note himself or has the famous assistant been busy again. We\ufffdll never know. (Bethan) Actually, he's very, very married!! I attended a Catholic wedding last week... Oh, you put it so beautifully. You\ufffdre so right, but my heart is bleeding. Would he have married ME if I\ufffdd met him before he met Livia?? Yes, I\ufffdm absolutely positive about it...:-)"}, {"response": 61, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Dec 18, 1998 (15:18)", "body": "Just continuing my response 60... Yes, having lost that chance, what remains is to imagine what it\ufffds really like to be Mrs. Firth from dawn till dusk and so forth. Perhaps continuous irritation for his smoking and some other terrible habits we luckily don\ufffdt know about, big rows because he\ufffds so darn clever and very stubborn too I suppose...???? Btw, I wonder what he thinks about the equality between sexes, I don\ufffdt remember him commenting on the question. Does Livia wash his socks for example? And I DON\ufffdT mean to offend different domestic cultures, truth is if he were mine I\ufffdd gladly wash them even though I consider myself a feminist...(ha,ha)"}, {"response": 62, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Dec 18, 1998 (15:57)", "body": "KJArt, I've just bought myself a scanner :-) so if you want to, you can send \"The Documents\" to me, but I live in Portugal, so you'll maybe find someone closer to you (I don't Know where you live). E-mail me if you will."}, {"response": 63, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 18, 1998 (16:30)", "body": "KJArt: you can send the picture to me for scanning. You can email me at: rosie45@hotmail.com and I will send you the address. ****************************************************** (Eileen) So, Karen, did you grab a fistful of those questionnaires and \"stuff the ballot box\" with positive comments? Welcome Eileen. Wish I could have *stuffed* the ballot box. My comments to Miramax though would be: Give Wessex (Colin Firth) more roles, leading roles!! He's not only a hunk underneath all that makeup and unflattering clothing, but a fabulous actor. You're missing the boat!! (Eileen) Does Colin have alot of screen time? It seems so from the clips and commercials. Yes, he does pretty much. He keeps popping up everywhere from beginning to end. And he has lines in all those scenes as well. (Laura) Not me, Rebecca will be with us! hahahaha. Hey is it safe for my 8 yo daughter????? Is it OK for her to see Gwyneth's pippins? (Bethan) There seems to be so much LUCK in determining how an actor's career progresses. CF had leading roles in \"Appartment zero\", \"A month in the country\", \"Valmont\" and \"The Advocate\", (all good, all different) and yet remained almost unnoticed. Time for a change! Unfortunately, none of those were commercial successes in the US and that can play into it. Ditto \"time for a change!\" (Heide) One can only imagine what you did watch \"properly\" in this movie. Was it the doorway leaning scene? the jogging scene? the bed of the truck scene? Those scenes are definitely worth a proper viewing in slo-mo, something I missed not having available for SiL. I want my own copy to watch, rewatch, rewind and slo-mo. So many facial expressions that I need to study. ;-)"}, {"response": 64, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Dec 18, 1998 (18:35)", "body": "Ditto to all of you who think it's time to see Colin in more leading roles. I'm with you, Karen, that's what I would have told Miramax, given the opportunity! They are missing the boat because they're too busy worrying about money (well, it is a business). Colin has to prove himself at American box offices; I would guess given the size of the US moviegoing population that's where the big bucks are. At least SIL has a better shot at improving his recognition vs. ATA. I don't think that his part in that was underwritten, it likely landed on the cutting room floor as the film was edited into \"the Jessica and Michelle show\" (did you notice it was released on video the day after the Oscars last March? I bet there was great disappointment that neither actress was even nominated). Looking forward to seeing KJArt's Colin pic on-line! Thanks in advance for sharing :-)"}, {"response": 65, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Dec 18, 1998 (20:36)", "body": "Thanks for the offer, Gi, but I will probably send to KarenR so everyone can see the goodies sooner. And to explain that I have been lurking around drool, off and on, since late summer, and felt bad that I didn,t have anything to share...this is for all you've given ME."}, {"response": 66, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Dec 18, 1998 (21:14)", "body": "(KJArt) I am holding in my hot little hand a reply... I sent Colin... a photo of my latest effort... QUOTE: \"Dear Karen... Here is a recent likeness...\" accompanied by the most gorgeous portrait photo of him I have ever seen. Oi... the man really has a wicked sense of humour... ;-D"}, {"response": 67, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 18, 1998 (22:11)", "body": "Thanks KJArt for being so generous. Drool has lots of lurkers.Don't ever feel you have to contribute something material....your comments are just as welcomed. Good to know he answers some mail...but yours was special. (KJArt).....this is for all you've given ME. A nice way to put it. My sentiments too. Spring is a special community for me."}, {"response": 68, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Dec 18, 1998 (22:33)", "body": "One can only imagine what you did watch \"properly\" in this movie. Was it the doorway leaning scene? the jogging scene? the bed of the truck scene? (Heide) You got it! V-e-ry handsome! V-e-e-ry sl-o-m-o!! I reckon he fancied Jennifer Jason Leigh..he gave her a very apppraising look! We did you a favor, Bethan, by panning this movie so severely. You could not have been disappointed. (Heide) I guess I was pleasantly surprised because I had such low expectations. I think Eileen is right...it was re-edited to focus on the Oscar-aspiring leads, the men's roles were diminished and the balance and credibility of the movie were undermined. I particularly disliked the line about Jess \"I got sick, so he left\". In the novel Jess was weak, but sensitive and caring...he wanted to re-build his relationship with his father and was uncomfortable about seeming to benefit from Pete's death. All lost in the m vie. There was nothing really there for CF...but he's certainly very good to look at! Deserves much better though! Colin has to prove himself at the American box offices...where the big bucks are. (Eileen) I think he's doing well by going for well-promoted (and good) movies that get international distribution. Hopefully MLSF will be well promoted and reach a lot of screens worldwide. I'd like to see him up there with Rafe Fiennes in terms of recognition and leading roles! It will be interesting to see what he does next. (Now when are you going to get those answers, Moon?!!!! You'll have to administer a verbal rap on the knuckles if there's no reply by the New Year! And we know he reads his post!))"}, {"response": 69, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec 19, 1998 (01:46)", "body": "Hopefully MLSF will be well promoted and reach a lot of screens worldwide. But HE is the star and only HE can promote it. Let's see how much he is willing to do.The rest of that cast are Europeans who have no name recognition in the US.SIL had a bunch. Also, remember, MLSF is only an $8.M film. SIL is $42.M; the most expensive Miramax has ever produced.Harvey pulled out all the stops for this one."}, {"response": 70, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Sat, Dec 19, 1998 (04:30)", "body": "KJ: I knew that I should have sent COlin a birthday card. Our birthday's are one day apart. I sure would have liked a reply like that. Yes, Catholic weddings,girls are serious. I am the sixth generation of Catholics. My son is the seventh. They are very long and beautiful. I was only joking about being jealous of his being married. I am so glad for his happiness :)"}, {"response": 71, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 19, 1998 (17:05)", "body": "This is from one of the pictures Winter took at the LA Screening. I cropped out all that wasn't relevant. Otherwise you'd be playing a Where's Waldo game! ;-) Sorry about the blurriness, but it comes with the territory."}, {"response": 72, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Dec 19, 1998 (18:38)", "body": "Thanks for cropping and zooming the picture, Karen. It makes the picture seem less terrible, considering all the other stuff surrounding Colin. (BTW, the bald black guy on the left is Jeff the Bodyguard, the one who let me and Liz into the theatre!) Speaking of Catholic weddings... the ceremony may be solemn and serious, but you have to consider whether the groom's/bride's thoughts were solemn and serious as well...(Colin was brought up Methodist, no? )I myself come from a very long line of Catholics (mom was very close to being a nun before she decided to do her duty to God as a wife and mom), and I'm sad to say, that I never once took any Catholic ceremony seriously!"}, {"response": 73, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Dec 19, 1998 (20:54)", "body": "Why?"}, {"response": 74, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec 19, 1998 (23:13)", "body": "Am I the last person to discover CF's new website? http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Lights/2524/ What's the final number....anybody know.? He must have close to 20!! Karen...you've gotten to be a whiz with that scanner....Zooming and Cropping. Thanks for all the goodies. I'm glad he's married too."}, {"response": 75, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, Dec 20, 1998 (00:58)", "body": "(Arami) Why? Too much of something may not be a good thing, I guess. In my case, it was too much religion-- rosaries every night, mass every week, being told your entire existence is a sin... I guess my family's approach to religion wasn't my cup of tea. It certainly didn't make me happy for years. However, to appease my parents, I could see myself having a Catholic ceremony if I get married. That's why I just wondered about the sincerity of Colin/Livia when they got hitched. Evelyn-- I discovered that website this past week. It's so funny how the same info. can be circulating around the same of group websites, though we get excited once we discover a new website! Maybe in hopes of discovering some \"never seen before\" information?"}, {"response": 76, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Dec 20, 1998 (01:25)", "body": "A snippet in the Times.... Emma Thompson is being \"woo-d\" to play the part of Eleanor of Acquitaine in a re-make of \"The Lion in Winter\". No mention of who will play Henry II....an absolutely terrific role. Can someone woo Colin, please? There are three great roles out there at the moment...the Earl of Boswell, Henry II, and Mark Darcy (okay, lighter, I know, but good fun!). Oh, and they can't be played by Mel Gibson....he's apparently (in addition to playing Sydney Carton) also taking the role of the British polar expedition hero Sir Ernest Shackleton (dies nobly saving his men!), so he's pretty busy! Has CF got a chance? There are also regular snips about SIL...mainly about GP (nudity, luminosity etc), JF (imminent stardom) and JD (great performance)but no mention (predictably!) of CF. But there's definitely already a positive buzz about SIL."}, {"response": 77, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec 20, 1998 (02:40)", "body": "It's so funny how the same info. can be circulating around the same of group websites, ... This new website features **New Recent Photos** of CF that bear a great resemblance to the NY Premiere pics on Murph's Corner.!! Has transcript of interview I had never read before, though.... It's a v. attractive websight. I think these editors have to be commended ."}, {"response": 78, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Dec 20, 1998 (14:57)", "body": "I must say I find the new website a bit funny, so much pink and rosiness dedicated to a very sexy and masculine guy! What I mean is, I appreciated the idea of www.colinfirth.com as a site that CF himself wouldn\ufffdt be ashamed of. Also, I wish that the various sites would make it quite clear that they aren\ufffdt officially connected to Colin. Girls, it\ufffds been interesting to read your thoughts about Catholicism and marriage. It\ufffds an exotic thing for a person like me, living in a secularized Lutheran society where marriage is really not such a big deal (but a good reason to have a big party of course!!) and according to statistics, about 50 per cent of marriages are destined to end up in a divorce (which is not such a big deal either because it happens so often). Still people get married a lot, it\ufffds fun and romantic...! Anyway, I wish you all a very lovely Christmas time! And to Colin and his family of course, where ever he is right now. Bugs me I didn\ufffdt send him a Christmas card."}, {"response": 79, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Dec 20, 1998 (15:50)", "body": "Hi Eileen. It's good to see you here. And it is wonderful to see so much of Colin these days. We better stretch this out for as long as we can. Might it be another long dry spell before the next film? (Evelyn on MLSF) But HE is the star and only HE can promote it. Let's see how much he is willing to do. The rest of that cast are Europeans who have no name recognition in the US. (snip) Also, remember, MLSF is only an $8.M film. SIL is $42.M; the most expensive Miramax has ever produced.Harvey pulled out all the stops for this one. Good points, Evelyn. Heck, Malcolm Macdowell might have more name recognition in the US than Colin. But still, I've heard Gwyneth called the Queen of Miramax. Then shouldn't Colin be called the King (or at least the Prince since his roles are mostly supporting)? It looks quite likely that he will be in two of the last three years' Oscar Best Picture nominated films. (Elena)...snip... where marriage is really not such a big deal (but a good reason to have a big party of course!!) I see we think alike, Elena. One thing to be said for those who don't think marriage is a big deal...when you do get married, it really makes a statement. And while celebrities get married all the time, they also get married quite often. It appears uncommon for these couples to make it past two years so it's quite a statement to me if they make it beyond ten years. I'd be quite unhappy if the Firth marriage didn't make it. (Bethan on ATA) V-e-ry handsome! V-e-e-ry sl-o-m-o!! I reckon he fancied Jennifer Jason Leigh..he gave her a very apppraising look! Ah, you caught that too! And didn't Jennifer give him quite a look at the barbecue? If she had lived on the farm, you can bet Jess would have bed all three sisters! Anytime, you want to discuss the \"merits\" of this film, I'll be right there with you. I particularly disliked the line about Jess \"I got sick, so he left\". Particularly since in the book, Jess left before she got sick. I haven't visited this website mentioned above (or have I?) but will check it out as soon as I return from more shopping. (When will it end?) The number of websites on our boy is amazing and while we may not visit all of them regularly, it sure is indicative of the loyalty and passion this actor inspires."}, {"response": 80, "author": "susanne", "date": "Sun, Dec 20, 1998 (16:48)", "body": "I don't know that much about the Catholic religion even though I am married to a lapsed Catholic,but wouldn't Colin have to have gone through all kinds of religious training and then be confirmed to be married Catholic. The Catholic church must have changed in the last 40 years because they excommunicated my mother for marrying my Luthern father. I hope Colin gets out to promote MLSF, but I think he will prob. only do print media as he has in the past. Unfortunately for us, MLSF does not appear to have the box office potential of SIL. I can't seeing a movie about an eccentic inventor on a moss farm being a big draw for the general population. I'm still hoping he gets the part of Mark Darcy. I think that could be a major role."}, {"response": 81, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, Dec 20, 1998 (19:29)", "body": "(Sue)...wouldn't Colin have to have gone through all kinds of religious training and then be confirmed to be married Catholic You're right. Especially since it's an Italian Catholic he's marrying! I would think they take that stuff even more seriously than maybe an American Catholic Church, where you can avoid those type of hurdles. If he did go through all the classes, training, baptism, etc... then...*sigh*...THAT'S a man who is really in love, and willing to do whatever for the woman he loves. (Heide)But still, I've heard Gwyneth called the Queen of Miramax. I actually would think Parker Posey would be the Queen of Miramax. I'd vote for her, personally, over GP any day! She's so spunky, that Parker! (Elena)Still people get married a lot, it\ufffds fun and romantic Absolutely right. Aside from the seriousness of the act of marriage itself, c'mon sisters... you have to admit....the dress? The party? the presents? the cake? the walking-down-the-aisle? Who wouldn't!? I loved 'Four Weddings and a Funeral' because I'm such a sucker for weddings, and the film had so many variations on different approaches to a wedding. I think I liked the second wedding the best-- the one where Hugh Grant runs into duck-face at the reception."}, {"response": 82, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Dec 20, 1998 (19:34)", "body": "I'm from a strongly Catholic country, but have never had quite the same problem with religion as I have observed since in other parts of Europe - maybe because my bohemian parents had a healthy attitude to these matters: basically, they taught me to keep faith and religion separate and in a reasonable perspective. Only when I left my country, I discovered with great surprise that I was a \"lapsed\" Catholic, and that despite being a believer, I am not religious... but I am more concerned with being Christia in attitude, than just Catholic in tradition. Since Colin is \"bohemian\" himself, I think his take on these matters may be similar. And I think that a lot of Italians, especially younger ones, also have a modern outlook on these things. People should be more preoccupied with living according to certain moral values, rather than performing rites mechanically. I do sincerely hope his marriage survives. He seems to be very serious about it and has once declared publicly that it is a relationship which he expects to last for the rest of his life."}, {"response": 83, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Dec 20, 1998 (19:41)", "body": "Oh, btw, I don't think the Catholic church is so strict about cross-religion marriages anymore. I don't think Colin had to become a Catholic to marry one, although marrying in a Catholic church may mean having to promise to bring one's children in the faith."}, {"response": 84, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Dec 20, 1998 (20:35)", "body": "There's another glowing review of Shakespeare...on one of my favorite sites, www.girlsonfilm.com While there's nothing special about the review, obligatory mention of Colin as Lord Wessex, there is a bit about a Lord Wessex scene that I had not heard before. Might be a spoiler for some. There is also a Message Board for SiL. No ones mentions Colin there either so I may just have to do so. Might be better though from someone who has actually seen the film."}, {"response": 85, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Dec 20, 1998 (20:35)", "body": "Oh, btw, I don't think the Catholic church is so strict about cross-religion marriages anymore. I don't think Colin had to become a Catholic to marry one, although marrying in a Catholic church may mean having to promise to bring one's children in the faith."}, {"response": 86, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Dec 20, 1998 (20:42)", "body": "This is a better address if you want to check out the above site: girlsonfilm yadda yadda"}, {"response": 87, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Dec 20, 1998 (20:42)", "body": "Oh, btw, I don't think the Catholic church is so strict about cross-religion marriages anymore. I don't think Colin had to become a Catholic to marry one, although marrying in a Catholic church may mean having to promise to bring one's children in the faith."}, {"response": 88, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Dec 20, 1998 (20:46)", "body": "Someone stop this nonsensical program. If that's the way it wants to play it, then it's time to sail away. I'm sick and tired of the world today and the feeling seems to be mutual. :-/"}, {"response": 89, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Dec 20, 1998 (22:01)", "body": "Hi I finally made it. Hello everyone, I have been a lurker for almost a year and with a bit of pursuasion from a certain someone I have plucked up courage to join in. I amreally new at this and hope you will bear with me but I am an avid CF fan and love to read all you comments."}, {"response": 90, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec 20, 1998 (22:12)", "body": "Arami,.......I believe you were having that same duplicating problem on #97.Count Almasy is at it again. (Heide)Anytime, you want to discuss the \"merits\" of this film, I'll be right there with you. Perhaps, since it is now available to everyone on Video, we could discuss ATA next on #98. Up to Karen and Heide.... Hey Girls...I am a practicing Catholic and it is a different set of rules now . Of course,it has always depended on the diocese.(And Italy might be more or less strict than most). But one does not have to go through all the sacramental rituals. Baptism from any Christian religion is accepted. And no, one does not have to promise to bring up children in the RC faith. Often priests and ministers/rabbis co-perform the ceremony. We're pretty hip....:-)) (But the 50% divorce rate holds true for Catholics as well)"}, {"response": 91, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec 20, 1998 (22:19)", "body": "****WELCOME ANN.....**** Hey kids...this is really a Red Letter Day. Ann is one of the most devoted fan of CF that I know. (JE too). And I've known her for over a year. Great to have you posting....(though she has always been with us in spirit.) (I should talk....I was a lurker for six months and as Nan says: \"Now we can't get rid of her\"!!)"}, {"response": 92, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 20, 1998 (22:19)", "body": "(winter) I actually would think Parker Posey would be the Queen of Miramax. No, most consider her Queen of the Indies (the real indies). Was shocked to see that she has entered the mainstream with \"You've Got Mail.\" Going to have to check out the new sites. Thanks ladies."}, {"response": 93, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 20, 1998 (22:50)", "body": "Haven't checked out the Sun-Times yet, but Gene Siskel of the Chicago Tribune didn't list SiL in his top 10 (actually 11) of 1998. Number 1 was Babe: Pig in the City."}, {"response": 94, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Dec 21, 1998 (00:03)", "body": "(Evelyn)(But the 50% divorce rate holds true for Catholics as well) Well, that proves that we Catholics are human as well. ;-) * Ann, welcome to the madhouse. Another Brit? Yeah, baby, let's Firth! Round and round... that feels good..."}, {"response": 95, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec 21, 1998 (01:52)", "body": "(Karen)Re: Siskert top 10: Number 1 was Babe: Pig in the City. You're kidding....that was panned by every critic. The guy's losin'it."}, {"response": 96, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Dec 21, 1998 (01:58)", "body": "Well friends, I just got back from the Philippines a couple of days ago and Drool has been abuzz! It has taken me two hours just to catch up on this topic and I have yet to go to all the other CF items to check what lovelies might be there. Dame Winter, you are my hero and I humbly bow before your bravery in the face of great odds. How I wish I had been there with you! Heide wrote to me in Manila about your adventure and I can't believe I missed it. I have to admit to a few days of severe depression to be stuck so far from home and missing such important things. I also missed getting to see Garth Brooks perform live and possibly meet him afterwards (one of my dearest friends got me a free ticket, if you can believe it.) I missed that to , sigh. This *#$&*@! job! Let's hope that Miramax puts on a premiere for MLSF and our DB will make an appearance. jen, I'll meet you there for sure! Now that you and Livia are old friends, we should have no trouble getting a group photo with you-know-who :-)."}, {"response": 97, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Mon, Dec 21, 1998 (06:36)", "body": "Welcome my dear Ann. I see that you made it. Do join in the fun. I know that you will enjoy it and you are in such good company. My dear friends: I have been Catholic my whole life. I married in the church many years ago and it was a long,long service. Very old fashion. Back then you had to marry a Catholic. Now, not that way. At least not in my parish. Even when y son was baptised 2 1/2 years ago not both Godparents had to be Catholic although his were. I hope that marriage survives, indeed, at times any marriage is trying."}, {"response": 98, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 21, 1998 (21:38)", "body": "Couldn't decide if this belonged here or in Darcy Drool??? By now, many have heard that P&P, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet are featured and discussed in \"You've Got Mail,\" but is it known that Colin's face is actually shown? There is a shot of Tom Hanks reading the Modern Library edition of P&P, the one with the A&E cover. Shame that Nora Ephron didn't take it further by having Colin and Jennifer sitting at the next table at one of the cafe scenes. Like a little Hitchcock touch..."}, {"response": 99, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Dec 21, 1998 (22:03)", "body": "Perhaps, since it is now available to everyone on Video, we could discuss ATA next on #98. Huh! I've just failed miserably to re-rent the ATA video. I've a bit of time to myself tomorrow as my family are all busy(and I'm on top of Christmas!) , so I thought I'd watch ATA properly! (We covert CF fans have to take our fixes secretly!) BUT, could I get hold of a copy...NO, I could NOT! Tried three video rentals ...and in each one, all copies were out on loan. Admittedly they don't hold many copies (as compared with wall-to-wall \"City of Angels\" , \"Wag The Dog\" etc.) But, STILL... At Blockbusters, I actually asked about the availability of \"A Thousand Acres, with Michelle Pfeiffer\" and was most taken aback when the assistant yelled out to his colleague \"Hey Malc, any copies of that Colin Furf movie?\". Damn, my cover blown! I don't know if this is news, but I'm an optimist by nature, so I'm taking it positively, as it's the first time I've seen a date mentioned. In Entertainment Weekly Online, there's an article on HF (she's no 12 in Entertainers of the Year...well done, Helen!) I quote.. \"If BJD was a movie (and by early 2000 it will be, courtesy of Working Title Films, makers of Four Weddings and A Funeral) Hollywood would call it a chickflick..\" The first details of SIL were released in January of this year, for a shoot beginning in March, and a release date end 98/beginning 99. So BJD could be similar. As I said, I'm an optimist!! The article also says that in the sequel to BJD, \"we'll see what happens when someone like BJ actually gets the guy\". The URL is: http://cgi.pathfinder.com/ew/features/981225/yearend/fielding.html Hello there, Ann!"}, {"response": 100, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Dec 21, 1998 (22:28)", "body": "Hello Bethan, and everyone for a lovely welcome. We Brits are few and far between, I guess we are still catching up on the internet. Does anyone know if Colin is still on his \"well-earned break\" (FAQ), one film a year is just not enough, I do hope we hear of something soon."}, {"response": 101, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec 21, 1998 (22:49)", "body": "(Ann)Does anyone know if Colin is still on his \"well-earned break\" (FAQ), one film a year is just not enough, I do hope we hear of something soon. I hope he's getting ready to publicize SIL in UK for the January 29 Uk Premiere. (Bethan) \"Hey Malc, any copies of that Colin Furf movie?\". ROTFLOL. TV ALERT:( At least in my area ) Tonight at 10:30 PM PBS will show an installment of CROWN & COUNTRY, the historical documentary on UK produced by Prince Andrew,(I think...the youngest one). This one is entitled: \"WINCHESTER\". Inasmuch as it is DB's hometown, I thought some might be interest. Also they might show Chawton. I just was v. impressed with Winchester when I was there this summer."}, {"response": 102, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Dec 21, 1998 (23:15)", "body": "Only 4 more days until SIL opens nationwide!! It's hard to believe it has been more than 1 year since we've seen Colin in anything new. I saw ATA on sale at a mall video store for the first time last week. I was cash-poor so didn't buy it (yet!). I agree with all who've said there are many scenes with high rewind potential, despite Colin's overall limited screen time. I've never seen the new website either (the one with all the roses) and I thought I knew them all! I find www.colinfirth.com to have links to sites with the most up-to-date info, since Ellen's not updating the FAQ monthly anymore. But since I'm spending more time here lately, I havn't been around to some of the others in awhile. Re: MLSF and Colin's need to be the main promo guy: Is it me or does he seem more relaxed in the SIL premiere pics (both coasts) as compared to premiere pics from TEP? Maybe the break's done him good and he's ready to jump back in with both feet. Let's hope! Has anyone heard anything new about SLOW? I'm off to the in-laws for the holiday. Merry Christmas to my new friends at Drool!"}, {"response": 103, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Dec 21, 1998 (23:31)", "body": "At Blockbusters, I actually asked about the availability of \"A Thousand Acres, with Michelle Pfeiffer\" and was most taken aback when the assistant yelled out to his colleague \"Hey Malc, any copies of that Colin Furf movie?\". Damn, my cover blown! Thank you, Bethan, for sharing. Love it! ROTFLOL! *** Welcome, Ann, glad you found the way finally. *** Here's a little Christmas goodie for all: http://www.firth.com/christmas/onedeer.htm"}, {"response": 104, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Dec 22, 1998 (01:45)", "body": "Darling, Renate (and the other 2 deer). I particularly love the Darcy Breeches but that red bow looks like he's wearing a nightcap. I'm sorry, but I had to laugh at the vision of Colin as Mrs. Bennet that picture evokes for me. But it is all lovely and I love to laugh anyway. Eileen, think Santa might know you need 1000 Acres in your stocking? Or must you be sly about your Firth devotion. Love your story, Bethan. How many of the rest of us furtively seek out Colin? I know I do though I can't explain the reason why. Welcome, Ann. Evelyn is a wonderful recruiter, is she not? It took me a couple months too to get the nerve to dive in but we are such a friendly bunch as I hope the other very new-comers like Elena, Rita and Eileen will tell you. (Karen) Gene Siskel of the Chicago Tribune didn't list SiL in his top 10 (actually 11) of 1998. Number 1 was Babe: Pig in the City. I don't think he's been the same since his brain operation. I'm serious!!"}, {"response": 105, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 22, 1998 (01:54)", "body": "(Eileen) Has anyone heard anything new about SLOW? Hopefully,, we'll get news in the New Year. Bank still owns the film, but they insist :\"you will get to see it \"."}, {"response": 106, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Dec 22, 1998 (02:02)", "body": "Heide, have you tried to click on the red bow ;-)?"}, {"response": 107, "author": "susanne", "date": "Tue, Dec 22, 1998 (20:18)", "body": "Welcome Ann from one lurker and JE fan to another. I was cracking up when I read about that \"well-earned break\". I've often wondered what the man does with all his time. I hope he's putting it to good use. I would like to see about 3 films a year from him. That way we can be assured of at least one of them being shown in the US. Now I have to go see You've Got Mail for the P&P references. That would have been an terrific idea to have CF and JE in the movie. Karen, I think they need you in Hollywood. The review for YGM in my paper said if you want to see one romantic comedy, SIL in is the one to see. I enjoyed reading that. Bethan, Loved the Blockbuster story. When I was looking for Playmaker in various Blockbuster's, I was always hoping that know one would recognize it as a raunchy CF movie. It would have been too mortifying for me! I think Evelyn has recruited at least half this board. :-)) I think she should be honorary chairwoman here. Honorary only, Evelyn, as in no work. :-)) SIL made the top 10 lists of the 2 major film critics in Dallas at number 2 and number 4. Gene Siskel really missed the boat. His credibilty is shot with me."}, {"response": 108, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Dec 22, 1998 (20:36)", "body": "Renate,I missed you. Thanks for the new input at colinfirth.com, that was fun. Bethan, I wish Blockbusters in Lisbon had employees who knew who CF is. And I'd love them to have any of his films - they have TEP and that's it. That's why I never get to see them. Miserable place this is."}, {"response": 109, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Dec 22, 1998 (20:36)", "body": "Allow mw to join everyone else in welcoming the ex-lurkers!"}, {"response": 110, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 22, 1998 (21:14)", "body": "(Sue) Now I have to go see You've Got Mail for the P&P references. Made me wonder who was the closet P&P fan: Nora Ephron or her sister Delia, who shares the writing credits. Or maybe its a long-held Mr. Darcy crush or Mr. Firth frenzy? ;-) When I was looking for Playmaker in various Blockbuster's, I was always hoping that know one would recognize it as a raunchy CF movie. It would have been too mortifying for me! Aside from wearing a paper bag over one's head, the only solution is to own Playmaker (they will send it in a plain wrapper) so as not to invite such derision. Gene Siskel really missed the boat. His credibilty is shot with me. Happened long ago for me. ;-) BTW, I have checked and Ebert won't be publishing his Top 10 until this Sunday. There is a big article in today's Sun-Times about Gwyneth Paltrow. Calls her \"Princess Paltrow\" several times referring to the fact that she is Hollywood's reigning princess. No mention of Colin in the article though. More human interest-y. Let me join in the chorus: Wonderful job, Deers! Love the picture without the bow. So sweet."}, {"response": 111, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Dec 22, 1998 (21:42)", "body": "Great picture!!"}, {"response": 112, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Dec 22, 1998 (23:22)", "body": "I've been told that Karen has received the fan-photo by snailmail today. Hold your breath, FirthFanatics. And Merry Christmas!"}, {"response": 113, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 22, 1998 (23:22)", "body": "More on Bethan's Blockbuster Story I ordered Playmaker and The Advocate from Critics Choice...Shortly afterwardsI started to receive Porn Flick Catalogs....really impressed my mailman! My favorite CF Christmas Pic is the one they had last year..the one where he is wearing the red turtleneck and someone put a red Santa hat on him....cool. I think it was in the Advent calendar... I recruit my friends to this board, because I have so much fun and want to share it with them....LOL at Arami's welcome to Ann: \"Welcome to the Madhouse\"."}, {"response": 114, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Dec 22, 1998 (23:22)", "body": "It is a fun little group isn't it? Welcome to all the new posters. It's great to see you out in the open! Nothing like a new CF film to inspire people :-)"}, {"response": 115, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 22, 1998 (23:22)", "body": "There are only two words to describe KJart's Christmas Present to you: Positively Gorgeous ...but you might have others! ;-)"}, {"response": 116, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 22, 1998 (23:22)", "body": "describe KJart's Christmas Present to you: Awesome.....leaves one speechless.....Those Eyes..... Thank you KJArt (aka the Other Karen).What a lovely thought to share this with us. A Gift from the Magi!! I have never seen this photo before. Think it's his latest??"}, {"response": 117, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 22, 1998 (23:22)", "body": "The picture downloads beautifully with Explorer 4. .... Thank you Bill Gates :-)) ( Of course I can't post on Drool with Explorer4.Grrrr)"}, {"response": 118, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 1930 (00:09)", "body": "Oomph! I've been speechless for several moments. That is lovely, gorgeous, I'm in heaven. If this is his latest, then he is only getting better. Thank you so much, ladies - KJArt for sharing with us, and Karen for slapping this baby up so fast. This is my new wallpaper."}, {"response": 119, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 1930 (05:00)", "body": "Mmm. Lovelllly. Thanks"}, {"response": 120, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Dec 24, 1998 (19:09)", "body": "WOW, Karen when you said gorgeous, you weren't lying. His eyes are positively incredible. And of course, I've always had a weak spot for that neck! I could definitely sink my teeth into that!!!! Going back to the eyes, they are very bright and not as dark as I thought, more like a light brown. To the two Karens', WHOA!!!!"}, {"response": 121, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Dec 24, 1998 (19:40)", "body": "Sorry. Missed the posting. My server positively refused to get me into Spring yesterday. **Sob!** Drool indeed! So happy that KarenR so promptly helped me to share and also very happy you have not considered me to have exaggerated! And I, too, love that neck. Also the hands. And the voice..... (But only with the lovely accent. Did anyone else notice that a few times in ATA he began to sound like William Shatner?!?! OHHH NOOO!!) So glad \"the 2 Karens\" could oblige. AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!"}, {"response": 122, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Dec 24, 1998 (20:13)", "body": "(follow-up) Evelyn: yes I think it is pretty recent, as it was described as such in the note accompanying it. IMO the older he gets, the better he looks...(I figure by the time he's 60, I'll be swooning dead away.) (I should live so long)."}, {"response": 123, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Dec 24, 1998 (22:24)", "body": "(Laura) His eyes are positively incredible. And of course, I've always had a weak spot for that neck! Ditto. Ditto. And what about that strong chin and jawline? I'd love to trace those features with my sticky little fingers. (Arami) Heide, have you tried to click on the red bow ;-)? Yes, I did. Thank you. So very lovely. Actually I like the bow more and more. Makes me want to reach out and unwrap such an enticing present."}, {"response": 124, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 24, 1998 (22:40)", "body": "(KJArt) the older he gets, the better he looks... True, True....like fine wine.....slurp, slurp. Merry Christmas Everybody.You all mean a lot to me:-)) And thanks again to the two Karens."}, {"response": 125, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Dec 25, 1998 (00:13)", "body": "It is just past midnight in the UK and I would like to wish my new friends a very Merry Christmas and a Happy & Prosperous New Year with lots of Firth news."}, {"response": 126, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Dec 25, 1998 (00:14)", "body": "Hello everybody, due to some blasted computer trouble I haven\ufffdt been able to get here for a couple of days. The situation irritated me so much that I began to suspect I\ufffdm addicted....am I?? Oh, who cares if the drug\ufffds this good! KJart and Karen, thanks a lot for the beautiful picture. (Sue) I've often wondered what the man does with all his time. I hope he's putting it to good use. Exactly, I\ufffdm sure we\ufffdve all thought about it during Colin\ufffds well-earned break this year. What DOES he actually fill his days with when he doesn\ufffdt work? I must say I have my theories about it and sure we all do but I guess it\ufffds just no use to speculate..... Seriously, I find it strange that the break has been so long and that there are no definite news about his next project."}, {"response": 127, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Dec 25, 1998 (00:31)", "body": "Hi there Ann, nice to \ufffdsee \ufffd you! I wish you too a great Christmas and New Year. In Finland it\ufffds two thirty at night and outside there\ufffds a lot of snow and more is coming down all the time. The tiny town I live in is very quiet right now, no traffic or even sounds of it. I just came from a Christmas party and feel exhausted but quite good. Traditions..."}, {"response": 128, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Dec 25, 1998 (01:03)", "body": "Elena, I have this premonition and I very very much hope I am wrong, that after all the publicity for SIL and perhaps the UK Premiere Colin will annouce that he is going to retire, (a la Anthony Hopkins) I really really hope not and that is why I am so anxious to hear about his next project."}, {"response": 129, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Dec 25, 1998 (13:00)", "body": "Oh god, it almost made my heart stop when I read your response, Ann. I haven\ufffdt let a horrible thought like that enter my head although I understand your premonition very well. Still, I\ufffdm not ready to believe he\ufffdd do it, he\ufffds only 38 and that\ufffds an age when you normally aim to develop strongly in your profession, not quit it.....?? Of course there have been symptoms of him being \ufffdfucked up\ufffd (like he said in an interview). With what exactly, we can only guess. I believe he has also turned down a lot of interviews this year. Still, who isn\ufffdt fucked up with one\ufffds job every now and then? Especially if you\ufffdre very ambitious about it and cannot always get the sort of roles you find worthwhile. No, I can\ufffdt believe he\ufffdd give it up. Actually I believe there are other sort of reasons for his quietness this year, like simply wanting to take a long break. Family is actually the first thing that comes to my mind but naturally there can be many other explanations."}, {"response": 130, "author": "sabine", "date": "Fri, Dec 25, 1998 (13:56)", "body": "Hello ! Finally I have made it ! I am HERE !!!! Thank you winter for your \"report\" I loved it and I felt as I were there with you. And thanks to KarenR for the picture, I love it and it is a real chistmas present to me to look at it and melt away ! I wish you all a merry chistmas and hope to read from you soon !"}, {"response": 131, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Dec 25, 1998 (20:06)", "body": "Karens both, Thank you. Renate, Thanks again for this delicious man in so many ways. Just when I think I am immune to his charms and am sated, someone puts up a photo like that Karens one and I capitulate yet another time. Happily!"}, {"response": 132, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Dec 26, 1998 (00:52)", "body": "(For those of you who celebrate): Merry Christmas everyone! Laura....you've got the same notion in your head as I do--about sinking your teeth into that neck of his. So enticing...is it not? Did you know he's got a mole on the other side of that neck? *sigh* Welcome, Sabine! Glad you finally made it. Hope to see you post often!"}, {"response": 133, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 26, 1998 (15:46)", "body": "Glad you all liked the picture as much as I did. Took my breath away when I opened the envelope and had to get it up as quickly as possible. Thank you KarenJ for sending it to me."}, {"response": 134, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Sat, Dec 26, 1998 (18:53)", "body": "Wow, I agree, this picture is just breath taking, Colin is always very photogenic in his interview pictures, really knows how to turn on the charm in front of the camera...as we all know. Once again, a big thank you to the two Karens. (KJart) IMO the older he gets, the better he looks...(I figure by the time he's 60, I'll be swooning dead away.) Yes, so will the rest of us here at drool."}, {"response": 135, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Dec 26, 1998 (19:00)", "body": "He strikes me as one of those actors who will probably get bigger and better roles as he gets older. I can't think of too many who do that at the moment...but Pete Postlewaite (sp?) and Morgan Freeman come to mind right now."}, {"response": 136, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Dec 26, 1998 (21:52)", "body": "KarenR--You're welcome. But I think we should all appreciate that I was not the source of this gift, but Colin himself (or at least his agency). I merely passed the gift on to those I knew would appreciate it!! THANK YOU, COLIN! Heide and Ann--I'm curious...how did you manage to defy time and speak to us from over 60 years in the past?? (Responses 118 and 119 came to us from...wait for it...1930!!!) Or is it just my machine?? (Also found it curious that the previous 6 entries to those were all posted literally simultaneously!!) What gives, does anyone know? And finally Ann W and Elena--I very much doubt that the DB is considering retiring...in that new interview on the new site, he was talking about his acting career and said, \"...I'm used to it being precarious. There are times that I would like it to be more secure and predictable, BUT IT NEVER WILL BE\" (Caps mine). Does sound like someone who is considering quitting right away! Could be he's in one of those unpredictable times when he's thinking carefully over his next move...After all he's got 2 movies in the can that haven't been released yet and another to be released in the US early next year (FP) Let him reat on his laurals (Or anywhere elso he wants to rest) if he wants. He's still obligated, I'm sure, to all those Premieres."}, {"response": 137, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Dec 26, 1998 (22:52)", "body": "Oh no, I really don\ufffdt think he\ufffds quitting or even considering it any more than any of us are considering to quit our more or less precarious but still so precious jobs. Eileen G wrote in her response 102 about Colin looking very relaxed in the SIL premiere pics, unlike in the TEP premiere. I agree, looks like he\ufffds gained more confidence or something. He certainly doesn\ufffdt look like a man who is planning to retire. Imagining that he\ufffdd quit the biz just reveals our girlish fears of losing him, I\ufffdm afraid. What if he\ufffdd just disappear permanently out of our sight!!! A catastrophe! How could we ageing women survive it?....Reminds me of how I felt about my first boyfriend. (And the second one, and....:-))"}, {"response": 138, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Dec 26, 1998 (23:26)", "body": "(Elena) How could we ageing women survive it?....Reminds me of how I felt about my first boyfriend. (And the second one, and....:-)) Exactly. We'll get over it. Luckily, it's premature to worry about it anyway and I'm looking forward to a very long and fruitful career for him. Here's hoping for three CF films to be released in 1999. Karen (KJArt), the dates go kerflooey here sometimes and generally that means we're having a bit of trouble on the board so if you ever can't get in, try again later. Terry is very prompt fixing these little glitches for us. I saw Shakespeare in Love today! He did us proud."}, {"response": 139, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Dec 27, 1998 (01:22)", "body": "I'm told there was a mystery visitor in CF Chat a short time ago, who had worked on Circle of Friends in Ireland with DB, with whom she is said to have had a bitter-sweet and wet encounter ;-)... She was invited to join Drool and relay her story in detail. Diana, stop lurking and get thee in here now! (Please? :-))"}, {"response": 140, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Dec 27, 1998 (02:22)", "body": "Oh no, Diana, it's all over now;) Don't tell them you live down the road from Bono of U2, you'll never hear the end of it;)"}, {"response": 141, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec 27, 1998 (16:52)", "body": "Re: Diane on CoF:She was invited to join Drool and relay her story in detail. Yeah. I was in the chat room that night , and I invited her to join us giving her our URL. Hope she reads this and knows I mean't it. It's a funny story. Diane worked on the set design of CoF.Please, tell the story Diane. Also Carrie G.was there that night. She is the webmaster of a CF webiste I had never seen before either: http://www.cyberoo.com/firthfrenzy/ I saw SIL yesterday and it is a sure winner. Also saw \"You've Got Mail\" (same day!) And yes Karen, Joe Fox (Tom Hanks) is shown reading P&P with the A&E cover on it featuring CF & JE! Lots of P&P stuff in the movie. Real cute. Welcome Sabine...please stick around and post often."}, {"response": 142, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Dec 27, 1998 (20:34)", "body": "He strikes me as one of those actors who will probably get bigger and better roles as he gets older (winter) Agreed! (although I'd like him to be inundated with those bigger and better roles now) He is ageing VERY well, but at times he can still look very boyish. I actually thought that in ATA he could have easily passed for late twenties. He seems to be able to shed the years, and add to them, as the role requires! I very much doubt that the DB is considering retiring...in that new interview on the new site, he was talking about his acting career and said, \"...I'm used to it being precarious. There are times that I would like it to be more secure and predictable, BUT IT NEVER WILL BE\" (Caps mine). Does sound like someone who is considering quitting right away! Could be he's in one of those unpredictable times when he's thinking carefully over his next move (KJArt) Again, total accord! But I couldn't help wondering why he still regards his career as \"precarious\", when other lesser and smugly self-satisfied actors seem to be booked up for years ahead and regrettably never seem to be off our screens. He should be getting back-to-back offers of decent work and I really hope that his 6 month break is through personal choice. And I also hope his next role is a major one!! And I hope that reviewers and critics, particularly in the UK, start recognising his true worth. They can be very begrudging about CF, as though praise is painful....I actually have a theory that male critics don't like him and are only too happy to put the boot in! There's one guy on the Sunday Telegraph in particular!! Jealous, perhaps? I'm told there was a mystery visitor in CF Chat a short time ago, who had worked on Circle of Friends in Ireland with DB, with whom she is said to have had a bitter-sweet and wet encounter ;-) (Arami) Mmmmmmm!! Very tantalising. How wet? A fleeting shower of rain , a dip in the River Shannon...I'd love to hear the story!! Apparently GP has been saying very nice things about Colin...that he's her \"acting idol, and that the way he physicalises his performance is brilliant\". She also says that she kept on ruining her takes because he had her giggling all the time. Sour, mealy mouthed critic on the Sunday Telegraph...please take note! And good on ya, Gwynnie. CF is being interviewed on next Sunday's Breakfast with the Arts on A&E. Eileen G wrote in her response 102 about Colin looking very relaxed in the SIL premiere pics, unlike in the TEP premiere. I agree, looks like he\ufffds gained more confidence or something. (Elena) He's gained a beautiful, caring and supportive wife, who I'm sure tells him how great he is!!"}, {"response": 143, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Dec 27, 1998 (23:11)", "body": "Bethan, the news that CF is being interviewed on next Sunday's Breakfast with the Arts is the best news of Colin I have heard today, I hope someone will record it and let us in the UK know what he says. Thankyou."}, {"response": 144, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec 28, 1998 (01:46)", "body": "I'm wondering which website will steal KJArt's pic of Colin first without permission......"}, {"response": 145, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Dec 28, 1998 (07:28)", "body": "(Karen) Took my breath away ... and had to get it up as quickly as possible. Sigh, if only we could hear Colin say these lines...;-) Seriously, many many thanks to the Karen's for that delightful photo. Immediate wallpaper!!!"}, {"response": 146, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Dec 28, 1998 (11:01)", "body": "Just read some of the comments on SIL over at 115. Made my reservations about SIL come flooding back in a HUGE tidal wave!!! It sounds like a great movie, but one in which CF's role is so unsympathetic that the the only impact on his career will be a mass transfer of affections to Joe Fiennes, even by CF die-hards! I can't understand why he curbs all his natural charm, tenderness, masculinity and authority, and chooses to play grumpy buffoons, and also appears in movies where all the attention inevitably ocuses on the romantic lead (or other leads, as in ATA). No other leading actor does this. What sort of scripts is he sent? By the time he does play a decent lead role again (when?), will there be anyone out there still interested in seeing him? Sorry to sound so irritable, but I think he's committing/committed career suicide. I preferred him in his pre-Darcy roles! Okay, shut me up, my usual good cheer sems to have deserted me!!"}, {"response": 147, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Dec 28, 1998 (12:08)", "body": "Good cheer is returning! I've just reminded myself of the importance of a long term perspective, and that he is an ACTOR (and a very fine and versatile one)! Happy New Year!"}, {"response": 148, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Dec 28, 1998 (12:50)", "body": "I second and third everything you have said Bethan, I just wish my good cheer would return as quickly as yours. Perhaps some postive news about a future project would help, I hope we receive the replies to the questions in the not too distant future and I would love to hear that he has been offered a part in the forthcoming BBC film Mary Queen of Scots, that would be something to look forward to."}, {"response": 149, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 28, 1998 (16:12)", "body": "(Bethan) It sounds like a great movie, but one in which CF's role is so unsympathetic that the the only impact on his career will be a mass transfer of affections to Joe Fiennes, even by CF die-hards! d Did my comments lead you to that conclusion? In no way am I transferring my affections to Joe Fiennes. The only reason that I mentioned him the way I did is that HE is not getting the accolades that he deserves for this role. All we hear about is GP, GR, JD and even BA (\"surprisingly good\"). Hardly anyone mentions JF's acting and he is critical to the believability of the love angle. Colin's part is unsympathetic, cold, obsequious, etc. He's made to look ridiculous. My choice of post-SiL viewings was only meant to remind me that he can be likeable and attractive to women. Maybe after my fourth viewing, I'll pull out the big guns (P&P). He can only get praise for being in such a good movie as SiL. It shouldn't hurt his career. But I just wonder if he is doing this intentionally. That he doesn't want any part of \"heartthrob\" roles. If that's the case, then I shall be sorry, but w uldn't desert him. I am looking forward to Colin being interviewed on A&E (a Disney-owned cable channel), but A&E viewers already know Colin. What he needs is a more mainstream appearance. BTW, where is a \"Making of SiL\" half hour program? There's a Making of You've Got Mail, A Bug's Life, Thin Red Line, etc. I've checked all the cable listings for \"making ofs\" and none are for SiL. What are they waiting for? Next Christmas? Roger Ebert listed SiL as number 8 on his 10 best list for 1998 (sorry, it followed Babe at number 7) Liked how he described SiL: \"Lots of stagecraft and high and low comedy, in a film that sometimes plays like a contest between 'Masterpiece Theatre' and Mel Brooks.\""}, {"response": 150, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (06:43)", "body": "Did anyone notice the Photo of Hillary Clinton in Time Mag at a Manhattan screening of SIL?! I also got to watch the first TV ad for the movie. It is as much as I am going to see of it on this Island for some time, I would imagine!"}, {"response": 151, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 28, 1998 (20:01)", "body": "(Marcia) Did anyone notice the Photo of Hillary Clinton in Time Mag at a Manhattan screening of SIL?! Is anyone else of *interest* in the picture with her? Which issue? Going to have to look when I get home. It is as much as I am going to see of it on this Island for some time, I would imagine! Why's that? Last I heard Hawaii was still part of the US. If you don't have it right now, then nationwide release (I didn't hear anything about excluding continental US) is in two weeks. BTW, could you bop over to Maui and check out who's there? Usually a big contingent of bigwigs with their kids over on the side with the 4 Seasons (as I recall). ;-)"}, {"response": 152, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Dec 28, 1998 (20:18)", "body": "Did my comments lead you to that conclusion? (Karen} Yep! You were the innocent and unwitting trigger, Karen! :-) Now I wish I'd thought before I posted!! I hereby eat my words. Blame my tetchiness on three days of visitors and the fact that the house looks like a bombsite! SIL sounds great and a sure-fire Oscar nominee, and I'm really look forward to seeing it. And CF can chose whichever roles he wants! I don't really care about \"romantic hero\" roles (after watching the abysmal \"Frenchman's Creek\" on television recently, I never want to see another man in wet frilly shirt!)...but I would quite like to see him in a role with some authority and gravitas. Here's hoping! My visitors await me...and more tomorrow. Yikes! I'll repeat my good wishes for 1999, and my apologies for my uncharacteristic outburst of spleen!!"}, {"response": 153, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Dec 28, 1998 (20:45)", "body": "Time's man of the year issue. I could not \"see\" any one other than Hillary who was obvious. The rest are in soft focus and far behind her. It is the 12/28-1/4 issue (a combined deal) and the photo is on page 119. BTW, I found this Read Audio/Video site which plays two film clips from SIL and they will have the trailer in a while (link is there but not \"hot\") http://www.norvol.hi.is/photos98.html We get funny stuff out here - especially on the Big Island. Hilo is often a test area for odd food to see if it is edible. Movies come quite swiftly IF consolidated opts for them. Do not know where that decision is made. Our Celebrities are on the Kona Coast and up the South Kohala coast. Lovely resorts and vast lava fields broken only by carefully manicured golfing grass. The rough is REALLY rough over there. Maui, I am sure, has their share. Was CF coming over? He did mention going to see the v lcano erupting on his honeymoon in the beginning of FF."}, {"response": 154, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Dec 28, 1998 (20:58)", "body": "Bethan - LOL! Snap! Never-ending streams of visitors, mess everywhere, but gloomy thoughts...? Well, not really. And I managed to think some charitable thoughts about Colin the Actor. I'm looking forward to that film very much. I can't remember seeing him taking part in the publicity drive with so much obvious enjoyment. His good marriage may have a lot to do with it, but also his feeling good about his career decisions, surely. And I hope he will be just as enrhusiastic on home ground in a month's time, oo."}, {"response": 155, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Dec 28, 1998 (21:01)", "body": "fourth time try!!! Wrong Hotlink. That went to my geologist son and is of Iceland's eruption. We want http://www.film.com/screen/alllist.html"}, {"response": 156, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Dec 28, 1998 (21:06)", "body": "and, if you do not have the Real Player, download it free on http://www.film.com/screen/"}, {"response": 157, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec 28, 1998 (21:36)", "body": "(Karen) I'll pull out the big guns (P&P). He can only get praise for being in such a good movie as SiL. It shouldn't hurt his career. But I just wonder if he is doing this intentionally. That he doesn't want any part of \"heartthrob\" roles. I pull out P&P all the time. And doesn't he allude to the fact that he enjoys playing villain roles versus being a \"nice guy all the time...which can drive one homocidial...\" in the on line filmscouts.com interview? I just hope he selects a pleasant role occasionally. I can't remember seeing him taking part in the publicity drive with so much obvious enjoyment. Harvey can do odd things to a fella... I hope he undertakes the UK publicity with the same vigor."}, {"response": 158, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec 28, 1998 (21:41)", "body": "(Ann )the news that CF is being interviewed on next Sunday's Breakfast with the Arts is the best news of Colin I have heard today, I hope someone will record it and let us in the UK know what he says. Drool will have a PAL copy to the UK in the mail as soon as we can get it converted ."}, {"response": 159, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Dec 28, 1998 (23:16)", "body": "Thanks, Evelyn, for helping out our UK sisters. I'm acting like Paul Ashowroth here though and thinking something's got to go wrong. It sounds too good to be true to actually see him interviewed on TV. Does anyone know how long Gwynie was on? (Bethan) SIL sounds great and a sure-fire Oscar nominee, and I'm really look forward to seeing it. Now do you really mean that, Bethan, or are you just saying this to make us feel better? My heart felt a bit of a lurch when I read your first comments 'cause I hate to see you feel so pessimistic. He's really not that ridiculous in this film and has a few good moments. But like you and quite a few others, I think we're beginning to fear he's going to get typecast in unsavory character roles and damn it! he's still a hearthrob, whether he likes it or not. There has to be leading men roles out there for him that he will want to do! I have not given up hope regarding the questions we sent. Moon was asked to send them to London and that was done last week. Maybe, maybe we'll get an answer that way or from another source soon."}, {"response": 160, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Dec 28, 1998 (23:19)", "body": "Ashowroth?"}, {"response": 161, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Tue, Dec 29, 1998 (03:46)", "body": "I looked in my local tv guid and I guess that I am not going to get to see the interview. I have A&E but, I don't see any listing for Breakfast with the Arts. I am very upset. I guess I will rely on my friends here to tell me what he says. I do hope he will take the liberty to discuss his future. Rita"}, {"response": 162, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Dec 29, 1998 (07:08)", "body": "Rita, what time zone are you in? It shows up at 6am Sunday in my TV Guide for Pacific Standard time. Heide told me it's 9am for the EST. And never fear, if one of us manages to capture it on tape I'm sure it will be shared with all!"}, {"response": 163, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Dec 29, 1998 (14:11)", "body": "Breakfast w/ the Arts is on Sunday mornings at 9am EST or 8am CST. I watch it faithfully and the interviews generally are around 35 mins past the hour. I saw Eliott Forrest interview Joshua Bell (Swoon!)"}, {"response": 164, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 29, 1998 (15:17)", "body": "If you get A&E Rita, you get Breakfast with the Arts.Trust me. It goes 1 1/2 hours.9am Eastern, 8am Central,7am Mountain, 6am Pacific But if your station or VCR fails....Drool will make sure anyone who wants to see it will ."}, {"response": 165, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Dec 29, 1998 (18:30)", "body": "this is strange... I checked aetv.com, and the 'Breakfast..\" program doesn't mention a Colin appearance. It's something else. Are we talking about THIS Sunday, January 2, 1999 on A&E at 6 a.m. (my time?)."}, {"response": 166, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Dec 29, 1998 (19:51)", "body": "Sunday, January 3 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM Breakfast with the Arts Roald Dahl's Little Red Riding Hood. An instant classic, with Danny DeVito as the voice of the wolf, and Julie Walters portraying both Red Riding Hood and Grandma, this retelling is based on the work of famous children's writer Roald Dahl. Elliott Forrest hosts. [TV G] This is all the A&E website says about it. It is on at 4am in Hawaii. I will definitely tape it - just in case."}, {"response": 167, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 29, 1998 (20:48)", "body": "It probably is, Winter. Apparently these interviews are done between acts and have nothing to do with the overall show. Last Sunday featured the Canadian Brass and Gwyneth Paltrow was on. Don't let a mere listing fool you."}, {"response": 168, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 29, 1998 (21:29)", "body": "I have just called A&E in New York and they are trying verify Colin Firth's interview on Sunday. The Little Red Riding Hood story is the feature. They are to call back.....stay tuned."}, {"response": 169, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 29, 1998 (21:56)", "body": "YES....YES.....YES.... A&E just telephoned back.... \"Colin Firth will be interviewed on Sunday on Breakfast with the Arts\"."}, {"response": 170, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Dec 29, 1998 (22:01)", "body": "YYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSS!!!!!! Thanks Evelyn! You and your phone calls... I always thought you should be in the PR business...."}, {"response": 171, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Dec 29, 1998 (22:18)", "body": "Thank you, Evelyn Dear! I could not stand to get up at 4am just to watch Little Red Riding Hood and no CF!!!"}, {"response": 172, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Dec 29, 1998 (22:29)", "body": "Hey, why is there no link to colinfirth.com from the top of the main Drool menu? There are pages for Northam, Ehle and just about everyone else - but not this, most important one!!! Hosts - action, please!!! :-)"}, {"response": 173, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (00:30)", "body": "Thank you, Evelyn Dear! I could not stand to get up at 4am just to watch Little Red Riding Hood and no CF!!! (Marcia) LOL! And Evelyn, I agree with Winter, you've missed your true vocation in life! Always go to the source! My heart felt a bit of a lurch when I read your comments cause I hate to see you feel so pessimistic (Heide) Sorry! Just a temporary blip! Let's hope the A&E interviewer says \"And tell me Colin, what exciting projects have you got lined up in the future?\" He can't say \"Mmmmmmmmm, well, nothing, mmmm, actually\"...can he? There have to be leading men's roles out there that he'll want to do (Heide) Has to be Mr(Mark)Darcy! Even at my most pessimistic,( :-(((( ) I can't see how he couldn't be offered (and accept) this role. The biggest \"plus\" is that this is a movie that has automatic \"brand recognition\" and will get a lot of exposure."}, {"response": 174, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (00:46)", "body": "Little Red Riding Hood and Colin as the Big Bad Wolf...a girl can dream no? I'm happy to be back after much skiing and yes, I have seen SIL! I agree with everything Karen says, and, Bethan don't feel bad we share the same thoughts. My husband unlike me did not enjoy it, and this time it was not all CF's fault. He called it a wan pastiche and felt the Twelfth Night reference at the end was a was useless.( Are they setting up a sequel here?) Art Karen thank you for sharing your photo with us, what a treat! I'm happy to see new faces joining our group, maybe one day we'll take it to a convention level with a special appearance by the Man Himself."}, {"response": 175, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (00:50)", "body": "Oh, Evelyn, you are a wonder! Thank God your brain is functioning. (Arami) Hey, why is there no link to colinfirth.com from the top of the main Drool menu? Something that can be rectified quickly, I assure you. Too bad no one has mentioned it before."}, {"response": 176, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (00:53)", "body": "Laura, since you watch Breakfast With the Arts faithfully, can you tell us how long these interviews usually are? Did you see Gwyneth last Sunday?"}, {"response": 177, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (02:04)", "body": "Hey, why is there no link to colinfirth.com from the top of the main Drool menu? Probably because all of us have it\" Bookmarked\". I go there practically every other day. Proud of it too. Great idea to feature it though. Good to have you back, Moon. We missed you. And BTW Nan says she'll do the picture of Colin for Gi's cyber-shower:-) Talking about brand-recognition, I hope the A&E interviewer says something complimentary about P&P and Mr. Darcy. After all, he's A&E's poster-boy!! Best rating they ever had!! Oh, Evelyn, you are a wonder! I wish. I can assure you, I miss more than I succeed. Let's see what the guy at the bank from SLOW says next week."}, {"response": 178, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (02:12)", "body": "Bethan, don't feel too bad, we share the same thoughts (Moon) Well, I've eaten my words, but I won't wash my mouth out with soap and water! I actually think that CF has been rather unlucky in the release dates of his movies. If we'd had the opportunity to see MLSF and SLOW first, both leading roles (and hopefully some display of charm and the odd smile!), Wessex would have been seen as a counter-balancing display of versatility in a highly rated movie. But because of the sequence of releases in the US (COF, TEP, ATA,and SIL) CF emerges as a supporting actor in unromantic/unsympathetic roles (although I liked poor Geoffrey!). The positive side though is that TEP, like or loathe it, and SIL will be movies that everyone has heard of. Swings and roundabouts! Our visitors have departed! Yeah!! Hard work (although enjoyable most of the time!) House still resembles a bombsite!"}, {"response": 179, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (03:12)", "body": "They run between 4-7 mins. Goody, Karen, Rebecca will be up and we can all watch Little Red Riding Hood together! heee heee;)"}, {"response": 180, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (03:14)", "body": "I overslept last Sunday. Hey I have a child, Christmas was rough on me;) I missed the Luminous Barbie Doll;) the interviews are live btw!"}, {"response": 181, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (07:16)", "body": "Evelyn, thank you, thank you for the news. Wow, live Firth! (even if it is at 6am). Yippee!!"}, {"response": 182, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (19:53)", "body": "The link to colinfirth.com is on Drool's Main Page. If however you would like some change to the wording (3 Deer's Colin Firth Page, for example) just let me know."}, {"response": 183, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (21:11)", "body": "I\ufffdm so unhappy because I don\ufffdt have a chance to see the A & E program. And now you\ufffdre telling me it\ufffds LIVE!! I really feel awful about missing it but there just isn\ufffdt anything I can do about it, is there....sob,sob. Well, of course I could fly over to the States for the weekend but how could I explain this sudden enthusiasm to my husband? \ufffdTo watch the telly there on Sunday\ufffd? Please could someone of you make a transcription of the interview here in the drool, at least on the most important parts of it? I hate to to ask for it but I assure you I\ufffdd do it gladly if he was interviewed live in the Finnish TV!! (ok I know he never will......:-/"}, {"response": 184, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (22:24)", "body": "(Evelyn) \"Colin Firth will be interviewed on Sunday on Breakfast with the Arts\". Oooh...got the VCR and the Snappy all ready ;-)"}, {"response": 185, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (22:45)", "body": "Elena....Drool (thanks to Karen) will have a PAL copy made of the A&E Interview and the E! Interview and ship it off to UK. Contact AnnW. via email and the UK & Europe Firthsisters can get a tape-train going. One of the websites surely will have a transcript up right after the interview. Everyone...share the info. Laura...are you sure the Interview on A&E is live? I had an idea this was taped and part of the press junket in November . Who cares...it will be good to see the DB in spontaneous conversation. Nan...could we pl. see some of the interview snappies?"}, {"response": 186, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Dec 31, 1998 (01:12)", "body": "I hope someone puts www.colinfirth.com up because everytime I try to get it I get a message that it doesn't exist"}, {"response": 187, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Dec 31, 1998 (01:44)", "body": "(Karen) Nan...could we pl. see some of the interview snappies? But, of course. Soon as I've got them, I'll upload. (Lucie) I hope someone puts www.colinfirth.com up because everytime I try to get it I get a message that it doesn't exist How strange :-/"}, {"response": 188, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Dec 31, 1998 (01:51)", "body": "I've just checked it and it works for me."}, {"response": 189, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Dec 31, 1998 (03:42)", "body": "Ladies, we're trying to figure out a timetable for the Firth chatroom. Can everyone tell us where you are and what times are best for you to chat? If you feel uncomfortable doing this here (for whatever reasons) you can email me at nan@www.spring.net Thanks ;-)"}, {"response": 190, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Dec 31, 1998 (04:28)", "body": "I have been lurking for a few weeks and thought it was time to say hello. I, too, have the Firth Fever, and can never seem to get enough of the DB. :-) I had my latest movie fix on Sunday, when I saw SIL. I thoroughly enjoyed him as Wessex, even if he wasn't the romantic lead. I have come to think of CF as an actor who is leading man and character actor material: a very rare breed. I really respect CF for the intelligent scripts he selects. That aside, he is simply gorgeous! (I realize this i not news to any of you!) I am very impressed with the thoroughness of your info on him as well as the intelligent convesations about the DB. Many thanks for announcing the A&E interview this Sunday. I will set my alarm and coffee pot accordingly. BTW, my spelling is atrocious...pls forgive me, as I am lost without spellcheck...."}, {"response": 191, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Thu, Dec 31, 1998 (06:05)", "body": "Welcome Dear Lisa. Yes, he is gorgeous. That is really and understatement. That voice,those eyes that smile. *****sigh***** I can't wait for Sunday. Thank you for the information all of you who have written. I will make sure that I watch it. I can't wait to see him especially if it is live. Rita"}, {"response": 192, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Dec 31, 1998 (15:14)", "body": "I'm back from a week with the in-laws and just caught up on all postings. Karen(s), the picture is great! It reminds me of an older one, similar pose, but he had shorter hair and was too thin. Thanks again for sharing. I'm off in search of a theater showing SIL later today. I live in a big suburban area and was astonished to find that the major movie theaters around here are not showing it (yet?). It looks like they're hanging on to the kiddie pleasers (Babe, Bug's Life, etc.) while school is out. Not willing to take *any* chances, I'll drive to an obscure theater about 45 min. away. I'm *VERY* excited about Sunday's interview! Thanks for tipping us off; I know I never would have tuned in without advance notice. What a great treat for the new year! I agree with all who hope to hear of new projects. Go, Colin!"}, {"response": 193, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Dec 31, 1998 (15:35)", "body": "Nan, I'm available all weekend starting this second. Yeah!!! Oh, except for tomorrow evening. I'm on EST, as you know. I'd love to get a big Chat fest going. Whenever we do Chat is fine with me but I'd love to get together with yawl Sunday after Breakfast with the Arts. Lisa, your devotion is clear. My God, you've already got the acronym DB down pat. Your opinion of his acting skill is very sensible but here's hoping his pendulum starts swinging back to leading man roles."}, {"response": 194, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Dec 31, 1998 (15:39)", "body": "Eileen, if you get to see SiL today amidst all those Rugrats, check in at 115 then. We've been discussing the ending."}, {"response": 195, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 31, 1998 (15:49)", "body": "Welcome Lisa. Always nice to hear others with wonderful things to say about our dear boy! Live??? I don't think so. According to someone who saw last week's interview with GP, it was apparent that the interview was taped during the press junket week. (You know, the people are wearing the same clothes and the backdrops are the same that you see in all the tape snippets.) Someone let me know (via telephone) when you decide to do a chat. Hopefully we can go downstairs or won't be at the boring doll show revue!!"}, {"response": 196, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 31, 1998 (15:54)", "body": "Hi Lisa...good to have you on board...post often. Nan I'm on for any time in the Chat Room. I'm so tired of seeing that.... \"no people in the reception room\". I mean...it's embarassing for Colin too. Heide I think it would be great to meet on Sunday aft. the interview.Esp. for the UK fans. But let's have other times on Sunday too. BTW I just called A&E who said: \"all interviews on Breakfast with the Arts are pre-taped\" But that does not dilute the event for me one bit."}, {"response": 197, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec 31, 1998 (16:01)", "body": "I can try also after the interview this Sunday."}, {"response": 198, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 31, 1998 (17:24)", "body": "(Lucie) I hope someone puts www.colinfirth.com up because everytime I try to get it I get a message that it doesn't exist The link is up on the main Drool page. You probabaly do what I usually do when I type in the url. Always seems to wind up: colonfirth.com!! An internal disorder of some sort. ;-) I will also tack on the NY Premiere footage where you can see Livia (behind Geoffrey Rush's head) and if you slo-mo and go frame by frame you can see the top of a well-known head making a turn. Would you like the film trailer as well? Several Colin moments."}, {"response": 199, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Dec 31, 1998 (19:08)", "body": "Thank you Karen R, and thanks too for the great pic. I would love to see the NYC footage and the film trailer."}, {"response": 200, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Dec 31, 1998 (20:04)", "body": "Lisa, I just wanted to thankyou very much for your positive and very sensible comments re our DB and his choice of roles, he is first and foremost an actor, the droolworthy bit is an added bonus."}, {"response": 201, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec 31, 1998 (20:45)", "body": "I keep receiving calls from Italy, everybody is getting ready to start celebrating and it has put me in such a good mood. Thinking back to Colin and his birthday party, we did such a great job. I wish you all a very Happy New Year! Keep the Firth, Firthfully yours, and a very Firthful 1999! (Blame the champagne)"}, {"response": 202, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Jan  1, 1999 (17:48)", "body": "First of all, Happy New Year to all! Second, many thanks for your warm welcome. Heidi, the acronym DB was easy, as I have thought of him as my own DB (or, at least, my own Mr. D) ever since A&E first aired P&P2! The codes I cannot crack are the acronyms for CF's unreleased movies: SLOW and MLSF. I would be most grateful if someone could enlighten me! Are there any URLs to which any of you can refer me, so that I can learn more about the plots, co-stars, directors, etc? I also must thank Karen R for that amazing photo of CF. I happen to be drawn to a man's bone structure , and the planes of his face are now more chiseled as he nears his forties. Ha! who says women are not visual, too! :-) But, I must say it was the DB's voice which first left me weak in the knees! So richly deep and resonant. The thought of him reciting Hamlet blows the mind...."}, {"response": 203, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Fri, Jan  1, 1999 (18:13)", "body": "Lisa, You will get info on SLOW and MLSF if you log on to the FOF Roles Pages (it is linked to www.Colinfirth.com). Happy New Year!"}, {"response": 204, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Fri, Jan  1, 1999 (20:53)", "body": "Happy 1999. To all my Firth Friends. Hope everyone enjoys the last year of this century. Rita"}, {"response": 205, "author": "sabine", "date": "Fri, Jan  1, 1999 (22:04)", "body": "HAPPY NEW YEAR to all Firth Friends !!!! For the german fans : Apartment Zero will be send TONIGHT at 00.30 on 3SAT !!!! Better late than never I thought ;-) Perhaps someone is reading this before the film starts !!!"}, {"response": 206, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sat, Jan  2, 1999 (07:16)", "body": "(LisaJH) the planes of his face are now more chiseled as he nears his forties. Do we know how old he was in this picture? I assumed it was fairly recent based on KJArt's post, but after my husband's comments today I'm wondering. He and I went and saw SIL today (which we both really liked, BTW). He logged on to the computer when we got home - I have said photo up as wallpaper - and said \"Wow, he's a lot younger here.\" I replied \"No, it was just taken a few years ago\" and his response was \"well they sure must have air-brushed a lot then.\" Good heavens, what sacrilege! Hmmmmm, m ybe I've been paying just a bit too much attention to the DB lately :-)."}, {"response": 207, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jan  2, 1999 (10:08)", "body": "Testing......am having major problems accessing the Spring. So SLOW...takes an age, and I almost give up. Certainly can't check more than one board. Anyone else having these problems? I'll see if I can post this message!"}, {"response": 208, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jan  2, 1999 (10:18)", "body": "A few journalists commented (after interviewing him post-Darcy) that he looks much younger in the flesh. I think with darker hair and a grim expression, he can look older, but with his natural colouring and a softer expression, he looks younger! Testing again....this damned snail's pace is really irritating me!!!!! My service provider has just \"upgraded\" (whatever that means) but I must admit that the only problem I'm having is with the Spring. All other sites are okay!"}, {"response": 209, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Jan  2, 1999 (13:27)", "body": "Passionata, our mysterious friend... an ardent fan, but obviously not too geeky...:-) the correct address is www.colinfirth.com: these wretched things are case sensitive, you see... ;-) Rita, I'm afraid that 1999 is not the last year of this century. Those who are set to make loads of money out of the whole thing are busy creating a commercial hype: but 1999 is just the penultimate year out of 2000, just as number 19 is only the last but one in 20, and 199 is definitely not the last number in 200... and so on. So we will have to celebrate again at the end of 2000, when 2001 really begins the new century... and the traders will rub their hands in glee. (That is, unless you can convince me that there actually was the year 0...) Jana, the pic in question appears to be traceable back to about the early 1997. As far as publicity and fashion photography goes, all the pics (i.e. not only Colin's) are usually given a subtle treatment in which larger wrinkles and blemishes miraculously disappear... Happy New Year to all Firthfans and Droolers, wherever and whoever they are!;-)"}, {"response": 210, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Jan  2, 1999 (13:42)", "body": "Well, what do you know! www.Colin...etc works perfectly well... apologies to Passionata. Just goes to prove once again that I will obviously forever remain a cyberdumbo... BTW, this board is unbearably slow - is Count All Mushy at it again?"}, {"response": 211, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jan  2, 1999 (17:31)", "body": "Hmmm...I haven't had any problems....at least for a couple of days. Anyone else? Passionata, thanks for directing Lisa to the Roles Page. You won't find better information on these unreleased films and in fact, on any of his films."}, {"response": 212, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sat, Jan  2, 1999 (18:39)", "body": "Happy New Year to all! I did manage to see SIL last Thursday at a rather large complex of theaters some distance away from where I live. Not too many rugrats! I really enjoyed the film. Of course, Colin was wonderful. He does look a bit rougher around the edges in the movie, but I remember reading a quote that he considers himself in \"the pole position,\" able to alter his looks from very handsome to less depending on the role. Remember how slimy he looked as Simon in CoF? Re: best time for chatting - weekends are tough but I'll do my best to jump on tomorrow after Breakfast with the Arts. Bet we'll have lots to chat about :-)"}, {"response": 213, "author": "susanne", "date": "Sat, Jan  2, 1999 (19:35)", "body": "Happy New Year to all fellow Firth fans! SIL had the 2nd highest per screen avg. last week-$8,8847 from the movies in the top 20-it was no. 12. It would have been higher if the shows didn't keep selling out. I was so upset when I couldn't see it. I saw You've Got Mail instead. It was no compensation, beleive me. At least it had the book cover of Mr. Darcy and plenty of P&P references. I'm planning on trying to see it tomorrow and I will make sure I go extra early-prob. sit in the parking lot for 2 hours. :-)) I'm thrilled that this movie is doing so well. I hope Colin continues to pick strong projects with complex characters whether it is a lead role or not. Let's face it, he already has had the lead role of a lifetime in Mr. Darcy. It will never get better than that. Evelyn, What would CF or JE fans do without you. You are a true gem! I hope you have a good phone rate. :-)"}, {"response": 214, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Jan  2, 1999 (19:40)", "body": "Jana, I WAS shocked earlier to learn that you actually let your husband see the famous photo. Sounds like he was shocked too??? If I put the pic on the wall my dear life companion would surely mock CF so badly that I just rather keep the pictures hidden away. (And what I would do if he started to cover walls with say Pamela Anderson pics is another story). Anyway, I wish all of you fellow droolers a wonderful last (but one) year of this century!!! ps. I\ufffdm very excited about the interview tomorrow even though it\ufffds out of my reach...really looking forward to hearing what you\ufffdll think of it. By the way, what comes to DB\ufffds natural wrinkles, I love them. I\ufffdm not so keen on thinking of him as a beautiful boy, but as an ADULT male with life experience....oooh.....(blush)"}, {"response": 215, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Jan  2, 1999 (21:26)", "body": "First, Happy New Year ladies. I've been doing the family holiday thing, so I'm just now getting to your posts. Just to clarify my question of a couple of days ago--I wanted to know what times are best for people to meet in general. For example, I tend to be a night owl so any time after 9pm EST is fine with me. However, that time isn't very good for those in Europe. I'm trying to figure out which time is a possibility for everyone. BTW, I can meet in chat on Sunday morning after the interview. See you there ;-)"}, {"response": 216, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jan  2, 1999 (21:29)", "body": "Jana, what is it with husbands and CF? I am happy to see that I am not the only one. BTW I hope to meet you too next month in LA, I believe Winter will set it up. I am looking forward to the interview tomorrow and will try Chat afterwards. A domani."}, {"response": 217, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Jan  2, 1999 (22:11)", "body": "In case I\ufffdve counted hours correctly I\ufffdll be doing my night shift at work by the time the A & E program ends (according to Marcia H:s timetable). Possibly can\ufffdt join in the chat although I\ufffdd love to. There IS another problem: I don\ufffdt think I could produce English fast enough to chat! I really hate language flaws, wish you could chat in Finnish....:-))"}, {"response": 218, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jan  2, 1999 (22:25)", "body": "Elena, your English is very good and I am sure that I speak for everyone when say that we shall be very pleased to tell you whatever you want to know regarding the interview or the following chat."}, {"response": 219, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jan  2, 1999 (22:27)", "body": "and also Elena I forgot to mention that Evelyn is kindly sending me a video of the interview so if you would like a copy just email me."}, {"response": 220, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Jan  2, 1999 (23:15)", "body": "Thanks, Ann, you\ufffdre very kind. Let\ufffds see now what our sisters in Firth will think about the interview. I just hope Colin will be asked the right questions, the ones we would ask! ( But I\ufffdm afraid he wouldn\ufffdt answer all the questions I \ufffdd ask him if I could.....;-))"}, {"response": 221, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Jan  2, 1999 (23:58)", "body": "Happy New Year everyone! Chat times (Nan) Just to clarify my question of a couple of days ago--I wanted to know what times are best for people to meet in general. For example, I tend to be a night owl so any time after 9pm EST is fine with me. However, that time isn't very good for those in Europe. I'm trying to figure out which time is a possibility for everyone. I have checked a time zone schedule and it says: 9.00 am =+9 in Australia 12.00 Midnight MEZ (Middle Europe) is 11.00 =-1 in GMT (UK and Portugal), and 6.00 pm =-6 Eastern Time, and 2.00 pm =-10 Pacific Time. Couldn't find the zone for Hawaii, but I assume it must be 2 hours or more ahead of PT. ------ Btw, it's enough if you type in www.firth.com or, if you use Netscape even a mere (?)\" firth \" works :-)."}, {"response": 222, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan  3, 1999 (01:39)", "body": "Chat Room Times: Perhaps we could have different weekday and weekend times. This way,at least everyone would have a weekly shot."}, {"response": 223, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Sun, Jan  3, 1999 (02:24)", "body": "Regarding Time Zones. I am chronologically impaired (as some of you know) and this site has been a life-saver: Global Metric Time Service"}, {"response": 224, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Jan  3, 1999 (05:52)", "body": "(Myretta) I am chronologically impaired Of course! I should have remembered that. Damned short term memory..."}, {"response": 225, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, Jan  3, 1999 (09:10)", "body": "Anyone notice how 'The Big Chill' is playing before the program? Isn't it ironic..."}, {"response": 226, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jan  3, 1999 (11:16)", "body": "Look forward to hearing about the interview...let's hope he's asked some decent questions. There was a so-called \"interview\" with CF in one of our trashier women's weeklies which I bought, then chucked in the bin! It's all re-cycled stuff, re-worded, bits added.....comments on Darcy and Regency underwear, hitting his nose on the girder in the tank, not liking playing love scenes with actresses he's involved with....you get the drift! Also CF's quotes on playing Wessex from the Miramax pack. But it starts off by saying that at 37 (wrong!) CF thinks he is too old to play romantic leads, and he realised this after being turned down (as too old) by John Madden to play Will Shakespeare. \"I realised I would have been terrible..Joe Fiennes was chosen instead of me\". GREAT PR for Colin! He may have made sometongue in cheek remarks somewhere which the mag picked up on, or completely invented! He's also quoted as saying that he has absolutely no idea what work he'll do next but he \"is excited at the p ospect of what's possible and where it will take me\" (which sound promising, if this is a genuine quote!). All this is sandwiched between an article on Pamela Anderson, and another on why Anthea Turner (minor TV celeb)wants Grant's baby!!!!! MY new year's resolution is not to look at these kind of magazines!!!"}, {"response": 227, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Jan  3, 1999 (13:05)", "body": "I thought we were going to meet at Chat today... The only ones there were Renate and I. Where is everybody? Or did I get the times wrong? Anyway, Happy New Year to all of you, newcomers and oldtimers! Love you! Happy New Year Colin and Livia! And Arami, why not look at this Y2000 in the other opposite perspective, like, let's party twice, then, and have fun! If we want to, not because of the hype but taking advantage of it. What do you say? Also, thanks Nan, for volunteering to work for my cyber-shower. I'm sure your input will be appreciated by all here!"}, {"response": 228, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan  3, 1999 (15:02)", "body": "If you would like to write to A&E and thank them for the interview the email address for Viewer Relations is: viewr1@aetv.com Ask them to show more of CF's films. I believe they aired \"Tumbledown\" when it was first released. The URL for A&E is: http://www.aetv.com"}, {"response": 229, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jan  3, 1999 (16:21)", "body": "Text of Interview on Breakfast with the Arts: Interviewer - Kimberly Whitleigh KW: Welcome to Breakfast with the Arts CF: Thank you. KW: Shakespeare in Love is a fun and funny film and you get to play the villain. CF: Absolutely. We have to keep telling people that it's fun, don't we? A film about Shakespeare - you know - stay away. KW: How did you first hear about the script? CF: Oh, a long, long time ago. It's been around for many years and I was, they were, I don't know, they were toying with me or I was toying with them and about 1992 there was a completely different set of people set to do it. And it's just been, I suppose, either on a shelf or in and out of production since then. So it just came back in different form this time. It was Wessex. I would have preferred it had been Shakespeare (sardonic look-KW laughs). It was John Madden and it was the most incredible c st. I mean it's just not something I wanted to say no to. KW: Was it something that you read and right away you said \"This is it. I'm taking this role.\"? CF: No, it wasn't quite like that to be honest. It was something I read and right away said it's absolutely brilliant and unique and I didn't have any idea how it could work. I didn't know whether it could work. I thought we will have to find a convention for this that I've not seen before. You can't, I mean if you step over into arch Shakespearianism, we're dead. If you try to modernize it in the kind of, you know, there's that kind of tacky updating you get, deliberately try to make something releva t and sellable. I thought we're dead if we try to do that as well. KW: You worked with such extraordinary actors. It was one of those films where you're watching and you're saying, \"Oh, I know that guy. Oh I know him, he was in...\" You may not quite remember the names. CF: That's right. KW: But you've seen the faces. CF: I'm one of those people (makes a funny face, KW laughs). It's great. I mean you don't know. You think you might turn up on the set and they'll all be going to be scratching their eyes out- each other's eyes out- and vying for position and, you know, competing and climbing on top of each other. It wasn't like that at all. People loved the material and were getting on with it and treating each other surprisingly respectfully. KW: And your love interest, Gwyneth Paltrow? What was it like working with her? CF: It was great working with her. I don't know about love interest. It was financial interest. KW: Right, exactly. CF: She was, it was great. I think we would not have been a happy company had Gwyneth and Joe not been great. They were... KW: Great chemistry between the two. Cf: Isn't there? Absolutely. No, it was a very, very positive environment. It's not one where we were all permanently celebrating and having fun. It was a tough job to do, really. I remember marveling at John Madden having to deal with 500 people and these 3 or 4 cameras and animals and comedians (little laugh). You know, it was an extraordinary, unwieldy thing with a kind of language we really hadn't seen before in a film, I don't think. KW: When I spoke with Gwyneth, she said she lost it a few times working with you. She just laughed and it was very unprofessional of her but she had a good time. CF: I know. I was trying to be serious (ironic look - KW laughs). I was exploring my menace. I was experimenting with my snarling, fierce and menacing look and I discovered my comedy in doing so. I would come out and think, \"Right, now I'm going to be dangerous\" and everyone would fall about laughing. So you know, I thought, \"Keep quiet about that. Don't say it on a television interview and maybe people will think you've got a comic side.\" Seriously, it's fun playing somebody that's there to spoil everything. You know, the boo-hiss character. KW: And it's a fun character to play. CF: Yes. KW: Now Colin, tell me about the Fiennes brothers. In The English Patient, Ralph Fiennes steals the girl and now in SiL, Ralph Fiennes' younger brother Joseph Fiennes, he's after your girl. CF: I know. KW: What's this? CF: What's that? I mean if I want my career to go on, I'm going to have to find some more Fiennes brothers. Yeah, I had noticed that. However, any similarity between them basically stops at their last name. You know, I was in no way reminded of Ralph by working with Joe. KW: Had you worked with Joe before? CF: No. I got on fantastically with both of them. I have huge admiration for both of them as actors but I couldn't compare them."}, {"response": 230, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jan  3, 1999 (16:23)", "body": "KW: You've been in a fair number of period pieces. Is that by choice or coincidence? CF: Coincidence. I don't notice particularly. I think far too much is made of this separation between period and modern. I mean, if you look at it, everything is period, I mean, if it's only last year. KW: True. The past is... CF: Yeah. The past is there immediately and when does it become period? I annoyed my mother by calling a 50's drama a period drama. You know, it's Terence Rattigan and I said I'm doing this period thing. KW: And she said? CF: Period? Terence Rattigan? I said, \"Yeah, 1952.\" It's not period. It's just the other day! (makes a face like one does when imitating one's mother) KW: It depends on who it is. CF: Yeah. You put on a different costume. There is an artifice to every single convention and pretending that it's today is just as phony in a way as pretending that it's 100 years ago. We're still creating a world which is for the purpose of fiction and drama, which is not a real one. So you know every single one of those examples is just a way of interpreting ourselves in some way either for entertainment or to understand something or to manipulate something but, you know, if it's set 200 years ago t really is sort of, I think we're interpreting the present in disguise in some way. I don't really feel the past is this other thing to do dramas. I did a film set in 1989. Was that period? KW: (giggles) Yes. It depends on who's looking at it. Let's talk a little bit about Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice aired right here on A&E and did very well, I might add. That series really brought you to America's attention. Would you say that P&P was your big break? CF: No, I mean, yes and no. I've had a lot of big breaks and then things go back to normal and there's a big break and it goes back to normal. I think it's actually quite good that things work that way. You're always filled with expectations and then things (don't?) tuorn out the way you planned. I didn't think P&P would turn out to be a huge hit and yet it was and I'm sort of, I just sort of sit back and watch it all happen now really. KW: It's huge. It's all over the world. CF: Yeah, yes it is. I do find it absolutely extraordinary. Just as always I thought this is a nice script, let's have a go at this. And as far as you're concerned, you finish the thing, you walk away from it and what happens to it after that is someone else's business. And in this case, everybody took it on. I had to go back and look at it, actually. I didn't feel I had much to do with it. It was like this big party going on where I wasn't there. I had to go and look and go, \"what happened?\" Wha did I do right, you know. There's a huge amount that's always out of your hands, I think. Interviewer thanks him for appearing. Colin gives a huge smile."}, {"response": 231, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan  3, 1999 (17:08)", "body": "Thanks Heide...a real gift. We can talk about this till the next time he surfaces....Maybe we should have a new board devoted to the Interview. (only kidding) Bethan....I waited for you at the Chat Room....for TWO HOURS. Where were you? My bums are sore and I am leaving now."}, {"response": 232, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Jan  3, 1999 (18:52)", "body": "Thanks, Heide. I think Colin has a similar problem to me: his thoughts seem to be racing ahead of his words. As a result he seems to speak in a kind of mental shorthand... Sweet, really, but it takes a bunch of Firthmaniacs to appreciate and understand him fully. And, Gi, I certainly don't mind celebrating as many times as it takes! Your bums, Heide? LOL - how many have you got? Yes, I know the dictionary says \"Brit. slang, buttocks\", but you don't say \"my butts\", do you? ;-) (Or maybe you do - I'll be interested to learn. My knowledge is far from complete...;-)) And Sunday at 11 am on the East coast of America? The Brits would still be in bed - it was only 6 am here... I think there was some kind of misunderstanding about this chat room fest - Nan was only trying to collate the best times as a guideline for new users..."}, {"response": 233, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Jan  3, 1999 (19:04)", "body": "Right. Chronologically impaired. Apologies yet again - just checked with the time site Myretta so kindly posted a link to. All right, shoot me. Or pass another bottle of red wine...~~~~~~~8-@~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"}, {"response": 234, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jan  3, 1999 (21:10)", "body": "Ijust wanted to thank Bethan for alerting us to the A&E interview, Heide for typing out the transcript and everyone for making the Chat so much fun."}, {"response": 235, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Jan  3, 1999 (21:25)", "body": "Dear Heide, thanks so much for your elaborate transcript of the interview. Reading it (and your remarks about his ironic looks etc.) was almost as exciting as I guess it has been to watch the interview. He sounds so enthusiastic and sympathetic, like a young man who loves his job and loves to talk about it, actually. Great! I think the interview wasn\ufffdt very good, though, I mean the interviewer. I find that this KW didn\ufffdt always quite get his meaning and she couldn\ufffdt bring him to say anything very essential. Too bad because we all know what Colin is really capable of verbally and intellectually."}, {"response": 236, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan  3, 1999 (21:31)", "body": "(Arami)Your bums, Heide? LOL how many have you got? Yes, I know the dictionary says \"Brit. slang,buttocks\", but you don't say \"my butts\", do you? ;-) (Or maybe you do - I'll be interested to learn. Point of information, Arami....it was me who said that...and I mean't to say \"buns\" which is American slang...and sorry,... we do use the plural... One bun= one cheek :-) I am not familar with the British term. I alerted our Firthfriends in UK that we would meet at 3pm UK Time. It was great fun... a little chaotic at times. We had 15 on line at one point. Including Karen on the phone and me typing her comments with one hand. Nothing beats going live right after an event. Thanks Nan for setting the chat room up. We still haven't set up a weekday/weekend chat time though"}, {"response": 237, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan  3, 1999 (22:16)", "body": "Well, I just got to look at my taping of *the* interview. He does wear a wedding ring....and he seems to have a few nervous tics...or else he is allergic to something and trying not to sneeze. But, He is devillishly adorable, is he not!!! I was half expecting to hear him mention the Internet fans when he was speaking about the P&P phenomenon. ! sigh ! Sorry I could not join you at 5:30 am for a chat. Ray would Not have understood!"}, {"response": 238, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan  4, 1999 (00:09)", "body": "I was half expecting to hear him mention the Internet fans when he was speaking about the P&P phenomenon. ! sigh ! He might not have said it Marcia, but he certainly knows it. Colin did seem to have several nervous ticks, which at 38 is kind of endearing. Strange for an actor though, to be shy with a somewhat inept interviewer. In any case, it is so wonderful to see him do live (sort to speak) TV. We do crave it. It was a pleasure meeting many of you in Chat: we must do it again!"}, {"response": 239, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Jan  4, 1999 (00:12)", "body": "Sorry, Evelyn. Just never heard anyone say \"freezing my butts/bums\": buns is a different matter. Bum, bun, who cares, anyway. Hic. :-) (Elena) we all know what Colin is really capable of verbally and intellectually. ? Elena: would you care to elaborate? Just assume I'm completely in the dark and need enlightening (the way I carry on these days it's very easy to imagine, anyway!) (Marcia) he seems to have a few nervous tics...or else he is allergic to something and trying not to sneeze. Aha. But can we ever see these tics when he's performing in character? He is devillishly adorable, is he not!!! Goes without saying."}, {"response": 240, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Jan  4, 1999 (00:34)", "body": "My, wasn't that interview lovely? I know my passion for CF would never have kept up this long if he didn't seem so humble and charming in real life. I think I must log off now to go and rewind again. (Moon) Jana, what is it with husbands and CF? I am happy to see that I am not the only one. BTW I hope to meet you too next month in LA, I believe Winter will set it up. Well, my husband is pretty tolerant of my compulsion but teases unmercifully. Winter emailed me about your visit, Moon. Looking forward to seeing you in LA! Hopefully I will be in town and not roaming about Asia for my job. And if we're really lucky, maybe FP will be showing when you're here and we can see those grey undies on the big screen. (or should I say Marcia's grey undies, oh honorable button snipper?)"}, {"response": 241, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Jan  4, 1999 (01:03)", "body": "Heide, great minds think alike ;-) Here was the transcript I was working on today... http://www.firth.com/html/bwaintvw.html"}, {"response": 242, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan  4, 1999 (01:47)", "body": "Oh Nan...you really\" hit one out of the ballpark\" this time...text and accompanying images...what a treat. I've Bookmarked it.May I post it on RoP Virtual views? (Arami)Just never heard anyone say \"freezing my butts/bums\": buns is a different matter. Actually, when one talk about freezing one is more apt to say: \"I'm freezing my ass off\":-)) (Like Karen and Laura are in Chicago as we speak)"}, {"response": 243, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Jan  4, 1999 (02:45)", "body": "(Evelyn)May I post it on RoP Virtual views? I did, honey...right under yours ;-)"}, {"response": 244, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jan  4, 1999 (02:59)", "body": "(Jana2)And if we're really lucky, maybe FP will be showing when you're here and we can see those grey undies on the big screen. (or should I say Marcia's grey undies, oh honorable button snipper?) Indeed =) Nan, thank you!!!"}, {"response": 245, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Jan  4, 1999 (16:33)", "body": "Hello all, and best wishes for the New Year. I hope you had restful and enjoyable Xmases. I got back to New York on Saturday and have already been to see SIL for a SECOND time. I don't think I'm becoming Firthified - I just had some friends in town who hadn't seen it and wanted to. It loses little on second viewing. Nice to be back, Ben p.s. as two cheeks make a face, so one bum comprises two buns."}, {"response": 246, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jan  4, 1999 (17:09)", "body": "I managed to see most of the interview \"real time\" yesterday, but I taped it also for \"further study\" (all of you would understand, right?). I watched it again today and now understand many comments made during the chat yesterday about his tics. Perhaps his nose was running! As the interview progressed, he seemed to settle down. I thought his answer to the \"period piece\" question was thoughtful and intelligent, even if he jumbled his words every now and then. He also included a comical statement in near y every response. Didn't you just love the way he tossed his head after he said \"boo hiss character?\" I agree with you, Jana, he really is humble, charming and funny. On a related topic: saw full page SiL ad in NY Times yesterday. Small pictures of cast members were included towards bottom. No Colin :-( Thought again that pics were of GG nominees but Ben's face is there. Grrrrrrrr!!"}, {"response": 247, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Jan  4, 1999 (17:14)", "body": "#1: I was very disappointed at not meeting with you in Chat (I did meet Renate there, which was quite nice). #2: thank you Heide for your transcription, loved to read it. Thanks also to Nan, but I haven't seen yours yet, dear, I'm going there directly. #3: Have I wished you all a Happy New Year, newcomers and oldtimers? :-) #4: Welcome back, Ben!"}, {"response": 248, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Jan  4, 1999 (18:23)", "body": "Thanks ever so much Heide and Nan for the transcripted versions of the A&E interview. Even though I saw and taped the interview, it was nice to read the text as well. CF certainly exuded wit, charm, and intelligence. I also thought that his comments were thoughtful and spontaneous: quite a contrast to the journalists who in the past have described his comments as guarded and rehearsed. IMHO, his warmth and playfulness really came across...perhaps in real life he is more like Lizzie than Darcy :-) It was so much fun chatting with several of you yesterday in real time. Already, I can tell you are a great group of droolers! In the meantime, I shall rewind my video of the interview for the umpteenth time.... such shameless devotion. Mmmmmmm. P.S. Thanks Passionata for the tip on the URL for the DB's unreleased films. I hadn't released that WOM had been renamed."}, {"response": 249, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Jan  4, 1999 (18:27)", "body": "Nan, I've been to your transcription and it is great, thanks for the lovely photos. He's at his best when looking down, head slightly bent to his right shoulder."}, {"response": 250, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jan  4, 1999 (18:39)", "body": "Just to say that loading time for the Spring still seems very, very slow....so slow that I can only really check out this board. I don't know if anyone else is having the same problem, particularly in the UK. Chat is rather difficult for me because the PC and phone seem to be in constant use in our household! What is it with Colin's \"nervous tics\" which everyone seems to comment on?!!! It sounds like the Prince Charles syndrome....he always used to rub his nose when being interviewed, and also gesticulated a lot with his hands. Sign of basic shyness and unease in public, which can be overcome (normally through exposure to more and more interviews!) My son saw the latest Startrek movie yesterday and told me that there was a trailer for a film about Shakespeare...\"a rip-off of Romeo and Juliet\". He thinks he'll go and see it!!"}, {"response": 251, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan  4, 1999 (20:20)", "body": "What a holiday weekend! A fabulous Colin interview and a huge turnout for CF Chat. Thank you, Heide and Nan, for the fabulous transcripts and the added bonus of the snappies. [for the first few pages, Nan, I thought you were editing out the hands on the face stuff--has anyone counted how many times he touched some part of his face?] Thanks to Evelyn, I got to put in my two cents for the Chat, but wish the computer downstairs had been working (so will my tenant, when he gets home and finds close to 3 feet of snow up against his front door and no way to get back into his apartment. I subscribe to the \"don't get mad, get even\" school.) Will be putting the interview tape together as soon as I receive the E! Interview from Sue (who knows, maybe today) and then off to the post office it goes for PAL conversion and subsequent mailing to AnnW. I'm sure all you ladies will enjoy it as much as we did here in the US. I'm definitely going to write to A&E (as Evelyn posted) to thank them and to ask if they can show us those other *period* pieces that Colin alluded to: \"Deep Blue Sea\" and \"Fever Pitch\" the 1989 one. ;-) BTW, if Colin was being considered for the role of Shakespeare back in 1992, he might still have been considered too old. The movie was set in 1593 and Shakespeare was about 28 years old then. Per Tom Stoppard, Ralph Fiennes was also considered and would have been tooo old (an unbelievable) as well. There were certain constraints on the year when the movie was set. SiL isn't history but it doesn't contradict any established facts. It had to be sometime before S wrote Romeo and Juliet and Twelfth Nig t (which was several years later). This is the second time I recall Colin using the term \"boo-hiss.\" He referred to John Malkovich's Valmont as making boo-hiss faces in Dangerous Liaisons."}, {"response": 252, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan  4, 1999 (21:40)", "body": "Welcome Back Ben...(A bum has a different meaning for us...as you know) Saw John Castle a few days before Christmas in an A&E Mystery. ********* I need some clarification, folks....when CF said in yesterday's interview (which I refer to as Super Sunday) Re;P&P being his Big Break: ..I've had lots of big breaks and then things go back to normal....You're always filled with expectations and then things don't turn out the way you planned...\" Obviously, he must have mean't VALMONT which was his first big US film. But I wonder if he also alluded to LOST EMPIRES for BBC.What other film had the exposure that P&P had. He sure wants to dump Mr. Darcy and like he says ...everybody took it on.. That means US."}, {"response": 253, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan  4, 1999 (21:45)", "body": "Italics should have ended after end quotes... and I'm using end tags. Stop it Count Almasy!"}, {"response": 254, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Jan  4, 1999 (22:05)", "body": "Nan, thank-you, I\ufffdm very impressed. While waiting for a chance to see the video, your beautiful work on the text and snappies is really something. And so is Colin....like I said back there in the chat I\ufffdm almost afraid of seeing the video \ufffdcos I fear it can make me fall for him even more than I already have. (Getting serious??). Yes, chatting with you people was great yesterday even though I couldn\ufffdt stay for very long, just put in a few lines. Nice to get in such a real time touch with some of you, I enjoyed it tremendously, plus hearing fresh news about the interview. Still I DO wish that the big fun of chatting won\ufffdt reduce the energy of this board in the long run. Arami, you kidding? I don\ufffdt exactly know what you\ufffdre getting at.....I think the interview was lovely what comes to Colin but I just know from his older interviews that it could\ufffdve been much better if the interviewer had been better. In other words, I\ufffdm desperately waiting for printed interviews where he\ufffds really asked about his career and thoughts, not just to promote the latest movie, which was probably the main idea of this interview.There, enlightened?!"}, {"response": 255, "author": "Ann", "date": "Mon, Jan  4, 1999 (22:53)", "body": "Big breaks: Another Country, Valmont, P&P. (Maybe AMITC too.) Any others?"}, {"response": 256, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan  4, 1999 (23:02)", "body": "(Ann) Big breaks: Another Country, Valmont, P&P. (Maybe AMITC too.) Any others? I know...I know...WE all think his entire Filmography is outstanding. But how many people saw AC, AMITC ....I'm thinking BIG audiences... pre-P&P.Not just UK."}, {"response": 257, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan  4, 1999 (23:23)", "body": "Wings of Fame co-starring Peter O Toole. Nan, so good of you. Will your studies take you away from us again? Bethan, I just up-graded to AOL4 and I too am having the worst time logging on to Spring."}, {"response": 258, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan  4, 1999 (23:28)", "body": "Jana, I brought FP back with me from the UK this summer, I can always lend it to you. Do you have a PAL/NTSE VCR?"}, {"response": 259, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jan  5, 1999 (00:02)", "body": "Big breaks: Tumbledown! And no, not all of his films are outstanding... Arami, you kidding? Elena, I'm always kidding! ;-) The written interviews are often given special treatment by the writers: a little padding here, a tiny embellishment there... I'm always sceptical and learn from reading between the lines... Nevertheless some interviewers have mentioned that Colin relaxes considerably once cameras and tape recorders are switched off. Apparently he is a different man in private. Which leads me straight to Ben! Hi, there, welcome back, happy New Year to you too. And what news do you bring us from your travels? Yes, I for one remember your pledge... Let's have it, then - in precise detail, please! ;-)"}, {"response": 260, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Jan  5, 1999 (00:22)", "body": "Hurray! Welcome back, Ben!!! Yes, do tell us about your visit back home. Have you done any valuable spying for us? Any news or sightings of Lady Ehle?! ;-) (Arami) Apparently he is a different man in private. Yes, this is certainly true. But I also have the feeling that he might've relaxed in later interviews. The A&E interview may have occurred earlier in the day, if this happened to be on a press junket day (which it looks like)."}, {"response": 261, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jan  5, 1999 (00:26)", "body": "I forgot my manners.....thanks very much for the transcripts, Heide and Nan! The \"big breaks\" comment is interesting.....I hope that at long last, he won't be disappointed and his expectations (and ours!)will be realised! By the way, \"The Deep Blue Sea\" is my favourite CF work...don't know why, just is! And it's very respectable...something his mum could watch!!! Welcome back everyone!"}, {"response": 262, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Jan  5, 1999 (01:26)", "body": "Nan, thanks so much for getting those snappies up so fast. The sheer number of them takes my breath away not to mention the content. Okay, call me pushy, but any chance you could put a few enlarged ones up so the girls who haven't seen the interview yet could possibly see one of those \"nervous tics\" or how about one of those killer smiles? Good question about Colin's \"big breaks\", Evelyn. I think The English Patient could have been a big break for him but for one reason or another it didn't work out. Upon further viewing of this interview and the ineptness (as Moon succinctly put it) of Kimberly or Timberly or whatever the interviewer's name was - Colin appeared to actually be helping her out at some points when she seemed to let her questions sort of drift off without finishing them. He'd expand on his comments whenever she seemed to be floundering. For instance when she asked if he had worked with Joe before..she messed her question up a bit but Colin took it from her before she looked too bad. Am I stretching here? In summation, he seems like a very generous interviewee. Welcome back, Ben. And how is Mr. Castle?"}, {"response": 263, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Jan  5, 1999 (01:32)", "body": "(Ben) Firthified Oooh, I like that word! (Gi)He's at his best when looking down, head slightly bent to his right shoulder. Yes, I like that one quite well myself. I'm glad someone else noticed it ;-) (Karen) has anyone counted how many times he touched some part of his face? LOL! It actually crossed my mind but then I thought that perhaps it was a little too obsessive, even for me. As it is I'm always teetering on the abyss so I try to catch myself from falling in ;-p (Moon) Will your studies take you away from us again? Probably :-( (Moon) Bethan, I just up-graded to AOL4 and I too am having the worst time logging on to Spring. AOL is evil--makes me crazy. (Elena) Arami, you kidding? (Arami) Elena, I'm always kidding! ;-) I'll vouch for that ;-)"}, {"response": 264, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Tue, Jan  5, 1999 (01:36)", "body": "Sorry I left so abruptly. I was out of commission with tennis elbow--from using the mouse too much. But the place I was freelancing was ergonomically incorrect, so it's their fault, so I don't have to pay for the therapy, and they have to pay me, etc. And I'm still not up to snuff in the elbow department, but I wanted to check in here. On the heels of doctor's orders, I was helping a friend on a project. (It's always so easy to see what's wrong with someone else's work ;-)) That was a total surprise, a frantic call iin the middle of shooting, so what was a girl to do? Back in town today. Skimmed the postings; oh my goodness. Congrats to Winter and everyone else. Spoke to Karen today and hope to read more soon. Smooches."}, {"response": 265, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan  5, 1999 (02:04)", "body": "Bethan, I just up-graded to AOL4 and I too am having the worst time logging on to Spring. go back to Netscape. I like Explorer 4. but Spring doesn't ...so I use Netscape only for Spring.Big Pain. Thanks for all the Big Breaks inputs...don't think you caught my drift. Never mind. not all of his films are outstanding. I was being facetitous...(I'm always kidding too, Arami) Though I do like all of them for one reason or another."}, {"response": 266, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Jan  5, 1999 (02:24)", "body": "I've been out of town for an entire week with no way to log on. Aghhh! I find this reference to his \"tics\" interesting because I first noticed them in AMITC and attributed them to brilliant acting at the time. The very same 'nose-pulling' motion was used as Birkin waited for an answer to the back-doorbell of the Keaches. Later in the same film, that raising of the arm to the back of the neck was shown as he waited for Keach to come down after viewing the wall-painting close up. I guess he just know h w to adapt his own nervous motions when appropriate to the character... I really enjoyed the interview and was most grateful to see it up in transcript form so soon!! Firth-class, guys!"}, {"response": 267, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (06:51)", "body": "(Ann) Big breaks: Another Country, Valmont, P&P. (Maybe AMITC too.) Any others? (Evelyn) I know...I know...WE all think his entire Filmography is outstanding. But how many people saw AC, AMITC ....I'm thinking BIG audiences... pre-P&P.Not just UK. } Well, I was thinking about those roles that were important, or should have been, in his career: Another Country (because it was the first), Valmont (because it was Milos Forman, directing his first movie after Amadeus), and P&P (because that's when Britain--and we--went wild for him.)"}, {"response": 268, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (09:26)", "body": "Wow! The Board is hopping today. Amazing what one good interview will do :-) (Moon) Jana, I brought FP back with me from the UK this summer, I can always lend it to you. Do you have a PAL/NTSE VCR? That's very sweet of you, Moon. Thanks but I already have a copy that was converted from PAL which I've watched numerous times. But that doesn't stop me from wanting to see FP on the BIG screen! (Karen) The movie was set in 1593. SiL isn't history but it doesn't contradict any established facts. One thing I've wondered about but have been too lazy to go look at an old history book... Wasn't 1593 a bit early for tobacco farmers to be set up in the colonies? My recollection is that was more a 1600 and on thing, but it's been years since I've read any history at all. Anyone know?"}, {"response": 269, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (10:38)", "body": "Ooooh goody, after days of near-torpor, Spring now seems to be back up to speed! I was able to re-read the interview transcript...and I must say I really like his reponses, thoughtful and amusing. The comments about \"what is period\" and the fact that \"there is an artifice to every convention\" are particularly good. Also his remarks on not really knowing how a good script can turn out...the interpretation depends so much on the director. Interesting stuff!"}, {"response": 270, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (10:10)", "body": "(Jana), Wasn't 1593 a bit early for tobacco farmers to be set up in the colonies? What about Sir Walter Raleigh? I beleive he had something to do with tobacco back then. Evelyn, I am planning to go back to AOL 3, it is the lesser of two evils. Try fast forwarding or rewinding with the the image on the VCR, the nervous ticks are plentiful. Firth-class and Firthified, I like those, I wonder how many more we can come up with? BTW, Ben, I too want to hear all about your trip. Did you chat with dear mum again? I hope you did us proud and brought back some Firth tidbits."}, {"response": 271, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (10:14)", "body": "Cheryle, nice to hear from you. I will be in LA next month and will attend the Keith Jarrett Trio concert (again), there is nothing like him solo though. I hope you get well enough soon to join us regularly."}, {"response": 272, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (11:56)", "body": "(Heide)Okay, call me pushy...one of those \"nervous tics\" or how about one of those killer smiles? Okay, pushy chick...here you go ;-p"}, {"response": 273, "author": "susanne", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (12:26)", "body": "Karen, I hope you get the E! innterview tape today (Tues.). I mailed it last Wednesday because I know oversea fans eagerly await your compilation tape. The mail must be v. slow (what else is new) due to New Year's Day. SIL finally cracked the top 10 and in limited release too. It must be all the Firth fans out in full force."}, {"response": 274, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (07:59)", "body": "Nan, great snappy of the wedding ring;) I don't think there was a Virginia in 1593, Jamestown was founded in 1607. I liked the interview, hated the interviewee! Welcome back from your holidays, Ben. I'm glad you are firthified;)"}, {"response": 275, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (08:01)", "body": "Hmmmm................ Feb 7, 2036, perhaps the Y2K virus???"}, {"response": 276, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (10:20)", "body": "Hi, I was out today and came across UK \"NOW\" Magazine dated 7th January, and as there was a picture of Colin on the front cover with the caption \"Mr Darcy becomes Mr. Nasty\", naturally I bought it.However, I think it must be the magazine Bethan referred to last week as only being fit for the bin as there was nothing new only recycled news, comment that Colin would have liked to have played Shakespeare and we knew that already and that at the age of 37, he considers himself too old to play romantic leads, what rubbish, he gets better as he gets older. Still I suppose it is good to see him on the front cover of anything after all this time of no Colin. If this is the magazine to which you referred Bethan how on earth did you know about it as it only came out today and as it said it is dated 7th January, 1999."}, {"response": 277, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (11:04)", "body": "Oops, in my last post I meant to write *transcribed* in lieu of *transcripted*....my language skills sometimes take a curious turn at the onset of migraines.....Anyway, now that a few days have passed since the A&E interview, what frustrates me most is that there was no mention of CF's forthcoming (Firthcoming?) projects. Aside from the two films in the can, surely he must have some new projects lined up. Or perhaps you are all ahead of me on this. I hope one day we in the U.S. will have the pleasure of seeing him act on Broadway or the like.... Regarding CF's comment about being to old to play romantic leads at 37, I, too, think that he still has the ability to play such roles. Now if he were a woman, I might agree with him, as men over 35 usually are paired with actresses in their 20s. Being over 35 myself, such ageism has always annoyed me, but that is another topic....."}, {"response": 278, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (11:28)", "body": "This has become a busy place, between us newbies joining and finally some fresh Colin now being served! I also thought Colin was great in the interview compared to the poor interviewer. I suppose she asked the requisite questions and we got much more than normal for a film promo (usually reduced to mere sound bites), but she was quite nervous. How about her response to his comment \"I did a film set in 1989, is that period?\" Sorry, I'm being catty (meow). I'm sure I couldn't have done it! RE: fun of chat taking away from this board - don't think it will, we all seem to live in too many time zones to have a big chat regularly. It was fun, though. Ooohhh, Lisa, Firth on Broadway! One could only hope, couldn't one? I'm hoping for more news when SiL makes its British debut. He doesn't seem to be getting much attention/mention here in the States, but after last year, a little sure goes a long way!"}, {"response": 279, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (11:29)", "body": "THANK YOU, NAN!! ...In explanation, Nan was good enough to translate the scan of the drawing that ultimately elicited the now infamous \"2 Karens\" photo. Having never attempted this before, let's see if it works:"}, {"response": 280, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (11:32)", "body": "Isn't it about time to start compiling a dictionary of Firthdoms? Here's a start. Firthification (n.) - (1) the involuntary act of becoming obsessed with C.F. (2) the name given to posters and pictures of CF on bedroom walls. See also to \"firthify\". Firthify (vb, tr.) to adorn a bedroom wall with posters of CF (ent., corruption of fortify), e.g. \"it has been three weeks and still my new bedroom remains sadly unfirthified\". Recently extended to apply to wallpaper for Windows95. Firthcoming (n.), (1) a keenly anticipated television event involving a minimum of three seconds with CF on the screen, (2) (vulgar). See slang dictionary. To give Firth (vb.), to worry your friends with rambling, wild-eyed obsessive musings about CF; see also \"The Virgin Firth\", (mythical.) Ehlefication (n.); the \"sister act\" of Firthification."}, {"response": 281, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (11:56)", "body": "Sorry - me again. It is for you lot to carry on with DoF (Dictionary of Firthdoms); my duty is to the DoE (...of Ehl'isms), to which I will add periodically. hence, \"Ehle-mouthed\" (adj.), struck dumb by the allure of JE. Winter - what was my pledge?"}, {"response": 282, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (11:58)", "body": "My desktop wallpaper has been ehlefied and firthified. (I, too, believe in equal-time). Now, if we can just get some interviewers to mention the fact that JE did also co-star in P&P we would have it made for equality :-) Kimberley and the interviewee kept commenting on the great cast of SIL...but when it came to P&P....silencio."}, {"response": 283, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (12:03)", "body": "Sorry - me again. It is for you lot to carry on with DoF (Dictionary of Firthdoms); my duty is to the DoE (...of Ehl'isms), to which I will add periodically. hence, \"Ehle-mouthed\" (adj.), struck dumb by the allure of JE. Winter - what was my pledge?"}, {"response": 284, "author": "sabine", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (12:26)", "body": "Hello ! Now I have seen \"A Thousand Acres\" on VCR and I liked it very much. CF looked fantastic (and so thin I think). But I really had to smile as he talked for the first time, because he had an \"american\" accent :-) But his voice was as absolutely wonderful as always. I haven t seen the interview (too bad) but I really love to read about it (Thank you to Heide) ! Does anyone know when SIL will be shown in Germany ?? (Maybe Renate ??)"}, {"response": 285, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (12:39)", "body": "Great picture Karen2! Ben, I think you've had too much time on your hands! Now when one is Ehlefied, is it the same feeling or emotions that are felt when one is Firthified? I mean the arousals, are they the same?"}, {"response": 286, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (12:49)", "body": "Firthcoming (n.)... (2) (vulgar). See slang dictionary. LOL, Ben! But If you think it'll let you off the hook, you're mistaken. Are you teasing us, waiting, expecting us to beg you for the titbits you may - or may not - be bringing? Right then, my guess is that you haven't got much to give us... your mum and Mr Castle have refused point-blank to discuss Colin. * * * Bethan, Ann W - I think you're a bit too harsh on the poor little rag-mag: it's aimed at women who have no access to advance information like we do here on the net. For most of them this may be a revealing and informative article, even though it clearly seems to have been concocted by making extracts from one or more standard press handouts/releases made available by Colin's agent and/or the film press office. But its real significance is that it appears to be the start of the British promo drive in a run up to the SIL premiere in London. The best ones may be yet to come - although I don't expect Colin will reveal anything vastly different from what he's already said to the American interviewers."}, {"response": 287, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (12:56)", "body": "Laura, have you ever been Firthralled? Thanks for the laughs Ben! Yours Firthfully, etc, etc"}, {"response": 288, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (13:04)", "body": "Sorry - me again. It is for you lot to carry on with DoF (Dictionary of Firthdoms); my duty is to the DoE (...of Ehl'isms), to which I will add periodically. hence, \"Ehle-mouthed\" (adj.), struck dumb by the allure of JE. Winter - what was my pledge?"}, {"response": 289, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (13:06)", "body": "Bloody hell. Why does this stupid site keep cloning my messages? Am I doing something wrong?"}, {"response": 290, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (13:52)", "body": "(Ben)Winter - what was my pledge? Not so much of a pledge but a casual reference to being invited to one of those swanky dinners (or did I just completely misunderstand?). Run into any noteable actors/actresses? Bloody hell. Why does this stupid site keep cloning my messages? HA! Count Almushy has now taken a liking to Ben! Arami, you are finally safe (for the time being... :-)) Let me add to the dictionary: Ehlicity: n 1: The state of being happy due to infatuation with actress Jennifer Ehle. Firthilize: v 1: To engage in detailed, analytical discussion or thought, most often after CF's performances or interviews. e.g. \"Upon viewing 'Shakespeare in Love' we spent a few hours firthlizing in the chat room.\""}, {"response": 291, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (13:53)", "body": "out damn italics, out!"}, {"response": 292, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (07:35)", "body": "I'll try to help you there...but I'm not sure it'll work. Apart from cloning posts, the date is still wrong and that signifies a touch and go situation. BTW, I think I know how cloning happens. You can't blame anyone: it's a program fault as well, IMO. Ben, stop teasing and distracting us! Firthfully, Ehlecitly, reveal all at once, please!"}, {"response": 293, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (07:38)", "body": "BTW, forgot to explain to Ben and all newbies: Count All Mushy is our resident ghost (first identified by Renate, I think) responsible for all these program mishaps ;-)"}, {"response": 294, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (07:47)", "body": "Firthralled, hmmmm... I like that one. Yes, I have been Firthralled. Similar to and enthrallment, but headier;)"}, {"response": 295, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (08:01)", "body": "Thank you, Nan. Just wanted the others to get a glimpse of what to expect when that tape Karen, Evelyn, Sue (who else?) are putting together comes to your town. KJArt, what a terrific picture! I wish I had that talent. I'd be drawing pictures of Colin all day. Ben, I'm afraid my bedroom walls remain sadly unfirthified. Wouldn't want company to feel deflated (I mean defeated) the moment they walk through the door. Still, I remain completely \"colinized\" in my heart. Sabine, so glad you saw 1000 Acres. We're really going to have to talk about this one soon, ladies, considering how many have seen it now. I think I may have to put it in the old VCR soon just to watch him jogging again. A little bit of sweat never did anybody any harm. I read the New York Times during lunch hour and saw an article about David Puttnam. Just a very brief mention that his latest, My Life So Far, will be released in May. Guess that's the US but surely it will open soon after in Europe."}, {"response": 296, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Jan  5, 1999 (14:36)", "body": "(Heide) I'm afraid my bedroom walls remain sadly unfirthified. I'm a little Firthified. I have that lovely, wide smiling Harper's Bazaar photo (given to me by Kate before she moved back to Australia) hanging on the wall in the hallway--right under Messier ;-p. And the flip side of that photos is just delicious... Don't you think? ;-)~~~ Then I have that really yummy, BIG, Radio Times poster in the living room, given to me by a dear pal. You'd think I was too old for this, but I can't help it. I been Firthified! ;-D"}, {"response": 297, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (11:25)", "body": "Nan, thanks for sharing again! I carry a tiny picture of him in my wallet (my husband has not seen it yet). I guess that is how we firththified firthaholics carry on while waiting for another opportunity to firthilize (say that word 3 times!)."}, {"response": 298, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (12:40)", "body": "(Arami) The best ones may be yet to come Yes, that\ufffds it. It\ufffds a sign of something beginning to happen that those \ufffdrag-mags\ufffd (what a lovely phrase!) are starting to write about Colin. Soon the better ones will take on, surely? I haven\ufffdt stopped thinking about the Interview. It does seem surprising that a man who\ufffds so used to cameras in his work would be SHY when interviewed in the tv! But to think of it, it\ufffds easy to act before cameras when you have a role and a script, but to be Colin is not a role. What I want to say is, I\ufffdm so happy that he obviously hasn\ufffdt created a certain \ufffdColin Firth role\ufffd for public appearances, which would prevent us from seeing what he\ufffds really like. I wish he\ufffdll never fall into the ridiculous hubris of so many other celebrities who take interviews as just another show. It\ufffdd kill me (or at least my love for him.) ....goes to show I\ufffdm absolutely firthified plus firthilized I guess. I particularly like the latter one, makes me think of....um...."}, {"response": 299, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (06:44)", "body": "Bloody hell. Why does this stupid site keep cloning my messages? Am I doing something wrong?"}, {"response": 300, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (08:15)", "body": "We're in a time warp!!!!! Look--- we're now in the year 2036!!! I've heard of the y2K problem, but jeez... it's only 1999!"}, {"response": 301, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Jan  6, 1999 (19:03)", "body": "Ben, your DoF is priceless! I needed a good laugh after the big freeze we are experiencing in the midwest. HenceFirth, you will be referred to as the official lexogapher of the DoF. Move over, OED! Can I design the cover? A big glossy of CF as Darcy in the tub, perhaps? Eileen, back in the 80s I, Iived in NY for several years (around 10th and 57th, which I refer to as the Hell's Foyer section of Manhattan). I had the pleasure of seeing Derek Jacobi (as Cyrano) and Jeremy Irons (in a Stoppard play, no less) on Broadway. There is an electricity about theater which does not exist in films. I can only hope that one day I will get to see the DB act in a play. But then I keep reading that Broadway has been Disney-ized and Times Square sanitized, so to speak. Oy! KJArt, what a lovely rendering of Colin. Really captures that delicate quality about him. This board is really becoming addictive....I am a hopeless case, I am afraid, as I am always in search of Firthfilment!"}, {"response": 302, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jan  6, 1999 (20:34)", "body": "For Ben's Glossary: Firthile (adj)..as in \"firthile imagination\" ie, a form of wishful thinking, seeing things which may or may not exist. Usually induced by too much gazing at opaque shower screens. Firthrate...ultimate acting accolade. Alternatively, regular arrival of bambinos. And, (slightly tongue-in-cheek!) Firthchoice....laborious decision-making process,invoving much agonising, soul-searching and initial refusals, before finally saying \"yes!\". Nerfirth tick....obsessive repetitive act ( for example, rubbing nose) when ill-at-ease (as in interview) For Miss Ehle, well there's \"ehlated\" and \"ehlysium\" (as in state of bliss)!! Hardly any SIL coverage in the UK press so far. I've seen more coverage of the Star Wars trailer! When are the Oscar nominations made (not the actual awards ceremony) and the Golden Globes announced? I think that in the UK we only really sit up and take notice if a movie has been recognised, or is commercially successful, in the US. Otherwise, total apathy! I can only hope that one day I will get to see the DB act in a play. Well, he did say that of his next five projects, he wanted one to be in the theatre! And by my reckoning, he's reached five! But he also said was hopeless at Math!"}, {"response": 303, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan  6, 1999 (21:45)", "body": "For Ben's Glossary: Ehleite- a fan of Jenn's Firthalite- one who admires Colin Ehlefirthalite (say it fast!)... one who likes both. So far: 13 for Colin 8 for Jennifer"}, {"response": 304, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jan  6, 1999 (22:13)", "body": "For Ben also, Ehlethralled- to be taken in Ehlectrified- needs no explanation Ehlesome (whatever he wants it to be) Ehlendowed - to be full of Jenn;) 12 now for Ben;)"}, {"response": 305, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Jan  6, 1999 (23:52)", "body": "How about: Firthophile (n), an obsessive lover of all things pertaining to CF. Firthography (n), the life and times of CF."}, {"response": 306, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan  7, 1999 (02:38)", "body": "Does someone here have a degree in Firthguistics? Hardly any SIL coverage in the UK press so far. I've seen more coverage of the Star Wars trailer! This situation should soon be rectified. Compilation tape of SiL and Colin's interview were mailed today to be converted. I would expect it to land in the UK next week. When are the Oscar nominations made (not the actual awards ceremony) and the Golden Globes announced? The Golden Globes I think will be on January 24th. I'm not sure when the cutoff is for AA nominations; however, Oscar hopefuls have begun their parade on the talk shows. Cate Blanchette is on Leno or Letterman I think this week. Since she doesn't have an opening, she needs to get out in front of the public and in front of those making the nominations who have probably forgotten she was in a movie this year."}, {"response": 307, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan  7, 1999 (03:13)", "body": "I think Oscar Nominations are due out January 21st and Academy Awards night March 21. Will SIL not be considered for this year's BAFTAs in April? You mean it has to wait till 2000? The video will be out by then...and we will have discussed it on #98. Amazon still doesn't have the screen play. Hoorah! Karen's firthrate tape is firthcoming to UK and all the firthophiles will be firthfully firthralled. A firthilizing firthfillment. ( See what you started, Ben)"}, {"response": 308, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Jan  7, 1999 (05:34)", "body": "(LisaJH)(around 10th and 57th, which I refer to as the Hell's Foyer section of Manhattan). Get outta town! That's my neighborhood. Though I'm slightly lower...still in the \"kitchen\"."}, {"response": 309, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Jan  7, 1999 (17:31)", "body": "Glad to see we are back from the future (1999 vs. 2036). Nan wrote: \"kitchen\". > Yep, I lived on the 5th floor of a five floor walk-up on 57th. I hear the neighborhood is changing: a highrise is now oppisite my former tenement, er, I mean, townhouse. Is the \"Kitchen\" now gentrified?"}, {"response": 310, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Jan  7, 1999 (17:36)", "body": "Oops, I meant to cut and paste Nan's quote in my last post. Obviously, HTML got the better of me.... ::sigh::"}, {"response": 311, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jan  7, 1999 (20:10)", "body": "At last I have found some good reviews for Colin, one critic says he has a talent for comedy, and at last he has got a mention at the IMDB, a user reviewer at the IMDB had nothing but praise for his performance, she said that whilst we may not like Wessex Colin's portrayal was worth an A+, she freely admitted that she is a CF fan but even so it is good to see him mentioned. The whole ensemble is getting universal praise, I shan't mind him playing the villian if he gets good reviews, he is after all first and foremost an actor and not just a heart-throb. I hope the UK critics will be just as kind. BTW Karen and everyone thankyou very much for all your hard work in compiling the SIL tape for us overseas fans, I have already had queries."}, {"response": 312, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jan  7, 1999 (20:12)", "body": "Should I have posted this on topic 115, sorry"}, {"response": 313, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Jan  7, 1999 (22:36)", "body": "(LisaJH) I hear the neighborhood is changing: a highrise is now oppisite my former tenement, er, I mean, townhouse. Is the \"Kitchen\" now gentrified? Well, not exactly yet...but I see signs of it becoming the new hot neighborhood: pretty stores, new \"luxury\" buildings, lots of new restaurants. How long has it been since you've been here?"}, {"response": 314, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (01:27)", "body": "I see signs of it becoming the new hot neighborhood: pretty stores, new \"luxury\" buildings, lots of new restaurants. No doubt the rents will shoot up next... ;-)"}, {"response": 315, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (02:54)", "body": "Is the \"Kitchen\" now gentrified? My criteria for gentrification has come down to whether or not the \"Holy Trinity\" has made its presence in the neighborhood yet: 1)Blockbuster 2)Starbucks 3)Barnes and Noble ...sadly, my old neighborhood (San Francisco's Mission District) is gentrifying as well."}, {"response": 316, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (03:51)", "body": "All right, all right -- I can restrain myself no longer... I simply must unlurk (is that a verb?)! I've been hanging out here for six months now and I must say you ladies (and gentleman -- excuse me, Ben) are having WAY too much fun -- I must beg to join in! And to think that, before I found this place, I thought I was the only one \"suffering\" from this maddening firthaholism -- what a relief to know there are so many others similarly afflicted! I stand in awestruck wonder at your collective ability to ferret out information about CF. And to think that some of you (CherylE, Ben, Winter) have actually met (talked to! shaken hands with! shared the same breathing space as!) the Man Himself -- unbelievably cool! When Winter said, in her marvelous description of her SiL encounter with Colin and Livia, that she called out his name, and he turned around and starting talking toward her -- oh man, too much! You don't know how much I appreciated the transcript of the A&E interview. I was offline all last week due to the holidays and had no clue Colin was set to appear (especially given his \"no-interviews\" policy). So it's Sunday morning and I'm standing in the kitchen getting my toddler a glass of juice and I hear this wonderful, oddly familiar voice emanating from the TV in the next room. No, I think, it couldn't be. Then the voice stops and a commercial comes on and my husband sails into the kitchen and say , \"Gee, these British actors sure look different in real life.\" \"What do you mean?\" I ask. \"Well, they just had an interview with Colin Firth.\" Needless to say, it was MOST vexing... Anyway, my point is... this place ROCKS! My hat is off to you all."}, {"response": 317, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (05:25)", "body": "Nan wrote: How long has it been since you've been here? I left in summer of 1986, so it has been a long time. At that point Benneton shops were displacing the old Chock Full of Nuts coffee shops and diners. Most of the old shops couldn't afford the rent hikes. Very sad, indeed. Winter wrote: My criteria for gentrification has come down to whether or not the \"Holy Trinity\" has made its presence in the neighborhood yet My biggest fear, Winter, is that the area between SF and NY is slowly becoming one big strip mall with the \"Holy Trinity\" appearing every few miles or so."}, {"response": 318, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (13:58)", "body": "Welcome Susan. Isn't it great to delurk? It's much more fun to participate, throw in your two cents and get all that bottled up firthmania out. Firth step in our own 12 Step Program for all Firthaholics (but you're never cured). But sounds like you need to train your husband better. He watched the interview and didn't call you over to the TV. Is this a secret passion for CF or does your husband know? As punishment for him (but not for you), I suggest you drag him to SiL. Who knows, he may wind up iking it!"}, {"response": 319, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (14:49)", "body": "Bethan wrote: Firthchoice....laborious decision-making process,invoving much agonising, soul-searching and initial refusals, before finally saying \"yes!\". LOL!! How true. I'm sure this has some bearing on why we haven't heard of his next project. He must get sent a lot of junk. I remember reading that he was offered the lead in a TV remake of \"The Shining\" for lots of money, but he just couldn't do it. Good decision. Re: Collective sigh of hope of seeing our DB on Broadway (louder sigh from those of us who live 'an easy distance' from NYC and could empty out bank account on outrageously expensive tickets to see play countless times). I saw that \"next 5 projects\" article as well. I've also read that London theater doesn't pay much, which started me thinking... Good Reasons for Firth to come to Broadway 1) In light of aforementioned pricey tickets, (?)possible to make better salary than London. 2) NYC is a mere 5 hr. flight from LA and young Will. I've read that he jumps on planes like most people jump on buses. Even if he is working almost every night, it's easier to see his son with less distance. 3) Natasha, Judi and Alan were/are all on B'way. Colin could join current British invasion. 4) Livia would love NYC (pure conjecture, since I know nothing about her but admire her taste in men)."}, {"response": 320, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (15:27)", "body": "(Karen), He watched the interview and didn't call you over to the TV. Is this a secret passion for CF or does your husband know? My husband would not have told me either and he certainly would not have watched it, so Susan maybe your firtholism might be a little easier on your husband than mine. BTW, welcome Susan we could use another mutineer-wife. (heehee) Eileen, I think Colin would prefer to do a play in London, where he is better known for box-office purposes. One can dream though."}, {"response": 321, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (15:40)", "body": "Morning all. I am ehlectrified at the enthusiasm; thanks all for taking your DoF duties so seriously, and even adding copiously to the DoE. True scholarship. In due course we must contact the OED, which makes one concession to CF (firth(n) - a river in Scotland, or sum'at) and NONE to mon amour JE. (BTW, Laura, I think ehlendowed belongs in the slang dictionary.) Now, as to my pledge, I sure I have failed, compared to expectations at any rate. Dinner w. Casltes was had and Firth subject was brought up, but not, in terms of the Drool timescale, much dwelt on. The thing is, JC does mainly theatre work, plus some telly; he rarely does films. John has seen him only \"a few times\" since then, though likes him just as well. He has not met Madama Firth. I again underplayed the strength of passion felt by everyone, saying I had \"a friend\" who was interested in CF. I'm afr id I spent as much time trying to find out about JE (in whom another \"friend\" was terribly interested). p.s. lexicographers still dispute \"firthfillment\" versus \"fulfirthment\". In fact, the two sides came to blows at the last AGFL (Annual Gathering of Firthian Lexicographers). The sister meeting, the AGEL, is more docile, and includes poetry readings. My offering at the last meeting: \"Truth is Ehle, and Ehle truth.\" Kinda neat, no?"}, {"response": 322, "author": "scollins", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (16:43)", "body": "Karen, Moon, thanks for the welcome. I must confess (with shame) that I'm a closet firthaholic as far as my husband is concerned, which is why he didn't alert me to the interview. However, hubby is sort of a quasi-Firth fan (in the acting sense, not the drooling sense!). We watch a lot of British drama and he has seen (and enjoyed) P&P2, Nostromo and Master of the Moor. But I don't wax on about CF's other attributes lest I deflate hubby's, er, ego. Karen, great idea about dragging him to SiL -- now that I have kids I get to go to about 1 movie a year, so let it be that one! Colin's part may be small, but as the saying goes \"It's not how big it is, it's how you use it.\" (Pardon me, I'm usually not this vulgar. Is there a full moon or something?.)"}, {"response": 323, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (18:24)", "body": "Ben, I am so glad you liked my Ehlectrified and Ehlendowed definitely is slang;) Your Ehlelocution is perfect!"}, {"response": 324, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (18:27)", "body": "(Susan)Colin's part may be small, but as the saying goes \"It's not how big it is, it's how you use it.\" (Pardon me, I'm usually not this vulgar. Is there a full moon or something?.) LOL! Welcome, Susan, from another newbie! See the movie. Compared to TEP, his part's not that small; he appears throughout the movie. Check out the discussion at 115 to further tempt you. I've seen it once, without my husband, who doesn't know of my complete firthification either."}, {"response": 325, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (20:15)", "body": "(Ben)I spent as much time trying to find out about JE Ben...for those of us who are Ehlefirthalites ..please tell us what you found out about the Divine Ms. E. I'll tell you what I know....her next film This Year's Love will be released nationwide in UK on Feb.19th. A different role for her....defintely no bonnets...a single mom..dreadlocks...nose stud!! She'll be gorgeous regardless. ***** Welcome to another firthophile....two today. Great to have you join the party, Susan.We love newbies...but you've been around a while. ******* SLOW UPDATE: Bank still owns SLOW. Handmade Films in London closed its doors . Bank involved in a legal venue with Handmade films. Will check again next month."}, {"response": 326, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (20:45)", "body": "(Karen) Does someone here have a degree in Firthguistics? No, but I went to Unifirthity for several years and took courses in Colinguistics and Firtheology. :-) (Arami) No doubt the rents will shoot up next... ;-) ...in which case it's time to think about a roomer. ;-p"}, {"response": 327, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (22:25)", "body": "(Arami) No doubt the rents will shoot up next... ;-) (Renate)...in which case it's time to think about a roomer. ;-p Well, whomever that is, I sure hope he's cute ;-p"}, {"response": 328, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (22:46)", "body": "There's apparently a one hour \"Shakespeare in Love...and on Film\" being shown about now (8.30pm Century Cable Channel 10). Features a lot of CF talking etc. There was quite a long item on SIL on BBC Breakfast news...several clips, three including CF (with GP, with JD, and dancing) Interviews with JF, GP and JD, and mentions of GR and Tom Stoppard and John Madden. But (predictably!!!) absolutely no mention of CF! He is in the movie, right?! I have to say (and this is a compliment to his acting!) that I actually had difficulty in recognising CF, especially as I've just seen him in ATA. He looked very glacial, and I also thought that he had somehow modified his oice, sounded colder, more deliberate. But he can act! SIL coverage seems to be starting here (and the Golden Globes, Oscars (hopefully) will help. Focus is on JF and JD (interviews in Times and Telegraph) rather than GP/BA. SLOW...have to admit, this is the one I really want to see!! Beautiful setting (Grasse), romantic, good cinematography (as in Wilde). And , having spent several years in Nigeria, I would predicte that the script and acting will have a lot of vitality and humour. I phoned Working Title again to ask about Bridget Jones Diary. It is still \"in development\". I asked when information on the production would be available, and was told \"in the summer\". Hopefully, this means they will actually start shooting in the summer (May/June?). Always the optimist!"}, {"response": 329, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (23:15)", "body": "Welcome, Susan - and welcome to all other newbies whom I may have failed to greet. It's so good to see so many of you delurking! Come on - more, more! Let's firth merrily together. My husband is firthiated and firthtrained, albeit reluctantly. He tells me when he spots Firth, but today in a record shop, when I was ordering a video of ATA, he kept making very disparaging remarks... Luckily we can laugh about it, although I think he is a little jealous - which, after ...(mumble-mumble) years of marriage, makes me feel quite warm... We saw ATA together and were a bit disappointed - though not in the same degree, of course - so now we're awaiting SIL with some trepidation. And Ben - firthunately in your absence so much has occurred on the Firth front, that your lack of success as a firthective can firthehle be overlooked on this occasion."}, {"response": 330, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Jan  8, 1999 (23:25)", "body": "(Nan) whomever that is, I sure hope he's cute ;-p Is that settled then? ;-p (Bethan) There's apparently a one hour \"Shakespeare in Love...and on Film\" being shown about now (8.30pm Century Cable Channel 10). Features a lot of CF talking etc. Oh, shhhhh..... Who made it? And what about those who don't receive this channel??? I sure hope it will be re-shown on other channels, and that all those who can record it get sufficient warning!"}, {"response": 331, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (01:54)", "body": "(Arami)We saw ATA together and were a bit disappointed - though not in the same degree, of course - so now we're awaiting SILwith some trepidation. Have no fear....these two films aren't even in the same ballpark. Trust me...he'll enjoy SIL immensely and so will you. Even with DB this would be a winner....with him it's the icing on the cake!!"}, {"response": 332, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (01:56)", "body": "Correction: without DB this would still be a blockbuster....with him....."}, {"response": 333, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (02:01)", "body": "May I add my welcome, Susan. However did you manage your obsession without us? ;-) I'm not normally violent but I give you commendation for not knocking your husband over the head with the orange juice carton when he failed to notify you of CF on TV. I guess your obsession would then have been closeted no longer. Please tell us where and when you saw Master of the Moor? I have searched far and wide on my cable channels but nothing going on as far as I can tell. But somewhere in this country, someone is watching this program. I hope we know her and she's taping it. Ehle with dreadlocks? Ah, that explains that photograph I saw. Any word, Evelyn, on any of her films coming to the US? Bedrooms and Hallways? I could kick myself for not seeing that in Edinburgh but hindsight is wonderful. (Bethan) SLOW...have to admit, this is the one I really want to see!! Beautiful setting (Grasse), romantic, good cinematography.. Oh you said it, Bethan. I am dying to see this film. The story as outlined on the Roles page sounds like just the project we want to see him in. Probably funny, a romantic interest but with definite complications. I want to see him work with kids again (as in FP). Hopefully we'll see that in MLSF eventually."}, {"response": 334, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (02:44)", "body": "TV ALERT: OK...here's the scoop.... THE MAKING OF SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE:. It is available in New York on Time Warner Cable tonight at 7:30 EST and 11:30 EST. In California it is Century Cable Company. I understand it is almost an hour long show. TOMORROW AT 8:30pm (Friday, 1/8/99) Century Cable Channel 10 It features a bunch of Colin scenes from the film and an interview. I shall telephone Winter in California right now."}, {"response": 335, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (02:54)", "body": "Nan, if you are here, please return for a moment to 113. I am posting this here as I do not think you would go back there very soon otherwise. Thanks."}, {"response": 336, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (03:09)", "body": "Unfortunately, I have MediaOne Cable here in L.A.. Checked my local guide, which has no listing for the show tonight, or for the next two weeks. I'm really curious as to what channel it might be on. I was thinking perhaps the E! Entertainment Channel, but there seems to be no listing for it there, either."}, {"response": 337, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (05:06)", "body": "Evelyn wrote: THE MAKING OF SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE:. It is available in New York on Time Warner Cable tonight at 7:30 EST and 11:30 EST. After I read the above I logged off in record time, as here in the Midwest, we have Warner cable, too, and I was hoping to catch the program. No such luck; it isn't listed at all. Is there any hope of someone taping this documentary and passing it along? Speaking of which, I have been longing to either view someone else's or obtain a copy of the documentary \"The Making of P&P\". If someone could help me out I would be very grateful. As a fellow delurking newbie, I also wanted to say hello amd welcome, Susan."}, {"response": 338, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (10:01)", "body": "Welcome to all the delurking newbies. And to all the closet CF fans with non-firthilised husbands! Well now, it's official! Colin is the invisible man! Our copy of the Times just plopped through the letterbox, with a long article on JF as Will in the magazine. I thought to myself \"I'm NOT going to read it, it will just irritate the hell out of me\" But then I thought, I'll just glance at it, and EEEECH!!! All about who's in SIL, okay. GP, A-list beauty, guaranteeing box office, marvellous GR giving a fine performancs, and THEN.. \"the wonderful cast includes Tom Wilkinson, Judi Dench, Simon Callow, Antony Sher, Rupert Everett and Martin Clunes.\" SH*T*! SH*T!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!!! And the journalist (male) has seen the damn film. Then, oodles and oodles about JF and how his wonderful good lucks are prompting offers of romantic leads to flood in from Hollywood. I'll shut up before I ruin everyone's breakfast, including my own, but I'm beginning to think that there's a conspiracy against CF. He's NEVER mentioned, not even as a good actor. And don't men know what women find attractive? Obviously not!! Okay, that's my little rant over and done. but I have to give vent to my annoyance. But I'm not reading any more about SIL (seriously!).I hereby retire as self-appointed scrutineer of the British press :-) Must go...my non-firthilised husband wants to know why I'm on the Internet yet AGAIN!!"}, {"response": 339, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (10:07)", "body": "Freudian slip there ..... \"good lucks\" should read \"good looks\". But actually I do think that that \"good lucks\" matter as well....and that's where CF is lacking! (SHUT UP, BETHAN! GO AND HAVE SOME BREAKFAST!)"}, {"response": 340, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (11:20)", "body": "Bethan, thankyou for you last post, it has saved me a journey to the shops ,I am so disappointed that he has been overlooked again, I have a good mind to send The Times an email saying how disappointed and disgusted I am that they have overlooked to mention Colin, one of our most versatile and gorgeous actors, in their article on Joseph Feinnes. I am so mad I had hoped he would get more mentions not less when SIL opened here. I don't know about putting me off my breakfast, it has put me off lunch, tea an tomorrow's breakfast. My son has just gone back to UNI. and this has just made things worse, drat."}, {"response": 341, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (12:32)", "body": "Oh, I'm still fuming, how dare they mention Martin Clunes and not Colin!!!On another subject but connected to Bethan, if they don't make the Bridget Jones film soon surely that wil lose some of the impetus gained hy the book."}, {"response": 342, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (13:14)", "body": "with due respect to Martin Clunes, of course."}, {"response": 343, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (13:31)", "body": "Sorry to have ruined your lunch, tea and tomorrow's breakfast, Ann! I sometimes think I should keep my fumings to myself rather than inflicting them on other people! Once I've had my \"fume\", I tend to cheer up! I sympathise if your son has just gone back to Uni. My elder son starts next year, and I must admit I am semi-dreading it, even though son No 2 will still be at home for a few years. it leaves a big gap. Okay, my positive tthoughts, I'm sure they'll make BJD in the summer and I'm sure he'll do MD! It can't be a long shoot...it's niot a special effects-type movie, and if they pull out the stops they could have it ready for release Spring 1999. Helen Fielding's sequel to BJD comes out in April (definitely) in hardback, and with the p/b version to follow should stay somewhere in the best selling lists for up to a year. No loss of impetus. More positive thoughts..there are three potentially great movies (as yet uncast )out there in the UK alone...Mary Queen of Scots, The Lion in Winter and Robert Harris's \"Enigma\" (scripted by Tom Stoppard) All with great male leading roles! Here's hoping! Have I made amends for my doom and gloom?"}, {"response": 344, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (13:33)", "body": "BJD...Spring 2000...otherwise we need a miracle!"}, {"response": 345, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (14:38)", "body": "(Evelyn),THE MAKING OF SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE:. It is available in New York on Time Warner Cable tonight at 7:30 EST and 11:30 EST. I have a satellite dish and get many channels so I will check too, and since it did not seem to have shown everywhere it may be on again. Also a call to TW Cable might tell us of another viewing. BTW, we have the dish because my husband has to have his RAI International which shows the Italian and European Championship Leagues Football games."}, {"response": 346, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (14:55)", "body": "Thanks Bethan, I feel a little better. I just we had some concrete news to look forward to, it is all speculation. BTW is it not possible to have the latest message at the top of the page, this way one has to wait so long for it it load."}, {"response": 347, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (16:57)", "body": "(Bethan) All about who's in SIL, okay. GP, A-list beauty, guaranteeing box office, marvellous GR giving a fine performancs, and THEN.. \"the wonderful cast includes Tom Wilkinson, Judi Dench, Simon Callow, Antony Sher, Rupert Everett and Martin Clunes.\" SH*T*! SH*T!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!!!...but I'm beginning to think that there's a conspiracy against CF. He's NEVER mentioned Mentioning Anthony Sher, Tom Wilkinson, Rupert Everett and Martin Clunes without any mention of Colin--it must be a conspiracy or Colin has offended or snubbed this journalist (I use that term generously) in the past. His way is bigger than all of theirs put together. All Sher does is go \"hmmm\" and spout a bunch of Freudian dream images for sexual impotency as the Eliabethan psychiatrist cum apothecary. Cheer up, Bethan, that's only one reviewer who obviously has something against CF. Looks like Geoffrey Rush must have also as he is noticeably absent and he is the one being touted for Best Supporting Actor at the AAs. ;-)"}, {"response": 348, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (19:22)", "body": "Last night I finished reading all of Parts 1 &2 of this topic, and I am humbled by everyone's devotion to CF. I was particularly impressed with the covert operations during the NY premiere of SIL: press kits were procured, flight schedules unearthed, and hotel reservations located. I have no such connections to contribute in the future. I am afraid I only can offer my boundless respect for the DB's acting abilities and lust for his body. Ben, did I read correctly that you are an Econ professor at Columbia? Would you care to comment on the current Ehle-asticity of the economy? Bethan, you have cheered me up immensely regarding the \"dearth of Firth.\" The hope for another juicy leading role works wonders!"}, {"response": 349, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (19:25)", "body": "Damnation! I just tried to cut and paste Bethan's quote in itallics about potential roles for CF and I failed again. Guess I better hang out at the HTML tutorial a while longer. My apologies."}, {"response": 350, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (19:46)", "body": "Bethan, you have cheered me up immensely regarding the \"dearth of Firth\". The hope for another juicy leading role works wonders! (Lisa) Cheered myself up as well! Well, he must be waiting for something BIG! That's how I look at it. And to quote from \"Now\" magazine my favourite chuck-in-the-bin rag mag, he's excited at the prospect of what's possible and where it will take him....can't be third fairy on the left, or fifth billing in an action thriller starring Tea Leoni, can it? Unless he's easily excited!"}, {"response": 351, "author": "sabine", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (20:55)", "body": "LisaJH Hello Lisa, I have got the book \"Making of P&P\". I ordered it from the IBS \"Internet Bookshop\" which is in the UK. If you are interested in the homepage here is the adress www.bookshop.co.uk The book cost about 7.99 GBP. The book is very interesting and you will enjoy the interview with CF."}, {"response": 352, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (21:35)", "body": "Lisa: When you cut and paste someone else's comments you lose the italics. You must reinsert via HTML tags: <> with an i in it and then it's very important to close them <> with /i inside."}, {"response": 353, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (22:35)", "body": "(Lisa)I have been longing to either view someone else's or obtain a copy of the documentary \"The Making of P&P\". If someone could help me out I would be very grateful. Lisa, The Jennifer Ehle Lending Library will be happy to lend you a copy of \"The Making of P&P\" (Actually, the real title is \"P&P from Page to Screen). That is if you use NTSC, and live in the US. Please email me: eboake@tanet.net Do not use the spring email;it's wrong and I'm afraid of correcting it and throwing the system off. ****** I too feel that ignoring Colin in the TIMES article seems deliberate...at best shockingly negligent. I think the journalist should be told so.And Rupert Everett wasn't even in the credits....sheeesh! Anyway, Thanks UK Firthfriends for sharing. (Bethan)Re: future roles for C.. .can't be third fairy on the left, or fifth billing in an action thriller starring Tea Leoni, can it? Unless he's easily excited! LOL. This is a winner.No kidding.Oh God...I hope it's not an omen. ***** BRAVO sometimes carry \"The Making of....\"They did TEP and Paradise Road. Be on the lookout...those who get it on their cable."}, {"response": 354, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (00:11)", "body": "re today Times' article, it is even worse, my husband has just brought home the paper and Rupert Everett is mentioned so is GR, only Colin is left out, sorry so is BA., it is too much. I am sure I am biased but personally I do not think JF looks so good as himself and he does as S. unlike Colin who looks equally good in character as himself, hope that makes sense it is getting late."}, {"response": 355, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (00:12)", "body": "and as himself"}, {"response": 356, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (04:55)", "body": "It is exteremely vexing how he is left out. It really makes me mad. Out Entertainment Weekly had a very long article and never mentioned him. Now the print ad for the movie doesn't even say anything. I just find all this hard to believe."}, {"response": 357, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (05:13)", "body": "Especially hard to believe concidering before the movie came out, they seemed to be promoting COlin by saying \"And Introducing Colin Firth\" on some of their trailers."}, {"response": 358, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (05:14)", "body": ""}, {"response": 359, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (05:14)", "body": "Especially hard to believe concidering before the movie came out, they seemed to be promoting COlin by saying \"And Introducing Colin Firth\" on some of their trailers."}, {"response": 360, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (05:15)", "body": "Blast! Sorry about that."}, {"response": 361, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (09:27)", "body": "Wow! I couldn't log on all week because of life overload and I can't believe all the posts! Such fun to see Drool so busy. Welcome to the newbies - so glad you came out to play. And welcome back Ben. Thanks for your covert sleuthing on our behalf. John Castle didn't have a spare Lost Empires lying around, did he? I saw an ad in the paper for the SIL special on Century Cable. Unfortunately we are served by Time Warner in my part of the woods. I scoured my TV listings just in case but no dice :-(. Winter, I got your message on Friday. Thanks anyway for the heads up."}, {"response": 362, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (16:05)", "body": "OK, I know we're all eager to hear about future firth projects. This summer when I was fooling around on the internet I found something most intriguing, but I don't know if it's valid or not. Go to the URL www.keele.ac.uk/socs/ks26/monitor/a-d/an/episodes.htm (sorry, I don't know how to put in web links or I'd do that.) Then scroll down to episode 1.09. What do you think? Is this something real, or some kind of a prank or some graduate student's fantasy project? It certainly piqued my interest!"}, {"response": 363, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (16:10)", "body": "Oh, and Heide, thanks for the welcome. Master of the Moor was on one of my local PBS stations in October or November (I live in the Boston suburbs, but the station was out of Providence). Unfortunately, I was not able to tape it. Hubby said he liked it best out of everything he's seen CF in and actually commented on CF's versatility on being able to play Darcy and then an unhinged person like Stephen Whalby. Naturally I agreed wholeheartedly."}, {"response": 364, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (17:14)", "body": "Hello to all. It is obvious that there is some distress over CF's failure to capture some huge heartthrob Hollywood role. Your anxiety touches me; I feel your pain. At the same time, I understand that any pain felt about CF comes with its fair share of pleasure (the thought of Jennifer Ehle being very cross has just occurred to be, and it is not an altogether unpleasurable one), so I want to tread carefully. But it strikes me that (i) CF is unlikely ever to act in such a role, because I'm not sure he'd want to, and (ii) it would surely be a mixed blessing, at best, for Les Madames Drool. Let me try and explain. The Firth is obviously a retiring and diffident sort of man. This means he is not megastar material. You may give the example of, say, Harrison Ford or Tom Hanks; but, while neither of these two necessarily seeks out publicity, I think they are more comfortable with it than CF. It is not that CF is \"afraid\" of success: I don't think he'd consider megastardom the measure of success to begin with. In any event, there would surely be big drawbacks to his becoming a star? You would have to share him with everyone else. It may be galling for his supporters to see him ignored in The Times; but, if he weren't, there would be loads more websites like this one, with all sorts of arrivistes Firthettes shrieking about him. Is this what you want?"}, {"response": 365, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (18:07)", "body": "(heehee), Thanks for your ehlecidation Ben. Those thoughts have crossed my mind. I guess the same goes for you."}, {"response": 366, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (19:42)", "body": "LOL, Ben! And all too true! I still want to boil certain journalists in oil, though. :-) Reminds me of my favourite Auden quote: \"Private faces in public places are wiser and nicer than public faces in private places\""}, {"response": 367, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (20:47)", "body": "How true. Yes, let's cherish him for what he really is - a truly rare and precious gem."}, {"response": 368, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (21:58)", "body": "Yes, Ben, it's an ongoing debate and your points are perfectly true. There has to be a fine line though between being appreciated (which I feel he's not) and becoming a megastar (which no one here really wants, I don't think.) How would you feel about Miss Ehle shooting to superstardom? It seems the female Brits are having a better time if it in film right now than the males. Perhaps the \"effeminate\" connotation (as was discussed before) to the British accent is more acceptable coming from the ladies. ;-)"}, {"response": 369, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (22:34)", "body": "(SusanMC) What do you think? Is this something real, or some kind of a prank or some graduate student's fantasy project? It certainly piqued my interest! It is as you said a student's fantasy project. I believe someone ran across the same thing a while ago and did some inquiries. (Ben) It is not that CF is \"afraid\" of success: I don't think he'd consider megastardom the measure of success to begin with. CF is on record as not wanting \"that\" type of success and has an admirable list of actors who he admires. However, we and most of the viewing public are familiar with those names (Anthony Hopkins, Ian Holm, Robert Duvall, etc.). How many people know Colin's name and on the basis of that would go see his films as an indicator of a fine fine and performance? there would be loads more websites like this one, with all sorts of arrivistes Firthettes shrieking about him. Colin probably has more websites than say a Ralph Fiennes, who is better known, although the reason for it escapes me. Is this what you want? All we want is for him to get better parts. Ones that will give him the type of recognition he seeks. From the A&E interview last week, there was a comic though wistful type of comment from him when the interviewer talked about SiL having a lot of actors in it that people may not know their names and he said he was one of those. Sometimes those kind of quips come from something true and hurtful."}, {"response": 370, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Jan 11, 1999 (02:38)", "body": "I, too, get so frustrated when I start touting the DB's latest classic and am invariably greeted with \"Colin ...what...who's he?\" At which point I have to start explaining. Not everyone in the US GETS A&E and only a proportion of them watched a \"British mini-series\". Mention of EP or ATA begets the reaction...\"was he? Which one?\" He has recognition of his peers, and at least some proportion of the UK population, but until he consciously chooses a majar part in a role targeted to a wide audience and ex osed to same, I'm afraid we must all keep fuming in frustration. I hope he is not confusing name-recognition with super-stardom (and even if he did, he admits himself how easy it is for him to become anonymous in public) He'll only have a limited \"oportunity-window...START NOW!!! please!!"}, {"response": 371, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Mon, Jan 11, 1999 (06:08)", "body": "I just love Colin and I vote we keep him all to ourselves. How selfish but, true."}, {"response": 372, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 11, 1999 (14:43)", "body": "Katie Couric on Good Morning America announced this am that SIL is #8 on the charts over the weekend. This is the first weekend that it has been on nationwide screening. #1 A Civil Action with John Travolta...which got lukewarm reviews... but he has been on every talk show all week.And this guy gets $20M./film...yet he's out there promoting his film. Colin...take note...that's how one gets starring roles...not going to live in Rome. (But like Ben, IMO, he does not care for stardom) I know this should be on 115, but no one is there this early."}, {"response": 373, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Jan 11, 1999 (14:55)", "body": "Very very selfish, I think, Rita. What's wrong with his being recognised and appreciated by people all over the world, and, more to the point, by directors and producers so we see more of him on the screen? We cannot pretend to his personal friendship or affection, and his fame would not prevent us from meeting here and pour our libations of drool and admiration at his feet. Is not love supposed to want the best for the loved one? Do we not really want his professional satisfaction? Can we truly believe that can be obtained with secondary roles in obscure films? Indeed, Ben, I do not subscribe your judgement. Anyway, please forgive the inflamed speech, it's probably because Elisabeth is supposed to open \"soon\" in Lisbon but no talk of SiL yet :-("}, {"response": 374, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jan 11, 1999 (18:13)", "body": "For awhile I thought I was the only frustrated Firthaholic when SIL promos in the US failed to mention him. I thought for sure he would pick up more publicity in the UK and am quite surprised that the trend continues. I hope that as it gets closer to the film's opening things change over there! I'm beginning to wonder if only female reviewers notice him. (Ben)Is this what you want? (Karen) All we want is for him to get better parts. Ones that will give him the type of recognition he seeks. I'm in agreement here. I just want him to keep working in quality projects and get proper credit for his abilities, as he did in P&P. Evelyn, thanks for the updates on SLOW. Agree with all who think this is the role we've been waiting for!"}, {"response": 375, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Mon, Jan 11, 1999 (21:06)", "body": "I was wondering... has Colin ever done a foreign accent (other than an American one) in a project? Doing so seems to have become de rigeur among British actors (witness R. Fiennes, A. Rickman, K. Branagh) & may lead to wider choice of film projects, one would think. Also, with that wonderful voice of his, I wonder if Colin has ever been approached to voice an animated character. Hey, if Jeremy Irons, R. Fiennes and Mel Gibson can do it... (Obviously, I've become so desperate to see CF in quality film projects that I'm willing to settle for his voice!)"}, {"response": 376, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 11, 1999 (21:18)", "body": "(Susan MC)Also, with that wonderful voice of his, I wonder if Colin has ever been approached to voice an animated character. Now there's a new one....what kind of an animated character would he do best as? A king?(strong voice), he would have made a great Moses,....A BIG dog, .....whatever it is...we want him in a starring role....right? I assume he plays Edward Pettigrew in MLSF with a Scottish accent."}, {"response": 377, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jan 11, 1999 (21:33)", "body": "Hi, I just thought you might be interested to know that Fever Pitch opens in the US on the 26th February, in NY & LA, I think. Having seen this film I highly recommend it, it really shows what a versatile actor our DB is."}, {"response": 378, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Jan 12, 1999 (00:45)", "body": "(KarenR) You must reinsert via HTML tags: <> with an i in it and then it's very important to close them <> with /i inside. Thank you, Karen. I hope I was successful this time. (Sabine) Hello Lisa, I have got the book \"Making of P&P\". I ordered it from the IBS \"Internet Bookshop\" which is in the UK. Thank you, Sabine, for your offer of help, but I did purchase the book last year via Amazon.com UK. I am looking for the tv documentary, which leads me to: (Evelyn) Lisa, The Jennifer Ehle Lending Library will be happy to lend you a copy of \"The Making of P&P\" (Actually, the real title is \"P&P from Page to Screen). I am ehle-ated that the JELL has the documentary available. I will be in touch. (Evelyn): All we want is for him to get better parts. Ones that will give him the type of recognition he seeks. I would also have to agree with Evelyn on this point. Of course, as others have said before me, this does not mean starring opposite special effects or Bruce Willis (or his ex Demi...). Personally, I think he has impeccable taste regarding most of the roles he selects (ok, PM is an obviouis exception); it is just a shame that these parts are not the leads we so want to see him in. (SusanMC) Also, with that wonderful voice of his, I wonder if Colin has ever been approached to voice an animated character. What an interersting idea! I would also love to buy a \" book on tape\" with CF reciting poetry, Shakespeare, etc. I think that my brain has become colincentric (meaning that all thoughts seem to relate back to the DB). I recently read that the results of a Mayo Clinic study revealed that people who fidget have a tendency to be thinner than those who do not. Of course CF's interview on A&E came to mind immediately (the face touching, etc.). Another sign of hopeless Firthaholism...."}, {"response": 379, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Jan 12, 1999 (01:41)", "body": "Evenin' all. New firthdoms continue to pour in - some real gems. As for ehlectricity....Laura had a question about ehlefication, and whether it \"felt the same\" as fithification. Not having experienced both, I can't say, of course, but I can tell you that ehlefication is somehow elevated yet, at the same time, base: lustful respect, one might call it. I have just spotted our own Winter as Jennifer of Pemberley! Sorry to have unmasked you, dear Winter, but who would have thought the demure Jen, replete with bashful smile and twirling parasol, would also have been the firthaholic zealot co-ordinating Operation Firth-in-LA? How many others amongst you lead this double life? Perhaps there's some blackmail money to me made by a nasty blackguard like me: \"Dear Sir, a matter of grave importance has come to my attention, one that concerns your wife. By day, she is indeed as you know her - the responsible, hard-working... By night, however,....\" Let's start the bidding at $100 a month. Each."}, {"response": 380, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Jan 12, 1999 (02:14)", "body": "(Ben) but I can tell you that ehlefication is somehow elevated yet, at the same time, base: lustful respect, one might call it. Oh dear, I'm afraid I've never been so dignified about my firthification. Of course, I respect dear Colin but outside my fantasies ;-) I think Marcia said it best \"Lord, but he gives me the squinges!\""}, {"response": 381, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Jan 12, 1999 (02:26)", "body": "(Gi) Very very selfish, I think, Rita. I'm sure she was kidding. And before I go any further, I will assume that you were too. Or as you said, frustrated from a lack of SiL news. Keep the faith."}, {"response": 382, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jan 12, 1999 (03:35)", "body": "(Ben)Laura had a question about ehlefication, and whether it \"felt the same\" as fithification. Not having experienced both, I can't say, of course, but I can tell you that ehlefication is somehow elevated yet, at the same time, base: lustful respect, one might call it. You answered my question beautifully, Ben!"}, {"response": 383, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Jan 12, 1999 (04:31)", "body": "(Ben) I have just spotted our own Winter as Jennifer of Pemberley! Drats! Foiled again! Where/How was I spotted, Inspector Broadbent? ;-) BTW, I can be referred to (on this board) as either Winter or Jenn(ifer). Doesn't matter. (Ann) Fever Pitch opens in the US on the 26th February, in NY & LA, I think. Thanks Ann! I see another mission in the works, my friends! Moon! Jana! Mark your calendars! The possibility of a US Premiere is not so far-fetched! Jana- you monitor the theatre entrance and Moon, you cover the back entrance! I'll guard the bathrooms! ;-)"}, {"response": 384, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Tue, Jan 12, 1999 (05:26)", "body": "I am so excited about Fever Pitch opening in the US. Thanks Ann. You are too good. Yes, I was kidding Heide. I am glad that you noticed. WHo would not want Colin to have great roles."}, {"response": 385, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jan 12, 1999 (05:45)", "body": "But I always knew that Winter was Jenn:) I've known that Jenn was Winter. I've had lunch and tea with Winter and Jenn;) Confused?"}, {"response": 386, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Jan 12, 1999 (07:51)", "body": "And don't forget shopping together for CD's and books at the Borders (or was it Barnes and Noble?) at Downtown Crossing! I miss you guys...I miss Boston and Cambridge. I miss Filene's Basement, Boston Common, the chimes at Kendall/MIT station ... :_ ( (Me) Moon,you cover the back entrance! Is 'back exit' a more appropriate term? Could 'back entrance' be argued as an oxymoron? BTW, I haven't welcomed the delurkers. WELCOME! Glad you could join us! We're all one big happy family here. And for those of you who haven't come out yet, go ahead, give it a try! We don't bite...only drool. ;-)"}, {"response": 387, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jan 12, 1999 (09:12)", "body": "Hi. Moon, our wonderful super sleuth, (flattery gets you everwhere I hope), I was wondering do you happen to know when the UK Premiere of SIL is to be and whether Colin is going to attend, (the film opens here on the 29th Jan). I am trying to decide whether it is worth the 100 mile round trip to London, a not very easy journey from where I live, and I certainly shan't be doing a Dame Winter much too cowardly."}, {"response": 388, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan 12, 1999 (13:47)", "body": "(Ben), How many others amongst you lead this double life? Perhaps there's some blackmail money to me made by a nasty blackguard like me: That is why you will never know my RoP persona (heehee). (Ann), Fever Pitch opens in the US on the 26th February, in NY & LA, I think. I spoke with Colin s Rep. today and they said if there is an opening for FP that he will be there, but since it is to open on the same date in NY and LA I do not know which one he will attend. I will try to find out later on. But if it is LA...well Winter, Jana and I will do our best (do not ask me what I will have to do with my husband, he would be QUITE put out). Ant suggestions are appreciated. Would it not be fun to see him at the Pasadena hotel while we are having our tea? He has been known to stay t ere. (Ann), I was wondering do you happen to know when the UK Premiere of SIL is to be and whether Colin is going to attend, (the film opens here on the 29th Jan). I spoke with them before I read your question, but since Colin does not have many important premieres such as SIL, I say most definitely he will attend! So do go and take pictures and report back to us Ann. Colin does have our questions and everyone expects him to answer, so lets keep our fingers crossed."}, {"response": 389, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan 12, 1999 (13:52)", "body": "Heide keep your eyes on the fax machine."}, {"response": 390, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 12, 1999 (14:33)", "body": "(Moon)FP that he will be there,but since it is to open on the same date in NY and LA I do not know which one he will attend. Moon...you're a treasure.... Sometimes the premieres are earlier in the week...before the release date. But if you're going to attend I'm sure you'll find out."}, {"response": 391, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jan 12, 1999 (14:49)", "body": "Moon, thankyou very much for your comments, however, I do not know the UK SIL Premiere date and it depends on which day it is whether or not I am ble to go. BTw was your contact not able to tell you whether or not Colin is working or is still on his break. I know I must be patient but we have waited nearly a year for some new news, don't mean to nag we are really lucky to have you and your contacts."}, {"response": 392, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jan 12, 1999 (15:45)", "body": "(Moon) I spoke with Colin s Rep. today and they said if there is an opening for FP that he will be there, but since it is to open on the same date in NY and LA I do not know which one he will attend. Many, many thanks for this scoop! My guess is he'll be in LA so he can see his son (don't think school is on break that time of the year). I can't wait to see FP. I've looked at the snappys so many times and Colin sure looks yummy!"}, {"response": 393, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jan 12, 1999 (16:27)", "body": "(Karen) All we want is for him to get better parts. Ones that will give him the type of recognition he seeks I'm in total agreement here. I think KJArt hits the nail on the head when she makes the distinction between \"name recognition\" and mega-stardom. Name recognition is absolutely crucial - there are only a limited number of good roles out there and it obviously pays to have first choice. Ben asked about \"firthification\"......repectful lust is a pretty accurate definition! But every now and then I turn I find I'm turning into a sort of tetchy school ma'am, who can't understand why her favourite pupil is underperforming! \"Come along now Colin, stop fidgeting. I'm really going to have to move you from the back row. Come and sit in the front row, next to Rafe, Ewan, Robert and young Joe. This instant, Colin! And NO! You can't pop out to Rome. Not when I'm talking to you. Now tell me...are they better looking than you? No! Bigger? No! More talented? No! Better vocal chords? No! So, why aren't you top of the class?? Hmmmm? Seriously, I don't really understand how the process of \"name recognition\" works, but it must start working for CF soon!! I'm very impressed by your contacts, Moon! Let's hope Heide's fax machine starts working overtime."}, {"response": 394, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Jan 12, 1999 (18:15)", "body": "Back to italics, I see. I am utterly hopeless in these matters - some other witch will have to rid us of the i-curse. I see this fame issue stirs the passions - but my point was serious, for a change. I really don't think CF is that bothered. It may be a difference between England and America, but being a big movie star is not the be-all and end-all. I am always amused when MacKellen and Dench are mentioned over here, because their names are always accompanied by films in which they've appeared in the last couple of years, as if this were the pinnacle of their achievements. I've even heard one reviewer say that Judi Denc 's acting career had \"begun\" late with the James Bond film! Now, it's true that Colin has not concentrated on the theatre in the way that these two giants have. And perhaps a part of him wants the big movie star status - maybe there's less difference between England and America these days. But, by my reckoning he's at least torn. You know his suspicion of fame. And his remarks in that recent interview about having an unrecognized name are no more than the usual, self-deprecating sort of charm I'd expect from someone of his background and temperement. Some crave recognition on his behalf; but what any actor craves above all, surely - indeed any body, for that matter - is the recognition of his peers. I think he has that already."}, {"response": 395, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Jan 12, 1999 (18:28)", "body": "Moon, d\ufffdyou mean his representative told you that Colin has the questions and expects C to answer them? If so, that\ufffds splendid. I already practically lost hope and felt quite disappointed with him (remembering what Winter told us about his reaction to \ufffdhis internet fans\ufffd.) I\ufffdm really excited about the possibility that he might answer because I doubt very much that he ever would if I wrote to him by myself. He MUST realize that the internet is a direct contact to hundreds or thousands of his fans. Colin, if you\ufffdre reading this, do answer the questions or I\ufffdll....be very angry with you for at least two or three seconds...:-)) BTW, Heide, do you know how many people this board actually does reach? What\ufffds the number of visitors daily? Yes, it would be so fabulous if someone of us could attend the London premiere and make a report! I\ufffdm quite sure he\ufffds going to attend, why wouldn\ufffdt he for god\ufffds sake. I\ufffdm crazy enough to have discussed the possibility of going to London with my husband because I thought the premiere is on the 29th and we\ufffdre going to be in Amsterdam the same day, returning from a trip. The thought was dismissed by him but the discussion made me seriously think: could I forget my cowardness and go? We only live once....to ee Colin, if just once :-) ....right, Ann?!"}, {"response": 396, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan 12, 1999 (19:14)", "body": "(Ann), BTW was your contact not able to tell you whether or not Colin is working or is still on his break. To be honest, I did not ask, but I think he is preparing for the UK SIL premiere, not working now. I did ask foe a release date set for MLSF and SLOW and there is none scheduled (bad news), let s see how the British press treat him his month. (keep us informed) (Elena), Moon, d\ufffdyou mean his representative told you that Colin has the questions and expects C to answer them? YES! Now, I am having fun thinking that he might be in LA when I am there."}, {"response": 397, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Jan 12, 1999 (19:38)", "body": "Good points, Ben. All in all, I\ufffdm positive that he\ufffds going to get better and better roles in the future, he\ufffds possibly negotiating on them this minute. He\ufffds not hungry for fame and glory but for interesting roles, and sometimes those things can meet. Because of his extraordinary actor quality, I believe it\ufffds going to happen for him sooner or later. Btw what comes to the attitude of male critics and journalists, I believe they really could be a personal problem of Colin\ufffds. He\ufffds exactly the sort of a guy who will make other men feel lesser creatures. It\ufffds just a subconscious sexual & biological phenomenon to mention everybody else in a film and forget him or to \ufffdfail\ufffd recognizing his talent. So: what we need is more female critics, writers and also scriptwriters, film producers and directors EVERYWHERE to make critics and castings better. After all, it was Sue Birtwistle who wanted Colin to be Darcy, wasn\ufffdt it? I can only wonder in horror who might have been given the role if it had been a male decision."}, {"response": 398, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Tue, Jan 12, 1999 (20:57)", "body": "Good Point Elena. Oh my , who would have been Darcy is Sue B had not picked him out. I can't imagine anyone else playing Darcy. Although, I would like to see my other \"hero\" Alan Rickman in some juicy roles also. Ann, Do go to the premiere. We all can be jealous of you then. LOL"}, {"response": 399, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jan 12, 1999 (21:06)", "body": "Rita, it depends when it is and I probably won't hear till it is too late, any suggestions anyone how we can find out when and where the Premiere is to be. Also if I were to go I would never be able to do as good a job as Dame Winter, I could go and watch and perhaps report back but I would never never have the nerve to talk to him. As I say it depends when it is and whether Colin is going to be there, I'm sorry but I would only make that journey for Colin, not for Joseph, Gwyneth or even Dame Judi Dench!! Wouldn't it be wonderful if it was given a Royal Film Premiere."}, {"response": 400, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Jan 12, 1999 (21:51)", "body": "just closing the tag..."}, {"response": 401, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Jan 12, 1999 (22:12)", "body": "Oh, this will make me nuts. I'm going in to fix it...be back"}, {"response": 402, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 12, 1999 (22:44)", "body": "TV ALERT .....TONIGHT .......BRAVO CABLE CHANNEL THE MAKING OF SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE 6:30 PM EST Confirmed by BRAVO NY Programming Division"}, {"response": 403, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jan 12, 1999 (23:15)", "body": "I did ask for a release date set for MLSF and SLOW and there is none scheduled (bad news), (Moon) Here I go again, the party pooper, or perhaps I just hone in on bad news!! I thought MLSF was definitely scheduled for a May/June release in the US. Does \"none scheduled\" mean they haven't firmed up a specific date, or (perish the thought!) none (as in NONE) scheduled!! I can understand that there is no release date for SLOW because it's currently held by the Bank."}, {"response": 404, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (00:22)", "body": "figures, I don't get bravo:("}, {"response": 405, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (00:33)", "body": "Here are some Snappies. Thanks for the heads up, Ev ;-)"}, {"response": 406, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (01:08)", "body": "Nan, where are those snappies from? He is not in costume and I thought it was a fake goatee he had! They are wonderful, thank you, he does look sooo good! (bethan), I thought MLSF was definitely scheduled for a May/June release in the US. Does \"none scheduled\" mean they haven't firmed up a specific date, or (perish the thought!) none (as in NONE) scheduled!! I believe there is NONE scheduled. If the british press turns in lots of publicity for Colin now, there may be a chance they would pick up on the momemtum and set a release date."}, {"response": 407, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (01:12)", "body": "Evelyn thanks for the info. I did not read this until it was too late, drats! Bravo usually repeats their programs so hopefully I will get another chance. Do let us know if our DB is showcased. If those snappies are from the program I MUST tape it."}, {"response": 408, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (02:10)", "body": "Moon, you are a wonder. I am in total awe of your resourcefulness. Would it not be fun to see him at the Pasadena hotel while we are having our tea? He has been known to stay there. Hats off to the west coast contingent of \"Operation Firth.\" Those of us in the hinterlands of the Firthdom are grateful that we are able to take vicarious pleasure in all of your exploits.... Alas, Evelyn, I, too, do not get Bravo. (Bethan) I find I'm turning into a sort of tetchy school ma'am, who can't understand why her favourite pupil is underperforming! LOL, Bethan! Well said!"}, {"response": 409, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (02:20)", "body": "Nan..you are a wonder.They are great..... I don't think that is the FP jacket....looks like a fur collar. Sorry, Moon. I didn't get the info from Bravo til late aft (I had inquired early yesterday morning...Bravo uses these as fillers and does not publish it in their schedules.) I telephoned all the firthettes (as Ben calls us) whose numbers I had.Sorry it was so short (7 minutes). Last week's was 1 hour!!At least they didn't cut Colin out. Karen says that HBO surely will present it since they show all the Making of.... anyway, lots of us have it and we can pass it around."}, {"response": 410, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (02:27)", "body": "Oh, I'm in love. ;-) Thanks, Nan. I've been waiting for a chance to see that leather jacket again. And the knife scene too. I love it when gets physical. Now what exactly does he say? I'm sure enough of our ladies get Bravo that copies will be available. Unfortunately I'm not one of those ladies so I'll depend on the kindness of.... surely we're not strangers! I'm convinced My Life So Far will be released this spring. That is generally a good time for small films to be released. David Puttnam has mentioned it will be released in May (in a recent NY Times article). Don't give up! And Evelyn is very positive about Secret Laughter of Women. My biggest worry is that he's got nothing in the works at all for 2000. And we thought the last year was a long drought."}, {"response": 411, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (02:54)", "body": "I agree, Heide. I do so love a man with a goatee (even a fake one) ;-)"}, {"response": 412, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (09:35)", "body": "Moon, if we have to wait for UK media hype for Colin before there is a release date for MLSF then goodness knows when we will be seeing it, in 2020? sorry it has bween one of those mornings, and I have just read of another JFeinnes movie and none for our DB."}, {"response": 413, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (13:40)", "body": "Ann, I suggest you call Miramax in London and find out about the SIL premiere date. We need a rep. there and are counting on you. I know about the new JF film, to be done in Miami. A role that Colin could have done (eventhough his American accent really turns me off), as Bethan has said, there are still a couple of films to be cast in the UK now. If he does not land a role soon, we really must wonder why."}, {"response": 414, "author": "susanne", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (16:03)", "body": "I can tell everyone is getting antsy about Colin's next role. I've felt that way for about 6 months. I think his \"well-deserved\" break should be over now. He needs to work so we can see him in some more roles. Once a year is not enough. I was thrilled when on the Bravo profile on SIL Colin said that SIL was like Dallas and J.R. in frocks since I live 10 miles from Southfork ranch. Good editing on his interviews-he came across as articulate and thoughtful, not that he usually isn't but no nervous gestures this time. He even get third mention when they stated the starring roles. Considering this was only 7 minutes, Colin and Wessex played a big part in it."}, {"response": 415, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (16:32)", "body": "Missed Colin's interview on Bravo because I missed your tip, Evelyn (I signed on earlier in the day). Drat! After I scoured the TV Guide, too (the listing for that time period was 'Inside the Actor's Studio' starting at 6 pm). This proves again how valuable your tips are, you insiders. Oh, how we depend upon you! Do keep us duly informed if you hear of it showing again. Thanks for the snappys, Nan! (Ben)Some crave recognition on his behalf; but what any actor craves above all, surely - indeed any body, for that matter - is the recognition of his peers. I think he has that already. Good point. Colin said something about that in an interview during the filming of TEP (I think), referencing Ralph Fiennes being \"judged well\" by others and how he wished for that. I'm going to try a few things to keep my frustration (due to Colin's lack of critical acclaim or even much mention in SiL) at bay: 1. Remember how Gwyneth praised Colin when introducing the film clip on Rosie O'Donnell back in early Dec. She didn't say anything about the scene itself, just went on about how \"brilliant\" Colin was. This may not win him any roles but I was glad to hear her heaping on the praise. 2. I just had the flu and had to take my \"cure\" by watching P&P2 for the countless time. Now, Adrian Lukis (Wickham) didn't get much critical acclaim for his performance, did he? I think it's human nature that bad guy characters get overlooked when everyone else's performance is good as well. If P&P2 was a major motion picture, Colin's career would have taken off just like Joe Fiennes' is. I'm doing my best to keep the faith and know that we'll hear about Colin's next project soon enough."}, {"response": 416, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (18:32)", "body": "If P&P2 was a major motion picture, Colin's career would have taken off just like Joe Fiennes' is. IEven if P&P had been presented on Masterpiece Theatre which reaches all viewers nationwide(sans commericals!) instead of A&E ...he would have more name recognition. ****** BRAVO says that they will probably show it again...but they never put fillers on the schedule. Customer relations email: programming@bravotv.com Her name is Joanne. How about some of you writing and asking them to show some of CF's other films. I spoke to her this am and told her about Deep Blue Sea...which is a good one...general audience etc. A&E showed Tumbledown in 1993. Ask them to reshow it."}, {"response": 417, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (19:04)", "body": "I can\ufffdt help getting quite depressed by this conversation about his career, as if it already was a catastrophe or at least heading fast for it. I really do not think it is or will be. I almost feel hurt for him because of all this frustration and urge to tell him what to do with his career. Was Wessex really such a lousy role? (I know that\ufffds not the point, just occurred to me that a disappoinment might be a reason for all this anxiety). I\ufffdm sure he knows what he\ufffds doing and what he wants, and it can be something else than what we might expect. For instance, it\ufffds possible that he\ufffds even more selective about roles than we can ever imagine. Sorry for being so tired and critical, it happens sometimes."}, {"response": 418, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (19:48)", "body": "Great snappies, Nan, and thanks Evelyn for the call. I've taped the Bravo bit and it is probably an excerpt of the half-hour one that was exclusively broadcast in NY and LA last week. I'm stil hopeful that the entire thing will be broadcast by a mainstream cable network. In his second interview snippet, he commented on the script and how only someone of Stoppard's caliber could make it work. Stoppard's knowledge of history and of Shakespeare enabled him to write the in-jokes. He certainly looked real cute in that bomber jacket and black T-shirt. However, I don't think the mustache and goatee were real. One thing that I'm struck by is how first Gwyneth and now Joe F have mentioned Colin's role specifically in their interviews. I have this feeling that Miramax, which would have put together this snippet as well as the bigger one, was definitely trying (or perhaps committed) to promote Colin's performance for Oscar nomination. This could have been the hook that Harvey used to get Colin to take the second banana role. That Miramax would back him to the hilt (if the film were successful) and that he would get the pick of better parts in the future and huge exposure for MLSF. Unfortunately, the critics came out behind Geoffrey Rush and Judi Dench for Supporting Actor nominations and Miramax has changed gears and is promoting the hell out of them now. Colin is really showcased in the 7 minutes, much more so than either Rush or Dent. (Ben) I am always amused when MacKellen and Dench are mentioned over here...as if this were the pinnacle of their achievements. I've even heard one reviewer say that Judi Dench's acting career had \"begun\" late with the James Bond film! I just saw a profile of Judi Dench on Bravo that was probably done last year. It's not surprising that most Americans would have little knowledge of her before the Bond films or Mrs. Brown. She admitted that she elected to do more British television and theater rather than films. Perfectly reasonable to me and not indicative of any deficiency (xenophobia or provincialism) on our parts. ;-) And his remarks in that recent interview about having an unrecognized name are no more than the usual, self-deprecating sort of charm I'd expect from someone of his background and temperement. I found them a little more wistful than self-deprecating, especially that part about his \"big breaks.\" Some crave recognition on his behalf; but what any actor craves above all, surely - indeed any body, for that matter - is the recognition of his peers. I think he has that already. But the peers have to include directors who want to work with him and will insist that he be cast in their films. A number of producers and directors admire him, but he hasn't been noticed sufficiently to get him the big parts. And by \"big parts\" I don't mean \"Lethal Weapon,\" etc. I mean parts that would qualify one for a Best Actor nomination."}, {"response": 419, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (20:20)", "body": "Karen, fair enough - I accept entirely that it's not xenophobia, and I'm sorry if I gave that impression. But provincialism...or, at least, a particular view of what \"success\" is, is prevalent, at least amongst some. The point is only that it would have taken one 'phone call for this commentator (I can't remember who he was) to establish that Judi Dench had had something of a career in the theatre already. And the phone call could have been made to just about anyone in New York, as well as London. But, by omissi n, he gave the impression that only a star-studded movie career was true success - so a provincialism not so much about the US but about films. Don't get me wrong - I am not insinuating that theatrical actors are necessarily better - anyone who has seen Kevin Spacey on stage could not. However, at the same time, great acting ability is neither necessary nor sufficient for success in films. It's not clear to me, for example, that his peers \"must\" include directors who want him for an Oscar-calibre role. I would have thought greater reward, per se, would be the recognition of his fellow actors, in whatever medium. Finally - and this is entirely non accusatory, simply an inescapable fact of human nature - it is harder, other things equal, for a non-American to end up with the leading man role in a Hollywood film. The converse is true as well. This is somewhat related to the question of CF's success. Maybe I'm completely wrong, but I simply cannot picture him as someone agonized by his own \"failure\" to get big Hollywood breaks. He seems too self-effacing. And, unless he is tortured, why should his supporters be?"}, {"response": 420, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (21:05)", "body": "An interesting discussion! I am more than guilty of being over zealous on CF's behalf and wishing him more than perhaps he wishes himself. But I do agree with Ben that CF probably has a different yardstick for measuring \"success\", and I also think that British actors pace their careers differently, often mixing theatre, TV, film and radio work, and often opting for lesser but more varied roles....and then playing King Lear in their sixties! (Tom Courtney and the newly knighted Nigel Hawthorne are both pl ying Lear this year). I remember reading a comment by JE...that she would rather work as a waitress than take an acting job, for which she felt no sense of commitment. I should think that CF shares this viewpoint. BUT, to return to the present, which really concerns us all....if David Puttnam says that MLSF will be released in May, it will! It's just as much his project as Harvey's! Previews of SLOW seem very favourable. And I'm sure that CF must have some good projects in the offing...and they'll be worth waiting for. So, keep the faith!"}, {"response": 421, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (21:28)", "body": "I just saw SiL again (it's finally playing at a theater near me). It's even better the second time around. Karen, I don't know if Colin's role was necessarily intended as Oscar material (unless they all get nominated--you never know). IMO the hook was related to MLSF. Miramax had to pull it from release last summer for a reason. Surely a film about a moss farm in Scotland would have a better chance in front of American audiences (where the money is) if people recognize the star. SiL is Miramax's way t get Colin out there: great film, Oscar caliber, other big names. Have him do interviews. Have the other stars speak about him (although, as I wrote earlier, I sincerely hope some of that is genuine). I agree the PR seems to have taken a turn away from Colin since earlier on, but 7 minutes on Bravo including him sounds good to me! They could have cut him out and featured only Gwynnie or Joe. I'll keep my eyes peeled for the full show on either Bravo or HBO, but I see what you mean, Evelyn. Many times H O sticks them in at the end of a movie ending at an odd time and those are never listed. I think if we're patient, we'll see more. The movie really just opened nation-wide last week (not Christmas, as we thought. It was only playing in \"selected cities\"). Wait until the Oscar hype!"}, {"response": 422, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (22:15)", "body": "Still on about the DB's career, are we? Perhaps when I said \"name recognition\" rather than super-stardom\" Several people misinterpreted what I meant. The LAST thing I would want to see is Colin in the lead of some Hollywood Blockbuster or fully established in the money-mart there. I have gathered from his statements that it is the LAST thing he wants too. What he wants are good, well-written roles in quality productions, which is what any dedicated actor would want. To get same, he must be OFFERED th se roles (preferably as first choice). To do that he must have the respect of his peers (he seems to have that), a good reputation as a dependable and thoroughly professional actor (it appears he is building this up) and \"draw\" which means: 1) a hefty segment of a given population know who is being talked about when his name is mentioned, and 2) a respectable proportion of those who recognise him will desire to see him when they find out he is in a given production. This year he will have several releas s relatively close together, so the chance to build up \"1)\" is upcoming. But to build up \"2)\" requires that he have a proportion of the roles he chooses as likeable or admirable characters because those are the images that stick with the public consciousness. I sometimes get the feeling he fights accepting such roles tooth and nail (remember the difficulties Sue B. had to convince him?) He resists playing \"heroes\", even supporting ones, because they are not challenging enough for the application of his talents. I say get Sue to give him another talking to! He is puzzled because the greatest popularity he ever won was in a role that didn't require him to act his socks off, and even to occupy a large proportion of screen time. But it was the nature of the character that won him that recognition, whether he likes it or not. He needs to take such roles , say 33 percent of the time, and I guarantee he will have more good offers of good roles than he'll know what to do with. And the name recognition is w at will give this to him. \"Colin Firth? Oh, I know that guy. He's really good. Let's go see it...\" (I give permission for him to play the weirdos 50% of the time..) Enough! Now watch the debate!!!"}, {"response": 423, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (22:54)", "body": "KJ, You say \"what he wants is....\". Is this not the heart of it? How does one know what he wants? Quite possibly, he wants to do the odd bit of theatre work, the odd film, and spend the rest of the time having and looking after children. Someone on the Darcy site pleaded that one could only, surely, want success for the object of one's love. No. One should want them to be happy and contented, which is far from the same thing. I think your analysis is spot on - he resists things that he thinks may not stretch him, and is nervous about fame. The combination of the two means he is too proud to take great pleasure in gaining recognition from the \"nature of the character\" he acts, rather than the acting itself. This was a very astute observation, I think, and in many ways gets close to defining what it means to be a movie star. I love lots of films, and am quite unashamed about going to see a film just because it has, say, Gene Hac man or Bill Murray in it (he cracks me up). The rest, quite literally, is the vehicle. (And I admit I would be even quicker to go and see something with The Goddess Ehle, Lord bless 'er, though I'd prefer to be invited to dinner, and just by chance sit next to her, then bump into her a week later at a gallery, and end up having lunch, children, etc.) But, the bottom line for me is this: if CF is nervous about doing all this, and it goes against the grain for him, then so be it. May he simply live the life he wants."}, {"response": 424, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (23:31)", "body": "....but the point is that he is doing nothing and has been doing nothing for nearly a year, no theatre, no TV, no films and that cannot be good for him or us. I just hope he isn't becoming disenchanted with the profession and that we get news of something no matter what, no matter how small or odd, whatever he wants to do is alrigh by me but please do something soon and please let us know Colin, we have been very very patient. BTW Bethan you didn't finish your sentence and it sounded interesting."}, {"response": 425, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (23:32)", "body": "We shall have to wait and see what Colin choses to do next. That will give us a clear indication of his ambition. I would prefer that he developed his own project, but wouldn t we have heard something by now if that be the case? We are no good at this waiting game."}, {"response": 426, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (23:34)", "body": "( Karen)I found them a little more wistful than self-deprecating, especially that part about his \"big breaks.\" I, for one, felt rather sad when he commented;...Re; Big Breaks\" you're always filled with expectations and then things don't turn out the way you planned\". Of course, it was a stupid question from the interviewer.However...IMO it gave me a different insight into his feelings being a star in a famous role. But perhaps it was my perception. (Ben)May he simply live the life he wants. Amen. And he seems to be doing just that."}, {"response": 427, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (23:39)", "body": "Someone posted at Virt Views in RoP that the SIL CF interview will be aired again on BRAVO Jan. 17 at 3:45pm."}, {"response": 428, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (23:44)", "body": "Eastern Time"}, {"response": 429, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (23:52)", "body": "And may we all be his thoughtful, grateful and patient fans, admirers, followers - whatever... for years to come. Yes, of course, we all want to grab more! Of course it's natural to want all of him - now! This minute...! But Colin is giving of his skill, his art, in small, carefully measured doses, like something precious. For indeed that is what it is. Like small tasteful morsels or a glass of good wine, he is to be savoured slowly, thoughtfully, in peace and quiet. You don't want to guzzle it all at once. ;-)"}, {"response": 430, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (23:58)", "body": "Oh, okay then, I am convinced but it is so frustrating when I hear that J.F has another role so soon after SIL and RF has or is in the process of his third film this year."}, {"response": 431, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (01:40)", "body": "If he doesn't want to work but in small doses, that's fine. It truly is. But if he's not working because he's not anyone's first or even second choice, then that disturbs me. No one knows, we can only speculate which we all are doing a fine job with. Enjoying the discussions. (Moon) We are no good at this waiting game. Actually, I think we're experts. ;-)"}, {"response": 432, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (01:47)", "body": "Okay, UK ladies. The FoF list has information on the London SIL premiere and are happy to share it. It's January 19, a Tuesday, at the Empire Theatre starting at 8:00 pm. If you need more information, you can contact UIP International, Katherine Willing, 44-181-563-4167. If anyone can make it, the best of luck. Almost forgot, Moon. Is it okay to e-mail you at home?"}, {"response": 433, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (05:56)", "body": "I do have some good news. Yesterday, COlin was listed in the Arts section of the local paper. They had his name wrong . Okay,okay, here it is.....today, they corrected and listed a correction. Yeah, for Colin. I was so happy. Plus, SIL opened at a few more cinemas. I am so happy. As far as Colins' career, I would rather see him take really good roles thatn blockbusters that are not challenging. Of course, we all know he is the best actor a out there."}, {"response": 434, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (13:39)", "body": "Hi, I too have done some super sleuthing and Colin is to attend the UK Premiere on Tuesday, however, it seems it is a sell-out so I will just have to wait outside with my camera. GP, JF & Simon Callow will also be there, don't know about JD. All being well and weather permitting I shall be there and will report back."}, {"response": 435, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (14:52)", "body": "SIL PREMIERE IN LONDON Miramax London confirmed ; Tuesday January 19th 8pm Empire Theatre,Leicester Square Charity Benefit: The Chicken-Shed Theatre (some children's theatre group in London.) As of this morning they were sold out. However, they do have a waiting list for tickets that are returned. Tickets are: 30UKP & 50UKP Call: 011-44-181-292-9222 for waiting list. Organizing the Premiere is: Caroline Lockyer-Nibbs 011-44-171-534-5209 Publicity for the Premiere is:011-44-181-563-4167 And yes, as AnnW. reported \"Colin Firth is expected to attend\"."}, {"response": 436, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (14:55)", "body": "(Ben)(And I admit I would be even quicker to go and see something with The Goddess Ehle, Lord bless 'er, though I'd prefer to be invited to dinner, and just by chance sit next to her, then bump into her a week later at a gallery, and end up having lunch, children, etc.) LOL! Best of luck on your quest! Info about SiL interview on Bravo is appreciated. Will rev up VCR because all TVs in house will be irrevocably tuned in to football playoffs. Ann, good luck at London premiere. Hope you get a great glimpse (and pics) of our DB! One more thought to add to Colin's career debate--at least his current role/performance is good, in a great, strong film. Imagine our distress if it was a critical stinker or box office failure and there was nothing on the horizon. No doubt he would emerge (think Valmont ) but I'm sure our concern would be greater."}, {"response": 437, "author": "susanne", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (16:17)", "body": "Eileen, I agree with you 100%,his current role and performance is v. good in a strong film. His performance is as good as any in the film. It is always hard to single out performances in a strongly-acted ensemble movie. The actors that were cited are the ones that had the most name-recognition, not that CF gave a lessor performance. With strong performances more mainstream movies like TEP and SIL, he will eventually have some of the recogniton that we crave for him and that he might even subconsciously c ave for himself. Just please no more stinker supporting roles like in ATA."}, {"response": 438, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (16:36)", "body": "This discussion re: CF's career has been fascinating -- good, valid points on both sides. I tend to side with the more frustrated among us who feel he should have had something new lined up by now. Or if he's decided to chuck acting in favor of sheepherding or becoming a househusband a la John Lennon, I wish he'd let us know that so I can get on with my life! In the interest of seeing Colin in a lead role before the millennium, I suggest we all chip in and get SLOW out of bank receivership or whatever it is that's holding it up. Imagine the headlines in Variety: \"Firth Fans Finance Foundering Film\"..."}, {"response": 439, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (16:54)", "body": "\"Firth Fans Finance Floundering Film\" I'll be in that Susan. Evelyn thankyou very much for the telephone number, I am now on said waiting list, fingers crossed."}, {"response": 440, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (17:02)", "body": "\"Firth Fans Finance Floundering Film\" I will organize the premiere party, champagne anyone? Ann, auguri di buona fortuna! We are counting on you."}, {"response": 441, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (18:03)", "body": "TV ALERT The History Channel will broadcast \"Decisive Weapons: The Bayonet\" on Thursday, January 21 at both 1:00 pm and 6:00 pm (one hour show) Eastern time. I'm not positive, but this show might have scenes from Tumbledown showing Colin and it might also show the real Robert Lawrence. I had heard about this program last year and noticed in next week's TV Guide that it was finally going to be reshown. I tried to check the History Channel's UK website, but couldn't find a search feature."}, {"response": 442, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (18:23)", "body": "Here's the program listing: Springfield Rifle. A review of the 300-year history of the bayonet--a few inches of cold steel that built empires and decided the Falkland War's bloodiest battle. Then, a look at the first \"mass-produced\" weapon. Over 40 years in development, the Springfield Armory's Rifle Musket, with greater speed and range, was crucial for Union forces at Gettysburg."}, {"response": 443, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (20:54)", "body": "(SusanMC),,Or if he's decided to chuck acting in favor of sheepherding or becoming a househusband a la John Lennon, I wish he'd let us know that so I can get on with my life! ROTFLOL."}, {"response": 444, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Jan 15, 1999 (01:46)", "body": "(Arami) But Colin is giving of his skill, his art, in small, carefully measured doses, like something precious. For indeed that is what it is. Like small tasteful morsels or a glass of good wine, he is to be savoured slowly, thoughtfully, in peace and quiet. I couldn't agree more, Arami. IMO, the fact that his roles are infrequent adds to his allure. Plus, he usually rewards us with such wonderful performances. This alone helps to quell my frustrations. (Ben) May he simply live the life he wants. Amen to that. (Susan) \"Firth Fans Finance Floundering Film\" The talented ladies at FanFic should consider publishing their Lizzy/Darcy errotica (wonderful stuff, BTW, ladies). Perhaps the proceeds from the royalties could help to bale out SLOW. There are other fundraising possibilities which involve chocolate and nuts, but I hestitate to delve futher into the details...."}, {"response": 445, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Jan 15, 1999 (02:03)", "body": "royalties could help to bale out SLOW. Oops, I meant to write bail out .....that's what I get for being in a hurry."}, {"response": 446, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Fri, Jan 15, 1999 (05:58)", "body": "Sue: I am in too for the Firth Fans.... I would be willing to help out. Wouldn't it be cool if Colin peeked in to our posts."}, {"response": 447, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Jan 15, 1999 (08:10)", "body": "(Lisa JH)fundraising possibilities which involve chocolate and nuts You mean, he's the chocolate and we are nuts? :-)"}, {"response": 448, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jan 15, 1999 (08:14)", "body": "Best of luck at the Premiere, Ann! And if you see the Man Himself, just give him a poke in the back and say \"Hey, Mr Firth, there are are a lot of women out there who think you're semi-retired. What exactly ,and I mean \"exactly\", is your next job?\" And if he says \"no comment\", just corner Livia in the Ladies Room and ask her when hubbie's new day job starts. :-) Seriously, Miramax have apparently confirmed that MLSF will open in June, so that's one less thing to fret about! Moon, the only time I ever phoned CF's agents office in London, I found them rather less than informative. I asked when we would next be seeing Colin in something, and was told that he would be in SIL, opening in the US in November (wrong!). And when I said \"oh good, that means we'll be seeing him in the UK soon\", the same lady replied \"oh no, it will be at least six months\" (wrong, wrong!) I uess there's only one reliable source (get poking, Ann!) :-)"}, {"response": 449, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jan 15, 1999 (08:24)", "body": "Oh Bethan, I would love to be able to say I will do what you say but if I do see him, I am sure I would be dumbstruck and anyway I expect I will have to fight my way through GP & JF fans and I have to say here and now that unless I get tickets I probably won't be going unless it is a lovely evening!! , I am too old to stand out in the pouring rain but if I do go and I very much hope I will I will make mental notes and take my camera, although I am not a brilliant photographer but you never know I might ge beginners luck."}, {"response": 450, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan 15, 1999 (13:49)", "body": "(Bethan), Moon, the only time I ever phoned CF's agents office in London, I found them rather less than informative. I know I have said this before but he really should look into changing agents. To be low-key and British is very cool and all but NOT for an agent. I am not crazy about his US agent either. It is all up to our DB to do something about it. A May opening for MLSF is still rather far off we will just have to see. Arami and Bethan what about joining Ann at the premiere? Allison where are you? Ann do not be shy, go and try for some pictures, he was very affable with Winter."}, {"response": 451, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Jan 15, 1999 (17:09)", "body": "Rita, I live in mortal fear that Colin will peek in at our posts! Criticism of his career choices, comments about chocolate-flavored condoms (oops, that's at #112, I think) -- as Lizzy would say, \"What must he think of me?\" Seriously, did anyone see the interview with that woman who broke into Brad Pitt's house? She was acting like what she did was totally normal, and to the rest of the world, looking at her, she is obviously wacked. What kept me lurking for so long was I was afraid if I started posting here, my name would end up on some sort of list Colin's people compile of wacky fans who might be a threat to him. When in reality I would never dare speak to him, chicken that I am!"}, {"response": 452, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Jan 15, 1999 (17:28)", "body": "Allison where are you? Here I am! Christmas, New Year, skiing and catching up on work after all that time has prevented me from doing more than the occasional lurk. However I did break cover today to buy a copy of She magazine, advertising on its front cover \"Colin Firth on Sex Appeal\" (other articles entitled \"New mothers get Naked\" and \"Women who pay for Sex Lessons\"!!) I made sure no one saw me as I entered our local newsagent and the girl behind the counter looked as furtive as I as she asked me if I would like it put in a bag!! Rehashed articles mostly plus 2 photographs we have all seen before. There is a new photograph of CF and Livia with her gazing into her eyes. sighhhh! Lots of airing of Colin's social hangups which are actually quite interesting though I do think he should have come to terms with it all by now, he is 38 after all. The article made him sound just like my student son when he is sounding off on this, to British minds anyway, endlessly fascinating subject. However this is probably unfair as I think the article has been rehashed from a number of sources and so almost certainly gives a wrong impression. One interesting point. He says Nick Hornby is still a good friend and contrasts people's reactions to Nick who has a London accent with himself and his RP. He seems to move in a world where it is considered cool to be prolier than thou and he says that Nick is never castigated for his background because he adopts a lower class accent. An interesting observation. I only discovered a month or two ago tha NH's father is Sir Derek Hornby who is a big businessman and Director of I can no longer remember h w many major companies! So much for Dad as played by Neil Pearson!"}, {"response": 453, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 15, 1999 (17:59)", "body": "(Allison) I only discovered a month or two ago tha NH's father is Sir Derek Hornby who is a big businessman and Director of I can no longer remember how many major companies! Absolute shocker! He portrayed the father as a sales-type, certainly not the bigwig this would imply. prolier than thou Typo? or is prolier from proletariat?"}, {"response": 454, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Jan 15, 1999 (18:55)", "body": "(Rita) Wouldn't it be cool if Colin peeked in to our posts. I can\ufffdt imagine that CF could be bothered to monitor to Drool. God, I hope not. Some of us would have to legally change our names. :-) (Susan) Seriously, did anyone see the interview with that woman who broke into Brad Pitt's house? She was acting like what she did was totally normal, and to the rest of the world, looking at her, she is obviously wacked. Yes, I saw that on TV as well: shades of David Letterman\ufffds unsolicited houseguest. One would hope that our admiration for the DB does not fit into the stalker category: we lust after and obsess about him from afar, are gainfully employed, and are in real, committed relationships\ufffd.. IMO, however, premiers and the like, are fair game for seeking autographs. It is one thing to meet him in a public arena, and another thing to follow him home. All kidding aside, I would never want to invade his priva y. When I lived in NYC, quite frequently I used to see celebrities walking around town. Residents were very good about not bothering celebs; it was usually the tourists who pestered them. Since then I have always thought that it would be better to be rich than famous. Oh God, then I think about what happened to poor John Lennon\ufffd."}, {"response": 455, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jan 15, 1999 (19:07)", "body": "(SusanMc) Seriously, did anyone see the interview with that woman who broke into Brad Pitt's house? Eeeewwww, I did. She creeped me out. Hope she's now in a treatment program for her obvious psychiatric disorder. It's unfortunate that the press takes sick people and makes them into short-order celebs. Suppose I'm guilty for watching and therefore contributing. Of course, we Colin fans are *ahem* way too mature and intelligent for such over-the-top behavior! Witness how well Dame Winter conducted herself at SiL's LA opening. Right, ladies (and gentlemen)? We channel our desires and longings more productively, tapping on keyboards during stolen moments or late into the night! (Allison)There is a new photograph of CF and Livia with her gazing into her eyes (her gazing into his eyes, right?) Any chance of getting that picture up on this board? Or else I'll have to fly to Rome/London, break into their flat(s) and sleep in their clothes...(kidding! kidding!)"}, {"response": 456, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jan 15, 1999 (21:11)", "body": "Any chance of getting that picture up on this board? Or else I'll have to fly to Rome/London, break into their flat(s) and sleep in their clothes...(kidding! kidding!) ] Hmmmm....... I wonder... Hee hee:)"}, {"response": 457, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan 15, 1999 (21:23)", "body": "(Allison) I only discovered a month or two ago tha NH's father is Sir Derek Hornby who is a big businessman and Director of I can no longer remember how many major companies! ( Karen),Absolute shocker! He portrayed the father as a sales-type, certainly not the bigwig this would imply. I am just as shocked! Is he just putting us on? Maybe there's not an ounce of auto-biographical material is what he writes. I too would love to see that photo Allison. BTW, why aren't you attempting the SIL premiere? (Eileen), Of course, we Colin fans are *ahem* way too mature and intelligent for such over-the-top behavior! You are quite right. Most of us would not be able to say a single word to him if we ran into him."}, {"response": 458, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Jan 15, 1999 (21:37)", "body": "prolier than thou Right, from proletariat. here is a new photograph of CF and Livia with her gazing into her eyes (her gazing into his eyes, right?) You are of course right again. Ooops, sorry! I do not have a scanner, nor access to one. I could send the photograh to someone. I have Renate's address but she seems to have vanished from view. I am happy to send it anywhere around the globe though I rather suspect that it will appear somewhere on the net before too long. Allison. BTW, why aren't you attempting the SIL premiere? I knew I shouldn't have delurked just before the premiere. I really am way too old for that sort of thing. 25 years ago I might have done it but now I would have to wear a false beard and dark glasses in case I saw someone I knew!"}, {"response": 459, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Jan 15, 1999 (21:45)", "body": "Maybe there's not an ounce of auto-biographical material is what he writes. To be fair he does not write much about his father apart from saying he was divorced from his mother and was abroad a lot. He also wrote that his own London accent was assumed, that his sister had a very upper class accent and his mother RP and that he was brought up in Maidenhead, a very pleasant town not far from London. It was only in the film that he was portrayed as being much less middle class. IMHO I felt this weakened the film."}, {"response": 460, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jan 15, 1999 (21:52)", "body": "Bethan,do you happen to know exactly when in June MLSF is to be released,I must say I am disappointed that they are releasing it in the summer,surely the Autumn or the Winter would have been better for this type of film, or at the very least the spring, the summer is for blockbusters,I can't see people leaving the beach or going to a dark cinema on a lovely Summer's day to watch a small film about an eccentric moss grower,not matther how gorgeous he may be."}, {"response": 461, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 15, 1999 (23:02)", "body": "At AnnW.'s request I called Corbett & Kenne(they are handling the publicity for SIL) this am to inquire if Colin Firth was scheduled to make any Television interviews....and they said \"No, he is not\". Any print interviews...\"No, he is not\".I didn't inquire about the other guys...I didn't care!! Obviously, you need Harvey in UK. (With luck,let's hope they're wrong...like the agent) Allison/Bethan...hey , I thought you said the article was a rehash...sound like new stuff to me. And the new pic too. This might be the only thing we get til MLSF promotions."}, {"response": 462, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Jan 15, 1999 (23:07)", "body": "I hope I didn't come off sounding like the\" superior sisters\" in my last post about fans/stalking. My musings were not directed at any of you; if offence was taken, please accept my apologies. I think you are a wonderful group of women. Those of you who met Colin handled it with pluck and dignity. It has been great fun to read about your exploits. I, on, the other hand, tend to get very shy in such situations, for fear that I will act like Lucy Ricardo gushing over William Holden at the Brown Derby."}, {"response": 463, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jan 15, 1999 (23:52)", "body": "Arami and Bethan what about joining Ann at the premiere? Don't forget, I'm a closet Colin-fan! Borrowing and returning a copy of the ATA video requires cunning and subterfuge; hovering outside the Empire on a Tuesday evening is the equivalent of a major WW2 battle campaign! Anyway, if it's tickets only, I reckon the main emphasis will be on the post-premiere \"bash\" at the Cafe Royale or whatever! some sort of list Colin's people compile of wacky fans (Susan) I very much doubt if Colin has \"people\", maybe just a \"person\"...himself! However I did break cover today to buy a copy of She magazine (Allison) Ditto, Allison, although I did try to resist! I thought, for God's sake, I'm NOT buying that (You forgot to mention the 101 ways to improve your orgasm or the free \"sexy\" novel!), even if He is \"in\" it! But, I succumbed and bought, even though I knew it would be a re-hash. Which it is, not a bona fide interview at all. I recognise most,if not all, of the quotes, although they're re-worded and re-jigged. I think the comments on \"class\" date back to his Another Country days, when he was almost as young as your son, and so can be forgiven some silliness and immaturity! But by juxtaposing these remarks next to the Nick Hornby comments, they are made to appear more current. (BTW, NH's dad was Chairman of RailTunnel ) CF was obviously trying for some downmarket \"street cred\"!! Wi h privately educated, Cambridge Uni-type parents, and grandparents who were missionaries/principals of a theological college, he's hardly lower-middle class, even if (shame, shame!) he did fail his 11 Plus! I don't particularly like these reconstituted \"interviews\"....but, I guess the fact that She magazine chooses to run it must mean that they still think he's sexy, despite his continuing low profile! MLSF. Now Ann, I am going to have to insist on some positive thinking here! I'm pleased that it will be released ( a depressing number of films starring British actors never make the screens....for example, two recent Ewan McGregor movies have been \"binned\"). And I don't think we'll be seeing a demonstration of moss farming! I shall be eagerly wawaiting the kilt! I personally would watch any movie set in Scotland, becauuse I love the scenery,...and as for June, well, I'd much rather go out for a m al and then to the local multiplex 9pm on a summer's evening, than mid-winter!"}, {"response": 464, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (00:10)", "body": "True,, thankyou Bethan, it is always good to get others perspectives and I see your point.I shall certainly be one of the first at our Multiplex."}, {"response": 465, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (01:39)", "body": "(Allison) only discovered a month or two ago tha NH's father is Sir Derek Hornby who is a big businessman and Director of I can no longer remember h w many major companies! At one point, Sir Derek Hornby was the head of Xerox, I believe. He also played a key role in the contruction of the Chunnel (see Bethan's comment). I remember reading something about NH's background, despite how much it's played down in Fever Pitch (both the novel and film version). I esp. remember his justification for getting into Cambridge: he said that the Oxbridge system was in the midst of opening-up opportunities to middle class kids, who otherwise might not have gotten in for lack of enough tale t, connections, or a posh public school background. He may not have been a stellar pupil back in Maidenhead, but I'm also sure that having Sir Hornby as his father made some sort of impression on the admissions committee, no?"}, {"response": 466, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (02:03)", "body": "I don't particularly like these reconstituted \"interviews\"....but, I guess the fact that She magazine chooses to run it must mean that they still think he's sexy, despite his continuing low profile! One wonders if the reason SHE magazine did this is because he refused to give them a live/telephone interview.Apparently he only likes mainstream media and this mag sounds tabloid-stuff."}, {"response": 467, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (02:19)", "body": "Arami and Bethan what about joining Ann at the premiere? Were I a little closer to London, I suppose I might stroll past the cinema with an indifferent look behind dark glasses and a false beard... I could try and persuade my hubby to drive our getaway vehicle round the side streets for two hours (as parking would be impossible, of course), but I imagine he would advise me to cycle to the assignment (i.e. he'd say \"On your bike, dear!\", which is another expression for \"get knotted\"...) Moreover, judging by the state of the weather at the moment, anybody foolis enough to attempt waiting outside will be struggling with their umbrellas, trying not to get blown up, up and away Mary Poppins style, at precisely the moment that Colin dashes out of his limo and into the welcoming dryness and warmth of the foyer... Well, reluctantly and with great pangs of regret, but I don't think so... :-)"}, {"response": 468, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (02:25)", "body": "And I thought you guys were diehard Colin Fans!!! Sheesh! RE: Sir Hornby, are we absolutely positive he is NH's pops. I mean Hornby is a fairly common English name"}, {"response": 469, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (02:33)", "body": "(Arami) Well, reluctantly and with great pangs of regret, but I don't think so... :-) Don't blame you a bit, dear. I wouldn't do it either. Though I had classes the night of the NY premiere, I could have found a way if I really wanted to."}, {"response": 470, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (03:26)", "body": "And I thought you guys were diehard Colin Fans!!! Sheesh! If he came to Oklahoma, Laura, I'd go meet him \"in a surrey with the fringe on the top!!\" (But it never rains here :-)"}, {"response": 471, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (06:06)", "body": "(Laura) are we absolutely positive he is NH's pops. I mean Hornby is a fairly common English name I'm afraid it's true, Laura. It's in his bio. I'll go look it up and come back with the URL. Regardless of his background, NH is still, quite arguably, one of the best contemp. writers out there. But that's not a debate is it? ;-)"}, {"response": 472, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (06:17)", "body": "Re: Nick Hornby This is from the Electronic Telegraph (April 4, 1998). The complete article is titled 'An unconvincing millionaire\": He grew up in Maidenhead, a \"soulless commuter town\" from which he longed to escape - a desire first fulfilled by regular trips to Highbury to watch Arsenal. His parents divorced when he was a boy and his father, Sir Derek Hornby, went on to become a successful businessman - at different times, the chairman of Rank Xerox, number two to Michael Heseltine when he was President of the Board of Trade and the chairman of a consortium involved in the Channel tunnel. \"I am not at all like him,\" says Hornby. \"I could never have done a job in a suit because of him - presumably because there was no way I could have done as well as him. I suppose doing artsy things and drifting in and out of work was a form of rebellion.\""}, {"response": 473, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (09:07)", "body": "I am posting this as my email is not working at the moment and I wanted all concerned to know that the A& E tape has arrived.It is wonderful, many thanks to all invloved in sending it to us..I will pass it on to M & E in due course. I thought he looked particularly good at the LA Premiere but I see what you mean about the \"ticks\", he did seem very nervous but it was rather cute. I still have hopes of getting tickets for the Premiere, I have been badgering the waiting-list lady, I shall just have to keep my fingers crossed as I too am a bit old to stand outside like a silly teenager. (sorry silly teenagers)."}, {"response": 474, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (10:14)", "body": "even if (shame, shame!) he did fail his 11 Plus! I have always wondered about this. Did they still have the 11 plus in Hampshire in 1971? the A& E tape has arrived Now how do I get a copy of that?? And from today's \"Times\", a snippet about SIL. Harold Bloom, a Shakespeare expert points out that the film is pure invention. Firstly, Shakespeare was the most prolific writer and seems never to have had writer's block. Secondly \"It is unlikely that Wessex, Gwyneth Paltrow's buffoon of a fiance, played by Colin Firth, would insist on whisking her off ....to Virginia...Virginia was not settled until 1607 - 14 years after all the action in the film takes place."}, {"response": 475, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (15:07)", "body": "Have I not said that about Virginia!!! hee hee;)"}, {"response": 476, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (15:48)", "body": "Tell Harold Bloom to put a sock in it. He apparently hasn't seen the movie so isn't aware the anachronisms are intentional. It's not a spoof but it certainly isn't history. I suppose he's trying to inform the poor gullible souls who believe everything they see on film or on the telly. Ann, I hope very much for your sake that you get tickets to the premiere but please don't feel you're letting us down if you don't make it to London. That's too much pressure to put on anyone. Interesting stuff about Hornby. Shocked me too. I must be one of those gullible souls who believes everything she sees in film or on the telly. Oh, Rita, let's hope Colin never comes here. I think it takes several doses to understand how harmless we are but I'm sure he'd never give us a second chance. Allison, while I had nothing to do with the tape (Ann W, Evelyn and Karen did all the work), I know you can get in touch with Ann to get on the lending list. Is your e-mail working yet, Ann?"}, {"response": 477, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (15:56)", "body": "Re: my previous comment about fans, Brad Pitt's break-in, etc., I also did not mean to imply that any of us here are wacky. We are obviously all in control of our obsession. So have no fear, Colin;-}"}, {"response": 478, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (16:52)", "body": "(Arami but I imagine he would advise me to cycle to the assignment (i.e. he'd say \"On your bike, dear!\", which is another expression for \"get knotted\"...) Is it a stationary bike? in which case.... ;-) (Allison) Harold Bloom, a Shakespeare expert points out that the film is pure invention...Virginia was not settled until 1607 - 14 years after all the action in the film takes place. Harold Bloom is an English professor who apparently has not researched early American colonization history. Virginia was Virginia since Sir Walter Raleigh's times (1580ish) and while the premise that Wessex goes to Viriginia was not likely it was not impossible. Info on this has been posted at #115 (SiL topic)."}, {"response": 479, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (17:03)", "body": "Have any of you seen the article in Now magazine? It came out last week while i was out of the country but Dolores has it on her CF Faces site. It is obviously a rehash plus some comments from the recent SIL press junket. However Colin does say that he is v content, sees a lot of his son, has a wife and they are enjoying their life together and he has \"nothing planned\"!! I wonder whether this has anything to do with Livia. Does she have a job? It would seem sensible for her to establish herself in some line of work before starting a family. I think Colin is the sort of man who would want his wife to have her own life. His mother had a profession and that would probably be his expectation for his wife. I keep thinking of that comment he made to Helen Fielding about having nothing fixed for the next three years. Eeeek! What do you think?"}, {"response": 480, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (18:45)", "body": "Pox on Harold Bloom. Don't you hate these experts who always want to deflate a good thing. ***** Allison...the tape is compliments of Drool. Sue also contributed the E! \"blink-and you've-missed- him\"at the LA premiere.We suggested you get a lending tape-train going.See what you miss when you don't post with us? Thanks for the new CFmedia info....could you pl. give me the URL of Dolores' website.? There are so many of them now. **** BRAVO is supposed to run the 7 minute SIL tomorrow at 3:45pm ET **** I have an extra A&E( NTSC )tape of CF's interview....in case someone didn't get it. Pl. email me. ***** ( SusanMC)... also did not mean to imply that any of us here are wacky. We are obviously all in control of our obsession. Speak for yourself...:-)We know we're wacky....but we have a good time!!"}, {"response": 481, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (19:34)", "body": "Karen: Is it a stationary bike? No: rather a non-existent one ;-). Which makes things pretty nigh impossible. * * * Did Harold Bloom suggest that Virginia hadn't existed before the specified time, or is it simply the question of when people started settling there? Allison: Nothing much is known about Livia, not even if she completed her doctor's degree, whether she's working or planninmg to pursue a career of her own: and it's a fair bet that the information will not be easy to obtain... On a purely speculative level, imagine juggling a nine to five type of job with marriage to a freelance bohemian - who at times works all hours away from home and at times not at all, and has a reputation for romancing his leading ladies... hm... what do you think?"}, {"response": 482, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (21:03)", "body": "Have any of you seen the article in Now magazine? (Allison) Ah, you're behind the times, Allison! Scroll back through the postings, and you'll find I waxed indignant about this (I just hate these \"pseudo-interviews\")and binned my copy! I think this is just another major re-hash, with perhaps some recent comments by Colin on SIL included. As my copy has been trashed, I can't rememember the exact wording, but didn't he \"say\" (allegedly) that he didn't know what he was doing next, but was excited at the prospect of what could happen and where it would take him. As an eternal optimist (sometimes) I took this to mean that he had some interesting options open to him! Slightly reviving the debate on CF's current \"career break\", one thing which has struck me, just from reading newspapers and media mags, is just how long it can take to set up projects and how they can also suddenly be put \"on ice\". For example, the filming of \"Enigma\" was due to start this summer, but the director signed up for the new James Bond movie, and there's now a 12 months delay. Working Title, who are going to make the movie version of BJD, have been embroiled in the takeover of Polygram by Univ rsal. TEP collapsed mid-filming because of lack of finance and was baled out by Miramax. CF may well have project(s) lined up, but sometimes there are last minute delays, particularly in the UK. As to Livia.....well, if she's able to spend 24 hours a day with him, day in, day out, they must have a very happy marriage or are still in their honeymoon phase!! Seriously, I should imagine she would want to make use of her qualifications (and he would want her to), but, as Arami comments, I'm sure we will NEVER know!"}, {"response": 483, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (21:04)", "body": "Out damned italics!"}, {"response": 484, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (21:23)", "body": "If you still want to read the Now article, you can find it at Now Article I wonder if that will work!"}, {"response": 485, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (21:31)", "body": "test Test"}, {"response": 486, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (21:58)", "body": "(Bethan), I am going to have to insist on some positive thinking here! I'm pleased that it will be released ( a depressing number of films starring British actors never make the screens....for example, two recent Ewan McGregor movies have been \"binned\"). Poor Ewan, for every three pictures released two are binned! If Colin sees a lot of Will he must: 1. Spend quite a bit of time in LA 2. Have a lot of free time 3. Is agressively pursuing Hollywood scripts 4. Is looking for a new US agent As for Livia, in Italy they can take forever to finish off a degree (the gov. is now thinking of setting time limits), La Statale di Roma is one of the top Universities in Italy."}, {"response": 487, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (22:23)", "body": "This CF quote is from the February 1999 SHE article: \"But so much of Darcy's appeal was simply to do with the costumes. Any reasonably fit man would look good in skin-tight breeches. When I wore football shorts in 'Fever Pitch,' for example, I think everyone could see that I was nothing out of the ordinary. My legs and arse didn't have the same effect on women at all. Quite the reverse, I imagine.\" He \"imagines\" WRONG!!! Maybe the Arsenal boxers don't do him justice but the gray shorts, that's another subject we've never tired of discussing. ;-)"}, {"response": 488, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (22:54)", "body": "BEthan....I am glad to see you so optimistic about his \"career break\"...Proud of you....you're keeping your New Year's resolution.!! I think he is waiting for a good script.Like SIL or TEP. Movieline has an interview with Dougray Scott...new British actor...who says he is sent dozens of scripts, most of the rubbish!!"}, {"response": 489, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (23:15)", "body": "Hi, I have had some trouble logging into the internet today but all seems well, at the moment.Allison I read your post this morning but have not been able to respond before but if you would like to email me or let me have your email address I will explain what is happening with the A&E video. I really enjoyed it , thankyou very much but I did think that Colin was looking a little chubbier in the face, too much pasta, but he is still a little cutie."}, {"response": 490, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jan 17, 1999 (00:21)", "body": "A suggestion, if I may, for Chat. So many times I go in and see people log in and log out almost immediately if no one is there. Perhaps if you want to go in chat to talk, you could sign in and if no one's there, go visit your other sites but don't sign off. Just check every couple of minutes. That's what I do but the danger is I'll forget to check back and then see someone was there, tried to reach me, and then logged off in frustration when I don't answer like what just happened with Ann W. Sorry, ear. But still, don't log out so quickly, ladies. Someone may come around if they see someone's hanging out in the chat room."}, {"response": 491, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Jan 17, 1999 (09:06)", "body": "(Ann)Fever Pitch opens in the US on the 26th February, in NY & LA, I think. (winter)Thanks Ann! I see another mission in the works, my friends! Moon! Jana! Mark your calendars! The possibility of a US Premiere is not so far-fetched! Jana- you monitor the theatre entrance and Moon, you cover the back entrance! I'll guard the bathrooms! ;-) And hon, we know you have such success in the bathrooms :-). Just wait for Mrs. Firth and follow her back to the prize! I wonder if the DB will really come to L.A. for this movie opening? Wow! Exciting thought. I hope I'm not camped out in Manila again."}, {"response": 492, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jan 17, 1999 (09:29)", "body": "Okay, I was going to shut up about this and hug my annoyance to myself...but it's really getting UP MY NOSE! I expected to see something in the Sunday papers about SIL, and I'm right. The Sunday Telegraph plops through the letter box, and yes, SIL is featured. Full page poster ad (free tickets offer) with CF's name (4th billing)on the poster, although not mentioned in the text \"starring, JF, GP and JD\". Okay, can live with that. THEN, there's a feature on JF, fast rising Hollywood star (okay!)in SIL....\" HE CAST ALSO INCLUDES GWYNETH PALTROW, GEOFFREY RUSH, JUDI DENCH, SIMON CALLOW AND TOM WILKINSON\". I really do not believe this. And then to cap it all, the magazine runs a feature on MARTIN CLUNES, in his latest Shakesperian venture. I'm just not going to read the papers, til SIL is over. Honestly!!!Or maybe the Times and Telegraph think that their readers have no interest in CF...we're the brown paper bag \"She\" magazine brigade, worrying about our sex lives. Thank God his name is on the poster! But, I am not going to mention this again, and Ann, don't let it spoil your breakfast! A lot of people will rush to see this movie, and say \"Hey, there's Colin Firth!\" :-)"}, {"response": 493, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jan 17, 1999 (10:31)", "body": "Hey, its okay Bethan in The Sunday Times Magazine, there is a large article and interview with Gwyneth Paltrow \"Bards of a Feather\" and Colin is mentioned twice!! Heading: \"Judi Dench, Colin Firth, Anthony Sher, Geoffrey Rush: Gwyneth Paltrow is in good company in her new film SIL...\" and then on the second page \"that makes great use of its supporting cast. These include - deep breath here, Geoffrey Rush as a bedevillled theatrical impressario, Tom Wilkinson as an unctuous moneylender, Judi Dench as Queen Elizabeth, and wait for it Colin Firth as the Earl of Wessex, along with Imelde Staunton, Ben Affleck, Martin Clunes, Antony Sher, Jim Carter and The Fast Show's cunningly oafish Mark Williams.\" This time is poor old Rupert Everett who has been missed out. I was thinking things were looking up and then the Sunday Telegraph does this. The Sunday Independent is usually quite kind to Colin perhaps we should subscribe to that."}, {"response": 494, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Jan 17, 1999 (10:45)", "body": "I am also suffering Sundayitis here. We also read the Sunday Telegraph! IMHO the Martin Clunes publicity is good. A lot of people who would normally stay away from a production like this will go and see this film because he is in it. (He is also a very good actor not just a laddish comic). Bethen, I think your previous comments about the precariousness of the British film industry and how productions are put off and dropped at the last moment is so true. It may mean that he is in talks about some leading roles which have not yet been given the green light. They often start negotiating with the star at an early stage. The lesser roles are usually signed up when plans are finalised e.g. SIL. There must be some reason why he is looking so relaxed!"}, {"response": 495, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Jan 17, 1999 (10:48)", "body": "Another thought - has CF ever given an interview to the Daily or Sunday Telegraph? I fear it would be like him to turn them down on political grounds, you know, UK droolers, the old Torygraph image not being quite his thing."}, {"response": 496, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jan 17, 1999 (11:10)", "body": "Ooh, thanks Ann! Just when I was about to subscribe to a conspiracy theory! And commiserations, Allison, we obviously get the wrong Sunday newspaper! And I've nothing against Martin Clunes....although after reading the article, I think Ben Affleck may be suing him!"}, {"response": 497, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan 17, 1999 (16:27)", "body": "And I've nothing against Martin Clunes....although after reading the article, I think Ben Affleck may be suing him! Do not stop there, do tell us why? BTW, BA & GP have broken up. (Allison), There must be some reason why he is looking so relaxed! Well he is out promoting a film, FP is to open in the US soon and MLSF in June."}, {"response": 498, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sun, Jan 17, 1999 (17:39)", "body": "Susan and others, your comments about Colin fans vs. Brad Pitt's overzealous lunatic were responded to \"tongue-in-cheek,\" as I believe your comments were intended. Don't take offense (defense?). I think it was a good way to stimulate discussion. Re: lack of Colin-mention in some of the British press: were those articles failing to mention Colin written by men? Just a little theory I have..."}, {"response": 499, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jan 17, 1999 (18:14)", "body": "Do not stop there, do tell us why? (Moon) Well, I'm not one to gossip, but, Martin said that his cod piece was bigger than Ben's cod piece, which he referred to as a \"perky little thing\". :-) I think men take umbrage at this sort of thing (though spoken in jest, of course)!!! Thank goodness Earls don't wear cod pieces..it sounds as though there was some locker room rivalry going on! Were those articles failing to mention Colin written by men? Just a little theory I have... (Eileen) I subscribe to your theory, Eileen! Allison, you asked about the Sunday Telegraph..I think he's given an interview to the Daily Telegraph (female interviewer!), and it was a very flattering one, but the Sunday Telegraph has some critics who should be hoist by their own petard. I still remember their review of P&P...lavish (and deserved) praise for the ladies, \"but Mr Darcy is played by the not-so-handsome Colin Firth, who just stands around looking like a yeoman farmer\". Ouch! No wonder he didn't win the BAFTA!. Having said that, I've seen orse comments about Kenneth Branagh, Rupert Everett and Alan Rickman, to name but a few! But I don't think Colin is one of the ST's favourites!"}, {"response": 500, "author": "sabine", "date": "Sun, Jan 17, 1999 (20:49)", "body": "Evelyn, thanks for your quick answere ! So, I want to beg everyone to send me an e-mail where and how I can get my hands on the video-tape of the interview with CF. I have got a NTSC and PAL VRC ! I live in germany. So maybe if someone in the UK or germany (or from elswhere, it really dosn t matter ) has got the video and would be so kind to send me one tape I will (of course) pay for all costs. Please be so kind to answer me to: Sabinepalkowski@hotmail.com Thanks !! Biene"}, {"response": 501, "author": "sabine", "date": "Sun, Jan 17, 1999 (20:56)", "body": "Know I have a question !!! Does anyone know when SIL will be shown in germany ?? Does anyone know about a premiere in germay with CF ??? Ann, I would like to meet you in London, but I can not get a day of on Tuesday to join you at the premiere :-( But maybe CF will be at the german premiere (Berlin, Hamburg, Munich) ??? Then I will flight there and make a lot of photos !! :-)"}, {"response": 502, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan 17, 1999 (21:45)", "body": "Sabine: If Renate doesn't have one in Germany, I'll send you mine since your VCR plays NTSC . Some way or another...we'll make sure you get to viewthe interview...it's a gem. And God only knows when we'll see another."}, {"response": 503, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jan 17, 1999 (22:36)", "body": "Sabine, I have the PAL copy of the A&E interview and I will be sending it to Maria and then she is going to send it on to Elena and Allison ,if you will let me have your address Allison. It could then be sent on to you but it may take a while. Perhaps as you are able to use PAL and NTSC it would be better if you take up Evelyn's very kind offer. If not email me and I will explain. BTW the London Premiere on Tuesday is according to Lisbeth's Timeline The European Gala Charity Premiere so maybe that includes Germany."}, {"response": 504, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Jan 17, 1999 (23:00)", "body": "(Bethan) Well, I'm not one to gossip, but, Martin said that his cod piece was bigger than Ben's cod piece, which he referred to as a \"perky little thing\". :-) I think men take umbrage at this sort of thing (though spoken in jest, of course)!!! Thank goodness Earls don't wear cod pieces..it sounds as though there was some locker room rivalry going on! I recall reading about a similar competition between Crispin Bonham Carter and CF ..... they say it was only the stuffing shirt, but do you believe everything that's written? Wish I could also recall *where* I read it. ;-) Anyone here with a better memory? Sabine: Up to now the opening date for SIL was March 11, but latest news say it is March 4. Good news, don't you think?!"}, {"response": 505, "author": "sabine", "date": "Sun, Jan 17, 1999 (23:12)", "body": "Renata, do you have a video tape of the interview with CF ? (Thanks for the eMail, Evelyn !) Do you know if there is a permiere in germany ?? And will CF be there ?? If there is a permiere of SIL in germany I will try to get there and make some photos ! (I think I have to buy a scanner then ;-) ) Sabine"}, {"response": 506, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan 17, 1999 (23:38)", "body": "Where on Murph's Corner are the new pictures from In Style and Premiere...all I can find is the SIL pics.?"}, {"response": 507, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jan 17, 1999 (23:44)", "body": "I too am unable to find it, sorry for following you around Evelyn.I can't remember who posted the bit of news Evelyn, was it Karen. Good night."}, {"response": 508, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Jan 18, 1999 (00:16)", "body": "(Bethan) Well, I'm not one to gossip, but, Martin said that his cod piece was bigger than Ben's cod piece, which he referred to as a \"perky little thing\". :-) I think men take umbrage at this sort of thing (though spoken in jest, of course)!!! Thank goodness Earls don't wear cod pieces..it sounds as though there was some locker room rivalry going on! I recall reading about a similar competition between Crispin Bonham Carter and CF ..... they say it was only the stuffing shirt, but do you believe everything that's written? Wish I could also recall *where* I read it. ;-) Anyone here with a better memory? Sabine: Up to now the opening date for SIL was March 11, but latest news say it is March 4. Good news, don't you think?!"}, {"response": 509, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Jan 18, 1999 (00:49)", "body": "\"...And what's Crispin really like beneath the breeches? For a start, he wasn't wearing any underwear on TV. During the double wedding scene, parts of his anatomy needed rearranging to make them less prominent. \"Colin (Firth who plays Darcy) got awfully jealous, actually,\" he says.[...]\"There was quite a lot of thigh acting. Those trousers really accentuate the thighs. Instead of underpants, you make a kind of nappy [=U.S. diaper] with your shirt tail.\" (From \"Profile: Crispin Bonham Carter\", Daily Express This Week Magazine, 9th March 1996)"}, {"response": 510, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Jan 18, 1999 (01:14)", "body": "Didn't post that one a second time! Away with you, Count All-mushy! I am just beginning to wonder if it has something to do with Netscape, that it keeps messages in the cache if you don't close the program in the meantime? Ben, you had repeated messages recently, too. Which browser do you use? Sabine, have no SIL interview tape yet, and don't know when I get it. And when I get it, I cannot copy it because it will be NTSC. Don't know anything about a German Premiere, and, frankly, wouldn't expect it anyway. I'd rather hope for a festival - the Berlinale, f.e., but don't know if it is the right time for the opening of SIL. Can check tomorrow when the Berlinale will be. MLSF or SLOW sounds much more like Berlinale entries. It is possible that GP's name has some recognition here, and perhaps Geoffrey Rush and Judy Dench, too, but I don't think more than a handful of people - and I have corresponded with most of them :-) - know CF by name. They hid P&P in the Easter afternoon program when it was aired first, and the second airing was on Tuesday mornings at 9.03 a.m.. Please! The ZDF does not know what a gem they have! On the other hand, the last time they broadcasted Playmaker, they recommended it warmly as a suspenseful erot c thriller! But I am confident that SIL will be very successful here in Germany, same as TEP. It has apparently just the right mixture of romance, humour and culture/ambition to get all those into the theaters who go to the movies once a year only. I am already looking forward to it. They will say: \"I have been to such a phantastic funny movie! You must go see Shakespeare in Love!\" And when they ask me why I smile so secretly (like Seer\ufffduber Jenny, or Ethel, the pirate's daughter ;-) ), I say: \"That's the movie I told you about 3 months ago...you know, the one where Hillary Clinton attended the NY premiere.\" Hah! :-))"}, {"response": 511, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 18, 1999 (01:54)", "body": "Renate...Sabine.... I will send you my NTSC this week...keepsies. Enjoy!"}, {"response": 512, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jan 18, 1999 (05:50)", "body": "Would someone please post again the network on which CF will appear (in snippets of Tumbledown, I believe). It is Jan 21st as I recall, but cannot find anything in my TV schedule which resembles anything having to do with the Falklands War unless it is \"Decisive Weapons\" on The History Channel. Please?! Mahalo!"}, {"response": 513, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Jan 18, 1999 (07:40)", "body": "Yes, Marcia it is \"Decisive Weapons, the Bayonet\" on the History Channel (I printed out Karen's message.) (Bethan) \"but Mr Darcy is played by the not-so-handsome Colin Firth, who just stands around looking like a yeoman farmer\" Eeeeyouch! That's the first time I've ever read that quote. Good God, not so handsome? Yeoman farmer? Does this writer not have eyes? I feel as if I've been punched in the stomach :-). BTW, the LA Times published its 1999 sneak previews issue today where they write up a blurb on all the movies to be released. FP was listed as a Spring release, which is the first time I've seen it listed in print. Kind of comforting, actually. MLSF was listed for a summer release which I would also find comforting had it not been listed in last year's sneaks episode as a 1998 summer release!"}, {"response": 514, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Jan 18, 1999 (08:33)", "body": "(Evelyn)Where on Murph's Corner are the new pictures from In Style and Premiere...all I can find is the SIL pics.? I think you will find them if you go to the roles page and click on the premier pictures towards the top. (Bethan) \"but Mr Darcy is played by the not-so-handsome Colin Firth, who just stands around looking like a yeoman farmer\" Bethan, wasn't that A.N.Wilson's comment. I didn't read the original but he was quoted by somebody subsequently as one of the only anti voices and apparently he changed his mind as the series progressed. (Some source I am, I can never remember the details!)"}, {"response": 515, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jan 18, 1999 (09:58)", "body": "I thought UK fans might be interested to know that the Big Breakfast Channel 4 will be reporting on the SIL Premiere on Wednesday morning, with interviews! (CF?)"}, {"response": 516, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jan 18, 1999 (13:55)", "body": "That was some bum steer we got from Bravo (via RoP) about the 'Making of SiL' interview airing yesterday at 3:45. I had the VCR going and viewed the tape this morning--nothing. Rats! And my football team lost yesterday, making the day a wipeout. :-( Oh, well."}, {"response": 517, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Jan 18, 1999 (14:15)", "body": "Big Breakfast Channel 4 will be reporting on the SIL Premiere on Wednesday morning, with interviews! (CF?) I shall set my video (VCR)."}, {"response": 518, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 18, 1999 (16:52)", "body": "Thank you Allison. Let's hope they interview CF at the Premiere. **** Someone sent me the URL of Murph's pics of In Style and Premiere magazine. http://members.tripod.com/i_love_movies/sil/silpremx.html **** Sorry about yesterday's No Show of the SIL premiere on BRAVO. Someone posted the info on RoP Virtual Views.I should have confirmed with BRAVO: I know better than post someone else's info. AAA (Apologies All Around) An acronym I coined since I use it so much!! **** Great aft at the CF Chat Room yesterday....5 or 6 droolies....including Sha Xiao from China. Said she had seen P&P many times. We asked her if she saw it on Chinese TV or on a video...but I don't think she comprehended our question. Sunday afternoon about 4 or 5PM US CT 10/11pmUK GT seems to be pretty good. Did Nan ever set a time for us to meet?"}, {"response": 519, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Mon, Jan 18, 1999 (17:39)", "body": "Please let me know waht time we are all going to meet to chat. I missed it last time. I live in Central Standard TIme. Not so handsome.... who on earth would say that........someone who does not know the different between handsome and okay. Ann: I want to some to London also. Maybe this summer"}, {"response": 520, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jan 18, 1999 (18:26)", "body": "I'm so excited I can't contain myself, was having trouble logging on to drool but everything is okay again. You will never believe it but we have got tickets for the Premiere, talk about last minute, just hope that wern't returned CF tickets, front row, hope its not too close but who cares. Sorry I have not been in touch Rita, been very busy and I am so thrilled to be ducky enough to get tickets, it is a bit more dignified that just standing outside. Will report back."}, {"response": 521, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jan 18, 1999 (18:43)", "body": "Ann, you go, girl! Hope you have a very firthfilling time! I'm looking forward to your report. Evelyn, we knew it wasn't your info; no need for AAA's. I don't think we ever nailed down a good chat time. For me, weekdays are better, but I think I'm in the minority. I'll go along with whatever is decided."}, {"response": 522, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Jan 18, 1999 (19:00)", "body": "(AnnW)You will never believe it but we have got tickets for the Premiere I shall look out for you on the Big Breakfast!"}, {"response": 523, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jan 18, 1999 (20:26)", "body": "(AnnW) You will never believe it but we have got tickets for the Premiere The power of positive thinking! Go to it! Maybe 1999 is going to be a good year! I'm pleased that the release dates of FP and MLSF are becoming more official...hey, that's three movie releases in the US in 6 months! That's what I call momentum! I'm hopeful we'll get MLSF in June/July as well. I've noticed that a lot of \"British\" movies (Hideous Kinky, Jackie and whoever) seem to have more or less simultaneous openings in the US and Europe. Allison, you're right....it was A.N.Wilson....tut! I'm getting my quotes all muddled. But I can recall a couple of sideswipes at CF that were definitely the Sunday Telegraph!! May it boil in oil!"}, {"response": 524, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jan 18, 1999 (20:36)", "body": "re the Release dates in the LA Times, I hope I have not mislead anyone, I definitely read that FP was to be released on 26th February, but that would be winter 1999 not Spring1999."}, {"response": 525, "author": "susanne", "date": "Mon, Jan 18, 1999 (21:24)", "body": "Ann, Congrats on your obtaining SIL premiere tickets. A definite dream-come-true! I hope your courage will rise in the attempts CF intimidation and you will speak to the object of all our affection. I know if I ever had the good fortune to meet him,I would be absolutely tongue-tied or I would make a blubbering fool of myself and hate myseld the morning after. When exactly is this premiere? I will be looking for your report and remember, no detail is to small for us to know."}, {"response": 526, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 18, 1999 (21:26)", "body": "Congratulations, Ann, on getting tickets to the premiere. Have fun and take lots of pictures. Remember, Livia hangs out in the ladies. ;-) (Bethan) I've noticed that a lot of \"British\" movies (Hideous Kinky, Jackie and whoever) seem to have more or less simultaneous openings in the US and Europe. I've seen the trailer for Hideous Kinky several times and it looks really bad. Also noticed it received govt funding. Shame."}, {"response": 527, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jan 18, 1999 (21:43)", "body": "I just hope I haven't got Colin's returned tickets, and Sue the Premiere is tomorrow evening in London, The European Charity Gala Premiere, I feel very very lucky but I really hope you won't expect too much of me I'm afraid there is absolutely no chance I will speak to him but my eyes will be glued to every detail."}, {"response": 528, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 18, 1999 (22:28)", "body": "Ann, the Firth is with you!!! We know you can do it, don't forget the flash. I was unable to check Bravo at the appointed time (husband watching Italian football league), but I turned Bravo on around 4:30pm and caught the end of the SIL program Colin clip and all! Let's hope they show it again, I did not make it in time to record it. Ugh!"}, {"response": 529, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jan 18, 1999 (22:32)", "body": "Hideous Kinky.......Also noticed it received govt funding Of the \ufffd60million invested in Brit funded films, \ufffd2million has been recouped so far. Ouch! (Although there are several films yet to be released) I hope SLOW bucks the trend...I was heartened to hear that it got a good reception in Martha's Vineyard! Isn't that rather upmarket though?"}, {"response": 530, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Jan 19, 1999 (00:54)", "body": "the Sunday Telegraph!! May it boil in oil! I know, but we have tried every other sunday paper and it is the one we come back to! So UK firthfans - which channels are you going to be covering on wednesday morning?"}, {"response": 531, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jan 19, 1999 (01:17)", "body": "Which should be covered? Let's see the schedule and fix the duty rota."}, {"response": 532, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 19, 1999 (02:40)", "body": "Re: BRAVO....I have been informed thatthey were running late..but they DID show SIL at 4PM. If you saw the end at 4:30, Moon...they must have shown the long version. Rats....I'll call them again and see if I can nail them down. With these fillers, it's a little \"loosey-goosey\" on BRAVO....If a film runs short ...they throw one in....the fillers are never on the schedule. ****** We're with you in spirit...Ann ,ole buddie...nothing like a London Premiere.... the floodlights in the sky at Leicester Sq....the Red Carpet.... You'll tell your grandchildren about it.Esp. with this film which will turn out to be a timeless classic.Relish every minute.!!"}, {"response": 533, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 19, 1999 (03:17)", "body": "FIRTHETTES IN GERMANY....From today's VARIETY: BERLIN \ufffd Oscar dark horse \ufffdShakespeare in Love\ufffd will vie for a Golden Bear in competition at the Berlin Intl. Film Fest running Feb. 10-21, distrib UIP confirmed. Miramax\ufffds Gwyneth Paltrow starrer will now screen Feb. 14. Insiders said the fest wanted the pic as its opening night film, but was pushed back because \ufffdShakespeare\ufffd stars had filming conflicts on Feb. 10. Director John Madden is expected to attend."}, {"response": 534, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jan 19, 1999 (17:15)", "body": "(Moon)...but I turned Bravo on around 4:30pm and caught the end of the SIL program Colin clip and all! (Evelyn)Re: BRAVO....I have been informed thatthey were running late..but they DID show SIL at 4PM. If you saw the end at 4:30, Moon...they must have shown the long version. I tuned in to turn the tape off at about 4:05 and the scheduled movie was still showing. My guess is they aired the short version but closer to 4:30 as Moon noted. Curses! Just missed it! Your inquiries of Bravo are appreciated. Entertainment Tonight will be covering SiL's London premiere. Footage should air tonight. I suppose there's an outside possiblity of seeing Colin (if he should happen to walk by as they're grilling Ben or Gwyneth about their split). But you never know! Regardless, we'll have our insider there (Ann)."}, {"response": 535, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 19, 1999 (17:42)", "body": "Thanks Eileen...for the ET info. Wow, if they get the footage tonight...nice goin'. They are flying Gwyneth over on the Concorde just for the day!! AnnW. says she will be in CF Chat Room tomorrow....now..get these times. 9PM UK time(Greenwich Time) 4PM Eastern, US 3PM Central 2PM Mountain 1PM Pacific"}, {"response": 536, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Jan 19, 1999 (18:01)", "body": "(Evelyn) chat tomorrow 4PM Eastern, US Drat! I'll be at school. Well, I'll catch you guys later in the week, I hope."}, {"response": 537, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Jan 19, 1999 (19:23)", "body": "Does anyone know how find and post back issues of newspapers?? Specifically the Jan 11 issue of USA Today, pp 4D and 5D have two MARVELOUS articles on SiL; one on the historical verity of the various characters (Wessex included), and the other on all the Shakespearean \"in-jokes\" contained in the movie. A friend sent me a clipping of it. Can anybody retrieve??"}, {"response": 538, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Jan 19, 1999 (19:25)", "body": "FIRTHETTES IN GERMANY....From today's VARIETY: BERLIN \ufffd Oscar dark horse \ufffdShakespeare in Love\ufffd will vie for a Golden Bear in competition at the Berlin Intl. Film Fest running Feb. 10-21, distrib UIP confirmed. Thanks a lot, Evelyn! Don't think I will be able to travel to Berlin myself, but someone from the Frankfurt Firth Flock will, so we'll get first hand reports. Speaking of which: I'm all anticipation what Ann will have to report."}, {"response": 539, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 19, 1999 (23:23)", "body": "WHOOOPEEEE!! I have just been informed that Yahoo UK reports that HE WAS THERE!!"}, {"response": 540, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 19, 1999 (23:41)", "body": "Found it her it is...Yahoo, UK, Entertainment Tuesday January 19, 9:42 PM Paltrow Shines As Shakespeare Stars Arrive At Gala Hollywood's Gwyneth Paltrow wore a Ralph Lauren outfit and her British co-star Joseph Fiennes chose more humble togs to attend the premiere of the hottest new film comedy Shakespeare In Love. Paltrow may have been the main draw for what is already being called the film of the year, but she headed a distinguished British cast. Fiennes was joined by Colin Firth, Simon Callow, Tom Wilkinson, Martin Clunes, Mark Williams and Imelda Staunton at the charity gala at the Empire Leicester Square in London."}, {"response": 541, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan 19, 1999 (23:45)", "body": "Evelyn, did you think he would not be there? I admit this is the one time that thought did not cross my mind. I am hoping to hear a full report from Ann in locuo and hopefully Bethan, Arami and Allison will have some news from the media as well."}, {"response": 542, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (00:06)", "body": "(Moon)Re: HE WAS THERE Evelyn, did you think he would not be there? Enthusiastic declaration.....did not anticipate a \"no show\" ."}, {"response": 543, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (00:57)", "body": "Hi Everybody, It is late and we have just got in but I just had to put a few thoughts down before I went to bed. Firstly we had a wonderful time, but I am afraid I didn't get an autograph or a chat as Dame Winter did, unfortunately we were ushered to our seats but not before I saw Colin, and the first thing that struck me about him was how different he looked from the US Premieres, he has lost wieght, he looks younger and his hair is darker and styled differently, do you think it is a new image for a ne part!!! Bob Hoskins introduced the Gala on behalf of the Chicken Shed and Harvey Weinstein was there Evelyn. The best thing of all was that John Madden introduced all the actors present at the Premiere and they all came down to the front of the cinema, and there I am sitting in the front row, six feet away from you know who and I couldn't get over how young and boyish he looked. We have taken photos but I am not sure the flash was working properly, we will have to wait and see. We thought he and Mart n Clunes got the loudest clap!! am I biased. I was just going to put my thoughts down on about the film on this topic but just realised it should be on 115. One other thing there were masses and masses of cameras there and I noticed that the Gala was sponsored by Sky Movies so if any one in the UK has Sky I am sure they will have a report. An unforgetable evening but now it seems so unreal."}, {"response": 544, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (02:32)", "body": "Dear Ann, I am so happy for you. Been waiting 'til late to check 'cause I knew you'd tell us first thing. I'll hop on over to 115 but please tell us: Shat was he wearing? Did you see Livia? What was she wearing? Was he smiling? nervous? when he had to go to the front? Any acknowledgment from him for the applause he got? So he looked a bit different than what you expected? Are you willing to say better? It's late so I'll look for you tomorrow. You're the only person I know of who went so any tidbit you give us will be a feast. Pictures would be the hot fudge sundae, of course."}, {"response": 545, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (02:46)", "body": "Hi All: Murph here -- a long time/part time lurker, and an old (in more ways than one) FOFer. I just wanted to thank Ann for the info on the London premiere. Thinner? Darker hair? Different styling? I wonder if it is for a new part or Livia's doing. Can't wait to see the pictures. Murph"}, {"response": 546, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (03:32)", "body": "Hi all... finally got my network connection fixed. Please don't think I've just been lurking and unresponsive-- I've just had trouble posting things. (Moon-- if you check out VV over in Pemberley, I haven't responded yet to the further disc. of TTRL) ANN!!! Way too cool! I'll hop over to 115 soon to read more about your adventures! I'm so impressed by how close you got. So what about the new haristyle? Was it a little more styled or still moppish? We have taken photos but I am not sure the flash was working properly, Oh, I can identify too well. Keeping my fingers crossed for you!"}, {"response": 547, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (03:51)", "body": "Ann: You lucky girl. I am so thrilled that you got to go. Please, details, details,details...... Can't wait to see the pixs. You are truly a lucky girl....."}, {"response": 548, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (07:31)", "body": "Yea Ann!!! So glad you got to see him up close and personal. I was worried that your front row seats might make it hard for you to enjoy the film, but it turns out you had the best seat in the house :-). Nice to see you here, Murph!"}, {"response": 549, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (08:06)", "body": "Up early to get the News programmes and the same story contines, everyone was interviewed or shown arriving expect Colin, hope someone is getting something, my best bet would be SKY but he definitely did a couple of interviews.Can't remember what GP was wearing except that it was white/cream and long, I was just so amazed as to how different Colin looked to what he looked in the A&E interview. He seemed pleased with his reception and seemed to be enjoying himself very relaxed, and was introduced just bef ore GP & JF,BTW he is taller than JF. Didn't see Livia much she was sitting towards the back of the cinema and came in after we sat down and left while the credits were going up. I do hope we get some pictures because I really thought he looked great. Allison I hope you get some coverage of Colin. I t ought he looked a bit tired in the A&E interview but here he looked full of beans!! Oh for some news.!!"}, {"response": 550, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (08:19)", "body": "Allison will have some news from the media as well. Well as I write I still have the video rolling on Channel 3 but I can report a short report on BBC1, interview with GP and short clip showing CF dancing but no mention. Big Breakfast, typically interviews with Imelda Staunton, Bob Hoskins, GP, is it Mark Williams (soap star??) Martin Clunes (he seems to be the UK answer to Ben Afflick as far as publicity is concerned and he is still going on about their codpieces!) and then Tom Wilkinson. Was just beginning to despair when I saw over TW's shoulder a wonderul smiling figure obviously being introduced to somebody. It was his loveliness himself. Must go and watch it another 20 times. Will try not to wear out the tape! Ooo Ann I am so glad you got a ring side seat. Lucky you. Shall now go over to 115 and read the details."}, {"response": 551, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (08:25)", "body": "Aha! I told you Ann, 1999 is going to be a good year! Sitting six feet away from you-know-who in the front row. Couldn't be better. Well done! We have Sky, but I have to dash to work! Will watch this evening (too late?)"}, {"response": 552, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (08:25)", "body": "Aha! I told you Ann, 1999 is going to be a good year! Sitting six feet away from you-know-who in the front row. Couldn't be better. Well done! We have Sky, but I have to dash to work! Will watch this evening (too late?)"}, {"response": 553, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (08:34)", "body": "Allison, I can't believe it I am recording Channel 4, trying to cover both ITV and BBC, only one video and missed the BBC report, did I miss Colin and trying to post as well. Did you say you are recording BBC?"}, {"response": 554, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (08:45)", "body": ". Did you say you are recording BBC? No I didn't record BBC1 but I watched it. The mornign program there is very news based not a magazine format so it appered from what I saw that the premier was a news item with a sound bite from GP and a clip of JD with v small sight of our DB bowing and a scene I think of CF and JF dancing with GP. It was also on News at Ten last night which also had clips of CF. I did not record it, I am afraid. Ann, how are you feeling this morning. I cannot imagine how you must feel being so close to him. I feel excited just having seen a view of him on television, behind Tom Wilkinson's left ear! (Bethan)! We have Sky, but I have to dash to work! Will watch this evening (too late?) Isn't Barry Norman's show now on Sky? Just maybe, we might get an interview between BN and CF?"}, {"response": 555, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (09:51)", "body": "I can't believe it, three morning news programmes and he was not mentioned or interviewed on any. Thanks to Allison I caught of glimpse of him behind TW, on The Big Breakfast, but it you blinked you would miss him, however, I think Allison will agree with me that he looked very good and very relaxed.Why can't I be a fan of someone who gets more media attention it is so frustrating I so wanted everyone to see pictures of him to see if you agree with me how different he looks from the A&E interview. Al ison I don't usually buy Hello or OK magazines but I think it will be a must this week also can anyone get today's Evening Standard, I'm sjure they will have a report but it will probably all be about GP & BA splitting up. Sorry to sound so downbeat after last night must be tired."}, {"response": 556, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (10:25)", "body": "I shouldn't be posting here. I am trying to prepare for an important meeting but can't resist, it is much more interesting than budget forecasts! I shall definitely buy the Evening Standard. I shall also buy the Friday edition for a few weeks to come because I have noticed that the magazine which will almost certainly have pictures, is usually works several weeks in arrears! Ann, I thought he looked wonderful and I liked the way he looked so pleasant and friendly as he was being introduced. I kept thinking that he looked the sort of person who would be really nice to know. I have to confess that having read some of his past interviews, I haven't been to impressed by what appear to have been attempts to claim street cred and had previously thought that I would go a long way not to meet him to avoid disappointment. But recently I think he has changed. I think he was probab y a rather well brought up middle class boy who, working in a very liberal industry , had assumed this bohemian attitude which doesn't quite fit him. Or maybe that is just wishful thinking! There doesn't seem to be much of the bohemian about Livia! I wonder if his parents are pleased that he has settled down at last! The Now interview implied that. Having read that - don't I sound OLD. Like Bethan, I am beginning to feel like a mother hen."}, {"response": 557, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (14:07)", "body": "Hi there! I've scanned the quality press (at work) and there's a photo of GP in the Telegraph, otherwise no coverage. But I note that in Allison's paper (!) the Mail, there's a front page pic of GP and a five star review. (With yet again, no mention of CF, other than as playing the \"Duke\" of Wessex!)"}, {"response": 558, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (14:28)", "body": "Oooohhh, Ann, how did you manage not to slide out of your seat? What a moment! And kudos to Allison, Bethan and Ann for covering all the talk shows. I thought that was rather well coordinated! I share your disappointment at the lack of Colin coverage but by now I'm getting rather resigned to it. Perhaps the interviews will continue as the movie plays and becomes popular. Entertainment Tonight did cover the premiere, but as I expected it was focused on GP. They re-ran clips from BA's interview over the weekend re: their split. Great PR for the movie, though. Momentum is building. The GG's are to be held this Sunday. I'm intrigued by the fact that Colin looks so different, Ann. Darker hair, lost weight (and he was just starting to look healthy again, compared to a few years ago when he did ATA). Hmmmm.... looking forward to further discussion when we get together for the chat later today!"}, {"response": 559, "author": "susanne", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (14:45)", "body": "Ann, Did your pulse start racing, heartrate accelerate, get warm and sweaty-all signs of Firthitis (coming into close vicinity with the man himself). You lucky gal! Thanks for the report. It sounds like a wonderful time was had by all. I can't believe Britain doesn't support it's own stars a little more. I can understand why he didn't get a lot of press here, but you would think in the country where is a name, he would be mentioned more."}, {"response": 560, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (14:57)", "body": "Bravissima Ann! I too am so curious to see the pictures. Was his hair longer, those wonderful curls showing? I do prefer him with darker hair. Heide had lots of good questions. Welcome Murph, so nice to have you post, it makes it all so firthfilling. I will try to be at Chat this afternoon. Now, I'm off to check the SIL post."}, {"response": 561, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (15:19)", "body": "Moon, his hair is shorter and as I say he looked so boyish, and so much younger, and really too thin again. Whatever he is doing I wish he would tell me, I could do with losing a few pounds and looking younger!! I have been out shopping this morning and scoured the newstands, the best picture of Colin & livia is in The Sun! with short write up, also a picture in The Evening Standard but they left Colin's name of the distinguished british cast again, He certainly is Mr. Invisible Bethan,so the Sun gets my vote. I would have loved for you all to have seen him, he looked absolutelty gorgeous and happy, I have never seen him smile soo much and he was in a suit, I think Livia is a good influence on him."}, {"response": 562, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (15:50)", "body": "Oooh! Thanks for the above Ann! Makes very good reading, and more than makes amends for the oversights in the press.. although the Sun has the largest readership in the country....more than all the broadsheets put together! I'm beginning to wonder if Colin actually looks \"older\" and heavier on screen. I've seen several comments to the effect that he looks younger, more boyish, slimmer etc in the flesh. I've never heard anyone say \"Hey, I met Colin Firth and boy, was he fat!\" And he can't be yo-yo-ing up and down all the time. Doesn't the screen add several pounds to normal weight? And of course, we rarely see him smile on screen! BTW, if he's had a hair re-style, maybe he's being groomed for a new film role! He doesn't seem to be unduly concerned about his appearance otherwise, so maybe this is a sign. Did he look like Mark Darcy, Ann? :-)"}, {"response": 563, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (16:06)", "body": "Bethan, Iagree that being on television and on film can put on pounds, but he looks quite skinny now, whereas on the A& E video he(i hate to say it) tended to look a bit chubby around the neck and cheeks and it does show up a bit in the film but then it does make him look broad and strong which isright for thepart. As to Mark Darcy, no I think he looks too young, Mark Darcy would be what 40ish and Colin I think looks about 30 and I also imagined Mark Darcy would be quite stocky, stocky would be better fo Colin too if he wants a part in Mary Queen of Scots, don't you think Bethan. If we don't get some news soon will some brave person please ring his Agent I keep hearing of lesser actors having two or three films lined up."}, {"response": 564, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (16:10)", "body": "I forgot to mention that there is a picture and short article in the main section of today Times, and this time they have mentioned him."}, {"response": 565, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (16:27)", "body": "I went out and bought the Evening Standard. No mention and no picture. Has he become a non person in such a short space of time? Famous for 5 minutes and all that. The press has such a short memory span. Ann, did you buy a copy of the Sun? What was Livia wearing? Details for the starving...Please."}, {"response": 566, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (16:27)", "body": "Bethan, will you please still check Sky news when you get home, they may still be running th story, he must have done an interview for somebody.I really must get on with some work!"}, {"response": 567, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (16:32)", "body": "Well the unbelieveable Allison, I only bought it lunchtime, News Extra edition and it has a special supplement \"25 reason why you should see this film\" and Colin is listed No. 5 reason \"This may be the first ever film in which Colin Firth does not score\",don't quite no what they mean as he didn't \"score\" in TEP but I expect it is a clever remark to do with FP. I would be pleased to send it to you if you like."}, {"response": 568, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (16:47)", "body": "Well girls....aren't you proud of our Ann!!! And nothing like a good report to bring 24 postings this morning! Murph....we are VERY glad to have you with us....you belong to spring and we need you. Bring Mari along next time. See everyone at Chat this aft.in US (UK 9pm). (Moon, I'm working on BRAVO to repeat SIL...stay tuned)"}, {"response": 569, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (17:17)", "body": "(AnnW)the best picture of Colin & livia is in The Sun! with short write up Is this the edition you bought?"}, {"response": 570, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (18:17)", "body": "Ann, thanks for the thrilling report! I'm reading it (and the followup comments) here at work with a huge grin on my face, and my coworkers are all thinking I've gone mad! (If they only knew.) What luck to be in the front row -- I would have melted into a puddle. I for one think the style change is definitely indicative of a new role (quick, someone give me some wood to knock on!)"}, {"response": 571, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (19:18)", "body": "I can't believe Britain doesn't support it's own stars a little more. (Sue) Actually, the coverage of SIL is rather good for a non-royal personage attended premiere. I don't recall many (any?) premieres being covered by News at Ten. And although I don't like the Sun newspaper, 4 million people do! Mark Darcy would be what 40ish and Colin I think looks about 30 (Ann) I think Mark Darcy would be 38 and very slim!:-) \"About 30\"...Wow! Way to go, Colin! Any more details of his reception by the audience, Ann? Much applause? Did he smile a lot? Look pleased? Hope Harvey noticed that he was popular! Who cares about the press!!"}, {"response": 572, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (19:39)", "body": "I can't believe Britain doesn't support it's own stars a little more. (Sue) Actually they were! Simon Callow, Tom Wilkinson, Martin Clunes, some soap star I have never heard of but everybody else has, GP whom the press regard as honorary British (though she was very rude about \"bubble and squeak\" which proves she cannot be not really British). The problem is that CF is yesterday's news!! But according to Ann, he seems very happy about it so perhaps as he says, he doesn't give a sh*t about fame, or he has another juicy job lined up and can afford to smile."}, {"response": 573, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (19:58)", "body": "Firstly Allison, I thought you might be interested to know that if you go to this page www.thisislondon.co.uk and scroll down you will be able to read the article I told you about in The Evening Standard, no pictures of Colin & Livie and they have left him out off the cast list but you may find it interesting also the\" 25 reasons why you should not miss this film \"or something like that and yes that was the editon of the Sun I bought lunchtime Bizarre page \"No fiennery for Bard Joe\" And under Colin & Livi 's photo is the caption \"Firth Night\" and under Martin Clunes photo \"Behaving Bardly\" Clever or wot. I will send both pictures to Karen to see if she can do anything with them. Also I am afraid that the photos we took weren't brilliant but there is one with the whole cast standing at the front of the cinema that it quite good of Colin so I will send that also. Sorry we didn't have much success but it realy was bedlam in the foyer and I really think we shouldn't have taken one photo inside the cinema let a one 4 or 5. Bethan have you had time to check Sky News, I do wish you could see him being interviewed, he look great ,suit and tie and his hair much shorter. He smiled a lot and seemed very happy and relaxed and was grinning the whole time he stood at the front of the cinema. Everyone seemed very happy as well they should especially Harvey W. BTW I think someone asked me where they went for the after show party, well according to the Evening Standard\" 500 guests were taken by coach to the imposing Merchant Taylor's livery hall in the City, parts of which date back well before Shakespears's time. In great rooms and corridors awash with tulips and roses, juggle s, fire-easters and street players in Elizabethan costumes entertained guests as they supped chanpagne and demolished, salmon, venison, suckling pig and syllabubs.\" Very nice.If I think of anything else I will post right away."}, {"response": 574, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (20:04)", "body": "If I think of anything else I will post it right away.Oh I thought he voice sounded wonderful on screen, should that be on 115. (that sounds a bit daft sounded wonderful on screen but you know what I mean)"}, {"response": 575, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (20:05)", "body": "Oh, Ann, have read all your write-ups and look forward to being on Chat a little later on. Will be scouring the local news stands for the Sun and the rest that had pics! Glad to hear that Colin looked fit and trim and, as-ever, boyishly handsome! I do hope that the change in hairstyles does signify a *new* role!! What did it look like to you? Is Mark Darcy possible? Or did he look like a spy-type for that Marked Man project? We are all eyes and ears!! Allison, have received your package. Thank you. I have the February SHE article all typed up and will upload later today. I will also scan in the pictures separately. Am not that talented to be able to incorporate images in the text yet. Am at the baby step stage... (KJArt) Does anyone know how find and post back issues of newspapers?? Specifically the Jan 11 issue of USA Today, pp 4D and 5D have two MARVELOUS articles on SiL; one on the historical verity of the various characters (Wessex included), and the other on all the Shakespearean \"in-jokes\" contained in the movie. A friend sent me a clipping of it. Can anybody retrieve?? Try this: For \"Finding the Laughs Between the Lines\" Jan 10, 1999 http://www.usatoday.com/life/enter/movies/lfilm487.htm Unfortunately, the other articles I printed don't have the location on the header. Some idiot must have changed the specs on me!! Will keep looking, but I do have hard copy if you want it. (Let me know) Welcome, Murph! Do not go gentle into that deep, dark lurkdom....at least not while we are all a-Firthfrenzied!! ;-D"}, {"response": 576, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (20:25)", "body": "I hope I haven't mislead everyong, when I say he has had a change of hairstyle, what I mean is it is now much darker, and whereas it was falling over his face at the LA Premiere it is now much shorter and straighter at the front and oh I do hope it is it for some forthcoming role Darcy, Marked Man anything or else we are going to run out of films to discuss and go and see. Talking of forthcoming, in the Programme where they do a little bit on the actors under Colins list of films is says ...\"and the fort coming Miramax film MLSF,\" so it must definitely be forthcoming. (I do not have the programme at the moment, but it is something like that. It is a lovely large shiny programme with lots of information."}, {"response": 577, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (21:00)", "body": "The problem is that CF is yesterday's news!! (Allison) Oh, you're beginning to sound like me, Allison! Or me, as my former self! Before I was reborn. :-) My 1999 self is super-optimistic and quite positive that this will be a good year for CF! Don't forget that She magazine only recently nominated him as sexiest man (over thirty, but still...!) :-) Hey, Ann, he wore a TIE!!?? He's really smartening up, or maybe Livia has taken him to task and chucked out his old wardrobe! Glad to hear that MLSF is being promoted. David(Lord) Puttnam features very strongly in the media these days, and his name alone will guarantee that in the UK, certainly, MLSF will garner respectful coverage. Re. CF's consistent omission from the cast list, when people like Simon Callow are mentioned. There's normally a brief studio handout which is circulated to the press for information when premieres are held etc. Perhaps CF's name was accidently omitted and the omission was then repeated. I've not seen anything on Sky News, but popular demand in our household is for CNN (the State of the Nation address!), so I may have missed it. We don't subscribe to Sky movies , I'm afraid, so no Barry Norman either! Clutching at straws, but the change of hairstyle does sound promising..it's fallen over his face for years, why change now? Hmmm? :-)"}, {"response": 578, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (21:25)", "body": "I missed the chat, but have a picture from the Evening Standard thanks to FOFer Martine at this URL: http://members.tripod.com/~i_love_movies/sil/silpremx.html Also, I have that USA article at Murph's Corner. It is fun! Thanks for your welcome. I will stop by more often. Murph"}, {"response": 579, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (21:28)", "body": "Murph, we're at Chat *now*,go there!"}, {"response": 580, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (22:05)", "body": "25 reasons why you shouldn't miss it Shakespeare In Love Joseph Fiennes, Gwyneth Paltrow, Geoffrey Rush, Judi Dench. Dir: John Madden. by Pete Clark 1. Kenneth Branagh has had nothing whatsoever to do with this film, Shakespeare in Love. 2. Gwyneth Paltrow and her real-life boyfriend allegedly split up because he took exception to the sizzling nature of her love scenes with Joseph Fiennes. This is your chance to judge the validity of his case. 3. This the first chance to see an actor from the Fast Show (Mark Williams) tackle a part of profundity. 4. The screenplay, written by Tom Stoppard, allows those of us who studied Shakespeare and the generation of bloodthirsty Jacobeans who came after to quietly congratulate ourselves on spotting literary in-jokes. 5. This may be the first film ever in which Colin Firth does not score. 6. An opportunity to pay public homage to director John Madden, the only man to have successfully curbed the over-exuberant actorly tendencies of both Antony Sher and Simon Callow. 7. A once-in-a-lifetime chance to see Martin Clunes as a man behaving well. 8. As it takes two to tango, Joseph Fiennes also takes his clothes off in the love scenes with Gwyneth Paltrow. No girlfriend has as yet walked out on him so perhaps he does not have one. Your chance to audition imaginatively for that role! 9. \"Spot the deliberate anachronisms\" in Shakespeare in Love is sure to become London's favourite dinner-party game. 10. Marvel at the versatility of Geoffrey Rush as he forsakes the piano to play percussion with his dentures. 11. See Judi Dench as a spiky, blisteringly intelligent Elizabeth I, coming on like M in a ruff and whiteface. 12. See Gwyneth Paltrow don moustache and beard in a doomed attempt to play a man in a society in which no women were allowed on stage. 13. Marvel at the uproar when her deception is unmasked, and reflect on the fact that this precipitated a social revolution, eventually allowing Nicole Kidman to take the London stage without fear of censure. 14. Wonder at the stiffness of the magnificent collars worn by the cast at a time when dry cleaning and the steam iron had yet to be invented. 15. This film centres around an object lesson in the importance of titles. As Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter, the featured entertainment was going nowhere. Then the name was changed to Romeo and Juliet and the rest is history. 16. Shakespeare has recently been voted British Personality of the Millennium by Radio 4 listeners. Do you agree with the verdict of the pointy-heads? 17. It is impossible to resist any film which has a running dog gag. 18. It is equally impossible to resist any film which explores the origins of the humourous tendencies of London cabbies. 19. The second most famous playwright in the film does not appear on the credits, nor does the name of the flamboyant actor who plays him. Who are they? 20. Shakespeare in Love is a girls' movie, for boys. 21. See Hugh Fennyman (Tom Wilkinson) addressing his assembled cast of actors: \"Now listen to me, you dregs,\" showing that attitudes towards thespians have evolved over the past 500 years not a jot. 22. The movie contains a great cigarette joke: \"I fancy tobacco has a future.\" This is said by the villainous Lord Wessex, which gives it a slightly sinister ring. 23. The film is worth seeing just for the bloodthirsty, animal-torturing boy John Webster, who, when asked his opinion of Romeo and Juliet, replies tersely: \"Plenty of blood.\" Webster grew up to be a leading playwright of the Jacobean era, who were to drama what Hammer Horror was to cinema. 24. Nod sagely at the refrain \"It's a mystery,\" usually said by Philip Henslowe (Geoffrey Rush), which is used in the context of debt and money but has an underlying meaning about the alchemy of acting and writing. Very smart. 25. Finally, we must all see the film in order to support Gwyneth Paltrow's campaign to become a naturalised Englishwoman."}, {"response": 581, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (22:31)", "body": "Click on this for the February 1999 She article that Allison so kindly sent to me. I will get the pictures on within the next couple of days. Sorry. http://www.spring.net/~KarenR/articles/SHE0299.HTM"}, {"response": 582, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (23:13)", "body": "(Allison), GP whom the press regard as honorary British (though she was very rude about \"bubble and squeak\" which proves she cannot be not really British). Please explain b&s. Murph, in that picture Livia looks like she could be pregnant. She always wears pants now, maybe her skirts no longer fit. Colin looks fab! A four button suit, very chic. I look forward to seeing all the pictures, thanks Ann and thank you Karen for posting them."}, {"response": 583, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (23:48)", "body": "Wow! Cool jacket. Livia must be having an influence but what's with that tie? Gotta check it out again. Thanks, Mary. Not too sure about Livia's outfit. Did you see more of it Ann? Moon, ever optimistic about the bambino but eventually you'll be right and be able to say, \"See? I told you so.\" ;-) He does look very happy. I'm glad, Ann, you found him so charming. He certainly hasn't stepped wrong yet with all the lucky people who have seen him so far. Did I miss anything at Chat?"}, {"response": 584, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 21, 1999 (00:33)", "body": "TV ALERT US Karen just called to report that E! News Daily covered the SIL Premiere and Colin's interview is featured. This will be re-aired probably tonight and tomorrow morning and at noon. Check out Access Hollywood for the Premiere coverage."}, {"response": 585, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jan 21, 1999 (01:10)", "body": "WOW! I've been gone 24 hours and the place has gone bananas! Ann - well done, gal. And welcome, Murph. What a great day in Drool, everybody. So, I wasted my time watching Big Breakfast - I guess it's good for laughs and for very young at heart. I suppose I should have felt better for it, but I really wanted to see Colin. Instead there was Martin Clunes, best known for a comedy series \"Men Behavibg Badly\", and habitually exploiting the crude laddish-clownish image at every opportunity. Here's what he said to the blushing girl reporter: MC: Did you notice I had the biggest codpiece in the film? R: Nno, I... MC: Oh, why do I bother! Yeah, I did! Ben Affleck... (shows the tip of his little finger) Chipolata! Past it!... [cut]"}, {"response": 586, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jan 21, 1999 (01:44)", "body": "(Arami)WOW! I've been gone 24 hours and the place has gone bananas! Hmmm... Didn't notice with the place going bananas;)"}, {"response": 587, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jan 21, 1999 (07:57)", "body": "Moon, re your bambino comments perhaps that why Colin had this silly grin all over his all evening,it wasn't anothing to do with an exciting brand new role!!"}, {"response": 588, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jan 21, 1999 (08:00)", "body": "all over his face, of course. Sorry Heide didn't really see Liv ia but she is so beautiful she looks great in anything but I agree it doesn't look very flattering. Glad to hear you may be able to see him being interviewed, I knew there had to be an interview somewhere but why not on UK TV!!"}, {"response": 589, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Jan 21, 1999 (08:26)", "body": "(Arami)Past it!... I am fairly sure he said \"pasty\", as in Cornish pasty? And while we are on the subject of British food - Please explain b&s. Bubble and Squeak consists of cold mashed potato and other vegetables, (traditionally just cabbage), mashed together and fried into a sort of vegetable cake. I love it, particularly with lots of Worcestershire (spicy)sauce. Much eaten on the day after Christmas Day (Boxing Day) with cold turkey."}, {"response": 590, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Jan 21, 1999 (09:24)", "body": "(Moon)Murph, in that picture Livia looks like she could be pregnant. She always wears pants now, maybe her skirts no longer fit. Like you Moon, I have been wondering about that picture. I am also surprised that it did not appear in the edition of the Evening Standard which I bought. The Standard first gets to the news stands around midday and there are about 3 editons. I bought the second. The pictures there were of JD, GP and Bob Geldorf! It occurs to me that the picture on Murph's site is from the first edition and was taken at the screening. Did Ann say that JD was not at the cinema? Then the second edition had photograp s from the after show party. I have a feeling that CF and Livia did not go to the party. That is why there is no mention of them in that context. Could that be because she was feeling tired??? Okay I have an overheated imagination and am too fond of deduction but I am the undisputed Cluedo champion in our family."}, {"response": 591, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jan 21, 1999 (14:18)", "body": "She doesn't look pregnant."}, {"response": 592, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jan 21, 1999 (14:34)", "body": "(Moon)Murph, in that picture Livia looks like she could be pregnant. She always wears pants now, maybe her skirts no longer fit. (Allison)Like you Moon, I have been wondering about that picture. Great minds think alike. That was my very first thought when I looked at the picture, before reading your posts. She looks fuller in the bosom, but it's hard to make a comparison to the other shots because they're not from the same angle. Well, this will give us something new to speculate about! ;-) I read that She article. I agree it's very similar to the Now article over at Dolores' site (hope the She pictures don't include that hideous purple suit) with all the recycled quotes. They didn't get some of the info correct, either--said he met Livia in '97 (wasn't it '95?). Gee, they should've checked with us! Hey, it was great fun chatting yesterday. Sorry you missed it, Heide. Maybe next time we can do it a little later for those of you in Mtn and Pacific time (if our European friends don't mind a late night). :-)"}, {"response": 593, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Thu, Jan 21, 1999 (15:29)", "body": "Sorry I missed you guys in the chat. SIck child again. Ann: COngrats I am so glad that you have had the time of your life. Thank you for letting all of us know how it went."}, {"response": 594, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan 21, 1999 (16:03)", "body": "Thanks for the b&s explanation Allison, I will have to try it someday. Is there anything else worth knowing about that might make one truly British? It would be a shame if Colin really did not attend the post premiere party. Sometimes deals and casting ideas do come up and it is always v. useful to an actor to attend. Livia not feeling well is the only acceptable excuse. If he were cast as M. Darcy, I think we would know by now, no? I missed the E interview Evelyn, drats again!"}, {"response": 595, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jan 21, 1999 (17:15)", "body": "Karen, have you actually seen the E interview and if so how do you think he looked and was his hair darker or was I imagining it, it was very dark inside the cinema."}, {"response": 596, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jan 21, 1999 (19:00)", "body": "I am fairly sure he said \"pasty\", as in Cornish pasty? Chipolata and pasty? What sort of diet is that? (Very SIL-ly...;-))"}, {"response": 597, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jan 21, 1999 (19:10)", "body": "I wonder if his parents are pleased that he has settled down at last! The Now interview implied that. Having read that - don't I sound OLD. Like Bethan, I am beginning to feel like a mother hen. (Allison} Donning my mother hen hat and feathers, I'm sure his parents are delghted! Livia seems like ideal daughter-in-law material, and not a log cabin in sight! So, I wasted my time watching Big Breakfast (Arami) That's what I call real devotion! Martin Clunes....yawn, yawn. Why doesn't he give poor Ben Affleck a break?! I have a feeling that CF and Livia did not go to the party. (Allison) I'm sure they would go (or what would Harvey say?)! An instance (yet again!) of name omission, probably. Interesting snippet in the Times Diary (take with pinch of salt) referring to JD's and other cast members' dislike of GP's alleged diva treatment on set. Relations between the two were reported still to be cool at the post-premiere party. I'm trying to remember where (on the net) I saw a photo of John Madden, GP, CF and BA together. All looked very friendly. CF was between GP and BA, and had his arms round both of them. GP had a big grin on her face, BA looked serious. If he were cast as M. Darcy, I think we would know by now, no? (Moon) No, we wouldn't know! I've rung up Working Title twice and it's like getting information from the Pentagon. I think they'll be shooting in the summer and it sounds as though they won't release details of casting etc until just before the shoot.Anyway, no-one else has been cast as MD! I think this is a good project..Working Title produced Elizabeth, Bean, The Borrowers and Four Weddings, all major commercial successes."}, {"response": 598, "author": "susanne", "date": "Thu, Jan 21, 1999 (19:59)", "body": "Ann, I just finished watching the E News Daily piece and his hair did seem quite a bit darker. I like his hair shorter. I wish I could say the same for Livia's hair which I wish she would have kept longer. Maybe it's a new more maternal hairstyle if what some people suspect is true. Also that suit made him seem v. thin. How much weight could he actually have lost in a month? He's prob. just wearing better fitting clothes and just has a decent haircut."}, {"response": 599, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jan 21, 1999 (20:11)", "body": "Oh Sue, thankyou for confirming those facts to me I was beginning to imagine I had made it all up, I think it is for the better what did you think and how long was the interview and did he say anything interesting."}, {"response": 600, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jan 21, 1999 (21:18)", "body": "so many questions,Sue and I was there! Did you also think he looked younger?"}, {"response": 601, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 21, 1999 (21:43)", "body": "Ann, there wasn't any interview on E! They covered the London premiere and showed Tom Stoppard, Colin, Joe Fiennes and GP, in that order. When they mentioned the \"bigwigs\" of the cast who attended, first was Geoffrey Rush (I think, but they didn't show him) then Colin's name. JF came next. Not bad!! Colin's hair was definitely shorter and curlier, but then again that may just be function of curly hair (the Shirley Temple syndrome) ;-o I thought Livia's hair looked about the same as in NY, about chin length. JF looked like he was wearing the same as he did in NY, the darker blue shirt again. Guys and dressing!! Colin's suit was definitely the current style, higher lapels and all buttoned up. I will have to take a closer look at that tie again. But the best part was the smile and how comfortable he looked...despite his lack of notice by the press! Today was pretty good. A double dose of Colin. First the repeat of the E! segment and then the History Channel program on the bayonet, with a snippet from Tumbledown."}, {"response": 602, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jan 21, 1999 (21:50)", "body": "No interview, what a disappointment, but how much was there of Colin and did you think he looked thinner and younger."}, {"response": 603, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 21, 1999 (22:06)", "body": "(Ann)did you think he looked thinner and younger. Yes, I can definitely say he looked younger, but I couldn't tell about the thinner part. The suit was all buttoned-up tight. I will go home and study my tape, but from that angle, he looked stuffed in there! He did not look heavy--at all. OK?"}, {"response": 604, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jan 21, 1999 (22:36)", "body": "he looked stuffed in - thats the style of the suit but don't you think he looked well compared to when he was in LA, I thought he looked the best he has looked in a long time, not that he isn't always gorgeous, sorry to go on and you needn't answer."}, {"response": 605, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Jan 22, 1999 (01:09)", "body": "Yes, indeedy, he looked very well - very groomed, for a change. I'm a Fever Pitch kind of gal myself but it's nice to see him so well tended. Don't give up on the interviews, girls! It took a while for any to show up over here too. After all, the film hasn't opened yet. Keep your eyes peeled for us."}, {"response": 606, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jan 22, 1999 (08:14)", "body": "Nan or somebody would it be possible to put a photo up of Colin at the Premiere, with you snappy, although I was there I would love to see a full length photo."}, {"response": 607, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jan 22, 1999 (13:48)", "body": "As someone with extremely curly hair, the shorter it is the curlier it becomes. The longer it is the wavier it becomes. The weight of the hair pulls the curl out, obviously. I haven't seen the E interview;( But this obsession with whether or not Mrs. Firth is pregnant is a little.... ;-) I thought it was just an ugly top."}, {"response": 608, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 22, 1999 (15:12)", "body": "Sabine...your Interview Tape of Colin on A&E is en route to Germany..... Courtesy of Drool. Enjoy:-)"}, {"response": 609, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jan 22, 1999 (17:21)", "body": "UK fans Gwyneth Paltrow is being interviewed on This Morning with Richard & Judy next Monday the 25th, you never know they may mentilon our DB."}, {"response": 610, "author": "susanne", "date": "Fri, Jan 22, 1999 (17:41)", "body": "Ann, What was on E! News was a 2 blink glimpse of Colin and Livia as opposed to to the 1 blink glimpse of him on the previous E!News segment on SIL premiere. I think his suit was just v. fitted, not that he lost weight. I think the clothes he wears make him look thinner or heavier as with all of us. Thank God those huge sweaters are out of style. A shorter haircut on him looks better since his hair is slightly thinning. I thought he looked really good. I thought Livia's hair was shorter than at the U.S. premieres but it was only a quick glimpse of her-I was fixated on Colin."}, {"response": 611, "author": "KateMcQ", "date": "Fri, Jan 22, 1999 (18:49)", "body": "I've been lurking here for a while and know that someone here will be able to answer my question. I apologize in advance if it was previously answered, but I couldn't find the precise answer. I've begun reading Nick Hornby's \"High Fidelity\" and am enjoying it immensely. I alsolearned that his \"Fever Pitch\" was made into a movie with CF. It appears that the movie was released everywhere but the US and is out in video. Is it available in the US at local video stores, or are special arrangements needed? Thanks for your help!!"}, {"response": 612, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 22, 1999 (18:59)", "body": "Kate: Fever Pitch is available on video in the PAL format (UK and other places). The movie is supposed to open in NY and LA in March per the most recent information from the distributor and then around the country shortly thereafter. One can only hope that it will be released on video in the US after that. In the meantime, it can be ordered from places in the UK and then converted. Hope that helps... Sue, I thought Livia's hair was about the same. Should we do a side by side of the pics? Will need someone more talented than myself.. :)"}, {"response": 613, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jan 22, 1999 (18:59)", "body": "Hi Kate and welcome. Fever Pitch is to get a limited release in the US next monthh I believe (26th Feb?), in NY & LA, don't know when the video will be released in the US. I am from the UK and have seen the film and thoroughly enjoyed it, Cf was as usual great in it but it is a very differend part fro Mr. D."}, {"response": 614, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 22, 1999 (19:01)", "body": "This is the picture from the SHE article that Allison sent me. The other two have been posted before."}, {"response": 615, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 22, 1999 (19:03)", "body": "Here's another of Colin in a REALLY ugly shirt (from the same article):"}, {"response": 616, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 22, 1999 (19:05)", "body": "Sorry, I couldn't deal with the crease in the picture. Will need to play with these graphics packages. Airbrushing didn't seem to do it...."}, {"response": 617, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Jan 22, 1999 (20:32)", "body": "I am getting a bad reputation with my local newsagent! Okay magazine lists Colin as 83rd in the list of top UK entertainment earners. Last year he earned \ufffd750,000!!! For a self confessed left winger (okay, I won't get into a political argument on Spring) that is a lotta dosh for little work!! No wonder he doesn't bother to work hard."}, {"response": 618, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jan 22, 1999 (20:33)", "body": "A shorter haircut on him looks better since his hair is slightly thinning (Suzanne) Tut! Sacrilege! :-) Heide, you asked about how the SIL promotion was going in the UK...whether we'd seen \"everything\". The normal promotional surge is usually the weekend before the weekend when a movie opens. I think marketing in the UK is really muted compared with the blanket coverage in the US. For example, Little Voice opened with (I think) just one print interview with Jane Horrocks, although LV seemed to get a lot of attention in the US. I think SIL has done very well, and the Golden Globe/Oscar hype will help it. The attention is mainly on GP, and to a lesser extent on JF, and I really didn't expect much focus on Colin, except to remember he's in it!!!! Hopefully he'll be to the fore for MLSF! Interesting report on the UK radio. SIL is apparently (\"allegedly\") gaining a groundswell of support and may even beat Private Ryan to Best Picture. The report also mentioned a few \"British\" movies which will start shooting this year and are currently \"in development\". They include (I was pleased to note!) my big three : Bridget Jones, Mary Queen of Scots and Enigma, all part funded by the US film industry (no further details given).But it doesn't seem as if the British film industry is exactly flourish ng at the moment....we're not awash with many stimulating or entertaining new projects. Which may part explain CF's \"break\"! One good point for SIL, my 14 year old son and his friends saw the trailer and are actually planning to go and see it when it opens. If they catch the 14 year old market they are onto a winner! Hello there, Kate!"}, {"response": 619, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jan 22, 1999 (20:46)", "body": "Daily Mail, She, Now and now Okay (not even Hello!)...it'll be the National Enquirer next, Allison! I think CF has figured in this list a couple of times before, usually earning the same amount! Take with a pinch of salt...where do they get their \"facts\" from? But if Robert Carlyle OBE (and he's MUCH more leftwing than CF! :-))can earn \ufffd2million for playing the baddie in the new James Bond, the rewards at the top must be disproportionately high!"}, {"response": 620, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jan 22, 1999 (21:33)", "body": "A shorter haircut on him looks better since his hair is slightly thinning (Suzanne) (Bethan) Tut! Sacrilege! :-) LOL! Egads! Eeeeewwwww, a bald Colin? Perish the thought! Many thanks for the She article and pics, Karen. That is a nice one of Colin and Livia. I'm going away next week and can't resist the impulse to stir up discussion while I'm gone...do we really think Colin would play Mark Darcy? Given what he's said in the past (now dredged up again in these recent UK articles) about the rest of career being overlooked in favor of P&P2? Knowing how selective he is about his roles? I'd love to see him in this high profile part but think somehow he'll pass it up to avoid being type cast. Don't shoot! Don't shoot! :-) What do you think? Everyone enjoy the Golden Globes on Sunday! May we be treated to clip after clip of SiL (all including our DB, of course)!"}, {"response": 621, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jan 22, 1999 (21:36)", "body": "I think the the repeats of P&P all over the world must help fill the pot. BTW Bethan which weekend papers should I get his weekend and Sue I absolutely agree with you that he looked very good."}, {"response": 622, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Jan 22, 1999 (22:08)", "body": "Not sure which board to post this on but I have just noticed that Mark Williams , the soeap star who is in SIL, whom everybody in the UK but me knows, was also in Tumbledown. I recognised him! (See, I am doing my homework for our film discussions)."}, {"response": 623, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Jan 22, 1999 (22:08)", "body": "Not sure which board to post this on but I have just noticed that Mark Williams, the soap star who is in SIL, whom everybody in the UK but me knows, was also in Tumbledown. I recognised him! (See, I am doing my homework for our film discussions)."}, {"response": 624, "author": "sabine", "date": "Fri, Jan 22, 1999 (22:15)", "body": "I would like to show you the cover of the FP video-tape. But I don t know how to get the picture in here. Could someone explain it to me, PLEASE ! Sabine"}, {"response": 625, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 22, 1999 (23:03)", "body": "self confessed left winger ....earning 750,000UKP. ..that's over $1.M. I would have thought he would have earned more. Of course, he was only in one film!!BTW in this country , we call them..\"Limousine Liberals\". ***** Thank you Karen...lovely pic of the happy couple. and thank you also for posting the SHE article.Lotta work. We appreciate your efforts. *****Welcome Kate McQ. We love newbies...stick around and let's hear from you. I think FP is scheduled now for a March release ************* NEXT POSTING info on the next BRAVO showing of MAKING OF SIL. PL. TAKE NOTE:"}, {"response": 626, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 22, 1999 (23:13)", "body": "******MAKING OF SIL ON BRAVO***** Public Relations just called...hey, they are scheduling this just for us....Please, everyone who didn't get it last time ...do it this time. This is the tape with Colin in the leather jacket and goatee...short tape , but he is featured a lot. TUESDAY, JANUARY 26,1999 Two showings.... 12:15 PM Eastern Time after the show:.... \"Inside the Actors studio\" 6:30 PM Eastern Time Before the show... \"Inside the Actors Studio\" BRAVO is a little loose with their times...as you know...so set your VCRs before these times"}, {"response": 627, "author": "KateMcQ", "date": "Sat, Jan 23, 1999 (00:39)", "body": "Thanks for making me feel so welcomed. I will keep my eyes out for FP in March. Meanwhile - SiL was a great film. Judi Dench was just killing me as Eliz. I. CF's Wessex (Essex?) was terrific. I particularly liked the earring. Too bad he's not getting any of the press around here that his part warrants. He's has a much more major role than Ben Affleck, yet Ben Affleck is featured in all the movie adverts. I guess that just goes to show you that the industry just tries to sell -what it perceives - t be the hot commodity for the moment. Anyway, thanks again for the welcome."}, {"response": 628, "author": "kellyd", "date": "Sat, Jan 23, 1999 (02:40)", "body": "After many months of lurking around in drool, I am finally taking the plunge and admitting to my secret obsession of CF. I have enjoyed reading all your commentaries and escapades. What has finally prompted me to de-lurk at this time is my need to share with someone the link I have recently discovered between myself and CF. I am the first to admit that this is totally ridiculous and juvenile, but I think as fellow Firthoholics, you will understand. . . Have you heard of 7 degrees of separation? Well, I have discovered my own 5 degrees of separation with CF. In the early 90's I had an employee working for me (for discretionary purposes, I will not reveal her name) whose grandson is a child actor named Tommy Tulak. He was on several episodes of Cheers as one of Carla's many children. He was also in the movie, \"Hook\" starring Robin Williams. I recently discovered that in this movie, Gwynneth Paltrow had a small part as young Wendy. And, of course, you all know GP's connection to CF in SIL. . . I know this is totally lame, but who else could I share this with? I know some of you have seen the man in person and that far surpasses my imagined connection, but, hey, I'll take what I can get."}, {"response": 629, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jan 23, 1999 (03:04)", "body": "Hi Kate. Glad to see you here. Guess Ben Affleck appeals to that all important 17-24 age group that everyone is dying to pull into their theatres. God I hate being ignored. Thanks, Karen and Allison. Excellent looking shots. I love that b/w one even though it's an oldie. Don't think the photog caught Colin at his best in the picture with the wife but she looks fabulous. Heide, you asked about how the SIL promotion was going in the UK...whether we'd seen \"everything\". Did I? Brain drain again. I know I said this: Don't give up on the interviews, girls! It took a while for any to show up over here too. After all, the film hasn't opened yet. Keep your eyes peeled for us. And more pictures like the above would be most welcome. (Allison) I have just noticed that Mark Williams, the soap star who is in SIL, whom everybody in the UK but me knows, was also in Tumbledown. Great catch! Who did he play in Tumbledown? (Eileen) I'm going away next week and can't resist the impulse to stir up discussion while I'm gone...do we really think Colin would play Mark Darcy? Ah, excellent subject, Eileen, but are you going to stay around long enough to watch the sparks fly when I say this? Rather than Mark Darcy, I'd prefer Coliin to play Daniel Cleaver. Cons: he'd be a bad guy again; he wouldn't be the leading man; Pros: he'd be looking good, well dressed, smooth; lots of sexy scenes; but most important, I think it would be a great joke for him to play the anti-Darcy."}, {"response": 630, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jan 23, 1999 (03:08)", "body": "So glad you de-lurked Kelly. As Evelyn said to Kate, we love new people. I'll gladly take your five degrees connection to Colin. It's closer than I'll ever get. Hope you stay with us awhile and join in the other topics too."}, {"response": 631, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Sat, Jan 23, 1999 (04:51)", "body": "Welcome Kate and Kelly. I too lurked for a long time. Everyone here is just great and it is alot of fun. I just wish I had the opportunity to meet CF Of course, I think we all have a sense of obession with him. Love those pics. He and his beautiful wife certainly do make a smart couple. SHe is so beautiful and he is SO SO HANDSOME. ANN: I am still jealous of you. You are awesome."}, {"response": 632, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jan 23, 1999 (04:51)", "body": "Living in the Outer-Pacific-Ocean, my only boast is that I write on the same board as Kelly who has somethingth-degree of separation from CF. That is as close as I get, unless you count in the beginning of FF (was it?) he mentions that he and his wife went on honeymoon to Hawaii to look at the volcano. That is THIS Island!"}, {"response": 633, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Sat, Jan 23, 1999 (04:52)", "body": "VALMONT on Cable in the US next month. Get those VCR ready."}, {"response": 634, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Jan 23, 1999 (05:56)", "body": "(Marcia) That is as close as I get HELLO! We have someone here who's had DINNER with him! Remember Ben? :-D Knowing him counts, right? Trying to think how close I can get (besides the December premiere which is etched into my memory forever): During my brief stint as a travel agent last year, I did Jennifer Tilly's travel (she went to Spain and London a couple of times). So there you've got her, then Meg Tilly, then CF. Rita: Love those pics. He and his beautiful wife certainly do make a smart couple Smart couple...yes.... but it also leaves a slight pang of jealousy...She really is the nicest person, though. BTW, with that disc. about her possibly being pregnant, is she still in school, etc... I was wondering if she WERE expecting, whether or not it'd be a good thing for her to be flying around from place to place so often. Like, isn't there a risk factor for flying while expecting? If she was expecting, she wasn't showing a bit back when they were in L.A.. Also, I think she met CF just when she started grad studies in Rome. From what a friend of mine told me, finishing undergrad in Italy is longer than in the US. People get out of undegrad at age 26 or so."}, {"response": 635, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jan 23, 1999 (11:31)", "body": "Kate, I absolutely agree with yur comments about Ben Affleck , Colin's role was much more important and yet he hardly gets a mention and BA wasn't that good, unfortunately the same thing is happening over here in the UK, in his own country, its just too bad. We shall have to start a campaign to get CF more attention in both countries, our project for 1999. Welcome Kelly."}, {"response": 636, "author": "susanne", "date": "Sat, Jan 23, 1999 (16:05)", "body": "Ben Affleck got alot of press mainly because he was GP's boyfriend not because he is some brillant actor. Yes, he won an Oscar for writing a screenplay but I was surprised that in an interview he peppered his answers with alot of \"you knows\". I thought he would be more articulate. This is just a thought-but isn't it funny how BA and GP broke up right after the premiere of SIL. I wonder if Harvey had anything to do with it the timing. It is rather good publicity. :-)) Colin gave a wonderful performance and it is rather vexing that he is overlooked in favor of the good but great performance of BA. I do have to admit I'm not that fond of BA bacause his voice bothers me, so I'm somewhat prejudiced against him."}, {"response": 637, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 23, 1999 (16:57)", "body": "(Allison) (See, I am doing my homework for our film discussions). Excellent! Welcome, Kelly. Always great to hear from all you former lurkers. Also hope you, Kate, AnnW, Rita, Sabine, Eileen and whoever else I've inadvertently forgotten do join us for the next film discussion. (Topic 98) Sabine, I will be emailing you about your question. Ben Affleck got a lot of press not only because of his dating GP, but he did win an Oscar and has been quite popular an actor (wasn't he in Armaggeddon?). I liked him in \"Chasing Amy.\" Anyway, they must have broken up around New Years because Laura told me that the Boston press reported BA and GP sightings all around Boston during the Christmas holidays. She spent Christmas with him and his family. Actually, I thought BA did a fine job with his part. He had lots of good lines and his character evolve . Remember, the guy who walked in exclaiming, \"What is the play and what is my part?\" eventually realized how great the play was and *suggested* to Will that he change the name of the play to R&J. Loved his bit as the dance master as he chanted to the beat a la the theater... Enough \"in defense of Ben Affleck...\""}, {"response": 638, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 23, 1999 (17:12)", "body": "TV Alert: The show Dateline, before the Golden Globes, will have a segment (or the whole show??) about Gwyneth Paltrow."}, {"response": 639, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sat, Jan 23, 1999 (17:15)", "body": "It occurred to me that if Colin and Livia *are* expecting, they may face the same dilemma my husband and I faced re: choosing names. I'm Italian and my husband is Irish/English. Perversely, each of us preferred the names associated with the other's ethnic background. So while he was choosing names like Angela, Anthony and Allegra, I was picking ones like Liam, Caitlin and Trevor. Add relatives chiming in with their various choices, and it was pretty hysterical -- like an episode of th t old TV show \"Bridget Loves Bernie.\" For the record, the baby name books advise choosing a name that's either neutral or goes with the ethnicity of the last name -- i.e., avoid things like Sean Rabinovitz, Carlos Chong... or, say, Giovanni Firth. And with subsequent children, you're supposed to follow suit -- i.e., Giovanni's little brother shouldn't be named Liam."}, {"response": 640, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 23, 1999 (18:08)", "body": "Welcome Kelly....I'm impressed with any degree of separation. We like to hear about those. We must not forget Cheryl (of the ailing wrist) who worked as as assistant to Milos Forman in VALMONT!! *********** Heide, who is Daniel Cleaver...is he Bridget's boss?Not another baddie!! *********** Sorry girls....I thought Ben Affleck was terrific in SIL. I am not an avowed fan either...but the second time you see the film, you'll appreciate him and JF. Also BA &GP must be credited for promoting that film tirelessly before the premiere...on every talk show goin'. Please don\" shoot me when I say that without them this film will have been DOA. Now, in UK, I would think they would promote their own heartthrobs . But as Allison said: \"Colin is yesterday's news\".He needs a publicist."}, {"response": 641, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sat, Jan 23, 1999 (19:33)", "body": "Thanks for the Bravo info, Evelyn. Despite missing several broadcasts, I happened to be in the right place at the right time last night (Fri.) at 6:30 p.m. (ET) when they ran it. I will capture it on tape next week, though. I agree that Colin got much more focus in this short blurb than in all the PR since! And good or bad (I thought he was good as well, but not half so much as our DB), Ben Affleck sells movie tickets in the US (and apparently the UK also--I'm still astonished that Colin is getting pa sed over there). (Heide) Rather than Mark Darcy, I'd prefer Coliin to play Daniel Cleaver. Yeah, I could see that. I think he'll never go for Mark. If so, he might as well have \"Darcy\" stamped on his forehead. (KarenR)Also hope you, Kate, AnnW, Rita, Sabine, Eileen and whoever else I've inadvertently forgotten do join us for the next film discussion. (Topic 98) I'd love to pipe up over there, but last I checked the topic was tentatively Camille and that's one I haven't seen. When you get to ATA, I'll be there. Lastly, welcome Kate and Kelly! Now I'm off for my week away."}, {"response": 642, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jan 23, 1999 (19:35)", "body": "Now, in UK, I would think they would promote their own heartthrobs. But as Allison said: \"Colin is yesterday's news\".He needs a publicist . I wouldn't say he's \"yesterday's news\", or, believe me, Now, She and the Sun wouldn't be remotedly interested in him! He doesn't court publicity, he doesn't want to be a heartthrob, he leads an exemplary private life...in other words, he is, in the nicest possible way, slightly \"boring\" to our sensational press. He also has fourth billing, and as Judi Dench is receiving a lot of critical acclaim, this may relegate him to fifth place! And I think the fact that SIL has opened before either MLSF or SLOW i rather unfortunate for him because it certainly creates the impression that he's settling for supporting roles. But despite my occasional outbursts, I think he's doing okay! Slowly but surely! By the way, SIL must be making an impression, as my mother has announced, quite independently (I've never mentioned it!)that she wants to see it! There were longish articles in both the Times and Telegraph today...mainly about the script and the literary allusions."}, {"response": 643, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Jan 24, 1999 (00:39)", "body": "Having finally seen FP, I have serious doubts that it will do well in the US. It took several viewings for my American ear to attune itself to the mixed No. London accents. Once I had, I thought it a wonderful movie!! But most viewers aren't going to have the opportunity or the motivation to go back to see it another time...they'll regard it as incomprehensible and just too much work to get to the heart of it. **sob** (Totally whimsical thought...they would dub the film into German to show it in Germany, wouldn't they?...and into Swedish to release in Sweden? Has it never occurred to you guys across the ocean that maybe you need an \"American\" dubbed version for a thickly accented movie? You could still give it the flavor of the accent but with sharper diction...No GOOD English movie deserves to lose an audience in the USA because of the difficulty of understanding an accent...that can be modified.) (Listen, I KNOW I can understand Mark Strong perfectly in \"Emma\"...couldn't pick up 80% of what he was saying in FP...even after several viewings!)(C'mon, Mark I know you can do it!!) Is this a dumb idea or what?!?"}, {"response": 644, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Sun, Jan 24, 1999 (03:47)", "body": "Winter: I think that they let you fly around when you are preg. At least, that is what my friends tell me. Well, I do feel a pang of jealously but, I feel jubiliation for anyone who finds happiness as they have. You can see it in the eys. Plus, we wouldn't want him to be living in a log cabin anymore. I am still jealous that you did have that wonderful opportunity in December. I just don't think that I will ever get to meet him. I don't think he is yesterday's news. People never appreciate great talent until it is blown out of the water. Look at Bruce Springsteen. I was seeing him on the coast of Jersey when he was a house band. OOPS!!! Tells my age. I was underage in the bar though and very much a college student."}, {"response": 645, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jan 24, 1999 (08:50)", "body": "At last, only as crumb but it is better than nothing Cosmo Landesman review inThe Sunday Times Culture.......\"But alas, William has a wife back in Stratford and Viola is about tobe married to the dastardly Lord Wessex (COLIN FIRTH ON FINE FORM) hurrah, can't type it all very long review mostly positive."}, {"response": 646, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Jan 24, 1999 (09:07)", "body": "(KJArt) Having finally seen FP, I have serious doubts that it will do well in the US. I hope you're wrong, but I have worried about this too. I love this movie and will be v. disappointed if it doesn't do some business. I know some say that a UK football film won't do well in the U.S. but I hope people realize it's more about the universal fascination men have with their sports than it is about soccer. I've been living my own little FP scenario with my husband, the die-hard Atlanta Falcons fan, and it is totally cracking me up. He hasn't seen the film and yet he keeps uttering Paul-ism without knowing it. He's suffered through almost 20 years of them doing poorly - he keeps saying things like \"This is the best season they've had in 18 years.\" And now that they're doing well he's too stressed out to watch the games. Last Sunday during the play off, he set the VCR and decided to go to the beach to play VBall to relieve the tension. But he couldn't make himself leave and just stood in the doorway holding the remote. Finally he did leave but he couldn't stop himself from listening to the game on the radio. When he got to the beach he wouldn't get out of the car for over an hour so that he could hear the end of the game. Then he called me on the cell phone so I could watch the sudden death overtime with him. (For shame, i was watching Tumbledown instead of the game!) I don't know how he'll survive SuperBowl Sunday with heart rate intact. I need a Steve to come baby sit him :-). I hope this anecdote wasn't too dull - sorry for the long dissertation! Well Heide, Colin as Daniel Cleaver, eh? I kind of like your idea of him being the Anti-Darcy - he might think that was fun. And at least we'd get to see him being sexy. Welcome to all the newbies! So lovely to see you and hope you will continue to join us."}, {"response": 647, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Jan 24, 1999 (09:56)", "body": "Welcome, newbies! Kjart, I would assume rather than dubbing a film for the American audience they would adapt the complete film new, as they did with some others, such as Breathless, Somersby, 3 Men and a Baby, Nikita, Der Himmel \ufffdber Berlin (can't recall the English title) etc.. I guess soccer would have to be replaced by an other sport (...your choice), but then FP would make a perfect Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan vehicle, don't you think. ;-p Jana, love your report on your husbands Paulisms. Poor chap! Speaking of which.... did it ever occur to anyone here that we, the Firthaddicts, suffer of Paulism, too? It's not yet 18 years ( =8-O !!!), but the symptoms are there. :-)"}, {"response": 648, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jan 24, 1999 (10:15)", "body": "KJArt, Just some thoughts on FP. I've two soccer-mad teenage sons (supporting different teams), and they both have read the book and screenplay, and watched the movie on video and really enjoyed it. They obviously can relate to Paul's feelings, and as one of their teams is facing relegation this year I can certainly testify to the tension and angst (and loss of good humour!)suffered on Saturday afternoons!! And I must admit when the team actually won a crucial match with a last minute goal, even I leaped up in the air! So, FP does strike a chord! I'm very pleased FP is opening in the US after all this time, but in some respects I think that this is enough, coupled with (hopefully) some good personal reviews for CF, and easy availability on video. Major commercial success would be the icing on the cake. As to the accents....what about \"Trainspotting\" (even I couldn't understand what they were saying! And did I really want to?!)But I take your point that if US audiences have to struggle with the dialogue, they'll lose in erest. But I actually didn't think the N.London accents were too strong. CF's accent wasn't too pronounced, and the girls both had quite \"posh\" accents! I think Daniel Cleaver would be a great in-joke, but a lousy career move......no more supporting roles, Mr Firth please! :-)"}, {"response": 649, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan 24, 1999 (14:34)", "body": "Welcome newbies, it is so nice to see our little club enlarged! Karen, thank you for posting the pictures, C&L do look good together. Heide, Colin would have to die his hair blond for the Daniel Cleaver role and I agree with Bethan, no more supporting roles, please! I had no problems understanding FP(may come from years of watching British dramas), and I have three young boys who are mad for soccer and I admit, I too enjoy the game. I do see a v. limited release for FP in the States."}, {"response": 650, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan 24, 1999 (17:50)", "body": "I don't think he is yesterday's news Please...I would not want anything in his personal life to make him material for tabloid news. What I mean't (and I think Allison mean't) is that he needs a **role** that will catapult him into center court again. Darcy and P&P was 3years ago!"}, {"response": 651, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jan 24, 1999 (20:28)", "body": "KJArt...no! no! I couldn't take Fever Pitch being dubbed even if Colin would do his own voice. Hey, if The Fully Monty made it big here (and those accents were almost incomprehensible to me), Fever Pitch has a fighting chance. Glad you saw and liked the film though. It'll get easier with each viewing. Jana, your story about your husband is hilarious. Paul didn't use a remote but that's the only difference I detect. Now don't have a fight before the Super Bowl unless you want to have a sweet reunion scene while he's celebrating the Falcons victory. no more supporting roles Colin would have to die his hair blond for the Daniel Cleaver role Don't know what the screenplay will be like but I don't think there's that much difference in the amount of time Mark and Daniel are depicted in the book except that Daniel pretty much disappears in the middle but for one drunken scene near the end. And as for hair, I don't remember Daniel being blonde but don't think the hair color is important anyway. I knew I was in the minority (of one) on this but I like the debate."}, {"response": 652, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, Jan 24, 1999 (20:33)", "body": "ROTFLOL over your story, Jana! I've gone through many Paul Ashworth moments with my ex-- a die hard Chicago Bulls (basketball) fan. Unlike Arse, the Bulls win EVERY year practically, but my ex has been a fan since their loser days. next to Paul (Nick Hornby), I have never known a fan this devoted to his team. My ex has EVERY SINGLE game they played on video from the past four years. His entire week revolves around the game, and whether or not they win. He replays his favorite matches on the VCR, or talks bout it, play by play. And it's like colonization, this whole phenomenon--- the signif. others get sucked in and we start remembering names of players, statistics-- all this crap that we don't even want to know anyway. My only concern is how they market this film. I played the climactic scene of FP on my VCR for my ex to see. He hates British films to no end, but he really identified with just that scene, and he admitted that he'd see it in the movie theatres if it came out."}, {"response": 653, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Jan 24, 1999 (21:47)", "body": "But as Allison said: \"Colin is yesterday's news\". Harbinger of doom!! Actually, the reason I think he has not played much part in the promotion of SIL cf Martin Clunes, Ben Affleck etc is that Miramax want to make sure it gets seen by a larger audience than that which usually goes to see Arthouse films. They are trying to appeal to a younger, male audience. Our DB, I have to tell you, is not big in that marketplace. CF fans are the sort of peple who would go and see SIL even if he weren't in it."}, {"response": 654, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jan 24, 1999 (21:48)", "body": "Winter, you hit it spot on there....it's the marketing that makes an impact and creates an impression with the potential audience. I remember reading somewhere that The Full Monty, the little film that made it big, had a \"secret\" marketing budget of $20 millon and was very cleverly promoted in a so-called \"word of mouth\" campaign. Eeech! I think I've had it with BBC costume dramas. Just watched (in a half-hearted sort of way) \"The Scarlet Pimpernel\" with Richard E Grant, and would I have wanted CF to be in it? No way!!! And a hero called Percy? Daniel Cleaver v. MD....I think that in the screenplay MD will definitely be a lead role. A lot of the book is too internalised to transfer directly to a film screenplay, so I'm sure that HF will have used a back to the drawing board approach ."}, {"response": 655, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Jan 24, 1999 (22:33)", "body": "Renate--Tom Hanks?? Meg Ryan?? Aaghh!!! Jana, your husband shows just how universal this theme is, and I would alter FP not at all if everyone in the audience had the privilege and rewinding a bit and going through \"that line\" again. I hope Heide is right and the film has a fighting chance. It may get the specialized promotion that Monty got... ..It's just that I remembered missing all the good lines first time around and when I recently watched it with a friend, I was constantly having to \"translate\". The way the film is made, the sporting bits will be a draw to the male audience, but it's the dialog that draws the ladies...and this is clever dialog that shouldn't be missed. I flinch to think of that first time exposure to the average American movie critic...(Maybe we could have subtitles for the footie-illiterate??);-)) Jana, I vote for Mark Darcy. The whole thing is intended as a satire and self-satirization is the sharpest of all. I would like to think that DB has enough of an ironical sense of humor to be willing to do it...It would MAKE the movie! :-D So, Bethan, I'm with you--Mark Darcy it is!! :-D"}, {"response": 656, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Jan 25, 1999 (02:22)", "body": "Hi, all. Off for a wander, and nice to be back. Last time here I was pompously saying that no-one should wish any more roles for CF. Sorry. Anyway, I'm snowed under with f*****g work. So: (i) congratulations to Ann for getting to the premiere. Seems like the film was generally well-received, though the Sunday Times critic complained that it was formulaic, and that Fiennes was unconvincing. Livia looks a real beauty and seems sensible and nice.I hope you all approve. (If she did but know it, your collective approval would be the highest possible compliment.) (ii) KJ: while I have some sympathy for the subtitles-for-FP view, it should be pointed out that English audiences manage without them in everything American. Surely it can't be THAT much effort to understand a London accent? I used to get puzzled frowns if I said to American friends that, although it was nice to be told one had a cute accent, I didn't think I had an accent at all. They did. Bloody rude, really, so I should be grateful for puzzled frowns rather than a smack in the mouth. (iii) To return briefly to the work issue...if it's true that CF's efforts have been temporarily directed to producing a Anglo-Italian baby, rather than a film, shouldn't this be a cause for rejoicing? It means you will have a mini-Firth to follow for years to come and, furthermore, one who dresses well and is good at football. How about Firth minore, the great operatic tenor? Or, better for some of us, Firth minora, the great soprano and Roman beauty."}, {"response": 657, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 25, 1999 (04:30)", "body": "Hi Ben....good to have you back posting. ******* I don't know about anyone else...but I am really pissed that Harvey didn't mention Colin when he thanked all the cast of SIL tonight as he was accepting the GG Award.He even had a list in his pocket....did he not even bother to write down Colin's name?? He singled out BA, Rupert Everett and Tom Wilkinson....excuse me...Colin had 4th billing. I plan to have a letter in the mail tomorrow telling him that he neglected to mention an important member of the cast. Anyone care to join me? Harvey Weinstein Miramax 375 Greenwich st. New York, NY 10013 Thank you Gwynnie for acknowledging Colin."}, {"response": 658, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Jan 25, 1999 (07:57)", "body": "(Evelyn) I don't know about anyone else...but I am really pissed that Harvey didn't mention Colin when he thanked all the cast of SIL tonight as he was accepting the GG Award.He even had a list in his pocket....did he not even bother to write down Colin's name?? I was extremely annoyed by this, and since he was reading you can't even make allowances for an off-the-cuff mistake. This is especially aggravating to me because Harvey is too smart a boy to miss an opportunity for promotion and he supposedly has a CF film opening in just a few months! I hope this isn't a bad omen for the treatment MLSF is going to get. If Miramax doesn't get behind it, it's cooked. Argh!!! (winter) My ex has EVERY SINGLE game they played on video from the past four years. His entire week revolves around the game, and whether or not they win. He replays his favorite matches on the VCR, or talks about it, play by play. I am LMAO at this! Honey, you win the prize for the most Paul-like man. At least my DH doesn't keep the tapes of the games. He just watches once and lets them go.... (Ben) Livia looks a real beauty and seems sensible and nice.I hope you all approve. (If she did but know it, your collective approval would be the highest possible compliment.) Ben, that's a lovely thing to say. From what I've seen and heard of Ms. Firth she definitely sounds worthy of our approval. Not only beautiful, but she seems nice and kind. What more could we ask for our DB?"}, {"response": 659, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jan 25, 1999 (08:11)", "body": "I will certainly write Evelyn, this is getting beyond a joke and GP has certainly gone up in my estimations. Thankyou Ben for your kind words, it was a wonderful mememorable evening, I agree Jana it would have been a perfect opportunity to promote the star of a forthcomning Mirmax film."}, {"response": 660, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 25, 1999 (13:50)", "body": "I too was surprised that Harvey did not mention Colin. He is much too clever a man to pass up any opportunity. I guess this means Colin will not attend the Oscars. Another chance to be seen, gone."}, {"response": 661, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Jan 25, 1999 (14:21)", "body": "My take on the whole promotion strategy of HW is based on the fact that he would choose to promote the stars who have the most populist image. He didn't mention Geoffrey Rush or Judi Dench, did he? He wants to reach those people who would not normally go to see a film about Shakespeare."}, {"response": 662, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 25, 1999 (15:22)", "body": "(Allison), He didn't mention Geoffrey Rush or Judi Dench, did he? True, but both JD and JR were nominated for GG and had their faces on TV. JD was absent but they flashed her pic. as QE. I'm sure Harvey was aware of this."}, {"response": 663, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 25, 1999 (16:15)", "body": "Thanks, Evelyn, for the address. There's no excuse for Harvey's omission. He did mention Judi Dench, but I'm not sure about Geoffrey Rush. At first I thought that he was going to single Colin out for special mention, but then he went on to the behind the scenes people (weren't the catering people mentioned?) and my heart fell. Bad, Harvey, bad!! (Time to go picket the offices, Nan) But good for Gwyneth. She really showed herself to be a classy lady (with the nod to BA, sitting right next to her at the table). I was actually quite shocked that she mentioned Colin right at the beginning. Hey, maybe, she fell under his spell? I really doubt Colin would be at the Oscars unless he were nominated (virtually unlikely now). Most stars don't go unless that is the case. They don't like all the hoopla. No one wants to go that trouble (clothes, jewels, transportation, post-party bashes) unless they have to. On the nomination front, I believe there is an article from a London paper that said Colin's part was unnoticeable. Does this ring a bell with anyone? (Sorry to bring out my wet blanket.) BTW, since I've now read the second draft of SiL from 1992 written entirely by Marc Norman, I don't know who he's trying to fool with that acceptance speech!"}, {"response": 664, "author": "susanne", "date": "Mon, Jan 25, 1999 (18:32)", "body": "I thought it v. strange that Marc Norman gave that long acceptance speech like he had a lot to do with the script in present form. I guess even scriptwriters don't miss the opportunity for self-promotion. I would have been embarrassed. Thank you Gwenyth! I haved always liked GP as an actress and as a person but now she moved into second place on my fav list. At least Colin get his name before a worldwide audience. Just to clear this up-I thought BA did a fine job in SIL. He's just not one of my favs. I must admit, I started to like JF alot. Dreamy eyes and he can quote Shakespeare beautifully."}, {"response": 665, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Jan 25, 1999 (18:56)", "body": "Interestingly, GP's acceptance speach must have made the news programmes in the UK notice that Colin is in this film. None of those I saw actually replayed the part of her speech where she mentions him but certainly the BBC and I think ITN then showed clips which all had Colin in them and concentrated on the Wessex story line. BTW, discovered this morning that Imelda Staunton is married to Jim Carter. Both have been interviewed today!"}, {"response": 666, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 25, 1999 (19:32)", "body": "(Sue) I started to like JF alot. Dreamy eyes and he can quote Shakespeare beautifully. Honey, I could watch/listen to the rehearsal for the balcony scene over and over again.... (Allison) GP's acceptance speach must have made the news programmes in the UK notice that Colin is in this film. GP got all emotional toward the end of her speech, mentioning that her dad had a tough year and especially her grandfather. (I'm going to assume it is medical because she told him to \"hang in there.\") But I'm glad that her speech has gotten your press to sit up and take notice about Colin because it is obvious that GP thinks very highly of him. Last night and on the Rosie show! ITN then showed clips which all had Colin in them and concentrated on the Wessex story line. I wonder if ITN will have it on its \"World News Wrapup\" show that is broadcast by one of my PBS stations. Will check tonight!! Sometimes they do light fluff type pieces."}, {"response": 667, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Jan 25, 1999 (19:37)", "body": "--God Bless Gwyneth Paltrow. What a classy lady! Unfortunately the news things don't replay the \"thanks\" speeches (does anyone wonder why?) but it went out on live and tape-delayed programs of the award show. Thank you Gwyneth for being so thoughtful!"}, {"response": 668, "author": "Stacey", "date": "Mon, Jan 25, 1999 (19:51)", "body": "I would love to see Colin at the Oscars this year but I don't think he will go. He didn't go when TEP was up for best picture so I'd assume he probably won't go for SIL either!"}, {"response": 669, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jan 25, 1999 (19:58)", "body": "Karen, what paper was that. oh, I must not overeact and must remind myself that only yesterday in Cosmo Landesman's review of SIL in The Sunday Times, Colin was the only one apart from GP & JF who was singled out for praise \"to the dastardly Lord Wessex (Colin Firth on fine form)\" Good ole Cosmo and good ole Gywnnie. Allison I saw GP's acceptance speech where she mentioned Colin ,on BBC News this morning and I was thrilled as it came quite near the beginning after JF. Sue I agree with what you say about JF but he is still not Colin, there is something about Colin I know not what, that makes him so appealing and after seeing him last week I feel it even more but I can't put my finger on it."}, {"response": 670, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jan 25, 1999 (20:01)", "body": "Is that quite the right expression!?"}, {"response": 671, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jan 25, 1999 (20:51)", "body": "I forgot to mention that Barry Norman loved SIL and said that he would go as far to say that we probably won't see a better British? film all year and he didn't think the supporting cast could have been bettered. Again there was quite a lot of Wessex."}, {"response": 672, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Jan 25, 1999 (21:05)", "body": "Ben--a followup to your \"Surely it can't be THAT much effort to understand a London accent?\" ---I watch British programs and movies all the time and in fact I prefer them. The challenge of a good accent is fun if it isn't a large portion of the dialog...(In fact, I admit I NEVER could understand what the kids in AMITC were saying until I read the book)...But that's what upset me...me, who watch British all the time, me who read everything the net had to print on FP and Hornby and read that book...after all that if I was STILL missing the good lines the first time through, then what will the ave age US viewer (or critic) be experiencing? So YES it surely requires that much effort to understand a London accent abd that is why I fear for its success in this country...and I DO SO want it to be a success because its a marvelous, fun movie and a great showcase for the excellence of our DB!"}, {"response": 673, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 25, 1999 (21:22)", "body": "(AnnW), I forgot to mention that Barry Norman loved SIL and said that he would go as far to say that we probably won't see a better British? film all year and he didn't think the supporting cast could have been bettered. Again there was quite a lot of Wessex. That is really good news for DB. I wonder why no one ever asked GP( I'm thinking Rosie), if she had seen CF in P&P? If she liked it, and if she had fallen under Darcy's spell (as so many of us have). If I ever see her, I think I shall ask."}, {"response": 674, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Jan 25, 1999 (22:43)", "body": "(Ben) used to get puzzled frowns if I said to American friends that, although it was nice to be told one had a cute accent, I didn't think I had an accent at all. They did. Bravo, Ben! Good for you! I'm constantly mortified every time I hear someone 'complimenting' a person for their 'accent.' As if it were some skill like doing card tricks or being able to flip one's eyelids inside-out! FP will do mediocrely (that a word?), IMHO. Art-house films will very likely carry it, and draw in the same types of people who are regular indie filmgoers. Problem is, I haven't seen one trailer at the art-house theatres yet for this film, which worries me. Seeing the same trailer over and over again for months is annoying, but it does the trick. I wouldn't have seen 'Central Station' had it not been for weekly exposures to the trailer. Another thing, FP doesn't need subtitles ('Trainspotting' subtitles annoyed me to no end, BTW). People will follow because the essentials are there, though there are some details which I think might throw people off. Like, will people understand what N5 means (N. London area--like a zip code)? Will they understand why Paul wouldn't take his student to an Arsenal game because of the seating? What's a \"row?\" etc., etc.. But, if my ex was able to enjoy it, with his love for Jean-Claude Van Damme and National Lampoon movies, people will go out and see it. They just have to know it's out there."}, {"response": 675, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Jan 25, 1999 (22:47)", "body": "I can't contribute much to the subject of accents since any English or American accent is likewise difficult for me. But part of the difficulties to understand FP is that there are so many in-jokes. Also the script has many (voluntary) omissions which lead you to believe that you perhaps missed something. I wish I had discovered Clare's FP Glossary earlier. I assume most of you know that page, but for those who don't: http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Lot/9482/gloss.html"}, {"response": 676, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jan 26, 1999 (01:03)", "body": "Come to think of it, my mother, in endeavoring to assure my having No trace whatever of a Noo Yawk accent, instructed me to have \"no accent whatever!\" We were surburbanites, and I think I escaped to Hawaii without the 5-Boroughs Brogue. But, No Accent, Whatever?!\" I think that is impossible."}, {"response": 677, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jan 26, 1999 (01:05)", "body": "And, Ben, if you'll drop down to 113 for a moment, I will allow you \"anything\" as a Keepsake on a whole new list of JE's effects in P&P2. I would love to claim you as a whatevereth-removed contact with CF!!!!"}, {"response": 678, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Jan 26, 1999 (03:51)", "body": "I take back anything I may have ever said (or thought) about Gwynnie. She was absolutely darling - gracious, charming and real. She not only has been working damn hard pushing this film, she also had the good sense to give credit to Colin. As for Harvey, I'm screaming at the TV along with the rest of you. I'm sure it was an oversight, otherwise it's a slap in the face. I'm not counting on SiL winning the Best Picture over Private Ryan but if they do, Harvey better make amends in his speech. He defin tely thanked Dame Judi and Geoffrey - then went on to Rupert and Ben. When he talked about Tom Wilkinson I thought for sure Colin would be next. Agh!! As much as I'd have loved to have seen him there, I'm not surprised he wouldn't be if he didn't have to be. And wouldn't you hate to see him have to run through that Joan Rivers gauntlet? Of course she wouldn't know who he was anyway. During the boring moments, and there were many, I amused myself by counting how many people there (besides the SiL bunch) have directly worked with Colin. I only managed Michele Pfeiffer and Annette Bening. Anyone notice others? Since I'm enjoying playing the devil's advocate regarding Bridget Jones...KJArt, don't you think playing Daniel would hold much more irony than playing Mark? Good point, Bethan, about the book being too internalized for it to translate well to the screen without re-working but I'm not convinced that would lead to Mark's enhancement in the film. So many of the Pride & Prejudice references were deleted from the audiocassette that the Mark Darcy/Mr. Darcy association was almost entirely lost. I wouldn't be surprised if the P&P parody would be missing from the film too. Please believe me though that I'd love to see DB play Mark. Maybe he could play both parts!!"}, {"response": 679, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Tue, Jan 26, 1999 (05:16)", "body": "Oh I am so mad at H. W. I cannot believe he did not mention CF. I kept waiting and waiting. I thought that was very rude and not an oversight. Thanks to GP he did get noticed. No wonder I am starting to like her more and more. I will be writing HW myself to ask him why? When SIL whens the Oscar he better remember himself."}, {"response": 680, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jan 26, 1999 (08:16)", "body": "I have already done it Rita, a letter in the post yesterday, said I hoped the oversight would be corrected in March when SIL wins the Oscar, said many mmany CF fans all over the world were very upset and disappointed at this gross oversight. (eh I bet he will be shaking in his shoes). Also pointed out how popular Colin was on the Internet and how many sites he had, said he was a very talented actor who deserved more recognition and that surely was'nt this a perfect opportunity to have promoted Colin prio to the opening of another Miramax film My Life So Far. Anyway I don't think it will do any harm for Miramax to see that Colin has loads of fans. So come on ladies get writing, it may persuade Miramax to bring forward the release date for MLSF or at the very least make sure they dont postpone it again."}, {"response": 681, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jan 26, 1999 (12:21)", "body": "Good news about the Golden Globes! CF has now been in two out of three GG winners in the last three years (and don't forget Jessica Lange got a GG nomination for ATA! So he's kissed three GG nominees!))There was a lot of Colin in SIL on the Breakfast news and in the early evening (5-6pm) news. But no mention of his name....just GP, and perhaps JD. I actually heard him speak three times. Reminded me that he has a marvellous voice and that we very rarely get to hear it. Talk about talents being undermarkete !!!! Time for a return to the theatre? Harvey? Oh dear. :-( Shades of BAFTA 1996 again...couldn't believe it when everyone/thing connected with Jane Austen films won...except CF!)It sounds like a deliberate omission. I wondered if HW just focussed on \"names\" for the glitzy audience, GP, JF, Geoffrey, Judi, his \"friends\" (and A-list Hollywood players) Ben and Rupert. Tom? Well, perhaps he was playing the Harvey W. role in SIL! But, it sure don't look good when even your own producer misses you out! Bad manners actually! Especially as CF has att nded all the premieres and did the publicity bash. Allison, I saw Jim Carter and Imelda Staunton on TV. Have seen GP, JF, GR and JD in interviews....and you've also seen Martin Clunes, Tom Wilkinson and thingybob from the Fast Show (lucky you!) What I want to know, did no-one talk to Colin?! This Invisible Man phenomenon is getting beyond a joke......especially when the poor bloke (and lovely wife) is actually turning up to everything! Mark Darcy/Daniel Cleaver...well, no contest for me! One of the reasons I remain so enthusiastic about this damn film is that HF's new book will boost it, and it is also absolutely guaranteed to reach our screens and get an international release, which is more than can be said for virtually any other British film at the moment. Look forward to some news here!"}, {"response": 682, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jan 26, 1999 (12:48)", "body": "Forgot to add, I'm sure not many people really, really listened to Harvey, but everyone would have listened to Gwynnie (who does, I agree, seem to be a lovely person)! Also, having not seen any clips of SIL, I almost had difficulty in recognising Colin...and this is a compliment to him. He can make himself look SO grim (and older). Not a buffoon though, not with that voice. But I wonder if his chameleon characteristics can sometimes count against him. I read somewhere that someone watched the whole of SIL and then asked \"Who did Colin Firth play?\" \"Stars\" tend to always look more or less the same! But (I'll answer this myself), he's an actor!"}, {"response": 683, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 26, 1999 (16:52)", "body": "Saw the ITN piece last night on all the Brits winning in the Golden Globes and yes their clip had three shots of Colin in it, but of course, he wasn't mentioned by name. (If any of you--Allison, Ann, Bethan--ever see anything on Colin on ITN, be sure to post. I don't watch it on a regular basis, although I do like D. Daliwhal! sp??) Re: Accents Don't feel singled out, Ben, some US accents get the same treatment in other parts of the country. For example, a southern accent might be called cute but a northerner (Yank). It happens. When we discussed FP, many people asked \"what\" so and so said. Yes, some lines were missed, but overall I didn't find it difficult to understand. We Americans don't know all the idiom and slang (remember: get stuck in, you showers!!), but incomprehensible, NO WAY!! The kids in A Month in the Country were heavy Yorkshire and you need the screenplay to decipher what they are saying. Trainspotting was pretty difficult and I found the use of subtitles (only during the club scene) amusing. I think it was a combination of the language and the noise going on that made it necessary. Mark Darcy vs. Daniel Cleaver No contest!! Has to be Mark Darcy. Definitely want to see him cutting in on prepubscent cousin dancing with Bridget at the ruby anniversary party. Also hope that Helen remembers my favorite image from her columns: Mark wearing only a towel striding about the room in barrister mode. She did get a kick out of the that."}, {"response": 684, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jan 26, 1999 (17:25)", "body": "I'm \"working\" at home today, which means I'm not (working). Keep on taking tea breaks/lunch breaks/TV breaks/you name it breaks! Anyway, just watched CNN Showbiz, and another clip of SIL and Colin. I'm getting quite blase about this...\"oooh there he is again!\". The CNN showbiz pundit was talking Oscars and he said he had been getting the buzz from the post GG parties, and the general opinion is that it's a two horse race btween Private Ryan and SIL, but SIL is gaining support. It's all good publicity and means that SIL will get a lot of mentions throughout Feb and March. I mean, I was absolutely sick of hearing about The Full Mont !! About Harvey, on relection, I feel it was probably just an oversight. Nothing I've read about CF and his working relations (cast members, directors, producers) has ever indicated that he's not highly professional and very easy to get on with . Why should Harvey have a down on him? But it's good to write on Colin's behalf, Ann, and good to let him know that we 're waiting, not so patiently, for MLSF! Karen, Yes! Lots of good scenes, just waiting to come alive on the Big Screen. And some new ones too...mmmm, I'm definitely in favour of the towel!"}, {"response": 685, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Jan 26, 1999 (18:31)", "body": "I am contemplating writing to the BBC to ask them why they did not interview CF during the course of the SIL premier, GG hype etc. After all he was voted most popular actor in 60 years of the BBC. What do you think?"}, {"response": 686, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jan 26, 1999 (19:03)", "body": "Good idea Allison, if Colin won't promote himself then we will have to, that was one reason why I took the opportunity to write to HW, as I agree with Bethan it must have been an oversight, what reason would he have to ignore Colin. Was annoyed today though, was reading the new TV Times and the review for SIL again mentioned Uncle Tom Cobley and all but not Colin, however, The Radio Times made up for it, he was mentioned three times in different contexts. BTW does anyone else get The RT, only this week there is a special Milleninium Magazine and it Wallchart showing past BBC drama's & documentaries for the last millennium and it doesn't mention P&P or Middlemarch (that was BBC wasn't it), perhaps I have missed the point but I would have thought P&P would have definitely been there. I can just about accept that Colin might be ignored but not P&P for goodness sake."}, {"response": 687, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jan 26, 1999 (19:12)", "body": "Taking another well undeserved break.... Allison, I actually think it's a good idea. I've often thought the BBC could have offered CF and JE a special \"one-off\" Performance together, perhaps a Chekhov play or something similar. After all the hype about P&P, the BBC never seem to have considered any sort of \"follow-up\" for CF or JE. I read recently that the BBC are commissioning various special \"vehicles\" for their star talent. No mention of CF or JE though. Warming to the theme of MD, wet, contoured towels and all, perhaps we could wile away the long boring evenings in some sort of Fantasy Island, invent-a-new -scene scenario. Dips in the River Serpentine, dashes accoss muddy fields, \"Miss Jones!\" \"Mr Darcy!\" You get the idea! :-) A propos of BJD. I'm sure that Working Title must know what they are doing by now. There's been an onteresting saga in the papers about Rowan Atkinson and some mini-film for the Millenium. Angry denials from his company...no, he's not doing it, no, he's not, no details avaiiable etc. for a few months, and then, guess what folks, he's doing it! It just seems to be a matter of appropriate timing. Right, with great lack of determination, back to my oh so boring report... :-("}, {"response": 688, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Jan 26, 1999 (19:22)", "body": "(Bethan) back to my oh so boring report... Oh, how I empathise! Actually I am using all my spare grey cells trying to compose an E-mail to the BBC which will capture their imagination and make them take notice. On the bright side, I am going to see SIL on Friday when it opens. I have already booked the tickets, the first time I have ever booked cinema tickets more than a day in advance. And I am excited."}, {"response": 689, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan 26, 1999 (19:29)", "body": "Why should Harvey have a down on him? That is a v. good question. What if Colin and Harvey are having discussions about MLSF? Release date, promo, premiere, or what if Colin wants to star in a new Miramax project and Harvey wants to cast someone else? My message to Colin is: DO THEATRE! Let us see you every night, show them."}, {"response": 690, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Jan 26, 1999 (19:32)", "body": "I've often thought the BBC could have offered CF and JE a special \"one-off\" Performance together I fear our DB is now too expensive for the dear old beeb. The licence fee cannot compete with HW!"}, {"response": 691, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Jan 27, 1999 (01:48)", "body": "Go to it, ladies. Blow some fire up the networks' arses. They might tell you when they're planning on showing an interview with him. After all, Ann did see a camera in his face. News and promos should be hot and heavy the next few weeks."}, {"response": 692, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Jan 27, 1999 (09:00)", "body": "If you wish to E-mail the BBC, their contact page is at bbc.talks.co.uk/talks/"}, {"response": 693, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Jan 27, 1999 (09:05)", "body": "Ooops, try again!Go to bbc.co.uk/talks/"}, {"response": 694, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Jan 27, 1999 (09:07)", "body": "I give up! Go to www.bbc.co.uk and follow your nose."}, {"response": 695, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Jan 27, 1999 (09:31)", "body": "Allison, I think you need to type the http:// , too. Will it work? http://www.bbc.co.uk/talks/"}, {"response": 696, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Jan 27, 1999 (09:33)", "body": "It worked only half... http://www.bbc.co.uk/home/today/"}, {"response": 697, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Jan 27, 1999 (12:59)", "body": "And while I was there I did a search for guess whom? Here's an (oldish) interview with Donald Pleasance with a Colin mention (we need any crumb!) http://www.bbc.co.uk/movies/bbcap/archive/pleasence/interview2.shtml"}, {"response": 698, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Wed, Jan 27, 1999 (16:21)", "body": "I am not that mad at HW. I just think that it is an oversight on his part and he must be careful. Our DB has LOTS of fans out there and we do go to the movies and pay those high ticket prices. We rent those movies and purchase them. All money in his pocket. I just want him to take notice and that is why I wrote him. On a lighter note, GP What a Girl!!!!"}, {"response": 699, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jan 27, 1999 (16:48)", "body": "Hmm! Harvey's words do have an impact! From yesterday's Telegraph (account of GG awards)...\"SIL, with a (British) cast that includes Dame Judi Dench, Rupert Everett and Tom Wilkinson.\" There's an article about the awards and a huge credited photo of GP and JF. Guess who's missing, yet again! The awards ceremony apparently had a global audienceof 250 million. Thank goodness for Gwynnie! The article on the awards suggests that movies which get the most promotion get the most awards and says that SIL has been heavily promoted by Miramax at the expense of some of its other movies (MLSF?) It also says that overall most independents are not doing well at the box office, despite critical acclaim, and that American movies will always beat \"British\" movies in terms of quality but awards go to well mounted relics like TEP! (typically supportive British film critic...no wonder the British film ind stry is dying!! Without Harvey, bless his cotton socks, it probably would be dead!) Jeez...I am NOT going to read any papers for at least a fortnight!!!"}, {"response": 700, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jan 27, 1999 (17:37)", "body": "Just read a review form an Irish critic, loved the movie and had kind words for the supporting actors including our DB, \"and Firth as the villian is splendid.\" Perhaps you should only read Irish papers Bethan."}, {"response": 701, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 27, 1999 (20:43)", "body": "From this at www.upcomingmovies.com about \"My Life So Far\" Greg's Thoughts: This movie, once named The World of Moss, was originally slated to be released a year before, in July of 1998; and all along, I've kept my eye on it. Why? Well, as people are welcoming back Terrence Malick after his 20 years away from the camera for his work on The Thin Red Line, I was also happy to hear that High Hudson is also returning. Though this is only his fifth film, his first two were very memorable (Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan is a favorite of mine), even earning him an Academy Award. I deed, the pace and manner of Chariots of Fire may be indicative of what this film might be like, as a description of a scene of daily swims in a Scottish loch reminded me of the famous runs along the beach in that film. In both scenes, there is a certain British stoicism that is unspoken, but remains in the viewers' memory, like some kind of compass of behavior for quiet moments. There aren't many British period-piece dramas that register on the cultural landscape of late. There've been a few in recent years (Firelight and The Governess are the most recent), but not the volume that there once was, in the heyday of the Merchant/Ivory films. Happily then, comes this film next Summer, perhaps as a well-placed piece of counterprogramming to compete with the crowds of the various blockbusters of the season. Here's hoping Hugh Hudson's return is a triumphant one. (As of 12/16/98)"}, {"response": 702, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jan 27, 1999 (23:53)", "body": "Ladies, news of Colin's next project, according to Lisbeth (Lisbeth's Timeline) he is to play a madman, can't remember all the details ony that it is a TV film, great to hear he is working again but a madman!!"}, {"response": 703, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Jan 28, 1999 (01:38)", "body": "Go here to read a bit more about his project: Donovan Quick Thanks to Karen who got us e-mail on Yahoo or I never would have seen it."}, {"response": 704, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Jan 28, 1999 (01:51)", "body": "Oops! I was so excited I didn't check out Lisbeth's timeline first. I see I put up the same link there that she did. Looks like a UK project so please look for more on this for us. I'm curious if this is BBC. That blurb on MLSF makes me feel this film might have a chance. I was beginning to worry that only Colin's fans even knew of its existence and now here's someone who is actually looking forward to it."}, {"response": 705, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Thu, Jan 28, 1999 (05:50)", "body": "Thank you for the info. You guys are great. Hi ANN"}, {"response": 706, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jan 28, 1999 (07:43)", "body": "Heide, yes it is for the BBC, have just read about it on ITV's Teletext pages."}, {"response": 707, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jan 28, 1999 (08:04)", "body": "UK fans, sorry it is no longer on Teletext but is still on Ceefax ."}, {"response": 708, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Jan 28, 1999 (08:24)", "body": "Jeez...I am NOT going to read any papers for at least a fortnight!!! Just break your abstinence, Bethan, for the Times review. \"Colin Firth is the only real villain. Wonderfully grumpy, he is naked self interest buttoned into the dastardly Lord Wessex... A madman? Good. Sounds a good award catching role!"}, {"response": 709, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan 28, 1999 (13:31)", "body": "Let's hope he plays a heroic madman! Any news on when it starts filmimg, the title and co-stars would be appreciated. I wonder if it's the lead role. What good news to wake up to, thank you AnnW."}, {"response": 710, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan 28, 1999 (13:37)", "body": "Heide, I just read the Don Quick blurb, it looks like he will be the star if he has the Don Quixote part! I hope they do it justice, by the name, it sounds like it might be a comedy."}, {"response": 711, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Thu, Jan 28, 1999 (17:59)", "body": "CF on stage? Unsubstantiated report in the London Theatre Guide bulletin board states that Colin will join Eliz. McGovern for a two week run at the Donmar Warehouse, 1-13 March, in \"3 Days of Rain\". Gnashing my teeth, as I'll be in London in February and April, but not in March!"}, {"response": 712, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 28, 1999 (18:33)", "body": "(Moon) Let's hope he plays a heroic madman! Well, if he is a modern-day Don Quixote then there's no way he's in a baddie role again! Wonder who will be his Sancho Panza and Dulcinea? FYI, Joe Fiennes is scheduled to be on Jay Leno on Monday next and Gwynneth Paltrow on Conan O'Brien next Thursday. (When's the deadline for AA nominations?) (Chris) that Colin will join Eliz. McGovern for a two week run at the Donmar Warehouse, 1-13 March, in \"3 Days of Rain\". Wow!! Wouldn't that be something to see. Is this a new production or a change in cast for a longer-running play? I'll bet fares to London are pretty cheap that time of year.... ;-)"}, {"response": 713, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan 28, 1999 (19:47)", "body": "Colin doing Theatre? He heard me!!! Yes! You lucky UK ladies, go to it. We will want a full report. In the book Dulcinea is not such a big part as they made her in Man of La Mancha, but indeed, I do wonder who will be Sancho Panza."}, {"response": 714, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Jan 28, 1999 (20:24)", "body": "--Well, I hope all you gloomy gussies are satisfied!!..1) He's working, and 2) he's gotten that theatre bit he said he wanted so much...now, all together now, are we happy for our Dear Boy?? (Oh, ye of little faith!)"}, {"response": 715, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jan 28, 1999 (20:45)", "body": "I see another trip up to the big City coming up, thankyou Chris for alerting us. I will telephone the Donmar Warehouse tomorrow and find out a few details and book of couple of tickets, hopefully in the front row again. Also at Murph's Corner she reports that Colin is featured in February 8th People magazine, is that only available in the US?"}, {"response": 716, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jan 28, 1999 (21:35)", "body": "I feel so elated, so much good Colin news, a film, a play, news of a story with news photos, and on top of that I have read two reviews today, both of which mention Colin specifically and the one at the PA News centre is particularly generous \"an exceptional cast are all magnificent with Rush & Firth strong as the primary support, and notable faces right down to the cameos\". Colin news is a bit like the buses in my area, nothing for ages and then two buses come along together."}, {"response": 717, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jan 28, 1999 (21:55)", "body": "Wow! It never rains but it pours! I'd almost gotten used to being miserable, and now I don't know where to start enthusing! Firstly, the review in the Times. Yes, Allison, it was well worth reading! Only GP and CF were singled out for positive mentions (JF's review was so-so). We get the Times delivered and I actually stuck to my resolve and didn't even glance at it this morning. But when I read your comment, I sneaked a look, and, hey! it was good! Donovan Quick (Don Quix)...again very good news. I like the sound of this and one advantage of TV is that we get to see it pretty soon (and can record it!) If it's a BBC film there's also always a chance of a cinema/video release....The Advocate was a BBC TV film, as was Jude with Kate Winslet. Checking my reference books..to remind myself about Don Quixote....\"Don Q becomes slightly crazy after reading too many knightly romances. His crazy notions lead him into every kind of absurdity as he goes about trying to right wrongs that never existed or making real wrongs worse by his unwise interference. Quixotic describes a person who goes so far out of his way to do a foolishly kind deed that he hurts himself.\" Not a hero exactly, Moon, but sounds like an interesting character study. The director got a BAFTA nomination recently for \"THe Lakes\" a drama series set in the Lake District. Bus privatisation was a late 1980's thing in the UK, with considerable job losses, and also reductions in services in rural areas (like the Lake District)which often left older and less affluent people cut off and isolated. The film sounds like a parable..anti-big business, greed etc. And finally, theatre, WOW! WOW! Donmar Warehouse specialises in short runs. It was where Nicole Kidman recently appeared (I think?) Sam Mendez often directs. Fingers crossed for this one. What's \"Three days of rain\"...contemporary or what? Elizabeth McGovern is a good actress (American settled in the UK?) An exciting day!"}, {"response": 718, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jan 28, 1999 (22:03)", "body": "Bethan, is it the same Elizabeth McGovern who was in the recent The Scarlet Pimpernel with Richard E Grant, if so I thought she was very pretty , they will make a handsome couple!"}, {"response": 719, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jan 28, 1999 (22:20)", "body": "When is the Oscar ceremony? If he's appearing in the theatre at the beginning of March and SIL is nominated (which it will be), it's a very newsworthy combination. Apparently, he's also said that he's given up smoking ! (Well done, Livia!) So much good news!! :-)"}, {"response": 720, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Jan 28, 1999 (23:46)", "body": "At last the long awaited Ann's private photos from the London premiere. Thanks, Ann! Also official photos from The Evening Telegraph and The Sun. (All scanned for the Archives by one of the Three Deers) http://firth.com/prempic/annprem.htm"}, {"response": 721, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jan 29, 1999 (00:54)", "body": "Livia is so gorgeous, and if she has gotten DB to give up the evil weed, how can one begrudge her her handsome husband. Thanks AnnW for the photos. BTW, I was checking on the state of the world just now on CNN Headline News, and they had a several-minutes story on the popularity of Shakespeare in the Movies. They had good coverage of SIL including several clips...alas, none with our man. Mostly GP. But, that is ok. She has been very generous in sharing the limelight."}, {"response": 722, "author": "KateMcQ", "date": "Fri, Jan 29, 1999 (01:20)", "body": "Thanks for the lovely pictures at the London premiere. Wow! It seems as though he will be busy for quite a while. I just began reading Fever Pitch in anticipation of the movie opening in the US. Anybody else read it? I'm not getting all of the references, but I'm thinking that they are not necessary to understand one man's obsession with soccer (ok, football). Any helpful hints to assist my understanding of football? Thankfully I had heard of Arnsenal and Manchester United before I began the book and I remember, vaguely, the hoopla that surrounded soccer, from when I lived in England for a while."}, {"response": 723, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan 29, 1999 (13:42)", "body": "AnnW, thanks for the picture and you Renate did a wonderful job!"}, {"response": 724, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Jan 29, 1999 (14:19)", "body": "Today :- 1) I have seen Ann's marvellous premiere photographs. 2) Am going to see Shakespeare in Love 3) Have booked seats for 3 Days of Rain. All I need now is a copy of People magazine and my life will be full:-)"}, {"response": 725, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jan 29, 1999 (14:57)", "body": "It's almost worth enduring the famine to enjoy the feast! :-) Hope I don't sound too serious if I say how much I approve of his choice of new projects. Three Days of Rain sounds like a terrific play, with CF in the lead role, and it seems as though he'll be on the stage all the time. And I also think that Donovan Quick could be very thought-provoking drama. (And, hey! lead role AGAIN!). Reminds me a bit of one of my favourite old movies,\"The Man in the White Suit\" with Alec Guinness, which was about loss of integrity in business. Does anyone know whether it's made by the BBC or Channel Four? Channel Four have now linked up with Miramax, and of course have their own Movie Channel, Film Four, so a Channel Four \"TV\" film could reach a cinema audience. Great! Great! And (IMHO) much, much better than playing the baddie in a James Bond or earning millions and millions in StarWars. I hope to see SIL this weekewnd, as my son, mother and husband have all quite independently (and without prompting!) expressed interest in seeing it! So I needn't come out of the closet and declare a vested interest in CF...yet! Hope you enjoy SIL tonight, Allison!"}, {"response": 726, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Jan 29, 1999 (15:52)", "body": "Thanks, Bethan! I haven't told my husband the cast of 3 Days of Rain yet. I just said I was taking him to a new production at the Dolmar and he was content. He will probably (I hope) laugh when he does discover. I just pray the theatre isn't full of ladies of a certain age dribbling into their handkerchieves. Not that I wouldn't love to see you all there! ;-)"}, {"response": 727, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Jan 29, 1999 (15:54)", "body": "Hope I don't sound too serious if I say how much I approve of his choice of new projects. I agree. So know we know why he was smiling. And he has given up smoking!"}, {"response": 728, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jan 29, 1999 (16:16)", "body": "Renate, I never dreamt you would be able to make the photo's as clear as they are, you have worked wonders, thankyou very much to everyone who was involved in putting them up. According to Telextext Bethan Donovan Quick is a BBC film."}, {"response": 729, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jan 29, 1999 (16:37)", "body": "Thanks Ann! BBC, Channel Four, equally good! Just had another thought. If he's opening in the Donmar at the beginning of March (must be rehearsing now), we should expect at least one \"serious\" interview with him in the press, maybe third week of Feb (Oscar nomination time?), when he would probably talk about his work. Juliet Binoche, Nicole Kidman, Kevin Spacey, Ewan McGregor all got good coverage..why not CF!!! So, I'll start reading the papers again! Another thought. I wonder if there are any plans for this production to \"transfer\". Juliet Binoche and Ewan McGregor both transferred to the West End, and of couse Nicole Kidman, Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes all transferred to New York Broadway. It's a short run...16 performances? So nice to have something REAL to conjecture about! Great!!! :-)"}, {"response": 730, "author": "susanne", "date": "Fri, Jan 29, 1999 (16:40)", "body": "Great news about Colin's new roles. The whole cast for SIL is up for the Screen Actors Guild Awards for Best Ensemble cast. Their competition is Life is Beautiful,Saving Private Ryan,and Waking Ned Devine. This might be the closest Colin comes for an American award. Broadcast March 7 on TNT. I'm hoping he will be there, but I don't think he was when TEP was nominated for the same award so I won't hold my breath. SIL was nominated by the SAG in every film category. Actor JF Actress GP Supporting Actress JD Supporting Actor GR"}, {"response": 731, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 29, 1999 (16:57)", "body": "Fabulous pictures, AnnW!! Could almost imagine myself there sitting in the front row. He looks so good standing up on that stage. (Wonder what GP and JF are looking up at on the ceiling??) Am running out to buy a copy of People magazine so I can see the lovely pictures of him in Italy. Anxious to hear how all of you ladies like SiL, since it opens today and am terribly jealous that you will get to see Colin on stage. Wonder if it will come to NY like the Nicole Kidman thing?"}, {"response": 732, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jan 29, 1999 (17:10)", "body": "Well Ciaran Hinds is in New York in Closer (thought Colin would be good in that play) so you never know. Karen, don't you think he looks smarter than any of the other male cast members. I think I will have to ask Evelyn to get me a copy of People magazine, I don't think we can get it in the UK. Allison did you have any trouble getting you first choice of tickets for 3 Days of Rain?"}, {"response": 733, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Jan 29, 1999 (20:32)", "body": "--I wonder how DB feels about always being referred to as \"heart-throb actor\" (RE; the Yahoo UK announcement.) I can guess..."}, {"response": 734, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Fri, Jan 29, 1999 (20:33)", "body": "Such exciting news about CF's upcoming projects. I'm rushing out to get at least half a dozen of that People's Magazine... For those of us in the US, who can we call to order tickets for 3 days of Rain? I've surfed the web, and no success. I'm desperate! Please help!"}, {"response": 735, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jan 29, 1999 (21:33)", "body": "Hi Emma, The Box Office telephone number for the Donmar Warehouse Theatre is 0171 369 1732, I'm afraid I don't know the code for calling England from America, there is also a fax number which you can find at Darcy Diliriums, hope this is of some help."}, {"response": 736, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jan 29, 1999 (21:36)", "body": "Just thought I would mention that the tickets are \ufffd15. or \ufffd8. not many at \ufffd8. , very cheap to see our DB and that the performances start at 8pm Mon-Sat mats 4pm and Mar 2nd. 7pm"}, {"response": 737, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan 29, 1999 (22:39)", "body": "I am so jealous. There's nothing I'd rather do than see Colin on the stage (well actually, I would love to be at the same dinner party). So I repeat, I am so jealous! The only thing that cheered me up today was knowing that I will spend part of the Easter week in the Turks & Caicos Islands. Hey, wait a minute, Italians love that place, maybe Livia can talk DB into a well deserved vacation (one can dream, I'll start sending my moonbeams that way)."}, {"response": 738, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jan 29, 1999 (23:44)", "body": "For those wishing to look at Yahoo UK/s review of our \"heartthrob\" : http://movies.yahoo.com/movies/guide/shakespeare_in_love.html"}, {"response": 739, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jan 29, 1999 (23:51)", "body": "actually it is at http://film.reviews.co.uk/archive/992801shakespearlove.htm the above one is the US review."}, {"response": 740, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jan 29, 1999 (23:54)", "body": "KJArt, where did you find your review. Both of the URL's I posted deal with SIL but hardly mention CF!!!"}, {"response": 741, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jan 30, 1999 (00:10)", "body": "Marcia, there is a very good review for Colin and the supporting cast at (sorry don't know how to do the link,) at www.popcorn.co.uk/ and then scroll down to the review for SIL. Hope you find it, it is excellent."}, {"response": 742, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jan 30, 1999 (00:39)", "body": "Renate, are the photos to be found at colinfirth.com only when I go there I cannot find a link to the photos, am I doing something wrong. I have your link but I just wondered which site they were on."}, {"response": 743, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Jan 30, 1999 (01:05)", "body": "Ann, they are not yet linked to any other page. Reason is, that I had just time to put them up last night before I fell asleep. I think they should be linked to and from and become part of Murph's Corner, where all the other premiere pics are. Murph, are you listening? Do you want to make them part of the Hugest Corner Ever?"}, {"response": 744, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Jan 30, 1999 (01:42)", "body": "Come to think of it: \"Three Days of Rain\" is a very promising title - wonder if he'll wear a wet shirt? ;-p."}, {"response": 745, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Sat, Jan 30, 1999 (04:13)", "body": "Ann, thank you so much for Donmar's phone number. You're a dear. Does anyone have any idea about the plot? Not that it matters. If Colin thinks the play is good enough for him...ooh the possibility of another wet shirt scene...I'm booking my tickets NOW :-)"}, {"response": 746, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Sat, Jan 30, 1999 (05:23)", "body": "Ann: The pictures are wonderful. He is too cute and the wife is beautiful. HOoray for our DB giving up those cigs."}, {"response": 747, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jan 30, 1999 (09:20)", "body": "Emma, if you want to know more about \"Three days of rain\", there's a very good review of a recent production in NY which gives you an idea of the plot/characters. There are jusr three characters in the play. CF takes the lead and would, I think, be on stage all the time. The play goes back in time, so all the actors play a double role. CF plays Walker, a drifter, who then \"becomes\" his father, Ned, a famous architect, as the drama moves back over 30 years. The play is described as \"a fine, fine play\", \"beautifully written\", \"intensely moving\" \"funny\" etc. URL for the review is http://www.botz.com/nytheatre/3days.htm Giving up ciggies...who said a man can't change?"}, {"response": 748, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Jan 30, 1999 (09:23)", "body": "(AnnW)Allison did you have any trouble getting you first choice of tickets for 3 Days of Rain? No. The play has not yet been advertised. I went into the Dolmar to get my tickets and there is no mention of the cast of the play on any of the handouts, so I do not imagine it is generally known that Colin is appearing."}, {"response": 749, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jan 30, 1999 (09:36)", "body": "I've emailed the BBC \"Feeddback\" to ask them if they could consider adapting the upcoming production of \"Three Days of Rain\" with Colin Firth, for television. They've done this with a few productions in the past! Keep the same cast of course! Email is info@bbc.co.uk. The more the merrier!"}, {"response": 750, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jan 30, 1999 (10:51)", "body": "re the review at popcorn.co.uk, I feel I just have to share this wonderful review as it mirrors exactly my view of Colin's performance and it is the first one that I have seen that does - \"Fiennes is a perfact randy genius, matched for scene by GP in looks, power and chemistry. Firth makes a superb baddie, saying more with a gesture than many could manage with a lecture. BA has fun sending himself up, and JD's Elizabeth is shrewd and sexless. But TW is worthy of special mention, his Fennyman is a thumbreaker who, through the beauty of the playwrights work, sees that the arts are a noble venture. The rest of Hollywood, please take heed.\" There is als a good review for CF at the PA Newscentre, Entertainment, (don't know the address) says Colin and GR give strong performances. Thankyou Allison, I shall give the Donmar a ring today, lets hope he gets full houses every night and that it is a sell-out."}, {"response": 751, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jan 30, 1999 (12:08)", "body": "Have just telephoned the Donmar and have got my tickets, I am so excited. The third member of the cast is David Morrisey, who I believe is in Hilary & Jackie and was so good in Our Mutual Friend, an excellent cast. Apparently tickets are going quite well, which is great considering it hasn't been advertised yet."}, {"response": 752, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jan 30, 1999 (15:39)", "body": "David Morrisey was fantastic in \"Our Mutual Friend\"...it's a great cast!"}, {"response": 753, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Sat, Jan 30, 1999 (16:12)", "body": "(bethan) The play goes back in time, so all the actors play a double role. CF plays Walker, a drifter, who then \"becomes\" his father, Ned, a famous architect, as the drama moves back over 30 years. The play is described as \"a fine, fine play\", \"beautifully written\", \"intensely moving\" \"funny\" CF on stage most of the time, playing a double role...tis too much! Thank you bethan for the play review link. If this is an American play, and takes place in New York, will we hear CF with an American accent? By the way, for those of us in the U.S. call Donmar directly at 011 44 171 369 1732, it may take a few moments to connect. And don't forget they are 5 hours ahead of us. Get that credit card ready :-)"}, {"response": 754, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Sat, Jan 30, 1999 (16:26)", "body": "Saw SIL for the third time last night, this time with my husband (he has no clue as to the depth of my obsession) and teenage son. They both liked it a lot. My husband thought Lord Wessex looked familiar, but couldn't quite place him, later he said Colin was rather funny, with a very expressive face. YES! And the audience applauded at the end."}, {"response": 755, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 30, 1999 (16:34)", "body": "(Emma) If this is an American play, and takes place in New York, will we hear CF with an American accent? Have been thinking the same....oh dear! So, where are the reports from England on seeing SiL yesterday? Audience reaction?"}, {"response": 756, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jan 30, 1999 (19:18)", "body": "(Emma) If this is an American play, and takes place in New York, will we hear CF with an American accent? (Karen), Have been thinking the same....oh dear! I second that. It would ruin the performance for me. I guess we'll have to wait to find out."}, {"response": 757, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jan 30, 1999 (20:25)", "body": "Thank you for telling me of the Popcorn review of SIL. Loved the comments about Wessex/Firth. For those of you needing a hot link: www.popcorn.co.uk scroll down to SIL and click on it."}, {"response": 758, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jan 30, 1999 (20:26)", "body": "One more time: http://www.popcorn.co.uk/"}, {"response": 759, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Jan 30, 1999 (21:53)", "body": "--MarciaH: The \"Heart-throb actor\" citation was from the Yahoo UK News announcement that was linked (I think) out of here when it first appeared. I don't know if it's still there, but the URL on my print-out reads: http://www.yahoo.co.uk/headlines/19990127/entertainment/917473320-2-1.html I'll check out to see if it works and get back to you."}, {"response": 760, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Jan 30, 1999 (21:55)", "body": "--It works!...and it's still there (so far...)."}, {"response": 761, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, Jan 30, 1999 (23:30)", "body": "THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! It's good to be with you again with so much hot happpening info. I have booked my DONMAR tickets thanks to your tip. Tell me I am not mad to be going twice!!! The photos are just GREAT Ann, I thought you said your hands were shaking!!! I would like to see some when they are not!!! I saw SIL yesterday, only 15 in the audience, it was almost like a private showing and lived up to and beyond expectations."}, {"response": 762, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, Jan 30, 1999 (23:37)", "body": "BTW on Brit TV tonight there was an episode of \"Inspector Morse\". It was directed by John Madden! I thought there were some hallmark shots after seeing SIL yesterday. My partner , not sharing my obsession, thinks I am being fanciful! Also in one of our papers tomorrow (Indie on Sunday) there promises to be an article entitled something like: \"Is our critic the only man in Britain who doesn't like SIL?\" I'll keep you posted. It would be ironic if our DB was actually mentioned in this one!!"}, {"response": 763, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jan 30, 1999 (23:38)", "body": "Bethan, thanks for the link to the synopsis of the play. Can you imagine sitting in the audience and most likely the first person you'll see on stage will be Colin? What a wonderful test for self control, ladies. I don't know if I could pass. ;-) (Allison) I just pray the theatre isn't full of ladies of a certain age dribbling into their handkerchieves. Not that I wouldn't love to see you all there! ;-) And I'd love to be there. I'll let you know after I make sure I have enough handkerchiefs. I hope everyone who goes can retain enough sanity to give a clear report to those who will be left behind. Talk about sopping hankies. The premiere shots are wonderful, Ann. You did a terrific job. I can't get over how stylish and fit he looks, especially compared to the others. Looks like he really made an extra effort. Thanks to the 3 Deers for putting them up. May we have a shot scanned in here as well? (Thanks too for putting in that Fever Pitch shot - one of my alltime favorites.) People Magazine! Talk about sensory overload. Three pages, ladies! Seven pictures! What is going on? What's with all this activity? Why is he being focused? What gods are smiling on us? Does anyone want the text put up here? Or should we wait until more get a chance to read the article for themselves. Karen, can we scan some of those photos in here? Yes, yes, I second Karen. Your Shakespeare in Love opinions, please. I'd love to know your thoughts on his acting, appearance, did it live up to its reputation, the ending, etc., etc. If you want to talk about spoilers, you can put it at 115. Thanks to Sue for the heads up on the SAG awards March 7. Surely SiL's cast has a real good shot at winning. I guess we can rule out Colin appearing though. Guess I'll just wait here now for the next bombshell to drop. Happy days! Firth makes a superb baddie, saying more with a gesture than many could manage with a lecture."}, {"response": 764, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jan 30, 1999 (23:45)", "body": "Meant to italicize the above quote from the popcorn review but forgot. Anyway, anyone who counts themselves as a Firth admirer is very familiar with those subtle gestures and changes of expression."}, {"response": 765, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, Jan 30, 1999 (23:51)", "body": "BTW if anyone is thinking of coming over to see CF on stage then the number for the DONMAR that AnnW gave out is ALSO a 24hour number that connects to TICKET MASTER so that could be more convienient for you if you are on Eastern time or in fact any time zone that is not GMT. Ironically when I phoned a voice said \"I'm Colin how can I help?\" IF ONLY!! Well I'm off for some sweet dreams of Wessex on horse back. I only mention this because I know some of you out there like to be reminded of his thighs at every possible occasion, however tenuous the link!!"}, {"response": 766, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (01:00)", "body": "Ironically when I phoned a voice said \"I'm Colin how can I help?\" LOL! Well,my son has seen SIL and I haven't (yet!). He went into town with his friends and came back and said they had all been to see Shakespeare in Love. He thought it was\"great\" and \"much better than Men in Black\". If they've cracked the 14 year-old market, they've got a winner! I was supposed to see it this evening with my husband, but he has a report to finish for Monday, and was \"too busy\" to go. (\"We don't have to go this weekend do we, the film isn't going to disappear!\") Huh! We are now going next Friday, and I am not in a good mood! :-( Karen and Moon....his accent in Three Days of Rain. I thought that too!! Perhaps as he's a returning wanderer in Act 1, he can retain his own accent, and maybe just have a v.slightly American accent in Act 2. His character in the second act has a stutter as well! What is the nearest American accent to a cultured British accent...isn't there a posh Boston accent? I have heard some very \"neutral\" American accents. Elizabeth McGovern, his co-star, is American, but usually plays with a Brit accent and David Morrissey normally has (I think) a northern accent. Heide, I've seen the pics fron People magazine, and some of the text, but some more extracts would be much appreciated. Is that his in-laws' villa in Umbria? I remember reading that the reception was held in the family's villa. And the dogs (great pic, lovely dogs)..are they his pets? It was nice to read that his parents had known each other since they were children in India. Childhood sweethearts. Very romantic! In the paper, the Donmar was advertising a Sondheim musical, which closes in 3 weeks. That gives them one week to set the stage for \"Three days\", which must be the next production. Really very exciting! SIL and the Indie on Sunday. The Independent can be quite snooty. It always seems to like things I dislike, and vice-versa!"}, {"response": 767, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (02:40)", "body": "(Bethan) Giving up ciggies...who said a man can't change? Just speculating... but if a baby were on the way, giving up ciggies would be a very logical habit to break. ....now running out to the newstands to buy People. I can't find the story on People Online. agh!"}, {"response": 768, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (02:58)", "body": "KJArt, thank you. There his glorious name is with all the heart-throbbing making it hard for me to read. Much appreciated. I would be in high dudgeon if I had to wait the better (?)part of a week after all this time to see SIL. My sympathies for the waitor, and fie on the waitee. I recall the first (and only) time I saw Olivier live on the stage. I about lept out of my skin!!!"}, {"response": 769, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (03:19)", "body": "He didn't give up ciggies when his son was born? Perhaps the doctor said, listen it's your lungs, they are black with that disgusting tar! This speculating is just a bit.... too much."}, {"response": 770, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (05:32)", "body": "Hi everybody...great to read all the News....Wow...gone a few days and all hell breaks loose:-) Ann, the pics are wonderful. Colin looks so handsome all dressed up....new shoes too...soles are sparkling clean. Eager to read reviews of SIL from UK friends.On 115?"}, {"response": 771, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (07:59)", "body": "Evelyn, I must second your comments. Good God, I just left town a few days ago and now return to find a new movie role, a play in London and a huge spread in People magazine. I am quite overwhelmed!! I'm having palpitations just thinking about it - oh my poor nerves :-)"}, {"response": 772, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (12:06)", "body": "Hello, everybody, I\ufffdm back from a trip to the Malaysian jungles and what do I find here: in two weeks, the world has changed! No more anxiety over CF planning to retire (!) but two new projects to look forward to. I\ufffdm so happy and relieved, also because of the change of mood in this board. Took me hours to read everything. Looking back at the discussion here and all the hopes and fears about his career, it seems to me that the logic of his choices remains wonderfully unexpected. The Don Quixote role sounds like a new approach again (in fact I find it very difficult to imagine a modern version of DQ! The book and the character are so absurd). I really admire his determination to do new sort of things or nothing at all....he\ufffds going to surprise us many times in the future. Dear Ann, thanks very much for your premiere report & pics! I know you probably have answered this a hundred times but still I\ufffdm dying to know: how exactly did you feel like when you saw him Live? Did it change your feelings about him somehow?"}, {"response": 773, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (12:41)", "body": "Hello Elena, welcome back. Yes it was wonderful to see him in the flesh and I thought he looked so well and lean and fit and much better than on the video which will be on its way to you shortly, but I am becoming blase because I am going to see him again in the flesh in March, can't wait to hear that voice on stage, just hope he hasn't got an American accent, no offence to American accents, just love his own voice. I understand that the tickets are going very well so anyone who is undecided whether to o or not don't delay. Good review for SIL in The Sunday Telegraph not so good for the two main actors JF & GP but excellent for the supporting actors (incl CF) and the script. Karen & Heide I am going again on Tuesday, will tell you all about it. re 3DOR I was thinking would it not be possible to base the play in London, does it have to be in NY?"}, {"response": 774, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (12:43)", "body": "Elena, sorry forgot to mention that it improved my opinion of him, if that is possible."}, {"response": 775, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (14:03)", "body": "Oh my, I\ufffdd love to see him on theater stage, only the thought of it makes my knees weak and my heart make a somersault. Ann, what a lucky girl you are to possess the tickets and to know that you\ufffdll see him again so soon! I\ufffdm trying to figure out how I could possibly come and see the play but there are so many damned practical obstacles. Maybe I could overcome them somehow. After all, this could be a unique opportunity, heaven knows what he\ufffdll be next up to and where. Btw...the weak-at-knees thing is what I meant with my question earlier. You must be a very balanced person emotionally to just calmly observe his good looks and happy conduct without any symptoms of hysteria (!!!!) caused by sitting only a few meters away from your idol."}, {"response": 776, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (14:53)", "body": "Ann W I am reminded of P&P2 in your comment about about seeing CF in the flesh and how your opinion of him has improved. Didn't Lizzie tell Wickham something like \"my knowing him better has improved my opinion of him.\" I am not sure how I will be able to sit in the front row of the Donmar and remain calm. Perhaps Ann and Dame Winter could run some online workshops using their own experiences of our DB!!! \"Up close and personal, a survival kit for dithering droolies------\"etc etc"}, {"response": 777, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (15:17)", "body": "Lizza, you have a font row seat as well, I can see the the whole A row will be full of droolers, what a lovely thought. My first instimct I must confess was to run up to him and tell him how wonderful he is, then my sensible mother of two side of me , persuaded me to act with a little decorum, but it was hard, he really looked good enough to eat. It will be interesting to see if the audience for 3DOR consists mainly of woman of a certain age."}, {"response": 778, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (15:26)", "body": "Yes, accompanied by \"friends etc\" who do not look so enthusiastic, or have a look of total surprise on their face when they open the programme and see who heads the cast list!!! I gather it's in \"The Round\" so those of us in the front row really will have a \"Bird's eye view\". I am going to have a look at \"Scarlet Pimpernel\" tonight to see E.M. I don't remember seeing her before. This will be a huge sacrifice on my part because I can't stand Richard E Grant!!! (Sorry any fans)"}, {"response": 779, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (15:35)", "body": "& tolerant husbands, you mean you haven't told them who is in the cast!! Apparently the actors run down the aisle onto the stage and guess who has got the aisle seat, not my hubby."}, {"response": 780, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (17:16)", "body": "From the People Magazine:"}, {"response": 781, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (17:18)", "body": "Another delicious shot..."}, {"response": 782, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (17:20)", "body": "With dogs Flick and Flock:"}, {"response": 783, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (17:29)", "body": "Re: 3DOR I feel certain that all will be performing with American accents. According to the Donmar's website, isn't this play part of its \"American series\"? It would seem rather odd to change the setting in that case. I have the script and few articles about other performances of the play and an interview with the author. The play is also going to open locally in a few weeks and I just might go check it out, but I don't want to *SPOIL* anything for anyone."}, {"response": 784, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (18:10)", "body": "Karen, thanks a lot for the pictures. The Feb. issue of People is not yet available in Finland so this relieves my eager curiosity a little....btw, I wonder how he manages to look like a totally different man in every picture."}, {"response": 785, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (18:27)", "body": "Karen, Thanks for the pics, it's great to see them. I guess the coffee one is in the Villa (Umbria?), any info on the dogs? I can't imagine they reside in the Hackney flat. Is this PEOPLE article cobbled together like the NOW and SHE ones or has our DB actually invited them in to take the pics?? He'll be in HELLO next!!! LOL."}, {"response": 786, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (18:41)", "body": "Thanks for the pictures Karen, I'm off to buy it tomorrow. BTW, there is a game we play in Italy called Flick & Flock. When two people are talking and they say the same word in unison, they lock pinkies and say uno, due tre, flick e flock and then they either say flick or flock. If they both say the same word, then their wish comes true. Great names for two dogs!"}, {"response": 787, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (18:44)", "body": "Colin makes the espresso, very cute! Now that he has quit smoking he's probably addicted to cafe."}, {"response": 788, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (19:25)", "body": "Lovely game Moon, could that explain how they got their names? Perhaps he will play in 3DOR with an Italian/American accent?!! Does anyone know if we can get PEOPLE over here(eventually)?"}, {"response": 789, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (19:42)", "body": "(Lizza), Lovely game Moon, could that explain how they got their names? I think it is a very good guess."}, {"response": 790, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (20:16)", "body": "Hi, everyone. I'm glad Colin has put everyone out of her misery; it was a sweet sorrow, but sorrowful nonetheless. I too am intrigued by the modern Don Quick. I can vageuly picture his inheritor, but he'd have to be slightly different - a bit more self-aware and pious, perhaps. I think DQ's naivety would not rest easily on modern shoulders. But an earnest PC equivalent could work. This is obviously the time, by the way, to rekindle an ancient and shallow university friendship with...Sam Mendes. Being the groupie I was, I used to hang out with the thesps at uni., and Mr Mendes was one of the crowd. Darling. Now he's a worldwide star and for some reason I see him less. But perhaps I could give him a call. \"Sam, you won't remember me, but I have the perfect dresser for Colin - several dressers, in fact, all willing to work for next to nothing.\" How about it? [We could put in a little line in the Donmar programme: \"Mr Firth is dressed by himself, and undressed, frequently, by a horde of enthusiastic Droolers.\")"}, {"response": 791, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (22:05)", "body": "(Ben) [We could put in a little line in the Donmar programme: \"Mr Firth is dressed by himself, and undressed, frequently, by a horde of enthusiastic Droolers.\") I dare you, Ben......:-) ****** Thanks Karen for scanning the pics of PEOPLE... BTW anyone want to write a letter to the editor...and tell them this guy has almost 20 websites on the WWW, and has been around for a while... editor@people.com Include name, address and daytime telephone number. **** He'll be gorgeous with an american accent as well....but not as . Somehow the american accent in ATA killed the resonance in his voice. Perhaps he was just trying to be mid-west. PM accent was better. *** Those dogs are ugly. ****** I can see that the whole A row will be full of droolers, I can see that Row D [for Droolers:-)] is going to keep an eye on Row A!! I can see that Row D is going to have to keep an eye out for Row A:-)"}, {"response": 792, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (22:29)", "body": "The pictures are quite fabulous, darling. I'm not shy about saying I buy People every week (one must keep up with world events) and this is a very lengthy article compared to most. And all those pictures! I'm still amazed. Some of it are quotes we've heard before but perhaps said differently so either Colin uses stock answers to those same old questions. There is new information. But they have the facts correct - ages, dates (not going to quibble about Nostromo) and the new photos were all taken in Italy - the dog one says it was taken in December. Ann, hope I didn't mislead you. We'll be there just on Saturday, not Tuesday. But your tickets are for Saturday too, right? Ben, please give Sam our names... our fingers are quite fleet with buttons, zippers, etc."}, {"response": 793, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (22:33)", "body": "Lizza, I wouldn't judge EM on the basis of the absolutely AWFUL \"Scarlet Pimpernel\". She can act (wasn't she in \"The Wings of a Dove\"?), although I didn't see any evidence of this tonight. Defeated by the script perhaps. BTW, why didn't anyone have a French accent? Karen, Re Three days of rain......I think it will have to be American accents, as it's an American season. But perhaps Walker, by dint of being a wanderer, could have a much less pronounced accent. I sound as though I'm agin the US accent...it's just that I think CF's natural voice/accent is very attractive, and an assumed accent can be distracting. Perhaps they could follow the example of \"The Scarlet Pimpernel\" and completely abandon any attempt at accents! BBC Films...I've noticed that most BBC feature films nowadays are co-productions, often with WGBH Boston, so I reckon you'll have a pretty good chance of seeing DQ in the States. Ben, I'm impressed! You move in very exalted circles! Lovely pics, especially with Flick and Flock! Very natural. He looks a mite self-conscious pouring the coffee! He'll be in HELLO next!!! LOL. Over my dead body! And remember the curse of Hello!"}, {"response": 794, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (22:57)", "body": "(Bethan), And remember the curse of Hello! Could you refresh our memory? Evelyn are you going to London for the play? I think Karen is going too. If only my husband had to go, I would join you all so happily. Of course we will want to see the program and you must take pictures when he takes the curtain call. Those pictures of Colin with the dogs might have been taken in Umbria over the Xmas holidays. The apt. building in Rome is not very likely to have a garden."}, {"response": 795, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Jan 31, 1999 (23:14)", "body": "--I,ve just bought two copies of People...Haven't read it yeat and indend to leave y'all to do so...Happy Sunday!"}, {"response": 796, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Feb  1, 1999 (02:20)", "body": "Is that his in-laws' villa in Umbria? I remember reading that the reception was held in the family's villa. And the dogs (great pic, lovely dogs)..are they his pets? No mention of his in-laws in the article. Just says, \"...he calls home a villa overlooking olive groves and ancient vineyards in the Italian region of Umbria, where he plays guitar, prowls the countryside for antiques and studies Italian.\" No mention of the dogs except for the caption under the photo that just says \"...with Flick and Flock in Italy in December...\" About his parents: \"His parents met as schoolchildren in India, where their own parents worked as missionaries. While Firth was still a toddler, the family--which now includes brother Jonathan, 31, an actor, and sister Kate, 36, a voice coach--moved to Nigeria, where his parents were teachers.\" Hmmm, Jonathan is nothing more than a footnote in this article. Here's a passage I find interesting...\" 'He was the kiind of student who almost never occurs,' says (Drama Centre) founder Yat Malmgren (whose previous students included Anthony Hopkins and Sean Connery). 'He had everything I expect and rarely find: imagination, intelligence, logic, common sense.' Indeed, the 37-year old institution decided to stage its first and only Hamlet just for him. 'You can't do five Hamlets a year,' says Malmgren. 'You've got to wait until you find your Hamlet. W found ours in Colin.' \""}, {"response": 797, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb  1, 1999 (02:53)", "body": "(Moon)The apt. building in Rome is not very likely to have a garden. But the article does not mention an apt. in Rome or in London for that matter. It does mention a condo in LA...and ...\" he calls home a villa in Umbria\" ****** Yes, I am going to London....after some arm-twisting...just booked my tickets.......someone has to keep Row A in line:-) BTW every airline has a special going in Feb. and March.United has a $228. RT from NY and $288.RT out of Chicago.American and the others are matching it. Online fares are probably even better. Also I read that Jennifer Ehle's new film \"This Year's Love\" will be playing in London... and Monet is\"playing\" at the National Art Gallery."}, {"response": 798, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Mon, Feb  1, 1999 (03:16)", "body": "Love those pics from People. He does look oh so handsome. My market was sold out of the Feb 7 issue and I will have to go somewhere else on Monday. That is a must purchase. He does look so happy. A villa. How lovely."}, {"response": 799, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Mon, Feb  1, 1999 (03:17)", "body": "Just a reminder VALMONT on Feb 5th on Encore."}, {"response": 800, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Feb  1, 1999 (08:16)", "body": "I see that SIL has moved to no. 5 in the American top ten films this weekend, pretty darn good."}, {"response": 801, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Feb  1, 1999 (13:50)", "body": "Hi, everyone. I'm glad Colin has put everyone out of her misery; it was a sweet sorrow, but sorrowful nonetheless. I too am intrigued by the modern Don Quick. I can vageuly picture his inheritor, but he'd have to be slightly different - a bit more self-aware and pious, perhaps. I think DQ's naivety would not rest easily on modern shoulders. But an earnest PC equivalent could work. This is obviously the time, by the way, to rekindle an ancient and shallow university friendship with...Sam Mendes. Being the groupie I was, I used to hang out with the thesps at uni., and Mr Mendes was one of the crowd. Darling. Now he's a worldwide star and for some reason I see him less. But perhaps I could give him a call. \"Sam, you won't remember me, but I have the perfect dresser for Colin - several dressers, in fact, all willing to work for next to nothing.\" How about it? [We could put in a little line in the Donmar programme: \"Mr Firth is dressed by himself, and undressed, frequently, by a horde of enthusiastic Droolers.\")"}, {"response": 802, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Feb  1, 1999 (16:01)", "body": "Heaven...I'm in heaven.... Back from a week away, anticipating even a sliver of news and WOW!!! BBC movie, London stage (my hopes for eventual B'way, albeit remote, are resurfacing)and a People magazine spread!!! I just dashed out to buy it and all the stores around here are still carrying the Feb. 1 edition. I'm beginning to think I live under a rock, not in the NYC suburbs. Karen, thanks for the pictures to hold me over in the meantime. After such a looooonnng publicity drought, this is GREAT. And buzz that he's stopped smoki g! Too good. I was so bummed out about Harvey's omission at the GG's (yes, hooray for Gwynnie. Her praise for his abilities sounded so genuine on the Rosie show; this confirms that) that I couldn't get to sleep that night. I just knew my collegues at Drool would catch that! Oh, well, that's old news. I'm jealous of you Brits...two chances to see our DB coming up, but I'm content with the anticipation of FP. Thanks for the warning about the dialogue, KJArt. Heide, I'm still with you about Mark Darcy. Don't think he'll do it (much as we want him to."}, {"response": 803, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Feb  1, 1999 (16:35)", "body": "I am sitting here wondering if I can justify the time it would take to go to either Selfridges or Harrods who will almost certainly get \"People\" magazine. How long do you tink it takes to arrive in Knightsbridge if it hasn't reached parts of the States yet? I am interested in the comments about his various homes. When he married, all the reports said that they had bought a flat, yards or should that be metres away from Livia's parents. From the decor in the pictures, I would guess that that is Livia's parents villa and that the dogs are theirs. C&LF travel too much to be able to keep dogs and Rabies quarantine regulations mean that they could not take them to England with them. A flat in LA. I found that interesting. I had always wondered where he stay d. (Lizza)I can't imagine they reside in the Hackney flat. Why not? I am sure I have asked for opinions on this flat before. As you may know, Hackney is one of the poorest boroughs in London. It does, however, have its fashionable parts. I am sure CF's flat must be in one of those. In 1995, when P&P came out it was always described as his \ufffd150,000 flat. House prices have risen considerably since then but even now that would be a lot to pay for a flat in that area. So if the reports are correct, then it must be somewhere quite special. Either overlooking ictoria Park or the canal or both. Even so, it is not the best place to live and I bet they eventually buy somewhere else, particularly if they have children and want good schools etc. Though I wouldn't expect them to choose somewhere very grand. I just think Colin likes to live somewhere low-key."}, {"response": 804, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Feb  1, 1999 (20:08)", "body": "Another thought. Do you think that the release date of FP has been put back from February because CF will be on stage in London and therefore not available for interviews, premieres etc?"}, {"response": 805, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Feb  1, 1999 (20:54)", "body": "I'm jealous of you Brits...two chances to see our DB coming up, but I'm content with the anticipation of FP. (Eileen) You'll see him in the Donovan Quick in the States....I'm sure of that. \"Mrs Brown\" was a BBC film. I was reading the reviews of a BBC film televised last night, and I noticed that our reviews quoted reviews by the Hollywood Reporter and Boston Chronicle, so the film had obviously already been shown in the States. In many ways, I'd prefer CF to make films for BBC or Channel Four. They usually get a theatrical release, here and in the US, and the bottom line is that we will always see them on TV ). And they don't have to cater for the 17-24 market!! Compare this with the uncertainty over, for example, the release of SLOW! Heide, I'm still with you about Mark Darcy. Don't think he'll do it (much as we want him to He'll do it! It's very high profile (and who else could do it?) His bank balance will be a bit depleted after his stint at the Donmar! And the BBC don't pay oodles of dosh either! It looks as though he'll be busy! I was so bummed out about Harvey's omission at the GG's I was reading that Miramax have promoted SIL heavily at the expense of some of their own movies (MLSF?) BA and RE also have Miramax movies in the can awaiting release. I reckon Harvey has pushed SIL (and thereby boosted the careers of the hithertoo unknown JF, and GP), using BA, whilst RE and CF remain \"on hold\" in the background. Maybe that's why he thanked RE and BA. Perhaps CF is more laid back about fame! This is all very convoluted and Machiavellian...hope you follow my drift! From the decor in the pictures, I would guess that that is Livia's parents villa and that the dogs are theirs. (Allison) Agreed!"}, {"response": 806, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Feb  1, 1999 (21:27)", "body": "Thanks for the BBC info, Bethan. Better and better! I reckon Harvey has pushed SIL (and thereby boosted the careers of the hithertoo unknown JF, and GP), using BA, whilst RE and CF remain \"on hold\" in the background. Maybe that's why he thanked RE and BA. Didn't Harvey also allude to some \"favor\" BA and RE did for him? My memory isn't clear because I was anticipating hearing the one name that never came. And you're right, CF has always been very laid back about fame."}, {"response": 807, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb  1, 1999 (22:26)", "body": "Finally got People Mag. Today. What a hysterically funny beginning! Talking about the pig in The Advocate: the pig, says its trainer, fell in love with Colin and so a leading man was born. Imagine that! I guess that makes us all Miss piggies. He would like his son to grow up in Italy because he finds it child friendly, unlike LA or London. WELL, I can tell you Milan is NOT kid friendly (the dirty looks we got in restaurants when I would bring my little boy), and I never had a problem in LA. He finds Rome and Romans exhilarating??? I give him two more years. I\ufffdve been trying to make out the Italian town in the background of one of the pictures, will let you know if I figure it out. The People Issue is one that will appeal to a very large audience. Princess Caroline on the cover and all the movie stars from the GG. Colin got lucky, it will give him major exposure."}, {"response": 808, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb  1, 1999 (22:35)", "body": "I also agree that the villa belongs to her parents. Now the casting of Mark Darcy--if it is to be an American production, they will probably cast a known American actor. Nick's other book is being filmed in Chicago. It would kill BJD for me were it not filmed in London. Let's hope for some un-common sense."}, {"response": 809, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb  1, 1999 (22:58)", "body": "(Moon)He finds Rome and Romans exhilarating??? I give him two more years. LOL. Oh Moon...I'm glad you said that...I was thinking it all along. Rome, nice place for a short visit...long term? Hmmmmmm. Don't think so. Two years sounds about right.....wasn't that about the Van Couver duration? Allison, or anybody in UK ...I can send the People article . Ann's went out this morning. Agree that with Princess Caroline on the cover, it will be v. popular in Europe. If Miramax arranged for the spread...\"all is forgiven, Harvey.\" But 250 million people were deprived from hearing Colin's name."}, {"response": 810, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Feb  1, 1999 (23:39)", "body": "Now the casting of Mark Darcy--if it is to be an American production, they will probably cast a known American actor. Apparently the production/distribution operation of Polygram, which includes Working Title who are making BJD, has been sold to a very rich Arab businessman for $400million. I don't know if this affects Working Title (MD will be played by Omar Sharif?)...are they still part of Universal, or what? But even at my most pessimistic I can't see how MD can be played by anyone other than an English actor or Mel Gibson, :-)Mel has now made it three in a row. He's playing Sydney Carton, Ernest Shackleton and also ir James H...?, founder of the Oxford English Dictionary. No wonder English actors have to take \"well-deserved breaks!\" :-) How many people read \"People\"?"}, {"response": 811, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Feb  2, 1999 (00:10)", "body": "Good news, according to the PA Newscentre, SIL has raced to No.1 spot in the UK, in its first weekend, grossing nearly \ufffd2million."}, {"response": 812, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Feb  2, 1999 (03:20)", "body": "RE: People article... You're right, Moon. Give him 2 more years. He's still in that \"honeymoon stage\" of being in a foreign country. I'd say most metropolitan areas around the world have kid-friendly/unfriendly spaces. I wonder what Meg Tilly thinks about CF's preference to raise him in Italy. But then again, let's remember we're getting sound-bytes--his praises for Italian culture may have been taken out of context. BTW-- never thought about CF owning a condo in L.A.. Makes sense... though real estate is ridiculously expensive, it's a better investment to own a condo rather than to stay in hotels. L.A. is so spread out, but the nice thing about it is that there's a district that's just blocks and blocks of condos (Westwood Wilshire Corridor). I will make sure to hang about and see if he's a resident. Or, if he prefers more working class digs (i.e. Hackney)-- he may be living in another area... South Central?! (ha ha a--highly doubt it)"}, {"response": 813, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Feb  2, 1999 (03:41)", "body": "(Allison) Do you think that the release date of FP has been put back from February because CF will be on stage in London and therefore not available for interviews, premieres etc? Yes! Yes! Yes! This is exactly what I think. Why open Fever Pitch if the major star is not there to push it? Bet it opens soon after he's available again (taking a break from filming Don Quick). (Bethan) I was reading that Miramax have promoted SIL heavily at the expense of some of their own movies (MLSF?) I wouldn't worry about this, Bethan. Maybe it's not Miramax's doing, but somebody is pushing publicity for Colin. All this exposure all at once! I don't know the circulation of People Magazine but it's HUGE! Is it possible he's decided to make a big push this year? I'll be curious to see the Letters to the Editor in People in 3 weeks. If they publish letters about the Colin article, I'll take that as a good sign."}, {"response": 814, "author": "Ann", "date": "Tue, Feb  2, 1999 (04:08)", "body": "thing about it is that there's a district that's just blocks and blocks of condos (Westwood Wilshire Corridor). } I think my sister lives near there. Maybe I should go out and visit her ;-)"}, {"response": 815, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Feb  2, 1999 (05:17)", "body": "Moon, LOVED the 2 years tops in Rome comment. I've found Rome to be dirty, noisey, rude and well, overall unpleasent. (loved the rest of Italy though!) i wouldnt last 2 weeks there. what can our DB be thinking?"}, {"response": 816, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Feb  2, 1999 (05:55)", "body": "For those wishing to access People on the Web: http://www.pathfinder.com/people/web/home.html"}, {"response": 817, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb  2, 1999 (13:50)", "body": "Winter, I somehow feel that his condo would be in Santa Monica. Close to the ocean, quaint shops, easy place to \"hang out\" with his son (as he put it). SBRobinson, Rome is now much cleaner, and don't get me wrong, I love it. Did you know that there is a walking tour: \"Rome through its Fountains\". I just find Romans extremely taxing. He is obviously romanticising Romans because he married one. He will of course be picking up the roman way of pronouncing Italian (poor dear)."}, {"response": 818, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Feb  2, 1999 (14:02)", "body": "I have just watched the A&E interview on tape. Oh my! He is sooo much better on that interview than I had expected. Why did no one prepare me for how charming he is? Though I have to say he does appear to be a little slacker round the jawline. He is only 38, not old enough to start getting baggy. It is almost as if he had put on weight and has now lost it. He just looked a bit jowly. But gorgeous nonetheless. I like men with a few imperfections, it makes them nicer IMO."}, {"response": 819, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Tue, Feb  2, 1999 (16:50)", "body": "Moon \ufffd I was all over Italy last year and I thought Rome was very hectic--although I loved it. I plan on going back this year to Grado, Italy to take an immersion course in the language for school. What do you mean by the \ufffdroman way\ufffd of pronouncing Italian? Are you talking about dialect?"}, {"response": 820, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Feb  2, 1999 (18:36)", "body": "I visited Rome in November, it is very hectic Jana, but I can't imagine they will want to spend too much of 1999 there. I was reading about the projected numbers of tourists expected to visit because of the Millenium and the huge strain expected on already overstretched resources, like no traffic moving for days etc!!! Stay in Hackney or L.A. Colin."}, {"response": 821, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Feb  2, 1999 (18:42)", "body": "BTW the \"Curse of Hello\" that Bethan so rightly refers to, is that participating couples who throw open their homes to photographers and indulge in lengthy interviews with 18 changes of clothes, then split up . As did \"Gazza\" etc I am sure Bethan has a more comprehensive list than me!!!! Stick to \"People\" Colin, your wardrobe couldn't take it!"}, {"response": 822, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb  2, 1999 (19:19)", "body": "(Jana), What do you mean by the \ufffdroman way\ufffd of pronouncing Italian? Are you talking about dialect? Not a dialect, more like a distinctive accent. Actually all the regions in Italy have them. We can usually tell where a person comes from. The \"romano\", is not that pleasant to lisen to. Did you know that the mud baths in Grado are quite popular? Will you be going to Venice too (you will be so close)? The \"veneto\" accent is quite pleasant BTW."}, {"response": 823, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Feb  2, 1999 (19:42)", "body": "(Moon) I guess that makes us all Miss piggies. LOL! Oink, oink. Yes, that was a funny anecdote. The Roles Project has similar info. I think he later sent the pig a birthday card! IMO the article was well done and yes, it will give him excellent exposure. The momentum for SiL is building (and true Oscar hype hasn't even begun). As I hoped, bizillions of people are seeing the movie; now People readers will be able to put his name with his face. The closeup picture of him (one of Karen's p sts) is just yummy. Is this the one in which you're looking at the background, Moon? It must be. In this article, he comes off happy and content with both his personal and professional life. The recycled quotes in She made him sound angry and resentful, IMHO. (Allison)He is only 38, not old enough to start getting baggy. So glad to read of his ambition to \"stay off cigarettes.\" Should help in the 'baggy' department. BTW, Jana2, my condolences to your husband re: Superbowl outcome. My team lost late in the playoffs--I know too well how he feels. I attended an earlier playoff game and sat in the stadium in 20 degree weather with the flu. Wild horses couldn't have kept me away, though. I guess I have another reason (besides Colin) to see FP!"}, {"response": 824, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Feb  2, 1999 (19:44)", "body": "Ann, thanks for the info re SIL takings. As there were only 15 in the cinema when I went on Friday, things have improved!! I expect they will continue to rise as we all go for a second or third visit. The Oscar noms will continue to keep SIL's profile high. BTW, when are they in March??"}, {"response": 825, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb  2, 1999 (23:10)", "body": "I have had an answer to my letter to the editor of People. Thanks for your e-mail to PEOPLE. Our readers' views are important to us, and we're glad to learn that you enjoy PEOPLE. Your comments will be reviewed by the editors for possible publication in our Mail column. Maureen Fulton I don't want them to publish it necessarily....forget what I wrote. But I think it is important for them to get a positive response from the article. Especially from abroad.Go to it!! editor@people.com"}, {"response": 826, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Feb  3, 1999 (00:51)", "body": "Allison, I am glad you enjoyed the tape , I too thought he was charming but he did indeed seem a bit chubby around the neck and cheeks and that was why I was so agreeably surprised to see how lean and young and thin in the face he looked at the London Premiere, to have changed that much in the course of a few weeks was amazing, perhaps Livia put him on a strict diet and exercise."}, {"response": 827, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (07:35)", "body": "(Ann W):perhaps Livia put him on a strict diet and exercise. And, do we all know which is the best exercise?! Oh Yesssssss!!!!!"}, {"response": 828, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (07:49)", "body": "Oh my gosh. I have been away from the Firth fold for about ten days due to a business trip and can hardly believe the flurry of droolworthy news which occurred during my absence: a play (I am absolutely green with envy of those who will see Firth-in- the-flesh), a movie (a modern day Don Q\ufffd..sounds like this is an apt role for the DB, as he always likes a challenge), and a magazine article (oh dear, I feel a bit like a preteen paging through Tigerbeat Magazine in search of pics to paste in my scrapb ok. :-)) I am deliriously happy about all of this good news. ( Bethan, your positive attitude for 1999 was prophetic!) I am thrilled that Colin was (finally) deemed newsworthy enough for a mainstream mag such as People. Next, I would love to see him featured in Vanity Fair\ufffd.. How delightful that CF is content professionally and personally. I have even come out of denial about how beautiful Livia indeed is. Belated thanks, Ann, for your account of the London premiere of SIL. I swear your photos of CF were better than the professional shots. :-) I am also thrilled that someone posted about Valmont on Encore. I had planned to purchase the video for a princely sum\ufffd.now I can just tape it. Even though I was away on business, I did my best to bring my business mentor into the fold. She mentioned how much she enjoyed S&S, and how fond she was Allen Rickman. With great restraint, I casually asked her if she had seen P&P. It turns out she has not had the pleasure. I then mentioned how much I enjoyed the series, etc. I sent her my tape of P&P today. (Evelyn, you have inspired me to start a mini lending library of my own!) I plan to call my mentor in a week to see if full-fledged Fi thomania has set in\ufffd."}, {"response": 829, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (09:06)", "body": "Is anybody else having trouble loading Colinfirth.com, Murph's Corner or CF Chat?"}, {"response": 830, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (09:26)", "body": "(Eileen) BTW, Jana2, my condolences to your husband re: Superbowl outcome. My team lost late in the playoffs--I know too well how he feels. Thanks for the kind thought, Eileen. The poor boy was depressed indeed (and not a little crabby!) (LisaJH) and a magazine article (oh dear, I feel a bit like a preteen paging through Tigerbeat Magazine in search of pics to paste in my scrapbook. :-)) LOL! My thoughts exactly as I'm trying to casually dump two People's in my supermarket cart without jumping up and down with glee."}, {"response": 831, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (09:35)", "body": "Has anybody posted the People article on a website? I would just like to read the whole article."}, {"response": 832, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (06:36)", "body": "(Eileen), Is this the one in which you're looking at the background, Moon? Yes, I'm having a hard time making it out. It must be Citta delle Pieve, since her family has the house there. They liked your letter Evelyn, is it drool worthy?"}, {"response": 833, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (06:38)", "body": "We are back to the future and the favorite date. I wonder what will happen on Feb. 7, maybe Colin will decide to post something here, it must be a sign."}, {"response": 834, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (09:05)", "body": "(Ann) Is anybody else having trouble loading Colinfirth.com, Murph's Corner or CF Chat? Yes, colinfirth.com appears to be down, hopefully of short duration. I had a helluva time getting here (since I'm subversive about my activities, I can't leave a cybertrail for the dear husband to follow). (Moon) We are back to the future and the favorite date. I wonder what will happen on Feb. 7, maybe Colin will decide to post something here, it must be a sign. But will we have to wait until 2036? (LisaJH) and a magazine article (oh dear, I feel a bit like a preteen paging through Tigerbeat Magazine in search of pics to paste in my scrapbook. :-)) (Jana) LOL! My thoughts exactly as I'm trying to casually dump two People's in my supermarket cart without jumping up and down with glee. I'm there too! I even bought She because it was there (even though KarenR has been kind enough to put it on line). I'm a hopeless case... Jana, I hope your husband is recovering. Mine is a fan too (although I'm more zealous) so we're both crabby together when our team loses. Welcome back, Lisa. BTW, TV Guide gave Valmont three stars. My sentiments exactly!"}, {"response": 835, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (09:10)", "body": "(Moon)They liked your letter Evelyn, is it drool worthy? Aw, they say the same thing to everybody who emails. I forget what I said ...something to the effect .. \"thank you for acknowledging CF a great British actor who is consistently relegated to supporting roles... TEP,SIL,.He has almost 20 websites on the Internet and an active Chat..log on to: colinfirth.com.A hunk who deserves a starring role...Miramax are you listening?\". I won't win the Pulitzer but they do count 'em."}, {"response": 836, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (06:37)", "body": "If they publish your letter, we'll have to start hanging out on Chat...you never know. Eileen, LOL! Somehow I don't think we'll feel the same about him in 2036."}, {"response": 837, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Feb  3, 1999 (20:34)", "body": "Will we feel the same about anything in 2036? :-) Some of you may have seen the Questiona and Answers with CF from the Mail on Sunday magazine...it's posted somewhere else. There was a copy of the paper at work, which I was going to \"pinch\" but by the time I decided to walk away with it, someone else had beaten me to it. Honesty doesn't pay! I found his answers very illuminating. If you've already read them , please excuse the repetition. A sample.... Q. What's the downside of fame? A. There is too much information out there. I don't think it is appropriate to be peering into what others are doing all the tiime. Somebody told me there was a big discussion over whether I'd worn contact lenses to play Mr Darcy. And I met a girl at a pary who was able to tell me my date amnd place of birth, the names of my brother and sister, the schools I'd been to...the Internet is where she got it all. (Oh dear, this gave me a real pang. The examples he quotes..contact lenses and knowing his date and place of birth are so innocuous really , and yet he obviously feels very uncomfortable about this. He really is very private and must have a genuine dislike of celebrity. Most \"stars\" are flattered by such interest, but he must find it intrusive. As I said, it gave me a pang (of guilt!) Q.Do you like being married? A. Yes! It's a stable point of reference from which you can face a lot of other things more courageously, especially if there's a central instability in your life. Q.What's the favourite room in your house? A. I've just bought a new house in London. I think it will be the upstairs living room, but I haven't decided what it will be yet. In my old house, it was the living room, because that's where the music was. it wasn't the kitchen. I cook but i'm messy. After I've cooked, the kitchen is nodody's favourite place. Q,So you like being villanous? A. There's nothing especially villanous abot Wessex. A lthough he's not a lovable creature. He doesn't mislead anyone. He doesn't even kill anyone. His greatest crime is his lack of poetry,"}, {"response": 838, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Feb  3, 1999 (20:39)", "body": "Excuse all the typos...done in great haste!! \"upstairs living room\" should read \"upstairs front room\" (if that makes a difference!)"}, {"response": 839, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Feb  3, 1999 (20:59)", "body": "Thanks for the excerpts, Bethan. I've not seen this before...where else is it posted? I see what you mean about his response to the downside of fame. He has always been consistent about that."}, {"response": 840, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Feb  3, 1999 (21:03)", "body": "Hi Bethan, what an interesting interview! Makes me wonder about those questions he was sent and when are we to expect those answers? Hallo! May I contribute my sister's comments on SiL? She is not a Firthian, although she knows of our admiration for him (yes, \"our\", I've told her about Drool). She lives in Toronto. \"We went to see Shakespeare in Love and i must admit I didn't find it espectacular... I enjoyed it, but didn't think it was the best film in the last season, as has been said by some people, over here. Anyway, i couldn't say which was the best film of the season - I haven't seen anything special. I completely forgot about Colin Firth until I got out of the theatre - truly this guy is the typical \"character actor\". And his part was, of course, hateful... But he was better looking than Shakespeare who, IMHO, was a nobody with bad shoulders and only one suit.\" So there you are... ATA is opening in Lisbon later this month. I'm delighted!"}, {"response": 841, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Feb  3, 1999 (21:04)", "body": "Hi Bethan, what an interesting interview! Makes me wonder about those questions he was sent and when are we to expect those answers? Hallo! May I contribute my sister's comments on SiL? She is not a Firthian, although she knows of our admiration for him (yes, \"our\", I've told her about Drool). She lives in Toronto. \"We went to see Shakespeare in Love and i must admit I didn't find it spectacular... I enjoyed it, but didn't think it was the best film in the last season, as has been said by some people, over here. Anyway, i couldn't say which was the best film of the season - I haven't seen anything special. I completely forgot about Colin Firth until I got out of the theatre - truly this guy is the typical \"character actor\". And his part was, of course, hateful... But he was better looking than Shakespeare who, IMHO, was a nobody with bad shoulders and only one suit.\" So there you are... ATA is opening in Lisbon later this month. I'm delighted!"}, {"response": 842, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Feb  3, 1999 (21:05)", "body": "Sorry about the double post, my mistake. Hallo Eileen, are you there?"}, {"response": 843, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb  3, 1999 (21:22)", "body": "Oh, Bethan, fairlady what news thou bringest. It is a very sad day indeed, to think he does not appreciate all the hard work that goes on on the internet for him. I feel your pain. I very much doubt now that he will answer our questions. I think I will now go incognito so if you don\ufffdt hear from me again, just look to the moon and if you call me back, I shall. **sigh**"}, {"response": 844, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Feb  3, 1999 (21:37)", "body": "So, he has bought a house!!! I knew they would have to. That means that London will be their main base, I think. I wonder where it is. It sounds like a Victorian house (main living room on the first (i.e. second floor in US)). It sounds as if they have not moved in yet. I have been gazing at all the \"sold\" signs around here. BTW I do hope he isn't reading this. He would obviously hate it and who can blame him."}, {"response": 845, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb  3, 1999 (22:18)", "body": "BTW I do hope he isn't reading this. He would obviously hate it and who can blame him. IMO anyone who enters the entertainment or political arena should expect fans and non-fans. In any event, knowing where one was born and family etc is not being necessarily invading one's private life. He has given out this info himself in various interviews. And they are posted on the internet...just as they are cataloged in newspaper archives.. It isn't like the Internet is making info up about him. The Internet is an information tool. Sheeesh!!Am I glad Jennifer Ehle and her agent are enthused about hers and actually like it. We are really quite harmless. Was this the whole interview, Bethan?"}, {"response": 846, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Feb  3, 1999 (22:45)", "body": "I agree to an extent, Evelyn, but I was revealing that I was going round peering into houses, wondering if that is where he lives. As I wrote it, it felt a bit like stalking. I do think there is a different attitude to actors in the UK. I know a number of actors and it is almost a career choice a bit like deciding to become a lawyer. The entertainment industry is broad and in this country we would make a distinction between those who make their living by being themselves famous and those like Colin, ho would rather make their living selling their skills as an actor. He has a fine line to tread. He obviously wants good parts and he realises that his name, as in any profession, is important. The more people who know you, the more likely you are to get good work. What he is saying, as I am sure you understand, is that he is prepared to forego some star parts in order to preserve some privacy for himself and his family. He does not want his whole life to become public. IMHO, Jennifer Ehle might be cooperative because she doesn't have people panting after her. She knows her fans are probably interested because they admire her work. I think Colin probably fears that his fans are more interested in him as a person and that he is afraid of. To be seen to go along with that would be to court the derision of the profession in the UK. It is really quite easy to be a famous person in London. People really do not hassle you, unless, like pop stars for instance, you sell yourself as part of your claim to fame. Colin obviously wants to avoid that. I have rambled on rather a lot in a not very coherent way. It is just that I can see where he is coming from. If he were a more secure person, he would probably handle it better but his insecurities are probaboly what makes him the man we like to watch."}, {"response": 847, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Feb  3, 1999 (23:42)", "body": "I really hope that Colin answers have either been misrepresented or mis-quoted because I have to say that I feel this is a slap in the face for his wonderful internet fans. Surely when you become an actor you expect a certain amount of public attention, does he not want fans to turn up next week to see his play, would be prefer to play to an empty house, it is a two way thing and I feel very sorry for those wonderful ladies from America and Europe who are travelling so far just to see him. I am sure tha because of the internet fans half of the tickets will be taken before it is even been advertised and what is so bad about us knowing when his birthday is, who his parents are and where he went to school. I would have thought he would have been flattered that so many fans were interested in him. His private life is his private life and I do not want to know what he had for breakfast but discussing his work promoting his new projects and saying only complimentary things about him does not seem to much o me. I certainly do not feel guilty and I hope he does read this and then he might realise what wonderful and considerate fans he has. I am beginning to see what Laura means about a love hate relationship. But no I shall calm down, I was so excited when I received my tickets this morning to 3DOR, I shall believe that he has been grossly mis-quoted and prefer to think of him as Winter described as charming friendly and amiable. Sorry about that I just had to get it off my chest because I think he has he most wonderful and considerate fans anyone could have."}, {"response": 848, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Feb  3, 1999 (23:45)", "body": "Sorry I, of course, meant next month (March) ."}, {"response": 849, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (00:14)", "body": "The article in People Magazine is great. I like the caption, Firth and Foremost. I like the part about the pig in The Advocate falling in love with him,( another leading lady falls in love with him) and the one about the fender bender he had in Rome. Another interviewer is taken by his lack of conceit. She says \"With his trademark gentleman's reserve he says of Livia, \"She keeps me grounded.\" Where is Umbria? I didn't know he liked antiques. Celebrity 1000 is up and running again. I don't understand Derek Jacobi getting so few votes."}, {"response": 850, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (00:29)", "body": "The article in People says that Fever Pitch is to be released soon. does anyone know when."}, {"response": 851, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (01:47)", "body": "Lucie, we heard that FP would be released in March. We are assuming that he will come for a premiere, and he will be performing in 3DOR till mis Feb. Allison....I agree that stalking is the lowest form of admiration and never to be condoned. But on the Internet his websites are only posting information that has already been published.Jennifer is a v.private person too...she goes to the BAFTAs accompanied by her father!!! (Allison)IMHO, Jennifer Ehle might be cooperative because she doesn't have people panting after her. She knows her fans are probably interested because they admire her work. Are You Kidding???You don't know the emails and guest book comments we get from GUYS. This is a REAL WOMAN. She ain't no Judi Dench!! I think he just had a \"bad hair day\". And like many of his interviews...will probably retract what he said. After all, he told Winter he\"really appreciated them(Internet fans)\". I still think he is a hunk ...whether he wants me to think so or not:-)"}, {"response": 852, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (01:51)", "body": "There is too much information out there. I don't think it is appropriate to be peering into what others are doing all the tiime. Somebody told me there was a big discussion over whether I'd worn contact lenses to play Mr Darcy. And I met a girl at a pary who was able to tell me my date amnd place of birth, the names of my brother and sister, the schools I'd been to...the Internet is where she got it all. First of all, I take everything I read with a grain of salt. While this may be a direct quote, if I don't hear it from his mouth, I can't be too concerned. Secondly, Colin is not from the Plant Zarg. ;-) He can't honestly think this information is only found on the Internet. It's on the Internet because it can be found in magazine articles, etc., presumably done with his permission. We're normal, intelligent, thriving women with many interests. This is just for fun and none of us are going to pry where we don't belong but come on... birthdates are fair game. Heck, most of the time we're not even drooling but having fairly intelligent discussions about the state of the film industry, etc. When we do drool it's giggly, teen-age slumber party stuff - totally harmless - and we're totally aware we're being silly but who cares? Don't feel guilty because the article implies he doesn't un erstand us. He's never going to come here so don't worry about it. Besides, we're HARMLESS! And we pay good money to keep his industry going."}, {"response": 853, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (02:02)", "body": "This is just a PS and not on this topic... But I have a gut feeling that he must have a new publicist in the UK. Witness all the publications who have featured him in the past month: SHE,PEOPLE,DAILY MAIL, and \"Man of the Moment\" article from some other publication. This from a man that isn't even mentioned in most of the SIL reviews.And, who up to now, hasn't even been heard from in a year."}, {"response": 854, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (02:04)", "body": "A lot of people have already said what I did above...but I had to get my two cents in too. Here's the beginning of that People article, Allison. I'll type more later or maybe someone else will.. \"Colin Firth was in trouble--and not just because the 1995 BBC drama he was starring in revolved around a pig accused of murder. No, the problem was not the plot. The problem was the leading lady; a half-pig, half-boar named Gwinny who was, to put it delicately, no Babe. \"Gwinny had tusks,\" says her owner, Joe Henson of England's Cotswold Farm Park. \"She had already bitten another actor twice.\" As Firth, playing a medieval attorney defending the swine, entered an old London gungeon to shoot the first scene with his temperatmental costar, Henson stood close by in case the beast needed soothing. She did not--not byo him at least. Firth sat down next to Gwinny and began talking to her. \"Then he started scratching behind her ear, and she literally rubbed up against him and laid down with her head in his lap. The pig,' says Henson, 'fell in love with him.' \"And so a leading lady's man was born--though Tom Cruise needn't start sweating yet. From his role as the doomed husband in 1996's The English Patient to his current part as the dastardly Lord Wessex in the critically acclaimed Shakespeare in Love , Firth, 38, has made his name somewhat to the east of Hollywood and Vine. His 1995 role as the smolderingly righteous Mr. Darcy in the BBC's version of Pride and Prejudice (it aired in the US on A&E in 1996) drew 10 million viewers a week n Firth's native Britain. At the time, it also turned him into the kind of national superhunk whos e ever move--including a trip to buy a vacuum cleaner, he grumbles--made headlines. 'The tabs can be unscrupulous,' says Firth with wry understatement. \"They make stuff up.' \"No need to make up praise for his portrayal of the pernicious English aristocrat who comes between Wiliam Shakespeare (played by Joseph Fiennes, broth of Ralph) and the Bard's true love (played by Gwyneth Paltrow). As The New York Times put it, '[He is] a perfect Mr. Wrong,' Still Firth knows that his supporting role is unlikely to catapult him to Hollywood-style superstardom anytime soon. 'I've got nothing against being adored,' he says. 'Actors do need to be praised. But do I want everyone i a restaurant to know me? Absolutely not.' Which is just one reason he calls home a villa overlooking olive groves and ancient vineyards in the Italian region of Umbria , where he plays guitark, prowls the countryside for antiques and studies Italian. But even in Italy, Firth cannot totally avoid stares--at least ont when his wife of 19 months is with him. She is 'far too beautiful', jokes Firth's English Patient costar Kristin Scott Thomas of Livia Guiggioli, 29, whom Firth met on the set of the BBC drama Nostromo in 1996. (She wa taking time off from her Ph.D. studies at the University of Rome to work as a producer's assistant). Says Firth's friend, author Nick Hornby (whose book Fever Pitch is a soon-to-be-released movie starring Firth): 'She's also like him in that she's incredibly wordly, smart, and self-deprecating.' \" copyright People Magazine A lot more...."}, {"response": 855, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (03:48)", "body": "Love all these posts. Thank you to everyone"}, {"response": 856, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (05:16)", "body": "If Evelyn is not successful in getting a People Mag with DB in it, perhaps with all of the quotes, I will know something of it. Like SIL. I am watching it by flipping through the stills you post. The price of living in Paradise. BTW, he should know that when we talk about \"his\" physical merits, we talk about the Character he is playing. Never about the man, himself. We are far too respecting and respectable for anything else. Are we nOt?! =P"}, {"response": 857, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (07:38)", "body": "People really panned Kenneth Branagh and Helena Bonham Carter's The Theory Of Flight. Is it really that bad?"}, {"response": 858, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (07:45)", "body": "Bethan, do you happen to know where this whole article has been posted, I think I need to read it all, a nd I have calmed down since last night and as we know the newspapers are very clever at distorting the facts."}, {"response": 859, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (08:35)", "body": "Testing"}, {"response": 860, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (08:37)", "body": "Testing"}, {"response": 861, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (08:47)", "body": "Sorry about that I was having a problem with posting. I just lost a long post. grrrr! Here goes again. Heide, thank you so much for the excerpt. I love the pig story. I remember the first time I posted on this board, I got into bad trouble for suggesting that MT and JE were not the only leading ladies CF had had a thing for:-) (AnnW)as we know the newspapers are very clever at distorting the facts. That is so true. There was an awful article back in 1996 in the Daily Express. They had been scooped by the Daily Mail about Colin and Livia's relationship. They ran an article under a picture of the two which made them look as shifty and unattractive as possible. The gist of it was that CF had let being Darcy go to his head. He had had a makeover and was no longer a weed with a moustache and had taken to wearing \"designer black\" [his dinner jacket!!]He had used his wealth and new found glamour to se uce this poor girl from the backstreets of Rome with a bogus offer of marriage which had delighted her poor parents but which nobody else knew anything about. This latter,wasn't stated explicitly of course was it was strongly inmplied. No wonder he dislikes the press!"}, {"response": 862, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (09:03)", "body": "I was having trouble with my posts. So have split these up. I am going on about this - sorry. I think his comments about the Internet were only in relation to the amount of information that is out there (here?) I would imagine that he undersstands the benefits of being known. He is just prepared to trade some fame for a more normal life style. There is a sort of unwritten rule these days in the press that if you introduce an aspect of your life into the public domain then it is fair game. I do not think that Colin will ever talk about Livia in any detail. If we see a spread in \"Hello\" with Colin and Livia would round each other on the sofa in the living room of their new house, I shall be very surprised (and disappointed)."}, {"response": 863, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (09:25)", "body": "Eeeek! I am having system problems here. Not sure if it is you or me. That should say wound round."}, {"response": 864, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (13:49)", "body": "God, I\ufffdve been having enormous trouble getting here for several days, downloading takes so much time and I tend to get stuck. Easy to measure one\ufffds addiction by the amount of frustration that this can cause. Bethan, thank-you very much for reciting the interview in Mail on Sunday. Is it much longer than that? I\ufffdm a bit surprised at the way some of you have taken his comment on \ufffdthe downsides of fame\ufffd, I mean we all know how much he likes privacy and his unwillingness to sell himself to the media. That\ufffds one of the reasons why many of us admire him so much, he\ufffds very different to many other actors in that sense. Rather than imagining that the paper has put his comment wrong, I believe he said it exactly but it really shouldn\ufffdt be taken so hard. It was just a little unthoughtful, or in fact a tiny bit stupid of him, and again, I like it how sincere he can be about things, he hasn\ufffdt planned his answers beforehand to create a certain likeable imago. He obviously feels uneasy about having fans but how can you be successful in this profession and not wake interest as a person....it\ufffds just not logical, in fact it\ufffds a it self-centered. Yes, he\ufffds human all right. Anyway, it seems to me he has answered those questions very quickly and without a second thought. That\ufffds what he often does, I believe! Colin thinks and talks quickly and I\ufffdm absolutely positive that he also very often says things that he\ufffdd like to correct a little afterwards. Remember him saying once in an interview something like \ufffdtomorrow I\ufffdll give you a totally different answer\ufffd."}, {"response": 865, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (15:23)", "body": "(Elena)Anyway, it seems to me he has answered those questions very quickly and without a second thought. A very good point. But I do think his answers do not make complete sense and I suspect that his comments are a precis of a much longer interview. He could not think, for instance, that the only way anybody knows his date of birth is via the internet! I have yet to read an article on a subject with which I am familiar, in the popular press or any press for that matter, which has been accurately reported."}, {"response": 866, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (15:34)", "body": "He is just prepared to trade some fame for a more normal life style. Fat Chance. I am reminded of an interview with Harrison Ford. Apparently he cannot go three blocks without being recognized...his remark to this privacy invasion was: \"I made a pact with the devil\". I do think he often \"shoots from the lip\",.. repents afterwards. I didn't take offense, Allison, nor did it diminish my admiration for his work. But practically speaking..he should not damn the entire press corps, he has gotten some good write-ups and they can be very beneficial."}, {"response": 867, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (17:00)", "body": "You are right, Evelyn. I think Elena has a point, too. I don't think our DB is exactly Einstein;-)"}, {"response": 868, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (17:48)", "body": "I don't think our DB is exactly Einstein;-) Oh I think he is v. intelligent. But lacks \"street smarts\" as far as dealing with live interviews and the press. For one thing his answers are longer than really necessary.And he should learn pat answers to questions. For instance, when asked about current relationships etc. JE always says: I don't believe in divulging too much of my private life, it hinders the credibility of the character one portrays.Now, that is a v. diplomatic answer. But then she was brought up in this environment and has parents to help her cope with the press."}, {"response": 869, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (17:51)", "body": "Thanks for the info contained in the articles ladies. Is this a recent Mail on Sunday Bethan? My concern is that we are seeing articles in more \"downmarket\" publications, Evelyn's theory could be right re publicist. He has traded the Indie on Sunday for the Mail and \"She\" etc Obviously a more populist image. If he only knew it he has a most refined, intelligent and loyal following (yes that's us!!!) from the internet. I agree with the comment that it would be good to see him in \"Vanity Fair\" any other publications that you ladies of infinite taste would like to see our DB featured in?"}, {"response": 870, "author": "susanne", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (18:49)", "body": "Forgive me, I'm a little behind on these many posts from the past few days, but I just wanted to comment on Colin's alleged remarks about his fans. In the People article, Colin said something to the effect that actors like to be adored. He likes to be adored perhaps, but only on his terms. He wants to be private but Livia is always being photographed with him. He gives interviews and then is surprised that his fans remember what he said and what is written about him. All I can say is that he should be v. happy that his has such loyal fans, ones that fly to another country just to see him in a play. How many actors could boast of that? Acting is part f a business. People invest in films and plays and want to see a return on their investment. This is where fans are useful-they give an actor a leg up on the competition on landing a role if he fans that will come see his work. In England, acting might be more of a profession but the British film industry still needs to make money. The end result is that show business is a business everywhere. Evelyn, thank you for the kind words about JE. Anyone who doesn't think she has her share of men panting after her hasn't taken a good look at her. Ann, Your pictures from the London premiere were lovely and Colin looked terrific. You are such a nice loyal fan :-)) to share his moments of glory with us. Thank you."}, {"response": 871, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (19:17)", "body": "What an interesting discussion (as usual). Personally, I do not take such comments CF made about info (regarding himself) on the Internet to heart. I think of Drool as a wonderful networking tool: I would have missed the A&E interview and the People Magazine article, etc., if it hadn\ufffdt been for all of you. I like to think of us as an erudite and discerning group of women who appreciate a fine (and good looking) actor when we see one. What is wrong with spreading the word about his limited play run, etc.? Our younger online sisters, the Baleheads, have rallied on behalf of actor Christian Bale, and he appears to be aware and appreciative of their collective efforts. How could CF not be appreciative of his fans lobbying on his behalf, let alone travelling half way \ufffdround the world to see him act in a play? I tend to agree that CF\ufffds comments were taken out of context and/or he spoke off the cuff without thinking through his answers for the press. In addition, it must be maddening to try to convey one thing in an interview, and later see your words twisted around in print. As Mark Twain once said: \" The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.\" :-)"}, {"response": 872, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (19:39)", "body": "There is an old saying in the business. \"I don't care what you say about me as long as you spell my name right.\" Perhaps a little too permissive for the Firths, but no press is death to someone counting on making his living from the public's approval."}, {"response": 873, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (19:43)", "body": "Lisa , and what a \"networking tool\", I am sure that the tickets for 3DOR would not have disappeared so fast without Drool!! thinking of our DB being \"Misrepresented by the press\", I am reminded of the coverage when he met Livia and she was variously reported as being 21 or 22, in fact a different age every time, which prompted him to say , angrily I think , that he wouldn't be going out with a \"bimbo\" etc We know the press never gets it entirely right, which just makes Drool the perfect medium. SO THERE!!!"}, {"response": 874, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (20:07)", "body": "Forgive the grammatical errors in my last post. Much to my humiliation, I catch them after I have posted. ::sigh:: So much for being erudite.....:"}, {"response": 875, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (20:08)", "body": "Here, her, well said everyone, and we shall still go on supporting, discussing and admiring our DB."}, {"response": 876, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (20:08)", "body": "Here, here,I meant to say!"}, {"response": 877, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (20:09)", "body": "oops again"}, {"response": 878, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (20:10)", "body": "Why is it in italics? Lizza I am going to Chat."}, {"response": 879, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (20:12)", "body": "Seems he has struck a nerve, huh? I felt the same pang Bethan did when I read the comment concerning the contact lens discussion. That speaks directly to the Internet (as others have said, all the other demographic info is in every print article and just duplicated on-line). My first reaction was \"good lord, if he knew about the CF-CFC discussion at Darcy Drool a while ago...\" But I agree with you, Evelyn, Heide, Susanne and others. It's nothing more than harmless speculation; I've enjoyed reliving m teenage years (and I go back to the days of David Cassidy and Donnie Osmond so it's been a loooong while!)--it sure is different than breaking into his house! I also would have missed *alot* had it not been for this board and absolutely love chatting with people all over the world about Colin. IMO if he knew some of you were flying to London specifically for his upcoming play he would be most appreciative. I think his \"comfort zone\" or boundary is drawn about his privacy, and feels invaded from time t time by the press (or in this case, the 'net). He seems to get over it because he's doing the interviews! I have some time so I will try to pick up where Heide left off with the People article. Anyone available for a chat later?"}, {"response": 880, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (20:12)", "body": "Just a test to see if I closed the ittalics...."}, {"response": 881, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (21:11)", "body": "Heaven\ufffds sake, I DID NOT say that he\ufffds not exactly an Einstein because I think he almost is (!) but you know, Einstein did have his faults, some of them quite horrible too I hear. The biggest reason for my firthophilia is his intelligence but intelligent people can sometimes be too daft to be true, you know. And that\ufffds what Colin\ufffds dream is, I mean the idea of being an actor in the movies and completely unknown at the same time! Ha! After having blamed my biggest idol for stupidity, unthoughtfulness and egocentrism, I want to praise him in the A & E interview. You must all be tired of this subject but I finally got the tape today (many thanks to Maria!) and....well, I think Colin\ufffds almost unbearably sweet in it. I can\ufffdt get it how he can possibly look so charmingly shy and kinda untouched. The interviewer obviously managed to make him nervous by her own nervousness. The interview is terrible technically, I mean it shows how much inte esting things our Einstein could say and create in a moment if he get a proper chance and if his thinking wasn\ufffdt interrupted. What was that about Darcy\ufffds contact lenses, is he referring to something that has been discussed at Drool? Talking about Darcy, if Colin really is this vulnerable about fame, the biggest Darcy mania must have been a big shock for him. In fact, we don\ufffdt know everything about the causes of it, there might have been some very unpleasant things like people watching his house day and night and whatever. In fact I used to think that it could have been a reaction to all this that he married and vanished to Italy"}, {"response": 882, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (21:12)", "body": "test"}, {"response": 883, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (21:14)", "body": "WOW! I seem to have raised a storm by reporting CF's comments.! I have to say that I only gave a selection of his responses, and my overall impression, after reading all the questions and his (quite serious)answers, was of a very normal, unassuming and modest man, who continues to be rather ill at ease with fame and the broader implications of \"celebrity\". He genuinely seems to think of himself as ordinary and I'm sure his upbringing has made him self-effacing rather than self-promoting. I thought his \"contact lens etc\" comments indicated that he was genuinely taken back that people were so interested in him and in the personal details of his life, and he probably isn't entirely comfortable with this degree of attention. I'm sure it doesn't mean that he doesn't appreciate his fans. On a personal one-to-one level, he appears to be perfectly charming and warm...he hugs people, for goodness sake!! Haven't got all the interview, just bits, but here's some more: Q. How important is money to you? A. I wouldn't do something just for a big pay cheque. I don't despise money, but I think if one isn't too greedy you can have your cake and eat it. You can do good work, make a good living, have a proper personal life and be proud of what you do and not be destroyed by it\" He also says that he went into acting because he has a \"hunger for attention, but when the light is shining directly in your eyes, it can be very intimidating, and on those occasions there's a tendency to go to ground\" Which sounds as though he finds it difficult to be in the limelight. Must finish, as family need phone/computer/tea etc, but there is more...."}, {"response": 884, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (21:15)", "body": "Moon, dear,are you supposed to contact His agent about the answers to our questions?"}, {"response": 885, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (21:18)", "body": "People DID watch his house/flat when P&P2 came out. Is there not the famous quote from him about not being able to go out \"for a bog roll\" in case of being watched or followed. Now would Einstein have discussed \"bog rolls?\""}, {"response": 886, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (21:23)", "body": "Well Bethan if he is into \"HUGS\" he going to have a lot to get through at the Donmar isn't he ladies, because we don't just want one for ourselves, we want one in lieu for each one of you ardent loyal internet fans who can't be there!"}, {"response": 887, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (21:36)", "body": "Just to chime in re: Internet fans, there was an item in the gossip section of the Boston Herald a few weeks back deriding Ben Affleck as being \"so vain that he actually chats with female fans in the chat room of his unofficial web site.\" And I thought, what's vain about that? I think it was a very generous and appreciative gesture. Would that we could get Colin to do that! It seems as though with the Internet, actors are damned if they do (i.e., appreciate fans and be called vain) or damned if they don't"}, {"response": 888, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (21:46)", "body": "(Eileen). ...if he knew some of you are flying to London for his upcoming play he would be most appreciative Hmmm, I\ufffdve been wondering about that because I\ufffdm heading for London too. It could be interesting for him to know about this pilgrimage because it IS a tremendous proof of affection, but I\ufffdm not sure that he WANTS affection nor that he appreciates it, he just wants to be professionally appreciated. How would he feel if he knew that on a certain Saturday there will be people in the audience who have come from so far away just because of him....happy? Horrified?!"}, {"response": 889, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (21:47)", "body": "I don't know if I would actually like it if our DB was actually joining us online!! I prefer our discussions to be uninhibited and relaxed, imagine all the mistakes in postings we would make with quivering fingers!!! I don't think we would really enjoy having him declare himself in our midst after all. But prove me wrong!!! With your snippet Susan , I wonder if the BA \"LUVVIE\" character with the big ego , was acting in SIL !!! It could certainly massage his ego to chat about himself. Could that have been the final death knell for GP?"}, {"response": 890, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (21:49)", "body": "Elena, it's getting to look like quite a large proportion of that Saturday audience are there because of him and drool!!"}, {"response": 891, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (21:54)", "body": "Thanks for the additional interview info, Bethan. Keep it coming, at your convenience. As I just said over in chat, I've got it all figured out. Since so many of you droolie firth-faithful are attending 3DOR, the play will undoubtedly be a success...Colin will begin to recognize your familiar faces in the audience...when you meet him at the stage door (to collect your hugs), you can tell him you're his INTERNET fans! :-) Seriously, his comments about fame and money have always been consistent. Here's more from the People article, picking up from where Heide left off: With his trademark gentleman's reserve, Firth says simply, \"She keeps me grounded.\" There have, of course, been romances besides Gwinny and Livia--most notable with actress Meg Tilly, whom Firth met when they costarred in the 1989 film Valmont . They were together for several years and have a son, William, now 8, who lives with Tilly in L.A. Firth, says Scott Thomas, \"is very attached to his son.\" Firth says he and William just like to \"hang out\" when he's in L.A. (where Firth owns a condo): \"T ere's nothing unconventional about our activities.\" The same can hardly be said for Firth's own childhood. Born in Hampshire, England, he was the first of three children of two teachers, David, now 64, who taught social studies, and Shirley, now 62, with a Ph.D. in comparative religion. His parents met as schoolchildren in India, where their own parents worked as missionaries. While Firth was still a toddler, the family--which now includes brother Jonathan, 31, an actor, and sister Kate, 36, avoice coach--moved to Nigeria, where his parents were teacher . (In Firth's intellectual, Christian home, the word \"sin\" did not come up, he once told Britian's The Guardian , but there was always a sense of \"right and wrong.\") When he was 3, the family returned to Hampshire, and Firth enrolled in the local elementary school--much to his dismay. \"there were moments I enjoyed and [a few] teachers I found inspiring,\" he allows. \"The rest of it I despised.\" Of the moments he enjoyed, English and music classes ranked high. But even as a young boy, his passion was drama. \"I did a pantomime when I was 5, and everyone loved it,\" says Firth. He joined a drama workshop at 10 and by 14 had decided on acting as a profession. \"I dare say it was an excuse to be bad at math,\" he says, laughing. After graduating in 1979, he spent a \"bleak\" six months answering phones at London's Shaw Theatre and six more months working in wardrobe at the National Theatre there. In 1980 he was accepted at London's prestigious Drama Centre and for the first time felt excited by his studies--most of them. \"We used to rebel a lot and [cut] classes that we didn't like,\" says Firth's classmate and friend, actor Ian Jeffs. But occasionally playing hooky didn't tarnish Firth's star. \"He was the kind of student who almost never occurs,\" says school founder Yat Malmgren (whose previous students included Anthony Hopkins and Sean Connery). \"He had everything I expect and rarely find: imagination, intelligence, logic, common sense.\" Indeed, the 37-year-old institute decided to stage its first and only Hamlet i> just for him. \"You can't do five Hamlets a year,\" says Malmgren. \"You have to find your Hamlet. We found ours in Colin.\" More... copyright People Magazine 2/8/99 Forgive any typos. That's all for now!"}, {"response": 892, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (21:58)", "body": "Looks like my last italic closure didn't catch. Thought I was careful. Sorry."}, {"response": 893, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (21:58)", "body": "Testing, testing 1,2,3!"}, {"response": 894, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (21:59)", "body": "About bog rolls.....yes, I found that Einsteinous (!). Poor guy tried to make people realize that he really is a normal human being, not Darcy or the biggest sex god of the century, and probably succeeded to some extent. Reading that quote at the time made me realize he must be desperate and that the situation is getting to his nerves."}, {"response": 895, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (22:19)", "body": "(Lisa)I like to think of us as an erudite and discerning group of women who appreciate a fine (and good looking) actor when we see one. What a nice compliment....Wow! Thanks Eileen for typing some of that long People article. Bethan, did you say that article is on line? Where? Bethan....Allison....answer your emails!!"}, {"response": 896, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (23:47)", "body": "(Patas), Moon, dear,are you supposed to contact His agent about the answers to our questions? I am very much on top of this. I have been told repeatedly that he will answer them, but now I am doubtful. They are expecting me to ring them next week and I shall, will let you know. They do know that there will be several internet fans flying in from the States and Europe for 3DoR because through Heide, we have fax them the news. I am working on getting THE opening dates for FP and MLSF in the States. Another question is when Don Quick starts filming and who the co-stars are. Allison, you were not stalking, believe me, my v. good friend's sister was killed by a stalker in Milan. I don't believe you to be a dangerous person, you're just a v. curious female, join the club. I went to see the church where he married on my trip to Umbria. As you Bethan, I take his comments seriously, I am slowly recuperating."}, {"response": 897, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Feb  5, 1999 (01:26)", "body": "The old worry about the adoring destroying the adored - as old as...Jesus Christ, in fact. Can the argument ever be resolved? Probably not, but perhaps it doesn't much matter unless you end up like that nut who slept in Di Caprio's bed in Hollywood, or the DeNiro figure in The Entertainer. Having said that, none of the things he's said in the interview is terribly surprising surely? You know he's at least equivocal about fame. In fact, it's probably part of his appeal. I am one of those, incidentally, who would probably not stand unmoved, or unpanting, if Jennifer Ehle came into my office and did a slow striptease. I venture there are a few of us. But I also know she has a little place in her heart, and a big place in her bed, for ME.....(sounds of maniacal stalkerish cackling)"}, {"response": 898, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Feb  5, 1999 (02:21)", "body": "Truly, it's just not worth getting upset over. We're interpreting his comments. Why get upset if the interpretation is unflattering to us? We'll never know if that's really what he meant. By the way, to clarify our contact with Colin's agent: Moon has two very reasonable questions for the agent only - one about the Fever Pitch opening and one about My Life So Far's opening. In that message, she just mentioned how pleased we were to learn about Three Days of Rain and that some people \"will be traveling to London to see him perform.\" Nothing stalker-ish about that. ;-) Thanks, Bethan, for posting more of the interview. And thanks, Eileen, for posting more of the People article. Anyone else care to continue? Thanks"}, {"response": 899, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Feb  5, 1999 (02:34)", "body": "OK, I might as well use up a lot of my Library hour and get my two cents in too! I don't see why everyone is getting so bruised about Colin's answer to the fame question. As I see it, the question was \"What was the DOWNSIDE of fame?\" i. e.; what can be unpleasant about it. He was being perfectly honest about what he felt was unpleasant about it, and any regular follower of his KNOWS how he feels about \"fame\". This does not mean that he doesn't expect to experience the side effects, nor that he is unwilling to cope with it, but he just wasn't COMFORTABLE with some total stranger w lking up and quoting all his biostats at him. (What's the purpose of that, incidentally? Did they think he'd forgotten them?!?) I know if some stranger walked up to me and quoted my stats, you'd better believe that I would be more than uncomfortable with it. Luckily, I'm not in that position (strangers tend to run the other way!) (And, Moon, be honest...it isn't that he doesn't appreciate all the hard work done on the Internet FOR HIM...face it, dear, its FOR US!) ;-p Anyway it was an unfortunate (and honest) off-the-cuff reaction to the question...and one we could have predicted. Heide, I think you summed up the situation very well. (Oh, and Laura...don't be so open with your ambition of chewing on his exquisite neck...no wonder he's nervous!) ;=P Bethan you said the interview was \"posted somewhere else\"...so, WHERE, already?!?"}, {"response": 900, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Feb  5, 1999 (02:44)", "body": "One other observation, I think. Gi, your sister had it in a nutshell...she'd \"forgotten\" about Colin until after the movie was over! He \"disappears\" into his characters. That is both his blessing and his curse. I believe he will never be readily recognized in public because every one of his \"incarnations\" is different from all the others...and also from him in an informal situation...so he is less vulnerable to the \"downsides\" of fame than many others in his profession...but his generally neutral appearance will always, I think, keep him from being a \"well-known\" actor to the general public...and that \"People\" article seems to mak it clear that that is just fine with him!"}, {"response": 901, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Feb  5, 1999 (03:23)", "body": "I think you've all got the gist of those recent interviews and what may be hidden behind them. His insecurities, his characteristic manner of thinking fast, way ahead of his words... his need to say as much as he thinks is needed to make the listener understand... wandering off the subject... saying things he didn't really mean to in the first place... being interrupted and forgetting to finish the previous statement... confusing all but the most experienced and sympathetic reporters... So you think he's urprised that people know so much about him? Uncomfortable about it? But look: simultaneously, in the same interview, he's gleefully feeding more personal info: He cooks. He's messy. He's just bought a house in London with a front room on the second floor. He likes to relax listening to music. I didn't find his remark about the Internet in the least disparaging. More flabbergasted. Furthermore, one could easily interpret the casually made comment as a clever way of innocently, almost inadvertently, pointing all interested parties directly to the very place where the buzz is at its most intense... Make no mistake: our man is clever enough to express loudly his (yes, basically genuine and honest) doubt, but at the same time he cannot afford to ignore a good and cheap opportunity for publicity. He is indeed too modest and too private to say openly \"Oh, goodie: I love it!\" (simply because he, as well as all of us, realize what would happen next), but if he really utterly and completely disapproved, he would simply avoid talking about it loudly, in a whingeing fashion, and to a (presumably) complete stranger, knowing very well that it's gonna be smeared all over some Sunday rag or another just as SIL (and soon the theatre project) is hitting the headlines... ;-D And before you all jump for my jugular - no, I don't think he is duplicitous. But, after 16 years in the business, neither is he that simple or naive as some would imagine him to be."}, {"response": 902, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Feb  5, 1999 (09:00)", "body": "I find I'm agreeing with everyone.....does that mean I don't have a mind of my own? Although, Arami, I don't find his interviews particularly confusing! On safer ground, some more Q&A's. Q. What do you see when you look in the mirror? A. Something very over familiar and ordinary. Q. What's your charm? A. I have a kind of neutrality, physically, which has helped me. I have a face that can be made to look a lot better or a lot worse, depending on how I wwant it to look. Q. Have you discovered your feminine side? A. It's more acceptable in England for men to be a little more feminine. Suddenly we're all touchy-feely-weepy people. Tony Blair comes out and cries about Diana. Fifteen years ago a male prime minister doing that kind of William Shatner voice-breaking acting would not have been possible. (There he goes again. Now he's offended New Labour! Can he be implying that Tony B. isn't, well, completely genuine?) Q. How do you like living part-time in Italy? A. There are a lot of rules that are difficult to remember. For instance, it's impolite to have a hand in your lap at the table. I think it comes from the idea that a hand under the table could have a knife or a gun in it. That shocked me a little. (Aargh! Now he's suggested that the entire population of Italy have Mafia connections! Tut!) Didn't note down any more, but I remember that he said that his grandmother used to do a lot of amateur acting (this triggered his interest) and he thnks that more \"ethics\" should be taught in schools. There was also some stuff about SIL and Darcy. i think what he says is interesting and real. There was a comment recently by a journalist who spends a lot of time interviewing well known actors (usually accompanied by their minders and PR people) and he said he was completely nauseated by their bland, unrevealing and self-regarding answers. At least CF says what he thinks! Maybe he should have a little PR person sitting next to him. \"No, Col, don't say that, you'll offend half of Britain, no, not that either, I mean , not if you want to live in Ital , etc\"!!!! Today, I'm answering my emails, so please be patient with me!"}, {"response": 903, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Feb  5, 1999 (09:24)", "body": "(Evelyn)Bethan....Allison....answer your emails!! I just did! Thanks, Evelyn. Today's times has a feature article on the effect of seeing SIL on modern relationships. Basically, the writer claims that lots of modern relationships (what she calls \"comfortable shoe relationships\") cannot withstand the effect of seeing this love played out on the screen. Viola's \"I will have poetry in my life\" is touching raw nerves. So she gives thoughts that will enable couples to survive the experience. 1)Viola is a virgin, Will is married, so that accounts for the passion - and - 2)\"the man GP is asked to marry may have many faults but underneath it all, he is still Colin Firth\"! Good to see that he is still talked of in reverential terms! The Daily Mail today announced that CF will be joining EM and DM in 3DOR. Showed it to my husband as I broke the news of our planned theatre trip. He laughed (Yes!!) and said \"Oh Lord, we had better get you some valium\"! Not a bad idea. That or beta blockers."}, {"response": 904, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Feb  5, 1999 (09:31)", "body": "Now he's offended New Labour! Can he be implying that Tony B. isn't, well, completely genuine?) I have been wondering about his poitics though I don't get the feeling that he is a very political animal. The Firths are quite possibly Liberal Democrats. Winchester is a hotbed of LDism and I think it would fit in with what I think of as CF's liberal non doctrinaire politics. I am sure he would be much more liberal than TB!"}, {"response": 905, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Feb  5, 1999 (09:32)", "body": "Just been to What's on Stage website www.whatsonstage.com/ and it is advertising CF in Three Days of Rain, apparently it is the first time he has been on stage in 5 years, unfortunately it lists his filmography as Sense & Sensibility, pleeese!!, FP & SIL. Still it is good to see it is being advertised. Arami I agree with your comments re CF particularly that despite the fact that he was shocked that someone new his date of birth etc, he was still willing to disclose that he likes cooking, that the kitc en ends up a mess and what his favourit room is, Its strange because personally these things don't interest me, but I am interested in knowing what he is doing next because I just love to see him act ."}, {"response": 906, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Feb  5, 1999 (11:35)", "body": "Bethan, thanks again for more questions & answers. I\ufffdm hopeless, the more foolish quotes I read from him the more I like him (and I\ufffdm using the word foolish with every possible tenderness, Colin (!!)). I wish he\ufffdll always stay that way, talking so spontaneously. Arami, for the first time here at Drool I feel like writing here: LOL. (I\ufffdm such a serious peson!) Your cynicism is great and probably hits the spot. Col\ufffds cunning strategy revealed! Furthermore, he likes to refer to the Internet and the things about him in it as something that OTHER people have told him about (in an older interview he said: \ufffdI\ufffdm told that there\ufffds a Fans of Firth site in the web\ufffd). But who knows, he could be here right this minute and know exactly what\ufffds going on and what\ufffds the content of all the sites. I would if I were him, out of vanity and also because I would be a little troubled about the fact that the Internet lives its own life that\ufffds seemingly out of his cont ol unlike other publicity."}, {"response": 907, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb  5, 1999 (13:30)", "body": "Q. How do you like living part-time in Italy? A. There are a lot of rules that are difficult to remember. For instance, it's impolite to have a hand in your lap at the table. I think it comes from the idea that a hand under the table could have a knife or a gun in it. That shocked me a little. This is very true, and my husband can't understand why Americans do it. His explanation is that you never know what a person might be doing with the other hand such as touching oneself. Thanks for posting more of the interview Bethan. I did like the \"feminine side question\", which he didn't seem to answer for himself, did he? Arami, you have a v. good point, but is ODB so cleverly wicked?"}, {"response": 908, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb  5, 1999 (14:36)", "body": "I have an extra hardcopy of the PEOPLE article which I shall be glad to send to anyone who sends me her/his postal address. Better get it...it'll might be a long time till we see such a beautiful one."}, {"response": 909, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Feb  5, 1999 (14:46)", "body": "I have an extra hardcopy of the PEOPLE article Evelyn, please! I have E-mailed you."}, {"response": 910, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Feb  5, 1999 (15:01)", "body": "Ooh, this debate is turning into an exquisite one!How can one man's 3 or 4 sentences trigger such subtle turns of fine minds? ;-) Firth, let me thank the ladies who took the trouble to post the interview/article. Second, bare with me if this is a long post... (Lizza)not being able to go out \"for a bog roll\" What is a bog roll? (SusanMC)Ben Affleck as being \"so vain that he actually chats with female fans in the chat room of his unofficial web site.\" And I thought, what's vain about that? I think it was a very generous and appreciative gesture. Would that we could get Colin to do that! (Lizza)I don't know if I would actually like it if our DB was actually joining us online!! I prefer our discussions to be uninhibited and relaxed, imagine all the mistakes in postings we would make with quivering fingers!!! (Elena)who knows, he could be here right this minute and know exactly what\ufffds going on and what\ufffds the content of all the sites. I would if I were him I certainly would too, not so much from vanity (I think) but for the main reason I come here, which is exactly what I stated at the beginning of this post: that a man's comments (gestures, appearance, acting)can be the origin of so much intelectual activity! And if some of that activity is a little less than intelectual ;-)so what, I think an educated man who has lived in the world would take it for what it's worth...and laugh with us! (Colin) There are a lot of rules that are difficult to remember. For instance, it's impolite to have a hand in your lap at the table. I think it comes from the idea that a hand under the table could have a knife or a gun in it. That shocked me a little. Are the English rules of etiquette different? I thought only Americans had escaped the French influence ;-) (KJArt)He \"disappears\" into his characters. I saw a film the other day, with a young Anthony Hopkins, and found him as usual, being himself, with the same inflections and mannerisms. I have long ceased to consider him a great actor for this reason, and I appreciate Colin more and more in contrast with such actors. (Arami)one could easily interpret the casually made comment as a clever way of innocently, almost inadvertently,pointing all interested parties directly to the very place where the buzz is at its most intense... Make no mistake: our man is clever enough Oh Arani, thou art Macchiavelli reincarnate!:-)Clever, clever thought. I loved it. May it be so, and my respect for him will grow in proportion to the cunning. (AnnW)personally these things don't interest me, but I am interested in knowing what he is doing next because I just love to see him act. Let me echo your feelings. Bethan, are those comments in brackets yours or the magazine's?"}, {"response": 911, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Feb  5, 1999 (15:03)", "body": "I'm sorry, of course I meant Arami"}, {"response": 912, "author": "susanne", "date": "Fri, Feb  5, 1999 (17:29)", "body": "I have to agree that Colin secretly likes the publicity and the attention that is given to him. There is alot of information on him out there and it could only have come from him. The only thing that seems to be somewhat off limits is Will and even there we know quite a bit. LOL about the hand under the table. My parents are German and we also never put our hands in our lap at the table. I also use utensils differently from Americans. My husband thinks it is bad manners to push food onto your fork with a knife, but I always have the last laugh when he eats peas."}, {"response": 913, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Feb  5, 1999 (17:34)", "body": "Interesting bits from today's Evening Standard: - pictures of SIL premiere. All taken at after show party, so no CF (I am sure he was not there) - an aticle on Elizabeth McGovern, says she is about to take a part opposite CF at the Dolmar. She seems like a nice lady. Married to Simon Curtis of the BBC (why is that name ringing a loud bell). Two children, gave up earlier glowing Hollywood career. Now apparently domestic mum-style person. - article on Crispin Bonham-Carter(remember him?) who is directing a play at the Etcetera Theatre which is above the Oxford Arms in Camden Town. I go past there all the time, never knew there was a theatre there but there are theatres above half the theatres in this part of London:-)"}, {"response": 914, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Feb  5, 1999 (17:36)", "body": "theatres above half the theatres in this part of London:-) How fascinating! That should read ...above half the pubs...."}, {"response": 915, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (07:58)", "body": "(Bethan) I don't find his interviews particularly confusing! No, I didn't say you or anyone of us would. I meant the reporters. For example, I have noticed how the woman interviewing him for A&E missed or ignored one or two jests and hints, which to me seemed a clear invitation to explore a particular subject further. (In particular, how and why playing Shakespeare eluded him; and how he enjoyed exploring comedy in straight situations.) (Elena who knows, he could be here right this minute... I would if I were him, out of vanity and also because I would be a little troubled about the fact that the Internet lives its own life that\ufffds seemingly out of his control unlike other publicity. There is a very simple reason why he could be (occasionally) tempted to lurk amongst us (either in person, or through his assistants/publicity agents): these are the only conversations of ardent fans which are freely accessible to all, including the subject himself. I think he's a very inquisitive chap. He still admits to being amazed by the impact of his portrayal of Darcy; he keeps asking \"What did I do right?\" Well, all the answers are here - no holds barred: wouldn't you want to know them, if you were him? (Moon Dreams) is ODB so cleverly wicked? No - just wickedly clever. :-) (Patas) What is a bog roll? Toilet paper. Colin was moaning he couldn't go shopping like an ordinary person, because the press was harassing him. (Gi) my respect for him will grow in proportion to the cunning. Ditto here. (Sue) ...Colin secretly likes the publicity and the attention that is given to him. Not secretly: he admits to it quite openly, almost in the same breath as moaning about the loss of privacy. Disarmingly human and endearing, I say."}, {"response": 916, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (08:00)", "body": "Tag"}, {"response": 917, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (08:02)", "body": "Just WHAT am I reading here. I never knew you couldn\ufffdt put your hands in your lap at the table in Italy and Germany, good to know! We do it practically all the time in Finland, in fact it is more than appropriate. .....About Donmar, does anybody have any clue why he\ufffds in a play in that particular theatre of all theatres? Have any of you ever seen a play there? ......And about my dear husband. He has started to get annoyed because I\ufffdm spending so much time in the Internet. Also, he doesn\ufffdt get it why I\ufffdm planning to go to London in March to see an unknown play by unknown actors in some theatre that nobody\ufffds ever heard of (!). I \ufffdve asked him to come along but he refuses, jealously. I wonder how you others have managed to explain the reason of this trip to your husbands and boyfriends."}, {"response": 918, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (08:23)", "body": ".....About Donmar, does anybody have any clue why he\ufffds in a play in that particular theatre of all theatres? Have any of you ever seen a play there? Elena, it is very highly regarded. I am not sure if it comes into the category of West End (i.e.Broadway) or Off West End but I really do not think that matters. Sam Mendes is the artistic director, I think that is his title and he has a reputation for getting good names to his theatre. Nicole Kidman has just finished a run there. Yes, I have been there several times. It is one of the theatres in London where you can be sure of a good theatrical experience. A totally appropriate place for Colin to b . On the question of the problem of getting big American names onto the stage in London, Peter Hall has an article in this weeks Spectator magazine in which he describes his battles to get big names to appear on the stage. He says that most of those he approaches would like to appear but they are tied by their committments to future projects and are always waiting for films to be greenlighted and have to keep themselves available for that. Interesting."}, {"response": 919, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (09:34)", "body": "(Evelyn)I have an extra hardcopy of the PEOPLE article (Allison) Evelyn, please! I have E-mailed you. I know, I know...I sent yours today. But I have yet ANOTHER ONE. Gi...Sabine....Kirsten...Uk lurkers....anybody want an extra Colin Firth PEOPLE? Speak now....email me."}, {"response": 920, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (09:56)", "body": "--I have an extra I can donate, too..."}, {"response": 921, "author": "sabine", "date": "Fri, Feb  5, 1999 (23:31)", "body": "I HAVE GOT TICKETS for 3DOR !!!! THANKS TO ANN AND EVELYN !!!!!! I am so exited, I will be flying to London on March 5., stay for 3 days and have got tickets for the Saturday 4 and 8 o clock play ! Will someone be there at the 6., too ?? I really would like to met you ! Thank you for the video Evelyn ! I hope and think CF will be very happy that so many fans will fly to London just to see him act. Evelyn, I will try to get the PEOPLE Magazin in germany, thank you for the offer :-)"}, {"response": 922, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (00:25)", "body": "It sounds like the entire world in converging on that theatre in London to see DB Live and Direct. Someone take a group snap and post it with who's who attached. I am so envious! But a 20 hour flight each way is not my idea of a good thing just to see a play (plus a few thousand dollars!) Even with *him* in it!"}, {"response": 923, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (00:33)", "body": "If anyone has a spare copy of People with Colin and would like to donate it to a computerless Colinist or two, please let me know and I'll arrange for the addresses to be emailed to you."}, {"response": 924, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (00:48)", "body": "an aticle on Elizabeth McGovern, says she is about to take a part opposite CF at the Dolmar. She seems like a nice lady.Married to Simon Curtis of the BBC (why is that name ringing a loud bell). Two children, gave up earlier glowing Hollywood career. Now apparently domestic mum-style person. (Allison) Seems as though there's starting to be a build up towards the opening of 3DOR. I remember sseing EMc in some of her earlier films and was impressed, and I also seem to remember reading that (unlike Nicole Kidman,Juliette Binoche etc) she's had a lot of experience in NY theatre. Simon Curtis...yes, familiar, or am I thinking of Richard Curtis (wrote 4 Weddings) but they are tied by their committments to future projects and are always waiting for films to be greenlighted and have to keep themselves available for that. Interesting. Yes, I'm sure this has been the case with CF.... Perhaps this is why he's squeezing in a short theatre run. I hope and think CF will be very happy that so many fans will fly to London just to see him act. (Sabine) I'm sure he'll be delighted. He's said that all he wants is for people to say \"Colin Firth, he's a good actor\", and by making such an effort to see him , that's what you are saying. Actions speak louder than words!"}, {"response": 925, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (01:03)", "body": "Donmar: It's known as a major \"fringe\" - i.e. not mainstream - theatre. Fringe theatres specialize in small scale contemporary and experimental plays. Situated close to the West End (Covent Garden), in a building which, if I remember correctly, was originally just that: a commercial warehouse belonging to a Mr Donmar... Modern concept and small capacity: the auditorium sits about 200 surrounding the stage area on three sides in three blocks of four rows. Cosy: actors may have to cross the auditorium to get to the stage, and if anyone is lucky to have a seat in the front row, prepare yourself for an unforgettable experience of having Colin act practicall in your lap... ;-)"}, {"response": 926, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (01:35)", "body": "Think of the self-control this is going to require of \"our\" attendees! No audible drooling, suppressing the urge to reach out and touch...Oh My!!!"}, {"response": 927, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (01:47)", "body": "( Sabine) have got tickets for the Saturday 4 and 8 o clock play ! Will someone be there at the 6., too ?? I really would like to met you ! Yup...me and a lot of others from Drool...for both performances. We'll keep in touch. Dinner together would be fun. ****** Donmar Theatre :Cosy: actors may have to cross the auditorium to get to the stage, and if anyone is lucky to have a seat in the front row, prepare yourself for an unforgettable experience of having Colin act practically in your lap... ;-) That's Ann and Lizza. We'll be in Row D....the better to look into his eyes. Four weeks from tomorrow. ***** Oscar Noms due out on Tuesday...during breakfast television. I'll post as soon as they're announced. ****** Wanna see Colin in \"Vanity Fair\"? Tell em: vfmail@vf.com Don't underestimate the power of email."}, {"response": 928, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (02:23)", "body": "Can you remind me who is going on Friday 5th and Saturday 13th (8pm) - I'd like to recommend to you a computerless Firthfan who is planning to get equipped and connect to the net in the near future; she'd love to meet you all. Please repost here and I'll arrange to contact you privately. Thanks."}, {"response": 929, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (03:09)", "body": "The Donmar is tiny (250 seats?). It was originally opened by the RSC in the mid-70s as their \"Other Place\" in London. (The theatre of the same name in Stratford is their second theatre there. My luvvie background amounts to having been in a couple of plays there when I was a nipper.) Mendes took it over in the early 90s, and has had lots of critical hits there. One of the best things of his I saw was a production of The Glass Menagerie. Fantastic. I am trying to get hold of his (SM's) email address, by th way. Also, there is a rather fun restaurant opposite called Belgo's (it's Belgian). Healthy portions and biere blonde. And, for the fashionable amongst you, there are some ruinously expensive but frightfully trendy clothes shops in Neal Street, round the corner. The area used to be pleasantly seedy - in the days when Covent Garden really was a market - but now its all scented candles and massive shoes. Shame. BTW, I am mystified by the hands-on-lap rule. It's quite the opposite in England, I've always thought. Well, at any rate, to eat with your forearms resting on the table is quite out of the question. My ancient grandmother told me about a terrifying governess who, if she saw young Betty's elbows on the table would come scurrying round, pick them up and thump them down hard on said table. What a cow. Anyway, the effect was that my elbows never got within yards of my grandmother's table."}, {"response": 930, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (04:13)", "body": "I am so relieved to see we're already off the topic of DB's views of the Internet. I was afraid there might be mass self-flagellation but we seem to be handling it with great good humor....as always. Gi and KJART, you talked about the friend who didn't know it was Colin as Wessex until she left the theatre... Makes me wonder how many people who saw SiL and who don't really know Colin Firth were even able to connect him to his character after seeing the People article. He looks quite different. Rita and anyone else having trouble with the download time here. The February 7, 2036 date screws everything up unless you use the \"New\" responses option found on the entry page (the one with the Tumbledown picture). Since \"new\" is working rather well right now, click on it there and it will bring up all the topics. Once you click on the topic you want to access, it will bring up the new responses since you last logged in. If you want to see earlier responses, just enter a response number in the \"Redis lay\" box at the bottom. For instance, this is response #930. If you enter 900 in the \"redisplay\" box, it will go back to that response and all subsequent postings. Have I thoroughly confused you? Go to nomdedrool@yahoo.com if you need further clarification. Arami and anyone else wondering who is going to the Saturday, March 6 performance... right now I know of myself, Karen, Evelyn, Jana, AnnW, Elena, Emma, Lizza, and Sabine. How about the rest of you? Ben, dear, why don't you come along? Your, ahem, connections may come in handy. Oops, never mind...can't appear too eager. I too have an extra of People and would be happy to send to a friend in need. I'm sure the favor can be repaid if there is a big write-up in one of the UK magazines."}, {"response": 931, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (08:37)", "body": "US Alert. In case anyone is interested apparently Valmont ant ATA are coming on cable this month Encore? according to someone at Virtual Views, can't remember the exact details. Arami, that is me in the first row and my seat is no 27 by the aisle where apparently the actors run on to the stage oh my I am sure to have a hot flush and it a good thing I have my husband with me to hold me back and not make a fool of myself. I am all of a flutter as Mrs. Bennett would say."}, {"response": 932, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (08:37)", "body": "Bethan, did you get to see SIL last night?"}, {"response": 933, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (08:39)", "body": "US Alert. In case anyone is interested apparently Valmont ant ATA are coming on cable this month Encore? according to someone at Virtual Views, can't remember the exact details. Arami, that is me in the first row and my seat is no 27 by the aisle where apparently the actors run on to the stage oh my I am sure to have a hot flush and it a good thing I have my husband with me to hold me back and not make a fool of myself. I am all of a flutter as Mrs. Bennett would say."}, {"response": 934, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (09:18)", "body": "I have just posted a snippet about BJD on #80 but it has not shown up as \"new\". I would hate you to miss it. I think you may find it interesting!"}, {"response": 935, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (09:35)", "body": "SIL...Yes! And I really enjoyed it (and I'm a horribly critical person and slightly resistant to hype!). I thought it was an excellent ensemble piece, and CF, as ever, turns in a first-rate performance. He really is a chameleon actor, capable of tackling amost anything, I would say. And his voice, mmmmm!!! Husband also, remarkably, enjoyed it. His taste veers exclusively to politics/current affairs/documentaries. Sat through it without looking at his watch once, sighing or yawning!! This is on a par with a star studded recommendation from Barry Norman.!! :-) I emailed the BBC about the possibility of adapting the 3DOR performance for television (with the same cast of course). Reply received: Thank you for your comments and suggestions which I shall forward to the drama department. Pretty standard response perhaps. But the BBC have put on at least two of the Donmar's productions...\"Company\" was one, the other slips my memory, retaining the original cast. Who is the current Head of Drama for the BBC? It used to be Micahael Wearing who co-produced P&P, Nostromo and The Advocate, and Our Mutual Friend. But I think he retired recently...unfortunately. Some more emails could prompt serious action! Email address is info@bbc.co.uk"}, {"response": 936, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (10:02)", "body": "Allison, Your snippet of news about BJD at #80......apart from a confirmation that CF is playing MD, I think this is the best news we can get! And I am now even more confident that he will play MD! Ben, Evelyn, there's an article abot JE's new film \"This Year's Love\" in the Times. It focuses mainly on the lead actor Dougie Henshall, and has a photo of JE in dreadlocks, looking very pretty, with DH . Article then commits CF-type omission by failing to mention JE in the cast list. Has no-one at the Times watched P&P?! :-)"}, {"response": 937, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (10:31)", "body": "Who is the current Head of Drama for the BBC? Is it Simon Curtis? Husband of EMcG. That is just a guess but I know that Simon Curtis is famous for something dramatic at the Beeb."}, {"response": 938, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (10:36)", "body": "(Bethan)..apart from a confirmation that CF is playing MD, I think this is the best news we can get! And I am now even more confident that he will play MD! I know I am being lazy and not looking things up for myself (we have friends coming to dinner and I haven't done the shopping yet!) But didn't Colin say something in You or People about \"staying with him a while longer\" in respnse to a question about whether he had put Darcy behind him?"}, {"response": 939, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (12:19)", "body": "I'M GOING TO LONDON FOR 3DoR! :-)))))))))) My fiance is coming too, he says he'll take the excuse for a London week-end with me. I think he's also curious about CF and about my Internet friends. So we'll meet you on March 6 and going out to dinner seems a lovely idea!"}, {"response": 940, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (13:41)", "body": "What a lovely party you will all have in London. I'll be thinking of you. Ben, \"elbows should not be placed on the table\", is also a very strict rule in Italy."}, {"response": 941, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (13:57)", "body": "Anyone going on Friday 5th? Saturday 13th? \"Hands (not) in the lap\" and \"Elbows (not) on the table\" are two rather different rules of table manners, BTW."}, {"response": 942, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (14:04)", "body": "Gi, you have a wonderful fiance. Wish I could say the same about the man I have chosen to live with (at the moment I\ufffdm quite put out by his wry attitude to my London plans. But he does have his wonderful moments, I recall)"}, {"response": 943, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (14:21)", "body": "(Arami), \"Hands (not) in the lap\" and \"Elbows (not) on the table\" are two rather different rules of table manners, BTW. Quite right my dear, knowing rather different rules of table manners does make one rather worldly."}, {"response": 944, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (15:12)", "body": "Arami, that is an intriguing idea of yours, our DB as a lap dancer or should that be lap actor?!!! I have tried to Email you with no luck! BELGO, re Ben's idea of a meal in the nearby restaurant on March 6th I have just had a call from a friend who went to the Belgo that has just opened here, last night , to recommend it re food and atmosphere. Menu sounds good but I am not sure how it would be for any vegetarians. I can find out if needed."}, {"response": 945, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (15:32)", "body": "I see the italics monster is back. One last comment for the publicity debate: I think Colin said it best in People, which I'll paraphrase here--he likes attention because every actor needs to be adored, but he wouldn't want everyone in a restaurant to recognize him. That's where his boundary is. As for our collective self-flagellation: looks like we all participated over the past several days, but never once did we think about abandoning this board or our DB! Even Moon is back! Thanks for decoding 'bog roll,' Arami. I see one of the side benefits of this board as a lesson in international relations (for lack of a better term--perhaps customs?). I was LOL about Colin's response to the living in Italy question. He has such a wry sense of humor. I was also unaware of the hand-in-lap rule. BTW, if you can't put your hand in your lap or put your elbow on the table (the latter being an American rule as well; Ben, your grandmother and my father employed similar corrective actions) then where do you put it? If you're not using a knife, do you wave your free hand over your head? :-) I was in Germany, Italy and Switzerland this past summer and must have offended many countrymen. Marcia, don't fret about not being able to fly to London. Many of us can't make the field trip either. Rest assured, those who are attending have promised to report every single detail."}, {"response": 946, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (16:16)", "body": "Gosh, I'm so incredibly thrilled for all who'll be attending 3DOR! Looking forward to receiving those \"dispatches from the front lines.\" Please do take a commemorative group photo -- would love to see through whom I'll be living vicariously that weekend! Has anyone ever seen \"Racing With the Moon\" -- wonderful film from the early 80's starring Eliz. McGovern, Sean Penn and Nicolas Cage, very early in their careers. I belive EM and SP were briefly engaged -- luckily she came to her senses! Evelyn, will you be attending Jennifer's new film whilst in London?"}, {"response": 947, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (16:53)", "body": "WOW..one can hardly sleep around here...so many postings just overnight! Heide; I think it says a lot about having a level-headed host that we took the interview when Colin mentioned the \"I\" word in stride. One big laugh... He would want it that way. ***** Great about Gi and fiancee going. Want to meet him.Your PEOPLE is going out today, Gi. **** Belgo restaurant sounds good to me...we should reserve. Lizza -in-the-first-row, contact our fearless leader Heide.Thanks Ben for the tip. ***** (Ben)My luvvie background amounts to having been in a couple of plays there when I was a nipper. Ben, your CV gets more interesting by the minute.....which play? and please translate nipper **** Going to the Times right now...I hope someone sends me the hardcopy esp. with Jennifer's pic. Pox on them for not listing her...but \"a picture is worth...\" This Year's Love is getting great publicity...heralded as \"best Brit romantic comedy of the year...\" Just got a distributor last week.. the Good Machine International co.....(doesn't that sound like something out of the Simpson's...but we'll take it if it means it will be shown in the US.) Yes, Susan, I do plan to see her film while in London. *** Bethan I will email BBC today.And how about asking them for info on Donovan Quick (can we just call that now...\"DQ\"?) ** Sorry for lengthy post"}, {"response": 948, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (17:44)", "body": "PS Forgot to mention... Gwynnie will host \"Saturday Night Live \" tonight. She's bound to say something humorous about SIL. The publicity seems to go on and on...... IMDB voted it the Outstanding Film of the Year."}, {"response": 949, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (19:03)", "body": "Hello all. Oh good God, the thought of a CF lap dance has short-circuited my brain! Someone must log a BJD -esque account of the 3 DOR trip for us less fortunate Firthophiles who remain at home. This will be our only consolation for misssing the play, dinner, etc. I am still giddy over my first viewing of Valmont this morning, which I taped off the Encore channel. Wow! What an elegant production. CF's performance as Valmont makes John Malkevich's(sp?) portrayal look like a cartoon character (Snidely Whiplash, perhaps?). Now I must go back and reread Cheryl E's inside scoop on MF..... Our DB's acting ability continues to amaze me....."}, {"response": 950, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (20:15)", "body": "(Lizza) I have tried to Email you with no luck! No wonder: there's no email address to my name here. Do you still wish to make contact? :-) (Eileen G) He has such a wry sense of humor. I have watched snippets of various interviews with Colin made during the recent SIL publicity drive on the American TV (there was none of that on the British TV, btw), and he kept quipping time after time - most of it went straight over the interviewer's head... made me wanna howl!"}, {"response": 951, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (20:46)", "body": "(SusanMC)Looking forward to receiving those \"dispatches from the front lines.\" Please do take a commemorative group photo (LisaJH)Someone must log a BJD -esque account of the 3 DOR trip for us less fortunate Firthophiles who remain at home. I guess we could each give her own view, that would be at least ten reports in different styles! (EileenG)BTW, if you can't put your hand in your lap or put your elbow on the table then where do you put it? You are allowed to rest your wrists on the table :-)"}, {"response": 952, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (20:48)", "body": "Elena, tell your husband other men are going and it really is a meeting of friends, maybe he'll like it better if he sees it this way!"}, {"response": 953, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (21:11)", "body": "(Evelyn) But I have yet ANOTHER ONE. Gi...Sabine....Kirsten...Uk lurkers....anybody want an extra Colin Firth PEOPLE? Thanks for thinking of me, Evelyn, but we have some decent bookstore around here which do supply us properly. Dear me, you're really too busy for me to be able to catch up for the moment, but I'll try my best to come back soon, at least to #98."}, {"response": 954, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (22:27)", "body": "The screenplay of \"3 Days of Rain\" is on the broadway play page, where you can order it: http://www.BroadwayPlayPubl.com/scr2.htm It is included in the volume: \"PLAYS FROM SOUTH COAST REPERTORY\", VOLUME TWO I S B N 0-88145-142-2: $14.95"}, {"response": 955, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (22:30)", "body": "Did I ever post this link (SIL premiere pics) here? http://firth.com/prempic/annprem.htm"}, {"response": 956, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (23:10)", "body": "Drs.Moon and Arami, strictly, as a matter of anatomy, you are right - wrists are not elbows. (And laps are not seats, I might add.) HOWEVER - even the continental habit of resting one's wrists on the table while eating is frowned on by some. And laps are a perfectly good place for (one's own) hands. (But no-one else's seat.) Yours etc., BB"}, {"response": 957, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb  7, 1999 (00:56)", "body": "(Ben) And laps are a perfectly good place for (one's own) hands. (But no-one else's seat.) LOL, Ben. I better stick with left hand on lap. Doubt if I ever go back to Italy anyway."}, {"response": 958, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Feb  7, 1999 (01:10)", "body": "Way, way back, Simon Curtis.....yes, I do believe he's Head of Drama at the BBC, and Elizabeth McG's husband. Should boost the chances of a BBC adaptation of 3DOR, although could provoke charges of nepotism...or uxoriousness! I'm too lazy to nip across to #80. Just heard a snippet on the radio about the Andrew Davies-Helen Fielding collaboration on the screenplay for BJD. General consensus is that the script should be a \"cracker\", possibly the best of 1999. Here's hoping!"}, {"response": 959, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Feb  7, 1999 (02:47)", "body": "Dear Ben, If only you could demonstrate it to me, I'm sure I'd find it all easier to comprehend... ;-)"}, {"response": 960, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Feb  7, 1999 (08:12)", "body": "Oh dear oh dear, we all may have forgiven Colin for his rather thoughtless and tactless remarks about the interenet but it seems as if he has really offended Ellen (Ellen's FAQ's) as she is withdrawing the page and writing to Colin to see if he has been mis-quoted. I must say I do have a little sympathy for her as she has put in a tremendous amount of work in the publication of the FAQ and after all it is meant as a tribute to a wonderful actor not an infringement on his privacy. Such a shame as it was ne of the best and most comprehensive FAQ's I have seen for any celebrity."}, {"response": 961, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Feb  7, 1999 (09:01)", "body": "Arami, would still like to make contact. Ann, sorry to hear of Ellen's reaction, was FAQ not the first CF page to start up? It seems to have a bit of a parallel with the \"Rules\" that I have read for hosts of conferences and postings. We all have to be careful not to \"offend\" others in a conference, because we can't see each other and different nuances etc that we would pick up in spoken conversations or ironies etc are easier to misconstrue. Obviously WE manage this very well as we are all so erudite, discerning etc but it COULD happen. Reading a second or third hand account of CF's views in a publication is the same and something that apppears to have given huge offence may not have been intended in that context. I am reminded of the occasion quite some months ago when someone posted critical views of CF and made some disparaging remarks about the names we post under, Heide or Evelyn with support from Moon and Winter sent them packing in no uncertain terms. Glorious to behold!!!"}, {"response": 962, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Feb  7, 1999 (09:56)", "body": "I really am puzzled by the over-reaction to CF's \"alleged\" comments in a tabloid supplement. Has he been accurately quoted? We don't know. And what has the poor bloke actually said? I don't think he was tactless. He was probably interviewed over the phone whilst he was chewing on his cornflakes, and was asked a series of brief questions, all on completely different topics, so there's no follow-up to any response. He's asked, specifically, \"what's the downside of fame\", so , very obligingly he comes up with an example ....people seem to know too much about him. He's not thumping on a soapbox, shouting that he hates this. If someone asked you what is the downside of your job, marriage, relationship etc, you could be blissfully happy, but you would be able to find at least one example! And he doesn't say he hates the Internet, or the excellent websites dedicated mainly to his professional life and work. He also made comments that \"could\" have offended New Labour or the Italian community, if they chose to be absolutely devoid of humour!! I dunno...I really give up on this one. His best bet is to say nuffing...and then everyone will say he's aloof, unfriendly , spoilt by fame. It's a no-win situation!!! But i thought Ellen's FAQ was excellent, and I'd love to see it updated, not withdrawn. I watched his A&E interview for the first time, and was struck by the fact that once he's got over his initial nervousness (and twitchiness!), he's capable of giving a fully rounded, carefully considered, intelligent response, far beyond the requirements of the actual interview. His thoughts on \"what is period\" and the relationship between \"now\" and \"history\" would not have been out of place in a university seminar. Short soundbites are never the best medium of communication. But someone should have told him to sit on his hands (or keep them in his lap!):-)"}, {"response": 963, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Feb  7, 1999 (10:30)", "body": "I must say I\ufffdm pretty shocked by Ellen\ufffds strong reaction and wish from the bottom of my heart that she would be able to forgive him. And what is there to forgive anyway, it was not an interview to be taken too seriously, look at all the other funny answers for heaven\ufffds sake. Those answers were all very quick and circumstantial, not something that he has thought in depth. Like I\ufffdve said before, I do believe he was accurately quoted, he just did not have time to think properly. Bethan, I think you put it so well: if someone asked you what is the downside of your job, marriage, relationship etc, you could be blissfully happy, but you would be able to find at least one example! Exactly, and that one example is NOT the whole story. AND like I\ufffdve said before, I like his lovely spontaneity like nothing else. I\ufffdd just hate to think him becoming wary of everything he says to the press."}, {"response": 964, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Feb  7, 1999 (12:10)", "body": "To think of it, maybe we should invite him too to dine with us in March at Belgo, just to show him what lovable and harmless people his Internet fans are :-)))"}, {"response": 965, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Feb  7, 1999 (13:44)", "body": "Elena, you just wish! :-)"}, {"response": 966, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Feb  7, 1999 (15:07)", "body": "(bethan), But i thought Ellen's FAQ was excellent, and I'd love to see it updated, not withdrawn. My sentiments exactly! If you are reading this Ellen, you're work is very much appreciated and I hope to see it again soon. I think what you're doing is right and will be most curious to know the outcome. In boca al lupo!"}, {"response": 967, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Feb  7, 1999 (16:27)", "body": "(Gi) Elena, you just wish! Yes, it\ufffds beginning to look like his internet fans are the last people he would care to dine with :-)) I hope I\ufffdm not offending anybody by guessing that we\ufffdre probably so touchy about his careless sayings because after all these years of adoration, we tend to wish for some sort of gratitude or love in return from him! We better face it, we won\ufffdt get it, at least not publicly. Whatever he thinks privately is unknown. The FAQ is completely decent and beneficial too for Colin as it serves quite harmless and general information for his fans, saving a lot of energy from his management and pr people. Actually I do not see why its existence would need his APPROVAL and I also very much doubt that Ellen will get an answer of any sort. I wish she could be tougher about this but of course I understand how she feels, having done such an enormous work."}, {"response": 968, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Feb  7, 1999 (17:39)", "body": "Ladies, you're so right. Perhaps some of us here should take over from all those faint hearted people who seem to crave their idols' approval and gratitude. That, I'm afraid, is not the name of the game. Those of the webmasters/mistresses (yuk, I'm not keen on this description!) who are sure that their sites do not offend any normal, generally accepted rules of decency, should carry on regardless. If they can't, they patently do not understand showbusiness people. Besides, we, the fans, do not generate th information, we merely circulate it for our own pleasure, and for the benefit of our favourite actor's publicity, because we are happy for the world to know more about him. People are naturally curious - what's wrong with that? You know the saying: \"Bad publicity is worse than no publicity\". And Colin has never had any really bad publicity. What is the matter with those people? I give up. (Btw, Bethan, I love the way he uses his hands in conversation!)"}, {"response": 969, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb  7, 1999 (17:53)", "body": "......Ellen... writing to Colin to see if he has been mis-quoted She should call ICM and speak to a PA of the agent. Really, they are v. nice. I call on behalf of Jennifer about once a month (different agent...JE has a woman) and they are v. obliging. Hey, these people don't want mis-information out there. I am sorry about FAQ....the most comprehensive on the Internet...I wrote to Ellen and pleaded with her not to tank it. Why don't you all do so also. Not only fans make use of these websites...producers and directors do too. I understand Jane's Articles website which I consistently use for the film discussions is also going down. I can see where she's coming from. The website managers go through a great deal of trouble and expense to maintain them. I know I do.Lots of telephoning to UK postage,letter writing etc. I think I would be crushed too if Jennifer said that in print...Lord knows they all must think it. But I wouldn't take it down. Anyway...if they go down... we're the losers. I,m glad no one on this board defected...we're taking it in stride. **** (Lisa)Heide or Evelyn with support from Moon and Winter sent them packing in no uncertain terms.Glorious to behold!!! We don't tolerate rudeness or flaming in any form on this board...anyone who gets her/his jollies doing that sort of stuff can go somewhere else. That's why we have so many newbies and want more.....No one ever feels intimidated."}, {"response": 970, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Feb  7, 1999 (18:07)", "body": "I have already mailed Ellen too. At this rate we will be the only ones left to report 3DOR!! Thanks for the tip re \"whatsonstage\" Ann, I was able to check out my seats for the performances."}, {"response": 971, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Feb  7, 1999 (18:38)", "body": "Oh this is so sad, I am sure Colin did not mean it the way it sounded, why should he, after all the Internet has been very good publicity for 3DOR, I hope that other websites will see it as it is an off the cuff remark that really didn't mean anything. I mean Winter said how charming and pleasant he was and he seemed very pleased to have his internet fans, personally on thinking about it, and I will admit at first I was a bit peeved, I would rather believe Winter's account of him which she got from the orse's mouth so to speak than an questions & answers article reported in the newspaper. So please if there are any Webmistresses reading this, please keep your sites going, I am sure Colin really appreciates his websites and all the work involved in maintaining them. Ellen and Jane we , the fans, also appreciate your hard work and hope that in due course it will continue."}, {"response": 972, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sun, Feb  7, 1999 (18:40)", "body": "Re:vegetarians and Belgo. Belgo's is well-suited to carnivores. If you want, you can munch on wild-boar, sitting on benches in a big cavern downstairs. It feels like one of the feasts at the end of Asterix. However, for the more dainty, there is a more stylish end of the cavern, with string quartets and forget-me-nots in a glass (well, almost.) For the really squeamish, there is a famous vegetarian restaurant round the corner called \"Food for Thought\". This has been going for 25 years or so, and was, at least in the 70s, a real thesps' hangout. Food for thought is rather bare and uncomfortable, but vegetarians seem to like suffering so I'm sure it's perfect. It's on Neal Street. Finally, there is a smart restaurant, on the opposite side of the road, called the Neal St. restaurant. Again, I'm not sure how this is now, but a few years ago it was v. fashionable and well thought of. All these are within spitting distance of the Donmar, but radiating out from there, Longacre and Southampton St. are teeming with restaurants. Strangely, I am going to London next week! But I have to come back before the great event. Another time, I'm sure. I have been v. slow on the uptake with this questionnaire thing - I hadn't realised till now that it was composed right here. Ellen, come back! I tend to think that, if he were to meet you all, or read this site, he'd be reassured, indeed flattered. BUT, it's natural to be generally suspicious, I would have thought, of a very deep attachment formed by someone who's never met you. (The worst case is that his followers are all nuts.) Isn't it a good thing, as far as his own character is concerned, that he h s a little of this suspicion instead of thinking it only natural that everyone should love him, even if they've never met him? Anyway, have a WONDERFUL time in London, those going."}, {"response": 973, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Feb  7, 1999 (18:49)", "body": "Thankyou Ben, you have made a lot of sense."}, {"response": 974, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sun, Feb  7, 1999 (19:01)", "body": "Did anyone else see Gwyneth on Sat. Night Live last night? I thought she was marvelous! (And I still have not as yet seen SiL, unfortunately.) Her opening monolog was priceless, done in her flawless English accent and pretending to be a British actress and not understanding why people think she's American... and then Ben Affleck pops up in the audience with his comment \"...remember me? We used to date...then we broke up recently...it was in all the papers.\" Good for them -- they really tweaked the nose of the tabloids!"}, {"response": 975, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Feb  7, 1999 (19:05)", "body": "Isn't it a good thing, as far as his own character is concerned, that he h s a little of this suspicion instead of thinking it only natural that everyone should love him, even if they've never met him? Well said. My last word on this! No matter what Colin thinks. We know that what we are doing will not harm him and that we all have his best interests at heart. We should just \"go to it\"! [and I don't think he objects anyway]."}, {"response": 976, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Feb  7, 1999 (20:37)", "body": "My last word on this: if he really doesn't object, he should answer our questions. He's had them for two months now. As Evelyn has said, \"The website managers go through a great deal of trouble and expense to maintain them\". He must realize this. If he really objects, he should let Ellen know, that would be the correct thing to do. His comment was most gratuitous and ungrateful. While it is true that sometimes actors are incorrectly quoted (I am only referring to serious papers or mags.), in my experience as an interviewer, I have always made sure that all the quotes were correct. If you want to establish a relationship with an actor (for future interviews), you better get the quotes right."}, {"response": 977, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Feb  7, 1999 (22:10)", "body": "I was going to leave this issue as I don't want it to get too serious...but I have to make two points. The first, I recently attended a seminar on \"Information and the Internet\". The Internet is a double-edged sword. It's an excellent medium for conveying straightforward factual information via responsible and well managed websites. But it does have a darker side. There are loonies and potential stalkers out there who hack into databases, electoral registers, medical records etc and publish (quite indiscr minately) confidential material ...addresses, ex-directory phone nos etc. The Data Protection Act is impossible to enforce on the Web because it's an unfettered domain. Several actors in the UK are known to have serious persistent stalker problems..there was an article in the Telegraph recently on this topic (in a general context, no names given) It can be difficult to protect them...and sometimes members of their family are also threatened. In the US \"stars\" tend to retreat to private estates and have b dyguards. I hope this isn't too heavy, but a wariness of the Internet may stem from other reasons. Two (turning into a real Anorak here), a quote from CF in Elle magazine (about his response to interest in him) \"There is a measure of evasiveness. One newspaper story, in which I was quoted saying \"I don't need a woman around\" was in response to a barrage of questions about why I didn't have a girlfriend at that point\" \"Surely you need a woman?\" I was just trying to fend that off, and it's been one of the most regularly repeated quotes ever since. I completely respect people's curiosity and I'm actually glad of it in a way. It means you've made some sort of impact. But there should be some degree of mystery about any creative process and I thnk that's the way it should stay. When you see a magician perform, it's appropriate that you should be curious how the trick is done: it's not necessarily appropriate that you should be told\" He puts it very well, and politely. Also, it is possible in the UK to be a very successful actor and a very private one. Two of the actors he most admires, Paul Schofield and Ian Holm, have had careers spanning over forty years, and never give interviews. We know nothing about them. And arguably the more anonymous an actor remains, the more credibly he can assume different roles. I should think that CF just wants to be a jobbing actor par excellence. Positively my last word! (BUT he does need a source of factual professional information on the Web)"}, {"response": 978, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Feb  7, 1999 (22:21)", "body": "Moon, I see that we have something in common! You know, it happens during interviews that a person says (because of a hurry, thoughtlessness, ignorance etc.) something that you understand to be harmful for him/her if you (as an interviewer) put it in the paper just like that. Depends very much on the situation and your own moral whether you just do it or make some further questions to help him elaborate his message a bit. Even the smartest people are able to say big stupidities in unfavourable interview circumstances, of course. It\ufffds also possible that Colin doesn\ufffdt belong to those insecure people who want to check every word in their interviews before they\ufffdre printed."}, {"response": 979, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb  7, 1999 (22:54)", "body": "So many voices of reason here. Too many to cite; however, I agree with the view that this comment has been blown way out of proportion to its significance. Also, why would anyone take anything a tabloid publication printed seriously? If that were the case, I should be on the lookout for aliens in my backyard or at least a half cow, half human baby living down the street. Am looking forward to 3DOR and have no intention of letting this little comment taken out of context ruin what should be a fabulous time to meet so many of you and see Firth in the Flesh! \"Nobody, but nobody is going rain on my parade!!\" (Sorry, Barbra...) I too am sorry that some webmistresses have chosen to fold up their sites. We shall miss them dearly and perhaps you can get them to change their minds. However, they will do whatever their respective consciences tell them to do and and, unless someone else is willing to pick up the baton, that information may be lost. Colin's sites are classy and something no one should be ashamed or afraid to maintain."}, {"response": 980, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Feb  7, 1999 (22:54)", "body": "(Bethan) The Internet is a double-edged sword Two faces of the net, not about CF, but related. When I heard the news of \"3 Days Of Rain\" I did a brief search for Elisabeth McGovern. Only links I got were sites which promised nude pics of her. I did not check further if these were a kind of fan sites or commercial sites because I don't want to give those pages hits. But surely it was an encounter with the not so pretty sides of the net. And if she knows about it her opinion of the internet may be not the best. Then today I found a very interesting article about her on the thisislondon page (brief CF mention only). With her view on her career she and CF must get along *very* well. http://www.thisislondon.com/dynamic/hottx/theatre/top_direct.html"}, {"response": 981, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb  7, 1999 (22:55)", "body": "...Colin from Elle via Bethan...\" But there should be some degree of mystery about any creative process and I thnk that's the way it should stay. I told you that's what JE says when they ask her about boyfriends.... \"personal information hinders the credibility of the role one is trying to portray\" **** Colin doesn\ufffdt belong to those insecure people who want to check every word in their interviews before they\ufffdre printed. Well, he should....but sadly, I don't think they often have that option. Sometimes,TV interviewers will give them a list of questions beforehand...but not always. **** I hated missing Gynnie last night....slept through it.How clever of BA and GP to deflect all future news for the tabs...shows maturity and a sense of humor.. ***** Let's just tell all the web managers that we need them desperately."}, {"response": 982, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, Feb  7, 1999 (23:06)", "body": "Because it takes about 9-12 minutes to download all the posts since February 2036, I only have enough patience to post once a week... anyway... From CF's reaction last December, he didn't strike me as someone singling out his Internet fans as the \"loonies\" among the lot. In fact, his reaction when I mentioned us was more of positive interest-- eyes lighting up, etc... He's a sensible bloke, and I'm sure he's sensible enough to know that whomever accosted him with a barrage of his personal trivia went too far. No one goes out blaming the Yellow Pages, the phone company, county birth records for making information accesible to the public... the re l culprits are those who take this info. to stalker-size proportions. Chin up, friends-- he knows we're not that type. Belgo's is well-suited to carnivores. If you want, you can munch on wild-boar, sitting on benches in a big cavern downstairs. Tell me, do the waiters ever stop in mid-service to compete in a joust? ;-) Very very very jealous of you all to be going to London... though I'm still happy for you to have found such a great deal. Aside from scheduling conflicts, I can't seem to take advantage of these cheap fares to LHR because the rates for hotels are still very high. Hostels are also out of the question as they have curfews, and who wants to go to London on a weekend and be on curfew?"}, {"response": 983, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb  7, 1999 (23:10)", "body": "Thank you Renate for the This is London link.... good article on Elizabeth McGovern (can we name her EMc).. And also an article on Mr. Bingley who is about to direct a play... with the interviewers comment.... ....it must be pretty galling to be cast opposite Colin Firth, one of the most fancied man in Britain."}, {"response": 984, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Feb  7, 1999 (23:17)", "body": "To the Drool Damen in the UK, thank you for clearing up the mystery about a \"bog roll.\" I was among the clueless, and was trying to figure out its meaning. I came up with four remote possibilities: 1. A new form of sushi (the British version of the California Roll) 2. An illicit outdoor \"tumble\" (in Scotland, perhaps) 3. Yet another name for a cannabis cigarette 4. A decadent cream-filled cake (I have seen too many re-runs of the \"Two Fat Ladies\") Along the lines of this theme of \"two countries divided by a common language,\" it is my understanding that what we Yanks call \"garbage\", you Brits call \"truck,\" and what we call a \"truck\", you call a \"lorry.\" So does this mean then what we call a \"garbage truck\" you call a \"truck lorry?\" ;-) A former colleague of mine (an ex-pat Brit living in the suburbs of Chicago) told me that the British word for \"turf\" is \"sod\" in the States, and that \"sod\" has a far cruder meaning in the UK. Needless to say, she was quite taken aback to see signs for \"sod farms\" in her new country. She thought they were brothels. ;-) And then there is the \"bum bag\" which we Americans call a \"fanny pack.\" Only recently did I find out that a \"fanny\" is another term for a female body part opposite the \"bum.\" Oh the trouble one can get into\ufffd..;-) Now that I have veered off topic again, let me close by saying that I am also saddened by the dismantling of Ellen\ufffds FAQ. Her FAQ is first rate and a class act. I also feel the same way about Drool. IMO, the fact that fanfic has been limited to fictional charachters says a lot about respecting the personal boundaries of CF and others. Ben , I believe, coined the phrase \"respectful lust\" (for JE), with the operative word being \"respectful\"\ufffd.."}, {"response": 985, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb  7, 1999 (23:18)", "body": "Good to have around...Dame Winter....moreover you are the **only** one who has ever met him and even owned up to being an Internet fan. I can't seem to take advantage of these cheap fares to LHR because the rates for hotels are still very high Oh Winter...contact Heide....we're staying at a B&B nr. Russell Sq. Walking distance to Donmar. V. reasonable. Contact Heide.Internet fares are still available."}, {"response": 986, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Feb  7, 1999 (23:29)", "body": "Three points: I don't think anyone has any right to expect someone well known (a \"celebrity\", for the lack of a better description) to reply to some kind of questions from people he doesn't know, for the purpose he is not sure about. Colin has thousands of fans all over the world. Not all of them are represented here. Most of them probably don't even know or care about the Internet activities. Quite bluntly, if some fans and website administrators are quitting, that's because deep in their heart they want to drop Colin Firth, and probably have been looking for an excuse. This is an ideal opportunity for the fainthearted and those who have lost their interest and faith in him, mainly because the Darcy thing is now some distance behind us all, and not everyone feels they care for the real actor behind the mask, so to speak. This is no big deal, because those of us who will stay, are the real, sta nch fans, and that's what counts. We will carry on. (Applause)... ;-D I MEAN IT, COLIN!!!"}, {"response": 987, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Feb  7, 1999 (23:47)", "body": "Lisa, \"truck\" in England is \"rubbish\", I 've never heard it called \"truck\" ever before. What about \"pants\" that has different meaning either side of the Atlantic too Anyway we all use the same language to wax lyrical about CF. (whoops a late night corny one there- sorry!!)"}, {"response": 988, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Feb  7, 1999 (23:49)", "body": "BTW Can you still hear the ovation Arami? Well said and perfectly expressed."}, {"response": 989, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (00:08)", "body": "Arami, you go girl. Lisa, some vehicular translations: Truck = lorry Garbage = rubbish Hood = bonnet Trunk = boot Windshield = windscreen Gas = petrol and some slang translations: Cigarette = fag Fag = *&*^&87! Fanny = bum *!!?&?%^= fanny Life as an ex-pat is hazardous."}, {"response": 990, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (00:13)", "body": "Three points: I don't think anyone has any right to expect someone well known (a \"celebrity\", for the lack of a better description) to reply to some kind of questions from people he doesn't know, for the purpose he is not sure about. Colin has thousands of fans all over the world. Not all of them are represented here. Most of them probably don't even know or care about the Internet activities. Quite bluntly, if some fans and website administrators are quitting, that's because deep in their heart they want to drop Colin Firth, and probably have been looking for an excuse. This is an ideal opportunity for the fainthearted and those who have lost their interest and faith in him, mainly because the Darcy thing is now some distance behind us all, and not everyone feels they care for the real actor behind the mask, so to speak. This is no big deal, because those of us who will stay, are the real, sta nch fans, and that's what counts. We will carry on. (Applause)... ;-D I MEAN IT, COLIN!!!"}, {"response": 991, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (00:19)", "body": "Ooops... seems I've jammed... Seriously, there's a fault with this software: it reposts automatically when you hit refresh!!! Sorry! (But this time it's really worth repeating... ;-p)"}, {"response": 992, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (00:40)", "body": "From CF's reaction last December, he didn't strike me as someone singling out his Internet fans as the \"loonies\" among the lot.In fact, his reaction when I mentioned us was more of positive interest-- eyes lighting up, etc... He's a sensible bloke, and I'm sure he's sensible enough to know that whomever accosted him with a barrage of his personal trivia went too far. (Winter) From the gal who mentioned \"The Internet\" and lived to tell the tale. Well said, Winter! And Arami, yes...go to it!. And, seriously, (yet again!) all that we can really expect from him is that he carries on choosing and appearing in projects which give us pleasure."}, {"response": 993, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (01:09)", "body": "Since it was posted twice, let me respond by saying I agree with Arami's points #1 and #2 but reserve judgment on #3. I can't second guess anyone's reason for taking down her web page. I agree you don't have to be on the Internet to be an admirer of Colin Firth, therefore the Internet is not necessary to continue one's admiration. Dropping doesn't necessarily mean your interest or faith has diminished. Lisa, Lizza, Ben - I enjoyed your diversion. I'd love to know what all those !*!!&?* signs mean though. Karen, welcome back. Belgo restaurant sounds good to me...we should reserve. Lizza -in-the-first-row, contact our fearless leader Heide.Thanks Ben for the tip. Yes, thank you for the tip, Ben. Are we given utensils? Evelyn dear, you and Lizza have hit on a great plan but please, I'm not the leader, just a co-host here. I'd love to meet you all but don't want to tie anyone down to my schedule. But since Lizza very kindly has volunteered to make reservations, I'm sure I'll join you."}, {"response": 994, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (01:44)", "body": "(Heide)I agree with Arami's points #1 and #2 but reserve judgment on #3. Spoilsport. ;-p Are we given utensils? LOL! It's not all complete wilderness here, you know... ;-p"}, {"response": 995, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (01:56)", "body": "Are we given utensils? And put your left hand in your lap :-) Agree with Heide on Arami's #3. Ellen's FAQ and Jane's Articles were v. crucial to the success of the other websites...IMO the most impressive of the CF websites.We all used them as resources. I saw no indication of waning interest. I am v. grateful to them."}, {"response": 996, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (08:16)", "body": "If I understood Jane right, her main reason for taking the page down was the tremendous lot of work and time that went into it. Also, she took the trouble to ask the authors for permission to publish, and did not get it for the best articles. (What does that teach us?? \ufffd8-)=) ) I think we must respect the decisions of the webmistresses to take down their pages, however sad it is. Well, perhaps let them know they will be missed much! And don't forget: each and everyone who is reading this can become a webmistress/master and step in. It's right before your noses. Webspace is free, there's freeware for the tools you need, there are free tutorials out there, and always people you can ask. Why don't you start tomorrow? (Yes, you!)"}, {"response": 997, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (11:52)", "body": "Film Four (TV subscriber rchannel) are showing \"Another country\" TONIGHT 10pm. Photo of RE and CF in TV section in the Times. First showing on TV?"}, {"response": 998, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (13:40)", "body": "Ahhh! Green with envy. We can think of you. Let us know how it goes?"}, {"response": 999, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (15:18)", "body": "(KarenR)Also, why would anyone take anything a tabloid publication printed seriously? If that were the case, I should be on the lookout for aliens in my backyard or at least a half cow, half human baby living down the street. ROTFLOL! My favorite (and I only go so far as to read the headlines while waiting to check out at the supermarket) is the Weekly World News. It's a riot!! This discussion re: internet info overload has been typically thoughtful and sensible, although we all didn't have the same reaction to Colin's comment or share the same view. That's what makes this site so much fun for me. We have a common bond but respect one another and don't agree on everything. I was surprised to see that Ellen withdrew the FAQ since it was compiled from other sources of published media. Thanks, Renate, for clarifying why Jane is taking down her articles page. As I caught up on these posts I had visions of a domino effect with Colin's web pages being withdrawn one by one. Having spent the majority of my 'net time at FOF sites prior to arriving here, I was always pleased with the integrity of the info presented: not only was it accurate but procured honestly (e.g., no ictures taken by paparazzi). I don't think that Colin's comment was a misquote (even though this was a tabloid), but it might have been an incomplete quote. At any rate, I've been thoroughly enjoying these legitimate (because they come right from him) glimpses into his thoughts and opinions. I hope they don't stop (or he goes back to \"watching what he says\" as in the 9/97 Vogue article). Having pontificated all that, is there any interest in posting the remainder of the People article on this board? P.S. Ben, thanks for the translations. When I first visited England in '85 (a travel destination chosen in large part because of the common language) I was amazed at how uncommon it was. While in a pub, someone next to me asked for a \"serviette\" and I had no idea what she wanted (a napkin!). I'm reading Fever Pitch right now and sense that at least half of Hornby's wry humor (now I know why he and Colin are friends) is flying over my head."}, {"response": 1000, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (16:06)", "body": "(Renate)Why don't you start tomorrow?(Yes, you!) You're joking...I'm thrilled every time I can log on Drool.!!! Not all of us are techies...but we admire you enormously. ****** (Eileen)We have a common bond but respect one another and don't agree on everything. I like to quote Nan..our webmistress emerita...\"if we all agreed all the time we would have nothing to talk about\" :-) ****** Elena, I read your posting at Chat on buying FP in London. I have a PAL I shall be glad to give you.Will bring it on the 6th...pl.email me."}, {"response": 1001, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (17:58)", "body": "(Renate)Why don't you start tomorrow?(Yes, you!) (Evelyn) You're joking...I'm thrilled every time I can log on Drool.!!! Not all of us are techies...but we admire you enormously. Well, *I* love to be admired ;-p. You don't need to be a techie, and it is not difficult - in fact, in a way it is ridiculously easy. Most of all you need patience and time because there's a lot of details you have to think about. But it's fun, and once you've started you can't stop anymore. That's why webpages grow like mushrooms.... :-)"}, {"response": 1002, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (19:47)", "body": "Hey, did anyone notice we've more than 1000 posts on this topic again?"}, {"response": 1003, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (20:15)", "body": "(Gi)Hey, did anyone notice we've more than 1000 posts on this topic again? Yes and we're just going to throw caution to the wind and keep going!! (Eileen) is there any interest in posting the remainder of the People article on this board? Wasn't it all posted? Thought so. FYI, thanks Renate for posting the info about the South Coast Repertory Company's book. It was prominently displayed at a theater bookstore in town. I asked if it were going to be printed alone, and no date was provided by the company holding the rights. However, the situation is entirely different in England. They said I should have no trouble buying the play in London (probably at the Samuel French bookshop)."}, {"response": 1004, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (20:24)", "body": "Post script to Another Country. We don't subscribe to Film Four, but we do get a Cable magazine. I checked today's listing.....nice pic of RE and CF. Then I read \"Another Country\", starring Rupert Everett and Betsy Brantley!!! Who the **** is Brantley, if you'll pardon my French? :-)"}, {"response": 1005, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (20:39)", "body": "It doesn't seem to matter what billing order he is, someone always ***** up and leaves him out. Pardon the expression again. BB rings a bell and I am sure she has been in ----- It's on the tip of my tongue, come on film buffs, help us out."}, {"response": 1006, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (20:47)", "body": "Was she the mother? Huge part! Sorry, am mistaken, huge hat."}, {"response": 1007, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (20:52)", "body": "No, she was not the mother. She played Julie Schofield. Who was she?"}, {"response": 1008, "author": "sabine", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (21:23)", "body": "On SUNDAY (14.02.1999) CF will be at the BERLINALE In Berlin (germany) at 20.00 o clock !!!!! SIL will be shown there at the BERLINALE ! But I was told that there are no more tickets available for SIL :-( Maybe I will fly to Berlin and try to get some tickets for my sister and me (she has got the \"plesure\" to come with me to London, too ;-) ) Is somebody going to Berlin, too????"}, {"response": 1009, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (21:33)", "body": "(Renate)Re: webpages...But it's fun, and once you've started you can't stop anymore... Hey, I'm not looking for any additional addictions.... Drool is enough...and JE webpage!! Whew! But thanks for the vote of confidence :-) ****** A little upbeat news....Bank contact says he'll have news for me on SLOW mid March!!Maybe sooner....anyway...imminent, sort of. Bethan was right....'99 is his year.Three films due out this year.... one play, one television....Moon, break out the bubbly. (JE has three films due out too....)Happy Days are here again.... *** Haven't seen AC in ages.Couldn't you strangle those people for ignoring him."}, {"response": 1010, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (21:37)", "body": "(Sabine)CF will be at the BERLINALE In Berlin Good girl Sabine....proud of you for bring us that news. I would think the German Firthettes would be out in force. Harvey has a way of marshalling his cast. GP is to be there too."}, {"response": 1011, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (22:13)", "body": "Karen, I don't think anybody picked up where I left off last week (don't have time to recheck the posts). If not, there's not much left and I can finish it on Wednesday. Counting down until the Oscar noms come out tomorrow a.m.!"}, {"response": 1012, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (22:36)", "body": "(Evelyn), Moon, break out the bubbly. Always happy to oblige, \"Happy Days are Here Again\", one of my favorite songs! Maybe we can sushi too, loved the \"British bog roll\", LOL! I hope to have more information by friday too. And the Oscar goes to...."}, {"response": 1013, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (23:07)", "body": "I should explain that I didn't intend to insult anyone, but I thought that some kind of a shock method might cause some quitters to stop and think. I still see the closure of some CF sites as a totally unnecessary overreaction. Sort of: give me my toys back, I don't want to play anymore... Doesn't make any sense, if you ask me."}, {"response": 1014, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (23:42)", "body": "She played Julie Schofield. Who was she? Dunno.The non-speaking Matron? It was a boys' school after all! (Sabine)CF will be at the BERLINALE In Berlin (Evelyn)Good girl Sabine....proud of you for bring us that news. I would think the German Firthettes would be out in force. Harvey has a way of marshalling his cast. GP is to be there too. You've got to hand it to Harvey...he's really brought CF out of seclusion. Maybe he says \"Hey Colin, you know that June opening for \"My Life So Far\", we-e-ll, there could be a problem. Let's talk it over in Berlin!\" Seriously you've got to admire the guy for his wholehearted aggressive marketing. The British Film \"industry\"\" could learn a lot from him! A little upbeat news....Bank contact says he'll have news for me on SLOW mid March!!Maybe sooner....anyway...imminent, sort of. Bethan was right....'99 is his year.Three films due out this year.... one play, one television....Moon, break out the bubbly. (Evelyn) Great news Evelyn. Many thanks for pursuing this one. SLOW has always been the one I really want to see. Beautiful setting, and a Nigerian script which I think will be vibrant and fresh. I know I've mentioned this before but we spent a few years in Nigeria, and there are some excellent writers...and performers...out there. Yep, optimism pays off. 99 will be a very good year! And for JE, as well!"}, {"response": 1015, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (00:04)", "body": "It doesn't seem to matter what billing order he is, someone always ***** up and leaves him out. I'm afraid we have to face the fact that there is a \"Curse of Firth\". (Sabine) On SUNDAY (14.02.1999) CF will be at the BERLINALE In Berlin (germany) at 20.00 o clock !!!!! Where did you get the information, Sabine, online, or which newspaper, which show? Do you know *for sure* he will attend? We decided to drop Berlin in favour of London, because we assumed that he will be busy in London rehearsing. But then, it's no big deal to just fly in for a night or two."}, {"response": 1016, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (00:12)", "body": "Here's the link to the SIL page at the Berlinale site. http://www.berlinale.de/deutsch/wettbewerb/"}, {"response": 1017, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (01:06)", "body": "\"Another Country\", starring Rupert Everett and Betsy Brantley!!! Who the **** is Brantley, if you'll pardon my French? :-) Not the mother? There weren't any other women in this film, were there? Perhaps this is the \"uncut\" version - all those scenes of Tommy and his usherette have been restored. ;-) Sabine, Renate, Kirsten and whoever...keep us informed on Berlin. Valentine's Day - how apropos. I will keep my fingers crossed for Secret Laughter...but I don't know if I can take so much Colin in such a short time. SiL, 3DOR, FP, MLSF, etc. I wish we could dole his performances out bit by bit to help us get through the lean times."}, {"response": 1018, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (02:51)", "body": "Hate to keep harping on an unpleasant subject, but to quote CF, \"...a lot of misery is caused by expectations.\" I suspect also that a lot of misery is caused by making unwarranted assumptions. The biggest one, it seems to me , is that everyone is assuming that the DB is fully aware of what is being done in his name and on his behalf on the Web. Granted, he's got to know it's there...people keep referring to it. I know I did when I sent him that card ( that he sent back the lovely note and photo for). He expressed his appreciation for the art that I'd done...but then I'd sent him a photo of it, so he knew what effort and thought went into it..it was right under his nose. Now, think about it. This is a guy who HASN'T OWNED A TV SET for the last eight years or so, for crying out loud! Can you honestly picture him hungrily surfing the Web at all hours of the night on his new state-of-the-art machine?? Except for the fans, reporters, interviewers and the like who assure him that he's on the net out there, I contend that he is totally unaware of the extent, the content, and THE INTENT of all those websites into which so much work has gone. I think the maintainers of those sites are assuming he DOES KNOW and is thumbing his nose at them and not being subsequently grateful. I contend this is because he DOESN'T KNOW MUCH, IF ANYTHING, ABOUT THEM. He loves to read, it's said. Ellen, send him a print-out of the current FAQ...put it under his nose. Then you'll KNOW that he knows what you're talking about. Jane, send him a copy of your index so he can see you are very selective about what you have been putting on line about him. DO NOT...REPEAT...DO NOT ASSUME HE KNOWS ABOUT ANY OF IT. And, finally, I think we all need to take inventory of our expectations...of him..of ourselves...of each other...and figure out what assumptions we've been making...possibly erroneous ones. Possibly some revision is in order."}, {"response": 1019, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (02:56)", "body": "Arami--I have made several reduced color photocopies of the People article. E-mail me a couple of those \"non-computer friends\" you were speaking of so they can at least get the small version."}, {"response": 1020, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (03:15)", "body": "Thank you KJArt...you've given us a lot to think about."}, {"response": 1021, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (06:12)", "body": "Haven't been able to log on. I have missed so much the last couple of days. I was sorry to read COlin's comments but, I can understand how he feels. I might not agree with it. He must know that lots of people admire his works. A famous person once said, \"Trust the art and not the Artist.\""}, {"response": 1022, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (08:53)", "body": "Just to continue the catalogue of good news, I've just read that David Blair, who is directing \"Dominic Quick\" also directed \"Taking over the Asylum\" which I would rate as the best contemporary drama series I've ever seem on TV (also won BAFTA awards). It was set, unpromisingly, in a mental hospital, and showed how a group of patients helped themselves, and others, by setting up a radio station. It was warm. poignant, beautifully acted, and often very funny. And it made you realise that people with ment l illness can be better than so-called normal people. There seem to be some parallels with \"Dominic Quick\"...I wonder if the same writer is involved, as writers often reurn to familiar themes. All in all, I think this bodes very well for Dom Q, and for CF. There'a another example of David Blair's work on British TV tonight \"Vicious Circle\" although it sounds completely different, about the IRA, violent and harsh."}, {"response": 1023, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (14:28)", "body": "I recently wrote to BBC and asked who was co-starring with CF in DQ and when it would be aired. They just responded ...\"to early to say at present\". But it sounds as if DQ is gathering momentum. I posted Oscar Nominations news on 115."}, {"response": 1024, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (16:07)", "body": "Betsy Brantley played the reporter who interviewed RE at the beginning of the movie. She used to be on some TV show here in the States."}, {"response": 1025, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (17:20)", "body": "Should the Donmar put in extra phone lines? From Act 2 of 3DOR: Ned: Your clothes will have to dry. Lina: I can wearl them damp. Ned: All right. (He gets a knife, starts chopping begetables. With sudden gallantry) Won't you please say to dinner? Lina: Give me that knife. He yields it. She starts chopping what he was chopping. After a moment, she starts sniffing the air. Lina: I've always rather enjoyed the smell of drenched wool on a person. He whips off his sweater. Lights. Rain louder. Half-hour later. ******************** Interesting play and very wet!! ;-)"}, {"response": 1026, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (21:57)", "body": "Oh Karen....you'll be ready for 3DOR play discussion when we return.... How about it ?"}, {"response": 1027, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (22:38)", "body": "I was wondering if we should have a 3DOR spoiler page for those who want to dsicuss the play and not spoil it for those who are seeing it in the second week."}, {"response": 1028, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (22:52)", "body": "not spoil it for those who are seeing it in the second week. We could even wait till it closes on the 16th."}, {"response": 1029, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (23:01)", "body": "I won't do anymore. Just wanted to WHET your appetite!"}, {"response": 1030, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (23:05)", "body": "No, no....I want to hear more....that's not a spoiler. On the contrary....it builds up expectations...I'm trying to get it from the library...but it's too new."}, {"response": 1031, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (23:11)", "body": "I don't think I will be able to wait past Sunday the 7th."}, {"response": 1032, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (23:19)", "body": "Well, you could give your report on this board.....and then we could discuss it Act by Act on #98. (Listen to me?....who the h--- do I think I am...? I'm a nobody...) We shall have to get K&H approval on this, of course. (Sorry hosts...do not mean to usurp your dominium....AAA)"}, {"response": 1033, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (23:53)", "body": "(Renate) I'm afraid we have to face the fact that there is a \"Curse of Firth\". Yes, I know: I've been under it for the past three years... ;-p On SUNDAY (14.02.1999) CF will be at the BERLINALE In Berlin... Hey, the 3DOR rehearsals must be in full swing now: the cast has to learn their lines and cues to perfection; soon the director will have to start blocking it in earnest... Sundays may be the only free days... and Colin is going to give up one of his days off to go to Berlin... German fans, be proud and rejoice! He whips off his sweater. I can't wait!!!"}, {"response": 1034, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (23:56)", "body": "You are an everybody, because I was thinking the same thing!!! Let's hear it for Evelyn, the lady with the good ideas who doesn't mind sharing them with the rest of us...some of us are less clever. Come down on 113 and you may say what you want. No one else is there =P"}, {"response": 1035, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Feb 10, 1999 (00:10)", "body": "(KJart) Ellen, send him a print-out of the current FAQ...put it under his nose. Yes, that occurred to me too and I do hope that Ellen sent it to him.....what a farce if the poor bloke doesn\ufffdt have the slightest clue what the h*** is the Colin Firth FAQ!! He could be quite bewildered, and even hurt, because I feel that Ellen\ufffds attitude is almost a bit hostile or something.....I\ufffdm sorry for that Ellen, it\ufffds just how I instantly felt, that\ufffds all. KJart, I\ufffdm touched by your consideration, and the idea that the DB could be that innocent. Of course it is difficult to believe that he\ufffdd say such a thing about the Internet if he really knew what he\ufffds talking about. It\ufffds just too difficult to believe that he wouldn\ufffdt know! Oh, I seem to be ranting about this endlessly, but it\ufffds because somehow the whole mess fascinates me and amuses too.... I mean the bunch of us trying to figure out what he knows and thinks, and we shall never know it for sure. And I\ufffdm nuts enough to find even his obscurity and inconsistencies quite sexy."}, {"response": 1036, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Feb 10, 1999 (02:18)", "body": "Just a thought, but I wonder if CF has ever thought of directing. Might be sorta interesting for him. I'm still alive in case anyone wondered. Lots of news going on, you guys are so excited!"}, {"response": 1037, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Wed, Feb 10, 1999 (04:27)", "body": "He whips off his sweater. Oh my beating heart!!!!! I wish I could be there. Ann .... Evelyn.... Gi...... I am so jealous. What I wouldn't give to be in your shoes. I am going to want a scene by scene account."}, {"response": 1038, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Feb 10, 1999 (06:41)", "body": "I am so insanely jealous of those of you who are going to see 3DOR! ...And this makes it worse: I've been planning a trip to England/Scotland sometime during 99 for the past couple of months. We (my friend, cousin & i) had been debating up until Dec when to go, either in Feb/Mar or in Oct. Finally we decided on Oct, cause we would have more vacation time from work by then, and we could stay longer. You should have heard my screams of anguish when i found out about 3DOR. I broke the news of our ill ti ing to my cousin (only 13 and a Major Darcy fan) on Sun. I thought she was going to cry. -So that's my sob story. (Meanwhile, i keep having these fanatsies that i implusivly run to the airport and fly to London for the weekend as soon as the play opens. And i have to tell you, now that i know he's going to be whipping his shirt off... well, lets just say i'm getting really good at rationalizing this fanatasy in my mind.) :) SBR"}, {"response": 1039, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Feb 10, 1999 (13:56)", "body": "He will be whipping off his sweater...and some of you have seats in the first row, right? Do they have seatbelts? ;-) To those lucky attendees: in addition to deciding when/where to discuss the play on-line, please don't forget to divvy up the assignment of reporting every single detail to your unfortunate drool sisters (and brother)who can't go. We are living vicariously through all of you. S Robinson, if you live in the US take some comfort in the fact that you will be home for FP's opening in late March. Great news about SLOW, Evelyn! Thanks for taking the time to make inquiries. Finally, hurrah for SiL's 13 Oscar noms! More on that at 115!"}, {"response": 1040, "author": "susanne", "date": "Wed, Feb 10, 1999 (16:20)", "body": "There was an article about the play in Playbill. The link is below. Playbill 3DOR article"}, {"response": 1041, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Feb 10, 1999 (17:37)", "body": "He's wet, he whips off his sweater,he's real, and he's about six feet away from you! This sounds like Fantasty Island! So, what happens NEXT, Karen? :-) This is not a serious question...I don't want to spoil the dramatic flow!"}, {"response": 1042, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 10, 1999 (17:46)", "body": "(Eileen)...Great news about SLOW, Evelyn. Don't break out the bubbly...we're not there yet!! (This film has had a checkered life.)"}, {"response": 1043, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 10, 1999 (19:26)", "body": "(Bethan) So, what happens NEXT, Karen? :-) This is not a serious question...I don't want to spoil the dramatic flow! Wouldn't you like to know! (but I'm sure you can guess) hee hee ;-) Of course, there is the possibility he doesn't play that character and is Theo in the second act. FYI, I got my copy of the play through my library's online periodical abstract database. Believe it or not, it was all there and I printed it out (23 single spaced and no formatting). It's not easy to read, as they smush it all together, without spaces. But it was readable and free!!"}, {"response": 1044, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Feb 10, 1999 (20:57)", "body": "Thanks for the link to Playbill, Susanne! Oh, that article made me realize that it must be really be true, he really IS in that play! So he must really exist! And that I am going to see him in it. Can it be possible?! I see that he has been a kind of a fictional figure to me after all, maybe because he\ufffds just too good to be true. I only wish that things won\ufffdt somehow dramatically change in my mind by seeing him in the flesh. Am I the only one who\ufffds a little worried about this?? He could be so very different from what I\ufffdve thought. After all, it\ufffds often some sort of a surprise to see someone from movies/tv in real life, they\ufffdre just never quite the same (but much better sometimes, just in another way). I remember it so well how You reacted to meeting him, Dame Winter, I mean your feelings of shame about the Fan fic etc. I guess it was because something happened to your illusions! Oh no, I don\ufffdt want to be a wet blanket here, I know he\ufffdll be wonderful. It\ufffds just DIFFERENT to see someone act a few meters away and not on screen. It\ufffds a much stronger experience."}, {"response": 1045, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (09:46)", "body": "If all of you going to 3DOR were not so nice, I would be consumed with jealousy of the most hateful sort. Love the comment on seat belts on the front row. If he is to remove any clothing, or (heaven forbid) get WET they'd need restraints!"}, {"response": 1046, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 11, 1999 (16:39)", "body": "He will be WET or at least damp...if he plays the Walker/Ned duo. Somehow I don't see him as Pip/Theo (the former being a supposedly shallow soap opera actor and the latter Ned's architect partner). Your newspapers are going to have a field day with this one. Mr. Darcy is wet again!!"}, {"response": 1047, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Feb 11, 1999 (17:33)", "body": "Marcia, because all you ladies who can't join us are so nice too, we will do everything to make it feel like you were there. Just a seatbelt? I am in the front row and will probably need a straitjacket and ankle chains at the very least!!! Good luck in Berlin those of you going, Sabine, Renata. What an exciting day, we want full details."}, {"response": 1048, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb 11, 1999 (18:50)", "body": "We *must* have full reports and Pictures. Lots and Lots of Pictures. Photos, sketches. How about a pocket-sized voice-activated tape recorder to grab a few .wav files? Unobtrusive, but for the front few rows in such a tiny theatre, it should work. I have done it =) Then all we'd need is smell, and I don't suppose that is possible yet =\\ Has anyone a large enough purse to put someone 5'6\" inside? Anyway, I know the tiny part of your brain not overwhelmed with the CF experience will be thinking of u , and your reports back will make for memorable reading. Thanks!"}, {"response": 1049, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 11, 1999 (19:53)", "body": "I think that by the time all of us finish giving our reports, you are going to be saying.....\"enough, already\". ***** pocket-sized voice-activated tape recorder..for front row.. I don't think that is legal.Anybody know? ****** I was looking at the People Mag pics and wonder... in the one where he is pouring expresso......is that a television set I see on the kitchen wall ..upper righthand corner??? Hmmmmmmm?? ***** Sabine, Renata, Kirsten..what a neat Valentine's Day you're going to have :-) we're with you in spirit. Me? I think I'll just look at a few choice episodes of P&P."}, {"response": 1050, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb 11, 1999 (20:09)", "body": "(Evelyn), that a television set I see on the kitchen wall ..upper righthand corner? No, it's an old radio. pocket-sized voice-activated tape recorder..for front row.. I don't think that is legal.Anybody know? That's how they used to make bootleg albums. I'm not sure if it's legal to tape the whole play, but a few voice samplers, might be perfectly acceptable, just bring a micro-cassette recorder and be discreet. Renate and Sabine, I'm also conting on you. Go to it!"}, {"response": 1051, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Feb 11, 1999 (20:09)", "body": "And will cameras be allowed in the theatre? Oh the anguish!"}, {"response": 1052, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Feb 11, 1999 (20:26)", "body": "If you want to keep your seat and not incur the wrath of the audience (it is hard to imagine members of the general public being there!!) then the Stage door would be the ideal snappy venue. We know that Ann takes a very mean shot, even with shaking hands! I don't think those of us there dare to return without the photographic evidence!!"}, {"response": 1053, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Feb 11, 1999 (20:26)", "body": "Snippet from the Guardian.. \"From the Diet Coke-break girls to the thirty-something (I wish!)fans of Mr Darcy, women - grown women - are deserting the real in favour of a fantasy landscape in which men measure up\" ! Nice to know that three years on there's still an identifiable group of Darcy fans! The writer is sympathetic by the way, but says that women expect too much from their Mr Perfect! I see from the theatre ads in the paper that the current show at the Donmar finishes on Friday...it will be interesting to see if they start adverising 3DOR and CF. Incredibly, it opens in two weeks! I wonder what CF will wear? It's contemporary so he can wear his own clothes. My money's on baggy corduroy trousers and a sloppy jumper!"}, {"response": 1054, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Feb 11, 1999 (20:28)", "body": "Can't recall where I got it from, but I have heard neither cameras nor recorder are permitted in the theatre, and that they even check the bags ..... any idea where to hide them? ;-P"}, {"response": 1055, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Feb 11, 1999 (20:36)", "body": "We could always \"dress\" in the style of our DB! How many cameras can a Firthette conceal under a \"Sloppy jumper\"?"}, {"response": 1056, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 11, 1999 (21:01)", "body": "Evelyn), that a television set I see on the kitchen wall ..upper righthand corner? (Moon)No, it's an old radio. Really? are you pulling my leg? Can you change stations or volume with a remote? If not, you'd need a 6 foot ladder to reach those dials.... Look how high it is....up above the tiles and to the left of St Anthony!!"}, {"response": 1057, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb 11, 1999 (21:14)", "body": "Anybody want a Chat, keep missing everyone by minutes."}, {"response": 1058, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 11, 1999 (21:29)", "body": "Me...I've been there for half-hour... it's lonely in there all alone :-("}, {"response": 1059, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Feb 11, 1999 (21:37)", "body": "(Renate) I have heard neither cameras nor recorder are permitted in the theatre Do you you mean that particular theatre? Where did you get that from? Sounds very severe, never heard of a bag search in a theatre before! Actually, we should check this out, in fact I meant to do it today but forgot about it."}, {"response": 1060, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb 11, 1999 (21:40)", "body": "(Lizza)How many cameras can a Firthette conceal under a \"Sloppy jumper\"? But try explaining to the usher why your right breast is flashing! :-) Ladies, don't get carried away with enthusiasm. Much as we stay-at-homes want every detail, don't do anything illegal. We don't want anybody to end up in (as we say in Noo Yowk) da slammah! (Evelyn) Look how high it is....up above the tiles and to the left of St Anthony!! Isn't that Madonna? I mean the real Madonna! Seriously, I think that \"no TV\" quote is dated. Bet he has one now, although he might not use it alot. I also have a hunch he's not computer literate. I'm going to try to catch Ann at chat if anyone else is out there now."}, {"response": 1061, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 11, 1999 (22:07)", "body": "Saw an ad in a magazine not too long ago for a really small camcorder. New ones will be digital. It was really tiny. Wonder who makes them, how much they cost and where can I get one.... Kidding!! (would be perfect though) Fastest way to lose your camera (and your seat as you are escorted out) is to take a picture during a performance. Don't know about afterward when they are taking their bows though. (I do have some experience in illegal picture-taking and have the pictures of the Xian stone soldiers as proof, but that was done without a flash.) ;-) Non-London goers, we will do our best to share every little tidbit. (Lizza) I am in the front row and will probably need a straitjacket and ankle chains at the very least!!! LOL!! Then perhaps you would like to switch seats to the fourth row? OK, OK, I can hear the NO all the way over here. Re: Saintly radios/TVs Since the Umbrian villa is as Moon suspect's belonging to Livia's parents, then they would likely be the TV watchers. Now all's well with the world again."}, {"response": 1062, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 11, 1999 (22:47)", "body": "the left of St Anthony!! Isn't that Madonna? I mean the real Madonna! Yes...but she is below St. A. And that is definitely a television....a small screen one."}, {"response": 1063, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (00:48)", "body": "They probably have a TV, but I insist that tiny thing overhead is a radio. It's not that difficult to reach. Sempre la musica. Happy to see our 3DOR group so excited, I'm sure you'll be back with tales of glory. I've started the propaganda with my husband to go back to Umbria this summer (heehee), I have this need to go around the countryside looking for antiques."}, {"response": 1064, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (01:25)", "body": "Hey, I AM going to Umbria this summer. A place near Lucca. Where are the Firths?"}, {"response": 1065, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (01:53)", "body": "At last. I've been trying to get in here for two nights but just kept getting Spring is not answering, try later. The Mining Co. Theater. has a small bit \"Colin Firth returns to the west end,\" and a short pieece about the play on March 1. Are the lucky dogs who are going to fly over going to try to send a note back stage to let him know that you have flown over just to see him, or maybe let the box office know that you are there just for this purpose? Does anyone know how long Chatsky ran?"}, {"response": 1066, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (02:10)", "body": "(Lucie).... going to try to send a note back stage to let him know that you have flown over just to see him, or maybe let the box office know that you are there just for this purpose? Are you kidding? He'd send the understudy out."}, {"response": 1067, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (02:13)", "body": "Hey, I AM going to Umbria this summer. A place near Lucca. Where are the Firths?"}, {"response": 1068, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (02:17)", "body": "I still think it is a kitchen clock...silly me! Good idea about sending a note backstage. Would it not be wonderful to have a sold-out theatre with just Droolers in the audience?! BTW, I have not had trouble getting in to Spring, but from time to time I have trouble posting. The submission bar just sits there like it was not supposed to depress and send the post to you. So, I close all of the programs I am running, shut down the PC and restart it. That usually fixes it. (Only happens when I have bee on all day and it is on overload, even when I empty the caches. It is a puzzlement.)"}, {"response": 1069, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (02:21)", "body": "Evelyn, you do not think he knows how respectable and proper we really are in person?! Heaven forbid he should remember my button snipping and contour checking should I be fortunate enough to meet him! Shhhhh....we shall not tell him we are from Drool. Tell him you are some erudite group with a large grant to bestow. He'll appear!"}, {"response": 1070, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (09:59)", "body": "(Lucie) Send a note back stage to let him know Ann, what\ufffds that CARD that you are planning to send to him before the play (I just snooped in the Chat) from his Internet fans or how was it. Anyway, I suspect that at least his management is aware of the fact that a certain group of fans is coming to the play on a well-known Saturday, it surely has been sold faster than any other evening and I\ufffdm also sure that if not Colin himself, then someone else is checking out these boards for him from time to time."}, {"response": 1071, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (11:37)", "body": "Just a good luck (or break a leg) card from all his adoring and considerate fans at spring."}, {"response": 1072, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (12:49)", "body": "I also have a hunch he's not computer literate. (Eileen) But I bet his friends and family are! I wonder when his parents retired...British universities were way ahead of the rest of the techno-challenged population in using the internet, particularly the Open University. And he's got an eight year old son...who probably knows a lot more about computers than his dad! Hey, I AM going to Umbria this summer. A place near Lucca. Where are the Firths? (Ben) Moon is our resident Italian expert, but Colin and Livia were married in Citta del Pieve, and the reception was at her parents' house, which I guess must have been within easy driving distance. So that puts them somewhere near Perugia. We visited Perugia and Gubbio several years ago...it's a beautiful region."}, {"response": 1073, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (13:50)", "body": "Ben, if your going to near Lucca, then you will be in Tuscany. I was in Cita delle Pieve last year, and as much as I liked the Citta, I was not impressed with the surrounding hillsides. I've seen much better. Since the Firths left the church in a horse drawn carriage, I assume the house must be a very easy distance from the church. In the interview he mentions a house overlooking vineyards, but around Citta delle Pieve they're really not found. Alas a mystery! As for Colin and computers, I can just see Will doing a search on his dad and being totally amazed, calling Meg over and just lurking around for hours. Surely, he would report back to dad. Of course, they might as well communicate via e-mail on a daily basis. My guess is that Colin has now become computer literate. Wasn't there a message left last April in FoF and everyone said it was CF? He might have been with Will in LA (heehee), it was during Easter week."}, {"response": 1074, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (14:13)", "body": "(Karen) Re: Saintly radios/TVs Since the Umbrian villa is as Moon suspect's belonging to Livia's parents, then they would likely be the TV watchers. Now all's well with the world again. Oh, yeah, I agree, that's her parents' place. Colin and Livia with saints on the wall? I don't know about that. (Moon)I've started the propaganda with my husband to go back to Umbria this summer (heehee), I have this need to go around the countryside looking for antiques. LOL! You sly thing, you. I know it's a while away, but do remember to let us know if you find anything (read anyone ) interesting in your travels! (Bethan)I also have a hunch he's not computer literate. (Eileen) But I bet his friends and family are!...And he's got an eight year old son...who probably knows a lot more about computers than his dad! I almost added that same comment about his son to my first post. I wouldn't doubt that young Will can teach his dad a thing or two. My 8-going-on-9 year old nephew does all his homework on the computer, printing it out with fancy fonts, etc. and he's been doing it that way for a few years. I used to regularly hit all the FoF sites. Last summer, there was an entry in one of the guest books (either Meluchie's or Murph's) that read something like \"it is nice to be appreciated\" and everyone went nuts thinking it was Colin (of course, there was no name or e-mail address with it). ???? Who knows? Maybe it was? Maybe it was some smarta_s hoping to make us think it was? (Marcia)Tell him you are some erudite group with a large grant to bestow. He'll appear! Now there's an interesting idea!"}, {"response": 1075, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (14:20)", "body": "(Moon)Wasn't there a message left last April in FoF and everyone said it was CF? He might have been with Will in LA (heehee), it was during Easter week. This is the one to which I refer in my post, which I was typing (many interruptions) while yours went up. Great minds think alike (and almost simultaneously!) Was it last April? Where does the time go?"}, {"response": 1076, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (16:53)", "body": "People Article"}, {"response": 1077, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (16:54)", "body": "Ooops, forgot to say. The post above is the text of the People article for those of you who haven't received your copy yet. Sorry no pics!"}, {"response": 1078, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (20:51)", "body": "(Moon)Wasn't there a message left last April in FoF Yes, the words were exactly \ufffdit is nice to be appreciated\ufffd, I remember it like yesterday. Almost stopped my heart but then my sceptic side won over and I thought how easy it really would be to give all sorts of ideas to people in the net. Surprising actually that the guest book wasn\ufffdt filled with notes from \ufffdColin\ufffd made by some jerks. And that\ufffds why I still wonder about that message sometimes....it was the only one of that type!!!"}, {"response": 1079, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (21:53)", "body": "I feel so frustrated for Colin and sorry for him, he is doing so much promotion for SIL, firstly he gets ignored by HW. at the Golden Globes and now having been to the Miramax SIL page which has been upgraded (the link is on Dolores page) I find that Colin has been omitted from the cast list, just JF,GP JD, GR & BA, it is too much, he was after all 4th billing and now nothing. I am definitely going off Miramax and SIL, it certainly doesn't seem worth all the hard work. Its as if he never starred in SIL and he certainly played his role equally if not better than BA, and he had much more to do all BA did was stand around. Sorry BA but I have got to take it out on someone. I am going to forget all about SIL and move on to MLSF, 3DOR & DQ. Sorry ladies but I feel better now that I have got that off my chest!"}, {"response": 1080, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (23:29)", "body": "Must be a mistake, Ann, not deliberate. Although it seems to be a pretty persistent error. However I do think that JD's and GR's Oscar nominations have relegated him to the sidelines. Miramax used him initially in the promotion, but don't need him any more...or is that being too cynical?"}, {"response": 1081, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (23:39)", "body": "How many times can it be a mistake, and even if he is relegated to the sidelines, his name still appears on the poster as does the other five, so I think it is a bit much when only he is omitted. Was going to see it for the 3rd time, but shall now wait for the video to come out and fast forward to all the CF bits. They still appear to be using him for the promotion of the film, NY, LA, London and now Berlin."}, {"response": 1082, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (23:59)", "body": "...Re: the guest book... the words were exactly \ufffdit is nice to be appreciated\ufffd, We trashed that one around last spring on this board for days on end....and really don't want to go there again....but interestingly those were almost the words he told Winter at the LA premiere when she told him she was representing the Internet fans....said \"I really appreciate them\". I know, Iknow, he's not the only one whoever uses that word....probably just a coincidence. **** We should take an ad in the TIMES to say : COLIN FIRTH is so in SIL!"}, {"response": 1083, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Feb 13, 1999 (00:08)", "body": "here, here and damned good he was too, sorry about that but it is how I feel."}, {"response": 1084, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Feb 13, 1999 (00:35)", "body": "I've been wondering about the promotion of SIL. I can see that Harvey W. has stagemanaged it very cleverly. A staggered release in the US (more than recouping the production costs), then the 13 Oscar nominations just as it's going on international release. Very good timing. But has it helped CF? I always assumed that the release of MLSF was delayed so that SIL could raise Colin's profile in the US. But has this happened? And if not, wouldn't it have been better to have released MLSF in Europe and the US last summer (Irene Jacob is very popular in several European countries) So that, irrespective of the commercial success of the film (and I think that box office success is very difficult)at least people would have recognised that CF does take on leading roles. I'm not entirel clear about Harvey's motives...sometimes I believe the best of him , sometimes, well, not the best!"}, {"response": 1085, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 13, 1999 (01:31)", "body": "It has been suggested that we email the Miramaz webmaster and tell him of the omission....which was probably not intentional. MMX_Webmaster_M@Miramax.com ***************** .... MLSF was delayed so that SIL could raise Colin's profile in the US. But has this happened? Well, for starters , it got him a 3 page spread and a not bad pic in the contents page of PEOPLE....with nice quotes from Gwynnie in the mag and on several shows.I wouldn't think he'd be complaining. And, hey, there's a sudden resurgence in prominence."}, {"response": 1086, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Feb 13, 1999 (04:53)", "body": "Will anyone be at 3DOR close enough to the end of its run to stake a claim on the theater posters? That would be a very nice souvenir."}, {"response": 1087, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Sat, Feb 13, 1999 (05:09)", "body": "Ann: I agree with you. How many mistakes can be made. I am still mad at HW for omitting him at the Golden GLobes. I did write my opinion to him personally which I am sure is opened in the mail room but, alas, it did make me feel better."}, {"response": 1088, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Feb 13, 1999 (09:14)", "body": "Well, for starters , it got him a 3 page spread and a not bad pic in the contents page of PEOPLE....with nice quotes from Gwynnie in the mag Yep! Forgot about PEOPLE mag! And everyone has heard of SIL, so it's an excellent film to be associated with. Thinking positive again! And Harvey certainly can deliver the goods."}, {"response": 1089, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Feb 13, 1999 (14:07)", "body": "We trashed that one around last spring on this board for days on end....and really don't want to go there again That\ufffds what\ufffds wrong with us newbies, we keep wanting to wallow all over again in things that already have been discussed!!!....:-))"}, {"response": 1090, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Feb 13, 1999 (14:57)", "body": "(Marcia) Will anyone be at 3DOR close enough to the end of its run to stake a claim on the theater posters? That would be a very nice souvenir. Indeed it would be! Marcia, what a great idea. We will be there on the last performance, and try to get the poster(s)."}, {"response": 1091, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sat, Feb 13, 1999 (15:04)", "body": "Ann, re: Colin omissions -- now that Oscar noms have been announced, they've started running new print ads for the leading films touting the nominations they've received. The one for SiL now includes, in addition to the picture they've been running all along of GP and JF, pictures of GR, JD... and BA. Now, GR and JD you can understand, being that they're nominees. I guess they threw in BA because it's an American audience and he's a past Oscar winner (albeit for writing). But I still wish they had include Colin -- he does have higher billing than BA, after all. I haven't yet seen SiL and I've been wondering: are GR and CF's parts about equal in prominence, or is GR's really that much more prominent as to merit the award noms he's received? Or is it just the cachet of being a past Oscar winner -- if he were a relative unknown, would Colin be receiving the best supporting noms instead?"}, {"response": 1092, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Feb 13, 1999 (16:30)", "body": "Oldbies moaning selfishly about repetitions - shame on you. Newbies wanting to wallow in things that have already been discussed, please feel free to go ahead. This forum is open to all."}, {"response": 1093, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 13, 1999 (16:37)", "body": "That\ufffds what\ufffds wrong with us newbies, we keep wanting to wallow all over again in things that already have been discussed!!!....:-)) Hey, there's nothing wrong with being a newbie. Please don't think that I am discouraging any discussion...I just want to comment that it can get controversial.But , \"wallow all over it\", if you want to:-) ****** Renate, Kirsten, Sabine..... We are eagerly awaiting your report on the Berlinale tomorrow. Will President Schroeder be there!!A big coup for Harvey...the US premiere only got the President's wife!!"}, {"response": 1094, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Feb 13, 1999 (17:11)", "body": "Susan, in my opinion CF's character had more screen time than GR, but possibly GR was more showy. I thought Colin was excellent and definitely deserved as big a mention as BA, (I'm sorry I'm not really a fan of BA, can see what all the fuss is about), and his role was quite important to the storyline. Playing a baddie cannot be easy in a comedy and I thought he played it just right, as someone said he was stuffily amusing, made me smile, and of course that voice just towers above everyone, I know I am b ased but I definitely think he was as good as any of the supporting actors including GR & JD. Also although GP & JF were very good I was not that convinced by them, to my mind it was the screenplay and the wonderful ensemble of supporting actors that made this film great, right down to the very minor roles."}, {"response": 1095, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Feb 13, 1999 (18:06)", "body": "(Evelyn) Renate, Kirsten, Sabine..... We are eagerly awaiting your report on the Berlinale tomorrow. Will President Schroeder be there!!A big coup for Harvey...the US premiere only got the President's wife!! But what an exceptional woman. Kanzler Schr\ufffdder was there the opening night, I would be surprised if he also would be there tomorrow. The reports are rather thin so far, as usual. This year unfortunately it has to compete for tv time with the \"Fasching\" (= Carnival), \"the\" major event for many people, and it lasts until Tuesday. When there are reports from Berlin they tend to focus on Steven Spielberg who got an award for his work for and creation of the Shoah Foundation. The Berlinale snippets showed a lot of politicians and celebrities, but mostly of the local species. International guests were Ben Kingsley, Nick Nolte, Angela Molina (Jury President), Bruce Willis, Meryl Streep, can't recall any others right now. I promise to let you know if something happens that is only remotely related to SIL. If you don't hear anything it is because the tv does not report anything - or that I missed it."}, {"response": 1096, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Feb 13, 1999 (18:07)", "body": "Grrr! Forgot to close the tag. Sorry."}, {"response": 1097, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Feb 13, 1999 (18:15)", "body": "These Berlin sites have daily updated reports on the Berlinale: http://www.tagesspiegel.de/berlinale/ http://www.radioeins.de/berlinale/news/ http://www.berlinale.de/"}, {"response": 1098, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Feb 13, 1999 (18:33)", "body": "Press conference for SIL according to the Berlinale site: http://www.berlinale.de/deutsch/news/ Sonntag, 14.2.1999 Sunday, 2/14/1999 14:15 Uhr WETTBEWERB/COMPETITION Shakespeare In Love John Madden (Regisseur/Director) Colin Firth (Darsteller/Director) Marc Norman (Produzent/Producer) David Parfitt (Produzent/Producer) Donna Gigliotti (Produzentin/Producer) And did you see it: Colin Firth is the only actor mentioned, but as director, too! Erm... did I miss something? 8-o They also offer the press conferences on Real Video....."}, {"response": 1099, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Feb 13, 1999 (19:52)", "body": "(Renate) We will be there on the last performance, and try to get the poster(s). Then start thinking about how to get them scanned and posted, will you? ;-)"}, {"response": 1100, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Feb 13, 1999 (19:53)", "body": "(Renate) We will be there on the last performance, and try to get the poster(s). Then start thinking about how to get them scanned and posted... ;-)"}, {"response": 1101, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Feb 13, 1999 (19:54)", "body": "Sorry :-("}, {"response": 1102, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Feb 13, 1999 (20:36)", "body": "My thought exactly, Gi. If I cannot get to 3DOR, at least let me see the theater posters. There are usually large easel-type and the smaller behind glass type. Perhaps you could get them all. I believe they just toss them when the run is over. Go for it Renate!"}, {"response": 1103, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 13, 1999 (22:26)", "body": "(Renate)If you don't hear anything it is because the tv does not report anything - or that I missed it. Are there any fans going to Berlin to see Colin?"}, {"response": 1104, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Feb 13, 1999 (23:58)", "body": "In the interview he mentions a house overlooking vineyards, but around Citta delle Pieve they're really not found. Alas a mystery! (Moon) Aha! Perhaps a deliberate ploy to throw super-sleuthing fans off the track! it got him a 3 page spread and a not bad pic in the contents page of PEOPLE. (Evelyn) Forgot to mention...I thought that the People article was a very positive and complimentary one, and excellent PR for Colin, particularly if it was read by people who had heard of him but didn't know much about him. Would definitely appeal to Mums....nice upbringing, likes children and animals! 3DOR...I see that EM's last outing on the stage was in \"Hurlyburly\" in 97. If I'm not mistaken it won the Olivier \"Best drama\" award...I certainly remember some very glowing reviews for the performance. Ben, Evelyn...JE's new film opems on Friday, but against stiff competition...Eddie Murphy's latest , Nick Nolte in \"Affliction\", and Jackie & Hilary on general release. And SIL, A Bug's life, and Little Voice are still going strong. I coninue to be amazed by the sheer quantity of movies releases each week..the market really is saturated, as there's normally only room for one \"winner\", and some very good films go to the wall. No specific mention of JE so far, only Kathy Burke (\"our most popular & talented ctress\"...really, you could have fooled me!) Is GP in Berlin? Hadn't realised that Colin was going. He's very conscientious, these days, isn't he!"}, {"response": 1105, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Feb 14, 1999 (00:07)", "body": "That's just it, he is being very conscientious and working very hard to promote SIL, and yet he appears to have been dropped in the run-up to the Oscars, Susan says he is not mentioned in the US advertising media hype anymore and there is no mention of him on the upgraded website, I feel really sorry for him, especially as BA is still there."}, {"response": 1106, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sun, Feb 14, 1999 (01:07)", "body": "Kathy Burke? Que? \"But what is it that it is, this history?\" as our French friends say. A load of bollocks, that's what. Let the rest of England have Ms Burke, then; I will settle for La Deesse, Aphrodite herself, the blessed JE. While all the others are fawning over KB's decidedly unappealing face, I will marvel at Jennifer's peach-like skin, melt before her radiant eyes, quiver helplessly in front of her firm but..ENOUGH. Sorry. But I ask you."}, {"response": 1107, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Feb 14, 1999 (02:29)", "body": "Finally Shakespeare in Love has opened everywhere in the US this weekend. Should really see the dollars piling in now. I had to go to Philadelphia to see it the first time - bah! the heathens - they didn't enjoy it half as much as the good natured plebians in my hometown theater today. Feeling very good about the reception this film is getting worldwide. The hype is difficult to live up to but it seems to be meeting everyone's expectations. Have no idea who Kathy Burke is."}, {"response": 1108, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 14, 1999 (02:43)", "body": "Kathy Burke (\"our most popular & talented actress\"...) Never heard of her. But I did hear that THis Year's Love is getting good reviews..... (NEON Mag...[never heard of it, either] gave it 5 stars.....) Right On!! **** I read in Variety that GP was going to the Berlinale for SIL release. (Germany is the second biggest boxoffice market in the world aft the US...sez Variety.) Then Kirsten posted that Colin was also going to be there. **** In Okla. City SIL went from 2 cinemas to 6 this week!!!It's featured in all the malls. Never thought these cowboys would go to a film with Shakespeare in the title!!They love it!! It's drawing people from all levels."}, {"response": 1109, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Feb 14, 1999 (02:58)", "body": "Kathy Burke was in Absolutely Fabulous and played Queen Mary in Elizabeth. the one who died of cancer. She is an extremely funny comedienne."}, {"response": 1110, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Feb 14, 1999 (13:51)", "body": "She is also in Dancing at Lughasa (the Irish film with Meryl Streep and Sophie Thompson among others), a real tearjerker."}, {"response": 1111, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Feb 14, 1999 (17:29)", "body": "Here's a Valentine's Day's link: http://www.firth.com/html/nanvald99.html"}, {"response": 1112, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Feb 14, 1999 (18:08)", "body": "http://www.mediaweb-tv.de/english/ifb99/990214/shakespeare.html CF attending press conference in Berlin!!!!"}, {"response": 1113, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Feb 14, 1999 (19:19)", "body": "With very short hair? I checked out the Sunday papers today incase there was anything about 3DOR. The Donmar are advertising their \"American imports\" season but list only the other two plays, not 3DOR. Other productions about to open in the next two or three weeks have largish ads with details and photos of the cast. It looks as though they're keeping 3DOR very low-keyed in terms of advance publicity. The last two Donmar productions..\"The Blue Room\" and \"In the Woods\".. both secured Best Actress nominations in the Olivier awards, so they're maintaining a high profile reputation."}, {"response": 1114, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Feb 14, 1999 (20:22)", "body": "Here's a place where you can vote for SIL. Or for any other film, for that matter, but this case does not apply here, or does it? Go to the \"B\ufffdrometer\": http://www.tagesspiegel.de/berlinale/"}, {"response": 1115, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Feb 14, 1999 (20:54)", "body": "As the time nears for the run of 3DOR, my despair grows. Since I am unable to join the lucky ladies in London, I pretended I was readying myself for the trip: Items to Pack for the 3DOR Trip 1. Clingy little black dress (CLBD) 2. Tummy tucking, thigh slimming, hip slip to wear under CLBD 3. Large emergency reserve of chocolate 4. Loose-fitting, stretchy trouser ensemble (see no. 3) 5. Box of black Sharpie permanent markers (the best for autographs) 6. Travel-size tube of Renova (must look dewy for Colin) 7. Bottle of Valerian capsules (OTC natural sedative) 8. Lap top computer (to chronicle the 3DOR trip and log onto Drool) 9. Micro audio cassette recorder (for bootleg tapes of 3DOR) 10. Name and phone number of attorney (in the event of arrest at the Donmar for possession of No. 9) 11. Atomizer of CF-friendly cologne (essence of Creme Brulee, perhaps) 12. Large bottle of anti-frizz hair serum (March weather in London) 13. Paperback copy of Don Quixote (never too early to research background information on Dom Quick for future film discussions at Drool) 14. Small box of Altoids (industrial-strength breath mints for backstage visits) 15. Camera and several rolls of film (Firth photo-ops)"}, {"response": 1116, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Feb 14, 1999 (21:22)", "body": "Lisa don't think that lot will fit in my handbag, even though my husband says I usually carry the kitchen sink in it, LOL. Renata, thanks for the Press conference link, however , if you click on to news there is another photo of the press conference which you can enlarge and it is clearer. Evelyn, I am home earlier than I expected, I shall go to Chat."}, {"response": 1117, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Feb 14, 1999 (21:35)", "body": "Lisa, that's wonderful. A definite Bridget entry. Will you lend me your clingy black dress? Sorry, that sounds like I'm rubbing it in. Perhaps you can fit in my handbag? Renate, the link is wonderful. I went to the press conference and love him in it. It took forever to download but the wait was worth it for his darling, pithy comments. Okay, I'm blithering again. He was the only actor there! What a good, good boy. There must be a reason he's working so hard for Harvey. It's got to be that push for MLSF, Bethan. I think he was wearing that same black shadow striped t-shirt he wore in the A&E interview. Could you tell Renate? Conference was very short and only 2 questions directed to Colin. He was self conscious, don't you think? but still charming. His public performance continues to improve. One thing he could improve on would be knowing how to end his an wers...sometimes they drone on though I can listen to that voice all day long. Any more news Renate? Pictures possibly?"}, {"response": 1118, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Feb 14, 1999 (21:38)", "body": "Almost forgot and forgive me my self-indulgence here but my best friend Debbie had a dream last night and had to tell me. Here's her e-mail: It starts (I think) where we're at a Crime Watch meeting. My brother is there talking about GPU and the electricity choices you have and hands out a brochure which actually turns out to be an Avon catalog sponsored by GPU(!). ANyway, on the way out you ask me if my apartment is tidy and I said yes and you said good because Colin needs a place to stay for two days. I say, Colin who and you say Colin Firth!! The next thing I remember is Colin is sitting in my apartment (which really didn't look my apartment) and he's a little heavier, has a broken foot and looks so darn cute. Apparently, you and he have become internet buddies (I'm not making this up) and he's divorcing his wife and you and he are an item. I'm pissed because you never told me about this and kept it a secret from me. That's it, I think."}, {"response": 1119, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Feb 14, 1999 (21:43)", "body": "For those of us who can't download the press conference video clip there is transcript of the press conference at Lisbeth's Timeline website. I agree heide he is wearing the same t shirt, perhaps we should club together and get him another one."}, {"response": 1120, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 14, 1999 (23:05)", "body": "Thank you Renate, for the beautiful Valentine...it's P&P for me tonight folks."}, {"response": 1121, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Feb 14, 1999 (23:06)", "body": "Lisa, LOL! Who needs Helen Fielding! And Heide, that dream! So, you and he are an item, we-e-ll!!!! :-) (Why the broken foot?)"}, {"response": 1122, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Feb 14, 1999 (23:32)", "body": "Thank you, Renate. Some darling moments with him. And the wry comment about representing the very small contingent of those NOT nominated for an Oscar. I have it saved so I can watch it over and over. And, so I shall! Please, someone bring it to Hilo...Oh, yes, and the mandatory question referring to Darcy. I smiled knowingly!"}, {"response": 1123, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Feb 14, 1999 (23:35)", "body": "Those attending 3DOR need a fashionable handbag which is larger on the inside than it is on the outside. I have been known to have one. That, or get one with wheels =)"}, {"response": 1124, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Feb 14, 1999 (23:55)", "body": "MARCIA!!! How do you save a Real Player video clip??? Please let us know, quick!!!"}, {"response": 1125, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Feb 15, 1999 (00:30)", "body": "Yes, Marcia, how did you do it? I have heard that you need a fully licensed version of the Real Player, not the free version most of us have. How large is the file? Would it be possible to send it as a mail attachment? Or could you save it on a floppy disc?"}, {"response": 1126, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Feb 15, 1999 (00:54)", "body": "Boot the player. on top bar choose Presets, then the top option under presets is Add to Presets (or control+A) click add to presets. It will ask you where you want it. I made CF his own folder."}, {"response": 1127, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Feb 15, 1999 (00:58)", "body": "checking on your questions on how to get it to you if you cannot save it. Mine is not the paid-for Real Player!!! I watched him in full screen just like I watch the space shuttle. For best results, let the entire file download, then replay it."}, {"response": 1128, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Feb 15, 1999 (01:24)", "body": "Oh dear, I sincerely hope each of you download the file again and as it plays click the Presets and save it. I have used find/file or folder and it is no where to be found. Must be stored in the Real Player=) I have lots of files in there and none are in my PC files. (yes, they are, but I have not yet found them) I will keep at it. I know it works as it is playing as I write this - my preset file copy."}, {"response": 1129, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Feb 15, 1999 (02:05)", "body": "Thank you very much, Marcia, for your advice. Meanwhile I have downloaded an upgraded version, but I cannot find that preset button - guess I'll have to read the help file :-/."}, {"response": 1130, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Feb 15, 1999 (02:09)", "body": "He was quite the comedian at the press conference in Berlin. Got lots of laughs. Maybe this will encourage the Berlin Film Festival people to give him an award since he was the only star to stay for the press conference. Looked good too, lots of smiles (dimples). I wish I could get a tape of it. BTW who is going to London for DOR. (I would like to send you some hate mail), Just kidding."}, {"response": 1131, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Feb 15, 1999 (02:15)", "body": "Hold on....it is across the top of your player where File View Options Presets Sites Help are located."}, {"response": 1132, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Feb 15, 1999 (02:17)", "body": "It is a pulldown menu type item like you are looking at now on the top of your browser where is says File Edit View etc. Not a button."}, {"response": 1133, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Feb 15, 1999 (02:28)", "body": "If your Real Player is not in English, Presets is the fourth from the left, and the saving place is the first line when it unreels its menu."}, {"response": 1134, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Feb 15, 1999 (05:25)", "body": "I knew it. I just *Knew* it! We do get everything last in Hawaii. Tonight, after a lovely dinner out, we went shopping. There were Caroline-of-Monaco People issues all over the place. Loads of them. So, if anyone is still without, just let me know. My Email address here works. The one consolation is that hours after everyone's PC's and everything else has crashed on 1/1/00, ours will still be working!"}, {"response": 1135, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Feb 15, 1999 (11:29)", "body": "Two thoughts have struck me recently seeing Colin in the flesh and in live interviews, and that is how well he is looking compared to how he looked in December and in the A&E interview. I have to say, and I would only say this to his friends, that his face was looking a little baggy in the film and in the A&E interview, but now it seems much firmer, he is slimmer and seems much younger and very happy and confident, it is amazing and I can't wait to see him in March in the \"flesh\" again. The other thing is that he seems to have a good relaltionship with Johm Maddan always joking and laughing with him as shown at the Berlin PC and the London Premiere, and he has said how he admires him as a Director (in the A&E interview) , that it would be wonderful if they could continue their collaboration by working together on the forthcoming Mary Queen of Scots, JM would be perfect to direct it for the BBC and I have always hoped that Colin would be offered a part in it, and hopefully a starring role this time."}, {"response": 1136, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Feb 15, 1999 (15:05)", "body": "(SusanMc) I guess they threw in BA because it's an American audience and he's a past Oscar winner (albeit for writing). And he apparently appeals to the younger audience segment who may be initially turned off by Shakespeare, IMO. BA brings them in so BA bumps CF. I saw the new ad yesterday. Pictures are different but those featured are the same going back to GG nominations. Colin's position in the credits hasn't changed because (I believe) billing is determined in the actor's contract (I remember Colin making a comment alluding to that in TEP). I also compensate for my frustration at his omission by noting the People article. As I said at 115, I'll settle for the subliminal approach! Thank you, thank you for the press conference (and other) links, Renate! Such an unexpected treat! Love his sense of humor!! He really broke them up. Yes, Ann, he does seem happy and confident but I thought that came through in the A&E interview too (once his nose stopped running). I fervently wish I could also see him in the flesh. Sigh. (LisaJH)Items to Pack for the 3DOR Trip LOL! Very productive way for you to sublimate your inability to go. I just pout :-p . I would also add: one (1) package of tissues (or large cloth hanky) to catch drool. May need more than 1 if reputed wet shirt scene is indeed included. So, Heide, do you know how to care for a man with a broken foot? He'd be rather a captive audience, I might add! Your friend truly knows you well!!"}, {"response": 1137, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Feb 15, 1999 (17:31)", "body": "Thanks for all the links, plus LOL list Lisa, a veritable antidote to wet Mondays!!"}, {"response": 1138, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 15, 1999 (19:53)", "body": "SusanMc) I guess they threw in BA because it's an American audience and he's a past Oscar winner (albeit for writing). In an recent interview Harvey said he had to beg BA and RE to be in SIL. BA's \"Good Will Hunting\" produced the biggest box office revenue that Mira max has ever had. Both of these stars are recognizable and bankable worldwide."}, {"response": 1139, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 15, 1999 (22:38)", "body": "Thanks Renate for the link. Unfortunately, it takes so long load and my husband has been around me all weekend, so no Colin for me. I'll try to read the transcript at Lisbeth's as you suggested AnnW, but it's not the same. I too noticed the new SIL ad. without him. I agree that they want the BA fans to see it."}, {"response": 1140, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Feb 15, 1999 (23:10)", "body": "I am sure you can still download it. Try! It is lovely to have his voice saying the words and his fantastic face smiling at you! BTW, did anyone succees in saving it on their Real Player other than me?"}, {"response": 1141, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Feb 15, 1999 (23:47)", "body": "I tried to follow your instructions but don't seem to have been successful. It is possible that the free version of Real Player only allows the use of Presets as bookmarks."}, {"response": 1142, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Feb 15, 1999 (23:49)", "body": "Btw, what is the size of the saved file, Marcia?"}, {"response": 1143, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (00:54)", "body": "The file is 20 KB plus a little. I asked my cyberson why I could not find the download(after convincing him I had all of my browsers offline). He says they are as streaming video and it just rewinds and plays what you have downloaded. If yours is like mine, when I download the file it somes in bits and pieces and stops freezing the picture and cutting off the sound. I looked again into my \"REAL' files and there were about 15 files dated yesterday. It must have been the bits and pieces which it puts t gether to make the \"movie\". Once you have downloaded it and have your Real Player up, look in the File column, and it should be there. On mine it is. My version is 6.0.3.143 (Look in Help then About Real Player)."}, {"response": 1144, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (00:56)", "body": "sorry for the mal-typing. Unfortunately I cannot tell which bits and pieces of the Real Player files belong to the press conference, as I downloaded severa; things yesterday."}, {"response": 1145, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (16:54)", "body": "My thanks as well for the link, Renate. It was wonderful to hear Colin's voice, even over my dinky little speakers. I thought Colin's response to the question re: whether he had accepted the part of Wessex to try to get away from the Darcy image was interesting. He said something to the effect that he had stopped thinking about Darcy as soon as he shot his last scene of P&P2. But in the '97 Vogue article, didn't he say he had felt haunted by Darcy, unlike with other parts he had played? Contradicting himself again. He obviously does not realize how we droolers hang on his every word."}, {"response": 1146, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (17:44)", "body": "Susan MC ...He said something to the effect that he had stopped thinking about Darcy as soon as he shot his last scene of P&P2. But in the '97 Vogue article, didn't he say he had felt haunted by Darcy, unlike with other parts he had played? What is it that Lizzie said to Jane when asked\"But I thought you disliked Mr. Darcy\"...\"AT times like this it is unforgivable to have a good memory\" ;-)"}, {"response": 1147, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (17:48)", "body": "I want to thank you too, Renate. Great to hold the amplifier in my hand and feel the resonance of his voice... (Susan)Didn\ufffdt he say he had felt haunted by Darcy It\ufffds interesting how eagerly he seems to be putting down the D role down again and again. After all, it WAS his biggest break ever and made him internationally known, not forgetting all the praise of critics, thousands of fans etc. It almost looks like ungratitude to me, and not very humble. So, there must be some pretty good reasons for his attitude, whatever they are."}, {"response": 1148, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (18:20)", "body": "I can think of much worse parts to be type-cast than Darcy. He does not protest about Playmaker! It must be because of his fondness for the part =P (Elena)Great to hold the amplifier in my hand and feel the resonance of his voice... Oh yesssss! As he was speaking during the initial download I came bounding into the room yelling \"that's Him!\" and rejoicing that I had the wonder of a permanent Colin voice file instead of just the short .wav files I have collected."}, {"response": 1149, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (18:24)", "body": "*^^&&#@$&^&% forgot the close italics bit. sorry!"}, {"response": 1150, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (18:25)", "body": "this shall not be tolerated!!!!"}, {"response": 1151, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (18:44)", "body": "He does not protest about Playmaker! Maybe I should see it, to gain some perspective.....it must be brilliant because he did once wish Playmaker to \ufffdsink without trace\ufffd!"}, {"response": 1152, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (19:32)", "body": "(Marcia), He does not protest about Playmaker! It must be because of his fondness for the part. HA! The truth comes out!!! I haven't had the time to unload it yet, but I did read the transcript (such an impatient girl), Colin did seem more relaxed doing a group interview than a one on one. I would love to have seen the NY press conference with the whole cast. I wonder if he was able to get a word in. The questions were probably directed more to GP, BA, etc. I still have not been able to get a release date for FP. I'm starting to have my doubt of a US release at all."}, {"response": 1153, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (20:26)", "body": "The Three Deers! Your revised www.colinfirth.com site is ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT! Have barely had time to skim through because of family members breathing down my neck (\"You're not on the Internet again!\") Great Berlin pics. Moon, I think FP has a May release."}, {"response": 1154, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (22:00)", "body": "Sneaked back on! Hey, Ann, your Premiere photos are TERRIFIC!! You're a professional. I'd not seen them before, and I'm very impressed. As to the winner of \"The Most Handsome\" award...no contest! He really looks v.cute. Is that Tom Wilkinson next to him. and are Simon Callow and Imelda Staunton small? I think GP and CF make a good (professional) couple....maybe Viola made a wise choice in Wessex after all! :-) And, coming in very late on that fascinating debate, I do think Livia looks enceinte..otherwise it's a rather odd choice of dress!"}, {"response": 1155, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (22:16)", "body": "Thankyou Bethan, and what do you think of my idea for John Madden to direct Mary Queen of Scots, with Colin starring, of course."}, {"response": 1156, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (22:18)", "body": "Oh yes I.S is very short and she is a very funny lady. No offense to JF, but in real life Colin is much better looking and much smarter than JF, but then I am rather biased."}, {"response": 1157, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (22:26)", "body": "\" Re: Playmaker...Actually in an interview he did refer to P. as a \"piece of crap\". (No one will disagree with him there) ***** New colinfirth.com \"facelift \"is terrific....as we say now...cool! Congrats. ******* Re: His attitude towards the role of Mr; Darcy..wanting to shake it etc. Someone posted this on the P&P Board: On this Valentine's Day, you may be interested in a non-scientific poll conducted by the Washington Post's weekly Book World. Readers were asked to name up to 5 favorite love stories. Over 400 readers responded, with P&P ranked first (and JA the only author with two works in the top group). . \"But the most popular selection was by a writer who was almost unknown during her lifetime and whose sphere was the narrow world of an English clergyman's spinster daughter. Yet 181 years after her death, Jane Austen continues to beguile readers of very different backgrounds. Of Austen's _Pride and Prejudice_ one of our respondents ... wrote, \"This, without doubt, is one of the greatest, most timeless love stories ever written ... the characters are so realistic that it is almost impossible not to identif them with someone in your life.\" ****** I don't think he has a chance of ever shaking this role....it's his link to immortality...he better give up!!"}, {"response": 1158, "author": "Sabine", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (23:07)", "body": "I am sorry to say that I was not in Berlin to see CF. I had so many problems to get tickets ( I have spend hours on the phone or internet and DID NOT GET the tickets ;-( ) And there were rumours that a lot of big stars like B.Willis and Colin Firth !!! would not come to Berlin ! So I didn t went to Berlin. Now I know that HE was there ;-(((((( I hope you are not angree with me that I didn t make it ! But I will be in London and I am looking forward meeting a lot of Firth-fans there !! SORRY !!!"}, {"response": 1159, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (23:07)", "body": "Could someone please put up the URL for Ann's pics? At colinfirth.com, the premier pix link gave me Geocities mainpage with \"could not find\" message. (Evelyn)I don't think he has a chance of ever shaking this role....it's his link to immortality...he better give up!! He should be grateful and gracious about it. Perhaps it will come with age. He is still a little new at this business of being the fantasy-figure (for lack of a better term) for so many!"}, {"response": 1160, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (23:14)", "body": "Sabine, do not worry about Berlin. The weather was probably rainy, he would have had to hurry in with his coat over his head to keep from getting wet, and you would not have seen him anyway. There, do you feel better?! You will get hours of uninterrupted staring at him in London. On Purpose! And no one will mind in the least! I envy your closeness to him. Enjoy! Then recall every nuance and post back here. We forgive all in pursuit of CF =)"}, {"response": 1161, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (23:53)", "body": "Could someone please put up the URL for Ann's pics? At colinfirth.com, the premier pix link gave me Geocities mainpage with \"could not find\" message. Strange, Marcia, because that page is not even near Geocities anywhere, but on firth.com. I would recommend to try that link again. However, here it is: http://www.firth.com/prempic/annprem.htm BTW, I definitely cannot find any file on my disk that resembles the press conference. You see it's a hopeless case. :-) But thank you anyway. I have now written to them, will let you know if there's some interesting reply."}, {"response": 1162, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (23:58)", "body": "Sabine, I want to join Marcia: don't worry you couldn't be there. The tickets were sold out early, and you wouldn't have had any access to the press conference - you wouldn't even have know he was there! But I think there may be a chance to get another glimpse of him (in the media) the next weekend. SIL seems to be ranking very high with the critics, so perhaps there will be an award, and subsequently an award ceremony!"}, {"response": 1163, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb 17, 1999 (00:13)", "body": "Oooh, thank you Renate! I was just adoring and getting moist over the last pic of AnnW's. It is not his face this time, but from the bac; all torque, long lean, agile grace. Ummmmmm!!!!! The one I had trouble with was the offsite one of the Premier in LA and NY. I could not find a place title with Premier Pix on colinfirth.com. I should have hunted harder. Thank you for your help. I hope you were able to save your Berlinale file. You do not have to have your browser up, but you do need to be online to rerun it. Somewhere, where I cannot collect it and send it to others, it exists and reappears each time I want it."}, {"response": 1164, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 17, 1999 (01:38)", "body": "Sabine....you were the first to tell us that Colin would be at the Berlinale and you were so right. So you see..you started the ball rolling.And ended with Renate giving us the press conference URL.So we are indebted to you!! Roll on March the 6th!!"}, {"response": 1165, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Feb 17, 1999 (03:03)", "body": "I don't think our DB is ungracious about his Darcy role - he never said it affected him negatively (did he?). I don't think saying the role haunted him is a rap on the character but more on the sensation he created and which he was unprepared at that time to take on. I do agree it sounds contradictory to what he said in Berlin. Still.... Love the way he says \"palpably\" in a sentence so naturally as he does at the Berlinale... \" the Mr. Darcy image isn't clinging to me as palpably as others may think.\" After all, it was his brains that first attracted me. ;-) Also like that he got Hostages into the conversation. That's something you rarely hear him talk about. Of Austen's _Pride and Prejudice_ one of our respondents ... wrote, \"This, without doubt, is one of the greatest, most timeless love stories ever written Thanks for the quote, Evelyn. I agree wholeheartedly that P&P is one of the most romantic stories ever. Felt it at age 13 and still agree almost 30 years later. (Marcia) all torque, long lean, agile grace. What a marvelous description. Let me second your UMMMMM!"}, {"response": 1166, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb 17, 1999 (03:48)", "body": "(Heide)P&P is one of the most romantic stories ever. Felt it at age 13 and still agree almost 30 years later. Indeed it is. I fell in love with it at 14 (before all of you were born=P). That is what makes the Fan Fiction so special. It enlarges and prolongs a story we cannot bear to have end. Thank all of you for being so inspired from this avid reader of FanFic."}, {"response": 1167, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Wed, Feb 17, 1999 (05:15)", "body": "I love P & P too. I always imagined as a young girl reading it and imagining what Darcy would have looked like. I loved CF as Darcy. I would have loved Greg WIse as Wickham though."}, {"response": 1168, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Feb 17, 1999 (07:56)", "body": "I think it must have been an Italian suit, (it hung so well) he really looked gorgeous in it and I too love your description Marcia, couldn't have put it better. That evening seems like a dream now but my enduring impression of that evening is how slim, young and well Colin looked, and so smart, obviously Livia's influence."}, {"response": 1169, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Feb 17, 1999 (16:50)", "body": "Let us fervently pray that the\"costume\" for 3DOR, is the same league!! Although I doubt it. I have noticed that he favours black a lot, as in Berlin. Perhaps he should \"have his colours done\"! I wonder which season he would be? perhaps the lovely Livia will encourage him to be more adventurous and now he doesn't have to worry about dropping ash on clothes or them reeking of smoke. I thought your description of him perfect Ann. He looked so good take note Martin Clunes."}, {"response": 1170, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Feb 17, 1999 (16:52)", "body": "Let me join the others in my praise for the new look of colinfirth.com. Great job, 3 Deers! Your efforts are appreciated. Interesting discussion about Colin and the consistency of his responses regarding Darcy and otherwise. IMO he's got mixed feelings about the whole Darcy thing and his response depends on his mood. He's grateful for the recognition but wants some for his other work, too. I also find it interesting to note the conflict in other areas--take the casting of Wessex, for example. In some quotes he says he was happy to take on the bad guy role, that he doesn't always have to be the romantic lead, etc. yet in the A&E interview he says (and makes similar allusive comments at the press conference) that he would have preferred to play Shakespeare. Again, I think his answer depends on his mood or the circumstances in which the questions are asked. I'm immensely enjoying all these opportunties to see Colin as Colin but nonetheless it's the \"public Colin\" we're seeing, sound bites, out-of-context or incomplete quotes, edited interviews and all. He's in there somewhere, protecting his privacy. And P&P--didn't read it until 1997, after I saw the miniseries. Never heard of Darcy until Colin :-p !"}, {"response": 1171, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Feb 17, 1999 (16:57)", "body": "BTW, the Donmar says the running time for 3DOR is approx 2hrs and 30mins. Which gives some of us about 5 hours of reporting back to do! Some of you Ladies are in for a treat (or not depending on our ability to remain calm and coherent). Heide says the script doesn't appear to be that long so I will check again. Maybe he takes off his shirt in slow slow motion!!"}, {"response": 1172, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Feb 17, 1999 (17:19)", "body": "Can\ufffdt believe it, we\ufffdre back in P&P! Great, I do not think that anything about it will ever grow too old to discuss or admire. (Heide)...Darcy role - he never said it affected him negatively (did he?) In an interview by the Finnish ANNA magazine (and it seems to have been a real interview, not just a mishmash from other sources, with original pics too) in 1997, Colin said that the Darcy role did not contribute to his career in the sense that after Darcy he did get much more scripts to read than before but they were also a lot worse than before, for instance a lot of parts were offered in \ufffdsilly\ufffd American tv-series etc. About the renewed www.colinfirth.com: I believe it is now (as it was before) the sort of site that he could be really proud of, and that he\ufffdll probably admire his fans for it. Good colours, good layout, easy to find everything, no naivety."}, {"response": 1173, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Feb 17, 1999 (17:30)", "body": ".....5 hours of Colin?! The thought makes me dizzy. Btw, I haven\ufffdt noticed anywhere any info about the roles in 3DOR, I mean, which one is Colin\ufffds? Hope it IS a 2,5 hours role (!!) but of course we cannot know in advance by the script how the play and the roles are treated eventually."}, {"response": 1174, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb 17, 1999 (20:34)", "body": "Elena, That cover picture of him on ANNA is my favorite in Darcy Guise but not from the film. I think it must have been a publlicity picture. It most assuredly is DDG (Drop Dead Gorgeous). I truly hope that he never again tries a foreign-to-him accent. The only times Olivier made me cringe was when he did. F I V E hours of Firth! I shall stock up on vitamins and other fortifiers to be ready for every second of that time. What fun! I am looking forward to it as much as if I were really going to be there....well, Almost!"}, {"response": 1175, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Feb 17, 1999 (21:51)", "body": "(Lizza) Maybe he takes off his shirt in slow slow motion!! (Elena).....5 hours of Colin?! The thought makes me dizzy. I have a mental picture of all you lucky ladies watching these performances. However shall you restrain yourselves?"}, {"response": 1176, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 17, 1999 (22:12)", "body": "(Marcia)Thank all of you for being so inspired from this avid reader of FanFic. I never thought Fan Fic existed till I logged on Drool...only on the Internet. The stories are better than the published ones.I am v. grateful to all the gifted ladies who post on Drool. ( I don't read 'em on any other website...except Laura's \"Olivia\", a cute take-off on Bridget) ******** Colin said that the Darcy role did not contribute to his career in the sense that after Darcy he did get much more scripts to read than before but they were also a lot worse than before, He said the opposite on this side of the pond in VOGUE. Agree that it depends on his mood.I am just grateful that he took the role and portrayed Mr. Darcy so romantically .I don't care how he feel about it now.It's Done...and we're the richer for it.Wonder if he regrets it......."}, {"response": 1177, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb 17, 1999 (23:45)", "body": "I've been working on these files and reading the postings about the 3DOR expedition to darkest London. If those purportedly going do not come back with some tangible evidence, we shall be forced to conclude you set up this ruse to make us jealous and have gone off to Cleveland for the weekend."}, {"response": 1178, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Feb 18, 1999 (00:01)", "body": "and have gone off to Cleveland for the weekend. I'd rather go to Philadephia."}, {"response": 1179, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Feb 18, 1999 (00:02)", "body": "Marcia, what kind of evidence are you thinking about?"}, {"response": 1180, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb 18, 1999 (01:13)", "body": "Just a snap of grinning droolers in front of the DonMar Theatre. Do NOT (Please!!) try to lop anything off our man. He will never trust us again! You need not even hold up \"We Love You Colin\" signs which I know you will be hiding in those loose jumpers you all will be wearing ;)"}, {"response": 1181, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb 18, 1999 (01:16)", "body": "I chose Cleveland because it is like white bread. Nice, but not as excilting as Philadelphia. OK, do not attack me...Cleveland just popped into my head."}, {"response": 1182, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Thu, Feb 18, 1999 (06:11)", "body": "You guys that are set to see 3DOR are in for such a treat. Please try to refrain yourselves. Five hours of Colin. Makes me dizzy also."}, {"response": 1183, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb 18, 1999 (10:55)", "body": "Slightly off topic but Jennifer Ehle is being interviewed today on This Morning at 11.15am GMT, first time she has been interviewed on British TV since P&P first aired."}, {"response": 1184, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Feb 18, 1999 (19:23)", "body": "(Marcia) That cover picture of him on ANNA is my favorite Afraid it\ufffds not a cover pic, he\ufffds never been in a mag cover over here and what\ufffds more, that article was the ONLY one about him that I\ufffdve seen here (except for a small picture of him and Livia with a few lines in the same mag before they married). Just a snap of grinning droolers in front of the DonMar Theatre We really should persuade Colin to join us in that pic!! Seriously, sieging the stage door or any other stunt of that sort is out of question (at least for me it is) because I believe he wouldn\ufffdt appreciate it."}, {"response": 1185, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Thu, Feb 18, 1999 (19:50)", "body": "Hi everyone. I just booked my tickets to 3DORs for Friday and Saturday March 5 and 6. (I need 10 hours of CF) Can I come to the dinner on Saturday, March 6? Or is it too late. My seats are in the stalls is that bad? The guy at the Donmar ticket office says they are downstairs."}, {"response": 1186, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb 18, 1999 (21:40)", "body": "(Elena)We really should persuade Colin to join us in that pic!! Oh yes! Please try. You are a great deal braver than I, my dear, but it would be wonderful. (Jana)I need 10 hours of CF I understand completely. I did the same with Henry V and Olivier. The first time through you are so busy staring at him you do not pay much attention to what is going on around him. The second time, perhaps you will be able to tear your eyes away from time to time!"}, {"response": 1187, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb 18, 1999 (22:22)", "body": "From this week's Newsweek: \"When the director of Sundance fave 'Happy, Texas' sold his film to Miramax last month, he insisted on a contract clause: the studio must actually release the movie. Each year Miramax buys up to 10 films it never releases, or limits to one-week runs. Sutdio cochairman Harvey Weinstein 'gets distracted,' says the director of a flick he paid for then forgot about. All studios buy some films that don't cut it, but Miramax alone seems to bank on buying more than it can use. Weinstein grabs promising flic s (1998 Sundance Fave 'Jerry and Tom'), but if they test poorly they get shelved or go straight to video. Thus Weinstein backs only hits, crafting the rep of a Midas touch while playing to broad audiences. Miramax guards rights to films it won't release, so filmmakers watch work rot in storage, and you may miss out on some great noncommercial flicks.\" If I interpret this correctly, it is referring to films purchased from the Sundance Film Festival. But it got me thinking about MLSF...of course Miramax made that film, they didn't buy it. But after so many delays in its release, one has to wonder. (Wonder, not panic. Things have been going so well for Colin so far this year!)"}, {"response": 1188, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (01:10)", "body": "Hi JanaC. The saga continues as to where and when we will be eating on Saturday. Lizza or I will notify everyone when it's determined and we'll certainly include you. I hope you'll continue posting. Such interesting discussions we've been having. Poor Colin. We're having this ongoing discussion on conflicting statements he makes and I have to remind myself that probably everyone does this. We just never notice because we could care less what any other actor says. Poor boy, we dissect and interpret every comment out of his mouth. Ah, but what do we live for? ;-)"}, {"response": 1189, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (01:37)", "body": "It is like Nan told me when I was a newbie all those years ago. We have unclothed him, washed him, examined him, dried him, reclothed him, etc. There is little about him that misses our notice (or words to that effect.) Indeed, it is what we love for."}, {"response": 1190, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (02:18)", "body": "(Marcia) it is what we love for... Indeed... :-)"}, {"response": 1191, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (03:16)", "body": "Arami-- I asked you some time ago about the deprived noncomputerized friends who like a People copy, and you gave no answer...have they got their satisfaction?? Or have they ain't got no...etc? Anybody want a 60-p. e-mail of the script of \"Three days of Rain\"? I've heard it has already got out, but just in case you haven't gotten your connections yet and have lots of paper, I can e-mail you the whole thing (I thought I saw KarenR can do it too...but more compactly!) I,m wishing everyone going a wonderful time and enough chutzpah to dare to send the complimentary messages to our DB without going over the line into making him \"go to ground\". He deserves to know how important and admired he is, and you all deserve to know that he appreciates it (and he does, ladies...he does...in spite of all the edging around...). And especially compliment him on his taste in wives!!"}, {"response": 1192, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (03:54)", "body": "Sutdio cochairman Harvey Weinstein 'gets distracted,' says the director of a flick he paid for then forgot about. Distracted is hardly the word... I had dinner with a film industry friend two nights ago, and the topic of conversation fell on Weinstein. He's known in the industry to sit through screenings with a plate of chicken wings or some other meal on his lap, and the joke is, he chooses films based on how rarely he needs to shift butt cheeks over the course of a movie. Remember-- he's got the big bank account, no one said he had to know anything about films. I'm such a gossip...I've already broken that 1999 resolution. BTW-- I posted this on SiL spoilers: Tom Stoppard and Marc Norman are both signing copies of the SiL screenplay this Saturday in an L.A. bookstore."}, {"response": 1193, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (07:08)", "body": "Hats off to the *renovated* Firth site, 3 Deers.....Understated elegance, just like the DB himself. I am finding it very hard of late to keep up with my prolific fellow droolers... Loved the quote about P&P, Evelyn... And as for CF ever being able to shake off the mantle of Darcy...nevuh!!!!!"}, {"response": 1194, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (09:54)", "body": "MLSF and Harvey....Harvey co-produced, and it cost Miramax $8milliion. Not a huge amount in Hollywood terms I know, but I think enough to guarantee that we see it. But Harvey must pick up a lot of very low-budget indies at Sundance and similar festivals in the hope of spotting a winner! I must admit I'm not very pro Harve at the moment....I've just seen the latest SIL poster (featuring everyone except CF) and it really made me wince! What sort of message does this convey? Hardly boosts CF's bankability...4th billing, but hey, who is this guy, drop him. I know it's related to the Oscar nominations, but I'm beginning to think that JD and GR are benefitting disproportionately (it was an ensemble piece) And BA isn't even well known in the UK, so promoting him here is inappropriate. GRRRRR!!! I've lost Ann's marvellous photos. Where are they, Ann... I thought I'd seen tnem at the new 3 Deers site. And, my final gripe (I promise, 1999 is my year of positive thinking!), why, when he was looking so darned handsome and well groomed, did NO-ONE feature him in any of the SIL news items, when we literally saw everyone else, right down to the Fast Show bloke. Who interviewed him? Well, we will never know. It jusr irks me that we never see him in the UK!!!!! Thw world's best kept secret. :-) Ann, I think John Madden would be an excellent choice to direct \"Mary Queen of Scots\". I still think Bothwell could be a terrific role, but I supppose a lot depends on the script, and the relative emphasis given to the characters."}, {"response": 1195, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (11:23)", "body": "Throwing positive thoughts out of the window....the new SIL advert is everywhere! (Unfortunately my job includes scanning through the daily newspapers). Sorry, it really, really bugs me...it's the height of discourtesy to leave out just one of the principal players, particularly in his home country. Do Miramax have an email address? By contrast, I was reading the reviews for \"This Years Love\" (JE's new movie). Good reviews. What struck me was how all six performances (it's an ensemble piece)were singled out for praise. It can be done, and I continuue to be surprised at how CF was nearly always omitted, when, for example Simon Callow or Tom Wilkinson were mentioned.If Colin got half the praise given to the \"brilliant\" Kathy Burke, I'd be happy!!! Well, just call me grumpy. Reading papers doesn't improve my temper."}, {"response": 1196, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (11:26)", "body": "Bethan, the photos are still at the 3Deers site, go to Specials or Berlinale and scroll down to the bottom - ...annprem/ and Jana, you lucky thing 4 performances and 10 hourse of our DB, you must hold the record, I am only going to two performances, can anyone top 4 performances?!!"}, {"response": 1197, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (11:28)", "body": "Also Bethan, if it had been E. Macgregor appearing at the Donmar , and appearing on stage for the first time in five year, it would have been in all the papers, but Colin nothing even though it will probably be a sell-out and only because of Colin and all his fans."}, {"response": 1198, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (11:42)", "body": "I'm with you Bethan, and it is particularly discourteous and upsetting in view of the fact that he has done an awful lot of publicity and promotion for SIL, the only actor at the Berlin FF, the London Premiere, the LA and NY Premieres, and as you say to leave out just one of the principal players is very insulting and unfair. I too will write to Miramax. As I said before I am losing interest in SIL, especially as I was only interested in it in the first place because of Colin, am now looking forward to 3DOR and DQ."}, {"response": 1199, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (12:55)", "body": "I'm a real grump today! I must admit another thing that has been seriously annoying me is the fact that the Donmar are not advertising 3DOR in the papers. For those of you in the US, i must explain that nearly every daily paper carries a half page ad showing what's on and what will be on( and who is starring) in all West End theatres. The Donmar is ALWAYS listed. But since \"Into the Woods\" finished, the Donmar has, surprise, surprise, not been listed. So, for once, actually doing something constructive, I pnoned the Donmar and asked why they weren't advertising 3DOR for advance bookings. Reply was that \"they didn't need to advertise as it had been extremely busy\". It's the first time I've known a West End production not to be advertised...so I suppose this must be a compliment to CF! Put that in your pipe, Harvey, and smoke it! Some \"stars\" don't need promotion!"}, {"response": 1200, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (14:37)", "body": "(Bethan)...Donmar....\"they didn't need to advertise as it had been extremely busy\". It's the first time I've known a West End production not to be advertised. I'm glad to hear that....Although I was thrilled that Jana was able to get tickets for 3DOR on short notice, I was surprised that the weekend would not been sold out by now. Where are the adoring UK fans? Maybe he'd be happy to know of \"the minute, crucial unappreciated Internet contingent.\""}, {"response": 1201, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (15:11)", "body": "Evelyn, I was surprised I got them too. But I've been beating myself in the head for weeks about whether I wanted to make the journey all the way from America. After all it's not everyday that you get to see your favorite actor in the flesh. I also got a copy of the seating arrangments for the theatre and my seats don't look too bad. Ann--sorry I was betting on each performance being 5 hours long. (Made a typo error) I only have tickets to two performances. So, is anyone else seeing it more than twice. The next two weeks will be totally useless ones because the excitement is killing me. And I have two papers to write for school. Yick!! Does anyone else feel this way--tell me I'm not alone, PLEASE!!"}, {"response": 1202, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (15:24)", "body": "(bethan), Some \"stars\" don't need promotion! I believe that's what his agents must think. I wish he were more of a man and did something about it. He's starting to make me angry with his wimpy attitude. Wake up and smell the espresso Colin! He's got FP, MLSF and SLOW for G sake!"}, {"response": 1203, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (15:50)", "body": "Firstly well done Bethan for telephoning the Donmar, its great news to hear that 3DOR has been busy and the other thing for someone who has been snubbed in the run up to the Oscars (for SIL I mean) he does seem in remarkably good spirits, perhaps he knows something we don't. Secondly two performances are better than none Jana, I look forward to meeting you in March and I agree I don't know how I am going to get through the next two weeks, I am having a bit of a problem with my mouth and throat at the mo ent and have this nightmare that I shall not be able to make it on the 6th, tell me I am being stupid, ever the pessimist."}, {"response": 1204, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (16:16)", "body": "Moon, what do yo mean his wimpy attitude is making you angry, in what way is he being wimpish?"}, {"response": 1205, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (17:11)", "body": "Moon, what do you mean his wimpy attitude is making you angry, in what way is he being wimpish? I echo Ann's question. Here we have a man who made at least \ufffd3/4million last year for less than 3 months work. Who appears to have a happy personal life. Who is probably doing the work he wants to do. Why is that wimpish? It is sane. If he wanted to go for major Hollywood romantic leads, he would now have to be contemplating his first face-lift! (Bethan) the Donmar are not advertising 3DOR in the papers. I do not think the Donmar advertises that much. When I have been there in the past it has usually been via word of mouth recommendation rather than through press reports. They are a small venue with limited budget. I suspect we will hear something nearer the time. There is a review of the first two plays of the American import season in today's Evening Standard. The acting was generally praised but the reviewer did not seem to think the two plays were worth bringing all the way over the Atlantic. Lets hope 3DOR is better. It sounds more promising."}, {"response": 1206, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (19:48)", "body": "I believe he has to put more pressure on his agents so that when he gets the fourth billing in a film, he isn't omitted for the movie adv. When he takes a starring role after years of not doing theatre, there should be some promotion and adv. He has three old films which he should be knocking himself to make sure they come out. At this rate it will be video release(which is fine by me, I just want to see them!). And why not fight for the Mark Darcy role before it is taken."}, {"response": 1207, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (20:12)", "body": "(Moon)He has three old films which he should be knocking himself to make sure they come out. At this rate it will be video release (which is fine by me, I just want to see them!). I agree, If it is only in video I must may see them with the rest of the world. Otherwise , there is a very good chance that I might never see them. Out here."}, {"response": 1208, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (21:14)", "body": "What does he pay his agent for? Wasn't there talk that he has a new one? Well IMO they are not doing a very effective job."}, {"response": 1209, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (21:15)", "body": "WHOOPS I meant he/she, not they!!"}, {"response": 1210, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (21:58)", "body": "I do not think the Donmar advertises that much (Allison) By \"advertise\", I just meant the very small ad that is included in the What's on in the West End Theatre section, and just gives booking/advance booking details and the name of the production and who is in it. The Donmar is always sandwiched between the Dominion and Drury Lane (I'm one of these boring people who reads the theatre ads!) But for some reason they are not advertising 3DOR, and I found that puzzling. They've always advertised their productions in the past. There must be a lot of people who are totally unaware that CF is doing theatre. Possibly there may be an interview next week, but it may well be that they'll just open...theatre gets far less publicity (unless you're Nicole Kidman!), and maybe he doesn't really want it. I echo Ann's question. Here we have a man who made at least \ufffd3/4million last year for less than 3 months work. Who appears to have a happy personal life. Who is probably doing the work he wants to do. Why is that wimpish? It is sane Have to agree. I really didn't like his non-inclusion in the SIL promotional ad, (ruined my breakfast!),and wished he'd been included in more reviews, but I don't honestly see what he could do about it. And probably this doesn't really bother him as much as it bothers me!! :-) I think he'll promote his upcoming movies very conscientiously, probably FP and MLSF in tandem....he's been more than co-operative in promoting SIL. And I continue to think that MD is a foregone conclusion for him, and he won't have to fight anyone for the role. AD's involvement makes it more of a certainty! And I agree that he's looking remarkably cheerful and happy with his life!"}, {"response": 1211, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (22:00)", "body": "OK, OK, let's have happy thoughts for the weekend. Perhaps he *is* doing all these things and we just don't know about them. And if he isn't, I suppose it's his choice or there's some other good reason. Anyway...tick, tick, tick! The clock is moving for you London-bound lucky ladies! I've lost count, how many are going? How many countries will be represented? When do you think you might start posting news for us poor unfortunates back home?"}, {"response": 1212, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (22:02)", "body": "I see Bethan and I have similar thoughts, posted nearly at the same time. I'm flying over to chat in case there's anyone lurking out there now."}, {"response": 1213, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (22:14)", "body": "What does he pay his agent for? Agents procure projects and negociate contracts...publicists do the actual publicity. I am thinking positively that 3 DOR contract was before the current agent. ***** I have just finished reading the play 3 DOR and don't see how they can stretch it out for 2 1/2 hours...unless there's a long intermission. And BTW, this is a very American play. If they change the locale...they will also have to change the dialog. ***** I can see where Moon is coming from...but,if everyone thinks his current status is satisfactory, why complain when he doesn't get starring roles? He's happy with his fourth billing...why shouldn't you be?"}, {"response": 1214, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (23:03)", "body": "Yes I am sure he is happy with 4th billing but being omitted and replaced by BA, I wouldn't have thought so, still we will never know, its that that really bugs me okay I can see why the Oscar nominees are there but why BA and if BA why not Colin."}, {"response": 1215, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (23:29)", "body": "KJArt - I'm sorry, I didn't mean to ignore you! How dreadful of me! Your very kind offer appeared at the beginning of about 30 new messages, and by the time I finished reading them all, I was even more tired and bewildered than when I started... Anyway, my own and my friends' needs have been well satisfied. Many thanks once again."}, {"response": 1216, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (01:41)", "body": "(Ann)... its that that really bugs me okay I can see why the Oscar nominees are there but why BA and if BA why not Colin. Ann, BA is there because he is better known than Colin inasmuch as he won an Oscar for Best Screenplay and co-starred in \"Good Will Hunting\", which was also nominated for Best Picture.And was also the largest revenue -producing film for Miramax.Also Harvey had to beg him to take the role of Ned Allyn in SIL. Why Colin isn't there....I could not venture a guess. But I doubt it was a case of \"either...or...\""}, {"response": 1217, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (03:52)", "body": "Come, come, it was just a few weeks ago that we were elated with the coverage he was getting. Let's not get our feathers ruffled just because things have reverted to normal. It's certainly no worse than before and I'm convinced there are still good things in store. I like what Bethan said...we're more upset than he would be."}, {"response": 1218, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (04:56)", "body": "I am so happy for all the ladies that are going to London. I wish I was going also."}, {"response": 1219, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (05:22)", "body": "Oh Rita, I know!!! If they were not such special ladies I'd really not like them very much. However, aware as they are of our stay-at-home plight, they promised to look through all of our eyes for us and bring all they see back to us. What could be better than that...Other than bringing CF back for us to share. Let's see...how many ways would we have to split him?! Perhaps like in the Arabian Nights, we could each get a turn in rotation...to entertain him however he/we saw fit ;D"}, {"response": 1220, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (09:59)", "body": "(Evelyn) I am thinking positively that 3 DOR contract was before the current agent. Do you mean that he has changed agents? (Eileen)When do you think you might start posting news for us poor unfortunates back home? I am beginning to think that watching the audience at 3DOR might be more fun than even watching CF. I think I am going to find to find it hard to drag my eyes away from Row A in the stalls :-) BTW. I have just caught up with the new look at firth.com. Congratulations to all those deers who have made such a good job of the new layout. Very stylish."}, {"response": 1221, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (13:08)", "body": "Finally, something about CF and 3DOR in the press. There's a report in the Daily Telegraph, with a nice pic of Colin (as Darcy). But it's the usual sensational inaccurate type of reporting that we can expect these days. Headline is \"New theatre role makes Firth as sexy as a breezeblock\". Goes on to say that CF is returning to the London theatre after six years absence, for \ufffd250 a week. But don't expect sex appeal or love interest. Quotes an insider, or someone, (male, I'll bet!!) as saying that Firth \"pla s a Deep South weirdo with as much sex appeal as a breezeblock\" (ie none!). Couldn't they have said something about a poignant study of a brother and sister dicovering their past, and mentioned the fact that it's two roles in one..Walker, the drifter, and Ned, the architect father, and that the play has received much acclaim in the US. Nope! I haven't read the script....is \"weirdo\" appropriate?"}, {"response": 1222, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (14:07)", "body": "Donmar are still saying that timing is 2hrs and 30 mins and will not be able to confirm that before MARCH 1st!! Not a lot of communication re director, stage manager and box office. They must surely know before that, by final rehearsal? IMO CF is one of the few men who could be sexy as a \"breezeblock\", male perspective reporting from the Torygraph, again. So go on Brit Press, be as negative and snide as you like, you won't put us off."}, {"response": 1223, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (14:37)", "body": "Still as they say any publicity is better than no publicity, be it good or bad, (who says that!). and drat I usually get The Telegraph on a Saturday but this wek we bought The Times."}, {"response": 1224, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (14:43)", "body": "Deep South weirdo, I guess that means he will be doing an American deep South accent. I hope you ladies won't find that as distracting as I would, his voice in ATA I found most annoying. Has he changed agents? If he has then maybe someone from his camp has been reading our posts (heehee)."}, {"response": 1225, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (15:29)", "body": "Oh no a deep south accent,that is a little disappointing and not to hear Colin's own lovely voice, and I have to say that the deep south American accent is not one of my favourites anyway, apologies to anyone from the deep south, you probably wouldn't like my Sussex by the sea accent either( England)."}, {"response": 1226, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (16:32)", "body": "Ann, I\ufffdm positive that you will forget your disappointment about the American accent by just SEEING him there as close to you as he will be! Imagine, it\ufffdll be only a few metres from row A!! But I\ufffdm sort of sure that you already have imagined..... My problem, on the other hand, is not of aesthetic nature but practical: I probably won\ufffdt understand the play without a script! The British accent is much easier to understand than the American, let alone the \"deep south\" one."}, {"response": 1227, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (16:33)", "body": "Do you mean that he has changed agents? Sorry... a typo error...mean't publicist. And that is conjecture too . But with all his personal apprearances and articles in the Brit press and PEOPLE,since the new year, some of think he has a new publicist. So again I say...IMO \"I am thinking positively, that the contract with 3 DOR with no publicity was before the new publicist.\" ******* I read the play and I didn't think Ned was a southerner or a weirdo. An American, yes.( Does that make him a weirdo? :-) ) I think this will be a real challenge for him and think of it this way,.. it will show Hollywood that Kenneth Branagh isn't the only British actor that can speak in an American accent. It's a clever play....was on the short list for Pulitzer in 1993."}, {"response": 1228, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (16:43)", "body": "I'd take \"Deep South\" with a pinch of salt, given the level of accuracy we get from the press. I wonder, why Deep South? It's set in Manhattan. I thought an architect could be cultured Boston or some equivalent, and his son, even if a \"drifter\" wouldn't be \"Deep South\" surely, and would the two characters have the same accent? I have to add that I really know nothing about regional accents in the US. Is Bill Clinton \"Deep South\"?... I like his accent. PS Sex appeal is Colin Firth walking onto a stage. And if he looks like he did at the Berline, tnen breezeblocks are SEXY!"}, {"response": 1229, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (17:24)", "body": "There is a radiant photograph of Colin and Livia on Meluchie's off screen pages. I shall try a link!!"}, {"response": 1230, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (17:29)", "body": "Well that did not work! Let's try once more. C&LF picture"}, {"response": 1231, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (17:32)", "body": "Southern accent or not the opportunity to see the man in the flesh, a few feet away, performing at the craft he's so darn good at is enough for me. People have begun questioning my logic about flying so far for so short a period just to see a play. So I had to come up with a better story. Now I tell them \"Oh, I'm going over to see the sexist man in England.\" Shuts them up completely--until someone uttered Prince Charles. I had to whip out the pictures after that statement."}, {"response": 1232, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (17:35)", "body": "C&LF photograph If that doesn't work I shall give up posting links for ever!"}, {"response": 1233, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (17:57)", "body": "What a great pic. So, they love him in Mexico too. Winter, is that the black necklace you described seeing on Livia while at the L.A. showing of SIL?"}, {"response": 1234, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (18:07)", "body": "I don't get \"southern\" from the play either. Maybe it's been done in the past with a southern accent. I think mid-south accents are nice - soft and lilting like Virginians. But like the others, I'll take any accent as long as it's believable. I'm not worried about sex appeal either 'cause I figure it's going to be there whether it's meant to or not. The man just can't help it. And isn't there a scene where he's in bed? Clothed perhaps but he is with a woman (as opposed to a man ;-)). (I hope I didn't give too much away.) Lizza has come through with dinner reservations. Wonderful, persistent girl. I'll give those of you who are there on the 6th a heads-up soon."}, {"response": 1235, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (18:38)", "body": "(Allison)Congratulations to all those deers who have made such a good job of the new layout. Very stylish. All praise must go to Renate who designed and executed the new layout. Work is still in progress... and will continue for a long time... Bethan, that nice photo of Colin as Darcy - I hope we have seen it before...?"}, {"response": 1236, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (20:35)", "body": "I have just called the Donmar (again) to get a ticket for a friend and now there are only 2 tickets left!! They are amazed at how well they have gone for the whole run considering the lack of publicity. Never underestimate the power of a wet shirted breezeblock, I say!!"}, {"response": 1237, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (20:36)", "body": "Whoops I mean only 2 tickets for March 6th, not the whole run!!"}, {"response": 1238, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (20:43)", "body": "London Timeout is running an article/review of the Donmar season in the next issue (Thursday 25th?)"}, {"response": 1239, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (20:47)", "body": "Hey, that IS the necklace I was talking about! In fact, that's from the L.A. premiere. Those two are so cute-- beaming all the time. Livia, I think, has a contagious (but charming) smile."}, {"response": 1240, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (20:56)", "body": "I would love to see him in something other than grey or black!!"}, {"response": 1241, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (21:25)", "body": "Bethan, that nice photo of Colin as Darcy - I hope we have seen it before...? (Arami) Oh yes, it's the still shot (face only) of him at the wedding ceremony when he's standing next to Lizzie looking very enamoured. Ann, you got the Times today. Now, did you read it? Properly? :-) Look at the Weekend section, page 19. \"A Filmmaker brought to book\". It's about Lord Puttnam and (I quote)...\"And yes, Britain's best known film producer is still producing, just: My Life So Far , to be released in the spring, will be his last. The article describes his various involvements in good works, mainly in education, and mentions that he suffers from ME. But, hey, the SPRING! Does this mean that we get to see it first in the UK? The Puttnam connection will ensure a respectful coverage in the press. I'd watch the film if only to see him (CF!) in a kilt and jumping into the lake! And isn't there a scene where he's in bed? Clothed perhaps but he is with a woman (as opposed to a man ;-)). (I hope I didn't give too much away.) Oh well, that's quite enough thank you, to fire the imagination. Especially if you're sitting six feet away. And doesn't he get wet (well, dampish) and take off his sweater. Breezeblock, huh!! He should hire us as his publicists...we'd make sure that he got the right coverage! The Box Office wouldn't be able to cope with the demand!"}, {"response": 1242, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (21:51)", "body": "(Winter)Those two are so cute-- The pictures of him and Livia always make me DESPERATE with jealousy, that\ufffds the terrible fact even though I try to deny it. I\ufffdve always felt practically unable to look at those shots. Wonder how you others manage to do it and comment the pics so happily....!!"}, {"response": 1243, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (21:55)", "body": "Thanks Bethan, yes I did miss it and wouldn't it be wonderful if as well as 3DOR, DQ we should also get MLSF for th Spring, all this excitement is going to my head and I had visions of us getting MLSF next Christmas."}, {"response": 1244, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (23:46)", "body": "Wonder how you others manage to do it and comment the pics so happily....!! Poor Elena! Don't worry, I feel your pain too. That twinge of jealousy is still there with me, my dear, still there. hey-- Jonathan Firth (brother) is still single..."}, {"response": 1245, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (23:51)", "body": "I know this is off topic but may be of some interest to P&P UK droolers, Jennifer Ehle is on Late Lunch Channel 4 on Wednesday 23rd Feb, at 6pm.,second time in a week that she has done a British TV interview now lets hope CF does one, too."}, {"response": 1246, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Feb 21, 1999 (00:12)", "body": "(Winter)Jonathan Firth (brother) is still single... Is there a worse Hell than lusting after your own brother-in-law?! If you cannot have the real thing, I do not think the \"looks like\" variety would satisfy. However, it is the 90's... Perhaps I am being too conservative."}, {"response": 1247, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Feb 21, 1999 (00:16)", "body": "Imagine, if you will, traipsing around the house in the summer, having just emerged from the pool. He will be in the tiniest of clothing (Speedos?!!!) and dripping wet. I just would not do. Not for these lusty ladies, I think =P"}, {"response": 1248, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Feb 21, 1999 (00:27)", "body": "And Jonathan lives downstairs from Nick Hornby, can't be that difficult to find him;) I like Jonathan;)"}, {"response": 1249, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Feb 21, 1999 (00:52)", "body": "(Laura) I like Jonathan;) Enough that you would not drool uncontrollably in our DB's presence?!"}, {"response": 1250, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Feb 21, 1999 (01:22)", "body": "You, ladies, have an incredible talent for making one dream. I am all curiosity about 3DOR and will be anxiously awaiting your reports. Bethan, not only do I think we would do a fantastic publicity job for Colin, we would all be great co-starring with him in BJD. Renate, I have already sent an e-mail to 3deers, but, let me congratulate you for a job beautifully done, du bist wunderbar! I'll be off to LA on Monday to meet with Winter and Jana2. We we're going to cover the FP premiere but as you know it has been postponed."}, {"response": 1251, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Feb 21, 1999 (01:31)", "body": "Jonathan is Colin's Baby bro, I don't think he'd have a problem as we are close in age. And DB is married;)"}, {"response": 1252, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Feb 21, 1999 (01:48)", "body": "I don't think he'd have a problem as we are close in age And what? CF is a doddering old man? ;-) Older or younger, I'd have a hard time keeping my eyes off those Speedos. Though frankly I think he's more of a baggy trunks kind of guy myself. (Oh, this poor man.) Jennifer Ehle is on Late Lunch Channel 4 on Wednesday 23rd Feb, at 6pm. Ann, any chance you could tape this? Evelyn is out of town and probably doesn't know this but I'm sure would love to see it."}, {"response": 1253, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Feb 21, 1999 (02:11)", "body": "(Heide) I think he's more of a baggy trunks kind of guy myself. (Oh, this poor man.) True...on both accounts, I think. You can tell when it is a slow day at 113. I tend to be more fanciful in my imaginings (and he is such g o o d imagining!)"}, {"response": 1254, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Sun, Feb 21, 1999 (04:43)", "body": "I love to see C & LF together. But, like WInter I feel a little jealousy but then when you see how radiant they are you have to be happy for them. I am jealous of all of the people that are going to see CF in the flesh. Especially, Ann and Evelyn. THey have promised a blow by blow account of the entire evening. I am so looking forward to that."}, {"response": 1255, "author": "SABINE", "date": "Sun, Feb 21, 1999 (19:35)", "body": "I saw \"You have got mail\" with T.Hanks and M.Ryan yesterday. M.Ryan is the owner of a little book shop and guess which book she likes the most ?? Of course, P & P ! She tells T.Hanks about the book and he buys it and starts reading it. AND then it happens !!! He has the book in his hands and who is on the cover ??? YES, CF !! Please don t laugh at me, but I was so excited to see the P&P-book with CF on the cover. The film was very nice just like \"Sleepless in Seattle\". That all about my sudden unexpected \"meeting\" with CF. But I think that a lot of you have seen the movie already, haven t you ??"}, {"response": 1256, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Feb 21, 1999 (20:34)", "body": "It has come to Hilo!!! SIL is playing at a tiny arts theater downtown. That is the good news. The bad news is a: when I told the other half of the household I had to see it, he remarked, \"You, do, do you?\" but not solicitiously; and b: there are flood warnings up and we are told to stay home today. Aaarrrrrrrrhg!!!!"}, {"response": 1257, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Feb 21, 1999 (21:20)", "body": "Re: ACCENTS \"CF plays a 'Deep-South Weirdo'...\" Geez you guys will believe anything in print...Good thing you have Evelyn to keep you honest. Neither of Colin's characters is from the South...the only character, as far as I can tell is the mother in the 2nd half...and I think Elizabeth can handle an American dialect just fine. From a Variety article of Mar, 1997, speaking of the original production of the play in Costa Mesa, the running time is given as 2 hrs. 20 mins. There is to be a benefit performance of \"The Blue Room\" on Feb. 25 for the Donmar Warehouse with Nicole Kicman and Iain Glen. (Ent. Wkly)"}, {"response": 1258, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Feb 21, 1999 (22:23)", "body": "Sabine, the only reason I'd go to see \"You've Got Mail\" is to see that scene you describe. It would give me a guilty little thrill too. But I think I'll wait for the video instead."}, {"response": 1259, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Feb 21, 1999 (22:50)", "body": "Also RE: 3DoR: I do not like it that in one of the scenes 2 characters are supposed to be sitting there talking and SMOKING111 No wonder these poor actor-type people can't kick the habit for long! I protest!! Also I'll repeat the offer to e-mail the play to anyone with a lot of paper..."}, {"response": 1260, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Feb 21, 1999 (23:01)", "body": "Yes please Karen, I would love to receive the play and have masses of paper! Thanks a lot."}, {"response": 1261, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Sun, Feb 21, 1999 (23:49)", "body": "Thank you for offering again Karen. Could you please email me a copy of the play too."}, {"response": 1262, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Feb 22, 1999 (01:19)", "body": "Me too, please Karen. Many thanks! \"CF plays a 'Deep-South Weirdo'...\" Geez you guys will believe anything in print. (Karen) Usually it pays to believe the exact opposite! Drop-dead gorgeous, sexy etc. etc. I've posted this before, but in view of the fact that Colin is doing theatre, it bears repeating! I keep a notebook by the PC, and sometimes jot down notes to remind myself!! A couple of years ago I posted some comments by a friend of mine who had just seen Ralph Fiennes in \"Ivanov\" and had also seen CF in \"Chatsky\" in the same theatre about three years earlier. She said (consulting my notes!)that CF had \"a very good stage presence\" and a very distinctive voice. We discussed how actors can look different n stage and screen, and she said that RF looked much slighter in build on stage, whereas from what she remembered CF had appeared well-built and tall! I love to see C & LF together. But, like WInter I feel a little jealousy but then when you see how radiant they are you have to be happy for them. Most of us fell for CF as Darcy. I like to think he's capable of Darcy-like passion in real life! I do not like it that in one of the scenes 2 characters are supposed to be sitting there talking and SMOKING Aargh! The old enemy waiting to strike! Perhaps he can chew gum instead. Ann, is your email address working? I got message returned."}, {"response": 1263, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Feb 22, 1999 (13:22)", "body": "Hi Bethan, yes my email appears to ber working, have received some emails today, please try again."}, {"response": 1264, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Feb 22, 1999 (14:37)", "body": "The NY Times (Feb. 21, 1999) devoted nearly all its Arts and Leisure section to the so-called British Invasion of Broadway. There were lots of articles. I thought maybe, possibly there would be some mention and YES! There it was, in an article entitled Words to Prompt Disdain in London: New York Hit by Matt Wolf. The jist of the piece is how London critics and theatergoers tend to automatically dislike anything that was a hit in America (so be prepared, all 'LLL's [lucky London-bound ladies]). Well into the long article, it states \"And yet, the two-way traffic continues. Richard Greenberg's 'Three Days of Rain,' seen at the Manhattan Theater Club in 1997, is now in rehearsals for a London debut on March 2 [? date] as part of a monthlong American Imports season at the nonprofit Donmar Warehouse. Colin Firth and Elizabeth McGovern head a starry cast. Lucy Davies, literary manager of the Donmar and producer of the American season, called plays like Mr. Greenberg's 'such an enormously unmi ed area.' [Emphasis added] It is rather benign, but it is a mention! Other imported plays are also cited ('When Pigs Fly' and 'Defending the Caveman') but their stars are not. HA. Apropos to the discussion about accents, the piece states that these latter two plays were \"Anglicized to varying degrees so as to play down any New York pedigree...\" Those of you who have read 3DOR note how New York it is. I have been wondering if CF would use a NY accent. Can you imagine what that would be like? Fuhgetibudit! The Times had another article about the difference in accents entitled The Coaches Speak: Accents R Us (or Ah Us, if you Like) which discussed the rise of dialect coache to help British actors sound American and vice-versa."}, {"response": 1265, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Feb 22, 1999 (16:33)", "body": "I had a great start to the day!!! Switched on T.V. and there lo and behold HE was, swimming in that pond and emerging dripping etc etc At first I thought it was a CF programme but of course NOT, silly me!! It was a school's programme on P&P. I couldn't help thinking that I would be this close to him (distance from TV) in less than 2 weeks. Has anyone else seen the copious coverage on Rufus Sewell? I am getting fed up with it!! He opens on 24th in Macbeth (previews) and he seems to be everywhere. So I am hoping that logically they will be interviewing our DB for release this time next week. O.K O.K O.K so I can dream!!"}, {"response": 1266, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Feb 22, 1999 (16:39)", "body": "The reviews of the DONMAR season have been mixed so far, but of course all that will change next week. I was thinking that we ought to begin a \"Wish List\" for the D.D. ( Deprived Droolies). Tell us what you would like us to bring back from 3DOR for you. It will complement Lisa's excellent list of what to pack for the trip!! Any starters?"}, {"response": 1267, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 22, 1999 (19:24)", "body": "According to the distributor, Fever Pitch's newest release date is May 28th."}, {"response": 1268, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Feb 22, 1999 (19:27)", "body": "Could well tie in the with opening of MLSF, and perhaps CF will promote both at the same time."}, {"response": 1269, "author": "Stacey", "date": "Mon, Feb 22, 1999 (20:29)", "body": "I'll be a starter for the \"Wish List\" for DDs!!! I think it would be really nice to have a program from the performance! I'm pretty easy to please so that would do it for me!!!!:)"}, {"response": 1270, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Feb 22, 1999 (20:57)", "body": "You shall certainly have a programme Stacey, it would be nice if it were autographed as well, but can't promise."}, {"response": 1271, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Feb 22, 1999 (21:11)", "body": "Reviews for the first two plays in the Donmar \"American Imports\" in The Times and Guardian. Quite reasonably good, I thought, especially \"Morphic Resonance\". \"The play is boosted by a superb production by James Kerr. He gives the exchanges the speed of championship tennis...the cast all play with class in a buoyant comedy.\" There's praise for the acting and direction of the other play as well. Definitely set in the US...New York and Harlem. Isn't CF's sister a voice coach? Maybe he'll work with her! Re. Running time.. (Quote)\"We entered the Donmar at 6.60pm and left 5 hours later\" One of the plays is fairly short, but there must be an interval between the two shows. 2 1/2houre for 3DOR seems ok."}, {"response": 1272, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Feb 22, 1999 (21:16)", "body": "Just back from Londinium. Dropped into Donmar to make sure it was still standing. They have Drool cleaners at the ready, but apart from that there is no activity. I checked out local restaurants again. Belgo and the Neal St. restaurant are still standing, and the second is still quite expensive (50 quid a head, I reckon). There is another one, also serving drinks, next door to the Warehouse, just on its right. Can't remember what it's called, but you can prob. get a drink there after the show. Might attra t the man himself, but looks a bit too swish for a cast party. Overpriced but, sadly, most things are around Covent Garden these days. \\ I must say, I have never seen the tag \"New York Hit\" as a deterrent in London. Quite the opposite, if anything. Projection, I think."}, {"response": 1273, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Feb 22, 1999 (21:25)", "body": "I'm keeping a serious eye on the papers this week in the hopes that CF will do one interview (yes, Lizza, Rufus Sewell is everywhere...!) But I just have a gut feeling that he'll keep it low-keyed. Hope I'm wrong...:-) But as the guy in the Box Office said...\"they don't need to advertise\". BTW, 6.60 should read 6.30!"}, {"response": 1274, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Feb 22, 1999 (21:46)", "body": "Keepsake? I would simply love a sound file of his voice, with or without accent, but know that is illegal and would not want to get a fellow droolette in trouble. (But if there is a way....) So I'll settle for a group shot of all of you in front of the Donmar. Preferably with you-know-who, if opportunity presents!! And I second Stacey's claim for a program. Let us know how he's written up."}, {"response": 1275, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Feb 22, 1999 (22:02)", "body": "Ben, what WOULD be the most likely place for the Donmar cast to have a drink after the play??? ;-) (I know I know, don\ufffdt say it here, he could read it and keep away.....!)"}, {"response": 1276, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Feb 22, 1999 (23:27)", "body": "Ben did you catch JE in her new film while in London? You have been silent on that score for a while! You will have to match our drooling, which is gathering pace, I am sure you can manage it!! Welcome back."}, {"response": 1277, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Feb 22, 1999 (23:30)", "body": "We must have that picture of our fortunate Droolers in front of the theater, and where ever else you can arrange to do it. Since we will be there with you in spirit, take lots of them. Then post ASAP. I started a legal discussion with the suggestion of the tiny voice-activated recorder, but I would love sound bites. Just let someone who can refrain from the almost-impossible reflex of coughing in the quiet moments when our DB is speaking have the recorder. ;)"}, {"response": 1278, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Feb 22, 1999 (23:50)", "body": "Ben did you catch JE in her new film while in London? A firsthand report on Sophie and the dreadlocks, please! (and we won't believe you if you say you didn't see it!)"}, {"response": 1279, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Feb 23, 1999 (01:27)", "body": "According to the distributor, Fever Pitch's newest release date is May 28th. I'm not sure whether to take this as good or bad news : this will be one week after the opening of \"Phantom Menace\" (Star Wars, pt. 1). Will people be much too distracted by the power of \"The Force\" to see FP, or will FP be a relative haven away from the hype of Phantom Menace?"}, {"response": 1280, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Feb 23, 1999 (02:02)", "body": "A haven, Winter, a haven."}, {"response": 1281, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Feb 23, 1999 (02:26)", "body": "One hopes it will live up to its name and be a truly phantom menace."}, {"response": 1282, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Feb 23, 1999 (08:21)", "body": "(Bethan)I'm keeping a serious eye on the papers this week I shall keep the Evening Standard under close strutiny. There MUST be something in there surely??"}, {"response": 1283, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Tue, Feb 23, 1999 (11:40)", "body": "Love all these posts. All this Colin news in so good. I just hope the scene where there is smoking doesn't affect him. I quit two years ago and believe me I have my days."}, {"response": 1284, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Feb 23, 1999 (15:24)", "body": "Having just defended London critics against charges of knee-jerk anti-Americanism, there was this morning a rather nasty little piece in the Torygraph about the Donmar series. However, having panned the first two shows for pretensiousness, self-regard and over-sentimentality, he did say... It may be that the third show, Three Days of Rain, will prove something special when it opens next month with Colin Firth and Elizabeth McGovern in the cast. So, there you are. BTW, I know you true believers have every confidence, but can one be sure of a convincing New York accent from Wor Col? He may be v. good at it, but I've never heard anything other than his own voice, and it is terribly hard to do these things well. Also, I did NOT manage to see the new JE film. I was only in London for a day, and had only one hour free from blasted work, during which time I walked from Mayfair to Westminster, via Earlham St. You see how dear all of you are to me? Anyway, I have every confidence, dreadlocks or not, that she will not be able to hide her angelic charm. I would spot her even if she were lying homeless under Waterloo Bridge. Finally, as to cast party spots, I cannot tell. When I was there, there was not so much in the area, and being a wee bairn, I had to be out of the theatre by 10 o'clock. I think they used to go to one of the pubs nearer the Opera House. I forgot to mention another new bar I noticed, this one at the Leicester Sq. end of Garrick St, opposite the club, but it is self-conciously \"modern\" again, and no doubt fearfully priced. Not a thesps' hangout."}, {"response": 1285, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Feb 23, 1999 (16:56)", "body": "I would spot her even if she were lying homeless under Waterloo Bridge. Oh he's got it bad! Ben, I believe there is no turning back for you."}, {"response": 1286, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Tue, Feb 23, 1999 (17:54)", "body": "Lizza, re: keepsakes -- I would dearly love to have that sweater he whips off, whether or not it's wet;-) Anyone sitting in the front row brave enough to grab it for me? Barring that, I'll settle for your blow-by-blow reports, which I hope will begin arriving as soon as the final curtain drops."}, {"response": 1287, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Feb 23, 1999 (19:03)", "body": "Having just defended London critics against charges of knee-jerk anti-Americanism, there was this morning a rather nasty little piece in the Torygraph about the Donmar series. I don't think their critic would be over-welcome on the other side of the Atlantic!! He sounds rather xenophobic! But he also wrote: \"I must admit that large sections of the audience appeared to be having a ball during \"Morphic Resonance\"...I can only assume they were friends of the cast\". Hmm..well, I can only assume that they were members of the general public who, unlike the critics, actually paid for their tickets. And I can also only assume that they were enjoying the show! It's all matter of taste. Obviously the Torygraph critic would have been more at home with a five hour version of \"Peer Gynt\". But critics do wield a lot of influence through expressing an individual viewpoint...I think that reviews should be based on volume of applause. Let the audience decide! Wot! No dreadlocks report, Ben. How disappointing! :-)"}, {"response": 1288, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (06:51)", "body": "(SusanMC)I would dearly love to have that sweater he whips off, whether or not it's wet;-) Pop over to 113, Dear. I just brought that up."}, {"response": 1289, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (07:27)", "body": "Am going to see the Chicago production of 3DOR this weekend. It has gotten excellent reviews. Will be in the second row, so will be in an excellent position to compare the respective Ned/Walker's stage presence! ;-p"}, {"response": 1290, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (07:48)", "body": "Oh Karen, you do your homework most thoroughly. Have you the lines memorized yet? Just don't do to CF what Churchill did to Olivier: sit in the front row and audibly mumble his lines along with him!"}, {"response": 1291, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (08:02)", "body": "Could someone please tell me the running time for SIL. Thank you."}, {"response": 1292, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (09:17)", "body": "123 minutes."}, {"response": 1293, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (09:13)", "body": "Thank you all for your posting the time. It was for the \"Why?\" chromosome challenged half of the family. I just posted my thoughts on the movie on 115. Here I can tell you it was magnificent, funny, touching, and entirely stunning visually. Anyone seeing it who has seen Olivier's Henry V will note a similarity in their treatment of the oval theaters and posting of notices and general crowds. I am still dizzy with joy. Take your husband or male SO. They will love it and laugh knowingly at things tha will surprise you. Mine did. On 113 I claimed my Keepsake. I think this movie deserves its own Keepsake list. I adored this movie. I must own it."}, {"response": 1294, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (12:14)", "body": "CF interview in today's Guardian. Not much about the Donmar...mainly about working for refugees/asylum seekers. Now lives in Islington (next door to Hackney, Arsenal territory)."}, {"response": 1295, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (12:21)", "body": "Now lives in Islington Oh, my God, Iknew that's where he would be. I always bump in to Islington friends in the supermarket I use (its half way between me and them). Stnad by for sightings! Actually if I did see him in the supermarket, I have to say I would draw the line at giving everyone a minute description of his shopping list. I think he would have a right to resent that sort of intrusion. CF interview in today's Guardian. Off to buy the Guardian."}, {"response": 1296, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Feb 24, 1999 (10:49)", "body": "Off to buy the Guardian. I hope you're impressed by my speed of response! I set off on the 7 Feb 2036, I wonder which year I have returned in. A typically earnest Guardian article. Picture of our DB looking scruffy (as I am sure he does in real life). It mentions 3DOR and SIL. Some selections \"Firth has a taste for contradictions and a gift of empathy unusual in a profession so crowded with egos.\" \"He likes to joke about how often people are disappointed when they come face to face with the bloke behind the breeches\" The imaginative reach across the centuries to Shakespearean England is nothing compared to the new challenge Firth has set himself over the past year. His own privileged life of interesting work, steady relationship, a son, was punctured by the story of a young Nigerian asylum-seeker's treatment at the hands of the British authorities. Appalled by the stories of immigration officers' whimsical use of their powes and the dehumanising system that faces asylum seekers, he has begun to visit and woek for re ugees\". It hten describes a charity performance evening of song cance and poetry in Winchester, of which he was the MC and his hopes that it might be performed again in London and Oxford. \"But for London, it would need to be more polished and you'd need some real names; just me reading some poems is not exactly giong to pull in the crowds\". As the article goes on \"This is classic Firth, self-deprecating and cautious...\" And what do you make of this?\"The question on most peoples' lips each time Firth makes an appearance is not so much what he thinks, so much as which, of his co-stars, he is currently thinking about (he did after all have several well-publicised affairs with his leading ladies)\" There is then a bit about the perils of stars taking up causes of which they know little (they do not accuse CF of this) and how when he was playing Judd, his own politics were not so different... \"The far left may have been left behind with Judd, but his polite disappointment with Jack Straw's performance on the asylulm issue indicates he is unlikely to be available for Cool Brittania\". Ooops, have to go. Back with more soon."}, {"response": 1297, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Feb 24, 1999 (11:41)", "body": "So I did travel back in time. Sorry about the tyoing, I did not have time to proof read it before I had to go. Not much left. \"He may have a house in Islington, but he drinks Nescafe and travels by Tube\" [what do people in Islington usually do? It's not that grand.] 3DOR \"is a return to the thrilling unpredictability of the rehearsal rooms\". He was attracted by the very short run. \"I can't do long runs, because my son is in Los Angeles and I'lm committed to regular visits; besides I could hardly run my commuting lifestyle on a regular Donmar salary.\" It finishes \"At heart , Firth is as much the unromantic realist as Lord Wessex. It's not a bad quality for someone intent on challenging the asylum laws.\" One other bit that we know about but which I thought was well expressed \"he spent miserable years as the left out middle-class child in the secondary modern playground. They are years that have left scars of uncertainty and a shy disinclination for publicity.\" It is so much like the Guardian to refer to the fact that he is now married in an aside that he is now in a \"steady relationship\". Is it unPC now to refer to wife or husband? If am happy to send this article to anyone who would like it and could scan it. Karen or Renate?"}, {"response": 1298, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Feb 24, 1999 (14:06)", "body": "Thanks for defying time travel, Allison, to share this most interesting interview with us. The content is different than anything we've seen before, is it not? Signs of our multifaceted, ever-evolving DB! The urge to help people must be in his genes, considering his family tree. And what do you make of this?\"The question on most peoples' lips each time Firth makes an appearance is not so much what he thinks, so much as which, of his co-stars, he is currently thinking about (he did after all have several well-publicised affairs with his leading ladies)\" Don't think that's the question on our lips. We seem to gravitate toward what he thinks. I would love to see the whole article."}, {"response": 1299, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Feb 24, 1999 (16:04)", "body": "Oh, my God, Iknew that's where he would be. Ditto! I feel like I'm psychic. When I read a few weeks ago that he had bought a house, I just thought \"I bet it's in Islington\". Not too far from his old haunts, not too grand, a Nick Hornby neighbourhood etc. A typically earnest Guardian article. Picture of our DB looking scruffy I also thought that if he did give an interview, it would be to the Guardian. (You see...I'm beginning to think like him!) The pic is an old one...it accompanied an article about the making of FP which was in the Guardian two or three years ago. Interesting stuff about the asylum seekers. I wonder if CF supports One World? They have an excellent website www.oneworld.org. I remember reading some recent reports in the press about Nigerian asylum seekers. They had been protesting about corruption and envionmental sabotage in Southern Nigeria, and had been brutally tortured. But their treatment in this country has been less than humane, and they have been kept indefinitely in a detention centre near Oxford. One of them protested about their treatment and has, I think , been given a prison sentence."}, {"response": 1300, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Feb 24, 1999 (16:16)", "body": "As a conscientious reader of newspapers, I also have to report a snip from the Times. (Something else to look for, Allison!) Joe Fiennes has said that he fell in love with GP, but as a boy, not a girl. He says that GP as a boy caused the men (in the cast?) to question their own sexuality (as presumably they fancied her more with a moustache). The Times says that this will not go down well at the Box Office! I'm paraphrasing madly here as I can't remember the exact quote. The Independent is a bit sniffy about the Donmar season...\"Do we really need these American imports when we're sending so much good stuff to Broadway, blah, blah, blah\". But praises the production of \"Morphic Resonance\""}, {"response": 1301, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 24, 1999 (19:21)", "body": "Allison, I'm going to try to get the Guardian here and then put it up. Will check at Borders and Barnes & Noble today and tomorrow. If not, then you can send it, although the library here has the Guardian but many days later. I'll let you know. ************** (Elena) Colin said that...after Darcy he did get much more scripts to read than before but they were also a lot worse than before, for instance a lot of parts were offered in 'silly' American tv-series Hmmm, 'silly' American tv-series. Wonder which ones? ER has had quite a few Brits on beside Alex Kingston. (He hasn't played a doctor yet. I could see it.) Or perhaps he was being considered for the American version of Cracker, instead of Robert Pastorelli. ;-) (Elena) ...about the roles in 3DOR, I mean, which one is Colin's? Given the billing (Morrissey last), I expect (read: hope) Colin is playing the Walker/Ned character. Since you've probably finished reading the script, wouldn't you agree that part has MUCH more to offer to his audience of appreciative fans. Can anyone confirm this with the theater? (Winter) [Weinstein is] known in the industry to sit through screenings with a plate of chicken wings or some other meal on his lap, and the joke is, he chooses films based on how rarely he needs to shift butt cheeks over the course of a movie. Butt...we all know that liking movies is a gut thing. This story really fleshes out the expression! (Bethan) And BA isn't even well known in the UK, so promoting him here is inappropriate. GRRRRR!!! (AnnW) okay I can see why the Oscar nominees are there but why BA and if BA why not Colin. There may be method in their madness...BA has two (2) new films coming out; one with Sandra Bullock that is constantly being advertised on TV (name escapes me) and another with a huge cast of Gen-X stars called 200 Cigarettes. Dem guys don't do nuthin' for no reason! BTW, about two weeks ago posters went up for for Lock Stock and 2 Smoking Barrels and next week's Time Magazine has an article about it. Called it a \"blockbuster\" hit for the UK, having grossed $22 million. Attributed its ability to get an American distributor to Tom Cruise. (Ann) if it had been E. Macgregor appearing at the Donmar and appearing on stage for the first time in five years, it would have been in all the papers Yes, but that would've been because Ewan would have gotten out of bed in Act 2 stark naked and paraded across the stage. (That boy really likes to bare all - all the time!) Don't think Colin will do that. Tis a shame... Could be the Donmar's claim to fame, first Nicole, then Colin... (a little equal time for us ladies) (Moon) I wish he were more of a man and did something about it. He's starting to make me angry with his wimpy attitude. Wake up and smell the espresso Colin! What is he now? Chopped liver? I think he has woken up and smelled the expresso. That's why he's being so visible now and so totally adorable in all these interviews. Who knows what is going on behind the scenes relative to new parts. (Moon) And why not fight for the Mark Darcy role before it is taken. (Bethan) And I continue to think that MD is a foregone conclusion for him, and he won't have to fight anyone for the role. AD's involvement makes it more of a certainty! I'm not sure what comes first, but the BJD script may not have been accepted yet. Then they need a Bridget--the key role--then they will cast the others. And we haven't heard anything about a director either. Let's not lose our heads. BJD may be a long way from shooting. (Allison) If he wanted to go for major Hollywood romantic leads, he would now have to be contemplating his first face-lift! Ugh!! Well there was that extra skin above the ruff... But not all Hollywood romantic leads have taken that route. Harrison Ford, Sean Connery, Paul Newman and Robert Redford to name but a few have allowed themselves to age gracefully. (Bethan) Firth \"plays a Deep South weirdo with as much sex appeal as a breezeblock\" (ie none!) What the hell is a BREEZEBLOCK? Is Bill Clinton \"Deep South\"?... I like his accent. Nope, hillbilly gone to Yale and Oxford. For \"deep south,\" think Scarlett O'Hara. (JanaC)People have begun questioning my logic about flying so far for so short a period just to see a play. ...and to be with other my literary friends from the internet. Sort-of an electronic table at the Algonquin. That usually does it. (JanaC) \"Oh, I'm going over to see the sexist man in England.\" Shuts them up completely--until someone uttered Prince Charles. LOL!! Colin needs Prince Charles' publicist. (Lizza) Never underestimate the power of a wet shirted breezeblock, I say!! Shall we have this printed on some t-shirts? (just kidding)"}, {"response": 1302, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Feb 24, 1999 (19:43)", "body": "The article is at the Guardian site on http://www.filmunlimited.co.uk/news/0224/firth.html . I expect (read: hope) Colin is playing the Walker/Ned character. Yes, he is. In the article he says he is also playing his character's father."}, {"response": 1303, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 24, 1999 (20:21)", "body": "Thanks for the link, Allison. Where on earth did they get that picture? Did a quick scan of the article, and it doesn't mention the character's name. The other dual part (Pip/Theo) is also a father-son combo. I'm sure with his billing he has to be Walker/Ned rather than Pip/Theo."}, {"response": 1304, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Feb 24, 1999 (20:27)", "body": "The clock is ticking.... I am full of admiration for all the Donmar-bound Firthettes. Great adventurousness. I also have a v. nerdy question that betrays a shocking ignorance. I feel my full participation in Drool's conversation is hindered by my inability to quote bits from others' messages. Can someone stop laughing long enough to tell me how it's done?"}, {"response": 1305, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Feb 24, 1999 (20:48)", "body": "Help! i just wrote a reply to Ben and got an \"Internal Server Error\" for the second time."}, {"response": 1306, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Feb 24, 1999 (20:57)", "body": "I shall try again. Ben ... highlight the bit of text you want to refer to. Go to EDIT and copy it. In the body of your message type left pointy bracket i right pointy bracket. then copy the text. Finish with left pointy bracket /i right pointy bracket. Where left pointy bracket is . It sounds as clear as mud as I reread it but I hope your will be able to decypher it."}, {"response": 1307, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Feb 24, 1999 (21:04)", "body": "So, here goes...my three-quarter turn jacknife, with pike, into the information age (degree of difficulty for normal person 0.1, for me, 5.9) It sounds as clear as mud as I reread it but I hope your will be able to decypher it. Drum roll please, Mr Music....."}, {"response": 1308, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb 24, 1999 (21:07)", "body": "Unless I missed it altogether, no one has answered the Breezeblock question. Breeze is the material left over from the coking process and is used to reinforce concrete. Breezeblocks must be another form of a cinder block. Not very exciting at all! Ben, I'll give it a go. None of us were born knowing these things. first you bracket what you are quoting with html tags <> with an i inbetween. at the end of what you are quoting you put the same <> but with /i inbetween. To get the quoted passage you highlight with your mouse, hit control+c then bring the curser down to the html-prepared place and hit control+v. Your quote will show up there. do not forget to put the closing <> with the /i inside of it or everything will be in italics. If this is ot sufficient, ask questions and I will give it another go."}, {"response": 1309, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Feb 24, 1999 (21:07)", "body": "YES! Just call me Ben \"Gates\" Broadbent! I have of course infected the entire board with italics and ruined it for everyone but I DON'T CARE - I've just quoted something!!!"}, {"response": 1310, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Feb 24, 1999 (21:11)", "body": "I'm paraphrasing madly here as I can't remember the exact quote. Just to prove that I do not only take the Daily Mail! Like those old advertisements targeted at the \"thinking women who usually read the Times\"...\"\"every woman needs her Daily Mail\"..., we also take the Times.... To quote.... \"During filming of SIL, JF fell for GP - dressed as a boy:\"She made a lot of guys doubt their sexuality. I love that confusion of love\". I fear the admission is called bad box office.\""}, {"response": 1311, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Feb 24, 1999 (21:12)", "body": "Personally I love italics!!"}, {"response": 1312, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Feb 24, 1999 (21:13)", "body": "Testing"}, {"response": 1313, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Feb 24, 1999 (21:22)", "body": "Thanks for the link, Allison! I echo my earlier sentiments about this article. V. interesting. Glad to see he's getting some press over there; thanks again for calling it to our attention on this side of the pond. Ben, you might consider consulting Ann's HTML tutuorial. Renate thoughtfully included it at colinfirth.com. Don't worry about the italics. Haven't we all done that at least once? (Karen) Ewan would have gotten out of bed in Act 2 stark naked and paraded across the stage. LOL! BTW, doesn't Iain what's-his-name (Nicole's co-star) cartwheel naked across the stage in 'Blue room?' Now there's food for thought!!"}, {"response": 1314, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Feb 24, 1999 (23:17)", "body": "It hten describes a charity performance evening of song cance and poetry in Winchester, of which he was the MC and his hopes that it might be performed again in London and Oxford. \"But for London, it would need to be more polished and you'd need some real names; just me reading some poems is not exactly giong to pull in the crowds\". HA! Oh, boy, what, do you think, brings us the long way from Germany, and Finland, and Portugal, and the US, to the Donmar?!! -------- Ben, if you want to find out more about \"html\" go to \"Ann's Tag Tutorial\" on http://www.firth.com/afirthionado/afi.htm , then scroll down. or take the direct way..... http://www.spring.net/~anneh/toota.html"}, {"response": 1315, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (02:20)", "body": "I'm glas you guys have KarenRto put the brakes on all these wild speculations/assumptions about BJD. At the moment, the only degree of connection is a character named named \"Darcy\" and HF's wishful thinking. When we have something more concrete, THEN we can start the wild fantasizing ourselves!! RE; Guardian article. If Ms. Victoria Brittain is ignorant of the marital status of her subject, then she's not much of a journalist. If she IS aware, but calls it a \"steady relationship\"...I'm sorry, that don't cut it. It merely sets the stage for that snide and suggestive \"question\" RE: \"leading ladies\" later in the article, which puts the whole thing into tabloid territory pretty solidly IMO. Yesterday, I pulled out of the Seattle Times database, from Sept. 10 (quiz: What is the significance of that date?? Time's up!) 1989, an article much excerpted elsewhere, but discussed how making APT. 0 moved him to join Amnesty International upon returning to England. So this Refugee Program is not a new trend. Proud of you, DB!!"}, {"response": 1316, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (16:24)", "body": "Renate, I LOL'd when I read that line ('just me reading some poems is not exactly going to pull in any crowds') If he only knew that we'd fly thousands of miles to hear him read from the phonebook!! Especially if he were wet-shirted! Doesn't he know how little it would take? Actually, I found the article somewhat pathetic and except for explaining a cause he believes in, I would be disgusted if I were CF for the amount of space devoted to his Darcy role, the wet thing, and his prior (I would hope) propensity to become romantically involved with his fellow actors. Then all the inaccuracies: is young Will getting younger? shouldn't she have mentioned that our wet and heaving rake is now married and comfortably settled down? Yes, this Victoria Brittain is probably as awed by him as, say, Helen Fielding was, but come on... I can now understand his problems with the press. About the only thing I liked was: \"As the cuckolded officer in the Oscar-winning The English Patient, he was roundly criticised by one writer for making it impossible to believe that any woman could leave him for the spindly Ralph Fiennes.\" The only thing I would have changed is: \"the lizard-eyed and pencil-legged Ralph Fiennes!\" Amen. Hey, Winter, you're going to have cruise much more frequently through SM if he goes to LA on any sort of regular schedule. (KJArt)wild speculations/assumptions about BJD Isn't that why we're here? ;-)"}, {"response": 1317, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (17:24)", "body": "Allison, thanks for the Guardian link. Very interesting! I must say I felt bad somehow when I read earlier about that amount of money he was said to make in a year (reliable source?) because sums like that can make people lose their touch to reality. Wanting to work for something other than his own luxury life looks good....I really want to believe he\ufffds in earnest. (Karen)Who knows what is going on behind the scenes relative to new parts. Exactly, I\ufffdm pretty sure that a lot is happening (in case he\ufffds not planning to go into politics next! What a horrible and unerotic thought). (Karen) If he only knew that we'd fly thousands of miles to hear him read from the phonebook!! YES! Oh, sometimes I really wish he\ufffdd bother to visit here at Drool and finally understand some facts about his own attractiveness."}, {"response": 1318, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (17:53)", "body": "Another FirthAlert! Long article and new photo of CF in today's Daily Telegraph. I don't know if there's an electronic link, but I have two copies and could send one for scanning...3Deers? I like the photo...although he was apparently slightly reluctant to have it taken. He'd been fixing his stereo speaker on the wall, and it had fallen and hit him on the head. So he has (apparently) a lump on his forehead and a cut on his nose. Couldn't see these, but he seems to have a bruised cheekbone. Oh dear! Not a handy man! I think the interviewer takes a few side-swipes at him. Not my favourite paper! When interviewed, he was still living in his Hackney flat (bought in 1984) but was about to move. Still drives an old (12 years) Nissan. So, does not have a lavish lifestyle...not at all! Have to make tea for hungry family. Will post excerpts (and my comments) later!"}, {"response": 1319, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (18:19)", "body": "I\ufffdm thinking about the play rehearsals at Donmar continuously. Colin must be spending hours there every day by now. It really must be thrilling for him to return to theatre after so many years of movies. And to hear that the tickets are going so well.....the atmosphere a few days before the first night is something, you know, you\ufffdre building up this illusionary world in the theater and there are moments when you feel it\ufffds all going to just collapse and at times you\ufffdre full of crazy confidence. No wonder that you easily fall in love with those people you work with as intensely as that. The play seems pretty boring to me as a script and I\ufffdm trying hard to imagine how it\ufffds possible to be make it work on stage! (No doubt it\ufffdll work for us though!!!!)"}, {"response": 1320, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (19:07)", "body": "Maybe this should be for 115, but I seem to remember someone wanting an extensive cast list for SiL. Check this out, then there is a \"more\" link: http://us.imdb.com/Title?Shakespeare+in+Love+(1998 )"}, {"response": 1321, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (20:20)", "body": "(KJArt)Maybe this should be for 115, but I seem to remember someone wanting an extensive cast list for SiL. Check this out, then there is a \"more\" link Thank you, Dear. That would be me. Am going there directly!"}, {"response": 1322, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (20:26)", "body": "From BJD Days, the Telegraph is at: www.telegraph.co.uk Will check to see if article is at the electronic Telegraph next. Our boy does have a new publicist. All this press is incredible...and desirable. Since the play opens on March 1, will reviews be printed the next day. Think we are going to need some stockpiling of newspapers for all of us weekend arrivals. Would hate to miss out. ************* Ben, Ben, Ben, you are certainly dangerous with pointy things. While there is a certain euphoria attached to having mastered HTML italics, there's more satisfaction in having done one's job well and finishing things off. ;-) (A lesson to all men!) Thank you, Marcia, for the bleezeblock definition. Passing a construction site will conjure up all sorts of new images for me!"}, {"response": 1323, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (20:27)", "body": "should have added the http part http://www.telegraph.co.uk You will need to register though."}, {"response": 1324, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (20:38)", "body": "Hello everyone. I somehow feel very guilty that it has been nearly a week since I last posted. I am currently kicking myself, as a friend of mine who works for an airline told me yesterday that if he had known sooner about CF's play, he would have flown me over on a buddy pass for the weekend..... Can you imagine my despair? On a cheerier note, I am glad that MarciaH defined breezeblock. My bizarre imagination thought it could have been a(n) urinal cake! (a recent reference on \"Frasier\"). My horizons are broadened weekly at Drool!"}, {"response": 1325, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (20:41)", "body": "Couldn't find anything at the Electronic Telegraph, boo hiss! There were reviews of the 3DOR production here in Chicago. The actor who is playing the Walker/Ned combo is getting raves. (Tribune) \"But the revelation of the production is Letts' contrasting portrayals of the eccentric, free-wheeling Walker in the first act and the tense, stuttering Ned in the second. Letts already has proven himself a promising playwright with his \"Killer Joe,\" but nothing in his acting career thus far had suggested he is capable of the extraordinary emotional power and technical control he brings to this performance.\" (Sun-Times) \"Letts, whose play 'Killer Joe' has become a long-running Off-Broadway hit, is an actor of such blistering intensity that you can almsot feel the blood surging between his heart and his brain.\" Oohh, I can't wait to see Colin's interpretation of the character!"}, {"response": 1326, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (20:43)", "body": "Extracts from Telegraph.. He's asked how Livia has adjusted to London... Firth has a deeper empathy than most for her predicament.. \"She misses the small talk and verbal shorthand...When you are away from home it's the trivialities you long for. You can talk about the big issues anywhere, but you have to be very familiar with a language and a culture to take part in the chit-chat\" Firth is not what you might call a chit-chatty person. Definitely more a big issues sort; a fulminating over-the-newspapers-at-breakfast type, whose toast probably goes cold as he rails at the iniquities of the world. It is entirely in keeping that he should recently have become an ardent defender of asylum speakers in Britain. Indeed as he launches into an earnest explanation of his views, I find myself imagining that, however lacking in gossip Livia may be, her human rights vocabulay must be up to UN interpreter level by now. ( Huh! Livia may well share his interest, and I bet she'd rather have a husband who can talk seriously on issues, than someone who just blathers on about themselves or how much money they earn, or whatever. And why doesn't the (female) journalist actually tell us what his views are, as he's obviously gone to so much trouble to explain them? ) Will continue..there's too much for my slow typing! Must check the Electronic Telegraph. BTW, he mentions being at school (Junior High) in St Louis. He must have been about 12-13 at the time. He found it very tough and streetwise ,whereas he \"was still into train sets\". Found himself often having fist fights. Didn't like it very much!"}, {"response": 1327, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (21:10)", "body": "Thanks for sharing, Bethan. From Karen's post it looks like the article's not up at the Electronic Telegraph. More, please, as your time and typing permit! I'm finding all this political consciousness news to me about Colin (and I thought I was pretty well-read on the subject). Guess I never saw the '89 article KJArt referred to. Evelyn's right, IMO. He must have either a new pulicist or a new attitude toward publicity. I'm getting used to the personal details being wrong, so that doesn't bother me (though I agree with all who question the 'steady relationship' bit in the Guardian article. Duh-h). And in this new article he even spoke about Livia? I thought he considered the topic taboo!"}, {"response": 1328, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (23:12)", "body": "Another mention this time in tonight's Evening Standard , EMcG says \"the play is complicated in Act 1 she is the sister of Colin Firth and in Act 2 she is his wife? I have not read the screenplay does this make sense and does it mean Colin is indeed playing Walker. There does seem to be quite a buzz about this play, do hope it gets good reviews."}, {"response": 1329, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (23:16)", "body": "In case any of you are avoiding 115 because you have not seen SIL as yet, think about going there to learn about what you are going to see and what is going to be taking place. It did not spoil it for me. Rather, I found that I did not waste precious brain-power wondering what the author was saying, and spent my time in there more agreeably...watching for Wessex. It is such a charming and witty movie you will need to see it several times to gather it all in (\"What? no dogs?!\")I recommend you go in a do a little homework before you go, unless you like to be entirely clueless before you see it for the first time."}, {"response": 1330, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (23:30)", "body": "Have you seen \"Go Envy Joe\" at firth.com Specials?"}, {"response": 1331, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (23:36)", "body": "Just seen it Arami, it must be from the UK SIL Premiere because they were wearing those clothes at the Premiere and I hate to say it and apologise to any JF fans but his suit looked as if he had bought it at a second hand clothes shop and although he looked beautiful in SIL he doesn't hold a candle to Colin in real life."}, {"response": 1332, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (00:00)", "body": "Anyone who has ever cringed at his wide smiles on P&P2 should take a look at this one. It will be love all over again! How gorgeous he is! It almost hurts to see someone so dazzling handsome and charming at the same time. And, he is ours!! How kind of you to share it with us. Thanks, Arami, for telling us about it. It is the London Premier if that is a Yellow and Black striped tie. It is Allison's Keepsake."}, {"response": 1333, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (01:16)", "body": "Found this on DOR: Hot Tickets Might be a spoiler so beware but now we know Colin does play Walker/Ned. Is this the same site you saw Ann?"}, {"response": 1334, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (05:30)", "body": "Colin is so handsome it almost takes your breathe away to look at him and Livia is just so beautiful."}, {"response": 1335, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (08:12)", "body": "Also in the Evening Standard \"Londoner's Diary\": Under picture of CF as Darcy in wet shirt \"Will CF never be able to break free of the wet linen shirt image which made him the ultimate housewives' [!] pin-up after he starred in P&P? Firth opens next in an American play at the DW - but all anyone wants to know is what he's wearing. \"I just can't ger rid of it\" he tells me \"I tried wearing football shorts in FP and a codpiece in SIL but all anyone wants to know about is that white linen shirt\". He won't let on what he's wearing at the Donmar - but there s a good chamnce it may be wet and clinging. The play's name? 3 Days of Rain."}, {"response": 1336, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (08:17)", "body": "Yes, Heide, that's the article which I was referring to and thanks Allison for the above,I have been trying to find it without success. BTW there is a lovely photo of the cast of 3DOR over at Murph new Appreciation page."}, {"response": 1337, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (08:34)", "body": "(Marcia) In case any of you are avoiding 115 because you have not seen SIL as yet My avoiding times are over!! SIL has its premiere in Finland today and a big one too, it\ufffds in the three biggest cinemas which means they really believe it\ufffdll be a hit here. Trying to get tickets to see it tomorrow....oh, if a movie can make me this excited, I only wonder wonder how excited I\ufffdll be next week in London...?! And, he is ours!! Thanks, Marcia. Could you possibly repeat those lovely words as often as you can?...:-)"}, {"response": 1338, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (09:00)", "body": "I don't know if anyone else has managed to get the Telegraph but I'm sending my spare copy for scanning today...first class. Has anyone else seen it? I'll keep on quoting from the interview, but in short \"bursts\" as time allows. It makes him appear very serious and intense. The interviwer doesn't seem to have done any homework (why not some intelligent questions about his theatre career or even thes current 3DOR), so it's all the old chestnuts...his upbringing, schooling, relationships, son etc. Also nothing about his upcoming movie roles (lead roles!). Tumbledown was a long time ago. Quote: (Asked about Will) \"It's very simple, when you're not there, you miss him. If there's something happening and you're away from him, it's fairly devastating. It's a ghastly thing to be away from your child, so you squeezw asmuch as you can into your time together.\" I ask him what will happen to this careful balancing act if he starts a new family with Livia. A look of alarm seizes his face and he withdraws into a long, pensive silence. ( does not answer ) The interviewer says he is \"not unprepossessing, tall and rangy, and so clean shaven that she wonders if he secretly waxes ( perhaps he has a smooth skin and a good razor! ) She says he has a watchful grave face and she descibes his features as \"ordinary\". He seems to be apologising for his appearancee. \"I'm considered attractive by some people and completely ignored by others. So I know I'm somewhere inbetween...I don't take pleasure in disappointing people.\" Disappointing!!! Who says?"}, {"response": 1339, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (09:18)", "body": "Thanks for that Bethan, I have not seen the article and have been unble to get a copy. What was the heading and was there any mention of 3DOR. Im glad you have sent it off for scanning, so we will eventualy be able to read the whole article. Was the interviewer a man or a woman. In view of the fact that the Guardian and Telegraph have already done an interview with Colin, I think my best bets for the weekend have to be The Independent or The Times, what do you think?"}, {"response": 1340, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (12:29)", "body": "Cac't seem to e-mail today. Have been super-efficient and posted the Telegraph article. Look foward to seeing the scanned version by the 3Deers! No match for the \"Go envy Joe\" shot though. Love the big grin!...and Joe's not so shy, he's sure showing some gusto there! :-)"}, {"response": 1341, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (12:37)", "body": "Ann, the heading of the Telegraph article was \"My early life...as a nerd\" ! A reference to a comment CF makes about his schooldays as the only English student out of 2500 in a Junior High in St Louis, when \"I would try to endow myself with a swagger. You can imagine the combination, really, it was pretty catastrophic - a swaggering nerd.\" So, of course, guess what the headline is!!"}, {"response": 1342, "author": "Mannen", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (13:14)", "body": "Hi, I am knew to all this... But I am a CF fan, does that make me worthy? If so, whats the gossip? I live in Australia and consequently hear very little about the most beautiful actor in the world."}, {"response": 1343, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (13:21)", "body": "Your in the right place Mannen if ypu are a CF fan, welcome. We talk constantly about our favourite actor, discuss his films and are usually, not always, the first with the news. The main news at the moment is that he is going to be on the London stage next week, the first time in five years, in a play called 3 Days of Rain and many of his fans are travelling a very long way to see him, from America, Germany, Finland, Portugal, it is truely amazing but he is worth it."}, {"response": 1344, "author": "Mannen", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (13:28)", "body": "Wow! Travelling all that way! I'm impressed... I live in Australia and if finances etc. supported it... I'd be there too! But I'm afraid I will just have to watch his movies and dream. Does anyone know who is agent is, by any chance?"}, {"response": 1345, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (14:48)", "body": "Just skimming this morning's Electronic Telegraph....and there's the article, in the review section. Go to... (Will this show up in bright blue, as it's supposed to? I rather doubt it.)"}, {"response": 1346, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (14:49)", "body": "God! It didn't appear at all. Back to the drawing board."}, {"response": 1347, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (17:20)", "body": "Here's the picture from the Telegraph article: Thank you, Ben, for finding it in today's Electronic Telegraph, which you can get to here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk"}, {"response": 1348, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (18:16)", "body": "Hmmm....Karen was obviously paying attention in class, whilst Ben wasn't. How do you set up a link anyway? I thought you just typed in the URL, and hey presto! The Electronic Telegraph photo is different...it's not the \"taken just after the stereo speaker fell on his head\" photo, in which he looks rather gloomy and cheesed off (probably worrying about whether the speaker is damaged). Much prefer the \"hugs and kisses with Joe Fiennes\" photo http://firth.com/specials/hugs.htm (Now, will it link, or do I join Ben in detention?) The photo lends itself very much to a caption competition. I suggest \"This could be the start of a beautiful friendship\" \"I feel a buddy movie coming on\" \"Who needs Viola?\" Any more?"}, {"response": 1349, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (18:37)", "body": "How about: \"You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you\" (Joe doing the speaking, since he's doing the kissing). I'll bet the 3DOR producers had a major heart attack when they heard about their star receiving a facial gash days before opening. Hope he's a fast healer! I was wondering when an interviewer would finally get around to asking Colin about his year going to school in the U.S. (at least I've never read any previous comments from him about it). The early '70s was a cruddy time to be in jr. high in the U.S. (speaking from experience), but St. Lou is an especially rough place. Too bad his parents' teaching gig wasn't here in Massachusetts at Harvard or MIT -- a lefty like Colin would have fit in perfectly in the \"People's Republic of Cambridge.\" He doesn't mention how he was received by the females at his jr. high. I know my friends and I at that time were still Beatles-crazy and would have been most willing to teach an English exchange student about life beyond toy trains;-)"}, {"response": 1350, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (18:47)", "body": "The things one learns from overnight (for me) postings. I originally wanted to claim his Codpiece for my Keepsake, but was told Earls do not wear them. Now, CF tell an interviewee that he did wear one, and I am with another Keepsake. Decisions, decisions!!! Expect to see some new postings on SIL in 115 from you, Elena. Looking forward to drooling with you! What a happy month for Firth Fanatics. It will be difficult to keep up with the pace when you retun to the real world! Enjoy!!"}, {"response": 1351, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (18:53)", "body": "A nice little clip in The Express \"Play of the Week\" with photo of Colin and E.McG. Mentioned something to the effect that it is the week of the hearthrobs opening up in plays in London i.e. Colin & RS. said he hadnot been on stage for a while since \"The Caretaker?\", is that right. BTW Karen this time next week you will be winging your way to the UK."}, {"response": 1352, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (20:01)", "body": "Hi, Mannen! Welcome. Where are you from in Australia? Colin is represented by ICM. His agent is Paul somebody or other. Since Ellen of the FAQ's went off in a sulk, I do not know where to send you for the info but I am sure one of the people here on Drool will be able to help you:-) The Electronic Telegraph photo is different...it's not the \"taken just after the stereo speaker fell on his head\" photo Oh I liked that photograph. He looks so soulful. Don't you find it odd that he sounds so serious and almost grumpy in the Telegraph article but appeared so light and charming in the A&E interview. He does have a reputation for being serious. I just think he is a bit earnest. That is such a refreshing change from all these media friendly people who fill the feature pages of our newspapers. I like the fact that he is involved in a cause for which he gets no reward. There is always the danger that cele rities take on these things as an extension of their PR activities. I suspect that in CF's case he is still trying to convince the world that he is to the left of Fitzwilliam Darcy and that is the only reason he mentions it. He obviously has been interviewed at these premieres and they have not been shown. Do you think it was because he came across as too serious? Is there a UK equivalent of that woman who interviewed him on A&E? He/she should get the job. She was a rather delightful airhead. I thought he was trying to help her along with the interview. It brought out the sweet side of him. it is the week of the hearthrobs It really is tiresome that the UK press always talk of him as a heart throb. It must be as vexing for him as it is for us."}, {"response": 1353, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (20:33)", "body": "One good question from Judith Woods in the Torygraph \"I ask him what will happen to this careful balancing act if he starts a new family with Livia....\" That has been on my mind too. In my mother hen mode I worry about how poor Livia will cope if they do have children. She will be expected to dash over to LA every second week. With small children in tow that would be a nightmare. Also she may feel that her children will never match up to Will. Their children will constantly be under CF's feet and may not appeal to him so much as his son whom he only sees a few times a year. Even if that is not what Colin actually thinks, Livia may always feel that w y. If they are not careful that will be such a cause of tension."}, {"response": 1354, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (21:37)", "body": "Can someone please go to \"Aint it Cool news\" webpage, I have just been surfing the net and visited one of my bookmarked pages and what should I find but an item marked \"A Look at Hugh Hudson's MLSF\", fantastic I thought some news about MLSF but when I click on nothing happens, could someone else try and see it they have more luck and please report back, its so frustrating so near and yet so far."}, {"response": 1355, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (21:46)", "body": "Please ignore that last posting, I haved managed to access the item, worth a look, good for Colin mixed for the film. (some spoilers) www.aint-it-cool-news.co and scroll down."}, {"response": 1356, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (21:50)", "body": "I usually defend my colleagues because I know what the work is like but the story in the Telegraph angers and frustrates me, and I\ufffdm almost ashamed of the writers\ufffd hostility. A couple of articles like this and he\ufffdll stop giving interviews. She has a strong attitude that she doesn\ufffdt want to hide, no, she\ufffds almost proud for daring to mock Colin and really punch him under the belt (is there such a phrase in English?). \"...is really a little man with a megaphone\"!! Seems to me that the writer is just a little woman with a megaphone called the DT. Obviously Colin has talked to her a lot about his thoughts but only managed to tire her instead of getting the thoughts in the paper: \"he takes most things seriously\". I also really despise that description of his looks, it\ufffds pointlessly cruel: \"Dormouse colour, secretly axes, rather ordinary\". She\ufffds got a problem, whatever it is."}, {"response": 1357, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (22:03)", "body": "Ann. Here is the link, I hope http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com/display.cgi?id=3118 I agree. Good about CF lukewarm about the film. Surely they must have done editing by now..."}, {"response": 1358, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (22:08)", "body": "(Elena)punch him under the belt (is there such a phrase in English? Indeed there is. It is called \"a low blow\" in America, or \"Hitting below the belt.\""}, {"response": 1359, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (22:26)", "body": "Thanks, Marcia. Translating phrases is always dangerous without checking them out but luckily there are some international ones. For instance, I really cannot know if it sounds so bad in English to call a man\ufffds hair \"dormousy brown\". In Finnish it\ufffds horrible."}, {"response": 1360, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (22:37)", "body": "A couple of articles like this and he\ufffdll stop giving interviews. I agree with you Elena. I didn't particularly like the way this interview was reported. What's wrong with being serious...and couldn't she have actually reported some of his serious views, which he took the trouble to explain, instead of implying that he must bore his wife! And why so many questions about his private life? Why didn't she ask him about 3DOR, or appearing in a lead role in the West End straight from drama school, or acting with Anthony Hopkins, or being directed by Harold Pinter? He obviously didn't smile at her ....I don't blame him! And what a silly headline! I also think that asking someone \"Are you happy?\" is terribly unoriginal. I'm surprised he answered her so conscientiously. I'd award the interviewer nil points! I actually thought the \"People\" interview was a much more professional job...positive reporting, some nice anecdotes from CF, factually correct and well researched, and quite upbeat about CF and his career. MLSF...the review was actually better than I expected, and hopefully it's now been more sharply edited. Two hours can be quite long....105 minutes is often the optimimum for holding attention. \"Gentle uncomplicated coming of age (story)..some great moments onscreen...cinematography consistently catches the eye ... and Colin Firth is especially good as the flawed father figure (YES!!!)\". A good re-edit should hopefully pull it more together and tighten the subplots and eliminate some of the less memorable moments. This screening seems to have been (as the reviewer says) a work in progress."}, {"response": 1361, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (22:37)", "body": "I am afraid in the UK, most of us are resigned to having \"mousey\" coloured hair. It is just a fact of life, not an insult. Fortunately some of us liven it up a bit at the hairdresser!!"}, {"response": 1362, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (22:39)", "body": "--Eileen--at 1327 you said you couldn't recall the 1989 reference to his joining Amnesty International. I KNEW I'd seen it somewhere and did...at an Apt. 0 site. It was an article by John Hartl, but the Seattle Times was not mentioned. You can still find it as the first of 3 articles cited at: http://members.aol.com/Sensi38465/Apartment_Zero.html That isn't where I originally found it, but with a little digging... And Allison (1353)...I think that was a \"None of your d--n business\" silences!!!"}, {"response": 1363, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (22:39)", "body": "(Bethan) This screening seems to have been (as the reviewer says) a work in progress. But it has been in progress for a year now???"}, {"response": 1364, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (22:44)", "body": "\"I tried wearing football shorts in FP and a codpiece in SIL but all anyone wants to know about is that white linen shirt\". I'll try if I can settle for the Arsenal boxer shorts if that is his wish. (Marcia) I originally wanted to claim his Codpiece for my Keepsake, What are you waiting for, Marcia! ;-p I don't see how you could get any closer to, erm, the spirit of Shakespearean art."}, {"response": 1365, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (23:41)", "body": "Judith Woods mentions the female hormones. That must actually be the explanation to her sarcastic style, she\ufffds trying very hard to prove that she hasn\ufffdt got them i.e. isn\ufffdt one of those female journalists who were reputed to drool on their notepads when interviewing \"Mr. Darcy\" (naturally they did! Who wouldn\ufffdt?!) :-)....."}, {"response": 1366, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Feb 27, 1999 (00:01)", "body": "This American of British Ancestry also has mousy-brown hair. It has to be some genetic identifier or something else abstruse. Otherwise I would have been born with Colin's auburn curly locks and skin to die for all over his body! make that My body ;) Ok, giving up the index-finger ring of which I was going to write the inserting his long strong finger through me.....! and going for the codpiece. Back to 113 for a moment."}, {"response": 1367, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Feb 27, 1999 (00:12)", "body": "The above photo looks like one taken at the Berlin press conference... Does he look like he's been waxing his chin? The pic in The Express is a b/w version of the cast photo we can see at Murph's page, except that David Morrissey has been left out. Being less known, he just doesn't make for any good gossip, you see. Btw, a little earlier tonight I have watched Robbie Coltrane in Michael Parkinson's TV chat show, and must say that if our favourite actor could manage at least a small percentage of Coltrane's confident, nonchalant and yet wholly likeable manner during interviews, then... well, we wouldn't have much to talk about! ;-)"}, {"response": 1368, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Feb 27, 1999 (00:15)", "body": "I am truly sorry they insist on sending androgenous females to ask inane questions of our DB. However, I am pleased to pieces that he has the maturity and feel secure enough that he can stonily reject questions of such a nature as the ones asked of him in the Telegraph. I was also trained as a journalist, but they seem to have a new breed out there. Elena, keep your ethics. Glad you are one of the great jopurnalistic fraternity."}, {"response": 1369, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Feb 27, 1999 (00:19)", "body": "That was supposed to be \"journalistic\"...perhaps I too have a problem with it =P Of course, I would drool copiously, short out my little tape recorder, render my scribbling on my notepad illegible, but I would be Smiling should I have the chance to interview him (I'd be staring like an idiot, tongue out and pupils fixed. That, or out cold!)"}, {"response": 1370, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Feb 27, 1999 (01:27)", "body": "Did anyone else notice the link at the bottom of the Telegraph interview with CF was called: \"How Could She Be So Stupid.\" Anyone want to hazzard a guess as to who \"she\" is and why she was so stupid during the CF interview?!"}, {"response": 1371, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Feb 27, 1999 (01:47)", "body": "This screening seems to have been (as the reviewer says) a work in progress. But it has been in progress for a year now??? (Allison) Playing detective, I think that this review, although it has a current date, actually dates back to the first preview in NY (which Ben saw). Otherwise, why does the reviewer say that the passes and questionnaires for the movie carried the titled \"The Roaring Game\"? The movie was originally called \"World of Moss\", then became \"My Life So Far\" , and then was very briefly re-titled \"The Roaring Game\" about a year ago, before reverting back to MLSF. The re-editing must have been completed, surely!"}, {"response": 1372, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Feb 27, 1999 (08:24)", "body": "(Bethan)Playing detective, I think that this review, although it has a current date, actually dates back to the first preview in NY I do hope your theory is right, Bethan. It did say, if I remember correctly that this was a fist screening? I did like his assessment of CF didn't you? We must hang onto that."}, {"response": 1373, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Feb 27, 1999 (09:32)", "body": "At last, my scanning of small theatre ads pays off and in today's Times 3DOR is listed. BUT (Read on!) Three days of rain: Elizabeth McGovern heads the cast of Richard Greenberg's play, greatly liked at the Manhatttan Theatre Club last year. Robin Lefevre directs. For once, I actually laughed (instead of \"fulminating over my breakfast\"!) For most other productions they even give two or three actors names (\"Alison Steadman and Samantha Bond star\", \"Nick Wilton, Brian Deacon and Edward de Souza star\" etc.) And does EM \"head\" the cast...I thought it was a two-hander, or three-hander. Oh well, with my new found calm , I shall return to my toast!! (Good they mention Robin Lefevre though..he has a good reputation as director)"}, {"response": 1374, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Feb 27, 1999 (12:09)", "body": "Personally I wish he would desist from doing newspaper and magazine interviews but would do more live or recorded TV interviews, then we could make up our own minds on what he has said and not rely on some bigoted and biased interviewer's opinion."}, {"response": 1375, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Feb 27, 1999 (13:09)", "body": "....and how come he comes over as charming and witty in the recent live interviews, ie A&E & Berlin PC, and yet is serious and boring as interpreted by this, for want of a better word, woman. I guess that charming and just plain nice is not newsworthy."}, {"response": 1376, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Feb 27, 1999 (14:56)", "body": "in today's Times 3DOR is listed. BUT (Read on!) Three days of rain: Elizabeth McGovern heads the cast... This is EM's publicist hard at work."}, {"response": 1377, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 27, 1999 (16:43)", "body": "Am I glad that I'm not the only one who felt another surge of disgust with the tone of this article, which should have been subtitled \"Out to Debunk the Hunk.\" That question about how he and Livia will cope with being a flying father when and if they have children reads as though he's never given it any thought. Perhaps Colin's \"expression of alarm\" really meant \"how dare you ask such a personal question!\" ...and AnnW, one week from today we will all be sitting front and center at the Donmar watching ODB performing brilliantly!"}, {"response": 1378, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Feb 27, 1999 (18:02)", "body": "one week from today we will all be sitting front and center at the Donmar watching ODB performing brilliantly! Oh, my butterflies..."}, {"response": 1379, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Feb 27, 1999 (18:10)", "body": "Has anyone thought to take a laptop with them and post a snippet to your London-deprived fellow Firthians? It would be lovely to get your first thought and group tingle while you can still feel it. This is going to be the longest week on record followed by a weekend blurr. Take notes as things progress and let us know the knots forming inside and the butterflies."}, {"response": 1380, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Feb 27, 1999 (19:25)", "body": "KJArt, could you please e-mail me the famous script?"}, {"response": 1381, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Feb 27, 1999 (19:26)", "body": "--KarenR--Although I worded it so badly in 1363 that was exactly what I meant...that he was outraged by the question, too much a gentleman to say so overtly, and just gave her one of his \"pensive\" none-of-your-business silences. You always word it so much better than I do!!"}, {"response": 1382, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Feb 27, 1999 (21:40)", "body": "I have just visited the excellent Colin Firth Filmography page and marvelled at the amount of work that has been done and is being done, when a thought struck me and that is I do hope Colin doesn't sport a moustache to differentiate between the two characters he plays in 3DOR,. A beard and moustache is fine but a moustache on its own, hmmm I gues it goes back to the fact that my least favourite CF portrayal has to be the cad he played in Circle of Friends, can't remember his name at the moment, and it s mehow distorts his lovely mouth."}, {"response": 1383, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Feb 27, 1999 (22:31)", "body": "Yes, Gi, directly I get off line (about 40 min.s) the play is yours! Ann W--(1375) Your noting the difference in DB's manner in interviews, live or otherwise, I think can be directly attributable to the purpose and nature of the interview and therefore the content of its questions. He looks relaxed and smiling at these publicity interviews because they're asking him about what turns him on--his work, the shoot, his fellow actors, his interpretation of the piece, etc. These others look like they're for selling papers with the abuse and distortion of his words,..and in th s regard, in light of Judith Woods' sarcastic scribblings, they make Victoria Brittain's blunders appear positively benign! I guess in their line of work, they're required to dig for anything that may appear remotely scandalous so as to appeal to a certain market...I'm sure our DB is already wise to this sort of thing and exercises his patience, tact, etc. to the nth degree, but he's not going to be charming...he'll be serious, reticent, and even hesitant or silent. So one interviewer will have a completely different impression of our beloved chameleon from another...depending on what they're asking for. Have a nice day!!:-) :-p"}, {"response": 1384, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Feb 27, 1999 (23:14)", "body": "Hey - why don't we email The Telegraph en masse with our reservatios about their \"so-called woman reporter's sarcastic scribblings\"? You're preaching to the converted here - go tell it to the editor! :-)"}, {"response": 1385, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Feb 27, 1999 (23:33)", "body": "Ben, are you there? I hope you don't intend to be silent until you have mastered html, because it takes a lifetime. Almost. ;-p I know what I am talking about :-). I recall you gave a brief review of My Life So Far aka Roaring Game some month ago. Do you recall the approx. date and circumstances of that preview? Why I ask: there's a report from a preview in New York (?) on the famous http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com/ site. It sounds a lot like what you reported then; perhaps this aint-it-cool report is not as new as it appears."}, {"response": 1386, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Feb 28, 1999 (01:24)", "body": "Some more goodies at: http://www.firth.com/specials/spec.htm"}, {"response": 1387, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Sun, Feb 28, 1999 (03:01)", "body": "Ann: Just one week and all of you guys will be together. I know that all of you must be os excited. CF in the flesh. Oh my heart!!!"}, {"response": 1388, "author": "Mannen", "date": "Sun, Feb 28, 1999 (07:08)", "body": "Have any of you actually met before? I know if I did, I'd probably only embarrass myself by uttering monosyllables (or simply just fainting, which ever came to mind first.) For those lucky people who are going to see him perform, do any of you have plans to acquire autographs, photos or even keepsakes?"}, {"response": 1389, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Feb 28, 1999 (09:11)", "body": "Mannen we are hoping to bring home a few programmes, can't promise they will be autographed, but if you would like one I should be pleased to send one to you."}, {"response": 1390, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Feb 28, 1999 (09:29)", "body": "Oh well, in just over 24 hours he'll be on stage. I'm beginning to feel terribly envious of all you lucky ladies...and also rather feeble in that I'm not going myself. I'm hampered by the fact(s) that I completely conceal my admiration of CF from my family, my husband has no interest in the theatre, and we're not within \"an easy distance\" of London. If it had been a longer run, I would have contrived to arrange a meeting/conference in London and combined this with a matinee. I hope he stages his charity s ng and poetry performance in Oxford, as my son starts at the University next term (good excuse to go there!) and my husband is very interested in Human Rights issues, and would be more than willing to support something like this (even if it meant listening to some \"mousey-haired\" bloke reading poetry! :-) But the Donmar is difficult...so I shall have to live vicariously. I've decided to ignore whatever the British critics write (although I very much hope it is good), but they are a mealy mouthed, begrudging bunch at best, and downright hostile at worst, with a great delight in cutting actors down to size (unless they're Julielle Binoche, or Nicole Kidman, or anyone female, unclothed or beautiful!) The one way that all of you who are fortunate to attend can show your appreciation, is by giving him some truely resounding applause at the end of the performance...and I mean R SOUNDING! It will be a way of saying \"Thank you\" for all the marvellous and often critically unappreciated performances he's given over the years! So, Go to it, ladies!! Raise the rafters!"}, {"response": 1391, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Feb 28, 1999 (09:33)", "body": "There darn blips.. RESOUNDING, RESOUNDING, RESOUNDING and of course it should be Juliette Binoche!"}, {"response": 1392, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Feb 28, 1999 (12:34)", "body": "(Marcia) keep your ethics... I would drool copiously --but I would be Smiling My favourite fantasy (I hereby reaveal it to you, dear fellow droolers) is that I\ufffdm assigned to interview him and what would happen then!!!......(CENSORED). In real life I think I\ufffdd be pretty nervous in advance about the \ufffdgig\ufffd as we call them and to hide it from him, behave pretty stiffly. And afterwards I\ufffdd feel quite ashamed for my unprofessional reaction and to hide it from the public and the editor, I\ufffdd end up writing a stiff article! That\ufffds one of my theories. One thing is certain, I wouldn\ufffdt smile very much, it would give away too much. (Arami) why don't we email The Telegraph en masse with our reservatios about their \"so-called woman reporter's sarcastic scribblings\"? Arami, I believe she\ufffds doing what her boss wants her to do and that\ufffds to provoke. Emails like that would mean to her boss that she has succeeded! It\ufffds as cynical as that. They probably have discussed the style of the article in advance and decided that it\ufffds not going to be the blah blah he\ufffds so cute blah blah sort of stuff. (Mannen)Have any of you actually met before? I know if I did, I'd probably only embarrass myself by uttering monosyllables Mannen, that\ufffds what I\ufffdm going to do next weekend, embarrass myself in London by uttering silly monosyllables and clutching my dictionary desperately. I do not speak English very fluently, especially not in the state of mind and feelings that I\ufffdll be next Saturday. Still I\ufffdm taking the risk, I guess it won\ufffdt kill me....just hurt a little."}, {"response": 1393, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Feb 28, 1999 (13:15)", "body": "Good for you Elena, look forward to meeting you, is it five or six days to go, I am all of a dither!!!Not really, I am not a ditherer or at least I thought I wasn't until I found I couldn't stop shaking when seeing you know who at the London Premiere."}, {"response": 1394, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Sun, Feb 28, 1999 (14:01)", "body": "All of you are going to have so much fun. I know that if I was going I could sleep for days at the prospect of seeing him in the flesh."}, {"response": 1395, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Feb 28, 1999 (14:19)", "body": "Ann, I know we\ufffdre all thinking about how we\ufffdll survive (!) the situation and what our reactions will be. I also know that my knees will be absolutely weak at the moment when the lights go low and the play is to begin.....and he\ufffds to be there in a minute, alive in front of us and doing a highly professional job. Btw, for some reason I\ufffdm so terribly and warmly glad that he has moved back to London, I feel that\ufffds where he should be; or in Britain anyway. I used to feel sick about his living in Rome and talking about the British not having a culture or something like that, ha! (No offence to Rome, I just feel strongly that he\ufffds basically a very British man, that\ufffds all)."}, {"response": 1396, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Feb 28, 1999 (17:23)", "body": "Yesterday was so beautiful, gorgeous sunshine, I was in Stratford and half expected to see Wessex's pearl earring and goatee around each half timbered corner!! It made me think how perfect it would be if next Saturday's weather was like that too!! Bethan you can't join us, we will have to bring you a keepsake!!! I feel strangly calm about the whole thing, as if it is not really going to happen. Thanks to you all for posting news and articles this week. A BIG thank you Renata, love the link!!!"}, {"response": 1397, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Feb 28, 1999 (17:27)", "body": "Forgot to say that I saw JE on TV ( wake up Ben). I thought she seemed shy and a rather nervous, but looked lovely. She didn't really disclose much at all ( a skill learnt from our DB?) but we did have a screen flash about her cat. Hope you are into things feline Ben!"}, {"response": 1398, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sun, Feb 28, 1999 (19:22)", "body": "Mannen: I once met CF, many moons ago, which was my original excuse for interloping onto this board in the first place. Renata: of course you didn't offend about HTML. I'm just incorrigably lazy. Finally, I love cats, though there comes a time when they must be thrown off the bedspread and make way for.... Surely Jennifer only has this crittur, sweet as it may be, to fill her yearning for something else, the one whom fate has chosen.....?"}, {"response": 1399, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 28, 1999 (19:52)", "body": "Have been reconsidering CF's recent interviews and the emphasis on Darcy, wet shirts and tight breeches. Please correct me if I'm wrong, ladies, but he was a phenomenon, wasn't he? Of course, one can't shake that type of baggage and no self-respecting journalistic rag is going to take the high road and ignore what they believe is the *hook* to readership. In a way, Colin's Darcy was (don't stone me!) like the Leonardo di Caprio thing with Titanic. (This has to do with image--not acting comparisons.) You British ladies, has there been in recent years anything like the impact Colin's Darcy had on the viewing public? A home-grown heart throb of that magnitude?"}, {"response": 1400, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Feb 28, 1999 (19:53)", "body": "Elena, I am sure I would be as dignified as I could possibly be (and that can be quite formidable I am told). Then I would do as you suspect you would do - be stiff and write a stilted report. Still, it is preferable to having him think ill of me. Since so many of us would love to have some small token of your trip to 3DOR and my ancestral sod, could someone check for pocket lint from having been in the same room with our Fellow Droolers And ODB. Save it for me with the rumpled tissues and gum wrappers. I am happy with whatever you save for me =)) I checked the Telegraph photo and the E-Telegraph's and the E-T won by miles. Why did they use a poorly cropped one of him in their newspaper?!"}, {"response": 1401, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Feb 28, 1999 (21:58)", "body": "Not only poorly cropped, but also taken a bit too close, so the wide angle lens distorts his noble features slightly. Karen, I think you talk a lot of sense here - you're right, of course, but allow the not-so-cool rest of us to fume! Bethan, my poor friend, I feel for you! My hubby agreed to go with me, but he likes the theatre, and in addition he's curious about the fellow who turned his old woman's head... I told him a little about the play and he said: \"Oh, great - now I know all about it, I may as well not go.\" So I asked if I could swap his ticket for another evening, but he said no... So - it's beginning tomorrow... two weeks of hope and glory for one actor and several bunches of his fans from around the globe... As for the applause - it is not only the final applause that matters, though it matters most, of course. There is a long standing tradition among theatregoers to greet favourite actors with applause as they step onto the stage at the beginning of the performance. It establishes a nice buzz and lifts the actors right from the start. Let's go to it."}, {"response": 1402, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Feb 28, 1999 (23:30)", "body": "Gi--did you get your pkay? Bethan--did you get your play? Mannen--I can't seem to get your e-mail address right...send it to me."}, {"response": 1403, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Feb 28, 1999 (23:57)", "body": "Mannen, a warm welcome. You've made the plunge and I hope you'll stay. I think the best policy for me should I be so lucky as to be within talking distance is to keep my mouth shut before I embarrass myself completely. I tend to laugh like a giddy schoolgirl when I'm nervous so Donmar ladies, keep a gag handy to quickly stuff into my mouth. I think there is no fear that the applause won't be resounding. I'm afraid that even if the play turns out to be a stinker, I will think it's the best thing I've ever seen performed. Allison, we're counting on you for those first personal reviews. And anything any of you lucky UK ladies find in the paper will be greatly appreciated. Spoilers be damned, most of us know the script anyway. Those of you who aren't going, thanks for your kind thoughts. I hope I'd be just as generous if I were staying home. But I wouldn't count on it. ;-)"}, {"response": 1404, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (00:13)", "body": "Heidi, Allison or Ann or somebody going will you Pretty Please snag me a broucher or something with Colin's name on it? I will be eternally grateful! Thanks! SBR"}, {"response": 1405, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (00:14)", "body": "Oh, and Mannen welcome! Is this place wonderful?"}, {"response": 1406, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (00:16)", "body": "Karen, No, I didn't get 3DOR but I received your email enquiry as to whether I had received it...and I must sincerely apologise for not replying. I was intending to do so. The email address I'm using (netaddress) is causing me problems at the moment. It takes me ages to read my messages, and I'm not always sure about the messages that I send. Please would you email me 3DOR again, if it's not too much trouble. I'd welcome some advice on a reliable email address (yahoo?, hotmail?) as I'd like to change. Bethan, my poor friend, I feel for you! (Arami) I feel for myself too. I'm really wishing that I'd been more intrepid, taken a day off work, booked a matinee performance and invented some excuse for a trip (toute seule) to London. But I'm just not up to all this subterfuge! And I have to admit I rather enjoy my \"secret\" admiration...but the price I pay is not being able to see him! In the London theatre listings, he's now officially topping the billing for 3DOR (not EM)! There is a long standing tradition among theatregoers to greet favourite actors with applause as they step onto the stage at the beginning of the performance I wouldn't be able to stop applauding though. Could this be offputting to the actor, particularly one who is self-effacing like CF? I'm beginning to think it's a good thing I'm not going...I'm sure I wouldn't be able to concentrate on the play! I went to a function in my son's school last week, held in the theatre which has a seating capacity of 300, and it made me realise just how small the Donmar is. You really will get a close-up view!"}, {"response": 1407, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (00:35)", "body": "Actually, I'd be seriously worried about disgracing myself by squeaking or squealing, or calling out \"Co-lin\", and being ejected for disruptive behaviour! Much better that I stay at home (I'm trying to convince myself!:-) )"}, {"response": 1408, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (00:50)", "body": "(bethan) being ejected for disruptive behaviour! Much better that I stay at home (I'm trying to convince myself!:-) ) So am I, but it is not working. It is just lucky I am this far away or I would have been sorely tempted and bitterly disappointed at not going. Those who are going and have cooler heads, please look out for the dignity of our overwhelmed sisters. I appreciate their plight."}, {"response": 1409, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (01:59)", "body": "Could this be offputting to the actor, particularly one who is self-effacing like CF? I grew up in a theatrical family, and believe me - there's no such thing as a self-effacing actor! :-) Cool, modest, level-headed, shy - yes: a self-effacing PERSON, but not a self-effacing ACTOR... Praise and appreciation for one's work is never offputting. It is welcome, it is hoped for and craved. How can you expect a fish to swim without water? Wanting to act and disliking audience is unnatural, contradictory. Applause at first sight is the best award an actor can wish for."}, {"response": 1410, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (02:11)", "body": "Oh, and Bethan, I can recommend http://www.iname.com I've had a very reasonable service from them."}, {"response": 1411, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (03:48)", "body": "Oh Mannen!!! Welcome .....this is the most wonderful place. I must have lurked for almost six months before saying anything. The people are absolutely wonderful. I just hope that when I get my new puter I remember how to hook this site up. It took forever before. I could not bear not the have it. ENJOY!!!!!"}, {"response": 1412, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (08:02)", "body": "Bethan, I too am sorry you are unable to go, so near yet so far and as a consolation can I get you a souvenir programme and SBR I should be delighted to get you a programme also, I feel so lucky to be going and sorry for everyone who is not."}, {"response": 1413, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (09:34)", "body": "(Karen)he was a phenomenon, wasn't he? Of course, Yes he was. I think what was unique was that it affected women who were not in the usual swooning category. There are often heart throbs for the teens but CF completely blew away women of \"a certain age\". It was one of the few times that I remember discussing a television programme with friends. The men would be happily discussing how true it was to the original etc while, invariably, the women were muttering amongst themselves about how unbelievably gorgeous that Mr D was. It really was \"Darcy Fever . I cannot remember anything like it. Have been reconsidering CF's recent interviews Does any one know how these interviews are done? Re reading them, what impresses me is that they are both obviously dealing with the same material. The Telegraph only seems intersted in CF's personal life and that he is obviously unwilling or reluctant to discuss. She seems not to have made any attempt to discuss his other work or even 3DOR. I could think of a hundred questions I would have lliked to ask him about that. The Guardian is happy to talk about the asylum issue bacause that would interest t eir readers and to put personal things to the background (marriage as a steady relationship...pulease..). Even there there were no real insights. Perhaps we know him so well that only a Ph.D. thesis on the subject would give us information we do not have). Generally two poor articles: Telegraph 3/10: Guardian 6/10. *************** I am feeling so nervous about 3DOR. I wonder how Colin is feeling? He is a professional so presumably he is used to handling these feelings but it must be hard after 5 years away from the stage and the first time he has performed live post-Darcy. I suspect the person with most butterflies is Livia. I wonder how easy he has been during rehearsals! She is probably seeing a new side of him. I hope she is bearing up."}, {"response": 1414, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (09:35)", "body": "Help, I was sure I closed the tags!"}, {"response": 1415, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (09:36)", "body": "testing"}, {"response": 1416, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (10:02)", "body": "To compensate for all those italics and for a further possible explanation of the Telegraph article go to: http://hem.passagen.se/lmw/news.html ."}, {"response": 1417, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (11:41)", "body": "Lizza, Arami, Ann, Bethan, what does one wear to the theater in England? Another thought, should we consider sending flowers to him backstage? \"To a favourite actor, from a group of Internet overseas fans\" or something like that."}, {"response": 1418, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (11:43)", "body": "KJArt, thank you for the play, and I just wrote an e-mail to thank you also :-)"}, {"response": 1419, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (15:03)", "body": "Thanks to all for the multitude of links. I agree with the sentiment about the DT article. It didn't start off too badly until the \"secretly waxes\" remark. Sheesh! What an \"insightful\" observation! And he has *never* considered the potential impact of another child on his life?? C'mon! No wonder he was in a less-than-good mood during the interview. Even as an ardent fan, I can't expect all the press to be good, but this article(and one other I read over at Jane's site [now gone] that came out around the time FP premiered--the one that starts out with him in the make-up chair, asking to have his eyebrows built up, saying he was 'really a queen' about that sort of thing, etc.--remember it?) really reaches to find something unfavorable. It makes me appreciate his depth all the more. What do you know? He's human! I know where my thoughts will be around 3 p.m., eastern time. Break a leg, Colin!"}, {"response": 1420, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (16:41)", "body": "Arghhhhhhhhh!!! It is no good. To be a Colin Firth fan you have to be a super sleuth or psychic. From today's Evening Standard, Hot Tickets page. \"From Tonight\" under theatre, it has, \"3 Days of Rain. The American imports season continues ..............The cast is headed by Elizabeth McGovern, fresh from the Scarlett Pimpernell, and Robin Lefevre directs\". No mention of CF. I think I am going to give up!!!!!!!!!!! Break a leg, Colin! However, I shall give him one last chance, this Friday. So I really hope he does not, Eileen."}, {"response": 1421, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (17:47)", "body": "Welcome Mannen, this is a real paradise, lovely droolers and an even lovlier object of drool!! The tension is getting to me at last. we should savour this week because there will never be one quite like it again, the run up to something truly amazing. Yes , go break a leg DB (well you nearly broke your nose!!) and let us hope those scars have faded."}, {"response": 1422, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (19:22)", "body": "Fresh from the Scarlet Pimpernel .....oh, please!!! Incroyable! Really incroyable! OK.. NEWS In today's (guess what) Daily Telegraph: \"Forever Darcy...Firth tipped for role in Fielding's creation....Screenwriter Andrew Davies has just finished his first draft of the script for BJD. Davies is well qualified for his task..he adapted P&P, on which BJD was based, for the BBC. \"I'm doing my best to enhance the similarities\" He tells me. \"And infact I think that Colin Firth, who played Mr Darcy in P&P, would be wonderful as Mark Darcy\". AD has obviously written the script (a solo effort, it would seem) with Colin in mind as MD. I like the bit about \"enhancing the similarities\". He adds that it's \"a bit delicate\" adapting such a hugely successful book, but \"Helen has been a very good sport\". AD is very professional and experienced...I would think his \"first draft\" would be near to perfect, so hopefully thry could start shooting soon. And Colin has to be MD. Nice (small) pic of CF as Darcy. Will send whole item for scanning! Okay, break a leg, Colin!"}, {"response": 1423, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (19:24)", "body": "Just popped to CHAT, LOL Karen, Heide and KJ!!! Very entertaining and good to see some action there at last."}, {"response": 1424, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (19:30)", "body": "I wish people would stop telling him to break a leg. I just have nightmares about \"Mr Colin Firth is indisposed, his part tonight will be taken by....\". I would have to howwwl with frustration and my husband might just begin to wonder...! It does sound like CFis to play MD. When that is announced we shall be really awash with news."}, {"response": 1425, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (19:46)", "body": "I have (at last!) read BJD, and although MD is a nice bloke it is a rather small part... isn't it? Don't stone me :-("}, {"response": 1426, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (19:56)", "body": "Gi, what to wear? that is a difficult one, as we are going to both the Matinee and Evening performances and there may be a certain amount of walking to do at least for me as I will be making a day of it and won't be home till quite late, so I shall be wearing something smart but comfortable, not much help really."}, {"response": 1427, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (19:57)", "body": "(Arami) Applause at first sight is the best award an actor can wish for. This sounds quite strange to me, I\ufffdve never seen it happen anywhere (but then I\ufffdve seen real theatre plays only in the Nordic countries). It certainly does not belong to Finnish theatre tradition, maybe it does in Britain."}, {"response": 1428, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (20:15)", "body": "I would echo Ann's view of our own \"Costumes\" for the theatre. I have a lot of travelling too, so smart and practical, but whatever YOU feel good in Gi, is what matters. After all it is a once in a lifetime event (ha ha). We will recognise you by your feathers and sequins!!!"}, {"response": 1429, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (20:40)", "body": "Excellent sleuthing again, Bethan. So even AD wants Colin for the Mark Darcy part. Would Colin have the nerve to disappoint his adoring public? probably And yes, Gi, Mark is a rather smallish part. However, it has the advantage of being a key and likeable part vs. Wessex!! ;-)"}, {"response": 1430, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (20:41)", "body": "(Lizza) We will recognise you by your feathers and sequins!!! How shall we tell her from Livia then?"}, {"response": 1431, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (20:46)", "body": "Oh yes, one more thing. I saw 3DOR yesterday. It is very funny. A dark comedy. I wouldn't for one moment give away anything about the production and what we might expect in London. It was a bizarre experience. I kept picturing Colin in the Ned/Walker role and thinking Colin would do it differently and better. One thing we must all remember is that we are accustomed to seeing Colin on the screen where there are closeups which show his every little facial expression. He is going to be doing things a bit larger so that the back rows understand his emotions. I really liked Amy Morton as Nan/Lina (pronounced with a long i); she was Warren Beatty's wife in Bulworth and the guy who played Pip/Theo looked and sounded like Joe Mantegna."}, {"response": 1432, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (20:52)", "body": "Gi, they are not helping you very much in the clothing deepartment. A suit (jacket and matching skirt) is appropriate for either matinee or evening, but for evening I would add a brooch and a lovely and elegant blouse to the ensemble."}, {"response": 1433, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (20:56)", "body": "I think CF would be horrified by applause when he steps on stage. If nothing else, it will not help him get into character. Save your applause (but no standing ovations, please) for the curtain."}, {"response": 1434, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (21:01)", "body": "We will recognise you by your feathers and sequins!!! And you will recognize me by my casual look. I\ufffdm not going to wear anything special, even though it probably IS a once in a lifetime event. Maybe that\ufffds why! The whole event makes me nervous enough without any extra concern about a thing like clothes. Well, if I was to meet Colin the situation would be SLIGHTLY different (CBD) but I\ufffdm counting on not having that chance!!! should we consider sending flowers to him backstage? Yes, I really think we should. Is there a flower shop near the Donmar? I\ufffdve been thinking about getting a bunch but it might as well be a joint one. What do others think?"}, {"response": 1435, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (21:03)", "body": "Chris, I agree, for reasons both general and particular. I'm not sure it's done, in general, and in particular you know already that the retiring Mr Firth is disconcerted by too much adulation. If any are indulging whimsical dreams about back stage visits to the (un)dressing room, surely CF would be LESS likely to let you in if he knows you were the one hollering throughout and being physically restrained by her friends in the front row? If, on the other hand, you showed a suitably cautious and restrained approval for his work....."}, {"response": 1436, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (21:11)", "body": "I have (at last!) read BJD, and although MD is a nice bloke it is a rather small part... isn't it? Don't stone me:-( I've always been keen on CF playing Mark Darcy and I firmly believe that in the movie version his role will far more central and \"meaty\". A lot of BJD the book just wouldn't translate to the screen...it's too internalised and episodic. Andrew Davies seems to be the sole screenwriter and talks about \"re-writing something that's been hugely successful\" and \"enhancing the similarities\" between P&P and BJD. I believe we will get a very strong AD adaptation of BJD, which will retain the basic structure and cha acters in the book, but will be as much AD's work as HF's. BTW, in the subsequent BJD weekly columns MD was very much an equal partner, and I believe he also features strongly in HF's follow-up book. Am going on about this somewhat, but I just want to see CF play one more alpha-male! (Arami) Applause at first sight is the best award an actor can wish for. Well, go to it ladies! Your chance to give him a \"Best actor\" award! Eeeech! He'll be on stage now. End of Act 1 perhaps?"}, {"response": 1437, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (21:14)", "body": "Ann dear, thank you a million times. :)"}, {"response": 1438, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (21:16)", "body": "Thanks Chris, I really think you\ufffdre right."}, {"response": 1439, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (21:18)", "body": "Should add to the above...at final curtain call. Otherwise, I think I agree that he would prefer \"restrained approval\"."}, {"response": 1440, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (21:21)", "body": "Given the way the play opens and Colin's initial appearance, applause would be very disruptive to his concentration. I was sitting in the second row and there was a woman at the end of my row who, on noticing the Walker character in bed, starting to talk to himself, made a very loud comment. Something to the effect: \"he looks pretty comfortable.\" Wanted to stuff something in her yapp! It's just not that type of play IMO. This is very much an ensemble piece and the actors are intensely into their parts. We can applaud our little hands off at the end. I can hardly wait."}, {"response": 1441, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (21:25)", "body": "If there are any programs left after all the important droolers are taken care of, and one seems destined for the dust bin, might someone save it for me. Please?! Or whatever they have from there. I have been known to collect bathroom tissue with \"Property of the Village of ....\" on it. Thanks."}, {"response": 1442, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (21:45)", "body": "9.30pm. GMT, I wonder how it is going, oh the butterflies, goodness knows whast I will be like on Saturday, I don't think I will be able to stand it, in some ways I shall wish I wasn't there and could hear about it later, but I know I would regret it if I wasn't there, whatever is the matter with us we are grown up women behaving like teenagers and I really can't believe I have written this let alone posted it but I just had to share it with someone who may understand. Why do we want something so badly for someone we don't know, should I see a shrink?!!"}, {"response": 1443, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (21:46)", "body": "sorry about the grammar and spelling mistakes!!"}, {"response": 1444, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (22:13)", "body": "whatever is the matter with us we are grown up women behaving like teenagers LOL.Yes we are, but I wish you wouldn\ufffdt feel ashamed about it, Ann. Maybe I need a shrink too, no doubt about it (!) but so what, I\ufffdm enjoying this and so are you, Ann, aren\ufffdt you!!! I\ufffdm just letting it happen to me as long as there\ufffds no harm done (except for my husband grumbling a little about using the internet too much). ........I\ufffdm glad how brave you are to bring up this delicate subject concerning us as fanatics. I haven\ufffdt dared to do that although the WHY question is such an interesting one. I guess it\ufffds a bit of a taboo."}, {"response": 1445, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (22:20)", "body": "Judging from my own response to these happenings, not a whole lot goes on in adult lives which makes one feel really alive and all tingly like when we were teenagers. He does, and so does this incredible adventure. We lead such structured lives for which we are responsible; it is a huge pleasure and release to break out of the mold and run free for a little while. I think it is very healthy. Do not try to read someone else's problems into it. Enjoy!!!"}, {"response": 1446, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (22:39)", "body": "What a strange lot you all are! I assure you that it is a legitimate and traditional custom of cultured Europeans to acknowledge their favourite actors, singers, instrumentalists, orchestra directors, etc., before the performance begins. I admit it doesn't happen very often in the theatre, but real stars do get a hero welcome. Oh, well, have it your own way..."}, {"response": 1447, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (23:03)", "body": "Arami, don't take on. But when in Rome..... I have witnessed opera in the open-air theatre in Verona, and seen how the tenor was cheered on his entrance and in the middle of his sustained top C; but you must know by now, surely, how repressed and surly the English are? I remember going to a concert with my father, an overworked investment banker, and hearing him wonder, rather sadly, why at the end of a day's slog no-one applauded him. I pointed out that where the lowly musicians got claps, he got dollars, but even the ripple of polite applause we were hearing was apparently too much. Anyway, the serious point is surely that Colin's entrance may well be in the middle of a scene, and its dramatic sense might be spoiled by noisily frothing Firthettes."}, {"response": 1448, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (23:16)", "body": "Thanks Marcia and Elena for your words of reassurance, I shall now go ahead and enjoy the next few days in anticiapation of the big day."}, {"response": 1449, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (23:16)", "body": "Colin's entrance may well be in the middle of a scene Ben, the play actually begins with Walker=Colin on stage, according to the script. He\ufffds lying on a bed, listening to the night etc. or whatever, then begins to talk to the audience."}, {"response": 1450, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (23:21)", "body": "Elena, thank you. And Arami is right that in concerts, musicians (conductor and soloists at least) are clapped onto the stage. But not actors - I suppose it's because they are in their roles even as the curtain is drawn, and one applauds only the actor, not the character. To applaud them at that point would be like clapping between movements."}, {"response": 1451, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (01:03)", "body": "I know this is completely off topic, but is there a better, faster way to load the latest msgs.? I've tried through the n/f link, but this topic never shows up on the list. And, if I try to access this place via \"forgotten,\" I get messages all the way back from December of '98. (took me 12 mins. to get here) ************************ I also think that applause for CF should be held till the very end. That way, you can initiate his standing ovation, and he'd at least get to have a peek at who his enthusiastic fans are (as opposed to if you were to applaud him in his first scene). ************************ Can someone please save me a programme as well? Ta!"}, {"response": 1452, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (01:31)", "body": "Winter, are you using this URL? http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/116/new Putting /new at the end loads only the previously unread messages. (Ben) you must know by now, surely, how repressed and surly the English are? Sure - I'm married to one, for my sins... ;-) All right - I give up. No more talking about applause. Btw, I have replied to your Polish question where I found it, so you'll have to sneak back in 34 to see it. :-)"}, {"response": 1453, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (01:35)", "body": "Never fear, we shall not embarrass the spring at the Donmar. And I am going casual too, Elena. Can only fit so much into my carry-on. But don't worry! This Ugly American will keep her sweats and sneakers at home!! We'll search the aisles and seats after the performance for discarded programs."}, {"response": 1454, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (02:55)", "body": "Bethan-- I have sent you 2 (count 'em) 2 e-mail messages today. I presume that 3DoR met the same fate. Did it? The most recent e-mail was refused as they did not recognize the address. I have tried the 'USA' in upper case and in lower case. Which should it be? Did you get either of my e-mails today?? (I think you'd better post to answer!! --Winter-- I have discovered that if I keep up will Spring on a regular basis, load time is minimal. I keep track (in my little yellow notepad) of the last response number of the last time I was here. Then I enter spring at :www.spring.net/yapp.html, which takes me to the front page. I sign in, and (usually) request the last 333 listings if I'm doing it daily. It is no trouble to scan down for the number of my last entry plus one, link into it and only the new ones will come up. Loads in about 2 sec nds. If I've been delayed a few days, I can bring up my desired entry number with: www.spring.net/public/read/drool/xxx.yyyy with \"x\"'s being the topic number (here, 116) and \"y\"'s being the response number desired. (such as 116.1454)) Up it pops and only the stuff after that loads. Do try...(This being only an alternate method/suggestion, of course. Noting response numbers is crucial...)"}, {"response": 1455, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (03:52)", "body": "Thanks Arami & KJart-- For some reason, I've gotten in fine this time. But I'll take your advice next time I run into this problem again (which will be in the near future, I assure you). Re: Donmar attire-- When it doubt, wear black. You can never be too casual in black. (P.S.: I miss Pemberley. And just when when Masterpiece has got something other than Bramwell on the air)"}, {"response": 1456, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (06:59)", "body": "Ann: I guess that I need a shrink also. I just adore this man."}, {"response": 1457, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (08:35)", "body": "Re: Donmar attire Don't worry about being casual. There is a wide range of attire at West End theatres these days; anything goes. Today's Times. Arts listings. \"Recommended today...3DOR...cast headed by EMcG...\". The Invisible Man! (AnnW) Why do we want something so badly for someone we don't know, should I see a shrink?!! I'll join you. Perhaps we could get group rates."}, {"response": 1458, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (09:01)", "body": "Today's Times. Arts listings. \"Recommended today...3DOR...cast headed by EMcG...\". One of the reasons that I \"want something so badly for someone I don't know\". Sometimes I just can't believe the way he's treated by the critics ...and it brings out my squawking mother hen side...I get so indignant and can't shut up about it!!! \"Cast headed by EM\" effectively slights CF as a good actor...I think some critics would choke on these words! There's the drool side (definitely!) but also I'm as nervous for him sometimes as I am when waiting for A level results or watching my younger son play a violin solo. I have to brace myself to read his reviews incase they ruffle my feathers! :-) Respectful maternal lust perhaps! Very Freudian. :-) Karen, Sorry you've had trouble e-mailing me. I'm severely technologically challenged...a real IT dumbo. I've been trashing my old messages but not deleting them so the memory space or whatever was used up. I've now managed to open my folders and have deleted absolutely everything...probably overdone it. Could I suggest you send me a one word \"test\" and if I acknowledge it you'll know that messages are getting through. I can't believe I've been so dim! My apologies again for putting you to extra trouble."}, {"response": 1459, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (09:30)", "body": "I'm as nervous for him sometimes as I am when waiting for A level results Oh, Bethan you strike a chord. I almost feel I should not confess this but my youngest is taking an A level physics module today and I suddenly realised I had more butterflies for CF. What kind of mother hen am I? (okay, physics modules can be taken again or that is what I am trying to tell myself) - I shall definitely have to join Ann at the shrink."}, {"response": 1460, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (09:44)", "body": "Ah, but with a physics module, there's some degree of predictability. You know that if your son has done a reasonable amount of work, has had good grades in the past and has been well taught, then he should do well. (I certainly hope so!) But in the case of the critics/press and CF, I just get the feeling that there are quite a few individuals out there who would take great relish in putting the boot in. ! If I read in the reviews that EMcG gives a brilliant performance, ably supported by David Morrissey, this mother hen will fly down to London and peck a few eyes out!! :-)"}, {"response": 1461, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (17:07)", "body": "********** DONMAR NEWS***************** Running Time for 3DOR is now 2hours and 10 mins. *************************************** That is of course slightly less than we would have liked!! Marcia et al, we will comb the aisles etc for goodies for you, never fear. Donmar is too small and intimate for applause at start. We can save it to the end!! Please can I join your SHRINK group rate too."}, {"response": 1462, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (18:07)", "body": "(AnnW) Why do we want something so badly for someone we don't know, should I see a shrink?!! (Allison)I'll join you. Perhaps we could get group rates. Perhaps we could persuade the DB to attend with us :)"}, {"response": 1463, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (18:15)", "body": "3DOR venturers, you have me happily excited for you. You can come lie on my couch and I will tell you it is all perfectly normal. It is like getting a wonderful present which you cannot yet open. But you get butterflies every time you think about it. That, and the fact that you will meet, at last, those people with whom you have shared your intimate lustings through carefully crafted sentences. When you are there, eye to eye, all that you really are will be for all to see. A face and voice with the ords. That would be the nervous time for me. Could those butterflies be in there, too? (Lizza)Marcia et al, we will comb the aisles etc for goodies for you, never fear. Bless you all for this sentiment. They shall not have to sweep up between performances at this rate. I am now warm and fuzzy feeling, and greatly excited for you. Happily so."}, {"response": 1464, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (18:16)", "body": "Perhaps we could persuade the DB to attend with us :) Forget the group rates, I'll pay double."}, {"response": 1465, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (18:17)", "body": "Good morning SB!!! Nice to see you. =)"}, {"response": 1466, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (18:32)", "body": "(Ann W)something smart but comfortable. Smart and comfortable it will be! (Lizza) We will recognise you by your feathers and sequins!!! LOL! (KarenR)How shall we tell her from Livia then? I'm a few years older and won't have Colin by my side :-) (MarciaH)A suit... Thank you, Marcia, I think you have it right for me. (Elena)And you will recognize me by my casual look... Dear, better be prepared for anything . And it's better to be a little over than under dressed, don't you think? So, maybe you want to follow Winter's advice and wear black ;-) (KarenR)Oh yes, one more thing. I saw 3DOR yesterday. It is very funny. Now that is strange! I read the script and it didn't strike me as funny at all! And not the best story in the world either, a few of the surprise elements being too transparent to surprise... We'll see what the DB and the others involved will make of it. (Chris L)Save your applause (but no standing ovations, please) for the curtain. (Ben B)Arami, don't take on. But when in Rome..... Indeed! Shall we \"play it by ear\" and do as the natives do...only more? What do you say?"}, {"response": 1467, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (18:34)", "body": "Allison, going back a post or two, I stand corrected, you are, of course, quite right, yesterday was the preview and tonight is the first night and press night, I believe the curtain goes up at 7pm tonight, fingers crossed especially tonight with the vultures in the audience! Allison how did your sone get on, well I hope."}, {"response": 1468, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (18:36)", "body": "son I mean not sone"}, {"response": 1469, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (18:50)", "body": "Break a leg, Colin! Relax, Allison, this saying is American-ese used to wish an actor 'Good Luck' in a performance. As I understand it, telling them 'good luck' is really bad luck. Or something like that. Guess it all got lost in translation! I'd never wish for him to REALLY break his leg (but didn't he have a broken foot in Heide's friend's dream?) ;-) I was hoping to see reports of 3DOR reviews. Do they usually come out next day or is there a delay? Frankly, I don't care if the critics don't like the play as long as ODB shines. Wish I had the problem of deciding what to wear, Elena. I'll be thinking of you all as I sit at home :-( Thanks for your offer to pick up a program for me, Ann!"}, {"response": 1470, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (19:06)", "body": "Well, I've popped over to the other boards and have answered my own question. Last night was the preview so it's too early to expect any reviews. Tomorrow, then? Thursday? And the curtain goes up at 7 p.m. tonight? Why--that was 10 mins. ago! He's on now!!"}, {"response": 1471, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (19:26)", "body": "--Bethan-- I,ve tried three different times...they keep kicking it back!! Aghhhh!! KJArt"}, {"response": 1472, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (19:58)", "body": "(Gi)better be prepared for anything. And it's better to be a little over than under dressed, don't you think? Yeah, ANYTHING. Guess why I decided not to take my husband with me to London?....:-))"}, {"response": 1473, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (20:04)", "body": "Erm.....I hope he won\ufffdt be snooping here behind my back! Hei, toi \u00e4skeinen oli siis ihan totta pelkk\u00e4 vitsi."}, {"response": 1474, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (20:39)", "body": "Well, let us think. You are from New Zealand...and you just happen to know a little Finnish...can't imagine how your Email address got there...none of the others seem to work.=P Do you think he will believe me?!"}, {"response": 1475, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (21:54)", "body": "HELP!I accidentally erased Heide's e-mail and don't know the name of the restaurant we are going to! Can someone (Lizza?)either post it or e-mail it to me again? I'm desperate!"}, {"response": 1476, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (22:19)", "body": "HELP!! How will we know each other when we arrive at the restaurant?"}, {"response": 1477, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (22:22)", "body": "Gi, here it is: Hkalb@aol.com"}, {"response": 1478, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (22:28)", "body": "(JanaC)How will we know each other when we arrive at the restaurant? I dislike them intensely, but a little unobtrusive sticky tag with your name on it will suffice. If they do not know you by that name, use the one you use here."}, {"response": 1479, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (22:32)", "body": "Gi, the restaurant is called the LUNA NUOVA and apparently it is underneath the Donmar down some steps. I hope the critics liked Colin's performance tonight, I am sure he was wonderful."}, {"response": 1480, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (22:34)", "body": "Which performance are you going to Gi, if you are going to both as I am then Heide suggested that we meet everyone outside the Donmar at about 3.30pm for a photo."}, {"response": 1481, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (22:44)", "body": "Jana , I tried to e-mail you with no luck!!!"}, {"response": 1482, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (23:13)", "body": "Karen, I thought I'd solved my e-mail problems but am now getting \"network error\" messages (what's that?). I've got an old e-mail address which seems to be okay bethan54@yahoo.com Perhaps you wouldn't mind having another go...and I think that this had better be my e-mail address until further notice. (Thanks for your suggestion, Arami) I hope the critics liked Colin's performance tonight, I am sure he was wonderful. (Ann) I hope so too....but I just don't like or trust the London theatre critics. There's nothing they enjoy more than sharpening their talons, even when audiences actually enjoy the performance. They're best ignored! I think we're fortunate that Colin is prepared to give a demanding live performance, earning about \ufffd35 a show, when so many well-known actors (Hopkins, Branagh, Day-Lewis, Irons, Alan Rickman) have said that they'll never do live theatre again. Anyway he's faced the vultures, and good for him! I was just glancing at the Guardian article... the banner headline on the front page (which probably wasn't picked up in the electronic version) is \"Colin Firth: God's gift to trousers.\" The Darcy legacy? But my guess is that he'll no longer be amused by this."}, {"response": 1483, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (23:21)", "body": "(bethan) \"Colin Firth: God's gift to trousers.\" LOL Indeed he is, at least to breeches. Question: Is anyone going to be nosy enough to notice if he *really* dresses to the left or to the right?! The poor man will come in dressed in a cleric's gown. Of course, with a codpiece, there is no puzzlement;)"}, {"response": 1484, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (23:42)", "body": "I have just read over at Chat that Colin is in HELLO magazine, is that true, is it UK Hello and does anyone know anything about it?"}, {"response": 1485, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (00:30)", "body": "I have just been chatting to Chloe at Chat and she was at the press night of 3DOR, not a very encouraging report for our DB. Feel quite sad now, I will not be buying papers tomorrow. His mum, dad and Johnathan were there."}, {"response": 1486, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (00:32)", "body": "Oh, the pain... I keep seeing ads with dirt-cheap air fares from Boston to London and wonder if I should have tried harder to make the trek. Bethan, I too thought about trying to cook up a plausible business trip excuse, but this being New England I was afraid we'd get a snowstorm that would delay -- or, horrors, cancel -- my flight. And now I find out the play opens with him lying on a bed! O sisters in drool, think of me in my misery as you savor that moment."}, {"response": 1487, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (01:07)", "body": "Lizza which Jana do you want Jana C or Jana H?"}, {"response": 1488, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (02:14)", "body": "(Ann W)I have just been chatting to Chloe at Chat and she was at the press night of 3DOR, not a very encouraging report for our DB. Feel quite sad now, I will not be buying papers tomorrow. His mum, dad and Johnathan were there. But details, woman, DETAILS! Don't be so cryptic!"}, {"response": 1489, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (02:40)", "body": "--Bethan--I'll try both my own e-mail and piping 3DoR to that one and see what happens. Let me know. If it does work, don't forget to change your address at Spring. KarenJ"}, {"response": 1490, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (07:21)", "body": "Arami, to elaborate, Chloe was invited to the Press Night, the play was received warmly but not entusiastically. She said the play had faults, that EmcG was good and that DM had the best lines and although she is a Colin fan she thought his accent wavered and that his character need a bit more oomphh. I'm afraid she said the play sagged a bit and that the timning was not good last night. Anyone can have a bad night I was just sorry it was Press Night, you know what our Press are like unless you are Nicole Kidman and I was sorry for Colin especially as his family were in the audience. Fancy putting oneself under the pressure of it not only being Press night but your parents are in the audience as well. From my own point of view I am sure he will be wonderful on Saturday, I just hoped for Colin's sake he would get rave reviews but who cares what the critics think, we know better."}, {"response": 1491, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (07:47)", "body": "Thank you ladies for answering my plea for help... Ann, what's with the report? What was said? Is it the play? Is it the performance? It can't be Colin!"}, {"response": 1492, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (07:51)", "body": "Oops, Ann answered while I was asking... Let's hope they get everything perfect by saturday. I'd be devastated if I got anything less from Colin."}, {"response": 1493, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (08:04)", "body": "I\ufffdm positive that the play is getting better and better after the first night and by Saturday it\ufffdll be as good as it gets. Trouble is, by then the worst vultures have already told their views to the public..... it\ufffds pretty cruel that the press is always there right in the beginning when plays are often in a bit immature state. That play IS a difficult one to make it work.......oh, when I read your report Ann and started to write this my hands were shaking. I really want all the best for him and if the press is going to crush him I\ufffdll be devastated."}, {"response": 1494, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (08:04)", "body": "Some other fans have seen it and said that Colin was wonderful, gave the best performance they have ever seen him give, his accent was fine, the audience, (including non-CF fans) loved it, they thought the play was very good, and there was tumultuous applause at the end, and he (eventually) gave them all a huge grin. I also read the report in Chat, and thought it was okay..C. seemed to finf the play too wordy, but a lot of critics have liked the play. What really, really charmed me (and made me like CF even MORE!) was the fact that his family were all there in the front row...mum, dad, brother and sister. I loved the description of his mum...very, very sweet looking, white hair in a bun, and beautiful eye. And his dad has dimples. CF is just too nice! C. also aid he looked absolutely gorgeous."}, {"response": 1495, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (08:09)", "body": "Thanks, dear Bethan. I was almost beginning to weep here!"}, {"response": 1496, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (08:24)", "body": "Thanks, dear Bethan. I was almost beginning to weep here! So am I. I cannot find Chloe's conversation. It is no longer on chat. Was Livia sitting with the family group? She was there."}, {"response": 1497, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (08:30)", "body": "DON'T! The ladies who saw it on the first night were in seventh heaven...thought he was brilliant, anf the entire audience loved the performance and play and watched in rapt attention. And REALLY, REALLY applauded at the end. They can't wait to see it again. Go with that! The Press Night is always difficult, and it's tough having one so soon. Normally plays trial in the provinces first. There's no audience buzz, and critics don't give much. Must be very nerve-wracking to perform. I thought that it was lovely that his family were there to give him support and seem so nice. Livia was there on the first night, and he gave her a big hug. Hope I'm not being indiscrete, but I really want everyone to LOOK FORWARD to this! Apologies for all the earlier typos. Done in haste. No reviews so far in the papers we get, but I couldn't give a damn for reviews!"}, {"response": 1498, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (08:34)", "body": "Arami, also Chloe said he was very very nervous, and who wouldn't be what an ordeal. I agree Elena it is a shame the Press come to see th play so early on, I would hate eto see them condemn it before it has hardly started. The critics can be so cruel but yes wasn't that lovely Bethan his whole family sitting in the front row. I don't think Livia was there last night but I expect she went to the Preview."}, {"response": 1499, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (09:33)", "body": "Review from the Daily Mail. Small piece by Michael Coveney \"Love and the Paternal Triangle\". There is an unprecedented spate of new British and Irish plays on Broadway at the moment. We send them The Blue Room, the Weir, Closer , Dame Judy Dench and Sir David Hare. And whar do we get in return? Well Neil Simon is still a going concern. And the Donmar is presenting an American season of new plays. Three Days of Rain introduces a very clever, if rather dry and schematic young dramatist called Richard Greenberg. And we do him proud. Colin Firth, Elizabeth McGovern and David Morrissey add flesh and passion to two overlapping triangulaar love stories in New York. First, 1995: a brother and sister of a lately dead architect pick over what happened, the legacy, the house that must be lived in. The son of the architect's partner, a TV actor who eats chocolate and doesn't put on weight, reveals his affair with the architect's daughter. Cut backwards, after the interval, to 1960. The same three actors play the two architects and the girl who left one for the other in three days of rain: wet, wet, wet. Lucidity of writing and the pointed, precise playing in robin Lefevre's smart production on a pristine white setting brings us all together. The emotional switch is beautifully handled. Miss McGovern is stunning as a calculating Southern Belle whose weakness for drink parallels that of her daughter, while Firth heads backwards from nerdy inheritor to stuttering, awakening artist of the drawing board. And the wonderful Morrissey redifines his Nineties nerve as Sixties cool , finally left our in the rain, like the cake in the pop song. It is heartening to hear good writing emerging from off Broadway again. I just wonder, though, if these tr angular, interconnecting designs for living will carry too parochial, or dare one say pointless, a punch. ************* I notice from the Times \"recommended\" theatre. EmcG still heads the cast but 3DOR os the only one in the list which has a mark against it for \"House full, returns only\". Now I wonder why that is...."}, {"response": 1500, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (09:35)", "body": "sorry about typos. In rush. MUST get on with some work."}, {"response": 1501, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (10:21)", "body": "In rush. MUST get on with some work. Oh my....I\ufffdm trying to work here too but all I\ufffdm really able to do right now is think about 3DOR and you know who...still three days to Saturday!! Ladies, tell me I\ufffdm not dreaming."}, {"response": 1502, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (14:07)", "body": "Elena: You are not dreaming you lucky girl.... I cannot believe that the board is up to 1500 again."}, {"response": 1503, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (14:18)", "body": "Whew! Reading the last dozen or so posts was a bit of a roller coaster ride. What the audience and fans think is important, but IMO unfortunately so are the critics. (Bethan)....but I just don't like or trust the London theatre critics. The NY Times said recently that London critics have a long history of trashing American plays, so be prepared. The gentleman above was rather polite about it; others may not be. So long as they like Colin!! (Bethan) I loved the description of his mum...very, very sweet looking, white hair in a bun, and beautiful eye. And his dad has dimples. I confess I've wondered about from which parent Colin got his features--sounds like both! (SusanMc)Bethan, I too thought about trying to cook up a plausible business trip excuse I think we may need to form a subgroup called \"happily married droolers whose husbands wouldn't or don't understand.\" Perhaps we can all share alibis and excuses! As tiring as subterfuge becomes, I couldn't begin to think of a way to explain all this, and my husband's a great guy."}, {"response": 1504, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (15:36)", "body": "Just back from LA, I should be taking care of my suitcase and getting life back in order, instead, I\ufffdm trying to catch up here (heehee). I decided to post first and read later since some of you might be packing as we write. Thanks for links, and reviews which I look forward to reading. (Eileen), I think we may need to form a subgroup called \"happily married droolers whose husbands wouldn't or don't understand.\" Perhaps we can all share alibis and excuses! As tiring as subterfuge becomes, I couldn't begin to think of a way to explain all this, and my husband's a great guy. I agree, but, if I were living in the UK, (Bethan take note), I would have made something up, lied, cheated, etc. etc. and would have attended the play, especially with all your drool friends arriving from the US: you are still in time. Remember, I created a whole Perugino tour of Umbria just to visit Citta delle Pieve and visit the church where they married (my husband never knew). Try, \ufffdYou know dear, Heide, my third cousin twice removed who lives in what was, our most important colonial (colinial), cit .\ufffd Ladies, we do expect to have a virtual reality experience from your information, remember no tidbit is too small to recount. I too would love a program, there will probably be lots of men dropping theirs (jealous of course). I think Colin would love the flowers, actors love their dressing rooms to be filled with appreciative tokens (it sometimes counter balances the critics). Make sure you also sign www.colinfirth.com and invite him to join us in chat sometime. Go to it and bon voyage."}, {"response": 1505, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (16:19)", "body": "Wonderful review in the Evening Standard. My hands are shaking so I will just post this and then compose myself for a long type. Please excuse typos, there will probably be plenty."}, {"response": 1506, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (16:44)", "body": "Evening Standard 3.3.99 \"The time, the place, the man\" by Nicholas de Jongh Decades after J B Priestley used the theatre to play poignant and significant games with time, Richard Greenberg creates most arresting variations on Priestley's original theme. The third act of Priestley's Time and the Conways achieved unusual pathos, since linear chronology had been defied and the audiences had already seen what would happen to the characters' high hopes. But Greenberg's Three Days of Rain simply begins in New York, 1995, and then retreats 30 years. The challenging idea s to demonstrate how biology may give a helping hand to destiny, how the sins or rather our parents' traits and decisions may playshaping parts in our lives. The first act, with its flippant wit, has an eye to the past. Colin Firth's Walker, son of the mildly famous but rich architect, Ned, returns out of the blue having missed his father's funeral, to face the recriminating music that time plays in the wake of an important death. Since Walker's married sister , Nan, meets him in a house that Ned built with his partner,Theo, and Theo's son, Pip, is on hand, the play looks all too neatly set up for pained reminiscing. Robin LeFevre's cannily understated production, which I saw at a preview, tantalises with its air of tight-fisted tensions. The concealed truth is about to be forced into the open. When the play concertinas back to 1960's and the two men play their fathers, with Elizabeth McGovern's Nan completing the emotional treangle as her own mother, you come to understand how the sexual and emotional patterns of the next generation have been set. The force of Colin Firth's remarkable acting transcends the mere erotic appeal that on television made him the fantasy play-thing of so many women. He portrays two men who loiter on the fringes of life, brooding over how to find the key to happiness. Firth's valiantly worn dejection always rings true. Dowdily dressed in despondency, an almost thread-bare charm and a long, grey-green pull-over as Walker, and then in the role of his bespectacled, stammering and introverted father, the less brilliant arch tect, Firth illuminates both men's difficence and pain. Miss McGovern wears a vibrant sexiness, but remains enigmatically buttoned up. David Morrissey's Pip most powefully shows how we may speak the most painful home truths in the mildest tones. *********** There is a photograph of EMcG and CF under the caption \"Transcending T V's erotic appeal: Colin Firth, with E.McG in 3DOR\" *********** So he did break a leg;-) But I notice that this review was written after seeing the review."}, {"response": 1507, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (16:47)", "body": "That last sentence should say \"written after the preview\""}, {"response": 1508, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (17:14)", "body": "The force of Colin Firth's remarkable acting transcends the mere erotic appeal that on television made him the fantasy play-thing of so many women. Can't you just read that line over and over? You da man , Nick!! Allison, thanks for sharing!! Completely off topic, from the school of history repeating itself... Ryan Phillipe and Reese Witherspoon announce they expect a baby in fall. So what? The two appear in 'Cruel Intentions,' an modernized version of 'Valmont' where he plays Valmont and she Tourvil(sp?). Sound familiar? There must be something about that story."}, {"response": 1509, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (17:19)", "body": "A nit, but programmes cost UKStg2 ($3.30) and up these days. Once paid for, unlikely to be discarded or knowingly left behind. A free credits sheet is usually available, though."}, {"response": 1510, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (17:36)", "body": "Thanks Allison. It is so good to read positive reviews, I hope it is the first of many. I still want to know if he does it with an American accent. I would gladly pay for the program if Heide or Karen would be so kind as to pick one up for me."}, {"response": 1511, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (17:37)", "body": "Just back from LA.....en route to UK... Thanks Allison for the wonderful review in the Telegraph. Don't you love.... the force of Firth's remarkable acting transcends the erotic appeal on television But hey, it ain't all bad to have erotic appeal and good acting.... obviously written by a man!! But at last his acting is gaining recognition. ****** Just want to add that Saturday's performance would be enhanced if all of our Drool friends were there with us. I shall pick up as many programs as I can stuff in my big bag. And Ben...don't be concerned ..I am sure we will blend in beautifully with the all British audience :-)"}, {"response": 1512, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (18:19)", "body": "Another good review in The Independent, good for the play and good for Colin, with picture, I will type it out later but I just wanted you all to know. Thank goodness The Evening Standard critic went to the Preview Allison, from what I hear that was his best night so Chloe could still have a valid point about last night, still that is forgotten,everyone can have an off night, looking forward to Saturday and I agree about the flowers, which I too think he would appreciate, a thankyou for a wonderful perfo mance! Hello Evelyn, look forward to seeing you on Saturday."}, {"response": 1513, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (18:21)", "body": "The review can be found at: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/dynamic/news/business/top_direct.html Haven't found anything at The Times or the Telegraph yet. :( However, there is an article at the Electronic Telegraph about Fay Weldon's new P&P series, where she reverses the roles. There is a picture of JE and CF accompanying. Moon, will be happy to pick up a program for you. You too, Marcia!! Eileen: Saw Reese Witherspoon last night though exactly the same thing, but I think she plays the Cecile character. Buffy the Vampire Slayer plays Madame Merteuil!"}, {"response": 1514, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (18:22)", "body": "OOH! Great reviews, I'm SO pleased for him. No wonder your hands were shaking, Allison. Ann, I don't think Chloe said Colin was \"very, very nervous\" just that she \"thought\" he may have been nervous (I took a printout because I wanted to read the comments about his mum and dad).I actually thought her comments were okay, it was more a case that she wasn't over keen on the play itself. I'm quite hopeful now that the reviews will be good, and certainly OK. Thank you Nick de Jongh."}, {"response": 1515, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (19:23)", "body": "I'm so glad for those reviews! I admit I felt scared I'd be acutely embarrassed for Colin in front of Antonio. I think I could handle it if he weren't there. Now I'm feeling much relieved :-)"}, {"response": 1516, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (19:25)", "body": "I've read the play and I'm afraid I don't like it much. The comment that it's a bit pointless is exactly how I felt about it. Indifferent. It doesn't prove anything, it doesn't shatter you with any disovery... At the same time, it is a fair showcase for acting skills. So I'm not surprised if the play is not received enthusiastically. But I do hope the actors are - especially CF."}, {"response": 1517, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (19:39)", "body": "I agree with you, Arami. I was somewhat disappointed in the play, and when I told Antonio the story he said, Is that what we're going to see? Not much point in it."}, {"response": 1518, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (19:44)", "body": "Arami, and Marcia,when you get here - Eileen and I are in Chat, join us!"}, {"response": 1519, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (19:52)", "body": "Thanks, Allison. I\ufffdm so glad about that beautiful review after the shock this morning. (Arami)I've read the play and I'm afraid I don't like it much. The comment that it's a bit pointless is exactly how I felt about it Yes, it seems a bit pointless, a lot of text but not so much content really. That\ufffds why it is a tough play to do well, you have to work hard to put some life and meaning into it and not make the audience yawn. I must say that Colin has guts, he could\ufffdve chosen something much easier to return to the theater stages with......or maybe he couldn\ufffdt have, I guess he\ufffdll never do anything in the easiest or the most obvious way."}, {"response": 1520, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (19:59)", "body": "I'm curious to see how they work out all those interrupted sentences... I know what some Portuguese actors would do, and it wouldn't be good :-("}, {"response": 1521, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (20:20)", "body": "What great reviews!! Thanks for posting them, it is a huge relief , we know he is brilliant but we want everyone else to as well. I checked out HELLO and to my utter relief (again) he is not on show!! TIMEOUT is also not doing its promised review this week either. DRAT. Bethan, I won't tell you WHO leads their theatre ad!!"}, {"response": 1522, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (20:21)", "body": "BTW Jana it is you I am trying to e-mail. jcjc. I have had no luck ever since we knew you were coming!"}, {"response": 1523, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (20:28)", "body": "Gi, just missed you in chat. Eileen is there and I am talking to mysself. It is unfortunate we cannot rig up some sort of sound to announce the arrival of someone new."}, {"response": 1524, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (20:37)", "body": "(Karen)Saw Reese Witherspoon last night though exactly the same thing, but I think she plays the Cecile character Really? Thought I read in 'Entertainment Weekly' that she played Tourvil. ?? Still, its a noteworthy coincidence! Don't think Michelle got off with what's his name (drawing yet another blank) in 'Dangerous Liaisons?' Yuck! BTW, 'EW' dissed A&E's Scarlet Pimpernel--especially EMcG. Said she played her role with \"a nothing European accent\" or words to that effect. To all you ladies jetting to London tomorrow (and now, Evelyn)--have a safe trip and a simply *wonderful* time :-) ."}, {"response": 1525, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (20:41)", "body": "Sorry Bethan, perhaps I did let my imagination run away with me but she did say his accent wavered and the timing wasn't great, so I was a bit concerned but that was last night, tonight is tonight.. Here is The Independent Reveiw or at least the bits that concern CF (it is a long review), you will probably find the full review on Murph's site in due course:- WHAT DID YOU DO IN THE PAST, DADDY? \"For the siblings, this comes as something of an end, but for the playwright Richard Greenberg it is a cunningly constructed beginning. This, the last in the Donmar's American season, is an often fascinating study of the legacy of two architects whose family home is a world-renowned landmark and the centre of an emotional whirlpool for their children\"..........\"The sibling rivalries of the well-layered characters are deftly established as Nan meets up with neurotic Walker for the reading of the Will\"......The director, Robin Lefevre, coaxes witty, beautifully modulated performance from his cast, all of whom resist the temptation to signal too heavily what we know of their older selves. The rivalry between the men is captivatingly done and the climactic seduction scene is exquisitely played by a wonderfully gauche, stammering Firth - all spectacles and hunched shoulders - and febrile, skittish McGovern - a young Katharine Hepburn and early Blanche Dubois - yet even they cannot stave off the curiously flat denouement.\" He didn't like the end, another paragraph to come. This is just the best bits but I am really looking forward to the seduction scene, didn't know about that! There is also a photo of Colin with EMcG & DM in character as W,N &P. A review should be in The Times tomorrow and The Telegraph Friday and Lizza is keeping an eye on The Guardian, then we must watch out for the Sunday papers. I will bring the paper cuttings with me on Saturday, perhaps Karen will be able to use them."}, {"response": 1526, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (20:57)", "body": "Lizza, I checked out \"Hello\" this lunchtime....and he's not there! Great relief. He's just not a \"Hello\" spread type! Moon, You're quite right....I really wish I'd invented a long lost aunt from Brazil who was paying a fleeting visit to London! Believe me, I did run through several scenarios, but chickened out. I did ask the guy at the Box office if there was any chancee that the play would tranfer for a longer run, and he said \"Don't quote me (which I am doing!) and this is only conjecture, but it might.\" I don't think it will...CF specifically mentioned only wanting a short run, and he does seem to have other projects n the offing. So I shall kick myself, and live vicariously! Oh, and Allison, great to hear that the Times has the \"House Full\" sign by the ad for 3DOR. Amazing how popular EMcG is! :-) This in itself denotes success...not many shows sellout before the reviews. There were even seats available for Nicole Kidman until Charles Spencer (D Telegraph) wrote his \"theatrical Viagra\" review, and then, guess what, everyone (male) wanted tickets! But 3DOR sold out...despite the Telegraph's comment that CF was \" as sexy as a breezeblock\"!"}, {"response": 1527, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (21:05)", "body": "(I took a printout because I wanted to read the comments about his mum and dad) As a fellow mother hen and incurable romantic, I would love to see that printout. Any chance? Or has your drooling reduced the paper to mush? I have been thinking about how proud his parents must be all day. This has, I have to say, interfered with my work somewhat:-)"}, {"response": 1528, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (21:08)", "body": "SEDUCTION scene?!!! I'm kicking myself, KICK, KICK, KICK!! And I'm e-mailing the BBC again to suggest a Performance adaptation of 3DOR with the original cast. I'm sure EMcG's partner is Head of Drama."}, {"response": 1529, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (21:13)", "body": "Oh you are so funny Bethan, are you sure you haven'y got some shopping to do in the West End, and just happen to pass the Donmar."}, {"response": 1530, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (21:19)", "body": "--Bethan--Did you get your play? ANYTHING??? --TO ALL LONDONGOERS: How DARE you have even a shadow of a doubt that you will have a wonderful and memorable experience and that you will see the best live theatre of your life (up to now, anyway!) Because you will. HAVE A BALL, ALL!!!--KJArt"}, {"response": 1531, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (21:26)", "body": "This has, I have to say, interfered with my work somewhat:-) Work, what's work? My family are all out at various places for the evening, and I was so pleased to see them go! Allison, if you email me your address I'll send you a copy of the printout. I hope I'm not hi-jacking your conversation with Chloe here, Ann, but I was so fascinated to read about the press night, and about his parents. I just find it tremendously endearing that he has such a nice and supportive family and that he's obviously so close to them. Quotes (family) His mum and dad were in the front row with his brother and sister. His mum looked really very sweet, white hair in a bun, quite bookish to look at, but WOW, I know where Colin gets his eyes from. He has his dad's shaped face and dimples though..like old Col they use their hands a lot, moving their fingers etc..I suppose it shows they were nervous. After the play there was a reception in the upstairs bar and Colin did make a five minutes appearance with his parents, before scuttling off. No sign of Livia. I can say, most definitely and explicitly, Colin looked gorgeous."}, {"response": 1532, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (21:29)", "body": "Have I read the script this badly? If there\ufffds a seduction, it has escaped my notice, must be somewhere between the lines. Hmmmmmm. It must be the moment when \ufffdThe rain is louder now...Lina: \"Look, it\ufffds started again!\"....A downpour.....?!"}, {"response": 1533, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (21:34)", "body": "Remember, most of Colin's best acting is in the absence of dialog....."}, {"response": 1534, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (21:36)", "body": "Karen, Yes, I've got it! With all this excitement I forgot to check! Many, many thanks for your perseverence. I'll just chop down a tree and start printing! BTW, my netaddress e-mail address seems to be fine again (fingers crossed), so I'm reverting back."}, {"response": 1535, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (21:39)", "body": "I shouldn't really be here, ironing up to the ceiling but just wanted you to know that I have found another excellent review this time on the internet at Theatreworld Internet Magazine www.members.aol.com/mouseu and you may have to scrool down to the reviews - small theatres outside the west end. If any of you can't find it I will type it out when I have done the ironing!!! Yes Livia, I thought it wazs lovely that his whole family should be there, obviously a close knit family and supportive."}, {"response": 1536, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (21:54)", "body": "Sorry gave you the wrong address for Theatreworld Internet Magazine, should be:-members.aol.com/mouseuk/stage/index.htm"}, {"response": 1537, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (22:29)", "body": "I've seen a production of the play and I've read the play both before and after having seen it, there is a lot more to it than these critics are catching. They have even gotten little facts wrong in their reviews. In that respect, they have the same problem that Walker has with his father. When someone said that the play seemed to be \"overly ambitious,\" I knew from that point they hadn't understood it. It succeeds very well at what it is attempting to do IMO. Re: a Seduction scene. Probably viewed more from the standpoint of Lina seducing Ned, but both of them do a very subtle dance around each other. I found the play to be very funny and freighted with meaning. I expect that not all the jokes (pop culture refs too) will translate well. That being said, I am very much looking forward to Colin in that role. It is the type that he can really sink his teeth into."}, {"response": 1538, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (23:03)", "body": "I'd like to remind some of you that if you give a site's complete address, not forgetting the http:// part, you give the rest of us a link we can hop into directly.Thanks!"}, {"response": 1539, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (23:41)", "body": "Gi, I'm afraid I don't know how to post a link, sorry."}, {"response": 1540, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (23:50)", "body": "Ann, this is how I do it. Either from my Bookmarks or from the location bar of your browser, hilight the URL you want to post then hit control+C. Toggle (tab and alt buttons) over to the Board you want to post it on, get your cursor where you want to put the URL then hit control+V. It should have http:// in front of it. If so, it will be a hot link and we can all use it."}, {"response": 1541, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (23:52)", "body": "let's see if this works. adding http://www to what you posted I get http://www.aol.com/mouseuk/stage/index.htm"}, {"response": 1542, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (23:55)", "body": "It worked but there is still something wrong since it said the URL was no longer on AOL or something was wrong with it. try again without the WWW http://aol.com/mouseuk/stage/index.htm"}, {"response": 1543, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (23:56)", "body": "Same problem, dear. Check that URL again and give it another try. I got the same page whether or not I used the www."}, {"response": 1544, "author": "kimtlaw", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 1999 (23:57)", "body": "Hi droolers, I managed to get in at long last. Seems like I caused quite a stir with my comments last night. I really didn';t mean to put anyone off the play, it was just that I am sure what with the press there and everything the timing seemed a bit off because the actors were nervous. Colin's perf is good, don;t get me wrong espec in 2nd half as the father, I would just have rather he used his own UK accent, deep and resonant. He did give a huge dimpled grin when bowing at the end so he obviously felt O about the performance. I am sure it will be better as each performance progresses."}, {"response": 1545, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (00:00)", "body": "OK this is it: IT WORKS!!! http://members.aol.com/mouseuk/stage/index.htm"}, {"response": 1546, "author": "kimtlaw", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (00:03)", "body": "About Colin's family - his mum and dad looked really proud when we all applauded at the end. Jonathon sat further back in about row 4 but I couldn;t see Livia at all - perhaps she went to the first perf on the 1st. Also there in audience was Jane Horrocks, quite heavily pregnant, Ian Hart (Land and Freedom) and Emilia Fox (played Georgiana in P&P)"}, {"response": 1547, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (00:03)", "body": "Hello Chloe, glad you made it and welcome. The reviews seem to be pretty good,thank goodness. Marcia, thanks for your help, will you try again for me and add members. before aol.com etc. Thanks."}, {"response": 1548, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (00:05)", "body": "Thankyou Marcia. I think Livia went to the Preview performances on Monday night, Chloe."}, {"response": 1549, "author": "kimtlaw", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (00:07)", "body": "Yes the reviews do look good, which is great as I really do want the play to succeed for Colin. I am feeling pretty rotten now - maybe just too hard to please. I think I was expecting too much last night, what with being there and all and with the hope that he might appear at the end at the reception thing in the bar. Maybe the fact that he stayed such a short time coloured my view of it all a bit. As I say, it hasn't put me off him at all - actually enhanced it as like all of us he is only human. He does have an amasing stage presence - actually looks bigger than he seems on the screen"}, {"response": 1550, "author": "kimtlaw", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (00:10)", "body": "I suppose Livia doesn't want to go to every performance, and I don't blame her really, it would get a little dull after 10 or so times...Perhaps Colin and his parents went straight off home to Islington to sample some home pasta cooking Livia had prepared!"}, {"response": 1551, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (00:16)", "body": "if anyone had problems finding it from the cover page, this will take you straight there http://members.aol.com/mouseuk/stage/off.htm#off west end theatres scroll down about 2/3 of the page."}, {"response": 1552, "author": "chloeb", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (00:27)", "body": "Are there any more details about the people who met Colin backstage after the 1st perf of 3DoR?"}, {"response": 1553, "author": "chloeb", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (01:29)", "body": "If I succeed in getting backstage to meet CF on Thurs I'll report back here. I am going with a friend who had a couple of months' fling with David Morrissey a few years ago and so hopefully I can use this as a ruse to ask for an introduction to the man himself. I'll keep you posted on it..."}, {"response": 1554, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (01:35)", "body": "(chloe)If I succeed in getting backstage to meet CF... We who are avionically impaired and cannot get to London are depending on your reports back to the homefront. Whether or not...but we'd all die of envy and joy for you if you did get to meet him. Either way, take notes and report back. We are depending on you! How fortunate you are in the selection of friends and in her selection of lovers! I hope they parted friends."}, {"response": 1555, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (02:38)", "body": "(Gi) Arami, and Marcia... Eileen and I are in Chat, join us! Errmmmmm... Thank you, madam, I rarely chat... ;-) (And missed your invitation by about two hours.) *** Brit Droolers, The Three Deers operate a scanner in the UK, but the press cutting service is not very efficient... anyone wishing to contribute to the media coverage for colinfirth.com, please let me know and I'll arrange contact. *** Chloe, please let us know exactly where the Donmar stage door is!"}, {"response": 1556, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (04:26)", "body": "Is anybody alive out there and still awake? If you are going to 3DoR, may I suggest you take a small pair of binoculars (the ones the size of opera glasses). You'll be glad that you did, I think."}, {"response": 1557, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (04:31)", "body": "(Arami) anyone wishing to contribute to the media coverage for colinfirth.com, please let me know and I'll arrange contact. I'd be happy to support them in any way I can. Monitarily??? Other ? Let me know."}, {"response": 1558, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (05:08)", "body": "Lizza I tried emailing you too, but it says your addresses has fatal errors. Leaving tomorrow so will see you in London."}, {"response": 1559, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (06:13)", "body": "TO ALL OF THE LONDON GOERS: Have a wonderful and memorable experience. Ann, if the programmes cost please get me one and I will send you the money. I hope that everyone has a really great time. After those reveiws and great times with friends it would be impossible not to have a ball. Only extraordinaty circumstances are preventing me from going."}, {"response": 1560, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (06:32)", "body": "To echo Rita, all of you have a wonderful, wonderful time! :) I can't wait to hear all about your adventures- and Ann dear, I will also send you some $ to cover the cost of a program, just let me know how much they run. :) Thank You again, and again!"}, {"response": 1561, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (07:16)", "body": "From the page that Ann discovered: (but only after my eyes recovered ;-)) DONMAR WAREHOUSE \"THREE DAYS OF RAIN\ufffd Now playing at the Donmar Warehouse This play is the first by the American playwright Richard Greenberg to be staged in Britain. It is a play firmly set in New York looking at two generations of the same family, first in the 1990s and in the second act, looking back at the 1960s. There is some wonderful humour, all of it accessible to the English audience. Greenberg writes very lyrically, his prose is full of nostalgia and remembrance as his characters recall their past. In the first act, Walker, COLIN FIRTH reappears after a period of not communicating with his family. In the meantime he has missed his father's funeral and caused his sister, Nan, ELIZABETH McGOVERN no end of anxiety resulting in her hiring a private detective to find him. Walker is a lovely character, quirky, very slightly unhinged, albeit less severely than his now hospitalised mother, whom he describes as like one of Zelda Fitzgerald's less stable si ters! Walker and Nan's father was an architect and famous for designing a house which made the cover of Life magazine in the 1960s. The play opens in a flat in New York where Walker has discovered a journal written by his father hidden under a mattress. This discovery makes brother and sister rethink their own past and brings in its wake some new insights. The arrival of their father's talented partner's son, Pip, DAVID MORRISEY, a successful actor in television soap, completes the triangle. Go to see Colin Firth draped on the balcony in his agony like a statue by Rodin! Walker talks about the house, what it means to him, what it symbolises. His personality, whilst infuriating to live with, is endearing and Colin Firth gives the part a vulnerability but with some underlying humour. Elizabeth McGovern has an excellent range and adds real depth to the character. David Morrissey conveys all the shallowness of his character, Pip which is played on by Walker, who although highly strung is brighter but less successful and less fulfilled. The shocking aspect of the first act is hen their father leaves the (almost) award winning house not to his children but to his partner's son, Pip. This hurt engenders more hurt as Walker tries to cope with the news. In the second act, Firth plays the father, Ned and McGovern, the mother, Lina, with Morrisey as Theo, the partner. I am not sure that I fully understood the nuances of this act in respect of the building. So many plans seemed to get torn up that I had trouble deciding whether the ideas were all Theo's or whether Ned just perceived Theo as the more creative partner due to Ned's insecurity and lack of confidence. Let me know what you think! Lina and Ned come together, both brittle misfits who mistake someth ng else for love. Talking about his parents in the first act, Walker says that, as his father came from New York, he didn't realise that his mother was mad, he just put it down to being southern. The play ends quietly on a reflective note. I am sure that it will give me something to think about for days to come. TOM PIPER's set is minimalist in the 1990s and has lots of exact touches for the 1960s, the sweep of a internal metal staircase linking the two. The performances are really first rate and ROBIN LEFEVRE's direction is unstudied and deft. I will certainly make a point of any opportunity to see more of Richard G eenberg's work. Reviewed by Lizzie Loveridge for Theatreworld Internet Magazine"}, {"response": 1562, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (07:51)", "body": "Thanks fopr typing that out Renate. \"Firth is superb\", .....etc says Charles Spencer in today's Electric Telegraph, go to reviews. He was the one who blasted the last two productions. If I have time I will type it out later and will get The Daily Telegraph today ladies."}, {"response": 1563, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (07:52)", "body": "I too will send the cost of the program if there are any left. Have a great time"}, {"response": 1564, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (08:09)", "body": "(Bethan)Allison, if you email me your address I'll send you a copy of the printout. Thank you. I shall E-mail you right away."}, {"response": 1565, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (08:09)", "body": "I would just like to remind you all to respect the privacy rule: if you relate reports from other places - such as the Firthlist - please make sure that you have the permission of the original posters. Hope you don't get me wrong, this reminder goes in particular to the newbies on these boards, who may not be aware of the existence of such a \"privacy rule\". Thank you all, it will help to keep the good relationships between the places."}, {"response": 1566, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (08:15)", "body": "(Bethan)Allison, if you email me your address I'll send you a copy of the printout. Thank you. I shall E-mail you right away."}, {"response": 1567, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (08:17)", "body": "Thanks fopr typing that out Renate. Not for that, Ann! I didn't type it, I just copied and inserted it :-). out, out, out italics!"}, {"response": 1568, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (08:26)", "body": "From the Electronic Telegraph. The review in the Times is not so good about the play. I shall type it in if I have to but am just off to the Times website to see if i can steal it from there. Charles Spencer writes: THE other week, I viciously attacked the first two plays in the Donmar Warehouse's American Imports season, and suggested that when it comes to new dramatic writing, the Brits are now knocking the Americans into a cocked hat. I suspected then that I was offering a hostage to fortune and so it proves with the third and final play, Richard Greenberg's Three Days of Rain. It is a terrific piece - civilised, witty, touching and cunningly structured. It is also unashamedly middle-class, and one realises with a start just how rare adult, middle-class values are in new plays by young dramatists these days. Greenberg belongs to the urbane tradition of Albee, Stoppard and Hampton rather than the \"trailer-park trash\" school, and if he can maintain work of this standard, his future looks exceptionally bright. The play is driven by a strong plot involving an inheritance, and the action starts in New York in 1995, where Walker is meeting his sister Nan. They are the thirtysomething children of a hugely rich architect who died the previous year, and sensible, down-to-earth Nan (Elizabeth McGovern) is furious with her wired, neurotic brother (Colin Firth) because he went AWOL for months and didn't even attend the funeral. Walker has always resented his father Ned's refusal to talk, to open up emotionally, and this resentment increases when he discovers his father's journal of 35 years earlier, only to find that it consists of little more than a terse recitation of facts. We also learn that Nan and Walker's mother, Lina, is mentally unstable, and meet Pip (David Morrissey), a handsome actor who is the son of Ned's former partner, Theo. The dramatic crisis in act one comes when it is discovered that instead f bequeathing his most famous work, a beautiful \"prism-like\" house, to his children, Ned has actually left it to Pip. Why? In the second half we go back 35 years, to 1960, when Ned and Theo were first setting up as architects and working on the house that was to establish their fame and fortune. With a marvellously effective use of doubling, the same actors are cast as the parents of the characters they have just played in the first half. The device doesn't just offer a chance for a smashing cast to show off their versatility, it also sharply points up the tyrannies - and occasional mercies - of genetic inher tance. The play is full of surprises, for Greenberg's theme (it is one he shares with Stoppard) is just how easy it is for the present to misinterpret the past. Ned, for instance, couldn't be more wrong about his father's failure in emotion, as is shown by the lovely depiction of blossoming love between Ned and Lina during three days of torrential New York rain. But the play's time sequence is shatteringly sad. The drama ends in a glow of romance and hope. But that was in 1960. Having already followed the families to 1995, we are keenly aware of the faultlines in the relationships, and know just how quickly happiness soured. Firth is superb as both the screwed-up, bullying Walker, brilliantly suggesting the egomania of unhappiness, and as Walker's humble, painfully stammering father, a performance that goes straight to the viewer's heart. McGovern is especially fine as Lina, tremblingly caught betwen passion and panic, while as Pip, David Morrissey triumphantly proves that it is possible to make niceness dramatically interesting. It's a marvellously rewarding play, full of warm humour and sharp wit as well as sadness, and Robin Lefevre's attentive, beautifully acted production does it proud."}, {"response": 1569, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (08:27)", "body": "out!"}, {"response": 1570, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (08:32)", "body": "\"Firth is Superb\" says Charles Spencer! Oh wow! I was really dreading his review. I'm SO-o-o pleased the reviews are good!!!!"}, {"response": 1571, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (08:59)", "body": "Thank you for posting these reviews, they lift my heart. This is my last visit to Drool before The Trip. I'll see some of you in London, and talk to you all on my return. Three cheers fot Colin and for Drool!"}, {"response": 1572, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (08:59)", "body": "From the Times: Grown-ups in wet nappies Three Days of Rain Donmar Warehouse, London WC2 Lucy Davies, the producer of the season that the Donmar is calling American Imports, says in the programme that she was \"extremely inspired and excited\" by the \"huge and vibrant culture of seriously talented playwrights\" she found on the other side of the water. Well, her third and final choice of American play justifies her claims better than her earlier two and, with Colin Firth, Elizabeth McGovern and David Morrissey each doubling the roles of parent and child, it has certainly attracted a thoroughly appealing cast. But she should still turn down those high-voltage verbs and adjectives a few notches. Richard Greenberg's Three Days of Rain is enjoyable but not too original. You can rely on the characters, Manhattanites all, to find ways of dressing up potentially flat lines in ways that are wryly amusing, often self-consciously literary but seldom psychologically revealing: \"He looks at me and sees something from Ana\ufffds Nin, just because I'm gloomy\", that sort of thing. More to the point, the play involves that favourite American theme: the grown-up infant's obsession with his or her parents - and, particularly, the son's attempts to come to terms with a damaging father. When I was reviewing in New York in the 1980s, I christened such stuff \"diaper drama\", which irked my readers and was, I suppose, a patronising way to describe a genre that stretched from O'Neill through Miller's Death of a Salesman to Sam Shepard. But Greenberg's play - which begins with Firth's edgy, embittered Walker Janeway returning from a year in hiding just too late for the funeral of the architect father he remembers as a big, silent blank - is hardly on that exalted level. I liked its wit and its sensitivity, but I fear that it will pretty soon join a dozen other diaper dramas in my private oubliette. Act I presents us with the 1995 generation. Firth's Walker exudes tart self-pity. Morrissey overdoes the preening vanity of Pip, the actor son of Walker's father's partner and the man to whom Janeway Sr has controversially bequeathed his most famous building, and so has trouble convincing us of the modesty and decency that eventually characterise him. McGovern is effective enough as Walker's sister, a role that requires her to do little more than play the reconciler. They all make more of Act II, which takes us back to 1960, subverts Walker's theories about his father's inadequacies, and is, I suppose, a salutary reminder to kids not to categorise the old folk too glibly. I shall reveal little more, for Greenberg has some nice twists in the offing. But Firth is touchingly truthful as an earnest stutterer with little self-belief and a terror of children, and McGovern unpretentiously excellent as a woman whose instability will, we know, destroy her. This is an actress who does more with her smile than most others with a score of gestures. On opening night, those curled lips expressed vulnerability, sensuality, mischief, diffidence, bewilderment, pain - in short, did everything but convince me that Rain really was an inspiring, vibrant play. BENEDICT NIGHTINGALE"}, {"response": 1573, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (08:59)", "body": "Thank you for posting these reviews, they lift my heart. This is my last visit to Drool before The Trip. I'll see some of you in London, and talk to you all on my return. Three cheers for Colin and for Drool!"}, {"response": 1574, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (12:01)", "body": "Thanks a million for the reviews. So, he\ufffds suberb, touchingly truthful....WE have always known it! I\ufffdm still at work, trying to do everything quick and then I\ufffdll run to the airport to catch the plane to London. See-you!"}, {"response": 1575, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (14:19)", "body": "(Gi)Thank you for posting these reviews, they lift my heart. And mine as well :-) They are mixed about the play but consistently excellent about Colin. You're going to see a hit, ladies! Call me picky but did anyone else take exception to this? More to the point, the play involves that favourite American theme: the grown-up infant's obsession with his or her parents - and, particularly, the son's attempts to come to terms with a damaging father. When I was reviewing in New York in the 1980s, I christened such stuff \"diaper drama\", which irked my readers and was, I suppose, a patronising way to describe a genre that stretched from O'Neill through Miller's Death of a Salesman to Sam Shepard...from the Times, Benedict Nightingale Oh, Benedict...bite me. We don't miss you. With love, from NY ;-P (Gi) Arami, and Marcia... Eileen and I are in Chat, join us! Errmmmmm... Thank you, madam, I rarely chat... ;-) Is that because you've not taken the trouble of practicing? ;-) I found lots of chat action yesterday. Any other stay-at-homes (as Marcia put it, avionically impaired--LOL) want to try to get together for a chat this weekend? We can drown our mutual sorrows at not being able to see Firth \"draped on the balcony in his agony like a statue by Rodin!\""}, {"response": 1576, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (15:54)", "body": "Here's the link for The Times' review: http://www.sunday-times.co.uk:80/news/pages/Times/frontpage.html?2047702"}, {"response": 1577, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (16:18)", "body": "Have fun all you London-goers, will be thinking of you Saturday afternoon, while the spit is flying all over the place! Do bring back glorious reports and a lock of hair (albeit not from the balding spot;)); If anyone spots Nick Hornby, tell him that he has shattered my image of him! Oh and can someone stick Jonathan Firth in their carry on? Have fun all! :)"}, {"response": 1578, "author": "Stacey", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (17:10)", "body": "Ann, if you are able to get me a program please let me know the cost if there is one. I will gladly send you the money! Thanks! Have a great time everyone!!! :)"}, {"response": 1579, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (17:54)", "body": "Yes, everyone bound for London have a wonderful time! Please send those reports at your earliest convenience. Hope you have a chance to meet Colin so he can see for himself his Internet fans are not a bad lot after all:-)"}, {"response": 1580, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (18:51)", "body": "I have just seen the review in The Times and although I hate the heading \"Grown-ups in wet nappies\" (what does that mean), I was glad to see that there is a sub-heading \"Colin Firth on stage\" so Benedict whatsisname as least thinks as we do that it is Colin heading the cast and not E.McG. Wonderful reviews all round, now just the Guardians' tomorrow. Anyone who has said they would like programmes would you please email me with your addresses,thanks."}, {"response": 1581, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (19:13)", "body": "Thought you all might like to know that there is another online excellent review at the London Theatre Guide - On Line, can't do the link but this is the address http://www.londontheatre.co.uk brings you to the main page then click on news or reviews. (will get my son to explain about posting links when he comes home at the weekend) Allison I bet his time tomorrow you will be having butterflies in the stomach."}, {"response": 1582, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (19:16)", "body": "Well done, Ann, you have answered my query - the Guardian tomorrow. What about the Financial Times. They have good Arts Reviews. Our local but highly regarded paper may have a review as the Donmar is just about in its area. I shall let you know. I am having a lot of trouble accessing things on the Net. There is an on-line version of the FT but I am having all sorts of trouble accessing it. I NEED A NEW COMPUTER!!!!!!!!!! I would buy one but the trouble of deciding what and then setting it up; transfering files etc makes me weak. So, Renate: If I do not manage to get through to you, I am trying to E-mail you but the response time on I-name is sooooooo long. I am not sure if it is my ancient computer's problem or theirs but I am trying."}, {"response": 1583, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (19:19)", "body": "smopenr returned null Invalid fp passed to push_stdin()! Well I don't know how that ha ppend but I appear to have posted a link, the woman's a genius."}, {"response": 1584, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (19:20)", "body": "Allison I bet his time tomorrow you will be having butterflies in the stomach. Showed my husband the ES review and he thought it sounded great. Pity we do not take the Torygraph. He would have liked the comparison with Stoppard! Unfortunately, he is not feeling too well (heavy cold). I am dosing him up. We shall be going even if I have to carry him in!"}, {"response": 1585, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (19:23)", "body": "If anyone is there tomorrow; if you see a 5'5\" woman carrying a 6'1\" man (lovely height) that will be me. You will know that it is me and not Livia by the fact that my husband's bald spot is a tiny bit larger:-)"}, {"response": 1586, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (19:36)", "body": "Eileen I will be in chat with you this weekend. Bear in mind I am 5 hours behind you. When it is 5am here it is already 10am where you are!"}, {"response": 1587, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (20:10)", "body": "God Speed, Bon Voyage, Good Speed, and swift journey full of Firthful thoughts. Dose up the husband (have any brandy?!) and get a nice wheelchair. They will let you sit right up front for the handicapped =^P I wish I could lurk at the first meeting eye-to-eye of the Droolies. That has to be what is causing the majority of the butterflies! Enjoy!!!"}, {"response": 1588, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (20:27)", "body": "Great photo of Colin on stage in today's Times. He just looks absolutely gorgeous, no other word for it, in a sweater and dark trousers. Will send for scanning, although I'm sure I'm not the only one who has bought a copy! But you'll be seeing him in the flesh...and so very soon! I am delighted that he is getting such good reviews. There was a brief item on Radio 5 (Arts Review..What's on) about 3DOR \"beautifully acted, with a memorable performance by Colin Firth\" Yes!! I'll be thinking of all of you on Saturday! SNIFF!"}, {"response": 1589, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (20:36)", "body": "Perhaps Bethan, as he is getting such wonderful reviews he may decide to go on stage more often and the next time you may be there.Have you by any chance heard from the BBC re adapting it for the small screen, an excellent idea I would have thought."}, {"response": 1590, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (20:36)", "body": "(Arami) anyone wishing to contribute to the media coverage for colinfirth.com, please let me know and I'll arrange contact. (MarciaH) I'd be happy to support them in any way I can. Monitarily??? Other ? Let me know. Bless you, Marcia! Any monetary contributions should be addressed to Terry directly! However, I was thinking more in terms of UK press cuttings and especially new pics for scanning... Dammit, one can't always get hold of every piece!!! (Eileen, re chat)Is that because you've not taken the trouble of practicing? Partly - but this time I'm again up to my eyeballs in an important job for an American publisher! Absolutely no time! I shouldn't even be here! So there! ;-P (Allison)the response time on I-name is sooooooo long. I am not sure if it is my ancient computer's problem or theirs but I am trying. As I said before, I have a reasonable service from them, so it's just possible that your computer is in need of upgrading."}, {"response": 1591, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (20:42)", "body": "Bethan - we've got the Times! What about Telegraph yesterday - was there any pic with that? Missed it!"}, {"response": 1592, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (21:33)", "body": "We will think of the rest of you, and get you some goodies plus our memories and impressions by the bucketful!! See you in London everyone. Allison ,enjoy!!"}, {"response": 1593, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (21:34)", "body": "I will have a spare Times Review, does anyone not going want me to send it to them? Marcia? Eileen?"}, {"response": 1594, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (21:36)", "body": "BTW tomorrow's Guardian should be a cert. Another gorgeous b/w photo would be bliss."}, {"response": 1595, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (22:55)", "body": "Arami, I have yesterday's Independent review with photo of all three actors in character, weird angle but I know you can work wonders. If you would like me to I would be pleased to send it to you after the weekend, I am taking it up to London to show the ladies but after that you are welcome to it."}, {"response": 1596, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (23:13)", "body": "Thanks! As always, you are very generous, Ann! However, if your offer can be matched (and I think it probably can), then your cutting could be donated to our American friends. Watch this space!"}, {"response": 1597, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 1999 (02:35)", "body": "--Bethan--Please e-mail me so I can find out what the Net considers your return address. Pleaseplease. --Arami--I'd like to get in touch in regard to American Media coverage. Not applicable at the moment (yet), but eventually very useful. (EX: I can get you a ton of stuff on SiL...I know!...old news!)"}, {"response": 1598, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 1999 (03:35)", "body": "(LizzaJ) I will have a spare Times Review, does anyone not going want me to send it to them? Marcia? Eileen? I'd adore having it if Eileen does not. Thank you for asking. Are Heide and Karen on the ground yet? I wish someone had taken a laptop!!!"}, {"response": 1599, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 1999 (08:34)", "body": "(Lizza)Allison ,enjoy!! Thanks, Lizza! I am actually looking forward to it. There was a time when I thought I would be feeling real butterflies but because of the good reviews, my husband is keen. I was dreading taking him to something mediocre and having to put up with his wisecracks about CF all evening. As it is, I am hoping he will be too absorbed by the play."}, {"response": 1600, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 1999 (09:51)", "body": "Perhaps Bethan, as he is getting such wonderful reviews he may decide to go on stage more often (Ann) I'm sure he will, and he'll be one of the few actors who can succeed on both stage and screen (film). It's surprising the number of British actors who have abandoned working in the theatre. And it's usually because of bad reviews...Alan Rickman got dreadful reviews for \"Antony and Cleopatra\", Liam Neeson's reviews for his recent return to the stage were quite derogatory (some of the audience left in the middle of the performance) and Ken Branagh said in a interview that he'll never act on stage again beca se it's so difficult to carry on after bad reviews! So I was really holding my breath for Colin...especially after the Telegraph article I thought which was very hostile. It's always the men who get the lambasting....the ladies seem to fare very well! Yes, Allison, I'm sure you'll be able to enjoy 3DOR now! I've got three copies of the Times (by mistake!), but none of the Independent. And there wasn't a photo in the Telegraph, unfortunately!"}, {"response": 1601, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 1999 (10:14)", "body": "Ann. I have just sent you an E-mail and forgot to put anything in the subject line, so look out for it. I would resend it but as I said before my poor old computer is going sooooooo slowly, I do not like to visit iname too often. I think each E-mail must be costing a fortune in line connection time!"}, {"response": 1602, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 1999 (10:28)", "body": "On the subject of bad reviews, I see that the Times has not been kind to Rufus Sewell (who has had a sympathetic run-up in the press) for his performance in Macbeth...\"hoarse-voiced..narrow interpretation\"...\"stomping like Mike Tyson\" etc. But it praises him, sarcastically, for \"not pandering to his fan club in the balcony\"! 3DOR is still listed as \"House Full\" (excellent!), with \"E McG heads the cast\". Well, I'm learning to live with this, just!"}, {"response": 1603, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 1999 (12:02)", "body": "Has anyone seen the Guardian review yet? Will purchase copy when I go out. Just don't feel like buying it if it is bad (cowardice)."}, {"response": 1604, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 1999 (12:47)", "body": "Allison, have emailed my address, hope you get it, how daft can you get!!"}, {"response": 1605, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 1999 (17:50)", "body": "Couldn't find Guardian review today. Did I miss it. Must be in tomorrow's. The time is almost nigh Allison, AAAHHH!!!"}, {"response": 1606, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 1999 (18:25)", "body": "Ladies, are you more nrevous about meeting eachother or about seeing Firth in the Flesh? Be honest!! I think perhaps it is the former!!!"}, {"response": 1607, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 1999 (18:26)", "body": "Lizza, I just got this message from trying to return you Email: barns@sparks44.freeserve.co.uk: Message appears to contain Win32/Ska.A virus - see http://www.datafellows.com/v-descs/ska.htm for details My server would not send it!!!"}, {"response": 1608, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 1999 (18:32)", "body": "(Allison) I was dreading... having to put up with (my husband's) wisecracks about CF all evening. All evening??? Mine is doing it all the time! \"Whatsisname... Mr Darth... Mr Firthy... The artist formerly known as Darcy...\" No review in today's Guardian. And I've seen the Independent's pic - it's rather unremarkable, and it will be difficult to work miracles with it. Worse still - EVEN I can't change that wretched angle! ;-p"}, {"response": 1609, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 1999 (18:50)", "body": "Thanks Marcia, isn't technology wonderful. But not as wonderful as someone in a threadbare green sweater, draped in agony over a balcony!!!"}, {"response": 1610, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 1999 (19:20)", "body": "(Lizza)But not as wonderful as someone in a threadbare green sweater, draped in agony over a balcony!!! My heart breaks for him every time I think of that graphic description. Am waiting for Cyber-son to reply. My Email got to you on the second try?! When I got it before it was trying to expand and use up all available on my 4 gig hard drive!!! Fortunately, I caught it in time. Weird people with too much time and too little to do out there!!!"}, {"response": 1611, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 1999 (19:35)", "body": "Its strange that there was no review in the Guardian today, considering they interviewed Colin last week but perhaps no review is better than the one Rufus Sewell got for Macbeth. Can't wait to hear if Chloe got to see CF last night, I'm sure I would go to jelly and my words would be all mishmashed (is there such a word?)"}, {"response": 1612, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 1999 (19:43)", "body": "(AnnW)words would be all mishmashed (is there such a word?) Absolutely there is a word...if not before, it exists now, and it is such a good word to describe exactly what would happen to each of us in similar circumstances. I DO wish they'd taken laptops to post to us...! I am so anxious to have word of their success!"}, {"response": 1613, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 1999 (19:53)", "body": "I have just popped into Chat Marcia and Ellie has posted that she is expecting a telephone call from London this evening and will share the news with us, so I intend to pop back later. Evelyn phoned this morning, had a good flight and we have all arranged to meet outside the Donmar before the Matinee and in answer to your question I am really nervous about meeting everyone and wondering what they think of me, only natural I suppose but at least we all have a common interest in our DB.I see from The Time that it is a sell-out again this evening, I look forward to hearing Allison's report in the morning."}, {"response": 1614, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 1999 (19:57)", "body": "I saw that. I am still in chat all by myself. Waiting to hear anything from across the pond. I am sure you will get on famously. After all what wwe look like is not what makes us special to eachother. It will just be another reason to like you!!!"}, {"response": 1615, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 1999 (20:01)", "body": "BTW, Ann, we are 12 hours behind GMT."}, {"response": 1616, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 1999 (20:33)", "body": "Great news, Evelyn has just telephoned to say that she and Karen have met and spoken to Colin, as he was going into the theatre. I won't give away anymore as it its their news but I was just so excited and so were they. Hope we get the same chance tomorrow night."}, {"response": 1617, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 1999 (20:41)", "body": "Oh my how exciting!!! I am all of a quiver for them!!!"}, {"response": 1618, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 1999 (20:49)", "body": "All evening??? Mine is doing it all the time! \"Whatsisname... Mr Darth... Mr Firthy... The artist formerly known as Darcy...\" (Arami) LOL! One of my reasons for being a closet-Colinist is that my dear hubbie irritated me intensely during my first viewing of P&P, by constantly making facetious comments about Mr Darcy. He must have sensed my interest! Perhaps I should form a self-help group for all those whose partners/spouses lack understading in these matters! Rather pathetically, I actually phoned the Donmar box office today to see if there was any likelihood of a transfer. Answer \"no\" \"only 13 performances...all sold out\". There was a terrific clamour in the background...sounded as though they were having a party! Its strange that there was no review in the Guardian today, considering they interviewed Colin last week but perhaps no review is better than the one Rufus Sewell got for Macbeth. All I can say about Rufus Sewell's reviews..and the production...is Ouch!! I must admit it rather irked me that Macbeth and RS seemed to get all the pre-opening publicity...the big opener of the week, whilst 3DOR and CF were rather marginalised, and I was really expcting (being a true pessimist!!) that Macbeth would get the rave reviews! Well, you lucky ladies will soon be seeing the Man Himself. I really hope you enjoy the production (you will!)and get a chance to meet Colin. I'm all agog for the blow-by-blow reports. BTW, although with all the excitement, this may not seem like great news...Video Plus Direct say that ATA will be available for sale on April 12. I'll buy it cause he sure looked pretty!"}, {"response": 1619, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 1999 (20:55)", "body": "Perfect news re ATA Bethan, I was only talking about that yesterday, thanks for solving that one!! Do you have a keepsake arranged to be sent to you from our performances? You probably do and I missed the post, but if not let me or Ann know."}, {"response": 1620, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 1999 (21:02)", "body": "Evelyn has just telephoned to say that she and Karen have met and spoken to Colin You go, girls!! I can't wait to hear the details. Thanks for the early report, Ann. (Arami) \"Whatsisname... Mr Darth... Mr Firthy... The artist formerly known as Darcy...\" LOL, Arami. I haven't experienced teasing because I've not progressed past devious concealment, but it's getting more difficult. (LizzaJ)I will have a spare Times Review, does anyone not going want me to send it to them? Marcia? Eileen? (Marcia)I'd adore having it if Eileen does not. I think first come, first served is only fair. You're welcome to it, Marcia. Thanks for remembering us, Lizza."}, {"response": 1621, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 1999 (21:27)", "body": "(Allison) I was dreading... having to put up with (my husband's) wisecracks about CF all evening. (Arami), All evening??? Mine is doing it all the time! \"Whatsisname... Mr Darth... Mr Firthy... The artist formerly known as Darcy...\" (Bethan), Perhaps I should form a self-help group for all those whose partners/spouses lack understading in these matters! LOL!!! I am completely there. My husband keeps saying he doesn't understand why I would be attracted to a \"rent collector\" (his Darcy). I am so happy for Evelyn and Karen! Colin could not have met two people who know more about him. I wonder if they were able to say anything at all or just stood there frozen in time. I have a million questions to ask them."}, {"response": 1622, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 1999 (01:14)", "body": "WAIT!!!!! My Karen, who I visit every couple of months MET COLIN FIRTH!!!!!!!!!! OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now, I'm really depressed;("}, {"response": 1623, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 1999 (01:31)", "body": "(Eileen) I've not progressed past devious concealment, but it's getting more difficult. I've been through devious half-concealment and it was difficult. I couldn't resisit the urge to put huge Darcy portraits up around the house (they're still in place), and began with praising the fictitious character, before gradually progressing to extolling the greatness of the actor... My poor husband was showing signs of great emotional disturbance at first, but now he's coping very well indeed. I am sure your husbands/partners will too, after that initial readjustment. The important thing is for both ides to show a sense of humour, of course."}, {"response": 1624, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 1999 (01:34)", "body": "Btw, there's a compilation of media reactions to CF's latest stage performance in the Specials at firth.com."}, {"response": 1625, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 1999 (05:14)", "body": "It is hours later and I am just home from day one of two days of softball games. And dears that they are Karen and Evelyn (not Heide?!) met COLIN!!!!! I am absolutely delighted for them and hate them at the same time =P Really, I cannot wait to hear the wonderful details!!!"}, {"response": 1626, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 1999 (05:40)", "body": "Good heavens. I am the only one awake in the entire world, and I am sitting here wondering what sort of meltdown Karen and Evelyn went through!!! I am just so excited for them and for everyone. How can they be sleeping?! WAKE UP!!! Tell me all about it. I cannot stand it. You will ve chatting about it while I sleep. I am at the wrong end of the world!!! Help! =^("}, {"response": 1627, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 1999 (08:52)", "body": "GOOD GOD!!!! The Karen I saw just last week? The Evelyn whom I spoke with on the phone a few weeks ago??? Or girls have done us proud. I'm pleased as punch and now going to run over to chat to see if anyone's awake and drooling..."}, {"response": 1628, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 1999 (08:54)", "body": "I have been away from Drool for almost a month now due to life overload and have missed you all greatly. I just caught up on the 600+ posts - Phew! Actually , I am reading them all with a slight cringe because up until two weeks ago I was planning on being in London myself. But real life intervened - too much work and a non-understanding husband. He knows about my Colin crush but flying to London to see him in person was a bit much for the DH to bear. (That's what I get for being honest. I suppose n xt time I will have to resort to subterfuge :-).) I was booked to stay with Heide, Karen and Evelyn so I am sitting here mildly heartbroken to think I could have possibly met the man himself! Not to mention my disappointment in not getting to meet such a grand convocation of Droolies (including the lovely lady with whom I share a name - Jana C :-) Oh well, it helps a lot that there are others of you out there feeling the same way I do. And it definitely helped to meet a couple of droolie friends last week at tea. Winter, it is always delightful to see you and Moon - what a pleasure to meet you in person. And now Ben, saw at ROP that you might be planning a trip to the west coast? Perhaps we should arrange another group lunch. Meeting another charming British gent just might assuage some of my disappointment in missing out on CF. I know that's a lot of pressure to place on you dear, but I'm sure you're up to the challenge ;-). What say you? Winter, are you game?"}, {"response": 1629, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 1999 (08:57)", "body": "Wow, Winter we posted almost at the same time. We must be the only two people awake and drooling......."}, {"response": 1630, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 1999 (09:23)", "body": "Okay, Marcia, I am here but you may be in bed by now. I am afraid I did not meet CF personally though as we left the theatre there was a large contingent amassing in the stalls, obviously waiting for an audience with the Man, so there should be lots of news soon. First we had a good night. We go to the theatre a fair amount and increasingly have found it rare to have a really satisfying night at the theatre. When you see a good play, IMHO, it is better than any film or television. Most of the most interesting things we have seen tend to be at samll intimate theatres like the Donmar, Almeida etc. This we both agrred was a good theatrical experience. For those who do not know, the Donmar has about 200 seats. We were in the stalls. The audience is arranged on three sides of the stage, only four deep, so you are very close to the action. The stage is almost square and only a foot or so high, so you are looking directly at the actors not up or down at them as you would be in a large theatre. The play is interesting in its own right but I will not trouble you with the intricacies of the plot as I know many of you have read it. All the cast are wonderful. E McG is terrific and DM is excellent though his part is not so big. I shall come on to what Colin looked like in a minute but in a way that became irrelevant because what was absorbing was his acting. He really is a fantastic actor. As Walker he had a slightly nasal, what sounded to me like a NY accent. It sounded a bit Woody Allenish ( on't hit me). He had a great sense of comic timing and coveyed the brittle, always on the edge Walker so well. If I had a criticism it was that he was slightly on one note. I sometimes wished for a bit a variety in the pitch of his voice. In the second half, as Ned, he was sublime!! I love it when he plays those timid, wounded characters. *******Spoilers about to come************** When E McG begins to flirt with/ seduce him he was just so wonderfully sweet and besotted, I almost felt like crying and when he put his arms around her it was sooo moving but then I may be a little biased. ************** The play ends very abruptly. So it takes a second or two for everyone to realise it is over. When the applause came it was loud and CF seemed very relaxed. No big grin. Just his usual half smile with full dimples. At one point he caught somebody's eye in the circle and gave them a knowing grin. I did not see anyone I recognised in the audience, apart from a business associate of my husband's so it was as well I was not wearing my \"I love Colin T shirt\". As for looks. To be honest, I would not describe him as handsome. He looks neither younger or older than his age. But he is SUCH a good actor and in the second half he was so transformed in appearance when he was playing the lovestruck Ned. He was just adorable. It has been said that he is very thin. Not so. He is slim but definitley not thin. He has broad shoulders and is reasonably deep chested. But bear in mind as I did that he is not dressed to impress in these parts and the character of Walk r requires him to make a lot of facial contortions as he expresses W's anger and resentment. My husband was very impressed and now I have 2 members of my family apart from me who have spontaniously said that he is a good actor. ***One sad point*** He is definitely losing his hair! Especially in the second half when his hair was wet it was quite clear that his hair is quite thin in parts. It made him seem even more vulnerable. I kept thinking that I hoped he was vain enough to have a hair transplant. I am not sure he would look so good....bald..sob..sob.."}, {"response": 1631, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 1999 (09:57)", "body": "Bethan, have you received my E-mail?"}, {"response": 1632, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 1999 (10:35)", "body": "Allison, yes and no....I received the email, but when I opened it, there was no content...just a \"transfer interrupted\" message. It must have been the time when I was having problems with e-mailing. I'm so pleased you enjoyed the play, and, more importantly, the performances!! I'll comment more later, when \"normal life\" (shopping etc) is less demanding! But I can't resist a comment about \"his hair, my dear, his hair!\" Wet hair under stage lighting is just about as revealing as you can get! Dry hair, normal lighting...well, illusions are preserved! And in a recent survey most women found balding men attractive! But seriously, it's the acting that matters."}, {"response": 1633, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 1999 (10:56)", "body": "Thanks for that Allison, cant'wait. Also I received your letter this morning thankyou. Did they get a long and loud applause at he end."}, {"response": 1634, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 1999 (11:22)", "body": "Wonderful review in The Guardian today, Saturday Review section \"world-class performances\", phew, will type it out more fully tomorrow unless someone else does it first. No time today going to see a play!!"}, {"response": 1635, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 1999 (12:42)", "body": "Ann, youu beat me to it, Ann.In addition to \"world class performances\" the Guardian also describes the acting as \"outstanding\" and \"brilliant\". The Express (not today's) also has a rave review...calls CF's performance \"terrific\" . More later. Guardian also has new pic of CFF and EMcG. Enjoy, Ann!"}, {"response": 1636, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 1999 (12:45)", "body": "CFF?!! I'm developing a stutter!"}, {"response": 1637, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 1999 (13:58)", "body": "CFF?!! I'm developing a stutter! It is all this excitement. it's the acting that matters. That is so true. Just watching him at work \"in the flesh\" really brought that home to me. Bethan. Will try E-mailing again."}, {"response": 1638, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 1999 (14:30)", "body": "Allison, thanks for answering so many questions. None of the reviews have pleased me more than yours. Ann, I'm looking forward to yours. Jana2 it was great fun meeting with you and Winter as well. I still can't believe you cancelled London."}, {"response": 1639, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 1999 (14:40)", "body": "Allison, thanks so much for the report! So glad you had such a good time -- what a thrilling experience! Can't wait to hear about Evelyn and Karen's CF encounter. As for me, I keep having to wait for hubby and sons to find ways to occupy themselves so I can sneak online and check for updates -- another drooler resorting to subterfuge:-)"}, {"response": 1640, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 1999 (17:43)", "body": "Oh NO! Where are the reports from the met Colin in the Flesh people. I hurried up and slept hoping all of the reports would be at hand. Must leave again in two hours for the day. Will be glued here tomorrow!!! I think they have swooned into a Sleeping Beauty Coma and are awaiting a ...well, ODB is busy right now ;^)"}, {"response": 1641, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 1999 (19:59)", "body": "Karen and Evelyn- details, details! What was he wearing? What did he say? What did you say? I am all anticipation! :) (Jana) And now Ben, saw at ROP that you might be planning a trip to the west coast? Perhaps we should arrange another group lunch. If you're planning a West Coast get together I should dearly love to pop in and meet everyone! What fun! :) Regarding 'The Hair Issue'; while i am particularly attached to the DB's adorable curls... it's just hair. He'll look divine no matter what. And besides, you dont need hair to act, and as long as he keeps acting i'm going to be one happy girl. :)"}, {"response": 1642, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 1999 (20:11)", "body": "Thank you Allison, for your detailed and timely report! It really means alot to us back at the homefront. ...what sounded to me like a NY accent. It sounded a bit Woody Allenish So he *did* use a NY accent. And I missed it. SOB :.-(... He is definitely losing his hair! We're all thinking the same thing--His hair, Louisa, his hair! Sigh. I suppose we shall have to take the bad with the good. Hope it's a gradual process. Would hate to think of him looking like Nick Hornby. (SusanMc)I keep having to wait for hubby and sons to find ways to occupy themselves so I can sneak online and check for updates. (Moon)My husband keeps saying he doesn't understand why I would be attracted to a \"rent collector\" (his Darcy). (Arami) I couldn't resisit the urge to put huge Darcy portraits up around the house (they're still in place). Hmm, the three stages of married Drool-ism?! I'm in Stage 1 with Susan (I think Moon and Bethan are there with us). Perhaps you can coach us, Arami? Darcy portraits around the house? LOL! What do you do when company comes?"}, {"response": 1643, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 1999 (20:12)", "body": "Allison and Ann, thank you for your updates on the traveling Drool contingent and your feedback on 3DOR and the DB himself. My pulse quickened as I read your comments, and I felt a wistfulness which I have not experienced since I was a little girl who, due to circumstances beyond her control (mainly, being a little girl), was unable to attend the last Beatle concert in town some thirty plus years ago\ufffd. It is of great consolation, however, to know that Karen and Evelyn had the pleasure of meeting CF. Does this make all of us at home now one degree of separation from Colin? I hope so! I am delighted that Colin\ufffds performance did not disappoint. I am grateful that Colin has the courage to explore such varied roles, for he takes us all on journeys (both figuratively and literally) we otherwise might not have taken. As I was catching up on the many posts of this week, the excitement building up to this day was palpable. There is a synergy to Drool which, IMO, is its magic: the sum is truly greater than its parts. I cannot wait to read everyone\ufffds reports! Such torture having to wait\ufffd\ufffd BTW Allison, I am not worried about the thinning hair. Don\ufffdt men lose most of their hair by their early 30s if it is going to happen? That has been my observation, at any rate."}, {"response": 1644, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 1999 (20:41)", "body": "Oops, I meant to say that the whole of Drool is greater than the sum of its parts. I am too excited to even think or write clearly. Arami, I love your DH's refence to the DB as \"the artist formally known as Darcy.\" I cannot stop laughing.....I bet CF himself would get a kick out of that! A far wittier comment than any of those from the so called journalists of late."}, {"response": 1645, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 1999 (20:59)", "body": "Guardian Review: (extracts) Genes of the fathers....Lyn Gardner sees outstanding performances lift a play above the ordinary It's the acting - brilliant, hard and absolutely true - rather than the writing which lifts Richard Greenburg's 3DOR above the ordinary....... It's left up to Robin Lefevre's beautiful nuanced production and the actors to paint in the detail and the emotional texture of parents who will always be skeletons in their own children's wardrobes. The three-some deliver world-class performances. What you remember are not the smart, sassy lines but Firth's Walker, shivering like a traumatised child in his hunky grown-up frame. The Daily Express (extracts) Mr Darcy reigns supreme in new role... He's terrific in this civilised new American play.....It's a pleasure to see three actors inhabit an enjoyable new play with competence, calm and grace. Browsing at the news-stands (but not buying!)a few days ago, I also saw a snippet in the Tatler (I think) about CF's return to the stage, and there was also a longish article in \"Now\" magazine about JE. (Ben....do read on, please!) It mentioned her new movie \"This Years Love\" but focused far more on her comment that since she split from CF four years ago, she hasn't been in a relationship, and she is quoted as asking \"why is it so hard to find a decent man\". She says that she has just bought a fl t in London and is living alone. She also says that CF is a really nice guy, and a very good actor, and that she had seen him in SIL and thought he was great. Well, hope this keeps you all happy, until the REAL news reports start filtering through! I'm beginning to feel like the girl who opted to stay at home and wash her hair whilst everyone else went out partying!"}, {"response": 1646, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 1999 (21:23)", "body": "SB Robinson : If you're planning a West Coast get together I should dearly love to pop in and meet everyone! What fun! :) wonderful! We're all meeting for lunch on Saturday the 20th, but details are still TBA (and decided upon). Email me at jesperan@ucla.edu AGGGGHHHH!!! I can't stand it!!!!! Evelyn! Karen!! Where are you!?!? You owe us details, ASAP! I'll only forgive you if your schedules are preventing you from going online at the moment, or if you've been invited to dine at our DB's home."}, {"response": 1647, "author": "chloeb", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 1999 (21:27)", "body": "Have just seen 3DoR for second time this week (is that dedication or what?!) and must say it certainly was a lot better this time around, (even though I had to pay for the ticket for the matinee this time)It was probably something to do with the actors having settled more into their characters. It also helped that we had far better seats - row B at RHS of stage, near the bed! Colin's performance in particular was much improved (but as i think I said earlier, he was nervous I think on press night) If its a all possible he looked even more amazingly gorgeous than Tuesday eve, all the better for seeing him closer I suppose. Like others have said, I do think the Woody Allenesque NY drawl was a bit all on one level but this is a minor quibble..."}, {"response": 1648, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (00:33)", "body": "With all this excitement, I forgot to tell you that Gwynneth was on Jay Leno last night. They showed a long clip with Wessex(the one that begets the slap), and at the end of it, Jay says \ufffdOh, I liked that guy.\ufffd To which she replies it\ufffds Colin Firth, he\ufffds terrific. Much exposure for DB from all sides, are we not distracted? Soon the media will be reconsidering the Darcy for the Firth, and what wonderful leading roles will he be offered! Can\ufffdt wait to hear from Ann tomorrow, she will have so much to tell us. Ben, do British men imitating an American accent automatically do Woody Allen? It most be a sociological phenomena. I am most curious for your opinion. Thanks for the Guardian review Bethan, I look forward to more."}, {"response": 1649, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (01:28)", "body": "Hi I'm back and just putting down a few thoughts before I go to bed, will talk about the \"world class performance\" tomorrow. Well we all had a fantastic time, it was so lovely meeting everyone and putting faces to names, Gi. Elena, Heide, Karen, Jan, EmmaE,Evelyn and Lizza, hope I haven't missed anyone out. We also met many other fans from other CF websites, a truely amazing day. At the end of the performance we all collected in the foyer, not just drool but FOF & Pemberley and many more fans and Col n appeared, was absolutely charming, signed everyone's programme, had photo's taken when asked and seemed genuinely pleased to see all his fans, it must have taken him 20 mins to run the gauntlet of fans whilst Livia wazited patiently for him. We have masses of programmes, not all signed I am afraid, Evelyn living in America has them for all the people who wrote to me so I will pass on your address to her. He looked so well so slim and even though he is starting to lose a little bit of hair who cares wh n he has such lovely brown twinkly eyes and a gorgeous voice and acts with so much energy and so beautifully. I actually spoke to him \"would you please sign both programmes\" and he looked me straight in the eyes and said \"of corse\". He looked everyone in the eye and seemed very confident. Must finish now, will post some more tomorlrow. BTW Chloe did you get to meet D. M and CF on Thursday? Please excuse any spelling and grammar mistakes."}, {"response": 1650, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (01:46)", "body": "Perhaps you can coach us, Arami? Darcy portraits around the house? LOL! What do you do when company comes? I can't really offer you any useful advice, except that the older you are, the less embarrassed you tend to be... My Darcy portraits do not get in the way of most of our visitors, but should anyone comment, I explain simply and truthfully that it's my favourite actor in one of his most famous incarnations. My hubby just introduces him resignedly as my heartthrob..."}, {"response": 1651, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (01:52)", "body": "Can anyone tell me if the Guardian has their photo from 3 DOR up on their website? Or do I need to scan it? (Allison, Bethan - I've got it :-))"}, {"response": 1652, "author": "chloeb", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (02:54)", "body": "Anne W: Not yet met the Adonis - planned backstage recce for this Thursday, if can wing it, although must keep realistic about it all going belly up. Will give it a damn good shot though. Good to hear that you managed an autograph - it's all worth it for a penetrating look straight in the eyes if nothing else isn't it?!! Will let you know if successful............."}, {"response": 1653, "author": "chloeb", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (03:16)", "body": "Quick word re: hair loss - Colin's dad who was in the audience on Tues' press show - he hasn't lost his hair (ie. not Nick Hornby \"bald\" on top of head) but it had receded from front hairline- ie. he still has a lot of hair on top despite his mature years and, genetically speaking, that's what may happen to Colin's 'bonce, so there's hope yet. Even if he does go bald on top, there is a chance that even this could look q distinguished as long as he doesn't revert to resorting to a Bobby Charltonesque methods (US cousins = this means SAD thin strands of hair attempting to cover large patches of baldness) or wearing a dodgy & easily dedectible, but very expensive toupee. But we know he's better than that don't we?!"}, {"response": 1654, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (04:25)", "body": "OH MY GOD!!!!!! I cannot believe you guys. My heart is beating so fast as I was reading all the posts. I can kick myself in the *** for not going. What a simply wonderful time. I probably would have fainted to see that gorgeous smile and hear that beautiful voice. Ann......I hope Evelyn doesn't forget my programme. Lucky,Lucky,girls. Details.........Details....."}, {"response": 1655, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (04:38)", "body": "What an incredible day these ladies have had. My heart is overjoyed for them, while at the same time, a part of me wishes I had been there too. In the worst way!!! I want to go outside and scream at the night sky, When do I get to meet Colin Firth??? =P I am so eager to hear details I shall not move from this PC on the morrow after I awaken. No more softball and only CF for me this week."}, {"response": 1656, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (04:45)", "body": "If anyone is lurking and would like to chat, I am in the room and will join you. I have the awful feeling I am alone in the world and everyone else is sleeping."}, {"response": 1657, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (05:07)", "body": "Watching Arsenal play Derby at the moment. Evelyn? Karen? Any of you make it out to Highbury today (unless this match was ages ago)? BTW, Any sign of NH in the Donmar audience? So excited for all of you who got to meet him. Congratulations on a mission accomplished, everyone! Who cares about a receding hairline... he's still our DB! And as usual, Livia's pulling the Tammy Wynette thang...standing right by the man(and who wouldn't)..."}, {"response": 1658, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (05:12)", "body": "Winter, it was pointed out to me quite sardonically that Tammy Wynette had been married 5 times. It makes one wonder by which one she was standing ;^) Why are they taking so long to drop the other shoes and tell us all about it. Perhaps they are still suspended metaphorically above ground!"}, {"response": 1659, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (05:13)", "body": "I am back in chat! Come back!!"}, {"response": 1660, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (05:32)", "body": "Nika, come back to chat. I have been writing to you!!!"}, {"response": 1661, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (05:41)", "body": "Nika hit the reload button to see what I am saying to you in chat."}, {"response": 1662, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (06:03)", "body": "All of you waiting for someone from London to post something and are in Chat, please keep hitting the reload button to see what the others have said."}, {"response": 1663, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (06:21)", "body": "And keep hitting the RELOAD button often through your time in the chat room to keep up with the conversation. It is a huge help."}, {"response": 1664, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (08:23)", "body": "Ann, thanks so much for your timely report! I know you must have been exhausted after such an exciting day. Congratulations to all of you who have met the dear man. How very happy I am for you all. Marcia and I shall soon be alone in the \"never seen Firth\" club. We few. We unhappy few :-(."}, {"response": 1665, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (11:14)", "body": "Ann, Can't wait to hear your news. Your husband was with you wasn't he? How did he cope with it all. Or did he stand and commiserate with Livia? On Friday when I saw the play, I could see the Frthites collecting in the stalls. I hung back as long as I could in the hope of seeing himself but my husband then bundled us out of the emergency exit to avoid the crush. Oh if only I were not so self conscious and easily embarrassed!"}, {"response": 1666, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (12:04)", "body": "Have just skimmed the Sundays for 3DOr reviews..and bought the Observer and Independent (already got Telegraph). Consistently excellent reviews for Colin and 3DOR. The only annoying thing is that first place in all the reviews is given to the extremely bad reviews of Macbeth and Rufus Sewell, which means that there are huge pics of RS and references to his glamorous box-office appeal (wot of CF, I ask?), and no photos of Colin (except in the Observer). Always the bridesmaid, never the bride!!! BUT, Colin has got GREAT reviews...\"Firth amongst equals\" \"Colin Firth is amazing\" \" a miracle of corrugation\" \"first-rate\". And these are the heavy reviewers who can be scathing. RS's reviews would make you cringe. Didn't buy the Sunday Times, but the review was very good...\"played with corruscating intelligence\" More later"}, {"response": 1667, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (14:12)", "body": "Ann, thanks for your initial report! How thrilling to have met Colin -- so proud of you for managing to actually speak to him -- I would not have been able to get out a word, probably just would have stood their gaping idiotically. Did anyone tell him you ladies represent his Internet fans and had come from all over the world to see him act? Hope he thinks better of us now;-) What was he wearing? Did Livia say anything? The more details, the better!"}, {"response": 1668, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (15:18)", "body": "Ann, thanks for an early report, as Jana2 said, we will now be the board of met him/not met him. Susan you have asked good questions and I would also like to know if Karen and Evelyn told you Ann about what happened when they met him outside the theatre. Bethan, you are our media reporter about town thank you."}, {"response": 1669, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (16:38)", "body": "Part 1. Hi again Firstly re my last post, of course, l meant Jana not Jan. Secondly, Allison yes my husband came with me yesterday and together with Gi's fiancee as the only male in a group of 17 and he had a lovely time. He likes going to the theatre anyway and thought that the play was very good, well directed a nd very well acted by all three actors and thought the script was funny and witty. We saw it twice and were glad we did because some unanswered questions were answered the second time round, I won't go into them now in case it spoils it for anyone who hasn't already seen it but I would love to talk about it later. The scenery is very minimal but as my hubby says they really couldn't afford a lot of scenery for such a short run but to my mind the scenery or lack of it didn't matter, what mattered were the spellbinding performances by all three but especially CF. In the matinee he was particularly good and he lit up the stage whenever he appeared. Karen & I must have been sitting 6 inches from his feet when he was lying on the bed at the start of the play, much restraint was needed I can tell you. Once you have got used to the accent it is fine and doesn't in any way detract from the performance. There is nothing like live theatre, for instance in the matinee there is a part where Colin has to turn on the taps and splash his face and unfortunately the top of the tap came off and he couldn't turn the tap off but professional that he is he calmly walked round behind the basin picked up the tap screwed it back on whilst delivering a very dramatic speech and luckily the tap turned off but it could have been very difficult if the tap had not turned off and then in the second performance he got his bag which had a shoulder strap caught up in the stool and couldn't untangle it but I must say that the way he coped with both these events merely added to my admiration for him. He has such stage presence that I really wish he would do more theatre and every word of the wonderful reviews is true , it is a wonderful witty well written play beautifully acted and directed and everyone in the audience seemed to be really caught up in it laughing at the right times and silent in the more dramatic oments."}, {"response": 1670, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (16:54)", "body": "Part2. I have done this in two parts as when I tried to do the whole report I got cut-off and lost the whole message. I'm afraid I can't remember what Colin was wearing when he came out I was just so amazed that he was doing all this autograph signing and photos,apparently he has been doing it all week coming down to the foyer and signing etc.I thought Livia looked very thin and much younger than her years but very very pretty and although I didn't speak to her some others did and said she seemed very very nice. Some people asked if they could have photos of both Livia and Colin and she was quite happy to pose for them. He definitely knew that we were from the Internet because Evelyn asked i he would have a group photo with the people from Spring,which he did and which I missed as I was still in shock at having spoken to him and had gone to the other end of the foyer to give others a chance to have their programmes signed. Never mind my kind hubby has taken a photo of me and Colin as he is signing my programme., so that will be fine. BTW Moon, apparently Evelyn, Karen & Heide etc were having supper in the restaurent opposite the Donmar when Colin arrived for the evening performance and Evelynm grabbed the moment and Karen and went over to the Donmar and calmly asked If he would sign the programmes and the rest you know or will know when they get home. Can't think of anything else at the moment but if you have any questions it may remind me of things. Oh one other thing someone did ask him if he was goin to to Mark Darcy in BJD and all he said was \"well the press seem to think so\" but the person who asked this question didn't feel he would do it so we will just have to wait and see."}, {"response": 1671, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (17:16)", "body": "Oh, Ann, thanks for the report! I'm sure I'll think up some more questions for you, but don't have time now -- husband and 2 little boys are demanding lunch."}, {"response": 1672, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (17:21)", "body": "Oh, lovely, Ann! My thanks to both you and Allison for your detailed reports. I really wish...well, you know what I wish! But I'm sure he'll do more theatre now. BTW buy the Observer...the review of CF is absolutely marvellous! There's also a good photo of him..but then, you've SEEN HIM IN THE FLESH!!!! So who cares about photos (Me!). Absolutely love the bit about the tap...I'd panic if that happens to me in the privacy of my own kitchen...but on STAGE, wow!!! He must be very composed! Please give us as much detail as you can remember..!!!"}, {"response": 1673, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (18:16)", "body": "Thank you, thank you, Ann for coming back to earth to share your wonderful news and detailed report. I'm happy and excited for all! His great performance alone would have merited the trip but to MEET HIM, TOO! Good for you, ladies, and good for you, Colin, for recognizing your loyal fans. Have no fear, there's still plenty of us in the HNMCC (have not met Colin Club). Perhaps our day will come. Sigh. I'll just have to wait for my program. Thanks for the reviews, Bethan. One cannot read too many good things about ODB!"}, {"response": 1674, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (18:53)", "body": "I have just lost ahuge post to you all. I am going to post in bits. Please excuse this but I have just poured out all my emotion of meeting him and it's all gone. Anyway he is wonderful and talented and sooooo gorgeous. And he had a group photo with Drool."}, {"response": 1675, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (18:55)", "body": "When we got in position for the photo he was so concerned for Evelyn and didn't want her to be in a bad position, so we all moved around and next thing I knew he had put his arm around me. I NEARLY DIED!!!!!"}, {"response": 1676, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (18:58)", "body": "After that he moved away and turned to us all and said \"Thank you all so much for coming\" I said (CUE deranged woman with shaky voice) \"It was our pleasure, it was a tremendous performance\" He just \"twinkled\" at me. He is just so nice and so considerate."}, {"response": 1677, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (19:00)", "body": "I have some lovely photos of drool with him, yes ladies his chin IS so smooth, it could be waxed!!!"}, {"response": 1678, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (19:02)", "body": "Ann! What a wonderful time you had, and to be able to note those little unexpected mishaps and how well he handled them. I wish I had been there. Your husband is a very good sport, congratulate for me, he took your pix together. That would never have happened with mine. Evelyn mentioned Spring but did anyone mention colinfirth.com? Livia was very gracious, I'm sure they are so happy to be getting such great reviews vs. poor Rufus Sewell, who is supposed to be the bigger heartthrob. L&C were probably going out to dinner after the show. Can't wait to hear from Karen, Evelyn and Heide. So happy that Heide got to see him as well that extra time. Did you and your husband join everyone at the restaurant?"}, {"response": 1679, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (19:05)", "body": "Lizza, what news! His arm around you! How did you manage? And caring for Evelyn too, what a success you girls had! More soon please!"}, {"response": 1680, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (19:13)", "body": "I have some lovely photos of drool with him, yes ladies his chin IS so smooth, it could be waxed!!!"}, {"response": 1681, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (19:17)", "body": "Ann it was so lovely to meet you, and in my haste to report here I have only skimmed your post. I am sure you will forgive me and you will know what a state I am in!!! Everyone from drool was just so nice, and such good company that it was magical to have that experience together. I am hoping to scan my photos in a few days so you all will have something to look at."}, {"response": 1682, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (19:22)", "body": "Yes Colin Firth Com. was mentioned to Livia, if I remember what I was told she said \"Thank you, I didn't know\" As Dame Winter has already related Livia is very attractive. She had a pinky/red Italian type of knitted top and her hair is very chic and glossy. But back to our DB I hear you Cry."}, {"response": 1683, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (19:27)", "body": "Lizza, your report had me trembling vicariously! He put his arm around you? Guess what, that makes you a charter member of the elite HATCC (Have Actually TOUCHED Colin Club):-) Did anyone ask him if there are plans to bring the play (with him in it, of course) to the U.S. (i.e., Broadway)? I mean, if \"The Blue Room\" did, it seems possible, what with the great reviews. Eileen, if Colin does come to Broadway, let's resolve to go \"by any means necessary\" -- we must join the \"have met's\";-) I am so happy that CF knew you ladies were representative of his Internet fans. I really hated for him to think we're all like that ditzy woman who accosted him at a party reciting his personal info gleaned from the Net. I really want him to know that while we all loved him as Darcy, we know there's so much more to his career and have followed his other work as well. A year ago this time, did any of you ladies, in your wildest imagination, think that so many of us would have actually had the chance to meet/talk with Colin -- let alone have pictures taken, make physical contact, etc.? Excuse my rambling... it just all seems so unbelievable! Or is it just me?"}, {"response": 1684, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (19:29)", "body": "His acting was superb and none of the excellent reviews exagerate at all. My seat was in the front so when he lay on the bed I could just simply have reached out and run my fingers through his hair!!! I must confess that for one mad, bad, dangerous split second I DID consider doing it. But of course it would have been an \"insupportable thing to do.\" But who could say they would not have been tempted??!!!!"}, {"response": 1685, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (19:34)", "body": "Susan, it does seem so unreal, but part of the pleasure prolonged is to be able to share these moments with you all and know you all would have felt the same range of emotions as us. I am very tempted to send flowers to say thank you for the courteous and considerate way he treated his fans and to wish him luck for the second week of the run. I mean his drool fans of course!!!"}, {"response": 1686, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (19:39)", "body": "So Colin is keeping www.colinfirth.com a secret from Livia? Smart man! He doesn't want to shock her. Lizza, did the other actors appear after the show or was it basically everyone for Colin."}, {"response": 1687, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (19:41)", "body": "Also I initially felt that I could not go up to him and ask for an autograph, i felt too shy. Karen and I both felt the same. I asked my friend to go up , then I would take a photo but I realised that he would be the only man doing that so i did ask him!! My impression was that maybe he could sense that so when I said \"Thank you\" to him he said \"No thank YOU.\" I just thought that was so nice, he has this real knack for making each and everyone of us feel special for that split second we have his attention."}, {"response": 1688, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (19:43)", "body": "Did you actually use the word drool as in \"We are your drool fans?\" Susan, I believe the play has already had a run in New York, so it is not very likely."}, {"response": 1689, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (19:45)", "body": "Was he nice and Warm? Did he smell wonderful? Did you even notice?! How marvellous. Better than alien abduction, I'll wager ;-) Beautiful eyes, skin, voice...I am flooding over here again!"}, {"response": 1690, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (19:46)", "body": "So Lizza, he puts his arm around you and then thanks you, WOW! More please!"}, {"response": 1691, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (19:47)", "body": "Lizza, that's a great idea, to send flowers or a backstage telegram from his Internet fans thanking him for being so considerate and wishing good luck for the rest of the run. Or contacting his agent to convey our thanks. Maybe it will encourage him to keep it up, it is most appreciated;-) I have a big favor to ask -- is there anyone who's attending 3DOR this week who would be willing to try to get me an autographed program? (I seem to have missed Ann's earlier message for such requests.) I would gladly reimburse and be eternally grateful:-)"}, {"response": 1692, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (19:47)", "body": "E.MG came down first, she was only asked by Evelyn, I think for an autograph and she said to us \"Miss M is from Chicago.\" at which EM smiled. Moon, I have to tell you that it was such a huge contrast between those wanting to see HIM and anyone else!!! We were on the stairs and crowding the foyer and we knew he was coming down acouple of minutes before because the camera flashes were going off. Did I say we have Evelyn to thank for the group photo? She asked him directly and he responded so quickly and courteously too."}, {"response": 1693, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (19:53)", "body": "Looking forward to seeing the pix Lizza."}, {"response": 1694, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (19:53)", "body": "Somehow, unless the DB know about Spring, saying they are from Drool does not engender warm feelings. I would have thought he would have fled in the opposite direction as soon as he heard that!"}, {"response": 1695, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (19:54)", "body": "No he thanked me for asking for his autograph at this point I could have had a photo, just the two of us with his arm round me, as a lot were doing but I felt too shy. THIS is why I was just so thrilled that when we had our drool photo he then put his arm right across me in a spontaneous way, totally unposed, when he COULD have stood with his arms at his side. Nice huh? I am rambling on and on please excuse me but I will be back with more, my head is spinning."}, {"response": 1696, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (19:56)", "body": "BTW Evelyn said we were from \"SPRING\""}, {"response": 1697, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (19:58)", "body": "(Marcia), Somehow, unless the DB know about Spring, saying they are from Drool does not engender warm feelings. I would have thought he would have fled in the opposite direction as soon as he heard that! My thoughts exactly. You can always play it safe with wwwcf.com"}, {"response": 1698, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (20:10)", "body": "Bless you, Evelyn for keeping our honor intact and remembering to say you were from Spring. Much more conducive to fuzzy warm friendliness than cold stale drool might be imagined to be. Of course, we never let our Drool get stale and cold. He has kept it *hot* for a few years now with no sign of letting up."}, {"response": 1699, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (20:27)", "body": "What about italics again for a change? Allison, Ann, Chloe thank you for your reports, and thank you Bethan for keeping us updated on reviews. I should be busy working, but I am logging in again and again, anxiously awaiting more of your breathless reports! This is the greatest time ever in Firthland :-). (Ann) He definitely knew that we were from the Internet because Evelyn asked if he would have a group photo with the people from Spring,which he did Ann, could you please give some more details on this? Did they tell him what \"Spring\" is, or did he actually know about already? where Colin has to turn on the taps and splash his face Splash his face?!! Good you tell me now - perhaps I would have LOL int he theatre if that scene had caught me unprepared. It's such a trademark gesture, like Hitchcock appearing in his movies. Love your story about the tap - he just can't escape the water!"}, {"response": 1700, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (20:33)", "body": "Oh Lizza, how could I have missed that photo, I am really glad now that James took a photo of me and Colin when he was signing my programme and I completely agree with you that for that split second that he looks up at you you feel as if you are the only one \"in the room\" so to speak. I did actually touch him on the arm when he graciously agreed to sign a second programme for me. Yes Moon, James and I joined everyone for a really lovely supper, efficiently arranged for uby Lizza and Lizza it was very ni e to meet you and all the other ladies, it was a day or won't forget. I hope everyone has a safe jouney home and I look forward to hearing everyones comments."}, {"response": 1701, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (20:38)", "body": "sorry about the mistakes, the thoughts keep flowing quicker than I can type, should have said \"a day I won't forget\" and \"I look forward to hearing everyone ELSES comments.\" What did you friend think of the play Lizza, from a neutralpoint of view so to speak and Renate you are in for a wonderful time, I wish I could do it all again!"}, {"response": 1702, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (20:40)", "body": "If anyone needs any scanning done, let me know. Bethan, is the Sunday Observer photo any good? (Moon Dreams) So Colin is keeping www.colinfirth.com a secret from Livia? Smart man! He doesn't want to shock her. Moon! And what is so shocking about colinfirth.com, pray tell me at once??? Evelyn, when you said you were from Spring, did it seem he immediately knew what it meant? Or did you actually explain it to him? Did you say it was an Internet virtual meeting place for various celebrities' fans?"}, {"response": 1703, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (21:01)", "body": "(Moon Dreams) So Colin is keeping www.colinfirth.com a secret from Livia? Smart man! He doesn't want to shock her. (Arami), And what is so shocking about colinfirth.com, pray tell me at once??? By shock I meant to shelter her from his many fans. Jealousy can sometimes ruin a relationship, and he will be away filming sometimes, and groupies are everywhere. (I have interviewed actors and rock stars who are surrounded by them). As you read Livia was standing there waiting for him. She is probably computer literate and will check it out when he's away(I know I would). Not even very well known actors have such a wonderful site(s) as Colin does."}, {"response": 1704, "author": "Stacey", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (21:15)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1705, "author": "Stacey", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (21:18)", "body": "I'm so excited for everyone who got to meet Colin! It sounds like you all had a wonderful time, I just wish that I could have been there with you all!!! Thank you, to everyone who went, for sharing your experiences with us! If only you could all see the huge smile on my face now!! : )"}, {"response": 1706, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (21:51)", "body": "Ann, thanks so much for your detailed account. I have goose bumps! To think that you all got to meet him. Thanks for sharing with those of us who couldn't go. It makes it slightly more bearable. (only slightly, mind you....)"}, {"response": 1707, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (22:26)", "body": "Ann and Lizza, thanks so much for your detailed reports. I am actually shaking from excitement.....Colin is the gratious and kind person we all knew he was. IMO, it is CF's combination of intelligence and kindness that makes him the thinking woman's man. I, too, am glad you all had the courage to talk to him, and that he now knows what a devoted, thoughtful, and warm group of fans grace the net... Bethan, I also wanted to thank you for your updates and reviews. All info is readily appreciated....."}, {"response": 1708, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (22:34)", "body": "I turn my back for an hour or so, and there are dozens of posts - - - ;-)) Lizza, also thanks to you for your report. I could just simply have reached out and run my fingers through his hair!!! I must confess that for one mad, bad, dangerous split second I DID consider doing it. You missed the opportunity to give him a scalp massage?! Bad! It's good for hair growth, you know. ;-p Just wonder what his reactions would be ... after he coped so well with the tap, I'm sure he would find a way to cope with that, too. ******* All of you who have posted from London - where did you do it? Any Internet Cafe you can recommend? ******* Susan, I will be there next weekend, and if I get the opportunity I will try to get an autograph for you, too. But don't expect too much. I am afraid I will be very shy in such a situation, and who knows, maybe I will actually sink into the ground without trace :-]. If you know someone with more courage it will improve your chances to get an autograph dramatically. :-P ******* Bethan, I assume you collect those articles and pics to be scanned?"}, {"response": 1709, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (23:09)", "body": "Renate, no internet cafes for me and Lizza, we are from England and are back home, tired, incoherent but very happy."}, {"response": 1710, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (23:12)", "body": "I've got all the articles/photos I mentioned and will send for scanning. But I will want the Observer photo returned! It's slightly off focus, but I love his expression. Observer review.. \"Firth amongst equals\"....This is a tremendous piece for actors and it is tremendously well-served by these actors.... And Colin Firth is amazing. He is completely convincing as a pinched and bullying neurotic. As the neurotic's self effacing and secretly successful father, he is a miracle of corrugation."}, {"response": 1711, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (23:21)", "body": "Sabine, come back...I am in Chat but had to use the tiled room."}, {"response": 1712, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (23:29)", "body": "But I will want the Observer photo returned! Now I am very curious, Bethan. I like this one - it may not be very clear nor beautiful but gives a good idea of Walker's tension (I think): Or, here's the link, and some quotes: http://firth.com/specials/3dortim.htm"}, {"response": 1713, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 1999 (23:59)", "body": "Sunday Times \"Brilliant\" \"played with corruscating intelligence and serene self-confidence. I urge you, go see it, now\" (Quoted from memory...is this available on-line?) S. Telegraph \"Exceptionally well-made, deserves much more exposure than it's getting in a brief run at the Donmar... The acting is first-rate throughout. So is the directing. Firth's insecure tongue tied Ned (no Mr Darcy) is particularly touching. S. Independent Very well cast... season of American Imports goes out on a high...stylish and witty...captivating production. CF plays Walker with a plaintiveness that owes more to Alan Alda than Woody Allen. More later.."}, {"response": 1714, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (00:14)", "body": "--You can imagine my agony when I arrived at the library door yesterday afternoon and saw the sign thereon: INTERNET SERVICE UNAVAILABLE...ALL COMPUTERS DOWN. Aauugghhh!! So I went home and quietly had a nervous breakdown...(noisily, actually). Today they're up. I'm SOOOOO GRATEFUL!! --My initial response to all these glowing reports is... I TOLD YOU SO!!! (and I haven't even had a chance to read 'em all yet!) I am so happy for you and for us who can share your delight vicariously. (Eventually, in some cases...)"}, {"response": 1715, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (00:22)", "body": "Bethan, I mention this because I don't think you go to Chat and I thought you might be interested to hear something Chloe said and indeed might like to ask her about it but you mentioned many posts ago that you had written to the BBC to ask if they could adapt 3DOR for television with the same actors, of course, and funnily enougth Chloe who I think works for Carlton TV said exactly the same thing and I think she said she has also written suggesting that someone adapt this wonderful play for TV. Just tho ght you might be interested and perhaps like to have a word with her about it. What a lovely lot of reviews, at last he is getting the accolade he deserves, btw Bethan someone said his parents where at the play again yesterday, they must be very proud."}, {"response": 1716, "author": "SABINE", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (00:23)", "body": "WOW, I had one of the best days of my life in London. I want to thank all of the lovely ladies I have met in London !!!!!!! It was so nice meeting you all ! THANK YOU , THANK YOU for a wonderful day !!! And a special THANK YOU to all of the friends who joined us (Debbie, Susan, ...) and made this day possible ! I was so exited and my heart was beating so fast the whole evening that I couldnt think of anything to say !! I hope you don t mind me talking so little. But I really enjoyed just listening to all of you ! I think the play was very good and CF was terrific !! Now when I am looking at my autograph, I can t believe that I was just standing next to our DB and couldn t think of anyhing to say. My knees where week, my face red as a tomato and my head empty. He looked at me and said \" To ??\" and I said my name and that was it, luckily he knew how to write my name ( I think it is a german name, isn t it? ) because I couldn t say anything at all at this moment. My sister has taken a lot of photos and I will develope them on Monday, I hope to send them to Karen and/or Heide on Monday evening. I hope you trip to Arsenal was nice and your trip home was OK too. Susan and I enjoyed the evening very much and I hope we will met here or at the chat soon. SABINE"}, {"response": 1717, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (00:52)", "body": "Sabine, come back to chat. We need you!"}, {"response": 1718, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (00:52)", "body": "Sabine, come back to chat. We need you!"}, {"response": 1719, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (01:10)", "body": "funnily enougth Chloe who I think works for Carlton TV said exactly the same thing and I think she said she has also written suggesting that someone adapt this wonderful play for TV (Ann) Weren't Carlton the sponsors for the American Imports season? They may be more interested in showing 3DOR (they do a lot of drama specials). I shall find their address/email and write forthwith to suggest an adaptation...you never know! btw Bethan, someone said his parents were at the play again yesterday, they must be very proud. I don't know why, but I find this particularly touching. He obviously comes from a very warm and supportive family...and I think this shows in the way he behaves to other people. What a lovely lot of reviews, at last he is getting the accolade he deserves, Yes!!! I wish the excellent reviews for 3DOR had taken precedence over the bad reviews for Macbeth, in the Sundays, so we would have had photos of Colin not RS. He never quite gets the full acclaim. But this is a quibble! BTW, Moon, I'm pleased that GP is still mentioning Colin so enthusiastically. Good for her! I'd love to see them do BJD together (I still am positve he'll do MD!)"}, {"response": 1720, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (01:33)", "body": "I think I've scared the neighbors... I'm SCREAMING as I read all your accounts of meeting our DB! I am so happy for you all! Will run over to chat..."}, {"response": 1721, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (03:35)", "body": "Thank you Ann and Lizza for providing such excellent details! I am SO excited for you! In truth, i am shaking with a mixture of excitment and envy. I have no doubt that had i beent there, i would have fainted dead away when presented with the DB face to face. Winter, will email you soon! ;)"}, {"response": 1722, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (03:40)", "body": "For anyone who hasn't heard, at the SAG awards tonight SiL won for best cast and GP for best actress -- she thanked Colin as did Rupert Everett, who read the acceptance speech for the cast. Wonder if Colin would have attended had he not been in the play. Renate, thanks for your kind offer. Anything you can do most appreciated. I would be very shy too."}, {"response": 1723, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (05:03)", "body": "Ladies you did have such a marvelous time. I had to read ANN's acccount at least twice. TO meet our DB. I would still be in the clouds. You guys had such a great time. I would have loved to been there. I too, have a million questions. Cannot wait to see the photos of everyone. I am so happy that the play is a success."}, {"response": 1724, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (07:58)", "body": "I just returned from England and its very late but I have to spill my guts about meeting the DB. I still can't believe it!! At the Saturday night performance, after the play, Elena and I stayed on the steps waiting for him to come down. I gave him a pen and said I've come all the way from America to get your autograph and I really love your work-- could you please sign it best wishes, Jana. I had to spell my name for him and He wrote: To Jana, Love Colin Firth. I nearly died. As he continued to desen the steps I remembered I had my camera so I took it out and begin to take pictures. My hands were shaking I was soooooo nervous. Then the ultimate happened--he put his hand on my shoulder when we took a group picture. I couldn't sleep last night thinking about the time we all had. I really enjoyed meeting all you ladies. If my pictures come out I'll share them of course. Got to go to bed getting ready to pass out from lack of sleep."}, {"response": 1725, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (07:59)", "body": "Excuse the typos--very tired."}, {"response": 1726, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (08:36)", "body": "a plaintiveness that owes more to Alan Alda than Woody Allen. Yes, that's right! He was more Alan Alda! Was that a quote from the paper, Bethan, or your interpretation? I just have to share one wonderful moment from the play which sticks in my mind, so vividly. At the beginning of the second half, Ned is sitting up at the top of the stairs with Lina. I think he has gone there to take her some cigarettes [Colin spends a lot of time with cigarettes in his hands or cigars in his mouth but never smokes them - E McG does]. Lina asks him about the therapy he is undergoing for his stammer. Ned is sitting close to her but hunched and anxious looking. He then says \"they are teaching me to breathe\". The way he said it was quite wonderful. He can hardly get the words out, so they come out as a gush of breath. So clever and so affecting. Brilliant. Masterful. Definitely one of the best moments. How are you all feeling now Monday has dawned (for most of you)? Do you like him more, less or the same? I think this board my need to undergo some post trauma therapy;-)"}, {"response": 1727, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (08:38)", "body": "that sould read may need to undergo..."}, {"response": 1728, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (08:56)", "body": "Okay..I give up on correcting my typos.... but have you all seen this picture of Wessex. http://www.grin.net/~meluchie/99leffa.html ?"}, {"response": 1729, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (09:02)", "body": "Definitely MORE, as far as I am concerned, it was a joy, I knew he was a good actor but on Saturday I thought he was absolutely brilliant and so professional, I am so glad I have seen him live on stage, he has such stage presence and whenever he came on he lit up the stage with his energy in the first act and his emotion in the second, I just felt like putting my arm aroun Ned and saying \"never mind\" or something like that, does that sound a bit silly, oh well too bad, he just becomes each and every cha acter.I think also we were so lucky that he chose to play in such a small and intimate theatre, seeing him in 3DOR was an experience I shall never forget and thankyou everyone for making the day an absolute joy."}, {"response": 1730, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (09:05)", "body": "I'm in trouble still can't sleep--started reading the posts. Lizza, for the group photo his other arm rested on my shoulder. What a scream. Oh and Heide, forgive me for grabbing an extra program from your purse. I'll send you the one I left in my room that night."}, {"response": 1731, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (09:08)", "body": "Hello Jana, it was lovely to meet you, glad you got home safely, I can't believe I missed THAT photo, I was too busy chatting, what an idiot!!!!"}, {"response": 1732, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (09:20)", "body": "Hi Ann, it's 2:00 a.m. here but in Britian it's 9:00 a.m. I believe. I'm still on your time. It took for ever to get home (15 hours). I just hope I feel like going to work today. If not, I'll call in and say its Colin Fever. However, everyone will want to know if I got a chance to meet--as they say (\"Mr. Darcy\") I'm still so excited."}, {"response": 1733, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (09:38)", "body": "(Sabine)Now when I am looking at my autograph, I can t believe that I was just standing next to our DB and couldn t think of anyhing to say. Sabine, it was great to meet you and your sister, and what you wrote is exactly how I felt, it\ufffds almost painful to think of it afterwards. We stood with Jana on top of those very narrow stairs and then Livia came first round the corner and walked practically into our lap, looking down at the crowd. I said in panic to Jana: \ufffdHe\ufffds coming now\ufffd, and there he was. Near us stood an older chap that Colin seemed very delighted and surprised to meet...Oh, those smiles and warm friendliness. Colin was saying things like \ufffdoh, yes, that\ufffds right, how great to meet you!\ufffd I must\ufffdve gaped at their chat like an idiot, it was so unbelievable that he was righ there, just a meter away. Then he took a step to us to write the autographs, and I lost my ability to speak English. All I could get out of my mouth was something like \ufffdyou\ufffdre so wonderful, I came from Finland to see you\ufffd (that\ufffds all, oh god it was so clumsy). Like I mentioned in chat yesterday, the sweetest thing that moment was that after he had signed my program and signed Jana\ufffds, he realized that I hadn\ufffdt told him my name. So, he asked if I wanted him to sign the program for my name and I sort of shrieked OH YES(!), digging the program out of my bag again and handed it to him once more."}, {"response": 1734, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (09:48)", "body": "Girls....it meant so much to me that we were there as a group, I wouldn\ufffdt have done that trip without you. It was really great to be able to share a strong experience like that with someone. Ann, I agree, it was fantastic that Colin chose Donmar and 3DOR instead of some bigger place with probably no chance for us to see him so closely let alone meet him afterwards. Actually I did not expect to be able to meet him at all, it was a big surprise and a sort of a shock to me!"}, {"response": 1735, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (09:48)", "body": "Elena, I think I'm the only person who didn't see Livia, even though she passed right before us. For some reason I only had eyes for Colin. Like you said he is very nice and considerate."}, {"response": 1736, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (09:56)", "body": "To tell you the truth Jana, at that moment on the steps I did not even want to see her but there she was, so close to me that I could see her every feature. I\ufffdm surprised you didn\ufffdt, you were right behind me! I think I really am having a post 3DOR trauma, I\ufffdm thinking about it all over and over again and can\ufffdt concentrate in anything else....trouble is I\ufffdm afraid i like him more now than I ever did before."}, {"response": 1737, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (10:10)", "body": "I agree with you Elena--I think that's why I still can't get to sleep even though it's 3:00 a.m. over here."}, {"response": 1738, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (10:22)", "body": "Btw Jana, I liked it so much to meet you! And I\ufffdm so jealous, he actually put his hand on your shoulder? I dunno how I could\ufffdve handled it if he had put his hand around me like he did to Heide and Lizza!!! When he stood there smiling and holding Heide round her shoulders in front of us I just stared at them in complete amazement. I wouldn\ufffdt have done that myself, posing to cameras with him I mean, absolutely too shy."}, {"response": 1739, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (10:41)", "body": "at that moment on the steps I did not even want to see her but there she was, so close to me that I could see her every feature. Elena, even if you didn't want to see her, what was your impression of Mrs Firth? This is all so exciting. What are we going to do when he goes to ground again as he inevitably will."}, {"response": 1740, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (11:34)", "body": "Allison, did you manage to meet him also on Friday? Well, no wonder Colin married Livia, what comes to her looks. She\ufffds really beautiful but not in a glamorous way, more like girlish, I think, and a sincere sort of face, no stardom symptoms. I think she looks clearly younger than her age. Beautiful, shining hair. What surprised me a little was how very slim she is, maybe that\ufffds why I used the word girlish. For a second I felt she\ufffds maybe a bit too slim, she could be a ballet dancer. Even though I said I didn\ufffdt want to see her (meaning: I knew Colin was coming right behind her in that crowded, narrow place), she looked very sympathetic, you just can\ufffdt have any ill feelings (!) for her when you see her. Btw, both Colin and Livia were shorter than I expected, I pictured Colin to be taller than he is and maybe more muscular, bigger or something! You get a pretty distorted idea of him from the movies, Wessex especially. Darcy\ufffds grace is much closer to what he really is. About his losing his hair, in the matinee performance it wasn\ufffdt that clear because he didn\ufffdt splash the water all over his head like in the evening p., maybe due to having that trouble with the tap!! But when he got his hair wet it was very visible that his hair is getting thinner. It\ufffds just one of those many things that make him so human and so lovable."}, {"response": 1741, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (13:36)", "body": "I'm so happy for all of you(quite jealous too). What tales we will hear from Heide! She never expected to find Colin's arms round her, I'm sure. Well it's nice that none of you fainted. I know you are still jet lagged and excited but we are going to want to know all the small details as well. What was Colin wearing? Livia? How tall would you say they are? Did they leave on fot or had a car waiting? etc etc Loved the tidbit about his holding the fags and cigars instead of smoking them. I guess he's really sticking to not smoking, it must have been v. hard for him to quit. More when you can ladies, and of course, we're looking forward to the pix. Such marvelous reviews, you are all lucky to see it."}, {"response": 1742, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (13:46)", "body": "Allison, just checked the Wessex photo: absolutely devine! Thank you for bringing it to our attention. (Takes time to load, but worth it)"}, {"response": 1743, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (13:56)", "body": "Moon, I can't for the life of me remember what he had on coming down the stairs. But I took pictures--will develop them today. I remember his wit and smile. Someone's flash did not go off and he pointed that out. Very thoughtful sooo nice--I was really amazed. Elena, I really enjoyed meeting you too. Have you developed any of your photographs?"}, {"response": 1744, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (14:16)", "body": "Oh, I just remembered something else. I did see Livia's mother. She was sitting two rows down from me at the theatre. A lady from Pemberley pointed her out to me. She wore a black pantsuit with a hat. Her hair was of medium lenghth, brown with redish highlights. She was a little stocky but very attractive. Many of Livia's familiy was there on Saturday night. I remember her so vividly because on Sunday I saw her at the airport. Funny I saw the mother but not the daughter."}, {"response": 1745, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (14:20)", "body": "Jana and Elena, thanks for your reports! What a marvelous evening -- so thrilled for you. Can't wait to see everyone's photos. Did you notice any bumps or cuts on him from his stereo speaker accident? Were there any celebrities in the audience at the performance you attended?"}, {"response": 1746, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (14:22)", "body": "Jana, yes, just got my pics. I too just could not remember what he was wearing, now I see from the pix that it\ufffds a pretty worn-out longish black coat of wool with buttons and a zipper, and under it he seems to have worn an almost black, slightly stripey sweater. With worn out I mean, the coat seems to have lost some color in the edges of collar and sleeves, he obviously has owned that coat for a couple of years! There are some tolerable shots, I\ufffdll send copies to people who are grinning with Colin in them (Emma, Ann, Heide, Lizza and Gi). Good god, why oh why did I not let anybody take a pic of me with him?! So idiotic of me. I was just in such painful awe. Moon, Colin left the theater BY FOOT. That amazed me, he actually just left the theater and walked off after all the signing was done. I stood watching him go and took a few steps when someone shouted to me, \ufffddon\ufffdt follow him!\ufffd....well, I just wanted to see which of the bars he was going into.....!"}, {"response": 1747, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (14:42)", "body": "Just keep those details coming as you return to earth's orbit, ladies! (Moon) Allison, just checked the Wessex photo: absolutely devine! Thank you for bringing it to our attention. (Takes time to load, but worth it) Oh, yes, it's a good one. Marcia, you can see the ring you gave up as a keepsake (...but you can't see what you chose in its place ;-) ). (SusanMc)at the SAG awards tonight SiL won for best cast and GP for best actress -- she thanked Colin as did Rupert Everett, who read the acceptance speech for the cast. Not only that, they mentioned his name *FIRST*. Well, Gwynnie did thank HRH Harvey W. and John Madden initially, but when it came to the cast she belted CF's name right out there. It seemed to me the actors chose to focus on the 'minute but crucial unnominated contingent.' Both GP and RE neglected to mention JF. An oversight, I'm sure. Moon, thanks for your mention of Gwynnie's CF plug on last week's Tonite Show. You gotta hand it to her--she thanks or plugs him whenever the opportunity presents. Did you think Leno was sincere (I know, the terms 'Leno' and 'sincere' sound mutually exclusive) when he said 'I like that guy?' Was it just because Wessex kissed Viola in the clip?"}, {"response": 1748, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (15:16)", "body": "(Jana)I did see Livia's mother. How did you know it was her mother and where did you see her at the airport. you see no detail is too small! Colin left the theater BY FOOT. That amazed me, he actually just left the theater and walked off That's why he likes living in London and not LA. Didn't he say you have to drive to go anywhere in LA? (SusanMc)at the SAG awards tonight SiL won for best cast and GP for best actress -- she thanked Colin as did Rupert Everett, who read the acceptance speech for the cast. Did RE thank Colin? Or just mention him?"}, {"response": 1749, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (15:27)", "body": "(Eileen), Did you think Leno was sincere (I know, the terms 'Leno' and 'sincere' sound mutually exclusive) when he said 'I like that guy?' Was it just because Wessex kissed Viola in the clip? Leno said he had never read any Shakespeare, but he had seen SIL twice and enjoyed it. He sounded sincere when he said,\"I like that guy,\" but he should have known his name, that why Gwynnie felt she had to say it. I have a feeling Colin will be invited on the Tonight Show when he's in LA to promote a film(we still don't know which one it will be, FP, SLOW or MLSF). Jana, tell us more about Livia's family. How many were there? Does she look like Livia? Any siblings? No detail is too small(sorry, it's the reporter in me). How did the Pemberley person know it was her? What kind of hat did she wear(not large I hope). I don't think it's proper to wear a hat in the theatre because you may block somebody's view."}, {"response": 1750, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (16:30)", "body": "Who was it that saw Colin\ufffds parents in the press night last week? Chloe? If you\ufffdre reading this Chloe, could you please tell us in detail what they looked like (and how did you know they were the Firths?). There was an elderly couple sitting right behind me in the evening performance and from the few words I heard them say and the reactions of the lady to Colin\ufffds performance I was certain that they were the Firths. But after all, how could I be sure, I could be mistaken because I DID NOT ASK them!!! The lady had grey hair in a knot in her neck I think, pretty casually clothed and not much make up, specs. There was an American fan sitting next to them, praising Colin to them as very talented etc.They looked very moved and proud during the applauds, but so did I of course!"}, {"response": 1751, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (16:52)", "body": "These acounts are all so unbelievable. I'm in utter shock and awe at how intimate your interactions were with him (puts my encounter to shame!). I'm so happy for him, and having you all there, I know, definitely lets him know that his work has not gone unappreciated, as people from America and Finland and wherever else went to such lenghts just to see him on stage. On a slightly divergent, but hilarious note, I just got off the phone with a friend, telling him about your encounter. When I told him that CF was co-starring with Elizabeth McGovern, he paused for a moment and then said (in disbelief), 'Elizabeth McGovern??? Wasn't she just in a bunch of those 1980's 'screw-movies'? What could she possibly know about theatre in England!\" Sorry to say, but that had me ROTFLOL!"}, {"response": 1752, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (16:57)", "body": "Welcome back Sabine, Elena and Jana. It was just so good to meet you and share such a magical and an unreal experience!! Everyone was so nice and genuine and protective and thrilled for each other all at the same time. Elena I have some great photos of you and HIM!!! So don't be sad!!!"}, {"response": 1753, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (17:00)", "body": "Has anyone already mentioned about his flies? Whoops sorry to lower the tone here, but the lady from the states from the RP said that they had been alittle undone the night before too and that she bet he was mad with the costume department!!! She was sitting next to me BTW"}, {"response": 1754, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (17:07)", "body": "Ann and Allison you have already said how tremendous the performance was. It was an incredible tour de force and the range of emotions he portrayed was amazing. When he was lying on the bed gazing up at EM in her underwear, the look in his limpid eyes and how he conveyed desire and longing were so incredibly powerful. I was the Observer hadn't referred to him as \"hunky\" , maybe rangy is a better word. His body is so full of energy that it is tangible."}, {"response": 1755, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (17:15)", "body": "Bethan thanks for keeping us so much in touch with the recent press. The production was well received by my friend Ann, he has worked in the theatre so was very appreciative, He said he looked up in the circle in the middle of the first act and he was completely amazed by the number of eyes fixed on Colin!! He said they only appeared to follow HIS every move regardless of the other actors etc In one way that is very understandable but you need to set his performance in the whole context of the play to fully appreciate his mesmerising performance and so relate to the other actors too."}, {"response": 1756, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (17:37)", "body": "HI, Lizza!! Have you recovered from it? I guess I never will. I have some great photos of you and HIM!!! What, that\ufffds not possible, when did you manage to take them? I\ufffdm quite certain that I had my camera on my face almost all the time except when he signed for me up there.....I have one ok shot of you with him Lizza, I know there are much better ones around but I\ufffdll send a copy to you anyway with some others. Let\ufffds exchange addresses in email. Does he have a bruise in his forehead in your pics? Seems to have in mine unless it\ufffds just a strand of hair."}, {"response": 1757, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (17:43)", "body": "Done my friend!!!"}, {"response": 1758, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (17:59)", "body": "Ladies, I know you are all still very excited, but do try to answer our questions above. Thanking you in advance. Does anyone know when Heide and Karen are returning to the US?"}, {"response": 1759, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (18:10)", "body": "Lizza, what is FLIES?? I did not notice anything special in his clothing. Not even in the lower department :-)"}, {"response": 1760, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (18:21)", "body": "I have just finished reading all of your morning posts, and I am overwhelmed for you. I am sure life will be much different for you now! We Firthless Few (Eileen's term) will blend back into the woodwork and read your postings while we try to imagine being there with you. I am most delighted that you all had such wonderful experiences and all are home safely. Well Done! I have a 3DoR Keepsake list all set up with 5 things taken so far."}, {"response": 1761, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (18:24)", "body": "Elena, flies are the zipper openings in men's trousers through which he...um...gets himself in and puts it back. Never leave it open!!!"}, {"response": 1762, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (18:32)", "body": "I only wonder what\ufffds the clothing department got to to do with it? Suppose he can manage as much as get his trousers on and zipper up. Lizza, tell us what you mean, QUICK!!!! Was there something important that I did not see?;-)"}, {"response": 1763, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (18:33)", "body": "Hallo Ladies, how good to be back in your company! I loved Saturday evening - it was kind of Big Adventure to me and, if you will, I'll give you my detailed report. But firth things firth, so I'll try this firth:"}, {"response": 1764, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (18:36)", "body": "Oops, that came out too big! How do I make it smaller?"}, {"response": 1765, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (18:43)", "body": "Gi, if you\ufffdre trying to put the group pic here, please erase me off it first. I\ufffdve asked Karen to do so but did not realise that other people have scanners too, I don\ufffdt want my face in the net for some obscure reason."}, {"response": 1766, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (18:56)", "body": "Oh dear, I'm sorry Elena, I had no idea. Please Karen, or someone, will you erase the picture post for me please, I hardly know how to post, let alone erase a post!"}, {"response": 1767, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (18:59)", "body": "And more people may feel the same way... I am mortified. :-("}, {"response": 1768, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (19:05)", "body": "I expect Colin himself wouldn't mind... So here:"}, {"response": 1769, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (19:13)", "body": "Hi Gi, It was lovely to meet you and Antonio on Saturday what a wonderful evening. However, I am so cross with myself that I missed the Group photo, I was the other end of the foyer and hadn't realised what you were all doing, I was so pleased with my autograph and had moved back to give others a chance to get to Colin, anyway even though I am not in the group photo I wonder if you would be very kind and send me a copy, it would be a wonderful keepsake and a great reminder of the evening and meeting Colin and everyone. BTW somebody asked if we saw any other celebrities, the only celebity I saw was Charles Dance the actor of Rebecca fame?, I believe he was waiting for David Morrisey."}, {"response": 1770, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (19:14)", "body": "And I'll try the written report, hoping it's safer... Still, as I don't want to spoil the play for those who, not having seen it yet, don't really want to read what I have to say about it, I'll do the reporting in separate posts, and give each the appropriate title...Skip which you will!"}, {"response": 1771, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (19:17)", "body": "Concerning flies. I noticed that on Friday night. Nothing too serious. It was just that the top third of the zip was not fastened. They were a very baggy, un-figure-hugging pair so it did not make the pulses race;-) I have just been reading Ceefax off the television. Really this CF fixation has done terrible things to the way I pass my time.... I read that Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels had just had rave reviews after its opening in NY and LA. This must be good News for SLOW. Made by the same company. Evelyn. If you have returned and recovered from your adventures. Are the Bank making the most of this coincidence."}, {"response": 1772, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (19:18)", "body": "Yes, Ann, I saw Charles Dance too (didn't remember the name), and nobody else."}, {"response": 1773, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (19:20)", "body": "I have not managed to see any of those photographs, Gi. Was that my problem or yours? Please...if there are any photographs of CF..please put them where we all can see them??"}, {"response": 1774, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (19:20)", "body": "Hallo Allison, I was very sorry not to meet you :-( Is your husband better?"}, {"response": 1775, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (19:24)", "body": "I posted a pic of CF in response 1768. Do you want to try again, Allison?"}, {"response": 1776, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (19:25)", "body": "Marcia, Eileen, Winter, Jana and anyone else who was not lucky enough tp go to the Donmar, Murph's Appreciation site has some wonderful pictures of the Donmar set and other goodies to do with 3DOR, definitely worth a visit. It shows perfectly how intimate and small the Donmar is."}, {"response": 1777, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (19:28)", "body": "(Gi)Is your husband better? How like a doctor to be concerned enough to ask!! For anyone who was at Friday's performance, my husband was the only person who coughed. Usually you can rely on a lot of people to splutter and cough in quiet moments but on Friday my DH was the one who filled in the gaps. He is much better and certainly well enough to really enjoy the performance. Though he is starting to annoy me with \"That woman, what's her name was soooo good....\" As I said. I think he's suspicious....getting his own back!"}, {"response": 1778, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (19:29)", "body": "Thank you Ann. Maybe the 3 Deers want to use any of our pics - erasing whoever wants to be erased:-)for Colinfirth.com."}, {"response": 1779, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (19:32)", "body": "(Gi)I posted a pic of CF in response 1768. Do you want to try again, Allison? I have tried, Gi, but I cannot find a link there...sob..."}, {"response": 1780, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (19:33)", "body": "Ann, will you come to Chat?"}, {"response": 1781, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (19:36)", "body": "No link, Allison, just the pic. Shall I e-mail it to you now?"}, {"response": 1782, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (19:38)", "body": "On second thoughts, I'm out of chat. I must post my report!"}, {"response": 1783, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (19:47)", "body": "Dinner is served I was so excited to meet all the droolers for dinner! I was only sorry that it was a long table and I could not talk with everybody. There were Droolers and Droolers' friends, and even James, Ann's husband, as good a sport as my fianc\ufffd Antonio, or even better since he went to 2 performances. One funny detail was that we had seen Elena and her friend in the train from Heathrow airport and we thought it could be them, because they were speaking Finnish... and Elena thought it might be us! What a coincidence We took pictures during dinner (mine are not so good) and afterwards some group photos as well. Heide is not photogenic - she is a lovely lady but needs to be well photographed."}, {"response": 1784, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (19:50)", "body": "Stupendous news Evelyn told me that she and Karen had talked to CF the night before and that they were planning to do so again, that we all might wait for him after the show and ask for autographs or whatever as he came out. I felt faint!"}, {"response": 1785, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (19:54)", "body": "DONT READ THIS IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN 3DOR YET.I'd be pleased to have a chat GI, because I would so like to have a photo of the group and Colin, when will you be there? BTW what did you fiance think of the play my husband thought it was very good indeed and didn't mind at all seeing it twice as on seeing it a second time it answered some questions, the first time around we hadn't realised that it was in fact Ned and not Theo who had designed the house, well actually thats not quite true James had but I hadn t, too busy concentrating on Colin, but he hadn't realised why Theo had been crying in the park or why Pip had been left the house until the second time around, he was also impressed at how much time Colin gave to his fans."}, {"response": 1786, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (20:00)", "body": "The play Ok, you all know by now how small the theatre is, I loved that it was so. I was to one side, facing the bed - and Colin a good part of the time. I confess I looked at him most of the time, because either he was speaking or reacting to the others, right? He is brilliant . I read the script beforehand, KarenJArt having had the kindness to e-mail it to me. I was curious, especially about how he would play Ned, all that stuttering and nervousness, easy to over do. And Walker, all broken sentences, and \"so much pain\"... Well, he was so natural, he used his hands (McG doesn't really know what to do with hers) and eyes and body language, and the accent all the time (sure, i'd prefer his own beautiful modulated English accent), and sometimes muttering the nd of his sentences... As Walker he looked great. Was it Elena who found him shorter than she expected? I found him tall and broad shouldered, slim legged, very English."}, {"response": 1787, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (20:01)", "body": "Oh, Heide is very photogenic at times, especially when Colin has his hand around her! Some of my pics look like they were scenes from the famous movie Darcy & Heide....oh! Unbelievable. And Gi, I\ufffdll send you some pics if you email me your address, please."}, {"response": 1788, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (20:02)", "body": "Dear Ann, I can mail the photo to you, would you like that?"}, {"response": 1789, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (20:02)", "body": "Dear Ann, I can e-mail the photo to you, would you like that?"}, {"response": 1790, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (20:04)", "body": "Sure, Elena, I would love that, thank you. I'll e-mail you promptly."}, {"response": 1791, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (20:09)", "body": "Ann, Allison, and any others, I can either e-mail or s-mail pictures, if you had rather have them by s-mail then please e-mail me your addresses. :-(What a sentence :-("}, {"response": 1792, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (20:11)", "body": "I read that Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels had just had rave reviews after its opening in NY and LA. This must be good News for SLOW. Made by the same company . Saw it this weekend I thought it was brillant, aside from the machismo aspect of the entire film. The editing is very cool-- inspires me to go to film school and want to pursue production again. Lots of guns, leather jackets and gold chains, but still very well written, witty and smart (surprisingly!)."}, {"response": 1793, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (20:18)", "body": "The play - part two At the interval Emma asked if I thought a woman sitting next to her friend could be Livia. So I looked when I went back, and she was! She had a long red knitted sweater, kind of grungey I thought, but she was made up and her hair glossy. She was with a friend, and seemed to enjoy the show, laughing and reacting like everybody else. When the second act was over,the 3 actors took the applause together, bowing from the waist. Colin had a big smile.Then we all left."}, {"response": 1794, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (20:28)", "body": "A memorable moment: we sat with Emma in the end of row B and at one point Colin walked very close to the rows, standing there, talking furiously in the Walker way. I watched him closely from the side, those slender legs and thighs in the black old jeans, loose sweater, broad shoulders, that firm neck, familiar jaws and ears, short hair in the neck..... Yes, girls, I\ufffdm drooling....:-))"}, {"response": 1795, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (20:34)", "body": "After the play - the autographs So we all huddled together downstairs waiting for the DB to come out. Elizabeth McGovern came down first, and some people asked her for autographs. Antonio decided to ask for one - for me, he said, and used my program. She signed her name over her photograph, not even looking at him while she did so. Someone questioned her about the southern American accent she tried to do on the second act, and she explained it wasn't easy to do because she actually came from Chicago. Then flashes started to go upstairs and I saw Livia coming down, so I thought he'd be with her, and tried to get my camera ready. Livia actually came down alone (with her friend), and out the door quickly and discreetly. Colin was taking forever, I started up the stairs and saw he was giving autographs, talking to people and consenting to posed photos, so I took a couple of candid ones, he saw me and didn't seem to mind. Antonio said \"get his autograph and I'll take pictures\" (aren't I right to marry him?;-))so I gave him the camera, took out my program and when He came to my level, asked \"Would you give me an autograph please?\"He said, \"What is your name?\"\"Gisela\"\"Two ll?\"\"No, just one\"\"A at the end?\"\"Yes\". He wrote \"To Gisela, with love, Colin Firth +\" :-))))) Do you believe it, it's the only autograph I've ever in my whole life asked for?"}, {"response": 1796, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (20:37)", "body": "Allison/Moon - One of the ladies from the Republic of Pemberley pointed out Livia's mom to me. Also sitting beside Charles Dance were two of Livia's relatives because after the play they were all gathered around talking--including Livia's mom. And then the next day I saw her at the Gattwick Airport. Would not have clicked until I saw the same hat that she had on the previous evening. The hat was black. It had an upturned brim and was of velvet like material. That's the best way I can describe it sin e I'm not a hat wearer. Elena,who said don't follow him? Was he alone or with Livia? Winter,no you inspired us all. If it weren't for you we wouldn't have known how approachable and charming he is. Lizza your so right about Colin's character conveying desire. I saw it in the scene when he asked EMcG to go back to bed."}, {"response": 1797, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (20:40)", "body": "Gi, Thankyou very much indeed I will email you my home address, you are very kind. Gi, did you get the same impression as many that when he looked at you it was a quite deliberate look and it made one feel as it they were the only person \"in the room\" if you know what I mean the only person there, he has such magnetism and wa so utterly charming that I think my admiration for him has increase with seeing him in the flesh, if that is possible,excuse the grammar I hope you know what I mean."}, {"response": 1798, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (20:40)", "body": "Ann, Allison, and any others, I can either e-mail or s-mail pictures, if you had rather have them by s-mail then please e-mail me your addresses. Gi, could you E-mail them to me.. That would be great."}, {"response": 1799, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (20:40)", "body": "Talk - part one Well, I couldn't let it go at that, so I said \"Do you know you have fans all over the world? Tonight there is someone here from Finnland, I'm from Portugal, and some have come from America...\" He looked suitably impressed, and I went on:\"We all enjoyed it very much.You are very talented\" \"Thank you\", he said, and smiled. I replied \"No, thank you \", got another smile and left the stage to other fans..."}, {"response": 1800, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (20:41)", "body": "I forgot who asked but Heide, Evelyn and Karen should all be returning today (Monday)."}, {"response": 1801, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (20:46)", "body": "Ann, I had the same impression, like he gives his entire attention... I felt it first when I started taking pictures, again when he gave me the autograph, and again when I went back to take part in the group photo. Like he would remember me - were you there when he told Evelyn \"I remember you\"? Of course what was a memorable and unique evening for us was just business as usual to him... A bit deflating isn't it? Still, he is at least a very conscientious professional:-)"}, {"response": 1802, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (20:50)", "body": "Have any of you visited Tonya's website. she is in London now and says that she has tickets for EIGHT performances of 3DOR!!"}, {"response": 1803, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (20:51)", "body": "and he certainly didn't seem to resent his fans in fact he seemed genuinely pleased to see his fans and was unbelievably charming and considerate and left poor Livia waiting outside, well it must have take 15 mins to run the gauntlet of fans in the foyer and even when he got outside a fan asked if she could have a photo of him and Livia and they both seemed very pleased to oblige."}, {"response": 1804, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (20:54)", "body": "Allison, yes I saw that considering there are only 13 performances, perhaps that it over doing it a bit, I wouldn't have minded seeing it for a 3rd time though. Incidentally I also met the webmistress for Firthfrenzy, they certainly are taking their work seriously, I wonder if Lizbeth from Colin's Timline was there."}, {"response": 1805, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (20:55)", "body": "and he certainly didn't seem to resent his fans in fact he seemed genuinely pleased to see his fans and was unbelievably charming and considerate and left poor Livia waiting outside, well it must have take 15 mins to run the gauntlet of fans in the foyer and even when he got outside a fan asked if she could have a photo of him and Livia and they both seemed very pleased to oblige."}, {"response": 1806, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (20:56)", "body": "Jana, I didn\ufffdt see clearly who were in the group of people who left with Colin from the theater door. The person who shouted to me not to follow him was one of the fans and I didn\ufffdt mind, she was very right but of course I did not intend to follow him, just felt his magnetism as I saw him walking away into the night."}, {"response": 1807, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (21:00)", "body": "Talk - part two Then I went in search of Livia, who was waiting outside talking to her friend and somebody else. I called \"Mrs Firth\" and caught her eye.\"I'm very pleased to meet you, I'm just one of your husband's many fans. Congratulations, he is a very talented actor\".\"Thank you, where do you come from?\"\"Portugal\". She lit up:\"Ah, latino!\" Then I said \"Do you know your husband has a homepage in the Internet?It's at colinfirth.com\"\"The Internet?We went to the Internet once. I will check it out again. Are you one of the people responsible?\"\"Oh no, I just go there and chat sometimes. You can meet us and chat with us there, we only say good things about you two\" \"Chat? I would like that. I don't know how...I will try\" Then I decided I'd better leave her alone, and said \"I seem to have lost my fiance in there too... And he is not signing autographs!\" We both smiled and I went in again..."}, {"response": 1808, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (21:12)", "body": "The final pics ...in to see that a Spring group photo was being arranged with Colin! He is so nice! Antonio took two pics, just in case, there's Elena and EmmaE, Karen, Heide, Evelyn (who at one point shouted \"Antonio, you are so good!\"), Sabine, Jana, myself and the DB... and someone at the back I cannot really see, is it Lizza? And yes, his hands are on Karen's and Jana's shoulders (oh envy), and isn't it delicious? We all said our goodbyes after this, which to me felt a bit hollow...I would have liked to see more of you, but each had her own life, so we meet here in Spring :-)"}, {"response": 1809, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (21:19)", "body": "Epilogue - or General Warning So now you know. He is very sweet and so is she. And he makes you swoon just by looking at you. And either of them or both may visit colinfirth.com and take a link to Spring. I didn't think to ask if it had been him who had left that \"It's good to be appreciated\" message at FoF. But be warned, he's been around and may do so again! And wouldn't it be fun?;-)"}, {"response": 1810, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (21:22)", "body": "That situation when the group photo was to be taken....it was so incredible. I didn\ufffdt hear how Evelyn did it but Colin just strode over there in front of the box office and we all followed, somebody shouted (maybe Evelyn), \ufffdSpring people, come here\ufffd or something like that. He stood there in the group like one of us, just like that!!!! Later when we (Sabine, Susanne, Jana, Evelyn, Heide, Karen, Debbie, Emma) sat in a bar of a hotel with drinks Evelyn said: \ufffdYou just have to make things happen\ufffd!"}, {"response": 1811, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (21:25)", "body": "Gi! Wow! You latins certainly know how to bond:-) Though I find the thought that C&LF chatting with us here very disconcerting. Seriously, much as it is fun to have all these meetings I would hate it if Colin became a media creature. Ben Affleck, I think it was, goes chatting to his fans on the internet. I like to think CF is above that. He has too much talent to have to pander to his fans to that extent. It is lovely that he is polite when he meets us but many of us are here because we appreciated his aloofness and admired it."}, {"response": 1812, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (21:25)", "body": "I wonder did anyone by any chance ask him when he is going to start filming Donovan Quick?"}, {"response": 1813, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (21:26)", "body": "Gi! Wow! You latins certainly know how to bond:-) Though I find the thought that C&LF chatting with us here very disconcerting. Seriously, much as it is fun to have all these meetings I would hate it if Colin became a media creature. Ben Affleck, I think it was, goes chatting to his fans on the internet. I like to think CF is above that. He has too much talent to have to pander to his fans to that extent. It is lovely that he is polite when he meets us but many of us are here because we appreciated his aloofness and admired it."}, {"response": 1814, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (21:27)", "body": "Gi! Wow! You latins certainly know how to bond:-) Though I find the thought that C&LF chatting with us here very disconcerting. Seriously, much as it is fun to have all these meetings I would hate it if Colin became a media creature. Ben Affleck, I think it was, goes chatting to his fans on the internet. I like to think CF is above that. He has too much talent to have to pander to his fans to that extent. It is lovely that he is polite when he meets us but many of us are here because we appreciated his aloofness and admired it."}, {"response": 1815, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (21:29)", "body": "Some of you did go for a drink then... Well, good for you!:-)"}, {"response": 1816, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (21:34)", "body": "and I agree that is what makes him so special his elusivness and lack of media attention is what makes times like this so much more wonderful, if he was in the media attention all the time somehow it would spoil things."}, {"response": 1817, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (21:34)", "body": "(Elena) Some of my pics look like they were scenes from the famous movie Darcy & Heide.... ROTFLOL! (Gi)Still, he is at least a very conscientious professional:-) That's ODB! Keep those details coming, ladies! I think we all have the same questions. Re: Talk, part 2 Oh, Gi!!!!!!!!!! My hat's off to you! They 'went to the Internet once?' Too funny! Sounds like a department store. I would just die if they showed up in chat! Yes, Winter, you have inspired us all. So far I've not had the opportunity to put said inspiration to use, but I'm hopeful. Re: SAG awards: RE accepted on behalf of the cast. He named them, starting with CF. He didn't thank CF. I thought it wonderful that he was at the top of the list. Sorry the pics are not coming out Gi. Try again."}, {"response": 1818, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (21:35)", "body": "Sorry about that. It was only worth saying once!"}, {"response": 1819, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (21:36)", "body": "I wonder did anyone by any chance ask him when he is going to start filming Donovan Quick?"}, {"response": 1820, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (21:38)", "body": "I confess i don't really want Colin or Livia in Drool with us... But how about asking him those questions and having him answer us on-line? Colinfirth.com is a very decent place for us to meet with him, and what is wrong with him getting a feed back on his work this way? Anyway, I think they both were being polite and agreeable as is expected of them. They may lurk but I don't believe they will interact, and they have other things to do in life...God bless them, but don't we too? :-)"}, {"response": 1821, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (21:39)", "body": "Hey you guys! I'm all alone over in chat. Join me, ASAP!"}, {"response": 1822, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (21:40)", "body": "I can't remember if I have mentioned this but somebody asked him if he was going to do BJD and he said the media seem to think so and the person who asked the question didn't seem to think he would do it !"}, {"response": 1823, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (21:47)", "body": "Gi, I wish you had been there, I wondered why you and Antonio left so fast, I thought you had somewhere else to go after all that circus at Donmar. Anyway, it took a while before we found anywhere and finally landed into this hotel bar near the theater because pubs were closing. We just needed to talk and talk, all being pretty exhausted at that point I guess. At least I was but the experience had been so big that I just needed to go on and on about Colin. Like now!! I\ufffdm incurable."}, {"response": 1824, "author": "chloeb", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (21:47)", "body": "I've had such fun reading all your great accounts of meeting the great man! It has inspired me even more to try to meet him when I go (again!) on Thursday evening. Someone asked about the chance of Carlton televising the stage play or doing an adaptation. I am afraid it doesn't look likely, i have been quizzing people in the drama dept and there are no plans to do it. However, my sister went to see the play on Friday and told me Alan Yentob was in the audience - he is a big honcho at the BBC, so there may be a glimmer of hope that the BBC could pick it up. Either that or he was there researching for Colin's Donavon Quick role. Re: Colin's mum & dad - I wasn;t told it was them but they were bang slap in the middle of the first row and they looked like him! Also they appeared briefly with him when he went into the bar area after the show, so I can only assume they were family. Maybe not but I like to think it was!"}, {"response": 1825, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (22:02)", "body": "Chloe, I am so glad you are here because a friend of mine has asked me to ask you some questions about Jonathan who I believe you said was at the Press Night. She has asked me to ask you what he looked like, is his hair long or short,dark or fair and what was he wearing. Was he sitting with his mum and dad and anything else that you think might be interesting. I'm sorry to go a bit off topic but it is in a good cause, hope you don't mind Chloe."}, {"response": 1826, "author": "chloeb", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (22:09)", "body": "Yes Jonathon was there on Tues - he was with a couple of friends but sat in third row. He has got longish hair, quite dark and curly (how Colin's hair would be I imagine if he wore it long, but, thank god, does not!) He is actually a bit taller and rangier than Colin, and his face is longer (and not half as handsome in my opinion) He was quite casually dressed - in a leather jacket and jeans from what I can remember."}, {"response": 1827, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (22:11)", "body": "And Chloe, please tell me a bit more about what those possibly mum & dad looked like? If they were the same people again who sat behind me, they must\ufffdve been his parents."}, {"response": 1828, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (22:15)", "body": "Have to go, talk to you again tomorrow."}, {"response": 1829, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (22:15)", "body": "Thankyou Chloe,much appreciated. Hope you get to meet DM and CF on Thursday,f. for some reason I thought it was last Thursday."}, {"response": 1830, "author": "chloeb", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (22:17)", "body": "Oh gawd from what I can remember - his (possible!) mum had white/grey hair tied in a pretty and q elaborate bun at the back. I do remember she had very pretty dark eyes and quite a thinnish face. His (poss!) dad had a lot of white/grey hair at the back of head, if you know what I mean - quite receding at the front and his face was broader, with visible dimples. He wore a suit with a tie. At the end both looked really proud as they applauded enthusiastically and it seemed far more personal than just mere f ns."}, {"response": 1831, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (22:18)", "body": "Thanks Gi, your excellent report made it all so alive again in my memory."}, {"response": 1832, "author": "chloeb", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (22:19)", "body": "When I say \"mere\" fans - I of course mean \"important\" fans, like us!!"}, {"response": 1833, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (22:22)", "body": "Suddenly I feel like I am no longer a member of a closely-knit fellowship of Firthians. Rather, I am outside looking in. I could not go to 3DoR, and now I cannot see any of the pictures for fear of someone being seen. Please someone, tell me how to re-enter your charmed circle so I might know you a little better."}, {"response": 1834, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (22:24)", "body": "And thanks Chloe....sounds very much like those people in Donmar Saturday but I\ufffdm still not quite certain. Well, can\ufffdt help it, I could have asked them."}, {"response": 1835, "author": "chloeb", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (22:27)", "body": "We'll never know I suppose. If I spot people who look like them when I next go I'll try to politely ask them....if I have the 'bottle'."}, {"response": 1836, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (22:41)", "body": "Oh, MARCIA!!!!!!!!!! I don\ufffdt believe this. You\ufffdre in the heart of this board, and mine. Have you answered to my keepsake claim, btw?....And you\ufffdll see the group picture very soon plus many others. ......I\ufffdm sure you\ufffdre joking. I only want to share the 3DOR experience with you as thoroughly as possible, but enough is enough I guess."}, {"response": 1837, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (22:47)", "body": "Thank you...after such a firthless weekend I needed reassuring. Bless you all. You were so wonderful to remember such detail and to post it here. Elena, the Green ensemble is yours to safekeep. Have you mentioned CF to your husband yet? You must be glowing!!! You even got to touch him!!! We just about jumped out of our skins when that was mentioned yesterday. How incredible and how lovely for our best and brightest Drool Ladies. All is forgiven and I feel loved again. (I really would like to see the lady I like so very much from Finland, and I am working on a pic to me to post to all interested via Email.)"}, {"response": 1838, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (22:50)", "body": "When it comes to details, Elena Dear, there is no way you could ever say too much...about anything, for that matter, but specifically about CF. Please regale us with the tiniest detail you happen to have forgotten but is now back in your mind. Please...Pretty Please...=)"}, {"response": 1839, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 1999 (22:53)", "body": "WElena, if you are out there (or anybody!!!) I am in chat all by myself."}, {"response": 1840, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (00:40)", "body": "I just got my pictures!! Gi, I have you and Colin in one shot. There is also one with Colin's arm around Heide."}, {"response": 1841, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (00:51)", "body": "I fear I may never see them if you do not send them to me by Email. Would you consider that if the people in the pix agree? Please?! I'd love to see Heide with HIS arm around her!!!"}, {"response": 1842, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (00:59)", "body": "Now who was supposed to have already scanned some pictures in, and where can I find 'em?"}, {"response": 1843, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (01:07)", "body": "I would love to see the group photo with Colin too. Let me be the first to welcome back Evelyn, Karen and Heide. And now we await your reports. Gi, you were great! Talking to Livia too. Was her friend Italian? Was her mother waiting with her? How was her english? Surprised to hear about the way she was dressed, not chic at all."}, {"response": 1844, "author": "Adi", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (01:09)", "body": "Does anyone know if all the tickets for the next days were sold?"}, {"response": 1845, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (01:13)", "body": "Winter, I am all alone in Chat. Join me?"}, {"response": 1846, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (01:32)", "body": "Dear ladies of Spring, I just want to express how delightful it was to meet all my fellow droolers on Saturday. Heide, Karen, Evelyn, Elena, JanaC, Sabine, AnnW, Gi, Lizza\ufffdhope I didn\ufffdt leave anyone out. And of course, friends and families: Debbie, Susan, James and Antonio. Dinner was lovely, and my friend Delia enjoyed the company and the play. It was wonderful to just chat in person with everyone afterwards, especially when we went out for the drink afterwards. A magical evening that ended all too soon. I was on Cloud 9 the entire evening. Not only did I get to watch CF in action twice in a day, but getting his signed autograph\ufffd to Emma, Love, Colin Firth x \ufffdI still can\ufffdt wipe that grin off my face! I was so nervous when he came down the stairs that I had to give my camera to my friend Delia, so she can take the pictures. I couldn\ufffdt remember what he wore either, but his face is forever burned into my memory. Unfortunately, I was too embarrassed to ask for a posed picture with him, and didn\ufffdt want to make my adoringly gaze too obvious. BUT, I did touch his hand when I handed him the pen! When Livia sat down next to my friend, I elbowed her so hard to get her attention, she almost fell over. I asked Delia if I should say something, and she said NO. Livia looked so lovely, she wore a short red dress that has 2 layers, a liner with a knit top, long black boots and a long black furry looking coat. The only jewelry was a plain gold band on her wedding finger. I didn\ufffdt have the courage to sit next to her after intermission; for fear that I may drool on her. Livia was the first person to clap ea h time. CF is one lucky guy with such a beautiful and supportive wife. BTW, AnnW, I think your husband is both handsome and charming, now get him to upgrade that computer..."}, {"response": 1847, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (01:50)", "body": "Oh, Emma, you fortunate person. Thank you for sharing your evening with us who were Firthless over the weekend. You even got an \"X\" from him? In his own handwriting?! I cannot stand this! Too wonderful!! I am delighted for you and not just a little envious. Now come and check what is left and name your keepsake!"}, {"response": 1848, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (01:55)", "body": "Marcia, never fear, I will send the pics to Heide or Karen who will put them up (that's if Gi doesn't mind) or I will send them via email if I can get the scanner to work at my office. Emma it was great meeting you too--I must really have been whacked not to see Livia--red dress and long black boots."}, {"response": 1849, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (01:58)", "body": "Hello!! 300 postings here since I left. I haven't had time to read them yet and will do so immediately but at the risk of repeating what everyone has alrady said: 1) Let us never again think Colin is afraid of or does not understand his fans. He was wonderful, absolutely wonderful to each and every one. Not one lady could have left that theatre Saturday without a chance to speak to him if she wanted to. Ladies who have yet to see him--I envy you. 2) Seeing him perform is like a superjolt of caffeine - how can I ever forget what a capable, intelligent, gifted actor he is. 3) The women I've met this weekend are so impressive, each and every one of you. Talented, articulate, intelligent, but most of all so generous. I'll take dinner and a show with any of you any day. I'm off to read what I've missed...."}, {"response": 1850, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (02:07)", "body": "Jana, someone said she was outside with friends and family for part of the tiem, but even if she wasn't, how many times did you watch P&P2 before you noticed other actors in it?! It took me ages =) Elena does not want her picture on the internet, so I guess Heide and Karen and all others will have to look carefully at their pix before they post them. That is why I asked for Email. Mine here works. Thanks"}, {"response": 1851, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (02:07)", "body": "Jana, someone said she was outside with friends and family for part of the time, but even if she wasn't, how many times did you watch P&P2 before you noticed other actors in it?! It took me ages =) Elena does not want her picture on the internet, so I guess Heide and Karen and all others will have to look carefully at their pix before they post them. That is why I asked for Email. Mine here works. Thanks"}, {"response": 1852, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (02:14)", "body": "Heide, you had his arm around you???!!! I told you not to worry! I am delighted out of my mind for you. The closest I get to him is another viewing of SiL tomorrow. Welcome home, dear!"}, {"response": 1853, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (04:00)", "body": "Finally finished the postings. It was great to read everyone's individual story because after the last performance, we were all so dazed, I hadn't heard what had happened. Gi, I had no idea you had such a long conversation with Livia! I'm glad you told her about colinfirth.com. Certainly different from our own little \"private\" site here. And Elena, I didn't know you saw Colin leave. I understand how you could feel drawn to follow him. I heard from the theatre attendants that he had left the theatre like the Pied Piper. I'm glad none of our girls were the \"rats\". I'll let Evelyn and Karen tell you about their close encounter with Colin Friday night. I was with them but too shy to go into the Donmar. However, I watched from outside and was suitably awestruck. The man is actually better looking in person, if you can believe it. You'll hear a lot of different opinions about the performances of the other two actors in the play but I think the unanimous opinion of Colin's performance is superb. And to show that we're not biased, the newspapers seem to agree with us. Thanks for keeping everyone abreast of the latest, Bethan, Allison and Ann. I think the first act was Colin's tour de force but my favorite scene (apparently the favorite scene of many of you) is his look of desire at Lina in the second scene. Such a look of longing in that expressive face. So glad the Donmar is small enough that every row could see all his subtle movements. Lizza, your description of his body as being so full of energy is perfect. I couldn't describe it better. Long, lean and bristling with energy. The most mesmerizing performance of all. Someone mentioned (Lizza?) how all eyes in the circle row were on Colin while action was elsewhere. Every now and then I'd tear my eyes away to watch some of our drool girls' reactions. I told Sabine I stole a glance at her when Colin was on the catwalk while E McG and DM were supposed to be the center of attention. ure enough, her eyes were trained upwards at Colin instead of below at the other actors. I was very disappointed in E McG. I could not tell where she was coming from and her accent was all over the globe. Sometimes it was American, sometimes English, sometimes southern. She had one or two nice moments but I can't see the raves the London Times gave her. David Morrissey was fine. As far as Colin's accent, I was relieved that it was the best American accent I've heard from him. Very rarely did he slip--it was somewhat nasal but not disconcerting at all. Woody Allen? Nah..no nebbish, our bo . Those in the front row were within fingertips of our boy. He walks all over, at one time stooping down at eye level to those lucky ones in the center. My only complaint is too many times his back is to the audience. But the rear view was fine too. I preferred my fourth row seat at the matinee. Like so many of us, I was as tense as a cat...couldn't sleep..had a hell of a time before the performance. If I had been in the front row, the adrenaline would have shot me up out of my seat every time he lay in that bed. As you've heard, Charles Dance was in the audience. He was sitting right below Karen, Evelyn, Debbie and me during the evening performance so I snuck a peek every now and then. He was very enthusiastic in his applause and I noticed Colin's eye catching his during their bows. Couldn't think of a word to say to Colin either. I wasn't about to rehearse as I'm sure it would have come out wrong anyway, so when it was my turn, I just said \"Would you please sign for\" (and then I spelled the name) and then I thanked him. My two very dear buddies, Evelyn and Karen, told me to get closer to him. I shook my head but Colin said \"Would you want a picture?\" What am I going to say? NO!?! So I said something like, \"if you don't mind.\" He put his arm around me. Automatically my arm we t around his waist..don't ask me how I did that...and voila. I thanked him again and that was that. Whenever anyone talks about their close enounters I have a million questions. Now I know you don't see anything but his face. I don't know what he was wearing other than it was black. But I can tell you I looked at those dimples. (Marcia, I know what you mean...I wouldn't want him reading this stuff either.) He looked happy, very satisfied, flattered. I can't get over how agreeable he was, how sweet to everyone. No one even noticed poor David Morrisey leave. A few asked E McG for her autograph but frankly, she seemed quite pissy about the whole thing. It was very apparent that everyone was there for Colin and he seemed very pleased about it. Not embarrassed, very confident. And gorgeous, ladies, absolutely gorgeous. Dear, darling Evelyn...everyone who met her feels that way about our Evelyn. Heck, I'll bet even Colin feels that way. None of this would have happened without her. She very simply and politely asked for a group shot and he had absolutely no problem. Ann, I feel terrible you weren't in it. We all called for you but were a"}, {"response": 1854, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (05:02)", "body": "Stacey, come back to chat!!!"}, {"response": 1855, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (07:49)", "body": "Thanks Heide for that lovely report, yu lucky call to have him put his arm around you. I too was a bit sad that I missed the group photo with Colin but it was my own fault for going to the other end of the foyer and I was so busy chatting with Mari I didn't notice. Still hopefully I shall have a photot of me and Colin, when he is signing my programme. Emma thankyou for your report, it was lovely to meet you and Delia and I hope you all had a good journey home. We got home about 12.30 but I couldn#'t slee so posted my first imrpessions and finally got to bed about 1.30am. What a wonderful evening. I hope you enjoyed Jennifer's film Evelyn, what a lovely end to a perfect weekend.Thankyou everyone for being so very nice and friendly. Adi I regret to say I think the whole fortnight is sold out but you could perhaps ask to be put on the waiting list for returns, its such a shame that it is such a short run."}, {"response": 1856, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (08:12)", "body": "In case anybody tries to contact me: I have trouble with my twinwave account. But you can get in touch with me via threedeers@yahoo.com No one needs trouble with the internet connection at a time like this!"}, {"response": 1857, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (08:19)", "body": "Welcome back everyone. What an exciting time. (Chloe)Alan Yentob was in the audience Yes. We were there on Friday and saw him but could not put a face to his name. My husband thought he was Ben Kingsley but I knew he was not an actor. As we were leaving the theatre, we passed him. He was waiting with his companion and I heard him say to her something about just waiting to see Colin!!"}, {"response": 1858, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (08:50)", "body": "What marvellous reports! I've so much I want to say that I can't think where to start! But I am absolutely delighted that he has lived up to your expectations both on stage and in person. It seems as though there's a big party every night after the show! I've never heard of this before...so many people wanting to see an actor, and also getting such a warm response from him. I thought perfomers usually just scuttled away! Allison, Ann....does this normally happen?! Is there only one exit from the Donmar? Will send my cuttings for scanning and collect my thoughts for questions!"}, {"response": 1859, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (13:39)", "body": "(Heide), Colin said \"Would you want a picture?\" What am I going to say? NO!?! So I said something like, \"if you don't mind.\" He put his arm around me. Automatically my arm went around his waist..don't ask me how I did that... Oh, Heide!!!! You had your arms around each other! T'is too much! I know how shy you were about meeting him. What a wonderful ending to what sounds like the perfect weekend. I am totally distracted, I can imagine how you must be. Please do not envy us who have yet to meet him, I assure you the feeling is quite the opposite. Looking forward to hearing from Karen & Evelyn and seeing all those pictures."}, {"response": 1860, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (16:34)", "body": "(Bethan)Is there only one exit from the Donmar? I think there is. There isn't a stage door as far as I know. I remember a year or so ago waiting for an actor friend who was appearing there and we had to go and wait in the bar to avoid the crush. He just appeared from somwhere upstairs like everyone else."}, {"response": 1861, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (17:05)", "body": "Well well such is life!! I just lost a huge post, full of adjectives praising the women of drool. Anyway Heide and Emma ,it was so good to read your excellent reports. It brought it all back so vividly again. My pleasure and excitement, ok and general hysteria!!, at meeting, speaking to and being touched by our DB has, in retrospect been totally heightened by sharing the experience with such brilliant ladies. Thank you all."}, {"response": 1862, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (17:09)", "body": "Dame Winter it only makes you look more courageous and daring in your LA exploits. I could never have done this alone. BTW does anyone please have a copy of the photo of us from outside the restaurant (you know the one where we all said \"Colin Firth\" instead of \" cheese\"!!!!) If so I would love an e-mail or copy."}, {"response": 1863, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (17:39)", "body": "Lizza, I am in chat now and you are out here???"}, {"response": 1864, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (17:48)", "body": "Thank you Heide! What extraordinary experiences you had. Some times it pays to be shy...just not too shy. LOL at most of your posting. You can say it like nobody else can. I'd be jealous if it had not happened to you. How does he feel with your arm around him? Like a good solid male, I would imagine. How devilishly of you to reciprocate and put your arm around him !!"}, {"response": 1865, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (18:18)", "body": "(Marcia)How does he feel with your arm around him? Like a good solid male, I would imagine. Yes, Heide, please TELL US!! You got closer to him than any of us (and longer, it must have lasted at least 30 seconds!) and he seemed to enjoy the situation genuinely. What a miraculous moment that was, I looked at his big hand on your shoulder and it stayed and stayed, you two just stood there with no hurry anywhere, both smiling and cameras flashing."}, {"response": 1866, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (18:25)", "body": "Heide details please, I completely missed it!!! Where were you standing? Which part of the theatre foyer? I think his touch is firm yet light, if you know what I mean!! Good on you, I want to see the evidence. Wonderful, have you recovered?"}, {"response": 1867, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (18:26)", "body": "(Elena)I looked at his big hand on your shoulder Then he *does* have big hands. Hmm. Must find my texas tee shirt which asks \"How BIG is IT??\" Elena, you were touched by the hand of God, so to speak. Do you feel any different for the experinence?! (How could you not!!)"}, {"response": 1868, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (18:29)", "body": "Don't you agree with Ann and the rest of us Heide, that he has such a talent for making each of us feel special for those seconds we have his attention and then he graciously moves on. Leaving , of course, a trail of gasping , shaking, incredulous women behind him."}, {"response": 1869, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (18:30)", "body": "Marcia, to get a feel for his digits so to speak, read your mail NOW!!!"}, {"response": 1870, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (18:40)", "body": "Oh Lizza, my regular Email is being upgraded by the server and I cannot use it. But send it to my other Email, please: critter514@ola.com I am so curious!!!!"}, {"response": 1871, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (18:40)", "body": "Oh Lizza, my regular Email is being upgraded by the server and I cannot use it. But send it to my other Email, please: critter514@aol.com I am so curious!!!!"}, {"response": 1872, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (18:41)", "body": "Make that CRITTER514@ AOL.COM"}, {"response": 1873, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (18:45)", "body": "\"How BIG is IT??\" When he was on stage, using his hands very much as Walker when he spoke, I thought his hands looked quite delicate and long fingered actually. But in my pictures (I have at least seven shots on Colin\ufffds and Heide\ufffds close encounter) they look very manly, in one he seems to almost grasp her so that her coat arms gets wrinkled! Oooh"}, {"response": 1874, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (18:51)", "body": "This was incredible. Not only did he show up in person, he touched and was touched. And, with enough to wrinkle clothing. Oh my!!!! It is overwhelming! He is probably talking as much about it as you are LOL!!!"}, {"response": 1875, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (18:58)", "body": "Does Wrinkling not indicate a certain amount of passion on his part? Enthusiasm, at the very least. This afternoon as I watch Sil I will have RAy grab my arm and squeeze it, though he usually goes for hand squeezing in movies when his not all slicked up with popcorn \"butter\". Whew! What a though. The wrinkles of CF's passion and enthusiasm. Do not have those wrinkles removed. They are a Spring international treasure."}, {"response": 1876, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (19:04)", "body": "Ready to receive Marcia?"}, {"response": 1877, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (19:12)", "body": "All this talk of photographs. When are we going to see them? Even if on E-mail."}, {"response": 1878, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (19:13)", "body": "All I can say is oooohhhhh, Heide! He put his arm around me. Automatically my arm went around his waist..don't ask me how I did that...and voila When reading this account the 13 year old inhabiting my 41 year old body came out again (she's been around alot lately!). I screamed AAAHHH! so loud my dog looked at me like I had 2 heads. Good thing no one else is around. So you'll never wash your arm again, Heide? He looked happy, very satisfied, flattered. I can't get over how agreeable he was, how sweet to everyone... Not embarrassed, very confident This comment brought the 41 year old back--all of you have reported to this effect (as Ann put it, he made you feel like you were the only one in the room) but it's the word 'flattered' that grabs me. As much as I admire his work, it's this personal characteristic that also keeps me a fan. Ann--don't despair about missing the group pic. If someone wants to be brushed out of the posting, perhaps you can be brushed in?"}, {"response": 1879, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (19:14)", "body": "I am!"}, {"response": 1880, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (19:17)", "body": "(Marcia)Elena, you were touched by the hand of God... Do you feel any different for the experinence?! Yeah I was but it\ufffds nothing to Heide\ufffds experience because he didn\ufffdt do that deliberately! sob... It\ufffds just that when he came to us on those narrow stairs, there was so little room that our arms very lightly met and I could strongly feel his presence beside me when he signed first for me, then Jana, then me again. I watched him and his face looked pale, his hair was dark and damp because of all the water in the play, with one curl on his forehead, and his eyes were very dark in that light. That\ufffds all....and yes Marcia, I do feel different, wonderful and amazed because I did not expect to meet him at all, and PAINFUL because I was in such a shock that moment, not being able to talk to him properly. But how crazy this is, you see when I decided to go to London I felt that only being in the same room with him for a while would be worth the trip. And it really would have been."}, {"response": 1881, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (19:21)", "body": "America Off Line is booted and keeps hanging up on me, but I shall persevere!!! Ready for incoming!"}, {"response": 1882, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (19:27)", "body": "I know...I know. It is like praying for a healthy child when you are pregnant That's all...just healthy. Then , when your healthy child is born, you want a smart and healthy and handsome and talented etc....child. =) Did He smell good? I know he felt good! OOh, I am sitting here all squinched up with imagined feelings had I been there. I am SOOOO happy for you!!!"}, {"response": 1883, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (19:44)", "body": "Marcia, I don't remember anything about his smell... Which e-mail are you using today?"}, {"response": 1884, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (19:51)", "body": "No luck Marcia, keeps being returned."}, {"response": 1885, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (19:55)", "body": "You\ufffdll be there next time, won\ufffdt you Marcia! On smell (!!!now it\ufffds my turn to wish that he won\ufffdt read this).....I did not sense any sort of scent, really nothing, but how could I have in that state of mind. Heide is the only one who could say something about this because she really was close....even though Allison doesn\ufffdt want to hear about photographs anymore, I dare to say that in one of my pics Heide\ufffds hair practically touches Colin\ufffds cheek because he bends slightly to her."}, {"response": 1886, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (19:59)", "body": "Lizza, please tell us about his digits, I know you did experience them too!"}, {"response": 1887, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (20:02)", "body": "Lizza, I guess Just send it to marci@aloha.net and they will get it to me as soon as they are back up. How frustrating!!! I am having my son do double mailings (one to aloha.net with cc to AOL). Aol rejects some files as too big. That is why I have a private server for me and Ray has Aol because it is easier. Humbug!!! Be there next time??? I'd giv a sizeable part of my immortality to be so!!!"}, {"response": 1888, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (20:09)", "body": "His scent (we all have them)...I am sure his is sensual...(do not read this CF&L); and we must have digit details. ...He he leaned toward Heide! and had his arm around her!! I was discussing with Dame Winter whether we needed to crown a few Queens of Drool now that there have been intimate moments with him. Consider yourselves elevated, since, though she shook his bare hand, she considered it nothing compared with what went on while you were all jammed onto that stairway. How fortuitous to make it small =)"}, {"response": 1889, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (20:11)", "body": "I am in chat if anyone would like to keep me company!"}, {"response": 1890, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (20:15)", "body": ".even though Allison doesn\ufffdt want to hear about photographs anymore, I don't want to hear about them, I want to SEE them!!!"}, {"response": 1891, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (20:53)", "body": "I can't stand it. They are sent to me and waiting in Honolulu for my server to drool over before they let me have them. *Let me SEE them!!!*"}, {"response": 1892, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (22:00)", "body": "Dear Sabine and Susan! That group shot that you sent us via email is fabulous. LOL! Thank-you so much. I don\ufffdt know why it made me laugh so heartily, maybe because we all look so terribly happy and why not, the reason for that is right there among us. Ladies, we should send him that pic too with big, big and loving thanks. After seeing that picture and the unique feeling in it I\ufffdm beginning to feel quite stupid about being so shy about myself in the net....I HAVE CHANGED MY MIND. Why should I be so secretive about something that means to me so much? What\ufffds more, there\ufffds no need to be secretive anymore, my husband opened the picture for me because I couldn\ufffdt. He looked pretty amused to see it too, even with Colin there!!"}, {"response": 1893, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (22:03)", "body": "I can imagine your excitement Elena. I know that I look funny poking out at the back but I don't care because of being next to him. glad you changed your mind. We all look so amazed and just dazed with happiness"}, {"response": 1894, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (22:13)", "body": "Elena, I'm so glad, I was going to ask you if you'd give me permission to send the pics privately to the others without having to crop you out! Now I guess I have it, right? I'm glad your husband reacted well. Antonio says (I quote) \"any sensible husband should be happy that his wife has a few small fantasies because these work as a safety valve for the routine, and a little fantasy colours life\". I'll post his report later, if you wish - he dictated it to me at 5 a.m. in the airport..."}, {"response": 1895, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (22:15)", "body": "Yeah, those faces are something, that pic really tells more than a 1000 words about our feelings. We really MUST send that pic to him."}, {"response": 1896, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (22:15)", "body": "Allison, Marcia, Sabine, I sent you all a picture of Colin by e-mail, sort of testing, did you get it?"}, {"response": 1897, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (22:19)", "body": "And I stupidyly missed being in it boo hoo (too busy chaatting at the other end of the foyer), Sabine I do mot have your email address will you please email me."}, {"response": 1898, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (22:22)", "body": "Is Karen back, I see she has posted at Keepsakes113?"}, {"response": 1899, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (22:24)", "body": "Gi, what a great guy Antonio is, you\ufffdre doing the right thing marrying him! And I\ufffdd really like to know what he thought about the London adventure."}, {"response": 1900, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (22:35)", "body": "It is funny but I don't know whether sending HIM that picture would be the right thing to do. It feels strange to say it but I prefer now to distance us from obvious personal contact. I feel that as a group we have very special characteristics and an empathy for his feelings and privacy. ( and I mean the whole of drool) After all it was all in a day's work for him and I would doubt has any special significance for him, while of course for us it is different!!!"}, {"response": 1901, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (22:37)", "body": "BTW Sabine could you e-mail me a copy of your photo? Thank you so much."}, {"response": 1902, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (22:42)", "body": "(Lizza J)After all it was all in a day's work for him and I would doubt has any special significance for him, while of course for us it is different!!! I've said that before, too, haven't I? It actually stroke me Sunday evening, when I was strolling not far from the theatre, that he was probably going through the same again...equally affable with 200 other people...and would do it again next day and the next..."}, {"response": 1903, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (22:45)", "body": "Bless you, Elena! How wonderful that you will be a face for me now. We should have a separate drool category for the rest of us to post pic of ourselves so you can know us better. I guess your husband knows now!!! LOL. Many a husband has benefitted from repressed lust for Darcy. Of course this harmless fantasy is healthy!"}, {"response": 1904, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (22:53)", "body": "Quite right too Marcia. I find other women's reactions more interesting than men's. I was treated to a really vitriolic tongue tirade by a female colleague on my return about the whole thing. despite being the same age we obviously have a very different outlook in life!! Normally I would have rushed hotly to our DB's defences but I just smiled a very serene smile, nothing could puncture my mood!!"}, {"response": 1905, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (22:59)", "body": "Possible visitors at Drool Some of you said they feel uncomfortable at the idea of Colin and Livia visiting drool (me, too, actually). There's a direct link from firth.com to Spring - do you want me to remove the link? *** .even though Allison doesn\ufffdt want to hear about photographs anymore, I don't want to hear about them, I want to SEE them!!! LOL! Me too, me too! I would love to see *any* pic taken at the Donmar, with or without Colin (but I guess you know which I prefer, sorry, girls). Perhaps it is possible to edit the pics in a way that only Colin is left, and then the pics could be put up. Or, an alternative, they don't need to be posted publicly on Spring. We could put them on a \"secret\" page, only for those who know the link. What do you think? Send me whatever you want to share, to be put up or not. And let me know which must not appear, and which can be up oaded. Also if you have something that still has to be scanned. renate@twinwave.net *** America Off Line Oh, Marcia, thank you very much for a good laugh!"}, {"response": 1906, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (22:59)", "body": "Alas, My Email (except for AOL) is still shooting blanks. Nothing coming through. But what pleasure I will have when it does. Gi, have you gotten your sound files yet?"}, {"response": 1907, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (23:08)", "body": "Lizza, your colleague was jealous! Just ignore the boorish attitude. Renate, a secure place where we would have to login would be ideal - like we have to do for chat and for here. Excellent idea!"}, {"response": 1908, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (23:23)", "body": "Marcia, I'm desperately trying to send you an e-mail via aol.com with the CF pic, but the connection keeps crashing (Loved \"america off line\" too!) Renate, I think I'd probably be more comfortable if the link to Spring were removed... But {I confess I haven't really explored colinfirth.com recently, except go there to look for (im)possible chatters)}is there another possibility for people to leave posts there? So we know they've been there ;-)? Also, the secret page sounds good (kind of an Enyd Blyton mystery) although I don't really mind showing my face - and at least Elena doesn't anymore either :-)"}, {"response": 1909, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (23:29)", "body": "Let me try this again:"}, {"response": 1910, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (23:33)", "body": "Did it work?"}, {"response": 1911, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (23:33)", "body": "If Elena can do it so can I. Don't cut me out from the group pic if you place it on the Internet--after all we do want to see where his other hand is. (Please don't consider that snide. I just really want to see where it is too since all I could remember was the feel). Gi, your very lucky to have Antonio. Could you please email me a copy of the pics you have. My address is jclark@azstarnet.com. Thanks! Karen where are you?"}, {"response": 1912, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (23:52)", "body": "Well, Gi, you did it. Between my hanging-up AOffL and your crashing server, it is a wonder. The Picture is wonderful! And, it is so appreciated. I have a special folder for \"real\" pix of the man himself and the ladies who were there. =)"}, {"response": 1913, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (00:02)", "body": "I imagine that Karen and Evelyn, who have both been affected by the huge snow storm are hopefully putting down their thoughts to be posted later. Renate, the link for drool should go to the colinfirth.com topic(I forget the number, definitely not here). ;-)) Also Renate, check Time Out when you're in London because they do list cyber-cafes. We would love to hear you opinion ASAP on 3DOR. I'm happy you have all decide to post the pix and look forward to seeing them. Heide, I'm still in awe from your CF encounter. I'm sure you're in dreamland."}, {"response": 1914, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (00:06)", "body": "Renate, the link for drool should go to the colinfirth.com topic(I forget the number, definitely not here). ;-)) That way we can have another birthday celebration for him on its first anniversay, a party he would not mind attending (heehee). Just a thought."}, {"response": 1915, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (00:11)", "body": "(Marcia) Renate, a secure place where we would have to login would be ideal - like we have to do for chat and for here. Excellent idea! Nothing with login, I'm afraid, don't know how to do that, but it is safe enough to upload to some unconnected page, and then it's up to you if you pass on the URL in email only, or publish it here. And, Gi, please email me the pic(s)."}, {"response": 1916, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (00:21)", "body": "Gi has just sent me a picture of you all and what an elegant and lovely group you are. I am so happy to meet you!!!"}, {"response": 1917, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (00:38)", "body": "Well, we were all trying to look good for one another and you-know-who..."}, {"response": 1918, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (00:41)", "body": "(Marcia) Renate, a secure place where we would have to login would be ideal - like we have to do for chat and for here. Excellent idea! Nothing with login, I'm afraid, don't know how to do that, but it is safe enough to upload to some unconnected page, and then it's up to you if you pass on the URL in email only, or publish it here. And, Gi, please email me the pic(s)."}, {"response": 1919, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (00:42)", "body": "This is all very fine but I must work tomorrow! Ta-ta!"}, {"response": 1920, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (00:44)", "body": "I did, Renate, hope you got them. See you all tomorrow!"}, {"response": 1921, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (00:47)", "body": "I've tried to put in the link for colinfirth.com, but apparently this works with the \"restricted\" link only. The \"public\" sends you to the main page automatically. And to register you have to go via the drool main page, and from there you can choose all boards. Have to check with the geeks if there is another way."}, {"response": 1922, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (01:14)", "body": "Renate, did you get the pix Gi sent you? Yes, check with the geeks, but I'll bet they won't be of help. I was horrified to see my button snipping from the day before posted on the public reading place."}, {"response": 1923, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (02:25)", "body": "--My Mommy always told me never do (or say) anything you didn't want appearing on the front page of \"The Times\"...!!! Now I see what she meant!"}, {"response": 1924, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (02:40)", "body": "And now...for something COMPLETELY DIFFERENT... Chloe--In spite of your (I am sure impeccable) powers of observation, the last data I have last seen quoted on the Brothers Firth give Jonathan's height as 5'11\" and Colin's as 6'1\". So RANGIER, I'll agree with, but TALLER must have been a trick of the light or of position. And don't look to the father if you want evidence of the hair-loss genes so feared for our DB...look instead to the grandfather on the mother's side. Sadly, it is passed from mother to son and then father to daughter..."}, {"response": 1925, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (02:44)", "body": "We are rapidly approaching \"the year 2000\" response-wise. Might we set up a new topic site cleverly disguised as something entirely different to put you-know-who off the scent?? :-)"}, {"response": 1926, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (03:13)", "body": "Yes, let's make a switch. I remember that immediately after my (meager) encounter with the DB, we had 116 created. Let's just create new topics every time someone from drool meets him!"}, {"response": 1927, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (04:01)", "body": "Renate, we hoped the pictures could be put up privately at colinfirth.com. I'm still hopelessly techno-phobic but Karen has become quite adept. Perhaps you two can work out the details. I'm sure Karen will post soon. Her views on the evening are too good to miss. Evelyn? Are you still driving? Just waiting to hear that everyone got back safely. I understand the concern right now about our thoughts being available to the world but nothing has really changed. Does anyone have any ideas how to remain accessible to newcomers if we delete our links? This page is not for Colin but for us. I'll listen to options but I, for one, am against deleting our link at colinfirth.com. I've tried to put in the link for colinfirth.com, but apparently this works with the \"restricted\" link only. The \"public\" sends you to the main page automatically. I'm a little confused here, Renate. Easy for me, I know. What and to what are you trying to link? Anyway, I am dying to see the photos too. Like Lizza and Gi already posted, the event was much more significant to us than to him. ;-) Sending him a photo would not have any meaning to him really. But it's going to live in our memory for a long while. I'm afraid my mind is pretty much a blank when it comes to being photographed with him. When Dame Winter posted her story I had a hundred questions but now I understand that composure goes out the window along with attention to detail. I just had this sense that he was next to me (actually above me, I think I was standing on the step below). I do remember the rough feeling of his coat under my fingers but that is it, I'm afraid. I think there's something to be said for going back the next night and ju t hanging back and drinking it all in. Unfortunately, there was no performance the next night. Renate, when are you leaving for London? Please stay after the performance. It only took about 15 minutes and there is strength in numbers. The last performance should be extraordinary."}, {"response": 1928, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (05:06)", "body": "I haven't formulated an strong opinions as to whether the Spring link should remain on colinfirth.com, but I will say that it takes a hell of a lot of know-how to even register for the darn place and a pretty fast computer to download all messages. I'm sure, even if he saw it, would be deterred by the technolgical obstacle course of it all. Maybe if you just posted 'spring.net', at least you will stil have the link, but knowing how to get into \"Colin Drool\" would require asking someone how to do it."}, {"response": 1929, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (05:07)", "body": "MarciaH-- had a great chat with you the other day. Thanks for a lovely time. Unfortunately, that phone call that came in ended up being a 4 hour call!"}, {"response": 1930, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (05:19)", "body": "Hi Everybody....just got home today. Took me 24 hours! Got stuck in the snow storm in Chicago!!Will you forgive me if I don't post my report tonight...it wouldn't be lucid....Promise to do so tomorrow and will answer all questions. I just want you all to know how v. proud I was to be part of the Spring Group in London last Saturday ..and I include \"the boys\" too! It was apparent that Colin caught the energy and warmth that bonds us all together.To those not physically there....you were there with us in spirit and made us a better group. It was Pure Magic; like Elena, I shall never forget Colin and Heide, both beaming ...while the flash bulbs popped all over the place. A Great Night for Spring!!"}, {"response": 1931, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (05:54)", "body": "All is forgiven. You are home safely and still drooling. We will wait upon your convenience. I have given you all a good look-at, and I am so very impressed and more than a little intimidated. You look so professional and so important. Then there's the one with that Cf person (the one with the loose curl on his forehead..=P)..and I saw that you were all just like me. We can put up a very decorus front, but underneath is an ardent Firthophile. Your secret is safe with me. Winter, loved the chat with you. Look forward to many more. The longer I know the lovely people here the more you become family!"}, {"response": 1932, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (06:33)", "body": "Evelyn, so glad you're home safely. Heide, Lizza, Gi, Elena, Jana, Ann, Sabine, Emma (did I forget anybody? I hope not) thanks so much for the details of your adventures. Karen, we look forward to yours! I've been rushing home every day from work and flipping on the computer, and hours later staggering off to bed. It is difficult to have missed out on the adventure, but it would be much more difficult if we could not share in all the details with you. Thanks for every little tidbit you remember. Looking forward very much to seeing the pics!"}, {"response": 1933, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (08:03)", "body": "We are rapidly approaching \"the year 2000\" response-wise. Might we set up a new topic site cleverly disguised as something entirely different to put you-know-who off the scent?? :-) It's no use to hide the newest topics - where we behave very ladylike most of the time - when the old topics are still there to see for everybody. And I recall some pretty raunchy stuff in the past, including FanFic. There must be at least a dozen topics we filled over the year. but I will say that it takes a hell of a lot of know-how to even register for the darn place and a pretty fast computer to download all messages. Good point, Winter. Renate, we hoped the pictures could be put up privately at colinfirth.com. I'm still hopelessly techno-phobic but Karen has become quite adept. Perhaps you two can work out the details. I will not be available for 4 days of rain, from Friday on ;-D. So I guess it's best Karen takes care of the pics."}, {"response": 1934, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (08:41)", "body": "Welcome home, Evelyn. We are all looking forward to your travellers tales. Re Spring and privacy. As you are probably aware, I am a v private person so I understand people's concerns but Spring is such a great way for other Colin fans to find out more about their hero. It would be awful if we became a clique to which others were excluded. I think the chances of Colin or Livia really working their way through all that is posted here, are very remote. With regard to photographs, then I understand that some more secure page is necessary and I bow to the more computer literate as to how that might be d ne. Cutting the link from Colinfirth.com to Spring would be a bad idea IMHO. We should be as inclusive as possible. Gi, am off to do battle with my E-mail. I do hope I shall find you all there (minus Ann...booo...hooo). Mant thanks. BTW hold tight onto Antonio, he sounds perfect."}, {"response": 1935, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (13:39)", "body": "Evelyn, glad you made it back safely. Can't wait to hear what you told Colin when you met him outside the theatre with Karen. Heide, what Renate is trying to do is to have the Spring link from colinfirth.com go directly to topic 110 (where we had his birthday celebration), this makes perfect sense."}, {"response": 1936, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (13:44)", "body": "BTW, Renate, have a wonderful time. The last performance should really be special. If you get to wait for him, ask him about his other films's release date and if he plans to attend the premieres and of course mention cf.com. Buon viaggio!"}, {"response": 1937, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (14:33)", "body": "and also Renate will you ask him when he is to start filming Donovan Quick, have a lovely time."}, {"response": 1938, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (15:10)", "body": "Agree with all who wish to keep the Spring link intact at cf.com. Agree with Winter's comments about needing time to register and download all posts. That's what kept me away from here for so long. If C&LF have only been to the internet once, IMO they won't jump in here. (Good Lord, I hope not, especially to Fanfic. **BLUSH** ;-)) Glad to hear of your safe return, Evelyn. I thought you and Karen would be affected by the weather. Look forward to your recollections--don't forget to include your 'maiden' encounter with the DB on Friday. Aren't you glad you didn't stay home and do your spring cleaning? Speaking of staying home, I would like to thank the lucky ladies who went for keeping us Firthless few included in your comments. IMO after such a thrilling experience, there's a natural inclination to gear remarks to those you've met. Lastly (for now), thanks to those who've been chatting (esp. \"chatmaster\" Marcia). It really helped me this weekend!"}, {"response": 1939, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (16:27)", "body": "Goodness. What an experience, and what boldness! Fair reward for your adventurousness, say I. It sounds like you had a justifiably wonderful time. I was trying to imagine JE posing happily for photographs surrounded by bunch of drooling men, flown in from all round the world, and somehow I can't see it. Life's so unfair. Having said that, your success owes a lot, I am sure, to your own collective charm, CF's grace and the ingenuousness of your regard for him. If he was at all worried before that you were all like so many Monica Lewinskys he can't any longer be. Where did you eat, in the end? And where did you manage to stay?"}, {"response": 1940, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (16:50)", "body": "A thought -- I agree that sending a copy of the group photo to CF probably wouldn't mean much to him, but it might be cool to send a thank-you note to his agent or whatever saying how much his consideration and kindness toward Spring was appreciated. That might encourage him to keep it up. BTW, did we Spring-ers end up sending flowers or a good-luck telegram backstage? Also, re: the great \"to-clap-or-not-to-clap\" debate -- did people clap when he first appeared on stage, or restrain their applause till the end of the act? And thanks to everyone for your reports, no detail is too small for me;-)"}, {"response": 1941, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (17:24)", "body": "After reading the different views on whether or not to keep the link, I changed my mind and agree it's probably alright to leave it. Anyway, either the embarrassment would be mutual and they would leave us alone here after reading a few posts, or they would enjoy themselves madly and keep reading, or eventually they would stay and the quality of the debate would change, and how can we foresee if for better or worse? So, let's just be who we are and hope we're good enough!:-)"}, {"response": 1942, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (17:26)", "body": "After reading the different views on whether or not to keep the link, I changed my mind and agree it's probably alright to leave it. Anyway, either the embarrassment would be mutual and they would leave us alone here after reading a few posts, or they would enjoy themselves madly and keep reading, or eventually they would stay and the quality of the debate would change, and how can we foresee if for better or worse?"}, {"response": 1943, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (18:24)", "body": "(Susan)I agree that sending a copy of the group photo to CF probably wouldn't mean much to him, but it might be cool to send a thank-you note Exactly, and I do not understand why we couldn\ufffdt send the photo to him as well with thanks. It\ufffds quite clear that it wouldn\ufffdt mean anything special to him, why should it! But what it would mean to him is that his fans appreciate his friendliness very much. When I suggested that we send the photo to him I really didn\ufffdt mean to try and personify us to him somehow. I just think his way of treating his fans is quite unique and deserves to be thanked in some nice way."}, {"response": 1944, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (18:29)", "body": "Antonio's report as dictated by himself at 5 a.m. at the airport waiting for our plane Dinner was pleasant but short; it was practically impossible to get to know everybody. Only two men being present, I dare suppose that some of the ladies came unbeknownst to their husbands. I think that any sensible husband should be happy that his wife have a few small fantasies, because they work as a safety valve for the routine, and a little fantasy colours life. The play: the acting was better than the production itself, or the play. Colin was possibly better than the others, but my judgement is not unbiased. I had heard so much about Colin that I felt I was part of the \"family\". Anyway, it was a good experience, made me want to go to the theatre more often. The male actors were definitely the better ones, they played their characters very differently in the two acts. EMcG, to my eyes, didn't almost change, either physically or in her acting. A deaf person wouldn't know the difference. Besides that, she was very uncivil. Unlike Colin, who gave autographs with a smile and talked to his fans, she never even looked at me when signing the program. I don't usually ask for autographs, but my pride wasn't hurt, I just thought it was bad taste. I extend my best wishes for you Internet group and hope that from this interaction something good may develop."}, {"response": 1945, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (18:30)", "body": "Elena, I am so happy to have seen you at last. It would have been so sad not to see the lady who shares so much with me in many ways. You and I do not like cameras and freeze, but in the photo with CF, you are all happy smiles and I adore it. I have printed out the pictures to remind me of what great people are on the receiving end of my postings. Thanks again for reconsidering!"}, {"response": 1946, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (18:31)", "body": "Emma, e-mail me your address, won't you, so I can send you some pics!"}, {"response": 1947, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (18:38)", "body": "Thank you, Antonio. How wise his observations. Gi, it sounds like he would not oppose another intra-continental journey to see something worthwhile. I think he can put down EMcG's bad manners to either shyness (in theater?!) or not caring. Either way, she is the loser because her life will never be enriched with an attitude problem like that. Antonio is welcome here anytime. How kind of him to take the time to further our understanding of this encredible event."}, {"response": 1948, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (18:38)", "body": "Evelyn, it is great that you are back again, safe and sound amongst us. We are all looking forward to hearing all your impressions. Renate, have just the most wonderful time. There can be no doubt that you will. I shall think of you at about 10.08pm when the play is about to end for the last time. Could be emotional!!"}, {"response": 1949, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (18:40)", "body": "Btw Susan, on my way to the Donmar I bought a bunch of flowers in a nearby shop, having great difficulty deciding what to get!! What flowers are you supposed to give to a man anyway? I\ufffdve never done that before, like many other things I did that evening. Tried to find a card of some kind to attach to it but found nothing suitable. I ended up writing in the wrapper, luckily it was a nice green one, in big letters \ufffdTo Colin with love, Helena S\ufffd. They told me in the box office to just leave the bunch in the foyer on a box where there was just one other flower thing, a big and very artistic arrangement with a majestic card. And? It\ufffds possible that he never saw it or just threw it away because I didn\ufffdt see any flowers in anybody\ufffds hands that evening, not even the big arrangement. Possibly he just left the bunch backstage and all right, I just hope he at least saw it."}, {"response": 1950, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (18:44)", "body": "Dame Winter , never say your experience was meagre. Could we each have achieved so much alone?? You were our inspiration. BTW I had quite forgotten to post a comment I heard from the row in front of me on Saturday evening. Apparently our DB had been in the audience on \"Morphic Resonance\" the previous week. Obviously doing his homework like the thorough professional we know he is."}, {"response": 1951, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (18:48)", "body": "Your flowers were a lovely gesture Elena and he will not have ignored them, it would not be like him. Do you all want me to send some flowers for Saturday to thank him for his kindness, consideration ( and damn fine looks)!!, no seriously,I will do that but is the message better relayed via his agent?"}, {"response": 1952, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (18:51)", "body": "Gi, I loved Antonio's comments, please thank him, he is very kind and considerate. On second thoughts, I won't send ANY flowers until someone sends ME an e- mail picture. Marcia I may have to rely on you!!!!!!"}, {"response": 1953, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (18:52)", "body": "(Antonio)The male actors were definitely the better ones, they played their characters very differently in the two acts. EMcG, to my eyes, didn't almost change, either physically or in her acting. A deaf person wouldn't know the difference. Antonio, you are smarter than my DH. He keeps going on about how wonderful EMcG was. I agree with your comment about her not changing between the two halves. What happened to her Southern accent? I know about Southern accents. We have a lot of friends from the South and they do not sound like E McG! Re sending photos. I am probably not the one to say this as I am too much of a wimp to \"come out\" for Colin but IMHO it is a bad idea. It all looks a bit too \"groupie\". I think you should try and give the impression of a bunch of cerebral women who really care about acting and the theatre. If you want to send him something, make it a reasoned thanks for his acting. If he secretly hankers after women droolers, he has only himself to blame for denying it so often. And if that is what he really wants.. .I am out of here."}, {"response": 1954, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (19:07)", "body": "Thanks, Marcia! I\ufffdd love to see your face too. Please, email me a pic!! Btw, you were so right when you assumed before the Big Saturday that we were nervous mainly because of meeting each other. I remember nobody cared to comment that! Truth is I really was worried about being possibly quite different from what the others had expected. What a strange and fantastic situation it was to meet everybody and how lovely it was too. Which reminds me....Hi, Evelyn and Karen! Like everybody, I\ufffdm waiting eagerly for your reports!"}, {"response": 1955, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (19:09)", "body": "I think flowers and a note, rather than the photo (and thats not because I am not in it!!)thanking him for his patience and kindness to his fans and complimenting him on his acting would be a wonderful idea Lizza and I would be only too pleased to contribute if you will email me.I just really can't get over the fact that he spent so much time with his fans and apparently he is doing that every night, what a gentleman, I shall never believe that he resents his internet fans or any of his fans come to that, he was absolutely charming."}, {"response": 1956, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (19:26)", "body": "Ann, Lizza, Gi, Emma, Heide....my husband wants to know if we can email you pics in JPG form, whatever that means (I know practically nothing about these things). He could do that with the help of a scanner at work. Email me if you\ufffdre interested."}, {"response": 1957, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (19:29)", "body": "I hope Gi will not be upset with me - I gave her the credit! Lizza, the pictures are entering your mailbox about now. Anyone else?"}, {"response": 1958, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (19:31)", "body": "Elena, would you include me too? Use my alternate Email as my regular server is down.....critter514@aol.com Thank you!!!"}, {"response": 1959, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (19:31)", "body": "Wow! Thank you everybody for sharing your wonderful adventures! I am so thrilled for all of you and look forward to seeing as many pics as possible :) Lizza, i too would be willing to contribute to the flowers and card, just let me know how much and where to send it Evelyn- mailed off the tape yesterday, it should arrive soon. Thanks a million times! :) I am eagerly waiting for your and Karen's reports! SBR"}, {"response": 1960, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (19:32)", "body": "Elena, unfortunately I think my computer needs updating cannot accept email photos but I could let you have my postal address!!"}, {"response": 1961, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (19:33)", "body": "Marcia- i'm at work- i'll meet you in chat if you'll tell me what the url is again.:)"}, {"response": 1962, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (19:38)", "body": "SBR meet you there... http://firth.com/chat/talk.cgi"}, {"response": 1963, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (19:53)", "body": "Hi all! I've finally caught up on all the posts and relived the experience of a lifetime through your words. Unfortunately, I can't imagine there is much to add. (Other than what he might have been carrying in his pockets - did anyone grope around there??) As has happened before, my brain turns to mush in these types of situations. I recall the well-behaved \"mob\" surrounding him on the stairs, flashes going off wildly, and am thoroughly amazed at how well he took it all and wonder what he was thinking hroughout, especially when he heard where people had come from just to see him in this play. First off, I want to say how incredibly wonderful it was to meet each and every one of you: Lizza, Ann, Gi, Helena, Emma, Sabine, JanaC and my buds Heide and Evelyn. From each of your accounts, I can tell this experience meant as much to you as it did to me. While seeing Colin on stage was the trip's objective, getting to know each other--albeit for a short while--was the icing on the cake. Also, it was truly fun to meet your friends, fiances and spouses and to watch them get caught up in the craziness To Deb, James, Antonio, Susan, Delia, and Helena's friend, a pat on the back FOR putting up with us and being such good sports. In my capacity as one of the hosts and official bestower of honors, I must confer a title on a certain gentleman, and a true gentleman and knight in shining armor he is!! For his unselfish gesture in offering his first row seat (at the foot of the bed) to a damsel in distress, I dub thee Sir James! Ann, you are the luckiest of women. What a dear man. BTW, did he comment on all the black and blue marks from when I kept poking you in the arm? ;-) I am eternally in your debt and I would offer up y first born child in recompense, but you have two grown children already and would not likely want the bother again. ;-) Also, thank you for all the newspaper clippings. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you. (I'll see about putting you into the group shot!) To join the chorus, I thought Colin was positively brilliant in the play. Those parts (both Ned and Walker) were tailor-made for him. His accent to me was very nondescript. Didn't seem particular to any region (except when he said Bahsten), which is fine with me. After getting over the jarring experience of hearing him with that deepened monotoned American accent doing his opening monologue from the bed, it all fell in place for me and I didn't think about it again. Alan Alda-ish? Yes, somewhat. I d dn't hear him slip in and out of the accent the way the other two did constantly. Being so close to him throughout the matinee performance, while trying to maintain my composure, was extremely difficult. At one point in the second act, he came over right in front of me to turn up the stereo (while Theo and Lina are arguing) and we are at eye level. Arghhhhhh! I am trying to keep my expression calm, but I'm sure my eyes opened wider than they ever have. There is so much to praise in his performance. Yes, that Look of longing with Lina; actually there was another - the first time she gets close to him when they come into the apartment. But in the bed scene, if there was ever a time when I wanted to change places with someone, it was when EM was curled up against him. She kept slithering over him and sliding around and it appeared she was looking for that flared area in one's pelvic bone to crawl into. (Far more intriguing than a supersternal notch!!) hen she couldn't keep her hands off of him. Good thing I had hot-glued my feet to the floor as a preventative measure and I sat on my hands!! I am going to have to go over the script again to remind myself of the particular scenes and lines that I loved. However, I did adore the way he hectored Pip after the Oedipus comment, when he pulled over the stool and sat there with this legs crossed, awaiting his pearls of wisdom. The man's body language speaks volumes. Another little bit was the demonic look in his eye when he burns the journal and exclaims that he feels like Hedda Gabler. But the speech, when he explains to Nan about an ambitious a chitect wanting to jot down his deepest darkest thoughts and his incredible disappointment with cryptic journal (\"three days of rain.\" A weather report. A fucking weather report\"), it doesn't get any better IMO! Now, EM was another story. I really don't understand any of the praise she received. Pardon my bluntness, but she sucked, big time. Colin deserves far better. About the only thing I thought she did well was the coquettish stuff in Act 2. David M was good. I liked his suave \"daddy-o\" (Joan of Arc song) at the beginning of Act 2. That was a very nice interpretation of a cool character from the early sixties. Reminded me of old Sinatra moves. (Sort of a \"Come Blow Your Horn\"-type character, but nice. But he didn't know how to work the \"Walker is in pain\" monologue to its rallying crescendo. We'll discuss the play in more detail next week, after Renate,"}, {"response": 1964, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (20:00)", "body": "My vote on the link to cf.com. is leave it there. Winter's point about how technically difficult it is to access us is enough of a deterrent! Spring Drool is not for the faint of heart. If he or Livia could wade through the tens of thousands of postings, my hat's off to them. Also, please do not send any photos to my hotmail account. I have exceeded the maximum amount of space allowable and its administrators are threatening to delete some of my messages. Must do some housekeeping. Thank you Sabine and Susan for the picture. Hard copies, anyone?"}, {"response": 1965, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (20:01)", "body": "Lizza, I would be very willing to contribute toward flowers for the closing performance. Have some pounds tucked away.... ;-)"}, {"response": 1966, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (20:12)", "body": "Oh,Karen! How exciting! How very much we looked forward to hearing your story. And I am looking at your picture and realizing you are as good on the outside as on the inside. Thanks for allowing us along on the most incredible adventure. I am delighted for you and more than a little jealous;)"}, {"response": 1967, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (20:21)", "body": "Lizza and others - Regarding his agent, I don' t recommend you trying to get a message to him through that channel. I know for a fact that gifts and messages sent via ICM London often never even get to his agent, much less through to CF. But others did enjoy the macadamia nuts..."}, {"response": 1968, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (20:46)", "body": "Karen, considering that you once said you would probably freeze if you met him, you should congratulate yourself! You have a conversation with him, and the wonderful critic in you must be delighted. Remember way back when, we onced discussed his hands, any comments? Is the ring finger longer than the index finger? :-) Ladies the flowers and note for the last performance is a wonderful thank you to Colin. Make sure you mention both Spring and colinfirth.com My e-mail will not take photos so I am looking forward to seeing the pix's here. Gi and Ann what great guys you have. Mine will not tolerate anything to do with CF. (And I have some friends who are screen writers whom I would love to have offer him scripts) I am still hopefull that I will meet him someday. Evelyn, waiting to hear from you."}, {"response": 1969, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (20:48)", "body": "Thanks for offers of help towards flowers Ladies, I will be in touch. Is it from \"Spring\" that you would like it signed? Please advise. You all have the incomparable, wonderful Marcia to thank as she sent me the photos , great stuff Gi and Antonio. Karen a wonderful report, brings it all back. I couldn't agree more re E.M Allison, my friend also praised her, I was surprised he was \"taken in\" by her!!"}, {"response": 1970, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (20:49)", "body": "O.K you just answered that one Moon!!"}, {"response": 1971, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (20:49)", "body": "I agree with luvvy, send the flowers to the theatre. He will see them there and with Livia, might even take them home."}, {"response": 1972, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (20:52)", "body": "Gi please ask your husband to send one to me too. Thanks again."}, {"response": 1973, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (21:07)", "body": "I just saw E.M. in A&E's Scarlet Pimpernel, and she was terrible. No feeling for the part, no accent and her eyes were very puffy and she looked old. Don't have to guess who she scr... to get that part, her husband probably set it up. Lizza, you may also remind him all the countries represented from drool who came expressly to see him. It is very touching."}, {"response": 1974, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (21:12)", "body": "\"After all it was just a day's work to him...I would doubt [it] would have any special significance for him\". You want this to be an event of specisl significance for him because it was...all his netfans expressing their appreciation. Please pardon me, I have not had a chance to read any posts since last night and cannot post again until tonight, but suggestion has been made to: 1) send him the group photo. That was nixed for reasons above. I think the gift of flowers and the group photo (and any others not in the group) would mean a great deal to him and remind him of his allies around the world and the special trouble they took to support him. And 2) I began to feel, like Marcia did initially a bit left out. It was as if the Drool \"family\" was beginning to split into an \"In\" contingent and an \"out\" one with all sorts of suggestions of how to pull us out of general circulation. I thought that was what Spring net was all about...sharing with all. I HOPE all are having second thoughts about this...( there is still e-mail for the exclusive your-eyes-only outrageousness sometimes rampant here!) The shoe's on the other foot! \"There's too much information out there. ...don't think it is appropriate to be peering into what others are doing [or thinking or saying] all the time....the internet is where [you get} it\". Sound familiar? This forum is needed to share with all of CF's fans our appreciation and admiration...it is needed to spread this all over the world. Keep it public and if there is something you don't want out there, then don't put it there!!! Long since out of my meager time. I pray I am not soap-boxing unnecessarily...with love for all you guys, KJArt"}, {"response": 1975, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (21:18)", "body": "Welcome back, Karen! Hope the snow's under control. I enjoyed reading your detailed post. he asked where the one from Chicago was after the show, when we were doing the group shot. He then asked again how the shows compared. I still haven't stopped beating myself up over this one yet. Will you please bask in the enjoyment that HE REMEMBERED YOU and stop beating yourself up?! Same to the rest of you! Everyone's regretting something (what they said, what they didn't say, where they stood, pictures, etc.). Take a deep breath and savor your experience for what it was! It was great, I'm sure! BTW, I thought EMcG flopped in A&E's Scarlet Pimpernel. Her performance seemed flat and she played a Frenchwoman with a British accent (hmm, seems she's got a thing about accents). Pictures please! Whatever and where ever! Just post 'em somewhere!!"}, {"response": 1976, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (21:19)", "body": "I just saw E.M. in A&E's Scarlet Pimpernel, and she was terrible. No feeling for the part, no accent and her eyes were very puffy and she looked old. Don't have to guess who she scr... to get that part, her husband probably set it up. Lizza, you may also remind him all the countries represented from drool who came expressly to see him. It is very touching."}, {"response": 1977, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (21:24)", "body": "I'm very very sorry Karen if any of us who were lucky enough to go to London made you or Marcia or anyone else feel \"left out\", I can assure it was not my intention or anyone elses I am sure and I take you point that there is always email for one to one comments. It was just such an amazing experience that I guess we all got carried away. BTW Karen, James said he will be pleased to accept the honour bestowed on him and any time you need a front row seat just get in touch!"}, {"response": 1978, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (21:24)", "body": "Sorry about the double post. And Lizza I mean the countries represented by Spring, do not mention drool. ;-))"}, {"response": 1979, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (21:37)", "body": "Karen, what a geat report! And news to me, I didn\ufffdt know that you talked to him about the Chicago performance after the group shot. Seems to me that you handled that situation wonderfully even though you seem to doubt it. Isn\ufffdt it terrible, whatever you do or say in a situation like that, afterwards you unavoidably feel that you blew it more or less. Lizza, please, I want to join in the flowers/thank-you card too. Luvvy, could you tell us everything you know about the mail handling in the agency? No use sending him anything through that channel then? I actually sent Colin a message (first ever) last week through ICM, naive that I am."}, {"response": 1980, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (21:38)", "body": "(Lizza J)Do you all want me to send some flowers for Saturday to thank him for his kindness, consideration ( and damn fine looks)!! You have my vote for the flowers and note, how can I contribute? (Lizza J)On second thoughts, I won't send ANY flowers until someone sends ME an e- mail picture. (Marcia)I hope Gi will not be upset with me - I gave her the credit! Lizza, the pictures are entering your mailbox about now. Marcia dear, I consider those pics Drool property, to be shared among us at will. I have sent them to Renate for her to put up somewhere where we all can see them, and hope the others will too! (Elena)Truth is I really was worried about being possibly quite different from what the others had expected. Younger and thinner, for sure... I think everybody was a revelation for me; I didn't know what to expect - Antonio asked if you would all look like computer nerds - now we Know better! (Elena)....my husband wants to know if we can email you pics in JPG form... Yes, but I'm not sure they'll print very well with my equipment, so I'd prefer the hard copy version, if it's alright with you. Of course, you can also do both! :-) (Karen)my brain turns to mush in these types of situations... What about mine! Nothing to say but that he is very talented and that we came for far away...Yuk! (Karen)We'll discuss the play in more detail next week, after Renate, Maria and Kirsten see it. Wouldn't want to ruin the experience for you. Good idea! Has Tumbledown been thoroughly discussed, or do we open another topic?"}, {"response": 1981, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (21:39)", "body": "Karen R, sorry about this after my last post but I just wanted to say that please don't go to the trouble of adding me to the photo, I'm not bothered about not being in the photo I just wish I had actually been there when the photo was taken with CF. hope that makes sense, sorry to go on that is the last time I will mention it."}, {"response": 1982, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (21:45)", "body": "And , Karen, your brain seems to be in perfect order... He remembered you, and also Evelyn!I can only hope that Livia might have remembered to tell him of our talk..."}, {"response": 1983, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (21:47)", "body": "I really don't know where to start...I keep reading and reading and reading, and thinking \"I must comment on this\" and then another message is posted, and I'm totally distracted! All I can do is post a few random thoughts...no coherence at all. I think what really amazes me is the closeness of your contact with him, the intimacy of the theatre, the fact that you could observe so much about him,( from zippers to hair!), and then that you actually met him, talked to him, were hugged by him, talked to his wife, sat near his parents... As a \"worshipper from afar\" who would have been more than content with a distant glimpse from the Upper Circle back row, I am truly all amazement. Has it altered your perception of him at all? For me he's still the slightly fantasy-type Darcy figure, athough now for some reason, when I think about him, the strongest image I have is of his ever so nice parents applauding and beaming with pride! I shall never watch \"Playmaker\" again! I've thoroughly enjoyed all reading your reports. Karen, I thought that it was particularly significant that he picked up on your Chicago comment and was interested in hearing about the differences in the productions. Great opportunity for a one-to-one serious discussion there! But I think you did well to say ANYTHING!! On husbands/partners...I'm working on mine, but it'll be a long haul! He liked SIL, well, that's a start I suppose, but the whole CF thing, I'm just not sure about!:-( Antonio and James and Allison's husband (despite the EMcG wisecracks!) sound great! But, on a more serious note, one thing my DH would respect Colin for is his involvement in supporting asylum seekers. My husband is on the committee of the local Action for Refugees group...I don't know if this is the group Colin and his mum support. But I've been reading some case studies of the refugees (absolutely heart-rending stuff)and the less than humane treatment they can receive in this country. I really admire CF for getting actively involved in this cause and wish his views had been reported roperly in the Telegraph. Too much of a serious diversion...Back to 3DOR! I was interested to read your reactions to EMcG. What I can NEVER understand is why British theatre critics nearly always give female actors rave reviews and savage the males.(CF being an honourable exception, thank God! ) I've always suspected them of bias...now I know... BTW, where was Colin in the billing? The pre-performance publicity all seemed to stress that EMcG was the lead (Perhaps at EMcG's insistence, or her agent's? :-)) Allison, did you say that Alan Yentob was there and wanted to speak to Colin. I was trying to remember what is Alan Yentob's current job (if \"job\" is the right word). He was Head of Drama for BBC2 wasn't he, or was it some other channel. There have been so many changes recently. Am really rambling from point to point! Big news item in the Telegraph on how Harvey has spent \ufffd10million promoting SIL for the Oscars. Other studios are calling \"foul!\" BTW I was really pleased that both GP and Rupert Everett mentioned Colin FIRST in the SAG awards!! About time too! Ben, I hope that one day CF and JE will appear on stage together, and I'm sure that they'll both have their full compliment of admirers! Did you see my quotes about JE from the dubious weekly \"Now\" magazine? Those of you yet to see The Man Himself, do enjoy! Renate, the last night should be something special...maybe there'll be a party after the show. That's me done...Evelyn,it's your turn, you're the one with real news..I only peddle second-hand trivia!"}, {"response": 1984, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (21:49)", "body": "On another note, thank you ladies for your kind comments on Antonio (IMHO all perfectly deserved); he is very flattered and I think is starting to feel like one of us. Hope your husband feels the same way, Ann!"}, {"response": 1985, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (21:51)", "body": "(Ann)I guess we all got carried away You bet. Completely, I can say for my part and I\ufffdm still there more or less, it just has to be poured out. I think all of you who weren\ufffdt in London with us have endured our endless 3DOR reporting VERY patiently."}, {"response": 1986, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (21:55)", "body": "Please, please, Bethan, KJ, Marcia, anyone who feels \"left out\", stay with us! Can't you see the reason we go into so much detail in our accounts is to share with you who were not so fortunate this time ? It is so that you will not feel left out!"}, {"response": 1987, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (21:59)", "body": "I made a word-for-word report so that everybody could share with me!So no more in-circle and out-circle. Not even we and you, OK?"}, {"response": 1988, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (22:31)", "body": "Karen, Evelyne, Heide, Ann, Elena and all the other London-goers, I'm so glad you had such a great time meeting in London and that you enjoyed the play as well as the \"signing\" afterwards. It's so exciting to read all your stories and personal views. Thanks for sharing! I still can't believe I'll see him on stage on Friday. Reading all your reports about the play even rises my anticipation (if that's possible at all). I have a great respect for your asking him to pose for a group picture. I'm afraid I wouldn't even have the courage to ask for an autograph nor to take pictures. So I'll restrict myself with enjoying his performance - and the rest of the play, of course) what's already more than I'd ever have dared to expect. So it'll be a very happy weekend for me, I think, and not the least because I'll be able to meet some fellow Firth fans in person. I'm really looking forward to this as much as to the play. It's a pi y I couldn't make it to meet all of you too. But perhaps we'll have another chance."}, {"response": 1989, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (22:39)", "body": "Oops, Karen, I nearly forgot: re: Arsenal Shop closed. Arsenal has a website (sorry don't remember the URL, but it may easily be found via yahoo or something) and as far as I remember you can do a shopping there. So you may be able to find the famous boxer shorts after all :-)"}, {"response": 1990, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 1999 (22:53)", "body": "The best part of being last is that I can always say that I don\ufffdt have much to add!! Thanks for your patience. FRIDAY NIGHT: I had gone to see Monet Exhibit at the Royal Academy (skip it...too crowded).And was to meet Heide and Karen in front of Belgo\ufffds .I got there early and chatted with the guy at the box office. I had promised Nan a program and really wanted it signed. He told me that CF signed them but it would take a few days...\ufffdWhat? I\ufffdm leaving Monday\ufffdHe then said CF was due at the theatre any minute.H&K arrived. We were waiting in front of Belgo\ufffds when I saw Colin entering the theatre lobby (recognized the back of his head....so would anyone who has watched P&P as many times as we all have).K& I bolted across the street. Very politely, I asked if he would kindly sign the program....\ufffdSure\ufffd. I had one signed for Nan and one for Heide who stayed in front of Belgo\ufffds.(Twenty -four hours later she being photographed with The Man Himself!).Karen commented about 3DOR in Chicago.She told him that she had not liked the Chicago Walker/Ned ...and ...she felt sure Colin would play it differently.I then told him that we had come from the US expressly to see the play. His face lit up...and he said \ufffdI hope you\ufffdre not disappointed\ufffd. I said \ufffdYou never disappoint us...never.\ufffd Then....he beamed us one of those Dutch Girls smiles.....replete with dimples.He signed two programs for some guys and went up the stairs."}, {"response": 1991, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (00:04)", "body": "SATURDAY Excitement was running high...Heide couldn\ufffdt eat...Karen couldn\ufffdt sleep OR eat. I ate and slept for the two of them!! We arrived at the theatre at 3:30 to meet all the Spring FirthFans. (We had decided to bag the term \ufffdDrool\ufffd!)What a treat to meet everyone. I hugged James without thinking!! (Sorry Ann). The play was superb. I particularly noted that he has a different acting style on stage. Uses those gorgeous hands a lot...more so than on big screen and tv.I am a New Yorker and the accent was great.Anyway Ned was from New England and chances are that Walker was educated at a fancy architectural Ivy League college;the accent was probably trans-Atlantic.Thanks to Marcia\ufffds suggestion, I took my opera glasses and was able to discern every subtle nuance on his face. (Saturday night we sat in the first row of the balcony and I was too embarassed to use them much....I was the only one....) After the show we had a lovely dinner at the Nuovo Restaurant beneath the theatre.(The waitress was from Ft.Lauderdale.....Gi, I am sending you a darling pic of you and Antonio at the restaurant). Thanks Lizza for making the arrangements...(and yes I vote to send him flowers on Saturday). I had told everyone to stay after the show since the guy at the boxoffice told me Colin always signs autographs. Whe he started to come down the stairs all you could see was flash bulbs going all over the place. Talk about fever pitch!!He worked his way down and finally we convinced Heide to pose for a picture with him. By now he knew we were a group from the Internet who had come from all over. But lest you think we were unruly...let me assure you that we were dignified.....pretty cool. There were even some fashion-plates amongst us....Emma in an outfit that she had purchased in London...Gi looking v. Paris chic.Most of us wore black or subdued colors.I think I told him where everyone was from. I can\ufffdt explain the feeling in the room at that time....suffice to say that the admiration and affection was \ufffdpalpable\ufffd.He was obviously quite moved.and he reciprocated in the way he knew best...by giving of himself. Witness that on Friday night he signed the programs \ufffdBest Wishes\ufffd...For our group, he signed \ufffdLove\ufffd. At this point he looked at me and said...\ufffdI remember you\ufffd..and I silently mouthed, \ufffdYou were wonderful\ufffd. You know Marcia...the group photo was your idea....remember you said...facetitously....\ufffdBring back a picture of the group in front of the Donmar with ODB\ufffd... Well....here was the moment..(Bethan, take note....one must seize the moment...it never comes back) I went up to him...patted him on the arm and said \ufffdWould you spring (no pun) for a group photo.?\ufffd He said, \ufffdSure, if it doesn\ufffdt take too long. Should we do it outside?\ufffd. Me, \ufffdNo, it\ufffds cold and wet out there\ufffd. He suggested in front of the boxoffice.So I called out for all the Spring girls to gather. (I did not explain what Spring was ...maybe he thinks we\ufffdre a spa!).At this point he asked Karen how this production compared with the one in Chicago.Ann, I called you , but you were chatting outside and I did not want to keep him any longer. I was arranging the group...and so was he. He told me I was not going to be seen and took me by both shoulders and placed me in front of him ...as if to say...\ufffdGet over here and shut-up\ufffd.At this point he spread his arms wide around the back row like the cast pic in the Making of P&P. I think they are on Jana and Lizza\ufffds shoulders. Sorry Lizza that you were not seen...you were probably too busy drooling over his hands!!The flash bulbs went off like Roman candles. And he took off....To our credit, we knew he was going to a pub, but we went in the opposite direction....he had given us so much...time for him to enjoy his family and friends .For those who keep a diary (\ufffdboys keep journals\ufffd) we had drinks at the Mountbatten Hotel bar courtesy of our host Heide. On Sunday I went to see Jennifer\ufffds new film, This Year\ufffds Love...twice (once for Ben). I had to give her equal time."}, {"response": 1992, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (00:08)", "body": "More, Evelyn, more! Please! Karen, I'm still thinking about how he asked you ..twice..about the Chicago play. You are in the unique position of having seen both productions. I'd be tempted to actually write to CF and give a good unbiased comparative critical review of the two productions, emphasising differences in interpretation, performances, audience reactions, staging, good and bad features etc. Not a \"God, Colin you were GREAT, and everyone else was rubbish!\" approach (not that you would!). I think he would be genuinely interes ed in this, as he remembered you and asked for you ( WOW!! ) But in the bed scene.... she couldn't keep her hands off of him. Lowering the tone here, how did he (or his character) respond? And you were only two inches away?! Unbelievable! Re EMcG in \"The Scarlet Pimpernel\"...can you appreciate why I really winced when 3DOR was promoted as \"starring EMcG, fresh from \"The Scarlet Pimpernel\" with no mention of Colin, and when CF was described as playing a \"Southern weirdo, as sexy as a breezeblock\" Talk about getting it all WRONG! Fortunately the reviews were excellent!"}, {"response": 1993, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (00:29)", "body": "LOL Evelyn! Loved your report, but find it curious that you need to reassure us that you very politely asked him to sign his autograph. How else would the ladies of Spring act?! The more I look at your pictures and the more I hear of your travels the more impressed I am with all of the people here. Every one a lady (or gentleman) *with* a sense of humor so attuned to mine that you all make me feel like I was right with you. bethan, we worried all weekend about you and your missing your chance to be there. We were afraid you might do something drastic ;) Now, if anyone would like me to Email them the Photos Gi sent to me, just let me know at (Ugh) my alternate Email address critter514@aol.com . Then claim your 3DOR keepsake on 113 =)"}, {"response": 1994, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (00:35)", "body": "Gi, what a lovely report from Antonio, you guys are starting on the right foot, the beginning of a great marriage. Elena, jpeg files are great, I can view them in photoshop. Thank you so much for offering. Flowers for Colin: I think that would be lovely, let me know if we need to send money, I too still have pounds left over. Did anyone read the program? Charles Dance is scheduled to appear at Donmar in \"Good\" by CP Taylor, playing from March18 till May 22. My friend witnessed the interaction between CD and CF outside the theatre, CF thanked CD for coming and said he'll come to see CD in his play...so laides, CF will be in the audience...but when? Press night? It's sort of nice to see actors supporting each other. It's really nice to have such an active board right now, our reward for being patient for the past 2 years. BTW, are we discussing the play here or should there be a new topic just of 3DOR?"}, {"response": 1995, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (00:41)", "body": "I could listen to you all night and next day, Evelyn. How immediate it sounds and nothing got away from you. Kudos! You did take notes...and I am delighted you took the opera glasses. One cannot be too close to the DB!!!"}, {"response": 1996, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (00:49)", "body": "Was looking in a shop for some socks to wear on the London trip, and came across a pair with a \"Walker, walker walker\" inscription. I postponed to buy them until I find the according \"Ned Ned Ned\" socks. ;-P"}, {"response": 1997, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (01:42)", "body": "Lucie, come back!"}, {"response": 1998, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (01:44)", "body": "So, Renate, did you??? Then you will have a matching pair for two days running. Love that!!! Remember to take the group picture when you are there this weekend and one of you holding your prized poster!"}, {"response": 1999, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (02:21)", "body": "Evelyn-- great report! You definitely seized the moment! Also, as was expected, everyone handled that situation with real class... drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 1160, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 1161, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 117, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 118, "subject": "Colin Firth (Part 4)", "response_count": 1953, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (03:25)", "body": "Ladies, looks like 1999 posts are our limit. Let's see how long it takes to fill this one up. I second Winter's comment that Evelyn seized the moment. She remembered that he puts his pants on one leg at a time like the rest of us. She took care of us and Colin took care of her. Good girl! Poor Karen did stay up most of two nights with the \"If only I had said that\" syndrome. Yet she had the most significant conversation with him of all of us. I think Bethan's suggestion that you write your thoughts on both shows is a great one. Even if you don't mail it, you may feel better. Lizza, flowers for Saturday's performance is a terrific idea. I have 25 ponds left I'd love to send. And this is from EVERYONE at Spring. My e-mail can take pictures (I think). I'll take them from anyone. Thanks."}, {"response": 2, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (03:42)", "body": "Thank you my dear!!! You are surely speedy!"}, {"response": 3, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (03:56)", "body": "BTW, those of you who got the very cheery smiling group picture, please thank Sabine for a job incredibly well done! It is lovely!"}, {"response": 4, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (04:00)", "body": "My e-mail can take pictures . I'll take them from anyone. Thanks. That goes for me too. ******* Heide, I have a winner for you.....got 'em developed today. You and Colin look gorgeous....definitely must be scanned. I will send copy to Karen. ******* In the Not-Very -Good -News- Department: Yesterday I talked to my contact at the bank that owns SLOW. The film was screened at the American Film Market (AFM) which has held in santa Monica Feb 25-March 5. This is the largest motion picture market in the world. Over 7000 people attend. Sadly SLOW did not sell. Believe me, the bank is just as despondent as we.So, we are back to square one!!There were some good reports when the film was shown at the Black Film Festival at Martha's Vineyard last summer.Wonder where the hang -up is..... ***** Gi, I enjoyed Antonio's report immensely.Thank him for me.A real prince. ***** Someone posted that I had asked EMcG. for an autograph......wrong.I did not. I asked her if she was from a southern state. My objection was that she was so inconsistent with her accent. And I did not find her smile so beguiling. ***** Memorable Moment: When Colin sits on the railing in a Rodin's \"The Thinker\" pose.The shadow effect is mesmerizing."}, {"response": 5, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (04:40)", "body": "This was sent to me via Email by someone who wants to join us so much it hurts: I don't know if you received my last two e-mails explaining my HOPELESSLY TRAGIC absence from Drool -(her kids and AOL have messed her up but I -marcia-will help her!). How is it possible that I cannot express my absolute bliss to all those incredibly lucky gals? I feel like a blind person in an art gallery. Marcia, they TOUCHED HIM!!!!! they TALKED TO HIM!!!! You are right - we are now out of that magic loop and I'm even classified lower as a sub-human lurker who can't even make her presence known to all the glorious ones. I MUST SEE THAT GROUP PHOTO SOMEHOW. I'm sorry... I'm babbling now. Just reading those posts had me laughing out loud with sheer joy. Can't you imagine just how wonderful it would have been!!!???? As I said before, I am not shy in the least and I'll bet I would have finagled a kiss out of the deal - don't worry...something chaste. And my caro sposo would be taking that picture Oh, Marcia....I don't even feel worthy of asking any one of them to e-mail me their photos. I even understand how some of the gals would be reluctant to have their face on the net. I'm soo glad they changed their minds about being included. Yet, I would never presume to have them feel comfortable about contacting a complete stranger like me who is too dumb to even figure out the rudiments of posting! I only pray that I will be able to access the private site Renate talked of setting up just to have a secluded photo gallery. (I forwarded Gi's and Sabine's to her) AAAHHHHH, he is so talented just as we knew all along. And tell them they musn't worry about his hair loss. In about four years a new treatment will have passed scrutiny and baldness will be eradicated!!! The FDA is investigating some kind of gene altering deal that will unlock the secret of hair growth and everyone will be able to grow anything they want - whatever color, texture - you name it!. I'm trying to think of questions to ask through you - - if you wouldn't mind? Pretty much everything has been covered what with all those rapture inspiring reports from so many eye witnesses. I am curious to find out who was there from RoP. You would think they'd all be wearing name tags. It is so funny to visualize all these different groups of women from various Colin Firth fan websites on the net descending upon him at the same time! \"Spring over here\"....FOFirth get in line....don't follow him out the door, RoP!!! Do you have a problem with his communicating with...ahem, well I can't say \"US\" since I still am not an oficial drooler WAAAAA!!!!...\".you all \" on-line? Certainly I would understand any reluctance to have him be a witness to the shameless, but extremely fun, lip smacking, drool slurping lust! But how about all those innocent questions about his career choices that we simply must have answers. Give my love and congratulations to all the lucky ones!!!!! Your e-mail restricted Firth pal, Nathalie R."}, {"response": 6, "author": "Stacey", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (05:17)", "body": "Ladies, I usually don't post too much here because I'm somewhat shy but just to let you know I've been coming here for almost two years now and I must say that I'm so proud of everyone and I'm so happy that you all had such a great time in London. I know some of you are frustrated because you wish you had said something different to CF but I think that you all were perfect! I only wish that I could have been there with you to share in the fun! I would've loved to have met Colin in person, because I'll et he is ten times more handsome in person than in movies! I'll just have to pray that he does theatre again soon! Thanks for the encouragement Marcia! I'll try to get on the ball with all of the drooling! :)"}, {"response": 7, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (05:28)", "body": "Oh.... come on you lurkers...you're family too! This is an equal opportunity board, and having an \"in\" crowd vs. \"out\" crowd is just all in your dear heads! I've had a lovely week as one of the Firthless, and it was because of the good company I was able to find here on the boards. There is no hierarchy here on the boards. We are all part of a family-- some people have seen him, some people haven't, but that doesn't determine how well each of us admire him. As many have said time and again, those who haven't seen him in the flesh help to keep our admiration for him alive. To be honest, I was considering dropping from these boards entirely after I had my little encounter with CF. But, this community, with its regulars and newbies and occasional delurkers--had me coming back for more. Will we all squeal with delight when someone posts the latest article or picture of him here? Of course! We always do, don't we? And it never has to do with who's met him and who hasn't... Hope I made sense. I just felt this urgency to respond,even though I'm about ready to dose off here...."}, {"response": 8, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (05:49)", "body": "Ok ladies. I seem to be the only one awake at this hour (7:30 pm Hawaiian Standard Time) and I agree with Winter that all lurkers must \"out\" if they are able, and those stuck with AOL dismal excuse for a browser, download Netscape and get with it!!! Stacey! Welcome!! Delighted with your post. Ten times more handsome! Could we stand it?! That is why they are beaming in all those pics. Shall I send one or two on to you?"}, {"response": 9, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (13:50)", "body": "I am compiling a nerdy graph of activity on this board over time. I will post an Excel file soon. It will take us from the birth of the site itself (here play Also Sprach Zarasustra), the burgeoning early days (Peter's music from Peter and the Wolf) through the depths of December (\"what's the matter with the idiot - great hands he may have but why isn't he more ambitious?\", Chopin funeral march) to the feats of March (\"less hair he may have but the boy's a GENIUS!\"). I am so glad he turned out to be at least what everyone was expecting. Does someone's face reveal his character, do you think? And, if so, doesn't that make the actor's task all the harder? How well were you able to suspend your disbelief in the audience? Perhaps it is easier in the theatre. Thanks, Bethan, for the JE info. Unfortunately, I wouldn't have the courage of my Spring sisters. Besides, is JE ever on stage? Speaking of actresses, can I ask a provocative question? Thanks. The unfortunate Ms McGovern...is she THAT bad? I'm not a great fan of Le Scarlet Pimp., but I saw glimpses on the telly and she didn't seem THAT awful to me. Can the opprobium have anything to do with her lying next to CF on a bed for some length of time? Or was she genuinely crap? Who WOULD be worthy of joining CF n the bed? JE, I take it, reaches the required standard. Or maybe not? (Evelyn - DO TELL about the film. Any good? And our Jennifer?) Finally, and not so controversially, I was enormously relieved to read that people were only going to Highbury to get boxer shorts. I thought for one horrible moment it was to see the most hateable football team on earth. Nick Hornby may write well, but the book should have been about Liverpool F.C. How could one possibly love the Arse?"}, {"response": 10, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (13:58)", "body": "Thanks for your post Evelyn. One of the rewards of Spring is that we have all become friends thanks to Colin. At this spa the motto is: the more the merrier."}, {"response": 11, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (13:59)", "body": "I must credit Evelyn with the Spring spa idea, I loved it!"}, {"response": 12, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (14:06)", "body": "Brilliant idea Ben! Let's hope we shall never end with Mozart's Requiem. I assure you that E.M. was off the mark in the Scarlet Pimpernel."}, {"response": 13, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (14:53)", "body": "(Ben)The unfortunate Ms McGovern...is she THAT bad? According to my husband she was wonderful.... yukkk.. And our Jennifer? I saw her on \"Late Lunch\". she was very pretty and looked really nice. Ben, you and Colin obviously share good taste in women."}, {"response": 14, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (15:40)", "body": "You guys really do beat up on women! Ms. McGovern was not bad in Le Scarlet Pimpernel. And Emilia Fox (Georgiana) was brilliant! However, Richard E Grant did steal the show! \"They seek he heah, they seek him theah, those Frenchies seek him Everywhear\" Almost in a Boston accent! Hee heeah! ( Sorry I'm from Boston;))"}, {"response": 15, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (16:30)", "body": "Thank you everyone for trying to make me feel better (the bruise on the side of my head barely shows with paper sack I've been wearing)! ;-) Actually, Bethan, your idea about writing up my comparison and sending it off to him had occurred to me. Maybe I shall. Now, I've got a better idea: I'd like to go over to the Steppenwolf and talk to the director there (a woman, I'll show her the pics) and see if she would like to promote a unique idea of merging the two casts for a Great Performances broadcast!! Do I have the nerve to do this???? Doubt it! Lizza, had an idea about the flowers for closing night. I'm very theme-oriented (ask anybody who has ever been to my dinner parties!). Since Colin's next w2ork is Donovan Quick, could a florist do something with either a Don Quixote them (windmills, tulips, etc.) or since this one concerns a bus company, a bus (bought a London double-decker bus refrigerator magnet for my sister, hey that's all she wanted!). We could have on the note how much we enjoyed this show but are looking forward to his next prod ction! Something to that effect. Ben, you could come up with far more clever wording. I'm going to work on scanning my pics and getting them uploaded to a private place at Spring. Will let you know when and where to go to view when this is done. Don't expect anything near as professional as what our 3Deers do, but hopefully you will be able to see them! Re: EMcG's performance Ben, she was just plain bad, except for a couple of little sequences as I mentioned before. This is where knowledge of the script and having seen another production come into play. In the first act, she descends from on high--smiling and then proceeds to question Walker about things. All of a sudden, out of nowhere, she yells: \"Where have you been?\" This character, Nan, is mad. She is really ticked off at Walker. He disappeared. Her husband had a private investigator try to locate him. He left he high and dry. She worried, like as good older sister would. Amy Morton, in Chicago, was silent, sullen. Her rage boiled underneath. When she erupted, it was understandable. When Elizabeth McG did, you hadn't a clue. She smiled throughout. Guess the critics just like that little quivering lip thing. :) More about the two shows later...after this weekend. However, I did want you Ben to understand that jealousy had no real part in this, except for the slithering pelvic move (where I wanted to yank that woman off the bed)! ;-D"}, {"response": 16, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (18:20)", "body": "LizzaJ asked me to post this: Marcia I have just come off the phone to hear my Mum has been admitted to hospital' so it looks as if I won't be around for a while. Could you let drool know the flowers have gone off and let Renate know there will be a delay in sending my photos and to Elena too. If this is not too much trouble for you to do. I would appreciate it so much, Lizza"}, {"response": 17, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (18:34)", "body": "Anyone else want Photos Emailed to them that I have not done so? Email me at either address. I would be more than happy (like thrilled and jumping up and down) to receive any of them the rest of you might have to share!"}, {"response": 18, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (18:51)", "body": "Just to think that a group of us droolers are to see Him tomorrow, it\ufffds so exciting. I\ufffdm living it all over again in my mind with them and looking forward to hearing from Renate and Kirsten about the play and what will happen after it. Colin must be as charming to his fans every night. How I wish I could be there again and act like I should this time, say to him ALL the right things in the world (plus make him fall in love with me, elope with me etc., you name it!:-)) (Bethan)has it altered your perception of him....for me he\ufffds still the slightly fantasy-type Darcy figure I knew that seeing him on stage would change my idea of him, not to mention meeting him which I did not expect to at all. That\ufffds what made me doubt the trip beforehand, I was afraid I\ufffdd lose my idol by seeing what he really is. Now that I\ufffdve seen him on stage as an excellent and very sexy actor, and off stage as a very friendly and sincere bloke I\ufffdve almost forgotten there was a \ufffdDarcy\ufffd!(Sorry friends, it is a sacrilege!) He simply was so real and so human and so tangible (like some lucky ladies know!) back there that I can\ufffdt think of him as Darcy anymore. Btw, does anyone happen to have a spare copy of the Times review with the picture of Colin and EmcG?"}, {"response": 19, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (19:09)", "body": "Evelyn, did your friend tell you what the next move is for SLOW. Will the bank sell it to the networks (Lifetime, A&E, BBC--something). My pictures of Colin are being scanned today and I will be able to send them via e:mail. I also have a picture of the entire group at the restaurant if any one is interested. There was one touching story that occurred while we were in London. Apparently a lady from RofP was hit by a bike then almost run over by a cab on Friday so she missed the first night of the performance. I was told she was in her 70's. However, at the Saturday night performance I remember seeing her on the steps just above me and Elena with her arm in a cast or wrapped up talking to CF. He was thanking her for coming and sorry that she got hurt. Isn't he just the sweetest. Also, I'd like to hear about the faucet incident while CF was performing on stage."}, {"response": 20, "author": "dahlberg", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (19:09)", "body": "hi to all im male from finland my email are kari.dahlberg@kolumbus.fi"}, {"response": 21, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (19:31)", "body": "Lizza, sad to hear about your mum. Don\ufffdt worry about the flowers & pics now. Jana, you did HEAR what he said to that lady with her hand in a bandage? I regret I could hear no words, only saw him talk to her and her friend, smiling very sympathetically. I guess I was in too much of a shock by then to hear anything, knowing that he was bound to come our way next! .....Jana, I\ufffdd love to have some email photos, I\ufffdll send you some too in case you can hande them in JPG form?"}, {"response": 22, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (20:05)", "body": "It sounds like a great time was had by one and all, how I envy you. I sounds like the reports that have been written about how nice he is and unconceited are all true. Heidi, you lucky dog. I'm afraid if that had been me I might have done a very childish thing. Thanks to everyone for the great accounts of your adventures, it has mad my day after spending the night in the hospital getting a blood transfusion"}, {"response": 23, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (20:06)", "body": "Marcia, you must help Nathalie learn to post, enough of this living vicariously, and we'd all love to have her contribution to the communal think-tank! Evelyn, your report was fantastic. How all these reports and comments have prolonged the party! And thank you for your praise of Antonio. Ben, you are too funny! How could one possibly love the Arse? My dear, many people love arses, depends on whose they are ;-) Karen I may be the only one to disagree, but I would not send that essay to him. I don't know, it's just me, it doesn't seem like a good idea. I'm ok with people saying my work is better than other people's, but I don't think I woul appreciate the obsessive work of someone detailing the differences. Please don't be hurt or offended, anyone, it's just a gut feeling, I may be entirely wrong. About the flowers: shall we try and choose the words, in the few days we have till Saturday?"}, {"response": 24, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (20:19)", "body": "Well, the flowers have been taken care of - Lizza, all the best to your Mum! I'm interested in everybody's photos, preferably the prints but, if it is too much too ask, .jpgs are fine! Lucie, I hope it's nothing too serious! Kari, hallo, pleased to have you here, tell us things! Have you reads our posts? Since there has been a debate about this - tell us how you found us!"}, {"response": 25, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (20:20)", "body": "Jana I sent you an e-mail at the address listed her, asking for pictures, but it was refused."}, {"response": 26, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (20:31)", "body": "Sorry Lucie, I'm using my computer at work and it doesn't have the right address. My address at home is jclark@azstarnet.com and work is jclark@vq.com. I loved to send you the photos--you can email me at either address."}, {"response": 27, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (20:34)", "body": "Jana (jcjc) your Email here does not work. Send me a request for your pics. I have lovely ones of you and the group from Gi and Sabine!!!"}, {"response": 28, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (20:46)", "body": "Since we've decided not to post most pictures here, some kind of like these:"}, {"response": 29, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (20:51)", "body": "Ben, lest you think we Americans trotted off to England to act half our ages and behave like groupies, some of us went on a literary tour! We roamed around Notting Hill in search of Bridget haunts, Islington/Highbury for the sites of those stellar Nick Hornby books (and Nick Hornby himself), and of course, an off-West End Play. How highbrow can you get??? ;-p Sorry to hear about Lizza. Hope your mom gets well soon."}, {"response": 30, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (21:01)", "body": "My dear Karen, I think nothing of the sort. Anyway, it was more of a gallop than a trot. My only concern was that the Hornby books might have seduced anyone into supporting Arsenal. Best wishes to Lizza."}, {"response": 31, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (21:05)", "body": "If I have neglected someone who emailed me and sent only one pix when you wanted them all, let me know. It gets quite confusing sometimes &^)"}, {"response": 32, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (21:11)", "body": "Karen, Lovely picture. Whose sainted pen is he innoculating with Firthoplasm? If it does not belong to him, but to one of the Spring ladies, should not it be considered a true keepsake and go on the CF list. There is only one item there and it is his necktie."}, {"response": 33, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (21:30)", "body": "He signed my program with ared ink pen who belonged to someone from Spring, who I'm sure will treasure it forever! Another thing: I just came in to Drool through the front door (sometimes I do that)and lo and behold! Tumbledown has been replaced, and the new topic is announced in a way that had me ROTFLMHO! I will not say more, but go see it! I don't remember whose husband had coined the phrase, but it is brilliant!:-)))"}, {"response": 34, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (21:47)", "body": "Evelyn and Karen (and everyone else), thanks for your reports! You have all done us proud. Don't know why, but I'm so glad that Colin now knows: (1) His Internet fans are a bunch of wonderful, sophisticated, intelligent people; (2) We (well, you) came from all over the world to see him; and (3) We're interested in his work, not lurid details of his personal life. Also, echoing Eileen, thanks to all the other homebound droolers whose commiserations made this past weekend so bearable. Finally, to the ladies who are attending this weekend, have a great time and here's hoping you too get to meet Colin:-)"}, {"response": 35, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (22:31)", "body": "Come back and hit the reload, Eileen!"}, {"response": 36, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (23:11)", "body": "(Gi)He signed my program with an ink pen who belonged to someone from Spring, who I'm sure will treasure it forever. He signed your program and several others with MY PEN (Cross)....and I\ufffdll wrestle anyone to the ground who touches it!!Keepsake....no way!!. But don\ufffdt begrudge me...I DIDN\ufffdT get an autograph....didn\ufffdt want one....wanted a pic and I got it!!!Would love to have it signed.Have to work on that strategy. ********* (Jana)Evelyn, did your friend tell you what the next move is for SLOW. Will the bank sell it to the networks (Lifetime, A&E, BBC--something). No options. All the cable distributors were there....I was hoping HBO would pick it up...no such luck.I\ufffdll call back . A real bummer. ***** (Bethan)has it altered your perception of him....for me he\ufffds still the slightly fantasy-type Darcy figure. Bethan...I\ufffdm having a problem here....have viewed P&P several times to get the ole feeling back. Funny, it didn\ufffdt happen when I met Jennifer. *******"}, {"response": 37, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (23:13)", "body": "(Ben)Evelyn - DO TELL about the film. Any good? And our Jennifer? Thank you Ben....but what took you so long to ask!! Hate to post off topic unless someone requests. I saw the 1PM show for you and the 6PM show with K&H... The film is billed as the best British romantic comedy of the year.A group of early thirtysomethings/late twenty somethings in their quest for love, lust, life and survival . (IMO a bunch of losers). Jennifer plays Sophie, single mum, lives on a barge in Camden Town...a rich rebel, public school educated....wears a nose stud and dreadlocks.There are some v. funny scenes...In one scene, Sophie gives her nervous new boyfriend (Ian Hart, who starred with her in Backbeat) instruction under the covers and sighs at his lack of expertise.She does comedy v. well. No Lizzy Bennett or Constance Fry here....but always beautiful. What legs that woman has. The downside is that the film dialog is replete with British slang...and most of the actors speak in a Scottish accent. We lost most of the punch lines...but the audiences (mostly young) in both shows were v. responsive. It\ufffds a date movie and has done well at the UK boxoffice. I did not think it would be released in the US, BUT, I read that at the recent American Film Market (where SLOW didn\ufffdt make the cut) , This Year\ufffds Love was sold to a US distrib. It has a definite appeal for the young. BTW Ben, I have a tape of Jennifer\ufffds two v. recent TV interviews in UK.I just sent it off to be converted. Bob, the technician, at this point has a real crush of JE and is thrilled to have a new tape!!Did you get a VCR yet? The JE Library will have a copy"}, {"response": 38, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (23:31)", "body": "Evelyn, it reassuring to know that JE did not affect you as CF did. She does not for me, either lol! But, Darcy can and does any time I pop him in the VCR. It is hopeless. He is SO Darn Gorgeous!!! New Keepersake list? Things of yours CF touched and you get to keep?! Your pen would fall into that rarified category."}, {"response": 39, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (23:39)", "body": "(Marcia)Evelyn, it reassuring to know that JE did not affect you as CF did. What I mean is that she is still Lizzie Bennett to me."}, {"response": 40, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (23:47)", "body": "But, of course!(LOL!!!) Even with blond hair and nose ring? She does not disappear into her roles? I should not say it that way because I keep looking for Darcy in everything CF does. You are quite right, my dear!"}, {"response": 41, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (00:06)", "body": "innoculating with Firthoplasm Now there's a happy thought! Evelyn, I can't imagine JE with a nose ring and dreadlocks. She is still Lizzy Bennett for me as well. Karen, how closely did you study his hands? ;-))) Lizza, I hope your mother gets well soon."}, {"response": 42, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (00:34)", "body": "Aha! I've tracked you down...I thought the millenium bug had struck over at #116! BTW, recalling our recent competition for a chat up line, I was very impressed by Evelyn's exchange: CF \" I hope you're not disappointed\" Evelyn \"We'll never be disappointed in you, never\". Marvellous! But talking of disappointment (and swings and roundabouts) SLOW is a major disappointment. As you say, Evelyn, what a bummer! I really wanted to see this film, but my hopes are fast receeding. It is very disappointing, especially as SLOW was much liked by the audience at the Martha's Vineyard Festival, and as the other three Handmade films on the same \"slate\" as SLOW have all been picked up for distribution at earlier AFMs, apparently without any problem. What really disappoints me is that it's no even been picked up by Cable/TV. Sky Movies' Sky Exclusives show a lot of movies which don't get a theatrical release (they recently showed \"Judas Kiss\" with Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson). Can't understand it. Not even A&E? Perhaps it wouldn't appeal to the very crucial \"youth market\"?. Too much of a minority film, with its Nigerian screenplay and cast? But it's not a low,low-budget movie at \ufffd3.4million, it also stars Nia Long, the cinematographer is very well-known (should look good) and the director is also quite experienced..he did a stint as a merchant banker, but was president of OUDS, directed at the Oxford Playhouse and has made several short commercial films. Why oh why, then...? The only option seems to be straight-to-video, as with \"Playmaker\". Huh!!! Evelyn, can you keep us informed on this, even if it's bad news. Could it be picked up by British distributor...but I think that since the demise of Polygram we don't really have any distributors! Or could, perish the thought, it just be binned and never released or seen! Can we do anything...form an Action Group to rescue SLOW?! I'd hate to thnk that Christopher Tookey (remember him?) was right. Sorry for my grumpy SLOW diversion, in the midst of all tnis good news! Timeout magazine (London) gave 3DOR an excellent review. \"Exemplary direction by Robin LeFevre and smashing performances by all the cast\""}, {"response": 43, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (00:54)", "body": "Love the new heading for this topic. Arami, do be sure to tell your DH he has been honored! Lizza, hope all is well with your mum. Ben, you're too funny! Loved the music--v. fitting! Has been a bit of a roller coaster ride, huh?"}, {"response": 44, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (01:09)", "body": "Every now and then I forget my manners... I hope my posting about SLOW doesn't sound too abrupt, but when I'm disappointed, I tend to go into rant mode! There's so much to feel pleased about at the moment, and so I hope I didn't cast a damper on everyone's high spirits! Thank you, Evelyn for being so persistent in checking for news of SLOW. This Year's Love is still doing very well at the Box Office. Lizza, I also hope that all goes well for your mum."}, {"response": 45, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (01:12)", "body": "Bethan: I was just talking to a friend of mine who is a producer. I was telling him about SLOW and how it can't find a distributor. He suggested the following: \"You can write to the bank and ask them if we can rent SLOW for an evening. You would have to find a major HUB(New York, L.A., London) to show it. If that goes off without a hitch we could then invite the actors to attend the screening by saying: We have been attemtping to see the production of SLOW. We understand that the production comp ny has gone belly up, however, because of the talent involved we are still determined to view it. There will be a special screening of it and we are inviting you to join us, blah blah blah.\" He gave an estimate of $700 to $1,200 for use--however not sure about the theatre--however it might be included. We can also invite a critic. This might sound far fetched but the bank has nothing to lose and neither do we. Just something to put in our pipes if we are truly want to see this. A solution, a fantasy a wish perhaps. What does everyone else think?"}, {"response": 46, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (01:18)", "body": "--KarenR--Thank you for that photo of his beautiful hands, IMHO aesthetically, his best feature! --Lizza--hope your Mum is better FAST. --Heide, Karen, evelyn, Gi, and all you other great reporters of your experiences, THANK YOU. ...And if anything more happens to pop back into your memory, don't hesitate to add on...even if it doesn't come to mind until June!! After all, these traumatic occurrances can often be repressed..."}, {"response": 47, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (01:52)", "body": "Lizza---I hope your mom is better soon"}, {"response": 48, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (02:28)", "body": "Lizza, hope your mom is feeling better. Heide, Karen and Evelyn, thank you for your detail reports. It certainly helps to relive the moment. I'm printing everyone's report to keep in a notebook, with the photos, programs, etc. Just one more item for the CF library. Re: Evelyn's Cross pen, thank you for letting me use it. Winter had mentioned that sharpies are the best pen for autographs, so ladies, at the next outing, we must pack the pen along with the opera glasses... JanaC, I like your idea of renting SLOW for an evening, maybe there's a film festival that will show it, unfortunately, it's too late for the DC Film Festival, they start in April, and the programming is already done."}, {"response": 49, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (03:08)", "body": "Karen and I almost had SLOW screened at the Chicago Film Festival last year, but the bank would not release it.Actually, the bank was mad as hell when Handmade let the Martha Vinyard's festival show it without permission.Hey, they have investors that aren't too happy either. ***** The April Movieline has an article on Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio pushing her new film \"Limbo\".....mentions that she has\"also paired with Colin Firth in the Scottish memoir MLSF\". Why isn't she promoting MLSF instead of just casually mentioning it? Also says her career has been going south and she is 40! I wish he'd hook-up with Jennifer again...dreads and nose stud...hey with that jacket he had on Friday night he'd blend in with the crowd in Camden. **** CF\"I hope you're not disappointed\" Actually, I said:\"You never disappoint us....never\" And I mean't it....even with rotten material...he always comes through."}, {"response": 50, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (06:34)", "body": "Got this from KJArt tonight All the library computers were down again this morning, so if I can't get back on tonight, just convey my apologies to Gi and the others about the misunderstanding...I just do not express myself well, I guess...that I do NOT OBJECT to all the reports from the Playgoers...quite the contrary--the more the merrier--I was simply reacting to the idea of pulling Drool off of public access and making it into some sort of private club fo the Privileged Only."}, {"response": 51, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (06:46)", "body": "Evelyn, we would go see him wash cars, would we not? We cannot be disappointed as he is there and whatever else is going on is secondary! He is a very dear and special person as well as the other things we drool over."}, {"response": 52, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (13:02)", "body": "(Evelyn)He signed your program and several others with MY PEN He signed my program with my pen and held it twice...and guess what, I was so in heaven by his presence that after he gave the pen back to me with his sacred fingerprints in it, I just dropped the pen into my bag where I have about 15 similar ones!!!!!!! Now, which one is THE one is the question."}, {"response": 53, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (13:35)", "body": "(Marcia), we would go see him wash cars, would we not? Well, he would be wet once again. Elena, just pick one and cherish it, I'm sure it will turn up to be the one. (mind over matter) Jana, in Hollywood one can rent a screening room at Warner Bros. Studios and set the whole thing up for a small fee, and if one does it around the time MLSF is to open, maybe Colin would attend. Maybe the bank would forego its fee if the sceening is set up in Hollywood. Just a thought. :-)"}, {"response": 54, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (16:11)", "body": "In today's entertainment report I note that a remake of \"The Lion in Winter\" has been given the green light, with Pat O'Connor at the helm... hmmm, would be nice to see Colin play a king... Evelyn, one wonders if JE made it over to the Donmar to see her old pal perform -- maybe it will inspire her to tread the boards again as well."}, {"response": 55, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (17:01)", "body": "Elena, MarciaH did you get the pics via email? Lucia I tried sending them to you but I got an error saying mail is undeliverable. You could email me at my home addresss jclark@azstarnet.com and I could send them to you via mail."}, {"response": 56, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (18:29)", "body": "After viewing Marcia's pictures and finishing chat last night I went right to Celebrity 1000 to vote for ODB. He got over 500 votes in the last pol but deserves more IMHO."}, {"response": 57, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (18:32)", "body": "I just checked my e-mail address here and I don't know where they're coming from it should be aoftedahl@worldnet.att.net"}, {"response": 58, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (18:43)", "body": "IS IT ME! Since 1995 I have adored and fantasized firstly about Fitzwilliam Darcy and then Colin Firth, so much so I was worried I was becoming obsessed until I realised that I was not on my own. So why is it that after such a wonderful day, meeting Colin , who was absolutely charming, friendly and gorgeous and everythng a fan could wish for, and having watched him perform and seen what an absolutely wonderful and gifted actor he is, that I feel so \"flat\". Is it because after this things cannot get better than meeting the man himself or is it that I see that he is just an ordinary bloke, doing an ordinary job who goes home to his wife at the end of the day. Somehow the mystery and magic has gone by actually meeting him, and in a way I envy Bethan, Eileen & Marcia and anyone else who has yet to meet him, who still have this magical feeling, is this perverse of what. Having w ited to long and worried so long for some Firth news the bubble seems to have burst and as I sazy I feel \"Lat\", it all feels like an anti-climax. It must just be me because everyone else seems over the moon, sorry if I am rambling I just had to get it off my chest. Where is Mr. Darcy! Winter how did you feel after your Firth encounter and will that magical feeling return, I do hope so."}, {"response": 59, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (18:46)", "body": "sorry about the typing mistazkes \"Flat\" not \"Lat\""}, {"response": 60, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (19:23)", "body": "Ann, take heart. It will come back soon. The thrill of Darcy, for instance. Perhaps this weekend would be a good time to watch again. Your weekend from heaven will begin to take on that dream-like quality I told you about. And it will reamin like a shining object you can relive any time you want, but it will not ruin anything else he does. You'll see. I have dined with Astronauts, and thought it could not get any better than that. It does!!!"}, {"response": 61, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (19:24)", "body": "Ann, like always, you hit the spot precisely. I love the way you can put your thoughts and feelings to words so openly. First, I\ufffdd like to thank you very much for the whole 3DOR experience, I think it was you who first noticed that he was in the cast (at least it was your comment about the play that first made me know about it and think: I have to get there, no matter what) and that\ufffds why we all got the tickets so fast, before anybody else almost! This all just wouldn\ufffdt have happened without you being so perceptive....THANK-YOU. It\ufffds been a fantastic experience for me, before, during and after, and still, all the time. I have noticed that you\ufffdve been a bit quiet after the experience and wondered about it, and about everybodys\ufffd feelings who were there and to tell you the truth, I was almost worried about some people being DISAPPOINTED with him, especially those to whom the Darcy figure is very important. The real Colin and Darcy are from different worlds of course, Darcy is a perfect and godlike sex object, Colin is basically just like a lovely guy from next door. BUT the Darcy side is in him too, if you know what I mean - I\ufffdve looked at those pics I took and strangely in some he really looks exactly as ordinary and sweet idiot as my neighbor bloke, in some he\ufffds....yes, like Darcy without make-up and with shorter hair. Anyway, meeting him was emotionally so consuming that no wonder if we feel flat, I do too in some way and I knew it would happen. An hour before I left to Donmar from the hotel I had this feeling that I don\ufffdt want to go, I\ufffdll lose my fantasies for good! But I also know that I\ufffdm just adjusting to the new situation now, my idea of him is changing but not for worse really, just changing, closer to reality that is. Is that so bad? Can\ufffdt we love a guy who\ufffds real???? Actually that\ufffds the best and most valuable p rt in Colin, he\ufffds more real than most people in his position and I see that he WANTS to be real for his fans, not just a fantasy figure."}, {"response": 62, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (19:33)", "body": "JanaC, I Emailed you about the marvellous assortment of Heiroglyphics I got from you. I could not make it look like anything I recognized, so would you please try again!"}, {"response": 63, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (19:42)", "body": "More about Colin\ufffds roles in and outside reality.....Evelyn, thanks for Fever Pitch! I see now that there are a lot of things that I didn not know about Colin before I saw that movie. Watched it last night and if the Donmar Experience was a shock, FP was another!!! I still don\ufffdt know what sort of a shock really but I believe you can understand, somebody mentioned to me that you didn\ufffdt like FP very much? I\ufffdm just telling you, I don\ufffdt know how you guys got over FP after Darcy!"}, {"response": 64, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (19:59)", "body": "Does anyone recognize this Email address? YIB4E@AOL.COM It was with a request for the photos. If I do not see someone I know at the signature end of the letter requesting photos of the group, I do not send them. There was no identification with this Email."}, {"response": 65, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (20:38)", "body": ".........About FP: I don\ufffdt mean I don\ufffdt like Colin in it, I do (some quite delicious moments!!) but he\ufffds so different in it than in anything else that I need time to adjust myself, and watch it again. Btw, it\ufffds very clear to me now after seeing FP how badly, almost violently he really wanted to kick Darcy out of his life. I know it\ufffds not news to you girls, it\ufffds just my turn now to see it."}, {"response": 66, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (21:11)", "body": "Ann! Are you feeling any better? As Marcia and Elena have said, you're going through typical post-event let down. The buildup was so strong and now it's over and on top of that, your [our] idol has been humanized. I always go into a funk after something big. That's one of the hundreds of rationalizations I used as a stay-at-home last weekend. Give it some time; as Marcia said, the magic will be back AND you'll be able to tell your friends \"Colin Firth? I've met him and he's very gracious!\""}, {"response": 67, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (22:29)", "body": "Strange, I felt no let down. Perhaps I've always separated CF from Darcy. Darcy is and has always been a standalone fantasy-type figure who was fully fleshed out by CF's portrayal. But I've gone beyond that in my admiration of CF as an actor. I don't think I can ever view my London experience and seeing him on stage in such a fantastic role, for which he is uniquely qualified, as just another day at the theater. Meeting him, seeing him up close, talking to him--these were all icing on the cake. They didn't bring him down to my level, for if that had been the case, I would have been more coherent. Yes, I know he is just another man. Puts his pants on one leg at a time, etc. But seeing him act was an enormous treat. He didn't let me down. His acting and kindness toward his admiring fans put him in a special place for me. Hopefully, this is only temporary, Ann. You lucky ladies in England will be the first to get to see Donovan Quick. Start anticipating... ;-)"}, {"response": 68, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (23:14)", "body": "(Elena)...evelyn... somebody mentioned to me that you didn\ufffdt like FP very much? I liked Paul Ashford, not the screenplay...or Ruth Gemell with her grating voice.Now I know my dear friends love Nick Hornby...IMO he may be a good novelist...but I felt the story in FP esp. the romance was contrived and not plausible.(But they have heard this before).Pl. give us more of your comments... Who knows? You might change my mind. However, did anyone else feel that CF played the 1st Act of 3 DOR in a Paul Ashford style? I was expecting Adrian Le Duc from AZ. Really want to discuss that play when the M,R &K get back from London. ****** Ann, join the Funk club....but I have looked at P&P every night for an hour and \"that ole feeling \" is coming back. Wait til you see the photo I just sent you of the two of you!! ***** I do think it is more difficult for the married gals to love a \"real \"man, Karen."}, {"response": 69, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (23:15)", "body": "Winter how did you feel after your Firth encounter and will that magical feeling return, I do hope so. Darlings.... it takes time to \"recover\" and become your old drooling selves again! I felt the same way... I couldn't bring myself to read fanfic for so long because I felt \"guilty,\" esp. after having seen the object of these fantasies in the flesh... I felt guilty for coming here to the boards too. THAT'S why people who haven't seen him need to be active posters in this community."}, {"response": 70, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (23:17)", "body": "(marcia) If I do not see someone I know at the signature end of the letter requesting photos of the group, I do not send them. I agree wholeheartedly! (ann W) is it that I see that he is just an ordinary bloke, doing an ordinary job who goes home to his wife at the end of the day. Somehow the mystery and magic has gone (karen)I felt no let down. Perhaps I've always separated CF from Darcy Yes, I think that must be it. I was perhaps disappointed the first time I saw him in a film other than P&P2, I think it was either the Advocate or Circle of Friends. I was seriously confused, because Darcy had never meant anything for me before Colin - and still doesn't, I'm afraid - sorry, Marcia, I do not like Olivier's Darcy at all - but Colin outside his role as Darcy wasn't much to look at... But I insisted, and came to appreciate him as an actor. Someone here (was it Bethan?) said he must be en times more good looking in person - he is not - but he has a fine figure, his body language is fantastically expressive, his voice and the expression in his eyes out of this world...and he is an ordinary bloke but what a charmingly nice one!His beauty and sexyness come from within, I think. And I thank the gods who have put him on this world to enrich it with his talent and his graciousness. Oh dear... now I've gone poetic...Forgive me! :-)"}, {"response": 71, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (23:22)", "body": "Hey Gi...have you been to #80?...They're casting the role of Julio in Bridget Jones' Diary . Who needs Antonio Banderas?...We have our own Antonio!!"}, {"response": 72, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (23:26)", "body": "Evelyn, LOL! Will it be Banderas? I have to go there! Antonio says there is (was?)a real Julio in Albufeira who is/was a gigolo."}, {"response": 73, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (23:33)", "body": "BTW I downloaded Sabine's email pic of the group and sent it to Colin at ICM.With a short note thanking him for generously giving us his time last Saturday signing programs and posing for pics. Also requested that he not wait five more years for another play....we want to get together again before then!!. I felt that since I had asked him to pose for the picture, I should send him a note.If he doesn't get it...I didn't lose much."}, {"response": 74, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (23:38)", "body": "Evelyn, that was probably the best way to solve that problem. If anyone should send him one of our group pics, it should be you. I hope he gets the flowers that Lizza sent. And I hope, oh I hope, that Arami and Renate and Kirsten and whoever else is going to the Donmar tomorrow has the greatest time! (and posts soon to tell us all)"}, {"response": 75, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (23:42)", "body": "(Gi)I do not like Olivier's Darcy at all Someone must have noticed by now that I posted a few times on 11 then gave it up. My heart was here from the moment I first saw CF as Darcy. There can be no other now! (I did not like his effete manner, Gi. Olivier's that is!)"}, {"response": 76, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (23:48)", "body": "No, and he was not convincingly proud, or interestingly unattainable...;-)"}, {"response": 77, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 1999 (23:48)", "body": "(Evelyn)BTW I downloaded Sabine's email pic of the group and sent it to Colin at ICM HOORAY!!!! Just the right thing to do, I think. I couldn\ufffdt get it why sending that pic to Colin would be \ufffdgroupieish\ufffd, it\ufffds just a funny photo and if he\ufffdll get it, I\ufffdm sure he\ufffdll feel good about it. Most important is to let him know how much we appreciate his lovely way of treating his fans."}, {"response": 78, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (00:22)", "body": "Sabine's photo of you is my favorite (with the exception that I cannot see LizzaJ)...you all look as delighted with things as I could ever imagine. It is a classic, and it is looking at me right now, as I have printed it out! =)"}, {"response": 79, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (00:56)", "body": "The only time I ever met an idol \"in the flesh\" was when I was fourteen, and it was disastrous...I actively disliked him, and went home and shredded all my photos! I'm very pleased that you've seen Colin act in very demanding role and then met him afterwards, and that you like him and admire him as an actor. From quotes in interviews ...\"I've never lost sight of the fact that it was Darcy people went mad over, not me\", \"I don't take pleasure in disappointing people\"... I think he's very conscious that he may not live up to expectations. I'm sure the last two weeks have shown him that people actually like him for himself. The first thing I noticed about him were his xpressive eyes and voice, and I'm sure those are the same! \"The Lion in Winter\"...the Pat O'Connor connection is very promising! I would love to see Colin take on the role of Henry II. It's a great role. He's exactly (or almost) the right age. It's always assumed that Henry was older when he experienced the conflicts with his sons. In fact he was 40. He was married at 18 to Eleanor of Aquitaine who was 12 years older than him and bore him several children in quick succession. SLOW..sorry, I don't give up on this. Evelyn, did the Bank say what would happen next? Are you ringing them again? There was an article in the Observer about film distribution. A lot of good films are failing to get theatrical releases because they don't cater for mainstream (16-24 predominantly male) audiences, and art houses have limited capacity. Many straight-to-video rentals do extremely well, whilst theatre releases flop miserably. The article did say that to secure TV rights, the movie has to be s own at least once in a cinema. As far as UK distribution is concerned, I've noticed that a lot of British films \"opening\" in the UK, are shown in just one or two independent cinemas in London. So that could be a possibility. I hope the last contingent has a gret time at 3DOR! Another excellent review in the FT...\"LeFevre's production does the play proud - three actors giving excellent performances...CF in splendid Byronic mood...CF contrasts movingly the wilful implacable misery of the son with the father's watchfulness\". Aso the Timeout review which I've quoted was very good."}, {"response": 80, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (00:58)", "body": "(Gi) ... he has a fine figure, his body language is fantastically expressive, his voice and the expression in his eyes out of this world...and he is an ordinary bloke but what a charmingly nice one! His beauty and sexyness come from within, I think. And I thank the gods who have put him on this world to enrich it with his talent and his graciousness. Oh dear... now I've gone poetic...Forgive me! :-) My sentiments exactly, there's something about him that pulls us all in, whether as Darcy or any other character, I'm always amazed with his performances. That old feeling...I have to say that meeting the man himself has only increased my admiration and interest in him and his future projects. I reviewed my copy of ATA last night because he looked very much like Jessie in 3DOR...did anyone notice his arm and hand, in the closeup with JL? That scenc required several rewinds. Evelyn, so glad you sent off the pix with the note to him, I think he should know how much his fans appriciate his thoughtfulness, giving us his time."}, {"response": 81, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (01:16)", "body": "EmmaE, your Pictures are on their way!"}, {"response": 82, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (01:48)", "body": "(Bethan)...films are failing to get theatrical releases because they don't cater for mainstream (16-24)predominantly male) audiences, We have no one to blame but ourselves if the distribs don't buy and release the films we want to see. Be honest. How many films have you seen recently...besides SIL. How many times do you go to the cinema in a month? How many vids do you rent? The 16 to 25 crowd go every weekend....and rent constantly....three and four at a time.Go to any Blockbuster and look at the age of the average customer.Do you blame distribs for catering to them? They bring in the $$$ to pay the debt. Let's face it ...rhetorical support just doesn't count.And that's what most of us do!!"}, {"response": 83, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (01:55)", "body": "I forgot to add how shocked I was to see the price of a movie ticket in London. We paid 10. UKP a ticket(matinee) to see \"This Year's Love\"...that about $17. US. Is that the cost of a movie throughout UK...Germany....Finland? That's serious money folks. I pay $4. for a matinee and $6. evening.Maybe in NY and LA it would go to $10. max."}, {"response": 84, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (02:08)", "body": "Evelyn, did we desert the movies because we were bored or did they start making movies which spray more and more gore, explicit sex (Hey, I'm all for it - in privacy!) and weirdos?! Somewhere we let the kiddies get control of almost every choice in daily living. Or am I being grouchy?"}, {"response": 85, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (02:18)", "body": "I have read that R rated movies sell better that PG13...and family movies....fergedaboutit.Hollywood produces what the viewing public want to see. Unlike some European countries, our movie industry is not subsidized by the government...no lottery, no grants.Private money only.If a UK movie fails at the box office...tough...the gov't doesn't get paid back. In the US it's some poor slobs pension fund."}, {"response": 86, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (02:56)", "body": "Murph has Colin's autograph and other news items (including a review of MLSF) http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/4144/news2.html"}, {"response": 87, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (03:54)", "body": "Or am I being grouchy? Not grouchy...perceptive. Have you noticed that a whole new genre of teen movies have been dominating the box office since \"I know what you did...\"? We've got teen horror, teen drama (Titanic), teen sci-fi (Wing Commander), even teen adaptions of novels/films (Cruel Intentions=Dangerous Liasons)!!! We've created a society that caters to generational preferences more than ever before."}, {"response": 88, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (05:08)", "body": "Just a note to Ann - I don't think you're the only feeling a slight letdown after last week. I'm not but I can see what you mean. After watching Pride & Prejudice, I think the first thing I saw of Colin's was Valmont. I love him in it now but then it was not Mr. Darcy and I felt curiously let down. But it didn't last long. I came to appreciate him more and more as an actor and seeing him on stage was, well shall I just say it was very sexy. Evelyn astutely says it could be different for you married omen and I understand that (especially after seeing your wonderful husband). I hope you take the advice of the others and immerse yourself in P&P. I'm sure that old feeling will overtake you again. Elena, your pep talk to Ann was particularly insightful. But you must reassess Paul Ashworth! I know only you can make that decision for yourself but Paul is my absolute favorite character (next to the incomparable Darcy). Didn't you see Paul in Ned? Are we back to the depressing news again? Why would Colin use SLOW (and MLSF) as his credits in the Donmar program if no one is ever going to see it? I think we have to take things into our own hands and raise the money ourselves. Evelyn suggested a bake sale. Do we have VERY good bakers out there?"}, {"response": 89, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (05:26)", "body": "Ann: Watch P & P this weekend. You will feel better. I know first hand how you feel. I felt that way after meeting a celeb. I am os glad that everyone had such a good time. I have enjoyed reading all the posts. Took a while. I have been a bit under the weather."}, {"response": 90, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (05:31)", "body": "Delurking long enough to say.... Thanks!! (to each and every one of you who took the time to post about your encounter with ODB). I have so enjoyed this past week or so and wished mightily that I could have been there. Thanks to the excellent descriptions I feel I have been there, with you all, just off in a corner, watching. Which is very like what I would have done, anyway!"}, {"response": 91, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (08:32)", "body": "Thanks everyone for all the details of your encounters at 3DOR. I have been devouring them and while one can't help but be a bit wistful at missing out, your vivid descriptions make me feel as if I was there. To our German girls who are there now, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that your experience is every bit as wonderful. (Moon) Maybe the bank would forego its fee if the sceening is set up in Hollywood. Just a thought. :-) Well, if that could be wangled I think we could guarantee an audience of at least two. What say you, Dame Winter? (Heide) But you must reassess Paul Ashworth! I must agree here. Elena, give Paul a little time to grow on you. I have been needing an FP fix for awhile (love this film!) but have been ruthlessly denying myself so that I can really savor it on the big screen. But they keep delaying the premiere :-(."}, {"response": 92, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (09:27)", "body": "I had to watch FP at least three times before I grew accustomed to (and liked) CF in such a different characterisation. He's so chameleon-like that I often take time to adjust to his new performances. Unlike some other actors who always look the same (best profile/hair forward) and invariably turn in the same performance! Or am I being grouchy? Not at all! I completely agree with you (and with Winter about teen culture). Evelyn, I take your point..I rarely go to the movies or rent a video. BUT, I do quite often go to Blockbusters or Global Video with the INTENTION of renting a video, and I can't find anything to my taste. I often end up renting from the \"foreign fims\" section...small, low-budget, intelligent French films with good dialogue and considerable warmth and charm (I'm totally dependent on sub-titles though!) And increasinging I am ju t not watching any drama or movies on TV. And I'm not all that old!!!"}, {"response": 93, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (10:13)", "body": "Oh my! If you stay away from here for more than a day there are so many posts to catch up on. Where to start. Alan Yentob (sp?) is, I think, Director of Television for the BBC. There is something about him in the Times this morning which I can no longer find (Saturday's paper is far too big). In our dark moments, let us remember that this \"big honcho\" was waiting to see Colin after the performance. Re SLOW and moviegoing. I agree with Bethan that the problem is that the movie industry caters for a youth market. One problen is that the experience of moviegoing is not very pleasant for those of us of a certain age! We are lucky in that we live in cenralish London and in an area famed for its arthouse cinemas which are generally very pleasant places to go and where you do not feel out of place if you are over 25. I was at a party in the Midlands recently and was talking about films to a man there. His comments really open d my eyes. He loved films but said that a film had to be very good before he and his wife would brave the local multiplex which was teeming with 16-18 year olds and where you had to crunch your way across a popcorn strewn floor to get to your seat. I so sympathise. If I want to see a mainstream film which is only showing at the local Odeon or wherever, I go with one of my children. My husband would hate it too much, I can cope! So he will just have to see the Truman Show on video:-) But I echo Evelyn's comment. It is all about consumer power. So my DH and I are off to see Central Station this evening at a small, civilised cinema. Re SLOW and charity screening. Bethan why don't you persuade your husband that one way of raising funds for his favourite charity would be to host a special screening of SLOW with funds going to the Council for Refugees (was that the charity, sorry it is on the other board so could not check). You could tellhim that this would be a sure fire hit because a) the star would be sure to show because it is a cause close to his heart b) it is written, produced and is about Nigerians who are a group that are ha ing problems attaining status inthe UK. and most of all c)you are sure that you could fill all the seats without need to advertise!!"}, {"response": 94, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (10:29)", "body": "test"}, {"response": 95, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (10:48)", "body": "Oh my! If you stay away from here for more than a day there are so many posts to catch up on. Where to start. Alan Yentob (sp?) is, I think, Director of Television for the BBC. There is something about him in the Times this morning which I can no longer find (Saturday's paper is far too big). In our dark moments, let us remember that this \"big honcho\" was waiting to see Colin after the performance. Re SLOW and moviegoing. I agree with Bethan that the problem is that the movie industry caters for a youth market. One problen is that the experience of moviegoing is not very pleasant for those of us of a certain age! We are lucky in that we live in cenralish London and in an area famed for its arthouse cinemas which are generally very pleasant places to go and where you do not feel out of place if you are over 25. I was at a party in the Midlands recently and was talking about films to a man there. His comments really open d my eyes. He loved films but said that a film had to be very good before he and his wife would brave the local multiplex which was teeming with 16-18 year olds and where you had to crunch your way across a popcorn strewn floor to get to your seat. I so sympathise. If I want to see a mainstream film which is only showing at the local Odeon or wherever, I go with one of my children. My husband would hate it too much, I can cope! So he will just have to see the Truman Show on video:-) But I echo Evelyn's comment. It is all about consumer power. So my DH and I are off to see Central Station this evening at a small, civilised cinema. Re SLOW and charity screening. Bethan why don't you persuade your husband that one way of raising funds for his favourite charity would be to host a special screening of SLOW with funds going to the Council for Refugees (was that the charity, sorry it is on the other board so could not check). You could tellhim that this would be a sure fire hit because a) the star would be sure to show because it is a cause close to his heart b) it is written, produced and is about Nigerians who are a group that are ha ing problems attaining status inthe UK. and most of all c)you are sure that you could fill all the seats without need to advertise!!"}, {"response": 96, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (10:51)", "body": "What is going on here? I tried to post another long post. I got a Server Error. I did a test post. Typed again. Posted, got a second server error. When I reloaded, I discovered it had posted my first message again. Grrrr."}, {"response": 97, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (13:03)", "body": "However, so keen am I to cofess about David Rintoul(or is it Rentoul?) that I shall try one more time.... I shall post in small chunks. Evelyn. Don't you find that \ufffd1 is more or less equal to $1? So \ufffd10 would be about right for a West End cinema seat. Where I live, it is about \ufffd5. further out or in some other parts of the country it may be less. It is just more expensive in the UK. The Artist Formerly Known as Darcy. That is so wonderful. Don't you think Colin would love it too? We should send him the photograph you have on the conference heading page with that title...from Spring."}, {"response": 98, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (13:35)", "body": "Ann. You are suffering from post traumatic stress. Did i not warn you?:-) you must not leave us. Look upon us as your therapists. We are experts on all aspects of Firthitis. I don't have a Darcy/Colin problem, perhaps because I was always in love with Mr Darcy. I even loved him when played by David Rintoul. So when i saw P&P2, I knew that this Darcy had something extra special and that was what Colin brought to the part. Whether it was the man or the actor or both, I am still not sure about. Tha is what makes him interesting IMO. Lizza. I hope your mother is doing well. I hope it helps that we are all thinking of you. BTW. I think my previous posting problems were to do with the fact that I was trying to post the emoticon for \"user is mad\" and the system mistook it for an html tag...."}, {"response": 99, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (13:52)", "body": "Glad to hear from you again Rita, for a moment I feared that you\ufffdve had enough of us and all the 3DOR frenzy!"}, {"response": 100, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (16:23)", "body": "Yes, perhaps, because we are singletons, we didn't experience the letdown of meeting CF and seeing him as a normal guy. However, it's not as though he was available and we were unrealistically clinging to some fantasy or something!! ;-D I have some pictures with CF on the staircase at the Donmar and he is shaking hands with an older man (grey-haired) who put his glasses up on his forehead. Having heard that John Boorman was in the audience on Saturday, would anybody be able to recognize him? Or could this be Alan Yentob (?) who you've mentioned before? Colin looks pleased as all get out as he is shaking his hand and somewhat awed. (Allison and Bethan, send me your email addresses - I seem to have mislaid them - if you want to see the pics)"}, {"response": 101, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (16:32)", "body": "LOL, Allison, at your suggestion for Bethan's husband to get the ball rolling on the Nigerian refugee/SLOW connection. And yet...it's not so far fetched, is it. Between us and the FOF ladies and everyone else, we'd get that theatre filled and for a very worthy cause. No, no, no, I don't mean Colin Firth Appreciation Night (though that would certainly be an incentive). Rita, Allison, you can't be away from us for more than a day right now or you'll have 100 messages to catch up on. We're all waiting now for Renate and Kirsten's report. Perhaps that will help me get over this curiously sad feeling I have knowing that right now he's doing his next to last performance and then there is just one more and it's all over. By the way, Ben, Karen, Evelyn and I did eat at Belgo Centraal last Friday night. Since my Firthitis was rather bad at that moment, I barely touched my meal but the beer was good. Belgo is full of atmosphere though I understand the lavatory is truly something to gush about. Thanks for the tip. I'll forgive you for calling us ingenuous (or was it disingenuous?) though I know you only meant it in the best sense - \"babes\" in the wood. Moon, could you e-mail me your address? I've lost it in my filing system full of little bits of paper."}, {"response": 102, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (16:48)", "body": "(Karen)Or could this be Alan Yentob No, Alan Yentob was there on Friday night. He is fortyish. Close cropped/ balding with designer stubble. Dark features. My E-mail is allm@iname.com. Would love to see all the pics."}, {"response": 103, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (16:50)", "body": "Yes, where are the reports from Arami, Renate and Kirsten? Did they go on Friday night? Or are they doing a doubleheader on Saturday? Can't wait to hear about their experiences with The Man Himself! And I don't believe for one minute that they will be shy about it, especially when they see others taking the initiative."}, {"response": 104, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (18:27)", "body": "Allison, thanks I am feeling much better I don't know what came over me, I think its just that he has been a fantasy figure for so long and we have always found it so difficult to get any news on him that suddenly there he was in the flesh with hundreds and hundreds of fans all around him and,of course it it had nothing to with whether he was available or not. not at all, it just it suddenly hit me that he is not Mr. Darcy and not just a wonderful actor but a real person, and for a minute my illusions w re shattered but I certainly don't want to leave Allison I have made far too many lovely friends here, some of whom I have met, and I realy enjoy reading and contributing to all the postings and I am looking forward to Colin's future projects, Donovan Quick, Bridget Jones, Mary Queen of Scots, Marked Man....and the next stage work."}, {"response": 105, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (19:54)", "body": "(Karen)I have some pictures with CF on the staircase at the Donmar and he is shaking hands with an older man I\ufffdd like to see those pics, could you email them to me, Karen? Anyway, I\ufffdd like to see everybody\ufffds pics, and let everybody see mine. If you mean the man who was on the top of the stairs with Colin, he\ufffds the one who stood right beside me and Jana up there. Their meeting is very clear in my memory because I watched it so closely, Colin seemed surprised and very delighted and I can still hear his glad voice greeting him, with a big smile....it seemed to me that the man was somehow personally important to Colin. Heide, please answer my email concerning the photos I took of you & C."}, {"response": 106, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (20:07)", "body": "--Karen R--I have a clipping of the Chicago production of 3 DoR review out of entertainment Weekly. Do you want me to send it?? Evelyn--Sorry, I know how embittered you are that DB didn't get nominated at all, but do not begrudge Tom Wilkonson...he did a marvelous jop. IMO better than GR --AnnW--I'm sorry you are so shocked and unhappy about the comedown, but after you've been in the stratosphere even a little while, down to earth initially seems mundane. But I hope by now you reconsidered it all. Who you met is no \"ordinary bloke\" with an \"ordinary job\"--He is unique, remarkably talented and you lucky girl were privileged to be in the presence of an EXTRAORDINARY human being, the likes of which you will never see again."}, {"response": 107, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (21:31)", "body": "Ann, Didn't Colin say in one of his interviews that his aunt begged him not to play Darcy as it would spoil all her illusions!! And didn't Bridget Jones feel the same way.... (long quote) \"Ugh. Just about to watch Panorama on the trend of well qualified female breadwinners\"...when I stumbled upon a photograph in the Standard of Darcy and Elizabeth, hideous, dressed as modern-day luvvies, draped all over each other in a meadow.....Apparently they are already sleeping together. That is absolutely dosgusting. Feel disorientated and worried, for surely Mr Darcy would never do anything so vain and frivolous as to be an actor, and yet Mr Darcy is an actor. Hmmm. All v.confusing.\" : ) Allison, great idea for SLOW! It would be the only way I could ever manage to meet CF with my DH in tow! Seriously, I really hope SLOW will get a proper release. Out of interest I searched on Alta Vista for SLOW and it's listed for a 98 release, along with a lot of other films, most of which I recognise and which I know have subsequently been released. So at one stage it was obviously scheduled for release and there was no problem. BTW, according to another snippet, Colin's character is an award-winning s i-fi writer, and some of the scenes take place in his study. 3DOR will soon be finishing...I hope the applause is LOUD and that that we get some first-hand reports of the Last Night!"}, {"response": 108, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (22:46)", "body": "I do not understand. There were a bunch of people in Chat when I went in after sending my picture to those whose picture I had seen. Suddenly they are all gone. Must not have liked mine!"}, {"response": 109, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (23:16)", "body": "(Winter)....teen sci-fi (Wing Commander) Saffron Barrows (Nan-Oh- Nan in COF) is co-starring in that. Took a while to get a co-star role!! (Allison)Evelyn. Don't you find that \ufffd1 is more or less equal to $1? I wish...that hasn't happened for about 10 years, Allison. How about$1.67 or thereabouts. We call it the Two-dollar-pound, actually. When you factor in conversion.Nope...10. UKP is still $17. But Ann tells me in her neck- of- the woods movies only cost 5 UKP which is about our prices. ***** I hope the high-power-director...Mr. Boorman, stayed around to see all of Colin's admirers waiting for him. I tell you, ODB was on Cloud 9 on Saturday night.It was all over his face. **** You know, that Charity Benefit idea for the Nigerian refugees is not so far fetched.Allison, who is in charge of this organization. Maybe we could get them together with the bank.Pl. email me. And if SLOW ever sells,that would be a good cause for the Premiere.Good publicity for the film. African causes are hot now. And we could all go:-) All Riiiight....I think we have somethin' cookin'heah... (evelyn get outta' this Colin- Firth-business; you have enough to do!!)"}, {"response": 110, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (23:45)", "body": "(Evelyn)(evelyn get outta' this Colin- Firth-business; you have enough to do!!) Oh no you don't. LOL!!! If not for you, our intrepid Firth-trekkers would still be hiding Firthlessly behind the bushes waiting for a passing glimpse of him. Stay right in there. We may never see SLOW without your intervention. And if it fails, at least you tried!!! BTW, you made a great man feel almost as good about himself that evening as we do about him. I treasure those pictures of him looking like he has just been granted the vision of the Holy Grail (aka Evelyn)."}, {"response": 111, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (00:01)", "body": "(Marcia)There were a bunch of people in Chat when I went in after sending my picture to those whose picture I had seen. Suddenly they are all gone. Must not have liked mine! LOL. Ah, who was it who blamed me for being paranoid??!! Thanks Marcia for the picture, I really don\ufffdt think it\ufffds THAT bad!:-)"}, {"response": 112, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (00:25)", "body": "Elena, thank you, I needed that. (From one photophobic to another =D)"}, {"response": 113, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (01:02)", "body": "All of you eager lurkers out there...please post something before you ask me to send you the pictures taken in London. Please try to imagine my posting your photograph and name all over the world for people to see. I will not do that to these very special ladies. Become one of us and I will be delighted to accommodate you."}, {"response": 114, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (01:31)", "body": "I'd like to see some photos if I haven't seen them yet. lauram30@hotmail.com"}, {"response": 115, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (03:52)", "body": "Laura, an oversight on my part. You did get the sideways winner!!! the others are on their way"}, {"response": 116, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (05:34)", "body": "i did and Heide looks adorable!"}, {"response": 117, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (10:45)", "body": "If you're interested in reading about the refugee work which (I preume) CF supports, check out today's Observer (front page Headline) http://www.observer.co.uk \"Red Nose funds UK refugees\" \"Comic Relief, Britain's most high-profile charity is pouring money into programmes for refugees and asylum seekers in this country because it believes new immigration laws will force them into destitution...all benefits are to be removed creating a cashless underclass.\" We apparently have a backlog of 60,000 cases in the UK, with many individuals surviving in abject poverty. The Daily Telegraph \"journalist\" who interviewed CF should read this!!"}, {"response": 118, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (17:37)", "body": "A big thank you to Marcia, Elena, and Karen for the pictures and links. The one with Heide and CF is great. And Marcia, you look adorable surrounded by all that sportswear :-) (Evelyn -- SLOW Charity Benefit idea for the Nigerian refugees) All Riiiight....I think we have somethin' cookin'heah... There's no doubt in my mind, the women of Spring are amazingly resourceful. On the other hand, it feels like one of those old Mickey Rooney movies...LET's put on a show! I'll volunteer to design the flyers/posters."}, {"response": 119, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (18:44)", "body": "SPRING CONGRATULATIONS TO; WINTER : Upon achieving her Master's Degree...We're proud of you,Jenn. ANN W. Happy Birthday!!!! (Better you than me, ole buddie)Have a super day. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL THE UK SPRING MUMS!! ******* Heide...you look like the happiest woman in England and I am sure you were. Show it to your co-workers...tell em' he's your British Boyfriend :-) At least you can do that....I'd be arrested for being a pedophile!! Girls are we not proud of our Karen!!!She has become quite proficient at scanning and designing webpages pages.Thanks a Bunch! ******** (Emma) the women of Spring are amazingly resourceful. ...... ..LET's put on a show! The women of Drool couldn't get this together...we're too scattered..but I bet we could be facilitators and get the interested parties together."}, {"response": 120, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (18:56)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Ann!!!"}, {"response": 121, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (19:17)", "body": "...I'd be arrested for being a pedophile!! LOL!!!! But you know, our dear Boy seemed to really like you, doing everything you asked from him and putting you in front of him in the picture....you should\ufffdve asked him to come for a drink with us and he would\ufffdve done that too, definitely:-)"}, {"response": 122, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (19:27)", "body": "Happy Birthday Ann. If someone will send me her Email address, I will send her the pics. AnnW is the only one I have not sent them to who is actually in them. Jenn, albolutely blown away by your achievements. Fantastic Felicitations! Now that Sunday is almost over depending on where you live, or just beginning for me, have you all raided the newspapers on the neighborhood porches for the USA Today magazine? There he is with Judi Dench and someone asks if he is married. They respond that he is married to !actress! Livia G. Come on!!!"}, {"response": 123, "author": "Stacey", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (19:50)", "body": ""}, {"response": 124, "author": "Stacey", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (19:51)", "body": "Happy Birthday Ann! Thank you Evelyn for the program! I got it yesterday and it was a very exciting moment for me!"}, {"response": 125, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (20:28)", "body": "Hello Stacey! Welcome aboard!!! It is so good to have your posting...have you gotten the 4 photos yet? I forget =("}, {"response": 126, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (20:54)", "body": "Congrats, Jenn!!! Happy Birthday, Ann! perhaps a bday celebration in chat is warranted?"}, {"response": 127, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (21:48)", "body": "Let me add my good wishes to you both: Happy Birthday Ann! :-) and Good going, Winter!! Heave sigh of relief; it's all over and you did it! Wonderful!"}, {"response": 128, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (22:00)", "body": "Thanks everyone for your birthday wishes, although I am trying to forget them nowadays. . I have been thoroughly spoilt today as my birthday coincided with Mothering Sunday, have put my feet up and James cooked the Sunday lunch!!! Thankyou you Heide for your email you too are a classy lady and I hope we may meet again someday as we didn't get much time to chat. Also Marcia I would love to see the photos but I am afraid my email doesn't accept photos, will have to talk James into getting a new one and than you Evelyn for my lovely birthday surprise. I wonder how thing went last night, I can't wait to hear from Renate, does anyone know when she gets home."}, {"response": 129, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (22:02)", "body": "Congratulations Winter!! Does this mean now you'll have to get a job? Boo. Happy Birthday, Ann. And on Mother's Day too. I'll bet James will treat you very well today. Moon, I need your snail mail address. That's what I lost. our dear Boy seemed to really like you, doing everything you asked from him and putting you in front of him in the picture. Absolutely, Evelyn. Who do you think that big grin was for? Damn, I only get Parade Magazine in my Sunday paper, not USA Today. Actress Livia? Well, at least they didn't make her a model."}, {"response": 130, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (22:04)", "body": "sorry yes, how self centred, congratulations Winter."}, {"response": 131, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (22:08)", "body": "And I meant to say above, Absolutely, Elena, not Evelyn. But it was Evelyn Colin was grinning for, not me."}, {"response": 132, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (22:21)", "body": "I would have a life-sized blow up of that pic made, and hang it in my office or cubicle, Heide. I cannot tell his smile was for anyone other than you, and they will not know if you do not tell them. Smile as smugly as possible and make no comments. Ummmmm!"}, {"response": 133, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (22:24)", "body": "Winter, congratulations on your achievement! Ann, many happy returns! I've been thinking of Nan, and sorry that she cannot be sharing this adventurous times with us right now. I've also been wondering about the ladies who went to the last performance, and how it went for them. I can't understand why Arami at least hasn't posted anything yet!"}, {"response": 134, "author": "SABINE", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (22:27)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Ann ! Please mail your adress to : SPalko6487@aol.com or SabinePalkowski@aol.com then I will send you the pic !!!"}, {"response": 135, "author": "SABINE", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (22:28)", "body": "Ann, the second one was wrong: SabinePalkowski@hotmail.com Thanks !"}, {"response": 136, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (22:31)", "body": "(Heide)But it was Evelyn Colin was grinning for, not me But didn\ufffdt you say that it was his own initiative to ask you if you wanted a photo with him? What made him ask that, have you thought about it?? And he seems to have felt very relaxed with you, which is remarkable. I have some other pics where he\ufffds with some unknown ladies and there his face is a bit strained. Augh, that\ufffds what\ufffds risky in posing for a pic with one\ufffds idol, it would be terrible to see in his face that the situation was an ordeal to him! Btw, in several of the pics there is a guy in the background with a moustache watching the happenings in the lobby, in Karen\ufffds pic of Colin & \ufffdBoorman\ufffd too. I wonder if Colin had a bodyguard?! (Could\ufffdve been someone\ufffds husband too!)"}, {"response": 137, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (22:36)", "body": "No, the mustached man is someone's husband. The circumstances of Heide's pictures. As I recall, Colin was standing right there and I physically pushed her into him, which is why their eyes are straight forward on my picture as I was trying to take the picture, but my camera was initially not cooperating. It had jammed. For the longest time I can remember, Colin looked exasperated and was giving up on me, when I moved the camera away and then the flash went off. But most everything else was a blur to me. ;-D"}, {"response": 138, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (23:24)", "body": "Yippee, so there IS a picture of me and Colin together, and what\ufffds more, my head seems to be resting comfortably against his shoulder. Wish it had!!! (=Karen\ufffds picture, page 3). Thanks, K! Ann, congratulations. Please email me your address and I\ufffdll send you some pics."}, {"response": 139, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (23:36)", "body": "Marcia, thanks for the pix, they did download and I saved them in paintbrush. You are a very lovely group ladies! I have a pix with Winter and Jana2 from our LA tea, but I don't have a scanner. Happy belated Birthday Ann! Now we wait for Renate, Kirsten and Arami."}, {"response": 140, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (23:48)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Ann!! --Karen--thanx for the program so super quick...I've e-mailed you. --So where are all the photos already!!!!!!"}, {"response": 141, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (23:58)", "body": "(Heide)...But it was Evelyn Colin was grinning for, not me. Wrong. He DID ask if you, yes you, Heide.. wanted a picture made with him and K&I pushed you into him. In the group pic he only smiled....in Heide's pic he showed teeth and dimples that you could put your fist in....or better ...face it. I hope someone is sending me a hard copy of the group picture....Elena? Sabine?Gi?Please. I want to have it enlarged and framed."}, {"response": 142, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (00:05)", "body": "Karen, did I forget you? I emailed the same question. Am ready to rectify if that is the case."}, {"response": 143, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (00:23)", "body": "What pics are you guys talking about? I'm sorta clueless tonight;("}, {"response": 144, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (00:28)", "body": "I wonder who did EMcG. hair in 3 DOR? She should take lessons from Livia who is always casually, but impeccably coiffed."}, {"response": 145, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (00:49)", "body": "Laura, they are the ones I Emailed to you this morning."}, {"response": 146, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (01:08)", "body": "Evelyn, if you have been looking at The Scarlet Pimpernel, I think you will agree that it appears as though no one is doing her hair. It always looks like she just crawled out of bed =P"}, {"response": 147, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (01:30)", "body": "Ah, gotcha! yes they are wonderful. I did manage to right side up the one with CF and Heide. It looked as tho they were doing the horizontal mumbo jumbo;) hee hee."}, {"response": 148, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (01:34)", "body": "(Gi)And I hope, oh I hope, that Arami and Renate and Kirsten and whoever else is going to the Donmar tomorrow has the greatest time! We had a great time watching the play on Friday and meeting Colin afterwards. But it seems that the folks who went the previous week had a much, much better time. Evidently everything to do with the whole experience was then still fresh for everybody, including Colin himself. But the following week the novelty and surprise must have worn away. He was still very polite and extremely obliging, but appeared slightly tired. Renate and the rest of the second week's London trekkers will be back around Tuesday, nd should have much more to report, as they actually went to the last show as well."}, {"response": 149, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (01:59)", "body": "Welcome back. You are the Firthst one all week with fresh input. too bad I cannot Email you these pictures I have been given custody of, they are the most sublime pictures of all time. I hope they got the theater posters after the last show. How exciting!"}, {"response": 150, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (03:22)", "body": "(Heide) Congratulations Winter!! Does this mean now you'll have to get a job? Boo. Thanks, Heide, and thanks very much everyone!!!! No-- I'm just as unemployable with my MA as I was with my Bachelor's. Not much use for an anthropologist without a PhD-- which is next on the agenda. (Evelyn) She should take lessons from Livia who is always casually, but impeccably coiffed. I always liked Livia's sense of style. Tres chic, no? In fact, I have to confess here, I actually went out to get my hair cut (even shorter!) and had it done sort of like Livia's. (Arami) had a great time watching the play on Friday and meeting Colin afterwards. No details? What was the extent of your \"meeting Colin?\" 'Fess up!"}, {"response": 151, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (05:06)", "body": "Happy birthday Ann. How long will it take you to get your PhD Winter. You have chosesn an exciting field. They just found an Indian site down by Miami that is at least a hundred years older than any before found in Florida. Thank you so very much for the pictures, Marcia."}, {"response": 152, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (07:10)", "body": "Ladies, love the pics! You are all charming. (Laura) I did manage to right side up the one with CF and Heide. I'm showing my techno ignorance here, but how did you manage that? I've just been turning my head horizontally :-) AnnW - Happy Birthday, and Winter, many congratulations on your great achievement. So proud of you!"}, {"response": 153, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (07:27)", "body": "I'm showing my techno ignorance here, but how did you manage that? I've just been turning my head horizontally :-) If you're looking at it through MS Photo Editor (Win 97), there's an option somewhere on the top (I think \"View\" or \"EDit\"?). Select \"rotate' and then select \"turn left.\" That should get it straightened out."}, {"response": 154, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (10:39)", "body": "Arami, PLEASE, tell us in detail what happened on Friday, or didn\ufffdt happen. I really need to know. What do you mean with Colin\ufffds tiredness? Were there a lot of fans asking for autographs that evening? Did you ask for one, or talk to him? I really need to know..... and I\ufffdve been thinking about Tonya who did it 8 times (at least somebody said she did), I think I would\ufffdve done that too if I could have:-)).....btw what\ufffds the address of Tonya\ufffds website, she must have a ton of London material!"}, {"response": 155, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (10:39)", "body": "Arami, PLEASE, tell us in detail what happened on Friday, or didn\ufffdt happen. I really need to know. What do you mean with Colin\ufffds tiredness? Were there a lot of fans asking for autographs that evening? Did you ask for one, or talk to him?..... and I\ufffdve been thinking about Tonya who did it 8 times (at least somebody said she did), I think I would\ufffdve done that too if I could have:-)).....btw what\ufffds the address of Tonya\ufffds website, she must have a ton of London material!"}, {"response": 156, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (10:41)", "body": "Sorry, what did I do to make that happen?"}, {"response": 157, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (14:12)", "body": "Elena, Tonya's web site is http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Lights/2524/Vignette.html However, she doesn't have anything posted from 3DOR'S yet."}, {"response": 158, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (16:15)", "body": "(Winter) I have to confess here, I actually went out to get my hair cut (even shorter!) and had it done sort of like Livia's. Too funny! Actually, I cut bangs and reparted my hair down the center just so it *wouldn't* look like Livia's! My hair has been your basic bob for about four years."}, {"response": 159, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (17:01)", "body": "A belated happy birthday, Ann. Sounds like you had a v. fine day! And a big pat on the back to you, Winter. Marcia, your pic is lovely (I'll take 2 blue T's in a medium--kidding). Evelyn, good idea about SLOW. Remember SusanMC's idea a month or two ago? \"Firth Fans Finance Foundering Flick?\" (Arami) He was still very polite and extremely obliging, but appeared slightly tired. To be expected, I would think, but not the least bit disappointing. I'm looking forward to the details. Renate, do you still plan to put the 3DOR pics up on-line somehow(when you catch your breath, that is)? I have a bunch from e-mail (thanks again, Marcia) but the more the merrier!"}, {"response": 160, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (18:49)", "body": "Arami, we are counting on your critical eye to give us a few thoughts on 3DOR. (We know you have them) Is Colin still dear to your heart after meeting him or not? Did you speak to him? Will you still keep your Darcy posters up in your house? :-D Come, come, Arami, tell us more."}, {"response": 161, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (19:16)", "body": "I understand our DB had a sore throat and was losing his voice, a nightmare scenario for any actor, so one can't blame him for not being quite so full of fun as he was on the 6th and after 14 performances too and 14 nights signing programmes and smiling. Elena I would love to have some photos, would you kindly let me have your email address and I will send you my postal address, thanks very much."}, {"response": 162, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (19:17)", "body": "And Renate. Or has everyone got a touch of firth stress syndrome."}, {"response": 163, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (22:02)", "body": "I understand our DB had a sore throat and was losing his voice Ann, where did you get this from? I mean: did somebody in the audience tell you that he had problems with his voice? In that case it must have been pretty bad. Poor Colin!"}, {"response": 164, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (22:08)", "body": "I understand our DB had a sore throat and was losing his voice Po' baby...don't y'all wish y'all could have been there to kiss it and make it all better? :-) ** A horror scene, when he had to do two shows on Saturday!!"}, {"response": 165, "author": "chloeb", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (22:20)", "body": "I went to see the play on the last performance on Sat night and can confirm that he did have a sore throat. However, he battled through it valiantly and his voice luckily held out - in fact, dare I say it, it actually sounded really rather sexy and did no great harm to his US accent. I am sure he didn;t feel too good though, as it did sound really quite painful, especially in the moments where he had to loudly project his voice. The audience I am sure feeling for him gave a resounding amount of applause."}, {"response": 166, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (22:33)", "body": "Arami, don\ufffdt torture us with your silence, tell us please! Or has the famous 3DOR stress syndrome (!!) caught you too? Btw, I had the syndrome pretty bad, in fact for a moment I felt so confused after London that I thought my biggest and hottest days as a fan are over. But I think I\ufffdm recovering now, with a little help from a wise friend."}, {"response": 167, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (22:37)", "body": "Oh, thank you Chloe. What else happened, did you stay after the performance and did he sign programs etc.?"}, {"response": 168, "author": "chloeb", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (23:18)", "body": "No I didn;t stay behind for an autograph, as it was the last night I thought that the cast and friends would probably be keen to get off to a last night party or something as soon as possible. Besides, the foyer was packed and wouldn;t have been conducive for photos etc which is what I would have really liked. Colin's performance, despite his sore throat was still very powerful and as I say I found him even sexier with a croaky voice! Livia was there (as one would expect on a last night) I also spotted John Malkovitch (?sp) outside chatting to Livia and a friend of hers. However for a last night it was surprisingly un-luvvyish - most of the audience were normal folk!"}, {"response": 169, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (23:59)", "body": "Does anyone know if Colin will fly out here to LA for the Oscars?"}, {"response": 170, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (00:04)", "body": "The other Valmont...mmmm, interesting! Do they know each other? This 3DOR stress syndrome...what exactly are the symptoms? As one (of the few!)who has not had a close encounter with the Man Himself, I'd like to know. His performance seems not to have disappointed, you've met him and he's been very obliging and polite, and if he's not really the handsome Mr Darcy, well, he still looks pretty good to me. Is it his sheer normality, the fact that he walks away from the theatre with his wife, and goes back to a flat in Hackney or Islington or wherever, that takes away some of the magic and mystery? Perhaps he should have dashed past you in dark glasses and leaped into a limo? :-) And do you adjust to the reality....the reality sounds rather charming to me! But I wasn't there!!"}, {"response": 171, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (00:13)", "body": "(Winter)What was the extent of your \"meeting Colin?\" 'Fess up! Firth of all, let me add my congrats to everyone else's - I understand you've gone another rung up on the egghead ladder. The extent of my meeting Colin was, erm, average. (Elena) PLEASE, tell us in detail what happened on Friday, or didn\ufffdt happen. LOL! All right - I'll tell you what didn't happen - it will be a veeeeeeeeery looooooooooong story... (Moon Dreams) we are counting on your critical eye to give us a few thoughts on 3DOR. (We know you have them) The play or the production? Is Colin still dear to your heart after meeting him or not? He is. Did you speak to him? I did. Will you still keep your Darcy posters up in your house? :-D Oh, yes, definitely! (Elena)has the famous 3DOR stress syndrome (!!) caught you too? Like an attack of post-Colin depression, right? Those moments of howling anger and despair: why is there apparently only one such near-perfect specimen (NOT perfect - that would be boring!) that I know about, and why isn't he mine? It takes a lot of concentration and clear thinking to banish the resulting uncharitable thoughts..."}, {"response": 172, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (02:04)", "body": "Thank you Chole for giving us a peak on the closing night."}, {"response": 173, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (04:00)", "body": "I too find it very intriguing that John Malkovich (the lesser Valmont) was there. The Donmar sounds like the place to be. (Has HBC dumped KB?) Although I'm just a little bit sad that it's all over, I await with great anticipation news of what he'll do next. It is impossible that we'll go back to nothing again, isn't it?"}, {"response": 174, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (08:33)", "body": "(Bethan)Perhaps he should have dashed past you in dark glasses and leaped into a limo? :-) No ! What a horrible thought! (Arami)...He is...I did... Lady, are you playing hard-to-get games with us?! :-( (Evelyn) Thank you Chole for giving us a peak on the closing night. Indeed, I add my thanks."}, {"response": 175, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (13:35)", "body": "Arami, you know us well enough by now to know that we want ALL the details! How was the production? Did you like his acting? What exactly did you say to him, and what did he answer? (I hope thus helps):-) Chloe, thanks for your report. Did he get the most applause at the end? Do you happen to know where the closing party was and who attended? As Heide said, the Donmar was the place to be. Renate and Kirsten, we look forward to your reports."}, {"response": 176, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (14:09)", "body": "(Gi)(Arami)...He is...I did... Lady, are you playing hard-to-get games with us?! :-( Yes, Arami, out with it! Out with it! You know how we are! (Elena) in fact for a moment I felt so confused after London that I thought my biggest and hottest days as a fan are over. I'm intrigued by this. Winter, I believe you made comments along these lines regarding the LA premiere (thought you'd stop posting at Drool, felt somewhat guilty, etc.). I would think the experience of meeting Firth-in-the-flesh would heighten one's fan-dom. Or is meeting him the pinnacle and after that everything else is a letdown (at least initially)? I see by the posts that everyone is reacting differently to their 3DOR experience but as one who still worships from afar (you're not alone, Be han), I'm curious."}, {"response": 177, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (15:06)", "body": "It's not so much of a let-down as it was a realization of how real he is, and that engaging in fervent drooling over him made me feel...guilty. Can't explain this well enough, maybe it's the ex-Catholic in me. ;-)"}, {"response": 178, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (16:24)", "body": "PREMIERE MAGAZINE (US)April, 1999 has just published a list of the \"Critic's Choice\" :The Nation's Top Critics Rate the 100 Most Noteworthy Films of 1998. #1 SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE #2. Pvt. Ryan LOL Remember last year we were all moping around 'cause the same list had rated ATA #94 in 1997!! TEP was #1 the year before that. And #100 this year is \"The Avengers\". (Sorry, Rafe) Let's hope ODB stays up there for '99."}, {"response": 179, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (16:35)", "body": "One more thing.... THE GENERAL directed by John Boorman is #8. Karen tells me this film took tops at Cannes.Mr. Boorman is the gentleman with whom Colin is enthusiastically shaking hands in the 3 DOR pictures.He attended on Saturday night and K. took the pic. Someone overheard Mr. Boorman congratulating Colin on his performance. Perhaps.....this will produce something positive for Colin. It was really v. courageous of him to take this role. On the other hand also v. astute instead of taking on an old chestnut (another Ibsen!!), he selected a play no one haad ever done before...the London debut for the author.The NY Times compared the author, Richard Greenberg, as the new Edward Albee.!!"}, {"response": 180, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (20:07)", "body": "Ohmygod, that is one of the reasons I hardly ever go to the theatre in Lisbon: Ibsen and Tcheckov! The main reason is poor acting. They can make you cringe like chalk on board, or go to sleep over a Shakespeare commedy."}, {"response": 181, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (20:10)", "body": "Now, what would I give to be in the same room as Colin and John Malkovitch! Do you think JM knows that Colin categorized his performance as making all those \"boo-hissy faces.\" BTW, I saw \"Cruel Intentions\" yesterday. Funny thing is that the reviewers keep saying that this one is true to the book. Not quite! Actually, this Valmont is closer to Forman's interpretation, i.e., you really like him and there is no doubt whatsoever that he really loves the Madame de Tourvel character who is called Annette H rgrove (Reese Witherspoon). Ending is definitely not the book, not Frears and not Forman. Totally different. But I kind of liked the movie. Go see. Now I only have to find the Roger Vadim version and I will have seen them all!"}, {"response": 182, "author": "Adi", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (20:41)", "body": "with the help of Marcia I'm trying to delurk. Sorry about my English, I should have paid more attention in English classes... I saw SIL here in Israel yesterday with two of my friends (a male and a female) and I liked it very much! the female friend and I both agreed that Colin looked great, not at all fat! the male friend thought he played just fine and was very surprised when I told him about TW and GR being Oscar nominees. He didn't even notice them until I told him they are playing in the movie. The only problem in the movie was actually the translation of Colin's name. CF name was written like that: Colin Firs (and this is after P&P, TEP, ATA, and FP were released here with no problem what so ever with Colin's name!) Nobody here (except my friends and family I think) know who CF is, this is quite frustrating. Arami, please tell us more!"}, {"response": 183, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (20:51)", "body": "Adi, welcome! I'm glad Marcia brought you in!"}, {"response": 184, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (20:59)", "body": "Ladies , thank you all so much for your recent good wishes and thoughts ( Ben too,) that you have so kindly posted. They meant a great deal to me , and obviously worked as my mother has recovered. I have read the MAMMOTH backlog of posts, which as usual, makes riveting reading. I will relate an amusing anecdote re the sending of the flowers, but now I must sort out and send my photos, or I fear I will never be allowed on here again!!!"}, {"response": 185, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (21:04)", "body": "Welcome Adi, you have found a wonderful group with which to share your passion. They are supportive , kind and sensitive (to name a few ) but then what other kind of people could Colin attract as his fans? O.K. O.K I'm going to go and send off those photos, ..... really!!!"}, {"response": 186, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (21:11)", "body": "Sorry if I haven't posted anything yet. I am still trying to sort out myself and my memories. There was hardly any time to think during the 4 Days of Sunshine in London, and I need it badly. Also need some time to fight the Post-Donmar-Blues. But I promise to post a report, later."}, {"response": 187, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (21:19)", "body": "Renate, we await your report very eagerly!"}, {"response": 188, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (21:20)", "body": "Adi dear, thanks for taking the plunge. You are just what we needed. Renate, was CF there?"}, {"response": 189, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (21:23)", "body": "Lizza, glad you are back and that all is well with your mother. An amusing anecdote, do not keep us waiting long. :-D Welcome Adi, what part of Israel are you from? Have the reviews for SIL been positive? (Karen), Now, what would I give to be in the same room as Colin and John Malkovitch! Me too! And, to be a mind-reader. ;-)"}, {"response": 190, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (21:26)", "body": "(Renate),I am still trying to sort out myself and my memories. Sounds serious Renate, I hope we will all be of help. (The Firthettes to the rescue!)"}, {"response": 191, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (22:21)", "body": "(Renate)I am still trying to sort out myself and my memories...also need some time to fight the Post-Donmar-Blues. Renate, that sounds familiar, but it\ufffdll pass. I\ufffdm really looking forward to hearing anything you want to tell us......I think the reason for the blues is simply that meeting one\ufffds idol is such a huge thing that one\ufffds mind demands a moment of peace to deal with it. Also, there is the paradox that it\ufffds so easy to feel very close to someone from afar, but meeting him in real life reveals the factual distance. Gi, thanks for the photos, I received them today. Absolutely STRANGE to see myself in the same picture with Colin and Boorman! Can\ufffdt be true!!!!! And still it was. It\ufffds funny, I know Boorman\ufffds unusual face well from movies but at that moment I did not recognize him, my mind was totally *somewhere* else. And I\ufffdm still wondering about that moustached chap in the pictures, he\ufffds everywhere, doing nothing, just looking around. A bodyguard, I say."}, {"response": 192, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (23:04)", "body": "Elena, I wondered about him, too. He does seem to be in them all (photos). But he is not staring sternly in the opposite direction like the ones guarding our officials do. Perhaps he is a groupie and we just have not found their website. That would be amazing reading....Eeeek!"}, {"response": 193, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (00:43)", "body": "(Elena) one\ufffds mind demands a moment of peace to deal with it. *That* is the essential point. Neither I - nor anybody of you I guess - had time enough to deal with it when it happened. \"Nothing is real before it passed through our imagination\", to quote dear Stephen Whalby. (Does anyone recall the correct quote?) As much fun as it was, lets face it, it's a heavy stress for many of us. I hope I can make it for chat tomorrow, but surely not before 10, 10.30pm local time. Susan, are you there? I've got something for you :-). Email me with your snail mail address."}, {"response": 194, "author": "EllieP", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (01:49)", "body": "I have been a lurker for a long time, wanting to post, really intimidated by all the creative, witty women in your group. Felt I never had anything to contribute until Evelyn suggested I share a tid-bit about the London trip. Have a friendin another group, who went to London, and told me about one of the girls was having a smoke upstairs & looking down at Colin. Inadvertantly, she whispered her thoughts aloud saying\"isn't he wonderful\" Livia was standing nearby and leaned over to her and said \"NOT ALW YS\". Well, I am sure any woman can relate, when someone is waxing, ad nauseum, about your DH or significant other. Proves tho that she feels very comfortable in her marriage to say what she wishes--when she wished. Well, I have made my debut !! Ta"}, {"response": 195, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (02:00)", "body": "Welcome EllieP. We love having you. STick around . (Have to brag that EllieP. is also a JE fan!!) **** I think the Livia comment is priceless . And shows that she has a wonderful sense of humor and is indeed, a v. secure person in her marriage. I have great admiration for her.And she certainly takes good care of ODB. A devoted and handsome couple."}, {"response": 196, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (02:20)", "body": "EllieP, if you have chatted at length with me, you have made me very happy with your maiden post. What a joy to see you! When I first posted I was lucky to get out a line or two. Your story is priceless! How charming and disarming it is and how human the two of them are. I just love it. Made my entire week, dear!"}, {"response": 197, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (07:12)", "body": "(EllieP) Well, I have made my debut !! And what a debut it was :-). Thanks for sharing that funny story. (definitely needed it after a harried day.) And Adi, welcome to you. Your English is wonderful, and I'm glad you decided to join us. Two lovely newbies - a red letter day :-)"}, {"response": 198, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (07:50)", "body": "Welcome Adi! Welcome Ellie! So happy to have you both here! Any L.A. lurkers around? I've still got an extra seat or two available for our get-together this Saturday. Email me."}, {"response": 199, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (07:55)", "body": "Welcome Ellie and Adi, the more the merrier, wee must unite to get this adorable man more well known and appreciated all over the world well not too well known, I don't think any of us want him to to be a Hollywood superstar, whatever that is. Renate we all or nearly all felt that same way as you after meeting the man himself but it will pass and you will once again be eager for news of new projects etc. BTW we haven't heard from Mannon for a while, are you still there Mannon and is Colin fairly well kn wn in Australia?"}, {"response": 200, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (08:54)", "body": "Adi, Ellie, Welcome! Ellie,I think your story about Livia is one of the best and most heartening stories I have heard. Wasn't it NH who said that she was like CF in being smart, worldly and self-deprecating? That remark says it all. Adi, What are the reviews like in Israel for SIL?"}, {"response": 201, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (12:02)", "body": "(Livia)\"NOT ALWAYS\" Ellie, that was great! Makes me love her husband even more (!), and Livia begins to seem more and more like the right one for him. But I\ufffdm endlessly curious, forgive me---what did your friend answer to that then??? I\ufffdd love to know exactly what makes Livia say such a thing...."}, {"response": 202, "author": "Mannen", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (12:29)", "body": "Hi, Yes, I'm still here! I've had the flu- Nothing personal. I've just been reading through some of this stuff. I can't believe some of you guys have actually met him! Now, can I have a truthful answer? In real life, close up, are the hands as perfect as they seem in movies and pictures???? Ellie, I loved the story! For some reason I don't think we get to hear enough about Livia... She sounds like a real character. It's not wrong to want to know more about the lovely lady who has captured our favourite actor's heart, is it? I understand Colin is quite big in Australia. (He should be - they've shown P&P enough times - not that there's anything wrong with that!) The only trouble is that we miss out on all the interesting things like Movie premiers and theatre reviews. It is SO unfair. To all those fortunate people who met the man himself, you have my unswerving envy. Can anyone PLEASE tell me any news on upcoming work of his. I might be going to Germany next month and would gladly drop in on London when I'm passing, if he was in town. (At least I'd be on the right side of the hemisphere - Unless, Colin decides that he and Livia deserve a tranquil retreat to Australia's Port Douglas... Just as I'm buckling my seatbelt on the 747 to Germany.) Can anyone tell me the rough age of ladies in drool? I've got an incling that I could be the new baby, but do not be prejudiced."}, {"response": 203, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (13:36)", "body": "Welcome Ellie, I also enjoyed your comment."}, {"response": 204, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (14:24)", "body": "Welcome home, Renate! (Elena) meeting one\ufffds idol is such a huge thing that one\ufffds mind demands a moment of peace to deal with it. Also, there is the paradox that it\ufffds so easy to feel very close to someone from afar, but meeting him in real life reveals the factual distance. An insightful comment, Elena. Welcome, Adi and Ellie. Good for you, Ellie, you did it! I loved your story as well. She does keep him grounded, doesn't she? Now that you've crossed the threshold, Ellie, I hope you keep posting. Glad you're feeling better, Mannen. Age, shmage! Don't think about it!"}, {"response": 205, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (16:12)", "body": "Ellie, I'm glad you posted, and hope you'll keep it up,your debut was delightful Drool is getting more and more international, isn't it,with Mannen and Adi joining the group. Mannen, I once knew a comics magazine that contended it was for people from 7 to 77. Drool only asks that you are over the legal age for drinking."}, {"response": 206, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (17:00)", "body": "Renate, I just email'd you my snail mail address. You are truly a dear! Looking forward to that report when you've recovered sufficiently."}, {"response": 207, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (17:12)", "body": "Welcome Adi and EllieP. How wonderful to have two new ex-lurkers joining us for the post-London debriefings! Remember to check out the other topics: film discussions, keepsakes, and the always popular Darcy Drool--that's what brought us in and will forever keep us here. Great to have you back, Lizza, and great to hear that your mother is better. We anxiously await seeing your pictures. ***If anyone wants their pictures posted like I did for mine, let me know**** (Elena) And I\ufffdm still wondering about that moustached chap in the pictures, he\ufffds everywhere, doing nothing, just looking around. A bodyguard, I say. No, hon, he is definitely someone's husband. I'd give you the woman's name, but I'd have to shoot you afterward. ;-) (EllieP)Livia was standing nearby and leaned over to her and said \"NOT ALW YS\". What a fabulous comment!! Does make one wonder what Colin does that would make her say that. Perhaps, he's difficult to live with when he is getting into a role, tends to act out at home or something like that... Can't imagine that he refuses to take out the trash. ;-) Time for another Letterman-like list: Ten Top Reasons Why Livia Would Say CF Was Not Always Wonderful (aside from the fact that he's just human! ;-)) (Gi) I once knew a comics magazine that contended it was for people from 7 to 77. I'm in there! ;-D"}, {"response": 208, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (17:26)", "body": "Welcome Ellie, as you can tell, we just \"hoover\" up any news of ODB and that was a real goody. Any takers yet on why he is difficult to live with?"}, {"response": 209, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (17:34)", "body": "Surely we are not going to take the word of that Telegraph woman on how ODB is to live with. As for Livia, she doesn't look as if she is having a hard time of it. My DH is hard to live with but he is adorable in spite of that and I am a saint;-)"}, {"response": 210, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (17:40)", "body": "Karen, photos have begun their journey to drool at last. I was going to post about the flowers, so here goes. When I ordered them, I was waiting smugly for the florist's gasp of recognition as I said his name. Instead she said sharply \"How are you spelling that name?\" I was instantly brought back to earth with the realisation that there ARE people out there who don't know (or care) who he is!!! On reading the message back to me she said \"Colin Frith\" and I shrieked \"it's FIRTH\" . \"oh I know how to spell it \" she answered, \"It's just that I don't know how to say it.\" These little encounters with reality are very good for me!! In case you are all screaming out in mock horror at my choice of London florists, they did come recommended!! Anyway they certainly know one end of a gerbera from another, even if completely unaware of the sensual appeal of a threadbare green jumper and damp curling tendrils!!!"}, {"response": 211, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (17:44)", "body": "Renate, we all have shared what you are going through at some time or another but we are eager for anything you want to share with us. Hopefully you will put us out of our misery fairly soon!!"}, {"response": 212, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (18:18)", "body": "Karen, my pics should be there, I sent about 7 or 9 of them last week to the drool address. Please let me know if you can\ufffdt find them."}, {"response": 213, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (18:22)", "body": "Mannen, the reason why I asked if Colin is well known in Australia is because the Austalian reviews for SIL seem to give more credit to Colin than say the American ones. I guess Colin still isn't very well known in the States and he has had Fever Pitch released in Australia, have you seen it? Age makes no difference here you are as old or as young as you feel here."}, {"response": 214, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (22:12)", "body": "Can anyone explain to me why I cannot get on Chat WITHOUT accepting \"A pair of Colin's dirty nickers?\" AAHHH what is going on?"}, {"response": 215, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (22:14)", "body": "We will ask our geeky friends to check it. I recommend not to use chat until then. We can always set up a list meanwhile. Email me all who have been in chat right now."}, {"response": 216, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (22:18)", "body": "Lizza, what did you write on the card? Renate, please come back to us soon. :-D Karen that sounds like a top ten list that we could have with. ;-) Why don't you start."}, {"response": 217, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (22:19)", "body": "good question Lizza. I checked out and came back with Valmont all over my screen. Strange. Did anyone els came over from chat?"}, {"response": 218, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (22:21)", "body": "We will ask our geeky friends to check it. I recommend not to use chat until then. We can always set up a list meanwhile. Email me all who have been in chat right now."}, {"response": 219, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (22:22)", "body": "Renate tried to email you but it was rejected, will try again."}, {"response": 220, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (22:25)", "body": "Ooops. I did not post this one again. I've been back to chat, and have seen that Valmont thing. Someone is trying to play tricks on us. Best would be we ignore it. There's always the private mail option. I'll ask our geeky friends to set up a mailing list for us until this is over."}, {"response": 221, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (22:30)", "body": "Renate, your e-mail was returned. I'm having the same problem Lizza is having."}, {"response": 222, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (22:30)", "body": "(Renate) I'll ask our geeky friends to set up a mailing list for us until this is over Is that something that will work for now? Or only later, tomorrow perhaps?"}, {"response": 223, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (22:32)", "body": "Ooops. I did not post this one again. I've been back to chat, and have seen that Valmont thing. Someone is trying to play tricks on us. Best would be we ignore it. There's always the private mail option. I'll ask our geeky friends to set up a mailing list for us until this is over."}, {"response": 224, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (22:35)", "body": "Hi, is it not enough that my computer throws me off line more often than not, and now we have to get thrown out of chat by some stupid jerk whose idea of fun is to cause chaos in a roomful of women?"}, {"response": 225, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (22:36)", "body": "Got your mail, Kirsten. Apparently mine has been sent to everyone? i don't know Carola's, though."}, {"response": 226, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (22:37)", "body": "Ooops. I did not post this one again. I've been back to chat, and have seen that Valmont thing. Someone is trying to play tricks on us. Best would be we ignore it. There's always the private mail option. I'll ask our geeky friends to set up a mailing list for us until this is over."}, {"response": 227, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (22:38)", "body": "Excuse my speech impediment. Rare kind of stutter :-)."}, {"response": 228, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (22:38)", "body": "Checked my computer for viruses, but I have only an old version of the virus scanner, this might be a good time to look for an update."}, {"response": 229, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (22:41)", "body": "Well I suppose that's it then for today. Will have another try tomorrow. See you then."}, {"response": 230, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (22:41)", "body": "Excuse my speech impediment. Rare kind of stutter :-)."}, {"response": 231, "author": "Mannen", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (22:45)", "body": "(I haven't mastered the italics bit yet, so please bear with me.) Ann, I loved Fever Pitch. Although Mr Darcy is (for most) the average woman's ideal man, Paul showed Colin in a different light, which I found fascinating. He seemed more approachable. (and I'm not referring to Darcy's brooding scowl either!)More real. The Australian reviews for SIL were quite good. One actually made reference to 'the most popular man that women want to see naked was old Mr Riding-Breeches himself, Colin Firth.' -trying out a somewhat different role as the villian Wessex. Speaking for myself, I agree 100%. I think Colin would be difficult to live with as he strikes me as being quite a serious person. I mean, I've heard he has a great sense of humour and everything, but he seems the type to take work and life in general very seriously. (Other than that, I can't possibly see what Livia's talking about. In the same situation, I'm certain I'd be blissfully content wearing my rose-coloured glasses for the rest of my life.) In pictures of Mr and Mrs Firth, she always looks very mischievous and he appears more th -dare I say it- \"father figure\". How much younger than he, is Livia? It seems like she would enjoy teasing, if not shocking him."}, {"response": 232, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (22:48)", "body": "Moon, I got through now, hope you did too."}, {"response": 233, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (22:53)", "body": "I have been having the same troubles you all have and I have just gotten a flood of Email which was piled up somewhere with the chat problem! Answering them as quickly as possible!"}, {"response": 234, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (22:55)", "body": "(Mannen)an anyone tell me the rough age of ladies in drool? Sorry, that's classified material...Top Secret:-)) (Gi) I once knew a comics magazine that contended it was for people from 7 to 77. (Karen)I'm in there! ;-D So am I :-) ****** Why Livia said...\"Not Always\" I bet he leaves the toilet seat up and socks on the floor...like every other man. *** Welcome Adie , pardon my bad manners. (I already welcomed EllieP. who has been a JE Lending Library patron.) *****"}, {"response": 235, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (23:17)", "body": "Mannon, I believe Livia is 28 although she looks much younger and Colin is 38 and looks about 32."}, {"response": 236, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (23:19)", "body": "Hopeless! Can\ufffdt stay in Chat for more than two minutes before something strange happens again and again, like getting into a Virtual London tour when posting a message. Better keep away."}, {"response": 237, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (23:21)", "body": "(Ann)I believe Livia is 28 Excuse me...Livia is 29. But does look 16.He is 9 years older than she...or so reported in an article."}, {"response": 238, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (23:26)", "body": "Yes, I think we should leave chat alone for a while. The geeks will see to it. But I don't know why I shouldn't talk about him here. Again: CF gave a brilliant performance at the Donmar, even with a bad cold. It is a pity he doesn't do more theatre. He has a great stage presence, is full of energy, commanding the room."}, {"response": 239, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (23:27)", "body": "I got the same London Tour Elena, think I will call it a day, the hacker has won! Good night all."}, {"response": 240, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (23:29)", "body": "Excuse me...Livia is 29. But does look 16 I was also surprised how young she looks: I would believe 16 every time. And she is indeed very, very pretty."}, {"response": 241, "author": "EllieP", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (23:48)", "body": "Renate-I have tried e-mailing you 3 times-per your request for difficulties at chat. I was refused with the claim that your e-mail address was mispelled. Perhaps the problem is on my end-maybe it's the y2k compliant"}, {"response": 242, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (00:43)", "body": "I hope whoever is screwing up Chat doesn't find us here. They would indeed have a field day. Welcome Adi! I believe you've posted here once before a little while back. I'm glad to see you've decided to stay. Welcome Ellie! It didn't take you too long to get here. Don't let our bad jokes fool you into thinking we're particularly bright. We just know each other and you will soon too. Mannen, I've always envied the laid-back Australian lifestyle. They can gleefully refer to him as the man most women want to see naked and not feel they have to apologize about it. We have a few other Aussies here who will make themselves known occasionally. Loved Ellie's story. Can it mean he's...gasp...human? Perhaps he nags her about smoking. There's nothing worse than a reformed smoker (ducking for cover). Lizza, loved your flower story too. Frith...Firth....the lady must have had a speech impediment. I have an extra program, unsigned unfortunately. Any takers? E-mail me."}, {"response": 243, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (00:54)", "body": "I hope whoever is screwing up Chat doesn't find us here. They would indeed have a field day. I wonder if someone is saving the new messages daily? Karen, Heide, do you know? It was started after the disappearance of boards way back when. Is it still continued? Not only had I the trouble with chat, but my program went mad reposting and reposting the same messages here, and then I had a *VERY* strange call of someone who told me *not* to quit the line for the next 45 minutes because of technical reasons.... how stupid can someone be?"}, {"response": 244, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (01:07)", "body": "Another link in chat you are transported to: Marcia's musical flute. To all in chat who emailed me: Please forgive me if I don't answer all mails you sent me during this interruption."}, {"response": 245, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (01:15)", "body": "the man most women want to see naked Why? O:-)"}, {"response": 246, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (02:18)", "body": "FINALLY! I have made it though all the posts and gotten caught up! It's been so easy to get behind during the last week or so. Karen- love the idea for the top ten list! who's going to start it? Lizza- I'm so happy your mum's doing better! And do tell us what you wrote to Colin on the card! (loved the Frith/Firth story, btw) :) Adi- Welcome! Your English is lovely (in truth, you write as clearly as I do, and I have not your excellent excuse!) I am always impressed with people who can communicate in several languages. I attempted to learn German once, but after a couple of months my teacher bribed me with a passing grade if I promised never to take any of her classes again. (some lame excuse about me obviously not getting it) :) Elli- Welcome also! I loved your Livia story! I must admit she intrigues me. What is this woman like, the one who stole ODB's heart? I too would like to hear more about your friend's conversation with her. Heidi- I would very much like to have the extra program if it's still available, I shall email you the moment I get home. (-currently trapped at work. I think my company should be obligated to help support my CF habit as part of its mental and physical health program!) :) Ann- A Very Happy (and very late) Birthday! Many, many returns of the day! Jenn- Yippee! Congratulations! Go bake on Hawaii for a while to celebrate. Maybe take a stroll in Hilo, take in a softball game, drop by to chat with the lovely lady running the tee shirt/baseball hat stand. :) Just a suggestion."}, {"response": 247, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (02:35)", "body": "I just came from chat but didn't see anything about Valmont. Nan and Myr had been there so perhaps they took care of the problem. Marcia e-mailed me a picture of the group at 3DOR. Good looking bunch. Did Myretta or Nan go? When are the pics going to be posted?"}, {"response": 248, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (02:36)", "body": "Welcome Adi and Ellie and thanks ellie for that priceless insight... --Difficult to live with?? I suppose it depends on your temperament and what time of the month it is... I would guess his tendency to wax passionate about certain issues combined with his being so articulate about his views...(remember, Kate complained that she could NEVER win an argument with him?...) might seem troublesome at times. I suspect he would probably have a tendency to analyze things to death. And given the about-turns and his ability to see both side of an issue might render life with him a bit--um--confusing at times. Maybe he just keeps knocking over the salt shaker during dinner discussio s... But since she seems goodhumored about his faults--whatever they are-- I'm sure he knows how to make it up to her--thoroughly. :-)"}, {"response": 249, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (02:37)", "body": "(Renate) I wonder if someone is saving the new messages daily? Karen, Heide, do you know? It was started after the disappearance of boards way back when. Is it still continued? We had it set up so that all the boards were automatically saved every night. You might have to check with Terry to see if he turned it off. I don't have the access I need to check myself, sorry. Renate contacted me about the weirdness of chat. Near as I can tell, some wiseass is having a good time at our expense. I doubt it's some 16 year old boy--who, I imagine, would rather harass the DiCaprio chatrooms. I'm sorry I wasn't there to deal with it, ladies. Pity, because I'm in just the right mood to kick some troll butt. In fact, were I not on a public board I would be swearing like a sailor. Anyway, there were 2 problems: 1) Being rerouted to other pages (the Marcia Musical Flute and Tower of London Pages). The records show that someone who logged in as \"Ellie\" embedded a meta tag in her post that sent everyone to those other URLs and 2) Someone logging in as \"Lilith\" embedded a Javascript message into her post about the server being down. So every time you tried to refresh the page, one of those 2 things would happen. So, it isn't anything horrible...just some douche who has nothing better to do. (pardon the vulgarity, but it was either that or the F word). If I'm around, I can get rid of those people, but when I'm not you are free to use the Exile board...though that's not really a chat room. If you want I can set up an additional chat room for just such emergencies (the location of which we can circulate in email) or I can set up a mailing list. Whichever you prefer. Let me know. BTW, sorry I haven't been around. Glad you all enjoyed 3DOR. Sorry I missed it. And Evelyn, thanks for the program you excellent creature! ;-)"}, {"response": 250, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (02:43)", "body": "Nan You left chat just when I logged on. I had no problems though, I thought you and Myr might have solved it."}, {"response": 251, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (02:44)", "body": "(Renate) I wonder if someone is saving the new messages daily? Karen, Heide, do you know? It was started after the disappearance of boards way back when. Is it still continued? We had it set up so that all the boards were automatically saved every night. You might have to check with Terry to see if he turned it off. I don't have the access I need to check myself, sorry. Renate contacted me about the weirdness of chat. Near as I can tell, some wiseass is having a good time at our expense. I doubt it's some 16 year old boy--who, I imagine, would rather harass the DiCaprio chatrooms. I'm sorry I wasn't there to deal with it, ladies. Pity, because I'm in just the right mood to kick some troll butt. In fact, were I not on a public board I would be swearing like a sailor. Anyway, there were 2 problems: 1) Being rerouted to other pages (the Marcia Musical Flute and Tower of London Pages). The records show that someone who logged in as \"Ellie\" embedded a meta tag in her post that sent everyone to those other URLs and 2) Someone logging in as \"Lilith\" embedded a Javascript message into her post about the server being down. So every time you tried to refresh the page, one of those 2 things would happen. So, it isn't anything horrible...just some douche who has nothing better to do. (pardon the vulgarity, but it was either that or the F word). If I'm around, I can get rid of those people, but when I'm not you are free to use the Exile board...though that's not really a chat room. If you want I can set up an additional chat room for just such emergencies (the location of which we can circulate in email) or I can set up a mailing list. Whichever you prefer. Let me know. BTW, sorry I haven't been around. Glad you all enjoyed 3DOR. Sorry I missed it. And Evelyn, thanks for the program you excellent creature! ;-)"}, {"response": 252, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (02:47)", "body": "Lizza I'm glad to hear that your mother is better."}, {"response": 253, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (02:53)", "body": "(Renate) I wonder if someone is saving the new messages daily? Karen, Heide, do you know? It was started after the disappearance of boards way back when. Is it still continued? We had it set up so that all the boards were automatically saved every night. You might have to check with Terry to see if he turned it off. I don't have the access I need to check myself, sorry. Renate contacted me about the weirdness of chat. Near as I can tell, some wiseass is having a good time at our expense. I doubt it's some 16 year old boy--who, I imagine, would rather harass the DiCaprio chatrooms. I'm sorry I wasn't there to deal with it, ladies. Pity, because I'm in just the right mood to kick some troll butt. In fact, were I not on a public board I would be swearing like a sailor. Anyway, there were 2 problems: 1) Being rerouted to other pages (the Marcia Musical Flute and Tower of London Pages). The records show that someone who logged in as \"Ellie\" embedded a meta tag in her post that sent everyone to those other URLs and 2) Someone logging in as \"Lilith\" embedded a Javascript message into her post about the server being down. So every time you tried to refresh the page, one of those 2 things would happen. So, it isn't anything horrible...just some douche who has nothing better to do. (pardon the vulgarity, but it was either that or the F word). If I'm around, I can get rid of those people, but when I'm not you are free to use the Exile board...though that's not really a chat room. If you want I can set up an additional chat room for just such emergencies (the location of which we can circulate in email) or I can set up a mailing list. Whichever you prefer. Let me know. BTW, sorry I haven't been around. Glad you all enjoyed 3DOR. Sorry I missed it. And Evelyn, thanks for the program you excellent creature! ;-)"}, {"response": 254, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (02:56)", "body": "Dammit! Now it's double-posting in here. Technology is pissing me off today."}, {"response": 255, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (05:05)", "body": "Maybe he's like my husband when he's not feeling well. Believe me I would rather have 6 sick kids than one sick husband. Perhaps that's what Livia is talking about when she said \"Not always.\""}, {"response": 256, "author": "SusanA", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (05:18)", "body": "I envy all of you who were lucky enough to see Colin Firth in person. I know that some of you felt that the experience was somewhat anti-climatic, but However, now that some time has passed how do you feel about it now? If you had a chance to do it over again would you or wouldn't you choose to see him in person? Happy Belated Birthday Anne. Lizza I\"m glad to hear your mother is improving."}, {"response": 257, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (05:59)", "body": "Happy BIrthday Ann.... Welcome new comers. I am so glad to have you post. I lurked for months.Everyone loves our DB that is why we are all here. I want to read the article where Livia says NOT ALWAYS... where is it. I have missed several days. I am having a crisis in my life that throws me around every now and then"}, {"response": 258, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (06:02)", "body": "Oh, please tell me what you got when you accessed Marcia's Magic Flute!!! I cannot imagine, but I sure would have chacked it offered the option! Sheer gall and other things I cannot say here. Susan A. Hello! Jenn and SBR come and join the fun in Hilo!!! Bring guaranteed sunshine!!! Is someone telling me not to post to much? Nan, we've missed you Dear!"}, {"response": 259, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (08:08)", "body": "Susan, hi and welcome, its wasn't that meeting Colin was an anti-climax, it was wonderful meeting him in person and seeing that he is actually more gorgeous i real life than on the screen, it was oh its hard to explain its just that one is so in awe and you feel things can't get better that this but they can and I am over it now and looking forward to his next project, next interview and MLSF,also his performance on stage was spell-binding and I think I was possibly in shock after meeting my and everyon else's favourite actor, how many people can say that. ."}, {"response": 260, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (08:49)", "body": "Nan, glad to have you with us - and a triple post can be nice sometimes;-)"}, {"response": 261, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (12:04)", "body": "Some thoughts about our 3DOR adventure (part I): I must confess I still have the feeling that all this hasn't happened to me really, it is as if I had just been to see another Colin Firth film. It's all at a distance, so unreal. Well, it really has been a \ufffddistance\" on Friday night because Renate, Carola (still a lurker at Spring, but you may know her from the chat) and I had seats in the circle, second row, left side. So we hardly could see what was happening on the left side of the stage - and there's much of the action - the view was disturbed by a g id railing, but on the other side we had a good view on what was going on on the gallery. But I must confess that I sometimes hardly could look at them there - since I can't stand heights myself I always thought they might fall down when they got too close to the edge because the railing ended half way through. After the show we went down to wait for CF. But as I knew before I felt that I couldn't by any chance ask for an autograph, not even take pictures, let alone ask for one with me and him. Though I know it's just \ufffdnormal fan-behaviour\" and really nothing despicable to do, I would have felt awkward to do things like this to a person to whom I am a complete stranger. So I gave my camera to Carola and positioned myself near the entrance door and restricted myself to watch Colin from a distance. But thought tha I would unquestionably be the only fan without an autograph of ODB although I had the opportunity to ask for it. But the autograph thing was not what me disappointed, what me really annoyed was my inability to overcome my shyness at such an opportunity. But all that really doesn't matter, I've seen him on stage and that's what I came for. (I'll try to post some of my thoughts about the play and the actors' performances later in the discussion. We will discuss it, won't we?) Saturday night we had the best possible places in the stalls, left side, first row just near the famous bed. I really relished this second performance. Not only because of the better point of view but because I was less excited than the day before. I tried to find out why and the only reason I could think of was that either it was because all this was so unreal or it was because seeing him acting was so familiar his mannerisms so well-known (although again Walker and Ned are completely different character from the ones we already knew) , a bit like watching a film with him only a bit closer. Though I was really worried about his voice in this performance. Especially in the first act where Walker has quite a lot to say and always in this excited way. Luckily it seemed to be easier in the second act since Ned is a less eloquent character although he couldn't help but clear his throat or even cough in that one too. But as Chloe said, his sore throat didn't affect his powerful performance in a bad way, it cou d have been part of the character."}, {"response": 262, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (12:05)", "body": "Some thoughts about our 3DOR adventure (part II): As the night before I didn't try to get near Colin but watched him from a distance when he finally came down to meet his fans. I was standing at the wall somewhere in the middle of the foyer. Although there were more fans I think than the evening before I could catch some very good looks at him. When he was still more in the back of the foyer I saw a little boy standing near me with something in his hands obviously waiting for an autograph and I was astonished to see him there since he seemed not to be a ypical Firth fan. Then I recognised the person on the photographs he was holding what even increased my astonishment because it was John Malkovich. But in the same moment I saw why he was there because JM just came down the stairs. He only signed one or two pictures but refused to sign more. I like the thought of Valmont meeting Valmont. When Colin passed by me on his way to the entrance there was a woman offering him a cough drop - what a nice idea - sorry, couldn't catch what she said but he replied smi ing \ufffdIt's a bit late now\" (something like that). And I saw him - only half way through with his fans - checking with the lady who was there to close the doors whether he could go on with his fans. He just sent her an enquiring look and she nodded generously (good girl ). And now another think which proves the character of a real friend (unlike me, the scaredy-cat). Saturday night Carola took my program with her to ask Colin to sign it for her \ufffdfriend who is too shy\" and he did (he even got my name right, good spelling job, Carola I hope you'll come out of lurkdom and tell the story in your own words.). And I didn't ask her for it! would never have dared! Although I'm usually not that keen on autographs it goes without saying that I surely am very happy to have that on , to have friends who take such a trouble for me and that I certainly keep it as a most precious treasure! Well, that's all I can think of at the moment. I fear my account is a bit muddled up. But I really feel like I have lived through this only in a state of a shock - you know like after an accident or some terrible event, when your mind tries to protect you from an emotional overflow by blocking out the reality, the excitement and nervousness is replaced by an apparent calmness but it also hinders you to take note in a proper way of what is happening around you. Though I really felt quite calm but also had he feeling like I was watching all this from an outsider position, as if I had not really been there. Really the feeling now is quite similar to the one before the trip when I only have read about your encounters. Strange. Well I don't know, that's just it. And it goes without saying that the whole weekend has been wonderful. Not only because of the play but very much also because we were able to meet some other Firth fans what has been quite an experience and I enjoyed it very much.."}, {"response": 263, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (13:55)", "body": "(Kirsten)what made me really annoyed was my inability to overcome my shyness at such an opportunity. But all that really doesn't matter, I've seen him on stage and that's what I came for.....I have lived through this only in a state of a shock Thank-you so much for your lovely and sincere report, Kirsten, it brought it all back to me like it was yesterday. Pity I didn\ufffdt make such a detailed report here on all that in time, don\ufffdt know if I could anymore. I\ufffdve been remembering the Donmar evening in bits and pieces and flashes, like \ufffdoh yes, that\ufffds how it was\ufffd, on and on. About shyness...I understand it well that you wanted just to watch him, not to go close or talk to him, and I do not think that you really missed anything important. Maybe I should\ufffdve done the same thing actually, or not meet him at all, cos it really was the play I went to see and the play was what he wanted to give to his audience in the first place. What I regret very much is that I didn\ufffdt take my tiny video camera with me and film the whole happening in the foyer!!! What an unique opportunity I lost."}, {"response": 264, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (15:22)", "body": "Thank you very much Kirsten for your lovely report! I have no doubt that I also would have been to shy to approach the DB, doubtless just being in the same room as him would have reduced me to a blathering idiot! How fortunate that you had a friend come to your rescue and secure his signature! (Carola, delurk already!) :)"}, {"response": 265, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (15:52)", "body": "Thanks you Kirsten. I'm not sure how I would act in such a situation. Would I be shy or would another persona come out and talk to him. I hope I will be lucky enough to find out in the future. ;-) Renate, do post here, we want to know more."}, {"response": 266, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (15:55)", "body": "TOP TEN REASONS WHY LIVIA THINKS COLIN IS NOT ALWAYS WONDERFUL: 10. He hides her cigarette packs. 9. He forbids her to say \ufffdIt\ufffds only a game\ufffd. 8. She wants to live in Chelsea he wants to live in Islington. 7. Hates Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary. 6. He confuses her panna cotta for cr\ufffdme brul\ufffde. 5. He hates Ramazzotti. 4.He takes her waxing appointments at the salon. 3.He wears those Arsenal boxers much too often. 2.He bites his nails. 1. He won\ufffdt do Darcy."}, {"response": 267, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (17:10)", "body": "LOL Moon over your top ten. Haven\ufffdt been able to post in a while, writing the paper from hell!! Happy Birthday Ann! Lizza, I hope your mother is doing better. Welcome to all the newbies. Kristen I got chills from reading your story and from anticipating what would happen next. I understand how your feel--my hands were shaking so much just from taking his picture I\ufffdm surprised anything showed up on the film."}, {"response": 268, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (17:55)", "body": "Welcome to all delurkers, it's good to have you along. Thanks for continued good wishes for my mother too. Nan, thanks for explaining last night's weird episode to us."}, {"response": 269, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (18:06)", "body": "Moon, what a great top ten. I can vouch that he doesn't have smelly feet (well not on March 6th) having been exceptionally close to them!! So Livia probably does not get wild about \"ripe\" socks. In one interview (Guardian?) it said he drinks Nescafe!!! Good God, I find that impossible to believe, but IF he does that would drive any self respecting Italian to distraction I should think. I am excited about meeting with some friends this evening,who are eager to see and share my Donmar photos/experiences. It is times like these that compensate for the \"low\" periods, when \"I can't believe it happened \" and \"What else is there to look forward to when I 've met him\" etc start to take over. Ann has expressed this so well and I guess we will all come out of it sooner or later. Haven't forgotten your flower info requests BTW."}, {"response": 270, "author": "Carola", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (18:09)", "body": "Hello everybody, well, there you catched me. No way to lurk a little longer. Thank to all, I enjoyed the time I spent here so far very much. Thanks to Kirsten who let me get the autograph for her. So I had the best of all possible excuses to approach the man. And he recognised me from the day before and I received the most wonderful smile. ;-) Cheers Carola"}, {"response": 271, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (18:16)", "body": "(Moon)I hope I will be lucky enough to find out in the future. ;-) So do I Moon, and I\ufffdll be there too if I get a chance. After all, it\ufffds pretty great to have the fantastic opportunity to be painfully shy and mumble unintelligently in His presence!"}, {"response": 272, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (18:28)", "body": "Kirsten, your report was wonderful, thanks for sharing it. I know what you mean about feeling like you're outside yourself, watching it happen -- you expressed that so nicely. Moon, your top 10 had me LOL. Can't wait to see what others come up with; I myself am not feeling anywhere near witty enough to attempt one. I figured out what I like most about Livia volunteering that comment to Ellie's friend: it seemed to show that, at worst, she thinks Colin's fans are harmless (as opposed to celebrity-stalking weirdos) and at best she realizes we're intelligent ladies with impeccable good taste in men;-)"}, {"response": 273, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (20:32)", "body": "(SusanA.)If you had a chance to do it over again would you or wouldn't you choose to see him in person? Are you kidding? I'd walk over women and children..... **** Thank you Nan and Myretta for repairing chat. I was there at 10PM last night and they were still working diligently. We're so lucky to have these techies on board. ***** Kirsten....Your report was lovely ...I read it twice.But you should have been there the week before with all the other Spring Droolies. As someone said \"There is strength in numbers\"...also we had had several glasses of wine with dinner:-).And I can assure you I would not have let you stand alone without having been in the picture. As the group can attest....Colin and I were having a battle about placing people in the picture. He was in rare form that night...wouldn't you agree girls? **** Welcome Carola...what a true friend you are. (Kirsten)I would unquestionably be the only fan without an autograph of ODB I didn't get an autograph...they don't mean much to me. But I was determined to get a group picture:-)"}, {"response": 274, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (21:48)", "body": "I can't keep up with you, ladies! So many postings, and how marvellous to see more de-lurkers taking the plunge. The more the merrier! I'll add to the list of suggestions for \" Mr Not Always Wonderful\" :-) Here goes... 1. Not a handyman (inability to fix stero speakers) 2. Accident prone (said speakers falling on head) 3. Absent minded (the 3DOR experience..open zippers and visible price tags!) 4. Messy in kitchen (own confession) 5. Clings to old bachelor haunts (after 14 years (14 years!!!)in Hackney, makes mega-move all the way to next door Islington!..But has also bought flat near mum-in-law in Rome, so can be forgiven) 6. Probably prefers (very loud) Bruce Springsteen to Italian opera Inspiration fails me (Top Six only)...over to you! I've loved reading all glowing 3DOR reports, and am so glad he managed to fight off the cold/cough in the last performance. Hope he went straight to bed with a hot toddy! I shall have a touch of the post-Colin blues myself, when the reports come to an end. Winter, congrats on your Masters, and it's good to hear that your mum is okay again, Lizza."}, {"response": 275, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (01:59)", "body": "He bites his nails. Oh, no, he doesn't..."}, {"response": 276, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (02:07)", "body": "He bites his nails. Oh, no, he doesn't... Check again my dear."}, {"response": 277, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (02:26)", "body": "He bites his nails. Oh, no, he doesn't... Check again my dear. I saw his hands... up close and personal...clipped short...but not bitten."}, {"response": 278, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (02:46)", "body": "Maybe he's conquered his nail biting habit! That and giving up smoking all in one year- well done Colin! (or maybe I should say 'well done Livia') :)"}, {"response": 279, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (03:04)", "body": "Thanks, Kirsten and Carola for giving us your stories. Each perspective is unique. Kirsten, I was more like you but I am so grateful that I had a bunch of Carolas with me because what I have to treasure now would never have happened without them. Enough of my sentimental claptrap, those nails look clipped down to the quick and then some."}, {"response": 280, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (03:06)", "body": "--My, my--you're making the DB sound like a reformed nervous wreck!! Wouldn't our energies be put to better use to work their miraculous healing powers (as they seemed to do for Lizza's Mum) on poor sick DB, now langouring in bed with an illness brought on by the intense expenditure of concentration and energy due two weeks of the vigorous demands of performances--both on stage and in lobbies--which was carried off with aplomb! Get well CF!!!"}, {"response": 281, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (03:24)", "body": "--Oog!! I meant \"languishing\" of course!!"}, {"response": 282, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (06:21)", "body": "LOL at your top 10 list, Moon, a riot. Glad to see you continuing Bethan. How about this one: Can't stop him from shopping at Oxfam's thrift store. ;-) Wonderful account of your trip Kirsten and Carola and a big welcome to you too. Regardless of how you felt, you performed an invaluable service. No one, but no one has documented his clothing as you did. You are forgiven for not noticing the shoes on the first night. Sounds like our two groups hit the same hot spots: Highbury and antique shopping, although I would say the stuff in Portobello Rd was more like junque! :-) I still tingle with the thought that I was there, saw CF perform his little heart out, talked to him (sort of), got his autograph and there are photographs to prove we were all in the same space, breathing the same air (and I am going to continue deluding myself that he had his hand on my shoulder and it was not yours, Evelyn!!) What memories! What great memories! Wish everyone here could have been with us, but you were in spirit and many if not all of you have the little bits of memorabilia that we brought home. *sigh*"}, {"response": 283, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (08:37)", "body": "Welcome Carola and Kirsten, these accounts keep us going. So glad you have joined us. Evelyn, you are too modest in not revealing how gently assertive you were with CF that night. Would he dare to refuse YOU? (Cue dialogue from the first proposal scene in P&P!!!) You had the presence of mind in a situation that many of us did not possess. Just saw a lot of Wessex scenes on breakfast TV re Oscars which has set me up for the day ahead. Sadly not a daily occurance over here."}, {"response": 284, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (11:15)", "body": "Media watch report...two snippets from the UK press... Tere's an item about another legal suit against Miramax for \"stealing\" the plot line for SIL, which was filed \"as virtually the entire SIL cast gathers in LA to celebrate the film's 13 Oscar nominations\". So does this mean that CF is in LA? I think possibly not as he was marginalised in the pre-Oscar run-up, and then wasn't mentioned in the BAFTA nominations. Tom Wilkinson could be there along with the other principals. Another news item, not really \"new \"news. Sice the demise of Polygram, the state of the British film industry has gone from bad to worse. It is now becoming virtuually impossible for British films without a US distributor to reach the screens in the UK. This means that they are also not picked up by cable (Sky etc) who go for standard Hollywood fare, and also, most depressingly of all, are not released on video or shown on TV. A lot of good films starring well known actors are gathering dust and wi l never be seen. EeeecH! Evelyn....HELP!! What exactly did your bank contact say? Are they still trying to sell SLOW (distribution rights, or the entire film) Is a video release always a last resort possibility? Are you ringing them again, or is that it? I really feel that SLOW may just disappear (AND it's a romantic role...grrrr!!). Can it not be shown at festivals...there are a lot of Back festivals in the US, and there's an African Film Festival next month in NY. SLOW isn't mainstream commercial and probably film festivals could be the the best option. But it sounds as though there's little hope from the UK end. Evelyn, anyone else, any bright ideas?!!!"}, {"response": 285, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (11:17)", "body": "Done in haste, and, as usual, loads of typos! Sorry! I think it's still readable, just."}, {"response": 286, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (12:06)", "body": "yes it is so depressing isn'y it. Quality verus Fodder for the Masses. Quite a lot on TV this morning re Miramax massive budget devoted to promoting SIL pre 21st March. Forcing smaller studios to respond even tho' they don't have the cash upfront etc It will serve Miramax right if ODB stays home, ironically HE is in most of the clips not Tom Wilkinson, but I should imagine John Madden will miss him. They seem to get on so well. I wonder if Martin Clunes will be there looking like a reject from a Doctor Who Fashion parade? (Ouch)!!"}, {"response": 287, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (12:07)", "body": "Yes Bethan , typos are obviously catching too. Sorry about mine."}, {"response": 288, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (13:49)", "body": "I've started reading 3DOR for the discussion and realized that the way the play starts might describe your feelings after having met Colin. \"Something happens somewhere, makes a noice, the noice travels, charts the distance: The Story of a Moment.\" You certainly had that moment."}, {"response": 289, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (14:37)", "body": "Glad to hear that chat is repaired. Was that wierd, or what? Also glad to see you posting, Carola and Kirsten. Loved your top 10/top 6, Moon and Bethan! You captured anything I would have said (messiness, way he dresses, etc.). BTW, does Livia smoke?? Hard to believe she does if he quit (sorry, it's the staunch anti-smoker in me...):-) Don't know if Colin will be at Oscars on Sunday (cons: seems he doesn't go for that sort of thing, esp. when not nominated and being virtually ignored. Pros: Harvey requires cast to show(?); he's probably in LA to see his son after Donmar-forced absence). If he is there, it may not make the broadcast. Regardless, we should be treated to many clips featuring dear old Wessex!"}, {"response": 290, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (15:58)", "body": "(KJArt) Wouldn't our energies be put to better use to work their miraculous healing powers (as they seemed to do for Lizza's Mum) on poor sick DB, now langouring in bed with an illness Quite right my dear. I for one am more than willing to volunteer my services as his nurse. I can sit by his bedside, and bath his fevered brow, rub his temples, run my fingers though his glorious (if somewhat diminshed) hair -perhaps even take a moment to wind one of his adorable curls around my finger. Really, Anything I can do to help the DB feel better ;)"}, {"response": 291, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (18:40)", "body": "In addition to recovering from his flu bug, wonder if Colin is, like some of us here, suffering from post-3DOR letdown, I mean, imagine: one week you have people coming from all over the world to see you and telling you how great you are, the next, you're back in Islington taking out the garbage and doing the dishes..."}, {"response": 292, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (18:56)", "body": "Darcy doing the dishes? I would guess those long digits are best employed stacking the dishwasher( with copious cups of Nescafe in between of course!!)."}, {"response": 293, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (19:49)", "body": "OT: One degree of separation. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/dynamic/hottx/theatre/review.html?in_review_id=122292&in_review_text_id=102362 Trevor Nunn's Troilus and Cressida, which includes David Bamber (Mr. Collins) as Pandarus and Raymond Coulthard (\"What's the first anniversary?\" TEP) as Achilles is roundly thrashed by the critic."}, {"response": 294, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (20:32)", "body": "Chris (Luvvy), do we have you to thank for the \"Firth on Stage\" page? Do tell!!!"}, {"response": 295, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (21:16)", "body": "Lizza what \"Firth on Stage\" page do you have its address, I thought I knew all CF pages."}, {"response": 296, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (22:01)", "body": "Lizza what \"Firth on Stage\" page do you have its address, I thought I knew all CF pages. We are all human...;-0 Chris's page on the plays Colin has appeared in can be accessed from cf.com's off-site links. It shows the playbills, gives the cast listings, reviews, and pictures. A luvvy-ily job!"}, {"response": 297, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (22:24)", "body": "(Karen)...and I am going to continue deluding myself that he had his hand on my shoulder and it was not yours, Evelyn!!) Ok, Ok, so the guy has three arms...one on Jana's shoulder, one on yours and one on Lizza:-) **** Lizza ...Evelyn, you are too modest in not revealing how gently assertive you were with CF that night. Would he dare to refuse YOU? Hey, you make me sound like Cruella De Ville. Actually, I was v. polite in my request and he consented readily:-) A nice man. ***** (Moon) \"Something happens somewhere, makes a noice, the noise travels, charts the distance: The Story of a Moment.\" 3 DOR You certainly had that moment. V. insightful of you Moon...I thought of the same thing ...we all shared that magical moment.Like I said...rarely does one get a second chance at these moments. Gotta grab 'em the first time around. **** I feel v. indebted to Chris (Luvvy) for alerting us to 3 DOR at the Donmar. Thank you....I am eternally grateful:-) ***** Bethan..Re: SLOW. I shall call next week. Hate to call every week. I don't think the bank is interested in Film Festivals.Or at least they weren't last autumn.Some films never do sell and that is a fact of life.Didn't someone ask Colin about SLOW and he remarked \"I don't think it will ever be released\".Happens. Ralph Fiennes' \"Onegin\"still doesn't have a distrib either. *** I think it would be torture to sit through the Oscars if one was not a nominee.There's a limit to what Harvey can ask of a man.Esp. since he didn't mention his name at GG.Thanked everyone 'cept for Colin and the dog. Grrrr. I'm still pissed off about that.Shocking!! ****"}, {"response": 298, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (22:46)", "body": "Since Moon provided that lovely quote from the play, let's start talking about the play. Even though not everyone has seen it, many more have the script in their hot little hands and have read it. So here goes: Ned is the most important character in the play. His mood, his personality, and his thoughts set everything in motion and color our thinking about all the other characters. How would you describe his character? Is he brilliant? Is he really lonely? Is is truly a misfit? What IS his problem?"}, {"response": 299, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (22:49)", "body": "Sorry, I'm moving the discussion to #98 - Film Discussions. Forgot where I was for a second. Yes, Evelyn, he can have all the hands he needs to fulfill MY fantasies!"}, {"response": 300, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (23:01)", "body": "Only if you wonder what Valmont is doing again in chat - no troll, but only me. I tried to change the pic, not too successfully, and now I cannot go back apparently. Sorry."}, {"response": 301, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (23:14)", "body": "Evelyn, YOU are hardly the Cruella type, but you certainly know how to get devastatingly handsome (3 handed) men to do what you want!!! Heide, I am all for 98, well I would be if it wasn't bedtime!! Thanks for setting it up for us."}, {"response": 302, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (23:24)", "body": "There's a limit to what Harvey can ask of a man. Agreed. But there may be a post-Oscar celebratory bash, and maybe, just maybe CF will attend {Sore throat permitting!) It's a chance to see young Master Will (not Shakespeare) and after all that socialising during the 3DOR run, well, life in Islington could seem rather dull! Just watched an hour long preview of the Oscars on CNN. For someone whose name is rarely mentioned, there seemed to be a lot of CF...both with GP and JD...they always seemed to show his scenes. It's at times like this that I quite like Harvey! Bethan..Re: SLOW. I shall call next week. Oh, many, many thanks Evelyn! We're relying on you...although I do appreciate that you can't call too often. I guess I'm almost resigned to the fact that a theatrical release may never happen, but I'd like to think we could buy the video...eventually...I'd pay tops! The new Film Four channel in the UK shows films like SLOW, and there's also an independent distributor Artificial Eye who pick up foreign/arthouse type movies. But there's not much profit to be made in either option, and I'm sure the Bank kno s all the right moves. Anyway, thanks again for pursuing this!"}, {"response": 303, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (23:26)", "body": "Ooh-er, a plague on all those italics. What have I done?"}, {"response": 304, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Mar 20, 1999 (12:55)", "body": "testing testing"}, {"response": 305, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Mar 20, 1999 (13:07)", "body": "I do not think Colin will attend the Oscars. He does not seem to be the type that would go just for the parties. He will probably go to LA during Easter break when Will has a week off. Besides, he may wish to pick up a hammer and hang a few things at his new flat, put up the speakers etc, etc. ;-) Of course, I will still keep an eye out for DB at the Oscars, Livia just might talk him into it (perfect opportunity to wear her new Armani gown). He does look good in black tie, remember TEP?"}, {"response": 306, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Mar 20, 1999 (13:35)", "body": "test"}, {"response": 307, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Mar 20, 1999 (22:12)", "body": "I don't think he'll be at the Oscars either but don't think I'm not going to watch just in case. I watched GP on A&E's Biography last night. Wasn't worth the bother - they kept cutting from the SIL scenes right before Wessex was to appear. Ladies, anyone interested in Arsenal (sorry, Ben), check out this site: Arsenal and if you go to the Shopping section, you can get your Christmas purchases now!! Surely someone you know would love that Arsenal musical alarm clock or bean bag chair. How about the double duvet? It's still marked at half price. For people who still use snail mail, the Arsenal stationary is just the thing. Don't forget to get the Arsenal wrapping paper to finish it off. Unfortunately, the boxer shorts only come in white, no red to be found but I might get that Arsenal mouse pad. By the way, Karen and I knew our trip to London was off to a good start when the panhandling musician got on the Osterley tube stop going into London and proceeded to entertain us with Van Morrison's \"Bright Side of the Road\" (you know, the celebration tune near the end of the Fever Pitch). Needless to say, he earned a few coins."}, {"response": 308, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 1999 (03:24)", "body": "I think Karen should give us a picture of herself modeling the red Arsenal stocking cap that she bought at the Portobello Road flea market. !!"}, {"response": 309, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 1999 (09:56)", "body": "I don't think he'll be there (not unless Livia is a big fan of Roberto Bernigni!). But I'd check out the acceptance speeches if GP and JD make it to the podium...hopefully they won't do a Harvey! Evelyn, is this good news for SLOW? Front page headline in Sunday Telegraph Business scection \"New direction for Handmade Films\". Goes on to say that Handmade Films, previously owned by Paragon Entertainmment which went into receivership, has now been bought (for \ufffd1.7million) by Parallel Pictures production company. No information about Parallel, except that it's quoted on the Aim (what's that?). But it seems as though Handmade is back in business."}, {"response": 310, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 1999 (11:04)", "body": "It's suspiciously quiet here, and I get several delivery failures in mail. Does anyone know if a transatlantic line is disturbed or something? Or do I have to have a word with ISP ? To all of you who shared the wonderful Donmar event: what about a review, from your point of view, for the firth.com page? Not a long one, if you don't want, and not too drooly (alas), but we shouldn't leave the field to the professional critics only. And Karen, from you I would like to have the double NY/London review ;-)."}, {"response": 311, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 1999 (13:57)", "body": "At the Independant Spirit Awards last night Miramax was honored with the Stash Award: for buying the most films and keeping them stashed away. What does this say for MLSF? Renate, I have tried to e-mail you to no avail. If you have sent your thoughts electronically, I would like to be included. I shall try you again."}, {"response": 312, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 1999 (14:15)", "body": "Renate, it was returned once more. :-("}, {"response": 313, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 1999 (15:22)", "body": "Miramax was honored with the Stash Award: for buying the most films and keeping them stashed away. What does this say for MLSF? I wonder if anybody ever tried to find out the reason for this? Renate, I have tried to e-mail you to no avail. Oy. I just put my doubts re my email account to rest, and now this. Here's the address again: renate@twinwave.net However: maybe somebody else can help you, Gi perhaps? Meanwhile everybody here should have a copy. ;-)"}, {"response": 314, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 1999 (18:00)", "body": "(Heide)I watched GP on A&E's Biography last night. Wasn't worth the bother True, if your motive for watching was Wessex-spotting. There was only a glimpse of his back. (Bethan) For someone whose name is rarely mentioned, there seemed to be a lot of CF...both with GP and JD...they always seemed to show his scenes. There was an Oscar special with Joel Siegel last night (was this shown nationwide in US or only in NY area?). Many SiL clips and all but one featured Wessex...and I mean featured ! Speaking, dancing, threatening, bowing, scraping, etc. (sorry, no singing). It was an ABC presentation so I hope the Oscar broadcast will use the same clips. (Bethan) But I'd check out the acceptance speeches if GP and JD make it to the podium... Absolutely, particularly GP. She thanked him at both GG and SAG awards. It will be my main reason for watching (but I confess, I'm a sucker for these things--I watch every year). Like you, I'll keep my eyes peeled for CF but agree it's a longshot that he'll be there. (Moon) Miramax was honored with the Stash Award: for buying the most films and keeping them stashed away. What does this say for MLSF? (Renate) I wonder if anybody ever tried to find out the reason for this? I brought this up a while ago after reading snippet in Newsweek. Winter responded with a v. funny anecdote about Harvey! It's posted back at 116. Go, SiL! Go, Gwynnie!"}, {"response": 315, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 1999 (20:35)", "body": "Re. Parallel Pictures...it appears to be LA based. Is the Aim something to do with the US stock market? There was a similar news item in the Observer...there seems to be some interest in the survival of Handmade Films. They have a good track record and it was unfortunate (to say the least!) that the parent company went bankrupt. How is \"Lock stock and barrel\" doing in the US? Not my cup of tea, but it was very successful at the UK box office. I don't know how all this impacts on SLOW and finding a distrib tor. GP is apparently going to play Sylvia Plath in a Miramax backed film of the love affair between Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath, starting with their meeting at Cambridge and covering the ten years until her suicide. Does anyone know who has been cast as Ted Hughes (if at all). Another potential role for CF (add to the Earl of Bothwell, Henry II, and Mark Darcy)!!"}, {"response": 316, "author": "Adi", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 1999 (20:39)", "body": "Thanks everyone for the warm welcome! Moon, I'm from the center of Israel (near Tel Aviv). SIL got good reviews here but not beyond. Actually it was always compared with Elizabeth which was released a week before. while the critics really disliked Kate Blanshet's acting and the script in Elizabeth they praised the script of SIL and GP - not because of her acting but because of her sweetens and beauty (one critic said she'll probably win the Oscar just because of the beautiful way she faltered her eye lashes...) It's gone very quite here..."}, {"response": 317, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 1999 (20:42)", "body": "(Bethan)... Goes on to say that Handmade Films, previously owned by Paragon Entertainmment which went into receivership, has now been bought (for \ufffd1.7million) by Parallel Pictures production company. If Parallel paid 1.7Mil UKP for Handmade and got SLOW they got a bargain....the latter cost 3.-4.Mil UKP to produce!!However,any movement re: this film would be progress.I shall inquire when I call the bank . **** Re; Miramax Stash Awards: It will be two years next month that MLSF was filmed!! *** Go Gwynnie, SIL , Tom Stoppard, and Stephen Warbeck( Soundtrack)!!"}, {"response": 318, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 1999 (20:54)", "body": "(Bethan)GP is apparently going to play Sylvia Plath in a Miramax backed film of the love affair between Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath, Goodie....I like Sylvia Path and the role of Ted would be a natural for CF!! *** (Bethan) Re. Parallel Pictures...it appears to be LA based. Is the Aim something to do with the US stock market? News gets better n' better, Bethan. LA based Parallel sounds promising. Aim is not part of the stock market, but could be an acronym for an organization of \"American Independent Market\". I dunno...sure it wasn't capitalized?"}, {"response": 319, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Mar 22, 1999 (01:20)", "body": "Good news, I think, about Secret Laughter of Women. Maybe Evelyn will be able to find out more but perhaps the film now has someone to look after its interest. But I won't hold my breath. Grasping at straws I know but I agree w/Bethan and Evelyn that Ted Hughes would be a plum role for Colin. I think the TH got a bad rap and he was rather good looking in his younger days. They surely will give it to someone else though. It has been quiet here this weekend, Adi. I expect we'll have a little more action after the Oscars. After all I've read this weekend, I'll be very surprised if Gwynie doesn't win Best Actress. (..and my greatest thanks go to Colin Firth. I'd never have made it without you!...) (yes, I'm kidding.) Just caught a glimpse of her in the pre-award show. Very Grace Kelly-ish look tonight."}, {"response": 320, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar 22, 1999 (01:48)", "body": "For those of you who want Oscar results as they happen rather than tape delay, check in and boot the real video or real audio at http://www.film.com/reviews/features/awards/98oscars/live/"}, {"response": 321, "author": "Ann", "date": "Mon, Mar 22, 1999 (05:56)", "body": "Colin Firth: Seen in film clips at the Oscars 5 times Mentioned by producer 1 time. Well done Dear Boy!"}, {"response": 322, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Mar 22, 1999 (07:48)", "body": "Well done SIL and well done Rita, Evelyn and anyone else who wrote to HW,thankyou Miramax for mentioning our DB who did so much to promote SIL."}, {"response": 323, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar 22, 1999 (10:23)", "body": "Moon, I tried twice before to e-mail you but always got an error message. Could you e-mail me instead, so I get it right?"}, {"response": 324, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 22, 1999 (14:44)", "body": "Hooray for SiL! Congrats to Gwynnie and Judi (they were very gracious even though CF was not individually mentioned) and the rest of the winners. I was ready to tear my hair out by the end of this marathon 4 hour broadcast but something told me to wait. When best pic was announced, I was astonished--buzz was unanimous for Pvt. Ryan. (Ann) Mentioned by producer 1 time. It was worth the wait (despite Val Kilmer and the horse)! I thought the SiL clips were OK (did you notice the split-second shot of Colin getting his makeup worked on?). The clips I saw on a pre-Oscar show (Saturday) were better, much more Wessex-y. Already today I've seen several clips with Wessex. Goody! I hope this good fortune bodes well for CF and John Madden."}, {"response": 325, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Mon, Mar 22, 1999 (15:04)", "body": "Chris (Luvvy), do we have you to thank for the \"Firth on Stage\" page? Do tell!!! C'est moi. One day I'll update it with 3DoR."}, {"response": 326, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Mar 22, 1999 (18:17)", "body": "Great going SIL. I was so glad to see Judi Dench win, and all the rest too. I was afraid she was going to be left out again though. The thanked Colin too, thanks honey. I was really p--- at the Golden Globes when Madden mentioned everyone but him. I was happy to see Speilberg win too. Not as happy as Roberto Felihini though with his two, although I did come out of my chair when J.D was announced and when SIL won for best picture. I was afraid it was going to be SPR."}, {"response": 327, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Mon, Mar 22, 1999 (19:18)", "body": "I\ufffdm glad you enjoyed my little London report. (though I can\ufffdt remember having anything said here about his clothing , Karen ;-) ) The warm welcome as a (supposed) newbie of some of you shows me that I\ufffdve been in lurkdom for a too long time, but I really have trouble to keep up with you all. One day off and there is such a load of messages that I hardly am able to catch up again. Perhaps I should ask my boss to let me go home earlier the day so that I can spent more time at Spring ;or I sould browse my daily schedule for other unnecessary things I can skip ;-) You see, I'm still refering to may London report \"from the old days\" and when I logg in again it's all about the Oscars. Back to semi lurkdom."}, {"response": 328, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Mon, Mar 22, 1999 (19:41)", "body": "Was it just me, or did anyone else think Harrison Ford seemed almost comically shocked when he announced SiL as best pic? I believe it was Ford who announced best pic the year Schindler's List won and someone probably was counting on the same sort of symmetry this year, Ford and old pal Spielberg... Heard this bit of gossip on one of this a.m.'s chat shows. Seems at the post-oscar Governor's Ball Harvey W. went up to Spielberg's table. Kate Capshaw (Mrs. Spielberg) was apparently very gracious to him, but when Harvey congratulated Spielberg on his best director win, apparently Spielberg just said \"Thanks\" and turned away. Ouch!"}, {"response": 329, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 22, 1999 (21:15)", "body": "You're right, Susan, Harrison seemed to stare at the paper before he announced SiL. And I was jumping around the room too, Lucie (BTW, it was Harvey Weinstein, not John Madden who left Colin out at the GG's). but when Harvey congratulated Spielberg on his best director win, apparently Spielberg just said \"Thanks\" and turned away . I can believe this. As nice as Spielberg seems, he must have been devastated at the loss. I didn't read of a single prediction other than SPR. I stayed up a bit after the show (middle of the night here). While Gwyneth was being interviewed in the press room, a reporter's mobile phone rang just as she asked a question. Gwyneth said \"want me to get that?\" and answered the phone. She asked \"who's this?\" and said to the reporter \"are you available for Nick?\" It was v. funny."}, {"response": 330, "author": "Ann", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (01:47)", "body": "when Harvey congratulated Spielberg on his best director win, apparently Spielberg just said \"Thanks\" and turned away. Ouch! } There's been a bit of a controversy brewing over how Miramax campaigns for Oscars. They put a lot of money and effort directly into marketing for the awards--more than other studios. I heard one entertainment reporter say that some people feel that this is \"cheating\". So maybe Spielberg thinks he was cheated out of the Pic Oscar."}, {"response": 331, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (02:21)", "body": "Ann - love your DB sightings and mention count at the Oscars. Colin in two out of the last three Best Oscar pictures. Think anyone notices besides us? That show went on so damn long (Whoopi wanted to make sure everyone got her jokes before she'd continue and what was with that stupid cowboy movie tribute?). I was ready to turn the TV off as soon as I heard SPR's name called for Best Picture. What a great surprise to hear Shakespeare... And thank you, Ms. Gigliotti for mentioning DB. It was only fitting. Saw the quick glimpse of Colin in the makeup chair too, Eileen. Do you think they were gluing on that mustache and goatee? ;-) Dreamworks was griping at Miramax because they then felt forced to shell out more millions in their advertisements. Their backing of a WWII monument in DC may sound like taking the high road but the cynic in me says the timing certainly didn't hurt SPR getting votes. I rarely agree with the Academy but this year I'll take it no matter how many votes Harvey \"bought\". Kirsten, we aren't done with 3DOR yet. And Arami has posted her Donmar story at 115."}, {"response": 332, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (03:08)", "body": "I agree that the Oscars were far too long. Too many spots that had nothing to do with the subject. What were John Glenn and Gen. C. Powell supposed to be doing anyhow. And the Val Kilmar part with the horse, stupid. The preshow was so bad I turned the basketball game on until it was over. Emelia Fox is supposed to be at Donmar Warehouse in April."}, {"response": 333, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (08:34)", "body": "Ann, I didn't watch the Oscars - Who was it who mentioned ODB? Was it Harvey? Or the makeup woman? I am cofused. Emelia Fox is supposed to be at Donmar Warehouse in April. Opens tonight, with Charles Dance in Good . Real enthusiasts should go to the Donmar. There is a strong chance ODB will turn up to watch."}, {"response": 334, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (13:44)", "body": "Heide), Colin in two out of the last three Best Oscar pictures. Think anyone notices besides us? Yes! Colin of course. Wonder what prized picture he has in mind for this year. :-) Allison, the producer Ms. Gigliotti included Colin in her thanks. I hope she will have something to offer him in the future."}, {"response": 335, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (14:34)", "body": "Emilia Fox at the Donmar..Opens tonight, with Charles Dance in Good. Real enthusiasts should go to the Donmar. There is a strong chance ODB will turn up to watch. Charles Dance attended 3DOR the night we attended and a Spring guest overheard Colin telling CD that they planned to attend Good. Also Aunt Gardiner should be there. A big P&P event (perhaps)"}, {"response": 336, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (14:39)", "body": "(Heide) Saw the quick glimpse of Colin in the makeup chair too, Eileen. Do you think they were gluing on that mustache and goatee? ;-) Yep! Dreamworks was griping at Miramax because they then felt forced to shell out more millions in their advertisements. Poor Dreamworks (read that with sarcasm). SPR has made over $200M while SiL hasn't cracked the $100M mark (but is expected to do so since winning best pic Oscar). (Ann) There's been a bit of a controversy brewing over how Miramax campaigns for Oscars. Harvey's been taking heat over here for months, Ann. He chalks it up to big studio resentment of the \"little guy\" (although just how little Miramax is could be debated, I suppose). I read somewhere that actors loved SiL because of its jokes about Hollywood. Perhaps their votes put SiL ahead of the popular favorite, SPR. I saw both and thought SiL was entertainment whereas SPR was a traumatic experience."}, {"response": 337, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (14:51)", "body": "I saw both and thought SiL was entertainment whereas SPR was a traumatic experience. But SPR is a powerful film...and Steven Speilberg a gifted director . IMO it was a tie, and the members of the Academy viewed it as such. Karen and I discussed this at 11;30 PM the night of the Oscars.!! She has an interesting theory and I'll let her tell you."}, {"response": 338, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (15:55)", "body": "Evelyn, how about a conspiracy theory for the Oscars? (A warning firth: I have nothing against jews or other ethnic origins) Did anyone notice that the best director award went to a jewish director, the best film to a jewish producer, the best foreign film and best actor to an italian jew?"}, {"response": 339, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (16:15)", "body": "Gi, Benigni is a catholic. During WW2 as the Germans were abandoning Italy, they arrested and sent to camps all the men they found. They wanted revenge against Italy which had betrayed them and taken sides with the Allied forces. My husband\ufffds in Florence was one and so was Benigni\ufffds father. Benigni grew up listening to his father\ufffds tales. The entertainment industry in Hollywood is a very old established Jewish community."}, {"response": 340, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (16:18)", "body": "That should be my husband's uncle in Florence."}, {"response": 341, "author": "Ann", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (16:33)", "body": "Did anyone notice that the best director award went to a jewish director, the best film to a jewish producer, the best foreign film and best actor to an italian jew? } Gee, you mean there are lots of people of Jewish origins in Hollywood? That's not exactly news, but more a historic fact ;-) I agree with the Colin Powell/John Glenn/Horse bits being really really stupid and a waste of time, as was the interpretive dance portion of the evening. I love film montages though. They're one of my favorite parts of the show."}, {"response": 342, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (18:29)", "body": "Actually, so many American intelectuals seem to be of jewish origin...I suppose they are just more visibly active :-)"}, {"response": 343, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (20:23)", "body": "Moon, did Ms Giglotti actually mention Colin by name and how many of the cast did she thank, was it only the credited cast, was Martin Clunes or Tom Wilkinson mentioned, I hope it wasn't too many of the cast otherwise it takes away some of the kudos. BTW I have just read that the UK Government is to invest \ufffd150m. in British Film, must be good for the British Film Industry and good for Colin. have you heard anything about this Bethan?"}, {"response": 344, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (20:48)", "body": "Yes, Ann, she did mention Colin and Rupert specifically, some others too but not the whole cast."}, {"response": 345, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (20:56)", "body": "Though only recently.... One of the great economists of the twentieth century, Paul Samuelson, was denied tenure at Harvard because he is jewish. This was no paranoid interpretation - the reasons were clear. It was also in 1948, AFTER the war. His reaction was to set up the department at MIT, which became the pre-eminent department of economics for the next twenty years. Hello all, BTW. Back from relaxing 10-day Californian jaunt. Like, totally awesome, dude."}, {"response": 346, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (23:54)", "body": "I've just read that the UK Government is to invest \ufffd150m. in British Film, must be good for the British Film Industry (Ann) I hope so , but there's already a stockpile of British films that have no distributor. Unless the distribution problem is tackled and we are guaranteed the opportunity to actually see the films, further investment could be a waste of money. I was listening to a showbiz journalist and he said that he always went to New York to watch British films ( o lucky man!) because American audiences were much more enthusiastic. He added that British films faced two major problems...apathy from distributors, and apath from the great British public! I'd like to see the industry producing a few big budget movies (like Elizabeth or SIL) and really promoting them, rather than producing another 50 \"could be the new Full Monty\" little films with miniscule advertising budgets. The Oscars...I bet Colin's in-laws were celebrating....victory for SIL and Ro-berrt-o! :-) Welcome back Ben!"}, {"response": 347, "author": "KateMcQ", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (00:16)", "body": "I've really enjoyed reading about everyone's night and their encounters with CF. I usually don't post - but, I'm getting rather curious about when Fever Pitch is coming out in the States. Does anyone know when we can expect it? Last I heard it was coming in March - but I haven't heard a thing!"}, {"response": 348, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (00:37)", "body": "Welcome Kate! Hope you post more often... Fever Pitch is supposedly going to be released on May 28th, I think. The only reason why I remember the date is because it's a week after the release of \"Phantom Menace\" which everyone and their cousin is planning to see. That's either bad or good scheduling; depending if people had gotten Star Wars out of their systems the week before. I suspect it's going to be released in the smaller theatres (i.e. arthouse). Also, don't be surprised if it's going to be in limited release (NYC, LA, Chicago, etc.). Bad news is that I haven't seen a trailer for it yet. Oh yeah, welcome back Ben! It was great to see you! Today's weather is blue skies, cumulus (or nimbus) clouds, average temp: 68 degrees and getting warmer. Jealous? ;-)"}, {"response": 349, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (00:48)", "body": "Does anyone know when the Bafta's are to be awarded? I am anxious to see how SIL does."}, {"response": 350, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (02:01)", "body": "(Bethan)...( journalist)..He added that British films faced two major problems...apathy from distributors, and apathy from the great British public! True, True....in addition, their movie magazines(Empire, Premiere etc) feature American film stars instead of British stars.Boo Hiss."}, {"response": 351, "author": "KateMcQ", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (16:15)", "body": "Winter - thanks for the information. I will keep my eyes open for it. I'm in San Francisco - I hope it makes it here, if it is only going to be released in major cities (i.e. NY and LA). I can't wait to see how they translated the book to screen. Even though soccer isn't popular here, the universal theme of a man and his undying love for a sports team rings true everywhere."}, {"response": 352, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (17:03)", "body": "Hi, I'm new here, but, I've been lurking for months and really enjoyed all your stories. I saw this in today's USA Today's Life section from Jeannie Williams: Oscar-night fetes stole the spotlight, but a remarkable party took place Saturday night, before the Sunday awards. Skits were the highlights of Miramax Film's annual \"family party\" in L.A. Paltrow stole the show wearing a big nose and shouting, playing Roberto Benigni. The ebullient Benigni wore a long red muffler at the Beverly Wilshire party and was a hit as Romeo in the skits, crying, \"I want to kiss your Golden Globes all over!\" Colin Firth of SIL was with gorgeous wife Livia Giuggioli, seeing his first \"Max Awards,\" as Harvey Weinstein dubs them. \"No bloody way!\" Firth said of doing future skits, which involve weird wigs but offer amazing actor juxtapositions. Marianne p.s.: I really enjoyed our Saturday lunch at Remi's ... thank you for making me feel so welcome."}, {"response": 353, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (17:56)", "body": "Welcome Marianne, Kate and all the other delurkers! So if Colin was in LA for the Miramax gig on Saturday, is one to assume that he also attended the Oscars?"}, {"response": 354, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (18:20)", "body": "Wecome Marianne. I guess Livia did want to show off her Armani gown afterall. If Colin attended the Oscars he might have been sitting with Rupert and the rest of the cast which was not seen."}, {"response": 355, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (18:59)", "body": "Marianne! Thanks for writing! (Our lunch was a blast, wasn't it?) Thanks for the scoop... \"No bloody way!\" Firth said of doing future skits What a spoil-sport! You'd think he'd be game to do something fun like that. And here I was thinking he was your everyday sort of bloke."}, {"response": 356, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (21:19)", "body": "(Winter:) Oh yeah, welcome back Ben! It was great to see you! Today's weather is blue skies, cumulus (or nimbus) clouds, average temp: 68 degrees and getting warmer. Jealous? ;-) New York - grey, cold, getting greyer, getting colder. Jealous? Perhaps. But I look north out of my office, see the GW bridge and the curve of the Hudson, and remember where I am. Now, if I could get the LA weather, and a selection of LA people (leave Hollywood behind) and move them here... BTW, I feel I must, for the sake of all, nip in the bud ANY affection for Arsenal F.C. All Firthettes must be warned about the dangers of letting affection for the man himself spill over into a liking, however slight, for a football club which one of his characters happened to enjoy. The \"Arse\" is, justifiably, the most loathed club in the country Boring, overpaid, egotistical and financed by Guardian-reading, smug Islingtonites. (Before I get bombarded with rotten fruit and defences of YDB, there are nice Islington residents, of course - like the Firths, for example.) So...Arsenal boxer shorts and men who sport them...possibly, although Liverpool supporters are smarter, funnier and sexier, as a rule. Arsenal itself? NO."}, {"response": 357, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (21:20)", "body": "(Winter) \"No bloody way!\" Firth said of doing future skits What a spoil-sport! You'd think he'd be game to do something fun like that. And here I was thinking he was your everyday sort of bloke. Agree, this doesn't seem like the CF we \"know.\" Hmm...I wonder if he's been quoted out of context again. Perhaps that retort came in response to this question: \"Colin, will you be back in the future to do a skit based on Harvey Weinstein's acceptance speeches?\""}, {"response": 358, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (21:22)", "body": "Whoops, almost forgot--welcome, Marianne and thanks for the info. It only takes a gentle nudge to get us started..."}, {"response": 359, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (21:26)", "body": "Sorry. Me too. It was lovely to meet you on Saturday, Marianne. Wasn't lunch fun? (Just for my own interest, BTW, next time you go there you should try and work out their rotation of waiters. I lost track of how many we had, but I'm pretty sure it was at least four.)"}, {"response": 360, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (21:50)", "body": "Ah, so he was in LA! Thanks, Marianne....puts an end to our \"was he/wasn't he\" debate. I wonder if he asked Roberto for his autograph (for Livia's mum)! \"No bloody way!\" Firth said of doing future skits, which involve weird wigs but offer amazing actor juxtapositions. As I read this, the skits required the actors to play each other, Gwynnie played Roberto, Roberto played Romeo, and Colin had to wear a wig...perhaps he had to play Gwynnie...hence the \"no bloody way!\" :-)"}, {"response": 361, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (21:53)", "body": "Welcome and thanks Mary Ann. We love newbies esp. when they bring us good new of ODB. Well Ben....I've been to http://www.arsenal.co.uk and made my Christmas list already.There's a neat Arsenal wallpaper, with accompanying curtains and pillowcases. Also an Arsenal lamp.A woman's dress...to get ODB attention next time we see him. In addition some red/white scrunchies (I thought that was a beverage they drink in Cornwall!!). Better go soon girls...they' seeling fast.re"}, {"response": 362, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (22:41)", "body": "(Ben) Boring, overpaid, egotistical That describes most American professional sports teams, so Arsenal fits right in! ;-) When you originally called them the most hated team in England, it made me think that they must be dirty players, which evokes images of players on such teams here as the Detroit Pistons, NY Knicks, etc. (I will leave Dennis Rodman out of it because he's a league of his own--hee hee.) You mean you only hate them because of how much money they make? If you pay them and they deliver the championships, then they are not overpaid. Didn't they win the Double last year? I rest my case. Winter, dear, think I'll send you a little bit of memorabilia in the mail to dangle wherever you'd like.... ;-)"}, {"response": 363, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (23:19)", "body": "(Ben) BTW, I feel I must, for the sake of all, nip in the bud ANY affection for Arsenal F.C Don't worry... I was never in the process of developing any sort of following. It's hard enough trying to find, at most, one football match on TV over the course of a week. Better not to get myself involved. Though I'm still baffled by your vehement dislike over Arsenal. Don't know if there are any parallels, but I really can't stand the Los Angeles Lakers. They've been, over the past few years, boring, overpaid and egotistical. I prefer calling them the \"Hollywood Lakers\" myself. New York - grey, cold, getting greyer, getting colder. Jealous? Actually, yes. A bit. Since the weather's been getting warmer, the sky has been getting browner. No good for runners. Winter, dear, think I'll send you a little bit of memorabilia in the mail to dangle wherever you'd like.. Thanks for the offer Karen, but I think I'll remain neutral in this debate. If anything, I'd invert its symbolic meaning and think of it as more NH memorabilia than Arse F.C.."}, {"response": 364, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (23:54)", "body": "(Winter) Though I'm still baffled by your vehement dislike over Arsenal. I'm not TOO serious. I just want you all to support the right team.:-) Having grown up in London, a fair few of my friends were Arsenal supporters, so it was a natural team to hate. (Perversity of this sort is prevalent amongst football supporters.) Arsenal were disliked for many years for a better reason - they traditionally play very dull, if effective, football. Their local, but less successful rivals, Spurs, always played beautiful football but lost more often. Perhaps it's like the Lakers, I don't know. Perhaps it's also like watching Tom Hanks win Oscars instead of YDB (BTW, Winter, are you not impressed with my newly exhibited control of .... italics ? I certainly am . There...now I'll do it again !!! Eat your hearts out, Firthette geeks!)"}, {"response": 365, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (01:35)", "body": "And one day you will forget that bloody end tag, too... ;-)"}, {"response": 366, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (01:50)", "body": "(Ben)BTW, Winter, are you not impressed with my newly exhibited control of .... italics ? I certainly am . There...now I'll do it again !!! Yes, Ben, quite impressive. Now let's see you do more! ;-)"}, {"response": 367, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (01:52)", "body": "(Provoked by Mr. Broadbent, Winter has only managed to embarrass herself and close her own bloody end tags...damn it.)"}, {"response": 368, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (02:24)", "body": "I'm going to take everyone's toys away! ;-)"}, {"response": 369, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (02:25)", "body": "much better"}, {"response": 370, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (02:39)", "body": "test test"}, {"response": 371, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (02:44)", "body": "Ben, did you know that my team F.C. Milan wanted to buy your Owen from Liverpool at the beginning of the season? Poor chap wanted to stay home instead and declined. My 7 year old has his national selection team shirt. :-) Winter you are officially on full Firth alert. Off to Santa Monica with you!"}, {"response": 372, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (03:25)", "body": "Winter you are officially on full Firth alert. Off to Santa Monica with you! Will do! Over and out! I've got two weeks of Spring Break, so I'll have plenty of opportunities to go down there and hang out in SM. Perhaps even rent some rollerblades and skate all the way up to... let's say...Malibu?! ;-)"}, {"response": 373, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (03:26)", "body": "Perhaps one of you can work up a utility such as spellcheck but this one will alert for missing HTML thingies. Actually, the one they do have is excellent and will not let me post anything with just an open ended html-less message. It keeps kicking it back to me with all sorts of suggestions. I finally find it and make it alright. But now, here on this writing space above the submit response button, I am writing in Italics, and I have tried my best to rid of them. We have a problem."}, {"response": 374, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (03:33)", "body": "This is strange...The last messages have come up fine (unitalicized). It's only AFTER you post your own message that everything screws up again. I swear I closed those end tags."}, {"response": 375, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (08:50)", "body": "MLSF is to open on the 11th June, according to Cinematters Website, great to get a definite date, hope it opens soon after in the UK. (2 films within 2 weeks can't be bad FP & MLSF)"}, {"response": 376, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (11:06)", "body": "How I envy you! Two CF films in a row, and I probably won't see either!"}, {"response": 377, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (13:54)", "body": "Thanks Ann, that is very good news. I hope they stick to the date this time. :-)"}, {"response": 378, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (19:10)", "body": "Were there any pictures of the Harvey Weinstein party. Judi Dench was there , she said he more or less makes you sing for your supper abd when that ws over she went to bed to get some sleep."}, {"response": 379, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (19:29)", "body": "(Ben)BTW, I feel I must, for the sake of all, nip in the bud ANY affection for Arsenal F.C. All Firthettes must be warned about the dangers of letting affection for the man himself spill over into a liking, however slight, for a football club which one of his characters happened to enjoy. Now, Ben, I actually LIKE the team, but I do happen to adore Dennis Bergkamp (who plays for the Dutch national team when not in Highbury). How can one NOT like Nicolas Anelka, Ray Parlor, Michael Seaman(possibly the best goaltender going!) And Arsene Wenger is a great coach! (Ben)So...Arsenal boxer shorts and men who sport them...possibly, although Liverpool supporters are smarter, funnier and sexier, as a rule. Arsenal itself? NO. Ah Ben, I beg to differ. Liverpudlians may be sexy and smart (are you basing this on John Lennon and Paul McCartney? it's a joke, of course!), but Islingtonians are more human."}, {"response": 380, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (19:43)", "body": "Blimey! I bow to your knowledge, Laura. I will admit that the current vintage of the Arse has some v. talented players, and that Bergkamp, in particular, is a footballing genius. The man is a joy to watch. The defence is also sound and the French midfield v. impressive. Their heritage is hard to overcome, however. And Nick Hornby's account covered some pretty awful Arsenal teams, a time when there happened to be some Liverpool teams that may have been the best ever to have graced a sward. I was also careful to include all Liverpool supporters, not just Liverpudlians, though John and Paul did seem to attract a fair number of hormone-soaked young gels. No, there are plenty of non-scouse Reds fans like, oh, just to pick one at random, me! As for human Islingtonians, I will simply agree to disagree."}, {"response": 381, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (19:56)", "body": "As for human Islingtonians, I will simply agree to disagree. ] Okay, I'll concede on that one, but only that! HA! Never underestimate the knowledge of an strong Irish woman! :)"}, {"response": 382, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (20:51)", "body": "Hi all ... thanks for the welcome ... now it's back to work for me."}, {"response": 383, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (02:02)", "body": "As for human Islingtonians, I will simply agree to disagree. Watch it, watch it! There's at least one (new) Islingtonian who is not only human, but also super."}, {"response": 384, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (03:17)", "body": "Poor Charles Dance...got poor reviews for \"Good\" currently at the Donmar. The Telegraph...Charles Dance, however, an actor who often gives the impression that he thinks a handsome profile can make amends for a dull performance, is merely blandly unlikeable....as the girlfried, Emilia Fox's failure to recognise encroaching evil is more persuasive than Dance's. Nevertheless, this remains a deeply disappointing revival that leaves a once highly regarded play looking cruelly exposed. Bet there are lots of seats available for this one."}, {"response": 385, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (04:00)", "body": "Hey, Marianne! You'd better stay, now that you've been \"outed!\" ;-P"}, {"response": 386, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (13:52)", "body": "I thought CD and EF made a terrible couple in Rebecca. I never found him handsome enough to .... Of course, those reviews just make ODB's star shine brighter. ;-)"}, {"response": 387, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (14:22)", "body": "Of course, those reviews just make ODB's star shine brighter. ;-) My thoughts exactly, Moon."}, {"response": 388, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (16:07)", "body": "A SECOND CHANCE TO SEE 3DOR AT THE DONMAR?!! Get packing Eileen, Winter, Moon, Rita, Jana and anyone else who did not see it the first time. I also feel another trip to London coming on, even though I have seen it twice!!! From today's BAZ BAMIGBOYE Column in the The Daily Mail:- \"WATCH OUT FOR..... Colin Firth who stars in a film called Donovan Quick which BBC Scotland is filming on location near Glasgow. Mr. Firth was in Los Angeles with his wife, Livia Guiggioli, but is returning to play a transport firm boss involved in deregulation and privatisation. \"My character defends the little man against the big corporation, but there are complications\" Firth told me. He was recently on stage at the Donmar Warehouse in Covent Garden in Three Days of Rain, by American playwright Richard Greenberg. Firth and fellow actors E.McG and DM gave mouthwatering performances. PLANS ARE AFOOT TO BRING THEM BACK IN THE PLAY AT THE DONMAR AT THE END OF YEAR.\" (Don't mean to shout just don't know how to emphasize it any other way.) Great news and we also now know that DQ is definitely for the BBC."}, {"response": 389, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (16:21)", "body": "AnnW: Fabulous news!!! Now if somebody (BBC or...) would only film and broadcast it..."}, {"response": 390, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (16:37)", "body": "Oh god! London, I\ufffdm COMING!!! Thanks Ann, what a treasure you are to bring these news."}, {"response": 391, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (17:12)", "body": "I'm THERE, baby! Jana!!! Moon!!! What say you, sisters? You can tell your sig. others that you have a friend in need of chaperoning to London ;-) I was all over L.A. these past 2 weeks... where have the Firths been hanging out, I wonder."}, {"response": 392, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (18:47)", "body": "Ann, thanks for the news! Maybe if I start thinking about it now, I can come up with a plausible London business trip excuse by the end of the year;-) Ladies who have seen 3DOR, I am curious: if it is indeed restaged at year-end, and you had your 'druthers, what other actress would you rather see cast as Nan/Lina? (I recall there was some disappointment with EMcG's performance -- who do you think might have done it better?)"}, {"response": 393, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (18:54)", "body": "Susan, that's an interesting question. I have a suspicion - and please shoot me down, ladies - that v. few are worthy of standing next to The Firth. Even when I suggested, with a \"num\" question (expecting the answer yes), that JE would have done okay, there was a polite but clear silence on the matter. Aphrodite herself would have trouble getting past any director from Drool, I fancy. \"Nice cheekbones, maybe, but there's something wholly unsuitable about her in that bed scene with Colin.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 394, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (21:05)", "body": "Thanks, Ann, for reporting this surprising news! Shout all you want! (SusanMC) Maybe if I start thinking about it now, I can come up with a plausible London business trip excuse by the end of the year;-) Maybe if we all put our heads together, we can create a standardized list of excuses."}, {"response": 395, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (21:21)", "body": "Of course, those reviews just make ODB's star shine brighter. ;-) I was holding my breath for him...if you'd seen Rufus Sewell's reviews (audience falling asleep etc) you'd have realised how bad reviews can be. To be called \"superb\" \"amazing\" \"world class\" is no mean feat, especially when (I suspect) many reviewers would have been pleased to see Mr Darcy take a tumble! \"Movie stars\" tend to fare badly at the pens of theatre critics. And he's playing it again! He must have enjoyed his return to the stage (and his reception afterwards) :-) Marvellous news Ann!! The Daily Mail finally delivers... And it even gives me time to convert my DH to the joys of the theatre or to arrange a covert trip to a matinee (the latter is easier, I think!) 3DOR deserved a longer run....and this gives the cast and production the chance of nominations for Olivier awards (equivalent of Tonys). Ben, I would LOVE to see CF and JE on stage together, but I can't see EMcG stepping down! How about \"Pygmalion\"? CF as Professor Higgins, and JE as Eliza? \"The rine in spine..\" CF's fixture list is surely filling up...two movies opening end of May, early June in the US, what sound like a very imminent start on Donovan Quick, and (see Karen's posting at #80) with Working Title's BJD greenlighted, hopefully he'll give us a reprise of Mr Darcy (milennium version) in the summer. Oh frabjous day!"}, {"response": 396, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (21:22)", "body": "Susan, I agree with Ben I think JE could play Nan/Lina, she is after all half American and I think she could do the accent as well if not better than E.McG and she is about the right age, give or take a year or two and plus I would love to see them doing something together again!"}, {"response": 397, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (21:29)", "body": "Was that just a shot in the dark about Pygmalion, Bethan or had you heard the same rumour that I have heard that Cameron Mackintosh? is to produce MY Fair Lady in the millenium and it was mentioned that CF was one of the actors under consideration. It was about a year ago I heard this and I think again in the BB Column in the Daily Mail, but can he sing!!"}, {"response": 398, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (21:29)", "body": "Susan, I agree with Ben I think JE could play Nan/Lina, she is after all half American and I think she could do the accent as well if not better than E.McG and she is about the right age, give or take a year or two and plus I would love to see them doing something together again!"}, {"response": 399, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (21:43)", "body": "JE could definitely to the second act Lina very well and would do far better than EmcG on the accents overall, but she is a tad young. Nan (Act one) is the OLDER sister of Walker, who is in his mid-30s. Do you really think she's old enough. Think American actresses with the ability to do a Maggie the Cat, age 35 and up."}, {"response": 400, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (22:02)", "body": "Ann, \"Pygmalion\" was a shot in the dark. As for \"My Fair Lady\", well, Rex Harrison didn't exactly sing...he talked to the music, and very effective it was! But didn't CF sing in SIL...I've only seen it once, so my memory is becoming hazy!"}, {"response": 401, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (23:05)", "body": "CF sang indeed in SiL... Five years ago I saw a version of My Fair Lady in a Broadway theatre, with Richard Chamberlain as Higgins. Was terribly disappointed in that it was, IMO, richard C playing Rex Harrison playing Higgins... Would love to see what Colin could do to the part. \"Oh, wouldn't it be marvelous?!\""}, {"response": 402, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (00:17)", "body": "Check the keepsakes for SiL. SBRobinson would leap to his defense as a singer, as her keepsake is his little song sung from horseback on a Sunday morning riding out to meet Viola just as she was going to church."}, {"response": 403, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (01:20)", "body": "Ben, I think JE and CF would work wonderfully together in just about anything. Unfortunately, I think the chances of that happening again are pretty slim. There aren't many cases I can recall of former flames who've worked together again -- Burton and Taylor, perhaps? Can anyone think of others? On the other hand, I hear the cast of Clint Eastwood's new film includes his ex-girlfriend Frances Fisher, so maybe there's hope after all;-)"}, {"response": 404, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (01:38)", "body": "Ben, I don't remember your mentioning JE to play Nan/Lina...I certainly would have responded. However, she is supposed to be the older of the two and I would LOVE to see CF and JE on stage together, but I can't see EMcG stepping down! I don't think she would let go for a minute. ****** As far as JE and CF being co-starred... their relationship ended amicably. They admire each other's acting skills ...I don't think it would matter to either one."}, {"response": 405, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (03:10)", "body": "their relationship ended amicably Officially - maybe. What do we *really* know?"}, {"response": 406, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (04:42)", "body": "Ann: Thank you for the news. Maybe I can come. It is not like I don't need a distraction. What a beautiful distraction CF on stage."}, {"response": 407, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (09:21)", "body": "Oh my, CF may be back at the Donmar? How am I to convinve the DH that I must go to London? I'll have to start working on excuses now :-). I'm sorry to be so tardy in my post (have been enduring work overload this week - I know, I always say that) but I just want to say thanks to the lunch gang from last weekend. What a great day! I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. Marianne, you cute thing. So glad you delurked! See, we're not that scary :-). Please come out and play more often. winter, it just gets better each time we meet. And Ben.... Back from relaxing 10-day Californian jaunt. Like, totally awesome, dude. so glad to see we've converted you :-). It was great to meet you! Next time you're in town we'll try the roller coaster."}, {"response": 408, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (10:35)", "body": "(SusanMC)There aren't many cases I can recall of former flames who've worked together again -- Burton and Taylor, perhaps? Can anyone think of others? Woody Allen and Diane Keaton."}, {"response": 409, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (13:11)", "body": "What news! Thanks Ann, in fact, I will be in Rome as of Dec. 18, it is certainly something to start planning for. :-) Does anyone know how long Don Q will will be in production. Must coordinate my Umbrian summer soon. Ben, I am all for JE as well, as we know, she looks great with dark hair.;-) CF as Higgins? Hmm..."}, {"response": 410, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (13:25)", "body": "Great news Ann. We can all start planning soon. It is certainly something to keep us going!!"}, {"response": 411, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (14:35)", "body": "I have just been in touch with the Donmar, they were very helpul, making another call on my behalf, and gave me the following information. The revival has not yet been confirmed, if it is the venue is UNLIKELY to be the Donmar. The casting would depend on availability, if original cast were to be available, then it was agreed they would be likely choices due to success of 3DOR reviews etc He said to keep in touch re latest news and I am happy to volunteer to do that on a regular basis. So it is fingers (and everything else) crossed."}, {"response": 412, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (14:37)", "body": "Sorry to put a \"damper\" on the Saturday morning that some of you are just waking up to."}, {"response": 413, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (15:43)", "body": "Lizza, thanks VERY much for calling to the Donmar, I was only just about beginning to pluck up my courage to do that. And I\ufffdm very grateful if you can keep in touch with them to get any possible news...so, the revival is not yet confirmed which means that everything is possible!?"}, {"response": 414, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (16:28)", "body": "Thank you Lizza....I like the Donmar ...v. intimate. Some of us asked him to come back to the stage soon....but I didn't mean the same play. Just as soon it was a different one. ******* their relationship ended amicably .Officially - maybe. What do we *really* know? Well, Firthsister....we can only take Colin and Jennifer at their word.They are both sincere people and I doubt they would lie. In an interview just last month she remarked about him..\"He is a v. nice man and a terrific actor\". Anyway....that was four or five years ago.It's all conjecture...I doubt they will co-star again."}, {"response": 415, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (17:39)", "body": "If you ask me, it's good news it's not at the Donmar - at least as far as the success of the piece is concerned. It means, surely, they're considering a West End venue, or perhaps the Royal Court. (Jana2) Next time you're in town we'll try the roller coaster. Good plan. Winter - perhaps you could go so far as to wear high heels, or is that too vertiginous? ;-) Some excuses for Jana's DH: \"helping W. overcome fear of heights by making her fly to London with me\" \"have heard about these things 'cloud' and 'rain', and thought I'd check them out for myself\" \"they've discovered oil below Covent Garden\""}, {"response": 416, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (18:53)", "body": "(Ben)Good plan. Winter - perhaps you could go so far as to wear high heels, or is that too vertiginous? ;-) Alright smart boy...you just watch yourself. Next time: You. Me. Santa Monica Pier Roller coaster. Endurance test. Got it?! Seriously, Jana2 (and anyone else with DH obstacles): Can't you say you're going to London with a group of harmless women, doing a special tour on London's theatre district? I see nothing absurd about that. People go on tours just to watch the leaves fall in New England (heck, I'd take that tour)."}, {"response": 417, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (19:45)", "body": "Winter - perhaps you could go so far as to wear high heels, or is that too vertiginous? Spring for the dictionary...for a minute I thought William Buckley had logged on:-))"}, {"response": 418, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (20:06)", "body": "Donovan Quick which BBC Scotland is filming on location (Ann) Aha...so it's BBC Scotland. The director of DonQ (name escapes me) was responsible for an absoluely marvellous BBC Scotland production \"Taking over the Asylum\" which won a BAFTA Best Drama award. Very warm and humane, based on what sounded like unpromising material (the patients in a mental hospital fight back after the \"asylum\" is threatened with closure.) A good omen. Moon, I reckon he'll be stating filming now...there are only a few \"good\" months for filming, April through August, and I'm sure they'll want some shots of the beautiful Scottish scenery!. He's back in MLSF territory, if he's near Glasgow. I doubt they will co-star again (Evelyn) I don't know...I always think there's a chance. They share the same agent, and I'm sure that both want to balance stage and film work. Wasn't JE's last stage role about three years ago (Queen Anne in Richard III)...she may be thinking of a return soon. (BTW, JE has another movie opening next week ..\"Bedrooms and Hallways\") Re 3DOR not at the Donmar...I agree with Ben. Most successful productions which start at the Donmar and then extend, transfer to another (larger capacity) theatre in the West End. I doubt whether you'll be able to read the price labels on CF's shoes or see his bald spot! I should also think that CF (and possibly the other cast members) have ongoing work commitments, because most transfers seem to take place two or three weeks after the end of the opening run. Not many shows transfer...there has to be a r cognised demand."}, {"response": 419, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (20:22)", "body": "Re: CF and JE ...They share the same agent Same firm at Oxford House: ICM. Different agents.Jennifer's is Sally Long-Innis. Jennifer's last stage appearance was at Stratford June-Nov. 1995 with the RSC. She was rumored for \"Cat on Hot Tin...\" with Peter Hall. But he has relocated to Hollywood. Now that would be a play for both of them....Tennesee Williams... Talk about smoldering. A real sizzler!!"}, {"response": 420, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (20:44)", "body": "Such good news you always bring us, Ann! Both 3DOR and DQ. Thanks also Lizza, for volunteering to be our Donmar go-between (even if it doesn't ultimately land at the Donmar.) Can't imagine there will be a dearth of Firth this year. (Evelyn) Some of us asked him to come back to the stage soon....but I didn't mean the same play. LOL!! I wouldn't mind seeing him do something different either but at least those who couldn't go last time have a second chance. And if I begin my electroshock therapy now perhaps I'll be able to handle the excitement this time. So get your excuses ready, girls. You have to go to London to find that special Christmas gift for your DH not available anywhere in the world....perhaps that Arsenal wallpaper? Welcome, Marianne. You've joined us during a very active time. Our DB can certainly generate some heat, can he not."}, {"response": 421, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (20:50)", "body": "(Heide)....perhaps that Arsenal wallpaper? I'm losing the battle, clearly. NOT the Arsenal wallpaper. I am convinced that you could be on the brink of success with YDB, all of you. You would make him laugh and your intentions regarding him clear. But, just at the last minute, with him leaning over to turn down the light, you draining the last of the champagne, he sees the Arse wallpaper in your bag and THAT, my dear friends, would be it. FORGET IT."}, {"response": 422, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (22:40)", "body": "I doubt whether you'll be able to read the price labels on CF's shoes or see his bald spot! The price labels... by the end of the second week, by the way, there was only one left still attached... yes, on the left sole! But as for his bald spot... the sad truth is, it's more than just a spot - the whole top of his head shows signs of extensive thinning now... (but never mind, he's still lovely...)"}, {"response": 423, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (23:04)", "body": "it's more than just a spot - the whole top of his head shows signs of extensive thinning now... (but never mind, he's still lovely...) Speaking of which, doesn't it look like he had a full head of thick matted hair in SiL. Was it the magic of makeup artists?"}, {"response": 424, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (23:27)", "body": "(Evelyn)...but I didn't mean the same play. Just as soon it was a different one. Not Fair...Just as the critics are raving \"You must see this play!!\", it is 1) sold out and then 2) gone. Don't be a dog-in-the-manger about it now...give the rest of the world a chance to see it now that they know WHAT and WHO to pursue! --If it ever comes up that CF and JE would be offered to work together again-- amicable parting or not--these two are consummate professionals and IMHO wouldn't refuse on those grounds if the material was good enough!"}, {"response": 425, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (23:59)", "body": "His hair, my dear, his hair.....oh, you spoilsport, Arami! (Not that I really care...thinning hair can be a sign of distinction!) Now I wasn't there and haven't gazed exclusively on his pate, but I do have a theory. My son has similar curly rather fine hair, which he has recently cut short and (horror of horrors!) insists on smothering with gel (the \"wet look\"). Awful. When short and \"wet\", you really can see his scalp, but when newly washed and longer,it looks as though he's got a good head of hair...which indeed he has! Just a theory. :-)"}, {"response": 426, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (00:10)", "body": "as for his bald spot... the sad truth is, it's more than just a spot It really is true. I was a bit surprised when he did that water bit in 3DOR and the situation of his hair became so visible especially under the strong theater lights. I expect his hair to get considerably thinner on the top of his head in the next few years, that\ufffds inevitable. I wonder what he\ufffds thinking and feeling about it himself, after all it\ufffds a pretty big change to one\ufffds looks and looks is his instrument. A change like that will affect his roles too....but I don\ufffdt think I\ufffdd lose interest if he lost his hair, there are other beautiful things in him that he\ufffdll never lose."}, {"response": 427, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (00:41)", "body": "I would have loved the Donmar because you are so close to him, as you ladies experienced. I would prefer a play where he speaks without an American accent, but that is besides the point. The play was most successful and it will be 3DOR at the bigger venue. I love your idea Heide, of shopping for the Xmas gift in London, perhaps an ancient manuscript on Alchemy, and that wonderful Darjeling tea at the Bluebird. Funny thing is, that all our very good friends from London will be coming to Italy for the holidays. I remember driving through Scotland one summer. Did not care for Glascow, but Loch Lomond which is nearby was very lovely. I wonder where exactly he will be filming? Lizza, I will be waiting to hear the dates, thanks!"}, {"response": 428, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (01:58)", "body": "I like your theory, Bethan....but trust me...I sat in the first row of the balcony for two hours...It's thinning...like they say...not just in one spot.Big Time.And he doesn't use it curly in 3 DOR or gelled! There are several new medications now that are v. successful,however. Never mind...we'll love him just the same:-) Some say they noticed it in P&P..but I never saw it."}, {"response": 429, "author": "EllieP", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (02:54)", "body": "Yes Evelyn-I noticed it in P&P. It was their meetin at Pemberly after he was properly dressed. It was when he turned & said \"would you introduce me to your friends?\" I thought it was because his hair was supposedly wet from swimming. Unhappily,my eyesight hadn't fooled me."}, {"response": 430, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (02:56)", "body": "There are several new medications now that are v. successful,however. And hasn't Gi volunteered her services? No, not those services - the hair replacement treatments. I accept your theory, Bethan, and will not change my mind until I see him again and it's even more noticeable. Though I'll love him still the same. Elena, your points are well taken. Could this be why he doesn't seem himself as a romantic figure in future roles? Nah!"}, {"response": 431, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (02:58)", "body": "...and that is see himself as a romantic figure."}, {"response": 432, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (09:28)", "body": "(Ben) Some excuses for Jana's DH: \"they've discovered oil below Covent Garden\" LMAO! That one might actually work. I'm tucking it away for future reference :-)."}, {"response": 433, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (10:59)", "body": "Where is Lizza these days? Lizza: check your email box NOW! I believe you may have something you want to share with the world at large..."}, {"response": 434, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (11:06)", "body": "Arami, I believe Lizza is away for a few days, oh no this is so intriguing, I'm sorry I'm just naturally curious."}, {"response": 435, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (12:20)", "body": "Where is Lizza these days? Lizza: check your email box NOW! I believe you may have something you want to share with the world at large..."}, {"response": 436, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (12:29)", "body": "Oops, damn program - it reposts automatically when you go off and then on line again. Have you found out how to avoid it? Just remember to leave the board on which your post is the last one. Silly, and one can't always be bothered."}, {"response": 437, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (12:46)", "body": "Arami, you did that deliberately!!:-)) And now I\ufffdm about to explode with curiosity. What does Lizza has to say to the world?? Do we have to wait for a few days to hear it?!"}, {"response": 438, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (13:07)", "body": "Calm down - it's just her pics in a tasteful frame, ready to be viewed. Suppose it's best to let her see firth if she likes the way the've been processed."}, {"response": 439, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (16:32)", "body": "3DOR movie? At the IMDB they are listing a film called \"Three Days of Rain\" as in preproduction. Is this based on the play? (Apparently the wife of the mayor of St. Paul MN is signed to act in it (as her debut), that's where I heard about it.)"}, {"response": 440, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (17:10)", "body": "What's the mayor's wife's name? There are three women listed in the cast at the IMDB. I had read that the film rights were purchased a while back. Could be one and the same and they would likely have different actors playing the parent and child roles, as well as the unseen but mentioned characters and perhaps others."}, {"response": 441, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (19:12)", "body": "Okay, I bow to your superior judgements...his hair is thinning! My suspicions dated back to the time when Helen Fielding endowed Mark Darcy with a developing bald \"spot\" (Bridget notices it as MD bends over by the fridge)...and I thought \"hello, life imitates art, I bet Colin's got one too!\" BTW, ladies, were you paying much attention to the actual play?"}, {"response": 442, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (19:42)", "body": "Actually no--the first night that is. Instead I was thinking about all the things I read about him plus the movies I had seen him in. I think I was in a total daze. I also remember when the play began and he walked on stage, I got excited and said, \"Oh, my God.\" The lady sitting next to me from cf.com just turned around and smiled. However, the second night I concentrated more on the play. Here's another question for the ladies who were in attendance. Did CF live up to your expectations and why?"}, {"response": 443, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (19:59)", "body": "BTW, ladies, were you paying much attention to the actual play? LOL! What play? Bethan, a very good question and I believe you know the answer too. I really seriously think I should see the play again because all I remember is that there was this gorgeous guy and I remember every single detail of him especially when he was laying on that bed :-D but what the hell happened in the play?! (Just kidding. Or at least almost.)"}, {"response": 444, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (19:59)", "body": "(Jana C.)Here's another question for the ladies who were in attendance. Did CF live up to your expectations and why? Beyond my expectations is more like it. I was completely blown away by his stage technique...so different, IMO from his films. Of course, for once he selected a perfect role for his acting skills. He totally embodied himself in Walker/Ned. Anybody else feel this way?"}, {"response": 445, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (20:23)", "body": "I remember driving through Scotland one summer. Did not care for Glascow, but Loch Lomond which is nearby was very lovely. I wonder where exactly he will be filming? (Moon) Glasgow is very strong culturally (music, drama, art etc) and has some marvellous civic buildings, but the immediate environs are rather grim. However once you're out of the city, the scenery is stunning. I should imagine they could be filming near Loch Lomond/Queen Elizabeth Forest....your guess is as good as mine! I wonder if Livia is with him on location....is it usual for spouses/partners to join the shoot? Could be rather boring. I don't know about anyone else, but I've grown so accustomed to almost daily accounts of new meetings/conversations with the Man Himself, that I'm half expecting (hoping) to read \"My meeting with CF in Auchenbothie\" or \"A casual encounter with Mr Darcy in the Kilpatrick Hills\" Isn't there anyone north of the border who can carry out a sortie?"}, {"response": 446, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (20:36)", "body": "Seriously, 3DOR proved me that Colin really is a professional. You can\ufffdt be certain of that before you see an actor on stage, it\ufffds so easy to hide things in a movie and do a million retakes. I was a bit worried beforehand but now I know what he\ufffds capable of and admire him much more than I did before. Still I think he was slightly self-conscious on stage and didn\ufffdt sort of throw himself into the roles. I sensed some sort of nervousness and I\ufffdm not talking about Walker\ufffds or Ned\ufffds nervousness but the actor\ufffds. He seemed to hold something back especially in the matinee performance, that\ufffds my opinion. How I\ufffdd LOVE to hear his own thoughts about the play, how he felt doing it, did he think it succeeded, was it what he wanted it to be, why he chose to be in exactly that play....should we send him a NEW list of questions?!"}, {"response": 447, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (20:38)", "body": "Jana, he far exceeded my expectations, he was much younger and good looking in real life (if that is possible), in SIL I thought he looked a bit jowly and fatter in the face and much older than he looked in 3DOR, he was more charming, friendly (after the recent bad press about his internet fans), obliging, sexier, thinner, his acting was even more awesome on stage than on scene (am sorry he won't be at the Donmar next time, it was wonderful to be so close to this awesome creature!), taller than I had expe ted, those eyes were even more impressive and that voice need I say more, the only thing I missed was seeing him astride a horse but you can't have everything, sorry about the grammar. Is that enough, I could go on."}, {"response": 448, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (20:39)", "body": "Thats's strange Elena, because I thought his performance in the Matinee had an \"edge\" and he seemed a little tired in the evening but it was still a wonderful performance."}, {"response": 449, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (20:41)", "body": "what I meant to say was the his Matinee performance was a little sharper."}, {"response": 450, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (20:42)", "body": "Thats's strange Elena, because I thought his performance in the Matinee had an \"edge\" and he seemed a little tired in the evening but it was still a wonderful performance."}, {"response": 451, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (20:53)", "body": "Okay, maybe I was the nervous one! And I really was, or completely dazed like Jana says.....but I liked the evening performance more because he seemed to be more relaxed in it and sort of completely in control of what he was doing. All in all, it\ufffds very hard to say objectively whether the performance of the actor was wonderful or not because the man HIMSELF is so wonderful and it\ufffds not exactly the same thing!!"}, {"response": 452, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (23:31)", "body": "One has to be a disinterested viewer to be objective about performances...no posibility of that in THIS group! BTW I would be interested in how this play and Colin got together. Did he see or read it, get interested and make \"suggestions\"? Was it already planned and someone saw how he might match the part and submit it to him for his approval?? (if available, of course.) Was someone at the Donmar keeping an eye out for his interests (\"wants to do a little live theatre again...\")? Is it all just luck (two ships colliding in the night??) After all, it was first produced two years ago in California... It was almost as if these two roles were written *specifically* for his skills! Serendipity, anyone?"}, {"response": 453, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (00:19)", "body": "(Karen J)Was it already planned and someone saw how he might match the part and submit it to him for his approval?? Sue Birtwistle ?? :-) Interesting questions.Maybe we could make up another list of questions re: 3 DOR."}, {"response": 454, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (01:23)", "body": "What has hair to do with talent? Isn't that why we love to see him. Look at Sean Connery, being bald certainly hasn't hurt him. He's just as sexy as ever too. I think he's even better bald. Michael Jordon wouldn't be as sexy with hair as he is bald. IMHO"}, {"response": 455, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (01:24)", "body": "I would really love to see Colin play vidal in Georgette Heyer's The Devils Cub."}, {"response": 456, "author": "SusanA", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (06:37)", "body": "Just about every SIL scene shown at the Oscars included Colin Firth. His scenes were clearly some of the more interesting ones. There was the Dance, , the sword fight, the kiss and slap, the scenes with the Queen, all of which were action packed. Therefore, I find it so unbelievable and so distressing that he didn't get more recognition and acclaim for his role in the film. Well, at least Gwyneth mentioned him at the Golden Globes and Gigliotti at the Oscars."}, {"response": 457, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (13:51)", "body": "So glad you mentioned Dancing, Susan. Look what I found:"}, {"response": 458, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (16:41)", "body": "Great pic, Karen! Where'd you find that one? Just a few words about his hair: it's more than just a spot - the whole top of his head shows signs of extensive thinning now... (but never mind, he's still lovely...) (KarenR) Speaking of which, doesn't it look like he had a full head of thick matted hair in SiL. Was it the magic of makeup artists? I noticed that too. Either said thinning has accelerated since Mar/April '98 when SiL was filmed or he wore fake hair to go with the fake goatee. (Lucie) What has hair to do with talent? Isn't that why we love to see him. Good point but as Elena said, in acting looks and talent are part of the same instrument. Sorry, but I like his hair and will miss it even though I'll always admire ODB. Thanks for keeping up with the fate of 3DOR, Lizza. If everything works out and Colin does reprise it, I think the possibility of an Olivier nom would be icing on the cake for him. Remember, he won't do long runs. How long does a play need to run to be considered? I agree, Heide, there'll be no dearth of Firth this year. I have this inexplicable feeling that his best is yet to come..."}, {"response": 459, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (18:41)", "body": "I've just seen an article in today's Guadian which may shed some light on why SLOW hasn't got a distributor in the US (which has a knock on effect on the UK, because we no longer have any European distributors). BTW, I'm only the messenger, so if the views expressed are controversial, write to The Guardian!! :-) Apparently the (black) actor who plays Dr Benson in ER has asked for his screen relationship with the (white/English) Dr Corday to be ended, because it is not conveying the right message. He feels that black men should be depicted in successful relationships with black women, and the producers have agreed. The article continues... \"This decision highlights the squeamishness with which American film and TV have always dealt with mixed-race relationships. For the most part they avoid them altogether, or when they do happen they are mainly between white men and black women (Kevin Costner/Whitney Houston, Warren Beatty/Halle Berry...which is\"far less threatening to the white men who fund the film industry\"... or (very occasionally) black men and foreign white women (ER). The article goes on to comment that in the UK, mixed race relationships are so commonplace in soaps and films, that they don't even register as such. Relationships are also shown in various degrees of intimacy ( which again I do not think is the case in the US). (I can remember CF and Cathy Tyson (or rather, their characters!) kissing with some enthusiasm in \"Out of the Blue\" and Cathy Tyson is very beautiful , and black.) I also remember a marvellous French movie (which sounds similar to SLOW), starring Daniel Auteuil as an unsuccessful French business man who falls in love with his Cameroonian cleaning lady and marries her (to disapproval from both sides of the community) anf finds true happiness. It did very well in Europe, but not elsewhere. Anyway, as I said I'm only the messenger.....:-)"}, {"response": 460, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (18:54)", "body": "AHA!! I have been suspecting as much for a long time..."}, {"response": 461, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (19:12)", "body": "The article goes on to comment that in the UK, mixed race relationships are so commonplace in soaps and films, that they don't even register as such. Relationships are also shown in various degrees of intimacy (which again I do not think is the case in the US). Hmm...interesting...No, you don't have as many interracial couples portrayed in US media as you do in the UK. For a lot of reasons...The main one being the racial politics and history in US race relations. Britian had a fairly more lax treatment of ethnic minorities-- discrimination was more class based than racial, I think. Of course they'd have instances of hate-crime, etc...but not to the degree of systematic lynchings or institutionalized segregation in public places. (As for the Dr. Benton/Dr. Corday relationship-- it was a poorly developed story in the first place. I'm rather glad to see it possibly end. Perhaps ER can hire an English actor to join the cast as an old flame of Dr. Corday's...ODB perhaps? CF in medical scrubs...think about it.)"}, {"response": 462, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (19:21)", "body": "(Bethan) Apparently the (black) actor who plays Dr Benson in ER has asked for his screen relationship with the (white/English) Dr Corday to be ended, because it is not conveying the right message. He feels that black men should be depicted in successful relationships with black women, and the producers have agreed. There is something v. sad about this, I think. Is this what Martin Luther King or Bobby Kennedy would have wanted?"}, {"response": 463, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (20:14)", "body": "(Ben)There is something v. sad about this, I think. Is this what Martin Luther King or Bobby Kennedy would have wanted? No, they wouldn't. But at the same time, they might not have approved of a Black man as a single father, unable to hold down a relationship with the mother of his child, which happens on the show. Furthermore, the relationships between black actors on the show have resulted in infidelities, transfernce of HIV from husband to wife, and this season's storyline about the African couple (the wife is afraid of being physically absued by her husband). I don't really care how this character's love life develops but I think I see where the actor (La Salle) is coming from. He sees an urgency to ammend existing stereotypes of black/black couples, before jumping into the black/white issue."}, {"response": 464, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (20:15)", "body": "There was an article in LA Time earlier this month. I've extracted a bit of it below. The writer is Sir Peter Hall who has gone to LA to produce a couple of Shakespeare's plays this summer (previews from 6 June if you are interested). His comments on trying to cast the plays are revealing (in light of discussions herein about CF's projects and schedule): \" I made contact with a wonderful group of American actors--some of them old friends, some of them new: Ed Harris, Kevin Kline, John Lithgow, Christopher Plummer, Dustin Hoffman, David Dukes, Nathan Lane, Helen Hunt, Kelly McGillis, Gwyneth Paltrow, Minnie Driver and many more. (Note to their agents: The billing is haphazard.) They were all keen to work on Shakespeare; they were all indeed keen to get back to the stage. But most of them couldn't do it. They had to wait--wait until their movie was \"green-lighted\" or their TV pilot was elevated into a series. In L.A., it seems, actors wait--not because they are resting but because they are hoping. The place has probably the biggest pool of talented actors in the world, but they are there not to act but to wait--in case the TV or the movie calls. Theater cannot figure in their calculations except (briefly) on the way up, or perhaps even more briefly on the way down. Some of the actors asked politely toward the end of the meeting if I hadn't been told that they were not free. \"Then why on earth did you come?\" I would ask. \"I thought it would be interesting to meet you,\" was the reply. Flattering, but hardly any help in setting up a Shakespeare company. Hollywood is a state of mind that measures talent strictly by dollar potential; it can measure how hot you are to the last cent, and its audiences tend to be as sensitive to this as the agents and producers. L.A., it seems to me, is a town still searching to define itself as a city. Even with \"Shakespeare in Love\" wowing the place, there is a certain anxiety about Shakespeare. Is there real money in him? How will the film do in Topeka, Kan.? The agents don't like theater because they want their clients to be ever free for the screen. Some agents would not even let their major clients come to meet me unless there was already an offer on the table. I said that it didn't seem reasonable to make an offer without meeting the artist. I wasn't going to submit them to an audition, but surely it would be wise to see if we both got on? No, this ignorant foreigner invariably lost.\""}, {"response": 465, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (21:33)", "body": "Chris, what an interesting insight! The place has probably the biggest pool of talented actors in the world, but they are there not to act but to wait--in case the TV or the movie calls. This reminds me of surf... I look out to the sea and see a dozen surfers, freezing in the water and looking out at the horizon...waiting...waiting...waiting for the waves... They spend 90% of their time in the water, not catching the waves. This is true about surfers in Portugal, I don't know about other places. Anyway, I'm glad CF went on stage, instead of just waiting!"}, {"response": 466, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (21:41)", "body": "Interesting articles, ladies. (Chris) The agents don't like theater because they want their clients to be ever free for the screen. This is happening on B'way. New plays with big name actors are being advertised for limited runs (which are still longer than 3DOR's 2 weeks at the Donmar); successful plays with big names change stars like we change shirts. As for SLOW: For the most part they avoid them altogether, or when they do happen they are mainly between white men and black women Isn't that what SLOW is about? Last I checked, Colin was white and Nia Long was black so the movie doesn't necessarily break new ground. But there has to be a reason it didn't sell and I wouldn't be surprised it was this one. (Winter) I see where the actor (La Salle) is coming from. He sees an urgency to ammend existing stereotypes of black/black couples, before jumping into the black/white issue. I see your point, Winter, but feel somewhat nervous comparing real life to this series with its abysmally contrived story lines. But I suppose that's how we interpret ourselves in this country...and how others interpret us."}, {"response": 467, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (22:14)", "body": "Re: SLOW...But there has to be a reason it didn't sell and I wouldn't be surprised it was this one. If the theory that the racial element in SLOW is the deterrent; (and no one knows for sure..... The American Film Market in Santa Monica where SLOW was screened last month, was also attended by UK and European distribs..not just American. Why didn't one of them pick it up....Entertainment Films in UK, Alliance in Canada & UK, Itatly, Germany? When Handmade owned it I remember them telling us that Israel and Sweden had indicated an interest...but then Handmade went belly-up and the film went to the creditors. ***** In opera performances the cast often includes black sopranos with white tenors. Sadly...seldom the other way around.Except in Othello."}, {"response": 468, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (22:36)", "body": "Sir Peter Hall in H-Wood.... \"No, this ignorant foreigner invariably lost.\" Poor guy has problems everywhere he goes....in UK too."}, {"response": 469, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (23:08)", "body": "(winter) I see where the actor (La Salle) is coming from. He sees an urgency to ammend existing stereotypes of black/black couples, before jumping into the black/white issue. (1) The Benton-Corday relationship was over months ago. Moreover, Eric LaSalle's character is wholly career-oriented to the total exclusion of personal relationships with black or white women. (2) No one on ER has a happy normal relationship. Mark Green is divorced and has scraped the bottom of the barrel. For the longest time, Doug Ross was pond scum and has now left Whatsername. If they led normal happy lives we wouldn't watch the show! FYI, the information I heard about Eric LaSalle was that he threatened to leave the show because they had not given him episodes where he was showcased. Given the imminent departure of George Clooney, the producers caved, and a few weeks ago, there was the episode where he was fill-in doctor in rural Mississippi. **** Thank you Chris for posting the article. Only goes to prove that \"show business\" is business. Fewer people are doing projects for the love of the art. A shame, especially when you look at the names of the people mentioned. Many of the people could take the time off and do something for their soul, instead of for the box office. How much more money does someone like Dustin Hoffman need! I read the other day that Cate Blanchette is doing a six-month run of \"Plenty\" in London starting next month even though she is being inundated by scripts and offers. Good for her!"}, {"response": 470, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar 30, 1999 (02:20)", "body": "GP is going to do summer stock in Williamstown, Mass. where her mom has starred.She's going to play a role in \"As you like It \" I think."}, {"response": 471, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar 30, 1999 (08:28)", "body": "Well, Shakespeare did leave his mark on her then ;-)"}, {"response": 472, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Mar 30, 1999 (15:14)", "body": "Or Ben Affleck, he's from this area (I'm in MA)"}, {"response": 473, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Tue, Mar 30, 1999 (17:00)", "body": "Note to Peter Hall re: that wonderful group of \"American\" actors -- Christopher Plummer is Canadian... and Minnie Driver is hardly a Yank:-)"}, {"response": 474, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar 30, 1999 (18:21)", "body": "I bought a magazine called OK, with pics from the Oscars. it said that Gwynie and Ben Affleck might be together again. For what it's worth... :-)"}, {"response": 475, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Mar 30, 1999 (19:16)", "body": "For what it's worth, I always had a hunch they were never apart."}, {"response": 476, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Mar 30, 1999 (19:27)", "body": "I was wondering do we know who the Presenters (is that the right word) are at the forthcoming BAFTA's , seeing as Colin is in the minority as regards nominees I think it would be really lovely if he were asked to present an Award. Does anyone know how we can find out who are making the Presentations this year, Jennifer Ehle and Stephen Fry presented an Award last year, Evelyn did you know that she was going to be a Presenter. Oh dear please excuse the grammar but you know what I mean."}, {"response": 477, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar 30, 1999 (21:31)", "body": "(Ann W. ) Evelyn did you know that she was going to be a Presenter. Yes, but I think either Bethan or you told me. The Presenters are announced closer to the time of the Awards. Any bets on Best Picture? Think SIL will take it or Elizabeth Best Actress? Best Actor? Think the seats at the Royal Theatre will hold Mr. Benigni up?I am glad that Joe Fiennes was nom. I don't think he'll get it...but I think he deserved a nom. Best Suporting Actor ...if Tom Wilkinson gets it...it will be on his UK television popularity..IMO.That award belongs to ODB. And then...I wonder who the token American will be....can't be Kathy Bates..that would be a slap to Dame Judi.I think it will be Ed Harris for The Truman Show (gag, gag) Does anyone know where the entire List of Noms is posted. I couldn't find it on the BAFTA website."}, {"response": 478, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Mar 31, 1999 (01:39)", "body": "What is the URL of the BAFTA website, PLEASE."}, {"response": 479, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Mar 31, 1999 (01:42)", "body": "Is anyone else having a problem with The Spring. When I click on the one at colinfirth.com I get some site in Austin, Texas. I have it bookmarked but get the same thing either place."}, {"response": 480, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Mar 31, 1999 (01:42)", "body": "What is the URL of the BAFTA website, PLEASE."}, {"response": 481, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 31, 1999 (02:01)", "body": "The BAFTA site is http://www.bafta.org When I click on the one at colinfirth.com I get some site in Austin, Texas. Lucie, the *one* what? The link at cf.com should take you to the main Drool page, which for the unregistered public is: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/public/browse/drool/all FYI, Spring is headquartered in Austin, Tex. So you're in the right place. :) If you're having problems, we can go into more detail at nomdedrool@yahoo.com. But I will go check out the link to here at cf.com. (Renate, weren't you mentioning something about changing it after our London pilgrimages?)"}, {"response": 482, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar 31, 1999 (02:24)", "body": "The other good website for BAFTA info is http.www.pa.press.net which is the UK Press Association website.Click on Entertainment for a short list of the BAFTA noms.Last year they posted the awards as they were presented."}, {"response": 483, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar 31, 1999 (02:25)", "body": "Let's try that one again: http://www.pa.press.net"}, {"response": 484, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Mar 31, 1999 (02:32)", "body": "---FYI GP has been doing summerstock at Williamstown with Mom for yrs. I, too, noticed the changed page we are getting from the front page of colinfirth.com. But if I go into the CF Links from there and THEN press the Spring Discussion bar, I get the old header page for the public. The only problem I've noticed there, though, is that no matter what topic link you press on, you still start at Topic 3 and load the WHOLE THING. I'd really like our old page back, please.."}, {"response": 485, "author": "SusanA", "date": "Wed, Mar 31, 1999 (03:32)", "body": "Karen R. that is a great picture you posted. Thank you ever so much. Colin looks great in his dancing shoes. Where did you find it. I would love to get my own copy. In reference to the above topic, the way I get here is by saving this location on favorites. When I click on favorites this site is readily available. Has anyone tried doing it that way?"}, {"response": 486, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 31, 1999 (03:41)", "body": "Susan, the picture came from the Miramax site, but there were lots of other people in the original picture. Why waste the KB? The Drool main page is the front door. Most of us do come in the back door, i.e., right into the topics. Yes, I see the cf.com link has been changed to Spring's main page. Now, in addition to the Ph.D one needs to figure out how to post here, one also needs a detailed map from the motor club. Oh well...."}, {"response": 487, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Mar 31, 1999 (07:29)", "body": "Sorry, all, if I confused you by changing the link. I am in the process to clean up the page a bit for visitors (nudge, nudge, wink, wink). I have also registered cf.com at Yahoo and Excite and will go on to publish it. Considered the sometimes rather private nature of the subjects discussed I prefer occasional visitors not to find their way here too easily. Karen could you please post a description how the present visitors here get in the easiest way (I myself have bookmarked the \"restricted\" URLs of each board, as Susan describes, or change the boards number if required). Sorry, if I did it so secretly - at least I know now that the links are actually used ;-) - I meant to explain later, when I have a bit more time."}, {"response": 488, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 31, 1999 (13:26)", "body": "Thanks, Renate, for the explanation. I did notice some of the changes and additions, like the Fixture List. Cute. Actually, my preferred method of accessing Drool is *through* the front door, i.e., the main Drool page, which I have bookmarked, for a few reasons: First, I can see how much activity there has been (number of topics with new postings) just to get a feel for how much time I will be spending here! This only works if you keep your setting on \"All New\" and deal with all the other topics you are not interested in, i.e., mark them as Read or go through them so they don't show up anymore unless they too have activity. Second, I look at the listing of most recent postings below for irregularities, such as a person posting to a topic but it doesn't show up above as new, and the infamous 2036 date. If that happens then I know I will have to reinitialize all the topics once the dreaded date thing has been fixed. What is reinitializing you ask? If you use the \"All New\" designation, the new postings don't show up in the conference list. Therefore, you must go into each of the topics you read manually (by bookmark or by c anging the url) and then use the Redisplay box to back up to the unseen comments. After you do this once, everything appears to work just fine. Third, the main Drool page is where we post notices of new topics being opened. If you bookmark, you may or may not find out about those. This is the bookmark I use: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/drool/all/new Then I go into the first topic on my conference list of New and from then on I use the buttons at the bottom for \"Next Topic.\" As long as your setting is All New, you will go to the next topic with \"New\" postings. Is this clear as mud? ;-)"}, {"response": 489, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Mar 31, 1999 (14:23)", "body": "Just found out that the Bafta Ceremony is to be held at the Business Design Centre in ISLINGTON, so CF could pop in make a Presentation and then pop back home again, no trouble!!"}, {"response": 490, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Wed, Mar 31, 1999 (16:42)", "body": "Just saw this rather interesting blurb. Gosh, is it that hard for a film to get a distributor in the U.S.?. Roger Ebert dedicates his ``Overlooked Film Festival'' to his late partner Gene Siskel. The fest, April 21-25 will be held at the U. of Illinois (Ebert's alma mater) and the Virginia Theatre in Urbana-Champaign, Ill. Pix include Heather Rose's ``Dance Me to My Song,'' which was a Palme d'Or competitor at Cannes last year but hasn't been picked up for distribution in America yet. Hmm... wonder what else Rog has lined up for this fest..."}, {"response": 491, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 31, 1999 (17:04)", "body": "Thanks Susan for this tidbit. The program sounds very interesting. Here's the link to the entire program at the U of I (also my alma mater). http://www.uiuc.edu/unit/pa/ebertfest"}, {"response": 492, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Mar 31, 1999 (18:03)", "body": "Thank you Karen and Renata. I come in through ROP now and it works."}, {"response": 493, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Wed, Mar 31, 1999 (18:22)", "body": "Karen, thanks for the link. Doesn't look like Roger is running anything of interest to us droolers.I thought there might be a chance SLOW was on the program -- Ebert's wife is black and perhaps the story would have special appeal to him."}, {"response": 494, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Mar 31, 1999 (23:53)", "body": "I was not expressing my plea for our old link back for my own sake...I can get in and to what I want with alacrity. I am simply waxing nostalgic for when I first found Drool (yep, through RoP) and was so delighted and I hate to deprive any and all potential lurkers/posters the privilege I had to wander around drool at will. Totally remove a Topic or two, Oh ye Paranoic Few, but give Drool back to the potential newbies, please. IMHO, that is..."}, {"response": 495, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Apr  1, 1999 (01:09)", "body": "All those years ago, I found this site by using search engines (all I could find) to hunt up anything about Colin Firth. Many trials and downloads of pix later I found this haven for the Firthsty, and here I am still! Those who want to find it enough will find it. Those who want an easy fix or to lurk will not bother or will bypass it. It is like the Holy Grail. Only those truly deserving get to see it ;)"}, {"response": 496, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Apr  1, 1999 (07:33)", "body": "Marcia, that's exactly my idea. Who wants to find it will find it easily, others mustn't find it. but give Drool back to the potential newbies, please. Kjart, after all, the main page of Spring is just one more click away from the link we had before. From the Spring entry page you only have to go to \"drool\"."}, {"response": 497, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Apr  1, 1999 (07:34)", "body": "others mustn't find it. oooops. I think I used a wrong word...... should be: \"needn't find it\"."}, {"response": 498, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Apr  1, 1999 (13:37)", "body": "( Marcia), It is like the Holy Grail. Only those truly deserving get to see it ;) Marcia, how right you are!!!"}, {"response": 499, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Thu, Apr  1, 1999 (14:28)", "body": "Just read an article from \"This is London\" about Charles Dance and his play currently at the Donmar Warehouse. (He was in attendance at Colin's play and played Maxim de Winter in Rebecca) This critic was rather fond of his interpretation. What I found most interesting is that he mentions his Internet fan club, as run by a group of women who refer to themselves as \"Charlie's Angels.\" He also says the information they have on him is extraordinary and he finds it very touching. They have even sent him a g od luck charm (a silver cherub) which he keeps with him and refers to as my \"good luck angel.\" Here's a post http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/dynamic/hottx/theatre/top_direct.html"}, {"response": 500, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Apr  1, 1999 (16:57)", "body": "Jana, that\ufffds very interesting! Wonder why our adored one is so hostile to the Internet and all the massive pr work that his fans do for him. And still it seems that he likes to have fans. Well, there is one possible reason that comes to my mind, in case I remember correctly. Wasn\ufffdt his Hackney home address availabe in one of the sites for the whole world to see? It was removed later but I\ufffdd imagine that he didn\ufffdt like it very much if he ever came to know about it. I think that was inhumane and could have caused him some trouble."}, {"response": 501, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Thu, Apr  1, 1999 (17:02)", "body": "Jana, thanks for the link -- interesting article. And it makes me wonder... ladies, if we were to give Colin a similar good luck charm, what should it be? Perhaps a deer (for all the \"deers\" here and for \"Our Deer Boy\")? Other suggestions? ;-)"}, {"response": 502, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Apr  1, 1999 (18:29)", "body": "A few weeks ago I read an article on Matthew McCoughnahey in which the interviewer informed him of his \"numerous\" web sites and discussion boards, including a board for posting dreams had about him (!). One such posting was included in the article. He was flattered--sees himself as both artist and product. Fan appeal increases his worth as a product. Interesting way of looking at it; also v. different than ODB's perhaps-out-of-context-one-time-only quote we went on about a while ago. Personally, I wo ld feel invaded if I opened a magazine and saw one of my posts written up in an article. Gives me some insight as to how the stars feel. A good luck charm? How about a tiny silver spring? Nah, your deer idea is better, Susan."}, {"response": 503, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Apr  1, 1999 (19:15)", "body": "(Eileen) if I opened a magazine and saw one of my posts written up in an article Yeah, that\ufffds one of the reasons why I don\ufffdt wish the name Firth to be included in the Fan Fic. Not only fans read it but anybody, possibly reporters too who could want to have some fun using such material in some more or less funny context!!"}, {"response": 504, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Apr  1, 1999 (19:16)", "body": ""}, {"response": 505, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Apr  1, 1999 (19:36)", "body": "Not only did I lose the above posting, but I've now accidently re-posted it at #80 (if anyone is interested!) Sorry, am too lazy to re-post a re-post!"}, {"response": 506, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Apr  1, 1999 (19:41)", "body": "Not only that, but no one can get into chat!"}, {"response": 507, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Apr  1, 1999 (20:02)", "body": "(Elena) Wasn\ufffdt his Hackney home address availabe in one of the sites for the whole world to see? Elena, allow me to be a bit sceptic about this rumour. I'm sure that it was never on a site associated with the Friends of Firth (contradict me, lurking FoFs ;-)). I believe, if his address had been online sometime, somewhere, it would be known among his long-time fans, if not the address, at least the fact. That's the kind of information that *never* gets lost once gained. ;-) ."}, {"response": 508, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Thu, Apr  1, 1999 (21:43)", "body": "**(Elena) Wasn\ufffdt his Hackney home address availabe in one of the sites for the whole world to see?** Renata I'm contradicting you somewhat. The site you refer to was not directly linked to FoF's, however, you could link it from others. Back in the days when I didn't have a computer at home(Jan-1996) I printed copies of things on CF. I have a hard copy of that web page which includes the site address and the information with his address and agent's address on it."}, {"response": 509, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Thu, Apr  1, 1999 (21:48)", "body": "Excuse me I started printing things in approximately June of 96. Although, I have a Firth FAQ sheet dated back to January 15, 1996."}, {"response": 510, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 1999 (00:24)", "body": "(Elena) Wonder why our adored one is so hostile to the Internet and all the massive pr work that his fans do for him. Elena, honey, he's not! I think he was quite aware how so many of the audience at the Donmar came together from all over the world - from the Internet. And you know firsthand, he was not hostile at all. I hope you don't really think that's true. Read Bethan's posting at 80. Thought that was sweet about Charles Dance."}, {"response": 511, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 1999 (01:29)", "body": "Is Donavan Quick a BBC production? If it is we might get to see it on A&E What is wrong with Chat? The review I read about Charles Dance was not very good, as a matter of fact it was really bad. How about a horse charm, since he looks so great on a steed, and seems to get to do a lot of riding in his films."}, {"response": 512, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 1999 (01:36)", "body": "Thank you Karen for the URL"}, {"response": 513, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 1999 (03:20)", "body": "***I tried this morning to get in through the \"front door\" as you called it...but did so as someone totally ignorant. Started with a search engine, finally got cf.con through the FoF page (bless 'em) and \"explored\" into the \"spring\" link. I spent 20 minutes trying to figure out what that page was about and the first question that entered my mind after all that blundering about was \"What does this site have to do with Colin Firth??? Why did they put this link there, anyway???\" Please, take the whole bl sted \"Spring\" link off the cf main page...it is useless and only put there as a blind and does a disservice to his fans. (Well, since everyone else seems to have reverted to surly the last week on so, why should I be different?? ;-))"}, {"response": 514, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 1999 (04:16)", "body": "Take heart, KJArt, I still get Email from Newbies who are so afraid their English is not perfect enough that they will not post. Yet, they have the same joy and longing for ODB as the rest of us have, and they, none of them, have mentioned how difficult it was finding this Fountain of Firth. Tomorrow, I am going to ask one lady in particular how she did find us and, particularly, me! It should prove interesting as she lives in Russia!"}, {"response": 515, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 1999 (04:20)", "body": "How about a vial of Holy Water for his good luck piece? If it breaks, he will be just the way we like him best, blessed and wet!!! We could choose a Celtic Holy well, a Christian source, a Jewish source...whatever. I am sure it goes so far back into the past that man has worshipped the source of fresh water that there is a place on which we can all agree."}, {"response": 516, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 1999 (05:08)", "body": "KJart. I agree the site they have there is a local Austin, Texas site and has nothing what so ever to do with ODB. Yech"}, {"response": 517, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 1999 (10:44)", "body": "(Renate)Elena, allow me to be a bit sceptic about this rumour Like Jana said, it\ufffds not a rumour, I saw it there and so did many others. (Heide) And you know firsthand, he was not hostile at all YES!! I know. He respects his fans more than anybody I\ufffdve ever seen. But I\ufffdm not so sure that he\ufffds aware of the positive role of the INTERNET in getting so much audience to Donmar. And he hardly was misquoted in that question-answer article....all I\ufffdm saying is that Dance seems to be touchingly grateful for all the information about him in the net but Colin is not, for some reason. I\ufffdd like to know the reason."}, {"response": 518, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 1999 (14:38)", "body": "I clicked into Spring Austin to see how easy it would be to work my way back here and it wasn't. But please, we're here by the grace of Terry who runs the spring and we've got to be grateful he lets us take up so much space. We ain't cheap. As a matter of fact, Nan used to run an occasional pledge drive to help Terry with the costs. I'll ask Terry first and then post an address where any small amount can be sent to help keep this board running. I'm disappointed our link at cf.com has been changed but that's completely up to the discretion of the 3 Deers. There was no cf.com when I first found this place but here I am. ROP still links us and many others have gotten on through word of mouth. Use Karen's directions at message #488 and write down the full address for anyone who asks. I prefer to get in that way too...you might miss something if you don't. How about a little epee charm? Excuse me, a large epee charm. And Colin, honey, if by any remote chance you've found us, I'm kidding, I'm kidding."}, {"response": 519, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 1999 (15:04)", "body": "Colin :-) or Heide, please tell me what\ufffds an epee charm?!"}, {"response": 520, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 1999 (15:09)", "body": "Have been invaded by houseguests (family and tourist friends) here for the holiday, so let me take this opportunity to wish everyone Happy Easter/Happy Passover/Happy Whatever. Enjoy! Don't eat too much chocolate!"}, {"response": 521, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 1999 (15:35)", "body": "Terry will gratefully accept any small donation you can make to help keep the Spring out of the hole. No obligations, of course, but if you're able to help out, a check can be made out to The Spring and mailed to: The Spring Rt.2 Box 56r Cedar Creek, TX 78612 I will post this at the other topics, so bear with the repetitions."}, {"response": 522, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 1999 (16:03)", "body": "(Elena) please tell me what\ufffds an epee charm I'm afraid my attempt at humor is somewhat twisted. An epee is a fencing sword such as he wields so well as Mr. Darcy and Valmont. One might also say he wields it well in Hour of the Pig (aka Advocate) but there only symbolically. ;-) I echo Eileen wishes for a happy weekend, whatever. Hope we all spend it with friends and family."}, {"response": 523, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 1999 (16:34)", "body": "Just a bit of info. for sword enthusiasts (I am an ex-fencer): epee - wimpy sword, with big protective handle and gentle rules (only points for a point contact and only on the torso), foil - more vigorous, allowed to hit arms too, sabre - the real man's sword, any part of the body as a target, including head, and allowed to cut (score with the edge of the sword as well as the point). Naturally, I fought sabre :-D. (I must own, however, that I wasn't that good. V. painful.) Do you really want to relegate YDB to epee, elegant but slow and rather floppy?"}, {"response": 524, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 1999 (16:47)", "body": "Which one is he using in P&P in the \"I shall conquer this\" scene?"}, {"response": 525, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 1999 (16:57)", "body": "(Ben)Naturally, I fought sabre :-D. (I must own, however, that I wasn't that good. V. painful.) Do you really want to relegate YDB to epee, elegant but slow and rather floppy? Naturally, Ben. Karen, I believe that Mr Darcy is holding a foil. Didn't the Three Muskateers hold Epees? (a joke)"}, {"response": 526, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 1999 (17:11)", "body": "Don't know. The foil and the epee both have a spherically symmetric guard, the epee's big and the foil's small. The sabre's guard has an extension that covers the thumb. The sword is similar to those used by cavalrymen. (Have you ever seen Terence Stamp as Sergeant Troy showing off his sword play to Julie Christie's Bathsheba?) I'm sure you can conjure up the scene in your mind's eyes and take a closer look at the guard..."}, {"response": 527, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 1999 (18:58)", "body": "This is a most curious discussion. One half of it is a serious discourse on swords and their close realitives. The other side is doing allegory. Most entertaining. And, read in reverse, as in Heide's version of the Netherfield Ball, is highly amusing. More!!!"}, {"response": 528, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 1999 (19:58)", "body": "Ben, as an ex-fencer (surely not!?!?), how would you evaluate Colin\ufffds fencing abilities in P&P and SiL? Does it look like he has had some real training? It looks very good to me but could be it\ufffds amateurish in the eyes of someone who knows something about fencing."}, {"response": 529, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 1999 (20:17)", "body": "Elena, oh ye of little faith. I fenced for three years at school. As I say, I wasn't much good, and used to retire every Thrusday evening leaving blood trails and assorted limbs behind me. Well, not quite, but almost. It is BLOODY painful being whacked on the head or the arms with a flailing sabre. Anyway, CF looked alright to my inexpert eyes. For Marcia's benefit (:-)), the main attacking movement in foil and sabre is the lunge...a purposeful thrust from the back leg, with the front leg advancing aggressively in the direction of the opponent. The blade is forced forward at the same time, and, if the opponent is successfully hit, a small electric pulse records the score. The \"passata-soto\" is a subtle lunge, whereby the opponent is distracted by dropping one hand to the floor and thrusting with the other. The balestra lunge, a double advance, is graceful, but extremely aggressive (and, therefore, risky)."}, {"response": 530, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 1999 (20:56)", "body": "(Jana) I have a hard copy of that web page which includes the site address and the information with his address and agent's address on it. Jana, that's very interesting. I have had access to some good sources for quite a while but never even heard a rumour about his address being posted online. What surprises me most that this info (besides you, Jana, there must have been some others who found and saved it) apparently was never re-posted. Very tactful. Bravo, brava! The Austin site is the main page to Spring (with much more areas than drool), which hosts all these boards and cf.com. Terry runs this place on a non-profit basis, as far as I know, and is very generous with his server space. I thought it was only polite to put a link to his main entry on the cf.com main page. I considered to remove the Spring link completely, but left it for the above reason, and because it is a good compromise between the different positions: for some Spring can't be public enough, while others cringe at the thought who all may read these boards. It will be much easier soon to find the cf.com page through the search machines. I have started with Yahoo and Excite to register them, but it can take some time (2 weeks) until you see results, and will add further search machines when I find the time. PS: I hate that \"clear\" button in this place - just hit it when I meant to submit. $*~\\&%!x<>#. Just what I needed."}, {"response": 531, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 1999 (20:59)", "body": "*%$'# italics!"}, {"response": 532, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 1999 (21:16)", "body": "Now in Hour of the Pig, one can see the very movement Ben is describing; the main attacking movement in foil and sabre is the lunge...a purposeful thrust from the back (leg) . The blade is forced forward at the same time, and, if the opponent is successfully hit, a small electric pulse records the score. I'm not sure about the pulse in HOTP but surely the rooster crow would suffice. He may have been using an epee in P&P and Valmont (with Cecile) but surely a sabre was used in HOTP. Renate, I understand your reluctance for \"other\" eyes to find the discussion above and others of its kind. One needs several submersions to fully understand us and I'm afraid one visit might be one visit too many for some. I'm still disappointed but realize there's nothing keeping us from seeking out others to link us. Another avenue to explore..."}, {"response": 533, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 1999 (21:37)", "body": "*%$'# italics!"}, {"response": 534, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 1999 (22:54)", "body": "(Heide) but surely a sabre was used in HOTP. Yes, I believe Maria commented on it. Very pragmatic girl. \"Waste not, want not.\""}, {"response": 535, "author": "SusanA", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 1999 (23:37)", "body": "I love the idea of his fans giving CF a good luck charm as a symbol of our adoration and good wishes. My favorite is the sword-like object whatever it is being called, {epee, sabre}. We might have one custom-made in gold with the letters CF engraved on the handle. I would gladly contribute to such an endeavor. I'm in, Firthies."}, {"response": 536, "author": "SusanA", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 1999 (23:41)", "body": "I would also like to wish everyone at Spring a very Happy Spring Holiday season. Happy Easter, Happy Passover etc..."}, {"response": 537, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Apr  3, 1999 (04:16)", "body": "I too wish to wish one and all Happy Holiday Thank you Ben, you are a well of imformation."}, {"response": 538, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Apr  3, 1999 (04:18)", "body": "BTW Renata are we going to have a picture of Wessex in the advent pics?"}, {"response": 539, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Apr  3, 1999 (04:43)", "body": "Poor Cecile. I was thinking Valmont used a weapon on her but of course it was only a stick. No double entendres meant. It's late...go to bed."}, {"response": 540, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Apr  3, 1999 (05:06)", "body": "I came home from getting the annual scholarship drive underway and I was exhausted until I read today's postings here. Ben, you are a gentleman and a scholar. Thank you for the parry-thrust-lunge forth and back and so on. And, like the creative dear that she is, Heide lept into the affray with rapier wit and a cock to crow for Maria. You made my day, dear Firthians. But, then, you always do ;) Happy Holidays all, even the other guy's whose you just might borrow for the weekend. Be safe and e joy!"}, {"response": 541, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 1999 (02:35)", "body": "More Donmar Pictures: Murph graciously is sharing this page with the Drool fans. http://www.geocities.com/~murphyat65/private/kath.html It is a private link page, but the owner has given her permission. Also with her permission, on Murph's Appreciation pages,she has a link to a LARGE version of one for a desktop This is a wonderful page and we are grateful to Murph and Kathryn."}, {"response": 542, "author": "SusanA", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 1999 (03:34)", "body": "Thank you Murph and Kathryn. The pictures are truly wonderful. I only wish I could make them even bigger."}, {"response": 543, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 1999 (04:13)", "body": "They are really great and so many, thank you."}, {"response": 544, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 1999 (06:31)", "body": "OH oh my GOD, the pics are great, thank you Kathryn and Murph. What smiles! What on earth did you people do and say to him to make him look so ecstatically happy?.......I\ufffdd also like to know when these pictures were taken, was it the last Saturday performance?"}, {"response": 545, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 1999 (08:18)", "body": "I\ufffdd also like to know when these pictures were taken, was it the last Saturday I don't know when they were taken exactly (guess the 2nd weekend), but it was definitely not the last Saturday."}, {"response": 546, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 1999 (14:18)", "body": "Some were Friday night and others were Saturday (the ones with Charles Dance) of the same weekend we were there, Elena. Thank you Kathryn and Murph for sharing. The pictures are fabulous."}, {"response": 547, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 1999 (17:06)", "body": "I\ufffdd also like to know when these pictures were taken, was it the last Saturday I don't know when they were taken exactly (guess the 2nd weekend), but it was definitely not the last Saturday."}, {"response": 548, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 1999 (17:21)", "body": "Karen's right, except it's John Boorman, not Charles Dance...if I'm not mistaken."}, {"response": 549, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 1999 (19:36)", "body": "Sorry, Gi, but in Kathryn's pictures, #16 (fourth row down, on far right) shows Colin talking to Charles Dance. :) Not sure about the bald headed guy though. (Boorman and Dance do look a little alike.) Both Dance and Boorman were there for the Saturday night show, but the shot outside is Dance. I spoke to him a little."}, {"response": 550, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr  5, 1999 (00:11)", "body": "Glad you all liked the pics...sweet of Kathryn and Murph to share them with Spring. However, this is a private page and the owner requests (understandably) that they not be downloaded on another website page. Although it is alright to download them on your own private files. Charles Dance and John Boorman were there the first Saturday, March 5th. (3 DOR only played two Saturdays)I think some of the pics were taken also on Friday March 4th. I particularly like the ones of the cast taking the bows. That's some camera...and photographer!!"}, {"response": 551, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Apr  5, 1999 (07:44)", "body": "And some pics are even dated March 6th. I'll look for Charles Dance on #16 (yes, I saw him there too, only not in the pics), and I think he and Boorman do not look alike. Dance has a very noticeable face and colouring. I didn't know you'd talked to him, Karen.:-) By coincidence, I saw him and Emilia Fox in Rebecca again on TV 2 days ago (not my favourite version of the story)"}, {"response": 552, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Apr  5, 1999 (09:55)", "body": "(Evelyn) I particularly like the ones of the cast taking the bows Yes, me too. They\ufffdre unique because they\ufffdre so far the only ones I\ufffdve seen taken inside the theater with Colin on stage...and after all, seeing Colin on stage WAS the most important part of that trip. One of the pics is like straight from my own memory, I mean the way Colin stands a second before the bow, bent a little backwards, looking mighty pleased. And as far as I can tell the pic really was taken 6th March!! Wonderful."}, {"response": 553, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Apr  5, 1999 (11:55)", "body": "A handful of you will receive an invitation (as below) to a mailing list named \"springfolks\" re cf.com business. If you are not among them it does not exclude you, I just did not know your valid email address, or I'm in doubt if you want to receive any email at all. If you want to join the \"springfolks\" list, too, send me a brief mail: renate@twinwave.net This is the welcome message: \" Welcome to the Springfolks list! I have created this list mainly for the droolies posting on Spring, but every Colin-Firth-fan is welcome. It's not meant to be a competition to the Firthlist, or to the Spring boards, but to make communication easier. There are things you may want to share, but not with the whole world, or you don't have all email addresses at hand. (Happens to me quite often). This is also for emergency cases when chat doesn't work, or the boards are down, or for private links. Let me k ow what you think of this list. I hope you join and enjoy it. \" You will have to accept the invitation to make it work. One of the reasons I created that list is that I have to cut down my net activities considerably and go into deep lurkdom for at least 2-3 months, and very likely can't even try to keep up with mail sent to 3deers or my addresses. That way somebody else can step in, Nan, Kirsten, Arami, Karen, Heide, whoever, depending on subject and availability. Even if I retire temporarily I will try to tie up some loose ends, such as wrong links etc.. I also continue to register cf.com in various search engines, and try to optimize the meta tags and source codes for best search results. To all who sent mails to threedeers@yahoo.com: please report spring/chat trouble to Karen or Heide directly, or in the future to the above list."}, {"response": 554, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (08:37)", "body": "Again: the mailing list is not intended to replace the boards, or compete with them. Just an offer to make the already existing email communication easier."}, {"response": 555, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (08:44)", "body": "Just an offer I think I meant \"option\"."}, {"response": 556, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (10:00)", "body": "CF's private home address in Hackney has never been known publicly: in the FAQ's website, (recently removed), the alleged address which for some reason appeared to be his own, was merely the address of his previous agent."}, {"response": 557, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (10:00)", "body": "To those of you not familiar with the February 7, 2036 curse, the fact that not all the topics are showing up (unless you click on \"All\" or \"New\") does not mean there aren't any new postings. Unfortunately, just the topics with 2/7/36 messages will show up until Terry fixes it which I'm sure he will shortly. Nothing to be alarmed about. Thanks to Kathryn for being so generous with her pictures and Murph for giving us accessibility to the page. There are some great shots there and I'm happy that those were weren't at the Donmar can get a good look at the cast in character...as well as that bed."}, {"response": 558, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (07:01)", "body": "Renata, my e-mails to you keep being returned. Lucie"}, {"response": 559, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (07:23)", "body": "I love this curse. At least the PC I am using does not have a problem with the year 2036!!! (Yes, Yes, I know!!!!) It is nice to know some things still work...even if they need joggling from time to time =P"}, {"response": 560, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (07:41)", "body": "Why can't I get in with my old bookmark? I've had to enter through Spring.net, Log in, and then select one of the last few responses posted on the bottom of the screen. Where's my index of topics? (whhaaaa!)"}, {"response": 561, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (07:48)", "body": "**(Arami)CF's private home address in Hackney has never been known publicly: in the FAQ's website, (recently removed), the alleged address which for some reason appeared to be his own, was merely the address of his previous agent.** This address did not come from the FAQ website but from another source."}, {"response": 562, "author": "Mannen", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (07:10)", "body": "I'm Beginning to think that I have on and off computer 'spells'. I can stay away from it for about a week, but then I start suffering \"CF Withdrawals\" and then I've had it! So what is this about CF returning to 3DOR later in the year. Is it fact, a possibility or just fiction? I haven't heard much about him in Aus lately. Can anyone tell me any news on what he is doing at the moment. Down Under, you get out of touch 'really' easily!"}, {"response": 563, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (10:14)", "body": "Houseguests are heading home (I can report that all NYC landmarks are intact and more popular than ever). I'm catching up with news and posts. Loved those FOF Donmar pics. It's nice to see all the Firthfan contingents sharing. (Heide) and I'm happy that those were weren't at the Donmar can get a good look at the cast in character...as well as that bed. Yes! I'm grateful for all the pictures, posts, chats, my program, etc. all the more because I wasn't there. BTW, there is a pic of Colin as Ned over at Murph's site (sorry, don't have the link handy). Go to her CF Appreciation Redux section and click on 3DOR. Pictures take forever to oad but are worth it. What smiles! I see what you mean, Elena. That first picture...WOW! Oh, to have been on the other side of that!!"}, {"response": 564, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (10:46)", "body": "AMAZING!!! Apartment Zero seems to be on the Finnish tv tonight in about two hours, I realized this only a minute ago. I haven\ufffdt seen the movie....and I don\ufffdt get that &%\ufffd#* channel! I don\ufffdt even know anybody who does, it\ufffds one of the commercial ones with nothing of interest usually. Now I just have to get somewhere to see it."}, {"response": 565, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (11:22)", "body": "Take along your handy portable Video tape recorder so you can check back at the best Firthing places. It is amazing and fully understandable the lengths we will go to obtain a sighting of the BD even if it is not live. It's a weird movie (tres noir), but I think you will enjoy Him! The TV channels here do that too...they show something of his on a channel which is readily available on Oahu (where Honolulu is) but not on our Island. Most unfair! Good luck, Dear!"}, {"response": 566, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (11:24)", "body": "Elena, another thing...will AZ be in his voice or dubbed into Finnish by someone else? Or just subtitles?"}, {"response": 567, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (11:49)", "body": "Marcia, in Finland movies are NEVER dubbed, what a horrible idea. They\ufffdre always subtitled, so don\ufffdt worry, I\ufffdll be able to hear His voice!.....btw I\ufffdve found a place where I think I can see it, a workmate of mine gets that channel (I\ufffdm still at work at the moment). But I hear her tv picture or how do you call it is pretty bad, foggy or something. Let\ufffds see!"}, {"response": 568, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (06:35)", "body": "Hope you get to see AZ, Elena, with or without fuzzy TV reception. I once rented that along with Valmont and The Advocate. Talk about Colin's range as an actor! BTW, there is a pic of Colin as Ned over at Murph's site Please disregard this from my earlier post. Murph has changed her 3DOR page (it's still worth a visit if you've not been there yet)."}, {"response": 569, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (06:37)", "body": "Go for it anyway, Elena! I envy you :-)"}, {"response": 570, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (06:59)", "body": "(JanaC)This address did not come from the FAQ website but from another source. Which one, please? (Sooooooo curious........I thought I'd seen it all... ;-))"}, {"response": 571, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (07:10)", "body": "A quick round-up, before succombing yet gain to demands of work and family! Great photos! Many thanks! What I really hope is that in Donovan Quick we get to see him (finally) as we really is...a few grins, the occasional smile, natural hair colour (fine by me!) and no moustache! He very rarely plays parts that allow him to smile...although DonQ sounds rather serious. Mannen, you asked for news of CF. I think that it would be very helpful if we had some sort of CF diary into which we could slot upcoming events. I know my time at the computer is going to be limited during the summer ...a quick checklist would be wonderful. For starters (all from memory, may not be all accurate!) April 1999 onwards, Shooting Donovan Quick for BBC Scotland, (Beautiful weather up there at the moment) April 10 ATA video on sale UK June 11 MLSF released NY/LA July 9 FP released NY/LA Late 1999 Possible re-run for 3DOR Early 2000 Possible scheduling for DonQ on UK TV Other events to look out for; MLSF release date (please!!) in UK and elewhere Announcement of casting for BJD movie Shooting dates BJD Publication of book sequel to BJD SLOW ..was originally sold to Canada, Israel, Scandinavia, Russia, even if not US/UK... keep a look out! Could this sort of info be posted somewhere..another board perhaps, and we could post if we have any real news/dates? Would anyone else find this sort of \"diary\" approach helpful? Renate, your \"Springfolks \" idea sounds fine. Count me in. I'm finding it difficult to make time to check my emails at the moment."}, {"response": 572, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (08:02)", "body": "Bethan, to join the list you have to reply to the invitation email. For others who have no personal email account: there's the option to get a public web-based email account, at yahoo or other places. Also on that list there's the option to read it online. Check here: http://www.egroups.com/"}, {"response": 573, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (10:06)", "body": "I have found an interesting link http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/contact.shtml which list BBC's Scotland's forthcoming dramas, no mention of DQ yet but is does mention another David Blair film in production, I think it will be a useful link to check on possible update and news of Donovan Quick. Bethan I think it would be an excellent idea to have a sort of diary of forthcominng CF events or dates to note etc."}, {"response": 574, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (11:14)", "body": "...news of CF. I think that it would be very helpful if we had some sort of CF diary into which we could slot upcoming events. ...a quick checklist would be wonderful. There should be a place for this sort of thing in cf.com, but regular updating is a problem."}, {"response": 575, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (02:26)", "body": "(Elena)in Finland movies are NEVER dubbed, what a horrible idea. My thought, precisely. However, having just received mail from a FirthFan in Moscow telling of such things, I did not know. She had to watch SiL and ODB's loveliness whilst listening to a Russian doing the speaking. Worse, the same lady did all of the actresses' lines, and with a hoarse voice sounding like she was about to lose it to a bad cold. No matter how miserable the conditions under which I had to watch this movie, it was better than that!"}, {"response": 576, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (02:32)", "body": "(Arami)There should be a place for this sort of thing in cf.com, but regular updating is a problem. I have just hit upon a solution. I have seen the pictures of all those Firthettes at 3DoR. They were close enough to suggest some interesting possibilities. For those attending at the end of the year, suggest he keep his journal on firth.com, and we will provide him the service of reminding him when important things are forthcoming that need his attention. How logical! How efficacious! How wonderful! Ok, shoot me down as a dreamer. But, I like the idea!"}, {"response": 577, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (02:57)", "body": "Am I the only one concerned about how new Firthfans are going to find us? The Spring Boards button on cf.com is not v. informative about Drool... Is our website linked on RoPemberley? That would be a logical place since most people come in through P&P. I often email posters on the P&P and VV boards who seem interested in CF and invite them to come here. (That's how Ben and Cheryl came).I do the same for JE. Any other ideas?I think expanding Colin's fan base is an important part of our mission. I do concur that it was prudent to eliminate Drool from the cf.com buttons. And thank you 3 Deers for not calling us \"The Wicked Women of Drool\" any more:-) But I have a feeling that as we become more overt...the spontaneous spirit of Drool will die. Pl. don't take this as a negative criticism...it is a sincere concern of mine and I would like to have some feedback....not a fight:-)"}, {"response": 578, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (03:03)", "body": "Sorry; Error.. should be\" as we become more covert....\" I hope you all get the idea....."}, {"response": 579, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (03:38)", "body": "(Evelyn) Am I the only one concerned about how new Firthfans are going to find us? Of course I am concerned. That is why I talk to myself in chat and on 113. But, on the positive side, I am getting Email from lurkers (5 or 6 of them) who are too shy, too busy, too unsure of their command of English, etc to post. I keep them busy with Email and have gotten a few onto the boards recently. However, without something here to provoke them to post (that is what got me onto the boards from the lurking of one month's duration), all the advertising will get us nothing but more lurkers. Let' get creative (yeah, it's late in the day for me, too) - tomorrow!"}, {"response": 580, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (12:54)", "body": "Great to catch up on your wonderful, amusing postings after a trauma with my phone line!!! Will do my bit with the Donmar in due course."}, {"response": 581, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (14:47)", "body": "(Evelyn) I think expanding Colin's fan base is an important part of our mission. But I have a feeling that as we become more covert...the spontaneous spirit of Drool will die. If we're reaching out to others, it should make no difference that the link from cf.com is not as direct. The potential posters we are losing are the casual but interested surfers (that's how I got here). So if the current link is not changed, we will have to increase our marketing efforts. I like the chat idea--have we ev r come to concensus on a good time to regularly chat? It works so well for special occasions. (Marcia) However, without something here to provoke them to post I confess I had no idea how many lurkers there are around here until the Donmar experience when all these new names popped up in chat (they read about it over here). How can we get people to de-lurk? What exactly provoked you, Marcia?"}, {"response": 582, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (17:31)", "body": "(Marcia)I am getting Email from lurkers who are too shy, too busy, too unsure of their command of English, etc to post. I suppose I could say I'm one of those lurkers. I've made several posts on the Keepsake board, I think some of you know me. The reasons why I've never posted here are exactly the ones Marcia mentioned. I just wanted Lower Countries lurkers (and any others that get Dutch TV) to know that Nederland 1 is showing Nostromo this Friday (April 9th), 0.24 am till 2.04 am (why, oh why are they showing it at such an impossible hour? I'll have to ask my mother to tape it. Since I know that she and the timer on our video don't get along, I'm fearing the worst!)"}, {"response": 583, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (18:04)", "body": "(Tineke) The reasons why I've never posted here are exactly the ones Marcia mentioned. Certainly doesn't appear to be language, but will have to check with Bill F. when I see him! ;-)"}, {"response": 584, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (18:20)", "body": "Welcome Tineke, great to have you posting with us."}, {"response": 585, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (19:33)", "body": "Good to see you over here, Tineke!"}, {"response": 586, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (20:56)", "body": "Welcome Tineke, the more the merrier."}, {"response": 587, "author": "SABINE", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (21:12)", "body": "Welcome Tineke !!"}, {"response": 588, "author": "Stacey", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (21:34)", "body": "Well, I guess I am a lurker since I technically don't post very often. The main reason that I don't is because I never have much info as to what is happening with CF such as his new projects, etc.. I could certainly spend some time gushing over how handsome he is but I don't want to be too repetitive of what everyone else has already said. But I must say that in Sil, when he's singing a song while riding his horse down the road, I wanted to die laughing because it was such a cute scene!! Here I am becom ng all giddy just thinking about it again! : )"}, {"response": 589, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (21:51)", "body": "Tineke, if your English gets any better, the native speakers will be too shy to post! Thanks for coming over to the BIG Board! And, if you've not had the chance to claim your fondest wish on 113's newest list, go to it! The thing that provoked me to post was a really serious Dearth of Firth; when they had named all the horses, discussed repainting the carriages (rejected), and were into making silly songs irrelevant to P&P or CF or JA!!! There were long gaps in postings, so I thought if I wanted to read more there, I had better get to posting, myself! So I did. Nothing but the usual \"Hello, I'm new and so forth\". Everyone said Hi and were very nice. So I asked for my Keepsake to be a button from each of his garments - to be removed by me while He was wearing them. =D"}, {"response": 590, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (21:55)", "body": "Oh Stacey! How neat to see you. You Cannot be too repetetive. We live from drool to drool. It is like being tired of breathing in because every one has done it. These droolings are what we live for, and we need to read the next set to keep our enthusiasm up. Please feel free to let it make huge puddles all over the place. We will clean it up before you notice it has hit the ground! New droolies are the Viagra of Spring!"}, {"response": 591, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (22:02)", "body": "Hi Stacey, you can gush as much as you like, we never tire of hearing about our DB. IMO no one wears period costume or rides a horse like Colin, he was born to wear period costumes. I must say I do prefer him in period dramas to the more contemporary dramas but I will take anything. I am really looking forward to MLSF and I hope it opens in the UK simultaneously with the US so that we can all discuss it as soon as possible. So far I have heard of no UK release date but will keep my eyes and ears open."}, {"response": 592, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (22:17)", "body": "(Marcia)You Cannot be too repetetive. Yes! And I\ufffdll repeat!! I never get tired of hearing how handsome he is so please let it flow, Stacey. (Stacey)But I must say that in Sil, when he's singing a song while riding his horse down the road, I wanted to die laughing It\ufffds the best scene in the whole movie, that\ufffds my honest opinion. And the only one which really made me laugh aloud....and I was the only one who laughed in the whole place! What\ufffds so funny about our hero singing, anyway?!:-)"}, {"response": 593, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (23:27)", "body": "That song was one of the first things claimed as a Keepsake on the SiL List. SBRobinson claimed it, and I took my little tape recorder and taped it for her on my second viewing of SiL. Too wonderful. I think he is both happy and clueless...the sun is shining, he is becoming rich without the trade-off of having to marry a homely woman to do so...Why indeed should he not be happy!!! That she does not love him matters little right at the moment!"}, {"response": 594, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (23:51)", "body": "Hi Tineke....great to have you....and you too Stacey...now don't go off some place else!! All this jubilation...I hate to bring the same ole \"No news of SLOW\". It is still owned by the bank...and goin'no where:-("}, {"response": 595, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (23:52)", "body": "Does he also not believe that his rival, is now out of the way as well?"}, {"response": 596, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (00:00)", "body": "BTW I think Bethan's idea of a kind of diary is an excellent suggestion. It will also keep us going during the inevitable \"low \" times, which is why it is SO important to have your thoughts Stacey. It is a luxury to catch up with the postings and find that the drooling is exactly what you have drooled or would be drooling yourself, so as Ann has said we can never grow tired of exlurkers or occasional posters because they remind us of exactly why we are all here and how we really feel. ok I have clearly gone into \"over-drool\" , time to go!!"}, {"response": 597, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (00:24)", "body": "(Lizza)Does he also not believe that his rival, is now out of the way as well? Since he believes he killed the rival for Viola's affections, Indeed, another reason to sing! I have clearly gone into \"over-drool\" , time to go!! I understood that to be *Power-Drool* which means you are all warmed up and flowing copiously and waiting for more to join in! Not time to go...just beginning to get good!!!"}, {"response": 598, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (01:00)", "body": "Glad you brought up SIL here, ladies, 'cause I see no reason to keep it exclusively at 115 anymore. If you have been to 115 lately, you'll see there's a link to Murph's continuation of the Wessex and Viola story. Contrary to every other person in the movie theatre, you all want Viola and Wessex to live happily ever after. Check out Murph's story and see what she envisions for their future. I've always disliked the term \"lurker\"--sounds so sinister. Am I the only one concerned about how new Firthfans are going to find us? No. Is our website linked on RoPemberley? Yes. But I have a feeling that as we become more covert...the spontaneous spirit of Drool will die. Those of us here will remain as spontaneous as ever. I agree with you, Evelyn, that constant recruiting is necessary to keep new blood coming (though I love the old blood). Chat's a great forum for that. But ladies, you have to hang around a bit longer. How many times do you see someone logs on, sees no one there so logs off a minute later and then 10-15 minutes later someone else comes on. I talk to myself in chat and on 113 LOL, Marcia! Your conversations with yourself as almost as good as any drool fest."}, {"response": 599, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (05:43)", "body": "Ah... at last I re-emerge (yes, this is where you ponder aloud \"was she gone?\") I have been plagued by Internal Server Error messages when attempting to access this lovely site, and would still be sobbing hysterically over my laptop and trying to thwart my Colin withdrawls with discounted Easter chocolates if it wasnt for the assistance of the lovely and gracious Marica. (Thank You Marcia! xoxo) (Stacey) The main reason that I don't is because I never have much info as to what is happening with CF such as his new projects, etc... This was my biggest reason for not delurking too. However, I finally couldnt stand it anymore, and so started posting rambling messages that are really completely uninformative, but help to make me feel connected and part of the group (see ramblings above as case in point) But I must say that in Sil, when he's singing a song while riding his horse down the road, I wanted to die laughing because it was such a cute scene!! Here I am becoming all giddy just thinking about it again! : ) i understand completely! I too can burst into spontaneous giggles at the thought of him on that horse, singing that silly song! :) It is my favorite part of the movie."}, {"response": 600, "author": "Mannen", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (10:41)", "body": "Hi Stacey, Hi Tineke... It's good to have you! I saw SIL again last night, do you think I will ever tire of him? The friend I went with (no Firth fan), criticised him the whole time! Boy, did she ever get on the wrong side of me. I decided to show her drool. She now knows that I am not the only person in the world who has singled out this particular beautiful boy."}, {"response": 601, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (14:46)", "body": "Ah, nothing like a burst of new drool! Attention, lurkers (or for you, Heide, people who read but don't post [PWRBDP?]): come out, come out, where ever you are! (Stacey) The main reason that I don't is because I never have much info as to what is happening with CF I wrote this in my first post and my concerns were quickly put to rest. As you can see by all my posts, I rarely have anything earth-shattering to say but that hasn't stopped me! Welcome back, SBR. I've seen you at DWG so I knew you weren't far. (Lizza) It will also keep us going during the inevitable \"low \" times The diary is a fine idea--like Arami says, perhaps best suited to cf.com. Would it really be difficult to update? News about Colin seems to come in fits and starts (alot all at once than months of nothing). Newbies and delurkers will also keep us going during \"low\" times, IMO :-). (Heide) Chat's a great forum for that. But ladies, you have to hang around a bit longer. This doesn't always work either. I was in chat yesterday for about an hour, was off doing other things (such as reading Murph's Wessex and Viola story), didn't get back to hit the reload button frequently enough and missed two people (sorry, Ann!). Should we target a certain time(s)? Just as an experiment? Re: SiL--I've seen it 3 times and was the only one laughing each time when he sang. It's also my favorite part (although I love \"now listen here, nursie\" too). Mannen: did your friend dislike CF because of the Wessex character (means he was doing his job effectively)? Or *gasp* she just doesn't like ODB?"}, {"response": 602, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (15:38)", "body": "(Lizza)Does he also not believe that his rival, is now out of the way as well? (Marcia)Since he believes he killed the rival for Viola's affections, Indeed, another reason to sing! Horror! Not true! 'Twasn't him! Kit was killed by his own dagger, Wessex didn't have anything to do with it."}, {"response": 603, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (15:39)", "body": "Welcome, Tineke.Stacey, you cannot be considered a lurker, we do see you here on and off!"}, {"response": 604, "author": "susanne", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (15:43)", "body": "Okay, I will delurk briefly. Just wanted to say I rented Ever After last night for the sole purpose of watching Dougray Scott who is in Jennifer Ehle's new movie. All I can say,\"he is not handsome enough to tempt me\". I don't think anyone can ever compare to the powerful charisma and sex appeal that CF exuded as Mr. Darcy. One thing I will say for DS-very nice bum in the breeches. :-)) A 7 on the Darcy meter.I know it is unfair to compare every actor in period costume to the uncomparable CF, I just can't help myself-anything to re-li e those heady days of P&P."}, {"response": 605, "author": "susanne", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (15:50)", "body": "let's try incomparable instead of uncomparable and the last word that was cut- off is relive"}, {"response": 606, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (18:25)", "body": "Thanks all, for the warm welcome:-) Just a couple of questions: - Where's this chat room everyone's talking about? Is it at CF.com? - Is there a chance Colin or JE will be at the BAFTA's? I won't be home this Sunday. Is it worth taping? - I'll probably be going to London in two weeks. I'll try to see This Year's Love and Bedrooms and Hallways. Is there anything else you'd suggest?"}, {"response": 607, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (21:28)", "body": "Tineke, I know you found the Chat rooms. Good for you! Other people will tell you about the BAFTAs, but if Colin has a chance to be there, it'll be worth taping, won't it? :-)"}, {"response": 608, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (22:04)", "body": "I rather doubt that he'll be there, even though he lives virtually next door to the venue! SIL has 16 nominations, so half the cast and crew will be there, but Colin isn't directly involved. And it could be by invitation only. Personally, I think the BAFTA film awards are just very insipid, pointless cover of the Oscars and we don't have enough of a film \"industry\" to warrant a separate ceremony. It was OK when the film and TV awards were combined. Newspaper reports predict that GP, JF will win, also JD and Tom Wilkinson for his \"outstanding\" work in a support role. Huh! SNIFF! He won an award last year, so may well win again."}, {"response": 609, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (22:13)", "body": "(Bethan)Newspaper reports predict that GP, JF will win, also JD I do hope JF wins...he deserved an Oscar nom. and IMO was slighted."}, {"response": 610, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (22:20)", "body": "For anyone having trouble finding the chat room, copy this to your bookmarks: http://firth.com/chat/talk.cgi"}, {"response": 611, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (22:38)", "body": "Exactly a month since I returned from London!! And I\ufffdve just read all the postings here between March 4th and 9th again, just to reminisce.... Oh, WHAT a happening it really was, a full size climax, and the postings were so wonderful, absolutely beautiful, love it how people started to \ufffdstutter\ufffd at the home front those days and write even CF wrong in the biggest excitement! And all the reports afterwards were so glowing, I see that I for one had so much to say that I couldn\ufffdt say much at all when I returned home, being so tired and not being able to sleep, and that huge experience whirling in my head like a circus, didn\ufffdt know if I was in pain r in heaven. That part of the topic is absolutely fabulous, please read it again ladies whenever you start forgetting that you actually saw him on stage, talked to him and he talked to you with that very familiar voice, even touched him. It\ufffdll all come back to you in a flow. Those postings make me remember a thousand small but still so important details like the weather in the streets of London that day, and how it was to step in the Donmar the first time, how I stuffed my jacket under the seat, and the moment when He came from the wings in the darkness and walked across the stage, and I hardly could believe my eyes or breathe......and that incredible encounter in the foyer. I keep remembering all sorts of minor things like a wrinkle in his forehead and the dark damp hair in is neck when he autographed the program.......I wish I\ufffdll never forget all that. SIGH (Sorry, I just HAD to go back to it again! Just for a moment.)"}, {"response": 612, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (22:44)", "body": "What a wonderful idea, Elena. Almost like having a videotape, but then we can all haul out our pictures and stare glassy-eyed at the Man himself."}, {"response": 613, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (22:45)", "body": "(Elena)(Sorry, I just HAD to go back to it again! Just for a moment.) Don't apologize at all... it's wonderful to read your recollections from that night. These are the types of things that keep the boarding going and the drooling fresh!"}, {"response": 614, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 1999 (00:02)", "body": "(Elena)(Sorry, I just HAD to go back to it again! Just for a moment.) Drool on, Elena, please!"}, {"response": 615, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 1999 (00:49)", "body": "Gi, I was in Chat...still am as a matter of fact, I better hit reload soon...and I saw how you were describing your conversation with Colin...how you had to fit everything in to just a few moments. Where is that picture I saw of you talking with Colin? He's looking at you so intently, as if he's really hearing you. Did you get that feeling during the moment? Or is it all a blur? And Elena - you're in so many of those shots with Colin and John Boorman. You look like you're part of their conversation. Paparazzi who didn't know better might have thought you were Boorman's daughter or girlfriend (hmmmm) or better yet, Colin's girlfriend! I confess that I need to take a break from posting here occasionally. But it doesn't matter because there are always other people around to carry on. And I feed on that. Just when I'm getting tired, somebody else starts up something that I just have to comment on. It's regenerating."}, {"response": 616, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 1999 (02:46)", "body": "But there are so many things I wish I had said to him that night..... Not questions...but to tell him how much his films have enhanced my life.. (Hey,I couldn't mention the thighs in the Donmar lobby... and besides...his weight loss hit the thighs, I'm afraid. Through my binocculars...they look pretty thin\"-( Anybody want to share what they wish they could have told him. Gi did fine...he was really hanging on to every word she said...(while Antonio was next to me patiently waiting....the guy's a prince!)"}, {"response": 617, "author": "Donna", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 1999 (03:43)", "body": "I have been very busy with school, job, and family ,but I have read BJD(part1)and loved it. What is the Donmar experience? And really do miss the Colin FAQ site. That was the best way to keep up without searching so so many CF pages for information about movie releases and videos ect. Happy to see that you are all still working so hard. Thanks Donna..."}, {"response": 618, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 1999 (09:06)", "body": "I don\ufffdt usually Chat because I tend to get in trouble with the language, so I\ufffdll just have to stay over here and possibly lose a vast amount of real tidbits every night! Please Gi, could you tell here what you said in chat about your conversation with Colin? I do remember you told about it in your report but maybe you didn\ufffdt repeat EVERY word??? Hello Donna, nice to see you. As an answer to your question, Colin performed in the play called Three Days Of Rain in the Donmar Warehouse theatre and quite many of us were in London to see it in March."}, {"response": 619, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 1999 (09:27)", "body": "Hallo Donna, welcome, have you been here before occasionally? The Donmar experience - for some of us The Big Adventure - was going to London to meet each other and see Colin in the flesh, acting in Three Days of Rain at The Donmar Warehouse Theatre. Go back, as Elena just did, to the postings around March 6 to live it virtually. When we came back, we shared the experience with the ladies and gentleman who had not been able to go. The next weekend another group repeated the experience, and you can check those dates too...but some of them were more reserved in their r ports :-) (Heide)Gi...I saw how you were describing your conversation with Colin...how you had to fit everything in to just a few moments. Where is that picture I saw of you talking with Colin? He's looking at you so intently, as if he's really hearing you. Did you get that feeling during the moment? Or is it all a blur? Oh yes, I remember he was all there for me at that moment, and I talked quickly, fearing that his look would glaze and he'd start fidgeting...I was trembling a little, and trying to look calm and articulate. I told him about his fans coming from all over the world, and what a talented actor he is, and thought, he's heard this before and will again... (Evelyn)Gi did fine...he was really hanging on to every word she said...(while Antonio was next to me patiently waiting....the guy's a prince!) Thank you... Well, even if he'd heard it before, I hope it was ego-boosting to hear it again, and at that time, when he'd been slighted about SiL... As for Antonio patiently waiting: he even took pictures! And went to see SiL with me twice. He is a prince. The wedding is set for July 3; are we going to have my virtual bridal shower? :-)))))"}, {"response": 620, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 1999 (14:29)", "body": "Jana, Allison, Lucie, to become a member of the \"springfolks\" list you must accept the invitation I have sent you, by sending it back (hit \"reply\" button!)"}, {"response": 621, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 1999 (16:02)", "body": "Welcome Donna. Join in, ask more questions, we're a friendly bunch and love to talk about Colin in any way. Just give us an excuse, we'll dive in. (Gi) I told him about his fans coming from all over the world, and what a talented actor he is, and thought, he's heard this before and will again... I can't remember, Gi, did he say anything in response to this? Of course, he was probably stunned by all the attention he was receiving. People coming from all over the world must have blown his mind. Hmmm, would I even cross the street, let alone the pond, to see Ralph Fiennes?! ;-D are we going to have my virtual bridal shower? Absolutely!! We need an organizer or an organizing committee. This will be a gala event!"}, {"response": 622, "author": "Adi", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 1999 (16:30)", "body": "Hi Tineke (I remember you from RoP...) Stacy and Donna! As an exlurker and an old RoP member I can say that I found this place in the very beginning when the Drool branched form the RoP. Although I still like P&P2 and watch it every few month, discussing it started to bore me, while drooling over CF is still one of my favorites hobbies... So I exchanged RoP with Drool and lurked here for ages because I was shy and lazy until I came to realize that if everyone will be like me there won\ufffdt be any drool. I\ufffdm telling you this because I think we need to make this point clear to all the lurkers out there. If you like this place you should try to contribute something to it. Post just once in a while, but do post. Also, like Evelyn said I\ufffdm sure that there are lot of RoP members that will love this place. We should advertise it there. About SLOW, Bethan said it was sold to Israel, but I\ufffdm sorry to say that I've never heard of it (and I read all the cinema related articles very thoroughly...). I\ufffdll be surprised if it was. We usually get just the blockbusters from US & UK."}, {"response": 623, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 1999 (16:41)", "body": "From today's Variety. Harvey will probably want to cast ODB in the role of the dead husband. ;-p ************ 'Love' pair ponder 'Bounce' Roos to helm for Miramax By MICHAEL FLEMING, April 9, 1999 NEW YORK \ufffd Miramax Films is near deals to bring its \ufffdShakespeare in Love\ufffd stars Gwyneth Paltrow and Ben Affleck aboard \ufffdBounce,\ufffd a drama with romantic overtones to be directed this fall by Don Roos from his own script. Michael Besman and Steve Golin are the producers. Affleck is in talks to play a womanizer who gives up his seat on an airplane to a guy who wants badly to get home to his wife. After the plane crashes, the guy who gave up his ticket develops guilt over the other man\ufffds death and becomes an alcoholic. One year later, he resolves to check up on the dead man\ufffds widow. He slowly falls in love with her, and she eventually reciprocates, unaware that he provided the ticket that led to her husband\ufffds early death. Paltrow, coming off her best actress Oscar win for \ufffdShakespeare,\ufffd would play the widow. Miramax, which has become a magnet for Oscar-caliber films, was the recipient of a lucky bounce when the project, originally put together at Propaganda Films by its chairman Steve Golin, was put in limbo by Seagram\ufffds purchase of Polygram. Golin worked with Miramax chairman Harvey Weinstein to move it over to Miramax. Miramax has made a habit of picking winners off the scrap heaps of other studios: Recent best picture Oscar winners \ufffdShakespeare in Love\ufffd and \ufffdThe English Patient\ufffd were both discarded by other studios before resurfacing with the Weinstein brothers. Golin remains in the thick of the project as producer with Michael Besman, the former TriStar exec who met Roos on the set of \ufffdSingle White Female,\ufffd which Roos scripted. Besman produced Roos\ufffd most recent film, last year\ufffds \ufffdThe Opposite of Sex.\ufffd In a departure from what usually happens when actors end a true-life romance and find it uncomfortable to work together, Paltrow and Affleck have remained friendly, with Affleck even making a cameo appearance on \ufffdSaturday Night Live\ufffd when Paltrow hosted. Their breakup apparently hasn\ufffdt dampened their enthusiasm for teaming up again onscreen. Both Affleck and Paltrow are repped by CAA."}, {"response": 624, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 1999 (17:17)", "body": "Renata' I haven't received an invitation yet."}, {"response": 625, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 1999 (17:18)", "body": "Welcome all de-lurkers, lapsed ex-lurkers and all in between! This place is wonderful, isn't it -- and so very addictive:-) I had a thought that I wanted to run by everyone. Every Friday in the arts section of my local paper they give a little list of actors, musicians, etc. who are going to be online at certain days/times in various Internet chat places -- usually on Yahoo or AOL. Usually these are people who have a new film, CD or book out that they want to promote. For example, Ian McKellan recently did one of these online chats, and Paul McCartney famously did one a few months ago. What if we asked Colin to do a chat? (Have we ever asked him?) I don't mean on cf.com, but on one of these Yahoo/AOL chat things. He has two movies coming out in early summer, which would make him ripe for an online chat as a way to promote the films. And now that he knows first-hand the devotion of his legion of Internet fans, I would think he might be open to obliging us. Does anyone know how these Yahoo/AOL chats work? For example, does the actor's agent approach the site about doing a chat as a form of publicity, or does the site invite the person? Does this sound too far-fetched to be pursued? ."}, {"response": 626, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 1999 (17:48)", "body": "Oh dear -- in my previous message I hope it didn't sound as though I were putting down cf.com chat. What I meant is, these chats I see advertised in the paper seem to be at more well-known venues like Yahoo and AOL."}, {"response": 627, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 1999 (19:25)", "body": "(Karen) Harvey will probably want to cast ODB in the role of the dead husband. ;-p LOL! Will he then be edited out of the final version (a la Kevin Costner in 'The Big Chill')? Appreciate the article. These days Miramax resembles a typical Hollywood studio moreso than an independent. Casting these two is further proof of that (what's up with BA and roles involving airplane crashes?). If Harvey wants to keep getting Oscars, he better not forget the fine character actors who make those \"scrap he p\" films a success. Welcome, Donna. Welcome back, Adi, Sue and Tineke. It's v. nice to see you posting :-)! Elena, what a wonderful memory. I'm with Winter--I love to hear (and re-hear) all the stories."}, {"response": 628, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 1999 (19:31)", "body": "Whoops, almost forgot. Your idea is good, SusanMC. I'm afraid I'm clueless as to how these things work. I have a hunch ODB isn't very computer literate (probably can't type) but I'm sure such issues can be dealt with if indeed they exist."}, {"response": 629, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 1999 (20:23)", "body": "Regarding these online chats with actors and writers, I would assume that a publicist arranges these. When Nick Hornby and Helen Fielding were on line from B&N, someone else did all the typing. It was pretty funny! All the typos. Person hadn't a clue had to spell Darcy in the Fielding chat session, and as I recall, Hornby wasn't even in the room; he might have been in California and he was getting the questions on the phone."}, {"response": 630, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 1999 (20:48)", "body": "(Gi) The wedding is set for July 3; are we going to have my virtual bridal shower? :-))))) But of course:-) (Karen)We need an organizer or an organizing committee. This will be a gala event! And Karen....we do have a committee chair....Moon.Because she supplied the Dom Perignon for Colin's B'day and will bring it again, I hope. Anybody else who wishes to serve on the committee is welcome. I know Nan wants to be on it to.... **** Welcome to Donna ...and good to hear from Adi. This is a special place, guys, with lots of caring people.We like each other even when we quarrel:-)"}, {"response": 631, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 1999 (23:03)", "body": "Lucie, I have sent you an invitation twice, to aoftedahl@worldnet.att.net . I'll do it again. Look out for something from \"eGroups\"."}, {"response": 632, "author": "Mannen", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 1999 (02:50)", "body": "Being one of those unfortunate people who missed out on going to see ODB in 3DOR, I cannot seem to hear enough about it either. I would really like to hear about CF's responses. Did he seem flattered by the idea of having so many international fans or was he just polite for appearance's sake? I believe it's important to sketch ODB's character as best we can, not just what is written in the media, but what we can derive from life... from personal encounters with him. Only being new to drool myself,does thi follow online etiquette (Or whatever it's called)? Discard it, it if doesn't...but don't exile me.Please!"}, {"response": 633, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 1999 (03:17)", "body": "Mannen, you will NEVER be exiled for asking about ODB!!! We love to hear about him over and over again. Unfortunately, I am as 3DoR deprived as you are, so we will wait patiently while the fortunate few Firth in the Flesh Followers post relevant information! Again, welcome =)"}, {"response": 634, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 1999 (03:18)", "body": "(Mannen) I believe it's important to sketch ODB's character as best we can, not just what is written in the media, but what we can derive from life... from personal encounters with him. Absolutely. Of course everybody has different ideas about him so you'll get a lot of argument...which can lead to a rousing discussion. Only being new to drool myself,does this follow online etiquette (Or whatever it's called)? Discard it, it if doesn't...but don't exile me Never! Miss Manners appreciates your caution but wild speculation amid excessive drooling will never land you in Timbuktu around here. By the way, most of the 3DOR encounters can be found in Topic 116 (now frozen because of a bunch of maniacs burning up the board). If my memory serves me right they start at about message #1630. One of my favorite memories of that weekend was the night we didn't go to the play. It was hearing Evelyn say very quietly, \"There he is\" as we waited at Belgo's for him to arrive at the theatre across the street. And there he was exiting from a cab, back turned to us but of course we knew that walk as he entered the Donmar. Still thrills me. Luckily there's even more to that story."}, {"response": 635, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 1999 (03:40)", "body": "Heide, you're a dear for answering Mannen so quickly. I just HAD to post something to her lest she think that while the rest of the world is sleeping they are also rejecting her. We know better, and she will be rewarded in the morning with renewed drool and fervor. Thanks!"}, {"response": 636, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 1999 (05:04)", "body": "Renate, I have received no invitation either."}, {"response": 637, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 1999 (09:18)", "body": "Welcome to all ex-lurkers, new-droolies etc! It's the new contributors who give the board renewed life and and enthusiasm. So don't feel shy! Adi, you were asking about SLOW and a release in Israel. I phoned Handmade Films (as did Evelyn also) a few times before their parent company went bankrupt, and as I have a dreadful memory I made notes in my \"little black book\". According to my notes, SLOW was edited in Toronto and was sold to BV International, Shani (what's that?), MGN Paradise (Russia), Behaviour (Canada), Scandinavia and Israel. But not to the USA or UK. All this was, of course, before the company went into receivership. A couple of years ago I was channel surfing and I saw Joseph Conrad's\"The Secret Agent\" on RAI UNO (Italian) dubbed in Russian with Italian sub-titles! At the time \"The Secret Agent\" had not been released in the UK...took another year or so! (Conrad is not very popular!!) So, there's always hope! On movie release dates....what gives with MLSF in the UK? I see that \"An ideal husband\" is opening here next week, and it doesn't open in the US until July. I suppose Cate Blanchett, Minnie Driver and Rupert Everett are hot property at the moment. The trouble is, in the UK, the movie distribution is almost exclusively targeted at the \"Trainspotting generation\". I think that Colin's target audience is naturally in television and he should do more TV work, which will automatically be seen by millions. Ot erwise we'll mostly see him in small cameos, tucked in behind the \"big\" Hollywood names/Oscar nominees, who are getting younger and younger! TV work (and theatre) could offer him more scope. What do you all think?"}, {"response": 638, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 1999 (11:53)", "body": "I absolutely agree Bethan, he should do much much more TV work, there are many good projects coming up. BTW Bethan is the BBC's forthcoming Mary Queen of Scots a feature film for the big screen or meant for the TV. I ask because I was thinking of writing to the BBC re DQ and thought I would also ask about two other projects I am interested in namely MQoS and The Forsyte Sage as it was rumoured a while ago that JE might play Fleur. Mannen in reply to your question about CF at the Donmar, all I can say isthat I was very impressed with the way he treated his fans, he was absolutely harming, patient and friendly. He happily posed for pictures and signed programmes and made sure everyone who wanted an autograph got one. Although he looks wonderful in all the fans' photographs I think he looks even better in \"real-life\", absolutely gorgeous and much younger than I had expected and his eyes are wonderful, he is also taller than I expected. As well as being the most wonderful and talented actor on the planet he is also the most gorgeous. I have never been a fan of any other celebrity, there is just something about t is man that makes one feel very loyal and devoted in a way I find hard to describe. Its strange fans are either very very taken with him as I am or just can't understand the attraction. Regardless of his looks however, it is his acting that really appeals to me he has such stage presence and I just love to see him act but it would be lovely to see his in a romantic leading man role. I'm sorry to repeat myself Renate but I haven't received an invitation either and I would love to become a member. Sorry th s is so long, haven't posted for a while."}, {"response": 639, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 1999 (13:00)", "body": "Ann, I think that Mary Queen of Scots is a feature film...will cost \ufffd10million. And do write to the BBC! I'm going to email them again...he was voted most popular actor in 60 years of BBC TV, and then we never see him again! I was actually very pleased that he was doing DonQ, and hope that the BBC (or ITV...they seem stronger on drama) offer him more work. I don't find the \"movie industry\" in the UK much to my taste...and now that Jonathan Ross is doing Film 99 instead of Barry Norman, I've lost all hope!! There's also \"The Lion in Winter\" directed by Pat O'Connor (married to Mary Elizabeth Mastrioni(sp?)CF's co-star in MLSF)which has a terrific lead role, and for which I have my fingers crossed. But unfortunately it's all down to bankability...which is why TV seems a better option for him! Does he need a career advisor...I volunteer! :-) BTW last week I met someone who worked in Leeds on the production team for \"Lost Empires\", amongst other things. She no longer works in TV (is full-time mum). I actually asked her about CF! She sang his praises...said he was a very nice bloke, very warm and friendly, but rather shy and unassuming. She was delighted by his success as Darcy...said that he was a very fitting choice for the role. So there y'are!"}, {"response": 640, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 1999 (13:35)", "body": "Elena: first you have to send me an email so that I have your correct address. Only then I can send you the \"invitation\" which you have to return to get subscribed. This procedure goes for everybody else. For clarification: the \"invitation\" is a technical term only, and doesn't mean I make a choice. Every Firthfan who applies is welcome. Apparently Lucie and Allison don't succeed in subscribing, whatever the reason. Please try the following address, just send a brief note to: springfolks@egroups.com"}, {"response": 641, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 1999 (13:37)", "body": "Thankyou Bethan, I wholeheartedly agree with everthing you have said, more TV and I volunteer to be the advisor to the advisor."}, {"response": 642, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 1999 (13:58)", "body": "(Bethan) On movie release dates....what gives with MLSF in the UK? Timely question! I have the preliminary press kit from Miramax, which contains pictures of the movie. The attached synopsis states that the movie opens in June of 1999. Nothing more specific as to dates. The trouble is, in the UK, the movie distribution is almost exclusively targeted at the \"Trainspotting generation\". Here too, although I have been reading articles (I remember one specifically from Roger Ebert from the Sundance Fest) trying to get a movement going to reverse this \"dumbing down\" approach. His premise was: exposing teen+ boys to better films might have a positive effect. Didn't you say that your son, Bethan, actually liked SiL? That was targeted at the \"Trainspotting\" crowd. But I do agree that Colin should do more television and stage work (which would mean we wouldn't see him much--boo hoo). (AnnW) there is just something about this man that makes one feel very loyal and devoted in a way I find hard to describe. Must have something to do with the amount of effort one has to go through in order to see his work! ;-) Because his body of work can be so difficult to obtain or his appearances are so few and far between you learn to savor each and every one. Other film actors (mainstream big stars) become commonplace. You see their pictures plastered everywhere. With Colin, seeing him act or seeing a photo in a magazine is like a national holiday. You want to set off fireworks! As an actor, he is definitely worth it. He is so rare. As a person, who we saw in the theater foyer thoroughly committed to satisfying each of his fan's wishes, I was impressed (especially when I contrast it to Charles Dance). I experienced no letdown whatsoever from having seen him in the flesh. He was all I expected and more. A very real person who made me tingle all over. (Bethan) She sang his praises...said he was a very nice bloke, very warm and friendly, but rather shy and unassuming. He was very young then. One of his earlier roles and this was quite a coup for him, landing a big miniseries, wouldn't you say?"}, {"response": 643, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 1999 (13:59)", "body": "Renate, go read the Three Deers email! Important message to all of you."}, {"response": 644, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 1999 (14:48)", "body": "In the \"So Close, Yet So Far\" Department: a Firthless Three Days of Rain just began a monthlong run at the Boston Center for the Arts. Waaahhh!! Thanks to those who gave some insights on the AOL/Yahoo chat idea. I still think it could work -- I mean, Ian McKellan doesn't impress me as being the most computer-savvy person, and he just did one. It seems to me like the only way we'd ever be able to get answers to the questions *we* would really like Colin to answer -- for example, the great questions KJArt had posted recently re: how he came to choose 3DOR, etc. Also, questions about his future projects. These are things that never seem to make it in o interviews with Colin -- which, as a journalist, I find astonishing, since these are pretty basic questions. At least in an online chat, we'd get to ask questions that matter."}, {"response": 645, "author": "Adi", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 1999 (15:02)", "body": "Bethan, Shani is an Israeli movie distribution company. I guess I'll have to wait and see but what does the bankruptcy of the parent company mean? Does legally Shani still have the rights to release the movie here? I think I'll give them a call. I also loved Barry Norman in Film 99. We get BBC world here and it was the only program I watched (besides the news). What is he doing now?"}, {"response": 646, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 1999 (15:07)", "body": "Ian McKellan actually runs his own website...he gave an interview in one of the PC/Internet mags, and he's very computer-literate! Susan, I agree with you that interviewers never ask CF the right questions..there's always too much personal stuff (which he deals with very politely) but rarely anything about career choices, roles he'd like to play, working in the theatre etc. Meant to add to my earlier posting re meeting someone who worked on \"Lost Empires\"...she also said that, unlike many actors (there are some she's not very keen on) he seemed totally unaware of his looks. She said some actors will only bother with people who matter, and ignore everyone else. But CF was always very pleasant with everyone, and was much liked by cast and crew."}, {"response": 647, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 1999 (15:40)", "body": "(Karen) Must have something to do with the amount of effort one has to go through in order to see his work! It's even more difficult here. A film must do well at the US or UK box office, before it'll get released here. Well, a British film, that is. Most American movies get enough publicity and will get released no matter what. But distributors seem to forget that we don't necessarily like the same movies as Americans or Brits. I keep on being surprised when I read British and Belgian reviews for the same film. Only too often, the Brits would criticize a film that was praised to the skies by the Belgian press a d vica versa. So it's not because a film doesn't do well in the UK, that there's no audience for it here. I feel that the succes of film mainly depends on how much publicity it gets. Lots of excellent films are not given a fair chance! Colin is virtually unknown here, hence my surprise when the trailor for SiL mentioned CF third (made my day)! (Bethan).and now that Jonathan Ross is doing Film 99 instead of Barry Norman, I've lost all hope!! Is Jonathan Ross the same guy that does \"Talking Movies\" on BBC World? I've watched TM only twice so far (I was looking for a replacement for Film 98), but just can't stand the guy presenting it. I've yet to see Film 99 (I can't watch TV during the week, as I'm only home for the weekends). I'm seriously disappointed to see that Barry Norman is no longer doing it! There's no decent film magazine on Belgian TV, I depend on the BBC for my weekly film news."}, {"response": 648, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 1999 (18:59)", "body": "Barry Norman nowadays presents a film review program on Sky TV. There are new Donmar pages in colinfirth.com Archives - go and see: http://www.firth.com/html/arch.htm"}, {"response": 649, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 1999 (20:50)", "body": "Thankyou Arami,. what a wonderful page, I particularly liked the \"Impressions\" page, now we won't have to scour the Drool Archives to read people's Donmar impressions, and how did Maria aznd Lizza get so close to get such wonderful photos and I particularly liked Maria's ones where he is wearing a leather jacket and smiling such a lot, what a winning smile. thanks again to the 3 Deers."}, {"response": 650, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 1999 (23:49)", "body": "Does legally Shani still have the rights to release the movie here? I think I'll give them a call. (Adi) Please do, Adi! I'm a bit obsessive about SLOW, but I just can't accept that CF can make a romantic $5million movie, and we're not even given the chance to see it. And at the same time, we're inundated with movies I wouldn't cross the road see, not even if you gave me ten free tickets and paid me for my time!! A film must do well at the US or UK box office, before it'll get released here.Well, a British film, that is. Most American movies get enough publicity and will get released no matter what. But distributors seem to forget that we don't necessarily like the same movies as Americans or Brits. (Tineke) Good point, Tineke. A movie's success often depends on publicity and hype, and a lot of good small films go unnoticed. And, to repeat a point I'm always making, the distributors mainly cater for the youth market, and I think this is having a disastrously dumbing down effect. If SLOW is about a young boy looking for a father figure, or a man attracted by the \"innate goodness\" in a woman, it really doesn't stand a chance!! Throw in some blinding special effects and a deafening soundtrack, and you may have winner1 :-) There are new Donmar pages in colinfirth.com Archives - go and see: Well done, Arami and co! I love the \"Impressions\"...will have to return to read at my leisure. And the photos! Talk about in yer face candid shots...and he still looks fine! Is that a scar from the stereo speaker do-it-yourself attempt?"}, {"response": 651, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (01:46)", "body": "Thanks to Lizza for depositing her photos in the firth.com Archives."}, {"response": 652, "author": "SusanA", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (04:50)", "body": "I just visited the new 3DOR site. The pictures and comments are wonderful. There is one picture that I especially enjoyed, a picture of CF's incredible eyes. His eyes were mentioned by several fans as being so incredibly beautiful and intensive that when he looks at you, you feel that it is just you and him that matter at that moment. I feel truly envious of those of you who were fortunate enought to be there in person. P.S. I wrote a codicil to the end of P&P, a sort of wedding night story, and I would like to know the procedure for posting it at Fan Fic."}, {"response": 653, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (05:13)", "body": "A codicil, huh? Will have to check my law books for that one or maybe the Tax Reform Act of 1998. Susan, we have no procedures for posting at Fan Fic. All we ask is that it concerns fictional characters of the Jane Austen variety (although other Firth films are now acceptable) and is not clinically explicit. If you've been reading Fan Fic, you'll know how far you can go. The \"how to\" is easy. Just copy and paste your story in the box and submit away. How's that. A governmental employee could never have done this under 600 pages of instructions! :)"}, {"response": 654, "author": "SusanA", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (05:33)", "body": "I used the word \"codicil\" to convey the meaning of a small attachment, not a legal one of course."}, {"response": 655, "author": "SusanA", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (05:36)", "body": "Oh, and thank you Karen R. for the information on how to go about submitting our writings."}, {"response": 656, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (09:17)", "body": "Three Deers, thanks so much for the lovely Donmar archives. Love those pics! I can almost imagine I was there. So lovely to see so many people drooling away. Sorry I've been too silent lately - too much life overload. I did manage to squeeze in a Darcy fix today however :-)"}, {"response": 657, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (09:32)", "body": ""}, {"response": 658, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (13:17)", "body": "Great stuff 3deers. We are all \"blown away\" by th"}, {"response": 659, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (13:25)", "body": "Whoops Sunday morning madness at work. AS I WAS SAYING, What a stunning combination of pics and words. A wonderful host of images for a very special , unique moment in our lives. As Elena said it just brings it all back in a flood of emotion, and leaves me trembling at the keyboard!!! Thanks for all your hard work in giving us such a stunning scrapbook to enjoy. I particularly like the contrast between the two saturday nights (6th and 13th) in terms of the photos. Subtle differences re clothing etc. I can tell I shall be visiting daily for my fix (ONLY once a day I hear you all cry!!)"}, {"response": 660, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (14:01)", "body": "I hope that I didn't give the impression of waxing lyrical about that page only for those who were at 3DOR. It was those of you at drool who gave us an audience after our return that really heightend the whole \"adventure\" and for me anyway, enhanced the whole experience by your excitement and wonderful responses to what we posted.Now to me it feels like we were all there anyway!!! Mannen, I hope you will be able to gain some further insights into ODB, through this page and like us become more ensnared by his talent and other more obvious charms!!"}, {"response": 661, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (14:16)", "body": "I want to thank for the Donmar pages too. The Miracle at Earlham Street section is a great idea, and I really wish that Colin could read it. What a condensation of love, gratitude, admiration and WORSHIP! I\ufffdm sure he\ufffdd like it. Great leather jacket in Maria\ufffds pics. And I\ufffdm curious enough to wonder what he carried in that black plastic bag, probably a gift from someone. And he obviously didn\ufffdt wet his hair as much on the 12th as he did the previous Saturday. Beautiful. But under the strong lights on stage his hair wasn\ufffdt as black as it looks like in all the photos, I remember it was more like reddish brown. Lizza, thanks for the pics! Did you really push your camera that close?:-)....btw, drooling at work is one of my regular sins too."}, {"response": 662, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (14:40)", "body": "Is there such a thing as Picture Overload? If the subject is Colin, probably not. :) Great Donmar addition to cf.com - the pictures and the excerpts! Thank you, 3Deers (and Kirsten) and Lizza. Great job. Now, for something completely differently... My Life So Far"}, {"response": 663, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (14:58)", "body": "WOW! Great work Karen. And he looks wonderful in MLSF, seems to me that this movie is going to be very droolable.....I just hope I\ufffdll be able to see it somewhere during the next millenium. Btw, Irene Jacob looks strangely like Livia in that pic with Malc McD, doesn\ufffdt she?"}, {"response": 664, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (15:37)", "body": "Great stuff Karen, you are certainly keeping the drool level topped up for us I wish we knew when our release date was, maybe a quick appearance as a presenter at tonight's awards would cheer us up , but that I doubt. A few scenes of Wessex is all that I ask, here's hoping!! Thanks again Karen, we are counting on you to get the \"kilted shots\" nearer the time!!!"}, {"response": 665, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (15:48)", "body": "Just doing my job (and lovin' every minute of it)! If no kilt, will ridiculous bathing costume suffice? What time do the BAFTA's start? Are your VCRs ready just in case DB is there to join in the celebration when SiL wins or to be a presenter (doubt that one)? People and the press really enjoyed the camaraderie at the Oscars when the screenwriter from Gods & Monsters won and the three stars (McKellen, Redgrave and Fraser) all were whooping it up and hugging each other. Maybe the SiL cast will perform a similar \"propriety-be-damned\" celebration across the pond, where most of them are anyway. (Poor Judi, ow she has to fly back to London for these awards. I want her frequent flyer miles!)"}, {"response": 666, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (16:26)", "body": "Karen, it's 9-10.30pm our time. I will set the vid, but it is along shot I think that he will make an appearance. Still a quick \"goatee fix\" will do me fine. Back to that swimming costume that you mentioned, would that be on e of those delightfully old fashioned ones made of wool by any chance? Can't wait!!!!!"}, {"response": 667, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (16:30)", "body": "Well it could be more fun ( and quicker) than waiting to discover what an Englishman, reputed to drink nescafe and travel by tube, keeps undrneath his kilt! We are counting on you to relieve our suspense before June!!!"}, {"response": 668, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (17:08)", "body": "(Lizza) Back to that swimming costume that you mentioned, would that be one of those delightfully old fashioned ones made of wool by any chance? Yes and I'm not looking forward to seeing this one. They look horrible on every actor who has ever worn one that I recall. Would have much preferred how it was done in the book: he skinny-dipped in the cold pond every morning!"}, {"response": 669, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (18:34)", "body": "(Karen) All we ask is that it ...is not clinically explicit. LOL!! Sorry I edited you but I love your way with words. (Lizza) Back to that swimming costume that you mentioned, would that be one of those delightfully old fashioned ones made of wool by any chance? (Karen) Yes and I'm not looking forward to seeing this one. They get all saggy in the bottom don't they. Yech. I'd much prefer the au naturel look as well. But thanks for sending us the photos via your page. You're getting quite adept, my dear. I'm afraid this will have to sustain quite a lot of us for awhile since I doubt this small film will make it to small-town America let alone Finland, Portugal, Israel, Australia, etc. for a very long time. And thanks, 3 Deers for alerting us to your new pages. The pictures are terrific - it's amazing how you can make those close-ups so clear. I'm jealous I didn't get to see that leather jacket up close. Lizza, would you mind letting the girls here know about your recent return trip to the Donmar? I found your description very interesting."}, {"response": 670, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (19:02)", "body": "Hi, as well as Karen's lovely photos of MLSF, Murph has some more on her Appreciation page, they have really whetted my appetite, can't wait to see it, I particularly like the photo on the front page."}, {"response": 671, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (19:04)", "body": "Also mean't to say I will be recording the Bafta's as well, just in case!!"}, {"response": 672, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (19:06)", "body": "I wish I could remember what YDB was wearing when I saw this film...but the world was a duller place then, and I didn't know of the Firthettes or their incessant drooling. If pressed, I'd say he skinny-dipped, but perhaps that was only his sons. As another Englishman with a kilt, worn only for reeling, I can tell you that I keep plenty underneath even for Burns night in London, let alone some freezing castle in the Highlands. Knowing too what the cold can do to a man's pride and joy, I'm surprised Scotswomen were ever impressed (or sharp-eyed) enough, upon lifting said kilt, to keep the race going."}, {"response": 673, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (19:12)", "body": "Ben come on dig deep in that memory,re skinny dipping we know YOU can do it!!! Remember john Castle etc"}, {"response": 674, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (20:29)", "body": "(Karen) All we ask is that it ...is not clinically explicit. (Heide) Sorry I edited you but I love your way with words. I think you all know what I mean: See Dick. See Spot. See Dick pet Spot. See Jane jump. See Dick climb hill. See Dick fall on hill. See Jane cry. See Dick smoke cigarette and go home. (Don't think this qualifies for archive status.) ;-)"}, {"response": 675, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (22:00)", "body": "I'm sorry I can't watch it, (the BAFTA's that is), no sign of Colin or Wessex and Johathan Ross the Master of Ceremonies, is driving me mad with his stupid jokes, why oh why did they not pick someone with a bit of class like Clive James, Michael Parkinson or Barry Norman. What did you think Bethan and Allison and Lizza. BTW Evelyn, I was thinking that possibly JE will be at the Premiere of MLSF should her mother be attending, the first time we have seen CF & JE together since the 1996 BAFTA Awards."}, {"response": 676, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (22:22)", "body": "Cate Blanchett has won Best Actress and Roberto Benigni(?) best actor and still no Wessex!!"}, {"response": 677, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (22:43)", "body": "Wow, Maria and Lizza, those pics are fantastic!! And I love the excerpts from everyone's experiences. Bravo all around! Karen, thanks for the MLSF link. I really hope this movie doesn't get lost in the Phantom Menace tidal wave. Bethan, thanks for setting me right regarding Ian McK. My fault for judging a book by its cover;-)"}, {"response": 678, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (23:04)", "body": "At last we see Wessex!! SIL won Best Picture but overall Elizabeth was the winner with 5 Awards 4 to SIL."}, {"response": 679, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (23:29)", "body": "(Ben)Knowing too what the cold can do to a man's pride and joy, I'm surprised Scotswomen were ever impressed (or sharp-eyed) enough, upon lifting said kilt, to keep the race going. LOL, Ben!!! Only another male could give us that prospective. The furry Sporran did not do much to allay the chill, I gather. Should have worn them under the kilt! As for the women of Scotland, they are a practical sort, if my grandmother was a good example. Waste not, want not. Make do with what you have, and all that ;)"}, {"response": 680, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (23:38)", "body": "Didn't watch the BAFTAs, Ann. I was 100% convinced that Colin wouldn't be there (sensible man!)and wouldn't figure much in the clips. And I can't stand Jonathan Ross. I also think that the whole affair is a terrible anti-climax after the Oscars...should have stayed combined with the TV awards. MLSF...did he or did he not skinny dip? I remember a magazine article which described a scene when he had to jump into the freezing loch (Scottish lochs are terr-r-aibly cold) and he was definitely wearing a 30s style swimsuit. Maybe he'll be the first man in the history of the cinema to look half-way decent in a clingy wet body-hugging woollen swimsuit. Mmmmm? Am looking forward to seeing MLSF. It will be so nice to see him in a leading role again (long overdue)....and not a Fiennes brother in sight!! Yes, beware the Phantom Menace...but then there must be some people out there who don't give a toss about Star Wars (me!!). Oh, and yes, the beautiful Irene Jakob does resemble Livia (or vice versa)."}, {"response": 681, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 1999 (05:20)", "body": "Thanks Maria and Lizza for the great pictures. I like the way he smiles with his eyes. So often I have seen stars give a big smile but when you look at their eyes you can tell that they are just putting on a face for the public. He looks like he is really enjoying himself. Does anyone know if his sister was there at all. From the way he talks about her in interviews it sounds like they are very close."}, {"response": 682, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 1999 (15:02)", "body": "I\ufffdm just back from the Turks & Caicos and catching up with all the posts. I don\ufffdt believe there will ever be a dull moment here, we just like to chat too much! Welcome newbies! Thanks Arami for more 3DOR and Karen for MLSF. Karen, how is your new computer behaving? I would be very happy to organize Gi\ufffds wedding shower, of course the Don Perignon will overflow. I will need to set a date in early June as I will be leaving for Italy at the end of June. Is that agreeable to all? BTW, Gi, have you planned your honeymoon yet? Umbria is such a beautiful region. :-D I plan to read about the Baftas on the E. Telegraph later, but I must say that I was surprised that E won more than SIL. E has major flaws, SIL well you know, it\ufffds practically perfect. Kids are back in school today, maybe he was still in LA with Will, although the way the Baftas have changed does sound rather dull, can\ufffdt blame him for staying away. A long vacation in LA may lead to signing other film deals\ufffdone can only hope. Unfortunately, I will not be able to join Renate\ufffds CF list. If my (\ufffdYou shall have no other God but me\ufffd), DH were to read it he would be very angry. I hope you will still keep me informed through \ufffdgroups\ufffd I could not bare to miss out on any Firth related tid-bit."}, {"response": 683, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 1999 (15:58)", "body": "Moon, glad you are back and hope you had a good time and, yes, computer is behaving well, thank you. Early June would be nice for Gi's virtual shower, sufficient time for me to pick out a new virtual outfit. Gi, have you \"registered\"? About the new list, Moon, there are options. You don't have to receive email. You can go to the site and read the posts there, just like you do for this site. Give me a call."}, {"response": 684, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 1999 (16:51)", "body": "The full list of winners for the 51st British Academy Film Awards, in association with Orange, was: Best Film - Shakespeare in Love. The David Lean Award for best achievement in direction - Peter Weir (The Truman Show). Best Screenplay (original) - The Truman Show (Andrew Niccol) Best Screenplay (adapted) - Primary Colors (Elaine May). Best Actress - Cate Blanchett (Elizabeth). Best Actor - Roberto Benigni (La Vita e Bella) Best Supporting Actress - Dame Judi Dench (Shakespeare in Love). Best Supporting Actor - Geoffrey Rush (Shakespeare in Love). Best Film not in English - Central Do Brasil. The Anthony Asquith Award for achievement in film music - Elizabeth (David Hirschfelder). The Carl Foreman Award for newcomer in British film - Richard Kwietniowski. Best Cinematography - Elizabeth (Remi Adefarasin). Best Production Design - The Truman Show (Dennis Gassner). Best Costume Design - Velvet Goldmine (Sandy Powell). Best Editing - Shakespeare in Love (David Gamble). Best Sound - Saving Private Ryan. Best Special Effects - Saving Private Ryan. Best Make-up/Hair - Elizabeth (Jenny Shircore). Best Short Film - Home. Best Short Animated Film - The Canterbury Tales. The Orange Audience Award - Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. The Academy Fellowship - Elizabeth Taylor. The Michael Balcon Award for outstanding British contribution to cinema - Michael Kuhn. The Alexander Korda Award for outstanding British film - Elizabeth."}, {"response": 685, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 1999 (16:57)", "body": "For those who may like to know who the winners were. E for Best Cinematography was way off. Spielberg must be quite put out, he really did want the awards for SPR. Ann, Bethan or Jana, do any of you know who votes for the Baftas? I'm happy for Sandy Powell she is the best costume designer. She also did SIL and I've been a fan ever since Orlando, a film I love."}, {"response": 686, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 1999 (17:13)", "body": "Thank you, Arami et. al for the wonderful 3DOR pics and Impressions page. It's great to have the memories consolidated and accessible. I cherish all the pictures I've seen but there's something about those up on top...the top left must have been when he saw the person he knew. Thanks for the close up of those delighted (and delightful) eyes! Thanks, Karen, for the MLSF pics. (Bethan)and not a Fiennes brother in sight!! LOL! (SusanMC) I really hope this movie doesn't get lost in the Phantom Menace tidal wave. Or the 'Notting Hill' tidal wave, which is being promo'd as the best alternative to PM. We know better. (Moon) I\ufffdm just back from the Turks & Caicos Lucky you! Unfortunately, I will not be able to join Renate\ufffds CF list. Here's 2 potential solutions which Nan and Gi suggested (I'm in a similar DH situation): 1) open another e-mail account at Hotmail or Yahoo. It's free and you can keep the password to yourself. I chose this option. 2) Subscribe to the list but modify your subscription so that you read the posts on-line at egroups.com instead of via e-mail. Like e-mail, you set up the 'ac ount' with your own sign-on and password so it's private. All you'll need for either option is more time to spend at the computer to read the posts. Barbara, Vicky, or any one else from the list who's potentially lurking...please feel free to post! If I may take the liberty of speaking for everyone else here--we'd love to have you."}, {"response": 687, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 1999 (18:49)", "body": "Heide, Helena has just sent me her Donmar photos and I just love the ones of you and you know who, you must be very pleased, and thankyou Helena for sending them to me, I think they are some of the best ones of have seen of Colin."}, {"response": 688, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 1999 (18:50)", "body": "(Moon Dreams)I would be very happy to organize Gi\ufffds wedding shower, of course the Don Perignon will overflow. I will need to set a date in early June as I will be leaving for Italy at the end of June. Is that agreeable to all? BTW, Gi, have you planned your honeymoon yet? Umbria is such a beautiful region. :-D (Karen)Early June would be nice for Gi's virtual shower, sufficient time for me to pick out a new virtual outfit. Gi,have you \"registered\"? Thanks for volunteering, Moon, it's bound to be a great party! Early June will be fine for me. Don't set the atual date yet, though, because I might be on duty...I'll know in mid-May. We haven't decided on the honeymoon yet, but Italy, my best loved country, is a possibility. No, Karen, I have not registered (nor have I in \"real\" life, and that's a \"real\" problem), but I just thought I might at P&P2...great tableware, linens, everything, what do you say? :-) And virtual outfits! That's fantastic! I'm already having so much fun at the idea I can but suggest we prepare this party at 110, if it's not frozen, and use that topic for all future parties.What do you all think?"}, {"response": 689, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 1999 (18:54)", "body": "BAFTA awards: does it look to you as if they gave \"alternative prizes\", I mean, to those films who had not won at the Oscars, unless they really had no choice?"}, {"response": 690, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 1999 (20:25)", "body": "News..of a kind. Reading about the BAFTAs, Harvey was there with Gwynnie (I'm sure Colin wasn't there ..must be filming in Scotland). In an interview, Harvey said that he really wanted to do a sequel to SIL, and left to himself he'd do it but he had to talk to the others first. Whateever the merits/demerits of a sequel, I'll bet there is one ...unlike \"Titanic\" and \"TEP\" the main protaganists are still alive! I just hope they don't write Wessex out...did he survive? I always thought the final shipwreck scenes were Shakesp are's dreams not reality. Anyway, food for thought... But if Viola is widow of independent means returning to England, there's no plot (Shakespeare takes a mistress...yawn!) - she needs a jealous, avenging (and hopefully very, very rich from those Virginian plantations) live husband! Also, there's a new paperback edition of Sir Denis Forman's \"Son of Adam\" scheduled for publication (was January 1999) sub-totled \"My Life So Far\". Obviously the movie tie-in."}, {"response": 691, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 1999 (21:54)", "body": ""}, {"response": 692, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 1999 (21:59)", "body": "If anyone here is thinking of getting ATA, released here today, they may encounter some problems!! After being promised a copy I went to buy it and was told \"Well we are not stocking it after all.\" Calls to 4 other major suppliers revealed the same story. It has to be ordered. Do you have these problems in the States? I suppose we wouldn't be so devoted if we didn't have to overcome these obstacles but pursuit of droolheaven can be needlessly frustrating sometimes."}, {"response": 693, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 1999 (22:04)", "body": "BAFTA was almost devoid of \"goatee glimpses\", the national news actually had more of Wessex!! A colleague of mine said today that her son was \"waiting on table\" there last night so if any relevant gossip filters down , I will pass it on. A very pale imitation of the \"Real thing\". Still Johnathan took a few swipes at Islington and its residents, come back Barry , we miss you!!"}, {"response": 694, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 1999 (23:40)", "body": "Saw an interesting if slightly patronising and definitely unoriginal short article in The Tatler today re The Donmar being beseiged by women of a certain age abandoning \"their volvo's\" and something else for a sight of Colin Firth. I will post the exact article later, didn't have time to buy it, it also said something to the effect that the booking office at the Donmar had nicknamed these ladies as Friends of Firth, very original. Still at least someone noticed that Colin has fans aplenty."}, {"response": 695, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (00:07)", "body": "(Bethan) Harvey said that he really wanted to do a sequel to SIL NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! (I'm not shooting the messenger) The further adventures of young Will Shakespeare as he writes the rest of his plays and few more sonnets?? Also, there's a new paperback edition of Sir Denis Forman's \"Son of Adam\" scheduled for publication (was January 1999) sub-totled \"My Life So Far\". Obviously the movie tie-in. (she laughs heartily) like that's going to help the movie!! Bethan, is it being released by Hyperion (or another Disney subsidiary)? (Lizza) Do you have these problems in the States? ATA was initially released in the States at a very high cost. Many of us got our copies as previously viewed rentals. I picked up a couple (in excellent condition) at my local video store for about $6 or $7 I think. There are still some around for even less!! I don't know what a new one costs, but they are readily available at stores and through internet shopping. Oh Ann, that is a riot. Why must we always be labeled \"women of a certain age.\" I suppose it would have been a nonissue if he had been beseiged by under-twentysomethings!! Please post as soon as you can from the Tatler."}, {"response": 696, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (01:44)", "body": "LOL, Ann...I'm still chuckling. Ladies, where did you abandon your Volvos? Poor Colin, I hope he doesn't read the Tatler. Hopefully he is in Scotland. Welcome back Moon! Do follow Eileen and Karen's suggestion."}, {"response": 697, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (02:26)", "body": "(Karen)Why must we always be labeled \"women of a certain age.\" I suppose it would have been a nonissue if he had been beseiged by under-twentysomethings!! Think of it this way. Brandy and cheeses get better with age. Do we not mellow also? Have more compassion? Or is it just *passion*?! It is better than being of uncertain age or of no age at all! Now, I'll go blow out the candles on my cake before the house burns down =P Does anyone else have a problem with the \"clear\" button being where the \"submit\" button used to be? $^&%^&$#%...this is my second attempt to post this!"}, {"response": 698, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (03:55)", "body": "The more I think about his having to wear an itchy woolen swimming suit, the more I find to be disheartened about. I believe what Ben said about the chill weather in Scotland and its effects on the male endowments. Can you imagine what a plunge into water that cold would do to them?! To appalling to think on. And so little reason to drool! =P"}, {"response": 699, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (03:56)", "body": "Thank you dear genies behind the scene for rearranging the submit and clear buttons! Love you for that!!!"}, {"response": 700, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (04:51)", "body": "(Marcia) Now, I'll go blow out the candles on my cake before the house burns down =P Have we missed a birthday celebration? BTW, is there an extinguisher close by? Too funny. Does anyone else have a problem with the \"clear\" button being where the \"submit\" button used to be? Yeah, hard to teach us old dogs new tricks. ;-) his having to wear an itchy woolen swimming suit...I believe what Ben said about the chill weather in Scotland and its effects on the male endowments. No wonder the suits get all baggy?!"}, {"response": 701, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (05:35)", "body": "(Karen)No wonder the suits get all baggy?! LOL! I never figured it out till you presented it this way. So those suits are form-fitting until he hits the water. Pray for lots of footage of him basking on the rocks before he gets wet! The candles were metaphorical. My BD is not till the last day of May."}, {"response": 702, "author": "Mannen", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (12:49)", "body": "All right... Fine... I am behind yet again. What have I missed about Scotland and baggy swimsuits? I figured I've missed something huge. (Or not,if we're discussing ice water.) (I'm not very computer literate, so can someone tell me how, or tell me where to find out how to get the italic thing going?) Anyway about 'women of a certain age', I didn't get to go to 3DOR myself, but I am one of the few under-twenty-something CF fans, and I really think they shouldn't stereotype so much. Who cares what the age of his fans are? I think I speak on behalf of most doolers when I say we are all as sincere and devoted as each other, no matter what our ages."}, {"response": 703, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (14:40)", "body": "Mannen, here's a great place to learn: Ann's Basic HTML Tag Tutorial"}, {"response": 704, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (16:00)", "body": "Gi, I spoke with Karen and she suggested using the Odds&Ends Topic for your Bridal Shower. If early June is a bad time maybe we can do it at the end of May, let me know. I have already started interviewing caterers and am receiving a special shipment of my favorite Dom Perignon Vintage '82. All the rush for the millenium celebration has made it very difficult to obtain. :-)) Renate, I have registered at egroups and would like to read the messages and not get the emails, but I did not see any obtion to do so. Also what is the correct heading of the group I should look for, or search for?"}, {"response": 705, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (16:05)", "body": "To our British friends; do any of you know who votes for the Baftas? I am still baffled at all the awards Elizabeth received. Marcia, my fellow Gemini, I believe a party is in order.;-)"}, {"response": 706, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (17:27)", "body": "I'm kind of surprised \"Truman Show\" won so many BAFTAs (best screenplay over SiL?!). Was it a big hit over there? Potential new source of CF news : I read an entertainment snippet saying that Miramax is launching a new magazine called \"Talk\" in August."}, {"response": 707, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (17:29)", "body": "(Karen)Why must we always be labeled \"women of a certain age.\" I suppose it would have been a nonissue if he had been beseiged by under-twentysomethings!! Bear with them for they know not better... In truth, it is probably less strange to see under-twentysomethings drooling before their favourite actor than it is to see ladies of a certain age do it :-) Do they wonder why it happens? (Mannen) What have I missed about Scotland and baggy swimsuits? I figured I've missed something huge. (Or not,if we're discussing ice water.) LOL! Mannen, Colin is supposed to be in Scotland shooting his new movie. The baggy swimsuit is expected to make its appearance in MLSF when it is finally released. (Marcia)And so little reason to drool! =P (Karen)No wonder the suits get all baggy?! Ye women of little faith! He'll look great even in woolen swimsuits :-) (Moon Dreams)Gi, I spoke with Karen and she suggested using the Odds&Ends Topic for your Bridal Shower. If early June is a bad time maybe we can do it at the end of May, let me know. End of May or early June are fine, as is Odds & Ends (have to look for that one) (Moon Dreams)Marcia, my fellow Gemini, I believe a party is in order.;-) Party season! :-)))"}, {"response": 708, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (18:00)", "body": "Moon: It is \"Springfolks\" When you go to egroups.com, you will see the list(s) to which you belong, number of messages and \"mode of something.\" That can be changed via a drop-down list to \"visit website.\" Keep looking around at the site. You will find it."}, {"response": 709, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (19:55)", "body": "(Bethan) Harvey said that he really wanted to do a sequel to SIL (KarenR)NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! My sentiments exactly. Leave well enough alone, Harvey! (Just one more example that Miramax is more big Hollywood and less independent). Can't wait to see that Tatler article, Ann (what sharp eyes you have, my dear!). The Donmar's laughing all the way to the bank about \"Friends of Firth.\" If we were predominantly undertwentysomethings we'd be over at Leo's web sites (you are to be praised on your cultivated taste in actors, Mannen ;-)). IMO Colin would probably appreciate a bit more gender balance in his fans. Moon, even if you change to viewing messages at the egroups site, you'll get an occasional email (I think it's biweekly) letting you know there are messages to read. You can turn this off too but it's in a different place than mode (to which Karen refers). It may be in \"modify subscription.\""}, {"response": 710, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (20:37)", "body": "(Eileen) IMO Colin would probably appreciate a bit more gender balance in his fans. I agree. But men would not travel across an Ocean to see an actor, or actress, they admire.(With the possible exception of Ben for Miss Ehle ;-))"}, {"response": 711, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (20:41)", "body": "Thanks Eileen, I have already taken care of the bi-weekly email, I just don't know what group to look for? There is no CF to log on to. I hope Renate can help. Ann, I too look forward to the Tatler article."}, {"response": 712, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (21:02)", "body": "Welcome back, Moon! I'm quite jealous of your jaunt to the Caribbean. (Moon) A long vacation in LA may lead to signing other film deals Hmmmm, and a possibiltiy for more sitings by we West-Coasters :-)! (Moon) E for Best Cinematography was way off I totally agree, Moon. The BAFTA voters actually thought that all those disorienting overhead shots were worthy of a prize? And I kept screaming to myself \"TURN THE LIGHTS ON!\" (although maybe that dark look was the lighting director's fault :-)) (Mannen) but I am one of the few under-twenty-something CF fans OK, that does it. Next time CF appears in a play we put Mannen front and center. At least for the Tatler's benefit, anyway :-)"}, {"response": 713, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (22:11)", "body": "(Jana) Next time CF appears in a play we put Mannen front and center. Heehee, I suppose I could sit next to her since I'm 20. I don't think Colin has a reason to complain about his fans. He's got fans from all over the world, from all age groups. As for the gender...I'm sure there are man who admire Colin as an actor, but we can't expect them to drool over him the way we do;-)"}, {"response": 714, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (23:04)", "body": "Firstly ladies, I hope you won't be disappointed this article (I should have said snippet) is very small and I more or less said it all, not quite the right wording though but I will still post it as it is in The Tatler. Secondly Moon, according to my 1996 BAFTA Awards book, and I quote (re who votes for the Awards). the Members vote for th Awards - \"The voting lists for both the Film & Television Awards are compiled from suggestions put forward be Academy members throughout the year with the broadcastin companies having the opportunity to add programmes to the final members' list in the television categories. Members then vote directly to select the Best Film and all the Film and Television Performance Awards. In the Production and Craft categories, the winner is selected by peer-group juries\" (not sure who makes up the Members?) Does that help?!!"}, {"response": 715, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (23:44)", "body": "(Moon) I just don't know what group to look for? There is no CF to log on to. Do a search for Springfolks. Remember what I said I would do for you, it's there. Look around. ;-)"}, {"response": 716, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (23:56)", "body": "Party time, for sure: Bridal showers and Gemini babies. How much better can it get. When do we start, and is virtual food fattening?! As for that itchy woolen bathing suit, it is not little faith I am worried about. It is little to observe...and you know how eager we are to slo-mo our way through his movies to catch as much of the Fantastic Firth as possible! It is not good for appendages to dissappear up into the body cavity due to excessively cold water =P"}, {"response": 717, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (00:09)", "body": "CF to return to LA for an extended vacation? There's a thought. Jana, to the Firthmobile! Time to hit the streets of SanMo before it's too late! ;-) BTW- yesterday morning I saw a Firth-like man driving away from University Elem. School, right by UCLA. It's a private school where Hollywood types are known to bus their children. Toussled brown hair, wvy, same complexion, but driving a Jaguar. NAH! couldn't be him. Heehee, I suppose I could sit next to her since I'm 20. Mannen and Tineke-- I still qualify, so I can join you two front and center as well. And BTW-- I drove a Volvo when I was 16, so Tatler can just shove it. I've decided to be ruthless about some of my belongings, as I clean out my apt. and prepare to move next month. I have a stack of magazines with Colin Firth articles/pictures (Elle, Vogues, etc etc) as far back as 1997. Jeremy Northam stuff as well. Anyone want them? Email me."}, {"response": 718, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (02:56)", "body": "(winter) CF to return to LA for an extended vacation? There's a thought. Jana, to the Firthmobile! I am LMAO!! I got this mental picture of you and I crusing around town in leather outfits with the top down (top of the convertible, that is!) Although that thought makes me wonder if the overwhelming sight of le Firth could compel one to lower one's own top. Hmmmm - winter, I shall count on you to supply the decorum ;-)."}, {"response": 719, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (03:39)", "body": "Something exquisitely titillating has struck the ladies of Drool, and what a fine thing it is to see. So many happy thoughts, top down, over exposure...what shall The Tattler say about that!"}, {"response": 720, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (04:51)", "body": "I had the color slides from My Life So Far's press kid printed and rescanned them. The page can now be found at: My Life So Far Haven't a clue where the white stuff came from on the bottom pic; will have to fix it later."}, {"response": 721, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (05:30)", "body": "(Jana)Hmmmm - winter, I shall count on you to supply the decorum ;-). Me? Decorum? ;-) Oh... fine! But Victoria's Secret just mailed out a new catalogue, and there were so many things I had in mind for the occasion :-D (Marcia)Something exquisitely titillating has struck the ladies of Drool, and what a fine thing it is to see. So many happy thoughts, top down, over exposure...what shall The Tattler say about that! What can we do? It's Spring! No...but in all seriousness, I wouldn't go further than asking him for an autograph, if the opportunity were to come up. I have way too much respect for his privacy to be doing anything more than what a perfect stranger would ask of him. Esp. after seeing him last December."}, {"response": 722, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (05:51)", "body": "BAFTA awards: does it look to you as if they gave \"alternative prizes\", I mean, to those films who had not won at the Oscars, unless they really had no choice? BAFTA awards: Fooey....(the sound you hear is a resounding Bronx Cheer) I'd concur with their ecstasy over \"Elizabeth\" if I hadn't been in London in October when \"There's Something About Mary \" was the rave (no kidding) and \"Elizabeth\" was ignored. Dark and Dull film, IMO. How could they overlook Tom Stoppard and the great SIL soundtrack.I hope those guys emigrate to this side of the pond where we appreciate them. *** Karen...great MLSF page...(didn't I tell ya' that this girl has talent we haven't even seen yet!!) ****** (Marcia)Pray for lots of footage of him basking on the rocks before he gets wet! No, no, no, Marcia....we want him basking on the rocks after he gets wet :-)) ."}, {"response": 723, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (13:46)", "body": "(AnnW), In the Production and Craft categories, the winner is selected by peer-group juries\" (not sure who makes up the Members?) Does that help?!! Thanks Ann. I can't imagine other cinematographers voting for E over SPR, SIL or even the Truman Show. I must agree with Evelyn, \"How could they overlook Tom Stoppard and the great SIL soundtrack.I hope those guys emigrate to this side of the pond where we appreciate them.\" It is a jealousy issue,IMO. ( Winter), Toussled brown hair, wvy, same complexion, but driving a Jaguar. NAH! couldn't be him. Maybe he was borrowing Meg's car. :-) What can we do? It's Spring! And love is in the air! Karen, I did manage the Springfolks afterall thanks. You made it easier. Love the MLSF pix."}, {"response": 724, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (17:48)", "body": "(Gi) But men would not travel across an Ocean to see an actor, or actress, they admire Unless they are saintly and devoted husbands, boyfriends or fiances of devoted fans. I suspect you know somebody who falls into that category! (Winter) Jana, to the Firthmobile! Keep those eyes open, ladies 8-D! (Moon) Maybe he was borrowing Meg's car. :-) That's exactly what I thought! But he's as likely to be in Scotland now as he is in LA. I'd rather see him working than taking another extended vacation, selfish thing that I am ;-)"}, {"response": 725, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (19:57)", "body": "Okay, so I just spoke to my mother on the phone, and as expected something was wrong with the video! She didn't tape Nostromo! I knew it, I knew it!! *grabs hair* It's not my mother's fault though. What is it with our video that each time ODB comes on TV, it refuses to record? The same thing happened with Circle of Friends. The only time our video did tape a CF film was when ARTE showed Another Country. It was dubbed in French so I gave up watching after half an hour."}, {"response": 726, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (20:20)", "body": "Tineke, you are very welcome to borrow my PAL copy of Nostromo if you would like to email me. I though he looked gorgoeus in it, loved the beard and moustache, don't mind moustaches with beards but don't like moustaches on their own, hope he doesn't sport a moustache in DQ."}, {"response": 727, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (20:52)", "body": "(Gi) But men would not travel across an Ocean to see an actor, or actress, they admire (Eileen)Unless they are saintly and devoted husbands, boyfriends or fiances of devoted fans. Which supports my point, because the men in those categories did not travel to see an actor, but to be with their significant others :-)"}, {"response": 728, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 1999 (01:37)", "body": "I just found this on Murph's Corner and plan to call tomorrow. I urge others to do the same. Fever Pitch will be released by Phaedra Films in the USA. Write, or fax, or call to let them know you want to see it in YOUR city: Roseann CherensonSr. VP, Distribution & Acquisitions Phaedra Cinema5455 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1403Los Angeles, CA 90036 Tel: (323) 938-9610 Fax: (323) 938-9731 BTW I read in the newspaper that : The Women's World Cup Soccer Tournament will be held this summer in seven US cities...and has sold more than 300,000 tickets already. 30,000 tickets have been sold for the final game in Pasadena , Calif. on July 10th. Coincidental that \"Fever Pitch \" will be preemed on July 6th....hmmmmmm? Good strategy...Phaedra!!Go Paul Ashford!! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------"}, {"response": 729, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 1999 (03:58)", "body": "I thought the premiere was on July 9th...not that it matters, but I just happened to remember that b/c it's my b-day. (what a treat!)"}, {"response": 730, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 1999 (06:48)", "body": "Ooooh, CF on the big screen on your birthday. Now that's what I call a present!"}, {"response": 731, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 1999 (13:13)", "body": "Just discovered that the CF chat is listed in the Yahoo directory when you make a search. I think it cannot have to do with the trouble in chat recently because the entry appeared not when I was there last time, which was 2 days ago. Be prepared for some visitors - of the nice kind I hope! ;-) If they are not nice, I recommend to leave chat immediately (all!) and go to these boards or to springfolks or private email for a while, and only return much later. If no one's there, there's no fun for the trolls, and they will loose interest. BTW, anyone who tried to apply to springfolks but did not get a reply from me yet, please send me an email. I'm not sure if I didn't lose some addresses. Thanks."}, {"response": 732, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 1999 (14:10)", "body": "My husbands cancer surgery went very well. The doctor says he is clean and clear."}, {"response": 733, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 1999 (17:02)", "body": "Lucie, I'm so glad for you and your husband! Thanks for sharing with us. This is indeed a year for good news!"}, {"response": 734, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 1999 (21:08)", "body": "(Renate) Just discovered that the CF chat is listed in the Yahoo directory when you make a search. I meet a nice lady last night in chat who found it this way. of course, i cant remember her name.... (oops) Lucie, this is Happy News Indeed!!! *doing the dance of joy* Winter- have marked a big W on my calendar on July 9th"}, {"response": 735, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 1999 (21:55)", "body": "Winter- have marked a big W on my calendar on July 9th You are correct, Winter...FP does preem in LA and NY on July 9th. I just spoke to the man at Phaedre...he says he does not expect CF to attend. \"Unless he happens to be in LA or NY at the time\". (LA is a good possibility) \"He's gone on to bigger things now....SIL really put him on the map\". (hope he's right....but we've all heard that one before...haven't we? Anyway, I inquired if we could do anything to bring the film to other cities...\"an individual can't do much....a theatre owner needs hundreds of requests...a soccer league, maybe\".So you soccer fans and moms out there see what you can do. And Winter, call him at 323-938-9610 and ask for a ticket to the preem.Who knows?....he might show up!!"}, {"response": 736, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 1999 (23:30)", "body": "Wait a minute, DB is supposed to be in Umbria then, shopping for antiques, how else will I meet him this summer??? Of course, it would be a great coup for your birthday Winter. By the time I'm back I will have missed both FP and MLSF on the big screen. :-( You will all hate me, but I wish they'd delay the openings till September."}, {"response": 737, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 1999 (23:50)", "body": "What good news, Lucie. (Evelyn) \"He's gone on to bigger things now....SIL really put him on the map\". (hope he's right....but we've all heard that one before...haven't we? Yup. Does this person know something we don't (re: bigger and better things)? 7/9 is my sister's birthday so I'm sure I'll remember yours, Winter. And we know CF has a reason to be in LA, not NY. Sounds like fate to me. Moon, weren't you in Tuscany/Umbria last summer? Bet he was there, taking his son out to eat(I heard restaurants in Italy have tolerance for children ;-))!"}, {"response": 738, "author": "Mannen", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (01:32)", "body": "Thanks Karen, I'll try the italics now, but I very much doubt I've got it in me. Eileen(you are to be praised on your cultivated taste in actors, Mannen ;-)). I don't think I deserve praise for having half a brain, but thank you anyway. Also, I look forward to the middle centre position at his next play. But is it really THAT amazing???? He is wonderful, after all. (But 'Not always' I hear.) I'm glad your husband is better Lucie. Give him my best.(Not that he'll know who I am.) BTW, I lied in an earlier posting. I'm not undertwenty-something. I will turn seventeen on Monday. I'm an Aries baby who knows a good actor when she sees one!"}, {"response": 739, "author": "Mannen", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (01:33)", "body": "Wow! The italics worked! Thanks again Karen!"}, {"response": 740, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (02:30)", "body": "Mannen--But is it really THAT amazing???? He is wonderful, after all. (But 'Not always' I hear.) Yes, yes, and a thousand times yes. That's his whole appeal to me. And, oh, by they way he's kinda cute too.(hee, hee) But honestly speaking he's so divinely talented. As for the physical aspect, I've never met anyone who made my hands shake--would have never known it until I tried to take a picture of him. Did anything like this happen to anyone else? (Sweaty palms and the tied tongues of course were obvious\ufffdthat is except for Evelyn). Non CF fans who I have told this to think I'm totally ridiculou . Lucie, I'm glad to hear the good news about your husband."}, {"response": 741, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (02:51)", "body": "(JanaC), I've never met anyone who made my hands shake--would have never known it until I tried to take a picture of him. Did anything like this happen to anyone else? (Sweaty palms and the tied tongues of course were obvious\ufffdthat is except for Evelyn). I told ya' to have another glass of wine :-) Anyway...for someone with shaking hands, you took some pretty good pictures!!"}, {"response": 742, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (11:27)", "body": "This is my first posting but I just love these boards. Time to de-lurk but also slightly off topic. I didn't know where else to post that JE is to star in Tom Stoppard's play 'The Real Thing' which opens at the Donmar on May 27."}, {"response": 743, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (14:00)", "body": "Thank you aishling (do you have something else we could call you?) for de-lurking. Believe me JE news like that is NEVAH off-topic. I'm going to wake Evelyn up shortly! :-) (Why is there such a huge amount of space between your post and the response box?)"}, {"response": 744, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (14:19)", "body": "The Real Thing runs at the Donmar from 6/1 - 8/1, so Jennifer will be working all summer. May 27 is for preview. Haven't found anything announcing the cast yet."}, {"response": 745, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (15:44)", "body": "Karen: Haven't found anything anouncing the cast yet Sarah Woodward, Nigel Lindsay and Mark Bazekey co-star."}, {"response": 746, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (15:53)", "body": "Aishling you beat me to it I was just going to post the news, as well as the above cast Stephen Dillane is her co-star, another trip to the Donmar Evelyn? Here it is, the snippet from Tatler magazine, May 1999. (Picture of Colin and E.McG, sitting on the stairs reading the journal). \"The Donmar Warehouse was recently over-run by a new breed of theatregoer, stampedes of ladies of a certain age abandoned their labradors, reved up their Volvo's and sped to Covent Garden to catch a glimpse of CF. (right) who starred with E.McG (far right) in a new play 3 Days of Rain last month. Indeed, Mr. Darcy elicited such excitement that the Donmar Box Office staff now refer to his fans as \"Friends of the Firth.\" Lets hope JE does just as well."}, {"response": 747, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (15:57)", "body": "Cont. seems I was cut off - \"stampedes of ladies of a certain age abandoned their labradors, reved up their Volvo's and sped to Covent Garden to catch a glimpse of CF (right) who starred with E.McG (far right) in a new play 3 Days of Rain last month. Indeed, Mr. Darcy elicited such excitement that the Donmar box office staff now refer to his fans as \"Friends of the Firth\". Hope JE does just as well."}, {"response": 748, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (15:58)", "body": "strange!!"}, {"response": 749, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (16:06)", "body": "Karen, Aishling is Irish and pronounced Ashleen. That is if Aishling is Irish and pronounces it that way;)"}, {"response": 750, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (16:29)", "body": "You are correct Laura"}, {"response": 751, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (17:14)", "body": "The Real Thing runs at the Donmar from 6/1 - 8/1, so Jennifer will be working all summer. May 27 is for preview Ben are you making plans?"}, {"response": 752, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (17:23)", "body": "(JanaC)This address did not come from the FAQ website but from another source. (Arami) Which one, please? (Sooooooo curious........I thought I'd seen it all... ;-)) Its a mystery to me. Just like his shoe size!!!"}, {"response": 753, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (17:25)", "body": "JENNIFER EHLE AT THE DONMAR IN A TOM STOPPARD PLAY!! ****Is this a great day or what?**** Bless you Aishling....Karen ( who just called), Ann for posting and Baz Bamigboye in DAILY MAIL for breaking the story. Can I quote what Ann sent me from his column in today's DM? \"\"Jennifer Ehle has finally found The Real Thing. She has accepted director David Leveaux's invitation to star in his new production of Tom Stoppard's great play about love and marriage, The Real Thing. Ms. Ehle will take the role of Annie, an actress who has an adulterous affair with a play- wright. The part was created in the early Eighties by Felicity Kendal in London and by Glenn Close on Broadway. Although Ms Ehle shot several films last year, including This Year's Love and The Taste of Sunshine, which will premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, she recently complained to the writer Demetrious Matheou that she had been out of work for seven months and spent all day in a coffer bar reading, \"and going mad\". From now there will be no free time rehearsals begin on Monday. Stephen Dillane will portray Stoppard's cerebral hero Henry, who hopes, with Annie, that he can find the \"real thing\" for real and not just in the plays he pens. Sarah Woodward, Nigel Lindsay and Mark Bazekey co-star in the production which opens at the Donmar Warehouse Theatre on May 27th.\" God Bless Baz...he always comes through. (He likes CF & JE..always gives them good reviews:-) ****** Well, I guess it's .....Back to the Donmar...\"The Holy of Holies\". As Winter would say: \"I'm there, baby\"!!!"}, {"response": 754, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (17:26)", "body": "Sorry for the italics....I'm excited as you can see."}, {"response": 755, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (17:58)", "body": "With that good news, anyone could suffer an attack of the italics! Go, Evelyn, go! That first row in the stalls has your name on it! Thank you Aishling for the news and thanks Laura for the correction (check #80 for yours, hee hee). Have never run across your name before and it sounds lovely, now that I know how it is pronounced. Welcome to Drool and feel free to join in on all our topics. We are a fun bunch and always eager for information from across the pond."}, {"response": 756, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (19:33)", "body": "Interesting news! Baz B. does seem to be a good source for CF and JE. BTW, I'm sure that CF must be filming in Scotland now...didn't he tell Baz that he was returning from LA/the Oscar ceremony to film DonQ. I should think he made the trip to LA primarily to see Will. It must be pretty cold in the Glasgow area at the moment...heavy falls of snow reported. I wonder if Baz B will get the lowdown soon on the casting for BJD, Lion in Winter and Mary Queen of Scots. Lizza, like you I tried to get hold of a copy of ATA. I phoned Video Plus Direct (01733-232800) and they said it wasn't available until May 24th (huh!)but that a lot of people were already reserving it. So there must be some other frustrated CF fans out there. I've reserved a copy and shall wait patiently! I sometimes wonder if part of the charm of CF is that it's so darned difficult to see his work...!!"}, {"response": 757, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (20:17)", "body": "Welcome and, on behalf of Ben and Evelyn (and other ardent JE fans), thanks for your news, Aishling! It is always a pleasure so see someone delurk. Thanks for following through with that snippet, Ann. At least they got the \"Friends of Firth\" right but why must they always refer to him as Mr. Darcy? (Bethan) It must be pretty cold in the Glasgow area at the moment I hope Don Q doesn't have to jump into any lochs. I sometimes wonder if part of the charm of CF is that it's so darned difficult to see his work...!! That was Karen's point recently. It's the good old laws of supply and demand (see, I did learn something in economics)."}, {"response": 758, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (20:23)", "body": "Wow, three P&P2 stars in a row at the Donmar! Is that place a good luck charm or what? I'm glad that JE is going back to work. That article on her sitting in Starbucks reading etc. made me feel sad... and angry that someone so talented should be waiting around for work."}, {"response": 759, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (21:24)", "body": "How long could the filming of DQ take? It is only a television movie. Might only be a couple of weeks at most. Any news as to others in the cast? Do you think BBC Scotland could be pestered a little bit for additional details? (We have become a demanding bunch ;-) ) But we do work hard for our info. Baz B is in the Daily Mail, right? Why isn't it online. (sulk sulk)"}, {"response": 760, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (22:21)", "body": "Movies for television normally have a four to six weeks shoot, but can run up to eight weeks or longer, depending on budget, subject etc. They are normally at par with films made for the cinema. For example \"Mrs Brown\" was originally a BBC Scotland production, and \"Jude\" and (I think)\"Welcome to Sarajevo\" were both BBC film productions that got a theatrical release(as of course was \"The Advocate/HOTPIG\") So the fact that DonQ is a BBC production does not necessarily mean that it is targeted at TV. But th good thing is, that if it doesn't get a theatrical release, it will always be shown on TV. I think it's scheduled for screening at the beginning of next year...which must mean TV, unless plans change."}, {"response": 761, "author": "Mannen", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (22:47)", "body": "It is so annoying being this out of touch. British films that are made for TV are rarely ever show in Australia. (Unless they were relatively big successes.) There are so many CF movies that I can't get a hold of because of that reason. I believe (Uncut) 'Hostages' was a good movie. Can anyone confirm that? Does anyone know what ODB's doing after DonQ? Personally, I can't wait for the baggy woollen swinsuit. It might give him more character. (If that is possible.) I think I might just have to plan a trip to the UK early next year so I can watch it myself."}, {"response": 762, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (23:17)", "body": "Welcome Aishling, lovely name! I have an artist friend in Dublin his name is Oisin, luckily, I know how to pronounce it. :-) Thank you our UK friends for the latest info. I will have to look for the Bax B. Karen, read the D. Mail at your bookstore. It works for me."}, {"response": 763, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (23:32)", "body": "(Karen)Do you think BBC Scotland could be pestered a little bit for additional details? (We have become a demanding bunch ;-) I wrote to BBC when we first got the news and was told to contact Suzanne Vickers at 141-338-2486 or BBC Scotland Lesley Smith Finance Supervisor, TV Drama Room 2170, BBC Scotland Queen Margaret Drive Tel: (0141-33) 8 2755 Glasgow G12 8DG Fax: (0141-33) 8 2273 External e-mail address : lesley.smith.02@bbc.co.uk I did try to email her and got not response. Anyone else is welcomed to persue the project. After my poor track record with SLOW, I feel I'm a jinx on ODB. **** Tried to talk Phaedra into buying SLOW from the bank. Phaedra is the distrib who is releasing FP).No soap....\"we don't buy films from banks esp. if they have been involved in bankruptcy.\" *** Part of the charm of CF is that it's so darned difficult to see his work...!! JE's aren't that easy either....(next time, evelyn...go for Harrison Ford! **** I have pleaded with the DM on line to include Baz's column...maybe if we all do it. http://www.dailymail.co.uk"}, {"response": 764, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (23:46)", "body": "Tried to talk Phaedra into buying SLOW from the bank. Phaedra is the distrib who is releasing FP).No soap....\"we don't buy films from banks esp. if they have been involved in bankruptcy.\" Well tried, Evelyn! But talk about \"the one that didn't get away\". If only they had finished the editing of SLOW a little earlier. And it was the parent company that went bankrupt...Handmade were on a roll with \"Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels\". Bad luck all the way! BTW...who does buy films from banks?!"}, {"response": 765, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (23:53)", "body": "No soap....\"we don't buy films from banks esp. if they have been involved in bankruptcy.\" What difference can that possibly make? None, that I can see. Re: The Daily Mail Since \"This is London\" is owned by the parent company and incorporates info from both the DM and Evening Std, I would imagine the news will hit there tomorrow."}, {"response": 766, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (23:54)", "body": "OT. Just thought I would mention that Stephen Dillane, who is starring with JE in hew new play, has also been in three CF films, \"The Widowing of etc\", \"The Secret Garden \"and another which I forget for the minute, could be \"Hostages\" he also also starred in \"Welcome to Sarajevo.\""}, {"response": 767, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 1999 (00:00)", "body": "I knew that name rang a bell! Thank you AnnW. So he was the one trying to whisk Zoe away from Charlie Holroyd. Harumph! And Secret Garden too. Must take a looksie. :)"}, {"response": 768, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 1999 (02:04)", "body": "BTW...who does buy films from banks?! Big time distribs who have millions of $$$$$. I think Phaedra must have gotten FP at a bargain price. Bethan,how much did FP cost to make? *** ...we don't buy films from banks esp. if they have been involved in bankruptcy.\" What difference can that possibly make? None, that I can see. They're afraid of further litigations.But once the bank has the title to sell the film I would think all litigations would be have been resolved.I dunno....."}, {"response": 769, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 1999 (02:20)", "body": "Ben is noticeable silent. :( Has he lost consciousnous? Has he begun the swim across the Atlantic? Is he in the process of cornering the market in flowers with which to shower La Ehle on opening night and every night?"}, {"response": 770, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 1999 (02:40)", "body": "My guess is he tried on his old itchy wool swimming suit and is having trouble getting back out again. I did see his picture, and he is droolworthy, too, BTW. Much the same coloring as TDB but he scowls too much =P Come out, Ben! We miss you!!!"}, {"response": 771, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 1999 (08:35)", "body": "I can confirm the third one was Hostages, and he was excellent in WTS. I think he is slightly older than JE, but quite dishy, I can see it working between JE & him."}, {"response": 772, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 1999 (08:45)", "body": "Bethan,how much did FP cost to make? I think it was \ufffd2 million. Is that right, Bethan? Re Springfolks. Renate am I registered now. Nothing seems to be happaning and I have tried all ways. What should I do now?"}, {"response": 773, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 1999 (08:45)", "body": "Bethan,how much did FP cost to make? I think it was \ufffd2 million. Is that right, Bethan? Re Springfolks. Renate am I registered now? Nothing seems to be happening and I have tried all ways. What should I do now?"}, {"response": 774, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 1999 (08:47)", "body": "Ooops! I think the second version of that message looks slightly better! Sorry, I did not intend to post twice."}, {"response": 775, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 1999 (16:05)", "body": "Allison: Renate am I registered now. Nothing seems to be happaning and I have tried all ways. What should I do now? I've sent out computergenerated invitations to you several days ago, but your reply doesn't come in. Have you got it at all? You have to hit the \"reply\" button and send it back to sender (not to me!). Make sure the \"accept cookies\" function of your browser is on. If this doesn't work, I'm sure Marcia will take care that you will get on the list. Because: I'm glad to announce that Marcia and Gi will be the new moderators at the springfolks mailing list. For any future requests regarding applications or springfolks business please turn to Marcia. I have to go into deeper lurkdom for a while, for several reasons. Here's one of them: And another one :-)) :"}, {"response": 776, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 1999 (16:08)", "body": "Sorry for taking up the space and loading time with non-Colin pics. Perhaps you can remove the pics after a while, Karen or Heide."}, {"response": 777, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 1999 (16:41)", "body": "Have fun, Renate, and if you run across two frolicking dogs (Flick and Frack, was it?), nab'm. ;-)"}, {"response": 778, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 1999 (16:45)", "body": "(Renate) I have to go into deeper lurkdom for a while, for several reasons. V mysterious. Don't stay away too long we shall miss you. As for Springfolks...\"I shall conquer this\"..."}, {"response": 779, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 1999 (19:35)", "body": "Sorry for taking up the space and loading time with non-Colin pics. Perhaps you can remove the pics after a while, Karen or Heide."}, {"response": 780, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 1999 (20:13)", "body": "Allison, Email me (the one here works!)...I have already installed two new subscribers who had problems with the reply."}, {"response": 781, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Apr 18, 1999 (00:45)", "body": "Let me wish you an early Happy Birthday, Mannen. At least you, Tineke and a few others can lower the median for us \"women of a certain age\" (yadda, yadda, yadda) by a month or two. I appreciate your honesty about your age because now I have to issue a required government warning not just to you but to under-age lurkers not brave enough to post: According to the Surgeon General, anyone under the age of 18 should be aware that continued reading of Drool Topics may lead to the warping of impressionable minds. We at Drool can not be held accountable for corrupting the morals of a minor. And most importantly, parents hold the responsibility for blocking sites they prefer their childre not visit. Luckily, we haven't been too loose with words for a long time and I can tell you're very mature. Just don't go to 34. ;-) I know springfolks is in good hands with Marcia and Gi. And Renate, enjoy your holiday. Don't stray too far from us though. Ciao!"}, {"response": 782, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Apr 18, 1999 (00:50)", "body": "Mannen. Hostages is a good movie. Colin is great as the goodnatured English journalist. Cirian Hands is great too as the Irishman. We brought Bob home today. No more driving back and forth to Winter Haven two or three time a day, at least 100 miles. Thursday we took a break though and instead of coming home in the afternoon went to see SIL again. I needed a good laugh. I really crack up at the end where he starts to get out of the theater until the boy tells the queen that he is there. The way he runs out ot the theater to get her help retrieving his errant bride and the silly look he gets on his face when she says, \"Have you lost yo r bride already Wessex,\" makes me appreciate again what a great actor he really is. I agree whole heartedly with the Academey Awards and the Bafta's in giving Judi Dench the award for best supporting actress. She may have been on screen for only 8 minutes, but what an 8 minutes."}, {"response": 783, "author": "SusanA", "date": "Sun, Apr 18, 1999 (00:51)", "body": "Ladies of drool, I just had this weird thought and it gave me an idea. What if Colin Firth,or his wife , or a friend actually lurk about these parts occassionally. This would be the perfect forum for sending him personal messages. We could tell him how much we adore him, or love his work, or ask about future plans (all clean of course). Who knows, we may even get some answers some day. We can choose a site, call it something clever and we're off. Can we do this, Marcia, Karen, AnnW., Renate?"}, {"response": 784, "author": "Mannen", "date": "Sun, Apr 18, 1999 (02:24)", "body": "Heide-According to the Surgeon General, anyone under the age of 18 should be aware that continued reading of Drool Topics may lead to the warping of impressionable minds. We at Drool can not be held accountable for corrupting the morals of a minor. Thanks for the warning Heide, but I'm confident my mind isn't impressionable... It was well and truly warped a LONG time before I started coming to drool. Thanks also for the birthday wishes... I'm glad to be of service in lowering the median for:- \"women of a certain age\" Susan- This would be the perfect forum for sending him personal messages. We could tell him how much we adore him, or love his work, or ask about future plans (all clean of course). I think it's a good idea, you can never know who's lurking out there... We wouldn't want him to think we're all crazy, would we?"}, {"response": 785, "author": "Mannen", "date": "Sun, Apr 18, 1999 (02:26)", "body": "Oops, I'm still getting used to the italics."}, {"response": 786, "author": "Mannen", "date": "Sun, Apr 18, 1999 (02:27)", "body": "All right! Who didn't tell me it would do that?"}, {"response": 787, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Apr 18, 1999 (11:13)", "body": "Lucie, very best wishes to your husband. I am thinking of you both. Thanks Karen, finally got here again."}, {"response": 788, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Apr 18, 1999 (14:23)", "body": "Moon, have a wonderful time, you will be missed. Maybe you will return with some Tuscan (or Umbrian) \"gossip\" for us!!!"}, {"response": 789, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Apr 18, 1999 (15:09)", "body": "I certainly hope to have major Umbrian gossip, I shall not be leaving till the end of June, but in the meantime Lizza, please give us the details of the flowers that you sent to the Donmar. How do you know Livia took them home, and what did you write on the card? There is also a possibility that I might be in London for a couple of days in July. I would love to meet you all for tea or lunch, but since I have no definite date set, it might have to be a last minute thing. Do you think it might be possible to set up? Lucie, I also wish your husband a quick recovery."}, {"response": 790, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Apr 18, 1999 (21:28)", "body": "I'm very happy to hear your good news, Lucie! By my calculations, you''ll be seeing MLSF in the US in about seven weeks! Almost countdown time. As you know, I'm always reading the papers ( (-: ) and I've just read an interesting item about budgets for movie promotion in Hollywood...apparently the average amount budgeted is a stonking $24million per movie. In the UK, I should think the average promotional budget for Brit films is about ten quid! But hype does pay dividends. And (old news!) British cinema mamagers are increasingly reluctant to screen f lm which don't have a big advertising campaign behind them. But it set me wondering just how much promotion Miramax will give MLSF, and whether Colin will have to do talk shows. I really don't see how he can avoid it! Miramax's \"An Ideal Husband\" (Rupert Everett, Minnie Driver, Cate Blanchett) has just opened here to mixed reviews. But I noticed that the promotion (poster, trailer etc)all focused on the Lord Goring figure played by Rupert Everett \"he's the ideal husband, but he doesn't know it\". This is a complete and utter distortion of the original play by Oscar Wilde...the ideal husband is infact Sir Robert Chiltern, whose wife regards as perfect, but has a hidden past. But Miramax are obviously selling the movie as an RE vehicle. So I wonder what they'll do with MLSF?! Well, you'll soon find out!"}, {"response": 791, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 18, 1999 (22:40)", "body": "(Bethan) But I noticed that the promotion (poster, trailer etc)all focused on the Lord Goring figure played by Rupert Everett Rupert will bring in the crowds. Not any different than using Ben Affleck to promote SiL really. the ideal husband is infact Sir Robert Chiltern, whose wife regards as perfect, but has a hidden past. That's Jeremy Northam, isn't it? Looked really good and sounded really good in the trailer we saw. Unfortunately JN doesn't have the box-office draw of an RE. So I wonder what they'll do with MLSF?! Oh probably, heart-warming children's film to be seen with the entire family. ;-)"}, {"response": 792, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 1999 (01:56)", "body": "(Bethan)So I wonder what they'll do with MLSF?! (Karen)...Oh probably, heart-warming children's film to be seen with the entire family. ;-) Simon Birch in Scotland. (Yawn, Yawn). However, Karen's pics on the MLSF page shows some romantic pics with Irene Jacobs!!That's promising:-)"}, {"response": 793, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 1999 (18:30)", "body": "Jennifer Ehle will definitely play the role of Annie in Tom Stoppard's play \"The Real Thing\"....confirmed today by the Donmar Warehouse.The play will run June and July. Box Office: From US: 011-44-171-369-1732 JE fans and Spring mini-reunion (actually everyone welcomed) at the Saturday evening June 12th performance. Please email me if you are interested in having dinner before the performance at ...where else? The LUNA NUOVA.Adjacent to the Donmar...downstairs. So far: AnnW. Lizza and me. (Talked to box office guy...James...who remembers us from the 3 DOR...told him we weren't \"charmed\" at being labeled the \"Volvo-ladies\". He roared...I have an idea it was he alright.!!! The snake!):-)) By now they're used to the US crowd buying tickets."}, {"response": 794, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 1999 (21:36)", "body": "Evelyn, you cannot believe how much good you did my heart and psyche by telling that snake in the glass booth we were not amused! I'd hate to leave him thinking he'd gotten away with something clever at our expense. You are truly amazing - and if I could wiggle my nose and make the flight from here to there a lot shorter, I'd be in the group! Alas...=("}, {"response": 795, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 1999 (22:02)", "body": "(Marcia)... I could wiggle my nose and make the flight from here to there a lot shorter, I'd be in the group! I wish everyone could be with us....I hope to be able to be lucky enough to get another pic: \"Friends of Fine Eyes\". If so, maybe I can talk dear ole' Karen into scanning it on Spring :-))"}, {"response": 796, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (01:00)", "body": "I'll be with you in spirit at the Donmar, Evelyn, and would love to be there in body but.... Hey! Maybe if I go on Jeopardy and win a trip to England I could do it! Karen, you looked terrific tonight. You kept your jitters very well hidden especially when confronted with those ridiculous categories. \"Machines?\" I wanted to break that Helen's thumbs. So when are you going to take your prize trip?"}, {"response": 797, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (01:14)", "body": "What happened here?? Did I miss Karen on Jeopardy? Why didn't you tell us? Sono arrabiata con te. Unless someone warns me to turn it on the TV is always off in my house. Congratulations I gather are in order Karen. So, what trip did you win?"}, {"response": 798, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (01:49)", "body": "I just found a good reason for getting stuff last in Hawaii - I can take Karen on Jeopardy!!! I cannot wait =))"}, {"response": 799, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (01:51)", "body": "Make that TAPE Karen on Jeopardy"}, {"response": 800, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (08:57)", "body": "Mmmm! Nice start to my day. Opened today's Guardian G2 section to find large (familiar) pic of CF as Darcy and headline \"In search of Mr Right\"..Caption to photo \"Colin Firth...it was his performance that provided the inspiration for Mark Darcy, hero of that thoroughly modern piece of romantic fiction, Bridget Jones' Diary.\" Aha, methinks, they've announced the casting for BJD. But, no, it's an article on how although women have changed (successful, careers etc) they are still looking for Mr Darcy (cultivated, manly, decent, but fallible)or in Bridget Jones' case, \"a Colin Firth clone in his role as Darcy in P&P\". What struck me is that even after three years (nearly) it's still a thrill to read \"Colin Fith/Darcy\" in the papers!!! Maybe because we were left wanting more, and we know we can never have it...no endless sequels (Darcy6), no prequels (The Young Darcy)...nothing!! BJD remains my only hope. :-) Did you win, Karen?"}, {"response": 801, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (13:59)", "body": "I taped Karen on Jeopardy. She was quite good and Helen Petroff was coached!"}, {"response": 802, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (18:32)", "body": "So many news over a weekend! Karen on Jeopardy (don't even really know what it is, but you won, you won!), JE at the Donmar (where is Ben? :-)), Colin in the papers in BJD's announcements... I dodn't like the \"clone\" part. Does it mean they're not getting *him* for the part? Don't they know there is no such thing as a CF clone? Evelyn and the UK ladies - I hope it is good! But *he* probably won't be there, can you handle that?"}, {"response": 803, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (18:47)", "body": "(Marcia)I did see his picture, and he is droolworthy, too, BTW. Much the same coloring as TDB but he scowls too much =P Come out, Ben! Maybe he is playing the strong, silent type at the moment...:-D Anyone know if price wars are still going on for RT tix to London? A trip in May is a bit last-minute, though..."}, {"response": 804, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (18:50)", "body": "Oh yes! Karen-- You did great! I forced my family to sit down and watch you compete. You had yourself a cheering section down in Georgia last night! BTW-- I didn't know more than half the answers to yesterday's game, though I DID know the final Jeopardy! answer. I think it's from too much time spent browsing through Williams Sonoma catalogues! :-P"}, {"response": 805, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (19:42)", "body": "OK, guys, I was on Jeopardy yesterday, but \"no\" I didn't win. I came in second, that's how I bet for the final question. Knew that turkey would bet it all, so I just made sure I had enough left to be in second. Winter, you knew it was the paper shredder? Damn! No one I know would've come up with it, but as soon as the time was up and Alex started to speak, I knew it. Just that added little extra... It was fun and an experience. Wished I had better categories (as had been on the two shows I saw being filmed before mine--I cleaned up on those) or at least in the subjects I had spent about two days cramming in before I left. Too bad I didn't have the guts to run the Shakespeare category and hesitated briefly on the $800 question. Definitely would have had the $1,000 in that category. Must check again if time was indeed up when Alex cut me off on the Bobby Darin answer (why, oh why, did I even hesit te - I hum along with Dream Lover whenever I hear it on the oldies radio station). Am dying to see if Helen (the know-it-all witch) researcher and classics major from Long Beach becomes a five-time undefeated champion today, in which case I will feel slightly better have lost to her. Tis over. Sorry I didn't alert everyone in advance, but I didn't want to make a big deal over it, especially since I didn't win. :-)"}, {"response": 806, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (19:51)", "body": "One last thing: Marcia told me that she taped my appearance and has placed the tape in an honored position in her Colin library (between Playmaker and the Netherfield Ball segment of P&P). I have asked her to put her copy of The Hour of the Pig behind me! ;-D"}, {"response": 807, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (20:03)", "body": "Karen, I was sorry to have missed you :-( ! Second place or not! What did you chat about during the little 'get to know you' segment? ;-P Let us know if it's re-run, will you? I have asked her to put her copy of The Hour of the Pig behind me! Good choice!"}, {"response": 808, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (20:23)", "body": "Am dying to see if Helen (the know-it-all witch) researcher and classics major from Long Beach becomes a five-time undefeated champion today, in which case I will feel slightly better have lost to her. OH MY GOD!!!! I just realized.... I'VE MET HELEN BEFORE!!!! I'm not kidding! About a month or two ago, at a dinner at a grad student's house. Some brought dates, others such as myself didn't-- but one of the grad students from my dept. brought Helen along. She didn't mention anything about Jeopardy, but I do remember this woman (couldn't place an ethnicity, and thought her attractive looking) being a classics major, and when I saw her on TV last night, I thought, \"Boy she looks familiar!\" WHOA... two b> people I've met competing against one another on the same show!"}, {"response": 809, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (20:29)", "body": "test"}, {"response": 810, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (20:29)", "body": "test"}, {"response": 811, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (20:30)", "body": "Oh, I guess I didn't catch it after all:( ugh!"}, {"response": 812, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (20:31)", "body": "test test"}, {"response": 813, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (20:34)", "body": "Small world, huh?"}, {"response": 814, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (21:20)", "body": "How many times I gotta tell you people? ;-) The TAG is fixed, but you can't tell until you leave the topic and come back without the old message on the board. Trust me!! No need to keep posting \"test\" messages to fix the tag. It is fixed!! If you want to verify this, leave 118. Go to another topic. Then come back and in the little redisplay box below put in -2 or something and you will see."}, {"response": 815, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (21:29)", "body": "Figured that one out, ex-friend;p;) hee hee;)"}, {"response": 816, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (21:35)", "body": "It just occurred to me why Karen requested HOTPig behind her video. She is \"fixing\" up her house and wanted some help in wall removal in the least painful way! Love the idea ;)"}, {"response": 817, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (22:11)", "body": "Don't know what Laura did...but the dialog box wouldn't come up after her posting.... *** I missed Karen...my TV station pre-emted J. But I'm first in line for a copy Karen....:-) I'm putting mine next to Fever Pitch....Arsenal and all that stuff...her faves ***** Winter)Anyone know if price wars are still going on for RT tix to London? A trip in May is a bit last-minute, though High Season starts June 15. If you buy before April 30 you can still get low season prices.Go to a \"bucket shop\". I got a great price on United from a discount travel agent...about $300. below the reg price. ***** No Gi . It won't be the same without everyoneat the Donmar and ODB. It will be different, but a lot of fun also. I think JE is a superb actress and this is a Tom Stoppard (not an American play!)I haven't read it yet, but by the description of her character, it sounds like the Calypso role she played in The Camomile Lawn. Her first TV venture, for which she won an award. Baz and Daily Mail really got the scoop. Agent says it was only finalized three days ago!!The Donmar lives on the edge!! I too wonder if ODB will go some time. ay"}, {"response": 818, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (22:16)", "body": ""}, {"response": 819, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (22:19)", "body": "Help!!! What exactly is Jeopardy about? I mean I have an idea I would just like a clearer picture!! Good on you Karen, second is no bad thing. We all came second at the Donmar too(to Livia!!!) I could kick myself for not getting the Guardian too."}, {"response": 820, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (22:21)", "body": "Lizza ...impt that you contact AnnW. ASAP. re: TRT at the Donmar."}, {"response": 821, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (22:25)", "body": "Ladies: Guess what? BBC Publicity Scotland did respond to my email re: Donovan Quick. It is in production...6 weeks. To be screened next year.Best part is that Karen has consented to be our liaison!! Are we lucky or what!!"}, {"response": 822, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (00:03)", "body": "Lizza, Jeopardy is a game show in the US (I believe there are versions of it in many other countries as I saw an international tournament once with champions from a number of places.) There is a game board with six categories and you select \"answers\" for a certain dollar amount. Our answers have to be in the form of a question though. They give you the answer, we supply the question. It's been on television for more than 20 years."}, {"response": 823, "author": "livamago", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (00:42)", "body": "Hi! I have never posted here before, but I've followed the discussions. I write because I watched episode four of P&P2 again today, and I am all giddy...he makes me swoon. I confess that it has been long since I have cared for actors, not since I was a teenager, but with him, Lord, I am infatuated. I envy all the ladies who saw him in person, and the pictures! I have read some were somewhat disappointed, but I could never be. I have no taste for pretty boys. In the words of my dear JA herself, \"pictures of perfection make me sick and wicked.\" I love his hands, his voice, his eyes, his figure, the way he carries himself, his features...He looks so sweet in the photographs you all took at the theatre. I have a question: what does he smell like? I want details!"}, {"response": 824, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (01:09)", "body": "(Marcia) It just occurred to me why Karen requested HOTPig behind her video. She is \"fixing\" up her house and wanted some help in wall removal in the least painful way! No, then she would have requested HOTPIG to be placed face to face with her video. More likely she wants HOTPIG behind her because she needs help removing curtains. Lidya, you're no stranger - certainly not at 34. Welcome here as well and at any Colin/Darcy subject is welcome though we also have a special topic for Darcy, 112. Tape 4 is one of my favorites, especially if you fast forward through those pesky \"other\" scenes. I still love P&P but after countless viewings, I'm tired of watching Lizzy and Jane picking flowers."}, {"response": 825, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (01:58)", "body": "I wish I had seen Karen on Jeopardy but wasn't near a t v. What happened to the Donmar pics by Lizza and Maria that were in the archives at colinfirth.com. when I click on them I get \"file not found\""}, {"response": 826, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (08:08)", "body": "Lidya, it wasn't that we were disappointed, not at all, it was just, well one thought things couldn't get any better, we had seen our hero in the flesh and he was everthing we could wish for, handsome, charming and very friendly and obliging and what an actor. But there is more, we have MLSF to look forward to, a possible re-run of 3DOR at the end of the year and DQ sometime in the future, and one hopes for more and more, especially some high profile project like SIL. No we were definitely not disappointe , it was just a kind of anit-climax but I am through that now and looking forward to more news and more Colin and I am sure that goes for everyone who expressed similar feelings to myself."}, {"response": 827, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (14:21)", "body": "Hi, Lidya. Good to see you over here. I believe a question about his scent was raised shortly after \"the\" weekend at the Donmar (if not at topic 116, it could have been in chat) and the attendees couldn't detect anything. Sensory overload, no doubt, but confirmation that ODB uses appropriate discretion with cologne or aftershave (and in those pictures, he does not look like he secretly waxes ;-))! (Marcia) It just occurred to me why Karen requested HOTPig behind her video. She is \"fixing\" up her house and wanted some help in wall removal in the least painful way! (Heide) More likely she wants HOTPIG behind her because she needs help removing curtains. LOL! Get that rooster ready!"}, {"response": 828, "author": "tw", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (19:11)", "body": "Hi all, A de-lurking lurker here - some of you will have already \"met\" me through springfolks and Marcia has encouraged me to de-lurk. Since I've just been given a new project to work on, I may be lucky to lurk, let alone post, the next few weeks, but - here goes (with apologies to all who've already seen this). I've been a lurker off and on at Drool for awhile now, am married to a man who says NEVER LEAVE YOUR NAME ON THE INTERNET. I've been Firthevotee since 1996 - where was I all those other years, before P&P?? I should have been there at that British hospital on September 10, 1960, ready to applaud! (I could have been, but my mother probably wouldn't have let me out.) I've seen all his major films, a few of the lesser known ones have eluded me, and have spent many sighing hours at all the websites where he is to be found. I live in north Georgia and work in community arts. I'm still new to the Internet, make lots of mistakes and am very self conscious about posting! Hope you will bear with me. And thanks, Marcia! tw"}, {"response": 829, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (19:16)", "body": "(TW),I've been Firthevotee since 1996 - where was I all those other years, before P&P?? I should have been there at that British hospital on September 10, 1960, ready to applaud! (I could have been, but my mother probably wouldn't have let me out.) LOL! Welcome TW, we have much in common, including helping the arts."}, {"response": 830, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (19:58)", "body": "Welcome TW, the more the merrier to spread the word to get Colin better known all over the world. If only we didn't have to wait so long all the time to see his work, DQ will not be shown until next year, SLOW is deep in the vaults of the Bank and although MLSF is due for release shortly, I shall believe it when I see it. Still we do have our 3DOR memories, which I cherish and which will have to sustain me until whenever!! Sorry TW didn't mean to depress you, please come back often."}, {"response": 831, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (19:59)", "body": "Hallo Lydia and TW, welcome to Drool! I hope you'll feel at home here and have a lot of fun."}, {"response": 832, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (21:47)", "body": "Welcome de-lurkers all! Evelyn, hearty congratulations on getting a personal contact for DQ. This does seem to be the best way of chasing news. And at least with the BBC we know we will see it on schedule ( and video it of course!)and there'll be no delays. It sounds like a longer than average shoot, which is a good sign. More high profile? SLOW...this is not really news, but I remember reading an article a few months ago about Arts Council funded films. About ten were listed, including SLOW, and all (except SLOW) have now been released, including last week \"Prometheus\" a two hour cinematic version of a verse epic by Northern poet Tony Harrison. Got terrible reviews. But this irritated me immensely...why should this boring turgid effort find a distributor in the UK, and not SLOW. So I did a bit of dtetective work and found that all the Art Council funded movies (except SLOW of course) were Channel 4 co-productions, and Channel 4 is also a distributor, and also runs Film Four, a cable channel. If SLOW had been backed by Channel 4 and not by the (at the time) more successful Handmade Films, it would have been okay. Sorry to bore you with this....!!! But the vaguaries of the movie business drive me mad! Stick to TV and theatre, Colin! Also, still droning on. We've just had two major regional film festivals in the UK (Leeds and Bradford) which showed virtually every Brit film made recently (all you have to do is submit), the Cambridge Film Festival is coming up (50% European independents), closely folllowed by the strongly commercial and competitive London and Edinburgh Festivals, where films are actually bought and sold. And these are just the UK festivals. It's just that I don't think SLOW is an LA type film, and (without sounding lik a little Englander!) I just wish it could get some exposure in the UK. And we have very few screenplays by black writers...this would be seen as something positive. I promise I shall shut up now, and forever hold my peace, but the release of \"Prometheus\" was the FINAL straw! :-( And I need to rant on about it!"}, {"response": 833, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (22:58)", "body": "Thank you Bethan for all your sleuthing.At least you solved the mystery why all the other films funded by the Art council at that time have been screened. Sadly, it all has to do with Handmade which went belly-up and SLOW went to the creditors.Somehow the LA bank was bankrolling Handmade. Not unusual for US money to fund films out of the country. A real bummer:-(( ***** There is a new film festival in the works...The Hollywood FF in August. I'll inquire and see if SLOW is getting screened there. **** Bethan)Evelyn, hearty congratulations on getting a personal contact for DQ. Didn't plan it that way....all I asked was who was going to be in the cast and when it would be shown.....somehow, it then got personal. Anyway, something positive might come out of it ; Karen is going to follow-up. Nice when publicity people like the web:-))"}, {"response": 834, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (23:10)", "body": "tw, How delightful to see you here where you truly belong! Dive in and let it all hang out...we will not let you drown =)"}, {"response": 835, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (23:51)", "body": ""}, {"response": 836, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 1999 (05:40)", "body": "Hmmm, wonder what I was trying to post at 18:51??? Oh well, bad news on the MLSF front. According to our NY correspondent, Anne, Miramax is now giving July 16th as the release date. When pressed for a reason for these continued changes, Miramax said the film is \"not quite finished\" and they didn't want to pit such a \"lovely little movie\" against the big mindless [my word] blockbusters and not before it is absolutely ready because they want it to be a success. [sounds of tap dancing in background] Unfortunately, July 16th is also the date that Stanley Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut is scheduled to be released. Not a good thing to wake up to..."}, {"response": 837, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 1999 (09:23)", "body": "(Evelyn)all I asked was who was going to be in the cast Wonderful that you have a contact there, Evelyn. Did they tell you who else was in the cast? (Karen)Unfortunately, July 16th is also the date that Stanley Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut is scheduled to be released Maybe this will not be such a problem. EWS seems to be all about sex and maybe there will be room for a, in UK parlance, PG rated film for those who prefer something less torrid in the Summer months! I don't think we can expect huge box office in any event. It was a cheap film to make by US standards. Also if they are keen to get it right then it may be better than when Ben and Harry Knowles saw it. Often these small films do well in the Oscars, particularly in the actor categories."}, {"response": 838, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 1999 (14:11)", "body": "One thing MLSF shares with EWS is the fight for available screens. First off, EWS will likely be NC-17; therefore, not many theater chains will carry it. So in essence, it will be very similar to an art house film like MLSF. The majority of screens will be allocated to the blockbusters and other mindless comedies (how many films can Adam Sandler or David Spade do?). What often happens is that other films fail to bring in the crowds and others must fill their slot, but often a film can't get screens du ing this period."}, {"response": 839, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 1999 (16:57)", "body": "(Allison)Re: DQ Wonderful that you have a contact there, Evelyn. Did they tell you who else was in the cast? They will be releasing the publicity next week, said Lisa, the publicist who was meeting with Colin yesterday.It was exciting to talk to her in Scotland!!! Anyway, Karen is now our \"point -person\" on DQ. She will be in contact henceforth. We've got several good contacts with BBC now...and they are reliable. ***** AS far as MLSF goes....Miramax will release it when they know it will be tne most successful ($$$$).And like Bethan says, perhaps they want to get it right. I frankly think it will be more of a success in UK than in the US. For starters Denis Forman and Sir David Puttnam are recognizable names over there. **** And hey kids, quit whining...I'd give anything for a JE movie to be picked up by Miramax!!Regardless when they released it!!"}, {"response": 840, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 1999 (19:38)", "body": "Wow, go to Murph's Appreciation page to see the most gorgeous new smiley picture I have ever seen of Colin, absolutely adorable, my favourite to date I think. Apparently it is from an Australian magazine Good Taste.lovely jubbly!!! (Is that how to spell \"smiley\"?)"}, {"response": 841, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 1999 (20:21)", "body": "Lisa, the publicist who was meeting with Colin yesterday. Oh, lucky Lisa!"}, {"response": 842, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 1999 (22:11)", "body": "Re. MLSF Can't understand why they say it's \"not yet finished\" unless they mean the preparations for advance publicity. One thing that struck me is that if it had opened on 11 June, Colin would not have been available for any promoption in the US as he'll still be filming DonQ. As for Eyes wide Shut, presumably it will open nationwide, whereas MLSF will just open in LA/NY and then hopefully transfer later to other cities...ie, it's not in direct competition. I read some comments in the good ol' Sunday Telegraph about EWS...it seems to contain some very explicit sex scenes...apparently some bemused critics at a preview thought it was soft porn. I guess there'll be a lot of hype, and an initial rush to see it, but I don't see this as impacting on MLSF. Actually, I agree with Allis n - the type of films CF stars in are just never going to be big box office, multiplex fodder ( but they can still be good films). I rather liked the sound of Judi Dench's (and Cher) latest \"Tea with Mussolini\" but it's done absolutely nothing at the Box Office. No teen appeal. MLSF may be similar, but please release it! Miramax may also be concentrating on promoting Rupert Everett and \"An Ideal Husband\", which got middling to bad reviews here. \"When the furniture is more interesting than the acting you know you're in trouble\"! UK papers refer to RE and Minnie Driver as current \"Hollywood darlings\" Are they really? I frankly think (MLSF)t will be more of a success in UK than in the US. For starters Denis Forman and Sir David Puttnam are recognizable names over there. (Evelyn) I agree with you here, Evelyn. It's David Puttnam's swansong, and he's well respected and will get a sympathetic press. I do think it's a shame that Miramax keep on postponing the release...it would have been a good summer movie in the UK last year! Oh, lucky Lisa! Mmmm! Yes!!! Look forward to hearing from our go-between Karen!"}, {"response": 843, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 1999 (22:30)", "body": "I do think it's a shame that Miramax keep on postponing the release...it would have been a good summer movie in the UK last year! But has anyone called Miramax London?? ( Somebody else distribs their films in UK, but they would tell you). It just might be, folks that you will be gettin MLSF before us.\" An Ideal Husband\" has yet to be released here. And there is a lot of talk about \"The Winslow Boy\" . Another Brit-flick.With Jeremy Northam,Winter!! *** (Bethan)I rather liked the sound of Judi Dench's (and Cher) latest \"Tea with Mussolini\" but it's done absolutely nothing at the Box Office. No teen appeal Cher's rock video is doing great.....Maybe that's what \"Tea with Mussolini\" needed. I must admit , it doesn't grab me."}, {"response": 844, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 1999 (23:05)", "body": "I have mixed feelings about the delay in MLSF's release. In June theaters will still be caught in the sucking vortex that is Star Wars (I enjoyed Liam's latest quote--\"at the end of the day it's still only a movie\"). Between that and Notting Hill, MLSF would have been buried. And if MLSF's going to be promo'd as a family film, EWS certainly won't be competition (but I see your point about screen availability, Karen. Sometimes I wonder why these huge theaters were turned into ten and twelve-plexes when they show only four different movies). And what's a few more weeks if we've waited an extra year? What concerns me is the \"not finished\" part. Heavens, are they still slicing and dicing? That can't be a good sign. Or as Bethan says, is it the publicity preparations? Aargh! \"Tea w/ Mussolini\" is getting a build up here in the states. Interesting to read it's not doing well in the UK. Does Cher's upper lip move? (Bethan) UK papers refer to RE and Minnie Driver as current \"Hollywood darlings\" Are they really? Well, RE sure pops up enough in the press. Minnie was more of a darling last year (IMO). I hadn't seen her for a while until the Oscars when she had on that eye-popping dress. Yowza! Welcome, TW!"}, {"response": 845, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 1999 (23:38)", "body": "Northam's got a lot of pics in the can, though waiting for someone to pick them up-- sound familiar? My best bet is, yes Evelyn, 'An Ideal husband' and 'The Winslow Boy.' Welcome de-lurkers! Am going through a crisis right now. London in July: Yes or no? Finances have something to do with it, but I'm feeling like a well-deserved break, plus looking after my mental well-being should take priority. Is a group trip planned for Jennifer Ehle @ Donmar?"}, {"response": 846, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 1999 (23:40)", "body": "(Eileen) Between that and Notting Hill, MLSF would have been buried. Maybe. Maybe not. But that does bring up a sore point. Colin should have been in Notting Hill!! (pout pout) It looks like a plum part. I can only surmise that Hugh Grant has compromising pictures of somebody in order to get that part. It's not like anyone in this country has missed his presence on the screen. Obviously Julia has never met Colin; he would've been perfect for that role. To clarify about EWS: With its rating (NC-17) it won't be at most of the huge multiplexes. The owners know there just isn't as profitable an audience for those films as Star Wars & Co. EWS will be at the smaller cinemas. Exactly the same places where an MLSF would play. So they will be competing for the same screen; not the same audience. What concerns me is the \"not finished\" part. Definitely. That is very disturbing. I think it's the movie, not the publicity preparations. Miramax has probably been showing it to focus groups and not getting good enough feedback. Last night I went to a screening of another film for Miramax called \"The Castle.\" There were the usual ratings of \"from poor to excellent\" and \"would you recommend it to your friends\" stuff. In the written comments section, I wrote: \"Tell Miramax NY to release My Life So Far.\" Just doing what I can. ;-) Does Cher's upper lip move? LOL!! With movement, comes wrinkles. ;-)"}, {"response": 847, "author": "Mannen", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (00:00)", "body": "Welcome to drool, Ex-lurkers. I am only new myself, but I promise you'll find us a good bunch. Lidya- but with him, Lord, I am infatuated. You are in close company. It is actually a prerequisite. (Hee hee.) TW, come and enjoy. So droolers, does anyone have any information on when DQ will arrive? Is Australia on the cards?"}, {"response": 848, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (00:01)", "body": "What concerns me is the \"not finished\" part. Way, way back (last June I think)when I last phoned Enigma Films who produced MLSF I was told that had been edited and had just had another preview and there were no plans to show it again before release. I find it difficult to believe that they're still tweaking it. And David Puttnam called it a \"lovely film\". I must be optimistic about this!! I didn't know that Miramax had a London But I think I'm too much of a chicken to phone them, incase it's bad news!!:-)"}, {"response": 849, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (00:37)", "body": "I'm sure MLSF was a \"lovely film,\" we must brace ourselves for the edited-for-the US version. Be brave Bethan, do ring them, you have always done such a great job getting us information."}, {"response": 850, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (01:16)", "body": "(Moon)I'm sure MLSF was a \"lovely film,\" we must brace ourselves for the edited-for-the US version. Not only does that mean no Sporran, it just might mean no itchy, baggy, woolie swim suit! That would be too much to endure=P I think someon better claim it right now just in case...!"}, {"response": 851, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (02:51)", "body": "(Winter)Is a group trip planned for Jennifer Ehle @ Donmar? \"Friends of Fine Eyes\" will gather for the evening performance on Saturday night June 12. Performance at 7:30. We're thinking of dinner beforehand at...Luna Nuova, where else!Adjacent to the Donmar. Come on .So far it's AnnW. Lizza and me....hope Kirsten can too.. And Ben...where is he?? ***** (Karen)Colin should have been in Notting Hill!! Obviously Julia has never met Colin; he would've been perfect for that role. GP should have introduced them....he would have been a perfect book-shop owner...with those little wire eyeglasses!!"}, {"response": 852, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (03:01)", "body": "(Bethan)I didn't know that Miramax had a London office So who do you think released SIL? (Bethan) But I think I'm too much of a chicken to phone them, incase it's bad news!!:-) C'mon Bethan.....that's how I got involved with Handmade 18 months ago ...remember? You didn't want to.... This is the Moment to Strike....You can do it....Make it Happen:-)"}, {"response": 853, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (03:05)", "body": "Bethan....in fact... I just found the Miramax London phone number...remember we called to inquire about the SIL premiere tickets for AnnW? And they sent us on to the Chicken-Shed Theatre Benefit organizers..... Here it is: 0171 535-8300"}, {"response": 854, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (04:18)", "body": "Ben's computer is on the blink, I think."}, {"response": 855, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (07:54)", "body": "Mannen, did you see my post about a lovely, really lovely photo and article in an Australian magazine called \"Good Taste\", do you know it. I urge you to rush out and get it, it is well worth it!!"}, {"response": 856, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (08:16)", "body": "Friends of fine Eyes...I hope you have a great time in London. I think it would be too much to ask Antonio to go back to the Donmar this soon, even for a lady actress...And we'll be deep into the wedding preparations at that date. But I'll sure have a peek at JE's page to read your impressions of her and the play! ;-)"}, {"response": 857, "author": "Mannen", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (13:13)", "body": "Ann- really lovely photo and article in an Australian magazine called \"Good Taste\", do you know it. I urge you to rush out and get it, it is well worth it!! Thanks for the tip Ann, I haven't ever read that magazine but I'll keep an eye out. I'm leaving for Germany tomorrow morning (Wow, just the kind of trivia I KNOW you all want to hear.) so I won't be posting for a couple of months. (Poor me, I'll miss out on all the gossip!!!!) I'll stop in at the newsagents on the way to the airport and see if can get a copy of the magazine to read on the plane. (Mmmm, wouldn't that be nice.) At least I'll be on the same side of the hemisphere as the drool-worthy CF."}, {"response": 858, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (14:21)", "body": "(Evelyn), ...he would have been a perfect book-shop owner...with those little wire eyeglasses!! A new look for Colin! I agree he would have been perfect in the role. HG is insoportable. Ann, I saw that picture( those pearly whites), but where is the article?"}, {"response": 859, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (14:22)", "body": "Mannen, have a great trip."}, {"response": 860, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (15:58)", "body": "Mannen, I believe you cannot get this magazine from a newsagents, I believe it is ditributed through Woolworths? Have a great time, speak to you in two monts and if you get the magazine will you please hold on to it until you get back."}, {"response": 861, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (17:38)", "body": "Mannen, will you be in Frankfurt, by accident? There are some Firthaddicts around here.... :-)"}, {"response": 862, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (20:28)", "body": "(Moon)I'm sure MLSF was a \"lovely film,\" we must brace ourselves for the edited-for-the US version. What is Miramax going to do, edit Ben Affleck in? How about a meteorite, tidal wave or volcanic eruption (been there, done that)? Wait, I've got it! There'll be a dream sequence...the moss farm will be transported far into the future...there will be spaceships...robots making strange noises...laser swords...wierd heavy breathing...computer-generated aliens...Ewan McGregor... Let's line up now! Grab your tent! (Bethan) I find it difficult to believe that they're still tweaking it Wasn't there a review on-line recently (around the time news broke of 3DOR, DQ and the spread in 'People?')? I remember there was some question as to whether or not it was a new (current) review or a rehash of an older one. The critic praised Colin but didn't care for the movie--said the plot wandered or left too many storylines unresolved, I think. If that was a recent review than I wouldn't be surprised if the movie was further tweaked. That is a nice picture over at Murph's corner. Yummm! Have a lovely trip, Mannen. You too, Renate!!"}, {"response": 863, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (21:58)", "body": "(Bethan) I find it difficult to believe that they're still tweaking it So do I. Hugh Hudson Oscar-winning director of \"Chariots of Fire\" is the director of MLSF.Surely he knows better than to let a film with a wandering story-line be released . Let's see what Miramax tells you, Bethan.Hmmmmmm?"}, {"response": 864, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (22:07)", "body": "Wasn't there a review on-line recently (around the time news broke of 3DOR, DQ and the spread in 'People?')? I remember there was some question as to whether or not it was a new (current) review or a rehash of an older one. Definitely an older one, I think, as it was titled \"The Roaring Game\" Thanks Evelyn for the Miramax phone number...I'm most certainly going to ring them (as I'm seriously miffed...please read on) and I'm going to ring the Scottish Arts Council, who funded MLSF to the tune of \ufffd1million (and should be keeping a check on where their money has gone!) I checked the UK IMDB today to see if there was any mention of MLSF in the summer releases (no!) and out of interest checked the old release date, June 11, and what do I find? Not MLSF, but \"Onegin\" with Ralph Fiennes! (red rag to a bull :-) ) which was completed at least 12 months after MLSF. And what about July 16 (incase of a simultaneous opening in the UK and USA) well, good choice Miramax, that's the day \"The Phantom Menace\" opens. Jeee-zus!! EWS and Star Wars. So when do we see MLSF in the UK....I don't know...and that's why I'm phoning, even if it's bad news!! BTW \"Onegin\" has been picked up by a very small distributor \"Seven Arts \" which releases one film every five years or so. But they've still beaten Miramax. I also saw at IDMB that Miramax are presenting \"An Ideal Husband\" as the closing film of the Cannes Festival (and it really did not get good reviews!), and there are also renewed reports of a sequel to SIL (no doubt with Viola suitably widowed). Well, I'm a real grump....that's the last time I check out the IMDB!! Can someone tell me where to find the good news! :-)"}, {"response": 865, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (23:36)", "body": "Betha n, thankyou for telephoning Miramax, I too would like to know when we are likely to see it in the UK, and if by chance they should give your a release date would you also please ask them if there is to be Premiere, when it is and whether CF is likely to attend. Actually after you have rang I migh ring as well, it will be good for Miramax to know that there are people desperate to see it after so many delays."}, {"response": 866, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (23:42)", "body": "(Eileen)What is Miramax going to do, edit Ben Affleck in? How about a meteorite, tidal wave or volcanic eruption (been there, done that)? Wait, I've got it! There'll be a dream sequence...the moss farm will be transported far into the future...there will be spaceships...robots making strange noises...laser swords...wierd heavy breathing...computer-generated aliens...Ewan McGregor... Let's line up now! Grab your tent! You think you're being facetious...Not at all, My Dear. Check out Karen's posting on 34 today. It speaks to this very problem!"}, {"response": 867, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (23:55)", "body": "I'll let you know how I get on, Ann. I just don't know what they're waiting for...the next millennium? For Colin to lose all his hair? :-) Every week half a dozen or so films open, get modest reviews and a modest return from the Box Office....it's no big deal if MLSF isn't an Oscar winner. At least it focuses on family life, and not on horror or depravity, and the scenery is nice! H-any-way, let's harass Miramax! And whilst I'm in a bad mood, I'm going to phone Working Title again and ask about the casting for BJD, the world's best kept secret!"}, {"response": 868, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Apr 24, 1999 (08:22)", "body": "Good for you Bethan, I look forward to hearing from you. BTW did you ever get an answer from the BBC after you wrote to them about adapting 3DOR for TV?"}, {"response": 869, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (00:04)", "body": "Bethan, I agree with your comments re: the need to harass Miramax about MLSF. It seems a stigma becomes attached to films that have had their release continually delayed, no matter how good the filmmaker's intentions. For instance, \"Metroland,\" starring Emily Watson, just opened this week in the U.S. (Has it opened in the U.K. yet?) The opening paragraph of the review says: \"Before 'Hilary and Jackie,' before even 'The Boxer,' Emily Watson made 'Metroland.' Where this small British film has been is anybody's guess. But Watson's recent Academy Award nomination seems to have brought it out into the light of day.\" The fact that the film has been delayed already puts it behind the eightball in the reviewer's mind."}, {"response": 870, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (01:35)", "body": "The \"new\" Diane Lane film, \"A Walk on the Moon\" is actually more than two years old. It's a Miramax film which is now getting pretty good reviews. I read a few weeks ago in the Philly Inquirer that Miramax waited to release the film until they found just the right spot for it. Whatever that means. But I have faith they will release MLSF and most likely this year. And they will place it carefully. This is not SLOW for which I have no hope."}, {"response": 871, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (06:19)", "body": "Yes, the Putnam/Hudson connection gives me hope. Even though this is a small film, with such a renowned producer and director connected to it I can't imagine it won't be released sometime. But my patience is being tested :-)! Very frustrating about SLOW. I wish they'd just print up a batch of videos and let us buy the darn thing!"}, {"response": 872, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (07:30)", "body": ""}, {"response": 873, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (10:22)", "body": "Ooops! I'm not sure about waiting for the right time for release....you can wait too long. Actors' careers lose their momentum. I think that in the UK, Colin definitely needs a boost. It's 3 1/2 years since P&P. Although he got excellent reviews for 3DOR, his pre-publicity was, I thought, very disappointing....he wasn't even mentioned in the cast.((EMCG stars!) Compare with the terrific pre-opening publicity that Cate Blanchett is getting for \"Plenty\" (and also Rufus Sewell got for \"Macbeth\").Also Colin's no l nger mentioned in the cast list for SIL...replaced by JD in the no 4 spot. I noticed that a new film (a love story) funded by the Arts Council, and starring Ioan Gryffyd, who was in \"Hornblower\", is opening next week. No 2 year delay here. We've also got \"Beseiged\", starring David Thewlis, a love story between an African woman and an Englishman, set in France or Italy (sounds familiar?). And Jeremy Northam's \"Misadventures of Margaret\" has opened, to abysmal reviews. But it's opened! Sorry to be back in grouch mode, but sometimes I despair. We see everyone but Colin in the UK. What's Colin's agent doing? He should have at least checked how 3DOR was being promoted. We've lots of film festivals in the UK in the next few months...why not check on the status of SLOW. This film can secure a limited opening in the UK .....this is NOT a problem.( Making millions of dollars is the problem!) It could have been shown at both the Leeds and Bradford Film festivals ( I know, because I asked a fr end of mine who sets up the programme and they would have gladly shown it...but it has to be submitted, not kept in a bank vault!). And MLSF, well, I'll find out next week... Again apologies, for being such a misery... I have to read too many papers for my own good"}, {"response": 874, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (10:58)", "body": "Forgot to mention.. \"Metroland\" opened here about a year ago (made no impact) and like \"Hilary and Jackie\" was another Arts Council funded film. My final shot as Ms Miseryguts....you see, with one notable exception, all Arts Council-funded films actually make it to the screen!(And SLOW was one of the highest recipients of funding (more than \"Hilary and Jackie\")) Am giving up newspapers, am not going to read any more film reviews, ever, and am going to sit in the sunshine!"}, {"response": 875, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (12:33)", "body": "I have really enjoyed catching up on all the postings. As usual, they give information , pleasure, great amusement and keep the drool factor in my life \"topped up\". Althou' I won't be able to post as much as I would like, this is to let you know I have not forgotten my promise re the Donmar. Great info Bethan, and it is great to have a feel for DQ, thanks to Evelyn and now Karen. Welcome to all delurkers or should I say \"Welcome Home\" Ben, we expect nothing less than your presence at TRT!!!! She is worth it!"}, {"response": 876, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (12:34)", "body": ""}, {"response": 877, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (14:12)", "body": "Bethan, I have just read this in today Sunday Times, can't type it all but the heading is \"Lottery's 200 funded films all lose cash\". Half way through the article \"Just 17 other Arts Council films, including Wilde etc have re-couped any money at all for the council...... One of the biggest losers is Keep the Aspidistra Flying which got \ufffd1m in lottery money out of a total budget of \ufffd2.7m. it flopped despite its distinguished cast...... Others which have not recouped money, include Photographing Fairies \ufffd75 ,000, My Son The Fanatic \ufffd750,000, Babymother \ufffd1m and Divorcing Jack \ufffd800,000. The Council have also been criticised for investing \ufffd1m in Plunkett & Macleane when its main backer was the wealthy PolyGram. The film, starring Robert Carlyle opened to dismal reviews, a month ago. Othere lottery films may never even see a cinema, Peggy Su! \ufffd500,000 THE SECRET LAUGHTER OF WOMEN \ufffd900,000 and Quadrille \ufffd1m received cash more than two years ago but there is no plan to release them.\" Boo Hoo!! Also from the same article \"Now the government, which fears public money is being wasted, is to move lottery funding of films away from the Arts Council to a new body, British Film which will oversee all such public funding. British Film will be told to give cash to producltions which stand a chance of making money. A government source said \"We need to ensure that lottery funding helps to build film business as part of an industrial strategy\". Such a shame as I am sure it would do better than any!!!!!"}, {"response": 878, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (16:10)", "body": "BAFTA TV Nomonations are on the British Theatre website of the Mining Co Go to : http://britishtheatre.miningco.com/library/news/bl042599.htm#BAFTA I see that Timothy Spall (Lyndon in \"Dutch Girls\") has been nominated for Best Actor in \"Our Mutual Friend\"...which also received great reviews in the US. (Next year....let's go Colin for DQ!!) *** (Bethan)...Re: 3 DOR publicity...he wasn't even mentioned in the cast.((EMCG stars!) The program and lobby posters has Colin starring. The Donmar has v. limited funds for publicity. (Incidentally, they have increased their prices for \"The Real Thing\"). I plan to call them next week, however and ask what they plan to do for publicity for TRT...and a press kit. ***** British Film will be told to give cash to productions which stand a chance of making money. I feel this is a step in the right direction. Frankly , I think the public has been fleeced . But who will do the judging of what films will make money.. ..I would think they should appropriate part of their funding to help start distributors. That and not having the theatres to show the films,(never mind not having an audience!!) are the big problems. *** \"Hilary and Jackie\" ( with David Morrissey... Pip/Theo) was a wonderful film. **** (Bethan)....Re: SLOW....I know, because I asked a friend of mine who sets up the programme and they would have gladly shown it...but it has to be submitted, not kept in a bank vault!) The bank is not interested in film festivals, Bethan , they want a buyer."}, {"response": 879, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (17:12)", "body": "Ann, Just off for an evening out, but will post later on my favourite topic! \"Peggy Su\" and \"Quadrille\" were in fact both released, but not in the UK or US. \"Peggy Su\" had an unknown Chinese cast and was sold to Singapore, \"Quadrille\" had a French cast, was sold to France (a country that believes in supporting its own actors!) and did very well at the Box Office, I believe. Which leaves SLOW unfairly branded as the only turkey in the 200.... Must dash...to be continued!"}, {"response": 880, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (17:55)", "body": "I'm back! I had a wonderful time in London (albeit a bit short). Thanks for advising me to buy A Month in the Country. I enjoyed it very much. I got Circle of Friends as well and was looking for the Hour of the Pig, but they didn't have it. Evelyn: I saw This Year's Love and Bedrooms and Hallways while I was there."}, {"response": 881, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (18:00)", "body": "(Teneke) I saw This Year's Love and Bedrooms and Hallways while I was there. And I saw a few photographs of you last night!! :-)"}, {"response": 882, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (18:01)", "body": "Oops, sorry about the spelling, Tineke. :-)"}, {"response": 883, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (18:02)", "body": "(Karen)And I saw a few photographs of you last night!! :-) AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!"}, {"response": 884, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (18:11)", "body": "(Bethan)Which leaves SLOW unfairly branded as the only turkey in the 200... Remember that SLOW was screened at the American Film Festival in February where distribs from all over the world attended. \"Onegin\", with RF was picked up by a UK distrib and it is being released on June 12 in UK.So UK distribs did attend....why didn't they select SLOW!!"}, {"response": 885, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (20:21)", "body": "(Evelyn) ...why didn't they select SLOW!! Because a Fiennes brother wasn't in it? Truly, unless we see it for ourselves, we'll never know. And I saw a few photographs of you last night!! :-) Oh? Did Tineke make the front page of the Tatler?"}, {"response": 886, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (21:30)", "body": "Sorry for messing up the tags!"}, {"response": 887, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (21:46)", "body": "okay, I'll give up on SLOW. I'm becoming boring! But I deeply regret that it didn't stay within the \"protected environment\" of Arts Council funded films. They all do eventually make it to the screen, even if it's a single art house cimema in London, like Panton Street. And they're shown at festivals, for the reviews and promotion. When I see the kind of trash which regularly hits our TV screens and read reviews of films like \"Plunket & Macleane\", I just feel sad about this film. It's probaly not commercia , Colin's not a star name, and unlikely to become one"}, {"response": 888, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (22:13)", "body": "Oh, come on Bethan, that's not like you, where's the Bethan fighting spirit!! you'll need it when you telephone Miramax don't forget, oh and the Scottish ? Board!"}, {"response": 889, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (22:17)", "body": "oops, cut myself off... continuing \"become one without more exposure in lead roles. Actually, I think I'm just generally disheartened today. The standard of most TV drama in the UK is falling and becoming cruder and unwatchable , and most movies at the multiplexes are not worth seeing. I can understand why most decent actors \"end up\" working in the theatre and radio! Please excuse my gloom!"}, {"response": 890, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (22:21)", "body": "Scottish Arts Council, the name escaped me for a minute."}, {"response": 891, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (22:57)", "body": "If I may add, I'm glad about SLOW, it's the one CF film that I would least want to see. I just can't see him with Nia Long. sorry. Has nothing to do with subject."}, {"response": 892, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (23:24)", "body": "Thanks Ann! I'm a real party pooper today, don't know why,...didn't even enjoy our meal out. I won't post until I'm cheerful again. And I'll get stuck into the phone calls...although as a closet-Colinist (still!) I'll have to choose my time! Laura, I guess I'm different here. Having lived in Nigeria ( and also as admirer of contemporary Nigerian writing) I thought this was a very interesting project. Hence my near-obsessive interest!"}, {"response": 893, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 1999 (07:34)", "body": "(Bethan)Am giving up newspapers, am not going to read any more film reviews, ever, and am going to sit in the sunshine What sunshine? Have you emigrated? (Evelyn)..I would think they should appropriate part of their funding to help start distributors. That is exactly the problem of the British film industry. The problem is more than one for the British film makers and actors themselves, it means that British culture is being eroded by the onslaught from the States. Even when US producers like Miramax make films of British subjects like SIL, there is always a US slant to make them acceptable to the huge US audience. Also to be a success in the cinema, a British actor really does have to go to to LA and sell him or herself a la Minnie Driver. It must be a very difficult problem for someone like CF who is offered British scripts. He then has to decide whether the wretched thing will ever be distributed!"}, {"response": 894, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 1999 (07:37)", "body": "Sorry if the above sounded anti American. Wasn't meant to be. Love the States (am off there later this week) but also want UK to retain something of our own culture which is distinct from the US."}, {"response": 895, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 1999 (08:23)", "body": "When I post, I like to do it in quantity. Something has been intriguing me. Are you all familiar with Tonya's website? She had tickets for EIGHT performances of 3DOR. I have been checking to see how she got on but there has been no word. Neither has she made any further updates to her website. A severe case of post firthmatic stress disorder?"}, {"response": 896, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 1999 (08:24)", "body": "Her 3DOR site is at http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Lights/2524/london.html"}, {"response": 897, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 1999 (12:30)", "body": "(Allison), That is exactly the problem of the British film industry. The problem is more than one for the British film makers and actors themselves, it means that British culture is being eroded by the onslaught from the States. I have always considered myself an anglophile, whether it be music or films, but lately even Masterpiece Theatre has been a big disappointment. The scripts and certain actors have been less than satisfactory. The problem with films as well as books now is that there no longer is an auteur, it is always a collaboration, no one wants to take the sole responsibility. The scripts are re-worked, films re-edited, re-shot, etc. and it becomes one big mish-mush with plenty of mush. The Antonionni's and Truffaut's to name just two no longer exist. British as well as European audiences are seduced by everything that comes from the States because it comes with all that gloss, it shines. Yes, they can sell anything. Frankly, I fail to see the attraction. We, the selective few will suffer, because they do not cater to our taste with their distaste."}, {"response": 898, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 1999 (18:17)", "body": "Perhaps this is preaching to the choir, but I would rather watch a mediocre (is there such as thing?!) British film than a \"good\" American one (ditto) - any day!!! I am an unreconstructed Anglophile and have been since the age of about 6. In fact, my father, in great alarm, threatened to disinherit me if I became a British Subject. That is true devotion to Old Blighty! I guess Hollywood does not care what I prefer. They have never catered to my tastes =P"}, {"response": 899, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 1999 (19:01)", "body": "(Marcia) That is true devotion to Old Blighty! ...and to Laurence Olivier! ;-) a \"good\" American one I think there's good and bad in everything but have a low opinion about what's coming out of Hollywood lately. Ohmigod, Adam Sandler, a major movie star? Bring on those low-budget, sometimes big revenue generating (more often low, though) independent films. That's why I'm displeased about Miramax's swing toward standard Hollywood. The upside is that there's alot of variety in American films. Sometimes we all need a mindless movie (I laugh everytime I think of Matt Dillon ith those big teeth in 'Something about Mary'). Marcia, I was being facetious in my last post. Thoughts of endless tinkering to MLSF concern me...kind of like changing an answer on a multiple choice test. Leave well enough alone, Miramax! Chin up, Bethan! When I start thinking about how Colin would have been in various roles I succeed only in making myself miserable. (But then, what if he had been in 'The Avengers' and Ralph had been in 'SiL?') I hope you've contacted Miramax and have heard encouraging news."}, {"response": 900, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 1999 (20:11)", "body": "(Allison)..Sorry if the above sounded anti American. Wasn't meant to be. Love the States (am off there later this week) but also want UK to retain something of our own culture which is distinct from the US. Have no fear....Americans have thick hides...we are used to \"Yank-trashing\". which has become a world-wide sport!! I , for one , do not take offense. Howvever, it is v. difficult for a small country to retain it's own culture. I see it more and more every time I go to UK. Why is everyone eating hamburgers from McDonalds...and french fries with ketsup? What happened to fish and chips...with vinegar? I'll tell you what happened...they sat back and became complacent and let American business take over. Watch out Tesco...Walmart execs are meeting with Tony Blair.AT&T is in co-hoots with BT.Amazon.co.uk beat Waterstones, WH Smith and Dillons at their own game. It's called \"global economy\" . Either you join in, or get left behind. The same with films...we all love British films...but they are the worst marketers...advertise? fergedaboutit. It's against the British personality to \"sell\" anything.Never mind themselves. And they have so much to share with the world...the \"cradle of the best in our western literature...\" so what are they featuring....Trainspotting!!"}, {"response": 901, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 1999 (21:51)", "body": "Quick Notes: Spoke with the BBC Scotland PR person today and she will be faxing me a production release shortly (after she finds out what the country code is!!) It will say who is in the cast. She met with Colin yesterday for the first time (lucky girl), but said she would be setting up a longer meeting with him shortly. Here is a BBC news item from January 28 that I don't think has been posted. However, please be aware there are some SPOILERS contained herein. Firth on the buses, but off the rails Actor Colin Firth will star as a madman in a comtemporary version of Don Quixote for a new British film. The Pride and Prejudice star - who also appears in Shakespeare in Love - will take the title role in Donovan Quick, which will be made for television later this year. Director David Blair said the film is superficially about \"a Don Quixote character,\" but is set against the unlikely background of transport privatisation. Firth's character is in charge of axing bus services - but he gives the profits away to the needy, mirroring the hero of Cervantes' book. \"He's been sectioned in a mental hospital and what unfolds is that he is tortured by what he appears to have been doing in the past. \"He's arrested at the end and put back in a mental hospital,\" said Blair, who has also directed The Lakes and Takin' Over the Asylum for the BBC."}, {"response": 902, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 1999 (23:15)", "body": "Nope...haven't phoned yet as have been at work. But, will do! But as a late night net surfee, I've just spotted a news item. NY Post - Liz Smith (who's she?) 26/4 Liz Taylor is travelling to Cannes to the Annual Cinema against AIDS Gala, to co-host with Sharon Stone. This year the movie Miramax is screening at the May 20 AmFAR (what's that?) fundraiser is \"My Life So Far\" starring Colin Firth, (yes!) MEM and MMcD. MLSF is directed by HH, produced by DP. Charity auction Of Princess Diana's dresses etc."}, {"response": 903, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 1999 (23:24)", "body": "Check it out: Liz Smith"}, {"response": 904, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 1999 (00:23)", "body": "So does this mean Colin is going to Cannes? I think Livia might give him a push. She enjoyed the Oscars. :-)"}, {"response": 905, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 1999 (04:06)", "body": "I don't know if the Ameriacan film industry is stupid or just bury their heads in the sand. If you look at the awards the last few years, so many of the best are British. I would hate to see the British film Industry go the way the Americans have. The tv shows we get from them are so far superior to the ones made here it is pitiful. The Mysteries and comedies are so much better it makes me sick. The Brits go with talent in their stars whereas the Americans seem to look for pretty boys no matter how lacking they are in talent."}, {"response": 906, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 1999 (06:59)", "body": "The film industry here (the States) is unbelieveably pathetic-- it makes me weep for the future of the arts. Seriously. I posted something about this in VirtViews over at RofP... From my observations, the way in which films get funded and how scripts are treated is a complete joke. Studio execs operate purely on trends...these past few years it's been period pieces, literary adaptations, etc... And the problem is-- the people giving the green light don't read anything BUT scripts, and have no idea what ma es for a good story, how complex plots can actually be, how complex a character can be, what good dialogue means, etc. because they're only attuned to reading things in the context of being adapted to the screen. You think anyone who funded SiL has ever read Shakespeare? 'Course not...but they have fat wallets and just enough businesss savvy to know that people will plop down $7.50 to see a period piece about William Shakespeare. My hope is that Brit filmmakers will feel comfortable enough to stay home an build an industry there, and develop film genres/styles that are unique to their situations-- without feeling the need to integrate themselves into the US market. Unfortunately, it doesn't work out that way, does it? There are some TV shows from the US that I actually think are quite good, and at the same calibre as international shows-- ER is a good example, I think. \"Seinfeld\" was always good-- but the humor doesn't always translate (didn't warm up to Germans the same way, from what I've heard). \"Fraiser\" is an excellent show, which I believe does relatively well abroad."}, {"response": 907, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 1999 (07:21)", "body": "\"Fraiser\" is an excellent show, which I believe does relatively well abroad. It is brilliant and puts all UK sitcoms to shame."}, {"response": 908, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 1999 (12:12)", "body": "Well, this may have something to do with MLSF being shown at the AIDS charity benefit in Cannes... (from Variety today): Morrison senior vp PR for Miramax NEW YORK -- Sally Morrison, a 14-year veteran of the American Foundation for AIDS Research, has joined Miramax as senior vp publicity. In her new New York-based post, Morrison will handle premieres and special events for Miramax and for Tina Brown's Talk Media venture. She will report to executive vp marketing and publicity Marcy Granata. At AmFAR, most recently as vp external affairs, Morrison coordinated fund-raising and public affairs activities for the charity."}, {"response": 909, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 1999 (12:45)", "body": "(Karen), Spoke with the BBC Scotland PR person today and she will be faxing me a production release shortly (after she finds out what the country code is!!) It will say who is in the cast. She met with Colin yesterday for the first time (lucky girl), but said she would be setting up a longer meeting with him shortly. Karen, why would Colin be meeting with the PR person while he should be in pre-production rehearsals? PR is usually planned as a project wraps. Next time you speak with her please ask. Winter, I agree with you, it is a very sad state of affairs and as I said before it is because the auteurs are missing. Filmakers wrote and directed quality once and wehn they didn't they had people such as Harold Pinter writing. I do not watch any TV shows so I can't judge them but I'll take your word for it."}, {"response": 910, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 1999 (13:03)", "body": "(Moon) why would Colin be meeting with the PR person while he should be in pre-production rehearsals? PR is usually planned as a project wraps. Last week, the word was *six more weeks of filming* Seems to me they are in production now. :) Sounded to me like she had just started on the job. Who knows, maybe she just wanted to meet him? Do you blame her? ;-D"}, {"response": 911, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 1999 (14:19)", "body": "I hope the fact that MLSF is being shown at Cannes means that all the problems if there be problems have now been ironed out and that there will be no further delay in its release either here or in the US.Bethan I can't remember if I asked you this but if Miramax give you a UK release date would you please ask if there is going to be a Premiere, when it is and if Colin is going to attend. Also I agree with Moon, it seems perculiar doing publicity before production has hardly started, I would have thought that would have come at the end. I would love to know who his co-stars are, haven't seen anything in the press but will keep my eyes open Karen."}, {"response": 912, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 1999 (14:48)", "body": "(Ann), Who knows, maybe she just wanted to meet him? Do you blame her? Moi, never! :-D"}, {"response": 913, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 1999 (21:44)", "body": "Hi all: I never get a chance to visit due to this busy life I lead! I thought grandmothers and retirees were supposed to hang out in malls and play cards! Not that I would even if I DID have the time... Renate pointed out Karen's news to me, and I have it on the Appreciation pages, along with that gorgeous new Aussie Pic. I also did a labor of love on A Month in the Country. I recently bought a beautiful paperback edition from A Common Reader, a great company, BTW. The URL for AMITC - the book is: http://www.geocities.com/~murphyat65/amitc/home.html There is a link to A Common Reader in there if you want to order the book. Bye for now and be of good faith. Colin is more and more in the popular press these days. Murph"}, {"response": 914, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 1999 (21:53)", "body": "Good to have you on Spring, Murph. Your website is a gem...always a treat . We appreciate all that you do for Colin and us!! Come back often:-)"}, {"response": 915, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 1999 (21:57)", "body": "Yes, good to hear from you Murph, welcome, btw, your guestbook is still not working or is it me."}, {"response": 916, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 1999 (23:24)", "body": "Murph, what a pleasure to have you in our company."}, {"response": 917, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (00:13)", "body": "Girls, I'm surprised at you. Have you ever actually watched TV shows when traveling in other countries? Most of it is crap! Just like much of ours! We get the best from other countries...as well as their best films, etc. I don't mind trashing U.S. TV shows, films, ad nauseum 'cause most of it deserves to be trashed. But despite the games, polls and politics excellent entertainment and art in this country continue to be created. Don't throw it all in the same garbage heap. Karen, I am waiting with bated breath for news from the Beeb. Great work. Moon, better get the TV dusted off for ET. They always feature Cannes."}, {"response": 918, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (14:49)", "body": "(Bethan) I noticed that a new film (a love story) funded by the Arts Council, and starring Ioan Gryffyd, who was in \"Hornblower\", is opening next week Bethan, do you know the name of this movie?"}, {"response": 919, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (17:00)", "body": "From the Entertainment Weekly summer movie preview edition (4/26/99): Also in June (movies were listed in alphabetical order) My Life So Far In this 1920s Miramax drama, a wealthy Scottish clan, including Colin Firth and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, is thrown into turmoil when big bro Malcolm McDowell brings home his young fiancee (Irene Jacob). \"It's like the apple in paradise,\" says Mastrantonio. \"It upsets the balance of the ecosystem.\" Bottom line : Oscar nominated director Hugh Hudson and producer David Puttnam (the team behind 1981's \"Chariots of Fire\") shoot for the summer's older, neglected art-film audience. (Moved to July) It doesn't say much (we know all this) but at least the target audience was defined and the movie wasn't trashed (many others were). They were not so hot on 'Notting Hill'--said Julia played herself and Hugh played the same character as he did in '4 Weddings.' Thanks for the info on the Miramax-MLSF-AmFar link, Karen (not to mention forthcoming DQ news). ET features Cannes as Heide pointed out. They also feature Sharon Stone and AmFar all the time (as well as Pamela Anderson Lee's former breasts--whoops, that was Access Hollywood!)."}, {"response": 920, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (17:12)", "body": "COLIN FIRTH STARS IN DONOVAN QUICK Colin Firth (Shakespeare in Love, Pride and Prejudice), Katy Murphy (Tutti Frutti, A Mug's Game), David O'Hara (Braveheart, The Match), Liz Smith (The Royale Family, A Private Function), and David Westhead (The Lakes, Mrs Brown) are to star in Donovan Quick - a few film for BBC ONE from the BAFTA award-winning team of writer, Donna Franceschild, and director, David Blair. Film will begin on locations around Glasgow from A ril 25. Colin Firth said today\" \"This is a unique script and I am looking forward to working with David Blair on the film.\" BBC Scotland's Head of Drama, Barbara McKissack, added: \"I am delighted that we are attracting major talents both on and off the screen to work with us in Scotland.\" When the mysterious and well-spoken Donovan Quick takes up residence with the Pannick family things will never be the same again. The Pannicks are like any other dysfunctional family: Lucy Pannick drinks, her son Jim steals cars, her grandmother forgets to put on her clothes and her learning disabled brother, Sandy, runs model trains in his room all night. When multi-national bus company, Windmill Transport takes over the local trains and leaves Sandy no way to get to his day centre, Donovan starts up one-bus company with Sandy to replace the lost service. Against all the odds, the fledgling Quick and Pannick buses becomes so successful that the voracious Windmill Transport decides to poach the route for itself. However, like his inspiration Don Quixote, Donovan Quick manages to thwart Windmill at their own game, galvanising the community and transforming forever the lives of Lucy, Sandy, Gran and Jim in the process. Donovan Quick is an independent production from Making Waves Film and Television Limited, a company set up by writer Donna Franceschild and director David Blair who previously collaborated on two BBC Scotland series, Takin' Over the Asylum and A Mug's Game. The producer is Sue Austen and the executive producers are Barbara McKissack and Jane Tranter. April 22, 1999"}, {"response": 921, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (17:51)", "body": "I am delighted that we are attracting major talents... I am delighted BBC Scotland recognizes CF as a major talent. And now we know they just started filming this week. BTW, Bethan, Liz Smith is a gossip columnist based in NY but syndicated throughout the US. AMFAR is a charity dedicated to AIDS fund raising. I forget what the letters stand for but I believe it is sponsored by the actors union. Sharon Stone is the current chairperson. She is far better at fund raising and stating her political opinions than she is at acting (IMHO ;-))!"}, {"response": 922, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (19:16)", "body": "Thanks for the info., Karen. By the looks of it, there is no love interest at all. But is so good to know that he is the star. I wonder when it will be shown in the States. The way it looks, he may be done with it and then head off to Italy for a vacation. :-D"}, {"response": 923, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (20:48)", "body": "Thank you Karen for being our point-person with BBC Scotland. I wonder if the Scottish Arts Council is co-funding this. CF's role sounds somewhat like a \"Michael Collins \" ....this is a first for him in this category, isn't it? I hope it's a TV film...otherwise we're back to sweating out distributors for yet another big screen indie film."}, {"response": 924, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (21:14)", "body": "Thanks Karen for the info. on DQ. Liz Smith is one of my favourite actresses, she will be a wonderful dotty grandmother and she has of corse worked with Colin before in Apartment Zero as one of the dotty ladies who lived in the same block of appartments as Adrian. BTW Evelyn I am sure it is for TV as it says it is a film for BBC1 and not just for the BBC which is very good as it gets a much bigger audience than BBC2 where Nostromo was shown. Also if he is filming for 6 weeks that takes him to June 6th,d you think that would prevent him appearing at Cannes on the 20th May?"}, {"response": 925, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (21:16)", "body": "Sorry about the typing errors. \"wonderfully dotty\""}, {"response": 926, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (21:44)", "body": "she has of course worked with Colin before in Apartment Zero as one of the dotty ladies who lived in the same block of appartments as Adrian. I loved that crowd...they were a hoot. Also if he is filming for 6weeks that takes him to June 6th,do you think that would prevent him appearing at Cannes on the 20th May? Aw, he can fly over there one aft and be back the next day. He can't be in every scene. Hope he does....Cannes gets global publicity.To BBCs benefit, I would think."}, {"response": 927, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (22:24)", "body": "Thanks for the info, Karen! This sounds very, very promising indeed! As I had hoped, the screenplay is by Donna Franceschild who wrote the brilliant \"Taking over the Asylum\", easily the best contemporary drama I've seen recently on TV. It was warm, funny, and very compassionate....and DQ seems to have similar themes. I haven't had time to check out all the actors (probably all good character actors) but Liz Smith is one of my favourites... \"mice move in mysterious ways\" (AZ)...she plays batty grandmothers to perfection!"}, {"response": 928, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (23:01)", "body": "PS I'm sure you'll see it in the US...the BBC sells most of its films for TV, and some do get a cinema release."}, {"response": 929, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Apr 29, 1999 (01:15)", "body": "I just want to take a little time to thank everyone who sent me e-mails after my husbands surgery. Believe me they were a world of help. I can't remember if I answered all of them, I have been so tired, but I hope you see this."}, {"response": 930, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Apr 29, 1999 (01:33)", "body": "Eileen: In that same issue of Ent. Wkly.,\"Fever Pitch\" is mentioned in the July section--\"Colin Firth plays a teacher whose soccer obsession doesn't do much for his love life,...\" AmFAR = American Foundation for AIDS Research. Gee, I love all this uplifting news!!"}, {"response": 931, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Apr 29, 1999 (22:25)", "body": "Thanks, KJArt. I missed the FP entry all together. Was there a \"bottom line\" for FP?"}, {"response": 932, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 29, 1999 (22:36)", "body": "(Moon) By the looks of it, there is no love interest at all. Rats! (are we a bunch of complainers or what?) But is so good to know that he is the star. Yes, his name will be first, not third, not fourth, and not even said in the same breath as Tom Wilkinson or Martin Clunes. I wonder when it will be shown in the States. If BBC has targeted it for early next year (assuming it does not sell for theatrical release, which is still a possibility), then how much later are we usually? Six months? Longer?"}, {"response": 933, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 29, 1999 (22:44)", "body": "(Bethan) \"Taking over the Asylum\", easily the best contemporary drama I've seen recently on TV. Oh dear, then why didn't we get it over here? I did ask the Beeb gal if any of the American networks (PBS or A&E) was participating and she said \"not yet.\" If and when it gets definite that DQ is going to be on television, we may need to let the small programming minds that be that we want to see it (on something other than a converted PAL tape)!!"}, {"response": 934, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Apr 29, 1999 (23:04)", "body": "\"Taking over the Asylum\" was a six part series, produced by BBC Scotland, whereas DonQ is a film produced by an independent film company for BBC Scotland (as was \"Mrs Brown\"). I would think you've got a very good chance of seeing it (and not just as a converted PAL tape!)"}, {"response": 935, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (01:04)", "body": "Well...just to be on the safe side....If it plays on TV, I want a converted PAL tape...anyway, who can wait 6 months to see it here. By then we will have discussed the \"pants off\" ole Donovan Q."}, {"response": 936, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (03:48)", "body": "Overnight air shipment too."}, {"response": 937, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (12:42)", "body": "(Evelyn), By then we will have discussed the \"pants off\" ole Donovan Q. Yes, indeed! Please include me on that list, I can take the Pal tape after you're done converting."}, {"response": 938, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (13:00)", "body": "Well, I finally managed to keep my word and phoned both Miramax and Working Title! Bridget Jones Diary......I asked when details of BJD would be available \"Oh, not yet\". I then specifically asked when we would know about the casting, and the reply was \" oh,in about a month\". Which is the most positive reply I've had! And on the assumption that they announce casting just prior to shooting, perhaps the shoot is imminent and CF will just have finished DonQ, which is very convenient! Right, MLSF. Spoke to young man, very smooth. Asked about date of release for MLSF in the UK. He checked, reported that there was \"a blank against MLSF\". Me \"It's being released in the US, though\" \"Yes, July 16th\". Me \"I hope that a blank doesn't mean that it isn't going to br released here\" \"No, it just means that there's no release date set.\" Me \"How long an interval is there normally between the US and UK.\" \"Well, it varies with each film\". Me \"oh well, I'll ring back in two months\". \"Yes, I'm sure thi gs will have changed by then\". So, no real info. I don't know why I suggested 2 months...I meant to ask when I should ring back. I'll try again in about 4 weeks. But it doesn't look as though it will open here first. Ann, perhaps you would like to try as well in about a month's time, or perhaps just after MLSF screens in Cannes! The more the merrier!"}, {"response": 939, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (13:28)", "body": "Re: MLSF release in UK Yes, Ann do call...the more people who inquire...the better. I'll call from the US as well. **** Off Topic: We have just been informed from Entertainment Films in UK (distrib)that.... \"Good Machine (the sales agent for the film) will be taking This Year's Love to the Cannes Film Festival \" (TYL is JE's new film). Good news at Cannes for the stars of P&P.!! ***** (Moon)Re; DQ.. I can take the Pal tape after you're done converting. Sorry, it goes back to UK if it has been taped for us from television."}, {"response": 940, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (13:55)", "body": "(Evelyn) By then we will have discussed the \"pants off\" ole Donovan Q. Freudian slip, Evelyn? ;-) Thanks for making those calls, Bethan. Miramax played around with the US release date for so long that I'm not surprised they're doing the same in the UK. A month for BJD cast announcements? Do a hear a drum roll starting?"}, {"response": 941, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (17:30)", "body": "Yes, thanks Bethan, for making the phone calls, you are so brave, I seem to lose the use of speech when I make this sort of phone call, I guess I feel a bit intimidated but I will give it a go, as you say after Cannes would seem a good time. Did you ask for anyone in particular at Miramax?"}, {"response": 942, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (17:59)", "body": "Thanks Bethan. It makes perfect sense to ring back after Cannes. Those people are so insecure, they're probably looking for the feedback there before they make any decisions. Very curious about BJD, will he do it? The bets are on. ( Evelyn), Sorry, it goes back to UK if it has been taped for us from television. Then by all means include me in the taping."}, {"response": 943, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (18:49)", "body": "This is germane to our Hollywood-bashing (and otherwise) discussion from a few days ago--I remembered reading it but couldn't find it until today. From Newsweek , 3/22/99, 'Buzz' section: Brush Up Your Shakespeare Memo to H'wood: while some 54 percent of Americans went to the movies in the past six months, the fastest-growing audience is upscale boomers with little tolerance for teen sex or blood. Translation: stick with the Bard. Perhaps findings such as these are adding to Miramax's rumored plans for a SiL sequel (I still think that's a bad idea since it would likely be Wessex-less and I don't care for sequels in general). But...mature audiences go for character-based dramas, which can only be good for talented character actors (know any good ones? Hee hee!)."}, {"response": 944, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (19:11)", "body": "(Eileen) Was there a \"bottom line\" for FP? Sorry, it was part of the \"Plus\" column (read: \"also-rans\") right at the end of July's listings--and was lucky to get that much coverage."}, {"response": 945, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (19:31)", "body": "So am I to understand that now both MLSF and FP are being released in July, within a week of each other? Happy Days are Here Again:-)"}, {"response": 946, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (20:02)", "body": "(Eileen) Was there a \"bottom line\" for FP? (KJArt) Sorry, it was part of the \"Plus\" column (read: \"also-rans\") right at the end of July's listings--and was lucky to get that much coverage. That's what I thought. I suppose a few lines is better than nothing and at least the movie wasn't trashed. Frankly, I'm still surprised it's being released in the US. Thanks for the follow up!"}, {"response": 947, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (20:07)", "body": "So am I to understand that now both MLSF and FP are being released in July, within a week of each other? Happy Days are Here Again:-) Yippee!!! You said it Susan! :)"}, {"response": 948, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (20:57)", "body": "Q: What two novels are being adapted for a modern-day high school setting? A: Cyrano and Crime and Punishment (I think the latter will star the Little Rascals or music by the Rascals. This is getting out of hand. (ugh)"}, {"response": 949, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (21:20)", "body": "Karen, tell us you are kidding about high school settings for those...Please!! SB, another boring day at the grindstone?! =P"}, {"response": 950, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (21:55)", "body": "Murph has posted the interview with Colin from the Australian Mag \"Good Taste\" (how a propos) ...the one that accompanied that dishy new pic."}, {"response": 951, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (21:56)", "body": "Sorry...hit the wrong button..... Go to: http://www.geocities.com/~murphyat65/goodtste.html"}, {"response": 952, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (23:45)", "body": "Thank you for that, Evelyn. Heaven Help Me!!! I had never seen that picture of him before. I am a damp crumple of helpless drool. How can he be so adorable and so wonderful and so talented?! I am all devotedness...=)"}, {"response": 953, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, May  1, 1999 (03:55)", "body": "Marcia, I'm with you and everyone else too, I'm sure. That is one gorgeous man in that photograph! My, my, my (or mine, mine, mine). I love him when he's brooding but oh that smile. And how accommodating of him to wear an open necked shirt to allow us to admire that neck. Notice how the eye of the viewer is drawn down...wot! I so appreciate the news on the upcoming flix. At this point though, I can't get excited or disappointed about any set dates. I'm not going to believe anything (except DQ - the BBC won't let us down)until I'm sitting in the theatre watching the opening credits."}, {"response": 954, "author": "livamago", "date": "Sat, May  1, 1999 (03:59)", "body": "Whew! This man is gorgeous! Somebody please give me a glass of water! He looks sooo good in that picture...I agree with you about his neck, Heide; it looks truly delicious! Thank you!"}, {"response": 955, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, May  1, 1999 (05:45)", "body": "What a smile. I wish I could get a copy of the magazine."}, {"response": 956, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May  1, 1999 (05:57)", "body": "Wot! Indeed, that neck makes one want to bare one's fangs and get *really* close to him. Ummmm! nibble...nibble... ummmmm....=) I did not believe I was seeing SiL until I saw the beginning credits. We got to the theater about 15 minutes before anyone else showed up. A guy kept coming in and asking if we were waiting for SiL. We chorused, \"yes!\" each time. I will do the same for my next Firthly Fete, but I will not hold my breath."}, {"response": 957, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, May  1, 1999 (06:04)", "body": "Good Taste. What an apt name for the magazine which would publish this picture. Good article too."}, {"response": 958, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, May  1, 1999 (08:38)", "body": "A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY In the Times Metro section (Film listings)...London independent cinemas... National Film Theatre (0171-928-3232) is showing \"A month in the Country\" (PG 1987) Wed and Fri 8-30pm this coming week."}, {"response": 959, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Sat, May  1, 1999 (20:45)", "body": "Just popping along to tell you (Evelyn, AnnW, Lizza and whoever else) that I've ordered my tickets for TRT today and given I'll get a flight ticket too next week I'll see you at the Donmar the 12th of June (if you'd like to). Back to deep lurkdom."}, {"response": 960, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, May  1, 1999 (21:17)", "body": "Great, Kirsten, I look forward to meeting you. Are your seats in the Stalls?"}, {"response": 961, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, May  1, 1999 (21:52)", "body": "(Kirsten) I'll see you at the Donmar the 12th of June (if you'd like to). Are you kiddin? Of course we want you....whoopee! Party Time at the Donmar. Who else? C'mon Tineke...we want you too!! (There's a JE fan flying in from LA just for the play on the evening of the 12th!!)So far: Five of us and Ann's husband."}, {"response": 962, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sat, May  1, 1999 (23:27)", "body": "Evelyn, thanks for the link to that Australian article. Lord have mercy!! That's the CF pic I'd have on my bedroom wall if I were still single;-) BTW, JE's movie \"Bedrooms and Hallways\" was featured in the Boston International Women's Film Festival last week (on account of the director, Rose Troche). Is it going to be released in the states, or did I miss my one opportunity to see it?"}, {"response": 963, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May  2, 1999 (01:16)", "body": "(SusanMC) Re: \"Bedrooms & Hallways.... Is it going to be released in the states, or did I miss my one opportunity to see it? As far as we know no distributor in the US yet. Also being featured at the Gay and Lesbian Film Festival on June 3 in NYC. I miss it by 4 days!!! Probably will be released in \"selected cities\".Rose Troche is a v. well-respected director in the indie crowd."}, {"response": 964, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Sun, May  2, 1999 (03:04)", "body": "Hi. I am so glad to be able to log on. I am not even going to try to read everything I have missed since my great friends have kept me up to date. What pic are you guys talking about.??? I want to see. Ann and Evelyn: You know I wish I was well enough to come to London. Maybe soon."}, {"response": 965, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May  2, 1999 (03:25)", "body": "Welcome back Rita. Point your mouse at the link below for a simply scrumptious picture of Colin from an Australian cooking mag. There's an article too, once you collect yourself and are able to read again. http://www.geocities.com/~murphyat65/index.html"}, {"response": 966, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Sun, May  2, 1999 (09:41)", "body": "(AnnW) Are your seats in the Stalls? No, got tickets in the circle, row B on the side. (Evelyn) Five of us and Ann's husband. I'm bringing two friends, though neither of them is a CF or JE fan, but may be we're able to infect them."}, {"response": 967, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May  2, 1999 (16:51)", "body": "(Kirsten)(Evelyn) Five of us and Ann's husband. I'm bringing two friends, though neither of them is a CF or JE fan, but may be we're able to infect them. Super..... Kirsten, we'll convert them. Show them the picture from \"Good Taste \" Magazine....that'll do it. What a picture... and they talk about Brad Pitt's smile!! **** Good to have you back, Rita. We have missed you. Take care of yourself."}, {"response": 968, "author": "livamago", "date": "Sun, May  2, 1999 (22:01)", "body": "Evelyn: the picture from \"Good Taste \". What a picture... and they talk about Brad Pitt's smile!! **** I would love to see that picture every time I visit Drool. It would look wonderful in the opening page."}, {"response": 969, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sun, May  2, 1999 (22:53)", "body": "It's nice to see you posting again, Rita. Hope you're feeling better."}, {"response": 970, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, May  2, 1999 (23:14)", "body": "Yes, its good to have you back Rita, take care."}, {"response": 971, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May  3, 1999 (13:41)", "body": "Ladies, I am setting up Gi's Bridal Shower at Odds & Ends Topic #72. Remember to bookmark it. Please join me in the preparations. There's lots to be done, food, gifts, etc. Rita, I hope you can join us too. So come on Firthettes, join in the fun and let's show Gi how happy we are for her."}, {"response": 972, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, May  3, 1999 (21:01)", "body": "I LOVE that pic!! Someone sent me that pic last week. *sigh* He's gorgeous! Evelyn C'mon Tineke...we want you too!! I wished I could, but June 12th is impossible for two reasons: 1: Exams, exams, exams,...argh! 2: Elections June 13th. We've got compulsory voting so I have to be in my hometown on Sunday morning. I might see it another day, sometime in July. I'm thinking of taking a two week architectural English language course in London. I think it'll be extremely interesting. I could easily combine this with an evening at the theatre."}, {"response": 973, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, May  4, 1999 (01:50)", "body": "I'm finally able to dip my toe in drooldom after an incredibly frustrating several days. Is anyone else having trouble getting into Spring? I have had to resort to surreptiously logging on from work. AOL suddenly seems to hate Spring and I haven't been able to get any of the boards to load :-(. Oh well, on to more important matters... The LA Times put out their summer sneak issue yesterday and I was quite relieved to see both FP and MLSF listed with a short blurb and ODB listed as starring (of course MLSF was listed last summer too, but that's another story.) On the down side, there was a somewhat sarcastic article in which the author had used his own bizarre system to categorize some of the summer films. MLSF was listed under \"Un-catchy Titles\" with another film whose name escapes me at the moment. Oh well, at least it got mentioned and not a lot of other indies did."}, {"response": 974, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May  4, 1999 (02:03)", "body": "(Tineke)I wished I could, but June 12th is impossible we'll miss you. But glad you have tentative plans :-) (Jana)...MLSF was listed under \"Un-catchy Titles\" Thaat's because he didn't know about \"The Roaring Game\"... or \"Son of Adam(which sounds biblical)...Makes MLSF sound brilliant."}, {"response": 975, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, May  4, 1999 (02:48)", "body": "(Jana) Is anyone else having trouble getting into Spring? I have had to resort to surreptiously logging on from work. AOL suddenly seems to hate Spring and I haven't been able to get any of the boards to load :-(. I've been having problems with AOL myself lately :( I've resorted to loading a Netscape browser and and opening Drool through that once i've logged onto AOL."}, {"response": 976, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May  4, 1999 (03:00)", "body": "Aha, the pattern emerges. Did you hear that all your AOLers?"}, {"response": 977, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, May  4, 1999 (03:21)", "body": "Listen to Mother Karen. She speaks the truth. If you are stuck with AOL (as I am on occasion when my ISP is \"upgrading\" their system, I use it only for dialup. I shrink it then boot Netscape =)) I am *most* unhappy that AOL bought them out, but I hope they will not deteriorate as a result. Anyway, Do Not use AOffLine's browser. Bookmarks stink and they are so lovely in Netscape. I think the USA should have complusory voting, too. imo!"}, {"response": 978, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, May  4, 1999 (04:04)", "body": "I have been reading some of the reviews of MLSO written by some of the people who sat in on a preview in New York. Nothing but praise for C.F. One of them states that they think that he is the most underrated English actor of all especially here in the US. Like we don't know that!!!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 979, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, May  4, 1999 (06:41)", "body": "Lucie, what reviews and where do I find them I would love to read them. Evelyn, are you okay, we have just head about the terrible Tornadoes in Oklahoma."}, {"response": 980, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, May  4, 1999 (06:42)", "body": "Oh and did you mean reviews for my Life So Far?"}, {"response": 981, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, May  4, 1999 (07:51)", "body": "Just had a most marvellous Bank Holiday Monday...in terms of weather. Great filming weather for Colin up in Scotland! He'll have a chance to acquire a tan so that he doesn't look too pale and interesting in Cannes. BTW there was an article in one of the Sundays about gifted young Nigerian writers, and how they deserve to make a major breakthrough. There was much praise for a new play by a Nigerian dramatist at the National Theatre (much better than the reviews for David Hare's \"Plenty\") and there was an overall comment that it's time we see their work in the cinema because of the \"magical\" and \"uplifting\" qualities they bring to writing! So, SLOW may be ahead of the trend!"}, {"response": 982, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, May  4, 1999 (08:07)", "body": "Another BTW, Caroline Goodall, Colin's \"wife\" in SLOW, is the star of a major drama series on TV tonight. I've only seen her as Michael Douglas's wife in something or other. Also, having read Cate Blanchett's reviews for \"Plenty\" (v.good but not outstanding) I think that of all the recent \"screen stars on stage\" CF has had the best reviews...along with Kevin Spacey. My son is planning a major tour of Italy for the summer (Youth hostels and rail travel)...I'm really quite envious.....he's leaving no stone unturned.(Except Umbria!) Welcome back Rita! I remember that ages ago you asked me about \"The Judas Kiss\" with Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson. As far as I know it has never been released in the cinema...only on Sky Box Office TV. I don't really understand this....except that distribution in the UK cinema is completely dominated by youth culture. In a recent survey in \"Empire\" and \"Total Film\" readers voted for the best films ever, ever made in the history of the cinema....and they were: Trainspotting and The Fully Monty! I give u ! :-)"}, {"response": 983, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May  4, 1999 (16:06)", "body": "Evelyn, are you okay,we have just head about the terrible Tornadoes in Oklahoma. Yes thank you...all is well...Spent a lot of time last evening and this morning in the basement...when the sirens go off, folks...I take cover!! **** Where are those reviews of MLSF, Lucie.? Again, I** plead**...firthettes...when you comment on a review or website pl.give us the URL so we can enjoy it too :-)"}, {"response": 984, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, May  4, 1999 (17:32)", "body": "Ditto, Lucie! Were those reviews on-line or in print? We just can't read enough good things about ODB. I leafed through some movie mags today at B&N (had to fight my way through all the Star Wars crap--it was on every shelf, suspended from the ceiling, 'how tall is Jar-Jar' cardboard cutouts rising from the floor, etc. Absolute sensory overload) because they featured summer movie previews. Nothing about MLSF (or FP). More Star Wars, Notting Hill, Austen Powers and Eyes Wide Shut (which received an R rating, BTW--can't bode well for MLSF insofar as available screens as Karen pointed out). Glad to see LA Times didn't miss the boat (don't forget the original title: World of Moss!). Sunday's NY Times had a tiny blurb (smaller than last year's) for MLSF. Glad to read all is well, Evelyn. A tornado for you, an earthquake for Marcia--what else does mother nature have in store for Spring? (Bethan) He'll have a chance to acquire a tan so that he doesn't look too pale and interesting in Cannes. LOL!"}, {"response": 985, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, May  4, 1999 (18:37)", "body": "(Evelyn) Yes thank you...all is well. Oh, well that's good news. I came to drool specifically today to see if someone heard from you. Now I can go back to stressing over my Physical Comp project...see you in a week (when school's over) chickies. :-)"}, {"response": 986, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, May  4, 1999 (18:53)", "body": "Wonderful balm for the stresses of life, catching up on your posts I mean!!!"}, {"response": 987, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, May  4, 1999 (18:57)", "body": "Thanks to everyone for all the snippets they have garnered re films etc How are you Rita, good to have you back. Evelyn, so glad you are safe and sound. The Aussie pic is just fabulous isn't it, do we know when it was taken? Would love to linger longer!!!!"}, {"response": 988, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May  4, 1999 (20:42)", "body": "(Eileen) Eyes Wide Shut (which received an R rating, BTW...) Boggles the mind, does it not?!! Payoffs to the MPAA would make the Salt Lake City Olympic bribery seem like pocket change... And they had to cut snippets from The Advocate?! Spoke to Evelyn earlier. Tornado's path was a mere 2 miles away. No damage at her house, but it was scary."}, {"response": 989, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, May  4, 1999 (23:49)", "body": "Jana and other AOL users. I had a hard time last week too. I've never had a problem with Explorer before so it might just be temporary but I loaded Netscape Navigator for free anyway and now use that to log in. Just search for Netscape and you'll find all your options. Remember to go back into Windows to start Netscape once you load it. It doesn't work well for me in Chat though so I go back to Explorer for that. Other than that, I have no problem with AOL. What is Caroline Goodall's filmography? Too lazy to go into IMDB, sorry. I have no idea what she looks like and since we're unlikely to ever see this film, I'll have to let my imagination play instead. Evelyn, I haven't picked up a newspaper or turned on the TV in two days. Wha' happened? (Karen) Payoffs to the MPAA would make the Salt Lake City Olympic bribery seem like pocket change... Good one, dear. Think they snipped or Tom Cruise really does have that much pull?"}, {"response": 990, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (00:40)", "body": "Murph must have a lot of friends and I know why. She's heard from someone who has told her about a new BBC radioplay Colin will be performing in in June and she, of course, wants everyone to know about it. Thanks, Murph, for sharing. Here's the info: Rupa Lucian Who gets BBC Radio?"}, {"response": 991, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (00:58)", "body": "Anyone who has downloaded RealAudio and RealVideo can get all the foreign short wave services. BBC, included."}, {"response": 992, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (02:34)", "body": "http://www.AudioNet.com/bbc/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/schedules http://www.real.com/ to download the software to listen It is free."}, {"response": 993, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (02:35)", "body": "Heide, I believe Caroline Goodall was in \"Schindler's List\" -- played the Jewish girl Ralph Fiennes' character was enamoured with. Thanks for the info re: Rupa Lucian. Is one to conclude, since Colin has first billing, that he \"plays\" the Rumanian soldier rather than the English husband?"}, {"response": 994, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (02:47)", "body": "http://www.real.com/realguide/index.html Another possible source of information and the place which has RealAudio."}, {"response": 995, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (04:04)", "body": "Caroline Goodall played Mrs. Schindler. Embeth Davidtz (sp?) played the prisoner who worked in Amon's house. She was just in The Gingerbread Man. Ooh Marcia, I just checked out the BBC World Service sites. Neat. Is there a way to put it directly on tape?"}, {"response": 996, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (04:41)", "body": "The MLSF reviews are in Murph's site . In MLSF 4-27-99 The comment about him being the most under rated English star is under viewers comments."}, {"response": 997, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (07:06)", "body": "I'll most certainly record the drama and make tapes for anyone who wants! Instant replay. But you can all get BBC World Service and the reception will be excellent....when we lived abroad we listened to it all the time. Just check out the wavelengths...details must be at the BBC website. The quality of radio drama can be outstanding...you really listen and \"see\" in your mind's eye. And you get the opportunity to concentrate on the voices."}, {"response": 998, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (12:51)", "body": "(SusanMC),Is one to conclude, since Colin has first billing, that he \"plays\" the Rumanian soldier rather than the English husband? He does seem into doing accents. Once again we'll miss that voice. It does tend to change with accents. If this happens end of June, I shall be in Italy, and would appreciate a tape once I'm back in Aug. A loaner will do. :-) I hope Colin will be ready for a vacation in July. Bethan, tell your son that in Menaggio on Lake Como they have the best youth hostel in Italy. The owners love to cook and even the locals eat there. Of course, Lake Como is one of the most beautiful places in Italy. Lucky me who always get to spend a month there."}, {"response": 999, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (13:55)", "body": "(Moon) Lake Como is one of the most beautiful places in Italy Ooh, I was through that area last summer (Lake Maggiore, too). It certainly is beautiful! Yes, lucky you! Wonderful news about the radio play. Thanks for the links, Marcia. Depending on when it's aired, I may take you up on your generous tape offer, Bethan. I'm very encouraged that ODB's projects are lining up! (Karen) Payoffs to the MPAA would make the Salt Lake City Olympic bribery seem like pocket change... (Heide) Good one, dear. Think they snipped or Tom Cruise really does have that much pull? Hee hee! I think it's a combination of both. Or else those shots we're seeing (and seeing and seeing and seeing) is the film's most risque...naahh. It's Tom."}, {"response": 1000, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (14:11)", "body": "I just popped over to Murph's site to check out those reviews (per Lucie). They're not really reviews--it's that piece from 'Ain't it Cool News' we all saw back in Feb. (the one we debated was old vs. recent). A few \"viewers\" responded to the review. They did *not* see the film. They sound like us--CF fans, with only good things to say, of course!"}, {"response": 1001, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (15:14)", "body": "(Heide) Think they snipped or Tom Cruise really does have that much pull? (Eileen) It's Tom. It's Tom and Greed. Theater owners who saw the preview probably put up a huge ruckus because they wouldn't be able to cash-in on the 17 and unders (i.e., one of their bigger audiences) who couldn't get into The Phantom Menace! Cruise threatened about re-editing, didn't he? He seems to make good on his threats. Why do they even bother with ratings?"}, {"response": 1002, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (15:19)", "body": "Have checked out the broadcast.com linkup with BBC World Service and it does work. Now to figure out how to tape off it... Must be a way. There's that little jack on one of my speakers for earphones. Could that somehow be connected with a boombox to record? Marcia???? Bethan, BBC World Service is picked up by National Public Radio in many places in the US as an FM radio station. Unfortunately, they only seem to broadcast the news at periodic intervals--not the radio play of the week. It appears one would have to have a shortwave radio for that."}, {"response": 1003, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (17:55)", "body": "Well let's hope they don't broadcast it on June 12th!! I want to listen as it goes out. JF was of course in \"War and Peace\" , that's as in Firth not Fiennes!! Made good Sunday listening! Of course he cannot quite deliver like his big brother!!"}, {"response": 1004, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (17:58)", "body": "If you are within the broadcast range of WGBH Boston, you can listen to the World Service on the SAP (Second Audio Program) of your hifi VCR or television. Just turn on WGBH/2 and then turn SAP to the ON position. Voila! BBC WS. Just hope that the broadcast doesn't coincide with one of GBH's Descriptive Video Service broadcasts (e.g. Mystery, Sesame Street, Masterpiece Theatre, etc.) which will always get priority. Otherwise, plug your tape deck into the Line Out connection of your computer's audio card and go to the WS web site. This can be problematic if you connection is slow, but better than nothing. Final option for those of us in North America is to buy a short wave radio (your AM/FM radio won't cut it). Not many people own these (unlike in the Rest of the World, where they are a necessity of life and travel). The Play of the Week tends to be on very early AM on Sunday for me here on the East Coast of the US. I haven't listened in a while. Don't forget that the times listed on the BBC site are GMT. You must convert to your timezone, allowing for Daylight Saving Time if necessary. Chris"}, {"response": 1005, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (19:15)", "body": "(Karen) It's...Greed Goes without saying! Why do they even bother with ratings? V. good question. I can't recall the last movie receiving the dreaded NC-17."}, {"response": 1006, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (20:06)", "body": "Thank you Chris for the additional info. Now to figure that out!! Speaking of Fiennes (however briefly), did anyone catch the Bravo special on the family Fiennes? It was primarily about their mother Jini, who wrote under her maiden name of Jennifer Lash. She also painted. Her last book, Blood Ties, was published posthumously. There were home movies and interviews with all the kids. Amazingly, Jake doesn't look that similar to Joe, his twin."}, {"response": 1007, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (20:44)", "body": "somehow this topic is in my forgotten field, how'd it happen? I was wondering why it was never coming up. How do I \"unforget\" it?"}, {"response": 1008, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (20:54)", "body": "Thank you Chris...best bet for me is a short wave."}, {"response": 1009, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (21:06)", "body": "I listen only to shortwave radio and except for some very powerful relay stations, the propagation has been so poor lately, they are all but silent during daylight hours. Evenings I can get anywhere via receilver. However, this is not a problem with the Internet and foreign broadcasts. That comes to us directly from satellite and is crystal clear I have taping capabilities on both the receiver on my desk and via my PC speakers. One can either place a small recorder in front of your speaker (either on ), Or, if your tape recorder has an audio input jack, plug a patch cord between the headphone hole on your speaker and the audio input on your recorder!"}, {"response": 1010, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (00:47)", "body": "Anyone gonna tell me how I can re-activate this topic again?"}, {"response": 1011, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (03:53)", "body": "Go look on the main Drool page for those \"forgotten\" links and there's a mysterious \"n/f\" thing on the left. I'm not sure how any of those things work though. I've never designated anything to forget. If those things don't work, ask the boys sitting on the Porch conference."}, {"response": 1012, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (03:57)", "body": "This is from \"Help\" Laura: Possible ranges All | New | Activity within last week | Forgotten With the \"All\" command, you may choose to view all the topics and responses in the conference, and not just the ones that have seen recent activity. You may also select to see only topics with \"new\" activity. That is, topics that have new respones since the last time you visited. Or you may select to see only those topics that have seen activity within the last 7 days. Or choose to see the topics you previously chose to \"forget.\""}, {"response": 1013, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (12:16)", "body": "I've done that, but it's firmly stuck in the forgotten field:( What I have been doing is just clicking on the last 5 msg on the bottom of the page, in hopes that it would \"re-activate\" it. No such luck."}, {"response": 1014, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (12:25)", "body": "Thank you, Karen, for your help. I forgot to include that in the message above."}, {"response": 1015, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (12:34)", "body": "Duh, there is a remember button right at the top and at the bottom!"}, {"response": 1016, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (12:36)", "body": "Eileen, where exactly where you in Lake Como? I know it is a favorite place with Brits and I am always on the lookout for you know who."}, {"response": 1017, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (13:07)", "body": "Director John Boorman has come aboard the remake of \"The Sea Wolf,\" an adaptation of the Jack London novel that Imagine Entertainment's Brian Grazer is producing for Columbia Pictures. A fall start date is being eyed. The 1904 novel centers on a bloodthirsty sea captain who reigns tyrannically over his vessel, the Ghost. When he picks up survivors of a capsized ferryboat, they soon realize their chances of getting off the Ghost alive are poor. \"I've been wanting to bring this story to the screen for about 15 years,\" Grazer said. \"I'm thrilled that John is now on board. He has this mano a mano dynamic in his films going back as far as 'Deliverance.' It's a dynamic that's different every time, but it's always compelling and thrilling.\" ************* Mmmmm, do you think there'll be anything for Colin?"}, {"response": 1018, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (13:36)", "body": "Item about \"Arden Shakespeare\" going online just now on the news. Accompanied by a Wessex clip or two!! Funny how these little unexpected moments create a delicious shiver or two!!"}, {"response": 1019, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (13:39)", "body": "BTW an article in The Times yesterday on the highlights of the arts in Britain for the Summer mentiond TRT in its list of plays to see!! Karen, something nautical without a love interest for ODB? Now there's a thought----!!"}, {"response": 1020, "author": "livamago", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (14:55)", "body": "I must post, for I am all excitement. A few days ago I e-mailed Phaedra Cinema, the company that will release FP in the U.S. and I got a reply from the v.p.of distribution. \"We will be playing the film in Florida (Colin seems to have a lot of fans in FL!) , and will do everything we can to get the film to Tallahassee. The film is scheduled for release in late July in NY and LA and will expand to other areas of the country in early to mid August.\" The message goes on to say that I can contact them in early Aug. for an update on the expanded release. I am so excited. Even if the film doesn't come to this forgotten corner, I'm sure I'll drive to the nearest place it does."}, {"response": 1021, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (16:06)", "body": "Yippee!!!! Good News Indeed Lidya!!! :) *Dance of Joy commences*"}, {"response": 1022, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (16:06)", "body": "Great news, Lidya!! Time for the rest of us (i.e., non-Floridians) to make ourselves heard. Here's the URL: http://www.phaedracinema.com I wanna see those Arsenal boxer shorts, that left shoulder grind and those adorable dimpled cheeks on the BIG screen and that soundtrack in Dolby blaring all around me."}, {"response": 1023, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (16:55)", "body": "Karen, I saw that Fiennes family thing too and thought it was charming. But then, I'm an RF fan too (OK, everyone, don't shoot me, please;-)) Amazing how much Ralph and the second brother, Magnus, look alike -- much more so than the twins. Re: Sea Wolf -- I remember seeing the '40s version years ago -- starred Edward G. Robinson and John Garfield. Can't see Colin in the Robinson part (the captain) -- he's not old enough. He could play the Garfield part -- basically the handsome, studly guy who saves the day. And there was a love interest in it for the Garfield character -- although she might have been written into the script and not in the original Jack London story."}, {"response": 1024, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (19:33)", "body": "(Lidya), We will be playing the film in Florida (Colin seems to have a lot of fans in FL!), Well have I been good or what? (sending cheers from Miami) The Independant Film Channel will broadcast the Cannes Film Festival's Opening Ceremonies on May 12, at 1:30 p.m. EST. Let's hope we get a glimps of ODB."}, {"response": 1025, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (20:41)", "body": "Can't keep up with all these postings, so I hope I'm not repeating anything anyone else has posted! The BBC World Service play.....I phoned the BBC as I couldn't find the World Service on our shortwave radio. I've now located it on 6195 very loud and clear. CF's Roumanian play should be aired during the weekend of the 26/27 June, 22.30 and 05.30 British Summer Time. Everyone in the UK, south of Birmingham, and Europe, should get it on medium wave 648 without any problem. In the USA and elsewhere, I don't know, but I was told that you can very easily listen in to the World Service onlline via the BBC website...just find World Service, click on \"audio\"."}, {"response": 1026, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (20:50)", "body": "You can reach them at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice I will be in Italy then and would appreciate a copy to listen to on my return. I can send it back once I'm done. Merci!"}, {"response": 1027, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (21:29)", "body": "Bethan, thanks very much for the info."}, {"response": 1028, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (21:56)", "body": "I can't keep up with the posts either...and am glad Laura's problems are solved!! (Karen) Re; The Sea Wolf....mmmm, do you think there'll be anything for Colin? I hope so...but a love interest in that one? I don't remember one.The fall staring date would be good...aft school holidays. **** (Susan), I'm an RF fan too (OK, everyone, don't shoot me, please;-)) So am I, Susan...they have to shoot two of us.!! ***** OK...anybody interested in hearing about the Donmar Meeting on June 12th? ...I'll tell you anyway...Tineke is coming now and so is Aishling!!! We're up to 5 from Spring. (I'm working on the JE fan from LA to come on to Spring....) *****More Good Jennifer News : Contacted the publicist at the Donmar (same guys as did 3 DOR!!)Jennifer is slated to be on the cover of Harper's UK in mid June. And also on the cover of The Evening Standard Hot Tickets...(don't have a date ).She's good for covers..did a super Tatler one in August 1997. Also courtesy of Aishling we have a new TV interview of Jennifer coming. Sorry, this is OT...but I am finding lots of lurkers are JE fans."}, {"response": 1029, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (22:00)", "body": "Don't know why \"News\" is highlighted...what did I do wrong? ***** Off to Phaedra!!"}, {"response": 1030, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (23:10)", "body": "Karen, I think you've spotted something very interesting in the item about John Boorman and \"The Sea Wolf\". I read the novel several years ago, and remember really liking it (I like Jack London and I like books about the sea!). I'm rather vague now about the actual story line but there is a great role for Colin. The narrator is Humphrey something-or-other, a gentleman scholar in his mid thirties, who joins the crew of the Ghost as a working seaman, and the story is mainly about his relationship with Wolf Larsen the captain. it's interesting that Boorman went to see 3DOR...was there a reason for this? I would definitely watch the casting on this one...but I also want to see him in \"The Lion in Winter\"!! BTW, news report in UK press...hordes of British actors and directors are setting up stalls in the Cannes film mart, regarded as the best opportunity for selling British independent films, which are often overlooked in the major US marts. As Colin will (probably) be in Cannes for MLSF, and as SLOW was filmed on location in Cannes, isn't this a good sales opportunity? Or am I too simplistic? :-) Saw Caroline Goodall (CF's screen wife in SLOW) in a TV drama last night. Didn't care for the drama, but she's a very classy actress."}, {"response": 1031, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (23:24)", "body": "Forgot to mention, there's a lot of info about Ad de Bont, the dramatist who wrote Rupa Lucian, via Ask Jeeves. URL is http://www.aj.com aand search on Ad de Bont. He seems well known in Germany and writes about refugees...another play is about Bosnia."}, {"response": 1032, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May  7, 1999 (02:54)", "body": "From The Evening Standard; \"Britain Carries Cannes\" ..... Liz Taylor is back in service as host for the annual AMFAR Aids benefit, together with dog Sugar. Expected to join Liz and Sugar are Elton John, Liz Hurley, and Prince Albert of Monaco. The gala presentation that evening: My Life So Far, directed by Hugh Hudson, starring Colin Firth, Irene Jacob, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and Malcolm McDowell. Whether Liz Taylor can match Sharon Stone's tango of last year remains to be seen. I think for a Gala Presentation , the star of the film is expected to show up. His night to shine!!"}, {"response": 1033, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  7, 1999 (04:08)", "body": "Here's some more: Another version of Jack London\ufffds novel The Sea Wolf is set to go before the lens, with John Boorman (Deliverance, The General) directing. The book, which follows the story of a mad seaboat captain who rescues the survivors of a ferry disaster and then proceeds to harass them, has been on the big screen before, most notably starring Edward G Robinson in 1941. Then a few years ago, the film was all ready to go with Ron Howard directing Nic Cage. With Boorman now on board, the script is being rewritten by David Koepp, whose credits include Jurassic Park and Mission: Impossible. Koepp\ufffds taste for big action flicks should contrast nicely with Boorman\ufffds preference for character and story and Columbia, the studio behind the picture are hoping the collaboration with make for an intelligent blockbuster similar to Crimson Tide. There are no casting details as yet and it is not known whether Cage is still interested in the lead role. Koepp\ufffds taste for big action flicks should contrast nicely with Boorman\ufffds preference for character and story and Columbia Contrast nicely??? hmmmm"}, {"response": 1034, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, May  7, 1999 (05:58)", "body": "Bethan, my thoughts exactly re C.G Great part for her, shame about the drama! But then it was ITV!"}, {"response": 1035, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, May  7, 1999 (14:16)", "body": "(Moon) Eileen, where exactly where you in Lake Como? We literally passed through the area on our way to Lugano from St. Moritz. The next day we saw Isola Bella on Lake Maggiore and were off to Zermatt (a whirlwind tour, as you can see). (SusanMC) He could play the Garfield part -- basically the handsome, studly guy who saves the day. Sounds great ...but would he do it (see comments in 'Good Taste' article at Murph's site)? Columbia would probably want a bigger name for this part (hey, Adam Sandler is number 50-something on Hollywood's \"Most Powerful\" list [cough..gag..choke]--a sad state of affairs, no?). Thank goodness it's Boorman. We know he has great taste in actors ;-) (Bethan)The narrator is Humphrey something-or-other, a gentleman scholar in his mid thirties, who joins the crew of the Ghost as a working seaman, and the story is mainly about his relationship with Wolf Larsen,the captain. Ah-ha! I think you're on to something... (Evelyn)I think for a Gala Presentation, the star of the film is expected to show up Please, please, please, please! And I haven't even seen FP yet! It's great to see MLSF featured (at last) when so much attention has been focused on other summer films. Even 'Newsweek' failed to mention it in their summer preview piece (and they even had an art-house category). Liz Taylor is back in service...together with dog Sugar and we know how Colin likes dogs...anyone know which evening the AmFAR benefit is?"}, {"response": 1036, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, May  7, 1999 (15:02)", "body": "Evelyn, I believe the AmFAR benefit is on the 20th May, but I'm not absolutely sure. Karen do you know?"}, {"response": 1037, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  7, 1999 (15:19)", "body": "According to the Liz Smith column on Murph's news page, you are correct, Ann. May 20th... don't hit me I just don't see Colin going to Cannes even if Livia begs and Harvey threatens. Hanging around all those BEAUTIFUL people and BIG stars like Liz Taylor and Pia Zadora just doesn't seem like Colin."}, {"response": 1038, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, May  7, 1999 (15:30)", "body": "We won't hit you Before SiL, I would not think he'd attend either. True, I can't see him sitting at a beachfront cafe, wearing dark shades and sipping whatever-it-is-they-drink (Orangina? Hahaha), hob-nobbing with the hoity toity crowd (like Pia Zadora--LOL). That's not his style. But I can see he and Livia zipping in just for the evening. the AmFAR benefit is on the 20th May Thanks for answering my question so quickly, Ann and Karen. I shall make sure my butt is firmly settled on the couch for the entertainment shows on the 21st!"}, {"response": 1039, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, May  7, 1999 (16:19)", "body": "Yes I agree Karen."}, {"response": 1040, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, May  7, 1999 (16:23)", "body": "He wouldn't be the DB we love so well if he actively sought out and participated in such \"events\". But just a whirlwind visit? Could be. Glasgow is a good departure point!! Perhaps he will go to support Sir David, we,ve seen how well he and John Madden get on, maybe this is a reason, who knows? Eileen keep us fully posted, video on!!"}, {"response": 1041, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May  7, 1999 (16:31)", "body": "(Karen)..... Hanging around all those BEAUTIFUL people and BIG stars like Liz Taylor and Pia Zadora just doesn't seem like Colin. He might not have a choice.....hey, no one thought he'd show at the Academy Awards parties...and he attended the Miramax Family party on Saturday night. Like it or not...he is part of the Miramax family. M. has been good to him....a little pay-back wouldn't harm him."}, {"response": 1042, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May  7, 1999 (16:33)", "body": "Besides,his good friend, Kristin Scott Thomas is the Cannes MC this year."}, {"response": 1043, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, May  7, 1999 (17:40)", "body": "Evelyn, there is now also a reason why both Rosemary Harris and Jennifer should be there."}, {"response": 1044, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May  7, 1999 (19:19)", "body": "(Karen), don't hit me I just don't see Colin going to Cannes even if Livia begs and Harvey threatens. Hanging around all those BEAUTIFUL people and BIG stars like Liz Taylor and Pia Zadora just doesn't seem like Colin. It's the new Colin, Karen. I think he wants to be a bigger part of the scene. Afterall, he did get the best reviews at the Donmar in a while. He has movies coming out, he went to the Oscar parties, all the SIL premieres. And he has a new house and a wife with expensive taste in clothing. Livia of course will be thrilled. Also as Evelyn said, I think Harvey will insist. Evelyn, you only skimmed the north side of Lake Como. You must do Bellagio and the Tremezzina to really see it. Maybe next year?"}, {"response": 1045, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May  7, 1999 (19:22)", "body": "Sorry Evelyn, that should be Eileen. I guess your on my mind because of all the photos I keep seeing of OK."}, {"response": 1046, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May  7, 1999 (20:37)", "body": "(Ann)Evelyn, there is now also a reason why both Rosemary Harris and Jennifer should be there. I dunno about Jennifer...(she didn't go last year..although they screened Bedrooms and Hallways) ....but I would think maybe Mum would be there...although she is down the list in the cast. But MLSF is Colin's Film ....the first in a long time that he has starred in for Miramax.And he is the one that makes it \"sink or swim\"."}, {"response": 1047, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, May  7, 1999 (22:30)", "body": "(Lizza)But just a whirlwind visit? Could be. Glasgow is a good departure point!! And we know he whipped himself away from 3DOR rehersals to attend Berlinale on behalf of SiL. (Evelyn) Besides,his good friend, Kristin Scott Thomas is the Cannes MC this year. Another reason! (Although I do think he'll stick to the benefit and skip the festivities--Pia or not!). But MLSF is Colin's Film ....the first in a long time that he has starred in for Miramax.And he is the one that makes it \"sink or swim\". Indeed!"}, {"response": 1048, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  7, 1999 (23:16)", "body": "OK, I'll be looking for Colin to be hanging out with Arnold \"The Terminator\" Schwarzenegger and doing deals!! ;-) About that radio play, I know someone here who has a CD writer with her new PC. What better use than taking it for a test drive with Colin's new play. I won't name names"}, {"response": 1049, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, May  8, 1999 (01:04)", "body": "Please, please, please, please.... I can see he (and Livia)... - I can see another example of the English language losing its inflections. Why is it happening? Is it inevitable? Any language buffs out there?"}, {"response": 1050, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, May  8, 1999 (07:50)", "body": "I'm sure he'll appear at Cannes......it's an easy return shuttle flight from Glasgow to Nice! And the AMFAR Charity event sounds like a big event in the social calendar over there....lots of well-heeled ladies of a certain age (more Rolls Royce than Volvo!) \"The Seawolf\"....Hmmmm.....it cetainly doesn't seem to have the right screenwriter, but with Boorman at the helm it could still be a good project, and I hope Colin is involved! Evelyn, I'm very happy to hear that you weren't badly affected by the tornados. It must have been an awful experience."}, {"response": 1051, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May  8, 1999 (12:13)", "body": "it cetainly doesn't seem to have the right screenwriter, but with Boorman at the helm it could still be a good project, and I hope Colin is involved! Found the entire paragraph rather convoluted or a non sequitar. Screenwriter of blockbuster action films + very good director of small character-driven films = great blockbuster action film. Lots of examples where this doesn't happen. Do you think Colin would be up for the same part as a Nicolas Cage? Cage can act (or used to); remember Leaving Las Vegas."}, {"response": 1052, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, May  8, 1999 (15:35)", "body": "ACK!! One can only hope with Ron Howard out of the picture, so is Nicolas Cage. Nothing against Nic but you know he'd have the \"John Garfield\" role which would only leave the \"Edward G. Robinson\" role for Colin. Don't do that to us!! The only reason we're even speculating on this, I suppose, is that Boorman was talking to Colin at the Donmar. I know this film would never cross my mind otherwise. I wouldn't be surprised to find he'd be in Cannes for a night. But watch the entertainment shows on the 20th as well as the 21st - don't forget the time difference."}, {"response": 1053, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May  8, 1999 (17:23)", "body": "(Heide) ACK!! Nothing against Nic but you know he'd have the \"John Garfield\" Of course he would, although Colin is more of a John Garfield (i.e, sensitive) type than Nic IMO, even Nic in his pre-Con Air days!! ;-) which would only leave the \"Edward G. Robinson\" role for Colin ACK!! Don't even think it!!"}, {"response": 1054, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, May  8, 1999 (22:04)", "body": "(Bethan)Evelyn, I'm very happy to hear that you weren't badly affected by the tornados. It must have been an awful experience. Thank you, Bethan, I live southwest of Oklahoma City...sort of where the tornado began...it passed 2 miles west from me(as an F1 category) ( I was safe in basement).Then as it veered north, it intensified and hit Okla. City as an F 5 (250 miles per hr winds.It was scary around here but no damage sustained because the winds were not strong enough at that level....thankfully.Portions of Okla. City have been leveled.Very sad."}, {"response": 1055, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, May  9, 1999 (02:42)", "body": "Evelyn. I have seen the pictures, very scary. What a miracle that the baby girl was found. I\"m glad you had a place to go, it seems like few did. They said on the news today that the winds reached over 300 mph. Worse than a hurricane. At least one has time to prepare for a hurricane."}, {"response": 1056, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, May  9, 1999 (07:48)", "body": "Evelyn, I have been thinking of you all week but have not been able to access Spring (had to resort to the laptop from work and a toll call to get on now). So glad you're OK! The destruction a tornado can do is truly terrifying. Heide, thanks for the instructions about Netscape. I'll see if I can manage it because &!*@&^#*! AOL does not appear to want to cooperate with Spring. And now I have to try and figure out how to tape the BBC? Heavens, wish I wasn't such a techno-retard :-("}, {"response": 1057, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, May  9, 1999 (22:07)", "body": "(Bethan)CF's Roumanian play should be aired during the weekend of the 26/27 June, 22.30 and 05.30 British Summer Time Arghh! We have guests that weekend. How shall I be able to sneak away for a quiet listen to the radio? Glad you escaped the worst of the tournado, Evelyn. I have just returned from the US. I was watching CNN as a bad weather warning flashed up for our area. I was on the 25th floor at the time and thought .. now what do I do? Fortunately it passed us by but the pictures from Oklahoma were terrifying. Those poor people."}, {"response": 1058, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, May 10, 1999 (06:59)", "body": "According to Lisbeth's Timeline webpage Colin is to be in Cannes on the 20th May, to attend the Gala Presentation of MLSF, I think this is excellent, and bodes well for the film. Great Colin (and Livia?)."}, {"response": 1059, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 10, 1999 (14:09)", "body": "I have a feeling we will see him on David Letterman and Jay Leno this summer as well. He seems ready for it all!"}, {"response": 1060, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, May 10, 1999 (14:24)", "body": "(Arami) Please, please, please, please.... I can see he (and Livia)... - I can see another example of the English language losing its inflections. Why is it happening? Is it inevitable? Any language buffs out there? Oh, my! I didn't know we were being graded! Do forgive me my sins, but \"he and Livia\" sounds better to me than \"him and Livia.\" Had I been paying more careful attention, I suppose I could have written \"Livia and he\" or \"Colin and Livia.\" Is the subject matter herein getting so boring that one must resort to this? (Ann) According to Lisbeth's Timeline webpage Colin is to be in Cannes on the 20th May Goody! Now let's see if the story receives any air time. Thanks for reminding us about the time change, Heide (ET ran a story on SiL's London premiere on the actual night it took place). Let us hope that 'Star Wars' doesn't overrun the shows (it opens on the 19th)."}, {"response": 1061, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, May 10, 1999 (16:17)", "body": "Ann, thanks for confirming the Cannes event for us!! We were right Ladies! ITV is reporting every morning on breakfast news, so we may be lucky you never know. Good to hear the radio timings too, thanks."}, {"response": 1062, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, May 10, 1999 (17:03)", "body": "Is the subject matter herein getting so boring that one must resort to this? With Arami on the case, one must check and double check his or her grammar. And welcome back, Arami, you've been terrificly quiet lately!"}, {"response": 1063, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, May 10, 1999 (17:25)", "body": "Talking of being quiet these days----- where are you Ben? Buying a ticket for an Ehle Extravaganza? We need to hear your drooling, it's a bit quiet these days for us, well until May 20th!!"}, {"response": 1064, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, May 10, 1999 (18:13)", "body": "one must check and double check his or her grammar IMO life's too short, as long as the content is not unintelligibly garbled. There's so many other things to talk about. Let's get back to the subject matter at hand...and just have fun. I read awhile ago that Ben was having computer trouble, Lizza. No doubt he has been informed somehow of said Ehle Extravaganza!"}, {"response": 1065, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, May 10, 1999 (18:31)", "body": "I know that Ben will be up here in Boston/Cambridge area in a couple of weeks. If he doesn't log on or check back, I will gladly tell him that his harem is/was looking for him:) I believe he'll be quite happy to hear it. (was that grammatically correct? ;p)"}, {"response": 1066, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, May 10, 1999 (18:53)", "body": "his harem is/was looking for him Hee hee Happy to hear that Ben is OK Laura, I was beginning to worry!"}, {"response": 1067, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May 10, 1999 (20:47)", "body": "Winter posted on VV re: an article in Redbook Mag that Liam Neeson is quitting Hollywood. There was a corresponding article on the Press Association website quoting him as saying that \"actors are just puppets in Hollywood\"...he will continue his theatre career, however. Actually, I have always thought that Colin could play the roles that LN has had...only better . Esp. Jean Valjean in Les Miserables. Perhaps now they will be offered to ODB:-)"}, {"response": 1068, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (00:15)", "body": "I didn't know we were being graded! You are not. The reason for my linguistic nit-picking is that these boards are not only public - they are international. I know that some of us whose first language is not English hope to improve our knowledge by observing native English speakers. And I have always been very curious about the recent changes. \"he and Livia\" sounds better to me than \"him and Livia.\" Yet if he had been on his own, would you say \"I saw he\"? There seems to be a curious inconsistency in these inflections and I am determined to study it. Is the subject matter herein getting so boring that one must resort to this? Not at all. In a way it has a lot to do with CF himself. He has recently said that actors have a very strong and intense relationship with language. I have yet to catch him making an inadvertent mistake in his speech. :-)"}, {"response": 1069, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (00:18)", "body": "Oh, and Laura, thanks for your welcome! I didn't know you cared... ;-p (Yes, I was away for a while)."}, {"response": 1070, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (00:49)", "body": "Murph has re-designed the front page of her website....with the new \"Good Taste\" picture of Colin as the focal point. http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/4144/index.html It's super!! Thanks Murph!!"}, {"response": 1071, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (02:27)", "body": "(Eileen) I didn't know we were being graded! Oh but you are! And you've received top marks for \"plays well with others\" and we all know that all that counts in the real world. ;-)"}, {"response": 1072, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (02:51)", "body": "Hey all-- for some reason, my spring account has \"forgotten\" 118, and it's been murder trying to figure out how to get it back on my hot list. Still mulling over the decision about joining some of you at the Donmar. I currently have a ticket on hold, which I must purchase by tomorrow night. $575 RT from L.A.! This was through CheapTickets, the ticket consolidator. The price is somewhat reasonable...Ja oder nein? Ben has been swamped with work-- his students had their final exams, on top of turning in their end of turn papers. I'm in the same predicament. He may be lurking, though. Ben...you out there? (Evelyn)Actually, I have always thought that Colin could play the roles that LN has had...only better. Esp.Jean Valjean in Les Miserables. Perhaps now they will be offered to ODB:-) I don't think ODB has acquired that \"weathered\" look of maturity right now...I can't see him taking LN's roles just yet. His face hasn't aged enough (and his butt's still firm). What do ya'll think?"}, {"response": 1073, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (02:52)", "body": "their end of turn papers What the? I meant, \"end of term papers\""}, {"response": 1074, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (03:30)", "body": "Can you see ODB as a Star Wars character."}, {"response": 1075, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (12:12)", "body": "Winter, I had the same problem, just go to the top of the page and click on REMEMBER. Voila, it works!"}, {"response": 1076, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (12:19)", "body": "At least he explained his *retirement* plans. Hopkins, who just started on Mission Impossible 2 and has supposedly tentatively agreed to be in the Silence of the Lambs sequel still has NOT explained what retirement means to him!! ;-) Neeson backpedals on quitting films NEW YORK (CNN) -- As the saying goes, a quitter never wins and a winner never quits. Along those lines, actor Liam Neeson says he has no real intentions of quitting film work, despite what he says in the June issue of Redbook. \"I'm getting out. I'm retiring from movies next year,\" Neeson says in the Redbook article. \"Honest to God, I don't want to do it anymore.\" Now, the 46-year-old actor and father of two says he was just letting off some steam. \"It was something that came up from finishing a long period of work onstage and on film,\" Neeson says now. \"It's not true. I just was venting a bit of anger. I just was missing my family. And missing being on a trout stream.\" Given that the star of \"Rob Roy\" and \"Schindler's List\" has a lead role in this week's avidly awaited release \"Star Wars, Episode I: The Phantom Menace,\" Neeson has reason to reconsider the, uh, force of his original comments."}, {"response": 1077, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (12:58)", "body": "Can you see ODB as a Star Wars character Yup. He's a versatile actor....who would have guessed that he could have been the swarmy Wessex...."}, {"response": 1078, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (13:34)", "body": "Arami, if you're interested in studying English, I can think of more effective methods worthy of your pursuit than posting critical comments on a fan discussion board. Feel free to e-mail me and we can discuss them. Many of us are committed to encourage others to de-lurk. Some lurkers will not post because they are concerned about the quality of their English. Fear of criticism is surely a disincentive. To those I say *never mind* your English skills. It's your *thoughts* that count. Thanks, Karen, I do my best :-) During last night's entertainment shows, Liam was firmly retracting his \"I'm quitting\" comments while he and the other Phantom Menace stars defended their film against not-so-favorable criticism (see? There is a God!). All of a sudden PM is not expected to break box office records. Watch--if it does, the stories will say \"we knew it all along!\" Gotta love that Hollywood fickleness."}, {"response": 1079, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (17:09)", "body": "(Arami)The reason for my linguistic nit-picking is that these boards are not only public Arami is right in that people who are blessed with some other first language than English do observe here in detail how you native speakers use your language. Any flaws you make catch extremely easily, so watch yourself! :-))) BUT constantly picking at other peoples\ufffd language flaws is the best way of spoiling any fun anywhere and in Drool it happens surprisingly often unlike in the other Spring boards. I believe that Drool is linguistically demanding enough to scare some native speakers too!"}, {"response": 1080, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (18:12)", "body": "Any flaws you make catch extremely easily, so watch yourself! :-))) Did you mean 'are caught?' Speaking for myself, I can assure you the syntax used in my Master's thesis is quite different that that which I employ on an informal discussion board. The latter is loaded with dialect, colloquialisms and the like. If it is perfect, proper, textbook English any of you seek--you will not always find it here. The written English language is bent and stretched (in some ways, much too far--how many times have you seen 'your' when 'you're' was intended? Never mind how badly the spoken English language ca be mangled) but I would venture to guess the same could be said about your own native languages. Enough about grammar! Enough! Let's talk about Colin--that's why we're here."}, {"response": 1081, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (18:14)", "body": "Oh, great! A typing error! The top line should read \"than that.\" My, how cumbersome this can get!!"}, {"response": 1082, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (18:15)", "body": "Elena - thank you for your understanding and support. I don't believe I pick at anyone constantly , though. I didn't mean to criticize - only enquire. I think we are genuinely witnessing certain new trends in spoken English - after all, that's what happens in every living language. I'm sure our hero would be very interested in discussing it from an actor's point of view."}, {"response": 1083, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (19:48)", "body": "yawn...let me know when class is out. ;-)"}, {"response": 1084, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (19:53)", "body": "...or (intended in a more constructive way) why don't you start up a \"Language\" discussion board at Spring?"}, {"response": 1085, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (20:47)", "body": "Let'a talk about Colin, that's definitely why I am here. I shall be away next week so please keep the Board informed of any Cannes sightings for me to read about when I get back, Thanx"}, {"response": 1086, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (21:21)", "body": "Yes...let's talk about Colin...discussing grammar is boring on any level. It really should be done via email.I move that our hosts make that suggestion...anybody second?"}, {"response": 1087, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (21:57)", "body": "I second."}, {"response": 1088, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (22:14)", "body": "A motion to have grammar questions discussed via email is on the floor and has been seconded by the Right Honorable Member from the Sunshine State. We've had our discussion, so I'll put it to a vote. All in favor say Aye: Aye!!!! All oppopsed: (silence) The Ayes have it. Motion passed. Let's get past this. ;-)"}, {"response": 1089, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (22:15)", "body": "No commenting on the typo, please!"}, {"response": 1090, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (22:27)", "body": "back to Colin according to Lisbeth's Timeline website Colin is not to be in the BBC World Service Radio play in June, apparently it was an error on the BBC Website, how very disappointing."}, {"response": 1091, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (22:45)", "body": "Okay, I'll talk about Colin... The Guardian Film Review reports \"First-time director for BJD\". Working Title has appointed Sharon Maguire as director of the film version of BJD. She has a lot of experience in making documentaries, but this is her first movie. News of cast to follow?? Also, I know that we're conjecturing about John Boorman and the casting for \"The Sea-Wolf\", but I found my copy of the book and skimmed through it, and I have to say that Colin is ideal for the part of Humphrey Van Leyden, a rich, bookish, civilised man in his mid thirties. His ship goes down, and he is rescued and forced to join the crew of the Ghost as an ordinary seaman, where he comes into conflict with the captain, Wolf Larsen, whom he both admires, and detests for his brutality. The novel centres on the battle for supremacy between these two men. It's a leading role, very strong dramatically, heroic, and there is a passionate (but repressed!) love affair with a young woman rescued from another shipwreck. I'll temper my enthusiasm by saying that it's not the sort of role that is normally given to an English actor, and it will probably go to a Hollywood bankable \"star\"!! But I hope I'm wrong.....it's Mutiny on the Bounty/Hornblower/Blue Lagoon combined with Deliverance!"}, {"response": 1092, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (02:37)", "body": "She has a lot of experience in making documentaries, but this is her first movie. Scary! I've seen a lot of films from those \"documentary-turned-feature-film-makers.\" Usually, they don't turn out very well. But I'll give her the benefit of the doubt. I suppose it depends on her education in filmmaking."}, {"response": 1093, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (07:20)", "body": "I have just read at Lisbeth's Timeline site that MY Life So Far is to get its World Premiere at The Newport Internation Film Festival 1-6th June, that could be why it's US release date was put back to July. Anybody live near Newport?"}, {"response": 1094, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (07:47)", "body": "Karen/Heidi - I am having trouble posting here. See comments on #107."}, {"response": 1095, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (13:50)", "body": "Here's the website for the Newport Film Festival. MLSF is listed as \"US Premiere\" and there's a sentence in the press release. http://www.newportfilmfestival.com/ Wonder if I can get a room with an ocean view at The Breakers? Second choice, Marble House. (hee hee) Ann, remember 3DOR: Rhode Island is tiny. Newport would be fairly close to anyone in New England, especially Boston people. Hey, I've got a cousin in Providence...."}, {"response": 1096, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (13:59)", "body": "At the website, there's an online form to volunteer to work at the fetival. The last question is: What skills do you feel could be used during the festival? Let's see: Exceptional willingness and desire to be Colin's escort. Knowledge of private coves along shore..."}, {"response": 1097, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (14:00)", "body": "Will he attend the premi\ufffdre? I doubt it. He probably considers Cannes a must but not Newport. If the reaction is good, he will do LA and NY. World Premi\ufffdre is a big word."}, {"response": 1098, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (14:03)", "body": "Thank goodness class is out. I love recess. :-) (Bethan)...it's Mutiny on the Bounty/Hornblower/Blue Lagoon combined with Deliverance! LOL! It certainly doesn't sound boring. Working Title has appointed Sharon Maguire as director of the film version of BJD (Winter) Scary! Sounds kind of risky for such a highly anticipated movie. It makes sense to have a woman direct; after all, it is a woman's story aimed at a target audience of women (unless the screenplay dramaticaly departs from the book--kind of doubtful with Andy and Helen at the helm). Now for the cast....(there's that drumroll again). (Ann) that could be why it's US release date was put back to July. Karen's right about the reason: screen availability. I was reading more 'Star Wars' blitz last night (here in the US it's everywhere you turn). This is from 'Newsweek': \"The lucky exhibitors who'll get to show the movie had to agree to a pile of unprecedented conditions: 'Phantom' has to run in the biggest, bestest theater in a multiplex and can't be moved without permission for two to three months--thereby shutting out subsequent movies like Stanley Kubrick's 'Eyes Wide Shut.' If the movie runs on multiple screens, it has to continue to do so...\" Even though it's only opening on 3,000 screens, it will stay there for the rest of the summer. With so many other movies to be accomodated, MLSF likely had to stand in line with the rest. 'Newsweek' killed PM, BTW. Talk about bad reviews...whew! Newport's lovely. The Firths should be there...maybe there's a way I can wangle another trip up there (it will have to be with my DH). Hmmm, can I come up with a plausible reason for seeing The Breakers again? Chateau Sur Mer? (Ann) Colin is not to be in the BBC World Service Radio play in June, apparently it was an error on the BBC Website, how very disappointing. Bummer! Why do you build me up, build me up baby, just to let me down..."}, {"response": 1099, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (14:30)", "body": "I live not too far from Rhode Island. Anyone wanna come, they can stay with me! Newport is about 45 minutes from my house. Hmmm... Maybe, I'll go and check it out."}, {"response": 1100, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (14:35)", "body": "I was thinking, Lizbeth said it was the World Premiere but of course it can't be if it is being shown at Cannes in May. (She must have meant US Premiere). I feel quite optimistic about MLSF now and really envy you all being able to see in in a few weeks time, goodness knows when we will get it here, someone said Christmas for goodness sake, still possibly we will have Colin on stage, DQ on the Television and Colin in MLSF on the big screen all at the same time!!"}, {"response": 1101, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (15:33)", "body": "(testing posting...my apologies for the interuption)"}, {"response": 1102, "author": "aschuth", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (15:35)", "body": "(posting testing. dito)"}, {"response": 1103, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (15:47)", "body": "Laura, I do hope you get to go to Newport, as least you know you will definitely get to see MLSF, we don't know for sure that its 16th July, release date won't be changed again and you can report back. Best of Luck."}, {"response": 1104, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (17:26)", "body": "I will definitely go and see this movie and report back. Newport is a great place to visit."}, {"response": 1105, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (17:30)", "body": "I too live less than an hour from Newport -- Laura, we're probably neighbors, unbeknownst to each other;-) Isn't Colin supposed to be shooting DQ through the first week in June? Sounds like it'll be cutting it close for him to attend the Newport premiere."}, {"response": 1106, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (17:58)", "body": "Does that mean you will be going as well Susan, the more that can go and sup-ort Colin the better, I would really love to go and Newport sounds lovely but I have already planned my summer holiday, I don't think I could convince my husband we should go to America as well!"}, {"response": 1107, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (18:01)", "body": "It does say US premiere at the film festival's website. How does your place compare to The Breakers or Marble House, Laura? ;-) Chateau Sur Mer was closed when I was there. But you've seen one mansion, you've seen 'em all!"}, {"response": 1108, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (18:38)", "body": "Susan, what about that great chat idea of yours? If we would like him to do it this year, I guess we should decide something about a preferred month etc. and then just bravely contact his agency about it as soon as possible. I believe it\ufffds a very remote chance that he\ufffdd do it but one can always hopefully ask!"}, {"response": 1109, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (18:41)", "body": "I see that An Ideal Husband will also have the US Premiere.... that means Minnie Driver for sure.She never misses...in costume, of course."}, {"response": 1110, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (18:41)", "body": "The schedule for the NIFF will be posted on Friday, but one of the staff said it will be shown twice: once on a weekday and once on the weekend. They do not know at this point whether anyone associated with the film will be attending. BTW, she also wanted to know how I knew about this film. Why is this always such a difficult question to answer? ;-)"}, {"response": 1111, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (19:18)", "body": "What was your answer Karen???"}, {"response": 1112, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (19:27)", "body": "How does your place compare to The Breakers or Marble House, Laura? ;-) ] Honestly? It doesn't:) But for people traveling out of town, it highly reasonably priced (free) and I cook! Susan, I live in Attleboro, MA which is 5-8 miles east of Providence. And I've only passed thru Newport, I've never really done any sighseeing! (a shame really.) Evelyn, an Ideal Husband, is that the same story that JE's mom was in on Broadway?"}, {"response": 1113, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (19:35)", "body": "The gremlins at Spring really are at work. I shall conquer this..."}, {"response": 1114, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (19:42)", "body": "What I have been trying to say for the last 24 hours is that the news that BJD is to be directed by a first time director does not seem to me to bode well for BJD. I suspect that what the gremlins didn't want me to say is that I think it would be a mistake for Colin to take the part of MD unless the script is VERY good and the cast star-studded. I think he could lay himself open to all sorts of ridicule if he takes a part in a less than high profile film and just reprises his role as FD in modern cloth s. If he does do it, I hope they pay him lots of cash to make it worth his while;-))"}, {"response": 1115, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (19:54)", "body": "so that he can return to the London stage and be able to afford to do 2months instead of just 2 weeks."}, {"response": 1116, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (19:56)", "body": "LOL Ann! A happy thought indeed."}, {"response": 1117, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (20:30)", "body": "(Karen), Chateau Sur Mer was closed when I was there. But you've seen one mansion, you've seen 'em all! I beg to differ! Why don't we invite Colin to chat with us on September 10, his birthday? We can plan a party once again.;-))"}, {"response": 1118, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (20:55)", "body": "Re: BJD I think that Working Title have a reputation for making good choices of directors...and sometimes taking risks. Shekar Kapur was a controversial choice for a period drama like \"Elizabeth\", but he delivered the goods. Perhaps they want a more \"real\" documentary type approach to filming, rather than glossy \"Notting Hill\" unreality. Just guessing! And first time directors are often quite successful."}, {"response": 1119, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (21:34)", "body": "(Evelyn) that means Minnie Driver for sure.She never misses...in costume, of course. I'm trying to picture her Oscar getup with a nautical...hmmmm... argh!! (Ann) What was your answer Karen??? After a lot of er-ing and ah-ing, I finally said that one of the actors is a favorite of mine and I had heard about this movie a long time ago and knew it was being shown at the benefit at Cannes. Newport is lovely, Ann. Shame you can't talk James into coming here. It is very old (by American standards) and quaint; known for having the summer \"cottages\" of the richest people in the US in the 19th century and the yachting and regattas (like Cowes for you somewhat???). A great deal of historic significance there as well. BTW, some of these cottages are mini-Versailles. Allison, glad to see you've temporary gotten past the gremlins. (I'll let wer and Terry see if they can sort out your problems.) Bethan, why don't you post more from the BJD movie article. About how the director, Sharon Maguire, is HF's friend and supposedly the model for Shazzer, etc. Shekar Kapur was a controversial choice for a period drama like \"Elizabeth\", but he delivered the goods. Agree on first part, but disagree on the second. Moon, you're right. Some have more gold on their ceilings than others. ;-)"}, {"response": 1120, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (22:09)", "body": "(Laura)Evelyn, an Ideal Husband, is that the same story that JE's mom was in on Broadway? She might have...the more recent one she did was Edward Albee's \"A Delicate Balance\".BTW Sunshine is being featured at the Cannes Film Market (still in post production), but they did not list JE's name in the billing....Ralph Fiennes and her mum.!!"}, {"response": 1121, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May 13, 1999 (12:45)", "body": "Caught the opening ceremonies of Cannes. Kirsten Scott-Thomas spoke perfect french, Jeremy Irons and even Fay Dunaway pulled it off! I wonder if Colin will be making any speaches in french. He did study it in school. Wouldn''t that be a treat? The announcer's from the Independant Film Channel were a film prof. from Columbia U. and a French movie critic. They listed lots of films they were looking forward to seeing but NONE mentioned MLSF. Incroyable! The American Indies are to shine in Cannes this year, which is good news for Miramax since they have a few in competition."}, {"response": 1122, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May 13, 1999 (13:04)", "body": "Thanks Ladies for all the info. Laura, it is very nice of you to offer hospitality. Karen are you going? Newport is quite lovely and a nice break from the daily routine. You'll have to be prepared and get in all your questions if he does show up, and don't forget to invite him to Chat. They must have a clue as to the casting of BJD isn't there someone to call? If the director is a good friend of HF, there is a good chance Colin knows her too. At this point, I would like to know who they have for Bridget, and I'm sure they know."}, {"response": 1123, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 13, 1999 (13:24)", "body": "Kirsten Scott-Thomas spoke perfect french Isn't she married to a French doctor and lives in France? I seem to remember hearing about that when she was nominated for the AA for TEP."}, {"response": 1124, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, May 13, 1999 (13:45)", "body": "Yes, she is. She also has two sons."}, {"response": 1125, "author": "kcjones", "date": "Thu, May 13, 1999 (13:47)", "body": "I watched the Cannes tv coverage also...of course, with hopes of seeing CF...or at least Jeremy Northam...! No luck, of course. Quite the traffic jam of celebrities going into the event, and it moved soooo slowly. I agree Kristen Scott Thomas looked and sounded great!"}, {"response": 1126, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 13, 1999 (14:00)", "body": "From Reuters: Dench, who has been grande dame in London's West End theater district for years but has not graced Broadway in 40 years, said she found Broadway audiences' response to the play ``very refreshing.'' The nightly standing ovations are ``very un-British,'' as is the applause that marks her nightly on-stage entrance. ``That never happens in Britain,'' she said. (Karin) I watched the Cannes tv coverage also...of course, with hopes of seeing CF...or at least Jeremy Northam. Most of the news reports I've seen said that hardly anyone is in town yet. If you see JN or CF it will likely be on the day the films are shown."}, {"response": 1127, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Thu, May 13, 1999 (15:19)", "body": "OK, for the first time I'm going to give this italics thing a try. Here goes... (AnnW) Does that mean you will be going as well Susan, the more that can go and support Colin the better Ann, I would love to go. It will depend on whether Colin will definitely attend, what day it is, and whether I can find someone to babysit my two little boys:-) (Elena) Susan, what about that great chat idea of yours? If we would like him to do it this year, I guess we should decide something about a preferred month etc. I think July might be the best month. Both FP and MLSF will be opening then in the U.S. and CF will need to promote them \"by any means necessary.\" And hey, a chat with online fans is better than having to deal with Jay Leno, right? Laura, if you live in Attleboro, we are practically neighbors. I live in Franklin and drive through or near Attleboro when I go to R.I."}, {"response": 1128, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Thu, May 13, 1999 (15:27)", "body": "Hurray -- the italics seem to have worked! One small step for man, one giant leap for the technologically inept;-)"}, {"response": 1129, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, May 13, 1999 (15:48)", "body": "Susan, you are soooooooo close to me! Perhaps we should meet up at the Emerald Square Mall (or the strip joint, as I call it. Route 1 is amazing!)"}, {"response": 1130, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, May 13, 1999 (15:49)", "body": "OH and Susan, I forgot, if you would like to see this movie at the film festival, perhaps we could go together. email me at lauram30@yahoo.com"}, {"response": 1131, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 13, 1999 (16:03)", "body": "(Karen) Quoting article : Judi Dench\"The nightly standing ovations are ``very un-British,'' as is the applause that marks her nightly on-stage entrance. ``That never happens in Britain,'' she said.\" I told you we should have done that at the Donmar!! I had to sit on my hands when he came on stage.I think someone held me down when he was taking his bows....I was in the last row anyway...no one would have seen me. We should have let him know there were a few Americans in the audience. (Albeit, not wearing jogging suits....) I shall have to reconsider for TRT.Lots of mediocre actors get applause...the best should get a standing ovation and a few bravos too!!"}, {"response": 1132, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 13, 1999 (16:04)", "body": "Sorry about the ending tags.I just did it...hope they go away."}, {"response": 1133, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, May 13, 1999 (16:17)", "body": "Not to change the subject or anything, but last night Teri Hatcher starred in Cabaret here in Boston and she brought the house down. The show stopped for minutes after she sang the title song. (talk about a show-stopper! Teri Hatcher is getting RAVE reviews for her portrayal of British Sally Bowles!) I think Dame Judi Dench deserves the applause she is receiving. She is a wonderful actress and I would applaud her if I saw her live and in person."}, {"response": 1134, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 13, 1999 (16:31)", "body": "(Laura) think Dame Judi Dench deserves the applause she is receiving. She is a wonderful actress and I would applaud her if I saw her live and in person. \"Not always\"... ...I saw her last year in\" Filomena\" a Sir Peter Hall production and she was \"OK.\" (I would not have given her a standing ovation...but it was a shallow play) I will be seeing \"Amy's View\" on May 25. Will let you know."}, {"response": 1135, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, May 13, 1999 (16:47)", "body": "(Laura)ast night Teri Hatcher starred in Cabaret here in Boston and she brought the house down. The show stopped for minutes after she sang the title song. (talk about a show-stopper! Teri Hatcher is getting RAVE reviews So strange...she made her debut as Sally Bowles here in L.A. not too long ago, and got horrible reviews. I mean, to the point where the critics were ready to pull her off stage in mid-performance and strangle her! Perhaps she and the director did a major overhaul and rebuilt her performance from the ground-up. Good to know she's doing well. (Here's a bit of useless trivia about TH: she was a MATH major in college!)"}, {"response": 1136, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Thu, May 13, 1999 (17:50)", "body": "(Laura) Susan, you are soooooooo close to me! Perhaps we should meet up at the Emerald Square Mall (or the strip joint, as I call it. Route 1 is amazing!) Laura, if I do go to the premiere, I'll definitely have to stop by Emerald Square and get something decent to wear. Currently my wardrobe consists solely of \"mommywear\":-) God willing and babysitter permitting, would love to go to the premiere with you -- gotta run now, will send you email."}, {"response": 1137, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, May 13, 1999 (21:50)", "body": "Nice meetings coming up, I see :-) Evelyn, I felt like giving him a standing ovation too... (Evelyn)We should have let him know there were a few Americans in the audience. How can you forget you did let him know?"}, {"response": 1138, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 13, 1999 (22:04)", "body": "Re: Dench's comments All she was doing is pointing out the differences. The \"very refreshing\" comment referred to the audiences' response to the play, which could mean the standing ovations at the end. However, when in Rome... ;-)"}, {"response": 1139, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (00:29)", "body": "All she was doing is pointing out the differences. The \"very refreshing\" comment referred to the audiences' response to the play, which could mean the standing ovations at the end. And also could have been a very diplomatic response to the overexuberance many Americans tend to indulge in when it comes to seeing a major star, particularly a recent Oscar winner, on stage. Don't think Teri Hatcher quite falls in that company. ;-) Laura and Susan, I hope you can work it out for Newport. It would be great to get a first hand report. I'll hold off for the film opening later in the summer but if we hear Colin's gonna be there, I'll be there in 6 hours."}, {"response": 1140, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (01:04)", "body": "the applause that marks [Judi Dench's] nightly on-stage entrance. (Evelyn) I told you we should have done that at the Donmar!! You did? Well, so did I, but I was shouted down. But I knew I was right to suggest it, and it would not distract the actors: they are trained to cope with these things. A mobile phone ringing in the middle of a performance is absolutely diabolical and contemptuous. A burst of welcoming applause is heart-warming. And you, Colin's greatest fans, deprived him of it on his rare return to the stage."}, {"response": 1141, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (01:23)", "body": "All she was doing is pointing out the differences. The \"very refreshing\" comment referred to the audiences' response to the play, which could mean the standing ovations at the end. (Heide)And also could have been a very diplomatic response to the overexuberance many Americans tend to indulge in when it comes to seeing a major star, particularly a recent Oscar winner, on stage. I dunno...In the Heartland, we never get an Oscar star in plays and we give standing ovations anyway...even school productions. IMO I think an actor would be flattered to be the recipient of such spontaneous feelings .And an indication of a superior performance. (Arami)And you, Colin's greatest fans, deprived him of it on his rare return to the stage. I know, I know....and I hate myself for it. **** (Karen)...However,when in Rome... ;-) \"Not always\". **** (Evelyn)We should have let him know there were a few Americans in the audience. (Gi)How can you forget you did let him know? Well, I did in conversation...but I mean..we should have indicated by standing at the end...really for the whole cast too. Oh well....I admit it...I blew that one...."}, {"response": 1142, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (04:37)", "body": "Here's a link to the items being auctioned for the AmFAR benefit: http://auctions.yahoo.com/user/cinemaagainstaids_amfar"}, {"response": 1143, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (07:18)", "body": "I have news about CF from the Daily Mail but the gremlins are at it again! I am trying to post!"}, {"response": 1144, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (07:28)", "body": "Colin Firth who stars in the Miramax movie MLSF, which HH has directed from a script by Scottish playwright Simon Danald. The film will be screened in Cannes on Thursday for a gala Aids benefit. I can also tell you that Mr Firth, along with E McG and PM, will return to the Donmar Warehouse Theatre in London in Richard Greenberg's remarkable play, 3DOR. The drama ran for a few performances earlier this year and was such a hit that everyone decided to ressemble at the Donmar for a longer run, beginning o November 16. The production will break for Christmas and New Year, then return from January 5 to 22. The play, set on America's East Coast, explores the dynamite events that affect the life of a brother and sister, their parents and best friends over several decades. Article by Baz Bamigboye, Daily Mail."}, {"response": 1145, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (07:34)", "body": "Thanks Allison for perservering, great news, I was just hoping though that if it did return there might have been different co-stars, never mind thought it is great news."}, {"response": 1146, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (08:44)", "body": "Allison, re our recent conversation does this now mean that he must have signed up for BJD for a fantastic fee!!!"}, {"response": 1147, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (09:16)", "body": "Hey! now we can be terribly un-British and give him that standing ovation! And, yes, Ann, if he's to pay his mortgage, he must have a lucrative film offer lined up. Otherwise \ufffd200 per week and a standard BBC Scotland fee won't pay the bills!"}, {"response": 1148, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (10:30)", "body": "I bet he is not on a standard BBC Scotland fee. He was voted the most popular actor in 60 yearsd of the BBC. That would be a good negotiating starting point for his agent:-)"}, {"response": 1149, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (10:30)", "body": "I bet he is not on a standard BBC Scotland fee. He was voted the most popular actor in 60 years of the BBC. That would be a good negotiating starting point for his agent:-)"}, {"response": 1150, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (10:31)", "body": "I wonder what this lucrative film offer is for, any bets - Sea Wolf, BJD, Mary Queen of Scots (my choice), Enigma and the one you mentioned the other day Bethan, the name of which escapes me. BTW Bethan did you get my email re Miramax's London telephone number? and Bethan you really must try to at least go to a Matinee this time around, you will be glad you did. I hope to go to a couple of matinees so if you want company just ask."}, {"response": 1151, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (10:32)", "body": "Gremlins again!"}, {"response": 1152, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (10:35)", "body": "Gremlins again! I was referring to my double post, Ann!!!"}, {"response": 1153, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (12:10)", "body": "ah, not the film thank goodness for that!!! (re any bets - Marked Man?)"}, {"response": 1154, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (12:42)", "body": "Allison, thanks for the news! I am so happy they will return to the Donmar instead of a larger venue. Maybe this time I will manage to see it/him. (sigh*) It is fun trying to guess what his next project will be. Heide, do you think it's time to send another Fax?"}, {"response": 1155, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (12:42)", "body": "Ann, thanks for your kind offer. I'll certainly make it to the Donmar this time, but hopefully, with all the time to pre-plan, I won't have to make a secret trip on my own to London! My son will have started at Oxford so I reckon we can go down for a long weekend to see him (not that he'll want to see us!!) and combine this with a theatre trip. I've got five months to work on this scenario!! BBC Scotland...well maybe not the standard fee, but he won't be a rich man! That's one thing I admire in Colin...that he never seems motivated by money in his choice of projects. Otherwise he would be appearing in movies like \"The Mummy\"! I've seen some coverage of Cannes in the UK media, but don't really expect to see anything of Colin. MLSF isn't in competition, and he'll be busy filming DQ, so I presume his visit will be a fleeting one! Also the UK coverage, as usual, seems rather glamour fixated....items about Catherine Zeta Jones, now earning $5million a movie (why?),who insists on having an entourage of six bodyguards. Poor ol' Col can't compete! As to his next film, well my bet has to be on BJD. \"The Sea-wolf\" seems unlikely if it's a autumn shoot ( I actually don't think this is a good option...it's all been done before). And I'm still hopeful about \"The Lion in Winter\" because it's Pat O'Connor directing. I wonder if he'll be at Cannes with his wife (Mary Elizabeth M.) I've not read anything about \"Mary Queen of Scots\" but it may just be a starring vehicle for an actress, like \"Elizabeth\". BTW Karen, I haven't seen this yet, but I wasn't overly impressed by the clips. Ann, will reply to your email. Sorry for the delay."}, {"response": 1156, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (13:28)", "body": "Thanks Bethan,and congratulations on your son getting to Oxford, btw you say you are coming down to Oxford, for some reason I thought you lived in or near London and I know what you mean about visiting your son, we are going up to the Lake District next week and I thought it would be nice to pop in and see my son at Lancaster University, but it seems he is very busy finishing a project and getting it in on time, he said though that he may have time to go out for a meal, a free meal is always acceptable o poor students!!"}, {"response": 1157, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (13:30)", "body": "OK, evelyn... time to make amends....The gods are giving me another chance!! This time...watch out.... **standing ovation**. If Judi can get one, so can Colin. (Ann) I hope to go to a couple of matinees so if you want company just ask. I'll go with you ;-))) Should I get the tickets while I'm at the Donmar next month? Oh no, have to see James again at the box office...!!"}, {"response": 1158, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (13:31)", "body": "beginning on November 16. The production will break for Christmas and New Year, then return from January 5 to 22. May need a residency visa!! Thanks for posting the news, Allison, and continuing to persevere when faced with Yapp gremlins."}, {"response": 1159, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (13:38)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1160, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (13:46)", "body": "Allison, I forgot to say \"thanks!\" The Daily Mail (and Baz) really do come up trumps, every now and again! Please keep a lookout for BJD and any news of MLSF in the UK! BTW, BJD: The Sequel (whatever the title is!) is going straight to paperback (no hardback) at \ufffd6.99. I was in our local Waterstones the other day and asked about it. They were expecting delivery in April, but the date has been put back. Perhaps to coincide with the beginning of the film shoot...good PR! Sorry, this should be at #80...am too lazy."}, {"response": 1161, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (15:09)", "body": "I have just been out and bought the Daily Mail and interestingly Bethan there is also an item in the BB column \"Hopkins to play the Lion King. Anthony Hopkins and Meryl Streep are the favourites to star in a new version of the Lion in Winter....Hopkins and Streep are at the top of director Pat o'Connor's wish list and delicate negodtiations are under way to secure their services for the film, which would be shot in Britain in the autumn.\" (would this rule Colin out). Also in the same paper is an interest ng article about Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels flopping in the USA and a bit about Working Titles and how they are looking for a star to play a British gentleman spy in a \ufffd20million film. A Man called Brown, will tell the story pf a secret agent operating in 1912. Love interest is provided by a suffragett, while the villian is a German munitions merchant. Actors being considered to play Brown include Ewan MacGregor, John Hannah and Robert Carlyle.\" Oh please two of these actors are scottish, where i Colin's name, he would be perfect.!!"}, {"response": 1162, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (15:11)", "body": "And you, Colin's greatest fans, deprived him of it on his rare return to the stage. (Evelyn) I know, I know....and I hate myself for it. Don't, Evelyn. 'When in Rome' was the most judicious approach. Unexpected applause could have thrown off his rhythm. You ladies did a marvelous job communicating your great fan-dom after the show. We can all applaud CF together when he comes to B'way (*sigh* someday... hope, hope, wish, wish )--no restraints! I read alot about Richard Anderson (remember him? He was Pete in ATA) last weekend. It was publicity for \"Hunt for the Unicorn Killer\" but also noted his Tony Award nom for \"Death of a Salesman,\" in which he currently stars with Brian Dennehy (B'way is loaded with 'degrees of Colin' right now although Alan Cumming is leaving \"Cabaret.\" Would you believe Jennifer Jason Leigh played Sally for awhile? She's about as sexy as a breezeblock. I'll take Teri any day). Here's a few excerpts about RA from vari us local papers: \"The stage door opens and Kevin Anderson walks smack into a throng of fans waving paper, pens, even photos of the actor...Anderson graciously stops to chat, and to sign every last scrap of paper proffered...Anderson extends his hand in farewell, hikes on his backpack, and heads out to search for a cab. This time, he slips, unnoticed, onto the street.\" \"...Kevin Anderson has been living an actor's dream: every night, a house full of theater-goers on its feet, applauding. 'It's an incredible thing,' Anderson says...'the people have always stood up...' After a performance of 'Salesman' last week, Anderson signed autographs outside the stage door for fans. They wanted to know what films he would be in next (he doesn't know yet)...the increased visibility is a welcome change of pace for Anderson, an unobtrusive actor whose work is often appreciated by crit cs, but whose name has eluded the general public. 'That's the story of my career,' Anderson says. 'All these little gems that nobody has seen'...Anderson cherishes his freedom more than anything else--the freedom to say yes to the things that genuinely interest him, and not waste time doing things because they fit his schedule or because he desperately needs a cash infusion...'I actually have a fan club now...they set up a web site for me. It's real recognition, not just for the show ['Nothing Sacred'] ut for everything I've been in'...last year, a group of 30 fans from the US and Canada coordinated a trip to Chicago to attend the same performance of 'Death of a Salesman.' Afterward, they surprised Anderson outside the stage door with a leather-bound book of personal notes expressing their appreciation for his acting. 'They were basically saying 'Hey, we see what you've been doing, and we want you to know that we appreciate it.' It was touching.'\" Remind you of anyone? Hmmmm?? IMO the similarity is startling. That's a good idea about the book--something to keep in mind for later this year (and next month, JE fans). (Bethan) I think he could lay himself open to all sorts of ridicule if he takes a part in a less than high profile film and just reprises his role as FD in modern clothes. I agree. Even if it the script is wonderful, in playing MD he risks being rubber stamped as Darcy--a persona he's trying to shake. (Ann)re any bets - Marked Man? Now there's something I'd like to see him in (from the little bit I read about the script). Don't hit me but I would prefer to see him play the hero in a nice, juicy thriller vs. risk being typecast in BJD. Unfortunately, the latter is probably more realistic. (Heide)Laura and Susan, I hope you can work it out for Newport Me too! *Road trip!!* Saw a clip of Hugh Hefner (and his blonde triplet dates, Booby, Booby and Booby--whoops, I don't think I have their names right) docking at Cannes. Bring on Pia Zadora! Don't expect much press on MLSF since it's not part of the competition. If we are to hear anything about it (or ODB) it will be on 5/20 or 5/21. Thank you for sharing Biz' confirmation about CF's return in 3DOR, Allison. *Sniff!* I smell an award finally coming his way!! Maybe this time I will manage to see it/him. (sigh*) Moon, perhaps we can conspire together? I'm *sighing* too!"}, {"response": 1163, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (15:24)", "body": "Oops, that should be Baz, not Biz. (Ann) Actors being considered to play Brown include Ewan MacGregor, John Hannah and Robert Carlyle Yuck, yuck and yuck!"}, {"response": 1164, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (15:31)", "body": ".... about as sexy as a breezeblock. Eileen, I think you are starting a new and fashionable simile! Which British newspaper started it? *Sniff!* I smell an award finally coming his way!! I think you could be right. I hardly dare think about it....I am starting to hold my breath already. And you, Colin's greatest fans, deprived him of it on his rare return to the stage. I am very British about this. I hate the huge round of applause which greets a star when they first come on to the stage. It is so inappropriate. Nobody has seen them in the part at that point. They are merely being applauded for who they are, not what they are doing. A standing ovation at the end in fine IMHO because you are indicating enjoyment of the actor's work not just his or her celebrity. Not that we stand very often...tho' I remember one production where my husband and I stood and cheered ( s my husband is Mr D at his most restrained, plus some, you can imagine it was quite a performance)."}, {"response": 1165, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (15:38)", "body": "Re JJL and breezeblocks You should see eXistenZ. Will change your mind."}, {"response": 1166, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (18:11)", "body": "\"The Lion in Winter\"....I thought that Anthony Hopkins had retired! He seems to be more in demand now than ever. Historically, Henry II was 40 (not 60) at the time of all the conflict with his sons, so Colin would have been ideal. Oh well, cross it off my list. Sniff! Mind you, if they're advancing everyone's ages by 20 years, Colin could play Richard the Lionheart (whom AH played in the original \"Lion in Winter\"). to be shot in Britain in the autumn Hmmm...the only thing that slightly disheatens me about his return to 3DOR is that it blocks the autumn (and film-making) for him, which would indicate that he hasn't any film offers lined up (although Nov 16th is more winter than autumn) I hope he does BJD, but to be honest, I'd like to read that he was in contention for other major roles in movies. He's so versatile that to be rubber stamped as Darcy does him a disservice. But yet again, with an Andrew Davies s reenplay, drawing on P&P parallels, BJD could be very, very entertaining. Actors being considered to play Brown include Ewan McGregor, John Hannah and Robert Carlyle Again, sniff! Double sniff. They're all Scottish anyway, and Ewan McGegor seems to be considered for every part that's going. Including my favourite Captain Corelli! Colin would probably be offered the German baddie role. Sounds like a silly plot! Back to positive thoughts, a longish run with 3DOR could make him eligible for an Olivier nomination.."}, {"response": 1167, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (18:34)", "body": "Bethan, he finishes DQ at the beginning of June, and apparently he had to with draw from the BBC play, so I wouldn't mind betting he has something lined up for the immediate future and that still leaves him time enoughto fit in say another 10 week shoot before 3DOR, they won't need a very long rehearsal period?! so we could have two projects to look forward to as well as 3DOR at Xmas, DQ inthe New Year and maybe MLSF will be released in the UK around then. 3DOR, I was also wondering if there might be a bit more scenery this time as it is a longer run, it was very minimal before, a bit more like the production you saw Karen?"}, {"response": 1168, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (19:51)", "body": "(AnnI was also wondering if there might be a bit more scenery this time as it is a longer run, it was very minimal before, a bit more like the production you saw Karen?), Brava Ann! I was wondering the same thing. This is where your compare/contrast 3DOR letter to Colin would come in handy Karen, it is not too late. ;-))) They should change a little something as a special treat to all the repeat afficionados. If you see him in Newport, you could mention it as well. Before you know it, you will be fast friends and can introduce me. :-D"}, {"response": 1169, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (20:24)", "body": "Unexpected applause could have thrown off his rhythm. Oh, come on, stop clucking around him like that - he's a professional, for pity's sake! A ringing mobile phone and a water tap falling off in his hand didn't throw him off his rhythm, so why do you think something positive like a symbolic sign of recognition and pleasure of seeing him would? I hate the huge round of applause which greets a star when they first come on to the stage What's your name - Judi Dench?"}, {"response": 1170, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (23:38)", "body": "I just checked the Newport Film Festival web site -- MLSF is to be shown June 3 and June 6, both at 8 p.m."}, {"response": 1171, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, May 15, 1999 (01:32)", "body": "(Karen)You should see eXistenZ. Will change your mind. Really? It's playing down the street, though I haven't really thought about seeing it. Maybe I'll catch it later tonight."}, {"response": 1172, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, May 15, 1999 (04:07)", "body": "(Bethan)I hate the huge round of applause which greets a star when they first come on to the stage. It is so inappropriate Agree. I think one should earn applause and a standing ovation. Wow...you girls really have him booked up all summer...he's a dad you know...who enjoys his son on holidays."}, {"response": 1173, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, May 15, 1999 (08:07)", "body": "Wow...you girls really have him booked up all summer...he's a dad you know...who enjoys his son on holidays. Too true....I'm sure he'll put a pencil through a couple of months in the summer. And I guess that's why, very unusually I think, 3DOR is breaking for a couple of weeks over Christmas. Normally theatres only close for a couple of days as the Christmas season is be very popular in terms of bookings. Full marks to CF for responsible parenting. It's just that there seem to be so many good projects in the offing at the moment and I'd love to read that he was being considered for them (not second choice!). And Will could have a lot of fun with his dad on a film set...I'm sure he's very well behaved! We're getting very good coverage of Cannes over here on BBC24 News and in the press. I've now revised my opinion and I really hope we see something of Colin, and some promo for MLSF, (not Minnie Driver, Elton John, Liz Hurley et al). Maybe the photographers will noice there's a handsome Englisman with a beautiful (and photogenic) wife. Or maybe not! Today's Times has a front page photo of Ewan McGregor announcing yet another leading role (James Joyce). This man is the British film industry!! Also the BBC24 had loads of stuff on Catherine ZJ who seems to adore the limelight, says she rather crabbily. I'll tune in on the 20th! BTW, I've sent a very long e-mail to the Arts Council/National Lottery Division about SLOW, asking about whether they monitor their \ufffd1 million investment (tax payers' money!) and also asking some very specific questions (legal status of film, screenplay, has anyone seen it etc). I had to send a similar e-mail (on a different topic) from work, so whilst I was in an aggressive mood I thought I'd fire off something about SLOW as well. No response so far! I also discovered an excellent megasearch engine at wo k, www.dogpile.com, which brought up a lot of info about SLOW that I hadn't see before. It was obviously slated for release, until the cruel fates intervened! Newport sounds great...sun, sand and sea. An ideal location!"}, {"response": 1174, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, May 15, 1999 (08:58)", "body": "Continuing my newshound stint....Harvey Weinstein is establishing a new film studio in NY, and he's quoted as saying that if he does a sequel to SIL it will be \"Shakespeare in New York\". He has a sense of humour, right? A couple of mentions for Liz Taylor and her upcoming AMFAR appearance. Also, was (genuinely) puzzled by the choice of EMcGr to play James Joyce, when it's a well known fact that Joyce didn't make any literary impact until his late thirties/forties. But apparently the movie \"concentrates on his love affairs\" (yawn, yawn)and the director chose EM because he is willing to take risks (ie his clothes off!) Don't expect any literary merit!"}, {"response": 1175, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, May 15, 1999 (10:36)", "body": "STOP PRESS********** I have just spoken to DONMAR and they confirmed 3DOR (why do I always get the wonderfully ditzy ones who don't know anything that I am talking about!!!) and that booking opens on JULY 19th Thought you would all like to pencil that in your diaries!!!!"}, {"response": 1176, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, May 15, 1999 (14:38)", "body": "Wonderful news about 3DOR. Since it's at the Donmar again, I'd expect the trans-Atlantic phone lines to be burning up on the 19th. Those of you who were really beating yourselves up about not going the first time can not let this one get away. (Evelyn) In the Heartland, we never get an Oscar star in plays and we give standing ovations anyway...even school productions. Thanks, Evelyn. You've supported my point without realizing it and much more succinctly. In the US, standing ovations have become almost meaningless because they're done so often. IMO People stand up for an actor's reputation, not their performance. I think an actor (musician, whatever) knows if they truly deserve the ovation and I'd be embarrassed to receive one knowing the performance wasn't up to par. This is just a discussion on the topic in general and has no bearing on what I would do at the Donmar. I'm planning on throwing my undies on stage, actually."}, {"response": 1177, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, May 15, 1999 (15:31)", "body": "I'm planning on throwing my undies on stage, actually. LOL Heidi, which day are you planning to go? I must be there:-)) ODB said that no one had sent him any knickers.....you could be the first."}, {"response": 1178, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, May 15, 1999 (17:25)", "body": "OH NO, not a Tom Jones Concert type atmosphere , please!!! Of course , you could have said underwear printed with a certain website address I suppose! Try and make it a night Livia's not in, then he would be able to take them home \"by tube\" undetected!"}, {"response": 1179, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, May 15, 1999 (17:47)", "body": "NOT a TOm Jones concert flavour to the performance, PLEASE!!! You could of course have your underwear printed with your favourite website beforehand. AND pick an evening when Livia's not there and we COULD see some repeats of a certain snappy Heide, I'll say no more!!"}, {"response": 1180, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, May 15, 1999 (17:48)", "body": "Sorry everyone , my first posting was rejected and something came up saying it had been returned!!! Very strange, anyone else had that?"}, {"response": 1181, "author": "Adi", "date": "Sat, May 15, 1999 (18:04)", "body": "those are really great news! after all the lousy excuses I made to myself for not going last time I'm definitely going to be there in November... It will be nice to see some of you in person too. How did you plan the trip last time? did someone was in charge of buying the tickets for the play? if you are going to arrange something like that now, please contact me (yosysh@ibm.net)."}, {"response": 1182, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, May 15, 1999 (18:27)", "body": "Adi, we all bought our own and it was sheer luck , initially that quite a few of us picked the same date!!"}, {"response": 1183, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, May 15, 1999 (19:21)", "body": "Lizza did you by any chance ask when the Play stops for the Christmas /New Year break i.e 16th November to when and then 5th January to 20th Jan. Adi I am thinking of going in November, and then in January and I would love to meet you and any other firthfans."}, {"response": 1184, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, May 15, 1999 (21:10)", "body": "No Ann I didn't, but surely they would stop for Xmas by 23rd at the very latest and it will be interesting to see how much ticket prices will go up by!! It's a good idea to go earlier in the run and then later in 2000. CF to take us into the next thousand years, what a way to celebrate."}, {"response": 1185, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, May 15, 1999 (21:57)", "body": "They've set a very early booking date....they must be expecting a lot of advance bookings this time! I'm really looking forward to seeing CF .....my hints about a theatre trip to London in the autumn have been surprisingly well received! I'm hoping that 3DOR will get more advance publicity second time round, so that I can say \"hey, this is a must see show...everyone's talking about it\" :-) I think that Colin must have really enjoyed the Donmar experience and the intimate atmosphere of a studio theatre....I'm glad it's not transferring. He'll have to stave off the coughs and colds though....more vitamin C, less Kentucky fried chicken!"}, {"response": 1186, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, May 15, 1999 (22:10)", "body": "I haven't decided if I'm going or not. One reason I would go is the chance to meet more droolers. We shared such camaraderie at the Donmar last spring amd there's not one lady I met I wouldn't love to see again. It's going to be a bit more difficult to meet up this time because of the longer run. As Lizza said, it was sheer luck that most of us picked the same day to go. But with so much time to plan, Adi, I'm sure you'll be able to settle on a date with other droolers. You've got to go. Wonder if the bed will be in the same spot? Donmar Seating Ann and Allison, will those paragons of patience you call husbands go with you again? We could use someone to hold our coats and purses to leave our hands free for those tactile experiences after the show. Just kidding!"}, {"response": 1187, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, May 15, 1999 (23:09)", "body": "Heide you just have to go again and get some more of those lovely photos. Not sure if my hubby will want to go a 3rd and 4th time, I shall have to have a word with my sister and try and persuade some of my friends that it is really a \"must-see\". Adi for your information rowA seats26/27 are at the bottom of the bed!, a few inches from his size 10's (only guessing!)"}, {"response": 1188, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, May 15, 1999 (23:15)", "body": "That's strange, according to the Plan above, the seats I mentioned are A24/25but I was sure ours were A26/27, anyway they are all very good seats. BTW they are in the Stalls and I was guessing about Colin's shoe size, in case anyone may be wondering."}, {"response": 1189, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (00:14)", "body": "his size 10's (only guessing!) Interesting: remember the Tatler photo of Colin in a Hamlet-like (or Byronesque, as some may prefer) pose? You can see the sole of one of the boots he's wearing, and there's a single number on it: very likely 9... some of you remarked how relatively small his feet seemed in real life..."}, {"response": 1190, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (02:40)", "body": "(Heide)Re: Standing Ovations...I'd be embarrassed to receive one knowing the performance wasn't up to par. And I wouldn't give one....I would not have given Judi one when I saw her in Filomena...definitely mediocre. (Heide)I haven't decided if I'm going or not. Waddaya' mean?..... start clipping those coupons...play the lottery... I don't plan to go twice...but once, for sure.(Though I do wish it was a different play...let's take up a collection and get EMcG.a \"dialect coach\" that hat specializes in a southern accent).Surely , she'll improve the second time around. I suggest we set up two dates...one in November or early December and one in January. Firthettes could then decide which one to attend.It is more fun to have a group .And November& January are low fares season.I'll check on the dates of the latter."}, {"response": 1191, "author": "abelelias", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (05:41)", "body": "where is dean?"}, {"response": 1192, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (07:34)", "body": "Oh my, he's coming back to the Donmar? Hmmmm, how am I going to convince the DH that this is a must see? Start working on a set of excuses for me girls... I'm off to Singapore tomorrow so you'll have several days to think about it :-)"}, {"response": 1193, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (07:38)", "body": "In the Sunday Times today:-\" Bridget Jones gets her man\" (can't type it all but here are the interesting parts. \"Helen Fielding who created a bestseller by portraying modern urban women as shallow, vulnerable and desperate for marriage, has turned to one of the most successful men in the British film industry for help with her screenplay. The involvement of Richard Curtis would have mortified the fictional Jones, who goes to desperate lengths to conceal her dependence on men. But senior sources at Universal, the Hollywood studio, said Curtis would play a vital role in improving Fielding's draft screenplay, which s e began more than a year ago....... Oscar nominee Cate Blanchette has been tipped for the lead role, as has Helena Bonham Carter, though she has less in common with Jones than the 29 year old Australian star of Elizabeth. COLIN FIRTH who played Darcy in the BBC production of P&P is expected to play the LOVE interest, Mark Darcy.\" (where is Andrew Davies?)"}, {"response": 1194, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (07:51)", "body": "Oh Ann you have been busy early this morning!!! Colin and Cate? Hmmm. Anyone see the Sunday Times lady at CHAT this week? I replied to her FP type questions re football and asked if she was preparing an article on him. As yet no reply!"}, {"response": 1195, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (07:56)", "body": "BTW I agree with Evelyn about setting up several dates which need to be governed by cheaper air fares. Come on Heide, can you get on that game that Karen was on? Anything, just come! I bet they will change the setting round, so don't bank on the bed being where it was before!! The set may well be redesigned and more along the lines of what Karen saw in Chicago."}, {"response": 1196, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (08:14)", "body": "....... Oscar nominee Cate Blanchette has been tipped for the lead role Now that would be good for Colin. I am starting to get excited again."}, {"response": 1197, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (08:18)", "body": "Ann, you beat me to it this morning! Our papers have only just been delivered. I've just found the reference to BJD. Hmmm....yes, what did happen to Andrew Davies? I'd be inclined to take this report with a pinch of salt, based on idle tittle tattle at Cannes. \"Insiders at Cannes said that a film of BJD wold succeed only if there were significant changes to the character...insiders say that Curtis (4 weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill) is likely to insist that Bridget gets her man\" I think that Richard Curtis' involvement would raise US interest in BJD, but I prefer to believe the Andrew Davies version of events! RC could be used as a consultant. I'm not sure about Cate Blanchett...she may be too serious an actress. Romantic comedy requires different talents. Now, Lizza, what exactly did you say to the Sunday Times lady? There's also another bit in the Sunday Times about how Colin has become a Paul Ashworth-type obsessive about Arsenal since making FP. You see how rumours start!! :-) Re the 3DOR set...for a longer run, they may well invest in something more \"real\", less minimalist. Sets cost money."}, {"response": 1198, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (10:38)", "body": "Good sleuthing bethan!! I did not say he is an obsessive about Arsenal at all but only briefly mentioned what anyone who reads the FP sites could have told her. Of course I have had no acknowledgement from her and no answer to my question!! Typical? Those of you with intimate knowledge of this bis. will have to let me know. I guess that because we are all such a caring , sharing lot when it comes to ODB that it ****** me off when there is an exception to it. Still I won't be fobbed off that easily------ back to the email!"}, {"response": 1199, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (11:02)", "body": "Assertive Firthette in action. Now I feel much better, like I scored a winning goal for Arsenal!!"}, {"response": 1200, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (11:05)", "body": "BTW Cate Blanchett has not had good reviews for her role on stage in London, David Hare's \"Plenty\"(?). Some critics have considered her \"Hysterical tone\" in some of her speeches speeches. And we thought E.Mc needed help!!!"}, {"response": 1201, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (13:04)", "body": "I also must have missed your Chat with the Times woman, Lizza. What can you tell us? So glad there are \"take charge\" people in this group. Can't imagine two better people to plan the Donmar excursion than Evelyn and Lizza. ;-) Well, you two sort of offered....are you game?"}, {"response": 1202, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (13:49)", "body": "I bet they will change the setting round, so don't bank on the bed being where it was before!! The set may well be redesigned and more along the lines of what Karen saw in Chicago. Actually the bed was on the left side in Chicago as well, although it was not within inches of my itching fingers... ;-) Now what is this about chatting with a woman from The Times, Lizza? Are you the source for the Colin mention in the \"Possession Syndrome\" article? Colin Firth, who made his name as Darcy in the most recent version of Pride and Prejudice, found himself swept up by football frenzy in 1996 when he made the film Fever Pitch. Before the film he had seen only one football match but since then has been an Arsenal obsessive, strikingly similar to his \"laddish\" role in the film. (Bethan) You see how rumours start!! :-) She must have verified the rumors. Nothing that Colin would be ashamed to admit. (like that one about the CCs) ;-o"}, {"response": 1203, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (14:20)", "body": "Another blurb in the Sunday Times relating to Fever Pitch. It's about bringing football/soccer-related movies to the screen. The article is entitled: \"The goal to aim for.\" Here's the relevant part: Football may be making millions for clubs and broadcasters, but film companies have not yet shared in the bonanza. When Saturday Comes grossed less than \ufffd1m in 1996 and failed to win an American release. Fever Pitch did better the following year, particularly on video. But both films resorted to romance as selling points: Fever Pitch the book had been hard-core football memoirs, but the balance in the film tilted towards romantic comedy. [...] Banking on romance and foreign locations to attract a wider audience, Calcio is the story of a young English football player who goes to Sardinia, falls in love with a local girl and is drawn into helping the local team. It is backed by BBC Films, which is also funding Extra Time. \"It's not a film about soccer,\" David Thompson of BBC Films told Variety. \"This is a very funny script with good characters that happens to have soccer as its background.\" The BBC may be counting on aficionados recognising the title as Italian for soccer and others simply recalling fond memories of Cinema Paradiso. Many of these films are chasing the same, elusive goal - a female audience. Received wisdom has been that women in particular are turned off by football - although When Saturday Comes was written and directed by Maria Giese, and one of the most successful football films ever, Gregory's Girl, centred on a female player. On the small screen, a second series of Kay Mellor's Playing the Field appealed to both sexes in a primetime slot. [...] Another big market that has been traditionally indifferent to the game is America. But the World Cup finals five years ago raised football's profile there, and the producer Duncan Kenworthy, who had an American hit with Four Weddings and a Funeral, is hopeful that Mike Bassett: England Manager can break into the US market. \"It's a comedy about a year in the life of a newly appointed England manager in the run-up to the World Cup finals,\" Kenworthy says. \"There's very little football in it. Much of it is backstage in the dressing room, in the conference rooms of the FA, in the home of the manager, on the bus afterwards, on the plane to Brazil, etc.\" A mock documentary, it will be a sort of football version of This Is Spinal Tap, though it is going to be hard to top recent events in the real England camp."}, {"response": 1204, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (14:39)", "body": "Ladies of drool, the word \"obsessive\" never crossed my lips!!! But then , THIS journalist likes others to do her sourcing for her, without even a cursory acknowledgement!!! She wouldn't last a minute with drool's ethos!"}, {"response": 1205, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (15:32)", "body": "Ladies, thank you! Some NEWS at last. I am still trying to think up a reason to go to London in Nov. considering that we will be in Italy in Dec. Agh! This is frustating! (Karen),A mock documentary, it will be a sort of football version of This Is Spinal Tap, though it is going to be hard to top recent events in the real England camp. I loved ST! It is a worthy model for a comedy, and if they also have that wonderful movie Gregory's Girl in mind, and can pull it off, it will be a sure hit. Let's see Ewan as the lead as usual, I would imagine. Cosidering that the new coach of the British National Selection is Capello an Italian, the British are ready for anything. I know him well because he used to be AC Milan's coach (my team). This is quite unprecedented. KB is too skinny to play Bridget. HBC would be good as one of her friends, not BJ. Would you consider CF confirmed as MD? Heide, it's time for another fax. :-) Bethan, any dramatic actress would love to do a comedy. Comedies are much harder to pull off than drama. I just hope they do not overact."}, {"response": 1206, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (15:44)", "body": "Do come Moon, this is as good a reason as there will EVER be!!!"}, {"response": 1207, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (15:58)", "body": "Just got back here, only to read such wonderful news! I'm so happy to see 3DOR will be back! I don't want to miss it this time. If I do go, it'll either be in November or Januari (I prefer Januari). December is out (Okay, I know I said the same for June 12th, I'm unpredictable!) The first time I went to London was in November, two years ago. London is incredibly crowded in November and December. Everyone sees London as the place to do Christmas shopping. Everything is more expensive then. Which is why I'd rather go there after New Year. On the other hand, I don't know what I'll be doing in Januari next year. Only too often, we have projects and assignments due right after the Christmas holidays. November is less hectic."}, {"response": 1208, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (23:39)", "body": "Speaking for the unprivileged contingent of CF fanatics (who either have not the means or time off for such expeditions...), may I suggest that NOW is a good time to start a steady and intensive campaign with the powers-that-be at the BBC or WGBH Boston or A&E Network that they preserve this unique play and its actors in a video tape for broadcast...As Great Performances, for example --(which they are)--because as neato as all this sounds, there are only going to be a limited number of people that can wi ness it as live theatre and the greatest influence on Colin's very long-standing \"most-underrated-actor\" etc. status is to encourage as broad an exposure of this tour-de-force as is possible. Someone mentioned that they \"smelled\" an award in this...well, I think this can also expose his abilities to people who heretofore have been unaware of him as an actor (as opposed to a character...). But the time to start campaigning is NOW!"}, {"response": 1209, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (00:22)", "body": "Hear hear!!! Karen, I'm in that underprivileged and too-far-away category. The other occupant of my life says, if we have that much expendible income, where is my new SUV?! Of course, it is imaginary just as his sports/utility vehicle is. So, with a Firth in the heart and fire in the soul, let us begin our campaign to bring ODB to yet another small screen near you. Then we may perserve it on videotape for all time...rewind...slo mo....super slo mo...freeze frame...aaaah! =)"}, {"response": 1210, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (00:37)", "body": "(Heide)Can't imagine two better people to plan the Donmar excursion than Evelyn and Lizza. ;-) Well, you two sort of offered....are you game? Yup. Lizza and I will confer via email and in person on June 12th. Tineke, we will set up both dates, but I favor January too. A nice Christmas present to ourselves :-) Ann what brilliant news....CF doing MD!!I prefer Helena to Cate B...I don't think the latter does comedy as well. What happened to Kate Winslett?"}, {"response": 1211, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (07:44)", "body": "Oh dear! From the Daily Mail.... The Pinocchio Test - Apparently some scientists have discovered that your nose really does get longer when you lie. Dr Alan Hirsch says that although the change is too small to detect with the human eye, tell tale bouts of nose scratching give the game away. \"The erectile tissue in the nose expands slightly, causing inflammation and a desire to touch its tip\"... I shall never be able to watch that A&E interview again ....:-)"}, {"response": 1212, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (13:05)", "body": "Too funny!!"}, {"response": 1213, "author": "SABINE", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (13:56)", "body": "NEWSSSSSSSSSSSSSS DAILY MAIL MAY 14, 1999 \"... I can also tell you, that mr firth along with em and pm will return to the donmar warehouse theatre in london in rg remarkable play, three days of rain. The 3DOR drama ran for a few performances erlier this zear and was such a hit that everzone decided to reassemble at the Donmar for a longer run, beginning on november 16. The production will brak for christmas and new year then return from january 5 to 22. WOOOOWWWWWWW !!!! Sabine"}, {"response": 1214, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (14:28)", "body": "Yes, very funny, Allison! Sorry to hear about your imaginary funding, Marcia. Funding, job status (I'm about to make a change) and that little ol' DH issue are the obstacles standing in my path. Aargh! Evelyn, you're going to be on a first-name basis with the folks in the Donmar ticket office! (Evelyn) Ann what brilliant news....CF doing MD It's still a rumor. The entire article is posted at Murph's site: here (I hope that link works). Ann, I was wondering the same thing about Andrew Davies. Mention of his involvement in the screenplay is conspicuously absent. Perhaps it was a rumor?? Is it mere coincidence that Curtis wrote '4W' and 'Notting Hill,' which is about to *ahem* open in the US? (Bethan) He's so versatile that to be rubber stamped as Darcy does him a disservice *We* know he's versatile, but we're his loyal fans. IMO the press won't let it go."}, {"response": 1215, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (15:38)", "body": "Great to hear from you Sabine. Can we count you in? And your twin sister....the one who took that fab pic of the Spring Group!! Allison...that is a hysterical quote.Actually, the book on Body Language says the same thing. Ladies: It has been suggested that we use Springfolks listerve for 3DOR Redux (AKA Firth-in- the- Flesh ,II)plans.Then it won't clog- up Drool.I am trying to find airline off-season dates. Don't forget lurkers..each person makes her own airline , lodging reservation, and ticket booking at the Donmar. Lizza and I are happy to answer questions and make dinner reservations before the performance. Tineke is a good source of information for youth hostels in London... (Hope you don't mind Tineke. )Dates for November and January will be posted before the box office opens in July. Pl. email me or Lizza with any questions. Thank you."}, {"response": 1216, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (15:42)", "body": "Murph has posted the two news items on Colin on her website. http://www.geocities.com/~murphyat65/news2.html http://www.geocities.com/~murphyat65/roles.html Thanks Murph...the poem is darling!!"}, {"response": 1217, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (15:57)", "body": "An article in the Evening Standard today, quoting an interview with Cate Blanchett in the Radio Times, saying that she is very busy with her part in \"Plenty\" through July and then...\"nothing\"....[but BJD I wonder..?] She says she has several offers but has not made up her mind. \"I'll be unemployed\"."}, {"response": 1218, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (16:17)", "body": "(Eileen)Evelyn, you're going to be on a first-name basis with the folks in the Donmar ticket office! She already is, I believe...James? Isn't it? (Evelyn) Hope you don't mind Of course not! I have the address, phone and fax number and more info on all Youth Hostels in Europe (there are 9 in London). You can always e-mail me."}, {"response": 1219, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (17:12)", "body": "(Tineke) She already is, I believe...James? Isn't it? Yes, but now James will know Evelyn's name too(as one of the volvo-driving labrador-owning women of 'a certain age'). Hee hee!"}, {"response": 1220, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (17:30)", "body": "Too funny, LOL."}, {"response": 1221, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (17:34)", "body": "WOW!! I\ufffdve been abroad for a few days and what do I find here! Felt dizzy reading the news about 3DOR. Can it be true, Firth in the Flesh AGAIN!? I wonder if one could get an overdose of him.....not me ladies, I think I\ufffdll have to see several performances. I only wish we can settle at least one date with as many droolers present as possible. I have no special preferences of month, but the sooner the better, don\ufffdt you think?;-) (Bethan)They've set a very early booking date....they must be expecting a lot of advance bookings this time! That\ufffds right, this indicates that there must have been an enormous demand for tickets after the two weeks had been sold out in March. Read Sunday Times in the aeroplane yesterday and was pretty surprised at all that stuff about things Firth in one paper, even a FP picture. Has something begun to happen in the British media? They suddenly seem to acknowledge his existance."}, {"response": 1222, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (18:39)", "body": "Don't know if anyone else has done this already, but... since I live in the Boston area I sent WGBH Boston an email asking if they are involved in DQ and/or have plans to show it. Here's the message I received: \"Thank you for contacting WGBH. There's been no word about the broadcasting of 'Donovan Quick' however, a program request has been forwarded to our program director on your behalf.\" I know I'm just one voice crying out in the wilderness, but hope it gets results."}, {"response": 1223, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (19:44)", "body": "That's an interesting item about Cate Blanchett, Allison, - I was wondering when \"Plenty\" ended its run...very timely. I've now done a 360 degree turnaround and think that she would be an excellent choice for BJ....and I'm sure that she and Colin would get on well (both serious theatre types!) And she's certainly \"hot\" at the moment, which bodes well for the film's promotion. I'm convinced that movies succeed on the strength of the pre-release hype (I am sick of hearing about \"Notting Hill\"!!!) Also, he'll finally be one up on the Fiennes bros...Cate played the one that Rafe and Joe didn't (finally) get in \"Oscar and Lucinda\" and \"Elizabeth\", but it sounds as though MD will get the gal! I'm puzzled by the lack of mention of Andrew Davies though. He's a very experienced screenwriter (more so than Richard Curtis), both adaptations and originals. Hes done \"Vanity Fair\" and \"Moll Flanders\" recently, and \"A very English marriage\", for which he wrote the (original) screenplay, has just won the BAFTA Best Drama award. But don't US studios like to bring in a team of screenwriters? Perhaps Universal have called in Richard Curtis (who is more well known in the US) to add some extra \"oomph\". Anyway a Davies-Curtis script would have to be good! And I can't see how CF can afford not to do it...with three months in the Donmar this year, he'll need a big pay packet! One interesting fact...did you know that EMcG's husband (Ian Curtis) wrote the screenplay for \"Lost Empires\". Small world!"}, {"response": 1224, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (20:17)", "body": "For those in need of excuses to go: you may say this is a Meeting of your Internet friends. What kind of meeting, what kind of friends? Theatre loving friends, movie loving friends, whom you meet with in the Internet to discuss precisely movies and plays, of the more obscure (sniff sniff) variety. Going to have dinner and \"maybe\" go to a theatre play afterwards. Why in London? Because it was so decided: old Europe at the end of the millenium. Next time it will be in America :-)"}, {"response": 1225, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (20:28)", "body": "SusanMC: Good work. WGBH is the PBS station that handles all Masterpiece Theater and Great Performances series. But now you should sent it directly to Rebecca Eaton, the big Kahoona of MT, not some little programming flunkey. Gi: Will your excuse be that you will be examining CF's scalp for transplants? ;-) (Bethan) Also, he'll finally be one up on the Fiennes bros... Somebody needs to point this out to CF. Good girl, you already have his sound bites all written for the promotional tours."}, {"response": 1226, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (21:16)", "body": "How many people remember the excerpts I posteded from this novel? And how I thought Colin would be fabulous for the role of Jonathan Blair? There's a bathtub scene; clog-clad, naked kickboxing miners; and an yarn dance. ;-) Kaige plucks 'Rose' to helm CANNES -- Acclaimed Chinese director Chen Kaige, whose new film \"The Emperor and the Assassin\" is in competition here, will direct the detective story \"Rose\" for Miramax Films. Oscar-winning screenwriter Ted Tally (\"Silence of the Lambs\") wrote the screenplay, adapting Martin Cruz Smith's best-selling novel \"Rose.\" The film will be produced by Mike Newell, director of \"Four Weddings and a Funeral\" and \"Pushing Tin.\" The film follows Jonathan Blair, a brilliant detective sent to an English mining town to i vestigate the disappearance of a young minister. Blair falls in love with a woman who holds the key to the mystery. Though the Gong Li starrer \"The Emperor\" will be released domestically by Sony Classics, Chen has a long association with Miramax."}, {"response": 1227, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (22:10)", "body": "Yes, but now James will know Evelyn's name too(as one of the volvo-driving labrador-owning women of 'a certain age'). Hee hee! I plan to have James' hide for this :-)) ***** (Bethan)And I can't see how CF can afford not to do it...with three months in the Donmar this year, he'll need a big pay packet! Agree. He must have a Big Paycheck already confirmed...with only a BBC and Donmar alone he can't pay his bills.That's the only way he would commit a to long-range project that brings in such little cash."}, {"response": 1228, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (01:27)", "body": "Susan--What's the e-mail and snail-mail addresses for WGBH? Possibilities of their helping put 3DoR on the screen can be combined with the Donovan Quick enquiry. Might as well kill two birds with one stone. Also, where and to whom would be the best place to inquire BBC...Who's in charge of deciding what's to be produced?? Just asking..."}, {"response": 1229, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (02:13)", "body": "About that Curtis person (Richard?), maybe his involvement will be less of a mystery if you realize that he is Helen Fielding's ex-flame."}, {"response": 1230, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (02:30)", "body": "(KJArt)Also, where and to whom would be the best place to inquire BBC...Who's in charge of deciding what's to be produced?? Just asking... ...\"and you shall receive\" fiona.williams@bbc.co.uk She can tell you who is in charge of Drama.I found her most accomodating. OR Suzanne Swinburne Education2@main.bbc.co.uk I hadn't forgotten about your posting ...I think it is a brilliant idea. Let's zero in on getting 3 DOR on film .Even if it only is shown in UK, we'll get the video and can have it converted. Televised plays have a v. limited audience in the US."}, {"response": 1231, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (02:32)", "body": "Evelyn--Thank you!! Bless you!!"}, {"response": 1232, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (12:32)", "body": "(Arami)About that Curtis person (Richard?), maybe his involvement will be less of a mystery if you realize that he is Helen Fielding's ex-flame. In college! Evelyn, don't know if this is the place to post this, but Bedrooms & Hallways (is that the correct title?) will premiere at the Provincetown Film Festival. I don't have a date yet, but will look into it."}, {"response": 1233, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (12:54)", "body": "June 18-20 Provincetown Film Festival -The second annual film festival featuring gay and lesbian film makers. For more information call (508)487.2234 or (800)276.1948"}, {"response": 1234, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (13:42)", "body": "From the Guardian: Capturing literary giants A biopic of the philandering Scots genius Robert Burns has been announced. Dougray Scott, of Twin Town and the forthcoming Mission Impossible 2, is to play the peasant poet. What with Ewan McGregor squaring up to play James Joyce in his own project, Nora, the young-Scottish-actor-as-dead-literary-titan trend gathers momentum. Kevin McKidd as Dostoevsky, anyone? *********** Not Scottish, but how about Colin as Dylan Thomas? ;-) Would be great role and there's a resemblance I've always thought..."}, {"response": 1235, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (13:47)", "body": "From Liz Smith: SALMA HAYEK, in Cannes for \"Dogma,\" stunned her handlers with her impact on the paparazzi last week. Hayek, who will also appear at the big American Foundation for AIDS Research benefit Thursday at Cannes, was mobbed big time. At least 200 photographers converged on the actress, separating her from her press people. This caused a bit of hysteria when it seemed she might vanish forever in the madding crowd! One shell-shocked Cannes veteran remarked, \"never seen the like . . . only Elizabeth Taylor ever gen rated this kind of insanity.\" (Taylor herself arrives any second in the South of France. She presides over the annual AmFAR event.) ******** Shoot!! Between Liz Taylor and Salma Hayek, we won't see any of Colin at the benefit. Argh!!"}, {"response": 1236, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (14:18)", "body": "Rebecca Eaton is the producer for Mystery! and Mobil Masterpiece Theatre. She's at WGBH Boston, 125 Western Avenue, Boston MA 02134 (www.wgbh.org). Phone for members is (617) 492-9254, otherwise 617-492-2777. Write a letter and enclose a check :-). Great Performances is not produced by WGBH. I think it's WNET in New York."}, {"response": 1237, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (14:38)", "body": "I thought Dylan Thomas was Welsh, not Scottish."}, {"response": 1238, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (14:46)", "body": "Yes, he's Welsh and Colin isn't Scottish. ;-) Just going with the flow of literary films...."}, {"response": 1239, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (14:49)", "body": "Thanks Chris. I believe you're right about Great Performances being produced by WNET. Do you know who the big cheese there, because filming a play is more in line with GP's programming than MT's."}, {"response": 1240, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (16:13)", "body": "Thanks to everyone for the specific contacts at WGBH and the BBC. Would the Bravo network (on U.S. cable) also be an option for 3DOR? I've seen filmed versions of plays on Bravo, but am not sure if Bravo acquires them from other sources..."}, {"response": 1241, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (16:45)", "body": "(Karen) The film will be produced by Mike Newell, director of \"Four Weddings and a Funeral\" I hope this doesn't mean more Hugh Grant. BTW, 'Newsweek' praised his performance in \"Notting Hill\"--said he limited his stuttering and eyelid fluttering. Julia was panned. Shoot!! Between Liz Taylor and Salma Hayek, we won't see any of Colin at the benefit. Argh!! Double argh! Particularly if Salma wears a low cut outfit--we'll be seeing something(s) other than CF, for sure. But I shall watch for him in earnest..."}, {"response": 1242, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (17:39)", "body": "(SusanMC) Would the Bravo network (on U.S. cable) also be an option for 3DOR? I've seen filmed versions of plays on BRAVO) ...\"and you shall receive\"..... Joanne programming@bravo.com Bravo buys directly from BBC and Channel 4. They showed \"The Maitlands\" an old JE BBC play.I think they are a good contact for this. ***Thanks for all the info on Bedrooms and Hallways...It's also being shown at the NY Gay and Lesbian FF...don't think I shall see that one in mid-America...I can assure you."}, {"response": 1243, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (18:55)", "body": "Evelyn--Didn't someone say they had seen someone from the BBC attending the performance of 3DoR in March? (Alan Yentob, I think it was on the last Friday evening) Perhaps he could be cited as a reference!!! (If he liked it, that is!)"}, {"response": 1244, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (19:00)", "body": "Alan Yentob was there on the first Friday."}, {"response": 1245, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (19:02)", "body": "(Karen), but how about Colin as Dylan Thomas? ;-) Karen, what an idea! You have my heart going on that one. Thanks for all the info ladies, there is strength in numbers. What's poor Colin to do amidts Liz and Salma. Let's keep our fingers crossed. Maybe Hello will give him some coverage."}, {"response": 1246, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (19:07)", "body": "Shoot!! Between Liz Taylor and Salma Hayek, we won't see any of Colin at the benefit. Argh!! I must have been living in a cupboard [closet!] for the last year but who on earth is Salma Hayek?"}, {"response": 1247, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (20:15)", "body": "but who on earth is Salma Hayek? She is in every clip we've been shown from Cannes (her arrival in the convertible, the Austin Powers movie party, etc.) She's a Mexican actress of Lebanese descent who came to Hollywood's attention in such films as Desperado, Fools Rush In, etc. Was recently in 54 (Studio 54), but is in Kevin Smith's controversial movie Dogma that Miramax just screened at Cannes, looking for distributors. Oh yes, she's also the spokesperson for some quick-dry nail polish too! I'll try to find a pic of her on the web, b t a lot the news orgs have big writeups on her arrival at Cannes. The clip I saw was pretty unflattering - standing up in the convertible, shown from behind and the way that dress made her behind look....actually, it looked realistic. Salma's very pretty; looks a lot like Livia. Same kind of hairdo. Salma's boyfriend (British) was shown yesterday as he has been recording the events at Cannes himself with a camcorder!"}, {"response": 1248, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (20:31)", "body": "She also wore the most gorgeous BM gown at the Oscars. ;-)))"}, {"response": 1249, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (21:34)", "body": "(KJArt)Alan Yentob, I think it was on the last Friday evening) Perhaps he could be cited as a reference!!! Let's try sending him the email.....Alan Yentob@bbc.co.uk See wha' 'appens!! *** Thank you Karen, for all the sleuthing you do for us on the web....we seem to be getting the news hot off the wires !!"}, {"response": 1250, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (22:50)", "body": "What do you think?"}, {"response": 1251, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (22:51)", "body": "...and Colin is the perfect age. Dylan Thomas died a few days after his 39th birthday."}, {"response": 1252, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (23:29)", "body": "Karen, most definitely! Realizing, of course, that ODB is So Much more Handsome at his \"ugliest\" than DT ever was at his best - and I am a Cymrophile!"}, {"response": 1253, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 19, 1999 (01:33)", "body": "Yes...definite resemblance ...especially the curly hair and the hands."}, {"response": 1254, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, May 19, 1999 (16:23)", "body": "Hi, here s the voice again from the backstreets of Volterra ....... could some of our British sisters please post the address of the Rent-a-Labrador Service in London. Thanks. :) PS: How many Labradors, do you think, can the Donmar lobby hold"}, {"response": 1255, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, May 19, 1999 (16:59)", "body": "Welcome back, Renate. Rent-a-Labrador Service LOL! With or without a close resemblance, Colin could play DT. The actor/director Tony Goldwyn is a *dead ringer* for Dylan--I thought that was Tony's picture above! GMA interviewed three ardent 'Star Wars' fans this morning to ascertain their thoughts about the movie they waited on line (camped out) for a month to see. To my surprise, each of them *hated it*. If this sentiment spreads, it can only be good for MLSF. Kid-less adults will be looking for another way to spend their entertainment dollars later this summer (now if they can just get past EWS...):-)"}, {"response": 1256, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Wed, May 19, 1999 (17:02)", "body": "Hi, coming out of lurkdom for just a few seconds ... According to Jeannie Williams of USA Today, Colin Firth and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio will be at Thursday's AmFAR screening of My Life So Far or as she says it, \"dolling up.\""}, {"response": 1257, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, May 19, 1999 (17:10)", "body": "Star Wars...too much hype, too much expectation. Notting Hill (heavily hyped in the UK) opens tomorrow...it will be interesting to see what sort of reaction it gets. Sometimes it's better not to have a big build up. On literary films, the one role Colin could play is the poet Ted Hughes. Gwyneth Paltrow has already been cast as Sylvia Plath in the Miramax movie. TH was craggily handsome. But what particularly struck me was a photo of Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath's son at a memorial service...there was a striking resemblance to CF. But, hey, I'm not the casting director!"}, {"response": 1258, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 19, 1999 (17:12)", "body": "Thanks, Marianne. We had our fingers crossed. Now, if only the entertainment news shows would spare a second from their coverage of TPM and those same-old, same-old people... Rent a Labrador Service If I stuff the one who lives in the house behind me in my suitcase, I won't have to rent one! Here, doggie, doggie... Now, we will just have to be dropped off in front of the Donmar in a Volvo. Are you still in the same town, Renate? Tony Goldwyn? Shush! Let no know hear that. Besides he'd never be able to do the accent."}, {"response": 1259, "author": "livamago", "date": "Wed, May 19, 1999 (19:54)", "body": "Marianne: Colin Firth and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio will be at Thursday's AmFAR screening of My Life So Far Does anyone know which shows are covering Cannes? If Liz Taylor will be there, I'm sure they'll show something . Marianne, I love your name...so Austen-like."}, {"response": 1260, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, May 19, 1999 (20:06)", "body": "Evelyn--Do you know whatt Alan Yentob's position is at the BBC??"}, {"response": 1261, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, May 19, 1999 (20:51)", "body": "(Renate)How many Labradors, do you think, can the Donmar lobby hold? I don't know, but will a Yorkshire Terrier be allowed? Maybe he could pass for a Labrador, if we took Antonio's Volvo ;-)"}, {"response": 1262, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, May 19, 1999 (21:39)", "body": "Alan Yentob is the Big Honcho...Head of BBC1 ( I think), second-in-command to the Director-General. Allison, do you know? I know he's more than Head of Drama."}, {"response": 1263, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 19, 1999 (21:50)", "body": "(Lidya) Does anyone know which shows are covering Cannes? If Liz Taylor will be there, I'm sure they'll show something. All the entertainment news shows have been showing Cannes: Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood and E! They will definitely show the benefit because it is an event into which the press is invited. Unfortunately, they will probably be showing Liz Taylor, Salma Hayek, Ben Affleck, Minnie Driver and the rest of the \"usual suspects.\" Moon, does the IFC show parties at Cannes? I don't get the Independent Film Channel (boo hoo) Here's the entire article from USA Today that Marianne brought to our attention. Love the comment about \"dolling up\" and how Puttnam is so \"proud\" of his film. ********* HOT TICKETS: My Life So Far will be screened at Thursday's AmFAR fund-raiser at the Cannes Film Festival with Elizabeth Taylor as host. Producer David Puttnam is so proud of the film that he'll rush off to Cannes right after his session in the British House of Lords. You gotta have priorities, you know. The big deal also is that this story of a boy and his eccentric Scottish family is the first collaboration of Puttnam and Hugh Hudson, the director, since Chariots of Fire in 1981. Taylor was due to arrive early Tuesday, little dog Sugar in her lap or purse, to get ready for the bash at the fancy Moulin des Mougins eatery. Hair man Jose Eber will be there with comb in hand. Minnie Driver, Ben Affleck, Linda Fiorentino, Salma Hayek, Kristin Scott Thomas and Life stars Colin Firth and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio also are dolling up. A highlight will be the auction, which offers one of Princess Diana's dresses, worn on her 1992 Korea trip with Prince Charles, not to mention tennis lessons with the likes of Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, Steffi Graf and Monica Seles. Last year, the event raised $1.2 million for AIDS research, and they're pushing to beat that figure."}, {"response": 1264, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 19, 1999 (22:21)", "body": "(Karen), Moon, does the IFC show parties at Cannes? I don't get the Independent Film Channel (boo hoo) So far no parties. Will try and call them tomorrow and see if they plan to do this one. As I said before, I am sure Hello will cover it and they will have Colin, Yeah!!!"}, {"response": 1265, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 19, 1999 (22:23)", "body": "Renate, you must tell us of your adventures in Italy, and Volterra. Welcome back!"}, {"response": 1266, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 20, 1999 (02:01)", "body": "(KJArt)Evelyn--Do you know whatt Alan Yentob's position is at the BBC?? I think he's the Top Banana/Head of Drama. Anyway...today he got my email. **** Got an answer from WGBH...the usual...\"we'll pass your suggestions on to Programming\".Though I think Chris was right ...we should direct a letter to Rebecca Eaton."}, {"response": 1267, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, May 20, 1999 (02:05)", "body": "How would you address it so he gets it? \"Allan Yentob@ etc.?\""}, {"response": 1268, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 20, 1999 (02:12)", "body": "I sent it Alan Yentob@bbc.co.uk So far it hasn't been returned. That's the address I received from previous BBC replies."}, {"response": 1269, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, May 20, 1999 (02:25)", "body": "If people wouldn't anticipate this movie like it were the second coming of Christ, then we'd have a lot more satisfied customers. Unfortuantely, when it comes to sequels nowadays, people are expecting 6million Dollar Man results: bigger, better, stronger, faster. I've got tickets for tomorrow night. Will anticipate nothing."}, {"response": 1270, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 20, 1999 (03:45)", "body": "Allison: Go here to see Salma at Cannes: Salma on the Beach"}, {"response": 1271, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 20, 1999 (12:52)", "body": "From BBC News : Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor is to hold her annual celebrity-packed Cinema Against Aids benefit evening at Cannes on Thursday. Stars expected to join Taylor - and pay \ufffd1,500 for the privilege - include Ben Affleck, Minnie Driver, Anjelica Huston, David Lynch and Tom Jones. Madonna and Julia Roberts are also rumoured to be flying into Cannes for the party. [could merit major time on news shows] Last year actress Sharon Stone danced [this is what we were shown of the benefit] to Sir Elton John's piano playing and helped to raise more than \ufffd720,000. [...] Before the auction a new film from Chariots of Fire director Hugh Hudson will be screened. My Life So Far stars the British actor Colin Firth. Other stuff from article that should make you gag: Brit actors enjoying the sunshine Meanwhile British actors Jude Law and Sadie Frost flew in to Cannes to enjoy the last few days of the festival and publicise their film The Final Cut which is out in August. [...] Law also announced that he plans to play the Elizabethan playwright Christopher Marlowe in a forthcoming film to be made by his production company Natural Nylon. Ewan McGregor, who with actor Jonny Lee Miller make up the rest of Natural Nylon, is tipped to play Shakespeare in the film. Director John Maybury, who made Love Is The Devil about artist Francis Bacon, was keen for the team to work on the film, even though it follows so closely on the heels of the blockbuster about Marlowe's more famous contemporary - Shakespeare. But the new project is likely to be much darker than Shakespeare In Love. Law said of Maybury and the film: \"It is going to be black. The first reference point he gave us was The Evil Dead.\" Law also has other projects in the pipeline. He plans to play Brian Epstein, the manager of The Beatles, in another film being developed by Natural Nylon."}, {"response": 1272, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 20, 1999 (12:59)", "body": "The Arts Council of England has defended its record of distributing lottery money to British films - even though none of the projects it has backed has yet made a profit. [...] The council's lottery film committee chairman, Charles Denton, said no-one should be surprised that returns from the \ufffd67m it had invested in 79 films were slow. [...] Denton said his committee's achievements were \"not uncheerful\", adding: \"Out of 49 completed films, only six have so far not secured a cinema release. \"The recoupment of a film's budget is a very long proces - unless it is a dog, in which case it's very short.\""}, {"response": 1273, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, May 20, 1999 (13:13)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1274, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May 20, 1999 (13:14)", "body": "Thanks Karen! It's amazing to see how Ewan is getting all the good parts. As I've said before, Colin should start his own production company to develop interesting projects for himself to star in. Hopefully, that day is not too far away. There should be a group picture in all the papers tomorrow."}, {"response": 1275, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May 20, 1999 (13:21)", "body": "Here's a link that the Independant Film Channel of Cannes: (I hope this works) http://ifctv.com/events/cannes99/text_bot.html"}, {"response": 1276, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 20, 1999 (13:31)", "body": "From The Times (re: SLOW) Lottery-funded films fail to show a profit WHEN lottery players paid for Colin Firth to star in a film called The Secret Laughter of Women, little did they know how secret the laughs would be. The \ufffd3.3 million movie, described as a romantic comedy set among the Nigerian community in the South of France, has never been shown on a British screen. The film is among an embarrassing and growing list of lottery films which have yet to announce a release date, even though the Arts Council promised that all its titles would get into the cinemas before giving companies the money. The council said yesterday that none of the films in which it has invested lottery money has made a profit, but asked the public to be patient. \"That is possibly the time factor or possibly that we have not had many successes,\" Charles Denton, chairman of the lottery film panel, told a press conference in Cannes. \"The council accepts that not every film it supports will achieve critical acclaim or commercial success. It has always seen its lottery film programme as part of a long-term strategy to enhance the prospects of the film sector.\" He conceded that no lottery-funded movie had \"made plus-100 per cent of its spend\". So far, 79 feature films have been awarded \ufffd67 million over the past four years: of those, he said, 18 have made enough money to repay any of their lottery investment - \ufffd3 million so far - as the others have not reached \"the marketplace\". Mr Denton said that the recouping period was long-term. He would not be prepared to release figures anyway at this stage, even though lottery money was involved, because matching funding from the private sector made that difficult. He said that films took years to make and he would be concerned if their makers rushed them into production before scripts were ready. He added that 16 per cent of the lottery funds had been allocated to black and Asian films. The most successful film has been The Woodlanders, followed by True Blue and Shooting Fish. Others which have made some money include Love is the Devil, about Francis Bacon, Land Girls, Slab Boys, A Midsummer Night's Dream and Among Giants. Three franchises received lottery money to create \"mini-studios\": DNA, The Film Consortium and Path\ufffd who were allocated a share of \ufffd95 million over six years in 1997. DNA reported that it signed contracts for its \ufffd29 million only a year ago. Two films have now gone into production: Night of the Creatures and The Final Curtain. The Film Consortium, which got \ufffd33.55 million in its share, said that \ufffd5.5 million spent so far on films had attracted a further \ufffd13 million from the private sector. Path\ufffd Pictures, which got \ufffd33.12 million, has so far made Ratcatcher and An Ideal Husband. One turkey which cost lottery players \ufffd500,000 was Peggy Su!, released in Singapore in 1997 but considered too weak for British cinemas. It was shown on television."}, {"response": 1277, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 20, 1999 (15:45)", "body": "Thanks Karen....Salma is a \"dead-ringer\" for Livia. *** Thanks Moon, but I didn't have any success with that link. I'll try it on Explorer."}, {"response": 1278, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 20, 1999 (18:53)", "body": "It looks adorable!! Had a feeling that it might be there... Miramax has finally put My Life So Far up at its website and there's a trailer!! Colin is mentioned first and shown quite a bit. Cute scene running after his son and out of a window after him. Has a jazzy soundtrack from the '20s or '30s. You hear Colin speak a couple of times. Go to: http://www.miramax.com The trailer is BIG 5.4MB and will take about 20 min with a 56K modem but it's worth it. YOWZA!!!"}, {"response": 1279, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, May 20, 1999 (19:40)", "body": "Good grief, seems I can\ufffdt see the trailer properly with this lousy equipment of mine....oh**** Thanks for the tip anyway Karen, I can imagine!!"}, {"response": 1280, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 20, 1999 (19:45)", "body": "Which one of the options are you using? There's Quicktime and the other? I used the \"other,\" even the shot of the house showed up right away. There's a little glitchy noise at the beginning, but then it runs smoothly. How can it be saved so we don't have to download it each time. I'm downloading right now Real Player's newest upgrade, in which the picture is larger. Don't know if this will help at all. Nan, can you get Snappies off the trailer? BTW, no Scottish accents!! Take that Ewan!"}, {"response": 1281, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 20, 1999 (19:47)", "body": "I SAW IT!! It's a treat....Colin in a 20's bathing suit...sporting those glasses we all love... and that little boy is darling.... all this and Satchmo.... Hey...I want that sound track, now . \"The Summer Hit\".....Roll on July 16th!!"}, {"response": 1282, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, May 20, 1999 (20:44)", "body": "(Evelyn)...sporting those glasses we all love... HA!!! I KNEW he'd look handsome and distinguished in a pair of spectacles. ;)"}, {"response": 1283, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 20, 1999 (21:00)", "body": "Ooooh...nice trailer. I downloaded them both and they are not realvideo files. Both the AVI and the Quicktime give the same 1\" x 1\" results. But he is cute...but that comes as no surprise ;) If anyone finds a way to use Real on them, let me in on the secret!"}, {"response": 1284, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 20, 1999 (21:39)", "body": "It is possible to play the quicktime on a screen about 3 x 3 but you have to go into your files where the stuff you download from the internet is stored temporarily. Mine is Netscape/users/default/cache. In there is a wee movie camera with M193raqf. change that name to MLSF and move it to a permanent file. Click on that little movie camera and there is your movie!"}, {"response": 1285, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, May 20, 1999 (23:05)", "body": "(Karen) Nan, can you get Snappies off the trailer? If I can download it, then open it in Quicktime Pro I can swipe it frame by frame. I'll give it a try when I get home..."}, {"response": 1286, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, May 20, 1999 (23:20)", "body": "Thanks for the warning about the trailer's load time, Karen. It is charming-- different than the one they were running last year briefly. I did hear a trace of a Scots accent (it was more pronounced in that other trailer). Can't wait to see CF back on the big screen! OK, ET is about to come on--have VCR set up for this and Access H'wood. I hope Rosie O'Donnell didn't fight with anyone today. I want the air time for ODB! I'm off to watch...with fingers crossed. They're both gorgeous but IMHO Livia's prettier than Salma, Evelyn. PS. I have the beginning of ET on. It's Rosie and Tom and a rehash of their fight (with Howard Stern thrown in--gag). They mentioned Ben Affleck rubbing elbows with Liz Taylor in Cannes, so there will be a story. I'm outta here!"}, {"response": 1287, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (00:10)", "body": "With previews like your. Eileen, I will not waste my time on it when it come on here in about 4 hours! Definite advantage for the Hawaii dwellers!"}, {"response": 1288, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (00:31)", "body": "OK, nothing of real interest on Access Hollywood or ET. Showed people (Jerry Hall, Salma Hayek and of course Liz) arriving at the gala. Both shows said they would have more coverage tomorrow. I'd bet ET's weekend edition also has a decent sized segment. Nothing on E! Probably tomorrow as well. Nothing on CNN Showbiz. I think that's it!! Nan, asked a guy at a nearby store and he said Quicktime Pro would do it and you should be able to save with Windows Media Player. Marcia, I couldn't find the file in my cache for either IE or Netscape. I'm going to try this again."}, {"response": 1289, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (02:19)", "body": "Karen, I'd still try for the downloaded files and rename them. Then move them to a safe file as where you find them will dump data when it is full. QuickTime Pro costs. Let us know if you think it was worth the $$ because if you can't find the little file. Thanks for the rundown of the evening's offerings on the Cannes-Firth-watching. I shall hunt for more things for Gi's shower rather than waste my time on the TV ET shows!"}, {"response": 1290, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (03:25)", "body": "I have scanned the major Italian papers who love Liz and yes, they did mention the Gala and lots of stars, I even posted the menu on 72, but no mention of ODB or MLSF. Will see what happens tomorrow on TV."}, {"response": 1291, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (03:44)", "body": "From the UK Press Assoc.: SEXY SALSA COSTS \ufffd33,000 AT LIZ'S CHARITY BASH Salma Hayek spiced up the annual Cannes Aids benefit with a sexy salsa lesson for fellow Dogma star Ben Affleck. She hitched up her glamorous satin gown and swung her hips to the Latin rhythm at the request of producer Harvey Weinstein. He bid \ufffd33,000 at the high-rolling charity auction hosted by screen legend Elizabeth Taylor - and ended up tangoing with Ben Affleck himself."}, {"response": 1292, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (04:31)", "body": "Got 'em. I just love my QT Pro..."}, {"response": 1293, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (05:06)", "body": "Nan.... Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! oh Yum. :) *drooling*"}, {"response": 1294, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (06:16)", "body": "Ok, I'm convinced. I'm going to download the QT Pro! Thanks, Nan. You have never let us down =)"}, {"response": 1295, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (06:26)", "body": "Ok ladies, I just discovered that with the AVI format, which gives you the larger picture, you can opt for full screen (your monitor screen) size. Wow!!! Close up it is a little pixelly so you sit back a ways, but my he does look fine!!!"}, {"response": 1296, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (08:22)", "body": "(KJArt)Evelyn--Do you know whatt Alan Yentob's position is at the BBC?? He is Director of Television, BBC. Off to watch clip. Whee!"}, {"response": 1297, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (08:23)", "body": "(KJArt)Evelyn--Do you know whatt Alan Yentob's position is at the BBC?? He is Director of Television, BBC. Off to watch MLSF clip. Whee!"}, {"response": 1298, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (08:24)", "body": "Isn't Netscape wonderful. It now posts twice; an improvement on IE4!"}, {"response": 1299, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (12:50)", "body": "Nan!! Fantastic!! Thank you. He is just so adorable in this. Warning to anyone who opts for full screen: BE VERY CAREFUL! I did this shortly after getting my new PC and it totally changed all the settings on the PC, so that the opening desktop was huge and you couldn't navigate around at allwith a mouse. I had to restore the settings from the DOS setup. The tech support guy at Micron was really impressed by how screwed up it was. Nevah again!! Thanks Marcia, I now have the trailer all captured for viewing on demand. Now if I could only get the movie... :-)"}, {"response": 1300, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (13:52)", "body": "Thanks Nan for giving us our own video stills. Murph tells me she also has them up on her website: http://www.geocities.com/~murphyat65/mlsf.html#new **** Harvey tangoing with Ben Affleck? Did any of the shows capture that one?"}, {"response": 1301, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (14:07)", "body": "Just skimmed the papers at work (although we don't get all of them). Three mentions of the MLSF premiere and a photo (that's the good news!) The bad news is that the photo is always of Jerry Hall \"attending the premiere of Hugh Hudson's \"My Life so Far\", and there's absolutely no mention of Colin....I would have thought they could have added \"starring Colin Firth\". But no!! Minnie Driver and Ben Affleck got mentions. The Daily Telegraph gave the event huge front page coverage, and it would have been good ublicity for CF...if only they'd mentioned his name! GRRRRR!!!! The invisible man syndrome....yet again! And he does have a very beautiful wife! Great snappies! Thanks, Nan and Murph!"}, {"response": 1302, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (14:11)", "body": "The Daily Mail does mention CF. It has the picture of Jerry Hall and says that she chatted to the stars of the film MM and CF!"}, {"response": 1303, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (14:12)", "body": "Quality is much better with the newest release of Real Player G2. Did zoom to double size (too chicken for full screen) and a little grainy but NICE...hmmmm I expect there to be a big spread in PEOPLE mag next week and those other celebrity magazines."}, {"response": 1304, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (16:44)", "body": "From the Financial Times, as spotted by AnneR (thanks): Puttnam says goodbye The annual AmFar screening and exclusive dinner on Thursday evening to benefit Aids charities, attracted the big name stars to the early evening screening of Hugh Hudson's new film My Life So Far. The producer of the film, Lord David Puttnam introduced it saying it would be his last and that this would be his last Cannes. He said that when he started in the film business he had ambitions to become the next Irving Thalberg, but joked that he did not have the business sense for that. He went on to praise fellow host Harvey Weinstein, chief executive of Miramax, applauding his continued vision and daring without which he said \"the film industry today would not be what it is\". The film was dedicated to Ian Chaleson, the star of Hudson's Oscar winning film Chariots of Fire, who died of Aids related illness. The screening was attended by many of the biggest Hollywood names, including the stars of the film, including Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Malcolm McDowell, Colin Firth and Salma Hayek. It was followed by a benefit dinner at the exclusive Moulin de Mougins restaurant hosted by Miramax to be attended by Aids campaigner Elizabeth Taylor. ******** See what happens when you don't properly punctuate? Salma Hayek is now considered to be part of the cast! Or maybe the author thought Irene Jacob was Salma? ;-)"}, {"response": 1305, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (17:21)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1306, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (17:22)", "body": "Yummy Murph and Nan, thank you."}, {"response": 1307, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (18:42)", "body": "(Karen) See what happens when you don't properly punctuate? Salma Hayek is now considered to be part of the cast! And ODB is listed after MEM and MMcD. Here we go again. Grrrr... Salma's got some publicist. She pops up everywhere. I read an article about her in some magazine (it could have been Mirabella) which focused on the entourage of 20 people she requires--no exaggeration! OK, the number did include her mother and brother, but there are 18 other people who work on/with/for this chick. That's probably 15 or so more than Colin (well, he doesn't wear make up on a daily basis). Harvey tangoing with Ben? Be still, my heart :-P Have got the VCR revved up to catch ET and AH again tonight. Besides Liz, Jerry, Salma and Ben, ET did show split second glimpses of MEM and MMcD entering the gala last night. There was not a Firth in sight :-( I have a feeling Mary and Malcolm will get the air time instead of ODB because they are more recognizable by US audiences (although I don't recall seeing much of MEM in the news until just lately). Regardless, it will all be dealt with in mere seconds. Perhaps I'll be pleasantly surprised. They're running commercials for EWS already . Thanks for those pics, Nan!"}, {"response": 1308, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (18:49)", "body": "Thanks Nan for the pixs and Karen for the info. I have an important announcement on 72. I invite you to stop by."}, {"response": 1309, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (19:59)", "body": "Thanks from me too, Nan & Murph, wonderful of you to put the stills up so quickly. Watching the trailer seems impossible for me so the stills comfort me very much! And I see from the pics that MSLF is a dangerous movie, it\ufffdll make me fall for him all over again."}, {"response": 1310, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (20:45)", "body": "Well, I booted my Real G2 player and it offered me an upgrade, so I sat for 15 minutes while it did just that. Then I downloaded the trailer. Now, I ave all 3 versions. The QT is the smallest, the Real is the blurriest, and my AVI is the sharpest. On this 266 mhz PC."}, {"response": 1311, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (21:29)", "body": "Blurriest? Did you do a major enlargement? I only downloaded the .avi clip and that's what my Real Player plays. Didn't see anything this afternoon on CNN Showbiz, but missed the first half. More likely to see something on those Showbiz minutes at the end of many of its shows. The half hour Showbiz report is probably put together days ago and is magazine like. Hey, the movie set was having a BBQ for lunch today. Drove by twice. Didn't see David Duchovney (hey, if anyone saw him being interviewed on AH last night, that was here!!) and didn't expect to see Minnie Driver. Will really get to see them all when they start shooting next door. Hmmm, maybe I can cozy up to Minnie and ask about Colin. Yeah, sure, uh huh... ;-)"}, {"response": 1312, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (21:52)", "body": "(Elena)And I see from the pics that MSLF is a dangerous movie, it\ufffdll make me fall for him all over again. LOL. Oh, how right you are Elena. ***** (Karen)hey, if anyone saw him being interviewed on AH last night I saw him on ET and looked for you as an \"extra\"!! *** With Salma doing a Hot Salsa, and Ben and Harvey tangoing...you expect those tv cameras to focus on staid Colin???"}, {"response": 1313, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (21:55)", "body": "Doesn't CNN have an hour-long Entertainment Show tonight? **** Anyone notice how similar Rosemary Harris and JE sound. Same velvety voice. (One rude critic once referred to it as \"froggy\"!!)"}, {"response": 1314, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (22:28)", "body": "E! does an hour-long show (the weekend edition) but it is being preempted tonight because of the Daytime Emmy Awards pre-game show. Another nonevent-event usurping coverage of ODB!"}, {"response": 1315, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (23:38)", "body": "CNN had the hour show last night, but nothing, it was all about TV shows. My husband watched RAI News(Italian) and they did have a big thing on Cannes, I was out with my boys. Does he care about Cannes, NO! Did he tape it, NO! If he only knew that all I wanted was to catch a glimps of Colin, but that, I shall keep to myself.;-))"}, {"response": 1316, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, May 22, 1999 (01:11)", "body": "ET On-Line has a good spread on Cannes...Couldn't find anything on Colin..but gives lots of pics of the Grand Palais, map of Cannes, those rooms that go for $1000./night!! http://www.eonline.com/Hot/Features/Cannes99/index.html"}, {"response": 1317, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May 22, 1999 (01:40)", "body": "Karen, I do not know how you got your AVI file to run on Real Player, but shall ask my son-the-geek about it tonight. My AVI has a similar player without all the bells and whistles and options. I usually listen to music on Real, and I watch the Berlin interview from time to time =)) Yes, Evelyn, I was going to ask the same thing about Mum's voice and JE's being so similar. I read somewhere it was \"smoky\" When JE was interviewed for the part of Lizzie, I recall someone noting \"has her Mother's voice...\" BTW, when one is asleep, does it really matter that the room cost more than a year's salary for half the world? That is obscene!"}, {"response": 1318, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, May 22, 1999 (04:13)", "body": "Thanks for the pics, Nan. Love the spectacles ."}, {"response": 1319, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, May 22, 1999 (08:09)", "body": "Glad to hear he got a mention in the good ol' Daily Mail! I think Colin should \"borrow\" Salma Hayek's publicist for five minutes (although I must admit I'd never heard of her!) Am going to try and download the MLSF clip today...I really like the snappies -it looks like my type of movie! On a more boring note, had no reply (typically) from the Arts Council about SLOW. Thanks for posting the article about lottery funded films, Karen...I thought it contained some very inaccurate biased reporting (where's that publicist?) I have infact seen \"Peggy Su\", the other film labeled (unfairly) as a turkey. It was shown on the BBC, as it was a co-production with them, and was all about Chinese immigrants in the early 60's in the UK, trying for success. I thought it was a warm, charming little film. I was scripted by a Chineses writer, and all the cast were Chinese. There was absolutely nothing \"wrong\" with it...it just wasn't the sort of commercial material that gets picked up for the multiplexes. SLOW may well be in the same category..scripted by a Nigerian, focusing on African culture...but i'm sure there's nothing wrong with it, apart from not being obviously commercial. There was a recent report by the Commission for Racial Equality in the UK stating that ethnic minorities should have more opportunities in film production/screenplays etc. When I've got a moment. I'll e-mail them about SLOW (and Peggy Su)...someone need to come to the defence of these films!!!"}, {"response": 1320, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 22, 1999 (13:12)", "body": "Entertainment Weekly senior writer Rebecca Ascher-Walsh is reporting daily from Cannes.... Last night was the AMFAR dinner, which really was quite disappointing. Let's just include these little details: Dinner began at 8:30, but we weren't served our first course of asparagus until 11:50, which meant that everyone was exhausted and had consumed FAR too much champagne. The delay was due to La Liz, who couldn't be found to start the auction. When she finally got up to give her speech, the fuse in the tent blew, and we were all plunged into darkness. By the time everything was back up and running, it became clear that the usual big spenders weren't there; the people who are always draped in diamonds and busy outbidding each other must have stayed on their yachts. Minnie Driver, who was supposed to help run the auction, was a no-show, and the biggest star-wattage was at the table beside us, which seated Harvey Weinstein and the ''Dogma'' crew: Ben Affleck, Salma Hayek looking cute in diamonds and a fluffy blue angora, Kevin Smith, and his eight-month pregnant wife, who said she's crossing her legs not to deliver here. (You see, Kevin wants their baby to be born in the same hospital in New Jersey that he was born in.) At our table, we had Anouk Aimee, who is still G RGEOUS, and Ron Silver, and quite a few diamonds, as well. Anyway, it was all a dreadful bore, if you ask me, and I wouldn't have gotten home if I hadn't thrown myself at the mercy of ''Ideal Husband'' director Oliver Parker, who was kind enough to let us squeeze into his Mercedes with his driver at the end of the night. Much madness for nothing, much like the whole festival, although they did give out very fine Tommy Hilfiger jackets as party favors. Now I'm off to my last lunch (I repeat: LAST LAST LAST LAST) for another Miramax party, then a party tonight at which Tom Jones is performing, and I am OUT OF HERE. ************** Another Miramax party today? Maybe Colin will stay? Maybe he's struck up a friendship with Salma?"}, {"response": 1321, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, May 22, 1999 (15:00)", "body": "(Bethan)... I think Colin should \"borrow\" Salma Hayek's publicist for five minutes (although I must admit I'd never heard of her!) (Karen) ...Another Miramax party today? Maybe Colin will stay? Maybe he's struck up a friendship with Salma? SALMA HAYEK; On the cover of Premiere Mag (US) and interview: B. in Mexico of Middle Eastern father and Mexican mother. Will starr with Will smith in this summer's $100.Million Plus film: Wild , Wild West. Played with Antonio Banderas in Desperado. About to turn 3-0. ...petite.. 5'2\" size D cup!! Boyfriend British actor Edward Atterton ( they met on the set of Hunchback\" in \"97). Is currently at Cannes to plug the film \"Dogma\" with Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. A controversial religious satire...which is in competition.Has her own production company which produced the screen adaptation of Gabriel Garcia Marquez \"No one Writes to the Colonel\". In September will star in \"Frida\"the biopic of artist Frida Kahlo. Which she is co-producing with Miramax. I don't think we have heard the last of Salma.....that gal is here to stay!!"}, {"response": 1322, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, May 22, 1999 (21:39)", "body": "Yippeeee....I\ufffdve seen it! My ingenious husband made some installments and we watched the trailer a minute ago. He admired the quality of it while I admired....well, you know. And the movie looks pretty good, sort of fresh. But doesn\ufffdt it look weird that Colin\ufffds character falls in love with Irene Jacob\ufffds character who looks so very much like Colin\ufffds wife?! Reminds me of something I recently read in Sunday Times ;-)"}, {"response": 1323, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, May 23, 1999 (02:47)", "body": "I have been checking Entertainment Weekly but can't find anything about MLSF. Has anyone else had any success. I have no access to the Daily Mail. E.W. has many, many movies listed but no MLSF and nothing about the Firth's"}, {"response": 1324, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 23, 1999 (05:32)", "body": "From the Sunday Times: David Puttnam has promised that My Life So Far will be his last movie. Adapted from the memoirs of Sir Denis Forman, the former Granada Television boss, the film follows the young Denis and his relationship with his elders amid the Scottish Highlands. Puttnam might have wanted his swansong production to be shown in competition at Cannes. But it was not, though it was selected for an Aids charity screening. It could, however, be seen earlier last week in a cinema in a Cannes backstreet for market buyers. I tried to get in. I was banned. Even pleading on the phone with the head of press at mighty Miramax, which has financed the \ufffd4m film, failed. \"You need a letter from Hugh Hudson.\" Tricky, since My Life So Far was just about to begin and Hudson, the mov e's director, was in Britain. Why has this 1997 movie taken so long to be shown? Forman himself did not sound encouraging. \"I took the money for the rights and ran,\" he told me. \"I really have no curiosity about it. Forman did, though, see a rough cut some time ago. \"I thought Colin Firth was very good,\" was his only comment. Firth plays Forman's father. I gather too that the people in this film have been fictionalised. The Rev Adam Forman becomes the non-Rev Edward Pettigrew, while young Denis is James. Eventually Hudson phones. \"Denis himself thought it best to change the names. To protect family and friends still living.\" Or to protect himself?"}, {"response": 1325, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, May 23, 1999 (09:09)", "body": "Hmmmm...very hostile reporting that will do the film no ggod. It implies that it wasn't good enough for the competition ( although it isn't the type of film which would be selected anyway), stresses that it was made in 1997 (Miramax should have released it earlier...the critics always pick up on the fact that films are delayed), and quotes Denis Forman's very unhelpful remarks (if he doesn't care about the film, why should we?) Also I don't thik the press are ever allowed into market screenings, but by us ng the word \"banned\" it looks as though Miramax are protecting this film ( although it can be seen by the public in a few days in Newport). But that's a real downer of a press story, and won't help MLSF."}, {"response": 1326, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 23, 1999 (13:11)", "body": "It is a nasty little piece. For example: \"Puttnam might have wanted his swansong production to be shown in competition at Cannes.\" Well, did he? Did this reporter ask him that? If so, why isn't it a direct quote from Puttnam? Then I imagine the reporter called Forman up who was totally disinterested (\"I really have no curiosity about it.\") and had only seen a \"rough cut\" some time ago. This article gives all appearance of a hatchet job. Putting thoughts into people's heads and drawing conclusions from suppositions. You're right, Bethan, this is not a Cannes-type film."}, {"response": 1327, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, May 23, 1999 (14:34)", "body": "Looking through my rose colored glasses, I don't see the article as that negative. Rarely does the book's author find the finished product satisfactory. Evelyn, you've been telling me the book is a snooze. It's still sitting on my bedside table collecting dust. Is this the London Times? The article will be forgotten by the time the film is released in England."}, {"response": 1328, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, May 23, 1999 (14:46)", "body": "Out of lurkdom this rainy Sunday Morning in New Jersey to remark that the book, \"Son of Adam,\" is quite interesting, IMO, at least in the first part. His telling of the family's history and the insights into his mother, \"Gamma,\" and father are fascinating. Adam Forman was indeed a figure larger than life, and completely eccentric. The impression I DID get from the book is that Forman did not like his father much at all. The latter part of the book, when he breaks with the family's religious views and when he leaves home are, as Evelyn says, a bit of a bore. Still, if you have a copy, I recommend reading the beginning, especially now that we can picture Colin whenever Adam is described. (No bathing suit at all in that morning swim, BTW). Murph"}, {"response": 1329, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 23, 1999 (15:57)", "body": "Thanks Murph for posting your views. I tend to agree with Evelyn's assessment and have read the book. However, there are others here who did enjoy it too. To me the book was nothing out of the ordinary insofar as they were recollections of a childhood, a child's fascination with a variety bodily functions, etc. Cannot help but wonder though if this had been about anybody else (not Dennis Forman of Granada television and author of many books about music) would his memoirs have been published and then optioned for a movie?? Am way too cynical for my own good. Also, why did they change the story? Why did they create a little lusting after the Irene Jacob c aracter? Adam Forman was happily married and apparently had a decent sex life (something about taking naps in the afternoon, as I recall!)"}, {"response": 1330, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sun, May 23, 1999 (16:00)", "body": "(Evelyn)One rude critic once referred to it as \"froggy\"!! I thought the froggy style referred to the fact that she was filming in France, not her voice. I haven't been able to download that trailer yet. I haven't got QT, just REAL."}, {"response": 1331, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 23, 1999 (16:26)", "body": "You should be able to download it and view it with Real Player. Try the .avi option on the right. It can also be viewed with Windows Media Player."}, {"response": 1332, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sun, May 23, 1999 (16:43)", "body": "I did try the .avi option. All I get is a new window with a black background and a white rectangle."}, {"response": 1333, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 23, 1999 (16:47)", "body": "That is all you will get. However, it is loading and will take 20 minutes. Using the QT option on the left, you will get an immediate picture of the house, but it will also take about that long to fully load. Nothing is wrong. Check the little script running at the bottom of your screen. Every once in a while it will say something about contacting miramax.com or percent loaded. Don't give up."}, {"response": 1334, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May 23, 1999 (16:56)", "body": "Evelyn, you've been telling me the book is a snooze\" IMO anything they do to that book will only improve it. And the second one \"To Reason Why\" wasn't any better. I think the new storyline sounds good....that little boy is cute...though if he steals the movie from Colin, I'll cheerfully strangle him!! **** I thought the froggy style referred to the fact that she was filming in France, not her voice. \"Does it froggy -style\" was a term a tabloid headlined JE's role in \"Pleasure\" She got a lot of flack after her nude scene in The Camomile Lawn. But earlier, her voice was also referred as \"froggy\". **** This week's Parade Magazine supplement in the Sunday papers has an interview with ME Mastrantonio...mentions MLSF. But in reference to filming in Alaska for her new film at Cannes \"Limbo\"... \"..Is it true the insects eat you alive? (in Alaska).....they're nothing compared to the midges on a loch in Scotland\"(where she filmed MLSF due out in July)! I hear they are lethal if they get in your crotch!!"}, {"response": 1335, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, May 23, 1999 (18:27)", "body": "I hear they are lethal if they get in your crotch!! It looks like he survived. (She says quite cheerfully!) I am still crossing my fingers for the July release date of MLSF, it has been changed before. But, will it be showing for my return in late Aug.? (She says sadly) Thanks for all the info. Karen."}, {"response": 1336, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, May 23, 1999 (19:52)", "body": "Hi everyone back from my hols. I can't believe what I have just read at www1.teletext.co.uk/bigscreen/ (hope this works) but according to Teletext Julie Andrews is to join Stephen Fry and Colin Firth in Noel Cowards screen version of Private Lives!! where does that leave BJD.!!Must go back and check I haven't made a mistake."}, {"response": 1337, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, May 23, 1999 (19:57)", "body": "http:www1/teletext.co.uk/bigscreen/ search Colin Firth and it can be found under \"Round Up\" scroll halfway down."}, {"response": 1338, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sun, May 23, 1999 (20:00)", "body": "Grr...I've been waiting for an hour an half for that trailer to load and still nothing. (well, the rectangle is no longer white, but dark grey) And I thought I had a relatively fast connection! (I've got a cable modem. I get internet via the TV cable)"}, {"response": 1339, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May 23, 1999 (20:01)", "body": "That's what it says alright...good girl Ann.. Julie Andrews seems to be ailing, though. Colin would be perfect in a Noel Coward screen play. What part would he play?....,movie buffs. (Now let's hope it's not another false rumor like the radio play.)"}, {"response": 1340, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sun, May 23, 1999 (20:18)", "body": "Okay, finally saw that trailer!! Just figured out I need to click my right mouse button. Gee, do I feel stupid now!! Now, I'm off to check Teletext."}, {"response": 1341, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, May 23, 1999 (21:11)", "body": "Evelyn, I believe it was announced at Cannes so I wouldn't be at all surprised if Baz mentions it in his column next week, he has been in Cannes. Not sure how I feel about the news it is hardly going to be seen as Box Office material, still he is certaibnly working his butt off, first stage, then TV, then film and back to the stage."}, {"response": 1342, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May 23, 1999 (22:32)", "body": "(Ann)Not sure how I feel about the news it is hardly going to be seen as Box Office material, still he is certaibnly working his butt off He's in with big company...it's bound to be quality stuff...which we like him to do...and he does too. Something he can be proud of. Let's see how \"An Ideal Husband\" does. Who is producing PL. Is it Miramax?"}, {"response": 1343, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, May 23, 1999 (22:42)", "body": "I agree Evelyn with the above, what also worries me is that JA is so much older than CF and hasn't made a film for ages, what is the story of PL, I vaguely remember there are two couples, I wonder who else is in it?"}, {"response": 1344, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 23, 1999 (23:18)", "body": "Welcome back from your vacation Ann and you went straight on the job!! ;-) Private Lives?? with Stephen Fry and Julie Andrews? Very bizarre casting. Am checking to see if one of the two couples' mother shows up. Here's a blurb about plot from the 1931 film with Robert Montgomery and Norma Shearer: Noel Coward's very witty and often revived play is a mixed bag. On the one hand you have one of the master wits of the century, on par, say, with George Bernard Shaw and Oscar Wilde, and on the other you have characters which I place near the top of my list of people I don't want to meet. Amanda and Elyot are those people. In a very clever premise, they play an ex-married couple, each newly married to another the very same day, each accidentally spending their honeymoon in the same French city, in the sam hotel, on the same floor, and in fact in adjoining rooms. They meet on the adjoining terraces, reminisce over old times and decide it was a mistake to divorce. Leaving notes to their spouses (Reginald Denny and Una Merkel) they run off to a St. Moritz, Switzerland chalet, with their mystified spouses swiftly following to find them. My problem with the film is their persistent and maddening bickering - verbal violence - which they recognize they're guily of, and which each try to stem by using the express on \"Solomon Isaacs\" to remind the other to stop. It doesn't always work, and it sometimes results in physical violence too. The script of the film was changed somewhat, introducing the character of Oscar (Jean Hersholt, in a small role).. ********** I would hope that Colin gets to play Elyot (the Robert Montgomery character) as opposed to the *other* spouse of Amanda (shades of Geoffrey Clifton). Maybe Julie Andrews will play this other nonoriginal play character who has now been turned into a woman??? Your guess is as good as mine."}, {"response": 1345, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, May 23, 1999 (23:37)", "body": "Couldn't find the news item, but the casting does sound very weird. The main parts are Amanda and Elyot, and there's supposed to be a fair amount of passion, if not lust, between them. The other couple are the rejected spouses. Colin would have to be Elyot...to see him play the rejected spouse to Stephen Fry would be a travesty. And, with all due respect, I can't see SF in a straight role. And where does Julie Andrews fit in? But has the item disappeared? And, as Ann says, what of BJD? Was there any date given for Private Lives?"}, {"response": 1346, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, May 23, 1999 (23:59)", "body": "Colin as a pompous pipe-smoking - oh no, and I couldn't bear it to see him lose out to SF, with the greatest respect but neither can I see SF playing the rejected spouse, as you say weird casting. BTW Bethan the item is still there, I have just checked, did you search for CF and then come up with two stories click on to Round Up and scroll down the page and there it is."}, {"response": 1347, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (00:32)", "body": "BTW you are so lucky to be getting to see MLSF in JUly, it looks wonderful and is just the kind of CF film I love, I believe we won't get it here until the Autumn, too long to wait. I am really looking forward to hearing what Laura and Susan think of it . When is it being shown at Newport, was it the 3rd June? Too bad we have had our holiday, a trip to Newport would have been perfect. Change of subject - Please tell me that Colin hasn't accepted another Geoffrey Clinton role, he should be the romantic h ro not the cuckold, Oh go to bed Ann!!"}, {"response": 1348, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (01:09)", "body": "Colin would have to be Elyot. Wonder who will play Amanda and Elyot's second wife? If Julie Andrew is indeed in this film, she couldn't be one of the wives. Maybe she's in a cameo type role???? I can see Stephen Fry as Amanda's new husband. He did play a straight character (or at least one that wasn't blatently gay) in that John Travolta movie, A Civil Action. He was an environmental engineer type and was just fine."}, {"response": 1349, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (01:33)", "body": "Apparently this is the centenary year for Noel Coward... this film must be in celebration.Like Wilde was two years ago.It is a \"comedy of manners\". A new production just opened at the Lyttleton , National theatre.. My London Theatre Newsletter reviewed it this week and gave a synopsis of the story: \"This 'Intimate Comedy' is set in France in the late 20's and is in three acts. The first act finds divorcees Amanda and Elyot staying in the same hotel while honeymooning with their new spouses! Not only are they in the same hotel but they are also in adjacent rooms. What will they do when they meet opposite each other on the terrace? Although their divorce ended bitterly it seems they still love each other in a warped kind of way, plus they find that their new partners are not as stimulating as they would have liked. This sets up a slapstick series of events with some delightful repartee between Amanda and Elyot as their love-hate relationship once again begins to take hold. ****** perhaps I'll go to see it. I can see Colin in this... a Mr. Darcy -type definitely.We'll love it. I hope his co-star isn't Minnie Driver (gag, gag)"}, {"response": 1350, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (04:02)", "body": "From The Scotsman (22 May) Cannes reprieve for unreleased Scots film RICHARD MOWE In Cannes THE film company behind the international hits Mrs Brown and Life is Beautiful are to put their muscle behind a Scottish film that has remained unseen since filming was completed two years ago. Miramax hope to release My Life So Far in the United States in July and in the autumn in the UK, it was revealed at the Cannes Film Festival, yesterday. The film is based on theautobiographical memoirs of Sir Denis Forman, television executive and now chairman of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. His alter ego in the film, Fraser Pettigrew, is a ten-year-old boy growing up on a Scottish estate in the Thirties with his eccentric inventor father, beautiful mother, a domineering grandmother, and a foreign governess whose presence causes emotional ripples. The story is related through the boy\ufffds eyes as he comes of age in an atmosphere where adults indulge their childlike desires. The film, which was made with money from the Scottish Arts Council\ufffds lottery fund, reunited director Hugh Hudson with producer David Puttnam for the first time since Chariots of Fire in 1981. Miramax chose the film for a special private screening earlier this week before a VIP audience who included stars Colin Firth, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Irene Jacob and Malcolm McDowell as well as Jerry Hall, Minnie Driver, Kate Moss, and Angie Everhart. Lord Puttnam, chairman of the National AIDS Trust, said at the screening that he felt his career had now come full circle. His first film Chariots of Fire was premiered at Cannes 26 years ago \ufffd and My Life So Far was his last film as a producer before receiving his peerage. He has dedicated the film to the Edinburgh actor Ian Charleson who starred in Chariots of Fire and who died of AIDS in 1990. Hudson said the main appeal of the story, written by the playwright Simon Donald, was that \"it had some edgy twists on the usual period drama\". He said: \"First and foremost though it is a happy film about an adventurous childhood, something you rarely see any more at a time when so much innocence has been shattered.\" The child lead is played by an Edinburgh schoolboy Robbie Norman, who was 11 at the time of shooting two years ago. He had never acted professionally before. Filming took place at Ardkinglass House on the banks of Loch Fyne where for onedramatic scene a huge ice rink was constructed for a curling contest. Hudson said: \"The thing I love about shooting in Scotland is that you are completely removed from the world. We really had that feeling of being a family, isolated from all the turmoil.\" The American actress Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio who plays the boy\ufffds mother was also in Cannes to promote John Sayles\ufffds new film Limbo in the official competition. She said she was delighted to be able to catch up with My Life So Far after such a long time from the end of shooting. She said: \"It\ufffds strange to think it\ufffds been over two years \ufffd I just had a baby at that time and that baby now speaks and runs around. But now with Miramax behind it we hope it will be in the cinema soon.\" Miramax is run by the brothers Bob and Harvey Weinstein and one reason for the delay in the film\ufffds release is believed to be Harvey Weinstein\ufffds insistence on nursing it through certain stages of post-production. He took a particular interest in the soundtrack and a new score was ordered from the composer Howard Blake to replace the original music. Miramax\ufffds track record in picking up and promoting relatively low budget films has become legendary in the film business. Mrs Brown was a modest part-BBC financed production until it received the treatment, scoring both at the box office, critically, and in awards ceremonies. Weinstein hopes to repeat the trick with My Life So Far. He said: \"It\ufffds a totally charming movie.\" ************ Almost seems like it was intended to counter The Times article (written by someone who had an axe to grind), but this preceded it. So Harvey was responsible for the new music. Yeah, Harvey!!! :-)"}, {"response": 1351, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (14:05)", "body": "My thanks to you, Karen for providing the two articles about MLSF. I tend to agree with Heide about the first one, though. Here's how I read it: blah blah blah, blah blah blah, blah blah blah, \"I thought Colin Firth was very good,\" blah blah blah.... but I'm really quite biased! The other one confuses me, frankly. Wasn't Miramax behind the film all along? The purpose for this is clearly pro-Miramax (read: pro-Harvey)--\"here I come, to save the day...\" Miramax rescues another one from the scrap heap, etc. At least the film got some press since it didn't get any air time on the 'T&A' entertainment shows I taped. See Salma shimmy. See Ben shake. See Harvey dip Ben. See Eileen gag. That's interesting news about 'Private Lives;' thanks, Ann. Even if this is a rumor, as Evelyn says, like the radio play (BTW--was that just a mistake or did CF pull out? Does anyone know?) we should be hearing something concrete about his next project soon, shouldn't we?"}, {"response": 1352, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (14:18)", "body": "like the radio play (BTW--was that just a mistake or did CF pull out? I believe I read somewhere (?) that CF pulled out. MLSF articles: First one: Reporter was miffed he didn't get into the screening. Made a couple of phone calls; couldn't find out anything from anybody in the know; decided to do a hatchet job. Second one: Miramax had some do some serious 'splaining why this \"little gem of a film\" was sitting on a shelf for so long. Does this sound like Andrew Davies or what? Miramax, Granada and London Weekend Television are doing Northanger Abbey and Davies is doing the script (his previous credits are listed as Circle of Friends and A Rather English Marriage). Here's the plot synopsis: The gothic love story centers on the romantic trials and tribulations of Morland\ufffds \"sexual awakening.\" LOL!!"}, {"response": 1353, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (15:58)", "body": "Just found an interesting interview with JE at www.thisislondon.co.uk. Had to laugh at the following: 'No, no, don't tell me,' she laughs, when I attempt to show her some pages I downloaded from websites devoted to her, demonstrating the 29-year-old's global impact. Not that this cuts any ice with Jennifer. 'No, keep them away from me. It boggles me. I think it's a very strange concept. I wouldn't look at them because I think it's very unlikely that I would find out anything I don't know already.'"}, {"response": 1354, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (16:26)", "body": "I am not surprised at Jennifer's comments...she says,she has never gone to see her films except at a private screening( hey, Jenn,When I saw the premiere of WILDE you were in the audience!!)never reads reviews or interviews...hates to see anything pertaining to herself in print. But her agent's PA tells us she really likes the website. But for those interested in reading about actors and websites this appeared this weekend at a British Theatre website. HOW VERY SILLY! A fan site for a British actor has just been taken down because he felt it invaded his privacy. Frankly, I think the actor concerned is being incredibly stupid, but it set me thinking about the relationship between actors and the Web sites dedicated to them. That's the theme of this week's feature at http://britishtheatre.about.com/library/weekly/aa052399.htm ***** Just called Footlights re: MLSF soundtrack....they expect it in July...possibly in June....thank you Harvey!!"}, {"response": 1355, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (16:28)", "body": "Forgot to add that the Olivier website that the article mentions is so excellent belongs to Murph!! Congrats!!"}, {"response": 1356, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (20:52)", "body": "(Evelyn)Forgot to add that the Olivier website that the article mentions is so excellent belongs to Murph!! Congrats!! Hear! Hear! I found her site some weeks ago and sent her an email and posted in the comments area. I had no way of knowing if this was \"our\" Murph. I am so happy with that site, I cannot tell you...my first love was Olivier, and I am most protective of him. Her site is not only visually gratifying, it is also full of things I had never seen - and that takes some doing. I have 8 books about him including his own! I would really like to see what Richard Olivier looks like - probably like him Mum, as Ol vier resembled His Mum. Going to check. Thanks for reminding us of this most worthy site, Evelyn =)"}, {"response": 1357, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (21:05)", "body": "I went to UCLA with Dickie Olivier and he did look more like his mum. He was always making me laugh and his voice was just like his dad's. Thanks for the PL info. I think Elizabeth Taylor did the play in NY."}, {"response": 1358, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (21:14)", "body": "ET did PL with Richard Burton"}, {"response": 1359, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (21:14)", "body": "\"Dickie\" Olivier's debut as a director took place in my local (provincial - safely away from the metropolis) theatre. His great, ailing dad attended the premiere. It was a well execured spectacle, but ultimately rather unmemorable."}, {"response": 1360, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (22:14)", "body": "Hi, the mystery is explained, the film is not Private Lives but Relative Values, go to a Julie Andrews site for all the information http://pluto.beseen.com/boardroom/h/19907/View?n=00224 . JA plays Colin's Aunt, that makes more sense and Eric Sykes directs, is that the comedian ES? do you think Bethan, or Lizza or Allison? SF plays the butler!"}, {"response": 1361, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (23:20)", "body": "Thanks Ann for your continuing investigation. I kind of liked the other movie better for Colin, bigger role! But size doesn't always matter... ;-)"}, {"response": 1362, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (06:55)", "body": "The film is directed by Eric Style not Eric Sykes and apparently filming has started, still time for BJD!!!"}, {"response": 1363, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (07:42)", "body": "the film is not Private Lives but Relative Values, Ann, you really have hit the ground running, after your holiday! I agree there is still time for BJD. MD is, after all, a small part in terms of air time (cf FD in P&P2) and it is not due to start filming until late summer according to reports. No wonder ODB took a long rest last year! He really is churning them out now. BTW, on the subject of BJD, I have seen Cate Blanchett in THREE things in the last week, Elizabeth, Ideal Husband and Plenty, so am now an expert;-) IMHO she is definitely not a great actress but I still think she would make a good BJD; I think she may be better in a more modern role and on film (definitely not on stage! ODB could definitely show her how that should be done). ***** One last cautionary thought - does Relative Values have a distributor?"}, {"response": 1364, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (08:06)", "body": "Well done Ann! Great sleuthing! I thought that DonQ still had another week in production, so CF must be literally working back to back (he has a house in Islington to support now!) I agree with Karen that Elyot/Private Lives would probably have been better, but I was concerned incase he wouldn't be available for BJD. And he has to do BJD, if only because it will be high profile and hit screens all round the world. I don't know anything about \"Relative Values\".....sounds rather PG Wodehouse to me (maybe it's Stephen Fry as the butler). I should think it's an ensemble piece, rather than a showcase for one or two talents. I was worried about the prospect of Eric Sykes directing, only because he's rather elderly now. According to the IMDB, Eric Styles has just directed a film with Rupert Graves and Holly Aird, so he must be a young British director. The locations sound promising...I should imagine it will be English st tely homes and the French Riviera. Does RV have a distributor? Good question, Allison. It's Noel Coward's centenary this year and I literally can't remember when a film of his work was last made for the Big Screen...20/30 years. More? And I would think that Julie Andrews' return to the screen would attract attention. The downside is that this would certainly not have \"youth appeal\" in the multiplexes!"}, {"response": 1365, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (08:29)", "body": "The only thing about Relative Values I could find was this http://www.paulb.com/relativevalues.htm No mention of her nephew...."}, {"response": 1366, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (09:39)", "body": "(Bethan)The downside is that this would certainly not have \"youth appeal\" in the multiplexes! Youth appeal? Yhe Mummy, Star Wars, ecc... Thank god if it hasn't!"}, {"response": 1367, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (09:57)", "body": "But without youth appeal, films really struggle to find a distributor, especially in the UK. I think it's about time us over-twenties struck back and said \"hey, we like to see movies too!\" But Relative Values has a very good cast and it is Noel Coward's centenary year...I think it will make it! Alison, I tried to borrow \"Elizabeth\" from our local Blockbusters, but they only had 4 copies (all out). I felt like a geriatric...everyone else was about sixteen. My son was with me and chose \"Sliding Doors\"...the most banal, unfunny film I've ever seen (only managed to watch about a third). We definitely need to counter the teen influence!!"}, {"response": 1368, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (10:21)", "body": "I tried twice to watch Elizabeth. Once on a plane . My husband, in the seat next to me, was giggling at Pleasantville and so I gave up and switched channels. Glad I did. Pleasantville was a clever, funny and watchable picture. Tried again when my son got out the video of Eliz. It was no good. I could not watch it. So dark and over dramatic. History as \"Goodies and Baddies\". I couldn't take it. Try an Ideal Husband, Bethan. I had not expected to like it. I have seen the play at least twice and found it rather contrived and slow. The film is much better. RE and JN are wonderful and Minnie Driver was good, especially when my eldest son told me he thought she was an upper class Barbara Windsor! If you see the film, you will see that he has a point. All this is very Off Topic - for which apologies!"}, {"response": 1369, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (13:30)", "body": "Another link that mentions the film, but no details. Apparently, a number of Coward's plays may be in development for filming. Go to \"Events\" at this site. http://www.noelcoward.net/"}, {"response": 1370, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (13:38)", "body": "Interesting coincidence...\"Relative Values\" was also the name of the article in The Times from 1994 about Colin and Kate Firth! Check it out: http://members.aol.com/tipper77/firths.html"}, {"response": 1371, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (14:57)", "body": "Just wondering....in the one or two references to old productions of \"Relative Values\" there seems to be no mention of Colin's character (nephew Peter). Do you think there's been a major re-write and the film is just based on the play (it's not well-known, and so this wouldn't upset the purists). The action is supposed to take place entirely in the country house library, but the film is being shot partly in the South of France. So could the role of \"son Nigel\" who falls for the American actress have becom \"nephew Peter\"? Otherwise, why mention CF prominently in the cast list?"}, {"response": 1372, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (15:48)", "body": "exactly and no other actor has been mentioned other than SF and he is the butler, so even if Nigel the son is there it is a very small part, very interesting. I wonder if this is why Colin \"withdrew\" from the Radio play?"}, {"response": 1373, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (18:14)", "body": "If they are working on it already, why have they not announced the rest of the cast? Why must everything surrounding Colin always be such a mystery?"}, {"response": 1374, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (19:34)", "body": "Stephen Fry is evidently playing a character NAMED Butler Cresswell, not \"the butler\". :-) Evelyn--went to your \"Website\" article that you cited: http://britishtheatre.about.com/library/weekly/aa052399.htm and found it very interesting...the author was conducting a survey on reader's favorite actor or actress' website through a link in the last paragraph. Why am I the only one posting to praise Colin's sites?? Why isn't he being snowed with CF-site-praising responses?? Why??"}, {"response": 1375, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (20:47)", "body": "Was *relatively* near the main library today so picked up Relative Values and a couple of other books on Noel Coward. Here's the original cast (28 November 1951) at the Savoy Theatre: Crestwell, the buter: Richard Leech Alice, the housemaid: Renee Hill Mrs Dora Moxton (Moxie): Angela Badderley Felicity, Countess of Marshwood: Gladys Cooper Lady Cynthia Hayling: Dorothy Batley The Honourable Peter Ingleton, Felicity's nephew: Simon Lack Admiral Sir John Hayling: Charles Cullum Nigel, Earl of Marshwood: Ralph Michael Miranda Frayle: Judy Campbell Don Lucas: Hugh McDermott Noel Coward directed Play is in three acts, all taking place in the library of the Marshwood House, East Kent, during early July 1951. Act one begins on a Saturday afternoon and Act Three is the following morning. ************ Very likely if they are going to shoot in the south of France, perhaps it will be flashbacks of how he met the starlet...aren't they all bounding around the beaches there or lazying away on yachts?? ;-) Will start reading soon. I'm sure they've changed things."}, {"response": 1376, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (20:53)", "body": "No nephew Peter!!"}, {"response": 1377, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (20:56)", "body": "#6 on the list. Calm down!! The Honourable Peter Ingleton, Felicity's nephew: Simon Lack"}, {"response": 1378, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (21:09)", "body": "I'm quite calm, don't know how I missed that. I just thought that perhaps the screenplay might have differed from the play."}, {"response": 1379, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (21:11)", "body": "Can't have had my glasses on."}, {"response": 1380, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (21:16)", "body": "The play is actually very long and wordy as these plays go. Saw many references that Gladys Cooper had trouble remembering her lines and complained about how quickly she was expected to learn it. There was a book of Noel Coward's diary (journal) entries and even he kept mentioning GC's problems with the dialogue. Although this would hardly be a problem in film. Sorry, Ann, looked like you were excited."}, {"response": 1381, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (21:38)", "body": "If they are working on it already, why have they not announced the rest of the cast? Why must everything surrounding Colin always be such a mystery? Another mystery..hopefully soon to be resolved! According to the Tatler, Working Title will start shooting BJD in September, with an intended release date of Spring 2000 (quick turnaround). They must know the casting for the major players by now....and if Colin has committed himself to a theatre run from late November, he must know exactly what he is doing! Good reading Karen, although I would expect the screenplay to be radically different, and perhaps a different emphasis given to the characters. The screenplay for An Ideal Husband was, I believe, (Allison, you're the expert) a much trimmed version of the play. So CF could be more in evidence... Mind you, we should be grateful he's squeezing in another film...he's practically working back-to-back!"}, {"response": 1382, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (07:09)", "body": "Mind you, we should be grateful he's squeezing in another film...he's practically working back-to-back! Yes, i am always confused as to how long actors are involved in the filming process. When they talk of a six week shoot, does that involve eveything, rehearsals et al? I assume there is some involvement, post-production- voice overs etc but if basically it is just 6 weeks then they can cram a lot in can't they?"}, {"response": 1383, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (12:31)", "body": "So far this play looks like typical drawing room comedy fare. Here's the description of Peter: \"Peter might be anywhere between thirty-five and fifty. He is impeccably dressed and has a quizzical gleam in his eye.\" Haven't run across any stellar dialogue for him yet. (really wish this were Private Lives)"}, {"response": 1384, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (12:50)", "body": "From Liz Smith's column today. Harvey threw a party on the last night of Cannes after the screening of \"An Ideal Husband,\" which closed the fest. Colin is not mentioned, but Harvey never lets an opportunity to get by without giving his pet films a plug! BTW, he is quoted in this column as saying to everyone at the party that Rupert should be nominated for an AA for this role. \"Harvey Weinstein says this movie, and his studio's other lush period piece, 'My Life So Far,' are 'films about forgiveness, which in light of our current mood, seems significant to me.'\""}, {"response": 1385, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (14:09)", "body": "The more I think about Colin in Relative Values, the more odd it seems. I cannot understand why he would want to play second fiddle to Julie Andrews of all people. She is hardly a great actress, IMHO. Also Stephen Fry. He is actually quite good and he was a wonderful Jeeves but still not, somehow, the usual CF calibre. And in an indifferent Noel Coward play. My only explanation is that he is looking for something to fill in before BJD. He has always said that he is prepared to lower his standards i he has a house to buy. Perhaps that was why he was contemplating doing the radio play and then this came along. I must say, it does not excite me."}, {"response": 1386, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (14:33)", "body": "Still, Noel Coward is seen as quality. And, if the script has changed slightly, which we all seem to feel, there must be something to his character. Plus, he does have that house to pay. Will he have time for an Umbrian vacation in July?"}, {"response": 1387, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (15:04)", "body": "(Karen) Harvey Weinstein says this movie, and his studio's other lush period piece, 'My Life So Far,' I'm glad Harvey didn't forget to mention MLSF. Sometimes I wonder if that's really one of his pet films. 'Dogma' sure stole the spotlight at Cannes (Salma and Ben, Ben and Salma, Ben, Ben, Salma, Salma, Austin Powers, Felicity Shagwell...*Aargh*). From this week's 'Newsweek:' \"How dull is this year's Cannes film festival? After the first week, the only movies getting any buzz weren't even in the official competition. Kevin Smith's 'Dogma,' which Disney found too sacrilegious to distribute, was the comic sensation. It stars Matt Damon and Ben Affleck as fallen angels...\" [blah blah blah] The blurb also mentions \"Titus Andronicus,\" starring Alan Cumming, Jessica Lange and Anthony Hopkins as being so gory a distributor has not been found. There w s no mention of MLSF despite the promising beginning. :-( Given the other movies out this summer, this film needs all the direct or indirect promo it can get. Hey, do you think Harvey will do the press junket with Colin? Hahaha :-D (Bethan) and if Colin has committed himself to a theatre run from late November, he must know exactly what he is doing! Excellent point, Bethan. Since the 3DOR cast is unchanged, I imagine they wouldn't need extensive rehersal time prior to opening."}, {"response": 1388, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (15:13)", "body": "(Allison) My only explanation is that he is looking for something to fill in It sure looks that way. It's way too early to make conclusions about 'RV,' IMO. We've hardly seen anything concrete about it yet."}, {"response": 1389, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (15:33)", "body": "No mention of CF at the Ideal Husband party...but any mention of Jeremy Northam? ;-)"}, {"response": 1390, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (16:37)", "body": "No mention of CF at the Ideal Husband party...but any mention of Jeremy Northam? ;-) Posted it at #43 :-) ********** DQ Update: Colin would be freed up to begin work on something new very shortly. This is the last week of filming for DQ per the BBC. It is still intended for television at this point, with transmission to be early next year...possibly late this year. I asked if there was any concern about other Don Quixote projects on the horizon (one from Terry Gilliam has been in the news) and she said, no, there would be no rush to get this one done as it is not a dramatization of the Cervantes novel but about a character who i influenced by reading him. Mea culpa...I forgot to ask several important questions. Next time"}, {"response": 1391, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (19:21)", "body": "and she said Please, Miss, who is \"she\"? :-)"}, {"response": 1392, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (19:22)", "body": "Oh, I see - Auntie Beeb, of course... :-D"}, {"response": 1393, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (22:15)", "body": "She didn't sound much like an auntie. Let's just call her Beebette. :-D"}, {"response": 1394, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (22:39)", "body": "What do you mean \"...didn't sound like an auntie\"? How is an auntie supposed to sound?"}, {"response": 1395, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (23:11)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1396, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (01:30)", "body": "As usual, Karen, you made me smile. Thanks for all the info on DQ and Relative Values. For RV, I keep imagining Geoffrey Clifton in his dinner jacket. Wonder if our boy has metamorphosed yet?"}, {"response": 1397, "author": "ommin", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (01:35)", "body": "Hey Marcia, I got in. At least I think so. Hello everybody another C.F. fan. I'll leave it there for a moment. And try again."}, {"response": 1398, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (01:40)", "body": "Welcom Anne! Anne Hale! Ommin! (which do you prefer?) ;-)"}, {"response": 1399, "author": "ommin", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (01:49)", "body": "Anne H. if thats okay. Ommin is the name of my late German Shepherd backwards!! i.e. Nimmo. Its my remembrance of him. As to my antecedants I have like C.F. as an actor way back to a Month in the Country although I did not realise who he was until P.andP. as happened to many of us I suspect. Looking forward to contact although my part of the world West Oz is many hours away from you all. But I will log on most days. Our news here on Colin Firth comes mostly from you all and various web sites although we did have a wonderful pic of him in one of our food mags recently. Thanks winter for your welcome and Hi everybody."}, {"response": 1400, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (01:51)", "body": "Anne, congratulations and a big bottle of bubbly is in order. It has been a marathon job, but here you are, and I am beside myself with delight. Don't be a stranger. Go to 113 and claim something or look at the pictures on 72 or just hang around and drool. That is what we do the best =)"}, {"response": 1401, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (04:37)", "body": "Welcome Anne H. Glad you made it here and figured out how to post. Feel free to join in, ask questions, whatever. We don't bite. We welcome all CF fans and enjoy getting to know people from all over. BTW, we've seen the food magazine picture posted on the web. Why oh why don't our food magazines devote some space to Colin like yours did??? It was gorgeous!"}, {"response": 1402, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (14:04)", "body": "Welcome Anne H!!! :) We love to meet CF fans, so hang around and drool with us as much as you'd like! Do go over to 113 and pick out your keepsakes; there are several lovely lists to choose things from :) And if you're a big Darcy fan (and who among us isnt?)pop in at 34 and read Teg's latest story- You'll enjoy it, Trust me. :) Karen- thanks for all the info! :)"}, {"response": 1403, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (17:51)", "body": "(Karen) Colin would be freed up to begin work on something new very shortly. This is the last week of filming for DQ per the BBC. So if DQ filming wraps this week, then he's free to attend the MLSF premiere in Newport next week, right? Yeah, in my dreams;-)"}, {"response": 1404, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (18:38)", "body": "We expect a full report Susan. :-D Welcome Anne!"}, {"response": 1405, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (20:33)", "body": "Welcome Anne, you have found an excellent niche in which to drool and drool------, feel free!!!!"}, {"response": 1406, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (20:36)", "body": "I am so pleased that ATA has finally been released here, only 6 weeks later than advertised!!! OK so its not the greatest film, but I am revelling in the green t shirt scene, again and again and again!!! I am sure to reach overload soon."}, {"response": 1407, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (20:42)", "body": "BTW your discussions re all CF's projects have been really informative to catch up on this week. There is a NC revival on stage currently with Juliet Stevenson and a Dillane (brother to stephen in TRT?). I am sure Allison, bethan or Ann will supply the title!! Getting a lot of publicity, interviews etc so maybe he is getting involved and hoping RV will have even more attention. LOL, we always say that and then he's never featured or he gets \"Harveyed\" so that is really an invalid suggestion. In reality he's got to pay those interior design bills!!"}, {"response": 1408, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (21:35)", "body": "Karen, thanks for the update on DQ! It's intersting that it may be shown early next year or later this year. Could that mean a Christmas scheduling....always good for viewing figures! RV...our libraries aren't as well-stocked as those in the US, so I've ordered a copy of the play (only a fiver!) Have slightly mixed feelings about this project. I think it could be a fill-in for CF, maybe something Will can join him on location in the holidays. But at the same time, the cast is good (I actually think there'll be some interest in Julie Andrews' involvement) and RV has apparently been selected by the Noel Coward estate to celebrate the centennial. RV seems quite light, but I think it cou d have a major re-write for the screen. and good actors can make the most of light material. Again, I think there would be some interest in any interpretation of NC's work on the Big Screen. And it will be good to look at!"}, {"response": 1409, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (21:46)", "body": "Hi, there is the first review of MLSF, from Variety, at Murph's Appreciation page, not too good I am afraid but not too bad for Colin. As long as RV is just a filler and he still does BJD, then I am happy for him to make RV the more films with Cf in the better!! Bethan I plucked up courage to telephone Miramax today but the publicity people were out, told me to ring back, btw have you any plans to telephone WT in the near future, about the casting for BJD?"}, {"response": 1410, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (21:57)", "body": "Welcome AnneH, I see apart from CF we share a common love for dogs...Patas is the name of my 11 year old Yorkshire Terrier... :-)"}, {"response": 1411, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (22:56)", "body": "Here's the link for the Variety review posted at Murph's site: http://www.geocities.com/~murphyat65/mlsfrev1.html The story's most potent thread is the allure Heloise has for the conservative, religiously strict Edward and for Fraser, who is utterly unschooled in sexual matters but becomes curious about the mysteries surrounding \"sins of the flesh.\" Oooooh, a sexually repressed Colin again. Might there be a little smouldering for our viewing pleasure??? ;-) The cast comports itself respectably, although no one really gets a chance to develop a character. Firth, as the father who's a personal conformist but a professional kook, takes the best shot at it, but is somewhat constrained by the man's numerous unappetizing traits. Another *unlikeable* character!? Boo hiss! He looked pretty likeable to me in that trailer. A strong visual style would have helped the film considerably Now this is really surprising, a shocker in fact. It is scheduled for July opening Stateside but looks to come and go quickly. Let's look on the upside. It will be on video quickly and in our hot little hands to watch to our hearts' content. ;-)"}, {"response": 1412, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (23:22)", "body": "Must be true. Second mention and this time by a more reliable site, The Guardian: \ufffd Julie Andrews, Denise Richards, Stephen Fry and Colin Firth are set to join the cast of Relative Values, adapted from the Noel Coward play. Produced by the UK's Midsummer Films with US backing, it will shoot on the Isle of Man from July. Guess I'd better sit down and read it. BTW, Bethan. The library I found RV in was the big main public library. My two nearby branches didn't have one book by or on Noel Coward according to the catalog. ;-) I may have to call Evelyn up and tell her to pick up some copies of RV at the Samuel French bookstore in NYC."}, {"response": 1413, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (23:32)", "body": "The review...could be better, but could also be much worse. I always thought that the fact that it had be re-edited would be commented on. And isn't it shorter...1.33min...it looks as though they've chopped 15 minutes from the running time (which may not be a bad thing). I rather like episodic family based dramas, with children, and I like the \"between the wars\" period but I suspect this is more a woman thing. Male critics may find it uncompelling. The performances aren't criticised, and as for the \"murkiness\", well Scotland isn't California..it's often overcast. I seem to recall some critics thought \"A month in the Country\" was dull. I can't see MLSF doing well at the Box Office (I never really expected this) but I think it will do well in video rentals, and also if shown on TV. I've read far worse reviews!!!"}, {"response": 1414, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (23:42)", "body": "adapted from the Noel Coward play. Produced by the UK's Midsummer Films with US backing, it will shoot on the Isle of Man from July. Ha! \"Adapted\"....so it could be quite a loose adaptation. US backing is good, otherwise it becomes one of those small British films which struggle to find a screen. July....so the shoot could be over by the end of August, leaving him free for BJD in September! To be honest, I think he should do as many projects as possible. Success is never guaranteed and it's always good to have something else coming up, incase of a flop! And good performances are noticed."}, {"response": 1415, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (00:41)", "body": "Welcome Anne H. I hope you've been able to keep up on the Colin front. There's been so much news, it's easy to fall behind. Firth, as the father who's a personal conformist but a professional kook, takes the best shot at it, but is somewhat constrained by the man's numerous unappetizing traits. Written by a man who has no eye for Edward's obvious appeal. and while the climactic showdown between Edward and Morris is as tart as the finale, in which Edward silently acknowledges his son's new maturity, I look forward to these scenes. A little fireworks in the former perhaps and in the latter, Colin's inimitable subtlety. This review actually makes me look forward even more to the film."}, {"response": 1416, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (01:07)", "body": "Edward's obvious appeal Written by a woman who has an eye for CF's obvious appeal. ;-)"}, {"response": 1417, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (01:45)", "body": "Obviously!"}, {"response": 1418, "author": "ommin", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (02:45)", "body": "Yes, I agree reviews by men often dislike family films - most prefer action!! I hope it is fairly short for as you say to own the video is much, much better and will I sense be quite good on the small screen. I have in the past seen many NC plays but cannot remember this one. I used to go every week with my mother to the local repatary (excuse spelling) theatre so must have seen it. He is often flippant and rarely serious, but the his sense of timing and his wit I have always enjoyed. Thank you for your welcomes, you may well get sick of me I love to talk and am over the top with regard to CF."}, {"response": 1419, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (03:52)", "body": "Any one for a good laugh? Go to ROP...P&P and click on Mr Collins."}, {"response": 1420, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (04:41)", "body": "Ok Anne, you're on. Bore us with anything about ODB...go ahead...we dare you to. Be prepared to fail in the attempt and we will soothe your overworked fingers and brain with things of firthly connections. Fear not, we are a hardy bunch and we adore anything Firth. Lucie, warn them not to be eating when they check on that Mr Collins posting noted in your comments. They'll be in Big Trouble!"}, {"response": 1421, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (07:53)", "body": "Welcome Anne! Very quickly...my copy of RV has arrived and I've been skimming through. My initial unbiased impression is far more favourable than I'd anticipated. I think it will be grear fun.....I've actually snorted with laughter a few times. It's an affectionate send-up of the English class system and Hollywood. Peter is urbane, good-humoured, a bit of a tease, is in the play throughout, and has a good double act with his aunt. Not a Hooray Henry, thank goodness. Opinions may differ, but I think the cast will really have fun with this."}, {"response": 1422, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (12:13)", "body": "Off-Topic for a minute: Arami, Moon and Marcia...Thanks for your words on the Olivier site. I would love to have a mailing address for Richard Olivier, just to let the family know there is such a site for LE. If any of you can find one, will you let me know? Thanks so much. Murph murphy56@bellatlantic.net I would love to see CF in anything of Coward's. Old-fashioned brittle wit. Great fun. Someone at FOF speculated that he might be doing this during the summer (it is to be filmed on the Isle of Man) as a low key supporting job because Will usually joins him during the summer, and he wants to spend time with his son."}, {"response": 1423, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (12:56)", "body": "Murph, he probably knows it and has visited it. \"Dickie\" is quite the extrovert, very smart and extremely curious. I'm sure he has surfed the net and knows about the site.:-D You may wish to contact his mother's agent and forward a letter to her. But rest assured, they are aware. I am very happy with your report Bethan. I have always enjoyed \"comedy of manners,\" and NC is a master. Livia is happy as can be, so far two projects, Don Q and RV with no hot love affair."}, {"response": 1424, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (13:54)", "body": "Well, he gets to kiss Julie Andrews (\" rising suddenly and affectionately kissing her \") but that's about it! I like the relationship between Peter and his aunt...lots of playful banter. It's a supporting role, but okay by me. He could be on screen quite a lot. Peter is something of a detached observer, smiles a lot and has a dry sense of humour. With a skillful adaptation (I'd cut out some of the butler bits and broaden the scenes of activity (which I'm sure they'll do anyway) and perhaps liven up t e ending)) this could be good fun. There's no social snobbery it."}, {"response": 1425, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (14:47)", "body": "(Moon) We expect a full report Susan. :-D Will do my best, Generalissimo Moon, but I fear I may wimp out on this assignment. The drive into Newport is just tricky enough to daunt a rank suburbanite like me, who requires well-marked streets and on-site parking. Nevertheless, for Colin's sake I shall try to summon my courage. Laura, are you still planning to go? I sent you email but it may have gone astray... O.T., but... U.K. ladies, any reports in yet on TRT? I believe press night was last night, wasn't it?"}, {"response": 1426, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (15:07)", "body": "(Anne H) I love to talk and am over the top with regard to CF. Welcome, Anne. You've come to the right place! Thank you, Marcia, for your ambassadorship! Thanks for putting up that review, Murph. And it's always good to see you here, albeit off topic :-). This review is consistent with that old one from 'Ain't it Cool News.' It's too bad two years' worth of tinkering (by HW, no less, if one can believe that) couldn't improve its flaws. As long as ODB's performance is praised...that will be the main redeeming factor! It is scheduled for July opening Stateside but looks to come and go quickly. *Poof!* It will be gone. That and the fact it won't likely be playing at your neighborhood multiplex will make it hard to see. (Karen) Let's look on the upside. It will be on video quickly and in our hot little hands to watch to our hearts' content. ;-) You're right, Karen. Another redeeming factor! The additional info about 'RV' is encouraging. Hmm, filming doesn't start until July? Susan, you may be right about Newport! You never know...I'm sure you and Laura will have your binoculars out 8-). Happy sleuthing! We want details! Julie Andrews has been out of circulation lately (it's a shame about her vocal cords) but IMO has retained alot of sentimental appeal. Denise Richards will add jiggle factor and will achieve lots of exposure (literally) in the new Bond film."}, {"response": 1427, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (16:09)", "body": "As it turns out, I'm having company that weekend:( My friend from North Carolina is coming to join me. I may be able to talk her into going, but will have to find a sitter for Rebecca. (I feel like I should be at a SPAT! meeting;)) Nick Hornby joke!"}, {"response": 1428, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (19:47)", "body": "Murph, lovely to have any news at all of anything Olivier, including Richard. Is there no picture of this man available? Will be over at your site in a moment, thence to the search engines to hunt for the illusive image I seek. I am more than a little delighted to hear RO is gregarious. Must be from Joanie. Larry was never like that except on stage or with Ralphie and the rest of his inner circle. (Don'tcha just love they way I am throwing nicknames around like I know them...it is the first time in m life I did not put Sir or Lord in front of his name!)"}, {"response": 1429, "author": "livamago", "date": "Sat, May 29, 1999 (02:42)", "body": "Eileen: Denise Richards will add jiggle factor and will achieve lots of exposure (literally) in the new Bond film. LOL! I think JE has a better jiggle factor! I'm sure Darcy cannot contain himself whenever she walks! (pardon the verb tense, but somehow I think they have a life in another dimension)."}, {"response": 1430, "author": "livamago", "date": "Sat, May 29, 1999 (02:54)", "body": "Pray forgive my off-topic comment. I could not repress myself, the subject ^^ was too good."}, {"response": 1431, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 29, 1999 (03:59)", "body": "Shouldn't that have been VV ? ;-) No, that would work as well, but she's lying down."}, {"response": 1432, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, May 29, 1999 (08:48)", "body": "Absolutely amazing (and proving my point about cinema audiences in the UK)...according to Box Office figures for last week, the very much hyped (and well reviewed)\"Notting Hill\" took )\ufffd0.8 million (not very good) and was beaten by \"She's all that\" a teen movie which barely got a mention but took \ufffd1.2. IF \"Notting Hill\" can't make it in the UK, nothing can! Also, there's a comment on how British directors are very reluctant to subject their films to opinion-seeking previews. One director is quoted as saying he doesn't want his work hacked around and edited down to suit the three second attention spans of teenagers in multiplexes. Made me think about MLSF....a more mellow audience might have appreciated its fuller length and presumably slower pace!"}, {"response": 1433, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 29, 1999 (13:16)", "body": "Have only read Act I, but as an initial impression, the role of Peter seems more suited to Rupert Everett than Colin. He's his aunt's confidante (shades of My Best Friend's Wedding) and he's into makeup and hair. \"I bet you anything you like I can make her absolutely unrecognizable. It's only a question of make-up really and doing her hair.\" Then later, after they finalize the plan, Felicity says: \"I think Mr. Peter has some idea about your hair. You'd better listen to him, he's quite good at that so t of thing.\" Argh!! Peter is probably gay!! Anyway, plot seems like \"Pocketful of Miracles,\" a remake of \"Lady for a Day.\" At least so far..."}, {"response": 1434, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, May 29, 1999 (13:20)", "body": "Are we sure its not Stephen Fry as Peter and Colin as the butler? :-)"}, {"response": 1435, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, May 29, 1999 (14:44)", "body": "A Gay Colin, oh no!! Still it will certainly shows his versatility as an actor and we still have 3DOR to look forward to at the end of the year. Why oh why does he keep taking these unsympathetic anti-hero roles, is he trying to throw off his heart-throb image, I would so like to see him playing the romantic lead in anything, if only SLOW could find its way to the big screen. How big is therole of Peter, Karen, would you say it comes after SF & JA, and what of DR, is here role very big and the son Nigel, s he in the play much. Also I was wondering what part Miranda Richardson would play. Still I guess the Isle of Man and the South of France can't be bad locations especially in July. OT Susan re TRT, I haven't seen any reviews as yet, I believe Press Night is Tuesday and that they are only pre-viewing at the moment."}, {"response": 1436, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sat, May 29, 1999 (15:11)", "body": "(Karen) Peter is probably gay!! One can hope the screenplay vastly digresses from NC's original story. If it doesn't and his character is gay (and it sure sounds that way) then I hope he's so funny that we're all ROTFLOL--with the rest of the audience, of course. (Lidya) the subject ^^ was too good. (Karen) Shouldn't that have been VV ? ;-) No, that would work as well, but she's lying down. V. funny! But something tells me Denise's may not move like Lizzy's..."}, {"response": 1437, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, May 29, 1999 (15:11)", "body": "I saw the preview of An Ideal Husband last night and liked what I saw. Rupert E. is very good and Jeremy N. seems to have a very small part. Of course, RE part was as perfect for Colin, as Mr. Peter would be for Rupert. I dare say my DH will enjoy seeing the film, if CF does play a gay man. What a torture for me, I can just hear his comments. Ugh! BTW, if Don Q has wrapped, and, if Colin is on his way to LA to pick up his son for the summer, there is a chance he might stop off at Newport first. Please Laura go with your friend and Susan put some miles on your Volvo. :-)"}, {"response": 1438, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, May 29, 1999 (16:30)", "body": "No, Peter isn't gay! Not by my perception anyway! He just pokes fun at everything. Could be a bit Noel Coward-ish, into amateur dramatics! It's a very lighthearted play anyway, which I think the cast will just treat almost as a fun exercise. I still think it's a bit of a fill-in for the summer with him, and as fill-ins go, it's fine (provided he goes on to play MD!) I have to say that he's not yet got the role he deserves...something with authority and gravitas, which really stretches him dramatically. RE seems ahead of him on the A-list (at the moment!) Forgot to mention, I actually had a reply from the Arts Council, in response to my very detailed questions on SLOW. A very short reply, no contact name, just stating that they were very impressed by the quality of the original screenplay and on that basis awarded nearly \ufffd1million. But they are no longer in a position to comment on the current or future status of the film. Hmm! Is this movie well and truely dead and buried, without even a chance of straight to video? Has it just been written off? The audience at Martha's Vineyard liked it, but will anyone else ever have the chance of seeing it? Evelyn...sorry to resurrect this again, but are there any avenues left to explore? Any hope? It seems such a shame ...a lead role, which we'll never see!! It could open, just with the one print, in one of the independent cinemas in London...this does happen!"}, {"response": 1439, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, May 29, 1999 (18:06)", "body": "Since there's a question as to whether Peter is gay or not, I'll guess it will be left for our own interpretation which suits me since I know what my interpretation will be. And if he is gay, at least we know he won't be \"over-the-top\". I don't think that's in Colin's repertoire. (Moon) BTW, if Don Q has wrapped, and, if Colin is on his way to LA to pick up his son for the summer,there is a chance he might stop off at Newport first. My dear, your optimism always delights me. Yes, Laura and Susan, you can be the first on the block to see this film!! Think how grateful we'll be. We'll deify you!! (Lidya) the subject ^^ was too good. (Karen) Shouldn't that have been VV ? ;-) No, that would work as well, but she's lying down. (Eileen) V. funny! But something tells me Denise's may not move like Lizzy's.. Good laughs, ladies."}, {"response": 1440, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 29, 1999 (22:26)", "body": "Ladies, ladies, ladies. It was merely an observation. However, given the time when it was written (1950-1) and Noel Coward's own lifestyle, it's not out of the question. But, and this is an important but, it is never said. (Bethan, wouldn't the beginning of Act Three be a riot though if the character were in fact fleshed out to be gay. I mean the little bit between Peter and Don Lucas.) The play is cute and funny. Peter has some fun lines and I've been imagining Colin saying some of them, like this: Peter: Do you hate her, Moxie? Moxie: Of course I don't. She's not worth it. She was always an affected little piece and out for what she could get. If ever a girl needed her bottom smacking she did. Peter: We might arrange that after dinner. Basically, Peter is his aunt's sidekick but not in the Lucy-Ethel manner. He is an observer and a sounding board. During most of Act Two, he is making martinis and ferrying (hee hee) them to the guests. In Act Three, he is sent on more errands (i.e., off stage). Here's the description of Nigel, the son: He is about 35, good looking and has charm. There is perhaps a little weakness about him, a suggestion of petulance, but one feels that, on the whole, he is a pleasant fellow. Before anyone wishes Colin would be cast as Nigel, No Way Jose. He loses the girl. We don't want to see another one of those! The butler of course is the most superior of the lot as would be expected. The dialogue between Crestwell and Don Lucas (the American actor) will receive lots of howls. Stephen Fry will do well, as will Julie Andrews in the role of Felicity. She is the play and the two other women's parts (Miranda Frayle and Moxie--as yet uncast). These are the big acting parts IMO. The men, well, they are there."}, {"response": 1441, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, May 29, 1999 (22:58)", "body": "Ladies, ladies, ladies. It was merely an observation. I hope no one thinks that we seriously care. Other than we want our Colin to a)get the girl for once(if there is one; hence no Nigel - thank you Karen); b)not be a creep. A laugh on us if he ends up not being in this film. Another red herring like Marked Man."}, {"response": 1442, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, May 29, 1999 (23:23)", "body": "Why is everyone taking exception to the possibility that Colin might play a gay character?? He's done it before--just not so light-heartedly (AZ). You just want to see lots of male/female smooches on the screen, I'll bet, and to hell with the gravitas...just give you ladies something to **sigh** over, huh? Hate to point out that he's an ACTOR!!"}, {"response": 1443, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 29, 1999 (23:37)", "body": "Aha!! The cat's out of the bag. She's exposed us! Gravitas is our code word for *smooching* and lots of it! ;-)"}, {"response": 1444, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, May 30, 1999 (00:25)", "body": "In vino Gravitas Veritas!"}, {"response": 1445, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, May 30, 1999 (00:59)", "body": "LOL! Colin as the butler Colin is not the prime butler material. I'm sure he could handle it if absolutely necessary, but imagine - Darcy as a servant? Not a happy thought. A Gay Colin, oh no! There are various shades of gay. Not all gay men are overtly effeminate. I was wondering what part Miranda Richardson would play. There is no official confirmation of MR in the cast. Jeremy N. seems to have a very small part. Of course, RE part was as perfect for Colin, as Mr. Peter would be for Rupert. Some inside information, as I see... ;-)"}, {"response": 1446, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, May 30, 1999 (07:20)", "body": "Marked Man would have been a great film for Colin, Heide, great cast and he had the lead role in a thriller, which I don't think he has ever done. Apologies if I am wrong."}, {"response": 1447, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, May 30, 1999 (07:47)", "body": "Ladies, I have missed you greatly! Thanks for researching all the Firth news. My, what riches we have to look forward to - the Puritanical Colin, the insane Colin, the questionable sexual orientation Colin, the studly legal professional Colin (keeping fingers crossed) and then the live and in person Colin at the Donmar. Quite a bit better than the wilderness year of 1998, I must say. Welcome, Anne. It's always fun to see another drooler in our midst :-)."}, {"response": 1448, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, May 30, 1999 (15:01)", "body": "(KJ) Why is everyone taking exception to the possibility that Colin might play a gay character?? Because I want to see Colin as a leading man again...with a love interest...in bed again (but I guess that clause has been excised from his contract)...with someone I can identify with...in bed again (oops, said that already). But as I said in Response # ?, I don't really care. You just want to see lots of male/female smooches on the screen, There you go. It would be a nice change for him (and us)."}, {"response": 1449, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, May 30, 1999 (15:07)", "body": "Oh, and Jana? Stop flying off to all those exotic locales. If you don't leave the house again for the rest of the year and get really boring like me, your DH may be glad to get you out of the house again when it's time to go to London. Explore the possibilities."}, {"response": 1450, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 30, 1999 (15:39)", "body": "(Heide)...in bed again or on the carpeting, it doesn't matter. More roles with gravitas and without clothes!"}, {"response": 1451, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, May 30, 1999 (16:41)", "body": "More roles with gravitas and without clothes! LOL! Gravitas without clothes is IT :-D"}, {"response": 1452, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, May 30, 1999 (18:02)", "body": "In case of the more mature specimens among us, gravitas without clothes could look slightly, erm... off-putting... but who cares! just switch the lights off!"}, {"response": 1453, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sun, May 30, 1999 (19:25)", "body": "(Moon) Please Laura go with your friend and Susan put some miles on your Volvo. :-) Sorry, ma'am, but I drive a (gasp!) minivan. Hence the need for onsite parking, and plenty of it. (Heide) Yes, Laura and Susan, you can be the first on the block to see this film!! Think how grateful we'll be. We'll deify you!! Tempting, very tempting... I've always wanted to be a goddess. Or perhaps a saint would be more appropriate -- \"St. Susan, patroness of the automotivally challenged;-)\""}, {"response": 1454, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, May 30, 1999 (20:33)", "body": "So are you definitely going Susan, and if so what day, so that we may look forward to your report, Thanks a lot St. Susan."}, {"response": 1455, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, May 30, 1999 (21:52)", "body": "Looking forward to hearing all about it on my return next week. You can join \"Dame\" Winter in our droolers \"Hall of Fame\". So \"Go to it\" Ladies and enjoy. We expect nothing less than a blow by blow account!!!"}, {"response": 1456, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 30, 1999 (23:14)", "body": "Susan, call up the Newport FFolk and ask about parking. There are municipal lots around, but driving a landcruiser you probably need a big parking garage. I'd forget about street parking there. Also, one of the FF's sponsors was a hotel. It might have a deal on parking or just park there anyway."}, {"response": 1457, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (00:06)", "body": "Considering the popularity of the \"Good Taste\" icon, not to mention the frequent reference to the yumminess of a certain Paul Ashworth (for those fortunate enough to have known and loved \"Fever Pitch\"), PLUS the great anticipation felt (and prayers offered) by so many to get to see him as the incomparable Mark Darcy, I'd suggest that your codeword for smooching should be something the opposite of \"Gravitas\" ...say, \"Levitas\" ?? ...AND ON THE CARPET, TOO!! :~D 'Tis greatly I suffer...the forthcoming Holiday cuts me off from all online goodies...try not to do anything too important while I'm away...Please?? :~("}, {"response": 1458, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (00:21)", "body": "Not to worry KJArt, I will have them down on 72 feasting and telling tall tales while chasing the deck hands around Lisbon Harbor."}, {"response": 1459, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (00:39)", "body": "Colin Sighted on E! Tonight (and to be repeated at 10:00 EDT) the E! Channel did a one hour show about Cannes. Comprehensive (for E! that is) coverage of many of the movies shown in competition. During the final 15 minutes or so, there was coverage of the AmFAR benefit. As they were interviewing Ben Affleck, you could see Colin walking behind him. Livia is first though by several steps. She is wearing a barrette in her hair and a beige flowy type dress. Then you see Colin (coming from the left of the screen). He passes behind Ben and then on the right side of Ben, you can see Colin turn around and maybe (???) smile. Finally!!! Must go rewatch some more and get out a new tape for the repeat showing. BTW, Winter, they interviewed a very stubbly Jeremy Northam! ;-) (thought The Winslow Boy was excellent.)"}, {"response": 1460, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (01:18)", "body": "there was coverage of the AmFAR benefit. As they were interviewing Ben Affleck... Typical. Why couldn't they interview the star of the benefit film premiere instead? What irony - but I can understand why Colin was smiling..."}, {"response": 1461, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (01:19)", "body": "shhhh... .! test"}, {"response": 1462, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (03:48)", "body": "Thank you, Karen. I am tuned in and they are doing Ben's other film (in the first 15 minutes right now) Watching...! Ok it's over and I will tape the 10pm show here and look more carefully. I did not see him! Of course, I was talking to Rita2 on Instant Messages...! BA got three interviews that I counted!"}, {"response": 1463, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (08:19)", "body": "I'm beginning to understand why the Man is so modest. He's the star of the film they're showing at the Benefit, and they interview the guest. He turns up to all the SIL premieres/parties and in the UK they show everyone in the cast (even Imelda Staunton) but never him. He returns to the stage, and most papers highlight Rufus Sewell's Macbeth, and don't even mention that he's in the cast of 3DOR (\"starring EMcG) The only time he's mentioned as \"starring\" is in connection with the ill-fated SLOW. Oh, I really get MAD! And I have to bring up SLOW again. According to a report in the paper, all films funded by Arts Council/Lottery are guaranteed a showing. They are not guaranteed commercial success, of course. \"If only\" which was made by Handmade at about the same time as SLOW (with lottery money) has just been released on video. Does anyone know anything aboout bankuptcy law ....why can the Bank just bury this film. Do they have the right to do this?!!! Grrr!!"}, {"response": 1464, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (09:15)", "body": "OT. In today Times Arts Section\"This Week in the Times\" Theatre:Stoppards's tale of slippery love liasons. TRT stars Jennifer Ehle. Opens Wed. Donmar Review Friday\" In an interview recently she says she realises \"you have to make a bit of a noise\" and she certainly seems to be giving more media interviews lately , I think that both CJ and JE have in the past been guilty of being too laid-back and not promoting themselves, let hope that things will change for both of them in the future."}, {"response": 1465, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (10:32)", "body": "From Nigel Dempster in the Daily Mail, a snippet about Caroline Goodall who plays CF's wife in SLOW. Says she is house hunting in London (Chelsea). She and her italian husband have homes in LA and Tuscany but now want to be in London for the education of their two daughters. It then says \"Caroline, who has just finished making SLOW with Colin Firth....\"!!!! (Bethan)I'm beginning to understand why the Man is so modest I am beginning to develop a theory about Colin's attraction.... I think he is the sort of man whose attractiveness men do not understand. At the time of Darcymania, there were a number of articles (all by men) saying what is all the fuss about? This guy is so ordinary etc. Films are made, remember by men, or, if they don't make the films, they provide the funds. The failure of SLOW and ATA, has I suspect persuaded Colin that they are right. I just feel that he has gone into his shell a bit and is fearful of putting himself forward in romantic roles after those r verses or perhaps they are not being offered. Back to madmen and neurotics."}, {"response": 1466, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (11:17)", "body": "Hey, a positive mention for SLOW! Actually our local paper recently had an article about Caroline Goodall in which there was a mention of CF and SLOW, so you never know! CG and Aryon Bakare(who has just starred in a BAFTA nominated series)are very good actors, so it's not just CF who is being side-lined here. And JE is right ....you do, unfortunately, have to make some noise these days in order to keep centre stage. Both CF and JE are too nice...they need someone to do the shouting for them! I think you're right about Colin, Allison. I don't think he's particularly confident about having sex-appeal, and certainly male (and some female) journalists are only too happy to put him down. That's why I want to see him doing Mark Darcy! (The casting announcement has to come soon, surely!) And \"DonQ\" may be romantic (ever hopeful!). I notice that one character is called Sandy Pannick (obviously Sancho Panza) and the female character is called Lucy, which is rather similar to the name of Don Quixote's amorata who inspires him to acts of chivalry! Karen, what did he look like in the ET clip after slo-mo? Hair? Short with side-boards?( He must still be in DonQ mode) Romantic lead material or eccentric madman? :-)"}, {"response": 1467, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (11:28)", "body": "And \"DonQ\" may be romantic (ever hopeful!). I don't think it will be romantic but I am hopeful that it will be heartrending in other ways. CF is so good at touching the heart strings (as in 3DOR). but you still have to see that, Bethan, how are the plans going?"}, {"response": 1468, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (11:30)", "body": "Woops!!! That was 'sposed to be in small lettering....I must go back to the tag tutorial."}, {"response": 1469, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (15:07)", "body": "all films funded by Arts Council/Lottery are guaranteed a showing. What's the actual legal language here? Technically, it was shown. I can't imagine that the Arts Council/Lottery has the ability to have this provision included. why can the Bank just bury this film. Do they have the right to do this?!!! They own it. They can pretty much do whatever they like with it... unfortunately. :( what did he look like in the ET clip after slo-mo? Hair? Short with side-boards?( He must still be in DonQ mode) Romantic lead material or eccentric madman? :-) He looked very normal, definitely no hints of a madman a la Anthony Hopkins in Instinct. His hair was short as in 3DOR and the sideburns (boards) were normal about midear. Colin looked like he was having a good time. When you see him emerge from behind BA and turn his head, he looks like he is acknowledging some one and is smiling and chatting away. Livia looked bored. You actually see her standing around on the left before she starts the little parade. As it was dark, I don't know if this was leavin the theater where the film was screened or entering/leaving the restaurant where the benefit party was held. I'm guessing it was entering the restaurant because of the comments made by other people about what they intended to bid on or their hopes of raising a lot of money."}, {"response": 1470, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (15:23)", "body": "Thanks for the discription, Karen! I missed the E show. :-( All your comments are well taken Allison and Bethan. Colin at the Donmar got a first hand approach to his fans. It was an ego-boost and, as all actors, he needs it too. That, is probably one of reasons he decided to do it again later this year. He may be ignored by the press, but we love him. ;-)"}, {"response": 1471, "author": "livamago", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (15:41)", "body": "Karen: Colin Sighted on E! What an eye you have, Karen! I would not have recognized him but for you. I am most annoyed at E!'s coverage. This channel is really mediocre. I guess they do not research at all, because the interviewer apparently did not know Amfar was founded by E Taylor. And I am so tired of seeing BA everywhere! I dare say he was in SIL because of GP."}, {"response": 1472, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (15:54)", "body": "Ah, thanks Karen for telling us the details from E. Only the idea of a tiny new glimpse of him thrills me."}, {"response": 1473, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (16:06)", "body": "Actually, Lidya, I thought this show was very good for E! (I'd never watch 99.9% of its programming because of the interviews with all the indie directors and many actors in those films. I believe the question to Liz Taylor was posed by a foreign journalist not E! and was merely picked up in E!'s clip. Didn't you catch the accent? BA is probably everywhere because he makes himself accessible to the press and likes to mug for the cameras. Did you catch the little bit with Kevin Smith? Pure showmanship. Guy knows how to sell himself. And the press wants to feature him because he's popular with a broad segment of the film-going public. Warranted or not... E! repeats and repeats its shows. If I notice it on again, I'll post. I've also put the AmFAR segment on my SiL promo tape, and if the opportunity to make another compilation tape arises, I can always add it."}, {"response": 1474, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (16:14)", "body": "Although off topic, the E! special really gave me some insight into Linda Fiorentino from her comments at the Dogma press conference. She's not too bright! Can you imagine her actually saying that while growing up she had many unanswered questions about catholicism and that they had never been adequately answered until she read Kevin Smith's script. The Gospel According to Kevin??? ;-) Thanks, Ann, for posting the info on TRT. Am anxious to see how Jenn's performance is critiqued."}, {"response": 1475, "author": "livamago", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (17:00)", "body": "I did catch the interviewer's accent, but I thought I heard her in all the other interviews they featured, so I assumed she was with them. You are right about the independent films, most journalists ignore them, and I was pleasantly surprised they showed Gong Li, who did not speak in English (I don't know if she knows how). I suppose what annoyed me is that they interviewed MEM but could not even mention CF and MLSF. Maybe because she is American. What I mean by E being mediocre is that from what I have seen, they limit themselves to purely commercial and even shallow subjects ( how has your style evolved over the years? ). When I lived in NY I loved to watch Bravo (I saw JE there once), where they showed interesting movies, and programs that explored the artistic side of acting."}, {"response": 1476, "author": "livamago", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (17:03)", "body": "Karen: Can you imagine [Linda Fiorentino]actually saying that while growing up she had many unanswered questions about catholicism . I read once that she said that as a teenager she was aroused by the sight of a crucifix."}, {"response": 1477, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (18:24)", "body": "E! is showing that Cannes program right now. So I've combed through my TV Guide and it will be rebroadcast on Wednesday at 3:00 pm EDT and again on Thursday at 9:00 pm EDT. Nothing between now and Wednesday as far as I can see. On viewing again, signs for the restaurant are everywhere (guess I wasn't looking for them). Livia must have been hungry. ;-) There will be another show on Cannes called \"Wild on the Riviera\" broadcast by E! but I don't think we'll see Colin in that one, nor in Joan and Melissa's Cannes Fashion Review next Saturday. If only he could show the waistband from his Calvin Klein underwear like Mike Meyers! ;-)"}, {"response": 1478, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (18:41)", "body": "Livia must have been hungry. ;-) Let's hope she didn't faint of hunger. According to one report, the auction was very disorganized, took ages to finish, didn't bring anywhere near the expected figure, and the first course of asparagus - by then probably severely overcooked - wasn't served until 11 p.m."}, {"response": 1479, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (21:04)", "body": "Karen, I wrote the times down, thank you!"}, {"response": 1480, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (21:21)", "body": "Karen, I concede to your larger TV screen. I have no reason to doubt that that was not Livia and Colin you saw behind Ben but unfortunately, on my screen, I get just a hint of the man. But the walk and the smile definitely looked Colin-esque. The tux was definitely much better fitting than the one he wore to the BAFTAs. (Bethan) why can the Bank just bury this film. Do they have the right to do this?!!! (Karen)They own it. They can pretty much do whatever they like with it... unfortunately. :( I wonder if there's any chance of this ever going straight to video. Might it cost more doing that than just letting the film moulder? I guess I just can't believe we'll never see this film. As you can see, KJ, nothing important happened (so far). So we make do. If we didn't have levitas , I think we'd all be certifiable."}, {"response": 1481, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (22:35)", "body": "Perhaps if you had seen the top of his head, Heide, it would have nailed it for you, huh? ;-) Naw, this was easier than spotting him at the NY premiere of SiL. Going straight to video? Movie still needs a buyer for that. The bank isn't going to do it. The movie can't be that bad. Maybe the bank is asking too much for it. Video companies have been to all the markets where SLOW was being sold, like the AFM in Santa Monica."}, {"response": 1482, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (23:06)", "body": "Hi Everybody....good to be back .... read all the good news of DQ (thanks Karen) and RV (I bought out the Drama Bookshop on Broadway!!)Agree that a Noel Coward is better than no Colin at all. Welcome Anne H. We love newbies. Bethan...I shall contact the bank on SLOW this week...promise. But remember, Colin said in March when someone asked him about it at 3 DOR ...\"it will never be released\".Also...sorry, I liked \"Sliding Doors\"...brilliant director. OT: Must admit that Judi Dench in \"Amy's View\" was tremendous. David Hare wrote the play for her....all the dialogue prior to her entrance provoked applause for the star.And the audience clapped on cue. Clearly, they loved her...justifiably...voice, movements....she is a marvel. Standing ovation...well-deserved. I saw six plays...this was the only one (aside from Lion King... a spectacle)where the audience spontaneously applauded with a standing ovation.Let me assure you that CF's performance in 3 DOR deserv d every bit a standing ovation like JD. Ciran Hinds, OK...better in H. Natasha Richardson, OK. Better in AMITC ***** Ann W. We shall have to help Jennifer get a little more recognition on June 12th.( so far 8 will be attending....) **** January 15th, 2000....definite Spring Reunion at the Donmar... To welcome in the new Millennium."}, {"response": 1483, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (01:20)", "body": "Colin said in March when someone asked him about it at 3 DOR ...\"it will never be released\". That was a report from someone I know, who wasn't with any CF group here at the time. Actually she has since added a correction: his exact words were: \"It may never be released...\""}, {"response": 1484, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (04:25)", "body": "Marci: I amso sorry that you missed Colin on E! It was all my fault and I take all the responsiblility. I am so sorry. Of course, I was to miss him anyways we we only get bits and pieces of that and usually Howard Stern is on the channel and I prefer not to listen to him."}, {"response": 1485, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (09:26)", "body": "all films funded by Arts Council/Lottery are guaranteed a showing. What's the actual legal language here? Technically, it was shown. I can't imagine that the Arts Council/Lottery has the ability to have this provision included. I understood (but may be wrong) that there is some contractual agrrement that all productions given lottery money will be screened before a paying public. This is not the same as being picked up by a major distributor, of course! Lottery funded films seem to fall into fout categories. The first (An Ideal Husbamd, Plunket amd Macleane) have a distributor and get a nationwide release, the second (Hideous Kinky) get a selected release, maybe 30 screens, the third (The Governness) open in London, and then tri kle through to the provinces, the fourth (Babymother, quite a few others) just open in London, maybe one screen. But all go through to video (and can do well there) and, as quite a few are co-productions with Channel 4/BBC, are also shown on TV. As far as I can make out, all Lottery funded films have been released, but very few have made any money, let alone a profit! But they can all be seen, and this is why I get so annoyed when I read that the \ufffd3.4 million film, starring Colin Firth, will never reach the screen...the implication that would be drawn is that it's a seriouly bad film, which of course it won't be (probably not overtly commercial). Route 4 always remains open. But the Bank may just not be interested. Sorry to flog this subject to death...but after visiting Blockbusters last week, I think any film that doesn't feature violence/agression/horror/seriously bad language is part of a dying breed, and needs defending!!! :-) Thanks Evelyn...but please take your time on this. Absolutely no rush. Although I did wonder why CG has just said thad she had \"just finished\" filming SLOW...if it was an all time turkey, dead and buried, I wouldn't think she'd want to mention it.....ever! But there's probably no news and you must be very buy busy planning for the Donmar/JE trip! You'll have better weather this time! Allison, I'm sure I'll make it to 3DOR! I'm vigorously pursuing my idea of a November mini-break (very Bridget Jones-ish!)....the only problem is my son \"Huh, I haven't gone yet, and you're already planning to come and see me.\" :-)"}, {"response": 1486, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (09:29)", "body": "Ooops, soory! All those itals...is it something I've done?"}, {"response": 1487, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (11:32)", "body": "..the only problem is my son \"Huh, I haven't gone yet, and you're already planning to come and see me.\" :-) Don't tell him! He will probably be pleased to see you by November, if only to cross his palm with silver and do his ironing:-) Just make it a secret between you and your DH and the ladies of Drool;-)"}, {"response": 1488, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (12:35)", "body": "Evelyn, you certainly did Broadway last week. You only left out Kevin Spacey, I hear he is excellent and so is the play. So Dame Judi wins the day! Surprised at your critique of Natasha and Ciaran. I am waiting to hear what the critics think of JE at the Donmar, and I still think they should pair up JE and CF for BJD."}, {"response": 1489, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (12:46)", "body": "FYI, the italics have been fixed, so no need to close any tags. Next time you return you will see.... HOWEVER... The 2036 bug hit last night (and has already been fixed). It will only affect affect those topics with messages posted during 2036. So it is possible that many of your favorite topics won't show up as \"NEW\" on the main conference board without you going into them manually once. I suggest you just change the number in the URL above. Then all should be back to normal. Any questions? Welcome back Evelyn!! And for you time makes a giant leap forward."}, {"response": 1490, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (13:24)", "body": "And thank you Bethan for the additional information about Lottery-funded films. Have you specifically asked the Arts Council what it is doing to ensure that this film gets its showing? Are they sitting on their duffs? Are they attempting to get a British distributor for, at a minimum, the video release? What about television? Shouldn't be all that difficult for them to twist a few arms at one of your networks? Time for another letter, Bethan, before the Arts Council is totally abandoned and the people from the successor organization take over and claim \"we don't know anything about it.\" (shaking their heads and pointing their fingers) ;-)"}, {"response": 1491, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (16:10)", "body": "FYI:Telephoned the Donmar this afternoon to find out the date of the last performance of 3DOR before Christmas, it is Wednesday 22nd December, and of course, it re-opens after the New Year on the 5th January until the end of January."}, {"response": 1492, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (16:22)", "body": "(Karen) Colin Sighted on E! My, my, Karen, what sharp eyes you have! I was watching (with DH wondering why, when TV had been off all night and we rarely watch E!) and only caught a glimpse of a tall, thin man in a dark suit behind BA for a split second . I'd watch again but my cable company thinks it appropriate that E! share channel space with CSPAN2. Isn't one CSPAN enough?? Perhaps I can catch it again on Thursday. Thanks for the info. Speaking of Cannes, I scanned 'People' and 'Ent. Weekly' for their coverage. 'People' had pics of the same old stars (but they did see fit to include one of Darryl Hannah and what the heck has she done lately?). 'EWs' coverage was better but not a pic of CF and *NO* mention of MLSF in either publication. In addition, Sunday's 'NY Times' had a good-size article about how upset Harvey was that American/independent films were given the cold shoulder in the competition. Lots of mention of \"Ideal Husband\" and \"Dogma,\" of course. Not a peep about MLSF, even in the section concerning films shown outside the competition. And MLSF is one of his pet projects? Ha! Sunday's 'Times' also had an article involving Richard Greenberg, 3DOR's author. It mentions that the play is \"about to be remounted at the Donmar Warehouse in London, where it had an acclaimed run a few months ago.\" No mention of the star who made it such an acclaimed run, but that would have been off-topic... Evelyn, has your B'way tour bankrupted you? Or did you spend time in the TKTS line in Times Square?"}, {"response": 1493, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (18:58)", "body": "I shall not be discouraged. Thanks to Karen's posting the times, and my looking in the TV section to be sure we also get E! on those days and times, I am already set to tape Wednesday. I shall slo-mo and freeze frame and all those good things. Rita, you may not take the blame. I was watching with one eye, and really wanted to talk with you than watch BA for the third time that evening. I shall have it in hand on Wednesday."}, {"response": 1494, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (19:11)", "body": "(Eileen) Evelyn, has your B'way tour bankrupted you? Or did you spend time in the TKTS line in Times Square? I went with a group who had procured the tickets early in the year. The TKTS booth doesn't have tickets for the real winners. Next to London....NY is a bargain. ******* Are they attempting to get a British distributor for, at a minimum, the video release? What about television? If the Art Council really wanted to show SLOW, they could find a way, I am sure.... after all...This is a British film.....how about Midlands Bank? Or Channel 4?Or the new cable channels in UK? ..I think they are acting v. irresponsibly just passing the buck. **** Moon, my critique of Ciaran and Natasha was IMO. The play has been nom for a Tony...and so has Ann Friel.I just felt I had seen them doing better work in films....unlike CF who has such a commanding stage presence."}, {"response": 1495, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (21:55)", "body": "I have just spoken to the bank rep re: SLOW....there is nothing new to report. \"Is it dead?\", I ask.\" Right now, yes\". \"Are there any further plans to market the film?\" \"Right now, no.\" \"We'll let you know if anything comes up\". (Always the kiss of death) ***** When I first started talking to them (how long? Maybe 13 months ago), they were v. enthused...they fully expected it to sell at the AFM, I am convinced. This film will be 2 years old in August. I think there is another film also in this package....\"The Man with Rain in his Shoes\" or something like that...also an Art Council film.Apparently, it is v. good....hasn't sold either. Sorry, gang... ****** We better hang with Harvey...he seems our only hope."}, {"response": 1496, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (23:30)", "body": "\"The Man with Rain in his Shoes\" was re-named \"If only\" and had a nationwide release in the UK (good reviews) six months ago, and was released on video last week. My only hope is that although SLOW is a dead duck in the US, it may eventually reach a screen in the UK. I'm reluctant to accept that this is the only Arts Council funded film that we'll never see! I'll have another shot at the Arts Council....never say die! But many thanks Evelyn for being so prompt in checking up on this!"}, {"response": 1497, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (00:46)", "body": "Time Magazine (June 7, 1999): page 76 Full page article about Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio because of her performance in John Sayles' film \"Limbo.\" yadda yadda yadda \"But it is Mastrantonio who is the revelation.\" yadda yadda yadda \"But then, for much of this decade, Mastrantonio has been a performer in search of a defining role. Or maybe not sufficiently in search of one--at least not with the teeth-gritted ferocity of her peers. For she has chosen to live in London with her husband, director Pat O'Co nor, raising their two sons. She had thought she could maintain her formerly bustling career, which included an Academy Award-nominated role in Martin Scorses's The Color of Money. But 'if you're not available in the U.S., you're just not seen,' she says. And, besides, 'I've never been a person to make sure I'm seen.'\" yadda yadda yadda \"The movie may be called Limbo, but it definitively rescues Mastrantonio from the land of the lost. If her next film, the small Scottish family drama M Life So Far, grants her similar opportunities, she may look forward to, if not $20 million pictures, then the sharp-focus roles she so richly deserves.\" There is a pic from MLSF of MEM in the pink dress, captioned \"the quiet fortitude of a wife and mother in My Life So Far.\""}, {"response": 1498, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (01:10)", "body": "OK you guys, you will have several more chances to capture the *almost invisible* Colin at Cannes. Keep rewinding and replaying. You did see Livia, didn't you? She is clearly visible hanging around in the corner of the screen way before you see her start her walk. I also thought I caught a glimpse of Elvis. (shush, but don't tell anyone) ;-)"}, {"response": 1499, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (03:19)", "body": "Karen: LOL with the Elvis comment"}, {"response": 1500, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (15:34)", "body": "Me too, Karen, LOL! Welcome back, Rita! Going back to the Cannes discussion for one last time: (Karen)gave me some insight into Linda Fiorentino from her comments at the Dogma press conference. She's not too bright! Can you imagine her actually saying that while growing up she had many unanswered questions about catholicism and that they had never been adequately answered until she read Kevin Smith's script. The Gospel According to Kevin??? ;-) I guess Linda has the Old Testament, New Testament and Really New Testament in her bible. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Kevin, huh? What bad news about SLOW :-( ! I heard the death bells ringing when it didn't sell at AFM. Thanks for all your efforts, Evelyn. Give it a shot, Bethan. I won't be quite so disappointed about SLOW if he takes the MD role in BJD. MEM's been getting favorable press re: 'Limbo.' I have a feeling those of us in the US will see her promoting MLSF. She's more recognizable than CF over here and all this 'Limbo' publicity has given her a head start. We now know CF will be tied up with 'RV' in July. I'd like to think someday we won't have to play the video on slo-mo just to catch a fleeting glimpse of ODB!"}, {"response": 1501, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (19:14)", "body": "We now know CF will be tied up with 'RV' in July. If Harvey calls.....Colin will be in the US for the MLSF Premiere...I can't see Harvey goin alone...without the film's star...can you? Anybody goin to the Newport Festival tomorrow night?....how are we gonna get a report?....SOS Murph!!"}, {"response": 1502, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (19:58)", "body": "I\ufffdm dying to hear an honest account of what the movie is really like, I probably won\ufffdt have a chance to see it in years, if ever?? The trailer looked so good but then trailers always do.....if somebody\ufffds going to see it in Newport, please report as soon as possible."}, {"response": 1503, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (20:01)", "body": "Susan, have you called AAA yet for driving directions?? If you send me a plane ticket, I'll drive, even if it's as big as a bus!"}, {"response": 1504, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (20:47)", "body": "(Evelyn) Colin will be in the US for the MLSF Premiere Yeah, I can see the Firths making an appearance. It's the other stuff (talk shows, interviews, etc.) that I have a feeling MEM will do. I hope I'm wrong. He *is* the star, after all, and much of it is completed in advance of the opening. (Karen) If you send me a plane ticket, I'll drive, even if it's as big as a bus Mind yourself on that steep, narrow bridge you must cross in order to get there (keep your eyes closed and it's a piece of cake. Driving, you said? Just don't turn the wheel...trust me, you'll do fine...)"}, {"response": 1505, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (21:36)", "body": "Check this out which was found by Kirsten. I'm posting the pic below, but there is a synopsis of the movie and cast/crew info. http://www.tvguide.com/moviedb/ShowMovie.asp?MI=40330"}, {"response": 1506, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (21:58)", "body": "Thanks for that Karen and Kirsten but did you notice the opening date, 13th August, 1999, I thought it was supposed to be 16th July, 1999! I hope they haven't changed it again!"}, {"response": 1507, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (22:23)", "body": "Thank you Karen and Kirsten. I went in to see, and then I poked the \"buy\" button - hoping against hope they knew something I did not. Alas, that is where you found the release date. Elena, somehow you will get to see this movie if the rest of us do. Even if it has to be a PAL conversion or whatever. It has now daunted us in the past. Those waiting for me to get The Advocate copied for them, it is going to take much longer to do than I first anticipated. If you are anxious, it is available for $16.99 at Reel.com where I got my copy. It is worth it to get an original. It is a movie you will watch many times!!!"}, {"response": 1508, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (00:42)", "body": "That tvguide.com website along with having an August release date...also has the book as \"Son of Sam\"....!! Good picture of CF though. There is another website with the same pic; http://www.reel.com/Content/moviepage.asp?mmid=45636"}, {"response": 1509, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (01:24)", "body": "But that site completely ignores Colin."}, {"response": 1510, "author": "ommin", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (02:09)", "body": "That dear ladies is the ultimate insult - perhaps one of you in the USA could complain. I really do not understand why he is ignored. I suppose I am biased but he is a far better actor than the others and he has the main part."}, {"response": 1511, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (04:13)", "body": "While all the bigwigs were partying hearty in Cannes, I called Miramax, hoping that one of the minions would give away the store. In speaking to a person in regional publicity, she said MLSF would open July 16 in NY/LA and Chicago is scheduled for one week later. It is very possible that August is a typo or that August 16 is the *very wide* release date, after major markets, hoping of course that it lasts that long on the screen. Sorry Anne H, I can't explain why Colin is so frequently overlooked in reviews and cast listings. Maybe he pays his publicist to keep him out of the news???? ;-0"}, {"response": 1512, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (05:18)", "body": "Oh Karen! I just emerged from an endless world of fragrant flowers to be sure they are fresh for the morning, and what do I find but you voicing the darkest dread I dared not think. Do you really think he might pay to keep his name out of the news? His is not making it one bit easier on his devoted fans! I pray that you and I are mistaken."}, {"response": 1513, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (07:15)", "body": "Wow... Fever Pitch on July 9th and MLSF on the 16th! Back-to-back Colin...no time to recover, is there ladies? ;-) BTW-- hi everyone. Have finally gotten the computer out of the packing box and am writing this from my new apartment! I've finally moved in! (I got this place a month ago, and it's taken FOREVER to move)"}, {"response": 1514, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (10:03)", "body": "Hi Winter, good to have you back. BTW I think the release date for FP is now sometime in August, but not sure but then we are not sure about MLSF either."}, {"response": 1515, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (10:53)", "body": "Winter, welcome back, we've missed you! Meet us in 72 for my bridal shower today, it's going to be a riot!"}, {"response": 1516, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (12:28)", "body": "Since Winter is in LA, she can run to see FP on July 16. Expansion to other cities (if it does well in NY/LA) would be early August. This is what Phaedra told me about a week ago. :) BTW, I saw Aidan Quinn yesterday. Was walking out of a theater and heard Irish music. He was being interviewed for a news program. His film (something with Father in the title) was being screened there. Possibly a benefit type thing."}, {"response": 1517, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (12:40)", "body": "Hi there! Just phoned Working Title again to see if they could give details of the casting....\"no, still under development\". This really is the world's longest wait! I've just realised that I was wrong in saying that \"Notting Hill\" flopped in the UK...took nearly \ufffd5million at the weekend. Which is why I want to see Colin in BJD...when hopefully they will remember to include his name! Also phoned The Donmar. When is 3DOR actually opening? Does anyone know? Is it Nov 9 or later? And on a roll, I phoned the Arts Council about SLOW. This needs a longer posting, so will do it later, but have nothing positive to report. Colin has been desperately unlucky here."}, {"response": 1518, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (13:29)", "body": "This is from Benedict Nightingale's article in The Times today, about NY Theater and the Tonys: So to the Off-Broadway theatre, these days the only place where indigenous drama has much chance of finding an audience. The most rewarding play is still Margaret Edson's Wit, whose bravura exploration of matters both literary and oncological I admired last January, but I can report that Richard Greenberg, whose Three Days of Rain briefly hit the Donmar in March, is coming along nicely. The first half of his Hurrah At Last (Gramercy) had me in stitches and even left me wondering if Ne York hadn't given birth to a new Neil Simon with something that has always been missing in that dramatist's work: a touch of good, gloomy Ayckbourn. Peter Frechette's Laurie is a novelist obsessed by the financial success that eludes him. His mother reproachfully tells him he could write as badly as John Grisham if only he tried; his best friend has just triumphed with a play he thinks \"more touching than Endgame and nearly as accomplished as Plaza Suite\" ; and he is getting ill. The point is that he is in love with woe: which is why he cheers up when he returns from hospital having hallucinated that his dull, conventional father is gay, is mother hates him, and everyone else is mad or treacherous, and cheers right down when he learns the banal truth. The wit-level declines in Act II, and some of the acting is cartoonish; but Greenberg has still created a blend of Moli\ufffdre's Misanthrope and Milne's eyore to whom Frechette brings hooded eyes, edgy nerves and a rumpled joie de mourir. ********** It would appear that Nightingale is becoming a fan of Greenberg's. Wasn't he the one who initially called 3DOR a \"diaper drama\"?"}, {"response": 1519, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (13:29)", "body": "Telephoned Miramax today, they still have no release date for MLSF for the UK, I just don't understand it, how do other films that are not nearly as good get released. OT. but very good news, there is an excellent review for The Real Thing and particularly Jennifer and Stephen Dillane, (the fabulous JE) at This is London. 2 stars. No need to slash your wrists Evelyn!!!heehee"}, {"response": 1520, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (13:37)", "body": "Ladies, we are having a Virtual Fun Fest Bridal Shower for Gi today, please join us at 72 for all the merriment, it's performance art as it happens! BTW, thank you for all the info. Happy for JE and Greenberg."}, {"response": 1521, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (13:50)", "body": "Also from the This is London site, a review of a comedy takeoff of Emma playing in Watford: MacKichan, arguably the funniest woman on television at the moment, plays Emma with a pert, sing-song delivery which suggests a gently ironic distance from the material. The fact that 10 years have elapsed since she and Millar first conceived the show in a pub in Brixton accounts for the (ahem) maturity she brings to the role of the matchmaking 21-year-old. Katharine Rogers doubles a rather mannish Austen with a convincing portrayal of Emma's partner-in-banter, Mr Knightley, while Adam Croasdell's Fran Churchill could supplant Colin Firth's Mr Darcy in the fantasies of women who favour a well-stuffed pair of breeches. ********** Wonder what that's all about? ;-) Obviously this reviewer hasn't studied her P&P tape as closely as we have!! Michael Matus and the four \"nieces\" fill up the remaining roles with broadly comic cameos. This adaptation is rough and ramshackle, and will doubtless offend some purists. But the regard that MacKichan and Millar have for Austen is just as visible throughout as their sense of fun. Until 19 June. Box office: 01923 225671."}, {"response": 1522, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (13:51)", "body": "Oops, forgot to delete the rest. Oh well, you might the phone number. ;-)"}, {"response": 1523, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (16:31)", "body": "Well, ladies, barring unforeseen events/acts of God, I do plan on going to the premiere in Newport tonight. Pray for me as I cruise the streets of Newport in search of parking. (I'm not kidding -- I'm totally clueless when it comes to driving in the city;-) Actually, Karen, I did call the Film Festival office and the Newport Visitors Center re: parking. No onsite parking (bummer), but they say there are various municipal lots around. However, there are also lots of one-way streets, and the last time I was in Newport I got dreadfully lost. I may take your advice and just park at the hotel that's sponsoring the festival and pray they don't tow me."}, {"response": 1524, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (17:15)", "body": "Good luck Susan, I think you are very brave and I look forward very much to hearing what you think of MLSF. Let's hope your review is a good as the ones Jennifer is getting."}, {"response": 1525, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (17:17)", "body": "Bravo Susan. I know what you mean about the streets, one way and narrow. Good luck, my dear, I can empathize. You will be canonized on your return, safe and sound. We anxiously await a full report."}, {"response": 1526, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (17:27)", "body": "Bravissima Susan! Will be thinking of you! I checked Hello and Hola Magazines today. They both have coverage of Liz and AmFar, but not one mention of the screening of MLSF, just the party. Colin is not mentioned or seen. :-( I was expecting a bigger coverage of Cannes, it is very disappointing."}, {"response": 1527, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (21:52)", "body": "(Karen)Nightingale is becoming a fan of Greenberg's. Wasn't he the one who initially called 3DOR a \"diaper drama\" \"All is forgiven, Mr. Nightingale\"....he wrote a rave review of The Real Thing in today's Times....And the guy ( who also writes for the NY Times) eats actors for lunch!!This is London..\"the fab JE\".....I'm here to tell you....there is a God!!"}, {"response": 1528, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (03:49)", "body": "Mission accomplished!! Just got back from the MLSF premiere. Ladies, you are going to love this movie!! Just a few random thoughts before I conk out. Colin wasn't there (but we didn't really expect him to be), but otherwise you couldn't have asked for a better premiere in terms of audience reaction. Full house, mixed crowd of older folks and 20/30-somethings. The person who introduced the movie was very enthusiastic (said she had seen the test screening in NY and begged Miramax to let Newport have it for the festival). People applauded when she was done talking, and the movie started. I listened to see if there would be a buzz when Colin's face first appeared on screen and when his name appeared in the opening credits (wondered if there were other Firthettes like me in the audience), but didn't notice any. Think this was a case of most people seeing the movie more on the strength of the \"Chariots of Fire\" connection than because they were Firth fans. Colin's performance, needless to say, was excellent. High droolability factor here, ladies. I thought he looked very Darcy-ish -- hair is almost the same (that lock falling on the forehead!) and many similar facial expressions. Best example was when Colin (as Edward) is listening to Irene Jacob (as Heloise) play the cello, and he has a look very similar to the Pemberley piano scene (though not nearly as long or intense), then gives a great dimpled smile. Sigh... My one quibble with Colin's performance was his Scottish accent (what there was of it -- with the exception of a few of the minor players, none of the actors used a strong Scottish accent) wavered a bit -- in a couple of scenes it was pronounced, in most it was bearly noticeable. Audience reacted wonderfully to the film -- laughed where appropriate and gave *two* ovations at the end, the first when the screen faded to black and the second when the closing credits started."}, {"response": 1529, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (04:10)", "body": "Saint Susan!! Glad to see you made it home safe and sound and with a glowing report from Newport. High droolability factor here, ladies. YIPPEE!!! It's about time. I am counting the days now...until July 23rd for me. Thank you, Your Saintliness. We are waiving the two other miracles and witnesses. This one will do very very nicely. *smooch*"}, {"response": 1530, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (05:35)", "body": "Wonderful, Susan! Thank you very much for reporting so quickly! I\ufffdm so happy for the audience\ufffds reactions...is this going to be THE film for Colin? Very Darcy-ish?? Wow"}, {"response": 1531, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (06:46)", "body": "Thankyou very much for your report, I can't wait to see it and I am especially pleased that the audience liked it so much. Did you like it enought to see it againwhen it goes on limited release in July?"}, {"response": 1532, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (06:47)", "body": "Sorry, thankyou very much Susan, of course."}, {"response": 1533, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (06:48)", "body": "Thankyou very much for your report, I can't wait to see it and I am especially pleased that the audience liked it so much. Did you like it enought to see it againwhen it goes on limited release in July?"}, {"response": 1534, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (06:59)", "body": "OT again, sorry but I thought there would be peopleinterested in JE's play The Real Thing. Another excellent review in The Telegraph, (almost as good as Colin's in3DOR) It says there is electrifying chemistry between Ehle and Dillane."}, {"response": 1535, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (12:13)", "body": "OK, Susan, now that you've recovered we want MORE, more details. Loved that there's a LOOK again as in P&P's piano scene. How about clothing? He looked pretty lip-smacking good in the trailer when he's wearing the whites and chasing after his son and of course the bathing suit. Does he ever stand around in it or is he just running to the little loch? Any other great outfits? Love scenes (or at least tender, kissy kissy scenes with wife)? Does the boy tend to dominate the movie? I know this is a toughie, but would your average audience tend to focus on the boy? Are you going back on Sunday? hee hee"}, {"response": 1536, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (14:01)", "body": "Great report Susan! Thank you so much for braving the Newport traffic and bringing back news from the frontline. I've always felt that I would really enjoy this movie (assuming that Mr Weinstein allows us CF-starved folks in the UK the chance to see it! Give us a break, Harvey!!!) And what does the Man Himself look like in a kilt? Does he fish, swim, dance, do anything out of the ordinary? Does he kiss Heloise? (Such profound questions! :-)) Right, before I forget, back to my phone call to the Arts Council re SLOW (which, again, I have always felt would be a warm and charming film, hence my continuing annoyance and obsessive interest!) I got through to the Lottery funds division and asked if SLOW was ever going to be seen. Helpful lady said that it hadn't got a distributor yet and she'd check the details for me. She then told me that the project recived funding in November 96, for filming the following year, and a distribution deal was in place, (probably UK only, maybe Polygram who have also subsequently gone bankrupt). She said that the distribution must have fallen through, and asked if I'd Like a contact. My hopes rose, but the cont ct she gave me was Hilary Davis of Handmade Films. I pointed out that Handmade had gone into liquidation some time ago, but she wasn't aware of this. (!!) (Very remiss of them, in my view) I think the Arts Council's involvement stops with the funding. I asked if all Arts Council funded films got released, and she said \"yes, this was the only one not to, so far\". I have no doubts that if Handmade hadn't gone under, SLOW would have had a limited release (at least) in the UK, and gone to video. But I'm sure the Imperial Bank won't think this option is even remotely worth their while. My question is: What happens to a \ufffd3.4 million film, seized as part of bankruptcy proceedings, which \"no-one\" wants to buy? Is it pulped, discarded, given back to the production team. Can't be destroyed,surely? Any legal whizzes here?"}, {"response": 1537, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (14:01)", "body": "Thank you Susan.... And now I make a motion that we award Susan the title of ..... (drum roll..ta.. rah!).... DAME SUSAN...for bravery beyond the call of duty and exemplary loyalty to ODB and her fellow Firthettes. All those in favor say aye....(any lurkers out there...now is the time to be heard) ***** Feeling v. exhilerated this AM after reading reviews of JE....Telegraph gave it 2 stars...(Hey, Plenty with Cate Blanchette didn't get any!) Can I hope for CF and JE to each get an Olivier????"}, {"response": 1538, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (14:07)", "body": "Bethan, I believe we will have to plan a heist soon and get that reel of SLOW for you. You deserve it!:-) Susan, you have risen to the occasion, and have made me so very happy with the words: Darcyesque! Could we ask for anything more? (Well Karen does have lots more to ask) ;-) Thank you!"}, {"response": 1539, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (14:09)", "body": "(Bethan)... have no doubts that if Handmade hadn't gone under, SLOW would have had a limited release(at least) in the UK, and gone to video. But I'm sure the Imperial Bank won't think this option is even remotely worth their while. Bethan, UK distributors were among those in attendance at the AFM. If they would have thought that SLOW would be a profitable film for them...I am sure they would have purchased it. The bank is not a distributing venue....they only funded it. I am sure they are v. anxious to sell it...but Film Festivals only sell a film after a distributor has it in hand. BTW the Canadian distributors, I heard also backed out."}, {"response": 1540, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (14:33)", "body": "From Darren's London Theatre Guide today: Donmar Warehouse Earlham Street, WC2H 9LD Tube Covent Garden Telephone 0171 369 1732 THREE DAYS OF RAIN by Richard Greenberg Location West End Genre Drama Previews from 9 Nov 99 Opens 9 Nov 99 Booking to 22 Jan 00 Closes 22 Jan 00 Time (No perfs between 23rd Dec to 4th Jan) B/O Price B/O Tel Fee! Standby Concs Tickets Lashmars Theatre Tickets Performers Colin Firth, Elizabeth McGovern, David Morrissey Director Robin Lefevre Design Lighting Choregraphy Costume Producer Donmar Warehouse Press Synopsis Length n/a Review Seating Plan Seating Plan Map Map Other Info"}, {"response": 1541, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (14:41)", "body": "Have run across a minor listing for an Australian theater chain (Hoyts) that My Life So Far will open there on October 21, 1999. That should make you happy Anne H! So, if it opens in the US on July 16 and makes it to Australia on October 21, it must be opening in the UK somewhere in between!! ;-) Not too much of a lag IMO."}, {"response": 1542, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (14:47)", "body": "Isn't this cute?"}, {"response": 1543, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (14:52)", "body": "(Karen) Thank you, Your Saintliness. We are waiving the two other miracles and witnesses. This one will do very very nicely. *smooch* (Evelyn) DAME SUSAN...for bravery beyond the call of duty and exemplary loyalty to ODB and her fellow Firthettes. Gosh, I'm blushing. Seriously, I was happy to be able to give something back to my fellow droolers -- usually I don't have any information of importance to add. It's nice to have something of value to contribute for a change;-) Now more on MLSF (may have to do this in bits and pieces, since I'm buried here at work)... (1) Looks -- there are lots of looks here, smoldering and otherwise. The way Edward looked at Heloise before he tried to kiss her broke my heart. The last scene is one long look of love and affection at Fraser -- again, beautifully done. (Oh dear, would these be considered spoilers? I don't want to give anything away, but want to address your questions.) (2) Clothing -- I *loved* the clothes Colin wore in this movie! The white shirt and cream trousers in the scene where he's chasing his son on the roof are very form-fitting -- when the camera shoots him from behind while he's running up the stairs, oh lordy! The outfit I liked him best in was button-down shirt, tie and suspenders (braces) -- I just like that look on him, very GQ. He also wore a kilt, but as I recall you couldn't see much of his legs. Re: the bathing suit, as I recall he's only shown runni g and jumping into the lake/swimming in it, not standing around. However, the suit is, again, form-fitting (didn't look baggy to me) and there was another great shot of him running from behind. (Gracious, is there no end to my depravity;-)"}, {"response": 1544, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (14:52)", "body": "Dame Susan, it is! As SBR would say, *virtual standing ovation commences* :-) Good for you...I'm glad you went. I'm excited to hear about the audience's warm reception of the film. Those early reviews praised CF's performance and now we have 'Darcyesque' to top it off! Yipee! (Evelyn) Can I hope for CF and JE to each get an Olivier???? *Crossing fingers and toes now* (How many months until the awards? My joints are gonna be sore but it'll be worth it). Bethan, it doesn't sound good for SLOW :-( Handmade's bankruptcy was bad enough but lack of a distributor seems to be the final, unmoveable obstacle."}, {"response": 1545, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (15:12)", "body": "More on MLSF: (3) Love scenes -- nothing overt here. There's the aforementioned attempted kiss of Heloise, and a couple of affectionate smooches of his wife, Moira. But no passionate grappling. There are, however, several references made to what an active sex life Edward and Moira have -- \"sneaking upstairs to have a slank,\" to quote Fraser, and this got a huge laugh from the audience. The passion is all conveyed in the eyes, which Colin does so well. Sweetly befuddled, is the best way to describe Edward -- his nerdy a tempts to impress Heloise are adorable. (4) The boy -- yes, I would say the audience is mainly focused on Fraser. The crowd at the premiere had a large percentage of senior citizens who, I think, really identified with Fraser because they grew up during the same time period and could relate. But I think most people will relate to Edward as well -- he's basically a sympathetic character and people can relate to his struggle against the attraction to Heloise (again, shades of Darcy -- \"I shall conquer this!\") He does do/say a few nasty things, th ugh. (5) See it again -- yes, I would really like to. Because of the circumstances (having to drive so far, being a bit worried about my kids back at home) my mind wasn't as focused on the film as I would have liked it to be. There was also a hilarious scene involving an outburst from Fraser at the dinner table that I wasn't fully able to hear because the audience was roaring with laughter. More to come..."}, {"response": 1546, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (15:29)", "body": "More on MLSF: (6) Colin in action -- in addition to seeing him swim and run, we also see him fishing (actually, teaching the boys how to cast a line). Don't think he dances in the kilt scene, but I could be wrong. (7) The cast -- I thought all of the performances were uniformly excellent, unlike the review who felt most of them were merely serviceable. Each of the supporting players (MEM, M. McDowall, I. Jacob, R. Harris) got at least one scene in which they were really allowed to shine. The boy was excellent -- very natural acting, and he and Colin worked wonderfully together. If Colin isn't able to do promotion due to filming RV, MEM and McDowall could easily do promo, as could the boy, who would be great on Lett rman or Leno. The one quibble I have with casting: I think McDowall seemed too old to play R. Harris's son -- he looked more like her husband. I think a Jeremy Irons or Alan Rickman type would have worked better. Gotta run, more later. Again, hope I haven't given any spoilers. If I have, just tell me to shut up;-)"}, {"response": 1547, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (15:38)", "body": "Susan, your comments have been fabulous and no real spoilers as I can see. I love the details you're providing us, as we sit here and drool over them and envy you. A kilt?? for real?? How are his knees? \"form-fitting trousers\" Woweee!!! (who's depraved?) Was just kidding about going back to Newport BTW. You did just great and we're all envious of you. *am crying into my coffee right now*"}, {"response": 1548, "author": "livamago", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (15:40)", "body": "Thank you Susan! How wonderful to see Colin on a giant screen. It sounds almost too good to be true! Re: the bathing suit, as I recall he's only shown running and jumping into the lake/swimming in it, not standing around. Could you at least catch a glimpse of his naked chest? I'm sure I would faint!"}, {"response": 1549, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (15:42)", "body": "Thankyou very uch Susan, you have certainly whet our appetite. Just one question, I believe Edward has the greatest personality change of all the characters, without giving anything away would you say you liked Edward more or less by the end of the film?"}, {"response": 1550, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (15:46)", "body": "Also thankyou very much Chris (Luvvy) for the confirmation that Colin will defifnitely be in 3DOR, I know a lot of people will be glad to have this confirmed."}, {"response": 1551, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (16:24)", "body": "Great description, Susan, and you\ufffdre spoiling nothing, on the contrary, you\ufffdve made a big bunch of people happy. (Can\ufffdt wait to see him running up those stairs.....you know, that\ufffds Colin\ufffds speciality, remember 3DoR! :-) Let\ufffds hope this movie will become a real hit. Ladies, what an incredible team this is! There are firthettes in every continent ready to report first hand and in detail whatever Colinesque happens, like Winter\ufffds unforgettable adventure, Ann reporting from the London premiere and now Susan\ufffds Newport scoop."}, {"response": 1552, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (16:51)", "body": "I agree with Elena...we're a tight bunch!! Did we ever give AnnW. a title?....I think we should...the criteria being anyone who goes the \"Extra Mile\"to provide us with information about ODB and/or his projects... And Susan definitely did it.She joins the ranks with Dame Winter and AnnW. ********* I just called Miramax in NY (212-941-3800) and found out that practically every city has a Miramax Rep (that Harvey.....)So I just spoke to the Rep in Okla. City and inquired about the opening of MLSF here....seems it will probably be July 23...we are definitely getting it. I already have a carful...Hmmmm...sounds like a film I'll have to see several times."}, {"response": 1553, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (17:01)", "body": "Susan, there is no such thing as a *spoiler* when it comes to Colin, at least, not for me, I want to know all! Those smoldering looks, the kilt...I just hope it will still be playing by the time I am back from Italy in Aug. (This is not to be endured!)"}, {"response": 1554, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (17:30)", "body": "Wow! Thank you again, Susan. No spoilers here......you could describe the entire movie to me, and I'd be more than happy. Re. your depravity....I think we're all equally depraved and will certainly be focusing on certain shots more than others! And it sounds as though we'll see it soon in the UK, twixt USA and Australia. September maybe? BTW Susan, is it usual for an audience to applaud a movie in the US. We tend to suppress our enthusiasm in the UK (that's putting it kindly!)and I don't recall any instances of clapping! Re SLOW...Not a bad idea, Moon!! If all else fails, perhaps we can hijack the trailer. I think I've thrown in the towel here (SLOW R.I.P) but if you'd read about the trashy low-life drug abusive sort of \"Britflicks\" that are hitting our screens at the moment (and TV drama), you'd sympathise with my yearning to see something \"nice\"! Enough said. Topic closed. Promise! (But we did have to wait seven years for \"Valmont\" in the UK, so I won't give up hope...yet! :-) ) JE and CF for Oliviers would be great....and not beyond the bounds of probability."}, {"response": 1555, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (18:05)", "body": "Susan and all: First of all -- Thanks! Can't wait until July 16th! That scene you couldn't catch is this: ************************* All is narrated through the eyes of young Fraser, wonderfully played by Robbie Norman, who studies books from his grandfather's library and stuns a dinner party with his reasoning about how his mother and aunt might go into prostitution. ************************ The comment above is from Roger Ebert's Compuserve site courtesy of Mari. We also heard that Mary Elizabeth sings My Luve Is Like a Red Red Rose, so I got it up on my MLSF pages, along with lots of new stuff from the Miramax press kit that Anne R got the other day. (With her permission). MyLife So Far (Hope the html works!) Murph"}, {"response": 1556, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (18:12)", "body": "Re: Applause for movies At Film Festivals or special screenings, people do applaud very good films. Perhaps because (1) the people who attend are usually film aficionados and (2) there are reps from the distributors in attendance or a combination of both. It may only be a smattering of applause too. However, not all films will get applause even at these venues. There will be more *polite* applause if the audience knows the director or producer is there and will take Q&A afterwards. For the screenings I've seen recently, \"Lovers of the Arctic Circle\" got it; \"Three Seasons,\" did not or there was just a couple of hands clapping as I recall."}, {"response": 1557, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (18:35)", "body": "Thanks Murph...for filling us in. Sounds better and better. (Bethan)Susan, is it usual for an audience to applaud a movie in the US The entire audience clapped at the end of Shakespeare in Love when I saw it in a movie theatre. But I have never seen a reception like Judi Dench got last week on Broadway.She must have taken 5 curtain calls.The audience didn't want to let her go."}, {"response": 1558, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (18:48)", "body": "AnnW, re: your question about personality change and whether Edward was more likable at the end than the beginning... I think that in the end, it was not so much that he had changed, but that he was \"back to normal\" -- i.e., over his infatuation with Heloise. At the beginning he was eccentrically charming, happy in his marriage and loving to his wife and family, in the middle he went through a rather nasty period and at the end he was eccentrically charming, happy in his marriage again, etc., as well as w ser. Re: clapping, I haven't gone to the movies much since I had my kids, but it's rare that I've been to a film where people applauded at the end (let alone twice). That's why I thought it was so remarkable, but a more experienced filmgoer may see it happen all the time. But as Karen pointed out, this being a festival showing, it wasn't a typical audience."}, {"response": 1559, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (19:22)", "body": "That word that got mangled was \"wiser.\" So if he's wiser at the end (and less dogmatic), he has gone through a major change after all, come to think of it. But he's also \"back to his old self.\""}, {"response": 1560, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (19:33)", "body": "I had to run through all the vowels to figure that one out! Stumped me for a minute. ;-)"}, {"response": 1561, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (19:44)", "body": "We may style these Firthly Distinguished ladies as (name), ODB (Order of the Dear Boy)"}, {"response": 1562, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (20:21)", "body": "Susan, in the Variety Review it said the visuals, the cinematography (sp?), was dull and seemed to be fighting murky weather, do you agree with that.? From what I have seen the scenery looks wonderfu."}, {"response": 1563, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (23:20)", "body": "Quite by accident I have found another review for MLSF by Harvey Karten, it is very good. I went to Deja Com. typed Colin Firth and found news items, scroll down the page and there it is a Review for MLSF by Harvey Karten. He seemed to like the character of Edward and the young boy whose name escapes me."}, {"response": 1564, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 1999 (08:02)", "body": "What a marvellous review, Ann, and by a man! There are so many commeents I like... \"Though his father has his flaws, albeit the sort of blemishes that any red-blooded Scot might be expected to possess, he is the sort of dad we all wish we'd had\" \"Director Hugh Hudson devotes considerable time to this wonderful man's expressions, each of which tells a story about his feelings at the time\" (good...someone has finally noticed that Colin can act!!) \"Photographed handsomely in wonderable scenery\"...Boy is adorable\"..\"frighteningly competent assortment of acting talent\"...\"How refreshing to watch a movie which avoids treacle whilst portaying a kid whose family is deliriously happy\". Great find Ann! Well done! I do hope that the US wakes up to the fact that Colin can act! If he gets recognition in the US for a lead movie role, it must boost him!"}, {"response": 1565, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 1999 (08:10)", "body": "BTW saw Stephen Fry giving an interview on TV...very droll as ever. He'd just finished something for the BBC. No mention of RV, but he's obviously \"free\" for his next assignment. He said the best thing about work was the people you worked with. I like SF...very witty and intelligent."}, {"response": 1566, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 1999 (08:31)", "body": "Ann, thanks from me too for the wonderful review. I am beginning to feel opimistic for a degree of success for this film. Perhaps Harvey is playing a clever game (when does he not?). A slow burn as far as publicity goes. A film like this can easily be knocked down by critics who go expecting the usual teenage friendly entertainment. By dampening expectations or at least not raising them, he probably hopes to reach his target audience and getting them to promote the film by word of mouth."}, {"response": 1567, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 1999 (09:14)", "body": "I too am also feeling very optimistic about this movie but I do wish Miramax were more positive about releasing it. I would love to see is NOW , it is just the kind of CF movie I like, a definite must to own when the video comes out, when I can fast forward and slow-mo. Unfortunately when I telephoned Miramax they said the release date depended on the competion and how it did in the US and they couldn't give me a definite release date. There is so much rubbish being released I just cannot understand the elay."}, {"response": 1568, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 1999 (09:16)", "body": "delay. BTW Susan if it is not giving too much away can you tell us about the Curling Match, I believe it has some significance?"}, {"response": 1569, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 1999 (10:42)", "body": "release date depended on the competition and how it did in the US Why? Did \"The Governess\" do well in the US? Did \"Land Girls\"? Did...well, my list could go on for ever! Very few \"little\" films succeed in the US...but they are still released here. No problem!! Unless they're hoping it will be a great success and then they'll promote it as \"the movie that took the US by storm\" (How's that for very positive thinking!!)"}, {"response": 1570, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 1999 (11:44)", "body": "(How's that for very positive thinking!!) Brilliant thinking, I call it, Bethan. Then they could have a BIG UK premiere. I have a hunch the US premier will be v low key. That would accord with my slow burn theory."}, {"response": 1571, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 1999 (12:42)", "body": "A Royal Premiere with The Queen Mother, she loves Scotland also Princess Anne!"}, {"response": 1572, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 1999 (13:04)", "body": "Why? Did \"The Governess\" do well in the US? Did \"Land Girls\"? Isn't this the reverse? They opened in the UK first. My question would then be \"why did they open in the US at all?\" ;-) Thank you, Ann, for finding such a great review. Has anyone attempted to continue that thread at deja.com? Did that man see the movie at Newport? I would think so. I have called Cinema/Chicago and requested that it get MLSF for a prerelease screening. I don't want to wait until July 23. (*Lydia whining*) The guy there appeared fairly optimistic, indicating their good relationship with Miramax (we see a lot from Miramax). I will keep checking back."}, {"response": 1573, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 1999 (13:07)", "body": "(AnnW) Susan, in the Variety Review it said the visuals, the cinematography (sp?), was dull and seemed to be fighting murky weather, do you agree with that? Ann, I thought the cinematography was wonderful, very atmospheric. The castle where the Pettigrews live is breathtaking, and because one of the minor characters is a pilot, there are several arial shots of the scenery, and it looks lovely. As I think you had mentioned, Scotland is in general murky (at least compared with Southern Calif.) so it just seemed to be the natural atmosphere, IMO. (bethan) \"Photographed handsomely in wonderable scenery\"...Boy is adorable\"..\"frighteningly competent assortment of acting talent\"...\"How refreshing to watch a movie which avoids treacle whilst portaying a kid whose family is deliriously happy\". I entirely agree with this assessment. The whole feeling that pervades this film is warm and ultimately very uplifting, and I think that's why the premiere audience in Newport responded so enthusiastically. Edward really is a great father and despite his quirks, you can tell that his children adore him -- especially Fraser, with whom he has a special bond. He and his wife clearly adore each other, and yes, everyone is deliriously happy. That's why it was hard for me to say that Edward had changed a great eal in the course of the film -- it's not like he starts out cold and domineering and end up warm and tolerant. It's also why I find it hard to understand Denis Foreman's lukewarm comments about the film -- would think he'd be its biggest booster! I do hope that the US wakes up to the fact that Colin can act! I fervently agree, Bethan. As I mentioned, it didn't seem to me that the audience in Newport had come primarily to see Colin, but you could tell that his performance really drew them in. For example, after Edward falls under Heloise's spell, there are several scenes in which he makes small, cruel gestures to his wife in Heloise's presence (i.e. she reaches for his hand and he pushes hers away), and the audience audibly went \"Ohhh!\" (as in, \"Oh, that wasn't very nice!\"} And with the way he looks in this fi m, if most of the women weren't Firth fans going in, I'll bet they are now;-) (AnnW) Unfortunately when I telephoned Miramax they said the release date depended on the competion and how it did in the US and they couldn't give me a definite release date. It will be a crime if they delay the U.K. release of this film by tying it to the U.S. reaction. If anything, I think MLSF will be even better received in Europe, where audiences are more familiar with the actors. I just hope the film garners the same reaction in the rest of the U.S. that it got at Newport. Re: the curling match, it is significant and I can't comment too much without several major spoilers. A bet is made, and an accident happens."}, {"response": 1574, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 1999 (13:25)", "body": "Susan, thankyou for all your interesting comments to our questions. One other thing I would like to know and that is how does MLSF compare to other CF films you have seen, out of 10. and how does Colin's acting compare out of 10. If I can't see the film just yet the anticipation of 2 x 10 out of 10's will do for now!! (she says hopefully)"}, {"response": 1575, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 1999 (13:41)", "body": "Harvey S. Karten, is he a well known critic and is his opinion well thought of in the US, I believe he gave Colin quite a good write up in his review of SIL. All I can say is good ole Harvey!!"}, {"response": 1576, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 1999 (14:16)", "body": "I've never heard of Harvey S. Karten and did a search on Yahoo! His reviews have surfaced at www.rotten-tomatoes.com and at the imdb.com. Looks like he only reviews on the Internet. The source appears to be USENET: rec.arts.movies.reviews (is this Compuserve?) When I click on the link from another site, it shows up as a newsgroup. How do you get these? The rotten-tomatoes site says it culls from among the nation's top critics, but I've never heard of him and there's no mention of a newspaper."}, {"response": 1577, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 1999 (14:40)", "body": "Sorry it wasn't Harvey S Karton who gave Colin a good review for SIL but James Berardinelli who also gave P&P a rave review a couple of years ago."}, {"response": 1578, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 1999 (15:15)", "body": "It was a good review Ann...but I never heard of Harvey Whatshisname either...I think he is just a film-buff who hits all the discussion groups on the Internet. Did \"The Governess\" do well in the US? Did \"Land Girls\"? Bombed...both of them. The latter never made it out of a few cities at best.And \"Lock, Stock and Laughing Barrels \"was not a hit either in the US. Neither was \"Dancing at Lughnasa\" Pat O'Connor's film (Mr. MEM) despite Meryl Streep and Catherine McCormack.Boring MLSF and Ideal Husband are Miramax's summer films.....Both will get the 50 cities release. They're not Notting Hill...but I think both will do well. NH stand to be the biggest grossing Brit film ever, I read. Took in $27.M last weekend. I saw it...wanna see it again. Missed a lot of funny lines the first time."}, {"response": 1579, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 1999 (16:08)", "body": "Evelyn, and Karen according to the Imdb Harvey S Kirsten is a Newsgroup Reviewer. He did a review for SIL. That review makes me want to see it all the more, the lady at Miramax said to ring back in two weeks I shall definitely do that nOW."}, {"response": 1580, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 1999 (16:18)", "body": "I mean of course, Karten, silly me!"}, {"response": 1581, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 1999 (17:33)", "body": "Re: Harvey Karten He is apparently one of many people who post film reviews on the Newsgroups. Have just read his review of Notting Hill. He's a good, interesting writer, but he made lots and lots of mistakes. When world-famous screen star Anna Scott (Julia Roberts) enters the shop, impetuously kissing the befuddled proprietor before leaving Nope, didn't happen that way. as Will and Anna enjoy their first date at the bookseller's sister's home Nope, it was at the bookseller's best friend's home. Will, invited by Anna to her hotel and expecting an evening of private conversation, instead finds himself plunged into a press conference Nope, any self-respecting film critic would have called it a \"press junket.\" There was a press conference at the end of the film. As Will's wheelchair-bound sister Sally Nope, on two counts! Wheelchair-bound woman was best friend's wife and a former girlfriend of William's and her name was Bella. William's sister (non-wheelchair bound) was named Honey and played by Emma Chambers. despite the efforts of such quirky, off-the-wall characters as Will's Welch roommate Spike (Rhys Ifans) He even spelled Welsh that way, not me! Anybody know anymore about this Karten character? There's one at UC-San Diego on the Neurosciences faculty that appears in searches. Same guy???"}, {"response": 1582, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 1999 (19:31)", "body": "Dame Susan, ODB (how apt, Moon), what a wonderful report you've brought back to us. Great detail, don't leave a thing out. Will you accept private e-mails for those of us who want to know about the curling scene? ;-) I thought he looked very Darcy-ish -- hair is almost the same (that lock falling on the forehead!) and many similar facial expressions. This will make a great Film Discussion on 98 someday. Can't wait to count those expressions. Best example was when Colin (as Edward) is listening to Irene Jacob (as Heloise) play the cello, and he has a look very similar to the Pemberley piano scene (though not nearly as long or intense), then gives a great dimpled smile. Be still my heart. The outfit I liked him best in was button-down shirt, tie and suspenders (braces) -- I just like that look on him, very GQ From the stills we've seen of this, I knew I'd have a tough time to keep from sighing at his looks but now I know it will be impossible. There are,however, several references made to what an active sex life Edward and Moira have So relieved. This may have to hold us for awhile, ladies. At least until we see him on that bed with Lina at the Donmar. You gave a terrific report. And no bruises on your backside for kicking yourself because you hadn't gone! Congratulations."}, {"response": 1583, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 1999 (19:34)", "body": "--Sounds like MLSF will supply plenty of \"Levitas\" for us poor starved Firthettes. V.G. If we are so worried about how Harvey W. is pushing MLSF, then where do we go to exprexx our opinions, eh? Any idea, Evelyn?"}, {"response": 1584, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 1999 (19:35)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1585, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 1999 (20:02)", "body": "Both Reviews for MLSF Variety and Harvey Karten's are now listed at the MRQE. apparently Mr. Karten is a film critic at Compuserve. (Posted this by mistake at 72)"}, {"response": 1586, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 1999 (20:21)", "body": "(AnnW) One other thing I would like to know and that is how does MLSF compare to other CF films you have seen, out of 10. and how does Colin's acting compare out of 10. Ann, this is definitely one of the best films Colin has done, IMO. Admittedly, a few things are probably coloring my opinion. First was seeing it at the theatre, on a big screen -- I confess with shame that I've seen all of Colin's other films on videotape or when they were shone on TV. The second was seeing it at the premiere, with a full house of people, and observing first-hand how much everyone was enjoying it and how well they were responding to him. The third was seeing Colin play a sympathetic char cter in a lead role for a change -- what ecstacy not to have to wade through long stretches of a film waiting for his 15 or so minutes while lesser actors dominate! Also, whatever re-editing they did seemed to work -- it didn't drag at all and there were no dead spots, IMO. I thought his acting was superb -- don't think he put a foot wrong, outside of that slip of the Scottish accent that I mentioned. I loved seeing him play a father (has he ever played one before?) -- he had such a nice rapport with the boy, totally believable. I definitely would give both him and the film 10's. (Heide) And no bruises on your backside for kicking yourself because you hadn't gone! You got that right! I have Karen to thank for that -- without her nagging...er, encouragement... I would have chickened out;-) (Just kidding, Karen:-D)"}, {"response": 1587, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 1999 (21:10)", "body": "It's such a pleasure to read your reports. Susan....I'm really feeling very optimistic now about MLSF. And I do so agree, \"seeing Colin play a sympathetic character in a lead role for a change\"....it's about time we saw this. No more supporting cuckold roles, please!!! I'm looking forward to DonQ also, which I expect to be another very sympathetic role .......I was very impressed by another drama by the same writer and director on a similar theme...it was both moving and uplifting. BTW, videos of BBC productions come out very quickly now...normally a month or so after transmission. There are,however, several references made to what an active sex life Edward and Moira have There's a lovely bit in Denis Forman's autobiography about this... \" My mother and father appeared to be, and were, a devoted couple. Sometimes after lunch my father would say to my mother, \"What about a slank\". A slank was purported to be a rest, perhaps a snooze in the double bed in the north room. But as time went on I came to believe that a slank meant more than this. For one thing, when slanking my father and mother bolted the door, which was unusual. For another, one could hear noises within the room, no more than vague movements, but certainly not the noise of two people resting. When the door finally opened and my father took in a tray of china tea and butter, both parents were a little red in the face and looked enormously pleased with themselves and each other. I am now sure that my surmise was correct and that an unclouded sexual relationship, sometimes consummated during slanks, was the basis of their devotion to each other and of my mother's tolerance of my father's more tiresome domestic habits\" (A fair exchange!! :-))"}, {"response": 1588, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 1999 (22:16)", "body": "Susan, thankyou very much, 2x 10, you have made my day, if only I lived nearer to Rhode Island, oh well as long as they don't postpone the US release date again it shouldn't be too long before we get it here."}, {"response": 1589, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jun  6, 1999 (00:36)", "body": "Susan, a 10!!! Keep those *spoilers* coming. :-D"}, {"response": 1590, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  6, 1999 (01:27)", "body": "without her nagging...er, encouragement... I would have chickened out;-) Some people just have a calling in life or maybe it's in my genetic makeup. ;-D"}, {"response": 1591, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun  6, 1999 (03:10)", "body": "(KJArt)If we are so worried about how Harvey W. is pushing MLSF, then where do we go to exprexx our opinions, eh? Any idea, Evelyn? Miramax LA 323-951-4200 \" NY 212-941-3800 (ask for the phone # for the Miramax Rep in your city) or the Marketing Manager for MLSF Harvey Weinstein Miramax Films 375 Greenwich st. New York, 10013 ***** That Karen...when she got through Harvey Karten's review of Notting Hill...the guy was chopped liver....I saw it...and she is right. ***** Susan...your comments should be published...or at least preserved so we can re-read them. Thank you. I too am looking forward to a film where we don't have to wade through half a film to see a few fleeting scenes. ****** (Bethan) No more supporting cuckold roles, please!!! OK...who's gonna tell him that when we see him at the Donmar.... Enough is enough!! *****"}, {"response": 1592, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jun  6, 1999 (06:30)", "body": "re The Karten review I think he kept referring to M. McD's character as Edwards's brother, in actual fact I believe he is his brother-in-=law. Still never mind his overall impression can still be right and agrees with what Susan has said and it is such a good review that it can do no harm."}, {"response": 1593, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Jun  6, 1999 (07:44)", "body": "Susan, thanks so much for braving Newport on your own and bringing back such a great report on MLSF! I am dining on every tidbit. You have truly earned your new title and membership in the ODB :-) I cannot wait to see this movie!"}, {"response": 1594, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  6, 1999 (13:09)", "body": "Oh, I agree with you, Ann, about the overall review and points he makes. Was only saying that this guy doesn't get all his facts right, which to me would indicate he's not a professional critic."}, {"response": 1595, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  6, 1999 (15:06)", "body": "Article about MEM in NY's Daily News. A mention of MLSF. http://www.mostnewyork.com:80/1999-05-30/New_York_Now/Movies/a-30239.asp?last6days=1 Also caught a few minutes of another of those E! specials on Cannes. Think it was called \"Hot on the Riviera\" or something. Anyway toward the end, they showed a Miramax breakfast or press conference thing with Irene Jacob and actually mentioned the name of the movie. IJ was interviewed, but it was just about Cannes, what it's like vs. when she was there before. Emphasis was on party atmosphere, events, etc. No Colin sightings, only Elvis!"}, {"response": 1596, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sun, Jun  6, 1999 (18:43)", "body": "Thanks to everyone for your nice comments on my MLSF ramblings. As I said in an email to Karen, I can't wait until everyone else has the chance to see this film because I'm eager to hear what you all think about it. I'm not very good at critiquing films -- I tend to think very literally and miss some of the symbolism. I'm sure you'll all pick up on things that I missed or misinterpreted. I'm not sure I really deserve my ODB membership. I just was very fortunate that this film happened to literally drop into my backyard. All I had to do was figure out how to get to it;-) Karen, you seem to know a lot about premieres -- do you think Miramax would have sent someone to Newport to gauge audience reaction? The woman who introduced the film didn't mention anyone from Miramax being present that evening, and unfortunately I had to leave as soon as the credits started rolling, so I don't know if anyone from Miramax was around to answer questions from the audience after the screening. I really hope they did send someone, because I think they would have been overjoyed by the positiv reaction and perhaps will get this film into theatres sooner."}, {"response": 1597, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun  6, 1999 (19:31)", "body": "Check out Murph's new collage and a little Beethoven... http://www.geocities.com/~murphyat65/mlsf.html BTW Susan...what did you think of the soundtrack? Or were you conscious of such...."}, {"response": 1598, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  6, 1999 (20:03)", "body": "Shucks, Susan, you are being modest and who cares about symbolism when he looks so damned adorable?! Hopefully, everyone will have the opportunity to enter the ODB, and I'd be more than thrilled to have CF drop in my backyard... better yet my lap!! I've preserved Susan's comments about MLSF and added a few of the trailer pics, where appropriate. I'll link it from the Miramax publicity page that's on firth.com later. Susan on MLSF If there are more comments and/or questions, I can add later."}, {"response": 1599, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  6, 1999 (20:14)", "body": "do you think Miramax would have sent someone to Newport to gauge audience reaction? Given the proximity to NY, they might. I don't know if anyone from Miramax was around to answer questions from the audience after the screening. The festival person would have announced it at the beginning even if the person weren't there but there was an outside chance. What they wouldn't want to happen is for the audience to empty out while they had someone on tap to take questions. Usually the people to take questions are actors, directors/writers and sometimes producers. With some of the festival films I've seen, it's so cute when it's very apparent that this is the person's first trip to the US and they're just so bubbly and excited. I think they would have been overjoyed by the positive reaction and perhaps will get this film into theatres sooner. Could be. Seems like everyday I read about opening dates being shifted around, back and forth; they are in a constant state of flux."}, {"response": 1600, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sun, Jun  6, 1999 (21:15)", "body": "I just love the Drool and have to join in. I hope you will forgive me a very long rave about DB, as I only discovered him this past February and have a lot of catching up to do...also, my various family members are fed up listening to me go on about Colin. Actually, I saw SIL about a week before I finally saw the P&P tape I made 3 years ago (I don't really like long mini-series--by the time I realized P&P wasn't a TV movie I was so hooked that I watched the whole series at one time). When I saw the articl in People, I was incredulous- Darcy and Wessex and the guy in the magazine one in the same--impossible!! He did Wessex quite well, but, face it, for non-Colin devotees, who was attending to Wessex in that film. I later saw SIL twice more and Colin did a terrific job with this character. I have hunted down almost every film Colin has made, except Dutch Girls, but have't seen much of his T.V. work (would really love to see Tumbledown and MOTM). I was in heaven this week as I finally found Hostages and Wings of Fame. The more I see of Colin's work, the more I want to see. His talent goes way beyond Darcy."}, {"response": 1601, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jun  6, 1999 (21:22)", "body": "Welcome Lynda, you are among friends, we all love Colin and he never ceases to amaze us, what an actor, different in every part but with all his lovely mannerisms and those eyes, that voice, that stride, I could go on. You are so lucky to be able to see his new film My Life So Far, which sounds wonderful, I can't wait, another Firth video to add to my collection."}, {"response": 1602, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sun, Jun  6, 1999 (21:53)", "body": "Love the Drool and had to delurk. Hope you can tolerate a lengthy rave about DB here. I saw SIL about a week before I finally watched the 3- year old P&P I made. By the time I realized that it was not a TV movie (don't like mini-series, which is why I didn't watch it when it aired) I was so engrossed that I watched the whole thing at once. When I saw the People article, I was utterly incredulous--- Wessex, Darcy and the guy in the magazine one and the same....impossible!! Although Wessex was quite amusin , non-Colin devotees would not be attending to him in this film. I have seen SIL twice since and admire the job Colin did with this character as I admire all of his work. I have in the past months managed to locate all of his films except Dutch Girls and the yet to be released FP and MLSF, though most of his TV work is probably lost ( I'd really like to see Tumbledown and MOTM, any suggestions out there?). I was in heaven this week when I finally got to see Hostages and Wings of Fame--they were terrific films and so was he. Some comments: Although Colin is gorgeous to look at and has a beautiful voice, what thrills me about his acting is the expressiveness of his face (what tight breeches?) and the emotional power of his performances. He makes you care about even the creepiest characters. What made Darcy as a role so special was that, for once, he had the romantic lead in a mainstream film with a good screenplay, excellent production values and a large audience and boy did he do a job with a character which must be hard to a imate, judging from the book. And his looks in it-- the bow, the LOOK and his appearance at Longbourn before the 2nd proposal show the most beautiful man I have ever seen on screen. And his is a beauty with character, not a plastic, pretty boy type of beauty. I prefer his pre-Darcy roles though the post P&P films are more high profile. Like you I want to see him in a romantic or dramatic (as long as he does Not DIE or behave like a cad) role in a good, commercially successful film. One other thing on my wish list is a role with lots of dialogue. I agree he acts better without words than most actors do with lots of dialogue, but I have noticed he never has the big dramatic speeches, even when he is the lead. Apropos 3DOR, he has a speech in FF, speaking about b ing better than the world and above all the bull**** that gave me a glimpse of what he must be like on the stage. I would love to see him do Shakespeare. I promise I will never write this much again. I am just so excited to have someone with whom to talk about DB."}, {"response": 1603, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  6, 1999 (21:58)", "body": "Welcome, Lynda. Nice to see that you figured out how to post and are joining our wonderful community Colin devotees. Did you receive my email? I didn't see a reply?"}, {"response": 1604, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sun, Jun  6, 1999 (22:08)", "body": "Sorry for the triple posting, I'm still trying to get the hang of the Net... only went on-line this week. I have not seen MLSF, am delirious with anticipation, like the rest of you. Karen I did e-mail a reply to you this afternoon. Let me know if you got it. It's in my sent box, but who knows?"}, {"response": 1605, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  6, 1999 (22:08)", "body": "(Lynda) I promise I will never write this much again. I am just so excited to have someone with whom to talk about DB. No need to make any sort of promise like this. We love to hear what others see in Colin, how he affects them, which roles they love and why... I could go on and on (and sometimes do)!! I agree he acts better without words than most actors do with lots of dialogue, but I have noticed he never has the big dramatic speeches, even when he is the lead. Very interesting observation. He does tend to play the shy and retiring types or the dour and taciturn types or the psychologically weird types. When we discussed Playmaker, Cheryl observed that that role was very unique (stop smirking everyone) because he played an authoritative character. I think he did marvelously (despite the rest of the crappy movie) and proves he can do it with or without words. He is such a complete actor. I would love to see him do Shakespeare. Any particular role?"}, {"response": 1606, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  6, 1999 (22:11)", "body": "Re: email No, didn't receive anything. You did reply to nomdedrool@yahoo.com, didn't you? If it went to the three deers, I won't get it unless they forward it to me."}, {"response": 1607, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sun, Jun  6, 1999 (22:22)", "body": "I'd like to observe etiquette here... how do you do the italics? Re: Shakespeare- not a comedy, not Othello. Since he statred out with Hamlet. why not Hamlet. I know he's a little older, but five or six years is invisible on the stage. I saw Playmaker and although the film was crappy, he was not. He was quite good in both roles. I just fast forward past the non-Colin parts. But I HATED that he died in it. The first 3 films I saw him in after P&P were Valmont, AC and EP in every one of which he died (well, the epilogue told us Judd died young). When I viewed The Advocate I was so anxious about whether he died in this one, I couldn't really enjoy it until the 2nd viewing. I'm pleased that he hasn't continued the trend."}, {"response": 1608, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Jun  6, 1999 (22:39)", "body": "Welcome, Lynda, you raise an interesting question: that gave me a glimpse of what he must be like on the stage. To all who have seen him on stage, which of his movie performances (scenes) resemble most his stage performance as Walker / Ned, to give an idea to those who haven't had the pleasure yet?"}, {"response": 1609, "author": "livamago", "date": "Sun, Jun  6, 1999 (23:12)", "body": "Lynda, you are most welcome to our little assembly here! I'd like to observe etiquette here... how do you do the italics? Here is a link to a very useful tutorial. I've just learned how to do all these wonderful things myself! Have you read the fan fiction yet? Basic HTML Tag Tutorial"}, {"response": 1610, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (00:07)", "body": "(Lynda)I finally watched the 3- year old P&P I made. Good Grief! This is like having an exquisitely set diamond of impressive proportions and not wearing it because you never opened the box to look at it! Well, now you have, and you are just like the rest of us - hopelessly hooked on the best thing ever grace the stage / television / cinema. Lynda, you must be the lady who stumbled on us in chat while we were in full frenzy of a Bridal Shower for a fellow Droolie. Do not let that little episode stop your returning there. It is usually very quiet in there - so quiet I usually have to talk to myself! Anyway, welcome dear - could you please Email me. The one here works. Thanks."}, {"response": 1611, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (01:06)", "body": "Testing"}, {"response": 1612, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (12:47)", "body": "(Evelyn) BTW Susan...what did you think of the soundtrack? Or were you conscious of such.... For some reason I thought there would be more jazz in it (didn't we hear somewhere that Harvey had personally added some songs?). The only jazz song I noticed was \"Sunny Side of the Street.\" Maybe there's more on the soundtrack. Lots of Beethoven, though, used in many different ways. Some final thoughts on MLSF: (1) Darcyesque moments -- there were several scenes that strongly reminded me of ones in P&P. The aforementioned cello scene, which echoes the one in the music room at Pemberley. Edward, agitated and in his shirtsleeves, destroys a letter from Heloise -- reminiscent of Darcy up all night, writing to Lizzy. Edward and Heloise spar at the dinner table over the nature of sin and evil -- similar to the verbal duel between Darcy and Lizzy at Netherfield. (2) Symbolism -- and lots of it. Airplanes. Beethoven. \"The Hairy Man\" (stranger Fraser runs into on the estate grounds). Curling. Jazz. Moss. What do any/all of these represent? Freedom vs. restraint? Breaking boundaries? Feeling vs. reason? Nothing at all? (as Freud said, \"sometimes a cigar is just a cigar\";-) Welcome, Lynda -- the more the merrier;-)"}, {"response": 1613, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (12:55)", "body": "Susan, you're tempting us for the MLSF discussion so well! If before we knew anything about it we wanted to see this film, now, we are desperate to see it!;-) (BTW, I bought a Godiva Chocolate cigar box for DH. I wonder what Freud would say about that?) Welcome to Firth land Lynda!"}, {"response": 1614, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (14:11)", "body": "Welcome, welcome, Lynda! You have found your way home! I saw Playmaker and although the film was crappy, he was not Thanks to a couple of very gracious Firthettes, I've recently seen six or so videos of ODB's old work and 'Playmaker' was one of them. After picking myself up off the floor, onto which I had utterly melted into a puddle of drool (heck, I knew about those shower scene(s) but had never heard about that business in the desert pant, pant, pant! ), I agree with your assessment. Looks aside ( although still panting ), he sure can act. (Bethan) I do hope that the US wakes up to the fact that Colin can act! Oh, so do I! CF seems to be caught in something of a loop here: because he gets little or no recognition/press exposure, he's unfamiliar to US audiences, so he gets little or no press exposure, and so on (follow? It's as clear as mud!). IMO the US movie industry is completely hype driven: image first, talent second. Sometimes talent lives up to the image. ODB has the talent, but lacks an image. Now's his chance to get his face \"out there\"--I hope he takes advantage of it. And a few strong reviews from well known critics wouldn't hurt! (Susan) Some final thoughts on MLSF Final thoughts? So soon? Keep 'em coming as you think of them. Enjoy your entry to the ODB, you deserve it :-)"}, {"response": 1615, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (15:48)", "body": "For what it's worth, I too saw MLSF yesterday in Newport. It was truly a charming film and the audience and I enjoyed it tremendously. Plenty of uproarious laughter, good dramatic moments. Superb production values. The setting and scenery are beautiful and look like Scotland (Duuuhhh, Variety!). The house and costuming, perfect. Must agree with Susan on the whites worn in the opening scene; very yummy. I wasn't as taken by his vulcanized wading trouser outfit later :-). Performance standouts were the boy who plays \"Fraser Pettigrew\", Rosemary Harris as his grandmother, MEM as Moira Pettigrew, and of course CF. Such a pleasure to see him a starring role. I think the script and editing was a bit vague in where it was going with a number of threads. Elspeth and the Emperor of the Air, for example. And the curling scene seemed badly cut. No one has mentioned that as in a previous Firth film, Colin gets to get up and preach! Edward does a 'better' (that is, more traditional) job at it that Tom Birkin. There were folks from Miramax in the vicinity yesterday, but they were at a panel discussion that started at 1pm (the film began at noon). I bolted before the credits were over to catch the end of the panel up at Kay Chapel. Apologies to Firthsisters who I didn't get to talk to more, as a result. Not that I have to give a recommendation to anyone reading this board, but I highly recommend you see MLSF when it comes out. And it's even a child-safe film! There were a number of kids there, and they were enjoying it as much as the adults. ps The film was dedicated to the late, beloved Ian Charleson, who starred in Hugh Hudson's \"Chariots of Fire\". Charleson was a magnificent actor whose life was cut short by AIDS. He is much missed in the community of British theatre, and the dedication made me tear up immediately :-(."}, {"response": 1616, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (16:41)", "body": "Thanks to Susan and Chris for the reviews of MLSF, perhaps now someone in North America will notice ODB. He is about due. I have never, until now, understood why Colin wanted to distance himself from Darcy. He delivered a memorable, complex performance in a difficult role with little screen time and less dialogue. However, I have been reading the postings at the Austen conf.and now I see why. All these women ta;lking about breeches and wet shirts as if that was all there were to his portrayal (in which case, as Colin has said, any reasonably fit man could have played Darcy when IMO very few actors could have succeeded with t is role). I must be the only woman who saw P&P who didn't notice the tight pants and didn't care about the bath and the dive; I couldn't remove my eyes from his face. Worse yet are the comments about not wanting to see him in other films and not liking him in the ones they've seen because he doesn't look/act like Darcy. ARRRGH. Colin's performance as Darcy made me wonder why I hadn't seen him before and, although his change in appearance takes a little getting used to, I have been rewarded not only by Colin's mesmerizing screen presence, but some unusual films. His looks do not get any better than in Wings of Fame (he displays some incredible bad-boy smiles in this one) and while it took a second viewing to appreciate it, this film is quite interesting and thought-provoking. Please remember, eveyone, Colin is an actor (a very fine one), not Mr. Darcy. Give his other films a chance; he shines in even the worst of them."}, {"response": 1617, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (17:52)", "body": "Thankyou Chris for your report, we can't have to many!! Can I ask both of you, Chris and Susan, where this film ranks among Colin's other films including P&P, what did you think of the soundtrack and also Chris, you said you went yesterday, what was the audience reaction like on Sunday, Susan has already said how positive it was on Thursday, was it the same on Sunday. Thankyou both very much for going and for reporting back, it sounds as if it will be worth the wait.!!"}, {"response": 1618, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (18:15)", "body": "(Lynda) he shines in even the worst of them. Yes, I\ufffdm sure he does.....and that\ufffds why I\ufffdd like to see the worst of them ;-))......where could I get Playmaker and the other early ones? (I have Tumbledown thanks to Heide). I haven\ufffdt even seen ATA, I guess the video hasn\ufffdt been released over here. The movie was in a big cinema in Helsinki for a week and vanished before I could get to see it: it really flopped."}, {"response": 1619, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (20:07)", "body": "I just could not let Lynda's indictment of our apparent shallow regard for CF go unchallenged. Lynda, if you think we only think of him as Darcy in a wet chirt, you have never read the postings on 98. Go there, read them all, then come back and make comments. We have the most intelligent and insightful people I have ever encountered on these beards. I will not stand by and let a newbie say such things unchallenged. Thank you."}, {"response": 1620, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (20:10)", "body": "(Elena) I haven\ufffdt even seen ATA It flopped in the US also. I think it lasted two weeks in my area. If you've read the book, you'll be disappointed in the film. The role of Jess was minimalized in favor of the two leading ladies. (Lynda) I have never, until now, understood why Colin wanted to distance himself from Darcy It also comes up in nearly every interview (OK, A&E had a right to ask since they broadcast P&P2) and magazine piece and at times is made to sound as though he's done nothing else. I think most of us would like to see him in a leading, protagonist role--the good guy, for a change. Most of all we'd like him to be recognized for his talent instead of just how he looks in a wet shirt ( but I sure did enjoy that bath scene ). So glad to hear more good things about MLSF. Miramax must be pleased with the favorable audience reactions after that 'Variety' review. Now if it can just have a decent go at the US box office..."}, {"response": 1621, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (20:13)", "body": "(Marcia)...I have ever encountered on these beards Oh no, Marcia, is it time for my electrolysis again?? ;-D"}, {"response": 1622, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (20:23)", "body": "Long dissertation on rating and ranking just zapped by hitting Clear instead of Submit (what the hell do I need a Clear button for anyway??????). Here's the digest version :o( Audience liked it, half full, hot sunny Sunday noon. Soundtrack will be very nice if it includes the duet of \"My Love is Like...\". Beethoven, jazz, Saint-Saens. Can't compare the mini-series to feature films. Only \"P&P\" is watchable (very!) of the three, so there is no contest IMHO. Of the feature films, \"TEP\" is the best film he's been in. Of the CF feature film performances, I'd rate \"MLSF\" third after \"Tumbledown\" and \"Fever Pitch\". \"Tumbledown\" is still his very best work. And I enjoyed \"FP\" slightly more than \"MLSF\"."}, {"response": 1623, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (20:31)", "body": "Nobody else would\ufffdve made such an impact in a wet shirt & breeches as Colin did, but not just because of looking good in them but because of everything else he did in P&P. A million handsome actors could have paraded in a wet shirt in Pemberley, but because they mostly lack Colin\ufffds talent as an actor, I probably wouldn\ufffdt have bothered to watch anybody else as Darcy another time. That\ufffds the miracle."}, {"response": 1624, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (21:04)", "body": "Marcia, I think I must speak up for Lynda, I think she was referring to the Republic of Pemberley P&P boards not us when saying\" they seemed to think more of Darcy in a wet shirt rather than Colin's acting talents\", I'm sure she wasn't doubting our admiration for Colin's acting talents."}, {"response": 1625, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (21:08)", "body": "I have just read Lynda's posting and she definitely mentions \"the ladies at the Austen Conference\", not us."}, {"response": 1626, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (21:25)", "body": "....(mumbling in my beard)....Ann, I am much relieved to hear it. Cut these fingernails and clean the glasses straight away!"}, {"response": 1627, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (21:49)", "body": "(Lynda) However, I have been reading the postings at the Austen conf.and now I see why. All these women ta;lking about breeches and wet shirts as if that was all there were to his portrayal To say that \"All\" the women of the Republic of Pemberley (if they are who you mean) see Colin only as a big wet shirt is a generalization and not very accurate. Certainly, those comments do pop up from time to time, as Pemberley is an ever growing community and the newbies need to have their bit of Darcy drool too. I don't begrudge anyone who notices the shirt or the breeches--on the contrary, I consider it the first signs of a possible kindred spirit ;-p. As long as they eventually realize that Colin's p rformance was as close to perfection as one could hope, I won't squash their early enthusiasm. (Lynda) I must be the only woman who saw P&P who didn't notice the tight pants and didn't care about the bath and the dive; Oh my! What you missed! ;-) (Lynda) Worse yet are the comments about not wanting to see him in other films and not liking him in the ones they've seen because he doesn't look/act like Darcy. ARRRGH. It doesn't necessarily follow that all P&P addicts must also be Colin addicts. I too wish that some people were more open to his other films, but frankly it doesn't really bother me if they can't accept him in any other role. That's more Colin for us, baby! ;-) (Ann W) I have just read Lynda's posting and she definitely mentions \"the ladies at the Austen Conference\", not us. The term \"Austen Conference\" more often refers to AUSTEN-L or austen.com--neither of which is connected to Pemberley. But since I don't think either of those places talks much Colin, I suppose Lynda did mean the P&P board at RoP. No matter. Everyone is entitled to an opinion--even the people who prefer Rintoul to Colin, though I can't imagine why ;-p"}, {"response": 1628, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (22:09)", "body": "As all this gets itself sorted out... it probably bears mentioning that many people here participate in other web communities, whether it is austen.com, RoP, Austen-L or others and we have lurkers here from all of those places. Spring is a public board, but IMO it shouldn't be the place to criticize others' views. Here at Spring we have topics for Colin, Colin's films (all his films) and one especially for Darcy. Darcy as a character lives and breathes all on his own. However, it was Colin's portrayal of that classic literary character that brought us all here. He simply is and was the *best* Darcy there has been. (Sorry, Nan, I know you just love Rintoul!) Whether you admire how his breeches fit or don't, matters not at all. We ladies of Spring admire everything about him from the size of his f et to the growing thinness on top of his head, from his cuticles to the myriad moles which cover his neck and back. On one thing we all agree. He is one helluva actor. Why else would we analyze such out and out garbage like the \"P\" movie? I think I've covered just about everything, so I think I'll go back to watching Darcy in the tub, followed by Courtois in the communal bath and top it all off by Ross in the shower. I'm feeling cleaner by the minute and it's so hot outside!!"}, {"response": 1629, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (22:12)", "body": "One last thing, we're here to have a good time, share information, comfort each other during official Firth droughts, and practice some tasteful and/or tasteless objectification when we feel like it. (We are healthy grownup women!) ;-D"}, {"response": 1630, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (22:22)", "body": "(Karen) Spring is a public board, but IMO it shouldn't be the place to criticize others' views. I was hoping you'd say that ;-) (Karen) (Sorry, Nan, I know you just love Rintoul!) Grrrr...;-p (Karen) Why else would we analyze such out and out garbage like the \"P\" movie? Bless you for not mentioning it in my presence ;-D BTW, thanks to everyone for the get well wishes. Clearly I'm feeling better...well, my tongue is anyway...:-/"}, {"response": 1631, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (22:36)", "body": "Thank you Karen, I am sure you have cleared any misunderstandings perfectly. Just one thing, I happen to know that Nan prefers Colin to Rintoul. :-) Luvvy, do not forget his performance in Apt.0, truly his best. In TEP, I saw lots of new Colin acting features (I also love him in this film). In FP, his acting was at many times, filled with maneurisms which I had already seen and the same goes for Tumbledown. Would you say that his character in MLSF resembles Geoffrey of TEP?"}, {"response": 1632, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (22:47)", "body": "(Nan) To say that \"All\"... I didn't intend to imply that all women felt this way, I was referring to the number of postings (in the RoP archives) referring only to the breeches and wet shirt and the dislike of Colin in other roles. I seem to recall an article mentioning that many critics at the time also attributed Colin's appeal as Darcy largely to the breeches and the wet shirt, which attitude would be insulting to any good actor and would certainly not bode well for his future career. Of course, all women don't have to be Colin fans, but if the phenomenal popularity of Darcy does not extend to Colin as an actor, then I can understand why he has made the career choices he has... which beforehand seem puzzling to me, as he should have been very proud of his performance and more willing to capitalize on it. I am not criticizing anyone's taste here; I'm reading and posting here, because my craving for Colin and P&P is not shared by my friends, either . (Nan) Oh my! What you missed By the way, I most certainly have noticed the breeches and the wet shirt (and, yes, Darcy is exceptionally droolworthy), although they are not Colin's main attraction in this role for me, especially after seeing him in Playmaker....see, I'm as prurient as the next Firthfan."}, {"response": 1633, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (22:52)", "body": "Check out Murph's new entry to her My Life So Far page. It's fabulous! http://www.geocities.com/~murphyat65/mlsfentr.html Thanks ladies, you know how much I hate to do play that role, but Heide's out of town. Lynda, I hope we haven't scared you off. It's just that your comments truly came out of left field. Moon, we're going to get to Apartment Zero one of these days..."}, {"response": 1634, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (22:55)", "body": "Important point about italicizing!! You have to close the tag, which I have just done. ;-)"}, {"response": 1635, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (23:07)", "body": "no you did not...Hope I did!"}, {"response": 1636, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (23:17)", "body": "Just a quick comment in support of Lynda's observation about critics and Colin. I think a lot of critics in the UK still don't give Colin the respect he deserves as an actor because of the \"wet shirt, God's gift to trousers\" aspect. This is only hearsay, but I know someone who knows someone (how remote can you get!) who was on the BAFTA committee(predominantly male) which didn't give Colin the best actor award for P&P. Apparently it was felt that his impact owed more to tight breeches than acting skills, ence the award to Robbie Coltrane for the third time. But, as I said, this is only hearsay!! Nice little item on Harvey W. in one of the papers. Flying on Concorde (where he is supposed to require two seats...cru-el) He was caught smoking a cigar in the loo/toilet) and has been charged under the Air Traffic Violation Code. He's expected to plead gulity by post! Why the italics?? On MLSF, I'm so glad the reaction is positive. One question, a lot of movie goers in the US will only know CF from TEP and SIL, where he was required to reduce his sex appeal to zero, whilst the Fiennes bros stole the show. Do you thik MLSF will win over any new converts...will women start thinking \"Hey, this guy has something after all\"."}, {"response": 1637, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (23:53)", "body": "Yes, I did, Marcia. How many times I gotta tell you people: If one, just one, lousy italicized message is on the screen, then they all will be. Leave and come back and only bring up new messages and all will be fine. So there!! ;-) (Bethan) who was on the BAFTA committee(predominantly male) which didn't give Colin the best actor award for P&P. Apparently it was felt that his impact owed more to tight breeches than acting skills hmmm, I wonder what criteria these same male committee members used to award the BAFTA to Jennifer?? ;-) Do you think MLSF will win over any new converts...will women start thinking \"Hey, this guy has something after all\". With the way Colin looks in this one and the size of his role, how can it not?! I called my film fest org here and requested a prescreening of MLSF. Told her how I had numerous reports from Newport about how good it was and how the trailer is wonderful and she should take a look. She checked her list of Miramax releases, found MLSF and read me what had been provided. Cast list didn't even have Colin's name in it! I instantly corrected that for her. Since the next film we'll be seeing is \"An Ideal Husband,\" I mentioned that a couple of people had seen it in Newport and said MLSF w s far better. She's going to talk to Miramax about getting it here sooner than July 23. Yeah!!"}, {"response": 1638, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (00:36)", "body": "Karen, how many times??? I don't know, but in Hawaii, my computer had everything on this page italicized including the stuff in the moire blue satin. I will trust you forever more. I know you know what you are doing! Sorry!!!"}, {"response": 1639, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (02:02)", "body": "Welcome, Lynda!! Don't mind us, we aren't carnivorous, just a little high-spirited at times. :~D It is to be expected since the topic deals with such a passionate group of Firthfanatics--we L-O-V-E him, all in our own ways!! At least we can all agree he is unquestionably worth such a level of passionate regard!! Karen, all of Chicago should be at your feet!! Such hutzpah! Such ingeniousness. Such dedication!! (Such fanaticism....:~D). Suddenly I want to move back to the midwest...."}, {"response": 1640, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (02:06)", "body": "(Lynda) I didn't intend to imply that all women felt this way, I was referring to the number of postings (in the RoP archives)referring only to the breeches and wet shirt Oh Lynda, I know you weren't trying to insult anyone. My point, which I clearly didn't express very well, was that everyone is at a different stage of Colin lust. After the initial \"I can't get enough of him\" feeling, some people settle down to other Austen related things, some get over him and vanish and others, who will never recover, come here (or similar places) to delve into his other performances. BTW, did you check the names on those old posts? It was probably me. LOL! ;-D (Lynda) ...but if the phenomenal popularity of Darcy does not extend to Colin as an actor, then I can understand why he has made the career choices he has... Excellent! It will be nice to have a fresh opinion on the subject. We've hashed it out repeatedly and I don't think we ever got very far. What's your opinion? I've always believed that Colin seems to be an actor's actor who doesn't really care for the admiration. I'm reading and posting here, because my craving for Colin and P&P is not shared by my friends, either I know how you feel. None of my real world friends gets it either. You came to the right place ;-) especially after seeing him in Playmaker....see, I'm as prurient as the next Firthfan. ACK! You said the \"P\" word! And I don't mean prurient ;-p"}, {"response": 1641, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (09:06)", "body": "Cast list didn't even have Colin's name in it! I instantly corrected that for her. He has the lead role and he still doesn't make the cast list!!! But well done Karen....you tell 'em, girl!"}, {"response": 1642, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (09:27)", "body": "Just a quick comment in support of Lynda's observation about critics and Colin. I think Lynda has come up with such an important point here. I have always found the UK critics (who presumably are familiar with his other work) supportive of Colin. Didn't they give him best actor award for P&P? It is the general commentators who always talk about Colin in terms of tight trousers etc. Your rumour about the BAFTA committee certainly rings true. I think other actors are also fairly ignorant of others work. I suspect that, as in all professions, they tend to judge their colleagues o their own colleagues assessments of themselves. Colin's self-effacing character will tend to count against him."}, {"response": 1643, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (09:33)", "body": "Just a quick comment in support of Lynda's observation about critics and Colin. I think Lynda has come up with such an important point here. I have always found the UK critics (who presumably make it their business to be familiar with his other work) supportive of Colin. Didn't they give him best actor award for P&P? It is the general commentators who always talk about Colin in terms of tight trousers etc. Like so much of the British press, they are ignorant and lazy. NIMHO - I am unrepentant, it is true."}, {"response": 1644, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (09:34)", "body": "Oh how did that happen? I thought better of the BAFTA comment but you got it anyway!"}, {"response": 1645, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (12:47)", "body": "The fact remains that we would all love to see him in another 18th Century romantic lead role. Unfortunately, he seems to avoid them like the plague. :-( Colin certainly deserved the Bafta that year. It will be interesting to see if he will be nominated for an Olivier Award this year."}, {"response": 1646, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (12:49)", "body": "That should be 19th Century for Darcy, 18th Century for Valmont."}, {"response": 1647, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (14:14)", "body": "But maybe he's not offered 18th/19th century lead roles. Hugh Grant is to star as a Darcy-ish lead in a $60 million romantic costume drama set in the Regency period. It's all a matter of who is perceived as bankable......which is why it's so crucial that Colin is seen in a lead role again (and why IMO the year long delay in the release of MLSF and the non-release of SLOW have stalled his film career....but only temporarily, I'm sure!)"}, {"response": 1648, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (14:23)", "body": "You're probably right Bethan, and, maybe that's one of the reasons he decided to return to 3DOR. The critics praised him, and he might just be craving an Olivier nomination/win(?)."}, {"response": 1649, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (16:46)", "body": "(KJart) We aren't carnivorous... I do apologize for being unclear when I posted those comments. I have been reading your postings for several weeks and decided to join in only because I was so impressed with your devotion to DB, and after so many years. Going to the premieres and to London to see 3DOR (which I hope to do in the fall) and worrying over Colin's career shows admirable dedication (Nan) Colin...doesn't really care for the admiration. Perhaps not, but IMHO, Colin very much cares for the admiration. While he does not want stardom a la Adam Sandler and doesn't crave Tom Hanks' paycheque, he must want the success that brings with it wonderful, meaty and challenging roles, in good films, that audiences go in droves to see and admire and that critics not only notice but praise. I am sure Colin would be thrilled to receive a BAFTA and an Oscar and have his pick of outstanding scripts and for all of this an actor needs a strong fan b se, i.e. fame. I don't knoew how accurate the following quotes are, but they have been printed. \"Acting was the first thing I ever got any approval or attention for, and I craved attention.\" (Unattributed, Firth Quotes, firth.com) \"I've got nothing against being adored. Actors do need to be praised.\" People, Feb. 1999) \"I'd say that I unashamedly am here to appropriate as much of the glory of that [being part of SIL] as possible.\" (Berlinale, Feb. 1999) On being asked if he's seeking the big breakthrough, \"...I don't now because it sort of hasn't happened.\" (Good Taste, May 1999) [He sounds rather wistful here.] \"I really would not turn up my nose at a Hollywood offer of a wonderful film which paid a lot of money.\" and \"I know that I adopted that position of protecting myself from disappointment by having one foot out of the door and not being able to leave.\" (UK Elle, May 1997) ODB seemed really disappointed in his SIL interviews at not being given the part of Shakespeare, so given that and Valmont and SLOW and it taking two years to release MLSF and P&P perhaps not leading to other terrific roles, it's hardly surprising that a sensitive person would take the public stance of not caring about that (stardom) which he has not attained. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. I know it's old stuff to you, but I am a novice when it comes to Colin."}, {"response": 1650, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (17:49)", "body": "Bravo, Murph, on your MLSF pages. How do you do that? I got a kick out of this: \"To play the kind of father who might alternately spend his days barking like a dog or inventing some remarkable gadget way before his time, the filmmakers chose Colin Firth, fresh from the success of two sweeping period dramas: The English Patient and Shakespeare in Love...\" from the Miramax press kit Too bad they actually chose him and completed MLSF more than one year before his success in SiL. Gotta love those publicity spinners! Oh, and close your eyes, Nan 'Playmaker'? The movie was bad, all right, but IMO no worse than 'Femme Fatale'. CF's performance(s) in each still managed to transcend the bad scripts and contrived story lines."}, {"response": 1651, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (18:02)", "body": "do not forget his performance in Apt.0, truly his best. In TEP, I saw lots of new Colin acting features (I also love him in this film). In FP, his acting was at many times, filled with maneurisms which I had already seen and the same goes for Tumbledown. Would you say that his character in MLSF resembles Geoffrey of TEP? Moon - We shall agree to disagree. In my opinion (which is as valid and as irrelevant as anyone's), \"Tumbledown\" surpassed anything he'd done before that time or since. Note that I did not say that TEP was his best performance, although it was very good. It was overall the best film he's been in. As for your question, Edward Pettigrew is nothing at all like Geoffrey Clifton. Probably has more in common with Adrian Leduc than any earlier character. He does have the obsessive nature of Charles Gould, but he's a much nicer person most of the time. Rather a geek, naive and ingenuous, capable of both great passion and something like cruelty."}, {"response": 1652, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (18:14)", "body": "In ATA I must own to have been disappointed in his performance, the script was terrible, I do not care how many famous actors where in it, and the success of the book. The script was terrible and he should have noticed. Give me Femme Fatale and P any day over ATA. Lynda, I agree, he does care and that is why, IMO, he is returning to 3DOR. He has met his adoring fans after each performance, he knows they are there mostly to see him. He is also counting on an Olivier nomination. Whereas before I felt that he might not do Mark Darcy if it were offered to him, I now feel very strongly that he would accept it for the same reasons. A good male romantic lead(after the success of Notting Hill), is just what he is looking for. And that would give filmmakers another choice to the ever present HG."}, {"response": 1653, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (18:19)", "body": "Luvvy, thanks for the description of the Edward Pettigrew character. It adds to the anticipation."}, {"response": 1654, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (18:31)", "body": "(Moon) The script was terrible and he should have noticed But we don't know how much of the film/the role of Jess landed on the cutting room floor. I subscribe to the notion that the original script was better than the end result we saw."}, {"response": 1655, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (19:59)", "body": "Regardless of how *bad* many of movies are (Playmaker, Femme Fatale, ATA), Colin never lets us down. His performances are, many times, the only worthwhile thing in the entire movie. Can he actually give a bad performance? About ATA, how could he turn it down? Can you imagine being offered a decent size role in the adaptation of a book that won a Pulitzer Prize that starred Jessica Lange (AA winner), Michelle Pfieffer, Jason Robards (nominated and winner of numerous awards), and other highly respected actors? Then on top of all that...the opportunity to spend the summer in a cornfield in western Illinois!! I'd jump at that. ;-) Thanks, Chris, for the additional details on MLSF. I'm not sure I want to ask how Edward is like Adrian Leduc... argh..."}, {"response": 1656, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (20:11)", "body": "Lynda, your choice of quotes by Colin is very perceptive, and I do so agree with you that he sounds wistful about seeking a breakthrough...\"I don't now because it hasn't really happened\". He said something similar in his TV interview on A&E when asked if P&P was his big break...he said that that he'd had a few big breaks and then things always went back to normal. If you compare, lets say, Jeremy Irons' career after \"Brideshead Revisited\", then Colin just hasn't had the same career lift-off. Or even, at t e moment, Rupert Everett, who seems to be very much in demand after \"My Best Friend's Wedding\". When I read that he'd accepted the part of Wessex in SIL, I almost felt cross with the poor man...there he goes again, playing second fiddle to a Fiennes! :-) But of course the truth is, he did audition for Shakespeare and he didn't get it. I think that he was very sensible return to the theatre and do a TV project...keeping his options open. But I think good reviews for MLSF and a co-starring role in BJD (which is very much in the Notting Hill genre) could really boost him. And (gag me someone!)if MLSF s a reasonable success, this could revive interest in SLOW (similar format...young boy/father figure, romantic comedy etc). ATA...he looks gorgeous, but as far as acting is concerned there's absolutely nothing there for him. I think there was a severe re-edit and I'm also dubious if even the original script mirrored Jess's role in the book. I think Colin may have been impressed by the cast (and the book). But the script...I don't know."}, {"response": 1657, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (20:13)", "body": "I'm not sure I want to ask how Edward is like Adrian Leduc... argh... Karen - obsessive (moss, inventions, the home, Heloise versus Adrian's old movies); somewhat stuffily opinionated (e.g. Jazz being the sound of the Devil); rather shy and boyishly in awe of the object of his new affection... Other comparisons spring to mind, but you'll make your own soon enough. c"}, {"response": 1658, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (20:49)", "body": "Luvvy, you are going to have to join our film discussion group. :-) Why is Rupert E. getting such good parts, everyone knows he is... Colin should have his agent. If there is an evil character in his life, it is his agent."}, {"response": 1659, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (22:11)", "body": "(Eileen) The original script was better than the end result we saw. I agree. I read somewhere that Colin refused The Shining because he didn't want to do something he'd \"despise\". He had no way of making an impact in ATA as the whole movie was focused on Pfeiffer and Lange. IMO, ATA was a boring, mean-spirited, man-hating film and I cannot believe that DB would have taken the part that we saw on screen. (Moon Dreams) ...give me Femme Fatale and Playmaker anyday over ATA. I'm with you, Moon Dreams. I may be a minority of one on this, but I really enjoyed Colin in FF. Him in that love-making scene--talk about erotic. For an actor who hates sex scenes, he was very persuasive in this one; DB did more with only his face (the sweat trickling down his cheek didn't hurt either) than most actors can manage with their entire heaving bodies. The sexual charge coursing through Joe's body practically radiated off the screen. Okay, the multiple-personality stuff was silly but, overlook ng that, I loved CF's sweetly determined character in this film, and liked the chemistry between him and BZ and LZ when she was Cynthia. And the proposal scene was so romantic and very evocative of heady young love; reminded me of when my husband and I fell in love. I so hope MLSF will be a success for DB (if Miramax can remember that he is in the cast)."}, {"response": 1660, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (22:36)", "body": "Thanks a lot to all of you who bothered to answer my question about where to find his early movies :-( Tricky question, probably."}, {"response": 1661, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (22:47)", "body": "Helena, did you find sources for the movies you wanted or not? If not, contact us at nomdedrool@yahoo.com (I haven't been able to get into hotmail most of the day...boo hoo..which explains why I've been at Spring a lot today!)"}, {"response": 1662, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (22:57)", "body": "Have just got back from seeing Notting Hill, which was pleasant enough but I must say that after the first half hour I did tire of HG's perplexed look his humming and harring (sp), I hope you know what I mean, the hand to the mouth routine,it just got rather boring., nice enough to look at but just HG playing HG. JR was very good but I felt it went on too long and actually I liked the supporting characters better. Anyway my point is how is is that HG who can only be himself, is more bankable than Colin ho is so very different in every role and such a fine actor, somebody important must see what we see. Sorry if this doesn't make sense but it is late and I am afraid I fell asleep in the cinema, what a terrible thing to do!!"}, {"response": 1663, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (00:44)", "body": "(AnnW)I am afraid I fell asleep in the cinema, what a terrible thing to do!! LOL!!! You can tell it was not a Firthful movie. What a waste of an otherwise good role on just another perplexed face ;)"}, {"response": 1664, "author": "ommin", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (01:42)", "body": "Thank you for all the reviews etc. on M.L.S.F. I hope they continue to be positive. I cant wait to see the film - I will have to wait at least three months. It seems such a long time, sigh!"}, {"response": 1665, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (02:07)", "body": "But, Anne, at least you know that Hoyt's theatre chain will carry it. There is no such assurance for me in Hilo. Shall I resume my place at the bottom of the MLSF list along with Finland and Portugal as last to see it?! It is a distinction I would rather not have. All you lucky ladies going to London to see Firth-in-the-Flesh-Redux can also see MLSf just as you saw SiL the last time!"}, {"response": 1666, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (03:41)", "body": "Lynda--I agree with you on the idea that Colin very much appreciates the admiration due a good performance. Many ladies here can attest how fervently he puts himself into his acting (they've seen it first-hand)and naturally would want something of praise commensurate out of it (according to their witness, he is not embarassed by a compliment!). But I think he gets a little nervous around the word \"stardom\" (something to the effect that he likes the spotlight, but if it gets too bright he has a tendency o 'go to ground'\") and would probably be more comfortable with \"recognition\"--but at what point the latter leads to the former, I think not even he can predict...he \"risks\" that \"stardom\" every time he seeks that appreciation for his acting skills he so values... Chris. Tough call...the \"Best\" movie he's been in...and all a matter of taste I think. I'd put \"Shakespeare\" ahead of even TEP on this one. Both won best picture, but I think that the production of SiL was tighter, better timed and cut, and more sharply written than TEP, and the supporting cast's performances were, without exception all top drawer. AnneW--I think HG is going strong EXACTLY because he plays himself reacting in all these situations. You can't credit the audience with *too much* discrimination here. I'd guess that the average movie patron is more comfortable knowing EXACTLY what he/she will get for forking over a set amount of dough...they aren't very adventurous in the least! HG presents a consistent image which appeals to many and he is constantly called upon to continue to present it. (Think of all the classic stars that had ried to break out of their very successful image by finally playing against type--and the movie would bomb more often than not.) Colin's image is a rare one, for the reason that he DOESN'T HAVE ONE!! There's no consistent image that the public can attach to his name to...there's not much of himself in any of his parts, therefore his \"image\" is very elusive. It is his greatest weakness and his greatest strength. Were he to play a series of Darcyesque parts, one after the other, then his recognition fac or would soar...but I don't think he would be very happy with that, frankly. Don't begrudge HG his success--he offers what many people want to buy (why mess around with a good thing??) but also don't wish the same success for CF--as far as he is concerned, I am sure, it would be too dearly bought. Let people of discrimination and taste be his adoring audience, just go on adoring his talent and he will be content, I think. (But frankly a Darcyesque role at regular intervals would go down very well with me, I must admit!! :~D )"}, {"response": 1667, "author": "ommin", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (05:00)", "body": "Ladies if my postings seem strange I am having some problems or at least my computer is having some problems keeping up. Marcia will back me with this. But I would like to share with you - My Aunt Dorothy who is 96 coming on 97 is an ardent fan of C.F. I was speaking to her only last Sunday, telling her a little about M.L.S.F explaining the house in the film was called Harewood house, her name and my maiden name when she asked who was in it. I explained \"Mr. Darcy,\" she sighed and said, my favourite ac or but will I ever see it. We continued to talk for a while about him and then decided to claim her as his oldest fan."}, {"response": 1668, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (12:22)", "body": "About ATA, how could he turn it down? Can you imagine being offered a decent size role in the adaptation of a book that won a Pulitzer Prize that starred Jessica Lange (AA winner), Michelle Pfieffer, Jason Robards (nominated and winner of numerous awards), and other highly respected actors? I had read this book long before they even thought of making the movie. The book was terrible too. I'm still trying to figure out what the parameters are for winning a Pulitzer;) I understand his wanting to work with the *A* class Hollywood stars, and we must remember that JL and MP took ATA and destroyed it in editting. Even Jocelyn Morehouse wanted her name off the pic. Because the two \"Executive\" producers hacked the movie to death in editing. I recall his saying that his part was minimalized in the editting process."}, {"response": 1669, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (15:27)", "body": "Article on the return of 3DOR at What's On today. http://www.whatson.com/cgi-bin/search.pl?DATABASE=NEWS&TEMPLATE=wos/news_item&RV_KEY=846&EXACT=2"}, {"response": 1670, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (15:34)", "body": "(Moon) Why is Rupert E. getting such good parts, everyone knows he is... ...He is what , Moon? If you mean what I think you do, then what's that got to do with the price of eggs? I think he's getting lots of parts because he's popular (since MBFW, as was mentioned yesterday), visible and he seems to have talent. Colin should have his agent. Agreed. Or Salma Hayek's. Or Ben Affleck's. Or... Marcia, why don't you e-mail someone at Miramax and find out when (think positive) MLSF is coming to a theater near you? (KJArt) But I think he gets a little nervous around the word \"stardom\" I agree you and with Lynda's observations posted yesterday. He said it most succinctly in the 'People' article: \"I've got nothing against being adored. Do I want everyone in a restaurant to know me? Absolutely not.\" He'd prefer to restrict the praise to his professional life only, which is understandable but not entirely possible in his business. The whole Darcy thing and its resultant attention on his personal life (do I remember a quote to the effect of \"I better not pick my nose in front of the w ndow\" or am I confusing him with someone else?) threw him. He wouldn't answer any questions of a personal nature for awhile, wouldn't discuss Livia, whether or not he was engaged, etc. He seems to have loosened up lately, probably because he's more settled. Did the Darcy hoopla influence his subsequent role selection? IMO it could have. Who knows? I think his next few projects (MD??) will reveal alot about where he stands with \"stardom.\" So funny that you fell asleep during 'NH', Ann! ...but just HG playing HG '4 Weddings' was his breakout role in the US; most of his other movies haven't done so well here (remember the one in which he played a doctor? Ugh!). \"HG playing HG\" is very bankable. The success of 'NH' is further proof of that. I can't believe the movie is bringing in the pounds and dollars just because of Julia. (KJ)Colin's image is a rare one, for the reason that he DOESN'T HAVE ONE! At least in the US, he doesn't (remember the A&E interview: [comment about audience recognizing faces but not names] \"I'm one of those people\"). Frankly, I'd be bored with CF if he played CF all the time. I think we all would be. Let's leave that to HG. Let people of discrimination and taste be his adoring audience, just go on adoring his talent and he will be content, I think. Well said. (Lynda) I may be a minority of one on this, but I really enjoyed Colin in FF Oh, I think you're not alone in this, for the very reasons you mentioned!"}, {"response": 1671, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (15:40)", "body": "Ahhhhccccckkkk! I just read that 'What's on Today' article. \"The cast is headed by EMc...\" *gag* \"CF's credits include 'Sense and Sensibility...\" *double gag* GRRRRRRR!"}, {"response": 1672, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (17:15)", "body": "re Eileen's comments above - if only they knew that the only reason 3DOR was a sell-out was because of Colin, but then again they must have known. Its just unbelievable, its enougf to make you want to spit ! BTW I have nothing against HG, he seems very nice but after 30-40 mins I just got bored of the same expression, the \"oh gosh\" bit etc, and you know before the film started we saw a trailer for Mickey Blue Eyes and he was the same person !!Oh well, I won't mention HG again."}, {"response": 1673, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (17:44)", "body": "(Eileen) \"I better not pick my nose in front of the window\" or am I confusing him with someone else?)\" Hey, I must have missed this one. Definitely witty enough to be Colin!! most of his other movies haven't done so well here (remember the one in which he played a doctor? Ugh!). There was a piece on TV or an article (who remembers where) that addressed this. He did try to do other things, but failed horribly. The hospital killing patients movie was \"Extreme Measures\" and I think I just saw it advertised as being on TV. HG has resigned himself to playing this role as a lead in romantic comedies. You're going to hate this but it spoke of HG as the successor to Cary Grant. (argh!!!) \"HG playing HG\" is very bankable. But he wasn't for a very long time. A *Divinely* long time. ;-) FYI, that news release from the Donmar was recycled from its first outing, complete with S&S mistake and chivalric cast listing (lady first) and an American side show attraction."}, {"response": 1674, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (17:54)", "body": "I thought I remembered something about the S&S mistake. I did e-mail 'What's on Today,' though. I won't make any difference to them but it made me feel better."}, {"response": 1675, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (18:30)", "body": "(Moon) Why is Rupert E. getting such good parts, everyone knows he is... (Eileen), ...He is what, Moon? ...Not handsome enough to tempt us. Dear Eileen, what were you thinking? ;-)"}, {"response": 1676, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (19:04)", "body": "(Eileen, Karen and AnnW.) re: What's on Today article I just e-mailed a correction re: S&S to their site. Perhaps if everyone did so and mentioned that they are CF fans, it might help DB get the proper recognition. Can't hurt."}, {"response": 1677, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (20:31)", "body": "Here, here, I will also do so."}, {"response": 1678, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (20:52)", "body": "What!?! And not have anything to complain about?! Will do, Lynda. ;-) Moon) Why is Rupert E. getting such good parts, everyone knows he is... (Eileen), ...He is what, Moon? (Moon)...Not handsome enough to tempt us. hee hee hee"}, {"response": 1679, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (22:31)", "body": "Bankability is giving the public what it wants to see. And as we can never ever see more of Mr Darcy (sob!) I cling to Mark Darcy as the only possible Darcy substitute...a rich successful masculine alpha male who improves considerably on acquaintance. Hopefully Colin will be bankable enough to play MD in a \"Hollywood\" movie!!"}, {"response": 1680, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (05:20)", "body": "(Eileen) The movie [Playmaker} was bad, all right, but IMO no worse than Femme Fatale. At least Colin was in every scene in FF, which made the movie infinately more watchable. I was expecting FF to be really awful and was pleasantly surprised. Even my picky mother enjoyed it. I can only rewatch the dreaded P with my thumb on the fast forward button (sorry, Adrian)."}, {"response": 1681, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (16:01)", "body": "Murph has already started her Relative Values page. Check it out: http://www.geocities.com/~murphyat65/values.html"}, {"response": 1682, "author": "susanne", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (16:31)", "body": "As I was doing my daily surfing, how surprised I was to find out that Colin has changed his name to Simon. Yet another example of his low name recognition. http://www5.playbill.com/cgi-bin/plb/news?cmd=show&type=news&code=+88344&selector=International"}, {"response": 1683, "author": "susanne", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (16:43)", "body": "Before I start complaining too much perhaps I should give them credit for getting his name correct within the article, describing him as one of the stars, and also for listing the correct credits. I guess that can be called progress."}, {"response": 1684, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (16:55)", "body": "From today's Evening Standard \"Hot Tickets\"... (not sure if it is in the online version). Just a mention of CF. Ryan Phillipe talking about Cruel Intentions. \"I prepared for CI by reading the novel it's based on, LLD, and by watching earlier film versions.......And it makes sense to look at JM and CF because these guys are enormously talented. If you read the book and watch what Malkovitch did, it's perfect. He nailed it.....\"."}, {"response": 1685, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (17:32)", "body": "Evelyn, if you haven't left yet, enjoy your trip to London and please give us a full report on Jennifer and TRT. Who knows, maybe Colin will attend that night's performance (happy thought, indeed;-)"}, {"response": 1686, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (18:37)", "body": "I emailed Whatsonstage.com, and editor Terri Paddock replied as follows: \"Sorry, my mistake, had a mental blip - meant of course to say Pride and Prejudice. Thanks for point out the mistake.\" Has anyone else complained?"}, {"response": 1687, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (18:37)", "body": "I emailed Whatsonstage.com, and editor Terri Paddock replied as follows: \"Sorry, my mistake, had a mental blip - meant of course to say Pride and Prejudice. Thanks for pointing out the mistake.\" Has anyone else complained?"}, {"response": 1688, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (18:39)", "body": "And while you're at it, tell Terry that Yapp is crap."}, {"response": 1689, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (18:41)", "body": "\"I prepared for CI by reading the novel it's based on, LLD, and by watching earlier film versions.......And it makes sense to look at JM and CF because these guys are enormously talented. If you read the book and watch what Malkovitch did, it's perfect. He nailed it.....\". Ryan Phillipe (whoever he may be),is a perfect ignoramus if he thinks Malkovitch nailed it."}, {"response": 1690, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (18:47)", "body": "How many people and orgazinations are we to correct when it comes to CF? I feel like we are a part of the CF Suffragette Movement!"}, {"response": 1691, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (19:05)", "body": "Agreed! Simon Firth? I mean, he's not exactly unknown. I can't think of any other example of a name which has been so blatantly wrong. Ever seen Peter Branagh? Robert Fiennes? William Everett? NO!! I'm beginning to subscribe to a Conspiracy Theory....that there are one or two guys out there who don't really like him! :-) There was a dreadfully snide-y piece in the Independent a couple of weeks ago (not worth bothering about...it only has about 200,000 readers, dropping daily)about the return of 3DOR. Nothing about 3DOR being critically acclaimed, or a sell-out, just \"But if you're expecting Mr Darcy, you'll be disappointed. \"Firth in the flesh is no Darcy\" says an insider.\" Well, all I can say to th \"insider\" is \"(expletive deleted) off\"!! But I'd like to see 3DOR get positive coverage....I want it to be a sell-out again. JE, by contrast, (and most deservedly) got very chivalrous coverage in the Times \"the very pretty JE\" who received \"honey-drenched reviews\". Now that's the way to do it!"}, {"response": 1692, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (19:50)", "body": "\"But if you're expecting Mr Darcy, you'll be disappointed.\" Oh my god, with all this sort of idiotic stuff, Colin will probably never do a romantic, darcyish role again......I really hope that he has enough sense of humour to laugh at stories like this."}, {"response": 1693, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (20:23)", "body": "I really hope that he has enough sense of humour .......But I doubt it actually, one tends to take one\ufffds career and feedback pretty seriously. I think he has some sort of a Darcy trauma really....why do you think he said to Evelyn in the Donmar before the performance (in case I remember correctly), \"I hope I won\ufffdt disappoint you\"??? That was really a bit too humble and insecure, wasn\ufffdt it! He was talking about the ghost of Darcy again."}, {"response": 1694, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (21:40)", "body": "Actually, I very much doubt if he reads the Independent! Who does these days? But having said that, didn't he comment in that recent Daily Telegraph article (which criticised his looks)that he didn't take pleasure in disappointing people. He's much better looking than he realises! I'm sure though that he's far too sensible to pay too much attention to our uncharitable press, which delights in knocking people down."}, {"response": 1695, "author": "cretin", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (22:59)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1696, "author": "cretin", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (23:00)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1697, "author": "cretin", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (23:01)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1698, "author": "cretin", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (23:02)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1699, "author": "cretin", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (23:04)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1700, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (01:05)", "body": "Hey Bill...the 'submit' button does work. I also received a response from Terry at What's on Stage. I'm glad the corrections have been made but the piece continues to herald EMc as the headliner. I suppose we don't have enough clout to change that misconception! Ladies first, my a**!"}, {"response": 1701, "author": "ommin", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (02:13)", "body": "I find it fascinating to read peoples opinions of various films. Funnily enough I too quite enjoyed FF. Having been warned too that it was terrible I have to agree with Lynda to have been pleasantly surprised. When my husband and I watched P. his comment said it all. I have never seen such rubbish in all my life. Now I avoid if possible watching anything with CF. in with him because unfortunately he is biased before it even begins! I wonder why. I should imagine most of you have the same problem!"}, {"response": 1702, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (02:30)", "body": "My DB will only watch CF movies with me if there is an interesting lady for him to drool over...as GP in SiL. I do not encourage him to watch the video tapes. I have enough trouble with some of them as it is. I do not need his biased opinions or *cute* remarks while the DB is speaking. I do not like to be distracted by the real world when I am communing with *him*!"}, {"response": 1703, "author": "livamago", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (03:07)", "body": "(Marcia). I do not need his biased opinions or *cute* remarks while the DB is speaking. I do not like to be distracted by the real world when I am communing with *him*! I second that, dearest!"}, {"response": 1704, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (04:11)", "body": "(AnneH) When my husband and I watched P. Oh my!! There should be warning labels on these videos. This is definitely not one to watch with a DH or SO...or any guy for that matter! ;-) (Eileen) Hey Bill...the 'submit' button does work. Did you catch his login? cretin I think that answers your question. Or it could be samiam's new identity and one of the boys deleted a nasty message. Who knows. Who cares. Ladies, just for your information, when we trash some of these movies, we do so in fun. It's just that these are not good movies when compared with some of the more classier productions in which Colin has appeared. These are B- movies (and Playmaker is more like C-). However, one thing that doesn't get a bad rating is Colin's performance. Somehow that guy manages to give a wonderful performance in anything. Now wasn't his embarrassment on the rocks palpable? (I know, Nan, \"no rocks, I beg of you, no rocks!!\") ;-)"}, {"response": 1705, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (09:41)", "body": "Oh my....girls, I\ufffdm so excited! I\ufffdm going to see Fever Pitch on the big screen!! It\ufffds such a surprise that I can hardly believe this but it really is true, the movie has finally hit a cinema in Helsinki starting today and there are two smallish stories about it in big papers, with sweet pics. And the critics are pretty nice to it too. Nothing much about Colin\ufffds performance really (male reviewers of course), more about Hornby and football movies & literature in general. But the movie is considered \"fun and touching\"."}, {"response": 1706, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (12:38)", "body": "(Elena) Nothing much about Colin\ufffds performance really Wot?! He is the lead in this movie, not the fourth listed in the credits as usual. What does it say, Elena? Also, you didn't mention HOW MANY times you are planning to go see it? ;-) Lucky girl *am sitting here pouting*"}, {"response": 1707, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (12:54)", "body": "(Marcia) My DB will only watch CF movies... My husband and my 15 year old son have watched every one of CF's movies with me except the dreaded P ( I do prescreen CF's films before I invite them to join me); it just is not a film to be watched with a guy. Every time I find a new CF film, they both roll their eyes. They did really like Hostages, though. Funnily enough, my son would not watch Wings of Fame with us last week (\"I'm not going to watch that stupid Colin Firth guy again\", said he) Well, he started watching it one morning before school when I had it on and when he came home from baseball that evening, immediately demanded that I put it on, this on a night when Buffalo and Dallas were playing for the Stanley Cup. ODB has incredible power if a sports-mad, teen-age Canadian boy chooses him (on video) over a live Stanley Cup final game; I'm proud to admit that this boy has watched P&P twice, although JE was the main attraction, IMHO."}, {"response": 1708, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (13:37)", "body": "(Anne) Having been warned too that it [FF] was terrible I have to agree with Lynda to have been pleasantly surprised Perhaps that's my problem--I wasn't warned that it was terrible. I enjoyed CF's performance, his banter with Billy Zane (\"still can't draw faces?\"), the proposal scene, etc. but still think FF's story is ridiculous. When the \"bad guys\" agree to take the girl's $$$ and go home...dumb, dumb, dumb. And we learned baseball-style caps do not become ODB :-P But I will say this: compared with P, the script was far better and at least some of FF's other actors could actually act (i.e., BZ)! In P I think the blew the budget on renting that house (and the dirt bike--now wasn't that a key scene? Heeheehee). You're right, Karen, it was a \"C- movie.\" The only redeeming factor was Colin's performance. Now wasn't his embarrassment on the rocks palpable? Ohhh, yes! Particularly in contrast to when he was Ross leaving the shower ;-) I can't decide which project I like best (other than Darcy, of course, which remains in a class by itself). I haven't seen all his old work but enjoy Valmont and FP. He was great in Tumbledown, TEP and SiL. Overall I find myself gravitating toward roles in which he's more animated. The one I like the least is 'Nostromo.' With the exception of a few scenes, Charles Gould is, well, blah (I read about the character's evolution, obsession with the mine, etc. but IMHO he's still blah). (Marcia) I do not like to be distracted by the real world when I am communing with *him*! Ditto! (Elena) I\ufffdm going to see Fever Pitch on the big screen!! Good for you! There's nothing better than a surprise! Go round up a couple hundred of your closest friends and see it multiple times."}, {"response": 1709, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (13:41)", "body": "Heaven\ufffds sake, I\ufffdm in a shock! A highly pleasant one!!:-)) I opened the evening papers and Colin with Ruth Gemmel are in them on the top of the movie pages, in pretty big and cute pictures. FP is receiving quite a lot of publicity here, surprisingly. Colin hasn\ufffdt had his face in any publications here since P&P, and these FP pictures are really noticeable....well well, soon I won\ufffdt be the only Finn drooling here? I think the football subject has hit a nerve of male critics, they\ufffdre going on and on about sports fanaticism and seem to like the realistic and romantic thread in FP too. \"Sympathetic movie, excellent actors\" but also \"visually a bit dull, the end is not psychologically quite credible\"....they also don\ufffdt like the childhood parts, neither do I, I can\ufffdt stand that kid. All in all, with all this coverage a lot of people will go to see it."}, {"response": 1710, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (14:28)", "body": "(Eileen) When the \"bad guys\" agree to take the girl' $$$ and go home...dumb, dumb, dumb. LOL!! Oh yes, one of the movie's real low points are the two bad guys. Another is Lisa Blount, Cynthia friend and/or co-star. Argh, was she bad or what? Still can't get over the fact that Joe Prince wore a short-sleeved shirt to his own wedding. Am getting nauseous. Otherwise, there are some decent things in FF, many scenes that I replay over and over, that are sweet and charming. How about his look when she says, \"you come when I call\" at the grocery store? Oooo-eeee!! I'm sure when Colin reads the scripts these movies sound really interesting, but then they fall down in execution. For instance, Wings of Fame. Very innovative in concept. Top notch stars (Colin and Peter O'Toole), but the supporting cast is pathetic. I do think that their dialogue was dubbed. People don't sound right, as if they are really speaking. Same as in Nostromo with many of the foreign actors. Elena, are the pictures new? Can you translate and post the entire article? Aren't you glad you already saw FP and now adore it. I remember your first comments as I recall you didn't like it. Now, you're in the right frame of mind and can convince all your friends to go see it."}, {"response": 1711, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (15:51)", "body": "Tickets for \"Three Days of Rain\" go on sale to Friends of the Donmar Warehouse (\"Backstage Crew\") on 5 July according to the Development office."}, {"response": 1712, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (16:15)", "body": "(Karen) Aren't you glad you already saw FP and now adore it I adore Colin in every second of it and I really like RG too, but I do not exactly adore the movie in whole. I think FP is clumsy in many things and that\ufffds about what some of these critics here say too. But still it\ufffds obviously very much liked in its realistic and positive spirit. These guys think that the \"fanaticism is portrayed in a way that anybody with similar symptoms or a husband/boyfriend like that can find familiar.\" It\ufffds ranked 3,5 out of 5. Naturally this is the low season, in June/July people don\ufffdt go to movies much and FP wouldn\ufffdt get publicity if there were some big Hollywood movies starting this weekend. The pics are from the movie I think, am not quite sure. I\ufffdll see if there\ufffds anything that might interest you in these stories but I don\ufffdt really think so, seems like they\ufffdre mostly longish descriptions of the story with comments on Hornby & book & football, and short ctiticism....only RG\ufffds performance is mentioned as very good! Yes, they just don\ufffdt see that it\ufffds Colin actually who makes the movie worth watching."}, {"response": 1713, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (16:21)", "body": "Chris please, what is Friends of DW? Who are the members = can we join to get tix earlier?!"}, {"response": 1714, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (16:52)", "body": "Elena - The Friends of the Donmar Warehouse, aka Backstage Crew, are the companies and private citizens who provide financial support to the Theatre. If you are interested in becoming a contributor, you should contact RAchel Weinstein at the Donmar Warehouse Theatre, 41 Earlham Street, London WC2H 9LD. The phone number is (0171) 240 4882 (country code 44). The minimum gift to get Friends status and early booking for all productions is $50. If you are a Yank, ask Rachel about the American Friends of the DW, which will allow you to give and make your gift deductible."}, {"response": 1715, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (17:42)", "body": "I was checking in over at Murph's site and she has news about our politically-conscious DB. Here is the link: Murph's News Page Bethan, Ann, Lizza, Allison, etc., what can you tell us about this?"}, {"response": 1716, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (20:48)", "body": "Good for Colin! I missed this news item so I've been delving back thru' our old papers which haven't reached the trash can yet. The Government are trying to reduce the value of food vouchers given to refugees and asylum seekers. At one pont they were proposing a reduction to virtually nothing; now it's still fairly minimal. This is a long-standing issue, dates back well beyond the Kosovo crisis, and was I think something CF may have mentioned in the Guardian interview (in the very general context of benef ts for asylum seekers). Colin seems to have joined Tony Booth (Tony Blair's father-in-law, often anti-New Labour, I think) and Mark Thomas (politically aware comedian) in a protest spending of the vouchers in his local (Islington) Sainsbury's supermarket. Presumably to prove that you can't buy enough food to support a family. The protest was organised by Big Issue, an organisation set up by the homeless and those who live on the streets...they produce and sell their own magazine (which I buy occasionally). This is all a million iles away from Hollywood movie stardom! Great to hear that FP has reached Helsinki, Elena. It has some faults (not the performances!!) but is very likeable, and also true to life. My sons are both soccer fanatics, and elder son's team has just been relegated after a dreadful season and it certainly affecteds his mood! They've both read all NH's books( all three!) FP several times, and both enjoyed the film. Is it still opening in the US? And how many screens does a NY/LA opening mean?"}, {"response": 1717, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (21:49)", "body": "It's good to see Colin getting some positive press for being the decent,caring guy that we all believe him to be. They even got his name and profession right!! (Karen) Still can't get over the fact that Joe Prince wore a short-sleeved shirt to his own wedding. Was there more than one version of FF released? I just looked at my copy and Joe is wearing a greyish suit throughout the opening credits (the wedding) and in the photos he shows to every one during the course of the movie. I, too, didn't like him in a baseball cap but his sweetness in that scene made up for the unflattering headgear (very few men look great in BB caps, IMO). And Colin looked quite tasty in some of the colours he wore in this film. Re: the bad guys and Lisa Blount and that dumb scene near the end. We were given hints earlier that these guys were not killers (the just-out-of-the-box revolver in the kidnap scene, for one); IMO, it was the really bad acting in this scene that destroyed its plausibility, not the actual storyline."}, {"response": 1718, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (21:53)", "body": "RE 3DOR Chris, if Friends of the Donmar can pre-book from July 5th, does that mean that by the time tickets are available for the general public (July 19th) they may be in short supply? What happened last time 3DOR was on...weren't tickets available to everyone (no pre-booking). And is such advance booking (4 months before the event) normal? I don't want to miss out! Re FF and PM. Well, they won't be nominated for film of the century awards, but he's in them a lot, and there's a lot of him in them! I must admit I like the scissors scene in PM...very tastefully erotic. The baseball cap in FF is a definite no-no, but the jeans more than compensate! I must be very peculiar in that my favourite CF is in \"The Deep Blue Sea\" when he comes bounding in, very pleased with himself, after a playing a good round of golf. Very much the late nineteen forties/early fifties Englishma (plus moustache!)"}, {"response": 1719, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (21:58)", "body": "not plus moustache Bethan! I am dreadidng it in case he sports a moustache in RV."}, {"response": 1720, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (22:01)", "body": "re 3DOR, I booked up last time on the first day of booking for the public and got front row seats for the matinee and could have had front row on the side for the evening performance and it was only a 2 week run."}, {"response": 1721, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 1999 (00:03)", "body": "Just looked at FF again. No shirts cuffs below the jacket sleeves... gee, I'm quick. Joe works for the forestry service, so is paid very poorly. Spent all of his money on Cynthia's dress, the reception and the honeymoon and probably borrowed his outfit. Must have been intentional since the minister wears a long -sleeved shirt."}, {"response": 1722, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 1999 (00:58)", "body": "(Lynda) No shirts cuffs below the jacket sleeves... v.good!! Dead giveaway. But there actually are two versions of FF flying around. The Lifetime channel (otherwise known as \"victim television\") in the US broadcasts every other or so \"Fatal Woman,\" which is FF without a few choice scenes. Many people have taped this version and are really missing out on several important shots, including the infamous blue patch and the out-of-body experience look Colin gives as Cynthia is not in the shot and it's left to our imagination as to what she is doing. ;-) Joe works for the forestry service, so is paid very poorly. Spent all of his money on Cynthia's dress, the reception and the honeymoon and probably borrowed his outfit. Must have been intentional since the minister wears a long-sleeved shirt. Best explanation yet as to why his suit fit so ill and the lack of cuffs."}, {"response": 1723, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 1999 (01:42)", "body": "(Karen) ... the infamous blue patch... I believe this refers to CF's underwear, but where exactly in the film is it, since I have tried finding it without success. I guess I'm not very observant; it took me about 10 viewings of P&P before I could see the hair trapped in the lens in the dance scene... and I was looking for it. I must need new glasses."}, {"response": 1724, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 1999 (01:51)", "body": "Hi, Sorry will post later"}, {"response": 1725, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 1999 (02:05)", "body": "Yes. I must admit I tried to look for the 'blue strip' but perhaps I too have the wrong tape. I loved FP because when my son was aged 11 he was taken to Highbury to watch his first professional soccer game by my brother - he fell in love with Arsenal - just like NH and I could as you can imagine relate to the film apart from CF. With him in it it was the 'icing on the cake' for me. My son still supports Arsenal even from Australia and was in high heaven last year when they one the league and cup. Stra ge coincidence eh."}, {"response": 1726, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 1999 (02:32)", "body": "I thought FF was terrible, except for CF and BZ. The actress who played Colin's wife was about as bad as it is possible to be. I taped it but taped his interview at A&E over it. What has happened to 72. I have been looking for it since I got back from Nashville but it doesn't appear on the list. I wanted to see Gi's gifts."}, {"response": 1727, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 1999 (02:39)", "body": "I love FP I have to laugh at the beginning when she goes next door and knocks on his door and tells him that his class is disturbing hers with all the noise and he says, \"Oh you'll get used to it. When they are in the teachers lounge and she gets on him about laughing when she is talking and he says \"Oh, were you speaking, I was reading the sports, I never listen at these meetings.\" There are too many to put here, I love the red boxers."}, {"response": 1728, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 1999 (10:16)", "body": "I think my favorite part is about the job, \"The job etc.\" He acts the part so well I felt it was real. He has said hasn't he that this part was more himself than any other. Also that final kiss, \"wow\""}, {"response": 1729, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 1999 (13:54)", "body": "Lynda, the blue patch is visible to some (depending on television sets) in the lower left-hand corner of the screen as Colin is tumbling out of bed onto the floor. Lucie, Topic 72 is there. If it doesn't show up on the main Drool page with new comments, then use it's URL: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/72/new WARNING!!!! If you haven't been to this topic for a while, it is going to take a long time to load. There are jillions of images out there and the wait will be substantial."}, {"response": 1730, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 1999 (23:08)", "body": "Lucky Elena! So how many times have you seen it now? Favorite scene (one of them...) telling Ted about Ms. Hughes' pregnancy. \"Sorry, I left a bit out. I'm the father.(little laugh)...We're having a baby.\" Encapsulates Paul perfectly. Can't disagree about the plot of FF, completely absurd. How could they ever think Joe is going to be able to handle Cynthia's little problem? Last line, \"I'm home\". What the hell does that mean? I'm cured? But yum, yum, yum, some delicious little moments. (Karen) How about his look when she says, \"you come when I call\" at the grocery store? Yikes! Or when he gives his little sigh right before he goes over to \"dance\" with her in front of the orange juice. Definitely worth the $9.95 I spent for the real video. Speaking of purchases, I see in my A Common Reader catalog, the book A Month in the Country can be purchased in paperback. This is not an easy book to find. Amazon has it but the only copy they advertise is in Braille! Common Reader's price is not cheap ($15.95) but if anybody wants it, go to A Common Reader By the way, Amazon.com does have Les Liaisons Dangereuses in paperback for a reasonable price And if you get the Penguin version, you might luck out with the cover photo. Then again, you might not."}, {"response": 1731, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (00:31)", "body": "I see in my A Common Reader catalog, the book A Month in the Country can be purchased in paperback. This is not an easy book to find. Heide: Blowing my own horn a bit.... I bought the paperback from A Common Reader a few months ago, and loved it so much that I based a whole web site on it. There are pictures from the book & film, and quotes. AMITC Murph"}, {"response": 1732, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (13:09)", "body": "I don't know if you all have seen this, but I found, on one of Colin's websites, a rather delicious picture of a slender, sexy Lord Wessex unbuttoned from ruff to waist. I can only say that it was a darn good thing that Viola (and the audience) did not see Wessex looking like this or, instead of SIL, Miramax would have had to call this film SOL-- Shakespeare Outta Luck!! (Heide) ...the plot of FF, completely absurd. Not completely. Thousands of real-life Cynthias are cared for by family with little outside support due to governmental policies that favour the deinstitutionalizing of the mentally ill, while providing hopelessly inadequate funding for out-patient mental health services. (Heide) How could they think that Joe is going to be able to handle Cynthia's little problem? Like lots of people out there who think love is enough to cope with alcoholism, mental illness, drug addiction and spousal abuse, Joe hoped his love would be a help; however, he was reading a book of psychiatric case studies in the hotel room, so it is likely that he will see that Cynthia has a competent therapist and will co-operate fully in her treatment. He is doing what must of us would do, in not abandonning the woman he loves because she is sick. IMO, he is absolutely correct to remove her from her ather's care. I believe it goes against medical ethics for a physician to treat his own daughter; in this case, it was totally reprehensible for him to do so, since he was aware of the abuse and ignored it, thus betraying his child's trust (no doubt he wants to keep her illness secret from his colleagues precisely because of his own culpability). His attempts to treat Cynthia have not only been ineffectual, but have put her in a wheelchair when she is with him. Although dependent upon him, Cynthia certai ly must have a profound loathing and distrust of her father for not having protected her from her mother which has interfered with her treatment. (Heide) \"I'm home.\" What the hell does that mean? For the first time in her life, Cynthia is with someone she can completely trust. Joe has come after her (seems like her father doesn't, at least not anymore), has faced death for her and completely accepts who she is. However, Joe's reaction to her leaving his bed and the look on Cynthia's face in the final frames lent an ambiguity which undercut the storybook ending and made me wonder if they would succeed in making a life together."}, {"response": 1733, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (13:42)", "body": "(Lynda) I found, on one of Colin's websites, a rather delicious picture and you don't say where it is??? Not nice!! I think I know which picture it is, but couldn't find it in my cursory search of 2-3 sites. Lynda, please say at which site you found it. There are many Colin sites and several are very extensive. Better yet, right click on the URL, copy and paste here. Makes it easier for everyone. Thanks. Very interesting interpretations of FF. Which reminds me, we haven't scheduled our next film discussion. Should we do so? Should we do FF since Lynda seems to have a good handle on it. I know Moon really wants to do Apartment Zero, but she will be leaving for vacation shortly and it would be cruel to schedule her favorite during her absence. Or will we just discuss MLSF as it hits the screens in July-early August? Opinions?"}, {"response": 1734, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (14:22)", "body": "(Karen) and you don't say where it is??? Not nice!! Hey, Karen, remember I'm a newbie. Last time I mentioned a site by name, you ladies jumped all over me and told me not to do it. I figured that you would tell me what to do, as you have. Thanks. I could not get the copying and pasting of the URL to work; when I pasted it here, it came up . Can you tell me exactly, step-by-step how to do it for future reference, please? The picture to which I am referring can be found at the FofF archives, in the news and updates section, under SIL pictures from Japan (it's the one on the bottom left, looks like Wessex is in the balcony and wearing his wedding clothes). Do you thinks Japan got a different SIL than we did? If so, I'm going to Japan!!"}, {"response": 1735, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (14:48)", "body": "OT hope you don't mind but my report on visit to The Donmar and Thre Real Thing with Jennifer Ehle and Stephen Dillane, meeting other droolers over at #72, a wonderful evening."}, {"response": 1736, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (14:56)", "body": "OK, thanks for the pointers to the location, Lynda. I was searching all over Meluchie's site for it before because I know she was the one who had it. Here's the link. http://members.xoom.com/firth_place/sil_pics.html The picture isn't from the movie--even the Japanese version, although it might have been a cut scene or one of many publicity pictures provided. He does look good. Shame they didn't focus on him unbuttoning the doublet, but it is all buttoned up again when he runs out of the theatre to meet QE. Lynda, the image showed up here? How strange. Actually, I think I know what you did. That picture is one where you can click on it and get a larger image. You need to go to the \"Location\" box at the top and highlight the URL, copy and then paste. Directing people to a link is different than the other. :-) By all means, go to it, girl!"}, {"response": 1737, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (15:17)", "body": "I thought we had already done Femme Fatale but then maybe we were just discussing the film's implausibilities in general. Lynda, you're giving the possibility of Joe being able to handle Cynthia way more credence than I can. And I'm an optimist! Hey, a spirited discussion is always welcome. Last time I mentioned a site by name, you ladies jumped all over me and told me not to do it. LOL!! It is a tricky business, is it not. I say plow ahead and have fun when its at no one's expense but our own. Murph, you deserve to toot your own horn. Your sites are always lovely. I got the book AMITC from Karen. Impossible to find in bookstores locally."}, {"response": 1738, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (16:18)", "body": "Toot, toot, toot, Murph! Karen, thanks I had not seen that page! And you too Lynda for bringing it up. Karen, do wait for me for Apt. 0, it is of course, a film to be discussed when the nights are longer, darker... ;-) I look forward on my return to reading about MLSF (keeping my fingers crossed that it will still be playing on my return)."}, {"response": 1739, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (17:08)", "body": "(Heide) I got the book AMITC from Karen. Impossible to find in bookstores locally. Much as I'd like to take credit, it was from Evelyn's fall of '98 trip to England. (Moon) I look forward on my return to reading about MLSF (keeping my fingers crossed that it will still be playing on my return). There is that possibility since it does not open semi-wide until July 23. It still might be hovering around when you return. If not, there will be a video, which I would like right this very minute!! Re: Previous FF discussion Yes, it was done but not all that indepth. I have the discussion on file, but there wasn't much left (after you edit through the comments and directions about that one love scene) to post at firth.com. It was mainly about Colin's looks; not much about the actual story, production, acting, etc."}, {"response": 1740, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (18:00)", "body": "(Heide) Lynda, you're giving the possibility of Joe being able to handle Cynthia way more credence than I can. The movie's ambiguous ending leaves me in doubt as to whether he will succeed in this endeavour. However, I do believe in Joe's belief that he can help Cynthia, as many another stupider or brighter person has thought before him or since. Don't forget, he's only known her for 3-4 months and is still very much in the first stages of passionate love, when all things seem possible. And I really am convinced that she has a much better chance of improving with Joe's help than with that of her deplorably weak fa her."}, {"response": 1741, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (19:27)", "body": "Nice pix of Wessex....I like the Japanese version! Thanks Lynda and Karen! But if Wessex had been unbuttened, and slightly dishevelled, and if his jaw line, neck and throat had been visible, and if he had been permitted just one warm smile, then Wessex would have been sexy...which would have seriously disturbed the balance of the plot. Infact, there wouldn't have been a plot...Viola marries Wessex and thanks her lucky stars! I still can't really understand why CF is never cast in a sexy Wessex part - why is he always given the stiff Englishman role? But Edward in MLSF sounds rather dishevelled and eccentric, and seems to smile a lot - so I'm quite hopeful here! And I think Matthew (the one we are doomed not to see) would have been very easy on the eye! BTW I noticed a comment at deja.com (by a man!) that Colin in SIL looked like a young Oliver Reed. Is this a compliment? I veer towards \"yes\"!"}, {"response": 1742, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (20:23)", "body": "that Colin in SIL looked like a young Oliver Reed. Stretching it but with the mustache and beard.... Is this a compliment? I veer towards \"yes\"! As long as he's not compared to the old Oliver Reed. Infact, there wouldn't have been a plot...Viola marries Wessex and thanks her lucky stars! LOL!! Of course we know that she'll forget all about that Shakespeare anyway after the wedding night. ;-o"}, {"response": 1743, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (22:05)", "body": "Do you want to hear CF speak Italian ;-)? (Alas, it's dubbed) Here's an Italian FP page, from the archives, but nevertheless - http://www.raisport.rai.it/news/rubriche/quelliche/199711/29/34805017058e7/ Even with a realplayer download (can somebody please explain how realplayer is supposed to work? I mostly succeed, but I never know why it loads well or why not.)"}, {"response": 1744, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (22:47)", "body": "Renate, according to my-son-the-geek, RealPlayer works by keeping the source of its audio or video to be played in its program on your computer. When you download it (he is unclear here) you hear it from the website as one piece but it is downloaded in pieces. I usually keep the sound down and shrink the player till it is all downloaded then have it replay it again. Save the site by adding to presets. You will be able to hear / watch as long as it is available on the internet. Does that help? I will orward questions to him if you'd like"}, {"response": 1745, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (23:13)", "body": "You have two choice there: One is to listen to it from the website (il serv...) or you can download to your hard drive (small print underneath). I had downloaded it (even though it does take a while but it is a big file). Then you can play it whenever you want, like the MLSF trailer."}, {"response": 1746, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (01:25)", "body": "Me too, Karen, and the Berlinale, too. But there are some files they just don't like to let you have. There are ways around them too, though as with save link as. I am happy we have finally figured out the ways of RealPlayer and I am one up on my son. Mom-the-geek?! ODB even has his own folder so I do not have to hunt through the rest of my downloads to find his goodies, should I need a CF fix."}, {"response": 1747, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (01:54)", "body": "(Lynda)[re: FF] IMO, it was the really bad acting in this scene that destroyed its plausibility, not the actual storyline. IMO it was both. We agree to disagree! (Karen)including the infamous blue patch and the out-of-body experience look Colin gives as Cynthia is not in the shot and it's left to our imagination as to what she is doing. ;-) I taped from Lifetime. I did see the blue patch but *certainly* not the other! Now I'll have to think about what you mean... beads of perspiration are forming on my forehead . Is it getting hot in here again? (Lynda) Joe hoped his love would be a help; however, he was reading a book of psychiatric case studies in the hotel room, so it is likely that he will see that Cynthia has a competent therapist and will co-operate fully in her treatment. I think you've put more thought into this explanation than the screenwriters did! BTW, Karen, to answer your question, perhaps (since it's already started) we should finish this over at film discussions (it's at least another month until MLSF opens, plenty of time). My favorite FP scene is in the restaurant. \"It just went off...won't be a regular feature of life...it'll be brilliant\" (latter said while looking like a deer caught in the headlights). It's become one of my favorite Firth scenes."}, {"response": 1748, "author": "ommin", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (02:01)", "body": "This is the first time Real Player has been explained to me, thanks ladies, I can now save - I have always downloaded and had trouble doing it. I shall endeavour to hear Colin speak Italian!"}, {"response": 1749, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (02:06)", "body": "Just loaded those SiL pics (*yawn*, it took forever). That is a nice one! The chick to the right looks a little like Bette Midler heeheehee . And Marcia, I still don't see any codpieces for you :-("}, {"response": 1750, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (02:15)", "body": "Re FP: Paul does not say:\"It just went off..\" He says \"It's just a one off!\""}, {"response": 1751, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (02:24)", "body": "If you say so...but that makes no sense. It doesn't matter, it's still a great scene."}, {"response": 1752, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (03:32)", "body": "\"One off\" is Britspeak for a one-time thing. Thank you, Steve. Also, Colin is not really speaking Italian in that RAI TV clip from FP. It would've been dubbed. Lifetime's Fatal Woman is missing that incredible look. You'll recognize ladies. ;-) It's always hot in here."}, {"response": 1753, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (08:36)", "body": "(Eileen)...it'll be brilliant\" Yes, that\ufffds so sweet, and very funny. How can a grown up man possibly manage to look so innocent?? Wonder if he had to rehearse that look a lot beforehand or did it just come naturally......my bet is that he gives that face to his wife every day in normal life when he tries to persuade her into something. BUT I\ufffdm lustful enough to like that Kiss In The Kitchen episode most of all in FP! Perhaps my own imagination about the following unfilmed proceedings have something to do with it."}, {"response": 1754, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (12:51)", "body": "(Elena), BUT I\ufffdm lustful enough to like that Kiss In The Kitchen episode most of all in FP! That is my favorite too, when he turns and realizes that she has asked him to stay over. That look he gives of puzzlement, then walks over and kisses her. So much is said in that kiss."}, {"response": 1755, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (12:54)", "body": "Yes, Marcia, you are now a mom-geek! ;-) Brava!"}, {"response": 1756, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (13:17)", "body": "(Karen) \"One off\" is Britspeak for a one-time thing. One learns something new every day. BTW, what does Paul say after \"...my Arsenal boxer shorts. But they're not my best ones...\"?? I can't make it out. Elena, did FP open? How many times did you see it? Was the theater crowded? Did the audience seem to like it? (Elena) How can a grown up man possibly manage to look so innocent? I think he looks frightened. He's saying one thing but thinking the opposite (as ODB does so well). my bet is that he gives that face to his wife every day in normal life when he tries to persuade her into something. LOL! How can she resist those eyes?"}, {"response": 1757, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (13:34)", "body": "They're not my best ones. I was running out. There are two others that I place ahead of the kiss in the kitchen, the little montage after they've split up when they fall onto the bed (music: How Can You Hang On to a Dream) and the hugging at the house they're looking at next to Highbury. He's wearing the faded denim shirt and he's so disappointed that Sarah won't let him live on Arsenal's doorstep. What adorable looks! Argh! Elena, do tell about going to see FP on the big screen."}, {"response": 1758, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (14:04)", "body": "(Eileen) Elena, did FP open Yes it did, I\ufffdm going to see it tomorrow with a friend. You see, that cinema is not exactly round the corner, there\ufffds about a hundred kilometres drive to it! I don\ufffdt live in Helsinki but in another town that\ufffds so tiny that we don\ufffdt have cinemas here at all."}, {"response": 1759, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (14:06)", "body": "RE 3DOR Chris, if Friends of the Donmar can pre-book from July 5th, does that mean that by the time tickets are available for the general public (July 19th) they may be in short supply? Quite possibly. Last time the Friends got notice of the production and opened ticket sales well before the casting was announced. By the time the casting was public, public booking had already opened. Friends got to buy tix for \"Blue Room\" well in advance too, although that time the casting was published from day one. It wasn't until the critics went berserk that tickets sold out. This time you have known casting, and a previous run that was highly successful and well-reviewed. I would expect tickets to be scarce once public booking begins. But I could be wrong. (On the other hand, I'm a subscriber to the National Theatre, and it STILL took me two tries to get tickets to the Ian Holm 'Lear' and and Stoppard's 'Invention of Love'. Both sold out to the mailing list during the first booking periods.)"}, {"response": 1760, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (14:07)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1761, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (14:08)", "body": "Bugger!!!! RE 3DOR Chris, if Friends of the Donmar can pre-book from July 5th, does that mean that by the time tickets are available for the general public (July 19th) they may be in short supply? Quite possibly. Last time the Friends got notice of the production and opened ticket sales well before the casting was announced. By the time the casting was public, public booking had already opened. Friends got to buy tix for \"Blue Room\" well in advance too, although that time the casting was published from day one. It wasn't until the critics went berserk that tickets sold out. This time you have known casting, and a previous run that was highly successful and well-reviewed. I would expect tickets to be scarce once public booking begins. But I could be wrong. (On the other hand, I'm a subscriber to the National Theatre, and it STILL took me two tries to get tickets to the Ian Holm 'Lear' and and Stoppard's 'Invention of Love'. Both sold out to the mailing list during the first booking periods.)"}, {"response": 1762, "author": "ommin", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 1999 (01:52)", "body": "One of the good things about FP is the way he relates to children. The baby scene was one of the most poignant I have ever seen. You could sense the longing in it."}, {"response": 1763, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 1999 (02:09)", "body": "Yes, and Eileen, his \"it'll be brilliant\" look was my favorite, too. He knows he's in over his depth, but he's determined to push on, nevertheless, without the faintest notion of what's involved... I hate to be such a spoilsport about AMITC, the book, but I got it from my local public library. It was so short that I PHOTOCOPIED the entire thing for about $3.60 or so!!!"}, {"response": 1764, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 1999 (12:18)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1765, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 1999 (12:24)", "body": "I was surfing idly today and came across these photographs. Have you all seen them before? http://www.mirrorpix.com/cgi-bin/mirrorpix"}, {"response": 1766, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 1999 (12:26)", "body": "Sorry that doesn't get you to the right place. Just do a search on \"Colin Firth\"."}, {"response": 1767, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 1999 (21:23)", "body": "Thanks, Allison. No, I certainly haven\ufffdt seen those pics before, not one of them, suppose most of you have. So, that\ufffds the famous vacuum cleaner pic! Hm....I feel a bit bad about it, it\ufffds a genuine paparazzi pic. It\ufffds a bit too much that they were actually photographed carrying that box inside the house. Btw, what is that pic of him & Livia standing in darkness in front of a white house? Anyone know?"}, {"response": 1768, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 1999 (21:36)", "body": "At least that one was a posed picture, which means the photographer had permission. Some of the pictures are used on other websites, like the Catherine Zeta Jones and the ones of the cast from Valmont and those young Colin shots. I don't think anybody's had the nerve to post the vacuum cleaner pictures though (but I do have them as well) Such an invasive picture."}, {"response": 1769, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 1999 (22:19)", "body": "So, I saw Fever Pitch in a cinema today, just came in and.....well, what can I say? Most importantly: all of you who have only seen this movie on tape, you\ufffdre in for something great when you get a chance to see it on the big screen. It looks MUCH better than the video. Like I\ufffdve said before, I used to feel that the structure of the film was clumsy and I disliked the flashbacks but in the cinema it all seemed to work beautifully. It was almost like seeing another version of the film, a better one! And boy, isn\ufffdt Colin lovely in this movie! From the video you get only a faint idea of how adorable his brown eyes really look like in those certain important moments and what a terrific actor he really is.....all those subtle changes of expression in his face that mean so much. I think I\ufffdll have to see it again. I was told it has sold quite well and will run at least for a couple of weeks."}, {"response": 1770, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (00:03)", "body": "(Karen)I don't think anybody's had the nerve to post the vacuum cleaner pictures though. Someone did have the nerve. It was posted a long time ago and caused much controversy. Was the beginning to the end of a well known site--however, that's a long story."}, {"response": 1771, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (00:40)", "body": "(Elena) So, I saw Fever Pitch in a cinema today, just came in and.....well, what can I say?... It looks MUCH better than the video. Ooh, goodie. I can't wait!! Eileen, we non-Brits struggled with a lot of the slang but with the help of this support group here at drool, were able to come up with it all eventually. 'Course the Screenplay helped too. A good buy though I forget where I got it. Can anyone help? Speaking of books, KJ, you're not a spoilsport if you can come up with ways for someone to save $15. That is an awful lot of money to spend for 100 pages."}, {"response": 1772, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (01:08)", "body": "I had never seen those pictures before. How obtrusive!"}, {"response": 1773, "author": "ommin", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (01:21)", "body": "I believe Marcia is happy today! I'll leave her to tell you why!!"}, {"response": 1774, "author": "ommin", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (01:31)", "body": "The Mirror and others in that group are now for their tabloid exploits. You really can't blame him for hating the publicity. It's okay if you love like some other actors I could name. But imagine being followed while buying a cleaner etc. I agree with your feelings and certainly won't keep them."}, {"response": 1775, "author": "ommin", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (02:01)", "body": "Has everyone seen Lizbeth's Timeline i.e. Valmont - the pics are wonderful I have not seen them before. If you have not seen go check."}, {"response": 1776, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (12:03)", "body": "(Heide)Ooh, goodie. I can't wait! I hope you can see it soon!! AND how I wish that I could see all his movies in a theater, it\ufffds just so different (obviously! It just haven\ufffdt happened to me before that I first see a video and then the real thing, it\ufffds usually the other way round). Imagine Darcy on the broadest possible film screen! Oh..... ..........excuse me a moment, I\ufffdm so hot I have to throw some clothes off (it\ufffds very warm in Finland right now, you see :-). Actually, I think we should hire all his movies and a theater for a couple of nights in some suitable country easily accessible to his fans around the world and arrange a Colin Firth Drool Festival! And he\ufffdd surely come gladly to tell us about the making of them. It\ufffdd be a success."}, {"response": 1777, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (12:17)", "body": "(Elena) I think we should hire all his movies and a theater for a couple of nights in some suitable country easily accessible to his fans around the world and arrange a Colin Firth Drool Festival! And he\ufffdd surely come gladly to tell us about the making of them. It\ufffdd be a success. If he were there, \"accessibility\" be hanged!! Suggest you call it a Colin Firth retrospective though or Firth in the Flesh II ;-) What a thought, seeing P&P on a big screen, well at least on a screen big enough to show Colin in the picture in the sitting room at Hunsford. And KJ, I too have spent a great deal of time over a flashing photocopier. ;-)"}, {"response": 1778, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (13:07)", "body": "From Variety: WAS HE KIDDING? Harvey Weinstein told me he\ufffds thinking of a sequel to \ufffdShakespeare in Love\ufffd \ufffd this time as a mystery. Harvey was celebrating at Cienega after the \ufffdIdeal Husband\ufffd screening Thursday at the DGA to benefit the Life Foundation for research on autism. Weinstein prided \ufffdHusband\ufffd on being another pic from his banner \ufffdwhere the only special effect \ufffd is the script itself.\ufffd SiL2 - a sort of \"Who Shot E.W.?\" thing perhaps? Doesn't Harvey know the first rule for making a successful sequel is to can the idea?"}, {"response": 1779, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (14:10)", "body": "(Eileen) Was the theater crowded? Did the audience seem to like it? No, the theater was half empty but only because of the great weather, everybody\ufffds out somewhere getting a tan. The audience was as peculiar as you could expect, mostly young girls, couples of about 30 and young guys of about 17!! When I saw this group of boys entering the theater I thought they\ufffdd be disappointed because they obviously came to see a 100 per cent football movie, but I could be wrong. I intentionally listened to them afterwards in the lobby and they were saying things like \"too much smooching and all that but then there were some good bits too\". People kept tittering quietly but persistently all through the movie and somebody even clapped his/her hands after it! And I spontaneously burst out laughing at something, I don\ufffdt remember what. Like I said before, the movie looked new to me somehow."}, {"response": 1780, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (14:30)", "body": "Elena, was it dubbed or subtitled?"}, {"response": 1781, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (16:30)", "body": "(Karen)Suggest you call it a Colin Firth retrospective though Oh yeah, Retrospective foor Drool like Gravitas for Smooch??! .....No, films are never dubbed in Finland and his voice was ah so great, and the music too. I used to wonder why people want to buy the soundtrack, now I don\ufffdt wonder anymore."}, {"response": 1782, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (16:55)", "body": "Thanks for your FP report, Elena. I can't wait to (finally) see this film. Karen, how did you get hold of the soundtrack -- did you buy it in London? I can't seem to track it down. This is probably a dumb question, but... what was the reasoning behind the screwy release pattern for FP? Am I to understand it was released only in a couple of European countries and Australia two years ago? Why has release to the rest of the world (Scandinavia, U.S.) been delayed so long? I mean, it's not like they were still tinkering with it, a la MLSF, and seems like it could only hurt the film's momentum to release it piecemeal like this."}, {"response": 1783, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (18:53)", "body": "Re: The soundtrack I purchased the CD over the internet from a place in England. Also, by fluke, saw one on the clearance rack at a Virgin Megastore a little while back and grabbed it. I did check to see if Virgin stocked it and the answer was no. (Susan) what was the reasoning behind the screwy release pattern for FP? There's no reasoning behind it, just what the film company managed to do at the time. I know this is a broad generalization but a great deal of the problem with British films is the lack of effective distribution and marketing arms. However, from what I read, this is finally getting addressed. Channel Four, now Film Four, which made FP, couldn't find distributors in the other countries and certainly did not have the ability itself to show the film. Wasn't it shown throughout most of Europe, including Scandanavia? I could have sworn that I'd heard of it being shown in Sweden. It played in Italy, France, and Germany. Don't know about Portugal or the Benelux countries? Gi? Tineke?"}, {"response": 1784, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (20:28)", "body": "(Karen) Re: The soundtrack I purchased the CD over the internet from a place in England. Also, by fluke, saw one on the clearance rack at a Virgin Megastore a little while back I managed to score a copy of the CD when I was in Singapore last month on business. I was feeling very smug until I read that Karen had found one at the Virgin Megastore! There is one of those about 5 miles from my office - I just should have looked there. BTW, Karen does your copy of the CD have that hideous graphic on the front? No, not a lovely photo of ODB but a poor quality photo of a tiny plastic soccer/football player like you might find on a child's birthday cake paired with a tiny plastic bal erina that looked like it had been snapped off a child's music box. I paid something like $25 U.S. for that after converting currency and it seems for that sum I should have at least gotten a Colin picture :-). Oh well, I mostly bought the CD because it has his voice on it. Sigh. Also, my Singaporean colleague had seen FP in S'pore about two years ago and liked it, so we know it was released there. Not surprising since there are a lot of Brit Ex-pats in Singapore, although my friend is Malayasian/Chinese (and a big Liverpool fan, surprisingly enough which was his main complaint about the movie.)"}, {"response": 1785, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (21:08)", "body": "Got my FP soundtrack courtesy of Evelyn, during her 3DOR pilgrimage to London. I believe she picked her up from an HMV. Karen had found one at the Virgin Megastore! There is one of those about 5 miles from my office - Hey, is that the one by my apartment? I'm stopping by there today to browse for some \"productivity music.\" Will look for FP and let you know if I find it. I've been out of it for a while... will FP definitely premiere here in L.A. on July 9th? Or has the date been pushed back again?"}, {"response": 1786, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (22:03)", "body": "Hey, I'm not guaranteeing that Virgin is going to have it anymore. When I went back to see if I could get any more, the guy looked it up in the system and said it was an \"old import\" and when they went to clearance it was below \"their cost.\" I think it sold for $10. (Mine cost more than yours, Jana, because I had to have it shipped!! Winter, call Phaedra Cinema and ask about Fever Pitch's opening? The phone number has been posted, but it's also at Murph's site under News. Or call information; it's on (surprise, surprise) Wilshire Blvd. (Jana) it seems for that sum I should have at least gotten a Colin picture :-) Yes, same cover as was shown in the advert following the movie. Jana, open the jewel box and take out the insert. Lots of pictures!! You are definitely working too hard!"}, {"response": 1787, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (22:16)", "body": "(Karen) I don't think anybody's had the nerve to post the vacuum cleaner pictures though. (Jana) Someone did have the nerve. It was posted a long time ago and caused much controversy. Was the beginning to the end of a well known site Weeeelll, so that's what happened...I agree, the shopping pics (esp. second one) make me uncomfortable. I can only imagine how Brad and Gwynnie felt about those infamous paparazzi pics of their vacation a few years ago! (Heide) Eileen, we non-Brits struggled with a lot of the slang but with the help of this support group here at drool, were able to come up with it all eventually Claire's FP site helped me as well. Sorry I missed all previous discussion! Karen's been catching me up. Those were interesting audience demographics, Elena! Thanks for the report. From the video you get only a faint idea of how adorable his brown eyes really look like in those certain important moments Such as when he says \"...shows what you know about it then...\" (comes at the end of the fixture list discussion). *Sigh* (Susan) what was the reasoning behind the screwy release pattern for FP? I always assumed it wasn't released in the US because there's no mass audience for a film about English football with a star who's not well known here. Of course it makes sense that there was no distributor (duh-h). I'm glad Phaedra stepped up. I'm curious as to how they'll promote it. (Winter) will FP definitely premiere here in L.A. on July 9th? Oh, but it has to! For your birthday! *Thwaaack* That's a virtual smack on the head of Harvey W. for contemplating a SiL sequel. And a mystery? What would the catch-line be in the new one? \"I don't know, it's a tragedy?\" No sequel, I beg you, no sequel!"}, {"response": 1788, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (22:35)", "body": "(Eileen) I always assumed it wasn't released in the US because there's no mass audience for a film about English football with a star who's not well known here. Of course it makes sense that there was no distributor (duh-h). Same thing actually. Cause and effect. I'm glad Phaedra stepped up. But Phaedra's had it for some time. What are they waiting for? The planets to be in alignment or something? You guys do know that expansion beyond NY and LA will be dependent on how well it does in those two cities. So, if you east and west coast people don't go see it at least 10-20 times each, it may never make it. And we are going to come get you! ;-)"}, {"response": 1789, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (22:45)", "body": "Winter, Hi, are you also planning to go and see MLSF when it opens in LA on the 16th July, I do hope so its great to hear everyone's opinion and gives us in the UK something to look forward to. I wonder if it will have its Premiere in LA, Dame Winter?"}, {"response": 1790, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (23:17)", "body": "According to Clare's site for FP (is it still there?), She was showing articles and reviews from: UK, 3-4/97 and again 11/97 and ?again 6/98..Germany, 5/97...Norway 7/97...Sweden 9/97 and again 5/98...Australia and NZ 8-9/97, and one article from the Toronto Sun 6/98. I think the mid '98 dates were rereleases meant to correspond to a Cup Final or something. French article quoted but no date..."}, {"response": 1791, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (23:26)", "body": "It was released for the first time in Canada during the World Cup. It wasn't shown there before. So why was Finland left out during the 1997 run?"}, {"response": 1792, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (23:33)", "body": "(Jana) I mostly bought the CD because it has his voice on it. More info please! Does he sing? (be still my heart!) and how much of the CD is ODB's voice?"}, {"response": 1793, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (23:36)", "body": "(KJArt) According to Clare's site for FP (is it still there?) Yes--here's the link: Clare's FP Page"}, {"response": 1794, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (23:53)", "body": "No, not in Portugal, I couldn't have missed it, although they completely change the titles instead of translating them. And it hasn't been released on video either :-("}, {"response": 1795, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (23:54)", "body": "(Karen)Wasn't it shown throughout most of Europe...Don't know about Portugal or the Benelux countries? Gi? Tineke? No, not in Portugal, I couldn't have missed it, although they completely change the titles instead of translating them. And it hasn't been released on video either :-("}, {"response": 1796, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (23:59)", "body": "Oops, sorry :-("}, {"response": 1797, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (00:03)", "body": "(Eileen)Oh, but it has to! For your birthday! Precisely! Talk about a tailor-made present! A smooch from Colin himself wouldn't be so bad, either! ;-) (Ann)Winter, Hi, are you also planning to go and see MLSF when it opens in LA on the 16th July Of course, of course! For some reason, I haven't been as diligent about showing up for Jeremy Northam's L.A. appearances (he was here last week), though I'm really looking foward to seeing Colin again. For MLSF- definitely, though I'm going to be a one-woman campaign to promote FP. SB-- Clips from the movie are on the CD-- in-between songs. Mostly Paul's thoughts/musings about football, relationships, anthropologists (!), etc... Went to the Virgin Megastore. No sign of it."}, {"response": 1798, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (00:46)", "body": "Thanks Winter :)"}, {"response": 1799, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (01:26)", "body": "(Ann)Winter, Hi, are you also planning to go and see MLSF when it opens in LA on the 16th July (Winter)Of course, of course! Maybe we can hook up and make it two-person effort. I can hold Colin down while you extract your belated birthday *samooch*. Of course, more likely it will be just you, me and the other indie film lovers since we have no word yet if he will in fact attend a publicity event in L.A. But heck, if we have half as much fun as at the \"An Ideal Husband\" screening it'll be great! Amusing conversation, ODB and raspberry mocha.... who could ask for more :-)? (Winter) SB-- Clips from the movie are on the CD-- in-between songs. Mostly Paul's thoughts/musings about football, relationships, anthropologists (!), etc... Yes EsBee, no singing unfortunately just a few clips of ODB's dialgoue from the film. But I must say that his voice blaring out of the stereo in CD quality sounds pretty darn sweet. (Winter) Went to the Virgin Megastore. No sign of it. Oh well, maybe when the film's released they'll stock it again. (Karen) Mine cost more than yours, Jana, because I had to have it shipped!! Yes, but when you factor in the $4,500 for plane tickets to pick it up in person I think you got the better deal ;-). (Well, of course I'm getting reimbursed for that from the boss man...) (Karen) Yes, same cover as was shown in the advert following the movie. Jana, open the jewel box and take out the insert. Lots of pictures!! You are definitely working too hard! Oh dear, now that you mention it I do recall that there were CF photos inside. It's just that ugly jewel box cover staring at me that assaults my sensitivities. And (she says guiltily) I must admit that I'm not working very hard today - I think this is my third post. Hope the cyber police are not watching too closely. Eek! My brain is totally playing hooky today - or should I say skiving :-)?"}, {"response": 1800, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (01:41)", "body": "Jana--you and I are on the same boat! I'm supposed to be grading (I've got a stack of 217 exams on my desk), and am only halfway through. It must be the weather..."}, {"response": 1801, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (03:10)", "body": "SB, the CD contains the voiceovers by Colin and one itsy bit of dialogue between Paul and Steve. Fortunately for you, I still have it on a diskette. Voice Overs Anthropologists have always had a hard time with football. The trouble is, you can only see what's on the outside. But there is an inside, believe it or not. We all have our reasons for loving things the way we do. ********* Why is it that adults aren't supposed to go mad about anything? You've got to keep a lid on it. And if you don't then people are apparently entitled to say what they like. You haven't grown up. You're a moron. Your conversation is trivial and boorish. You can't express your emotional needs, you can't relate to your children and you die lonely and miserable. But, you know, what the hell. Every cloud has a silver lining. ********** It's not easy to become a football fan. It takes years. But if you put in the hours you're welcomed, without question, into a new family. Except, in this family, you care about the same people and hope for the same things. And what's childish about that? ********** Football has meant too much to me, and come to represent too many things. See, after a while, it all gets mixed up in your head, and you can't remember whether life's shit because Arsenal are shit or the other way around. I've been to watch too many games, and spent too much money, and fretted about Arsenal when I should have been fretting about something else. I've asked too much of the people I love. OK. I can accept all that. But I don't know, perhaps, it's something you can't understand unless y u belong. What about this? Three minutes to go and you're two--one up in a semi-final and you look around and you see all those thousands of faces contorted with fear and hope and worry, everyone lost, everything else gone out of their heads... .Then the whistle blows and everyone goes to spare, and just for those few minutes, you're at the centre of the whole world. And the fact that you care so much, that the noise you have made has been such a crucial part of it all, is what makes it special. Because you've een every bit as important as the players, and if you hadn't been there, then who'd be bothered about football, really? And the great thing is it comes round again and again. There's always another season. You lose the Cup final in May, well there's the third round to look forward to in January. And what's wrong with that? It's actually pretty comforting if you think about it. Most of the time. But every now and then--not very often, but it happens--you catch a glimpse of a world that doesn't work like that--a world that doesn't stop in May and begin again in August. There's some stuff that just never comes back, and some stuff that just won't go away, and some stuff that you can't ignore even if you wanted to. ************* When I think back to the 26th of May 1989 now, it's impossible to explain what happened to either of us--all three of us, if you count the team. But I do know this. Something happened between me and Arsenal that night. It was as if I jumped on to the shoulders of the team and they carried me into the light that had suddenly shown down on all of us. And the lift they gave me enabled me to part company from them, in some ways. We still see each other all of the time, I still love them and hate them all at the same time, but I have my own life now, and my own successes and failures aren't necessarily linked up with theirs. And that's got to be a good thing. I suppose. ******** Track 3 Dialogue Steve: It's the smoking. Paul: It's not the smoking, Steve. It's the crapness."}, {"response": 1802, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (03:20)", "body": "There's a big article about the Fiennes family's Kosovo benefit. Anyway, this picture accompanies the article: I can't remember (and you all know how I don't like this movie) but is that Geoffrey or is that Maddox by the plane behind the lizard-eyed, pencil-legged guy? ;-)"}, {"response": 1803, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (04:17)", "body": "I think it is our adorable GC back there working on his plane. Just by the cock of his head and the bend of his legs, it seems so familiar. Nice to have something besides that nasty man to look at in TEP ;)"}, {"response": 1804, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (04:18)", "body": "Wow, thanks Karen, you too Jana :) now I shall have to start a hunt for the CD up here near San Francisco course.... if I watch the movie first, the dialog will probably make a bit more sence.... :)"}, {"response": 1805, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (05:18)", "body": "SB-- If you need to find FP up in the Bay Area, I suggest you check out Virgin first-- they may have it in stock. My next best bet (though it may be out of your way) would be any of the local music places in Berkeley-- Rasputin or Amoeba (they still around?) on Telegraph. I used to find the most unusual, hard-to-find albums in those places, and you may get lucky in either of those shops."}, {"response": 1806, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (06:39)", "body": "(Karen)Wasn't it shown throughout most of Europe...Don't know about Portugal or the Benelux countries? Gi? Tineke? It has never been shown in Belgium. A UK friend sent me the tape."}, {"response": 1807, "author": "producer", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (09:13)", "body": "Just wanted to try and reassure you that Capt. Corelli's Mandolin is in (we hope) safe hands. Just to scotch rumours, I can tell you that I am producing this film for Working Title, and that Roger Michell (Buddha of Suuburbia, Persuasion, My Night With Reg, Notting Hill)is directing. We have never approached Tom Cruise - that is definitive truth. We have met several Italians, Greeks, Americans and Brits for the role, and have no announcement to make as yet. The film is to be shot next Spring in Greece (almost entirely)for a release at the end of 2000. On another note, I can tip you off that BJD is to be directed by Sharon Macguire, who is not only a talented director but Shazza in the book, and that Richard Curtis is not working formaly on the script. And that no casting decisions have yet been made. Hope this helps."}, {"response": 1808, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (10:38)", "body": "Thankyou very much for reassuring us that Capt. Corelli's Mandolin is in safe hands and for the informations re BJD, over which we have been speculating for many months. You say no decision has been made over casting but surely there is only one man to play Mark Darcy, also any news when filming if expected to begin. Thanks for taking the trouble to post."}, {"response": 1809, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (12:34)", "body": "Thanks for the information about Corelli and BJD. Any other updates would be greatly appreciated. I noticed you didn't \"scotch\" the rumor about Nic Cage. ;-) ************ There's an article about the Newport Fest at Indie wire. Mentions lots of movies and is very complimentry about the fest, but no mention of MLSF. Incredible!! This movie has such a low profile. Here's the link: http://www.indiewire.com/film/festivals/fes_99Newport_990617_wrap.html"}, {"response": 1810, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (13:43)", "body": "The Friends of Firth Website (Meluchie) has a new Colin pic. Click on Periodicals."}, {"response": 1811, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (14:45)", "body": "(Fan1) The Friends of Firth Website (Meluchie) has a new Colin pic. Click on Periodicals. I tried to find this, unsuccessfully. What does the picture look like or what is the URL? (Karen) ...no mention of MLSF. Incredible!! This movie has such a low profile. Oh, no!! But, as an optimist, I'm hoping that Miramax is being cagey. I saw the trailer and the film does look charming. Hope we get to see it. Got a clue from my mother-in-law as to why darling Colin is so undervalued as an actor. She actually said to me that anybody could do what he does in P&P, i.e. stand around and look sullen. And she commented that he acts the same in all of his roles. Yikes!! The problem here is that the mass audience wants its entertainment spoon-fed to it, are more focused on special effects and plot, and don't pay attention too carefully to the performances. Didn't Anthony Minghella say that Colin was \"delicate\" (subtle in my book). If you see his movies only once, you may miss the nuances of his performances (no one could ever accused ODB of being an emoter), which are what make him so incredibly compelling as an actor. I think I even read a Fever Pitch review that mentioned that CF acted more energetically than usual in it. However, it is this intensity and delicacy that makes his films so rewatchable ( I rarely see a film more than once, except for my Christmas movies); there is always something new to discover in h s performances."}, {"response": 1812, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (14:55)", "body": "Thanks for the shopping tips Winter! :) Must admit that I dont get to Berkeley often, accept on a rare occasion to see movies or buy shoes :) (parking is still a nightmare) Will watch for Rasputin and Amoeba on my next foray in."}, {"response": 1813, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (14:59)", "body": "Lynda, please remember to close your tags. These have been fixed as well as the ones at 112. I hate having to squint my eyes. ;-) Here's the URL for Meluchie's posting of the new pic of Colin outside the Islington Sainsbury doing his protest thing. It came from the Big Issue's street publication for this week. All you Londoners, go snap these up!! ;-) http://members.xoom.com/firthfiles/articles/99tbi0614.html"}, {"response": 1814, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (15:44)", "body": "Thanks for the link Karen! It looks like Colin is holding a microphone, they might have been interviewed, did anyone happen to catch this? What are backbenchers? Kevin, thank you for taking the time to post here. It is good to know that CCV is in good hands. Has it entered anyone's mind involved in BJD, that Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth would be the perfect pair? Their pairing alone guarantees an audience thanks to the successful P&P. And, if they want to attract the female audience, they should not waste time and sign them both to the project. It will create a huge expectation. I hope you find the time to visit us again."}, {"response": 1815, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (20:22)", "body": "Kevin, thanks very much for the update on Captain Corelli and Bridget Jones....we would really appreciate any further news on casting, when available, and also on the dates scheduled for shooting BJD. One of the problems in adapting books such as CCM and BJD, which enjoy such tremendous popularity, is that most of the readers will have very definite ideas about who should (and should not!) play the lead roles! I'd like a complete unknown to play Captain Corelli (some hopes!) and for BJD, well, those leading roles are made for Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle!! Moon...Backbenchers are Members of Parilament who sit on the \"backbench\"...ie the main body of Parilament, excluding the Cabinet. Now News ...although actually this must be \"old\" news and must be available on the Net, as there'a already been a posting about it elsewhere. Another chance to see Colin LIVE! I spotted an item in yesterday's \"Independent\" listing Charity events. Included a reference to \"No laughing matter\" in aid of The Refugee Council, to be performed at the Jongleurs in Battersea (Lavender Rd, South London). Appearing are comedians Mark Thomas and Jeremy Hardy (very clever) and actors Colin Firth and Mark Strong (Fever Pitch, TV version of Emma) who will be reading from poetry and writings by refugees. Thursday 24 June. Tickets \ufffd12. There's a website fot the Jongleurs at http://www.jongleurs.com Click on what's new (no names yet). Booking on 0870-78-70-707 or 0171-564-2500 So, if you liked Fever Pitch!! There are several Jongleurs throughout the UK...sort of review club, rather than theatre. Performers often mingle at the bar after the show."}, {"response": 1816, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (20:24)", "body": "Ouch! Typo...Parliament...Parliament!"}, {"response": 1817, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (20:38)", "body": "Thursday 24 June. Good god, this is a *bit* too tight a schedule for me, wish I had known about it earlier! I hope someone of us has a chance to attend??"}, {"response": 1818, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 1999 (00:06)", "body": "Thursday 24 June Good God, can someone go? I know many of you ladies have a distance to travel but what a temptation. Allison, are you out there? I suppose Evelyn will be back in the States by then...damn. This has been a rather fruitful day here at the ol' drool board."}, {"response": 1819, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 1999 (03:10)", "body": "Yes, Evelyn departs on the 24th. What awful luck!! Perhaps she can change her ticket???? ;-D"}, {"response": 1820, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 1999 (08:55)", "body": "Yes, damn!! Wouldn\ufffdt it be great if the dear boy would inform us in time when he\ufffds planning a live performance! Who knows what is happening next with this political activity of his, he could become a candidate for the Parilament if the right party wants him, whatever it is. I don\ufffdt know how I would feel about that, not very happy perhaps but I do like what he\ufffds doing now, speaking for the refugees voluntarily. .......I read that Telegraph article but I didn\ufffdt really make out why it\ufffds refugees (of all problems in this world) that he\ufffds so concerned about."}, {"response": 1821, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 1999 (13:59)", "body": "Thursday 24 June Good God, can someone go? 'fraid not! For various reasons, I have been out of action recently so I failed in my mission to get a Big Issue. Usually I am beseiged by sellers but as I have been at home mostly, I have not come across any. I did buy a copy of the local Islington paper last week but there was nothing about the Sainsbury trip in it. I shall try and get a copy of this week's and let you know! On the 24th, I have a major social engagement and so will be a long way from Battersea. Is there no other London person out there, lurking? he could become a candidate for the Parilament if the right party wants him, Oh NO!! I could not drool over an MP however cute his dimples. . .......I read that Telegraph article but I didn\ufffdt really make out why it\ufffds refugees I suspect that it is because of all those missionaries in his family past. I get the impression that there is a family interest in people of other cultures and faiths. His mother's field was comparative religion. There is a lot of controversy in the UK about asylum seekers and their treatment so it doesn't seem so unusual to me that he would be interested."}, {"response": 1822, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 1999 (15:07)", "body": "The refugee problem is something all Europe is dealing with now. Tineke and I are meeting at the Donmar at 12:30 pm on July 22. We will have lunch at Luna Nova and attend the matinee of TRT. We would enjoy meeting you even if it is for lunch only. Let us know. :-)"}, {"response": 1823, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 1999 (15:24)", "body": "The refugee problem is something all Europe is dealing with now. Sure is but not everybody is campaigning in front of supermarkets or arranging events because of it. What I meant is: obviously there must be some strong personal reasons and experiences/connections/goals because he\ufffds so interested and he\ufffds ready to do something personally, not only to read newspapers like most people."}, {"response": 1824, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 1999 (22:54)", "body": "Re. involvement in the Refugee cause, didn't he recently give a poetry reading in Winchester, in a concert in aid of refugees, organised by his mother? I would think that his family background would certainly encourage this sort of commitment."}, {"response": 1825, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (01:20)", "body": "Yes. He did. Basically I agree it is his Christian background. Many many years ago I believe (not totally sure) I knew his grandparents. I was much involved back then in Church activities (I was still in my teens) and went to a function at their home in Hindhead/Greyshott, and he has lived also in Nigeria. His father also was that way inclined and his mother."}, {"response": 1826, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (01:36)", "body": "hi"}, {"response": 1827, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (03:42)", "body": "Hi Anne. Come and regale uus with your many Firthly tales. Please?!"}, {"response": 1828, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (03:59)", "body": "Wait a minute now... This is the first we hear that you have some acquaintance with the family??? Anne, please, tell us more. Did you ever meet Colin as a young boy?"}, {"response": 1829, "author": "livamago", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (04:00)", "body": "Anne: he has lived also in Nigeria. I read also that he went to High School in Ohio (or some other state) for a time. Lucky high schoolers!"}, {"response": 1830, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (04:26)", "body": "And we know one of those lucky high schoolers!!! Come in out of the lurking!!!"}, {"response": 1831, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (04:57)", "body": "It was St. Louis (Missouri) and he made it sound as if it were an inner city school as well."}, {"response": 1832, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (05:12)", "body": "Marcia suggested I post a few snippets about some of the one degree away experiences I have had with C.F. and perhaps some other personalities, are you interested, only as I have said to Marcia I do not want to seem to boast, I would hate you to think that."}, {"response": 1833, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (05:19)", "body": "In reply to your question did I know Colin as a young boy - no I went there in the fifties - his grandparents had recently retired (at least I think they were his grandparents - I would hate to be wrong but from so far away you cannot be sure) and had bought a large house they were turning into a hotel. CF's parents are around my age and I don't think they were married then - probably both were at University. The only other early contact was when he played soccer for the Celebrity team. I must have wat hed him play but of course then not aware of who he was - but I remember some of the players were rather gorgeous. I have watched them a couple of times at Hyde Park and again locally for a charitable cause. Otherwise mainly places where he has been, like Broughton Castle."}, {"response": 1834, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (05:20)", "body": "You are preaching to the choir here, and we are very needy. We have been converted for years, but our souls need to be fed! Please continue, Anne!"}, {"response": 1835, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (05:37)", "body": "okay - but not until Monday or late tomorrow Oz time. I will have to try and think."}, {"response": 1836, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (06:14)", "body": "Anne, you have done us proud, and Karen has something from you to post which will further please the Droolians. I have just discovered - for those monetarioy challenged who find themselves in London, The 1999 London Youth Hostels Directory http://www.ris.org.uk/lhd99.htm"}, {"response": 1837, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (06:46)", "body": "Thanks, Anne! I\ufffdm eagerly waiting for more, this is really amazing. Btw I\ufffdll be offline for the next two or so weeks because of a holiday trip, have a good time everybody and see-you again in July."}, {"response": 1838, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (07:37)", "body": "(Moon) Thanks for the link Karen! It looks like Colin is holding a microphone, they might have been interviewed Hmmm, when I looked at that picture I thought he was holding a toilet brush :-). I rather hope you're right because your version is much more glamorous!"}, {"response": 1839, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (13:19)", "body": "Thank you, Anne, we would be most interested to hear your stories. (Anne) when he played soccer for the Celebrity team. I must have watched him play but of course then not aware of who he was - but I remember some of the players were rather gorgeous. Colin played soccer for a Celebrity team? And you watched him play? This I definitely want to hear about!! Have a nice holiday, Elena! Marcia sent me via Anne the picture from the Big Issue. I can post it here, but it is already at both Meluchie's and Murph's sites. Has everyone seen it, or do I need to put it up here? BTW, it looks like a toilet bowl brush to me. The purpose of the shopping expedition was to prove that the vouchers being given to asylum seekers or refugees were insufficient. By the looks of the all the bags at their feet, I don't know. If they are all filled with bulky items, maybe not. But seems like the boys did pretty well at the store. They got hotdogs, potatoes, TP, tunafish (?), bread. Of course, I don't know how many that was supposed to feed and for how long!"}, {"response": 1840, "author": "Adi", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (14:32)", "body": "yes Anne, please tell us more. you are very lucky! BTW, FP was released on the big screen in Israel a year ago, and on video this weekend (which made me of course watch it again yesterday for the 10,000th time...) so no one is going to this charity thing with CF? I wish I could go..."}, {"response": 1841, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (15:01)", "body": "tunafish (?), bread. Of course, I don't know how many that was supposed to feed and for how long! Fishes and loaves, Karen? LOL!! Yes, these boys do look like they know their way around the market. One question: has it been warm in London? Then how come ODB isn't wearing shorts like whatzisname? ;-) Anne, get those memory cells working...you know we savor every tiny morsel. so no one is going to this charity thing with CF? I wish I could go.. Yes, please someone...we got Sue to brave Newport and he wasn't even there, let alone reading poetry."}, {"response": 1842, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (15:24)", "body": "And of course that should be Susan. We have two (at least)."}, {"response": 1843, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (17:55)", "body": "Anne, please do tell us more about those football matches in Hyde Park. I wonder if they still have them."}, {"response": 1844, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (20:13)", "body": "so is noone going to this charity thing with CF I understand that someone is...and hopefully we may get some news at one of the CF sites. I'd love to know what he reads. Anne, please don't be shy...all reminiscences are most welcome! Sophie in Love...has anyone noticed the new title adopted by Prince Edward and his bride....none other than the Earl and Countess of WESSEX. Most bizarre...every time they said \"the Earl of Wessex\" I expected to see CF. And the wedding was at Windsor (as in SIL!) Was sacanning the summer cinema releases for the UK for the summer...Austin Powers, Entrapment, My favourite Martian, Bride of Chocky, Phantom Menace etcetera....eech! Movies have been hi-jacked by the teens. No news of MLSF. We're in for a long wait, apparently (and, I'm sure, only a very selected release) I hope CF gets a bit of a boost in July in the US, when (fingers crossed!) two movies open! Have a great holiday, Elena!"}, {"response": 1845, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (20:19)", "body": "(Heide) Yes, please someone...we got Sue to brave Newport and he wasn't even there, let alone reading poetry. LOL, Heide! And had he been there to read poetry, I would have been there in a New York minute... lack of parking or not;-) Is there any way someone can get in touch with Evelyn and ask if it's possible for her to stay an extra day? I'm sure she'd be very upset to miss a golden opportunity to see Colin live."}, {"response": 1846, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (20:33)", "body": "(Bethan) Was scanning the summer cinema releases for the UK for the summer...Austin Powers, Entrapment, My favourite Martian, Bride of Chocky, Phantom Menace etcetera....eech! Movies have been hi-jacked by the teens. Embarrassing confession: My DH and I took our two sons to see Phantom Menace yesterday... and I rather liked it. Or more precisely, it was better than I expected it to be. I thought Liam was fine and Ewan was pretty droolable -- was very glad he ditched the Scottish accent. (No offense meant to the Scots among us;-)"}, {"response": 1847, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 1999 (00:43)", "body": "AnnW, please email me at marci@aloha.net. Your Email in Springfolks is bouncing!"}, {"response": 1848, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 1999 (02:18)", "body": "I am delighted you enjoyed my snippets. Did I tell you about the lady I met who lived at Lyme Park. I think I did. If not let me know."}, {"response": 1849, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 1999 (02:27)", "body": "Ladies I have e-mailed Marcia, hopefully it can get sorted out. I have given her a Yahoo e-mail No. as well as my usual one. Colin playing football. Well its all so long ago - I can remeber tall lanky players - shades of Colin but regretably thats all. I had seen all his plays etc. on T.V. but never registered him until P. and P. although I always admired the actor in them. Shows his diversity doesn't it."}, {"response": 1850, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 1999 (03:02)", "body": "Oh Anne, my server is neither accepting out mail or in mail. BTW, you have told me about the Lyme Park lady but you have not told anyone else here. They will love to hear it. You cannot know how happy I am you will have stopped bouncing and can get all of the S'folks email at home now =) I await my server's response. I will change your status and email in SF as soon as I know your Yahoo address."}, {"response": 1851, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 1999 (21:25)", "body": "CF was the the only non-member of the Royal Family to have his photo included in a four page spread of the Royal Wedding in the Sunday Telegraph....but it was in the guise of the Earl of Wessex! BTW, FP was released on the big screen in Israel a year ago, and on video this weekend You may have more treats in store, Adi. Miramax have said that MLSF will be released in Israel and Greece (amongst others) in September."}, {"response": 1852, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 1999 (22:48)", "body": "(Bethan) CF was the the only non-member of the Royal Family to have his photo included in a four page spread of the Royal Wedding in the Sunday Telegraph....but it was in the guise of the Earl of Wessex! There I was yesterday morning, hairdryer in hand, TV on in the background with typical ho-hum morning news when I heard about the 'Earl of Wessex' and was ROTFLOL. Some coincidence! It got me thinking....I wonder if Her Majesty is a closet Firthfan? Perhaps we should keep our eyes open for a newbie posting as \"Lilibeth\" or \"QE\" or \"ElizabethR\" :-) Hey, we've had a producer here, anything can happen ! ;-P Or even better what if she's already been here? Hmmmm, Beth an, have you something to tell us??? Heeheeheehee! Anne H., let me echo the others. All remembrances, however fuzzy or distorted by time are very welcome. Am off to view pic of ODB with toilet brush in hand. Now that will stand out in the collection! Kudos to him for supporting the cause of his choice (I also think it's due to his family/upbringing)."}, {"response": 1853, "author": "ommin", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 1999 (05:15)", "body": "I have tried to enter today but have not been able - I am just checking to see if it is working for me."}, {"response": 1854, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 1999 (06:16)", "body": "Anne, I have hgad the same problems all afternoon. Must have been shut down for some reason. I know they have been having thunder storms in the area. Guess that might do it!"}, {"response": 1855, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 1999 (13:54)", "body": "Edinburgh fest greeting 'Social Club,' 'Winslow' LONDON -- Wim Wenders' \"Buena Vista Social Club,\" Atom Egoyan's \"Felicia's Journey,\" David Mamet's \"The Winslow Boy\" and Bill Murray starrer \"Rushmore\" will headline the gala section at this year's 53rd Edinburgh International Film Festival from Aug. 15-29. The Focus on Britain section will include actor- turned-director Tim Roth's debut feature \"The War Zone\" starring Ray Winstone, Lara Belmont, Freddie Cunliffe and Tilda Swinton. Also screening in the section will be Damien O'Donnell's Cannes Internati nal Film Festival entry \"East Is East\" and Michael Winterbottom's Cannes competition title \"Wonderland.\" Jasmin Dizdar's debut feature, \"Beautiful People,\" about the troubled lives of four British families who encounter refugees from the war in former Yugoslavia, will also screen. *********** And where is MLSF? Where is Miramax's entry? Isn't MLSF--set in Scotland--a natural for the EIFF? Have checked the EIFF's website and it isn't ready yet? There must be a full listing of the films out there somewhere."}, {"response": 1856, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 1999 (13:55)", "body": "BTW, when we have problems accessing Spring, that's what Springfolks is all about! :-)"}, {"response": 1857, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (09:14)", "body": "From Mari: Miramax has moved up the opening date for MLSF in NY and LA to Wednesday, July 14. The rest of the rollout remains the same, i.e., top 20 markets on July 23, top 40 on July 30. The PREMIERE: they say they are shooting for Monday, July 12, but that is not definite yet. She indicated that it would likely be a small affair."}, {"response": 1858, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (09:43)", "body": "At lunch time, I took a walk down to the Kendall Square Cinema (our Indie cinema), and was told that they will start showing MLSF on July 16. They also have a newsletter where a bunch of movies are talked about (Limbo, Trick, Run Lola Run and MLSF). So for you Bostonians, or Cambrige folk, that's when Kendall Square Cinema starts showing MLSF."}, {"response": 1859, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (09:52)", "body": "Laura, what did the newletter say about MLSF, and I hope you will be going and will report back. It seems too bad that we in the Uk do not have a release date, I thought with the David Puttnam connection that we would be sure to see it."}, {"response": 1860, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (09:53)", "body": "David P is that right?"}, {"response": 1861, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (10:03)", "body": "Argh!! Boston is getting it at the same time as NY and LA??? This is not to be borne. Wish there were only one indie cinema here to check with here about the dates. Time to give Miramax another buzz... Ann: Lord P, isn't it? ;-D"}, {"response": 1862, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (10:10)", "body": "(Eileen) I wonder if Her Majesty is a closet Firthfan? Perhaps we should keep our eyes open for a newbie posting as \"Lilibeth\" or \"QE\" or \"ElizabethR\" :-) ...or even better what if she's already been here? Hmmmm, Bethan, have you something to tell us??? Heeheeheehee! ROTFLOL! Bethan Dear, if you're giving out titles this week, i have a request to make.... ;)"}, {"response": 1863, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (10:33)", "body": "The newsletter which is the movie guide for the cinema, just has your basic write-up of the movie. Talks about Fraser, yada, yada, yada. But it says \"Hugh Hudson (Chariot of Fire, Greystoke) directs a stellar cast, including Colin Firth, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Irene Jacob, Malcolm McDowell, Rosemary Harris and Tcheky Karyo.\" So CF get's first billing in this short write-up HOWEVER, The Blair Witch Project looks incredible!"}, {"response": 1864, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (11:19)", "body": "HOWEVER, The Blair Witch Project looks incredible! Those two guys who directed are from the U of Miami Film School! SB, if Bethan had any royal connections, she would have already seen SLOW. ;-))"}, {"response": 1865, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (11:48)", "body": "(Moon) SB, if Bethan had any royal connections, she would have already seen SLOW. ;-)) ...and she would have invited all of us to the Palace to watch it with her!! ;-) and Tcheky Karyo Why is he included in this *stellar* group? Is he anybody?"}, {"response": 1866, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (11:58)", "body": "Hmmm, let's see Tcheky Karyo's filmography includes many French films. But his American films... Operation Dumbo Drop?? Addicted to Love?? An episode of Red Shoes Diary (soft core porn)."}, {"response": 1867, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (00:12)", "body": "Hmmm, Wessex was a giveaway....you seem to have blown my cover! Anyone want the Order of the Garter? :-) Good to hear of confirmed dates for MLSF. Does this mean it's not going head-to-head with Eyes Wide Shut? I'm sure we'll see MLSF in the UK, Ann, but on selected release. The problem is that we have very few independent art house type cinemas (there seem to be far more in the US)....and distribution is entirely through chains of multiplexes, who book the same movies. This week they've all got Bride of Chocky (!) and the new Dangerous Liaisons , next week it's The Mummy. Smaller films (US and European) really struggle. On a positive note, I noticed that a British-made movie which had failed to find a distrib tor and had been sitting on the shelf for 2 years finally made it to the screen (one screen only, in London) and got easily the best reviews of the week.!!"}, {"response": 1868, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (00:28)", "body": "Tcheky Karyo has a name in France, I think. Found him always very interesting since The Bear. He has a very wide range. In France he is perhaps what CF is in UK. Interesting to see how a local European star makes his way in the US. His choices are not always the best (hated the last half of Addicted to Love). I wonder if he takes roles CF turned down? :-)"}, {"response": 1869, "author": "ommin", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (01:21)", "body": "I would love to have heard C.F.'s comment when Prince Edward chose Earl of Wessex especially as it had not been used since before the Norman conquest of 1066! Anne"}, {"response": 1870, "author": "ommin", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (01:37)", "body": "I have just heard that Sophie, Countess of Wessex is an avid P.and P. fan and her house is to be furnished as in Lyme Park - is this true do you know."}, {"response": 1871, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (02:10)", "body": "Congrats to the new Earl and Countess....seems to me, though that the old Earl wouldn't have given up his title without a bluster, let alone a fight!! ;-) I'm late to all this news. My Doom Has Struck...Both the Library And the C.C. computer lab will be shut down on Sundays, **Sob!**. Riven from my lifeline through no fault of my own!! Happy anniversary, Colin and Livia!! Have a great one, and many more!! Your most important gifts are the good wishes from us all! (I hope I speak for the majority in this.) :-D"}, {"response": 1872, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (05:02)", "body": "(Bethan) Anyone want the Order of the Garter? :-) Put me down for Marchioness of Middle Earth. Don't sell Cruel Intentions short. It's not too bad, although the Cecile character is way too infantile to be believed. Buffy does a good job as the evil and calculating, but sweet on the outside Merteuil. (Renate) hated the last half of Addicted to Love Only the last half?? Really? ;-)"}, {"response": 1873, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (05:33)", "body": "For those of us who *missed* Starship Troopers, here's a pic of Denise Richards, who will play Miranda Frayle in RV:"}, {"response": 1874, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (06:10)", "body": "And The Times weighs in on the Earl of Wessex. Some snippets: \"The fact that the Earl of Wessex was also a character played by Colin Firth (Mr Darcy in a codpiece) in Shakespeare in Love only compounds the banal allure of this olde worlde love-in.\" \"It would be unfair to take the credit for this semantic triumph away from the Queen, but one senses that its real architect is none other than one T. Blair. The Palace has conceded that the Prime Minister had an influence, but this must surely be to underplay a policy decision that has the Never Neverland values of Cool Britannia written all over it.\" \"This way the most glorious of insanities lie. How long before we get a Countess Jilly of Rutshire, a Duke of Ambridge, a Lord Mickey of Mouse? Wessex - inspired? Creative? It's a knockout.\""}, {"response": 1875, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (06:51)", "body": "Oh Karen! How cruel some of those remarks are...and how true. I suppose I cannot now be Marcia-ness of Stonehenge?!"}, {"response": 1876, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (14:09)", "body": "I suppose I cannot now be Marcia-ness of Stonehenge?! Small realm, isn't it? Your ladyship, you really must keep your druid-wannabes in line. Quite a ruckus they caused yesterday. Naked on the stones! Go read an article posted at 34 about men's faces and women's preferences. Very interesting."}, {"response": 1877, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (14:30)", "body": "From the AICN: Saul Zaentz (English Patient) and Anthony Minghella (Jim Henson's The Storyteller), are reuniting on a new project that, as yet, has no title, but sounds mighty strange. The film will be shot from an untitled script by Minghella, which he will not direct, which tells the story of a man who becomes suicidal when he realizes his marriage is kaput. He is stopped from carrying out his impulses by living embodiments of the seven deadly sins who attempt to convince him to live life according to their passions. For the production the Saul Zaentz Co. will partner with The Jim Henson Company in the production which will have a budget in the $30 million range. Brian Henson revealed that the seven deadly sin characters will be realized by a \"mixture of animatronics and CGI.\" Filming is expected to start in late spring or early summer of 2000. ******** Yo, Saul and Tony!! Remember the guy with the transparent face and he's likely available. ;-)"}, {"response": 1878, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (14:35)", "body": "Buffy does a good job as the evil and calculating, but sweet on the outside Merteuil. ] Heh, Buffy;) BTW, I saw the last episode of Buffy that was pulled off the air. I wanted to see Cruel Intentions as did my 8 year old. Nah, didn't think it appropriate for her. However, she has caught glimpses of Valmont many many many times;)"}, {"response": 1879, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (15:22)", "body": "There's no version of Dangerous Liaisons that's appropriate for anyone under 18!! And I've just seen the Vadim modern adaptation from 1960."}, {"response": 1880, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (15:55)", "body": "And I've just seen the Vadim modern adaptation from 1960. ] Um, Vadim? Don't most people associate him with soft porn? I can picture his version of Dangerous Liaison's, hot hot hot!"}, {"response": 1881, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (18:14)", "body": "tells the story of a man who becomes suicidal when he realizes his marriage is kaput. Could this be another cockold script? If he is offered this role, he better keep an eye on Livia. ;-)"}, {"response": 1882, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (18:47)", "body": "Oooh, Karen, those rabble clad in white sheets make me so angry.What a big bunch of baloney they repersent. Why they are allowed to desecrate that most special of places is beyond me. How can one revere something by climbing all over it and standing on the lintels like it was a toy. They make me irrationally furious and I feel the definite urge to dismember a few of the more obnoxious."}, {"response": 1883, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (18:52)", "body": "Colin Firth (Mr Darcy in a cod piece Hmm, according to our press, Mr Darcy sure gets around...we've had Mr Darcy in boxer shorts, Mr Darcy on the stage, Mr Darcy in a cod piece, and no doubt, soon to come, Mr Darcy acquires a Scottish accent and Mr Darcy tilts at windmills! Thanks for the RV pic, Karen. I've been meaning to ask, just how popular now is Julie Andrews in the US? Would a movie with JA in a starring role attract a lot of media attention and a wide release? I think that she's worked mainly in the States for the last decade or more, so we rarely see anything about her over here. (Although she was in \"Hello\" (read it in the haidressers!)...news item about her being awarded an honorary doctorate from Yale. Also a mention of RV, with SF and CF)"}, {"response": 1884, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (19:03)", "body": "I think Julie Andrews would get a good reception. She got a great ovation at the Tony Awards when she sang a bit. She's fairly well-liked in America. Though, more on stage lately than in films."}, {"response": 1885, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (19:46)", "body": "Lo! This topic rapidly approaches 2000. Eek!"}, {"response": 1886, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (20:16)", "body": "(Moon) Could this be another cockold script? Ooops, I didn't even give that a thought. :( If that's the case, I withdraw his name from consideration. Although in the last seven deadly sins movie I saw, the wife's head wound up in a box. (Bethan) just how popular now is Julie Andrews in the US? Would a movie with JA in a starring role attract a lot of media attention and a wide release? No one has seen her for ages. There would be some media attention because she's lost her ability to sing, but not a whole lot of interest. (Laura) She got a great ovation at the Tony Awards when she sang a bit. I wouldn't call what she did at the Tonys singing. It was talk-singing, like Rex Harrison did in My Fair Lady. Speaking of which, that is why she got a great reception. She made her name on Broadway. Also, I'm sure there was a huge element of sympathy. (Laura) I think Julie Andrews would get a good reception. Yeah, they'll be lined up around the block, just like when Angela Lansbury appears in something! ;-p"}, {"response": 1887, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (20:38)", "body": "( Marcia), They make me irrationally furious and I feel the definite urge to dismember a few of the more obnoxious. LOL! Dear Marcianess, you would be doing us a great favour by ridding us of those plebeians. ;-)"}, {"response": 1888, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (21:12)", "body": "You know what, Karen? I'm gonna be in Chicago on the 16th of July!!! So I can't see MLSF then either!!!!! wwwwwwwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)"}, {"response": 1889, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (21:44)", "body": "(Bethan--or shall I say Your Majesty?) Wessex was a giveaway....you seem to have blown my cover I'm glad you have a good sense of humor. Seriously, can't you picture the Queen, after a long, hard day of reign, relaxing in front of a computer screen? Complete with requisite feathery hat, of course. I wonder if the pocketbook gets in the way when she moves the mouse? For the production the Saul Zaentz Co. will partner with The Jim Henson Company in the production which will have a budget in the $30 million range. Brian Henson revealed that the seven deadly sin characters will be realized by a \"mixture of animatronics and CGI.\" I have a vision of the \"seven deadlies\" bearing a strong resemblance to Kermit, Miss Piggy, Elmo, Zoe, Big Bird, etc. (Bethan) and no doubt, soon to come, Mr Darcy acquires a Scottish accent and Mr Darcy tilts at windmills! You bet. I wish they'd get over it, already."}, {"response": 1890, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (23:42)", "body": "(Eileen) I wonder if the pocketbook gets in the way when she moves the mouse? I wonder how the male monarchs could rule Brittania without a purse. ;-) (I'd like to see her with a shoulder-strap bag one day)"}, {"response": 1891, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 1999 (00:52)", "body": "What on earth does she carry in there? OK gang, get out your top 10 lists. 1 Handkerchief 2 Compact 3 Keys 4 Wallet 5 Sugar cubes in case there is a horse nearby 6 ID or Driver's License 7 Chewing gum 8 Sunglasses 9 Dog Biscuits for the errant Corgi 10 Head scarf 11 Prince Philip's pills 12 Notebook for writing store lists 13 Coupons for bargains 14 Snack in case she gets peckish"}, {"response": 1892, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 1999 (00:56)", "body": "15 Credit Cards"}, {"response": 1893, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 1999 (01:00)", "body": "16 Travellers' Cheques 17 Folding Tiara for the unexpected occasions 18 Passport and Visas 19 Silver whistle for summoning Taxis 20 Cellular phone"}, {"response": 1894, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 1999 (02:51)", "body": "She is known never to carry any money. So no wallet or credit cards. (Why are we discussing the Queen here and CF on 72???)"}, {"response": 1895, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 1999 (03:49)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1896, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 1999 (03:59)", "body": "I shall move my lists there. Karen has been stricken speechless. As far as I know, she does not need any of those things, but I forgot to add a roller skate key and a set of Jacks to the collection in case she got bored."}, {"response": 1897, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 1999 (05:02)", "body": "I wanted to let everyone know that \"fever Pitch' was mentioned Sunday night on A & E but, I only caught the last couple of seconds since my three year old was not wanting me to hear ANY of it. Most of you will understand. It had something to do with the Arsenal and a plug for our favorite actor."}, {"response": 1898, "author": "ommin", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 1999 (08:37)", "body": "going back to H.M. As she is not allowed to carry money, I believe it is for show and is always empty!!!!!!"}, {"response": 1899, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 1999 (13:54)", "body": "I believe she carries a big bag of breath mints. ;-)"}, {"response": 1900, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 1999 (14:01)", "body": "...or just a brick, so she can defend herself at all times!;-)"}, {"response": 1901, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 1999 (15:00)", "body": "Harvey W.'s name was in the news last night--something about his new magazine (!) and a rumored tussle with another mag ('George', I think) to have Hillary Clinton on the cover. Seems HW is a \"major contributor\" to the democratic party. Since Hil's running for senate in NY (not formally yet, but if you're breathing you know she's running) I wonder if there's another movie premiere in her future? OK, I doubt it. But I do wonder how much Miramax will promote MLSF. There's been hardly any mention of the movie anywhere thus far."}, {"response": 1902, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 1999 (18:52)", "body": "Marcia, I don't think she is carrying #s 4, 6, 8, 15, 16 or 18. But may I add 21. a safety pin (re: brick) 22. condoms 23. tea bags ? ;-)"}, {"response": 1903, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 1999 (19:19)", "body": "Oh dear, I hope I have not offended, but I know Her Magesty has people to carry and take care of these things for her. That she should need a pocketbook at all is what is incredible. My proposed items were meant to be facetious Gi has suggested in Email that Aspirin might be a good addition!"}, {"response": 1904, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 1999 (19:30)", "body": "Hi its me again with hot hot news, again by accident and I can't believe it is for real, Bethan Allison, Lizza & Ashling will you please confirm. According to Ceefax page 567 page 5/5 \"JacK Dee is to join Stephen Fry, Colin Firth and Mariel Hemingway in Londinium. a comedy about an American actress hoping for UK fame ...etc ....shooting begins this weekend. \" Colin and Stephen Fry again , it must be quite a short shoot if he is to de RV as well. I am so glad he has got a mortgage if he is going to work this hard I just hope he leaves time for BJD. Please Allison Or Bethan tell me I am not imagining it and who is Mariel Hemingway Karen or anyone?"}, {"response": 1905, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 1999 (19:43)", "body": "Well I guess it must be true, here is confirmation in today's Mirror newspaper http://www.mirror.co.uk./ scroll down to The Wright Stuff and it is the first story."}, {"response": 1906, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 1999 (19:53)", "body": "Mariel Hemingway is Ernest Hemingway's Granddaughter and is sister of the late Margaux Hemingway. Actresses, both. More of the glitterati than the thespain type, but I shall be corrected if opinions differ. How exciting - a comedy!!!"}, {"response": 1907, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 1999 (21:17)", "body": "AnnW!! Wonderful that you spotted this information. (have fingers crossed that RV was just a mixup) There are number of a similarities, starting with the fact that both Fry and Colin are mentioned in the cast and that it is about an American actress. Mariel Hemingway is probably best known for Star 80, about Dorothy Stratten, a former Playboy bunny who died, and Personal Best, both of which were made in the early '80s. Isn't Londinium another rather pretentious name for your City (financial district)?"}, {"response": 1908, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 1999 (21:22)", "body": "Just checked the IMDb and Stephen Fry is listed as being in a movie, currently in production (May '99) named, \"Longitude.\" Longitude Londinium Too similar. Think some information is being mauled around here. ;-)"}, {"response": 1909, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 1999 (21:54)", "body": "Found by accident a Jack Dee link. Who is he? http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/Alley/2595/artcrit.html"}, {"response": 1910, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 1999 (22:40)", "body": "Well spotted Ann, but I'm not sure how to react. Jack Dee (British comedian, now more of a straight actor, no movies to his name) and Mariel Hemmingway (not particularly in demand, I would think) in the lead roles, Colin in a supporting role? Why not Colin Firth in the lead role? I'm not sure what he's doing at the moment. I thought RV was a fill-in role, until something better comes along, and Londinium sounds the same. There's actually no reason why he can't do Londinium and RV at the same time, if shoo ing schedules are arrranged. But I'd like to see him in a strong lead dramatic role again !!! And one in which he emphasises his masulinity, rather than obscuring it in a supporting character role. He may also of course be choosing relatively undemanding work if his son is joining him for the school holidays! But, on the bright side, he is working almost continuously (paying that mortgage!)and so we'll see more of him (hopefully)and I have to believe that he'll do BJD. There was a news item on CNN Showbiz News about Nic Cage playing the lead in Captain Corelli. BJD was supposed to be be Working Title's first new project, but it still seems shrouded in secrecy!!"}, {"response": 1911, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 1999 (22:49)", "body": "BTW is it a supporting role? I've assumed it is, but I don't really kmow."}, {"response": 1912, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 1999 (00:56)", "body": "Londinium...Relative Values...One and the same? Another red herring? And what's this on A&E? Rita, was it mostly about Arsenal or did you hear anything about Fever Pitch being released shortly in this country? I'm sure no pictures or you would have mentioned that."}, {"response": 1913, "author": "ommin", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 1999 (02:24)", "body": "P. and P. is coming back to Oz. in a couple of weeks. Hopefully new fans etc. from our far distant land."}, {"response": 1914, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 1999 (02:34)", "body": "Let's add this to this mix: Found this news item at a Stephen Fry website about the British Film Institute commissioning him to star in a new large-format (IMAX) film with the working title London!! The link was to the Prince of Wales' website and here's the article from June 11, 1999. LATEST NEWS 11.6.99: The Prince of Wales wearing high technology 3D glasses when he opened the British Film Institute's London IMAX cinema. The Prince toured the purpose-built cinema and saw its projection facilities. The Prince of Wales opened the British Film Institute's London IMAX cinema, featuring the UK's largest cinema screen, and donned a pair of high technology 3D glasses to see for himself how the state-of-the-art system works. The Prince, BFI Patron, tried on the wrap-around glasses as he talked with BFI chairman Alan Parker. His Royal Highness visited the projection room and saw the controls for the 11,600 watt digital surround-sound system and the special projectors for the large-format extra-clear film.. The 482-seat cinema, built on the South Bank with the help of a \ufffd15 million grant from the Arts Council of England's Lottery Fund, is claimed to have the most sophisticated motion picture projection system in the world. The Prince saw the screen - more than 20 metres high and 26 metres wide - which is designed to make members of the audience feel literally \"in the picture\". His Royal Highness said he found the cinema itself \"spectacular\", and praised the achievement of creating it on a busy traffic roundabout. The cinema will show two dimensional and 3D large-format films appealing to a variety of audiences, including school parties. The BFI has commissioned the making of a brand new large-format film with the working title London, starring the actor and writer Stephen Fry. After the opening ceremony, The Prince of Wales saw a short film in IMAX 3D, and then removed his glasses to watch the world premiere of The Old Man And The Sea. The animated large-format - but 'two-dimensional' - film was based on the short story by Ernest Hemingway, with a live-action prologue depicting events which influenced the author's work. [etcetera etcetera] ******* OK, this article has Fry's name, London, and even Hemingway in it, albeit a different one! ;-) But imagine Colin on an IMAX screen!! Holy moly!! Give me oxygen!! Now, I ask you who are you going to believe? The Mirror or the Prince of Wales? http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/news/news_1.html"}, {"response": 1915, "author": "ommin", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 1999 (02:42)", "body": "Checked online BBC it is mentioned that Jackie Dee will join Stephen Fry, Colin Firth and Merial Hemmingway in Londoninium. Will be shown in cinemas next year it continues."}, {"response": 1916, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 1999 (02:56)", "body": "You're right, Anne. How could I have missed it...followed the article about the sicko Austin Powers dolls or was that the sicko woman from Georgia (I think the Tarzan doll's hand movements are funnier) This is all so confusing!! My head aches. :("}, {"response": 1917, "author": "livamago", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 1999 (03:21)", "body": "Who is Jackie Dee? It does not look well for our chances of seeing this movie to have Mariel Hemingway as the 'star'...sob..."}, {"response": 1918, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 1999 (03:21)", "body": "Can you imagine P&P2 on IMAX?! They would have to have life guards for the Tsunami of Drool that would generate!"}, {"response": 1919, "author": "ommin", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 1999 (05:38)", "body": "Going back to what the Queen carries in her handbag, on good authority I have found out she carries a hook to attach her handbag to the table when dining to avoid it falling off her lap. If they showed P&P2 on IMAX I sense the hospitals would be full of Drool participants suffering from severe heart failure!! That look across to the piano - imagine what they would generate."}, {"response": 1920, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 1999 (07:00)", "body": "I am inclined to think these are two different films, didn't we read somewhere that Julie Andrews had been interviewed and confirmed RV with SF & CF. A lovely thought indeed Colin on an IMAX screen, WOW. BTW it is Jack Dee and he is a popular stand-up comedian in this country. I quite like the idea also that it is a comedy. Hi Rita thanks for the FP news and did you get my email?"}, {"response": 1921, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 1999 (07:01)", "body": "I've read that HRH uses the handbag to signal when she wants to go somewhere to refresh her lipstick :-). ------- Looks like ODB enjoys being around London for a while, perhaps settling into the new home, now that the speakers (expr?) are safely up, hopefully. ;-)"}, {"response": 1922, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 1999 (07:33)", "body": "I'm sure RV and Londinium are different, and also, re-reading, Colin could have a starring role (not support!) Jack Dee is very droll, deadpan, funny. He did a stint on stage in the West End recently (in \"Art\") and got good reviews. He comes from Winchester, like Colin. Londinium could be a good project. I agree... looks loke he wants to be in and around London for the summer!"}, {"response": 1923, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 1999 (07:41)", "body": "Renate, we are being facetious about the Queen's handbag, but please call her Her Majesty, not Her Royal Highness! You Republicans... ;-)"}, {"response": 1924, "author": "ommin", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 1999 (11:01)", "body": "I did call her H.M. but we are almost republican in Oz. We have a referendum in Nov. to decide whether to stay monarchis or go republican. Its a difficult decision for a 'pom'. It will be interesting to find out exactly what Colin is up to. Perhaps Livia wants to get her home to her way. As you say speakers! apart."}, {"response": 1925, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 1999 (15:50)", "body": "Londinium is the old Roman name for the city. Read all about it in the book \"London\" (wonderful read). The Albemarle site has a blurb on \"Three Days of Rain\" with a picture. Looks like we will get a poster this time. http://www.albemarle-london.com/news.html"}, {"response": 1926, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 1999 (17:19)", "body": "but please call her Her Majesty, not Her Royal Highness! Excuse my ignorance, but what's the difference? Germany hasn't been a monarchy for a while. :-)"}, {"response": 1927, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 1999 (18:05)", "body": "Re: Londinium, if there is a romantic male lead in it, I have to believe it would be Colin rather than Stephen Fry or Jack Dee! Echoing what Moon (I think) once said, why must every project ODB does be shrouded in mystery:-)"}, {"response": 1928, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 1999 (20:05)", "body": "A romantic lead for Colin? How shall we bare it? * colapsing in shock * What Joy! What Bliss!"}, {"response": 1929, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 1999 (21:18)", "body": "re Londinium, sorry to be a party pooper but it says it is a comedy not a romantic comedy as was Fever Pitch."}, {"response": 1930, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 1999 (21:33)", "body": "Also thanks Chris (Luvvy)for the 3DOR information, I see the top price for an evening performance at the weekend is now \ufffd30, matinees \ufffd18.90, we were really lucky to get to see Colin so cheaply in March, but don't be put off it is worthy every penny. I wonder hnw the poetry reading went this evening!!!"}, {"response": 1931, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 1999 (22:44)", "body": "Well, Evelyn should be in OK by now, but she won't be online until tomorrow. I haven't spoken to her yet, as she hadn't checked into the airport hotel when I called. Will try later. WELCOME HOME EVELYN!! We are dying to hear all about your latest gathering of Droolites! Re: Higher prices at Donmar. Does that mean Colin will get a raise? ;-) He is drawing them in from across the ocean by the planeload!!"}, {"response": 1932, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 1999 (23:14)", "body": "Yes, the Donmar prices have soared! \"By popular demand\"...sounds good! I think that this time 3DOR will attract quite a media buzz. Londinium...thanks again Ann. You're our star CF news spotter....Ceefax seems to be an excellent source! After an initial downbeat reaction because I mis-read the information, I think this could be a good one. Wasn't Mariel Hemingway recently in Deconstructing Harry (Woody Allen)? She seems to have been working consistently, but not at superstar level. She looks like her famous grandpa (same shape of face). And I like both Jack Dee and Stephen Fry. Jack Dee is rather Jack Benny-ish (not that I ever saw th original Jack Benny shows...just some clips!)...always very deadpan and gloomy. Londinium refers to the original Roman London, the area now covered by the City of London (the commercial centre). Anyone care to guess the plot? With an actress and a screenwriter as characters, it could be a humorous take on the film world. Maybe \"Londinium\" is a movie epic set in Roman times, a movie within a movie. What role for CF though? And yes, the poetry reading..must have just finished! Welcome back Evelyn!"}, {"response": 1933, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Jun 25, 1999 (00:27)", "body": "[Her Majesty, not Her Royal Highness] Excuse my ignorance, but what's the difference? HRH is a title for everybody else in the Royal Family except HM. Higher prices at Donmar. Does that mean Colin will get a raise? The cast probably worked for just a standard wage previously (about \ufffd250 a week) and this time, owing to the success of the play, they may have negotiated a deal, e.g. a percentage of the takings in addition."}, {"response": 1934, "author": "ommin", "date": "Fri, Jun 25, 1999 (01:09)", "body": "I was wondering going back to new Earl of Wessex etc. whether our man was invited since his wife is so fond of P. and P. does anyone know?"}, {"response": 1935, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Jun 25, 1999 (01:19)", "body": "I'll be more than happy to see Colin in two new films next year, whatever they're called. The trouble is, Mariel Hemingway is a terrible actress. And hasn't her voice been compared to Minnie Mouse's? I know some of you are getting nervous as we approach 1999 (and I don't mean the millenium). I'm starting a new Colin Firth topic tomorrow. You can keep posting here, of course, but beware...the last CF topic refused to budge beyond 1,999 posts."}, {"response": 1936, "author": "ommin", "date": "Fri, Jun 25, 1999 (01:29)", "body": "I don't like the sound of that voice. Perhaps it will fit the plot - being a comedy - I hope she won't be C.F.'s love interest if there is one."}, {"response": 1937, "author": "ommin", "date": "Fri, Jun 25, 1999 (05:14)", "body": "A query - is Relative Values a certainty - a friend suggested they were being made at the same time - I wonder if it has fallen through?"}, {"response": 1938, "author": "ommin", "date": "Fri, Jun 25, 1999 (05:14)", "body": "A query - is Relative Values a certainty - a friend suggested they were being made at the same time - I wonder if it has fallen through?"}, {"response": 1939, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jun 25, 1999 (06:10)", "body": "Anne, I wish I knew. We seem to be the only ones awake at this hour. I will also be delighted to see CF in two movies next year. I would be happy to see any of his movies on the big screen! Well, perhaps a few exceptions...;)"}, {"response": 1940, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Jun 25, 1999 (16:54)", "body": "Found this on Yahoo. Perhaps there's a chance yet that Colin may hit Broadway:-) NEW YORK (Variety) - In a deal that portends further transfers of English theatrical hits to Broadway, producers Anita Waxman and Elizabeth Williams have inked a first-look deal with London's white-hot Donmar Warehouse, starting with it's current production of ``The Real Thing'' by Tom Stoppard. The Warehouse has seen three recent productions move to Broadway as hits, and two transferred courtesy of Waxman and Williams' Four Corners Prods. banner. ...Waxman and Williams will now get the exclusive first shot ``at anything that was performed under the Donmar's roof,'' said Caro Newling, executive producer at the Donmar."}, {"response": 1941, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 25, 1999 (18:13)", "body": "...Waxman and Williams will now get the exclusive first shot ``at anything that was performed under the Donmar's roof,'' Does that mean with or without Livia's approval? ;-) I want that kind of deal!! Excellent news, Susan. Colin potentially in New York...on Broadway. Wonder if this cast wants to do it. That can be a major commitment of time and what if a great script comes his way. OK, I'm daydreaming... Spoke to the travel-worn Evelyn this morning. Poor dear had horrible delays coming and going. She'll pop in later when she gets home."}, {"response": 1942, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jun 25, 1999 (20:54)", "body": "(SusanMC)Perhaps there's a chance yet that Colin may hit Broadway:-) *Virtually crossing my fingers and toes* but 3DOR, a play about New Yorkers, might ruffle some feathers with a cast of two Brits and an expatriate American. At the start of this past B'way season, I read in the NY Times that there's alot of resentment (by American stage actors) towards this sort of thing. I don't think the audience would care but the actors'union might (controversy = good publicity!). The play already had a NY run--albeit off B'way. It looks promising that we will see Ms. Ehle, thoug ! Sorry to see that no one could make it to the poetry reading :-( (Heide) Mariel Hemingway is a terrible actress Remember that TV series she did? Pew! But I do think she's improved over the years; I give her credit for being the only one in the family with her head on straight (RIP Margeaux). \"Eagle eyes\" Ann strikes again! Good pickup! (SusanMC) Echoing what Moon (I think) once said, why must every project ODB does be shrouded in mystery:-) I think it's because we've got such excellent slueths who spot CF info in the early stages, before the details can be sorted out. I'm presently scratching my head about the two movies (Londoninium and RV) being made almost simultaneously. ???? (Karen)Does that mean with or without Livia's approval? ;-) I want that kind of deal!! Heehee! Anything that was performed, not anything [one] who performed!! We'd all stand in line for that deal :-D Welcome home, Evelyn. We missed you."}, {"response": 1943, "author": "AnneR", "date": "Fri, Jun 25, 1999 (22:01)", "body": "Interesting news about Waxman and Williams, Susan. Thank you. I hope The Real Thing does come over here--I'm dying to see it. But I can't see 3DoR coming over. It's already had a New York production, you know, a couple of years ago. The Donmar's was the first British production of any of Richard Greenberg's plays, but 3D has already been seen in L.A., Chicago, Toronto, Boston and San Diego in addition to N.Y. Greenberg said in a recent interview that the play was \"catnip to the regions.\" The Warehouse has seen three recent productions move to Broadway as hits . . . Actually, I can think of four: Electra, Cabaret, Closer and The Blue Room."}, {"response": 1944, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jun 25, 1999 (22:34)", "body": "Sorry to see that no one could make it to the poetry reading :-( Someone did. Hopefully there'll be a report at one of the websites soon. ( Heide) Mariel Hemingway is a terrible actress Well, as it's a comedy, maybe she has to be a \"terrible actress\". Jennifer Tilly has an \"awful\" voice but it suits the parts she plays. I think \"Londinium\" has a very strong male cast (no complaints!) , but the choice of the female lead seemed rather odd! I'd like more details...writer, director, plot? I'm a bit dubious about 3DOR travelling back to the US. But didn't Colin tell someone at the Donmar(who asked him about his future work) that it was mainly the UK, but could be perhaps New York. Hopefully he'll do more work at the Donmar, maybe in something that could travel. But I also read that the Actors Union in the US is currently very much against the influx of British actors, because of the very high unemployment amongst US stage actors."}, {"response": 1945, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 25, 1999 (23:23)", "body": "Saw the poster for My Life So Far...on a wall...at a movie today!!! I talked to the manager, but he said he didn't know until a week before what movies they are getting. So I asked what happens to the posters afterward? He said he takes some home and sends the rest back to their corporate HQ. He took my name and number and will contact me when this one comes down. Looks like a new printing of the one I have because I don't recall the line with \"visit the Miramax cafe at ....\" printed on the bottom. Before \"An Ideal Husband,\" there were about 4 trailers for Miramax films but not... argh!! I want to see it on the big screen."}, {"response": 1946, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 26, 1999 (00:18)", "body": "I just saw \"An Ideal Husband,\" and was also hoping to see the preview of MLSF, but no such luck. :-( I hope we see something about the poetry reading soon, I am already packing and would like to leave with some news. Of course, the comfirmation of a couple of films would be ideal. Thank you for all the different tidbits posted above. Welcome back Evelyn, we want to hear all about JE and the play. Too bad you missed the poetry reading!"}, {"response": 1947, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sat, Jun 26, 1999 (01:37)", "body": "Any news on Relative Values - I read the other day it was only possible."}, {"response": 1948, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jun 26, 1999 (02:12)", "body": "Anne, I agree, I'm beginning to wonder too if Relative Values is a sure thing. You'd think you'd hear more about Julie Andrews' return to film if it were. Makes me appreciate Londinium even more even with Mariel. The only reason to go to a movie these dull summer days is to sit on pins an needles hoping against hope that the MLSF trailer will be shown. Then you may as well go home. I've started Topic 119. Any brave souls who wish to continue here may certainly do so. I'll wait a bit to freeze it. EVELYN!! You've been away too long but I wish you had stayed in London just a day longer. ;-) And Moon, we'll miss you."}, {"response": 1949, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Jun 26, 1999 (19:09)", "body": "WELCOME BACK, EVELYN!! I pray that you of the magic connections can get to the bottom of this ongoing mishmash. We want the truth!!! :-b"}, {"response": 1950, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 26, 1999 (21:44)", "body": "Is there any way someone can get in touch with Evelyn and ask if it's possible for her to stay an extra day? I'm sure she'd be very upset to miss a golden opportunity to see Colin live. Hey Guys.....I'm sorry to let you down....but if it would have been Wednesday night, I would have gone (Yessss, even would have skipped my 4th time at The Real Thing....[could have sold the ticket for 50 Quid!!])But was leaving on Thursday...impossible to change plane reservations.Ann W, was a dear to inform me.Am so proud of ODB for taking an activist stand!! **** Read all the 320 postings since I left. Glad some people stood up for FF. (I like Joe Prince...like Winter said:\"You could be sure he'd be there in the morning\". **** Great news about all of Colin's new projects.If only someone would take his great acting skills seriously. ***** Thanks for all the good wishes...I really missed all of you.Good to be back...although I'm already starting to make plans for the January 15th Spring Reunion at the Donmar.Tickets for TRT were 24 UKP...30 UKP is getting up there with the West End.I hope Colin is getting a raise!! **** Welcome to the newbies, and Anne Rosen :-)....you've been away too long. ****"}, {"response": 1951, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jun 26, 1999 (21:53)", "body": "Yes welcome Anne and everyone, the more the merrier. Hope you have recovered from jet-lag Evelyn, thanks for the signed JE programme."}, {"response": 1952, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jun 26, 1999 (22:42)", "body": "Am posting at 119."}, {"response": 1953, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sun, Jun 27, 1999 (09:03)", "body": "Will post at 119 too. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 1183, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 119, "subject": "Colin Firth (Part 5)", "response_count": 1982, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Jun 26, 1999 (19:00)", "body": "Thank you, Heide, for being so prompt this time. Now I need not fear having my pearls of wisdom cut off by a topic with dyspepsia! Now if we could only get some solid confirmations of what the DB is supposed to be doing, when, and where, I would be content! :-["}, {"response": 2, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jun 26, 1999 (22:39)", "body": "I'd be more or less certain that he's doing both Londinium and RV. BBC Online is very reliable, and if it says that the filming starts this weekend, then I guess he must be back at work (great weather this weekend). I see no reason why he can't do both, even if there's an overlap. Part of the filming for RV is in the South of France and \"Peter\" won't be in these scenes. BTW the producer of RV was one of the school\"boys\" in Another Country. RV has American backing (money) and Londinium seems scheduled for release next year, and may also (because of the story line) have US backing. At least we will get to see them, hopefully on both sides of the Atlantic. I've come to the conclusion that there's almost no point nowadays in appearing in British films (even if well reviewed) because so many just get single screen releases and then disappear into oblivion! But I'm still waiting to see him in the dramatic role he deserves! Welcome back Evelyn! I'm very glad that both JE and CF have got such well deserved recognition for their stage work. And I'm also pleased that the prices for 3DOR have been raised. I think it will be taken more seriously as a \"must-see\" event if tickets are \ufffd30, not \ufffd8! And hopefully CF's name will be listed in the billing!"}, {"response": 3, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jun 27, 1999 (01:03)", "body": "If anyone is concerned about reading spoilers for My Life So Far on our regular topics, I'll gladly make a new topic for the lucky few who will see it in a few weeks. Your thoughts? My thinking about Relative Values is that the fact that Julie Andrews is working again would make some news in the States and I have heard not a peep. Makes me wonder if the project has fallen through. Im sure we'll find out soon enough. And hopefully CF's name will be listed in the billing! That would be a nice change. I wonder too if The Secret Laughter of Women will still be listed under Colin's credits in the program."}, {"response": 4, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jun 27, 1999 (03:28)", "body": "You asked for our thoughts on a separate spoilers topic for MLSF: I will read it anyway. Just as I did SiL before I saw it the first time. I am eager enough to know more about his work than I am to be caught up in the story. It just might be the best way for me to get a good idea of the film while waiting for it to get to Hilo. Wherever you put it, I shall go there and read =)"}, {"response": 5, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 27, 1999 (03:53)", "body": "From the Sunday Times: Shakespeare in Love gave prince his title by Christopher Morgan IN THE film, Wessex is insufferable, but Prince Edward had the idea for his new title, the Earl of Wessex, after seeing the fictional character during a private screening of Shakespeare in Love with Sophie Rhys-Jones, it can now be revealed. He proposed the title, which has lain dormant since the death of King Harold in 1066, to the Queen after courtiers had prevaricated for months. They had ruled against his first choice, the Duke of Cambridge, saying it was too senior a title for Edward, who is seventh in line to the throne. Officials also felt that the creation of a new dukedom, the highest-ranking tier of the peerage, would be out of kilter with proposed reform of the House of Lords. The Queen has accepted that existing royal dukes will lose their seats. \"It was an ingenious solution that luckily satisfied both parties,\" said a palace source. The Oscar-winning film, which has grossed \ufffd175m worldwide, is a fictional account of attempts by the Elizabethan playwright - played by Joseph Fiennes - to woo Viola (Gwyneth Paltrow), who is to be married to the charmless Lord Wessex (played by Colin Firth). Anybody who has seen the film might be forgiven for thinking that Wessex, one of the most memorable screen villains for years, is a less than appropriate role model for the Queen's youngest son. When discussing marriage and Viola, he asks her father: \"Is she fertile? Is she obedient?\" Shortly afterwards, having been kept waiting by Viola, he is told she is praying. \"Piety is for Sunday,\" he retorts. \"It would be better if she got off her knees and showed some servility to her lord and master.\" After coldly telling her that her father has agreed to their marriage, he tells her to \"be submissive, modest and grateful\" when she meets the Queen, who has approved the marriage. Kept waiting again by Viola, he orders her maid \"to produce her, with or without her undergarments\". Seeing Shakespeare dance with Viola, he puts a knife to the playwright's throat and accuses him of \"coveting his property\". He subsequently vows to kill Christopher Marlowe, whom he is led to believe is his bride-to-be's lover. Stanley Wells, professor of Shakespeare studies at Birmingham University, says: \"Edward may have identified with the glamorous Firth, but otherwise I can't see any similarity between the two Wessexes.\" Firth, best-known as the dashing Darcy in the 1995 BBC production of Pride and Prejudice, has pointed out that his Wessex was \"not a particularly lovable creature\". Edward, whose television production company Ardent has made several historical documentaries, such as Crown and Country, \"thoroughly enjoyed the film\". According to a source close to the prince, however, \"it was the title - not the totally fictitious character portrayed in the film - that impressed him. He was aware that, by calling himself Wessex, he was forging a direct link between the House of Windsor and the country's first Anglo-Saxon kings\". In about 1018 Godwine, chief adviser to King Canute, was created Earl of Wessex. On his death the earldom passed to his son Harold, who was killed at the Battle of Hastings. The film, which is to be released on video in August, focuses on two of the themes closest to Edward's heart: British history and the theatre. After gaining A-levels in history and English literature, Edward taught both subjects at Collegiate School in Wanganui, New Zealand. After initially opting to read archeology and anthropology at Cambridge, he switched to history, but is best remembered at university for his keen interest in drama. He went on to join Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Company. \"The Queen was initially somewhat taken aback by Edward's suggestion,\" said a Buckingham Palace source. \"But Edward made an effective case for taking the title.\" Harvey Weinstein, who bankrolled Shakespeare In Love, was unavailable for comment this weekend, but a source at Miramax said: \"He will be thrilled to learn he may have influenced the course of British history.\" In addition to the Wessex name, Edward and his wife, a public relations executive, have also been given the titles of Viscount and Viscountess Severn, in honour of her Welsh roots. On the death of his father, Edward will move two rungs up the peerage to become Duke of Edinburgh, which would make Sophie the duchess."}, {"response": 6, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sun, Jun 27, 1999 (09:13)", "body": "\"I am going to claim to be related to the Earl of Wessex\" my grandmother's name was Godwine cheeky I know but I also have an affinity with MLSF I believe the name of the house was Harewood - that was my maiden name. Cheek I know but I couldn't resist it. At 6.00p.m. our time Pride and Prejudice is back on screen. But I am not allowed to watch it - my husband said under no circumstances, you have the video!! unfortunately - but they are showing trailors during the week so I put up with that."}, {"response": 7, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jun 27, 1999 (15:58)", "body": "Thanks for the Article, Karen! I for one, am against the proposed reform of the House of Lords. The Queen should not have accepted it. The future Duke of Edinborough would have been an asset to the House of Lords. It is very cute to say that he may identify with the glamorous Firth. Arrivederci to all my friends in Firthland, see in Aug. Stay well and have a great summer. :-D"}, {"response": 8, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun 27, 1999 (16:05)", "body": "Bye Moon...we'll miss you. Say hi to Jennifer for me and hey keep an eye out for ODB in Italy. Thanks Karen....yeah, yeah...sure he identified solely with the historical character!!"}, {"response": 9, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jun 27, 1999 (17:40)", "body": "Cheerio Moon, have a good hoiday and come back safely. Look forward to hearing what you think of the play when you return. BFN."}, {"response": 10, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 27, 1999 (23:58)", "body": "Blip on the radar screen!! I've just received word that a friend in San Diego actually saw the MLSF trailer in a theater yesterday. Hoorah!!! It preceded \"An Ideal Husband.\" She said that the buzz was good about it and she especially liked the little bits with Fraser and brandy snifter of milk and the cigar in the library. In fact, as soon as it started, she knew what movie it was. Wouldn't we all? ;-D"}, {"response": 11, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Jun 28, 1999 (00:27)", "body": "Hi all: Thanks to Jolanta and Martine, I have a description of Colin (looks) and Colin (performance) at Jongleurs on the News Page. Murph"}, {"response": 12, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 28, 1999 (01:50)", "body": "Bless you, Murph. Don't know what we'd do without you!! Thank you Jolanta and Martine for the on-the-spot- report."}, {"response": 13, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 28, 1999 (03:20)", "body": "Mary, thanks for posting Jolanta's and Martine's story from Jongleurs. Now, why can't I write in Ross for your survey (especially for the house question and the last one)? ;-)"}, {"response": 14, "author": "ommin", "date": "Mon, Jun 28, 1999 (05:38)", "body": "Yes my thanks to you Mary, Jolanta and Martine the description was great, you could almost feel yourself there. One day perhaps...."}, {"response": 15, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jun 28, 1999 (06:34)", "body": "Thanks Mary. Oh lovely, a goatee beard, that must befor Londiniun but I can't see it working for RV, hope he doesn't shave off the goateee and leave just the moustache, please anything but just a moustache!!"}, {"response": 16, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jun 28, 1999 (18:48)", "body": "Thanks for the Jongleurs link, Murph! Pencil-slim goatees are very much in fashion at the moment (and look good!) so perhaps he's playing an \"attractive\" character in Londinium! Hope that someone told Harvey about the Wessex connection....you see, even in a supporting role Colin can change the face of constitutional history. :-) Glad that MLSF has finally reached the trailer stage. Coupling it with An Ideal Husband makes sense. I wonder what sort of promotion it will get...the big guns (Eyes Wide Shut) will be out in force and will get acres of coverage. But will Middle America rush to see EWS? I was reading a review by Alexander Walker (buddy of Kubrick).He praised it, but the content (explicit sex, necrophilia, murder) sounded distasteful. Films can be \"good\" but not very watchable. What sort of promotion did AIH get? Did RE give interviews? Perhaps MEM will cover MLSF as Colin will be filming in the UK. Enjoy Italia, Moon!"}, {"response": 17, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jun 28, 1999 (19:05)", "body": "I'll add my thanks to Jolanta and Martine for attending and to Murph for posting their observations so timely! Anybody who has seen the film might be forgiven for thinking that Wessex, one of the most memorable screen villains for years Thanks for the article, Karen. It was nice to read this even though it's been nearly seven months since SiL opened in the US. Thanks to Edward (not QE as we originally thought--she's too busy playing with the Gameboy she keeps in her pocketbook) for the free CF publicity!!"}, {"response": 18, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jun 28, 1999 (19:11)", "body": "and so much of it, tons more than when the film first came out, its quite ironical really, but as long as it keeps him in in the limelight then that is all that matters. I must say is sounds as if Colin is even more gorgeous that ever and he says he is too old to play the romantic lead, who is he kidding, according to Jolanta & Martine he looks younger and younger, and I thought he looked younger six months ago, how young can you get. I do like the idea of a goatee beard, very droolable."}, {"response": 19, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 28, 1999 (20:34)", "body": "(Bethan)What sort of promotion did AIH get? Miramax did their usual ..flying journalists from each big city to Hollywood where they got to interview the stars, director etc. We had one in our paper. ** Did RE give interviews? Yes...was a little miffed...because the reporters kept asking about his gay status and how it would impact his straight romantic role....\"I am an actor\", he replied testily.Julianne Moore and Mini Driver came to his defense and said what a romantic guy he is..... Perhaps MEM will cover MLSF as Colin will be filming in the UK. That's what you think!! This is not MEM movie...it's Colin's. The success of the film rests on his shoulders.....if Harvey says \"Here\" I betcha he'll be there!! *** I called my local Miramax rep this morning and he said we would get MLSF on July 30. I asked if Miramax was planning a press conference with the stars....he assured me they would as this is the usual Miramax protocol; he is going to find out as to when, where and with whom. Don't hold your breath....after SLOW, I'm getting cynical."}, {"response": 20, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 28, 1999 (21:39)", "body": "Re: Middle America and EWS How does the cover of Time magazine strike you? Next week's has bare-skinned Tom and Nicole. Title: \"Cruise & Kidman Like You've Never Seen Them\" Exclusive. Hollywood's top couple on EWS and our look at Stanley Kubrick's haunting final masterpiece.\" Publicity about it is everywhere, which is amazing given the subject matter. Oh well, WE will rush off to see a quaint story about a little boy in Scotland who has one helluva gorgeous father and whose little pinkie can outact all of the Cruises. ;-)"}, {"response": 21, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 28, 1999 (21:53)", "body": "Evelyn sent me a packet full of news clippings. One from TVTimes has portions of its 100 Greatest Television Shows. P&P came in 31. Here's the writeup: \"What was the sexiest moment ever on British TV? It wasn't about bare bottoms, smackeroony kisses or a sweaty couple working out under the duvet. It was the delectable Darcy, the man who kept his trousers on to emerge dripping from the lake in that electrifying scene in Pride and Prejudice, putting it at 31 in our Top 100 list. \"It was called the 'Darcy phenomenon' by the BBC and millions of viewers were seduced every week by the charms of Colin Firth as the brooding hero. \"How did he manage to set the screen alight? Andrew Davies, who wrote the \ufffd6 million series, explains: 'Colin's smouldering glances hinted at much more than desire -- there was a vulnerability and loneliness there that must have had a lot of women fastasising about how happy they might make him.' \"Never have actors been so sexy with their clothes on!\""}, {"response": 22, "author": "livamago", "date": "Mon, Jun 28, 1999 (22:30)", "body": "[T]here that must have had a lot of women fastasising about how happy they might make him.' Ohhhh, yes..."}, {"response": 23, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jun 28, 1999 (23:00)", "body": "\"Never have actors been so sexy with their clothes on!\" Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, please note! (BTW perceptive comments by Andrew Davies) I'm just wondering why Miramax, after delaying the release of MLSF for nearly a year, chose to let it open in the same week as EWS. After waiting so long, another couple of weeks wouldn't matter. Or are they really being clever and thinking that there may be some women out there who appreciate that sex appeal isn't always sex! On EWS, am I the only one who thinks there may be something rather voyeuristic about this movie? But I hope that MLSF gets some coverage (maybe a paragraph in Time Mag!). And of course, whatever week it opened, there would have been a Big Movie to contend with! I was impressed by Colin's choice of Ovid. (Who reads Ovid these days?) A highly appropriate choice. Maybe Livia's influence. At the height of his fame, Ovid was falsely accused of high treason, on the grounds that he had had an affair with Julia, the licentious daughter of the Emperor Augustus and his wife Livia. Ovid was banished into exile. He wrote repeatedly begging to return as he found the pain of exile unendurable (the theme of his poem \"Tristia\"). He was never pardoned and died after ten years o exile...rumour had it that he committed suicide because he couldn't bear the thought of never seeing his family or friends again. That's cheered you all up (!)...but it's a very good choice of material. I'm keeping my eyes open for news of \"Londinium\"....the title intrigues me. What is the connection with Roman Britain?"}, {"response": 24, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jun 28, 1999 (23:10)", "body": "I have just been to an upcoming release dates site and apparently MLSF has been brought forward to the 14th July instead of the 16th, is this a good or bad thing, will it not get missed being released on a Wednesday instead of the usual Friday. Bethan have you any plans to telephoen Miramax again, they told me to ring in a few weeks' time, I really can't see why we have to wait so long to see it."}, {"response": 25, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 1999 (00:07)", "body": "Welcome back, Evelyn! Can't wait to see the pictures. I haven't posted in a while... just back from Rhode Island, and am in the midst of job interviews, reading for PhD exams, etc... good to see the boards active despite that the summer is already here (in our hemisphere, anyway). (Bethan)What sort of promotion did AIH get? (Evelyn) Miramax did their usual ..flying journalists from each big city to Hollywood where they got to interview the stars, director etc. We had one in our paper. I didn't want to jinx my chances by saying anything-- but I sent my resume to Miramax in L.A.. They're currently seeking someone to fill an administrative position in their promotions department! Keeping fingers crossed..."}, {"response": 26, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 1999 (01:11)", "body": "(Winter) Evelyn! Can't wait to see the pictures. Hate to disappoint you...\"I ain't got none\".Lots of clippings though and borchures.BTW Jennifer is featured in the July UK Harpers.I brought home a suitcase full. **** Denise Richards who is scheduled to play Miranda in RV is on the cover of the July Movieline...big interview. She sounds like an airhead. **** You will all be happy to know that I picked up my own copy of the FP screenplay. Am I the only one had a problem hearing some of the dialogue.Paul Ashford really mumbled.The screenplay makes the film a little more civilized!!!"}, {"response": 27, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 1999 (01:33)", "body": "(Evelyn) She sounds like an airhead. She is an airhead. Worst choice for \"flavor of the month\" actress if there ever was one."}, {"response": 28, "author": "ommin", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 1999 (01:34)", "body": "I am in some difficulty, I find I have to write before I can see what has been written recently and of course what I have to say will sometimes appear out of joint. Advice please"}, {"response": 29, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 1999 (02:32)", "body": "AnneH, we have a help board (had forgotten about it until Lidya used it this afternoon). It is #61. Or you can email us at nomdedrool@yahoo.com. Sounds like you need to change your \"display preferences\" on the main drool page to all/new. This should be your bookmark for that page: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/drool/all/new Or if you bookmark each topic, then it would be like this one: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/119/new With this setting, you will get new messages since the last time you logged in. When you enter a new message, sometimes the one before it will also show up. That's normal. However, you should be seeing all the new messages when you bring up these topics. If this doesn't help, contact us. *********** How exciting Jenn!! Sounds like \"An Ideal Match\"!! You and Miramax. Good luck. Hope you get it. (Evelyn) Am I the only one had a problem hearing some of the dialogue. Paul Ashford really mumbled. No, I remember asking for many clarifications and so did others. Yes, the screenplay really helps...and it has lots of pictures!! Even more worthwhile. ;-)"}, {"response": 30, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 1999 (11:46)", "body": "Wonderful! A quiet moment with my PC! I have been furtively lurking these past few weeks without a moment to really think straight enough to post anything sensible. 'Colin's smouldering glances hinted at much more than desire -- there was a vulnerability and loneliness there that must have had a lot of women fastasising about how happy they might make him.' Well done Andrew Davis. Finally someone has said something sensible about Darcy Mania. If it was all down to tight trousers and wet shirts, the television watching female would swoon evey time she turned on the set! I have been wondering where Londinium is being filmed? BTW are we to call it \"L\" now? It must be in London somewhere. I shall keep my eyes peeled. I have also been wondering about Colin's long sojourn in London. He has been here all year (apart from Scotland for a few weeks). Do you think Livia is working? Maybe that is why. I wonder when he gets to see Will? Idle speculation, I know, but can't help wondering. Also, Evelyn, we are seeing TRT next week. I saw it the first time round and was not that impressed with the play. It has obviously been transformed by JE and the great atmosphere of the Donmar."}, {"response": 31, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 1999 (11:48)", "body": "Sorry!"}, {"response": 32, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 1999 (11:49)", "body": "How do I put this right?"}, {"response": 33, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 1999 (11:49)", "body": "How do I put this right?"}, {"response": 34, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 1999 (12:59)", "body": "You must close the italic tag, which I have just done. Trust me, ladies. It is now done."}, {"response": 35, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 1999 (13:45)", "body": "OK, we can't rule out a Boorman pic yet. Item in the Hollywood Reporter says that Boorman is collaborating with John Le Carre on the screenplay for \"The Tailor of Panama,\" but: \"speaking at the Munich Film Festival, where he was promoting his latest film 'The General,' said 'Tailor' is one of three projects he is developing parallel to his preproduction work on Columbia Pictures' yet-to-be-cast 'The Sea Wolf.'\" So The Sea Wolf hasn't been cast yet and he has three other projects in the mix. I've said before that I think Colin would be suited to a spy thriller/espionage type film...a Le Carre or Ludlum. ;-D"}, {"response": 36, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 1999 (14:16)", "body": "(Allison) Evelyn, we are seeing TRT next week. I saw it the first time round and was not that impressed with the play. It has obviously been transformed by JE and the great atmosphere of the Donmar. I shall be eager to hear your review and comments.(Pl. post them on #72. This is Colin's board...and I always feel I am infringing on his turf). Also, Allison, pay attention to the pop songs , lyrics...and black out music. It's all part of the dialogue,though unspoken...(That tricky Stoppard). JE and SD together make this play."}, {"response": 37, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 1999 (15:40)", "body": "Here, here, I also look forward to hearing your opinion of this production."}, {"response": 38, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 1999 (17:49)", "body": "(Karen) So The Sea Wolf hasn't been cast yet and he has three other projects in the mix. What do you make of the fact that Boorman also went to see JE at the Donmar? Perhaps he has a part in mind for her as well? (CF and JE costarring in a Boorman production -- in our dreams?) Or maybe it was Dillane he was scouting:-)."}, {"response": 39, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 1999 (21:42)", "body": "Boorman also went to see JE at the Donmar Like you said maybe he went to see SD after all those spectacular reviews. Boorman had two other men with him...but they didn't look like movie moguls. Perhaps Allison will recognize others in the audience. It was definitely a British audience.And lots of people greeted each other."}, {"response": 40, "author": "ommin", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (14:18)", "body": "I have read two reports of the Jongleur night out. My to have been so close to C.F. If only sigh!!!"}, {"response": 41, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (15:19)", "body": "(winter) I sent my resume to Miramax in L.A.. They're currently seeking someone to fill an administrative position in their promotions department! Welcome home, winter! I'll be keeping my fingers crossed. And wouldn't we droolies be lucky to have our very own deep throat at Miramax. (Of course I mean this in the Watergate fashion!) (Anne) I have read two reports of the Jongleur night out. My to have been so close to C.F It makes great reading, doesn't it? My, these reports will keep my imagination flowing for weeks :-)"}, {"response": 42, "author": "ommin", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (18:53)", "body": "Just to be within a few yards, Oh my it is so very real. I could almost feel myself there. I hope against hope to be in the U.K. in Nov. or Jan. I have to see him in the flesh, it somehow seems most important after all these years of 'drooling'"}, {"response": 43, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (20:11)", "body": "(Anne Hale) I have read two reports of the Jongleur night out. I have read the report on Murph's site. Is there another report posted somewhere else and if so, where? (Anne Hale) I have to see him in the flesh... Know what you mean. Sigh!!"}, {"response": 44, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (21:34)", "body": "Closing the tag for now. Also, ladies, please remember that when the clock gets reset back to the correct date, you will need to reinitiate all your drool topics that had posts during the Great Leap Forward. Untouched topics will not be affected."}, {"response": 45, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (22:20)", "body": "Jacob focus of Wade's indie 'Pornographer' NEW YORK -- Irene Jacob is starring with Martin Donovan in writer-director Alan Wade's indie \"The Pornographer: A Love Story.\" The French actress will then powder up to play a make-up artist in Mike Binder's London-set romantic comedy \"Londinium\" opposite Binder and Colin Firth. ***************** Irene Jacob and Colin in another film again? So soon? A mere two years!! I've checked this Binder's guys filmography as writer/director/actor. Pretty nothing IMO. But you've got to start somewhere. A makeup artist? Wonder what the story is about. Theater? But the important thing is that it's a \"romantic comedy\" and Colin appears to have the lead!"}, {"response": 46, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 30, 1999 (20:54)", "body": "(anne hale)I hope against hope to be in the U.K. in Nov. or Jan. I have to see him in the flesh, You are welcomed to join us at the Spring Reunion at the Donmar on January 15, 2000."}, {"response": 47, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 30, 1999 (21:28)", "body": "London-set romantic comedy \"Londinium\" opposite Binder and Colin Firth. Move over Hugh or should he say \"whoopsie daisies\" ;-D"}, {"response": 48, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jun 30, 1999 (22:30)", "body": "(Karen) Move over Hugh or should he say \"whoopsie daisies\" ;-D *Chuckle* I saw NH this weekend. Thought it should be renamed '4 Weddings II' since there were so many similarities. I didn't care for JR. Hughie had some great lines, though. The audience loved the movie. The French actress will then powder up to play a make-up artist... Good. I hope the part's substantial enough to offset Mariel. But compared to Denise Richards, MH is Oscarworthy! IMO Denise's main assets lie somewhat south of her brain. Have I got my claws out today or what? Good luck with that job prospect, Winter!"}, {"response": 49, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jun 30, 1999 (22:52)", "body": "Oops, forgot to add to my last post: (Ann) I have just been to an upcoming release dates site and apparently MLSF has been brought forward to the 14th July instead of the 16th, is this a good or bad thing, will it not get missed being released on a Wednesday instead of the usual Friday Given the onslaught of EWS publicity (if I see that kissing snippet one more time...) I think this was done quite intentionally. Earlier this spring there was another movie which opened on a Wednesday--I remember because it was unusual. It could have been 'The Matrix' which went on to make big $$$."}, {"response": 50, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 1999 (02:37)", "body": "Good luck, Winter! Crossing fingers and toeses for ya. :-) Karen, Re: the storyline of \"Londinium\"...according to the Murph blurb, it appears to be a Hollywood actress tring to become a big success in Britain. (Now THAT'S a switch...Hee hee!!)"}, {"response": 51, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 1999 (08:04)", "body": "\"Londinium\" and Mike Binder. Thanks for this, Karen! Did you check out Mike Binder at IMDB...I was quite impressed. I've seen \"American Gothic\"...it was screened on BBC2 (which doesn't pick up duds) and I thought it was very good. He seems to be a writer/director and his other movies all attract warm reviews...and they've all been released in the US! I think \"Londinium\" must be an American production (maybe, after SLOW Colin is wary of \"little British movies\"). And if you check Mike Binder's last movie, t e star is Mariel Hemingway! It sounds promising, although it may invite comparisons with NH! But compared to Denise Richards, MH is Oscarworthy! Have you heard Catherine Zeta-Jones give an interview? Do men care about brain power? CZ-J ia plastered all over the Britich press...opening of Entrapment and, oh, guess what, she's managed to catch Michael Douglas. Good timing! BTW Denise Richards won't have to act much in RV...it's an airhead role. Am keeping my fingers crossed for MLSF. Can't help but feel that Miramax have dumped it it favour of AIH (which only got so-so reviews over here) Why open the same week as EWS when there are another 51 weeks in the year! Harvey's strategy eludes me...maybe it's very subtle. :-) Winter, we need you in the Promotions department!"}, {"response": 52, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 1999 (08:07)", "body": "Just an idea, if completely OT: what about creating a board which allows to experiment with html, picture- and link posting. More practice in html may also help to remember to close the italics-tags... :-)."}, {"response": 53, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 1999 (08:46)", "body": "Renate, you are a genius! I have an example. In today's Daily Mail (what would we do without it) there is a silly feature on 20 inventions men and women would love to see e.g. 20 minute football matches and armchairs with electric shock option. To illustrate this they have a photograph of ODB in his arsenal shirt, slumped in front of a television! I now have a scanner, but it is quite beyond me as to how I would go about posting it here. I need to practise. So Renate your idea is timely! BTW it is from FP. You will all have seen it, so do not get tooo excited. Also It does not mention either Colin or FP. Does that mean he is so well known in the UK that they do not need to?"}, {"response": 54, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 1999 (09:19)", "body": "We've got a scanner too....and we've only used it once! Great idea, Renate! BTW, Ann, I haven't phoned Miramax again about release dates for MLSF in the UK. I'm planning to do so, but I'll have to be in a very buoyant mood! If they say that they're waiting to see how it does in the US, I shall fling the phone against the wall! They should set a date and start promoting it...Puttnam, Hudson, Foreman (still very articulate!), Scottish Tourist Board (films set in Scotland have boosted the Scottish tourist film industry by \ufffd15million), child-friendly movie, which mums can go to see i the school holidays, and oh, of course, Colin Firth (remember him....last seen in a starring role in the UK two and a half years ago!!!!!) On second thoughts, maybe I'd better not phone Miramax! :-)"}, {"response": 55, "author": "livamago", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 1999 (16:28)", "body": "Renate: what about creating a board which allows to experiment with html, picture- and link posting. My thoughts exactly! I used the help board to practice the other day, but that was really not the place for it. You read my mind!"}, {"response": 56, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 1999 (16:59)", "body": "Did you go back, Lidya, to check? Feel free to use that board. It's idle. Most people when they have problems posting can't post there anyway and should email us. Was going to suggest using the \"Nonsense\" board (#15) but it does have a classic discussion there. Go check it out. Not to usurp Renate's \"wet blanket\" ownership... ;-) Allison/Bethan: In order to post images to this board, the picture must already be loaded to Internet, somewhere. It is not the same as emailing someone a picture from PC. A complete url ( http://etc... ) is used as a link. I encourage you to experiment with your scanners and we can make arrangements to get the pics up here. Also check out Ann's HTML tutorial at austen.com. It will tell you how to post a link to an image."}, {"response": 57, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 1999 (17:15)", "body": "(Allison)Also It does not mention either Colin or FP. Does that mean he is so well known in the UK that they do not need to? I think so...he is quite a poster boy over there. Everyone has heard of him and JE from P&P which paralized the country!! *** On ET two nights ago they had a blurb on Prince Edward and his new Earl of Wessex title....showed snaps of SIL...ODB..dancing with GP... but not a mention of his name.Grrrrr ****"}, {"response": 58, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 1999 (18:18)", "body": "Londinium, Relative Values and the London IMAX movie all exist, per Stephen Fry. Evelyn has received confirmation directly from Stephen Fry that these projects all exist and that the facts as stated in the newspapers are true. He said that he's only \"just on Londinium for a day, playing a sex therapist. Relative Values shoots in the Isle of Man, but they're having difficulty settling dates.\""}, {"response": 59, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 1999 (18:41)", "body": "THanks for the news, Karen. (cool graphic, BTW) Evelyn has received confirmation directly from Stephen Fry that these projects all exist and that the facts as stated in the newspapers are true. Directly from Stephen Fry, eh? Has Evelyn been making new friends during her sojourns to London? ;-) Am in despair, friends. FP is ideally supposed to open a week from tomorrow, but I haven't seen a billboard, a trailer, not one sign of its existence."}, {"response": 60, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 1999 (20:02)", "body": "Karen just called, with the name of the distributors for FP (Phaedra). Immediately rang them up to see what the deal was... \"Fever Pitch\"'s release has been postponed once again... this time, to September 10, 1999 !!!!! Apparently, it's not as easy as simply finding a distributor, and voila! it's at your local cineplex. Phaedra then had to search for venues willing to show the film... Laemmle Theatres, known for showcasing indies, will project FP in Los Angeles."}, {"response": 61, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 1999 (20:24)", "body": "(Winter) Has Evelyn been making new friends during her sojourns to London? ;-) evelyn met Stephen at the premiere of WILDE in October 1997(Big Charity Event at the Savoy). He has always been v. supportive of JE's website...occasionally even signs our Guest Book.I have corresponded with him several times ...re: WILDEwhen he has won awards. He helped us a lot on WILDE. So, I wrote to him yesterday and asked him to sort out all the newspaper accounts...which we thought were conflicting.(The guy answers his emails faster than most of my friends.)Alas...all the accounts are \"splendidly true\". ***** I have just spoken to my local Miramax rep. MLSF will **Not**have a national press junket.Individual cities will do local press screenings.Ours is on July 14th.So Colin is spared going through the rigors of a press conference. However, that means that there won't be individual interviews in the papers with the stars ...only reviews of the film. Bethan is right...looks like Miramax has decided to put all it's \"eggs\" into\" An Ideal Husband\"...which I saw at the Odeon Haymarket in London and found Borrrring.(Except for JN speech to Parliament, Winter)"}, {"response": 62, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 1999 (20:39)", "body": "(Winter) \"Fever Pitch\"'s release has been postponed once again... this time, to September 10, 1999!!!!! A birthday present for ODB !!?? I'm glad I bought the video; who knows when or if we will ever see this on the big screen. Too bad, too. I know next to nothing about soccer, but it doesn't matter, since FP, IMO, is a film about relationships and fan-aticism (our enthusiasm for CF might be thought to border on a fever pitch level, as seen by non-Firthaholics), not a film about the sport, an opinion confirmed by my husband and son. If only Phaedra would have the sense to market it that way."}, {"response": 63, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 1999 (22:15)", "body": "What a tremendous wave of news! Evelyn, my heartiest congrats and admiration for your initiative and contacts. And how nice of Stephen Fry to reply so promptly! I'm really impressed (by both of you!) A mixed bag of news. One, Colin is doing both Londinium and RV. I hope his part in Londinium is a \"lead\" role and not a cameo, like Stephen Fry. Do I detect some lack of enthusiasm for RV? It has two screenwriters and is an adaptation of the Noel Coward play, so maybe it will be sharper, more cinematic. I actually thought there were some very good one liners dotted throughout. MLSF....it looks as though it's \"pay back Rupert\" time, and Colin isn't going to get the Big Star promotion by Miramax. I think they've backed the wrong horse, but I'm VERY biased! I hope the film speaks for itself. To be honest, films can sometimes be over-promoted by \"star\" actors. FP...is September 10th 100% definite and confirmed, never to be changed? :-) If so, that's good news. Just LA, or NY and possible nationwide, RV...the difficuly in setting dates may be other commitments, which could be, in Colin's case (I really hope!) BJD. Inspired by Evelyn and Karen, I will ring Working Title again. Italics....please go away!!"}, {"response": 64, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 1999 (22:30)", "body": "Please what is the London IMAX movie and what has this to do with Colin, have I missed something. re Londinium, from what I have read I get the impression that Colin has the lead role, Ceefax and The Mirror said JD was joining CF & SF and didn't mention anyone else and now we know the SF is only a cameo role so Colin must have the lead role and it also now appears to be a romantic comedy, wonderful. I must say I feel more enthusiatic about this film than RV., but at least its another film to add to my v deo collection eventually and hopefully if it gets a Distributor. I too will phone Miramax Bethan, can't do any harm and might make them realise that there are many Firth fans waiting to see this film after such a long wait. If he does do BJD, and I very much hope that he does, he will have totalled 3 films, 1 TV drama, and 2 stage plays in one year, more than making up for the dearth of Firth last year!!"}, {"response": 65, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 1999 (22:57)", "body": "(Bethan) And if you check Mike Binder's last movie, the star is Mariel Hemingway! Aha! Do men care about brain power? Of course they do!! Just look at the success of Pamela Lee, for example. Why--she even had her implants removed, further proof that men love her for her creative genius and acting talent. I couldn't even finish typing that without gagging ;-P (Evelyn) On ET two nights ago they had a blurb on Prince Edward and his new Earl of Wessex title....showed snaps of SIL...ODB..dancing with GP... but not a mention of his name.Grrrrr They just aired this 'ET' last night here in the NY area. I'm with you in the GRRRR category. Good thing my DH wasn't home, since I was yelling at the TV: \"can't you even say his name??\" I was quite put out! Gotta love that Evelyn, she goes directly to the source. but they're having difficulty settling [RV filming]dates It appears he won't be doing them simultaneously, which is the aspect I found unusual for ODB. (Bethan) MLSF....it looks as though it's \"pay back Rupert\" time, and Colin isn't going to get the Big Star promotion by Miramax. I agree. But look how far back \"pay back Rupert\" has gone: he got more publicity out of SiL than ODB for what was a cameo; IH got the \"full-court press\" from Miramax at Cannes whereas MLSF was an also-ran. I think they've backed the wrong horse Follow the money. It's sad, but true."}, {"response": 66, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 1999 (23:35)", "body": "Where have all the italics gone? Like a dog worrying at a bone, I'm going back to MLSF. What exactly will the \"promotion\" consist of? Does the fact that there's no press junket mean that there will just be no TV interviews, or no interviews at all (magazine, newspaper etc). And what about trailers? Any more in theatres? Any on TV? And what exactly is a \"low-keyed\" premiere? On AIH...I haven't seen the movie, but I did see the play on stage, and from what I recall the \"ideal (or not so ideal) husband\" was the JN character,not the RE character, as promoted in the trailer/poster!"}, {"response": 67, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 1999 (23:39)", "body": "(Bethan)Do I detect some lack of enthusiasm for RV? I agree...Don't know what the negative furor is all about. We're not talking \"George of the Jungle\" here....or (gawdforbid P.!!)This is a v. respectable adaptation of a play...Yeah, it's fluff...like IH.Peter (CF) has some v. good lines and I can see him in this and SF is the perfect Crestwell. I will look forward to this. And if IH husband succeeds, it will be a good omen for a Noel Coward play. **** Ann I can't help you on the London I-MAX film. This happened while I was gone. Karen will explain. In fact Karen was my resource for the SF email.I didn't know what the H*** I was talking about."}, {"response": 68, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (00:12)", "body": "Total BUMMER"}, {"response": 69, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (00:27)", "body": "Total BUMMER about FP!! But can't say I didn't expect it, and NO I wouldn't take that date as etched in stone. Re: Marketing suggestions I traded a couple of emails with the SVP at Phaedra and gave her my NSHO on marketing this film. This is what she told me: \"There will be some advertising on Fox Sports because the staff there are huge fans of Hick Hornby [sic] as well as soccer (Fox owns the U.S. rights to all UK soccer) and we feel there may be sufficient fans from the soccer world to whom this film will appeal based on initial research. But our main focus for promotion is as a romantic comedy/drama, for Nick Hornby fans and Colin Firth fans, of which there are quite a few like yourself throughout the entire country that we have heard from thus far.\" Re: IMAX (for Ann W) The British Film Institute has commissioned a new IMAX film to star Stephen Fry. Its working title is \"London.\" Given that the news on this and Londinium came out at the same time (and film that was shown at the new IMAX theater's opening was \"Old Man and the Sea\"--Hemingway), I thought that some of the facts had been confused. Per Stephen, these are all separate projects: London and Londinium. (Bethan)Do I detect some lack of enthusiasm for RV? Absolutely!! Peter the nephew is a nothing role and would be better played by Rupert Everett. The best lines go to Crestwell and Felicity (the Julie Andrews role). I have combed through the play and picked out ALL of Peter funnier quips (not many); they are shown at Murph's Relative Values page. The final bit of dialogue between Don Lucas and Peter will be very funny if the audience believes Peter is gay. I still haven't seen the trailer for MLSf and I'm running out of art houses and art house movies to see. Last night I saw the Red Violin. The trailers were for Inspector Gadget, the Bruce Willis paranormal thing and who remembers... argh!! And this was at the top downtown art house. One that will rarely if ever show mainstream movies. No poster there either. About Londinium, have a few more feelers out there for details. Will let you know as soon as..."}, {"response": 70, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (01:56)", "body": "A friend in NYC just e-mailed me to say she saw the MSLF trailer before a movie yesterday but she didn't tell me which one! Though she's not a Colin fan, she said she recognized him right away. If it's not An Ideal Husband, I'll let you know. London, Londonium, Relative Values....my head is spinning but ain't it grand? T Guess we just have to get used to the fact that Colin does not promote himself and frankly, other than his talent, what can the public relations people do to make him sell? He's so normal, People Magazine can only show him sitting in his in-law's kitchen pouring coffee. Rupert is an extremely handsome man who women love and who happens to be gay. He hobnobs with Madonna, Julia Roberts adores him, the press is all a'dither when he plays a straight role. There's no contest. I dont' know who has the contact with Stephen Fry anymore, but thank you."}, {"response": 71, "author": "ommin", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (02:40)", "body": "So it seems Londinium is a goer with Irene Jacob too interesting."}, {"response": 72, "author": "ommin", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (02:55)", "body": "Sorry ladies did not mean to send above. I meant to cross it out. Thank you for the invite re Jan.15th - it might be best then if I travel in Jan rather than Nov."}, {"response": 73, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (03:56)", "body": "He hobnobs with Madonna, Julia Roberts adores him Doesn't Gwynnie count? She mentioned him more than anyone else (which was never)!!"}, {"response": 74, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (04:16)", "body": "(Bethan)On AIH...I haven't seen the movie, but I did see the play on stage, and from what I recall the \"ideal (or not so ideal) husband\" was the JN character,not the RE character, as promoted in the trailer/poster! Bingo. It IS JN's character who is \"the Ideal Husband.\" There are only a handful of theatres which have posters of JN, not RE. So disapointing. You'd think promotions would be honest enough to sell the story correctly, and not resort to relying on the \"hunk of the month\" (no offense to Rupert, I love him as much as the next gal) to sell tickets. I was offended about the commercials for 'Emma' a while back, too. There's a scene in which Emma declares, \"I hate John!... I love John!\" and then cuts to pictures of Jeremy Northam. His character was NOT \"John\", but rather John's brother! ...If I were in Promotions, I'd do a much better job! ;-) (still haven't heard-- Human Resources director is out of town till mid-month) :-("}, {"response": 75, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (04:35)", "body": "I heard there were two posters--one with JN and one with RE, but the one that's shown everywhere is Rupe's. Actually you can make a case for either being the \"Ideal Hubby.\" The devil-may-care, commitmentphobic Arthur comes through...true and blue for everyone. ;-)"}, {"response": 76, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (08:42)", "body": "Other than his talent what can the promotions people do to make him sell. He's so normal A few huge smiling photos (as in the \"Taste\" magazine) gazing from front covers or inside front covers) wouldn't go amiss! Or a full-length photo in jeans and an open-necked white shirt! Miramax were quite happy to show him as the \"grumpy, charmless\" Wessex dumped by GP in favour of the \"gorgeous\" JF! Now, when there's an opportunity for a charm offensive, he doesn't get it! The lack of trailers in the theatres really, really, p***** me off though.....it's such an obvious way to promote to the niche market. Those reviews had better be good! He's so normal Major problem here.....He's happily married, a good father, no \"kiss-and-tell\" stories from former relationships, has an inexpensive lifestyle, promotes good causes away from the glare of the press, doesn't hang out with the \"stars\", never gives interviews to \"Hello\" mgazine, didn't sell his wedding photos, doesn't advertise jeans/aftershave etc, has never \"done\" drugs, is not a reformed alcoholic, doesn't visit a shrink, and, hey, he even gets on well with his parents and his mother in-law likes him.......BORING, BORING!! Oh well, MLSF is opening nationwide, and all reports are very positive. For that, I'm thankful. And despite the shifting dates, at least FP will (eventually) open and, presumably be available on video. FP did well in video rentals over here. I'll be interested to see how MLSF is promoted in the UK. We basically promote over here by press interviews and creating a good buzz (\"the eagerly awaited...\") There was no promotion for AIH, except the RE posters in the papers, and I caught a glimpse of a trailer on SKY. RV...I share your reservations. but it's another movie, and one that we will see. The movie will look good, he'll look good, and overall, could be funny, with an updated script. I thought it was a \"let's take Will on location in the summer holidays\" film!! ARGH!! Must get back to work....but (apart from CF) this whole marketing area really fascinates me! (Winter, you must get that job!!) You can see why bad \"products\" succeed, good products fail."}, {"response": 77, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (09:04)", "body": "No FP until September?? Argggghhh!!! It was supposed to open next week and I was so looking forward to it. Thanks for calling winter, and getting the scoop. I was starting to worry since I hadn't seen any publicity for FP. So it's going to be at the Laemmle, eh? It will probably be at the 5 Plex near your place. Hmmm, I smell a mini-Firth fest coming on. Evelyn, thanks for checking with Stephen Fry about Londinium and RV. Wow, you're on an email basis with him, you glamour girl you!"}, {"response": 78, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (09:42)", "body": "Hmmm, \"working\" from home is not a good idea! I've a few more thoughts...and then I'm really going to start concentrating. RV...I think I've been a bit in denial... \"Peter is not gay, Peter is not gay...\". For the character to work, he has to be played as the professional bachelor/escort type, ironical, slightly detached from involvement with women. Not overtly gay, but maybe with a lingering question mark. Could be an interesting \"character\" part. I've no problem with this, provided he plays the occasional romantic hero! But having said this, there's a limit even to romantic hero roles. I agree with Karen that a lead role in an intelligent thriller (the upcoming Le Carre/Boorman, for example) would be excellent. BTW I think that John Boorman probably just likes the theatre and is a Donmar regular, and probably isn't casting for roles. He'd probably look at examples of screen work (not theatre).anyway. But the Le Carre project sounds good (\"The Sea Wolf\" I wouldn't enthuse over!) How can you tell I've got a report which I don't want to write!! :-) Final thought, if only Colin were more like Stephen Fry......\"Hi, Colin, well, what's your latest project?\" \"Hello Bethan, full details are....\" :-) In my dreams. Mind you, it could be rather boring...we'd be spared all the pleasure of endless conjecture! :-)"}, {"response": 79, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (10:57)", "body": "Hmmm, \"working\" from home is not a good idea! You said it! My productivity would increase 100% if it weren't for a certain gentleman ;-) I'll be interested to see how MLSF is promoted in the UK. Or IF! I was reading the other day that \"The Theory of Flight\" with Kenneth B and Helena B-C had not been distributed in the UK after its \"flop\" in the US. Was it badly received there or was it another case of the distributer not promoting it?"}, {"response": 80, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (14:04)", "body": "(Bethan) Or a full-length photo in jeans and an open-necked white shirt! You've missed your calling, Bethan! Yes, he's normal and now he's making a name being political for social causes. Good actors do receive publicity when they've made new films but it is usually because they know they must get behind the promotional effort to sell the film. Colin did that for SiL. He was on the junket, he went to all the premieres and parties, he appeared on Breakfast with the Arts, he agreed to a photo shoot in Italy... What more can he do? Right now would be a perfect time for the talk shows to bring him in. They could advertise they had the Earl of Wessex! Granted the discussion of the SiL/Edward title thing would take about 45 seconds, but then he could talk about his upcoming roles, his causes, etc., like any other guest. This has Rosie written all over it!! RV...with an updated script. Definitely needs that. For some reason, even when I visualize this as a period piece, it doesn't work. I thought it was a \"let's take Will on location in the summer holidays\" film!! Shouldn't the kid be going to camp by now? Not overtly gay, but maybe with a lingering question mark. Yes, for '50s, that's all he could show. Your characterization is exactly how I saw it. What male character who is anywhere between 35-50 (confirmed bachelor); who has expertise in women's hair, makeup and clothing; would be sent to take Moxie to tea because she's upset could be anything else? He is treated as a *girlfriend* to Felicity. I don't particularly like this role. But maybe Colin will have an entirely different take on it. (If this were an American movie, I'd cast Harvey Fierstein in it!!) ;-) \"The Sea Wolf\" I wouldn't enthuse over! Just watched another version of this starring Stacey Keach. Ick, double ick. Still looking around for the older version of this to rent. The story is interesting but this version was hideous. Agree that Boorman must like theater. However, that doesn't mean he can't get casting ideas from it. They have to see the actors somewhere. (Allison) Was it badly received there or was it another case of the distributer not promoting it? It was promoted by both HB-C and KB. They appeared on all the shows. It flopped because its subject matter wasn't going to be drawing them in by the thousands. I don't even recall the reviews. But it didn't even tempt me. Sounded ridiculous."}, {"response": 81, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (15:00)", "body": "Taking another break! Following Evelyn and Karen's example, I've just rung Working Title again to ask about BJD. I asked when they were going to start shooting and gotbthe reply (yet again!) that it was still \"in development\". I then said that I d see a few reports that filming was starting in the summer. Reply \"Ring back in a month...we'll have a pre-production office set up\". Me \"But will it start shooting this summer\". Reply \"it will be late summer, if it is this summer\". I didn't ask about casting ...I know I'm not going to get anything. So there'll be a pre-production office in a month. How soon before shooting starts is this normally set up? All this uncertainty about dates makes me wonder how on earth Colin manages to plan ahead. He may have assumed that there would be a summer shoot, and of course he's committed to 3DOR from November. But if BJD doesn't shoot late summer, I should think it will be postponed to early spring. I'm beginning to feel that they should really get their act together on this one. Right now would be a perfect time for the talk shows to bring him in. Agreed. He co-operated 100% on SIL's promotion and now it should be his chance to promote himself. As you say, Wessex is topical, and he's got two movies opening. If HB-C and KB can do all the talk shows, couldn't Colin do one at least. I really thought Miramax would push him. Has he trodden on Harvey's toes? I also agree with you about the subject matter of Theory of Flight...very downbeat. BTW Allison, it's a BBC film, so even if it's not released in theatres, it doesn't really matter will always get a TV showing. I'm almost positive that we will (eventually!) see MLSF. Final thoughts on RV...if the overall screenplay is good (and updated), should be okay. But I really hope it's justsomething to pay the mortgage and allow him to spend more time with his family. Could do better!"}, {"response": 82, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (15:23)", "body": "Two of Colin's costars in Londinium. That's Mike Binder with Mariel Hemingway."}, {"response": 83, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (15:36)", "body": "(Karen) If this were an American movie, I'd cast Harvey Fierstein in it!!) ;-) *NNNOOOOOOOoooo ooooooo * I was just thinking how good ODB could be in a comical gay role until I read your comment. IhopeIhopeIhope the script is updated in a different direction. There's gay and then there's GAY , if you know what I mean...not that there's anything wrong with that ;-) (Heide) If it's not An Ideal Husband, I'll let you know. I read awhile ago (don't remember where) that trailers are usually from the same (or affiliated) studio as the movie being shown. Isn't IH the only Miramax production out right now? Haven't seen a single TV ad yet, Bethan. Miramax didn't begin to advertise SiL on TV until a few days before it opened. If there is no star-backed publicity, without red-hot raving reviews from the critics I fear MLSF will disappear into the night. There are simply too many other movies around. It won't sell itself, even with the Hugh Hudson/David Puttnam connection. (Karen) I don't even recall the reviews [for 'Theory of Flight'] I read a few and they were scathing. Then *poof* the movie was gone."}, {"response": 84, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (15:59)", "body": "Marcia, I agree with you that even if we do a separate topic for MLSF, I'll read it anyway. Do we have support for a separate topic? Not being a soccer fan, I don't understand the connection of Fever Pitch with Fox Sports. Does the US soccer season start in September, Karen, hence the new release date (hah! in my dreams) for FP? Lynda, you got the plot of FP in one try! It's not a football movie though you'll get some arguments from others that it is. Perhaps another time we'll redo Fever Pitch. Winter, wish you so much luck with your prospective job. Besides working in a tres glamorous industry (and Miramax to boot!), I'm sure the paycheck will be nice too. He was on the junket, he went to all the premieres and parties, he appeared on Breakfast with the Arts, he agreed to a photo shoot in Italy... What more can he do? Sell himself...be a party animal...samba with Salma Hayek... even when he doesn't have a film to promote. And we all know that's not what he'll do (nor what we want him to do). Though photos of him in open necked shirts would be very welcome indeed. Someday BJD will come though I think my prince on a white steed will come first."}, {"response": 85, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (16:17)", "body": "Tell me does Mike Binder ACT? Is he going to be in this film himself? I am a bit confused. Shouldn't the kid be going to camp by now? British kids don't go to camp! Colin will no doubt want him to spend some of the Summer imbibing his (half) native culture i.e. holidaying on a windswept beach and shivering in the cold sea:-)"}, {"response": 86, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (16:19)", "body": "Yes, Heide, I think you should do a separate topic for MLSF. That way those who don't want to read won't. Otherwise we'll be typing the \"spoilers\" warning over and over here at 119. (Heide) Not being a soccer fan, I don't understand the connection of Fever Pitch with Fox Sports I don't know about soccer, but US football starts in September so Fox viewership will be up :-) But the audience?? I would suspect they'd be mostly men unless they're like me, a football fan *and* a Firthfan. ?? the strategy of marketing this movie to a predominantly male audience. And we all know that's not what he'll do (nor what we want him to do). True, true. Then he wouldn't be my DB anymore. Though photos of him in open necked shirts would be very welcome indeed. Even more true!"}, {"response": 87, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (16:22)", "body": "I vote for a separate MLSF topic. evelyn **** And IMHO I like RV just the way it is...Noel Coward doesn' need re-writing. And moreover I think Colin will be a fine Peter; he's never let us down yet. I don't see Peter as gay. Also..the reason he can do the Donmar in Nov- Jan.for a miniscule salary is because he'll have two films $$$$ under his belt. Aren't we lucky? Just thought I'd put my two cents in today early...."}, {"response": 88, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (17:27)", "body": "Evidently Miramax must be totally unaware of the great reception MLSF received at Newport, or else they'd be falling all over themselves to push this film. It will really be a shame if they let it die on the vine here and then use that as an excuse not to promote it in the UK. Much as I loved having the premiere in Newport (allowing me to attend), I think MLSF should have placed it in a more prestigious US film festival. As it is, the festival rep who intro'd the film made it clear that it was she who pursued Miramax. Also, as was pointed out, this film was a *natural* for the Edinburgh Film Festival -- someone at Miramax must be asleep at the switch. I never did hear how the audience at Cannes reacted to MLSF. Did they like it -- anyone know? Not to be a gloomy Gus, but I also feel MLSF would do better with a fall release date. It's not a heavy film, but it's definitely not something the folks who get shut out of \"Big Daddy\" or \"South Park\" will be flocking to see."}, {"response": 89, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (18:05)", "body": "(Eileen) IhopeIhopeIhope the script is updated in a different direction. All that hair and makeup stuff and being treated like one of the girls put me in mind of Mrs. Doubtfire when they're turning Robin Williams into a she. Just a weird flash through my mind. Not that the character should be played overtly gay... ;-) Isn't IH the only Miramax production out right now? But Miramax is also Disney, so that means Touchstone, Buena Vista, etc.... Hey, I saw an Inspector Gadget trailer before The Red Violin!! I think the theater chain makes the decision on what to show because they show films from all the distributors on their screens. (Heide) I don't understand the connection of Fever Pitch with Fox Sports. Does the US soccer season start in September, Karen, hence the new release date (hah! in my dreams) for FP? I don't know why September was chosen. Winter spoke to Phaedra. However, Fox Sports shows English League Soccer on a tape delayed basis or real time on pay TV. It's on Sunday nights, I think, during the season (which we all know is August to May) and then repeated again during the week. Sell himself...be a party animal...samba with Salma Hayek... even when he doesn't have a film to promote. Yeah, and maybe he'll even pull out the old guitar and get the old crowd going with some old folk song. \"If I had a hammer, I'd hammer in the mooooorning...\" (Allison) Tell me does Mike Binder ACT? Is he going to be in this film himself? Yes, and he writes and directs. My guess (and it is only a guess) is that he will direct this one and have a smaller role. It does take place in England, so it would make sense that Colin would have a larger role. If this is like Notting Hill, Binder might have the Alec Baldwin role or slightly more. British kids don't go to camp! But many American kids do, especially those from affluent families. Although Will might be too young for anything more than one term of day camp. (Susan) I never did hear how the audience at Cannes reacted to MLSF. Did they like it -- anyone know? Never saw anything about it. BTW, the AmFAR site finally posted pictures from the Cannes benefit. Don't even bother. There are two collages (three pics each) with people you don't want to see! Salma, Liz, other supermodels, Bennie Boy. In other words, the usual suspects. Guess my email to the webmaster didn't mean a thing or he didn't know who Colin was in order to sort through the shots. Will give it another shot on my part."}, {"response": 90, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (20:05)", "body": "I'm just resigned to the fact that Miramax won't court publicity for a two year old film lest the critics start questioning why it took so long to hit the screen. Perhaps they'll start the publicity machine if the reviews are good. (Susan) Not to be a gloomy Gus, but I also feel MLSF would do better with a fall release date. Oh dear, Susan, not that I don't agree with you but I'm just grateful it's going to be out in just another two weeks. It's been a long road. Good idea at Topic 61. Lidya, have you had success yet?"}, {"response": 91, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (20:23)", "body": "Too much honour. Got the idea for a html-practice board from the Republic of Pemberley. They created such a board already 2 years ago, and I found it extremely useful for learning. ---------- Karen, I don't claim exclusivity (voc?) for the \"Wet Blanket\" title. :-) ---------- To promote FP perhaps they should rename it \"Sleepless in Highbury\" (if that's how that part of London is called. Or is it Islington? Hackney?) ;-). I think it is MUCH more a romantic comedy than a soccer movie. --------- Why not discuss MLSF on the SIL board? ---------- I think I posted it before, MLSF will come to Germany, Scotiafilms has it on their (rather modest) page, even moved it recently from \"sneak preview\" to \"preview\". No dates yet. My guess is that if it will come to Germany it will also reach the UK, whatever the success or lack thereof will be in the US. Try this, go to \"preview\", (and don't get exited about \"-play-\" :-].) http://www.scotiafilm.de/"}, {"response": 92, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (22:09)", "body": "Thanks for the photo, Karen. I like it....raises my hopes for Londinium. And maybe if Mariel is working with a director she's worked with before, and a friendly cast, and it's a comic part, maybe she'll be fine! I'd like to know the plot. So far we've got an aspiring (failed?) actress, a sex therapist, a writer who doesn't get on with people, and a make-up artist! The reason he can do the Donmar in Nov- Jan.for a miniscule salary is because he'll have two films $$$$ under his belt. Aren't we lucky? Ah, the power of positive thinking, Evelyn! Now if he wasn't doing anything, we'd really have something to moan about! And, blowing in the wind somewhat, I actually liked RV when I first read it, although I'd edit out some parts, and it has to be opened up (more cinematic). And I would almost be certain that both RV and Londinium are American backed and guaranteed a US distribution. The last two films that Mike Binder wrote and directed were made by a company called Outlaw Productions, and Buena Vista distributed. I wonder if it's the same set up for Londinium?"}, {"response": 93, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (22:39)", "body": "Yeah!! I saw the MLSF trailer on TV today and have taped it. Much better on a 30\" set versus 2\" by 2\" on the computer. The E! channel's \"Coming Attractions\" show had MLSF in its weekend program. It will be repeated and repeated. That is how E! operates. So look for Coming Attractions. The show starts with the new CZ-J The Haunting and continues with a bunch of teen garbage and concludes with MLSF in the last 5 minutes or so. (Renate) To promote FP perhaps they should rename it \"Sleepless in Highbury\" Or what about \"The English Teacher Who Shagged Me\"? ;-D"}, {"response": 94, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (23:57)", "body": "(Karen) The E! channel's \"Coming Attractions\" show had MLSF in its weekend program. Is the E! channel a separate station or part of another channel? It seems I ran across this during the Academy Awards, but can't remember where; would be terrific not to wait 40 minutes to download a 2-minute clip."}, {"response": 95, "author": "livamago", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 1999 (01:22)", "body": "(Karen)The E! channel's \"Coming Attractions\" show had MLSF in its weekend program Hurray for E! Thank you for having such a great eye, Karen. What would we do without you? (Heide)Lidya, have you had success yet? Success with what I was trying to post? It seems the URL has changed, I think Geocities has merged with some other site (can't remember which). Thank you for accomodating the less proficient! ;~D"}, {"response": 96, "author": "livamago", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 1999 (01:23)", "body": "Italics, go away!"}, {"response": 97, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 1999 (01:35)", "body": "(Bethan) The last two films that Mike Binder wrote and directed were made by a company called Outlaw Productions, and Buena Vista distributed. BV is Disney...sister company of Miramax. **** I just re-read RV this afternoon....I'm afraid I gonna backpedal a little bit...Peter does seem a little effeminate. Of course, I was looking for signs of being gay.... Colin might not play it that way at all. Alas...it seems that the days of romantic \"rumpy-pumpies\" are over!!"}, {"response": 98, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 1999 (01:54)", "body": "Not only is he all the things Bethan said but in everything I have ever read about him he is one of the nicest people you would ever meet. (As some of you can attest.) GP kept going on about how nice he was during the shooting of SIL It sounded to me like she would like to work with him again. How many are going to the next 3DOR? #@!*^#+ We live out in the country and our cable company doesn't start E channel until August 1. I was surprised lat night to see that Kenneth Brannah is in Wild Wild West."}, {"response": 99, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 1999 (02:21)", "body": "Sorry about mispelling Branagh."}, {"response": 100, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 1999 (02:25)", "body": ""}, {"response": 101, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 1999 (02:58)", "body": "I don't watch E much, but that is about to change. Got tape in slot and ready for action. Thanks, Karen"}, {"response": 102, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 1999 (03:20)", "body": "Don't you think it would be misleading to have My Life So Far discussed on the Shakespeare in Love Spoiler topic? I'd rather start a new topic if that's the consensus. Well I know we all don't really care if Colin's character in RV is gay or not. Most of us just want to see him play a strong romantic lead for a pleasant change and this role probably isn't going in that direction. Plus I have concerns that Noel Coward doesn't translate well to modern audiences. But hey, I thought the premise of Shakespeare in Love looked absurd so RV will probably end up with a Best Pictur Oscar. ;-) Rumpie pumpies, Evelyn? I'm afraid to ask."}, {"response": 103, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 1999 (04:26)", "body": "(Lidya) Thank you for having such a great eye, Karen. On this, I cannot take credit. I was tipped off earlier in the day. Can't abide watching E! without cause. Its \"Fashion Emergency\" show depresses me. ;-) (Heide) Rumpie pumpies, Evelyn? I'm afraid to ask. Something tells me they're not shoes... I think MLSF needs a separate topic. Its opening is going to be staggered across the country (and hopefully it will make it) and then outside the US. What's another topic? Gotta put Heide back to work. Anybody want any others?"}, {"response": 104, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 1999 (04:36)", "body": "and Renate, the collage for MLSF at that website is charming. Thanks."}, {"response": 105, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 1999 (04:40)", "body": "(Heide) Rumpie pumpies, Evelyn? I'm afraid to ask. (Karen)Something tells me they're not shoes... Was this not Firth's own term for the f..f..frolicking without those shoes on?! Heide, sure, go ahead and make more topics. We already irk the folks down below with our eagerness and productivity. Perhaps if they'd get their rocking chairs off the porch and get to thinking it might be worth while to visit them. I know they'd like us to join them in their conferences. Actually, some are quite entertaining and others are irresistable. And, since they lurk, I'll let them guess who is who ;)"}, {"response": 106, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 1999 (05:40)", "body": "From an article in The Times about Max Beesley (Tom Jones). He is in a new movie called \"The Match\" about football. (bet we won't get to see that one either she mumbles) \"Beesley soon experienced what is commonly known as the Colin Firth effect. He went from handsome bloke in nice tight white pants to national sex symbol, almost overnight. He was a tabloid editor's dream, a more photogenic Ewan McGregor. His love life was scattered all over the front pages, but all the while Beesley remained an extremely focused, non-smoking Buddhist who took in a few dance classes at Pineapple studios during the week. Ask him how this sudden brush with fame didn't turn him into a cocaine snorting brat and he really ponders the question.\" If you want to read the rest, go here (under Metro - Film): http://www.the-times.co.uk/news/pages/Times/frontpage.html?999"}, {"response": 107, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 1999 (05:55)", "body": "Thank you M'dear. Why did they link his sudden fame with CF in one sentence and then link him to a cocaine-snorting brat in the next? I think that is patently unfair. But, as you suggest, I shall go read the entire story."}, {"response": 108, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 1999 (10:31)", "body": "I just re-read RV this afternoon....I'm afraid I gonna backpedal a little bit...Peter does seem a little effeminate. Of course, I was looking for signs of being gay.... Colin might not play it that way at all. Alas...it seems that the days of romantic \"rumpy-pumpies\" are over!! Could be played in several ways. Perhaps more commitment-phobic! I think Peter is a typical upper class \"type\" from the early fifties. It's just after the Second World War. He would have come out of the Services, found that he had to work to earn a living (no more living on unearned income), be wary of marriage and involvement, opting for a quizzical onlooker's role. But he's certainly not one of the lads! I have a feeling that, ironically, we would have seen him in a romantic plus role in SLOW (didn't Caroline Goodall describe it as a \"sexy\" film!) But the fates have decreed otherwise! There's a great new P&P site at http://www.pinehurst.net/~mshupeck/ I was particularly interested in the Guest Book - it seems that even after three years people are still discovering P&P!"}, {"response": 109, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 1999 (11:52)", "body": "For those with picture files, but no knowledge about uploading them I recommend to register at Visto (free), they guide you through the procedure: http://service.bfast.com/bfast/click/mid1291956?siteid=5325183&bfpage=home They offer an option to store files online to share with friends, f.e. post them here. Very useful, and helps Spring with a small contribution."}, {"response": 110, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 1999 (12:03)", "body": "Sorry to use this board so off-topic: Marcia, Karen, Heide, Terry, wer, whoever is involved in the Visto-thing: I have copied the above link from the one you deposited so secretly on http://www.firth.com/ , so I assume they will realise that anybody coming in through the above one is from Spring???!!"}, {"response": 111, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 1999 (14:44)", "body": "The glamorous Firth - dashing Darcy article from the Sunday Times made it into the Toronto Star this morning under the headline \"Why prince took movie cad's title - Edward came up with a royal brainstorm after watching villainous Wessex\". (I still don't get why Wessex is villainous; Shakespeare is the serial adulterer here.) Also in the same Arts section is an article about Noel Coward which is a little heartening re: Colin's participation in RV. It doesn't mention him or RV, as it is related to the Shaw Festival's upcoming production of Easy Virtue, but does make some interesting observations. Talks about Coward as being \"undervalued\" because he is seen, wrongly, as a \"dilettante\" and that \"proper recognition - in addition to that paid by the Shaw Festival [ which consistently stages Coward plays, I might add ] - is probabl long overdue\" (ditto for CF). Goes on to say, \" The best of Coward's plays operate on several levels, (Shaw's artistic director Christopher) Newton argues. \"'The people have a natural wit, like Oscar Wilde's people. But underneath that is a whole range of very complex emotions - responses to what is happening. But the verbal level is not necessarily showing you what is going on emotionally (let us hope RV's director agrees). Newton also says that Coward's line are not quotable or funny out of con ext; perhaps, as Colin says of playing Darcy, the physical dimension is essential to do Coward justice."}, {"response": 112, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 1999 (16:38)", "body": "I've closed the tag. Thank you, Marcia, for the rumpy pumpy translation. Makes perfect sense now. Am thinking about a few choice scenes from The Advocate now... (Bethan) Could be played in several ways...He would have come out of the Services, found that he had to work to earn a living (no more living on unearned income), be wary of marriage and involvement, opting for a quizzical onlooker's role. But he's certainly not one of the lads! Yeah and maybe while he was away during the war, his fiancee ran off with a member of the resistance France. (We could really make this character interesting!!) OK, Bethan, I shall try to keep an open mind on this one. ;-D Let's hope, keep our fingers crossed, that Londinium is that lead in a romantic comedy that we've wanted...to take the place of SLOW. Renate's suggestion about using Vista for your images sounds like a great solution for both Allison and Bethan and their new scanners. Especially if it helps Spring out financially. Think I'll go check it out to see what this service has to offer. Have some ranting and raving to do about Entrapment. Will take it over to 72."}, {"response": 113, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 1999 (17:31)", "body": "(Lucie)How many are going to the next 3DOR? Keep tuned to Springfolks list. ( Heide) Rumpie pumpies, Evelyn? I'm afraid to ask. I didn't make that up...that's a London Times term (Heide)But hey, I thought the premise of Shakespeare in Love looked absurd so RV will probably end up with a Best Pictur Oscar. ;-) We have a poor track record for predicting....remember when ATA came out...hey with a Pulitizer book and that cast...there was Oscar talk all over the place. Then with SIL we went soon aft it opened for fear that it would go off in a week...that film is still playing at First Run theatres....America refuses to let that film go!!Should be out in video soon.Then we can discuss it on #98 since some of us have the screenplay. Let's leave the SIL topic as it is now...and delete it later. I'm in favor of a separate MLSF topic. ***** Thank you Heide...and Karen....you girls do a lot for us. We don't tell you often enough how much we appreciate you , Terry,& the Spring team, Murph and the team at colinfirth.com. These are the only Colin websites I go to."}, {"response": 114, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 1999 (18:19)", "body": "Sorry for the tag problem but on my screen everything looks fine, so I didn't realize that anything was amiss, untill Karen e-mailed me."}, {"response": 115, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 1999 (20:21)", "body": "No need to apologize. We've all done it. And as most of the older members of this group can tell you, I've done far worse!! ;-D"}, {"response": 116, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 1999 (23:14)", "body": "(Evelyn)...days of romantic rumpie-pumpies are over... I think ODB's response to that would not be \"Alas!\" but rather,.. \"Oh, I HOPE so!\""}, {"response": 117, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jul  4, 1999 (00:00)", "body": "Yeah and maybe while he (Peter) was away during the war, his fiancee ran off with a member of the resistance France. (We could really make this character interesting!!) OK, Bethan, I shall try to keep an open mind on this one. ;-D (Karen) LOL! Now bear with me, I've got another theory. Peter is described as Felicity's nephew, but as he is the Honourable Peter Ingleton, he must be the Earl of Marshwood's nephew (ie Felicity is his aunt only by marriage, not blood, and is of course now an unattached rich widow)). Felicity is describes as well-preserved fifty-ish, Peter as anywhere between 35 to 50. When I read RV, the relationship between Felicity and Peter struck me as almost flirtatious. They banter a lot,and smile at each other, he never alls her \"aunt\", always \"Felicity\", he kisses her affectionately, she hits him at one point, and at another looks at him \"joyfully\" (You see, I've really studied the text!!) If you forget the \"nephew\" angle, they very much seem to have something going between them and spend an awful lot of time together!. Forget for a moment it's Colin and JA, and just read it as the characters are described by Noel Coward! You see, it could be a romantic role!"}, {"response": 118, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul  4, 1999 (02:29)", "body": "Re: RV Peter ..gay??? Peter & Felicity??(Bethan) You see, it could be a romantic role! Felicity has some interesting dialogue directed at Peter...Fixing up Moxie with new make-up and hair-do...\"You'll have to listen to him...he's quite good at that sort of thing\"... Like I said: we have to see how he plays the role...."}, {"response": 119, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jul  5, 1999 (02:04)", "body": "Thank you Karen"}, {"response": 120, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jul  5, 1999 (02:19)", "body": "Re Evelyn's remarks of gratitude to those keeping our Drool flowing smoothly, I would like to add my thanks to wer (who lurks a lot) and most especially Terry, whose website this really is! Can you imagine opening a little website and having it turn into something this remarkable and vital to our individual survival as this is?! There are ladies who should also take a bow. Thanks one and all! This is also the only place I come, and I have met the most reamrkable and intelligent people anywhere in the w rld here. Thank you, also!"}, {"response": 121, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Jul  5, 1999 (08:46)", "body": "From the Times Diary today: Lord Puttnam is about to bid farewell to films. The producer of Chariots of Fire and The Killing Fields, who now spends most of his time chairing education task forces and acting as \"godparent\" to the Millenium Dome's Learning Zone, says that his latest film, MLSF, will be his last. \"That's it, no more. I've tried to keep producing but I can't,\" the admirable Puttnam told me at a lunch to toast \"star\" teachers. It ends a jazzy career that climaxed in a forlorn spell trying to bring the British way to Hollywood as head of Columbis Pictures. \"It is like having several plates spinning in the air at the same time,\" he concludes. \"But my two lives are totally incompatable and they keep crashing to the floor.\" ****** I hope he is not referring to MLSF with his plate crashing analogy!!!"}, {"response": 122, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jul  5, 1999 (10:52)", "body": "You beat me to it Allison! But it's good to see a reference to \"his latest\" film...maybe a release date is imminent. I've been reviewing websites (job related) and found two good sites. One, http://www.elibrary.com searches for magazine/newspaper articles (payment for access) and had a good list of CF articles. The other was a book ordering service which had a very recent interview with Helen Fielding http://www.powells.com/authors/fielding.html It's a much more genuine interview....she actually makes fun of herself and the sort of soundbites she has to give. On the sequel to BJD, she says it's more complicated than the original and that friends have read it and liked it. On the screenplay to BJD she says writing dialogue can be difficult (easier to write in novel form) and that they worry in case some things that work in the book (eg the over-the-top mother and her fling with Julio) would seem too sit-com-ish. Well worth reading. I know this should be at #80, but don't know if anyone is checking there."}, {"response": 123, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul  5, 1999 (18:24)", "body": "Thank you Bethan for the two great websites. The Electronic Library is a winner. Anybody find an article on CF we haven't read? They have 30 on JE..will check to see if we have em all. (Bethan)Re; the Interview with HF... I know this should be at #80, but don't know if anyone is checking there. Probably should be on #80.... some BJ fans don't come here...their loss :-)"}, {"response": 124, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Jul  5, 1999 (18:57)", "body": "Did anyone else see on the sports report that Darcy tied for 4th with a -8 in the Irish open golf tourney."}, {"response": 125, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jul  5, 1999 (22:41)", "body": "Good Grief, no! Did you get a snappy of him to post? HOw was he dressed? How did he look? I am all eagerness!!!"}, {"response": 126, "author": "ommin", "date": "Tue, Jul  6, 1999 (02:53)", "body": "Yes fascinating!!!!!"}, {"response": 127, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jul  6, 1999 (10:00)", "body": "Just a question........MLSF opens next week, right? And gets a 50 city opening. I was surprised that there are no appearances on talk shows (Doesn't everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, do them) But are there no interviews with Colin anywhere? No mentions in movie mags? It seems so low-key, compared with the Rupert Everett experience! There was an article in one of our papers about the importance of the \"recognition factor\" and how personal promotion(not talent) boosts careers...quoted the example of \"superstar\" Catherine Z-J.(BTW Entrapment got poor reviews here, but do reviews really matter?) Colin's \"recognition factor\" in the all-important US market is probably not very high, and MLSF seemed the ideal opportunity. Lead role, Miramax backed. As I said, I'm puzzled!"}, {"response": 128, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jul  6, 1999 (10:43)", "body": "Arn't we all, Bethan. Will phone Miramax today and say how much we in the Uk are looking forward to seeing MLSF. BTW does anyone know if Colin is to attend the Premiere in NY, which I believe is on Monday."}, {"response": 129, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  6, 1999 (14:18)", "body": "MLSF opens next week in ONLY NY and LA. It then opens in the next group of about 20 (??) cities on the 23rd and then nationwide on the 30th. Normally you see the stars on the late night talk shows right before the premiere (they stop off and make a brief appearance as these shows are taped). With a small film like this, you never know. If it gets great reviews or becomes a box-office hit, then the stars would be called in after to explain the phenomenon. That's what happened with Rupert Everett. He WASN'T one of the promotional contingent for MBFW. Julia Roberts, Cameron Diaz and the other guy went on all the shows. Rupert showed up a we k or so later when it was apparent that he was surprise hit of the movie. For this movie, we will have to study the fine print in our TV listings and check out the more esoteric shows like Charlie Rose. :-("}, {"response": 130, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jul  6, 1999 (18:44)", "body": "MLSF opens next week in ONLY NY and LA. ] Not true, it's opening here in Boston on the 16th of July. (Just one cinema, however.)"}, {"response": 131, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jul  6, 1999 (18:48)", "body": ""}, {"response": 132, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (01:59)", "body": "My Miramax rep told me this film had a small promo budget. He did not know who CF is....I know that's hard for us to believe...but there it is. I walked him through Colin's roles in TEP and SIL.In the US I would say his \"recognition factor\" is minimal."}, {"response": 133, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (02:31)", "body": "(Karen) Yeah!! I saw the MLSF trailer on TV today and have taped it. How'd you manage that, Karen (aka lightning fingers)? Which channel was it on--mainstream or cable? I haven't seen any yet. I have seen three movies since last week (gotta do something when local power is out due to heat wave); watched no less than 20 trailers and *tsk* no MLSF. (Bethan) You see, it could be a romantic role Ugh! Incest! There's no predicting how close RV the movie will parallel RV the play, but from what you've all posted so far, Peter sounds gay to me. If it looks like a duck and walks like a duck...."}, {"response": 134, "author": "ommin", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (02:49)", "body": "Re lack of recognition. We know him well but he looks so different in every part he plays. I liked everything he did from 1984 onwards and yet did not know his name until P. and P. that my dears I think is the significance. Its what he wants to as we know very well. To be able to go the local, to go to a restuarant and to shop without having hordes following him. That we must accept. But it will soon be on video and we can enjoy him to our hearts content."}, {"response": 135, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (08:30)", "body": "He (Miramax) did not know who CF is....I know that's hard for us to believe...but there it is. I walked him through Colin's roles in TEP and SIL.In the US I would say his \"recognition factor\" is minimal. (Evelyn) watched no less than 20 trailers and *tsk* no MLSF. Oh well, I rest my case! I presume the Miramax rep would have seen SIL. Can't understand why they're not showing trailers with AIH....it seems such an obvious link! Rapidly losing faith with Miramax....shall start offering prayers for outstanding reviews! :-) I guess the \"recognition factor\" is more important within the industry (than outside recognition by the public)....it meams bankability and offers of decent roles."}, {"response": 136, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (13:44)", "body": "Thanks, Bethan for the elibrary link. There were a couple of articles I had not read before and several favourable reviews for Fever Pitch. I am most disappointed to learn that Fever Pitch ran in two Toronto theatres last summer (in my pre-Colin days) so there is no chance of it being released again there this year. Rats! IMO, great reviews won't help MLSF. Promotion is everything and this film is getting none. People can't see a film they don't know exists; most people I know rely on television advertising and movie trailers to lure them to movies. For those of you who can access it, Camille is being aired on Canada's Bravo! cable channel on Thursday (tomorrow) at 2:00 p.m."}, {"response": 137, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (13:46)", "body": "I didn't do anything with the italics, honest, and don't know how to fix it."}, {"response": 138, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (13:49)", "body": "(Eileen) Which channel was it on--mainstream or cable? I haven't seen any yet. The MLSF trailer was on E!'s Coming Attractions show. That's cable (home to Howard Stern and Joan and Melissa Rivers' celebrity fashion critiques, a small sampling of its quality lineup). I'm not sure this particular show is still being run (although they may have it for an entire week?), but it starts with The Haunting (CZJ) and ends with MLSF. Good luck! I have seen three movies since last week...watched no less than 20 trailers and *tsk* no MLSF. If I see the trailer for Bowfinger or American Pie one more time, I might... (AnneH) But it will soon be on video and we can enjoy him to our hearts content. Do you mean SiL? If so, it's a little more complicated than that here in the US. When SiL is released on video in August (10th?), it will be priced to rent, i.e., near $100. The DVD however will be in the $20-$25 range. But...I've read that this DVD is a \"no-frills\" version and that a \"Collector's Edition\" will be available for Christmas. What to do, what to do??? (Bethan) Rapidly losing faith with Miramax....shall start offering prayers for outstanding reviews! :-) Can't understand this low profile either. The reports from everyone who saw MLSF at Newport were very favorable. OK, most were a little predisposed to like it, but if it had been bad, I'm sure we would have been told that. Where is the infamous Miramax marketing muscle when you need it? The adult public is ravenous for quality entertainment this summer. Actually, Miramax should have positioned MLSF against American Pie--total opposites in execution. I guess the \"recognition factor\" is more important within the industry (than outside recognition by the public)....it meams bankability and offers of decent roles. Seems to me they would be related? Anyway, I didn't see Colin's name on that Tatler list of most popular party people. Sheesh! ;-D"}, {"response": 139, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (14:01)", "body": "Now don't get paranoid, Lynda! The italics are fixed. :-) Wish we got Canadian Bravo. Be nice to see a decent copy of Camille. The one that was sold is a really bad print. Color is washed out. Let us know how this one looks on TV."}, {"response": 140, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (14:56)", "body": "No more italics."}, {"response": 141, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (18:59)", "body": "I surely hope so!"}, {"response": 142, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (18:59)", "body": "I surely hope so!"}, {"response": 143, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (18:59)", "body": "I surely hope so!"}, {"response": 144, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (19:09)", "body": "Karen, *your* copy of Camille is in color? Mine is in glorious Black and White! I had no idea...and, sorry for that triple posting."}, {"response": 145, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (19:32)", "body": "(Bethan).... .shall start offering prayers for outstanding reviews! :-) A worth-while project.... No publicity and bad reviews=Death. I saw Tea with Mussolini yesterday in the theatre where MLSF is to play on the 30th....no poster....no trailer!!"}, {"response": 146, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (19:41)", "body": "MORE BAD NEWS Just spoke to my local Miramax Rep... MLSF will now be released in NY and LA on July 23 And the top 10 markets will get it on August 6th. No plans for any expansion after that Agaaaaah!! Karen call Cara."}, {"response": 147, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (20:20)", "body": "Aaaaagh indeed! Postponed again (again) Although somehow it doesn't surprise me. :-( Oh well, good news...it's not up against the might of EWS (what is it up against?), bad news...limited release. Why do Miramax keep shifting the goal posts? IMO, great reviews won't help MLSF. Promotion is everything and this film is getting none. People can't see a film they don't know exists; most people I know rely on television advertising and movie trailers to lure them to movies. Agree with you totally here, Lynda. It's been proved that most people who go to movies don't even read reviews! Well (positive thinking again) now Miramax has got more time to show those trailers!"}, {"response": 148, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (20:56)", "body": "Evelyn, do we know know what the top 10 markets are? Any chance of getting it near San Francisco? (Bethan) Well(positive thinking again) now Miramax has got more time to show those trailers! Good point! :)"}, {"response": 149, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (21:47)", "body": "I saw no trailers for SiL until just before it opened in NY last December (and I was watching lots of TV then). Perhaps Miramax believes in \"just in time advertising\" as opposed to many other studios who run commercials months in advance. Or perhaps they know this movie won't do well (I agree, Evelyn, CF has minimal recognition factor here in the US) in the mass market so they're taking a laid back approach. I wonder if the delay had something to do with getting theaters to show it. (Karen) If I see the trailer for Bowfinger or American Pie one more time, I might... And I saw neither of these. But if I see the trailer for EWS one more time, I'm gonna do a bad bad thing!"}, {"response": 150, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (21:51)", "body": "MLSF will now be released in NY and LA on July 23 And the top 10 markets will get it on August 6th. No plans for any expansion after that Agaaaaah!! Hmmm, saw that this morning when I happening to be checking a film release site and noticed that it wasn't listed for July 14 or 16 but for the 23rd. (FYI, other films opening on that date are The Haunting, Drop Dead Gorgeous, Inspector Gadget, and a couple of other v.ltd release ones.) Talked to several people at Miramax and nobody knows nothing other than the date changes. The NY screening will still be on the 12th, followed by a small dinner. When pushed, she said MEM would likely be there, but not CF. And it might be at the Crown Gotham. August 6th was given as the Top 8 markets (wonder which 2 got dropped out?), but there are no plans after that. Will see how it does. I may or may not get a call back from the bozos in Distribution, but they are probably out yucking it up at Big Daddy, South Park or American Pie. :-( Am very disappointed with Miramax. It is getting to be too much like the other studios. Was a time when Miramax would be actively promoting small films, now they're too interested in Scream 3 or the remake of Harvey. Think they need to reread their mission statement."}, {"response": 151, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (22:01)", "body": "Who cares if it does well financially or critically, we Firthfans just want to see this movie, we have waited too long and to keep postponing it is just too much, this could go on for ever, why only the other day I heard that there was to be a small Premiere for it in NY on Monday the 12th, does this now still apply, I'm sure it can't be that bad that they have to keep postponing it, and why isn't it going wider now. Oh this is so frustrating, I thought once it was released in the US that it wouldn't be t o long before we got it here, what with SLOW and now MLSF, we certainly have to sweat it out for a glimpse of our DB. On a happier note I see, according to my local video shop, that SIL will be available to rent in August, and then I can slow mo and re-wind as much as I like.I bet youare glad you saw the film in Newport now Susan, its anyone's guess how many more times it will be postponed.!! (not a happy bunny, as you can tell)"}, {"response": 152, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (22:14)", "body": "Evelyn, are you still going to be able to see it on the 6th August, is it showing in Oklahoma City?"}, {"response": 153, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (22:20)", "body": "G'day droolers. I finally got here. Have been \"lurking\" for a while getting the gist of what goes on. I am so pleased to find that I'm not the only person who realises how talented, gorgeous etc. Colin Firth is. I am hoping to travel from Australia to London in January 2000 and plan on being at the Donmar on 15 January so I hope to meet up with those of you who are also going."}, {"response": 154, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (22:22)", "body": "You're right, Ann, I'm very glad I saw it while I had the chance. Hopefully that will not have been my only chance -- from what Laura says, MLSF will definitely make it to Boston. These scheduling changes have me totally flummoxed. There is nothing about this film that would make a studio want to deliberately hide it from public view. Could it be that they're holding off till Colin is available to do promotion?"}, {"response": 155, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (22:28)", "body": "(Ann)Evelyn, are you still going to be able to see it on the 6th August, is it showing in Oklahoma City? No. Okla City is not one of the top 10 ...Not even second 10. The top 10 markets go by population and I don't know where SF ranks,. My guess is that they will see has it does in the top 10 (or 8, as Karen learned). Right now there are no plans for expansion to other cities. Along with Miramax,I really do care that it does well financially and critically...Because on that rests his future roles.This is his first starring film with a major studio since Valmont...and we don't want another fiasco like that one was. When we say trailers, we are referring to cinemas (a.k.a. coming attractions) We are not referring to TV."}, {"response": 156, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (22:37)", "body": "Hi Cathey and welcome, if only Miramax realised how many loyal and devoted Firthfans there are out there, but I am going to look on the positive side, perhaps they are waiting for CF to be available, like Susan said, on the other hand how can they go from releasing it in 30 cities to only 8, whichever way you try to reason it it it just doesn't make sense, its hardly going to do well in only 8 cities!! BTW look forward to meeting you Cathey in January."}, {"response": 157, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (22:37)", "body": "Welcome Cathey....we love newcomers to our board..... And you are just what this board needed on this depressing day. Tell us how you first came upon Colin . Have you seen him in many roles? We are discussing Femme Fatale on #98.Join us if you haveseen the film...or just join us period. I will be goingto the Donmar on 15 January so I hope to meet up with those of you who are also going. What a windfall!! A newbie and a recruit for 3 DOR in the new Millennium. We shall be delighted to have you...Look forward to meeting you there!!"}, {"response": 158, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (22:55)", "body": "The ironical thing is that we Firthfans probably upped the number of people going to see AIH, just in the hope of seeing a trailer for MLSF, no wonder it is No.10 ion the US Charts. Oh dear I think I had better go to bed."}, {"response": 159, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (22:58)", "body": "(SB Robinson) Evelyn, do we know know what the top 10 markets are? Any chance of getting it near San Francisco? Just called my local library; according to the Motion Picture Almanac of 1998, the top ten movie markets are: NYC, LA, Chicago, Baltimore/DC, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Boston, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Detroit and Atlanta. I know Toronto is bigger than some of these cities, so perhaps MLSF will be shown there, but I also have a sister living near Philadelphia, so remain hopeful. How can this film be considered unworthy to show, considering the incredible dross that gets released? Anyone see Portrait of a Lady; now that was bad (and it starred the wretched John Malkovich). I do remember reading in one of the Newport reports that a lot of the audience were seniors and we know the film industry caters to the under-30's, but then why make this film in the first place? Where is ODB's guardian angel - he deserves so much better than this. However, Miramax may have a plan here!!?? BTW, I e-mailed Miramax twice in the last month at their MLSF site to find out about the release and never got a response. They need a less n in manners."}, {"response": 160, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (23:25)", "body": "First of all, hi there Cathey! Can't make head nor tail of Miramax \"strategy\". Possibly they don't consider MLSF \"suitable\" for a wider release because it won't appeal to the dominant 14-25 year old market. I was checking what is on at our local multiplex today, and believe me, you'd have to pay me to see these movies. Complete dross. I think it's very difficult for actors like CF who obviously prefer films with some compassion and \"heart\". I'm puzzled why Colin isn't at the NY premiere, unless work commitments don't allow, although he could make an overnight trip to NY ( Miramax flew Judi Dench over on Concorde!). But it looks as though it will be very low-key and there'll be no interviews, except perhaps with MEM. How can he be recognised as a \"star\", if he's never seen!!! Opening on the 23rd means competition from Catherine Z-J (not my favourite by any means!)in The Haunting and Rupert Everett in Inpector Gadgett! Oh well, as Lynda says, Miramax may have a plan!"}, {"response": 161, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (00:18)", "body": "Cathey, always good to hear from new people. See, coming out of lurkdom doesn't hurt. Please jump in with both feet. We don't bite and we love to hear everyone's views. This Spring reunion at the Donmar is going to be great! (Susan) from what Laura says, MLSF will definitely make it to Boston. But it's not going to open there at the same time as NY/LA. I don't care what the person at the Kendall Sq said. Most of the people who work at the theaters can barely walk and chew gum at the same time. Besides, all bets are off now as to dates. BTW, the PR firm in Chicago that handles Miramax publicity locally said they have no clue as to what theaters it will be shown at and she's working now on any advance screenings that may be held. Said to call her back at the end of next week. (Lynda) Just called my local library; according to the Motion Picture Almanac of 1998, the top ten movie markets are To the head of the class!! So Detroit and Atlanta got shafted. Evelyn call the airlines! ;-) (Lynda) but then why make this film in the first place? There is an audience for other films, but the summer is relegated to the dregs or dross for the most part. Remember, it was considered a real gamble for Spielberg to release SPR last summer. (Bethan) Can't make head nor tail of Miramax \"strategy\". Let's try another approach. Perhaps Miramax looked at the disappointing receipts from The Winslow Boy (an excellent film that received consistently fabulous reviews) and decided that MLSF deserved a better shot and they moved it away from the heavy artillery of EWS and the grossout movies. Could be positive?? Have my fingers crossed. (Bethan) why Colin isn't at the NY premiere, unless work commitments don't allow That has to be the reason. It isn't going to be a big to-do. Besides MEM has to show her face. She could seriously be in contention for best actress this year. Miramax flew Judi Dench over on Concorde! Price of Concorde tickets is entire Miramax promotional budget. ;-)"}, {"response": 162, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (01:56)", "body": "(Karen)Besides MEM has to show her face.She could seriously be in contention for best actress this year. Surely, you're joking...for Limbo?? I'm puzzled why Colin isn't at the NY premiere, unless work commitments don't allow, If I were Colin I would demand to be at the opening of my film in the US. But knowing him....he breathed a sigh of relief. Jennifer has been giving interviews lately...and said recently...\"I realize that sometimes you have to make a little noise\". True, True."}, {"response": 163, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (02:42)", "body": "Cathey, you're the lucky recipient of our new found talents for animated art. At least some of us have the talent! (lovely welcome, karen). So glad you're here. (Ann) if only Miramax realised how many loyal and devoted Firthfans there are out there, We appear to get visitors here from time to time. Who knows? I think the important thing to remember is that this film is two years old. Sure, that's Miramax's fault and I know we disagree with whatever their reason has been for putting off and putting off ad infinitum this film. But they have a reason which is probably why it appears to be close to being swept under the carpet. What more can we do but speculate until we figure out their strategy? By the way, a friend of mine has seen the MLSF trailer before either Big Daddy or Austin Powers, he couldn't remember which. Odd choices, don't you think?"}, {"response": 164, "author": "ommin", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (03:05)", "body": "To add further to your pessimism, he likes to be just an ordinary bloke. Although to a certain exten I believet C.F. cares whether a film makes it or not, we have read over and over again that when a film is finished thats it. To him its a job. Basically too as I have said before its his background and feels he has more important things to do To add to your sorrow I do not believe he will continue to act much past forty, so lets make the most of what we've got. Two films in the offing, a television f lm and 3dor in January."}, {"response": 165, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (03:08)", "body": "Someone posted a message at ROP, P&P, saying that a pollhad been conducted in England and P&P and Darcy were voted the best mini series and hero since the invention of TV. Has anyone seen this. Maybe Miramax should read it."}, {"response": 166, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (05:13)", "body": "(AnneH) To add to your sorrow I do not believe he will continue to act much past forty Why do you believe this? If you look at the list of actors he admires, they are all older and still acting in their 60s plus. I always had the impression that Colin wanted to follow in their footsteps, to be regarded as a very good, solid journeyman-type actor. (Evelyn) Surely, you're joking...for Limbo?? No joke. Have you seen any noteworthy women's roles yet this year? Not I. When her performance is deemed \"a revelation\" in a national mag, this will be hyped to get her the nom. And she is incredible, as are all the other actors. Not a bad one in the bunch. The singing will clinch it for her."}, {"response": 167, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (05:41)", "body": "Quite the social activist. From The Independent: COMEDIAN MOCKS TAX-FREE ART SHOW THE BROADCASTER and comedian Mark Thomas, whose campaign has forced members of the aristocracy to pay tax on their inherited works of art, dismissed an exhibition of tax-exempt art as a \"PR stunt\" last night. Thomas, who has been campaigning for four years to force the owners of tax- exempt art to open their homes to the public, said the exhibition at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge was an attempt to soften government regulations on displaying tax-exempt art. [...] As part of his campaign, Mr Thomas arranged for 30 people dressed as pantomime animals and pieces of fruit to see a Gainsborough owned by Sir Evelyn de Rothschild. When they then all applied to see the other 300 objects Sir Evelyn had on the exempt list he took the works off the list and paid the tax due on them. *********** So do you think Colin dressed as a pantomime animal or a piece of fruit? ;-D"}, {"response": 168, "author": "kcjones", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (06:46)", "body": "Well, as I entered the local \"art\" cinema, I inquired as to when \"MLSF\" would be showing, and the \"CLERK\" said, \"not for a while\".....and then as I waited for \"An Ideal Husband\" to play, there was ODB, COLIN, in the \"MLSF\" trailer....!!! YAAYYYYYYY!!! What this means is that the stupid clerk has no idea who CF is, nor that it will be shown at the theatre that pays her salary....I almost want to sob, but just knowing it is coming is enough for me.. WHERE ARE COLIN FIRTH'S AGENTS....????!@!!! He is so hot right now, wny is he not making the 'rounds' of the talk shows.....??? ARG!!!! Who cares about Rupert Everett when CF is so much better....!!!!! HELP!!!!! ckjones1@ameritech.net.com"}, {"response": 169, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (07:52)", "body": "The Web Release Schedule web page reports that MLSF will open in LA & NY on the 23thJuly, then 30th July top 20 markets, August top 40 markets,so many contradictory reports, and I agree CF should be at the Premiere, this is his film!!!"}, {"response": 170, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (13:41)", "body": "Yes, AnnW, I saw those listings at the website yesterday in the morning. I specifically asked Miramax about them (date by date) and they said they were wrong...to a woman, they said the info was wrong and I spoke to three different areas: Head of Publicity, Regional Publicity and Distribution. As Evelyn will verify later, the Miramax rep in OK *called her* because the changes had just been made to the schedule. Karin: What kind of HELP do you need?"}, {"response": 171, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (14:37)", "body": "Welcome, Cathey! If you've been lurking for a while you know we have our ups and downs here. Right now things are a bit down :-( (Evelyn) Along with Miramax,I really do care that it does well financially and critically...Because on that rests his future roles That's it, in a nutshell. BTW, I see movie trailers on TV all the time (as did Karen on E!) so I've come to use the term interchangeably with commercials. (Karen) Am very disappointed with Miramax. It is getting to be too much like the other studios Absolutely. Two best pic Oscars in three years and it's \"goodbye independents.\" they're too interested in Scream 3 or the remake of Harvey Don't forget SiL II! Price of Concorde tickets is entire Miramax promotional budget. ;-) Hey, this may not be far from the truth! I read in 7/9 edition of Ent. Weekly that H'wood is, after years of inflation, undergoing an austerity program. No more $20 mil salaries (except for a select few, such as Jim Carrey *gack*); no more perks (e.g., no private jet for Sean Penn). There's hard times ahead for the rest of the food chain as well (character actors, producers, directors, writers, etc.). More movies are being filmed outside Hollywood (next to Karen's house, it seems) because it's cheaper Happily, since ODB is London based, he shouldn't be seriously affected by this. To add to your sorrow I do not believe he will continue to act much past forty Now there's a scary thought. If you had said this last year during the long Firth drought, I might have agreed. Presently he seems to have found his nitch, is content to be 'marginalised' and has that mortgage, so IMO he'll keep going. This week's Newsweek features a short interview with Rupert Everett (for all you RE fans out there :-P). It addresses how MBFW changed his career, being gay and Catholic, and how he would raise a child (??)."}, {"response": 172, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (14:56)", "body": "(Eileen) There's hard times ahead for the rest of the food chain as well... More movies are being filmed outside Hollywood (next to Karen's house, it seems) because it's cheaper Could've knocked me over with a feather when a woman led a little gaggle of children (extras) up my steps one day. She (the assigned tutor) had been told to use them (in the shade and nearby) since their van had been reassigned as all the *stars* were on set that day. That didn't fly with me!! Hey, after next week, they are off to Italy."}, {"response": 173, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (19:57)", "body": "Miramax flew Judi Dench over on Concorde! OK, let's get real. When Colin wins a few Tonys, SWETs, BAFTAs, and gets an Oscar nomination (and is bruited for a second out of the film being premiered), I guarantee he'll get the Concorde treatment. I love the man's work, but he's no Judi Dench."}, {"response": 174, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (20:53)", "body": "(Chris) OK, let's get real. But we like fantasyland! ;-D Unfortunately they don't like to give those awards to *heart-throb* actors. Nothing for Tumbledown. Nothing for P&P (and don't try to convince me that Robbie Coltrane deserved it...he's been doing Cracker year in year out..) Nothing for Playmaker. I could go on and on..."}, {"response": 175, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (21:46)", "body": "I just finished watching Camille (the film looked fine - no washouts). DB is very pretty, and appears to do more kissing in it than in the rest of his films together, but Camille seems a little passionless, considering the story. The difference between Armand and Mr. Darcy is the difference between a boy and a man. However, it may grow on me - I didn't care much for Wings of Fame first time around, but liked it very much after subsequent viewings (Karen) and don't try to convince me that Robbie Coltrane deserved it...he's been doing Cracker year in year out.. Unbelievable that Colin lost to Coltrane/Cracker; I guess the BAFTA panel never read P & P, so didn't realize the difficulty of the role. IMO, many actors could play Cracker well (though perhaps not ODB, as he would give the character some redeeming quality or other), but there is only one Mr. Darcy!! (Karen) Nothing for Playmaker. LOL! But who saw it!!??"}, {"response": 176, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (21:49)", "body": "He should definitely have won a BAFTA for Tumbledown, he certainly didn't play it for his looks, but he was SL. Still I have high hopes for DQ!! Have you been in touch with BBC Scotland recently Karen, do we kow when it is to be aired? Also Karen & Eileen you will both be able to see MLSF I hope and will report back and let us know what you both think of it, an unbiased opinion, of course."}, {"response": 177, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (22:41)", "body": "(anne h.)To add to your sorrow I do not believe he will continue to act much past forty, so lets make the most of what we've got. Is this just a conjecture based on his interview a long time ago.? (Before Livia,...before he owned a new flat in London, a flat in Rome and a condo in LA).Plus school fees. Or do you have something more concrete to base it on? I'm not trying to be adverserial....just interested on the basis:-)"}, {"response": 178, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (22:49)", "body": "Thank you ladies for the warm welcome, with a special thank you to Karen. That was lovely, and very clever. (Evelyn) I have known of Colin Firth since I saw \"A Month in the Country\" many years ago. I then watched P&P2 the first time it was on TV, and knew that Mr Darcy was Colin Firth, but that was it. The 2nd time P&P2 was on TV, I taped it and watched parts of it on the odd occasion. But THEN one Sunday afternoon in November 1998 I was house-bound and decided to watch it again and since then I have been utterly and completely Firthsessed. I found it very difficult to find any information on him in Austral a but in January this year, the internet was loaded on to my computer (at work, I don\ufffdt have one at home) and since then its been WOW. I was blown away at how much interest in him there is around the world. I find myself arriving at work earlier and earlier so I have time to \"go for a surf on the net\". I have managed to track down a few of his earlier movies, but am still looking for \"Valmont\" \"Femme Fatale\" \"Tumbledown\" \"Master of the Moor\" \"Camille\" and \"Dutch Girls\". Given the problems you guys are having with MLSF, I have little hope of seeing it in Australia, especially as I live outside a metropolitan area. I may have to console myself with video (that\ufffds if it makes it of course). I was shattered to hear about SLOW; I was really looking forward to that."}, {"response": 179, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (23:07)", "body": "( Cathey)... Firthsessed.... New word to add to our vocab thanks Cath... Try http://www.reel.com ... for FF, Dutch Girls, Camille, Valmont.They have PAL too. For the others you'll have to find a firthsessed friend in Australia."}, {"response": 180, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 1999 (01:37)", "body": "When Colin wins a few Tonys, SWETs, BAFTAs, and gets an Oscar nomination (and is bruited for a second out of the film being premiered), I guarantee he'll get the Concorde treatment. I love the man's work, but he's no Judi Dench. My comment about Judi Dench and Concorde was strictly tongue in cheek....I think if Colin ever gets the Concorde treatment I'll fall off my chair! :-) But even by ordinary scheduled flights, he could make a quick return trip to NY. He's got the lead role, and unlike at the AMFAR screening, might attract some attention from the media. RE. BAFTAs...even Robbie Coltrane looked surprised when he won his third BAFTA in a row for the same role! Cathey, I'm sure that dates for MLSF have been set for Australia....August?"}, {"response": 181, "author": "ommin", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 1999 (01:52)", "body": "Cathey fear not MLSF is scheduled for Oz. Hi, I live in Perth, where do you live. You can still get Camille from video shops, I did. Get in touch with me tell me a bit about yourself and perhaps something can be arranged. There are quite a few of us who like him your are not alone."}, {"response": 182, "author": "ommin", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 1999 (01:54)", "body": "Re my suggestion of giving up acting at forty. He is becoming quite deeply involved in politics and I have a feeling about it. Not to worry I just posted my feelings to get a reaction. My apologies. Does anyone no what Londinium is about I have had a query from a friend here in Perth and I thought I would enquire on this board."}, {"response": 183, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 1999 (02:16)", "body": "\"Yes, Virginia....There is such a movie.......\" Good News : PREMIERE MOVIE MAGAZINE August edition P. 24. Cinemascope: Movies That Matter This Month : MY LIFE SO FAR: Drama: starring Colin firth and Mary elizabeth Mastrantonop ; directed by Hugh Hudson \" Perceptive ten-year-old fraser Pettigrew marrates his life so far, which includes watching his parents' marriage quietly crumble and learning about the 'temptations of the flesh' via naughty books. With MLSF, Hudson (Chariots of Fire) delivers a rich and complexly woven drama about familial love and tensions, set against the lush, idyllic backdrop of the Scottish countryside. Release date: July 16 (Miramax) Yeay!!!It was listed along with EWS,Runaway Bride,.... At least a movie mag is admitting there is such a film....:-)"}, {"response": 184, "author": "livamago", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 1999 (02:34)", "body": "PREMIERE MOVIE MAGAZINE Yes Evelyn!!!! That is very comforting. I picked up a British magazine called Company just because it had \"The 100 Sexiest men\" on the cover, but to my disbelief, it had everyone, and I mean everyone, but CF! BTW, I loved the Harpers & Queen pictures of JE! She is looking prettier every time."}, {"response": 185, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 1999 (07:31)", "body": "Thankyou for telling us about the Premiere magazine article Evelyn, I'm glad they liked it, I'm beginning to think HW is really trying to protect this film and give it as good a chance as possible but I would like to see a fe more trailers in the cinemas, there is still time though."}, {"response": 186, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 1999 (17:43)", "body": "Firth Fans: Spring Fans and Lurkers.... Time to circle the wagons..... Wanna do something besides ring hands and worry....? Call corporate Miramax in NY: 212-941-3800 Ask who the Miramax rep in your city is....because you wish to inquire when MLSF is coming to you nearest city. Then call that person and tell them how much you wish to see this film and when will it be released in your city...(or nearest city).You don't have to give a name... And it won't cost much because you won't talk long. The time has come...\"to make a little noise....\" Let's hear reports from everyone...."}, {"response": 187, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 1999 (20:12)", "body": "Thank you, Evelyn for the Miramax info. Sounds like a good idea...anything to feel less helpless about it--especially for those of us outside the range of the \"Top Ten\" (or \"eight\"...whatever.)"}, {"response": 188, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 1999 (00:09)", "body": "It is Top 10. I misunderstood. It was NY & LA plus the next 8. OK, so math wasn't my subject..."}, {"response": 189, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 1999 (00:42)", "body": "He is becoming quite deeply involved in politics An interest in social justice does not necessarily signify a deep involvement in politics."}, {"response": 190, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 1999 (04:01)", "body": "And then again it may. Who really knows? A Miramax rep in my little town? Is there such a creature? Good idea, Evelyn. This woman makes things happen."}, {"response": 191, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 1999 (18:50)", "body": "More on Fever Pitch's change in release dates, per Phaedra (an elaboration of what Winter posted a few days ago) It is being pushed back to due (1) inability to get screens and (2) the tie-in with the beginning of the English League Soccer season in August. Phaedra has made arrangements to promote on Fox Sports (which has the rights to these games) during the soccer matches and sportscasts. I think the games are shown tape delayed on Sunday nights. (Live on Pay per View) Now some horrible news : Spike done ripped off from Fever Pitch!! Saw Summer of Sam and there's a big, loud, great action montage set to Baba O'Reilly just like in FP. Even had scenes at Yankee Stadium. Bwaaaaahhhhh!!"}, {"response": 192, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 1999 (20:47)", "body": "Another CF film update: Was jogging down my street this AM, and what did I see plasterd on the front of our local art house theatre: \"My Life So Far!\"....coming soon... What was so cool about it was right next to \"An Ideal Husband\" poster."}, {"response": 193, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 11, 1999 (02:04)", "body": "TWO BIG THUMBS UP!!! My Life So Far was reviewed on Siskel & Ebert, and Roger and his guest critic, Norman Marks, gave it glowing reviews. Norman did the film overview and got to give his opinion first. He said: \"MLSf is the kind of lovely, lovable film that lots of people say they want to see and then unfortunately don't.\" He mentioned that the Scottish accent might be somewhat difficult to understand, but when Roger started he said he disagreed. The accent was perfectly understandable. This was not Trainspotting where you needed subtitles. Norman said the film meandered, but he thought that it seemed right, since the story is told throught the eyes of a child, who cannot control events. He said it involved him, despite the fact that he shouldn't have been able to relate to a family that lived in a castle, had servants and something about the spanghum moss. Roger was laughing. Then it was Roger's turn. First words out of his mouth: \"I loved this film.\" (HOORAH!!!) He talked about Puttnam and Hudson reuniting. He loved the delightful dottiness of the family. Then Norman mentioned the fact that the film has been fiddled with for the past two years and said that sometimes we (the critics) know too much about a film's making (like its budget, problems, etc.). Roger said that he didn't know that (huh?? he was in Cannes and he spoke to Puttnam) and wished he hadn't been told. Usually that means that the film needs work. He said in MLSF's defense: \"fiddled with it until they got the tune just right because this film doesn't have a wrong note in it. It's just de ightful from end to end.\" They showed a couple of clips. The first time you see Colin, he is poking his head into a hayloft type place where Fraser and Heloise are talking. You see him scowl. Then there's a scene at the dinner table (not the pushing the hand away thing), but where Fraser proposes that the women go into prostitution. Hardly anyone is singled out. At the beginning, Norman said \"Uncle Morris is energetically played by Malcolm McDowell.\" Also, major kudos for Rosemary Harris. He said: \"She deserves a special Os ar for continuing greatness.\" Otherwise, nothing mentioned about the acting. Just a great film. Whew!! Major hurdle crossed. Check at the Siskel and Ebert website later in the week. You will be able to hear the review. Here's the url: http://tvplex.go.com/buenavista/siskelandebert/reviews.html"}, {"response": 194, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 11, 1999 (02:06)", "body": "Well the posting did deserve the emphasis, but I have closed the tags. Was way too excited!!"}, {"response": 195, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 11, 1999 (02:10)", "body": "And I have double-checked, they are closed. BTW, this show was taped before the change in the release schedule. Go to the site to find out when it shows in your area and on what station."}, {"response": 196, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jul 11, 1999 (08:40)", "body": "TWO THUMBS UP!! Great news to wake up to Karen, thanks very much. I would have liked it if they had mentioned Colin but I am very happy and have high hopes for this film. S&E's opinion is well thought of believe, is that correct?"}, {"response": 197, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jul 11, 1999 (09:53)", "body": "Thanks Karen for both the MLSF and FP news! And Winter,it's great to hear that the posters are going up. The eerie silence surrounding this movie has been making me nervous! Even if the dates have been shifted, I was still expecting that there would be some reviews. Small films can make an impact if they're \"talked up\" well in advance (like The Full Monty)......but you have to be told \"hey, there's this great little movie coming out\". There has to be some expectation. BTW I'm very glad that MLSF isn't opening the same week as EWS (why was it ever scheduled for then?). We're already getting the build up over here....lengthy articles about the filming of the \"erotic masterpiece\", photos of the kiss etc. In terms of coverage, it will bury all other films. Phaedra sound as though they've got a marketing strategy for FP. Good for them! Women's soccer seems to have a very high profile in the US at the moment...maybe a lot more people will be able to relate to soccer fandom. News item last week about plans for a Nigerian Arts (Music, Drama, Film) Festival somewhere in the UK. No shortage of material in music and drama, but they are actively looking for movies to show. I know the Bank have completely given up on SLOW (and am not resurrecting the subject, I promise!)and relegated it to the archives, but there are opportunities for less commercial showings, and more importantly, reviews (which say \"this film is not a turkey!) Better than nothing! Any sightings of Colin on talk shows? All he's got to do is walk across the studio floor, grin a lot (and not tweak his nose), and utter a few platitudes (great movie, loved working on it, Scotland is beautiful etc) and his \"recognition factor\" will go sky high!"}, {"response": 198, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 11, 1999 (14:39)", "body": "(AnneH) S&E's opinion is well thought of believe, is that correct? Very correct. S&E made film review a popular media. Siskel's death was even mentioned at the last Oscar ceremony. Roger is a very well-respected critic and Miramax is probably jumping for joy that the commercials can now say in voiceover, \"Roger Ebert loved this movie.\" The guest critic, Norman Marks, is local to Chicago. I've heard him for ages on the radio doing his reviews. I believe he is just broadcast (radio and TV) and not print. (Bethan) Any sightings of Colin on talk shows? Not so far. In fact, the schedule is not cooperating. Both Letterman and Rosie O'Donnell are on reruns next week. Is there some kind of special holiday going on in NY that we don't have here? Argh!! However, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio will be on Regis and Kathie Lee on Monday. She will no doubt be talking about MLSF and Limbo (for which she stands an excellent chance of being nominated for awards...if she keeps in front of the public). Definitely need to check up on the Charlie Rose show, unless he's in reruns as well. All he's got to do is walk across the studio floor, grin a lot (and not tweak his nose), and utter a few platitudes...and his \"recognition factor\" will go sky high! LOL!! Would love to see him on Leno (maybe after the movie is out and Colin can break away from Londinium). Jay would be doing his tough machoman, hitching up the pants bit, and say, \"Hey, I hear that you had all the women in England laid out over your wet shirt and tight breeches...\" ;-D"}, {"response": 199, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 11, 1999 (14:52)", "body": "Murph has posted my summary of the S&E show review segment on her news page: http://www.geocities.com/~murphyat65/news2.html Also, I have sent her a NEW picture from MLSF, which she has posted as well on the MLSF page: http://www.geocities.com/~murphyat65/mlsf.html"}, {"response": 200, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jul 11, 1999 (15:36)", "body": "Marvelous news! Hey, I was never worried. (sure, Heide, sure) I don't think there's a more powerful reviewer in the US than Ebert (including Maslin) so perhaps now Miramax can finally start the publicity machine. I'll be taping MEM on Regis tomorrow. Karen and Murph, you sure don't let any grass grow under your feet. Thanks."}, {"response": 201, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 11, 1999 (16:22)", "body": "...must be age setting in. I get a feeling in my bones when there is news of this movie!! Just like the trailer being at the Miramax site. Or maybe it's just logic (Cannes premiere=site update; planned US releases=TV review) Maybe I should call into Oprah and talk about my spiritualism with this movie? ;-D"}, {"response": 202, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jul 11, 1999 (16:45)", "body": "The new picture is marvellous! Father and son are just too cute! Especially father...those white trousers are going to be most distracting! I don't think there's a more powerful reviewer in the US than Ebert And he loved it....better and better. I liked the Oscar link with Rosemary Harris. Harvey loves Oscars....maybe he'll start pushing RH for Best Supporting Actress and throw a few dollars into the promotion! :-) Nice little pipedream...I've always wanted a sequel. If we can't have P&P2, we could perhaps have \"My Life Continues\"? !"}, {"response": 203, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 11, 1999 (20:53)", "body": "Thanks Karen....Our girl is always out there!!!! (Bethan)I liked the Oscar link with Rosemary Harris. Harvey loves Oscars....maybe he'll start pushing RH for Best Supporting Actress and throw a few dollars into the promotion! :-) Harvey knows RH's talent....she received a Supporting Actress Oscar nom for Tom and Viv another Miramax film."}, {"response": 204, "author": "kcjones", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (01:37)", "body": "re: the Jay Leno show, if any of CF's agents read this site, I'd like to remind them that during a Gwynneth Paltrow appearance, CF's name came up and I clearly remember JL saying he \"loved that guy (that played Earl of Wessex)\"......and I don't think Leno is on re-runs anytime soon... So, it seems that the invitation to appear would be out for CF?!! (I hope hope hope so!). With the tie-in to the success of SIL, it could only help the \"general public\" (as opposed to those of us with the superior taste and ability to support ODB and see MLSF a few times!), to get out and see this film, esp. after the S&E review. well, here's HOPING!!!"}, {"response": 205, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (02:11)", "body": "Karen reminded me.... If you go to the S&E website at the URL she gave us: http://tvplex.go.com/buenavista/siskelandebert/reviews.html And click on to : \"When to Watch\"...and select the city closest to you... They give you the next time this week that the program is repeated with the review of MLSF."}, {"response": 206, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (02:40)", "body": "Karen, thanks for the heads-up -- the S&E show reviewing MLSF was on in the Boston area this a.m. Was so glad to see my assessment of the film concurred with Ebert's and Mark's and it wasn't just my rampant Firtholism making me biased. I thought Mark's comment that \"this is the type of film people say they want to go see... and then don't\" was very astute -- hope that isn't the case, but fear it may be in this summer of \"American Pie\" and other juvenile gross-out movies. RH's performance reminded me very much of her role in \"Tom and Viv\" -- can definitely see her being nominated for a supporting Oscar. The Boston Globe doesn't list MLSF as opening here this week, so guess it will be July 23 (hopefully), regardless of what the person at Kendall Sq. told Laura. Just a thought... with CF and Irene Jacob working together on Londinium at the moment, maybe Miramax will fly both of them to NY for the MLSF premiere -- sort of a \"two MLSF costars for the price of one\" deal;-)"}, {"response": 207, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (04:32)", "body": "An article in Sunday's Observer about Puttnam: From Sir... with lots of love He's just made his final film. Now he wants to shower Britain's neglected and vilified teachers with affection - and money. Euan Ferguson meets David Puttnam. Sunday July 11, 1999 The Observer She is, he enthuses, his soft beard bristling with passion, 'astonishing, wonderful, beautiful, our jewel. If she didn't exist you'd have to invent her.' The one-time head of Columbia Pictures, producer of some of Britain's most fizzingly dramatic films of the past 30 years, once on nodding terms with half the stars of the Hollywood firmament, is getting most excited indeed about a lady, which is fascinating, given that Schools Minister Estelle Morris - while doubtless every one of these things, and more - has not hitherto been noted as the kind of lady who would, as they say in Hollywood, incite bishops to kick holes through stained-glass windows. But passions change. And for David Puttnam, happy and sunned and ennobled, and enthused in a way he says seldom happened in films, his new and brimming passion is education, and it's likely to fill the rest of his life. Which starts about now. Yesterday he was promising me the 'finest coffee in all of London' as we sat baking outside a Knightsbridge cafe, and trying to pitch education reforms - software potential, teacher-training ideas - with the manic enthusiasm of a teen auteur granted one three-minute spiel. Today brings the culmination of a year's work with the live broadcasting of his 1999 Teacher's Awards, a kind of schools Oscars to reward the likes of 'best new teacher in a secondary'. Tomorrow he flies to New York for the launch of his latest film, My Life So Far. It will be his last film ever. 'That's it. Last one. Clapper down.' There are no second thoughts. 'No, I can't conceive of being tempted back, ever. Over the past year or so, travelling round all these schools, I've met more astonishing people than I ever did in the film industry. And the problem they're struggling with is so intractable, so difficult - they'll be struggling with it for the next 50 years. And when you're 58, as I am... it's going to see me out, this battle, and there's something rather exciting about that.' His resentment at the film industry is obvious. After leading the last British assault on Hollywood with some of the most charmed films of our age - Chariots of Fire, The Killing Fields - he was spat out by Columbia's owners, Coca-Cola, and ended up with ME and accompanying depression. The frustrations, these days, of wrestling with the twin horns of what he sees as the schools problem - Middle England's prejudice against teachers, and teachers' prejudice against change - are nothing compared to his occasional frustrations at the shallowness of Hollywood. 'Last week, trying to get a particular star to help present these awards tomorrow, I had the most infuriating conversation I've had in the past year. Not her fault: I couldn't even get past the PR. Oh, it was just infinitely depressing far worse than anything else.' His resentment against the teaching profession, on the other hand, has almost completely abated. His own education, at a grammar school in north London - his best friend there was Mirror editor Piers Morgan's father - was 'not great.' He left at 16 to become a messenger boy, and has said since that the lack of a university education left him with 'resenment and a slight chip for the rest of my life.' Eighteen months ago, then, when invited to oversee the BBC1 project to find the most improved schools, he threw himself into it with keen fascination. Now it consumes him. He talks, at length, of his welter of ideas: of the desire to harness the 'astounding deftness, the razor-sharp thinking' of a child perched on a PlayStation to that child's education, and of 'multiple intelligence'; though he doesn't want to be labelled too 'hip', and accepts some Sixties educational theories stand up today about as well as the one about the world sitting on the back of a turtle. In fact, he resists and resents any categorising as 'traditionalist' or 'moderniser'; what he's mainly against is 'bad teachers'. Which means? 'A bad teacher is anyone who consistently - and I mean year after year, for we all have bad years; God knows I had a couple - but consistently fails to engage attention.' It's also a question, very much, of leadership. 'I hope this doesn't sound too snobbish, but you can tell as soon as you arrive at a school. You're either met by someone who knows you're coming, who smiles and takes you inside to meet the head, or you find yourself talking to someone who hasn't a clue, and mumbles something about the room at the end of the corridor. The difference between those two schools, everything about them, is phenomenal.' But there aren't, he insists, that many bad teachers - and he insists on insisting on this to Estelle, and to David Blunkett and Chief Inspector of Schools Chris Woodhead, both of whose ea"}, {"response": 208, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (08:03)", "body": "Anne Thanks for your message. I tried to email you at the address on this board but it came back \"undeliverable\". My address here is the correct one if you want to contact me. Thanks. There was a picture of Elizabeth & Mr Darcy in a Brisbane paper over the weekend. I nearly fell over when I saw it. Its because P&P2 is showing on Australian television at the moment. I haven\ufffdt read the article as yet but if there is anything worthwhile (ie: Colin related) I will post it later. At a quick glance it looks as though it is discussing Jane Austen rather than the actors involved. Where do I go to find out the meaning of the various symbols used at this board? Eg. =P or :-)D. Thanks."}, {"response": 209, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (08:41)", "body": "Don't think anyone is going to want to put Puttnam on any talk shows DP is, I am afraid to say, a bit of a political bore. We heard him speak at a dinner just before the last general election. We all wanted to hear about the British film industry, a subject on which DP might have some unique insight, instead of which we were given a lecture on the Labour Party policy on Europe! It was not even well delivered. He droned from notes, which was totally inapropriate for the occasion. RH's performance reminded me very much of her role in \"Tom and Viv\" -- can definitely see her being nominated for a supporting Oscar. Oh dear. Does that mean that even if this film is a critical success, Colin will be overlooked again in favour of others (like JF in SIL)? Cannot stop looking on the downside :-)"}, {"response": 210, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (08:46)", "body": "BTW I was wandering among the CF sites recently and came upon the picure of JF kissing CF (on firth.com) and I noticed for the first time that Colin is wearing a rather unusual watch. It has a black oblong face and what appears to be a red strap. Is anyone knowledgeable about watches? No detail about ODB is too small to be of interest!"}, {"response": 211, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (10:30)", "body": "Another review for MLSF at http://www.culturevulture.net/Movies/MyLifeSoFar.htm - so-so, mentions Colin."}, {"response": 212, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (13:40)", "body": "The Boston Globe doesn't list MLSF as opening here this week, so guess it will be July 23 (hopefully), regardless of what the person at Kendall Sq. told Laura. ] Kendall Square doesn't advertise it's movies. They have a listing but it goes in on Thursday's, that's when they update their movie listings. How many movies do you know are playing Kendall Square? Run Lola Run, Edge of Seventeen, The Winslow Boy, Cookie's Fortune, Get Real. These are movies that don't generally advertise. They change their schedule on Thursday nights in time for Friday's opening. So we'll see. I"}, {"response": 213, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (14:42)", "body": "Good on ya, Karen--you've been a busy girl. Thanks for keeping us so up-to-date. I bet Siskel also gave MLSF a thumbs up from the big movie house in the sky! (Karen) Is there some kind of special holiday going on in NY that we don't have here? Argh!! Hillary's listening tour? It's probably best that the shows are in repeats this week since MLSF's opening has been pushed back. I'd *love* to see Colin on Rosie (but am not holding my breath--he is working, after all. His appearance on talk shows is possible but isn't a given). She can gush like the rest of us gals (Dave and Jay wouldn't be the same) and I'd like to see how he would handle it. Thanks for the cultureventure url, Ann. The reviewer dissed the movie (not ODB) but it was nice to see his pictures all around the text. Have Regis on right now. The flashback of Regis cooking with Miss Piggy is over (now I know why I don't watch these shows on my days off). Harry Hamlin's on now. Ho-hum...bring on MEM!! Bring on a clip of the movie which predominantly features ODB! C'mon!"}, {"response": 214, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (14:43)", "body": "Cathey, the symbols are called emoticons and most of the ones we use here are smiles, smirking smiles, big smiles, etc. Here's a decent list of them: http://members.aol.com/bearpage/smileys.htm If you search in Yahoo under emoticons, you will see tons and tons of symbols, but very likely no one here will understand them and I think of them are jokes or attempts to be clever. Thanks AnnW for the review. This guy is definitely a vulture and not necessarily of culture. ;-) not very likable uncle (Malcolm McDowell). Thank goodness it's not Colin this time. It seems a shame really, since the film is so pleasing to look at and so much first class talent has been rounded up. Colin Firth...only gets the opportunity to display some serious thespian skills near the end of the film, leaving one to think that had this been a more complexly drawn character, the entire proceedings might have been a whole lot more interesting. First class talent and Colin is first named. How appropriate. I wonder about this vulture guy and the type of films he likes. Laura, as far as I know most if not all theaters change their shows on Friday and do have listings in the newspapers. With anticipated films, ads will go out usually the week before or at least on Sunday before to say \"Opening Friday.\" MLSF wouldn't be that type of film. However, I cannot believe that one movie theater in Boston would be able to show a film before it opens in NY and LA. Boston is in the Top 10 and should be showing it on August 6, unless Miramax changes its schedule. I have no doubt that the film reels are sitting there, but it could be that the person you spoke to wasn't aware of the change in release schedules."}, {"response": 215, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (15:01)", "body": "Heide, don't read this if you haven't watched your tape yet. Good news : MEM mentioned CF: \"...played by Colin Firth, who is a dear friend of ours...\" Bad news : no CF in the clip :-( Robbie and Irene are at the piano, playing and singing 'Sunny Side of the Street' when joined by MEM. It was rather short. Kathie Lee got 'Limbo' mixed up with MLSF--thought MLSF was written by John Sayles. Regis did say \"[MLSF] is from Miramax, so you know it's got to be good\" (or words to that effect)."}, {"response": 216, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (15:04)", "body": "However, I cannot believe that one movie theater in Boston ] The Winslow Boy opened at the same theater the same day it opened in NY/LA, this cinema does it all the time. Does it make it right? Probably not. Kendall Square is not Boston, but Cambridge, there is a distinctive difference. Most likely MLSF will NOT open in Boston. (Remember, Boston is small approximately four cinema's in Boston Proper, and not many in outlying Boston areas) I'm heading down there today to find out exactly when the movie will open. Shakespeare in Love didn't open in Boston (agai , Boston proper) until just before Oscar time, then it played at the Copley Square Cinema (Which is a Sony/Lowes theater.) However, it played in Cambridge (Harvard Square for quite a long time.) So Boston, shouldn't be the market, it should technically be Cambridge. Like I said, this Kendall Square Cinema is a two-shot theater owned by Landmark, there is another one in Waltham, MA, but that place is non-existant when it comes to viewership."}, {"response": 217, "author": "livamago", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (16:28)", "body": "Eileen: MEM mentioned CF: \"...played by Colin Firth, who is a dear friend of ours...\" I was hoping she would say something like \"a great actor\", or \"a gorgeous actor\", but at least she mentioned his name, and of course they had to mention Malcom M. as her co-star! Most irritating... I have emailed three shows requesting Colin as a guest: Live!, Jay Leno and David L. Probably nothing will come of it, but it makes me feel better."}, {"response": 218, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (20:26)", "body": "Where do I go to find out the meaning of the various symbols used at this board? Eg. =P or :-)D. I ignore them....The others are CF films, co-stars etc.You'll catch on after a while. Thanks Karen...for the article on David Puttnam...sounds like a guy with a chip on his shoulder.\"My -way -or- the- highway\" type! I don't think RH's chances of getting an Oscar nom for MLSF would weaken CF's...on the contrary. Am I the only one disappointed at MEM on Regis& Kathy this AM?Who cares about her life in London!! And someone should have told Regis that MLSF starred CF not Malcolm Mc Dowell!! (Talk about somone with a chip on her shoulder....me,)"}, {"response": 219, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (20:33)", "body": "..the screenwriter..telescoped the source memoir by Sir Denis Forman (a television executive) for purposes of dramatic cohesion. He achieved the cohesion, but the drama is conspicuously absent. Obviously the Culture Vulture didn't read the boring \"source memoir\" or he'd be raving about the screenplay."}, {"response": 220, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (20:40)", "body": "David Puttnam is, I am afraid to say, a bit of a political bore (Allison) Agreed. I think he's very worthy, but a dull speaker, and could be accused of perhaps taking himself too seriously. There's a lot about him in the press at the moment, in connection with the Education Awards. MLSF is usually mentioned in the context of \"Puttnam's last film\" before he went on to his new life. I sincerely hope that when it comes to promotion of MLSF in the UK, we get photos and interviews with Colin, not DP!! I note that DP is going to the NY premiere. Does Colin get a ticket also? Will he/ an he attend? The reviews seem to be coming in for MLSF. I have a feeling that a lot will depend on the taste/preference/gender of individual reviewers...it may not appeal to everyone, and so reactions may be mixed."}, {"response": 221, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (20:44)", "body": "Eileen, will you be going to see MLSF when it opens in NY on the 23rd, I am so looking forward to hearing what you ladies think of it. BTW I see that it is to open in Singapore (of all places) on the 26th August, and yet no date for the UK, I don't know. I wonder if it will be shown at the Edinburgh FF, a perfect opportunity I would have thought."}, {"response": 222, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (20:52)", "body": "(Evelyn) Am I the only one disappointed at MEM on Regis& Kathy this AM? Me too, although it was nice that MEM made the comment about CF being \"a very dear friend of ours\", having made no comments about the rest of the cast beyond mentioning their names. I only wished she had said what a fine actor he is (she couldn't really gush over his looks). The clip chosen is not going to pull in crowds; wouldn't you think, since the audience for this show is primarily female, that the clip would have shown a seriously handsome CF with MEM instead? ODB certainly looked lovely in the S & E clip of the dinner scene. M & S looked as though they really enjoyed MLSF as they spoke of it. BTW, has anyone called MIramax yet?"}, {"response": 223, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (20:56)", "body": "I'm really hoping that CF will do a talk show. He has a great smile (rarely seen on camera) .... and it would be his chance to say, hey I'm the star (not just the husband!) and I've got another movie coming out! He's the only one who can do this. And the Earl of Wessex/Prince Edward connection is still topical and a good opening gambit. But isn't he known to be very reluctant to appear on chat shows?"}, {"response": 224, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (21:04)", "body": "(Evelyn) Am I the only one disappointed at MEM on Regis& Kathy this AM?Who cares about her life in London!! But it was MEM sitting there in the chair, so the chit-chat (and the clip) was about her. And in the minds of the promoters, US audiences will recognize MMcD from his stint on the ill-fated 'Fantasy Island' series moreso than CF. I'm afraid we'll have to get used to this until ODB makes these appearances himself. (Ann) will you be going to see MLSF when it opens in NY on the 23rd I probably won't be seeing it until Monday, the 26th--depends on where it's playing. Will be glad to share my opinion (something I never do, hee hee) on the most appropriate board. Lastly... One positive Roger Ebert review outweighs one negative Culture Vulture review by at least a million to one!"}, {"response": 225, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (22:01)", "body": "(Allison) Colin is wearing a rather unusual watch. It has a black oblong face and what appears to be a red strap. Was near major shopping area, so checked out men's watches. Nothing even close. Will probably have to visit jewelry district. BTW, Evelyn, the cows will still be on display when you're here!! (Laura) Kendall Square is not Boston, but Cambridge, there is a distinctive difference. (My final comment on the subject) Let's not get pedantic. When a film opens in Chicago, it will also open in Evanston, Oak Park, Oakbrook, Rolling Ghettos, Flossmoor, Highland Park, etc. Cambridge may not be Boston proper, but it is also not NY or LA proper. ;-) (AnnW) I see that it is to open in Singapore (of all places) on the 26th August, and yet no date for the UK All that means is that someone had that information (which was verifiable) and they made the effort to submit it to the IMDb. As I recall, there are dates for release in Australia too. (Eileen) Kathie Lee got 'Limbo' mixed up with MLSF Could anyone be ditzier? How much prep work do these *hosts* do? I think none is the answer for Kathie Lee. (Evelyn) Obviously the Culture Vulture didn't read the boring \"source memoir\" or he'd be raving about the screenplay. LOL!!! So true, so true. (Lynda) The clip chosen is not going to pull in crowds I've always noticed that the clips run on talk shows showcase the actor who is there. A scene where that actor is doing the majority of the talking or acting or kickboxing or whatever. It's not intended to entice the audience, but rather make the actor look good. But I do agree that one with Colin would have been better. (Bethan) And the Earl of Wessex/Prince Edward connection is still topical and a good opening gambit. We think alike. I used that in my last email to Phaedra!! A strike while the iron is hot approach. (Eileen) US audiences will recognize MMcD from his stint on the ill-fated 'Fantasy Island' series Thanks, Eileen. I had forgotten about that show. ;-D"}, {"response": 226, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (22:45)", "body": "Kathie Lee's preparation: 1. Show up. 2. Open mouth. After show: Return home and let Frank out of his locked room. (Karen)I had forgotten about that show. ;-D You and the rest of us who had any sense (actually, the show did do well critically). But why else is MMcD getting mentioned when CF's the star?"}, {"response": 227, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (23:01)", "body": "But why else is MMcD getting mentioned when CF's the star? He's older? ;-)"}, {"response": 228, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (23:07)", "body": "(Bethan)..I'm really hoping that CF will do a talk show In your dreams, Bethan But who knows...Jennifer did three in February...one was good:-)"}, {"response": 229, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (23:15)", "body": "From Time magazine (courtesy of Mari) MY LIFE SO FAR Directed by Hugh Hudson Is it gently celebrating eccentricity or mildly deploring familial dysfunction? This story, told by a 10-year-old boy growing up in a Scottish castle in the 1920s, can't quite make up its mind on that matter. Or what it thinks of its central figure, Edward (Colin Firth), an impractical inventor trying to make a go of moss farming. He is at once lustful (his determined eye is cast at his brother-in-law's pretty French fianc\ufffde), a good father to his numerous brood, yet sometimes abrupt and heedless of th m. He's a stormy character, all right, but an unfocused one, and this well-cast adaptation of a memoir by a British TV executive is disjointed, only queasily humorous and too casual about its dark undercurrents. --By Richard Schickel There is a photo of Colin from the Miramax press kit (wearing a white jacket and carrying a walking stick). ***** Ladies, not to worry. Time rarely likes anything and Schickel has been criticized of late for his EWS article. EWS is Warner Bros. of Times-Warner."}, {"response": 230, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (23:23)", "body": "From the LA Times (also from Mari) Sunday, July 11, 1999 WHATEVER. DAVID PUTTNAM / PRODUCER By STEVE HOCHMAN With 1981 best picture Oscar winner \"Chariots of Fire\" topping his resume, producer David Puttnam--Lord Puttnam of Queensgate, C.B.E.--has had a full life. But when he says \"My Life So Far\" (reuniting him with \"Chariots\" director Hugh Hudson) is his last as a producer, he's not retiring--at 58, he's got three Blair government appointments in addition to his House of Lords duties. CIVIL SERVANT: \"This genuinely is my last film as a producer. I may executive-produce. But I love the jobs I've got with the government [including chair of the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts] and would be jolly sorry if someone took it away from me.\" TOGETHER AGAIN: \"Working with Hugh Hudson again was a real treat. He's got a lovely sense of period, comes from a family not dissimilar to what we have in the film. He brings something extra--doesn't just direct a film, but lives it.\" FAMILY VALUES: \"I found 'My Life So Far' as a very funny book [\"Son of Adam\" by Sir Denis Forman, based on his own eccentric family]. It's a family that hung together through all this craziness. I've had enough of films that pretend life is a series of simple choices.\" POSITIVELY: \"What is inexplicable to me is how anyone with a brain would write, direct or participate in a film that promotes violence. They have a clear image of what a civil society is like. Why not spend your career promoting that vision rather than working against it?\" RIGHTS AND WRONGS: \"The tragedy is it's the irresponsibility of artists that invites the government to take a position on artists. Freedom from censorship is very recent and fragile, and if you abuse it, you lose it.\" SHARP SHOOTER: \"Charlton Heston is a very nice man, but his position on gun control in this country [Great Britain] would be considered an obscenity. People would regard it as completely insane. We had two major killings here last year. People just don't use guns in Britain. There is no gun culture here, I'm happy to say.\" NEXT UP: \"I have three scripts at Warner Bros. which I would executive-produce. One is with Anthony Minghella, 'Fade Out,' which I think will be made. One is with Taylor Hackford, called \"Serenade,' and there's 'A Very Long Engagement,' which Hugh Hudson loves, a marvelous, bleak look at the First World War.\""}, {"response": 231, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (23:29)", "body": "Don't like the TIME review....not a good sign. V. powerful magazine with humongous readership. Harvey better get in overdrive."}, {"response": 232, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (23:30)", "body": "He says it is well cast and then kind of contradicts himself, I don't quite understand this review - still so far I have seen 3 for and 3 against, I think Bethan has got a point that it is going to depend on whether the individual reviewer likes this kind of film."}, {"response": 233, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (23:38)", "body": "From today's Philadelphia Inquirer, in Marilyn Beck's syndicated column: FILMMAKER PUTTNAM QUITTING MOVIES FOR POLITICS Esteemed filmmaker David Puttnam is calling it a day. \"There'll be no more movies for me,\" says the onetime Columbia studio chieftain, whose long credit list includes Chariots Of Fire, Midnight Express, The Mission, The Killing Fields, and Miramax's current whimsical drama about an eccentric Scottish family, My Life so Far. Speaking after a day's toil as a member of the British House Of Lords, Puttnam says: \"It's become evident that the political work I'm doing cannot co-exist with the demands of making a movie. In one case or another, you're letting someone down.\" That realization hit him, he says, when he was in post-production on My Life So Far. He relates that, one day, he found himself \"with an orchestra waiting for me on one side of town, and legislation awaiting me on the other\"--as a vote was about to take place for which Puttnam, a whip, had to be present. Puttnam is glad to be going out on My Life So Far, which reunited him with Chariots Of Fire director Hugh Hudson--and which Puttnam considers \"in many ways the nicest film I've ever done.\" Still, he does have five or six scripts in development at Warner Bros. Turning those projects over to others, \"I suppose, will be like relinquishing my babies.\""}, {"response": 234, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (23:42)", "body": "And here's the one you've been waiting for. The bellwether publication Mademoiselle (August issue). I think Mari sat at the newsstand all day! ;-) BEAUTIFUL DREAMERS My Life So Far--Starring Colin Firth If your vacation plans are less than postcard-worthy, this gorgeous movie may be your ticket. Set in a picturesque Highland castle in 1930s Scotland, it's the story of the MacIntosh family as seen through the eyes of ten-year-old Fraser. His father (Firth) is an inventor, but with less-than-astute business skills. the family's idyllic life is threatened when Fraser's successful uncle (Malcolm McDowell) returns for a visit with his fianc\ufffde (Irene Jacob), with whom his father has fallen in love. Although the plot unwinds clumsily, see it for the charming glimpse it offers of manor life. (3 stars out of 4) ********** I think it bases its review on the clothing! ;-D"}, {"response": 235, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (23:45)", "body": "Huh! Can we have less of David Puttnam, and more of Colin please. Talk shows....I tend to agree, Evelyn,.....\"in my dreams\"! But I think self-promotion is his Achilles' heel. His unassuming nature makes him attractively non-showbizzy, but it's a competitive world out there, and there are only a few decent roles available. If JE can do it, so can he! For someone who is \"retiring\" DP seems to be involved in some interesting projects. Anything for Colin? The Time review is odd...I thought the whole point about Edward was that he is a contradiction. \"well-cast\" is okay though! And even CultureVulure seems to approve of the cast!"}, {"response": 236, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 1999 (00:19)", "body": "(Bethan)isn't he known to be very reluctant to appear on chat shows? Indeed he is. (Allison) the picure of JF kissing CF (on firth.com)... Colin is wearing a rather unusual watch... Is anyone knowledgeable about watches? Good pic, isn't it? ;-) There is a Hugo Boss range of watches which look very much like this one: prices are about \ufffd350."}, {"response": 237, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 1999 (00:59)", "body": "this well-cast adaptation of a memoir by a British TV executive is disjointed, only queasily humorous and too casual about its dark undercurrents. Further thoughts on this \"review\"....what dark undercurrents? Was Edward planning to murder Morris and incarcerate Heloise in a dungeon? Or poison his wife? And \"queasily humorous\"? This isn't \"Something about Mary\"...all the instances of humour I've read about seem disarming and rather innocent. And Denis Forman was Chairman/Managing Director of Granada Television (More than a mere exec!) \"Disjointed\"...well, perhaps it's intended to be meandering..it relects a child's perpective. Why can't we review reviewer? \"Woefully inaccurate effort by Time's movie critic!\" :-) There is a Hugo Boss range of watches which look very much like this one: prices are about \ufffd350. Present from Livia?"}, {"response": 238, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 1999 (01:09)", "body": "a Hugo Boss range of watches... about \ufffd350 Present from Livia? More than likely. I believe the watch he was seen wearing previously was a boring regular round white face affair."}, {"response": 239, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 1999 (02:16)", "body": "Time Magazine's review doesn't bother me. How many people read anymore? As Eileen said, One positive Roger Ebert review outweighs one negative Culture Vulture review by at least a million to one! or almost any negative review (as long as they don't come in droves). I for one am waiting for Cosmopolitan's ;-) Another Kathie Lee gaffe - didn't know who MEM's husband was. You're right, she does no homework."}, {"response": 240, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 1999 (02:32)", "body": "(Bethan) what dark undercurrents? Was Edward planning to murder Morris and incarcerate Heloise in a dungeon? Or poison his wife? Were those chapters missing from your copy of Son of Adam? ;-D Actually, most reviewers write about the movies they'd like to see as opposed to the film they did. I give no credence nor weight to culturevulture and his ilk. Anybody can set up a website and call themselves a critic. He's probably a chiropractor during the day."}, {"response": 241, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (06:39)", "body": "Ugh! A movie opening in Cambridge doesn't necessitate it opening in Boston. THAT was my point. If a movie opens in Chicago, yes it will open in other suburban locations, but that's not how it works in Boston/Cambridge. Cambridge gets the artsy flicks and Boston gets the action flicks, because of the patronage. End of subject."}, {"response": 242, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 1999 (16:06)", "body": "Given the timing relative to \"Relative Values\" and the start of \"Three Days of Rain\" previews, I'd keep an eye on this one. Producer Weldon's offices are at Suite 4, 11 The Aldwych, London WC2B 4DA (or they were a few years ago). Phone is 836-0186. From What's On London theatre news, 9 July: The No\ufffdl Coward Gala will top the year-long festivities. Held 24 October 1999 at the Drury Lane, the event will include star appearances from Richard Attenborough and Hugh Grant amongst others. It will be directed by Gillian Lynne with musical direction by Michael Reed and produced by Duncan C Weldon. All proceeds will be donated to the No\ufffdl Coward Scholarship Fund, a new charity set up for students applying to drama schools."}, {"response": 243, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 1999 (16:31)", "body": "Strange, very strange, must be that Blair Witch;)"}, {"response": 244, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 1999 (20:16)", "body": "Time Magazine's review doesn't bother me. How many people read anymore? I'm not despondent...but unfortunately the people who read Time Magazine are probably are the people who would go to see MLSF. I don't exactly see this film drawing the under 25 crowd!!"}, {"response": 245, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 1999 (22:12)", "body": "But why else is MMcD getting mentioned when CF's the star? Maybe the Stanley Kubrick connection; there seems to be a revival of interest in The Clockwork Orange because of EWS. I do not care what lures people in to see MLSF as long as they do. 10 screens in the U.S. is awful, though. However, we do need to lighten up a little. At least MLSF is getting some attention and is being shown (so at least there should be a video release). Perhaps Miramax is going to a bigger push in the fall in Britain, because it is the proper time for a film like this - maybe they never expected MLSF to do well in the U.S. anyway, but their marketing strategy (!?!) pretty well ensures its failure at the box office there. I don't know why Toronto is being ignored (maybe it will be released in the fall here, oo). I only wish Miramax would be specific about where those 10 screens are. I called them in NYC this morning, and was put through to voice mail in the publicity dep't. I'll try again later in the week - how about every one else calling and being (pleasantly) insistent? On the plus side, the reviews have been mixed, at worst. The Time review mentioned Colin having the central role and his character as being stormy (more interesting than being bland). Nobody has said the film is awful and S & E did give it a great review. As far as ODB goes, at least we aren't seeing him, as the bad guy no less, in the awful Wild, Wild West or, god help us, Inspector Gadget. I wouldn't see those films even if CF had the lead."}, {"response": 246, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 1999 (22:25)", "body": "Thanks to Mari for scouring the newstands and to Karen for typing up the articles. (Evelyn) but unfortunately the people who read Time Magazine are probably are the people who would go to see MLSF. I have to agree. I just breezed through my new 'Newsweek' and didn't see anything on MLSF yet. (Ann) He says it is well cast and then kind of contradicts himself, I don't quite understand this review My interpretation: the movie's plot/storyline is poor but the acting is good. I don't exactly see this film drawing the under 25 crowd!! The 'Ent Weekly' summer preview issue had MLSF pegged for the 'older, art-house' crowd. Perhaps the Mademoiselle review will nudge a few younger, art-house crowd members into the theater. Given the mixed reviews, what MLSF needs is publicity, publicity and more publicity. I hope there's a TV and print campaign kicking off in the very near future using the banner \"Roger Ebert gives it thumbs up!\" You've got to AC-cen-tuate the positive, E-lim-inate the negative..."}, {"response": 247, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 1999 (22:35)", "body": "10 screens in the U.S. is awful, though I didn't see your post until after I submitted mine, Lynda. It's ten cities, not ten screens--I sure hope it's playing in more than one theater in each city! As far as ODB goes, at least we aren't seeing him, as the bad guy no less, in the awful Wild, Wild West or, god help us, Inspector Gadget. I wouldn't see those films even if CF had the lead. Read a scathing review of WWW which said Kenneth Branagh's beard was more interesting than his character. Bombs away! I'll take \"bad plot, good acting\" reviews any time over this sort of thing (until such time as we can read \"CF is terrific! Run to the theater!\" Some day...)"}, {"response": 248, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 1999 (00:03)", "body": "OT: Got a lovely postcard in the mail from our dear Moon, who is in Urbino. She will be back with us in August, from what I gather."}, {"response": 249, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 1999 (00:45)", "body": "I vow not to say another word about MLSF until I see it. The doom and gloom here is depressing the hell out of me. 'Nuf from me on that subject other than I'll start the new Spoiler topic on the 23rd."}, {"response": 250, "author": "ommin", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 1999 (01:20)", "body": "Yes lets cheer up. It as least going somewhere - when I was in Singapore last year I was surprised how quickly they received films thus the same with MLSF and hopefully hear in Oz it will at least be in the main cities -"}, {"response": 251, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 1999 (13:21)", "body": "From the NY Daily News. I won't including most of the *boring* bits about the state of education, but at least we know others who attended the dinner after. 'Chariots' Big Exiting Biz One of the movie industry's most colorful figures is quitting the business. David Puttnam, the former head of Columbia Pictures and the Oscar-winning producer of \"Chariots of Fire,\" says he has had it with Hollywood \ufffd especially now that it has gone tabloid. \"What happened to newspapers in Britain is the same thing that happened to cinema in America,\" Puttnam said at the Box Tree restaurant Monday. \"In the early 1980s, newspapers in Britain turned into comics and they started to celebrate stupidity.... \"That's why he's calling it quits. But not before releasing \"My Life So Far,\" a comedy he produced for Miramax about forgiveness that stars Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and Malcolm McDowell. It opens July 23 and was screened Monday for a crowd that included Mastrantonio, Matthew Modine, Harvey Weinstein, British Ambassador to the United Nations Sir Jeremy Greenstock and his wife Lady Anne, and British Consul-General Sir Jeffrey Ling."}, {"response": 252, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 1999 (15:10)", "body": "I see that Harvey brought out the Big British Guns of the NY Diplomatic Corps. Too bad the newspaper didn't mention Colin....but that happens when one doesn't attend one's premiere. Who is Matthew Modine? \"Third fairy from the left\"? Anyway...good for him for attending."}, {"response": 253, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 1999 (17:00)", "body": "According to our Teletext, Stephen Fry is to star alongside David Suchet in a black comedy about Napoleon (Suchet) called Sabotage, filming is to start on August 1st in Spain, I guess RV must have been put on hold what with Colin doing Londinium and now this. SF is a very busy at the moment, I believe he has just finished something for the BBC, then L maybe RV and now S."}, {"response": 254, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 1999 (17:01)", "body": "SF is to play Wellington."}, {"response": 255, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 1999 (17:52)", "body": "...and SF was also reported to be at some party recently in N. London for the guy who wrote \"The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe.\" (Richard Curtis too!! Where is Colin? Why doesn't he go to parties like this? Especially as in his neck of the woods...enough moaning...) Thank you, Ann, for the update. Lots of Denise Richards in the news as \"Drop Dead Gorgeous\" had its premiere party the other night in LA. She is very young. Somehow I can't picture her as the Miranda Frayle character in RV. ****************** From Liz Smith's column in Newday today: GREAT FILM producers never die. They go to England and help the teaching profession! At least that's what David Puttnam will do. The man who gave us \"The Killing Fields,\" \"Midnight Express,\" \"The Mission\" and \"Chariots of Fire\" insists that his exquisite \"My Life So Far,\" soon due from Miramax, and another collaboration with writer-director Hugh Hudson, will be his last movie. If so, it is a ravishing and moving swan song, an aching film about forgiveness, coming of age (whatever your age) and moving on ith life. It stars Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Colin Firth, Malcolm McDowell, Rosemary Harris, Irene Jacob and young Robert Norman. At the Box Tree restaurant after the film's premiere on Monday night, Puttnam was feted and talked about his new appointment in Tony Blair's government. His assignment: To make life better for Britain's teachers. \"I will set about recruiting new ones and appreciating the existing ones.\" Not quite 60 years old, Puttnam says \"My Life So Far\" could be the title of his own autobiography, if he ever had the time or inclination to write one. But he is too busy looking ahead to bother looking back. Oh, one of the many pleasures of \"My Life So Far\" is another opportunity for Mastrantonio to reveal her beautiful singing voice. When this movie screened in Cannes, the audience broke into applause when she sang. (The versatile MEM also sings in John Sayles' dark and controversial \"Limbo.\"). ***************** Oh, one of the many pleasures of \"My Life So Far\" Evidently, she didn't want to state the obvious!! And singing it isn't!!"}, {"response": 256, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 1999 (18:12)", "body": "I rather think this film is going to appeal to lady revieweres rather then the men (R. Ebert excepted), so far the opinions have been very varied but I am sure that if Miramax promoted it more vigorously then it could do well with people seeking an alternative to Star Wars etc. I must say I can't wait to see it and for the video to be released, just right to watch on a cold wintry Sunday afternoon!!"}, {"response": 257, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 1999 (18:14)", "body": "Where is Colin? Why doesn't he go to parties like this? Because he prefers to go to parties that HE chooses to go to. :-)"}, {"response": 258, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 1999 (18:34)", "body": "Ladies another review for MLSF by Christopher Null (who is he ,he obviously has no taste!!) at Deja.Com search Colin Firth, not good but at least it didn't get 1star - unquestionably awful. Thank goodness for Karen's above posting, it evens things up again."}, {"response": 259, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 1999 (20:05)", "body": "(Ann W) Ladies another review for MLSF by Christopher Null (who is he ,he obviously has no taste!!) at Deja.Com search Colin Firth, not good but at least it didn't get 1star - unquestionably awful. Thank goodness for Karen's above posting, it evens things up again. Not to mention Liz Smith is just a little more influential than Christopher Whoever. That being said, I can't say that I was thrilled with the creepy comment that little Fraser made about his mom servicing his dad and the \"lubricious ministrations\" and the laughter that seemed to follow Dad's (I imagine) reprimand. Wasn't my idea of funny because of the actual words the 10-year old boy used about and in front of his mother and father. It's okay for a boy to be curious, but at his age, he should kno better than to speak like that at the dinner table. Maybe it plays better in context, but I sincerely hope that there aren't too many bits like that. And I am no prude - but I would have been utterly mortified, and entirely unamused, if my son had spoken like that about me in front of my family."}, {"response": 260, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 1999 (20:25)", "body": "I have a feeling that views on MLSF are going to be very polarised..loved it/didn't like it, depending on age and gender. I think a lot of males, under 25, just won't see the point of it...no special effects, no-one gets killed, no females in the buff, no action-driven plot. Unfortunately, they're the ones who write the reviews, on the Internet certainly, and in most movie mags. Those who like this film...Roger Ebert, Liz Smith...(and there was an outstanding Internet review by Harvey Karten a couple of weeks ago) really do love it. And so, it would seem, do fans of CF who have seen it. And being a fan can make you more (not less) critical (I've still not watched ATA through to the end!...does MPf die?) I'm very puzzled by Colin's absence from the Premiere (and where's Hugh Hudson?) He's always struck me as a team player (witness his support of SIL)...and it's not just his film -it's DP's, Harvey's, Hugh Hudson's etc...and so I really thought he'd make it. As it is, MLSF seems to have turned into the David Puttnam roadshow (am thoroughly fed up of reading about him and his busy (boring) new life!), with MEM starring, but Colin has let this happen. The only thing I can think of (with difficulty!) is that he must have the lead in Londinium and is needed on set. It can be very difficult to shoot on outside location in London...you really have to start about 4am, when it's often quite dull. The weather over the last few days has been magnificent...bright and sunny from daybreak, and absolutely perfect filming weather (Today we're back to dull, trying to rain). BUT, he's missed (I think) an ideal opportunity to promote himself in the US. Tut! And tut again! According to our Teletext, Stephen Fry is to star alongside David Suchet in a black comedy about Napoleon (Suchet) called Sabotage, filming is to start on August 1st in Spain, I guess RV must have been put on hold what with Colin doing Londinium Didn't SF say he only had one day's work in Londinium? But it certainly looks as though RV is no go for August. Londinium will have finished by then and so I hope that BJD will be up and running...Working Title told me it would shoot late summer (if it was this summer). They can't delay forever."}, {"response": 261, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 1999 (20:30)", "body": "(AnnW) Christopher Null (who is he, he obviously has no taste!!) No and he has the attention span of a gnat. Have checked out his site and formed certain conclusions. He gives quite a bit of background info about himself in the \"About the Critic\" section. Is a computer dweeb, aged 27, and has written extensively (although mainly in the tech area). He's trying to become a screenwriter and was just quick-enough on the draw to that domain name. If you look at his reviews and ratings, he is soooo true to form for what he is. He gave \"Go\" five stars (perfection), The Matrix and Election (four and a half). This is one boy who waited in line to see TPM on the first day. The only aberration is The Winslow Boy, which he gave 4-1/2. But if you read the review, he has no real appreciation for it. Then I checked out his older review (when he was a wee bairn) for The English Patient. He has no patience. Can't take a longer movie. Talked about it i the same vein as Out of Africa, which he didn't like. From his review of Notting Hill: So far, sounds like an everyday comedy - but NOTTING HILL wins its real points in the details. Director Michell's London is every bit is real as a Beatles album. And, big surprise, it's the cast of completely unknown supporting characters that really carry the film. Special kudos to Rhys Ifans as Spike, William's pig of a roommate, who carries large chunks of the film on charm (or lack thereof) alone. I give him an early Best Supporting Actor nod. He must be joking?! piggish-loutish roomies up for Academy Awards?!? But it doesn't surprise me in the least. A gnat."}, {"response": 262, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 1999 (20:39)", "body": "Lynda, I haven't seen the movie, but in the book \"Son of Adam\" the young boy is a voracious reader and works his way through The Encyclopedia of Ethics without really understanding a word of it. He thinks that prostitition is a good way of raising money for the local church, and thinks his mother could do it. It's all very innocent and the boy is of course growing up in an idyllic little world, detached from all outside influences."}, {"response": 263, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 1999 (21:37)", "body": "Somehow I can't picture her as the Miranda Frayle character in RV. Definitely too young... unless they're goin to cast Leonardo Di Caprio, Matt Damon orMatthew McConaughey as Don Lucas. *** Would someone pl. enlighten me on who is Matthew Modine who attended the MLSF screening and dinner? Impt. enough to be listed with the elite. ***** ..the young boy is a voracious reader In the book Brendan is also v. precocious and inquisitive about s-e-x. ***** (Bethan)... MLSF seems to have turned into the David Puttnam roadshow .. True.Any day now I expect to read...\"MLSF starring Sir David Puttnam\" Wouldn't he love it!!"}, {"response": 264, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 1999 (21:48)", "body": "According to AnnD at VV, there is an excellent review for MLSF by Rex Reed in Yhe New York Observer - \"The film has wit and charm .....COLIN FIRTH is especially skillful in exposing the unctuous Edward Pettigrew with edgy contrasts both as moral reformer and sweaty philanderer. Beautifully acted, superbly photographed and carefully directed.One of the best films so far in this awful year of sorry disappointments. See it and cheer.\" I AM CHEERING!"}, {"response": 265, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 1999 (22:03)", "body": "Go her to read the full review, you may have to go to Arts & entertainment and scroll down to a sub -heading (which I can't remember) but the article is by Rex Reed - http://www.observer.com/ Another older gentleman who likes it, seems you theory is right Bethan."}, {"response": 266, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 1999 (22:06)", "body": "goes straight to the review,no searching necessary"}, {"response": 267, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 1999 (22:20)", "body": "Oh goodie, Ann! Is the NY Observer influential? (More influential than Christopher Null? :-). \"See it and cheer!\" \"Two thumbs up\"...hey, we're getting there. Forget the Intergnats. BTW if you read any account of a privileged upper class boyhood in the 1920's/30's (for example, Gavin Maxwell's \"House of Elrigg\") learning about sex from extensive reading of old-fashioned libraries seems to have been the norm....leading to much confusion!"}, {"response": 268, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 1999 (22:32)", "body": "I am really looking forward to MLSF coming to the UK, and to seeing how it will be reviewed. Can't see Mr. Tookey (Daily Mail) liking it but you never know he seemed to approve of Fever Pitch"}, {"response": 269, "author": "livamago", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 1999 (22:35)", "body": "(Evelyn) Would someone pl. enlighten me on who is Matthew Modine He has been around for several years, but I think he has never been in a blockbuster movie. I remember these, Gross Anatomy, Married to the Mob (with Michelle P), and Cutthroat Island (sp?) with Geena Davis. I have only seen Married to... . He is very tall and has blond hair. Photo of MM"}, {"response": 270, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 1999 (23:49)", "body": "YIPPEE! A positive review which not only mentions ODB, but points out his acting skill. (Bethan) Is the NY Observer influential? It's not on par with the NY Times, but Rex Reed has been around for ages and carries significantly more credibility than that gnat-come-lately, Ch. Null. Forget the Intergnats. Precisely. Heck, even I can post my own opinion and call myself a critic :-) Ebert and Reed have experience and influence. (Evelyn) Would someone pl. enlighten me on who is Matthew Modine Don't forget he starred in Kubrick's 'Full Metal Jacket.' He also starred (in the early '90s) in 'Memphis Belle,' a WW II movie. IMO he's terrific. He's been trying to break into indy directing/producing and is having a rough go of it. Perhaps that's why he's hangin' with Harv."}, {"response": 271, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (00:56)", "body": "(Eileen)Re: The NY Observer..It's not on par with the NY Times, but Rex Reed has been around for ages The NY Observer carries a lot of weight in NY, not nationally. Actually, except for USA Today we don't have a national newspaper like UK.TIME Mag is as close as we get to a national news periodical.But the ads for MLSF will be able to use Rex Reed's comments along with Eibel.That is the best review yet...Thanks Ann *** Thanks for the info on Mathew Modine....still don't know him...but if he went to the MLSF screening....I like him."}, {"response": 272, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (01:04)", "body": "Forget the Intergnats. LOL!! Brilliantly coined, Bethan. Exactly what I had decided. I'm not reading anymore of these so-called Internet movie critics. In the future, I'm only reading *paid* journalists. The Fatman and Myra have spoken. ;-D Thank you, AnnW, for picking up on the latest. \"unctuous\" - here we go again, although that has to be better than \"lech.\""}, {"response": 273, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (01:35)", "body": "OK...Here's a Biggy... The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER (The Industry Paper) \"My Life So Far\" is a gem. Magical and wise, witty and sentimental, this film from producer David Puttnam and director Hugh Hudson is one of the most engaging pictures about British family life since John Boorman's 1987 autobiographical tale \"Hope and Glory.\" Miramax Films may have a boxoffice hit here that could cross over from the specialty market into mainstream venues. This film marks a triumphant reunion for Puttnam and Hudson, who collaborated on the 1981 Oscar-winning best picture \"Chariots of Fire.\" Right from the opening shot -- of a bright-eyed baby grinning in a crib -- the film casts its spell. Within moments, an enchanted world in the misty Scottish Highlands opens up to the viewer. Like \"Hope and Glory,\" \"My Life So Far\" derives from personal history. The film is based on a memoir, \"Son of Adam,\" by British television executive Denis Forman. He relates the story of a tumultuous year in the life of a wide-eyed 10-year-old in which he sees his world and his family change forever. Young Fraser Pettigrew -- played with charm and spunk by newcomer Robert Norman -- lives on a bucolic Scottish estate in the early 1930s where a storybook castle named Kiloran House crowns a verdant hill. This kingdom of animals and crazy gizmos is benignly ruled by Fraser's eccentric inventor-father Edward (a buoyant Colin Firth). \"It's just bedlam -- like a zoo!\" grouses Fraser's more practical-minded Uncle Morris (a debonair Malcolm McDowell), making one of his frequent visits to the ancestral home. It is indeed bedlam, but what a place to grow up! Edward, a lover of Beethoven and hater of jazz, forever pursues hopeless schemes and a passionate belief in the medicinal properties of sphagnum moss. He has turned the estate into Europe's only moss factory, much to the distress of Uncle Morris, who would plant Norwegian pine for the publishing industry. Indeed, Uncle Morris hints darkly he will throw Fraser's family off the estate once he inherits it. Holding Kiloran House together are twin towers of feminine strength: the family matriarch, Gamma Macintosh (a serenely handsome Rosemary Harris), and Edward's wife, Moira (lovely Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio). Into this idyllic world comes Uncle Morris' \"child bride,\" the utterly beautiful and utterly exotic Heloise (Irene Jacob), a French musician who brings with her a whiff of continental sophistication. What's more, she likes jazz. Everyone falls in love with Heloise, especially young Fraser. Unbeknownst to the others, however, the highly moralistic Edward has also succumbed to her charms, which nearly leads to disastrous consequences. The story is narrated by the 10-year-old whose sensibilities grow more adult as the year skips by. Events force him to alter his image of his seemingly God-like father whereby Edward becomes more of a flesh-and-blood man and less of a role model for his adoring, impressionable son. British playwright Simon Donald has crafted a wry screenplay from Forman's memoir, filled with surprises and rich in the details of extraordinary lives. Donald, Hudson and Puttnam along with the terrific cast make certain the story contains no villains. People may behave in less than perfect ways, but they remain true to their passions. Young Norman's performance is a miracle, but the entire cast is a complete delight. This extends to even smaller roles such as Tcheky Karyo's \"Emperor of the Air,\" an aviator who literally drops onto the estate to amaze the Pettigrews, and Kelly MacDonald as the eldest daughter who is bewitched by the Emperor. French cinematographer Bernard Lutic fills the screen with the beauty of misty Scotland and a country house that designer Andy Harris has turned into an ancient family seat. One senses the Pettigrew ancestors still inhabit this dwelling whose large rooms remain somehow homelike. Young Fraser's childhood is filled with enchantment -- the wild man lurks in the nearby woods, devils allegedly dwell in the attic, bizarre inventions (all designed by Alain Chennaux) clutter the lawns. But most fantastic of all are the secret books and drawings of naked women belonging to Fraser's late grandfather, which the young lad devours without fully comprehending their implications. Hanging over this idyllic world is the specter of the coming world war that will forever shatter its splendid isolation. This specter gives the comic events a gentle scent of nostalgia for what has been lost. Such innocence could never have lasted. But this magical story celebrates the memory of that innocence as few films have done. ***** OK gang....now sit back , smell the roses, bring on the Chardonnay....we're on Easy Street:-))"}, {"response": 274, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (06:24)", "body": "Thankyou for that Evelyn, what a lovely thing to wake up to. When the reviews are good boy are they good. Hope thye keep coming."}, {"response": 275, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (07:31)", "body": "WOW! Thank you Evelyn. That's a real gem, and the Hollywood Reporter no less. Just a thought...maybe Miramax did have a strategy in releasing MLSF at about the same time as EWS. From what I've read of EWS (there's quite a build up here at the moment), irrespective of whether it's good/bad/brilliant, it's a disturbing picture of a destructve marriage, featuring explicit sex. MLSF on the other hand ultimately celebrates the joys of a good lasting marriage/relationship and the joy of innocence in childhood, and only hints at sex, does not show it. Perhaps Harvey saw MLSF as a potentia counterbalance to EWS? Perhaps..."}, {"response": 276, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (07:41)", "body": "Yes, thank you Evelyn (and belated happy birthday)! RE MLSF scheduling: I wonder if there is method behind Miramax's madness? They must be planning to draw the distinction between MLSF and EWS. Its scheduling either means that they had that in mind as a strategy, or they just thought \"lets get this thing out there, when is there a spot we don't want to waste on anything worthwhile?\" I had feared the latter but these reviews have definitely changed my mind. Has there been any EWS backlash yet? Shaun Usher in the Daily Mail today has a review of EWS. He says that it is great work of art etc but is it enjoyable and do we care about these people or believe in them for long? What has the reaction in the States been? Is there a window for Miramax to show up the contrast with MLSF?"}, {"response": 277, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (07:44)", "body": "Bethan! We should go into business together! I had a telephone call in the middle of posting mine, so I did not see yours. We must have been typing the same thoughts at the same time."}, {"response": 278, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (12:48)", "body": "From AICN: Marty McFly looks at MY LIFE SO FAR Hola folks, Harry here and I'm here to introduce Marty McFly's review of MY LIFE SO FAR, the latest film from the director of CHARIOTS OF FIRE. Sounds like an interesting cast, though I'll hold off any anticipation till more reviews come in on it. But for now... Here's that hoverboard kid floating on the power of love.... Hey! Marty McFly here, and I'm feeling pretty good right now since it looks like Back To The Future 4 will happen. Anyways I'm back from seeing another delightful little indie gem called My Life So Far. I've been hearing a good buzz on the film and if it ever opens around your local theaters, you should check it out. The film stars many talented actors like Colin Firth, Malcom McDowell, Mary Elizabeth Mastrontonio, Irene Jacob, and Tcheky Kayro (sp?). It's based on a novel I never read and can't remember the name of. Sorry. The story is told all through the eyes of a little boy living in Scotland named Fraser. He lives with his father, mother, and many siblings on a huge estate and he narrates the film as a teenager, looking back on his life so far. I've never seen this young little actor who plays the boy but he is very natural. As he becomes older, he learns about many things in life. He learns about love when his uncle (played by Mr. Alex DeLarge himself, McDowell) brings home his younger fiance (Jacob) and the young boy falls for her. This young woman also captures the eye of Fraser's father (played by Firth) which causes trouble in his relationship with his wife (played by Mast ontonio). Brendan Gleeson, who I just saw today also in the incredibly entertaining Lake Placid, is underused in a very small role. It's a great coming of age story and it has just the right blend of comedy and drama. The film was directed by Hugh Hudson, who most of you know directed Chariots Of Fire. He received an Oscar nomination for that film and don't be surprised if this film gets some Oscar attention when the 2000 Oscars come along. ************ Indie film\" A novel? So he got a few facts wrong. But Oscar mentions!!! Wow!! And this from a site that caters to the TPM crowd. What a coup!!"}, {"response": 279, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (13:01)", "body": "Great news to wake up to (the NY Observer and The Hollywood Reporter reviews) !!! And mentions of a \"bouyant\" and \"skillful\" Colin! I'm glad to know that I misread the dinner scene clip. The film does sound delightful. BTW, I got dragged to Arlington Road last night. Predictable plot, acting only so-so (thus neutralising the ending), the inevitable car chase, no Colin."}, {"response": 280, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (13:06)", "body": "Just missed your post, Karen. More good news. Thanks. BTW, what is does TPM and AICN mean?"}, {"response": 281, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (13:28)", "body": "Sorry about the acronyms, Lynda. TPM is The Phantom Menace and AICN is the Ain't-It-Cool News website run by Harry Knowles. BTW, if you go to the review, you can leave feedback. Haven't checked back to see if there is any yet, but it is usually quite raunchy. To participate, you have to register and think up a silly name. Well, the latter is not a requirement, but you wouldn't want to post with your real name. Maybe I'll change mine to Passionata... ;-D AICN Review"}, {"response": 282, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (13:34)", "body": "CF's fame is spreading....at least in Sweden. Lisbeth's timeline site is the 17th most popular web site there. http://findanisp.homepage.com/top100/by/country/se.html"}, {"response": 283, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (16:49)", "body": "Great minds think alike, Allison! Isn't Harry Knowles \"Ain't it cool site\" the one which can makes or break movies and is much feared in Hollywood? Hope Harvey notices the word Oscar and steps up promotion!"}, {"response": 284, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (17:21)", "body": "Re Matthew Modine -- And don't forget \"Birdy\" with Nicholas Cage. Modine is a good, sensitive actor. The MLSF reviews are grand -- from Liz Smith to Ebert to The Hollywood Reporter to a young groovy kid on AICN. I think we can relax a bit, and just look forward to seeing it ourselves. (Though I am hoping the NY Times is favorable). WHOOPEE!!! Murph"}, {"response": 285, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (19:15)", "body": "Harry himself hasn't jumped on the bandwagon yet. In his preface to Marty McFly's report, he said he was reserving judgment until more reviews were in. Thought he made up his own mind. And whose reviews?"}, {"response": 286, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (21:32)", "body": "Thanks for the reviews ladies. I can't wait for MLSF to get to Australia. Please please please let it come to a theatre near me - anywhere within 100 miles if OK. I'd like to add my favourable opinion of Matthew Modine. I haven't seen all his movies, but have liked him in those I have; especially \"Memphis Belle\" and \"The Band Played On\"."}, {"response": 287, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (21:42)", "body": "Good to hear from you Murph on Spring...we enjoy all the creative additions to your website....now, get back to work!!:-) **** I must be living in a cave...not to have heard of Mathew Modine.... But if he showed up at the MLSF screening....the guys a prince!!"}, {"response": 288, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (22:42)", "body": "(Bethan) Hope Harvey notices the word Oscar and steps up promotion! Good thought; if the \"heavies\" were to use it, perhaps he would. He'd better step it up anyway--only 8 days until it opens in NY/LA. Murph--I'll race you to the newsstand for the NY Times on Sunday (I buy mine right next to that famous ice cream store you love). There had better be a stellar write-up in this week's edition. This is Maslin's kind of movie!!"}, {"response": 289, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 16, 1999 (04:02)", "body": "From The Independent: `STAR WARS' DEGREE IS MORE FACT THAN FICTION YOU'VE SEEN the movie, bought the light sabre, now do the degree: Star Wars studies is an official university course. Darth Maul, Skywalker's paternity and the fate of the universe have been included in what is thought to be the world's first degree in science fiction. The University of Glamorgan in Wales has decided to include the study of Captain Kirk's multi-racial crew, little green men and the X Files in a new degree aimed at tempting more students into science. Interest in the BSc in Science and Science Fiction has been phenomenal, and the university expects the 100 places to be filled when the course begins in September. More than a third of the inquiries have been from the US, with others from Australia and Russia. But as well as studying the link between science fiction and science fact, UFOs and futurology, the students will have to complete modules in maths, physics, astronomy and chemistry. Still, the coursework appears to be a sci-fi buff's dream, with students expected to watch the Star Wars trilogy \"to explore modern mythology\" and sit through Star Trek re-runs \"to understand the ideals of utopian societies\". It is just one of the latest degrees that veers away from the traditional. There are modules in stand-up comedy at the University of Kent at Canterbury, perfumery at Plymouth and gambling at Salford. Others include herbal medicine, brewing and football management. The University of Leeds even offers a module on how to change a double duvet cover as part of an NVQ (National Vocational Qualification). But the leader of the Glamorgan sci-fi course, Dr Mark Brake, said the curriculum was not frivolous. \"Science fiction is an integral part of delivering science fact to people,\" he said. \"The world of science fiction can be a good model for theoretical science in an imagined environment. Films like Star Wars are modern morality tales with strong elements of good versus evil. \"Equally, the growing interest in UFOs indicates a vacuum that religion has not been able to fill and these are themes we will also deal with.\" Dr Brake said students would be expected to produce clear, strong work on these issues. \"Put it this way - they won't be watching 2001 and listening to Pink Floyd. \"Well, not in my lectures. I can't abide Floyd.\" *********** Can a doctorate in Firthology be too far off? ;-D"}, {"response": 290, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Fri, Jul 16, 1999 (13:08)", "body": "I hope everyone (even the lurkers among us) is going to post at the Ain't It Cool News site. BTW, did you read the Feb.25/99 review posted there. It was so-so, but reserved final judgement by referring to MLSF as a \"work-in-progress\". The review also singled out CF's performance: \"Colin Firth is especially good as the flawed father figure\". A belated welcome to you, Cathey, from another newbie."}, {"response": 291, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jul 16, 1999 (13:36)", "body": "That's Harry Knowles site, he's one of our Austin guys. He was on Gene Siskels show recently and is rumored to have his own tv movie review show in the works! http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com"}, {"response": 292, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 16, 1999 (15:00)", "body": "Just a little reminder for those who missed it or those who don't get the show outside the U.S. You can hear the Roger Ebert and Norman Mark reviews of MLSF at the Siskel & Ebert website. You will need to download the Shockwave player to hear it. Only took 5 minutes and it plays beautifully. Here's the url: http://tvplex.go.com/buenavista/siskelandebert/"}, {"response": 293, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jul 16, 1999 (18:27)", "body": "STAR WARS' DEGREE IS MORE FACT THAN FICTION Puh-leeze. (Karen) Can a doctorate in Firthology be too far off? ;-D Now you're talking! We'd all graduate (as Bullwinkle would say) summa crappa crappa ;-P"}, {"response": 294, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (00:22)", "body": "Not surprised about the ever-growing popularity of pop-cult. film courses. In college, I took an entire course on Blaxploitation movies ( Shaft, Cleopatra Jones, Blacula etc...) I wouldn't mind a Firthology course, though. What might the syllabus look like? FIRTH 101: The Man, the Look, the Legend Week 1: -lecture: \"Intro to Colin Firth, or...Why all the Hype?\" -film: Pride and Prejudice (and later....) -Week ?? : lecture: \"After all, He's only Human\" film: The Playmaker"}, {"response": 295, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (01:37)", "body": "Week 2: Making a Career off the Fiennes Bros. films: The English Patient and SiL"}, {"response": 296, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (01:45)", "body": "Week? ONE WEEK ONLY? Ladies, ladies... there's years and years of material to study there... sigh"}, {"response": 297, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (02:00)", "body": "Week 3: The Role of Animals Film: The Hour of the Pig"}, {"response": 298, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (02:20)", "body": "My Life So Far is definitely not going to be shown at the Edinburgh Film Fest. The entire program (programme) is now available and it's not there. Listings will also be in the Sunday Mail."}, {"response": 299, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (05:14)", "body": ""}, {"response": 300, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (08:31)", "body": "Thanks for the tip on AICN, Karen. Another excellent way of indicating support for MLSF is via the IMDB. If you register (takes about 24 hrs to receive confirmation) you can then give your own review (viewers comments) and give a score out of ten. I often check out movies this way (and am planning to give MLSF an unbiased 10!) Colin needs some promotion/support here....no-one seemed to notice him in SIL, and even for The Advocate I noticed that it was the supporting actors who got the praise, not him. Def nitely some need to mould opinion and give some highly biased support! I'm beginning to feel that the opinion making business in movies is entirely male dominated. In the UK, all the film critics are male. The Telegraph has just got a new critic - he introduced himself by saying that his youth was shaped by Star Wars! Spare me, please! I read somewhere that MLSF finished its shoot on 31/6/97....which means that Colin must have got married during the shoot. I remember reading that the shoot was prolonged for a few weeks because Hugh Hudson injured his hip, and also an interview with Colin mentioned that he was packing to dash off somewhere for something that couldn't be cancelled. Look out for an extra sparkle in his eye! Loch Fyne is an ideal place for a honeymoon! Also read that we'll get MLSF in the UK in the autumn. J-e-e-ze, what an incredible wait! The problem with MLSF is that it's not Son of Trainspotting or a low-life gangster movie and no-one gets tortured or raped. Maybe, if it's successful, there may be some interest in this more gentle genre of film, and SLOW (very similar - comedy/drama, young boy, relationship with father figure, married man attracted to other woman, beautiful setting) will finally be released! Hope springs eternal! Any news of Londinium? I think this one will be okay. I was impressed by \"American Gothic\" which Mike Binder directed, and these days I don't like much (anything?):-) And any news of further casting for \"The Lion in Winter\"? I know Anthony Hopkinns (20 years too old, thought he'd retired anyway) has the lead, but there's still his son, Richard the Lionheart. And with Pat O'Connor directing..."}, {"response": 301, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (10:25)", "body": "Hi Bethan, is that definite that we are to see MLSF in the Autumn because actually I think that is the right time for this kind of film, if it is definite then I won't keep bothering Miramax. I can wait until the Autumn, you never know because of the Scotland connection it may get a Royal Premiere especially because of Lord Puttnam's high profile. BTW Karen can you please advise me, I am dying to post a comment at AICN but having registered or so I thought I have not received a password, to enable me to ake a comment, how long does it take before you receive the password, it says you will receive it within minutes in email but I registered yesterday and have received nothing. Anyway congratulations to everyone who has made a comment, we Firthfans must pull together and we certainly have here."}, {"response": 302, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (13:51)", "body": "B+ for MLSF from E Online in their capsule review, pretty good review \"an above par ensemble cast\". Not bad."}, {"response": 303, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (14:17)", "body": "Murph has posted the NY Times display ad for MLSF from tomorrow's paper: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/4144/mlsfad.html Colin looks a little dorky IMO. (No tomatoes, please) But Ebert's review figures prominently."}, {"response": 304, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (14:22)", "body": "Karen: I was just going to tell all of you about it the ad, but you beat me to it!!! I agree on the dorkiness. It looks to me like the three pictures are publicity stills. Murph"}, {"response": 305, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (14:41)", "body": "Murph, now could you fix those things I mentioned? ;-D Here's the full writeup from E!Online: So Far, so good. Charming and funny true-life memoir of a lad (Norman) growing up in the 1920s at his family's baronial manor in the Scottish highlands. Norman's dad (Firth) is an inventor and as eccentric as they come. His million-dollar idea is to harvest peat moss found on the estate for use in stanching bloody wounds. Mumsy Mastrantonio and grandmother Harris tend to more practical household matters. The fine family balance is upset when rich Uncle Morris (McDowell) and his hubba-hubba fianc\ufffde eloise (Jacob) drop in for a visit. Although a trifle slow in spots, the ensemble cast is way above par. That, and magnificent on-location camerawork, make for a bonnie good show! Thanks, Ann for finding this."}, {"response": 306, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (14:56)", "body": "A wee bit dorky, but not too bad! I like the overall poster and the sentiments expressed. No-one seems to have found fault with the acting so far! Am in total chaos at the moment as we are having major alteration work to the house, and go on holiday next week (I hope!) Checking out Drool calms my nerves! :-) BTW although critical reaction to EWS seems fair, internet reviews seem very hostile..\"Boring...wanted money back!\" Maybe MLSF could be the alternative attraction!"}, {"response": 307, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (15:42)", "body": "It's probably hostile because the film is not at all what you would have expected from the prerelease hype. Hardly anything in that film was boring (although they could've cut out that whole bit with the daughter whose father had just died - laughable and the audience did laugh). Film was exact opposite: totally mesmerizing. I have never seen such an intent audience."}, {"response": 308, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (16:07)", "body": "Thanks, Murph. CF looks handsome, nonetheless, and very young. And at least he is featured prominently in the ad and obviously the star. Hope Miramax adds some quotes from the other good reviews in its later advertising."}, {"response": 309, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (16:08)", "body": "I'm afraid to say that the poster bears no resemblance to Colin at all, I would hardly know it was him, good pictures of IJ & MEM though. BTW will there be a review in the NY Times tomorrow or do we have to wait until next week?"}, {"response": 310, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (16:12)", "body": "(Bethan) I read somewhere that MLSF finished its shoot on 31/6/97....which means that Colin must have got married during the shoot. ...which would explain that wedding hairdo criticized by some... Dorky, shmorky! Agree the pic doesn't do him justice but am too busy reveling in his name listed first in the credits, not to mention all the favorable reviews. After being prepared for the worst (and I'm not alone here), am v. excited to see sites and critics with wide audiences coming in with good things to say--esp. about the cast!! Thanks to a gracious, neighborly Firthfan, am going to see MLSF next Sat. in NYC. Whoopee! Will definitely post my (as Bethan would say) 'unbiased' views."}, {"response": 311, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (17:38)", "body": "I have been following the dreadful news about JFK jr. This family seems to be beset by tragedy."}, {"response": 312, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (20:01)", "body": "Yes, I have been watching CNN. It really is very, very sad news."}, {"response": 313, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (20:23)", "body": "Re: the MLSF Poster...(thank you Murph!) Agree: a. Grrreat to see Colin in leading role.(Must be postive first) b. He looks weird...like a cadaver..would not have recognized him. c. Is this being shown in only two art-house theatres? I thought it was going to be expanded like AMC and Hollywood Theatres throughout the city. Angelika Film Center is on Hudson St. in Soho nr. Miramax corporate office. ***** Ann, I think there will be another Premiere for you to attend. Sir David will make sure that MLSF is an event."}, {"response": 314, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (20:26)", "body": "ATTENTION; Wish Colin a Happy New Year!! Just a reminder that the Box Office at the Donmar for 3 DOR will open on Monday July 19.No booking fee from the Box Office.Tickets are 24 UKP and 20.UKP telephone: 171-369-1732 (Country code precedes....in the US it's 011-44-) Spring Reunion Saturday January 15, 2000 Evening performance with dinner preceding at 5:30 at the Luna Nuova. Lizza and I will take dinner reservations right after New Year's. Don't miss out...book early. Will keep in touch via Springfolks."}, {"response": 315, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (21:00)", "body": "Think you mean Tribeca. ;-D Thought I'd do it before the P person does. BTW, where did you get your shoes? ;-D"}, {"response": 316, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (21:01)", "body": "And, yes it is very sad, Bethan. Hard to believe this is happening to that family again."}, {"response": 317, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sun, Jul 18, 1999 (15:44)", "body": "The Sunday Boston Globe has nothing on MLSF opening this week. Did I hear the date has now been pushed back to Aug. 6? Was on vacation in the wilds of Maine last week and am completely out of touch:-) The Boston media has been going nonstop with the JFK Jr. story for the past 36 hours, it being a local as well as national story. They still haven't found the fusillage. Very very sad... shades of Diana."}, {"response": 318, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 18, 1999 (17:22)", "body": "(Susan) Did I hear the date has now been pushed back to Aug. 6? Was on vacation in the wilds of Maine last week Welcome back Susan...we've missed you. Karen is our MLSF- release -dates- pro..but I believe it's NY & LA next week and Boston should be in the next expansion on August 6th.Lucky you!! No telling when the rest of us will get it."}, {"response": 319, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Sun, Jul 18, 1999 (21:24)", "body": "Colin looks a little dorky As much as I hate to admit it, I have to agree. Never mind, the reviews make up for it and I'm sure the movie will be firthabulous. I hate to wish my life away, but I can't wait for it to get here. My heart goes out to the Kennedys. How much can one family take?!"}, {"response": 320, "author": "ommin", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (02:44)", "body": ""}, {"response": 321, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (05:59)", "body": "We got the official \"starts Friday\" ad in the LA Times today. Yippee! Unfortunately it contains the same somewhat dorky picture of Colin and it's only opening in three theatres but I finally feel like I can let out the breath I've been holding. I was half expecting another delay after all this waiting. I hope it won't be long until it opens worldwide so that all Firth-o-philes can partake!"}, {"response": 322, "author": "ommin", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (06:19)", "body": "Amen to that"}, {"response": 323, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (06:37)", "body": "Glad to hear it is finally opening somewhere, when are you going Jana and will you report back. The Donmar had an advertisement in the Sunday Times yesterday advertising their coming Seaon, with the photo of CF,JM &DM., (a definite improvement on above poster) and mentioning that booking opens today. Have got my Visa ready!!!"}, {"response": 324, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (06:43)", "body": "I'm going to try for this weekend, although my schedule is pretty full and the limited number of theatres where MLSF is showing makes it tough. I will go as soon as I can though, and definitely report back!"}, {"response": 325, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (13:46)", "body": "No write-up in NY Times yesterday (had two extensive articles about Kubrick and EWS, which they didn't like). Will check during the week and next Sunday. The ad was there, though. Good size. Rest assured, ladies, he doesn't look that dorky (or dead, 'heavy Evie'). IMO some of the subtle shading got lost in the scanning. Edward's piercing eyes do grab your attention (in my unbiased opinion, of course). There was this bit in the \"opening this week\" section: Hugh Hudson's film is an affectionate memoir based on the autobiography \"Son of Adam\" by Sir Denis Forman, a bold Scottish boy who seduces or is seduced by his uncle's French fiancee. With Colin Firth, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Irene Jacob, Malcolm McDowell, Rosemary Harris, Tcheky Karyo and Robert Norman. PG-13, 1 hr, 33 min. (Evelyn) Is this being shown in only two art-house theatres? The ad lists an \"exclusive engagement\" in two theaters. Will check the internet listings on Friday to see if it's anywhere else. We're seeing it downtown. (Karen) BTW, where did you get your shoes? ;-D LOL!"}, {"response": 326, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (15:10)", "body": "FYI--Murph has added to the scan of the NY Times ad from the one run yesterday. There's a close up of ODB which illustrates what I said about the shading. Here's the link: http://www.geocities.com/%7Emurphyat65/mlsfad.html Thanks, Murph!"}, {"response": 327, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (15:28)", "body": "Don't you agree though that his mouth is all wrong?"}, {"response": 328, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (18:14)", "body": "Agree it's not his best smile (the best are Colin smiles, not Edward smiles). I have seen him use this pursed-lip sly grin before. It usually brings out his dimples. If you look carefully in this picture, you might see one on his right side (it's clearer in the print version but one has to really look)."}, {"response": 329, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (18:44)", "body": "I really feel for the artist...a good likeness of Colin is almost impossible to get, even when one is very familiar with the Beloved Chameleon (remember, he doesn't HAVE a likeness!) I should know. But with perseverance and a good eye, one can get closer to him than THAT...tough, but possible. Too bad the effort wasn't made (or someone was willing to settle for less)(yuk)."}, {"response": 330, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (20:07)", "body": "(Eileen) Rest assured, ladies, he doesn't look that dorky (or dead, 'heavy Evie') Dead or Alive...it's a lousy picture....worse than the painting at Pemberley in P&P. (KJArt)I really feel for the artist. This is a painting ? I thought it was a photo. That explains it... It's not even a \"Colin-look-a-like\". More like a composite."}, {"response": 331, "author": "AnneR", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (20:49)", "body": "This is \"OT\" as we say on the Firthlist (off-topic), but I think that most folks here will be interested. Jennifer Ehle will go from one play to another this summer. When the Donmar run of TRT comes to an end, she will begin rehearsals at the National Theater for a new production of Maxim Gorky's Summerfolk, in a new version by Nick Dear. She will play Varvara. Others in the cast include Raymond Coulthard, who played Frank Churchill in the TV \"Emma\" and Rupert Douglas in TEP, and Victoria Hamilton, who played Mrs. Col. Forster in P&P. Previews begin on August 27th with an official opening set for Septembe 3. The National is booking seats through October 2, but it's not clear whether that is the final performance or simply the end of the National's booking period. If TRT does go to a commercial theater in the winter, and then goes to New York as is being discussed, Jennifer will have appeared on stage for over a year. We shouldn't get any more complaints about lack of work! I just hope she gets enough R&R between engagements. I got the info from the London Theater Guide, http://www.londontheatre.co.uk/indexframe.html and click on \"News\" in the upper right-hand corner and then \"Listings>National Theater>Olivier.\""}, {"response": 332, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (21:09)", "body": "Thanks for the info, Anne. Sounds like Jennifer is following in her mum's footsteps in pursuing the stage rather than screen... at least right now. Re: MEM on Regis & Kathie Lee -- IMO a better clip they could have shown is the scene in which she confronts Edward about his \"infidelity.\" Good acting from her there, and Colin is in it as well;-) Re: the \"dorky\" look -- I think that expression is taken from the last scene, in which Edward walks in on Fraser drinking the milk in the brandy snifter and smoking the cigar. That's why he looks kinda lovingly bemused."}, {"response": 333, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (21:31)", "body": "I've got my tickets for 3DOR on 15 January \"YEAH\" . I'm very excited. How did everyone else get on?"}, {"response": 334, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (21:43)", "body": "Thanks Anne. Evelyn, perhaps, you should start looking into working for the airlines so you can get an employee discount. ;-D (Susan) a better clip they could have shown is the scene in which she confronts Edward about his \"infidelity.\" Good acting from her there, and Colin is in it as well;-) Just the mere fact that Colin would be in it already makes it a better clip. That's why he looks kinda lovingly bemused. Oh, is that what it is? But how do we account for the way his hair looks on the left side? I did see the real print ad in the paper. Maybe when they do a full-page color ad for the Oscar noms (I know I'm dreaming), they will have fixed it."}, {"response": 335, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (22:46)", "body": "Cathey, I have my tickets too, look forward to seeing you on the 15th. Just for good measure I am also going on the 18th December, to wish our DB a Happy Christmas. It also sounds as if my hubby and I will be making another trip to London to see Jennifer in Summerfolk, I just hope it won't be an anti-climax after TRT, which was spell-binding. I wonder if she does prefer stage work to TV and filmwork?"}, {"response": 336, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (23:30)", "body": "(Karen) But how do we account for the way his hair looks on the left side? Don't you think that what makes his hair look puffy is actually MEM's dark clothes behind him? (Ann W) ...I am also going on the 18th December... I am going to just miss you, Ann, as I am seeing 3DOR on December 16; I couldn't talk my family into a January trip. Anyway I am looking forward to seeing London in its Christmas finery. What a wonderful Christmas gift, but I regret not meeting you all on January 15."}, {"response": 337, "author": "ommin", "date": "Tue, Jul 20, 1999 (01:12)", "body": ""}, {"response": 338, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 20, 1999 (01:48)", "body": "Thanks for the info, Anne. Sounds like Jennifer is following in her mum's footsteps in pursuing the stage rather than screen... at least right now. True. But don't forget she has \"A Taste of Sunshine\" with Ralph Fiennes which is being screened at the Venice Intl. Film Festival on Sept. 1st and at the Toronto Intl. FF also in September. Thank you Anne Rosen. You are v. welcomed here and hope you will join us on the 15th. ****** (Cathey) 3 DOR Tickets: How did everyone else get on? Box Office must have been inundated this AM. There are 17 who say they will be attending...10 already have tickets...that I know of. Great news Cathey....wish Lynda could join us...Everybody, pl. give us reports whenever you go. We love to hear about your experience. **** Do so wish I could go to see Jennifer in Sept.I just can't keep going every three months!! But Ann will just have to represent all of us...."}, {"response": 339, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Jul 20, 1999 (06:50)", "body": "\"Another Country\" is on Film Four at 8pm today for those in the UK who take Film Four (not me, sadly)"}, {"response": 340, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jul 20, 1999 (10:59)", "body": "I'm happy to hear that MLSF is really opening at last! In many ways it's quite an achievement for any movie starring a relatively unknown (ie not Sean Connery) British actor to open in the US. So whatever happens to MLSF has to be good news. A good thing Colin's surname begins with 'F'.....he appears to have first billing in the credits, but it's actually alphabetical! The marketing emphasis seems to have moved away from \"young boy coming-of-age\" to adult relationships. Sounds like Jennifer is following in her mum's footsteps in pursuing the stage rather than screen... at least right now. One thing that strikes me is that most of our good actresses work mainly on stage (or radio). Same applies to actors as well. Decent acting roles on screen are few and far between."}, {"response": 341, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 20, 1999 (14:01)", "body": "(Bethan)Decent acting roles on screen are few and far between. Sadly, especially for women.However, screen jobs pay better, for shorter lenth of time...but must be boring to do. Jennifer has said in interviews that she likes to take women's roles that are a challenge. (Lizzie is still her favorite!!Doesn't think she did justice to her)"}, {"response": 342, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Jul 20, 1999 (14:58)", "body": "Re the ad: Don't you think those three pictures were publicity stills just hanging around? I thought MEM had shorter, curlier hair for the film, and Irene's hair is a bit too perfect as well. Though Colin looks like he is wearing a costume. On the NY theaters: I seem to remember that SIL opened first in only two or three NY theaters before going into wider release the next week. The choice of an uptown and down one is fairly normal. In fact, some art films only open in one theater. Murph"}, {"response": 343, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Tue, Jul 20, 1999 (15:13)", "body": "OT: Jennifer Ehle and the NT Ensemble 99 If you are interested in who else in the NT Ensemble 99, go to http://www.nt-online.org/information/ensemble.html It is a truly extraordinary group of people, who will be moving through this set of 6 (?) plays. In addition to the names Anne R mentioned, there is also Simon Russell Beale, Henry Goodman, Roger Allam, Denis Quilley, David Bamber, and Clive Rowe. Henry Goodman is doing Shylock at the moment and has gotten very good reviews. (I first saw him in \"Angels in America\" as Roy Cohn.) SRB is one the British Stage's most talented actors, and he's been tearing up the stage as Candide and in Money. If Jennifer E. is joing the Ensemble, she couldn't do much better these days."}, {"response": 344, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 20, 1999 (19:27)", "body": "From today's NY Daily News : Firth Talks About His 'Life So Far' By NANCY MILLS Special to The News You either love him or you hate him. Three years ago, Colin Firth was anointed heartthrob-in-chief after a terrific performance in the A&E miniseries \"Pride and Prejudice.\" Then, in this year's \"Shakespeare in Love,\" the 38-year-old Brit turned hateful as the man who comes between Gwyneth Paltrow and her true love, Will Shakespeare. Now, in the coming-of-age story \"My Life So Far,\" which opens Friday, Firth is lovable and hateful at the same time. This pleases him. \"A character who's straight down the line, with no twists or quirks, is boring,\" he says. \"You've got to have something to play. I like to watch stories where you're sure of what you're seeing \ufffd and then you're not.\" At first, Firth's character \ufffd a charmingly eccentric inventor \ufffd seems to be the ideal dad. But charm can be a great deceiver, as his 10-year-old son discovers. When the boy's uncle (Malcolm McDowell) brings his young fiancee (Irene Jacob) to visit, unexpected passions surface. \"Charming boyishness is dangerous to those close to it,\" Firth says. \"If you're fundamentally immature, you'll be incapable of self-denial in real relationships, and you'll end up hurting the people around you.\" Firth is getting tired of playing hopelessly romantic figures. \"I really don't want to go out and make the moony faces anymore,\" he says. \"In your 20s, you're given to do that endlessly. It's not that I feel old and jaded, but there's a point where you realize you're moving on. \"I suppose I've been considered someone who looks like a leading man. I have a kind of neutrality, physically, which has helped me. I'm the right height \ufffd 6-foot-1 \ufffd to play a lot of different things. My hair color can be changed. So can anybody's \ufffd but I also have a face that can be made to look a lot better or a lot worse, depending on how I want it to look.\" No matter how he looks onscreen, Firth isn't over the hill just yet. He has a 28-year-old wife, Livia Guiggioli, an Italian production assistant he met while making A&E's \"Nostromo\" miniseries. And he has a 7-year-old son, Will, with actress Meg Tilly, his co-star in \"Valmont,\" with whom he lived for four years. He works constantly \ufffd although mostly in modestly-budgeted productions, including \"Circle of Friends,\" \"A Thousand Acres\" and \"The English Patient.\" \"I wouldn't do something just for a big paycheck,\" he says. \"I'd have to have a very good reason. I don't despise money. I think if one isn't too greedy, you can do good work, make a good living, have a proper personal life and be proud of what you do and not be destroyed by it.\" Firth has two films due out later this year: a romantic comedy, \"Fever Pitch,\" from Nick Hornby's memoir about soccer obsession, and \"The Secret Laughter of Women,\" about a science-fiction writer. Firth decided to be an actor at 14. \"I liked performing,\" he says, \"and it got me a lot of attention. It was fun. But it didn't immediately enter into my head that I'd actually try it as a career. \"All I knew about it was that it was impossible, and no one gets any work.\" ************ OK, seems to be padded with old quotes and some of the facts are wrong. But if you want to print or keep, here's the url: Daily News Article"}, {"response": 345, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jul 20, 1999 (20:57)", "body": "Firth is getting tired of playing hopelessly romantic figures. Oh, yes. And as everybody knows he's played myriads and myriads of those, of course."}, {"response": 346, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jul 20, 1999 (21:15)", "body": "Firth has two films due out later this year: a romantic comedy, \"Fever Pitch,\" from Nick Hornby's memoir about soccer obsession, and \"The Secret Laughter of Women,\" about a science-fiction writer. Aha! Do I detect some light at the end of the tunnel. Some of this stuff is re-cycled, but some is new...and I've never seen the science fiction angle mentioned before. Ever the optimist. Off topic-ish, but there was an interesting news item on TV about an archaelogical dig in Winchester, where they are hoping to uncover the remains of King Alfred, last King of Wessex. The dig is being carried out by American volunteers (from an organisation called American Earth Works) who are all spending their annual vacation in Winchester. They seem to be having a great time, and are all very exited about the potential discovery. On general dumbing down in the UK, I noticed that in reviews of \"Sense and Sensibility\" shown on UK TV, the Telegraph spelled Austen \"Austin\" as in Texas, and the Times reviwer said he (would be a \"he\") preferred \"Trainspotting\". The Philistines are upon us!"}, {"response": 347, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 20, 1999 (21:53)", "body": "And as everybody knows he's played myriads and myriads of those, of course. When was the last one? Darcy was not \"hopelessly romantic.\" and I've never seen the science fiction angle mentioned before. Ever the optimist. Knew you'd latch onto to this one!! ;-D Almost fell off my chair when I saw that included. Can't imagine that, if the interviewer asked Colin: \"So, what films will we see you in next?\" that he would answer, \"SLOW\"!! Where did this woman ever get this information? Maybe she picked it up from the Roles Page. hee hee!!"}, {"response": 348, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jul 20, 1999 (21:53)", "body": "Dyslexic kids get to typeset daily papers and proofreading is done by computers - all for speed and cheapness. What do you expect?"}, {"response": 349, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jul 20, 1999 (21:59)", "body": "(For clarity: the above is a reply to Bethan's last remark.) [Re: hopelessly romantic: he's played myriads and myriads of those...] When was the last one? Karen, I am a sarky animal, remember? ;-P"}, {"response": 350, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 20, 1999 (22:09)", "body": "I meant it in the same vein."}, {"response": 351, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jul 20, 1999 (22:45)", "body": "Right. Seriously though, I suppose Joe Prince (Prince Charming??? Aha! ;-)) could be classed as hopelessly romantic in a way. Anyone else?"}, {"response": 352, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Tue, Jul 20, 1999 (23:13)", "body": "How about Armand Duval? And then, possibly, Charles Gould at the start of Nostromo; too bad that the objects of his hopeless romanticism were the mine and Costaguana, not his wife. Mr. Darcy himself may not have been hopelessly romantic, but the role certainly was."}, {"response": 353, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jul 20, 1999 (23:47)", "body": "All right, then - two or three hopelessly romantic characters in 16 years of acting, and he's moaning?"}, {"response": 354, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (00:29)", "body": "Don't forget Geoffrey Clifton, the most hopelessly romantic of them all! \"Uxuriousness..that's my favorite kind of love. Excessive love of one's wife.\" Murph"}, {"response": 355, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (00:49)", "body": "Wessex: hopeless unromantic Jess: hopeless womanizer Paul: just plain hopeless Geoffrey: definitely, Murph, the \"most hopelessly romantic of them all\" for quite some time. Charles: hopelessly idealistic Simon: hopelessly realistic and callous Darcy: dared to have hope Freddie: hoped to leave his romantic attachments behind Stephen: hopelessly warped Ross: hopelessly good-looking John: hoped for romance, but only had Brian Courtois: a hopeless romantic Joe: a hopeless romantic Valmont: nothing was hopeless until the end Robert: initially only a hopeless romantic about soldiering Brian: a hopeless romantic Adrian: a hopeless romantic ;-D Colin Craven: a romantic Tom: an injured romantic Richard Herncastle: a libidinous romantic and the prey of women everywhere Alexander: hopelessly sick Neil: only hopelessly romantic because so young Armand: another hopeless romantic Tommy: hopelessly romantic about revolution"}, {"response": 356, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (01:40)", "body": "Well done, Karen. I agree that darling Geoffrey is the most romantic of CF's roles. What's your take on Alan? I just saw OOTB - can't get a handle on him. Isn't Wessex's comment about \"the tide waiting for no man, but I swear it would wait for you\" just a little romantic? Charles is idealistic, though far less so at the end, but what about him saying that he was under the spell of the mine, like in fairy stories (or something like that) in the wet scene. His view seemed romantic as well as idealistic."}, {"response": 357, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (03:26)", "body": "Alan: a hopeless liar"}, {"response": 358, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (10:02)", "body": "Lisa's Timeline has some new news about Relative Values, which makes it sound much more promising. Shooting starts July 31 (he's really working back to back!) and the film is backed by US money, an LA based company in collaboration with the Isle of Man Film Commission (who backed \"Waking Ned\"). The cast sounds very good...much younger than in the original Noel Coward play. Denise Richards has gone. Sophie Thompson (Emma's sister), Jeanne Triplehorn and Billy Baldwin join the cast (JA, CF, SF) I reckon ST will play Moxie, JT Miranda and BB (is this William Baldwin?) Nigel. I think ST and JT are both very good comediennes. All in all, a good ensemble!"}, {"response": 359, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (12:34)", "body": "I am having some problems. Nothing shows up as new on topic 119. Anyone else having the same problem?"}, {"response": 360, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (18:05)", "body": "Not here! Everything is as usual."}, {"response": 361, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (19:49)", "body": "Hi all, I\ufffdm back from my hols and what did I find when I came home....the FP soundtrack! Ahh! Allow me a moment of gushing, ladies. I LOVE the soundtrack, it makes me all......I don\ufffdt know what. The music sounds so great on a cd and so much better than in the film, or at least it sounds different. Listening to it brings back all the feelings and lovely moments in the movie. And his voice then. It\ufffds magical to listen to it like he was talking next to me. Makes me want to *kiss* my amplifiers! Thanks again, Emma."}, {"response": 362, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (20:10)", "body": "Yes, but most - if not all - of these characters had other dimensions besides just hopeless romanticism. His complains are groundless."}, {"response": 363, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (20:16)", "body": "GOOD TO HAVE YOU BACK, ...Elena....we have missed your postings. You've been gone far too long... ***** Allison, I sometimes have that problem with 119 New not showing. Try rebooting....sometimes it works. ***** A gentle reminder.... To those planning to attend the January 15th, 3 DOR peformance.... Someone yesterday bought seats in Row C.. Apparently Rows A&B are sold. This is a v. small theatre...the center section is best. Sides are marginal. Please book soon. Box Office: 171-369-1732 (Country code precedes...in the US it is 011-44) ***** Glad Denise Richardson is gone from RV.Never heard of Jeanne Triplehorn. ST is excellent.Who is going to play Don Lucas, I wonder."}, {"response": 364, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (20:32)", "body": "Never heard of Jeanne Triplehorn. But you know her. The \"other woman\" in Sliding Doors! Was also in \"The Firm.\" BTW, you will see her with Hughie in Mickey Blue Eyes. Saw the trailer at the theater the other day and the audience really howled, especially at Hugh trying to speak like a Goodfella. Definitely reminded me of some of the very old Cary Grant screwball comedies. Am beginning to wonder if Jeanne T is living in London permanently since Mickey Blue Eyes is an Elizabeth Hurley production."}, {"response": 365, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (23:38)", "body": "Like your creative spin on \"hopeless\" characters, Karen And here we all sit, helplessly hoping he adds more characters to that list. Welcome back, Elena. I share your excitement over the FP soundtrack. Listening to those songs just put a bounce in my step, even \"Liquidator\". Well, maybe not that. Has 119 re-set itself for you Allison? It usually does after bringing it up once."}, {"response": 366, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (23:48)", "body": "Who is going to play Don Lucas, I wonder. Actually, I got it wrong, I think. Presumably Billy/William Baldwin will play Don Lucas. And so we don't know who plays Nigel. Anyway I think it sounds like a much better Anglo/American mix."}, {"response": 367, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (00:38)", "body": "(Elena) And his voice then. It\ufffds magical to listen to it like he was talking next to me. Makes me want to *kiss* my amplifiers! Try listening to his voice with the lights out for a real thrill. Amazingly, for I rarely listen to pop music, I too love the soundtrack (except for Fiesta - when I made a tape for my car, I only copied the opening bars of it - I guess I'm not a lover of polka). It is very lively, My favourite is the last track - Fever Pitch. Such a sweet scene when it is playing in the film - love the expression on Paul's face as he circles for the kiss. (Bethan) And so we don't know who plays Nigel. Is it for sure that CF is playing Peter? I am not familiar with this play, but wouldn't DB be a natural for another Earl, although perhaps Nigel is another hopeless romantic role that Colin (poor, poor put-upon boy) is so tired of playing."}, {"response": 368, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (01:51)", "body": "Has everyone read this review of MLSF from THE NATIONAL REVIEW ON-LINE? It's pretty good. http://www.nationalreview.com/movies/simon.html"}, {"response": 369, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (03:26)", "body": "Billy Baldwin, fresh from his stint as Barney Rubble, would be a *perfect* Don Lucas! I am visualizing that last scene between Don and Peter. yum yum!! Sophie will be a good Moxie. Am visualizing Peter thinking about how he is going to fix her up (hair, makeup, and clothing). I like this casting. Works so far for me. My car tape of FP omits \"The Liquidator.\" Am thinking of making another, but without the Pogues song too. It's getting shorter and shorter. It was so strange watching \"Summer of Sam\" and the \"Baba O'Reilly\" montage. Was waiting for \"How do you hang on to a dream\" to come on next. Am so conditioned to hearing it play right after! ;-)"}, {"response": 370, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (03:43)", "body": "Pretend you don't see the name Puttnam ;-) Exit Stage Left For Director Puttnam By Michael Eskenazi LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - After three decades as one of Britain's foremost names in film, David Puttnam is abandoning movies for an industry he sees as less contentious and less fraught with in-fighting and hypocrisy -- politics. The producer of such acclaimed films as \"The Killing Fields,\" \"Midnight Express\" and Oscar-winning \"Chariots of Fire\" is closing the door on a fabled movie career to focus on his role as a junior minister in Britain's Labour government. \"I just can't swing back between the world of reality and real problems and the world of dreams anymore,\" Puttnam, 58, told Reuters. His last movie, \"A Life So Far,\" being released in the United States this week, is a sentimental look at the travails of a privileged Scottish family. Although backed by Disney-owned Miramax studios, it is a distinctly British movie and it allows Puttnam to stick his tongue out at the Hollywood that began by feting him and ended up fighting him. He was never a natural joiner and his inability to toe the party line doomed his tenure as head of Columbia pictures in the mid-1980s. He was dismissed after 13 months on the job during which he scrapped with the likes of Warren Beatty, Dustin Hoffman and Bill Cosby. Puttnam had charted his own course even before the call from Hollywood. He left school at 16 to work as a London advertising messenger and rose to become the toast of the British film industry in the early 1980s. PUTTNAM MOVES INTO POLITICS His entry into politics came in 1997 when he was appointed a life peer in the British House of Lords (upper house of parliament) in a move by Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair to modernize the tradition-bound legislative assembly. He was given the job of junior minister for education. \"I'm very happy to be moving to a world of real people making real money and away from one of some absurd people making some very unreal money,\" he said. \"I'm no longer having conversations with people about how large their Winnebago is.\" \"One of the things that frustrated me in California was that everyone, once you hired them, wanted to hire an assistant. I'd say to them, 'Didn't I hire you to do that?' In England film people are much more concerned with the craft of filmmaking and they take much more pride in it. In Hollywood it's like everyone's got their eye on the next job. Every camera operator wants to direct.\" Set in the 1930s, \"My Life So Far\" centers on the Pettigrew family who live on an estate in the Scottish highlands in blissful isolation from The Depression and events leading the world to war. In one scene family patriarch Edward Pettigrew (Colin Firth), a classical music lover, becomes incensed when an in-law tries to smuggle in jazz records from Paris. Similarly, Puttnam, who left California proclaiming \"Hollywood needs regeneration,\" has long lobbied Europeans to stave off pressure to Americanize their art. That message drew him to \"My Life So Far\" after he read the book on a plane and was drawn to the story of a family striving to guard its own treasure -- its estate. By the time he landed in Tokyo he knew he wanted to bring it to the screen. FORGIVENESS IS THEME OF LAST FILM \"It caught me because it was so against the stories being told in movies today,\" he said. \"It was about a family and it said that the family is an imperfect organism and one that's very undervalued. While so many films are about revenge, this is about forgiveness.\" The film offers fellow Briton Hugh Hudson a quiet revenge on Hollywood as well. Hudson's first two works as director were both filmed in Scotland to great critical acclaim -- the 1981 Putnam-produced \"Chariots of Fire\" and \"Greystoke\" (1984). Two Hollywood films that followed, \"Revolution\" (1985) with Al Pacino and \"Lost Angels\" (1989) with Beastie Boy Adam Horovitz, were mired in studio infighting and panned by critics. \"It was a joy to make this film,\" Hudson told Reuters. \"It was a friendly and joyous three months working in Scotland.\" He said it was particularly nice working with Puttnam this time. \"He's a more relaxed man (than when he made \"Chariots of Fire\"). ... He's more comfortable and sure of himself.\" \"Early on in my career I had this chip on my shoulder,\" Puttnam said of his climb to the top of the film business. He felt he had something to prove to American contemporaries who had the benefit of film school, he said. \"It made me quite difficult to work with.\" He has also abandoned his resentment over the British school system's failure to engage him as a boy. His appointment to serve as education undersecretary came as a surprise but \"turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me.\" \"With the work I'm doing now in education, this is the most gratifying period of my life, beside the short period where I had 'Chariots of Fire' and 'The Killing Fields' back-to-back. Outside of that brief period, this has been the most creatively ex"}, {"response": 371, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (04:26)", "body": "Oh, and thanks, Evelyn, for the newest review. Am off to check the Christian Science Monitor!! ;-D"}, {"response": 372, "author": "Mannen", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (05:22)", "body": "Well hello people. I've just returned from Germany and my first port of call was the Conference Centre. Regardless of the time I've been having in Germany, I have been suffering from enormous \"Drool\" withdrawals and I am glad to be back for that, if not for any other reason."}, {"response": 373, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (08:01)", "body": "Evelyn, thanks for the National Review Online review of MLSF......you really get the impression that the reviewer watched the film intently. And Karen, as for David Puttnam, words fail me ( I wish they'd fail him!) He is getting all this promotion and all he does is promote himself and \"rubbish\" Hollywood. (Without some Hollywood interest, MLSF would die). It would have been far more gracious if he could have found time to talk about Hugh Hudson, the movie (and how good it is), and the cast...even one paragraph would have helped. No-one is going to see MLSF merely because it's Puttnam's swansong. On playing hopeless romantics, well they may not always be hopeless, but with the exception of AZ hasn't everything CF's made included/focused on a relationship with a woman (even Judd had his usherette). No buddy movies, no action thrillers!"}, {"response": 374, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (08:01)", "body": "Welcome back, Mannen!"}, {"response": 375, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (08:27)", "body": "Someone yesterday bought seats in Row C.. Apparently Rows A&B are sold. Yeah, I contacted the box office too late to get in the front row on the 15th so I ended up buying an A center ticket for Friday the fourteenth! So I\ufffdm going to see him twice. (Too greedy actually to agonize about the front rows, ALL the rows are very close to him in the Donmar, at least in the stalls.)"}, {"response": 376, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (08:56)", "body": "\"It was a joy to make this film,\" Hudson told Reuters. \"It was a friendly and joyous three months working in Scotland.\" Aha! Three months.....so it must have been a working honeymoon and in Scotland! Actually, in good weather (not always guaranteed) I should think the Loch Fyne area is hard to beat. We spent a holiday there a few years back, and it is very beautiful. The house where MLSF was filmed is open to the public, or at least the grounds are...they contain the tallest trees in Europe (just thought you'd like to know this!):-)"}, {"response": 377, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (09:58)", "body": "Yes, Welcome back Mannen, hope you enjoyed your tiem in Germany. BTW Evelyn Moon and Tineke should be meeting up today (TRT), hope they have a good time."}, {"response": 378, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (13:30)", "body": "Now that you mentioned it Ann, ...here we are in London, just had lunch and on our way to the Donmar!!! Hello to all! We had a fright with a CF look alike at the Luna Nuova, we had to get the waiter to check it out, no such luck. :-( We hope to give a full report later when we arrive home. ARRIVEDERCI!"}, {"response": 379, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (13:58)", "body": "How funny!! A CF look alike in the Donmar building. BTW, I just got an email from Moon wanting to know about any real or potential CF London happenings. Hmmm, maybe she should go talk to the recipient of all of Heide's faxes?"}, {"response": 380, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (16:57)", "body": "Nothing on 119 shows up as \"new\" still It doesn't matter for me, I can keep track but it might put others off it happens to them. Wasn't Winter having similar trouble?"}, {"response": 381, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (17:10)", "body": "Another review for MLSF at Girls on FILM http://www.girlson.com/"}, {"response": 382, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (17:36)", "body": "Allison, I'll email you re: problem. Winter's occurred on #43. Haven't heard whether she's still having it. Come to think of it, haven't heard from her since last week. Yoohoo, Winter, did you go to those movies? Inquiring minds want to know. ;-D"}, {"response": 383, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (17:46)", "body": "A thought occurred... Could the missing 119 have been designated as a topic to Forget? Accidently of course. Isn't there supposed to be a \"Remember\" button. I don't have one, don't know why but maybe it is only shown if you've used the \"Forget\" button. Laura last had that problem."}, {"response": 384, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (18:44)", "body": "Thanks for those links, Evelyn and Ann (although the GoF review wasn't so great). Enjoyed reading the first from Nat'l Review Online. You're right, Bethan, it does appear Simon watched the film carefully. Can't wait to hear Colin bark like a dog ;-P In which publication was the latest Puttnam diatribe found, Karen?"}, {"response": 385, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (18:49)", "body": "No buddy movies, no action thrillers! Don't forget Tumbledown - still the best by far."}, {"response": 386, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (18:49)", "body": "Like the current cast of RV. Someone inquired if we knew for sure if Colin was playing Peter..I hope so...Nigel is an old fool...makes Wessex look good. ***** Welcome back Mannen ***** I thought I was late with that MLSF review at the NATIONAL REVIEW... The downside is that no one reads that publication!! ***** (Karen) LA TIMES interview with David Puttnam... \"Early on in my career I had this chip on my shoulder, What makes him think he still doesn't....the old goat!! I could cheerfully strangle him for that interview...what a PR job for MLSF. \"Revenge on Hollywood\" by producer and director ...is not the way to market a movie. I bet Harvey is livid.. **** Great to hear from Tineke and Moon...our gals at the Donmar!!"}, {"response": 387, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (18:56)", "body": "Here's the link to the news item, Eileen: Puttnam Rant"}, {"response": 388, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (18:57)", "body": "Let me try that again: Puttnam Rant"}, {"response": 389, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (18:58)", "body": "I'm clueless as to why it isn't working; maybe it's too long??? http://dailynews.yahoo.com/headlines/re/story.html?s=v/nm/19990722/re/people_puttnam_2.html"}, {"response": 390, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (19:05)", "body": "Someone should answer Sybil at the Girls on FILM http://www.girlson.com/ website.Who the h***is she anyway?Did you read her vita?...Likes Paul Rudd and TV Sitcoms...puhleeze. And where did she see MLSF anyway ...if it being released tomorrow. Susan...why don't you answer her since you saw it at RI."}, {"response": 391, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (19:08)", "body": "Thanks, Karen (timely, too!). I hope people don't take the time to read it. Someone needs to give him the \"cutoff\" sign. Newsweek didn't have an Arts and Entertainment section in this week's issue due to the Kennedy/Bessette tragedy. I'm anxious to see what David Ansen (or collegue) has to say about MLSF. Hopefully it will be positive and millions of people will read it. Hey Harvey, have you taken David to lunch lately?"}, {"response": 392, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (19:11)", "body": "Someone should answer Sybil at the Girls on FILM website.Who the h***is she anyway? BTW, Evelyn, she spells her name Sibyl. That was my first clue."}, {"response": 393, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (20:46)", "body": "Sibyl sounds about 12 years old...what did she say \"something that parents will like\". Trouble is, I think a lot of reviewers are virtual teenybops...didn't one review say that MLSF would appeal to grandmothers! (Mind you, you can (theoretically) be a grandmother in your early thirties!)Each to his/her own taste. I'm praying that David Puttnam doesn't take it upon himself to \"promote\" MLSF in the UK. Since when has the producer been so omnipotent (and clueless)? Normally it's the director or starring actors who give interviews. Goes without saying, I'd like to see something about Colin, but I'd also be interested in an interview with Hugh Hudson!! Like the current cast of RV. Someone inquired if we knew for sure if Colin was playing Peter..I hope so...Nigel is an old fool...makes Wessex look good. (Evelyn) Yes, I'm feeling much more hopeful about RV now. It's a good mix...JA (appeals to grandmothers!), and also actors who are familiar in current popular movies in the US, plus Sophie Thompson and Stephen Fry who always turn in good character perfomances. And Colin of course! Might succeed in bringing Noel Coward to the masses. It's very light, but if well played , could be very enjoyable. And I'm always a sucker for gracious living and country house settings! I agree....Peter is far more attractive (at least he works for a living!) than Nigel, who is basically a bit of a twit!"}, {"response": 394, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (21:52)", "body": "You won't like this one ladies especially the bit about CF and Mr. D - from Metromix Arts & entertainment Guide Review MLSF http://metromix.com/movies/0,1156,11-4454,00.html this chap obviously has something against Colin he has even left his name off the credits!!"}, {"response": 395, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (22:16)", "body": "Not good review from the Chicago paper.... Number #3 city in US. (Don't post that one ,Murph.) Can't wait to read what the LA Times says...and where is Janet Maslin when we need her? The reviewer obviously is familiar with Colin's work...few reviewers would have referred to P&P...because they didn't see it.But he definitely has a vendetta when he didn't even list him in the cast!! Kill him Karen!"}, {"response": 396, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (22:25)", "body": "Not good, not good. Michael Wilmington is THE film critic for the Chicago Tribune; the counterpart for Roger Ebert. It isn't in today's paper, just checked. I didn't expect it until next Friday. 'My Life So Far' Set in Scotland, 'My Life So Far' pleasant but lacking By Michael Wilmington \"My Life So Far\" is a reteaming of director Hugh Hudson and producer David Puttnam, whose last film together was the exhilarating 1981 \"Chariots of Fire.\" Although \"My Life\" has a sort of easygoing charm, exhilaration is sorely lacking. A Scottish extended family living on an exquisite country estate exert themselves in the mild ways the wealthy sometimes must, all of this based on a memoir called \"Son of Adam\" by Sir Denis Forman. The \"life\" of the title refers to Fraser, the 10-year-old narrator and happy son of Moira and Edward Pettigrew. One of the movie's problems is that it suggests that the events we observe are from the boy's point of view, but clearly Hudson and screenwriter Simon Donald offer a far more sophisticated look at the goings on at the ancestral home, Harewood House, than a 10-year-old could fathom, never mind recount. Gamma (Rosemary Harris, playing the grandmother with the imperious allure we've come to associate with Joan Plowright) is a benevolent dictator who reigns over the manor harmoniously, contentedly involved with the family of her daughter, Moira (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, still beautiful, and cautiously attempting a wavering Scottish accent throughout). Moira's husband, Edward (Colin Firth), is a stiff eccentric who, it appears, is mismanaging the family resources with schemes that include harvesting and selling the moss that grows on their land and inventing floating and flying vessels. But as Gamma puts it, he worships Moira, and he's a good father. That he is devoted to Beethoven and the Bible and communicates with Fraser by barking are all signs of good character as far as she is concerned. The trouble starts when Moira's brother, Morris (Malcolm McDowell), an aging millionaire and roue who lives in London, takes a sudden interest in Harewood House. He criticizes Edward's ideas and soon announces that he intends to marry a French woman half his age named Heloise (Irene Jacob). In a Chekhovian manner verging on cliche, Jacob plays the supposedly luminous sensual being whose presence in the house disrupts the air of calm. As the oldest, Morris would seemingly be in line to inherit the estate from Gamma, which would leave Moira, Edward and their several children out in the cold. In addition, Edward and Morris' antagonism finds its expression in a rivalry for Heloise's sexual favors. Edward makes a fool of himself and rends the family closeness needlessly, while Morris, always a ho se's ass, just becomes more so as events unfold. The movie's chief disappointment is a failure of storytelling. All indications point to the intention to tell a poignant tale about a boy and his much admired father, a story that is lost as the filmmakers' focus falters. Here and there the father-son story is integral to the plot, as when Edward's jealousy of Heloise's sisterly affection for Fraser is open, but this is an exception. I'm sure they didn't mean it, but the basic story could just as easily been told if Fraser never even existed. Only one conceit demands his presence. He reads from his grandfather's secret stash of pornography and makes the hilariously innocent suggestion at a dinner party that his mother go into prostitution to raise some extra money. Fraser is played by an adorable boy named Robbie Norman who, with his thin lips and intense manner, could be Kenneth Branagh 25 years ago. Although generally engaging, the movie is strangely dead through the first half, partly owing to Hudson and cinematographer Bernard Lutic's preoccupation with stunning vistas over familial interaction. But part of the dullness has to do with Firth in the all important role of Edward. Firth has a curious resemblance to Tim Robbins, but Robbins' goofy charm is replaced in Firth by an awkwardness and rigidity that he's displayed before when he portrayed Mr. Darcy in \"Pride and Prejudice\" and Kristin Scott Th mas' husband in \"The English Patient.\" One could pass a pleasant enough evening in the company of this movie, but one wouldn't be deprived if one missed it. \"My Life So Far\" Directed by Hugh Hudson; written by Simon Donald from the book by Sir Denis Forman; photographed by Bernard Lutic; edited by Scott Thomas; production designed by Andy Harris; music by Howard Blake produced by Harvey Weinstein, Bob Weinstein, Paul Webster. A Miramax Films release, opens Friday. Running time: 1:33. MPAA rating: PG-13. THE CAST Fraser ... Robbie Norman Gamma ... Rosemary Harris Moira ... Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio Morris ... Malcolm McDowell Heloise ... Irene Jacob ************* Who's a horse's ass?"}, {"response": 397, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (23:59)", "body": "you can (theoretically) be a grandmother in your early thirties! Nothing theoretical about it. I have quite recently read about a woman of 28 who has just become the world's youngest gran. awkwardness and rigidity that he's displayed before when he portrayed Mr. Darcy in \"Pride and Prejudice\" and Kristin Scott Thomas' husband in \"The English Patient.\" Ouch. Oh, dear, oh, dear... So that guy doesn't like Colin's acting. (Off with his head!) So what? One for every ten or twenty maybe. Big deal. I would be worried if they all liked him without exception: life would be sooo boring... ;-)"}, {"response": 398, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (00:06)", "body": "Gee, I thought Mr. Darcy was supposed to be awkward and rigid. When searching the ELibrary, I found a review which stated something to the effect that CF's expressions as Darcy ran the gamut from A to B. I guess everyone has an opinion. Did this guy see the same performance as the reviewer for The Hollywood Reporter who described CF as \"buoyant\"? \"... A curious resemblance to Tim Robbins\" - NOT! Just saw TR in Arlington Road and I couldn't see any charm, goofy or otherwise, in that performance."}, {"response": 399, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (00:19)", "body": "Okay, who wrote to Walter Scott's Personality Parade to ask about \"Colin Firth's dark side\"? Out with it. The answer will be in this Sunday's Parade magazine in your Sunday paper. Hope there's a picture. Topic 121 has just opened."}, {"response": 400, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (00:31)", "body": "Re: the GoF review. I just read their (skin-crawling) review of the South Park movie. Stands to reason they wouldn't much appreciate a film like MLSF. Thank God I stopped watching Murder, She Wrote reruns last year; tomorrow I'm putting my rocking chair out with the trash!"}, {"response": 401, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (00:51)", "body": "Hate to sound like a nag (after all I wanted a push for MLSF too) and I hate to point out the obvious, but what is this about a \"Puttnam Rant\"?? The article is entitled Exit Stage Left for Director Puttnam -- it is about David Puttnam's retirement from the movie business after a long and distinguished career and his subsequent new projects. It is NOT about MLSF. It is not about Colin (which is the more wonderful as he was the only actor mentioned by name in it). You should be counting th s as a gift to CF, (as he had little reason to be mentioned otherwise), not as a theft of due recognition! C'mon, ease off! 8-D"}, {"response": 402, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (01:34)", "body": "(KJArt)Re: Puttnam Rant article in LA Times..... It is NOT about MLSF....it is about David Puttnam's retirement from the movie business I didn't say it was . What I said is that his missed the boat in NOT giving MLSF a plug.Instead he arrogantly insulted the very people who are going to review and see the film.And as a producer of said film ,IMO he implicates the film with his uncalled -for comments.Anyway, I fervently hope you are right and I am wrong."}, {"response": 403, "author": "livamago", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (01:36)", "body": "Firth has a curious resemblance to Tim Robbins ugh! Where does this guy have his eyes?? but Robbins' goofy charm is replaced in Firth by an awkwardness and rigidity that he's displayed before AND his brains? Pure envy, I think. How come critics can find merit in the acting of people like Adam Sandler and others like him, and totally dismiss sensitive and thoughtful performers? Baffling!"}, {"response": 404, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (01:38)", "body": "Although generally engaging, the movie is strangely dead through the first half, partly owing to Hudson and cinematographer Bernard Lutic's preoccupation with stunning vistas over familial interaction. But part of the dullness has to do with Firth in the all important role of Edward. Firth has a curious resemblance to Tim Robbins, but Robbins' goofy charm is replaced in Firth by an awkwardness and rigidity that he's displayed before when he portrayed Mr. Darcy in \"Pride and Prejudice\" and Kristin Scott Th mas' husband in \"The English Patient.\" *********** Whew! Thanks, Karen. The Tribune is an influential paper. Such harsh words for Dear Boy. Now for the NY Times! I hope Janet M. likes it a bit better than this. And John Simon (National Review)is a long time movie critic who can be savage when he doesn't like something. Used to review, I believe, for New York Mag. He still does theater for it. Murph"}, {"response": 405, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (02:13)", "body": "This one is better from the LA Times (couldn't sleep!!) they seem to like it thank goodness and no nasty comments about our DB, I shall forget the bad reviews and remember the best two The HR and Roger Eberts - http://www.calendarlive.com/HOME/CALENDARLIVE/MOVIES/HOLD/review-mylife990723.HTM"}, {"response": 406, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (02:19)", "body": "The aboce is wrong try http://www.calendarlive.com/HOME/CALENDARLIVE/MOVIES/HOLD/review_mylife990723.htm"}, {"response": 407, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (04:32)", "body": "Thanks, Ann. IMO, this is a terrific review; \"sumptuous\", \"handsome\", \"directed with verve and subtlety\", \"...perfectly modulated ensemble...the principles glow\". The reviewer devoted a lot of space to Edward, made him sound like such an interesting character and even noticed CF's \"sensual features\". However, DB as \"stocky\"? In the trailer, he looked rather slender in the bathing suit, but The Jerusalem Post review of Fever Pitch also referred to lean Paul as \"burly\"."}, {"response": 408, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (05:31)", "body": "Ann, do they call you at the newspapers when they change over to their next day editions! Very nice review, but was not from Kenneth Turran. Must take what we can get. Richard Dix? Will have to pull out my old movie books and take a look if Colin resembles him."}, {"response": 409, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (05:37)", "body": "From the NY Times. Maslin reviewed \"The Haunting.\" Good review!! 'My Life So Far': Glowing Remembrances of a Scottish Childhood By STEPHEN HOLDEN \"My Life So Far,\" a winsome childhood reverie of family life in Argyll, Scotland, in the late 1920s, offers such a muted, smoothly textured swatch of British nostalgia that you feel no qualms about languishing in its \"Masterpiece Theater\" vision of a safer, saner, more shining past. With its soft-focus portrait of a mildly troubled family viewed through the adoring eyes of a frisky little boy, it suggests Ingmar Bergman's \"Fanny and Alexander\" with all its demons comfortably subdued. Amid the prevailing serenity, of course, there are some ruffles. They include a simmering rivalry between brothers-in-law, sexual jealousy and pre-adolescent prurience. A beloved matriarch dies. And there is an embarrassing public spat between the boy's parents. But even the most upsetting events never undermine the film's glowing, child's-eye vision of life unfolding in a stately procession of lovely, adventure-filled days. The film, based on Denis Forman's childhood memoir, \"Son of Adam,\" reunites the director Hugh Hudson with the producer David Puttnam for the first time since their 1981 blockbuster, \"Chariots of Fire.\" Without turning cloyingly inspirational, the newer film expresses the same quietly optimistic faith in humanity's nobler impulses. \"My Life So Far\" follows a year in the life of Fraser Pettigrew (Robert Norman), a 10-year-old boy growing up in Kiloran House, the sprawling castlelike home of the Macintosh clan in the Scottish highlands. Presiding over the property is Fraser's benign, widowed grandmother Gamma Macintosh (Rosemary Harris), whose daughter Moira (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) has married Edward Pettigrew (Colin Firth), a handsome eccentric gentleman inventor. The film's most complex character, Edward is a passionate, fiery-eyed nonconformist who worships Beethoven (whose music he tells his son is the sound of God talking in his sleep) and is obsessed with aviation. When not tinkering with new gadgets, Edward oversees a marginally profitable moss factory that he has established on the estate. Not all of his inventions work. His most notable dud is a subterranean chimney system that leaks so profusely that smoke that was supposed to have been piped underground illows up through the lawn in spectacular plumes. Firth's deep, quietly tempestuous performance portrays Edward as both a caring father who delights in being a heroic role model for Fraser, and a petulant, self-absorbed visionary. The movie's central drama, observed by Fraser without his fully comprehending what is happening, is the continuing power struggle between his father and his uncle (Moira's brother) Morris Macintosh (Malcolm McDowell). A hard-headed businessman, who hopes one day to inherit the estate, Uncle Morris, as Fraser calls him, disapproves of Edward's silly schemes. When Morris brings home his new wife, Heloise (Irene Jacob), a beautiful, charming, much younger French woman and amateur cellist, Edward becomes instantly besotted and begins recklessly pursuing her right under his wife's nose. Relations between the brothers-in-law, which heretofore have been courteous, are strained to the breaking point, as is Edward and Moira's marriage. \"My Life So Far\" observes all this through the eyes of the curious Fraser, who also falls under Heloise's spell in the innocent way children do with adults who pay attention to them. At the same time, the boy makes secret sojourns into the attic, where he has discovered his grandfather's books, some of which contain erotic illustrations and definitions of sexual practices. In the film's most amusing moments, Fraser, unaware of what he's saying, naively regales his Puritanical family with the details of his sexual education. The film is peppered with small, colorful incidents that loom large in Fraser's memory: the landing on the property of a plane whose dashing pilot (Tcheky Karyo) sweeps his older sister Elspeth (Kelly MacDonald) off her feet; a joyous skating carnival that ends with a tragic accident, and the appearance in the house (through Heloise) of early jazz records, whose music Edward ominously declares to be the sound of the devil. What gives the film the flow of a good novel is its consistency of tone. Sparingly narrated by Fraser, the movie finds a perfect middle ground between the world as seen through Fraser's eyes and a more worldly wise authorial omniscience. It's good old-fashioned storytelling done with panache."}, {"response": 410, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (05:38)", "body": "Here's the url for the review: http://www.nytimes.com/library/film/072399life-film-review.html"}, {"response": 411, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (07:46)", "body": "Baz Bamigboye strikes again! From today's Daily Mail: (Big colour picture of Jeanne Tripplehorn) JT is the \"Hollywood Hussy\" Edward Atterton is bringing home to meet mummy. Dashing Mr A will portray Noel Coward's dapper Nigel, Easrl of Marshwood, in a movie version of his Fifties play RV, which is about an aristocrat who decides to marry a movie star. \"But he has to take her home to meet mummy, and mummy is Julie Andrews, Mr A says. Coward's piece is an elegant spoof on class and snobbery. Ms T, one of the leading ladies in Basic Instinct and the hilarious forthcoming comedy Mickey Blue Eyes, will play Miranda Frayle, the siren Coward called \"a good actress with excellent legs\", who finds that her tall Hollywood tales don't go down too well at Marshwood Manor, particularly as the dowager countess's maid knows a thing or two about her background, JA nd Sophie Thompon play these parts...with Colin Firth as a drunken blue blood and Billy Baldwin as an actor who knows a thing or two about her background. more to come...."}, {"response": 412, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (08:01)", "body": "BB part 2... (whoops, that last line should have read, Billy Baldwin as an actor who knows a the dark secrets of her Tinseltown life.) Director Eric Styles and producer Chris Milburn will shoot RV on the Isle of Man. \"Our film is set in the English countryside, the South of France and Hollywood and all of it will be shot on the Isle of Man,\" Milburn told me. The South of France is easy to depict bacause there are palm trees and lots of sandy beaches. The Hollywood scenes will be set in a studio.\" Writers Paul Rattigan and Michael Walker have adapted Coward's play, shifting the story a few years forward to the mid-fifties to make it easier to incorporate some Sinatra tracks."}, {"response": 413, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (08:04)", "body": "ALSO and I can hardly believe this as RV is supposed to start filming on the 31July, but according to our Teletext Colin Firth is to star in another costume drama for ITV, The Turn of the Screw, A Henry James horror story set in victorian England. FILMING IS TO START THIS WEEK IN LONDON & BERKSHIRE. How can that be, unless the dates for RV are wrong and I did read that SF is starting something in Spain (I forget) on the 1st August. Boy is he making up for last year but this sounds great, apparently he is the head of an English Mansion. Go have a look Allison and Bethan, Teletext on ITV page 127. re RV above, don't like the description a drunken blue-blood, not another buffoon!!! (Thanks for the news Allison)"}, {"response": 414, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (08:05)", "body": "The NY Times and the LA Times reviews are both very good. I particularly like the LA review...\"it's also a film that proceeds from one vignette to another:only when it reaches its climax do you realise that it's been quietly adding up all the while.\" This makes me wonder whether if MLSF had been shown to a more perceptive audience at its early previews, it would have been edited down so much (nearly 30 minutes removed). Audiences are so accustomed to zap-zap action that they wouldn't have patience with a series of apparently loosely linked vignettes. It seems to me that the reviewers with patience (and there are several) find MLSF the most rewarding. \"Stocky, sensual, resembling Richard Dix (who is he when he's at home?)\", well, that's much better (I think!) than the Tim Robbins comparison. Although doesn't the LA Times actually manage to squeeze out the word \"handsome\". We need a few Volvo-owning female reviewers!"}, {"response": 415, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (08:27)", "body": "We need a few Volvo-owning female reviewers! Okay, I'm available ;-)"}, {"response": 416, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (08:34)", "body": "Go have a look Allison and Bethan, Teletext on ITV page 127. Yup! It looks like he is working his lovely socks off. That must be some house he's buying!"}, {"response": 417, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (08:49)", "body": "Yeah! Thank God he's got a mortgage! Henry James \"The Turn of the Screw\"....ITV costume drama...starring role\". Sounds very good to me. ITV have definitely got the edge over the BBC in costume drama productions at the moment and pour a lot of money in (as in the recent \"Hornblower\" series). \"Turn of the Screw\" is cerebral Victorian horror, and one of James' best works. There was a version of it in the early eighties, I think. It's difficult to keep up with his work schedule (!), but I think it is possible for projects to overlap. Peter won't be in every scene in RV. Re Baz's report, the \"drunken blueblood\" tag is just inaccurate reporting - Peter has the odd gin and tonic (as do they all) but is stone cold sober throughout! BTW I've seen Edward Atterton in a drama series on ITV, playing the younger son in an arisocratic family, along with the actor who played Madox in TEP. Good casting."}, {"response": 418, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (08:59)", "body": "Total for the year so far and there is still five months to go:- 1 -Stage - 3DOR 2 -TV, DQ & The Turn of the Screw 2- movies, Londinium & Relative Values * possible BJD and, of course, stage 3Dor again - WONDERFUL, hope its a hug emortgage he has taken out!!"}, {"response": 419, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (08:59)", "body": "huge"}, {"response": 420, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (09:28)", "body": "(Ann)hug emortgage Freudian slip;-) What an exciting time we are having in the UK this morning. When the US droolers wake up this afternoon won't they be in for a surprise. All this and getting to see MLSF today, lucky things."}, {"response": 421, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (10:00)", "body": "MLSF, Newsday.com. gives it 3*, more The Inspector Gadget and The Haunting, 28 each and they like it!! http://www.newsday.com /features/movrev/mv10723.htm(I really must get on with some work!!)"}, {"response": 422, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (10:03)", "body": "(2* each), not 28, so many erros this morning, got up to early, went to bed too late!!"}, {"response": 423, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (10:04)", "body": "Am going to be a slight party pooper, but Colin's role in \"Turn of the Screw\" could be just a cameo. I've checked my copy of the novel, and the \"Head of the Mansion\" must be the children's bachelor uncle who appoints the governess in the first chapter, and isn't seen again. Of course in the TV adaptation, the part could be different,more padded out, or there could be flashbacks, but I think this may well be \"guest appearance by CF\", which explains why he could easily fit it in with RV. But I'm not complaining...and don't fotget BJD will probably start shooting late summer."}, {"response": 424, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (10:13)", "body": "ohhh,shame!!"}, {"response": 425, "author": "ommin", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (10:19)", "body": "Yes I was much puzzled when I read he was playing in Turn of the Screw, I could not work out how he came in. Must be a Cameo part. Still he's busy good for us."}, {"response": 426, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (11:20)", "body": "Must be a Cameo part Teletext said he was starring though this may be the reverse of the States where his recognition factor is low. In the UK he may get more publicity than his costars even if his is a smaller role!"}, {"response": 427, "author": "livamago", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (11:42)", "body": "Entertainment Weekly Online Review MY LIFE SO FAR Colin Firth, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Irene Jacob, Rosemary Harris Rated PG-13 What's that twinkling in the gloaming? Ah, it's a bevy of clich\ufffds in this twee drama, set in 1930s Scotland (the green green Highlands, the fine costumes, the caramel accents!) and based on the autobiography of a chap who went on to become a top British TV executive. ''Wasn't Papahhh extraordinary!'' seems to be the point of this memoir, told by an observant son (Robert Norman), but we're offered no proof. Dad (Colin Firth) is apparently eccentric because he fancies sphagnum moss as a profitable crop. He lso fancies his brother-in-law's exotically French fianc\ufffde (Ir\ufffdne Jacob), while Mamahhh (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) suffers quietly. The family matriarch (Rosemary Harris) sniffs with disapproval as a matter of course. Hugh Hudson directs as if time has stood still since Chariots of Fire. Grade: C- -- Lisa Schwarzbaum EW Review"}, {"response": 428, "author": "Mannen", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (11:54)", "body": "Can anyone be so good as to tell me where I could find a completed list of events that CF has going for the next twelve months or so? I would really like to plan my holiday overseas a bit better next time, so I get the chance to see him perform on stage or something."}, {"response": 429, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (12:09)", "body": "Must be a Cameo part \"Turn of the Screw\"......have had second thoughts. If this is a literal rendition, it would be a cameo, but I think that literal adaptations often don't work on screen. If CF's character is described as \"Head of the Mansion\", I think he will be the bachelor uncle, but could actually head the household, but with no interest or involvement with the children (but still be a visible presence, not someone who just disappears in Chapter 1). Also it's a psychological drama with opportunities for flashbacks (how much is actually in the boy's mind, not \"real\"), an the ending is far, far too downbeat. The boy dies after the governess tries to exorcise the \"evil\" spirit. I'm not in favour of sanitized endings but I think this would definitely have to be changed (the boy could be ill, and recover). And there is scope for some commitment and involvement from the uncle, particularly at the end. Can't see CF taking the role, even if it's not a major one, without some scope for development."}, {"response": 430, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (12:19)", "body": "Or does the \"head of an English Mansion\" mean \"head servant\", which could be a meaty role?"}, {"response": 431, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (12:36)", "body": "The Turn of the Screw, A Henry James horror story Great. Like I\ufffdve said before, I\ufffdve always thought he\ufffdd be brilliant in horror movies."}, {"response": 432, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (12:39)", "body": "More thoughts on \"Turn of the screw\" (Have time as am on holiday, but we are off to France on Monday, and should be focusing on the trip!) There was an earlier screen version \"The Innocents\", with Deborah Kerr, which I'd forgotten about. If you check out IMDB, full details are there. Colin could be taking the Peter Quint role (head servant). But I notice that the Uncle role was played by Michael Redgrave, a great actor, which also sounds promising (ie not a cameo). Would like to see \"The Innocents\". Has anyone seen it?"}, {"response": 433, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (13:14)", "body": "CF in HJ's The Turn of the Screw , eh? Geez, I remember seeing the Deborah Kerr version The Innocents and it scared the hell out of me. I think this is the most exciting news I've heard. All the other roles you've been discussing seems like a rehash of roles he's already played. Now, if they could only do this in black & white!"}, {"response": 434, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (13:20)", "body": "(Allison) When the US droolers wake up this afternoon won't they be in for a surprise. All this and getting to see MLSF today, lucky things. OK, am first up here and am shocked, surprised and now very awake!! All this news ladies! Thank you and thank your Volvos. ;-) Agree that I don't like the characterization of Nigel as a drunken blue-blood. He does have the \"odd gin and tonic\" throughout the entire second act, but drunken is the last thing that comes to mind when I think of Nigel. Perhaps they think it will work better than the alternative, which I won't mention... ;-D So Frank Sinatra will be featured on the soundtrack? Good choice! Henry James' Turn of the Screw? Hmmmm This is for your television, isn't it? Perhaps A&E will pick it up. Since I have Renate's wet blanket on loan, most of Henry James' works to be adapted to the screen lately have been poorly received. I do wonder how big a role Colin's will be. Am hoping that his role in Londinium is the starring role because it isn't in RV and doesn't sound like it would be in Turn of the Screw. Am off to scour the sites again. Good job, ladies. Nice to see that Colin is working and working and working... ;-)"}, {"response": 435, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (14:00)", "body": "Thanks, so much to you all for your diligence. These reports made for great reading this morning. (Karen) Am hoping that his role in Londinium is the starring role because it isn't in RV and doesn't sound like it would be in Turn of the Screw. I hope he's not spreading himself too thin here. I would rather see him in one good lead role a year than several supporting roles. Well, truthfully, even six good leads would be merely adequate. (Karen)... most of Henry James' works to be adapted to the screen lately have been poorly received. I saw both Washington Square and Portrait of a Lady within the last few months. Unsympathetic characters, turgid dialogue, slow-moving pace and very depressing endings characterise both films. I didn't like Washington Square (or the very unattractive Jennifer Jason Leigh) and Portrait of a Lady was a punishment to sit through (especially John Malkovich's creepy performance). I hope ITV's Turn of the Screw is a lot better. I loved the N.Y. Times reviewer's description of CF's performance as \"deep, quietly tumultuous\". This could apply equally to CF's performance as Mr. Darcy. Take note, Mr. Wilmington!"}, {"response": 436, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (14:38)", "body": "It seems to me the reviewers either like it (and a few--Ebert, Reed--love it) or hate it. They either \"get it\" or they don't. By \"get it\" I mean they realize the gaps and occasionally plodding pace are a function of the 10-year old storyteller, not the story itself. Overall, only the eunuch Mr. Wilminton has dissed Colin's performance. (Lynda) or the very unattractive Jennifer Jason Leigh Nothing beats her pouting, petulant, monotonistic performance in ATA. Yecchhh."}, {"response": 437, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (14:44)", "body": "From LA Weekly (the alternative paper). It is designated \"Recommended.\" Note designation of CF!! ;-D How true, how true. More women reviewers!! MY LIFE SO FAR British television pooh-bah Sir Dennis Forman may have had a lively childhood in the Scottish wilds, but director Hugh Hudson, who made the overblown Chariots of Fire, has smoothed Forman\ufffds memoir into an edible package ruled by the principle of cute. As seen by his freckle-faced pubescent son (Robert Norman), madcap inventor father (bonny Colin Firth) comes on adorably eccentric (flies homemade plane, tries to market unmarketable medicinal plant, takes offspring swimming in icy lochs). Meanwhile, as beau eous mother (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) and ramrod granny (Rosemary Harris) look fondly on, ruddy-faced yokels slouch around saying \"Brilliant, Mr. Pettigrew!\" and amply busted cooks gossip below stairs to push the plot along. And push it does, when father\ufffds older brother (Malcolm McDowell), a hardheaded captain of industry, shows up with a pocketful of sibling rivalry and a glam fianc\ufffde (Irene Jacob) who wows every man in sight, including madcap dad and pubescent son. What\ufffds not to like in this amiable tale, lavishly furnished with Highland scenery? Only that a boy\ufffds own story with a decidedly troubled undertow has been so thoroughly doused with calculated charm, it comes up smirking even when it shouldn\ufffdt. (Ella Taylor)"}, {"response": 438, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (14:57)", "body": "Karen) Am hoping that his role in Londinium is the starring role because it isn't in RV and doesn't sound like it would be in Turn of the Screw. I'm revising my view of \"Turn of the Screw\"...he's either got to play the Quint role or the Uncle role as played by Michael Redgrave in \"The Innocents\" (forget the original book). I know he hasn't got a big ego, but I can't see that even CF would take a cameo role in a TV production. I wonder which company is doing it...if it's Carlton or some equivalent, it's bound to be a co-production with A&E or Boston (WBGH?) (Karen) ... most of Henry James' works to be adapted to the screen lately have been poorly received. I think TOTS(!) is different and it is very much in the cerebral psychological horror genre which, according to the Times, is very popular in the US at the moment!"}, {"response": 439, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (15:54)", "body": "Yeah!! I've finally gotten through to the Miramax PR person here and she said that she will send me passes to the advanced screening on Aug 2. OK, not too much ahead of the regular opening, but I'll take any scraps... ;-D"}, {"response": 440, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (16:01)", "body": "Another review, quite good at least for Colin \"Firth is engaging\" from Yhe New York Daily News \"Slow but Dramatic \"Life\"\". 21/2stars nydailynews.com/today/New_York_Now/Movies/default.asp scroll down to Slow but Dramatic Life. I also liked the Newsday review, he had some nice comments about Colin, in fact all the reviewers (except one) seemed to like the cast just not always the film"}, {"response": 441, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (16:03)", "body": "http://www/nydailynews.com/today/New_York_Now/Movies/default.asp"}, {"response": 442, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (16:04)", "body": "http://www.nydailynews.com/today/New_York_Now/Movies/default.asp"}, {"response": 443, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (16:36)", "body": "From USA Today: My Life So Far 2-1/2 stars out of four This solidly mounted if only mildly moving childhood memoir, set on a castle-like estate in the misty Scottish highlands of the late '20s, at least has an unexpected sting. It's the kind of cosmic slap felt when you realize your beloved parent is capable of being a total jerk. Fraser Pettigrew (Robert Norman) is a precocious 10-year-old with an uncanny knack for asking awkward questions (\"What's an orgy?\") at the worst possible moments. He idolizes his dad, Edward (Shakespeare in Love's Colin Firth), a co servative dreamer. For Fraser, life is one long Scottish fling. Then Uncle Morris (Malcolm McDowell), announces he wants to marry a 24-year-old French cellist named Heloise (Irene Jacob). Her disruptive presence wafts through the staid household, ruled by Fraser's steely grandmother (Rosemary Harris), like an intoxicating spritz of Parisian perfume. She freely dotes on young Fraser, sharing with him a love of forbidden jazz music, but fends off the unwanted advances of a jealous - and very married - Edwar . And son and father become rivals for her affections. The episodic film, directed by Hugh Hudson (Chariots of Fire), unwinds with little urgency. (In New York and Los Angeles; PG-13: sexual content)"}, {"response": 444, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (17:45)", "body": "Just back from purchasing hard copy NY Times. The review follows a 3/4 page version of the ad towards the back of the leisure section. There is a picture with the review; it's the one of Edward and Moira embracing while sitting on a boulder. I will tell you the picture did not reproduce well insofar as ODB. He looks quite 'baggy, esp. around his eyes. It truly does him no justice. He looks *much* better in the ad (and I know how all of you feel about that picture ;-p)! BTW, Maslin's review of 'Haunting' was scathing: \"'The Flaunting' would have made a better title\" and another reviewer's opinion of 'Inspector Gadget' was just as bad (\"a clinker\"). Overall MLSF has fared quite well. Will see how all this translates into paying customers when I see it myself tomorrow."}, {"response": 445, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (17:51)", "body": "(Allison) What an exciting time we are having in the UK this morning. When the US droolers wake up this afternoon won't they be in for a surprise. Boy, you said it, Allison! It never rains but it pours;-) Thanks to everyone (on both sides of the Atlantic) for posting the reviews, links and TOTS news. What a crew we are! (Eileen) It seems to me the reviewers either like it (and a few--Ebert, Reed--love it) or hate it. They either \"get it\" or they don't. Exactly so. Either you like this kind of movie or you don't. If you like childhood dramas featuring excessive weirdness a la Sibyl's fav \"The Butcher Boy,\" stay away from MLSF. Re: the reviewer's comment about CF's \"awkwardness and rigidity,\" IMO the only scenes where he displays this are the ones where he's trying, in a very nerdy way, to impress Heloise. In other words, it's part of the character. Someone give this guy a clue!"}, {"response": 446, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (18:01)", "body": "Well, Bethan may be able to grab TOTS off a bookshelf, but I've found a bunch of picture of Richard Dix in my movie books. There are several from The Ten Commandments and Cimmarron. There's a very vague resemblance. I'd scan them in, but it's too hot outside. Maybe I'll change my mind. There's one where he's in a clinch with some babe in 10 Commandments. Hair is wavy and floppy, but his face is only in profile. OK, here's the review from WSJ. Had to type this up myself. argh!! Very nice review. As Eileen said, most of the lead critics reviewed \"The Haunting\" today and it was roundly trounced. A columnist for Mr. Showbiz said that he's positive this is the movie that caused Liam Neeson to think about retirement, not TPM!! ;-D OK, enough: \"My Life So Far\" by Joe Morgenstern I'm giving away nothing but a promise of pleasure when I tell you that \"My Life So far\" ends in a Scottish castle with a 10-year-old boy smoking a cigar and swirling a stiff slug of milk in a brandy snifter as he listens to a record of Louis Armstrong's \"On the Sunny Side of the Street\" on a Victrola. The song and the scene make a perfect coda for a movie that leaves you feeling expansively happy. Hugh Hudson, who is best known in his life so far for \"Chariots of Fire,\" has directed this coming-of-age story set in Scotland between the World Wars. The boy, Fraser, is played by Robbie Norman, an Edinburgh schoolboy with no previous acting experience-the kid's a natural if ever there was one-and a sweet, soft face manifestly ready to be molded by experience. That's what coming-of-age stories are all about, new experience that transforms a young person's world view, and \"My Life So Far\" is a fine exa ple of the genre. (Simon Donald adapted the script from an autobiography by the British TV executive Sir Dennis Forman. Bernard Lutic did the lovely cinematography.) Fraser lives on an estate in the midst of a family that includes his grandmother Gamma (Rosemary Harris), his mother Moira (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio), and , on occasion, his rich uncle Morris (Malcolm McDowell), an affable semi-Scrooge, who's engaged to Heloise, a betwitching young Frenchwoman played, bewitchingly, by Irene Jacob. At the center of Fraser's world is his father, Edward (Colin Firth), an extravagant eccentric who loves Beethoven, hates jazz and runs the only moss factory in Europe. (Dur ng World War I sphagnum moss saved soldiers' lives with its medicinal properties.) Fraser worships his daft dad blindly, but Edward finally reveals himself as woefully human-unchained lust gives him away-and Fraser learns, from forbidden books and thrilling encounters with Heloise, what makes the world go round. It's wrenching to watch a father become a fallen idol. In my book, though, any man who dislikes Louis Armstrong is suspect from the start."}, {"response": 447, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (18:12)", "body": "and Eileen we look forward to your review this weekend! and Mannen the oly thing Colin is doing in the next few months that you would want to travel and see it 3DOR November1999-January2000, unless of course he attends the London Premiere of MLSF whenever that may be. Do try and join us on the 15th January, at the Donmar, you may never get another chance to \"be up close and personal\". On the whole I think the reviews have been pretty good, a few bad a few middling but also many good ones and particularly or Colin, I think, or am I biased."}, {"response": 448, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (19:03)", "body": "Mannen. Lisbeth's site might have the information you need about Colin's activities over the next year. It is not updated with today's informaation but I am sure it soon will be. Go to http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Salon/2327/calendar.html"}, {"response": 449, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (20:41)", "body": "Yes, there is a review at the Christian Science Monitor, with picture of Colin. The same one that was on the main Drool page for some time. The reviewer, David Sterritt, gave it only 2 stars. http://www.csmonitor.com/durable/1999/07/23/fp15s2-csm.shtml Last week, he gave a very good review to EWS. So I guess you can't pidgeon-hole these papers! ;-)"}, {"response": 450, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (21:40)", "body": "Mannen, may I also suggest you visit Mary Murphy's site for up-to-date info on Colin's projects. Not only is the site chock full of well-referenced and beautifully designed material, Mary also posts here and will frequently let us know when she has added a new feature or important news item. If you do go there, you will see information that many of us have cheerfully supplied to Mary. Here is the url (bookmark like I have) http://www.geocities.com/~murphyat65/index.html She has a newspage (in addition to the scrolling ticker) with items about all the projects."}, {"response": 451, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (22:30)", "body": "Thank You All for the exciting news items on future projects, and reviews. You have made my weekend. Think I'll read the LA Times review over'n over :-) Have a good holiday in France, Bethan. We'll be eager to get your review of MLSF tomorrow Eileen. I know you'll have a good time. . Karen...good for you...getting a pass for the preview....jumping the gun on the rest of us peasants!! Mannen if you are planning on joining us on Jan 15th (and I hope you do!!) pl. order your tickets quickly...the center section of the stalls is going fast!! AnnW. and Tineke have a good time tomorrow at the Donmar... look for you-know- who!"}, {"response": 452, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (23:04)", "body": "Here's another one. http://www.msnbc.com/news/292602.asp"}, {"response": 453, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (23:15)", "body": "According to the Cinematter.com site Fever Pitch is to go direct to video in the Fall, does that mean that it isnot now being released for the big screen. Thankyou Evelyn for your good wishes for tomorrow, I am really looking forwazrd to the play and meeting up with Tineke again, will report on Odds & Ends Sunday (will also keep my eyes peeled). Happy Hols Bethan, when can we expect you back?!!, you always post such interesting snippets."}, {"response": 454, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 1999 (00:35)", "body": "(WBGH?) hee hee. WGBH (stands for W because we are on the right of the Mississippi and GBH (Greater Blue Hills) minute mountains in Canton, MA;) Anything on the left of the ole Miss is K. fun trivia!"}, {"response": 455, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 1999 (03:56)", "body": "Jana, that is one horrendous review from MSNBC...and you guys thought the Trib's was low. This one redefines low. How anyone could mention MLSF in the same article with The Governess is beyond me. That movie is on my all-time worst list. Argh!! Fever Pitch direct to video!! I don't believe it. I just had an email from the SVP at Phaedra on July 8. I've emailed Matt at Cinematter to double check his sources. This news is very distressing. Not the best way to end such an interesting day of Colin news. Oh well, tomorrow is another day. ;-D"}, {"response": 456, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 1999 (05:09)", "body": "(Karen)Jana, that is one horrendous review from MSNBC...and you guys thought the Trib's was low. This one redefines low. How anyone could mention MLSF in the same article with The Governess is beyond me. That movie is on my all-time worst list. Argh!! I've been watching the station on tv hoping that they bypass this review. Haven't seen anything yet. I agree, The Governess was trash(glad I didn't pay $$ to see it on the big screen) a real Batman University production."}, {"response": 457, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 1999 (05:10)", "body": "Hi ... coming out of lurkdom to rave about MLSF. I played hookey from work and do not regret it. The movie is poignant and utterly charming. Are there enough superlatives to describe CF's acting? He easily moves from doting father and husband to jealousy and scorn. I do hope he gets some critical notice, because the man is long overdue. Best of all, though the movie played in one of the smaller theaters (Laemmle's Sunset 5 in West HOllywood), the theater was packed!!! and the audience thoroughly enj yed themselves."}, {"response": 458, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 1999 (06:59)", "body": "Thanks for that Marianne and welcome, please de-lurk again and join in on the future discussion of MLSF."}, {"response": 459, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 1999 (07:32)", "body": "(Marianne)The movie is poignant and utterly charming..... the theater was packed!!! and the audience thoroughly enjoyed themselves. I\ufffdm happy to hear that Marianne, thanks for your report. No matter what the critics say, after all it\ufffds the audience who make a movie raise or fall. Btw, Fever Pitch is STILL going in a cinema in Helsinki, I think it\ufffds the 7th week by now! Must be because the right audience has found it. Planning to go to see it again this weekend."}, {"response": 460, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 1999 (08:23)", "body": "Marianne, so nice to see you! I snuck out of work early and went to the 5:30 show at the Laemmle 5. I didn't see you so you must have been at the earlier or later show. The theatre was only half full at my showing (about 50 people?) but they seemed to enjoy it quite a lot. (Although they sure talked enough during it... GRRRRR!!) And now for my review, well...... I wanted to love it, and while I did like it quite a lot, it wasn't quite on the plane of love IMHO. Maybe it was because I had read too darn many reviews with spoilers, and I think I had my hopes up too high. It is a very charming film, but the vignette nature felt choppy to me like it had been re-edited too many times. There were a few spots where to me it seemed that events happened without the proper character development or foundation. I could say a lot more but ill save it for the spoiler topic so as not to ruin anyone else's enjoyment. Now for the positive side. CF's acting is marvelous, shaded and interesting. He looks absolutely gorgeous and is in almost every seen. There are several fabulous close-ups where his beautiful, thoughtful face fills the entire screen. There is a goose bump moment when after the initial title of the production company, the words COLIN FIRTH fill the screen. My I love for ODB to get top billing. The rest of the acting ensemble is first rate too. I thought the boy very charming and really liked MEM. he is a worthy mate for ODB. It was fun to see Rosemary Harris. I hadn't seen any of her films for years and had not realized how much she looks like Jennifer E.! And now for a confession... is it OK to tell a white lie if it's for a good cause? There were two Miramax employees waiting outside the theater asking us to take a short survey. Even though my reaction to the film was mixed, I fibbed and marked everything with the highest possible score. Have to do my bit to get Miramax off the dime to ship this film out to all of you! When it asked what I liked best about the film, I wrote \"fabulous acting, especially Mr. Firth.\" Heavens, I'm shameless."}, {"response": 461, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 1999 (09:03)", "body": "It's great to read all the reviews (well, the good ones certainly!) but the best news is audience reaction...and that audiences are going to see the movie and liking it! And a packed house too! Does anyone feel like posting their reactions to the movie over at imdb.com? The two external reviews posted so far are both pretty dreadful (culture vulture and Christopher Null) which hardly creates a positive buzz. You can vote (on a 1 to 10 scale)and post your own comment. If you click on view comments or vote, you have the option to add a comment/vote, and are then asked to register. You email, and receive (after 24 hours)a registration code and an email form. You can just register under a nickname a d (very roughly) where you live. It's quite anonymous. But a rather complicated process. But some supportive comments/votes are needed here (and for FP). The Fiennes bros get rave comments...it's about time Colin got a mention! Apparently imdb.com is the most widely accessed of all the movie sites, and does form opinion! Thanks for the good holiday wishes, Evelyn! I'm now starting to panic...too much packing undone! But it's been great to get all the news, and I like the projects CF is going for. There was something over at IMDB about Robert Carlyle (The Full Monty) who has just played the villain in the latest Bond movie and is probably going to do the next Star Wars. For some reason, these type of projects don't remotely interest me.....I prefer the sort of stuff CF is choosing (although his Bank Manager probably won't gree!)"}, {"response": 462, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 1999 (13:27)", "body": "(Bethan)I prefer the sort of stuff CF is choosing (although his Bank Manager probably won't I agree! And I don't suppose his bank manager will mind too much either. These people make some serious money! Have a wonderful time in France, Bethan. I hope the weather is even half as hot as it is in London today 8-)"}, {"response": 463, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 1999 (14:09)", "body": "Marianne and Jana! Darlings, I'm thrilled you got to see the film and so proud you went on the very first day. It's going to be really hard to be objective when I finally see it but no matter what, like you, I can't see how I won't love Colin in it. (Jana) There is a goose bump moment when after the initial title of the production company, the words COLIN FIRTH fill the screen. The moment I love...waiting for his name. My seat mate always gets clutch marks on the arm when it appears. Have I ever seen it first on a movie screen? Never! Don't worry about lying, Jana. It's for the best of causes and Hell might be much more interesting anyway. I'm sure I'll be there with you. ;-) I know we're concerned that negative reviews are going to color the public's perception of this film but don't you think there are enough positive ones from major sources that it will get a fair shake? This is not blockbuster material and for a small film it's being released much too soon for awards consideration so I have no expectations for this film beyond getting Colin's name noticed by more than his devoted fans. Almost all of the reviews have been very kind to him. Stocky and rigid be damned. You've got to scan that photo of Richard Dix, Karen."}, {"response": 464, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 1999 (14:15)", "body": "Almost forgot...your fortitude comes through, Karen. Congrats on snagging those tickets. I'll see you at 121. Have a wonderful time, Bethan. When will we see you back? U.S. ladies, look at the Personality Parade in your Parade magazine in tomorrow's paper."}, {"response": 465, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 1999 (14:25)", "body": "(JanaC) a real Batman University production. LOL!! Think I only paid $2.50 at the cheapie, second run show to see The Governess. Dragged one of my sisters and felt at the end I should reimburse her. (Elena) Fever Pitch is STILL going in a cinema in Helsinki, I think it\ufffds the 7th week by now! Argh!! You lucky girl. All I can do is countdown to the day when I will see MLSF. 9, 8, 7, 6..... Marianne and Jana2: Thank you both for your comments and I would have have cut class, played hookey or left work early too just to see it as soon as I could. Seeing CF up on the big, big screen and looking so incredibly good is getting me all excited. Will I even pay attention to the story no matter how slowly or convolutedly it proceeds? ;-) And Jana, no matter what you should be proud of your \"audience reaction\" card feedback. Shoot, I exhorted Miramax to release MLSF on the audience card for a *different* one of their movies! Agree with Bethan. I had registered at the IMDb to update the info on MLSF since I do have the production notes with all the details, but that process looked terribly complicated. However, writing one's comments and voting on a film look to be very easy. You don't have to write a huge essay. A few lines in praise of the important things in this movie should suffice. (Bethan) For some reason, these type of projects don't remotely interest me Nor me. It does apparently go to the issue of bankability though, speaking of bank managers! ;-) Another sad note, have been seeing trailers for Mystery Men. Geoffrey Rush (AA-winning Best Actor) is playing some ridiculous superhero wannabee. How low can one go? In a sense, you can admire Colin's choice not to sell out. Fiennes - The Avengers; Everett - Inspector Gadget, etc. Have a very nice holiday in France, Bethan. :-)"}, {"response": 466, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 1999 (14:30)", "body": "Re: Richard Dix The more I look at the pix, the less he looks remotely anything like Colin. Have put books back in the box, but if I get a chance will do the scanning thing. ;-)"}, {"response": 467, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 1999 (14:31)", "body": "Have wonderful holidays, Bethan! And to all lucky ladies going to see MLSF, enjoy!"}, {"response": 468, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 1999 (15:09)", "body": "(Gi) And to all lucky ladies going to see MLSF, enjoy! Yes, enjoy! And I know you will and I can just about imagine how much. What a thrill only to think of him in a new main role, I\ufffdd feel weak in my knees in your place when the movie starts. I did when SiL started and practically forgot to breathe when Wessex appeared first time. (Aargh!!!.....I want to see MLSF. When was it to be released in the UK?)"}, {"response": 469, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 1999 (17:01)", "body": "I add my thanks for the reviews of MLSF Jana and Marianne..... I shall badger my Miramax rep next week to see *when* or *if* MLSF is coming my way. Dunno if it helps Colin...but it makes me feel better."}, {"response": 470, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 1999 (20:16)", "body": "Yipeee!!! Passes arrived today for the (barely) advance screening of MLSF!! Anybody want to join me? She sent two cards and each is good for two admissions. It's on Wednesday, August 4 (not Monday as she said on the phone), but the card (3x5) has the poster picture on the other side. I'm not turning it in."}, {"response": 471, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 1999 (20:25)", "body": "Prelim packing completed! Thanks for all your good wishes for our holiday! I know this is really the MLSF moment, and I'm rushing ahead by two or three projects, but having looked more closely at \"The Turn of the Screw\" I think (a) it will be a good production and (b)Colin must be playing the bachelor Uncle and owner of the estate. If told in linear fashion, or using extensive flashbacks (ie so that it's not just the story of the new governess) the Uncle could play a strong role in the build up to the psychological thriller/horror part. He's quite a charmer, and the new governess is infatuated with him and desperate to win his approval, to the extent of making decisions that have tragic consequences. Quote..\"He was handsome and bold and pleasant, off-hand and gay and kind. He struck her invariably as gallant and splendid.....He had been left by the death of their parents in India, guardian to a small nephew and niece. These children were the strangest of chances for a man in his position - a lone man without the right sort of experience, or a grain of patience,-very heavy on his hands. It had all been a great worry, and, on his own part doubtless, a series of blunders, but he immensely pitied the poor chicks and had done all he could, sending them down to his other house, parting with his own sevants to wait on them, and going down whenever he could to see how they were doing.\" The governess is smitten...she wanders through the grounds hoping \"someone would appear...would stand before me and approve. I didn't ask any more..I only asked that he should know, and the only way to be sure he knew it would be to see it, and the kind light of it, in his handsome face\". So, you see, there is romantic potential, mixed with chilling supernatural!"}, {"response": 472, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 1999 (20:54)", "body": "....a lone man ....Bold.., spendid,.. gallant...handsome..gay... kind.. *Sigh*,.....that governess has good taste!! Beats a cuckold...a buffoon, or a loon any day!! Thanks Bethan..."}, {"response": 473, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 1999 (21:30)", "body": "Re: NBC review. Several of you have seen it now. This is the first reference I have seen to an \"apparently offscreen rape\" (not to mention the lesbians). Are these incidents \"apparent\" to those who've seen the film? Or are they a FigNewton of this guy's fertile (fetid?) imagination? (which \"apparently\" resides below the belt the vast majority of the time...) ...Just curious..."}, {"response": 474, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 1999 (23:43)", "body": "(KJArt)This is the first reference I have seen to an \"apparently offscreen rape\" (not to mention the lesbians). Are these incidents \"apparent\" to those who've seen the film? Or are they a FigNewton of this guy's fertile (fetid?) imagination? OK, I admit that when I attended the MLSF premiere I was in a bit of a tizzy, having: (a) lied to my husband, (b) conned my sweet, elderly mother-in-law into watching my children, and (c) driven, white-knuckled, across state lines into a city that I wasn't sure had appropriate parking. But I definitely think the reviewer is mistaken about the \"apparent offscreen rape.\" I certainly wouldn't have recommended this film to you folks, Colin notwithstanding, if the character he played was a rapist. I expound mo e on this at 121, and await the opinions of others who see the film. However, I strongly believe the reviewer is mistaken. I also don't think Roger Ebert et al would have found anything about this film \"charming\" if it had included a rape. The \"lesbians\" I do recall, and they were on the whole harmless and mildly amusing."}, {"response": 475, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 1999 (23:47)", "body": "Oh, and I forgot to add: Bethan, have a wonderful holiday in France! And Gi, Elena, Mannen, great to have you all back!"}, {"response": 476, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (02:19)", "body": "Interview with Jeanne Tripplehorn in the Sunday Times in which she mentions RV with Colin Firth. http://www.the-times.co.uk/news/pages/Times/frontpage.html?1642025"}, {"response": 477, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (02:58)", "body": "(Bethan) \"He was handsome and bold and pleasant, off-hand and gay and kind. He struck her invariably as gallant and splendid... 'Nuff said. I want to see it. (OK, I'm superficial) ;-p (Susan) I also don't think Roger Ebert et al would have found anything about this film \"charming\" if it had included a rape. Yeah, Roger tends to have better taste than that. I agree. These guys are tranferring (I believe that is the psychological term) what they would've done in the film. Doesn't happen and wasn't meant to imply it. Thanks for finding the interview, Evelyn. Did you see the one in the Britain section with everyone's favorite PR person? Lord Puttnam? Small mention of MLSF at end, but there is a pic since you wanted to see what he looked like. More trashing of Hollywood (yawn, yawn), although I do agree with him. Thought that maybe a date for opening in the UK might be given, but no. :("}, {"response": 478, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (08:33)", "body": "Am still here (we leave very early tomorrow am!) A parting shot! My theory about \"Turn of the Screw\" confirmed. Yesterday's Independent had snippet that Colin Firth (as \"The Master\" (ie the bachelor uncle)) and Jodhi May who has just appeared in the BBC's \"The Aristocrats\" and also was in \"Last of the Mohicans\" will star in TOTS for the BBC(?). Enjoy MLSF!"}, {"response": 479, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (13:35)", "body": "To All: EileenG and I saw MLSF yesterday. My review is HERE . There are some spoilers. IMO there was a boorish, over the line unwanted incident with Heloise. You saw only the beginning of it, but you heard more, there was a recovered choker later that gave another clue, and Edward himself, in the climatic scene, taunted Malcolm the Uncle with a disclosure about he and Heloise. I just loved the movie, though, as you can see if you read my review. Eileen, what did you think? Murph"}, {"response": 480, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (14:26)", "body": "Has everyone seen the Colin question in today's Parade magazine? The one that Heide pointed out last week? OK, who here is going under the name Leonard Koch, in Columbus, Ohio? ;-D Q. I have a few qauestions about Colin Firth, who won my heart with his touching performance as Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice on the A&E Network. Why did he take on the unsympathetic role of Gywneth Paltrow's husband-to-be in Shakespeare in Love? And which does he think is more demanding: movies or the stage? - Leonard Koch, Columbus, Ohio A. \"It's boring to play the same kind of role again and again,\" says the British actor, whose role as an eccentric inventor/father in the new film My Life So Far displays both his light and dark sides. \"I can't be shy about playing the absurd parts of myself, like this immature man who makes an ass of himself before finding redemption.\" As for movies vs. the stage, the theatrically trained Firth, 38, surprisingly says: \"I don't think the test of an actor is the stage. Film work is harder, because there s less continuity, and it requires more concentration and imagination to sustain a whole performance.\" Firth will be working in London the rest of this year, first on a film--Londinium, a comedy with Mariel Hemingway--then in a three-character play."}, {"response": 481, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (14:28)", "body": "this immature man who makes an ass of himself Sounds to me like he attempts to kiss her and perhaps a little too enthusiastically...only."}, {"response": 482, "author": "livamago", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (14:33)", "body": "(Karen)Sounds to me like he attempts to kiss her and perhaps a little too enthusiastically...only. Oh I hope so. The references to rape have left a bad taste in my mouth!"}, {"response": 483, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (14:49)", "body": "Sounds like we'll have to each come to our own conclusion about this infamous scene. Suits me just fine. I can't wait to see it so I can join in the discussion with Susan, Jana, Mary, Eileen, et al. who here is going under the name Leonard Koch, in Columbus, Ohio? ;-D My question too. Why did it have to be a \"Leonard\"? I want the world to know that ODB still sends FEMALE hearts aflutter. By the way there is a picture from MLSF with the question though in my copy it's a bit blurry so not very flattering."}, {"response": 484, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (16:00)", "body": "Thanks, Murph. If you think this movie is good, I believe it is and am very happy about it. I know you\ufffdre all thinking about MLSF now so I feel funny to bring up something as old as ATA but I want to say a couple of words about it because I saw it today for the first time. It\ufffds available on video in Finland now and it took me a v-e-r-y long time to watch it because of all the re-rewinding and slo-mo..... Ooh, isn\ufffdt he GORGEOUS in it! It\ufffds almost unbearable. Of course his role in that movie is mainly to be gorgeous and he sure does that well. But some of those gentle, intelligent expressions in his face and that lovely way of using his voice give clearly away that he is in a far too simplistic role here. Colin makes Jess look very mysterious, he seems to be a bit too good to be true in those circles. Btw the film in whole wasn\ufffdt as bad as I expected. Don\ufffdt know really why it has been so terribly unsuccesful."}, {"response": 485, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (16:02)", "body": "Still hanging around! Re. the encounter in the hay with Heloise. I haven't seen it, so this is just conjecture, but I should think we are just left to imagine a clumsy and unsuccessful attempt at a kiss/grope, or certainly something that stops several stages short of \"rape\", although the physical lust side would have to be stressed in order to make Edward's change of character convincing. Also, and I know I have been critical of David Puttnam for being a bore, but he is a devout Christian, and someone who over the years has often spoken up in support of traditional family values. I can't see him couuntenancing the idea of rape in one of \"his\" movies."}, {"response": 486, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (16:10)", "body": "\" Colin Firth, who won my heart with his touching performance as Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice on the A&E Network\" ( Karen)..who here is going under the name Leonard Koch, in Columbus, Ohio? ;-D I wonder?...it's got to be a female... Whoever heard of a man making a statement about another man:\"...won my heart with his touching performance\".... Good to see his name in US media though.... ....My Life So Far displays both his light and dark sides. Think this guy is referring to the \"hay-loft\" scene as the \"dark side\" Couldn't it have been consensual and not rape ? Of course, the former would not be considered as rape. I bet they added this part...wasn't in the book.And Ben certainly didn't mention it when he saw it over a year ago."}, {"response": 487, "author": "livamago", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (16:30)", "body": "(Elena, Re: ATA )Ooh isn\ufffdt he GORGEOUS in it! But some of those gentle, intelligent expressions in his face and that lovely way of using his voice I quite agree! *sigh* I disliked the movie, but he was lovely in it, and you're right about his voice, I love the way he says \"How about a walk?\", and his hands on her neck! Ohhh... I just saw \"An Ideal Husband\", and think he would have been wonderful as Sir Robert..."}, {"response": 488, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (17:04)", "body": "(Heide) Why did it have to be a \"Leonard\"? I want the world to know that ODB still sends FEMALE hearts aflutter. Maybe they forgot to add \"Mrs\" in front of Leonard Koch? ;-D (Elena) Ooh, isn\ufffdt he GORGEOUS in it! It\ufffds almost unbearable No disputing that one! The good parts of the movie: (Bethan) a clumsy and unsuccessful attempt at a kiss/grope, or certainly something that stops several stages short of \"rape\"...I can't see him [Puttnam] couuntenancing the idea of rape in one of \"his\" movies. Exactly. Having been *inspired* by Forman's book, I doubt he would seriously want to trash the man's father like that as well. (will be listening careefully to those noises"}, {"response": 489, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (17:06)", "body": "BTW, where is Eileen? Hasn't she yet recovered from seeing Colin yesterday? ;-D"}, {"response": 490, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (17:35)", "body": "BTW, where is Eileen? She has posted on 121. Or have you been playing with your \"forget\" button. I know someone who can help you out :-))"}, {"response": 491, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (17:39)", "body": "Many of the interviews called this movie about a man and his son coming of age charming and the tone (and ending) sounds upbeat. A rape (unpunished, no less) just could not be part of MLSF. Edward may be eccentric, but not violently depraved, surely."}, {"response": 492, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (17:42)", "body": "Hee hee! I'm here, my dear. Go read my MLSF novella over at 121. It was most enjoyable to watch ODB in the company of other Firthfans! I'm catching up with all the posts since Friday afternoon. It's apparent to me the MSNBC reviewer is one who doesn't \"get it\"--again, by that I mean that the story is told through the eyes of a 10-year old. However, the ??rape makes for great discussion. Wish all of you could see this movie with Karen next week! Thanks for those Jess snappies, Karen! For me, Jess was a disappointment (but he looks great!). There was so much more to the character in the book (and, as has been discussed before, likely the pre-edit script). LOL about Leonard Koch. The picture is the same as Friday's NY Times but it looks much better in Parade."}, {"response": 493, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (17:49)", "body": "Lisbeth says: I haven't seen it, so this is just conjecture, but I should think we are just left to imagine a clumsy and unsuccessful attempt at a kiss/grope, or certainly something that stops several stages short of \"rape\", although the physical lust side would have to be stressed in order to make Edward's change of character convincing. Lisbeth: Some spoilers in my answer: That is exactly what I think happened. Not rape or near rape, just a rather crude attempt to win her, more like an adolescent than a man. When you see the film, you will understand that the scene is important to show Edward's character. He even says in the scene, \"Kiss me....Like you kissed Fraser.\" And she replies, \"But Edward, Fraser is a child.\" As I said in my review, he is a child too. His children love him and worship him until they begin to grow up and to see the cracks in his armor. He needs tragedy and his wife's chastisement to grow up a bit himself. His final scene with Fraser shows how far he finally comes. Trust me, the \"Moss in the Attic\" scene is not something terrible, just a fleshing out of how E feels about Heloise, and what kind of man he is. The picture is truly one everyone will enjoy. It has a lot of depth, and I didn't expect that. Murph"}, {"response": 494, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (17:51)", "body": "...now show me the way to get to #121, so I can read Eileen's novella! I have no idea how to get to anything other than this page, and the \"new\" posts! Murph"}, {"response": 495, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (18:15)", "body": "Great snappys, Karen. Btw, that\ufffds actually a bit darcyesque look he has in his face at the door. And he\ufffds so cute there when he says to Lange, \"about a minute\". I watched ATA again a moment ago, partly (and you know perfectly well which parts.) I love him in those white shirts! And all the shirts as a matter of fact, he looks so wonderfully broad-shouldered and masculine in them. And I love it when he jogs along the roadside in those loose grey trousers.....!! He looks better in ATA than in any of the films I\ufffdve seen so far."}, {"response": 496, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (18:18)", "body": "I guess you like ATA then Elena, not high on my best film list but definitely droolable. When I went to see it at the cinema with my sister, there were only 5 people in the cinema including us!!"}, {"response": 497, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (18:19)", "body": "OT.BTW Evelyn, Tineke says B&H is showing in Belgium."}, {"response": 498, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (18:48)", "body": "(Ann) I guess you like ATA then Elena No, as a whole it\ufffds not a film that one can like, it has many weaknesses of course but I\ufffdm very relieved to see that it\ufffds not complete crap, it\ufffds just a bit boring and mediocre. Beforehand I thought it must be really terrible, knowing how unsuccessful it has been everywhere. Making Jess a more substantial character (and giving Colin much more screen time) would really have made it a better movie. And I think Jessica Lange is not very brilliant in it, surprisingly. But aaahh what a tender look Colin gives her between those kisses! Sorry folks if you\ufffdre all fed up with this, I know you have discussed ATA over and over but I couldn\ufffdt take part in it at the time. This situation will be repeated too, I\ufffdll tell you what I think about MLSF in the next millenium, probably!"}, {"response": 499, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (19:25)", "body": "(Elena).Sorry folks if you\ufffdre all fed up with this, I know you have discussed ATA over and over but I couldn\ufffdt take part in it at the time. Elena....we enjoy anyone's posts when they're exhuberant about ODB as you are. And it even inspired Karen to crank up some ATA pics we hadn't seen in a long time.IMO we were disappointed with ATA because it had been hyped so much.... \"Oscar nominations\" roles..and it came from a Pulitzer-Prize book. MLSF, on the contray, has not...so we're all quite pleased:-) But keep goin Elena....brings to mind drooly moments.I might even go and watch it again...."}, {"response": 500, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (19:33)", "body": "(Murph) Lisbeth says: I haven't seen it, so this is just conjecture, but I should think we are just left to imagine a clumsy and unsuccessful attempt at a kiss/grope, or certainly something that stops several stages short of \"rape\", although the physical lust side would have to be stressed in order to make Edward's change of character convincing. What do you mean \"Lisbeth says\"???? That is what Bethan posted earlier today verbatim!! (Allison) Or have you been playing with your \"forget\" button. I know someone who can help you out :-)) Very funny!! I know how to push all the *right* buttons!! ;-D I think I'm going to hold off on reading 121 for now. (I'll read it as soon as I get home from the movie on August 4.) As is, I've read way too much and hope that it doesn't affect watching the movie. Most of the reviews I've just skimmed, looking for Colin comments. I don't want the reviewers' POV and interepretations to color my thinking. *****Murph, to get to 121, you can either change the number in the url above or hit the button on the top or bottom of the page that says \"Next Topic.\" You will likely get 120 first (which Terry set up for JFK Jr. news) but the next one in order will be our MLSF Spoiler Topic. (Eileen) The picture is the same as Friday's NY Times but it looks much better in Parade. Or here: (Elena) Sorry folks if you\ufffdre all fed up with this, I know you have discussed ATA over and over Not really, Elena. We've only just superficially trashed it. Never done a real discussion about it at 98. Perhaps we should, although I think we might be doing Apartment Zero next. Lots of people (OK, Moon) have been lobbying for it. And AnnW, I saw ATA the day it opened and there were about a dozen people in the audience. Well, it was a matinee... ;-D"}, {"response": 501, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (19:42)", "body": "Oh Karen...thank you...this pic is much better...you can see he has his eyes closed. Savoring the moment...."}, {"response": 502, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (21:14)", "body": "Karen says: What do you mean \"Lisbeth says\"???? That is what Bethan posted earlier today verbatim!! *********** Karen: Is my face red. I meant Bethan's Drool name - Lizbeth54! I apologize to everyone. It is the heat around here - 95 plus. Murph"}, {"response": 503, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (21:36)", "body": "After reading the comment about an \"off-screen rape\" from an NBC reviewer, my first reaction was \"what rape?\" I saw \"a clumsy and unscuccessful attempt at a kiss and a grope\" as Bethan stated. I hope I'm not spoiling anything, but, Edward just wanted a kiss as Heloise had given Fraser. She states that he is a child. Heloise then gives Edward a peck on the cheek. When he attempts more, she screams and they have words. That is all, IMO. Besides when she returns to the castle and looks at the mirror, she seems more concerned for the loss of the choker that Morris gave her than the loss of her virtue (that's why I doubt there was a rape). There are a few more scenes which I feel supports this Hope you don't mind my venting, but I just had to give my opinion on the subject. JanaJH, sorry I missed you, I went to the matinee performance. No one from Miramax was there to question the audience ... and not at this morning's viewing at the Westside Pavilion. Again, it was a small theater, but it was packed and audience enjoyed themselves. I overheard a couple of ladies say, \"what a joy\" and \"I loved it.\""}, {"response": 504, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (22:14)", "body": "You've been twice Marianne?, I am so envious, did you like it as much the second time around. Please join the discussion on 121 re MLSF, I love reading everyone's opinions. Unlike Karen, I don't mind hearing what everyone has to say it only adds to the anticipation but I understand Karen why you do not won't to know too much and the 4th August is not far away, you lucky lady."}, {"response": 505, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (22:20)", "body": "Hey, go right ahead and discuss!! I can skim right over the stuff. No big deal. I'll live. ;-D"}, {"response": 506, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (22:36)", "body": "Marianne, Murph, Susan and others who have commented on the so-called rape - just a quickie to say I agree with you. I thought Edward was trying to do a fumbly, teenage, kissy thing only. I'll post more at 121 later today. I hope to see you all there!"}, {"response": 507, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (23:39)", "body": "(Marianne) I hope I'm not spoiling anything, but, Edward just wanted a kiss as Heloise had given Fraser. She states that he is a child. Heloise then gives Edward a peck on the cheek. When he attempts more, she screams and they have words. That is all, IMO. Marianne, thanks for confirming that I'm not losing my mind. I also thought it was nothing more than a clumsy attempt at a kiss. In fact, I think the audience I was with even laughed when Heloise screamed. Not to belabor the point, but... I seem to recall that, when MLSF was being filmed, either Colin or a reporter described Edward as \"an eccentric inventor who *comes close to* deceiving his wife,\" or something like that. And further support that Edward isn't a rapist is in Colin's remark in today's Parade magazine describing Edward as \"an immature man who makes an ass of himself...\" -- someone who had actually raped his future sister-in-law would be far worse than an ass;-)"}, {"response": 508, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (00:30)", "body": "Ann W, what's not to enjoy about gazing at CF in rapt attention. Yes, I liked MLSF just as much the second time around ... I promise you, you'll be laughing and smiling once you see it."}, {"response": 509, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (00:58)", "body": "As boys used to say (and maybe still do), Edward was trying to \"cop a feel\"!! ;-D"}, {"response": 510, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (00:59)", "body": "I'm so tempted to peek at 121 but I shall try to restrain myself for two more weeks. I'm glad there are enough of you lucky girls to maintain a rousing conversation over there. Elena)I feel funny to bring up something as old as ATA but I want to say a couple of words about it because I saw it today for the first time. First of all, I've forgotten to welcome you back, Elena. We've missed you. Secondly, talk all you want about ATA! I just watched it again (well, parts of it) yesterday and my oh my, he is something to drool over, isn't he. Karen, you pegged the perfect shot of him leaning in the doorway. And yes, Elena, love that jogging scene. Forget the histrionics, we can just concentrate on sweetie looking very fine and lean. I wish we could have seen more of him. For instance, I'd have loved to see him actuall play baseball rather than stand in the outfield looking a bit out of his depth. Tell me, Elena. Now that you're watching this film multiple times, do you find yourself turning it off after the courtroom scene? No more Colin."}, {"response": 511, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (03:54)", "body": "(Heide) Tell me, Elena. Now that you're watching this film multiple times, do you find yourself turning it off after the courtroom scene? No more Colin. Oh, do others do this as well? ;-D"}, {"response": 512, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (05:08)", "body": "What a coincidence. Oh to see Colin in tights... Noticed this in The Times: FIRST NIGHT: Debra Craine sees the Royal Ballet unveil the world premiere of The Turn of the Screw What evil lurks within the heart When you are telling a ghost story, atmosphere is everything. And thanks to Steven Scott's inspired design conception, William Tuckett's dance adaptation of The Turn of the Screw has atmosphere to spare. The evil of Henry James's novel hangs over the Sadler's Wells stage like a murky and intractable fog. It shrouds the Governess and her two young charges in an indefinable menace which seems to suck them into the very walls of their haunted country house. It can do this because Scott's set projections are magic tricks of light that summon up ghostly images of house and garden through which the dancers pass with a spectral ease. The inside-outside effect, like the story itself, is elusive and intriguingly ambiguous. Tuckett's handling of the narrative is less satisfactory, strong on suggestion but over-elaborate in detail. His one great idea is to cast a male dancer in the role of Miss Jessel, not to give the part any connotation of \"drag\" but to strip the character of her sexuality and thus give her an otherworldliness entirely fitting to the plot. Her relationship to Peter Quint, and to the children, here becomes even more ominous and oblique. Having two men as his ghosts allows Tuckett to create a strong predatory dance language for them, while contrasting that for the Governess, which unfolds in slowly developing phrases coloured by a strange yearning. His choice of music, Andrzej Panufnik's Arbor cosmica, a set of \"12 Evocations for 12 Strings\", is full of mood but not as theatrical as the ballet would clearly like. The casting is superlative. Zenaida Yanowsky is an elegant dancer possessed of wonderfully long lines, but as the Governess she proves herself a first-class actress. There is a handsome Victorian propriety to her that struggles heroically against the wildness of the violence and sexual hunger which surround her. Irek Mukhamedov is the creepy Peter Quint, a powerful malevolence whose abusive pursuit of young Miles (Ricardo Cervera) is truly dangerous and unsettling. A bald-headed Bruce Sansom is a nightmarish Miss Jessel in a gown, relishing a rare opportunity to recast himself in evil guise. And it's great to welcome back Monica Mason to the stage. Mrs Grose may be a small part but there is nothing small about the impression Mason creates. ********** Is Colin's character supposed to be creepy? Do you think he'll go see this?"}, {"response": 513, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (11:19)", "body": "Well I telephoned Miramax today and they say there is still no definite release date for the UK, could be October but more likely November, good for the ladies coming over to see 3DOR in November, they will be able to see it here as well as having seen it in the US!!! She told me to ring back in a couple of months when she should have a definite date. She did, however, say that it might be shown at the London Film Festival, does anyone know when that is and that if anyone belongs to the BFI we can get ad ance information, does anyone lurking or not belong to the BFI and when is the LFF? The reason it is not being shown at the Edinburgh FF is because it was not ready in time.Surely it wil be released before Colin gets involved in 3DOR and rehearsals. 3-4 months is just too long to wait!!"}, {"response": 514, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (11:43)", "body": "(Heide)my oh my, he is something to drool over, isn't he. Oh, YES.....and to think that he had his arm around you Heide, not so long ago!!! I suppose you haven\ufffdt washed your raincoat after that? :-) (Heide)do you find yourself turning it off after the courtroom scene? I watched ATA only once from beginning to the end and now I\ufffdm interested in the Colin moments only.(Michelle Pfeiffer is great in it too IMO.) I\ufffdm not sure if there is material enough to discuss ATA more thoroughly except for Colin\ufffds performance which I think is interesting in many ways. For instance: Do you think he really fits in this role? Jess is supposed to be just a handsome, charming and irresponsible farm guy but Colin makes him look much more than that. Maybe he looks a bit more mature than Jess is supposed to be."}, {"response": 515, "author": "aishling", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (12:19)", "body": "Ann - when is the LFF? 3-18 November. Programme will not be available until late September. Disappointing news still from Miramax."}, {"response": 516, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (13:22)", "body": "(Ann W) ...3-4 months is just too long to wait!! Agreed, but IMO, autumn (the later the better) is the right time for this film to be released. Maybe Miramax is hoping for BAFTA recognition and will promote the h*** out of MLSF in the UK, after the good critical notices it has received here. And you will, at least, see it. Are we ever going to see FP on the big screen - I would so like to have the adorable Paul up close and big."}, {"response": 517, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (14:16)", "body": "From The Hollywood Reporter this a.m.: \"Miramax debuted 'My Life So Far' in five sites and took in an estimated $50,000. The coming-of-age drama averaged a solid $10,000 per theater...\" \"solid\" - sounds encouraging :)"}, {"response": 518, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (14:55)", "body": "So perhaps they will start pushing it a bit harder, come on Miramax, publisize it ast least as well as you did for AIH. BTW how did that do in the US, it was only as moderate hit over here. Hi Aishling, thanks for that info. and there was I thinking we would be getting to see it earlier if it was shown at the LFF. She did say there would be a Premiere, how to get tickets?!"}, {"response": 519, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (14:56)", "body": "A belated welcome, Marianne! C'mon over to 121 for more detailed MLSF discussion. Re: the \"rape\": It's likely the MSNBC reviewer didn't take the time to consider the social mores of 1920s Scotland. Merely making a pass at another woman would be cheating back then. These days, certain world leaders have oral sex which isn't really sex and therefore isn't cheating! If you mistakenly apply today's much looser moral values to the situation in the movie, you'd come to the erroneous conclusion that Edward had sex with Heloise. (Lynda) Maybe Miramax is hoping for BAFTA recognition and will promote the h*** out of MLSF in the UK I hope I'm wrong, but I wouldn't be holding my breath for any big Miramax promotion. The MLSF ad in yesterday's NY Times was so small I had to search carefully for it. On its opening weekend, no less! It started in Cannes and has become ever more apparent they're not sinking a whole lotta dough into promoting this movie (as opposed to 'IH'). But let's see what happens as it opens in more cities across the US."}, {"response": 520, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (15:01)", "body": "\"Miramax debuted 'My Life So Far' in five sites and took in an estimated $50,000. The coming-of-age drama averaged a solid $10,000 per theater...\" Yeeeeesssssss! Ohh, Harvey....now how about a few TV commercials?"}, {"response": 521, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (15:05)", "body": "A solid start, excellent, hey Eileen and Jana, and everyone else are you going to copy Marianne and go for a second and third! time, must keep the momentum going and Karen will you be taking a car load when you go on the 4th! Oh I wish I could be there and go with you all, its so exciting, but I guess Aishling, Bethan, Lizza, Allison & I will just have to be patient, at least she didn't say there aren't any plans to release it in the UK, she wouldn't have dared! Heide when are you going to see it?"}, {"response": 522, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (15:38)", "body": "just a quickie hello to everyone... hi! things have been very hectic as i've just started a new summer job. I'm playing hooky (somwhat) from work this a.m... will try to be a good firthette like marianne and jana, and go see MLSF."}, {"response": 523, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (15:50)", "body": "(Ann) I will just have to be patient Dear Ann, in this case you are actually quite lucky to live in the UK and not somewhere else in Europe. I\ufffdm sure you\ufffdll see MLSF this year! But I and many others will have to wait for yearS, possibly. My earliest chance to see it is if the release date of the film is so close to the end of the year that it could still run in London in January! But I guess that\ufffds not very probable. How long do films usually go in the cinemas in Britain if they get the normal quantity of audience? Hmmm.....if it\ufffdll open in London in November, could it possibly last two months??"}, {"response": 524, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (15:54)", "body": "Hello, Dame Winter! I\ufffdm posting from work as well........a baaad habit :-)"}, {"response": 525, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (16:18)", "body": "It could still be going into January, Elena if it does reasonably well. Hello Winter, look forward to hearing what you think of MLSF. BTW I don't quite understand Miramax's strategy, wouldn't it be best to release MLSF wider this weekend whilst it is doing relatively well rather than wait a fortnight when people may have forgotten about it, not us of course but the general film paying public."}, {"response": 526, "author": "DrewJr", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (16:26)", "body": "sup?"}, {"response": 527, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (16:37)", "body": "(Ann) BTW I don't quite understand Miramax's strategy I'm beginning to wonder if they're trying to copy the same \"word of mouth\" strategy they used with SiL in the early, pre-Oscar hype days. But the pre-release buzz about SiL was very strong. There's been no buzz about MLSF other than \"it's been on the shelf for two years, what's wrong with it?\" Time will tell..."}, {"response": 528, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (16:46)", "body": "(AnnW) wouldn't it be best to release MLSF wider this weekend whilst it is doing relatively well rather than wait a fortnight when people may have forgotten about it Important thing to remember is that reviews have NOT appeared in the local papers of the next 8 cities. The reviews have only been in NY/LA papers and national-type places (newspapers and internet news sites). In the next 8 cities, they have barely heard a whisper about this movie, especially as there are have been no ads in the papers or commercials on TV (not to mention the dearth of trailers in the theaters)!! Also, there's the issue of screens. The Blair Witch expands this coming weekend and you better believe it's going to take over a lot of screens. It's playing around the corner from me on 3/4 screens. Walked past the place and there was a sign up saying all shows were sold out. Earlier questions re: An Ideal Husband: Did poorer than anticipated (wasted promotional money) and is moving to the second-run theaters."}, {"response": 529, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (16:55)", "body": "Good to hear from you Aishling. You always bring us good statistics. Good to hear about the London FF. ******* Ann, BFI has a website...call them in London. They're in Soho ..not far from ICM. They will gladly sell you a ticket. Last year, they previewed B&H. ****** (Karen) TOTS .....creepy Peter Quint, a powerful malevolence whose abusive pursuit of young Miles (Ricardo Cervera) is truly dangerous and unsettling. Another gay implication? Doesn't this guy ever take \"plain Joe-Six-Pack\"roles? Thank god for Joe Prince!! ****** The later it opens in London, the better our chances of seeing it in mid-Jan. but I bet they release it before 3 DOR starts ... I will be disappointed if it isn't a run-a-way success in UK."}, {"response": 530, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (19:03)", "body": "So willI, I have already arranged for a part of friends to come with me when it does eventually open. BTW I told the publicity lady this morning that my friends in America who had seen MLSF were raving about it, hope thats okay!!"}, {"response": 531, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (19:04)", "body": "party"}, {"response": 532, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (19:05)", "body": "So willI, I have already arranged for a part of friends to come with me when it does eventually open. BTW I told the publicity lady this morning that my friends in America who had seen MLSF were raving about it, hope thats okay!!"}, {"response": 533, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (22:00)", "body": "(Eileen)But the pre-release buzz about SiL was very strong. There's been no buzz about MLSF SIL was the most expensive movie that Miramax has ever produced....$40 Mil. Also SIL had two US actors that are \"heavy -hitters\"; GP & BA.They worked their buns off for this film.MLSF cost $10. Mil.Miramax must figure they'll get their money back on it. Let's hope so. Karen, did you say that the reason that MLSF is not being shown at the Edinburgh FF is that it wasn't finished in time ??"}, {"response": 534, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (22:37)", "body": "No, I did!"}, {"response": 535, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (22:50)", "body": "I meant to comment on that Edinburgh thing. What a crock!! The final date for submission at Edinburgh was end of April as I recall (that was all the information available at their website for the longest time). And when was it shown at Cannes? Puh-leeez! When I look at the program for Edinburgh, I hardly think this film fits in with the New Wave British/Scottish films that are being showcased. The opening night one is that Scottish Ratsomething movie that played in Cannes."}, {"response": 536, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (01:05)", "body": "(Eileen) Re: the \"rape\": It's likely the MSNBC reviewer didn't take the time to consider the social mores of 1920s Scotland. Merely making a pass at another woman would be cheating back then. Considering that he only got a few other details wrong too (Fraser is a \"12-year-old...) I begin to question whether Mr. Bob Campbell took the time to pay attention to the movie at all. Who was it said that \"interviews often tells us more about the interviewer than the interviewee\"? Perhaps the same can be said for certain REVIEWS!! He read that \"rape\" into it so he could have something to be outraged enough to give him an excuse to trash it, IMHO."}, {"response": 537, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (01:13)", "body": "Don't despair about waiting so long to see it in your cinema, Elena. MLSF may be in video by Christmas and you know we like to share the wealth.;-) Something probably better discussed in springfolks. Ann, since I'm in a \"second-tier\" city, I expect to see MLSF August 7. Glad to see you've got a carload ready to go with you. (Karen) Oh to see Colin in tights Or those bulging muscles. LOL!! What a picture."}, {"response": 538, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (01:15)", "body": "end tags"}, {"response": 539, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (02:15)", "body": "Sorry about that Heide. :-( I wonder which \"tier\" Seattle is in.....:-("}, {"response": 540, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (03:15)", "body": "Isn't Seattle in the Top 10? It should be playing there August 6."}, {"response": 541, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (07:22)", "body": "Apparently MLSF is #48 in the Box Office this weekend, well done ladies, tell all your friends about it so that when it gets a wider release it will be much much higher. Come on Harvey gives us a little help, more publicity please!!!"}, {"response": 542, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (14:10)", "body": "Apparently MLSF is #48 in the Box Office this weekend ] But there are only 47 movies open??? (hee hee, that is humor!)"}, {"response": 543, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (15:57)", "body": "Finally, I did get to log on. I have missed reading all the posts. I think that it must be my computer. I read a little article in Madem. About MLSF and they are giving it a great review. I cannot wait to see it. Whenever, you get to see CF that much it really makes your day, week, month, year. I am sure that SIL will be at the video stores soon! Hi Ann and Evelyn. Long time."}, {"response": 544, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (16:00)", "body": "Just had an email from Adi...our Firth-sister in Israel. She is traveling in the US and Canada this summer. Retrieved my email and booked her tickets for 3 DOR. She will join us at the Millennium Spring Reunion on Jan. 15th. Cool, uh?"}, {"response": 545, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (16:51)", "body": "Good to see you back on line, Rita! Adi's timing couldn't be better. She should be able to catch MLSF in one of the big cities, unless she's doing the nature thing (Grand Canyon, Yosemite, etc.) ;-D AnneR, who has misplaced her password, found this in today's Guardian: Manx's pony\ufffd Meanwhile, Billy Baldwin (not to be confused with his fellow actor brothers Daniel, Stephen or Mike) is another one rejecting the mainland, as he flies in to the Isle of Man later this week to start a month-and-a-half-long stint shooting Noel Coward's Relative Values alongside an \"all-star\" cast including Julie Andrews, Colin Firth, Stephen Fry and Sophie (sister of Emma) Thompson."}, {"response": 546, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (17:41)", "body": "Come on Harvey give us a little help, more publicity please!!! Re: publicity -- next month Miramax's new maggie \"Talk\" is supposed to hit the stands. Tina Brown, formerly of Vanity Fair, is the editor, famous for knowing how to \"create buzz\" (i.e. the famous Demi Moore pregnant nude cover). Would not this publication be the ideal vehicle for a nice, in-depth feature article/interview/cover story on ODB?"}, {"response": 547, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (18:07)", "body": "Here's People Magazine's MLSF review (from the 8/2/99 issue): My Life So Far Colin Firth, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio [no picture :-(] Growing up in a misty castle in rural Scotland in the mid-30's, the 10-year-old (Robert Norman) at the center of this minor coming of age movie barely notices that his beloved dad (Firth), a dilettante inventor, and mom (Mastrantonio) are drifting apart. Basically the boy is too busy perusing Victorian sex manuals left in the attic by his grandpa to realize that his father has a crush on another woman (Irene Jacob). My Life So Far, directed by Hugh Hudson (Chariots of Fire), is an elegant mood piece, as decorative and delicate as fine lace and no less superfluous. The Scottish scenery, however, is a knockout. (PG 13) Bottom line: pat period piece but easy on the eyes. Well, it's not great, but they didn't kill it all together. BTW, the scenery is not what makes it easy on the eyes...wait until you see CF in those costumes! The Entertainment Weekly review (posted by Karen last Friday) appears in this week's issue along with the standard picture of CF hugging MEM (it was a nice size and you can tell his eyes are open, Evelyn). They gave it a C :-(. There's nothing about MLSF in this week's Newsweek."}, {"response": 548, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (18:43)", "body": "Cool indeed about Adi, Evelyn! What a group!I just know I'll be banging my head on the wall for not going! Rita, always good to have you with us! Can you not go back to the posts you missed and read them? Let me (us)know if I (we)can help."}, {"response": 549, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (20:33)", "body": "Murph has two new \"hold-on-to -your-hat\" pics of ODB on the Home Page. One is an \"up, close and personal\"of DB signing autographs at SIL. http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/4144/index.html ******* (Gi)Re;Millennium Reunion I just know I'll be banging my head on the wall for not going! A weekend in London to celebrate the new Millenium...? You wouldn't have to attend THE PLAY . You ('n A.) could just meet us for the dinner.... and go on to see something else on the West End. TRT might be on.With luck even MLAF. Tempting? I'm sure we can work up a perfectly innocent scenario :-)"}, {"response": 550, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (21:01)", "body": "(Karen)\"...as he flies in to the Isle of Man later this week to start a month-and-a-half-long stint shooting Noel Coward's Relative Values alongside an \"all-star\" cast including Julie Andrews, Colin Firth ,\" Hmmm, I think I like the description of CF as an all-star! And Hi, winter. It's good to see you here. Missed ya, honey :-). P.S. I experimented with embedding bold text within italics. I hope I did it right and apologize in advance if I screw up the tags."}, {"response": 551, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (22:04)", "body": "Hi Rita, good to have you with us again, will you get a chance to see MLSF, are you anywhere near Dallas, I believe it opens there on the 6th August.?"}, {"response": 552, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 1999 (01:22)", "body": "(Karen) Isn't Seattle in the Top 10? It should be playing there August 6. Lynda was so good to report on that matter last July 7 (Thank you!). According to her librarian, the top 10 markets were: NY, LA, Chicago, Baltimore/DC, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Boston, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Detroit, Atlanta. Don't see Seattle in there anywhere. (*SOB*) :-("}, {"response": 553, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 1999 (01:39)", "body": "Financial Times Review of the play PRIDE & PREJUDICE currently on at the Stratford FF in Canada. (Laura and Teg attended and gave us their reivew) Financial Times: \". Another entry in the Family Entertainment stakes was Christina Calvit's adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, which was very well done. Geordie Johnson's Darcy vied with the BBC's Colin Firth in the strong-but-choked division, though denied any wet see-through shirt. Lucy Peacock captured Austen's prickly, articulate, slightly waspish Elizabeth far more closely than the BBC's wet-eyed heroine, appealing though she was. But the second half fell back upon endless narrations of off-stage events, and it beca e a mere reading, not a real play at all\" **** Oh yeah... No wet shirt...no Darcy.!!And \"wet-eyed\" indeed...how about \"twinkling\" ."}, {"response": 554, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 1999 (02:37)", "body": "OK, so I didn't have the Top 10 memorized! ;-D How on earth can Detroit be in there? No one lives in Detroit. OK, who am I offending? Your embedded tags worked just perfect, Jana. Congrats. I too liked seeing Colin included in a list of \"all stars.\" I've also liked that most of critics consider the MLSF cast top notch actors. Would be nice if they singled Colin out in a positive way though... BBC's Colin Firth in the strong-but-choked division, though denied any wet see-through shirt. hee hee No one else can measure up in all the important categories!! ;-D"}, {"response": 555, "author": "livamago", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 1999 (13:09)", "body": "Lucy Peacock captured Austen's prickly, articulate, slightly waspish Elizabeth far more closely than the BBC's wet-eyed heroine, appealing though she was. Are they kidding? JE is Elizabeth Bennet."}, {"response": 556, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 1999 (14:07)", "body": "Are they kidding? JE is Elizabeth Bennet. ] Lucy Peacock was GREAT!!! and she more resembled Austen's description of Lizzy then JE did."}, {"response": 557, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 1999 (16:15)", "body": "(Laura)Lucy Peacock was GREAT!!! and she more resembled Austen's description of Lizzy then JE did . Can \"you document that\" or is that IYO. (hee hee)"}, {"response": 558, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 1999 (16:52)", "body": "Can \"you document that\" or is that IYO. (hee hee) ] I have a picture of both the actors playing Elizabeth and Darcy, I could scan it in and you can figure it out for yourselves. But I think most people here would criticize the looks of the actors because they are not CF and JE. However Lucy Peacock is a beautiful woman in her own right. And the man who played Darcy is very handsome in his own right. I'll scan the pic and send to someone to make it HTML friendly. You guys make up your own mind."}, {"response": 559, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 1999 (17:50)", "body": "Please do, Laura, I would like to see them. But also remember that looks aren't the only thing that counts here... \"They must have a certain air, ecc\" ;-)"}, {"response": 560, "author": "EllieP", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 1999 (19:05)", "body": "Oh, I have only posted once but after reading the above, could not contain myself. Yes, looks are inportant but the main characters must have chemistry and they had it in spades. They are the quintensential Darcy & Elizabeth--they didn't have to have dialogue, their eyes & body language said it all. Why else, you might ask, would the UK,US & the pacific rim. go completely bananas over this version.Thru the kindness of Evelyn, I have been priviledged to view other JE films & have become a staunch fan, Sh is beautiful, multi-talented and she and CF were fated to make this film. They ARE DARCY & ELIZABETH."}, {"response": 561, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 1999 (20:03)", "body": "There are three new clips from MLSF available to view. The first one (Slank) is Malcolm McDowell; the second (Moss) is Irene Jacob and kid, with Colin's head peeking up into the mossloft; and the third (grey hair) is Rosemary Harris and the kid. Wot?!!!! Nothing featuring the STAR of the movie!! Sheesh!! (Do I sound ticked?) They are relatively smaller files than the trailer, so go to it.. ;-D http://www.nytimes.com/library/film/072399life-film-review.1.ram.html"}, {"response": 562, "author": "livamago", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 1999 (20:03)", "body": "(Laura) Lucy Peacock was GREAT!!! and she more resembled Austen's description of Lizzy then JE did. The only description of Lizzy's appearance in the book is that she had dark eyes. There is another passage in chapter 49, where she is described as being \"lighter\" than Jane. Jane Austen never describes the appearance of the people or buildings in her books, a fact that has been the subject of much discussion among literary critics. I do not question the fact that Lucy Peacock may have been a credible and accurate Elizabeth, but I simply I disagree with the opinion than JE did not portray her as she Jane Austen wrote her. I consider JE's portrayal the definitive one, and will always be EB to me. You have the advantage of having seen the play at Stratford, which the majority of us have not. (EllieP)[JE] is beautiful, multi-talented and she and CF were fated to make this film. They ARE DARCY & ELIZABETH. Hear! Hear!"}, {"response": 563, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 1999 (20:35)", "body": "EllieP)[JE] is beautiful, multi-talented and she and CF were fated to make this film. They ARE DARCY & ELIZABETH. (Lidya)Hear! Hear Thank you Jennifer fans..... LOL. Nothing like a little controversy to stir things up on a borrring HOT summer day. Eh, Laura? (Hey gang....L. and I are good friends...I tease her about postulating opinions....all in good fun ;-) ) But by all means , bring on the pictures...wanna see the generics next to the real thing !! ***** Hey,...I'm having a hard week...over at the P&P board I had to take on criticisms about Lizzie being \"fat\" and not running gracefully!! All in a day's work :-)"}, {"response": 564, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 1999 (20:37)", "body": "I also say hear, hear and agree that JE is definitely multi-talented and I am of that opinion even more so after seeing her in the thrilling and spell-binding The Real Thing at the Donmar for the second time this week. Back to ODB, according to The Radio Times today, The Turn of the Screw is a one off drama and is due to be screened at Christmas. Wonderful a festive feast of Firth, what with 3DOR, possibly MLSF in the cinema, TTOTS and maybe DQ. One other thing the invisible CF continues, I subscribe to a Film magazine TOTAL FILM and today they reviewed forthcoming videos and gave SIL 4stars, listed the cast including MC and RE and guess who they omitted. I'm seriously thinking of stopping my subscription, I'll show them !! (whom I kidding)."}, {"response": 565, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 1999 (20:40)", "body": "Lizzie fat! - they should see JE now, if anything she is too thin! don't you agree Evelyn?"}, {"response": 566, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 1999 (20:46)", "body": "(Ann) The Turn of the Screw is a one off drama and is due to be screened at Christmas. Merry Firthmas everybody...what a great present.Thanks Ann.But pl. what does \"one off drama\" mean? Is it a drama in one episode? **** No trailer of CF....not listed for SIL in film mag....CF, \"The Stealth Star\"!!"}, {"response": 567, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 1999 (20:55)", "body": "CF, \"The Stealth Star\"!! One of these days we will hear that there will be another remake of \"The Invisible Man\", and guess with whom in the title role? ;-)"}, {"response": 568, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 1999 (21:16)", "body": "LOL Renate. Yes Evelyn, one-off is a drama in one episode. I wish it was a six episode serial but a one-off is okay as it will probably be a two hour episode."}, {"response": 569, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 1999 (21:18)", "body": "I believe DQ is a one-off as well, I guess that explains how he can manage to do TTOTS and RV so close to each other."}, {"response": 570, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 1999 (21:22)", "body": "http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com/tb_display.cgi?id=3969#69325 Been to Harry Knowles' recently? Here's an excerpt of the last message: \"There are 32 curling extras here in Argyll, Scotland who'd like to know if the 4 days they spent doing it ended up on the cutting room floor. E Mail please to lengow@drimsynie.co.uk\" I think they deserve a reply, don't they?"}, {"response": 571, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 1999 (21:52)", "body": "Yes, I'll scan the picture in. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. I recall the reviewers saying that JE looked heavy in the role of E, but I think costuming had a lot to do with that. She's not willowy. Now RE: chemistry between CF and JE, they were an \"item\" at the time, that probably had a lot to do with it. Um, Lucy Peacock has dark brown hair, and dark eyes, she is willowy and tallish. (and she is married and has two children, but doesn't look like she's had any! okay, more info than you guys wanted.) Yes, Evelyn and I are good friends, even if I haven't talked to her in ages! (sorry, Evelyn, will be better!) and it is HOT!!!"}, {"response": 572, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 1999 (22:33)", "body": "I am in Ketchikan, Ak visiting my on and his family. I brought my P&P with me . They are crazy about it. Including the 3 teenagers who are back in Bryan's bedroom now watching it for the third time. But then they have good taste."}, {"response": 573, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 1999 (23:20)", "body": "Laura, JE is definitely willowy NOW. I do think that her weight fuluctuates though, I though she looked terrible thin in the first proposal scene and more rounded but womanly later on and the costumes of course, accentuated this."}, {"response": 574, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 1999 (23:36)", "body": "JE not willowy enough for some at RoP? Tell me something new. Some people there complain that Colin Firth wasn't tall enough. And some even say that Rintoul (who looked like he had swallowed his walking stick was a better Darcy - even though he couldn't have been taller - chiefly because Colin was showing too much emotion... Can you believe it? Horrors. visiting my on Forgive my ignorance, but what's an on?"}, {"response": 575, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 1999 (23:38)", "body": "Have followed up, Renate. Thanks."}, {"response": 576, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 1999 (23:39)", "body": "Sorry, I should have put ) after \"stick\"."}, {"response": 577, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 1999 (23:40)", "body": "on Yapp shorthand for son, I expect. ;-D"}, {"response": 578, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 1999 (23:43)", "body": "Arami, I would imagine visiting my \"on\" is \"son\" and obviously the people at RoP haven't seen Jennifer in TRT lately and as for Colin not being tall enough, 6'1\" is not tall enough?"}, {"response": 579, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 1999 (01:48)", "body": "Trashing JE amd CF is an old chestnut...some RoP posters go on and on about Elizabeth Garvey (P&P1) and how she played the perfect Lizzie. My answer to that is always...\"Oh yeah? Who won the BAFTA?\" ***** Eager to see pic of Lucy Peacock..mum of two, playing young unmarried 21 yr.old Lizzie. :-D"}, {"response": 580, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 1999 (02:22)", "body": "Eager to see pic of Lucy Peacock..mum of two, playing young unmarried 21 yr.old Lizzie. :-D LOL!! me too"}, {"response": 581, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 1999 (06:58)", "body": "Sorry last comment about P&P,JE etc, but personally I thought both the prior productions and perforamnces were very wooden indeed, nothing can touch and the performances and production of P&P2."}, {"response": 582, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 1999 (07:00)", "body": "they brought the book to life for me. (sorry pressed the submit button too soon)."}, {"response": 583, "author": "Donna", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 1999 (07:28)", "body": "I don't have time enough at this late hour to read back to beginning of July but I thought I give you this site that I came across at RoP MRQE great movie review site and MLSF is there...This review really peaked my interest..here is a tidbit. Director Hugh Hudson devotes considerable time to close- ups of this wonderful man's expressions, each of which tells a story about his feelings at the time, particularly envy of his boorish brother's good luck in catching the gifted Heloise. Review bye Harvey S. Karten critic comuserve.com Just type in My Life so Far and they all show up."}, {"response": 584, "author": "Donna", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 1999 (07:31)", "body": "You can tell I haven't done this in a while http://www.MRQE.com"}, {"response": 585, "author": "Donna", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 1999 (07:32)", "body": "I don't have time enough at this late hour to read back to beginning of July but I thought I give you this site that I came across at RoP MRQE great movie review site and MLSF is there...This review really peaked my interest..here is a tidbit. Director Hugh Hudson devotes considerable time to close- ups of this wonderful man's expressions, each of which tells a story about his feelings at the time, particularly envy of his boorish brother's good luck in catching the gifted Heloise. Review bye Harvey S. Karten critic comuserve.com Just type in My Life so Far and they all show up."}, {"response": 586, "author": "Donna", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 1999 (07:37)", "body": "one more time"}, {"response": 587, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 1999 (08:03)", "body": "Oh Donna, thank you, but will you please give us the url again, it didn't come through. BTW, what the h*** is happening with Spring? It seems to be taking a right hand stage departure :-( Help!"}, {"response": 588, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 1999 (08:08)", "body": "Sorry, Donna, it did come through, and works. Thanks. And Spring has apparently reverted to normalcy. Uff!"}, {"response": 589, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 1999 (14:19)", "body": "(Ann) The Turn of the Screw is a one off drama and is due to be screened at Christmas. Wonderful a festive feast of Firth Ho, Ho, Ho! You won't have room for anything else under your tree. Just keep thinking of all this Firth as you wait for MLSF. (Karen) the second (Moss) is Irene Jacob and kid, with Colin's head peeking up into the mossloft This is part of the trailer Miramax offered at their site last year, before the movie was yanked from release. Nothing featuring the STAR of the movie!! Sheesh!! I'd rather have him absent from the trailer vs. the other way around. I hate it when a trailer lures me to the theater and I find it had the best scenes and the rest of the movie was *pew*. Not so with MLSF. Fraser may be the central character, but this is Colin's movie all the way (I know, I'm preaching to the converted). Karen, tonight's the big night, right? Afterwards, come join us at 121. Jana, Susan and I are getting lonely over there ;-) Marianne and Winter, we're still waiting for you!"}, {"response": 590, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 1999 (14:22)", "body": "On second thought, what day is it (*perpetually disoriented to date and time*)? Last night was the big night! And you've not posted at 121 yet? Sheesh! :-D"}, {"response": 591, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 1999 (15:00)", "body": "No, I don't get to see it until NEXT week. Not much of an advance screening: two days before general release! (Originally it was to be Monday, August 2, but the printed invitation says the 4th.)"}, {"response": 592, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 1999 (15:04)", "body": "Hey, Moon should be back right about now. Probably just catching up on all the posts, sneaking in a viewing of FF so that she can join in at 98, and jumping for joy that she didn't completely miss the opening of MLSF or FP (latest word is mid to late September). To recap: All's the same in the world of Firth, except for the new projects announced (Christmas television special of Turn of the Screw) and the announced start of Relative Values on the Isle of Man this weekend - Londinium having been completed."}, {"response": 593, "author": "AnneR", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 1999 (22:45)", "body": "(Renate) \"There are 32 curling extras here in Argyll, Scotland who'd like to know if the 4 days they spent doing it ended up on the cutting room floor. E Mail please to lengow@drimsynie.co.uk\" Thanks for posting this, Renate. I did write to Mr. Gow and got the following reply: Hi Anne: Thanks for letting me know. Did you see much change from the preview to the final cut? The curling scene took 4 days to film, including two 5pm till 5am sessions - so I hope it managed more than a couple of minutes. The art department did a superb job in recreating a frozen pond in an old Victorian garden - and with all the fake snow, ice and none fake smoke - the conditions certainly felt like January even though it was filmed in May. Same old story - the critics can slag it but unless it gets into enough theatres then joe public won't have a chance to see it. Thanks for letting me know. Len in Argyll."}, {"response": 594, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 1999 (22:47)", "body": "From Renate's news, I contacted the curler who worked on MLSF. He was the one who arranged for 30 guys to play in the curling scene. (I assume it was his curling club.) He sent me a newsy little note yesterday. He told me about how boring it was working for the 4 days, two of which were 12 hour days working through the night until dawn). Then he said that he was asked back for another, but blew them off and went to the pub. ;-D He described how they converted an old Victorian walled garden on the estate into the outdoor pond and brought in the fake snow, ice, etc., because they filmed it in May. But the highlight of his note was that he was called in to talk and give a demo to the actors before, while they were rehearsing another scene in the big house. He recognized all of them, hardly believing that he was there and they were all seated around the table. He said that Malcolm McDowell was funny, MEM was friendly and Colin actually asked some questions. At the end, he talked about how beautiful that part of Scotland is and how it should show up well in the movie's cinematography. I've emailed him back for more more more..... ;-D"}, {"response": 595, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 1999 (22:56)", "body": "Thanks Anne & Karen."}, {"response": 596, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 1999 (22:57)", "body": ""}, {"response": 597, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 30, 1999 (01:11)", "body": "Thanks Anne R. and Karen for giving us all the inside from Len, the Head Curler. BTW is curling akin to ice hockey? I never heard of it before the movie was originally going to be titled: \"The Roaring Game\". Remember, that far back? And Bethan told us the title related to \"curling\"."}, {"response": 598, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 30, 1999 (03:39)", "body": "Len, the Head Curler. hee hee"}, {"response": 599, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Jul 30, 1999 (13:51)", "body": "I also would like to know what curling is."}, {"response": 600, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 30, 1999 (13:55)", "body": "So the rusty gears of the Miramax publicity machine turn...first MEM, then Puttnam, now Malcolm McDowell. Can Colin be next up? They do have telephones on the Isle of Man, don't they? ;-D From Jeffrey Walls' column at Mr. Showbiz. Here are the relevant parts: The purpose of the interview was to plub My Life So Far, a quiet little country drama from Miramax that's just opened. Set in the 1920s and directed by Hugh Hudson, it's about issues of loyalty and sexual desire upsetting a family living on a large British estate. McDowell plays a visiting uncle who brings along a pretty French maid (Irene Jacob) who winds up attracting the husband (Colin Firth) and his adolescent son (Robbie Norman). Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and Rosemary Harris co-star. Hudson, said McDowell, \"is a friend of mine. He called me one day and off I went. It was shot two summers ago. A very charming film. It's a very gentle piece, seen through the eyes of a 12-year-old boy during that very special period during the wars.\" ********* For the entire article: http://mrshowbiz.go.com/news/Todays_Stories/990729/showcon072999_2.html"}, {"response": 601, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jul 30, 1999 (14:42)", "body": "(Karen) I don't get to see it until NEXT week Du-uhh. Sorry. *perpetually disoriented to date and time* Told ya. Thanks for sharing your responses from Len the curler, Anne R and Karen. (Evelyn) BTW is curling akin to ice hockey? It looks more like bowling (or bocci ball) to me. The broom bit is curious, though. I think during the last winter olympics a piece was done on this odd (to most of the world) sport. The ice is furiously swept to create some sort of pull on that lump of granite. before the movie was originally going to be titled: \"The Roaring Game\". Wasn't the first title \"World of Moss?\" There is only one line referencing 'the roaring game'. We groused about how often the title was changed but MLSF is the most fitting."}, {"response": 602, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jul 30, 1999 (19:30)", "body": "Any plans to go a second time Eileen?"}, {"response": 603, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jul 30, 1999 (22:15)", "body": "I'm scanning the picture of P&P in Stratford tonight. Don't quite know how I'll get to html it, but will work something out. The man who played Darcy is Geordie Johnson and he's also playing Richard II (title role) in Stratfod. They work a gruelling schedule! I like him better in the Richard II pic, if I can find that one, I'll scan it in also."}, {"response": 604, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 30, 1999 (23:36)", "body": "Have more from our curler Len and he explains a bit more about curling as well. Will post later. ;-D"}, {"response": 605, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 31, 1999 (13:39)", "body": "More from our Head Curler: He first spoke with Colin after the curling demo. Both he and 'wee Fraser' wanted to know how heavy the old curling stones were as well as how you got enough swing to throw them 42 yards on the ice. He explained it was all about technique (the subject of his demo). Also, there are all the calls and commands the 'skip' gives to the team members to sweep or not to sweep the stone. Len said, \"It's all the yelling that brings the atmosphere to the game.\" Then Malcolm McDowell interjected that the only tim he had seen curling was on TV in Toronto and 'to be frank, it was fucking boring!!'. Len did call him a 'Nice chappy' though, who was only trying to be a prat. On another occasion, he commented to Colin that he had just seen TEP and that it must have been warmer in Tunisia than Scotland at 3am. Colin said that, in some of the desert scenes where he is covered in sweat, they had had to spray him as it was early in the morning and freezing. Len also watched a scene where Colin and McDowell are going at each other about a bet concerning Heloise (or as he calls her a French lassie) He thought it was very interesting how it changed with each take. Finally, Len said that he was always nothing less than very pleasant, as all the actors were."}, {"response": 606, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (07:15)", "body": "do you guys realize how BORING curling is? Anyway, here is the pic of the two leads in P&P. I couldn't find the one with GJ as Richard II, will look harder. The costumes were interesting."}, {"response": 607, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (07:22)", "body": "Did you say Lucy Peacock was playing Lizzie's mother? ;-D"}, {"response": 608, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (08:02)", "body": "(Laura)The costumes were interesting. Thank you Laura, for sharing the program with us.The Canadian wet- shirtless Mr. Darcy bears a striking resemblance to Lawrence Olivier....I am sure it was a most enjoyable performance....Lucy Peacock looks a little...hmmmm.... mature"}, {"response": 609, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (08:07)", "body": "and it isn't CF as Darcy, the nose and mouth are no where near as cute!"}, {"response": 610, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (08:07)", "body": "and LP looks a little like MEM (MLSF)"}, {"response": 611, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (11:45)", "body": "I have a great picture of the two them in the other program, that I can't find where it was taken outside. LP is only about 28/29. She was amazing as Lizzy. The production obviously was very different from the miniseries. And Geordie Johnson is a blonde (or dirty blonde), what he has on is a wig;) If I can find the other pic, I'll scan that one in too. GJ is very handsome too. I have a cast photo with them all, will try and scan that one in later today. Off to the swimming pool!"}, {"response": 612, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Jul 31, 1999 (23:52)", "body": "Many thanks to Karen for a very interesting report from a Scottish head curler - all about an English head turner. But I must protest against turning this place into Geordie Johnson discussion board. Why not start a separate one for him, if you must. Or post it on RoP, they will appreciate different takes on Austen heroes much more. The chap is OK, but to me there is only one Darcy and he ain't Geordie... nor even Olivier... And that actress doesn't look right to me, either."}, {"response": 613, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (00:18)", "body": "Geordie looks rather, how shall I put it, ummm, David Rintoul-ish. Sorry, Laura, but you knew you'd be in for it. Love the reports from Scotland, Karen."}, {"response": 614, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (00:27)", "body": "I too was just going to post that the P&P (Stratford) discussion be moved over to #72. These Colin topics fill up fast enough as is, without extraneous material like that. If you're going to scan in more pics, please post them there, Laura."}, {"response": 615, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (00:40)", "body": "Sorry...I think I started it all..by posting the review from FT about the P&P in Stratford P&P. In it the reviewer mentioned Colin and wet-shirt.The discussion then took off from there on a different tangent....as so often happens around here.Thanks for the reminder....#72 sounds good to me, Laura. Would like to see the other pics."}, {"response": 616, "author": "livamago", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (13:55)", "body": "I just saw MEM on Breakfast with the Arts, and she was full of praise for ODB. They asked her specifically about him (and they mentioned P&P of course). She said she and her husband attended his wedding. Hurray for MEM!"}, {"response": 617, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (13:59)", "body": "Just saw MEM on Breakfast with the Arts (A&E). She mentioned Colin and how much of a wonder actor he is. Also said her husband and Colin were great friends and that they worked together in AMITC. She also said that during filming she met Livia and then they all went off to C&L's wedding. (Someone from this board did mention this). She also said she was glad that her and Colin did not play lovers--which is very taxing on individuals. (Especially since they are buddies)."}, {"response": 618, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (14:00)", "body": "Lidya your reporting skills are much faster than mine."}, {"response": 619, "author": "livamago", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (14:07)", "body": "Jana, wasn't it lovely to hear him praised so much? I was all giddy!"}, {"response": 620, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (14:15)", "body": "OK, have been frantically transcribing the *relevant* part of MEM's interview: EF: The man who plays your husband is Colin Firth, who of course did P&P for us at A&E. Can you tell us a bit about working with him? MEM: Well, Colin and I are old friends. Colin is actually an old friend of my husband's because they did a film together called A Month in the Country, which was a lovely film with Ken Branagh, Natasha Richardson. Beautiful film [eyes closed, nodding]. And they've known each other for years. And Colin and I thought, well, the only way we could ever portray any kind of couple is if we were married. Because if we had to be lovers it would be impossible because the demands of lovers on screen are other han those of a married couple. So confined to chaste kisses and all that. But he's fantastic and he's a dear family friend of ours and who was actually getting married that summer. And it was lovely to spend time with his fiancee. All of us up in Scotland and before we all traipsed off to the wedding. And oh. And he's a fantastic actor [closed eyes, head nodding]. I'd say it's, if you were to read the script and then you watch these scenes and see the humor and pathos that he's extracted and imbued hem with, it's astonishing. It's not astonishing, it's just bloody good acting and you don't see a lot of it. It's not, you're not allowed to see it, it's not that people don't know how to do it, it's just that we're not allowed to see it very often."}, {"response": 621, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (14:17)", "body": "FYI, MEM was wearing the same white blouse she wore on her appearance on the Regis and Kathie Lee show. So that must have been *promotions* day!"}, {"response": 622, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (14:41)", "body": "Wonderful of her to talk about him so warmly, it\ufffds almost overflowing......sounds like she really sincerely likes and respects him. And why wouldn\ufffdt she? Thanks for the transcription, Karen. Too bad that Colin couldn\ufffdt be in the show."}, {"response": 623, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (15:32)", "body": "Oh yes, I'd love to see him interviewed again. Too bad that it only seems to be MEM banging the drum for this film. What is this? Women's work? So glad you got the transcription done, Karen. I didn't tape it and then regretted because she did say so very many lovely things. I'm glad you brought up what we seem to love most about his skill... if you were to read the script and then you watch these scenes and see the humor and pathos that he's extracted and imbued them with, it's astonishing. I think it is astonishing as well as \"bloody good acting.\" The clip did not contain Colin. We could also move the P&P Stratford discussion to 112 if you'd care to continue it. Evelyn and Lidya brought the Darcy topic to life again and Marcia and I have pounced."}, {"response": 624, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (15:33)", "body": "shame on me."}, {"response": 625, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (15:49)", "body": "It would appear that MEM was only given one cassette that day, as the clip was the same shown on the Regis & KL show too! Bugged me that MEM didn't mention Colin's name until Elliot asked her the question. She kept saying \"my husband\" every time she referred to him in the movie. She did mention something very new and interesting: that there had been another version of the movie script, done by someone else, which was very different. Probably stayed closer to the real story in Forman's book."}, {"response": 626, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (16:24)", "body": "(Karen)She did mention something very new and interesting: that there had been another version of the movie script, done by someone else, which was very different. Probably stayed closer to the real story in Forman's book Now we know why it took so long....a screen version based on the book would have been a real yawner!! Thanks Karen, for the transcription. I thought it was super...\"all is forgive MEM for the Kathy & Regis interview!!\" ******* And thanks to Silvie for alerting to the interview...Was anyone else watching the clock??I thought Seigi Ozawa would never finish conducting!!"}, {"response": 627, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (16:37)", "body": "I thought Seigi Ozawa would never finish conducting!! ] HEY!!! It's Seiji and he holds a dear place in my heart!!! :) (Well I am a Bostonian!)"}, {"response": 628, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (18:18)", "body": "My thanks too for transcribing the interview, Karen. There's a big article on MEM in today's Boston Globe. In it, there's a comment from David Puttnam that Cate Blanchett had been considered to play Moira -- first I had heard about that -- but in the end they thought her too young. (Actually, I think CB is even younger than Irene Jacob, so that would have indeed been weird casting.) Nothing about Colin, though. Relieved to see MLSF does indeed open in Boston this Friday -- albeit at only one theatre in Harvard Square."}, {"response": 629, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (19:01)", "body": "No big deal transcribing the *one* answer and besides, it wasn't perfect. Left out a lot of ums and ohs! Thanks for pointing out the MEM article in the Globe, Susan. Very intereting. MEM has certainly thrown herself into being a one-woman publicity machine. Can do nothing but help her odds of being nominated for Limbo. Here's the link to the article: http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/213/living/Mother_knows_best+.shtml"}, {"response": 630, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (20:49)", "body": "Back from our hols in a thunderstorm! Very enjoyable (and hectic!) culture dash round Europe ...Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels. Too much driving, but well worth it, and surprisingly few complaints from sons. The big movie in Paris is \"The Blair Witch Project\" which has been very cleverly marketed. Rupert Everett (star of SIL!) (le merveilleux Rupert) is also Big. Lots of pics and interviews with him in the magazines. Hate to say this, but marketing and selling oneself (in the nicest possible way) does matt r! Hey, what about it, Monsieur Firth!? It's not astonishing, it's just bloody good acting and you don't see a lot of it. It's not, you're not allowed to see it, it's not that people don't know how to do it, it's just that we're not allowed to see it very often. Oh, sadly too true! Especially in the case of CF! November for MLSF in the UK? Unbelievable. Unless (always look on the bright side of life) Miramax are hoping for a Big Occasion (royal charity premiere or suchlike) The curling scene sounds as though it's been severely truncated...I'd love to see the original 2 hour version of this movie. Seems to me it's a victim of unfavourable first previews last year. Probably shown to an Austin Powers type audience. I like curling ....it's also a major growth sport since last year's TV coverage of the Winter Olympics. Interesting comments from MEM on playing husbands and lovers. I thought all screen kisses were essentially chaste, not the real thing! So TOTS is a Christmas special...great news! I think the Master could be a good role (at least he's handsome and rich and attractive to women). Call me superficial, but sometimes I'd settle for less versatility!"}, {"response": 631, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (22:27)", "body": "Interesting comments from MEM on playing husbands and lovers. I thought all screen kisses were essentially chaste, not the real thing! Essentially they are... but trying to make a modern passionate mouth-to-mouth look believable on screen or stage, one has to suck the other's lip, there's no way around it, it has to be physical - and then there are looks and the whole body language, etc. - what is commonly termed as chemistry. Actors often go as far as persuading themselves that the attraction is indeed real... that's why we hear about \"location flings and romances\" (like CF and JE in P&P). And there's nothing wrong with it if the screen partners are unattached in real life - but not so good when married actors fall for it, as they sometimes do. So wise spouses should not leave their real life partners on their own for too long... But nothing can beat a happy marriage and loyalty to one's spouse, of course. In which case, you close your eyes and think of your fat pay check and hope to shoot your passionate love scenes with someone you wouldn't need to meet again too soon."}, {"response": 632, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 1999 (01:40)", "body": "From britishtheatre.about.com NEWS today \"Turn of the Screw begins filming A new version of Henry James' The Turn of the Screw, to be shown on ITV next year, has begun filming. The film stars Pam Ferris, Jodhi May and Colin Firth.\" **** Is this old news?I though RV was currently filming. Does this guy have the power of bi-location?"}, {"response": 633, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 1999 (01:56)", "body": "Also, is TOTS to be shown on ITV or BBC? The first report said ITV and the second mentioned BBC. Wouldn't it be highly unlikely for any of the ITV affiliates to produce TOTS for airing on BBC? (another snowball situation?) Bi-location? Bettah that than bi-something else! ;-D"}, {"response": 634, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 1999 (02:05)", "body": "you don't know how I'm dying to get over to Topic 121!! Only a few more days. argh!"}, {"response": 635, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 1999 (02:06)", "body": "I love curling. It's very interesting when you try it and don't fall on your a---"}, {"response": 636, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 1999 (03:46)", "body": "Article in Monday's Times: Supreme wit finds eager audience in centenary year, writes Dalya Alberge AFTER Thomas Hardy and Jane Austen, film-makers are turning to No\ufffdl Coward. The 100th anniversary of the birth of one of the century's supreme wits has inspired at least eight films, not to mention countless theatre stagings, recordings and books. Negotiations are under way for Nicole Kidman and Rupert Everett to star in an adaptation of Blithe Spirit, and for Joanna Lumley to appear in Hay Fever. A \ufffd3.5 million production of Relative Values, starring Julie Andrews, Colin Firth and Stephen Fry, has just started its six-week shoot on the Isle of Man. Christopher Milburn, producer of Relative Values - a 1951 social satire - said that Coward had been \"underexposed for some time\" but his \"wit and writing are as relevant today as when he wrote\". Mr Milburn said that, long after Coward's death in 1973, his presence could still be felt in everyday conversation: \"Don't put your daughter on the stage, Mrs Worthington\" and \"Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun\" came from the pen of the playwright, actor, composer, lyricist, producer, occasional painter and scathing critic of the second-rate. While producer Joe Abrams is planning to make Easy Virtue, and also has options on The Young Idea and I'll Leave It To You, a production of Quadrille is in the pipeline - delayed because Kristin Scott-Thomas was unable to take a part. The Vortex, the 1924 play about drug addiction with which he made his name, is said to be the subject of a remake by MGM. Hay Fever, his 1924 play, is to be filmed by John Boorman's company, Merlin, with a budget of some $6 million (\ufffd3.7 million). Apart from Lumley, the cast is yet to be found for a shoot likely to start in the spring or summer of next year; it is being adapted for the screen for Robert McKee and Charles Crichton - whose films include A Fish Called Wanda. Kieran Corrigan, one of the producers, said: \"I've always loved Coward, who always said that Hay Fever was his greatest work.\" Yet, for some inexplicable reason, Coward had objected to it being made into a film. British Lion Films, one of Britain's oldest film companies, founded in 1927 - in collaboration with Universal and Danny De Vito's Jersey Films - is fine-tuning the script for Blithe Spirit, the story of a novelist whose late first wife cannot resist upsetting his second marriage. It was made in 1945 by David Lean with Rex Harrison, Constance Cummings and Margaret Rutherford. One of its producers, Peter Snell, whose films have included Don't Look Now with Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie, said: \"Blithe Spirit has such a contemporary adaptability. What you have - the first wife comes back as a ghost to haunt the second - is pretty contemporary, particularly in America where most marriages end in divorce.\" Although Lean's version was set in the 1940s, the remake will be set in 1990s England. The language will be \"contemporised\", said Mr Snell, \"but it will not be blatantly changed. It will still feel like Coward.\" Other Coward events later this year are a season at the National Film Theatre; a republishing by Faber and Faber of his screenplay for Brief Encounter; West End stagings of Masterpieces, a Coward revue presented by Duncan C. Weldon, and Song At Twilight, starring Vanessa and Corin Redgrave; and a two-day conference in November at Birmingham University."}, {"response": 637, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 1999 (06:07)", "body": "(Karen) Negotiations are under way for Nicole Kidman and Rupert Everett to star in an adaptation of Blithe Spirit... Oh no, is CF going to have to go up against an RE film again? I just hope RV comes out before Blithe Spirit. Don't want another Valmont/Dangerous Liaisons anti-climax to happen!"}, {"response": 638, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 1999 (15:51)", "body": "Thanks, Karen, for posting the \"edited down to the good parts\" version of MEM on BWTA. Hooray for Mary! Personal friendship aside, she joins Gwynnie (and likely others) in the 'Actors Who are Fans of Firth' club. Too bad that it only seems to be MEM banging the drum for this film It's early yet. I'm curious to see how Miramax will herald MLSF's expansion to the rest of the top ten markets. Friday should be the big day for ads or (dare one hope?) TV commercials. Also, of all the actors, MEM is likely the most recognizable to US audiences. Too bad Colin's just started RV. If he hadn't, I would have thought it quite possible to see him publicizing the film."}, {"response": 639, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 1999 (20:27)", "body": "Newspaper Slueth-hounds....be on the look-out for reviews of MLSF in the regional newspapers of the next Ten City tier on Thursday or Friday. Susanne kindly sent a comment in the weekend Dallas Morning Post... Movie Buzz column.. where it lists next week's openers it said..., \" a lot of warm buzz surrounding this one\" about MLSF by Dallas's premier movie critic. The most positive thing said about any movie opening next week-well some nice things about The Iron Giant but that is a kid's movie so it does not count\" Thanks Sue.."}, {"response": 640, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 1999 (21:04)", "body": "Two more days!! ;-D I can barely contain myself."}, {"response": 641, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 1999 (21:52)", "body": "The Positive Side of the Torrid Temp:!!!! Someone posted this on V V Re: MLSF in NYC \"I went to see it this Sunday, but it was so hot here (@ 102F) and the line so long I gave up. Will probably see it this week ...\" I am eager to see what it did at the BO."}, {"response": 642, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 1999 (22:54)", "body": "Hi, there is a lovely review for MLSF and Colin particularly \"Firth is the standout\" at http://www.boxoffice.com/justinadditional.html scroll down the page and click onto MLSF. I think the \"fors\" and \"againsts\" are pretty even."}, {"response": 643, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 1999 (22:56)", "body": "are pretty even now. forgot to mention they gave it 31/2stars."}, {"response": 644, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Tue, Aug  3, 1999 (01:47)", "body": "AFTER Thomas Hardy and Jane Austen, film-makers are turning to No\ufffdl Coward. How does Colin manage to do it--be on the edge of what is happening that is. (Karen)Two more days!! ;-D I can barely contain myself. I'm sooooo jealous. I have a feeling the movie will never make it here and the more I hear about it the more anxious I become."}, {"response": 645, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Tue, Aug  3, 1999 (01:50)", "body": "Ooops, how clumsy of me."}, {"response": 646, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Tue, Aug  3, 1999 (01:54)", "body": "What I meant to say was how does CF know what's hot. Is it just luck i.e., the English Patient, Shakespeare in Love. etc. Not counting P&P because he didn't have a clue."}, {"response": 647, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Tue, Aug  3, 1999 (01:55)", "body": ""}, {"response": 648, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Tue, Aug  3, 1999 (01:55)", "body": ""}, {"response": 649, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Tue, Aug  3, 1999 (01:59)", "body": "I give up I can't close the tag. Help! Promise never to do it again."}, {"response": 650, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  3, 1999 (03:22)", "body": "Don't worry, Jana, the tag is and was closed. You just can't have a *bad* message on the screen at the time. It infects the rest. Once you leave and return, it will disappear. Did you notice that the boxoffice.com site rates films on a 5 star system. (Jana) Not counting P&P because he didn't have a clue. LOL!! You're so right. He didn't have a clue about this one and probably still is bewildered."}, {"response": 651, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  3, 1999 (17:06)", "body": "Jana!! What's going on in Tucson? There's a User Comment posted for MLSF at the IMDb. That Tango person couldn't possibly have seen the movie? Redgrave? Dover? What movie did he/she see? Why don't you give the local art house a ring to find if and when they're going to show MLSF."}, {"response": 652, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Aug  3, 1999 (17:08)", "body": "(Evelyn) \"I went to see it this Sunday, but it was so hot here (@ 102F) and the line so long I gave up.\" Pshaw! Clearly not written by a diehard CF fan. What's a little heat (heck, it's been like this since Memorial Day) when ODB awaits inside?? I am eager to see what it did at the BO. By now you've probably read that it did well again this past weekend, based on per screen earnings. Good news! 20/20 hindsight: We were so concerned about EWS and the other summer blockbusters taking screens away from MLSF. Now Blair Witch Project is grabbing all the headlines. Who'd have thunk it?"}, {"response": 653, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  3, 1999 (18:27)", "body": "Now Blair Witch Project is grabbing all the headlines. Who'd have thunk it? A fool and his money are soon parted. ;-D"}, {"response": 654, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug  3, 1999 (19:05)", "body": "Jana) Not counting P&P because he didn't have a clue. (Karen)LOL!! You're so right. He didn't have a clue about this one and probably still is bewildered. Colin wasn't the only one....Someone asked JE in a TV interview if she knew at the time that P&P was going to be such a phenomenal success...and she looked scared and said \" Oh, no.If I had, I'd still be under a sofa in Derbyshire\"."}, {"response": 655, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (00:36)", "body": "Now Blair Witch Project is grabbing all the headlines. Who'd have thunk it? [ You know, I predicted that this movie would overtake the box office a few weeks ago. Despite what ONE person thinks, it's a cleverly packaged movie. You know, movies without CF are good too. There is more to life than just his movies."}, {"response": 656, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (00:49)", "body": ".... There is more to life than just his movies. Not much more.....:-D"}, {"response": 657, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (00:52)", "body": "(Laura)You know, movies without CF are good too. There is more to life than just his movies. Not in this lifetime."}, {"response": 658, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (01:27)", "body": "(JanaC)...how does CF know what's hot. Is it just luck i.e., the English Patient, Shakespeare in Love. etc. Not counting P&P because he didn't have a clue. I don't know whether the DB knows what's \"hot\"...I think when he consciously tries to connect with \"hot\" (i.e.: ATA) the outcome can be very iffy. (Pulitzer prize and cast not withstanding). But he certainly knows what's GOOD...( and having discovered that a classic may work even better than expected, one can't go far wrong with Noel Coward...) The only trouble with knowing Good is that there are aften dry spells when good just isn't available and one must eat (and pay the mortgage). He's caught the ttention of some very good people (Minghella, for example) simply because HE'S so damn good!! (pardon my french)."}, {"response": 659, "author": "ommin", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (06:15)", "body": "I agree with you, he is good and therefore doesn't want to make a mistake. Unfortunately most moviegoers want action and more action and he is 'too delicate for that."}, {"response": 660, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (06:38)", "body": "Laura, we are here because we DO think movies with Colin are the BEST, why are you here?"}, {"response": 661, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (07:08)", "body": "(Laura)You know, movies without CF are good too Not really :-) (KJ)one must eat (and pay the mortgage) WHAT is this mortgage of CF that you guys keep talking about? Have I missed out something? I did read all the hundreds of postings when I came back from hols but didn\ufffdt see anything about this."}, {"response": 662, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (07:31)", "body": "From yesterday's Evening Standard: On the theatre listings page, there is a display add entititled \"Coming and Going\". BOOK NOW Theatre Three Days of Rain: Richard Greenberg's remarkable play, the sell-out highlight of the theatre's American Imports season, returns for a second run with the same impeccable cast. It opens wiht Colin Firth and EG [picture of CF and EG below] as brother and sister, trying to make sense of their architect father's will and of his enigmatic secret journal. Together with DM's brilliant Pip, the son of their father's business partner, they compare memories and recreate their version of the past. After the in erval, the play moves back to the Sixties to see how the children's notions differ from the reality of their parents' lives. Greenberg's writing is witty and lyrical and Robin Lefevre's elegant production is so beautifully acted that this is really unmissable. Good huh?"}, {"response": 663, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (08:25)", "body": "When does MLSF go nationwide? Or very selected nationwide? A few thoughts on marketing (yet again!). It seems to me that Miramax are giving MLSF very little help...it's a case of throwing it onto the water and seeing whether it sinks or swims. There's also zilch coverage of the \"star\"...not a single interview in any of the media. If you compare coverage of AIH...I only saw what happened in the UK. But the focus was on RE, he got a lot of coverage in the press at Cannes (unlike CF!) reports of Harvey pushing RE for an Oscar nomination etc, there were trailers on S y 1, and also frequent reports on CNN Entertainment. And there may have been much more that I wasn't aware of. I understand that in the US AIH transferred eventually to over 700 screens. So that's a big push and I presume it was heavily promoted. I think that at the moment MLSF really is in a David and Goliath situation, and I really hope it comes through. But all it's got going for it is word of mouth (very cheap!). There was an article in one of the papers about \"The Blair Witch Project\". It may have been cheap to make, but an awful lot of money was spent on a very astute marketing strategy. By the time it opened people were desperate to see it (and it may well be very entertaining...I'm not disputing that!). Who would know that MLSF had opened nless they read the NY Times from cover to cover? Well, I'm keeping my fingers crossed! BTW, users commewnts on MLSF are surfacing at IMDB. Murph has posted her excellent review, but the other comments seem to be by Irene Jakob fans, and one singles CF's performance out for special criticism! These comments stay on IMDB forever and a lot of people check it out. Registering to vote and comment takes 24 hours in the sense that you are emailed your registration form. But I think that we should try to redress the balance! If you've seen the movie, please try to post, otherwise as usual CF will be overlooked! On spotting winners and losers...must be the most difficult part of an actor's job, and commercial and critical success aren't the same. I guess it's a case of getting the right product to the right market. I noticed in Paris that there's a very vibrant West African community..lots of shops, music, eating places etc. A film like SLOW (hey, I can't leave this alone!) set in Cannes, would definitely attract some attention there in the arthouse outlets."}, {"response": 664, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (11:01)", "body": "Another great review for MLSF and again especially for Colin at Film Journal \"CF is close to brilliant\" at http://www.filmjournal.com/DisplayReviews.cfm?ID=618&UI=9607"}, {"response": 665, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (12:45)", "body": "Elena, re: Mortage From all the articles, it appears that Colin has three residences (apartment in Rome, condo in LA/Santa Monica, and flat in Hackney). He may have recently also purchased a home in Islington, selling the Hackney flat. So this boy may have some substantial mortgages and must therefore keep working to pay them. ;-D Excellent review, AnnW. Thanks for posting. Notice, another woman has written it. Oh goodie!! Publicity for 3DOR. And Colin's name is mentioned first. Finally. Thanks, Allison. [Isn't the Evening Standard a broadsheet? ;-D] MLSF It's *real* competition this weekend is with The Thomas Crown Affair, which opens too. There has been a ton of publicity: Pierce Brosnan has been on all the shows and TV is saturated with ads. They are really playing up the love/sex angle and the sexiness of a mature woman. Many articles are emphasizing how refreshing it is to see Rene Russo (a woman of 45) bare all and wear a see-through dress. Hey, even I'm dying to see this one."}, {"response": 666, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (13:48)", "body": "Isn't the Evening Standard a broadsheet? Well it is tabloid size....."}, {"response": 667, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (14:00)", "body": "There has been a ton of publicity. Pierce Brosnan has been on all the shows.. Hmmm. Oh well, the sexiest man on screen is also the most invisible and least promoted! Mind you, I would hate to see him on the front of Cornflakes packs and Sugarpuffs (a la Ewan McGregor and Liam Neeson in \"Starwars\"!) Great reviews, Ann and Allison...and not many actors can get critical acclaim on both stage and screen these days. BTW Ann, did you mention that Miramax told you that MLSF might screen at the London Film Festival? The Fesival runs from the second to last week of November, which would mean an even later commercial release for MLSF (December?). Gritting my teeth here! It is so difficult to see his movies!!!!"}, {"response": 668, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (14:10)", "body": "Yes I did mention it and at first when she told me about it and not knowing the date of the LFF, I thought it would be a chance to see it early, perhaps Sept/Oct. but there is not much to be gained if it is at the same time as the possible UK release, think I would prefer for to see it in Brighton."}, {"response": 669, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (14:12)", "body": "The Evening Standard is in the netherworld between tabloid and broadsheet. It's not complete crap, and there is no naked woman on Page 3, but as news goes, it's sort of \"Entertainment Tonight\" poised between \"Hard Copy\" and Tom Brokaw. [Let me apologize in advance for the totally North American analogy, which will be lost on many from outside the US and Canada.] It's the only evening paper in London, I think, and it's the one you pick up on the way to the train, ergo the tabloid form factor."}, {"response": 670, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (14:19)", "body": "(Laura) You know, movies without CF are good too. There is more to life than just his movies. *Scratching my head* This is a CF discussion board, right? Presumably for CF fans who prefer to discuss CF? *mumble* I must be confused and disoriented again... (Bethan) A few thoughts on marketing (yet again!). It seems to me that Miramax are giving MLSF very little help Having watched ET last night with their highlights of the opening bash for Talk magazine, it's clear where Miramax is investing alot of their money. Did anyone else see that piece? A glimpse of MMcD...RE was there, of course (as Madonna's escort--LOL). Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick said it was the most expensive party they'd ever seen. Harvey looks like a walking heart attack--he better lay off the ciggies and red meat. Seriously, we knew from Cannes that Miramax was putting all its proverbial eggs in the AIH basket. Nothing's really changed (much as we all disagree with that strategy :-( ). users commewnts on MLSF are surfacing at IMDB Check this out again. There's more about CF. Who would know that MLSF had opened unless they read the NY Times from cover to cover? Apparently alot of people do. MLSF is playing on only two screens in NYC and has been doing very well. Whether it's the positive reviews, the ads or word of mouth (or a few out-of-luck sold out Blair Witch moviegoers), something's working. The real test will be next weekend, when it expands to more cities and theaters. (Karen) There has been a ton of publicity: Pierce Brosnan has been on all the shows and TV is saturated with ads. I heard a TV commercial this a.m. claiming TCA had \"the most sizzling performances of the decade!\" Yowza! Sounds like it'll push Runaway Bride out of first place at the BO this weekend. TCA should be renamed 'Entrapment With Two Actors Far More Compatible in Age'. Naahh--too long :-D"}, {"response": 671, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (15:20)", "body": "Liked what Arty-4 wrote at the IMDb: \"Especially fine is Colin Firth, who plays the narrator's boyish, sexy and definitely oddball father. Every time I see this actor I marvel at how he manages to display so many conflicting emotions and thoughts while seeming never to move a muscle. And he's gorgeous to look upon, too...My only reservation about the acting is with Robbie Norman as the kid; he is cute in a freckle-faced way but not very expressive (especially set beside Firth).\" He/she is an excellent judge of acting abilities! (she adds objectively) (Allison) Well it is tabloid size..... Hmmmm, on my monitor, they look about the same! ;-D"}, {"response": 672, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (17:48)", "body": "(Bethan)I noticed in Paris that there's a very vibrant West African community.. A film like SLOW (hey, I can't leave this alone!) set in Cannes, would definitely attract some attention there in the arthouse outlets. Bethan, the French film marketaudience is v. small. Pl. do not take this as perverse nationalism...but a film really has to make it in the US..more$$$. Incidentally, I do keep my monthly call to the bank...ask them if they put SLOW through the shredder yet.No, they say...\"still here\" ***** Hey Pierce Brosnan has been working his buns off on TV...as did Tom Cruise and Nicole for EWS. And these guys don't even need exposure (pun not intended). They're A-1 bankable stars!! I don't think Colin \"get's it\".But's that's ok by me. ****** (Ann)Re; MLSF... think I would prefer to see it in Brighton I think it would be\" more funner\"to see it at the London Premiere. Maybe \"The Star\" would even show up since it's in his own backyard. **** Did I mention that I heard from Adi who missed MLSF by a day in LA, but hopes to see it in Chicago. Karen gave me the theatre and address which I passed on."}, {"response": 673, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (18:16)", "body": "(Evelyn) Hey Pierce Brosnan has been working his buns off on TV... LOL!! And I hear we're going to see those 45+ year-old buns on the screen! Yippee!! I'm all for equal-time exposure. Unlike a certain short stocky guy who let his wife take it all off! ;-p ...just a few more hours... I'm hyperventilating ;-D"}, {"response": 674, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (18:43)", "body": "(Karen)...just a few more hours... I'm hyperventilating ;-D Here's a brown paper bag for you--breathe deeply--wouldn't want you passing out in the movie theater. Have a great time!"}, {"response": 675, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (19:30)", "body": "Maybe \"The Star\" would even show up since it's in his own backyard. Sure hope so! Though I have to say (in his defence!) that even when he does turn up for things (SIL premiere in the UK, Cannes MLSF premiere) the camera never seems to pan in his direction. BBC News 24 carried a nightly report on the Cannes Film Festival for its duration, with a Brit focus, so the coverage was almost always on British actors...Catherine Z-J, Ewan McG, Jude Law, Nigel Hawthorne, Emily Watson, RE, etcetera, etcetera. On the night of the MLSF premiere, they showed Liz Taylor and Minnie Drive , and mentioned AMFAR, and then foused on Ben Affleck, either going to or leaving the event, and devoted the rest of the slot to him! No mention or shot of CF, although he must have been milling about in the background. I've yet to see him on British TV as \"himself\", although I'm still hoping! :-) Glad to hear that SLOW hasn't hit the shredder yet, Evelyn. Thanks for keeping in touch on this one! I'll phone Working Title again in a few days re BJD...their pre-production office must be up and running by now!"}, {"response": 676, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (20:23)", "body": "Mari was kind enough to find this : There's a Film Scouts video interview with Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio re: MLSF at: http://www.filmscouts.com/scripts/clips.cfm?Film=my-life Takes a while to load... and there are pauses...hang in there..it's worth it. Thank you , Mari."}, {"response": 677, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (20:34)", "body": "I give up! there is MORE to life!!!! and there are MANY good movies out there that don't have CF in them."}, {"response": 678, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (20:43)", "body": "(Laura) ....I give up! Sorry, Laura, you won't convert us.... it's a hopeless case....m'dear.. But why don't you try another cause? **** BTW Re: the MEM video...I looked at it on the Real Player link."}, {"response": 679, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (21:02)", "body": "Laura, you crack me up. Can't you tell we LOVE to pull your chain? Guess 'cause it's so easy! Love that Arty-4. Got to be a woman. Karen, I hope your IMdb review is already to post full of exaltations about DB. No need to edit your comments after you see it, I'm sure. ;-)"}, {"response": 680, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (00:06)", "body": "I give up! there is MORE to life!!!! and there are MANY good movies out there that don't have CF in them. Oh, please... And I really hoped you had gone to live it somewhere else in that Firthless world of yours."}, {"response": 681, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (00:21)", "body": "Well, since I know you're going to want to respond to the above, Laura, let me say first that most of us are kidding you. It's fun to be outrageous about Colin. This is the place to do it. You can't really think that we can't expand our horizons beyond him so you must be kidding us too. Joke noted. Next subject."}, {"response": 682, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (03:16)", "body": "...and here I am, huge smile on my face, having seen a perfectly adorable movie to be greeted by.... argh. No more."}, {"response": 683, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (03:36)", "body": "(Karen) Jana!! What's going on in Tucson? There's a User Comment posted for MLSF at the IMDb. That Tango person couldn't possibly have seen the movie? Redgrave? Dover? What movie did he/she see? Why don't you give the local art house a ring to find if and when they're going to show MLSF. Checked it out and MLSF is not on their schedule (local art house). Will keep inquiring at other places though."}, {"response": 684, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (06:36)", "body": "and arn't you going to tell us about it Karen, please, please, please."}, {"response": 685, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (12:05)", "body": "Yes Karen, please! November is a lo-o-ng way away for us poor folks in the UK. In fact, I think it's odds on that up here in the provinces, I'll see \"Turn of the Screw\" before MLSF if it only gets a limited release. :-( News of a kind. I phoned Working Title and asked yet again about BJD and when they will start filming. Answer \"in a couple of months, most likely October, although no actual date has been scheduled yet\". So it is this year. Hope it doesn't clash with 3DOR. If he does do MD (remember that mortgage!), he'll be very busy, but at leat everything is London-based."}, {"response": 686, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (16:00)", "body": "Sorry I didn't post last night, but I felt a little deflated after reading the ugliness here. So here goes, AnnW: Arrived early, as I didn't want there to be any possibility that I would be turned away for lack of seats. The most bizarre crowd had already assembled. Most were of retiree age, although there were younger people here and there. The most bizarre stood right behind me in line. [I know I digress but I haven't seen anything like this in ages.] She had dyed blonde big hair and foundation makeup in a tanned tone about an inch thick. Under the makeup, who knows what age, but likely in her 50s or better. Escorting her was a younger man with dyed strawberry blondish wavy hair that was plastered to the sides of his head. I'm not sure where these people came from. I asked where she had gotten her tickets and she said a co-worker had given them to her. Behind them was a nice older couple and I spoke to the wife. She said they had done a radio call in for the tickets. I checked my other ticket and sure enough a classical radio station was listed as a sponsor, along with the Chicago Sun Times and Crabtree Evelyn. The classical station was not the main one in town either. I hope Miramax is reading this as the firm that handles its publicity here couldn't promote itself out of a paperbag. These people are not going to get people to this film. They are not opinionmakers! They should have given it to Cinema Chicago and let its membership see it. Those people love film, see it all, and can appreciate film. Off my soapbox and onto the film. This film is Godiva-level eye candy for Firth followers. Yowza!! From beginning to end not only does he look fantastic in all the white pants and especially the glasses, but his acting!! Oh Louisa, the acting! I have to say that this is his best role to date. He is the film, even more so than wee Fraser. Initially, I was apprehensive that he was another buffoonish character or a dislikable character like Wessex. But it is neither. I wasn't at all cringing at the laughter. It was genuinely funny. This is an eccentric character with the financial means to spend his time in pursuit of outrageous inventions of all sorts. Nothing at all painful to watch about his comical pursuit of newfangled thingamabobs. Colin really acts his socks off in this one but in his patented subtle way. The facial expressions you are going to love, especially the one at the end. When I said that this isn't a Geoffrey or Wessex type character, it runs closer to Paul Ashworth as he was another man-child. But it isn't Paul either. Edward is a totally different incarnation of that basic type. Edward, as you all know, is capable of lust and betrayal. More on this on Topic 121 [Yeah!! I'm finally able to go see what's going on there and to put in my two cents about you know what!!] Contrary to some of the reviews, I didn't find anything dragging in this movie - not even the first half. Yes, it would appear that certain aspects of the movie suffered as a result of the editing process - certain insufficiently explained characters. I'm sure there must have been more because all the others are so well-fleshed out. Strangely enough, one of the most enjoyable aspects of viewing the movie was watching as the scenes we've all seen in the photographs came unto the screen. It was a very weird feeling as you'd see the scene and the characters moving into place for the still shot. I can't add anything about the cinematography that hasn't already been said. Gorgeous, positively gorgeous. All the actors were marvelous and I had no problem with the kid. As for my personal highlights, I'd have to list in no particular order: Colin racing up the stairs (several times), Colin teaching the kids to cast to Beethoven's Fifth, Colin in the kilt with sporran prominently displayed (too bad there wasn't a huge gale of wind), the infamous dinner table scene (he looks sooooo good), watching th home movie with Fraser and of course the dancing. yum yum The audience reaction was very good. Lots of laughter and a smattering of applause at the end. There were audience reaction cards to fill out for Miramax and will tell you about that elsewhere. The nice lady behind me in line saw me in the lobby and asked how I liked it. She thought it was very funny and enjoyed it immensely. I forgot to mention that I had told her and her husband all about it beforehand and pointed out that they should take particular notice of Colin. That's all for now and I have to run off. More later and on 121. Can't wait to see the movie again either Friday or Saturday or Sunday or all of the above!"}, {"response": 687, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (16:05)", "body": "One last thing and not a spoiler. Colin has a new walk that he does in addition to his characteristic loping one. There's this hip-hopping thing with Moira after the church scene. It's set in a field and the same rock where everybody seems to sit and pose for pics. Adorable!! ;-D"}, {"response": 688, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (17:13)", "body": "I'm not sure where these people came from Planet Zarg? C'mon over to 121!"}, {"response": 689, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (17:21)", "body": "Ann, Bethan, I believe Karen has probably posted her comments on 121... Haven't been there yet, but check it out, I may be right!"}, {"response": 690, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (17:26)", "body": "Ooops! I should have checked again before posting. I'm sorry. Loved reading the repost, Karen, it's almost as good as having been there! (Ok, ok, I'm trying to be brave about it too- but it is, in a sense!) I *shall* read the \"spoilers\" ;-)"}, {"response": 691, "author": "quimby2", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (17:57)", "body": "I have visited on and off for the past couple of years and wanted to say hello. It's nice to see so much activity. I've missed the private pictures--how can I see them? I don't even know who all to ask. I also wonder if anyone has had trouble logging in one day with a password that was perfectly good the day before. Anyway, it's nice to see that the more things change, the more they stay the same."}, {"response": 692, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (19:48)", "body": "Great, Karen. His BEST role to date??!!! Sounds almost scary. Just how good can he get? Hello, quimby."}, {"response": 693, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (21:36)", "body": "Laura, I agree there are some good films out there without CF, but they would be even BETTER if he was in them!!! No publicity in my part of Australia yet for MLSF. My sources from another part of the country are saying 2 September - 27 days."}, {"response": 694, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (21:45)", "body": "Thanks for your review Karen. I can't remember when I so looked forward to seeing a film. I have already advised my friends that I am cancelling any arrangements previously made for the weekend that MLSF starts in my area. Of course, they all realise that they come second to Colin, so they were not surprised."}, {"response": 695, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (22:58)", "body": "The anticipation for MLSF is heightened even more. Thanks, Karen. Would you say he's in even more scenes than Fever Pitch where I must say I usually fast forward through Paul as a kid scenes. How delightful to see him featured so prominently and beautifully."}, {"response": 696, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (23:47)", "body": "Joke noted. Next subject. Spoilsport. ;-)"}, {"response": 697, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (23:56)", "body": "Joke noted. Next subject. ] Um, shall I start one?"}, {"response": 698, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (00:24)", "body": "Sorry I was at the \"friendly confines\" today, most painless way of getting a tan but probably cost me more than your going to Dallas to see MLSF, Evelyn. And the Chicago Cubs aren't anywhere near as cute as Colin and they lost. Oh well, the kiddies had fun. :-) I haven't been to 121 yet but will do so shortly. (Elena) Just how good can he get? Very very good. Colin and his character carry this film. What's so interesting is that Edward runs a full gamut of emotions. He's basically a child so think about it and what you can expect from a child. Try picturing that in the body of a grownup) without it looking ridiculous. (Cathey) I have already advised my friends that I am cancelling any arrangements previously made for the weekend that MLSF starts in my area. What excellent organizational and interpersonal skills you have! ;-D Thank goodness I have no *family* commitments this weekend for they shall not see me. (Heide) Would you say he's in even more scenes than Fever Pitch That's hard to say because the *other* scenes (non-Colin scenes) aren't as long as the young Paul flashback scenes. There are a few here and there of Gamma and Morris; Gamma and Fraser; Fraser alone doing various things; Heloise and Fraser; and Heloise and Moira's duet with Fraser watching. But they are short and we're back to Colin in no time at all. So it will be minor fast-forwarding in the future. And last, but not least, my welcome to quimby! Look forward to seeing your comments on all the boards. ;-D"}, {"response": 699, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (00:26)", "body": "And ladies, pay close attention to the curling scene. At the very beginning you will see two men walking across the ice doing an inspection. The bigger guy is our Head Curler Len!! :-)"}, {"response": 700, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (01:02)", "body": "This from Mari, bless her, who was in contact with Miramax: \"I just talked to Miramax, and here are the U.S. cities in which it will open tomorrow. Note: it's a different list than what we previously thought--some of you will be very pleasantly surprised: Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Chicago, Minneapolis, Dallas, Seattle, San Francisco. More info: They hope to expand in the coming weeks--but it will depend on how it does. \" ***** Sounds as though the demographics don't include the very young who patronize the movies. **** ACTION -TIME: SF that's you SB....Seattle,.. KJArt?.....Washington DC...Emma? Boston...c'mon Laura..be a sport...we want your input, (and quit the sh**! we don't have time for that now!!) I'll do Dallas; Heide and Mari... Philly. Any lurker out there from Minneapolis? We want reviews from all over. And then on to IMDb..for an earful!! Busy weekend!!"}, {"response": 701, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (01:20)", "body": "Another good Review of MLSF..... from Mari: Here's a good one at James Berardinelli's site. High praise for Colin. Go to: http://www.movie-reviews.colossus.net/master.html . . .and click on MLSF right at the top."}, {"response": 702, "author": "quimby2", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (06:05)", "body": "(Karen) my welcome to quimby What a _wonderful_ greeting! The flower opens and closes and everything! I've never seen anything like it! I'm not normally one for exclamation points, but I have used a lot of them since I've tiptoed out of lurkdom. What a nice bunch you all are. I feel quite at home. One good turn deserves another. I'll leap right in and tell you my deep dark secret. It has to do with, um, well, opening and closing, as it were. I got the idea ages ago. Somewhere on these boards--forgive me for not remembering the clever woman who put me up to this... Remember the .WAV file that someone had set up to come on when she turned on her computer that said, \"You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.\"? In the past few weeks I saw that someone here had posted (pointed the way? don't remember) more wav files, so I rewired my whole setup. Now every time a program opens, closes, everytime the computer would beep or shriek or burp or whatever, I have a different sound clip. It's awfully fun to hear your favorite sentences over and over and over and over again. And since Windoze 98 is such a piggy operating system, those programs are opening and closing, and things are crashing and leaping like a grass hut in a hurricane, just in the _normal_ course of Windoze affairs. So I hear lots and lots of the e sentences. Warms a girl's ....er...heart. It took a tiny bit of doing to edit a clip or two, but once I got the hang of it it took no time at all. How many times a day to you want to hear him say, \"Come back to bed.\"?"}, {"response": 703, "author": "quimby2", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (06:23)", "body": "I'll try to retrace my steps and send my thanks to the woman who made it all possible (Ms. WAV) as well as the one who inspired me (My Heroine). I wish I could send flowers along with the thanks but if you're reading this before I find you, maybe it's the thought that counts? Maybe someday I can do moving flowers..."}, {"response": 704, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (12:43)", "body": "Here's Roger Ebert's newspaper review. He gave it 3 stars http://www.suntimes.com/output/ebert1/life06f.html Quimby, the flowers were nothing. Think no more of it. :-)"}, {"response": 705, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (12:56)", "body": "BTW, saw Malcolm McDowell on Conan O'Brien last night. He was introduced as appearing in the new film MLSF that opens nationwide, but the conversation was about Star Trek, William Shatner, Stanley Kubrick and Fantasy Island. At the very end, before his segment was up, the movie was mention and out spewed Malcolm's lines: It's funny, good, etc., go see it. About 10 seconds worth of publicity. No film clip either. Was hoping for that as Malcolm's best scenes are with Colin. Can't imagine they would s ow him strolling around the grounds with Gamma. ;-D The Washington Post's review - didn't like it, but did acknowledge (not by name) the fine acting: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/movies/reviews/mylifesofarosullivan.htm"}, {"response": 706, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (13:03)", "body": "Don't know if this long link will work, but the Boston Globe's Jay Carr loved it, giving it 3-1/2 stars. He was completely taken in by it. http://ae.zip2.com/boston/scripts/staticpage.dll?only=y&spage=AE/movies/movies_details.htm&id=20572&ck=8074207&version=620632&ccity=Massachusetts&cstate=MA&adrVer=914595068&ver=e2.6"}, {"response": 707, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (13:28)", "body": "San Francisco Chronicle didn't like: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/1999/08/06/DD30567.DTL Dallas Morning News gave it 2-1/2 stars, didn't particularly like it. Evelyn, it is playing at UA Cine 1&2, 5540 Yale Blvd. Showtimes: 1:30, 3:35... You'll be able to do it. Also, there's a \"Map\" link! http://dfw.citysearch.com/E/E/DALTX/0001/55/54/cs1.html"}, {"response": 708, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (13:34)", "body": "Thanks Karen..you beat me to the Dallas review...Not too good from the heartland..but at least they didn't call him a \"lustless-lug\" which they did for ATA...!!Pigs!!"}, {"response": 709, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (13:47)", "body": "Minneapolis Star Tribune thought it was OK, gave it 3/5 stars: http://www.startribune.com/ (go to link for \"Variety\" The Philadelphia Inquirer gave it a positive review: http://www.phillynews.com/inquirer/99/Aug/06/weekend/LIFE06.htm Nearly done... Seattle Times gave it 2-1/2 stars: http://ae.zip2.com/seattletimes/scripts/staticpage.dll?only=y&spage=AE/movies/movies_details.htm&id=20572&ck=&ccity=Federal+Way&cstate=WA&adrVer=918781678&ver=e2.7 This guy actually commented the most about Colin's performance and seems to know his work and career choices pretty well. Here's the paragraph: \"Only when the plot thickens does Edward acquire a human side, and only then does Firth get a chance to plow into the role. Having established himself as a heartthrob with the television production of \"Pride and Prejudice,\" Firth seems to be seeking out parts that aren't conventional leading-man material - the betrayed husband in \"The English Patient,\" the cuckolded fiance in \"Shakespeare in Love\" - and he once more does an admirable job of portraying a less-than- admirable character.\" Couldn't find anything in the SF Examiner. SBRobinson?"}, {"response": 710, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (13:50)", "body": "you beat me to the Dallas review hee hee. Had expected to see all the review links posted by AnnW when I woke up, so I got to work! ;-D Did I miss any of the cities?"}, {"response": 711, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (14:07)", "body": "Interesting, the Chicago Tribune printed the review from Barbara Shulgasser, the one that referred to Colin as looking like Tim Robbins (where was her review originally?). Strange it didn't print Wilmington's, but another bad review from elsewhere. Somebody in charge there doesn't like the principals from this movie. OK, I think I'm done."}, {"response": 712, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (15:45)", "body": "This is from the alternative Chicago paper and Jonathan Rosenbaum is a very well-respected critic. This is all they had up on the site, but will pick up the paper later today for the featured longer review. Don't know what it is as the website still had last week's info there. My Life So Far Capsule by Jonathan Rosenbaum From the Chicago Reader This charming adaptation of Son of Adam, the autobiography of British TV executive Sir Denis Forman, was left on the shelf for a while, and given that it's a Miramax production it's probably been tampered with. But though it fades fairly quickly from memory, it's a pretty flavorsome portrait of an eccentric family in the Scottish Highlands, complete with a crotchety inventor-father (Colin Firth), a more practical mother (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio), and lots of children and animals. Scripted by Simon Don ld and reuniting the director (Hugh Hudson) and producer (David Puttnam) of Chariots of Fire, this registers as a class act to be enjoyed more for the performances and period decor than for the mise en scene. With Rosemary Harris, Irene Jacob, Tcheky Karyo, and Malcolm McDowell."}, {"response": 713, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (16:53)", "body": "(quimby) \"Come back to bed.\" Yippeee! That\ufffds what I want..... um......but I can only imagine what my DH would have to say about such wav files :-( Wonder why men have so little sense of humour. (Evelyn) \"lustless-lug\" Very funny, you can\ufffdt be serious! And anyway, I don\ufffdt see why papers put men to criticize movies that are mainly watched by women, like ATA or MLSF. There\ufffds just no logic in it. Do we really need to know what some male ****** thinks about Colin? Ha ha"}, {"response": 714, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (18:31)", "body": "S.F. Examiner review for MLSF, not so good at http://examiner.com/990806/0806life.html"}, {"response": 715, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (18:50)", "body": "Colin is mentioned in current PEOPLE'S Mag... Meluchie has it posted in her FOF Periodical section. http://members.xoom.com/firthfiles/articles/99people0816.html ****** Thank you , Karen....for gettin up at dawn to have the reviews for us. And Ann. I haven't kept a good/bad log....Don't care....Am going anyway."}, {"response": 716, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (19:21)", "body": "Am I imagining things or is Colin talking about his Mother pretty often? I don\ufffdt remember him saying a thing about his dad in interviews but I remember some quotes from his mum, like in the AE interview: \"What? That\ufffds not period drama!\" (or how was it), and now this crowd scene thing. I like it that he seems to be very close to his mum and remembers what she has said years ago, and is even willing to talk about it in public!! A mother\ufffds boy, obviously."}, {"response": 717, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (20:23)", "body": "Wonder why men have so little sense of humour. Would you like him to have his gadgets greet him with a sexy female voice, inviting him to bed and so on? Would you not feel slighted? Don't forget that for men this is more a matter of asserting their male dominance over his territory and reproductive rights. Primitive instinct, yes, but that's nature and not really so funny if one feels threatened in some way. In other words, he doesn't want to share you or your thoughts and fantasies... so maybe it's best not to tell him too much about it... ;-)"}, {"response": 718, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (20:31)", "body": "A mother\ufffds boy Now that's interesting. I imagine you meant it purely as an innocent description, so obviously in your part of the world (northern Europe?) this expression has a neutral meaning, but where I come from (central Europe), it's close to an insult. Any other (inter)national takes on this one?"}, {"response": 719, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (21:08)", "body": "his territory and reproductive rights Lol!! And this is his computer too!.....Actually I have already told him too much but he seems to take it like a man, so far. But I guess there is a limit somewhere and those wav files could be it. it's close to an insult Okay, that was a bit provocatory from me, but only the term. I respect a man who respects his mother and my advice to any woman is: keep away from a guy who doesn\ufffdt show respect and love to his mother because eventually he\ufffdll treat you the same way."}, {"response": 720, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (21:59)", "body": "Just for the Boston people. MLSF is NOT playing in Boston at all. It is exclusive in Cambridge only. Harvard Square Loews on Church Street. That is the only place in MA it's playing. I knew it would not play in \"Boston\"; and Cambridge is NOT Boston!"}, {"response": 721, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (23:19)", "body": "A mother\ufffds boy Now that's interesting. I imagine you meant it purely as an innocent description, so obviously in your part of the world (northern Europe?) this expression has a neutral meaning, but where I come from (central Europe), it's close to an insult. Any other (inter)national takes on this one?"}, {"response": 722, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (23:37)", "body": "Ooops - that crappy program is at it again. I forgot that switching off and on makes it repost automatically. keep away from a guy who doesn\ufffdt show respect and love to his mother Absolutey. Yet he must also show the right sense of proportion and priorities. Someone I know got divorced because he always put his mother's and his siblings's needs before his wife's and eventually she refused to play second fiddle. It all boils down to the way one is brought up by one's parents. When a man gets married, his wife shouldn't be forced to compete with his mother's perfection."}, {"response": 723, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (23:49)", "body": "Picked up a short review in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Fri, Aug 6, 1999) but I have only a few minutes..I cannot find any online site it might have. It was by William Arnold and was cool toward the movie as a whole even though \"it was a quality production all around with a nostalgic glow that never turns into overt sentimentality, a loving feel for place/.../and a keen sense of the special joys of family life\". He gave it a B- for what he considered vagueness of the plot, but added, \"...the charact rs are individually multidimensional, constantly go against expectation and are well-acted, especially by Firth, a wonderful actor who rarely gets a part this big to show his stuff.\"!!! Obviously a man with good taste and in the know!"}, {"response": 724, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (00:23)", "body": "Thank you KJArt...that's a gracious comment: ... a wonderful actor who rarely gets a part this big to show his stuff.\" !!! No one has said anything derogatory about ODB....\"bumptious\"isn't bad. Where I come from ..A mother\ufffds boy is different from \"a mama's boy\". The former connotes not only respect, but admiration and affection. The latter connotes a co-dependency."}, {"response": 725, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (01:17)", "body": "Indeed so, from my experience,too, Evelyn."}, {"response": 726, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (01:48)", "body": "Yes, Marcia and Lafn, I come from the Area in which Colin was born. I agree to have a good relationship with your mother implies a good husband mainly because he would respect women. The only downside is the comparison that can be made between mother and wife. Did I read somewhere that C.F. claimed attention from his father and rarely received it. I am not sure about this but his father was a schoolteacher, my brother is one and his eldest daughter went into some rebellion as he never seemed to notice her need for his attention. A thought"}, {"response": 727, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (01:54)", "body": "Thanks AnnW and KJ for finding the additional reviews. OK, have seen it again at horrible downtown art house--one of the worst possible places to watch movies. argh!! However, they were handing out audience response cards... For the ladies going to see the movie tomorrow, pay careful attention to the aerial shot of the top of Colin's head at the beginning when he rescues wee Fraser and lifts him up to crowd waiting anxiously below. *oh my* it's worse than we imagined. :( (Don't jump out of your seat, Evelyn or Heide!)"}, {"response": 728, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (02:05)", "body": "The SF Examiner critic appears to know Colin's abilities. He said, \"The story of Fraser's philandering inventor father (played by a squandered-again Firth)...\" He think like us overall, but I do think Colin does an excellent job with this role. It is so robust, not the least stiff or wooden. ;-p"}, {"response": 729, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (02:34)", "body": "Another good MLSF review today: the Boston Herald (the other daily in town) gives it 3 stars. About CF, reviewer James Verniere says: \"Firth, an actor who has not found his niche, is quite good as Edward. But the role is almost impossible, especially after Edward is smitten by Heloise's charms and must act like a perfect father one moment and perfect fool the next.\" I'm clueless about how to add links, but the rest of the review is at www.bostonherald.com and click on movies. Karen, loved your MLSF comments. And thanks to everyone for posting all the review links. I must figure out how to do this:-)"}, {"response": 730, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (02:35)", "body": "*oh my* it's worse than we imagined. But that was two years ago. How can two years ago be worse than 5 months ago? Has he been seeking your services, Gi?"}, {"response": 731, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (06:37)", "body": "Karen, last night was the official opening night, how big was the audience and how did their reaction compare to Wednesdays and did you fill in another audience response card?!!"}, {"response": 732, "author": "quimby", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (06:56)", "body": "so maybe it's best not to tell him too much *****only causes trouble. I turn the speakers off or way down when others are about. keep away from a guy who doesn\ufffdt show respect and love to his mother because eventually he\ufffdll treat you the same way his wife shouldn't be forced to compete with his mother's perfection. **********I think both things, myself. Except I'd say, his mother, period. No one sane thinks his mother is perfect, but there is that cloud, that imprint of his wishful thinking and unfulfilled needs that are a pain in the ***. Of course, the same is true for me and my parent \"issues\". As I get older (and (I'm oh so old now), though, I do watch to see if someone likes or respects his mother or other significant women. It's not a dealbreaker for a friendship, but I keep what I've noticed clearly in mi d as I go about that relationship. I might add, there are other things in the wav files--I was just being dramatic. \"Talk to me\" is a great one. \"Can you keep a secret?\" \"You have to marry me.\" \"What's the problem?\" (that's for when I hit Help. And so on. I'm allowed a phase now and then."}, {"response": 733, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (07:55)", "body": "Thanks for all the reviews, and, Karen, for your very enthusiatic report!(And we still have to wait months and months!)It's obviously not everyone's kind of movie, but when the reviews are good, they are always very, very good. And there's never any criticism of the acting...glad to see that critics realise that CF has been short-changed in recent roles. I sometimes wonder (Re the comment about an actor who has not found his niche) whether his versatility means that he doesn't automatically come to mind w en producers are casting. Hugh Grant, RF, RE etc. are associated with certain kinds of roles and get the leads. Re. \"mother's boy\" (not derogatory!) I remember reading an interview with his parents a few years back. His mum seemed to be the chatty one, and said nice things about him, like he had a great capacity for friendship and was always very loyal to his girl friends. His dad said that he was surprised when Colin said he wanted to be an actor, although he remembered that he had enjoyed pretending to be Batman when he was a little boy! Mind you, given the unreliability of our press, it's entirely conceivable th t neither of his parents said anything! bTW, Karen, basic question. Is he sexy/cute/attractive in MLSF (and more importantly would he also appear so to the unconverted?) and does he, for once, get to wear flattering clothes (as opposed to boller suits (TEP) and pantaloons (SIL)? :-)"}, {"response": 734, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (07:56)", "body": "(Bethan)The reporter then said something like \"Cate is also reported to have been offered the lead in the soon-to-b -filmed BJD..Colin Firth is expected to co-star\". I dragged this over from #80. I thought my ramblings would be better here. If CF is to do this and filming is to start in October, he will have been seriously busy. I wonder why? Many of the parts he has chosen to do this year appear to be eminently refuseable, so why has he chosen to be so busy? Mortgages aside, my favourite theory is: 1998, one fat cheque for SIL, rest of the year, househunting. 1999, make as much money as possible, Livia gets house in shape. 2000, another dirth of Firth for paternity leave. Ahhhh!"}, {"response": 735, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (08:19)", "body": "Allison, of Colin's roles this year which ones do you consider \"eminently refuseable\", 3DOR, his first appearance on stage in 4/5 years?, DQ sounds good to me and directed by the chap who directed the Lakes? forget his name and it is about time he returned to TV, TTOTS, this also sounds good to me, is with ITV so he should get a good audience and I have a good feeling for this one and again it will be good to see him back on our TV screens, Londiniun, well I get the feeling that he has the lead role here and it sounds as if it already has a Distributor, read somewhere that it would be released next year. (gosh what a long sentence). Finally RV, not so sure about this one, Colin as a drunken blue-blood (BB's description in the Daily Mail) but it does have a good cast and this is NC's year and finally 3DOR returning by \"Public Demand\".However, I hope your idea of a dirth of Firth is mistaken, long may he continue to be busy. One theory I read somewhere is that he may retire at 40, so perhaps he is trying t fit in as many roles as possible until then!!"}, {"response": 736, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (08:35)", "body": "Well, interesting theory! \"Eminently refusable\"...I dunno, I think he's had a good year. Obviously wants to stay at home and work in London though!! A short and long theatre run (and critically acclaimed), Donovan Quick for TV (also expect this to be good), Londinium (could be good) and then two parallel roles squeezed into the summer. RV has an excellent ensemble cast. I think \"The Master\" will be a supporting role, but TOTS should be a high-class prioduction. At least we'll see him ( says she selfishly!) and can have an instant ideo recording! I know that TV work is considered the \"poor relation\" of movies, but I think there are quite a few advantages in mixing work...and P&P was TV! Thanks for dragging over my BJD item, Allison! Heard it on Radio 5 yeaterday. Anyway all this activity will mean that he can afford to do the 3DOR run and still pay the bills! Paternity leave? Well, always a possibility! :-)"}, {"response": 737, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (10:31)", "body": "*oh my* it's worse than we imagined. I can\ufffdt take it very negatively, I think it can be sexy and masculine too....and that\ufffds what it\ufffds really all about of course (= dihydrotestosteron (!!). I hereby declare that losing his hair won\ufffdt change my feelings for him. another dirth of Firth for paternity leave. I agree, that\ufffds probable pretty soon and wouldn\ufffdt it be sweet. Maybe he wants to stay in London because Livia is......?? But whenever it happens, I\ufffdm sure that he\ufffdll return to business pretty quickly."}, {"response": 738, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (13:07)", "body": "Allison, of Colin's roles this year which ones do you consider \"eminently refuseable\", Well, not 3DOR or DQ. TOTS I think will be high profile in the UK though probably a small part. Colin dressed as a victorian gent on Christmas Day could do terrible things to female hormone levels in the UK this Yule. Londinium. Well I do not see any sign of a distributor. They say it is to be released next year but in the immortal words of Mandy Rice-Davis...they would say that... RV, like Londinium, has a less than stellar cast and his is not the main role. Will be eclipsed by RE in Blythe Spirit..Cannot see it being big box office. Has more of a TV feel about it. Sorry to disparage but I only meant to point out that neither RV nor L were parts he just HAD to take."}, {"response": 739, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (14:12)", "body": "True Allison, how do you feel about BJD, though?"}, {"response": 740, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (15:14)", "body": "May I just add a thought about the \"mother's boy\" theory? It is a part of latin male chauvinism for men to respect their mothers and even worship them, but think of *all* other women as trash. I therefore believe that a man's respect for his ex(es) is more indicative of his attitude towards women that respect for his mother."}, {"response": 741, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (15:44)", "body": "(AnnW) how big was the audience and how did their reaction compare to Wednesdays and did you fill in another audience response card?!! I went to the first showing at 5:40 pm. The audience was very sparse and on the older side. Initially, it was pretty quiet, but soon enough they realized it was a comedy. Huge laughter at the end scene. I filled out the card, which was slightly different from the ones I've done in the past. This one had a section to give Miramax your email address for notification of upcoming events, etc. Also asked what induced you to see this movie. All sorts of advertising methods were listed, but Miramax barely advertised this movie (no TV, no trailers). Should have indicated that...next time. ;-D There were half-page b&w ads in the Friday newspapers though. The low attendance must in part be due to the theater. I don't know how to explain what an awful place that is to watch films. You have to be a glutton for punishment to go there and to the other \"serious\" arthouse. Both are very old converted places, with bad screens and hard uncomfortable seats. Moreover there isn't a suffiencient slope, rendering subtitles unreadable. When I've gone to these theaters for subtitled films, as soon as they appear, people are getting up all over the place, changing se ts. Looks like a game. I can think of several better places to show this film. (Bethan) whether his versatility means that he doesn't automatically come to mind when producers are casting. Hugh Grant, RF, RE etc. are associated with certain kinds of roles and get the leads. I think HG went through a period of tryint not to be typecast in roles. Those memorable films like the Man Who Went Up the Hill, the doctor suspense one, etc. But he failed. Now, he's found his niche and appears content to do the Cary Grant screwball thing. Mickey Blue Eyes is going to be very big. There's been incredible audience reaction to the trailers on this one. (Bethan) His mum seemed to be the chatty one Good point! Fathers rarely speak. Moms love to talk about their children and are the ones who remember all the childhood stuff. (Bethan) Is he sexy/cute/attractive in MLSF (and more importantly would he also appear so to the unconverted?) Most definitely, he looks really good, very attractive. To the uncoverted, he should look very handsome. He has no competition in that regard in this film. Sexy? Since there's only one onscreen kiss (and MEM's shawl covers his shoulders so we can't see any action there), it would be viewed more as a romantic, flawed hero. and does he, for once, get to wear flattering clothes YES!!!! All the clothes are great and he wears them so well. (AnnW) Londiniun, well I get the feeling that he has the lead role...and it sounds as if it already has a Distributor I don't know about that. Haven't we seen him listed third? Behind Mike Binder and Mariel Hemingway. I haven't read anything about a distributor. Where did you? Relative Values definitely has one though. (Bethan) Obviously wants to stay at home and work in London though!! Could be that he believes there are enough of the kind of roles he likes for him to stay in London. He's just not interested in vying for Hollywood movies. Another theory, is that he's working so much so that he can take time off to form his own production company and I'm not referring to the production of bambinos. ;-D"}, {"response": 742, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (16:18)", "body": "Karen\"next time-\", you mean you are going again, you lucky thing you. Is it only showing at one theatre in the whole of town?!!"}, {"response": 743, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (16:19)", "body": "Karen\"next time-\", you mean you are going again, you lucky thing you. Is it only showing at one theatre in the whole of town?!! Also Karen how does it rate amongst other CF films?"}, {"response": 744, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (17:02)", "body": "MLSF is showing at the smallest theatre in Wash., DC, the theatre seats only about 75, with a huge column in the middle! The screen is not much larger than a classroom blackboard...I'm not complaining, just wished it was showing at a theatre with a larger screen. Yes, db looks dashing in the clothes, and there were some fine closeups, but I missed a lot of the details and really need to go to a couple more shows..."}, {"response": 745, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (17:22)", "body": "Yes do go a couple more times Emma, and if everyone else does, then it might bt a minor hit and widen to more cities and we may get it sooner rather than later.(There's method in my madness!) BTW Karen, I have not heard anything with regard to a Distributor for \"L\" but I just assumed that as it said the film would be in our cinemas next year that it had one. Also I have never heard of MB, I just thought he was the writer/director? who was giving himself a cameo role or something."}, {"response": 746, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (17:50)", "body": "(Emma) I'm not complaining Oh come on, join the club. I don't want to be the only one. ;-D just wished it was showing at a theatre with a larger screen. I noticed the difference between Wednesday (new, modern theater with huge screen) and Friday (third-rate cinema for masochists). That glorious cinematography was made to be projected on a big screen. [Actually, I was very worried during the previews when that stupid ad starring the NASCAR drivers was showing and all their heads were cutoff. I've never seen that before anywhere.] A column in the middle? Ours were toward the rear of the seating area! Re: Londinium I've never seen anything that Mike Binder has appeared in either. His newest movie, The Sex Monster, has had some limited showings but no mainstream distribution yet. Sounded like he is doing the writing, directing and starring in that one. His brother is the producer. Their production co. is named MollieB Productions. I assume that is their mother's name. ;-D Hey, Miramax is named after Harvey and Bob Weinstein's parents (Miriam and Max), so why not?"}, {"response": 747, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (17:58)", "body": "re Miramax - That's interesting Karen, you learn something new everyday. I'm confused, is MLSF showing at two cinemas in Chicago and presumably the masochistic one is nearer for you. Do you plan to go again Karen? I guess Evelyn is on her way to Dallas to see it, what a trouper"}, {"response": 748, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (18:00)", "body": "forgot to say that there is a very good review in the Toronto Sun, where it is is playing at two theatres."}, {"response": 749, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (18:11)", "body": "It is only playing at one theater in Chicago. I plan to go again on Sunday as I can find *illegal* parking on the street in that area then, whereas any other day I would have to take a bus or aboveground (tube-type) train there for fear of being towed. :-0 It SHOULD be playing at one of the north suburban cinemas that does art films, like the Evanston or Wilmette (the Northwestern University crowd) or the Deerbrook. People in those areas do support films like this and they hate to come Downtown for a movie and won't! Can't wait to hear Evelyn's and Heide's reactions!"}, {"response": 750, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (18:18)", "body": "I'm confused Karen because you said one cinema on Wednesday was large and new and had a big screen and Friday's was the masochistic one!!?? Also you haven't said how you rate MLSF."}, {"response": 751, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (18:21)", "body": "There is a very good review for MLSF at Entertainment Asylum and you can also rate it, at the moment it has 3stars not bad. Just scroll down page to MLSF http://www.asylum.com/cgi-bin/aggregate?aggregator=movies"}, {"response": 752, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (18:21)", "body": "I'm confused Karen because you said one cinema on Wednesday was large and new and had a big screen and Friday's was the masochistic one!!?? Also you haven't said how you rate MLSF."}, {"response": 753, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (18:26)", "body": "Karen, did you pick up the Chicago Reader with the full review for MLSF and if so what did it say."}, {"response": 754, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (18:38)", "body": "(Karen) I don't know how to explain what an awful place that is to watch films. You have to be a glutton for punishment to go there and to the other \"serious\" arthouse. (Emma) the theatre seats only about 75, with a huge column in the middle! Perhaps they are all run by Adrian LeDuc? He looked really sinister and threatening in that last shot, and I always wondered what he was up to. ;-)"}, {"response": 755, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (18:39)", "body": "Wednesday was a special screening of MLSF. It is not playing at that complex. I believe *all* 3 of their screens are showing Runaway Bride! I kid you not. I seem to recall that before they were all showing Entrapment. Very bizarre. Yes, I picked up the Reader and that's all he wrote. The main review was on The Thomas Crown Affair and there were two Critic's Choice ones for Trick and Xiu Xiu: The Send Down Girl. What Rosenbaum wrote was very good. Janet even emailed me to express her surprise and pleasure. Thanks for mentioning the Toronto Sun one. Took awhile to find it. Here is the link: http://www.canoe.ca/JamMoviesReviewsM/mylifesofar_kirkland.html Susan, doing links is easy. Just go to the location bar at top. Highlight and copy via tool bar or right clicking on mouse. Then paste here. Easy as pie. :-)"}, {"response": 756, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (19:41)", "body": "(Karen) I don't know how to explain what an awful place that is to watch films. You have to be a glutton for punishment to go there and to the other \"serious\" arthouse. (Emma) the theatre seats only about 75, with a huge column in the middle! Perhaps they are all run by Adrian LeDuc? He looked really sinister and threatening in that last shot, and I always wondered what he was up to. ;-)"}, {"response": 757, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (19:43)", "body": "(AnnW) you learn something new everyday and, interestingly, we are back on topic: mother's boys ;-D (Renate) Perhaps they are all run by Adrian LeDuc? I could see the other one (the Music Box) being owned by Adrian and it is in the right neighborhood. ;-D But this one is owned by the big Loews Cineplex chain. He looked really sinister and threatening in that last shot, and I always wondered what he was up to. ;-) Holding wine tastings at home, perhaps?"}, {"response": 758, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (19:57)", "body": "Oh, B******! Recalled a nanosecond too late to leave the program before hitting refresh! Ok, there are worse things in life. F.e. having to wait half a year for Edward Pettigrew to come to a theatre from hell around here :-). Thanks for all the reviews, and welcome to all newbies."}, {"response": 759, "author": "quimby", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (20:19)", "body": "(Gi) man's respect for his ex(es) *******very good point. And a good indicator for any culture, I would imagine. (The net is great, to be able to talk to people in far-flung places and be reminded of or learn things.)"}, {"response": 760, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (20:34)", "body": "Did I read somewhere that C.F. claimed attention from his father and rarely received it Did you? Where, where? :-) \"Firth, an actor who has not found his niche...\" But has he been looking for one? it's entirely conceivable that neither of his parents said anything! According to Colin - quoted in yet another source... - his proud mother's chirpy reminiscences were conveniently copied (and somewhat modified, as he implied with disgust) by the national press from an interview published in a regional paper (I believe he described it as a village newssheet or something) a little before his Darcy phase. One theory I read somewhere is that he may retire at 40 He was openly musing on this possibility in the Radio Times interview. But not very recently."}, {"response": 761, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (20:59)", "body": "(Renata) Perhaps they are all run by Adrian LeDuc? LOL, I'll look for Adrian when I go back on Thursday. OK, just returned from my second viewing of MLSF, and yes, it's better the second time around. Like most Colin films, it just gets better each time. I'm definitely doing my best to boost the attendence for MLSF, my daughter has already seen it, next up is a friend, then my son and maybe even my dh."}, {"response": 762, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (21:10)", "body": "Well done Emma, you could end up going 5/6 times! BTW where is Winter, I wonder if she has seen MLSF?"}, {"response": 763, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (21:54)", "body": "MLSF is playing in downtown Philly, good location in the historic district, and also in suburban Philly across the river in New Jersey, I believe Mari said in a multiplex. The downtown Philly theatre is a two-theatre arts cinema but is modern, good seats, no columns blocking the view though the sound seemed muted to me. Could be my aging ears. Crowd was mixed, mostly middleaged though some younger - quite a few men though I did notice several men getting up in the middle of the film. Hey, it wasn't tha long...couldn't they hold off to use the toilet? I don't know how many people the theatre holds. I'd say it was half full so maybe 50-75 people were there at the first showing when I went. A lot of laughter at the right moments. People were laughing even at spots that I didn't think were that funny though meant to be comedic. He riveted me in every scene he was in. I can't imagine how anyone else watching the film wouldn't find their attention constantly drawn to him. He looks fabulous. Hang in there, ladies."}, {"response": 764, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (22:23)", "body": "We're hanging! Heide,did you like th film first time or will you have to go and see is again like Karen & Emma? Please someone tell me how it compares to Colin's other films."}, {"response": 765, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (22:56)", "body": "***** Artfully crafted 'My Life' seems familiar By William Arnold P-I MOVIE CRITIC The most noteworth thing about \"My Life So Far\" is that it's a reunioun effort by director Hugh Hudson and producer David Puttnam - the filmmaking team that gave us \"Chariots of Fire\" in 1981, and once seemed the great hope of 'British cinema. Otherwise, it's a fairly standard coming-of-age drama, delicately acted by its well-chosen ensemble cast, rich with '20's - '30's period Highland Scottish detail and nicely crafted in every technical department, but without a huge emotional impact. Based on the family memoir, \"Son of Adam\" by television executive (and Puttnam friend) Sir Denis Forman, it's narrated by Fraser ( Robert Norman), a young boy growing up on an idyllic family estate in rural Scotland run by his kindly but firmly-in-control maternal grandmother (Rosemary Harris). But the main character is Fraser's life-force of a father, Edward (Colin Firth): a big dreamer, a lover of Beethoven, an incorrigible inventer, the owner of the only moss factory in Europe and, more paradoxically, a fundamentalist Christian, without much tolerance for differing opinions. Trouble comes for Edward and the entire family when his 60ish millionaire brother-in-law Morris (Malcolm McDowell), who disapproves of Edward and his plans for the estate, turns up with a beautiful young French bride, Heloise (Irene Jacob). The plot basically traces what happens when Edward falls madly in love with Heloise and the effect this one-sided affair has on Fraser, his long-suffering mother (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio), and his older sister (Kelly MacDonald). As we might expect from Puttnam/Hudson, it's a quality production all around, with a nostalgic glow that never turns into overt sentimentality, a loving feel for place (it was shot on location an Argyll, Scotland) and a keen sense of the special joys of family life. Though the script is not good at establishing the various relationships of one character to another, the characters are individually multidimensional, constantly go against expectation and are well-acted, especially by Firth, a wonderful actor who rarely gets a part this big to show his stuff. My only criticism is that, while the film is enjoyable, it never comes together to be anything truly special or memorable. It almost makes you wonder if Hudsoa and Puttnam have been to the movies very often in the 20 years since their heyday. If they had, surely they'd know how formulaic and familiar this kind of coming-of-age material has become. Grade: B- // A Movie Review in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Friday, August 6, 1999."}, {"response": 766, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (00:58)", "body": "Did I read somewhere that C.F. claimed attention from his father and rarely received it Did you? Where, where? :-) \"Firth, an actor who has not found his niche...\" But has he been looking for one? it's entirely conceivable that neither of his parents said anything! According to Colin - quoted in yet another source... - his proud mother's chirpy reminiscences were conveniently copied (and somewhat modified, as he implied with disgust) by the national press from an interview published in a regional paper (I believe he described it as a village newssheet or something) a little before his Darcy phase. One theory I read somewhere is that he may retire at 40 He was openly musing on this possibility in the Radio Times interview. But not very recently."}, {"response": 767, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (07:49)", "body": "Thanks for that review KJ, are you going to see it soon?"}, {"response": 768, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (08:08)", "body": "wonderful actor who rarely gets a part this big to show his stuff Indeed......William Arnold seems to know the situation of Colin\ufffds career and his actor quality exceptionally and surprisingly well for a movie critic."}, {"response": 769, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (13:57)", "body": "I do like this review especially the kudos to Colin and the description of his character: But the main character is Fraser's life-force of a father, Edward Life-force - a very apt description. the owner of the only moss factory in Europe Don't forget \"and the biggest and the best\"."}, {"response": 770, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (15:36)", "body": "Saw this article in the Saturday L.A. Times, titled \"London's Doors Swing Open to Lure Filmmakers Outside.\" \"It's not apart of this city you see often in movies, but visually it's a stunning one. On this perfect summer day the branches of a weeping willow tree graze the calm surface of a small man-made lake, which narrows into a system of canal, their banks lined by brightly painted houseboats. For obvious reasons, this part of London is known as Little Venice. Three actors - American Mariel Hemingway, Englishman Colin Firth, and Frenchwoman Irene Jacob - disembark from a tourist pleasure boat and stroll along the towpath, talking animatedly. Director Mike Binder shouts, 'Cut!' and another scene of London looking ravishing is committed to film. Binder, an American screenwriter, stand-up comic and actor based in Los Angeles, also wrote and co-stars in this modestly budgeted independent film, 'Londinium,' a romantic comedy with a story that is effectively a love letter to London.\" ... \"Then there is Binder's 'Londonium,' which is positively giddy in its affection for the city....He has gone out of his way to shoot at sites usually overlooked by filmmakers: the Serpentine waterway in Hyde Park, the South Bank arts complex overlooking the Thames, Regent's Park, Waterloo Station and the British Museum. Binder has found the London Film Commission suportive....'Despite all that it's the hardest city to shoot in.'...Among his complaints: 'There's the traffic. One minute it's sunny, one minute it's cloudy, so nothing matches. There's always planes overhead. One day 50,000 Kurdish demonstrators are marching and half the city's blocked off. We encountered the world's largest gay (pride) parade. The day we shot inat the South Bank, a guy jumps off Waterloo Bridge and commits suicide, so the place is swar ing with helicopters and boats and we can't shoot.\" I tried looking for the exact site but couldn't locate on latimes.com ... and of the 2 pictures that accompanied the story, one was of Hugh Grant walking down Portobello Road and the other was of MB and MH strolling along the Thames."}, {"response": 771, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (16:06)", "body": "Thanks for posting the article, Marianne, and having to type it. Here's the link (it took quite a while to find it!) but alas there are no pics. http://www.calendarlive.com/HOME/CALENDARLIVE/CALENDAR/t000070113.html"}, {"response": 772, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (18:48)", "body": "Hi everybody, Got back from Dallas too late last evening to post. Loved the film as everyone else did. The clothes he wears? To die for.The man looks positvely gorgeous in each and every ensemble.He stands out....who cares about the stupid scenery when you have Colin to look at.Best he has ever looked in any film or in person!! A feast for your eyes...no kidding. The theatre wasn't exactly a dump...but definitely retro...sound would go and come at times...irritating. Not first class. About 80 people in the theatre..mixed ages, mostly women. There was a Miramax rep at the exist distributing evaluation forms.... I put down I was a 25 yr old Asian... since I didn't see anyone in that category in the theatre.On the question \"Where did you hear about this film?\" I replied: \"Internet\"...colinfirth.com (forgot Murph's URL!).Gave us (Susanne and a friend accompanied me)a free MLSF poster. I had called Miramax in NY to ask.\"Is this film coming to OKC or do I go to Dallas\" PR rep answered: \"Go\".I doubt if MLSF will expand.I complained to dallas Miramax rep. I'll post spoiler parts of my review on 121 later. But it is a sweet movie...and Colin is not a \"crack-pot\",or a\"wack-o\" as some reviewers called him...He is an endearing man...sort of a Dr. Doolittle. You'll love him in this.However, IMO the film is Fraser's, not Edward's and towards the end I got pretty tired of that kid."}, {"response": 773, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (21:40)", "body": "Karen, somebody called Jan Wahl \"TalkinPictures at Http://www.baytv.com/talkinpictures/ has given MLSF 4Hats!! highest rating and there is a review but it requires Real Player which I don't have. Would you take a look and tell us what she says about MLSF?"}, {"response": 774, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (21:41)", "body": "sorry Thanks."}, {"response": 775, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (21:42)", "body": "Karen, somebody called Jan Wahl \"TalkinPictures at Http://www.baytv.com/talkinpictures/ has given MLSF 4Hats!! highest rating and there is a review but it requires Real Player which I don't have. Would you take a look and tell us what she says about MLSF?"}, {"response": 776, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (21:45)", "body": "Ann, you can download the Real Player G2. I don't remember how long it takes, but it's definitely worth having as it plays videos of many types. I'll go check this out."}, {"response": 777, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (22:10)", "body": "Here's the review from Jan Wahl: \"Today is the day a wonderful movie comes out and I hope you all see it. You know there is a big vast audience of people who want intelligent, witty, entertaining films without insults or no porn, and I got a good one. This is called My Life So Far and it stars Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and Colin in the tale of an eccentric, lovable, crazy family and all they go through, told through the eyes of a charming young boy. My Life So Far. Please see it on the big screen. If you liked the Red Violin, if y u liked An Ideal Husband, this is a movie for you. I'm giving it 4 Hats.\" The SF television news anchor (presenter) led in with: \"She said it's a must.\" Jan Wahl was a guest critic on Siskel & Ebert in the show that reviewed both An Ideal Husband and the Red Violin back in June (?) She wore a hat and was totally outrageous in her verbal reviews, but she loved both of those. Interesting that she finally gave AIH only 3-1/2 hats, but Red Violin also got 4 as did MLSF. I thought Red Violin was pretty good, but had a major flaw. That just MHO. ;-D"}, {"response": 778, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (22:41)", "body": "Three actors - American Mariel Hemingway, Englishman Colin Firth, and Frenchwoman Irene Jacob - disembark from a tourist pleasure boat and stroll along the towpath, talking animatedly. Director Mike Binder shouts, 'Cut!' and another scene of London looking ravishing is committed to film. This sounds promising...Colin's character must like women! And with both CF and IJ, it's almost like a sequel to MLSF! 'Londinium,' a romantic comedy with a story that is effectively a love letter to London.\" ... \"Then there is Binder's 'Londonium,' which is positively giddy in its affection for the city....He has gone out of his way to shoot at sites usually overlooked by filmmakers: the Serpentine waterway in Hyde Park, the South Bank arts complex overlooking the Thames, Regent's Park, Waterloo Station and the British Museum. Better and better...and the weather over the last 6 weeks in the UK has been magnificent. Just hope it gets a distributor. This isn't just a problem in the UK...it's a HUGE problem and it's getting worse. When I look at what's on in our local multiplexes, I despair...the same blockbuster movies everywhere and the choice is dire. Not a single indie in sight. I don't think MLSF will open nationwide here, perhaps just London and a few selected Showcases. Well done Evelyn! You certainly take the initiative!"}, {"response": 779, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (23:30)", "body": "Thanks for posting the article, Marianne, and having to type it. Here's the link (it took quite a while to find it!) but alas there are no pics. **************** To All: I'm enjoying all the reports on MLSF and the theaters in which it is being shown. Eileen and I saw it at a big downtown theater in NY, and the screen was appropriately huge. I DID not see the thinning hair scene, Karen. I only remember vividly the triumph on tiny Fraser's face as he was held high by his dad. It seemed to me they did something to \"fill Colin out\" in this film. His hair looked pretty all there in most scenes. Anyone want to comment on the running up the stairs scene. Freeze THAT posterior for posterity! To Londinium...I have the LA Times article up on my pages, with lovely pictures of Little Venice. Take a look, and remember this is in the middle of busy London. I wish we knew more about the actual film, though. http://www.geocities.com/~murphyat65/london2.html Murph"}, {"response": 780, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 1999 (03:53)", "body": "(Mary) I DID not see the thinning hair scene You are going back to see it again, aren't you? Well, focus on what's important! The kid isn't. ;-D Looked like a helicopter landing pad. It seemed to me they did something to \"fill Colin out\" in this film. His hair looked pretty all there in most scenes. True, but that was the only shot from straight above, a real eye opener. It would also appear that the scene where he's dredging the loch must have been shot toward the end because he hair looks the longest and wildest there, like it did in the wedding pics. You see, if you go every other day, you notice new things each time. :-D"}, {"response": 781, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 1999 (07:00)", "body": "Aargh! What\ufffds this hysteria about his hair? looked like a helicopter landing pad LOL but so WHAT?!"}, {"response": 782, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 1999 (13:54)", "body": "(Evelyn) There was a Miramax rep at the exist distributing evaluation forms.... I put down I was a 25 yr old Asian... since I didn't see anyone in that category LOL, my dear, we're all young at heart here, and I certainly feel 25 when I visit the spring. in the theatre.On the question \"Where did you hear about this film?\" I replied: \"Internet\"...colinfirth.com Way to go Evelyn, let them know Colin has some very devoted fans. 'Londinium,' a romantic comedy with a story that is effectively a love letter to London.\" ... I love romantic comedies\ufffdcan't wait to get more news on this film."}, {"response": 783, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 1999 (16:28)", "body": "(Emma)..we're all young at heart here, and I certainly feel 25 when I visit the spring. I do too Emma...but this poor unsuspecting woman(Mirmax Rep) was standing in front of me. (Elena)...What\ufffds this hysteria about his hair? No hysteria, Elena...just friendly comments....we love him in any form :-) .....looked like a helicopter landing pad From the first row balcony (circle) where we sat the 2nd night of 3 DOR one could see a rather larger area then when one is standing in front of him."}, {"response": 784, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 1999 (18:19)", "body": "Oh c'mon, thinning it may be, but it is still there! But when it goes away, if he wants it I'll get it back for him. I promise."}, {"response": 785, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 1999 (18:29)", "body": "May I just jump in to tell you some tiny little story re: Apartment Zero, which - as Karen knindly reminded me, (Thnx!) - I did not yet share with you (sorry about the - utterly uninteded - neglection). Actually it's not my but Carola's story (a fellow Firthfan hiding in very deep lurkdom). Since she's too busy at the moment I'll post it for her. So, that's the story in her own words: \"Some weeks ago I returned to my old appartment in Berlin which is now sublet but still stuffed with tons of material which I collected over years and years for some unknown reason. Now I tried to become a hero and started throwing things away like old magazines and such stuff. Among theses mountains of paper I unexpectedly found a couple of old programs of the Berlin Film Festival - 1988 and 1989. And while browsing through them I saw that AZ was screened on festival 1989. Not in the competition and therefore there was only a very tiny review in the program but there were also some nice pics which I've never seen before. Strangely enough, I remember that year well and some of the movies I've seen during the festival; I used to go there every year while living in Berlin. Actually, I was very excited by thinking that Colin probably was there. If only I already had known him then. Oh, my..\" I've put up the pics and the words from the programm on a small website to be seen and maybe for some of you these pics are new as well. If you like, go to: http://www.firth.com/kirsten/az-berlinale.html . Nothing spectacular, really, and the quality of the paper was poor but I tried to get the most of it. Thank you all for listening. PS: It's great to see how many of you could manage to see MLSF. Thanks for all the wonderfull reports. With every account of you I'm more anxious to get to see this film. If only they could finally come up with a release date for Germany."}, {"response": 786, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 1999 (18:30)", "body": "I'll get it back for him Bless you. Btw, d\ufffdye think that many actors actually \ufffdget it back\ufffd in time to be able to do young man roles longer than their natural amount of hair would allow?? I suppose one could be pretty tempted."}, {"response": 787, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 1999 (18:37)", "body": "Thanks, Kirsten!! (Oh god how much hair he seems to have had on his head back then!!! :-)"}, {"response": 788, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 1999 (18:43)", "body": "Hair!! I seem to remember a question a few posts back asking \"what's all the hysteria about hair?\" ;-D"}, {"response": 789, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 1999 (18:45)", "body": "...and thanks, Kirsten, for posting Carola's wonderful find. The page looks great."}, {"response": 790, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 1999 (18:45)", "body": "Look at Sean Connery! ;-)"}, {"response": 791, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 1999 (18:47)", "body": "Seems to be catchy! :-))"}, {"response": 792, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 1999 (18:47)", "body": "For hairstyles, I mean... Elena."}, {"response": 793, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 1999 (18:49)", "body": "Not hair-loss but hysteria I mean.....:-)"}, {"response": 794, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 1999 (18:51)", "body": "hee hee ;-D"}, {"response": 795, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 1999 (19:09)", "body": "Karen, did you see it for a third time yesterday and if so, how full was the theatre and did you notice anything new. What was the audience reaction like?"}, {"response": 796, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 1999 (19:24)", "body": "The answer to your question, Ann, is on 121... ;-D"}, {"response": 797, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 1999 (20:48)", "body": "Thank you Kirsten for bringing us Carola's \"find\". The pics of \"Apt Zero\" are terrific. And all that hair!! (hee ,hee)"}, {"response": 798, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 1999 (23:46)", "body": "Way way back Allison made a comment about \"Blithe Spirit\" (RE and Nicole Kidman)possibly eclipsing RV. Although there is a movie version of \"Blithe Spirit\" made in the fifties, it's very much a one location play set round a seance and a dinner party. Funny, yes (although the idea of a ghost which no-one else sees is rather unoriginal now) but not very cinematic.I think RV has much more potential on the Big Screen. Also, \"Blithe Spirit\" is being updated to the present day...I prefer the period feel of Cowa d in the nineteen forties/fifties. RV has a good chance of success, especially if it comes out first (no 3 year delays pl-e-ease!)"}, {"response": 799, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 1999 (23:52)", "body": "His hair my dear, his hair. Thinning? I've always suspected this ever since Helen Fielding made Bridget comment that as Mark Darcy bent down to get something out of the fridge she noticed that his bald patch was getting bigger!! :-)"}, {"response": 800, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 1999 (00:46)", "body": "You would think that all those Coward films would've been done and ready to show during the centenary year... so much for advance planning. Blithe Spirit is the more well-known of the two, but I would bet most 40-something Americans haven't even heard of it. They rarely go to dinner & show places where it might be staged. And the Rex Harrison/Kay Kendall film? Would mean nothing to most people. The only reason Blithe Spirit could eclipse RV would be in promotions again. Rupert gladly goes on the shows and sits for interviews. Even Nicole Kidman will make herself available. Now let's see of the RV cast, who is a regular on the talk shows??? *clearing throat* Let's discuss the physical attributes of a \"perfect English officer or soldier.\" ;-D fergitaboutthehair"}, {"response": 801, "author": "ommin", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 1999 (02:18)", "body": "Sorry folks, just got through. Must be the weather here in Oz. Stormy!"}, {"response": 802, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 1999 (11:40)", "body": "It does look as if Harvey is not going in to bat for MLSF. I wondered about his attitude when hearing his comments after the screening at Cannes. Wasn't there some joshing between HW and DP with DP going on about what a middle class nice guy he (DP- yawn) was and HW saying that was every thing that he himself was not. I wondered, at the time about the context in which these remarks were made and if HW thought that MLSF itself had turned out just too nice and boring but having paid his $3 or whatever hi contribution was, his plan was to cover his costs. As AnnW said on this board or was it on 121, it must be disillusioning for Colin. It does seem that the only way to get ahead in the movie business is to go to LA and stay there. The only British stars who seem to get on either do that, or they form their own production companies a la Ewan McG. The movie business is now American. As Colin does not want to tread that path (Karen, I cannot see him going into FILM production - CF's entrepreneurial instincts do not strike me as very strong) I am sure he s es his future in London i.e plum television parts, theatre and roles in British films when he can get them. He probably has to work hard this year to make the same amount as he made with ine role in SIL. I do now hope he does BJD. It would be high profile for a change and I do not see that it would do him harm now."}, {"response": 803, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 1999 (13:52)", "body": "I think we're all a little too close to this movie to look at its handling totally objectively. First off, MLSF has been put on the \"art house track.\" That essentially means little if any publicity. There just aren't television commercials for those films. If the well-known stars appear on television shows to plug the film, it is because they usually have a personal interest in the film's doing well and are extremely proud to have been in a small-budget, indie-type film. The best example right now is Susan Sarandon in Illuminata. She always goes on the shows and this \"little\" film is full of big name talent. Now about the movie houses where MLSF is playing. With the exception of LA, where the theaters are fabulous, most art houses are old crummy places. The reason is of course economics. The new multiplexes play the big budget junk. The teensy little cheapo theater near me just recently changed over to an art house. It is showing Xiu Xiu: The Send Down Girl as first run. That place is so bad, hey should pay you to go in there. But that is just where art houses cinemas rank in the overall scheme of things. I am fortunate that another multiplex near me also plays art films, but right now it has three screens for Blair Witch and another for Summer of Sam. Where MLSF is playing is convenient for the downtown workforce. The theater is virtually down the block from the Art Institute and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Another thing: Also playing at this place are Limbo and The Red Violin, whic have been kicking around for months. Think I'll go back and see what they've average per week because they were not blockbusters. All art films rely on word of mouth as their primary vehicle for promotion. So what is going on does not indicate to me that Miramax has given up on this film at all. Do you feel any better, Ann?"}, {"response": 804, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 1999 (14:13)", "body": "Illuminata opened this week to roughly half of what MLSF took in the first weekend, so I am sure that with a little bit more publicity and wider release Iam sure it could have done really really well. Still never mind eh. Thankyou Karen, I feel a bit better but it is Colin I am really sorry for but then he does himself no favours, he is so invisible that it is no surprise that people say \"Colin who\"."}, {"response": 805, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 1999 (17:23)", "body": "Well...PEOPLE Magazine is doing their best. Did we mention that he has a small pic and blub on the v. last page ..It's the August 16th issue with Marilyn Monroe on the cover. Meluchie has it on the FOF: http://members.xoom.com/firthfiles/articles/99people0816.html **** I'm wondering what the teal background blob is... This is a new pic of him. Taken, I think, in Italy ..same jacket as when he's playing with the dogs. Also same jacket as he had when we saw him in the lobby of 3 DOR. ****** Colin I am really sorry for Why? He made a small budget movie that is doing v. well...financially and in reviews. This film was never mean't to be a blockbuster...from the beginning. This isn't like Valmont. MLSF is a success IMO."}, {"response": 806, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 1999 (19:33)", "body": "In the new September issue of MOVIELINE Mag; on p. 39 ALSO SHOWING : MY LIFE SO FAR \ufffdDirector High Hudson , who\ufffds had a disappointing and sparse body of work since \ufffdChariots of Fire\ufffd rebounds with this charming but tough-minded memoir of an eccentric family in Scotland in the 1920s. There are perfectly pitched performances by Colin Firth, Rosemary Harris and Malcolm McDowell, slightly more awkward turns by Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and Irene Jacob, and holding it all together is a wonderful child actor, Robert Norman, through whose eyes the story is told.\ufffd Small pic of CF hugging MEM . ***** Should make you feel better.\ufffd Movieline\ufffdappeals to the very young and seldom is enthusiastic about Brit-flicks. ***** P. 77 has a full length photo of Gwynnie with Hillary at the SIL premiere.. WOW! That see-through Armani-dress left nothing to the imagination. **** Later I'll give you the contents of another article called: BRIT INVASION; \"...not since the 60s has a crop of lookers from the British Isles stormed ashore and seized hearts with such authority\". Alas, but no mention of ODB. What's the matter? Are these people blind??"}, {"response": 807, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 1999 (20:38)", "body": "Got mail that this nice little moviemap site is online: http://www.visitbritain.com/moviemap/ Almost all relevant movies missing, but it's a start......"}, {"response": 808, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 1999 (21:28)", "body": "One of my work colleagues caught a small piece on a local radio station yesterday where the announcer said \"Colin Firth spends a lot of time searching for antiques\". That's all she heard so I've contacted a friend at the station and she is going to find out if there was more to it than that. Of course, I'll let you know if there was. I have added \"lurk in antique shops\" to my list of things I must do while in London next January. Do you think this may be another reason for his busy workload - to pay o f the mortgage and to buy furniture to fill the houses!"}, {"response": 809, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 1999 (21:40)", "body": "Got mail that this nice little moviemap site is online: http://www.visitbritain.com/moviemap/ Almost all relevant movies missing, but it's a start......"}, {"response": 810, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 1999 (22:58)", "body": "(Cathey) I have added \"lurk in antique shops\" to my list of things I must do while in London next January. Definitely a worthwhile endeavor. I did the same in Santa Monica earlier this year as I was \"on foot\" *horror on horror, a person walking in LA!!* Thanks for the mapsite, Renate."}, {"response": 811, "author": "ommin", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (01:48)", "body": "I am depressed - just heard the news MLSF has been put off in Australia for at least two months - tentively 11th Nov. Cheer me up please"}, {"response": 812, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (03:52)", "body": "How's this:"}, {"response": 813, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (04:09)", "body": "Since I can't see MLSF yet (thinking about flying to L.A.) rented Shakespeare in Love--came out on video today. Drowning sorrows in Firthohall."}, {"response": 814, "author": "ommin", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (04:13)", "body": ""}, {"response": 815, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (08:49)", "body": "Lovely pic, Karen!:-)"}, {"response": 816, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (15:18)", "body": "Couple of tidbits from the Montreal World Film Festival announcement: (1) Mansfield Park will open the fest on August 27th; the director, Patricia Rozema is Canadian. (2) Happy, Texas [Jeremy Northam] will also be shown. and last but not least... (3) Fox Searchlight brings to the competition \"Dreaming of Joseph Lees,\" a pic set in late-'50s England from first time British director Eric Styles.\" Styles is the director of Relative Values. Seems to have an affinity for '50s era work! ;-D"}, {"response": 817, "author": "susanne", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (15:51)", "body": "I don't know-antiques and Colin. Seems too upscale for his seemingly left-wing leaning. Must be Livia's influence. Evelyn, Should make you feel better.\ufffd Movieline\ufffdappeals to the very young and seldom is enthusiastic about Brit-flicks. Movieline is my favorite entertainment magazine and as you know I am not very young. :-)) Hope I get my issue today. Just want to remind everyone who saw MLSF to go to the IMDB to vote. So far, they have 13 voters for an average of 8.2/10. They update every Monday so there could be many more voters by now. Let's get that average higher. Karen, Agree totally with your view on art house theaters. I was a little taken aback at the size and look of the theater in Dallas. Two screen cinema set pretty far back from the road. I would have missed it had I not been following someone. Near a bunch of office buildings and fairly close to SMU. Luckily the inside was nicer than the outside. I'm not complaining, at least I got to see it. With so few art house screens in the country, movies tend to come and go quickly. If I had a lot of money, I'd open a posh arthouses in affluent suburbs serve shrimp cocktail at the snack bar. :-))"}, {"response": 818, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (16:09)", "body": "(Sue)I don't know-antiques and Colin. Didn't Colin say in his People interview that he spent his time in Italy, studying Italian and hunting for antiques? Seems too upscale for his seemingly left-wing leaning. He's British, we like old things. Unfortunately most of us can only afford to window shop in antique shops these days."}, {"response": 819, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (16:17)", "body": "Here's the link to the People article: http://members.xoom.com/firthfiles/articles/people.html"}, {"response": 820, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (17:17)", "body": "Things might be changing for the art house crowd. Have heard that Robert Redford is behind a new chain called (what else?) Sundance that will show indy type films in nice new theaters. Yeah!! Rumor was that one was being built very near me where an closed furniture and warehouse store previously were. Multi-level parking too!! OK, found this article at Mr. Showbiz's gossip column. This should generate lots of interest in and salivating to see Relative Values (major sarcasm here). It's long but here goes: Too Many Baldwins How many brothers from the same acting family can Hollywood use? Could three be the magic number? There were five Marx Brothers to start with, but life and show business pruned things down to where it was only Groucho, Chico, and Harpo. The four Baldwin brothers-Alec, Daniel, Billy, and Stephen-have been doing their own Hollywood shuffle since the mid-'90s. And for a while there it looked like they'd found their separate slots. Alec assumed the brooding, mainstream leads (The Edge, Ghosts of Missi sippi) while Billy played sexy (Sliver, Fair Game), Daniel took the schlub character parts (Trees Lounge, Vampires) and Stephen played the Gen X goons (Threesome, Bio-Dome). Now it seems that Billy, 36, has fallen by the wayside. I haven't seen him in anything since that no-dialogue cameo in Bulworth with Christine Baranski. Before that he was in Virus, the monster movie with Jamie Lee Curtis, but that was shot a good while ago. The IMDB says he shot an action-thriller last spring called Box, directed by Jeff Celentano. Baldwin is living in the New York area somwhere. He's married to Chynna Phillips and the word is they're expecting. I know he's called Howard Stern on the radio show a couple of times. Otherwise there doesn't seem to be a whole lot going on. His agent, Ed Limato at ICM, didn't return calls last week. (Too caught up in the Jim Wiatt turmoil?) Billy's first noteworthy role was in Internal Affairs ('90), in which he played a rookie cop who was shot by Richard Gere. Then came Flatliners ('90) , which stunk. Then came his lead role in Ron Howard's Backdraft ('91). It wasn't much of a film. A bunch of fake people remember Backdraft as the movie that launched the Universal theme park ride. But Baldwin had put himself on the map as a sexy young lead. And yet I remember saying to myself as I watched Backdraft that I didn't care for Baldwin. It was because he wore flip-flop sandals in one scene. I hate flip-flop sandals on men. They look stupid. I realize how trivial that sounds, but that image of Baldwin's spindly toes poking out beneath the cuffs of his blowsy khakis never left me. For me it just wasn't something that a cool movie actor would let happen. Billy starred in two other big-studio films after Backdraft -- Silver ('93) and Fair Game ('95). Neither was any good. It was probably these two that did his career in. Baldwin may have delivered his best performance in Three of Hearts ('93), which costarred Kelly Lynch and Sherilyn Fenn under director Yurek Bogayevicz. Roger Ebert wrote, \"The surprise in the film is William Baldwin. He begins with a fairly unsympathetic role and makes it into an engaging character...a working class guy who hasn't been ground down by cynicism, and finds there is more to the human heart than even [a ladies man] like himself would imagine.\" After Fair Game he made three lower-budgeted flicks: A Pyromaniac's Love Story ('95), Curdled ('96), and Shattered Image ('98). Then came Bulworth. Billy was fictitiously murdered in South Park: Bigger, Longer, Uncut, but it didn't really count in terms of exposure because Alec, Daniel, and Stephen were \"killed\" too. I'm writing this because I'm sorry he's going through a rough patch or whatever. (An extended vacation? A hideout?) And I hope he makes it back. He's not a bad actor. I'm even willing to forgive him for wearing those flip-flops in Backdraft. Everyone makes mistakes."}, {"response": 821, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (17:18)", "body": "One last thing, the current People pic wouldn't have been taken during the last shoot in Italy. Different photographer credits."}, {"response": 822, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (20:15)", "body": "Been checking all day for the interview to be posted. Indiewire has an interview with Puttnam which isn't half bad...even mentions James Dean in a scene from East of Eden (wowee). Anyway, here's the link for the full article and the one question that dealt with MLSF (it actually might belong on the *spoiler* page), but here goes: http://209.213.97.218/film/interviews/int_Puttnam_David_990811.html iW: So getting to \"My Life So Far,\" what are you trying to say to children through your boy hero? Puttnam: It wasn't made for children any more than \"My Life as a Dog\" was made for children or \"Cinema Paradiso\" was made for children. Both films used children as a vehicle. In \"My Life So Far,\" it's the world seen through the young boy's eyes. But what we are looking at is the adult world. It's a film made for adults. And what we hoped to do is try to illustrate to adults how very silly they can appear to each other or to any one objective, not just a child. I think the film's touching. It's funny. It makes me laugh. As I said, I think it touches on issues that haven't been addressed for quite a long while. I think here's a family that anyone with a brain would like to have been part at some point. You may not have wanted to be one of their children but you certainly would have liked to have known that family. To have lived within their environment. It's so seductive in that sense. The idea was to make \"My Life So Far\" sufficiently seductive that when a crisi hits upon them, you care, and you want them to get out of it."}, {"response": 823, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (20:35)", "body": "I find that I agree with Sir David's opinions in this interview. It took courage to say those things. I don't know anyone in the US film industry that would say that the media is poluting the minds of everyone. I admire him."}, {"response": 824, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (07:54)", "body": "I think we could be in for a Firth-filled Christmas in the UK. Is TTOTS to be screened on ITV? If so Colin's presence in what appears to be a rather Darcy-like cameo, is probably ITV's main amunition in the annual Christmas ratings war. BBC usually win this. On big occasions, BBC usually win out. Having Colin (voted most popular actor in the 60 year history of the BBC!) appearing in a drama on Christmas Day when the nation is glued to their sets is obviously considered by ITV to be a big draw. I am ure there will be lots of publicity especially as he will be appearing on stage then too. Let's hope! BTW to explain to those of you outside the UK, because the BBC raises its money by an annual licence fee, payable by everyone who has a TV set, ratings are an important way in which it shows that it is providing people with what they want and is providing value for maoney!"}, {"response": 825, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (07:54)", "body": "I think we could be in for a Firth-filled Christmas in the UK. Is TTOTS to be screened on ITV? If so Colin's presence in what appears to be a rather Darcy-like cameo, is probably ITV's main amunition in the annual Christmas ratings war. BBC usually win this. On big occasions, BBC usually win out. Having Colin (voted most popular actor in the 60 year history of the BBC!) appearing in a drama on Christmas Day when the nation is glued to their sets is obviously considered by ITV to be a big draw. I am ure there will be lots of publicity especially as he will be appearing on stage then too. Let's hope! BTW to explain to those of you outside the UK, because the BBC raises its money by an annual licence fee, payable by everyone who has a TV set, ratings are an important way in which it shows that it is providing people with what they want and is providing value for money!"}, {"response": 826, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (12:07)", "body": "ratings are an important way in which it shows that it is providing people with what they want and is providing value for money! And, what I should have added, are an item of general news not just of interest to advertisers and shareholders."}, {"response": 827, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (12:08)", "body": "ratings are an important way in which it shows that it is providing people with what they want and is providing value for money! And, what I should have added, are an item of general news not just of interest to advertisers and shareholders. Sorry about the double post."}, {"response": 828, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (12:08)", "body": "Again!"}, {"response": 829, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (14:22)", "body": "Is TTOTS going to be on ITV or BBC? AnnW's initial post from Teletext said ITV, but I thought the one from Radio Times said BBC. Then AnneR posted an item from the Daily Mirror that said BBC. Have I gotten it wrong?"}, {"response": 830, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (14:44)", "body": "Go here to register for tickets to an advanced screening of American Beauty (from DreamWorks). It will be held in 50 cities and tickets are issued on a first-come, first-served basis. Offhand, I can't remember what the film is about or who is in it (although I think the trailer was shown... argh..who remembers). http://www.americanbeauty-thefilm.com/form.html"}, {"response": 831, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (16:23)", "body": "Hello all! :) Cant believe i missed the opening of MLSF! (Argh!) My sister decided to go into labor on Sat, so i was in the delivery room yelling \"push! push!\" instead of at the theater drooling over ODB. The miracle of life vs the miracle of Colin.... let me tell you, it was a hard decision -but since MLSF will be around for a couple of weeks, i decided to go with the birth of my new nephew. :) So... i plan to venture into the city on Sat and drool, drool, drool. *licking lips in anticipation* Will dive into the discussions at 121 soon as return Sat evening. :) btw- Hello and welcome to the newbies!"}, {"response": 832, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (18:47)", "body": "The Scoop on Londinium is coming..."}, {"response": 833, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (20:40)", "body": "Hurry up, Karen, Hurry up!! **** Eileen, saw your comments of MLSF on IMDb. Excellent review...liked the part..\"I hadn't heard of the movie til I saw it\".....Watch your nose:-) I'm registered...haven't written it yet... I'm shy *** Congratulations Auntie SB. Eager to get your review."}, {"response": 834, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (21:00)", "body": "Watch out, Heavy Evie. Don't blow my cover! ;-D"}, {"response": 835, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (21:05)", "body": "(Eileen)..Watch out, Heavy Evie. Don't blow my cover! ;-D Hey, do you have a mole in ISDb? How did you know that was my password? I only registered yesterday!!"}, {"response": 836, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (23:21)", "body": "Now Karen, do tell! Don't keep us in suspense! Allison, according to Lisa's Timeline site, TOTS is an ITV production, with a screenplay by Nick Dear who wrote the screenplay (and won a BAFTA) for Jane Austen's \"Persuasion\". He also wrote the screenplay for \"The Gambler\", based on a story by Dostoyevski, and starring Jodhi May (who is in TOTS) and Michael Gambon. So he has excellent credentials...should be a class act. If it's an ITV Christmas special, it must be 2 hours. BTW it's already listed at IMDB as a TV movie (1999). I'm hoping Colin has more than a cameo. There's a lot of scope for expanding the story, and taking it back to the time when the children are orphaned. It's a very ambiguous tale, with lots of possible interpretations, and some strong sexual undercurrents. The Governess is infatuated with \"The Master\" as a result of her brief meetings with him and makes some serious misjudgements because she wants to avoid his scorn. Anyway, this is all conjecture...Karen seem to have real news!!!"}, {"response": 837, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (23:28)", "body": "Masterpiece Theatre are apparently advertising TOTS for their next season, so you should see it shortly in the US, and I'm sure in Australia and elsewhere."}, {"response": 838, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (23:42)", "body": "Karen: Hurry up already on Londinium!!!! I'm pacing here: Hope this works. Karen, I love the little guy dancing. There has been no ad in the NY Times since the weekend for MLSF. Maybe it is true that Miramax is not considering it expandable past the next level...Sigh... Murph"}, {"response": 839, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (23:44)", "body": "It didn't work, sorry!"}, {"response": 840, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (23:46)", "body": "I was trying to be smart, and found out how dim I really am! Murph"}, {"response": 841, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (23:53)", "body": "Is this supposed to be *you* pacing? hee hee Or are you sending this raptor after me? It should be soon...my ISP and/or Hotmail appears to be back to normal. ;-o"}, {"response": 842, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (00:04)", "body": "Karen: That's me in all my glory! Thanks for bailing me out. Now back to Londinium. Murph"}, {"response": 843, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (00:34)", "body": "SB, you are excused for not seeing MLSF this past weekend. Congratulations, Auntie. Thanks for the news on TTOS. I've got to add the book to my pile of reading but I'm still stuck on Son of Adam!"}, {"response": 844, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (03:02)", "body": "On August 1, \"Londinium\" starring Mike Binder, Mariel Hemingway, Colin Firth and Irene Jacob completed principal photography. Filmed entirely in the greater London area, this contemporary comedy about love, marriage, commitment and sex is based on an original screenplay by Binder and directed by him. Binder stars as Ben, an American sitcom writer who is hired to invigorate a British hit television show only to become hopelessly obsessed by the program's star, Carly, who is played by Mariel Hemingway. Carly is a charismatic and self-absorbed American actress whose faded Hollywood career has been rejuvenated by her highly successful English comedy series. Colin Firth plays Allen, Carly's very proper London-born producer and husband who finds the best way to \"let off steam\" is downing pints-and throwing punches-at the local pub. Irene Jacob appears as Fiona, Carly's French make-up artist with literary aspirations who becomes romantically linked with Ben. Rounding out the cast are Christopher Lawford as Ben's L.A.-based agent; top English comics Jack Dee and Stephen Marcus as Ben's fellow writers; and comedian/novelist Stephen Fry as Allen's equally uptight English therapist. ************ Murph has put the above up at her site and has included a couple of pictures taken on location. Unfortunately, no Colin in the pictures, but they take place during a break in the filming and show Mariel Hemingway (with her real daughter) on the steps of the British Museum. Check it out. http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/4144/london3.html"}, {"response": 845, "author": "ommin", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (04:36)", "body": ""}, {"response": 846, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (07:13)", "body": "re Londinium.OH no he's not playing second fiddle again and I was looking forward to this one. Sounds like MB is going to have all the fun, why does he keep playing unlikeable characters, oh well as long as he isn't another cuckold. I like the sound of TTOTS though, and then shortly after Christmas we should have DQ on the BBC. Wouldn't it be wonderful if next year he was nominated for an Olivier for 3DOR, a Bafta for best British film and a TV Bafta for either DQ or TTOTS and a Royal Premiere for MLSF in Nov!!! (wishfuyl thinking?, we'll see)"}, {"response": 847, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (08:24)", "body": "From today's Times, media section, a big plug for MLSF in an interview with DP. I haven't time to type it out but it makes MLSF sound wonderful and says that it will open in the UK in October. Will let you have full details later today."}, {"response": 848, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (08:28)", "body": "Sorry, thumbs down for Londinium. Mike Binder gets women, Colin is the uptight husband (AGAIN!). And it sounds as though Binder is the star. I have a horrid feeling that courtesy of TEP and SIL CF is now typecast as the \"proper husband\". And doesn't SF play a sex therapist? So \"proper husband with problems\" BTW if Binder is obsessed with MH, and has a fling with IJ, where does that leave Colin? Drunk in the pub. Does MH like him? Huh!! I'm beginning to wonder if the failure of SLOW to find any distributor (and he did play the romantic lead here) has dented his confidence. Am keeping my fingers crossed for Mark Darcy! Or maybe he just likes to ring the changes!"}, {"response": 849, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (09:23)", "body": "Positive thoughts about Londinium...CF can be rather sweet as the \"proper husband\" and maybe Carly and Allen do get it together again by the end of the movie. Ben is \"hopelessly\" obsessed with carly, so maybe she still loves her husband, but they're having problems. Anyway, Binder can't waltz off into the sunset with both women, can he! (Well, he wrote the script!) MLSF...we'll see it in October. Yeah! Hope it's not going to be promoted exclusively by DP. Question, why is Miramax not expanding MLSF in the US. It had some great reviews...5 stars from the Hollywood Reporter. How come AIH gets 700 screens, MLSF a trifling 17? The average \"low\" for a Miramax movie is about 40 screens. No movie can succeed from such a limited base!!"}, {"response": 850, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (12:17)", "body": "I've had a feeling Binder was the lead for sometime and, when I read the thing, thought, \"oh, no!\" Another second banana role; he's hopelessly typecast as the unwanted husband. And, worse yet, Fry plays a sex therapist."}, {"response": 851, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (12:49)", "body": "Murph, Karen, I'm quite enraptored! To you and all the others who are so busy reporting. * * * Yippieeeh! The unfortunate \"clear\" button is gone!"}, {"response": 852, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (12:50)", "body": "I meant to say \"Thank you to you ...etc.\""}, {"response": 853, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (13:19)", "body": "Yesterday, I posted a link to get tickets to an advanced screening of American Beauty in 50 US cities. This tells you about the film and Sam Mendes (artistic director of the Donmar) is the director: DreamWorks' \"American Beauty\" will have its world premiere as a gala presentation at the 24th Toronto International Film Festival. The dark comedy, starring Annette Bening and Kevin Spacey, marks the motion picture debut of director Sam Mendes, best known for his award-winning theatrical career. He most recently directed Nicole Kidman in David Hare's \"The Blue Room\" and earned a Tony award for his revival of \"Cabaret.\" Also in the cast of \"American Beauty\" is Thora Birch, Allison Janney and Peter Gallagh r."}, {"response": 854, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (13:20)", "body": "...and I meant to write, \"you're welcome.\" ;-D"}, {"response": 855, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (13:35)", "body": "I've had a feeling Binder was the lead for sometime and, when I read the thing, thought, \"oh, no!\" Another second banana role; he's hopelessly typecast as the unwanted husband. And, worse yet, Fry plays a sex therapist. Yes, I've always had the same feeling. Ironically, instead of being typecast as the \"dashing Darcy\" romantic lead-type, I think, as you say he's now peceived by casting directors as \"the husband\". But looking positive, he could be quite a dashing husband,(certainly will look good!) but perhaps his wife's success has caused a temporary crisis of confidence, hence the sex therapy! I don't think he's the \"unwanted\" husband. And it is a comedy. And he is playing a television producer, probably rather reserved and aloof, and unable to cope with emotional problems. And maybe it all works out in the end! And the blurb does say the movie is about marriage and commitment as well as love and sex. But he does seem to like playing the husband!!"}, {"response": 856, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (13:47)", "body": "I am so disappointed about Londinium. CF is way too fine an actor (and handsome, as well) to be doing all of these supporting roles. The movie industry has me completely baffled. I don't know much about SLOW, but that it should fail to find a distributor when the three weird ones (The Dinner Game, Genghis Blues and Cafe Balkan) whose trailers were shown with MLSF in Phila. did is unbelievable. In fact, if I hadn't already seen MLSF in NY, I would have been sweating it out; my sister was giving me some odd looks before the movie started, after seeing those trailers. And I cannot fathom how MLSF is reduced to this paltry release. It is efinitely a mainstream movie. My teen-age son liked it, my sister thought it very good, my mother-in-law and her sister loved it and my husband really enjoyed it too. When I got home from Phila., I found that MLSF is playing in Toronto, so I dragged the three of them off to see it there (have to boost the box-office). Nobody I saw it with can understand why MLSF is not getting a more general release. I am going to have a very hard time supporting any other Miramax films in the future (unless ODB is starri g)."}, {"response": 857, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (13:50)", "body": "(Bethan) But he does seem to like playing the husband!! Just read in Liz Smith's column (?) about Joe Fiennes and the latest he will be in, and it says that it might be the last where he's a romantic-type lead. Says he wants to play villains! Following Colin's lead? Does that only leave us with Hugh now? argh! Speaking of whom, Hugh was on Letterman Wednesday night and called certain facial hair \"bugger's grips,\" then mumbled under his breath something about how that would be the last place someone like that would grip. I expect that would have people laughing over by you, if I'm interpreting it correctly. ;-D"}, {"response": 858, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (14:21)", "body": "Karen - it should read hopelessly \"miscast\" as the unwanted husband, I am sure that there are thousands of us who don't think of him as an unwanted husband. Thanks for the news that MLSF is to open in the UK in October, Allison, that has made my day as I think Colin will have more time to promote it in October, in November he will be busy with 3DOR."}, {"response": 859, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (14:32)", "body": "(Bethan) CF is now typecast as the \"proper husband\" *Sigh* he can play my proper husband anytime he likes :) But i think you may be right :( Am keeping my fingers crossed for Mark Darcy! Please God! btw- shouldnt that start filming anyday now? wasnt it scheduled for early fall?"}, {"response": 860, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (15:49)", "body": "C'mon, gals, let's recall his recent direct quotes (if there is such a thing in today's press) and the A&E interview, in which we saw the words flow from his lips: (too lazy to search and copy, so I'm paraphrasing). * which is sure to bring out the direct quote police * - He doesn't mind being marginalised - He doesn't enjoy being the center of attention (it gives him \"the jitters\") - He doesn't want to be recognized everywhere he goes - He's not after a big paycheck (\"how many castles can you live in? How many cars can you drive?\") or fame (\"you'd have to be crazy to want to be famous\") - After he finishes a project, he moves on; the rest is \"someone else's business\" - He doesn't want to keep playing the romantic hero ...And so on. He's been consistent about some of these things for years. IMO this has everything to do with his choice of projects. As to what he's offered--well, we'll never know, will we? I'm just glad he's working so much because if I don't like him in a particular role [Jess], then I won't have to wait more than a year to see him in something new [SiL]. By mixing TV, movies and stage he's in more frequent contact with an audience (including producers, casting directors, critics, etc.) whic should keep new projects flowing in. I hope :-) Does that only leave us with Hugh now? argh! I'm not stumble-bumble-Hugh's greatest fan but I have to admit the trailer for MBE had me in stiches (talk about type-casting, some of those ensemble goons have been in every mob movie ever made). Hugh's character trying to do a New Yawk accent ('git outta heeh') is too funny."}, {"response": 861, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (15:59)", "body": "Thank you Karen, for getting us the storyline info on\" Londinium\". You are a tenacious Firthfan...and we are indebted to you. ****** ... he's now peceived by casting directors as \"the husband\" IMO that is how he perceives himself . I think he will play this as a comedic role, which he enjoys doing. I can't wait to see him and Stephen Fry together on screen . Can't you see him now...discussing his \"dysfunction\"...blowing his nose..like he did in MLSF. You want him a romantic hero? Better keep cranking out the ole P&P tapes:-)"}, {"response": 862, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (16:04)", "body": "(Bethan) he's now perceived by casting directors as \"the husband\". Maybe but just like you, I\ufffdm afraid that he simply likes it. Wouldn\ufffdt it be interesting to know what sort of roles he has been offered and what he has turned down since Darcy. This could shock us! So many lustful roles ignored?!.......Surely Darcy made it obvious to everybody that Colin can make a fantastic romantic lead but he possibly just isn\ufffdt interested. Looking at all his choices of work after Darcy I don\ufffdt think it\ufffds very likely that he\ufffdd play Mark Darcy. But Colin is a very surprising person so who knows. I\ufffdm prepared for practically anything from him by now."}, {"response": 863, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (17:48)", "body": "(Elena) Surely Darcy made it obvious to everybody that Colin can make a fantastic romantic lead but he possibly just isn\ufffdt interested. Here here!!"}, {"response": 864, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (18:07)", "body": "Hi there, JanaC! What I\ufffdve wanted to know for some time is.....are you planning to come to London in January? Btw, after making his careful observations, my friend declared that you were the nicest and loveliest of the March 6th firthettes!!"}, {"response": 865, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (18:13)", "body": "DreamWorks' \"American Beauty\" will have its world premiere as a gala presentation at the 24th Toronto International Film Festival. The dark comedy, starring Annette Bening and Kevin Spacey, marks the motion picture debut of director Sam Mendes, best known for his award-winning theatrical career. ********* Karen and all: The talk I've read is that this is one to watch for. Great performances by Spacey, one of my other favorite actors and Bening, and there is a third star, a young chick, as well. I will have to find more info. There are a couple of graphic sexual scenes, as I remember reading. With Mendes, I suppose that's par for the course. Murph"}, {"response": 866, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (21:26)", "body": "I just mention this as it may be of interest to Firthfans living in or near Coventry ,apparently there is a new production of The Turn of The Screw starring Christopher Cazenove and Sophie Ward opening at the Coventry Belgrade in October. I must say that of all the forthcoming Firth projects this is the one that I am looking froward to most, it has got very good credentials and ITV are very good at publicizing and promoting their forthcoming productions so I would expect a very good TV audience for this o e."}, {"response": 867, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (23:35)", "body": "COLIN TO PLAY SHAKESPEARE -according to Deja-com Colin is to play Shakespeare in a 30min film for the Millenium Dome \"Time for Blackadder\" and it will be shown continually for a year in The Skyscrape building and then shown on SKY in 2001.The writers of the film are Ben Elton & Richard Curtis (NH). So another good reason to come to London in January, as well as 3DOR you can take in the Millenium Dome and visit the Skyscrape building and see Colin as Shakespeare. I needed a reason to visit the Dome now I have one!! (Someone commented that KB would have been better suited to play S, what rot!!)"}, {"response": 868, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (23:48)", "body": "BTW The Millenium Experience commissioned the film and other cast members include, of course, Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, Kate Moss as Maid Marion and Rik Mayall as Robin Hood."}, {"response": 869, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (00:38)", "body": "Thank you Ann..What good news. At last he'll get to play Shakespeare! (Take that John Madden!!) And we'll be there in January!! Looks like Colin is working 'round the clock.Lucky us!!"}, {"response": 870, "author": "livamago", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (02:14)", "body": "(Eileen)IMO this has everything to do with his choice of projects. I agree with you, Eileen, but I am annoyed that he does not seem interested in pleasing his fans. I think it somewhat unappreciative, and IMO, a performer has a certain obligation to his audience, within reason, of course. Maybe it is just my own bias that makes me feel so, but there it is."}, {"response": 871, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (03:35)", "body": "I think an actor has to please himself if he is going to please his fans. I don't think he can give a good performance if he doesn't believe in the role he is playing. too many take parts for the money and do a poor job because they really don't care about the role. I wonder how many scripts he gets a week. In the book The Making O P&P he says that when he got that script he had a stack of them waiting for an answer but the hadn't found one he liked. With all the work he has been doing he must have a great many coming in."}, {"response": 872, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (04:42)", "body": "Excellent news, AnnW, and I agree now we have reason to go see the Dome! Book our tickets, Evelyn. ;-D"}, {"response": 873, "author": "quimby", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (05:40)", "body": "(Eileen) IMO this has everything to do with his choice of projects. Exactly. For some reason none of this seems too mysterious to me. And I think it's the greatest luxury in the world to do what you want to do."}, {"response": 874, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (05:43)", "body": "(Elena)Are you planning to come to London in January? Yes, wouldn't miss it for the world. (Elena) Btw, after making his careful observations, my friend declared that you were the nicest and loveliest of the March 6th firthettes!! What a very kind thing to say. Tell your friend thank you."}, {"response": 875, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (09:14)", "body": "Re. Shakespeare....I think he may have already completed this. I remember seeing Stephen Fry in a TV interview about the time Colin was doing his Refugee Council poetry reading, and SF said that he (SF!) was just off to film a special half-hour Blackadder for the Dome, with all his \"mates\". Wasn't Colin sporting a goatee at the poetry reading? Probably for playing Will! Not Londinium. Londinium...I'm sure this will be okay. Could be an ensemble piece...I don't see MB as the \"star\" as such. And wasn't there a description of one shot in which CF, IJ and MH are cruising the canal in Little Venice. And with US finance, there's every chance you'll see it in the US...British films are non-starters at the moment."}, {"response": 876, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (19:21)", "body": "It never ceases to amaze me how minutely this lovely group of ladies can analyze something they haven't even seen yet!! :-D Still, it keeps the imagination well-exercised, does it not?"}, {"response": 877, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (20:18)", "body": "I'm glad we selected to go mid-January for the Spring Reunion or else we'd miss the Dome film. May I ask a dumb question? Who is Blackadder? And will he be the host?"}, {"response": 878, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (21:00)", "body": "Edmund Blackadder is a fictitious character played by Rowan Atkinson(a highly articulate version of Mr Bean) who has appeared in three (?) comedy series set at different times in English history, most notably the reign of Elizabeth I and the First World War. The brilliant scripts are always by Richard Curtis (Notting Hill) and Ben Elton. From what I can make out \"Time for Blackadder\" is a skit on English history in which Blackadder meets famous personages of the past. I've been racking my brains to remember what Stephen Fry said....something about the script being so funny that they were all rolling on the floor laughing. I think the \"Dome Films\" are being shown on special large screens. Sky TV have bought the film for \ufffd4million....I'm sure it will be transmitted worldwide once it has finished at the Dome. Thanks Ann for spotting this! And Karen fot the Londinium scoop!"}, {"response": 879, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (21:22)", "body": "THANKS BETHAN"}, {"response": 880, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (21:26)", "body": "Are you impressed??? I've been practicing on #61. ..getting ready for the Firthday Party. Not bad...first try...am I a genius, or what? NASA...here I come:-) ***** ( Promise, I won't do this again. )"}, {"response": 881, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (21:40)", "body": "Here are links to two news stories about the special Blackadder film: http://www.yahoo.co.uk/headlines/19990812/drecord/p3s1_934499247.html http://www.yahoo.co.uk/headlines/19990812/independent/p5s3_934486515.html"}, {"response": 882, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (23:08)", "body": "FEVER PITCH has been mentioned in the special fall double preview-issue of Entertainment Wkly under September and the subsection \"plus\", to wit: Soccer-obsessed Colin Firth (sans Mia Hamm, we're afraid) bungles his romance in FEVER PITCH That's it. A confirmation, I hope??"}, {"response": 883, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sun, Aug 15, 1999 (01:38)", "body": "Although I cannot persuade my Husband to visit U.K. in the winter, due to certain monetary things to sort out in mid-year I can at least visit the dome. Thanks for the news, anything relating to Blackadder has to be a hoot, it has been well received in Oz. Hopefully too some of the U.K. t.v. and films Colin has been doing will finally reach us if not MLSF."}, {"response": 884, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Aug 15, 1999 (08:51)", "body": "Karen and AnnW, thanks for all the Londinium and Millenium Dome news. Goodness, CF is a busy bee these days, isn't he? (JanaC) Since I can't see MLSF yet (thinking about flying to L.A.) Oh, I hope you do! We can have a Jana's/ Firth fest. All Jana, all the time...:-)"}, {"response": 885, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Aug 15, 1999 (10:23)", "body": "COLIN TO PLAY SHAKESPEARE Great news, Ann! (Lidya)he does not seem interested in pleasing his fans....I think it somewhat unappreciative I\ufffdve always admired it how independently he seems to make his choices, without letting things like money or fame or peoples\ufffd expectations affect him. I\ufffdm sure he\ufffds very interested in pleasing his fans but this really couldn\ufffdt be his guiding principle, could it.......poor guy would have to be romantic and half naked all the time! :-D"}, {"response": 886, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Aug 15, 1999 (11:17)", "body": "and he certainly did his best to please his fans in the foyer of the Donmar each evening after 3DOR, I think all who were there would agree, he signed authographs, chatted and was more than obliging with photographs,absolutely charming and friendly. Can't wait to see him again.!!"}, {"response": 887, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Aug 15, 1999 (13:02)", "body": "thanks for the urls, Karen. From the independent: The 30-minute film with an all-star cast,including supermodel Kate Moss as Maid Marion and Pride and Prejudice star Colin Firth as Shakespeare, will be shown in the Dome's Skyscape building all year He may try, but he'll never get away from it..."}, {"response": 888, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug 15, 1999 (18:39)", "body": "For all those going to the Spring Reunion in January (to include the Blackadder film)here's a rundown on London's plans for the Millenium. http://www.ricksteves.com/0899greenwich.htm ***** Pride and Prejudice star Colin Firth as Shakespeare, will be shown in the Dome's Skyscape building all year (Gi)He may try, but he'll never get away from it... LOL. It's almost like a tatoo, isn't it? ****"}, {"response": 889, "author": "livamago", "date": "Sun, Aug 15, 1999 (20:03)", "body": "(Elena) I\ufffdm sure he\ufffds very interested in pleasing his fans but this really couldn\ufffdt be his guiding principle, could it.......poor guy would have to be romantic and half naked all the time! :-D What I fear is that in his desire to avoid being typecast as the romantic lead, he will be in danger of being typecast as the expendable second fiddle!"}, {"response": 890, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Aug 15, 1999 (20:49)", "body": "Thanks Evelyn, for the Millenium Experience link, however, I can't find anywhere where it tells you if you can book tickets in advance and where you can book tickets, have you any idea."}, {"response": 891, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug 15, 1999 (22:00)", "body": "(Ann W)...Re: Millennium Dome..where you can book tickets, have you any idea. Not yet....but let's try British Tourist Association. I will call them in NY. Looks like London is going all out for The Millennium :-)"}, {"response": 892, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Aug 15, 1999 (23:17)", "body": "Oh dear! I had quite decided that the Dome was the most ridiculous idea ever and that I had no intention of visiting it.... I shall have to eat my words! I think this is very good for Colin. Blackadder is becoming almost a British institution and to be involved in this project which so many people in the UK will see, has to be good for his image at least in the UK which is where he seems to want to base his career."}, {"response": 893, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 1999 (13:21)", "body": "Another nasty little review at CNN. Cannot believe this guy actually watched the movie if he could write this: \"You can't even tell that the newcomer is affecting Edward, outside of his being happy to show a pretty woman around the estate and brag about his lame-brained inventions.\" Wasn't he watching the screen and couldn't he see Colin's face all lit up watching Heloise play the cello? Couldn't he hear the irritation in Colin's voice as he wanted Fraser out of the way during the estate tour? This guy thought he just wanted to brag about his inventions? Holy moly!! Was he out to lunch! http://cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/Movies/9908/13/review.mylifesofar/index.html"}, {"response": 894, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 1999 (14:07)", "body": "Compare these comments to the Film Journal reviewer's remark that CF was close to brilliant. Go figure. Colin's performance is subtle, but, as you mentioned, Karen, Edward's feelings were pretty obvious from the start. As to why... as Paul Ashworth said, \"We all have reasons for loving things the way we do\", though, like many of you, I see Edward as being infatuated, not in love. BTW, I actually saw some brief television ads for MLSF, on a specialty channel, Showcase, this weekend (my DH alerted me to them). They were in conjunction with a contest and one of the prizes is passes to the film. I don't know if that means MLSF's release is going to be expanded in Canada by Alliance Atlantis which seems to be the distributor here. The two theatres in which MLSF is showing in Toronto are good ones in upscale, accesible areas, but, alas, there was no print advertising for the film this w ekend."}, {"response": 895, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 1999 (19:11)", "body": "MILLENIUM DOME TICKETS will be on sale from September 22 Hotline # (0)870-606-2000 Adult 20 UKP They are sold by the day. The entire tour of the Dome will take 6 hours. (Didn't ask her if the Blackladder film ran continuously .Hey, we could just bring a blanket and lunch:-D) I called the Millenium Experience Visitor Centre at the Royal Naval College in Greenwich. # 181-305-3456. Good idea to get tickets early since Jan.15th will only be the third weekend. that it will be opened."}, {"response": 896, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 1999 (21:14)", "body": "Thanks, Evelyn, for the info. Here's a link which says that Skyscape with the HUGE screen is not *in* the Dome, so perhaps we will not have to bring a blanket :-) http://greenwich2000.com/millennium/dome/ ******** London will have a prestigious new entertainment venue situated next to the Dome at Greenwich that will play host to a galaxy of stars and live events during the year 2000. Named Skyscape, and sponsored by BSkyB, the venue will be dedicated to unique live entertainment. The silver coloured building will be a striking addition to the peninsula with its distinctive curved roof sails and pod entrances. Nestling beside the Dome, Skyscape will be a dramatic and attractive futuristic building. Visitors will experience a state of the art venue fully equipped for the 21st century. Its two 2,500-seat cinemas will be the biggest in the UK, using top of the range cinematic screen and sound technology. The building's central foyer consists of a series of clear mezzanine floors and walls that will give visitors panoramic views of the Dome and the river. The building, designed by Edwin Shirley Staging and architects Urban Salon in consultation with the Richard Rogers Partnership, has an exciting dual purpose. As an integral part of the Millennium Experience its two giant cinemas together will see up to 50,000 visitors entertained every day. They will be treated to a film experience that is currently in development. The film will be a unique half-hour \ufffdspecial\ufffd featuring the best of British comedy, by our leading comedy writers. The building\ufffds second starring role will see one of the two vast cinema screens 'fly away' to reveal a 20m x 20m live performance stage. Bigger than the Live Aid stage, Skyscape\ufffds stage will be the largest in the UK, breaking the current record held by the Edinburgh Festival (14m x 19m). The stage will transform one cinema into an attractive 3,300 seater performance venue, enabling the staging of a series of separately ticketed events throughout 2000. Top artists such as Robbie Williams, U2 and the Rolling Stones are tipped to appear at Skyscape. But remember, you only have a limited time in which to enjoy these live shows. The season will ast for 100 performances only - just 100 nights to bring the house down. *********"}, {"response": 897, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 1999 (21:49)", "body": "(Anne Hale) if not MLSF In response to a letter I wrote to David Stratton (SBS Movie Show, he said that MLSF will open in Australia in November. I feel very positive about this movie. We WILL NOT miss it!!"}, {"response": 898, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 1999 (22:38)", "body": "Good for you Cathey, and I hope we get it when we are supposed to (UK), in October according to a recent Sir David Puttnam interview. You never know it may still be running in the UK in January, 2000!!"}, {"response": 899, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 1999 (22:41)", "body": "Thanks, Evelyn, for the info. Here's a link which says that Skyscape with the HUGE screen is not *in* the Dome, so perhaps we will not have to bring a blanket :-) http://greenwich2000.com/millennium/dome/ ******** London will have a prestigious new entertainment venue situated next to the Dome at Greenwich that will play host to a galaxy of stars and live events during the year 2000. Named Skyscape, and sponsored by BSkyB, the venue will be dedicated to unique live entertainment. The silver coloured building will be a striking addition to the peninsula with its distinctive curved roof sails and pod entrances. Nestling beside the Dome, Skyscape will be a dramatic and attractive futuristic building. Visitors will experience a state of the art venue fully equipped for the 21st century. Its two 2,500-seat cinemas will be the biggest in the UK, using top of the range cinematic screen and sound technology. The building's central foyer consists of a series of clear mezzanine floors and walls that will give visitors panoramic views of the Dome and the river. The building, designed by Edwin Shirley Staging and architects Urban Salon in consultation with the Richard Rogers Partnership, has an exciting dual purpose. As an integral part of the Millennium Experience its two giant cinemas together will see up to 50,000 visitors entertained every day. They will be treated to a film experience that is currently in development. The film will be a unique half-hour \ufffdspecial\ufffd featuring the best of British comedy, by our leading comedy writers. The building\ufffds second starring role will see one of the two vast cinema screens 'fly away' to reveal a 20m x 20m live performance stage. Bigger than the Live Aid stage, Skyscape\ufffds stage will be the largest in the UK, breaking the current record held by the Edinburgh Festival (14m x 19m). The stage will transform one cinema into an attractive 3,300 seater performance venue, enabling the staging of a series of separately ticketed events throughout 2000. Top artists such as Robbie Williams, U2 and the Rolling Stones are tipped to appear at Skyscape. But remember, you only have a limited time in which to enjoy these live shows. The season will ast for 100 performances only - just 100 nights to bring the house down. *********"}, {"response": 900, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 1999 (22:42)", "body": "Oh, bugger!"}, {"response": 901, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 1999 (22:49)", "body": "Oh, Renate!! Such language! ;-D Thanks for the update on the non-Dome place. Perhaps admission will be less and we will not need to stock provisions. ;-D the best of British comedy Hmmm, you could put Colin in that group after FP, ATA, SiL and MLSF...a virtual string of wonderful comedies."}, {"response": 902, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 1999 (22:50)", "body": "Just a thought on \"Time for Blackadder\". The different Blackadder series always used the same cast (in different roles) over the years. I'm wondering if Colin's inclusion in this exclusive club may mean that he's definitely doing BJD, as Helen Fielding is a friend of both Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson, and he may have met RC in connection with the re-write of the BJD screenplay."}, {"response": 903, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 1999 (22:59)", "body": "Good thinking Bethan, and he must now be a very good friend of SF, having acted together in three different productions so far this year."}, {"response": 904, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 1999 (23:02)", "body": "\"consecutive productions.\" The one I am really looking forward to, though, is TTOTS, what a lovely way to spend a winter's evening, cuddled up on the sofa watching ODB playing \"The Master\" and in period costume!!"}, {"response": 905, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 1999 (23:13)", "body": "The Rowan Atkinson-Richard Curtis-HF connection occurred to me as well, as I caught the end of one of a Vicar of Dilby last night and noticed Emma Chambers in the cast and Curtis' name as producer. She's in that series and then gets cast in Notting Hill. Perhaps Colin is getting in with this group and it might result in his being cast in a certain Working Title production."}, {"response": 906, "author": "ommin", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (01:25)", "body": ""}, {"response": 907, "author": "ommin", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (01:34)", "body": "sorry. Thanks Cathey for the news, I hope it is right. I have written to Hoyts who is supposed to release MLSF explaining that there are many people disappointed that it was not released in September, and are awaiting eagerly to see a film praised in New York;"}, {"response": 908, "author": "ommin", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (03:00)", "body": "My question is will Shakespeare be bald in this portrayal. I hope not."}, {"response": 909, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (10:39)", "body": "Whoops, here we go again on one of our favourite topics Ladies!!! Please let's not hasten that ever impending day when we might see our DB hairless!!! Gi, we need your services."}, {"response": 910, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (10:45)", "body": "In fact I have been pondering the \"hair\" question myself in the last 24hrs. I rushed to the video rental shop yesterday to be the one to grab SIL first on its day of release!(No surprise that despite 4th billing of course there is no still containing Wessex on the box!)and having lovingly watched and rewatched Wessex's finest moments, I noticed a slight thinning on top when he bows at court, that I had failed to notice in the 3 times I saw it in the cinema!! Only a few hours left and I have to give it back. A few shops were unable to give me a retail release date as yet---typical!!"}, {"response": 911, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (10:52)", "body": "I have, as usual, been amazed by the wonderful sleuthing that has been undertaken by all the dynamic Drool Ladies. You have garnered a veritable feast of facts , gossip, and lucious pics and first hand experiences re MLSF for an absentee to luxuriate in. I haven't discovered all the delights yet, but am working on it. Thank You all so much, I have missed my daily \"fix\" which I hope to reinstate soon. Welcome to all the \"newbies\", you've found a little bit of heaven on earth!!!"}, {"response": 912, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (11:21)", "body": "Welcome back, Lizza! Lots been happening here. Colin was obviously just biding his time last year, just gathering his strength for this amazing whirlwind of activity. I too was first in line for the SIL video and watched closely for signs of hair loss. My conclusion was a bit different from yours. I thought there was very little sign of thinning on top. In fact I wondered if they had cheated with some extra bits! You can almost imagine JM screaming \"oh no look at Wessex's head, forgodssake! Get him a hairpiece now!\""}, {"response": 913, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (11:36)", "body": "Hi Lizza! Great to have you back. (Allison)In fact I wondered if they had cheated with some extra bits! Ah, the good old hair topic! We just cannot get enough of his hair can we?!.....Allison, Wessex\ufffds very thick hair made me think of extra bits too and in fact I\ufffdm quite positive that there was some. (btw I\ufffdve always hoped that Colin is one of our regular lurkers but as long as we\ufffdre discussing his hair I really hope he\ufffds too busy to visit here!! :-))"}, {"response": 914, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (13:15)", "body": "Welcome back Lizza! So much news--in between the discussions of hair! ;-D I too was watching SiL over the weekend a few times. Love it. Off the topic of hair for a moment, I noticed that as Colin is lifting Gwynnie during the dance number is all smiles, whereas during her next lift by Joe, she is all seriousness. It looked to me like: \"Wheeee, aren't we having a good time!\" ;-D OK, back to hair..."}, {"response": 915, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (15:08)", "body": "No really Karen,let's stay with the lifting a little longer in order to dwell on those strong forearms and lean muscular thighs needed for such a lift!! Of course we could go back to hair!!!!"}, {"response": 916, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (15:44)", "body": "Strong forearms and lean muscular thighs! Ok, that will distract me from hair. Good observation about the strength factor. I remember commenting on Colin's ability to lift Cynthia/Elizabeth out of the wheelchair in FF in one elegant swoosh and who can forget the whirling/twirling bedroom scene with Meg in his arms in Valmont. Not me!"}, {"response": 917, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (16:21)", "body": "Welcome back Lizza.... Lots of bits and pieces of news since you've been gone. Adds excitement to the summer...after the news-drought of 98. **** Just talked to my local Miramax rep...no word on expansion...In fact he thinks Miramax is taking it off its \"schedule of expansion.\" Oh well, look on the bright side...it will be out on video that much sooner. I figure February 2000."}, {"response": 918, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (17:06)", "body": ""}, {"response": 919, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (17:06)", "body": "According to the box office reports, MLSF was being shown on 20 screens this weekend, compared to 17 the week before. The additions weren't here, that's for sure."}, {"response": 920, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (17:55)", "body": "Hi Lizza, its great to have you back, we have missed your postings. re MLSFG expanding, I believe it has opened in a second theatre in Cambridge, Boston., so they like it there. I am so cross with Miramax though, how could it possibly succeed with the minimum amount of publicity and advertising it has received. I am sure if they had had a little more faith in it and pushed it a bit harder it would have done very well, I hope it gets better treatment when it is release d in the UK and that we don't have to travel miles to see it as you wonderful ladies have done."}, {"response": 921, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (20:29)", "body": "... I hope it gets better treatment when it is released in the UK I hope it plays in Scotland, so Lennie the Head Curler can see it."}, {"response": 922, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (20:49)", "body": "(Evelyn) I hope it plays in Scotland, so Lennie the Head Curler can see it. As well as all his curling buddies, not to mention the Hairy Man who actually lives in the village. ;-D This is from Londinium. Binder and Hemingway walking along the Thames."}, {"response": 923, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (21:18)", "body": "It's been doctored up to look better by Murph:"}, {"response": 924, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (21:48)", "body": "In a publication advertising movies soon to be released on video I noticed for SIL that Colin's name was at the top of the \"starring\" list. WOW. I was so thrilled. I add that my friend failed to appreicate the significance or my joy :-D (btw I\ufffdve always hoped that Colin is one of our regular lurkers but as long as we\ufffdre discussing his hair I really hope he\ufffds too busy to visit here!! :-)) This really did make me LOL. Lucky I'm the only person in the office at the moment (7.20am on the east coast of Aus.)"}, {"response": 925, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 1999 (00:35)", "body": "Max Binder must be pretty short....MH towers over him. Do these people expect me to believe that she wants to dump tall- lanky- broad- shoulders- Colin for this guy? No way!....Bad enough for Count Almasy...But this guy looks like one of the Three Stooges!!!C'mon. ****** Hey...here's a goodie....makes up for two of the luke-warm reviews. From Film International: http://www.filmjournal.com/DisplayReviews.cfm?ID=618&UI=9607"}, {"response": 926, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 1999 (00:46)", "body": "I had forgotten how tall Mariel is. Can't wait to see how Colin measures up. (Evelyn) But this guy looks like one of the Three Stooges!!!C'mon. Larry perhaps? LOL, Evelyn. You're right. There will be no contest, at least for the ladies in the audience and we're the ones buying the tickets. Welcome back, Lizza! And LOL too, Elena, for your sly comment about Colin visiting us. Ditto!"}, {"response": 927, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 1999 (03:22)", "body": "(Evelyn) But this guy looks like one of the Three Stooges!!!C'mon. LOL!! But you have to remember Mariel is very tall. She's got to be 6' Watched her the other night in the \"President's Daughter\" movie and she was like an Amazon woman, cast as the President's secret service agent. She looked like she would take a bullet. And she towered over most everyone. Mike looks like an organ grinder's monkey next to her. Thank goodness, today's leading ladies seem to be all giantesses. More parts for Colin. ;-D"}, {"response": 928, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 1999 (03:53)", "body": "A little news item: \"Julie Andrews, the international star of stage and screen is the latest big name to make a film in the Isle of Man. The actress, best known for her roles in Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music, is the lead in the movie 'Relative Values' which is being shot at the Nunnery in Douglas. The story's adapted from a play by Noel Coward, and also features actor Steven Fry. It's the first time the actress has visited the island for fifty years. She first came over with her parents in the 1940s.\" ****** I know, no mention of Colin. But Stephen Fry's role is the second most important."}, {"response": 929, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 1999 (13:07)", "body": "A mention in Variety about MEM being cast in the new movie \"The Perfect Storm.\" No mention of her having appeared in MLSF. Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, who recently appeared in John Sayles' ``Limbo,'' will co-star with George Clooney in ``The Perfect Storm,'' a movie version of the best-selling book.....Mastrantonio's other credits include ``Scarface,'' ``Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves,'' ``The Color of Money'' and ``The Abyss.''"}, {"response": 930, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 1999 (13:11)", "body": "Another news item for a Colin co-star: (Variety) - Jeanne Tripplehorn, in theaters Friday as Hugh Grant's mobster girlfriend in \"Mickey Blue Eyes,\" will play the female lead in \"Relative Values,\" a feature adaptation of a Noel Coward comedy. The film centers on an aristocratic English family after the son returns home with his fiancee, an American movie star (Tripplehorn). Billy Baldwin, Julie Andrews, Colin Firth, Stephen Fry, Edward Atherton and Sophie Thompson also star. The film, directed by Eric Styles (\"Dreaming of Joseph Lees Di\"), has just begun filming on the Isle of Mann. Tripplehorn, whose credits include \"The Firm\" and \"Basic Instinct,\" recently wrapped \"Paranoia\" for director John Duigan, and biopic \"Abbie!\" for director Robert Greenwald."}, {"response": 931, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 1999 (14:27)", "body": "Glad RV is getting so much publicity ...albeit from the co-stars...but never mind ..we'll take publicity for a Colin-film in any form!!Thanks Karen."}, {"response": 932, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 1999 (22:25)", "body": "Mike Binder looks rather Woody Allen-ish to me. Colin's role could be more romantic...there's no reason why \"the husband\" can't be romantic! Perhaps he's very much in love with his wife and is unhappy be cause he cares for her more than she cares for him! (Hence the drinking in the pub and the visit to the therapist!) Anyway it's a romantic comedy so there has to be a pairing off at the end...and a happy ending (and Binder can't get the two women surely!!) Way, way back there was some discussion about CF being typecast and given supporting roles. I think he's been very unlucky in that he has received virtually no exposure for his leading roles (MLSF and (sadly) SLOW) and at the moment probably isn't going to make it to the Hollywood A list with the likes of HG, RF and RE. (Unless Mark Darcy gives him a push world-wide) But he seems to have chosen to base his career in London/Europe and is very sensibly mixing film, TV and theatre work, and keeping all opti ns open, and probably doing much more interesting work than would be on offer in LA. As for typecasting, I think he is perceived more as the decent, sensitive, slightly \"proper\" \"husband type\"(nothing wrong with this!) rather than overtly or unreliably sexy!"}, {"response": 933, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (02:10)", "body": "Don't miss Murph's new web page on TEP. It's a work of art. http://members.tripod.com/~i_love_movies/tep/patient.html"}, {"response": 934, "author": "ommin", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (02:48)", "body": "My question about Shakespeare's baldness was quite valid. I looked at various pictures of him and at about 30'sh he had thinning hair and was quite bald by the time he must have been 40. I would not want to see C.F. with one of those awful bald wig things. Sorry for the confusion"}, {"response": 935, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (02:54)", "body": "No confusion - just hate to think about that. True, most pictures we see of Shakespeare have that shining pate. Maybe Colin will wear a hat throughout his brief appearance. The entire thing is only 30 minutes and Blackadder will be visiting with a lot of people."}, {"response": 936, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (07:23)", "body": "As for typecasting, I think he is perceived more as the decent, sensitive, slightly \"proper\" \"husband type\"(nothing wrong with this!) rather than overtly or unreliably sexy! Isn't it this that we really like about him? There are so many sexy, macho stars around that Colin comes as a refreshing change. It is his sensitivity that is attractive IMHO. and probably doing much more interesting work than would be on offer in LA. I think this is the problem. The sort of things he seems to enjoy doing, are rarely available in LA. I am sure he would like the occasional big pay cheque but then, as was the case with SIL, he would probably sit back and not work for the rest of the year and we would not see him as often! His fastidiousness about self-publicity is understandable IMO. It happens in many careers, not just for actors, that at some point you have to \"go public\" and really sell yourself, in order to reach the top spot. Colin has decided that his quality of life is more important. You have to admire him for that."}, {"response": 937, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (07:23)", "body": "(Karen) Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, who recently appeared in John Sayles' ``Limbo,'' will co-star with George Clooney in ``The Perfect Storm,'' I didn't know MEM was in this - my husband did a day of work on this film just last week. Neither MEM or George were in the scene, though. The DH's regular job is part of the technical crew for the nightly news. There are some scenes in \"Perfect Storm\" that take place in a newsroom with actors playing news anchors, etc. that he worked on. The weatherman was played by an actor whose name I can't place right now, but he is the fellow who was Kirstie Alley's ex-husband on Veronica's Closet. And with tha bit of trivia, I'll head off to bed!"}, {"response": 938, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (14:26)", "body": "I DON'T BELIEVE IT, another role for Colin and this time it is a SERIES for ITV, so lots of Colin. Colin it to play Harry Flashman, in Flashman, a series based on the 19th century wartime exploits of Harry Flashman. This is from the TV Times and it says \"the series will be bursting with colour, action and romance. Filming on Flashman will be shot across Europe and Wales. Other casting has yet to be finalised though both Joanna Lumley and Felicty Kendal have been mentioned as villaniesses for Flashman\" to be shown on TV next year) WOW!!"}, {"response": 939, "author": "livamago", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (14:44)", "body": "(AnnW) I DON'T BELIEVE IT, another role for Colin and this time it is a SERIES for ITV, Wonderful! I can't wait for this...maybe A&E will carry it here in the U.S.? Thanks, Ann."}, {"response": 940, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (14:49)", "body": "Unless, they delay filming until next Jan/Feb, I don't see how he can now fint in filming BJD!!"}, {"response": 941, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (14:51)", "body": "\"fit\"in and sorry about the grammer, I am so excited, 3 future TV projects coming up, I do like TV, it is so instant you can record and re-wind without waiting months and months for release of the film and then the video."}, {"response": 942, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (14:54)", "body": "Also there is a lovely photo of Colin, in thoughful mood, accompanying The TV Times Article."}, {"response": 943, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (15:15)", "body": "Oh, thank you, Ann. Where can I subscribe to that TV listings magazine you have? ;-) A period series? 19th century wartime exploits? What war could this be? Napoleonic? *ummmm, breeches, again* Doesn't seem like a series that we would get here. Wonder when it will be filmed. Would have to be before he settles in for 3DOR I would think."}, {"response": 944, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (15:43)", "body": "(Karen) What war could this be? Napoleonic? *ummmm, breeches, again* LOL! Great minds think alike! :) Please God let there be *tight* breeches! Ann- i take it the article didnt say when the series would be aired, just sometime next year... perhaps they'll film After 3DOR, and show it later in the year, leaving time for BJD this fall. -Hey, hope springs eternal! :) btw- is Flashman a novel?"}, {"response": 945, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (15:53)", "body": "SB, according to The TV Times \"Flashman stories have been told in books written by Bernard Cornwell, the creator of the other great 19th century hero Sharpe\". Karen, I can't find an address or tn. to subscribe to the TV Times but I would be more than pleased to send you the photo and article if you would like me to."}, {"response": 946, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (15:59)", "body": "Wasn't Flashman a spin off from the bully in Tom Brown's Schooldays. He is not a sympathetic character. Rick Mayall plays his spoof in the Blackadder films as a vulgar, wenching horror. Must go out and buy TV Times!"}, {"response": 947, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (15:59)", "body": "(SBR) btw- is Flashman a novel? Our *great minds* are on the wrong track, unfortunately... Flashman is the main character of a series of historical novels by George MacDonald Fraser, sort of like the Sharpe series. Titles: Royal Flash, Flashman at the Charge; Flash for Freedom; Flashman's Lady; Flashman and the Redskins; Flashman and the Angel of the Lord; Flashman and the Dragon; Flashman and the Mountain of Light; and Flashman and the Great Game. These books appear to be set in the 1840s-60s. Will pull together some description of the character shortly."}, {"response": 948, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (16:12)", "body": "WOW is right AnnW. What a coup...a series yet!!He said he hated series...LE esp. called it a \"sentence\" I wonder if Sue Birtwhistle is involved in this:-) He must be out to rule TV!!A BAFTA in 2000 for sure.The guy is made for television. Yes...Ann..pl.run, don't walk, to the nearest post office!! Don't you think girls that we should buy Ann a new video recorder??!!"}, {"response": 949, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (16:17)", "body": "Apparently, Flashie (as his readers call him) travels all over the world. Books have been set in the Crimea, India, China and even America (in the Wild Wild West). There are at least 10 books. Here's a basic synopsis by a reader: \"The Flashman series, for those not familiar with it, features a thoroughly despicable, cowardly, womanizing rogue who blunders through history, managing to be present at most of the significant events of the Nineteenth Century. Fraser's historical research is detailed and complete and he manages to teach history in a very entertaining manner. \"A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.\" The research that goes into these books is formidable. Flashman manages to participate in the Charge of the Light rigade, the Sikh Uprising, England's invasion of Afghanistan, John Brown's taking of Harpers Ferry, Custer's Last Stand, etc.\""}, {"response": 950, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (16:23)", "body": "Flashie.... the womanizing rogue Hey...this is getting bettah and bettah!! ***** A series???Looks to me like he's goin after a steady day-job."}, {"response": 951, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (16:27)", "body": "I DON'T BELIEVE IT, another role for Colin Yippeeee! And doesn\ufffdt it sound like something we have been waiting and waiting for??......Not the second fiddle this time? I\ufffdve never heard of this Flashman before, sounds funny, like Batman ;-)"}, {"response": 952, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (16:41)", "body": "thoroughly despicable, cowardly On second thoughts, maybe it\ufffds not exactly what we\ufffdve been waiting for. Looks like he\ufffds going to play an unlikeable weirdo again."}, {"response": 953, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (16:43)", "body": "womanizing rogue sounds good Evelyn, but not sure about \"thoroughly despicable, cowardly\", !!"}, {"response": 954, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (16:43)", "body": "This Sir Harry has been drawn to be very dashing, don't you think? ;-D He also has quite a following. There is the \"Royal Flashman Society\" with chapters throughout the world and a webring of fans. Here are a couple of websites. The second is easier to read and has links. http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Set/6463/ http://smithway.org/flashman/MAIN.HTML"}, {"response": 955, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (16:46)", "body": "thoroughly despicable, cowardly Saw a couple of comments by others talking about this. Am not very clear on this character. Sounds like the stories are funny and he bumbles through them. Also seen the word misogynist and womanizer. Someone called him an \"anti-hero.\" That is very consistent with Colin's selection of parts."}, {"response": 956, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (16:49)", "body": "\"anti-hero.\" That is very consistent with Colin's selection of parts *sigh* yep, Karen. And a misogynist too!! Even better :-))!"}, {"response": 957, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (16:53)", "body": "(Karen) Someone called him an \"anti-hero.\" That is very consistent with Colin's selection of parts. Aw..he's just trying to make people forget him as the romantic Mr. Darcy. \"Will Flashimania overtake Darcymania???\" I don't think so Fat Chance Colin!!It won't work!! **** Thanks, Karen for the sleuthing."}, {"response": 958, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (17:02)", "body": "More about the series from another commenter and BTW, Allison, you are correct, the character apparently did come from T. Hughes \"Tom Brown's School Days.\" \"It is hard to believe that this first book of the Flashman series is now nearly 30 years old. Written as if it is an actual published memoir (later books put \"a novel\" on the cover, probably to protect the publisher from receiving annoying letters of shock and outrage from the truly ignorant and profoundly clueless). This is a book for lovers of historical fiction, military fiction, or British history, but will be enjoyed by those who otherwise would never read in these areas. They are books of humor, following a knave and poltroon -- Harry Flashman -- as he stumbles into many of the great events of the 19th century (often fleeing irate husbands). Events he has visted so far include Little Big Horn, the Chinese Boxer Rebellion, the Indian Mutiny, the American slave trade, and the Prussian court where he was forced to act as a royal imposter. To the world he is seen as a great heroic figure, a d velopment that Flashman finds hilarious yet endlessly useful. This first book introduces the Flashman character, beginning with his being expelled from school, forced into the British Army, and suddenly finding himself in the midst of the disasterous British Afghan campaign. The only books that ever left me laughing harder were the original three books of what should have remained the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy \"trilogy\" by Douglas Adams. Highly recommended, though with this warning: reading this book and its successors will leave you considerably more educated about the important events of the last century wi hout you even realizing it is happening.\" From another commenter: \"Flashman is the funniest character in modern fiction. George MacDonald Fraser is a wonderful writer. His characters are very convincing and his historical recreations seem extremely real. Add lots of sex, beautiful women and exciting intrigue and you get the most satisfying read around. No wonder we Flashmaniacs wait with bated breath for each of our hero's new adventures.\""}, {"response": 959, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (17:09)", "body": "The character originated in Thomas Hughes' work, \"Tom Brown's Schooldays\" George MacDonald Fraser continues the adventures of Flashman, a notorious bully after his expusion from Rugby School. Flashy joins the army with a purchased commision, seduces women in all directions, gets out many a tight spot by the most base behavior, and somehow manages to charm the pants off of his readers as well. It seems that all of the weaknesses noted above can prove to be great strengths in the military. Flashman certainly makes a good case for it."}, {"response": 960, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (17:10)", "body": "....Add lots of sex, beautiful women and exciting intrigue and you get the most satisfying read around. Alllright!! Told ya'.... Never mind this wholesome PG13 stuff!! *** BTW my dictionary says poltroon is a \"spiritless coward\" Who cares? As long as he's a sexy coward :-D"}, {"response": 961, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (17:15)", "body": ""}, {"response": 962, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (17:17)", "body": "Well, I caught a glimse of this news \"surfing\" at work, and almost leaped in my chair. This is GREAT news. WOW,indeed! Karen has beaten me to it, in giving the low-down on the Flashman novels by George Fraser. There are about a dozen, starting with the Flashman Papers. Sir Harry Flashman is based on the Flashman \"Tom Brown's Schooldays\". He's an adventurer, a rogue (but no coward otherwise he'd just stay at home), an excellent duellist and has a fondness for beautiful women. He's very much the anti-hero,who dislikes authority,and a there's a strong tongue in cheek feeling to the novels. The Flashman novels have a strong following. The good news is that it's ITV and a series. I should think it will be made along the lines of \"Hornblower\", ie 3 or 4 2-hour films. So we can look forward to 8 hours of Colin. Mmmm!! And it should be a lavish production. If you got \"Hornblower\" in the US and elsewhere, you will get this series. Thanks again, Ann. You deserve a medal!"}, {"response": 963, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (17:24)", "body": ""}, {"response": 964, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (17:29)", "body": "Just getting rid of my multiple posts of same message. ;-D"}, {"response": 965, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (18:17)", "body": "Firstly, I wan to say I hope he doesn't just sport a moustache, please Colin no moustache!! Here is the whole article \"Battle of the Stiff Upper Lip Heroes\". It's Tom Jones against Mr. Darcy! Next year's rival big television action series look set to pitch breeches-busting heart-throbs Max Beesley and Colin Firth against one another. Max is to don flying goggles and leather jacket to star as flying ace Biggles in an adaption of the famous Captain WE John's books for BBC1. Meanwhile, ITV are putting their faith in Flashman, a series based on the 19th century wartime exploits of Harry Flashman wit Colin (right) in the title role. Both series will be bursting with colour, action and romance. Like Biggles, the Flashman stories have been told in books written by Bernard Cornwell, the creator of the other great 19th century hero Sharpe. Filming on Biggles looks set for France and Cornwall, while Flashman will be shot across Europe and in Wales. Ohter casting has yet to be finalised though both Joanna Lumley and Felicity Kendal have been mentioned as villainesses for Flashman\". (After Karen's descrip ion of Flashman I am wondering if Colin wouldn't be better off playing Biggles!!"}, {"response": 966, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (18:57)", "body": "A main role in a tv series, oh wow GREAT but.....um this Flashman character seems pretty corny to me, boyish sort of humour has always made me slightly sick. Hope that\ufffds not the genre (but it sure looks like that according to the comments of Flashman fans!!) But naturally Colin can do wonders with any role if he\ufffds allowed to."}, {"response": 967, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (19:02)", "body": "While there might be some laddish and borish behavior, on the upside, we have the potential for some devilishly handsome apparel: Alas, I think a mustache may be inevitable"}, {"response": 968, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (19:06)", "body": "Perhaps they will incorporate this scene from the cover of Flashman's Lady: I love Colin in those cricketing whites! ;-D"}, {"response": 969, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (19:21)", "body": "Excellent article from Forbes (1995) here. Too long to post, but read it because it tells all about the series/character and author. http://smithway.org/flashman/FORBES.HTM"}, {"response": 970, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (20:25)", "body": "Karen, was TJ aired in the US,only in my opinion Colin will win hands down, I didn't like TJ (the series) very much and MB did nothing for me.Still it will be very interesting to see if I am right or wrong. Well at the last count we now have 3TVprojects, 1 Millenium Dome project, 2 films and we in the UK still have the pleasure and anticipation of MLSF, and 3DOR to look forward to. By the end of 2000, do you think we could be sick of ODB!!hee hee only joking!!"}, {"response": 971, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (20:39)", "body": "Great article, Karen. Thanks! The Flashman books are extremely well written (interesting that G M Fraser lives on the Isle of Man) and Flashman is an outstanding literary creation (\"who never questions his magnetism to women\"!!) Biggles v. Sir Harry Flashman....no contest. Flashman will win hands down. Biggles? No-one reads Biggles books any more (and what a name) I also think that ITV are far superior at the moment in producing historical drama"}, {"response": 972, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (20:46)", "body": "I absolutely agree Bethan, with the exception of P&P, of course."}, {"response": 973, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (21:01)", "body": "By the end of 2000, do you think we could be sick of ODB!!hee hee only joking!! Ann joking like this? She must be giddy from all the news! ;-D Yes, Tom Jones aired in the US. Don't know how it did relative to P&P, but MB is no Colin Firth. \"who never questions his magnetism to women\"!! Don't you just love this aspect of the series! Flashy's favorite pastime appears to be consorting with the ladies. We are definitely going to have to see the British version of this. I expect a bit of Puritan-style editing from either PBS and A&E is par for the course. Only in the promos (slyly done IMO) did we see Max B flying through the air nekkid onto a bed. (I'm moving to where television is more grownup!!)"}, {"response": 974, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (21:03)", "body": "Fascinating article....would Flashman be the British counterpart to our Indiana Jones Chronicles? Jennifer was in one of them...Indiana Jones : Austria 1917.He ,too, went all over the world. The TV series aired in 1992. **** Poor Max Beesley (whoever he is)doesn't have a chance up against Colin."}, {"response": 975, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (21:29)", "body": "I'm all a dither. Colin on the TV again. (I refuse to even think it may not come to Australia) How marvellous. I'll go out and buy a new set of videos so I get the best recording. Thank you ladies for the info. You've started my day off in the best way possible."}, {"response": 976, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (22:09)", "body": "Ann and Karen and all... Thanks, Ann, for such wonderful news about Flashman -- if it is true, and I hope it is. Colin as hero/cad, in a fancy uniform and boots...Sigh... Karen -- we were born uder the same star, I'm sure. I have been looking around too for links and found a few -- plus the Flashman picture you show is also at The Common Reader site. I have put together a very quick page: http://www.geocities.com/~murphyat65/flash.html Had fun with Darcy on it. Murph Can't wait to see that picture."}, {"response": 977, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (22:27)", "body": "Any resemblance to Colin:"}, {"response": 978, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (22:29)", "body": "Looks like your Darcy pic will need a bit more facial hair! Ugh and those mutton chop sides as well. *gag* ;-D"}, {"response": 979, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (23:42)", "body": "Karen: I love them! Can I put them on the page? And which Flashman site you mentioned is the historical one? Murph"}, {"response": 980, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 1999 (00:04)", "body": "Murph. When I click on the address above I get \"OOps can't find the page. All these great Colin films and tv shows. I wonder how many we will get to see."}, {"response": 981, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 1999 (00:18)", "body": "Great news, ladies. We haven't seen Colin in a role like this in...well, maybe never. A womanizer?! Sounds like Flashman has a certain something women just can't resist. But he's got to lose the muttonchops. Thanks to everyone who provided background. Looks like there will be plenty of material for us all to bone up on before the big event. Question: any idea if this is a mini-series or an actual series that will run for several months or even longer? Not sure if I want Colin so committed to one project though a weekly video tape from England sure sounds enticing. ;-)"}, {"response": 982, "author": "ommin", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 1999 (02:30)", "body": "Flashman!!!!!!11Wow"}, {"response": 983, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 1999 (08:00)", "body": "If it's an ITV \"series\" the standard format will, I think, be like \"Hornblower\"or \"Sharpe\", ie three or four self-contained but consequetive 2 hour films , following Flashman's career in various historical contexts (a great way to learn about history!). \"Hornblower\" cost \ufffd12 million (\ufffd3million per film) and I would expect \"Flashman\" to have a big budget, and maybe take 6 montns (or more )to shoot. Re. Flashman's \"cowardice\"...he narrates all the novels, and has no illusions about himself. He basically wants to survive, and uses expedience rather than pointless gallantry. But he still, much to his surprise, gets recognised as a national hero!"}, {"response": 984, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 1999 (10:09)", "body": "Thanks for the above Bethan. I have to say I really enjoyed \"Hornblower\", it was very stylish and well done and if you say it could take six months, I would think it would have to be filmed after 3DOR finishes, so possibly still time for him to do BJD. BTW Jana and Winter, according to The LA Times Calendar Live, MLSFseems to be playing at 5/6 theatres now, is this true because if so it must be good news, wasn't it originally only playing at 2 theatres?"}, {"response": 985, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 1999 (11:28)", "body": "A description of Flashman's regiment, the 11th Hussars. \"the Hussars are the most brilliant of cavalry and the 11th Hussars were superb. They wore trousers of cherry colour, jackets of royal blue edged with gold, short coats worn as capes and high fur hats....the brevity of their jackets, the irrationality of their headgear, the incredible tightness of their cherry-colored pants, altogether defy description: they must be seen to be appreciated\". !! I don't think \"appreciation\" will be a problem! BTW, from what I remember Flashman was married to an Elizabeth (Elspeth?) and was fond of his wife, but then he did spend so much time away from home!"}, {"response": 986, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 1999 (11:29)", "body": "I would expect \"Flashman\" to have a big budget, and maybe take 6 montns (or more )to shoot. I am sure they must begin shooting next year. It would take too long to have a shoot starting now as the weather begins to worsen and the days grow shorter. In that case, as you say, still time for BJD. If that happens, what a few months it has been on the CF front! I am sure being married makes it easier for him to work at this pace. As a single man he probably needed more time to attend to his social life!"}, {"response": 987, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 1999 (13:13)", "body": "Hornblower was four two-hour episodes, but Sharpe was more (I think). I've only seen the Sharpe series on the History Channel here. (Does anyone know if it was ever shown on another?) If Flashman keeps to the Hornblower format, then it has a better chance of being shown on an A&E or PBS because if it becomes a longer series, I can't imagine who will pick it up here. The ratings have shown that Americans will not commit themselves to watch longer miniseries anymore."}, {"response": 988, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 1999 (15:21)", "body": "Thanks, everyone for all the news. I hope we get confirmation on this soon. It sounds like a terrific role for Colin. I just read the Forbes article and I particularly like the bit about Flashman being chief stud to a black she-devil; I can't wait to see CF as a sex slave."}, {"response": 989, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 1999 (18:36)", "body": "(Lynda) I can't wait to see CF as a sex slave. LOL!! Aha!! You're true nature emerges. Had us fooled with your thoughtful comments on MLSF. ;-D Have picked up the first book, Flashman. The rest I'll probably get out of the library. Wouldn't you think they might reissue the books with *guess who* on the cover? Boxed set with pics? I know, am dreaming."}, {"response": 990, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 1999 (18:46)", "body": "Ann, FYI: MLSF is still playing here at the same theater. There were no ads in either newspaper's weekend section today. Argh!!"}, {"response": 991, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 1999 (19:11)", "body": "I think Marcia has been holding out on us!! Checked on the webpage for the Sandwich Islands Chapter (SIC HQ) of the Royal Flashman Society and they've chosen to focus on Flashman's Ladies. SIC HQ http://www.maui.net/~makule/flashy.html Table of all his women: http://www.maui.net/~makule/ladies.html His wives or those pretending to be: http://ns.netmcr.com/~ambro/wives.htm Listing of Flashman caught in flagrante seducto (with his pants down): http://ns.netmcr.com/~ambro/seducto.htm"}, {"response": 992, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 1999 (19:58)", "body": "can't wait to see CF as a sex slave. *lol*! Or to see him doing the \ufffddeed\ufffd on furs in a sleigh. Happy thought indeed!"}, {"response": 993, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 1999 (21:12)", "body": "Ooooh, I adore fuzzy guys. I cannot wait to see him in full fur. I loved him in Nostromo for that reason (well, there are others, but...). And as a sex slave? I shall have to reinstate my Drool machine and get it pumping again."}, {"response": 994, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Aug 21, 1999 (00:45)", "body": "AnnW according to The LA Times Calendar Live, MLSFseems to be playing at 5/6 theatres now, is this true because if so it must be good news, wasn't it originally only playing at 2 theatres? Wouldn't be surprised... though in my local area, it's still the two same theatres. The added venues may be in the not-too-distant suburbs... BTW-- Hi all... been lurking. Not much to interject, I guess. Work has been keeping me busy, though I'll be finished in a week or so. Then, depending on schedule and finances, may head to the east coast to visit friends before school starts. I DID, however, have a funny \"encounter' last week... driving home from work one day, when who was driving next to me but a Firthesque profile in a black VW Jetta. Reasonable car... it's possible. Anyway, I nearly got myself into quite an accident trying to get a closer glimpse of him. He looked almost exactly like him, though the head seemed a bit off proportion to the upper torso. I don't recall him being 'big headed' either... Anyway, he turned off the main street (La Brea) before I could get a longer limpse..."}, {"response": 995, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 21, 1999 (01:46)", "body": "Good to have you back, Winter....we have missed you. Did you see MLSF? What did you think of it and ODB? Any comments on 121?"}, {"response": 996, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Aug 21, 1999 (01:46)", "body": "I just checked the poll at Celebrity 100 and Colin is down from 225 in the last one to 37 in this one. I think I submitted at least half of them. doesn't this poll run in England?"}, {"response": 997, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 21, 1999 (02:05)", "body": "Has anyone given this webpage of the Flashman 1975 film starring Malcolm Mc Dowell? Flashman 1975 Sorry Ann... I think a mustache is going to have to be de riguer."}, {"response": 998, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 21, 1999 (02:18)", "body": "Thanks, Evelyn, for the Malcolm McDowell link. There are pictures of MM in that role. Hi ya, Winter. Even if you don't have a Firthesque sighting, check in with us. Was going to send Jana to check in on you. Remember about those Alsatians. ;-D"}, {"response": 999, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Aug 21, 1999 (06:34)", "body": "Thanks Karen and Evelyn for all the links you\ufffdve posted, very informative. I think I\ufffdm beginning to get an idea about this Flashman thing although frankly I\ufffdm not yet 100 % sure if I like the idea of Colin doing this! Oh well, he\ufffdll be sexy and funny as hell for sure but I actually wished him to do something modern and intellectual next. Flashman has taken me by surprise. But I can see why he\ufffdd choose to do it. He obviously wants to do comedy and this role is a great new chance to say goodbye to the Darcy type. It\ufffds a chance to be a \ufffdlad \ufffd again which I think he likes, and it requires an athletic actor with skills like horse riding and fencing, no problem for Colin. And I remember he very much enjoyed the action bits with horses and guns in Nostromo. Got to face it, he\ufffds exactly in the right age to be a womanizing rogue. And Flashman seems have some similarities with Colin himself! A cosmopolitan with few illusions about authorities or himself."}, {"response": 1000, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sat, Aug 21, 1999 (07:45)", "body": "(AnnW) according to The LA Times Calendar Live, MLSFseems to be playing at 5/6 theatres now, is this true because if so it must be good news, wasn't it originally only playing at 2 theatres? I checked the paper and it is showing at 5 theatres - up two from the original three (it opened at two theatres in LA and one in Orange County). I was worried because it was scheduled to close today at one of the original three, but three new ones have picked it up. Unfortunately, three of the five theatres where it is now playing are in Orange County which is pretty darn far. (OK, not as far as flying from OK City to Dallas, but still pretty far.) And it's a bit odd that the two L.A. theatres that ar now showing it are very close to each other. I can't figure out the release strategy for this movie, if there even is a strategy. The ad for MLSF is about the size of a postage stamp, BTW - practically had to get a magnifying glass out to read the theatre listing. But on a happy note, I played hookey from work yesterday and saw MLSF for a second time. winter!! So glad to see you here. Have missed you and am glad you were not set upon by Alsatians :-)."}, {"response": 1001, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 21, 1999 (14:26)", "body": "(Elena)Re; Flashman being similar to Colin...\"A cosmopolitan with few illusions about authorities or himself.\" Thank you Elena, you always bring us such interesting insights...Hang in there..he'll do an intllectual role some day...(Chafsky?)and then we'll all complain :-). Just keep thinking how great those thighs are going to look in the tight breeches :-D **** Hey, it's Ann and Karen that are bringing us all the news...Ann breaks it and Karen follows up with all the resource material. What a team!!"}, {"response": 1002, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 21, 1999 (14:27)", "body": "sorry for italics"}, {"response": 1003, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 21, 1999 (17:03)", "body": "MLSF Expanding into New Cities Karin reported on Topic 121 that MLSF is now showing in Cleveland, OH. Mari tells us that it is also playing in Oakland, CA, and is scheduled to open in Sacramento, CA, next week (Aug 27th). Have heard that it is no longer playing in Washington, DC. Has it quietly opened anywhere else? Note: If you're a lurker and have new information and don't know how to post, just email Heide/me at nomdedrool@yahoo.com and we'll post it for you. ;-D"}, {"response": 1004, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Aug 22, 1999 (01:52)", "body": "(Elena) ... I can see why he\ufffdd choose to do it. He obviously wants to do comedy and this role is a great new chance to say goodbye to the Darcy type. /.../ he\ufffds exactly in the right age to be a womanizing rogue. And Flashman seems have some similarities with Colin himself! God, I hope not!!! I have just started the original book and have only gotten a few chapters in. So far he's beaten up his father's mistress when she repelled his forceable attack on her (after having yielded once earlier); fought a duel in which he promises much to the man who will hand his opponent an unloaded gun, and then blackmails him into silence with no remuneration; and has bragged about flogging at least one of his Indian servants every day to keep them in line (and \"for sport\") and is always referring to them as \"niggers\". Maybe this is some masculine form of subtle satire, but even allowing for the mores of the time, I'm afraid that, so far at least, the humor has eluded me...or rather the nature of the man left such a bad taste in my mouth that I could only partly appreciate the situations he was getting himself into. Zero empathy. I can only hope that when they script for television that they tone down or ignore some of his nastier characteristics -- I would hate to see Colin playing his character very true to the book's depiction. \"Cad\" is but a mild term for this bloke... >:-{ Taken apart from all this, Flashman's adventures could be very entertaining and even funny. I can only hope that Colin chose this project as a result of reading an \"expurgated\" adaptation for television, not the original. Karen, you said you had gotten the first book too. What was your initial impression? Am I overreacting??"}, {"response": 1005, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Aug 22, 1999 (07:03)", "body": "(KJ) I can only hope that when they script for television that they tone down or ignore some of his nastier characteristics They will of course, just to make the series more sellable. I expect them to make a strongly altered version emphasizing the adventurous, colourful, funny and even romantic aspects of characters and happenings, leaving most of the boorish and crude macho stuff out of it. What bugs me is that the series will automatically increase the demand for the books too. I understand now why they were never translated to Finnish, KJ."}, {"response": 1006, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Aug 22, 1999 (07:14)", "body": "KJ...Flashman is masculine satire, particularly the first novel. Flashmnan becomes a national hero and saviour of national pride, after fighting (and sometimes he does actually fight) in one the most badly managed campaigns in British history, which resulted in almost all the British army being wiped out. At a deeper level, Fraser is using him as the anti-hero to comment on the idiocies and wastage of was. Superficially, it's a rollicking yarn (although almost everything that happened in the Afghan campaign is true...most of the characters and events are real) told by a man who has no illusions about himself or heroism, who doesn't want to die in pointless actions sanctioned by incompetent and blundering commanders, and is told in the spirit if the age (hence, references to \"niggers\" etc). Don't take Flashman too seriously!!! By his mid-thirties. he calculates he's slept with over 500 women, many of whom have their very wicked way with him. (We won't see his encounter with the Emperor's No 1 Concubine on screen!) He mellows with age, becomimg a sort of 19th cenury James Bond. And always remains in love with his wife, and devoted to his family. Some redeeming virtues! :-)"}, {"response": 1007, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Aug 22, 1999 (09:16)", "body": "(Bethan) And always remains in love with his wife, and devoted to his family. Some redeeming virtues! :-) Sorry, Bethan, I've known too many philandering married men to think that loving their wives and families are redeeming qualities... In fact, to my mind, they are probably just the opposite. If at least they didn't have wives and families, I'd understand them more! KJ's description is of a violent, mysoginist and racist figure, and I second Elena's comments and fears about what attracted Colin to the role and what it may do for the books."}, {"response": 1008, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Aug 22, 1999 (09:35)", "body": "Well, I'll just repeat...please don't take the character of Flashman too seriously! It's all very tongue-in-cheek, and that's how it will be adapted (and played) for television. The Flashman novels are very popular, particularly with historians, who relish the satirical element! If you take the novels (and the character of Flashman) too literally, you won't appreciate them! :-)"}, {"response": 1009, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Aug 22, 1999 (11:03)", "body": "Can\ufffdt exactly imagine our righteous refugee campaigner flogging \ufffdniggers\ufffd in his movies!!! Seriously, Colin has obviously decided to take the role after reading the script, so the script must be very different from the books in certain ways. If the books are as popular in Britain as you say Bethan, I\ufffdm sure that Colin has read them long ago. However, the script is what matters to him primarily of course. It would be interesting to know how carefully actors usually read the books that their roles and scripts are based on, and I really hope they do.....but it can be a tough task sometimes. In this case one should read, what 10 books to know exactly what Flashman is about."}, {"response": 1010, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Aug 22, 1999 (11:26)", "body": "If the books are as popular in Britain as you say Bethan, I\ufffdm sure that Colin has read them long ago. The Flashman books have been around for nearly 30 years. Some of the titles (not all!) are on the \"Recommended reading\" list in the 6th form (17-18 year olds) history department at my sons' school. As Colin's dad taught history, I'm sure Colin would have read them! And the tone is satirical, not literal."}, {"response": 1011, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 22, 1999 (14:00)", "body": "Thanks Bethan. I agree that you must take the books as satire and the use of the word nigger was true to the period, place and people. Also, with the first book, Flashman is young, brash and cowardly. As I recall, some of the articles said he would mellow and mature, which I expect to see later. I'm about 2/3s through the first book and it's a very light and fast read. He is usually in the position of having heroism thrust upon him or is astute enough to take advantage of situations. He is not at all a likeable character. What you do laugh at is the way circumstances turn out in his favor. You also have to laugh at the real life characters who populate Flashman's world. I thought that his portrayal of Cardigan with his lisp was hysterical! To add to the appearance of authenticity, the author uses endnotes to either substantiate or refute his own portrayal of events. Nice and amusing touch. I would expect that Colin's decision to play in this series is based on the script, which would likely concentrate on Flashman's involvement in moments of history, rather than dwell on his early life. If anything, they may do a little flashbacking, but I doubt they start from the day he was expelled from Rugby. I'm sure the script will be written to be acceptable to today's audiences."}, {"response": 1012, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 22, 1999 (14:12)", "body": "Minor mention in today's Times. Article is about whether Prince William may be descended from Shakespeare as a result of new theories about the identity of the Dark Lady. \"In the box-office hit Shakespeare in Love, the Bard's girlfriend, Viola, is blonde. Played by Gwyneth Paltrow, she, like the Dark Lady, eventually leaves Shakespeare to marry the charmless Lord Wessex, played by Colin Firth.\""}, {"response": 1013, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Aug 22, 1999 (15:57)", "body": "Arrived late last night, had a fantastic time, hello my dear Firthettes! Thank you all for being being so together, the amount of information is extreme! I want the Cliff-notes!!! When I left we had just started on topic 5! I have skimmed lots but do forgive me if in the future I repeat something which has already been said. :-) I have checked my Sunday paper and there is no more MLSF here, it came and went in a flash (man!). I knew it would happen but I am still very upset. I will be at the other sites and topics as soon as I get some time. The most incredible thing happened! My DH suggested visiting Citta delle Pieve again (I must have some very strong mental powers), so I made him take me to San Biagio again (where they married), and this time we walked around and I took pictures. Karen, I can send it to you to post, I do not have a scanner. This is only a fleeting stop today, I have much to do, but I must congratulate Colin on his next role. The dashing hero/anti-hero suits me perfectly, bravo! A big kiss to all etc..."}, {"response": 1014, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 22, 1999 (16:26)", "body": "Welcome back, Moon!! :-D Take your time in catching up. AnnW has been relentless in her pursuit of Colin news and uncovered all the big scoops. FYI, MLSF hasn't made it to your city yet. So do not fret. You haven't missed it. But you'll have to read the fine print as it may arrive with little or no fanfare. Call your arthouse cinema and ask, but do no take DH. He attempt to ruin it for you. It is ALL Colin!! ;-D If you'd like to send me the pics, I'll scan them in. Again, welcome back. We missed you."}, {"response": 1015, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Aug 22, 1999 (17:26)", "body": "Welcome back, Moon! Sad to hear that MLSF is coming and going so quickly, not having seen the film I can only wonder why this happens. Not enough audience for this type of movies? Or is the film actually that bad?! Fever Pitch is still running in a Helsinki movie theater, for the eleventh week now and they tell me that it\ufffdll still run for at least two weeks more. I asked about the success of it and they said it has sold moderately well. I\ufffdm happy that it\ufffds liked here, it shows that there are still a lot of people who like to see good acting in small European movies about ordinary peoples\ufffd lives."}, {"response": 1016, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Aug 22, 1999 (17:47)", "body": "Welcome back, Moon!"}, {"response": 1017, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 22, 1999 (17:57)", "body": "Lest one think that only Harry is only Flashman to seek companionship outside of marriage, evidently the wife does as well. According to the Flashman website, Harry questions the paternity of his own children and most of the dates given for conception seem to correspond to dates when he was elsewhere. (One gives as good as one gets!!) Elspeth, his wife, who he does marry as a result of her uncle's offer (duel or marry) is portrayed as a brainless but pretty woman who just likes the physical act of sex. Sounds perfect for him."}, {"response": 1018, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Aug 22, 1999 (18:51)", "body": "Ah, but in \"Flashman's Lady\" Harry goes to great lengths and considerable personal risk to rescue his wife who has been kidnapped... We've got a few \"Flashmans\" on our bookshelves, and Harry does mature! By the time he's in his early thirties, he's a Colonel, and has a Victoria Cross and a Knighthood, and lthough he still has the same wariness of prematurely dying in action, he is also very proud and preotective of his (admittedly ill-earned) good name. Which leads him to almost genine acts of gallantry. I'm all in favour of Flashman and colourful historical drama!"}, {"response": 1019, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Aug 22, 1999 (20:04)", "body": "We're glad to have you back, Moon. Don't worry, the posts aren't going anywhere. Send the hubby out for bread and milk and catch up while he's gone. Yes, I do want to see San Biagio! I just bought a travel book on Italy and am devouring it. Can't imagine that Colin would play anything but the more mature Flashman...someone a little more redeemable than the younger Harry described in the first book(s). MLSF is still hanging on by a thread in Philadelphia. It's not a bad film at all, Elena, and there is a large audience for its genre but the larger audience will not seek out such a small film when there are so many other films that are more accessible."}, {"response": 1020, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Aug 22, 1999 (20:22)", "body": "I just paid a visit to Colin Chat - hadn't been there in weeks - and as usual there was no activity there. I know I go there fewer and fewer times because I never meet up with anyone there and am wondering if that's the case for the rest of you. Has anyone had a conversation with someone there recently? Anyway, I bring it up because Chat is a great forum for spreading the word and possibly bringing newer people into the fold and it's sort of sad to see it so underused. I'll try to visit it more and if you're a Chat fan, I hope you'll return more often as well. And please...try to remember to hit the Leave button before exiting Chat."}, {"response": 1021, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Aug 22, 1999 (20:50)", "body": "I have been there many times Heide, as you will see but have never met up with anyone, it is very sad but I guess with all the different time zones it is difficlut. Welcome back Moon, when you have a minute I would love to hear about your visit to London and TRT."}, {"response": 1022, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Aug 22, 1999 (21:41)", "body": "(Gi) KJ's description is of a violent, mysoginist and racist figure, and I second Elena's comments and fears about what attracted Colin to the role and what it may do for the books. Perfect description of the initial description, Gi...he is pictured as a sadistic bully in many ways. I want to stress that because of this, I had my fears too, which is why I brought it up, but it had already occurred to me that I hadn't read very far in, and perhaps things would improve. Thanks, Bethan, for assuring me that he mellows with age. :-) (Bethan) ...please don't take the character of Flashman too seriously! It's all very tongue-in-cheek, and that's how it will be adapted (and played) for television. I wanted to, but his skewering that stray dog for \"lance practice\" was a little over-the-top to be taken as \"tongue-in-cheek\", I'm afraid. I didn't read further in because I was finally so repelled...\"T'ain't funny, MCGee\"...at least not for me. (Karen) ...with the first book, Flashman is young, brash and cowardly. As I recall, some of the articles said he would mellow and mature/.../ I'm sure the script will be written to be acceptable to today's audiences. (Elena) Colin has obviously decided to take the role after reading the script, so the script must be very different from the books in certain ways. Yes, I was thinking how the attitudes of the age (\"stray dogs are vermin...kill it\") went along with the mind-set of adolescent men out to prove something, and I held that out as a final hope. I shall take a deep breath and plunge further in. Elena, you have touched upon the very point that seriously disturbed me in the first place...Colin, with his concern for minorities and refugees, couldn't possibly have accepted this role if it had followed the books too literally...it is totally against the grain. So he MUST have taken it because its characterization was greatly altered from the original...at least as it starts out in the early phase of the books. I couldn't conceive of anything else."}, {"response": 1023, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Aug 22, 1999 (21:54)", "body": "Your discussion about the \"moral and political incorrectness\" of the Flashman character brought to my mind the British mini-series with Ian Richardson as Francis Urquart. The titles of the series were \"To Play the King\" and \"The Final Cut\", very dark, sarcastic comedy, and very successful, I believe. Richardson played a really nasty and deeply evil character, but he was so delightful, and made you like him despite all his nastiness. It must be a wonderful challenge for an actor to play such a character. I particular for those who feel trapped in the Mr. Nice Guy corner :-) BTW, it was with Susannah Harker, and written by Andrew Davies. I trust the British talent for dark and sarcastic comedy. And ITV brought us MOTM, and I'm sure they will make Flashman into a great film, even without ODB, and much more with him. I can't wait to see it!"}, {"response": 1024, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 22, 1999 (22:33)", "body": "Am looking forward to Flashman's Lady. I believe that is the one where he performs stud service--our little sex slave. ;-D Have picked up the remainder of books from the library. Quite a stack to get through. While \"To Play the King\" was a pure political satire, I can't see Flashman the same way. FU (and he was called that in the series) was evil--mean, nasty, scheming and evil."}, {"response": 1025, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Aug 22, 1999 (23:17)", "body": "KJ.......again, I think you have to see the first \"Flashman\" book as a reflection of the age, as well as satirical in intent. I think Renate's comparison with the Francis Urquart type of black comedy is a good one. We're not going to see Colin skewering dogs or flogging servants (although that is actually what officers of Flashman's class did) in a TV adaptation, but Flashman does start out as a cad, who unintentionally becomes a hero, and then in a long and distinguished career actually manages to live p to that heroic status (although not in his own estimation...he has no illusions about himself, or indeed, about anyone). And the novels (particularly those which focus on the military campaigns, especially the ill-fated Crimean War in which an unprecidented number of men died in sub-human conditions) are known to be strongly anti-war...Fraser, though Flashman, is basically saying that war is a mis-managed mess, in which hundreds of thousands of men die because of the incompetence of generals and politicians. On a much lighter note, the books are also very funny, and if the likes of Joanna Lumley are to play the villainesses, it will be good clean fun (no dead dogs!)"}, {"response": 1026, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Aug 23, 1999 (00:04)", "body": "My last word on Flashman...but I don't want you to give up on him after afew chapters. He does mellow...in one of the later books he's recounting the tale of his adventures with John Brown the abolitionist, to his great-grandchildren (he's now in his nineties). \"They fell asleep in the middle of it, and so did I, among the broken sweetmeats on John (his g-grandson)'s coverlet, and woke at last to the touch of soft lips on my aged brow to find Elspeth shaking her head in fond despair\". So they don't do too badly!"}, {"response": 1027, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Aug 23, 1999 (00:06)", "body": "Glad to hear it. I'll read on in then. :-)"}, {"response": 1028, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Aug 23, 1999 (00:11)", "body": "I have been to the chat room several times but never find anyone there so I don't even check in."}, {"response": 1029, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Mon, Aug 23, 1999 (01:15)", "body": "(Karen) You're true nature emerges. Had us fooled with your thoughtful comments on MLSF. ;-D Well, you didn't really think I like FF and P so much merely for their brilliant screenplays and world class acting, did you? ;-D I admire the discipline of those of you who are beginning with the first Flashman novel - as for me, I just had to know more about Flashman the chief stud and sex slave... I am completely and utterly agog !!! Some quotes from Flashman's Lady for those of you who can't find it (Marcia, get that drool machine going): \"...to my stricken horror I realized that my indecently torn and ragged trousers (I'm claiming these should they appear in the series ;-)) were failing to conceal my instinctive admiration of her majesty's matronly charms...\" \"...one wrench [by the queen] and my breeches were a rag on the floor.\" \"...she suddenly picked me up bodily... flung me down, and began galloping me with brutal abandon...\" \"I don't mean she enjoyed inflicting pain on her men, like dear Lola with her hairbrush, or the elfin Mrs. Mandeville of Mississippi, who wore spurred riding boots to bed ... No, Ranavalona was simply an animal...and you ached for days afterwards. I suffered a cracked rib, a broken finger, and G-d knows how many strains and dislocations in my six months as stallion-en-titre, which gives you some idea.\" \"You may wonder... how I could bring myself to make love to that female beast. Well, I'll tell you; if it's a choice between romping and being boiled or roasted, you can bring yourself to it, believe me.\" I'm aquiver with anticipation!!! (Heide) But he's got to lose the muttonchops. If this series will bear any resemblence to the books, ODB is going to need every strand of superfluous hair to disguise his real appearance, if he wishes to avoid being attacked in the streets. Seriously, though, this role will give CF a chance to really stretch his acting muscles; I'm sure that as Colin is too fine an actor to render this character one-dimensional, he will bring nuances to the character which will make Flashman sympathetic. And we get to see hours and hours of him in (and if we are very fortunate, out of) period costumes."}, {"response": 1030, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 23, 1999 (02:13)", "body": "(Lynda) this role will give CF a chance to really stretch his acting muscles I've never heard it called that! ;-D LOL, Lynda. Think I will skip ahead two books. What a collection of quotes!!"}, {"response": 1031, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Aug 23, 1999 (09:18)", "body": "Renate, I enjoyed the Francis Urquhart series immensely. There was a first part (it was a trilogy) called House of Cards, which set the pattern for To play the King and The Final Cut. You are right, if a cruel and impossible character like FU can be played in such a way that we are sympathetic to him, Colin can do the same for Flashman. KJ and Karen, let us know how things progress in the next few books :-)"}, {"response": 1032, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Aug 23, 1999 (16:14)", "body": "Welcome back, Lizza and Moon! I've been gone for only ten days and am swamped by all the posts and news--can't imagine the volume you're contending with. Way to go, Ann and Karen. You make a great newsbreaking team. Bethan, you hit the nail on the head about Blackadder. I recall the speculation at the time news was breaking about Londinium and RV. Regarding his-hair-Louisa-his-hair (don't hit me for dredging this up again): I read an article in NY Times Magazine many weeks ago about the use of \"hair wranglers\" on movie sets. It's v. common but usually kept quite hush-hush. A popular \"wrangler\" (honest, that's what they're called) was interviewed only under conditions of anonymity to avoid being traced back to his client(s). After seeing those Donmar pics, I think it fairly certain ODB's pate had been wrangled in at least SiL. As for the future ..I'm not looking forward to seeing him even remotely hairless. Call me shallow--you're right. I like Colin's hair and am sad to see it go. Was it you, Bethan, who posted your list of reasons why he's working so much this year? I was tempted to add \"racing against receding hairline\" but got sidetracked heeheehee ! Regarding Flashman: (not having heard of these novels before, I confess upon first reading the title that my next thought was of Flash Gordon--must be the Flash connection ;-P) my reaction is in sync with yours, Elena. The rogue antihero (whether it is hero or antihero really depends on how the script treats the character and renders the stories palatable for a TV audience) goes against the straightlaced Darcy type but there should be plenty of fencing, horseback riding and a few other things ODB loves o do ;-D. Colin has said he seeks variety in his roles! And this one should appeal to men as well as women (albeit for different reasons). Karen, we did see MB's nekkid butt during the Tom Jones telecast, not just on the promos. Perhaps you turned your head for a moment and missed it 8-D ! I thought it particularly tasteless that Max was hawking the TJ boxed video set at the conclusion of each episode. I remember being quite relieved that ODB had not lowered himself (or been forced) to that level! Uughh!"}, {"response": 1033, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Aug 23, 1999 (16:36)", "body": "Thank you for the welcome. I will try to find some time each day to stop by. (Eileen), The rogue antihero (whether it is hero or antihero really depends on how the script treats the character and renders the stories palatable for a TV audience) goes against the straightlaced Darcy type but there should be plenty of fencing, horseback riding and a few other things ODB loves to do. I hope he loves to do those things, because I very much love to see him do them. ;-) When will they start filming, and where, does anyone know?"}, {"response": 1034, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Aug 23, 1999 (17:01)", "body": "(Eileen) \"hair wranglers\" on movie sets. Don\ufffdt hit me either girls, I just want to ask Eileen this little question: did that article reveal exactly what a hair wrangler does? (Eileen) And this one should appeal to men as well as women Yep, that is obviously the goal because the role has been given to Colin and no-one else. Obviously Flashman\ufffds erotic attractiveness is going to be a very important point in this film, otherwise they would\ufffdve asked a very different sort of guy to play him!! (wishful thinking :-)"}, {"response": 1035, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Aug 23, 1999 (17:47)", "body": "I'm not Eileen (obviously) but I suppose that a hair wrangler ties hair extensions to the person's own hair to make it appear longer and fuller. I believe Mel Gibson went through the treatment for Braveheart, and \"read somewhere\" that so did Gwynnie for SIL, also (same source, a People-like portuguese magazine) Madonna, Donatella Versace and others."}, {"response": 1036, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 23, 1999 (18:00)", "body": "(Eileen) \"hair wranglers\" on movie sets Are you sure the NYT didn't err? Could be \"hare\" wranglers for movies that feature rabbits! ;-D BTW, Elena, most often on movie credits the term wrangler is used for the people who take care of animals like horses or dogs or whatever... But hair extensions works for me. Wild critters, those hair extensions."}, {"response": 1037, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Aug 23, 1999 (18:23)", "body": "(Elena) did that article reveal exactly what a hair wrangler does? It was very vague on this matter (why give up the secrets of the trade?). To my recollection, wranglers handled everything from wigs, weaves and toupees to ultrasecret formulas used to make hair appear thicker. Extensions weren't mentioned per se, since discussion focused on covering the top of the head vs. hair length (but you might know better than I, Gi, if extensions can do that too). \"Scalp painting\" was also mentioned. I remembered seeing late night commercials for one of these products (looks ike a can of spray paint) and was ROTFLMAO. I guess there's a time and place for everything! (Karen) most often on movie credits the term wrangler is used for the people who take care of animals like horses or dogs ...and to control receding harelines. Get it? Yukyukyuk (aren't you happy I'm back? :-P)"}, {"response": 1038, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 23, 1999 (18:28)", "body": "(Eileen) aren't you happy I'm back? :-P) But of course! Before I run off to my scalp painting class, I have a new *theory* as to why CF is working so much. The new house had to be completely gutted and he didn't want to be there. Left Livia to deal with the construction crews. ;-D"}, {"response": 1039, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Aug 23, 1999 (21:23)", "body": "Head curler, hair wrangler, scalp painter..... what next? =8-o"}, {"response": 1040, "author": "livamago", "date": "Mon, Aug 23, 1999 (23:06)", "body": "On the subject of hair...(and pray forgive me for bringing this up), when I saw ATA, I thought that in the scene where he is shirtless in bed with JL, his underarms looked hairless. Can this be true, or is it an optical illusion? I meant to ask this question when the picture in question was posted, but in truth, I was afraid of the answer!"}, {"response": 1041, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Aug 24, 1999 (00:15)", "body": "It was there...just so light-colored so as not to be very noticeable."}, {"response": 1042, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 24, 1999 (00:18)", "body": "It was there...just so light-colored so as not to be very noticeable. They must not have employed a hair wrangler, whose job it must be to dye ALL hair to match. Where do I go to become one of these? ;-D"}, {"response": 1043, "author": "quimby", "date": "Tue, Aug 24, 1999 (00:37)", "body": "I have absolutely nothing to say to all this except I'll soon get washboard abs from laughing so much. Play on!"}, {"response": 1044, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Aug 24, 1999 (01:26)", "body": "Maybe that's CF's ultimate problem...often he's so light-colored as to be barely noticeable. I've noticed that the level of admiration (and noticeability) increases exponentially as his coloring is made darker...it reaches its zenith, of course, as Darcy...no wonder this seems to be the favorite CF-role to the vast majority of his female fans. I wonder if there is an inverse correlation on the part of his male audience??"}, {"response": 1045, "author": "ommin", "date": "Tue, Aug 24, 1999 (01:49)", "body": "You think he has to be fair to impress a male audience. No I think the problem is us. So many women in the U.K. and elsewhere fell for him that our men felt threatened, I can't mention him to my DH without some remark and as I want to see all the videos etc. when they come out I have to be very careful - the main problem I fear is jealousy"}, {"response": 1046, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Aug 24, 1999 (06:23)", "body": "Lidya, you made me LOL with your question about hairless armpits. Somehow it brought a mental picture of one of those disgusting cats with no fur (sorry if anyone here loves that breed, but they give me the creeps). Ack! I'm going to have to go and throw P&P into the VCR to get some handsome hair therapy. But, could they have used scalp painting in P&P? No, no I won't even go there :-). Moon!! Welcome home to Drool-ville. You were missed, dear."}, {"response": 1047, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Aug 24, 1999 (10:43)", "body": "If this series will bear any resemblence to the books, ODB is going to need every strand of superfluous hair to disguise his real appearance, if he wishes to avoid being attacked in the streets. I don't think well see a literal translation to screen. :-( Haven't read \"Flashman's Lady\" but I would think that Flashman's encounter with the Emperor's First Concubine in \"Flashman and the Dragon\" (she becomes somewhat fixated on what she calls \"the happy part\"!) takes some beating. :-) Seriously, though, this role will give CF a chance to really stretch his acting muscles; I'm sure that as Colin is too fine an actor to render this character one-dimensional, he will bring nuances to the character which will make Flashman sympathetic. And we get to see hours and hours of him in (and if we are very fortunate, out of) period costumes. Agreed, Lynda. There's a lot more to Flashman, and a good script will bring this out. If I were adapting the novels I'd start with the young Flashman being expelled from Rugby, and then take a lot of dramatic licence, by having Flashman disappear \"abroad\" for several years, and then return to, reluctantly, join the army. I'd incorporate elements of the first novel (The Afghan campaign etc) as Flashy has first of all to be seen as cadd-ish to give the narrative any dramatic thrust. And if they are shooting in Wales, well, Snowdonia (bleak, mountainous)is well-known for doubling as the Khyber Pass on movie sets."}, {"response": 1048, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 24, 1999 (13:46)", "body": "OK, have finished the first novel. Flashy has become a national hero (undeserved of course) and been returned home. While he does bad things, at least he doesn't intentionally misrepresent himself. Usually, when the smoke clears, he is the last one there and everyone assumes he was a hero. He doesn't correct them and rides the waves of adulation. As Bethan said earlier, Flashy's commentary is anti-war and is especially critical of the people in charge. He paints them all as idiots. Flashy is very a tute in assessing human behavior and has good instincts, but has no interest in fighting and dying. He wants to live. A number of people do actually figure out that he is a coward, but they conveniently die and can never expose him. I did expect to see a little growth in his character, but that didn't happen. About the only change I see thus far is that he realizes he loves his wife, who he begins to suspect has been cheating on him. Also, the book had an \"oh-no\" ending. Onto the next... About the film, maybe they'll use brother Jon as the younger Flashy."}, {"response": 1049, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 24, 1999 (14:48)", "body": "According to the weekend box office report, MLSF grossed $55,742 on 22 screens in the US/Canada, bringing its cumulative gross to $430,590 for its five-week run."}, {"response": 1050, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 24, 1999 (14:59)", "body": "On ET's weekend edition, which I saw late late Sunday night, they showed a little snippet of MLSF, mentioning its expansion. But the interesting thing was a bit of an interview with MEM which was obviously done on location. She was dressed as Moira Pettigrew. So ET sent its reporters and cameras up to Scotland during the filming and likely interviewed all the main actors. Where is this footage? What are they waiting for?"}, {"response": 1051, "author": "livamago", "date": "Tue, Aug 24, 1999 (15:07)", "body": "(Jana) But, could they have used scalp painting in P&P? I don't think they did, because his scalp is visible in some scenes, like when he stops Lizzy from getting into the carriage a Pemberley. (Karen) They must not have employed a hair wrangler, whose job it must be to dye ALL hair to match. Where do I go to become one of these? ;-D I think I know where you're going here!!! May I apply for the job too? I have a question about Flashman. Is it inevitable that he will sport a mustache for this job? I liked how he looked with a beard in Nostromo, but hated his mustache in COF."}, {"response": 1052, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Aug 24, 1999 (17:19)", "body": "55,742dollars on 22 screens isn't this about how much they made the opening weekend on only 5 screens Karen, if only they had pushed it a bit more then, that was a pretty good opening. Lidya I wholeheartedly agree about the moustache but perhaps with huge whiskers it won't be too bad!!"}, {"response": 1053, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 24, 1999 (18:12)", "body": "Picture of H.M. Queen Ranavalona I to accompany Lynda's exerpts. I am not impressed. And Lidya, yes, I think the role will require facial hair. Big mustache and fluffy puffs at the sides."}, {"response": 1054, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Aug 24, 1999 (18:23)", "body": "(JanaJH) Somehow it brought a mental picture of one of those disgusting cats with no fur LOL! The notion of men lining up to have their heads spray painted does me in. As I said earlier, when I first saw the commercials for this sort of thing I was amazed that anybody could be fooled into thinking this would look natural. But apparently it works for the camera! (Karen) About the film, maybe they'll use brother Jon as the younger Flashy. Now there's an idea..."}, {"response": 1055, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Aug 24, 1999 (18:26)", "body": "Hey, Karen, is it my screen or does HRH Queen Ranava-whatever have a butt in her mouth? *blink, blink*"}, {"response": 1056, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Aug 24, 1999 (18:40)", "body": "If he must sport a moustache I hope he will grow his own, it was obviously a fake one in SIL and it showed, especially in the scene where GP slaps his face."}, {"response": 1057, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Aug 24, 1999 (20:13)", "body": "I don't think we'll see the younger Flashman, just perhaps an opening shot of Rugby School and Dr Arnold. I think the adaptation will focus on the novels set in Europe (Royal Flash and Flash at the Charge) but with some of the incidents from the Afghan Campaign when he gains his \"heroic\" status incorporated. May be completely wrong of course! Apparently David Parfitt who was the hands-on producer (as opposed to the money-man producer) of SIL is producing \"Bridget Jones Diary\". So it will be high profile. Hope Colin manages a parallel Big Screen/Small Screen career (for some reason in the UK it's very compartmentalised...one or t'other) and does both Darcy and Flashman. BTW I should think that a moustache is inevitable!!(Agree, should be the real thing) Glad that MLSF is still bubbling along. Why is Colin never featured in an interview? Read some posting about MMcD being flown over by Harvey from a film set in the UK on Concorde to promote MLSF. Find Colin's absence very puzzling...and I think he is a team player who would want to support his director and producer. Maybe he is just too busy with all these multiple roles!"}, {"response": 1058, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Aug 24, 1999 (20:22)", "body": "Yes but what was his excuse for not being on every Chat Show going post P&P, (when he wasn't as busy as he is now) I just don't think he likes giving interviews, he was very nervous in the only interview I have seen him give for A&E. and yet he was very relaxed and confident at The Berlinale Press Conference, it is a mystery. Bethan have you got your tickets for 3DOR yet?!!"}, {"response": 1059, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Aug 25, 1999 (00:34)", "body": "(Ann) perhaps with huge whiskers it won't be too bad!! (Karen) Big mustache and fluffy puffs at the sides. NOOOOoooooooo! Mustache I can live with but no!no!no! fluffy muttonchops, if you please. Sniff, I hope the hair wranglers don't overcompensate for the loss of hair on top by adding to the hair on face. Yes, I'm shallow, vacuous and dizzy. I think perhaps I just want to see Darcy redux."}, {"response": 1060, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 25, 1999 (01:43)", "body": "Welcome back, Moon....we have missed you. Look forward to the San Bagio pics....(even on holidays..Firthettes take their pursuits seriously:-) **** LOL at the Flashman's discussion.....I read TTOTS waitng out Hurricane Bret in S. Texas.... Has anyone read it? Chilling.... ***** Had an email from Adi who saw MLSF in Chicago \"but we were practically alone in the cinema theatre\"....where were you?, Karen:-)"}, {"response": 1061, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Aug 25, 1999 (12:45)", "body": "From today's Times: To the party in Sussex thrown by Paul Lyon-Maris, the top talent at ICM, the theatrical agency, where Jane Bijrkin showed she can still rouse the sensibilities with a rendition of Je T'aime... moi non plus .Backing vocals were provided by Angus Deayton and Iain Glen, who last showed off his talents with Nicole Kidman in The Blue Room. Isn't PL-M Colin's agent?"}, {"response": 1062, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Aug 25, 1999 (13:17)", "body": "Quite right Allison, the very one who seems to be doing something for Colin lately. A big Congratulations to CF.Com and Murph! The sites are always better and better. Murph, Karen and AnnW, we love you."}, {"response": 1063, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 25, 1999 (16:09)", "body": "Mari found this item in Variety on Monday, August 23: NEW YORK (Variety)--Julie Andrews, Sophie Thompson and Jeanne Tripplehorn star in \"Relative Values,\" a feature based on the 1951 Noel Coward play. Principal photography began earlier this month in the U.K. and will wrap next month. \"Values\" is the sophomore effort of Eric Styles, whose debut picture \"Dreaming Of Joseph Lees\" is slated for a late fall release by Fox Searchlight. It [RV] will have its pay cable premiere on co-producer Encore Media Group's Starz! service after it plays in theaters. ********** Don't you like how positive they are about how it *will* play in theaters? Need to see if my sister (with her digital cable and 500 channels) gets Starz! because I don't. Have VCR tape will travel. ;-D"}, {"response": 1064, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Aug 25, 1999 (17:21)", "body": "I hope male lurkers don't freak you out (I did used to contribute at #80, and I do like all of CF's work, even though I don't fancy him). But I have to describe Flashman in male terms: A thoroughly unpleasant bully, who uses his charm and position to attain his three main goals (easy life, lots of sex, vicious fun). However, his love of putting down other arrogant people, his wordlywiseness as narrator (not protagonist), and his ill-fortune in constantly finding himself pitched into danger which terrifies him, manage to make him sympathetic - to men. I have always thought the one drawback of these brilliant historical fantasies is that they could not be shared with enjoyment by women (because of all the casual sex), but I now realise that this is just a symptom of the impossibility of a woman empathising at all with Flashman. Don't get me wrong, men don't have full empathy either, but they know where his atavistic urges come from. Personally, even I think George MacDonald Fraser goes over the top sometimes. The relish with which he does so many vile things makes it an enormous challenge to portray Flashman correctly (and Michael York failed badly in the pathetic film \"Royal Flash\"), but I think the Francis Urquart comparison is excellent. Again, someone who engages as narrator not hero. Flashman is not a hero (he says it again and again), he is a venal, petty, philandering coward, but his eventual luck and worse enemies make you side with him. He could only possibly appeal to female viewers if he is portrayed as stunningly attractive and charming (hence, I suppose, CF ... he said jealously). And I'm afraid his moustache and whiskers are a source of great pride!"}, {"response": 1065, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 25, 1999 (17:32)", "body": "Hi Mark...welcome back...your comments are v. welcomed here as well as on #80. Once the BJD film and new book are released hope you'll come back to #80. **** Flashman will be new to the US where the books have not been popular. Perhaps, without a comparison, the series will be .UK audiences will be more discriminating."}, {"response": 1066, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Aug 25, 1999 (18:02)", "body": "But I have to describe Flashman in male terms: Thank you so much for that insight, Mark. I must confess that I have never been felt able to read the Flashman books. As you say they, Flashman is very much a male fantasy figure. But with CF playing him......"}, {"response": 1067, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Aug 25, 1999 (18:34)", "body": "Mark, I think this is such a break from Firth's traditional roles that we will relish his playing this philandering bully. Just to watch CF in action is often enough to redeem an otherwise appalling movie (we all know about which I speak). We appreciate your caution and considered opinions. Welcome!"}, {"response": 1068, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Aug 25, 1999 (18:46)", "body": "Yes, welcome to 119 and thank you for your comments, Mark. I've just begun reading Royal Flash in which our man Flashy 'enjoys' a female conquest by page 14. (BTW, the Flashman shelf in my local library was quite picked over on Monday. My town must be teeming with Firthfans ;-)). Your comments about Flashman's appeal to men are very astute. I don't think Colin would have taken the role if it was limited to attractiveness, charm and an all-female audience. As Gi has said, he seems to be avoiding that these days. He didn't play Darcy as the hero; it's likely he'll approach Flashman in a similar manner. But it won't stop us from drooling! Fraser dedicates Royal Flash in part to \"Ronald Colman, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Errol Flynn, Basil Rathbone, Louis Hayward, Tyrone Power, and all the rest of them.\" This is gonna be good!"}, {"response": 1069, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Aug 25, 1999 (19:03)", "body": "....and I adore the thought of those whiskers of which he is inordinately proud. Even if this Flashman person is reprehensible, the man himself bids well to be significant \"eye-candy\" for this bunch of happy Droolians."}, {"response": 1070, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Aug 25, 1999 (19:13)", "body": "(Mike)...and Michael York failed badly in the pathetic film \"Royal Flash\" I just hope that Colin\ufffds in a high quality production and that the script is super because the role really is a big challenge.....it almost sounds to me like a big risk. The character seems to be full of paradoxes and a bad script could either rub the edges off or try to make Flashman too rough. But like I said before or at least tried to, we can draw some conclusions about this production beforehand simply from the fact that Colin has been asked to do the main role. He\ufffds an ingenious character actor and he\ufffds capable of doing incredible things to the female hormones. Those are the reasons why he\ufffds in it and if the film is a good one, those things are going to show."}, {"response": 1071, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 25, 1999 (22:38)", "body": "Thanks, Mark, for giving us a *male* perspective on the popularity of the novels. I've finished the first and am into the second (Royal Flash, same as Eileen). They are fast, light reads that give you a satirical look at real people and real events. What I do like is that Flashman as the narrator makes no illusions about his own character. He is the first to admit his own failings and makes no excuses about them. This is going to be a strange character to watch Colin play. So far, he's a character you laugh at--not at all sympathetic. While he's very intelligent, he's just as Mark says, an idler, womanizer, etc."}, {"response": 1072, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Aug 25, 1999 (22:59)", "body": "(Karen) What I do like is that Flashman as the narrator makes no illusions about his own character And don't you (anyone who's read the books) think there will be voiceover narration? Exposing his thoughts is critical to the audience's understanding of the character--otherwise Flashy (I love that his sometime sidekick is Speedy) will come off all wrong. I keep hearing ODB's voice in my head as I read."}, {"response": 1073, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Aug 26, 1999 (00:49)", "body": "Is there any rule about having to like his character? As long as the breeches are tight, that Karen can write a masterful piece on whether he is dressed on the right or left, and we can all summon up puddles of the good stuff...let the cameras roll. I Need a Break from my Darcymanic tendencies."}, {"response": 1074, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 26, 1999 (00:56)", "body": "This is amazon.com's comment on the Flashman book: Harry Flashman, is a first-person narrative which just asks to be read aloud. Complemented by a flawless narration, today's reading makes Flashman as politically incorrect as he was originally intended to be during the Victorian era--and that may cause offense. But this story of England's efforts to influence Afghanistan in the 1840's is both good history and good storytelling. **** It seems like some of our firthettes were \"right on the money\" on their observations.Looks like Colin has a v. challenging role in this one. But like someone said, it depends on the script. However, any nuance of \"PI\" and no station will touch it."}, {"response": 1075, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Aug 26, 1999 (04:21)", "body": "I hope that we get to see Flashman here in the U.S. I'm, afraid that it might be shown only in Europe."}, {"response": 1076, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Aug 26, 1999 (07:57)", "body": "Just looked up the only previous attempt to put Flashy on screen. My memory is pathetic, it wasn't Michael York, but apparently ... Malcolm McDowell! So maybe CF picked up tips while shooting MLSF. Kinda hope not."}, {"response": 1077, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Aug 26, 1999 (10:53)", "body": "Wow , great news to come back too!! As always the sleuthing here is \"par excellence\". Thank you Ladies. I was thinking back to the darker days when CF was scarce on the ground and in those lean times (Remember them?) when we would post about the fantasies of being bombarded by his work from all sides and imagine how it would feel!!! Lovely to have you back Moon and Winter."}, {"response": 1078, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Aug 26, 1999 (10:57)", "body": "I saw an atricle while I was away, an interview with a screenwriter on SIL (Parfitt??) who is currently working on BJD. A link re CF then. Sorry if I am repeating old news but I am sure ANN, BETHAN or ALLISON will know the snippet. (Guardian?)"}, {"response": 1079, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Aug 26, 1999 (11:03)", "body": "BTW I have my ODB to thank for spotting a poster last week for SIL that actually only had Wessex's face on it along with GP and JF!!! I couldn't believe it. It was advertising a SIL costume exhibition currently running until 12.9.99 at Chepstow Castle!! I shall be there next week and will give drool's collective best wishes to a certain codpeice, unless of course you would prefer me to concentrate on that lovely brocade cloak--------!!!!! Full report next week."}, {"response": 1080, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Aug 26, 1999 (11:06)", "body": "LOL!!!! Whoops , the mere thought of Elizabethan costumes below the belt and my spelling goes all to pot!!!!"}, {"response": 1081, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Aug 26, 1999 (11:15)", "body": "Yet another BTW. Max Beesley (Biggles) is currently a model for River Island Clothing. I ask you!! CF would not lower himself. Therefore no contest!! RIC is aimed at the much younger end of the market, ideal for the Brit lads and \"ladettes\" which MB would appeal to. Look out for the adverts."}, {"response": 1082, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 26, 1999 (13:17)", "body": "Lizza, I have posted the Guardian interview with David Parfitt over on the Bridget board. :-) And do let us know all about the codpiece that was not visible to all of us. Remember, there's no detail too small for our inquiring minds."}, {"response": 1083, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 26, 1999 (15:13)", "body": "(Mark)...Re; Malcolm Mc Dowell So maybe CF picked up tips while shooting MLSF. Kinda hope not. I hope not too...but MLSF was filmed over two years ago; doubt CF knew about the Flashman job then.I read that George Fraser lives on the Isle of Man...so I hope CF gets some insight from him on making Flashman more palatable to contemporary ideas. **** Wasn't Chepstow Castle where they filmed SIL? Look forward to the report Lizza"}, {"response": 1084, "author": "livamago", "date": "Thu, Aug 26, 1999 (16:43)", "body": "(Eileen) I keep hearing ODB's voice in my head as I read. What a happy thought, Eileen! You have conjured the most wonderful sounds to my head...better get my audio tapes ready for recording. The ones of the Netherfield Ball are getting thin... (Marcia)As long as the breeches are tight LOL Dear! You know how to put things in perspective!"}, {"response": 1085, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Aug 26, 1999 (22:19)", "body": "..... the codpiece ............... Remember, there's no detail too small for our inquiring minds. Karen, can't believe what I read! :-P"}, {"response": 1086, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Aug 26, 1999 (22:20)", "body": "%&$\ufffd#%!"}, {"response": 1087, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Aug 26, 1999 (22:23)", "body": "tag, tag, tag"}, {"response": 1088, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Aug 26, 1999 (22:57)", "body": "(Marcia) Is there any rule about having to like his character? Ha! ODB could play the Boston ( Cambridge? ) Strangler and we'd find a way to make the character loveable. Since the books are written in first person, unless Flashman were to voice his frequent self-recriminations (expressed as his thoughts in the book), the crux of the character would be lost. IMO narration would take care of this more effectively than dialogue. Regarding his breeches: \"...I decided to wear my Cherrypicker rig, with all the trimmings of gold-laced blue tunic and tight pants...\" [from Royal Flash] Whew! When does this start filming? I think this might be the first time fanfic is written *before* the series airs!"}, {"response": 1089, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (00:22)", "body": "I just finished Flashman and the Dragon...wow. Thanks, Bethan. Chronologically, this is the last of the Flashy books, and Harry, despite his cynicism and realism, seems quite romantic (despite himself) in spots. I wasn't planning to read the series unless CF is confirmed in the role, but after Flashman and the Lady, I'm hooked. Wouldn't have thought it my cup of tea at all, but the writing is terrific, full of action, rich characterizations, vivid descriptions, excellent insights into people and events, s x (not overdone, IMO) and humour. Flashman is an intriguing character. I agree with you, Bethan, that Harry (though he calls himself one) is no coward, or he would be living off papa-in-law's wealth in England instead of being physically and mentally brutalized in the hellholes of the earth on every other page. For a self-serving poltroon, he gets into an awful lot of trouble. CF had better start working out - a lot - for this role. (Eileen) I think this might be the first time fanfic is written *before* the series airs! LOL! (Bethan) If you take the novels (and the character of Flashman) too literally, you won't appreciate them! :-) Too true. I should imagine that these books would be difficult to adapt. IMO they are not racist; Flashman skewers all of the undeserving, including himself, and doesn't fail to give credit where due regardless of race. But... the screenwriters will have to walk a very fine line between making the series palatable to the average TV viewer and not destroying the point of the books (and turning off all of Flashy's fans). BTW, here's Elspeth's (Harry's wife) description of Flashy from Flashman and the Lady: \"He looked so tall and proud and handsome, like the splendid English Lion that he is, that I felt quite faint with love and pride...to think that this striking man, the envy and admiration of all, is - my husband ! He is perfection...\""}, {"response": 1090, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (00:50)", "body": "..... the codpiece ............... Remember, there's no detail too small for our inquiring minds. (Renate) Karen, can't believe what I read! :-P LOL!!! I almost overlooked that detail myself. Glad you caught us, Renate. Okay, looks like Flashy's gonna be great. Now who is worthy to play Elspeth?"}, {"response": 1091, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (01:43)", "body": "If there is a codpiece in Falshman, I am doomed (they also got the wrong costume out of storage)...JE for Elspeth."}, {"response": 1092, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (05:14)", "body": "the codpiece...Remember, there's no detail too small for our inquiring minds. (Renate) Karen, can't believe what I read! :-P *slap slap slap* I won't even try to rationalize this one (Lynda) Harry (though he calls himself one) is no coward, or he would be living off papa-in-law's wealth in England instead of being physically and mentally brutalized in the hellholes of the earth on every other page. But in the second book, when he takes a dangerous assignment to meet up with Lola Montez in Bavaria you learn he really does it to escape being mentally brutalized by his father-in-law and the rest of the family. ;-D As I said earlier, I am hoping to see some maturation in the character, but from what I've seen in the first two books, he is a man who puts his own interests first and foremost. In the second book, he uses another man to expose Lola because he's too chicken to do it himself. (Marcia) JE for Elspeth. As Lizzie she definitely had the figure I would picture, but so far Elspeth is brainless. Maybe it's just an act. Can't tell yet."}, {"response": 1093, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (13:22)", "body": "In the second book, he uses another man to expose Lola because he's too chicken to do it himself. Or is he too much of a gentleman, and regrets having to do it? (I wonder if that is wishful thinking on my part. :-) If Elspeth (say that a few times over), is brainless then you need a very good actrees to play her, say, Natasha Richarson?"}, {"response": 1094, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (15:11)", "body": "MLSF has changed theaters here in Chicago. It moved from downtown to a north suburban location. Am wondering if it's a bargain cinema, as the other films (Limbo, Winslow Boy, and AIH) are all old."}, {"response": 1095, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (15:29)", "body": "(Moon) Or is he too much of a gentleman, and regrets having to do it? Definitely not. He's explicit about his reasons for conning someone else into doing it. Whether he actually is or isn't, it's made clear that Flashman thinks of himself as a coward."}, {"response": 1096, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (20:42)", "body": "Hi, there is a very good review for MLSF in The Sacremento Bee,3 stars \"Firth is too glamourous\" where it opened today, so it is still surviving and getting good reviews.I think you are right Bethan, if ther are so few reels of MLSF I guess it will only have a limited release in the UK, I wonder if it will reach Brighton."}, {"response": 1097, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (21:03)", "body": "Here's the link to the Sacramento Bee review: http://www.sacbee.com/sacbeat/news/sacbeat03_19990827.html when Morris shows up with his new fiancee, the fetching Heloise (Irene Jacob), a young French woman who, at 24, is half his age. Half his age?"}, {"response": 1098, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (21:29)", "body": "....at 24, is half his age. Half his age? MM is reported to be 54 (oh yeah?). All I can say is... he's not growing old v. graciously :-)"}, {"response": 1099, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (22:13)", "body": "Some thoughts on Flashman... I found Mark's comments very interesting. I've always imagined that the readership for the Flashman books would be male rather than female (although this may change!) Flashman is the narrator, and has no illusions about himself or any one else for that matter. I think, as Eileen says, any adaptation will have to incorporate the \"first person addressing the camera\" approach (as in the Francis Urquart series or the recent Moll Flanders)to catch the underlying cynical humour. He sees himself as a coward because he is afraid of dying, but as Lynda says, a self-serving coward would just stay at home! He's certainly not a noble hero, but noble heroics can make for very boring drama! Better a rogue moving towards redemption! But he's often very perceptive in his comments on the futility of war. In \"Flashman at the Charge\" he visits wounded soldiers in the hospital... \"Those brave, deluded pathetic bloody fools in that Russian shed with their mangled bodies and lost limbs - and yet they thought Cardigan, who'd have flogged them for a rusty spur and would see them murdered under the Russian guns because he hadn't wit and manhood enough to tell Lucan to take his order to hell -they thought he was a \"good commander\", and they even cheered me. Mind you, I'm harmless by comparison - I don't send them off, stuffed with lies and rubbish, to get killed and maimed for nothing except a politician's vanity or a manufacture's profit.Oh, I'll sham it with the best in public and sport my tinware and there's no room for honest pride in me, you see. But if there was, just a little bit, along with the disgust and selfishness,- I'd keep it for them, those seven hundred British sabres\", A lot depends on the adaptation...it could be just a ripping yarn (lots of bodice-ripping too!), but with appropriate voice-overs there could be more layers and depth. Lynda....\"Flashman and the Dragon\"....I guess there's one scene we won't see on Primetime TV!! :-)"}, {"response": 1100, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sat, Aug 28, 1999 (01:14)", "body": ".I guess there's one scene we won't see on Primetime TV!! :-) Which one - the one with Flashy being ravished by Orchid while he's chained, helpless and flat on his back, to the bench...or the one in her Royal Apartments with him doing the ravishing...or the one in which she calls him a great greedy beast? And what about the scenes with the tall woman, Szu-Zhan. Such a terrible shame not to allow CF to use all of his acting talent. :-)"}, {"response": 1101, "author": "AnneR", "date": "Sat, Aug 28, 1999 (05:25)", "body": "Those of you who despair at seeing a bewhiskered Colin in Flashman (and I count myself in this number), keep your fingers crossed that they decide to adapt Flashman and the Mountain of Light. In this book, Flashy is sent to the Punjab as a lawyer and diplomat (supposedly) whose real job is to spy for the British. The first order they give him is to \"shave off your moustache and whiskers--do it yourself, no nappy-wallah [barber]and I'll cut your hair myself into something decently civilian- give ye a touch of pomade, pehaps.\" Flashy complies, though it breaks his heart: I felt so low altogether that I decided to complete my misery by shaving my whiskers--that's how reduced I was. When I'd done, and stared at my naked chops in the glass, remembering how Elspeth had adored my face-furniture and sworn they were what had first won her girlish heart, I could have wept. \"Beardie-beardie,\" she used to murmur fondly, and that sent me into a maudlin reverie about that first splendid tumble in the bushes by the Clyde, and equally glorious romps in the Madagascar forest . . . rom which my mind naturally strayed to frenzied gallops with Queen Ranavalona, who hadn't cared for whiskers at all--leastways, she always used to try to wrench mine out by the rooots in moments of ecstasy. Well, some women don't like 'em. Luckily for Flashy, the Punjab is ruled by a woman who is said to be a nymphomaniac. Supposedly she wears out six men a night, but I haven't gotten to that part yet."}, {"response": 1102, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Aug 28, 1999 (06:54)", "body": "LOL, Anne!!!"}, {"response": 1103, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Aug 28, 1999 (08:22)", "body": "And here's me going on about the underlying anti-war themes and Flashy's hidden depths (political astuteness, sensitivity, romantic love of wife etc) whilst the rest of you are being distracted by, well, other things! His whiskers are shaved off in \"Royal Flash\" as well when he has to impersonate a ruling prince. The downside, though, is that they also shave off his curly hair. And doesn't the Royal Concubine object to his hair-i-ness? Have to say that despite my high-minded selection of quotes, my favourite (of the moment!) is from \"Flashman and the Angel of the Lord\" when he encounters (in the Flashman sense) a voluptuous dusky lady from the Deep South who tells Flashy that he was \"her sho' nuff honeymoon baby, of all things, an' whenevah she saw a cucumber aftuh this, she'd think o' me, and other similar endearments.\" Well, shopping for fruit and veg will never be the same again. Fortunately we've only got four \"Flashman\" books on our shelves! :-)"}, {"response": 1104, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Aug 28, 1999 (09:24)", "body": "With all this shaving of whiskers and moustache, I guess it will have to be fake moustache and whiskers!! (unfortunately)"}, {"response": 1105, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Aug 28, 1999 (09:39)", "body": "whenevah she saw a cucumber aftuh this, she'd think o' me Hee hee.....oh why why why there are no Flashman books in Finland, they seem to be really high class stuff ;-) Please, go on with your enjoyable quoting, ladies."}, {"response": 1106, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 28, 1999 (14:22)", "body": "More Food: This is from Royal Flash, a favorite of Eileen's ;-D \"Go away, you fat slut,\" says I, heaving at her. \"Gehan Sie weg, dammit. Don't want you; want Lola.\" I might as well have to move St. Paul's; she was all over me, trying to kiss me, and succeeding, her fat face against mine. I cursed and struggled, and she giggled idiotically and began clawing at my breeches. \"No, you don't,\" says I, seizing her wrist, but I was too tipsy to be able to defend myself properly, or else she as strong for all her blubber. She pinned me down, calling me her duckling, of all things, and her chicken, and then before I knew it she had suddenly hauled me upright and had my fine Cherrypicker pants round my knees, and was squirming her fat backside against me. \"Oh, eine hammelkeule!\" she squeaked. \"Kolossal!\" FYI, hammelkeule means leg of mutton. Wonder to which part of his anatomy she might be referring? ;-D"}, {"response": 1107, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 28, 1999 (14:32)", "body": "Also AnneR has found an article in today's Telegraph about Julie Andrews, which mentions RV and Colin. Here's the url: http://www.telegraph.co.uk:80/et?ac=000576481449931&rtmo=pQNQ4NUe&atmo=FFFFFFtX&pg=/et/99/8/28/bfjuli28.html"}, {"response": 1108, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Aug 28, 1999 (16:24)", "body": "All this moisture on my keyboard is not from drool but from tears of laughter. I'm in stitches, ladies."}, {"response": 1109, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 28, 1999 (17:11)", "body": "Perhaps Renate can shed some light on the \"hammelkeule\" reference. Dear of endearment? Idiom? ;-D"}, {"response": 1110, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 28, 1999 (19:20)", "body": "Hey which book is this....the \"Kolossal cucumber\"one?...Gotta get it:-D *** Good to hear from you Ann R. Tell us more about Flashy...some of us haven't gotten our books yet."}, {"response": 1111, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Aug 28, 1999 (20:20)", "body": "If you guys don't watch out, all your interest will peak (no connotations intended) too soon ... it probably won't be shot until next summer or be shown 'til next fall (in the UK) soonest. Savor it slowly!!! :-D"}, {"response": 1112, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Aug 28, 1999 (20:22)", "body": "... Especially since it appears to be such a HUGE enterprise!!! ;-D"}, {"response": 1113, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Aug 28, 1999 (20:31)", "body": "I like the statement by Julie Andrews that it was wonderful to get the chance to work with people like COLIN FIRTH and Steven Frye. It seems like almost all of the women who work with him feel the same aka GP who gushed on about him playing Wessex so briliantly. MEM who says she loves acting with him. KST who says that he is a good friend and an unselfish actor."}, {"response": 1114, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Aug 28, 1999 (20:35)", "body": "Can't forget Sue Birtwhistle who said that before they were even finished with the script she told the producers she wanted ODB to play Darcy. She had worked with him before and knew that no one could play Darcy like Colin. She knew what she was talking about thats for certain"}, {"response": 1115, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 28, 1999 (20:50)", "body": "More on the Kolossal cucumber: --and then I was standing there, mother-naked, while Detchard listened with his ear to the panels of the communicating door. \"Lucky little Duchess Irma,\" murmurs Rudi, and I saw him grinning at me. \"Let's hope the real prince is as royally endowed.\" He tipped me a mock salute, very debonair. I do hope they use this story for one of their episodes. This is where his head and whiskers are shaved to impersonate the prince. It will also be interesting watching him learn to act as the prince. The actor acting. :)"}, {"response": 1116, "author": "quimby", "date": "Sat, Aug 28, 1999 (21:15)", "body": "He certainly does seem like an actors' actor. It may not help his fame and fortune much, but it obviously makes him and everyone around him happy. What a peculiar choice in this day and age, and how cool."}, {"response": 1117, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Aug 28, 1999 (21:32)", "body": "MLSF and still another good review, I particularly like this one http://www,rochestergoesout.com/mov/m/mylife.html - so when did it open in Rochester, anybody from Rochester area - lurkers?"}, {"response": 1118, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Aug 28, 1999 (21:34)", "body": "try again http://www.rochestergoesout.com/mov/m/mylife.html"}, {"response": 1119, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Aug 28, 1999 (21:59)", "body": "I'm afraid I can't contribute much re \"Hammelkeule\" which isn't already in the quote above. But I think that mutton legs do not belong into the category of small details easily overlooked. Got my first Flashman novel (Vol.I) today, can't wait to begin--------"}, {"response": 1120, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Aug 28, 1999 (22:22)", "body": "I saw the Julie Andrews article in the Telegraph (thanks for giving the URL, Karen). In the newspaper version it is very prominent, and there's a large pic of JA, obviously from the film, looking very elegant, sitting at a dinner table holding a glass of wine. I'm sure this will be a good looking movie. I like the description of CF's character as a \"surrogate Noel Coward...witty\" From Coward to Flash Harry (via Don Quixote and Shakespeare)...quite a range! JA sounds like a very gracious lady...I think t ere will be a lot of interest in RV, and it's already getting some useful pre-publicity. And talking of Flashy...yes, KJ, it could be a longish wait! ITV drama is actually (in my opinion) the most decorous of our various TV channels (sorry, ladies!)and also the best in terms of quality. I think we'll get a cross between Hornblower/Sharpe and Moll Flanders, with some expert comedy from the likes of Joanna Lumley and Felicity Kendall as Flashy's ladies. And I think Colin will look very sexy, but, no more..! :-) But there's always the books... BTW I wonder if Colin agonised over taking this role as much as he did over Darcy (Remember \"I looked in the mirror and didn't see Darcy\".) Or did he just look in the mirror and think Y-e-e-sss!!."}, {"response": 1121, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 28, 1999 (22:28)", "body": "MLSF is gone from Dallas...maybe Rochester got their copy. (Rochester,NY? C'mon. Houston is the #4 city and hasn't gotten it yet. Grrrr) **** LOL at KJArt wanting us to hold back on Flashman....you know us too well for that."}, {"response": 1122, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 28, 1999 (22:34)", "body": "(Bethan)ITV drama is actually (in my opinion) the most decorous of our various TV channels (sorry, ladies!)and also the best in terms of quality.I think we'll get a cross between Hornblower/Sharpe and Moll Flanders, There was nothing decorous about Moll Flanders. **** BTW Richard Eyre who is the CEO of ITV also directed Colin in Tumblewood, as you remember, and is the husband of Sue Birtwistle!! Way to go, Sue!"}, {"response": 1123, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 28, 1999 (23:23)", "body": "Ann: It probably opened on Friday. (BTW, it is Rochester NY, Evelyn.) The theater looks to be the local arthouse, as it is also playing The Castle, AIH, Tea with Mussolini, and My Son the Fanatic. What happened? Neither Limbo or The Red Violin are playing there. (Renate) But I think that mutton legs do not belong into the category of small details easily overlooked. Quite right, especially in pants that are described as fitting like a second skin. ;-D"}, {"response": 1124, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Aug 29, 1999 (00:19)", "body": "LOL! In Italy we sometimes call it \"La terza gamba\" the third leg."}, {"response": 1125, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug 29, 1999 (00:50)", "body": "...In Italy we sometimes call it \"La terza gamba\" the third leg. ROTFLMAO....Molto bene, signorina...Mucho bettah than KC (Kol. Cuke) ***** .... pants that are described as fitting like a second skin. ;-D Is this what is referred to in the book as \"Cherryskin Pants'?"}, {"response": 1126, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Aug 29, 1999 (02:19)", "body": "(Evelyn) LOL at KJArt wanting us to hold back on Flashman....you know us too well for that. Did I say \"Hold Back\"?? You're right, I know you too well for that! Just suggesting a little moderation is all, lest you run out of analysis fodder long before the real thing is due."}, {"response": 1127, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 29, 1999 (13:55)", "body": "Article in Sunday Times about doing the \"classics\" on television. Mentions both P&P and TTOTS. Here are the relevant bits: The Turn of the Screw, ITV, probably Christmas Henry James's brilliant ghost story, adapted by Nick Dear. Stars Pam Ferris, Jodhi May and Colin Firth. For all their traditional roots, classic adaptations are getting much sharper and more up to date. \"In Pride and Prejudice, we put in things that weren't in the book, like the scene with Darcy swimming at the lake,\" says Sue Birtwistle, the producer. \"We talked long and hard about it, but we felt it was reasonable to show he was a young man who had these responsibilities of running an estate and occasionally must have wanted a moment to himself. Nobody seemed to mind.\" When it's really convincing, nobody does. (More relationships better understood) \"Reunites Davies, a former Eng Lit lecturer, with his former pupil and producer on Pride and Prejudice, Sue Birtwistle.\" (This is from the snippet about \"Wives and Daughters.\")"}, {"response": 1128, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug 29, 1999 (16:12)", "body": "Has everyone voted in the MLSF poll in the Rochester, NY paper that AnnW. found? Go to: http://www.rochestergoesout.com/mov/m/mylife.html **** ...TTOTS..Henry James's brilliant ghost story, adapted by Nick Dear. I like to see the term adapted ...I just finished the book and I hope the Uncle's (Master...CF) part is enhanced."}, {"response": 1129, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Aug 29, 1999 (18:20)", "body": "So far there have been 14 votes, so... go for it, ladies!"}, {"response": 1130, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Aug 29, 1999 (22:54)", "body": "just finished the book and I hope the Uncle's (Master...CF) part is enhanced. Must be surely! TOTS seems to lend itself to widely differing interpretations and adaptations ( apparently there's another film version starrring Lauren Bacall and Harvey Keitel, in which the governess goes mad, coming out soon) In the Deborah Kerr version. the Master was played by Sir Michael Redgrave, head of the Redgrave clan. If TOTS is being aired over Christmas, I think it will have to have a reasonably upbeat ending, maybe with a touch of romance (well, here's hoping!). I'm hoping that the Master is more involved in the story-line! At least with Flashman, there's no doubt...he's on every page!! Any news of FP in the States? Is it finally opening there (LA/NY?) or is it straight to video? Ann, any news of MLSF in the UK? I read that \"The Theory of Flight\" with Kenneth Branagh and Helena B-C, which got dismal reviews in the US, is opening nationwide, as is \"The Winslow Boy\". AIH and \"The Honest Courtesan (Rufus Sewell)also got 200 screen openings, as did \"The James Gang\" (John Hannah), Miramax's last all-Brit release. If MLSF is London-only, I shall be ABSOLUTELY furious! But I've no high hopes. :-(( Have to say I'm glad Colin is doing TV and theatre....his leading man career seems to be ji xed! If you'd told me 2 years ago that we'd still be waiting to see MLSF and that SLOW would be the only Arts Council funded film not to reach the screen, I'd not have believed it! Life is strange! :-)"}, {"response": 1131, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Aug 30, 1999 (06:54)", "body": "MLSF, No no news Bethan, but how about we both telephone this week, I was told to telephone again about now and if it is to be released in October as it said in the recent DP interview, they must have an exact date by now!!"}, {"response": 1132, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Aug 30, 1999 (15:09)", "body": "(Bethan) And here's me going on about the underlying anti-war themes and Flashy's hidden depths (political astuteness, sensitivity, romantic love of wife etc) whilst the rest of you are being distracted by, well, other things! I guess they don't call this 'drool' for nuthin'! Thanks for taking the high road, Bethan. There's no way ODB would take this part if it only featured the \"bedroom dimension\" of his acting talent, not to mention the size of his.... pants? You're right, KJ, it will be a long wait for the kolossal Flashman. But there's nothing like a jump start to get us going! For now I'd like to see more confirmation that Colin's actually doing this series. Is that do-able, Ann, Bethan, Allison? (Bethan) :-(( Have to say I'm glad Colin is doing TV and theatre....his leading man career seems to be jinxed! Patience, my dear...patience!"}, {"response": 1133, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 30, 1999 (15:14)", "body": "Must have been press day on the Isle of Man. This from the NY Daily News, but no mention of Colin or other cast: Julie Andrews Speaks The star, whose vocal cords were damaged in 1997 by a bacterial infection, isn't ready to sing, but has mended enough to play a proper English mother in \"Relative Values,\" a $10 million comedy that just started shooting on the Isle of Man off the coast of Northern Ireland. \"She can talk,\" said Gene Schwam, who represents Andrews and her husband, director Blake Edwards. \"She just can't sing.\" Edwards is in Los Angeles trying to nail down financing for his new comedy, \"It Never Rains,\" starring Chevy Chase. The two won't see each other until the end of September when Andrews returns to L.A. Schwam said Andrews and Edwards recently put their Manhattan townhouse up for sale. \"They still have a condo in L.A., and a house in Sag Harbor,\" he said. \"And they still may buy something else in New York.\" ************ BTW, I retract my predictions about Mickey Blues Eyes. It is amazingly bad. Trailer was 100x funnier. Also, I am beginning to dislike Jeanne Tripplehorn tremendously. Will be difficult watching her in RV, especially as I expect another larger-than-life parody character, as she's been doing in MBE and Sliding Doors. ************* Flashman Update: I recommend \"Royal Flash\" more so than the first book. This book is full of swash and buckling (as would indicate from the dedication that Eileen mentioned). I do hope they use this story for one for one of the episodes, even though we would have a bald Colin throughout. However, Harry swordfights and is in the thick of many a fight. Yes, he cowers inwardly, but rises to the occasion. He does a number of despicable things, but hey that's his character. ;-D ************** Television Notice: Valmont will be shown on Thursday, Sept.2, on Showtime at 8:00 pm Eastern Time. If anyone doesn't own the tape, this would be a good place to record it from, as there won't be any commercials and it should be unedited."}, {"response": 1134, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 30, 1999 (15:59)", "body": "Now this takes the cake, from Variety: Fox's new drama \"Manchester Prep\" has added Ted Shackelford to the cast. The ColTriStar show is exec produced by Neal Moritz and is based on the feature \"Cruel Intentions.\" Shackelford, best known for his role on the long-running series \"Knots Landing\" has also done episodes of \"The Outer Limits\" and \"Cybill\" and appeared in Showtime's \"Dead Man's Gun.\" LOL!! Gary Ewing in a TV series based on Dangerous Liaisons/Valmont."}, {"response": 1135, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 30, 1999 (21:23)", "body": "The LA Times has an article about Julie Andrews and Relative Values. It is basically the same as appeared in the Saturday Telegraph. Same writer (David Gritten), but edited to read slightly differently. http://www.calendarlive.com/HOME/CALENDARLIVE/CALENDAR/t000077220.html For example: (British) \"She has certainly had more than her share of adversity.\" (American) \"It certainly has been a hard couple of years for Andrews...\" I guess we don't know what *adversity* means! ;-D"}, {"response": 1136, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Mon, Aug 30, 1999 (21:42)", "body": "A friend came across this in an Australian magazine and I thought it might interest you, eve though there is no mention of Colin. \"It\ufffds a case of revenge for big-bummed girls. Skinny GWYNETH PALTROW has long dreamed of playing the lead role in the film adaptation of the hit book \ufffdBridget Jones\ufffd Diary\ufffd, but it seems she\ufffdll be knocked back because of a lack of certain physical attributes. \"We need an actress with a bum and breasts, so Gwyneth would have to be prepared to put on a couple of stone,\" a production source says. The likely person for the role is HELENA BONHAM CARTER. Okay, so she\ufffds not completely chunky, but you can\ufffdt e pect miracles in Hollywood.\" I thought this would have been an English production or do you think the reference to Hollywood is tongue in cheek? As a big-bummed girl myself, I definitely wouldn't call Helena chunky. The last time I saw her a wondered about her eating habits :-)"}, {"response": 1137, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Aug 30, 1999 (23:51)", "body": "For now I'd like to see more confirmation that Colin's actually doing this series. Is that do-able, Ann, Bethan, Allison? I saw the news item so ably spotted by Ann in the TV Times. Very prominent and a nice pic of Colin (We have a scanner but I'm IT illiterate) I'd take it as a fact, especially as they're already discussing the casting of the other roles. And he couldn't turn this down. It will probably mean four 2-hour productions of quality, big budget drama ...probably ITV's tour de force for the year. Flashman Update: I recommend \"Royal Flash\" more so than the first book. This book is full of swash and buckling (Karen) Agreed...and IMO the books get better and better, in terms of story-telling, style and historical/political background. And Flashy definitely does mature! We were in our local Waterstones today, so I picked up another Flashman...\"Flash for Freedom\". The cover has Flashy, standing legs akimbo (a most provocative stance!)clad in breeches and boots and open necked white shirt, flourishing a whip! Pity I can't scan! BTW I agree that \"Royal Flash\" is a prime contender for an adaptation, but we won't see him b ld...maybe just a very short cut! And no moustache or whiskers. Win some, lose some. Ann, yes, phoning Miramax about release dates makes sense, although sometimes I prefer to live in (false)hope! If I get some callow youth wittering on about everything depending on Box Office returns in the US (all those 18 prints!), I'll not be best pleased! :-). Glad to hear that Miramax had a mega flop in Mrs Tingle. Seems to be backing the wrong horse time. Karen, my 15 year old son (quite discriminating) saw \"Mickey Blue Eyes\" and thought it was rubbish (although it had reasonalble reviews over here). As I've said many times I despair of Cinema in the UK...we don't even get the opportunity to see decent \"small\" movies anymore and the multiplexes are filled with teenagers. Thanks for the article Cathey. I saw Helena B-C's name in connection with BJD about a year ago, but not recently. Don't think she's right for the part. From Karen's posting on #80, I wonder if they will start shooting in October as they still seem to be working on the script. But they can't delay for ever. And I still want to see CF as MD (although am slightly distracted by the prospect of Flash Harry!)"}, {"response": 1138, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 31, 1999 (00:08)", "body": "Here's one version of the cover, but not the one you described. Will check around to see if that one already exists out there. I'd like to see it too! ;-D Very provocative stance. And did I say in \"Royal Flash\" he gets wet. Really wet! More than once!!"}, {"response": 1139, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Aug 31, 1999 (00:14)", "body": "Helena B-C should be Shazz. Why do they see it? Thanks for all the news-bits, ladies. I will have to search out Royal Flash."}, {"response": 1140, "author": "peejay", "date": "Tue, Aug 31, 1999 (00:38)", "body": "Firth comes first, to be sure. But I've loved the \"Sharpe\" series, so I'm agog that CF will be turning up in something of the same ilk. Please, please, let it not come to be just another bit of CF \"pie-in-the sky\" rumor. I'm a tad elderly -- I can't take too much more deisappointment!!"}, {"response": 1141, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Aug 31, 1999 (04:35)", "body": "(Moon)Helena B-C should be Shazz. I agree... no way will can she pull off playing Bridge herself, but Shazz is a good consolation prize. BTW Moon, welcome back! Hope you had a refreshing, fun and enjoyable trip!"}, {"response": 1142, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 31, 1999 (13:14)", "body": "Welcome Peejay! Don't fret. We've had confirmation that there will be a Flashman series, although nothing specific on casting, etc. Now, that you're out of lurkdom, join in. ;-D"}, {"response": 1143, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 31, 1999 (13:37)", "body": "BBC News has picked up the LA Times article. Andrews voices singing hopes Actress and singer Julie Andrews has said that she hopes to sing again, despite the surgery that robbed her of her famous voice two years ago. The 64 year-old British-born star of classic musicals The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins has been unable to sing since undergoing throat surgery in 1997. But Andrews, who is currently making a film version of Noel Coward's 1951 play Relative Values, has told the Los Angeles Times that she has not given up the struggle to regain her voice. \"It's been a tough two years. I can't pretend it's been easy. But I'm a very optimistic lady. I think I will sing again. I hope to,\" she said. Born in Surrey, Julie Andrews shot to international stardom with 1964's hugely successful family musical Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music in 1965. She was also in the original Broadway versions of Camelot and My Fair Lady and she won a Tony Award nomination for the stage version of Victor/Victoria. But in 1997, after missing more than 30 performances of the show, she quit for good to have surgery on non-cancerous nodules in her throat. In the summer of 1998 she made a tentative step back to singing when she recorded the vocal part of Polynesia The Parrot for the London stage show Doctor Dolittle. But despite not having taken on any further singing projects, Andrews is determined not to let the grass grow under her feet. In Relative Values, she plays the part of the widowed English countess Felicity. She stars alongside Colin Firth, Jeanne Tripplehorn, William Baldwin and Sophie Thompson. After filming finishes in the spring she plans to go on to several other projects, including collaborating on a book with her daughter Emma and starting work on her autobiography. ********** This is the photo that accompanied the article. I'd say it was from the 1960s. ;-D"}, {"response": 1144, "author": "aishling", "date": "Tue, Aug 31, 1999 (13:56)", "body": "Another snippet from the TVTimes. Pam Ferris heads a cast including Colin Firth and Jodhi May for an ITV adaptation of the Henry James ghost story The Turn of The Screw, which is currently filming in London and Berkshire. No pics."}, {"response": 1145, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 31, 1999 (16:28)", "body": "Welcome Peejay...do join in the the daily drool. Thanks Aishling....the guy must be commuting between Berkshire and the Isle of Man!"}, {"response": 1146, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 31, 1999 (17:39)", "body": "the guy must be commuting between Berkshire and the Isle of Man! Doubt it. From what you've said, Evelyn, his role in TTOTS is definitely small, probably of a cameo variety. We'll probably see his name at the end of the credits: \"and Colin Firth\" indicating a star-like cameo appearance. If anything, his part would take two days on the set. :("}, {"response": 1147, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Aug 31, 1999 (20:46)", "body": "Re. the cover for \"Flash for Freedom\"......No, it's not the one, Karen! When I say \"provocative\", I mean \"provocative\"! There seem to be several reprints of the Flashmans. The original copies that we already had on our shelves had covers like the one you scanned. Then there's a mid-nineties version, with a more cartoon-like Flashy on the covers, usually with naked women in the background. And now there's a 1999 reprint, much more attractive, with covers in a sort of parchment colour and illustrations of F ashy looking very gallant, in different costumes. I particularly like the cover for \"Flashman in the Great Game\". If you're ordering, ask for the latest reprint. From what you've said, Evelyn, his role in TTOTS is definitely small, probably of a cameo variety Not necessarily. It is an adaptation, and the Master could feature more strongly. If Pam Ferris has the lead role (ie not Jodhi May who plays the second governess) then it may be told through the Housekeeper's eyes and chronologically, ie back to the days of the arrival of the children and the first governess and Quint, when the Master did spend more time at the House. Otherwise, to be honest, I don't see how they can fill 2 hours! BTW, Nick Dear who did the adaptation (and \"Persuasion\") seems to be a serious \"literary\" writer. I noticed that he's credited with the adaptation of a Maxim Gorky play, being performed by the National Theatre ensemble,(which includes JE)"}, {"response": 1148, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 31, 1999 (21:17)", "body": "...Nick Dear who did the adaptation (and \"Persuasion\") seems to be a serious \"literary\"writer. I noticed that he's credited with the adaptation of a Maxim Gorky play, being performed by the National Theatre ensemble,(which includes JE) In this instance he even changed the title ....it was originally known as \"Summer People\". So there is great hope that he will take the \"literary liberty\" of enhancing the uncle's (CF)part.TTOTS was supposed to take place in Essex...so he has already changed it to Berkshire.But I'm all for CF having a leading role in this despite possible major surgery to the original. I really don't want to discuss the implications of changing the roles ...because it is a mystery and we will be spoiling it Big Ti e. But I can see that it will be a spirited discussion...lots of ambiguities. (You think the \"loft scene\" in MLSF was ambiguous...this whole plot is..)"}, {"response": 1149, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Aug 31, 1999 (22:47)", "body": "Call me dumb, but I really don't understand TOTS. One earlier film version (there have been a surprising number of adaptations) had the new governess mentally unhinged by sexual frustration (desire for the Master?...she certainly seems smitten!) Now that's my kind of plot...much better than wee ghosties and things that go bump in the night! Forgot to welcome you back, Moon! My elder son is currently youth hostelling in Italy and loving every minute of it. We're hoping to visit Florence later this year."}, {"response": 1150, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep  1, 1999 (00:05)", "body": "Thank you Bethan and Winter! Bethan, remember to tell your son if he goes to Lake Como there is a great one in Menaggio. You will like Florence in the wintertime it is quite tolerable, not too many tourists."}, {"response": 1151, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  1, 1999 (00:34)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1152, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep  1, 1999 (00:45)", "body": "(Bethan)Call me dumb, but I really don't understand TOTS. Oh...I think Henry James did this on purpose...as in his other stories. Makes it more intriguing. There are many literary analyses of this particular book. And, interestingly, each case can substantiate their opinion. I think it's terrific esp if Mr. Dear amplifies the Master's part:-)"}, {"response": 1153, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Sep  1, 1999 (03:15)", "body": "Welcome, peejay. I can't tell you how glad I am to see you here!! Linger and return at regular intervals, do. And by all means, put in your 2 - cents' - worth as often as you are moved to do so.!!"}, {"response": 1154, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep  1, 1999 (12:26)", "body": "September 1st is upon us, time to start seriously planning Colin's Birthday Party to be held on topic 110 on September 10th. BTW, it is also the first year anniversary of CF.Com. Three cheers for the 3Deers! All the planning should take place on topic 72. See you there!"}, {"response": 1155, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Sep  1, 1999 (13:57)", "body": "Encore is also celebrating ODB's birthday by airing Another Country (they must want to get the party going early since it's on at 7:45 a.m.--not exactly prime time). (Evelyn) But I can see that it will be a spirited discussion...lots of ambiguities. Speculate? Us? ;-P This will give us something to talk about besides Flashman, which, as KJArt pointed out, won't be before our eyes for some time. Even if the Master turns out to be a relatively small role, don't forget about the veritable feast of Firth available for our viewing pleasure later this year and next. Colin must be hot, hot, hot right now--he's been working nearly non-stop all year and has been involved with Blackadder, Londinium, RV and now TTOTS since June! Whew! I wonder if this was all in the works when he took his 'sabbatical' in Italy last year (searching the hills of Umbria for antiques...and Moon ;-)), or if SiL and 3DOR open d things up. Regardless, I'm thrilled he's working and has projects lined up into next year. ...and welcome, peejay!"}, {"response": 1156, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep  1, 1999 (15:22)", "body": "I think it also has to do with the fact that Colin\ufffds agent has become aware of the many firthettes out there. They have been made aware of CF.com and other sites and know of our resourcefulness in finding out what projects Colin is involved in even before there is any official press release. His agent finally woke up. Welcome peejay! (Eilleen), searching the hills of Umbria for antiques...and Moon ;-)), I wish! I don't know if I can talk DH into returning to Umbria every summer. He prefers the Dolomites. But my courage always rises, and I shall prevail. ;-)"}, {"response": 1157, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep  1, 1999 (15:26)", "body": "BTW, Flashman might be one of his early hero's. In Italy the have Sagor and my DH has the complete collection. Imagine being able to become your childhood hero in the flesh."}, {"response": 1158, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  1, 1999 (18:13)", "body": "(Moon) BTW, Flashman might be one of his early heroes. Shame it wasn't Superman. Am picturing the costume.... But, if the cherrypicker pants fit like a second skin, would be the same... ;-D"}, {"response": 1159, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Sep  1, 1999 (19:01)", "body": "(Evelyn) But I can see that it will be a spirited discussion...lots of ambiguities. TOTS...It's all ambiguous...every single word of it! Don't read on if you prefer to make up tour own mind about TOTS or haven't read it ... I think the \"Sexual hysteria\" theory makes a lot of sense. I originally saw the governess as the heroine (rather stupid though) and the Uncle as uncaring. But on reflection I think the text bears out the theory that she suffers from sexual repression, infatuation (with the Master and the boy) and madness/evil. The children are always asking when their Uncle is coming, they write to him (but she keeps the letters), the Housekeeper is always suggesting they send for him...and before appointing the governess he was in the habit of coming to see them. The governess seems to deliberately set out to \"acquire\" the children, whilst fantasising about the Master. Af first I thought this was just another ghost story, but I'm now very interested to see how Nick Dear interprets this. But I think The Master has a crucial role to play (and hopefully more screen time), and I wonder how they'll handle the ending. Lots of scope for discussion, anyway. And TOTS has been discussed for seceral decades already...it even has its own Listserv discussion group!"}, {"response": 1160, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep  1, 1999 (20:18)", "body": "TOTS..(Bethan)... think the \"Sexual hysteria\" theory makes a lot of sense. I don't entirely agree with your premise....but I don't want to give my impression till more people have read the book (maybe a new topic?).Anyway,spineless chameleon that I am,... I'm famous for changing my opinions once we start discussing the production."}, {"response": 1161, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Sep  2, 1999 (01:02)", "body": "Welcome Peejay"}, {"response": 1162, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Sep  2, 1999 (18:32)", "body": "I just had a marvelous experience... I was watching a tape I made in absentia, a documentary on Jorge Luis Borges the Argentinian writer, and guess whose voice read the excerpts of his writings? Not credited, but I'd recognize ODB anywhere!"}, {"response": 1163, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep  2, 1999 (21:18)", "body": "(Gi)....a documentary on Jorge Luis Borges the Argentinian writer, and guess whose voice read the excerpts of his writings? How exciting, Gi. I assume in English. He did a documentary called Bizzely's Mozart....about a dance company. I have it.... But it would put anyone to sleep....No inflections...just a monotone. He would do better , I think , with a literary piece. Is it poetry? (How I miss Ellen Armstrong's FAQ....she would have had all the details.)"}, {"response": 1164, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Sep  2, 1999 (21:25)", "body": "Mmmmmm....what a lovely surprise that was, Gi!"}, {"response": 1165, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Sep  2, 1999 (21:27)", "body": "What, Colin being boring, Evelyn?!"}, {"response": 1166, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep  2, 1999 (21:35)", "body": "...What, Colin being boring, Evelyn?! Weeell, I didn't say boring ...zzzzzzzzzzzzz Maybe, it was the \"content\" :-D You wouldn't need a sleeping pill :-)"}, {"response": 1167, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  2, 1999 (22:08)", "body": "Re: Bintley's Mozart Colin's narration is so minor. The first 30 minutes or so is about the choreographer and that's where Colin's narration occurs, between the interviewing. Then the last part is a performance of the ballet and there's no more Colin. I did have it on tape, but have subsequently taped over it. I do like to listen to my audiotape of \"One Before the Last.\" That's anything but boring. All that heavy breathing!! ;-o"}, {"response": 1168, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep  2, 1999 (22:13)", "body": "(Karen)The first 30 minutes or so is about the choreographer and that's where Colin's narration occurs, between the interviewing. Then the last part is a performance of the ballet and there's no more Colin. Maybe that's when you fell asleep :-D ... I do like to listen to my audiotape of \"One Before the Last.\" That's anything but boring. All that heavy breathing!! . Now, ya' talkin'. But don't listen while driving....you'll go off the road:-)"}, {"response": 1169, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  2, 1999 (22:21)", "body": "And, Gi, what a shock that must have been to hear Colin's voice. Can't believe it was uncredited. How did it sound?"}, {"response": 1170, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep  2, 1999 (23:21)", "body": "STOP THE PRESS....BIG NEWS!! Murph has a Big Treat for you tonight..... http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/4144/news2.html (If you refer to this news on any other website pl. give Murph's page credit)"}, {"response": 1171, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  2, 1999 (23:22)", "body": "Murph had a surprise visitor to her website: a member of the crew from Turn of the Screw. Thanks Murph for sharing! *********** From Clive Derbyshire: \"I just worked with Colin on \"Turn of The Screw\", so I thought I'd give you some info. \"Turn of The Screw\" is adapted from the novel of the same name by American author Henry James and is set in England in 1850. In the film we made most of the action takes place in the English countryside, at a big house called Bly, but there are a few scenes right at the beginning set in London and Colin is in just one of them - his only appearance in the film, though it's quite a long scene and Colin's character, The Master, is very important. We shot the scene on Saturday 31st July 1999 in Syon House, the London home of the Duke of Norfolk, I believe. It took us all day from 8 am to 7 pm. The only other actor in the scene was 24-year-old Jodie May, who plays \"Miss\", the lead role in the film. Everything went well: Colin is very very easy to work with, very professional and great fun too. We have a couple of friends in common so we spent quite a bit of time chatting, on and off set (I had lunch with him on our dining bus). The Production Company was Meridian TV, Director was Ben Bolt and the Sound Recordist was me, Clive Derbyshire. Right now, with filming completed on 22nd August, \"Turn of The Screw\" is being edited.\""}, {"response": 1172, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep  3, 1999 (00:44)", "body": "Thanks for sharing Murph! And you for posting Karen. It's great to see that so many in the business are aware of Murph's site as well as CF.com. They are done with care and love and you are appreciated. I wonder if Clive mentioned to Colin that he would be sending this info to us. I tend to think so. Keep up the good work!"}, {"response": 1173, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Sep  3, 1999 (15:14)", "body": "Thanks to Clive, Murph, Karen and Evelyn (how alike great minds are--you were posting simultaneously!) for this juicy info about TOTS and Colin. and Colin is in just one of them - his only appearance in the film, though it's quite a long scene and Colin's character, The Master, is very important. Alas, Bethan, it looks as though the part of the Master won't be enlarged in this adaptation :-( Colin is very very easy to work with, very professional and great fun too Those words I love to hear..."}, {"response": 1174, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep  3, 1999 (23:34)", "body": "....The Master, is very important. Alas, Bethan, it looks as though the part of the Master won't be enlarged in this adaptation :-( Actually, I'm impressed that Mr. Dear is being faithful to the original..and not getting relevant and make a romantic tale out of this...which it is not. It's hard to improve on Henry James! And indeed the Master is v. important to the plot...even though his actual screen time is small.IMO if Mr. Dear had enlarged the role, the character would not have been as important to the story.. (Confusing?...Read the book...only 120 pages.) Anyway, Karen has a good take on this role as being quite prestigious for Colin...I'll let her explain it."}, {"response": 1175, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep  3, 1999 (23:35)", "body": "sorry....got carried away:-)"}, {"response": 1176, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Sep  3, 1999 (23:55)", "body": "I watched and ENJOYED Valmont on Showtime last night. This is the first movie I ever saw Colin in. Sremember in the beginning when he comes into the box with Annette Benning and Cecil I thought Wow, what a gorgeous smile this guy has.\" I still think that every time I see him."}, {"response": 1177, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (01:40)", "body": "I was watching a tape I made in absentia, a documentary on Jorge Luis Borges the Argentinian writer, and guess whose voice read the excerpts of his writings? Not credited, but I'd recognize ODB anywhere! Gi, this is an interesting find! Please, may we know the FULL AND PRECISE details? The title of the program, the maker/producer, TV/film company, year, where did it air as you recorded it? Anything else you know about it? Would you be able to make copies for those of us who want their Firth archives as complete as possible? (Audio copy only would be acceptable in this instance.)"}, {"response": 1178, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (08:09)", "body": "I cannot tell you all the details right now because I'm out of Lisbon for the weekend, but will do so when I get back. I can, I think, borrow a VCR and make a few PAL copies to send...Indeed I shall be happy to do so. Audio? I never tried to make audio tapes from videos, but I guess I can make them too? I believe the program is Argentinian originally, because of the credited names, but this was an English voice-over version. Colin reads prose, but Borges's prose is beautiful and poetic (in any language)."}, {"response": 1179, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (09:06)", "body": "..The Master, is very important. Alas, Bethan, it looks as though the part of the Master won't be enlarged in this adaptation :-( Actually, I'm impressed that Mr. Dear is being faithful to the original..and not getting relevant and make a romantic tale out of this...which it is not. Well, I'm ever the optimist (now, if I'd been the adapter, The Master would have been in every other scene!). But, seriously, I'm not surprised, and I actually agree with you Evelyn about the need for a faithful adaptation. From the date of the shooting (31 July), it looks as though Colin squeezed this in at the very end of Londinium, and the day before RV started. Nice to read Clive's remarks about TOTS."}, {"response": 1180, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (09:22)", "body": "I meant to add....Syon House, where Colin's scene (a long one, I hope!)was filmed, is in the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew (reachable by Tube) and was built by Robert Adam and must have a fine interior. It is, I believe, open to the public. I'm taking TOTS as an extra and unexpected bonus! BTW has anyone noticed how in classic liteature the main character is almost always female...very few leading males (even fewer heroic), unless you venture into Conrad. Flashy may not be \"classic\" but he's one of the few male leads around! (and Mark Darcy, I suppose!... BTW when will they release casting info on thisone, they must know by now, and normally production companies are only too happy to publicise casting well ahead of the event!) Moon, my son is back from Italy. He absolutely loved Venice and Verona and Lake Garda, liked Florence and Rome (but wouldn't like to live in Rome...murderous traffic) but hated Milan. Overall though, he can't wait to go back!"}, {"response": 1181, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (14:18)", "body": "has anyone noticed how in classic liteature the main character is almost always female...very few leading males (even fewer heroic), unless you venture into Conrad Interesting... Almost always? But first you would have to define your notion of \"classic literature\". Your observation might be substantiated to a degree by the proliferation of women writers in certain periods and genres, but in the general history of world literature male heroes are abundant."}, {"response": 1182, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (14:18)", "body": "Have started Flashman's Lady, but got bogged down with the cricket game. Argh! What is that game all about? Doesn't seem possible that a team could score 90+ whatevers in one inning."}, {"response": 1183, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (14:24)", "body": "I was at Kew Garden's a few days before! He might have been rehearsing then. Glad to hear your son had a great time Bethan. I can undrstand why he wouldn't like Milan. It is the business heart of Italy. (Once you get to know it well, it is very exciting though). (Gi), Colin reads prose, but Borges's prose is beautiful and poetic (in any language). I agree! I would like to have a PAL copy. Let me know. :-D"}, {"response": 1184, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (14:24)", "body": "(Bethan) I'm taking TOTS as an extra and unexpected bonus! Quite right. Now if this were the only role he had taken this year, I'd be quite vocally disappointed. Considering this is his 7th(?) project in 1999, how can I complain?"}, {"response": 1185, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (14:51)", "body": "(Evelyn) Anyway, Karen has a good take on this role as being quite prestigious for Colin...I'll let her explain it. Let's hear it,Karen,please. Don't keep us in suspense. Cricket is one game I cannot figure out at all, and I have tried in the past. I think you have to go to a game with an expert and have it explained while you are watching. I can't even tell the teams apart as everybody seems to dress alike. All I got out of Flashman's Lady is that Flashman was a much better bowler (pitcher?) than batter and that with skill, luck and cleverness, he got 3 excellent players out in a row, apparently a difficult, therefore memorable, feat. I am presently reading Flashman and the Redskins when Flashy is now 53, with a little grey in his whiskers but no belly. His feelings toward his wife after 35 years of marriage are most endearing and unexpected; Flashman is definitely a complex character. Loved the first part, especially when he is rescued by and then married to an Apache princess. Quite a different wedding night than in Royal Flash. These books are somewhat addicting; I wish Fraser had written more."}, {"response": 1186, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (15:32)", "body": "(Lynda) I wish Fraser had written more. I read at a Flashman site that \"Flashman and the Tiger\" is to be released in the UK in November. Re: prestigious I only meant that his limited cameo appearance in TOTS will be billed/credited as that for a big star most likely. You know how, when the opening credits run, it is based on who is the lead, etc.? Colin will likely have that last single- name-on-the-screen credit, prefaced by \"and Colin Firth\" which is reserved for big name stars in limited roles. While not quite the same, Jason Robards had that type of opening credit in ATA because based on the size of the role he would have placed third which would ot befit someone of his stature. Likewise Colin in TOTS, he would be way down. This way it shows his appearance is of a \"star turn.\""}, {"response": 1187, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (15:47)", "body": "It was like that for Judi Dench in SIL, and she still pulled off the Oscar. ;-)"}, {"response": 1188, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (16:40)", "body": "Thank you Karen for explaining the billing ...now let's hope they do it!...now will someone pleeeze read that book and not leave Bethan and me hangin' out there? (Bethan) Syon House, where Colin's scene (a long one, I hope!)was filmed, is in the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew (reachable by Tube) and was built by Robert Adam and must have a fine interior. It is, I believe, open to the public. Thank you, Bethan.We hope to make a trek out there when we go in January.Wish it wasn't so far out. (And why not?...look at the gang that trekked out to Arsenal in March....in the rain!:-) Not me..(she said virtuously!)"}, {"response": 1189, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (17:10)", "body": "FYI, MLSF is now playing at two suburban theaters in the Chicago area. Try using this place to find MLSF and if it is playing anywhere near you. All you do is (1) do a search for the movie and then (2) enter your zip code. BTW, I entered Evelyn's, Heide's and Moon's zips, but got nothing. Evelyn, if you try a zip in OK City, maybe something will turn up. http://www.moviefinder.com"}, {"response": 1190, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (20:10)", "body": "Cricket is a wonderful game, I don't understand the problem. the only thing that where once we used to lead the world in cricket something seems to have gone horribly wrong, bring back Botham I say. (ladies in the US will have not idea who Botham is but he was one of our greatest all-rounders, could bat bowl and field brilliantly, could probably score a 100 runs on his own!!"}, {"response": 1191, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (20:32)", "body": "Ann, we're just not familiar with the terminology and what goes on other than some guy throws the ball (bowler) and another guy hits it (batter). Having grown up on baseball, I can't fathom how anyone could score 100 runs in a single game. Perhaps, I should go look for a website that explains the game or a book. Missed the opportunity to have it explained to me. The asst. location mgr on the film here was British and a real cricket fan. That was the one who kept paying me for damage to my property! ; D"}, {"response": 1192, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (20:40)", "body": "for batter read batsman, sorry to be nit-picky. I am the same with baseball, saw it once in San Diego and hadn't a clue, what is a home-run!?"}, {"response": 1193, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (21:10)", "body": "Hohoho, am finally gonna have those incomprehensible two games explained to me... While you're at it, explain American football as well, will you? ;-)"}, {"response": 1194, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (23:05)", "body": "But first you would have to define your notion of \"classic literature\". Your observation might be substantiated to a degree by the proliferation of women writers in certain periods and genres, but in the general history of world literature male heroes are abundant. (Arami) Ooo...er..now I'll have to think! I was referring mainly to 19th century lit, and was thinking more specifically of the novels recently given/being given costume drama adaptations. For example Mrs Gaskell's \"Wives and Daughters\" (Andrew Davies/Sue Birtwistle colloboration)...feisty females, wimpish males. But in the general history of world lit, you're quite right. I am presently reading Flashman and the Redskins when Flashy is now 53, with a little grey in his whiskers but no belly. His feelings toward his wife after 35 years of marriage are most endearing and unexpected; Flashman is definitely a complex character. Loved the first part, especially when he is rescued by and then married to an Apache princess. (Lynda) I've just finished \"Flashman and the Great Game\" (about the Indian Mutiny) and found it quite, as they say, un-put-downable. It's the one in which Flashy (most deservedly) wins his Victoria Cross and Knighthood. And I agree about Flashy and his wife...he does love her, and she loves him..and I like the way this is a consistent (and unexpected) theme. He's really quite sloppy and sentimental! He also has a healthy libido and is away from home for years on end... Cricket...well, baseball it ain't. Maybe we should start a new thread! BTW if Flashy gets a hat-trick (three wickets in a row) then he's pretty good!"}, {"response": 1195, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (23:55)", "body": "hat-trick Yes, Flashy does get a hat-trick when he plays at Lord's with Tom Brown. Fraser provides the funniest *historical* rationale for how that term came to be coined. One of the opposition batsmen who he struck out (?) takes off his boater and presents it with a bow, saying \"That trick's worth a new hat any day, youngster.\" Actually, the \"trick\" Flashy used was to protest the call on ball, knowing full well that the umpire was a fellow Rugbyite and their code of ethics wouldn't allow that someone would appeal a call without there being good reason for it. Flashy did it, knowing that the ump would reverse his call and the batter would then be out. I think I explained a situation about which I know nothing. 8:-D"}, {"response": 1196, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (23:58)", "body": "Oh yes - baseball is incredibly easy: one, two, three strikes you're out. four balls and you take a walk to first base. A home run is when a ball is hit way out (usually into the stands in fair territory or outside the stadium) and the runner can run around all the bases to home. Football - a team gets four chances to advance 10 yards. If it keeps going, it will eventually get into the end zone. If not, the other team gets to try the same going in the other direction. Simple, is it not?"}, {"response": 1197, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (00:37)", "body": "Well done Karen! BTW Murph has some intersting news about TOTs at her website...apparently Colin's one scene is about 10 minutes long. I call that a pretty decent cameo! And he should have some reasonable dialogue."}, {"response": 1198, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (02:54)", "body": "If you want and explanation of baseball and football get George Carlin\"tape explaining the differences between the two games. Will we be seeing any of these many Colin TV shows and movies in the U.S. It bugs me to read about all these things he is doing and then face the possibility that I may never have the opportunity to see them. Is there any way we can find out if A& E or Masterpiece Theater will be showing Flashy or DQ or any of the above mentioned as TTOTS."}, {"response": 1199, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (05:43)", "body": "I used to play cricket years ago. My favourite game, I spend hours in the summer watching it. The pitch is between two wickets - 22yds long. The aim to bowl out the batsmen any way possible by hitting the wicket, by lege before wicket or by a catch. The batsman's aim is to score as many runs as possible. A ball running to the boundary is a four, a ball going high over the boundary is a six. All the other runs are scored by two batsman running between the wickets and score as many runs as possible wi hout being run out by the ball being thrown at the wicket. In a test match they play for five days, two innings each. The other is a one day match with 50 overs bowled - they hopefully the bowlers that is try to bowl maidens!!!!! I will carry on if any one is interested. Average scores can go from 400 to 100 or until all batsmen are out or at least 10 of them. Anne H"}, {"response": 1200, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (10:57)", "body": "This would be more informative if you would translate wickets, overs, innings, ecc...:-)Thank you, AnneH, Karen :-) I don't want to bore everyone else with my questions, especially because I don't see any of those games often and will probably have forgotten the details when I do...But, Karen, what happens if they run 20 yards? Do they *all* have to move or can just one grab the ball and run? Can they not pass the ball and keep going, like in european football?"}, {"response": 1201, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (11:56)", "body": "Thanks, Anne! That's the best intro to cricket I've heard for 25 years! My hubby once tried to explain it to me, and all I can remember is that \"when they're in the're out, and when they're out they're in...\" 8888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888 Sorry all for slipping a personal note, but it can't be avoided... :-) RENATE - Your email is not working, it returned my message twice today."}, {"response": 1202, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (12:21)", "body": "Botham is but he was one of our greatest all-rounders, could bat bowl and field brilliantly, could probably score a 100 runs on his own!! And like Flashman he could bowl a maiden over (cricket joke for UK and Aussie droolers):-) Best thing about cricket are the names given to places on the field: silly mid on, short square leg, fine leg, etc, etc. It's a life time study!"}, {"response": 1203, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (13:39)", "body": "If no one minds, I've copied over the baseball, football and cricket comments to Topic 72. These Colin topics fill up so quickly. ;-D My football answers will be there, Gi. And please continue Anne. I'm still having a hard time visualizing what is going on."}, {"response": 1204, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (14:23)", "body": "Oi! Thanks, Alarmarami, for alerting me re mailbox. When my mailbox was so quiet I wondered already if everybody went out for a 24hour cricket match. Now I wonder what happened to my sent messages. Karen, did you get my mail last night re #110, and the link from http://www.firth.com ? Please use this as emergency mail: threedeers@yahoo.com , thanks. Kjart, here's the reply to your question, how to \"succeed badly\". My mailbox did. :-P"}, {"response": 1205, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (15:17)", "body": "Since Renate will be linking topic 110 to www.firth.com on Sept. 10th for his birthday party celebrations, I thought we might as well do all our preparations for Firthday at 110. The preparations will not show up since the linking will be set up for Sept. 10th only. Is it agreeable to everyone? BTW, thank you Renate!"}, {"response": 1206, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (16:33)", "body": "Since Renate will be linking topic 110 to www.firth.com on Sept. 10th for his birthday party celebrations, It is already linked! Did I get your intentions wrong, Karen? Let me know - here or on #72 - if you want me to un-link it again. My email is still kaputt."}, {"response": 1207, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (18:15)", "body": "Renate, you did a fabulous job! You also made it so easy to log on and that even Colin will be tempted to do it! Brava! Let's go on with the original plan of preparing for Firthday on topic 72 and having the party at 110 on Sept. 10th. :-D"}, {"response": 1208, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (20:44)", "body": "Moon, thanks a lot for the flowers, but actually I didn't do much. Glad you like it, anyway. :-)"}, {"response": 1209, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (22:08)", "body": "Renate, the link is fine from firth.com. Non-droolers will be steered to the beginning of the celebration, but the rest of us will come in the usual way. As far as I'm concerned, if the party room is opened early then people can drop off their presents all week. If others would prefer to hold off, that's OK by me."}, {"response": 1210, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (22:14)", "body": "Moon, thanks a lot for the flowers, but actually I didn't do much. Glad you like it, anyway. :-)"}, {"response": 1211, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Sep  6, 1999 (02:44)", "body": "How many times do I have to remind everybody: do not go off-line and then on again when the last post showing on any of these boards is your own: it will post itself again. One of those Yapp shortcomings."}, {"response": 1212, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  6, 1999 (03:39)", "body": "Article about David Morrissey in the Telegraph. Check out the 3DOR and Colin mention btw, I think the writer went a little too overboard in his praise of DM, sheesh!! Master of the roles The face is familiar if not the name, but actor David Morrissey always makes an impact. He talks to Jasper Rees DAVID MORRISSEY is one of those actors who are too good for their own good. However well he performs, however many millions see those performances, he fails to worm his way into the public consciousness. Could you put a face to the name? Or a name to the big, podgy face with its petite, delicate features? He leaves no footprint of one role in the next. He plays the common man uncommonly well, and no one is better at allowing a character's inner troubles to ripple across his face. But there is nothing to connect his Bradley Headstone in Our Mutual Friend to his sunny Kiffer in Hilary and Jackie or his tortured tax inspector in Holding On. Like Ian Hart and Cathy Tyson, he is a graduate of the Liverpool Everyman's youth theatre, but unlike them he seldom plays Scousers. The ability to disappear into a role is, to Morrissey, what acting should be - \"You watch the character,\" he says; \"you don't watch me performing.\" And yet so complete is this sense of never knowing what you're going to get with Morrissey that it may have hampered him. \"There is a danger there,\" he says. \"You sometimes hear about jobs and then the backers don't know who you re. You go, 'Well, have they seen this?' and they go, 'Oh yes, they've seen that, they've seen this, but they don't know who you are.' And you go, 'I don't want them to know who I am. I just want them to know my work.' \" This November he will be back at the Donmar Warehouse in Richard Greenberg's Three Days of Rain, a masterly chamber piece that ran for two weeks earlier this year. No doubt he'll once more watch the mounds of fan mail grow on the dressing-table of his co-star Colin Firth. But if Morrissey is not a backer's actor, he is a writer's actor (he is married to the novelist Esther Freud). He has been in two series by Tony Marchant (Holding On and Into the Fire), and Pure Wickedness (which starts next Tuesday on BBC1) is his second go at Lucy Gannon. In Gannon's Big Cat, he played a bruised loner whose fear of physical affection turns him slowly to psychopathic thuggery. In Pure Wickedness his Achilles' heel is not antipathy to sex, but fondness for it. He plays Frank, a window-cle ner from a Midlands village who married young, has four children and a sideline in philandering. His affair with the frustrated wife of a GP is of a different order of infidelity, however. Because of his role in Big Cat, as soon as he thundered boorishly on to the screen in Pure Wickedness I assumed that Morrissey would again be the villain of the piece. \"Anybody watching it is looking for me to be the bad man in the story,\" he says. \"Sure, I leave my wife and four kids, but viewers are looking for something extra - another wife and family, a disease - to make it removed from their life. And actually when he's just a man who has fallen in love and left his wife, it's like, 'Oh no, we can't ave that - that could be me!' I think it's the biggest fear that people have. My biggest fear is that my wife will meet someone else, fall in love and go off.\" Aspirational Frank may be as close as Morrissey has come to playing himself. \"When [the GP's wife] wants to go cold on the relationship,\" he says, \"it's to do with his class, the fact that he's not educated enough, and I found that very familiar.\" Morrisey was brought up in Knotty Ash, Merseyside, failed his 11-Plus and \"became wallpaper in the classroom\". An early passion for film was encouraged at the Everyman, where Alan Bleasdale and Willy Russell were writing plays for a company that included Julie Walters, Pete Postlethwaite and Jim Broadbent. \"Actors held no mystery for us. They weren't people who were being knighted all the time, and you'd see them on the television. So it did seem an achievable prospect.\" He left school at 16, joined a company in Wolverhampton, and was cast as the lead in Russell's One Summer, Channel 4's first ever drama series. He went to Africa for a few months and by the time he came back it was on the box. \"I got back to Lime Street and there were people looking at me, saying, 'I really like the show.' \" He then went to Rada - \"the one thing I wanted to do\" - and from there it was straight into theatre: Cheek by Jowl, the Royal Exchange, the RSC and the lead in Peer Gynt at the National. Three Days of Rain was the first time he'd set foot on stage in five years. \"On a film set is the happiest I am in my life. Every day is a challenge. In theatre there is a point when boredom kicks in.\" Morrissey has embraced his craft with the zeal of someone who assumed from his education that he would slip through the net. He reads avidly, has directed a short film about the meeting between Napoleon and the Pope, and this summer has been"}, {"response": 1213, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Sep  6, 1999 (07:13)", "body": "Yes, but I did find this part amusing... No doubt he'll once more watch the mounds of fan mail grow on the dressing-table of his co-star Colin Firth. Think the author went to see 3DOR and saw the throngs of Volvo-drivers waiting to meet the man himself ;-)?"}, {"response": 1214, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Sep  6, 1999 (07:47)", "body": "(Arami) How many times do I have to remind everybody: Not everybody. Just me. :-P And please, keep on reminding me, perhaps one day I will recall it *before* I hit \"submit\"! ;-) ---- Thanks for the Morrissey article, Karen, very interesting. I thought he was very good in 3DOR, and I would like to see him in something else."}, {"response": 1215, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep  6, 1999 (13:52)", "body": "No doubt he'll once more watch the mounds of fan mail grow on the dressing-table of his co-star Colin Firth. Now you know! If you want to send a personal to Colin, it will get to him at the Donmar. You just have to wait for 3DOR. Thanks for the article, Karen. Now who will write to Jasper Rees demanding one of Colin?"}, {"response": 1216, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep  6, 1999 (17:43)", "body": "Thanks Karen, I didn't like DM in 3 DOR...he played the American Pip/Theo as if he came out of \"Guys and Dolls\" ....and after reading the interview, I like him less. ***** The Donmar Box Office crew is v. good about delivering anything backstage."}, {"response": 1217, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Sep  6, 1999 (20:32)", "body": "Good to know that, Evelyn ;-)"}, {"response": 1218, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Sep  6, 1999 (22:35)", "body": "Jasper Rees has already interviewed Colin twice (at the time when FP came out in the UK). He's apparently an old mate...I seem to remember him writing that he'd known CF from his theatre days and how after the interview they went off to a pub together to catch up on all the news. He also described how Colin had written a piece about filming \"A Month in the Country\" for him, and that it was well-written but too long. (JR has also interviewed JE). I should think that if you want something to reach CF (a good luck card, or whatever) it's much more likely to reach him via the Donmar address than his agency!! Flash Harry...G M Fraser has a new Flashman book coming out this October (in hardback) \"Flashman and the Tiger\" It seems very probable that Prince William will open the Millenium Dome....his first public duty (lots of press coverage!)"}, {"response": 1219, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Sep  6, 1999 (23:54)", "body": "(Me)How many times do I have to remind everybody: (Renate)Not everybody. Just me. :-P And please, keep on reminding me, perhaps one day I will recall it *before* I hit \"submit\"! ;-) I have to keep reminding myself - sometimes in vain. And you don't even need to hit \"submit\" twice: the sequence is: 1.write message, 2.hit\"submit\", 3.go off-line, 4. take a break, 5.forget what you've just done, 5. return to the screen, 6.go on-line, AND 7. voila, Yapp posts your previous message AGAIN. It took me nearly two years to fathom some of the caprices of the wretched program. And now back to the normal schedule... :-)"}, {"response": 1220, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (11:56)", "body": "I guess I should post this over at #121, but it it's not exactly \"discussion\" more disappointing news. I phoned Miramax to ask about MLSF in the UK. Asked when it was going to be released, and was told that \"no release date was scheuled for the UK\". I said \"It is going to be released?\". Answer \" Eventually, yes\" Eventually!!! How lukewarm can you get. I've now lost all hope of a nationwide or even a selected release...I think it will be just one or two cinemas in London. And as to the date...well, I've already seen advance publicity for \"Theory of Flight\" (early Oct nationwide) and \"The Winslow Boy\" (early Nov nationwide). Y2K? I doubt if Miramax are planning any publicity. What is it with their attitude to this movie? Very disappointing. The Hollywood Reporter did give MLSF 5 stars, right?"}, {"response": 1221, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (13:21)", "body": "For those *not* reading Topic 121 (MLSF spoiler), I'm repeating some news in answer to Mary's question but should be considered news for everyone: ...about the video of MLSF. You won't believe it, but the Miramax site now says the video will be available on May 4. I assume 2000. Probably because those 22 copies of the film have to make it around the globe by pack mule. ;-D Here's the url: http://www.miramax.com/mm_front/owa/mp.entryPoint?action=1&midStr=566 And I just noticed that Miramax no longer has MLSF listed under the category of \"Now Showing\" with AIH, Life is Beautiful, Outside Providence, and the Very Thought of You, but has moved it to the category of \"Coming Soon to Video\"!! Are these people out of their minds!! (Bethan) Eventually!!! How lukewarm can you get. That is so typical of Miramax's attitude here in the US as well. I've never seen such disinterest in a movie before (but, then again, I've never followed one so closely). Miramax has adopted a new Internet strategy for both Outside Providence and the Talented Mr. Ripley. It is doing separate and more elaborate websites (those are just two I looked at). It did slightly more at the Miramax cafe for the new Joe Fiennes movie (The Very Thought of You), with the additon of a couple of stills. I am shocked beyond belief that it has moved MLSF out of the \"Currently Showing\" category!"}, {"response": 1222, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (14:35)", "body": "(Karen) Re: prestigious...This way it shows his appearance is of a \"star turn.\" I agree. It's also a great way to lure viewers ...as if some of us need to be lured! (Evelyn) now will someone pleeeze read that book [TTOS] and not leave Bethan and me hangin' out there? Sorry, we're too busy reading Flashman books! ;-) Will add TOTS to my reading list, though. I'm also reading Flashman and the Redskins, Lynda. Haven't made it to the Apache wedding yet, but he's just married the madam from the New Orleans brothel. Looks as though he has 'weddingitis' in this one! Glad to read MLSF is still playing in Chicago, Karen. From the sound of things at 121, I thought it was pulled from theaters and on its way to video. Bethan, rally up your patience and fortitude. You will need plenty of both when dealing with Miramax about this movie. At least it sounds as though the outcome will be better than SLOW!"}, {"response": 1223, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (14:39)", "body": "I started my post (above) before I saw your last one, Karen."}, {"response": 1224, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (14:40)", "body": "But The Very Thought of You failed miserably in the first week and took half of what MLSF took in its first week, oh hope that makes sense, I am so annoyed about Miramax, what is the matter with them, there are so many far far worse films out there, in fact this isn't a bad film . Haven't had time to phone Miramax Bethan, but will have a go tomorrow, we can let this lie. I see it is to be release in Australia on the 11th November, so I guess we won't get it in November, if there are really only 20 copies"}, {"response": 1225, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (14:51)", "body": "(Ann) I am so annoyed about Miramax, what is the matter with them I dunno; maybe this is the way they treat every film that doesn't feature Gwyneth or Rupert. *meeeooowwww! hiss! hiss!*"}, {"response": 1226, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (15:49)", "body": "That is so true, Eileen. Gwynneth is again on a mag. cover, and I have already seen a preview for her film (sorry forgot the title), takes place in Italy with Aiden Quinn as co-star. My local art house told me that MLSF would be there in Sept. THEY BETTER NOT LET ME DOWN!!! I feel for you Bethan, hang in there. :-)"}, {"response": 1227, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (15:54)", "body": "*snicker snicker* (from Variety) The weekend's other major opening fared even worse. Miramax's \"Outside Providence\" was unable to take advantage of the Farrelly brothers connection to the film (as writers only) when the film finished outside the Top 10 at No. 11. The film made about $3.2 million in the four days in 1,050 theaters for an average of $3,048. The cume on the coming-of-age film, which also opened Wednesday, is $3.8 million. ************ Let's see, didn't MLSF average $10,000 per week in its opening weekend? Full box office results for the holiday weekend probably won't be out till later today or even tomorrow. Then we'll find out how many theaters MLSF is playing in. (Eileen) Sorry, we're too busy reading Flashman books! ;-) hee hee. I told Evelyn that I would take a break from Flashman and read TTOTS next, but I find it difficult to put down a book that has lines like this: \"including Mrs. Leo Lade, smouldering at me across the table under a heap of sausage curls, and in a dress sp decollete that her udders were almost in her soup.\" (AnnW) But The Very Thought of You failed miserably in the first week I read similar bad/lukewarm reports about this one too."}, {"response": 1228, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (17:00)", "body": "For London travelers (one degree of separation): The Olivier award winning play \"The Weir\" is getting a new cast at the end of September. Included are Ruth Gemmell (\"Fever Pitch\") and Miles Anderson (\"Oliver's Travels\" and lots of BBC/ITV). Also Anthony O'Donnell and Daniel Flynn, both excellent actors out of the Almeida Company."}, {"response": 1229, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (17:21)", "body": "A correction regarding the Gwynneth movie shot in Italy, he co-star is Matt Damon. The story takes place during the fifties, loved the clothes."}, {"response": 1230, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (18:12)", "body": "You mean The Talented Mr. Ripley. It's a Miramax/Paramount production. I'm sure they'll be shoving it down our throats long before it opens in Dec. *** MEMO To: Miramax PR Dept. From: Harvey Weinstein Subject: MLSF Promotion/Release Schedule Please be advised that all funds dedicated to above-captioned subject must be diverted immediately to the Talk budget. The bills from the kickoff party are coming in. Mayor Rudy and those other bozos from the National Park Service are threatening to break my fingers if we don't pay up quick for using Liberty Island. Your immediate attention would be appreciated. The bums are outside banging on my door. *** :-)"}, {"response": 1231, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (18:18)", "body": "Ah!! Now I understand. Also, I heard that Harvey ordered a box of his favorite cigars so they couldn't make any more prints of the film. Priorities!! BTW, from what I've seen on The Talented Mr. Ripley, the premise looked pretty interesting."}, {"response": 1232, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (19:14)", "body": "(Moom)I feel for you Bethan, hang in there. :-) Ditto,... Bethan/AnnW/Allison. Or as Our Leader would say:...\"Ah feel yo'pain\". I know...not funny...but at least you have hope...so many of the US fans never will see it on the big screen. ***** ( Chris)For London travelers (one degree of separation): We must not forget Jennifer at the National in Summerfolk."}, {"response": 1233, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (19:38)", "body": "Evelyn - so many of the US fans never will see it on the big screen actually perhaps some US fans will get to see it in the UK if they keep postponing the release date for MLSF, at this rate it could be playing in London in January 2000."}, {"response": 1234, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (19:43)", "body": "sorry - Evelyn - so many US fans never will see it on the big screen actually perhaps some US fans will get to see it in the UK if they keep postponing the release date for MLSF, at this rate it could be playing in London in January 2000."}, {"response": 1235, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (19:45)", "body": "Karen please help, I was trying to do italics, what am I doing wrong. How do you close the italics!!??"}, {"response": 1236, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (19:46)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1237, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (19:46)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1238, "author": "XianH", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (20:03)", "body": "Sorry, what I am going to say seems direct your attention to a different subject (or can't I? Is it possible?). That does not mean that I am not interesting in MLSF, I do LOVE to see this movie if I can ever hope so BUT not likely to happen in my case. So I sort of glad that it moved to \"Coming to video soon...\" category, now I at least have a HOPE!!! Now, you must allow me to tell you, ever since my first acquaintance with CF through P&P2 (I've never heard his name before then), I came to realize that how ardently I admire and love the actor! Never in my life up to now, I felt so helpless to DROOL over some one whome I definitely never will meet in person. I often laugh at myself over my fantasies and think that I am mad indeed. How I am glad to find this conference! And feeling such relief to know that I am probably a normal humanbing. I have been ra bling here for months and just wanted to sit in a corner of the chat room to enjoy (and I have , very much) your conversations. Today, some how I want very much to give in my reserve and join you. Hope you guys can bear with my Enlish which is not my native. It took me a long time to come to a decision of viewing CF's other works other than P&P2 which I have lost count of times watching it. I was afriend that my image of CF will be altered by his other insignificant roles since he hardly played leading man before Mr.Darcy. This is the order of movies that I have seen (started two weeks ago): SIL, Thousand Acres, Valmont, Apartment Zero. So far so good, he seems to play villains (or some one who was NOT good) all the time BUT he is still dear to me (his hansom feature just irresists to me no matter how bad he became)and I'm very impressed with his acting too (especially Apartment Zero). And, I watched The Advocate last night. I don't know what to say. I had this such weird feeling and struggled in my couch tring not to stop the VCR. First of all, I hit the story, the dark, barbaric society disgusted me although I understand that it was a true story. I never liked nudity in a movie especially without any love/passion and this one really makes me sick to my stom ch. And to all of that, I saw CF NUDE and having sex (not making love, I dare say) too!!! I still don't know what to say. Just feel WEIRD!!! I am really sorry for CF, he has to make ends meet, I guess. Does any one here actually like the movie? Despite of my WEIRD feeling towards TA, I am so glad that my feelings to CF are unchanged. Sorry for drag this so long, I just have to get it out!"}, {"response": 1239, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (20:05)", "body": "Yessss, Well blow me down, it seems to have worked, well done Rich (that's my son). The only thing I don't understand, the last posting was the first posting!! Bethan did you mention to Miramax today, that despite the lack of publicity, advertising and promotion MLSF has already make half a million dollars in the US, it surely deserves some decent promotion in the UK, where I have a feeling it will do quite well, when and if it eventually opens."}, {"response": 1240, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (20:14)", "body": "Welcome Xian, but why are we back to italics, I'm sure its nothing to do with me!! Xian, I agree about TA, not one of my favourite CF movies, you should try to see A month in The Country, Tumbledown and Fever Pitch,( my 3rd favourite CFfilm after AMITC and P&P. ) Can't wait to see MLSF, though, it sounds wonderful."}, {"response": 1241, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (21:47)", "body": "Welcome Xian. You have definitely come to the right place; we all feel the same way about this man. I too am still catching up with Colin's earlier work, but haven't found any that I don't like; just some I like more than others :-)"}, {"response": 1242, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (22:33)", "body": "Welcome Xian! I liked Colin in the Advocate very much, including the wig. You will have to check out topic 98 and catch up with our CF film discussions."}, {"response": 1243, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (22:44)", "body": "WELCOME XIAN, Didn't I talk to you once in Chat Room? We're happy to have you ....The Happy Droolers, that's us!!:-) You have certainly seen a lot of Colin's projects.You'll have to join in our discussion board,,,#98. We just finished Femme Fatale. And our hosts tell me that we will start another after Colin's Firthday on Friday. We all have our favorites...but you know what? ...after the discussions I have gotten to like them all for different reasons. **** Don't apologize for your English...you're doing great :-))) ***** Ann, if more events get piled up on January...I'm gonna have to go for the month!!Think of it this way....a Christmas time release for MLSF wouldn't be all that bad...still time to be considered for a BAFTA. Now, promise you'll stay with us, Ok?"}, {"response": 1244, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (22:49)", "body": "The last line was mean't for Xian...Got lost in the posting somehow. (does not mean that I don't want AnnW. to stay also....:-)))"}, {"response": 1245, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (23:03)", "body": "Wellcome, Xian, and your english is perfectly comprehensible. Stick around!"}, {"response": 1246, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (23:21)", "body": "Welcome Xian. I have to admit that The Advocate is one of my favorite CF movies (and it got some pretty good critical notices when it was released). I don't think that this is a film that belongs in the P category - one that CF did just for the money. DB looks pretty delicious, his supporting cast is quite good and The Advocate makes some insightful comments about law, political manipulation and hypocrisy which are as pertinent today as in medieval times. It met my major criteria for a worthwhile film - it made me thi k and it made me feel. I've finished Flashman and the Redskins and found it excellent. It's full of surprises and Flashy surpasses himself as a bounder, but it also made me tear up at one point; tell me, Eileen, if it has that effect on you."}, {"response": 1247, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (23:40)", "body": "Xian!! So glad to have you coming out that corner. Don't worry about your English. We understand you perfectly. You've seen many good performances from Colin (P&P, Valmont and Apartment Zero), each one of his roles is so different from the other. You are so right when you said he plays not so perfectly nice characters. That makes them so interesting to us and to him as an actor. I do like the Advocate. It's not great, but it is a funny commentary on those times - the late Middle Ages. Things were very different then and I find it useful to think of it that way. I join in the welcome and hope that you'll continue to play with us. We're all normal human beings too! ;-D ************ Ann, glad that your son helped with the italics situation. I deleted a couple of multiple postings from you. Hope you don't mind, but those italics were making me dizzy. No content lost. No censorship. ;-D If the italics are still there for anybody. Leave the topic and come back in again. If the *bad* (unclosed message) is still on your monitor, everything that follows will be in italics even if the tag was closed in a subsequent posting. The italics have been fixed!! Trust me."}, {"response": 1248, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (23:44)", "body": "(Xian) what I am going to say seems direct your attention to a different subject Thanks for joining us and for changing the subject. I often laugh at myself over my fantasies and think that I am mad indeed. How ...And feeling such relief to know that I am probably a normal humanbing. I know I laugh at myself all the time too. Are you sure we're all normal though? ;-) So far so good, he seems to play villains (or some one who was NOT good) all the time BUT he is still dear to me You're a true fan if you love our boy no matter what his character is like. Give The Advocate another chance. As the others have said, it's one of the favorites here. Maybe next time you watch it, you'll be able to overlook the parts that make you uncomfortable and be able to concentrate on just the story. It really is very good. I'm glad the other ladies here have welcomed you so warmly. I hope other lurkers out there will be encouraged to join us as well."}, {"response": 1249, "author": "XianH", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (23:59)", "body": "Evelyn: Didn't I talk to you once in Chat Room? I don't think so. I did not have the courage until today :) Moon: I liked Colin in the Advocate very much, including the wig. Lyndaw: I have to admit that The Advocate is one of my favorite CF movies... I all astonishment!!! I must missed the wig or some thing there and I think I will go back to watch it again (I still have four more nights or I should say four more times to watch? I'm not sure I can complish that without four buckets of ice cream to calm me down!). Evelyn: You'll have to join in our discussion board,,,#98. Moon: You will have to check out topic 98 and catch up with our CF film discussions. I'm on my way... Evelyn: Now, promise you'll stay with us, Ok? Gi: ...Stick around! I'll be back (from #98, of course). Thank you all!"}, {"response": 1250, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  8, 1999 (00:16)", "body": "(Xian) I'm not sure I can complish that without four buckets of ice cream to calm me down!). Very funny!! I'll have to use that excuse the next time I feel like having some ice cream. OK (close your eyes, Heide) here is the weekend box office results: MLSF was only in 19 theaters this weekend. It did move up one rung from 60th to 59th place and its gross was $59,152 (up 41%) for a cumulative gross of $573,375 in 46 days of release. The per screen average was a very respectable $2,850. Runaway Bride (in 2nd place) get $2,856 per screen. The highest ranked Indie film is Run Lola Run in 28th place; it averages 2,324 per screen, but has expanded greatly in terms of number of theaters (currently 172) and has made $5.5 million in 81 days of release. The other big indie is Red Violin in 29th place. It average $1,683 per screen and is in 235 theaters now. So that its cumulative gross is a very impressive $8.3 million in 88 days of release. Those kind of comparisons really make me wonder what kind of dollars MLSF could be grossing if they put it on more screens rather than less. :-("}, {"response": 1251, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Sep  8, 1999 (05:33)", "body": "(Karen) Those kind of comparisons really make me wonder what kind of dollars MLSF could be grossing if they put it on more screens rather than less. :-( Put it on more screens and bothered to inform the public that there such a movie out there.... Welcome Xian! And, I watched The Advocate last night. I don't know what to say. / ... / Does any one here actually like the movie? I liked it very much. The earthy atmosphere fit the time and place that Advocate was set, and you had to take some of it tongue-in-cheek. It shocks on first exposure, but once you get used to it, you enjoy that rather grimy experience of being in another culture with entirely different attitudes and beliefs. Challenges some of our own attitudes that we so take for granted ... we assume that everyone shares them ... and ought to ... but they don't! CF was gorgeous and the costumes were spectacular. (Convinced me he can wear *anything* and make it look good!!) ;-)"}, {"response": 1252, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Sep  8, 1999 (05:35)", "body": "Also he can wear nothing and make THAT look good!! ;-P~~~"}, {"response": 1253, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Wed, Sep  8, 1999 (16:04)", "body": "Welcome, Xian, so glad you found the courage to join us. It's always nice to get a new perspective on CF's projects. Re: MLSF -- MLSF actually gained a screen in my neck of the woods. No longer playing exclusively at one theatre in Cambridge; now at one theatre in Arlington and one in Newton (the 'burbs!). So we get two of those coveted 22 prints;-) Re: one degree of separation -- MEM is on front page of today's Herald. She's in town filming \"The Perfect Storm\" with George Clooney. Definitely a step down from working with ODB;-D"}, {"response": 1254, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  8, 1999 (16:47)", "body": "Here's a pic of the Nunnery on the Isle of Man, where Relative Values is being shot. It's owned by millionaire business Graham Ferguson Lacey and is currently a private residence, but recent speculation has the site becoming the IOM College's business school in the near future. I've put together some historical info, which will be on Murph's site."}, {"response": 1255, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep  8, 1999 (17:57)", "body": "Thanks Karen....neat pad....but Marshwood House in RV was in East Kent! ******* Meluchie has some SIL Pics in DVD on: http://members.xoom.com/morgaine/sil/index.html Also some gorgeous DVD's of P&P on: http://members.xoom.com/firth_place/pp.html Slow download on these Also until the problem is resolved, don't try to put the pics on Spring topics ...it won't work...trust me. If anyone has a favorite request for a pic she asks that you email her at meluchie@grin.net"}, {"response": 1256, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Sep  8, 1999 (19:35)", "body": "Welcome Xian! Thanks all for your words of encouragement re. MLSF. What cheeses me off (that's putting it mildly!) is that I get the distinct impression Miramaax have no strategy for or interest in MLSF in the UK. Movies are promoted differently over here. All Miramax have to do is get some interviews with CF (and photos on the front covers!) in the Telegraph colour supplement, Mail on Sunday, and Sunday Times, including favourable comments on MLSF (great reviews in the US etc), and maybe some advertising on Classic FM radio (the Simon Rattle connection), and they've rea hed a target audience of 5million. If only 5% go to see MLSF, it will be a success! But to do all this, they need a date for release (not too difficult surely)and some forward planning! He was very cute in \"The Advocate\" and even cuter in \"Hour of the Pig\"! Although I must admit the first time I saw certain scenes, I thought \"oooh, Mr Darcy!\" and hoped that no-one would be watching (it was on terrrestial TV). And then I watched my recording and pressed re-wind (just for another quick look), and then another...and another. Very cute, as I said! Lovely pic of The Nunnery, Karen. I'm sure this movie will be a good looker. And they have been very fortunate with the weather...it's been absolutely brilliant for the last ten days or so....so any exterior location shots will be impressive."}, {"response": 1257, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Sep  8, 1999 (19:40)", "body": "(Susan) MEM is on front page of today's Herald. She's in town filming \"The Perfect Storm\" with George Clooney. Definitely a step down from working with ODB;-D Indeed! Perhaps MEM can pull more from George than ER's Doug Ross in different clothes. Welcome, welcome, Xian. The Advocate was a bit different, wasn't it? I first watched it, Apt. Zero and Valmont back-to-back. My head was spinning! If the nudity made you uncomfortable, then be warned: stay away from Playmaker for awhile (either that or stock up on ice cream!). Thanks for the Nunnery pic, Karen."}, {"response": 1258, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Sep  8, 1999 (19:55)", "body": "Thanks for the photo Karen, shame about the satelite dish!!"}, {"response": 1259, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep  8, 1999 (21:14)", "body": "Bethan/Ann ...You might ask Miramax, the next time you call ,if they will distribute MLSF in the UK. I thought that when we called about the premiere of SIL they referred us to another distrib."}, {"response": 1260, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Sep  8, 1999 (21:55)", "body": "Hi, I have just visited Murph's guestbook and someone has written that they have met Colin on the Set of RV., she lives next door, has autographs watched some filming and says he looks just as good in the flesh, well we know that ladies don't we, what a lucky lady and I bet he was just as charming to her as he was to his Firthfans in March at the Donmar."}, {"response": 1261, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Wed, Sep  8, 1999 (22:15)", "body": "Following is an article which was in an Australian Sunday Paper (The Sun Herald) over a week ago. A lady at work told me about it but her husband had thrown out their copy. Some people just don\ufffdt understand how important these things are:-). Anyhow, it took me a while to track it down but here it is. There were about ten men on the list but I don\ufffdt know why or how the people who voted were chosen. Other than Colin, Sean Connery is the only other actor on the list.. ************ \"BLOKES WE LOVE\" Colin Firth, actor Nominated by Susan Johnson, novelist Two words: wet shirt. If you\ufffdre not already swooning, you obviously missed Colin Firth\ufffds sodden Mr Darcy climbing out of the pond in the celebrated TV adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. That single scene cemented Firth as a sex symbol and sent sales of Jane Austen novels soaring. But for Johnson, author of Chaos and Flying Lessons as well as a recent memoir, A Better Woman, Firth\ufffds appeal is his lack of sexuality. \"He was devastatingly handsome as Darcy but in other roles he\ufffds completely different,\" she said. \"As an actor, he can climb out of his own flesh. He can assume sexiness, or be virtually sex-less. In Fever Pitch he played a man dumb to his own emotional life. In Shakespeare in Love and The English Patient he was unrecognisable. \"He has the same talent Marilyn Monroe apparently had in real life, to make himself anonymous. To me, that\ufffds real star quality.\" While many authors are notoriously critical of films adapted from books, Johnson praises Firth\ufffds ability to interpret literary characters. \"When you read a book, you bring your whole emotional history with you. You turn it into your private book and it can be difficult for an actor to replace the imaginary person you\ufffdve created. But he\ufffds very good at reading a writer\ufffds intention towards their characters,\" she said. Johnson pays Firth the ultimate writer\ufffds tribute: she\ufffdd love to see him in an adaptation of her work. \"He\ufffdd be great as Martin, in Hungry Ghosts , who\ufffds a real bastard but devastating to women. But then, he\ufffdd also be great as Billy, the acrobat in A Big Life, who\ufffds a very sensitive bloke. He can play just about anything. *************"}, {"response": 1262, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Sep  8, 1999 (23:03)", "body": "Thanks for that Cathey, obviously a lady of good taste. BTW I have often wonderered how big was P&P when it was first aired in Australia, did it have the same effect on the females of Australia and it did in the UK?"}, {"response": 1263, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Sep  8, 1999 (23:04)", "body": "\"as\" it did in the UK."}, {"response": 1264, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (00:01)", "body": "Thanks, Cathey, for the article. Perhaps Susan Johnson has attempted to interest him (or his worthless agent) in her novels. Firth\ufffds appeal is his lack of sexuality. Who is she kidding? ;-D"}, {"response": 1265, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (02:05)", "body": "(Ann W) I have often wondered how big was P&P when it was first aired in Australia, did it have the same effect on the females of Australia and it did in the UK? I cannot speak for the rest of the country, but amongst my circle of friends we all watched it and thought it wonderful, although I was the only one who became utterly and completely obsessed. From the women on the staff at work, only about three seem to know who/what I was raving over. A couple watched it (or parts) when it was re-screened recently, but couldn\ufffdt quite understand where I was coming from (silly girls) . The good news is that my 23 year old niece has borrowed my copy and said she \"really enjoyed\" it. I\ufffdve told her to watch it a second time ~ although she is on a time limit because I said I can\ufffdt live without it for more than one week ;-) (Karen) Firth\ufffds appeal is his lack of sexuality. Who is she kidding? ;-D I knew this would cause a comment. I nearly added my own when I typed that part. I guess not everyone has our intelligence and insight :-)"}, {"response": 1266, "author": "ommin", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (02:07)", "body": "Oh yes he did, there are so many of us in Oz. P.and P. is repeated over and over again. We have seen most of his works here before that but I suppose like myself did not recognise who he was until Darcy. I think most would agree with the article by Susan Johnson. One of our greatest journo's Ita Buttrose was asked once what she wished most to go to bed with oh Darcy she sighed - another Closet admirer - we are many I think."}, {"response": 1267, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (14:08)", "body": "Interesting article from The Hollywood Reporter: Indies cast beguiling spell (Thurs., Sept. 9, 1999) By Thom Geier NEW YORK -- It was the season of the witch. The witch, of course, was \"The Blair Witch Project,\" the film that took cinema verite to a whole new level, put newcomer Artisan Entertainment on the map and shook up the movie business more than any other independent picture since \"Easy Rider.\" Within days of the picture's going wide, every studio in town was attempting to emulate a marketing strategy that had defied the biggest challenge facing the indies: How do you sell a low-budget picture against mega-flicks from \"Star Wars\" on down without blowing your entire funding on a few television ads? Artisan turned to a new alternative: the Internet. And while the film's premise and mythology were uniquely suited to the Web, the online strategy will likely have an impact on how both studios and indies find their audiences for years to come. For indie distributors other than Artisan, the bad news was that nothing came close to \"Witch's\" success. The good news was that, quietly and almost unheralded, this was in many ways a terrific season for the independents. In fact, the nation's art houses enjoyed one of their best summers in recent memory. At least six art house releases are poised to cross $5 million at the boxoffice this summer, compared with just four last year. In addition to \"Blair Witch,\" G2's \"Tea With Mussolini,\" Lions Gate's \"The Red Violin,\" Miramax Films' \"An Ideal Husband ,\" Sony Pictures Classics' \"Run Lola Run\" and Artisan's \"Buena Vista Social Club\" all performed superbly this summer. This tabulation does not include Fox Searchlight's \"A Midsummer Night's Dream\" and USA Films' \"The Muse,\" higher-budgeted films which were immediately targeted to a wide release and which to date have earned $16 million and $8 million, respectively. Why the success? In a summer that saw Hollywood move increasingly away from more mature audiences, there may have been no studio fare to compete with the indies. \"I don't think Hollywood had really great alternatives for adult audiences,\" said Dick Morris, a veteran indie exhibitor in the Southeast. Films like \"Mussolini,\" \"Winslow\" and \"Husband\" are old-fashioned films that appeal to the \"Masterpiece Theatre\" crowd, he noted. While \"Blair Witch\" broke records in art houses around the country (before transferring to commercial theaters), it did not detract from the art house audience, appealing as it did to a more mainstream crowd. That left art house movies with a wide-open field, and many of them made the most of it, getting word-of-mouth that kept audiences rolling in. \"We love those films like 'Buena Vista Social Club' that just play and play and play,\" said Doug Freed of Landmark Theatre Corp. \"Buena Vista\" was Artisan's other summer success. Wim Wenders' Cuban jazz documentary, a low-cost acquisition, has grossed $4.5 million nationwide so far (though curiously the film didn't catch on in Cuban-friendly South Florida). If Artisan reaped the benefits, the riches weren't spread throughout the community. Paramount Classics, which has quietly been moving into motion a year after Ruth Vitale and David Dinerstein were named to head the company, made little impression with its first few releases, while other titles from Trimark and the Samuel Goldwyn Co. similarly struggled to break from the pack. The early part of the summer was so dominated by the \"Star Wars\" prequel, said Searchlight president Lindsay Law, \"if you had a movie that you thought could expand beyond the art houses, you'd be hard pressed to get the screens for it.\" \"Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace\" also pushed back studio releases to later in the summer. \"August wasn't the normal dead time,\" Law added. Because of that, this year he avoided his usual practice of opening a potential crossover film in late summer as he did last year with \"The Slums of Beverly Hills\" and two years ago with \"The Full Monty.\" Several films -- like Lions Gate's French-language \"The Dinner Game\" and Fine Line's gay romantic comedy \"Trick,\" both of which may have crossover appeal -- will be rolling out to several major markets in the early fall as more screens become available. As the fall gets under way, the indies may return to normal. Few of them expect a summer like this to happen again. Even though Artisan is already developing a sequel to \"Blair Witch,\" almost nobody thinks that the \"Blair Witches\" will become a trend in the industry. \" 'Blair Witch' is the best release of a specialty film in 20 years,\" said Morris. \"We sometimes ask ourselves, 'How do you expect these little films to compete with the big blockbusters?' But here's a horror film that doesn't have spurting blood, special effects or the entire cast of 'Dawson's Creek,' \" notes Lions Gate Releasing co-president Mark Urman in admiration. \"The fact that that film can happen, and happen on that scale, is gratifying.\" But no matter how many incan"}, {"response": 1268, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (14:35)", "body": "Thanks for the articles, Cathey and Karen. I admit that when I read this Two words: wet shirt. my first reaction was \"here we go again\" but Susan came through by moving on...except Firth\ufffds appeal is his lack of sexuality. Poor choice of words! In a summer that saw Hollywood move increasingly away from more mature audiences, there may have been no studio fare to compete with the indies. Pshaw! I thought Big Daddy was captivating. *giggle* both of which may have crossover appeal I wonder how \"crossover appeal\" is determined."}, {"response": 1269, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (15:13)", "body": "Thank you Cathey and Karen, I enjoyed reading both. A reminder! Tomorrow Sept. 10th CF turns 39! Please join us at his \"virtual\" birthday party at topic 110. He has been forwarded an invitation through his agent, thanks to Evelyn. Might we expect him to collect his presents at cf.com? See you there! :-D"}, {"response": 1270, "author": "Xian", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (15:47)", "body": "It might be a stupid question: Can any body explain how the birthday party to be held virtually? The detail of the party plan please? I have no idea what I should do. Will it be a celebration while we chat along? Thanks a lot!"}, {"response": 1271, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (18:33)", "body": "Evelyn has gotten her wish. My Flashman's Lady book was missing all sorts of pages and I couldn't continue. So, I've picked up TTOTS."}, {"response": 1272, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (18:34)", "body": "Xian: Moon will explain all to you."}, {"response": 1273, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (19:58)", "body": "Xian, I notice you have posted on Darcy drool, well, just find topic 110 in the same way and post your birthday wishes. We are practicing posting our \"virtual gifts\" on topic 61 if you wish to experiment with an html as a present. Anyone who wishes contributes to at a \"virtual\" party, some even come on camel backs. Ay Marcia?"}, {"response": 1274, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (20:10)", "body": "Xian, here's a link for Ann's HTML guide, check it out. http://www.spring.net/~anneh/toota.html"}, {"response": 1275, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (21:59)", "body": "There is a message on Lisbeth's timeline guestbook from someone whose daughter worked as an extra on SLOW!! No details though."}, {"response": 1276, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (23:04)", "body": "Apparently the British Film Istitute/Channel 4 have brought out a report on \"Black films\" in the UK. Very, very critical about funding and distribution. Films focusing on mainly black communities (as does SLOW) are not regarded as having any Box office potential. (Significantly the only other Arts Council funded film that failed to find a distributor was one about the Chinese immigrant community in London.) MLSF...am feeling more positive. Having read the seemingly endless reviews of films being shown (non-competition) in Venice makes me realise just how many films there are out there, struggling. MLSF will at least go to video (both formats), unlike most indies. \"Flashman\" is addictive...now, I've finished \"Flashman at the Charge\"...another marvellous read.(Includes the Charge of the Light Brigade). Can't decide which is my favourite book. A couple of very funny sexy/romantic encounters which could (just) make it to the screen! Not quite R-rated!."}, {"response": 1277, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (23:48)", "body": "(Bethan) \"Flashman\" is addictive. Isn't it? I can't remember the last time I spent several weeks without any TV (not even DB's videos). I am not looking forward to finishing the last book. Have you reached the actual Charge and why Flashy leads it - hilarious! I can understand why some readers refused to believe The Flashman Papers were fiction - never has a fictional character seemed so real to me as Sir Harry, V.C.!"}, {"response": 1278, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (01:22)", "body": "He can play just about anything. Does that sound familar. Andre Davies said the same thing about him. Wilde is on Showtime tonight at 10:00 ET if anyone is interested. Clive Derbyshire seems to feel the same way about ODB as G.P, M.E.M and so many other people who have worked with him. He seems to charm everyone who meets him."}, {"response": 1279, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (01:23)", "body": "That should be Wilde is on Showtime."}, {"response": 1280, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (14:53)", "body": "An update on the Sea Wolf from THR: 'Wolf' packs it in at Columbia Columbia Pictures' remake of \"The Sea Wolf\" has run aground. The Imagine Entertainment-produced film was recently put into turnaround by the studio when it became clear that the key personnel could not fit the project into their schedules, a Columbia spokeswoman said. The long-in-development project, based on Jack London's novel about a tyrannical sea captain, was to start shooting in the fall. \"Wolf\" looked as if it was finally coming together for producer Brian Grazer when veteran helmer John Boorman (\"The General,\" \"Deliverance\") came on board (HR 5/6). Though \"Wolf\" has no stars attached and is now on Columbia's back burner, Boorman eventually wants to make the film, sources said. Grazer has been developing \"Wolf\" for 15 years. Several writers, including David Koepp (\"Stir of Echoes\"), have taken a pass at the script. Director Ron Howard and Oscar winner Nicolas Cage were once attached to the project. Sources noted that Columbia originally wanted Sean Connery to star in \"Wolf,\" but the actor passed. [...] Sources noted that although Boorman is still attached to \"Wolf,\" he is eyeing another adaptation for Columbia: John Le Carre's \"The Tailor of Panama.\" Boorman and Le Carre are co-writing the \"Tailor\" script. ********** Miramax is well-known for picking up films in \"turnaround\" from other studios and succeeding (SiL is its best example), although it still might mean working with that overgelled Grazer! ;-D Perhaps there's hope for Colin to be cast in the Le Carre-Boorman film."}, {"response": 1281, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (21:12)", "body": "Well, i bought my first Flashman book, and plan to start it tonight. :) The ladies at the used book store i shop at nearly fell over laughing when they saw me browsing in the military history section (i always buy romance novels) but once i had explained my sudden interest in Flashman, they promised to watch the movie when it's shown in the US. :)"}, {"response": 1282, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (11:52)", "body": "Love the Birthday stuff over at #110! Colin was featured in The Times Birthday list (\"Mr Colin Firth, actor, 39\"). He was the youngest by over 10 years. Mostly the great and the good...Harvard University professors, House of Lords, opera, good works etc, a smattering of show biz. Arnold Palmer has the same birthday. Not so good news. Was determined to be pos-i-tive about MLSF, but I've just seen a listing of films opening in the UK in the next few months... and not a mention of MLSF! :-( Also movies like \"Ravenous\" (cannibalism, bad reviews, Robert Carlyle) and \"The Trench\" (First World War effort written/directed by William Boyd (who wrote \"Dutch Girls\") are getting nationwide (200 prints) releases in the next two weeks, and I know they were both filmed just over a year ago. I just can't understand why there are ju t 20 prints of MLSF...for the entire GLOBE!! Delivery by pigeon post. We've also got a major Film Festival in our area at the moment, showing most of the independents which have recently opened in the US..\"Winslow Boy\", \"Run Lola Run\". Again, predictably, no MLSF. Miramax...what are you doing? :-(("}, {"response": 1283, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (13:06)", "body": "test"}, {"response": 1284, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (13:12)", "body": "Sorry for the error, Bethan - obviously you've read the Charge part if you've finished the book. SB, let us know what you think of Flashy; which book have you started with? (Bethan) but I've just seen a listing of films opening in the UK in the next few months... and not a mention of MLSF! How far ahead does the listing go? Maybe Miramax is going to give it a December release in the hope of some BAFTA attention?! Don't give up. We are still waiting for Fever Pitch - has anyone heard anything yet?"}, {"response": 1285, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (13:46)", "body": "(Lynda) We are still waiting for Fever Pitch - has anyone heard anything yet? Actually, yes, now that you mention it. There was so much going on with the birthday celebration and - it wasn't time critical (!!) - so here goes: Phaedra now says (as of Sept. 9) that the film will be released on October 15 in New York and LA to follow within 3 weeks and further markets beyond that. It is also in the process of negotiating a video release deal, but it would be no earlier than six months after the theatrical release. There had been reports from both LA and Canada that videostores were to receive shipment of Fever Pitch on September 28th. This is *news* to Phaedra. I wonder if the Canadian company that released FP last summer had the ability to distribute it on video and has proceeded. Wouldn't that be a riot?"}, {"response": 1286, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (15:33)", "body": "(Bethan)....Love the Birthday stuff over at #110! But we missed **you** Bethan/Allison. Colin missed you too;-) Wha' 'appened??"}, {"response": 1287, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 12, 1999 (14:50)", "body": "According to Mari, on Saturday's Access Hollywood show they announced there would be an interview with Julie Andrews on Wednesday from what looked like the film set of Relative Values. Get your VCRs ready!! ;-D"}, {"response": 1288, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sun, Sep 12, 1999 (15:15)", "body": "I just finished checking out 110 -- what a riot:-) You all outdid yourselves! Hope Colin and/or his agent checked it out. Sorry I had to miss it; Friday was a day from hell. (Bethan) Colin was featured in The Times Birthday list (\"Mr Colin Firth, actor, 39\"). Don't know if anyone already mentioned this, but Colin was also in \"Entertainment Tonight\"'s birthday list on Friday -- a first for him. Ironically, Ryan Philippe, who played the Valmont character in \"Cruel Intentions\" (is that the right name of that film?), has the same birthday!"}, {"response": 1289, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 12, 1999 (16:42)", "body": "....Colin was also in \"Entertainment Tonight\"'s birthday list on Friday -- a first for him. ET was pre-emted here for a stupid tennis game....but he was on it last year too...Also he was on etonline.com website..under Celebrity Birthdays(thanks to Karen) wearing his \"Premiere suit\"."}, {"response": 1290, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 12, 1999 (16:57)", "body": "...Colin was also in \"Entertainment Tonight\"'s birthday list on Friday -- a first for him. Nope. He was mentioned the year before last. I was pretty surprised last year when he was not. I taped (I think) ET that night on it's middle of the night replay since it was preempted here by tennis as well. Haven't checked it out yet. Might not have even taped the right sequence since all the times seemed to be *off* that night due to the tennis highlights, rain delays, etc."}, {"response": 1291, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Sep 12, 1999 (19:28)", "body": "my son was watching some programme on TV last night...the most memorable 100 moments on TV ever this century, or something similar. Covered mostly world events and sport (ie the real as opposed to fictional world). Moon landing, JFK assassination, Mandela's release, Berlin Wall,Diana's daeth, England winning World Cup etc. He said that the last episode of \"Blackadder\" was ranked 10, and added for good measure tht \"Mr Darcy coming out of the pond\" was number 25! The last episode of \"Blackadder\" I might exp lin was more than just the last episode of a comedy series. It showed Blackadder and his fellow soldiers going \"over the top\" at the Battle of the Somme, and then froze the image and merged it with images of fields of Flanders poppies. They really were \"killed\", and it was inexplicably poignant, not a comic moment. Anyway Darcy and his wet shirt are in very august company!!"}, {"response": 1292, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Sep 12, 1999 (20:08)", "body": "(Bethan) ... the last episode of \"Blackadder\" was ranked 10, and added for good measure tht \"Mr Darcy coming out of the pond\" was number 25! Seeing as how we have just established (on 112) that there was NO scene of \"Mr. Darcy coming out of the pond\", I would imagine that would remove it from consideration. :-) (Or maybe they are confusing it with some other P&P scene that really DOES exist!?!) ;-D"}, {"response": 1293, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Sep 12, 1999 (20:38)", "body": "(Evelyn)But we missed **you** Bethan/Allison. Sorry not to join in all the fun on 110. That is partly because I am a cyber dunce but also because life is very hectic at the moment and when I do get the opportunity to sit at my PC some member of my family always materialises at my shoulder! No time to myself. Loved all your wonderful messages and pictures. I do hope someone showed Colin the celebrations he inspired. I saw the 100 great moments on Channel 4. Colin was in very good company - though M. Prtillo losing his seat at number 3 in the list, I thought was extaordinary (Nobody outside the UK will understand what I am talking about)but what did you think of that Ann or Bethan? In the Sunday Telegraph magazine there was a feature on filming in the Isle of Man. Mention of JA and RV but not CF. Almost eveyone else you have ever heard of has apparently been there filming in the last year."}, {"response": 1294, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Sep 12, 1999 (20:38)", "body": "(Evelyn)But we missed **you** Bethan/Allison. Sorry not to join in all the fun on 110. That is partly because I am a cyber dunce but also because life is very hectic at the moment and when I do get the opportunity to sit at my PC some member of my family always materialises at my shoulder! No time to myself. Loved all your wonderful messages and pictures. I do hope someone showed Colin the celebrations he inspired. I saw the 100 great moments on Channel 4. Colin was in very good company - though M. Portillo losing his seat at number 3 in the list, I thought was extaordinary (Nobody outside the UK will understand what I am talking about)but what did you think of that Ann or Bethan? In the Sunday Telegraph magazine there was a feature on filming in the Isle of Man. Mention of JA and RV but not CF. Almost eveyone else you have ever heard of has apparently been there filming in the last year."}, {"response": 1295, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Sep 12, 1999 (23:09)", "body": "I have the Channel 4 \"100 Greats\" news and a loverly picture on my news page . Murph"}, {"response": 1296, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Sep 12, 1999 (23:16)", "body": "Thanks, Murph! Pretty amazing that Mr. Darcy can compete with the moon landing as a memorable moment. Of course I understand it mind you, but I'm kind of surprised the rest of the world feels the same way :-)."}, {"response": 1297, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Sep 12, 1999 (23:17)", "body": "I forgot to say that one of the FOF listers from New Zealand has the European version DVD of SIL. In a scene at the end that was cut afterwards, you can clearly see Colin/Wessex drowning while holding tight to his chest of money. I say that this view is purely the midnight fantasies of Shakespeare, and cannot be true. We all know that Wessex and Viola went to Virginia, where he became a new man. Murph"}, {"response": 1298, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (12:55)", "body": "(Bethan) Anyway Darcy and his wet shirt are in very august company!! Thanks Bethan. We can always use reminders of what an impact that scene had on your viewing public. Wonder how it would have registered in the US if P&P had aired on a major network? You know, the beach scene in Thorn Birds always rates way up there in terms of memorability. I think it topped the list as most romantic scene ever on television. ;-D The dripping Darcy would surely have rated as second most sexy... that is to formally dressed Darcy!!"}, {"response": 1299, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (12:57)", "body": "(Allison) That is partly because I am a cyber dunce That *part* we can rectify. ;-D"}, {"response": 1300, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (14:29)", "body": "Not really anything we didn't know before, except the name of the film: Blackadder's sidekick Baldrick, best known for his creativity with turnips, proves he can be even more imaginative by building a time machine. The bumbling man-servant - played by Tony Robinson - builds a copy from Leonardo da Vinci's designs in the new film Blackadder Back And Forth. The film, in which the comic pair travel through the ages, can be seen by visitors to the Millennium Dome from January 1, 2000."}, {"response": 1301, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (15:44)", "body": "Allison) That is partly because I am a cyber dunce (Karen)That *part* we can rectify. ;-D As one who took \"one small step forward..\" I can vouch for Karen and Marcia's expertise as cybermentors."}, {"response": 1302, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (16:19)", "body": "Recent graduates receiving high marks in their independent study projects were: Elena, KJ, Gi, and Evelyn. You all get A++++ (Did I leave anyone out?)"}, {"response": 1303, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (16:21)", "body": "Did I mention that I saw MLSF again yesterday? ;-D Am always so afraid that it will leave town so I traipsed up to the burbs. Was quite an adventure yesterday, involving the motor club and a near-death experience."}, {"response": 1304, "author": "nky", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (17:35)", "body": "How did you like it? I also loved it very much indeed. I recently found out thru another fan of CF that the actress who played the role of his mother is actually Jennifer Ehle's (Elizabeth Bennet) mother. CF was excellent in the film and I can also watch it over and over again. I'm so glad that you share the same interest. Anybody out there fans of Jennifer Ehle? Her film \"Bedrooms & Hallways\" just opened in my town (of course its limited opening). Anyone see the movie? Pray tell me if its worth watc ing. I think she's also a wonderful actress."}, {"response": 1305, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (17:45)", "body": "(Nancy) How did you like it? Oh I liked it pretty well! (I think this is my sixth viewing; have lost track!) ;-D Have you gone into topic 121. That's where we've been discussing the movie. Anybody out there fans of Jennifer Ehle? Funny that you should mention that..."}, {"response": 1306, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (17:59)", "body": "(Karen)Was quite an adventure yesterday, involving the motor club and a near-death experience. Yikes!? Wha' happened? What a true Firthfan won't go through just to see one of his movies for the nth time..."}, {"response": 1307, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (18:22)", "body": "(Karen)Recent graduates receiving high marks in their independent study projects... There are so many things that I could thank Mr. Firth for and one is to have learned a tiny bit of html!! Our dear boy possibly has no idea of the actual effects that he has on people\ufffds lives, hobbies and connections (maybe better sometimes!). Let\ufffds see where my firthoholism will eventually take me ;-D"}, {"response": 1308, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (18:22)", "body": "(nky)Anybody out there fans of Jennifer Ehle? Her film \"Bedrooms & Hallways\" just opened in my town (of course its limited opening). Anyone see the movie? Pray tell me if its worth watching. NKY, Meet me at #72 for JE Info."}, {"response": 1309, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (18:54)", "body": "(KarenR)Recent graduates receiving high marks in their independent study projects were: Elena, KJ, Gi, and Evelyn. You all get A++++ Thank you, ma'am :-)"}, {"response": 1310, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (18:57)", "body": "(Elena) there are so many things that I could thank Mr. Firth for and one is to have learned a tiny bit of html!! So true!! And to show you what another talented lady has learned to do, check out Kirsten's latest embellishment for our film discussion summaries up at firth.com. She has added gorgeous pictures of relevant scenes. Oh my, I'm going to have to print these babies out again! http://www.firth.com/filmdis/disindex.htm"}, {"response": 1311, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (19:02)", "body": "I just dropped by there and it looks lovely. Great work! She hasn't put up the latest discussions yet, on Tumbledown, Femme Fatale and 3 Days of Rain - which I suppose must be edited first - by you, Karen?"}, {"response": 1312, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (19:05)", "body": "Yes, those need to be edited. she covers her face in embarrassment"}, {"response": 1313, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (19:12)", "body": "Kirsten did a masterful job....I didn't think we did all of those. I remember I didn't participate in TEP because no one liked RF and I did and was afraid you would all flame me.....:-("}, {"response": 1314, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (19:19)", "body": "(Evelyn) I remember I didn't participate in TEP because no one liked RF and I did and was afraid you would all flame me.....:-( I edited out all positive refs to RF. Only left in the comments that agreed with my view that he's a pencil-legged lizard-eyed actor that shouldn't be wearing shorts! ;-D"}, {"response": 1315, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (20:26)", "body": "Too funny Mme la comtesse A..., I mean Karen! I admit I am quite taken with Geoffrey in TEP. :-) Thanks Kirsten for a fantastic job! clap, clap. School has been cancelled tomorrow because of Hurricane (Pink) Floyd. It is supposed to reach us on Wed., we will put up the shutters shortly. :-("}, {"response": 1316, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (21:30)", "body": "Off on a \"Flashman\" tangent again. \"Flashman's Lady\"...now this, I thought can't be \"real\" (although the account of the cricket matches is very accurate and the named cricketers all existed)...but the ghastly Queen Ranavalona?...no way!! So I looked her up, and guess what, there was a Queen Ranavolana in Madagascar who was known as the \"female Caligula\" because of her wanton acts of cruelty, and who hated all foreigners. There are even paintings of her ( a buxom wench) and her wooden palace. Truth is stra ger than fiction!"}, {"response": 1317, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (21:57)", "body": "Don't you remember I posted a picture of Queen Ranavalona? quite ugly though you have to maintain perspective on the period. I've suspected that Fraser's detail is all fairly accurate historically. Who else would go to the trouble of citing obscure references that might bear witness to the validity of Flashy's accounting of an event? Have still not received my replacement copy of Flashman's Lady. Library said today it is intransit from the main one. I could walk there faster. About 10 pages were ripped out of a sequence in Madagascar. Bet it was a doozy!! Read TTOTS in the meantime. What was going on with those kiddies?! Were they Children of the Corn? Yikes. I'm going to have to reread it. Blinked and nearly missed the Master's scene. ;-D"}, {"response": 1318, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (22:22)", "body": "About 10 pages were ripped out of a sequence in Madagascar. Bet it was a doozy!! Page 259 onwards? :-) Either an outraged reader practising some rudimentary censorship, or someone who wanted to make a closer study of Malagassy mating customs! I think that all of Fraser's work is more or less historically accurate, which makes it all the more graphic reading. I wonder which novels/or parts of novels they'll chose to translate to the screen. I don't think the budget will be large enough for too many panoramic fight/action scenes in exotic locations (more likely Europe). They used Spain and Turkey for the overseas shoots in \"Sharpe\" and \"Hornblower\" The four 100 minute movies which made up the Hornblower series had an overall budget of \ufffd15 millio (a lot of money for British TV, but not comparable to Hollywood) BTW I like the relationship between Harry and Elspeth..funny and very endearing!"}, {"response": 1319, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (22:28)", "body": "Re: TEP discussion... (Karen)I edited out all positive refs to RF What positive refs? ...in your dreams,pal :-) Not withstanding the above (ahem)...I know everyone joins me in thanking Karen for the editing job on the Discussion Segment of cf.com. Tedious work slogging away at all those postings on #98.And Kirsten , of course.Thank you both. ***** Bethan, I enjoy all the quips about Flashy ...adds to the anticipation:-) ***** Moon....do keep us informed...we're thinking of you.... ******"}, {"response": 1320, "author": "Xian", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (22:47)", "body": "I just watched AMITC last night at the first time and I love it!!! I went to cf.com CF movie discussion and read through all about AMITC. I really enjoyed everyone's take on AMITC. It answered some of my questions as well. So glad to get some information about the scenes from the book which helped me to understand the characters further. Many thanks to you who worked (and still working) on those pages and beautiful pictures. I have to go back to watch the movie again (and will have my own copy soon). Of c urse I have to buy some ice cream on the way home, it heated me up in the different way from TA did :-)."}, {"response": 1321, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (23:11)", "body": "(bethan) I wonder which novels/or parts of novels they'll chose to translate to the screen. I don't think the budget will be large enough for too many panoramic fight/action scenes in exotic locations (more likely Europe). They'll likely emphasize Flashy's part in the battles, since, IMO, the battles themselves are not really the focus of the books, thank heavens. (bethan) BTW I like the relationship between Harry and Elspeth..funny and very endearing! Me, too, especially in Flashman's Lady, one of my favourites in the series. I also find Flashy's occasional sentimentality (though he won't really admit to it) quite touching. As for his ladies, Elizabeth Bennet would have fit right in with the rest; Flashy prefers 'em feisty, too (though he'll take 'em anyway he can get 'em, apparently)."}, {"response": 1322, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (02:52)", "body": "(Bethan) Page 259 onwards? :-) Could be ;-D or someone who wanted to make a closer study of Malagassy mating customs! Ooohhh, can't wait. Person also took Appendix C. If the book is that good, I'm going to have to add this one to my collection. Remember you were talking about the new editions that were published? We probably won't have those versions here as they are different publishing houses. Ack!! And I really wanted to see the one with his arms held akimbo. :-( Would be nice if there were a reprint with CF on the cover. :-) I don't think the budget will be large enough for too many panoramic fight/action scenes in exotic locations If the Isle of Man can double for the south of France, anything is possible. (Xian) So glad to get some information about the scenes from the book which helped me to understand the characters further. The book and screenplay were very useful to us too, especially because of the Yorkshire accent. Many of us couldn't understand one thing those Ellerbecks said! ;-D (Lynda) (though he'll take 'em anyway he can get 'em, apparently) Oh yes. He's not that picky."}, {"response": 1323, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (09:40)", "body": "(KarenR)Remember you were talking about the new editions that were published? Would be nice if there were a reprint with CF on the cover. :-) Hey, that's a great idea. Perhaps I'll wait for that instead of buying now.;-)"}, {"response": 1324, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (13:25)", "body": "(Karen) Would be nice if there were a reprint with CF on the cover. (Gi) Perhaps I'll wait for that instead of buying now.;-) Maybe someone in the UK can call the publisher to find out if it is planned? Huh? Please? ;-D"}, {"response": 1325, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (13:46)", "body": "Blackadder back to the future The boys are back in time: Tony Robinson and Rowan Atkinson Bumbling man-servant Baldrick has a cunning plan and builds a time-machine out of old cereal packets for the Blackadder millennium special, it has emerged. Visitors to London's Millennium Dome will be able to see Blackadder and Baldrick travelling through the ages in the new film, Blackadder Back and Forth. To be shown in the Skyscape events venue from 1 January, 2000, Rowan Atkinson stars as dapper Sir Edmund Blackadder. But it's his faithful sidekick Baldrick, played by Tony Robinson, who builds a home-made time-machine from Leonardo da Vinci's designs. But the controls of Baldrick's craft prove difficult to manage and the duo spin randomly through history, causing chaos. \"Bringing Blackadder to the big screen has always been an ambition,\" said Atkinson. \"I am delighted to be realising it to celebrate the arrival of the 21st century, but extremely worried at the prospect of travelling through time with Baldrick.\" Robinson added: \"A lot of people say that they see Baldrick as an 'everyman' character and, if that's true, then I don't think it says much for a British character.\" The film has been co-written by comic Ben Elton and Richard Curtis, who scripted the biggest grossing British movies of all time, Notting Hill and Four Weddings And A Funeral. Curtis said: \"It's all an irreverent trek through British history - a time travel adventure story consisting entirely of people who are either rude or stupid.\" Atkinson and Robinson starred in four series of the BBC comedy Blackadder and were last united in Blackadder Goes Forth, shown 10 years ago this month. The film, also featuring Kate Moss, Colin Firth, Rik Mayall, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie, will be shown on TV on Sky in 2001. The BBC also plans to screen it at a later date. Tickets to the Dome go on sale on 22 September at a number of outlets including 25,000 National Lottery ticket sellers, or via the ticketline on 0870 606 2000 and the Dome website. Atkinson Kate Moss"}, {"response": 1326, "author": "Xian", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (15:04)", "body": "I thought Kate Moss was only a model (a very famouse one, of course), can she really act? Surprise me!"}, {"response": 1327, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (17:37)", "body": "...Colin was also in \"Entertainment Tonight\"'s birthday list on Friday -- a first for him. (Karen) Nope. He was mentioned the year before last. I was pretty surprised last year when he was not. Yikes, thanks for correcting me, Karen. I remember that CF wasn't mentioned last year so I assumed this year was his first go. I didn't think ETdropped you from the birthday list, once you were on it, unless you died or did something unseemly like become an ax murderer."}, {"response": 1328, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (18:05)", "body": "(Susan) I didn't think ET dropped you from the birthday list, once you were on it, unless you died or did something unseemly like become an ax murderer. Or worse yet, you didn't have a project out in a year (such was the case last year. There was ATA, then nothing). You know how H'wood works--here today, gone tomorrow; you're hot or...not. Besides the Ryan Phillippe birthday coincidence, here's another: everyone's fave stumble-bumble actor, Hugh Grant, celebrated his 39th birthday on Sept. 9th--he's one day older than ODB."}, {"response": 1329, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (18:16)", "body": "(Lynda) SB, let us know what you think of Flashy; which book have you started with? Started with book one, and i'm about halfway through it. I like it well enough (remembering of course i'm addicted to romance novels and rarely venture forth into anyother genre) but find the campaign in India to be a triffle boring. Fraser's writing is excellent and Flashman's character is so clearly depicted one feels compelled to read on with a bizzar kind of fascination. (Bethan) BTW I like the relationship between Harry and Elspeth..funny and very endearing! I'm looking forward to seeing this relationship develope -so far my greatest amusement has been the scene just after he seduced her, when he thinks what a beautiful, stupid idiot she is. When i read this i started laughing and thought -oh this is SO the girl he's going to be forced to marry! And sure enough it was. *hee hee* serves him right. :) btw- is Elspeth really as stupid as she seems to be or is it an act? and why on earth did Flashy leave her with his father? I'd say the odds of his seducing her are awfully good. Perhaps Flashman just didnt care."}, {"response": 1330, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (19:04)", "body": "Karen, I have seen nothing in the press here in the UK about DQ. Do your contacts have any idea when it is going to be shown? I have been scouring those articles in the press which discuss the autumn programmes for the BBC but no mention."}, {"response": 1331, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (19:18)", "body": "Re: DQ BBC Scotland usually said early next year, but maybe late this year. My guess is it is sticking true to what it said. When I started seeing the fall announcements way back when, I contacted the BBC, and the people there said BBC Scotland does its own thing. Unfortunately, the people at BBC Scotland are not the best to deal with. I will have to phone again, as they don't return emails."}, {"response": 1332, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (21:44)", "body": "Not sure if this is the right place to post this but I read today in HEAT Magazine (new TV listings magazine) that Kate Winslett is odds -on favourite to play BJ in BJD. I like KW but I cannot see her as BJ, so I hope it is not true. The article also mentioned that Nicholas Cage is to play Captain Corelli in Captain Corell's Mandolin. \"KW as BJ NC as Capt. C. These two look set to star in BJD and CCM, as a spate of literary adaptions finalise their cast lists for the big screen.\" We already kn ew about N didn't we?"}, {"response": 1333, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (22:10)", "body": "I suppose DQ could be served up as a Christmas treat, as this period is never included in the autumn schedules. Or they could decide to release it as a movie (not my preferred option!!) as has happened with several BBC Films. I actually think KW could be okay...she can look older than her years and she was quite zany in \"Heavenly Creatures\". I hope they really do \"finalise their cast lists soon\"! Colin must have finished RV. I'm hoping he'll continue his back-to-back schedule and squeeze in BJD. But they'll have to announce the casting in the next few days. I still don't see how anyone else can play Mr Darcy!"}, {"response": 1334, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (22:22)", "body": "Hello, all. The prodigal returns, back after a Drool-free sabbatical. It's comforting to be treading these boards again. How the HELL have you lot managed to write five thousand messages since I've been away?"}, {"response": 1335, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (22:46)", "body": "BEN BABY"}, {"response": 1336, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (22:55)", "body": "(AnnW) We already knew about Nic didn't we? Yes, that deal's been done. Kate (though young) would be fine. She's getting major writeups about a new one called \"Holy Smoke\" (with Harvey Keitel...for those reading #39 ;-D). Getting Oscar buzz going... ****** Welcome back, Ben. How the HELL could you stay away from us as long as you did? ;-D 5,000 messages? Well, Colin's been a busy bee. So many parts, so many rumors to mong... Time flies when you're having fun."}, {"response": 1337, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (00:51)", "body": "Welcome Back. Ben! I can come back, too, now!"}, {"response": 1338, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (01:45)", "body": "Where the hell have you been, Marcia? With Ben? I am throwing myself on the ground, kicking and screaming up a tantrum over Kate Winslett. I don't object to her specifically but rather that I can't take seriously a 20-something portraying the age-related angst of a 30-something. Are there no age appropriate actresses in Britain who can pull this off? SB, like you I've started with the first Flashy which I finished last night. Glad you girls warned me about his rather unsavory habit of taking what he wants when he wants it. Can't just say no to Flashy."}, {"response": 1339, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (02:03)", "body": "I was hiding out in mourning clothes awaiting his return. No, alas, I was not with Ben (whose virtues I have extolled before and I do not want to drive him away with acute embarrassment)...but he is the best-looking poster on Drool of whose picture I have seen. Is there one of MarkG the Cricketeer? I am all eagerness...*grin*"}, {"response": 1340, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (02:04)", "body": "(I have been bashed about in the less friendly confines of wide open Spring, and it feels very good, civil and friendly here. I am happy to return.)"}, {"response": 1341, "author": "ommin", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (02:41)", "body": "Marcia re cricketer, I was not sure who you meant Taylor or Waugh, welcome back though timely I guess."}, {"response": 1342, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (03:01)", "body": "I am sitting here listening to the rain as another feeder band from Floyd passes over. Where are you Moon? I am in Polk County, Florida. Welcome back Ben. I seem to have a problem reaching you on I M, Marcia, I guess my timing is off. Will we be seeing Flashman in the U.S. I see all these great projects by ODB but don't see much chance of seeing them. *&%^+*&"}, {"response": 1343, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (03:32)", "body": "I was eating dinner in another room. I got back just in time to comment and you hung up. Try again if you get a chance. Not exactly sure where in Florida Moon is, but she is off line, too now. Be Safe!!!"}, {"response": 1344, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (03:49)", "body": "Moon is in Dade Cty. (Heide) Are there no age appropriate actresses in Britain who can pull this off? Yes, of course, there are, but with box office pull...that's the sticking point. We should at least be glad she is not a stick. So do you have more of the Flashman books? You will like them (him) better as you go on. Bwwwaaaa!! I want to finish that one."}, {"response": 1345, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (05:40)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1346, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (05:59)", "body": "Lucie, come back...you just left your login and washed away? Blew away???"}, {"response": 1347, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (12:26)", "body": "(Ann) Kate Winslett is odds -on favourite to play BJ in BJD. While I can imagine that KW could play BJ, I just cannot see CF as MD to her BJ. For one thing he is, what...15 years older, and MD and BJ are supposed to be more or less contemporaries (they were childhood playmates). Also I just feel that they would not present a very compatable couple. KW is too much of a latter day flower child whilst MD, particularly played by Colin, would probably be a typical (though sensitive, lovely etc) upper professional type. It just doesn't hang together as a pairing."}, {"response": 1348, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (12:42)", "body": "So, who would you suggest? (wish the IMDB could be sorted by gender, country and year of birth) Can't think of British actresses in their mid-30s. Where have they been hiding? Probably televsion."}, {"response": 1349, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (14:45)", "body": "Kate Winslett is odds -on favourite to play BJ in BJD Isn't she at least the third \"odds-on favourite\" in recent months? There was Cate Blanchett, Helena B-C (nononono) and now Kate. Round and round and round we go, where we'll stop, nobody knows. Welcome back, Ben. It was getting lonely being the only NYC area rep around here! (Marcia) I can come back, too, now! What, we're not good enough for ya? Sheesh! heeheehee ;-P (Heide) Glad you girls warned me about his rather unsavory habit of taking what he wants when he wants it. Can't just say no to Flashy. Flashy likes to think it's the old kolossal cucumber effect. (Marcia) Is there one of MarkG the Cricketeer (Anne) Marcia re cricketer, I was not sure who you meant Marcia was referring to MarkG who posts here. Re: Floyd Don't forget about Lidya; I think she lives in Fla. also. Hope everyone's OK. Also hope Floyd loses his punch before he takes out the eastern end of Long Island as forecast for Friday morning."}, {"response": 1350, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (15:25)", "body": "It was getting lonely being the only NYC area rep around here! Think a couple of our new posters are from NYC area: Jade (who posted on 121) and Nancy."}, {"response": 1351, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (15:51)", "body": "The more the merrier!"}, {"response": 1352, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (16:04)", "body": "(Allison)While I can imagine that KW could play BJ, I just cannot see CF as MD to her BJ I can't either...but beats CB. She was awful with JN in AIH.Not so great with Joe F. in Elizabeth either.No chemistry there. ***** Is #80 still active BTW? Come back Laura!!"}, {"response": 1353, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (16:31)", "body": "Thank you v. much for your welcomes. I am behind on many things, of course, but one of the more urgent is the acronym problem Again. And I quote: (Allison)While I can imagine that KW could play BJ, I just cannot see CF as MD to her BJ I can't either...but beats CB. She was awful with JN in AIH. Where the hell are we? Bletchley Park? My attempt: KW - Winslet BJ - Bridget Jones (I hope) CF - the Annointed One MD - Mark Darcy? BJ - ibid. [....four down, three to go...bead of sweat forms on temple...] CB - Cate Blanchett (thanks to reading ahead) JN - Jeremy Northam? (a demi-god to the Firthian Deity) AIH - um......\"I'll have to hurry you Mr Broadbent...\" Nope. I give up. Pretty good. But fell at the final hurdle. I must agree that it's boring ALWAYS to have the same names put forward for these projects. CB, KW and HB-C (I can do it too!) are all good actresses, but they're not the only ones. London is crawling with good actresses who would probably put more into the role. CB and KW are too young, anyway. And HB-C is too thin. Has ANY of them done comedy anyway? However, of the three, I think KW is probably the best bet. By the way, I gather you have a cricketing poster. We will remain silent on the English summer, when yet deeper depths were plumbed. Mediocrity? That's our dream, our glittering city on a hill-top..."}, {"response": 1354, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (16:54)", "body": "Nearly a perfect score on your first exam. Has someone been tutoring you? But you did receive our newest Enigma machine, didn't you? If not, I'll rummage around in the stockrooms at Bletchley Park. ;-D AIH - um......\"I'll have to hurry you Mr Broadbent...\" Nope. I give up. \"An Ideal Husband\" - Miramax movie starring the creme de la creme of acting talent (*cough cough*), Rupert Everett, JN (valid), CB, Minnie Driver, and Julianne (\"Boogie Nights\") Moore. Recipient of way too much of Miramax's promotional dollars, which would have been better spent on another, far better film whose acronym is MLSF!!"}, {"response": 1355, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (16:56)", "body": "Thank you v. much for your welcomes. I am behind on many things, of course, but one of the more urgent is the acronym problem Again. And I quote: (Allison)While I can imagine that KW could play BJ, I just cannot see CF as MD to her BJ I can't either...but beats CB. She was awful with JN in AIH. Where the hell are we? Bletchley Park? My attempt: KW - Winslet BJ - Bridget Jones (I hope) CF - the Annointed One MD - Mark Darcy? BJ - ibid. [....four down, three to go...bead of sweat forms on temple...] CB - Cate Blanchett (thanks to reading ahead) JN - Jeremy Northam? (a demi-god to the Firthian Deity) AIH - um......\"I'll have to hurry you Mr Broadbent...\" Nope. I give up. Pretty good. But fell at the final hurdle. I must agree that it's boring ALWAYS to have the same names put forward for these projects. CB, KW and HB-C (I can do it too!) are all good actresses, but they're not the only ones. London is crawling with good actresses who would probably put more into the role. CB and KW are too young, anyway. And HB-C is too thin. Has ANY of them done comedy anyway? However, of the three, I think KW is probably the best bet. By the way, I gather you have a cricketing poster. We will remain silent on the English summer, when yet deeper depths were plumbed. Mediocrity? That's our dream, our glittering city on a hill-top..."}, {"response": 1356, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (17:43)", "body": "Welcome back, Ben! I felt tempted to save you from your misery and tell you what MLSF means... But I'll let you guess. I think you were the first to see it -or am I completely off-mark here? AnneH: congrats to Australia for heading the mission to East Timor. I hope your men can do something in there. I hope the Portuguese will go too, as many of the older officers know the ground. And I hope everything goes well for them all."}, {"response": 1357, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (17:51)", "body": "Hi, Gi! Yes. I did see MLSF, though it was called something else when I did. \"Firth in a Skirt\", I think. I wasnt' bowled over by it, I must confess. Has it come and gone? (BTW, why does a message repeat itself? I barely blinked and the whole thing leaped unbidden onto the screen.)"}, {"response": 1358, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (18:05)", "body": "According to Arami, if you submit a message, then go offline and come back to the same place it re-submits itself (I hope I understood this :-o)"}, {"response": 1359, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (18:15)", "body": "Hi, Gi! Yes. I did see MLSF, though it was called something else when I did. \"Firth in a Skirt\", I think. I wasnt' bowled over by it, I must confess. Has it come and gone? (BTW, why does a message repeat itself? I barely blinked and the whole thing leaped unbidden onto the screen.)"}, {"response": 1360, "author": "nky", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (18:19)", "body": "Hi everyone from NYC! I'm getting the hang of it, I think!"}, {"response": 1361, "author": "nky", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (18:23)", "body": "ok that was just a test, having problems sending my message. I think KW will be a good BJ but my #1 choice is still Jennifer Ehle as BJ and CF as MD. Wishful thinking but they make a cute couple and I do hope that CF takes the role. Just got my book \"The Making of Pride & Prejudice\" from the UK and CF looks sooooo wonderful in the book. Could look at him all day and dddrrrooolll."}, {"response": 1362, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (19:17)", "body": "Ben, in case you think you missed alot while you were gone, we were probably having the same discussion (who will play Bridget? Who? Who?) over at topic 80 when you left. And yes, MLSF came and went; it played for several weeks at the Angelika and a couple of other art-house theaters starting July 24 or thereabouts. We believe the version we saw was at least 30 min. shorter than the one you previewed (back when it was still called 'The Roaring Game'--or was it 'World of Moss'? Firth-in-a-Skirt? Hee h e). Check out the discussion at 121. Hi, Nancy *waving to you from across the Hudson*"}, {"response": 1363, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (19:44)", "body": "Who wants to volunteer to become Dudette? ************* Dude keeps building a rep (September 12, 1999) BY ROGER EBERT TORONTO--The Dude is standing in the middle of the press office at the Toronto Film Festival. I have been out of my hotel room for four minutes and he has found me. \"This one you gotta see,\" he tells me. He hands me two Xeroxed sheets stapled together. They advertise a movie, \"Goat on Fire & Smiling Fish.\" With a certainty that borders on helpless acceptance, I know that although 317 movies are playing at the festival and I will not see at least 280 of them, I will be seeing \"Goat on Fire & Smiling Fish.\" \"What's it about?\" I ask. \"This is Kevin Jordan,\" the Dude says, indicating a tall, dark-haired, intense young man. \"He directed it.\" I shake hands with Jordan. We are strangers and yet our fates are entwined. It's as if we are both passengers in the Dude's small aircraft. \"Here,\" says the Dude, turning back the first of the two sheets, so that I can see he has reproduced a page from the festival catalog, describing the film. \"This is so good, we had to pay Michelle Maheux $10 to write it.\" I know Michelle Maheux and know that although she has doubtless been offered inducements far in excess of $10 over the years, she has never compromised her ferocious vision as a Toronto Film Festival programmer. I know the Dude and know that his idealism is so profound that he probably thinks $10 is a plausible size for a bribe--even in Canadian dollars, which works out to about $6.80 American. The Dude's name is Jeff Dowd. He is tall and large and has a lot of unruly curly hair and a big mustache. If you saw the Coen Brothers movie \"The Big Lebowski,\" Jeff Bridges was playing a character based on him, although the Dude is a great deal more abstentious than the Bridges character. If he were not, the movie would have been called \"The Late Lebowski.\" The Coens and Dowd go back a long way, to 1984, when he was telling me, \"You gotta see this one. It's called 'Blood Simple.' These are the Coen Broth rs.\" Dowd wears so many hats it is difficult to assign him a title. Today he is playing the role of Rep. Whether Distributor's Rep, Producer's Rep, Director's Rep or another species of Rep is impossible to say. He is Repping the film, that is for sure. \"Marty Scorsese liked this so much he decided to present it,\" Dowd is saying. I peer at the top Xerox sheet again. Sure enough, it says \"MARTIN SCORSESE\" in big black letters, and beneath them, in a smaller typeface, \"cordially invites you to the premiere screening.\" Did Scorsese produce the movie? No. Is he distributing it? No. Does he have a piece of it? No. Does he hope to work with Kevin Jordan in the future? No, Scorsese directs his own films. The long and the short of it is, Martin Scorsese cordially invited me to attend the premiere screening. Why does Scorsese extend this invitation? My instinct is that there is one degree of separation between Jordan, Scorsese and the Dude. But no, I would be wrong. Scorsese found Jordan on his own. \"He saw one of my short films,\" Jordan tells me. \"He took me out to lunch and started a Martin Scorsese scholarship that paid for my senior year at NYU. Then I was an assistant to him on `Kundun.' My family owns a lobster house in Brooklyn. He loves lobster. When I finished my film, I sent it to him, and he gave me some suggestions.\" How did you find \"Goat on Fire & Smiling Fish\"? I ask the Dude. \"I didn't,\" he answers. \"It found me. I've only been Repping this film for about 15 days.\" \"I saw him on a panel at the L.A. Independent Filmmakers Festival,\" Jordan says. \"He seemed like the coolest dude on the panel.\" The Dude beams. \"We were planning on coming up here and just wild-posting the movie,\" Jordan says. That means sticking posters up all over town. \"Jeff said he would help us. We haven't even signed a contract yet.\" People like the Dude are one of the ways good movies find audiences in a world where bad movies are promoted with $40 million advertising budgets. He doesn't have that kind of money, but he's good at getting out the word. He has Repped titles like \"Black Stallion,\" \"Chariots of Fire,\" \"Hoosiers,\" \"The Stunt Man\" and, of course, \"The Blair Witch Project.\" \"How I got started,\" he says, \"I was a political activist in the 1960s. Civil rights, Vietnam. I saw a movie named 'Hearts and Minds' about the war. I had a friend in Seattle named Randy Finley, who had a little 100-seat theater named the Movie House. We were both so moved by this film. He wanted to show it. But the studio gave it to the only hardtop of this drive-in company. \"I asked Randy, 'Would you be willing to take out a little two-inch ad telling people to go see this movie in your competitor's theater?' He did. Then I got front-page play on the story.\" The Dude beams. \"The movie wound up running 17 weeks and setting a house record!\" But in your competitor's theater, I point out. He shrugs. \"Just so people see them,\" he says. \"I'd walk up and down the l"}, {"response": 1364, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (21:07)", "body": "Welcome back Ben! I want to hear all about your Italian adventure. (We will have to compare notes) Did you see JE in TRT whilst in London? Ladies, we have been graced. Hurricane (Pink) Floyd decided to skip landfall in Southern Florida, we are having a beautiful sunny day today! I attribute it to the power of prayer, never underestimate it. :-) I prefer KW to HB-C as BJ anyday. But will Colin play MD? I am certain that after that Channel 4 CF Darcy comment, they have indeed offered him the role."}, {"response": 1365, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (21:09)", "body": "Karen, about Dude, I loved the Big Lobowski, I could not stop laughing throughout the movie, but I think I will stick to being a Firthette. ;-)"}, {"response": 1366, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (22:21)", "body": "Continuing in Bletchley-speak....if KW is too young for BJ, then NC is way too old for CCM. I don't think casting directors worry too much about such minor details! :-) Anyway, I always saw Bridget as something of a flower child,...and given that the part has, I'm sure, to be played by a Bankable Name, I'd be quite happy with KW. Most of our 30 something actresses seem too sophisticated to wear bunny girl outfits and shin up fireman's poles...and they are all so-o-o thin! Lynda, the blurb about the planned \"Flashman\" series says that it will be \"bursting with colour, action and romance\"! Sounds promising. Welcome back Ben. Have you read any \"Flashman\" novels...we could do with a male perspective! I hope Hurricane Floyd peters out soon or heads off for unoccupied territories. Strong gusts of wind make me nervous...so I really do sympathise!"}, {"response": 1367, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (22:47)", "body": "Loved Flashman, but it was YEARS ago. Didn't ever read Tom Brown either. Moon - Italy was fun. Whizzed down through France in a little red sports car, staying in Beaunes. Next night in Fiesole. Then three days in Rome with a friend. Then two weeks uninterrupted self-indulgence in Tuscan villa about 20 miles west of Siena. The place had a swimming pool and slept six (our number). As a measure of the Baccanalean spirit of the holiday, we got through a bottle and a half of wine a day, and a litre of olive oil during the fortnight - EACH. One afternoon, the day after the Palio, we managed to drag ourselves into Siena. There was also occasional reading (I read War and Peace for the first time - MIND-BLOWING!) and a bit of bridge. But our efforts were largely concentrated on swimming, eating and drinking, of which I did more than my share. No sightings of CF, then. But I did see the Castles again in London. I told them a wee bit about this site, and the Firthette phenomenon more generally. They had been vaguely aware of CF's growing \"hunk\" reputation after P&P, and much amused by it - apparently he is far to \"blokish\" and nice for them to take the idea seriously. They routinely take the p*** out of him about it, so they say. Didn't see JE in London (there too late, I think). However, a little bird told me that you lot were planning to go AGAIN to see the Firth in that play, and I will be there, in all likelihood, in January. So I hope I can come along. However, while he may be sufficiently flattered by the effort you lot have made (and for the second time...), I'm not sure I will identify MYSELF as part of the same brood. I'll just have to be some random English bloke you picked up at the theatre. Or in the pub."}, {"response": 1368, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (22:52)", "body": "Now I HAVE to get to London in January!"}, {"response": 1369, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (23:17)", "body": "CF's growing \"hunk\" reputation after P&P [...] he is far to \"blokish\" and nice [...] to take the idea seriously. Hey, hey, hey - I'm here to talk about his outstanding acting skills and not \"hunkiness\" or something, all right? Perish the thought... I'm a serious woman and don't you forget it!"}, {"response": 1370, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (23:21)", "body": "(Bethan) ...is way too old for CCM. That one stunned me for a moment and I had to send it on to Langley for decoding and they in turn sent it on to the NSA! ;-D"}, {"response": 1371, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (23:53)", "body": "(Heide) Are there no age appropriate actresses in Britain who can pull this off? (Karen) Yes, of course, there are, but with box office pull...that's the sticking point. But does no one see the irony? How will KW pull off the scenes with Patchouli when she should more likely play Patchouli? \"Flashman\" novels...we could do with a male perspective! Don't forget Mark! Access Hollywood interview with Julie Andrews a bust. Mostly about her singing. Mention of the filming of Relative Values...\"also starring Billy Baldwin and Jeanne Tripplehorn.\" No Colin."}, {"response": 1372, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (23:54)", "body": "damn, did it again."}, {"response": 1373, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (01:16)", "body": "Yaknow, when you telnet you can see all of the html programming...and I even get to reprise my own goofs. It is a humbling experience, but you can post stuff ever so many places in record time!"}, {"response": 1374, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (01:18)", "body": "Thank you Heide for telling me about Access Hollywood. I'll pull the tape out of the VCR...who cares about Julie Andrews'singing anyway. **** Ben, we would love to have you along in January...you won't be the only male in the group. And rest assured we are a pretty elegant group...(you know...the Volvos and Labs crowd!) \"Miss Manners\" would approve of us:-).However, if you want to stand around \"lurking\" or hide in the Box Office, we promise we won't blow your cover.:-D"}, {"response": 1375, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (01:23)", "body": "Who would they get to play Bridget's mother or Julio. I can see C.H. as Danial and Hugh Grant as Tom. I'm wondering who will play Perpetua, she sounds like someone who shouts most of the time, but I can't picture her age. I just can't see any of the actress named as Bridget. Colin is the only one I can see as MD though"}, {"response": 1376, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (01:25)", "body": "Maybe K.b. as Daniel"}, {"response": 1377, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (01:25)", "body": "I'm still alive;)"}, {"response": 1378, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (01:27)", "body": "Maybe K.b. as Daniel"}, {"response": 1379, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (02:01)", "body": "Perpetua-- I picture Kathy what's-her-face, from \"Nil By Mouth.\" She played Magda on AbFab. The problem is, I tend to cast people who play somewhat the equivalent in other shows/films (like Kathy what's-it)-- not really fair for the actors or the audience, to be honest. Give 'em something they don't know... That's when we find the A-list actors... when they've stretched themselves creatively. For example, I was not impressed by Jack Nicholson in that movie he did not too long ago (the one with Helen Hunt). Jeez... my diet must be laced with MSG or something, my memory's going... Anyway, I aw JN playing JN, and I was bored out of my mind."}, {"response": 1380, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (03:35)", "body": "closing Jenn's tags. Throw out the MSG or buy that gingkoba stuff. ;-D (Ben) I'm not sure I will identify MYSELF as part of the same brood. Excellent idea! You might embarrass us if you decide to wear one of those clown outfits or something. ;-D You might be required, however, to hold a camera or two, so please practice a little. Go to the park and take some pictures. BTW, your university friend's movie is brilliant. Just got back from seeing it. Re: Access Hollywood Did you see Jeanne Tripplehorn and Billy Baldwin in that scene with Julie? If you blink, you miss it. But if you slo-mo, they are larger than life. JT has quite the \"do\" for the '50s (actually looks more '60s to me). I did want to throw a slipper at the screen at the end...\"also starring JT and BB\" Ack!!"}, {"response": 1381, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (03:36)", "body": "BTW, is it Kathy Burke you're thinking about?"}, {"response": 1382, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (06:23)", "body": "Yes, Kathy Burke's the one. Sorry about the tags..."}, {"response": 1383, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (08:04)", "body": "Maybe we should go back to #80 for this... How about Antonio Banderas for Julio? Made to look a bit older, naturally, and hair brushed back. If you really want a latin guy, because I think otherwise if you dye Don Johnson's hair *he* would be perfect."}, {"response": 1384, "author": "livamago", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (14:52)", "body": "(Eileen) Re: Floyd Don't forget about Lidya; I think she lives in Fla. also Thank you Eileen. Floyd did not reach me here in Tallahassee...we've had beautiful weather, at least ten degrees cooler than we have normally. I hope everyone else who is in its path will be as fortunate."}, {"response": 1385, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (14:58)", "body": "Lidya, we have been lucky, haven't we? I'm happy you're safe too. :-) Ben, had I known you were there in July, I would have invited you to take tea chez moi on Lake Como. We had British friends who stayed with Sir Goldsmith in his tenuta outside Sienna and attended the Palio. They much preferred Lake Como to Siena (it\ufffds heat and mosquitoes). I was in Sienna too, the Duomo is my favourite in all of Italy, but I always avoid the Palio, too crowded. Wine is lovely, and what about Vin Santo, I trust you were so fortunate as to indulge a little? Winter, where have you been? You missed our DB's birthday celebration!"}, {"response": 1386, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (15:14)", "body": "Maybe we should go back to #80 for this Yeah, we'd better before the OT police come to take us all away. Yooo hooo, Lauraaaaaa! I'm surprised you're taking the bit about KW so calmly. Not too long ago you were emphatic that she was (how did you put it?) TOO YOUNG. See ya at 80! I'm afraid I'm to blame for the Access Hollywood 'bust'--had the tape going in the VCR, you see. If I hadn't, ODB would have been right there, sitting next to Julie or doing a little dance in the background ;-P BTW, wasn't that reporter the pits? Gives a whole new dimension to the term \"suck up.\" Why do I watch those shows? Why? Why? (Bethan) I hope Hurricane Floyd peters out soon or heads off for unoccupied territories Generous Floyd's gracing us with his presence this afternoon. He's down to a measly category 1 hurricane, though--we (those of us slightly inland) expect an average of 6 inches of rain and winds around 60 mph. Can't wait to see footage of Mayor Rudy heading down the FDR Drive in a rowboat! Floyd's then expected to bestow more of his attributes on New England, so Susan and Laura are next."}, {"response": 1387, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (15:17)", "body": "Mon dieu! I've done it too! High winds must have swept away my closing tag..."}, {"response": 1388, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (15:19)", "body": "(Eileen) Why do I watch those shows? Why? Why? Dont' we only watch these shows when there's a flicker of a possibility that ODB will be mentioned? hee hee Great to see that our Floridians have been spared from the fury of Floyd. :-D"}, {"response": 1389, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (16:03)", "body": "Winter, where have you been? You missed our DB's birthday celebration! I know, sorry. I'll have to bring back Odds and Ends on my hotlist and do some catching-up. The summer is coming to an end, and oddly enough, I've found time to post back on the boards again (funny how I should return at exactly the time I should be spending less time online). Floyd's then expected to bestow more of his attributes on New England, so Susan and Laura are next. Crossing my fingers for all of you! But... by the time it reaches New England, wouldn't the intensity of the hurricane have lessened?"}, {"response": 1390, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (16:23)", "body": "Welcome back, Ben! Perhaps when you're in London in January, in addition to seeing 3DOR with the Firthettes, you'll also be able to see JE in TRT. Isn't it supposed to be opening in the West End around that time, Evelyn? Hurricane Floyd is definitely making his unwelcome presence known in suburban Boston today. Rudy Guiliani may not be the only one commuting via rowboat this afternoon:-("}, {"response": 1391, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (17:50)", "body": "One big apology for not reading before I posted! Microsoft Word spell check corrected Siena with Sienna. Of course, It is Siena! I will email them at once and hope they correct their program."}, {"response": 1392, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (18:35)", "body": "Moon - we sunk quite a lot of Vin Santo, don't worry. At less than three quid a bottle they were giving it away. Karen - do you mean Mendes? The boy's made a film now? Blimey. Arami - I would never question your seriousness. I quite understand that The Firth would be equally appealing with a bag over his head, but isn't it possible to be serious AND to want to take the bag off? I think I'd find a bag on the sweet head of LDE (La deesse Ehle) limiting and I am, on occasion, serious. I should report that LDE has a rival in my fantastical world of unglamorous-nerd-meets-well-known-actress-and-they-get-on-like-house-on-fire: Julie Christie as Bathsheeba in the film of Far from the Madding Crowd. Good God! I will still be just as keento see LDE on stage, of course. Roll on January. Evelyn - I would never be embarrassed of you lot! I just think a male Firthette might freak The Firth out more than his female admirers. Ben By the way, all classes have been cancelled this afternoon because of the weather. Cheers, Floyd!"}, {"response": 1393, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (21:36)", "body": "(Ben), we sunk quite a lot of Vin Santo, don't worry. At less than three quid a bottle they were giving it away. I'm afraid you'll have to go back and try the real Vin Santo at 20 quid for a half a bottle. Then you can say you drank Vin Santo. :-) Arami, really!"}, {"response": 1394, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (22:07)", "body": "(Ben) do you mean Mendes? The boy's made a film now? ...and has he ever - American Beauty. Is officially Hollywood's newest wunderkind. And before anybody starts calling this a British film, it isn't and wasn't. Sorry. Julie Christie as Bathsheeba in the film of Far from the Madding Crowd. Like those costume dramas, do we? ;-D Slow news day... so what shall we talk about? *wheels spinning in head* *little mice getting whipped into a frenzy* Aha!! Wild and unsubstantiated guessing as to what Colin is currently doing? Too early to begin rehearsals for November's 3DOR..."}, {"response": 1395, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (22:14)", "body": "WELCOME BACK , WINTER.... It's good to see you back on any board :-)"}, {"response": 1396, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (22:16)", "body": "God! 20 quid? What was the muck I had then? Still, by that stage in the evening I was beyond tasting anything, so maybe it's a good thing no-one spent too much on the stuff."}, {"response": 1397, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (22:33)", "body": "Karen - I must go and see this film. Nothing SM does any more surprises me. He has been the official Wunderkind of London theatre for almost 10 years now. And he will be the next director of the National, for sure. He is v. v. smart and charming to boot. Bastard."}, {"response": 1398, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (00:19)", "body": "The Firth would be equally appealing with a bag over his head... If you think of screening all his charms, one bag wouldn't be enough! but isn't it possible to be serious AND to want to take the bag off? Shhhhh! I don't want to spook him: I'll just settle for a slit for his unbelievably eloquent eyes... I just think a male Firthette might freak The Firth out more than his female admirers. Not at all: he was happily signing autographs for some male admirers too (although some of them may have been professional autograph hunters). Plus some of us had our husbands in attendance."}, {"response": 1399, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (01:07)", "body": "(Arami), Plus some of us had our husbands in attendance. Did you really bring your DH along? Mine would never agree to it, plus I truly believe he would go as far as prohibiting me to go see the Firth in the flesh. I will certainly have to go see MLSF alone once it reaches my shores (which should not be long now). ;-)"}, {"response": 1400, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (01:31)", "body": "....I just think a male Firthette might freak The Firth out more than his female admirers. You underestimate Mr. Firth...I can assure you he was most cordial to all in attendance on March the 6th, 1999.There were husbands,partners, boyfriends,and other assorted male companions....I hardly think Ben Broadbent would freak him out. :-)"}, {"response": 1401, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (02:48)", "body": "Okay, I tried this once and ended up losing my entire message, so I'm just going to type something short and see if it goes through. Hello, Karen, and thanks for inviting me!"}, {"response": 1402, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (02:56)", "body": "I guess this is going to work, so let me tell you a little bit about myself. I think I have the distinction of being the biggest Colin Firth fan in Springfield, Missouri--because if there's one who's bigger than me, I haven't found her yet. Even so, I'm not nearly as serious as you guys, mostly because it is SO DIFFICULT to find either movies or information here! I searched all over town for a lone copy of \"Femme Fatale\"! I'm planning on submitting a story or two to the Fan Fiction board, although I'm a little nervous about doing so. Since I'm new, I don't want to give everyone the impression that I'm...um...unladylike, since some of my stories are rather racy. The toned-down versions are at DWG, but honestly, I don't really like them. I hope this was the right place to jump in--I didn't really know where to begin, so I just picked a page that had room!"}, {"response": 1403, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (03:16)", "body": "Amy So glad you found the time. This is as good a place as any to start. We do tend to wander all over the place, but you'll get the hang of it. Looking forward to reading your stories at Fan Fic too."}, {"response": 1404, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (03:23)", "body": "I guess this is going to work, so let me tell you a little bit about myself. I think I have the distinction of being the biggest Colin Firth fan in Springfield, Missouri--because if there's one who's bigger than me, I haven't found her yet. Even so, I'm not nearly as serious as you guys, mostly because it is SO DIFFICULT to find either movies or information here! I searched all over town for a lone copy of \"Femme Fatale\"! I'm planning on submitting a story or two to the Fan Fiction board, although I'm a little nervous about doing so. Since I'm new, I don't want to give everyone the impression that I'm...um...unladylike, since some of my stories are rather racy. The toned-down versions are at DWG, but honestly, I don't really like them. I hope this was the right place to jump in--I didn't really know where to begin, so I just picked a page that had room!"}, {"response": 1405, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (07:49)", "body": "Welcome, Amy!"}, {"response": 1406, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (11:57)", "body": "(Amy), I'm planning on submitting a story or two to the Fan Fiction board, although I'm a little nervous about doing so. Since I'm new, I don't want to give everyone the impression that I'm...um...unladylike, since some of my stories are rather racy. The toned-down versions are at DWG, but honestly, I don't really like them. LOL! I look forward to reading them. Welcome Amy!"}, {"response": 1407, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (13:08)", "body": "Welcome Amy, I grew up in Illinois and have been to Springfield on field trips. Just curious, how'd you hear about us?"}, {"response": 1408, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (13:34)", "body": "WELCOME AMY I look forward to your story on Fan Fic...we like 'em all...clean 'n racy:-))"}, {"response": 1409, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (13:50)", "body": "Just read that an auction house plans to have an auction for indie film distribution. It is accepting submissions right now for the March auction, which will be limited to the top 20 finalists. Could someone call the bank and tell them to submit SLOW. I'll bid on it. ;-D"}, {"response": 1410, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (13:55)", "body": "...and Terry, Amy is in Springfield, MO. She looked lonely in our Chat Room, so I invited her and few others to join us here. ;-D Have checked the online listings and MLSF is still here, but at only one theater in the western 'burbs. Ya hear that, Evelyn? ;-D"}, {"response": 1411, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (13:57)", "body": "Could you imagine the publicity? CF internet admirers purchase his film and set up distribution. \"Catch SLOW at the NY Int'l Film Festival.\" For firther information contact Firthettes, Inc."}, {"response": 1412, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (13:58)", "body": "firther That was a freudian slip. ;-)"}, {"response": 1413, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (14:41)", "body": "Salve, Amy. Even so, I'm not nearly as serious as you guys You don't know the half of it. However, I'm sure you've landed in the right place. In my experience it is generally to be preferred over \"Hormone City\", (aka Fan Fiction)."}, {"response": 1414, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (14:50)", "body": "(Karen) Aha!! Wild and unsubstantiated guessing as to what Colin is currently doing? Too early to begin rehearsals for November's 3DOR... My guess is that after wrapping RV (last Tuesday?) he hightailed it to L.A. With all the back-to-back work this summer, he hasn't been there in a while. (Moon) Could you imagine the publicity? CF internet admirers purchase his film and set up distribution. Have we given up on our plan to hold a bake sale? Darn, I even made some brownies;-D Welcome, Amy! Looking forward to reading your fan fic."}, {"response": 1415, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (15:45)", "body": "Welcome Amy! ..and..Thanks for the \"welcome back\" Evelyn! I searched all over town for a lone copy of \"Femme Fatale\"! The fact that you're in Springfield, MO has nothing to do with not being able to find FF, Amy. ;-)"}, {"response": 1416, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (16:40)", "body": "Why, is \"Femme Fatale\" generally hard to find? I guess it's what you might call \"a sleeper\". I thought it was rather interesting myself--especially the bedroom scene! I squealed when he bounced her out of the bed!"}, {"response": 1417, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (17:28)", "body": "...and Terry, Amy is in Springfield, MO.... ooops, sorry about that Amy. I here I went and started a topic on Springfield, Illinois. That's ok though, anyplace the Simpsons live is great."}, {"response": 1418, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (17:55)", "body": "Why, is \"Femme Fatale\" generally hard to find? It might not be at the video rental places or on the shelf at Best Buy, but I don't think it is hard to find. You can buy a new or used (if available) copy at reel.com for less than $10. And for some unknown reason, the Lifetime Channel has right to broadcast this movie, but under the name \"Fatal Woman.\" It's the same movie, but with a few cuts that totally destroy everything artistic about this movie. ;-p We did some serious trashing of this film over at #98, although we've never found any fault with Colin's performances in any sleazoid film. I guess it's what you might call \"a sleeper\". Get this woman a copy of Playmaker. That's a real wake-up call!!"}, {"response": 1419, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (18:13)", "body": "New Cities for MLSF: New Haven and/or Hartford, Connecticut; and San Diego, CA"}, {"response": 1420, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (21:34)", "body": "Sorry to disappoint you guys, but I'm from Springfield, MO--home of cashew chicken and Brad Pitt! (I'm so impressed; aren't you?) Will someone please tell me what \"Playmaker\" is about? I think it's the only one of Colin's movies about which I know absolutely nothing. And also, why is it that every time I try to post a message the first time, I get an error screen and have to go back and type the whole thing again? Am I doing something wrong? That's been happening to me all day!"}, {"response": 1421, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (22:27)", "body": "(Amy)And also, why is it that every time I try to post a message the first time, I get an error screen and have to go back and type the whole thing again? Am I doing something wrong? That's been happening to me all day! That happens to me when I use Explorer 4, not with Netscape."}, {"response": 1422, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (22:33)", "body": "Hey gang....I hate being the harbinger of bad news, but I have just had this from Murph who received it from a reputable source staight from ICM. \"Official informed sources say that news of Colin appearing in a Flashman series of any kind is pure rumor and conjecture...They have no knowledge of such a project nor of Colin's involvement in any future Flashman movie, tv movie or tv series.\" ***** But hey....that means he might be available for BJD :-))"}, {"response": 1423, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (22:44)", "body": "But...Flashman has such lovely possibilities...*sigh*"}, {"response": 1424, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (22:57)", "body": "and it would have been a lovely long TV series, with lots and lots of Colin, no waiting for a Distributor. How could The TV Times get is so wrong, they even had the names of possible co-stars. I wonder how wrong they were about \"Biggles\"!!"}, {"response": 1425, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (22:58)", "body": "Oh, No! **sigh** Such dreadful news! How can the Firthettes change this? Something must be done! And I just exhausted my mental powers by diverting a hurricane for the Miami coast!"}, {"response": 1426, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (23:04)", "body": "Oh....a disappointment. Well I wasn\ufffdt too glad about Flashman as a role anyway, funny stuff IMO but what\ufffds important, it looked like a BIG project for Colin for a change."}, {"response": 1427, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (23:05)", "body": "Can we distribute Flashman, too? More bake sales!!!"}, {"response": 1428, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (23:39)", "body": "So sad, no big epic series for Colin. Bwaaaaaa.... Oh please, let him do BJD Playmaker is a truly crummy film and one that Colin wishes would disappear off the face of the earth and definitely off his filmography. But it hasn't and we upstanding ladies of Drool have found certain a merit in it...most notably two wonderful shower scenes. Also, Colin looks fabulous in it, especially in the glasses. Basically, it's a story about a no-talent wannabe actress who pawns her *heirloom* pearls in order to go to a reknowned acting coach. Most of the story concerns the application of his acting techniques, a murder, her *knock'em-dead* audition, and her interest in rock climbing. ;-D If you'd like to read our discussion of Playmaker, here's the edited version, complete with pictures. You can see how cute Colin is in this one: http://www.firth.com/filmdis/pm/pm-part1.htm Amy, as Evelyn explained, MS's Internet Explorer is problematic here. If you can use Netscape, your life will be easier. If you can't, then highlight and copy your typed text before you hit submit, in case you have to do it twice. Does anybody else have another solution?"}, {"response": 1429, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (23:44)", "body": "Nope! Download Netscape Navigator 4.0 and make your life much easier!"}, {"response": 1430, "author": "livamago", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (23:46)", "body": "This cannot be happening!! Do people not know that His projects are no joking matter? I am so disappointed..."}, {"response": 1431, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (23:54)", "body": "Joking is the only way I can keep my sanity and not cry and beat on the computer! I am all severe disappointment!"}, {"response": 1432, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (23:55)", "body": "Like AnnW, I don't understand how the TV Times got the information so wrong. It was a big article, which reminds me that I have to post the picture from it soon. Completely forgot. *bangs head against wall*"}, {"response": 1433, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sat, Sep 18, 1999 (00:19)", "body": "Too bad about Flashman - such a terrific role. Wish the media would confirm BEFORE they report! I can't wait to see the pic, Karen!"}, {"response": 1434, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Sat, Sep 18, 1999 (00:24)", "body": "Thanks for the advice about Netscape, ladies--I have been using Explorer because it was pre-loaded on my computer. I can ring in through my university, and I think that has Netscape, but I may just have to sit through downloading it."}, {"response": 1435, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 18, 1999 (00:42)", "body": "....Wish the media would confirm BEFORE they report! But they don't . A year ago Variety published that JE would appear in \"A Good Baby\" . I called the agent and was told: \"This is not going to happen\". To this day the film is still on her filmography at IMDb. It could have been that Colin considered doing it, or was considered. And the paper ran with it, He's hot TV news, after all. Remember a few months back he was going to read a play on BBC radio. We had the cassettes bought.. ready to roll!! **** Amy K. pl. email me, I have an extra FF that I taped from Lifetime cable."}, {"response": 1436, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Sep 18, 1999 (03:35)", "body": "Welcome Amy. I read your story on 34. You said your were writing off the top of your head. Your should go into politics with that ability to think on your feet. It's greaat, hope to see more."}, {"response": 1437, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Sep 18, 1999 (07:01)", "body": "Also why is it that we only get bad news confirmed by his so called Agent, that proves to be true, could they possibly be wrong, sometimes I wonder if they really know they have a client Colin Firth and I still can't understand how the article could have been so definite, filming locations, possible cast etc and when it might be shown. I am keeping my fingers crossed that his Agents are wrong and that the story is true. I think I might write to The TV times."}, {"response": 1438, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Sep 18, 1999 (07:04)", "body": "and I am not so excited as others about him playing MD in BJD, I feel it could be a nothing part, a very minor supporting role, a contemporary Darcy, I hope not."}, {"response": 1439, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Sep 18, 1999 (07:33)", "body": "Hmmm, good news and bad news day. If you check Murph's site, she's also got news about Donovan Quick and a rather Darcy-ish (the hair!) pic of Colin taken on set (bus in background. Some interesting info. DQ seems to have been picked up by a French Film Company who are listed as being responsible for all international rights outside the UK. (Does this mean a theatrical release?) It has a budget of \ufffd1.3 (about the same as FP, low-ish, but I doubt if actors' salaries amounted to much) and was shot with Su er 16 film. Same as P&P..there's a bit in \"the Making of P&P\" about this - it gives nearly the same quality as 35mm film (used in cinema)at a fraction of the cost, and is far superior to plain 16mm usually used in TV. H..anyway, something to look forward to! About Flashman, Lidya, I share your pain! Although, having seen the original item in the TV Times, I do have one or two thoughts. I'm sure that the \"Biggles\" BBC production news (with which the Flashman item was combined) will be correct, and there was quite a lot of convincing info about Flashman...the locations (across Europe, Wales (Snowdonia often doubles for Afghanistan) and casting of co-stars for the villainesses (Joanna Lumley, Felicicity Kendall). Doesn't ound like pie in the sky to me. I'm sure there must be something in pre- pre- preparation but maybe nothing is definite. Ann, didn't you get some e-mail info about it? As to Colin's involvement...he seems to be very cagey and last-minute-ish about signing up for roles. I hope that Flashman may be something he could be involved in...it it did go ahead, there aren't many (any?) actors who can ride, fence and swim and look dashing in cherry-picker pants and a tall hat! I also have one or two reservations about Flashman...the appeal of the books lies a lot in the humour of the first person narrative, the colourfullness of the writing and the vigour of the action (the Charge of the Light Brigade would need a cast of thousands!) How much of this would translate to the small screen I don't know, especially without a Hollywood-style budget. Would need a very good script, or could end up being a cross between \"Rhodes\" and a \"Carry On\" film. I liked the genuinely romantic ele ents in \"Flashman\" but would these have been emphasised? Still hope to see it though. The main advatage of Made-for-TV is that you do actually see it! Karen...you mentioned an auction for indies (SLOW where are you?). Now that's one thing thay would banish post-Flashman blues! Seriously (back on my soap box) it bugs me that a \ufffd3.5 million film (made with British tax payers' money!) because of some legal wrangles, seems to have been permanently impounded. I accept that a movie about a Nigerian community in the South of France hasn't a chance in hell of being a commercial success but I feel very strongly that it should be seen and judged. If the audience at Martha's Vineyard enjoyed it, well, it deserves a viewing. We've just has a major regional Film Festival in our area, and ne t week there's the \"Bite the Mango\" festival devoted to African and Asian film, also locally, and with an excellent programme. I've often wondered this (as well you know Evelyn!) but what is the bottom line with SLOW...does it just die?"}, {"response": 1440, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Sep 18, 1999 (08:18)", "body": "Pandora Cinema are based in Paris and were co-backers and distributors for \"Shine\" (Geoffrey Rush Oscar winner) and \"The Disappearance of Finbar\" a British film which got good reviews and a selected release. They don't back rubbish. The only tme I phoned Colin's agency (never again!) just to enquire when we might see him in something, I found them singularly unhelpful and ill-informed. The only info I got was that SIL was opening in November in the UK (wrong, wrong, wrong!). I remember saying \"oh, so he's not retired then\", cheap scarcasm, very unlike me, as I'm normally terribly polite and ooze gratitude! :-)"}, {"response": 1441, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Sep 18, 1999 (08:27)", "body": "(Bethan)The only tme I phoned Colin's agency (never again!) just to enquire when we might see him in something, I found them singularly unhelpful and ill-informed. I get the impression that in the UK, agents are really just there to finalise deals, do the financial side of things etc. Talking to friends in the acting business, I get the impression that the UK industry is small and personal networking plays a very big part in the process. Agents do not seem to play such a big part as appears to be the case in the States, in actually getting work for their clients. I am no expert but I have been surprised when discussing this with actors I know, how little they rel on their agents for making contacts etc."}, {"response": 1442, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Sep 18, 1999 (08:38)", "body": "I have just been over to Murph's place....I love the photograph of Colin. V. yummy."}, {"response": 1443, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Sep 18, 1999 (08:57)", "body": "(Bethan) I'm sure there must be something in pre- pre- preparation but maybe nothing is definite. I agree. Very hard to believe that the TV Times got things that wrong. Colin has been involved with this project in a way or another, I\ufffdm sure of it but it is not yet (or not anymore!) to be confirmed."}, {"response": 1444, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Sep 18, 1999 (09:15)", "body": "btw I\ufffdd like to know exactly how did Murph get this information about the Flashman role being just a rumour? Dear Murph, did you call the ICM to ask about Flashman or did they contact you? I\ufffdm very glad if the agency actually bothers to check Colin\ufffds websites regularly, thought they basically wouldn\ufffdt."}, {"response": 1445, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Sep 18, 1999 (14:19)", "body": "(Allison) I have just been over to Murph's place....I love the photograph of Colin. V. yummy. Oh yes, very tasty indeed. Love those curly locks. It may almost chase those Flashman blues away. Does anyone need the url? Amy, I'd advise you to load Netscape Navigator too. It probably will take care of your \"error\" messages though it's not a panacea for all your woes. There are some irritating things about Netscape that I never had with Explorer but I can live with them."}, {"response": 1446, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 18, 1999 (14:38)", "body": "(AnnW.)and I am not so excited as others about him playing MD in BJD, I feel it could be a nothing part, a very minor supporting role, a contemporary Darcy, I hope not. I agree..(she said, dodging the tomatoes). Making Mr Darcy contemporary IMO would almost seem like a caricature of The Man Himself ...and I'm not ready for that....But I'm in the minority and will fly down to Dallas to see it when it comes!! ***** Always ask to speak to an agent PA. They are younger,(interested in the www,nicer,have more time, and no one ever asks for them...so they are flattered:-) ***** (Elena)Dear Murph, did you call the ICM to ask about Flashman or did they contact you? An informed reputable source..... ***** (Bethan)...but what is the bottom line with SLOW...does it just die? Stone cold....but it hasn't gone through the shredder yet, they tell me. Seriously, I do check with a PA and nothing has transpired .There are other films in the same boat from Handmade days. At least Paragon has a better reputation. They produced Bedrooms and Hallways...but they don't distribute, however. **** DQ...with a budget of 1.3M UKP, the catering must have been pretty slim."}, {"response": 1447, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 18, 1999 (14:39)", "body": "(AnnW) I think I might write to The TV times. Excellent idea. I find it so hard to believe that such a big article was totally off base re: casting. However, it does sound like the Flashman series is far from production. When I wrote ITV about which company might be producing it, the staffer there said he would pass it on to whoever when more is known and someone is assigned. Disagree though about the MD role in Bridget. Despite it being smaller, it is a plum role. For some reason, I picture Mark being portrayed as the cool observer like Clark Gable at the beginning of GWTW. He's always watching her, but he looks delectably good. Elena, a friend of Murph's made the contact with the agent. (Bethan) I remember saying \"oh, so he's not retired then\", cheap scarcasm, very unlike me, as I'm normally terribly polite and ooze gratitude! :-) LOL!! The info on DQ looks to me like a marketing/sales slipsheet for a product. That would be consistent. BBC Scotland did say that theatrical release was a possibility...one never knows...but this would also be sent out to television people around the world as well. Who knows who will bite on this one."}, {"response": 1448, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 18, 1999 (14:46)", "body": "(AnnW) I think I might write to The TV times. WRITE?....call....."}, {"response": 1449, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep 18, 1999 (16:19)", "body": "Yes Ann, do write! (Evelyn), Always ask to speak to an agent PA. They are younger,(interested in the www,nicer,have more time, and no one ever asks for them...so they are flattered:-) Not true, I have spoken several times with her and she is clueless. I always felt we were giving her the info. and Heide can back me up on this."}, {"response": 1450, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Sat, Sep 18, 1999 (17:58)", "body": "I just went to Murph's new site and saw the \"Donovan Quick\" picture that everyone is raving about, and I see what you mean! YUM!"}, {"response": 1451, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Sat, Sep 18, 1999 (18:00)", "body": "One suggestion, though--I do wish we could make the picture BIGGER, since it is rather small and I would like to see him up a little closer."}, {"response": 1452, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Sep 18, 1999 (18:07)", "body": "hear hear amy! *drool*"}, {"response": 1453, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Sat, Sep 18, 1999 (19:10)", "body": "I have an interesting little Colin Firth pleasure that I'd like to share with you, which maybe you'd like to try out. I don't know how I got started doing this, but I turn on one of Colin's old movies (\"Another Country\" works perfectly for this,) turn off the sound, and turn on a song by The Smiths. (I hope someone knows who The Smiths are!) Their album \"The Queen is Dead\" paired with AC is perfect. It's so English and so 80's, and after all Colin did have the Morissey (lead singer of the Smiths) hair o in AC that was so popular in England at the time. Somebody try it and tell me what you think! I've been driving around in my car all week listening to The Smiths' \"Singles\" and that's how I composed that story on Fan Fiction!"}, {"response": 1454, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Sep 18, 1999 (21:30)", "body": "May I inquire which ones of the tunes you mean....This Charming Man perhaps? Or Handsome Devil?? Um....Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want comes to my mind first when I think of Colin though :-)"}, {"response": 1455, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Sat, Sep 18, 1999 (23:07)", "body": "Hooray, another Smiths fan!!! Actually, the song that reminds me of Colin is \"There's A Light That Never Goes Out,\" because to die by his side, \"well, the pleasure, the privilege is mine...\" Yes, \"This Charming Man\" could work, although I can't imagine him without \"a stitch to wear,\" and I don't think he's a \"jumped-up country boy,\" either. If I were imagining him as Darcy, \"William, It Was Really Nothing,\" would work too. I think I've thought about this entirely too much!"}, {"response": 1456, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Sep 18, 1999 (23:33)", "body": "(Amy) I think I've thought about this entirely too much! Oh no, this is interesting. I don\ufffdt know how old you are Amy but I\ufffdm close enough to Colin\ufffds age to imagine that the music I listened to in the eighties was often what he must have listened to at that time! Possibly the Smiths was one of those bands. I can\ufffdt imagine him without \"a stitch to wear,\" Well, I can. He seems to me like a person who doesn\ufffdt bother to buy new clothes before the old ones are totally worn-out, and not even then."}, {"response": 1457, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Sat, Sep 18, 1999 (23:43)", "body": "I'm 22, so I'm not very close to Colin's age at all (my parents are just a year older than him,) but I've always been interested in eighties music. When I was a kid in the 80's, I listened to Michael Jackson and crap like that, but when I was in junior high, my best friend had all of her older brother's tapes, and I started listening to the Smiths and U2 and other musicians in the same era. The Smiths have to be the best, though! I don't know--I can see how maybe he'd be a person who never buys new clothes, but I have a passion for fastidious men, and I hope he's that way too!"}, {"response": 1458, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Sep 19, 1999 (00:12)", "body": "Michael Jackson and crap like that LOL! I have a passion for fastidious men, and I hope he's that way too! Well, he's clean, but has a well established reputation for a relaxed style called \"looking like an unmade bed\" in his private time..."}, {"response": 1459, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Sun, Sep 19, 1999 (00:27)", "body": "Hmm, \"looking like an unmade bed\" can be good--depending on what's been going on in that bed!!! LOL"}, {"response": 1460, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Sep 19, 1999 (03:25)", "body": "(AnnW.)and I am not so excited as others about him playing MD in BJD, I feel it could be a nothing part, a very minor supporting role, a contemporary Darcy, I hope not. (Evelyn) I agree..(she said, dodging the tomatoes). Making Mr Darcy contemporary IMO would almost seem like a caricature of The Man Himself ...and I'm not ready for that....But I'm in the minority and will fly down to Dallas to see it when it comes!! First I'd like to see him play it and study how he would interpret the part before I make up my mind about it ... ;-D"}, {"response": 1461, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Sep 19, 1999 (03:28)", "body": "You realize of course that this group will never agree on this subject until it is fait accompli ?"}, {"response": 1462, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Sep 19, 1999 (03:31)", "body": "Absolutely!"}, {"response": 1463, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 19, 1999 (04:57)", "body": "(Amy) I do wish we could make the picture BIGGER, since it is rather small and I would like to see him up a little closer. A little birdie told me that may be available next week. His sideburns look a little long too me. Have never liked them that way, but he doesn't look wild and raving as we associate with Don Quixote and no mustache or goatee. Thank goodness, they didn't use Man of La Mancha as a guide. ;-D"}, {"response": 1464, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Sep 19, 1999 (07:29)", "body": "(AnnW) I think I might write to The TV times. Excellent idea. I find it so hard to believe that such a big article was totally off base re: casting. However, it does sound like the Flashman series is far from production. When I wrote ITV about which company might be producing it, the staffer there said he would pass it on to whoever when more is known and someone is assigned. (Karen) More by luck than design I found that we still had the copy of the TV Times with the Flashman news item. I have to say it all looks pretty kosher and credible to me. It's in the \"Insider section\" and there are two other \"Exclusives\", both long detailed news items with detalis of production, schedule, plot-line, cast, and quotes from actors involved. It's not a little bird whispered in my ear stuff. All the news there seem very solid and nothing seems like conjecture. Moreover, ITV are the right company to do 19th century military history (after \"Sharpe\" and \"Hornblower\"), the proposed shooting locations fit in with some of the Flashman novels, and JL and FK are ideal for the sort of over-the-top but sexy female protaganists. And it's \"bursting with colour, action and romance\". Who would dream this all up? I'll bet all the other news items are correct!! (Beesley is Biggles!)I really have to believe there must be a project in the offing, and after the success of \"Sharpe\" and \"Hornblower\" Flashy makes a lot of sense. Maybe it's still at a very sketchy pre-production stage. Remember, the first time there was anything in the press aboout a film version of BJD and Colin playing MD was nearly two years ago, and there's still no confirmation. (And I'll bet you wouldn't get it from his gent!) And I remember reading yonks ago that the BBC were doing a \ufffd10million movie about Mary Queen of Scots, but I don't think they even finished the screenplay yet!. The statement from CF's agent sounds like accountant/laywer \"hey we haven't even signed on the dotted line\" stuff! And I agree with Allison, I think that in the UK, agents are just the money men who deal with contracts. There's an e-mail address for the TV Times. There are three names given as compilers of the \"Insider\" news, so I'll e-mail them to ask about confirmation. Ever hopeful! I've always been keen on BJD and MD for the very basic reason that this movie will have no problems in reaching the screens!!! No two year wait! And also Andrew Davies who wrote the screenplay is keen on Colin playing the part, so hopefully it's a proper supporting role (not a cameo!) (Bethan)...but what is the bottom line with SLOW...does it just die? Stone cold....but it hasn't gone through the shredder yet, they tell me. (Evelyn) O-uc-h! Sounds painful! :-) Can think of lots of movie I'd love to shred, but I'd slap a preservation order on a romantic film starring CF (a rare if not unique combination!) Can't they return it to us British tax payers? :-) Or could creative ownership revert to the producer? Welcome Amy! Just looking at my son's Italian holiday photos. Has he got the wrong exposure, or has there been a drought? Everything looks so parched."}, {"response": 1465, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep 19, 1999 (15:21)", "body": "(Bethan), Just looking at my son's Italian holiday photos. Has he got the wrong exposure, or has there been a drought? Everything looks so parched. Depends on where he went. Tuscany in the summer is very parched. This summer was not a hot one, it rained all the time and it was cool. They say Sept. has been more like summer. Thanks for e-mailing them Bethan, be our #1 sleuth. :-) I think Colin looks great with those sideburns, I do not find them to big. Great picture! BTW, I am so happy! MLSF will open in Miami next friday, and, I was told that if it does well, it will last more than a week!!!"}, {"response": 1466, "author": "livamago", "date": "Sun, Sep 19, 1999 (15:41)", "body": "(Moon)I am so happy! MLSF will open in Miami next friday Some people have all the luck! I bet it will not be available here even when it comes out on video. The perverseness of the whole thing irks me to no end! (AnnW) and I am not so excited as others about him playing MD in BJD I quite agree with you. His performance as Darcy cannot be improved IMO, so anything that attempts to imitate the role will pale in comparison. Then again, I did not care for BJD at all, so perhaps that has something to do with my apprehension."}, {"response": 1467, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sun, Sep 19, 1999 (16:22)", "body": "(Bethan) there aren't many (any?) actors who can ride, fence and swim and look dashing in cherry-picker pants and a tall hat! ...and in poshteens, pyjamys, dragon robes, buskskins, loincloths and rags. Lord, ODB, even managed to look delicious in Hostages. (Lidya) His performance as Darcy cannot be improved IMO But why does MD have to be played the same way as FD? The sensibilities of the 1990's are not the same as those of the early 19th century. Consider how differently Darcy has been interpreted in FanFic. CF would never attempt to imitate his performance in P&P."}, {"response": 1468, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Sun, Sep 19, 1999 (16:58)", "body": "(Bethan) there aren't many (any?) actors who can ride, fence and swim and look dashing in cherry-picker pants and a tall hat! (Lynda)...and in poshteens, pyjamys, dragon robes, buskskins, loincloths and rags. (Sorry, I haven't figured out how to put things in italics yet.) ...and satin culottes and tricorne hats and starched hair ribbons and high-heeled shoes as in \"Valmont\"!"}, {"response": 1469, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Sep 19, 1999 (17:16)", "body": "(Bethan) ..... look dashing in cherry-picker pants and a tall hat! (Lynda) ...and in poshteens, pyjamys, dragon robes, buskskins, loincloths and rags. Lord, ODB, even managed to look delicious in Hostages. Hey, what kind of outfit is \"hostages\"? Bermudas worn on the lowest possible point of the hip? ;-P"}, {"response": 1470, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep 19, 1999 (18:06)", "body": "Bermudas worn on the lowest possible point of the hip? That look seems to be very in now. :-)"}, {"response": 1471, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 19, 1999 (18:23)", "body": "Only they weren't anything like Bermudas. JM wore gym shorts as I recall with and without torn and holey shirt. yum yum ;-D"}, {"response": 1472, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep 19, 1999 (18:29)", "body": "I remember that skinny body without those shorts too. ;-)"}, {"response": 1473, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sun, Sep 19, 1999 (18:41)", "body": "(Renate) Hey, what kind of outfit is \"hostages\"? LOL!! Understated elegence at the other end of the social and economic scale from Darcy???"}, {"response": 1474, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Sep 20, 1999 (04:20)", "body": "Heide says to share the wealth from 61, 'cause not that many of you visit there... Funny, I never saw this version of the Telegraph photo (You know, the one just after he got bopped by the speakers and just before Donmar)... Definite proof, IMO that he improves with age!! I think I like it better than the other one. :-) Which was posted after accompanying the \"Nerd\" article in late February: The other one posted was much bigger, so it looked impressive, but I suppose because it uses the same three-quarter angle and expression as so many of the other photos of him, I didn't like it as well. ...But maybe it's just me ... (It's also an unfair comparison, size-wise): http://www.iinet.net.au/~bunyip/DailyTelegraph.html"}, {"response": 1475, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Sep 20, 1999 (04:40)", "body": "(Lidya) His performance as Darcy cannot be improved IMO, so anything that attempts to imitate the role will pale in comparison. Agreed. But what gave you the idea that he would attempt to \"imitate\" the original Darcy? This is a comedy of exaggerated characters. He'd play this character to the script, not to the original Darcy. (Lynda) But why does MD have to be played the same way as FD? ... CF would never attempt to imitate his performance in P&P. Lynda, you've got it in one! I hardly think the original could get the most mileage out of a diamond-patterned sweater and bumble-bee socks! (Hee hee!) 8-D"}, {"response": 1476, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Sep 20, 1999 (04:50)", "body": "I am more than a little delighted to see some age on the man, and to see it looking so wonderful on him. Not fair to the rest of the mortals inhabiting the planet, but then, who said life was fair...and he is so delicious. Thanks for this picture - even more than the large one. I have saved it for myself. =)"}, {"response": 1477, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Sep 20, 1999 (05:18)", "body": "Well done KJ! Great pic! Now cheer me up, everyone! Apparently, in this month's Film Review, someone has asked about release dates for MLSF in the UK. The s-o-o depressing response is that it's distributed by Buena Vista International and there's no release date set AND (horror of horrors) \"If it is released, it won't be before March next year\" It's just not going to happen. I was resigned to London only (EVERYTHING gets a London only release) now it looks infinitely worse.. This is an insult..to David Puttnam (who I now feel sorry for...this is his swansong after all), Hugh Hudson, the British crew, the Scottish Arts Council who paid for it, and for the mainly British/Scottish cast, and for Colin who is the lead actor. Why the **** can't we see it in the UK...they're not even showing it at the Film Festivals! Edinburgh? London? Words fail me. SLOW and now MLSF. Un-be-lievable."}, {"response": 1478, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Sep 20, 1999 (06:48)", "body": "Bethan, do you know definitely that it isn't being shown at the London Film Festival because that was going to be one of my questions when I phoned Miramax. Last week I was so optimistic, so much to look forward to, now all of a sudden, possibly no MLSF at all in the UK, (why, I really don't understand it, there is so much rubbish being distributed at the moment, at least a limited release and why oh why not in the UK which is surely where it will do best.) What is the point of Colin being so busy if we never get to see anything!!!.. All of a sudden no Flashman. no MLSF, TTOTS is only a 10 min cameo, Blackadder the same, I have a feeling that R is only a smal part as well and has Londinium got a Distributor. All I can say is thank goodness for 3DOR, I am so glad I am going twice now!!! and BJD is still mjust speculaltion. My only hope is that Film Review has got it as wrong as The TV Times!! This is obviously a Monday morning!!"}, {"response": 1479, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Sep 20, 1999 (06:50)", "body": "RV, of course, not R -is only a small part"}, {"response": 1480, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Sep 20, 1999 (12:54)", "body": "I phoned Enigma Productions and spoke to David Puttnam's PA, and asked about MLSF. She said that there was no release date as yet. I then quoted the \"Film Review\" comment ...that \"if\" it was released it would be not until after March. I asked if it would actually be released and/or if it would go to video. She said that the Film Review comment was wrong, that it would get a theatrical release, \"October....Autumn\" and would then be available on video. I also phoned Buena Vista but got some silly \"I'm busy now, can't speak\" answer phone message from their PA..will try again. Feel better now!! Positive action!"}, {"response": 1481, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Sep 20, 1999 (13:44)", "body": "Well Done Bethan, but did you ask if it is going to be shown at the London FF?"}, {"response": 1482, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Sep 20, 1999 (13:45)", "body": "and I do wish these magazines would make certain of their facts before printing them!!"}, {"response": 1483, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Sep 20, 1999 (14:00)", "body": "Weeellll, after two days with no electricity and four days of no telephone (thanks to Floyd), I emerge from my off-line world to find... this? Re: Murph's Flashman news--oh nonononononononononononononononononono! Aargh! No Flashman all together? No Colin in it? I feel a bit better after reading Allison's take on the involvement of agents; to my memory anyone here who has dealt with ICM has had nothing good to say about them and their knowledge of what's happening with CF. Ann, Bethan, and Allison, do phone, snail mail or e-mail the TV Times for clarification. Post the e-mail address here so we can all write. And don't despair about MLSF coming to the UK. IMO you'll see it once its done making its Olympic torch-like journey across the US. Thanks for the picture, KJ. It looks as though the recent People pic came from the same session (green backdrop, high collared coat, errant lock of hair falling across his forehead). I don't recall seeing the big one before--just a smaller, doctored-up version in which he looked like he was sporting a black eye. *Grumble* Now returning to my off-line world, wondering why I support a football team that never wins and an actor whose work I rarely see..."}, {"response": 1484, "author": "livamago", "date": "Mon, Sep 20, 1999 (16:07)", "body": "(Lynda)CF would never attempt to imitate his performance in P&P. (KJART)But what gave you the idea that he would attempt to \"imitate\" the original Darcy? This is a comedy of exaggerated characters. He'd play this character to the script, not to the original Darcy. I see that I should have spoken more clearly. I did not mean that CF would imitate his own performance. I was referring to the role itself. IMO, MD was simply a pale version of Darcy, and not a character on its own (I am exposing myself to criticism here, but I must speak as I find). I don't think that this can be compared with Fan Fiction, even with those stories that place the characters in a modern setting, because BJD was never billed as a 20th century version of P&P, or MD meant to be FD of latter-da s, but a story that stood on its own. I just think that it could be considered opportunistic for CF to do a role that may simply ride on the tails of something much greater."}, {"response": 1485, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Sep 20, 1999 (16:47)", "body": "Hello all. I'm sorry about the Flashman news. It would have been v. interesting seeing YDB in the part. I have to say that before seeing the BBC P&P, I had in my mind's eye a picture of Darcy that was a little cooler, a little tougher and a little more collected than The Firth's portrayal. Of course I loved it, and any clash between my prior view of Darcy and his screen persona was more than made up for by Miss Elizabeth. (Swoon.) Besides, it was only a marginal thing. Anyway, the point is that Flashman is the ultimate rogue, and should not have any vulnerability. Not that he's brave - quite the opposite. But he's unashamed and unreflective. Maybe - dare I way it - Colin would have brought too much of the 90s man to the role. BTW, which one was Perpetua?"}, {"response": 1486, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 20, 1999 (18:55)", "body": "(Ben), . Maybe - dare I say it - Colin would have brought too much of the 90s man to the role. Colin a 90s man? Heaven forbid!!! Eileen, glad to hear that you are well, losing electricity is no fun at all. Thanks for the pix, KJart, he is always a welcome distraction. ;-)"}, {"response": 1487, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Sep 20, 1999 (19:18)", "body": "Thanks, Moon. We're still having problems with the phones (not to mention credit cards and ATMs). So many things we take for granted! We've weathered far worse storms than Floyd in this area but the rain was something else (saw an old man outside lining up animals two by two)! What about Wessex, Ben? He didn't seem too '90s to me (1590s, maybe)."}, {"response": 1488, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Mon, Sep 20, 1999 (23:01)", "body": "(Ben) Colin would have brought too much of the 90s man to the role. A 90's audience would be viewing Flashman (maybe)...this role is very tricky because Flashy is a rogue, but to be acceptable to today's audiences, especially in a series, he has to be sympathetic. And reading between the lines, Flashman does come across in the books sympathetically. IMO, while he is not ashamed (except in one scene with the young schoolboy in, I think, Royal Flash), he is reflective, else he would not be writing such personal memoirs - he would have stopped with his military accounts. Wha Flash Harry isn't is repentant."}, {"response": 1489, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Sep 20, 1999 (23:46)", "body": "I had in my mind's eye a picture of Darcy that was a little cooler, a little tougher and a little more collected than The Firth's portrayal. Someone like David \"A-poker-up-the-backside\" Rintoul, maybe? :-) But the 18th and early 19th century males were rather more relaxed emotionally than is commonly believed. E.g. tears in response to stress and grief were considered a natural and cleansing reaction equally in both sexes. The stiff upper lip syndrome started emerging in all seriousness only in the Victorian era. Firth's Darcy was a man trapped in between - and historically spot on. Absolutely brilliant."}, {"response": 1490, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Sep 21, 1999 (14:06)", "body": "And Mark Darcy is trapped in between 80s-lad and 90s-man, so that he is a powerful high-flyer at work and yet manipulable by singletons. It should not be forgotten that he is very attracted to BJ throughout (but she doesn't know it). I don't see him as very vulnerable. Flashman is a bounder, and can only be sympathetic if he appeals to the audience (either by being charming, or by revealing more of himself in pieces to camera or voiceover). Very sad if this analysis is now only academic, owing to the rejection of the Flashy role by CF. Someone should direct his agents' attention to the enthusiasm evident here for this project to come to fruition."}, {"response": 1491, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 21, 1999 (14:29)", "body": "(Mark) It should not be forgotten that he is very attracted to BJ throughout (but she doesn't know it). Quite true, much as FD was with the important difference that FD fought against his attraction to Lizzie due to class issues. Someone should direct his agents' attention to the enthusiasm evident here for this project to come to fruition. That would be nice if his agent gave two hoots about what we think. ;-D Back to collecting Colin news...Here's a Blackadder article. Nothing terribly new... If you agree that the phrase \"I have a cunning plan\" is perhaps the funniest ever spoken, then join us in rejoicing at news that the British comedy series Blackadder is at last headed to the big screen. Join us also in despairing that Blackadder the movie is, as yet, not scheduled to be shown in the U.S. In our book, there's no funnier man alive than British comedian Rowan Atkinson, whose Blackadder series--four sets of hilarious historical comic adventures--beats the pants off his tamer Mr. Bean. The plot of the film involves Baldrick, blackadder's bumbling manservant, building a time machine, which, of course, doesn't work. Besides the usual cast of Tony Robinson, Rik Mayall, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, and Hugh Laurie will be Kate Moss and Colin Firth. The BBC also plans to screen it at a later date. (Perhaps BBC America as well? We can hope.) The film was co-written by Richard Curtis, who scripted the biggest-grossing British movies of all time, Notting Hill and Four Weddings and a Funeral. Curtis calls the film \"an irreverent trek through British history--a time-travel adventure story consisting entirely of people who are either rude or stupid.\" Only visitors to London's Millenium Dome will be able to see Blackadder Back and Forth, which will premiere Jan. 1, 2000, Y2K disasters aside."}, {"response": 1492, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Tue, Sep 21, 1999 (14:54)", "body": "I may be off base here, but I interpreted the comment from CF's agency re: Flashman as meaning he has neither committed to nor turned down the project. So there's still hope... I think. After all, it was reported that Nic Cage had *definitely* passed on Capt. Corelli's Mandolin, and now he's a go. Maybe Colin just needs someone persuasive (attention Sue Birtwistle) to talk him into it;-) Excite has Fever Pitch listed in its new movies section -- apparently being released this Friday. Might we hope for a Firth siting at the L.A. premiere (if there is one)? Glad to hear you survived Floyd, Eileen. Thankfully, he was pretty much a washout (no pun intended) in the Boston area."}, {"response": 1493, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Sep 21, 1999 (14:55)", "body": "Arami, I didn't mean a stiff upper lip at all. I meant I'd pictured him as genuinely cooler - more laconic and more in control. It's not a question of supression of emotion as much as how disturbed by the emotion Darcy should be in the first place. This is a different question, one of temperament rather than social norms. In every role I've seen him in, CF has been very good at hinting at a troubled conscience, swirling depths beneath the still waters. Flashman doesn't have depth. He is insouciant. His charm comes from his vivacity and his daring. I'm not saying CF wouldn't be able to handle it. I'm just wondering, both about him and about any modern version of Flashman which, I'd bet, would have to add hidden depths that simply aren't there in the book. \"Hey, maybe Flashman lives life at such a kilter because, in fact, he is a repressed gay man\", or some such bollocks. \"That's obviously why he beat Tom Brown...\". Freud has a lot to answer for."}, {"response": 1494, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Sep 21, 1999 (15:00)", "body": "Mark - hi! You're not, by chance, related to someone called Sally Goodliffe, are you? Bounder - good word. Flashman is the bad boy women often seem attracted to."}, {"response": 1495, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Sep 21, 1999 (15:09)", "body": "Hi Ben No relation as far as I know. Sorry. But I did once know a Peg Broadbent (short for Peregrine!)"}, {"response": 1496, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Sep 21, 1999 (15:26)", "body": "That's my older brother. WEIRD!!! Peg is now here in New York, living about 10 minutes away and working for Morgan Stanley. How the hell d'you know him? And how ON EARTH did you come to be posting here? You work at Liffe? Tell all (taking as given the generostiy of the Firthettes in allowing this to happen on sacred, if virtual, turf)! Ben"}, {"response": 1497, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Sep 21, 1999 (17:19)", "body": "Knew him at MS in London (not well). What else is there to tell? Small world, huh? And not many Broadbents and Goodliffes in it, I guess."}, {"response": 1498, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Sep 21, 1999 (17:29)", "body": "True - at least not in the south. (Broadbent is a Yorkshire name, and I think there are still quite a few up there.) Anyway, before we get slapped down by the Firthettes for too many minutes of utterly Firth-free talk, I ask again - how did you end up on this site?"}, {"response": 1499, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Sep 21, 1999 (17:33)", "body": "I see the \"it's a small world\" fairy has struck again. Waddaya know! I agree with your interpretation regarding the ICM comment, Susan. \"They have no knowledge of such a project nor of Colin's involvement in any future Flashman movie, tv movie or tv series.\" That doesn't mean there isn't such a project or that CF has already turned down the role."}, {"response": 1500, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Sep 21, 1999 (17:51)", "body": "Ben, I arrived at the discussion on BJD (#80) because of my belief that this is one of the funniest and most important books of recent times. Most of the Firthettes have one particular angle on that (CF) and would think my opinion is OTT, but they have very interesting discussions, and when the Flashman books arose out of the CF topic, I stepped in again. Now I'm looking around the whole Spring and finding lots of other stuff too. How did you get here?"}, {"response": 1501, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Sep 21, 1999 (18:06)", "body": "(Eileen) I agree with your interpretation regarding the ICM comment, Susan. \"They have no knowledge of such a project nor of Colin's involvement in any future Flashman movie, tv movie or tv series.\" That doesn't mean there isn't such a project or that CF has already turned down the role. I think it's protocol for reps such as ICM to phrase things in such a way, considering the legalities involved in every aspect of film/tv development. I would think, \"They have no knowledge...\" is basically a safeguard for everyone involved, should an actor suddenly decide to pull out of the project, etc...What do they call that--- \"diffusion of responsibility\" or something of the sort. Ben! Mark! What a surprise! Funny how this should happen here, of all places, when you are the only two men posting on this board (on a regular basis anyway)."}, {"response": 1502, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 21, 1999 (18:11)", "body": "(Mark), Ben, How did you get here? Tell him Ben, there are lots of newbies that might want to hear it too. That story never bores us ;-)"}, {"response": 1503, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Sep 21, 1999 (18:21)", "body": "Mark, a year ago I let slip on another site that I had once met CF, at dinner with mutual friends, and was hounded down. I rather enjoyed the experience so hung around. I've been stripped clean of every detail I might have had to offer about The Firth, but the Firthettes tolerate the odd rattle from the remaining bare bones, which is kind. I haven't been anywhere else in the Spring, except for Fan Fiction. This will make your hair stand on end and the colour rise to your cheeks - you should check it out. BTW, it's just struck me. JE FOR BJ!!!!! Is no-one campaigning?"}, {"response": 1504, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 21, 1999 (19:16)", "body": "except for Fan Fiction. This will make your hair stand on end and the colour rise to your cheeks hmmmm, if that's all it does, perhaps we need to add photographs for some people. ;-D (Mark) Most of the Firthettes have one particular angle on that (CF) and would think my opinion is OTT Your opinion OTT? Certainly not. Feel free to expound to your heart's delight on #80. (Ben) BTW, it's just struck me. JE FOR BJ!!!!! Is no-one campaigning? Kevin, are you out there? Take note, from the males in our forum. They want a buxom babe. Pass that along. :-D"}, {"response": 1505, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Sep 21, 1999 (19:48)", "body": "I haven't been anywhere else in the Spring, except for Fan Fiction. aka: the girl's dormitory!"}, {"response": 1506, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Sep 21, 1999 (20:12)", "body": "Karen, returning to ODB, what has happened to MLSF, it seems to have disappeared from Yahoo Top 100 films playing in North America and Canada, surely it is still playing at 22 theatres!!!"}, {"response": 1507, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Sep 21, 1999 (20:14)", "body": "(Karen) Only visitors to London's Millenium Dome will be able to see Blackadder Back and Forth , which will premiere Jan. 1, 2000, Y2K disasters aside. Karen, say it's a typo! Obviously they decided to name the film Blackadder Back and Firth ? ;-D (Who needs Blackadders back - ok, except Blackadder?)"}, {"response": 1508, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 21, 1999 (20:55)", "body": "(AnnW) what has happened to MLSF, it seems to have disappeared from Yahoo Top 100 films playing in North America and Canada, surely it is still playing at 22 theatres!!! Yes, I know. Mari and I noticed it last night and were discussing. We feel it must be a reporting error by whatever slipshod company collects such statistics because the same was used at The Hollywood Reporter and Variety. It had to have made more than $700 during the weekend, which is how much the film in 100th place grossed. Without having to resort to calculus, over 3 days, the 20 theaters showing MLSF would only have maybe 1.5 people in the audience per day to generate $700 in revenue (assuming the average price of a ticket to be $7, which is low for evening admission, but high for senior discounts). So you can see, the numbers are wrong, very wrong! ;-D"}, {"response": 1509, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Sep 21, 1999 (21:43)", "body": "Chaps, It's really great to see you here (even if you do sometimes talk OT ;-)). Ben, I saw the film first, and only then \"discovered\" the book; so, unlike you - and Colin's auntie, and fans of Olivier and Rintoul - I had no preconceived image of Darcy when I encountered Colin's interpretation. Hence I had no problem having to reconcile various visions or deciding the order of preference: except that from time to time I get ever so slightly defensive about it. :-) I'd pictured him as genuinely cooler - more laconic and more in control. I can't answer that for the above reasons! For me, he was cool enough and never really lost control - and was certainly more laconic than in the book! It's not a question of supression of emotion as much as how disturbed by the emotion Darcy should be in the first place. Suppressing emotion? Losing control? He was simply gradually slipping from the initial (im?)pure physical attraction into deep, mature, wholesome devotion, \"against his better judgment\". He refused to admit it to himself at first, but I didn't see any real signs of disturbance... Or am I missing the point again? :-)"}, {"response": 1510, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Sep 21, 1999 (21:54)", "body": "(Ben) Fan Fiction. This will make your hair stand on end and the colour rise to your cheeks (Karen)hmmmm, if that's all it does... Karen, I reckon \"hair\", \"colour\" and \"cheeks\" were just discreet space fillers... ;-D (Renate)Blackadder Back and Firth LOL!"}, {"response": 1511, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Sep 21, 1999 (22:21)", "body": "Chaps, It's really great to see you here (even if you do sometimes talk OT ;-)). Ben, I saw the film first, and only then \"discovered\" the book; so, unlike you - and Colin's auntie, and fans of Olivier and Rintoul - I had no preconceived image of Darcy when I encountered Colin's interpretation. Hence I had no problem having to reconcile various visions or deciding the order of preference: except that from time to time I get ever so slightly defensive about it. :-) I'd pictured him as genuinely cooler - more laconic and more in control. I can't answer that for the above reasons! For me, he was cool enough and never really lost control - and was certainly more laconic than in the book! It's not a question of supression of emotion as much as how disturbed by the emotion Darcy should be in the first place. Suppressing emotion? Losing control? He was simply gradually slipping from the initial (im?)pure physical attraction into deep, mature, wholesome devotion, \"against his better judgment\". He refused to admit it to himself at first, but I didn't see any real signs of disturbance... Or am I missing the point again? :-)"}, {"response": 1512, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Sep 21, 1999 (22:22)", "body": "(Ben) Fan Fiction. This will make your hair stand on end and the colour rise to your cheeks (Karen)hmmmm, if that's all it does... Karen, I reckon \"hair\", \"colour\" and \"cheeks\" were just discreet space fillers... ;-D (Renate)Blackadder Back and Firth LOL!"}, {"response": 1513, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Sep 21, 1999 (22:24)", "body": "Uh-oh. The mad yapp disease again..."}, {"response": 1514, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Tue, Sep 21, 1999 (23:59)", "body": "(Ben) \"Hey, maybe Flashman lives life at such a kilter because, in fact, he is a repressed gay man\", or some such bollocks. \"That's obviously why he beat Tom Brown...\" ..,or because his mother died before he could even remember her; his guv'nor (who died in an asylum of alcoholism) was also one of a long line of Flashman family rotters who didn't like his son; or having been sent to Rugby at a tender age, he was flogged by Dr. Arnold once too often. :-) Can't agree Flashy no depth, though, but if any actor can give Flashy more depth, Colin can. Anyway, are there no bounders or cowards today? Not all 90's men are tender and sensitive, like guys who post on Drool.;-) My DH is pretty indulgent re my interest in ODB, but he'd never dream of reading FanFic (unless maybe the stories were set at the World Series and Lizzy looked like Madonna - there's no accounting for tastes)."}, {"response": 1515, "author": "SylvanaM", "date": "Wed, Sep 22, 1999 (02:01)", "body": "In response to Ann W's question, MLSF is still playing in the NYC area, although no longer in Manhattan. In fact I saw it today for the first time today in a theater in Kew Gardens, Queens. Hello everyone! I am a new poster, but a long-time lurker who finally worked up the courage to register today after seeing MLSF (at long last!) I feel that only my fellow readers at this board could understand the guilty pleasure I felt today. I live in New Jersey. After calling Miramax several times to find out when this film would finally arrive in NJ, and receiving the same answer (\"Probaby never.\"), I made up my mind. My children were in school, the school district in which I work was still flooded out by Hurricane Floyd, and so I made the 116 mile round trip to catch the 2PM show. We were a small group in the theater--just me and 6 retirees. I returned home happy, and thoroughly pleased with myself, after waiting for my opportunity for 2 months--but feeling just a little bit guilty. Now that I have overcome my shyness, just wanted to thank you all for months of very entertaining reading."}, {"response": 1516, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 22, 1999 (04:27)", "body": "Sylvana!! After traveling 116 miles RT to see MLSF, posting at Drool is a breeze, is it not? We are very glad to have you here. Anyone who throws mileage to the wind for ODB is a charter member of the \"Take that, Harvey Weinstein, you can't deprive me of CF club.\" We'd love to hear your comments about the movie. Did you *like* it? Do we need to use Topic 121 anymore? Probably so, as it is so focused on the movie and there are many who haven't seen it yet. Hope you find time to join in whenever you have time. This board itself is a *guilty pleasure* for many of us. :-D ************ Evelyn and Tineke say Hi!! (Lynda) Anyway, are there no bounders or cowards today? Not all 90's men are tender and sensitive Wot!! They're not? LOL!!"}, {"response": 1517, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Sep 22, 1999 (06:37)", "body": "Yes welcome Sylvana and I second Karen's request, please tell us your thoughts on MLSF, goodness knows when we in the UK will get to see it, If only ODB knew to what lengths his fans will go just to see him on the big screen, if only Harvey knew!!"}, {"response": 1518, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 22, 1999 (12:10)", "body": "Welcome Sylvana, our new firthette! MLSF opens here friday, and guess who will be the first one there?"}, {"response": 1519, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Sep 22, 1999 (15:53)", "body": "Welcome, Sylvana! Too bad you had such nasty weather for your journey. (Ann) goodness knows when we in the UK will get to see it [MLSF] Patience, patience, Ann! Didn't you just receive encouraging news? (Lynda) My DH is pretty indulgent re my interest in ODB, but he'd never dream of reading FanFic (unless maybe the stories were set at the World Series and Lizzy looked like Madonna - there's no accounting for tastes). LOL!"}, {"response": 1520, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Sep 22, 1999 (16:43)", "body": "Welcome Sylvana. Lynda, I could understand the World Series, but Madonna? It's the thought of Lizzie tripping round the bases that comes to mind. Bags be the catcher when she slides home."}, {"response": 1521, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Sep 23, 1999 (00:32)", "body": "Thanks for posting, Sylvana, and welcome. We'd love to hear all your thoughts on our boy but if you'd like to talk about MLSF right now, go to topic 121 and join the lucky few who have seen it. Curious to know your thoughts on some of the more \"controversial\" scenes. And if you've seen 1000 Acres, we'll be discussing that on 98 soon. Moon! Hope to see your comments at 121 too."}, {"response": 1522, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Sep 23, 1999 (07:58)", "body": "I believe literature's first mention of \"base-ball\" occurs in the works of one Jane Austen, so Lizzie hitting a homer is not so off-base!"}, {"response": 1523, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Sep 23, 1999 (15:21)", "body": "Mark, you're absolutely right. I've just been over to Pemberley.com, and discovered that in Northanger Abbey, Catherine Morland enjoys \"rolling down the green slope at the back of the house\" and prefers \"cricket and baseball to girls' play.\" This beat the next literary reference to baseball by 50 years. I think you should tell your husband, Lynda! I think E.Bennett would also have preferred cricket and baseball to girls' play. She would throw a ferocious sinking fastball, I reckon. Darcy would be the contemplative outfielder, with the elegant swing and plenty of home runs. Which sport would you have him play, Firthettes? Which position?"}, {"response": 1524, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Sep 23, 1999 (20:10)", "body": "Hey, this is a leading question and I can't resist the temptation... She's been engaging in a spot of, erm... (acrobatic) billiards with Fitzwilliam on one of the neighbouring boards, and not for the first time, either... ;-)"}, {"response": 1525, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Sep 23, 1999 (20:32)", "body": "I think it's protocol for reps such as ICM to phrase things in such a way, considering the legalities involved in every aspect of film/tv development. I would think, \"They have no knowledge...\" is basically a safeguard for everyone involved, should an actor suddenly decide to pull out of the project, etc...What do they call that--- \"diffusion of responsibility\" or something of the sort. Well said Winter! I think that confimation is only given when projects are fully operational, and I should think that \"Flashman\" (he's a bounder, but sensitive!) has a long way to go before it's up and running. Pre-production (casting, location choice, scheduling) can take up to twelve months. Hope it's a runner. Given the never-ending avalanche of Hollywood movies hitting our (very limited number of) screens, I think that quality TV work and theatre offer more opportunities for British-based actors. Welcome Sylvana....your dedication is very impressive. There are a lot of us who enjoy the same \"guilty pleasure\"! The new film version of \"Mansfield Park\" has apparently premiered at Toronto. Features such non-Austen lines as \"Oh, pl-e-e-se\", \"This is 1806 for heaven's sake\" and \"Don't get me started\". Also has a lesbian scene and a discussion on cannibalism. It's a Miramax movie (Boo hiss!) and significantly the cast is all Australian and American (one Brit actor, ex-\"Trainspotting\"). Ben...JE's latest \"Bedrooms and Hallways\" is now out on video (although I don't think it's a Lizzie role!).BTW over at #80, we've often suggested JE for the role of BJ."}, {"response": 1526, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Thu, Sep 23, 1999 (20:40)", "body": "(Ben)Which sport would you have him play, Firthettes? Which position? If I were imagining Darcy as a baseball player, he would have to be the pitcher. It requires a lot of thought and concentration, not to mention very adroit hands. And as far as adroit hands go, Colin Firth has the most beautiful ones I've ever seen. Other than that, I think he should be a swimmer!"}, {"response": 1527, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Thu, Sep 23, 1999 (21:13)", "body": "Other than that, I think he should be a swimmer! I could go with that Amy, but definitely NOT a runner. I find his running style very \"amusing\"; cute, but amusing."}, {"response": 1528, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 23, 1999 (21:49)", "body": "Hi Sylvana...ditto on the Welcome....Glad you're out of \"lurkdom\"...stick around and add to the \"entertaining reading\". (Bethan)Can't they return it to us British tax payers? :-) Or could creative ownership revert to the producer? I....don't....think.....so.... Handmade films , who owned SLOW went into bankruptcy and the Bank who loaned them the money now owns the film. It's not a question of the bank keeping it from the taxpayers.Unless they want to reimburse the bank:-) A sad situation..but there it is ."}, {"response": 1529, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 23, 1999 (22:11)", "body": "She's been engaging in a spot of, erm... (acrobatic) billiards with Fitzwilliam The Lizzie and Darcy on #34 are gymnastics. (Cathey) I find his running style very \"amusing\"; cute, but amusing. LOL! And, I'll bet, you haven't even seen Master of the Moor yet! In CF's defense, his running in ATA didn't even bring a snicker; was too busy complaining about the inappropriate jogging gear for a hot Iowa summer day. ;-D (Bethan) The new film version of \"Mansfield Park\" has apparently premiered at Toronto Actually, it preemed a week before at the Montreal FF. Thought your Times critic was fairly kind and forgiving, given the freedom Rosezema (sp?) has taken with the book. Funniest thing has to be the film trailers. At the bottom of the credits, it says \"Read the Miramax book!!\" Not the book by Jane Austen, but the Miramax book. These people are getting way to big for anyone's breeches. (Bethan)Can't they return it to us British tax payers? :-) You might try to sue the Arts Council for misuse of public funds. ;-D"}, {"response": 1530, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 23, 1999 (22:45)", "body": "Here's one that AnnW sent. It was the article about CF being Flashman. The other person in the pic is Max Beesley."}, {"response": 1531, "author": "Xian", "date": "Thu, Sep 23, 1999 (23:01)", "body": "Greate picture, Karen (or should I say Ann). Don't you think photographers just love his hands? His hands shown in many of his photos. They sure look very nice as other parts of him ;)"}, {"response": 1532, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Sep 23, 1999 (23:38)", "body": "Nice picture... but he looks slightly disgusted... as if he's just taken some really bad cough syrup. (Amy) Other than that, I think he should be a swimmer! You read my mind! I was thinking the same thing...Butterfly... he seems broad-shouldered enough..."}, {"response": 1533, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 23, 1999 (23:53)", "body": "(Karen), The other person in the pic is Max Beesley. LOL! (Winter), Nice picture... but he looks slightly disgusted... as if he's just taken some really bad cough syrup. Or he just found out his agent is not negotiating the Flashman deal. Is that his real hair? she softly asks"}, {"response": 1534, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Fri, Sep 24, 1999 (00:23)", "body": "Love the picture! He has a very enigmatic expression on his face--I stared and stared at it, and I still haven't quite figured it out yet. It's not quite disgust, nor is it entirely pleasant...hmm. Perhaps it's what you'd call \"bittersweet.\" *sigh* He does have the most beautiful hands, doesn't he? They're so soft and gentle looking. *sigh again*"}, {"response": 1535, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Sep 24, 1999 (00:35)", "body": "Too bad the picture just cuts off the fingers. His hands are a fabulous feature. Unlike the disappearing eyebrows. MLSF seems to be sloooowly touring the country in smaller and smaller venues. While I might take that as a sign that it's winding down in the US and getting prepared to send those 22 reels overseas, I was told today by the manager of a theatre in Allentown, PA (not too far from me) that MLSF is scheduled to run there December 26 - January 2. Sounds as if the distributors are determined to show this film in every town in the US...one town at a time."}, {"response": 1536, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 24, 1999 (00:57)", "body": "Heide, you are so right. I just phoned my local art house and found out that Miramax did not send the reel! So I will just have to wait till October or whenever Miramax decides to send one. :-("}, {"response": 1537, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 24, 1999 (01:17)", "body": "... His hands are a fabulous feature. He uses them constantly in 3 DOR. I observed them up close and they are wonderful .Someone (Karen?)took an \"up, close and personal\" pic of just the hands....where is it? ***** ...Sounds as if the distributors are determined to show this film in every town in the US...one town at a time That's exactly what Miramax Marketing told me in August: \"You will eventually get it... \"Hey, let's not complain...Rafe Fiennes is still humpin' away trying to get a distrib for Onegin (with Liv Tyler)."}, {"response": 1538, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Sep 24, 1999 (02:16)", "body": "Small bit of advice ... if you haven't already done so, hightail it over to 61 or else, (if you're lazy): http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/61.173 Yowp! Thank you, Karen, Thank you!!"}, {"response": 1539, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 24, 1999 (02:18)", "body": "As we speak....this from Mari... MLSF will play.... SEPTEMBER 24: --Ft. Lauderdale ( Get your track shoes on,Moon) --Detroit --Houston OCTOBER 22 --Atlanta NOVEMBER 12 --Charlotte"}, {"response": 1540, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Sep 24, 1999 (02:23)", "body": "... And for those without a password...: Http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/public/read/drool/61.173 Hee hee ;-D"}, {"response": 1541, "author": "Xian", "date": "Fri, Sep 24, 1999 (02:46)", "body": "A friend of mine, who works in a local theater, just called me and told me that MLSF would start to play here tomorrow (\"I'm really tired of you calling me almost every day for that, now you have it and STOP CALLING ME!\" he said and laught too). I could not believe it!!! Too bad, I'll be very busy tomorrow. I'm going to the first show on Saturday! I'm so excited and just want to sing, dance or have a goooood scream!"}, {"response": 1542, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 24, 1999 (04:11)", "body": "(Xian) A friend of mine...just called me and told me that MLSF would start to play here tomorrow And *here* might be.... ;-D"}, {"response": 1543, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 24, 1999 (15:49)", "body": "Millenium Dome tickets are now on sale....includes ticket to BLACKADDER at Skyscape Theatre. For US: 011-44-870-606-2000. Cost is 20 UKP plus 3 UKP handling.Dome opens at 10 AM. The film will play three times a day ...11AM, 2PM, 5PM. ( I asked if one could see the film more than once... {embarassed to say \"all day\") . She said\"if there are seats\".But the ticket is stamped for the film once ***** Called BFI and MLSF is not slated to be among the London IFF offerings. Why do I always have to bring the bad news:- ("}, {"response": 1544, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 24, 1999 (17:28)", "body": "I can not believe they would show MLSF in Fort Lauderdale before Miami! No, this must be a mistake, but, I shall investigate. You are invited to attend a Virtual Birthday Party for our very dear Karen on tuesday Sept. 28th at topic 61. Be there or be []!"}, {"response": 1545, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 24, 1999 (17:28)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1546, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 24, 1999 (17:34)", "body": "Correction: the party will be at topic 72 I hope I managed to close those tags. :-)"}, {"response": 1547, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 24, 1999 (18:16)", "body": "Be a rectangle? New one (hee hee)"}, {"response": 1548, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 24, 1999 (18:22)", "body": "Well...we are getting taller. ;-)"}, {"response": 1549, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 24, 1999 (21:19)", "body": "The Secret Laughter of Women is scheduled for the London Intl Film Fest. There are two showings. Friday, November 12, at 1:15 pm and Saturday, November 13 (prime slot) at 9:00 pm. Bethan, start working on this NOW!!"}, {"response": 1550, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 24, 1999 (21:25)", "body": "Good, Karen's posting again! Don't worry about the graphics, just put them on www.firth.com and reference them from there. I can create accounts for anyone that wants to store files and have their email be @firth.com."}, {"response": 1551, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 24, 1999 (21:48)", "body": "Okay...I'm off the hook. It's outta the bank....Now it's up to some UK distrib to pick it up in London. Bethan/Ann/ Allison.....we'll expect a report of the film:-))"}, {"response": 1552, "author": "Xian", "date": "Fri, Sep 24, 1999 (22:30)", "body": "Just checked Sidewalk.com to make sure I was not dreaming about MLSF and amazed by their interpretation of the movie. Thought you may want to know: Premise: A pre-pubescent Scottish lad discovers sex in the days of yore. Pitch: My Life as a Dog minus the charm Pedigree: Director Hugh Hudson directed the celebrated Best Picture-winning Chariots of Fire, as well as the despised Al Pacino clunker Revolution. Audience: Period piece-loving blue-hairs; anyone too highbrow for American Pie. ...... Background: Kristin Scott Thomas and Gwyneth Paltrow have cheated on Colin Firth in his previous Miramax films, The English Patient and Shakespeare in Love; this time around, it's his turn to be unfaithful. The last part (Background) made me LOL! I did not know this was a public opinion but just firthette's joke."}, {"response": 1553, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 24, 1999 (22:39)", "body": "(Xian) I did not know this was a public opinion but just firthette's joke. One of these days a review is going to be written that doesn't use the word cuckold. I think there is a yellow Post-It note over Colin's picture in every casting director's binder with that word. Argh!!"}, {"response": 1554, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Sep 24, 1999 (23:11)", "body": "Karen, you have made my day!!! So \"The Secret Laughter of Women\" finally emerges from the darkened bank vault and hits a big screen! I'm happy, even if nothing more happens. Showing on the Festival circuit means that it actually exists. I noticed that another Handmade Film \"Sweet Angel Mine\" which was made in 1996, opened at a London indepedent cinema last week, so perhaps the Bank is finally shedding its wares. O frabjous day. Callooh! Callay! Even if SLOW gets lousy reviews, I shall still be happy! I pr mise. You can relax now, Evelyn! DQ related...I noticed that there's a new TV drama series scripted by Donna Franceschild (?) who scripted \"Donovan Quick\". It's an adaptation of a novel, and it's had extremely good reviews for the quality of the writing. Good omen."}, {"response": 1555, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Sep 25, 1999 (00:29)", "body": "Oh, and one other little gem, a link between SLOW and the Dome. Peter Gabriel wrote the soundtrack for SLOW, and he's also composed the music, and helped with the story and visuals, for The Millenium Show which will be shown five times a day in the central auditorium which seats 12,000 people. Both MLSF (Simon Rattle/Birmingham SO) and SLOW have superb soundtrack credentials!"}, {"response": 1556, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sat, Sep 25, 1999 (00:51)", "body": "Why, oh why, couldn't the SLOW news have been available a week earlier, before I booked my non-refundable London flight - I could pull out my hair to think that I could have seen it ... and won't. :-C Lynda is trying to pull herself together...and be positive; maybe - she is praying very hard - it will get picked up for distribution. Its exposure at the LIFF is certainly a more promising circumstance than its heretofore burial in a bank vault."}, {"response": 1557, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 25, 1999 (01:53)", "body": "Images that have been haunting you, Evelyn? ;-D But now it's..."}, {"response": 1558, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 25, 1999 (03:19)", "body": "How to book tickets for SLOW or anything at the LIFF: \ufffd By post NFT members get priority booking (max. 2 tickets per film) for most screenings. Postal bookings will be processed from 1 October. Tickets booked during the priority period will be sent out by 22 October. \ufffd By telephone from 15 October Call the box-office on 0207 928 3232, 9am-9pm. American Express Cardmembers have priority booking from 8 October (phone lines open 11.30am-8.30pm) \ufffd In person from 15 October At the NFT box-office, open daily from 11.30am-8.30pm, or at the Evening Standard Film on the Square ticket booth, Leicester Square (opposite Empire Cinema), open from 29 October - 18 November, 12noon-9pm \ufffd At the venues On the days of the screenings, tickets will be available from the venues half an hour before the first show \ufffd There is no online booking"}, {"response": 1559, "author": "SylvanaM", "date": "Sat, Sep 25, 1999 (04:16)", "body": "Thanks everyone for the warm welcome. I finally took Karen's advice and posted a few observations on MLSF on 121. I'm so glad to hear that SLOW will finally see the light of day, but can only wonder how long a journey it will take to find a theater that will screen it. Great news, anyhow!"}, {"response": 1560, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep 25, 1999 (15:36)", "body": "Great news for SLOW, I wonder if CF will attend? He will be in London rehearsing for 3DOR. Bethan, Ann, Jana, Arami you must attend! We need a full report. (Terry), Don't worry about the graphics, just put them on www.firth.com and reference them from there. I can create accounts for anyone that wants to store files and have their email be @firth.com. Did I miss something? Are we suppose to worry about the graphics if we do not reference them from firth.com? (Karen), I think there is a yellow Post-It note over Colin's picture in every casting director's binder with that word. Argh!! I think you're right.:-( that's what my DH thinks too BTW, MLSF did not open in Fort Lauderdale, I have checked. Please let Mari know."}, {"response": 1561, "author": "cfadm", "date": "Sat, Sep 25, 1999 (17:20)", "body": "(just a test for an email I received)"}, {"response": 1562, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 25, 1999 (19:20)", "body": "... He will be in London rehearsing for 3DOR 3 DOR will begin on Nov. 9th....so he will be performing on stage both times that SLOW is screening. ***** LOL Karen...Indeed, that film has been an albatross around my neck for almost two years.I curse the day I started calling Handmade.And I know the bank feels the same:-) I'm glad it's back home....Really feel I should attend and give it a send-off\"-)"}, {"response": 1563, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Sep 26, 1999 (02:33)", "body": "I wonder if we will ever get to see SLOW. He lloks so gorgeous in the publicity stills. Why is the spring so slow again?"}, {"response": 1564, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Sep 26, 1999 (07:34)", "body": "I wonder if we will ever get to see SLOW I'm much more hopeful now. To be honest, the most that I could hope for a movie like SLOW, which just isn't obviously commercial (would never be picked up for general multiplex release) is that it would open in London, and then go to video. Which is what happens to most of the films I want to see!(My taste is no longer catered for!) I'd love to see a video release for SLOW. On beautiful hands, a recent survey of what women like in a man (headed \"size doesn't matter\"!) rated eyes as the most important feature, followed by an attractive smile, trim butt, beautiful hands (and I thought no-one noticed!) and a sense of humour. Waste of time going to the gym really...four of the five are god-given and can't be improved artificially!"}, {"response": 1565, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Sep 26, 1999 (10:02)", "body": "...eyes......smile......hands......butt......sense of humour They must have based their survey on material gathered on these boards. ;-P Waste of time going to the gym really...four of the five are god-given and can't be improved artificially! Excellent conclusion, Bethan. Mark and Ben, I can almost hear your sighs of relief ;-D. ------------- Thank you for the news about SLOW, Karen. It's a very good sign, we know now for sure they haven't given up on it. And even if it doesn't get a theatrical release, I guess we can look forward to the video release. This whole thing reminds me a bit of the Alan Rickman film \"Mesner\". It was made in 1994, and disappeared, only some rumours. Then, some months ago (5! years later) it emerged on German TV (dubbed), and in my video store (original). Here's what the Alan Rickman FAQ says: 7. What's the deal with Mesmer? Mesmer, is the story of the father of hypnotism that Mr. Rickman made with a Dennis Potter script directed by Roger Spottiswoode. The original backers claimed the finished film was not the version they had financed and sued for their investment to be returned. The film is now owned by an insurance company and may never be seen in the theater . The video of Mesmer is available from Videoflicks (see above)."}, {"response": 1566, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 26, 1999 (14:36)", "body": "There's a mention of Colin in today's Observer, within an article on the staging of \"The Jew of Malta\" by the Almeida Theatre. Here's the paragraph: \"In a talkback session, one audience member worried that, despite Barabas's unholy record of murders, she didn't want him to die, which confused her. It's similar to the moral complexity evoked in a scene in the film The English Patient . One woman castigated Minghella for showing Colin Firth's distress outside the hotel in which he knows Kristin Scott Thomas and Ralph Fiennes are making love. It was too painful, she complained... which was precisely why it was there: to evoke an emotionally difficult res onse.\" If you want to read the entire article, here's the url: http://www.newsunlimited.co.uk/observer/review/story/0,3879,85787,00.html"}, {"response": 1567, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Sep 26, 1999 (18:49)", "body": "Excellent sleuthing as usual Karen, many thanks. ODB better not be anywhere near the SLOW screening, there could be a riot from those of us with 3DOR tickets for that date!!!! Actually riot would be putting it mildly. Welcome back Ben and all delurkers, the more the merrier!"}, {"response": 1568, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 26, 1999 (19:52)", "body": "(Lizza) Welcome back Ben and all delurkers, the more the merrier! Welcome back, Lizza!! :-D (am becoming a vindaloo aficionado) For the LIFF (film fest, not financial futures) info, Evelyn's the lady with the sources! I just reported. think she is trying to distance herself from that movie, wonder why? ;-D"}, {"response": 1569, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Sep 26, 1999 (20:25)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1570, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Sep 26, 1999 (20:28)", "body": "Just wanted to say that when time is on my side I will relate the tantalising tale of Wessex's codpiece as viewed personally by me at Chepstow!! Gosh wish I'd been HIS dresser for SIL!!!!"}, {"response": 1571, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Sep 26, 1999 (20:29)", "body": "P.S. Thanks supersleuth Evelyn!!"}, {"response": 1572, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep 26, 1999 (21:01)", "body": "Lizza, we are of course waiting for all your news so please do not make us wait too long. How about going to see SLOW? Will you be able to attend?"}, {"response": 1573, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Sep 26, 1999 (21:42)", "body": "Thank you for the news about SLOW, Karen. It's a very good sign, we know now for sure they haven't given up on it. And even if it doesn't get a theatrical release, I guess we can look forward to the video (Renate) From what I rememember, from the days when I was always huffing and puffing about the Arts Council and National Lottery funded films, all National Lottery films are guaranteed some sort of theatrical release in the UK. They all seem to make it in the end, even if it's one week single screen in London! BTW thanks to both Karen and Evelyn for this news! Please tell your tantalising tale, Lizza! One woman castigated Minghella for showing Colin Firth's distress outside the hotel in which he knows Kristin Scott Thomas and Ralph Fiennes are making love. It was too painful, Obviously she was not an Almasy supporter or greatly moved by the central romance. \"Juno and the Paycock\" is now on at the Donmar (the next play will be 3DOR). The cast were rehearsing at the Old Vic."}, {"response": 1574, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Sep 26, 1999 (21:52)", "body": "Obviously the Fever Pitch tape was actually released ...... in the US, I guess, because they don't say so on the Yahoo movie site. There's also a board with some reviews of some Arsenal supporters, and Hornby readers. The average rating so far is 7.2. http://movies.yahoo.com/movies/guide/fever_pitch.html Meet Paul, an English teacher in his mid-thirties; a man with an obsession -- football. As the season and the film progresses, his team look certain to end a barren run of eighteen years without winning the Football League Championship. Paul meets Sarah, who has a propensity for severity, dourness and single-minded professionalism. Against their better judgment -- Paul thinks Sarah is too uptight, Sarah thinks Paul is a monomaniacal yob -- they embark on an occasionally stormy relationship. And Paul soon discovers that, unlike football, relationships aren't played out in seasons. Their roller coaster relationship becomes even more entertaining and enthralling than the nailbiting end to the League Championship, and Sarah comes to understand not only that football can be more than \"just a game,\" but that it has the potential for the kind of heart-stopping dream-come-true moments rarely found in life. And here it comes........ what kind of listing is that? ;-/ Cast and Credits: Starring: Luke Aikman, Bea Guard, Neil Pearson, Ruth Gemmell, Colin Firth -------- Sorry if I were wrong, Evelyn: thanks to you for the SLOW news."}, {"response": 1575, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Sep 26, 1999 (22:05)", "body": "(Bethan) ... even if it's one week single screen in London! Then please, please, let it be the January 15 week! Meet you all there. ;-) --------- Ooops. Obviously they didn't refer to the FP tape but the theatrical release."}, {"response": 1576, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 26, 1999 (22:43)", "body": "(Bethan) Obviously she was not an Almasy supporter or greatly moved by the central romance. Was there a central romance? Must have missed it. ;-p (Renate) The average rating so far is 7.2. The average is higher now. :-D Thank you, Renate. Yes, that is for the theatrical release of FP, but it hasn't opened anywhere yet. Sept. 24 was the one Phaedra fed to all the news services. It will be in NYC *only* in two weeks, then LA about 2-3 weeks later, unless by some strange phenomena, the demand is so great that it goes into wide release. I have a feeling that the video is being distributed by the same Canadian company that showed it there last year, but Phaedra isn't aware of it. Nothing prevents a Canadian firm (especially post-NAFTA) from selling to video rental places down here. We do use the same format. The price for the video in Canada is nearly $80, which means it is priced to rent. This ought to be hysterical."}, {"response": 1577, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 27, 1999 (14:31)", "body": "No mention of SLOW, but an interesting article in yesterday's Observer on black films and filmmakers in Britain. Starts out with: \"This is an idea for a British film called Satisfaction. A multiracial group of unemployed blokes - two black, one Asian, one oriental and two white - in Coventry decide to form a troupe of strippers. Sounds great? Preposterous? Familiar? It should be. This outline was the basis of the original idea that mutated into The Full Monty. Of course, other important changes took place before the film became the most successful (pre-Notting Hill) British film; for example the gangland subplot vanished. But the inference is clear; shifting the film's racial balance was important to its success. [...]As the London Film Festival in November prepares to celebrate the diversity of current world cinema, including a strong contingent of black films from across the globe, there seems little reason to break open the champagne at home. At the heart of the problem is the issue of funding. In Britain, aspiring film-makers have two principal sources: Film on Four and the Lottery funds. Under its former boss David Aukin, Film on Four, inspired by Channel 4's multi-cultural remit and his own tastes, backed several black-themed films including, Babymother, Secrets and Lies and The Crying Game. The latter were international hits, challenging the notion that black-themed films travelled badly. [...] Prior to the London Film Festival, there is a strong advance word for Rage from debut director Newton Aduaka, a gritty coming-of-age drama. However such films will continue to be rarities if an unfavourable climate persists. Allon Reich, Film on Four's deputy commissioning editor, says: 'I think if there is going to be a real push for black films to be made there would need to be a lot more black stars and black directors and writers with profile, making films around the country. Then clearly the floodgates will open like in America.' But since so few black films get made, the pressure for each one to perform well at the box-office is considerable. To read the entire article, here's the url: http://www.newsunlimited.co.uk/Print/0,3858,3905750,00.html"}, {"response": 1578, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Sep 27, 1999 (14:38)", "body": "On beautiful hands, a recent survey of what women like in a man (headed \"size doesn't matter\"!) rated eyes as the most important feature, followed by an attractive smile, trim butt, beautiful hands (and I thought no-one noticed!) and a sense of humour. Waste of time going to the gym really...four of the five are god-given and can't be improved artificially! Thank God for that. So the best pose is to turn one's back to a woman, hands placed prominently on (back of) hips, and twist one's head round over the shoulder, winking but still managing to smile? If only someone had told me. BTW, I spent the w/e on Fire Island, near NYC, and was told by my hostess, quite unprovoked, that a couple of \"her middle-aged girlfriends were obsessed with C.F., and had gone to London just to see him act.\" Are you out there, friends of Judy Schlosser?"}, {"response": 1579, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Sep 27, 1999 (16:49)", "body": "Suuuuueeeeyyyy! Thanks, Evelyn and Karen--what good news about SLOW! Bethan, you must be ecstatic. I have a mental picture of all you British ladies camping out at the LIFF (then you'll move your tents to the Donmar...then to the Millenium Dome...). See, it's a good thing MLSF isn't coming over yet. You won't have time to see it! Before you distance yourself too far from SLOW, Evelyn, you might have had something to do with this. According to the article ( As the London Film Festival in November prepares to celebrate the diversity of current world cinema, including a strong contingent of black films from across the globe ) SLOW's interracial theme is v. appropriate for inclusion; however, I think your contact at the bank said \"Let's get this one off the shelf! That American woman keeps calling me and I never have anything g od to tell her. And there's always that annoying dog barking in the background--sounds like a Labrador. Bet she drives a Volvo, too!\" ;-P So take a bow, Evelyn! PS. Thanks for posting the picture, Karen, and thanks to Ann for sending it to you. Yes, Moon, what's up with that hair (heehee)? It looks similar to his do in that \"fugly sweater\" pic that's been around for years. BTW, the shirt looks familiar too--from the oft worn LA premiere ensemb? But there's plenty left to drool over ;-P~~~~ Ben, d'ya get the feeling that CF-ism is following you wherever you go?"}, {"response": 1580, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (00:19)", "body": "While perhaps eager to come out of the closet and profess undying loyalty to Colin Firth, being described as middle-aged will only keep Judy's friends in hiding, I'm afraid. If someone from this group doesn't see SLOW, I'm going to be soooo depressed."}, {"response": 1581, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (00:24)", "body": "(Heide)If someone from this group doesn't see SLOW, I'm going to be soooo depressed. Have no fear....Spring will be represented at both screenings. We are a die-hard group ...not just rhetorical:-))"}, {"response": 1582, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (01:28)", "body": "My, oh my.... I have just emerged from a two-week horror show at work (two weeks without Drool - a supreme deprivation, I assure you) and have finally managed to get through the 300+ posts you prolific lovelies have created in my absence. I have missed you all, what a lot has happened! Ben has returned - welcome back Mr. B :-) Three lovely newbies, welcome Amy, Sylvana and Nancy (and a big welcome to Xian since I don't think I had time to post a welcome to you when you first joined. I LOL at the vision of you stocking up on ice cream to endure each new CF film!) dear dame winter has returned from the salt mines of summer and that nasty nescessity of earning the filty lucre Flashy is possibly on the ropes :-( But SLOW is finally going to get a publice screening! Yippee! (Evelyn) Have no fear....Spring will be represented at both screenings. Dearest E., could you possibly be thinking of going yourself :-)? This will top your flight to Houston to see MLSF. I hope a lot of you who are close to London can see SLOW and provide a full report. It may be the closest the rest of us get to seeing it, but we will bask in just one degree of separation."}, {"response": 1583, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (05:09)", "body": "Jana dear dame winter has returned from the salt mines of summer and that nasty nescessity of earning the filty lucre You said it, sista! Now I'm back in the dungeons of grad school, taking part in the nasty necessity of .... now what was it I was doing again? ;-)"}, {"response": 1584, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (11:11)", "body": "In my roving newshound capacity, phoned Working Title (BJD) and TV Times (Flashman). According to Working Title, the shooting of BJD has been postponed until next year.(October had been suggessted as a start date) It is still heavily in development. But obviously with a producer and director in place it is very much a \"go-er\". Flashman...TV Times person said that they had no more details other than what was published. I asked if the facts were correct, and she said that to the best of their knowledge the information they publish is correct. I think all major projects can have a long gestation period (witness all the postponements of BJD) but normally do take off as planned."}, {"response": 1585, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (11:18)", "body": "BJD....sorry, rather ambiguous. October 1999 was the original start date, now it's sometime next year (Spring?)"}, {"response": 1586, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (14:29)", "body": "Attention!! Miramax's website now says that MLSF will be out on video on January 25, 2000. Yeah!!!"}, {"response": 1587, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (14:31)", "body": "...and I forgot to mention that Miramax has forgotten for the second consecutive week to report box office results for MLSF. Have decided that Miramax doesn't want the Scottish Arts Council to know how much the film really made, so that it expects some return on its investment."}, {"response": 1588, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (15:09)", "body": "Hi, Jana and Lizza, thanks for yr. welcomes. Hi Winter, again. Where have you Angelinos been? Eileen, CF'ism is indeed very common - I am now rather suspicious of a woman who is NOT seriously disturbed by the man. (I met someone the other day who confessed to having had an obsessive pash on The Firth when he was in Another Country, but not since. My only explanation was that she was a paedophile - sure she liked CF when he was a boy, but no longer? That was just weird.) The truth is, I feel a little more exclusive as a fan of LDE. Few people know who she is. I usually manage to get away with a few exquisite seconds of belief when I tell people that the beauty on my computer screen is my girlfriend. The average observer then laughs, dismissively and pityingly, before returning with more concentration to the photograph."}, {"response": 1589, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (15:15)", "body": "Just a reminder: Come and join us, we are having a birthday party for Karen at topic 72. See you there!"}, {"response": 1590, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (15:33)", "body": "(Ben)The truth is, I feel a little more exclusive as a fan of LDE. Few people know who she is. Some day, Ben....Her day will come:-) But she's got lotsa' guys out there...we hear 'em!!"}, {"response": 1591, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (16:48)", "body": "(Bethan) According to Working Title, the shooting of BJD has been postponed until next year. No surprise there. Bet they're having no better luck deciding who will make the best Bridget than we are! Flashman... she said that to the best of their knowledge the information they publish is correct. Well, they'd never come right out and tell anyone they print unconfirmed rumors, will they? But I'll take this! Thanks for making the calls, Bethan. (Karen) Miramax's website now says that MLSF will be out on video on January 25, 2000. Yeah!!! Goody! Soon everyone will get to see it, one way or another."}, {"response": 1592, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (17:00)", "body": "Evelyn - but that's NOT what I want! I'm quite happy that she's not that well known. That others like her is no great surprise, and unecessary as confirmation of her qualities. And I wouldn't wish fame on her anyway. This gets us back to the perennial question of CF's fame, and whether he has received his \"just reward\", but I don't see that either CF or JE should remain unsatisfied until they spend their afternoons gliding fown Hollywood Blvd. in a lino' and trying to avoid the press. None of you needs to know he's adored by millions to know you like him yourself. And surely CF himself is more satisfied that dozens of people crossed the Atlantic to see him on stage than he would be by appearing on the cover of Entertainment Weekly. The same goes for JE, I would guess. I admit these aren't the only alternatives, but may she perform in interesting and challenging pieces in front of a few sooner than crap roles in front of millions."}, {"response": 1593, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (19:38)", "body": "Bethan thanks for making the telephone calls, I still live in hope that there may be something in the TV Times Flashman story and re BJD perhaps they have postponed filming BJD to allow Colin to fulfil his 3DOR commitment and will start filming in February!!! Heide I am hoping to get tickets to see SLOW and I am sure that there are others hoping to go!!!"}, {"response": 1594, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (19:49)", "body": "(Ann) I am hoping to get tickets to see SLOW and I am sure that there are others hoping to go!!! If Bethan does not see SLOW she will never live it down. Nevah!! Right, Bethan? :-)"}, {"response": 1595, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (20:58)", "body": "Meluchie has asked me to tell everyone that she is putting her set of laserdisc P&P up for bidding on e-bay.If you are interested pl. go to: http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=171903512 ~~~~~~~~ (Ben)And surely CF himself is more satisfied that dozens of people crossed the Atlantic to see him on stage than he would be by appearing on the cover of Entertainment Weekly.......The same goes for JE, I would guess Indeed she was v. appreciative of the group that went to see TRT...we had a nice note from her thanking us for coming.(One fan came from LA and is returning on the 16th to see Summerfolk!) However, sadly, Ben...good starring substantive roles go to bankable stars theses days. The ones on mag covers .....the rest get mediocre supporting roles....albeit enjoying their privacy.It's a trade-off...."}, {"response": 1596, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (21:34)", "body": "good starring substantive roles go to bankable stars theses days. (Evelyn) This is only true of Hollywood films, not of the theatre or of television. One of the most admired actors in England is Michael Gambon, not known in films at all, but with a fantastic career on the stage and on British television. Has his career been less satisfying than that of, say, Harrison Ford? I don't think so. The same went for Ian McKellen and Judi Dench until a few years ago. (I am always amused to read of Judi Dench's \"late-blooming\" career in many potted biographies over here.) I don't know. Maybe JE craves attention and material wealth. Perhaps stardom, wealth and the only repository of satisfying work coincide in Hollywood, but I doubt it. On occasion, it may even be the opposite. John Castle is a cautionary example. I think I told you this before, but Olivier picked out John, together with McKellen, to join the National in the early 60s. It was a fantastic opportunity. Shortly afterwards, he left the company and accepted a role in a film with, I seem to remember, Charlton Hes on. The film turned out to be crap, his film career went nowhere (he is a very entertaining villain in one of the Robocop films) and it took him a long time to get back into the scene in England. Things are preumably more fluid today, and it would be difficult to imagine a theatre company as great as Olivier had then. But the point remains. Maybe all this reflects my own prejudice - if I were an actor, I would far prefer to be on stage, because most films are crap. It may also reflect a transatlantic divide about what constitutes \"success\". Anyway, with apologies for having ranted on...."}, {"response": 1597, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (21:36)", "body": "The truth is, I feel a little more exclusive as a fan of LDE Sorry if I'm being dumb Ben, but is LDE a code for Jennifer Ehle? If not, who is LDE? Thanks to everyone for all the news over the past few weeks. I'm still faithfully reading everything, even if I'm not posting. Back to lurkdom..."}, {"response": 1598, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Sep 29, 1999 (15:08)", "body": "Yipee! Spring is alive and well. Thank you, Terry and crew, for kicking the server or whatever you did to get us back on-line."}, {"response": 1599, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Sep 29, 1999 (15:09)", "body": "This might be old news, I'm not sure, but, I picked up In Style Magazine (Kate Winslet with short hair on cover), and I'm browsing looking dead at me is Colin Firth (um, old photo). He was on the page that asked stars what they do for relaxation and he said he likes to go to Rome (um, yeah, right). Well anyway, there he was."}, {"response": 1600, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Sep 29, 1999 (15:42)", "body": "Wotcha, Laura. Where were you? Hello CatheyP, if only briefly, as you go back into the cold. Make sure you come and warm yourself again by the ardent fires of the Firthettes. LDE is \"La deesse Ehle\" (deesse - you'll have to imagine the acute accent over the first 'e' - is French for goddess.)"}, {"response": 1601, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Sep 29, 1999 (15:48)", "body": "Wotcha, Laura. Where were you? } I was on the train going home. Daughter was right beside me doing homework. Ben, not in person, in the magazine;)"}, {"response": 1602, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Sep 29, 1999 (16:47)", "body": "Hi, glad to see Spring is back on line. BTW there is an excellent review for MLSF in The Houston Chronicle .. \"It is notably well acted, especially by Firth...\" can't remember the rest.I can't believe the way Miramax is treating this film especially as it still seems to be going strong."}, {"response": 1603, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 29, 1999 (17:13)", "body": "(Ben), Maybe all this reflects my own prejudice - if I were an actor, I would far prefer to be on stage, because most films are crap. True, but now, everytime a movie star wants to be in a play, they will take the plum role away from the stage actor, no matter who he might be. I like the fact that Colin is not famous, and, that is why I can not seem to get enough of him, and, why I know his films by heart. Laura, is that an old Style mag? (Just want to know if he still has the time to go to Rome) ;-)"}, {"response": 1604, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Sep 29, 1999 (18:00)", "body": "True, but now, everytime a movie star wants to be in a play, they will take the plum role away from the stage actor, no matter who he might be. Not entirely true....the two national theatre companies in England (RSC and NT) do NOT hire movie actors, no matter who they are. They are members of the company first, and do other things second. Mendes may have hired Spacey and Kidman, but they are also fantastic actors. He would not hire any old Hollywood hacks. I don't know....I'm just suspicious of vicarious thrill-seeking from CF's career. As you say, it's nicer that, in my case, LDE is not so famous. In general, isn't it more fun to enjoy things that the whole world is NOT raving about? And, from a less selfish viewpoint, isn't it natural and only right to assume that CF and LDE themselves are happy in what they're doing, and not manically trying to climb the greasy pole of Hollywood?"}, {"response": 1605, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Sep 29, 1999 (18:24)", "body": "Laura, is that an old Style mag? (Just want to know if he still has the time to go to Rome) ;-) ] Yep, it's the latest issue of In Style Magazine. Kate Winslet is on the cover. I just bought it the other day. When does he have a chance to get to Rome? Who knows, but when one lives in Tuscany, why go to Roma to relax????"}, {"response": 1606, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Sep 29, 1999 (19:01)", "body": "(Ann) \"It is notably well acted, especially by Firth...\" can't remember the rest Does it matter? Heeheehee ;-P And Miramax won't be changing their MLSF \"PR\" strategy at this point. (Laura) When does he have a chance to get to Rome? The mag may be on newstands now, but who knows how old the quote (if there is such a thing anymore) is. Also, wasn't it said years ago that ODB jumps on airplanes in the same manner as the rest of us take buses?"}, {"response": 1607, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 29, 1999 (19:01)", "body": "(Ben)Maybe JE craves attention and material wealth. Perhaps stardom. No I think she just wants good roles...And I do agree that the best roles on the the British stage....Sadly, only the British and people who can get over to London get to see those productions. There are many of JE and CF fans in the US who will never see them at their best acting on stage.Unless they come to Broadway...and even that gets prohibitive for someone in Nebraska. Sorry for being off topic...again."}, {"response": 1608, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Sep 29, 1999 (22:48)", "body": "Sorry, Evelyn. Absolutely right. I will rant no more. Here is a little quiz. There is one example, to get the gist of the thing. The rest are up to you. There are special bonus points for the LDE ones, because they are harder. This is a test of your rhyming skills; specifically, if I say \"Colin laughing\", the answer is \"Mirth of Firth\". The questions differ but the answer always takes the same form. Geddit? Here you are... 1. Absence of C 2. C's waist 3. nine, ten, sixty 4. C's grave 5. Tough Jennifer 6. Weak J 7. Tactile J 8. Divine, Cambridgeshire J"}, {"response": 1609, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Sep 29, 1999 (23:39)", "body": "Ben: The Firths were easy. I'm working on the Jen's or Ehles! 1. Dirth of Firth 2. Girth of Firth 3. Birth of Firth 4. Earth of Firth Murph"}, {"response": 1610, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Thu, Sep 30, 1999 (00:46)", "body": "How about 5: Steely Ehle 7. Feely Ehle 6. Mealy Ehle????? (I was thinking of mealy mouthed, but my answer's not a very good one!) No clue on number 8 :-( Thanks, Ben. This was fun."}, {"response": 1611, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 30, 1999 (04:31)", "body": "From This is London: Theatre fashions cash from thin air by Jasper Rees Tonight 300 people will cough up \ufffd150 each to watch a fashion show over dinner in grungy Hoxton. The clothes-horses will occupy a cross-section of a house, and be seen getting up in the morning, performing their morning rituals and throwing on clothes from the latest men's collection from Herm\ufffds. In the fashion business, where the eye-catching stunt is all, there's nothing unusual here. The only oddity is that the show will be masterminded by Jonathan Kent. As joint artistic director of the Almeida Theatre, Kent is more normally to be found putting the likes of Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche and Cate Blanchett through their paces. So why is he lending his much garlanded talent to the staging not of words and ideas but fabrics? In a word, money. The Almeida may have brilliantly positioned itself as the must-visit theatre of the London fringe, but it is more or less permanently on its uppers. The roof has needed fixing for years, and they want to create better access for stage sets than the door used by the punters. Hence this improbable collaboration, a straight swap of cachet for cash: \ufffd45,000, to be exact. The Almeida is not alone. Most of the smaller London theatres are permanently holding out an upturned palm. What is new is the increasing creativity they are bringing to the task: theatre is learning to use stunts as imaginatively as the fashion world. Not long ago the company currently halfway through its scheduled purchase of the Old Vic placed an advertisement in The Jewish Chronicle. It showed a picture of Lord Attenborough inviting interested parties to ring for a brochure. \"My husband is Jewish,\" sa s Sally Greene, chief executive of the Old Vic, and a woman who could charm a profit-free investment out of Silas Marner himself. \"He said this is the way you should be advertising.\" Of the theatre's 300 investors, a third responded to a single ad that has so far yielded several hundred thousand pounds. For their money they get invited to an annual party at The Ivy, first nights and lunches at the Old Vic, and a general sense of privileged belonging. (The Ivy and, latterly, One Aldwych are the two addresses where theatres do their most creative begging.) The one thing they don't tend to get is their money back: investors are effectively donors. The particular attraction for donors is mingling with the stars. The Donmar sticks to traditional gala nights where donors meet the talent after the show: there h s been one for The Blue Room in London (attended by Tom Cruise), another for Cabaret in New York. The next is for Three Days of Rain, when they will all get to press flesh with Colin Firth. Last week the Old Vic held a private dinner for 60 investors after the evening's performance of Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell. Peter O'Toole was the bait. The sponsored evening was free, but, said Greene the day before: \"They will all be hit very hard for a donation.\" The Old Vic's key purse-opener is Kevin Spacey. Although his debut on the London stage was in last year's Almeida production of The Iceman Cometh, the play transferred to the Old Vic, which he first visited as a seven-year-old, and he has thrown his lot in with Greene's fund-raising thrust as a director of the Old Vic trust. He even boarded a private jet to be there for the new owners' launch in September. Over at the Royal Court they are working on the assumption that everyone wants their name to be connected with the theatre. As the newly refurbished Court prepares to open in January, benefactors are being invited to splash out \ufffd1,000 on naming a seat in the auditorium. \"They can either put their own name on the seat and thus achieve a small, vainglorious form of theatrical immortality, or they can name it after someone associated with the Court. Mel Smith, Jason Flemyng, Nigel Hawthorne, Nicholas Hytner nd Fiona Shaw have all coughed up their grand. It may be a measure of their current standing that while a seat has been named after Elsie Fowler, the Court's long-serving cleaner, no one has yet bought seats reserved for two of the Court's angry young men, John Osborne and Arnold Wesker. Selling seats is a theatrical tradition almost as old as an evening of anecdotage with John Mortimer (coming soon to the Royal Court; with novelty auction attached). The Court can be more imaginative. It recently wrote to every famous person ever involved with the theatre and asked them to send a signed, written description of their personal experiences of the Royal Court. Various Pythons have responded, but the pithiest response so far is from David Mamet, who says simply: \"Royal Court yum yum yum.\" The esulting autograph book will be put up for sale at a later date, while the auction on 15 November will include such lots as famous items of old costume, and the night's hire of an Ivy chef to cook a dinner party in your home. In every fund-raising initiative, theatres are selling their own gilt-edged"}, {"response": 1612, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Sep 30, 1999 (07:29)", "body": "How much extra? I'd really like to know how much the DB is worth in their opinion ;-)"}, {"response": 1613, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Sep 30, 1999 (08:07)", "body": "Ben's 8 is pretty mean, but Ely is a cathedral town in Cambridgeshire. Thanks Jana, had no clue at first on the J's as I didn't know how to pronounce Ehle."}, {"response": 1614, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 30, 1999 (12:22)", "body": "Thanks Karen, I have friends whose parents belong to the Ivy. Maybe I should start pressing them for details. :-) There is a slight possibility that DH and I will be in London either end of Oct. or Nov. (I am pushing for Nov. for 3DOR reasons). Ben, what fun! Worth dropping the criptic puzzle."}, {"response": 1615, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Sep 30, 1999 (15:08)", "body": "Murph, Jana and Mark - you're brilliant. Not unexpectedly, all answers are correct. Mealy(-mouthed) Ehle is right - hey, *you* try rhyming with Ehle. And Ely Cathedral is right too. I tried to work in Firth of Forth, but couldn't manage it. Other possibilites were Sele or Seeley Ehle (the first is a starting pitcher for the Texas rangers, the second the name of the Cambridge history dept.'s library), but these would have been a little obscure, I fear. How about 9.Genuine Jen? or, with a little more licence, 10.Genuflecting Jen?, or, with yet more licence, 11.Annual J? And finally, a real test, 12. Colin on the Tay?"}, {"response": 1616, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Sep 30, 1999 (16:35)", "body": "9 & 11 don't rhyme in my accent, and didn't you just give away 12? How about: 13 C's weight in gold 14 J unrestrained"}, {"response": 1617, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Sep 30, 1999 (17:04)", "body": "13. Firth's worth 14. Freely Ehle Very good, Mark, but no! 12 remains unsolved! I will give you another clue, which I gather is particularly suitable.... Colin at the WACA?"}, {"response": 1618, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Sep 30, 1999 (17:21)", "body": "I had assumed Colin on the Tay was Firth of Tay (which runs out past Dundee), but I accept Firth in Perth is more satisfying"}, {"response": 1619, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Sep 30, 1999 (20:53)", "body": "Hurrah! Sorry about the ambiguity. One final, and unconscionable thought....if J had married the bright(i.e. red)-tailed and bushy-eyed ex-Chancellor, she would be.... Re: Jasper Rees' article, what would any of you be prepared to pay for, say, dinner with the Firth? This is a serious (and unsmutty) question. I'm just interested. The place is Le Manoir Aux Quatre Saisons, or somewhere equally cool, and you have four hours, 7-11, before Signora F reclaims her property. How much?"}, {"response": 1620, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 30, 1999 (21:30)", "body": "I'd forego the \"dinner\" part."}, {"response": 1621, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Thu, Sep 30, 1999 (21:38)", "body": "Unless they come to Broadway...and even that gets prohibitive for someone in Nebraska. or Australia :-("}, {"response": 1622, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 30, 1999 (21:50)", "body": "or Australia :-( But you're coming up for 3DOR, right? Somehow I don't think there are bargain rates from Sydney-London...still looking for Chicago-London deals. When oh when does Virgin start its service to Chicago. Bound to be some special deals when that finally gets going..."}, {"response": 1623, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Thu, Sep 30, 1999 (22:47)", "body": "Dinner with Colin? Well, I'd pay a lot just for the pleasure of being in the same room with him, but God knows I wouldn't be able to eat anything. Not even a breadstick. I'd throw up."}, {"response": 1624, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Fri, Oct  1, 1999 (00:02)", "body": "(Evelyn) 3 DOR will begin on Nov. 9th....so he will be performing on stage both times that SLOW is screening. I don't think 3DOR has a Friday matinee, but Colin probably wouldn't show up for SLOW anyway, modest boy that he is. (Moon) I like the fact that Colin is not famous, and, that is why I can not seem to get enough of him, and, why I know his films by heart. I agree. I've often wondered if I, or we, would be so devoted if CF were suddenly Hollywood's flavour of the month and readily accessible. Would we be somewhat like Paul Ashworth, who managed to disengage himself a little from Arsenal after it finally won the League and he didn't have to worry so much.:-) Ben (a little late, I'm afraid), IMO, Darcy would have had to be devoured by his emotions in order to overcome his strongly ingrained social and rational objections to marrying Elizabeth. Colin's interpretation was perfect, as witnessed by his continuing impact in that role.The sport I'd like to see Darcy play has to be polo - galloping on a beautiful horse, swinging a mallet, mixing it up...and so upper-class! As for what I'd be willing to pay for the gala - it would definitely depend upon how much flesh pressing is available...:-)"}, {"response": 1625, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Oct  1, 1999 (02:02)", "body": "You have to HAVE the money before you can spend it!! What is the size of the bankroll upon which this estimate is based? :-)"}, {"response": 1626, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Fri, Oct  1, 1999 (07:05)", "body": "But you're coming up for 3DOR, right? Definitely! Somehow I don't think there are bargain rates from Sydney-London Definitely not! :-)"}, {"response": 1627, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Oct  1, 1999 (12:06)", "body": "Karen, what about Chicago-Boston-London? You'd have free lodging;) And Virgin flies out of Logan."}, {"response": 1628, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct  1, 1999 (12:22)", "body": "(Ben), The place is Le Manoir Aux Quatre Saisons, or somewhere equally cool, and you have four hours, 7-11, before Signora F reclaims her property. It would certainly be worth the while to do while Signora F is in Rome(we must leave room for some cha-cha dancing). Not much eating would be done, lots of talking and laughing. But, I would be curious to hear Colin order and pronounce of few words in french, then I would also test his knowledge of the italian language."}, {"response": 1629, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Fri, Oct  1, 1999 (13:19)", "body": "Colin speaking French? Oh God, I'd faint dead away. \"Garcon, la carte des vins, s'il vous plait. Comme suggerez-vous? Je voudrais un bon vin blanc, je pense.\" (The waiter suggests something, but I don't know what it is because I'm sure Colin would be ordering a wine that I've never heard of because I couldn't afford it.) \"Eh bien. Ce vin est bon? Merci. Un bon pourboire pour vous, monsieur.\""}, {"response": 1630, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  1, 1999 (13:22)", "body": "And Virgin flies out of Logan. Thanks for the offer, but it will be flying out of Chicago any day now. We saw a bunch of red-suited employees carrying promotional bags in the lobby of the Drake, when Evelyn was here. There had been a gala party for the travel biz people that night per my sister."}, {"response": 1631, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  1, 1999 (15:06)", "body": "Here's the synopsis of SLOW from the LIFF website; only a pic of Nia Long in b/w The Secret Laughter of Women 1998 / 120 mins / UK With: Colin Firth, Nia Long, Directed by: Peter Schwabach A woman's unmarried status worries her mother and neighbours. In a picturesque coastal town in Southern France, Nimi leads a relatively peaceful life amongst the women-centred Nigerian community. A landscape gardener by trade and the mother of Sammy, a lively, imaginative eight-year-old, she is happy enough. But her unmarried status is a concern to her mother and her traditionalist neighbours, and a plan is hatched to match her with the community's new, handsome and single vicar. In the older women's eyes he is indeed a Godsend, but Sammy has other ideas. To his min , local ex-pat Matthew, the creator of his comic book hero Saracen, is an infinitely preferable prospective stepdad. This sunny, likeable comedy about the rocky road to cross-cultural romance has enough wit and humour to raise it above the norm, and scores highly with its depiction of the closely knit, protective group of women, bound by their belief in duty and respectability. LIFF on tour: Some of the films from the LIFF will travel around the country, but it doesn't say yet all that will be shown. The LLF on Tour will be playing at: \ufffd Manchester Cornerhouse and Odeon \ufffd NewcastleTyneside Cinema and Odeon \ufffd Liverpool Odeon \ufffd The Sheffield Showroom and Odeon \ufffd Nottingham Broadway \ufffd Glasgow Film Theatre and Odeon \ufffd Bristol Watershed \ufffd Brighton Odeon \ufffd Norwich Cinema City and Odeon \ufffd Cardiff Chapter Arts and Odeon Call 0171 957 4715 for a free copy of the LFF on Tour programme available from November 1999"}, {"response": 1632, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct  1, 1999 (19:13)", "body": "What you forgot to mention, Karen, is that the LFF is showing SLOW on Saturday Nov. 13 at 9PM at The Ritzy Theatre.... Do you know where that movie theatre is????? I'll tell you....it's Off the Map! Directions:\" Tube stop...Brixton.....\" That's the last stop on the Victoria Line, folks. Prime time, maybe....Prime Place, my foot!! And we complain about where Harvey showed MLSF? ;-)"}, {"response": 1633, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  1, 1999 (21:42)", "body": "That page didn't have dates and times. Brixton, huh? Despite the area's reputation, my Time Out Guide says this about the Ritzy Cinema: \"Converted into a five-screener in 1996, London's best multiplex shows a mix of rep and mainstream, including themed seasons and children's matinees. Highly recommended.\" OK, so it's off the beaten path a tad..."}, {"response": 1634, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct  1, 1999 (22:23)", "body": "...Despite the area's reputation,....a five-screener ... London's best multiplex....off the beaten path Thank you...\"happy thought indeed\" :-)"}, {"response": 1635, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Oct  2, 1999 (00:04)", "body": "Unless Brixton has undergone serious urban renewal, go in the daytime and perferably with the strongest guy you can find."}, {"response": 1636, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Oct  2, 1999 (09:36)", "body": "I think the Ritzy is regarded as one of the best independent cinemas in London...it always has a very good programme of films on offer. Great to read a good review for SLOW.. \"sunny,likeable..with wit and humour\"...sounds like my kind of film (and it's 120 minutes long!)."}, {"response": 1637, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Oct  2, 1999 (14:02)", "body": "Sounds promising if SLOW is shown in even just a few of those venues you listed, Karen. Still, I know better than to get my expectations too high. I'm just hoping for a video release one day. Go, girls, go see this film! I'm so glad we'll have some representatives there to report back to us scene by scene. Take notes, Evelyn."}, {"response": 1638, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Oct  2, 1999 (14:26)", "body": "Hi All, just got back from London to see Summerfolk, more on #72, Evelyn and anyone else I do have a telephone number for The Ritzy in Brixton if any one wants it. Went to the National Film Theatre and picked up the LFF programme, so glad i am going on the Friday."}, {"response": 1639, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Oct  2, 1999 (16:27)", "body": "Oh yes, Ann. Take notes too. Bring your little penlights. Between the two of you, we may get the whole film line by line. If only...."}, {"response": 1640, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct  2, 1999 (16:57)", "body": "Has anyone ever been to the Ritzy or are we just all reading from the guide books here. :-D"}, {"response": 1641, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Oct  2, 1999 (17:48)", "body": "Hi Evelyn, Never been to the Ritzy, just got the details from The Evening Standard. BTW according to The LIFF website, tickets to see SLOW cost a mere 7UKpounds 20p, a bargain for what could be a rarity!!"}, {"response": 1642, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct  2, 1999 (22:18)", "body": "a bargain for what could be a rarity!! Please add about $600 airfare and a few more for incidentals. Hmmm, still a bargain."}, {"response": 1643, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Oct  2, 1999 (22:42)", "body": "re SLOWSorry very insensitive of me, its a bit different being only 50 miles away, I agree, train fare only about 18pounds!! However, Heide I will take notes and report back as closely as I can. Bethan I hope you are able to manage a \"shopping\" trip on the 12th, you of all people should see this film, you have been so persistent never letting it die. I do hope you get to see it, Aishling, Lizza, Evelyn & I would love you to join us."}, {"response": 1644, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Oct  3, 1999 (00:03)", "body": "As Eileen has said, Bethan will never live it down if she does not manage to attend."}, {"response": 1645, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct  3, 1999 (03:41)", "body": "(Ann) Sorry very insensitive of me Nothing to be sorry about! Am truly envious of you having the ability to hop on a train and go see Colin as frequently as you are able and Jennifer on stage in two different plays. You all have been subjected to our drooling over MLSF for the entire summer and have borne it well. Bethan will never live it down if she does not manage to attend. For some reason, Laura San Giacomo in Pretty Woman comes to mind, \"ooooh, the preshah.\" A shopping trip sounds pretty good, although the Nigerian angle would appear promising, especially if a ticket landed in your lap... ;-D"}, {"response": 1646, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Oct  3, 1999 (07:16)", "body": "Bethan will never live it down if she does not manage to attend. Okay, okay, okay,....I'm working on it, believe me! But I have two major problems, one, I'm 200 miles from London, and two (much bigger problem) I keep my interest in CF absolutely, completely, 100% secret. It really is a \"guilty pleasure\"!! The only way I could see SLOW is to combine it with something work-related...I do occasionally have to go to London for meetings, courses etc. Having said that (and you can call me wimp!), I'm quite confident that now SLOW is airing at the LIFF, it will get a theatrical release or will be shown in other festivals. I have a friend who is on the organising committee for two major festivals in our area and I have infact already mentioned SLOW to her (stressing the Nigerian connection not CF!) and she has said that if it's available they'll get it. But I hope it may get a proper commercial release. At the last LIFF, two Arts Council funded movies (\" ideous Kinky\" with Kate Winslett, and \"Plunket and Maclaine\" with Robert Carlyle) both premiered and then went on general release in the UK (and the US) a few months later and then on to video. Why should we expect so much less for SLOW....which reviewers actually seem to like! Okay, I'll retreat to cover now, but don't be too hard on me! We are going to the Dome, as everyone (for differing reasons!) wants to see Blackadder. Thank God for Sodoff Baldrick!"}, {"response": 1647, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Oct  3, 1999 (07:41)", "body": "Not meaning to be hard on you Bethan, I'm sure it is difficult but have you managed to wangle a visit to 3DOR via Oxford of course."}, {"response": 1648, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Oct  3, 1999 (10:06)", "body": "For all UK fans, Julie Andrews is to be interviewed on Film 99 with Jonathan Ross about Relative Values, Wednesday 6th October, at 11.20pm."}, {"response": 1649, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct  3, 1999 (16:55)", "body": "(Bethan)Okay, okay, okay,....I'm working on it, believe me! As the people who went to the Donmar with me can tell you...my personal philosophy is..\"You have to make things happen,\". Don't let luck get in control:-) Anyway, it's not the opportunity of seeing the film as a spectator...I know it will get another release...but this is the very first time that it is being previewed. IMO it's supporting Colin , now ..."}, {"response": 1650, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct  3, 1999 (21:03)", "body": "I have received this from Meluchie: \"Would anyone be interested in transcribing the various Firth films, series, etc for a web site? It does not matter to me where it goes, to the grin.net site or to firth.com site, I just want to get the ball rolling. I have seen sites like this for BritComs like Blackadder and Red Dwarf. I thought we should do this as a service to Firthfans world wide. Feel free to contact me at meluchie@grin.net to discuss this more.\""}, {"response": 1651, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Oct  4, 1999 (07:05)", "body": "Thanks for the Film99 sighting on RV Ann....I'll have my VCR at the ready. RV is getting quite a lot of pre-publicilty, courtesy of JA. Can't stand Jonathon Woss though! Report in Independent on Sunday on English fictional heroes mentioned that Capt. WE Johns, creator of Biggles, might enjoy a revival, as the BBC were planning a new 6-part series on Biggles. So, if the TV Times report is correct about Biggles, I think it's odds on for Flashy!"}, {"response": 1652, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Oct  4, 1999 (10:16)", "body": "I have just telephoned Miramax and they have given me a pretty definite release date for MLSF in the UK, it is 5th May, 2000. The Spokesman at Miramax said BVI are the Distributors and they decide when it is to be released, they just make the film!!! I guess we have to wait until the 22reels have been around the US, travelled to Australia and goodness knows where else. Still I mustn't be bitter at least it sounded pretty definite. Bethan I agree about JR. but good news about RV. Have just visited Murph's wonderful site and there is a lady there who watched them filming RV, she says that CF is very handsome but doesn't like his hair it is very \"puffy\". Oh dear not sure if I like the sound of that. Like you Bethan I am still optimistic that there is something in the Flashman news story, will keep my fingers crossed as I would love to see a 6 episode series on TV (or whatever it is)starring Colin Firth."}, {"response": 1653, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct  4, 1999 (13:00)", "body": "Wasn't May 5 the previously posted date for the video, which is now listed by Miramax as January 25? Doesn't make any sense. But then again, nothing with the release of this film makes sense. BTW, Buena Vista Home Entertainment (which is different from Buena Vista Intl) does the video releasing for all Disney products, including Miramax. SiL came out on video/DVD under the BV label. The lady at Miramax may have sounded pretty definite, but she may have her facts wrong."}, {"response": 1654, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Oct  4, 1999 (14:02)", "body": "Who knows, as you say one day they say one thing the next another, I shall believe it when I am actually sitting in the cinema and the title go up MY LIFE SO FAR!!"}, {"response": 1655, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct  4, 1999 (15:59)", "body": "(Karen) When oh when does Virgin start its service to Chicago. Bound to be some special deals when that finally gets going... Just make sure the deals are really special. Flying Virgin is merely one step up from strap hanging for nine hours. (Bethan) Okay, okay, okay,....I'm working on it, believe me! /.../ I'm quite confident that now SLOW is airing at the LIFF, it will get a theatrical release or will be shown in other festivals Is this the same Bethan who carried the torch for SLOW when the rest of us abandoned it? Who picked up where Evelyn (bless her heart) left off insofar as 'bugging the bank'? Who claimed SLOW would be the ideal CF film for her? Who kicked herself for missing 3DOR in March? Bethan, you must be a gambler to forgo a sure thing (LIFF) and gamble on a theatrical release. I empathize completely about the DH thing--am currently planning and scheming to see FP in NYC on the 16th--but one has to do what one ha to do!"}, {"response": 1656, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct  4, 1999 (16:50)", "body": "(Ann)I am still optimistic that there is something in the Flashman news story, will keep my fingers crossed If he shows at the SLOW matinee on the 12th, you can ask him yourself :-) (Eileen) Evelyn (bless her heart) left off insofar as 'bugging the bank'? I called them the first week of every month...religiously.And before Handmade went \"belly-up\" I called them. However, Bethan was relentless in her optimism."}, {"response": 1657, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Mon, Oct  4, 1999 (17:01)", "body": "...but one has to do what one has to do! Right you are, Eileen. As the old hippie credo says, you end up regretting the things you don't do more than the things you do. At least that's what I told myself when I made my 160-mile white-knuckle foray to Newport:-D"}, {"response": 1658, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct  4, 1999 (17:33)", "body": "(Evelyn) I called them the first week of every month...religiously Apologies. I thought you recently stopped. As I said, bless your heart!"}, {"response": 1659, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct  4, 1999 (19:55)", "body": "(Susan)At least that's what I told myself when I made my 160-mile white-knuckle foray to Newport:-D Susan...I really felt we pushed you into that...and felt badly when I heard all the hurdles you had to overcome....we appreciated the review all the more...AND you were an inspiration to all of us.Nothing any of us are doing can compare to what you did. ;-)"}, {"response": 1660, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Oct  4, 1999 (20:22)", "body": "Hi all. I'm glad some will get a chance to see SLOW and that the Flashman possibility is resurrected. What's the big deal with Virgin, BTW? There must be other direct Chicago-London routes from other carriers. I was a great fan of Virgin, having flown the Boston-London route a lot, until recently. Is it just them, or do all airlines now forbid one from listening to music (THEIR music) when landing? I'm sure this usen't to happen but when I last came back to NYC on Virgin, one of the flight attendants jumped on me for using the headset on the approach to JFK. It goes without saying that Broadbent's law had as always been obeyed on the flight (B's Law: on all flights, BB shall sit next to (i) the screaming baby, (ii) the twenty-stone midwesterner who needs three seats not one, or (iii) both), and I was as usual relying for some comfort on listening to their dire music (the twenty-fourth rendition of The Flight of the Bumble-Bee). But this harpy of a flight attendant, who'd surely been a guard at Belsen in her previous life, had other ideas. She was stalking the aisle looking for the slightest infraction of her beloved rules. These now include, apparently, the rule that No Passenger Shall be Allowed to Relieve Inflight Boredom: In Particular, None Shall Listen to Music Within 200 miles of the Destination. Why the hell not? This was not a walkman, which I'm assured emit deadly rays that will make the plane crash, but their own audio channels. Anyway, Helge, beamed with satisfaction when she saw I was breaking not just one rule but two. My headphones were on and the arm-rest was up. After being screamed at, I squeezed the armrest down past the midwesterner's ample ribs, breaking a couple of my own in the process, and put the headphones round my neck. \"No!\" she barked. \"I said take them off!\" After (I thought) she'd gone, I confidently slid them back on. (Please picture plucky British soldier - John Mills, say - defying prison camp Kommandant.) Mistake. She suddenly appeared from behind, folded her arms and scowled. \"Didn't I tell you to take those off?\" I obeyed, meekly. No more John Mills. (He would have defied her again and spent a week in solitary.) She'd evidently only PRETENDED to go past and must have been lurking there deliberately. Even when she got back to her landing seat twenty row in front I could see her craning her neck to look at mine, waiting to pounce. I was reduced to humming. Thoroughly unenjoyable."}, {"response": 1661, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Mon, Oct  4, 1999 (21:16)", "body": "I went to see \"Bedrooms & Hallways\" yesterday (thought of you Ben) and while I was there spoke with the Manager about MLSF. When I told him there were only 22 prints circulating throughout America, he said that we may not get it until 2001!!!. I then said I had heard that Roadshow were releasing it here and he said that could mean straight to video because Roadshow are not keen on sharing with the smaller, independent theatres. He said that if it is available, he will definitely b screening it. I'm to phone him in a few weeks. If it goes to straight to video the rewind factor is good, but I will miss seeing Him on the big screen - damn."}, {"response": 1662, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Oct  4, 1999 (21:36)", "body": "LOL, Ben - have you complained to Richard Branson? This sounds unbelievably stupid: surely if the music was still played via the plane own audio system, the position of your headphones made no difference!"}, {"response": 1663, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct  4, 1999 (21:53)", "body": "So Cathey, how many of those 22K reels do you think Australia might be allocated? I'm guessing no more than 2 and they will circulate among your cities. The rest will be spread to other continents on a first come, first serve basis. Do call and become friendly with your theater manager. You may even be able to get the MLSF poster, of which tens of thousands were printed.... ;-D Note: Never allow the armrests to be put up when sitting next to a passenger who should be required to purchase two tickets. Stand firm on your right to all 12\" of seat space."}, {"response": 1664, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Mon, Oct  4, 1999 (22:07)", "body": "Ben: LOL! I think they told me (the one and only time I flew anywhere) that the whateveryacallem rays would interfere with the transmission from the tower, or some such nonsense. However, I don't see how the act of just having the headphones on your head would cause a possible plane crash...."}, {"response": 1665, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Oct  4, 1999 (23:09)", "body": "What's the new buzz word...air rage (as in road rage). Sounds as though Virgin are actively encouraging it! MLSF and a May release...well, David Puttnam's PA definitely said \"Autumn\" but I guess even DP can't secure a release for his movie, no more than he can persuade Harvey to make more than 22 prints. But May 2000 does sound more like the original video release date.And such a long delay!! What exactly did the Miramax person say, Ann? I've no great faith in them. I'll try Buena Vista again, if I can get past the voice mail. BTW Miramax have just paid \ufffd1million for the distribution rights to a Britflick, \"Human Traffic\", a low-life comedy based on the drug culture, with so-so reviews. Didn't even take a million at the UK box office. I think they're backing losers. Now if only they had allocated \ufffd50,000 for a few more prints of MLSF! Susan, you do indeed put me to shame! (But I may surprise you!)"}, {"response": 1666, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (00:22)", "body": "LOL! Ben! Next time, I might suggest you say a few prayers just before you land. (It works for me) ;-) (Eileen), I empathize completely about the DH thing--am currently planning and scheming... And my retuning to San Biagio determined to take pictures for everyone to see the church. My DH is convinced il Perugino is my favourite painter now! And he will take me back to Citta delle Pieve again and again, of thatI am sure. :-D Susan, you inspired me. ;-)"}, {"response": 1667, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (00:38)", "body": "(Bethan) Miramax have just paid \ufffd1million for the distribution rights to a Britflick, \"Human Traffic\", a low-life comedy based on the drug culture, with so-so reviews. I read about this one and my heart fell... Harvey has lost his compass and is content to be the 1990s Louis B. Mayer or Jack Warner or any of those other moguls. One bright spot I read about is Donna Gigliotti, who was one of the key producers of SiL, has been named President of Production for USA Films, the specialty arm of Universal (I think, this has gotten sooo confusing). The reason this is significant is that Working Title is under the same umbrella. I doubt she will be the greenlighting agent for BJD as WT has negotiated quite a bit of autonomy, but there's the David Parfitt link as well... Have I thoroughly confused everyone??? ;-D (But I may surprise you!) Excellent!! And how difficult could it be, Eileen, for you to get into NYC to see FP? Have the PACE trains stopped running? Is the Holland Tunnel closed? ;-D All you have to say is you're going to see a film about football. OK, it's not the Jets (or are you Giants fans?) but you get the picture... If you don't go, who is going to stomp of the floor to the beat of Teenage Wasteland for me?"}, {"response": 1668, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (02:40)", "body": "You may even be able to get the MLSF poster I did ask Karen; Geoff said he keeps one and usually returns the others, but to wait and see what happens. I haven't given up hope."}, {"response": 1669, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (04:20)", "body": "We all owe Murph a big thank you for doing such a great job keeping us up on things."}, {"response": 1670, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (04:36)", "body": "Geoff said he keeps one and usually returns the others Why would he return a \"damaged\" poster? Very silly and a total waste of money. Should be given to a very deserving theater patron."}, {"response": 1671, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (09:38)", "body": "Ben, I'm glad you brought up the \"bad-ray-emmitting-walkman\" topic. One day somebody may be able to explain to me what can a tape-player or CD-player do to interfere with the navigation devices of an airplane, but nobody has so far. I'm not talking about cellular phones now - but I might as well, because microwave emmissions from telephones and ovens must be enough around the earth nowadays to deflect every plane off its course! And shall me not hold tv and radio sets responsible for all the late arrivals and departures? Of course I may be totally in the wrong here, but I do wish somebody would explain this to me. Sorry about the rambling."}, {"response": 1672, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (13:29)", "body": "Flying Virgin is merely one step up from strap hanging for nine hours. Rubbish. I have tens of thousands of miles on AA, BA, and VS from Boston to London. They are all the same, except on BA you can't reserve a seat in economy in advance. So BA is my last choice."}, {"response": 1673, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (13:30)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1674, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (14:49)", "body": "Karen, I exaggerated about this man's size - it was two seats not three. But it is disappointing always to have to push past the nice looking young woman in 12C, with the bashful smile, and confront the Michelin man or screaming indulged Chucky in 24D. I swear it happens EVERY TIME. Gi, it's nothing but officious nonsense. Perhaps a CD player could emit the odd photon but nothing, I'm sure, to disturb the pilot's navigational system. What about all those satellites buzzing around the place? As for Virgin's own audio system, there are no rays, apart from Mr Charles. And please don't apologise for rambling, it shows me up. Where will I be able to see FP?"}, {"response": 1675, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (15:20)", "body": "Fever Pitch is to be at the Village East Theater near Union Square. While I can commiserate with those unable to listen to a John Denver tribute on the plane's audio feed, I'd rather be safe than the possible cause of an air disaster...no matter how ridiculous it would appear. When it comes to airplane arm rests, they stay down unless: adjoining is empty; adjoining seat is occupied by friend or relative; or adjoining seat is occupied by someone you'd like to know better. I am convinced there is some code in the computer that designates smaller persons for seat assignment next to larger persons. However, when I see them coming, the arm rest is slapped down and I will keep it that way. I paid for my seat and that person is not entitled to one inch of it. If he or she cannot fit into a coach-size seat, then buy one in first class or better yet buy two seats in coach for less money."}, {"response": 1676, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (17:26)", "body": "(Karen) And how difficult could it be, Eileen, for you to get into NYC to see FP? Getting there is no problem. Getting there without the DH in tow takes a tiny bit of alibi. Have the PACE trains stopped running? Is the Holland Tunnel closed? ;-D PATH trains are running. Holland Tunnel is not closed. Actually, I take the GWB except when the Yankees are playing at home (and they might be :-)). All you have to say is you're going to see a film about football. OK, it's not the Jets But then he'll want to come. That won't do. Don't worry, I have it covered. Will be there with pounding feet. (or are you Giants fans?) Ooohhh! Sacrilege! ;-) Flying Virgin is merely one step up from strap hanging for nine hours. (Chris) Rubbish. I'm glad your experiences have been better than mine. But I have flown VA on numerous occasions and always find my knees jammed into the seat in front of me--and I'm a towering 5'3\". 6'4\" hubby came off a flight looking like a contortionist. Never again. (Karen) I can commiserate with those unable to listen to a John Denver tribute on the plane's audio feed LOL! You're baaad!"}, {"response": 1677, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (18:16)", "body": "Oh yeah, PACE is/was the suburban bus system here. Knew it started with a \"p\" though. Been many years. ;-) Just pulling your chain a bit, E. Knew you'd be there."}, {"response": 1678, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (18:37)", "body": "Wouldn't miss it. Paul and I have alot in common :-P"}, {"response": 1679, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (23:18)", "body": "Hope all the Londoners are OK. What a hideous train crash. Gives me the shivers. Thanks for the kind words on the web site. I am ready for NEW news, though. My read is that right now Colin and Livia are in Italy -- probably in one of those charming villas in Tuscany. He is studying his part in 3DOR very hard, and will continue to study when they return to London at the end of the month. Murph"}, {"response": 1680, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (23:27)", "body": "Here is a picture of Colin doing that funny dance for Julie Andrews on the set of RV Murph"}, {"response": 1681, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (00:10)", "body": "LOL! It's amazing... he did the same dance for Moon's birthday to \"I Got My Mojo Working.\" *sigh* but I never get tired of it in the right setting. ;-D"}, {"response": 1682, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (00:39)", "body": "...I keep singing \"yes, we have no bahnahnahs\" to myself while I watch Murph's animgif..."}, {"response": 1683, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (02:45)", "body": "Thanks for the action scenes Murph"}, {"response": 1684, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (12:03)", "body": "Thanks Murph, I just love Geoffrey!"}, {"response": 1685, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (14:03)", "body": "Damn that man's cute."}, {"response": 1686, "author": "livamago", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (14:27)", "body": "LOL! That is so funny!!! I have laughed myself senseless... (I second that SB)"}, {"response": 1687, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (15:42)", "body": "(Bethan) Susan, you do indeed put me to shame! (But I may surprise you!) Oh dear, I'm afraid my previous comment made me sound like a martyr. That was not my intent. I knew if I didn't go to Newport I would regret it... (with apologies to \"Casablanca\")... \"maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon, and for the rest of [my] life.\" That's what made me go... that, and the dread of having to explain to Karen why I didn't;-D But in the end, you gotta do what works for you. If the venue is far away and in a bad part of town, I wouldn't want you to feel pressured into doing anything unsafe. (Eileen) ...except when the Yankees are playing at home (and they might be :-) Yeah, if the Red Sox haven't knocked them out of the playoffs by then. Hee hee;-)"}, {"response": 1688, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (16:01)", "body": "Since the door has been opened, I'd just like to report how much I enjoyed myself at Yankee stadium last night, even though I had to stifle some satisfied yawns in the later innings, once The Greatest Team in History had obliterated Texas yet again. Roll on Boston, Cleveland, whoever you are. More satisfied yawning to be done. Off to game 2 on Thursday. You can keep YDB. I love EL DUQUE. (p.s. if I can't get ALCS tickets, once the Yanks have progressed, who amongst the Noo Yawkers wants to go and watch one of games at Mickey Mantle's on 59th St? We'd be talking about Wednesday or Thursday of next week.)"}, {"response": 1689, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (17:37)", "body": "While we're off base, am I the only one who watched Lazio vs. AC Milan on Sunday? What a great game! Ended in a 4/4 tie. You can bet ODB watched it on TV. (Livia's family might root for Lazio, since it is the other Roman team) My DH is from Milan so you know which one we are partial to. ;-) Now, carry on with your baseball."}, {"response": 1690, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (17:50)", "body": "Moon: the other Roman team A Lazio fan would not like AS Roma getting any kind of precedence in these heady times. Hopefully YDB will let this pass. Grateful for the off-topic but watch out for turning this into a sports conference. That kind of thing leads to aggression, it seems."}, {"response": 1691, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (18:46)", "body": "Just a little reminder that Julie Andrews is being interviewed about Relative Values on Film 99 tonight on BBC1 at 11.20pm., have your videos at the ready just in case she mentions ODB."}, {"response": 1692, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (19:59)", "body": "(Mark) That kind of thing leads to aggression, it seems Yeah, it could get ugly!"}, {"response": 1693, "author": "baine", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (20:28)", "body": "Hello all, If this is the general CF discussion site, as oppposed to one concentrating on a specific film, perhaps this is the place to ask about the dreaded body double. I read recently that one had been used in some film; can't remember which nor where I read it. Does anyone know where body doubles were used? Tell me it wasn't HOTPig (or the Advocate as it seems to be known this side). Perhaps you have already discussed this or there is some cinematic reference work that tells all this."}, {"response": 1694, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (20:34)", "body": "(Mark)) That kind of thing leads to aggression, it seems That's why I stay in Drool...and if anyone wants to get agressive, I hope they go somewhere else:-) (Cymbeline)..this is the place to ask about the dreaded body double. Dreaded indeed. Never heard of one....though some of us wondered about the shower scene or \"the rocks\" in Playmaker...."}, {"response": 1695, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (20:50)", "body": "I can't believe no one took Ben up on his offer...wish I were closer than 6 hours (more than that by plane) away...! I love baseball as well as cricket. As I understand it, anything that receives transmits...in ALL directions. That is why they are all Federal Communications Commission rated and have the amount of radiation listed somewhere on the piece of equipment."}, {"response": 1696, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (21:48)", "body": "Hey everyone--I thought you might me amused to know that I'm showing my freshman composition classes \"Valmont\" right now (they're going to write movie analyses on it,) and they actually like it! That's pretty unusual for them, considering that they whine and complain about everything. I guess it's the sexual shenanigans that they are enjoying."}, {"response": 1697, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (22:09)", "body": "Oh Amy - that is the best excuse for Drooling I have yet heard! Amazing what can be educational, is it not?!"}, {"response": 1698, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (22:24)", "body": "Hi Cymbeline, yes, this is the place to discuss body doubles. I've never seen or read anything that said CF used a body double in any of his movies. However, there are people with far better memories of CF articles/quotes than I. During our discussion of Playmaker, one person (who is very knowledgeable about film making) said that the lovemaking in the shower was likely done by body doubles. This is an edited down version of what was said. Cheryl: I'd guess for part of the motorcycle scene because of insurance. But I remember thinking the same thing and there's one rip-roaring shot where it had to be him (reminded me of him on a galloping horse). For the shower pas de deux, definitely. It really struck me the second time\ufffdtheir voices against unrealistic visuals. For some of her positions she would have to be standing on a box, and the people in the shower don't move like our stars. But I guess that's artistic license. Colin wouldn't have do e it. With his professional stature he wouldn't have had to, and we KNOW how much this flick meant to him. ********* There's no way a double could have been used IMO for the first shower scene, when he just waltzes out, or on the Rocks scene. For The Advocate or HOTPig, it doesn't look likely either. In the European version, you do see him standing behind Maria, which is why the film caused such a ruckus here and the MPAA kept giving it an NC-17 rating, until it was excised and only hinted at. Our *pure* American eyes couldn't handle seeing such acts! However, the movie Carrington (which nobody saw) showed Jeremy Northam doing the same thing to Emma Thompson in full view for a whole lot longer; it was rated R. The other nude shot was done rom about 2 miles away and through a lot of shrubbery. He could have been wearing a bodysuit for all we know. ;-D Cymbeline, if you want to read our previous film discussions (edited versions), they are up on firth.com and now have lovely pictures. Here's the url: http://www.firth.com/filmdis/disindex.htm"}, {"response": 1699, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (22:27)", "body": "Amy! What course are you giving that could use Valmont? If you can, please let us know what the students write. What specific questions did you ask them to address? If someone says, CF is a major babe, you will definitely report!! ;-D"}, {"response": 1700, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (23:04)", "body": "...waiting...*tapping foot* Can you imagine a more enjoyable way of grading papers?! And, how objective can she be if they write a splendid paper but hate the actor playing the title role?!"}, {"response": 1701, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (23:11)", "body": "Have just seen excerpts of RV, on Film 99, JA seems very nice and spoke enthusiastically of Colin, no interview with Colin though only JT & WB. The har is not too puffy and he looks very much like he looked in TEP, was he playing it a bit effeminately, Bethan? what did you think. Not enough Colin, of course, but more than usual. It is to be released in the UK I think, next spring."}, {"response": 1702, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (23:12)", "body": "har=hair"}, {"response": 1703, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (23:15)", "body": "Oh btw Bethan, I forget to answer your recent question, the spokesman for Miramax said that he had been given a release date from BV two weeks ago and I said oh really and then he said 5.5.2000 and I said we have to wait that long and it was then that he said that we only make the films its up to BV when they release it."}, {"response": 1704, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (23:15)", "body": "har=hair"}, {"response": 1705, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (23:15)", "body": "Have just seen excerpts of RV, on Film 99, JA seems very nice and spoke enthusiastically of Colin, no interview with Colin though only JT & WB. The har is not too puffy and he looks very much like he looked in TEP, was he playing it a bit effeminately, Bethan? what did you think. Not enough Colin, of course, but more than usual. It is to be released in the UK I think, next spring."}, {"response": 1706, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (23:34)", "body": "Yes, Ann, just seen the excerpts of RV. I thought Colin looked very, very cute...I agree, just like Geoffrey, although perhaps with slightly thicker curlier hair (natural colour). His hair looked fine! He was dressed in a dinner jacker, and waistcoat with tie...very formal and smart. Was shown in a scene with JA and Sophie Thompson...adjusting Moxie's hair as they turn her into a lady.Yes, he was playing it a bit effeminately, but it seemed entirely appropriate. JA mentioned CF first, said he played her nephew and \"they had wonderful, er, scenes together\". She said that all the men were absolutely glorious. Reportage seemed biased to Jeanne Tripplehorn and William Baldwin, both of whom were interviewed, although Colin was mentioned first as part of the star ensemble cast. I thought, briefly, that we might get a soundbite from him, but no, predictably, was not to be! No mention of Stephen Fry or Sophie Thompson."}, {"response": 1707, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (23:45)", "body": "Thanks for your swift report Ann! Another sighting of Colin! Hope you got it on tape. What makes you say he might have been playing it effeminately? I'll wait for you and/or Bethan to tell us. Amy, how clever of you to use the lesser known Valmont for your students rather than that old warhorse John Malko....um, I mean Dangerous Liaisons. I'm with the other girls who want to know what your students thought. I'd agree with the others that it could only be Playmaker that would use a double and after seeing the film, can you blame him?"}, {"response": 1708, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Oct  7, 1999 (00:20)", "body": "No mention of Stephen Fry ? He was shown in a relatively long clip. Re body double: I have never come across any mention of such a possibility with reference to CF outside the Spring discussion boards here. The confusion may have the source in our earlier discussions of the fact that it was not Fairuza Balk's bare bottom which Colin kisses with such gusto in the seduction scene in Valmont: she was about 14 at the time and a body double was indeed used for her."}, {"response": 1709, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct  7, 1999 (01:06)", "body": "Thank you Ann and Bethan for the RV report. Saw Harrison Ford on the Today show this AM. He talk about how much he dislikes interviews ,but it is an important part of marketing a film....and I will say Colin's A&E interview was much better.HF also did the face and nose bit.A pity Colin wasn't with the rest of the RV cast. He was dressed in a dinner jacker, and waistcoat with tie...very formal and smart. **sigh**"}, {"response": 1710, "author": "kcjones", "date": "Thu, Oct  7, 1999 (02:42)", "body": "Amy - Valmont is a great choice to introduce future \"fans of firth\" into the \"club\"!! That is the film that first \"hooked\" me re:CF's amazing talents... I see that movie as a classic, too bad it did not make the waves in the movie industry that it should have...it was SOOO much better than Dangerous Liasons, IMHO. I'll also be interested in hearing what your students thought. Karen - I will never forget the Jeremy Northam scene in Carrington. I saw that movie with my Mom, and while neither of us are \"prudes\", well, let's just say it was a bit of an (pleasant)eye-opener!!! Too bad that darn door kept swinging back and forth!! Now if I hear someone say they did not like Carrington, I figure they must have fallen asleep before JN appeared on screen (I almost said \"came on screen\" but of course, they left THAT part to our imagination)!"}, {"response": 1711, "author": "Xian", "date": "Thu, Oct  7, 1999 (03:09)", "body": "Ann, thank you very much for the JA interview report. I wish I could see the movie clip of ODB. Hopefully, someone would interview CF as well. (Cymbeline) I read recently that one had been used in some film; can't remember which nor where I read it. Does anyone know where body doubles were used? The only body double that I can think of is in P&P2, the swimming scence. The one actually dove into the lake at Pemberley was not CF. Don't remember the particulars, something to do with CF's insurance company. You can find it out from The Making P&P which mentioned this."}, {"response": 1712, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Thu, Oct  7, 1999 (03:31)", "body": "Well, if you really want to know, this class is beginning college composition. The format is pretty loose and the teachers are free to make out of it whatever they want...as long as their students write six papers. The paper for \"Valmont\" will be pretty basic stuff: analysis of character, plot, setting, or comparing it to either \"Dangerous Liaisons\" or \"Cruel Intentions.\" My students are loving it because it's just naughty enough to be interesting, but not pornographic in any way. Even the guys like t, because I guess they see themselves as junior Valmonts. (Don't they wish!) I was really cracking up because they kept saying things like: \"Man, this is just like 'Cruel Intentions'! They must have based this movie on that.\" One of my fellow T.A.s was there and said, \"Yeah, like they'd ever base anything on a movie with Sarah Michelle Gellar!\" They've only watched the first half, and Colin isn't in the first half too much, so I haven't heard any comments on what they think of him yet. I will have trouble being objective when I grade, though, since I adore that movie and just love the story in general. And hey, it is based on a famous work of literature, after all."}, {"response": 1713, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct  7, 1999 (04:25)", "body": "\"Yeah, like they'd ever base anything on a movie with Sarah Michelle Gellar!\" LOL!! Amy, just remember to give a *failing* grade to anyone who prefers John Malkovich in the role. ;-D (Cruel Intentions wasn't that bad; changed the book even more than Valmont!) Thank you, ladies, for the report on the JA interview. I find it hard to understand the enormous push being given to Jeanne Tripplehorn and Billy Baldwin in your country. Here, I understand. The name Baldwin has suddenly assumed the significance as Barrymore as some great acting dynasty. *coughing and wheezing*"}, {"response": 1714, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Thu, Oct  7, 1999 (05:06)", "body": "(Cymbeline)I read recently that one had been used in some film; can't remember which nor where I read it. Does anyone know where body doubles were used? The only other double I've ever heard of was in Wings of Fame. That is if a stand in can be referred to as a double? At the end of the movie (yes, I watch all CF's movies to the very end--the first time that is) the credits mention a stand-in for CF. Amy, can I join your class??? :)"}, {"response": 1715, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Oct  7, 1999 (06:59)", "body": "Thank you, ladies, for the report on the JA interview. I find it hard to understand the enormous push being given to Jeanne Tripplehorn and Billy Baldwin in your country. I've just entirely given up on this one. In the UK, it seems that Hollywood \"stars\" always take precedence over homegrown actors. Colin and SF were both shown chatting together on set...they were available for interview, but were obviously not asked, although JA mentioned CF first ( she has good taste!)."}, {"response": 1716, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct  7, 1999 (12:08)", "body": "Thank you Ann and Bethan! He was dressed in a dinner jacker, and waistcoat with tie...very formal and smart. Colin at his Geoffrey best, I can not wait to see this. Amy, Valmont is an excellent choice, brava!"}, {"response": 1717, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct  7, 1999 (13:07)", "body": "(Jana) That is if a stand in can be referred to as a double?.....the credits mention a stand-in for CF. Don't think so. All the main roles would have stand-ins for the tedious job of standing in while the crew gets things set up. In WoF, Colin might have had a \"stunt double.\" No!! Not for that scene, but for the one where he's hanging off the side of the platform."}, {"response": 1718, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Thu, Oct  7, 1999 (14:36)", "body": "Sure you can join my class, Jana! I'm sure you'd be much more amusing than the little fluff-heads I have in there now! When I was trying to decide what movie to have them watch, \"Valmont\" just seemed like an obvious choice. It's not only one of my favorite movies, but it also has a rather complicated plot, lots of social issues, and interesting (to say the least) characters. And, bien sur, Colin Firth."}, {"response": 1719, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Thu, Oct  7, 1999 (15:07)", "body": "Has anyone else seen this blurb? Looks like Coward is becoming very \"in\" these days. Who wants to bet that Rupert Everett will get into this somehow? Madonna spins into ``Quadrille'' By Michael Fleming NEW YORK (Variety) - Having just wrapped ``The Next Best Thing'' with Rupert Everett, Madonna is on to the next thing, agreeing to star in an adaptation of the Noel Coward play ``Quadrille.'' The film revolves around revenge plans gone awry. A philandering English aristocrat elopes to the south of France with the young wife of an American industrialist. His wife (Madonna) is so incensed that she teams up with the industrialist in pursuit of their spouses, hoping to bring them back to avert scandal. Along the way, the spurned spouses develop a kinship that leads to romance. ``The Next Best Thing,'' directed by John Schlesinger, is scheduled for release next year via Paramount. Described as a biting comedy, the film revolves around a nasty custody battle over a child born to a straight woman (Madonna) and a gay man (Everett). Madonna was last in theaters with 1996's ``Evita.'' Reuters/Variety"}, {"response": 1720, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Oct  7, 1999 (15:35)", "body": "(Karen) No!! Not for that scene *chuckle* I've also never read anything official re: doubles except in P&P as Xian mentioned. Good for you, Amy, for your creativity! I'm also a member of the Valmont fan club. I really like CF in this movie, esp. falling in the lake and his scenes with Annette toward the end. I've never understood why he was criticized for being \"unconvincing.\" I watched Cruel Intentions last week. LOL at how Cecile was interpreted--my, she was bouncy, wasn't she? The class has to do six papers, huh? Let's see....P&P should be good for two, then AZ, then Hostages, then Dutch Girls (trying to think of all the ones without explicit sex so you don't get fired). Think they'll notice the trend? ;-P Thanks for your reports, Ann and Bethan. CF was shown and mentioned, two things which haven't happened in the US [yet]. We got Julie answering questions about her vocal cord polyps for the nth time. (Karen) The name Baldwin has suddenly assumed the significance as Barrymore as some great acting dynasty. *coughing and wheezing* Hee hee! Alec's not bad; rec'd raves for his slovenly father portrayal in Outside Providence."}, {"response": 1721, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct  7, 1999 (19:23)", "body": "Fever Pitch News : Following the current theatrical release of FP, Phaedra expects to have the video available in the summer of 2000. It should also be on HBO (or other services??) in 2001. Alliance Releasing put the video out in Canada, but it cannot be purchased from Canada and resold here (considered piracy). You however are not prevented from purchasing it and watching it private use. Unfortunately, it is priced to rent - at $80 (US) from Videoflicks."}, {"response": 1722, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Oct  7, 1999 (20:26)", "body": "So NO-ONE wants to go and watch the Yanks next week? Beastly lot. I'm starting to cry now. Colin, Jeremy, Harrison and Denzel will also be quite put out, of course, but......there you are I suppose. Karen, WHEN is FP showing, pray? Thanks."}, {"response": 1723, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct  7, 1999 (21:02)", "body": "Hey Ben, you left Rupert out. He hates to be left out.;-)"}, {"response": 1724, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Oct  7, 1999 (21:12)", "body": "Does it count if I am in Hawaii yearning to be in NYC and watching the Yankees? I am disappointed at the very least that no one has taken Ben's offer. Beastly lot, indeed! (disgruntled sounds...*frown*)"}, {"response": 1725, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Thu, Oct  7, 1999 (21:41)", "body": "My class cracked up during the \"falling in the lake\" scene in \"Valmont.\" I really thought they would hate it, and at first they were saying, \"Aw man, this is stupid,\" but then they got into it once they realized what was going on. I liked some parts of \"Cruel Intentions,\" but I thought the Cecile was horrible. She wasn't sweet and naive--just plain stupid. I guess the writers thought it would be too difficult to put someone so innocent in a modern context. I wish my class had enough time to watch all of those movies, but unfortunately TV sets are hot commodities and sometimes hard to come by in the English department (especially since most of the new T.A.s are running out of things to talk about.) I had to sign up over a week in advance just to get two days to watch \"Valmont\"! And don't you think that AZ is just a little on the violent side? I was horrified at how much abuse ODB takes in that movie, especially when he gets pushed over the balcony! I nea ly burst into tears!"}, {"response": 1726, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Oct  7, 1999 (21:55)", "body": "Oh Good...someone else who hated Cecile. Thought casting could have come up with a much better girl for that role. You will not like Hostages at all if you did not like AZ (I agree with you!)"}, {"response": 1727, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Oct  7, 1999 (23:57)", "body": "I never liked this version's Cecile either... Fairuza Balk is an awful actress. Old Henry what's his face from E.T. was inappropriately cast as well, IMHO. I felt as though Milos Forman had cast a bunch of rejects from his past projects-- as their consolation prize for not getting parts in contemporary films."}, {"response": 1728, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (00:04)", "body": "I think Fairuza Balk was a little too young for the part--she looked like she was about 12! I hated Uma Thurmann as Cecile, though. Henry Thomas couldn't have been any worse than Keanu Reeves as Danceny, right?"}, {"response": 1729, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (00:39)", "body": "(Winter)I felt as though Milos Forman had cast a bunch of rejects from his past projects-- as their consolation prize for not getting parts in contemporary films. LOL, Winter I agree...including MT who was supposed to be in Amadeus, but sprain her ankle...and from his bio I always thought Milos cast Colin because he could get him for less $$$ than anyone else.Not my fave film of Colin's....he does look gorgeous throughout, but I stand with the critics who said he was \"unconvincing \" as a lecherous French aristocrat."}, {"response": 1730, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (00:43)", "body": "Well said, Evelyn...sad but true...(ducking to avoid the things surely to be hurled in my direction by more-faithful-than-I Firth-fans)"}, {"response": 1731, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (00:50)", "body": "Ben, as a Noo Yawker, perhaps you can help tell us when and where Fever Pitch will be playing. It's supposed to open October 15 at, I believe, the Village East Theatre near Union Square but someone who actually lives in the city might have a better idea as to the truth of that. As you can tell from your response to your offer of a Yankee game, there aren't that many New York residents among us. Though we'd willingly take up residence on the sidewalks of the theatre to get dibs on \"first in line to see olin.\" (smiley face)"}, {"response": 1732, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (00:51)", "body": "*Amy slings a high-heeled, silver-buckled yellow shoe which Colin wore in the boat scene*"}, {"response": 1733, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (00:58)", "body": "Hey! I did not say he was not adorable and delicious...(grabbing the shoe and tucking it under my arm for exhibit in my Firth Museum and Drooling Gallery, soon to open to a discerning few)"}, {"response": 1734, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (01:00)", "body": "Ha ha, I still have its mate!"}, {"response": 1735, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (01:05)", "body": "What must I say to infuriate you enough to donate the other to the Museum THEATER and Drooling Gallery??? (thinking....*crafty smile creeping across my face*))"}, {"response": 1736, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (01:08)", "body": "Oh, it would have to be dreadful. Have you ever seen a man look so sweet in high heels, hair ribbons, and lace?"}, {"response": 1737, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (01:19)", "body": "...Never in all my born days has any man looked so toothsome as did he in Pony Tail, ribbons, lace and high heels....ooooch!"}, {"response": 1738, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (01:21)", "body": "\"Toothsome\"? Is that a word?"}, {"response": 1739, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (01:21)", "body": "(I very nearly said lickable from stem to stern, but knowing the ladies here, I did not wish to offend their delicate sensibilities...*lol*)"}, {"response": 1740, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (01:22)", "body": "yup! Tasty...delicious...luscious...(it's in the dictionary!)"}, {"response": 1741, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (01:23)", "body": "Yes, I think they would have went off into gales of sighs and had naughty dreams all night long! (Lickable--deelish!) Remind me to tell you all some time about my very naughty Valmont dream..."}, {"response": 1742, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (01:25)", "body": "Oooooh...remind Amy...remind Amy...(my Email works - just click on my name!)"}, {"response": 1743, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (01:26)", "body": "It sounds like it should mean \"having big teeth,\" or something to that effect. I prefer \"ambrosial\" or \"delectable\"--they sound more like what I think of when I think of Valmont!"}, {"response": 1744, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (01:27)", "body": "Um, okay...what am I supposed to be emailing you about?"}, {"response": 1745, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (01:28)", "body": "Oooooh...remind Amy...remind Amy...(my Email works - just click on my name!)"}, {"response": 1746, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (01:31)", "body": "Ummm...some wickedly naughty Valmont dream You had? (and how did my post get put in twice between your two - we must be smokin' the Spring!)"}, {"response": 1747, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (01:46)", "body": "Okay, I emailed you the sordid details of my dream, so read them and enjoy!"}, {"response": 1748, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (01:50)", "body": "...thank you...it has been a while since I was last pixillated by the proximity of puckish Valmont goodies....(waiting by the inbox and trying to look cool...)"}, {"response": 1749, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (01:53)", "body": "Splendid alliteration! 'Twas yummy, was it not? (Even though the end is so disappointing--more for me than for you!)"}, {"response": 1750, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (02:04)", "body": "...I have no idea if it was yummy or not...it is not yet here...alas...the cyber gremlins have abducted it and are turning it into one of those NetNanny sites... (trying to be ever so patient....*sigh*)"}, {"response": 1751, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (02:10)", "body": "Hmm, when I sent it, I got a popup that said it was going to be put in some sort of \"send/receive file\"--what does that mean? Can I access that somewhere and send it to you, or has my message merely been delayed in Cyberspace? And if they are turning it in to a NetNanny site--EAT YOUR HEART OUT!!!!"}, {"response": 1752, "author": "kcjones", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (02:14)", "body": "Amy, I know what you mean about AZ...I had to stop the video at the point where CF's head hit the floor and the blood started running....(I eventually finished it, but it was waaaaayyyy out there...), while there are many things I liked about that film, (my father was born and raised in Argentina, so I could appreciate the setting), it is not my favorite CF film. \"Hostages\", while very difficult to watch, was fascinating because of the realism and grittiness of the sets, the physical transformation of the actors, I can't even begin to imagine the toll it must have taken on CF and his co-stars to portray the characters. Let me tell ya, that was a film that I have on video, but I don't know when I will ever watch it again...I just feel like I should have it. Sort of like \"Private Ryan\", you feel like you were in the battle with them. On the other hand, I watch Valmont at least 3 times a year, similar to Gone With the Wind, just 'cause I LOVE IT!!!"}, {"response": 1753, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (02:18)", "body": "When I saw that falling-over-the-balcony scene in AZ, I screamed like a character from \"South Park\"--\"Oh my God, they killed Colin! You bastards!\""}, {"response": 1754, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (02:43)", "body": "*LOL* I think we all did!!!"}, {"response": 1755, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (03:19)", "body": "I got it, Marcia, I got it! I figured out how to send the message, so go to your email right now! It will not say it's from me, though, but \"Delores Foreman,\" because our email account is in my grandma's name. But that's it! Enjoy!"}, {"response": 1756, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (03:22)", "body": "Now could you forward a copy to Karin? She's a fellow \"Valmont\" fan and also a fan of my writing, and she would like to read it, too."}, {"response": 1757, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (03:41)", "body": "shall do! It was lovely!"}, {"response": 1758, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (03:51)", "body": "(Amy) I liked some parts of \"Cruel Intentions,\" but I thought the Cecile was horrible. She wasn't sweet and naive--just plain stupid Oh, I agree. I agree. I had an awful time with her. That dippy, dopey cartwheeling imbecile. She acted way younger than she looked. I know 10 year olds who are more grownup than she was written to behave. (Amy) I think Fairuza Balk was a little too young for the part--she looked like she was about 12! Cecile is only supposed to be 14ish. I think Fairuza Balk was great. Loved those expressions as Valmont is dictating his letter. What did you class think of that scene? ;-D While neither Henry nor Keanu screams Chevalier to me, I'd have to pick our little Henry over Keanu any day. Besides, Keanu hardly had a part in DL. I can throw another version into the mix now. The Roger Vadim version made in 1960, which is set in the present. So Cruel Intentions was not first to update the book."}, {"response": 1759, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (04:09)", "body": "Unfortunately, my class hasn't got to the part where he dictates the letter--that's on tomorrow's agenda! I can't wait to see what they'll think of it, too!"}, {"response": 1760, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (04:12)", "body": "How lovely was it? I'll admit it wasn't my best story, but hey, I dreamed it!"}, {"response": 1761, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (04:54)", "body": "I could imagine it just as you spoke it and saw it...lovely setting, dewy grass, lovely clothes, handsome Valmont very close to you...and you blew it!!!"}, {"response": 1762, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (04:58)", "body": "Any way for you to go back to that dream and yield to the urges we all feel? No wimping out this time? Starch your knees...and the rest will follow...!"}, {"response": 1763, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (14:01)", "body": "Oh, I'm such a failure! *giggle* I don't think I could go back to that dream--I had it about three years ago, and I could only recount it in such detail because I wrote it down in my diary!"}, {"response": 1764, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (15:08)", "body": "(Marcia) Hey! I did not say he was not adorable and delicious...(grabbing the shoe and tucking it under my arm for exhibit in my Firth Museum and Drooling Gallery, soon to open to a discerning few) (Amy) Ha ha, I still have its mate! LOL! Ladies, you are too funny. If it's October, that sound you hear must be the Red Sox choking. The Curse of the Bambino lives. Ben and Eileen, feel free to gloat:-("}, {"response": 1765, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (15:16)", "body": "If it's October, that sound you hear must be the Red Sox choking. The Curse of the Bambino lives. Ben and Eileen, feel free to gloat:-( ] Geez, nothing like writing them off so soon! Have faith!!! the Sox will kick some Indian butt!! (Here in Boston!!!) Nomar is da man! Ben, take those damned yankees and scram! You may have Roger (can I get any fatter) Clemens. But we have Pedro and Ramon! go SOX!!!!"}, {"response": 1766, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (18:17)", "body": "(Susan)LOL! Ladies, you are too funny. Aren't we though? You should have been here last night--we were burning up the Spring!"}, {"response": 1767, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (18:18)", "body": "Look, I learned how to use italics! (Applause)"}, {"response": 1768, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (18:31)", "body": "Hey, calm down. This is the sitting room, not the dorm. Here we're meant to sit primly and talk to each other about the weather. May I remind you that French aristocrats bathed but a few times a year? That's why they were covered in powder and scent. But I fancy you'd substituted one sort of dirtiness for another in your dream.... Laura and Susan - I much prefer the BSox to the cheating Indians and would be quite happy to see Boston win the next three. (I used to be a Fenway regular.) Of course, they would only be jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire. Great game last night, with Pettitte delivering the goods. And the Rocket? It's all muscle. Watch him win tomorrow. Can't get in touch with Village East cinema - the number's permanently engaged. But I'll be in that area tomorrow morning, so I can drop in and check."}, {"response": 1769, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (18:35)", "body": "Amy, I must congratulate you. It took me months of trial and plenty of error before I mastered italics. And I haven't progressed either - italics is all I can do. I have rested on my italic laurels. Next you'll be doing the flashing bit, as it were."}, {"response": 1770, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (18:46)", "body": "FP in NY The poster is the same as was on the video jacket, but it actually looks like Colin. When it was so small, it didn't look like him. At 31\" however, you can clearly see it's Colin's face and you can nearly see the fillings in his teeth. ;-D There are blurbs from British reviews and the Phaedra info on the bottom, as well a Fox Sports commercial. Speaking of which, has anyone seen English League football on Fox Sports this year? Supposedly, there were to be commercials for FP on that channel."}, {"response": 1771, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (19:44)", "body": "(Ben) So NO-ONE wants to go and watch the Yanks next week? Prefer the comfort of my home vs. crowded, smoke-filled bar in midtown. *Feeling very old, now* (Amy) I liked some parts of \"Cruel Intentions,\" but I thought the Cecile was horrible. She wasn't sweet and naive--just plain stupid (Karen) Oh, I agree. I agree. I had an awful time with her. That dippy, dopey cartwheeling imbecile. She acted way younger than she looked. I know 10 year olds who are more grownup than she was written to behave. IMO since they couldn't get away with putting a v. young year old actress in the role, they cast this dippy broad and told her to \"act young.\" Pew! I'd have to pick our little Henry over Keanu any day. Besides, Keanu hardly had a part in DL I hardly remember him in it. Besides, every time I see Keanu my reaction is \"very bad nose job.\" It distracts me away from his 'acting' :-P Thought Cruel Intentions was creative in casting a black man as Danceny. Ben and Eileen, feel free to gloat :-( Don't believe in gloating (or boasting). Been a Jets fan too long. Besides, I live by 'what goes around comes around.' (Karen) Speaking of which, has anyone seen English League football on Fox Sports this year? Haven't managed to catch any yet. Will pay more attention to the listings. Doubt if Phaedra has a big promo budget (Miramax's treatment of MLSF has made me cynical), so doubt if it would have shown before this week (although they did say September, right?)."}, {"response": 1772, "author": "farbarb", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (21:17)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1773, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (21:42)", "body": "Well, Ben, if you thought that was unladylike, you should have read my account of the dream! LOL! Now that I've mastered italics, I wish they would create a way to make accent marks for French! My class is still not finished with \"Valmont,\" but they're still loving it. The girls have decided, since we ended with the part where he leaves Mme de Tourvel high and dry, that they would emasculate the Vicomte. They were squealing over the \"passionate\" part between Valmont and Cecile, too!"}, {"response": 1774, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (21:50)", "body": "(Amy) he leaves Mme de Tourvel high and dry, that they would emasculate the Vicomte hee hee Tell them not to be so hard on him, since it was only Meg Tilly... hardly cause for such drastic actions. ;-D"}, {"response": 1775, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (21:51)", "body": "Re: accent marks Moon uses them all the time, but I expect you need to change your keyboard over to some international mode."}, {"response": 1776, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (22:09)", "body": "I know--Meg Tilly has always made me want to throw up, even before I knew that she and Colin were the parents of a son. When I found that out, I said, \"Eww, he actually has a child with that pasty-faced, mealy-mouthed thing?\" *sigh* I guess Colin doesn't like outspoken Irish redheads..."}, {"response": 1777, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (22:28)", "body": "Finally!!!!! My Life So Far is in my area. Will see it tomorrow!!! However, will have to travel 100 miles to do so--about 90 minutes in the car. (Not so bad when the spend limit is 75mph)."}, {"response": 1778, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (22:39)", "body": "Opps!!! I mean speed limit"}, {"response": 1779, "author": "kcjones", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (22:47)", "body": "Jana, Your patience (and mileage) will be rewarded when you see the film...in fact, you may want to stay and see it twice to catch parts missed the first time, I know I did..well..actually I saw it 4 times, but that's because I was the troop leader for getting as many friends and relatives to see CF and the film!! One of your rewards will be the dinner table scene, where innocent Frasier (CF's son), will totally crack you up! Be sure to look at the interior of the castle, can you imagine living there, much less with CF!!! Have a safe drive! Karin"}, {"response": 1780, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (23:07)", "body": "Thanks Karin. Will look for every intricate detail. I thought about seeing it more than once since it has five showings per day. My brother lives in the town where I am going so I'm thinking about going up tonight for the 9:40 p.m. show."}, {"response": 1781, "author": "baine", "date": "Sat, Oct  9, 1999 (00:43)", "body": "Anyone know when MLSF will be in DC? Any hope at all? And can anyone tell me how tall ODB is? In all the facts I've read on every site, I can't remember reading that. And I must have all the vital statistics."}, {"response": 1782, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Oct  9, 1999 (02:06)", "body": "Valmont was on the movie channel yesterday afternoon. This is the first movie that I saw Kevin in. I thought he had the most beautiful smile in the scen at theopera and I was hooked. I didn't connect him with Valmont though when I saw P&P. I didn't know it was the same actor until I found Robins site and FOF. Thats what so great about him, he looks entirely different in almost every role. If you ever go to ROP look up Young Fitzwilliam Darcy in the archives, it's by Inko. In one of the last chapters she had Darcy on a trip to Italy and France after the defeat of Napoleon. He meets Cecil and has an affair with her. She is struck by his resemblence to Valmont. Her husband and son are dead and she is living in Italy."}, {"response": 1783, "author": "Xian", "date": "Sat, Oct  9, 1999 (02:08)", "body": "(Cymbeline) And can anyone tell me how tall ODB is? He is 6'1 (Karin) in fact, you may want to stay and see it twice to catch parts missed the first time, I watched MLSF three times and still could not catch all of it (i.e. I did not see the thin hair of ODB - too caught up with his beautiful smile and the crowd with a big net down there). For the first show, there were two ladies sitting behind me and almost laught from beginning to the end loudly, I mean LOUDLY! I was struggling on a decision of changing seat or shout back. I did not want to miss any scene (since CF was always there) and not used to conflict with others, so I remained quiet. I can not bla m them because they seem to enjoy the film very much and I swear that they were there again when I went to MLSF the third time, because I heard the familiar sound of laugh. But this time, it was far from me (lucky me!)"}, {"response": 1784, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Oct  9, 1999 (02:10)", "body": "I have been over at Murph's site reading about Colin's antics on the set of RV. She says JA was laughing at him. I seem to recall Gwenyth going on in a couple of her interviews, about what fun he was and how he kept them laughing all through the making of SIL. KST too talks about how great he is to work with."}, {"response": 1785, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Oct  9, 1999 (02:13)", "body": "Sorry about calling Colin Kevin, my son Kevin came into the room to ask me a question when I was typing."}, {"response": 1786, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Oct  9, 1999 (02:13)", "body": "Valmont was on the movie channel yesterday afternoon. This is the first movie that I saw Kevin in. I thought he had the most beautiful smile in the scen at theopera and I was hooked. I didn't connect him with Valmont though when I saw P&P. I didn't know it was the same actor until I found Robins site and FOF. Thats what so great about him, he looks entirely different in almost every role. If you ever go to ROP look up Young Fitzwilliam Darcy in the archives, it's by Inko. In one of the last chapters she had Darcy on a trip to Italy and France after the defeat of Napoleon. He meets Cecil and has an affair with her. She is struck by his resemblence to Valmont. Her husband and son are dead and she is living in Italy."}, {"response": 1787, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Sat, Oct  9, 1999 (02:14)", "body": "That story sounds very interesting, Lucie. I'll have to check it out some time. Darcy and Cecile. Who would have thought? (I wouldn't have her child by Valmont die, though. I'd have him look like the twin of Darcy, or something.) You are forgiven for your little mistake. 6'1\" is such a perfect height, is it not?"}, {"response": 1788, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Oct  9, 1999 (02:16)", "body": "Sorry about calling Colin, Kevin. My son Kevin wasled into the room to ask me a question while I was typing."}, {"response": 1789, "author": "Xian", "date": "Sat, Oct  9, 1999 (02:40)", "body": "{Amy) 6'1\" is such a perfect height, is it not? But some people on P&P/ROP board said that he was not tall enough for Darcy (compare with P&P1 - can you believe that?)."}, {"response": 1790, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Sat, Oct  9, 1999 (02:43)", "body": "From reading \"P&P,\" I never got the idea that Darcy was a towering giant. Also, during Jane Austen's time, 6'1\" would have been quite tall indeed."}, {"response": 1791, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct  9, 1999 (03:09)", "body": "I saw \"Dreaming of Joseph Lees\" tonight, which is directed by Eric Styles, the director of Relative Values. It is a fabulous film, especially when you consider that this was his first feature ever. He had been a documentary filmmaker at BBC Wales, and the script came from his researcher (she had this 200 page script lying around). Eric Styles was at the screening and took questions from the audience afterward. BTW, there was a lot of applause because the film is well, well done. I was particularly struck by a scene involving boxing because Fight Club was in the news today and the public's reaction to it has been very bad. What Styles showed mirrored public reaction. Seemed very timely. Anyway I digress. Very lovely film all around. Excellent performances by Samantha Morton and the lovely Rupert Graves. (Can't remember the ot er guy's name who is a lead.) Holly Aird is also in it and the girl who played the younger sister is totally engaging without being cloyingly precocious. Styles mentioned Relative Values and how it was totally different from this film. He said it would be out in the spring. This film will open in NY and LA (where else!) on October 29th, and then other cities a couple of weeks after. It is very much like a Mrs. Brown or other BBC type dramas, but it does rise up and distinguish itself as being more suitable to the big screen."}, {"response": 1792, "author": "Xian", "date": "Sat, Oct  9, 1999 (04:09)", "body": "Does anybody notice that before the picture of Jess (at the Drool door) loaded up, there is \"Pizza delivery man\" shown in the picture position? I assume that it is the name of the picture (link) file. Is that how they call Jess, ODB?? Man, I can have pizza every day for rest of my life if he delivers ;))"}, {"response": 1793, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Oct  9, 1999 (07:21)", "body": "Hmm...you've all moved on at such a pace, that I hesitate to return to Film 99 and RV! But I've studied my recording, and concluded that I've given the wrong impression by saying that Colin is playing his character effeminately. He certainly looks and sounds very masculine. It's just that in one of the scenes shown, he is putting an ear-ring on Sophie Thompson's ear, to help her play the part of a \"lady\" at dinner, not exactly a laddish action...but then Noel Coward isn't laddish. Definitely thumbs up for his appearance in this one BTW. Hair is shortish (no signs of thinning!), but less severely cut than in TEP, no hair oil....basically he looks like himself! The clip shown was titled \"Rough Cut\" and is distributed by Alliance Atlantis. Is MLSF still wending its way around the cities and suburbs of the US?"}, {"response": 1794, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sat, Oct  9, 1999 (07:21)", "body": "LOL, Xian! Hmmmm, I think I'm suddenly in the mood for Domino's :-). Congratulations JanaC - I'm glad MLSF finally made it to your area. Well, that is if you can count within 100 miles as still being your area. Hope you enjoy it!"}, {"response": 1795, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Oct  9, 1999 (09:25)", "body": "Yes well done JanaC, have a safe journey and we look forward to your report on your return. Hope you don't mind my asking Jana but where exactly is it playing near you albeit within 100mmiles, I love to keep track of where it has played. I really can't wait for it to get to the UK as although I am hoping to see SLOW and in RV he looks good, I think that in the looks department this will be a droolers paradise (how shallow can you get Ann). I hope the reels won't be worn out by the time it has done the ro nds of the US, May is so long to wait!!"}, {"response": 1796, "author": "baine", "date": "Sat, Oct  9, 1999 (11:03)", "body": "6'1\" is the height a young man ought to be if he possibly can. I hope you all don't mind my reporting that I dreamed about ODB for the first time ever last night. Nothing too pizza deliveryish if you know what I mean. I was at a screening of the sequel to Apt Zero, in which he starred of course, and he was there in the flesh as well. That's about it, but progress, no?"}, {"response": 1797, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct  9, 1999 (14:08)", "body": "Great to hear that MLSF is finally within range of you, JanaC! Since I don't see it playing in Tucson or Phoenix, is it in Mexico? ;-D Cymbeline, MLSF played in DC for a week or two at the beginning of its run in August. It was one of the 10 initial cities. It hasn't been to Richmond yet, if that's a possibility, but I'll let you know if I hear it playing in any cities in that general region. (Bethan) I've given the wrong impression by saying that Colin is playing his character effeminately. So Peter's butch? ;-D"}, {"response": 1798, "author": "baine", "date": "Sat, Oct  9, 1999 (14:52)", "body": "I'm thinking about possible costume dramas for ODB since he's such a natural whatever the garb. What do you say? The life of Sir Richard Burton, explorer, adventurer, author of the x-rated translation of the The Arabian Nights. Lots of horse time, lots of scope for displays of uxorious love b/c I don't believe his devoted wife ran off with Ralph Fiennes, and lots of swashbuckling Charles Darnay/Sidney Carton, the tragic revolutionary roue And We seek him here, we seek him there. If he were with us anywhere We'd be in heaven though it were hell, A gorgeous Firthian Pimpernel. Leslie Howard was good. CF would be great."}, {"response": 1799, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Sat, Oct  9, 1999 (15:07)", "body": "A pizza delivery man?? Not like it wouldn't be delightful to have him bring my pizza piping hot and fresh (*giggle*) and certainly I would give him a HUGE tip, but do you realize how perfectly ridiculous our aristocratic sweetheart would look?"}, {"response": 1800, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Sat, Oct  9, 1999 (15:08)", "body": "Meaning in one of those absurd red and blue Domino's uniforms. I didn't make myself clear."}, {"response": 1801, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Oct  9, 1999 (16:06)", "body": "(Amy) They were squealing over the \"passionate\" part between Valmont and Cecile, too! Just curious, Amy. Did any of your students have a problem with this scene? Some people find it distasteful that such a young girl was lured into sex. Also, will your students be able to develop their own theses on this film or will you offer directives for their papers? (Sorry, if you discussed this before.) I wish they would create a way to make accent marks for French! You can have a ball with the Alt key on your keyboard. Just hold down and hit the keys on your number pad at the right like this: \ufffd(Alt 138); \ufffd(Alt 130); \ufffd(Alt 135); \ufffd(Alt 149); \ufffd(Alt 151) Looking forward to your MLSF report, Jana. They must have sent your copy by hot air balloon and it just made its landing last week during the Albuquerque festival. Thanks for the further info on Film 99. I'll be pleased to see Colin in all his sartorial splendor but the publicity machine has not cranked up in the US yet."}, {"response": 1802, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Sat, Oct  9, 1999 (16:32)", "body": "I didn't notice anyone who had a problem with the scene--the only negative comment I heard concerned it being \"sick\" that he was kissing C\ufffdcile (thanks for telling me about the accent marks!) where he was kissing her! The one student I expected to be offended didn't appear to be, so I guess I'm out of the woods on that. They have some freedom with their papers--I gave them the traditional setting, plot, and character analysis possibilities, with questions to answer for each one, or I said that if they had their own topics then they could discuss them with me. This is a freshman comp class, and they're not too keen on coming up with their own ideas about things! Do you happen to know how to make a circonflexe or a tr\ufffdma?"}, {"response": 1803, "author": "LynnR", "date": "Sat, Oct  9, 1999 (18:46)", "body": "Julie Andrews is supposed to be on the Rosie O'Donnell show on Monday.... maybe she will talk about RV????"}, {"response": 1804, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sat, Oct  9, 1999 (19:25)", "body": "Sir Richard Burton, explorer, adventurer, author of the x-rated translation of the The Arabian Nights. Charles Darnay/Sidney Carton, the tragic revolutionary roue The possibility of Sidney Carton was discussed last year, I seem to remember. The Firth is eminently suitable, I agree. Unfortunatey, the rumour then was that there was indeed a new film being made, but that Mel \"Lethal Weapon\" Gibson was taking the part. It's odd you should mention Burton - he is buried in the little churchyard overlooked by my house in London! Why did you think of him? I know there was a new biography last year, but (as is required of biographies these days) I read that it took a rather dim view of the man. Apparently he only pretended to love his wife, or something. Amy, I'm sure he'd much have preferred the flame-headed Irish girl to the insipid Ms Tilly. She is a right drip. However, the equivalent in my case is that Jennifer Ehle would have ditched Colin Firth on the spot if she'd only caught a glimpse of me....Now you see why I don't take this fan lark too seriously."}, {"response": 1805, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Sat, Oct  9, 1999 (20:30)", "body": "(Ben)I'm sure he'd much have preferred the flame-headed Irish girl to the insipid Ms Tilly. Gosh, I hope so! When I read that he has a child with Meg Tilly, and now he's married to the swarthy Livia, I thought all hope was gone."}, {"response": 1806, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Oct  9, 1999 (22:31)", "body": "I have just visited FirthFrenzy and there is a report there that Colin Firth is to star in a TV Series Flashman, and the report is from the Reader's Digest UK dated 8.29.1999. so there is a second report about Flashman, I am even more hopeful now, perhaps someopne will dare to ask the man himself."}, {"response": 1807, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Oct  9, 1999 (22:47)", "body": "Something happened to the AFirthionado main page. The tables / columns of the \"interactive\" section are messed up. I wonder what happened? If it's not Count Allmushy we have visitors from Arcturus on our domain. Karen, Marcia, on which board can I get Terry best?"}, {"response": 1808, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Oct  9, 1999 (23:55)", "body": "I would love to see him play Vidal in The Devils Cub by Georgette Heyer. He would be so great. Isn't he always though."}, {"response": 1809, "author": "kcjones", "date": "Sun, Oct 10, 1999 (03:01)", "body": "Cymbaline.. a \"sequal\" to Apartment Zero? Tell me more.... Lynn...thanks for the Rosie O announcement...I'll make sure I watch/tape it!! (here's hoping JA sings Colin's praises...I would LOVE to see him on Rosie's show...she's already had Jennifer Ehle on, I think she would be a good personto interview ODB...!! Hey everyone, shall we start a letter writing campaign to the Rosie show?? (Colin, Colin, Colin!!!)? Too bad she's only on AOL, I got rid of AOL last year, WAY too much SPAM in my mailbox ALL the time! Guess we'd have to do snail amil or faxing...anybody willing to write/fax in? I'll get the fax #!!"}, {"response": 1810, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 10, 1999 (05:06)", "body": "New Flashman book was published in UK - Flashman and the Tiger. Will post review from The Times on #72. Thanks, Lynn, for info about Julie Andrews on Rosie's show. She will also be on the Today show on Monday morning. Appears to be pushing (excuse me, promoting) a book called \"Little Bo: The Story of Bonnie Boadicea.\" Whatever that is? But she'll probably mention RV too. Another TV reminder - Sunday night Masterpice Theatre, first episode of the \"Aristocrats,\" which has Jodhi May of TOTS in it too."}, {"response": 1811, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Oct 10, 1999 (07:56)", "body": "Flashman...thanks Karen for spotting this. I think the new Flashman has a three-short-stories in one type of format. There seems to be a lot of life left in old Flashy. And yes, Ann, a second report about the TV series does sound encouraging...dated about the same time as the TV Times news item, so there must have been some kind of leak (hopefully!) On roles I'd love to see CF play. Eliot in Rumer Godden's beautifuly poignant tale \"The Greengage Summer\". There was an \"old\" movie version of this starring Kenneth More. Time for a re-make! Thanks Ann for the further details about Miramax/Buena Vista and the MLSF release date in the UK. I now, sadly, accept that we will have to wait until May, provided the prints don't wear out! BTW trying to be positive, is the fact that Buena Vista are the distributors good news? They normally seem to distribute major releases, not small indies. What infuriates me is not the long wait (I'm learning patience) but the damage that this laissez-faire, \"who is this guy?\", \"let's keep the movie on the shelf\" attitude must be inflicting on Colin's career as a lead actor. Someone posted somewhere \"Why is Hugh Grant a star and Colin Firth isn't?\" Well the answer is that everything Hughie makes hits the screen everywhere, and quickly, with maximum publicity!!! And on the subject of HG, star power and bankability, yesterday's Telegraph reported that Robert de Nero's company had signed up Hughie to play the lead role of Will in Nick Hornby's \"About a Boy\". So there y'are, folks! Floppy hair power."}, {"response": 1812, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Oct 10, 1999 (08:01)", "body": "(Bethan) And on the subject of HG, star power and bankability, yesterday's Telegraph reported that Robert de Nero's company had signed up Hughie to play the lead role of Will in Nick Hornby's \"About a Boy\". Oh no! I'm not a Hugh-hater, but I loved this book and just don't see it as a Hugh Grant vehicle. Why is it always HG and not ODB? That's rhetorical - I know it's because HG puts butts in the seats. I just felt like lamenting."}, {"response": 1813, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 10, 1999 (13:42)", "body": "Why is it always HG and not ODB? That's rhetorical - I know it's because HG puts butts in the seats. HG also promotes his movies. Am disgusted!"}, {"response": 1814, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Oct 10, 1999 (14:52)", "body": "So am I... Just saw the trailer of Mickey Blue Eyes and hated it and him. Wonder if I'll even go see Notting Hill which is playing in portuguese theaters now:-("}, {"response": 1815, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 10, 1999 (14:59)", "body": "(Gi) Just saw the trailer of Mickey Blue Eyes and hated it and him. I thought the trailer was hysterical..very misleading. The film was horrible, truly horrible. Notting Hill was much better IMO, not \"great\" mind you, but better. Dragged a bit."}, {"response": 1816, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Oct 10, 1999 (15:14)", "body": "Thanks for theinfo, I'll revert to my previous plans then: see NH and not MBE. :-)"}, {"response": 1817, "author": "baine", "date": "Sun, Oct 10, 1999 (15:39)", "body": "Firthettes, Hugh has gone Hollywood which proves what was obvious from his divine little LA escapade of a few years ago, viz., he *is* just another pretty face. But that is why he fills the seats, and that is all Hollywood wants--exterior beauty and publicity seekers. If you've ever heard him interviewed, he seems to have very little behind that lovely mug. Plus he has his own production company and that very odd companion/manager Ms Hurley to nudge him along. Gems are valuable b/c they are rare. And the Hope Diamond of actors whose fortunes we are following has so far showed pretty commendable restraint and dedication to a)actual acting and b)getting through life without too many lapses of reason and intelligence. The drawback for us is that it is proportionately more difficult to get chances to see him, esp this side. But when we do get them, they are worth every instant of the wait, even when the films themselves are not top notch. Think of the range of is repetoire. Hugh can't touch it, at least not with the things I know about. I'd really rather have ODB doing fewer better things than doing what Harrison Ford, Tom Cruise, Matthew Broderck, and the rest of the American stable keep doing, making one good movie to hint at what they are capable of then spending the rest of their lives on schlock where they play themselves in various more or less ridiculous settings for the money. It makes me very cross, but at least we have CF, and I hope we always will."}, {"response": 1818, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Oct 10, 1999 (17:00)", "body": "Here,here"}, {"response": 1819, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sun, Oct 10, 1999 (18:04)", "body": "Without wishin to flog a dead horse... (Cymbeline) I'd really rather have ODB doing fewer better things than doing what Harrison Ford, Tom Cruise, Matthew Broderck, and the rest of the American stable keep doing, making one good movie to hint at what they are capable of then spending the rest of their lives on schlock where they play themselves in various more or less ridiculous settings for the money. EXACTLY! Why should it be so infuriating that CF is not making dross like HG? Why is it not a good thing that The Firth restricts himself to interesting roles, at the \"expense\" of greater exposure. And why is fame and exposure such a good thing? It does NOT lead to great acting roles, that's clear. I know I harp on about this, but I really DO NOT GET IT. How can one talk about floppy hair, self-publication and crappy popular films on the one hand, and wish all these things for your hero on the other? If there were a choice between taking the lead role in a Donmar play or in Mickey Blue Eyes, it's clear what a thinking man would do. I wouldn't be surprised if CF has faced a choice like this and made the right one. He should be credited for it. If we lived in an era where great movie scripts were a penny a dozen, the choice might be different. But we don't. Most scripts these days are garbage. Ask yourself this - would CF have interested everyone so much if he'd first come to America's attention in that HG film about a baby (utter shite - what was it called?) instead of Pride and Prejudice? It was Darcy first, Pizza delivery man second. p.s. Bethan, I too would love to see a film of Greengage Summer. Have other books of hers been filmed?"}, {"response": 1820, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Sun, Oct 10, 1999 (18:52)", "body": "Ben, can I marry you? *giggle* You have such good sense! (I don't look like \"la d\ufffdesse Ehle,\" though.)"}, {"response": 1821, "author": "Xian", "date": "Sun, Oct 10, 1999 (21:21)", "body": "(Karen) HG also promotes his movies. Am disgusted! By what? \"Working\" with a prostitute? Yak!! And his girlfriend got promoted too. This is reality, someone made a headline no matter what the cause, he gets all the attention and so do the people associated to him, it is really disgusted me! (Cymbeline) I'd really rather have ODB doing fewer better things than doing what Harrison Ford, Tom Cruise, Matthew Broderck, and the rest of the American stable keep doing,... I fully agree with you. This is something that make ODB very very special. CF is the one who truly LOVES to be a GENUINE actor (I daresay he is almost there - on the top!)."}, {"response": 1822, "author": "Xian", "date": "Sun, Oct 10, 1999 (21:21)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1823, "author": "Xian", "date": "Sun, Oct 10, 1999 (21:21)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1824, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 10, 1999 (21:44)", "body": "I've deleted Xian's multiple postings (nothing ominous) Let me explain my comment about (1) HG promoting his films and (2) my disgust; they are mutually exclusive comments. HG's promoting his films means only that he will appear on the television programs from coast to coast to talk about his movies. It had nothing to do with his Hollywood Blvd incident. My disgust was that I had higher expectations for DeNiro's Tribeca Films than to cast HG in that part, especially since they are apparently going to keep the story British (well, that's a maybe), unlike Cusack's hijacking of High Fidelity to the US. Could Colin have played Will? Of course. Does casting HG make sense? Sure, since he has perfected a socially inept stammering persona. However, it is now guaranteed in my mind as a piece of fluff. Could've been more with a better lead."}, {"response": 1825, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Oct 10, 1999 (22:25)", "body": "My disgust was that I had higher expectations for DeNiro's Tribeca Films than to cast HG in that part, especially since they are apparently going to keep the story British (well, that's a maybe), unlike Cusack's hijacking of High Fidelity to the US. Could Colin have played Will? Of course. Exactly! We knew the book was going to be filmed and knew that Will could be perfectly played by Colin. We also knew it was unlikely he would be cast since he's obviously not first choice material. It's not so pleasant to be proven right yet again but it's downright infuriating to have the role go to stuttering, blithering Hugh."}, {"response": 1826, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 10, 1999 (23:37)", "body": "( Ben) However, the equivalent in my case is that Jennifer Ehle would have ditched Colin Firth on the spot if she'd only caught a glimpse of me... No so far-fetched...her dad , an author, was an English-Lit professor at the Univ. of North Carolina :-)))"}, {"response": 1827, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (00:26)", "body": "(Ann W) Yes well done JanaC, have a safe journey and we look forward to your report on your return. Hope you don't mind my asking Jana but where exactly is it playing near you albeit within 100mmiles, I love to keep track of where it has played. Scottsdale, Arizona (Jana JH) Congratulations JanaC - I'm glad MLSF finally made it to your area. Well, that is if you can count within 100 miles as still being your area. Hope you enjoy it! Thanks, I drove like a bat out of hell to get there. Sometimes my speed limit exceeded 90 mph. Bad, bad, bad. (Karen)Great to hear that MLSF is finally within range of you, JanaC! Since I don't see it playing in Tucson or Phoenix, is it in Mexico? ;-D Scottsdale, Arizona The uppercrust capitalist area. Got the information from moviefinder.com. (Heide)Looking forward to your MLSF report, Jana Will report on MLSF area but just have to say I took two people along with me. One is from Korea and is learning English--had no comments. The other said after Colin's character had got into trouble: \"how can you be angry at such a cutie.\" Overall the movie was quite good--although a bit choppy. As for Colin: \"Il est beau.\""}, {"response": 1828, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (04:18)", "body": "Shadows on the Wall (a UK film website) has a review of SLOW and gave it 3 stars. Also says it will open November 26. Like Bertolucci's Besieged, The Secret Laughter of Women examines a cross-cultural romance among expats, this time in the south of France. It's an engaging romance, well-filmed, with good performances and lots of intriguing themes in its margins. It also has a nicely light feel to it--moments of comedy and insight that keep things interesting and entertaining ... if not terribly realistic. Nimi (Long) is a young single mother from Nigeria and her family is desperate to hook her up with the priest (Bakare) at the local Anglican church. The Nigerian community has very strong bonds, maintaining their cultural heritage and viewing the white man as satan. So they're all rather upset when Nimi's sparky 7-year-old son Sammy (Roberts) starts spending time with Matthew (Firth), who writes the action-comic Saracen, Sammy's hero. Soon a flash of attraction develops between Matthew and Nimi, but how ca they cross the cultural divide, Nimi's engagement and Matthew's marriage? Yes, the film does gloss over the rough edges of its story--it doesn't really have any teeth. The Nigerian subculture is very colourful and quirky, Matthew's marriage to Jenny (Goodall) is conveniently open and wobbly, Nimi's difficult past is only barely described, and even the hint of tragedy is pretty tame and at odds with the film's feel-good atmosphere. But the likeable, talented cast keeps things charming, the complex setting is quite interesting (although there's never any sense that this is happening in France) and, well, sometimes it's just nice to sit back and enjoy a rather undemanding love story. [12--themes, language] 22.Sep.99 UK release 26.Nov.99"}, {"response": 1829, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (05:49)", "body": "(Ben) Why should it be so infuriating that CF is not making dross like HG? Why is it not a good thing that The Firth restricts himself to interesting roles, at the \"expense\" of greater exposure. I think my point was lost when I lamented the selection of HG for About a Boy. I thought AAB had the potential to be one of those very interesting roles, not dross. It is based on a charming book by an excellent author, the hero as written could be interesting and complex in the right hands and according to Nick Hornby the script was being written by the \"Eating Gilbert Grape\" screenwriter (sorry can't remember his name). This sounded like a great part for CF to show all his dimensions and yet it went o HG who has not shown he can do much more than be cute. Now, not only will CF lose out on an interesting opportunity but the movie will not be all it could be. I fear in HG's hands the hero will be silly and superficial instead of the more layered person he was in the book. I realize I'm essentially repeating what Heide and Karen said but I had to get that off my chest!"}, {"response": 1830, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (09:02)", "body": "Karen, thanks very much for the SLOW information, how do you find out these things. I have been to SOTW website but cannot find any mention of SLOW, FP but not SLOW, where do I find the review. Its not that I don't believe you its just that I like to see it for myself, things seem to have moved so fast with SLOW (hee hee, I think I inadvertently cracked a joke). Have got something to look forward to when Film Review arrives next month. Thanks again."}, {"response": 1831, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (12:25)", "body": "and, well, sometimes it's just nice to sit back and enjoy a rather undemanding love story. This is the best compliment that can be given to any film today. The Nov. opening date sounds promising, but one never knows until it happens. Thanks Karen! Ben, I do not think CF is being offered the scripts that HG is. His role in RV could have been turned down by Rupert E., but why is Jeremy N. more well known in the US than CF? Agents are supposed to battle for you and I do not think Colin has a very good one. I think Colin would love to have a role in which he can successfully cross-over into the US market, AAB could have been the one. He deserved it, but how much did his agent battle for this?"}, {"response": 1832, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (13:17)", "body": "(JanaH) I realize I'm essentially repeating what Heide and Karen said but I had to get that off my chest! No, hon, you said it much better than I. :-) (Ann) how do you find out these things I was looking for something else! ;-D A review of Wisdom of Crocodiles, which I saw last night. (A good one for Laura) Because that site is done with frames, I couldn't post the exact link. Click on \"sneak preview\" and scroll down. It is alphabetical. You will find it there with the one picture everyone has of Colin and the boy. That being said, I would still go to the LIFF to see it. ;-D as Moon said: The Nov. opening date sounds promising, but one never knows until it happens. Exactly!! Look at the info for the US release of FP. I rest my case. ;-D (Moon) why is Jeremy N. more well known in the US than CF? Has to be the good fortune of being heavily promoted for AIH while basking in the great critical reviews for himself and the film The Winslow Boy, which according to that website will open in the UK on 29 October."}, {"response": 1833, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (13:29)", "body": "Donmar news - Not sure if this detail has been posted yet, but the date of the Donmar Warehouse fund-raising gala with the cast of 3DoR is 18 January 2000. Further details as they become available. No, I don't know any more than this so far. Confidential to Murph - Of course you may!"}, {"response": 1834, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (13:35)", "body": "why is Jeremy N. more well known in the US than CF? Agents are supposed to battle for you and I do not think Colin has a very good one. Ummm... Don't they have the same agent? I seem to recall hearing that from my ICM London friend. I could be mistaken."}, {"response": 1835, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (13:50)", "body": "I didn't mean to tread on anyone's toes. There are lots of good roles in which CF would be wonderful. Some might also be in popular and commercially successful films, though my point was that the two rarely go together these days. But when Moon says I think Colin would love to have a role in which he can successfully cross-over into the US market , the truth is we none of us know about this. And in the absence of specific knowledge, what's wrong with assuming simply that he's happy doing what he's doing? If he were frustrated by the situation then he would presumably get a new agent. In the immortal words of Sting, philanthropist and poet extraordinaire, \"if you love someone, set them free\". I saw Another Country last night, quite by chance. I hadn't seen it since it first came out. V. good, though not quite as good as I'd remembered it. I was left feeling mainly that Bennett, who was really Burgess I suppose, was a spoiled brat. He cuts of his nose to spite his face because he didn't get into some public school club. Not every British Ambo in Paris was in Pop (the real equivalent of \"the Gods\"), nor has every one been heterosexual. The whole point about Burgess and Blunt was that they were t the heart of the establishment. Sir Anthony Blunt, Director of the Cortauld and Keeper of the Queen's Pictures? No-one's pretending society is or was wholly tolerant, but please! Are we to believe that if he'd been straight, Blunt would have risen higher? There wasn't anything higher. And what about the innumerable homosexuals who were not traitors? I didn't buy it. Anyway, now I've got that rant of my chest, YDB was excellent throughout, of course."}, {"response": 1836, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (13:54)", "body": "Thanks for the SLOW review, Karen. But the likeable, talented cast keeps things charming Yessssss. Re: HG in AAB and the other Firth lamentations: Several weeks ago I read an article in NY Times about the difference between 'actors' and 'stars'--they're not usually the same. It's difficult for an actor to become a star (don't we know); it can be just as difficult for a star to become an actor. Syvester Stallone's name was mentioned in the latter category. The trend of stars appearing on stage as a means of validating (or finding) their talent was also mentioned. It seems clear to me that CF is an actor (whether he *wants* to be a star is up for iscussion) whereas HG, thanks to his success in 4Weddings and his 'patented' repeat performance of the same bumbling character in other films (Notting Hill), is a star. Unfortunately, stars usually get all the good scripts, which works out fine when the star is an actor (Tom Hanks). I don't have the article anymore (long gone to recycling depot). I'll try to find it on line in the archives if anyone's interested. Wonder of wonders, FP has not only found its way to NY, but will also play in Jersey as well (starts Friday)! Woohoo! Jana, pop over to Topic 121 and tell us more about your reaction to MLSF. Glad you got to see it. Glad you didn't get a speeding ticket ;-)"}, {"response": 1837, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (14:58)", "body": "(Chris) fund-raising gala with the cast of 3DoR is 18 January 2000 Isn't...wasn't that the day we were planning to depart, Evelyn? ;-D Thanks, Chris. (Eileen) the difference between 'actors' and 'stars' Definitely, although most times I hear it described as actors vs. celebrities, but they could be a rung below \"stars\"! Colin is an actor, first and foremost, with little if any aspiration to become a star. As your article mentioned, there are very few actor/stars out there. More on the AAB casting. It's not a done deal yet, but seems likely. Will put info on #72. Wonder of wonders, FP has not only found its way to NY, but will also play in Jersey as well (starts Friday)! Woohoo! Phaedra's cover letter mentioned four screens in the NY area. I've asked for further info, but haven't heard back yet. So NJ as well! Lucky you, she says, with teeth gnashing. ;-D"}, {"response": 1838, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (15:01)", "body": "More on Donmar Gala. The evening will be offered to Friends at three level: performance-only for a gift of UK75, and performance plus party with cast and crew at One Aldwych for gifts of UK250 and UK300. Invitations have just gone out, so Donmar Friends should find something in their mailboxes this week. Murph - please do."}, {"response": 1839, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (15:21)", "body": "Karen, sorry to ask again, but is FP coming to that theatre downtown you mentioned? (What was it called - Village East, or som'ut?). In the end I called them and they said they didn't know what was being shown this week (?!?!? can that be right?). And you even mentioned three others..... Thanks, B Two stars/non-actors: Cary Grant, Julia Roberts. Two star-actors: Kevin Spacey and Al Pacino. (Also Olivier?) Two actors/non-stars: Derek Jacobi and Michael Gambon. (Also....YDB?) I can't see HG being cool enough or cynical enough for this role. Or anything enough, for that matter. Do you think the (apparently) lukewarm reception of FP was to blame for the casting of AAB?"}, {"response": 1840, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (15:27)", "body": "(Karen) Phaedra's cover letter mentioned four screens in the NY area Per the ad in yesterday's NY Times: - Village East Cinemas, NYC (as you previously reported) - Kew Gardens, Queens - Nassau (Long Island) - Montclair, NJ The 2\"x4\" ad was buried in the Arts and Entertainment section--right where I expected to find it. Missed English premier league soccer on Fox Sports last night (too busy watching American football), but it's on again this Thursday. Will tape and fast forward *to* the commercials, for a change. You're welcome to join us on Saturday. Why, NY is just down the street from Chicago! Take Route 80 to the Geo. Washington bridge, then make a right (welll, there is that matter of 9 or 10 hours or so...) ;-) so Donmar Friends should find something in their mailboxes this week. Oohh, Evelyn, how can you resist?"}, {"response": 1841, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (15:40)", "body": "Here's the full scoop. It's OK with me, Murph. - Chris October, 1999 Dear Friends Next month, the Donmar will see the long-awaited return of Robin Lefevre's brilliant production, Three Days of Rain, to our stage, welcoming back the terrific cast of Colin Firth (The English Patient, Shakespeare in Love), Elizabeth McGovern (Ordinary People) and David Morrissey (Hilary and Jackie). The highlight of our American Imports new writing season last March, Three Days of Rain unfolds a story of family secrets, betrayed friendship and unspoken passion, tracing the lives of two families through two generations. It is a play in which the secrets of the past provide the answers for the future and therefore seemed the natural choice for our millennial play. To celebrate the production and an extraordinary season for the Donmar, we are planning to host a Gala Evening on Tuesday, 18 January 2000. This will be an important fundraiser for the theatre, and we hope you will join us as we toast the New Year as well as our recent success. The festivities will kick-off with a champagne toast at the theatre, followed by a benefit performance of Three Days of Rain. After the performance, guests will be escorted to One Aldwych - a beautiful new 5-star hotel just around the corner from us in Covent Garden - for an elegant reception with the cast. It promises to be a terrific evening, but space is limited, so we encourage you to reserve your place as soon as possible for this exclusive event. We have enclosed a reply form, which outlines the various levels of participation. All pledges received by 17 December 1999 will be listed in the Gala Programme. We'd love to have you be a part of our celebration and hope you will make a special commitment to join us. With best wishes Sam Mendes Caro Newling Artistic Director Executive Producer Donmar Warehouse Gala Evening featuring THREE DAYS OF RAIN By Richard Greenberg Directed by Robin Lefevre With Colin Firth, Elizabeth McGovern and David Morrissey Tuesday, 18 January, 2000 I/We will be delighted to join you for the Donmar's Gala Evening featuring THREE DAYS OF RAIN and commit to the purchase of: _____ Benefactor Ticket(s) at \ufffd300 each (\ufffd45 cost, suggested minimum donation of \ufffd255) \ufffd Highest priority seating for the performance of THREE DAYS OF RAIN \ufffd Private pre-performance drinks reception with the Company \ufffd Exclusive post-performance party with the cast \ufffd Recognition as Benefactor in the gala programme \ufffd Acknowledgement in Donmar production programmes throughout the year _____ Patron Ticket(s) at \ufffd250 each (\ufffd40 cost, suggested minimum donation of \ufffd210) \ufffd Priority seating for the performance of THREE DAYS OF RAIN \ufffd Exclusive post-performance party with the cast \ufffd A welcome champagne toast \ufffd Recognition as Patron in the gala programme \ufffd Acknowledgement in Donmar production programmes throughout the year _____ Performance Ticket(s) at \ufffd75 each (\ufffd20 cost, suggested minimum donation of \ufffd55) \ufffd Seating for the performance of THREE DAYS OF RAIN \ufffd A welcome champagne toast _____ I/We cannot attend but wish to make a contribution of \ufffd________ to support Donmar Warehouse Projects, Ltd. I/We wish to be listed in the programme as follows: ________________________________ For further information, Please contact: NAME: ________________________________________________________________ COMPANY: ________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS: ________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ PHONE: (DAY) ________________ (EVENING) _______________ FAX _______________ Credit Cards payments accepted: ______ Visa ______ MC ______ Amex Credit card number: _________________________________________ Exp. Date: ___________ Signature: _____________________________________________________________________ Please return this form with your payment to: Rachel Weinstein, Development Director, Donmar Warehouse, 41 Earlham Street, London WC2H 9LD, phone: 0171 845 5815 fax: 0207 240 4878 Cheques should be made payable to: Donmar Warehouse Projects, Ltd (Registered Charity No. 284262) [For Yanks] Still Building on Success Since the Donmar began life as a producing house under the artistic direction of Sam Mendes in October 1992, the theatre has asserted itself as a pioneer in London's performing arts community. Deliberately embracing a diverse and daring body of work, the Donmar has been able to create an award-winning program - premiering new work alongside bold interpretations of contemporary classics and small-scale musicals. This unique combination, coupled with our commitment to producing innovative, challenging work, of exceptional caliber has enabled us to attract some of the most gifted artists in the world to our stage, and has earned the theatre a world-wide reputation for excellence In creating its award-winning program, the Donmar has retained an overwhelming commitment to producing American plays "}, {"response": 1842, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (16:20)", "body": "Thanks Chris....Haven't gotten my invitation yet.It takes a while for mail to come to the mid-west. Yes, Karen....Jan. 18th is the date we are departing. ...so Donmar Friends should find something in their mailboxes this week. (Eileen)....Oohh, Evelyn, how can you resist? I went to one of those when WILDE premiered two years ago (also tax deductible :-))Champagne reception and dinner was at the Savoy. Got to meet JE and speak to her a few minutes...**big crush** of people.Jennifer , who is v. shy, was obviously uncomfortable.Luckily Stephen Fry was in his element,and took the stress of JE and Jude Law, who also looked like he wanted to bolt out the door. I think I'll just stick to the Donmar lobby....cozzier ... just the Spring bunch:-))"}, {"response": 1843, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (19:50)", "body": "Jan. 18th is the date we are departing. Sorry to be jumping into the middle... but how long are you all staying in London? I'm thinking about going, but I haven't booked a flight, reserved tickets, looked into hotels/hostels, etc.. Is it too late?"}, {"response": 1844, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (20:27)", "body": "(Winter)Is it too late? Spring Reunion at the Donmar to Welcome in the new Millennium.. January 15th,2000. Will email you details."}, {"response": 1845, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (21:22)", "body": "(Bethan) Hughie to play the lead role of Will in Nick Hornby's \"About a Boy\" Oh No! I have been listening to the audio book of About a Boy over the last few days (while driving to and from work) and have been happily imagining Colin as Will. I'm pleased I'm nearly at the end, now that my illusions have been shattered. The guy doing the reading is Julian Rhinde-Tull who even sounds like Colin now and then, or maybe I should say like Paul Ashworth!! I don't particulary dislike Hugh Grant, just don't think he is in the same league as ODB, but then not many are (*sign*) ."}, {"response": 1846, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (21:23)", "body": "Oops, that was meant to be a sigH."}, {"response": 1847, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (22:28)", "body": "Via Sue..a review of MLSF in the Miami Times: http://www.miaminewtimes.com/issues/1999-09-23/film2.html"}, {"response": 1848, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 12, 1999 (02:01)", "body": "Hmm, the About A Boy audiotapes that I picked up in London last time are read by Alan Cumming, who doesn't sound anything like Colin. ;-D"}, {"response": 1849, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Oct 12, 1999 (07:15)", "body": "Just back from two weeks away and am having difficulty finding time to catch up on all these posts. I can record one CF sighting. I turned on the television in my hotel in Thailand and saw FP with thai subtitles. 'Fraid I didn't stay in to watch it...FP is not one of my favourites and we were on holiday:-) Perhaps if it had been dubbed, I might have been tempted!"}, {"response": 1850, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Oct 12, 1999 (10:27)", "body": "Welcome back Allison, what do you think of the SLOW news, it is no longer in the Bank Vault."}, {"response": 1851, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 12, 1999 (12:01)", "body": "Wecome back Allison, I guess DB follows you wherever you go. ;-) Evelyn, that Miami MLSF review was done in late Sept. when MLSF was originally supposed to open here. We expect it at the end of October. (Ben), But when Moon says I think Colin would love to have a role in which he can successfully cross-over into the US market , the truth is we none of us know about this. Ben, I did not mean to imply this to be his raison d\ufffd\ufffdtre. A British author may be happy just to sell his books in England, but when they start selling in the US as well, it is a reason to rejoice. CF has a wife and several mortages to pay. An actor\ufffds life is not exactly a stable one. Yes, I do think CF would like to have role in which he could cross-over to the US market. This does not mean that I think he wishes to become the next Mr. Cruise."}, {"response": 1852, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 12, 1999 (13:45)", "body": "Phaedra has finally put up a page for Fever Pitch. It shows the poster, but is a bad scan. I'll try to do a scan of the brochure size one I have, but it has the NY dates slapped across the bottom. No way can do the actual poster. Nice write-up though. Here's the url: http://www.phaedracinema.com/fever.htm"}, {"response": 1853, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 12, 1999 (13:45)", "body": "WELCOME BACK, ALLISON,WE MISSED YOU"}, {"response": 1854, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 12, 1999 (13:49)", "body": "Thank you Karen for the FP URL....is the original FP page around...the one with all the games on it? This one is a little amateurish...they should have hired Murph!"}, {"response": 1855, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Oct 12, 1999 (14:06)", "body": "(Evelyn) they should have hired Murph You said it! Isn't the poster life-size, Karen? No wonder you can't scan it (or...is there another reason?) ;-P To any Droolies or lurkers in the greater NY/NJ area interested in seeing FP on Saturday, 10/16: e-mail me. Ben, did you get my message?"}, {"response": 1856, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 12, 1999 (14:15)", "body": "Eileen: Yes, the poster is regulation size, but they also included a brochure for theater owners in the package, which has a pic of the poster and their other films looking for screens. I clicked on the Fox Sports icon. Looks like Premier League football is only on PPV this season. Last year, Fox replayed it on regular cable. So much for catching a glimpse of a FP commercial. :-("}, {"response": 1857, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Tue, Oct 12, 1999 (14:24)", "body": "My class finished \"Valmont\" on Monday, and for some reason, they were uncharacteristically silent at the end. I don't know if they were disturbed at the way the Vicomte met his end, or what. We're going to have a discussion on Wednesday, so hopefully I will have some amusing things to tell you after that!"}, {"response": 1858, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Oct 12, 1999 (14:39)", "body": "Looks like Premier League football is only on PPV this season Live matches are broadcast on PPV, usually on Saturday mornings (I think. No listing this week in my TV Guide). Taped \"English league soccer\" airs Thursday 1-3 p.m. and 1-3 a.m. on Friday on Fox Sports (per NY Times). I'll tape Thursday's session and see what I get. Wonder why this isn't listed under the Fox Sports icon? (Amy) they were uncharacteristically silent at the end It was the horror of seeing Valmont in that casket, I'm sure!"}, {"response": 1859, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 12, 1999 (15:20)", "body": "Sorry to change the subject, but there is a good interview with Jeremy Northam from the E. Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/et?ac=001182080732013&rtmo=02r0sR0q&atmo=02r0sR0q&pg=/et/99/10/12/bfnort12.html I hope the link works."}, {"response": 1860, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 12, 1999 (15:58)", "body": "Thanks, Eileen. I was looking for the games on Sundays and Mondays, which is when they were replayed last season!"}, {"response": 1861, "author": "Xian", "date": "Tue, Oct 12, 1999 (16:38)", "body": "(Eileen) It was the horror of seeing Valmont in that casket, I'm sure! Believe or not, I actually laught - never believe Valmont (I was thinking about CF for sure) died! I kept saying \"wake up, you fake...\". I felt sad when MT came to put a rose on Valmont's tombstone, he lost the only chance that he could be loved but then he might not be happy?!"}, {"response": 1862, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Tue, Oct 12, 1999 (17:17)", "body": "(Xian)never believe Valmont...died! I don't know--he looked pretty convincing to me. I was horrified at how pale he looked! (Silly me!)"}, {"response": 1863, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Oct 12, 1999 (23:31)", "body": "Thanks very much for the review of SLOW, Karen. It sounds very promising. A \"12\" rating means that it will be considered family fare....definitely no sex or nudity! :-) According to my local independent cinema, SLOW is scheduled for a \"selected release\" and, yes, they will be getting it (nearly fell off my chair at this point...I didn't even expect that they would have heard of it!), but no dates as yet. Am so used to complaining about SLOW that am now rendered speechless! Sorry to have caused so much anguish with my news of HG and AAB! I must admit that although I thought AAB was a reasonably good read (but rather implausible), I thought Will was a drip.....workshy, spends his days watching TV, invents children to make himself more interesting...and had no particular desire to seeing Colin doing another NH variation of a nineties man. I'd rather see him doing someone with a bit more ooomph...like Mark Darcy (at least he has a day job!) or good ol' Flashy. Now if HG is ask d to play MD, then I will get upset! On the subject of Flashman, there was a very interesting interview with George Macdonald Fraser in the Sunday Telegraph. No mention of any forthcoming series, but I didn't really expect that. His new book consists of three stories...a re-encounter with Bismarck, acting as confidant to the Prince of Wales in the Tranby Croft afffair (cause celebre) and (best of all) crossing paths with Sherlock Holmes. All three seem to me to have great potential for TV adaptations! G M Fraser said that he's not at all ti ed of Flashman and there are still several campaigns he'd like to write about. He only writes one draft of each novel (\"get it right first time\"), lives quietly on the Isle of Man, is devoted to his wife, and sounds very nice! BTW Ben, HG's Bringing Up Baby film was called \"9 1/2 months\" and I agree that it was very dire...I actually switched off in sheer embarrassment. Couldn't watch. Welcome back Allison. Hope you had a great time!"}, {"response": 1864, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Oct 13, 1999 (08:13)", "body": "Thank you all for your good wishes and to Evelyn for the colourful homecoming card! Feel much better after my holiday tho' still suffering from jetlag. Great news that SLOW will be on selected release. That means I do not have to think up plausible reasons to drag my DH across London to Brixton to see a film. I think he might baulk at that prospect! BTW for those who do not know London well, and are worried at the reputation of Brixton, the Ritzy (I think that is the name) in Brixton is right in the centre, on the main road and so it would not be a particularly \"dangerous\" area to go to. Like everywhere else in London, I would not go off the main roa s on my own at night and in Brixton, even with a companion would hesitate to go exploring down streets away from the High Street unless I knew where I was going. However the centre of Brixton is not a \"no go area\"."}, {"response": 1865, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 13, 1999 (14:51)", "body": "(Allison)However the centre of Brixton is not a \"no go area\". \"That's a great comfort\". :-) ~~~~~~~ (Allison)I do not have to think up plausible reasons to drag my DH across London to Brixton to see a film. Tell DH that there are some coming from farther away than\"across London\" to see this film. :-) ~~~~~~~~ Tickets for London FF for general public go on sale on Friday . Call 0171-928-3232. SLOW will screen on Nov. 12, Matinee and Nov.13 evening. ~~~~~~ The November Movieline magazine published my letter on p. 10.... \"Lamenting\" that they left Colin off the list of \"Hot New British Actors\"... ( For List-Lurkers...that's me, Evelyn from Spring:-) )"}, {"response": 1866, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Oct 13, 1999 (15:15)", "body": "Eileen - Sadly, I don't think I can come. I have two friends coming over to go to some wedding. Depending on what time you're going, I may be able to come over, but otherwise I'll have to keep them entertained. Delight here at the Columbia Econ. Department this morning - one of our colleagues, the Canadian Robert Mundell, has just won the Nobel Prize (who remembers the \"Mundell-Fleming\" model from undergrad. econ.?), the second in four years from Columbia."}, {"response": 1867, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Wed, Oct 13, 1999 (17:12)", "body": "(Bethan) Am so used to complaining about SLOW that am now rendered speechless! LOL, Bethan! Hope you recover your speech in time to give us a full report when you finally see it. (Evelyn) \"Lamenting\" that they left Colin off the list of \"Hot New British Actors\"... Maybe they don't consider CF to be \"new\"? Just curious, who were some of the actors they did list? There was an interesting segment on \"ET\" the other night on celebrity web sites, specifically the ones involving the actor's name (i.e. colinfirth.com). Apparently some of the sites are linked to porn sites and other undesirable places. The show advised any star, no matter how minor, to buy the rights to their own name before it gets taken by someone with dubious motives. Perhaps this will encourage CF or his agent to check out cf.com, if they haven't already:-)"}, {"response": 1868, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Oct 13, 1999 (18:02)", "body": "Hey, Susan...ready for this evening? Talk about Fever Pitch. Unable to get tickets, I am watching in some bar with an old friend from Boston who says he was nearly driven to psychoanalysis after the '86 series, and was depressed for three months. I'm just glad I'll be on hand when the Yanks win tonight."}, {"response": 1869, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 13, 1999 (18:32)", "body": "(Eileen)Maybe they don't consider CF to be \"new\"? Just curious, who were some of the actors they did list? It was the same ole laundry-list: Jeremy Northam, Rupert Everett, Ewen MacGregor, Robert Carlyle, Rufus Sewell...I'll tell ya'...Colin is a \"stealth star\". However, a positive is that they mentioned his own film: \"Colin Firth (MLSF)\". Not just crank out SIL , and TEP."}, {"response": 1870, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Oct 13, 1999 (19:10)", "body": "(Ben)I'm just glad I'll be on hand when the Yanks win tonight. In your dreams, um, the Red Sox may be the underdog, butcha know what? They were in Cleveland too, and we kicked their a$$;) DON'T RULE THEM OUT , they may surprise you! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 1871, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Oct 13, 1999 (19:13)", "body": "Not me, Ev, it was Susan I'm glad you called their error (CF's omission) to their attention! :-) Colin is a \"stealth star\". Hee hee! Remember what he said in the A&E interview, in response to the interviewer's comment about British character actors: \"I know him--what's his name again? \"I'm one of those people!\""}, {"response": 1872, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 13, 1999 (20:31)", "body": "(Eileen)Remember what he said in the A&E interview, in response to the interviewer's comment about British character actors: \"I know him--what's his name again? \"I'm one of those people!\" He is so self-deprecating...couldn't believe so many people had come from the US and all over Europe to see 3 DOR. (Sorry Eileen....I should read the poster's name more carefully.) .."}, {"response": 1873, "author": "SylvanaM", "date": "Wed, Oct 13, 1999 (20:43)", "body": "Exactly so, Eileen. I remember the first time I saw SIL, I remained in my seat to watch all the credits roll, and to sigh to myself \"Ooooh, Colin Firth!\" Imagine my surprise to hear others in the theater saying \"Oh! Colin Firth!\", as if to say \"Of course. So that's who that was.\" They know they have seen him, but cannot place him."}, {"response": 1874, "author": "baine", "date": "Wed, Oct 13, 1999 (21:17)", "body": "Ben, Congratulations on your Nobel Prize. I was at the U of Tx Health Sci Ctr in Dallas when they won three of their Nobels. Isn't it the most exciting thing in the world to be on campus when the news comes out? Maybe we were just rubes down in Tx, but the whole university erupted. Of course I know Nobels are not news at Columbia. Evelyn, Would like to read your letter. Did you put text on drool somewhere perhaps before I started reading it? Or is Movieline an online mag? If not, can you put your letter on this list? Or send me the mag's URL? Very good thinking on your part. Did you tell them we Firthettes are in no humor to give consequence to magazines that slight ODB? Nevah! publish the URL? Thanks."}, {"response": 1875, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Oct 13, 1999 (21:42)", "body": "Yes please Evelyn, I would like to see it too."}, {"response": 1876, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Oct 13, 1999 (21:49)", "body": "(Cymbeline)Ben,Congratulations on your Nobel Prize. May I add mine too, Ben? (Cymbeline)Isn't it the most exciting thing in the world to be on campus when the news comes out? Well, it was exciting to be from the same country when the Literature Nobel was given to a Portuguese writer, and I don't really like him... (Cymbeline)Did you tell them we Firthettes are in no humor to give consequence to magazines that slight ODB? Nevah! Brilliantly put!:-)"}, {"response": 1877, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Oct 14, 1999 (00:34)", "body": "Yes, Evelyn, I want to see your letter too. Such excitement...Bethan, I'm happy for you that you'll be able to see SLOW in your own neighborhood. It's actually stunning to think this film is not dead in the water after all. And a Nobel Prize for Columbia is quite thrilling. Are you sure you can't make it to NJ Saturday, Ben, so Eileen and I can say we met someone who knows someone who won a Nobel Prize? Sylvana, hope you're coming Saturday too. Any others able to make the trek?"}, {"response": 1878, "author": "baine", "date": "Thu, Oct 14, 1999 (00:44)", "body": "Can anyone give me some help with formatting messages. The main thing I'd like to be able to do is quote bits of people's messages in my replies. I've been around the spring help screen but haven't found specific info. I seem to recall reading that there is some tutorial or something somewhere. I did know a bit of HTML but haven't used it in a while and would have to bone up. Can anyone point mein the right direction? Many thanks."}, {"response": 1879, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 14, 1999 (01:17)", "body": "(CymThe main thing I'd like to be able to do is quote bits of people's messages in my replies. Contact our obliging host Karen...she is the best cyber-mentor a fella could hope for. ~~~~~~ (Heide) Yes, Evelyn, I want to see your letter too. Hey, this isn't going to win the Pulitzer...but for all your cheapos who don't want to buy MOVIELINE ('n I don't blame you...it's a rag).... \"FIRST THINGS FIRTH What? You don't include Colin Firth (My Life So Far) in the list of hot British actors (\"Hollywood Ink, Sept.'99)? Ten lashes! He is not only a hunk, but surprise, surprise...he can act too, which is a lot more than some on your list can do.\" This was an email written in a spirit of pure frustration. ~~~~~~~ **Congratulations, Ben***To Columbia,and your Department ...you do our country a great honor!!"}, {"response": 1880, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Oct 14, 1999 (02:01)", "body": "Bee-you-tee-full, Evelyn! Succinct and nicely expressed. Kudos! May I remind The-Powers-That-Be (At least on this board), that we are rapidly approaching the Millenium as far as responses on 119 are concerned. Plan ahead ... Please."}, {"response": 1881, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 14, 1999 (04:05)", "body": "This is an excellent HTML tutorial written by our bud Ann H of austen.com: http://www.spring.net/~anneh/toota.html We use Topic 61 to practice our advanced computer skills, the most of which is closing one's tags! ;-D http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/61/new Depending on when you try things out, there may be people out there who will answer your questions. Big brother/sister are watching you. :-D"}, {"response": 1882, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Oct 14, 1999 (13:05)", "body": "In response to KJ's plea, we seem to only be able to post 1,999 responses on any one topic. (Perhaps on January 1, we'll be able to make it to 2,000.) When we get closer to that magic number, we'll be creating a new topic to continue our Colin contemplation. For newer posters and readers, if you come in the front door, (Jess Clark is leaning in the doorway to welcome you), you'll see the new topic has been created. Probably will be Topic 122. You can still read Topic 119...just won't be able to post past #1,999. I expect we'll be doing this by Sunday."}, {"response": 1883, "author": "baine", "date": "Thu, Oct 14, 1999 (13:13)", "body": "Evelyn, Succinct and to the point. If I knew where to find Movieline I would begin watching for the cover story they are no doubt planning at this moment to make up for their pathetic lapse in cinematic judgment. Does ODB know he has an international lobbying team ever on the alert to keep his name where it belongs--on our lips--yum yum! sigh! Karen, Thanks for the pointers to the HTML tutorials. I shall go try to raise my level of cybersophistication."}, {"response": 1884, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Thu, Oct 14, 1999 (16:13)", "body": "(Ben) I am watching in some bar with an old friend from Boston who says he was nearly driven to psychoanalysis after the '86 series, and was depressed for three months. I can sympathize. That horrible game where the ball went thru Bill Buckner's legs traumatized me so much that I am no longer able to watch Red Sox playoff games... and with good reason, if last night's is any example. Hope you enjoyed it. Great letter, Evelyn! CF definitely should hire you as his publicist:-) Thanks for the tutorial link, Karen. I am determined to master HTML images before the millennium (actually, it may take me a millennium, being that I'm cyberclueless:-)."}, {"response": 1885, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Oct 14, 1999 (17:33)", "body": "and with good reason, if last night's is any example. Hope you enjoyed it. ] They lost due to a bad call. The umpire has already realized the mistake. They were leading 3-0 then were up 3-2. Don't discount them. They played a GREAT Game, it's the sucky umps and cheating yanks that caused last night's loss."}, {"response": 1886, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Oct 14, 1999 (18:48)", "body": "Karen, bless you for the url to Ann H's tutorial,I used to go through RoP but when I tried recently I was directed somewhere else :-("}, {"response": 1887, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Oct 14, 1999 (19:06)", "body": "(Evelyn) \"FIRST THINGS FIRTH What? You don't include Colin Firth (My Life So Far) in the list of hot British actors (\"Hollywood Ink, Sept.'99)? Ten lashes! He is not only a hunk, but surprise, surprise...he can act too, which is a lot more than some on your list can do.\" Ooh, tell it like it is, baby. Is that your heading or Movieline's? I can just see the majority of the readers asking \"My Life So Far? What's that?\" You speak for me. Congratulations on getting your letter printed."}, {"response": 1888, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 14, 1999 (19:51)", "body": "(Heide)Is that your heading or Movieline's? I can just see the majority of the readers asking \"My Life So Far? What's that?\" The heading is Movieline's and so is the MLSF in parens after his name. That's why I was so pleased....this is the first or (firth!) time that they didn't use SIL,or TEP , and actually gave him credit for his own movie. \"One small step towards firthkind...\":-) *** Thanks all for the remarks...am I the only one doing this stupid stuff? Vanity Fair knows me by name!!!They keep running interviews and pictures on all the British actors except ODB. Jennifer was featured in '97 in a stunning photo by Lord Snowdon.I want Annie Leibovitz to do his.... actors"}, {"response": 1889, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Oct 14, 1999 (19:52)", "body": "Such excitement...Bethan, I'm happy for you that you'll be able to see SLOW in your own neighborhood. It's actually stunning to think this film is not dead in the water after all. Thanks Heide! Actually, it's not strictly in my own neigbourhood. We're fortunate to be 30 minutes drive from the National Museum of Film and Photography, which is the only National museum in the UK not based in London. It has a large IMAX screen and an excellent cinema, which has a rolling programme of smaller art house type movies...sometimes showing as many as seven or eight a week. I'd be happier if they could have given me a date for SLOW (you see, I'm already back to complaining mode!!) and I rea ly hope that a \"select release\" just doesn't mean just London and a couple of other venues. But it's out of the vault...and that's g-r-r-eat! BTW I have a theory as to why SLOW is premiering at the Ritzy. There's a large West African/Nigerian community in this area. Most films that premier at festivals have a post-premier party for cast and producer etc. Perhaps Brixton seemed an appropriate setting...and if there is a celebration after the screening, CF could easily get there from the Donmar...might even catch the closing scenes! Well done Evelyn!"}, {"response": 1890, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 14, 1999 (19:58)", "body": "(Bethan)\"select release\" just doesn't mean just London and a couple of other venues. But it's out of the vault...and that's g-r-r-eat! Does this mean that you have given up going to the London Film Festival now that it's going to play \"in your own backyard\"? Or will you surprise us and support Colin....:-)"}, {"response": 1891, "author": "baine", "date": "Thu, Oct 14, 1999 (20:38)", "body": "Pardon a little shift of gears here. I just saw Circle of Friends. Won't put in any spoilers here since there may be one or two other people who still haven't seen it, but you must allow me to tell you how much I admired and loved it. Of course there should have been a *great deal more* screen time for ODB, but I thought he was a stitch, and I'd like to see him do more comedy. He's got a Pythonesque eye for the upper class twit, and I kept thinking Simon Westward was exactly what Mr. Darcy's great-great grandson would have been like. Also power watching with your eyes closed (something only Firthettes can do) brought out that Darcy voice, and there was the little insecure hmmm he also gives in P&P when he's about to make a self-revelatory statement and the hand over the mouth. Altogether delightful. I can see why he'd like to do roles like this and Lord Wessex--more fun than the male ingenue. I think he'd really shine in a *good* screwball comedy which someone recently noted (Ben? on this topic?) is what SIL is. But I'd like to see him star. Perhaps that is what FP is--haven't seen it yet and it looks like being months before I'll be able to."}, {"response": 1892, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Oct 14, 1999 (20:51)", "body": "Cheating Yanks? Or bleating Sox? To be fair, the BoSox players did not attribute the loss to the decision, obviously wrong though it was. They were right - Bernie didn't hit the homer because of the ump. and, I reckon, Mariano is so good he'd've got out of it anyway. My poor Bostonian friend was surrounded by New Yorkers screaming \"nine-teen eight-teen, nine-teen eight-teen!\" Same bar, same people, same drinks tonight. Some New England puritanical masochism thing, I suppose. THANKS FOR THE TUTORIAL! V. well done, and much appreciated. Heide, what's the timing on Sat.? I have two constraints, you see: my guests, and game 3. (And thanks for the thanks for the congrats. re: Mundell. He is fully deserving of it - the guy's a giant of the field. Fascinating man too - did all his great work in his twenties, so had plenty of time to spend painting pictures, being and recovering from being an alcoholic, and getting married a couple of times. Being in the same department is the only link that I - a Lilliputian of the field - have with the great man. And that's about to end too...) On a wholly unrelated note, what happened to those rumours about future Fearthlings, i.e. Signora Firth's pregnancy? No more? Just imagine....generations of drooling for you lot. A hard choice when Firth pere is 57 and Firth fils 18....."}, {"response": 1893, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 14, 1999 (21:13)", "body": "(Bethan) if there is a celebration after the screening, CF could easily get there from the Donmar...might even catch the closing scenes! So does this mean you're going to go? ;-D Actually, the company that bought SLOW is a very small, startup co. Doubt there will be a big bash. Maybe all the KFC you can eat. ;-D Isn't this purty? My poster doesn't have the NY dates plastered across their legs though"}, {"response": 1894, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Oct 14, 1999 (21:23)", "body": "It's purty, alright! But animated Firth is even purtier. Especially in his gray undies..."}, {"response": 1895, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 14, 1999 (21:33)", "body": "Excellent new article about DQ: From bus bust-ups to brio, Donna Franceschild\ufffds updated take on \ufffdDon Quixote\ufffd has it all, says James Rampton All\ufffds fare in love Fare-play with a modern-day Don Quixote and the fun of the fare Battle of the little big horns All the fun of the fare THE caller to the late-night phone-in is in full rant mode. A sort of Victor Meldrew with added attitude, he is incensed about the unreliability of his newly privatised local bus service. He is fulminating at the phone-in guest, the smoothie regional executive of the new bus operator, the Port Clyde-based Windmill Transport. \"I was waiting for my bus to work this morning. It was due at 7:12, but did it turn up at 7:12? Did it hell. It turned up at 7:33. Twenty-one minutes late. I want you to sort out that bus! You\ufffdre the bastard responsible! It\ufffds down to you, isn\ufffdt it? It\ufffds you! It\ufffds you!\" This is the opening scene from Donovan Quick, a new film from BBC Scotland which has just finished shooting in Glasgow and one which may well ring bells with the users of some privatised bus services in Scotland. It certainly chimes with Donovan Quick. Fired-up by the phone-in, he decides to take up the righteous cause of tilting at this windmill by setting up his own one-man bus company. Before you can say \"Cervantes\", Quick\ufffds quick-on-its-feet enterprise is a huge success and a threat to the highly competitive Windmill Transport. Donna Franceschild, the Scottish-based writer of such acclaimed dramas as Takin\ufffd Over the Asylum and Mug\ufffds Game, reckoned that the buses were a good, er, vehicle for her updated version of Don Quixote\ufffds heroic yet ultimately doomed struggle against an invincible enemy. \"I wanted to find a monolithic giant against which Donovan could fight,\" explains Franceschild, sitting on the location catering bus (no, it\ufffds not one of Windmill\ufffds). \"I thought of creating a rapacious, Thatcherite company, and during my research I came across a former miner in Fife who\ufffdd started up a one-man bus operation with his redundancy money and immediately fell foul of a big bus company. It was real David and Goliath stuff.\" Donovan Quick is a story that appeals to our natural love of the underdog. \"In Britain, there\ufffds this wonderful thing about fair play,\" Franceschild continues. \"The idea of someone putting their redundancy money into a one-bus operation that then gets taken over pisses people off. Competition is one thing, but this isn\ufffdt fair. Of course, capitalism isn\ufffdt designed to be fair. Have you played Monopoly?\" So she had Donovan aim his lance at this fearsome rival. \"Windmill Transport, a giant with many arms, is a good target for him to attempt to slay,\" Franceschild says. \"There\ufffds something noble about trying to fight such a massive foe against all the odds but for all the right reasons. I wanted to examine the lack of humanity in that system. I didn\ufffdt want to write about bus deregulation as such, but create a situation where a little guy stands up to capitalism at its most rapacious. Even though he technical y loses, Donovan and his friends are empowered by standing up to the big guy.\" Readers may be sensing similarities in all this with Stagecoach, the powerful, real-life bus company. However, Franceschild is quick to dampen down any comparisons. \"We didn\ufffdt want to single out any one bus company,\" she says. \"At the time of privatisation, there were a lot of big fish swallowing smaller fish.\" On the other hand, there was a time when Brian Souter, Stagecoach\ufffds maverick boss and the nearest thing to Richard Branson in Scottish corporate circles, might have seen himself in the Donovan Quick role. Pilot fish feeding off the leavings of ponderous corporate leviathan one minute, sleek killer whale the next; that\ufffds capitalism for you. Colin Firth is well-cast as the dreamily idealistic Donovan whose mission inspires his landlords, the down-at-heel Pannick family, to better themselves. In one scene, he sits behind the wheel of his bus on his first run from Port Clyde to Canon Bridge and launches into a spirited rallying-cry to his reluctant cohort, a conductor with learning disabilities called Sancho Panza \ufffd sorry, Sandy Pannick (played by David Brown). \"We are about to embark on a great mission, Sandy. A great quest. To fight the might Windmill. And they will try to defeat us. Make no mistake about that, Sandy. And they won\ufffdt care who they hurt. Because there are no people in their equations. Only \ufffdcustomers\ufffd.\" Rousing stuff. Firth is unwinding in a rather fancy Japanese restaurant following a hot afternoon in the central Glasgow studio. Director David Blair, who collaborated with Franceschild on her two previous hits, has been driving him and Brown hard in a scene where they return home defiantly singing \"We Shall Not Be Moved\" after a punishing day battling Windmill buses. When Blair finally says he\ufffds happy after numerous takes, Firth jokily asks: \"Shall we have an end-of-scene party?\" Firth thinks we have all got a touch of the Donovan Qu"}, {"response": 1896, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 14, 1999 (21:55)", "body": "So now we know, he likes sushi! but create a situation where a little guy stands up to capitalism at its most rapacious. Hey, who is she calling a little guy? \ufffdthis guy Quick is a bit of a loser\ufffd But does he lose the girl this time? Nah! \"Like most powerful myths, it\ufffds universal. If there\ufffds anything I'm passionate about or decide to fight, it\ufffds usually a case of Don Quixote \ufffd a pathetically ineffectual human being taking on something which doesn\ufffdt feel the blows at all and which is probably the wrong target anyway. Don Quixote is a marvelous knight and quite an effectual human being. I must disagree with the Firth this time. Maybe we can discuss the film and the book on 98 in the future. :-D (Marcia), It's purty, alright! But animated Firth is even purtier. Especially in his gray undies... Marcia, did I miss something here? Thank you, karen! Great scoop!"}, {"response": 1897, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Oct 14, 1999 (22:11)", "body": "Terrific stuff on DQ! Thanks very much Karen. I have a feeling this could be the pick of the bunch....Donna Franceschild's last collaboration with David Blair (\"Taking over the asylum\") was outstanding and well deserved its BAFTA. Blair, who collaborated with Franceschild on her two previous hits, has been driving him (CF) and Brown hard in a scene where they return home defiantly singing \"We Shall Not Be Moved\" after a punishing day battling Windmill buses. When Blair finally says he\ufffds happy after numerous takes, Firth jokily asks: \"Shall we have an end-of-scene party?\" NIce one! I like the sound of this scene! Actually, the company that bought SLOW is a very small, startup co. (Karen) What's it called? I'm really impressed by the way you manage to track down all this information!"}, {"response": 1898, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 14, 1999 (22:13)", "body": "Why did I know Moon was going to pick up on the Japanese restaurant and sushi? ;-D But, more importantly, we now know he's a party animal!! When Blair finally says he\ufffds happy after numerous takes, Firth jokily asks: \"Shall we have an end-of-scene party?\" What kills me is that they don't see the urgency of getting their DQ in front of the public. Granted Terry Gilliam's isn't even in production yet, but they've known about it since Day One. I wonder if they think it could go theatrical at all since no one is pushing to get it on BBC's schedule during a concrete timeframe. :-("}, {"response": 1899, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Oct 14, 1999 (23:18)", "body": "Thanks for the DQ article Karen, where on earth did you find it, have you been in touch with BBC Scotland. Is it worth writing to the BBC to see if they know when it is to be televised. Bethan, according to The London Film Festival programme the Company that bought SLOW is Optimum Releasing, do you know anything about them.?"}, {"response": 1900, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Oct 14, 1999 (23:33)", "body": "Wonderful article, Karen. Can you tell us where you found it? Wish they could give us a date on this. Perhaps it will coincide with other activities going on in London. this guy Quick is a bit of a loser\ufffd (Moon)But does he lose the girl this time? Nah! I'm afraid it sounds as if he does... \"Donovan is never going to get the girl,\" But we will hear him sing again!... scene where they return home defiantly singing \"We Shall Not Be Moved\" after a punishing day battling Windmill buses Ben, we'll let you know those movie times as soon as we know them. We're on pins and needles here."}, {"response": 1901, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Thu, Oct 14, 1999 (23:35)", "body": "What was the song that Colin was singing in \"Shakespeare in Love\"? I remember he was riding along the road, but I can't remember what it was. As I recall, he's not half bad, either."}, {"response": 1902, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (00:08)", "body": "Karen, could we ask you to include the source/date/title/author etc in your wonderful reports? It would give them that perfect, classy finishing touch... Thanks!"}, {"response": 1903, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (00:09)", "body": "(Moon)So now we know, he likes sushi! He's liked sushi for a long time....from early \"Meg-days\"...UK article recalled grocery man in Vancouver who said they (CF and Meg)often came in to buy fish to make sushi. Thanks Karen."}, {"response": 1904, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (00:15)", "body": "Karen, could we ask you to include the source/date/title/author etc in your wonderful reports? It would give them that perfect, classy finishing touch... Thanks! And blood-type?:-))"}, {"response": 1905, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (00:24)", "body": "this guy Quick is a bit of a loser\ufffd (Moon)But does he lose the girl this time? Nah! (Heide), I'm afraid it sounds as if he does...\"Donovan is never going to get the girl,\" He can't lose her if he never gets her. ;-) Evelyn, you've known Colin likes sushi and you've kept ot from me all this time?! Karen, of course he's a party animal! Would we have so much fun planning his birthday party if this were not the case?"}, {"response": 1906, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (00:50)", "body": "It is here! I will see MLSF tomorrow at the first showing 6pm! Now how will I manage to see it again without offending DH? Any suggestions?"}, {"response": 1907, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (01:17)", "body": "Um, Moon, don't tell him?"}, {"response": 1908, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (04:34)", "body": "Wonderful article, Karen. Thanks for keeping us up on DQ. I wonder if we will ever see it. Maybe A&E will show it."}, {"response": 1909, "author": "ommin", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (05:26)", "body": "Thanks for the article on D.Q. I have been waiting patiently to hear more - and ask my sister-in-law to copy it. I even copied the final of the World Netball Match and sent it to her in the hope if would soon be copied for me!!!!!"}, {"response": 1910, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (13:09)", "body": "Review from the NYT and for those wishing to print: http://www.nytimes.com/library/film/101599pitch-film-review.html 'Fever Pitch': Soccer Fan, But an Unfit Team Player By ANITA GATES Paul Ashworth, a mild-mannered English teacher in London, loves a good soccer game. \"You see all those thousands of faces contorted with fear and hope,\" he explains to his new girlfriend, Sarah Hughes. \"Just for those few minutes you're at the center of the whole world. And the fact that you care so much, the noise you've made has been such a crucial part of it, is what makes it special.\" Not only that, but \"the great thing is that it comes around again and again and again.\" That's just what Sarah is afraid of. Paul (Colin Firth) and Sarah (Ruth Gemmell) are the protagonists of \"Fever Pitch,\" a curious, somewhat awkward film based on Nick Hornby's best-selling memoir of the same name. Proving yet again that just because a first-person analysis of a sociocultural phenomenon is fascinating in print, it should not necessarily be turned into a movie. Hornby's explanations of the psychology and sociology of sports fandom are interesting, but they aren't integrated into the action and emotion of the story. \"Fever Pitch,\" the movie, is a standard-issue love story between two characters with different tastes and personalities. He's too devoted to soccer (when they go house-hunting, he even wants to live near the field), and she's bored by it. He has, in fact, been a fan of a particular London team, Arsenal, since he was a boy (shown in flashbacks to the l te 1960's and early 70's), and that team now has a chance at the championship. Will the team win? Will Paul's obsession drive him and Sarah apart? When the championship game ends and people take to the streets to express their feelings, the filmmakers seem to think they've captured some intense communal experience that moviegoers will feel strongly about. But the fans haven't developed or lost greater moral character. They haven't been tested; the team has. If you don't know the team, and the film keeps its distance from Arsenal, what's to cheer or cry about? \"Fever Pitch\" is at its best when it's analyzing. \"Maybe there's a big bit of you that's gone missing,\" Paul tells Sarah after she has essentially told him to get over his childhood dream about the team's success. \"Maybe everyone should want something they've always wanted.\" But even a 97-minute string of affirmations wouldn't add up to an affecting film. It's A neg ;-D"}, {"response": 1911, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (13:20)", "body": "Um, Moon, don't tell him? Of course, I will not tell him! I need excuses for my absence my DH is very possesive. I dred his reaction tonight when he sees CF in the film, they are not the best of friends. ;-) MLSF opens in two theatres here, one in South Beach and at the art house in Coral Gables. It did not receive a good review from the Miami Herald, The Story of Us received a better one, if you can believe that!!! I quote: \"The excesses stretch and slow the story and come at the expense of developing the most compelling figures, Fraser's father and mother, who until the one dramatic moment could well be the Scottish versions of Ozzie and Harriet . MLSF feels too much like a rose-tinted recollection of a life that never was.\" Give me rose-tinted vision or give me death!"}, {"response": 1912, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (13:20)", "body": "Excellent review from the NY Post. 3-1/2 stars!! This guy is definitely a Hornby fan and knows Colin's work. Note especially that last paragraph. http://www.nypost.com/movies/16092.htm SOCCER ROMANCE IS A REAL KICK By JONATHAN FOREMAN ESSENTIAL viewing for anyone who has to live with a soccer fan or other sports-obsessive, \"Fever Pitch\" is also a contender for the best romantic comedy of the year. It's almost everything you would hope for from an adaptation of a book by the best-selling English novelist Nick Hornby - even though it's based on a memoir rather than on one of his hilarious novels about commitment-phobic young men. A satisfying combination of comedy and social realism, it's never less than smart, dryly funny and playfully observant about gender and parenthood, and the life-enhancing power of trivia. Paul (Colin Firth), a teacher in his mid-30s, has been obsessed with soccer in general - and the Arsenal team in particular - since he was a boy. It's an obsession that has kept him young and helps him bond with his students and colleagues. But Arsenal's disappointing record over the years has made him a confirmed pessimist. (As he asks at one point, \"Is life s--- because Arsenal is s---, or is it the other way 'round?\") But when Paul hooks up with his single-minded colleague Sarah (Ruth Gemmell), his soccer obsession ensures that their relationship will be a stormy one at best. Sarah makes a successful effort to understand the game and its appeal. But when Arsenal, for the first time in 18 years, has a chance to win the league championship, Paul just doesn't have the time or energy to balance his two loves. Here Firth takes a break from upper-class roles (he played cuckolded husbands in both \"The English Patient\" and \"Shakespeare in Love,\" and was a celebrated Darcy in the TV version of \"Pride and Prejudice\"). He shows himself to be a fine comic actor with a flair for the deadpan. Theater actress Ruth Gemmell is delightful in her first film role. Vastly superior to the small and independent films that have come out during the last six months, this movie deserves a wider release than it's going to get."}, {"response": 1913, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (13:29)", "body": "Another 3-1/2 star review from the NY Daily News. Says Colin is \"brilliant\"!! http://www.nydailynews.com/1999-10-15/new_york_now/Movies/a-43815.asp 'Fever': It's a Fan's World By JACK MATHEWS Daily News Movie Critic FEVER PITCH. With Colin Firth, Ruth Gemmell, Mark Strong, Neil Peason. Directed by David Evans. Running time: 97 mins. Unrated: Some profanity, adult themes. Male sports nuts looking for support and women trying to understand them may both find satisfaction \ufffd or at least a lot of laughs \ufffd in British director David Evans' \"Fever Pitch,\" a sweetly hilarious romantic comedy about a soccer fan whose favorite pro team's unexpected success threatens to push him over the edge. Colin Firth (most recently seen as Lord Wessex in \"Shakespeare in Love\") stars as a middle-school literature teacher hapless against an obsession that began when, as a young boy, he bonded with his divorced father by spending custody visits at soccer matches. By the time he's an adult, Paul's devotion to team Arsenal is a blend of blind faith and masochism, and when Arsenal has its first shot at a championship in two decades, he's on the verge of losing his job, his pregnant girlfriend Sarah (Ruth Gemmell) and his very sanity. Firth is brilliant as the quintessential superfan, walking Paul along the narrow line separating the thrill of victory from the agony of defeat. Paul is an intelligent, popular charmer brought low by the same passion that turns sports bars into weeping walls in losing cities everywhere, and he is both pathetic and more lovable because of it. The story ultimately hangs on Paul's tenuous grip on his priorities, and on girlfriend Sarah's willingness to see his addiction as something other than a heartless rival. It's comic material that easily could sink into sentimentality, and first-time director Evans shows a mature, steady hand in preventing that from happening. I'm not sure it's a good idea to release the movie when the Mets and Yankees are both in the playoffs; who's going to go? But if it's still around afterward, it's a winner."}, {"response": 1914, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (13:34)", "body": "Moon, honey....you've got a problem...1-800-annlanders. ~~~~~~~ Thanks Karen. More people that will go to see that film read the NY Post than the NY Times.I agree with bits of both reviews. Best part. He shows himself to be a fine comic actor with a flair for the deadpan."}, {"response": 1915, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (13:47)", "body": "Moon, honey....you've got a problem...1-800-annlanders. Huh? I was always dialing 1-800-CF-Drool."}, {"response": 1916, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (14:03)", "body": "This I like - Vastly superior to the small and independent films that have come out during the last six months, this movie deserves a wider release than it's going to get. Cymbeline, I meant to tell you yesterday that I loved your assessment of Colin's role in Circle of Friends. So astute of you to define it as a comedic role. Thinking of it that way, I think I appreciate Simon a bit more."}, {"response": 1917, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (14:12)", "body": "Huh? I was always dialing 1-800-CF-Drool. (Moon) Is that the one I see advertised on late night cable? So that's Colin. Well I never. My fingers, by contrast, tend to tap out 1-800-Hot-Ehle almost in my sleep."}, {"response": 1918, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (14:23)", "body": "LOL, Ben! We are in good company, are we not? The bad news. We are under a hurricane watch and are getting soaked, it will be very difficult to get a babysitter for tonight. :-("}, {"response": 1919, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (14:24)", "body": "Moon, how does DH feel about alien abductions? And there must be a post-Columbus Day sale going on somewhere! ;-D"}, {"response": 1920, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (14:30)", "body": "I am a big catalog buyer, hate going to the malls. Thanks Karen and keep thinking."}, {"response": 1921, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (14:55)", "body": "Moon, why didn't you tell us? MLSF is playing at 4 theaters in the Miami area! - Astor Art Cinema/Coral Gables - Fox Sunrise At Pine Plaza/Sunrise - Regal Shadowood 16/Boca Raton - Regal South Beach 18/Miami Beach"}, {"response": 1922, "author": "Xian", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (15:13)", "body": "(Moon) Evelyn, you've known Colin likes sushi and you've kept ot from me all this time?! That's why ODB did not come to his birthday party here, NO SUSHI? (Moon) Now how will I manage to see it again without offending DH? Any suggestions? The best way is, find a (female) firend to invite you to go with her. (Evelyn) Best part. He shows himself to be a fine comic actor with a flair for the deadpan. I always vision him to be a great comic actor! He has a great sense of humour excessive talent of acting. Karen, Fever Pitch will be a limited release in US, do you know how many cities will show if it will. I read your post on RoP, it only mentioned (might be) LA and SF depends on the reaction of it after showing in NY."}, {"response": 1923, "author": "Xian", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (15:15)", "body": "Sorry, forget to close the tag."}, {"response": 1924, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (15:20)", "body": "Good News Ben....I just called the Donmar...TRT is slated for West End \"early January\" and then on to BROADWAY....\"right in your own back yard\":-) (Hey, no more #72 for me on \"Jennifer News\"..after all the baseball discussion recently on this board:-) At least JE is \"one degree....\")"}, {"response": 1925, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (16:09)", "body": "Evelyn...you go girl! surprise, surprise...he can act too, which is a lot more than some on your list can do Thanks for the Don Q article, Karen. *Thinking positive* perhaps there isn't a broadcast date yet because it hasn't been decided if it will be released as a film. Didn't like this line, though You could never make this in the States \ufffd they\ufffdd say, \ufffdthis guy Quick is a bit of a loser\ufffd *slap* Firth jokily asks: \"Shall we have an end-of-scene party?\" Gawd, I love his sense of humor. Read the NY Times yukky review of FP this morning. It doesn't read any better in hard copy :-P Vastly prefer the Post or the Daily News. I'm not sure it's a good idea to release the movie when the Mets and Yankees are both in the playoffs; who's going to go? But if it's still around afterward, it's a winner. Psssst! Go to a matinee!"}, {"response": 1926, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (16:48)", "body": "You could never make this in the States \ufffd they\ufffdd say, \ufffdthis guy Quick is a bit of a loser\ufffd I was going to say that I only have two words in answer for this: American Beauty...but there are so many \"losers\" who are the protagonists of American drama and lit. Death of a Salesman leaps to mind, winning on Broadway, etc."}, {"response": 1927, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (17:43)", "body": "Karen, the writer's remark about making DQ in the States was gratuitous and over-generalised, of course. There is a pervasive anti-Americanism amongst the Left in England that I find rather ugly. (Equally narrow-minded is her suggestion that scepticism about politicians has been uniquely caused by her perceived failure of the Blair project.) However, behind all that there is a fair point to be made somewhere. Would the show get made on T.V., for example? And, more generally, are not many of the great Amer can works about the plight of failure (something DQ is not really about - there is no angst in the man), and drawn precisely because they contrast with a pervasive emphasis on the necessity of winning, in some sense? I went to Death of a Salesman recently (FANTASTIC production on Broadway) and the programme published a short interview with Arthur Miller. Here he is on the American Dream: \"The American Dream is the largely unacknowledged screen in front of which all American writing plays itself out - the screen of the perfectibility of man. Whoever is writing in the United States is using the American Dream as an ironical pole of his story. Early on we all drink up certain claims to self-perfection that are absent in a large part of the world. People elsewhere tend to accept, to a far greater degree anyway, that the conditions of life are hostile to man\ufffds pretensions. The American idea is different in the sense that we think that if we could only touch it, and live by it, there\ufffds a natural order in favor of us; and that the object of a good life is to get connected with that live and abundant order. And this forms a context of irony for the kind of stories we generally tell each other. After all, the stories of most significant literary works are of one or another kind of failure. And it's a failure in relation to that screen, that backdrop. I think it pervades American writing, including y own. It\ufffds there in The Crucible, in All My Sons, in After the Fall - an aspiration to an innocence that when defeated or frustrated can turn quite murderous, and we don't know what to do with this perversity; it never seems to \"fit\" us\" Something else is weird about that article, though. I was at school with the bloke who wrote it, James Rampton. Known him since I was 7. Did it come from the Independent, by any chance? Moon, sorry to hear about the rain. You poor things. I know it's of no help to know that it's another beautifully clear and crisp autumn day here in Gotham, but I thought I'd tell you anyway. We had our rain last month, courtesy of hurricane Firth, whatever it was called."}, {"response": 1928, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (17:46)", "body": "MLSF was reviewed in the Tampa Tribune this morning. He only gave it 21/2 stars which is hard to understand, because when I read the article it sounds like he really liked it. \"The main characters of course are Frazer's family. His father leads the wacky pack. Colin Firth (The English Patien, Shakespeare In Love) gives a commanding performance as Edward Pettigrew, a man of many contradictions. Edward is educated, but he likes to communicate with his young son by barking like a dog. He's a devout Christian, but he's hopelessly attracted to Heloise (Irene Jacob), the 24 year betrothed to Morris, his millionaire brother in law.. This is just a part of it, If I had a scanner I would send it all but alas I do not. The most important part it here though. He like Colin."}, {"response": 1929, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (18:02)", "body": "Karen, are you going to enter your report on DQ in your site."}, {"response": 1930, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (18:09)", "body": "So is MLSF also showing in Tampa, Lucie? I guess Florida has all the prints. Karen, Boca Raton and Sunrise are not so close to Miami. If only the Astor had early showings it would be easier for me, in the evening, it becomes more difficult to leave my castle. ;-) (Ben), Moon, sorry to hear about the rain. You poor things. I know it's of no help to know that it's another beautifully clear and crisp autumn day here in Gotham I grew up in NY and am very jealous! The autumn is my favourite season. I do not mind the rain, but I want the cold weather with it. In Dec. we have been known to put the air-conditioner on max so as to enjoy our fireplace, very decadent, I know.:-)"}, {"response": 1931, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (18:14)", "body": "MLSf is at the Tampa theater, Moon. We are sitting here waiting for the worst of Irene as it sounds like it is to pas ove central Fl. tonight."}, {"response": 1932, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (18:17)", "body": "I forgot to mention that we lost a huge tree, just toppled over. It is doing a major prunning job on the oaks too. :-( The eye of the hurricane will pass very closely tonight, so no MLSF for me yet!"}, {"response": 1933, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (19:31)", "body": "Moon, are you still above water? I noted how bad it is down there in Miami, and I am worried about you...and your trip to MLSF...*sigh*"}, {"response": 1934, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (19:32)", "body": "Take care Dear!!! Batten down (as though you have not done so already...!)"}, {"response": 1935, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (20:16)", "body": "Ben...I don't like Arthur Miller...no matter how many Pulitzer's he has won. the guy is depressing and I don't think his view of the American Dream is all that accurate IMO.Though it has brought him fame and fortune. I do know that we have the world's best optimism and enthusiasm ... the\"can do\" attitude which has brought us to where we are today.Probably a mixture of the pioneer spirit in the west (which I see where I live) and the immigrant background (which is my ancestry). If the English left don't like us...it's their loss..And actually, I don't think they like anybody. A bunch of whiners....a lot of them on the dole. (Do I sound like Margaret Thatcher , or what?)"}, {"response": 1936, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (21:17)", "body": "(Lucie) are you going to enter your report on DQ in your site. My site? Aren't we here? ;-D"}, {"response": 1937, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (22:36)", "body": "I thought you had a site that can be accessed on 3 deers."}, {"response": 1938, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 16, 1999 (03:33)", "body": "Lucie: I'm flattered, but that was just a page I put together for MLSF. :-)"}, {"response": 1939, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Oct 16, 1999 (04:34)", "body": "Oh. I thought that you might put more info on it."}, {"response": 1940, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Oct 16, 1999 (08:59)", "body": "Right you are, Lucie. Karen, I always hoped you would use your \"window\" on cf.com for an own page, where your finds get a home after you have posted them on Spring."}, {"response": 1941, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Oct 16, 1999 (12:31)", "body": "(Evelyn) A bunch of whiners....a lot of them on the dole. Politics (or the American Dream for that matter) is a tender thing to discuss here, we might end up in each other\ufffds hair, Margaret!! :-)) Just want to say that because of believing firmly in social democracy and having seen that it has brought prosperity to all social classes in the Nothern Europe, I\ufffdve always loved Colin\ufffds attitudes what comes to money, society and social issues. He looks like a wonderful realist to me."}, {"response": 1942, "author": "baine", "date": "Sat, Oct 16, 1999 (13:07)", "body": "Elena - I had an idea from the few things I've read that Colin's attitudes about money, society, and social issues might be enlightened. But what exactly are they--or more to the point where did you find out about them? I know a little about his interest in the asylum issue and that he lived in Nigeria, the US, and Canada at various times, but little else. I agree that discussions of political issues are not appropriate while we're drooling, but I'd like the info for myself. Thanks"}, {"response": 1943, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 16, 1999 (14:33)", "body": "Have fun everyone who is going to see Fever Pitch today. *enormously jealous and pouting*"}, {"response": 1944, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Oct 16, 1999 (14:38)", "body": "Karen, Enjoy. Spoiler: I laughed so much at the scene in the restuarant when he is trying to convince her that he is adult enough to be a father. Then he's fooling around with the napkin and sets it on fire in the candle. After the waiter stomps it out, he grins and says, \"It's a one time thing.\""}, {"response": 1945, "author": "baine", "date": "Sat, Oct 16, 1999 (14:59)", "body": "OK, Fever Pitchers, we're eating our hearts out here. Have a great time and tell us all!"}, {"response": 1946, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Oct 16, 1999 (15:38)", "body": "where did you find out about them? Cymbeline, I\ufffdve collected my idea about his attitudes from a hundred sources in bits and pieces. I\ufffdm sure you have read the same articles.......and I really would like know what his political views are precisely but I suppose that is something that he won\ufffdt analyze in interviews, wouldn\ufffdt be wise. When I referred to his social awareness I was thinking about many many different things, like Tommy Judd, little quotes here and there like \"I don\ufffdt have great ambitions to be rich\" , and especially the Guardian interview last February where he talked about the refugee problems. I\ufffdm just assuming that if a highly privileged person like him takes an interest in a cause like that, he must have a great sense of personal responsibility for things happening in the society."}, {"response": 1947, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 16, 1999 (16:58)", "body": "(Renate)Right you are, Lucie. Karen, I always hoped you would use your \"window\" on cf.com for an own page, where your finds get a home after you have posted them on Spring. Yessssss . KAREN'S KORNER....Or....KAREN'S KLATCH"}, {"response": 1948, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 16, 1999 (17:10)", "body": "(Elena)Politics (or the American Dream for that matter) is a tender thing to discuss here, we might end up in each other\ufffds hair, Margaret!! :-)) Hi Elena.....I'm glad something brought you out of the wood work.:-) (Cymbeline)I agree that discussions of political issues are not appropriate while we're drooling, but I'd like the info for myself. Thanks Agree....was only responding to Arthur Miller....hey...let's go back to baseball:-) ~~~~ Let's see now: KELPIE KAREN....any other suggestions?"}, {"response": 1949, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Oct 16, 1999 (17:22)", "body": "I'm glad something brought you out of the wood work Well you knew just how to make that happen! :-) Just mention Margaret T. and I\ufffdll *scream*."}, {"response": 1950, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 16, 1999 (18:43)", "body": "(Elena)I'm glad something brought you out of the wood work:-) (Elena)Well you knew just how to make that happen! :-) Just mention Margaret T. and I\ufffdll *scream*. Elena, that's known as \"pulling your chain\"/\"pushing the right button\". All in great fun:-)"}, {"response": 1951, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct 16, 1999 (19:40)", "body": "I have survived another hurricane! I will try my luck with MLSF tonight. I am letting all the Gods know not to rain on my parade. In baseball jargon, I am avoiding the third strike. ;-) Thank you Marcia, Evelyn and Eileen for your kind words. :-D"}, {"response": 1952, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 16, 1999 (20:16)", "body": "In baseball jargon, I am avoiding the third strike. ;-) In real baseball jargon, you're protecting the plate. ;-D (hee hee!! these soccer people, what do they know!)"}, {"response": 1953, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct 16, 1999 (20:26)", "body": "How true, Karen! :-) BTW, the film discussion section on CF.Com looks great! I was just going over our Valmont discussion, Wow! Thank you Karen!"}, {"response": 1954, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Oct 16, 1999 (21:33)", "body": "\"pulling your chain\"/\"pushing the right button\" How about \"rattling your cage\"?"}, {"response": 1955, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Oct 16, 1999 (21:59)", "body": "Here's the latest Fever Pitch promotion page: http://www.firth.com/fp/fp.htm ....and here's a surprise: bad picture quality, but better than nothing! http://www.firth.com/rv/rv.htm"}, {"response": 1956, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 16, 1999 (22:33)", "body": "How about \"rattling your cage\"? Yeah....same vein,but I never use it. Sounds intimidating and \"Sticking pins\" has a mean aura about it.(Like, ouch) ~~~~~~ Renate/Arami...Thank you both.Great photos of Peter . Yummy handsome. And get a load of that head of hair!!!"}, {"response": 1957, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Oct 16, 1999 (22:40)", "body": "Congrats on all your efforts on promoting FP and on linking to the very positive NY Post/News reviews. Apparently the Internet was largely responsible for turning the Blair Witch Report into a massive hit (mind you, they were promoting it for nearly a year!), so let's hope there's some impact on FP audiences! The latest Flashman book has garnered rave reviews...\" a fictional character who now rivals Sherlock Holmes\". Flashman is definitely a good career move...I'm going to believe in this one as much as I believed in SLOW! On Colin's politics/social values...as Evelyn says, the clues are all there in his various interviews. Unlike many actors, he doesn't seem motivated by money, and does seem to have a genuine social conscience. I think he's very much a product of his background. The US seems to be in the grip of eathquakes and hurricanes...I hope you're all in thhe right place at the right time!"}, {"response": 1958, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Oct 16, 1999 (23:43)", "body": "(Moon) I have survived another hurricane! ...and I just survived another earthquake! A 7 point something very early this morning... The epicenter was out in the Mojave Desert, so we didn't feel too much out here in LA. About three beers the night before also numbed the senses a bit."}, {"response": 1959, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (00:20)", "body": "Great photos Renate and Arami! Thanks! By the way, did you realise why he's looking slightly edgy and disapproving in the dinner table close-up shot? If you look down the dinner table, you can see that Miranda (the starlet) is talking (probably about her imaginary impoverished past) and Moxie is reacting to the conversation by flinging down the serving spoons. CF, as Peter, is anxious incase Moxie gives herself away. It's all there on his face...mini acting class!"}, {"response": 1960, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (00:57)", "body": "Terrific to see Peter! So snazzy in his dinner clothes. Thanks, girls, for getting this up so quickly. (Evelyn) KELPIE KAREN. Excuse me? LOL!! What does that mean? Good idea though, Evelyn. Another challenge for Karen. Moon! I haven't checked 121 yet to see if you made it. You're having terrible luck getting to see this movie. I hope you were successful today. Eileen is a gas, ladies. We had a lovely time at the theater and boy am I glad we went. We met up with five ladies from the List, including Murph, who were as excited as we were to be there. There were 11 people in total in the theater. Not too deadly and if this is any indication, I don't give it too much hope for making the rounds in the rest of the US. What do you think Eileen? Small screen, 2/3 through the film, the contrast went darker. Eileen and I were afraid we wouldn't be able to see anything when it got to the nighttime celebration scene but it lightened up again before that. Sound could have been louder too. FP is my second favorite film. I love Colin in this and have watched my poor PAL-converted video so often it's blurring. The colors in the film are so much better. Colin's hair and eyebrows were not nearly as orange-y looking. Pronounced heavy stubble...yummy, I loved it. Ruth Gemmell's got freckles galore over her cheeks and back. Is that earring hole in Colin's left ear? If so, I finally noticed it. Two men in the theatre who both laughed often - one quite loudly. I tried to watch it as objectively as I could. I'm afraid so much of the dialogue will be lost (especially at that sound level). American viewers won't understand the red Arsenal uniforms one game, the yellow/blue the next. It feels kind of patchy in the beginning before the story really gets going. I don't think people are going to really know what this film is going to be about until Paul picks up Sarah after Parent's Night and he's ursing at the radio. But then it seems to flow more smoothly and can pick up the interest of the casual movie goer. I hope. I'm so glad I live close enough to New York to be able to see it. I have half a mind to go again next week. (Yes, I have half a mind, we can all agree on that.)"}, {"response": 1961, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (03:17)", "body": "(Moon) film discussion section on CF.Com looks great! Kirsten's responsible for the look; she did the layout and coding. I just edited the discussions. Great pages promoting FP, Renate. Phaedra should do something nice for all the webmistresses. Love the Relative Values pics, Arami and Renate. Am curious as to the \"crude\" method of capture. Did you photograph the television screen by any chance? ;-D If so, seems to have worked! Do love Colin in the tux, looking far better than that Geoffrey chap, and it definitely fits better than his BAFTA tux of a few years ago!! Good to hear that both Moon and Winter have survived Mother Nature's best. A little numb, were we? huh? ;-D (Evelyn) KELPIE KAREN Oh puhleez!! I was thinking more along the lines of \"My Drool Bucket Runneth Over\" Will need to assemble a focus group to discuss. ;-D Sounds like the FP in NJ outing was wonderful, Heide and Eileen. Will be anxiously watching for the box office results and hope that the other theaters pulled in a few more people. Whatsamatta with those people? Didn't they read the great reviews?"}, {"response": 1962, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (11:28)", "body": "Phaedra should do something nice for all the webmistresses. Yes, but do Phaedra people realize that? ;-) \"My Drool Bucket Runneth Over\" LOL! If only it weren't on a \"very serious public fan page indeed\" (and we hope to - maybe (oh, I hate split infinitives) - impress HIM eventually, don't we?), I'd say: go to it... as it is, we'd better keep these jokes to these boards, guys... ;-)"}, {"response": 1963, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (12:07)", "body": "Heide, I\ufffdm so glad that you finally had a chance to see FP in a theater! Did it change your idea about the film? To me it looked really much much better than the video. Sad how little audience it seems to be getting over there, it really deserves more, it\ufffds a lovely little movie. Yes, I think he has his ear pierced. It has always somehow intrigued me, not because I\ufffdd like him to wear an earring (NO!) but because it makes me imagine what he was like by the time he had it pierced, probably in his hippy teens!"}, {"response": 1964, "author": "baine", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (12:55)", "body": "Possibly the ear was done for SIL. He wears a lovely pearl drop throughout. Or maybe they just took advantage of what was already there."}, {"response": 1965, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (14:49)", "body": "Others have noted the earring hole before but I never have until I saw FP on the big screen. For those who have seen it, is it not the left ear? Maybe that was a real pierced earring in SIL?! ;-) Elena, the only film I love more than Fever Pitch is P&P so seeing it on a big screen did not change that fact at all. I love it just as well."}, {"response": 1966, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (16:03)", "body": "Donovan Quick was screened on October 12th at the Cork Film Festival. This review from the October 15 Irish Times discusses several other films, so here are the relevant portions: QUIXOTE AMONGST THE STREET KIDS European cinema's current passion for portraits of petty crime and casual violence among disaffected urban teenagers has reached Cork Film Festival. Hugh Linehan found himself rooting, instead, for a quirky Scottish drama Both From the Edge of the City and Schpaaa go to some pains to emphasise their modernity, extensively featuring hip-hop and dance music on their soundtracks. In contrast, the BBC Scotland production, Donovan Quick, ignores such contemporary trappings. It's often been a valid criticism of British (and Irish) films that they avoid the modern world, even when they're supposedly addressing it, and the last year has seen a rash of bland, anachronistic Full Monty-lookalikes to reinforce the point, but David Bl ir's quirky, likeable film is too individual and unusual to be lumped in with the rest of that crop. As the title hints, this is a modern-day Quixotic tale, which pits the little man against the overweening forces of authority. Colin Firth plays the eponymous, mysterious hero who shows up as the new lodger on the doorstep of the Pannick family, led by alcoholic Lucy (Katy Murphy), and including her learning-disabled brother (David Brown, who is himself learning-disabled, giving a terrific performance). To the Pannicks' bemusement, they find themselves caught up in Firth's crusade against the ruthless cor oration which runs the local public transport system, and Murphy's cynicism is challenged by his idealistic \"madness\". Donovan Quick is the kind of film which, in the wrong hands, could have ended up as the most awful sort of sentimental mush, but the screenplay (by Donna Franceschild, who wrote the recent adaptation of Robert MacLiam Wilson's Eureka Street for the BBC) and direction are too intelligent for that. Blair was responsible for the under-rated TV drama, Vicious Circle, based, like The General, on the life of Dublin gangster Martin Cahill, and here he convincingly creates a cast of highly believable, sympathetic characters who you find yourself really rooting for."}, {"response": 1967, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (17:12)", "body": "Ok...how's about \"Scooper-o Karen\":-D Thanks for the DQ item.... (Have you subscribed to a clipping service?):-) **** Glad the FP crowd had such a blast...(any Spring get-together is!!)"}, {"response": 1968, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (17:49)", "body": "Karen you're fast becoming one of my favourite people... ;-) Re: an earlier question: Colin has both ears pierced. He's quoted as saying so himself in at least one interview (for those who cannot get close enough to his aural apparatus). On the stage as Chatsky in 1993 he wore an earring in his right ear. He was also photographed posing \"privately\" (i.e. not for a production) with an earring in situ , which seems a rarity: the photo was published in the early 1990's, in an American publication, as I believe. (Additions/corrections are always welcome! :-))"}, {"response": 1969, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (17:51)", "body": "Ooops! Sorry - Forgot a , ..."}, {"response": 1970, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (18:32)", "body": "Thanks for the DQ news, Karen, does this mean that it is to get a cinematic release, hope thats the right word, only I was going to write to the BBC tomorrow to enquire if they knew when it would be on our TV screens, is it still worth it Karen. You really are a marvel how you find out these things, thankyou very much indeed. Personally I would prefer to see it on TV as it is more instant, no waiting for a Distributor and one can set the recorder going!!"}, {"response": 1971, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (20:21)", "body": "Karen, you're a regular Sherlock Holmes! How do you find all this info? I think BBC Scotland must be looking for a theatrical release for DQ...especially as its co-produced by Pandora Cinema who co-produced \"Shine\". There's a site for the Cork Film Fest at http://www.corkfilmfest.org - over 300 films shown, incuding many from the US. Quite an important festival. Good to read another warm review (as there was for SLOW). CF seems to be picking winners, but, major \"but\", it is so difficult for these kind of likeable, warm, intelligent films to reach a large audience. Like Ann, I would prefer to see DQ on television....where it could be seen and enjoyed by an audience of 10 million! And no promotion or marketing necessary (just a large pic on the front cover of the TV/Radio Times). Marketing is the British film industry's main weakness....we don't do it. Great to hear that JE will be hitting the West End and Broadway (a Tony perhaps?). I'm always pleased to hear of news of JE, Evelyn! I think she's very wise to establish herself in the theatre....this is certainly the way to guarantee a long career in the UK. \"Actresses\" like Catherine ZJ very rapidly become yesterday's news!"}, {"response": 1972, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (20:21)", "body": "Great publicity for DQ recently. Can't imagine this one will be a disappointment unless we don't see it! I'm wondering if this is television-bound and like Ann, I hope it is if only for the surety that we will see it - PAL converted video though it may be for some. Thanks for the pierced ear answer, Arami. I can only guess he changed his mind at one point - hence holes in both ears. The big pearldrop didn't do a thing for me but I've always been partial to little studs. And I shall go no further."}, {"response": 1973, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (22:08)", "body": "Thanks Renate and three deers for those pictures! of the Springfolks aka Firthettes ;-) We are finally coming out of the closet I see. To be the firthettes in cf.com is special indeed! I am surprised at his having two ears pierced. What came over him? Heide, I am so happy you got to see Paul in the big screen. I am totally smitten by Edward in MLSF. And the clothes fit him so well! Winter, watch the aftershocks. My dear Sherlock Karen, thank you!"}, {"response": 1974, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (22:29)", "body": "Heide, in which scene/shot in FP could you see his ear was pierced? Ann, I do think BBC Scotland (using Pandora) is striving for a theatrical release for DQ. As I said, the article talked about a number of films (none of which I've ever heard of), but DQ was the standout in the reviewer's opinion."}, {"response": 1975, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (23:06)", "body": "Doesn't the actor receive more residuals($$$) from a movie then a TV production.? I know when a movie is shown on TV (cable) they receive extra$$$. As when a TV production is reshown. We've got all those mortgages and school fees, you know...."}, {"response": 1976, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (23:35)", "body": "I can't remember which scene I saw the pierced ear! I was going to lean over to ask Eileen if she saw it but the scene changed too quickly. Check out the restaurant scene, the outdoor pub scene when Paul stuns Steve with his new outlook on life, and when he's watching everyone walk away after his school team loses their match. Colin Firth topic can now continue on newly created Topic 123. You can still post here for now until I freeze this one in a couple of days."}, {"response": 1977, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (00:17)", "body": "I've always been partial to little studs Well, I wouldn't exactly call him little... ;-P I am surprised at his having two ears pierced. What came over him? Youthful rebellion, apparently. In his own words: \"I was scruffy, I was cocky and I was trouble...\" (quoted in the Another Country press release, 1984)"}, {"response": 1978, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (15:09)", "body": "Don't know which was more fun--seeing FP (less than 30 min. from home, how 'bout that?) or finally meeting one of our gracious hostesses. It was nice to see Murph and other local FoF's, too. I'll post more thoughts on the new CF topic :-)"}, {"response": 1979, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Oct 21, 1999 (13:40)", "body": "Pierced ears? I run to my album to check the Donmar pics... can't be sure. His right ear is well displayed in many, and in some I can almost see a puncture, but is it not a figment of my imagination? But, if you informed ladies say it is true...;-) BTW, I sent the Borges tape to Renate and Moon. Moon thinks the voice is Colin's, Renate doesn't. I say, somebody must ask the man himself in London ;-)"}, {"response": 1980, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 21, 1999 (17:10)", "body": "The way he pronounces the R's is different, but he is reading and the textured voice resonates."}, {"response": 1981, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 21, 1999 (21:27)", "body": "Ann...add that to the list of things to ask him. 1. Flashman?(Forget BJD...someone asked him that in March....he doesn't like to answer that question.) 2.The Jorge Luis Borges poems on video? 3. Is Peter gay? 4. Did Edward rape Heloise? (OK, OK, never mind 3 & 4)"}, {"response": 1982, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 22, 1999 (14:51)", "body": "Correction: There is a US company acting as sales agent for SLOW, which doesn't mean it will be shown here. Sorry, if I've gotten anyone's hopes up. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 12, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 120, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 121, "subject": "My Life So Far SPOILERS!!!", "response_count": 376, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 1999 (08:34)", "body": "OK, I'll start. (I've never gotten to be post #1 before!) I saw the film today and liked many things about it. There were a few things I didn't care for, at least on the first viewing. Maybe they'll grow on me after a second time, but here are some of the things I wish had been different. I knew CF's character had some unlikeable traits, but I didn't realize he was quite such a loon. I found myself cringing at him being the butt of many people's jokes. Also, he was so cruel to poor MEM in the scene at the wake. Bottom line, Edward was a bit hard to drool over. Also, I know the disjointed nature was supposed to be because we were looking through the eyes of a child, but one of my pet peeves is movies that have story threads that don't go anywhere. What the heck was the hairy man all about? And what was the purpose of the Flyer who had about two minutes of screen time? I would have liked to have these sub-stories either more developed or deleted. Edward's infatuation with Heloise seemed to happen so quickly, and I really didn't feel the character foundation was there yet when Edward performed his act of physical aggressiveness towards her. I guess it was supposed to be love at almost first sight, but somehow I couldn't believe it. And I could kill the reviewer that said Gamma was going to die in his review. Talk about a spoiler! I would rather not have known that going in. I have only posted the things that irritated me and there were many more things I loved which will have to wait for another post. I'll shut up and let someone else talk now :-)."}, {"response": 2, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 1999 (14:17)", "body": "Jana, I swear I didn't even read your post though I've read so many spoilers from other sources already there may not be a single suprise left for me anyway. But I wanted to thank you for being #1! Hope others will join you here soon."}, {"response": 3, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 1999 (14:53)", "body": "What the heck was the hairy man all about? And what was the purpose of the Flyer who had about two minutes of screen time? I would have liked to have these sub-stories either more developed or deleted. I totally agree with you here, Jana. The hairy man had me completely bewildered; I assumed there was some kind of symbolism I was missing (maybe he represets wildness, like jazz, as opposed to order, like Edward's beloved Beethoven?). Edward's infatuation with Heloise seemed to happen so quickly, and I really didn't feel the character foundation was there yet when Edward performed his act of physical aggressiveness towards her. Re: the infatuation, it seemed to me like it was a case of being attracted to what's different from you... I'm not explaining that very clearly, but sort of the idea of being attracted to your opposite. The fact that she \"belonged\" to Morris probably made her immediately attractive as well... wanting what you can't have. One of the reviews mentioned Edward \"raping\" Irene. Did I miss something? I can't seem to recall anything like that. It's true that my mind was rather distracted during the screening, however. Was the reviewer all wet, or did this really happen?"}, {"response": 4, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 1999 (15:14)", "body": "One of the reviews mentioned Edward \"raping\" Irene. I'm really not reading this *until* I see the movie, but not just one reviewer has mentioned this. Am going to pay very close attention to that hayloft scene and afterward."}, {"response": 5, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 1999 (16:10)", "body": "I'll be interested in what everyone's opinion is of the hayloft scene. All I seem to recall is an attempted kiss, but no actual \"carnal knowledge.\" It seemed to me that Edward just implied to Morris that things had gone further than that, in order to make him doubt his wife-to-be. If there really was a rape scene, I must have been taking a trip to the loo when it happened;-) I knew CF's character had some unlikeable traits, but I didn't realize he was quite such a loon. I found myself cringing at him being the butt of many people's jokes. Also, he was so cruel to poor MEM in the scene at the wake. Bottom line, Edward was a bit hard to drool over. I must admit that I did find Edward droolable, in a boyish sort of way. I didn't see him as an out-and-out loon but as a charming eccentric. In the Newsday article Colin talks about \"charming boyishness,\" and this seems to be to sum up Edward. IMO it didn't seem the other characters were laughing at him so much as affectionately shaking their heads and saying, \"That Edward!\" However, as CF points out in the same article, charming boyishness is also dangerous and can hurt people, and this is shown in Edwar 's cruelties toward Moira. Until the end, Edward never seems to me to be more than 12 or 14 years old emotionally. IMO he isn't in love with Heloise so much as having a wild crush on her -- which kind of sets up the rather comedic situation of him and Fraser \"competing\" for her attention. It wouldn't be comedic if it were a suave, mature grownup man competing with a little boy. Rather than being a cad (that word again!), he just seems to me like a rather nerdy boy with a crush on the most popular girl -- i.e., he gives her a box of moss products as a gift and thinks this will impress her. In early comments about the part Colin said Edward was given to \"wild enthusiasms.\" I saw Heloise as one of these. I certainly never had the feeling that he would really give up his wife and family for her. I think if she had actually returned his affections, he would have eventually lost interest in favor of another \"wild enthusiasm.\" Anyway, this is all just my opinion and I look forward to the more cogent views of the rest of you;-)"}, {"response": 6, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (15:59)", "body": "Very interesting discussion thus far! Saw the film yesterday with four FoFers. There was an unanticipated break in the screening when the film itself became dislodged from the projector (during the Halloween party scene, about an hour in). Horror upon horrors, it actually began to melt before our eyes (a la WoF)! Watching the back of CF's head melt on screen was a trauma from which I may never recover :-P The break provided us with a real-time opportunity to discuss what happened in that hay (moss) loft. Murph and I also discussed this on the way home (have you seen her review? It's posted at http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/4144/mlsfmary.html Well done, Murph! But first, a few other details of interest: The theater was packed. So what if the Blair Witch Project was sold out until the 12:15 a.m. show and moviegoers would do anything to beat the 90+ degree heat? I won't overanalyze. The age of the audience ranged from 20-somethings to senior citizens (including a spry group of senior ladies who stood behind us on line in the heat and were thoroughly surprised to encounter \"young people\" waiting for the same movie). The audience appeared to love it. Numerous groans were heard during the film-melting break. People who left at this point (at least those in the few rows in front of us) all returned to their seats. There was light applause at the end (but in our row, we were heartily clapping away). Chatter overheard during the inevitable wait for the ladies room was very positive. Will continue..."}, {"response": 7, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (16:43)", "body": "*Warning* Thus-far unmentioned spoilers ahead! I didn't find the film slow at all. As for fragmentation, you have to keep telling yourself it's seen through the eyes of a 10-year old. Thus the hairy man wasn't too much of a distraction for me. BTW, what about when Edward dredged the lake for his Beethoven busts and came up with that dead body? Didn't the man look familiar? I will agree, Susan and Jana, that the 'Emporer of the Air' seemed to be pushing it. He's there, he's gone; he's there, he's gone. While he's there, he and big sis exchange h ngry looks and an embrace or two. Again, you have to remind yourself that this is all Fraser sees . There was likely more but he wasn't party to it. I agree with Murph in that this is Colin's most varied role. You loved him and hated him a minute later. There were a few expressions and lines reminiscent of other CF roles and there was the freshness of new material. I can't wait to see it again. From what I remember (it usually takes me two viewings to get the details), here's a synopsis of my favorite looks and scenes: Edward's best moments: - grabbing Fraser from the roof while barking (a LOL moment) - helping Gemma from the table after she ate too much sherry-laden trifle - assisting Moira from Gemma's deathbed (\"it's time to go, Angel\") - sitting in bed with Fraser, watching the movie on that silly screen - apologizing to Moira and meaning it - waltzing with Moira in the rain (*sigh*) Edward's worst moments: - going after Heloise against her will - shaking loose from Moira's hand at dinner - openly competing with Fraser for Heloise's attention during the tour of Kilgoren - telling Morris he \"won the bet months ago\" in front of all those people at the (?)wake - boasting that it's \"his house now\" during the same scene Scenes/looks reminiscent of past roles: Susan's already mentioned these--the Darcyesque leaning back in the chair, larynx protruding; a less-heart stopping version of *the look* while Heloise plays her cello and Birkin's sermon (although all similarity begins and ends in that it's a sermon). I also enjoyed the goggled Edward in the plane with Moira (Geoffrey, of course). Weren't those goggles a hoot? Made him look fish-eyed! Funniest moments: - teaching the boys to fish to the strains of Beethoven. \"Go extricate your brother.\" - the look on his face after Fraser's orgy inquiry There's so much here to really savor. CF makes the film--a lesser talented actor could never have pulled it off. MEM and CF make a great team. The scenery was breathtaking. The reviewer who said (a while ago) that it was dull and gray must have cataracts. Lastly, regarding the \"rape\": it's never really made clear if he did or didn't have sex with her. At the very least, he forced himself on her. Fraser heard her scream. They were covered with moss (yes, they had been throwing it at eachother but it was also on the back of their clothes). Fraser found her choker necklace. Heloise's letter alludes to \"what did and didn't happen. Moira smells Fraser's letter from Heloise and appears to recognize the scent--from Edward's skin or clothes? Then Edward goes on to act *very* guilty--would he do this if they just \"messed around?\" Perhaps. Even that would have been behavior unfitting a married man. Yet the climactic post wake (or funeral) scene leads one to believe that something more significant happened in that loft. It makes for great discussion!"}, {"response": 8, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (18:05)", "body": "Thankyou very much Eileen and Murph, I can't wait to see it but will have to. However, I intend to telephone Miramax tomorrow to see if they have any idea when we may get it, if I only had a date to look forward to it wouldn't be so bad. Still we are very luck here in the UK we have two TV dramas, the play and possibly Londinium and RV to look forward to before everyone else. Incidentally if anyone wants me to do any recording when the time comes I shall be more than pleased to oblige."}, {"response": 9, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (18:42)", "body": "I enjoyed your reviews, Eileen and Murph. I must be very naive or clueless (probably both!), but it just never seemed to me that anything had actually occurred between Edward and Heloise other than the clumsy attempt at a kiss, and maybe he pushed her back into the hay; I just didn't see it going further than that. I took as confirmation of this Heloise's comment about \"what did and didn't happen.\" It seemed to me that just the memory of what he had *tried* to do was enough to account for Edward's guilt, nd I thought his implications that things had gone further were just to get Morris to have doubts about Heloise. Obviously I gotta get out of the house more:-)"}, {"response": 10, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (19:11)", "body": "Thank you...Eileen , Susan and Murph for the reviews and your comments.... (Eileen)...I agree with Murph in that this is Colin's most varied role. I look forward to this. So many of his recent ones have been one-dimensional. He's capable of more than that.But, of course that's the best part of having a starring role."}, {"response": 11, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (20:16)", "body": "(Susan) it just never seemed to me that anything had actually occurred between Edward and Heloise other than the clumsy attempt at a kiss, and maybe he pushed her back into the hay; I just didn't see it going further than that. I took as confirmation of this Heloise's comment about \"what did and didn't happen.\" I've been thinking about this and I now agree with you, Susan. Considering the social mores of the time and Edward's religious devotion, a rough, clumsy pass would be enough to stoke his guilt. As you point out, it's confirmed by Heloise's letter. During the confrontation Moira says \"I know you've had your hands on that woman!\" BTW, in the opening sequence it says the film is set in 1920. One of the FoFs I was with yesterday also saw it last week at a preview; she said that one was set in 1927. It appears Miramax kept tinkering with this until the bitter end!"}, {"response": 12, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (21:25)", "body": "- helping Gemma from the table after she ate too much sherry-laden trifle Yes Eileen, I too loved this. I believe he said, \"Let's have a little (or Lovely) lie down, Gamma.\" And what about Moira in the climactic scene. Finger pointing at Edward on the floor...\"You....you..! I know all about you and that..woman.\" I wanted to cheer that she finally told him off. And his face as he watches Fraser with the cigar, the snifter and Louie on the gramaphone. Another wonderful moment. And wasn't his voice with that Scottish accent even more spine tingling? Murph"}, {"response": 13, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (21:47)", "body": "And wasn't his voice with that Scottish accent even more spine tingling? I don't think I am going to be able to stand much more of this:-) If you don't have any luck with Miramax tomorrow, Ann, I shall ring them. I be they show it in the UK in October when I am on holiday!!"}, {"response": 14, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (21:56)", "body": "I did read that we'll have an \"autumn release\" in the UK. When is autumn? Late September? October? November (E-e-ch!)If someone had told me that we would have to wait two and a half years to see another lead role after FP, I wouldn't have believed it!"}, {"response": 15, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (22:24)", "body": "Bethan, you should be packing!"}, {"response": 16, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (00:14)", "body": "(Eileen) BTW, in the opening sequence it says the film is set in 1920. One of the FoFs I was with yesterday also saw it last week at a preview; she said that one was set in 1927. It appears Miramax kept tinkering with this until the bitter end! Eileen, I have been wondering about this as well. I was sure the print of MLSF that I saw said \"1920,\" but then several reviewers mentioned that the film was set \"in the 30s\" or \"just before the onset of WWII.\" If the film was indeed set in 1920, was the use of Louis Armstrong music an anachronism? For some reason I thought Louie first became popular in the later 20s-early 30s. Anyone know?"}, {"response": 17, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (06:53)", "body": "All your comments are making me want to go see this movie again, pronto. I know I will enjoy it more the second time when I can focus more on Colin. (Eileen) Edward's best moments: - sitting in bed with Fraser, watching the movie on that silly screen Did he not look gorgeous in this scene? Love our boy in braces. (Eileen) I also enjoyed the goggled Edward in the plane with Moira (Geoffrey, of course). Weren't those goggles a hoot? Made him look fish-eyed! I had to laugh when I read this. I remember being physically jolted at this scene because it was the first time I'd ever seen Colin and thought him unattractive. Somehow the combo of those goggles and that wide, toothy smile are not his best look :-) (Eileen)Funniest moments: - teaching the boys to fish to the strains of Beethoven. \"Go extricate your brother.\" - the look on his face after Fraser's orgy inquiry I totally agree, both these scenes were hilarious. I particularly loved his talk on the birds and the bees when he was trying to explain wet dreams and had to keep blowing his nose. Was that too adorable? And Fraser just wasn't getting it, go figure with that crystal clear explanation. (Ann) Incidentally if anyone wants me to do any recording when the time comes I shall be more than pleased to oblige. Oh my Ann, you are an angel from heaven. Can you imagine the wailing and gnashing of teeth when there is new Colin to be had and we cannot see it in the States? I suspect we will be taking you up on your offer and keeping the post houses here busy converting the tapes to compatible format. I hope MLSF opens soon in the U.K. so you can enjoy ODB in all his glory. (Murph) And what about Moira in the climactic scene. Finger pointing at Edward on the floor...\"You....you..! I know all about you and that..woman.\" I wanted to cheer that she finally told him off. This was a wonderful moment, wasn't it? I really enjoyed MEM in this movie and felt she definitely held her own against the powerful acting of CF. But this climatic scene was especially well done. I also liked the poignant way she kept looking at herself in the mirror (seeing flaws, I surmised) when she first suspected Edward of being attracted to Heloise. I also didn't know MEM sang so well and thoroughly enjoyed her duet with Heloise. One more thing - Susan I wanted to respond to your post about Edward's degree of looniness, but it was too far up the board for me to copy (and I was too lazy to go back and retrieve it). I just wanted to say that on further consideration I think you're right and that loony was too strong a word. I must admit I did cringe a little bit at some of Edward's immature actions, but when I really thought about it, his eccentricities didn't really bother me until Uncle Morris was in the picture and putting him own in some rather humiliating ways. Somehow when only the immediate family was present and Edward's oddities were sweetly accepted and understood by his wife and children it was easier for me to accept and enjoy them too. But then it was as if Uncle Morris entered as some kind of interloper to Shangri-La bringing real world cynicism with him and I guess I started to see Edward as Uncle M saw him. I suppose that's one of the character of Morris' functions in the film to bring out the contrast of practi ality vs. whimsy. It was difficult though to watch Edward being humiliated by Uncle Morris. Some real cringe-inducing moments there - kind of like the feeling I get when I watch Joe Prince in the graveyard with the two goofy drug runners."}, {"response": 18, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (14:08)", "body": "(Jana)Somehow the combo of those goggles and that wide, toothy smile are not his best look :-) He looked endearingly goofy, didn't he? I also laughed when he emerged from the loch in that (how best to describe it?) floatation device with those rubberized trousers. I loved that little truck with the moss soap advertisements on the sides--did you notice the large cigar on the roof with smoke coming out of it? LOL! Another funny scene: when Fraser sees Gamma napping and thinks she's dead. But nothing beats that prostitution comment, though. The audience was practically rolling in the aisles! (Jana)What the heck was the hairy man all about? At first I thought it was a figment of his imagination. It kind of reminded me of Maurice Sendak's 'Where the Wild Things Are' children's books. But after they dredged up that man from the loch, it's quite possible Fraser really did see him running around on the roof and in the woods. (Jana) Edward's infatuation with Heloise seemed to happen so quickly I had the same complaint about Paul in FP. In this movie it seemed consistent with Edward's immature, impulsive nature to immediatly vie for her favor. (Susan) which kind of sets up the rather comedic situation of him and Fraser \"competing\" for her attention. It wouldn't be comedic if it were a suave, mature grownup man competing with a little boy Agreed. Before Heloise came along, I thought of Edward as merely silly or eccentric. During the estate tour it becomes clear how very immature he is. (Susan) The fact that she \"belonged\" to Morris probably made her immediately attractive as well... wanting what you can't have. And wanting to hurt the man you hate, the man who taunts you, who has the power to take your home away. IMO Edward was thinking only with his \"little head\" when he went after Heloise. Afterward, now thinking with his \"big head,\" he used the situation (\"I won the bet months ago\") as a means to push Morris' buttons. In both instances he completely disregarded how his actions would hurt his wife and family. Was anyone else bothered by Heloise's behavior with Fraser? It struck me as borderline inappropriate at times (e.g., rolling around in the moss shortly after they met). Could it have been merely Fraser's perception of how she acted? Or am I taking that '10-year old storyteller' excuse a bit too far? (Jana) I also didn't know MEM sang so well and thoroughly enjoyed her duet with Heloise. Wasn't she great? This was the only thing Kathie Lee got right when MEM was on 'Live' a couple of weeks ago."}, {"response": 19, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (06:17)", "body": "(Eileen) Was anyone else bothered by Heloise's behavior with Fraser? It struck me as borderline inappropriate at times (e.g., rolling around in the moss shortly after they met). Could it have been merely Fraser's perception of how she acted? Or am I taking that '10-year old storyteller' excuse a bit too far? This made me feel creepy too. Whenever she saw him, she was all over him and the physical contact made me a little squeamish. Are we supposed to make allowances for Heloise because she is French and possibly a little more demonstrative :-)? I'm wondering if what bothered me about this physical closeness was Fraser's preoccupation with sexual thoughts about Heloise. I suppose she believed all the hugging was perfectly innocent but we have access to Fraser's thoughts about the matter."}, {"response": 20, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (16:04)", "body": "Love the discussion, ladies. I subscribe to the school that the more I know about a film, the more I enjoy it. Keep goin' :-)"}, {"response": 21, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 1999 (00:23)", "body": "I was wondering... what is everyone's opinion of Edward and Moira's marriage? Pre-Heloise, they openly adore each other and are still sneaking off for \"slanks\" despite being married for, what, at least 17 years. Then Heloise enters the picture, and all of a sudden Edward is making cruel gestures to Moira and making an ass of himself. I was a bit unclear on what drew him to Heloise so strongly. The main attraction seemed to be that she was betrothed to the man he hated -- and yet he seemed so tormented by er rejection of him, even after her marriage (when he destroys the letter, etc.)."}, {"response": 22, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 1999 (13:59)", "body": "and yet he seemed so tormented by her rejection of him, even after her marriage (when he destroys the letter, etc.). I interpreted his torment as guilt, but it certainly could have been rejection. He had not yet had his \"epiphany\" about being so immature. Regarding their marriage: I thought the scene of Moira examining herself in the mirror was poignant. She immediatley senses Edward's attraction to Heloise and her reaction is one of insecurity vs. anger, petulance, etc. (but those would be out of character). So...their marriage must have been wonderful on the surface, but had unresolved issues lurking underneath. Good question, Susan!"}, {"response": 23, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Fri, Jul 30, 1999 (20:59)", "body": "I just got home back from three days in NYC. My DH knew how much I wanted to see MLSF and made the arrangements for my son and me to go. NYC is much improved since my last visit 16 years ago and we had a great time, not the least of which was seeing MLSF. This film is completely enchanting, from the beautiful music which begins it to the final glimpse of CF's lovely face. Very funny, poignant and uplifting. Wonderful acting, cinematography and screenplay. After reading your posts, just a few remarks. Feel free to disagree, though. The film begins in 1920, when three-year old Fraser does his famous bad thing, then goes forward seven years (according to Fraser) where the bulk of the action takes place. Re: the fragmentation. IMO, every scene belonged; MLSF is a memoir, not a mystery novel, and life remembered is bound to be meandering and made up of both important and insignificant threads.. Since the story Fraser tells is about a pivotal year in his life, during which he leaves his innocence behind, its events, big and small, are etched in his memory. His father loses his god-like status and becomes merely a man, the crisis in his parents' marriage destroys the absoluteness of his security forever, Ga ma dies and Fraser discovers sex. It is the year when the world forcefully intrudes upon the paradise (described as a shangrila by the emperor) in which Fraser and his family live. IMO, the emperor soaring in his plane represents that which is wondrous in the outside world and the hairy man symbolizes that which is frightening and ugly and uncontrollable in it. Heloise is wordly temptation. Edward, as much as Fraser, is an innocent, probably has never been beyond the Kiloran neighbourhood, never has had a other woman besides Moira, is intelligent but not well-educated and relies on biblical dogma to guide him. Heloise is an unexpectedly exotic intrusion into his placid life. As in Fraser, she awakens feelings in Edward he finds hard to fight off, never having been tested before. One of the critics described CF as having sensual features; he must have been thinking of the loft scene. The look Edward gives Heloise after she kisses him is one of pure lust (unlike The Look in P & P, which was one of love). I don't see Edward as a loon at all, but a man full of joy, creativity and love of life which overshadowed his practical side. I loved that bug-eyed goofy grin he gave in the plane. At that moment, Edward was showing his exhiliration and utter happiness in a way that usually only children do. So he isn't a reliable bread-winner like Morris, but he does bring a sense of adventure, wonder, fun and deep love to his family. For beauty, my favourite look is when Edward enters Moira's darkened room at the end. CF's comic talent is proved in the birds and bees scene; he is marvellous there; in fact, he is very funny in many scenes. (Eileen) Edward's worst moments: Boasting that it's \"his house now\" during the same (the wake) scene I think it one of Edward's best moments. He has wordlessly endured Morris' stream of cruel taunts and overt disrespect (and the humiliating dressing down Gamma gives him, at Morris' instigation, in front of the help). Heloise's out-of-line behaviour in this scene (in telling Fraser to disrespect his father) pushes him over the edge and he is finally in a position to stand up for himself. Unfortunately, Edward snaps in an embarrassingly public place. BTW, how does Moira know that the bet concerns Heloise?"}, {"response": 24, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 31, 1999 (00:39)", "body": "That's it!! If Lynda can go to NY...I can fly to Dallas to see this film.... I'm outta'here!!"}, {"response": 25, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Sat, Jul 31, 1999 (03:36)", "body": "Re: Moira knowing the bet concerns Heloise She must have had some inkling of Edward's infatuation ... remember when she looks at herself assessingly in the mirror when she went looking for Fraser in the attic, and when discovers Heloise's choker hidden in Fraser's bed ... that shocked, horrified look on her face."}, {"response": 26, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Jul 31, 1999 (09:10)", "body": "Loved your report, Lynda. The look Edward gives Heloise after she kisses him is one of pure lust Ooh, maybe I should fly to NYC too?!?!?!"}, {"response": 27, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jul 31, 1999 (10:36)", "body": "There is a review at Mr. Showbiz but it is not very good so I hesitated to mention it but it was qite kind to the acting."}, {"response": 28, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (06:50)", "body": "Gee, do you think that that Michael Atkinson didn't like MLSF? Sounded like he didn't like Chariots of Fire, either. Hated Robert Norman, too. Re the dough-faced comment, I must admit to wondering how two people who looked like Moira and Edward could produce Fraser, but the boy grew on me. As for why we were watching MLSF, for my part, MLSF made a very pleasant diversion from the depraved sexuality, mind-numbing violence, the loutish people and crude diologue which fills TV and film screens today. Althoug , admittedly nothing to compare with Austin Powers and Big Daddy, MLSF has its merits, not the least of which, is that I (and the other people I observed leaving the theater) left with smiles on our faces."}, {"response": 29, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (08:03)", "body": "Lynda, when you say \"nothing to compare with AP and BD\" do you mean it wasn't as good as either of these?"}, {"response": 30, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (03:43)", "body": "My last post for a week, as I am off to Philadelphia to see my sister. Ann, I was being very sarcastic. I loved every minute of MLSF. I am totally ticked off that stuff like AP and BD get a zillion screens and all kinds of promotion, yet I have to go hundreds of miles to see the lovely and most entertaining MLSF and that my many friends and family who would enjoy this film will likely never see it except on video. Most unfair, but that's business, I guess."}, {"response": 31, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (17:59)", "body": "I enjoyed your review, Lynda. It's been two months since I saw the film and I'd forgotten so many of the details you mentioned. Also, thanks for setting me right re: the time settings -- as you pointed out, if Fraser's a toddler in 1920 when the film opens, it's 1927 or so when the main action takes place."}, {"response": 32, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (22:41)", "body": "We won't be getting MLSF for ages in the UK (sniff!)but it's fascinating to read all your comments. Has anyone read \"The Son of Adam\" (I think I'm the only one who actually enjoyed it!). The reason I ask is that in many ways I feel that the portrayal of Adam/Edward in the movie seems very true to the account in the memoir. Lynda is spot on when she describes Adam/Edward as an innocent, a child-man. He grows up in a privileged and isolated environment, and falls in love with \"Moira\" when he is 18 and she is 14. They pledge undying love sitting in a tree and carve the names of the six children they plan to have together. Adam/Edward seems to have been very unwordly and not interested in business (and therefore maybe not considered a reliable marriage prospect) He's sent to the US to work for the family business, returns after six years and goes to Cambridge to study and is ordained as a minister of th Church, He eventually marries \"Moira\" when he is 32, and she is 28. The marriage is a happy and successful oneone, sustained by an unclouded sexual relationship. But Denis Forman writes that sometimes his father resented him because he saw him as a rival for the attentions of visiting females, and Forman also comments that sometimes his father used to embarass him, and his mother, by becoming very friendly with waitresses and usherettes and giving them hugs...embarrasing because they recognised these as sexual urges, which Edward/Adam doesn't understand. It's clear that t e only sexual relationship he ever has is with his wife For the record, Edward/Adam seems to have outlived his wife by many, many years. It's not clear when Moira dies, but Edward never re-marries and lives on until his one hundredth year (he dies aged 101) and remains eccentic to the end. He also gets honored for his contribution to the war effort...his one major success (Spagnum moss has healing powers). Don't know how much of this is conveyed in the movie. I don't suppose it really matters!"}, {"response": 33, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 1999 (06:22)", "body": "Thanks for the interesting back story, Bethan. I particularly thought it enlightening that the real Edward/Adam was an ordained minister. It explains why he was so strict and biblical in the film. I also thought it interesting that they didn't marry until 28 and 32 after having been in love for 14 years! In the film I got the impression they had been married rather young as CF and MEM looked to be no more than 40 and had a daughter practically grown. Maybe they took some poetic license in the film. I really enjoyed your review, Lynda. I guess my first reaction to Edward was that he was goofier than the rest of you saw him. I'm hoping the film will open up more widely this weekend so I can see it again and improve my opinion! Otherwise I will have to trek back down to the art house and see it again."}, {"response": 34, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 1999 (15:24)", "body": "Lynda, did you see MLSF at the Angelika or uptown? If you saw it at the Angelika, how'd you like the subway trains rumbling under your feet? :-) I am totally ticked off that stuff like AP and BD get a zillion screens and all kinds of promotion, yet I have to go hundreds of miles to see the lovely and most entertaining MLSF Such is the lament of any true Firthfan. MLSF (according to an well-informed member of the Firthlist) is doing very well at the box office according to its per screen gross (since it's still playing in only 5 theaters in the country, it can't be compared with the other trash *ahem* movies out there). The figures didn't drop at all since opening weekend. This is very good news!"}, {"response": 35, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 1999 (16:43)", "body": "Edward's worst moments: Boasting that it's \"his house now\" during the same (the wake) scene I think it one of Edward's best moments As always, you have an interesting point of view. Edward was certainly goaded by Morris, but there's a time and place for everything. He needed to put Morris in his place, but to have it out with him in that setting, on that occasion, was inappropriate, IMO. Edward's comments also struck me as playground boasting (\"ha-ha, I won\")-- another symptom of his immaturity. Your comments on the symbolism of the Emporer of the Air and Hairy Man were v. perceptive! Just wait until we have an in-depth discussion about this movie. If we can turn P and FF into Oscar-caliber films, I can imagine what we'll do with MLSF :-) (Marianne) She must have had some inkling of Edward's infatuation I think she knew right away. The scene with the mirror confirms it. Then there's that awful moment when she takes his hand at the dinner table and he pulls it away."}, {"response": 36, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (20:45)", "body": "(Bethan)Re; Adam Foreman....He also gets honored for his contribution to the war effort...his one major success (Spagnum moss has healing powers). He also served in the war...because the second book \"To Reason Why\" was about his regiment's service in the Italian Campaign. Sorry, I thought both books were yawners....I hope they publish the Playscript of the film. ***** I have enjoyed all the reviews....I shall go on Saturday...flying down to Dallas daytriper... Will meet Susanne who occasionally posts here . Hoped to meet-up with Rita, but she has a previous committment. It's more fun to see a Firth production with a fellow \"Firthoholic\". ****Where is Karen's review?"}, {"response": 37, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (01:37)", "body": "****Where is Karen's review? Do I have to write one of those too? ;-D Lynda's already done such a marvelous job and we agree on so many points. Maybe tomorrow. But I have to comment on a few areas that have been discussed. Too many posts to go back and respond to specific comments, so I'll just plod along in the same vein... The Mossloft scene OK, I was paying very close attention to every word, gesture, and filament of moss hanging off their bodies. At first I thought he had just made a pass, but a few seconds later you saw Heloise's face. She didn't look like a woman who had been raped. She looked somewhat guilty. Then you saw her straightening herself up. Now this ties in with how Moira knew. When she finds the choker in Fraser's bed, he mentions that he found it in the hayloft and there was a scream. She knows it's Heloise's choker nd who else frequents the loft? Not the local pastor! (although he was a riot) Then there are the nasty barbs Heloise throws at Edward at the dinner table, insinuating that he's a hypocrite. Next we have the note. \"What did and didn't happen\" And the bet at the curling match. My take is that Edward made the awkward pass. Heloise's reaction was initially as we saw. I thought that maybe he had broken down and cried and that was it. But now I think she gave in. Heloise gave Edward the equivalent of Fraser's kiss and she wasn't going to act the hypocrite and play \"holier than thou.\" She gave the little baby what he wanted...once. The Hairy Man Initially I thought he was Fraser's imagination run amok. All those things Edward told him about the devil and this was the devil's incarnation in Fraser's mind. But when Edward dredged the loch for the busts, well out the window that went. I like Lynda's explanation as to what Hairy Man represented vis a vis the Emperor of the Air. (boy, was that a nothing part) Edward's Attraction to Heloise Moira could see it from the start when Edward is whooping it up for Heloise's cello playing. I don't think he could have gotten up off the couch any faster without a catapult. ;-D Edward's Best/Worst Scene The wake. I think how ever inappropriate he behaved and how the audience would like to slap him silly for his comments to a certain extent he was goaded. A mature adult would have picked a better time and place to boot Morris out of there, but that's not Edward. Despite the hateful behavior, Colin is wonderfully awful here. Not Wessex's prattish behavior, but again as Eileen mentioned (I think) like the child on a playground. \"It's my house now.\" \"I won that bet several months ago.\" Bang!! Wallop!! Wh t perfectly placed barbs. Do we condone Moira's outburst here? Clearly that information should have been addressed privately. Would a woman do that in public? I don't think so, not unless she were in control and she could throw him out. This was not the case. The aftermath is wonderful. I love how the characters develop and grow. How Fraser asks his sister what she thinks will happen to their parents' marriage. Then, of course, when Edward comes into their bedroom and admits the error of his ways and the hurt he has caused her. He has only really loved her and this is evidenced by the extent he will go to win her love back. *sigh* [How appropriate that The Pretenders' new song \"Human\" just played in the background.] Another fav scene that I forgot to mention: definitely the sex lecture rates right up there. Could there have been anything funnier? ;-D"}, {"response": 38, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (01:52)", "body": "BTW, forgot to mention that I really enjoyed all the discussion that I've just read. All these different views and reactions. Love it!! :-)"}, {"response": 39, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (14:25)", "body": "Thank you all for your fine reviews. Really fills in the hazy details...I think I was too focused on Colin to remember the rest. Just how many of those kids belonged to Edward and Moria ... and why was Fraser the only child at the dinner table? Despite the hateful behavior, Colin is wonderfully awful here. Not Wessex's prattish behavior, but again as Eileen mentioned (I think) like the child on a playground. \"It's my house now.\" \"I won that bet several months ago.\" Bang!! Wallop!! What perfectly placed barbs. Wonderfully awful, I enjoyed seeing Edward fighting back, Morris is certainly a disagreeable brother and uncle and deserved to be thrown out. Colin took quite a fall in this scene Do we condone Moira's outburst here? Clearly that information should have been addressed privately. Would a woman do that in public? I don't think so, not unless she were in control and she could throw him out. This was not the case. Moira lost control after months of suffering in silence, and since Gamma was Moira's mother, one would assume that the estate was passed down to her and not to Edward. Overall, it's a sweet little film with some very funny moments."}, {"response": 40, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (14:36)", "body": "Hi Emma, remember me, I am glad you have been able to see MLSF, I can't wait. On a scale of 1-10 how does this rate amongst Colin's other films and how did you like him personally in it say compared to Mr. D & Lord Wessex. Oh and I hope you will be joining us on the 15th. Also what did you mean when you said\"Colin took quite a fall in the scene\", did you not like his character at that point and if so did you like him more at the end. Sorry so many questions, but we in the UK have to wait until Nov. to g t the answers. Can I also address these questions to everyone else who has seen MLSF? Thanks."}, {"response": 41, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (15:59)", "body": "(AnnW) Also what did you mean when you said\"Colin took quite a fall in the scene\" Morris punches him and he hits the floor. did you not like his character at that point While one side of you may feel that, yes, it's good that Edward is fighting back and Morris has been very cruel to him (ridiculing him in front of others and to his face), it wasn't the time nor the place. Just the way Colin says the house is his and he can do with it what he wants and then the boast about winning the bet months ago, these are not designed to make you like Edward at that point. Such inappropriate behavior at a funeral. By the end, you will like him again as he realizes what a child he has been and then asks for forgiveness from Moira and works at restoring their relationship. (Emma) Just how many of those kids belonged to Edward and Moria ... and why was Fraser the only child at the dinner table? I think nearly all of them were Edward and Moira's, except the little boy who was Fraser friend. There might have been about 7 of them??? The eldest daughter Elspeth was at the dinner table too and there might have been a few others. Wasn't there a shot of another table where the younger kids sat? Reminds me of my childhood and Thanksgiving dinner. Kids all sat at another table, which was sometimes set up in the basement. It was a major thing to move to the adult table. (Emma) one would assume that the estate was passed down to her and not to Edward. Who knows about property rights and women during that period? Could a married woman inherit the property in her name alone?"}, {"response": 42, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (18:45)", "body": "From the Toronto Sun's review: Firth has the dirty job in the movie, playing a reprehensible, cowardly character who has to try to redeem himself by the end of the movie. He does it as well as anyone could in the circumstances. It is this character's boyish behaviour which inspires the 10-year-old boy to move towards manhood. Interesting take. Fraser learns from his father's bad example. But the important thing is that this critic sees how difficult a role Colin had and how well he did it. I don't understand those ones who said he was wooden and stiff. They must have gone out for popcorn."}, {"response": 43, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (20:52)", "body": "Who said he was wooden and stiff, I though his reviews and those for all the acting were very good.MLSF out of 10? Karen"}, {"response": 44, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (21:26)", "body": "Just returned from my second viewing and have answered some of my own questions, Karen you're right about the other kids at the table, but Fraser is the only one who spoke. (Karen) There might have been about 7 of them??? Except for Fraser, Edward had very little interactions with the other children. I can't imagine Colin as the father of 7 kids! even in a film. (Ann) how did you like him personally in it say compared to Mr. D & Lord Wessex. I think Colin was best as Mr. D -- the hair, the clothes, the look, the walk, just the perfect combination. (a perfect 10) As Edward, Colin is very cleancut most of the time, and gets to wear a bathing suit and a kilt, no complain there, (an almost perfect 9). And yes Ann, I've booked my 3DoR tickets for Jan. 15, so I'll be seeing you."}, {"response": 45, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (22:31)", "body": "Wonderful to finally be able to join you. I haven't read anything here yet but will do so after I say my piece though I haven't gotten my thoughts all sorted out yet. I'm sure everyone's talked about the beautiful scenery, the gorgeous location, and of course Colin's fabulous looks. MLSF is my kind of film...personality driven with dialogue being as or more important than action. Lovely moments and not all of them with Edward in the scenes. 1) when the Emperor of the Sky first comes and Edward looks at his own poor contraption and at the machine that can really fly - rather poignant yet still humorous; 2)Edward being chastised by Gamma for blowing up holes on the estate and has to turn around to tell his men, in front of his son(s) to stop what they're doing. It's a defeat but he attempts to make it seem as if its his own idea; 3)Fraser belowstairs pouring the tea for the servants. It's so cozy there; 4) Edward showing the children how to cast their fishing lines to Beethoven'ts Fifth - got one of the biggest laughs; 5) Anytime Edward says that Beethoven is God and jazz is the devil; 6) Edward in his pajamas, smoking his cigar, ruminating on his downfall and resolving to make amends; 7) the bet between Edward and Morris on the ice. Edward, so smug, trying to make Morris think that he has nothing Edward wants or doesn't have already. Like boys in the playground trying to best each other. Very well done. There were moments where Edward's face just fills the screen and each time I saw one, I wanted to freezeframe and try to etch it into my memory. Then the next one would come and I'd forget the earlier one and try to keep this latest image of him. Now I can't faithfully recall any of those looks but I know there were some very fine ones. There was a 3DOR moment for me too that I can't retain. I think Edward was sitting on the floor, frustrated, hands in hair but I can't remember what he was frustrated about! Definitely a film to see more than once. Some scenes though rang false for me: 1)Gamma getting tipsy on the trifle seemed to be thrown into the film just for the laughs. Also didn't like them making the minister drunk during the same scene. Cheap laughs. 2) Moira confronting her husband in front of everyone at Gamma's wake. She was a reserved, proper woman who kept up appearances. I just don't think she'd do that in front of the guests or the servants. 3) I also think Edward asking for the kiss was a bit too hasty. I know he was lusting after Heloise from the beginning but she gave him absolutely no encouragement. The film didn't make it clear to me why he would do that just then. The film did start to drag, IMO, after Gamma's death. Again, I found most of the scene at the wake to be unbelievable and the reconciliation was kind of confusing. How long were they estranged? Why does she seem to want him gone but then calls him back? Is she forgiving him already? When she calls him back, he keeps going. He seems to be more embarrassed at the public spectacle than by his actions. Is it just taking awhile to sink in? I don't know, the whole scene bugged me. All the children confused me. Who belonged to whom? Fraser's brothers and sisters were nonentities except for Elspeth and she may as well have been for all the difference the Emperor of the North story made to the story. That storyline must have really been chopped during the editing process. I have to think about my favorite outfit for Edward...he looked so fine in them all including the kilt and the pajamas, even the bathing suit. Didn't notice any thinning hair though I did pay close attention to the scene when he lifts 3-year old Fraser onto his shoulders. I'm sure it takes multiple viewings to catch those details. I'm eager now to read the other thoughts here."}, {"response": 46, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (23:02)", "body": "I'm pretty sure some of the reviews from 2 weeks ago criticized CF's performance with those words. Ratings, I hate doing ratings! ;-D But for you, Ann... In terms of Colin's acting, a 9.5 This one is way up there for complexity and execution and is easy to dance to! (sorry, American joke) It seems most like Paul Ashworth. He's ridiculed as QE does to Wessex, but you feel sorry for him, and he's able to return the scorn and derision big time. Although he seems like a fool, you like him because he's such a devoted father and husband (until...). We view him the same way Gamma does. Moira loves him and so do we. What fun he made their lives. The film within the body of Colin's work, I'm placing it second only to P&P only because I haven't decided if I could watch it as many times as I have P&P. There so much Colin in it and it's an adorable film. It's not great, but it's enjoyable. (Emma) Except for Fraser, Edward had very little interactions with the other children. The boys did have their daily plunge with dad and I expect they all played with his inventions. Didn't you love his vulcanized rubber pants and that waterwheel thing. A total loon. Why aren't there pictures of Colin paddling around in the water? I can't imagine Colin as the father of 7 kids! even in a film. Hey, if you were going off for a slank frequently enough so that your kids realized it, quite the sex life, they had. Remember in the voiceover, Fraser said that the house was too big for them and their mother had to have babies just to fill it. (Heide) Edward looks at his own poor contraption and at the machine that can really fly - rather poignant yet still humorous I remember how he looked at the real airplane. It is one of those memorable looks, although I don't remember thinking it humorous. He looked so wistful and entranced by that sight. 4) Edward showing the children how to cast their fishing lines to Beethoven'ts Fifth - got one of the biggest laughs One of my favs. \"Fraser, liberate your brother.\" Biggest laugh was at the end, wasn't it? 6) Edward in his pajamas, smoking his cigar, ruminating on his downfall and resolving to make amends Was he smoking a cigar? Thought it was just a cigarette. Didn't it remind you of FP when he's thinking about why Sarah got so upset and left? \"Are you pregnant?\" Why does she seem to want him gone but then calls him back? Is she forgiving him already? I think she just wants him back so they can talk. It would show everyone that he hadn't really rejected her and the kids. When she calls him back, he keeps going. He seems to be more embarrassed at the public spectacle than by his actions. I didn't see it as embarrassment but the enormity of what he had done had sunk in. I do agree with you (as you'll see above) that I didn't think Moira would confront him at the funeral. Very out of character for someone like her and with her upbringing."}, {"response": 47, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (23:32)", "body": "I knew I'd type in Emperor of the North by accident...think Ernie Borgnine. I've just read the other comments. Fascinating stuff. The film I saw begins in 1927. So most of the action takes place in 1934. Are there different copies of this film being shown? (JanaH) Edward's infatuation with Heloise seemed to happen so quickly, and I really didn't feel the character foundation was there yet when Edward performed his act of physical aggressiveness towards her. (Susan) The fact that she \"belonged\" to Morris probably made her immediately attractive as well...wanting what you can't have. I see I'm not the only one who couldn't understand why he made a pass at Heloise so quickly. Your explanation, Susan, makes sense though it seems extremely impetuous to me. More wonderful moments your descriptions have helped me remember: (Susan) IMO he isn't in love with Heloise so much as having a wild crush on her -- which kind of sets up the rather comedic situation of him and Fraser \"competing\" for her attention. And he lost out badly to his own son, didn't he? (Murph) And his face as he watches Fraser with the cigar, the snifter and Louie on the gramaphone. His little smile, a hint of his dimples...and his whole face filling the screen. (JanaH) I particularly loved his talk on the birds and the bees when he was trying to explain wet dreams and had to keep blowing his nose. That nose blowing was a wonderful touch. Edward's distraction was hilarious. (Eileen) Lastly, regarding the \"rape\": it's never really made clear if he did or didn't have sex with her. At the very least, he forced himself on her. (Susan) it just never seemed to me that anything had actually occurred between Edward and Heloise other than the clumsy attempt at a kiss, and maybe he pushed her back into the hay; I just didn't see it going further than that. (Karen) now I think she gave in. Heloise gave Edward the equivalent of Fraser's kiss I agree that he didn't physically force himself on her. Perhaps he wore her down just a bit and got that kiss Karen mentioned just as a means for her to escape. Can't explain the little scream - as Susan says, perhaps she fell back in the hay. But there's no way she would not have told Morris unless she did something she wasn't particularly proud of either. (Eileen) Was anyone else bothered by Heloise's behavior with Fraser? It struck me as borderline inappropriate at times (e.g., rolling around in the moss shortly after they met). Boy, do I agree with you. She was rubbing her hands all over him and then chasing after him to give him a kiss. His view or ours, I don't know but I also found her comment to Fraser at the wake to not listen to his father to be way out of line. BTW, how can Moira know that it's Heloise Edward is talking about when he mentions the bet? Karen, you brought up a lot of clues in the film that Moira picked up on but I wonder if she presumed too much. Why did she think the necklace found in Fraser's bed had anything to do with her husband? Why does she think the (I assume) moss scented letter to Fraser had anything to do with her husband? The stuff was all over the place. Even at the wedding she's shooting dirty looks at her husband. I don't think it unusual that she would have suspicions - there were reasons - but I believe in the end she presumed too much. (Lynda) Edward, as much as Fraser, is an innocent, probably has never been beyond the Kiloran neighbourhood, never has had a other woman besides Moira, is intelligent but not well-educated and relies on biblical dogma to guide him. Very perceptive description. (Lynda) I loved that bug-eyed goofy grin he gave in the plane. At that moment, Edward was showing his exhiliration and utter happiness in a way that usually only children do. An example of his child-like behavior. It was Fraser who asked to go up in the plane. Who goes up? His father. Edward wanted to experience it himself first, not his son. (Emma) why was Fraser the only child at the dinner table? I found the hazy information about the other children to be rather infuriating. Other thoughts: Could Heloise have played a more suggestive instrument than the cello? Gamma didn't blink an eye when Morris's two women friends from London came to visit."}, {"response": 48, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (23:52)", "body": "(Heide) But there's no way she would not have told Morris unless she did something she wasn't particularly proud of either. This ties into something I've mentioned to Evelyn, especially after seeing it a second time. If Edward had forced her, she would've said something at the funeral after Edward makes the crack about winning the bet. My first reaction would have been to yell back, \"but you had to rape me to do it!\" And then POWEE Morris makes contact. But she didn't. Moira knows right away that her husband is attracted to Heloise. She looks at his face during the cello concert (only you, Heide, would notice about the instrument) and she is perturbed right away. Then she's checking herself out and how dumpy she looks. Fraser tells her where he found the choker and she can figure it out. Who else hangs out at the Moss Factory besides Fraser and hubby? Also, Heloise doesn't tell anyone that she's missing the choker because it would only lead to questions about where she was and what was she doing there. I thought it was wonderful that Edward took Moira up with him. More sexual nuances? ;-D"}, {"response": 49, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (00:22)", "body": "The film I saw started in 1920 with baby Fraser on the roof. So must be two versions out there."}, {"response": 50, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (05:01)", "body": "(Karen) If Edward had forced her, she would've said something at the funeral after Edward makes the crack about winning the bet. I was watching the Moss Factory scene more carefully this time, and I agree with Heide, Edward tried to make a pass at Heloise, he was rejected and their relationship became strained. I thought Edward was only wearing his vest at the factory, but back at the house, he had moss in his hair as well as his jacket. Near the end of the film when Fraser asked Elspeth \"What is carnal knowledge?\" she implied that Edward and Heloise \"knew\" each other...did she know that for a fact or is she just guessing? (Karen) The film within the body of Colin's work, I'm placing it second only to P&P only because I haven't decided if I could watch it as many times as I have P&P. MLSF has many short funny bits and some serious moments with Colin, but he is much more droolable as Darcy, besides there's the first proposal, the letter, and quite a few other scenes where he gets a great deal of dialogue...for simple Colin viewing pleasure, P&P is just unbeatable."}, {"response": 51, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (14:05)", "body": ")Karen) She looks at his face during the cello concert (only you, Heide, would notice about the instrument) I suppose a saxophone would have been slightly more suggestive but not by much. (Emma) Fraser asked Elspeth \"What is carnal knowledge?\" she implied that Edward and Heloise \"knew\" each other...did she know that for a fact or is she just guessing? She has to be just guessing as everyone is doing. No one knows for sure excpet Edward and Heloise. Moira may be imagining worse things than what really happened. But what she really lays into Edward for is his complete insensitivity to her and her children. Bravo to her there."}, {"response": 52, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (15:34)", "body": "(Heide) I suppose a saxophone would have been slightly more suggestive but not by much. The sax would've been more approriate for jazz. I remember an interview with Emily Watson for her role in Hilary and Jackie. She felt the Cello as a very senual instrument -- it is placed between the legs :-) as well as all that stroking. Has anyone seen the soundtrack for MLSF?"}, {"response": 53, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (19:32)", "body": "As I said on 119...this is a lovely movie. Sadly, it has no gimick..which unfortunately every movie this summer seems to have. It also has no story...it\ufffds a series of recollections of childhood by ten year old Fraser; not a \ufffdbig- burner\ufffd for a film. Cast ensemble was excellent..except for Morris (MM) who was definitely too old...was he supposed to be about 50? The guy looked like the far side of 70!! Walking next to Gamma (RH) he looked like her brother not Moira\ufffds. When he kissed Heliose, I was repulsed. Why would Heloise want to marry the old koot anyway!! RH(Gamma) was made up to look like 80...has such similar facial expressions like Jennifer\ufffds...arches one eyebrow and looks up with her eye...same way. I SAW Lennie the Head Curler...shame he wasn\ufffdt listed in the credits. Soundtrack a bust....only a smattering of jazz...little bits of Scottish Aires, Beethoven...I will be surprised if it\ufffds even released.But I\ufffdll keep checking with Footlights. Though it is the very best he has ever looked in a role...I still hold out for AMITC and T. as his best acting roles.And P&P as the one I\ufffdll keep looking at. Not to mimimize Edward...superb facial expressions...sometimes he fills the entire screen.....he\ufffds a loon one minute, a caring father the next, a lusty hunk the next...versatile ...absolutely. Can\ufffdt wait for the video. Will we have fun with this discussion!! **** Great to get your reviews Emma and Heide."}, {"response": 54, "author": "susanne", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (20:43)", "body": "Since I was lucky enough to see MLSF with Evelyn yesterday in Dallas, I thought I would post a few comments on it. I went into the movie not knowing very much about the movie. I wanted to go in with a fresh view. I pleasantly surprised that it had so many very funny moments in it. Edward is a hard character to really like after Heloise arrives. A man with at least 7 children should not be lusting after a sweet young thing. (I would not excuse this even if his mother and grandmother had a conflict with him trying to please both ala Bill Clinton).Even though I was not crazy about Edward, Colin does a wonderful job actin . No CF fan will be disappointed with this film. There are some wonderful close-ups of Colin that show off his fine-eyes exceptionally well. He has a major role in a beautifully shot and acted film with a happy-ending,not to mention that he looks great. What's not to like. Even though I might not have liked Edward with the Heloise angle, without it the film would have been a bit of a yawn. Actually, I can't think of what the story would be if it weren't in the film. Perhaps the hairy man and Emperor of the Sky would have explored further. Snooze! CF and RH gave the best performances. The boy was adorable and carried the movie. I give the movie 3 stars and place this 5th on my personal list of CF's best work after Hostages, Tumbledown, P&P, Valmont,and AMITC. Now all I have to do is decide where to hang my new MLSF poster."}, {"response": 55, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (21:21)", "body": "Thanks Sue for that, one thing though, how can you say that CF & RH give the best performances and yet the young boy carries the film and I think MLSF comes 6th in your CF best work list."}, {"response": 56, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (21:42)", "body": "Have decided on my favorite outfit: First one after the opening *whites* scene. This is where Edward and Fraser are flying a kite. Edward has a white shirt, sleeves rolled up, creamy colored vest, and dark trousers. He's also wearing the glasses. yum yum I think he wears nearly the same thing in the scene where he's showing the guys how his underground chimney will work. Audience this afternoon was larger. Maybe 50 people. Laughed loudly from the very beginning and a number clapped at the end. No audience reaction cards or posters (I asked). ;-D Do you think they used an animatronic Fraser up on the roof? ;-D Evelyn, what about the head shot? Thought it was very noticeable again."}, {"response": 57, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 1999 (02:03)", "body": "Evelyn, what about the head shot? Thought it was very noticeable again Missed it. But did think they dyed his hair again....v. dark..not his normal brown. Best droolin' outfit: The hunting one....Belted jacket,tweed plusfores (Ann tells me that's what they call \"knickers\"!), high socks and that wide brimmed hat!! Second best:The navy blue suit at the dinner table!!Definitely Saville Row!! ....animatronic Fraser up on the roof? ;-D What is that?That toddler did have a moronic look on his face!!"}, {"response": 58, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 1999 (14:16)", "body": "Hmmm, he looked pretty yummy in the navy suit at dinner. I also liked the shirts and button front vest combination, BTW, I thought he looked rather grumpy at the hunt, when Morris was pushing his weight around."}, {"response": 59, "author": "susanne", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 1999 (16:54)", "body": "Ann, You are right, MLSF comes in 6th on my list. Now I can't count either. What will go next? It was hard to choose good performances from Colin since there are so many. I liked CF's and RH's acting performances the best. When I said the boy carries the film, I meant that he is really the lead actor. All other roles support his. This is about Fraser's relationship to his father not the other way around. He needed to be believable in his role which he was, but not nesessarily the best actor (this was his first acting job afterall). Acting honors goes to CF and RH, IMO."}, {"response": 60, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 1999 (19:06)", "body": "Thanks for that Sue. Did you find that you were able to forgive Edward at the end and ended up liking him even though he had been horrible to his wife and lusted after Heloise?"}, {"response": 61, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 1999 (19:11)", "body": "sorry about the grammar."}, {"response": 62, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 1999 (01:37)", "body": "(AnnW) . Did you find that you were able to forgive Edward at the end and ended up liking him even though he had been horrible to his wife and lusted after Heloise? Absolutely. It is a rare thing for any man to admit his faults, ESPECIALLY one who is as childlike as Edward was. His pride suffered a terrible series of blows. The fact that he was willing to humble himself and come back and work on the relationship (Where have we heard THAT before??? :-D) shows his genuine love for his wife and family. My only complaint in this regard is that we are not allowed to witness more of the redemption. At this point the movie feels like an enormous chunk was taken out of the and the hole covered over with a short narrative summarys in the boy's voice. I believe one reviewer made that observation...that the movie was slow and disjointed but right at the end you wanted it to continue to round things out. (I have a horrible suspicion that part of that nearly-one-half-hour that was trimmed off the \"in-progress\" movie was...or should have been...in there.)"}, {"response": 63, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 1999 (02:03)", "body": "I had to drive 2 hrs. each way in order to go to a Sunday matinee at the single theatre showing it in Seattle. The elderly man in line for the first (12:30) showing was there for the same movie and almost immediately launched into praise for P & P and how it aroused he and his spouse's awareness of CF. I asked how he found out about this movie, and he said that he saw a trailer shown in a Cineplex in Bellevue, a large town cheek by jowl with Seattle, and began looking in the newspapers for it. I remarke that they probably wouldn't be showing the trailer unless they anticipated showing the movie. We both hoped that was the case. The theatre was situated in the older part of town just west of the City Center (you know, Space Needle and all that!), but the theatre itself was very nice with steep tiered seating and a moderately good-sized screen. Sound was excellent too. To be honest, I cannot tell you the size or content of the audience as most of them were seated behind me. Relatively subdued. The best laughs for the casting scene and at the end (especially when we see the book F is studying along with his milk and cigar!) Bei g nearly noon on a Sunday, I don't know if one would expect a large turnout. I did notice, though, that as I left already a good-sized group of mixed ages were coming in and had obviously been released from waiting until the first show's audience had cleared. What surprised me was that the next showing was not due for another 40 minutes! I left the movie subdued, pensive and moved. There was a lot in there in no particular order, and I knew it would take me awhile to sort it all out in my head before being able to respond properly. The major first reaction, though, was that the movie felt as if it had had vital links chopped out of it, and I wished mightily to see what had landed on the cuttin-room floor! I couldn't possibly stay for a second showing, and I doubt I will make the trek again for it, but I know I want to see it again and ope for the opportunity soon. I'll try to get in more later. Sorry for the disjointed series of impressions."}, {"response": 64, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 1999 (04:33)", "body": "So glad that you got the opportunity to see it. We were wondering all weekend if you had. Definitely agree that so many little bits must have been cut because I can't believe a director like Hudson would leave such fragmentary story-telling. BTW, I don't think there is any relationship between the trailers shown and what will actually play at a given theater. Best example: when I saw The Red Violin at this very same inconvenient art house cinema, we were shown the trailer for Inspector Gadget. Believe me, it never played there. ;-0"}, {"response": 65, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 1999 (06:46)", "body": "Well don KJ for driving 4 hours to see our DB, your are a true Firthfan and well done everyone who has gone to see MLSF, lets hope is has done wellagain this weekend, does anyone know where it is in the BO this weekend?"}, {"response": 66, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 1999 (07:55)", "body": "well done everyone who has gone to see MLSF Now, Ann, if you really want to boost the Box Office, fares to NY are not too expensive at the moment:-))"}, {"response": 67, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 1999 (08:33)", "body": "Don't tempt me Allison, we have got a week of next week with nothing planned except the house being painted. re the BO, I can answer my own question here, it is still at #44 and the average per screen had dropped by more than half, after such a great start it makes me so mad that Miramamx seem to have given up on it, no publicity and shown as cinemas which seem very hard to get to and some sound a bit antiquated to say the least. It seems so unfair when there is so much rubbish out there. Sorry to be a rump, on the bright side it perhaps means that we will get the video sooner rather than later."}, {"response": 68, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 1999 (08:36)", "body": "for rump read grump. It must be very disheartening for Colin, he gives it his all and no one sees it, the same with SLOW."}, {"response": 69, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 1999 (15:34)", "body": "(Heide) I've just read the other comments. Fascinating stuff. The film I saw begins in 1927. So most of the action takes place in 1934. Are there different copies of this film being shown? Believe it or not, there are at least two versions out there. It sounds as though Karen saw the same version that I saw in NYC, which is different than what you and I saw in Philadelphia. IMO, the version shown in NYC/Chicago is the better one. The NYC film started in 1920, the Phila. version 1927.The only visual difference I can specifically remember is that the dancing in the rain scene in the NYC film seemed to be in the moonlight - bluelit and more romantic (correct me if I'm wrong,Karen) whereas the hila film had it in daylight. The epilogues were different: the Phila. version didn't mention that the parents remained in Scotland or that Fraser was badly wounded in the war; the NYC version kind of implied that Kiloran was sold because of Pre-war economic conditions and in general was a little more detailed. In the Phila.version some of Fraser's narration was eliminated, e.g. Fraser saying that Moira and Edward had lots of children to fill up the big house, Fraser speaking simultaneuously with Edward a out Beethoven and jazz (an improvement, actually) and Fraser saying that his dad worked hard and eventually Moira forgave him. Small changes, but why for heaven's sake? Will post more later."}, {"response": 70, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 1999 (15:55)", "body": "the dancing in the rain scene in the NYC film seemed to be in the moonlight - bluelit and more romantic Yes, it is. Fraser is up above at his bedroom window watching his parents. How could it be daylight? They are in their nightclothes. in the Phila.version some of Fraser's narration was eliminated, e.g. Fraser saying that Moira and Edward had lots of children to fill up the big house, Fraser speaking simultaneuously with Edward about Beethoven and jazz (an improvement, actually) and Fraser saying that his dad worked hard and eventually Moira forgave him. Small changes, but why for heaven's sake? Really that last one isn't such a *small change* IMO. Also I thought the simultaneous speaking was good. Parents often give their children the same explanation for things over and over again, so that a child would know the answer reflexively and tend to mimic them. Thought that was cute. Frankly, I disliked the epilogue explanations of what happend to Fraser and his family afterwards. It gives the false impression that this story is true. After having read, \"Son of Adam,\" we know it is not. It is only loosely based on his life. A lot of creative license has been taken, so why tell everyone that Fraser goes on to become a big important television executive and director of the Royal Opera? And, yes, everybody laughs at the \"he still likes jazz\" line."}, {"response": 71, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 1999 (19:52)", "body": "In Dallas, I saw a version that said \"1920\"..but they danced in the rain in the moonlight in pajamas as Fraser said something like \"and papa made mama laugh again\". It went on to say that Fraser had served in Italy during WW II, but I don't remember being wounded.And Kiloran was sold because of economics ( Edward's inventions didn't pan out, eh?). I rather liked knowing what Fraser turned out to be...it made for a good closure. *** Thank KJArt for taking that 4 hour trek.I will say Spring Fans are die-hards! I enjoyed your comments and look forward to more. With luck MLSF video should be out in February. SIL vid was released **today**!!"}, {"response": 72, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 1999 (20:44)", "body": "I rather liked knowing what Fraser turned out to be...it made for a good closure. Movie captioning has been a hot-button issue with me lately. I find it distracting and it is being overused. The most galling example lately was Tea with Mussolini. Could there have been more captions? I don't think so. I realize that most Americans have no idea when WWII was fought, where it was fought, by whom it was fought and astonishingly why it was fought, but I was insulted by the amount of captioning. Every other scene showed the date and a brief synopsis of what particular events were in th news. Argh!! This is a movie not part of a high-school history curriculum. Done ranting :-)"}, {"response": 73, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 1999 (21:31)", "body": "(Lynda) Believe it or not, there are at least two versions out there. It sounds as though Karen saw the same version that I saw in NYC, which is different than what you and I saw in Philadelphia. If there are different versions out there, and questionaires handed out, it can mean only that they are testing which version will be received better. Would make no sense if they had already decided right from the start not to promote it at all. I would guess there's still hope that one or another MLSF will get a wider release. *I'd rather be in Philadelphia.* - Mossless in Germany -"}, {"response": 74, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 1999 (23:00)", "body": "*I'd rather be in Philadelphia.* You'd rather see the one with more omissions?"}, {"response": 75, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (00:29)", "body": "I think she means she'd like to see it - period. ;-) (Renate) If there are different versions out there, and questionaires handed out, it can mean only that they are testing which version will be received better. I think that's a pretty damn good possibility and may give hope for us all."}, {"response": 76, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (00:55)", "body": "or that she wishes she were W.C. Fields! ;-D"}, {"response": 77, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (01:16)", "body": "(Karen).... that she wishes she were W.C. Fields! ;-D LOL. Me?..I plan to keep calling Miramax for updates. Can't hurt. We've got a **live**one here...not dead like SLOW."}, {"response": 78, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (02:02)", "body": "(Evelyn) Thank KJArt for taking that 4 hour trek. I will say Spring Fans are die-hards! The 4-hour trek was the least of it! At least one is progressing from point A to point B pretty predictably. The phrase \"You can't get there from here\" applies to downtown Seattle in spades...trying to maneuver became a nightmare. Even though I spent about an hour with a good map ( good??? ) the night before planning my route, I still was frustrated in no time flat What with the unexpected barriers and wrong-way one-way streets!! All-in-all I think I had to pull over at least 5 (maybe 6) times to igure out where the **** I was (fill in your favorite explative here), and how the **** (ditto) could i get to where I wanted to go. Trying to get out was just as difficult as getting in!! I figure that maybe I'd be tempted to make the trek again , once I'd mellowed out, but the fact that I'd have to impose on friends to look in on the dog and the reality of Downtown Seattle make it pretty likely I won't try it again!!! ***** Fraser: \"...and what is fell-latt-ee oh??\" FOTFLOL at the expression engendered by that line on Edward's face...even more horrified than the response to the \"orgy\" question, I think. Hee hee. ***** Edward's \"sex-education\" fiasco did produce one very pronounced effect: Note that Fraser was fleeing her frantically at their next visit...undoubtedly to avoid those \"temptations of the flesh\" that she embodied. ***** Re: the hayloft (actually moss-loft) scene. I make my judgment of events based on her reactions later. Had there been a genuine rape, she would have told Morris and been afraid of her. Had she given in, I think she would stay as far away from the subject as possible afterwards. No, I think he did try to push it and was effectively repulsed and she got back at him for that indignity by the cutting remarks and utter contempt she showed toward him at the dinner. I think the letter later was basicly \"we' e going to be in-laws, and I'll say no more about it if you won't\". ***** I agree with Heide that the wake scenes seemed written for dramatic effect and felt unrealistic to the nature of the characters involved as revealed so far, especially Moira's outburst. One of the things I want to pick up on a repeat viewing was what she said to him at the bottom of the stairs...something about his choosing, I think. The confrontation was necessary to the story, but the setting was simply not very believable."}, {"response": 79, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (02:52)", "body": "The ramifications of Fraser's family have still to be illuminated. I think I heard someone saying, as they dragged the body up from the pond, that that was \"Uncle ****'s crazy brother\" , therefore a distant relative...(obviously uncle by marriage). Whoever next sees it, try to nail that line will you?"}, {"response": 80, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (20:03)", "body": "(KJArt) No, I think he did try to push it and was effectively repulsed and she got back at him for that indignity by the cutting remarks and utter contempt she showed toward him at the dinner. I think the letter later was basicly \"we'e going to be in-laws, and I'll say no more about it if you won't\". Heloise did taunt Edward at the dinner table didn't she!! (And he in that gorgeous navy-blue suit!!)She kept bring up Biblical references and used the word \"hypocrite \" more than once.She was one angry lady....but I thought the scene was believable...unlike the post- funeral scene...with Edward on the floor (same gorgeous navy-blue suit) (KJArt)One of the things I want to pick up on a repeat viewing was what she said to him at the bottom of the stairs...something about his choosing.. I think it went something like \"..I want you Edward...what do you want? us or her...\""}, {"response": 81, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (21:09)", "body": "*Trying to catch up* Karen, KJ, Heide, Evelyn-of-the-skies, Susanne, et. al: so glad you were able to see the movie! Unfortunately, I'm starting to forget all the details as I only saw it once a few weeks ago. Nevertheless, a few comments: (Karen) Why aren't there pictures of Colin paddling around in the water? I think there is at least one shot of him in the water in that thing. It's a head-on shot (as though the audience is facing him). Does anyone else remember? (Susanne) When I said the boy carries the film, I meant that he is really the lead actor He's the central character who connects all the threads, but his role is far less complicated than Edward's. Two versions: I wonder if this is commonly done? As I said in my first post, Miramax kept meddling with this until the bitter end (and then some). To the best of my recollection, the waltzing scene was overcast, not moonlit. But I could be wrong...[I saw the '1920' version] And the film had already melted once. The infamous moss loft: Edward had to do more than kiss Heloise (agree he didn't go so far as to rape her). There's moss all over their clothes (including their backs) and her chocker fell off. There must have been *some* rollin' around up there! (KJArt) My only complaint in this regard is that we are not allowed to witness more of the redemption. I agree. Edward writhes in his chair for a bit (Darcyesque) then has an \"aha\" moment. (KJArt) I agree with Heide that the wake scenes seemed written for dramatic effect and felt unrealistic to the nature of the characters involved as revealed so far, especially Moira's outburst Consider this: Moira's been wrestling with her suspicions for some time and has just lost her beloved mother. Edward and Morris are going at it and...she \"loses it.\" She snaps. Favorite outfit: c'mon, you didn't like him clumping around the estate in those boots, with his pants tucked in? ;-P I liked the opening sequence whites the best. Next for me are those rubber pants hee hee It doesn't look as though I'll be seeing this again any time soon (will be away next week) so I will rely on the rest of you to keep posting details! (Karen) Do you think they used an animatronic Fraser up on the roof? ;-D Leave it to you to think of that! Disneytronics?? Move over, Country Bear Jamboree! Didn't you crack up when at one point Edward tries to go after Baby Fraser and he's held back by the rope?"}, {"response": 82, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (21:33)", "body": "(Eileen) Didn't you crack up when at one point Edward tries to go after Baby Fraser and he's held back by the rope? Perfect example of the physicality Colin brings to the role! Real slapstick moment if there ever was one. I think there is at least one shot of him in the water in that thing. In the movie, yes. I meant a still shot. I want a Snappy of that one. :-D"}, {"response": 83, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (21:45)", "body": "*hit the button before I was ready* (Eileen) Edward had to do more than kiss Heloise (agree he didn't go so far as to rape her)...There must have been *some* rollin' around up there! Definitely agree. How do the rest of you explain Edward's insinuations when he tries to make the bet with Morris and then his gloating response to Morris at the funeral about having \"won the bet several months ago\"? Something had to have happened. Not a rape, but consensual to some extent."}, {"response": 84, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (01:11)", "body": "How do the rest of you explain Edward's insinuations when he tries to make the bet with Morris and then his gloating response to Morris at the funeral about having \"won the betseveral months ago\"? Something had to have happened. I think Edward's gotten carried away with his childish need to lord it over Morris. He's making more out of it than what actually happened completely ignoring the fact that he's got an audience of his wife and children not to mention other sundry relatives who are hearing every word. I am sure Heloise would have told Morris if she had been raped. The fact that Morris knew nothing tells me Heloise was ashamed to tell him what did happen which I interpret to be something like a little grope and feel, may e a kiss. She's angry and embarrassed that she let it happen. Edward thinks he scored. Favorite outfit....ummm, definitely need a second look since I liked them all!"}, {"response": 85, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (01:18)", "body": "By more of the redemption, I meant after his apology. Fraser's narration talks about his taking many weeks to \"teach her to laugh again\" or something like that ...they showed the dance in the rain as our only witness to that process. I felt deprived. I wanted to watch the process of Edward tentatively doing whatever he did to gradually get back into her good graces and patch up their wounded relationship...that would have been a whole story in itself...and they chose not to show it...and I missed it!!"}, {"response": 86, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (01:34)", "body": "(Karen) Something had to have happened. I agree. Not a rape, but consensual to some extent. I don't agree. there is no evidence that anything consensual took place. When they showed her later straightening herself, she was obviously very upset. I did not interpret it as guilt. And she wouldn't dare taunt him at dinner in front of all the others if \"something consensual\" had taken place...she would have made every effort to avoid the subject. (Heide) She's angry and embarrassed that she let it happen. Edward thinks he scored. I think this is a very good interpretation of the situation and comes much closer to my impression of it...it reflects Edward's immaturity -- crowing to the other guy that he had managed to \"cop a feel\". --------------------------------------------------------------------------------"}, {"response": 87, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (03:37)", "body": "I don't disagree with Edward's motivations (boasting, crowing, etc.). It's Heloise's response or lack of response I find very bothersome. If she had been raped, she would have told Morris. If she kept it to herself because she didn't want to cause problems with the family she was marrying into, when Edward makes that crack, she would have said something like \"you animal!\" She has already shown that she will speak her mind (\"pay no attention to your father\") amd the dinner table comments about Edward b ing a hypocrite (Mr. God-fearing muscular Christian unable to control his lust and commiting adultery). She on the other hand is not a hypocrite, but a very free spirited modern woman of the 20s or 30s, depending on your city. ;-) Also, there was Edward's comment to Fraser about the French, having no moral fiber or something like that. (KJ) When they showed her later straightening herself, she was obviously very upset. I did not interpret it as guilt. I did. She didn't look the least terrified or flustered. To me, she looked a little guilty."}, {"response": 88, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (01:36)", "body": "You have the advantage of me...I only saw it once! 8-D I wonder if Colin's conception of \"making an ass of himself\" includes rape or flagrant adultery? hm?"}, {"response": 89, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (14:54)", "body": "I wonder if Colin's conception of \"making an ass of himself\" includes rape or flagrant adultery? hm? Considering the social climate of the time, I'd say his literal 'roll in the moss' qualifies as flagrant adultery. IMO had a rape occurred it would not be so glossed over by anyone (actor, critic) speaking about the film."}, {"response": 90, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (17:48)", "body": "From DP in the TImes today:\"It's about how a family forgives itself and ges on with life after a dramatic domestic incident....the incident involves illicit love\". Apparently Sir Denis Foreman has seen the film and has declared himself happy with the result. Seems unlikely that Sir Denis would want to see his father portrayed as a rapist!!"}, {"response": 91, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (19:18)", "body": "Puttnam: \"illicit love\" Thank you, Allison. I would interpret his comment as more than having lustful feelings or trying for a little grope. That means there was sex, but definitely not a rape because a rape would never be called love."}, {"response": 92, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (20:41)", "body": "If it was consensual, Heloise sure wasn't a happy camper at dinner. Whatever went on...he sure looked cute coming into the sitting room with that moss hanging out of his ears :-)"}, {"response": 93, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 1999 (20:51)", "body": "If it was consensual, Heloise sure wasn't a happy camper at dinner. If I remember correctly, she pounced on his words only after he started acting a bit holier-than-thou. He was twisting Christian beliefs to suit his purposes and she wanted to expose him as a hypocrite. Actually, now that I think about, she probably told Morris."}, {"response": 94, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (10:57)", "body": "Colin's performance just gets better and better, after the third viewing, I'm looking forward to 3 more! Heloise is the only character that seems two dimensional, IJ played her with just a few facial expressions. (Karen) Actually, now that I think about, she probably told Morris. If Morris knew about it at dinner, I think he would be very angry, and would certainly shown Edward his displeasure, physically...later on at the funereal he punched Edward about the bet."}, {"response": 95, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (12:54)", "body": "Just kidding about Heloise telling Morris. She's such a flirt though. Am wondering if how we're viewing this is somehow colored by the fact that we're women and the film was made by men. What do men think happened?"}, {"response": 96, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (14:21)", "body": "(Emma) Colin's performance just gets better and better, after the third viewing, I'm looking forward to 3 more! Ain't it the truth, girl!!! I have thoroughly enjoyed all your comments about MLSF. Hope you can stand reading some more of mine. Re: the moss factory scene. Neither I nor any of the other people who saw this film with me think Edward had sex with Heloise, much less raped her. He may have forced a kiss and a grope on her, in which struggle she lost the choker. After the scream (which sounded more like \"please, Edward\" to me - in a vein similar to \"get off of me, ya big lug\"), she said to Edward (out of the frame at that moment) that he was behaving like a child. Not the words of a woman who had just had either consentual or non-cons ntual sex with her brother-in-law to-be. Furthermore, Edward's behaviour with Morris afterwards would have been much different, frightened had he raped Heloise or barely concealed gloating had it been mutually-desired sex. As for Heloise's obvious distress, it came from the loss of the choker, but also, possibly, from the unexpected intensity of Edward's desire (she may have seen him, through Morris' eyes, as a buffoon, but there was nothing lightweight about his passion). Edward's look at Heloise when she joined Morris and the girls was one of longing. And there was a perfect little look that CF had Edward give Heloise at the dinner table, whose meaning I can't quite articulate, kind of li e the look one sibling gives to another when he's afraid the other is going to tattle on him, not a look of shame or guilt, but a kind of \"damn you\" expression. I have to say here, that this one tiny, amazing, perfect expression epitomizes what I so adore about Colin's acting. Finally, could Heloise and Edward have actually sat across the dinner table from each other and next to Morris and Moira just a few hours after they'd had sex together, whatever it's nature? The Marquise de Merteuil and Valmont coul have pulled it off, but probably not Heloise and certainly not Edward, IMO. As for the quickness of Edward's attraction, do we know how long passed between Heloise's arrival and the loft episode? Maybe a man married for at least 17 years with seven or eight kids (there were 3 at the adult's table and 5 at the kid's table in the dinner scene, but were they were all Pettigrew children?) shouldn't lust after his brother-in-law's fiancee, but IMO, impetuous, virile (he keeps talking about a manly, masculine attitude towards Christianity) and unwordly Edward would be exactly the type f man to fall head-over-heels in lust with lively, wordly, physical (remember how she kept stroking Fraser?) young Heloise, so very different from Moira. Which brings me to Heloise's behaviour in the loft scene. Now far be it from me to suggest that Heloise was asking for it here, but... in the earlier scene, when Edward sent Fraser off in a most obvious manner and then gave Heloise his little gift, she gave him quite a seriously appraising look, to which he responded with a look which reminded me of Neil gazing at Romelia -shy and unsure of himself. Next time we see them together alone, it's in the mossloft again. Now, Heloise may have been young, but she wasn't Fraser's age, and she'd played in a dance trio and must have been used to men's attentions. I won't buy for a minute that she was unaware of Edward's being completely besotted with her, so why would she risk being alone with him? The scene began with him talking about some building he was planning (he even had the plans in his hand, I think). He walked away from her, still talking about the moss factory, when Heloise cut him off mid-sentence and commented on how much she \"loves\" the moss. She was s roking Edward's ego here and making the conversation more intimate. Edward replied that he did too, stooped next to her and began speaking of Morris' contempt for the moss business, which she denied. After Edward said, \"your fiance has no soul\", Heloise called out his name and as Edward looked at her, she threw the moss at him, which he, most awkwardly, threw back at her and then, the kissing business began. Maybe it wasn't deliberate, but IMO, Heloise was flirting or toying with Edward. Accepting that sh wasn't interested in Edward, (ok, I'm biased here, but Heloise choosing Morris over Edward as a lover does beggar the imagination - MMcD did a good job but he really was too old for the role, made Heloise seem a gold-digger), perhaps Heloise was flattered by his infatuation, maybe took it as her due, but for Edward's part, he was deadly serious. When she had time to think about it, Heloise accepted her share of the blame for this episode, which is why she sent that conciliatory letter. In short, Heloise lirted with Edward and Edward (in Colin's words) made an ass of himself. My son's response to Edward's behaviour here was \"What an idiot!\". Of course, I could be all wet in my take on this; sorry for being so long-winded but as there has been so much int"}, {"response": 97, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (17:30)", "body": "(Lynda) And there was a perfect little look that CF had Edward give Heloise at the dinner table...like the look one sibling gives to another when he's afraid the other is going to tattle on him, not a look of shame or guilt, but a kind of \"damn you\" expression. That's a great look he gives her after she tells him that you can't consider yourself a good Christian if you profess one thing and do another. After the mossloft scene, when Edward comes into the sitting room where Morris is hanging out, I got the feeling he's just itching to be noticed or to pick a fight. He kept pacing about, hovering around him. Then of course he picks up the tray of drinks and that starts it all. It is like he wants Morris to see him semi-disheveled, with the hanks of moss hanging off him."}, {"response": 98, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Sun, Aug 15, 1999 (06:24)", "body": "Well, finally got to see MLSF today! :) the theater was So Small! only 52 seats (i counted) and the screen was about the size of two big screen tv's. Did any body else get stuck with such a tiny screening room? On the plus side, it was pretty full, about 40/45 people there. (i brought 3 with me!) :) i thought Colin was gorgeous (of course!) and did a wonderful job... but must admit that i was slightly disappointed in the movie over all. I loved the first 1/3, when we see Edward as the family man -with all of his goofy inventions. :) And there are so many wonderful shots of Colin's adorable face and he portrayed a wide range of emotions very well. He totally had me drooling and laughing in So many places. What drove me crazy was that most of the movie was focused on Edward's faults- that's where i th ught it started to drag. Then when it got around to them dancing in the rain (*sigh* how romantic is that?) i thought, 'ah finally -it's getting good again' and the next thing i know, the movie is over! I wanted to know WHAT Edward did to win back Moria's love and trust, and to make her laugh again! Also, to repeat what nearly everyone else has stated; the scene at the funeral/wake was SO unrealistic! And, did anybody else get tired of watching a ten yr old boy obesse about sex and naked women? And what t e heck was Sissy the maid (who looked about 15) doing bathing a 10 yr old boy? ok- i'll stop ranting and raving now :) scenes i though were hysterical: the flyfishing (of course!) :) Edward on the rope Edward in the floating device Fraser w/the cigar and milk at the end Edward doing the morning excerises with his sons, then jumping into the lake the kids mouthing the introduction to their father's sermon, then nearly falling off the bench trying to keep from laughing. -admitedly this struck me as particually funny as my daddy is a laypreacher (much like Edward) and my brother, sister and i used to do this when we heard him preaching a sermon we knew as well as he did :) things that confused me: (all of which i believe have already been brought up) who the heck was the hairy man? how many kids did they have? did Moria have more than one brother? wasnt there another uncle at most of the big events? things i loved: The location- would you not die to have been raised in that wonderful old castle and spent your childhood roaming that estate? Colin, Colin, Colin. (but then -we all knew that already!) ;)"}, {"response": 99, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sun, Aug 15, 1999 (15:54)", "body": "Too bad about the theatre you saw MLSF in, SB. Not surprising, though, considering the consistently off-hand treatment this film has received from its distributors. I've been lucky to see MLSF in some pretty decent theatres. The hairy man, IMO, was actually the man dredged from the loch, the shell-shocked cousin of Andrew Burns (who seemed to be like the estate manager), not a figment of Fraser's imagination. There were at least 6 children, Elspeth, another older girl, an older boy, Fraser, Brenda and Finlay. I wondered, too, about Cissy bathing Fraser. Fraser had pnuemonia in that scene, maybe that's why. I'll bet she never bathed him again, though. Kiloran was fairly remote and maids bathing children Fraser's age may have been an old custom. Don't forget that even Darcy had a servant to assist him with his bath. The Uncle Crawford to whom you are referring was, I believe, the brother of Gamma (or possibly of the deceased Samuel). I loved Edward doing the exercises with the boys and telling them to gird their loins. He kicked up his heels so high, coming down the stairs, that I thought he was going to kick himself in the bum. Fairly danced down those stairs. So much energy and life in Edward *sigh*. Has anyone figured out what he said to the boys as he was paddling about in the loch?"}, {"response": 100, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Aug 15, 1999 (17:32)", "body": "Hi All, I understand MLSF has EXPANDED to anohter theatre in or around Cambridge, Boston area, well done to everyone in that area who supported MLSF, its a start!!"}, {"response": 101, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug 15, 1999 (19:00)", "body": "Thanks Esbee for the review..... ( SB) but must admit that i was slightly disappointed in the movie over all. I loved the first 1/3, .... No one said it was a great movie....we said Colin was great.And we loved it for that reason. I doubt v. much if I would have flown to Dallas to see it if it had not bee a Colin film. **** You didn't give us your take on the hayloft scene...."}, {"response": 102, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 1999 (16:14)", "body": "(Evelyn) You didn't give us your take on the hayloft scene.... Hmmm... i certainly didnt think it was a rape. In truth, i never would have thought that any more happened, then what we saw, if i wasnt reading our disection of it, here at drool. :) But, it did seem rather dis-jointed, perhaps this was one of the places where the film was edited down. (Lynda) I loved Edward doing the exercises with the boys and telling them to gird their loins. He kicked up his heels so high, coming down the stairs, that I thought he was going to kick himself in the bum. LOL! I loved that scene! It had me shivering in my seat -as much from how cold it looked, as from being exposed to so much of Colin in that Bathing Suit! ;) ( hee hee ) Don't forget that even Darcy had a servant to assist him with his bath. Now there's a position i'd like to apply for! :) \"I'm sorry sir, I've missed a spot and i'll have to scrub your back again... oops! I've dropped that slippery wash cloth -dont mind my fingers while i search for it...\" ;)"}, {"response": 103, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 1999 (17:11)", "body": "Oh you are awful, SB. heehee"}, {"response": 104, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (11:13)", "body": "What can I say? I am reeling from all your wonderful reviews, impressions and evocative descriptions of MLSF. I have also gone a gorgeous shade of green. Any news of the number of theatres showing it to be increased? Some of you have had a real trek to see it. Thanks for creating such a lovely haven for those of us who have not yet seen it to visit."}, {"response": 105, "author": "cristina789", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 1999 (22:59)", "body": "Sorry, my English is very bad. I hope I will not bother you. When I have left the cinema after seeing MLSF, one gentleman of, maybe, 50 years old was very willing to comment about the plot. He said that Beethoven himself was a bit just like Edward, because he too \"took his brother's wife\". I assured him briefly that identifying the \"immortal beloved\", which is alluded in one of the composer's letters, with his brother Johann wife is entirely a Hollywood invention. And that Beethoven condemned Mozart for having written \"Don Giovanni\",-such a frivolous subject in his opinion. I could have added that Beethoven's high ideea about women and marriage is expressed in \"Fidelio\", where a wife is ready to enter in the prison to save his husband. But he looked at me so surprised, that I gave up. So, you see, this movie(MLSF) can produce very unexpected reactions among the american male audience. They are not prepared to accept \"more\" redemption :-) And I think they would have laughted if that was to be shown on the screen, as someone suggested here. I have always associated in my mind Mr.Darcy with the composer(born in 1770). On the other hand, Beethoven's music, seen as a source of energy, is nourishing Edward's mind. An inventor which boils his watch and looks at the egg... and behaves childishly, because this is how his mind can work! P.S.For french-speaking moviegoers, like me, Heloise's voice (from the factory) sounds clearly: ...arrete...please (=stop, please)."}, {"response": 106, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (00:49)", "body": "Welcome Cristina....what an interesting introspection you have given us. Mr Darcy like Beethoven.....come to think of it he does look like him . (Gary Oldman in \"Beloved Immortal\"). Wonderful to have a french-speaking Firthfan among us.Have you seen any other of Colin Firth's films besides P&P? Stick around...we would enjoy hearing more of your comments.It always invigorates us to have a newcomer come on board!!"}, {"response": 107, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (02:48)", "body": "Welcome Cristina. Do not worry about your English. You have brought up some very interesting points and cleared up what Heloise said. Arrete makes perfect sense. I like how you've linked genius and childish behavior because it is true. Edward, while no Beethoven or Einstein, has the instincts of a genius. They are often extremely childish in their behavior as if other parts of the brain, where maturity resides has not developed fully. Cristina, please continue to join in here or on the other boards."}, {"response": 108, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (13:17)", "body": "Welcome, Cristina. So true about genius and childish behaviour - perhaps because these kinds of people are, by necessity, so self-absorbed. Re: Edward's immaturity. Part of the problem was how he was treated - like an indulged child, without responsibility but also without authority. IMO, Gamma's worst moment was berating Edward as if he were a naughty boy, not only in front of Morris and the workers, but his son, in the blasting scene. I felt so sorry for Edward in that scene; he was so publicly treated with such disrespect. Edward's response was not that of a man, but of an obedient, submissive (but resentful) child. Didn't much care for G mma in the scene where Elspeth asks Moira's permission to call Heloise by her given name. And Edward didn't act in the baby Fraser scene or the Halloween scene until Gamma told him to. I had wondered why Morris, the natural heir, left Kiloran; perhaps he knew he'd never become a man living under Gamma's rule."}, {"response": 109, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (13:47)", "body": "(Lynda) Gamma's worst moment was berating Edward as if he were a naughty boy, not only in front of Morris and the workers, but his son, in the blasting scene. I didn't get the impression that everyone could hear Gamma. Seemed as though they were far enough away. Although Andrew could certainly tell what was going to happen. One thing I especially thought cute was Andrew's comment about Morris as Edward is walking over to them and then Fraser's repeating it exactly when he and dad are walking home together. Just like a child to repeat what he hears adults say without likely knowing what is meant."}, {"response": 110, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 1999 (00:30)", "body": "Your insights are very welcome, Cristina. As you can see, we're very glad you joined us here. (Karen) I like how you've linked genius and childish behavior because it is true. Edward, while no Beethoven or Einstein, has the instincts of a genius. They are often extremely childish in their behavior as if other parts of the brain, where maturity resides has not developed fully. I like what you say here, Karen. It's a perfect description of Edward's character. I didn't get the impression that everyone could hear Gamma. I too wasn't sure if the others could hear Gamma. My memory is often faulty but I had the impression that Edward didn't think they could hear and acted as if the idea to stop blasting was his own. But whether they could be overheard or not, I too didn't care for Gamma's scolding. I know her son-in-law exasperates her but it appears that she felt a genuine fondness for him. Perhaps her method of admonishment was to forestall Morris who surely would have made a bigger fool of Edward in front of everyone iven the chance."}, {"response": 111, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 1999 (14:26)", "body": "(Heide) Perhaps her method of admonishment was to forestall Morris who surely would have made a bigger fool of Edward in front of everyone given the chance. This makes sense -I wondered about that scene, it seemed slightly out of character for Gamma to scold him that way. Remember when the smoke started escaping all across the front yard, and Gamma calls out the window to Edward -there's a completely different tone to it. And when she turns around and sees Moria standing there in frozen horror (over the necklace) Gamma hurries to reassure her that she wasnt actually upset with Edward."}, {"response": 112, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 1999 (15:15)", "body": "Perhaps I was wrong in my take on this scene, but I got the impression that others heard Gamma because of the way Fraser tried to reassure his dad afterwards and Edward's response that Gamma thought Uncle Morris knew best. Also, if Morris had berated Edward, Edward might have been able to respond in a more grown-up way. I do think Gamma loved Edward (witness the look on her face as she watched him exercising with the boys) but did not treat him as a man , IMO."}, {"response": 113, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 1999 (18:44)", "body": "There's no question in my mind that Gamma loved Edward; she did leave Kiloran to him. However, Gamma treats her boys like boys, even Morris. She rules with an iron fist in a velvet glove. Whether the moss crew and Fraser heard Gamma berate Edward is not all that important because the others all knew what was going on. Andrew even made that comment before Edward approached the car."}, {"response": 114, "author": "kcjones", "date": "Sat, Aug 21, 1999 (04:35)", "body": "I just saw MLSF today...it was a \"surprise\" when it popped up here, (in Cleveland, Ohio) but I made sure that I was at the first showing!! I appreciate reading all the comments here, esp. re: Gamma's control over here \"brood\". I would have to agree... I will be going back to see it again, because like \"Shakespeare in Love\", I'm sure I will see more every time, if not the characters, then the scenery, etc. I'll try to come up with some \"intellectually important\" comments, vs. reporting that Colin has the CUTEST smile in the last scene....**mild swoon!!**"}, {"response": 115, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 21, 1999 (04:53)", "body": "Cleveland!! Hey, there is hope for the other cities. Heard it left Washington, D.C. thought. Maybe you guys got the reels. KC: We want to hear anything you'd like to share with us. You can start with the \"intellectually important\" areas as (1) favorite outfit, (2) funniest lines, (3) places where you thought Edward should have punched Morris' lights out, (4) favorite bathing suits... you get the idea! Wouldn't you have wanted Colin's last look into the room to continue forever? To die for."}, {"response": 116, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sat, Aug 21, 1999 (07:59)", "body": "Well, since I have Karen's permission to be discuss such matters of doctrinal import.... I saw MLSF again yesterday and have to admit I was longing for a rewind button during the bathing suit scene. I was worried when I read about this scene two years ago that it would be a goofy looking outfit, but he looks darn cute in it. Particularly when shown running away from the camera ;-). Regarding my favorite outfit, I will have to join in with the group that the blue suit he wore at dinner was spectacular. I also liked the rolled up sleeves and braces he wore in the scene where they were tasting the asbestos (at least I think it was that scene). And didn't you cringe when you saw them breaking that asbestos apart to think of those cancer-causing particles floating through the air? Or did I imagine this? I'm pretty sure they said that chimney stuff was asbestos. And MLSF has made it to Cleveland? Great news kcjones - thanks for sharing. It's up from three theatres to five in the So Cal area so there must be some extra reels lurking around somewhere. Maybe there's still a smidge of hope for some of the other cities."}, {"response": 117, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Aug 21, 1999 (14:06)", "body": "(Jana) And didn't you cringe when you saw them breaking that asbestos apart to think of those cancer-causing particles floating through the air? I thought it was pretty funny in a sick way. At least we know from the book that Edward Pettigrew (aka Adam Forman) lived to age 100 or thereabouts!"}, {"response": 118, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 21, 1999 (14:16)", "body": "(JanaH) I also liked the rolled up sleeves and braces he wore in the scene where they were tasting the asbestos Love these matters of doctrinal import! ;-D Am partial to the shirt and braces shots myself as in watching the home movie with Fraser. You're so right about the bathing suit. I remember our discussions about it and how we were all cringing about those awful baggy things. If he couldn't go skinny dipping, I'm so glad the costume designer picked out something more flattering for all of us. ;-D"}, {"response": 119, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Aug 22, 1999 (01:13)", "body": "(Jana2) And MLSF has made it to Cleveland? /.../ It's up from three theatres to five in the So Cal area so there must be some extra reels lurking around somewhere. Maybe there's still a smidge of hope for some of the other cities. Not for Seattle, I fear. It has left the one theatre that it was in and is no more in the area. Not surprising, though. The Powers That Be evidently worked very hard to withhold information of its existence from the general public, and succeeded beyond their wildest dreams. I saw but one ad in print and that on the day it opened. Nothing more. (Here, great gnashing of teeth!) Well, that's one more reel available to spread a little joy around somewhere else, anyway. (I am glad to see that it made it t my natal city, at least. :-))"}, {"response": 120, "author": "kcjones", "date": "Sun, Aug 22, 1999 (03:28)", "body": "In my quest to introduce as many people as possible to the talents of Colin, I will be seeing MLSF for the second time (in Cleveland, Ohio) on Tuesday with a fellow Firth fan....I've already \"expanded her horizons\" her by insisting she see my copy of Valmont (bought from a video store going out of biz...I LOVE CF in that!!!). She's already a fan of his work in P&P, but didn't know much about his other work. I can only hope that MLSF \"catches\" on here in Cleveland... it's playing at the same theater that showed \"The Winslow Boy\" for over one month...when it had disappeared from other parts of the country. I think I'll need to see MLSF at least 3 or 4 times to get all the details, so if I can bring one or two people with me each time, hmmmmm....perhaps Miramax will notice...!!!"}, {"response": 121, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 22, 1999 (15:16)", "body": "(Karin) I think I'll need to see MLSF at least 3 or 4 times to get all the details Absolutely! And it's interesting that I haven't gotten tired or bored with it yet. Think I will be seeing it for my 5th time today and am looking forward to it. I mean it has been slightly over a week since I saw it last. ;-D Are there any specific things that I need to look for? perhaps Miramax will notice...!!! I think the only thing Miramax is looking at right now is \"Teaching Mrs. Tingle,\" which got trashed by the critics. However, its audience doesn't care what the critics say."}, {"response": 122, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Aug 23, 1999 (14:17)", "body": "(Cristina) An inventor which boils his watch and looks at the egg... and behaves childishly, because this is how his mind can work! (Karen) I like how you've linked genius and childish behavior because it is true. Edward, while no Beethoven or Einstein, has the instincts of a genius. They are often extremely childish in their behavior as if other parts of the brain, where maturity resides has not developed fully. (Heide)I like what you say here, Karen. Oh, so do I. Don't we all know people like this? Welcome, Cristina! Loved your comments, particularly about the reaction of men in the audience. I'm glad to see MLSF expanding to other theaters/cities, but it appears to be at the expense of Seattle and Washington DC. I scoured the NY Times yesterday for the first time in 3 weekends (have been away). No MLSF ad, but listings revealed it's still playing at the Angelika. My local NJ paper surprisingly had a brief review, but it was not favorable. Grrr..."}, {"response": 123, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Aug 24, 1999 (14:43)", "body": "Hmmm.... think i forgot to list my favorite outfit. The Kilt- definetly the kilt. *sigh* i wish he would have worn in it in more than just one short scene."}, {"response": 124, "author": "cristina789", "date": "Tue, Aug 24, 1999 (22:48)", "body": "Ladies, I thank you for your sympathy and encouragements. I'm learning a lot of informal English from you. Some of you have a very organized mind and one can feel that the discussion is making a step forward after some of your writtings here. (I suspect that some of you have Ph.D.s ... That's OK, we know Colin to prefer women with degrees ;-) I'm posting here to confess that I have seen the movie many(6) times. Just some small thoughts now: Have you noticed that the \"brooding\" scene (=Edward thinking to stay or leave) is musically accompanied by a music (the 3rd movement of a LvB Quartet Op.135) which is noted \"Lento assai e cantante tranquillo\"(=enough slow and quietly)? Now, Ladies, please tell me which other actor would dare to try to catch the watcher's attention just \"sitting and brooding\" on the screen in the company of an \"enough slow and quietly\" music ?!?! No explosion, no special effects there, not even a trumpet, just HIM sitting there, relying on his acting talent. I particullarly liked this choice of music. The next, 4th, movement of the quartet is called by the composer :\"Decision very hardly taken. Muss es sein? Es muss sein!\"(=Must that happen? It must!), - and is a very dramatic piece of music. But they choose the 3rd part, not hte 4th, for Edward's scene, because he does not yet know what to do. Everything in this movie is delicate and fine like a jewerly. Do not try to give it to \"the crowds\", it would not do! P.S. Have you seen the essays about P&P gathered in a book called \"Jane Austen in Hollywood\" (a chapter is titled \"Mr.Darcy's Body\" !). A group of droolers (with various degrees in literature) published by the Univ.of Kentucky tried to explain ... the magic."}, {"response": 125, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 25, 1999 (02:03)", "body": "Thank you Cristina, for describing the different movements of the music background.It gives us a better insight to the different scenes. I shall continue to hound Tower Records for the soundtrack. Since the musical score was performed by the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Simon Rattle, I hope I shall be able to find it in UK. It took six months for the P&P soundtrack to make it to the US. ***** (Cristina)Have you seen the essays about P&P gathered in a book called \"Jane Austen in Hollywood\"(a chapter is titled \"Mr.Darcy's Body\" !). No. Has anybody else seen this book....?? Is it commercially published? ***** Thanks Karen for FF review. I was surprised that it was ever commercially shown."}, {"response": 126, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 25, 1999 (04:00)", "body": "Re: Jane Austen in Hollywood I've never seen it, but I've read the Darcy part and I might have it on a diskette somewhere. I'll look."}, {"response": 127, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Aug 25, 1999 (06:46)", "body": "Christina, I really enjoy your comments! It's very interesting that the soundtrack was performed by Simon Rattle and the Birmingham SO, our finest conductor, and for many people our finest orchestra. That enough would justify seeing MLSF. It seem to me that an awful lot of thought and effort went into making this film, and then it was subjected to a preview, and Miramax ordered a severe re-edit (30 minutes screen time lost) and virtually dumped it. Perhaps the original would have been better than the slim-line version, especially if viewed by an appreciative audience."}, {"response": 128, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 25, 1999 (14:08)", "body": "(Cristina) I'm posting here to confess that I have seen the movie many(6) times. Where have you been? And why haven't you joined us on the other Colin subjects? 6 times!! I'm going to have to go again this week to catch up with you, I'm only on 5. Your comments about the music are very interesting, as I too share your admiration of Colin's unique ability to project his turmoil merely by sitting in a chair near a fire, pulling on a cigarette. He's done it before with great success. About the only thing missing was the ritual splashing of water on his face. ;-D Do you know what music was used for the waltz in the rain?"}, {"response": 129, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Aug 25, 1999 (16:10)", "body": "(Cristina) But they choose the 3rd part, not hte 4th, for Edward's scene, because he does not yet know what to do. Very interesting and insightful! which other actor would dare to try to catch the watcher's attention just \"sitting and brooding\" on the screen in the company of an \"enough slow and quietly\" music ?!?! No explosion, no special effects there, not even a trumpet, just HIM sitting there, relying on his acting talent. *sigh* Well said. This is why we love the guy. BTW, your English is wonderful. I've only seen it once. Since it appears wide distribution will happen only when it snows in hell, I've got to head back to NYC to see it. *planning and scheming commences*"}, {"response": 130, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 25, 1999 (17:20)", "body": "Sue reports that MLSF is still playing in Dallas. Different theatre, but in the same neighborhood. (Near a university....\"arty\" crowd). **** I am so impressed with Cristina's music report...I copied it on my MLSF file. Will really come in handy when we discuss the film, and get to that scene. Can you enlighten us on any of the other music? ***** Called Tower Records, soundtrack not listed . I am not surprised, since it is such a little film with limited viewing, it would not pay to produce the CD. What a bummer!!"}, {"response": 131, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Aug 26, 1999 (00:15)", "body": "Jane Austen in Hollywood (Evelyn)No. Has anybody else seen this book....?? Is it commercially published? (Karen) I've never seen it, but I've read the Darcy part and I might have it on a diskette somewhere. Yes, you've seen it ladies, because I had it in my hot little hands in Waterstones when we were in London. Remember? I didn't buy it 'cause I thought I'd find it in the US. Well, haven't found it yet. Emma, don't you have it? Thanks for the info on the 3rd movement of the Beethoven Quartet, Cristina. I hope to see it again Saturday (if it keeps hanging in there in Philly) and I'll take great satisfaction in listening to (and watching) this scene."}, {"response": 132, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Thu, Aug 26, 1999 (14:06)", "body": "Thanks for the info on the music, Cristina. A beautiful scene. I took my sister-in-law to see MLSF in Toronto yesterday. It is playing at only one theatre now, but an art-house multiplex in a good area. She thought it a very good movie and CF cute and boyish. I just love this film and am most seriously displeased with what Miramax has done with its distribution. I hope that when it is released on video, we get the whole film. I know some of you don't like the wake scene but CF is so wonderful in it and all the scenes that follow; his acting is exquisite. I've read the \"Jane Austen in Hollywood\" book, but copied only the Darcy bits, which were pretty astutely written by several writers and made me drool all the more as I read them."}, {"response": 133, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (00:54)", "body": "copied only the Darcy bits, which were pretty astutely written by several writers and made me drool all the more as I read them. I do like one of the phrases used, something about Colin as Mr. Darcy \"privileging the female gaze.\" MLSF is out of the Philly theatre I saw it in but is moving to another (Ritz Bourse) so it must still be doing well here. The Muse has bumped it out of the Ritz East."}, {"response": 134, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (13:40)", "body": "Yes, MLSF must be hangin' in there throughout its measly distribution--practically without advertising, no less! I've read that audiences consistently love the movie. What a shame it was \"back burnered\" by the powers-that-be at Miramax. I guess they learned the hard way that Rupie-baby isn't the mega-star they thought! AIH hasn't fared so well in the box office."}, {"response": 135, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (14:09)", "body": "Just another comment on the soundtrack. I can't understand why there hasn't been more publicity given to the fact that it's performed by the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra under Sir Simon Rattle. He is simply our best conductor (soon departing for top job at the Berlin) and, more significantly, he doesn't \"do\" film soundtracks. This must be the only one he's done. Perhaps when MLSF opens in the UK, someone will mention this!! It seems to me that Miramax initially pulled out all the big guns, then got cold feet after the first preview, got Hugh Hudson to do a severe re-edit (30 minutes is a lot of footage to lose), shelved the movie for a year, and then dumped it in favour of RE and AIH. I think that with the limited number of prints available, it can only open in a few independent art-house type cinemas in London when it finally comes to the UK. Shame!!"}, {"response": 136, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Aug 28, 1999 (20:29)", "body": "Shame, indeed, Bethan! I can only hope that when they finally release the video that a \"director's cut\" will be issued. (but they probably won't ... it'll lose money, I'm sure, and after all, that IS the name of the game, isn't it?"}, {"response": 137, "author": "kcjones", "date": "Mon, Aug 30, 1999 (03:56)", "body": "Status report on MLSF in Cleveland, Ohio....I am totally bummin' because the movie listings for today say that MLSF will be leaving the local (only) theater that had it for about 2 weeks...so, some OTHER lucky city will get that reel...SO, I will be seeing it tomorrow, with my neighbor, and most likely back again on Tuesday, the last day... it will be interesting to see how long the pathetic \"Teaching Mrs.Tingle\" stays in local theaters, also a Miramax film, which has received much more press and interviews with the \"stars\" than MLSF ever did...I heard the original title was \"Killing Mrs.Tingle\", but because of the Columbine shootings, they changed the title...tells you a lot about the quality (and redeeming subject matter) of the film, eh??! Why does the Miramax press dept. decide to \"throw away\" a MLSF???? I realize that Colin was busy filming, and probably could not do the \"press junket\", but why spend all that money to MAKE the film and then not promote it...GRRRR!!! Sorry for the \"pity party\" tonight, but ODB deserves better, esp. when he is the LEAD actor!!!"}, {"response": 138, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Aug 30, 1999 (07:08)", "body": "Hear Hear Karin, and without any promotion or advertising I understand it has done as well as an AIH did in the first 5 weeks, so with a little more help who knows!!"}, {"response": 139, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Aug 30, 1999 (14:37)", "body": "As has been postulated by many, IMO Miramax decided early on (pre-Cannes) to treat MLSF the way it has. If it had become a huge hit (in spite of Miramax), with critical raves, lines around the theater, showings sold out, etc. things would be different now. Regardless, it has been somewhat successful. Several well-known critics gave glowing reviews. Its early box office returns were good. Audiences seem to like it. Alas, this is not enough for Miramax. They're sticking to their original stingy relea e and promotion strategies. My DH watched 'Enemy of the State' the other night. Fifteen minutes was enough for me. Startling premise and special effects aside, I thought it was terrible. The acting was simply awful...but it made a gabillion $$$. It was aimed directly at the cyberyouth of today, who obviously didn't care about the acting. I understand 'The Matrix' was similar. So this is what we have to look forward to in the future...clones of this type of movie. Horror was the ticket to success in the US this summer. If a n n-Diehard movie starring Bruce Willis can carry the box office, you know audiences don't care about acting quality. When artsy pics such as AIH, Winslow Boy, MLSF etc. don't do well (for whatever reason), those of us who do care about acting, whose standards have been raised by CF, are out of luck. We shall have to make due and hope things change. But there's always TV and the stage (and video)!"}, {"response": 140, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (22:36)", "body": "Still, there are critics who can recognize quality. This one gave MLSF a B+: A coming of age tale, based on the memoirs of Sir Denis Forman, MY LIFE SO FAR will be seen as a delight for film lovers of small independent movies. Ten years old Fraser lives on the Kiloran Estate in the Scottish Highlands in the late 1920's. Fraser's life and the life of his unusual family, especially his eccentric father Edward (Colin Firth) creator of the only moss factory in Europe, have their lives changed with the visit from Uncle Morris (Malcolm McDowell) and his lovely French fianc\ufffde Heloise. Combining the fine photography of Bernard Lutic, and incredible cast of actors (including Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio), and direction by Hugh Hudson (CHARIOTS OF FIRE), you will have a memorable film experience. Alex Scudder for American Dreamer"}, {"response": 141, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (23:00)", "body": "From the Boston Phoenix , 8-9-99, : My Life So Far DIRECTED BY: Hugh Hudson REVIEWED: 08-09-99 By the titles of their memoirs you will know them. The subject of Portrait of the Artist As a Young Man will become James Joyce; the author of My Life So Far (originally titled Son of Adam) will grow up to be Sir Denis Forman, a British television executive. Joyce is a genius; Forman is not -- yet Hugh Hudson's adaptation of Forman's book enlightens and entertains as long as it adheres to the casual, inchoate, eccentric spirit suggested by its title. Here Forman has been rechristened Fraser Pettigrew (Robert Norman), the scion of Kiloran House, which is owned by his grandmother Gamma (Rosemary Harris) and ruled by Gamma and her daughter Moira (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio). The uncertain interloper in this post-World War I Scottish Elysium is Fraser's beloved father, Edward (Colin Firth), who has taken the rolling-stone proverb to heart and turned the estate into the world's only supplier of sphagnum moss. That and his penchant for Beethoven, fly ng machines, and cold outdoor baths mark Edward as a free spirit. But not where matters of the flesh are concerned. He spends his spare time preaching Non-Conformist fire and brimstone -- until Moira's dapper millionaire brother Morris (Malcolm McDowell) shows up with his young French bride, H\ufffdlo\ufffdse (Irene Jacob). Ostensibly told from Fraser's point of view, this morality tale of desire, propriety, covetousness, and hypocrisy is most telling when Hudson keeps it at a distance (a final confrontation is jarring and distasteful), allowing Norman's carrot-topped curiosity and insouciance to take charge. A tasty trifle full of treats, My Life So Far is satisfying as far as it goes. --Peter Keough And a nicely-worded analysis from \"Boxoffice Online Reviews\": Boxoffice Movie Review Search MY LIFE SO FAR ***1/2 Starring Colin Firth, Malcolm McDowell, Robert Norman, Irene Jacob and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio. Directed by Hugh Hudson. Written by Simon Donald. Produced by David Puttnam and Steve Norris. A Miramax release. Comedy/Drama. Rated PG-13 for sexual content, including some nude pictures. Running time: 94 min. Based on Sir Denis Forman's memoir, \"Son of Adam,\" \"My Life So Far\" is a gentle but trenchant period piece set in Scotland during that idyllic \"long weekend\" between the two world wars. Ten-year-old Fraser Pettigrew (Robert Norman) narrates not only the story of his own childhood but the story of his family and the quiet emotional chaos that erupts when Uncle Morris (Malcolm McDowell) brings his French fiancee Heloise (Irene Jacob) to the family estate. That Heloise is less than half Morris's age not to mention vivacious and beautiful, escapes no one's notice, especially Fraser's inventor father, Edward (Colin Firth), and his patient mother (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio). While Fraser attempts to educate himself in the ways of the world to understand why he thinks of Heloise the way he does, Edward wrestles with his own feelings for the young woman, realizing that he needs to come of age himself, perhaps even more than his son. The film is modest in its ambitions, but in what it's trying to accomplish, it succeeds admirably. The evocation of both period and perspective seems effortless, and there's a masterful balance throughout between real emotion and genuine humor. Though sweet and charming, the tone never crosses the line into cloying mawkishness. This is a credit to the whimsical, knowing script, the clarity of the direction, and the expertise of the actors. There's not an inauthentic performance in the ensemble, a d while Norman is smartly beguiling as our ostensible protagonist, the true stand-out is Firth. It's really his story, but Firth never hogs the screen. He plays Edward with such subtlety and yet such precision that he's able to reveal Edward's feelings completely while actually saying very little on the surface. Indeed, the whole film works this way: understated yet utterly lucid. As a result, it's as poignant as it is pleasurable. -L. J. Strom To those who have already chased these down, I apologize for redundancy, but these at least SEEMED new to me and I wanted to share them."}, {"response": 142, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (23:10)", "body": "Thanks, KJ. I don't think I've seen this last one--the one with all the bold face type!! Wow!! What a great review of Colin's performance. L.J. Strom must be a woman. While Fraser attempts to educate himself in the ways of the world to understand why he thinks of Heloise the way he does, Edward wrestles with his own feelings for the young woman, realizing that he needs to come of age himself, perhaps even more than his son. Wrestles with his own feelings? When? He acts on them right away. He only wrestles with her rejection of him. The realization that he needs to grow up only comes *after* Moira waggles her finger at him and her voice breaks a few times with choked up emotion. Other than that, the review is right on. ;-D"}, {"response": 143, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Sep  6, 1999 (00:55)", "body": "OHHHHHHHHH I want to see this movie, I don't see much chance of it playing anywhere near though. To make it more unbearable my sister keeps telling me what a wonderful film it is."}, {"response": 144, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep  6, 1999 (02:28)", "body": "Thanks KJ I hadn't read any of these reviews. And what gems they are...beautifully written...well thought out reviews.A joy to read both in content and in form."}, {"response": 145, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Sep  6, 1999 (04:50)", "body": "Again, apologies to those who've seen these: From the Montreal Gazette E-Files: My Life So Far Starring: Colin Firth, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Malcolm McDowell, Irene Jacob, Robbie Norman. Rated: Parental guidance,, adult themes. Mining the warmth of a handsome Life Marke Andrews Vancouver Sun From its opening scene, of a toddler crawling perilously along the gutters high atop a Scottish manor house, My Life So Far has the audience in its embrace. It's a warm place to be. The Scottish film, which reunites the Chariots of Fire team of producer David Puttnam and director Hugh Hudson (the film is dedicated to Ian Charleson, late star of Chariots), has a buoyant screenplay, well-rounded characters and cinematography that bathes the people and the Scottish countryside in a late-summer glow. The story, which screenwriter Simon Donald adapted from Denis Forman's book, Son of Adam, is told by 10-year-old Fraser (Robert Norman) in a narrative technique similar to the Swedish film My Life as a Dog. Growing up in the 1920s, Simon lives on the grand estate of his grandmother, known as Gamma (Rosemary Harris), and her extended family. Simon's father, Edward (Colin Firth), is an impulsive fellow who invents fantastic gadgets and dreams of mining the estate's moss for profit. His mother, Moi a (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio), at one time considered a musical career, but settled for family life instead. Edward and Moira, parents to two (Kelly MacDonald plays Fraser's teenage sister, Elspeth), openly show their affection for one another. Disapproving of Edward and his dreamer's existence is his older brother Morris (Malcolm McDowell), a businessman who anticipates inheriting the estate upon Gamma's death (and, the others fear, tossing them into the street). The matriarch, however, has no such plans, telling Morris: \"This isn't a business, it's our home.\" Tension arises when Morris brings his young French fiance Heloise (Irene Jacob) to Kiloran House, and Edward feels stirrings in his britches for the newcomer. Though the characters have their bad sides, it's impossible to dislike them. Everyone here, from the family members to the kitchen staff and servants to the farm animals, shimmers with life. Some literally drop in on the action, like the pony-tailed French biplane pilot who descends from the skies and takes a shine to Elspeth. The only time the screenplay turns on itself is when Gamma fires a member of the kitchen staff for spiking her favourite dessert with booze. The settings and look of the film are as important as the characters. A merchant's truck, no doubt designed by Edward, has sandwich boards on the sides and a huge, smoking cigar on its roof. Bernard Lutic's cinematography is stunning; one moment you'll be in a dark, burnished room, the next you'll be out in the yard, the leaves shimmering from the bright sunlight. The colours are those of warmth -- browns, yellows and reds -- making the surroundings as appealing as the characters. The film really belongs to young Norman, whose Fraser learns the facts of life in odd ways. Discovering his late grandfather's dirty books, he follows each reading session with a dip in the cold pond. He conducts a hilarious birds-and-bees discussion with his father, who nervously seeks the proper euphemism for a lad's hormonal changes, and allows his 10-year-old son to come up with the metaphor: magma. That could easily stand as a metaphor for My Life So Far, a movie with much going on beneath ts handsome surface. Aug. 6, 1999 ... And From \"Nitrate Online\": My Life So Far Review by Elias Savada Posted 30 July 1999 Directed by Hugh Hudson. Starring Colin Firth, Rosemary Harris, Irene Jacob, Tcheky Karyo, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Robbie Norman, Kelly McDonald, and Malcolm McDowell. Screenplay by Simon Donald, based on the book \"Son of Adam\" by Sir Denis Forman. British director Hugh Hudson, best known for his award-winning 1981 freshman feature Chariots of Fire, the compelling tale of exhilarating personal victory at the 1924 Olympics, returns to the pre- and post-Depression decades with a smaller, intimate effort worthy of your time (a brisk 90-minutes) and dollars, but which, unfortunately, may get lost in the continuing summer onslaught of mega-films. Hudson, whose last fictional effort bombed here in the States over a decade ago (Lost Angels, featuring Beastie Boys\ufffd Adam Horovitz), has shaped an intimate world of an eccentric Scottish family, based on the precocious red-headed childhood memoirs of Royal Opera House director Sir Denis Forman. Stunningly bucolic Argyll, Scotland is Never Never Land to the large family of ten-year-old Fraser Pettigrew and his doting parents Edward and Moira to the maternal estate of Kiloran House. Father, ever so plain, but filled with a stern yet childish nature by Colin Firth (the fickle foil of the Bard and his lady love in Shakespeare in Love), spends his time creating inventions of dubious merits. He is the \"kind fool,\" reluctantly acco"}, {"response": 146, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep  6, 1999 (17:55)", "body": "Thanks KJ... ..The only time the screenplay turns on itself is when Gamma fires a member of the kitchen staff for spiking her favourite dessert with booze. But how about Moira's rage at the Gamma's funeral....that is the part that most of us thought the screenplay was the weakest."}, {"response": 147, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Sep  6, 1999 (20:46)", "body": "This is where my memory is beginning to play me false ... I remember not liking the flow of story at this point, but, not having the chance to see it again, the events preceding this are all muddled in my head now. I'll just go with my initial feeling on seeing it, but can't back that up with specifics anymore. I'm just aware that your stated weakness is in me too ... changing my view of things upon further analysis. So, wanting to avoid foot-in-mouth disease, I won't go any further at this time. :-D"}, {"response": 148, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Sep  6, 1999 (21:19)", "body": "Talking of good reviews for MLSF, Steve Rhodes gives it 31/2 out of 4, the review can be found at deja-com."}, {"response": 149, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Sep  6, 1999 (21:38)", "body": "search Colin Firth and scroll down the page. The Ottawa Citizen also gives it 31/2 out of 4. it is still in their and fighting despite Miramax."}, {"response": 150, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Sep  6, 1999 (21:39)", "body": "sorry \"there\""}, {"response": 151, "author": "Jadewriter", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (00:27)", "body": "Well, I am finally here folks! Thanks so much to the RoP folks who e-mailed me and told me to get over to DROOL. Even though I saw MLSF awhile ago, I thought I'd add some of my views to the ones here. Well, I admit-- I walked into the movie not really knowing anything about it, other than the fact that I HAD to see it because of Colin. I saw a trailer for MLSF during An Ideal Husband and recognized CF's face. So, with little expectations, I was most pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this movie. The scenery is undoubtedly gorgeous. Here are some of my other thoughts: -- CF's role. It was nice to see him act so zany and neurotic. They painted him in so many dimensions, that I didn't know whether I liked or disliked him. He was such a wonderful father to his children, but at the same time he could be so utterly immature himself. He seemed open-minded when it came to his inventions, but was opposed to jazz. His character had lot of possibility and I felt that the movie sort of ran out of steam in the end and left a lot of loose emotional ties. The ending just seemed like an abrupt, tacked on, happy ending. -- The actor who played Fraser did a great job. Especially funny were the prostitution suggestion during dinner, and the scene where Edward catches him sitting in the armchair, listening to jazz, with a cigar! -- The whole \"man in the sky\" and the hairy man ideas could have been better dealt with. What the heck happened to Elsbeth then? Same with the Morris storyline. Morris didn't seem THAT bad of a character, beyond his disapproval of the way Edward employed his time. He seemed to have affection for Fraser and his other nieces and nephews. -- Rosemary Harris was wonderful! Overall, I really liked the film. It was charming and sweet, though I don't understand how it was so much \"my life so far\" as it was, \"a day in the life...\" But I definitely enjoyed all the performances, the lush landscape, and the endearing PG-13 sort of humor that is VERY different from what you would see in \"American Pie\" or \"There's Something...\" I think this film is targeted more towards adults than children so in some instances, it was a little \"too\" careful with delving into some actual questions and issues the film brought up."}, {"response": 152, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (02:15)", "body": "Welcome Tracy. I remember seeing your posting at Virtual Views and knew you belonged here with us. Look around all the other Colin topics. We love new people , they invigorate us. We're all gearing up for Colin's Firthday party on #110.Preparations are on #72...If you have any questions just ask...our hosts are super about guiding people through this maze. Happy,happy to have you with us:-)))))"}, {"response": 153, "author": "MaryLB", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (04:13)", "body": "And I'm coming right behind Tracy to add my MLSF thoughts. I saw the movie only once in DC, in the typical small theater with no advertising; it was gone when we returned from vacation. I loved it although I know I missed some wonderful stuff because of Scottish accents and other distractions. CF was amazing, as always; that expressive face, such understated emotions and expressions. My husband, not a Firth or Austen fan particularly, enjoyed the film very much; he felt it was a wonderful exception to the usual thoughtless and noisy stuff we are too often inundated with. The funniest scene, to me, was Colin trying to act urbane and thoughtful with Frazier in the \"wet dream\" discussion, but blowing his nose loudly to try to get control of the situation. He ended up explaining nothing, adding to Frazier's growing realization that his father was not the superhuman being he had thought. I will impatiently await the arrival of videos. (Someone at RoP--it may have been KarenR--gave me some reassurance that terrible box office doesn't mean no videos! I trust that's true!) I'll need to see it several times to get the nuances I missed. I've learned a lot about film editing and distribution practices from the discussion so far; please keep it up! MaryLB (Mary-L at RoP)"}, {"response": 154, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (04:31)", "body": "Tracy and Mary!! So glad to have you join us and give us your comments on MLSF. I'm too wiped out to comment right now, but wanted to issue you an official greeting. As Evelyn said above, we have all sorts of discussions going on Drool that you might find as entertaining as we do. Mary, about the video of MLSF. You won't believe it, but the Miramax site now says the video will be available on May 4. I assume 2000. Probably because those 22 copies of the film have to make it around the globe by pack mule. ;-D Here's the url: http://www.miramax.com/mm_front/owa/mp.entryPoint?action=1&midStr=566 So do you think it will beat Fever Pitch's release on video in the US? :-("}, {"response": 155, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (04:37)", "body": "And I just noticed that Miramax no longer has MLSF listed under the category of \"Now Showing\" with AIH, Life is Beautiful, Outside Providence, and the Very Thought of You, but has moved it to the category of \"Coming Soon to Video\"!! Are these people out of their minds!!"}, {"response": 156, "author": "MaryLB", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (05:13)", "body": "Wow, Karen, I am bowled over by that flower repeatedly blossoming in that welcome graphic! What a treat! For some reason, I am reminded of the ad that so briefly appeared for MLSF (probably because of the notable lack of it nowadays). Have you all seen it? It has the heading \"Imagine a summer in Paradise with nothing to do except everything your heart desires.\" Nice idealized faces of MEM and IJ, and one of CF--but, as you look at him, you realize he has just a faint crafty hint to his smile... I'm glad I saved it; it will be a rarity!"}, {"response": 157, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (08:30)", "body": "Tracy and Mary!"}, {"response": 158, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (13:09)", "body": "(Karen) Are these people out of their minds!! Clearly! And Marcia had her yaks all revved up to further handle distribution :-( I noticed last weekend's NY Times had no mention of MLSF but thought those precious copies had moved on to another city. Perhaps Miramax is clearing the decks for 'Breakfast of Champions' since that megastar-with-oh-so-limited-talent, Bruce Willis, is still packing 'em in with 'Sixth Sense'. Saw the BoC trailer before MLSF. Yecchh. Welcome, Tracy and Mary!"}, {"response": 159, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (13:23)", "body": "(Tracy) He seemed open-minded when it came to his inventions, but was opposed to jazz. From what I can remember, the evils of Jazz and everything associated with it was a widely held view. It was corrupting the morals of young people. Jazz clubs were dens of iniquity. Jazz musicians smoked illegal substances. It seems very funny to us now, but at that time, I can understand a parent attempting to steer his children away from such evil influences. ;-D (Tracy) The ending just seemed like an abrupt, tacked on, happy ending. Does make you wonder what was cut from this movie...more than 30 minutes from the version that was previewed last year. The actor who played Fraser did a great job. Robbie Norman. Overall, I'd agree with you, but I've come to dislike immensely the scene where he's pouring the tea for the servants and telling them the story of how Morris met Heloise. I realize that he is aping what Morris said, down to the golfing lingo, but he's so wooden. Then he goes into that humming and bowing the cello bit. Ick! But I do love the prostitution suggestion at the dinner table and that last scene with the brandy snifter. Both get huge laughs from the audience. (Tracy) I think this film is targeted more towards adults than children You're very right on this. Didn't we read an interview with Puttnam from Indiewire (??) where the interviewer asked something about what he expected children to learn from the movie and Puttnam answered it was NOT a movie aimed at children. How it was about very grownup themes like forgiveness. I'll go look for it."}, {"response": 160, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (19:02)", "body": "Welcome Mary LB Thanks for your MLSF comments. (Mary LB) Re: The MLSF ad:\" Nice idealized faces of MEM and IJ, and one of CF--but, as you look at him, you realize he has just a faint crafty hint to his smile... \" I must admit I hated that ad when it first came out...but it sorta grew on me. :-) ... Please stick around...and visit our other topics....always something goin on here.And don't forget Colin's Firthday on Friday on #110."}, {"response": 161, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Sep  8, 1999 (00:00)", "body": "Thanks for your thoughts, Tracy and Mary. It's nice to see that those whose expectations were perhaps not as great as some of ours, still enjoyed the movie. And interesting too that the husband liked it. While it may seem to be a film that is more attractive to women, I have heard from others that their husbands enjoyed it as well. Of course it may just be that women who love Colin Firth would only marry \"sensitive\" men. ;-)"}, {"response": 162, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Sep  8, 1999 (04:43)", "body": "Welcome Tracy and MaryLB! (MaryLB) I am reminded of the ad that so briefly appeared for MLSF (probably because of the notable lack of it nowadays). Have you all seen it? / ... / Nice idealized faces of MEM and IJ, and one of CF / ... / I'm glad I saved it; it will be a rarity! Do you mean this one? (Evelyn) I must admit I hated that ad when it first came out...but it sorta grew on me. :-) I must admit I hated that ad when it first came out and it NEVER grew on me! I much preferred the first one aesthetically for Colin's sake and at least it gave Robbie Norman a little more recognition. Granted, it didn't leave much space in which to quote R. Ebert, but I still think it was the \"Handsomest ad of my Acquaintance\" -- Thus: (Hee hee) (You must forgive me -- I am image-posting drunk -- I just learned how. Hee hee!) 8-D"}, {"response": 163, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Sep  8, 1999 (18:25)", "body": "Post again when sober, KJ!:-)"}, {"response": 164, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Sep  8, 1999 (19:16)", "body": "Yes, do! I'm curious about the \"first one\" you mention. I've only seen two hard copy PR documents for MLSF: the infamous ad mentioned by MaryLB, and the poster in which CF is facing MEM and IJ is superimposed above. I don't recall seeing RN in that one."}, {"response": 165, "author": "Xian", "date": "Wed, Sep  8, 1999 (19:41)", "body": "(Karen) Are these people out of their minds!! Sorry to pain you all, but I think they are on their RIGHT minds because they know I want to see MLSF desprately!! \"Coming to video soon...\" is really for ME and I can't wait to BUY it!! As I said on another board, this is the only way I can see the movie. Please understand me!!!!!!"}, {"response": 166, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (02:12)", "body": "I hate to tell you this, guys, but that (?those?) poster image(s) is here one minute and gone the next! When I posted these yesterday, both came out fine on my browser...I was even able to print them down. Then, when I stopped by a few minutes ago, the 1st poster image was replaced by the revolving Xoom logo. Frustrated, I whipped over to play about on #61, but got the image again. Then, when I came back here, the image of both posters is again on my screen. So who knows...if you see the logo now, come back later...you may be in for a treat! (Gi) Post again when sober, KJ!:-) Never doth a drop of alcohol toucheth my lipth! (Eileen) Yes, do! I'm curious about the \"first one\" you mention. It supposedly WAS the infamous ad mentioned by MaryLB although I gather now some missed out on it. (I also \"posted\" it over on 61.96; try that if it isn't showing up here.)(And try, try again, evidently ... ) :-D the poster in which CF is facing MEM and IJ is superimposed above. I don't recall seeing RN in that one. Not a likeness, but a child running away from the loch under Colin's image and over Malcolm's name.:-) The story was centered on the boy, after all."}, {"response": 167, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (02:20)", "body": "Oh, Ann: You mentioned a review in the \"Ottowa Citizen\", but gave no location. Is that online? If not, can you quote CF-relevant passages? Please?"}, {"response": 168, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (07:13)", "body": "HI, KJ, here is the Ottowa Citizen address, it is only a capsule review but they give MLSF 31/2 out of 4. http://www.ottoacitizen.com/"}, {"response": 169, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (07:14)", "body": ""}, {"response": 170, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (07:15)", "body": ""}, {"response": 171, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (07:18)", "body": ""}, {"response": 172, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (07:20)", "body": ""}, {"response": 173, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (07:21)", "body": ""}, {"response": 174, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (07:24)", "body": "http://www.ottawacitizen.com/"}, {"response": 175, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (07:26)", "body": "At last it works, it is far too early in the morning for this. Sorry about all the failed postings ladies, Karen would you please delete them. KJ, just scrool down to movie listings and the first film mentioned is MLSF."}, {"response": 176, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (13:25)", "body": "Nope, KJ, still get Xoom. Uh-oh, I hope there's not something going on with the software--we have a *big* party planned tomorrow, after all! Will check topic 61. Now that you mention it, I remember the figure of a little boy running towards the bottom of the poster. Guess it didn't make too much of an impression (but then, you know what I was focusing on!) 8-)"}, {"response": 177, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (13:25)", "body": "...and thanks for that link, AnnAnnAnnAnnAnnAnnAnn!"}, {"response": 178, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (14:26)", "body": "Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou, thankyou, thankyou, thankyou!!"}, {"response": 179, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (16:06)", "body": "I hate to tell you this, guys, but that (?those?) poster image(s) is here one minute and gone the next! Scary,,ain't it....I keep tell ya' it's the ghost of Count Almasy. I think it's only with Xoom.com images. Cause last night I did a card and it was OK."}, {"response": 180, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (18:29)", "body": "I'm going to get laryngitis of the fingers... You can't post images from Xoom.com here or anywhere. They have controls in place to terminate them. I've explained it all on #61."}, {"response": 181, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (19:23)", "body": "(KarenR)I'm going to get laryngitis of the fingers... LOL! I don't know about that, but I suffer (and plan to describe on some scientific mag) from mouse-finger syndrome!"}, {"response": 182, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (22:33)", "body": "laryngitis of the fingers... Digitalis?"}, {"response": 183, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (22:42)", "body": "Digitalis? Sounds deadly. Maybe I should put on some fox-gloves?"}, {"response": 184, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (07:56)", "body": "Deadly but also life-saving in some heart conditions. Mouse-finger syndrome would be in the tendinitis group:-)"}, {"response": 185, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Sep 18, 1999 (08:10)", "body": "Pandora Cinema are based in Paris and were co-backers and distributors of \"Shine\" (Geoffrey Rush Oscar Winner)and \"The Disappearance of Finbar\" a British film (Channel 4) which got good reviews and a selected UK release. They don't back rubbish! The only time I phoned Colin's agency (never again) just to enquire when we might see him in something, I thought they were singularly unhelpful and ill-informed! The only info I got was that SIL was opening in the UK in November, (wrong, wrong, wrong!). I remember saying \"oh, so he hasn't retired then\", very cheap sarcasm, quite unlike me, as I'm normally terribly polite and ooze gratitude! :-)"}, {"response": 186, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Sep 18, 1999 (08:31)", "body": "(Bethan) very cheap sarcasm, quite unlike me, as I'm normally terribly polite and ooze gratitude! :-) Cheap? But how appropriate! ;-)"}, {"response": 187, "author": "SylvanaM", "date": "Sat, Sep 25, 1999 (04:03)", "body": "Thanks for inviting me to post my impressions of MLSF. After my long drive on Tuesday, in the pouring rain, to the anointed location of Kew Gardens, Queens, I was required to return to work on Wednesday. After a hurricane hiatus of almost a week, the work piled on very quickly for the rest of the week. So I feel I must respond now, while I can still remember many of the details. What did happen in that hayloft? I think that Edward was guilty of making an awkward and unwanted pass at Heloise, and that is all. He was so smitten by Heloise that he was sure she would readily kiss him--the same way she kissed Fraser. He was just way off base about her feelings. Edward seemed so astonished that she would refuse him, and she would not respond after their \"moss tossing.\" It worked for Fraser, why not for him? I think that Heloise found his behavior childish and repulsive leading up to her comments about his being a hypocrite at the dinner table. I enjoyed the scene in which Moira and Eloise find they have a common ground--music-- upon which they could enjoy one another's company. Even though their backgrounds were so different (Moira so traditional, unadorned in dress, mother to a tribe of children, starting to show her age and Eloise so modern, foreign, fashionable, free of family constraints, youthful). They were able to spend a quiet afternoon together and start a personal relationship on which they could build a family relationship as sisters-in law. Until the men ruined everything. Edward and Morris are rivals and clearly envious of the \"wealth\" of each other. Uncle Morris seems fascinated by Fraser's description of his parents. Fraser describes his mother as beautiful, and his father is the smartest man he knows. His parents frequently \"slank off\" in the afternoon. Even Gamma tells Morris that Edward and Moira adore one another. In short, Edward has everything that Morris does not--a devoted and loving family. Surely Morris is wondering if he will be so fortunate with such a young wife at such a late point in his life. Edward on the other hand is equally envious of Morris' success as a businessman; he is a millionaire with two houses, one of which Edward is living in and regarding as if he were the Lord of the Manor. Edward has yet to find financial success with any of his wacky inventions, and is not sure if he will even have a roof over his large family's head when Gamma is gone. But this post is already becoming too long. I loved CF in every scene. There are some truly breathtaking images of him in this film. The camera loves him. He wears his wardrobe with style, and looks great in everything (except the hunting jacket which looks 2 sizes too small and extremely uncomfortable). My only complaint is the length of the film. Where is the rest of the curling match? We saw so little of it I have no idea as to who was winning or losing that bet. And how did Edward make Moira laugh again. Surely they did more than dance in the rain. At 1 hr and 33 min it is the same length as a feature length cartoon (a la Disney) made for children. This is a film made for adults! Adult films are supposed to run 2 hours. I want to see the other 27 minutes!"}, {"response": 188, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Sep 25, 1999 (07:50)", "body": "Very perceptive comments Sylvana, especially about Morris's envy of Edward. It makes the competition between the two men even more understandable. I'm still waiting to see MLSF! BTW the version you've all seen is Harvey's cut, the edited down version to cater for those with short attention spans and limited appreciation of movies that don't feature exploding galaxies. I would love to see the Director's Cut. Twenty seven minutes is a lot footage to lose. I remember reading that the curling match took a couple of days (at least) to shoot, so the curling scene must have been much longer in the original. And didn't MEM say that the new version was compl tely different to the film they actuallly shot. Seriously, I wonder if it's worth writing to Enigma Films/Hugh Hudson to enquire if there is a Director's Cut? I'm not sure if I approve of the preview system... I think it's better to let the director's version and vision go unchallenged, even if not perfect. How come movies like \"Meet Joe Black\" survive uncut?"}, {"response": 189, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 25, 1999 (13:31)", "body": "(Sylvana) I enjoyed the scene in which Moira and Eloise find they have a common ground--music I've always found Moira's comment when she walks into the room because jazz is playing pretty funny. \"I thought one of the children was misbehaving.\" Heloise the child. (Sylvana) They were able to spend a quiet afternoon together and start a personal relationship Would they really ever though? Moira is way too conscious of Heloise's looks and youth. It's only when Heloise shows up with her cute little French accent that Moira starts feeling old and dowdy. With the rift in the family caused by Edward and Morris, I doubt, even after Edward and Moira got back together, that Moira and Heloise would be close. Heloise is too painful a reminder. Speaking of relatives, does anyone have a clue as to the Uncle Crawford relationship? Is he Moira's brother-in-law? (Sylvana) looks great in everything (except the hunting jacket which looks 2 sizes too small and extremely uncomfortable) Definitely agree with you on this one; however, there are quite a few people who love this outfit. Hated the hat as well. ;-D About the film's length and the edited-out minutes, didn't Ben say it really dragged when he saw it last year? While I too would love to see a director's cut, a film has to have a major following to justify that. Perhaps after the film does show in the UK, I'll hear from Len (or I'll contact him again) to find out if there was actually more of a curling scene. Even though it may have taken days to do, doesn't necessarily mean there was more of the game. It has more to do with the number of shots and the complexity of their setup. Think about it, there was a lot going on on the ice and each thing was rehearsed and shot numerous times. Great comments, Sylvanna. Would really like to have you join us in the next film discussion on #98. We're doing A Thousand Acres and will likely start next week or the following. (Bethan) And didn't MEM say that the new version was completely different to the film they actuallly shot. Yes, she did and that has always intrigued me. Oh, to lay my hands on a copy of the script!!"}, {"response": 190, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 25, 1999 (19:32)", "body": "Thank you Sylvanna for your insight re: the relationship between Morris and Edward. (Sylvanna)...He wears his wardrobe with style..., Especially in that navy blue suit at the dinner table.....rivals Pemberley:-) Pl do join us for A Thousand Acres (ATA)"}, {"response": 191, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Sep 26, 1999 (21:45)", "body": "(Sylvana) What did happen in that hayloft? If you've read the other posts here, you'll find that most (not all) concur with you. I'm one of those who thinks your take is on the money. But I like the ambiguity. Until the men ruined everything. Interesting observation. Perhaps Moira wasn't even aware of her fading youth and beauty until Heloise came to the house and she saw how interested the men were. Typical, isn't it? I think women are wonderful together until men get into the picture. By the way, I love men. Well, some of them. Where is the rest of the curling match? We saw so little of it I have no idea as to who was winning or losing that bet. We've discussed other scenes that were thought to be too abrupt. I don't think we've brought this one up before and I have to agree. There was quite a competition going on (not just between Morris and Edward) and all of a sudden it's nighttime and the game is over. Karen, please do ask Lennie if he knows more. I'm intrigued. (Karen) Speaking of relatives, does anyone have a clue as to the Uncle Crawford relationship? Is he Moira's brother-in-law? Is he the one who saw Jesus on the lawn? I couldn't get everyone's name straight in the two viewings I had. In the book, the man who saw Jesus on the lawn was Uncle Neil or \"Giant\". Neil was Moira's brother. Perhaps this was never explained because then we'd have to get into an explanation as to how Edward inherited the estate over all of Gamma's sons."}, {"response": 192, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 26, 1999 (22:47)", "body": "(Heide) Neil was Moira's brother. Perhaps this was never explained because then we'd have to get into an explanation as to how Edward inherited the estate over all of Gamma's sons. Exactly, if he was Moira's brother, then another was bypassed for Edward. He was married to the real mousy one (did she have a name?), who was sitting with Moira after the funeral. That's how I came to the conclusion, Uncle Crawford was a brother-in-law. There are other possibilities though."}, {"response": 193, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Mon, Sep 27, 1999 (00:09)", "body": "Thanks for your interesting insights, Sylvanna. I never thought about Morris being enious of Edward. (Heide)...all of a sudden it's nighttime and the game is over. Right before Gamma fell through the ice, Fraser asked her permission for Andrew Burns to use the grandfather's stones if his team got to the final. IMO, the competition was to continue the next day, but Gamma's accident ended the bonspiel. I thought Uncle Crawford (yes, Heide, he was the one who saw Jesus on the lawn) was Gamma's (or Samuel's) brother. If he were Moira's brother, it is odd that all of the sons would be disinherited in favour of Edward and Moira. Maybe \"Uncle\" was a courtesy title? Any ideas on why Morris called Edward a \"shabby little Lothario\" at the end? Surely Heloise never told him about Edward's pass !?"}, {"response": 194, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 27, 1999 (00:47)", "body": "....Re: the curling game....There was quite a competition going on (not just between Morris and Edward) and all of a sudden it's nighttime and the game is over. Could be that the curling game is symbolic of the real competition going on between Morris and Edward :-) Love to look for symbolism."}, {"response": 195, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Sep 27, 1999 (16:10)", "body": "(Heide) By the way, I love men. Well, some of them. Hee hee! Reminds me of a greeting card a friend spotted years ago: \"If we can put a man on the moon, why don't we send them *all* there?\" It's good to see discussion here again; unfortunately, so much time has elapsed since I saw the movie I can't remember many details so I won't venture to contribute."}, {"response": 196, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (03:47)", "body": "Hello, I've just registered in this group--an American Firth drooler of a certain age. Frustrated at the difficulty of finding the videos of older parts of the oeuvre and at getting to the new ones in the theater--I'm fairly far out in the sticks--and of course the general lack of good and frequent publicity on CF this side. Two questions: 1) Has the ATA discussion started and how do I get to it? 2)I've read that CF used a body double in at least one picture. Can't remember which one and were there others? Because, if so, what's the point?"}, {"response": 197, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (04:52)", "body": "Cymbeline!! So glad you've joined us. We're a lively group of ladies (of various ages) who enjoy discussing anything even marginally associated with CF, as you'll see. Lots have shared your frustration with finding information on him or even seeing his films. It can be the ultimate and then highly rewarding once you do. :-D To answer your questions, (1) Have we started ATA? Yes and no. We've been tossing out a few comments here and there, but I think most agreed to Wednesday, October 6th. If you want to jump in earlier, however, no one will stop you. This link will take you to the beginning of some of the comments for ATA. http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/98.1410 BTW, our general Colin topic (for questions/news/complaining) is 119. Stop by and say hello there. That's probably the best place to address your second question. Everyone will have an opinion, undoubtedly! ;-D See you there!"}, {"response": 198, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (09:43)", "body": "Welcome, Cymbeline! Do join us in the other topics. If you go to http://spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/all/new you can see all the drool conference topics, of which several about CF. Click on anyone of those and you're in! Hope to see you there. You already had me grinning with your second question!"}, {"response": 199, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (09:50)", "body": "Sorry, wrong url. It should be: http://spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/drool/all/new"}, {"response": 200, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (09:52)", "body": "http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/drool/all/new Sorry again. What can I say?"}, {"response": 201, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (11:41)", "body": "Dear All, Thanks for your kind welcomes and helpful guidance. I especially like the flipping rainbow welcome sign--that would be I were I ever to open my front door and find CF standing there--and I know it will happen some day. It's a great thing to find this fellowship of OSWWHTLTHOCF (sorry, strike the first T--there's nothing temporary about this). I will now get off this topic which I know is supposed to be confined to MLSF (and I fear I'll have to wait for the video to see it)and I'll see you on ATA and the other wonderfully gratifying CF topics."}, {"response": 202, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (13:30)", "body": "OSWWHTLTHOCF ?????????????? And don't worry about where you decide to post. This topic is not sacrosanct. It's just that not everyone visits it because they don't want to read about the movie in advance of their ever (hopefully) being able to see it. If you post at 119, everyone stops by there and will greet you in their own manner."}, {"response": 203, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (14:26)", "body": "Karen, I think OSWWHTLTHOCF is the Ordinarily Sensible Women Who Have Temporarily Lost Their Heads Over Colin Firth (my italics) unless of course it stands for Otherwise Soon We Will Have To Lick The Hand Of Colin Firth? BTW, never gave you due credit for the fox-glove gag here a month ago. Magnificent!"}, {"response": 204, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (14:48)", "body": "*slaps head* Boy, do I feel stupid! ;-D (although I do like the second one better...maybe I should replace the title on the main drool page) And, Cymbeline, I inadvertently omitted the lovely gents who frequent our site with their amusing and \"educational\" comments. Thanks, Mark, for the clarification. I must be still in a daze from those cricketing diagrams. Liked the fox-glove, huh? Didn't know how many would get it."}, {"response": 205, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (17:54)", "body": "Mark -- You are right about the Ordinarily Sensible Woman acronym except as I say the first T should be struck. And I really like the hand licking one better. Karen -- Add my appreciation of your foxglove whimsey which I saw reading through the lovely long list of comments all about CF with no one rolling his eyes or trying to change the subject. It was very good."}, {"response": 206, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (18:31)", "body": "Welcome, Cymbeline. To echo Karen and Gi, feel free to browse around the other topics and jump in any time."}, {"response": 207, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (20:19)", "body": "Hi Cymbeline! Welcome to Drool :) Echoing Eileen (echoing Karen and Gi) go check out the other topics and meet everyone. Might i suggest Topic 34 (my personal favorite) which fully of steamy fanfic... Assuming of course that you're a Darcy fan as well. :) Mark- Love the hand licking acronym -LOL!"}, {"response": 208, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (17:48)", "body": "Esbee: hand licking, toe sucking... All in your line, right?;-) I must go over to 72 for your late happy birthday wish..."}, {"response": 209, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (17:59)", "body": "LOL! I know none of you will believe me, but i really dont have a foot fetish. *grin* - now the hand thing (provided of course they belong to ODB) i wont argue with! ;)"}, {"response": 210, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (21:22)", "body": "Hi, I have found yet another good review for Colin, \"Firth is superb\", not so good for the film though at http://ifmagazine.ifctv.com/reviews/review.asp?reviewID=161 (hope this works)/ I can't wait to hear what the UK critics make of the film and especially CF, hope they are as complementary as the American critics."}, {"response": 211, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (22:23)", "body": "Ann, you get the medal for searching out the most reviews of MLSF on the WWW long after the rest of us gave up.This one is great for so good for the film. I bet the Brit press will like it....it's their kind of film."}, {"response": 212, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (22:25)", "body": "This one is great for so good for the film Sorry. Should be ..\"great for Colin...not so good for the film\""}, {"response": 213, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Oct 10, 1999 (09:34)", "body": "I see that MLSF is still playing in the Boston area, West Newton to be axact, has been in that area for nearly 8 weeks, people must like it in that corner of world, obviously have excellent taste and the Boston Globe gave is a very good review. Have you seen it yet Laura and if so what did you think of it, I haven't heard of a Firthfan who does not like this film, roll on May 5th."}, {"response": 214, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Oct 10, 1999 (09:34)", "body": "exact"}, {"response": 215, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Oct 12, 1999 (20:13)", "body": "West Newton isn't really near Boston or me:( I haven't seen it, but I can wait for it to come out on Video."}, {"response": 216, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Sat, Oct 16, 1999 (18:56)", "body": "Finally (an entire week later)I\ufffdm just now getting around to this. MLSF was being shown at the local art house in Scottsdale (in a mall area surrounded by stores like Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, etc.) There were only about ten other people in the theater not counting my guests and me. I really liked this movie, it had many comical anecdotes (dog barking, eccentric father\ufffdI laughed a lot) and presented a fairly pleasant picture of a Scottish family and their weaknesses. However, the story line was too choppy and didn\ufffdt\ufffd flow smoothly. The kid who played Fraser was a true find. I really liked his interpretation of that character and he really had a remarkable way of portraying the character\ufffds innocence. (i.e., prostitution scene). Colin looked spectacular throughout the entire movie especially in those tan pants in the beginning of the film. All the close shots of his face on the big screen were overwhelming. As for his acting, his character was uptight and a little too serious, didn\ufffdt see any gray areas and was extremely childish (needs a butt whipping) and as my friend said: what an ass----. I had a hard time as did she in believing that such a likable character (in the beginning) could have such defects\ufffdconfrontation scene wit IJ (trying to steal the ole kiss). However, while he was on the floor after the fight with Uncle Morris, and his wife confronted him my friend said \ufffdhow could one possibly be angry with such a cutie.\ufffd This scene, of course, reminded me of a child you scold. There were a few dull parts of course. My friend said she dozed off for a second albeit she enjoyed the movie and thought the long drive was worth it. (Note: she had been out all night and didn\ufffdt get home until 8:00 a.m. that morning\ufffdI picked her and her cousin up at 9:00 a.m.\ufffdsurprised she stayed awake as long as she did). Her cousin is learning English here in America (she\ufffds from Korea) so she can take back her skills and teach others. This, however, was not a good movie to take her too\ufffdshe didn\ufffdt u derstand the dialect very well. Whew!! Now, I can read all the other posts to see what everybody else thought of the film."}, {"response": 217, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (01:02)", "body": "And you probably found after reading the other posts, Jana, that most of us agree with your assesment, particularly the choppy editing and my-oh-my how find he looks. But you have not yet told us your thoughts on the did-he/didn't-he debate in the moss loft. Your friend is barely forgiven for falling asleep. I'd love to know at what point that was."}, {"response": 218, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (03:24)", "body": "(needs a butt whipping) and as my friend said: what an ass---- my friend said \ufffdhow could one possibly be angry with such a cutie.\ufffd Jana, your friend has such exceptional insights and good taste!! You're right, the film is not perfect by any means; however, when all is said and done, the ratio of Colin per frame vs. others puts this film way over the top!! By the way, the line forms to the rear for the butt-whipping. ;-D"}, {"response": 219, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (08:03)", "body": "Choppy editing........Hugh Hudson had to \"lose\" 30 minutes of the film, one quarter of the original. I've obviously not seen the movie (May 2000?) but I don't see how any movie could take this kind of cutting without the storyline and flow and character development being impaired. It may well have been overlong, but I would have thought that a 15 minutes cut would have been enough. The preview audience must have given it a thumbs down, but would the full-length version have been better (not perfect) for the more discerning viewer? I really think the preview system damages movies."}, {"response": 220, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (13:37)", "body": "I really think the preview system damages movies. I've just heard several directors discuss this at the film fest. It may not always be a case of damaging movies but making them more marketable, which is the ultimate goal of producers/studios, as opposed to directors who are more concerned with their message or the \"high art\" of it all. Eric Styles talked about the ambiguous ending of \"Joseph Lees\" and that he had shot three different ones. (I won't say what he and the writer had wanted.) Another director fought with his producers over his ending, which they termed Benny Hill-ish or Keystone Cop-ish (which it was). Much as I'd like to condemn Miramax's interference in MLSF, we'll never know how good or bad (tedious and boring) those 30 minutes were. The number of minutes cut however is not the thing. I am much more intrigued with MEM's comment to the effect that \"it was so different from the movie they made.\""}, {"response": 221, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (17:22)", "body": "we'll never know how good or bad (tedious and boring) those 30 minutes were. Just think...Jana's friend could really have had a long zzzzzz. ~~~~~ Bethan, SUNSHINE RF& JE's new film goes 3 hours....cut from the director's cut of 4...And guess what? No distributor wants to touch it. It's a good film too...but at that length not marketable. Those directors have to get their act together...they know what sells.No one wants to see a film with a lot of \"voice overs\" and that's what happens when a film is cut...VO=Boring."}, {"response": 222, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (21:31)", "body": "I saw MLSF and liked it very much! I believe that a lot of the cutting must have been scenes with Colin and Eloise. The barn scene where she loses her necklace is badly edited so we do not really know what happened. Later his wife accuses him big time of having something going with Eloise, and even Colin says to Malcolm She is not yours to lose . Big gap missing there. I wish studios would release videos with their original versions at least the they would have their sloppy edited copies out at the movie theatres and we could later on, catch up on the un-edited version. That seems fair to me. So did Edward make love to Eloise? Karen? I know you have seen it 4 times. :-) More later..."}, {"response": 223, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (14:35)", "body": "Good for you, Jana and Moon, braving dozing friends (she was up all night and only dozed? I would have been comatose. *Sigh* Guess my party days are behind me!) and hurricanes to see MLSF. (Moon) The barn scene where she loses her necklace is badly edited so we do not really know what happened. Considering the amount of discussion and varying opinions generated by this scene, one has to wonder if it was done this way intentionally; i.e., purposely leaving it up for interpretation by the audience. Of course, Miramax may well have thought that audiences would find rape downright repulsive. But I don't think he raped her. (Evelyn) RF& JE's new film goes 3 hours....cut from the director's cut of 4...And guess what? No distributor wants to touch it. *Cue sarcasm* Perhaps only Kevin Costner can get away with movies that are waaaaay too long these days. Saw Message in a Bottle and thought it would never end (liked the premise, though. Loved Paul Newman). (Karen) By the way, the line forms to the rear for the butt-whipping. ;-D Goody! I'm taking my number now..."}, {"response": 224, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Oct 20, 1999 (23:05)", "body": "But I don't think he raped her. I haven't seen the film yet, but I am awaiting it with two material points in mind which will guide my final judgement of what I will hopefully, eventually see on the screen: firthly, the person who wrote the original book is still well alive, well known, well respected and in a prominent public position, and somehow I cannot imagine that he would be entirely happy to have his father portrayed as a rapist, or vice versa. Secondly, when the film was being made, the reports from the set described Colin's character as \"almost -\" or \"coming dangerously close to - betraying his wife\". Sounds to me like someone who might be trying his luck given a seemingly easy opportunity or a misread situation."}, {"response": 225, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Oct 21, 1999 (21:35)", "body": "I have enjoyed catching up on the wealth of your posts. (Laughed at the fox gloves, thanks Karen!) Despite all I read in the Summer it looks like May 2000 is the earliest we can expect it? Currently I am fantasising that when I open my 3DOR programme ODB's spiel will reveal imminent release dates for his projects, especially MLSF. Dream on Lizza!"}, {"response": 226, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (16:27)", "body": "I am using this topic for The Secret Laughter of Women This is a fairly instant review, but objective (I hope), given my gender! SLOW is a colourful and touching film, focusing apparently on race, but more importantly about love and the goals of life. Widowed Nimi's son Sami lies to his friends that he has moved to a big house, where Matt Field spontaneously helps the deception and turns out to be the author of Sami's adventure hero Saracen (\"Justice, with a body-count\"). Matt subsequently courts Nimi, but is comprehensively rejected by her exiled Nigerian community, who are trying to wed Nimi to the new priest. Matt uses his wealth to help her realise her ambitions at work, but is visited by his open-marriage wife, who becomes jealous of the perceived bond. Both Matt and Nimi are forced to resolve their own aspirational conflicts, catalysed by Sami's misadventure on the eve of Nimi's arranged marriage. CF starts as a wealthy, carefree, amused figure - who slowly becomes aware that he too has needs. The difficulties for Nimi are tougher, with an ancient yet matriarchal culture shaming her to learn how to cook stew, talk in proverbs and find a husband to serve, while she tries to forge her own way without fracturing her links to her community (and family). The film is strong on humorous moments, especially early on in the Church of the Anglican Ascension (\"remember ... Satan is always portrayed with a white face\"), and in the mansion where Matt abets Sami's fib. Later on, there are touching moments, and even an action scene and a post-coital scene. The colour is provided by Grasse, an almost irrelevantly French setting, and especially by the Nigerian Christian garb. The earthy women of the community joke about men, sex and clothes whilst trying to inculcate the ancient oppressive values into Nimi. CF is variously amusing, tender, wilful, confused and heroic, but appears to appreciate the Nigerian sensitivities before finally deciding to ride roughshod over them. I thought it was a charming film, and would be very popular in cinemas. Possibly it would need still more humour to play really well, and maybe a less formulaic denouement would help it to be more earthed in reality. Overall well worth goofing off from work! As a review, I barely need to state that the above is all IMVHO."}, {"response": 227, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (16:44)", "body": "As a review, I barely need to state that the above is all IMVHO Well done, Mark (for both the review and blowing off work to see a CF movie). *cue applause* maybe a less formulaic denouement Recent reviews point to this as the reason it wasn't picked up earlier by distributors. Regardless, it's great to see it out of the bank vault and on the screen. I hope UK audiences forgive its flaws. Later on, there are touching moments, and even an action scene and a post-coital scene. Ahem...I wouldn't mind a few spoilers here--perhaps after the LFF is over and Evelyn, Ann, etc. have seen it?"}, {"response": 228, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (16:46)", "body": "Oh, thank you, Mark. You have missed your calling. Film criticism beckons you. Far better than 99.9% of the reviews I've read at AICN site. So, how did our \"plain-speaking\" Evelyn react? Did she walk out saying, \"This doesn't have a prayer\" or \"no wonder no one bought it\"? ;-D"}, {"response": 229, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (17:02)", "body": "Re-reading my review, I realise that as usual I have become dry and pompous. Only fair to say that the film is lovely and funny, and I would recommend it without hesitation to any kind of audience. Definitely did not deserve to languish in a vault!"}, {"response": 230, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (17:02)", "body": "Wonderful review Mark! I'm so glad you were able to escape work for a few hours and see it. :) Later on, there are touching moments, and even an action scene and a post-coital scene. (Eileen)Ahem...I wouldn't mind a few spoilers here-- you and me both, Eileen *hee hee* ;D and can you fill us in on if there were any great close ups of his face Mark?"}, {"response": 231, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (17:10)", "body": "I have become dry and pompous Not at all!"}, {"response": 232, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (17:16)", "body": "SB: can you fill us in on if there were any great close ups of his face Mark? Ah yes, just the sort of question I wasn't concentrating on. The answer is that there must have been, because there is so much of YDB in the film. Almost every scene features either Nia Long or himself (or both), and little of it from any kind of distance. I don't know what Evelyn or others thought yet, as I turned up seconds before the start and rushed off as soon as the credits rolled. I am confident that they will report this to be one of the most successful film releases yet from the Firthettes' point of view (i.e. focus, role, presentation of CF). If you can imagine Paul Ashworth with financial success in the bag, that's a pretty good start. His wife, BTW, describes a certain part of him as \"Ever-Ready Eddie\". What can this mean?"}, {"response": 233, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (17:59)", "body": "(Karen), Oh, thank you, Mark. You have missed your calling. Film criticism beckons you. Far better than 99.9% of the reviews I've read at AICN site. You and me both! Thank you Mark! Now we will be asking you opinion on many more films. :-D (Mark), His wife, BTW, describes a certain part of him as \"Ever-Ready Eddie\". What can this mean? LOL! We certainly want to hear much more on this from Evelyn and Ann. Now that SLOW is out, I do believe Colin has no more films in the vault. Which is more than can be said for Mr. Fiennes. ;-) I wonder if Livia attended the screening?"}, {"response": 234, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (18:13)", "body": "Terrific review Mark! I second Karen's opinion....you have missed your calling! Thanks for bunking off!"}, {"response": 235, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (19:09)", "body": "Wow, how do I follow Mark's review except to say I second everything he has said and am very glad to hear it from the male perspective as someone in the audince said it w as a chick-flick, whatever that means. Lots of lovely close-ups of Colin, and I thought the chemistry and romance betwen Nimi and Matthew was very convincing, much more so than Ruth Gemmell and Colin in Fever Pitch (and I liked FP), although you knew they would end up together you really really wanted them to. One review I read said that the end was a bit contrived and to be honest I tend to agree, I felt the ending was rather ruhed, I could have done with another 30mins. We had close-ups ,love scenes, longing gazes and even a wet shirt!!! Evelyn's comment as I mentioned on topic #123 was that it wouldn't win andy Oscars, except possible in Nigeria, but was a charming film. A must-see and a must-keep for an CF fan I am sure. What with MLSF there is so much to look forward to, oh and 3DOR."}, {"response": 236, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (19:12)", "body": "sorry about the typos, hope you can work out what I meant to type."}, {"response": 237, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (19:13)", "body": "sorry about the typing mistakes, I think I am in the same state at AnneH"}, {"response": 238, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (19:14)", "body": "sorry about the repeat posts"}, {"response": 239, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (19:19)", "body": "Thank you from me too Mark. I wonder how long we will have to wait to see it in the U.S."}, {"response": 240, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (19:54)", "body": "Ann, your excitement is palpable! Thus far SLOW sounds alot like MLSF--not a perfect film but enjoyable and lots of CF to boot. What with MLSF there is so much to look forward to, oh and 3DOR. Good things come to those who wait. With SLOW (of course, you'll have to see it again when it's released later this month), TOTS, Blackadder and possibly Don Q in addition to 3DOR, May will be here before you know it!"}, {"response": 241, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (20:00)", "body": "True very true, as Lizzie once said and talking of Lizzie, JE is definitely coming to Broadway with TRT. only hope that MLSF's opening in May doesn't clash with a trip to NY!!! but what a lovely problem."}, {"response": 242, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (22:56)", "body": "I must rush off but had to check this sight. WOW!! I'm thrilled with both your posts, Mark and Ann, and can't wait to read the rest. I want to know how it ends!! Please, more details. I'll think of questions for tomorrow if no one else does first."}, {"response": 243, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (00:01)", "body": "Thanks for the encouraging reviews, Mark and Ann. I hope everyone else who sees it tomorrow will post ASAP. Sounds like an enjoyable film. Loved both MLSF and FP and can't wait to see SLOW. I will be in London on Dec.4 and am keeping my fingers crossed that SLOW will be playing then. The thought of seeing this film in addition to ODB on stage is so exciting that I won't mind even if it rains every day we're there. What better way to spend a rainy afternoon than drooling over Matthew - although I don't thi k my DH or son would agree with me on that."}, {"response": 244, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (02:02)", "body": "Thanks from here, Mark and Ann. I just KNOW we will never get to see it on this side of the pond, and, since I am well known as a non-flyer, I despair of ever finding out about \"Ever Ready Eddie.\" Mark, may I post your review on my SLOW page? I can make it \"anon\" if you want, but it is so good, and would cheer those who will never get to see the film. Murph"}, {"response": 245, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (14:23)", "body": "I don't want to spoil SLOW for anyone else who has a chance of seeing it in the next few weeks so just don't read the answers to the questions I'm going to post to Mark, Ann, and the others who have not yet weighed in. Sorry Bethan, Lynda - close your eyes. It will be a long wait before the video gets to these shores. How does the courtship between Matthew and Nimi come about? )help her realise her ambitions at work, Does Nimi get a job outside her restricted enclave? visited by his open-marriage wife So then we are not to find Matt's adultery distasteful.;-) I take it his wife (name?) doesn't always live with her husband and takes lovers. How is that conveyed? Echoiing the others asking for more on the post coital and action! scenes. Ann, et al, I'm sure you'll be able to give us a clear description of his physical appearance. Hair? Any interesting attire? (shorts, swimming, formal, none?) not too serious . Paul Ashworth sort of but not as rumpled? Big question - Do Matthew and Nimi end up together? And, what was the audience response? Thanks!"}, {"response": 246, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (19:40)", "body": "Here are some of the answers to some of your questions Heide. I was concentrating so much on Colin that I really need to see it again to answer all your questions. Anyway, firstly yes Nimi and Matthew do end up together, and I would say that his is the most romantic role Colin has played in a long time. They are both so sweeet they were made for each other and although Matthew and his wife seemed fond of each other, it was a very open marriage and they both knew the rules and until Matthew met Nimi he was quite happy with things. Colin wore lots of loose fitting shirts and dark suits with tee shirts underneath, showed off his lovely long lean body beautifully. His hair was a reddish brown, , very near his natural colour I would think, and curly but not as unruly as Paul Ashworth. He looked great in everything he wore. Nimi designs gardens and Matthew hired her to re-design her garden, he had 115 acres? I think that is what he said. Her family were not happy with her working for a white man. I shall have to go again to take in the things I missed the first time around."}, {"response": 247, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (19:41)", "body": "Oh btw the audience response was pretty good, well very good seeing as most of them were probably Firth fans, they laughed in all the right places and applauded at the end."}, {"response": 248, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (22:46)", "body": "I would say that his is the most romantic role Colin has played in a long time. Ummmmm...I knew I would like this film. How was the relationship portrayed between Sami and Matthew? Pals? Father-son? I'm afraid I will pester you all for details until I can see the whole filmin my mind...which may be the only place I will see it for months. BTW, today is Caroline Goodall's 40th birthday."}, {"response": 249, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (20:29)", "body": "And another thing...you mentioned wet shirt . Ann, don't leave us hanging. ;-)"}, {"response": 250, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (21:29)", "body": "Well - and this is where I agree with the reviewers the ending was rather contrived and rushed . The day before Nimi's marriage to the Reverend, Sammy goes missing and Nimi seeks Matthew's help just as he is about to leave with his wife. Sammy meanwhile has gone off on an adventure to Matthew's boat, climbs in and the boat tips over and is taken out to sea or to the rocks. Colin rushes off to Nimi' side say she needs me and I need her, realises where Sammi could be, dives in fully clothed and rescues ammy from the overturned boat. Hence wet shirt!!"}, {"response": 251, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (22:10)", "body": "Great to read your reviews Mark and Ann, you have given us a really accurate picture of it, that I anm sure we would enjoy it. It makes me even sadder that it has not been picked to tour the provinces in the LFF on tour later this month. Ho HUM! I love your description of his hair Ann! Mark are you coming to 3DOR with us?"}, {"response": 252, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (22:26)", "body": "Lizza, do you know it is going on General release on the 26th . BTW thanks for your very thorough answers on #123"}, {"response": 253, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (22:59)", "body": "Of course Ann, thanks for nudging my brain there! Is that general release though or will it be very limited, eg arthouse type venues?"}, {"response": 254, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (23:08)", "body": "Didn't Bethan post something about how SLOW was going to be in \"normal\" theaters? I've just spoken to Evelyn a little while ago. She and Aishling and Tineke are boiling mad after the Q&A at the Ritzy! But I'll let them relate what was said."}, {"response": 255, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (23:29)", "body": "Don't leave us in the lurch too long over the Q&A session, please, or my imagination will work overtime. Hostile questions?"}, {"response": 256, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (00:05)", "body": "Oh before I go off to bed I forgot to mention that Colin spoke three sentences in French, oh la la. Is there no end to this man's talents."}, {"response": 257, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (01:09)", "body": "Fr..Fr..Fr..French? Be still my heart. Ending does sound contrived but hey..they can't all be award winners. I'll let you sleep, Ann, but come back tomorrow. We have other questions. Thanks so much for bearing the brunt of this. I hope Evelyn can share your load soon."}, {"response": 258, "author": "baine", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (02:39)", "body": "And 'ow is ees accent? Does he make beautiful music?"}, {"response": 259, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (07:58)", "body": "Murph, of course you can post my \"review\" on your site. Such flattery! Heide How does the courtship between Matthew and Nimi come about? After Sami gets delivered to CF's big house and CF plays along with his pretence that he lives there, CF has to return Sami to his mother. His first line about Nia Long is \"Why did you tell me she wasn't beautiful?\" and so begins his pursuit, which is never convincingly rebuffed. Lizza Mark are you coming to 3DOR with us? I have tickets."}, {"response": 260, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (09:21)", "body": "Help!! What's this Yapp error? It took me an hour to write down all my comments, and when I wanted to post them, I got this yapp error and lost everything!"}, {"response": 261, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (09:36)", "body": "I guess I'll have to start all over again. First of all, Ann and Mark, I enjoyed reading your reviews of SLOW. (Ann) He looked great in everything he wore. Except for that awful bathrobe! You forgot to mention the silly but cute sneakers he's wearing in this film;-) There are a lot of P&P scenes in this film; looking through window in the above mentioned bathrobe, getting wet... Fr..Fr..Fr..French? Be still my heart. He says \" Qu'est-ce que vous voulez? Comment \ufffdtes-vous rentr\ufffd?\" (What do you want? How did you get in?) He speaks rather fluent, but obviously with a slight English accent. So then we are not to find Matt's adultery distasteful.;-) I take it his wife (name?) doesn't always live with her husband and takes lovers. How is that conveyed? They both live in London. Matt's in the South of France to get some rest (apparently after having had a heart attack. But this is not clear in the film. We only know because we read the production notes). Matt keeps on postponing his trip back home (another P&P parallel). We see his wife talking over the phone with Matt, with another man lying next to her in bed. How was the relationship portrayed between Sami and Matthew? Pals? Father-son? Sammy's favourite hero is Saracin, a character invented by Matt. Sammy keeps on playing these Saracin games, which gets him into trouble at times. So when Sammy meets Matt, his hero, he can't believe his luck! Of course, Sammy and Matt get along really well. Matt plays games with him, has to answer lots of Sammy's questions about life and sex..."}, {"response": 262, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (09:46)", "body": "And now, the Q&A at the Ritzy. Both the director Peter Schwabach and the producer/writer Misan Sagay were there. They were talking about all the problems they had financing the film. The main production company, Handmade Films, went bankrupt around the time they started shooting the film. This obviously lead to questions about whether this forced them to cut the film more than they would have like, whether they had to leave out important scenes. Ms Sagay replied that they were overall happy with the film, but had a hard time convincing the people not to leave out too many Nigerian scenes. She said \"imagine, they almost wanted to make a film about Colin Firth!\" and laughed. She wanted to make a Nigerian film and would have preferred leaving out the Colin scenes rather than the parts with the Nigerian women. And she kept on talking how they were so fortunate to get such a great cast (clearly referring to all the Nigerian woman and not Colin). Then she thought she'd impress us by saying that Jeremy Irons was going to play the part of Matt nd had thought of Whitney Houston as Nimi."}, {"response": 263, "author": "aishling", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (09:46)", "body": "I haven't time at the moment to catch up on the posts so apologies in advance for any repeats. Although no master piece, this is a very enjoyable and comical film and CF looks gorgeous throughout. The film is set in Grasse, South of France and the location is colourful and beautiful as is the Nigerian native dress. The conversations between Matthew and Sami are very funny with Matthew having some very witty lines. Matthew is a bit of a cad and has had numerous affairs although he admits to being very happily married. The film runs for approx 40 mins before anyone knows he is married. For those worried about his infidelity, fear not. You just cannot take this film seriously. This is an open marriage with Jenny having her flings too and this is how their marriage works. One of my favourite secnes is when Matthew and Jenny are dancing together and Matthew is acting like a clown and being very laddish and extremely enjoying himself. He is also genuinely pleased to see Jenny when she makes a surprise visit. Poor CF get all wet again when he goes underwater fully clothed. He also gets to look at Nimi in his garden from an upstairs window wearing his bath robe. There was a lot of laughter throughout the film from both audiences and applause at the end. Tickets for Saturday night were sold out but due to rail works on the underground, there were no trains going to Brixton station. I wont go into the state Evelyn, Tineke and I got into. Suffice to say we made it. To whet your appetite, the Director and Writer attended on Saturday evening and held a question and answer session at the end of the screening. My cue to say \"go to it Evelyn\", who will be winging her way home today."}, {"response": 264, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (09:48)", "body": "And now, the Q&A at the Ritzy. Both the director Peter Schwabach and the producer/writer Misan Sagay were there. They were talking about all the problems they had financing the film. The main production company, Handmade Films, went bankrupt around the time they started shooting the film. This obviously lead to questions about whether this forced them to cut the film more than they would have like, whether they had to leave out important scenes. Ms Sagay replied that they were overall happy with the film, but had a hard time convincing the people not to leave out too many Nigerian scenes. She said \"imagine, they almost wanted to make a film about Colin Firth!\" and laughed. She wanted to make a Nigerian film and would have preferred leaving out the Colin scenes rather than the parts with the Nigerian women. And she kept on talking how they were so fortunate to get such a great cast (clearly referring to all the Nigerian woman and not Colin). Then she thought she'd impress us by saying that Jeremy Irons was going to play the part of Matt nd had thought of Whitney Houston as Nimi. She didn't seem to like Colin very much. No wonder he didn't show up at the screening!"}, {"response": 265, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (10:00)", "body": "Tineke, I don't know if you know this but he was actually protesting outside the Houses of Parliament about the time Slow was being shown on Friday."}, {"response": 266, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (10:30)", "body": "A few more spoiler thoughts, in no order: Americans get a pretty bad press in the film; the American characters I can remember are: Sami's disdainful Anglophone schoolfriends; Caroline Goodall's gormless lover, who she brings on her visit to Grasse; Matt's agent, who thinks the worst of his client and offers to sort out any mess that Matt has made. Would this affect an American distributor, I wonder? It's news to me that Matt is recovering from a heart attack (I hadn't read production notes). I was assuming he was lying low for a while after ending a liaison with a politician's wife (as the priest read out from the paper). I was going to say CG didn't look 40, but then I remembered when the film was made. She wouldn't! Tineke, are you honestly saying his French had only a \"slight English accent\"? I'm going to start daring to speak French again if that's true. I thought he sounded as hopeless as most of us (deliberately). On Matt's relationship with Sami, he was like the grown-up pal who dares to tell the kid the truth for the first time. \"You mean all grown-ups have sex? Even the married ones?\" \"Especially the married ones\" Re the ending: turning up with a lorryload of tomatoes is a typical Hollywood Quixotic gesture (imagine Richard Gere in Pretty Woman , or whoever that is who turns up with a yacht on a Manhattan street, or Billy Crystal bringing back a calf in City Slickers , or pretty much any romantic film of the past twenty years). Yeah, don't bust my chops, City Slickers isn't romantic, but you know what I mean. My point is it's a fairly lame bit of writing, and I sensed that CF had the decency to look embarrassed. (And it flaunted his wealth unnecessarily). What was the title about? All the Nigerian women laughed a lot together, and Nimi laughed in the \"post-coital\" scene, but the laughter must have been too secret for me to notice any deep meaning."}, {"response": 267, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (13:23)", "body": "Good point about the title, Mark. What do you think, Ann, Tineke, Aishling and Evelyn? Tineke, thanks for posting the french. I would love to hear it. ;-) Re: Q&A, it seems that they are angry with Colin and this is their way of attacking him. Maybe he refused to do any publicity for the film, esp. now that it will get a theatre release. Someone had said that he was not happy with the film. Does anyone know the exact comment?"}, {"response": 268, "author": "aishling", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (14:21)", "body": "Someone had said that he was not happy with the film. Does anyone know the exact comment? Evelyn and I were speaking to two ladies from FoF at the Friday SLOW screening. They had seen 3DOR the evening before and told him that they had timed their visit to London for the play and SLOW. Apparently he said to them \"ah, that's too bad\""}, {"response": 269, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (15:49)", "body": "Thanks, thanks, thanks for the additional info, Ann, Mark, Tineke, Aishling and (in abstentia) Evelyn! (Aishling) with Matthew having some very witty lines. Do you (any of you who saw it) remember them? Also, Nimi laughed in the \"post-coital\" scene can you tell us more about this scene? How about the 'action' scenes (besides the wet shirt water rescue scene)? (Mark) Americans get a pretty bad press in the film...Would this affect an American distributor, I wonder? That and the fact the film has received so-so reviews (not original, contrived ending, etc.). or whoever that is who turns up with a yacht on a Manhattan street Michael Douglas in Romancing the Stone. But your point is taken ;-) (Tineke) Ms Sagay replied that they were overall happy with the film, but had a hard time convincing the people not to leave out too many Nigerian scenes Perhaps those were all the scenes with the women secretly laughing :-P She said \"imagine, they almost wanted to make a film about Colin Firth!\" Certainly not at his insistence. Unless ODB has a vain, pompous side (naaah). Ms. Sagay's lips must have been puckered from those sour grapes. Even with Colin Firth the film came *this close* to bank vault oblivion. Jeremy Irons and Whitney Houston, huh? IMO Whitney's salary alone would have eclipsed the entire budget for this movie. (Aishling) \"ah, that's too bad\" It sounds like there's no love lost over this production."}, {"response": 270, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (15:58)", "body": "Wow!! All the comments. Thank you, Mark, Tineke and Aishling. Knew you wouldn't wait too long to get back in here. Even before any comments re: SLOW, I must know: Caroline Goodall's gormless lover What is this lover missing? I shudder to think. ;-D And Tineke, if you're using IE, always \"Copy\" your response before submitting, just in case you need to redo it. Now back to our subject at hand... Good point about the title. What is this \"secret laughter of women\"? If none of you can answer that, it would seem the filmmakers did not succeed with their message. (Tineke) silly but cute sneakers he's wearing in this film;-) Ooh, someone is looking at his feet! ;-D (Aishling) Matthew is a bit of a cad and has had numerous affairs...The film runs for approx 40 mins before anyone knows he is married. I did get the impression from all I've read that he actively pursues Nimi...that he's quite the hound. :) (Tineke) She didn't seem to like Colin very much. No wonder he didn't show up at the screening! When I spoke to the guy at Optimum, he said the Director had been in contact with Colin. Yeah, I wouldn't leave it up to Misan to entice Colin into attending. (Mark) Americans get a pretty bad press in the film...Would this affect an American distributor, I wonder? Interesting point. We can do it to ourselves, but no one likes it when others do it. However, it seems that point alone wouldn't be the reason why it hasn't found an American distributor. I get the impression that it's a fairly average film. Not even one that would get a first-time writer and director noticed."}, {"response": 271, "author": "aishling", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (16:38)", "body": "Karen: I did get the impression from all I've read that he actively pursues Nimi...that he's quite the hound. :) Absolutely. She is just another conquest until the end of the film. He tells her he is not ready for love and that she must know the boundaries!!!! What is this lover missing? I shudder to think. Speech for a start. Karen, I think you are in for a very entertaining meeting later today. Eileen: It sounds like there's no love lost over this production. I don't think so. Ms Sagay gave no credit to CF at all and he carried the film. She did say that what they could afford to pay Whitney Houston wouldn't pay for her hairdresser. I thought it very bad taste to say they wanted Jeremy Irons and that he wanted the part but by the time they were ready for filming, he was committed elsewhere. I like JI but he couldn't se him in this part. Anyway I am not going to say anymore about her. I am not sure that I have fathomed out the meaning of the title either."}, {"response": 272, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (16:55)", "body": "(Aishling) I think you are in for a very entertaining meeting later today. I know I will. I called her up Sunday night just after she came in from seeing Mansfield Park and heard lots and lots. Oooohhhh, my phone bill!! :-o I thought it very bad taste to say they wanted Jeremy Irons and that he wanted the part but by the time they were ready for filming, he was committed elsewhere. Extremely bad taste. However, from that, I can only conclude that something happened post-production between the two (Ms. Sagay and CF). I've heard lots of directors, writers, etc., discuss their films and no one talks about having wanted someone else to play a role. It's as if you're apologizing for your film and that, if so & so were in it (as I wanted) it would have been better. Definitely think that Colin's not appearing also ruffled her fine feathers. And thank you in advance, Aishling, for prowling through the dustbins on my behalf. :-D"}, {"response": 273, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (17:17)", "body": "(Karen) However, from that, I can only conclude that something happened post-production between the two (Ms. Sagay and CF). So do I (that's what I meant by my 'no love lost' comment, Aishling). As for Sagay's bad taste in mentioning her desired cast, perhaps that was a rookie mistake (I'm going out a limb for her when she doesn't deserve it)."}, {"response": 274, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (17:20)", "body": "(Aishling) I thought it very bad taste to say they wanted Jeremy Irons and that he wanted the part but by the time they were ready for filming, he was committed elsewhere Oh, that Ms. Sagay appears to be a real bitch! I\ufffdm so glad that Colin didn\ufffdt bother to show up. On the other hand, we don\ufffdt know what has happened between them and it\ufffds obvious that she is really deeply pissed off for some reason......I only wonder what could have caused it. This is probably the first time ever that I hear someone being so very displeased with him. Thanks for all your comments Aishling, very interesting!"}, {"response": 275, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (19:18)", "body": "Aishling and Tineke, what question lead to this unnecessary comment from Ms. Sagay, or did she offer it off her own bat so to speak. There can't have been many Firth fans there on Saturday or else I am sure there would have been a riot, I would have been furious to think that she had something like that in such a public place. Poor Colin and it is such a lovely film, and it is so romantic and the romance so convincing im my opinion anyway, but this has soured it for me, I shall always think that Colin fo one reason or another did not like it which makes the film less than convincing."}, {"response": 276, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (23:46)", "body": "Ann, I'm rather dubious as to whether CF actually said anything derogatory about SLOW. I think that possibly he was preoccupied and misheard what was said to him. His response could be interpreted to refer to almost anything. SLOW may not be \"Citizen Kane\", but neither is it \"Mad Cows\"! As to Ms Sagaye. I'm geniuinely puzzled by her remarks. CF may not be a man without fault, but he seems to have an unblemished record of good working relationships, often leading to continuing friendships. Perhaps she never got over the disappointment of not getting J. Irons as leading man!! Or does she blame CF for the chequered history of SLOW's release.In all honesty, I don't think he could be expected to attend the Q&A,...he'd had a fairly punishing day with two performances. And he will promote (FP, IL, 3DOR) All in all, Ms Sagaye strikes me as highly unprofessional!"}, {"response": 277, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (23:58)", "body": "Did the director concur with the producer's comments? What was his attitude to CF? And why did the reference to a \"good cast\" apparently exclude CF? It will be interesting to see if CF does promote SLOW... promotional interview(s) often appear the weekend before release, so there's still time. Actually, Ms Sagay doesn't need CF to publicise SLOW.....as a first-time writer/producer, and a black female, she would attract attention in her own right. The BFI recently produced a report on under-representation of black minorities in film production. the media would be interested in this sort of breakthrough, especially if SLOW gets a mainstream release."}, {"response": 278, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (00:25)", "body": "Bethan, I am not quite sure what your first paragraph means, I don't think I said Colin said anything derogatory about SLOPW did I. Aishling did say that someone who had attended 3DOR spoke to him and said they had come to see SLOW and he said \"Oh Dear\" or something like that, is that what you mean? and was Colin really excluded from the \"good cast\" comment, this is too much. Even if I were not a Colin Firth fan I would say that he was the best thing in the film and I am sure J.I could not have done bett r or W.H. better than Nia Long. Her dialogue certainly left much to be desired not Colin's acting!! Bethan you will love SLOW, I definitely did and despite everything I shall certainly be buying the video."}, {"response": 279, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (01:19)", "body": "Regarding Ms. Sagay, is it possible she did not mean to deride Colin at all but was miffed that her film did not focus on the story she wrote - the relationships among this matriarchal society. By saying she'd rather his scenes were cut, could she mean she didn't want the love angle to be as important as the story of the women? There must have been some reason for this incomprehensible film title. It sounds as if she lost control of her own project - a bitter pill to swallow. Curious...if Nimi is just another conquest, do we see Matthew with other women as well? Excluding his wife though I'd like to know more about that relationship too. Thank you ladies, and Mark, for satisfying our curious natures so well."}, {"response": 280, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (08:16)", "body": "I can understand that she may have been a bit miffed at as you say Heide ,losing control of her own project but that is no reason to make it sound that if she had gotten Jeremy Irons the film would have been better. (gr?) The camera did focus on Colin quite a lot and he is in most scenes, perhaps that is what she means by \"they wanted to make a film of Colin Firth.\" Heide, we did not see Matthew with other woman and actually I hadn't realised he was a womanizer."}, {"response": 281, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (08:57)", "body": "Although we didn't see Matthew with other women, we had the scurrilous tittle-tattle read out from the papaer by the priest, and we had his agent say to him \"I can come down there and sort out the mess - you know I've done that before for you.\" And he was happy(ish) in his open marriage. I think Jenny implied to Nimi that she was just another girl (but she would). None of that is conclusive, I admit. Is it possible they made Ms Sagay change the ending? Maybe Nimi originally dumped both suitors and went off on her own (secretly laughing). And if Jeremy Irons had played Matthew, it would have been a very different film."}, {"response": 282, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (12:03)", "body": "(Mark)And if Jeremy Irons had played Matthew, it would have been a very different film You must be right, Mark. Haven\ufffdt seen SLOW but personally I can\ufffdt stand Jeremy Irons and the thought of someone wanting him somewhere instead of Colin looks insane and a sacrilege! I\ufffdve felt disgusted with JI at least since The French Lieutenant\ufffds Woman or what was that dumb movie (sorry JI fans, just my humble opinion :-)"}, {"response": 283, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (13:47)", "body": "I've read through the production notes, which emphasize the collegiality of the entire project: how Sagay basically picked out Schwabach and how they worked closely together. Lots of complimentry things about Colin in the notes, but then again, these were written by PR people, who wouldn't make such a mistake. BTW, Evelyn said the comment was made in response to a question about whether Sagay had fulfilled her vision (or some such baloney). Not getting the cast of her dreams is something she should ha e kept to herself. I'll let Evelyn elaborate later today when she gets home and online. Nothing in the notes that helps with the title, but I like your take, Mark. Think I'll ask a woman I know, who is married to a Nigerian, about the title."}, {"response": 284, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (16:12)", "body": "(Bethan) I'm rather dubious as to whether CF actually said anything derogatory about SLOW. I think that possibly he was preoccupied and misheard what was said to him. I know what you mean, Bethan; I had the same reaction. Re: Sagay's comments--again, it sounds to me that her comment breached the unwritten rules of professional etiquette (never diss your cast, directly or indirectly). She's new at this, right? She answered the question honestly but failed to see the impact. Possibly we're the only ones offended by her remarks, though. (Mark) Maybe Nimi originally dumped both suitors and went off on her own (secretly laughing). Hee hee! Back to the particulars... How do Matthew and Nimi end up *ahem* in bed? What were some of Matthew's funniest lines (in context)? And what about these action sequences?"}, {"response": 285, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (16:27)", "body": "Eileen How do Matthew and Nimi end up *ahem* in bed? What were some of Matthew's funniest lines (in context)? And what about these action sequences? We've heard previously that in Nimi's culture, first names have a mystical property and their use can be an intimate act. \"Like making love?\" asks Jenny's gormless lover. \"Yes\". So when Matthew and Nimi end up alone and indoors, he tells her to say his name (before she called him Mr Field, and he called her Mrs da Silva, as he didn't know her first name), so that once she does, he unwraps the bottom of her outfit... Cut to post-coital scene. Sounds awful written down, but was well acted. The action sequence was the above-mentioned scene where Sammy nearly drowns on the rickety wrecked speedboat which falls into the sea. Colin performs an underwater rescue, kicking in the window to pull Sammy out, and handing up to his anxious mother. Funny lines - I will try to recall. In his first scene, having spotted a drawing of Saracen's transporter on the hiding Sammy's wrist, he bluffs Sammy's friend with a long speech about how Star-rule 37G forbids the revelation of his whereabouts during a mission, blah, blah, or something. It was so unexpected that the audience fell about."}, {"response": 286, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (16:45)", "body": "Thanks, Mark!"}, {"response": 287, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (17:05)", "body": "she didn't seem to like Colin apart from saying that she would have liked J.I. (which was bad enought) was there anything else she said that made you think she didn't like Colin and did the Producer/Director seem to agree with her. Personally I think she is getting above herself,although it was a sweet funny film it wasn't a great screenplay and with JI, it would neither have been sweet or funny. Sorry to any JI fans, just my opinion, and Whitney Houston & Ji. nevah!!"}, {"response": 288, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (19:38)", "body": "he tells her to say his name (before she called him Mr Field...) This is from another movie. I've heard this used before and I can't remember. It's killing me. Same type situation where the woman had never used his first name before, so he asks her to say his name. (Ann) with JI, it would neither have been sweet or funny. Totally agree and I haven't even seen the movie. ;-D Humbug on Humbert!"}, {"response": 289, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (20:10)", "body": "Could I add what I think the title of Secret Laughter of Women means. Although I haven't seen it (obviously, I'm in Boston), but could it be the language between women (i.e. friends?). Say Nimi and her friends and Jenny and her friends?"}, {"response": 290, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (21:23)", "body": "Thanks Ann, Tineke, Aishling and Mark once again for enlightening us so thoroughly! I don't think you have left a stone unturned in your quest to bring us every SLOW detail. I think I am really looking forward to seeing it and Ann has particularly convinced me by saying the video is one to keep (and treasure!) when it does eventually appear. Just one question - does he look as thin as he is now in 3DOR, or would you say he has lost weight?"}, {"response": 291, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (21:52)", "body": "Hi Gang....Mark, Ann and Aishling....you have all given a great synopsis of the film...Here is mine: ~~~~~~ Mark...sorry we missed you on the Friday screening..but Duty called, I see: to write the first SLOW review!!Thanks Mark.We took off to the distribs for press kit. Not too much to add to all my predecessors remarks.. They could have called SLOW \ufffdMan Behaving Badly and they wouldn\ufffdt have been far off the mark....and with a less skilled actor the audience would have loathed him. But even knowing his intentions are disingenuous , the audience is swept along and seduced by Matthew ..just like Nimi. You know th plot and the predictable ending. The dialogue at times is \ufffdScreen-Writing 101\ufffdstuff..but there are a few clever lines...three!I found the dialogue among the Nigerian women most appealing...esp. the preponderanceof proverbs to make a point. Misan Sagay seems to write women -talk best...along with dialogue between Matthew and Sammy ( she should, she\ufffds a pediatrician!)Most unappealing are the lines between Matthew and Nimi....baaaad.Peter Schwabach has seen P&P more times than I have...and stolen all the best Andrew Davies scenes...He should sue. But hey, we\ufffdre the beneficiaries.As one reviewer says \ufffdCF saves the film\ufffd...and he has never looked better. So with apologies to Moon: TEN REASONS WHY I LIKED SLOW... 1. ODB has the starring role 2. He speaks French 3. He dances 4. He smolders (with sexual undertones!) 5. He flirts...(with that \ufffdon foot\ufffd smile) 6. Lots of snogs ...alas no foreplay and no shags:-( 7. Wears clothes to die for 8. Lots of close ups...plainly seen: ears pierced, neck (for those of you who are into mole-counting!)....and we noticed a small flaw under the left nostril!) 9. Good Chemistry with Nia Long. 10. Cute banter with Sammy. ~~~~~~ Womanizer references are several: 1. Jenny confronts Nimi with \"there have been several\"...and implies that she is another one. 2. The Reverend Folla reading in the newspaper about Matthew Fields; \"...had a heart attack while bonking an MP's wife\". BTW Matt has a heart attack in this film too...(alas not while bonking anybody .)It takes two viewings to get the gist of this film... ~~~~~ This is a cute film...don't know why a British distributor didn't pick it up sooner.It was available to them. IMO it has a better potential for a US audience than FP. (Somebody tell Phaedra!!)Definitely, the best ODB has looked since P&P. We will have a real party discussing this one. ~~~~ I'll give The Ritzy Report later....enough to say that it was an exasperating experience. Aishling and I reconstructed the Q&A. I spoke to the director on the way out...pertaining to US distribution. I can see that my job isn't over...if she is right."}, {"response": 292, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (22:23)", "body": "Thanks for your comments, Evelyn. Now *shining a bright light in your eyes* it's your turn for the interrogation. I found the dialogue among the Nigerian women most appealing...esp. the preponderance of proverbs to make a point Aha! Has this something to do with \"secret laughter?\" Loved your top ten list! 2. The Reverend Folla reading in the newspaper about Matthew Fields; \"...had a heart attack while bonking an MP's wife\". BTW Matt has a heart attack in this film too...(alas not while bonking anybody.) Alas, indeed! You've lost me on the heart attack business, though. Others have referred to the newspaper article--a heart attack in one so young would be unusual (now, in someone of Jeremy Iron's age...), so it was likely a ruse--but what do you mean about Matt having a heart attack in the film? IMO it has a better potential for a US audience than FP. (Somebody tell Phaedra!!) You're right. Poor Phaedra. FP did so poorly in NY it seems to have vanished. I spoke to the director on the way out...pertaining to US distribution. I can see that my job isn't over...if she is right. Do tell! Do tell!"}, {"response": 293, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (22:40)", "body": "Welcome back, Evelyn! Loved the top 10! It is definitely one to swoon over. ;-D Did anyone point out the faux-pas to Sagay? I would have! What does the 3DOR poster look like? Have we seen the pix? Tell us all about your encounter with Colin. Did you ask about Flashman, or any future project? Do you have a pix of your lovely group? Eileen, I believe Matt was recuperating from his heart attack in the south of France. Now we know when it happened. Age is not neccesarily a factor for one to have a heart attack."}, {"response": 294, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (22:49)", "body": "Great comments, Evelyn! and we noticed a small flaw under the left nostril!) Definitely a point we need to discuss! IMO it has a better potential for a US audience than FP. (Somebody tell Phaedra!!) Oh no!!!! It should go to somebody somewhat competent. These people don't have enough clout to get their coffee refilled at the nearest Denny's let alone find an \"avelilable\" [sic] screen in the entire US! I see 10 excellent reasons to see this film, when only one would have sufficed and these are double-barrelled reasons, counting two apiece: 4. He smolders (with sexual undertones!) 5. He flirts...(with that \ufffdon foot\ufffd smile) *be still my heart* (Eileen) a heart attack in one so young would be unusual (now, in someone of Jeremy Iron's age...) You are baaaaadddd! Of course, a heart attack in one so young is usually massive and fatal. But with this second one, he isn't even taken to the hospital, but to Nimi's house or her mother's house."}, {"response": 295, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (22:52)", "body": "Hopefully, you will see the poster tomorrow. Right now it is masking taped to my wall where I photographed it this morning. Will pick up the prints tomorrow for scanning. It is an *ooohhhh yeahhhh*"}, {"response": 296, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (22:59)", "body": "It is an *ooohhhh yeahhhh* Go ahead and tease us, we tremble with anticipation. ;-)"}, {"response": 297, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (01:08)", "body": "Welcome back, Evelyn. XOXOXOX We missed you! Before I get maudlin, back to the film... What is with this heart attack business, we all want to know. He's suffered two already at his age? This film may not be a good candidate for \"will they live happily ever after.\" Looking forward to my new SLOW wallpaper."}, {"response": 298, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (02:55)", "body": "(Eileen)but what do you mean about Matt having a heart attack in the film? Just what I said....you see him slumped over in the car...with the people carrying him out...Then he's taken to Nimi's house!!! \"The doctor said he would release him.. when we found his relatives\"...then....\"We found your wife\" says Nimi. You see what I mean about the riveting dialogue. ~~~~ (Moon)Did anyone point out the faux-pas to Sagay? I would have! What does the 3DOR poster look like? Have we seen the pix? Tell us all about your encounter with Colin. Did you ask about Flashman, or any future project? Do you have a pix of your lovely group? Moon...I posted the encounter with Colin on 123. The 3 DOR poster is the same as the pic on the brochure. I did not ask any questions. I treat this encounter as a social one ...not an interrogation. I have no agenda when I go ....I never plan to ask him any questions. I did not ask him for an autograph ( I don't have one) and I did not take a picture.In January, I would like to take a pic of Karen and him ...I feel the poor girl was cheated in March.Like I said.. I go to relish the moment. I did not confront Ms. Sagay with any derogotory comments ...that would have been rude.I did ask her privately about the US distribution....I will give you that account later. The film ended about 11:20...the tubes stop running at midnight...and Brixton was to hell 'n gone. There were no tubes from Brixton and I was not sure we could get a taxi to Victoria to make the midnight deadline. Susan....you were our inspiration...if Susan did it alone...I felt the three of us could do it together.So we were anxious to get out...yet we wanted to stay til the end of the Q&A. We were fighting the clock. The SLOW poster is absolutely gorgeous...as is the film. This movie is a survivor...I'm convinced it will be shown in the US. A natural for Lifetime channel on cable. Definitely a \"chick-flick\", a date movie.A heart-stopper for sure."}, {"response": 299, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (03:50)", "body": "I did not confront Ms. Sagay with any derogotory comments ...that would have been rude. Evelyn, you misunderstood me. Ms. Sagay should have been checked on her comments but there is no need to be derogatory or rude in doing so. I did not ask any questions. I treat this encounter as a social one ...not an interrogation. I have no agenda when I go Asking a question about a future project does not make for an interrogation and certainly in no way could he have thought you to have an agenda by asking a question. We are interrogating you with all our questions, as we do have the tendency to assail the lucky ones who chat with OVDB. I hope you do get a chance to take his picture with Karen, she deserves it! How was Summerfolk?"}, {"response": 300, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (04:24)", "body": "I feel the poor girl was cheated Don't mind me. Just sitting here wallowing in self-pity. ;-D BTW, Moon, I must have misread your comment about the poster. The 3DOR one is the same that's been posted at the theater websites, like Albemarle's. But the SLOW one is a variation of the Nimi artwork that HandMade had used. Poor Ms. Sagay, they've added Colin Firth to the poster. *boo hoo* Now people might think it's a movie about Colin Firth! ;-D"}, {"response": 301, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (13:43)", "body": "(Moon) Age is not neccesarily a factor for one to have a heart attack. It most certainly is. (Karen) You are baaaaadddd! Most of the time, yes, but I was speaking medically here. And humbug, Humbert, indeed! he isn't even taken to the hospital, but to Nimi's house or her mother's house. Guess he had an American HMO. (Evelyn) you see him slumped over in the car...with the people carrying him out...Then he's taken to Nimi's house!!! Thanks for the clarification, Ev. The place to go after a heart attack (or as Mari calls it, a My-oh-Colin-al Infarction) or even an angina episode is not someone's house. Matthew probably just had gas :-D Harumph. If Sagay is a pediatrician, she ought to know this. Bad story line. Veddy veddy bad. If I ever come face-to-face with ODB, I'd be lucky to get an intelligible word out of my mouth. You knew what was appropriate for the time and place, Evelyn. But it doesn't stop the rest of us from wanting to ask by proxy!"}, {"response": 302, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (15:07)", "body": "MLSF is at #15 in the Australian top films, not bad for a little film only showing on 16 screens. BTW does that mean that there are only 6 reels now in use in the US.Well done all CF fans in Aussie."}, {"response": 303, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (15:47)", "body": "(Evelyn)I treat this encounter as a social one That\ufffds what makes that encounter so great, your instincts work perfectly, Evelyn! He came to you to say he was glad to see you there, not to answer a flow of curious fan questions. If you had started to question him he wouldn\ufffdt come to you deliberately again."}, {"response": 304, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (16:05)", "body": "he isn't even taken to the hospital, but to Nimi's house or her mother's house. (Eileen) Guess he had an American HMO. ROTF! If you're right, Eileen, one can only hope that Dr. Nimi, the Primary Care Physician, had a fresh supply of leeches on hand!;-) Note to self: 1. Swallow coffee before reading posts. 2. Purchase plastic slipcover for monitor if neglect to do # 1. Evelyn, you are amazing. As I told Karen, most of us bring home red double-decker bus magnets; leave it to you to haul a Colincopia of Firthabilia! Am greatly enjoying your posts. Would love to hear more about the *exact* moment that you realized he recognized you and was coming over. I have to confess: in March I was one of those curious fan types who asked him questions, just work-related stuff, you know, like \"boxers or briefs?\";-) Mari"}, {"response": 305, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (16:18)", "body": "(Mari), I have to confess: in March I was one of those curious fan types who asked him questions, just work-related stuff, you know, like \"boxers or briefs?\";-) Mari you should know better than to make such a confession here. We need all the details before we can absolve you. :-) Please continue..."}, {"response": 306, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (16:42)", "body": "(Evelyn) Peter Schwabach has seen P&P more times than I have...and stolen all the best Andrew Davies scenes. Could you elaborate? Was there a lot of sparring-type situations between Matt and Nimi? In January, I would like to take a pic of Karen and him. Most definitely! Susan....you were our inspiration...if Susan did it alone...I felt the three of us could do it together. You're sweet to say this, but I shouldn't be anyone's inspiration. If I was any kind of a competent driver my trip would have been a piece of cake. Guess he had an American HMO. LOL, Eileen!"}, {"response": 307, "author": "Xian", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (18:40)", "body": "(Evelyn)I treat this encounter as a social one (Elena) That\ufffds what makes that encounter so great, your instincts work perfectly, Evelyn! He came to you to say he was glad to see you there, not to answer a flow of curious fan questions. If you had started to question him he wouldn\ufffdt come to you deliberately again. But he might expect Evelyn to ask him some questions since he knew she was not one of those stalkers (you know what I mean, don't you?) then Colin could be disappointed for not having an exciting conversation with one of his finest fans ;-) I do wish Evelyn would ask him to get onto cf.com for his film discussion (that may get him interested). Thanks to all who posted the latest 3DOR and SLOW reviews. I'm having a great time to absorb them. Now go back to my little corner, see ya!"}, {"response": 308, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (18:57)", "body": "(Mari)I have to confess: in March I was one of those curious fan types who asked him questions, justwork-related stuff, you know, like \"boxers or briefs?\";-) Mari, you're the greatest....and coming from you, I am sure he would laugh and not be offended. I guess, I just don't care that much....I am happy to see him on stage anytime, anywhere. Anyway, asking questions when I don't know anyone personally is just not me...sorry. ~~~~~~~ )(Evelyn) Peter Schwabach has seen P&P more times than I have...and stolen all the best Andrew Davies scenes. (Susan)Could you elaborate? Was there a lot of sparring-type situations between Matt and Nimi? P&P cloned scenes 1. He looks out the window (wearing a ghastly dressing gown)at Nimi while she is sketching his garden. (She is a landscape architect). 2. He rescues Sammy in a boating accident ...swims in a tank...comes out with dripping wet shirt.. 3. Lots of smoldering looks. I have notes someplace...Springfolks who attended please add to this list."}, {"response": 309, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (22:07)", "body": "OOOHHH!!! What glimpses of ODB to whet the appetite! Evelyn, great top 10 and Karen we await your skilled photography with keen anticipation. I can see I will have to focus on his nose at my next 3DOR visit! I have lapped up every detail, thank you."}, {"response": 310, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (22:08)", "body": "P.S Is the dripping wet shirt white as in Pemberly white?"}, {"response": 311, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (22:17)", "body": "Blue, I think Lizza!"}, {"response": 312, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (00:20)", "body": "(Evelyn) 1. He looks out the window (wearing a ghastly dressing gown)at Nimi while she is sketching his garden. Wot?! She wasn't frolicking with a dog? ;-D Does Colin do his trademark (Andrew Davies) snuff out a candle with bare fingers? (Lizza) we await your skilled photography I guess I must be one of those who cuts off heads. ;-D Sorry, the others will have to wait. I've had a hard day picking up pictures, taking another roll (hanging the poster on outside walls, garage doors, etc.), having that developed, trying to figure out if any were good, picking up the slides from another place, then scanning the lot of them. 'Fraid I don't even want to look at them right now....at least until tomorrow. BTW, the kid at the photoshop thought the closeup one of Matt and Nimi in bed (which you've already seen) was \"really neat.\" ;-D"}, {"response": 313, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (01:57)", "body": "THE RITZY REPORT After the screening there were some Q&A\ufffds for about 25 minutes with Misan Sagay, the writer /producer and director Peter Schwabach.the questions came from members of the audience...one we felt was planted.The audience was not as enthusiastic as at the Friday screening. That might have had something to do with the fact that it was a real marathon to get to the Ritzy since the tubes had quit running. The Ritzy BTW is a misnomer...the place is a dive.The cinema had about ten rows..with seats that defied viewing the film. Brixton BTW is OK....we never felt threatened.Busy High Street. (I am paraphrasing the following....would like Tineke and Aishling to comment/correct) Q. Did you feel you accomplished your mission in making this film? Misan: Well, yes and no.I wanted to make a film about Nigerian women for women...but the financiers[ Handmade] wanted a film about Colin Firth.They actually wanted me to cut out the part with the women....then you just would have had CF walking around.[Much laughter] She then spoke at length about the trials of getting financing.I got the idea that they were grateful that the LFF had given them a slot. Someone asked if the film would be shown in the UK and she said yes from Nov. 26 Optimum would distribute it. The US distribution rights were still in the hands of the bank. [That got a big WOT? from me] BBC wanted Whitney Houston and only wanted a budget of 400,000 UKP.\ufffdWhy that\ufffds WH\ufffds haridresser money!!\ufffd They also wanted Jeremy Irons but when the production was delayed, \ufffdhe couldn\ufffdt fit the dates into his schedule.\ufffd[This lady was so inarticulate].So we got Colin Firth.Three weeks into production, Handmade went bankrupt and I had to pay the bills on my credit card. At times I hid among the cast when the bill collectors came. Finally I went to the Art Council for money to pay the creditors. Q. Why did you make an English film in the south of France. PS said because it is a picturesque spot and there is a colony of expats [Brits] there and a Nigerian community. Q. What was you background ? Misan said she was a pediatrician and was used to having children on her knee giving them shots.[No kidding she said this].PS spoke about his educational credentials. Q. Did you shoot more than one ending for this film? Much laughter from director....\ufffdthat only happens on 30 million UKP films.\ufffd On the way out I asked her if I heard her correctly whenshe said the US distribution was still in the hands of the bank and she said \ufffdYes, but we\ufffdre trying to talk them out of it\ufffd. ~~~~~ Hey kids...that's all I know."}, {"response": 314, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (02:16)", "body": "I want to add that the Nigerian native dresses are absolutely exquisite. Nia Long looks particularly beautiful when she wears them...she has a dazzling smile and a impish, ironic intelligence about her.Was perfect for the part as was the little boy [actually I preferred him to Fraser in MLSF].The bi-racial topic was never an issue..more cross-cultural. [Could have been Anglo-Italian!]The director said it was a film about an individual vs. the community. Also forgot to add that Misan wanted African music and the financiers insisted on a mainstream soundtrack.They do play African music when the women dance at Sammy's Birthday party.Nimi is very a graceful dancer and Matthew an appreciative audience!!( With that \"on foot\" smirk)"}, {"response": 315, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (04:24)", "body": "She then spoke at length about the trials of getting financing. Excuuuuuuuuuuuz me???? From the Production Notes and I quote: The filmmakers were fortunate to be offered financing very early on. The script was picked up first by British Screen and then the European Script Fund who funded the first two drafts. \"I'm afraid I don't have one of those wonderful epic stories about how it took 20 years to get the script funded,\" states Misan. Peter concurs: \"In terms of attracting money it wasn't an uphill struggle because the material was so good. British Screen having seen Attenborough put the first money into the script followed by the European Script Fund. HandMade Films were next to come on board with Gareth Jones as Executive Producer. The relationship with HandMade Films was a happy one, they were very committed and a real pleasure to work with.\"[...] The film wrapped after a seven week shoot. Peter Schwabach was never really daunted by the task of directing his first feature: \"It was project I'd worked on for a couple of years already and I'd been intimately involved with writing the script. I also spent a lot of time casting it, we flew to Lagos to get Nene, and the film was of a sufficient budget that I was able to hand-pick the people I wanted. In that sense the film wasn't compromised in the way that when you make a short you have to get people for free.\" So which is it?"}, {"response": 316, "author": "aishling", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (10:30)", "body": "Well, Evelyn's report is accurate. Misan did go on at length about the financing (or lack of it). She did acutally say she was very grateful to the LFF for screeening the film."}, {"response": 317, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (10:48)", "body": "I guess there's no sympathy available for producers who get the money easily - better to overspend, dodge creditors and tell stories about how harrowing it's all been. The heart attack - I assumed it was all a ruse to get into Nimi's house; I'm sure Nimi is told \"he's lying on the couch, and they can't find anything wrong with him at all\". I don't know anything about him recovering from another h.a. Otherwise they have a clouded happy ever after together - she's already lost one husband. Eileen asked for the funny lines a while ago; I'm having trouble remembering them all but when CF has caused consternation at the party and Sammy explains: \"You must never touch food with your left hand; it's dirty - you wipe your bottom with it\", he replies \"Not necessarily\" - that got a big laugh. (probably British toilet humour)"}, {"response": 318, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (13:13)", "body": "Very funny, Mark. The director said it was a film about an individual vs. the community. Hey, this is Donovan Quick! Thank you, Evelyn for the report."}, {"response": 319, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (14:32)", "body": "(Mark) The heart attack - I assumed it was all a ruse to get into Nimi's house; I'm sure Nimi is told \"he's lying on the couch, and they can't find anything wrong with him at all\". I don't know anything about him recovering from another h.a. The first one, incurred while--how was it put?--bonking a politician's wife sounded like a ruse to me (no doubt influenced by all those Flashman books I've read!). A repeat of the same ruse to get into Nimi's house makes sense. Thanks for trying to remember the funny lines! (Elena) That\ufffds what makes that encounter so great, your instincts work perfectly, Evelyn! He came to you to say he was glad to see you there, not to answer a flow of curious fan questions. If you had started to question him he wouldn\ufffdt come to you deliberately again. Very well said, Elena. Evelyn, you haven't been christened 'Dame Evelyn' for nothin'! Thanks for the Q&A summation. IMO the production notes have been 'spun' and Sagay spoke the truth during the Q&A--a little too bluntly when it came to \"settling\" for CF instead of JI. We know HandMade went bankrupt, that's for sure! Evelyn, what do you think about your friends at the bank pursuing US distribution? Did the UK release breathe new life into the project?"}, {"response": 320, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (15:04)", "body": ""}, {"response": 321, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (15:08)", "body": "(Mark) she's already lost one husband Really? Did they ever say that Nimi had been married? What happened to the other husband? I got the impression that Sammy was produced out of wedlock. The notes mention several times that Nimi's mother's greatest desire is for Nimi to wear a \"married woman's head-tie\" for her \"chance of respectability.\" A widow is very respectable in most cultures. Don't know if Nimi had been married before and her husband just left her or divorced her...and what that would say about her status in the community. A ha!! Found this: \"There are few stains that a married woman's head-tie cannot disguise ..\" [synopsis lead in] We are introduced to Nimi da Silva at the Church of the Anglican Ascension. Women in bright traditional African dress flutter around like birds of paradise discussing the latest gossip as tehy stand in pecking order of head-ties. Towards the front, under the pulpit are the noble head-ties, silken and luxurious; at the back, simple cotton prints and more animated converesation. Nimi enters the church with her seven year old son Sammy and heads towards the back, nervously adjusting her humble scarf - the cl ar sign of her shameful unmarried status. (Eileen) IMO the production notes have been 'spun' and Sagay spoke the truth during the Q&A I agree that the production notes have been spun, but why go to such lengths to fabricate a story about the ready availability of financing. To place blame for the delayed release on the film to HandMade's bankruptcy as opposed to the film's brilliance? ;-D"}, {"response": 322, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (15:52)", "body": "The film makes it quite clear that Nimi's first husband, Sammy's father, drowned (no explanation of how or why, but I guess it adds extra poignancy to Sammy's subsequent brush with death). I was taking it as a charming point in MF's favour that he didn't immediately ask about Sammy's father, or indeed seem to be bothered. The information was given well into the movie (I think in response to a question from the priest or his parents). I now think it may have been because someone other than the original writer demanded that Nimi have a *decent* explanation of her situation. The implication was that the culture was even more oppressive because despite her widowhood, the Nigerian women needed to shame Nimi into re-marrying."}, {"response": 323, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (15:55)", "body": "Thanks for the Q&A, Evelyn. Which was the question you feel was planted? I asked her if I heard her correctly when she said the US distribution was still in the hands of the bank and she said Yes, but we\ufffdre trying to talk them out of it. Am I confused, or is she saying that she hopes the film *won't* be distributed in the U.S.? This woman really sounds like a piece of work. No wonder Colin seems to want to wash his hands of the whole thing."}, {"response": 324, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (16:35)", "body": "(Karen) but why go to such lengths to fabricate a story about the ready availability of financing. To place blame for the delayed release on the film to HandMade's bankruptcy as opposed to the film's brilliance? ;-D Tee hee! Good point. Since posting my last I thought of another question, then promply forgot it. Thankfully Susan has thought of it also: Which was the question you feel was planted? Was it the one about Sagay's vision for the film?"}, {"response": 325, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (21:04)", "body": "(Karen) I've heard this used before and I can't remember. It's killing me. Same type situation where the woman had never used his first name before, so he asks her to say his name. Don't know if this is the one you were thinking of Karen, but I saw it in a BBC version of Emma. Mr Knightly asked Emma to call him \"George\" (I think that was his name; I always think of him as Mr Knightly). I'm going to see MLSF again on Sunday (another 250km trek). My Mum may come with me. I've convinced her she will like the film even though she doesn't have a firthsession. Cathey"}, {"response": 326, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (22:03)", "body": "Actually, the Timothy Dalton \"Jane Eyre\" keeps surfacing, but I think it's something a bit more recent. Don't think it was the BBC's Emma. I've tried to forget that one. ;-D"}, {"response": 327, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (23:25)", "body": "IMO the production notes have been 'spun' and Sagay spoke the truth during the Q&A Karen, did you say that the production notes were probably written by Handmade Films....probably before they went bankrupt.It was sudden...I was in contact with them in those days...and those girls did not know they were going to be out of a job. ~~~~~ I understood that Nimi was an unwed mother... (Big Spoiler!)At the beginning Matthew tells her their relationship would have limitations (he's married!). She then decides to marry Rev. Folla in order to give Sammy a name . At the end Matthew says: \"Field is a name too\". And they embrace among the tomatoes."}, {"response": 328, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (23:29)", "body": "Re; US distrib... According to Misan, the bank still has the rights of distribution in the US.. and she is trying to get it so it can be shown in the US.It seems convoluted to me...but next week I plan to call the bank for verification"}, {"response": 329, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (23:39)", "body": "Aaaah! My kind of film! I'll keep my eyes wide open for some promo in the press this weekend. SLOW doesn't have to be outstanding to attract some attention. There's enough that's \"different\" about it...the setting, the fact that the director is a woman and Nigerian (I presume), the theme, the culture clash, and the fact that there are two very photogenic leads. It opens the same week as the latest James Bond, so I'm really hoping to see some publicity! I don't think Handmade went bankrupt during the filming...well afterwards, surely. And I don't think the BBC would budget only \ufffd400,00 for a full-length film!"}, {"response": 330, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (03:10)", "body": "(Bethan)I don't think Handmade went bankrupt during the filming...well afterwards, surely. And I don't think the BBC would budget only \ufffd400,00 for a full-length film! That's what Misan said....elaborated on it too. Said the funding was cut three weeks into production. The Art Council finally gave her money to pay the bills. But they had no money for post-production..which is why it went on for a year...! Let me assure you..according to her it was a real Pity Party."}, {"response": 331, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (04:30)", "body": "(Evelyn) did you say that the production notes were probably written by Handmade Films...probably before they went bankrupt Oh, definitely, they were done by HandMade...before. In Colin's bio, it says: \"and most recently, 1000 Acres (Jocelyn Moorhouse) and World of Moss (Hugh Hudson).\" (Mark) The film makes it quite clear that Nimi's first husband, Sammy's father, drowned (Evelyn) I understood that Nimi was an unwed mother... Sammy's father could have drowned, but he may not have been Nimi's husband. The significance of the head-tie (rank) appears integral to the story. (Evelyn) the bank still has the rights of distribution in the US. The only thing I can make of this is that Optimum didn't have enough $$$ to buy the film outright from the bank. It could only afford distribution rights within the UK. So the bank or its sales agent may be continuing to parcel it out. Plausible. (Bethan) And I don't think the BBC would budget only \ufffd400,00 for a full-length film! Where did BBC come from? It isn't mentioned anywhere in the credits or production history. (Bethan) It opens the same week as the latest James Bond Would be a tough choice for me! ;-D so I'm shallow ;-p"}, {"response": 332, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (14:36)", "body": "(Bethan) And I don't think the BBC would budget only \ufffd400,000 for a full-length film! (Karen)Where did BBC come from? It isn't mentioned anywhere in the credits or production history. I think BBC must be the same as The Art Council funding. She did mention BBC...and if I remember correctly at the beginning it says: \"Paragon Films, Handmade Films and BBC\". Bethan, 400,000UKP would not have been the whole budget for this film...their was other funding. ~~~~~~~ Hey....Karen....you changed Mathew's shoes!!!!"}, {"response": 333, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (15:12)", "body": "Love the 'shoes among the tomatoes' pic on the main page. But will you be revealing the rest of his body? Yikes, we're sooo demanding! Let me get this straight, Evelyn. In your opinion, was Sagay's sad tale of bankruptcy, lack of funds, hiding among the actors to escape bill collectors, etc. (BTW, were violins playing in the background?) an exaggeration of the truth? Or did HandMade go bankrupt much later on in the process? Thanks. Also, which question in the Q&A do you and Aishling feel was a plant? I promise to turn off the bright light that's shining in your eyes very soon :-)"}, {"response": 334, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (17:03)", "body": "Eileen, am working on it now. ;-D OK, you people who saw SLOW, why didn't you say that Christopher Bowen plays Rupert, who I assume is Jenny's lover? Fond memories of Cold Comfort Farm (when I wasn't admiring Rufus)! ;-D"}, {"response": 335, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (17:19)", "body": "(Karen)OK, you people who saw SLOW, why didn't you say that Christopher Bowen plays Rupert, Who cares about CB??Anyway that was one anemic performance...:-) ~~~~~ No Eileen..I don't think Misan was exaggerating....as improbable as it might seem. She had the director standing next to her and I doubt she would have blatantly lied.If she said Handmade went bankrupt three weeks into production and Peter Schwabach agrees...who are we to say they didn't. There was a lot going on at that time. You see, Paragon Entertainment Corp. a Canadian Company and parent company of Handmade went bankrupt.In the process they tried to see the distribution rights to Handmade's stable of 22 films. When that didn't happen...the bank took over the assets."}, {"response": 336, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (19:51)", "body": "Thanks, Ev. I was aware of the basic chain of events but not the timing."}, {"response": 337, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (20:49)", "body": "*wiping brow* It's done. Hope you like!"}, {"response": 338, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (20:51)", "body": "So much for putting a link up??? Just go to my Drool Bucket: http://www.spring.net/~KarenR/mdbro.main.html Lots of new stuff for SLOW ;-D"}, {"response": 339, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (00:54)", "body": "Thank you Karen! And Evelyn! First-rate stuff. Fascinating production notes, and the synopsis is excellent. I like Nia's comments about Colin, oh, and the fact that he can relate to the commitment-phobic Matthew, and the moment of really falling for someone (I paraphrase!) Looking forward to seeing this!"}, {"response": 340, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (03:09)", "body": "Karen I clicked on the above URL but got Not found."}, {"response": 341, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (03:14)", "body": "Oops I see the mistake. BTW, you can always get there from the 3Deers main page. http://www.spring.net/~KarenR/mdbro/main.html"}, {"response": 342, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (11:10)", "body": "SLOW...don't know if this is significant, but the Times Metro lists as its \"coming next week\" three films, the Bond movie, \"The Astronaut's Wife\" (Johnny Depp) and SLOW. Given that about ten films seem to open each week and several suffer the indignity of being totally ignored, this is recognition of a kind. I also noticed that in our region, \"Onegin\" is playing in very few theatres...about par with \"The Winslow Boy\" when it was first released. Suprises me in view of the blanket promotion it received. BTW, Colin may find that courtesy of the new Bridget Jones and the ES awards (hopefully!), SLOW may get some indirect publicity!"}, {"response": 343, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (14:37)", "body": "Any sighting is significant. :-D Think I was inspired by the television show I taped for Evelyn about the WWII code breaking. There is another interpretation for Colin's remarks in the Donmar lobby about SLOW. He said something to the effect of \"sorry it didn't work out.\" In addition to (1) sorry you missed it and (2) sorry it turned out so bad, there is also the possibility that he's expressing regret that it took so long to come out. I'll know more when I find my codebooks. ;-D"}, {"response": 344, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (17:10)", "body": "That's a beautiful page, Karen. The colors are brilliant and the photos - argh, I wanna see this film. I'm greedy. In addition to (1) sorry you missed it and (2)sorry it turned out so bad, there is also the possibility that he's expressing regret that it took so long to come out. Sounds like Moon's cue for the other seven reasons to make her Top Ten list."}, {"response": 345, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (17:46)", "body": "Super job on the SLOW page, Karen! Thanks to you and Evelyn for these goodies. Nice to see that Nia Long has joined the ever-growing list of Colin's Leading Ladies Who Love him. But what's with the tomato pic? Looks rather . . .seedy.;-) Sigh. Remember when guys brought you roses? ;-) (Karen) There is another interpretation for Colin's remarks in the Donmar lobby about SLOW. He said something to the effect of \"sorry it didn't work out.\" Maybe he really said, \"sorry *I* didn't work out.\" Nimi might have immediately gone for a guy with pecs! ;-D"}, {"response": 346, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (17:56)", "body": "Thanks to you and Evelyn for these goodies. Hey..not me....all I did was carry the stuff home. Aishling schlepped that poster all over London(found the tube) and Tineke found the Optimum cubby-hole on Charring Cross Rd. A real Spring-team effort. ~~~~~~ BTW anybody planning to bring home a 3 DOR poster, you can purchase tubes at a post office...but the closest ones to the Donmar is on Trafalgar Sq. US poster shops have shoulder strap carriers. They are fiendish to carry through Heathrow."}, {"response": 347, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Nov 21, 1999 (23:23)", "body": "LOL, Mari! * Evelyn, next time remember to bring a piece of string and some sticky tape...;-) * Btw, isn't it time to open a new SLOW board?"}, {"response": 348, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (00:14)", "body": "Btw, isn't it time to open a new SLOW board? Sure, it's only fair. When does the film open for general release and will you UK ladies be able to see it so we get some posts?"}, {"response": 349, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (02:38)", "body": "May I suggest that we're doing just fine with this one, so far? Why not have a general \"Current Film Spoilers\" Topic so you won't have to keep creating new ones ... remember, next year is going to be a busy year. We shouldn't be creating a new topic every other week ...Activity on any given \"Spoilers\" Topic is usually pretty short-lived. They rarely fill up with very many responses and having a long list of numbered topics can be v. confusing. [This coming from the Muddle Champion of all Time!!] :-)"}, {"response": 350, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (17:07)", "body": "Karen's got this review on her SLOW page (the link is posted at 123) \"...Firth seems uneasy throughout, particularly when his catty British wife, played by Caroline Goodall, comes calling. /.../ This collision of cultures tale chugs along quite pleasantly but ends up going nowhere, despite the lively acting of the almost uniformly excellent Nigerian cast members. /.../ Bogged down in local colour the British contingent fail to be sufficiently interesting and thus the love story can have no real heart. A bit biased, don't you think?"}, {"response": 351, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (17:29)", "body": "...Firth seems uneasy throughout, particularly when his catty British wife, played by Caroline Goodall, comes calling. /.../ Of course he's uneasy...the guy is in love with Nimi and is getting ready to dump Jenny. The Nigerian cast??? Only one is from Nigeria. The others are from UK. Sammy comes from Surrey!!Rev. Folla has played with the RSC!! ....love story can have no real heart. Should read...\"The love story has no real plot....\" But it is an OK film. I would see it again."}, {"response": 352, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (04:46)", "body": "Evelyn's right. The only Nigerian is the actress who plays Nimi's mother. Her bio was pretty interesting. She has mounted a Nigerian production of \"An Ideal Husband.\" I get the feeling that people are disappointed because they were expecting something different. As if using a Nigerian-English premise would somehow lift it out of being a usual and customary romantic comedy. But aren't many rom-coms about opposites attracting?"}, {"response": 353, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (16:30)", "body": "Secret Laughter of Women now on new Topic 126 - Spoilers for Current Firth Productions."}, {"response": 354, "author": "LynnR", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (22:59)", "body": "Hi everyone, I've been lurking and enjoying all of your conversations so much! Thanks to Mari and her kindly telling me that MLSF is playing in Doylestown PA I have finally seen it, and I really enjoyed it. The theater is about 30 min. from my sister's house (site of our Thanksgiving), so I sent the rest of my family home this morning and I went to see the movie....a perfect day after Thanksgiving! I've loved reading all of your comments on the movie, and I don't have a lot to add...I don't think anyth ng much went on in the moss, though! CF looked great and that alone was worth the price of admission. I'll certainly be wearing out the video tape when it comes out! Lynn in Lancaster PA"}, {"response": 355, "author": "LynnR", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (22:59)", "body": "Hi everyone, I've been lurking and enjoying all of your conversations so much! Thanks to Mari and her kindly telling me that MLSF is playing in Doylestown PA I have finally seen it, and I really enjoyed it. The theater is about 30 min. from my sister's house (site of our Thanksgiving), so I sent the rest of my family home this morning and I went to see the movie....a perfect day after Thanksgiving! I've loved reading all of your comments on the movie, and I don't have a lot to add...I don't think anything much went on in the moss, though! CF looked great and that alone was worth he price of admission. I'll certainly be wearing out the video tape when it comes out! Lynn in Lancaster PA"}, {"response": 356, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (23:10)", "body": "Hi Lynn, welcome to Firth World. What a Thanksgiving treat for you. Did you see it alone? So nice to wallow in MLSF without distraction. This is definitely worth getting two videos - one to watch over and over, the other to keep as the \"good\" copy. I know Allentown isn't that close to Lancaster, but it's playing there at the 19th Street Theatre starting 12/26 if you're looking for a second viewing."}, {"response": 357, "author": "LynnR", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (23:16)", "body": "Thanks Heide, and sorry about the double posting! I'm still holding out hope that it will show up in Annville or Millersville, but at least I've seen it once on the big screen!"}, {"response": 358, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov 27, 1999 (01:10)", "body": "Welcome Lynn.....good to have you on board. I hope you will join us on the other topics. Stick around!"}, {"response": 359, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 27, 1999 (03:23)", "body": "LYNN!!! Great to see you come out of lurking, Lynn. Like you, I can't wait to see MLSF again. It's been months!! :-( January can't get here fast enough. So tell us any scenes, looks, lines or anything else that particularly struck you? We all have our favorite Colin outfits and little scenes. How about you?"}, {"response": 360, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (04:07)", "body": "Lynn, I'm so glad it worked out for you. One more thing to give thanks for, eh? Don't give up hope on Millersville or the other college towns; I believe it did play in Kutztown. This is the little movie that could!"}, {"response": 361, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (04:46)", "body": "Why can't it come back here? An Ideal Husband is going around...one..last...time."}, {"response": 362, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec 19, 1999 (17:45)", "body": "MLSF in Oklahoma played at an art house theatre . The timing could not be worse...on the weekend before Christmas, who has time to go to the movies? AND , as Karen pointed out, college kids are gone (Norman is home to Univ. of OK.)Normally, they are more receptive to foreign films than the general population.So we had a private screening (two local Firthfans and me). My friends enjoyed it but had a problem understand the Scottish accent.The scene with Fraser and the maids in the kitchen was a goner.But everyone agreed that it was Colin at his best and hang the fact they could understand it. The film suffers from brutal editing leaving the audience confused. And Malcolm Mac Dowell looks older every time I see him...I swear I saw him limping! MEM is a gem in this..she conveys such deep affection for Edward...I\ufffdm sure it helped that in real life Colin is\ufffda friend of the family\ufffd and the affection is real. My favorite scene is still when he is explaining the facts of life to Fraser. He has a similar scene in SLOW with Sammy. He does \ufffdbeing embarassed \ufffdso well...in both these films as well as in FP at the restaurant , and meeting Lizzie at Pemberley. Still no review in the newspaper, though the Miramax guy told me there would be one. Apparently, Miramax sent it the day before it was to begin.There does not seem to be a master plan for this film. Sad...it\ufffds a treasure. I love it...can\ufffdt wait for the video."}, {"response": 363, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Dec 20, 1999 (15:48)", "body": "And Malcolm MacDowell looks older every time I see him...I swear I saw him limping! Hee hee! can\ufffdt wait for the video Neither can I. Only a couple more weeks, right? I wonder what version of the film we'll see (1920, 1927 or with the Australian version's ending). I'm also looking forward to not seeing his head melt (as occurred when I saw it in July)."}, {"response": 364, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 20, 1999 (16:43)", "body": "Just had an interesting conversation. The version of MLSF that will play in the UK is the same as has been showing in Australia, with Fraser going off to boarding school and Edward fooling around and imparting his *words of wisdom.* This is from someone who saw it about 4 months ago at a cast/crew party. Shoot!! Forgot to ask if the game plan then was to premiere it in October!!"}, {"response": 365, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Mon, Dec 20, 1999 (18:32)", "body": "Amazing but true -- MLSF is *still* playing in one theatre in Newton, a suburb of Boston. It's been there since August, so must be doing decent business. Evelyn, what was your impression of the infamous \"loft\" scene? Did he or didn't he?;-D"}, {"response": 366, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec 20, 1999 (20:03)", "body": "(Susan)Evelyn, what was your impression of the infamous \"loft\" scene? Did he or didn't he?;-D You know...the first time I saw it, I thought :\"Nah...just a few snogs and a grope or two\"...but this time I think he might have and it ended up on the cutting room floor..to get the PG13 rating.If not, then Edward is the biggest liar, 'cause he sure acts like it. BTW I saw the 1920 version.And Simon Rattle conducting the Birmingham Symphony is magnificent playing Beethoven's Fifth.Wish they had cut a soundtrack."}, {"response": 367, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Dec 22, 1999 (01:01)", "body": "Just had an interesting conversation. The version of MLSF that will play in the UK is the same as has been showing in Australia, with Fraser going off to boarding school and Edward fooling around and imparting his *words of wisdom.* This is from someone who saw it about 4 months ago at a cast/crew party. Shoot!! Forgot to ask if the game plan then was to premiere it in October!! (Karen) Karen, you really do have sources everywhere! What cast/crew party was this? I just can't see any reason for the delay in showing MLSF in the UK..... if they're just planning an art-house release, they can do it any time. And if they'd shown it in October, it would have linked in with David Puttnam's much publicised retirement. Your sources can't cast light on the reasons for the delay, can they?"}, {"response": 368, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan  7, 2000 (01:02)", "body": "From Anne H: Australian (and UK) Ending for MLSF The four wheel drive sets off with the chauffeur in front and Fraser in the back. His mother has just informed him his father is waiting for him at the loch. At they loch they stop - and his Dad can be seen climbing out of the loch in the strange regalia of a tyre and waders. He comes up to Fraser to say goodbye and after a few pleasantries he informs Fraser he has looked up the word Fellatio and now knows its meaning and suggests to Fraser that he doesn't practice it at school!!!!!!! Fraser looks at hi father in some puzzlement and is heard saying over - I can't remember the exact wording - but suffice to say he hadn't a clue to his father's meaning. [Cathey will I am sure give you the exact wording.] The four wheel drive then continues on, the chauffeur suggests Fraser comes and sits in front with him and they exchange caps and then music. I think I am right here - after all I have only seen it twice. Anne H"}, {"response": 369, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Fri, Jan  7, 2000 (01:55)", "body": "In the voice over Fraser says he is pleased his Dad has at last told him something useful, even though he doesn't have a clue what he means. This final scene starts off with Fraser saying goodbye to his mother and the servants. He asks his mother if it was his fault that his father's flying experiment didn't work earlier in the summer and she reassures him that is was not and that his father wasn't meant to fly, he was meant to stay with them \"all the animals in his zoo\". She is trying not to cry while she says goodbye to him. After the car drives off leaving Edward it shows Fraser climbing over the seat into the front and he and the chauffeur exchanging caps with Fraser saying (in voice over) \"so that is My Life So Far\". There is then some wording on the screen which I assume the American version also had. If not, let me know and I'll see how good my memory is."}, {"response": 370, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Jan  7, 2000 (17:42)", "body": "Umm... actually, I think I prefer the U.S. ending. The juxtaposition of the fellatio reference with the chauffeur inviting Fraser to join him in the front seat brings to mind that scene from \"Airplane\" -- \"Hey Joey, you ever seen a man naked?\" Maybe it's just my sick mind;-D"}, {"response": 371, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan  7, 2000 (23:58)", "body": "I like the American ending too.Who cares about that kid going off to school? I'm more interested in Moira and Edward making up and dancing in the moonlight. Perhaps, they did this to appease Sir Denis Forman in his home country since this is his life...so far"}, {"response": 372, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sat, Jan  8, 2000 (01:11)", "body": "I prefer the American ending, too. The last thing we see is Colin's handsome face. And the reference to fellatio and Edward telling his ten-year old son not to do it at boarding school gives me the shivers. Can't believe Edward would have said such a thing. Takes the sweetness from the film."}, {"response": 373, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jan  8, 2000 (18:18)", "body": "I may prefer the American ending too but I sure wish I could see that extra footage anyway so I could decide for myself. Thanks for sharing, Anne and Cathey."}, {"response": 374, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (15:47)", "body": "I spotted this in next week's (Jan 22-28) TV Guide, On Video section: \"My Life So Far\" (Miramax, available January 25) Set in post-World War I Scotland, this affecting memoir is told through the eyes of a 10-year-old boy and stars Colin Firth and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio. All of which we know, of course. I was surprised to see it mentioned. I wonder if it'll turn up on pay-per-view?"}, {"response": 375, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 22, 2000 (15:19)", "body": "Apparently My Life So Far has hit South Africa. Found this in a publication called Business Day (14 January 2000). Excellent review AGRICULTURE AND SEX IN THE IDYLLIC '20S The childhood reminiscences of Dennis Forman, a prominent figure in the arts in the UK, have been turned into a film of considerable charm and merit by Hugh Hudson and producer David Putnam, the duo responsible for Chariots of Fire in 1981. Blessed with a well-to-do, happy family, Fraser (Robert Norman) takes full advantage of his comfortable, stimulating circumstances. The 1920s may have been a period of change and uncertainty for others the plight of the nearby miners is mentioned only in passing but, for the 10-year-old boy, it was a time of discovery and exploration, not least as far as sex was concerned. The main influence on Fraser was Edward (Colin Firth), his father and a man of vision which, although blurred in some instances, makes him a hero to his son. Their relationship is cemented by a shared interest in matters scientific, mechanical, musical, sporting and, as ill-luck would have it, carnal. Edward is married to Moira (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio), whose mother, the indefatigable Gamma (Rosemary Harris), owns Kiloran, the Scottish estate Edward runs in his own eccentric and idealistic way particularly in regard to his stubborn insistence on continuing the harvesting of a moss. Morris (Malcolm McDowell), Moira's brother, is a hard-headed businessman who sees little point in persevering with an unprofitable crop when money could be made far more easily. But it is not only a difference of opinion on agriculture that creates tension between the brothers-in-law, both of whom hope to inherit the property on Gamma's death. There is also the question of Heloise (Irene Jacob), Morris's French fiance, who enchants Edward and, less harmfully, Fraser. Filled with rich, colourful characters superbly played by a near perfect cast, My Life So Far presents an idyllic world that exists today only in memory and even that, one suspects from Simon Donald's adaptation, is pen to interpretation. Firth brings out all Edward's idiosyncrasies, yet is still able to suggest the frustration and, perhaps, the passion that lie beneath his devotion to family and duty. McDowell impresses as the acquisitive trader, while Harris excels as the stern but kindly holder of the purse-strings. Jacob possesses just the right amount of exotic appeal that would upset the delicate balance in a sheltered household. Much as Norman's performance adds depth and insight to Fraser's half-understood view of the adult world, mention should also be made of the angelically impish little boy who plays him as a mischievous three year old whose innocent yet dangerous prank sets the tone. The only one seemingly out of synch with the proceedings is Mastrantonio, who is given little to say until, towards the end, she delivers a speech that expresses all her pent-up feelings and reveals that she is far more aware than anyone, inclu ing the audience, might have supposed. My Life So Far is necessarily episodic, but each event has some bearing on Fraser's development and his family's equilibrium. Hugh Hudson's direction effectively mixes nostalgia with perception. The film is dedicated to the late Ian Charleston, the actor who played the devout Christian in Chariots of Fire. This film is set in roughly the same period and has a similar respect for traditional values coming to terms with a changing world. While its circumstances are not quite as dramatic, it makes a comparable point with equal acuity. Phillip Altbeker"}, {"response": 376, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jan 22, 2000 (17:27)", "body": "That's a very impressive review, not because he liked the film but because the reviewer actually seems to have paid attention and understands it. He's the first one I recall who ever mentioned 3-year old Fraser too. I like it. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 122, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 123, "subject": "Colin Firth (Part 6)", "response_count": 1999, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (23:23)", "body": "To keep the flow from 119 going, I'm pasting Karen's latest news on DQ here: Topic 119 of 123 [drool]: Colin Firth (Part 5) Response 1966 of 1975: Karen (KarenR) * Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (11:03) * 14 lines Donovan Quick was screened on October 12th at the Cork Film Festival. This review from the October 15 Irish Times discusses several other films, so here are the relevant portions: QUIXOTE AMONGST THE STREET KIDS European cinema's current passion for portraits of petty crime and casual violence among disaffected urban teenagers has reached Cork Film Festival. Hugh Linehan found himself rooting, instead, for a quirky Scottish drama. Both From the Edge of the City and Schpaaa go to some pains to emphasise their modernity, extensively featuring hip-hop and dance music on their soundtracks. In contrast, the BBC Scotland production, Donovan Quick, ignores such contemporary trappings. It's often been a valid criticism o British (and Irish) films that they avoid the modern world, even when they're supposedly addressing it, and the last year has seen a rash of bland, anachronistic Full Monty-lookalikes to reinforce the point, but David Blair's quirky, likeable film is too individual and unusual to be lumped in with the rest of that crop. As the title hints, this is a modern-day Quixotic tale, which pits the little man against the overweening forces of authority. Colin Firth plays the eponymous, mysterious hero who shows up as the new lodger on the doorstep of the Pannick family, led by alcoholic Lucy (Katy Murphy), and including her learning-disabled brother (David Brown, who is himself learning-disabled, giving a terrific performance). To the Pannicks' bemusement, they find themselves caught up in Firth's crusade against the ruthless corporation which runs the local public transport system, and Murphy's cynicism is challenged by his idealistic \"madness\". Donovan Quick is the kind of film which, in the wrong hands, could have ended up as the most awful sort of sentimental mush, but the screenplay (by Donna Franceschild, who wrote the recent adaptation of Robert MacLiam Wilson's Eureka Street for the BBC) and direction are too intelligent for that. Blair was responsible for the under-rated TV drama, Vicious Circle, based, like The General, on the life of Dublin gangster Martin Cahill, and here he convincingly creates a cast of highly believable, sympathetic characters who you find yourself really rooting for."}, {"response": 2, "author": "baine", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (01:20)", "body": "Yippee for the good review of DQ. I probably be in my grave before that gets where I can get hold of it. Something interesting--just came back from American Beauty, and they thank the Donmar Warehouse at the end of the credits. Anyone know what the deal is there?"}, {"response": 3, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (01:47)", "body": "Have we really drooled this much?! Incredible...but, so is the man. He is worthy!"}, {"response": 4, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (02:00)", "body": "(Cymbeline) they thank the Donmar Warehouse at the end of the credits. Anyone know what the deal is there? Wasn't that cute? Yes, Sam Mendes, the director of American Beauty, is also the artistic director of the Donmar. You can bet those people had to do extra while Sammy boy was in Hollywood. ;-D"}, {"response": 5, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (03:34)", "body": "(Karen)Wasn't that cute? Yes, Sam Mendes, the director of American Beauty, is also the artistic director of the Donmar. You can bet those people had to do extra while Sammy boy was in Hollywood. ;-D Karen you're amazing--we will never have to want for information as long as we have you around. Thanks!!"}, {"response": 6, "author": "SylvanaM", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (03:44)", "body": "I was so disappointed that I could not join Eileen and Heide, and all the other firthettes for Saturday's viewing of FP. But I was able to slip away to Montclair, NJ today for the5:15 show. I enjoyed FP immensely. Some of the dialog was very difficult to hear/understand, probably due to accents and the differences in idiomatic English usage between the US and UK. But no more difficult to understand than \"The Full Monty\" for example. Any film with CF is a visual treat for me. However I must say I prefer a clean-shaven CF, not the grungy look he sported here. Although I must admit the extra growth did enhance his left dimple. Those who are concerned about ODB's hair can relax, there is plenty here. (His hair, Louisa! His hair!) And now for the bad news. I did see the crowd (and I use that term loosely) for the 3:25 show exiting the theater, all 6 of them. And I was joined by 4 others for the 5:15 show. I didn't stay to see the 7:15 audience. Sure hope they're doing a better business at the other three theaters. Perhaps this is why films like MLSF never make it to the Garden State. The word must be out that New Jerseyians are just the cineplex sort of movie-viewers."}, {"response": 7, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (08:49)", "body": "Karen. I do think BBC Scotland is striving for a theatrical release for DQ Why are all ODB projects so complicated nothing is simple, last August I thought we would have 3 TV projects to look forward to and now all we have is a 10min cameo in TTOTS possibly at Christmas, DQ is to most likely get a theatrical release and the one I was really looking forward to, a whole series with ODB in the starring role and in uniform ie Flashman is no more (althoughj I am still keeping my fingers crossed, there as too much information in The TV Times article for there not to be something in the story). I continue, Londinium, has it got a Distributor?, we have been waiting ages for news of SLOW, and thankfully it is at last out of the Bank Vault but how long has it taken, MLSF is still to be seen in the UK, May 2000, I won 't hold my breath, both of these made in 1997!!, Relative Values well this one seems okay but personally it is the one I am least excited about seeing, Blackadder, 20pounds to see a 2min cameo, oh well thank goodness for 3DOR, we know it starts on the 9th November, and ends on the 22nd January, a nd that ODB will be there acting his little heart out. End of rant, it must be that Monday morning feeling!!!"}, {"response": 8, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (12:20)", "body": "(Ann), oh well thank goodness for 3DOR, we know it starts on the 9th November, and ends on the 22nd January, a nd that ODB will be there acting his little heart out. End of rant, it must be that Monday morning feeling!!! And lucky you that will attend! I would trade any film of his to see him on the stage."}, {"response": 9, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (12:25)", "body": "Yes, of course, that's true Moon, but I feel better now that I have got it off my chest. I would dearly love to see MLSF however, after everyone's comments about the close-ups!!"}, {"response": 10, "author": "baine", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (12:56)", "body": "You want a rant? At least you're in the same country with him. No matter whether he's in London or LA, he's always 3000 miles away from here--well, maybe sometimes he's 30,000 feet overhead, but I haven't learned to spot his plane yet. There are *no* ODB films playing in the DC area. I've gotten every video I could wring out of my local rental stores. There was one, yes one, copy of P&P for rent in my humble burg, but they put that in the warehouse and no they wouldn't get it out for me. I'm so sorry, I thought you were a video RENTAL store, not a video STORAGE FACILITY. They do have the 1940 version with Oliver Lawrence, as the knowledgeable clerk put it. Imagine to yourselves how many times someone's rented that in the last decad . Imagine how much more money they could make with ODB's version. But I guess they're not in it for the money; they'd rather see how much they can frustrate their would-be customers. The county library system has all of four of his videos and don't get me started on how they've cataloged P&P so *it's impossible to get all 6 tapes at once or even in the right order*! As for Hostages, Tumbledown, Wings of Fame, and Femme Fatale--if I ever get a chance at those it will be on that big video screen in the sky. I know, I know, if I really loved him I'd buy every video, and it's rapidly coming to that. But the thought of the ever-increasing list of new work that swirls out of my reach--MLSF, FP, DQ, TTOTS, RV, Londinium--has me unhinged. Most of those will never open in the US, or if they do it will be for two minutes like MLSF. It would probably be best if ODHost just wrenched this revolting lardbucket of self-pity right off the screen, but this is a support group, right, and you all know what it's like to live without him, right? You may address me as Ginny from now on--not the Ginny in the bed of the pickup, the Ginny wandering hopelessly under the window calling, I love you, and receiving no reply. Yes, this Christmas he'll be acting his little heart out in London and so will Rufus as Macbeth, and I'll be here. I know that by now there is not a wet eye in the house. I too am going to face Monday morning. So let me shift for myself, and someday, if I have very good luck, I may meet with another Bruce Willis."}, {"response": 11, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (13:20)", "body": "Is Rufus doing Macbeth again, I didn't know and am surprised as the reviews weren't very good and Ginny my problems pale into insignificance compared to yours, I feel ashamed, as you say I do live in the same country, get to see him on stage, and will see some if not all of his future projects. Sorry!!"}, {"response": 12, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (13:32)", "body": "Ginny , you can buy some of CF's videos through reel.com , previously owned, almost for as much as you can rent them . I got FF for $6.00.Worth the price of gas alone. ~~~"}, {"response": 13, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (13:51)", "body": "Oh my!! What have I stepped into this Monday morning? ;-D Time for some virtual slapping. Buck up, buckees! Yes, the wait to see Colin's works is interminable, but at least Ann you will be seeing SLOW before us in a lovely theatre full of people (compare that with MLSF's dumpy venues with 3 people on average in the audience). For DQ, nothing is certain about where it will play. Remember, BBC said \"early next year\" for transmission was the original game plan. At some point, they will make a decision for airing it. Efforts to sell to foreign countries would continue however. On the Londinium front, I'm due to check in with those people at the end of the month. I have a copy of Binder's The Sex Monster on tape now, but haven't taken a look at it. Ginny, Femme Fatale has been on TV (called Fatal Woman) as has Hostages (history channel). And there have been several reports that TTOTS will be on Masterpiece Theater in it's winter-spring 2000 season. You will love seeing 3DOR and Colin on stage is worth many unreleased movies in the bush. ;-D"}, {"response": 14, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (14:39)", "body": "You are just like my sister Karen, you seem to put everything into perspective."}, {"response": 15, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (16:11)", "body": "Heide, it was great to finally meet you! You are the runner-up for the \"I'll Travel a Million Miles for One of Firth's Smiles\" Award--sponsored by Evelyn--since a member of the Firthlist drove 5 hours to NJ to see it, surpassing the 2 hours you drove. I was glad you made the trip! It's much more fun seeing his movies with other fans. We were sorry to have missed you, Sylvana, but I'm glad to see you made the trek up the Parkway to see it. Yes, the dialogue is difficult to make out in several places and there are alot of colloquialisms (I probably murdered that spelling) which fly over the heads of us Yanks. I found this page quite helpful: Clare's Fever Pitch Page There is an excellent glossary which will help you out. If you're really into it, you can pick up Hornby's book from your local library or bookstore (non-fiction section). There's no Paul [:-(] and no love story, but it does help. (Sylvana) Perhaps this is why films like MLSF never make it to the Garden State. The word must be out that New Jerseyians are just the cineplex sort of movie-viewers. Those tiny ads and mixed reviews in the NY papers didn't help. Besides, we all read the Ledger over here. Of course those 10 and 12-plexes on every corner are stiff competition. And last but not least, everyone is up to their eyeballs in baseball :-). Isn't the Wellmont a lovely theater, though? As Heide mentioned, the movie suddenly got dark about 2/3 through our viewing. Slyvana, did this happen to you? It was hard to see faces, particularly when Paul and Sarah have their fight in the kitchen. We could barely see Paul's mother's cat wearing the little Arsenal shirt! Thank goodness the film didn't melt before our eyes as MLSF did, and it did brighten up before the end. Everyone in our group had seen the video countless times, but we managed to notice something new on the big screen: as Heide mentioned, CF's scruffy face, pierced ear and Ruth's freckles; others noticed the vintage Arsenal lamp next to his bed and tears on his face when he thinks Arsenal are going to blow it (during the dark kitchen fight scene). What struck me was how funny the movie is. Yes, I've watched the video countless times and heard all the jokes before--perhaps it was the men (all 2 of 'em) i the audience laughing it up that influenced my reaction. I love, love, love that restaurant scene. It's one of my all-time Firth favorites. (Sylvana) His hair, Louisa! His hair! We all had that same reaction! Those who are concerned about ODB's hair can relax, there is plenty here. Oooh, I hate to burst your bubble, but...in one of the scenes where Paul is sitting at his desk (the one in which the principal comes in to tell him about the head of year job interview arrangements), I'm afraid there's a definite scalp-sighting to be had (from behind and on top). His hair wrangler must have had that day off. (Cymbeline--er, Ginny) well, maybe sometimes he's 30,000 feet overhead, but I haven't learned to spot his plane yet. LOL! If you figure out a way, will you let me know? :-P and someday, if I have very good luck, I may meet with another Bruce Willis. LOL even more...bite your tongue, girl! FYI--you can purchase a boxed set of P&P videos for a song these days (most of us paid around 100 clams; it now goes for $39.99 and under). Check out Sam's Club/Price Club/Costco, Best Buy or even Sam Goody. You never know when you might happen upon Darcy's big brown eyes staring up at you! Yes, Ann, do snap out of it! You'll see MLSF! If the video comes out in the US in Jan. '00 as promoted, you can see it before May (with a little conversion magic). Heck, if it wasn't for the generosity of a certain person here, I wouldn't have seen FP until last Saturday--some 2 1/2 years after it was released in the UK. Don't worry, you'll get by with a little help from your friends!"}, {"response": 16, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (23:23)", "body": "This was posted today at the FOF: 10/19/99 - From the \"Going Out\" section of Womens Journal (UK) November 99. LONDON FILM FESTIVAL FIRTH GOES FORTH Ladies, it's time to get over Darcy. Colin Firth is far too talented an actor to be pigeonholed. This month his new film Secret Laughter of Women premieres at the London's Film Festival. It's a touching love story set among the Nigerian community in the South of France. Playing a lazy colonial drawn to a single mother, Firth is terrifically funny (Sample line: \"Never follow a girl in Clarks shoes. There's always a father with a shotgun behind\"). And , yes, he smoulders in true Darcy style. Then in December, Firth returns to London's Donmar theatre to repeat his dazzling performance in Three Days of Rain with Elizabeth McGovern and David Morrisey. Tickets were like gold dust last year, so book now. In the first act, Firth plays the dysfunctional son of an American architect; then in the second act , we see his father (also played by Firth) on his first date with his mother. Heartbreaking stuff - and not a pair of breeches in sight. The 43rd London Film Festival runs from 3rd-18th November. For a programme call 0906 6132000. 3DOR opens at the Donmar on the 9th November. To book call 0171 369 1732 Murph Re FP: So lovely meeting Heide for the first time, and Eileen for the second. I saw the freckles on Ruth, and the unshaven chin on Paul, but clean missed the lamp, the tears, and the sparse top of head. I also loved his rapport with the kids. He made a perfect teacher. And isn't Mark Strong great too?"}, {"response": 17, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (23:38)", "body": "Thanks, Murph! Was there a picture to go with it?"}, {"response": 18, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (23:44)", "body": "LOL!! 'Fess up Ann and Cymbeline - you feel better now, don't you? A little healthy ranting never hurt anybody. Cymbeline, you stick around with us, youll see all his videos. Sylvana, sorry we couldn't meet up with you but I'm so glad you got to see it the next day. How'd your sparse audience react? Any men? Murph, thanks for the info on Colin. Do we dare feel optimism for SLOW?"}, {"response": 19, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Oct 19, 1999 (01:22)", "body": "Of course I feel better--that's what support groups are for. None of this stiff upper lip nonsense for us Americans. Where I come from complaining is an art form. I knew I could count on you all to hold me up when my Firthlessness reached desperate levels. Besides I spent the afternoon power watching Circle of Friends again, and he really is marvelous. There are sentences and inflections in it that could have been said by Darcy but b/c he had such command of his facial expressions and body movements he comes across as a dorky cad instead of as a man violently in love. BTW has anyone noticed that there is a part near the beginning of Another Country where Tommy is talking to Guy, and it could be Darcy talking to Bingley when they were at school (if you leave out the Bolshie rhetoric). I've decided that they met at school, D and B that is--what does anyone think or is that a question better directed to the Republic of Pemberley? Anyhow, the wonderful thing is that ODB had that voice by the age of 23, probably by the age of 15. I shall try, with your help, to be patient and content myself with knowing that somewhere on this planet ODB is doing something, and of course it's wonderful."}, {"response": 20, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 19, 1999 (02:18)", "body": "At the end of support group meetings, one should get presents to make up for the pain and duress. So here's my present to you all. Paul Ashworth looking mighty good on my small screen and not at the multiplex:"}, {"response": 21, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 19, 1999 (02:20)", "body": ""}, {"response": 22, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Oct 19, 1999 (02:59)", "body": "Now you tell me! Is that brooding or petulant? See? Hair color doesn't make a bit of difference. 8-D"}, {"response": 23, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Oct 19, 1999 (03:51)", "body": "Ohhhhhhhhh. Thanks Karen, I needed that. It gets so frustrating reading about everything he is doing and wondering how much we will get to see and when."}, {"response": 24, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Oct 19, 1999 (08:36)", "body": "Hi everybody, it is a lovely Autumn Tuesday morning, Colin is already getting publicity for 3DOR and SLOW sounds great, how is that for the British stiff upper lip. Sorry if I was a bit over the top yesterday, it came out all wrong in print but it can be frustrating being a CF fan, I think we will all agree but he is worth the wait and I am sure I will get to see MLSF somehow , thanks to my friends and support group at Spring. I can't wait to see SLOW in November, and will give a blow by blow account. I am so glad you got to see FP on the big screen Heide, I understand that it will only be playing in NY for one week, is that correct and will it still go to LA & San Francisco, Karen?"}, {"response": 25, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Oct 19, 1999 (09:21)", "body": "I think that we just have to accept that multiplexes/movie mags/marketing and promotion etc are geared almost exclusively to movies like \"American Pie\" and \"Big Daddy\" and all small films are going to struggle to reach an audience. But just hang in there! But DQ and SLOW are actually being screened and have both got very good reviews! I understand why DQ would be pushed for a theatrical release (carries more kudos and chances of US/international exposure) but as a BBC film it will eventually be also shown on television. And I'm sure we'll get video releases of both (and PAL can be converted!)"}, {"response": 26, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Oct 19, 1999 (11:56)", "body": "Thanks, Karen! He looks a bit like Rupert Everett there IMO--no bad thing in itself. And wouldn't it be fun to see them do something together again. There is only one thing worse than thinking about ODB all the time, and that is not thinking about ODB all the time."}, {"response": 27, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 19, 1999 (12:32)", "body": "Thanks, Karen! He looks a bit like Rupert Everett there IMO--no bad thing in itself. Heeheeheehee...................................."}, {"response": 28, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 19, 1999 (13:22)", "body": "I checked the box office results for last weekend, and Fever Pitch is not on there...all the way down to 104th place, which is a film that is playing on like one screen. Have to conclude that Phaedra didn't report its take. Who knows if they will take it to LA now. :-("}, {"response": 29, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Oct 19, 1999 (14:33)", "body": "It's good to see UK publicity that begins with the line Ladies, it's time to get over Darcy. But then they blow it with And, yes, he smoulders in true Darcy style. Clearly the author has not gotten over Darcy yet. Thanks for sharing, Murph! (Karen) Have to conclude that Phaedra didn't report its take It must have been miniscule. There was too much going on this weekend to lure sports fans away from their TV sets (we sports and CF fans found a way, though). I hope Phaedra hangs in there and moves it to other US cities anyway. (Bethan) I understand why DQ would be pushed for a theatrical release (carries more kudos and chances of US/international exposure) but as a BBC film it will eventually be also shown on television. IMO this is the best position to be in. I'm hoping for theatrical release so we can see it on the big screen over here. Either way, we know we'll see this one!"}, {"response": 30, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Oct 19, 1999 (14:34)", "body": "Hi Karen, according to Yahoo Movies Top Movies site Phaedra did report the takings for FP, which stood at 2,519dollars , at #94."}, {"response": 31, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 19, 1999 (14:52)", "body": "Thanks, Ann. FP didn't appear on THR's listing and they all come from the same company, Exhibitor Relations."}, {"response": 32, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Oct 19, 1999 (15:42)", "body": "Just read that Phaedra is pulling FP from the NY area on Thursday (10/21) due to disappointing results. So we should know shortly where (or if) it's headed next."}, {"response": 33, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 19, 1999 (16:59)", "body": "I think this is the Flashman cover that Bethan seemed to like (a lot):"}, {"response": 34, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Oct 19, 1999 (23:36)", "body": "LOL, Karen you were on Jeopardy at the wrong time. One of the catagories tonight was Spam."}, {"response": 35, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Oct 20, 1999 (03:54)", "body": "The Chameleon strikes again: The Tumbledown Archives Here's a new section of the threedeers archives on cf.com, with a heap of Tumbledown pics, some of them never seen before online. Brace yourself, this is not Mr. Darcy. ;-) http://www.firth.com/arch/tum/tn-tum50.htm"}, {"response": 36, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Oct 20, 1999 (07:05)", "body": "(Renate)Brace yourself, this is not Mr. Darcy. Oh no? What about in the dress uniform? I am sure that is him. Wonderful pictures! many thanks."}, {"response": 37, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 20, 1999 (13:45)", "body": "Great pictures! Thanks, Renate and Arami, for resurrecting the archive. I like the separation of pictures and edited text. Will we see more? ;-D"}, {"response": 38, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Oct 20, 1999 (17:50)", "body": "8-o What do you mean, \"will we see more\"? Of the text? 22 large pics not enough? Hmmm...... could it be possible that you only found the thumbnails, and did not click on them? BTW, not only the thumbnails are clickable, but the large one's, too. And I would like to hear which of the pics is the favourite here."}, {"response": 39, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 20, 1999 (18:06)", "body": "\"will we see more\" Pics and text from other film/TV roles."}, {"response": 40, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Oct 20, 1999 (21:17)", "body": "I don't know if this review has already been posted but there is an excellent review for MLSF and for Colin in The San Antonio Express News http://www.expressnews.com/pantheon/index/rat-review.shtml and Evelyn there is also a very good one for B&H, have you seen it before. Scroll down the page to find the MLSF review. Thankyou very much to the 3Deers for the lovely Tumbledown page update."}, {"response": 41, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct 20, 1999 (21:37)", "body": "Cogratulations 3deers! You have done a wonderful job."}, {"response": 42, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Oct 20, 1999 (21:48)", "body": "Karen, yes that is the \"legs akimbo\" cover picture of Flashman! Not my favourite Flashman book though, although it does contain some of my favourite dialogue....an exchange with ol' Abe Lincoln (when he was still young!) \"I said I was a good dissembler... \"You must be,\" says he \"And I speak as a politician, who knows how difficult it is to fool people.\" \"Well\" I said \"my own experience is that you can fool some of the people all the time - and all the people some times. But I concede that it's difficult to fool all the people all the time\". \"That is so\" says he, and a great grin lit up his face... Flashy is a must-do role. All my fingers firmly crossed on this one. Mind you, CF may have no other option soon but to do television work. There's a report in today's Telegraph on how \"Hollywood have delivered a devastating blow to Britain's film industry when Universal Pictures announced that it was taking over the lucrative distribution business of UPI in London.\" Industry observers believe that UPI will now coninue as a video distributor and will not have the budget to turn small British films into international successes.....\"It's the final nail in the coffin....Hollywood thinks it should control the world\". Oh well, things can't get worse...and to be honest I think that a lot can be achieved within the confines of good television drama! Ann, I phoned Buena Vista and asked about MLSF. The Disney (why Disney?) PR person said that the release date is \"tentatively\" May, but there's no confirmed date. At least they are talking about releasing it, but the \"tentatively\" beats me! By the time MLSF hits our screens, wee Fraser will be a six footer and studying for his Scottish Highers! But we will see it...we just need patience!"}, {"response": 43, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Oct 20, 1999 (21:53)", "body": "Promise!!thanks Bethan.(I can't wait to see those close-ups on the big screen) I really can't understand why they can't be more definite though, can you?"}, {"response": 44, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Oct 20, 1999 (22:10)", "body": "\"will we see more\" Pics and text from other film/TV roles. Probably. Eventually. Please be patient. :-)"}, {"response": 45, "author": "baine", "date": "Wed, Oct 20, 1999 (22:10)", "body": "Thanks so much for the lovely Tumbledown shots, esp for those of us this side of the pond who will have to wait till the next life to see it, even though the events it concerns took place in our very own hemisphere. The rugged sooty-faced look is very nice too, don't you all think. And I do like those boots he's wearing in the shot with him and Robert Lawrence. Well, even though we live on crumbs, what crumbs they are. I watched Another Country again today, and it is a great movie in itself. But the voice, Louisa, the voice! If I could make an audio tape of his lines and just walk around with a walkman glued to my ears for the rest of my life I'd die happy. As I've mentioned before a lot of the time he sounds like Darcy talking to Bingley in their schooldays."}, {"response": 46, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Oct 20, 1999 (23:07)", "body": "\"will we see more\" Pics and text from other film/TV roles. Probably. Eventually. Please be patient. :-)"}, {"response": 47, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 21, 1999 (00:41)", "body": "(Bethan)Ann, I phoned Buena Vista and asked about MLSF. The Disney (why Disney?) Buena Vista is owned by Disney and is the international arm of the company that distributes all Disney films (Miramax etc.) ~~~~~ \"Hollywood have delivered a devastating blow to Britain's film industry when Universal Pictures announced that it was taking over the lucrative distribution business of UPI in London.\" Another view is that the Industry might have gone \"belly up\" without Universal. ..\"It's the final nail in the coffin....Hollywood thinks it should control the world\". But any other company (UK or European) could outbid them, I'm sure. ~~~~~~ Thank you for Tumblewood Page...Difficult to look at, but tremendous acting. My fave pic is the one in the dress uniform.... ~~~~~ Thank you Ann; San Antonio came through for Colin and Jennifer in their reviews. Let's hear it for Texas!! Out west, we know good quality films:-D Bring on FP!!"}, {"response": 48, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Oct 21, 1999 (16:39)", "body": "(Cymbeline) If I could make an audio tape of his lines and just walk around with a walkman glued to my ears for the rest of my life I'd die happy. You and me both, my dear. His voice, * shiver * and his then there's his eyes, * sigh * -and his hands... * slowly melts into an overstimulated puddle of drool *"}, {"response": 49, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Oct 21, 1999 (19:11)", "body": "Good to be part of the sixth board, thanks Heide for setting it up. 3 Deers ,as usual you have done a marvellous job, putting RL in our midst. Thanks. It is lovely to come out of lurkdom and find all these goodies."}, {"response": 50, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Oct 21, 1999 (19:16)", "body": "I have enjoyed your tales of FP and meeting up to see it. You have reminded me that I am the proud owner of a lifesize FP poster, kindly obtained by a very empathic friend. I must go and brush the dust off and unravel it!! BTW I think the OBSERVER is running a comp this Sunday to win tickets to LFF. Maybe MLSF will be on offer to the winner!"}, {"response": 51, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 21, 1999 (19:39)", "body": "Good to see you here again, Lizza!"}, {"response": 52, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Oct 21, 1999 (21:03)", "body": "I have enjoyed your supersleuthing for DQ too Karen. As ever you have the CF facts at your nimble fingertips!!"}, {"response": 53, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Oct 21, 1999 (21:07)", "body": "Lizza, didn't you have some story for us about Wessex's cod piece? Do tell! :-) Another view is that the Industry might have gone \"belly up\" without Universal. (Evelyn) I can see that point of view! Marketing and distribution...the British film industry never quite realised the significance of this! Great Tumbledown pics."}, {"response": 54, "author": "ommin", "date": "Fri, Oct 22, 1999 (01:02)", "body": "I fear big companies destroy the making of different films to want they believe the public wish to see. They forget their are millions of us out there that rarely go to the cinema because we do not wish to see their offerings. Anne H"}, {"response": 55, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Oct 22, 1999 (03:17)", "body": "Great Tumbledown pics. This is a movie that I can't watch in it's entirety at one sitting. I always have to watch it by halves. It is a great movie and CF gives such an outstanding performance, a little too good for me. He brings it to life so well that I can't stand to watch it without a break. I know from experience on rottenly some of the vets have been treated after a war is over and they no longer are needed by the higher powers, so this really gets to me."}, {"response": 56, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Oct 22, 1999 (03:19)", "body": "I have wondered many times where R.L. is now and how he is doing. Colin brought him into my world and I just can't forget him."}, {"response": 57, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 22, 1999 (03:32)", "body": "(AnneH) They forget their are millions of us out there that rarely go to the cinema because we do not wish to see their offerings. Sometime I think this is a chicken and the egg situation. Many of us do not go to the theaters period, but wait until films are out on video to watch from the comfort of our own homes. I see many films and, if I like one a lot, I may see it twice (as I did American Beauty or Eyes Wide Shut)--we won't count the number of times I saw MLSF. However, can we compete with teenagers who go to see movies 30 times! Or Star Wars films 100 times? I don't think the studios will miss my $8 from NOT seeing the tri e they put out during the summer. ;-D"}, {"response": 58, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Oct 22, 1999 (09:25)", "body": "Good news! I just phoned Optimum Releasing (distributor of SLOW) to ask about release dates. They are very friendly and helpful (unlike Miramax!) and confirmed that it will open on November 26. I asked if that would be London only, and they said that it would be \"nationwide\". I'm really pleased about this....I honestly only expected it to show in London and maybe two or three major independents like the National Museum of Film and Photography. \"Nationwide\" could still be a select release, but a select nationwide release is much better than select London. Aftter SLOW has opened, I'll get back to Optimum R. and ask about video release and any possibility of release in USA/Australia and other markets."}, {"response": 59, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Oct 22, 1999 (09:29)", "body": "Great news Bethan, thanks, (hope that includes Brighton)!"}, {"response": 60, "author": "baine", "date": "Fri, Oct 22, 1999 (13:52)", "body": "Good news indeed about the nationwide British release of SLOW. Bethan, let them know that we droolers this side are just as firthful and will turn over our last dollars, pesos, etc., just as eagerly if they will only allow the Secret Longing of the Worshipful Company of Firthettes of the Americas to manifest itself in pilgrimages to the cinematic shrines there to lay our hearts at his glorious feet. Yes, I admit it, I've just rewatched Another Country, and my heart is Juddering. \"I don't have to try; I am clever.\" Sob."}, {"response": 61, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 22, 1999 (13:59)", "body": "(Bethan) any possibility of release in USA/Australia and other markets. Actually yes. :-D SLOW has been sold for US release. That's what Optimum told me last week. Have been waiting to find out some more about that, but many industry types have been in Milan at the film market."}, {"response": 62, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 22, 1999 (14:52)", "body": "Correction: There is a US company acting as sales agent for SLOW, which doesn't mean it will be shown here. Sorry, if I've gotten anyone's hopes up."}, {"response": 63, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Oct 22, 1999 (16:40)", "body": ""}, {"response": 64, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Oct 22, 1999 (16:43)", "body": "Bethan, wonderful news!!! Thanks for cheering me up as I can't do LFF. An early Xmas present. You are quite right, I do have a codpeice anecdote to relate and must try to scan in the exibition poster that I procured. Watch this space."}, {"response": 65, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct 22, 1999 (16:47)", "body": "MLSF is enduring in Miami! They just added a second week. I was told that if it did well they would extend the run. Cymbeline, have you check out www.reel.com yet? They have other CF films too or do you also have an admiration for Rupert E? Karen and I have a running joke about him. If interested, you will have to check topic 72, to our respective birthday parties. ;-)"}, {"response": 66, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Oct 22, 1999 (16:49)", "body": "I just got November edition of Woman's Journal so I could see the article and pic of CF. It's so inaccurate because they say he will be on stage in December and then give the November opening date!! Journalists should come straight to us. But come to think of it , when they do, like Sarah Toyne from Sunday Times, they never use the info properly anyway!!! I am going to contact a couple of independent cinemas to see if SLOW is coming here. This has quite made my evening!!"}, {"response": 67, "author": "SylvanaM", "date": "Fri, Oct 22, 1999 (21:00)", "body": "What great news about SLOW! Just knowing that it is finally getting a release makes me hopeful that it may finally work its way to the U.S. I certainly hope in less time than the record set by FP. Speaking of FP, I see that it is no longer playing in 3 of the 4 theaters in the New York area. (It is gone from Montclair, NJ. So glad I saw it when I did. There are no second chances with this one!) Does anyone know where the other 3 prints have gone? Have they materialized in other parts of the country? It is still playing in the CC Village East Cinema in Manhattan, however. And I need to apologize for not responding to questions posed to me by other posters (above). It has been some kind of a week around here. Glad it's over. To Eileen: thanks for the link to Clare's Fever Pitch Page and Gossary. Even though some of the dialog went right by me, it did help to fill im some of the gaps. Yes, the movie did darken about halfway through. But not having anything to compare it to (never say the video), I cannot judge how much darker. I did see the little kitty Arsenal shirt, so it couldn't have been too dark. There wasn't much laughter in the theater, with all 5 of us. There were two (apparently) married couples seated with me in the audience. I did laugh out loud during the restaurant scene. I think they did too. It was very well done slapstick, and cleverly written. I did see some of those fleeting images you mentioned--the Arsenal lamp (reminds me of my sons' rooms) and Ruth's freckles. But I did miss the sparse hair on top (just as well) and the pierced ear also got by me. Yes, very glad I made the trip to Montclair to see FP last Sunday."}, {"response": 68, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Oct 22, 1999 (22:56)", "body": "I see now America has got their own Colin at last: Colin Hanks, 21, following in dad Tom's footsteps. The name alone is worth drooling over... ;-)"}, {"response": 69, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 23, 1999 (01:26)", "body": "A good omen for SLOW,... Nia Long's new film \"The Best Man\" has gotten v. good reviews....\"A witty, warm comedy about a half-dozen college pals who reunite for a wedding\".Reminscent of \"The Big Chill\"."}, {"response": 70, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Oct 23, 1999 (13:57)", "body": "Let's hope that this film can carry more weight than the film Soul Food. That role didn't help SLOW get noticed. Isn't it awful that we're reduced to hoping that Colin's co-stars can carry the publicity for a film since it's obvious (in America anyway) that Colin's reputation means squat? Still, it is good news that SLOW's distribution in England will be wider than London. In the States we were perfectly satisfied to live on just the video for Fever Pitch. I'm sure we'll be just as satisfied for SLOW's video. Fingers crossed."}, {"response": 71, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 23, 1999 (17:00)", "body": "Question:Ann/Bethan: If you know that MLSF will be distributed by Buena Vista.... ...why do you keep calling Miramax? ~~~~~ ... Isn't it awful that we're reduced to hoping that Colin's co-stars can carry the publicity for a film since it's obvious (in America anyway) that Colin's reputation means squat? Anyway it gets here, baby...is OK by me :-D"}, {"response": 72, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Oct 23, 1999 (18:01)", "body": "f you know that MLSF will be distributed by Buena Vista.... ...why do you keep calling Miramax? The last time I checked, I did ring Buena Vista and got \"release set for May...\"tentatively\"....but no confirmed date\". Still puzzled by the \"tentatively\" and, of course, May!"}, {"response": 73, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Oct 23, 1999 (18:56)", "body": "Ann/Bethan ...why do you keep calling Miramax? because until I called the last time and was told by Miramax that they had a date of 5th May, I had not known about BV., the spokesman informed me then that \"we only make the film BV decide on its release date\" and following that Bethan, I believe, telephoned VF who confirmed the May date as above. I shall definitely not bother Miramax again!!"}, {"response": 74, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Oct 23, 1999 (18:58)", "body": "VF?=BV"}, {"response": 75, "author": "baine", "date": "Sat, Oct 23, 1999 (20:47)", "body": "Heide - How did you get the video for Fever Pitch? Was it available when it first came out but no longer? It's not listed on Amazon although they have Hornby's book. I just found out FP was made in 96! It's three years old, and here we are biting our nails hoping the film distribution gods will see fit to release it. Don't the fans want to see it? Don't the actors want it to circulate? Why must Firthettes live subject to this system of economic oppression by greed-crazed Philistine middle men? This would drive Tommy Judd crazy! Let's call BV and thank them for the good humored restraint with which they exercise their power, but we'd appreciate a little less rest aint and a bit more chance to see the man. And why is everything italicized?"}, {"response": 76, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Oct 23, 1999 (21:09)", "body": "Hmmm, just noticed that \"An Ideal Husband\" (completed 12 months after MLSF)is now out on video in the UK. I'm going to have a mini-rant about MLSF...as we are a self-support group! Please ignore if you prefer positive thinking!! I'm really pleased that MLSF is still showing in the US and is getting good reviews, but I do feel strongly that post-Darcy this should have been Colin's \"breakthrough\" movie in the UK ...moderately big budget (FP cost under \ufffd1.5million).. good cast, period drama, beautiful setting, Puttnam/Hudson, Simon Rattle soundtrack...it had an awful lot going for it, in terms of pre-promotion and publicity. It would have been possible to create quite a buzz about it, even if the actual film was only average in qual ty. And it seems to be better than average, and by all accounts Colin gives a good performance. But a release date 3 years after completion effectively kills the film. I've really never heard of such a long delay!!!!! Unprecedented! Fortunately, may the saints be praised, SLOW has popped up to fill the gap, and there's 3DOR. But I get the feeling that, in career terms, Colin is now lagging behind the likes of RE and JN, mainly because he hasn't been seen in the sort of lead roles he used to play before P&P!! Right, that's my rant over. Positive thinking hat back on. There was a nasty piece in the Times about Harvey and the failure of Talk magazine, which I won't repeat!!"}, {"response": 77, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 23, 1999 (22:33)", "body": "Get Real, Bethan. MLSF was not going to be a break-through film in any country. It was a sweet film and he looked gorgeous....but break-through... non. RE made it in My Best Friend's wedding with Julia Roberts. JN made it in Emma with Gwynnie. Anyway, does Colin need a break-through in UK? Wasn't P&P enough of a break-through for him? The guy's a household word over there. He's married....He gets good reviews... He's working in TV, Stage, Films. He's happy...leave him alone!!"}, {"response": 78, "author": "Xian", "date": "Sat, Oct 23, 1999 (22:53)", "body": "Cymbeline, My order of vidoe Fever Pitch is on the way to me :-). I ordered the used video tape through www.reel.com last week. The FP video only costs $4.99. I only hope the quality of the tape will not be TOO bad."}, {"response": 79, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 23, 1999 (23:09)", "body": "This is going to be interesting. Xian, are you sure that the Fever Pitch you are ordered is the one with Colin? There was another movie by the same name in the '70s or '80s with Ryan O'Neal that typically comes up in searches. Fever Pitch has only been released in PAL format in the UK, which our VCRs can't play. That being said, a Canadian video place shows a newly released NTSC Fever Pitch for $80. I haven't checked to see if it in fact exists, but it would be more realistic for the Canadian distributor to have put it out on video a year after its theatrical run in that country. Do let us know, Xian, what shows up? BTW, I once order \"Another Country\" from reel.com and got a music video by Willie Nelson. Twice!! ;-D"}, {"response": 80, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Oct 23, 1999 (23:10)", "body": "Oh Evelyn, you know we're happy if he's happy. Let's not get into that again. There's just frustration that he's unappreciated by the filmworld at large. But I wouldn't say Jeremy Northam's career is ahead of Colin's. An Ideal Husband's given him a little edge but the man has made some bad film choices. He's not Teflon Man yet. Xian, is your FP tape a PAL copy? The videos are out there, Cymbeline. I bought mine from a UK video store and had it shipped, then converted. But if Xian's is already NTSC, then I'm sure you'd want to check out reel.com too."}, {"response": 81, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (00:49)", "body": "He's married.... Yes. He gets good reviews... Yes. He's working in TV, Stage, Films. Yes. He's happy... Yes. (We hope.) leave him alone!! Never. ;-)"}, {"response": 82, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (00:58)", "body": "(Heide)Oh Evelyn, you know we're happy if he's happy. Let's not get into that again. (Arami)leave him alone!! Never. ;-) Sorry to have offended everyone....I shall not mention that he's happy ever again....I promise:-) evelyn, crossing her heart"}, {"response": 83, "author": "baine", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (01:53)", "body": "Of course we hope he's happy, at least I do. And I'm sure he's capable of managing his own career. I just want to see his films and follow that career and be able to drool over his latest work, and I don't see why we should have to work so dadgum hard to be able to do it. How many of us are there, anyhow? And does his agent know we're here begging for the chance to see him? Don't we have any kind of leverage? Are we just too insignificant a market force to make a difference? It would be one thing i one had to fight to get any videos at all, but when we're drowning in swamps of rubbish panning for those pearls sinking into the muck under the feet of the swinish hordes of Bruce Willis swillers ... It's not fair. MaMA! Tell her it's not fair. Picture me at the dining room table. I stamp my foot. I throw my napkin down. I groan petulantly. \"Oh, I want to see all his videos!\" And down at the other end sit the ogrish distributors, smugly saying, \"And yet I am unmoved,\" and stalking off to their study, slamming the door and leaving me with unendurable feelings of Firthlessness. How do you get a PAL video converted--that is, where would you go to get it done? I checked out reel.com. They didn't have anything. Thank the gods you all are here. Where would I be without you?"}, {"response": 84, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (01:58)", "body": "Cymbeline, write to us at nomdedrool@yahoo.com ;-D"}, {"response": 85, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (07:59)", "body": "He's married....He gets good reviews... He's working in TV, Stage, Films. He\ufffds happy....leave him alone!! I sure hope he\ufffds happy and in case he is, he\ufffds a great optimist. I\ufffdd like to know what he\ufffds really thinking about his career because to me it looks modest at the moment and it\ufffds not at all what he deserves. Obviously I\ufffdm having my Sunday morning blues and please do not let it affect you ladies but I think there are quite a lot of big disappointments in his career and I\ufffdm only wondering how he has been able to handle them all. Valmont failed so badly even though it was a good film, ATA was such a big flop, Nostromo was a 100 % failure, SLOW has been in the bank vault this long, MLSF ended up being a very small movie it seems, FP never became very popular.....trouble is, I believe they all must have looked highly promising to him, beforehand."}, {"response": 86, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (08:07)", "body": "Heide- There's just frustration that he is unappreciated by the filmworld... well put Heide that is what I was trying to say a few posting ago but it came out all wrong and sounded like a moan which it wasn't meant to be I am pround to be a CF fan but we do seem to have to work so hard to get any information on our DB whereas other British actors such as Anna Friel (who just lately is on the front of every magazine and TV listings magazine going), Robson Green, Richard E Grant, Hugh Grant,JN. RE , ara Fitzgerald, I could go on and on, seem to be everywhere in the papers on our TV screens and in the news. For example take that recent Film 99 programme where they did a bit on Relative Values and Julie Andrews, it is a British TV programme and who do they interview apart from JA, but two American actors not our DB and Stephen Fry, why!! Lets hope that with a theatre play coming up and SLOW being released we will get to see a bit more of our DB. I am not moaniong I would just really like to see more f him in the media but I am also happy with things as they are if that is not to be.He is such a good actor that I wish more people knew about him and not only in this country."}, {"response": 87, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (08:52)", "body": "Obviously I\ufffdm having my Sunday morning blues and please do not let it affect you ladies but I think there are quite a lot of big disappointments in his career and I\ufffdm only wondering how he has been able to handle them all. (Elena) there's just frustration that he is unappreciated by the filmworld... well put Heide that is what I was trying to say a few posting ago but it came out all wrong and sounded like a moan which it wasn't meant to be (Ann) I hope I haven't umleashed a strain of negative comments by by MLSF comments as I think there's a lot to be positive about...a return for 3DOR which did get excellent reviews and an unexpected release for SLOW. But I agree with Ann, Elena and Heide. He seems to be a very unassuming man and I'm sure he's an optimist (has to be!) but his career does have ups and downs. \"Breakthrough\" film was perhaps the wrong description for MLSF...I just meant a nice little potboiler that would keep his film career (leading man) bubbling along. British film critics aren't kind...and any film that reaches our screens nearly 3 years after completion will not have a favourable critical reception....or will certainly struggle. MLSF may not be a great film but so much rubbish gets released (apparently without any problem) that I do despair. I certainly want Colin to be happy....but I can see why he says that all he wants is recognition as a \"good actor\" (not apparently as God's gift to trousers, or that guy in the wetshirt!) Having said all this, I'm very hopeful that his 3 month stint at the Donmar (for the princely sum of \ufffd15 per day after taxes...barely enough to pay for his Kentucky Fried Chicken (and less than the cost of one ticket!)....) will remind everyone that he can ACT! And SLOW, DQ, even RV all sound very promising. And hopefully he'll do Mark Darcy in BJD, which will be a major release! Positive thinking!!"}, {"response": 88, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (12:30)", "body": "I was going to tell you all about the directorial/writing/acting abilities of Mike Binder, as displayed in The Sex Monster, but will hold off until you're all in a better mood. I hate to add to this doom and gloom. Besides, the marathon is about to begin and I have to go outside to cheer on the Kenyans and the Brazilan guy and then later watch for the jokers with Halloween costumes! ;-D"}, {"response": 89, "author": "baine", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (12:58)", "body": "Look, let's not worry about our moods. I'm a Brooklyn Dodgers fan; I've been in a bad mood since 1958 which is to say before ODB was born. IM arrogant, conceited, and selfishly disdainful O, I don't think anyone with half a mind can be in any other most of the time. Yet we have been given a great gift, and that is the cinematic record of the work of Colin Firth who is one of the best actors working in the English language at this time. The fan of Colin Firth must have such sources of happiness necessarily attched to her position that she could on the whole have no cause to repine. Yet the frustrations inherent in trying to see that work are so many and so unceasing that there are times when only an existential rant among fellow Firthettes can get you ready to face he day. So I say let us rant, and maybe our collective energies will become strong enough to bust the vaults open and let the films out where the worshippers can actually get to them. I can only add God bless you."}, {"response": 90, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (13:03)", "body": "So I say let us rant, and maybe our collective energies will become strong enough Did it work to bring the Dodgers back to Brooklyn? ;-D"}, {"response": 91, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (13:07)", "body": "....until you're all in a better mood OK, I jogged a few kilometres with hubby and baked some mushroom rolls and thus am feeling slightly better now :-) Remember what a big agony went on here after Christmas 1999 and we were speculating the terrible possibility that Colin was planning to retire? And then suddenly we were hit by the terrific news of 3DOR, an opportunity to see Colin live in a first class play! I guess his career will always be like this: it\ufffdll make us despair and rejoice by turns. Btw I\ufffdd be very interested to know if the tickets to 3DOR are selling well. The play is one of the not-so-many successes of his so it\ufffds very important for Colin that the house is full every time."}, {"response": 92, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (13:07)", "body": "...and had to watch Fever Pitch last night. Lamp in full view and could tell there were tears, but where oh where could you see his ears were pierced? I rewound and freeze-framed and sat about 3\" from the screen! Ted's lines: \"About which part? The clandestine affair? The accidental pregnancy? And Paul's response: \"Not those bits maybe. But me applying for the job. That's good news, isn't it?\" Still make me LOL!! :-D"}, {"response": 93, "author": "baine", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (13:41)", "body": "All right, Karen, kick me when I'm down. No, it didn't bring the Dodgers back to Brooklyn, but 40 years of devotion to a hopeless cause is good training for being a Firthette. We shall conquer this--we SHALL!"}, {"response": 94, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (14:13)", "body": "Ah, but you mustn't forget. I live in Chicago. We are eagerly awaiting the year 2000 because we have a feeling that it might be a better century for the Cubs! ;-D"}, {"response": 95, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (14:16)", "body": "(Elena) after Christmas 1999 I meant xmas 1998, hope not 1999!"}, {"response": 96, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (15:05)", "body": "(Cymbeline) How many of us are there, anyhow? And does his agent know we're here begging for the chance to see him? Moon? I'm surprised you haven't jumped in here yet. ;-) Just when we're on the edge of the cliff ready to jump off, we're thrown a lifeline. So judging by the mood around here, I'm expecting good news any moment. Or just read Bethan's Response 87, last paragraph. Karen, you're going to have to see FP on the big screen to see that little hole in his left ear. I'm humbled that I can't remember which scene it is because re-viewing it for the umpteenth time on my TV screen does not help find that pierced ear one bit. Still, if the search brings you such pleasure in those wonderful little scenes again, then go to it!"}, {"response": 97, "author": "baine", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (15:24)", "body": "(Heide) ...I'm expecting good news any moment. I like it! Anyhow, no matter what they do to us, he's still dynamite!"}, {"response": 98, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (16:18)", "body": "I've been in a bad mood since [...] before ODB was born. I'm arrogant, conceited, and selfishly disdainful Are you my long lost twin sister? ;-) take that recent Film 99 programme where they did a bit on Relative Values and Julie Andrews, it is a British TV programme and who do they interview apart from JA, but two American actors not our DB and Stephen Fry, why!! Calm down and remember that there are two sides to a coin - it is just possible that neither Colin nor Stephen were actually available when the interviews were filmed."}, {"response": 99, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (16:20)", "body": "Well...if you enjoy this \"Whine Fest\"...who am I to spoil it? \"Go to it\"...if it turns you on. It beats a blank board,I guess:-)"}, {"response": 100, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (16:34)", "body": "(Heide) you're going to have to see FP on the big screen to see that little hole in his left ear. No, I can check it out in person in January since I'll never see FP on a big screen. Am already thinking about a series of pictures of earlobes as we move on from hands! ;-D Still, if the search brings you such pleasure in those wonderful little scenes again, then go to it! That does go without saying. I went back to the FP tape in the car yesterday too. Can't get enough of it. (Evelyn) if you enjoy this \"Whine Fest\"...who am I to spoil it? While you prefer Chardonnay, may I remind you of your published letter to Movieline. Don't you think that he's in London now and rehearsal has started for 3DOR? OK, recommence whining... ;-D"}, {"response": 101, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (17:00)", "body": "Evelyn) if you enjoy this \"Whine Fest\"...who am I to spoil it? (Karen)While you prefer Chardonnay, may I remind you of your published letter to Movieline. Ah...but that is productive \"Whining\" (Oops, I mean, Chardonnay):-D I put my name on the line for a couple of thousand (mil?)readers... for a cause:-) ~~~~ Sorry..to interrupt...keep going ... we could make a game out of this: \"How Many Ways Can You Say That Colin Is Not Appreciated\""}, {"response": 102, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (17:34)", "body": "-it is just possible that neither Colin nor Stephen were actually available when the interviews were filmed - it is possible of course, and I expect there was also a reason why he was not shown on the Morning News programmes following the SIL Premiere in London, even though I personally saw him doing interviews!!!"}, {"response": 103, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (17:45)", "body": "Ann, do remember to close your tags, there's a good girl... ;-)"}, {"response": 104, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (17:50)", "body": "I did, I am sure!! re: \"Whine Fest\" and \"recommence whining\", (I won't do italics), I don't consider it whining, just sharing one's thoughts with good friends."}, {"response": 105, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (18:29)", "body": "I don't consider it whining, just sharing one's thoughts with good friends. Quite so and we're here (Napa Valley) for support...anytime or place. About those tags, sometimes people use the wrong slash to close and then it won't work. It should be /i surrounded by <> OK? :-D"}, {"response": 106, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (18:58)", "body": "WARNING: My turn to \"share my thoughts with friends\" (formerly ,AKA \"Whining\") Will soon come.....won't tell you when or... what about...but you better be there with the Chardonnay :-D"}, {"response": 107, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (19:05)", "body": "I don't consider it whining, just sharing one's thoughts with good friends. Damn right Ann. Go on sharing please!"}, {"response": 108, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (19:46)", "body": "(Cymbeline) How many of us are there, anyhow? And does his agent know we're here begging for the chance to see him? (Heide), Moon? I'm surprised you haven't jumped in here yet. ;-) His agent is very aware of us. We have sent questions to him repeatedly about upcoming Firth projects and they NEVER answered them. We have given up on his agent. It is a shame when one considers the fact that the woman who created the Jonathan Firth Web site has frequent communications with JF agent and JF has forwarded a message to her via his manager. Colin has lots of very creative Web mistresses he could gracefully thank them, yet he does not. Why? I am sure they do not do it for his thanks, but his brother understood that it is very polite to do so. IMO, if his brother can do it..."}, {"response": 109, "author": "Xian", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (20:08)", "body": "(Karen)... are you sure that the Fever Pitch you are ordered is the one with Colin? There was another movie by the same name in the '70s or '80s with Ryan O'Neal that typically comes up in searches. Oh, my! I was over joyed as soon as I saw the title came up (I've been waiting for that moment for months). I did not even check to see if it was the one because I DID NOT KNOW THERE WAS ANOTHER ONE WITH THE SAME NAME! After I read your post and went back to reel site, there was nothing on this title any more, I don't know what's going on. Am I in a dream?? I've sent an e-mail to reel.com. Hopefully can get some anwsers soon. (Heide) I bought mine from a UK video store and had it shipped, then converted That's a real good idea! I found FP on blackstars UK site a while ago (now I'm not sure if it was FP with ODB :() and did not buy it because of PAL. I remember that a friend of mine who works in a college's language lab mentioned once, he could convert videos from PAL to NTSC or the other way around. Right now, just keep my fingers crossed..."}, {"response": 110, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (20:09)", "body": "(Moon)Colin has lots of very creative Web mistresses he could gracefully thank them, yet he does not.Why? I knew we could get one going.... REASONS WHY COLIN DOES NOT THANK HIS WEBSITE MANAGERS VIA AGENT... 1. He is in Italy when they arrive...and agent forgets..."}, {"response": 111, "author": "Xian", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (20:12)", "body": ""}, {"response": 112, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (21:04)", "body": "The resemblance of some of the Firthettes with Paul is truly amazing! ;-D \"You can't remember if life is shit because Arsenal is shit, or if it's the other way around.\" - Paul Ashworth - Replace \"Arsenal\" with \"Miramax marketing\", \"Buena Vista distribution strategy\", \"Film industry\" etc. etc., make your choice :-) Oh, and before you bite my nose off: I really like Paul."}, {"response": 113, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (21:14)", "body": "Oh, no! Another Top 10 list! REASONS WHY COLIN DOES NOT THANK HIS WEBSITE MANAGERS VIA AGENT... 10) He does not have phone. 9) Too busy learning Italian. 8) Will has told him about his Web sites too and he does not thank him either. 7) Never seen them, Livia is always on the computer. 6) Much too busy buying new furniture. 5) Spends too much time trying to teach Livia the correct way to make California roll. 4) He will not leave his house since Helen Fielding has been hounding him outside his doorstep everyday. 3) He has been catching up on all the Flashman books, just in case! 2) He no longer speaks to his agent. 1) He is just one big **%#&&_(*)$#& dude. ;-D"}, {"response": 114, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (21:18)", "body": "No he does not want to make California roll, he is not Geo-centric. I meant make a California roll (#5)."}, {"response": 115, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (21:54)", "body": "Moon...You did it again. LOLROTF How about 11. Still trying to figure out how to mount the stereo speakers, so they don't fall on his nose. 12. Is busy learning Iowa accent \"for the next time\"..."}, {"response": 116, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (21:57)", "body": "I think it's good to share thoughts (aka whine)...and even a stiff upper lip deserves an occasional wobble! :-) Evelyn, you quite frighten me....that warning sounds as though you've got a mega thought-sharing session stored up for us! I'll shut up about MLSF/Miramax and Buena Vista. Your comparison with Paul is very apt, Renate, but Paul has my every sympathy!! BTW is MLSF opening in Australia soon? I ask out of genuine interest and am pleased you'll be getting the chance to see it!"}, {"response": 117, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (22:29)", "body": "Meant to add that one of the Sunday papers (browsed, didn't buy) had an article on the new Blackadder movie, of which they'd had a preview. The article said it was \"feature length\" which I think is wrong (although \ufffd3 million for 30 minutes seems a lot). The theatre will have a capacity of 2500 and the movie is expected to be a major draw and to be seen by millions. \"Blackadder\" is definitely an \"Event\". The movie features a time machine and one of the visits is to the time of Elizabeth I. Baldrick also m nages to accidently kill off all the dinosaurs."}, {"response": 118, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (23:46)", "body": "Moon, you've done it again. Am particularly fond of #7 and #10. Can't you just visualize that: Livia spending hours on the computer. Could really make a man hate the technology. Good selection, Renate, and no one (not even Evelyn) is going to bite anyone's head off. ;-D (have some more whine) A Blackadder article! How did I miss it? Pretty soon, there are bound to be items \"placed\" in the newspapers about the 3DOR cast. :-D"}, {"response": 119, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (03:54)", "body": "BTW is MLSF opening in Australia soon? Hi Bethan, the last date I heard was 11 November. My guess is that will be in the cities but HOPEFULLY it will spread out to the other areas soon after. My contact at my local Art Cinema is away today but I will phone him again tomorrow. My closest city is about two hours away and I will certainly be making the trip as soon as I see it advertised. Then if it comes closer I'll get to see it a few more times. Cathey"}, {"response": 120, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (06:06)", "body": "Another reason why Colin does not thank his Website managers via agent: * Every time his agent wants to send out the email, AOL breaks down"}, {"response": 121, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (06:31)", "body": "(Heide) But I wouldn't say Jeremy Northam's career is ahead of Colin's. An Ideal Husband's given him a little edge but the man has made some bad film choices. I don't mean to re-start the whining, but this comment made me crack up. I like JN and he's made some good films, but did anyone see Mimic? I sat through the entire thing wondering what JN was thinking when he took that role and how could one imagine a movie about giant sized cockroaches would be anything other than ludicrous?!? (Karen) I was going to tell you all about the directorial/writing/acting abilities of Mike Binder, as displayed in The Sex Monster, but will hold off until you're all in a better mood. I know I just said I wasn't going to whine, but since Karen mentioned this it reminded me I had been meaning to post about The Sex Monster. I'm hoping that my negative reaction to this film was partly due to general crabbiness on my part, but I pretty much despised it. The combination of unappealing, self indulgent subject matter, unlikeable characters, poor acting and weak dialogue pretty much killed the film IMHO. I hope Mike Binder has a better film in him than this one! I refuse to be depressed abo t Londinium as we know CF can shine in any material. There - how's that for a positive spin :-)?"}, {"response": 122, "author": "baine", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (12:28)", "body": "Newbie question here--who is Mike Binder and what is The Sex Monster? Is the latter a bad movie directed by the former who has now gone on to direct Londinium?"}, {"response": 123, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (13:11)", "body": "Yes, Mike Binder wrote, directed and starred in The Sex Monster and is doing the same for Londinium, which also stars Mariel Hemingway. This is his most recent work and, like Jana, I was not impressed. In TSM, Binder plays a Woody Allen, nebbishy character. He's married to Mariel Hemingway (totally unbelievable as a hair stylist) but wants to inject some excitement into his sex life by talking his wife into a menage a trois with another woman. Like a Woody Allen character, he keeps picking away at her refusal. (you want to swat the little pest) Finally (and under the influence of lots of alcohol), she breaks down when a fellow hair dresser (who has the hots for her) is over for dinner and they all have a wild evening. BTW, with the exception of some kissing, there is absolutely no sex/skin shown. But the problem is that the wife and her lover discard Binder; have no use for him (who would?) She turns into The Sex Monster, not able to keep her hands off women. As a comedy, it's a very lightweight sex farce. From the opening sequence with the credits and the disco-dancing women, it will have you shaking your head. I can't imagine how Binder will look next to *real* actors like Colin, if even Mariel Hemingway makes him look bad. Cymbeline, if you go to this url, you will find a synopsis of Londinium and some pics. There are also publicity pics of Hemingway and Binder from TSM on page one of that grouping. http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/4144/london3.html"}, {"response": 124, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (13:50)", "body": "Good News here....Nia Long's new film \"The Best Man\" was the #1 Box Office hit in the country....took in $9.1 Mill. Heide, if Nia can bring SLOW along to half of that...Go Nia!! Jana ...you didn't like JN with those little glasses on. (Bethan)Evelyn, you quite frighten me....that warning sounds as though you've got a mega thought-sharing session stored up for us! And when I do....I want everyone to be kind....:-)))) SLOW will open in a month....the next time someone calls the distrib would you ask if they have any interviews (print/television )in the pipeline? This is a new company...they need help. Likewise 3 DOR....there should be some interviews soon. The Donmar publicist is v. good...remember last Feb...I think Colin gave two interviews... (his last!). ~~~~~~~ Don't let me stifle the thought sharing....I should really just scroll down..I just hate to see our board degenerate to only that Bad manners on my part. Like Bethan said: I'm a member of the \"Stiff Upper Lip Club\" Didn't mean to offend...AAA."}, {"response": 125, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (16:52)", "body": "(Cymbeline) Picture me at the dining room table. I stamp my foot. I throw my napkin down. I groan petulantly. \"Oh, I want to see all his videos!\" And down at the other end sit the ogrish distributors, smugly saying, \"And yet I am unmoved,\" and stalking off to their study, slamming the door and leaving me with unendurable feelings of Firthlessness. My, my, what a good laugh! I do hope you've e-mailed Heide/Karen by now. Soon you'll be purring \"a whole campful of soldiers!\" ;-D BTW, I think the Dodgers will come back to Brooklyn when they rebuild the polo grounds. (Renate) Replace \"Arsenal\" with \"Miramax marketing\", \"Buena Vista distribution strategy\", \"Film industry\" etc. etc., make your choice :-) Ooh, you've learned my trick. I do that with a certain NY football team that's getting really good at blowing a lead and losing the game in the final seconds. I also find myself shouting \"Oy! Number 9! You're a donkey!\" whenever the kicker (#9) misses a field goal. It's very soothing :-D Kudos for the top ten list, Moon! LOL! But what happened with #1? Attack of potty-mouth? :-P I can readily picture ODB with his nose in a Flashman book, no error (hee hee)! However, I still don't think the Firths are active with computers or the internet (well, perhaps she is now--wasn't in March, right Gi?). Stars and movie distributors are catching on to the free publicity, but our Colin's never been one to chase publicity. And we know his sentiments about 'too much information' being available on he internet. (Evelyn) 11. Still trying to figure out how to mount the stereo speakers, so they don't fall on his nose. Which reminds me...remember those pictures taken when he had the cut on his nose? KJArt and Karen posted a couple at (I think) the 'drool help' topic. You can clearly see a pierced left ear in one of them."}, {"response": 126, "author": "baine", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (20:09)", "body": "(Eileen) Soon you'll be purring \"a whole campful of soldiers!\" Yes! And \"Let's go see him before he's dressed. Aaaah! Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!\" That having been giggled, we continue with an immensely earnest disquisition on forms of publicity. To wit --- (Eileen continues) And we know his sentiments about 'too much information' being available on the internet. To which I reply (not to Eileen but to CF or his agent or whoever is not responding): Internet. Schminternet. The medium is not the message. The message is the message. And the message has been available in various forms since Debrett's Peerage firth came out. Fanzines, papparazzi with zoom lenses, gaggles of shrieking girls have been around far longer than cyberspace. As with all human enterprises, it is the use made of it that is the key. Which is better, to download a P&P snappy from a website or have a photographer in a tree outside your bedroom window? All the CF sites I've seen are well-done, respectful, and clearly state that their purpose is to thank him for the work he's done and express our admiration of it. At least one specifically warns against papparazzi. So he meets with a few tongue-tied fans after a performance who come off looking a little fluttered. We're not professional actors are we? But neither are we Leonardo groupies. Dumbbelles don't run sites like these, and without fans where is an actor? Sitting in the unemployment office, that's where he is. So I'll gladly lay my heart at his feet, but I would appreciate the occasional thankyou note. And less fuzzy thinking."}, {"response": 127, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (20:41)", "body": "A Blackadder article! How did I miss it (Karen) Sunday Express...perhaps there's no on-line version (no loss!) Hi Bethan, the last date (MLSF) I heard was 11 November. Thanks Cathey! Hope it gets a good press. Londinium....well, the new positive me thinks it may not be too bad. Mike Binder also directed \"American Gothic\ufffd which I thought was very good (but he didn't write or star) Sometimes good supporting actors can save, or part save a film, if the material is okay-ish. Maybe Binder won't be in it too much and didn't the scene in Little Venice feature Colin with the two gals?. And London was bathed in glorious weather when they were shooting, so it should look good. My guess is that Colin was looking for London based work at the time....probably just wanted to go home at night to his new house and wife...and who could blame him? :-)"}, {"response": 128, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (01:58)", "body": "I've just been to the Londinium pages and am very surprised to find no signature, no webmaster, nothing to identify the author... As to why HE doesn't thank anyone: I think there's only one Jonathan Firth site, so naturally he may feel flattered and it's easy to pass on a word... but there are so many different sites for Colin that - assuming he knows more about them than just the fact of their existence - he may feel a little overwhelmed, and not necessarily in the positive way. Quite honestly, we know that the chap is a bit (???) reserved with strangers (Hello, Mr D!!!;-)) and perhaps undecided about the whole business. Maybe in h s view we don't deserve any thanks. For what? Why should he thank us? He worked successfully before the arrival of the net publicity. He doesn't owe us anything. He hasn't hired us. If we want to play with the html, that's our choice. Don't let his lack of response affect you. Enjoy the actor and his opus. Forget Colin the private man - something tells me we may never really get through to him. And now despise me if you dare. ;-)"}, {"response": 129, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (03:55)", "body": "(Arami) Quite honestly, we know that the chap is a bit (???) reserved with strangers (Hello, Mr D!!!;-)) and perhaps undecided \\ ... \\ Why should he thank us? He worked successfully before the arrival of the net publicity. He doesn't owe us anything. He hasn't hired us. If we want to play with the html, that's our choice. Good point, Arami. I find that all my reasons for logging on are selfish ones ... I am so delighted to meet with so many others with whom I have so many things in common (es . exquisite taste in actors) and am so grateful that they are always ready to share the goodies. The only motives I might have for furthering the DB's career are frankly so he'll produce more goodies that we can share (I sometimes feel like an evangelist sharing the gospel of St. Firth!! :-D). If trumpeting his worth to others while leaving him alone to pursue this worthy goal is the best way to get him to create new goodies, so be it. Don't let his lack of response affect you. Enjoy the actor and his opus. Oh, I do, I do. The way I see it, as long as he remains a professional actor (and please Lord, let that be a long time ...), all he owes me is the effort to produce a good performance. ...And now despise me if you dare. ;-) Indeed, I do not dare ... 8-D"}, {"response": 130, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (03:58)", "body": "I've just been to the Londinium pages and am very surprised to find no signature, no webmaster, nothing to identify the author... I thought this blurb at the top answered a few of your questions. \"The Latest on Londinium Thanks to Karen R for the text and the pictures\" Of course, you know it is Murph's site and if you follow the links backwards, her name would appear somewhere. (Eileen) remember those pictures taken when he had the cut on his nose?...You can clearly see a pierced left ear in one of them. I sure remember the pics and have studied them. Can't see anything. This is going to have to be an IRL assignment. (Cymbeline) The medium is not the message. The message is the message. Hold the presses! I love this one. Start printing the t-shirts. (is McLuhan still alive?) Which is better, to download a P&P snappy from a website or have a photographer in a tree outside your bedroom window? Am thinking about this one. ;-D"}, {"response": 131, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (13:19)", "body": "(Karen) I sure remember the pics and have studied them. Can't see anything. Here's the URL. It was the pic actually used by the Telegraph, not the one we liked better (where he's looking off to his left). Telegraph Picture Check out ODB's left earlobe. I can see it better in MSE 5 than in my version of Netscape. I'm with you, KJ. Frankly, I'd rather see Colin working than surfing around the internet. The way I see it, as long as he remains a professional actor (and please Lord, let that be a long time ...) Amen!"}, {"response": 132, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (15:17)", "body": "That Telegraph picture is divine. Makes you just wanna run your tongue over the computer monitor. *lick, lick* *nibble, nibble* (ewek! cough, sneeze, sputter! Gotta remember to dust that monitor a little more often) ;) btw- does anyone else think his left ear is double pireced?"}, {"response": 133, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (15:40)", "body": "Yup...double pierced ....clearer in Ex. 4. than Netscape. (Pack a magnifying glass for January, Karen)"}, {"response": 134, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (15:54)", "body": "(Arami)Don't let his lack of response affect you. I absolutely agree. Of course it would be great if he showed some interest in the sites but I think it\ufffds really not fair to expect him to thank for them. What he\ufffds prepared to give us is his work, that\ufffds all. But note, his lack of response does not necessarily mean that he is not grateful or happy for the sites! I\ufffdm sure he\ufffds aware of them and that he\ufffds happy for them as well as having fans. It\ufffds simply his style not to take any contact and I believe he has his reasons for this."}, {"response": 135, "author": "susanne", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (15:58)", "body": "While I enjoy a whinefest as much as anyone,let us ponder the fact that Emma was JN's breakout role. Now let's see, JN is the love interest, in about a quarter of the scenes, definitely second banana to the title character of Emma as played by the media Gwynnie. Now let's analyze BJD. MD is the love interest, will hopefully get a quarter of the scenes, and will be second banana to the title character hopefully played by a media darling so that the film will get a lot of pubicity. Colin plays MD and will get the recognition that his fans want for him even if we are not sure if he wants it himself. I think he does want it even if he will not admit it. My wish would be a little fame would open up more and better roles for him. He could start turning down great roles because he would be so busy working which makes his stalwart fans deliriously happy. Of course this is all wishful thinking based on the hope that he plays MD and that BJD will be a monster hit."}, {"response": 136, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (17:43)", "body": "I second all you said here, Sue :-)"}, {"response": 137, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (18:51)", "body": "Of course, you know it is Murph's site and if you follow the links backwards, her name would appear somewhere. I know it's Murph's site from her unmistakable style, but I couldn't find any links back. Maybe I was drunk, I don't know... I prefer the \"brow & nose job\" photo with him looking straight at us. The other one looks like he's trying to check out the hole in his own earlobe without a mirror. :-)"}, {"response": 138, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (22:00)", "body": "(Arami)The other one looks like he's trying to check out the hole in his own earlobe without a mirror. Perfect! I agree. I always thought the other one looks as though he's about to swivel his eyes straight and look right at me--and blow me a kiss of course."}, {"response": 139, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Oct 27, 1999 (03:17)", "body": "Re: Ear Piercing: Good angled light shows the upper left one: (From Murph's prior Front Page) and the Right One, earring and all: (Obviously in his younger days in the Chatsky role -- Thanks to meluchie!)"}, {"response": 140, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 27, 1999 (15:16)", "body": "Courtesy of MarkG, here's a picture that accompanied The Times review of Flashman and the Tiger. I think Colin would do well in such a uniform. ;-D Thank you, Mark."}, {"response": 141, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Oct 27, 1999 (20:06)", "body": "Hmmm...I've developed a soft spot for Flashy (even if CF doesn't play the part! But always hoping....) By a strange coincidence I'd ordered the latest Flashman from the Times Bookshop (an early Christmas present to myself!) and it arrived today. Three stories in one. I've had a quick skim through, and I must say that Flashy is definitely becoming an old softy, doting on his wife (and she on him) and being willing to spend his entire fortune to save his grand-daughter's happiness. The first story (and by f r the longest) returns to the days of his youth, when he still had a wandering eye! Now, some news of Bridget Jones (the book)...I hope. If you check amazon.co.uk (not amazon.com) you'll see that there's a new BJ novel listed...\"Bridget Jones: the Edge of Reason\". Listed for publication on November 19th, price \ufffd12.99, with 20% off. Can be ordered now. ISBN 0 33036734 X. I rang Waterstones and they've also got it listed for November 19. They are checking with the publishers for me. There have been some false sightings of the sequel....but there are more details here than I've seen before. Could be the one. Will post at #80 when have a spare moment. BTW how do you scan onto an internet site? We have a scanner and I don't know how to use it! That pierced ear...surely not both! Perhaps it's a reverse image photo, you know, when you get an identical image, but in one, the right hand will be holding a cigarette, while in the other it's the left hand."}, {"response": 142, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 27, 1999 (21:00)", "body": "Bethan, first learn how to use your scanner to get the image into a usable .jpg or .gif format. Then we'll figure out how to get it onto the internet because in order to post here, an image must have an http:// address. If you don't have your own webspace, then you can email the image to any of us who do (me, Arami, Renate, Marcia, etc.) and we can upload it and provide you with the address for posting purposes or just post it ourselves. If you have any questions, email any of us."}, {"response": 143, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Oct 27, 1999 (21:39)", "body": "That pierced ear...surely not both! Both, I fear... ;-)"}, {"response": 144, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct 27, 1999 (21:52)", "body": "Bethan at the bottom of the page at cf.com I found this: If you want to support Spring, join Visto. With a (free) registration through this link: http://www.colinfirth.com you help Spring with a small contribution. Why? Spring, is a private and non-profit place, which hosts all these wonderful drool boards. I believe you can set up a page there for any html. Your html, it is worth doing. Remember, once you are at cf.com go to the bottom and click on Visto. And that goes for the other Firthettes with scanners. :-D"}, {"response": 145, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Oct 28, 1999 (00:39)", "body": "Hi: I just found a neat interview with CF that is new to me: http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Theater/5640/interviews/shakespeare/firth.html Has a lot of good insights. I have one quote from it on my news page that I thought was telling: \"Firth, 38, now lives in London -- \"the pickings are richer for me there\" -- and is quite content with his place in the cinema. \"I didn't want [fame] at the beginning because I just thought it would never happen to me,\" he explains, \"and I don't know if that's really the best thing that could happen either. I think that sometimes being slightly marginalized can be a durable position. Flavors of the month are high turnover whereas people who are kind of second choice are always there.\" Murph P.S. Karen, are you posting the boxer shorts picture here? I bet a lot of people will want to see it!"}, {"response": 146, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 28, 1999 (01:22)", "body": "Boxer shorts, coming right up~ courtesy of Murph, although processed in Chicago ;-D"}, {"response": 147, "author": "baine", "date": "Thu, Oct 28, 1999 (01:37)", "body": "Isn't he awfully thin? Those of you who've seen the whole film can tell better. Should we be worried?"}, {"response": 148, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 28, 1999 (01:40)", "body": "Naw... He wears lots of bulky and loosely layered clothing in most scenes, topped off by a leather jacket. The man's a clothes hanger. ;-D"}, {"response": 149, "author": "baine", "date": "Thu, Oct 28, 1999 (01:57)", "body": "Murph - Thanks for the interview tip. Well-read--oh, joy! Hard to know what the interviewer meant by that (we know he'd never read Jane Austen before 1994), but if it's true, it's the icing on the cake for me. You know, I only watch his movies for the articles."}, {"response": 150, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Oct 28, 1999 (04:39)", "body": "Speaking of Murph you have till Monday to go to her sight and vote for it at the vote for the best British Theater. They give you several things to vote for but one of them is the best site for a British actor. We need all the votes for CF's site we can get."}, {"response": 151, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 28, 1999 (12:34)", "body": "My family is Dutch, Portuguese, Italian I had no idea he was Italian and Portuguese (Gi?). I bet he told Livia right away, I am also latin, cara. :-D Thanks for the interview Murph! And Karen for letting me wake up with Colin this morning. ;-)"}, {"response": 152, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 28, 1999 (14:02)", "body": "(Moon) Thanks for the interview Murph! And Karen for letting me wake up with Colin this morning. ;-) Cheating on DH, are we? We want the details. ;-D"}, {"response": 153, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 28, 1999 (14:07)", "body": "Cheating on DH, are we? We want the details. ;-D I could never do it without your help. ;-D"}, {"response": 154, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 28, 1999 (14:07)", "body": "And I've got GOOD News and BAD News on Londinium. First the BAD News. Londinium will not surface until next fall. This spring, they will be submitting it to the Toronto Film Fest, which is held in September. I will have the GOOD News later since I have to work on it quite a bit. (nasty, aren't I)"}, {"response": 155, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Thu, Oct 28, 1999 (15:38)", "body": "Thanks for all of the pictures, everybody. Karen, do you have one of Paul in his grey boxers, one with his thighs. Thanks for the interview link, Murph. There's no getting around it: Colin Firth is a charming man. Articulate and well-read, he talks with passion and lucidity and is strong but unaffected. What a guy! Charming *sigh*, but the rest of the adjectives are pretty appealing too. Sounds like the writer is a real fan - one of us, perhaps? I haven't read the posts for a while. Come on, everybody, cheer up. Since there is the remotest chance that CF or his nearest and dearest might read our comments, we don't want to depress him into early retirement. Londinium coming to the Toronto Film Festival? I've lived near T.O. (as we fondly call it) for decades and have never gone yet. Guess who's going to be there next fall? Unless I find out that DB has only 10 minutes on screen."}, {"response": 156, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 28, 1999 (16:06)", "body": "Londinium coming to the Toronto Film Festival? If (1) it is ready...only a rough cut so far, (2) it really is submitted, and (3) Toronto accepts it. Let's not start any rumors or runs on hotels in T.O. ;-D"}, {"response": 157, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 28, 1999 (16:26)", "body": "(Lynda)Guess who's going to be there next fall? Unless I find out that DB has only 10 minutes on screen. LOL...some of us are going to London in January...paying an exhorbitant fee to see him at The Dome in Blackladder for ten minutes...**if we're lucky**!!"}, {"response": 158, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Oct 28, 1999 (17:21)", "body": "Well, when you're in London, pop into Waterstones! The publishers have confirmed that the sequel to Bridget Jones Diary....Bridget Jones:The Edge of Reason....will be in the bookshops in three weeks on November 19th. It seems to have been brought forward (was going on sale early next year). The novel continues from where BJD finished and is based on \"Persuasion\"."}, {"response": 159, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 28, 1999 (17:53)", "body": "Karen, what is the good news? Thanks Bethan! BJD was probably pushed up because the film is still nowhere near pre-production and they want to get the media interest back on Bridget. I am curious to see how she will carry on the Persuasion theme with her characters."}, {"response": 160, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Oct 28, 1999 (18:48)", "body": "Mark will ask Bridget to marry him but Bridget will have doubts because Mark on close acquaintance has proved to be a seriously flawed new man (doesn't do the washing up, won't push the trolley in Sainsbury's etc). Urged on by Jude and Shazzer, Bridget says \"no\". Mark, deeply hurt, goes to Japan and becomes even richer and more successful. Twelve months pass (seven years is too long). MD returns and their social paths cross. MD gets engaged to someone else, but in the nick of time realises that Bridget is his true love. Happy ending. They probably want to catch the Christmas sales, and (I hope) tie in with some announcement about the movie and casting!!! No doubt HF will be doing promotional interviews. Nonember will be interesting, 3DOR, SLOW, and hopefully an upsurge of interest in Mark Darcy! So Colin's got Dutch, Portugese, Italian blood??? Or does he mean his family have married Dutch etc. \"Firth\" is 100% Yorkshire, and for some reason the combination of the name \"Colin\" and Methodist missionary associations always made me think of Scotland."}, {"response": 161, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 28, 1999 (19:35)", "body": "Highlights from a FAX that the bank sent me :Taken from the trade magazine INTERNATIONAL SCREENING New UK Distributor Optimum Releasing Packaging Short Films with Features: . An interview with the marketing manager of Optimum reveals that the company plans to put short films with features. ...giving them a distinguishing trait. \ufffdThe audience is paying to see a particular genre, so we look for a short that will complement the film .\ufffd \ufffdAn Evil Cradling\ufffd is based on poetry inspired by Brian Keenan\ufffds experience as a hostage...powerful stuff that suits a strong feature such as \ufffdThe Secret Laughter of Women.\ufffd He says they plan to use various marketing tools...adverts in the printed press,cinema trailers,poster campaigns on the Underground. \ufffdWe are also using festivals to platform the films. The Secret Laughter of Women will be screened at the London Film Festival.\ufffd ~~~~~~~ They are the first distributor to do this (short films +features). I wonder if they know Colin\ufffds connection with Brian Keenan (\ufffdHostages\ufffd) However I notice that in the program of the LFF, SLOW is being shown with \ufffdAkbar\ufffds Cheetah\ufffd. However, I am sure the Festival organizers selected their own short films. The article goes on to give the background of the company. But they seem aggressive and creative in their approach to distribution.Also as a start-up company with limited cash flow, they won\ufffdt want to leave their film on a shelf! , I think. Karen and Bethan have been in contact with them. ~~~~~~ I know this isn't much...but hey, I get a rush when I see SLOW and screening on the same line:-)The bank is impressed with the company, I think....and we're still friends. I told them they would miss me!!"}, {"response": 162, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Oct 28, 1999 (19:43)", "body": "Wow! Suddenly the board springs out of depression! (No pun intended) I loved reading the interview, thank you Murph. Portuguese blood, the man says! I am all astonishment! :-) The Toronto Film Fest - I might try to go for my new (first) niece's first birthday! ;-)"}, {"response": 163, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Oct 28, 1999 (19:47)", "body": "Bethan I like your BJ/Persuasion synopsis. Looks very real. Am looking forwards to reading the book."}, {"response": 164, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 28, 1999 (19:49)", "body": "(Gi) Portuguese blood, the man says! I am all astonishment! :-) Better go in January and ask him about that branch of the family tree. You might be related!!!"}, {"response": 165, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Oct 28, 1999 (20:23)", "body": "My long lost cousin! I'll try to do that ;-)"}, {"response": 166, "author": "baine", "date": "Thu, Oct 28, 1999 (20:47)", "body": "Kissin' cuzzin? Go to it!"}, {"response": 167, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 28, 1999 (20:51)", "body": "(Bethan) Happy ending. That doesn't describe the look on Helen's face when she talked about the sequel. She did keep mentioning how some times love just doesn't work out because of those \"flaws\" you cited. Perhaps you should've collaborated with Helen, Bethan. Would have gone to press a lot sooner. Your version IS very Persuasion-ish. How interesting, Evelyn, about Optimum Releasing's strategy of shorts plus a feature. Beats watching \"Toy Story 2\" previews!! The Brian Keenan/Colin angle. We probably won't get that \"An Evil Cradling\" short here...ever (although the book sits about 6 feet from me now)."}, {"response": 168, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (00:14)", "body": "What gets you excited gets me excited, Evelyn. SLOW being pushed as a \"strong feature\". Great news. And I like that Keenan/Colin connection. Symbiosis. (Gi) My long lost cousin! I'll try to do that ;-) Perilously close to incest, Gi. Thank God you've got Antonio."}, {"response": 169, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (00:47)", "body": "Excuse me, before you all get carried away again (as you usually do, anyway... ;-P)- can we just get (at least) this thing right, please? He didn't appear to say anything about his blood. He just said \"my family\". :-)"}, {"response": 170, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (02:56)", "body": "If you're interested, there is a site you can vote for your favourite man. Can't imagine who you would chose ....;-) URL is www.freevote.com/booth/ladyviola. Colin is nowhere near winning at this stage, but maybe November is a chance if we all \"go to it\". You can vote up to five times per day. Cathey"}, {"response": 171, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (06:36)", "body": "Cathey, if just type the full URL, with http etc., it becomes an active link: http://www.freevote.com/booth/ladyviola Wow, in the last 30 hours or so Colin went up from fourth to third place, and from 504 to 1452 - no - 1457 now ;-)) Every voter is allowed 5 votes a day."}, {"response": 172, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (06:58)", "body": "Thanks Renate. Hope we can get him to number 1 either this month or next. Cathey"}, {"response": 173, "author": "baine", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (12:06)", "body": "Renate - thanks for the tip about the Hall of Fame. I've made my five votes for the day. Firthettes! Rally to the polls! Maybe we can't get him to first place in Oct., but I bet we can get to 2000 votes, and in Nov we can start again."}, {"response": 174, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (13:09)", "body": "Thanks, Cathey. I've got the site bookmarked. Now, dumb question...Who is Adrian Paul?"}, {"response": 175, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (13:38)", "body": "A little food for thought on this Fan thing - item posted on 72"}, {"response": 176, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (14:11)", "body": "Thanks for the link to that article, Murph. I swear I read bits of the last paragraph before: \"It was the atmosphere of doing a play and the relationships you form and the exhilaration, the stakes are very high, you're all in it together. If it works, then joy. If it doesn't, then you go down together and it's an intoxicating thing. It's like a drug. But it's not something you can have every time. That's the thing that hooks you. In fact, it's a very distressing thing to see people who spend three years in drama school and being given these extraordinary values. My drama school, particularly, considered its job to produce fresh blood with a real vision who would change theater and bring values back to the theater. We were all really fired up with this stuff and then you go out and it's \"Now try and get an agent.\" It was just making phone calls begging somebody to see you, seeing if you can do a walk-on in the police miniseries. Seeing these people that had been given this vision of the Holy Grail suddenly crawling to be recognized just for the simple practicalities of earning a living is terrible.\" Too long to be a stock quote from ODB, IMO. Where was it? The 'Good Taste' article, perhaps? Does anyone remember? Or am I suffering from that syndrome known as \"CF Overload?\""}, {"response": 177, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (14:26)", "body": "(Cymbeline) Renate - thanks for the tip about the Hall of Fame. That was Cathey, not me. I only gave a hand on the geeky side. BTW, November may be not the best month to vote him to the top - too many Firthettes and Firthians away from their keyboards, because they are in London. ;-) (Karen) Now, dumb question...Who is Adrian Paul? Was my first reaction, too. But now ......... I think he is the \"Highlander\"."}, {"response": 178, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (14:36)", "body": "Phaedra is selling the US Fever Pitch Poster. Here's the scoop: To order: Please send a check to Phaedra Cinema 5455, Wilshire Blvd., #1403, Los Angeles, CA 90036 One poster: $25 including handling and shipping. Each additional poster (any titles) add $15 ea. No Phone Calls Please! Go to Phaedra's site, then to the Fever Pitch page. You gotta see the link! Not the one from the home page, but the one from the FP page. It's a classic!! ;-D http://www.phaedracinema.com/ And BTW, this is a reasonable price for the poster."}, {"response": 179, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (15:10)", "body": "(Bethan) They probably want to catch the Christmas sales, and (I hope) tie in with some announcement about the movie and casting!!! I think you're on to something here, Bethan. Could it be that Colin is holding out on committing to Mark Darcy till he sees how the BJD sequel does? Before an actor signs on for a part that involves possibly committing to a sequel, I imagine he would want to have an idea of how his character will develop. Perhaps the possibility of a larger role for MD in the sequel would appeal to him. (Eileen) Too long to be a stock quote from ODB, IMO. Where was it? The 'Good Taste' article, perhaps? I think you're right, Eileen; several things from that interview sounded like comments in the Good Taste article. Or more precisely, looks like the Good Taste article was culled from this longer interview. Hmmm, possible Portuguese and Italian bloodlines? So that's where he gets those beautiful dark eyes:-)"}, {"response": 180, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (15:31)", "body": "Latest on Londinium Mike Binder completed the edit on the first rough cut of Londinium, which was screened October 21 by a select few. The movie was pronounced very good. Running a bit too long, it will undergo some fine tuning and trimming. Colin's performance was deemed \"absolutely magnificent\" and \"subtle and nuanced.\" In the role of Alan, a very cultured and thoughtful character, Colin is simultaneously \"strong and acerbic and yet undergoes a tender transformation that is thoroughly believable. He also looks every inch a matinee idol.\" Stephen Fry plays a psychiatrist who handled a number of labor relations cases for Alan. Alan is not keen on his wife's insistence on seeing a psychiatrist to discuss their flagging sex life, so he recommends Fry, who is wonderfully and hilariously uncomfortable discussing the topic of-- s-e-x. The scenes are few, but choice, and the two play very well off each other. Distribution Plans: This will occur after a finished version is screened for distributors. The producers also believe the film should be released in the fall and have targeted the Toronto Film Festival, as a possible launch pad. (Note: The Toronto selection process does not begin until March/April.)"}, {"response": 181, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (15:51)", "body": "which was screened October 21 by a select few Karen, was this a focus group (i.e., were these 'regular joes' or industry folks)? Colin's performance was deemed \"absolutely magnificent\" and \"subtle and nuanced.\" /.../ Colin is simultaneously \"strong and acerbic and yet undergoes a tender transformation that is thoroughly believable. He also looks every inch a matinee idol.\" YEESSSSSSsssss! Now let's hope everyone else thinks so. Thanks for the info, Karen. XXOO, dearie. IMO the 'bad' news isn't all that bad. What's a little wait, as long as a release looks possible--favorable, even?"}, {"response": 182, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (16:03)", "body": "(Eileen) was this a focus group No, it was a handful of agents, managers and cast."}, {"response": 183, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (16:44)", "body": "Super Sleuth Strikes Again!! Thanks Karen for the \"Londinium\" News...:-)))"}, {"response": 184, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (16:51)", "body": "FP Page is terrific....exciting to see Murph's Page as Colin's Link #2. But the first link didn't work for me and Karen...pl. tell them how to spell \"available\"."}, {"response": 185, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (17:33)", "body": "Well done Karen....what would we do without you and Evelyn and Ann, all our star SuperSleuthers. I can quite cheerfully wait for \"Londinium\" if it's going to be good! What's ten months anyway? I really liked your Optimum Releasing marketing strategy fax as well, Evelyn. Will comment later on both the above, but real life calls at the moment!"}, {"response": 186, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (17:40)", "body": "Hi, according to my copy of Empire Magazine, the reviewer for SLOW has some nice comments for Colin but only gives the film ** out of *****. Will type some excerpts later."}, {"response": 187, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (17:44)", "body": "Colin's performance was deemed \"absolutely magnificent\", Karen who was it who actually makes this comment, sorry if I am being a bit thick."}, {"response": 188, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (17:45)", "body": "and sorry about the grammar!!"}, {"response": 189, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (18:25)", "body": "The scenes are few, but choice, and the two play very well off each other. Those two wonderful actors together will be such a treat! He also looks every inch a matinee idol.\" I have never heard anyone say this about him in print. And, at the ripe old age of 39! :-D (Eileen) was this a focus group (Karen,), No, it was a handful of agents, managers and cast. I wonder if Colin went. Do you know where they screened it?"}, {"response": 190, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (19:36)", "body": "It would have been screened in LA and, when he said cast, my guess is that it would be Binder's friends who appear in his films, like Mariel Hemingway and Chris Lawford, perhaps others. I can ask specifically if Colin was there, but I think not, otherwise he would have told me. He know who/what I'm interested it! I thought the \"matinee idol\" reference was odd as well and did question him about it and from that I got a lot more detail about Colin's performance. To me it seemed incongrous given the first press release's description of Colin. To me, that didn't describe a matinee idol part. Besides, it's such an old-fashioned term. Reminds me of \"Purple Rose of Cairo\" or maybe I have Woody Allen on the brain (and some people will understand why). ;-D"}, {"response": 191, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (19:38)", "body": "Murph has posted the Empire review of SLOW and the picture of Colin as Matthew. We haven't seen it before and boy, oh boy, do I love Colin in that kind of lighting, like the Paul Ashworth picture I posted a little while ago. Here's the link: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/4144/slow/slow.html"}, {"response": 192, "author": "baine", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (20:18)", "body": "(Karen)... the picture of Colin as Matthew. We haven't seen it before and boy, oh boy, do I love Colin in that kind of lighting [!!!] And lots of beautiful red curls and those eyes the color of ripe chestnuts. Best way to start the weekend. Today in town I kept seeing him--the guy leaning against a building across the street with dark hair and a shirt just the blue color in the SLOW wall picture, Tom Birken driving a van in the oncoming lane, my house painter wearing a (white) Henley and singing in a nice baritone. Is there any treatment for this? I sincerely hope not."}, {"response": 193, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (20:32)", "body": "(Bethan)....what would we do without you and Evelyn and Ann, all our star Super Sleuthers. Thank you Bethan...undeservedly you have included me in illustrious company indeed. But after SLOW premieres I'm out of the \"CF sleuthing business\"...no kidding. ( And out of the autograph business as well):-))"}, {"response": 194, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (21:28)", "body": "Thanks Murph! I agree with you Karen, that light is so becoming. As for the reviewer: Fresh from his cracking turn as the dastardly villain in Shakespeare in Love, Colin Firth must have had enough of grimy England and decided that a brief sojourn to the idyllic French countryside was the perfect antidote This person does not know when this film was made."}, {"response": 195, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Oct 30, 1999 (00:56)", "body": "My last vote brought him to 1573"}, {"response": 196, "author": "baine", "date": "Sat, Oct 30, 1999 (01:18)", "body": "Obsession with ODB has released the juices of -uh - creativity in many of us. Dedicated Firthettes have given us poetry on Murph's site and a wealth of fiction posted in many places on the net. But, as far as I know, we have not yet had a song to rally around Since we are celebrating our favorite's elevation to the status of matinee idol, I bring to your attention the fact that in 1925 (the heyday of the M.I. and about the time of Relative Values?) Irving Berlin wrote a beautifully romantic song called Always. You may know it. Here is a an apt adaptation. I wasn't sure where to post it, but this seems like the place. Those of you moved join the Firthette chorus and sing along under his window, please join in. We'll be loving you - always. Long for something new - always. When the raves you've planned Turn out to be panned, It's editing - we understand - always, always. Release dates - not a prayer - always. That's when we'll be there - always. Not for just a show, Not for just a run, Not for just a flick, But always."}, {"response": 197, "author": "baine", "date": "Sat, Oct 30, 1999 (01:52)", "body": "well, swell! The first time I checked the posting, it loaded the pic and now it isn't!"}, {"response": 198, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 30, 1999 (03:25)", "body": ""}, {"response": 199, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 30, 1999 (03:35)", "body": "If the above picture goes away, we can add the Tripod site to the \"Don't Use for Posting Purposes\" List. Sorry. :-("}, {"response": 200, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 30, 1999 (03:48)", "body": "I know this one will stay put, Cymbeline:"}, {"response": 201, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Oct 30, 1999 (07:54)", "body": "Hi, I have just received my TOTAL Film magazine (UK) they give SLOW 2* but it is not a very good review for either Colin or the film but who cares what the critics think, it is only one man's opinion. It is not a very long review and I will type it out if anyone wants me to and there is a small picture of Colin in bed with Nimi, very reminicent of the one with Ruth Gemmell in Fever Pitch but the picture is very small."}, {"response": 202, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Oct 30, 1999 (08:21)", "body": "(Evelyn)But after SLOW premieres I'm out of the \"CF sleuthing business\"...no kidding.( And out of the autograph business as well):-)) Evelyn, that sounds ominous indeed!:-("}, {"response": 203, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Oct 30, 1999 (09:38)", "body": "Matinee idol (according to Cassell's Dictionary)..\" very handsome actor, esp. popular with women\" ! Ann, I don't think I'd pay too much attention to the \"Empire\" and \"Total Film\" reviews. They're the sort of mags that give \"Big Daddy\", \"There's something about Mary\" and \"Austin Powers\" 5 stars. Very much geared to the male under 25 audience. I don't think SLOW is their kind of film, or Colin their type of actor. Their definition of \"turgid\" is probably too much conversation. One thing I dislike about reviews (and reviews can make or break a film) is that they are not representative ( completely male dominated, the Star Wars generation), as taste and interest vary considerably across gender and age. (I'll bet the Guardian and Independent will trash SLOW!) I'm just pleased that SLOW is being released and that Optimum Releasing have an energetic marketing strategy! But they'll have to find the women...some pics of Colin wouldn't go amiss! 3DOR opens soon. I was listening to a radio programme \"The Front Row\" and apparently \"King Lear\" with Nigel Hawthorne, which was hailed as a major theatrical event, has received \"bruisingly bad\" reviews...both performance and production. Most \"star\" actors are being felled by the Londo theatre critics...Alan Rickman, Liam Neeson, Jude Law, Rufus Sewell, have all recently have bad to v. bad reviews. Colin has done very well!"}, {"response": 204, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Oct 30, 1999 (13:40)", "body": "Fantastic news on Londinium. Next fall is fine with me too as long as we get DQ somewhere in between. The news is out there. Just takes a lot of ingenuity and a little time. I'm grateful Karen and the other ladies share it all with this lazy lout. Matinee idol sounds rather old fashioned. Reminds me or Rudolf Valentino, Clark Gable and Errol Flynn. I do like this... Colin is simultaneously \"strong and acerbic and yet undergoes a tender transformation that is thoroughly believable Sounds like what I've been waiting for. Let's see how long this euphoria lasts. ;-) Cymbeline, I love your song: When the raves you've planned Turn out to be panned, It's editing - we understand - always, always. LOL!! Not thinking of ATA were you? I hope you share more of your creativity with us. Between you and Moon's Top Ten lists we can get our own variety show going."}, {"response": 205, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 30, 1999 (14:00)", "body": "Ann, please post the Total Film review here. (copy and paste) Bethan, I agree with you about Empire magazine. It is definitely geared toward the young (brain-on-pause) crowd. Look at the covers! And all the space given to Leonardo Di Caprio!! SLOW is not its kind of film. However, there are elements of a serious review here. He did recognize Colin's strong performance, did he not? I would be concerned that the filmmakers had nothing new to say despite a seemingly novel storyline. They have apparently descended into conventionality. I too saw the headlines about Hawthorne's King Lear. They are getting battered. Speaking of Top 10 Lists, I have another one Mari wrote that I'll post in a bit."}, {"response": 206, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sat, Oct 30, 1999 (14:19)", "body": "Hope Londinium lives up to this terrific start. Thanks, Karen. Re: the Empire magazine review. I can live with reviews like that when they point out that Colin gives a \"witty, charismatic performance.\" (What was CF but charismatic in MLSF and P&P, electrifying in the latter, actually.) This is far better than a rave for the movie and a pan for ODB. And it points out that he is the best thing in the film. That is usualy the case with Colin's films, isn't it. Now if we could just see him giving a great lead performance in a great film that gets terrific reviews and mak s lots of money, we'll all die happy. Thanks for the song, Cymbeline. It's a sweet song anyway and you reflect my feelings perfectly. I love his acting period, (and his beautiful dark eyes and lovely mouth and his walk and...), no matter how bad the film. BTW, I am watching Lost Empires right now and I don't think Colin's voice has ever been more beautiful than in this series. I have to find out how to put the narration on an audio tape. He is an absolute treat to listen to in LE. My one concern about seeing his performance in 3DOR is not hearing his lovely British accent. Why could the play not been reset in London for this run? Is its American setting essential to its themes? I am sure there are architects in the UK."}, {"response": 207, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Oct 30, 1999 (14:19)", "body": "Here is TOTAL Film review for SLOW. 2* \"Unmarried Nigerian mother Nimi(Long) works in the south of France. Hoe own mother is keen for her to wed the local vicar, but Nimi's son Sammy (Roberts)has other ideas. The 8year-old boy has just met English ex-pat writer, Matthew (Firth), the creator of Sammy's idol, comic-strip action hero Saracen. Surely he'd make a much more suitable stepfather? Schwabach's feature debdut is a brightly coloured yet pedestrian love story, which meanders along until its crudely made climax. The fairytale relationship between Nimi and Matthew follows a disappointingly predictable trajectory, with Firth giving an anaemic performance in a poorly written role. For a more perceptive cross-cultural romance, rent My Son The Fanatic instead.\" Talking of bad reviews Bethan, I have never seen such universally bad ones as Anna Friel's new Movie \"Mad Cows \" is getting, worse film of the year is what the ES said. No stars in The Daily Mail and a bad review in the Times on Thursday."}, {"response": 208, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 30, 1999 (14:50)", "body": "(Lynda) Why could the play not been reset in London for this run? Is its American setting essential to its themes? I am sure there are architects in the UK. Which one of the UK reviewers used the term \"American diaper drama\" to describe 3DOR. Apparently, our fixation on childhood experiences/trauma is unique or at least not prevalent in the UK. ;-D"}, {"response": 209, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 30, 1999 (14:54)", "body": "with Firth giving an anaemic performance This seems rather the opposite of the Empire review which called him a \"self-confident outsider\" and \"witty, charismatic.\" I suppose one can be those things, while being at the same time anemic... ;-p"}, {"response": 210, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 30, 1999 (16:58)", "body": "Thank you Ann for the review. We are all going to love SLOW...and everyone is going to see it as many times as they can. It's the romantic comedy with him in a starring role that everyone has been wishing for.He has never disappointed us yet in any of his roles. ~~~~~ We have a lyricist in our midst...thanks Cymbeline.And the song goes nicely with the pic.Maybe Murph would be interested in the collaboration...nice tribute. ~~~~~ Lynda, Colin's American accent suited 3 DOR...I don't think Richard Greenberg would have approved of extensive surgery of the dialogue.And although not as sonorous, I liked it."}, {"response": 211, "author": "baine", "date": "Sat, Oct 30, 1999 (20:52)", "body": "Another day, another five votes. Don't forget to cast yours for CF2K"}, {"response": 212, "author": "baine", "date": "Sat, Oct 30, 1999 (20:58)", "body": "OK, I've just been over to the My Favorite Man Hall of Fame which seems to have an unusual approach to the passage of months, and they have already started November. However, that means ODB is in first place right now with 75% of the votes! Let's keep it that way."}, {"response": 213, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 30, 1999 (21:30)", "body": "As long as everybody is voting...here's a Big Enchilada... The whole article is in the Weekend Segment of today's London Times... \" Vote for a treasure WE are inviting Times readers to nominate their Millennium Treasures, the people or things whose legacy should go with us into the new millennium. This week we ask you to nominate a living British person. You may send entries by post, or by e-mail via The Times online (www.the-times.co.uk). There are no right answers. One entry, chosen at random, will win a family visit to the Millennium Dome and \ufffd500 of Marks & Spencer vouchers. Next week we will invite you to nominate your Treasures in the category of precious British artefacts. Two weeks ago we invited readers to nominate a feature of the natural world as their Millennium Treasure. The winner was Mrs V. J. Atkinson from Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, who nominated the Lake District. The Times's partners in the Millennium Treasures project are NMEC, organiser of the Millennium Experience in the Dome at Greenwich, South London, and Marks & Spencer, which is sponsoring the Self Portrait zone in the Dome. Even if your entry does not win a prize, all nominations will be passed to the organisers of the Self Portrait zone to help them create a self-portrait of Britain on millennium eve.\" ~~~~~~ I know who I voted for.....:-D"}, {"response": 214, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct 30, 1999 (22:18)", "body": "(Evelyn), I know who I voted for.....:-D Jennifer Ehle, of course! (heehee)"}, {"response": 215, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct 30, 1999 (22:35)", "body": "I almost forgot. Happy Halloween!"}, {"response": 216, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 30, 1999 (22:38)", "body": "And for all those keeping track, Colin is behind Timothy Dalton in the new poll for November. You can vote more than once a day. Each time you logon, you can vote anew. ;-D"}, {"response": 217, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (02:32)", "body": "T.D is ahead by 66 votes. Lynda where is Lost Empires being broadcast. I would so much like to see this . I think it is the last thing Olivier did, isn't it."}, {"response": 218, "author": "baine", "date": "Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (02:43)", "body": "London Times poll-- this week it's living British person, next week it's precious British artefact, and last week it was feature of the natural world. Too bad we didn't know about it from the beginning since I think ODB wins hands down in each of these categories."}, {"response": 219, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (04:17)", "body": "HAPPY HALLOWEEN, ALL!"}, {"response": 220, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (09:17)", "body": "http://www.reachforthesky.co.uk/skyscape has an \"exclusive\" on Blackadder. So far nothing appears, but maybe there'ii be a video clip soon. There's also a v.good\" young person's review of MLSF at deja.com (David Schwartz). As he says \"I say the following in a kindly manner, this is Masterpiece Theatre stuff, appropriately filmed for the mature audience who should appreciate such a blithe production\". He also says the performances are first rate and he left the theatre with a smile on his face and that Colin is \"handsome and invigorating\",. But the review does emphasise the generation gap! I'm going to be very wary of all reviews for SLOW in the UK. (I know I'm going to like it!!). British films tend to get very bad crits over here, as most critics seem to prefer Hollywood. (BTW Ann, I agree, the \"Mad Cows \" reviews are unspeakable...\"better to go and shoot youself in the head than see this\"). I wouldn't worry about \"pedestrian\"...probably means that the action unfolds gently, and \"anaemic\" could be also be subtle rather than the usual in-yer-face over the top acting we're getting at the mo ent. I'm hoping Colin will actually promote himself, with a film and play coming up, but I'm not very hopeful. The Donmar doesn't advertise...and they just give the name of the production (not the actors) in the papers. As a re-opening it may not be reviewed....and actually doesn't need to be. Most Donmar productions are sell-outs. I'll be keeping my eye open next week and will ask Optimum Releasing if he's doing anything! Some photo coverage from SLOW would be great!"}, {"response": 221, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (09:19)", "body": "http://www.skyscape.co.uk"}, {"response": 222, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (14:18)", "body": "Happy Halloween! Murph"}, {"response": 223, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (14:46)", "body": "\"I say the following in a kindly manner, this is Masterpiece Theatre stuff... Why is everything that is set in the British Isles and not contemporary considered Masterpiece Theatre? Argh!! Makes MLSF sound like it's more appropriate for the small screen, which it is not. This is big screen, gorgeous cinematography."}, {"response": 224, "author": "baine", "date": "Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (14:50)", "body": "Bethan - The Blackadder link seems to be a deadend. http://www.reachforthesky.co.uk/skyscape"}, {"response": 225, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (15:19)", "body": "Thanks Murph, that is so sweet, Happy Halloween to you. There is a very interesting feature in The Sunday Times Magazine about the new Millenium Blackadder film, lots of pictures of the cast in costume but I am afraid no mention and no pictures of CF as Shakespeare.However, it is very interesting but very long, I could send it to you Karen, if you would like mto to. BTW did we know it cost 3million pounds, which as they say in the article is a very large sum for half an hour. Shooting took place in May and June, so that goaty beard mentioned at the poetry rea ings must have been for the Blackadder film, I think someone has already speculated on this, Bethan I think, anyway I can't wait to see him as Shakespeare especially as people reported that he looked absolutely gorgeous at the Poetry readings in June. I see from one of the Theatre Website The London Theatre Guide, I believe, that there is no press night for 3DOR this time around and there has been no publicity, which I guess is a good thing for the play as it probably means that it is selling well, but not very good for Colin personally because apart from his ardent fans who else is to know that he is to appear on stage and is back by public demand. I too hope he does at least one interview to publisize his film and 3DOR because although you may hink he is well known in the UK I still get people saying to me \"Colin who\". Just recently JN has done a couple of wonderfully long interviews, I hope Colin will do the same. As JE said recently, sometimes you have to make a lot of noise to get yourself known (heard?) or somethidng like that, am I righ Evelyn? I am so glad to hear that you are definitely getting MLSF Cathey, and I understand that it is still going strong in the US. However, it does seem strange that we in the UK are one of the last to get it and I mean no desrepect to the US or Australia, I just think it funny especially as Lord Puttnam is the Producer and it is based on the book by Sir Denis Foreman. Still I am sure it will be worthy waiting for."}, {"response": 226, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (15:42)", "body": ""}, {"response": 227, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (15:43)", "body": "Yes, Ann, please do send it. Wasn't there another pic from SLOW in your film magazine as long as you're in a mailing mode? You said it was small, but we can deal with it. ;-D I share your disbelief that Australia would get MLSF before the UK. It can't be lack of screens, since a nobody company like Optimum could get screens for SLOW. There's another reason. Evelyn thinks that they have something big planned for it when it is released in May. Like what?"}, {"response": 228, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (15:59)", "body": "Like what exactly! and May would be too late to get A BAFTA for Best British film or any award for Colin. I'll send both article and picture but it is very very small. Please email me your address Karen, thanks."}, {"response": 229, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (16:00)", "body": "(Ann), Shooting took place in May and June, so that goaty beard mentioned at the poetry readings must have been for the Blackadder film, I can not believe that the few that went to the poetry reading did not take pictures. Ladies who attended, please share your pictures! (Karen), Evelyn thinks that they have something big planned for it when it is released in May. Like what? The big Masterpiece Theater anniversary celebration, perhaps? T'was very wicked of me, I know, it is just the mood I am in. ;-)"}, {"response": 230, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (16:00)", "body": "BTW Colin is now over 100 votes behind TD in the Voting Booth, with Russell Crowe catching up fast in 3rd spot. I have used up all my votes today!!"}, {"response": 231, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (16:01)", "body": "Like what exactly! and May would be too late to get A BAFTA for Best British film or any award for Colin. I'll send both article and picture but it is very very small. Please email me your address Karen, thanks."}, {"response": 232, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (16:38)", "body": "Like what exactly! Am thinking that they're going to have a big 50th anniversary celebration from when the film was actually made. you see I can be very bad as well!! Ann, the voting is not by day but by connection. So any time you logon, you can revote. That's how these people are doing it. BTW, Russell Crowe has overtaken Colin."}, {"response": 233, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (17:48)", "body": "Hey, Evelyn is just speculating on the \"something big\"for MLSF...just trying to drum up a little optimism :-D ~~~~~~~ (Bethan)I'm going to be very wary of all reviews for SLOW in the UK. (I know I'm going to like it!!).British films tend to get very bad crits over here, True on the critics. However, I expect the millions of Colin fans in the UK to support this film .After all it is his first starring role since FP. We shall be looking at the box office receipts which is after all the bottom line on the success of a film. The UK reviews for FP weren't all that great; yet it did well at the box office. ~~~~~ Someone pl. repeat the URL of that Best Actor poll...I lost it and haven't voted. ( I tend to think those things are rigged. Remember the one that he was ahead of George Clooney and the webmistress told Nan that they removed CF because they never heard of him?)"}, {"response": 234, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (18:42)", "body": "Like what exactly! Am thinking that they're going to have a big 50th anniversary celebration from when the film was actually made. you see I can be very bad as well!! LOL! Hey, this is my favourite topic! Well, given that Buena Vista know that most of the audience are going to be \"mature\", maybe they reckon that May (long, light, warm evenings) will be much more conducive to visiting city-centre cinemas than Jan thru' March (cold, dark, lousy parking). Or as May is arguably the most beautiful month in Scotland, and as MLSF is part-funded by the Scottish Arts Council, perhaps they're hoping MLSF will promote a wave of early holiday bookings in bonny Scotland! See, very positive thinking....otherwise May quite confounds me! BTW, what sort of opening is MLSF getting in Australia....a couple of major cities, or much wider? And is it still playing in the US? (Those 20 prints must be working overtime by now!!) We shall be looking at the box office receipts which is after all the bottom line on the success of a film. The UK reviews for FP weren't all that great; yet it did well at the box office. FP did much better in video rentals and purchases (also an indicator of success) ....all those Volvo-owning ladies sneaking into Blockbusters for multiple-viewings!"}, {"response": 235, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (19:00)", "body": "have just done some manual labor and need a break and am procrastinating on rest... MLSF is still playing in the US, although we have no idea of how many cities. FP did much better in video rentals and purchases (also an indicator of success) Am amazed how prevalent that view must be...to wait to see things on video vs. on a big screen. Was reading a review of The Winslow Boy last night (I forget which of your papers) and one of the critics said, \"best to wait until it is out on video.\" Incredible that anyone would say that about this movie. To me, there is nothing like the experience of seeing something on a big screen in a darkened theater with nonstop inconsiderate talkers (who should be home watching a movie on video) sitting right behind me, noisely munching away on their popcorn. ;-D Here's the url to vote: http://www.freevote.com/booth/ladyviola About the rigging, I don't think this one is like that other. However, certain people have a much more rabid following or are clever enough to write programs to constantly cast votes. In which case, Colin doesn't stand a prayer with our here and there 5 votes. Just MHO"}, {"response": 236, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (19:47)", "body": "Am amazed how prevalent that view must be...to wait to see things on video vs. on a big screen I'm afraid that in the UK we're a nation of video/Cable TV watchers, and the Big Screen experience is mainly reserved for the teenyboppers (just look at our current Box office ratings) BTW, \"Mad Cows\" which must have received just about the worst possible reviews in the entire history of the British cinema (and features a guest appearance by Noel Gallagher) is currently showing on about 40 screens in our region ( compared with \"The Winslow Boy\"'s 2 screens) and will no doubt do quite well! Nuff said. I think that measures of success are different in the UK. An actor of Colin's calibre could easily work on for as long as he wants, mixing theatre, TV, supporting/leading roles in movies, radio, poetry readings etc, and remain totally aloof from the public gaze (compare someone like Corin Redgrave or Ian Holm). Or he could promote himself more, and become more high profile in the short-term. But sometimes \"faceless\" actors who merge into their roles have much longer careers than so-called celebrities. Wou d still very much like him to do interviews though!!!! But didn't his last interview refer to his \"shy disinclination for self publicity\"?"}, {"response": 237, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (20:38)", "body": "(Karen)Am amazed how prevalent that view must be...to wait to see things on video vs. on a big screen (Bethan)I'm afraid that in the UK we're a nation of video/Cable TV watchers, I'd feel that way too if I had to pay 17 Pounds($26) to see a movie. (Odeon, West End). On the other hand...what other country in the world could fill a 1,250 seat theatre (National) night after night to see a play by a Russian socialist... (Summerfolk)...which originally was only supposed to run until Oct. 16 and was extended to Nov. 23!! and this isn't the tourist season. Amazing. I applaud you."}, {"response": 238, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (20:56)", "body": "But pounds 17 is not the price most of these kids are paying, is it? Anyway, the kiddies fill most of our theaters as well. My surprise was the dismissal of this fine movie (which played on relatively very few screens in the US too) to videoland. That's all. ************ Since I'm on another break now, here's something Evelyn found or was sent. Notice anything strange...an omission??? The Noel Coward Centenary Celebration Savoy Theatre Sunday 12 December 1999 Four days before the centenary of the birth of Noel Coward, a galaxy of British theatrical, television and film stars will come together to celebrate the words of the Master. This extraordinary and unique entertainment will feature extracts from the plays, the prose, the poems and diaries of Noel Coward and will be introduced by Richard Attenborough. It is anticipated that The Noel Coward Centenary Celebration will be the last great theatrical celebration of the century. This will be an evening of comedy and tragedy - British theatre at its best. With Richard Attenborough, Alan Bates, Simon Russell Beale, Tony Britton, Simon Callow, Judy Campbell, Alan Cox, Brian Cox, Charles Dance, Lucy Fleming, Edward Fox, Moyra Fraser, Stephen Fry, Adam Godley, Peter Greenwell, Lisa Harrow, Nigel Havers, Derek Jacobi, Belinda Lang, Moira Lister, Elizabeth McGovern, John Mills, Sheridan Morley, Steve Ross, Clive Rowe, Greta Scacchi, Malcolm Sinclair, Donald Sinden, Victoria Smurfit, Imo en Stubbs, James Wilby and Simon Williams. All artists have agreed to appear subject to their professional commitments. ************ Yes, ODB is MISSING!! Even Elizabeth (\"I forgot my American accent\") McGovern is scheduled to appear. This touched off a little investigation and Mari has come up with: Top 10 reasons Colin can't go to the Noel Coward Centenary Celebration: 1. He's busy getting in touch with his Dutch/Portuguese/Italian inner child. 2. Bowling night. 3. He's sending Matthew Modine as his surrogate. 4. He's busy staying marginalized. 5. He needs to catch up on his thank-you notes to fans. 6. He's writing an expose on Sainsbury's (Did you read the one in the Wall Street Journal? Let's *not* shop there for snacks in January.;-) 7. Livia wants to put the tree up that night. 8. \"I'm not working 7 bloody days a week!\" 9. Shop 'Til You Drop Holiday Sale at Harvey Nichols. 10. \"Let the people doing Coward films this year have the spotlight.\" :-( :-( (reprinted with permission!!)"}, {"response": 239, "author": "baine", "date": "Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (21:09)", "body": "What's Harvey Nichols? I'm going over and vote for the second time today. It's true that you can cast five votes every time you log in over there. Don't flag, Firthettes! Who made Donvan Quick? It wasn't Timothy Dalton or Russell Bloody Crowe, was it!?"}, {"response": 240, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (22:29)", "body": "Harvey Nichols is an upscale women's apparel store in Knightsbridge, London. Similar to Neiman Marcus. ~~~~~ LMAO My fave is: \"Livia wants to put up the tree that night..\" #3....Matthew Modine as his surrogate is pretty good too. And I can guess which one is Moon's favorite...:-D Brilliant Mari.... ~~~~~ Saw EMcG. last night on A&E in \"The Scarlet Pimpernel\"...this time a sort-of British accent..baaaad. (Gwynnie doesn't have to worry)"}, {"response": 241, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (23:05)", "body": "In case you are tired of robot voting try this ;-) : http://www.freevote.com/booth/renate"}, {"response": 242, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Nov  1, 1999 (00:01)", "body": "Deep chuckle for the Top Ten List. I'm telling you, we ought to go into the entertainment business ourselves. Renate, you are a gem. I've voted. If I log off, can I do it again 'cause I changed my mind about one of my favorites. So many roles...."}, {"response": 243, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Nov  1, 1999 (00:10)", "body": "Colin is now in first place. Who is Russel Crowe? It's too bad we can't post a notice for voters on ROP asking people who visit there to go and vote for the man who gave them Mr Darcy. I know that one week they had over a million hits. Wouldn't it blow their socks off if each of them voted 5 times for ODB"}, {"response": 244, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Nov  1, 1999 (01:12)", "body": "Oops Russell Crowe is now up 20 votes"}, {"response": 245, "author": "baine", "date": "Mon, Nov  1, 1999 (03:11)", "body": "(Lucie) It's too bad we can't post a notice for voters on ROP asking people who visit there to go and vote for the man who gave them Mr Darcy. Can't we? That's a great idea!"}, {"response": 246, "author": "baine", "date": "Mon, Nov  1, 1999 (03:19)", "body": "Renate - very nice poll--but so difficult. Valmont is now in second place btw -- it's the smile. I'm chagrined at the number of roles I don't recognize. When did he play Rupert Brooke and who is Matthew?"}, {"response": 247, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Nov  1, 1999 (07:23)", "body": "Cymbeline, Matthew is from SLOW. Rupert Brooke is a role from the audio play \"The One Before The Last\". You can't see him, but you get to appreciate the voice even more. An experience! - - - I would like to add the name of his character from \"Comeback\", but I can't recall it - can somebody help me please?"}, {"response": 248, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Nov  1, 1999 (07:28)", "body": "Somebody must have been very busy: Colin is on top again on that Favourite Man booth. http://www.freevote.com/booth/ladyviola"}, {"response": 249, "author": "baine", "date": "Mon, Nov  1, 1999 (12:33)", "body": "Colin is on top again on that Favourite Man booth. (Consider suggestive crack here). Yes! What a start to Monday morning! There must be an army of us."}, {"response": 250, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov  1, 1999 (12:59)", "body": "Mari, loved the top ten! We should put them all together and send them to his agent! #s 4,1,7,8 I think you might have something there. ;-) I too have voted for DB, but how serious is this poll? I thought it was done by the Daily Mail, but there are too many TV actors listed for me to take it seriously. I prefer Renate's. :-D"}, {"response": 251, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Mon, Nov  1, 1999 (14:55)", "body": "There are no previews and no formal press night for \"Three Days of Rain\" in November. You can expect the press to take another look at it, but the coverage will not be as complete as it was in March, unless some ancillary news story is created. c"}, {"response": 252, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Nov  1, 1999 (15:40)", "body": "(Karen) Am thinking that they're going to have a big 50th anniversary celebration from when the film was actually made *snicker* I'm amazed at some of the out-of-the-way places (in the US) MLSF is showing. Pretty soon I expect it to play in my hometown :-P Thanks for posting Mari's top ten list. LOL, Mari :-D"}, {"response": 253, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Nov  1, 1999 (19:54)", "body": "Renate, the name is Peter Darwin. I loved Comeback, a lot more than The One Before the Last. He does all the voices, and the story is good. TOBL is difficult to relate to - at least for me."}, {"response": 254, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Nov  1, 1999 (21:29)", "body": "P.S. Mari--thought of reason 11: he'll be in Rome, walking around."}, {"response": 255, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Nov  1, 1999 (22:37)", "body": "Peter Darwin, of course! Thanks, Gi. Love the voices, too, he is doing on Comeback."}, {"response": 256, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Nov  1, 1999 (23:20)", "body": "*&%^#*#* Russell Crowe is on top again."}, {"response": 257, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Nov  1, 1999 (23:23)", "body": "What have you done with your copy of the tape, Renate? :-)"}, {"response": 258, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (00:37)", "body": "(Renate) Love the voices, too, he is doing on Comeback. Me too. It's fun to hear how he differentiates the characters so well by using the different voices. I particularly like how he did the women characters :-)."}, {"response": 259, "author": "ommin", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (02:13)", "body": ""}, {"response": 260, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (07:48)", "body": "(Arami) What have you done with your copy of the tape, Renate? :-) I keep it safe for whenever it is needed :-P."}, {"response": 261, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (20:27)", "body": "Briefly, I called Optimum Releasing again about SLOW. It will get a staggered release from the 26th, using London as a platform and then going out into the regions. I asked if this meant independent cinemas or Showcase, and the young man who seems to be in charge of SLOW - coincidently called Will - said no, it would be high street cinemas, Odeon, ABC, and it would be showing through December, January. It would be great if it shows in the Shaftesbury Avenue ABC, a stone's throw from the Donmar..CF on stage and scr en within a few hundred yards! There must be a limited number of prints, but I think there's a lot to be said for a staggered release, rather than one week sudden death. The Bridget Jones sequel BJ:The Edge of Reason will definitely be in UK bookshops on the 19th, and can also of course be ordered through amazon.co.uk. BTW, the latest Flashman is the highest new entry in the Hardcover Book charts...there's life in the old dog yet! A colleague of mine attended a conference in London, and David Puttnam was there. My colleague is a movie buff and a Puttnam admirer...says he made \"some great films\". DP apparently left in a chauffeur driven jag and was very busy on his mobile phone. I know that DP has zilch influence in the US, but I find it difficult to believe that he'll let his last movie be marginalised in the UK. He still has a lot of \"clout\" in the arts world...could certainly arrange a festival screening or charity premiere. I'm uzzled!"}, {"response": 262, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (22:45)", "body": "Who's David Puttnam please?"}, {"response": 263, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (23:02)", "body": "Who's David Puttnam please? Producer of MLSF, also Chariots of Fire. Onetime head of Columbia Pictures (tho' not for long). Now Lord Puttnam and very involved in politics. MLSF was his last film."}, {"response": 264, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Nov  3, 1999 (02:34)", "body": "ODB is now 282 votes behind"}, {"response": 265, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Nov  3, 1999 (07:02)", "body": "......and Ross Talbot is only a few hits behind Mr. Darcy. Who would have thought it. The scissors scene must have left a *very* deep impression with some(one). ;-D Colin Firth roles voting booth: http://www.freevote.com/booth/renate"}, {"response": 266, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov  3, 1999 (19:41)", "body": "There's a review of Fever Pitch in the TV Guide database: http://www.tvguide.com/moviedb/ShowMovie.asp?MI=41444 Also, Kirsten has uploaded the Three Days of Rain discussion (with Cliff Notes) to cf.com. Interesting read for those going to see the play shortly. Here's the url: http://www.firth.com/filmdis/3dor/3dor-part1.htm"}, {"response": 267, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov  3, 1999 (19:42)", "body": "(Renate) ...and Ross Talbot is only a few hits behind Mr. Darcy. Who would have thought it. The scissors scene must have left a *very* deep impression with some(one). ;-D Why is that so surprising? It is one of Colin's most revealing roles! ;-D"}, {"response": 268, "author": "baine", "date": "Wed, Nov  3, 1999 (20:05)", "body": "Karen - thanks for the TV guide review link. Did you all read the reviews on ODB's other films? Valmont: \"weakest so far\" of the three film adaptations, \"willfully wrongheaded casting\", CF \"lacks charismatic bravado and sexual menace.\"!!!!! Who writes these things!? They made up for that in a small way by writing of Playmaker: \"Talented CF is relatively effective in his scenes of psychological manipulation [They should see what he does to us!] and it's sad to see him here. Perhaps he too should shoot his agent.\" LOL hunh!"}, {"response": 269, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov  3, 1999 (21:26)", "body": "OK, ladies, unsheathe your razors!! For Londinium, Colin has a moustache and beard. It's similar to a Wessex configuration, but softened. Moustache doesn't extend as far and the bottom goatee section is not pointy. It's pretty sparse looking too. Sort of like when guys are trying to grow a beard. Actually, it doesn't look too bad."}, {"response": 270, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Nov  3, 1999 (22:58)", "body": "There was a French TV review of \"Valmont\" very recently. My French leaves much to be desired, but I think it said that his face had as much expression as a lump of tarmacadam, and his performance was mediocre. Ouch! You're right, who does write these reviews and what do they see?! Although I agree in part that he doesn't have sexual \"menace\". His Valmont is more boyishly cute...a completely different (and valid) interpretation. I'm beginning to ignore reviews...The Guardian (our thinking person's newspaper) gave \"The Winslow Boy\" 2 stars (and The Phantom Menace 5 stars) and asked \"why did David Mamet actually bother with this?\""}, {"response": 271, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov  3, 1999 (23:04)", "body": "Please share the Londinium pix with us ASAP, Karen. Is it more like COF or Nostromo? Bethan, I assure you, TWB is a very good film. At least 4 stars, IMNSHO! (Karen), Why is that so surprising? Ross is one of Colin's most revealing roles! ;-D Hear, hear!"}, {"response": 272, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Nov  3, 1999 (23:41)", "body": "(Colin Firth roles voting booth) Ross Talbot is only a few hits behind Mr. Darcy It's obviously someone being mischevious. It's not me this time :-), I hasten to assure all: but I do think these \"do it yourself\" voting booths are of no consequence: no more than vacuous amusement to kill the time whilst waiting for something interesting to happen. And only if you happen to have absolutely nothing better to do. For Londinium, Colin has a moustache and beard. Karen, your long sight is amazing. Seriously - do reveal your sources, please! I'm dying out of curiosity here... His Valmont is more boyishly cute...a completely different (and valid) interpretation. Milos Forman kept saying that until he was blue in the face, but nobody took any notice. Who cares what the film author has to say, anyway."}, {"response": 273, "author": "baine", "date": "Wed, Nov  3, 1999 (23:46)", "body": "Firthettes - I just watched my brand new copy of Hostages, and I have to say that I like him both clean-shaven (absolutely adorable even with the nerd shirt) and with that Cecil B. DeMille Biblical hero look--black beard and head band. Also like the Wessex look. I don't think the little mustaches a la AMITC do anything for him. But then he's someone who doesn't need anything done for him isn't he? Hostages was powerful, and everyone was good, but I could have used a lot more Colin."}, {"response": 274, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (00:33)", "body": "I have to say that I like him both clean-shaven (absolutely adorable even with the nerd shirt) and with that Cecil B. DeMille Biblical hero look--black beard LOL! Cymbeline, you like that lonnggg beard he wears before they let him shave? Even I (who has never met a CF she hasn't liked) can't beat that ardor. I think I'll like his Londinium goatee just fine though. When can we see it, Karen? Please? Please?"}, {"response": 275, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (00:34)", "body": "Don't I always share my information and images? Will do some scanning tomorrow. OK, my source is Deep Throat."}, {"response": 276, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (00:53)", "body": "What you have is a very light goatee/moustache...not at all like a Charles Gould or John McCarthy biblical adornment. Sort of like someone took a charcoal pencil and drew it in. As a result, it isn't as cheesy as the one in COF and not of the paste-on variety as in SiL. BTW, it appears to be contagious because Jack Dee also has an even lighter one, either that or a very bad five o' clock shadow at a wedding, which is presumably in the morning."}, {"response": 277, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (01:45)", "body": "(Cymbeline)Hostages was powerful, and everyone was good, Glad you enjoyed H. It's one of my favorites...The whole cast has quite a following on this board after we discussed it. I noticed that Brian Keenan took part in the recent Cheltenham Festival of Literature. He talked about his life-changing experience and his recent journey in Patagonia with fellow hostage, John McCarthy, explored in his latest book \"Between Extremes\". Karen is a fan of his poetry and I went on to read the book that John wrote with Jill Morrell. Colin's projects invaribly lead us into other avenues. ~~~~~ Thank you Karen and Kristen for organizing and editing the 3 DOR discussion on cf.com.Great job!"}, {"response": 278, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (03:56)", "body": "Think I have an addition to the Cliff Notes. The meaning of Lina. Sing along with me now: \"Nothin could be finah than to be IN Caro-LINA in the mor-or-nin. Nothin could be sweetah than my sweetie when I see her in the mor-or-nin...\" wish I knew the rest of the lyrics, but you get the idea. ;-D"}, {"response": 279, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (13:51)", "body": "That is the video cover for MLSF!! It is listed at amazon in VHS video for the \"rental\" sales price of $103.99. As the description states, the price usually comes down in about 6 months. However, reel.com shows an advance purchase price for the wide-screen DVD at $17.99. It will be available January 25, 2000."}, {"response": 280, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (14:15)", "body": "Additional details re: MLSF DVD According to the Buena Vista specs, it will be a bare-bones edition (single layer), with only the theatrical trailer added and the usual interactive menus and scene access. No interviews, deleted scenes, alternate edits, audio commentary, nada!! Somehow this doesn't surprise me. :-("}, {"response": 281, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (14:41)", "body": "The SLOW review is also now available at the Empire website: SLOW Review Hopefully that will work, but if not to to Empire and do a search of its reviews."}, {"response": 282, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (16:04)", "body": "Thanks for the SLOW review, Karen. I'm a bit confused -- isn't Caroline Goodall supposed to be in this film, playing Colin's wife? She isn't mentioned in the review. Maybe her part was very small, or was cut to simplify the plot? As it is, call me old-fashioned, but the fact that his character is married and romancing another woman makes me feel a bit queasy."}, {"response": 283, "author": "livamago", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (16:11)", "body": "I'd buy the video of MLSF just for that picture on the cover. He looks delicious."}, {"response": 284, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (16:22)", "body": "Thanks, SS (Super Sleuth:-) for the MLSF video information .I guess that is only NTSC. Nice IOU Christmas gift. ~~~~~ Re: SLOW. Apparently some directors present the films before the screening and and have a Q&A afterwards. If it should happen and Peter Schwabach appears...anyone have any suggestions?...(keep it clean :-) (Also I reserve the right of censorship:-) ~~~~~ (Susan)but the fact that his character is married and romancing another woman makes me feel a bit queasy. Susan, apparently Matthew's marriage was on the rocks when he falls for Nimi."}, {"response": 285, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (17:23)", "body": "Optimum says that the producers and director will be at the screenings of SLOW. As they say, an invitation has been extended to the film's stars to also appear but, as we know, one has another commitment on Saturday night. ;-D"}, {"response": 286, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (19:54)", "body": "Thanks Karen for posting the MLSF video cover! Does this mean that there'll be no more theatre screenings in the US? I've another long and boring observation on reviews, interviews, promotion etc in the UK!!! As part of my job I have to scan though the (quality) papers every day. My focus isn't the Arts...but I can never resist glancing through the reviews and news about films/theatre. There's been a definite \"sea-change\" in opinion making...the views reflected certainly aren't views that I share (am getting older!) and the movies that receive the plaudits aren't the ones I want to see. The only paper that seems to like what I like is the Daily Telegraph! (But not the Sunday Telegraph). Films like \"The Winslow Boy\", and I'm pretty certain SLOW and MLSF, will only get a modest critical reception. I reckon TWB came in third after \"Pushing Tin\" and \"Vampires\". This does not mean that they re not good films, and ones which will give pleasure to many people! So I wouldn't pay much attention to British reviews. Another trend is the intrusive interview. When actors give interviews to promote their films, it seems that the only questions they are asked are about their personal lives, relationships, sex lives etc. Even the so-called serious papers follow this line. It seemed to me that in his last interviews for 3DOR, Colin tried to turn the focus to more serious matters - the Refugee/Asylum seekers problem - but neither interviewer was interested in this and trivialised it. I also remember reading that when one of the interviewers asked him about starting a family, he lapsed into total silence. I'd be quite surprise if he did give interviews for SLOW...a great many actors in the UK are increasingly reluctant to talk to the press. And our talk/movie shows are almost as trivial as the papers. There are very few intelligent -or respectful- vehicles for promotion. Despite all this, and an apparent lack of exposure, most talented actors have no problem in pursuing successful careers...but we just don't read much them m ch!"}, {"response": 287, "author": "baine", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (20:19)", "body": "(Bethan) ... another long and boring observation Nevah! I think you are exactly right, and your views certainly hold for the US as well. I haven't had a chance to see TWB yet b/c it never played around me nor did MLSF. And I'm sure the interview sessions are horrible. Actors must dread them. They always seem to send breathless little girls who are concentrating harder on their own reactions than getting any information over to readers--they seem to be ignorant and without poise or manners. I imagine actors have to fight the urge to snap None of your Damn Business over and over again b/c they certainly can't make the little twits mad. Imagine asking a stranger if he were going to start a family! I mean drooling is al well and good, but by the time you're an adult, you're supposed to know that it's done in private. (And yes I do consider our little confab here which is available at any time to the entire universe private). What I'd really like is for all of us, who have a little CF background and know how to behave, to be able to sit down nice and cosily over a pint or whatever he likes to drink and really find out about what it was like making the movies and being an actor and stage vs screen and so on--you know, get into some interesting detail *on his work* instead of the same superficial stuff you get over and over again from the interviews. And if we were all drooling silently the whole time, he need never know. I know that none of you has ever thought of such a thing, and I'm sure we should be able to bring it off pretty easily, say once the Donmar run is over, if we could only get his agent to answer our letters!"}, {"response": 288, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (21:36)", "body": "Cymbeline, I have had the same thought - a serious but relaxed insightful talk with CF over drinks - but I have a feeling this could be done at the second Donmar reunion next January. I believe he will recognize some of the participants, and unless he's scared sh**less he may be gracious enough to accept a civil invitation for drinks after the show. Remember this soothsayer's prediction... and pray that Evelyn will speak to him ;-)"}, {"response": 289, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (22:15)", "body": "a serious but relaxed insightful talk with CF over drinks Super idea, nothing really prevents us from inviting him and the right person to do it irresistibly and convincingly enough is definitely our Evelyn. I\ufffdm sure Colin would find it pretty difficult to deny anything from you Evelyn!!! Still.....I\ufffdm quite sure he\ufffdd refuse, not because of unkindness but because it would be a pretty unexceptional situation for him I guess, to sit down with a group of fans to discuss his work! On the other hand, this is possibly our last chance ever to talk to him and ask him about 3DOR and his other current works. We have so many questions that the press will never ask him for us it seems."}, {"response": 290, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (22:16)", "body": "What you've all been waiting for: shall we count them? ;-)"}, {"response": 291, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (22:18)", "body": "Sorry, I meant of course: exceptional!!"}, {"response": 292, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (22:26)", "body": "Eeeeek! I\ufffdm not sure if I\ufffdm happy about that goatee, Karen! Well, at least it seems to be genuine :-)"}, {"response": 293, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (22:34)", "body": "(Bethan) Does this mean that there'll be no more theatre screenings in the US? It would seem to mean that, but it's not a hard and fast rule. There's been a definite \"sea-change\" in opinion making...the views reflected certainly aren't views that I share (am getting older!) and the movies that receive the plaudits aren't the ones I want to see. The same is occurring here. Established critics are being forced out because their views do not reflect the tastes of the ticket-buying public. Janet Maslin of the NYT is leaving because of a disagreement with management. Then, there was the entertainment magazine on the net that removed the grade markings from one of its critics because they said she was too tough on films. The box office has been making fools of many critics (or relegating them to total insignificance). The nation's critics panned number of films, which subsequently made megamillions. Kids don't read the reviews and frankly don't care what they say. Since I read the AICN site, I am continually amazed by what is written there and how anyone could seriously consider Harry Knowles a critic. He writes little anecdotes about his life and expects you to draw conclusions about how this film somehow relates to his life. Now, there's talk he's going to have his own TV show. The guy cannot express himself. He's no Siskel. I'll stop r nting now. BTW, check out the AICN site, there's a hilarious (although sad) review of Mansfield Park by someone who is positively clueless and used things overheard at the theater by people who knew about the story. Cymbeline, love your idea of treating ODB to a pint and letting him relax without anyone asking those personal questions that we have no business asking nor expecting a response. I think Elena should organize it! ;-D"}, {"response": 294, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (22:48)", "body": "Not bad, however, I will need a full facial view to give an honest opinion."}, {"response": 295, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (22:52)", "body": "shall we count them? ;-) What would you be counting? Thanks for the close-up, Karen! Did you notice one tooth is longer than the other? I thought he had caps! Do we also get the full face? pretty please! (Cymbeline), I know that none of you has ever thought of such a thing, and I'm sure we should be able to bring it off pretty easily, say once the Donmar run is over, if we could only get his agent to answer our letters! I hate to burst the bubble, but he would not do it. As Elena said I\ufffdm quite sure he\ufffdd refuse, not because of unkindness but because it would be a pretty unexceptional situation for him Only aspiring rock stars when asked by semi-naked women would do it. I do hope Evelyn lets the Donmar people know about the wonderful discussion of 3DOR at cf.com, I think they would be interested in reading it. Then by association, they might mention it to Colin who might then feel the inclination to read it himself. Then...when you meet him after the show in Jan. Karen or Evelyn or Heide, could mention it and at least he would know something more about the group. Then you can ask him some of those questions such as: \"How do prepare for a role?\" \"Would you be interested i playing Flashman?\" \"Has your Italian improved?\" etc, etc, What do you think Evelyn?"}, {"response": 296, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (22:56)", "body": "Elena, are you going too? You can ask the questions too!"}, {"response": 297, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (22:56)", "body": "Sure, sure... ;-D"}, {"response": 298, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (23:14)", "body": "Yes, Moon, I\ufffdm going to London and am courageously planning to ask him a couple of questions.....but shall I be able to ask them actually remains to be seen. When the big moment came last March I found out that I could hardly spell my name right when he asked about it."}, {"response": 299, "author": "baine", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (23:30)", "body": "(Elena) I could hardly spell my name right when he asked about it. And that's exactly the situation I'd be in despite all my carrying on about proper behavior. And, no, I wouldn't expect that he'd do it since I'd imagine he'd like to get home after work. But who knows, maybe he's a big party boy. The thing is you can't really be anything but a stranger asking questions unless you're already a friend, and the gods did not bless me with that fate. But that's why they gave us romantics a rich fantasy life."}, {"response": 300, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Nov  5, 1999 (01:26)", "body": "Karen, where's the rest of him???? Re caps: he has them on the front teeth, but sides seem natural. If I remember rightly, his natural teeth can still be seen in \"1919\" (some good close-ups right up his nose there:), but by the time he was doing \"Dutch Girls\", the gap between the two front incisors had disappeared. (And before I'm asked again if I'm a dentist, you know what the answer is, don't you?...:-))"}, {"response": 301, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov  5, 1999 (01:36)", "body": "I think Elena should organize it! ;-D I so move..... All those in favor say \"AYE\"!!! ~~~~~~~ Seriously, why set ourselves up for an embarassing moment for all concerned. A star of his stature just doesn't do that...esp. a shy one.He is a v. couteous person...but I would not want to put him in that position.Let's just enjoy ourselves and relish the moment.Enough to have him that close and smiling at us in that beguiling way. I shall tell the Donmar publicist about the 3 DOR discussion page on cf.com...if Karen hasn't yet.But the guys at the box office don't care...they sell tickets and then wanna go home. I only wish every one of you were coming with us in January....'n on the 13th for the SLOW premiere."}, {"response": 302, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Nov  5, 1999 (07:59)", "body": "I shall be going to SLOW on the 14th, in the interests of providing an extra review. Still haven't figured out how to explain to my DW that we're going to see a movie in Brixton (not on our usual cinematic round). Potential excuses reasons: LFF first opportunity to see wonderful new film that may not hit other screens for ages (hope she doesn't spot when it was made); we might recognise Grasse, where we stayed for a week three years ago; online film discussion group demanding coverage (hmm, maybe not); any ideas?"}, {"response": 303, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Nov  5, 1999 (08:31)", "body": "I shall tell the Donmar publicist about the 3 DOR discussion page on cf.com Hmmm....... would like to have your opinion on this: Two of the pics on the Donmar discussion pages are illegally taken. You may recall that there was a sign explicitly saying that these pictures must not be photographed. Fortunately I only read it when it was too late :-). So, if we invite the Donmar people to take a look at the discussions it may be wiser to take the pics down. What do you think?"}, {"response": 304, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Nov  5, 1999 (09:54)", "body": "Mark.G - I shall be going to see SLOW on the 14th - I think you mean the 13th Mark, I would hate for you to think up all those excuses only to miss the film."}, {"response": 305, "author": "baine", "date": "Fri, Nov  5, 1999 (13:09)", "body": "Two of the pics on the Donmar discussion pages are illegally taken. Good point. This just adds fuel to the fire of internet bashers. I'm enough of a hypocritical straight arrow that I wouldn't want us to be seen doing anything that might attract the antidrooling police."}, {"response": 306, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Nov  5, 1999 (13:33)", "body": "It is only two pictures, it might be a good idea to take them down."}, {"response": 307, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Nov  5, 1999 (14:01)", "body": "Thanks Ann, I do mean the 14th. My calendar must be SLOW."}, {"response": 308, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov  5, 1999 (14:10)", "body": "Two of the pics on the Donmar discussion pages are illegally taken. (a) You're assuming that they will hop on the Internet to read the discussions, which I doubt. (b) There is nothing to indicate that the pictures were photographed off the walls of the Donmar. (c) The publicists hand out production stills for reproduction by the press. Internet publication qualifies. Stop being so paranoid. If they object, you can be sure that they will ask for their removal (which I doubt). No one is going to prison. Now focus your creative talents on helping Mark with \"reasons\" to take his DW to Brixton to see SLOW. Mark, I like your one about a film discussion group. If you need to elaborate, you could just say that you've monitored the group's discussions for sometime and you remember this film being mentioned ages ago. Now you've noticed that it's playing the fest and you're intrigued, you want to find out why members of the group were anxious to see it. You might even report back to them since you're one of the few people in a position to see it. That, or somebody gave you tickets and you didn't want to waste them. ;-D"}, {"response": 309, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov  5, 1999 (14:38)", "body": "More holiday shopping news... The Collector's Edition of SIL on DVD will be out on December 7. This is the one that has a \"Making of\" featurette, audio commentary by the director and members of the cast (I think Colin), and three deleted scenes, including the original ending. Reel.com has it for $23.99 on preorder (regular price $39.99) and remember no shipping costs."}, {"response": 310, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Nov  5, 1999 (15:13)", "body": "Re: ODB's whiskers (you can tell I've been reading Flashman books)--oooohhh, I like this look. Slick, smooth and very in. IMO heavier growth impedes his good looks whereas this compliments them. The FoFs who saw him at the comedy club in June reported at Murph's site that he sported a goatee--everyone assumed it was for Blackadder. Maybe it was for both roles. (Moon) I hate to burst the bubble, but he would not do it. I agree with Moon, Evelyn and everyone else who has this opinion. IMO ODB has drawn a clear line regarding his fans. When you all left for London in March I remember crossing my fingers that you'd spot him entering or leaving the theater and maybe, *maybe* catch him for a few autographs. I was 'over the moon' when I learned that he was so outgoing after the performances, even when he was not feeling well. I would be stunned to hear of him doing anything more than autographs, posing for pictures or ans ering a simple, straightforward question about his work. I agree with your observations, Bethan; Karen, it's sad to hear that Maslin is leaving the Times. (Karen) Established critics are being forced out because their views do not reflect the tastes of the ticket-buying public I've always suspected that good reviews of some films have been bought (heck, the whole thing might be as corrupt as the International Boxing Federation!). If this keeps going, reviews run the risk of becoming as meaningless as the endless gush on Ent Tonight and Access H'wood. Ugh. (Bethan) Another trend is the intrusive interview I've noticed that CF's interviews in the British press are tougher than the 'fluff' pieces published in the US (e.g., People Mag), only because he's lesser known here. They're pushing for a scoop to sell mags--what better way than to dig up some dirt or controversy on someone who seems to lead a fairly ordinary life?"}, {"response": 311, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Nov  5, 1999 (16:19)", "body": "No one is going to prison. No, but what about the Spanish Inquisition?!"}, {"response": 312, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Nov  5, 1999 (16:30)", "body": "(Moon) I hate to burst the bubble, but he would not do it. I\ufffdm 99 per cent sure he wouldn\ufffdt but optimistically thinking, there might still be a chance! I never ever believed that he would be seen after the performance in March and expected him to vanish as quickly as possible. What happened was everything but. He surprised us all with his fan-friendly attitude...I suggested here in February that we should ask him to pose for a pic with us all and I NEVER imagined that he would actually do it, I thought it was just a silly fantasy. Also, I don\ufffdt see what is embarrassing about inviting him after the show to Nuova Luna for example, just for a minute to tell us about the making of the play. We\ufffdre not half-naked giggling bimbos (at least not in that situation:-D) but a group of pretty sensible looking Volvo ladies. Ok ok, I know it\ufffds a fantasy and he must be very tired after two performances, and there\ufffds no-one to volunteer (I\ufffdd do it if my spoken English wasn\ufffdt so bad and even worse when I\ufffdm nervous) so forget it. Still, theoretically, I don\ufffdt see anything wrong about politely asking and I\ufffdm sure he wouldn\ufffdt mind. In fact I\ufffdd be very curious to know what would be his reaction!:-)"}, {"response": 313, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov  5, 1999 (16:34)", "body": "I'm sure you \"expected\" this: Do try to handle the torture! ;-D"}, {"response": 314, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Nov  5, 1999 (16:36)", "body": "Or the guillotine?! Karen, I think the management at the Donmar will read the 3DOR discussion. (Karen), Now focus your creative talents on helping Mark with \"reasons\" to take his DW to Brixton to see SLOW. Mark, get your wife to watch P&P this Nov. on A&E if you do not have the tape. Then, after she has seens dear Mr. Darcy, tell her that he is starring in SLOW. I doubt she will have any objections to the trip to Brixton. :-D Lucky her!"}, {"response": 315, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Nov  5, 1999 (17:13)", "body": "Who could resist!"}, {"response": 316, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov  5, 1999 (17:49)", "body": "So, if we invite the Donmar people to take a look at the discussions it may be wiser to take the pics down. What do you think? I took the lobby pictures for TRT...Donmar publicist has seen them...yet nothing was said.We have had persons tell us to take pictures down (Toronto media!) and we have..no problem. ~~~~~~ Mark..great to have you joining us for SLOW screening on the 13th. Hey...the SLOW Spring delegation grows every day."}, {"response": 317, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Nov  5, 1999 (18:40)", "body": "Thanks Moon...IBM indeed!!!"}, {"response": 318, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Nov  5, 1999 (18:44)", "body": "Mark, a propos Moon's earlier suggestion, is your DW familiar with Colin at all -- if not through P&P, then perhaps through SiL or even TEP? If so, wouldn't think it would be too hard to persuade her to see a big-screen film featuring a rare lead role for him. Re: the suggestion of asking him out for drinks/discussion, I'm in the nay camp on this. Don't think he would do it, if for no other reason than he may be afraid of setting a precedent and thereafter be beseeched by various groups of fans after each performance. As it is, I wonder if he will do the \"meet and greet\" thing after each performance this time, since this is a much longer run than in March. I still think the best forum for asking him the questions we want to have asked is an online chat-type thing. Who volunteers to help Colin brush up on his computer skills;-)"}, {"response": 319, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Nov  5, 1999 (18:51)", "body": "I like the Londinium pic, Karen! Not a heavy growth, and, most significantly, his mouth isn't obscured. (Moon) I hate to burst the bubble, but he would not do it. The Donmar has a backdoor exit. He could have chosen to slip out through it every evening. I was very impressed by your reports of his willingness to meet and briefly chat with fans after the performance, but would be very unsure whether he would take up a further invitation...although I'm sure he'd refuse very graciously! (BTW I do have a ticket for a performance of 3DOR, but towards the end of the run.) I've noticed that CF's interviews in the British press are tougher than the 'fluff' pieces published in the US (e.g., People Mag),only because he's lesser known here. They're pushing for a scoop to sell mags--what better way than to dig up some dirt or controversy on someone who seems to lead a fairly ordinary life? (Eileen) Too true. I think he's too normal for our sensation-seeking press. There's a preview of 3DOR in this week's London TimeOut..\"Rain supreme\". It's mostly an inreview with David Morrissey, but it refers to \"three stunning actors CF, EM and DM\" and praises the play. DM comments thatthey only had (originally) two weeks to rehearse..\"I always knew the play was good but whether we could do justice to it in such a short rehearsal period I was less sure about\". He says he's enjoying the time to look at the play again. There's a small photo of DM with Colin. Colin is wearing specs, open necked shirt, with white T-shirt underneath. Guess he's in character. I haven't seen this photo before, and will gladly send it for scanning to anyone who has the expertise. (I ain't got it!)"}, {"response": 320, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Nov  5, 1999 (18:59)", "body": "Great to hear you have a ticket to 3DOR Bethan, I look forward to hering what you thought of it when the times comes. I'm so glad to hear that there has been a mention of it somehwere, I thought it was going to come and go without comment. I believe R.F is to appear or has appeared on Dessert Island Discs, wouldn't it be great if Colin did something like this, very insightful to know what he would take if marooned on an Island!!"}, {"response": 321, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Nov  5, 1999 (19:23)", "body": "(Bethan)I'm sure he'd refuse very graciously! Certainly and I\ufffdd love to see that very gracious refusal! Anyway, it\ufffds no use trying to guess what his reaction would be, the only way to find it out would be to politely ask and see what happens."}, {"response": 322, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov  5, 1999 (19:43)", "body": "There will be publicity for 3DOR. That picture in Time Out would be from March since new photos will not be taken until Tuesday, so you should see things in the papers starting Friday, I would imagine. Am also glad to hear you are going, Bethan. Finally, there are some new pictures from SLOW on Murph's site. If you go to the news page below, you will see Colin and Nia in bed (that's the same shot as appeared in Ann's film magazine), then click on it and you will see a gorgeous closeup. http://www.geocities.com/firthfan/news2.html"}, {"response": 323, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Nov  5, 1999 (20:24)", "body": "(K) Do try to handle the torture! ;-D Oh, no, not the comfy chair! I confess, I confess! =8-O (E) I took the lobby pictures for TRT...Donmar publicist has seen them...yet nothing was said. Thanks, Evelyn. That gives an idea how serious they are about their \"Don't\"s."}, {"response": 324, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov  5, 1999 (21:00)", "body": "Renate, did you get my email? If people start clamoring to see the rest of the face, I will tell them it's your fault! It will be the extra-Comfy chair for you!! ;-D"}, {"response": 325, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Nov  5, 1999 (21:22)", "body": "Karen, I have changed the link. And now *I* start clamoring to see the rest :-P."}, {"response": 326, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov  5, 1999 (21:28)", "body": "Re: SLOW picture....doesn't do Nia Long justice...she's much prettier. And a big hit in the current \"The Best Man.\""}, {"response": 327, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Nov  5, 1999 (23:27)", "body": "I haven't seen this photo before, and will gladly send it for scanning to anyone who has the expertise. Better still, send it to someone who has a reliable scanner... mine is out of action and here I sit like a prune with all those lovely new pics in my sweaty little paws... Waaaaaah! Btw, when are you going to the Donmar, Bethan?"}, {"response": 328, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (00:00)", "body": "Since the closest scanner is out of commission, I'm available. OK, since Renate has made the necessary change, go to firth.com and click on my little box to see what I've been up to!"}, {"response": 329, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (00:33)", "body": "(Evelyn) Susan, apparently Matthew's marriage was on the rocks when he falls for Nimi. Rocks, schmocks. Whatever happened to \"till death do us part\";-) Bethan, I meant to tell you earlier that I really enjoy your comments on the British film industry, reviewers, etc. Always very insightful and informative. Please continue them. Will probably be off-line for next few days, so want to wish everyone that's traveling to 3DOR and SLOW a safe and happy journey. Looking forward to your reports:-D"}, {"response": 330, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (01:54)", "body": "Karen, your Londinium page is fabulous. Congratulations!! Love the blue background. Irene Jacob looks ok to me. The picnic ...is that Regent Park?..Hyde Park? Love the walking on the Southbank scene...and in the scene with Max Binder Colin looks like Tom Selleck to me. Mustache and goatee look fuller. What a treat. Thanks."}, {"response": 331, "author": "baine", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (02:06)", "body": "Karen - the Londinium page is a treat! The portrait is wonderful--beard is good, and the hair is great. Although I am a real sucker for his early public school boy parts, I have to say his pushing forty face is getting some great character, and I'm lovin'it. He's so fine!"}, {"response": 332, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (02:17)", "body": ""}, {"response": 333, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (02:23)", "body": "Good show, Karen."}, {"response": 334, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (04:10)", "body": "Good show indeed, thanks Karen. Ilike the goatee."}, {"response": 335, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (04:20)", "body": "Glad you all like. :-D Can't wait to hear if Ann changes her mind when she sees the full, robust character! My fav has to be all four walking along the Thames. (nasty little me) Check out the heights. Irene J has spike heels on and Mariel is wearing flats."}, {"response": 336, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (08:36)", "body": "Wow - Mariel is tall! I hadn't noticed she was wearing flats in the picture. I wonder why Mike Binder keeps wanting to work with her? She makes him look like a munchkin. Thanks for the pictures, Karen! And MarkG, thanks for arranging to see SLOW and report back. Those of us who do not have access to see it greatly appreciate it, particularly when it involves spousal maneuvering. Heavens, we're going to make you as sneaky as the rest of us ;-)."}, {"response": 337, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (09:18)", "body": "There will be publicity for 3DOR. That picture in Time Out would be from March since new photos will not be taken until Tuesday, so you should see things in the papers starting Friday, I would imagine. (Karen) What would we do without you Karen? You really do have your finger on the pulse! I'm really glad that 3DOR's return won't go unnoticed. If Colin's going to work for three months for the price of his taxi fare, let him at least get some attention! Having said that, he does get attention in today's Times (Hurrah!)In the Metro Theatre section, three plays are recommended...Vanessa and Corin Redgrave (first time they've played together) in a Noel Coward play (Coward is definitely in fashion), the Royal Shakes eare Company's \"Taming of the Shrew\" and 3DOR... \"a return run for a production that proved hugely successful when it briefly played during the theatre's American drama season. RG's darkish comedy dodges form 19965 to 1960, allowing the excellent Colin Firth to tackle both a stuttering architect with a dread of children and his awkward alienated son. \" Sandwiched bewtween theatrical royalty and the RSC is fine, and I particularly like \"the excellent CF\". I hate to say this, but being referred to as a \"heartthrob\" or \"tight-trousered Darcy\" will have done him absolutely no favours with the acting establishment here. Time to move on.. Re: SLOW picture....doesn't do Nia Long justice...she's much prettier. And a big hit in the current \"The Best Man.\" (Evelyn) I saw Nia Long in \"Made in America\" (one of my favourite movies) with Whoopi Goldberg, Ted Danson, Will Smith and Jennifer Tilly (all very funny!). I thought she was very pretty..and a good performer. Tiny though...can't be more than five foot. CF will tower over her! I'm really keeping my fingers crossed for SLOW (and I reckon Colin will make it to the Friday matinee, if only to support the producer and director. And Islington is only a couple of miles from the NFT!) Don't forget the soundtrack by Peter abriel (masterminding the Dome Millenium concert) and an award winning cinematographer. The only problem I can see is that it won't be downbeat or heavy enough for our reviewers who seem to love in yer face social realism, tackling so called \"issues\". Why do there have to be any \"issues\"? Can't an Englishman and Nigerian woman fall in love? On reviews...the promotion for \"The Fight Club\" is typical of what we're getting at the moment. \"A howling monster of a movie that sticks its ravening snout out of the screen and bites you\". Ouch! This is from \"Empire\"...who cares if they don't like SLOW?! :-) Well MLSF has reached us and will be shown on Thursday 11th - plus a good article about David Puttnam in our Daily Paper. (Anne) Good news Anne! And a major chain. Even better. Wish the focus would shift from DP (this movie has a star!) but I'm not complaining! Great pics of Londinium, Karen. It's obviously an ensemble piece (a romantic foursome) with back up from the likes of Jack Dee (very dourly amusing) and SF. Could well be okay, although I wouldn't expect it to be a blockbuster! I reckon that CF ends up with IJ and MB with MH. CF always looks good as a \"proper Englisman\"!"}, {"response": 338, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (09:59)", "body": "Karen, brilliant! And thank you very much for the new pictures, they are great. I love his looks, he looks very tall - love that, too. Now the only thing to worry about is his screentime....... and perhaps his jacket ;-P)."}, {"response": 339, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (13:58)", "body": "I agree with everthing Renate said, wonderfully done, Karen! Do you have the script yet? Saw \"Being John Malkovich\" last night, he has grown old and fat. It was quite a spectacle to see him dance with just a towel wrapped around his waist."}, {"response": 340, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (14:19)", "body": "(Moon) Do you have the script yet? No :-( (I did ask and haven't given up yet.) he has grown old and fat. It was quite a spectacle to see him dance with just a towel wrapped around his waist. One of my favorite scenes! That and a couple of others alone are worth the price of admission. Craig's Dance of Despair and Destruction is an absolute hoot!"}, {"response": 341, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (15:13)", "body": "Just lovely. While I agree with Cymbeline about his interesting \"pushing forty\" face, he still has a boyish, vulnerable look (at least in these pictures) which I quite love. I will be a sucker for his character. The London scenery looks stunning. Terrific work, Karen, in getting these shots and thanks Renate for setting them up. (Bethan) I reckon that CF ends up with IJ and MB with MH. Better check that wedding shot again. Looking forward to hearing your MLSF thoughts, Anne. We haven't discussed this one in a little bit. Bon Voyage, Evelyn. Have a safe and fruitful journey. Only one more week to get the scoop for SLOW. We'll be waiting to hear from you all, E., Ann, Mark, and ?"}, {"response": 342, "author": "livamago", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (16:24)", "body": "Moon, that is one of my favorite pictures! It is my wallpaper...Thank you!"}, {"response": 343, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (16:46)", "body": "Question about Colin Firth, has he ever done any audio books?"}, {"response": 344, "author": "baine", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (16:52)", "body": "(Terry) has he ever done any audio books? Excellent question. I think I'd listen to a Windows user manual if he read it. A couple of other RFI's: Can anyone send me citation for McCarthy/Morrill book? Has the script of the play Another Country been published? Thanks to anyone who can furnish enlightenment."}, {"response": 345, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (17:37)", "body": "(Heide) Only one more week to get the scoop for SLOW. We'll be waiting to hear from you all, E., Ann, Mark, and ? ???....Tineke?, Sabine?, Aishling and Mark's wife!Not all for both screenings. ~~~~~ (Cymbeline)Can anyone send me citation for McCarthy/Morrill book? See, I told ya' you'd be hooked :-)! \"Some Other Rainbow\" By John Mc Carthy and Jill Morrell ISBN 0-593-027299 Out of print , but if yu prevail with amazon they will get it. Or try the Out of Print bookstores on-line. Try Samuel French Drama bookstore for any of the play scripts. The drama bookshop in NYC recently got 3DOR ."}, {"response": 346, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (17:46)", "body": "Terry, CF has read \"Comeback\" by Dick Francis. Out of \"print\" now. He also did an audio play (on BBC, I believe) \"The One Before The Last\", but that was never published on tape."}, {"response": 347, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (19:07)", "body": "That picture in Time Out would be from March since new photos will not be taken until Tuesday Why just Tuesday? Photos are often taken during rehearsals, too. I believe Colin has done two radio plays: the earlier one, Two Planks and a Passion, written and directed by Anthony Minghella in 1986, is not available on tape, as far as I know. Finally, some good news - my scanner is working again... ;-)"}, {"response": 348, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (19:11)", "body": "Why just Tuesday? Because that's when they told the photographer to come. ;-)"}, {"response": 349, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (19:42)", "body": "Because that's when they told the photographer to come. ;-) Karen, you take my breath away! Is there nothing you do not know? Apologies for being a distracted poster here. Am just doing too many things. Cannot say no to any interesting project! Speaking of which I do not think I shall be able to make the early sceenings of SLOW but am certainly working on the DH to take it in when it goes on general'ish release. If Mark can get his DW to go to Brixton I can surely lure my DH to the Screen on the Hill, Green or whatever."}, {"response": 350, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (20:09)", "body": "(Allison)Speaking of which I do not think I shall be able to make the early sceenings of SLOW... That OK...there's enough of us going. I just didn't want Spring not to be represented at ODB's UK premiere of a film we're all vitally interested in. BTW...also good Spring delegation attending SUMMERFOLK the evening before at the National Theatre on Southbank. What a coup...JE one day (ODG) and ODB the next. :-DD ~~~~~~ Because that's when they told the photographer to come. ;-) Karen, you take my breath away! Is there nothing you do not know? LOL Karen gives new meaning to the phrase: \"She's here, she's there...she's everywhere\"...:-D"}, {"response": 351, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (20:16)", "body": "Sorry to dampen everyone's spirits but there is a very bad review for SLOW in Film Review magazine (UK), only 1out of 5stars., didn't bother to read it properly or buy the magazine, only words I remebered were something to the effect that Colin Firth seemed uncomfortable especially in scenes with his estranged wife (CG). I am beginning to wonder if Colin is after all such a good judge of a screenplay/project. re Londinium Karen, he looks okay but his eyes seem different, where are the brown pools to drown in!!(grammar?)"}, {"response": 352, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (20:54)", "body": "The Three Deers strike again! ;-) http://www.firth.com/donmar/3dor-nedtheo.htm"}, {"response": 353, "author": "baine", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (21:00)", "body": "(Ann)but his eyes seem different, where are the brown pools to drown in My thought as well--his eyes look small--trick of the photography, makeup, light, bad night? Maybe they made him wear eye reduction contacts. I just read that he wore contacts in P&P to darken his eyes. Were they crazy? (Evelyn)See, I told ya' you'd be hooked Thanks for the citations. You are right; I'm absolutely hooked! I've read ATA (profound imo, and they really watered it down), COF (plot much changed, Simon less awful than on screen), have a copy of AMITC on order, and am now deep in Les Liaisons Dangereuses, in English translation I'm afraid. But here's something interesting. As you know, the novel is completely epistolary. In the middle of letter 23, from ODVicomte to Mme M, occur the words, \"I do not deserve either this praise or this censure.\" I don't have a French edition, but if anyone does it would be fascinating to find out if this is a literal translation of LaClos's words. That is, did J.A. know this novel, which was published in 1782, and take the phrase from him, or did the translator know J.A. and adapt her phrase. Since P&P was originally written in 1796 and is believed to have been epistolary in its first version, and since a cousin of J.A.'s was married to a French nobleman, perhaps she was influenced by Liaisons. And indeed she had not many other novels by which to be influenced at that time. If you have covered this elsewhere or when, I beg your pardons. I am a latecomer to the rich harvest of the Firthian literary groves. (10 points off. Please moderate your stylistic excesses)"}, {"response": 354, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (21:02)", "body": "Bethan, I think that is the one you found? Thanks for alerting us. ;-)"}, {"response": 355, "author": "baine", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (21:02)", "body": "(Ann)but his eyes seem different, where are the brown pools to drown in My thought as well--his eyes look small--trick of the photography, makeup, light, bad night? Maybe they made him wear eye reduction contacts. I just read that he wore contacts in P&P to darken his eyes. Were they crazy? (Evelyn)See, I told ya' you'd be hooked Thanks for the citations. You are right; I'm absolutely hooked! I've read ATA (profound imo, and they really watered it down), COF (plot much changed, Simon less awful than on screen), have a copy of AMITC on order, and am now deep in Les Liaisons Dangereuses, in English translation I'm afraid. But here's something interesting. As you know, the novel is completely epistolary. In the middle of letter 23, from ODVicomte to Mme M, occur the words, \"I do not deserve either this praise or this censure.\" I don't have a French edition, but if anyone does it would be fascinating to find out if this is a literal translation of LaClos's words. That is, did J.A. know this novel, which was published in 1782, and take the phrase from him, or did the translator know J.A. and adapt her phrase. Since P&P was originally written in 1796 and is believed to have been epistolary in its first version, and since a cousin of J.A.'s was married to a French nobleman, perhaps she was influenced by Liaisons. And indeed she had not many other novels by which to be influenced at that time. If you have covered this elsewhere or when, I beg your pardons. I am a latecomer to the rich harvest of the Firthian literary groves. (10 points off. Please moderate your stylistic excesses)"}, {"response": 356, "author": "baine", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (21:05)", "body": "Very nice pic, folks! despite the glasses which certainly don't do anything for the ripe chestnuts. What I love are the sideburns. Sorry my posting is on twice--don't know why, and I certainly would not wish to impose on your patiences more than necessary."}, {"response": 357, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (21:06)", "body": "That picture in Time Out would be from March since new photos will not be taken until Tuesday Why just Tuesday? Photos are often taken during rehearsals, too. I believe Colin has done two radio plays: the earlier one, Two Planks and a Passion, written and directed by Anthony Minghella in 1986, is not available on tape, as far as I know. Finally, some good news - my scanner is working again... ;-)"}, {"response": 358, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (21:25)", "body": "\"Technical\" OT: Well, I must comment on this right now, it may interest Terry among other people. So far I was convinced that double postings result from going off- and then online again whilst still logged in on Spring. I still think that is part of the problem (and btw no one cannot seriously be expected to remember each time deliberately and consciously to go over to another web page before going offline, just because of that) - but this time I DID go back to my home page, then offline for an hour or so, then online a d straight to cf.com, and then back here... and immediately I was greeted by the sight of my own double post! From now on I shall apologize no more - and I suggest no one else should."}, {"response": 359, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (21:26)", "body": "Great Arami! Now share those lovely pictures with us. :-D Renate, you are quick! 3Deers love 3DOR! How about linking the play discussion to the links there?"}, {"response": 360, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (21:31)", "body": "...And in case newcomers still wonder - yes, this program also \"swallows\" odd letters in the middle of every sixth line or so... (but, Terry, we are not complaining, really, are we, folks? ;-))"}, {"response": 361, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (21:32)", "body": "Oh, yes, and don't forget the year 2035... (was it?)"}, {"response": 362, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (21:50)", "body": "more OT: My experience with Netscape is, when you have posted yourself you have to actually close the window, then open a new one, and enter the board again. It is February 2036.... ;-)"}, {"response": 363, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (22:14)", "body": "Bethan, I think that is the one you found? Thanks for alerting us. ;-) Yep! Well done! only words I remebered were something to the effect that Colin Firth seemed uncomfortable especially in scenes with his estranged wife (CG). I am beginning to wonder if Colin is after all such a good judge of a screenplay/project. Don't panic Ann! I hate it when he gets bad reviews, but I'm rapidly losing faith in reviewers' judgement. So far we've had CF is \"terrifically funny\" (Women's Journal), \"witty and charismatic\", \"anaemic\" and \"uncomfortable\". And 3 stars, 2 stars, 1 star. It's obviously not everyone's cup of tea, but then he also got some bad reviews for Darcy, and some very bad reviews for \"Valmont\"!! We see things differently. I just can't gauge public taste anymore. I noticed that after only one week \"The Winslow Boy\" has disappeared without trace except a couple of London venues, and \"Mad Cows\" is everywhere. The lowest common denominator prevails."}, {"response": 364, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (22:56)", "body": "Love the Time Out photo - bringing back all those memories! Colin can be such a nerd with so little effort (although the glasses, white shirt and pocket protector are required). May have to buy that issue when it shows up on our shores next week. Definitely have Kirsten add that one to our discussion pages when she gets a chance. Cymbeline: In my edition, the phrase is translated as: 'I deserve,' I replied, 'neither the compliment nor the reproof; and I cannot think that, with all your intelligence, you have yet arrived at an understanding of me. Unless someone here has the original French, I could forward it on to someone who would likely know. But don't you just love the book though. I'm interested in your take on the book and whether you think Forman was all wet or had some basis for way he had Valmont behave. (Ann) I am beginning to wonder if Colin is after all such a good judge of a screenplay/project. I wouldn't worry too much. The reviews will be all over the board on this one, but lucky you gets to see it yourself to judge. While Colin may have wanted to lend his support to a worthy screenwriter and new director, I doubt he would do it if he didn't like the screenplay. Re: OTs I've only experienced a double post (with Netscape) when I've submitted a message and then inadvertently hit Reload/Refresh while in the same topic."}, {"response": 365, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (23:07)", "body": "Good pic of Ned, most of the 3 DOR pics were of Walker and that ugly green sweater.Thanks ....Three Deers and Bethan. ~~~ A week from today you will get the **real** SLOW review from AnnW.... unvarnished, objective...etc.:-D ~~~~~ Sorry to hear The Winslow Boy has had such little success in UK...I personally consider it the outstanding film of the year.Perhaps it will do better on video...since that is a more popular media there."}, {"response": 366, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (00:11)", "body": "unvarnished, objective..etc Evelyn, you left out unbiased, some hope. Bethan who gave Darcy bad reviews!!! and I bet Mad Cows won't be there next week, not if word of mouth has anything to do with it and there are some pretty good films out this week in the UK, among them a British film hailed as the next Monty \"East is East\", I expect that to do very well. But it is all hype really, my eldest son went to see TBW Project and said it was the most over-hyped boring film he has ever been to, he said he was looking forward to be scared and it was a complete let-down."}, {"response": 367, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (00:17)", "body": "Thanks for the comments on the double postings etc. I shall look in to this more. I thought it was from hitting the enter key twice or holding it too long. There are telnet accounts available to anyone having a hard time on the web. Telnet, once you learn it, is a very fast, reliable way to access this conferncing system. And thanks for the heads up on the CF audio book, what is the subject matter of this book.\"Comeback\" by Dick Francis, but it's too bad the books out of print. It's such a treat to hear a book read by an English person."}, {"response": 368, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (00:43)", "body": "Terry, if you smile nicely at some Firthettes, I'm sure one of them will let you have a bootleg copy. The book is about some underhand rivalry in a racing stable... the focus point is a cut-by-stitch detailed description of an intricate veterinary operation on a horse's stomach, and I swear I have never come across a more boring passage read by a more fascinating voice... but then, as some say, he could read from a phone book and sound rivetting."}, {"response": 369, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (01:10)", "body": "There's some new info about \"Turn of the Screw\" at imdb.com. It is to be shown on 26 December (Boxing Day). That's a good slot...better than Christmas Day in terms of television watching figures. The cinematography (which I always think is very important) is by a David Odd who was responsible for \"Our Mutual Friend\" and \"Great Expectations\"."}, {"response": 370, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (01:44)", "body": "(Bethan), I just can't gauge public taste anymore. The lowest common denominator prevails. How true! And to top it off the hereditaries have been extinguished. A very sad state of affairs. A very sad day for GB."}, {"response": 371, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (02:18)", "body": "(Arami)From now on I shall apologize no more - and I suggest no one else should. Why should you/we??"}, {"response": 372, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (10:29)", "body": "(Heide) Only one more week to get the scoop for SLOW. We'll be waiting to hear from you all, E., Ann, Mark, and ? I'll try to be there as well. I noticed that when you get tickets on the day itself, you can get a student discount. I'll definately see Summerfolk on the 11th, and 3DOR on Saturday, Nov 13th. I can't wait!!!"}, {"response": 373, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (14:19)", "body": "Great to catch up on all that has been happening at 123."}, {"response": 374, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (14:25)", "body": "Karen, amazing work , as always. What would we do without you? Thank you so much. A few bits in the press. Sainsbury's(LOL) has 3DOR as \"play of the month\" with the small article completely from EMG's point of view and how they knew they had \"something special\" together when they performed it in March etc Go read for free. Also in the Guardian, a bit of a recycle, but \"especially Firth\" is mentioned in terms of great performances."}, {"response": 375, "author": "baine", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (14:26)", "body": "Re the Donmar Impasse - Those of you who get the Parade supplement with your Sunday papers may have seen this question in Walter Scott's Personality Parade in today's issue (I know, I know, but we who are stuck out here in the wilds of the Wessex estate have to get our intellectual stimulation where we can). Question: How do stars of, say, Julia Roberts' magnitude handle fan mail? Do they even read it? Answer: Rarely. ... It's a matter not only of volume but also of security--and you don't have to be a superstar like Roberts. Celebrities must maintain several levels of removal from fans because of threats from stalkers ... Security expert Gavin de Becker advises clients not to answer fan mail even with a form letter. Any personal greeting might be misinterpreted as an invitation to the sort of harassment that has plagued Madonna and Jodie Foster. That doesn't hold out much hope for a cozy chat session after the performance, does it? And does this explain the lack of response from the agent? Is it because of the crazy people that ODB's agent is prevented from exercising what would normally be common courtesy toward us nice Volvo ladies (was that the phrase and was it Moon's?) Sad if so."}, {"response": 376, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (14:29)", "body": "I should have mentioned that the article is in the Sainsbury's own magazine. It is one of our supermarkets for those not in the know!! BTW i hate the \"Colin \"Mr Darcy\" Firth\" mention fron the Guardian. Hope we won't see any more snippets along those lines. Pigs might fly and ODB would join us for an online chat-------!!!!"}, {"response": 377, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (14:45)", "body": "Re: Volvo ladies....Cymbeline, as far as I remember, the term Volvo ladies was in a British paper last spring. Colin fans were described as ladies who have left their Volvos and labrador dogs behind to crowd in the Donmar lobby!"}, {"response": 378, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (14:48)", "body": "Thanks for the tip re The Sainsbury Magazine Lizza and I am very glad to hear that there is something inone of the Sunday papers, absolutely silch in The Sundaty Times. BTW please let us know how you get on on Saturday, audience reaction etc and whether or not he comes down to the foyer again, he just might on Saturday and is is near the beginning of the run. Glad to hear you are going to make it to London, Tineke."}, {"response": 379, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (14:51)", "body": "Hi Lizza! Nice to see you here again!"}, {"response": 380, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (14:56)", "body": "Sorry Ann, I should have said it was yesterday's paper. Today there is nothing in Observer or Indie that I can see. I will be taking your good wishes (and other such sentiments!!) with me Elena on Saturday!! And Drool's of course!! Ann, I don't know if he will come down between shows. I think that Evelyn said JE sometimes popped out for a sandwich in between. Here's hoping."}, {"response": 381, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (14:59)", "body": "Ann, i just emailed you and had it returned. Could you mail me and then I can reply. Thanks!!"}, {"response": 382, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (15:03)", "body": "Yes, Volvo ladies came from an article about the last Donmar run that was printed in The Tatler. Thanks for the news items, Lizza. Did the EMcG one also give recipes? ;-D"}, {"response": 383, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (15:14)", "body": "(Cymbeline)That doesn't hold out much hope for a cozy chat session after the performance, does it? Well, he didn\ufffdt seem too scared or security-concerned in March you know, he put his hand around numerous fans in numerous pictures with no hesitation etc. Actually I was a bit surprised that he didn\ufffdt seem to have a bunch of body guards around and I\ufffdm very happy about it because it shows that he has no specially bad experiences about meeting fans, thank God."}, {"response": 384, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (15:21)", "body": "LOL Karen!!"}, {"response": 385, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (16:18)", "body": "Re Sainsbury's - now we know where you get your groceries and bog rolls, Lizza. Good luck on Saturday, and at the risk of repeating Ann's entreaties, please let us know how you get on (i.e. the dirt). We ladies left behind are looking forward to an active weekend next week thanks to you ladies in London and Brixton. (Elena) Well, he didn\ufffdt seem too scared or security-concerned in March you know, he put his hand around numerous fans in numerous pictures with no hesitation etc. I for one would have willingly allowed him to frisk me first."}, {"response": 386, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (16:33)", "body": "And Heide ,as we all know, YOU were on full security alert with ODB!! Up close and secure, if you ask me!!"}, {"response": 387, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (16:40)", "body": "I will of course, keep you fully briefed. I feel much more nervous, excited and generally emotional than I did in the week prior to our visit in March. I think because it is not an unknown quantity really. I think I shall cry if they have reblocked the record player scene, I will be sitting on my hands at that point(Just that point? LOL) Do you want \"spoilers\" next week re scenery, costumes etc? Presuming there are a few \"tweaks\" etc"}, {"response": 388, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (17:42)", "body": "Volvo ladies came from an article about the last Donmar run that was printed in The Tatler. But, as I remember they were quoting the clowns at the Box Office...cause I called them on it when I went to get my TRT tickets...and James laughed!! They're a bunch of teasers...Can't wait to see them again :-D"}, {"response": 389, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (18:57)", "body": "Lizza, I\ufffdm so excited for you. Just to think that you\ufffdll see him so soon! Don\ufffdt know about anybody else but I would very much like to hear every single detail you can tell us about your Saturday experience, it won\ufffdt spoil anything for me; I\ufffdll devour it! (Lizza)I feel much more nervous, excited and generally emotional than I did in the week prior to our visit in March. That\ufffds interesting (and almost scary), I\ufffdm expecting to be much less nervous and emotional this time!....But I know, things can change very much when January comes closer."}, {"response": 390, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (19:26)", "body": "Hey..here's the count so far: 5 Ehleites going to Summerfolk on Thursday evening 4 Firthalites \" \" SLOW Premiere 4 \" \" \" SLOW on Sat. night (am counting Mark's wife!) 3 \" \" \" 3 DOR \" Sat. matinee(am counting Lizza's mum) If I can keep my eyelids from collapsing and get a return ticket, I might go on to see 3 DOR on Wed. when I pick up the Jan. tickets...but no promises. ~~~~~~ I'm pretty proud of Springfolks!!"}, {"response": 391, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (19:28)", "body": "And Heide didn't think that anyone was going to go..... Oh ye of little faith, Heide!!:-D"}, {"response": 392, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (20:12)", "body": "Excuse me for being out of touch, but is it Aishling who is also going to the matinee? (Sorry if your name is not correct!)"}, {"response": 393, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (20:15)", "body": "BTW Valmont is on Film Four tomorrow night."}, {"response": 394, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (22:07)", "body": "Identity of \"mystery matinee\" goer is solved. Thanks Evelyn."}, {"response": 395, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (22:11)", "body": "VOTE NOW: BRITISH THEATRE WEBSITE Murph's website for Colin is one of the top four nominations for Best British Actor website. Go to it http://britishtheatre.about.com/arts/perfarts/britishtheatre/library/weekly/blabtwa2.htm"}, {"response": 396, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (23:36)", "body": "Wow, Murph! Nominated with TWO pages at once! And so well deserved. ;-) CONGRATS!!!"}, {"response": 397, "author": "baine", "date": "Mon, Nov  8, 1999 (01:42)", "body": "Do you want \"spoilers\" next week re scenery, costumes etc? Speaking for myself alone of course, WE WANT EVERYTHING. Yes, I am shouting here. We want to know what it was like being in the presence, the breathing, the smells, the voice, the look, the hands, the eyes. We want to know!"}, {"response": 398, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Nov  8, 1999 (01:50)", "body": "The feet!"}, {"response": 399, "author": "Xian", "date": "Mon, Nov  8, 1999 (03:37)", "body": "LOL! ....The teeth?"}, {"response": 400, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Nov  8, 1999 (06:12)", "body": "And I realize many of you would like to forget about this particular little detail, but: Was Livia there, what was she wearing and how did she look and yes, were there any more bon mots from the feminine side of the alliance?? :-)"}, {"response": 401, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Nov  8, 1999 (07:33)", "body": "also I was wondering if,as this is a longer run, there would be more scenery, it was very minimal last time, but fine.Also whether there are any changes to last time.Thanks Lizza."}, {"response": 402, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Nov  8, 1999 (10:44)", "body": "Uh-oh. My sporadic social life seems to have struck and there is talk of a 30th birthday party to attend on Saturday evening, so I may let everybody down on the SLOW review (and it does feel like letting people down, having seen the recent posts). Thank goodness so many others are going. Apologies in advance, although I still have the tickets and if the party's not a must-go, I might still try to point us in a Brixton direction (unless anyone out there can use the tickets with more certainty?) Incidentally my wife watched and adored the P&P serial without noting CF as a man to pursue to the ends of the earth! So I don't feel it's my place to advocate his charms and constantly remind her how enthralling Mr Darcy was - there's such a thing as digging your own grave. Cymbeline, if you still want to get hold of McCarthy/Morrell's Some Other Rainbow , I can borrow my sister's copy for a few months and wing it out to you. To make up for being such a useless failure, I might potter down to the SouthBank for the beginning of the \"SLOW\" premiere on Friday in my lunch break, just in case there's a dramatic personal appearance by the man himself."}, {"response": 403, "author": "baine", "date": "Mon, Nov  8, 1999 (12:34)", "body": "Definitely the teeth! And yes definitely Livia (started to type Lydia there!) We are above being (female)dogs in the manger, are we not, Firthettes? I always think of her as Firthette in chief. I mean she must have the same discerning eye we have. She was just in the right place at the right time. It could have been any one of us! Mark, you are very kind to offer the loan of SOR. I have Amazon searching for it, so before I put you to the trouble, let me see what they come up with--they will let me know before long I believe either way. If they strike out, I will get in touch. Thanks! Oh, and you are not a useless failure, and I always think a trip to the cinema makes the best kind of birthday party. And as for YDW, watching and adoring P&P without noting CF as a man to pursue to the ends of the earth is what she told you, right?"}, {"response": 404, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov  8, 1999 (12:59)", "body": "I would like to know aboout the nuances of his performance. Has he done something different? Is his accent improved? As Cymbeline said, we want to know everything, no detail is too small. And, if you get to talk to him, do invite him to check out cf.com. :-D"}, {"response": 405, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov  8, 1999 (16:54)", "body": "(Moon)Is his accent improved? I liked his accent in March! ~~~~~~~~ Mark, pl. don't feel you are letting us down on Saturday night...my companion has all the confidence in the world!! If ODB shows on Friday, I'll hold him there for you :-) Warning: Too much CF exposure (no pun intended) might encourage wife to become a Firthette!!"}, {"response": 406, "author": "Xian", "date": "Mon, Nov  8, 1999 (17:11)", "body": "(Evelyn) Warning: Too much CF exposure (no pun intended) might encourage wife to become a Firthette!! LOL! Evelyn, I do think you have a pun intended: Too much CF exposure to wife might dig out your own grave (as Mark said)."}, {"response": 407, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Nov  8, 1999 (18:25)", "body": "I will oblige with all details, none too small to be noted!! The major question is has he found some trousers with a decent zip?? Those of you there last March know what I mean!"}, {"response": 408, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Nov  8, 1999 (18:28)", "body": "Have a great trip over everyone. Just to say it is the lord Mayor's procession in London on Saturday. Fireworks from Vauxhall bridge etc pre LFF, if any of you fancy a spectacle. But then ODB provides combustion enough!!"}, {"response": 409, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Nov  8, 1999 (19:24)", "body": "A nice mention in The Evening Standard tonight for 3 Days of Rain - an excerpt:- \"Taking a fresh view across the Pond. - If one were to judge America solely on the plays from across the Atlantic that are well received in Britain, one could be forgiven for thinking it consisted of little more than trailer-park trash who speak mostly in monosyllables. Or so such erstwhile London successes as Tracy Lett's Killer Joe and Rebecca Gilman's The Glory of Living, among many others, have suggested. It's against that perception - a view of the States guaranteed to leave British audiences feeling superior - that one expecially welcomes the return to the Donmar Warehouse this week of R.G's Three Days of Rain. Greenberg's play was first seen in London last March as the runaway hit of the Dopnmar's three-play American imports season, with the same performers (CF,EMcG & DM) who are reteaming for this extended run. \" The rest is mostly about Richard Gereenberg and there is a picture of Colin & DM, with the spectacles!"}, {"response": 410, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Nov  8, 1999 (19:57)", "body": "Good sleuthing Ann! Thank you. Perhaps we can continue to hope for more from other publications this week too."}, {"response": 411, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov  8, 1999 (20:02)", "body": "Here is the review on This is London: http://www.thisislondon.com/dynamic/hottx/theatre/bottom_direct.html Colin gets a rave review!"}, {"response": 412, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Nov  8, 1999 (20:03)", "body": "Ann - is it the same pic as in Time Out?"}, {"response": 413, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov  8, 1999 (20:03)", "body": "Click on Opening this week, then find 3DOR."}, {"response": 414, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Nov  8, 1999 (20:07)", "body": "Ann - is it the same pic as in Time Out?"}, {"response": 415, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov  8, 1999 (20:08)", "body": "A little teasing for those of us left behind. ;-)"}, {"response": 416, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov  8, 1999 (20:24)", "body": "Moon, the review at This is London (\"Decades after J.B. Priestly...\") is by Nicholas De Jongh from March. Or is there another one? Ann, your quote from the Evening Standard appears new...but that \"trailer park trash\" line was used before by Charles Spencer in his Telegraph review. (certain words stick in your mind) Interesting coincidence they mention Tracy Letts' Killer Joe. Tracy Letts played Ned/Walker here in Chicago."}, {"response": 417, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Nov  8, 1999 (20:36)", "body": "That may be an old review, but one can't read The force of Colin Firth's remarkable acting transcends the mere erotic appeal that on television made him the fantasy play-thing of so many women enough times, can one?"}, {"response": 418, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov  8, 1999 (21:44)", "body": "My thoughts exactly, Eileen! Especially after seeing little brother as a Baron fairy with the very red hair and blue eyes."}, {"response": 419, "author": "baine", "date": "Mon, Nov  8, 1999 (21:58)", "body": "The major question is has he found some trousers with a decent zip?? Those of you there last March know what I mean! Well, don't keep the rest of us in the dark!"}, {"response": 420, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Nov  8, 1999 (22:14)", "body": "(Ann)as this is a longer run, there would be more scenery I expect that nothing in that department will be changed. Why should they change a thing in a sell-out performance? The minimal scenery is an essential part of the play IMO, that emptiness I mean. The only changes will probably be the ones in the individual performances of actors and that\ufffds a very interesting thing to see. The first run was seven months ago and many things have happened in the minds of the actors and how they perceive their roles in the play."}, {"response": 421, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Nov  8, 1999 (22:19)", "body": "(Cymbeline)Well, don't keep the rest of us in the dark! Cymbeline, I was there and I don\ufffdt know what Lizza is talking about, bwaaa! I guess my eyes were somewhere else than everybody else\ufffds ;-D"}, {"response": 422, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Nov  8, 1999 (22:26)", "body": "Arami this is not the same photo as Time Out but I have to say it isn't a very good photo, Colin's mouth is blurred, in this one DM is on the left of Colin as you look at the photo and DM is pointing his finger. I love the ES, it also has Valmont as \"Film of the Night\". BTW Karen, the article is written by Matt Wolf."}, {"response": 423, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Nov  8, 1999 (22:33)", "body": "Now come Elena, methinks you protest too much!! At the matinee performance his trousers were only half done up. I remarked to the lady next to me (I did not know her, but ODB has this effect on his audiences) who said that they had been the same the previous night too. Cue loads of jokes about wardrobe mistresses etc and some witty and wonderful remarks from Heide, Karen et al."}, {"response": 424, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Nov  8, 1999 (22:38)", "body": "Elena , I would have believed you but it is not as if there was a lot of scenery for your eyes to be diverted by and DM is not your type!!! Modesty becomes you! Anyway by now I am sure he will have new trousers/ new zip or a more efficient dresser(!), either way I feel it is my duty to take note on Saturday and report this small but important detail."}, {"response": 425, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov  8, 1999 (23:07)", "body": "Lizza was not alone in noticing the partially zipped trousers... it was very distracting (particularly if you were sitting in the front row) ;-D Do pay close attention to every detail. Somehow I doubt the wardrobe will change much, but would be nice if he had another sweater!"}, {"response": 426, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov  8, 1999 (23:28)", "body": "Especially after seeing little brother as a Baron fairy with the very red hair and blue eyes. Wasn't that embarassing? He better stick to period pieces..esp. the uniform in Far From the Madding Crowd. Also noticed that Lady Sarah in The Aristocrats will be the governess in TOTS. Jodhi May? She's a good actress...not v. pretty. ~~~~~~ .. would be nice if he had another sweater! Or wash it :-D"}, {"response": 427, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov  8, 1999 (23:38)", "body": ".. would be nice if he had another sweater! (Evelyn) Or wash it :-D You expect a flaneur to know the whereabouts of a dry cleaners or a washing machine (let alone know how to operate one)!! The man couldn't order a cheeseburger in a restaurant. ;-D"}, {"response": 428, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Nov  8, 1999 (23:47)", "body": "The Mail on Sunday listed 3DOR as one of the Arts events of the next seven days. The problem, in terms of coverage, is that there won't be any reviews as it's a re-run and the Donmar don't advertise. But there have been quite a few honourable mentions overall (oh, and a photo of CF and EM in Saturday's Times Metro section, but an old one). BTW I love the Sainsbury's mention....he must be one of their favourite customers! Karen, (our wonderful source of all knowledge!), do you think that the new promotional photos will appear anywhere? I'm really looking forward to reading all your reports, zippers, accents, spouse support, whatever. Detachable taps. Basic question, although I'll find out for myself eventually, why are CF and EM lying on the bed together? And am also rather anxiously awaiting a report on SLOW! Nigerian writing is often rather lyrical/magical, and optimistic, almost innocent, in tone, and our current crop of critics only seem to favour gritty social realism. I noticed to my horror that Timeout's film critic gave \"Nil by Mouth\" and \"Orphans\" (haven't seen this, but it apparently features continuous obscene language, and explicit scenes of self abuse) as his two bestever British Films. Hey, but they're real! SLOW with its 12 rating (no sex, iolence or bad language) won't hold much appeal! But I hope it has a very discerning audience on Friday/Saturday, and thanks to Ann, Evelyn, Mark, and everyone else who is going. BTW Colin's junior bro was in some Shakespeare for the Millennium dramatisations on the radio recently....Mark Antony in \"Julius Caesar\", can't remember the other."}, {"response": 429, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (00:01)", "body": "why are CF and EM lying on the bed together? That would be Ned and Lina at the culmination of their \"three days of rain.\" :-D Is there a picture of that in one of the papers? Do we all remember how EM kept snuggling up against him? Grrrrrrr!! And, yes, the pictures taken tomorrow will be released to the press by the end of the week."}, {"response": 430, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (00:18)", "body": "Here's the entire article by Matt Wolf in the Evening Standard: EVENING STANDARD: TAKING A FRESH VIEW ACROSS THE POND IF one were to judge America solely on the plays from across the Atlantic that are well received in Britain, one could be forgiven for thinking it consisted of little more than trailer-park trash who speak mostly in monosyllables. Or so such erstwhile London successes as Tracy Letts's Killer Joe and Rebecca Gilman's The Glory of Living, among many others, have suggested. It's against that perception - a view of the States guaranteed to leave British audiences feeling superior - that one especially welcomes the return to the Donmar Warehouse this week of Richard Greenberg's Three Days of Rain. Greenberg's play was first seen in London last March as the runaway hit of the Donmar's three-play American imports season, with the same performers (Colin Firth, Elizabeth McGovern and David Morrissey) who are reteaming for this extended run. In context, it's almost as if Greenberg's play contains specific rebuttals to the criticisms levelled against American plays abroad. You want irony? Three Days of Rain is fuelled by a central irony that won't be revealed here, along with a prevailing loquaciousness t odds with the heightened inarticulacy of, say, Sam Shepard and David Mamet. Nor does he trade in the TV movie-of-the-week teariness that raises British hackles. 'That's sentimental,' snaps budding architect Firth to McGovern, his bride-to-be, at one point as if to squash any such tendencies in the play itself. It is little surprise, then, that Greenberg tends to be compared to droll American satirists of a bygone era such as Philip Barry (The Philadelphia Story) more than he does to his own generation. He's a dramatist out of time whose play deals teasingly with time. (Firth and McGovern play an estranged brother and sister in Act One, and their own parents 35 years earlier in Act Two.) The result looks set to be the first international success for Greenberg, 41, who has so far written 12 plays. In 1988 he became the overnight darling of then-New York Times critic Frank Rich with a play, Eastern Standard, that was regarded as a defining expos of Yuppie values. This summer saw the New York premiere of arguably his most personal play - a black comedy, Hurrah at Last, about a writer seemingly struck down with an Aids-like disease. Much the same happened to Greenberg several years ago; he turned out to have what the play describes as 'a curable cancer'. The next one, due to open off Broadway next year, may make the boldest statement yet about his burgeoning reputation: its title, quite simply, is The Dazzle."}, {"response": 431, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (00:38)", "body": "Where is the picture with the spectacles?"}, {"response": 432, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (00:46)", "body": "Do we all remember how EM kept snuggling up against him? Grrrrrrr!! How can I forget? She was sliding her hands all over him while they're on that bed. I doubt the scenery will change much but I hope they don't move that mattress! BTW, as one who refused to sit in the front row, I can say that the zipper at half-mast was clearly viewed throughout the theater. 'Course training Evelyn's opera glasses on him from the fourth row didn't hurt. And Lizza, be sure to report if Walker/Ned smokes this time. Mark, of course you are forgiven if you can't make it to SLOW. You should know though that CF-sighting has often led to bestowing titles here. If you do some CF-sleuthing on your lunch hour, don't be surprised if you become Sir Mark."}, {"response": 433, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (01:22)", "body": "LOL About.com is running a poll...here are the results: Was Leprechauns the worst thing you've ever seen or what? Yep, it sure was. (55) 47% It wasn't so bad. (24) 21% Shut up, it ruled. (9) 8% What are you talking about? (28) 24%"}, {"response": 434, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (02:03)", "body": "Do we all remember how EM kept snuggling up against him? And which of us would not in those circs (or any others), fantasy plaything that he is!"}, {"response": 435, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (02:48)", "body": "Lucie, haven't you seen this yet? http://www.firth.com/donmar/3dor-nedtheo.htm"}, {"response": 436, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (03:04)", "body": "No, I hadn't seen this one. Thanks Arami. BTW our boy is down 300 votes"}, {"response": 437, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (03:28)", "body": "I can't get anything to come up when I click on the 3 Deers Archives except a message that it is still under construction."}, {"response": 438, "author": "Xian", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (03:42)", "body": "Do we all remember how EM kept snuggling up against him? Grrrrrrr!! Can you blame her? That is COLIN FIRTH! How could anybody resist? LOL about CF's zipper. So definitely want to know about it this time! I wish I were his dress person (valet?), I would personally make sure that zipper works well ;-)"}, {"response": 439, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (04:37)", "body": "Hate to see Colin steadily falling behind What's-his-face after forging ahead so well earlier. Keep your hands (and votes) in. (Incidentally, I think you can get more than 5 a day in but has nothing to do with logging in, but rather who voted last. If you did, you can't again ... another good reason to keep the site active ... lets someone else in again) http://www.freevote.com/booth/ladyviola"}, {"response": 440, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (08:40)", "body": "(Heide)I can say that the zipper at half-mast was clearly viewed throughout the theater. This is terrible, I did not notice it! I have missed a very important theatrical effect! And I did actually glance at that direction once or twice."}, {"response": 441, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (16:59)", "body": "(KJArt) Hate to see Colin steadily falling behind What's-his-face after forging ahead so well earlier. Remember that What's-his-face just opened in a major movie in the States that was discussed on Jim Lehrer last night. Which is to say that it takes a big media deal to outdo our boy. This is just a flash in the pan surge following opening weekend which will quickly die out whereas the army of the faithful will put ODB back in first place and keep him there. The other night Bob Mondello, DC movie critic, said on the radio that What's-his-face came across as a \"doughy middle-management type\" in The Insider. No one will ever say that about ODB!"}, {"response": 442, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (17:13)", "body": "Note to 3 Deers: I think you can relabel the Time Out picture for the current run. That forelock of hair bothered me and I've compared it against the publicity stills from March and the candids taken in the lobby. Colin's hair was much more closely cropped then. In addition, I've now found out that \"some\" shots were taken before, but more were taken today. So the Time Out is a new one!!"}, {"response": 443, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (17:51)", "body": "Mornin' all. Been away for a while worrying about a decision - not directly related to The Firth, I know (I will attempt to make a connection later on, so bear with me...), but I am quitting Columbia and have accepted a job with Goldman Sachs, a financial firm, in London. I will be their European economist. Anyway, the question is this - where should I live? At the moment I have a teeny house in Barnes, which is in south-west London and far too far for me to walk to work, which is a new requirement. (I do it here and it is BLISS not having to commute.) So I have narrowed it down to a flat on the south bank of the Thames, near Bankside and the Globe, or one in Clerkenwell, which is basically Islington. Winter persuaded me to ask the Firthettes for advice, but I know this is just because SHE reckoned you would all say Islington. (The better for Firthettes to come and stay and to stalk Colin.....) Despite that, asking I am.....MarkG, where are you, if you work at Canary Wharf? The GS office is at the eastern end of Fleet St. Finally, I'm not qualified to pass comment about sexiness but I do think Russel Crowe is an excellent actor. He was good in L.A. Confidential and v. good in The Insider, which I saw over the week-end. Though I guess acting is not what the poll is about, so.... (And a related question for Winter: is Colin sexy, or have you just been socially conditioned to think he is? ;-))"}, {"response": 444, "author": "Xian", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (18:02)", "body": "(Ben) I am quitting Columbia and have accepted a job with Goldman Sachs, a financial firm, in London. I will be their European economist. Congratulations! A friend of mine works for Goldman Sachs here, in USA. It is a very good company to work with according to her (she is a Financial Analysis)."}, {"response": 445, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (18:31)", "body": "(Elena) The only changes will probably be the ones in the individual performances of actors and that\ufffds a very interesting thing to see. The first run was seven months ago and many things have happened in the minds of the actors and how they perceive their roles in the play. Good point, Elena, not to mention that it's been a busy seven months for ODB. David Morrissey was recently quoted as saying the cast only had two weeks to rehearse for that first run. If Colin was that good after such limited rehearsing, I can't wait to hear how he does this time around (assuming they put in more than two weeks). Let's hope Elizabeth does a little better with her southern accent. As for Leprechauns--ugh. Nice scenery. Was waiting with bated breath to see if the expression on Roger Daltrey's face ever changed. Seeing winged Jon was a hoot. He reminded me of Wessex. At the fairy dance I was waiting for him to say \"is she fertile?\" I don't think you can get Yankee games in either Bankside or Islington, Ben. But you have until April to figure out a work-around."}, {"response": 446, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (18:56)", "body": "Thanks, Xian. I'm bloody nervous about it, but I think I've made the right decision. Eileen, you're right. No Yankees is one of the more catastrophic implications of the move. I'll be reduced to Arsenal, for God's sake. With any luck, I'll visit NYC a fair bit for work, and have clients take me to the Stadium. I'll probably end up with better seats than before. And a cable channel shows one MLB game each week, at least. Besides, I was told by an thoroughly dubious fortune teller on 6th Ave. last week that if I was particularly good in this life, I would come back in the next as Derek Jeter. Which ain't 'alf bad. Anyway, I'll be there (good old Blighty) in the new year and would love to meet up with those coming over for The Pilgrimage. What's the schedule? (On the subject, my acting career has been reborn! I've a friend who is a film student here in NYC and she called last night to ask me to play Liberace's hands in one of her student movies. From the tiniest acorns....They already have someone to play the Great Man, thank God, but he can't even pretend to play the piano, so I must encrust my fingers with precious stones and bang away aimlessly at a keyboard for three hours next Tuesday. Darling, I'll do anything for the exposure.)"}, {"response": 447, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (19:01)", "body": "Ben, I would strongly recommend Clerkenwell. It would be so convenient for work and it is such a lively up and coming area now. It would be a great investment. (and that advice has nothing to do with ODB!) Talkinof whom: From todays ES, half page spread with picture of CF and EMcG. \"Raining pleasure and pain\" \"In its brief run duting the Donmar's American import season, RG's startling 3DOR established itself as one of the plays of the year. RL's impeccable production boasts exquisite performances from CF and EMcG...joining DM as siblings and childhood friends striving to understand their parents.\" I like that play of the year quote. I am really beginning to think that CF might at least be nominated for an Olivier!!!! I think his rejection of the heartthrob label after P&P might have annoyed feature writers but I think it has increased his reputation amongst the critics."}, {"response": 448, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (19:08)", "body": "BTW, Ben.... meant to say wow about the job. Working for Goldman Sachs in such a senior position, surely Mayfair might be more in your line:-)))"}, {"response": 449, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (19:16)", "body": "(Heide) don't be surprised if you become Sir Mark. Heide, given the astonishing exploits of Dame Winter and Lady (?) Susan (which I have now bothered to go back and read), I don't think strolling down by the river on my lunch hour qualifies for a knighthood, especially given my impending failure to attend an important screening in my own hometown. But thank you anyway. Ben, I'm not on the Wharf, but in the City proper. I'm sure you know London as well as I do (where walking to work is a very unusual luxury), but your choice of location depends, of course, on your taste and budget. Clerkenwell's trendier than I could handle myself. Your other choices are the South Bank and Islington, although there are surprising residential bits all over, e.g. Bloomsbury, Soho, the Barbican, Waterloo(!). If buying, Allison's investment advice is probably spot on."}, {"response": 450, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (19:22)", "body": "Congrats on the job, Ben. My vote is for Clerkenwell too (like I know what I'm talking about...) We can all meet up at Moro's. BTW, an economist I knew went to work (I think) at Goldman in NY. Would've been fairly senior there as he was already a VP here and left in a huff because he didn't get the top job. About that voting poll...The Russell Crowe supporters have sunk to new lows. I'm convinced that they've brought on some programming support to circumvent voting restrictions. If you go there and keep hitting reload, you will see what I mean. The votes are piling up by the second. Can't be done manually. No way. So as one good turn deserves another, I've emailed the woman who is sponsoring the voting booth to let her know and hope that she yanks Crowe off the list because of unfair tactics! Just doin my thing."}, {"response": 451, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (19:45)", "body": "There is definitely something wrong with the voting booth, I inadvertently, of course, notched up 9 votes in one go. I was rather annoyed as the RC votes were going up in hundreds to my 9."}, {"response": 452, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (20:00)", "body": "Thanks, Allison, Mark and Karen (what's the guy's name?). I'm sceptical about titles - I will be a \"Vice President\" and \"European economist\" but I'll probably just be doing the photcopying and making the tea. Or perhaps that's the \"Chief Administrative Machinist\" and the \"Refreshment Beverage Executive\". Whatever. I know walking is a luxury in London, Mark, but it's one I'm determined to indulge in, if I can possibly manage it. I've been so spoiled here - I just roll out of bed and saunter into work a fe minutes later. The mere thought of being crammed into a boiling Underground carriage two hours a day, my nose crammed up some oaf's armpit, is enough to make me queasy. Anyway, I'm comin' 'ome, I'm comin' 'ome......football's comin' home....(football reference) for Thanksgiving to check out some places. Who wants a drink? And where, again, can a find out the timetable for Jan., or is the silence a diplomatic way of telling me you'd rather swim across the Atlantic with one hand tied behind your backs than give the game away? Ave Firthius! Coltores Crovium in hades computrescerent et ab suis felli pestilentis obsaterent."}, {"response": 453, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (20:02)", "body": "I gave up on ladyviola. The whole thing seems pretty arbitrary to me. Liberace's hands, Ben? LOL! Walker's settled on that Donmar bed...break a leg*, Colin! * 'good luck' in American theater-ese"}, {"response": 454, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (20:08)", "body": "Congrats to Ben....sounds like a very prestigious job. And a movie debut to boot! BTW, drawing on my amazing powers of trivial recall (important things, I forget) I seem to remember that Peter Schwabach, the director of \"Secret Laughter of Women\", which we are anxiously awaiting, directed at the Oxford Playhouse, but also worked in Corporate Finance at Goldman Sachs. You don't, by any incredible cyber-coincidence, happen to know him? :-) My vote is for Clerkenwell too (like I know what I'm talking about (Karen) LOL! I think his rejection of the heartthrob label after P&P might have annoyed feature writers but I think it has increased his reputation amongst the critics. (Allison) I agree. Certainly hope so anyway!"}, {"response": 455, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (20:19)", "body": "(Ann) There is definitely something wrong with the voting booth I agree. Therefore, my rules of thumb is \"if you can't win, get the other guy disqualified.\" Sound and logical approach (from the city that delivered the White House to JFK) (Ben) what's the guy's name? Amazing that I left off such a detail... His name is Steve Strongin. And at my place \"titles\" were not easy to come by and were equal to one notch above in the private sector. I believe he handed out the donuts at FOMC meetings."}, {"response": 456, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (20:25)", "body": "And our rendezvouz with destiny (I mean with Firth) is January 14 & 15 (evening performances) e pluribus unum"}, {"response": 457, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (21:05)", "body": "Ave Firthius! Coltores Crovium in hades computrescerent et ab suis felli pestilentis obsaterent. Ben, what are you talking about?....William of Wykeham has a lot to answer for:-)"}, {"response": 458, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (21:22)", "body": "Nunc est bibendum! Congratulations, Ben! Clerkenwell gets my vote as well. It will be an easy distance. Since you will be their European economist, I will ask the first question: Will the UK drop the pound in favor of the ecu (or whatever it is called)?"}, {"response": 459, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (22:01)", "body": "I agree there is something going on yeasterday at this time ODB was ahead by by about 350 votes, now he's behind by 1800"}, {"response": 460, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (22:38)", "body": "I have just visited the Australian Cinefile website and there are 3 reviews for MLSF., 1 definitely for, 2 mixed with one of the mixed very good for Colin. Cathey & Anne have you seen any other reviews? I think it is interesting that the most positive review was by a woman who said Colin was \"wonderful\". Oh I really can't wait to see this film. (From reading all the reviews I do wish they could have done something differently with the editing, all the reviews praise the acting, and I don't just mean the e 3)."}, {"response": 461, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (23:57)", "body": "Hey, Ben, Congrats, what markets will you be watching? I was watching Cable/Media (um, yeah, hot market, until the analyst went to CIBC World Markets and took the good co's with him!) now, I'm stuck with watching Microsoft not get beat up and Business/Staffing industry. (I work for investment bank in Boston, small, very small)(can we say boring). Oh and how does this tie in with Colin Firth? I don't know but if someone can tell me, I'll be real happy! Oh and news on the Laura front? Well I've been not myself lately (to say the least! didn't even watch baby bro on the Telly Sun and Mon.) was in bed sleeping because I've been diagnosed with and get this--MONONUCLEOSIS (probably spelt wrong). Anyway, I'm off to bed."}, {"response": 462, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Wed, Nov 10, 1999 (01:23)", "body": "Oh dear, Laura has the kissing disease ;-). Sorry, I shouldn't kid as I know this is a debilitating illness and you must be totally exhausted. So fatigued in fact that you couldn't watch the junior Firth's debut as a fairy prince (my fingers are actually shuddering as I type Firth and fairy in the same sentence). Belive me, you are better off having missed it :-). Ben, congratulations on the new job! Welcome back to the private sector. Although I'm sure you will miss the lofty halls of academia there is a lot to like about mixing it up in the for-profit sector too. I hope you enjoy the change of pace. And a budding film career as well? Good God, the mind fairly reels at the possibilities. What could be next? Hand model for Palmolive dish soap? Product pointer for The Price is Right? And to think it all started with Liberace's hands. Are you going to try and imitate his flamboyant style? Better practice those glissandos :-)? Since you mentioned Dame Winter, hellloooooooo DW. Are you out there, dear? We miss you!"}, {"response": 463, "author": "ommin", "date": "Wed, Nov 10, 1999 (01:30)", "body": "Ann no not yet. But I will say what I think of the film on Friday or Saturday when I have come down to earth. Our West Australian reviews come out on Thursday so I must buy one. Our movie show is on tonight but unfortunately I shall be out so I have no idea if it is mentioned. Perhaps Cathey will watch it. By the way I have a nephew who lives in Islington and is an author, I intend to visit and perhaps stay next time I am in U.K."}, {"response": 464, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 10, 1999 (01:52)", "body": "(Anne) By the way I have a nephew who lives in Islington and is an author *fingers crossed* Please tell us, Anne, that your nephew's first name is Nick!! :-D"}, {"response": 465, "author": "ommin", "date": "Wed, Nov 10, 1999 (02:01)", "body": ""}, {"response": 466, "author": "ommin", "date": "Wed, Nov 10, 1999 (02:03)", "body": "He has written a best seller though - about how to win at the Casino - now he has six books being published this Christmas and are on Amazon."}, {"response": 467, "author": "ommin", "date": "Wed, Nov 10, 1999 (02:03)", "body": "He has written a best seller though - about how to win at the Casino - now he has six books being published this Christmas and are on Amazon."}, {"response": 468, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Nov 10, 1999 (02:40)", "body": "Anne, What is your nephews name and do you know the names of the books? Go to 3 Deers, click on Roles Project, look at the picture above filmography. Tell me is Colin firth sexy or not. Believe me I do not have to be programed to appreciate this man, not only for his looks but his unbelievable talent."}, {"response": 469, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Nov 10, 1999 (04:48)", "body": "Arami,when I click on http://www.firth.com/donmar/3dor-nedtheo.htm I get file not found."}, {"response": 470, "author": "baine", "date": "Wed, Nov 10, 1999 (13:40)", "body": "The Afirthionado is down. What's up?"}, {"response": 471, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Nov 10, 1999 (14:35)", "body": "I was setting up some new web sites last nights and must have messed things up. I just rebooted the machine remotely, so let's see what happens when it comes back up. Check it and see and keep me posted."}, {"response": 472, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Nov 10, 1999 (15:51)", "body": "(Ben) (And a related question for Winter: is Colin sexy, or have you just been socially conditioned to think he is? ;-)) Oh-- this is absolutely, positively a result of social conditioning. Hours of videotape, pages of magazine spreads, hours on the Internet. But I didn't say it was a bad thing, did I? Being a product of the fandom-machine isn't so bad. ;-) Hi all... just finished grading 250 midterm exams. Will catch up on the msgs. and write back. As for Russell Crowe-- he's got my vote. Best job of an Australian doing an American accent, IMO. Well, him and Portia de Rossi."}, {"response": 473, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Wed, Nov 10, 1999 (17:12)", "body": "Anyway, the question is this - where should I live? At the moment I have a teeny house in Barnes, which is in south-west London and far too far for me to walk to work, which is a new requirement. (I do it here and it is BLISS not having to commute.) So I have narrowed it down to a flat on the south bank of the Thames, near Bankside and the Globe, or one in Clerkenwell, which is basically Islington. Congrats! I like both choices, Ben. If I were buying it would be Clerkenwell, but they are both very hot real estate. Islington proper (Upper Street) is too far to walk to the City, don't you think? There was an article in the ES site (thisislondon) last week about the richest and poorest post codes in London. You might want to look at it, just for the data points about quality of life and prospects."}, {"response": 474, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Nov 10, 1999 (18:04)", "body": "Thanks for the advice. I will check it all out in a couple of weeks. (STILL no takers for a drink OR meeting up in January. A pox on you all.) I think I will start by renting. If I buy after only a couple of weeks of looking I will surely screw up. Welcome back to the private sector. Although I'm sure you will miss the lofty halls of academia there is a lot to like about mixing it up in the for-profit sector too. I hope you enjoy the change of pace. (Jana) Bloody nerve-wracking...but I hope I will like it. By the way, the little scrap of Latin I quoted was recently uncovered at a Hollywood dig. The prescient Roman Firthettia - we can only presume she was a member of this exclusive and erudite group - had written Hail The Firth! May Crowe's supporters rot in hell and choke on their own noxious bile! Strong stuff, but the Firthettiae were not known for their moderation. Then or now."}, {"response": 475, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Nov 10, 1999 (19:08)", "body": "LOL! I got as far as \"..in hades...\" and was about to start deciphering the rest with the help of my pocket verborum thesaurus - it's been such a loooooong time since I last studied the lingua Latina! Ben, the January symposium of Firthology is scheduled for about mid-month and I think you may get some positive response once this month's session is out of the way... :-)"}, {"response": 476, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Nov 10, 1999 (19:12)", "body": "Terry, I'm sure you realize that cf.com is still out of action..."}, {"response": 477, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Nov 10, 1999 (19:39)", "body": "Steve Strongin....absolutely. I think I may even have met him. I hang out quite a bit at the NYFed, and I think I may have come across him either there or at a meeting of the NBER, which is a sort of economists' talking shop. So....Jan 14th and 15th - the Thursday and the Friday? Are you Firthing all of both evenings? I seem to remember some unseemly deal that the Donmar had offered, a million dollars to touch Colin's bottom or something; are you so occupied, or are there Firth-free plans for the Friday?"}, {"response": 478, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Wed, Nov 10, 1999 (20:31)", "body": "Cathey & Anne have you seen any other reviews? I have just read one in todays \"Sydney Morning Herald\". Its a good review with a good sized photograph of Malcolm McDowell, Irene Jacob and Colin. No write up in the Brisbane Courier Mail, but there is a reasonable size advertisement for the movie - unfortunately only showing at one theatre. I have found the address in my street directory and will be heading that way on Saturday and hopefully again on Monday. Perhaps Cathey will watch it. I did, but there was no mention of MLSF. Why am I not surprised!"}, {"response": 479, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 10, 1999 (20:35)", "body": "So....Jan 14th and 15th - the Thursday and the Friday? No, Jan 14th and 15th - the Friday and the Saturday. And Firthing is the main scheduled activity for both evenings. Hanging out on Maiden Lane, huh? Somehow that seems appropriate. ;-D Personally, I used to prefer ducking out and going to the Forman's around the corner to shop."}, {"response": 480, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 10, 1999 (20:55)", "body": "the Firthettiae LOL, Ben! I did not realise we were such an ancient group. ;-)You should join that merry group in Jan. Now go and purchase your ticket! Renting first is always a good idea. Is your dear family happy to have you back? Or will Islington traveling for them be too far to visit (and I mean from Chelsea, some of my acquaintences seem to think so!). And, beware you artistic telos. You may end up in a completely different field. :-D"}, {"response": 481, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 10, 1999 (21:13)", "body": "Since you can't get to firth.com and you've no interest in playing Economist Geography, I've put up the other pages on Colin's works in progress. They just consist of materials I've collected. No attempt at making them comprehensive. ;-D So The Bucket (or whateve it will be called) is an archive of news items. I'll work on a better main page shortly. Karen's Bucket"}, {"response": 482, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Nov 10, 1999 (22:55)", "body": "Congrats on your new job, Ben! I hope you will be very happy in London"}, {"response": 483, "author": "ommin", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (00:43)", "body": ""}, {"response": 484, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (02:09)", "body": "I complained to Lady Viola about voting for C.F and nothing showed up while 9 were registered for R.C. she said to check again becausesometimes it was so busy that the votes didn't register right away. I am excessivley displeased."}, {"response": 485, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (03:32)", "body": "The last time I looked at Lady Viola, Russell Crowe had gone ahead by about 10,000 votes. I hate to admit it, but I'm giving up ~ not on ODB of course, only on voting on that site. I'll check it out again in December. Have you had a response to your message Karen? Two more sleeps before I see MLSF - well that's if I can sleep of course :-)"}, {"response": 486, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (04:19)", "body": "Yes, Lady V and I exchanged a couple of emails last night, in which I told her it was not humanly possible to rack up the votes the way they are for RC without programming assistance. She was very nice about it (not arrogant), but didn't think she could do anything. If she yanked Crowe off without evidence of abuse, she'd probably have a slew of his supporters sending nasty emails. IMO this is not worth it. How very exciting Cathey...two more nights and then you get to see Edward in all his cream-colored glory. You must report back after they kick you out of the theater. ;-D"}, {"response": 487, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (04:24)", "body": "OK, I had nothing to do with this and for weeks I've been meaning to unregister from the Hollywood Stock Exchange. This came in a newsletter tonight: StarBonds for addition next week: Usher Raymond (URAYM) Eliza Dushku (EDUSH) Tony Goldwyn (TGOLD) Graham Greene (GGREE) Jamie Foxx (JFOXX) Colin Firth (CFIRT) Phillip Noyce - dir (PNOYC) Wolfgang Petersen - dir (WGPET) Michael Rooker (MROOK) Allison, our fears that Colin may become penny shares or junk bonds are upon us!! Oh no!! ;-o"}, {"response": 488, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (04:37)", "body": "Last item: I have been told that Colin will not be at either of the scheduled screenings for SLOW, just the director and screenwriter, and that both showings are sold out."}, {"response": 489, "author": "ommin", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (05:51)", "body": ""}, {"response": 490, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (08:18)", "body": "Karen, I am experimenting with AOL and find that I cannot cut and paste....? So re COlin and Junk bonds. We must do our best to avoid that. I hope I still have the address of that site. I shall go over and buy a piece of him... Yum."}, {"response": 491, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (10:25)", "body": "Ben, sorry for not congratulating you on the job. Put it down to envy. Always happy to meet up for a drink, even outside the Firth season. Nobody's been brave enough to admit paying x hundred dollars for the privilege of eating dinner in the same room as CF yet ... So even the Ritzy is sold out? I'd better give my tickets to Evelyn so she has the chance to tout (scalp?) them outside the cinema on Saturday! Well, on second thoughts, maybe she'd be best advised to just get in off the Brixton streets."}, {"response": 492, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (12:54)", "body": "Don't forget to vote for Murph's CF site at http://britishtheatre.about.com/arts/perfarts/britishtheatre/library/weekly/blabtwa2.htm Alan Bates is in the lead by a short nose!?"}, {"response": 493, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (13:52)", "body": "Proxy Reporting for Evelyn from London Got to see 3DOR last night on a return. Not bad Row A, but side view. Don't want to elaborate on changes in the production. Don't want to steal Lizza's thunder. I just will tell you that The Green Sweater is still with us and he is rail-thin. ODB does come down after the show...no crowd in the lobby. One middle aged lady and two young girls...no photos. I was standing outside with a Chicago couple who had sat next to me at the theatre. The guy had nodded off during the second act and I kept nudging him.(What as wrong with his wife!!) Poor man was completely lost on the plot. But I was NOT going to have Colin see this guy sleeping during his performance! Anyway ODB recognized me and came over and shook my hand. He had come down with a couple of people who had by now left. I told him how much I enjoyed seeing him on stage...was here for LFF and Summerfolk, and we looked forward to his future projects. He smiled and thanked me for coming."}, {"response": 494, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (14:07)", "body": "And Allison, no Colin shares on offer yet...next week! Don't know anything about AOL (*wipes brow in relief*), but Heide or Moon might be able to tell you how it's done if not by the usual and customary methods. ;-D"}, {"response": 495, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (15:06)", "body": "Great to hear from Evelyn, thank you very much Karen. Ooooooh!! He recognized me and came over and shook my hand !!! Wow, Evelyn\ufffds really becoming a pal of his! And I like it very much that he came to her, it shows that he very much appreciates his faithful fans. What I would\ufffdve loved to know is if the house was full but I guess Evelyn would\ufffdve mentioned it if it wasn\ufffdt."}, {"response": 496, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (18:13)", "body": "Cathy, vote for him at Http://www.celebrity1000/actors.html . You get to vote 3 times a day and this one is fair"}, {"response": 497, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (18:29)", "body": "Please don't give up on voting for ODB even though we think it is unfair. Keep his vote count up she might find a way to set things right. she sounded very apologetic in her e-mail. And for heavens sake vote for Murfs site. we cannot let him lose out to Alan Bates."}, {"response": 498, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (18:54)", "body": "What is wrong with 3 Deers, i can't get it to come up."}, {"response": 499, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (19:14)", "body": "No moss on Evelyn... ;-D Click for more"}, {"response": 500, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (19:46)", "body": "ODB does come down after the show...no crowd in the lobby. No crowd waiting to greet him? Men falling asleep? What was wrong with that audience?-) Anyway ODB recognized me and came over and shook my hand. Did he ask where the rest of the gang was? \"Hey, where's the one from Chicago?\" He had come down with a couple of people who had by now left. I take it Livia was not with him? I told him how much I enjoyed seeing him on stage...was here for LFF and Summerfolk, and we looked forward to his future projects. Did she ask him about Flashy, one wonders? He smiled and thanked me for coming. *Sigh.* How does Evelyn keep from melting into a puddle during these encounters?-)"}, {"response": 501, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (20:06)", "body": "And how come was it possible to get an A row ticket on the second evening of the run?? Strange. Or did Evelyn knock someone down to get it?"}, {"response": 502, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (20:37)", "body": "Cathy, vote for him at Http://www.celebrity1000/actors.html . Thanks Lucie - couldn't get into the site just now, but I seem to be having problems getting into a few sites at the moment, including the one where I vote for Murhph (have done so previously but thought I would again). I'll try again later in the day. Evelyn, my heart started to beat faster when I read your post. I am all a dither and very green with envy ;-) Cathey"}, {"response": 503, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (20:53)", "body": "Thank you Karen for the post-haste! Evelyn! Did she mention SLOW and if he might attend? Was the audience enthusiastic? I have so many more questions. I look forward to lots more and of course, Lizza will be reporting too! Such an exciting time! Allison, with AOL I always use the right button on the mouse to cut and paste. The problem that I have with AOL is with the small icons on the keyboard such as apostrophes, quotations, etc. they just don t print."}, {"response": 504, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (20:56)", "body": "Evelyn, well done! I didn't realise the homage season had begun. What a nice bloke that Firth is - don't you think he might be spoiled my mega movie-stardom (to sail dangerously close to the Dreaded Subject)? One certainly wouldn't be able to get 'A'-row seats if he were a big movie star. Anyway, I did my bit and voted for CF on that site. Mark and any other Londoners - I'll be scurrying frantically round London Weds Nov. 23 - Friday Nov. 25 looking for an affordable shoe-box to live in. Name the day, and we'll sink a couple of pints of Ruddles County, toast British beef and moan about the weather and the England cricket team. (Mark - how the hell can there be an injury crisis before they've set foot on a field?)"}, {"response": 505, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (21:20)", "body": "Ben, congrats re the job!! Hope you can join us in January, say do you like curry? I think Karen is the one to ask about such plans. Mind you i am partial to Ruddles myself! EXCELLENT news Evelyn, thanks Karen, it all sounds very \"low key\" in that lobby, I just can't picture it unfrenzied and not chock full of women totally conditioned to find men in frayed green jumpers completely sexy. I can't think of a nicer person for Colin to remember! Anyway full report coming later in the weekend but I promise I shall cry if they have moved the record player. I am front row , centre, so fingers crossed."}, {"response": 506, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (21:46)", "body": "Not to worry about ticket sales and lack of frenzy in the lobby. As Evelyn said the ticket she got was on the side and it was a \"return.\" I expect the lobby atmosphere is the difference between weekday and weekend crowds. People need to get out quickly during the week because they have work the next day. A lot more low key. Lizza, you're not the only one with recordplayer on the mind. The shock of when he came over to it. I'm sure I was shaking like a leaf. ;-D"}, {"response": 507, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (22:06)", "body": "Thank you Evelyn (and Karen!) for such a prompt report and photo. Evelyn, I'm very pleased that he remembered you instantly and that he came over and shook hands....does credit to both of you! I hope he's not too thin...his lovely wife should be feeding him up on pasta (and definitely not Kentucky Fried Chicken). Was Livia with him by the way? I guess she's seen 3DOR so many times by now. What's the significance of the record player?"}, {"response": 508, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (23:30)", "body": "I can't compete with meetings with the Man Himself, but I've a couple of snippets on the news front. Following Karen's excellent example (be proactive) I phoned BVI again to ask about MLSF in the UK. It will be released on May 5 (no more \"tentatively\"!). I spoke to their PR and asked what sort of release it would get. He said that it wasn't a \"multiplex movie\" and would have a gradual release, London, then nationwide (select nationwide, I presume) He expected it to be \"around for some time\" but not in the multiplexes. I mentioned that it would be out on video in the US in January and he seemed quite inte ested in this. So, another six months... Bridget Jones..front page news in the Independent. The launch of the new book (next week) is going to be mega...the launch party will be held on the 28th floor of the Hilton in Park Lane. Most significantly the book's PR will be handled by Matthew Freud, supposedly the Top Person's Top PR. He's related to Emma Freud, who is married to Richard Curtis, ex-boyfriend of HF, screenwriter of Blackadder , and also contributor to the script for \"Bridget Jones:the movie\" (the cast of which must be announced SOON! . So the Book is going to be high profile, and we can expect to see lots of mentions of HF, Bridget, the forthcoming movie and hopefully, by association Mark Darcy/CF. I'm beginning to realise that the promotion is as important as the actual product, and (washing my mouth out with soap and water!) I don't think ODB is the greatest self-promoter on the planet. He needs a little help from his friends!!The main reason I really want him to play MD is that this movie will be hyped...and it will be a multiplex movie (whatever that is!) On 3DOR...I don't really expect there to be any further publicity. Once plays have opened, that's it really...they just run. And London theatre crowds can be very blase about star names. Although I'll bet that the lobby will be livelier at the weekend!"}, {"response": 509, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (23:49)", "body": "(Bethan) What's the significance of the record player? Only it's location really. It was at the edge of the stage, within inches of my feet. Actually, I could have propped my feet up on the low stage. At the beginning of Act 2, Theo and Lina are having a row (!) on the upper level (meant to signify outside on the street) and Ned wants to drown out their noise. So he goes over to the recordplayer (remember, it's within reach), squats down (so he's eye to eye with whoever is sitting right there) and puts a record on. That's the significance. ;-D Thanks for the update on BJD-the sequel. So glad to hear it will be a media event. That will definitely stir up speculation as to the movie and when and if it's going to be made. How nice that ODB will be in London during the hoopla. You know what they say about being in the right place at the right time!! ;-D"}, {"response": 510, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (23:58)", "body": "http://www.firth.com/ is up again. Thanks, Terry. --------- I just will tell you that The Green Sweater is still with us and he is rail-thin. *sigh* *SIGH* That look is definitely one of my top favourites. Somebody will have to tie me to my row A seat, or else I will climb on the stage and embarrass everybody ...... . Thanks, Evelyn and Karen, for the subito report and pics. --------- Ben, congrats on your new job. How I envy you: to live and work in London! (Ben) Are you Firthing all of both evenings? I seem to remember some unseemly deal that the Donmar had offered, a million dollars to touch Colin's bottom or something; are you so occupied, or are there Firth-free plans for the Friday? Not all Firth pilgrims will be in the show on Friday (Jan. 14) night, I know of a handful who will take a quiet drink somewhere, though I doubt it will be a firth-free conversation. Hope you join - I want to pick your brain for guess what. ;-)"}, {"response": 511, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (00:12)", "body": "For the Friday/Saturday night Firthers, apres-play is great for a drink, if only we knew a place that didn't close up so early (remember?). However, we will be flying high (a la Jon the Trooping Fairy), so don't expect any of us to be our *normal* selves, whatever that might be."}, {"response": 512, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (00:36)", "body": "Cathey, try http://www.Celebrity1000.com I just went there and it came up quickly. You can click on many sites to vote for your favorites. I had to enter some for Sammy Sosa and Mark Grace while I was there. I am so glad to have colinfirth.com back on track"}, {"response": 513, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (00:59)", "body": "if only we knew a place that didn't close up so early (remember?) Truly! Can't you \"natives\" think of a place for the group to meet up after the show? That would almost be worth the plane fare/flight through hell (pick one) to witness that. Not that that rail thin bod in a green sweater prevents keep me from coming. ODG Evelyn is such a trouper! She arrived Wednesday morning and is at the theatre to try for a return the same night? Lizza, here's a thought, but I don't want it to make you more nervous than you already are. If there were just a handful of people waiting in the lobby for him, would you still have the nerve to say hi? Strength in numbers but what an opportunity too. But don't worry, I'm sure the weekend show will attract masses in the lobby. Allison, I highlight the text, click Control C to cut and then Control V to paste. Any luck? Congratulations, Ben, on the new job. We know you're making this huge sacrifice just for us. We'll look forward to your weekly reports from the Firth turf."}, {"response": 514, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (02:07)", "body": "Proxy review of MLSF by Anne Hale Well now what can I say. It was a wonderful, sometimes joyful film, funny and sad. Colin was wonderful, sometimes joyful, funny (he really has a great sense of the ridiculous and does not mind making a fool of himself for the sake of the film) he is a natural comic. The scenery was magnificent, I don't really know why Mirimax didn't promote more fully. Where he tries to put in central heating was so funny. The audience was in fits, and laughed throughout most of the film. The boy was a natural. I couldn't sleep much last night because the filmmakers used Colin's face so much to convey his thoughts - enormous close ups. His eyes, much better in a sense than P. and P. because it was on a very large screen. It was in a brand new theatre, and the sound wonderful, the seating - it was like sitting at home in a comfortable armchair. The theatre was half full and as it was Thursday late shopping night very good I thought. As I was waiting for Denis, I could hear people say they were going into to see M.L.S.F. - the centre has 16 cinemas so holds good I hope for a couple of weeks. But the close ups - I can't convey the tingling feeling that goes up one's spine. I hope you at least get to see the video. The highlands of Scotland (I have been there) is the most beautiful backdrop and the other firth fan with me and I sat at the end entranced with it all. Towards the end he stood looking at his son who was up to mischief and you saw the annoyance and perhaps anger change on his face into a half smile because he could see the funny side of what he was doing - and with the half smile a sight of that dimple. It will take me weeks to calm down."}, {"response": 515, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (04:25)", "body": "Thank you, Anne (via Marcia). Sounds like it was received very well and is being treated like a mainstream film playing in a multiplex. Didn't you just cringe when they chewed on the asbestos? eeek!! I agree, Colin does comedy very well and so naturally."}, {"response": 516, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (05:07)", "body": "She seems to have sunken into the Huge Colin Face stupor and is smiling very happily, thank you."}, {"response": 517, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (07:53)", "body": "Allison, I highlight the text, click Control C to cut and then Control V to paste. Any luck? Magic! Thanks Heide. Also thanks to Anne for the great descriptions from MLSF. I really want to see this but the thought of having to wait until May...."}, {"response": 518, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (09:37)", "body": "Thanks Anne for your report! I'm very pleased to hear that MLSF is actually playing in a multiplex!! :-) One comment that the BVI PR person made (to which I now wish I'd made a feisty response) was that MLSF would \"lose money in multiplexes\" in the UK. It would lose money if it continues to receive a minimal level of promotion with a total lack of focus on CF, but with a bit of a push, it could do well. I would love to see MLSF in our local modern comfortable easy-parking multiplex rather than drive near y 20 miles to a city-centre art-house Pictureville with no adjacent parking. I'll phone BVI again in the New Year and take up the cudgels...and also ask why they're delaying the release! Good luck to everyone who will be seeinf SLOW today...I'm really looking forward to your (objective!) reviews. As you know, I have no confidence in our professional reviewers, the majority of whom now seem to be male twenty-somethings. I saw a clip from \"Ratcatchers\" the hit of LIFF. A group of boys bullying another miserable little boy, lots of F*** words, grim but very \"real\", I suppose :-("}, {"response": 519, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (11:36)", "body": "Ben, how about the 23rd - I'll check which of the Fleet Street pubs serve Ruddles. Anybody else close enough to look in? Those England bowlers are so tuned and toned that one wrong move snaps all their taut tendons. Lovely to meet Springfolk for the first time yesterday - LDE was very fine in Gorky's Revolutionary miseryfest. Evelyn's schedule is something like this, it seems: Wed Arrive in England; evening, blag ticket for 3DOR Thu Matinee, Summerfolk; evening, Summerfolk Fri Matinee, SLOW; evening ? Sat Matinee, 3DOR; evening, SLOW. And I bet Friday evening isn't a blank (I shall call her Dame Evelyn from now on) Anyway, despite assurances to the contrary, I shall pop down to the NFT at lunchtime just to see if there is any spectacle."}, {"response": 520, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (14:05)", "body": "(Mark) Evelyn's schedule is something like this, it seems: On the whole, rather full, but balanced. ;-D"}, {"response": 521, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (14:52)", "body": "New review of Three Days of Rain found by AnneR at the What's On Stage website: ------------------------------------------------- Three Days of Rain at the Donmar Warehouse So rich and resonant is Three Days of Rain that you suspect it might originally have been intended as a novel or screenplay. There is no doubt that Richard Greenberg's compelling family drama would have lent itself to whichever form he'd set his mind to. The prosaic title refers to a typical entry in the diary of recently deceased Ned Janeway, a celebrated American architect. His neurotic drop-out son Walker (Colin Firth) is hoping to inherit the family home - a world-renowned architectural masterpiece designed by Ned and his former partner, Theo - but it's the emotional legacy he should be worrying about. Having avoided his father's funeral, Walker has finally turned up in New York to confront his exasperated sister Nan (Elizabeth McGovern), and Theo's son Pip (David Morrissey), an actor in TV soaps and an old flame of Nan's. The three quarrel, make up, fondly recall the past and bemoan the present. After the interval, we retreat thirty years to meet the previous generation - Ned and Theo (played by Firth and Morrissey), and Lina (McGovern), the quick-witted, hard-drinking lover of both men, who combines the brittleness of Katherine Hepburn with the vulnerability of Blanche Dubois. What we learn about those 'three days of rain' makes it clear that this was some kind of understated metaphor for a time of turmoil in the lives of Ned and Theo. Slowly, you begin to understand how the sins of the fathers ave been visited on their luckless children. Greenberg may sometimes appear to indulge his obvious gift for one-liners, but they are usually consistent with the character speaking them and, as the play develops, any early flashiness gives way to solid story-telling and intelligent exposition. Robin LeFevre's production is cannily understated, allowing three exceptionally strong performances to carry the full force of the text. These are roles that any actor hungry for a challenge would give his or her eye teeth for. Firth, Morrissey and McGovern do not disappoint. Now that the Donmar's boss, Sam Mendes, has emerged as one of the hottest young directors in the States, perhaps we can expect a film version of Three Days of Rain before too long. If so, Mendes would be well advised to retain this tremendous trio. Nick Smurthwaite Date: 11 November 1999"}, {"response": 522, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (15:16)", "body": "Purple, then green in second place. Purple of course is red and blue mixed together."}, {"response": 523, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (15:41)", "body": "So not only does Terry put \"What's your favorite color\" in Drool, he then posts into #123! Well, I did it, I goofed off work for over two hours and watched the world premiere of SLOW ! I sneaked/snuck into the NFT on a return just as the main feature began, and as the credits rolled I thought of all those people who badgered the bank, and the distributors and the agents. Take a bow, ladies! I will post details of the film on the MLSF Spoilers topic for anyone who wants to know, but suffice to say that CF gets first billing, is the sympathetic (though flawed) male romantic lead, and shows no sign of thinning (shot 4 yrs ago?). Also there was a sold out theatre (maybe 20 seats empty out of 250), and a round of applause at the end, which may be less unusual at Film Festival screenings (and premieres) than the usual cinema."}, {"response": 524, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (15:48)", "body": "Ooooo Evelyn! You go, girl. Thanks for proxy posting, Karen. Anyway ODB recognized me and came over and shook my hand Seven months and five roles later, ODB recognizes one of his fans. Whatta guy. I'm glad to hear you were able to get a definite date for MLSF, Bethan. Can't wait to hear more news from the Ritzy and Donmar! Hope you have a terrific time, Lizza!"}, {"response": 525, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (15:54)", "body": "Tee, hee, Terry! Oops! Thanks for your timely SLOW news, Mark. Good on ya! Am off to the MLSF topic."}, {"response": 526, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (17:18)", "body": "After driving all the way to Scottsdale, guess what shows up on my doorstep this morning: MLSF!!! It is playing just around the corner at the local art house. I will be a MLSF watching fool all this weekend."}, {"response": 527, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (18:06)", "body": "Great news, Jana! Just wait till you see the close-up at the end! I believe Anne is still recuperating.;-D Bethan, thanks for the BJD news. Maybe Ben with some acquaintance can go and report back."}, {"response": 528, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (18:30)", "body": "Check out Mark's SLOW review everyone! I don't know if I'm breaching net etiquette by reporting something that appears at another site, but it relates to a public nor private sighting of CF, and if I am transgressing, I apologise! It's in a good cause. But apparently Colin appeared on a local television (Carlton) news programme today, as he took part in a protest in front of the Houses of Parliament, together with Corin Redgrave, on behalf of refugees and asylum seekers. They had a huge paper chain made up of messages from asylum seekers. There was a short live interview with Colin at 1.10pm. This would explain why he wasn't at the SLOW screening. I'm very impressed by his willingness to promote other people's interests."}, {"response": 529, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (18:52)", "body": "Well I'm home, but Mark has beaten me to it. SLOW, is a sweet funny colourful film that leaves you with a smile on your face, its not going to win any Oscars, except, as Evelyn says,possibly in Nigeria, but it was most enjoyable. Nia Long was very good and very pretty and Colin was really cute, those dimples I have never noticed his dimples so much before. WOW. I want the video now. Someone said that Colin was not very pleased with SLOW but I saw nothing to be ashamed or disappointed about, It was just a really nice friendly feel-good film like they used to make and I look forward to owning the video. To answer some question earlier, yes the Donmar was sold out on Wednesday and is for the fnext 4 weeks. I have had a lovely time meeting up with Evelyn, ASishling & Tineke and Mark on Thursday and look forward to meeting more CF fans in January. I will also post my thoughts about SLOW on MLSF spoilers topic. Evelyn & Aishling are going again tomorrow and so is Tineke, thanks to Mark's generosity. OT Summerfolk was excellent as was the whole ensemble and played to a full house, not bad for a Russian author and on a Thursday night."}, {"response": 530, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (19:14)", "body": "(Bethan)reporting something that appears at another site Bethan, what you\ufffdre reporting is very interesting and I\ufffdd like to know more. Please tell us where you found this information from....I mean, WHAT site are you referring to?"}, {"response": 531, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (19:22)", "body": "(Ann)yes the Donmar was sold out on Wednesday and is for the fnext 4 weeks Yippee! That\ufffds great for Colin. And thanks Ann for your SLOW report, I\ufffdm so happy that you liked it. Was afraid that the film could be junk because of those bad reviews."}, {"response": 532, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (19:39)", "body": "Just a quick post as it is all excitement and news on 123. I am meeting up with our wonderful \"Dame\" after the matinee so if ODB should descend for a ciabatta with pecorino or whatever it is he indulges in between shows, I am sure she will start the ball rolling Heide, I would not be able to approach him on my own, but Evelyn would spur any tremulous Firthette on!! Talk to you all soon. I am off to read about SLOW."}, {"response": 533, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (21:03)", "body": "Hello from London Iam using Aishling's password since she remembered the URL...we are at a cyber cafe....... We attended the premiere of SLOW...almost a sell out....good film..Don't believe the reviews...comedy, sexy ...lots of good-Colin viewings.....he did not attend...as did no one else. Tineke joined us...Had great time with Mark at Summerfolk last night.... KaREN...have posters, press kit etc...Meet me in Chicago!! Place is closing ...G'night....Evelyn and Aishling......"}, {"response": 534, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (23:23)", "body": "Could I have the topic number again for the spoilers reviews? I'd love to read Mark's review. Thanks, Ann, for yours. If you want to read the whole report on Colin as an activist, I have it on my news page. http://www.geocities.com/firthfan/news2.html Murph And on that fav actor voting -- A good word for Russell Crowe, another of my favorites - he is splendid in The Insider. I highly recommend it."}, {"response": 535, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (23:56)", "body": "Murph, the topic no. for SLOW is on MLSF spoilers page #121"}, {"response": 536, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (08:01)", "body": "Thanks, Murph!"}, {"response": 537, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (09:44)", "body": "Thanks, Evelyn, Aishling, Ann and Mark (hope I didn't forget anyone) for your exciting reports! I'm glad you all were able to hook up and had such a good time. Those of us who can't go take great pleasure in the play by play. Things always seem to come in a flood after a dry spell, don't they? Here we were short on Firth news and now we have reports on a new film and a siting of the man in the Flesh, all in one day! Evelyn, you are my hero and Mark, you get special points for playing hookey from work ;-). Lizza, can't wait to hear about your adventure. And JanaC, I hope you and Edward have fun this weekend :-)."}, {"response": 538, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (13:04)", "body": "The story, with small picture, of Colin's protest outside the House of Commons, is on teletext http://www.teletext.co.uk/"}, {"response": 539, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (14:04)", "body": "Good sleuthing, Allison! Thanks."}, {"response": 540, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (14:26)", "body": "Yes, thanks so much for directing us to this, Allison."}, {"response": 541, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (14:27)", "body": "Wow!! What a find, Allison. Look at the sadness on his face. Or is it disgust that reporter keeps calling him Mr. Darcy and has his age wrong? ;-D Here's the pic and article: Colin Firth campaigns for rights of refugees By Louise Burke Pride And Prejudice heart-throb Colin Firth got involved in politics today in a bid to stop what he calls the \"inhumane\" detention of asylum seekers. Firth, who played Mr Darcy, has joined the Refugee Council to launch a campaign against the Home Office crackdown on the growing number of people wanting sanctuary in the UK. He said: \"I think it's shameful that we, as a country, can arbitrarily arrest people who have committed no crime - it's absolutely terrible.\" Firth, 38, is backing Refugee Week, set up by the Refugee Council. \"We have a great deal to gain from people who come to claim asylum - we can become much more culturally diverse,\" he told TV Plus. \"We have this morbid fear of the outside world where we feel that we don't want to be submerged by hordes. This is an utterly false perception.\" He says it was a Nigerian refugee's story that urged him to join the pressure group the Refugee Council. Firth, who spent the first four years of his life in Nigeria, spoke about a 19-year-old detainee who was turned away by immigration officials at Heathrow Airport. \"He escaped Nigeria only to be put under arrest at the airport in England. He wasn't a criminal. He was a legitimate political objector. It's a shameful way to treat people.\" 12/11/99"}, {"response": 542, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (15:23)", "body": "Thank you Allison, Karen, and Murph! Very good work!"}, {"response": 543, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (15:31)", "body": "From the Guardian (no pics online): Protest role Actor condemns detention of asylum seekers Saturday November 13, 1999 Pride and Prejudice actor Colin Firth yesterday led a protest involving MPs and religous leaders against the government's plans to extend the use of detention for asylum seekers, writes Alan Travis. Mr Firth joined Labour MP Neil Gerrard and Lib-Dem MP Evan Harris outside parliament in a paper chain made from 800 pledges of support, representing the number of asylum seekers held in detention. The Refugee Council said Britain detains more asylum seekers without judicial review and for longer than any other country in Europe. Oakington army barracks, near Cambridge, is to be used as a short-term detention centre for up to 400. Mr Firth said: \"It is shameful that a country calling itself civilised detai s hundreds of people a year coming here in search of liberty.\" The protest coincided with the immigration and asylum bill receiving its royal assent. The home secretary, Jack Straw, said it would it would produce a fairer, faster and firmer asylum system."}, {"response": 544, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (15:55)", "body": "Wow, the day's just begun and already so much excitement happening! Thanks to everyone for the reports and news info. What an amazing team:-)"}, {"response": 545, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (16:11)", "body": "If the media keep referring to him as Mr. Darcy, I am afraid he will not want to play Mark Darcy. Has he not wanted to shed the Mr. Darcy image. FGS, he is currently in a sold out play, he was in this year's BP Oscar winning film. I understand his frustration. Thanks again, Karen!"}, {"response": 546, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (16:18)", "body": "A new article about Bridget Jones: http://www.thisislondon.com/dynamic/lifestyle/top_review.html?in_review_id=227425&in_review_text_id=176482"}, {"response": 547, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (16:55)", "body": "(Moon) If the media keep referring to him as Mr. Darcy, I am afraid he will not want to play Mark Darcy. Apparently the media is afraid no one will know him if they don't refer to P&P in some way. Now if they'd just do us all a favor and put Colin on the covers of all their magazines with news of his latest work, he might gain recognition for his other roles. Not everyone is as diligent as we in scouring the news for signs of Firth. (BTW, this is not a diatribe on the Firth Fame Factor.) Thanks for the news on Bridget, Renate."}, {"response": 548, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (21:42)", "body": "Hotfoot from the Donmar and Covent Garden meeting with Evelyn, Aishling and Tineke.But had to post before falling exhausted into bed. All I want to say is that superlatives fail me!!! All of you are familiar with the speech that Lizzie gives in her scene with Wickham after the proposal rejection about knowing Darcy better etc etc So really I felt all of those things, he is just an amazing actor and he has obviously worked on this role (EMG take note, ooops slap my hand!)to add nuances and subtle layers to the characters. My mother was so impressed with (him) and the whole production that she wants to make the trek again! She described him as \"boyish\" and I think because he is \"rail thin\" to quote our favourite Dame, he has the quality even more this time around!!"}, {"response": 549, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (22:01)", "body": "He does not smoke , for those of you desperate to know, Livia was not there either, or any family or famous names.(How was I calm enough to notice?) The foyer was deserted and he does NOT come down (said box office) in between shows. I saw someone go up with carrier bags of deli food. Anyway he is just gorgeous and the record player has not moved, so I sat on my hands, and anyone with a future visit coming up will be in for an incredible tour de force. This is extremely disjointed for which I apologise, and I will let you know further details (no changes re costumes/ scenery) tomorrow. BTW his flies held up!! Expressive hands EVEN more in evidence in Act 1, and our honoured dame Evelyn and I would count that as one of the changes we noticed. His interpretation of Walker has altered, but hey I could watch this man reciting \"Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner.\" in Chinese wearing a bin liner and think it was a work of art, so I would say that I prefer act 2. But I needed a third showing to decide that. Either way it was wonderful, with a very appreciative audience (not full). Hope that is enough for the more voracious Firthettes out there. Have b/w Guardian photo so could scan and send."}, {"response": 550, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (22:11)", "body": "(Lizza) but hey I could watch this man reciting \"Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner.\" in Chinese wearing a bin liner and think it was a work of art LOL!! As could we all. Your writing tells me you're flying high - near the ceiling! Wonderful to read that it just keeps getting bettah and bettah. That mention about Mendes and a movie of this got me thinking. Keep Colin and replace the other two. Can't remember if I mentioned it on the boards but Janet McTeer (who in real life is svelte) would be a fabulous Nan/Lina. Saw her in a little indie flick called Tumbleweeds and she can do a fabulous southern accent. Lizza, do scan and send the Guardian pic to me and I'll post it for you."}, {"response": 551, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (22:32)", "body": "So glad it was everything you expected and more. I'll wait patiently to hear the rest of your tale. Your mother has fine taste, obviously passed down to daughter. Any eye contact at the record player? ;-) There will be many very happy to hear that the stage set has not changed. Bed still in same location? Sorry, I said I'll be patient. Pleasant dreams, Lizza."}, {"response": 552, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (23:37)", "body": "Thanx Lizza, love your report. 2 questions for the morning #1., do you mean you do not like the new interpretation of Walker as much as in March and #2 has he worked on the stuttering and is it more pronounced this time around. BTW good for Mum, as Heide says. she obviously has good taste. appreciative audience (not full) why are the Donmar not advertising, they surely can't rely entirely on word of mouth"}, {"response": 553, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (23:55)", "body": "(Lizza), Expressive hands EVEN more in evidence in Act 1, and our honoured dame Evelyn and I would count that as one of the changes we noticed. He must be spending lots of time with the Italian relatives. ;-) Lizza, your kindness in posting so quickly is very much appreciated, thank you. We will tune in tomorrow for more. Questions will come later."}, {"response": 554, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (01:09)", "body": "appreciative audience (not full) why are the Donmar not advertising The word is that it's all sold out. Occasional empty seats may be due to something else."}, {"response": 555, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (01:12)", "body": "Ah yes, the stuttering!! Glad you brought it up, Ann. Is it more pronounced? Also, how's his accent? Does it sound as though he's improved? (not like he's been in the States at all Other important point(s)... does he still only take off the sweater? What is he wearing to bed? ;-D"}, {"response": 556, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (01:57)", "body": "Lizza, I also want to thank you for being so quick to post your thoughts about the play, I so much looked forward to hear them! AND thanks very much to all of you who posted stuff about his refugee campaign."}, {"response": 557, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (04:32)", "body": "Not that I'm jumping the gun, but this always comes up: The Olivier Awards--The judging year runs from January 1 to December 31 1999. Any new production that opens in a theatre represented in membership of the Society is eligible for consideration, provided it is proposed and seconded by members of the Society. The nominations are announced in January each year and the Awards are presented in February at a ceremony televised by BBC Television."}, {"response": 558, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (10:11)", "body": "Great to see so many questions, so I will do my best to answer all of them. 1) bed in same location but when he comes on at first, instead of lying with his head by those row A side seats (I should know!) he now lies centrally on the bed. I don't blame him for getting this reblocked because sitting next to my mum were two silly ladies who started making gestures and noises when he came to lie down, Even Tineke noticed it from above. It's so off putting for him, but I guess they've got volvos! So at least he is as far away from audience as he could be, given bed's location. 2) In terms of it not being full, the best seats were all gone. I am talking side seats upstairs, maybe 10/15 free. Evelyn says box office say sellout for first four weeks. I have just enquired in the period after that and only the central stalls block has sold out. But I am sure they won't have a problem selling them."}, {"response": 559, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (10:22)", "body": "3) His accent is as consistent and natural as ever. I felt DM was better all round as well, D. Ev. is not so sure! I have to say IMO both men have worked on their performances but I felt E.MG hadn't changed at all, and so it appears a weaker performance this time round. Stuttering is good, but not so much of it. Can anyone help? He didn't stutter at all after Theo leaves in act2, was that the same in march? Anyway the stuttering is not as much in evidence, is how it seems to me. 4) The sweater is the same. I was concerned that he got quite \"pink\" and almost sweaty in act 1, I wish he wouldn't wear the t-shirt under the sweater but something lighter. I wouldn't want his skin to get all scratchy fom just the sweater but I think it's all a bit heavy for him. Which leads me neatly into the final point about why he gets sweaty in the first place!!"}, {"response": 560, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (10:41)", "body": "5) Evelyn and I had a great discussion re the major change, which IOO was his interpretation of Walker. He has made him much more neurotic, twitchy and \"in pain\". We both felt tho' that it was just a few degrees too much and preferred March. Obviously as Moon says too much time with Italian relatives, but then, ironically, of course that is where Walker has been!! But the effect of (over) fine tuning his act I performance means that the contrast with act 2 is really heightened and I think that this is an advantage. It makes you even more aware of how he uses his body to convey Ned in act 2 because there is much more of a contrast, as Ned he is as economical with his movements and gestures as he is with words. You will have to make your own minds up. Of course we both saw this in its first week so his interpretation may have subtly altered again nearing the end of the run. This is why he gets so warm!! But talking of taking off his clothes I am sorry to disappoint Heide and say he only takes off the shirt again but at least he is facing the front row when he does it and pulls the white t- shirt over the waist band of his trousers. Anyway I think that is enough of the ramblings of a deranged woman for you to have to listen to. I will fill you in on all the \"lovely bits\" that come from being mere inches away later today and sort out the scanning for Karen."}, {"response": 561, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (11:32)", "body": "Great to hear all the reports on 3DOR and SLOW, and details of the protest. Thank you everyone! I have just enquired in the period after that and only the central stalls block has sold out. But I am sure they won't have a problem selling them. I just do so wish that he would give an interview and that he'd talk about all his upcoming projects, and there would be some photo coverage. If, for example,I just read the Daily Telegraph, I would have no idea that he was appearing on the stage at the moment. That's one problem with a re-run...no reviews. And the Donmar only list the title of the play (no mention of the cast)and don't advertise. Pity...they had all those great reviews to draw on. I'm finding reading the papers rather a penance at the moment, because, (and I hate to say this!!) the \"smolderingly handsome\" Ralph Fiennes is EVERYWHERE. Colin, not a peep. I notice that one article refers to RF's publicist. Does Colin have a publicist? Answer, probably, no!! Does anyone know if there'll be any advance publicity for SLOW? Otherwise reading papers is definitely not good for my health!!"}, {"response": 562, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (12:36)", "body": "Take heart Bethan, in The Sunday Times in the Metro section 3DOR is listed at The Donmar with CF, E.mcG & DM., it is only included among all the other Theatre but at least it mentions the cast."}, {"response": 563, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (12:36)", "body": "Further to the above (hope it didn't sound too negative! It's the Fiennes reaction!) I think Colin will benefit from two huge \"free\" publicity boosts in the next month or so. Onw, appearing in ITV's major Boxing Day drama, which will attract an audience of at least 10 million. And The Master has to be sexy! (Those 10 minutes will have to be good!) And the Dome has sold over a million tickets (Skyscrape/Blackadder included). And, of course, what I'd like to see...\"Firth to play Darcy again. Colin Firth, currently apperaing in the acclaimed production of 3DOR at the Donmar, is to play the part of Mark Dacy in the forthcoming movie of Bridget Jones' Diary\". Well, it could happen...:-)"}, {"response": 564, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (13:08)", "body": "Just want to thank everyone for all the news. I have put the protest picture (thanks, Allison) on my news page. Karen, he does look sad, with a bit of Darcy's disgusted face. I am so proud of him. I am an old anti-Vietnam war protester, and I know that it takes courage to stand out on the street and to stand up for what you believe in. Lizza, how I wish I could see 3DOR. I live in hope Mendes might some day make a film of it. Murph"}, {"response": 565, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (13:27)", "body": "Bethan, I too am all \"Rafed out\" from reading the papers, and as you say no Firth snippet in sight. I hope your publicity predictions come true!!"}, {"response": 566, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (13:27)", "body": "(Mary) I am so proud of him. My feelings exactly, Murph. I really appreciate it what he\ufffds doing."}, {"response": 567, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (14:41)", "body": "(Lizza) He has made him much more neurotic, twitchy and \"in pain\". We both felt tho' that it was just a few degrees too much and preferred March. Hmmmm, been wondering what *the change* was. Just so long as he doesn't take it all the way to wild, raging histrionic, then I won't mind. How did he express the \"in pain\" aspect, other than the scene where he's sprawled up above and draped over the railings while Nan and Theo talk? Tell me that he hasn't lost his glibness or his playful manner in torturing the unsuspecting Pip. (Bethan) Ralph Fiennes is EVERYWHERE. Yes, because he has 3 big films ready to hit the screens now and is going to be doing Shakespeare next year. Since two of the films have been hard sells to US distributors and the whole family's reputation is on the line with another, he's knows what he has to do. He has to promote them and he has been doing that. BTW, I saw the previews for \"End of the Affair\" (with Julianne Moore) at the theater - Why does he keep getting those parts? Major love and passion as a focal point and now I read there's li tle chemistry between RF & JM. Sounds like another film... Unfortunately, I don't think the 10-minute appearance in TOTS and probably the same (or less) in the new Blackadder are going to do much for him. He wasn't even mentioned in the 5-page article on Blackadder that Ann sent me. :-("}, {"response": 568, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (15:14)", "body": "I don't believe it! There's a big interview with Francesca Annis in the Sunday Times where she discusses her relationship with Ralph. He'll definitely be making the circuit on the talk shows. Am already conjuring up images of Rafe with Regis and Kathie Lee!! ;-D"}, {"response": 569, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (15:22)", "body": "If, for example,I just read the Daily Telegraph, I would have no idea that he was appearing on the stage at the moment. I find What's On in London most helpful whenever I want to know what's going on in there. Most other publications tend to be selective."}, {"response": 570, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (15:37)", "body": "Unfortunately, I don't think the 10-minute appearance in TOTS and probably the same (or less) in the new Blackadder are going to do much for him. He wasn't even mentioned in the 5-page article on Blackadder that Ann sent me. :-( It's the timing of TOTS....massive captive audience all slumped in front of the television. (remember, we don't go to the movies!). Syon House, of which CF is the Master, is a beautiful location, Nick Dear wrote the script (also adapted \"Summerfolk\"), it's directed by Ben Bolt (son (?)of Robert Bolt (\"Man for All Seasons). and the cinematographer was responsible for the recent \"Our Mutual Friend\". Ten minutes in this is well worth having. And, to make the governess's future actions credible, she has to be ome infatuated with the Master, despite their very short acquaintance. As to Blackadder, well, CF is usually mentioned. And it's a bit of an honour really to be included with all the original cast. Very much a closed shop! And again, Blackadder Redux is an \"event\" movie...otherwise it wouldn't have been chosen to herald the new millennium! Lizza, yep, too much Rafe.Every time I turned over a page...aargh!! :-) Did you notice that the publicist apparently vets journalists to ensure they give a favourable report? Probably standard practice. BTW, back to basics, how was the hair? Noticeably thin on top, or okay (not that it matters! :-)). And audience reaction at the end...a good round of applause, I hope! I'm very pleased that a man who apparently is very reluctant to promote himself, is willing to speak live on TV to promote the interests of others who need support."}, {"response": 571, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (16:12)", "body": "Lizza, thanks so much for your report! I am amazed that Colin was able to find the time to make substantive changes to the part, given that he's been working nonstop on so many different projects since the March run. I really hope he gets an Olivier nomination, even if Dillane or O'Toole are favored to win."}, {"response": 572, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (16:34)", "body": "Lizza, thanks for the insights! It will be interesting to see as you said, if he makes more changes by Jan. Has the scene in bed with EMG changed? Did you wait to see him after the show, or was everyone sent off? Karen, I too have seen the previews to that RF film. Why do they consider him a romantic lead? Then again, the same goes for Hugh Grant. Quite baffling!"}, {"response": 573, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (16:43)", "body": "Lizza, did this latest interpretation of Walker mare you enjoyment overall of the play, and this may sound strange but did you feel embarrassed with this new Walker. I liked his dry droll sense of humour last March, has that all gone. (Is it still an award-winning (nomination) performance? Also what did you think of DM's performance and I am not quite sure if you think EMcG performance has improved or not."}, {"response": 574, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (17:16)", "body": "(Lizza)Stuttering is good, but not so much of it. Can anyone help? He didn't stutter at all after Theo leaves in act2, was that the same in march? My memory of it is that his stuttering was less noticable after Theo left. Either that or I had gotten used to it. But it wasn't really stuttering last March...it was more of a halting, herky-jerky type speech. Would you say that's the same? But the effect of (over) fine tuning his act I performance means that the contrast with act 2 is really heightened and I think that this is an advantage. It makes you even more aware of how he uses his body to convey Ned in act 2 because there is much more of a contrast, as Ned he is as economical with his movements and gestures as he is with words. Well put, and I can envision that. I wonder though why he felt the need to display the contrast even more starkly. Didn't feel it was enough last time? (Karen) Tell me that he hasn't lost his glibness or his playful manner in torturing the unsuspecting Pip. Yes, I'd hate to see him so entirely obsessed with himself that he loses the one thing that makes his character remotely endearing. I am sorry to disappoint Heide and say he only takes off the shirt again Hey, that was Karen who wanted to know that superficial kind of stuff. I'm more interested in the important things like the hair. ;-) I second Bethan's request to know more about that. Tineke might be able to add insight if she was sitting in the circle seats. (Bethan) I'm very pleased that a man who apparently is very reluctant to promote himself, is willing to speak live on TV to promote the interests of others who need support. It's so apparent his support is not just for the fashionable cause of the month. He uses his fame reluctantly but knows it helps keep this issue in the news. (Karen)Am already conjuring up images of Rafe with Regis and Kathie Lee!! ;-D Are you hinting that he's courting publicity? :-o Well, he missed out on People's Sexiest Man Alive so maybe he and Francesca can try for the Most Beautiful Couple issue."}, {"response": 575, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (18:48)", "body": "Are you hinting that he's courting publicity? Hinting? Pftttt! He is definitely doing it for Onegin. Think I heard he has signed on to do celebrity valet parking at the Russian Tea Room next month. ;-D"}, {"response": 576, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (18:58)", "body": "Think I heard he has signed on to do celebrity valet parking at the Russian Tea Room next month. ;-D LOL!"}, {"response": 577, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (20:23)", "body": "Reminder: Besides interrogating Lizza on 3DOR here, we are also giving Ann the third degree at Topic 121 for Secret Laughter of Women so hie to there if you want to hear more."}, {"response": 578, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (21:35)", "body": "Some quick answers before I have to rush off, which I hope will suffice. Hair the same as we saw in March and because I have gotten used to his patch I can honestly say I didn't notice it this time. My mum did but diplomatically said she wasn't going to mention it unless I did (Evelyn , Tineke and I did discuss it). I did notice the light glinting on just a few silver strands at the sides of his hair during the record player scene, all I could think of was \"Wow I am close enough to see this!! Evelyn had a comment, which I will let her add. He is still playful etc and it didn't mar my enjoyment at all, he is just more energetic, loud, angry, gesturing etc as Walker than before. DM I felt was also better in his role but Ann as you can tell I am no EMG fan. I just feel both men but particularly ODB had searched to find something, another dimension to add to their character this time around. She seemed flat to me. Of course the men in the audience warm to her, and there were a lot more there yesterday in contrast to when we went in March. The audience also seemed to laugh more. I think they were very appreciative of the play and Colin smiled a lot and looked pleased (and surprised?) when they took a second bow. It's that final bit that slays me because as he rakes the audience with his eyes there is that glorious nano-second when your eyes meet ! DM leads the cat off, I had he impression it was the opposite in March?"}, {"response": 579, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (21:54)", "body": "I feel like something of an interloper intruding upon your conversation. My name is Cheryl and I've been lurking through your achives. I'm rather pressed for time now; so in brief, I think Colin Firth is a really good actor and I'll probably never get to see on stage. My chances of getting to London are fat and slim."}, {"response": 580, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (21:58)", "body": "I will just add a few more moments that were special to me or things that I had time to closely observe. His boots were Timberland and I tried really hard to read the size off the bottom of the sole-no luck! The laces were frayed too and when he stood up for the first time one trouser leg was caught up in the top of his trouser leg, he looked endearingly lopsided. On the back of his jumper was a piece of white cotton thread and I wanted to jump up and pluck it off! DM had a huge strand of it on the back of his trouser leg too, Do you suppose they all recline in white fluffy bath robes in the dressing room and the bits get transferred to their costumes? LOL! I was close enough to see his eyes sparkle, the whites looked luminous it was just weird (and wonderful) to be so close. When Pip and Nan chat on the bed and he is outside sitting up on the rail he is continually working the muscles in his jaw and cheekbone and swallowing a lot, this conveys his anger and pain, but could so easily have been left out by another actor. I love the way he hugs the rail for support etc and is just huddled there. Of course you would need to be like us to notice all that because the audience are focused on the others! I was sorry he had his back to me when Nan and Pip reveal their relationship. Anyone see that in March? You would have to be on the side I guess. Just an aside re today's Rafe interview (observer?), I found it highly amusing. They had to walk in the park to get away from everyone, he doesn't like fame etc and then in the cafe the waitress aks for his autograph. LOL Eventually he rushes outside as he can't cope with it all, journalist note taking and talking about himself. Give me a man with a cause to stand up for any day! Sorry that's RF and EMG I have been negative about."}, {"response": 581, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (22:00)", "body": "Welcome Cheryl, we love sharing anything about Colin here. The more the merrier."}, {"response": 582, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (23:21)", "body": "Cheryl Join in and please don't feel like you're intruding if you do. And there are many here who will not likely get to London to see Colin in person. So you're not in a minority. Lizza! Your attention to detail is truly amazing. Silver hair spotted at the sides. Yowza. This I must be on the lookout for, as well as all those holes in his ears. So much to remember. I'm not too keen on that he's made Walker more \"energetic, loud, angry, gesturing.\" I liked his controlled anger and how he could subtlely manipulate everyone without appearing to be a raving lunatic. ;-D That was my problem with the Chicago actor; he was way too histrionic. Do you think we should go armed with lint brushes to pick up the stray threads here and there? ;-D"}, {"response": 583, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (23:22)", "body": "After a rather eventful voyage (subway in London, train to Dover with half an hour delay because of other train blocking the tracks, bus through Kent because there were engineering works going on, hovercraft to Calais since I just missed my ferry to Ostend by 5 minutes and the next ferry didn't leave until 5pm and obviously I didn't feel like waiting in Dover for 6 hours, ending up in France without any French Francs, calling sister to pick me up in Calais -it's about an hour drive- being dropped off at t ain station because of bike, cycle home)I managed to get home. And now, my impressions of my London trip: It was wonderful to meet up with Ann, Dame Evelyn, Aishling and Mark to see Summerfolk (even though I couldn't find the restaurant at first). I truly enjoyed the play, I'm extremely glad I got to see it. When I was buying a programme during the break, someone we all know came to stand on my right: Toby Stephens!! Having seen him in real life now, I can only say that he's gorgeous! I didn't dare say anything to him, but he must have noticed that I recognised him. At the National Theatre I also saw (but not during Summerfolk) Susannah Harker's sister. I forgot her name though, but remembered her from Middlemarch. On Friday, I saw SLOW with Evelyn, Ann and Aishling. It was far from sold out, I'm afraid. I enjoyed SLOW, it's a sweet movie, not pretentious, but definately not the best film I've ever seen. Colin looked great, all women seemed to play with his hair in this film (which looked very curly). I saw SLOW a second time on Saturday evening (thanks to Mark!). This time I concentrated on the details. I finally saw those pierced ears;-) Then, I saw 3DOR on Saturday afternoon. I was sitting in row A, circle, just above the bed. I had a clear view of everything (including his hair). I kept on thinking during the very first scene, when he's lying on the bed, that if he'd open his eyes, he'd be looking straight at me. Obviously, I loved the play. Colin was fantastic!!! (Lizza)next to my mum were two silly ladies who started making gestures and noises when he came to lie down, Even Tineke noticed it from above. When I collected my ticket at the box office, I saw those ladies handing a card to James to give it to Colin. So I knew they were CF fans, but that shaking of the hands when Colin came on stage was a bit over the top! I'm off to bed now."}, {"response": 584, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (00:24)", "body": "Glad to hear you eventually arrived home safe and sound Tineke. It was good to see you again too. Sorry to contradict, however, but I thought SLOW was pretty full on Friday, definitely more, way more than 2/3 thirds full."}, {"response": 585, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (01:30)", "body": "Tineke, welcome back. When you're rested, run over to topic 123. So many questions to SLOW we deprived ones have. Your trip sounds so wonderful that I hope even the problems getting home haven't gotten you off your cloud yet. A Welcome to CherylB. No interloper at all. We're glad you introduced yourself and hope you continue to join us. As Karen said, most of us won't have the same chances to see CF in the flesh but it's fun to live vicariously off the experiences of other. Now...Lizza, I continue to revel in your 3DOR stories. I just feel both men but particularly ODB had searched to find something, another dimension to add to their character this time around. Doesn't sound like you didn't like this new dimension, Lizza. Why should I be surprised that he works so hard at his craft? I guess I'm just impressed again and again. It's that final bit that slays me because as he rakes the audience with his eyes there is that glorious nano-second when your eyes meet ! Yes, I remember..you wait, it comes, then it's over. His boots were Timberland and I tried really hard to read the size off the bottom of the sole-no luck! Good girl! Good try. he looked endearingly lopsided. ..piece of white cotton thread and I wanted to jump up and pluck it off! He should let you dress him, Lizza. When Pip and Nan chat on the bed and he is outside sitting up on the rail he is continually working the muscles in his jaw and cheekbone and swallowing a lot, this conveys his anger and pain, but could so easily have been left out by another actor. I never noticed that before. It's such an intense performance. I wonder if he can shake out of his Walker character in time to become Ned. (Tineke) I kept on thinking during the very first scene, when he's lying on the bed, that if he'd open his eyes, he'd be looking straight at me. Does it still open the same way? I'm sure it does. The stage is all in darkness and you can see him (we all recognized his silhouette) walk to the bed in the dark and lay down. Then that voice... I'm so glad you liked it, Tineke. (Karen) Silver hair spotted at the sides. Yowza. This I must be on the lookout for, as well as all those holes in his ears. Write it all down, girl, for the sake of your forlorn sisters left behind. As you may have noticed, I'm living on each piece of minutia that can be dredged up."}, {"response": 586, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (01:33)", "body": "Sorry, Tineke, I meant that it's 121 where we're discussing SLOW. Only to keep the spoilers out of sight for those who have plans to see it."}, {"response": 587, "author": "baine", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (02:35)", "body": "(Cheryl) I'll probably never get to see on stage. My chances of getting to London are fat and slim. Well put--and many of us are in that boat. That's what the drool buckets here are for. that glorious nano-second when your eyes meet ! Words to live by! Lizza and Tineke -- How about the voice in person? Is it as rich, as resonant, as breath-taking, as squirm-making as on the films? Does the American accent make a difference? I thought it did in ATA--flatter and higher pitched. What do his hands look like? If you could see the silver hair, you must have had a good view of his hands. What was his curtain-call smile like--one of his trademark grins? Did he really look at the audience--you imply so with the above quote. How many curtain calls?"}, {"response": 588, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (03:24)", "body": "Do you suppose they all recline in white fluffy bath robes in the dressing room and the bits get transferred to their costumes? LOL, Lizza! I can just picture this. I was close enough to see his eyes sparkle, the whites looked luminous it was just weird (and wonderful) to be so close. That must have been truly amazing. Did you say you had the seat directly in front of the record player? I think I actually would be terrified to be that close -- afraid I would involuntarily do something that would distract him. I'm a bit confused. Did you say at some point (the bed scene with EMcG?) he takes off his t-shirt? So is he bare-chested then? Or is it just the sweater that comes off? Welcome, Cheryl. I won't be making it to London anytime soon either, but this board is the next best thing to being there:-) (Tineke) When I was buying a programme during the break, someone we all know came to stand on my right: Toby Stephens! Looks like JE is on friendly terms with *all* her ex's;-D Thanks for your report, Tineke, and glad you made it home safely. Do you agree with the assessment that Colin's portrayal of Walker seemed to be turned up a notch or two from March? What did you think of EMcG and DM compared to March?"}, {"response": 589, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (03:28)", "body": "Oops, sorry about the tags."}, {"response": 590, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (05:01)", "body": "New review (by Nigel Cliff, a different Times reviewer). No picture included online. Please check actual paper on Monday and let us know. The return of a starry cast to the Donmar Three Days of Rain Donmar Warehouse, London WC2 BACK in March Three Days of Rain put in a brief appearance as part of the Donmar's American Imports season. It returns for a longer spell in the same poised production, stylishly directed by Robin Lefevre, and with the same splendid cast. Colin Firth, Elizabeth McGovern and David Morrissey play a couple of parts apiece, and out of the six at least two (from Firth and McGovern) had me throwing my critical umbrella to the wind. As for the other four: well, they lose out to different degrees in the grand scheme of Richard Greenberg's likeable but sometimes surface-deep script. The first half is set in 1995; the second rewinds to 1960. In the first, brother and sister Walker and Nan (Firth and McGovern) reunite with intimate friend of the family Pip (Morrissey) for the reading of their father's will. Walker is a neurotic dropout who lays his failings firmly at his parents' feet. Pip, whom Walker resents for being closer to his father than himself, is happy with his lot as a second-rate soap actor. Nan - well Nan is little more than a buffer between the other two. Fair enough and all perfectly well played, but all really an excuse for Walker to chance upon his father's journal. \"Three days of rain\" is the first entry: its inscrutability incenses him. \"When people never talk to you, you always suppose they are harbouring some enormous secret - but maybe they have nothing to say,\" he digs away. Or maybe they do, but in a different way. In the second half the trio play their characters' respective parents. Here Firth and Morrissey are struggling architects Ned and Theo. Theo is theoretically the flamboyant genius, Ned the practical dogsbody, though again appearances fall short of the truth. McGovern plays a flirtatious, hard-drinking, self-aware Southern girl who has an affair with one and then, during that three-day downpour, the other. Greenberg, I imagine, wants to show how easily the old folk, trying to make the best of their own limitations, can be misunderstood by their children, convinced of their own larger emotional life. Fittingly then, the second half is much more vivid than the first; this is where Firth and, especially, McGovern really come into their own, playing off each other with a touching blend of awkwardness and allure, misgiving and giving. Greenberg's script throws up its multiple reflections with a pleasingly light touch and a gentle ironic wit. Hardly ground-breaking, but a welcome revival nonetheless. ******** I'm sorry, but the only reason these \"guys\" like McGovern's performance in Act 2 has to be the slip she wears. ;-D"}, {"response": 591, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (08:20)", "body": "should have been McGovern and especially FIRTH, but it is still pretty good and from the sounds of it the contrast between Walker and Ned seems to be working."}, {"response": 592, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (13:08)", "body": "(Ann), from the sounds of it the contrast between Walker and Ned seems to be working. True, but I wonder if he might have prefered the March version of Walker. Colin has obviously changes it to make more of a contrast with Ned. Still, I am happy that it is a good review. Thanks Karen! Tineke, thanks for your post, glad you made it home safely. Lizza, love those minute, but important details!"}, {"response": 593, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (14:57)", "body": "Welcome, CherylB! You'll find yourself in good company here. Lizza and Tineke, are your feet touching the ground yet? Many thanks for your prompt reports and opinions. I was wondering how the play would compare with its earlier run. (Lizza) He does not smoke Glad to hear it. I appreciate reports on this and the other *really* important stuff, such as the state of his hair (:-P). To echo Heide and others, no detail is too small, such as BTW his flies held up!! ;-D So he's 'rail thin,' huh? Thinner than he was in March? Jess (ATA) thin? (Karen) Silver hair spotted at the sides. Yowza. This I must be on the lookout for, as well as all those holes in his ears. Hee hee! Have you got your opera glasses ready? (Karen) The Olivier Awards You've read my mind. I thought of this as soon as I heard they were bringing the play back for a longer run. Have fingers and toes firmly crossed (ever try typing with crossed fingers?) for a nomination, at least! (Karen) Am already conjuring up images of Rafe with Regis and Kathie Lee!! ;-D Hmmm, let's see: Kathie Lee: Welcome, Ralph (pronounces it 'Ralph'). I've been dying to tell you how much I loved your performance in Shakespeare in Love. Ralph: That was my brother. KL: You have a brother? It's sooo important to appreciate one's siblings. That's what I told Cody this morning after he hit Cassidy over the head with her Barbie doll. Regis: You're from England...can you tell me how my show--you've heard of it, of course--[turns to camera and shouts] Who Wants to be a Millionaire!--compares with the British version? I'm saving the ABC network, you know. Ralph: No, I didn't know. I stopped watching game shows after I did the movie Quiz Show. Um, can we discuss my new project...? Regis: That's too bad, that's too bad. Well, it was nice to have you. When we come back, we'll be joined by our next guest, Mr. Joe Schmo who won $250,000 on my show [turns to face camera and shouts] Who Wants to be a Millionaire! (Karen) I'm sorry, but the only reason these \"guys\" like McGovern's performance in Act 2 has to be the slip she wears. ;-D I've been trying to figure that out. Thanks for the insight! Really, it has to be something! I've tried to like her in Scarlet Pimpernel, but so far she hasn't impressed me with her performance in that series. I'm looking forward to more, Lizza and Tineke!"}, {"response": 594, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (15:20)", "body": "ROTFLOL Eileen! how was the hair? Noticeably thin on top, or okay (not that it matters! :-)). Since I was sitting in the circle, I head a clear view of the crown of his head. Especially when he's playing Ned, it was clear to see that his hair is thinning, but like you say, it doesn't matter. Susan, I can't compare his performance now to the one in March, since this was the first time I got to see 3DOR. About EMcG, I didn't think she was bad. She just lacks this...hm, I can't phrase it.. she lacks warmth. I don't think her acting was bad, it just doesn't come across. BTW, I didn't know people wore thongs in the sixtees ;-)"}, {"response": 595, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (15:58)", "body": "*squint* *double take* Tineke, what's this about a thong?"}, {"response": 596, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (16:12)", "body": "Holy moly!! Eileen, that was a riot. Am wiping away the tears from eyes. And what's so funny is that that's exactly the way it would go. Later on in the day, Rafe could go on Rosie's show, where she would ask if he knew or wanted to work with her Tommy boy. ;-D (Tineke) BTW, I didn't know people wore thongs in the sixties ;-) I'm guessing, but is that what she's wearing under the slip? Now, if only Colin (Ned) would wear something equally provocative to bed instead of his white undershirt. grrrrrrrr Opera glasses are going to look rather silly from the front row. Hey, but I'm game. ;-D"}, {"response": 597, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (16:47)", "body": "Karen, the best thing to do with The Scarlet Pimpernel is to give up. We watched it episode after episode, thinking \"BBC costume drama, classic swashbuckling story, big-name actors, maybe it's good and we're just not smart enough to enjoy it.\" But at the end of the day, we were forced to the conclusion that EMcG is dull, Richard E Grant is a moron, and the show was a turkey."}, {"response": 598, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (19:43)", "body": "Has anyone checked The Times today to see if there was a photo with the review of 3DOR?"}, {"response": 599, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (20:17)", "body": "Thank you very much for all your reviews of SLOW and reports from the Donmar! They are read with eager interest. On the Guardian site is a brief summary with picture for SLOW, status \"unreleased\", but there's an option to post own reviews: Love it or loathe it? - Tell us what you think. http://www.filmunlimited.co.uk/Film_Page/0,4061,101624,00.html (Come to think of it, IMDB also has such an option. All the lucky ones who saw it, get yourself over there .... ;-) )"}, {"response": 600, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (20:26)", "body": "And here's an article from the same place, from February. Guess it's not so new, but can't hurt to re-read it again. ;-) http://www.filmunlimited.co.uk/Feature_Story/Guardian/0,4120,28696,00.html"}, {"response": 601, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (20:43)", "body": "Oh, and if you want to take a look at the 3Deers 3DOR page, it's here: http://www.firth.com/donmar/donmar-entry.htm It is not yet linked to the main page, I'm struggling a bit with software and some other bugs."}, {"response": 602, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (20:46)", "body": "No photo in the Times."}, {"response": 603, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (20:59)", "body": "Good job, Renate! Three cheers for this Deer!"}, {"response": 604, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (21:31)", "body": ""}, {"response": 605, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (21:44)", "body": "Very Nice Indeed Renate! :) all those yummy pictures.... which reminds me, * Attention Marcia * has anyone claimed the leather jacket he's wearing in the lobby to sign autographs as a \"real life\" keepsake? If not, I would dearly love to have it. :) I might even be persuaded to compose an essay, extoling its virtues, over on 113. :)"}, {"response": 606, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (21:57)", "body": "Many thanks for welcoming me to your conference and many more thanks for letting me enjoy vicariously the thrill of attending a performance of 3DOR. I've always hoped that CF would do a play in New York as I get there about once a year to see 2 or 3 shows. Alas -- his stage work appears to have been done in either London or Los Angeles. I have less chance of getting to Los Angeles than I do to London. Still I live in hope. Plus there's always the movies and TV. I've always enjoyed CF's quirkier projects. So I'm really looking forward to \"Donovan Quick\", that is if it ever gets an American release. My favorites with Firth are \"The Advocate\", aka \"Hour of the Pig\", and \"Apartment Zero\". Please forgive me this: but I like Russell Crowe. I find him a superb actor and he does have a sexiness. You might wonder if I think him a better actor than Colin Firth? No. Not better in the least, but other. The same can be said of the sensuality he projects, it's different -- like apples to kiwis. I'm saying this as someone who has worked in advertising; different people respond to disparate types of sex appeal. If you're interested as to what my produce preferences are -- it's apples."}, {"response": 607, "author": "baine", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (22:17)", "body": "(Cheryl) My favorites with Firth are \"The Advocate\", aka \"Hour of the Pig\", and \"Apartment Zero\". Very nice; I like those too--they would be unusual no matter who was in them. Mark - re your reference to Scarlet P on British TV, which I didn't know about. I've been thinking for weeks that there ought to be a remake of the old Leslie Howard film of S.P., which I think is superb, and I think ODB's just the man to do it. He makes a great rake, and I'd like to see him do more roles like that."}, {"response": 608, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (23:11)", "body": "Cymbeline, there is a great SP out there with Anthony Andrews, he is absolutely perfect. I can not imagine an improvement. :-) Eileen, now we know who writes for R&K Lee. That was too funny. (Karen), Now, if only Colin (Ned) would wear something equally provocative to bed instead of his white undershirt. You do not really want Colin like that with EMG in bed do you? We will have to ask a Brazilian about the thongs. I believe it all started in Ipanema. ;-D"}, {"response": 609, "author": "baine", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (23:23)", "body": "(Moon) there is a great SP out there with Anthony Andrews, he is absolutely perfect. I can not imagine an improvement. :-) Firthette Rule numero uno: ANY FILM IS IMPROVED BY THE ADDITION OF ODB -- ANY FILM, ANYWHERE, ANY TIME"}, {"response": 610, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (00:19)", "body": "I went to see MLSF twice on Saturday and once on Sunday and absolutely loved it. I was starting to think I had read so much about it and had been waiting for it for so long that I might be disappointed; but no. It was showing at a fairly new cinema so the screen, sound, seating etc. were excellent. There were between 15 and 20 people at the two morning sessions, and between 45 and 50 at the afternoon session. Everyone laughed at the appropriate times and seemed to enjoy the movie. Quite a few people tayed to the end of the credits whereas normally its only me and whoever I'm with. Does anyone know if there is a soundtrack available in the States? I asked at my local music shop but their computer doesn't have it listed. Cathey"}, {"response": 611, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (00:30)", "body": "Welcome, Cheryl. Your favourites are two of mine, as well. I just watched The Advocate again last night and I like it better with every viewing and ODB in it. I am hoping to pick up The Hour of the Pig in London for the \"enhanced\" scenes. Don't throw anything at me but I enjoyed The Scarlett Pimpernel with EMcG and REG especially in their scenes together. My mom and I started watching Vanity Fair the other night and could only take about an hour of it.This series really needed ODB; we never saw anything with such uniformly unappealing men in it and the music is just awful - so inappropriate and obtrusive. I won't be able to compare CF's new interpretations in 3DOR with the March performance (which is perhaps an advantage) but I am rather looking forward to a more energetic portrayal of Walker. Although I find his subtle acting deeply appealing, it will be a nice change to see him do something more over-the-top.Thanks, everybody, for the comments. Three weeks from now, I shall be sitting at the Donmar waiting for the play to begin. Can't wait. Re Colin's Darcy recognition factor. I suppose that when DB does another lead role in a production as successful as P&P (which success was due largely to him, as we know), the focus may shift. I don't think he has given another performance that has made as much of an impact as his Darcy. And he should be proud of that performance - he took what could have been a nothing role with little screen time and turned it into the heart and soul of a five hour mini-series. He should not be frustrated with the media but rather with his inability to find another such exciting part."}, {"response": 612, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (00:31)", "body": "Cathey thanks for your report, is it playing all over Australia and have you seen any reviews. Will you go to the MLSF spoilers topic and tell us your thoughts on the film, favourite characters, favourite outfit favourite looks, absolutely anything you think might interest someone who won't be seeing it until May 2000! Many thanks."}, {"response": 613, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (00:50)", "body": "Please forgive me this: but I like Russell Crowe. I find him a superb actor and he does have a sexiness. You might wonder if I think him a better actor than Colin Firth? No. Not better in the least, but other.... *********** Cheryl: Russell's a favorite of mine too. The Insider is just so great. However, as you say, apples and oranges...one has a rock band and wears necklaces, the other has dimples, thinning hair, and stands on the street in chains to make a point. I'll go for the Protest Guy! Here's the other one at the Australian awards this past weekend - still carrying that Insider weight! Murph I have a new picture (sadly without Colin) of the TOTS crew thanks to my friend Clive:"}, {"response": 614, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (00:55)", "body": "SO sorry to mess the whole thing up! I think I'll go back to lurking again. The picture is way too big, and I gave the wrong URL for the TOTS picture. Murph"}, {"response": 615, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (00:56)", "body": "Eileen, your Regis & Kathy Lee \"interview\" with Rafe was too fine. I had to read it again during my supper - practically blew my spaghetti sauce all over my monitor. Please forgive me this: but I like Russell Crowe. That's okay, Cheryl, many here like him too. Most of the time we're kidding though never when swearing allegiance to 'da man'. Cymbeline, your Rule #1 should be our motto. Lynda, can't wait to hear your 3DOR thoughts. Any others going soon to fan the flames?"}, {"response": 616, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (00:58)", "body": "Here is the proper URL for that cast pic: Again, sorry. Murph"}, {"response": 617, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (01:00)", "body": "For someone who thinks she knows something about http language!!!!!!???? Clear, please! Murph"}, {"response": 618, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (02:47)", "body": "Well, it took Eileen's hysterically funny interview with Reege 'n Rafe to finally shake me out of lurkdom. Brilliant, Eileen--wish I'd written it. Hmmm . . .maybe on FoF . . .hee hee.;-) I can't resist adding on: Rafe: Can't we please talk about Onegin? About Pushkin? Reege: Sure. Here's our next contestant: Irv Pushkin from Fort Lee, New Jersey! I'm enjoying reading everyone's comments on SLOW, 3DOR, MLSF, and all the assorted Firth-related acronyms, and am glad to have finally made it here!"}, {"response": 619, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (03:08)", "body": "Mari! Welcome!!! Aloha, too."}, {"response": 620, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (04:54)", "body": "I loved the Regis & Kathy Lee interview, even though I never watch their show because Regis is Barfsville IMHO. It sounded so true to life though. Welcome Mari."}, {"response": 621, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (05:29)", "body": "MARI!!!! They have barely removed the electrodes from my chest, but I knew I had to get my welcoming banner out. (damn that floor is hard) Evelyn says HI to all as I relieved her of all those things she dragged from England. Shame she couldn't fit Colin into the overhead compartment. I have a lot of scanning, printing and assorted and sundry things to do with that haul, not the least of which is to drool heavily. Here's the link to Mary's cast picture from TOTS: (why on earth wasn't it showing up correctly?) http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/4144/tots/cast.html Great Donmar page, 3Deers. Pretty soon am going to start counting the days. Anbd thanks for the reprise of the \"Get Shirty\" article, Renate. Love the title. Love how this guy continues to get wet in all his pics. Will have to ask about Londinium...they do go to a seaside resort, so... hmmmm (CherylB) like apples to kiwis Ah yes, we all like the odd apple or two. Would you say he's a Rome Beauty, a Winesap or perhaps a Jonathan? Maybe a Golden Delicious? ;-D You'll find, CherylB, that many of us do admire other actors and their works. Some of us even post little tidbits on other topics here at Drool (like at Jeremy Northam). There is even a Russell Crowe topic here, I think. Russell does an excellent American accent. Was shocked when I found out that both he and Guy Pearce in LA Confidential were Australians. But Colin holds a supreme place here and Cymbeline's Firthette Rule No. 1 would seem basic (except I for one do NOT want to see Colin play the SP--nevah!) . However, I'm not a big one on remakes of anything, if the original is one I've liked. The thought of Charade being remade for Will Smith is making me ill. Didn't the Wild Wild West teach these people anything? Cathey, thanks for your report on seeing MLSF. So glad that it finally made it to you and that it didn't let you down after having read soooo much about it. I think Evelyn checked to see if there was a soundtrack and no one had one listed."}, {"response": 622, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (07:40)", "body": "Somebody - obviously from \"Empire\" - pointed the 3Deers to this article: http://www.empireonline.co.uk/news/news.asp?1772"}, {"response": 623, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (08:21)", "body": "WELCOME MARI and Lynda I second what Heide has said we look forward to your report of your trip to London and 3DOR. Also you may be able to see SLOW, I would think it would still be playing in London in 3 weeks time."}, {"response": 624, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (11:52)", "body": "Welcome Mari Unusual sight in today's Times (London) of CF as Darcy astride his horse above a picture of Helen Fielding. The pop-culture photo-article, of course, is about dramatisations of Jane Austen's works, sparked by the BBC's new raunchy Mansfield Park . Also pictured: JA, Fay Weldon, Alicia Silverstone, GP."}, {"response": 625, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (13:15)", "body": "Welcome Mari! I hope you become as talkative as we are. :-) Thanks for all the links, Renate, Karen and Murph. ODB is also mentioned in the \"Empire\" link Renate posted above, click on Blackadder. (Karen), Cymbeline's Firthette Rule No. 1 would seem basic (except I for one do NOT want to see Colin play the SP--nevah!). Most definitely, nevah! Karen, we are looking forward to all of Evelyn's goodies. Mark, you are agent #1. Thanks!"}, {"response": 626, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (15:21)", "body": "WELCOME, MARI! It's nice to see you here. Glad you enjoyed the 'transcript' from Regis and KL. wish I'd written it. I hope you treat us to a few of your hysterically funny 'conversations'! Lucie, I also rarely watch that show but it's Kathie Lee who gets to me. She's so...hard, so tough nowadays. I've a recurring mental picture of her coming home each day after the show and unshackling Frank from his chair. (Karen) Didn't the Wild Wild West teach these people anything? Clearly not. Further, whyohwhy do the powers that be in H'wood insist on bringing these vintage TV shows to the big screen? I think Brady Bunch was the only success. Now we've got *gag* Charlie's Angels to look forward to! *shakes head in disgust* Thanks for your MLSF report, Cathey. Lynda, sharpen your pencil and take copious notes for us regarding 3DOR and SLOW. Lastly, thanks to Evelyn for bringing back her \"haul\" and to Karen (in advance) for getting it on-line for the rest of us to enjoy."}, {"response": 627, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (17:00)", "body": "(Karen) \"They have barely removed the electrodes from my chest, but I knew I had to get my welcoming banner out. (damn that floor is hard)\" Uh oh. Sounds like the dreaded My-oh-Colin-al Infarction!;-) Thanks very much to everyone for the warm welcome. Cathey, I'm so glad you enjoyed MLSF. It's one of my favorites, too. Three viewings in two days, you say? Sounds about right.;-) I just saw an Australian website with a very nice review, including an interview with, who else, David Puttnam. There are two Real Player clips from the film, which may be of interest to those who haven't yet seen it. They are *not* the same as the theatrical trailer. I don't have the exact URL, but you can go through the movie review query engine and scroll towards the b ttom of the list of MLSF reviews. http://www.mrqe.com"}, {"response": 628, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (20:09)", "body": "Some boxoffice info for MLSF in Australia: Released: Thu, Oct 21 1999 [think they meant the 12th] AU Box Office Total $ 48,236 Last Weekend Box Office $ 46,061 Screenings 118 Can't tell how many screens it is on, but looks like only one in Sydney (Village on George St.) and the program shut down (illegal operation) while I was trying other states. :-( FYI, A$48,000 = US$30,800"}, {"response": 629, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (20:10)", "body": "And on one of the Australian news/film sites, there is a totally new picture being used (of Malcolm McDowell with Fraser and the other kid). That wasn't handed out for publicity here."}, {"response": 630, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (20:33)", "body": "Ok, also playing in Victoria (I assume in Melbourne) at the Village City Centre. The Greater Union chain has it listed in Western Australia (Megaplex Innaloo), Queensland (Megaplex Indooroopilly) and New South Wales (Campbelltown, Castle Hill Megaplex 16, and Miranda) Nothing in the ACT or NT. Not too shabby."}, {"response": 631, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (20:59)", "body": "Welcome back Tineke, great to read your impressions and also Welcome Mari, you're going to have a great time in three weeks!! Eileen LOL!! if you had seen RF yesterday morning about 7.50am you would not have believed it! he was to follow this up with a session on \"Live with Lorraine\" on the plush sofa. The bit I saw had him in a voluminous shirt, with several buttons undone so when he was invited to take a croissant \"They've been there for days Ralph\" purrs the interviewer, he turned full to the camera lent over the plate and exposed yards of chest hair almost to his navel! I am so glad at times that ODB has the good sense not to get involved in charades like that! Or has such appalling taste in shirts!"}, {"response": 632, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (21:04)", "body": "BTW ODB has great knuckles! I noticed those especially but sadly he does not remove anything but his shirt and has a t-shirt under it! yes it is pretty tough being by the record player! But I pride myself on giving nothing away during the performance and leave it til I get to drool. Karen, looking forward to those goodies you are working on."}, {"response": 633, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (21:08)", "body": "(Lizza) The bit I saw had him in a voluminous shirt, with several buttons undone Argh! Is this some new trendy thing? Hugh Grant always appears with his shirts unbuttoned too far. It does NOT look good. Do their fingers get tired?"}, {"response": 634, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (21:08)", "body": "Hi Gang....Missed you...Glad I had Aishling, AnnW. ,Tineke and Mark around...made the Spring withdrawls less painful. First Spring comments: Welcome Cheryl and Mari .We love newbies...and Mari \"it's about time\"!! ~~~~~~ Eileen, LMAO with the script of Rafe and Regis.RF is all over the place in London, ....TV, Borders signing books,a Pushkin reading at the Barbican,posters all over the Underground stations.And Onegin premiere tonight at the Odeon on Leiscester Sq. which he will attend.Can't Taking London by storm. ~~~~~~ Ben...let me add my congratulations on your new position....will contact you via email on January Spring Reunion plans. ~~~~~~ Told you all those Voting sites were rigged! ~~~~~~ There is no MLSF soundtrack...Glad you enjoyed the film Cathey. ~~~~~ 3 DOR is sold out for the next 4 weeks, I was told at the BO. When I picked up the January tickets, I was fortunate to get a return. There are returns every day and usually are sold after 7PM... I was lucky :-) ~~~~ 3 DOR Livia was not there on Wed. night. The jacket he is wearing in the protest pic is the same one he was wearing on Wed. night. The night I saw 3 DOR the audience was v. responsive.I love this play....it's loaded with ideas to keep your brain busy for days....but has enough humor to keep it light. After our discussions I saw things that I hadn't realized...the the stark scenery in Act 1 is IMO a refection of the house . He seems to be portraying Walker now with a \"coiled-spring\" tensemess,nervous erratic movements in contrast to Ned's determined spare movements (and words) It's more intense, but not distracting. I never tire of watching this guy on stage with his \"bag of theatrical tricks\" .He has an irrepresible manner of speech and movement on stage...but at the same time...it all seems so effortless, never contrived. BTW....I visited the Theatre Museum in Covent Garden which houses the National Archive of Theatre Presentations. I plan to contact them and see if they plan to tape 3 DOR for future viewing at their library. They currently have TRT which was taped in August.Stay tuned. ~~~~~~~~ I had a packed schedule....will give a report on Summerfolk later and answere any questions on 3 DOR.... Lizza and Tineke covered most of it.... I'm off to 121 to give report on SLOW."}, {"response": 635, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (21:26)", "body": "(Mari) Sounds like the dreaded My-oh-Colin-al Infarction!;-) *sigh* What a way to go! Welcome home, Evelyn. We missed you too. I'm glad you saw ODB on Wednesday as he was not available after the Saturday evening performance. And he recognized you? *swoon* You did us proud, m'dear! Regarding 3DOR: Which interpretation of Walker do you prefer? Do you think EMcG was better this time around (I'm seeing a range of opinions on the subject, although the critics seem to love her)? Lizza, perhaps Rafe was inspired by Seinfeld's 'puffy shirt' episode."}, {"response": 636, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (21:35)", "body": "Dame Evelyn, Welcome back in all your glory!! You described Walker so perfectly. Eileen- quick enlighten me about \"puffy shirts\" Was this one as vile a colour as RF was wearing?"}, {"response": 637, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (21:43)", "body": "Do you know how easy it was to find this? Searched on yahoo for \"puffy shirt\"!!"}, {"response": 638, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (21:44)", "body": "Welcome back, Evelyn! *waving and grinning like it was Christmas yesterday*"}, {"response": 639, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (22:08)", "body": "(Eileen)....Regarding 3DOR: Which interpretation of Walker do you prefer? Actually, I prefer the current one...emphasizes the contrast with Ned. David Morrissey plays Pip and Theo on the same level...he presents no contrast between father and son. EMcG southern accent is less pronounced this time and therefore more appealing. I didn't see the thong....my seat was on the stage right side...I missed the action when it was projected to the front...but hey, I had a ringside seat by the drafting table during the confrontation with Theo. ~~~~~ (Karen)*waving and grinning like it was Christmas yesterday* Glad to hear the posters got home....I missed them on the last leg of the flight:-( You have never seen a happier camper than Karen with two sets of publicity pictures!! ~~~~~ BTW Posters for 3 DOR are now available at the BO for 3.50 UKP. No mail orders (I asked)."}, {"response": 640, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (22:30)", "body": "One more thing...what's this \"rail thin\" look? Thinner than in March? Thinner than Jess? Or his usual degree of rail thinness? Inquiring minds want to know (the hair assessment has already been addressed) ;-p"}, {"response": 641, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (23:44)", "body": "(Karen) Ah yes, we all like the odd apple or two. Would you say he's a Rome Beauty, a Winesap or perhaps a Jonathan? Maybe a Golden Delicious?;-D I would say that the Rome Beauty appears to be to whom he's married and Jonathan is his brother. Since CF is reputed to be a bit internet phobic, he may not look fondly upon computers, so definitely not a Macintosh. As for being a Stayman Winesap, yeah I could see that. Mmm -- Golden Delicious, well he is delicious but yellow apples are associated with France and CF is resolutely a Brit. I have it: Red Delicious. The right color for a proper English apple, and no other apple so perfectly gets across the concept of an apple as bright red, glossy, very crisp Red Delicious. The thought of Charade being remade for Will Smith is making me ill. Karen it is said that misery loves company. May I join you in being sick at the thought of that. Whoever came up with that concept is sick or sadistic, or both. It makes my skin crawl."}, {"response": 642, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (00:35)", "body": "Welcome back Dame Evelyn....recipient of the most well deserved handshake! And welcome to de-lurkers Mari and Cheryl! Cathey, I was so pleased that MLSF lived up to your expectations! Obviously well worth the wait. I'm almost 100% convinced that it should have opened in the UK in October (as indicated by David Puttnam's PR). If you check out British Airway's website http://www.british-airways.com you'll see that MLSF is listed as in-flight entertainment (Screen 4) for November, along with East is East (just released in the UK natiowide multiplex, much hyped, and The Trench, released a few weeks ago, again nationwide multiplex. A couple of other Brit films are listed, also released last month. All the movies listed h ve opened in the UK...except MLSF. So, in true Sherlock Holmes fashion, I deduce that it was scheduled for an October release, and then mysteriously backburnered for 7 months. Can anyone guess why (I can't!). Answers on a post card please! if you had seen RF yesterday morning about 7.50am you would not have believed it! he was to follow this up with a session on \"Live with Lorraine\" on the plush sofa. I guess it's the Ralph Fiennes week (bringing out my cat's claws)! Onegin weekends advertised every other minute on Classic fM, two appearances on TV movie programmes, and a clutch of \"exclusive interviews\" in the glossy mags with Francesca Annis (Rafe's partner) on her relationship with \"the intensely private\" Rafe. Yee--ee-ch, and there's me vainly searching for a glimpse of Colin. Oh well, give me a man who wears a roundnecked Tee shirt in bed (and trousers, and socks and boots!) How come he's kitted out for a five mile hike, whilst EMcG has stripped down to a black slip? Doesn't he even take his socks off? (Very elegant feet)! Back to RF, and claws out again, fully agree about the \"oops, my shirt's unbuttoned to reveal my hairy chest\" look. Reminds me of Julio in BJD. Again, I prefer men who have assets but don't flaunt them!"}, {"response": 643, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (01:18)", "body": "It is amazing that MLSF has not yet opened in Britain. You'd think at least Scotland would get it. It's a mystery. Bethan do you know something I don't? Was it mentioned before that Lina's wearing a black slip or was that just an assumption. Ah, but you wouldn't be able to see that thong too well through a black one...she must still be wearing the white. Hiya Mari! So glad you're back, Evelyn. McG southern accent is less pronounced this time and therefore more appealing. The problem I had with her last March (one of the many, actually) was that she slipped in and out of her Southern accent...in fact sometimes she sounded British. I hope she's consistent this time with whatever accent she chooses to use. Ladies leaving later....you better take a big carry on to fit in those 3DOR posters we're going to ask you to bring back."}, {"response": 644, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (01:24)", "body": "Hit Submit too quickly. Eileen has asked this before and not received an answer. How thin is he? Can you ladies make a comparison? Cheryl, your apple comparisons are delish. I agree he can't be a Jonathan or a Macintosh but he's more tart than a Golden or Red Delicious. They're too mushy for my taste and our boy's got a lot more bite to him."}, {"response": 645, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (01:45)", "body": "Welcome back Evelyn. Sounds like you had a great time."}, {"response": 646, "author": "baine", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (01:45)", "body": "Evelyn - welcome back. We were with you every panting breath of the way. Ok. I'm a hand gal, so -- what did they look like and what did they/it feel like? Was it warm or cold? What's his handshake like? Did he look at you while you were talking or was he distracted? How do his hands look on stage? Are they expressive? Are the fingers long, are they graceful? And in ODB's case, I'm a voice gal too. So is it as velvetly beautiful on stage and in real life as in the films? Did he say Wot? Did he say You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love all my Firthettes? Did it reduce you to jelly? What did he say absolutely verbatim? And please include any details you happen to think of."}, {"response": 647, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (02:00)", "body": "I don't know if the polls are rigged or not but Murph's site is falling behind. Neither of the other two are nearly as good or as informative as hers so I still vote on all three of the polls daily."}, {"response": 648, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (02:02)", "body": "I concur with everything Cymbeline says, Evelyn."}, {"response": 649, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (02:22)", "body": "(Heide)Ladies leaving later....you better take a big carry on to fit in those 3DOR posters we're going to ask you to bring back. You won't have to order one....I brought one back for you 'n Karen.:-)) And I don't want any orders (along with autographs!)....those tubes are fiendish to carry. (Eileen)what's this \"rail thin\" look? Thinner than in March? Thinner than Jess? Or his usual degree of rail thinness? Inquiring minds want to know (the hair assessment has already been addressed) ;-p Usual thinness...like in March. In the 2nd act when he puts on his shirt and tucks it in his trousers....he didn't have to suck it in!!! ~~~~~ (Cymbeline)I'm a hand gal, so -- what did they look like and what did they/it feel like? Was it warm or cold? What's his handshake like? Did he look at you while you were talking or was he distracted? How do his hands look on stage? Are they expressive? Are the fingers long, are they graceful? I'm a hand girl too, Cymbeline.I had kid gloves on so I don't know of the warmth, but his handshake was firm.He did look at me and I conscentrated on his gorgeous eyes.. He uses his hands constantly on stage ( the Italian influence,says Moon).Long slender fingers....beautiful hands. I love to see him sign autographs. ( BTW I don't have one).He seems to enjoy it...even the professional autograph hounds who are constantly there...he is courteous to them too. ~~~~~ Don't you want to know what he was wearing? Docker khaki slacks , Timberland boots, a suede jacket with a sheepskin lining The same one he's wearing in The Protest Picture.He was wearing a tee shirt under the jacket.He was carrying a black duffle bag...(Livia doing the laundry?) After he signed two other autographs he turned around waved, smiled and took off down street with the \"darcy-walk\".You could spot him any place."}, {"response": 650, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (02:31)", "body": "(Cymbeline)I'm a voice gal too. So is it as velvetly beautiful on stage and in real life as inthe films? Did he say Wot? Did he say You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire andlove all my Firthettes? Did it reduce you to jelly? What did he say absolutely verbatim? Everyone who went in March can tell you that his voice is the same off stage as on stage.LOL...I didn't mention Firthettes..or the Internet...or websites. I refuse to have an agenda when I go... I enjoy the moment, and I enjoy just gazing at him. No he doesn't reduce me to jelly...just a glowy feeling. He said it was good to see me...I told him I had come to see Summerfolk and attend the LFF...and had been fortunate to get a return ticket to this performance. I thanked him for doing this stage production and said how much I was looking forward to his future projects. He thanked me for coming. In January I think I'll hide...he'll recognize all of us ...I'm sure"}, {"response": 651, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (04:31)", "body": "But, Evelyn, what did he say when you asked, \"what base did Edward get to with Heloise?\" and \"Is Peter gay?\" ;-D Wasn't Lina's slip nude colored? Checking BA's website for onboard movies...now that's what I call sleuthing! ;-D OK, who's flying BA to London? What a treat!!"}, {"response": 652, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (09:22)", "body": "(Evelyn)his handshake was firm.He did look at me and I conscentrated on his gorgeous eyes Oh, WOW, Evelyn! Welcome back, I\ufffdve been reading your account of that incredible evening in awe, thanks a lot for every detail. I\ufffdm so glad that you enjoyed the play again and the fact that he actually came to you to shake hands and He said it was good to see me.. is stunning. He\ufffds got great manners. All this makes me admire you both even more than before if that\ufffds possible. In January I think I'll hide... Haha, you won\ufffdt do anything such, we won\ufffdt let you! He\ufffdll notice you again and I want to take some pics of you two."}, {"response": 653, "author": "baine", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (15:00)", "body": "Evelyn - even the professional autograph hounds who are constantly there...he is courteous to them too. He's a sweetie! (Livia doing the laudry?) Maybe he does his own?? I didn't mention Firthettes..or the Internet...or websites. Wise decision. I conscentrated on his gorgeous eyes And *are* they the color or ripe chestnuts? He said it was good to see me Sob! Well, I'm jelly sitting here gazing at my little screen. he turned around waved, smiled and took off down street with the \"darcy-walk\". Who was that gorgeous man? You could spot him any place. I wish I could spot him outside my window right this minute. Oh, thanks for the details! And the clothes descriptions--the boots are definitely good. Getting all your eloquently shared impressions is even better than a little sea-bathing!"}, {"response": 654, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (16:01)", "body": "Welcome back, Evelyn! Thanks so much for the detailed report. You always handle your encounters with him so well."}, {"response": 655, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (17:29)", "body": "(Susan) You always handle your encounters with him so well. I think that's because Evelyn treats him no differently from her own sons. ;-D"}, {"response": 656, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (18:03)", "body": "Evelyn, I loved all the details of your encounter with him. SO----- that's why you were lurking outside the Donmar incognito on Saturday!!! As Elena says we will let you get away with nothing in January!!!"}, {"response": 657, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (18:36)", "body": "(Susan) You always handle your encounters with him so well. (Karen)I think that's because Evelyn treats him no differently from her own sons. ;-D You mean....I treat him like I would one of my son's friends....and he treats me like one of his mum's friends. ( Sorry Bethan,I don't have gray hair and I don't wear it in a bun!!) ~~~~ I want to take some pics of you two. Nope. Did that last year....this year it's the boss's turn :-D ~~~~~ Forgot to tell you that I attended the London Premiere of Mansfield Park on Sunday evening.Part of the LFF. The writer/director, Patricia Rozema, the producer, the entire cast and Harvey were there.Some of the folks were in black tie so there were no doubt big doins afterwards. The film is beautiful to look at...but NOT Jane Austen's MP. The writer took shocking liberties. Inserted lewd sex scenes and (the worst) changed the character of Fanny Price.\"So she wouldn't be so boring\"...how's that for arroganc . The Q&A period was pretty spirited...with some people contesting her temerity in taking such liberties.Someone near me commented that she must be an American because of her accent. I courteously corrected them....\"she's Canadian...she's one of yours\".Aishling tells me that the newspapers yesterday said that the sex scenes would be cut for Americans audiences.(They're afraid of the colonies!!) Why don't the Brits rise up and object to defacing JA!! I was an interesting evening.What's with these women directors.... I did not talk to Harvey...I would have wanted to kick him.!!"}, {"response": 658, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (19:57)", "body": "In this week's TV Times there is a feature about \"The Best Programmes on TV this Christmas\", TTOTS is mentioned, and every programme shows whose in it, when its on etc and there is a final section for every programme \"Reason to watch it\" - for TTOTS \"Colin Firth is in breeches again\" I ask you, obviously they are going to use this to promote the programme even thought he only has a 10min cameo."}, {"response": 659, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (20:00)", "body": "( cont.) even though he only has a 10 min cameo. (Don't know quite what happened there, hope you all understand it)"}, {"response": 660, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (21:58)", "body": "Oh, I saw that as well, Ann! The plot \"synopsis\" (quoting from memory, correct me if I'm wrong) says \"A charming bachelor appoints a young governess to look after two children.\" I like the \"charming\". I agree, it looks as though they'll use Colin to promote this....am all in favour of this! TOTS is described as a \"gripping horror story\" and the producer says it's the best ghost story. Well, instant video replay coming up! Great stuff, Evelyn! You certainly packed a lot into your few days over here!"}, {"response": 661, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (22:02)", "body": "I have been too busy to post, but have read your news with relish. I just want to add my welcome to Mari and CherylB, and my thanks and congrats to Evelyn, Lizza and Tineke for their exploits and telling us about them :-) and for everyone else for keeping my spirits up."}, {"response": 662, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (22:11)", "body": "Couldn't think of a nicer spirit to keep up Gi."}, {"response": 663, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (09:30)", "body": "That was very sweet, Lizza *big, embarrassed grin*"}, {"response": 664, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (10:03)", "body": "I see that the London Evening Standard Theatre Awards are next Monday the 22nd November, and that a recording of the Awards is to be shown on TV the next day 23rd November. The winners will be announced on Monday but do we know who the nominees are and is it too soon for Colin to be included. Fingers crossed for TRT though. This Announcement is at The Albermarle Theatre Website."}, {"response": 665, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (15:16)", "body": "Great apple analysis, Cheryl! Since CF is reputed to be a bit internet phobic, he may not look fondly upon computers, so definitely not a Macintosh Hee hee! :-D (Bethan) [Re: MLSF] So, in true Sherlock Holmes fashion, I deduce that it was scheduled for an October release, and then mysteriously backburnered for 7 months. Can anyone guess why (I can't!). It takes a long time for those courier pigeons to transport the reels from one US location (some of which are too small to be called 'cities') to another. Harvey would have tried pony express instead of the pigeons but it cost too much to insure the horses. Thanks for all the 'close encounter of the Firth kind' details, Evelyn. IMO you handled it perfectly. As for Colin, Cymbeline said it best: He's a sweetie! Re: Mansfield Park--there was an article in the NY Times a few weeks ago about Rozema and the liberties she took with Austen. It's creating lots of buzz, no doubt intended. I was surprised to read that some sex scenes are to be cut for American audiences--must be too graphic for our ratings board. Good God, JA must be spinning in her grave! While channel surfing last weekend, I encountered a 'making of' MF bit on an obscure NYC tourist channel (???). They were interviewing one of the actors (not the ne who plays Edmund). I noticed his dimples. He was discussing the costumes. Apparently during initial fittings he was advised that [paraphrasing] in productions of Austen's work, one's breeches must be so tight as to reveal one's mood. My immediate reaction was \"they're trying for a Darcy knock-off.\" Or a cross between Bingley and Darcy, perhaps ;-D"}, {"response": 666, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (15:30)", "body": "one's breeches must be so tight as to reveal one's mood LOL!! So what mood was he in? New review of 3DOR at the Telegraph found by AnneR (can't believe I missed it last night...I remember feeling drowsy after reading the latest and greatest about RF though...) http://www.telegraph.co.uk:80/et?ac=000576481449931&rtmo=VwVmjwlx&atmo=lllllP1x&pg=/et/99/11/18/btrain18.html A subtle exploration of the legacy of love Kate Bassett reviews Three Days of Rain at the Donmar Warehouse QUEUES for returns are already forming for this clever New York chamber play by Richard Greenberg, starring Colin Firth, David Morrissey and Elizabeth McGovern. Robin Lefevre's quietly excellent production was given a fleeting premiere in March with the same top-calibre cast and its return to the West End is welcome. Greenberg's play blends social satire and serious family tensions, sometimes looking like a knowing cross between Woody Allen and Tennessee Williams, as the action shunts backwards from the Nineties to 1960. In the present day, Firth plays a smart-witted but chronically neurotic thirty-something called Walker. A bit of a Manhattan Hamlet, he did a runner a year back after the death of his father, Ned, a celebrated architect. But now, returning to his native soil, Walker intends to deal with his problematic legacy, and he meets up with his long-suffering sister Nan (McGovern) and childhood friend and rival Pip (David Morrissey). Walker and Nan wryly recall their parents' rotten marriage and argue with Pip about hitherto undisclosed attractions and about who should reside in their father's most renowned, largely glass home. Then the action cuts back and, in the same room, we see rivalries and a love triangle from the past unfold. Firth changes into the desperately shy Ned. Morrissey resurfaces as Pip's father, Theo, who was Ned's architectural partner, and McGovern appears as Nan's mother, the ambitious Southern belle, Lina. Thus Three Days of Rain is a manifestly tempting showcase for a trio of flexible actors while, thematically, contemplating processes of inheritance, the inescapability and elusiveness of the past, and the complexity and mutability of relationships. We perceive how personal characteristics resurface, refracted as through a prism, when Firth transforms from the motor-mouthed, egocentric Walker to the stuttering yet secretly determined Ned. Greenberg's script has its weaknesses. There's a long-lost diary, which is a creaky device, and the play's ending feels rather brusque, like an unfinished building. But he welds domestic tiffs and poetic monologues seamlessly and this cast are extremely deft. Morrissey's Pip, a wannabe smoothie, hovers unsettlingly between patience, fondness and predatoriness. McGovern is alternately dreamily sweet, steely and canny while Firth treads a fine line between absurd twitchiness and arresting intensity. And in he second half, their tentative romance is acutely charming, shot through with a growing sense of future sadness. ******** Don't like that \"absurd twitchiness\" bit. Wonder if Bassett read our comments re: that part about prisms."}, {"response": 667, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (15:56)", "body": "Ben, the St Brides Tavern in Bridewell Place seems to serve Ruddles. 6.30ish on the first night you're over?"}, {"response": 668, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (16:13)", "body": "(Karen) Wonder if Bassett read our comments re: that part about prisms I wouldn't be a bit surprised! It sounds as though Colin's revised interpretation of Walker (more twitching) is accomplishing its desired effect. The difference between Walker and Ned has been mentioned in most recent reviews (unless I'm confusing published reviews with publish-caliber remarks from Lizza, Tineke, Evelyn, etc.)."}, {"response": 669, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (21:58)", "body": "QUEUES for returns are already forming for this clever New York chamber play That's what I like to read! I'm happy that the Telegraph re-reviewed it. A fresh boost is always welcome. Karen, don;r read Rafe's reviews! Actually, the only one I've read (The Times) wasn't very good, but the movie is getting sensational marketing, and a lot of hype and very clever use of superlatives...\"swooningly handsome romantic hero\", \"Byronically beautiful\" (yee-e-ech!), \"stupendous\". The Times says that\" director and srar are confident that the story will communicate with a modern audience...but there's no sense of forward movement, and there's something frozen about the film, despite its immense dec rative appeal. Also says Rafe is \".cold\"\" Onegin wears curling papers (for the curly hair) and a corset. But I would like to see Colin borrow Rafe's PR staff...they really know how to sell their product!"}, {"response": 670, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (22:05)", "body": "Also says Rafe is \"cold\" Shocking pronouncement!! ;-o"}, {"response": 671, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (22:24)", "body": "Here's another Bridget Jones review, a bit too long to post here: http://www.thisislondon.com/dynamic/lifestyle/top_review.html?in_review_id=229534&in_review_text_id=178164"}, {"response": 672, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (22:39)", "body": "But I would like to see Colin borrow Rafe's PR staff. Corbett & Keene 122 Wardour St. London.Who also did PR work for SIL and Bedrooms and Hallways.V. prominent PR firm in UK.I bet pricey.Shall we pass the hat around and hire them for ODB? BTW... I like Rafe. ~~~~~ Thanks Karen for the3 DOR reviews I think the reviewers are definitely picking up the difference in Walker/Ned's personalities this time around....Colin's new Walker seems to be making an impact.I liked it. Didn't anyone review SLOW? We saw a guy with a tape recorder during the Q&A."}, {"response": 673, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (23:21)", "body": ""}, {"response": 674, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (23:52)", "body": "C orbett & Keene 122 Wardour St. London.Who also did PR work for SIL and Bedrooms and Hallways.V. prominent PR firm in UK.I bet pricey.Shall we pass the hat around and hire them for ODB? LOL! How do you know these things, Evelyn? Although many a true word spoken in jest....they're very good at their job!"}, {"response": 675, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (01:53)", "body": "London Evening Standard Theatre Awards are next Monday the 22nd November... to be shown on TV the next day 23rd November. The winners will be announced on Monday but do we know who the nominees are... Fingers crossed This was in today's Evening Standard, could it be a hint? \"THREE DAYS OF RAIN (rated excellent) Colin Firth, first dressed in valiantly worn dejection and then as his stammering father, gives ONE OF THE TRHREE BEST MALE PERFORMANCES THIS YEAR .\""}, {"response": 676, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (01:54)", "body": "Oh, bother - seems my hand was shaking... :-)"}, {"response": 677, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (02:07)", "body": "Arami, what great news! Colin is a nominee! Who are the other three? Is this award indicative for the BAFTAS? Will we be throwing another party at cf.com? :-D"}, {"response": 678, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (02:57)", "body": "Of course, I did not mean the Baftas but the Oliviers. Have you seen this 3DOR Review? http://www.albemarle-london.com/3days.html They also link it to the 3DOR Web site which I believe is Murphs."}, {"response": 679, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (03:18)", "body": "Meluchie has posted a Fever Pitch page of new DVD captures. http://www.grin.net/~meluchie/fpdvd.html Murph has two new pics of MLSF In the Rain pics: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/4144/mlsf/mlsfrain.html http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/4144/mlsf/mlsf.html"}, {"response": 680, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (08:17)", "body": "I was at some friends last night who announced that TTOTS had been filming in their street! They live in a very elegant square in Hammersmith (west London). All they saw was the attempts to disguise the many cars in there as carriages!"}, {"response": 681, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (09:53)", "body": "Allison, will you be able to check the Evening Standard between now and Monday to see if they mention the nominees for The Evening Standard London Theatre Aawards. Unfortunately we don't get the ES in my neck of the woods."}, {"response": 682, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (14:50)", "body": "Allison, don't you think that the Hammersmith location would have been the Master's (Colin's) London residence, where the governess comes to interview for the job? All they saw was the attempts to disguise the many cars in there as carriages! Really?! Here, they post \"no parking\" signs and the cars must find new homes. (where I'll never know)"}, {"response": 683, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (15:26)", "body": "I thought I read on Murph's site the name of the house where they had been filming Colin's scene but these could very well be the scenes of her arriving at the Master's residence."}, {"response": 684, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (16:12)", "body": "That's right. Syon Park was used for the interior of the Master's house in town and Thames something in Oxfordshire was the main location. So if they shot exteriors in Hammersmith, Colin wouldn't have been there. You don't have to castigate your friends now. ;-D"}, {"response": 685, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (17:05)", "body": "This from Aishling: From today's Daily Mail (Baz). Felicity Kendal is playing the Empress of China in an establishment-bashing adaptation of Aladdin for Radio 4 which will go out Christmas morning. Jennifer Ehle will play a princess. \" Jennifer on Christmas morning and Colin on Boxing Day....what a gift!!"}, {"response": 686, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (19:03)", "body": "BTW Timeout has chosen 3DOR as one of its 5(?) must see plays in London this week."}, {"response": 687, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (19:04)", "body": "With Rafe as the wicked uncle? Sorry Evelyn!"}, {"response": 688, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (21:06)", "body": "Does the Evening Standard have a URL?"}, {"response": 689, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (21:09)", "body": "Yes it does.I am sure Bethan, Allison, Karen et al will enlighten you. We used it when 3 DOR review first came out in March."}, {"response": 690, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (21:14)", "body": "The Evening Standard's site is \"This is London\" http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/dynamic/index.html"}, {"response": 691, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (21:22)", "body": "Speaking of which, here's the article about the ES's awards, which was at lunchtime (so Colin could attend). Also no mention of Jennifer or any Best Actress noms. Star line-up at Standard Awards Four hundred directors, playwrights, producers, actors and actresses will gather at the Savoy today to honour the theatre world. Alan Bates, Alison Steadman, Stephen Berkoff, Felicity Kendal, Jonathan Pryce, Lindsay Duncan and Ned Sherrin are just a few of the familiar faces who will be in the audience. Vanessa Redgrave, winner of the Evening Standard Awards' Best Actress title a staggering four times and in four different decades, is to present the Sydney Edwards' Best Director Award. Jonny Lee Miller, who rose to fame as Sick Boy in Trainspotting and was last month voted one of the ten sexiest men in the world in a magazine poll, is to present another award. Also, John Hurt who's extraordinary transformations have ranged from Quentin Crisp to the Elephant Man is to present the award for Best Actress. Anna Chancellor, Duck Face in Four Weddings and a Funeral and currently appearing as Reagan in the RSC's King Lear, will present the Best Designer Award and Joan Collins will be flying in to present a special prize. The event will kick off with a champagne reception, followed by lunch and the presentation of the nine all-important awards. As well as those for best actor, actress and director, they will include one for the outstanding newcomer, and the biennial Patricia Rothermere Award, which comes in two parts: the first for a major contribution to the theatre and the second in the form of a three-year bursary to a drama student. This will be presented by Lady Rothermere. Among the hardest fought of all the categories were best actor and Evening Standard/Carlton Television best musical. A host of strong performances in the running for the former include Henry Goodman in The Merchant of Venice, Stephen Dillane in The Real Thing, Colin Firth in Three Days of Rain and Michael Sheen in Look Back in Anger. Hotly tipped musicals include Mamma Mia, Candide, Spend Spend Spend and The Lion King. Critic and broadcaster Simon Fanshawe will host the ceremony, which is being filmed by Carlton Television; highlights will be broadcast on Tuesday at 7.30pm. Check back here later today for the list of winners."}, {"response": 692, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (22:49)", "body": "According to the Daily Mail and Albermarle Theatre website the Awards should be on Monday, how strange. Fingers crossed for either Colin or failing that Stephen Dillane."}, {"response": 693, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (23:01)", "body": "Found this at the This Is London Page: **************** by Michael Owen Sir Richard Eyre took two personal awards today and the company he led for 10 years claimed another four top trophies when the Royal National Theatre scored a virtual clean sweep of the year's premier theatrical honours - the Evening Standard Drama Awards. \"There must be something in the Eyre,\" an above-the-title actor intoned teasingly to a familiar tune, as the occasion turned into a brilliant valediction for the director who ran the South Bank complex for a decade until his retirement last month. Sir Richard received the best director prize for two productions - King Lear and The Invention Of Love - then was movingly acclaimed by senior actor of the British stage, Paul Scofield, who presented him with a Special Award in recognition of his leadership of the National. Cue for ovation of the day. Ian Holm, who conquered a 15-year attack of stage fright that kept him out of theatre work, took the best actor award for his performance as King Lear, which was staged in the NT's Cottesloe studio. He was presented with his statuette by legendary French actress Jeanne Moreau, who made today's presentation lunch at the Savoy the first of her appearances as patron of the current French Theatre Season in London after arriving from Paris last night. Saying British theatre was \"the best in the world\", she said: \"It's marvellous - even if the French don't like it if we say that.\" The best actress title went to Eileen Atkins and she received it from her co-star in the West End production of Edward Albee's A Delicate Balance - Dame Maggie Smith, who had earlier been considered a rival for the award. The two actresses embraced on stage - but only learned later that the judges had cheekily recommended that they might consider alternating their roles in the drama about an American household possessed by unknown fears. Sir Tom Stoppard created a new record when he took the best play title for the fifth time, for The Invention Of Love. It was presented by Dame Diana Rigg, who starred in two of his previous award-winning works: Jumpers and Night And Day. Playwright and TV comic actor Patrick Marber, who won the best comedy section for his debut play Dealer's Choice two years ago, took the same award for his new play, Closer. The triumph was announced by Nigel Planer, taking time off from his role as Mr Cellophane in Chicago, to present the celebrity audience with a masterclass in the etiquette of presenting and receiving awards."}, {"response": 694, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (23:02)", "body": "Is my previous post up to date? I'd hate to be posting old news. Murph"}, {"response": 695, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (23:33)", "body": "Was that item from last year? or the year before? ;-D"}, {"response": 696, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (23:36)", "body": "Old news, I think. \"Lear\" was a couple of years ago. Great to see Colin's name in the running."}, {"response": 697, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (01:45)", "body": "From an interview with Bridget Jones in today's This Is London (Evening Standard) If money were no object, where would you like to live in London? Colin Firth's house. Where are you least likely ever to live in London? Colin Firth's house. Gosh, that woman so bravely speaks for us all..."}, {"response": 698, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (01:48)", "body": "Murph - this year's celebrity King Lear - Nigel Hawthorne - has been mercilessly panned, I'm afraid..."}, {"response": 699, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (02:37)", "body": "Sorry! I had a feeling it was old stuff. I'll do anything for a scoop! This from the This Is London Site, said by Sam Mendes at the London Film Festival. The article says it was the most successful one ever. Could this mean he will be watching CF every night, and perhaps decide to do a project (stage or theater) with him? One can only hope. ***************************** \"I have been to several openings of American Beauty but this is by far the most emotional,\" said Mendes on introducing the film to an Odeon audience of many of his friends and relations, including his mother and father. Though he has had other film offers, he has already decided to spend the next two years in the theatre at his beloved Donmar Warehouse. Bold face mine. \"Then we'll see but it is difficult to imagine another film project as involving as this,\" he added. ***********************"}, {"response": 700, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (02:42)", "body": "Folks have done the \"film role I want to see Colin do\" thing, but what about a stage performance you would like to see him do? I'd like to see him play George from \"Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf\" opposite a really strong actress like Miranda Richardson. Murph"}, {"response": 701, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (02:42)", "body": "Thank you Karen."}, {"response": 702, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (02:44)", "body": "I would like to see him do Hamlet since that is the role he played when he caught the eye of the producer who gave him his first stage role which turned into his first movie role. Another Country."}, {"response": 703, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (02:46)", "body": "One little article by Helen Fielding will probably bring more attention to the existence of ODB than a thousand publicists (or ODB!!) ;-D"}, {"response": 704, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (02:52)", "body": "He is a master of the subtleties that is needed to play areally great Hamlet."}, {"response": 705, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (03:26)", "body": "(Murph) I'd like to see him play George from \"Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf\" Maybe in about 10 years. ;-D I've always maintained that Colin is really suited to many of Paul Newman's earlier roles (Sweet Bird of Youth, Long Hot Summer, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof)... or maybe it's just Tennessee Williams. But the Young Philadelphians works too."}, {"response": 706, "author": "Xian", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (03:58)", "body": "(Arami) From an interview with Bridget Jones in today's This Is London (Evening Standard) : If money were no object, where would you like to live in London? Colin Firth's house. Where are you least likely ever to live in London? Colin Firth's house. Gosh, that woman so bravely speaks for us all... My! She is shameless just like some of us ;-) (KJArt) One little article by Helen Fielding will probably bring more attention to the existence of ODB than a thousand publicists (or ODB!!) I agree. But I'm afraid HF's flattering may keep ODB away and what would Livia think about her little comments?"}, {"response": 707, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (09:23)", "body": "Cathey and Ann, and anyone in OZ, when you next see MLSF could you please check out the running time? Do you have a different ending to the US version? Any additional scenes? (impossible to know this, I suppose!) As an ardent \"Why aren't we getting MLSF\" sleuth//theorist, I'm just wondering if there are different versions for different markets. MLSF must have taken a drubbing at its initial pre-view in the US and subsequently given a severe re-edit, losing 30 minutes ( a quarter of the movie)to make it less \"boring\"!! There were two versions of \"The Advocate\"...US/European....with a 15 minute difference in runnng time ( ie not just those sex scenes!) Could this be the case with MLSF?"}, {"response": 708, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (12:32)", "body": "But the Advocate was only shortened for the US market: with MLSF it seems I'll have to buy both versions of the video now...oh, bother. (Btw, the UK and US versions of The Hostages are also (slightly) different.) Colin is still too young for the male lead in Who's Afraid..., I'm afraid... But he's still not too old for Hamlet (Murph, wasn't Olivier about 40 when he made the film?) - and it seems like it's slipping away from him... what a pity! Especially that it's the only role which he has publicly admitted wishing for. But perhaps after the 3DOR triumphs, he will have a chance. About Helen Fielding's shameless longing for Colin (in her Bridget's guise): it may be a bit tiresome, but ultimately I hope they all - including Livia - can see the joke. From our point of view, it seems a bit unfair, though, because her status as a fashionable writer shields her from an accusation of \"verbal stalking\", \"harassment\", etc., which any of his \"normal\" (?...;-)) fans (like us here) would immediately be subjected to, if we drooled so openly."}, {"response": 709, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (13:30)", "body": "Well said Arami! Maybe her lustre is a teeny bit tarnished after some reviews I have read, but it won't stop everyone buying the book. Do we have a date for the announcement of the BJD cast? Wait, I 'm probably on the wrong board!"}, {"response": 710, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (15:10)", "body": "The Australian Cinefile website lists MLSF's runtime at 93 min - the same as the in the US. Interesting though, in the Variety review (done after Cannes), it shows the RT at 97 min - probably draft press materials. Just noticed, that the shot used on the MLSF poster (US) is from the same scene as in the Australian handout, but you couldn't tell they were were pjs. ;-D"}, {"response": 711, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (15:18)", "body": "But the Advocate was only shortened for the US market: with MLSF it seems I'll have to buy both versions of the video now...oh, bother. (Btw, the UK and US versions of The Hostages are also (slightly) different.) Colin is still too young for the male lead in Who's Afraid..., I'm afraid... But he's still not too old for Hamlet (Murph, wasn't Olivier about 40 when he made the film?) - and it seems like it's slipping away from him... what a pity! Especially that it's the only role which he has publicly admitted wishing for. But perhaps after the 3DOR triumphs, he will have a chance. About Helen Fielding's shameless longing for Colin (in her Bridget's guise): it may be a bit tiresome, but ultimately I hope they all - including Livia - can see the joke. From our point of view, it seems a bit unfair, though, because her status as a fashionable writer shields her from an accusation of \"verbal stalking\", \"harassment\", etc., which any of his \"normal\" (?...;-)) fans (like us here) would immediately be subjected to, if we drooled so openly."}, {"response": 712, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (18:17)", "body": "Colin is still too young for the male lead in Who's Afraid..., I'm afraid... But he's still not too old for Hamlet (Murph, wasn't Olivier about 40 when he made the film?) - and it seems like it's slipping away from him... what a pity! Especially that it's the only role which he has publicly admitted wishing for. But perhaps after the 3DOR triumphs, he will have a chance... Arami and all: Burton was 41 when he made Who's Afraid, and Olivier was 41 when he made Hamlet. Arthur Hill, who played George on stage in the original, was around 43 years old. So the age of all these actors above makes it feasible for CF to do both parts now. Sometimes, to me, in some pictures, he is an older-looking 39 year old. Murph Re Who's Afraid, my husband tell me Uta Hagen will repeat her role as Martha in a revival coming up. She was too young the first time for the role, and a bit old for it now!"}, {"response": 713, "author": "cbrugette", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (21:59)", "body": "Interesting question: In which play would you like to see Colin Firth. Actually the Tennessee Williams play I can imagine him most in would be \"Night of the Iguana\". I think he would also be quite effective in Arthur Miller's \"The Crucible\", and if he could cultivate a really good American accent, Thornton Wilder's brilliant satire \"Our Town\". CF could be very enjoyable in that old comic chestnut \"Arsenic and Old Lace\". (For those of you who know it better from the film, he would be in the Cary Grant role.) As for \"Hamlet\", he's not to old for the part yet. I saw Kevin Kline play it at the the New York Shakespeare Festival when he was in his forties. Although it seems that Jonathan Firth is more likely to be cast as Hamlet than is Colin; as JF is building up quite a resume of Shakespearian performances, (i.e., Henry VI, Romeo, Marc Antony), these things can be important when casting. Now as to Helen Fielding, because she is a relatively well know writer, being able to note things that the rest of can't, lest we be suspected of stalking. Drat. I did so want express my desire to check into a sleazy motel with CF and have a cheap and sordid affair over the weekend. Just kidding. As if CF could be cheap and sordid. Well only if he's acting and the part requires it."}, {"response": 714, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (23:39)", "body": "I may be wrong but I think The Theatre Awards are only being shown on ITV London- check listings."}, {"response": 715, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Nov 21, 1999 (01:07)", "body": "(CherylB) Although it seems that Jonathan Firth is more likely to be cast as Hamlet than is Colin; as JF is building up quite a resume of Shakespearian performances Yes, and didn't we in the US just recently have the honor of seeing JF play a fairy? Oh, no that wasn't Midsummer Night's Dream after all. I love baby brother, I love baby brother...just don't want to see him take roles that rightfully belong to big bro. ;-)"}, {"response": 716, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Nov 21, 1999 (02:06)", "body": "(Murph) Sometimes, to me, in some pictures, he is an older-looking 39 year old. Hm... I still think he's a tad too boyish, even when wearing a dinner jacket and a frown... (CherylB) Jonathan Firth is more likely to be cast as Hamlet than is Colin I'm sorry, but it would be a travesty. Jonathan is quite an able actor, but is he truly acclaimed world class? Perhaps Jon has been a bit more lucky in his choice of repertoire (at least until recently...) But seriously, compare not WHAT, but HOW they have done, and Colin wins hands down. Even Colin as a fairy would be a far more stupendous performance. as to Helen Fielding, because she is a relatively well know writer, being able to note things that the rest of can't... As if CF could be cheap and sordid. I don't know about sordid, but cheap? How could she ever imagine it might be possible to buy into his house? (AnnW)I think The Theatre Awards are only being shown on ITV London You're right! Only Carlton will be showing it - other ITV regions are showing different programs! Horror!!! Can you imagine the impudence - they think the rest of the country doesn't deserve it!!! Whoever lives in the area, please get ready to record! And remember, I can do copies."}, {"response": 717, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Nov 21, 1999 (09:22)", "body": "The Theatre Awards are not being shown in my area either (Meridian) but I will ask my sister and No.1 son to record it for me so that if one of them forgets I should have at least one recording."}, {"response": 718, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Nov 21, 1999 (11:31)", "body": "Ann, I am out tomorrow but will record it!"}, {"response": 719, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Nov 21, 1999 (12:37)", "body": "Great, thankyou Allison, but its on Tuesday evening 7.30pm on Carlton.Fingers crossed for Colin, Jennifer and SD."}, {"response": 720, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Nov 21, 1999 (13:15)", "body": "Plays to see Colin in--- How about \"Closer\"? Evelyn didn't you see it on Broadway? I saw it in the West End."}, {"response": 721, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Nov 21, 1999 (14:26)", "body": "Fingers crossed for Colin, Jennifer and SD. Don't want to seem uncharitable, but my fingers are crossed only for CF and JE. CF's been pipped at the post before, and I'd like to see him win some serious recognition. Anyway, he may need it to counteract the Bridget Jones effect. Has anyone else read the sequel? I've given it a quick read and, overall, like it (will post impressions later at #80), but I can't decide whether it's good or bad for CF! He gets many mentions as himself (Bridget is still fixated on the wet shirt) and also appears as himself (the Independent interview, plus a very funny piece where he phones Bridget on her answerphone.) And Mark Darcy is very much a lust object....based on? OR is it just me who thinks he's based on...perhaps 99% of readers won't think this!! \"He is lovely. Love looking at Him asleep. V. sexy broadshoulders and hairy chest.Not that sex object or anything. Interested in brain\" He also has \"firm, little buttocks\"...although admittedly this is Tom's observation!! And then there's the bald patch... \"I stroked his hair. I kissed his bald patch where his fur had been loved off\" This is a reference to the fact that children always have one toy that they love more than all the others, even when its fur has been rubbed off, and the child still thinks its the most beautiful toy in the world, and can't bear to be parted from it. Mark Darcy is also described as \"cuddly and vulnerable\", oh, and \"naked\" in this scene. CF is included (with several others)in Helen's acknowledgements...\"With thanks for...inspiration, feedback and support\" Which is why, perhaps, a serious acting award wouldn't go amiss!"}, {"response": 722, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 21, 1999 (14:47)", "body": "(Bethan) CF is included (with several others)in Helen's acknowledgements... \"With thanks for...inspiration, feedback and support\" I love it and can't wait to read the book. Mark Darcy was v.sexy in the book. The inspiration is obvious. Wonder how much feedback and support he provided? ;-D"}, {"response": 723, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 21, 1999 (16:03)", "body": "And, btw, I've installed a new Main page for the Drool bucket repository. Thanks to Renate for finding the bucket. ;-D http://www.spring.net/~KarenR/mdbro/main.html"}, {"response": 724, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Nov 21, 1999 (18:18)", "body": "Wonder how much feedback and support he provided? ;-D This is insufferable, indeed! So why can't he provide feedback and support for the rest of us??? (Unless, of course, he really told her to lay off and she's sarcastic... it's possible, you know... ;-).)"}, {"response": 725, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Nov 21, 1999 (20:57)", "body": "Wonderful bucket Karen! Lovely work to brighten a dull and grey Sunday, thank you :)"}, {"response": 726, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Nov 21, 1999 (20:58)", "body": "Whoops, obviously the accolades that followed are invisible to all but the most devoted Firthettes!!"}, {"response": 727, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Nov 21, 1999 (22:19)", "body": "Love the dark bucket, Karen! One must dig deep to get the latest scoop, and that my dear you do very well, thanks!"}, {"response": 728, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (00:05)", "body": "For anyone who is interested, I've posted the main CF extract from BJ: the edge of reason at #80. Murph, please free to direct anyone to it! Had a look at the Sundays..I don't think there's going to be any promotion for SLOW. Posters in London?"}, {"response": 729, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (01:31)", "body": "Had a look at the Sundays..I don't think there's going to be any promotion for SLOW. Posters in London? If you saw the Optimum offices (and I use the term loosely) you wouldn't be surprised. But their heart is in the right place:-D"}, {"response": 730, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (02:44)", "body": "Hear Ye, Hear Ye ... Last chance to vote for Murph's website.. Polls close on Monday evening, UK time. C'mon.... now's he's third ...behind Robson Green.!! Vote Early....Vote Often! http://britishtheatre.about.com/arts/britishtheatre/library/weekly/blabtwa-vote.htm"}, {"response": 731, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (15:36)", "body": "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Colin didn't win. Dillane did. :-( Here's the article: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/dynamic/hottx/top_review.html?in_review_id=230151&in_review_text_id=179044 And no play was awarded \"best\" play. What kind of awards are these? btw, the winners must have known, as Dillane's acceptance was on video."}, {"response": 732, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (15:55)", "body": "(Karen) Colin didn't win. Dillane did. :( And nothing for Jennifer either. For spite, I'm not watching tomorrow night.;-)"}, {"response": 733, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (16:03)", "body": "And I was just about to go out in the cold and buy a copy of the ES. Shall stay in and reread lovely snippets from that discerning lady, Helen Fielding. At least someone out there has taste!"}, {"response": 734, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (17:01)", "body": "Bummer all around... IMO Pay Back Time: Hard for those judges to pass up a Tom Stoppard play and give it to a \"foreigner\". Remember how the British press went on and on during the Tony awards because \"Amy's View\" didn't win and \"Sideman\" did? (BTW..I agreed with them) They weren't about to give Richard Greenberg any recognition. And besides...I didn't think The Lion King qualifies as a Musical Play...a spectacle,ok. ~~~~ Oh no,....now I'll have to keep Mari and Karen from hurling tomatoes when we go to see TRT in January !:-D"}, {"response": 735, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (17:37)", "body": "Karen, congrats for the SLOW page! Content and looks are both very good. Colin didn't win. Dillane did. :-( I see it this way: ODB didn't win the award, but it can't be bad for him to have been on the shortlist for \"best actor of the year\". I'm sure this will be recognised by the right people, except his agent perhaps. ;-)"}, {"response": 736, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (18:29)", "body": "Colin didn't win. Dillane did. :-( I see it this way: ODB didn't win the award, but it can't be bad for him to have been on the shortlist for \"best actor of the year\". I'm sure this will be recognised by the right people, except his agent perhaps. ;-) :-( Is this award any indication of how the Oliviers will go? Mari, do watch it and tell us if Colin was there. Allison, Ann, Bethan, Arami or Lizza please tell us. Would he have gone knowing in advance that he did not win? They might have asked SD for a tape just in case he did win and was not able to attend."}, {"response": 737, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (18:51)", "body": "I shall watch but I don't expect to see him."}, {"response": 738, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (19:24)", "body": "You're not going to believe this!! MLSF has played (and may still be) in Spain. It's title is \"Los Secretos de la inocencia\" (Secrets of Innocence). A Madrid listing Cartelera (Oct 8) at: http://www.estrelladigital.es/Cartelera/paginas/cine_cartelera_madrid.htm According to this page, it is still there: http://www.interocio.es/cine/cines.htm (btw, Gi, Albufera cinemas are shown) Also, here's a review in spanish, with a couple of pictures of Irene Jacob and MEM we haven't seen. http://www.cinemagazine.com/cast/cartelle/S/secretos/secretos.htm Need better translator, but mentions \"brilliant\" cast they've assembled (Colin for Fever Pitch, I assume) and movie has sat around for 2 years and undergone much editing. Nothing about Colin's performance that I can figure out. ;-D"}, {"response": 739, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (20:04)", "body": "I am looking for two tickets for 3 DOR for Sat. Jan. 15th,evening performance. The Donmar Box Office only has singles available. If you have any for sale or hear of any, pl. email me. Thank you. evelyn"}, {"response": 740, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (20:08)", "body": "Oh, drat! And double drat again. How disappointing. I had my fingers crossed, but, have to say, when it comes to awards, the guy ain't lucky! Was there a short-list of nominations as such, or do they just announce \"The winner is..\" I agree with Allison...he won't be there (but someone please record it just incase! :-) I also agree with Evelyn...Richard Greenberg's actual play (as opposed to the performances) didn't get universal acclaim first time round, although second time around, Greenberg is getting more recognition, with references to his earlier work and standing in US theatre. But he's not British! Tut!"}, {"response": 741, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (20:16)", "body": "Bethan, I had already been to see MLSF (4th time) before I read your post so didn't take exact note of the running time, but estimate it to be around the 100 minute mark; sorry. From what I understand, the Aust. version had one short scene missed out (Edward & Moira dancing while Fraser doing talk over), but appears to have an additional scene at the end showing Fraser going off to boarding school, saying goodbye to his mother, sister and various servants and then stopping by the loch to say goodbye to his Dad who tells him he had looked up the meaning of fellatio in the medical dictionary and it was something he shouldn't start at boarding school (or something along those lines) Few extra looks at Colin (yippee). As far as I can tell, we have only had the 1920 version here. I will see it again when it comes to our local Art Theatre (hopefully before London) and will take particular note of the running time then."}, {"response": 742, "author": "cbrugette", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (23:41)", "body": "Please forgive me Heide and Arami. I didn't mean that Jonathan Firth should be cast as Hamlet rather than Colin Firth. It just seems at this point in time JF has the stronger repertoire in classical theater. We all know CF would be the better choice. It does give one pause though that CF has never been cast professionally as Hamlet, while Keanu Reeves has, at the Stratford Festival in Canada no less. There was reasoning behind such apparent madness. Basically it was for the money his appearance would generate; that, and Reeves being Canadian. I won't be checking in on the conference for a few days, as I'm going off to visit my Mom for Thanksgiving. I plan to assuage my despondency over CF not winning the best actor award by stuffing myself with a turkey dinner. So to all of the other Americans on this list: I wish you HAPPY THANKSGIVING! To the international members, I hope you enjoy a great fourth Thursday in November."}, {"response": 743, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (00:16)", "body": "the winners must have known, as Dillane's acceptance was on video. That *could* account for some of Colin's apparent lousy humour last week or the week before. Is this award any indication of how the Oliviers will go? I doubt it. But don't hold your breath. There's something about Colin which prevents him from getting more serious, formalized recognition. I'm not sure if it's down to luck alone. Would he have gone knowing in advance that he did not win? I doubt it. He once said he didn't enjoy those gatherings. They might have asked SD for a tape just in case They do go to some lengths to keep the final score secret, but I can't imagine asking *potential* winners for thanks in advance on video... What most probably happens is, the tapes with absentee real winners - who are \"sworn\" to secrecy - are blitz-filmed within 24 hours before the presentation ceremony. All right, CherylB, you are forgiven - just this once... ;-)"}, {"response": 744, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (02:23)", "body": "Having seen TRT four times and 3 DOR three...I can assure you that TRT is the better play. SD was brilliant..and if you remember Ann and I said in June that he would be Colin's competition for the awards.I do think that reviewers judge not only the actor's skill but also the play.Having said that, who the h*** is Jamie Dee and that play she won for!!(Shoots down all my theories)BTW Jeremy Irons won a Tony for Henry in TRT in NY. It is definitely a role that any actor would kill for. And why isn't Colin playing the role in Anna Karenina instead of SD? Instead of all the bits and pieces he's been doing this summer!"}, {"response": 745, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (02:26)", "body": "What is TRT? And what Anna Karenina are we talking about? And do you mean Vronsky and if so isn't he--dare I say it?--a little long in those lovely teeth for that role?"}, {"response": 746, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (02:26)", "body": "That *could* account for some of Colin's apparent lousy humour last week or the week before. He was in good humor the night I saw him...two weeks ago."}, {"response": 747, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (02:32)", "body": "(Cybeline)What is TRT? And what Anna Karenina are we talking about? And do you mean Vronsky and if so isn't he--dare I say it?--a little long in those lovely teeth for that role? 1. TRT is The Real Thing 2. Anna Karenina : Read the article in the ES (Evening Standard)about the awards. Explains that SD (Stephen Dillane) is in Poland taping Ann Karenina and could not attend the awards presentation. 3. SD (look above) is the same age as Colin and no I don't think they are too old for Vronsky.Colin is really very youthful in person."}, {"response": 748, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (03:02)", "body": "Evelyn - thanks for the explications. No question that ODB could do Vronsky beautifully--as what could he not?--esp since he likes playing cads. And he'd look gorgeous in a Russian imperial uniform. Just imagine the scene when little what's her name is waiting for him to ask her to dance the whatchacallit and he asks Anna instead (it's been a while since I read it!). Lots of swashbuckling, riding, and sex--it definitely has scope. Alas! Another question to the Firthettes in the Firth Circle. Nobody ever talks about MOTM--is it any good? Is it available on video? Where does it rank amongst his other works?"}, {"response": 749, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (04:54)", "body": "I read in an article that his political incorrectness goes against him with the establishment. Many held his playing the part of Robert so brilliantly in Tumbledown against him for some time. The writer who wrote it seemed to think that that was why he didn't win for Darcy."}, {"response": 750, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (08:25)", "body": "(Evelyn)And why isn't Colin playing the role in Anna Karenina instead of SD? Instead of all the bits and pieces he's been doing this summer! 'Cos Livia wanted to be in London getting the new house straight. (Lucie)I read in an article that his political incorrectness goes against him with the establishment Can you remember which article this was? The theatrical establishment has very different standards from the political. I assumed only the latter had their feathers ruffled by Tumbledown. I think it is Colin's modesty that prevents him being recognised by his peers who decide these things. People often take you at your own estimation of yourself and Colin's self effacing manner may make him easy to overlook. It is interesting that the only award he received for P&P was from the broadcasting critics, not from BAFTA or any of the other luvvie organised groups."}, {"response": 751, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (08:53)", "body": "Jamie Dee...best actress? Now there's a puzzler. She is currently starring in \"Comic Potential\" a new comedy by the very established playwright Alan Ayckbourne. Now, I only read the reviews (don't actually go-see!) and I remember the reviews were very modest...below par Ayckbourne. I don't recall reading anything memorable about the performances. To be honest, Vanessa Redgrave got much better reviews, so did Elizabeth McG (Don't wish to rub salt into the wound, but I was listening to \"The Front Row\", a radio programme, and their critic praised the cast of 3DOR, and then said that the \"marvellous\" EMcG was a cert for an Olivier nomination!) I agree with Arami and Allison...I just don't think Colin will get the nod of recognition from his peers. Remember the 5 BAFTAs for best actor awards for SIL - Tom Wilkinson had been nominated the previous year as well."}, {"response": 752, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (09:50)", "body": "Continuing (how can you tell I'm supposed to be \"working\" from home!) As to the impact of political incorrectness, I don't know. But I was struck that at CF's recent protest outside the Houses of Parliament, he was accompanied by Corin Redgrave. CR has always been a political activist, and his career has suffered, especially when he was younger. He was banned from working for the BBC for over 10 years. Shouldn't think any of this matters now, though. As to the ES awards...I'm disappointed for Colin (would have actually liked him to play Henry, not SD!). I hope he'll play theatre again, and maybe be offered one of the more defining roles. I got the impression with 3DOR that he came into it a bit late (it was always \"EM heads the cast\") and may have been very nervous about the critics' reaction. Believe me, some of the critics would have loved to have roasted him..\"Colin Firth may look good in a wet shirt, but can he act?\".. Actors like Rufus Sewell, Al n Rickman, Nigel Hawthorne have recently had horrendous reviews, Ken Branagh has said he will never act on stage again because it's so difficult to even get out of bed after bad reviews..A. Hopkins said something similar. It's better to be a relatively unknown actor on stage. I think CF did more than okay, and without his best asset, which is his natural accent/voice! Must get on with my WORK! But this is more interesting! Felt a pang when I read that SD was doing Anna Karenina. Although it's Channel 4, and also the recent film version of \"AK\" flopped, and even in \"Onegin\" I get the impression that some critics are impatient with the life and loves of bored Russian aristos (don't they have a day job?) But I would like to see CF in a lead role in another serious slowly unfolding TV series/drama (the sort of work he used to do)! where he can develop a character...it's a out time he was offered something decent. There's a new Andrew Davies/Sue Birtwistle production on BBC next week ..Mrs Gaskell's \"Wives and daughters\", starring Francesca Annis..which is being advertised as \"from the makers of P&P.\" AD and SB apparently had complete freedom to chose whatever they wanted, and again, can't help but wish they'd gone for something with a decent male lead role, not female-driven drama! I mean, I'm pleased that we'll see him on Boxing Day TV, but the acting honours/opportunities will go to Jodhi May, and it will be a mixed pleasure to watch...I shall probably end up getting hugely irritated and muttering at the screen about why don't they give him some real work for a change! Finally. I shall grit my teeth and watch Jonathan Ross's Film Night tonight, in the perhaps vain hope that SLOW will be featured, There's also a Movie programme on Channel 5 later in the week. Back to WORK!!!!"}, {"response": 753, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (12:04)", "body": "Huh! Drat those ES awards......and how dicouraging for Colin. Just opened the Guardian (am still trying to work! :-) and there's a full page coverage of the awards (Pics of SD and Jamie Whatsit). Headline...\"West End's new plays disappoint\"...\"the judges for one of the top theatrical prizes decided not to award the Evening Standard best play award because nothing on the London stage deserved it...the decision was unprecedented . In the absence of a best play, the most promising playwright award went to the young American writer, for The Glory of Living, at the Royal Court (Who, what?) \"The best actress award went to Jamie Dee, playing an android in Alan Ayckbourne's Comic Potential, where the performers won reviews far more glowing than the play itself (they were not glowing...for \"glowing\", read CF's reviews!) Destroys our theories. This will really get audiences rushing to the West End...and why do they have to do this when CF is performing in a new play (for no financial gain)for the rest of the year, poor guy. BU*G*R!!! Can someone cheer me up, or I'll never get any work done. Am going out! (And if Jonathan Ross, he of LCD taste, slags off SLOW (he will!), I'll throw a brick at the telly! Thank God for Helen Fielding!"}, {"response": 754, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (12:07)", "body": "Finally (and really am going out!), I hope CF doesn't read the papers...He's got to go on stage and perform this evening (which is more than critics have to do!)"}, {"response": 755, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (12:29)", "body": "I don't remember the name of the article or the paper, it has been too long ago."}, {"response": 756, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (13:16)", "body": "(Arami), That *could* account for some of Colin's apparent lousy humour last week or the week before. Is there something we should know? How do you know he was in an apparent lousy mood? ( Evelyn), And why isn't Colin playing the role in Anna Karenina instead of SD? Instead of all the bits and pieces he's been doing this summer! Any excuse to be able to do Londinium. (sic) ;-) I will try to be obtimistic Colin was perfect for the part. WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING! Bethan, please cheer up where is your Firthette stamina? :-D Hopefully, we will know soon enough what his next project will be."}, {"response": 757, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (13:38)", "body": "Have cheered up (a bit) and done about 10 minutes work. Shall be working til midnight at this rate. I'm not all that sure that \"Anna Karenina\"/Vronsky will be a good project. It's Channel 4 (average viewing figures about 2 million) and their last costume-type drama \"A dance to the Music of time\" flopped...I watched a couple of episodes and frankly, couldn't have cared less about what happened to the characters. Channnel 4 also did \"Melissa\" with JE, which ,I think, suffered from the same kind of artificiality. Also, AK is de-press-ing, Vronsky is a cad (actually I think Karenin (cuckolded husband) is a etter role), and we all know what happens in the end - she chucks herself infront of a train and gets squished. I like Mark Darcy (has warmth and wit) and Flashman, a cad, but warm hearted (sometimes), funny (is Vronsky funny?), sexy, and stays in love with his wife. If CF takes on these two roles, well, I'll forever hold my peace...if not, 'ware whinging!"}, {"response": 758, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (14:57)", "body": "Was getting as down in the dumps as Bethan, while reading about all the holiday specials on BBC and others, with Kate Winslet, HB-C, Rupert Graves, Charles Dance, Dawn French, et al...but finally a mention of Colin (no pic) in TOTS: Colin Firth and Pam Ferris join forces for a dramatisation of Henry James' The Turn Of The Screw, while Flint Street Nativity, by Tim Firth, stars Jane Horrocks, Neil Morrissey and Dervla Kirwan - who can also be seen in The Greatest Store In The World on the BBC. http://news2.thls.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/entertainment/newsid%5F533000/533341.stm"}, {"response": 759, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (15:15)", "body": "Political incorrectness? I would call it political activism instead (as Bethan references Corin Redgrave). Surely a trip to Sainsbury's for a pic with a toilet brush (OK, the chain-wrapped gig in front of Parliament was a bit more active) wouldn't be considered incorrect, would it? I would think it takes alot more (e.g., insulting the handicapped) to be incorrect enough to lose an acting award. I'm with Evelyn--he's got stiff competition, that's all. As for his future projects--even if he doesn't get the juiciest parts, at least he's not (thus far, Londinium pending) been involved in any real dogs. I have fond memories *cue sarcasm* of Rafie boy cavorting around with giant bears in 'The Avengers.' What was he thinking?"}, {"response": 760, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (15:36)", "body": "New SLOW review. Not good but I loved the \"Chateau Firth\"!! ;-D http://www.spring.net/~KarenR/mdbro/slow2.html And you're quite right, Eileen, this is political activism and not incorrectness. I think he suffers from \"pretty boy\" or \"heart-throb\" syndrome to the critics (who were the only ones to vote on this award)."}, {"response": 761, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (15:47)", "body": "(Eileen) I have fond memories *cue sarcasm* of Rafie boy cavorting around with giant bears in 'The Avengers.' What was he thinking? LOL! *snicker*"}, {"response": 762, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (17:09)", "body": "(Bethan)...radio programme, and their critic praised the cast of 3DOR, and then said that the \"marvellous\" EMcG was a cert for an Olivier nomination!) (The sound you hear is me throwing-up!) ~~~~~~ ...this is political activism and not incorrectness. In UK this might be viewed as same. (Bethan)Channnel 4 also did \"Melissa\" with JE, which ,I think, suffered from the same kind of artificiality. Baaaaad screenplay by Alan Bleasdale, bad dialogue, costumes ...a cheap-o production.Five episodes...Jennifer got killed in #4 and I never went on to #5. (Bethan)This will really get audiences rushing to the West End...and why do they have to do this when CF is performing in a new play (for no financial gain)for the rest of the year, poor guy. Not to worry....I called Donmar yesterday to inquire about tickets for a friend.Only a few singles left for weekend nights...they are virtually sold out. As for Alan Rickman whining about bad reviews in Anthony& Cleopatra a year ago...he deserved them. I was in London at the time and considered going...had breakfast with folks who had seen it the night before and said the guy stood around like a potted palm. CF excepted...but some of these celebrities think that all they have to do is show up on stage and the critics are going to rave...not true.Antigone just folded with Tara Fitzgerald because it was a poor performance."}, {"response": 763, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (17:10)", "body": "I think I meant \"political activism\"! BTW, incase I wasn't clear, I didn't intend to imply that CF's political \"activities\" have any bearing on awards, or to detract from Stephen Dillanes's achievement. Also, re. the ES awards, I just feel very annoyed at the way the news was presented, as though this year was an \"annus horribilis\" for London drama. It does an injustice to all the many good actors currently at work in the West End. The Film Review review...I think that was the one (1 star)that Ann caught a glimpse of. I've never seen Film Review on the newstands. Ouch, though. The \"uniformly excellent acting by the Nigerian cast\"(presumably let down by the Brits!!) Is the comment on CF justified? CF often gets mixed reviews...I prefer to judge for myself. I've a meeting in London next week, and am hoping to sneak off to see SLOW, just incase it doesn't reach the provinces, despite all indications to the contrary! The Xmas TV fare is very weak...CF's 10 minutes may be a standout. BTW thefilm \"Revengers Tragedy\" with H B-C, Rupert Graves etc has been sitting onthe shelf for yonks, longer than SLOW, no distributor. Part funded by the BBC. If (as Evelyn mentiones) SLOW is also part funded by the BBC, we should see it on TV, maybe next year. Being positive!!! How do people work from home? How do people work at home?"}, {"response": 764, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (17:16)", "body": "I think I meant \"political activism\"! BTW, incase I wasn't clear, I didn't intend to imply that CF's political \"activities\" have any bearing on awards You didn't, Bethan; the point was brought up earlier. Do the ES awards carry very much weight? Are they what the Golden Globes have become to the Oscars?"}, {"response": 765, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (17:28)", "body": "Do the ES awards carry very much weight? Are they what the Golden Globes have become to the Oscars? I should have thought no and no. ES is a London only paper. The Oliviers are more prestigious. Well, from tonight's ES - how the judges arrived at their decisions! Best Actor This was one ot two really hard fought categories which went into a second round. Nicholas de Jongh declared it the best list of Best Actors this decade \"Quite astonishing performances and not by the usual collection of actors either\". ....... Several judges praised CF's understated performance in 3DOR. Susannah Clapp [of the Observer] thought his change form \"very neurotic to a milldly ruffled person\" exquisitely done. De Jongh agreed: \"He shares with Stephen Dillane an ability to convey nuances of deep feeling without putting them on the surface\". But the final battle was fought between Michael Sheen, Stephen Dillane and Henry Goodman..... Best Actress No mention of JE or EMcG!!"}, {"response": 766, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (17:37)", "body": "Cymbeline: Nobody ever talks about MOTM--is it any good? What a question: It's the best! Some find it a bit depressing, but I think this tv movie, the whole cast, script, use of music, light, landscape, everything is just brilliant, and I would also say so if it hadn't Colin in it. Is it available on video? No. But it was on US tv at least two times, as far as I know. Where does it rank amongst his other works? Very very high, IMO - one of the 3 best. Which the other two are varies depending on my mood, but MOTM is always among them. ;-) If you want to see some pics and reviews, here's is our presently unconnected archive: http://www.colinfirth.com/html/arch-mo.htm"}, {"response": 767, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (17:40)", "body": "Best Actress No mention of JE or EMcG!! Oh s***. I wouldn't line my garbage pail with the ES!So there! ~~~~~~ About CF:DeJongh agreed: \"He shares with Stephen Dillane an ability to convey nuances of deep feeling without putting them on the surface\". See, I told you....same understated acting style....but because Henry in TRT is a better part, it showed SD's acting skill in a better light. evelyn, feeling v. smug...."}, {"response": 768, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (17:58)", "body": "Cutting to the chase: But the final battle was fought between Michael Sheen, Stephen Dillane and Henry Goodman.... So Colin came in fourth!! This is a greater slap than I had imagined. Better not to have known the \"behind the scenes\". *am now v.mad, as opposed to just plain mad*"}, {"response": 769, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (18:04)", "body": "Karen, they mentioned four other actors who did not get to the final reckoning, so Colin could have been 8th!!! Others included Simon Russell Beale (whom I think is terrific), P O'T and Charles Dance (were his reviews that good? Answer - no!)"}, {"response": 770, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (19:02)", "body": "Actually Karen, Colin's in very auspicious company....I'm glad his name has been singled out for mention, and I think he'll be flattered by the company he's keeping (Charles Dance didn't get good reviews though) Also, Simon Russell Beale Michael Sheen and Henry Goodman are actor's actors...they are never going to be heart-throb movie stars! The fact that CF can move between these two worlds is commendable! Interesting that Susannah Clapp of theobserver supported him...I remember her review...I think she called him \"amazing\"I wonder if it's a male/female thing."}, {"response": 771, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (19:29)", "body": "Hi, I just thought I would compare the winners of last year's Theatre Awards to see how like-minded the Awards are and dthey do seem pretty uniform:- ES Theatre Awards 1998 Best Play Copen hagen Best Actor Kevin Spacey Best Actress Sinead Cusack and interestingly there was no Award for Best Comedy in 1998 Critics' Circle Theatre Awards Best Play Copenhagen Best Actor Kevin Spacey Best Actress Sinead Cusack Oliviers Best Play The Weir Best Actor Kevin Spacey Best Actress Aileen Atkins The state of Theatre is a bit worrying the following plays have all posted early closing notices, Antigone, Quartet, 2Pianos 4 Hands and today A Saint She Aint. So I am pleased that the three producations that CF & JE have been invloved in have all been huge successes and have been extended. At least Jennifer can take comfort from the fact that she was connected to two of the Award Winners, -m Trevor Nunn and SD. There is a review for SLOW in the TV Times not very good again, but who cares I loved it and I am glad Bethan that you may be able to see it soon and I look forward to hearing what you think of it. Also I have to say that I think it is a little dishonest of ITV to promote TTOTS by featuring CF so prominently because any CF fans who are no in the know and should happen to miss the first 120 mins will be furious. Finally Allison just out of interest, but does it mention in the paper the names of the actress considered for the Best Actress Award and if so who were they."}, {"response": 772, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (19:30)", "body": "120mins should of course, read 10mins"}, {"response": 773, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (19:40)", "body": "(Bethan) Simon Russell Beale Michael Sheen and Henry Goodman are actor's actors...they are never going to be heart-throb movie stars! The fact that CF can move between these two worlds is commendable! I am sorry to disagree with you Bethan. But I just saw Henry Goodman and Simon Russell Beale in Summerfolk at the National two weeks ago. Now, both of them might have a more solid theatrical background than Colin (read: older). But Goodman played Shalinov, the writer, and Russell Beale played a doctor...neither part can compare to the dual role that Colin undertook in 3 DOR.He might be in auspicious company...but his portrayal was far superior to the other two. I don't see that as an accolade. And to put Charles Dance before Colin's role which consistently received superb reviews is a travesty. IMO the ES awards have all the validity of the celebrities 1000 .com website poll!!!"}, {"response": 774, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (19:59)", "body": "Do not panic! I have just been watching the awards on television. they are still going on and I am recording it but it was fairly boring! Evelyn - JE was there! I wonder if she knew she was not going to get a mention? There is a quick shot of her arriving. Colin would have known that he had not won because the recording of Stephen Dillane was apparently done a while ago, I got the impression, and he was filmed at the Donmar! They announce the shortlist for each category and Colin WAS in that group. He was mentioned first with a big screen saying 3DOR bhind the announcer's head. He said that there had been an large number of wonderful male performances and described Colin's performance as \"amazing\". At least that is what I remember. I would have to go back and look. Ann, I shall have to go back to the tape to see who they mentioned. In the ES article they mention Emma Fielding, Sheila Gish and Hayley Carmichael. Tho' I am not sure that any of these were mentioned in the programme. I got the feeling that they felt the male performances were more deserving of mention. Will go back and watch!"}, {"response": 775, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (20:05)", "body": "Sorry, for my mini-rage....told you my day would come. It is Here! ~~~~ Bottom Line: Colin's acting talent is not taken seriously despite the excellent reviews.He is still viewed as a heart-throb which is incongruous with a good actor, it seems."}, {"response": 776, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (20:16)", "body": "Oh Evelyn, I think I disagree! He was a finalist in a strong field. As you said if he had been in a stronger play.... I liked 3DOR but it is a small scale work, and so cannot be compared with many others. BTW Ann, the female finalists mentioned were Emma Fielding and Hayley Carmaichael."}, {"response": 777, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (20:25)", "body": "(Evelyn) Oh s***. I wouldn't line my garbage pail with the ES! So there! Hee hee! (Allison) Several judges praised CF's understated performance in 3DOR. Besides Clapp, DeJongh and others, Benedict Nightingale was also a judge. If I recall correctly, in March he praised Colin but called the play a 'diaper drama'. Last Sunday Benedict wrote a London theater update for the NY Times. 3DOR was mentioned, as it should be--then he gushed about EMcG. It must be the slip, Karen. I understand the Oliviers are analogous to American Tony Awards, Allison. But do these ES awards get the whole buzz phenomenon going? Thanks for the look back at last year's awards, Ann. (Bethan)...they are never going to be heart-throb movie stars! The fact that CF can move between these two worlds is commendable! Good point!"}, {"response": 778, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (20:39)", "body": "Allison, were there only two nominees for the Best Actress and who is Hayley Carmaichel and what was she in. I would have bet my last dollar that JE would at least have been nominated after the superb reviews she received, they were out of this world - best performance of her career, luminous etc. BTW I am glad you watched it Allison as my dear sister has just telephoned to say for some reason their video did not work!!!"}, {"response": 779, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (20:55)", "body": "Renate - Thanks for your answers re MOTM. Was it a TV production in Britain and therefore never released as video? Arghhh! I wish there were some channel that would let Americans see all the good stuff from the UK. I shall go look at the archived material."}, {"response": 780, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (20:59)", "body": "two other nominees - Allison"}, {"response": 781, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (21:02)", "body": "Cymbeline, I was channel surfing on a Saturday night more than a year ago when I came across a close up of CF's face. I usually check the TV Now site for CF programming and couldn't believe I missed a prime time listing. Well, it was a local (Long Island) PBS station and the show was listed in the TV Guide only as 'Ruth Rendell Mysteries'--not which one. So I managed the miss all but the last 15 min. :-( So I suggest you check with the PBS station(s) in your area."}, {"response": 782, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (21:13)", "body": "I love this!! A blow-by-blow account of the ES Drama awards as it is being televised! Thank you, Allison. (Bethan) The fact that CF can move between these two worlds is commendable! Not enough. ;-p If these bozo (err, theatre critics) really want to send a message about the state of affairs of West End theatre, then they better put some muscle into the boxoffice. As you said earlier, how many fine actors have said they wouldn't set one toe on the boards because of the reception they get from the critics? Colin is more than a \"fine actor.\" If they had named him Best Actor, that might signal a more receptive attitude toward screen actors appearing live on stage. Whe her those solid (read, old) actors were more deserving and represent enviable company is not the issue. Bringing bodies into the theater through name recognition is the thing. If you don't get people like Colin to reinvigorate the legit stage, all you will see is Saturday Night Fever and the Lion King. *rant over* Little blurb in Variety about the awards, which was mainly about the Lion King, but said Dillane's award might help the Broadway boxoffice when TRT come to NY. OK, have now purchased my boxes of Jello and the pancetta. (not for same dish) Must start cooking for Thanksgiving."}, {"response": 783, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (21:17)", "body": "On Master of the Moor, you're right, Eileen. That Long Island PBS station has broadcast it several times (evidently it is the anchor station for that series); it has also turned up in Providence, RI; and Seattle (I think) - all within the past year. Have cancelled my membership to local PBS station and am withholding my enormous $40 contribution until they broadcast the show! ;-D"}, {"response": 784, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (21:32)", "body": "(Karen) Bringing bodies into the theater through name recognition is the thing And rewarding film actors for stage work will increase the quality of the films made. I firmly believe that willingness to continue stage work separates the thespian sheep from the goats--the ones who only make movies turn out to be only movie stars not actors (terrible generalization I know; am prepared for barrage of arguments to the contrary.) Anyhow we all know that CF himself made Playmaker for the money and repudiated it practically before it was done. Why can't he make a decent living on the stag ? Slap yourself, Cymbeline, if he did that most of us would never see him at all. have now purchased my boxes of Jello and the pancetta. (not for same dish). Pancetta aspicata--magnifico! Per favore, la ricetta per tutti di noi! Happy Thanksgiving to all on the west side of the pond."}, {"response": 785, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (21:34)", "body": "(Allison)Oh Evelyn, I think I disagree! He was a finalist in a strong field. Thank you Allison for giving us \"instant replay\" of the awards.It was v. exciting. I guess, I'm just such a competitive person... either I win ... or I I don't find consolation in losing with Martin Sheen or Henry Goodman. Anthony Hopkins, OK. However, to their credit SD was always a strong second with us. Rant Over.Thanks again:-)"}, {"response": 786, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (21:36)", "body": "Should read: I guess, I'm just such a competitive person... either I win ... or I lose."}, {"response": 787, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (22:04)", "body": "Arami), That *could* account for some of Colin's apparent lousy humour last week or the week before. Is there something we should know? How do you know he was in an apparent lousy mood? Didn't he go out the back door and avoided the foyer completely on the second Saturday evening? And on another night around the same time he appeared unusually agitated and not paying much attention to what was said to him. I don't know why, I'm only guessing here. I think he suffers from \"pretty boy\" or \"heart-throb\" syndrome That's part of the problem, yes. Stephen Dillanes's achievement That reminds me - some years ago SD toured the country with an acclaimed London production of Hamlet in which he played the pretended madness scene completely and without blinking an eyelid - in his birthday suit. That's one of his claims to fame... Don't misunderstand me: it was a good production, but the most powerful memories I have concern the size of his nuances which were all on the surface, plus quite a deep feeling... Call that art? (No, I'm not trying to prove anything - it's just an aside to che r you up!) JE was there! I wonder if she knew she was not going to get a mention? I doubt if she cared. She probably likes such galas, contrary to Colin. Now, that could be one of the reasons why they didn't stay together. Colin's acting talent is not taken seriously despite the excellent reviews.He is still viewed as a heart-throb which is incongruous with a good actor, it seems. Evelyn, it sounds like you were blaming his fans... So should we all stop admiring him now and remove ourselves from the path of his career? ;-) (Or try to look at it positively: he is very often mentioned with the best of them. And for us he's always the tops, regardless of what anyone can say...:-))"}, {"response": 788, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (22:07)", "body": "Here's another longish review of the \"Edge of Reason\" on the This Is London site - not too favourable. Brief Colin mention. http://www.thisislondon.com/dynamic/lifestyle/top_review.html?in_review_id=230176&in_review_text_id=179070"}, {"response": 789, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (23:03)", "body": "(Arami) SD toured the country with an acclaimed London production of Hamlet in which he played the pretended madness scene completely and without blinking an eyelid - in his birthday suit. Hmmm.... I wonder if we could convince ODB to do this..."}, {"response": 790, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (23:15)", "body": "Thank you all for the information. Ann if we go by last year, it looks like SD will take the Olivier. I believed that Colin did 3DOR for a chance to win an Olivier. And, if as you said Allison SD taped his acceptance speech from the Donmar, Colin might have been a witness to it. And hence the alledge bad mood that Arami suggested. SD was marvelous in TRT, I knew he would be hard competition for Colin once the awards came round. I wonder how soon Colin will jump at another play after this let down?"}, {"response": 791, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (23:31)", "body": "(Allison)JE was there! I wonder if she knew she was not going to get a mention? (Arami)I doubt if she cared. She probably likes such galas, contrary to Colin. Now, that could be one of the reasons why they didn't stay together. Nothing could be further from the truth. She is v. retiring and shy..a v. private person. As is her mother RH....Actually she and CF are v. much alike.I have always said that had they stayed together, they would have gone to live in a cave in the Hebrides. ~~~~ Colin's acting talent is not taken seriously despite the excellent reviews.He is still viewed as a heart-throb which is incongruous with a good actor, it seems. (Arami)Evelyn, it sounds like you were blaming his fans... So should we all stop admiring him now and remove ourselves from the path of his career? ;-) Not at all. I was referring to the theatre critics who view him just as a heart-throb.However, now that you mention it...I wonder if all the hoop-la in the new Bridget Jones book will enhance his serious acting reputation.I dunno."}, {"response": 792, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (23:32)", "body": "sorry for the italics. I just closed them"}, {"response": 793, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (00:31)", "body": "(Karen) Whether those solid (read, old) actors were more deserving and represent enviable company is not the issue. Bringing bodies into the theater through name recognition is the thing. I beg to disagree. You seem to be talking about popularity, but the issue is, who is considered the tops at a given time. The real problem is, who is bestowing awards and why; how we (they) measure excellence. Ultimately these affairs are always a compromise. Furthermore, compared to Colin's previous theatre appearance, this is bloody marvellous: he was acknowledged as an acceptable Chatsky, but the production wasn't a success. That was in 1993: and now he suddenly pops up on stage six years later for a quick stint - and you expect an award? Just try and forget for a second that you're a fan and imagine you are one of those hard working actors for whom theatre is the main source and means: for them, and for the critics, Colin is probably just a passing visitor an usurper who admittedly gives an exceptional performance, but is not wholly or sufficiently enough of theatre . In that light, naming him as one of the top stage performances of the year is a great accolade. (Evelyn) Nothing could be further from the truth I still say (as someone who spent half of my life among the acting fraternity) that there is an awful lot we, the fans and audiences, do not really know."}, {"response": 794, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (00:32)", "body": "Just wasted 30 minutes of my life watching Jonathon Ross Film Night (never, never again)...previewed the new Bond, a Johnny Depp movie and a re-release of Scrooge,. Then we had an interminable interview with Somebody Bunker, who played Mr Blue in Reservoir Dogs . No SLOW, no Colin. Didn't surprise me, but with \"reviewers\" like this, what chance has he got? Ann, I wouldn't bother about the SLOW reviews. I'm resigned to them not being very good. But to put things in perpective, have you seen the reviews for virtually every single British film release over the last few months. Awful. And the ones that are good (like \"Ratcatcher\") sound so depressing, I wouldn't cross the road to see them!! I've said this before, reviewers are an unnecessary barrier and reflect their personal preference. I prefer to make up my own mind! Helen Fielding's new book has had indiff rent reviews...but I'm really enjoying it! And I'm faily sure that if the BBC co-funded SLOW, it will get a TV screening (and television, in the UK certainly, is Colin's natural audience.) Shall scutinise the credits. Just caught a pre-view of the \"new P&P\"..\"Wives and Daughters\"...and one thing I can tell you, there's no Darcy and no Lizzie. Justine Waddell (in everything these days is rather insipid, and the male lead is Iain Glenn, who has very cold eyes and looks silly in a stove hat, plus there's another actor, pretty-ish and about 5'2\". It will probably be very well acted, but i have to say that my immediate reaction was just \"oh, yet another costume drama\". P&P was unique! Reminds me, didn't Iain Glenn strip to the buff with Nicole Kidman in the Donmar. Given that the Donmar appears so intimate, I almost wonder how they could. There's a lot to be said for fully clothed \"allure\"!"}, {"response": 795, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (01:52)", "body": "(Arami)I still say (as someone who spent half of my life among the acting fraternity) that there is an awful lot we, the fans and audiences, do not really know. That not only holds true for the\" acting fraternity\"but for any couple who splits up."}, {"response": 796, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (02:20)", "body": "Yes, of course, but I was thinking about more things than one. Like what sort of a person an actor really is in private, away from the public scrutiny."}, {"response": 797, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (04:39)", "body": "SD...played the pretended madness scene...in his birthday suit...but the most powerful memories I have concern the size of his nuances which were all on the surface... Interesting that you should notice his nuances (never heard them called that before) . How big were they? ;-D You seem to be talking about popularity Not at all. I'm talking cold hard economics. If these critics want to make a statement about the future of theatre in Britain beyond the spectacle of musicals and \"events,\" then there has to be a reason for people to go to them. Those critics rewarded \"tried and true\" plays. Colin's play represented something new; each of the other shortlisted best actor noms was in a play that had been done before. Is that the message? You must perform in the old warhorse productions? No, they should be rewarding ew works and exceptional performances. How many times can they give an award to somebody for Hamlet? The argument that Colin should feel honored to be in that company sounds like the tripe most AA nominees spout about \"how it's really the honor of being nominated\" when interviewed. Do you really think any of them actually believes that? They want to win. Just being in that august company only goes so far. Besides, if you think giving an award to either of those two other guys would sell one more ticket... I don't think so. *maybe my mind is fogged by the fact that we are in November sweeps here and all the stops are being pulled out by every network* ;-D"}, {"response": 798, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (07:23)", "body": "Moon: And, if as you said Allison SD taped his acceptance speech from the Donmar, Colin might have been a witness to it. In fact, SD said that he wanted to accept the award \"on behalf of everybody here at the Donmar.\" Since he's now in 3DOR there, was this a potential tacit admission that CF deserved to share (or win) the award? Only joking (probably)..."}, {"response": 799, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (11:41)", "body": "Just sighted! SLOW posters on the Tube! Colin in black suit and trainers, Nia Long in sunhat, smiling. Quotes from Harpers and Queen and somewhere else which I could not read (I was on the train at the time, trying to read posters which were on the platform!)"}, {"response": 800, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (13:06)", "body": "(Mark), In fact, SD said that he wanted to accept the award \"on behalf of everybody here at the Donmar.\" Since he's now in 3DOR there, was this a potential tacit admission that CF deserved to share (or win) the award? Poor Colin! Talk about keeping a stiff upper lip! SD behaved like a gentleman under the circumstances, but, let us not forget that it is thanks to TRT at the Donmar that he will be starring on Broadway."}, {"response": 801, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (14:32)", "body": "Allison, the SLOW poster is shown at the top of my page (and rolled up in my home): http://www.spring.net/~KarenR/mdbro/slow1.html Also, the pic of Colin's feet (among the tomatoes) is on the main Drool page. The other quote is from Women's Journal."}, {"response": 802, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (14:54)", "body": "Evelyn said: Bottom Line: Colin's acting talent is not taken seriously despite the excellent reviews.He is still viewed as a heart-throb which is incongruous with a good actor, it seems. I disagree heartily. If this were true, he would never have been nominated. He is a film and television actor, not a stage actor with anything like the chops of the competitors with whom he was placed. He must be over the moon to be in such company. His performance was terrific and clearly the critics felt that he was in the same class as Goodman, Dillane, and Sheen. You should be pleased for him."}, {"response": 803, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (14:55)", "body": ""}, {"response": 804, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (15:09)", "body": "I'm going make a very unpopular comment about SLOW, so if you can't stand to hear anything remotely negative, I suggest you move on to the next posting. I saw SLOW on 12 Nov at the LFF. It was entertaining and CF looks absolutely gorgeous throughout. However, it was an utterly irrelevant piece of film-making and there is not a doubt in my mind why they had trouble finding a distributor. Now don't get the idea that I necessarily agree with this. It was a fantasy, but the criticism will come nevertheless. I do not expect to see it in the States anytime soon as it is wildly un-PC. Rich white guy gets the black girl away from her community, her family, and her fiancee. Rich white guy saves the poor little black boy and his beautiful mom???? Oh dear. I shudder to think what the critics will make of it in the US. In fact, I would not expect it to be well received in the UK either. But he looks really great and I enjoyed it."}, {"response": 805, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (15:21)", "body": "(Karen) On Master of the Moor... That Long Island PBS station has broadcast it several times (evidently it is the anchor station for that series) No kidding?! I thought that station was only good for 'This Old House.' Most evenings they broadcast Lawrence Welk (and-a one, and-a two). Waddaya know. Cymbeline, it's WLIW in Garden City, NY. (Evelyn) Colin's acting talent is not taken seriously despite the excellent reviews. He is still viewed as a heart-throb which is incongruous with a good actor, it seems. I completely agree--at least this is what happened after P&P. I'm not sure how much this still applies, though, and what effect it had on the ES Awards. Heck, all awards are sooo subjective. Case in point: Roberto Begnini. apparent lousy mood This is someone else's subjective assessment. We weren't there. (SBR)I wonder if we could convince ODB to do this... Lordy, no. Too much information! Too much information! Some things are better left to one's imagination. (Bethan) Reminds me, didn't Iain Glenn strip to the buff with Nicole Kidman in the Donmar Right you are. He continued his naked cartwheels on Broadway. (Karen) (and rolled up in my home): Ohno! You've rolled it up? You haven't got it hanging in your window anymore? Or at least inside your closet? Take your hands off that Jello and go hang him up! Go to, go to! :-D Am expecting local relative invasion tomorrow, so must go childproof my house. BTW, the forecast is for rain, so tune in for the Macy's Thanksgiving parade. Watching those float-bourne stars lip sync badly is *always* more interesting when it rains. Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate!"}, {"response": 806, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (15:45)", "body": "Chris, don't be concerned about expressing negative comments about SLOW. We've known for sometime that the film's overall quality was the bottom-line reason that it hadn't found a distributor. Don't know if you've checked out Topic 121. We've been using it as a Spoiler topic for SLOW as well. Eileen, yes. WLIW is the one. I spoke to the programming people at the little PBS station in NW Indiana (people actually answer the phones there as opposed to the flagship station here) and they told me all about the Rendell series. Now if they would ever broadcast that older one as they do the current ones!! argh!! You've rolled it up? well, yes, but that's temporary (she says well-intentionedly) until I get it framed. It is pretty large you know. However, I have lots and lots of 4x6s of it lying around from the rolls of film shot trying to get a picture without a glare. Surprised the neighbors didn't call out the police as I went up and down the alley, masking tape in hand, putting it up on everyone's garage doors. Maybe I should've had a dog with me. :) OK, time to chop onions. (Have blister on finger from peeling and dicing 12 c. of butternut squash.)"}, {"response": 807, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (15:56)", "body": "Here's the picture Lizza sent me from the Guardian. You can really tell on this one that the chain links are made of paper. The messages are pledges of suppport. On Colin's left is Labour MP Neil Gerrard and on the right Lib-Dem MP Evan Harris."}, {"response": 808, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (15:57)", "body": "What??"}, {"response": 809, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (16:27)", "body": "Well, this larger view certainly accounts for the look on his face. See how happy the chap to his right appears? :-P"}, {"response": 810, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (17:09)", "body": "He must be over the moon to be in such company. His performance was terrific and clearly the critics felt that he was in the same class as Goodman, Dillane,and Sheen. You should be pleased for him Like I said, I am pleased, of course , that his performance was outstanding.Why else would I be going back to see it. But I don't think being in that crowd is anything to rejoice about...I bet they couldn't sell-out the Donmar to an international audience with the three of them in one play. Anyway...for future discussions: Critics Choice Awards to be announced early February The Olivier Awards expected to be announced mid-February. Nominations to be announced mid January."}, {"response": 811, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (20:57)", "body": "Some interesting coverage of TTOTS in the press. \"ITV turns the screw on BBC\". \"ITV reaches for the stars in ratings war\". Quote..\" raditionally ITV has eschewed Xmas specilas because advertisers stop buying airtime when Xmas shopping ends. This year, however, ITV execs have been promised a bonus payment if they can achieve a 39 percent share of peak-time audiences (at Xmas). Symptomatic of the network's efforts over Xmas, is a screening of the Henry Jsmes classic \"TTOTS\", starring Colin Firth (only name mentioned). \"Ordinarily, this would have been screened when the BBC was not offering the steep opposition they do at Xmas\" said one senior ITV exec. who did not want to be named, \"but this year there is this great effort to push the 39 percent share figure right through the wire\". So, they're depending on Colin's 10 minutes to boost their figure, and win them their bonus! Very flattering to CF, though begs the question...why don't they ask him what he'd like to do and tailor a major project to his talents!! On the ES awards...I'm very pleased to see him singled out for praise. Interestingly, if you look ar the plays in which the other nominees starred - TRT obviously, Michael Sheen in a revival of John Osborne's \"Look back in anger\" and Henry Goodman in \"Merchant of Venice\"...they are all very well-known plays. Critics go to see them knowing the actual plays are exceptional and focus on the interpretation. Some critics were not very enthusiastic about 3DOR the play....next time perhaps CF should go for a pr ven vehicle...Chekhov,Ibsen...so that there's no distracting conjecture as to whether the play is good, or not. SLOW...well I'm not expecting good reviews - 2 stars at best (although this is par for the course for Brit films) But one point I must make, because it's white-black, does it have to be \"real\", issue-driven, politically correct (black girl marries black man, stays in community?) Why can't it be a romantic fantasy, a whimsical, escapist entertainment? Why can't an attractive white man disappear into the sunset with a beautiful black girl? We lived in Nigeria for several years.....most of the couples we knew were good-looking, well-educated, cosmopolitan and from different racial/cultural backgrounds. People do meet, fall in love, lead successful problem-free lives ....why can't films reflect this more rose-tinted view, rather than focus on so-called \"social problems\"? Glad that the posters are up in the Tube...one of the best ways to advertise."}, {"response": 812, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (21:22)", "body": "(Bethan)CF should go for a proven vehicle...Chekhov,Ibsen.. ZZZZZZZZZZZ (Bethan)why can't films reflect this more rose-tinted view, rather than focus on so-called \"social problems\"? SLOW does.....there is never a mention of the interracial marriage.Matthew does ride off into the sunset....or rather walks off through the tomatoes... with Nimi and Sammy. See, Bethan, you got your wish."}, {"response": 813, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (23:05)", "body": "I bet they couldn't sell-out the Donmar to an international audience with the three of them in one play. Well, they have sold out each of their respective plays in large mainstream theatres to the British audiences and have no qualms. (Bethan)CF should go for a proven vehicle...Chekhov,Ibsen.. (Evelyn) ZZZZZZZZZZZ A stamp of a true connoisseur."}, {"response": 814, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (23:10)", "body": "(Bethan)CF should go for a proven vehicle...Chekhov,Ibsen.. (Evelyn) ZZZZZZZZZZZ (Arami)A stamp of a true connoisseur. ~~~~~~ LOL.....I'm sorry, but those two guys put me to sleep. Now, Tennesee Williams...let's go for something sexy... :-)"}, {"response": 815, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Nov 25, 1999 (00:06)", "body": "Oh, please, no American voice for this wonderful Brit in the next stage production."}, {"response": 816, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Nov 25, 1999 (04:12)", "body": "There's a good review for SLOW in Thursday's Times! Of CF, the critic writes: \"It's a disarming performance: big on charm and bottled anguish.\" Of the film, \"Rambling and slight it may be. But it's also surprisingly endearing.\""}, {"response": 817, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 25, 1999 (04:49)", "body": "Thanks Mari. Here's the review by James Christopher: In the whimsical romance, The Secret Laughter of Women, Colin Firth's science fiction writer falls for the exotic charms of a Nigerian single mother (Nia Long). For all the obvious cultural baggage, it's the clash of personalities that distinguishes O. O. Sagay's script. Firth is filthy rich, very English, and very persistent. Long is proud, prickly, and for the purposes of tinkering around Firth's sumptuous villa, a budding garden designer. Her irritatingly sweet son, Sammy (Fissy Roberts), is the mutual point of contact. Sammy is a sci-fi nut who adores Firth and his cartoon junk. But Long's African fianc\ufffd, Ariyon Bakare, a chippy clergyman, is having none of it. \"The man is a degenerate,\" screams the Reverend fire and brimstone to the resident Nigerians who hang out with Long's sanctimonious mother. Bakare has a point. Firth is selfish, bored, unhappily married, and scathingly blunt. \"Life isn't about enough,\" he instructs Long. \"It's about more.\" Only the faintest shrug of the shoulders, and a panicky twitch of the eyes betray the fact that he might be wrong. It's a disarming performance: big on charm and bottled anguish. Long gamely shuffles between attraction nd dismay while her gossipy friends threaten to turn her flat into an African version of Steel Magnolias. The comic chill thaws, and a wobbly romance sparks. Shot with a light, glossy touch, its director, Peter Schwabach, neatly outlines the risks in this tussle of heart over tribal loyalties (Firth's as much as Long's). That they do so without too much sticky manipulation is something of a miracle. Rambling and slight it may be. But it's also surprisingly endearing."}, {"response": 818, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 25, 1999 (05:03)", "body": "Allison: SLOW will be playing at ABC Panton Street The caption says: Wistful teaser with Colin Firth"}, {"response": 819, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Nov 25, 1999 (07:58)", "body": "Oh goody! If James Christopher of the Times likes it, it's got a chance. He hasn't liked much recently."}, {"response": 820, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Nov 25, 1999 (08:16)", "body": "But from what I can make out, apart from Panton Street, it is only showing in .... Pekham! . I am sure Dell Boy will be rushing to see it! (Brit in-joke)."}, {"response": 821, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Nov 25, 1999 (08:19)", "body": "Sorry, that should be peckham BTW I wonder what C Tookey will say about it? Remember how we all got in a huff when he included SLOW in his list of Arts supported films which were flops? I am sad to say that I gaave up the Daily Mail a while age - just couldn't stand it any longer. Will try and buy a copy."}, {"response": 822, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Nov 25, 1999 (08:21)", "body": "Sorry, that should be peckham BTW I wonder what C Tookey will say about it? Remember how we all got in a huff when he included SLOW in his list of Arts supported films which were flops? I am sad to say that I gaave up the Daily Mail a while ago - just couldn't stand it any longer. Will try and buy a copy."}, {"response": 823, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Nov 25, 1999 (11:50)", "body": "Nice review in The Evening Standard by Alexander Walker for SLOW, I believe he was one of the few critics who hated FP."}, {"response": 824, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Thu, Nov 25, 1999 (13:41)", "body": "Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. I can't wait to dive into the Turkey tonight. I am so disappointed that ODB was overlooked again. Best actor awards should be awarded for a performance, not fro the play, IMO. Although Colin wants the Olivier, no doubt, I am sure he tokk on the project for the challenge and his own satisfaction. Thanks for the protest picture of Colin and the two MPs. Perhaps he is going to make a move into politics. Nah, Colin won't play the game in his acting career, so he'd never make it in an even dirtier milieu. On the other hand, I'd vote for him and we would certainly get to see more of him. And if Ronald Reagan, a really mediocre,uncharismatic actor, could succeed as Pres...? Colin might end up the most popular PM in British history...and the best-looking one, too. Not to mention, people would be willing o pay big money to hear his political speeches. JE may be shy, but perhaps she is serious about her career and accepts the importance of getting out there and being noticed. I am happy to see the SLOW is getting some positive press. Could someone please tell me where the ABC Panton Street is located? I would like to see SLOW when I arrive in London next Saturday, Dec 4."}, {"response": 825, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Nov 25, 1999 (14:25)", "body": "Lynda, ABC Panton Street is near Picadilly Circus, right in the centre of town, so you should be able to get there easily if it is still showing. I msut say they are doing a good job of advertising this film. It was not reviewed in the main part of ES but it was in the Hot Tickets magazine which comes out each Thursday with the paper. Also there was an small interview with Nia Long with picture. Also prominemt ads in the main paper and in hot tickets. It just makes one wonder all the more about Miramax and MLSF!"}, {"response": 826, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Nov 25, 1999 (14:25)", "body": "Lynda, ABC Panton Street is near Picadilly Circus, right in the centre of town, so you should be able to get there easily if it is still showing. I msut say they are doing a good job of advertising this film. It was not reviewed in the main part of ES but it was in the Hot Tickets magazine which comes out each Thursday with the paper. Also there was an small interview with Nia Long with picture. Also prominent ads in the main paper and in hot tickets. It just makes one wonder all the more about Miramax and MLSF!"}, {"response": 827, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Nov 25, 1999 (14:27)", "body": "Really sorry about double posts and typos. Blame it on AOL. Am on free trial so please 'scuse."}, {"response": 828, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 25, 1999 (15:29)", "body": "Here's all that Alexander Walker wrote in the Evening Standard: A small-scale but warm-hearted cross-cultural romance set among the Nigerian colony of expats in the south of France. Peter Schwabach's story centres on the unmarried mother of a lively eight-year-old boy. Her community feels she should get hitched for decency's sake and select the personable new vicar. Her son, though, has other ideas. Setting, culture and unusual concern with respectability give the film its edge. ******** Not much, but we'll take it. ;-D Thanks Ann for finding it. The \"Nia Loves Laughter's Challenge\" article is made up 100% of quotes from the production notes. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/html/hottx/film/top_direct.html"}, {"response": 829, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Nov 25, 1999 (17:54)", "body": "Mari, please answer my email concerning the photos....did you receive it?"}, {"response": 830, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov 25, 1999 (18:14)", "body": "(Arami)Oh, please, no American voice for this wonderful Brit in the next stage production. Oh....by his own admission....I thought he was Dutch, Italian and Portuguese:-D ~~~~~ Thanks everybody for posting SLOW media reviews. Now we look forward to the personal reviews of our British friends on #121. Allison, Bethan, Arami...let 'er rip!"}, {"response": 831, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Nov 25, 1999 (21:02)", "body": "The SLOW ad also features in today's Times. Good for Optimum Releasing. And yes, Allison, it really shows up Miramax/BVI!! I read the other reviews..I think SLOW comes off best. \"Astronaut's Wife\" ..It's hard to care - the abiding atmosphere is one of tedium and unreality. \"Dreaming of Joseph Lees\"..(by the director of \"Relative Values\")...dour Somerset potboiler, preposterous script (Praise for the direction though) Three others...\"boggy\", so so, and ,of course, the Bond movie, which will sweep the boards. The review wasn't exstatic though. As to Alexander Walker of the Evening Standard...I think that's almost reassuring (though no mention of CF). At least he doesn't hate it! He slaughtered FP. I remember seeing him on some late night review programme, and he mentioned FP, \"starring God's Gift to women\". Switched off because I didn't like his tone. But if he doesn't say anything bad, that's good! Hope some of the rest of the reviews will be okay, but I'll bet The Guardian won't like it! Isn't Panton Stree within walking distance of the Donmar? BTW am definitely going to London (work-related) next week."}, {"response": 832, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Nov 25, 1999 (21:31)", "body": "Bethan you could take in 3DOR and SLOW - how long will the work-related bit take?!!hee hee"}, {"response": 833, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Nov 25, 1999 (22:35)", "body": "I have just got our equivalent of Timeout and absolutely NOTHING about SLOW!! I was hoping to spend the weekend seeing it (at least once) None of our independent arts complexes have it. Anyone else outside London had any luck? Happy Thanksgiving--good turkey diving!"}, {"response": 834, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Nov 25, 1999 (23:24)", "body": "I noticed in the ad in the Times that it just says \"Released in cinemas..ABC Panton St, and Peckham Prior(?)\" Just the two cinemas. Other ads say \"Nationwide release\" or \"In selected cinemas throughout the country\". I remember that when I rang Optimum Releasing, they said that SLOW would be released in London, and then in selected High St ABCs thru' December. (Probably very few prints ...more than two, I hope!) I thought out regional art-house cinema was going to show it (they said they were) but it's not listed in the December brochure. January perhaps? That's one reason, I'm determined to squeeze it in next week somehow. Incase it doesn't make it to the outer regions! No chance of 3DOR I'm afraid, Ann. Not the matinee performance day. And this trip to London is an unexpected bonus ( although it does involve quite a lot of work!) Yes, Happy Thanksgiving to one and all!"}, {"response": 835, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (01:20)", "body": "Thank you, and it is a little odd to be wishing it right back, since I believe you had your equivalent some time ago (October somthing, was it?)..."}, {"response": 836, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (04:33)", "body": "Peter Bradshaw's review from the Guardian: This week, I fear, sees a release from the Bernard Matthews Film School: The Secret Laughter of Women, a catastrophic, garbled romantic comedy set in an expatriate Nigerian community in the south of France. Nimi (Nia Long) is supposed to be a beautiful young widow who falls for a handsome, cynical British writer, Matthew (Colin Firth) - scandalising her church community. Matthew is supposed to be a comic book writer idolised by Nimi's son, though there is airy talk of him writing novels and short stories s well. The direction is leaden; the script sounds as if it has been translated from one of those alien languages from Star Wars Episode One and the child actor recites his lines as if he's reading them off an optician's board. Furthermore, Firth's character succumbs to a baffling cardiac episode because he is supposed to have a heart condition - something presumably established in the original screenplay, but lost in the final edit. What a mess. ******* Hmmm am going to have look up that Bernard Matthews crack..."}, {"response": 837, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (04:47)", "body": "http://www.timeout.com/london/hitlist/film_current.html#lon169542 Review from TimeOut: Single mother and landscape gardener Nimi (Nia Long) likes life among the close-knit Nigerian community of Rue Bonaparte, a small coastal town in southern France, but finds herself subjected to a tussle between the traditional-minded local womenfolk and her fanciful seven-year-old son Sammy (Fissy Roberts): while the former eye up the eligible new preacher (Ariyon Bakare) as a potential husband, Sammy hatches similar ambitions for his new friend Matthew (Colin Firth), a successful English fantasy comic-bo k author who summers from his \ufffdopen\ufffd modern marriage in a nearby villa. He certainly has a very nice garden. You probably know this one - the preacher\ufffds stern and unlovely, but Matthew is emotionally guarded and immature (Nimi\ufffds problem) as well as being an outsider (the rest of the clan\ufffds); it takes the film for him to grow and her to choose. Though not short on good intentions, as a would-be romantic comedy the unguarded naivety of Peter Schwabach\ufffds film doesn\ufffdt pay off. On the one hand, the attempts t keep the drama light, sunny and sensitive lapse too often into a sense of rose-tinted whimsy or quixotism; on the other, the film sticks too close to too many genre clich\ufffds and can\ufffdt put them over convincingly. It\ufffds more romantic than comic, and more rambling than romantic; and while on the whole the acting is one of the film\ufffds stronger suits, there are times when the performers sound like they\ufffdre reading from the page. The direction and OO Sagay\ufffds script provide nice local and cultural colour, but it ne ds more of a twist. (12) (Peter Schwabach, 1997, GB) Nia Long, Colin Firth, Ariyon Bakare, Fissy Roberts. 120 mins. West End: ABC Panton St; Locals."}, {"response": 838, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (06:10)", "body": "OK, I've found a trailer of SLOW on the web, but it's only the women talking and \"laughing\" about men. No Colin. :-("}, {"response": 839, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (08:05)", "body": "Hmmm am going to have look up that Bernard Matthews crack... Bernard Matthews is famous for his turkeys!"}, {"response": 840, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (08:22)", "body": "Yes, I've just found that out. A poultry firm. (strange that the turkey I've had today hasn't put me to sleep...)"}, {"response": 841, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (08:25)", "body": "Told you the Guardian would hate it! I remember they said that the best part of FP were the flashbacks! Timeout also has an interview with Peter Schwabach. Misan Sagay's comments were all correct. Handmade/Paragon succombed to financial difficulties as SLOW was starting to shoot...Misan funded the first three weeks with her own credit card. Then the Insurance Company (Bank) stepped in, but tried to take over creative control. They scrutinised the screenplay with a magnifying glass to see where they could make budgetary cuts. Then at the editing stage they insisted on commissioning a special edit in which th African community/music was all cut out. Misan and the Arts Council resisted this. Scwabach says a \"war of attrition\" broke out. (which may account for all the delays). Eventually Misan's view concept of the project prevailed ((focus on African women not CF) and this is the version that is released. Sounds like a difficult time for all, and Colin would have been in the cross-fire, poor guy. Positive news though...Scwabach says that SLOW won the audience appreciation award at the Martha's Vineyard FF (presumably the film they liked most) and has been sold to twelve territories The \"Bernard Matthews\" crack is a very cruel one. Bernard Matthews used to promote his own turkey products in TV ads and people used to make fun of him because of his leaden delivery. Basically, it means very bad acting. Mind you this was the guy who said (of An Ideal Husband) that the furniture was better than the acting. Also disliked \"The Winslow Boy\" I can't see how on the one hand critics can heap superlatives on an actor for his stage performance, and then... this!"}, {"response": 842, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (09:00)", "body": "Bethan, I think the Bernard Matthews reference just means the film's a turkey (not a comment on the acting) although I know that Bernard himself was leaden in the extreme. Hate to admit it, but I agree with two of the specific criticisms (Fissy Roberts' delivery and the unestablished cardiac history). However , I thought the film was a good one in spite of these."}, {"response": 843, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (09:09)", "body": "A P.S. It's reviews like Pete Bradshaw's (and there may be more) that make me wish that CF did more TV work, where audiences can judge for themselves (and where, I think, he is more appreciated). Wonder what reviews P&P would have attracted if it had been released as a movie..\"the insipid Mr Darcy\"? :-) We all have different tastes, and I think film critics wield disproportionate power...they can kill a film stone dead. Apparently in France, French film makers have asked for their movies to be screened before audiences for at least a week before they are reviewed, because so many home grown films don't survive the critics' \"first impressions\". One question for Ann and Evelyn, would it have been better for CF (as an actor) if MLSF had been released before SLOW (as should have happened). Although I think BVI are going to give MLSF a very low-key release, similar to SLOW's."}, {"response": 844, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (11:18)", "body": "Really bad review in the Telegraph (see Electronic Telegraph - reviews Andrew O'Hagen). Sorry! Bad for CF and the film. \"CF looks lost in shallow wee movie...four drafts short of being ready, badly made.\" Nothing good to say for film or acting. Absolute rave for Brosnan/Bond and praise for \"Joseph Lees\" and the \"handsome\" Rupert Graves. Oh well...dare I read any more. No!!!! :-)"}, {"response": 845, "author": "baine", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (13:20)", "body": "\"Firth is filthy rich, very English, and very persistent. Long is proud, prickly ... Firth is selfish, bored ... and scathingly blunt ... It's a disarming performance: big on charm and bottled anguish.\" Substitue Ehle for Long in the above excerpts, and you could be talking about our favorite 6-episode JA adaptation. Implications? Who knows? If he doesn't want to continue being viewed as a heart-throb, should he have taken a role like this? Was it actually a different kind of role pared down by the editing slashes people have mentioned? I don't think SLOW has a prayer in the US--too unpc. Critics would be terrified to touch it. And since it isn't set in Nigeria but in France, it can't purport to be giving us a view of life and outlooks in a predominantly black country, so it loses that chance at legitimating the possibility of the Firth-Long relationship. It would have to be as good as SIL to have any hope of overcoming the tendency most people would have of looking at it as a political statement. And CF's character would have to be oor--if he were the gardener and she were the landowner, maybe. But as it is--rich, white, unfaithful, male, frivolous occupation, and he rides roughshod over the family values of the downtrodden, black, tightly knit, female, single parent community struggling in a white country--nevah! An aside--I went to The Best Man to see what Nia Long was like. I thought it was dreadful. There were no sympathetic characters--the men were awful stereotypes, the women longsuffering fools. I thought Nia Long's character was patronizing, thoughtless, and confused. If anyone's seen both TBM and SLOW, I'd be interested in your take on her in the two roles."}, {"response": 846, "author": "livamago", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (14:21)", "body": "I am all atwitter...MLSF is playing in my local (Tallahassee, FL) art house theater. I am going to see him tonight, before he disappears on me. I can't believe it's actually here. He has a date with me tonight!!"}, {"response": 847, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (14:43)", "body": "(Bethan) Scwabach says that SLOW won the audience appreciation award at the Martha's Vineyard FF (presumably the film they liked most) Strange that the organizer of the event didn't mention that to me when we exchanged a few emails. His answer about how it did was v. lowkey (wish I'd kept it). Said the \"audience seemed to like it.\" If it had won the \"audience appreciation award,\" you'd think he'd mention it. Remember, he was the one who told me that the bank tried to get the film back so it wouldn't be shown at the fest. Here's the entire review from The Telegraph, thanks Bethan. Colin Firth looks lost in this shallow wee movie, set in a Nigerian community in the South of France. Nimi da Silva (Nia Long) is a lovely girl among laughing women, and she has an over-cute, over-acting boy called Sammy. But she wants a man. Will it be the local minister? Will it be Colin Firth? The film is four drafts short of being ready - many of the situations are tossed off and badly made. The whole thing is at times phonily winsome. It is directed by Peter Schwabach and written by OO Sagay. http://www.telegraph.co.uk:80/et?ac=000576481449931&rtmo=pbp4IUse&atmo=YYYYYYYp&pg=/et/99/11/26/bfhag26.html#d"}, {"response": 848, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (15:52)", "body": "Christopher Tookey review in Daily Mail...could be worse. Gives Bond a rave, rave (5stars), \"Joseph Lees\" 1 star, \"Astronaut's Wife\" 1 star....and SLOW 2stars. Verdict: amiable but underpowered romantic drama. Says its a gentle love story set somewhere attractively different, and adds that \"the two leads charm\" and it's a pleasant way of spending a couple of hours. But I don't like his final comment, which, paraphrased means that the film has absolutely no chance of commercial success. Will post in full, later. On the state of the UK Box office..\"Sixth Sense\" took \ufffd3.27 million (\ufffd8000 per screen), \"Onegin\" (50 screens) took \ufffd120,000. It's very tough out there."}, {"response": 849, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (16:39)", "body": "(Mark)However, I thought the film was a good one in spite of these. Agree, Mark. (Cymbeline)I don't think SLOW has a prayer in the US--too unpc. Critics would be terrified to touch it We discussed that at least a year ago, Cymbeline...when none of us knew what we were talking about...but having seen the film twice I can honestly say that it is NOT a film about interracial romance...it is about cross-cultural romance..could be Anglo-Italian. But as it is--rich, white,unfaithful, male, frivolous occupation, and he rides roughshod over the family values of the downtrodden, black, tightly knit, female, single parent community struggling in a whitecountry--nevah! No these are NOT downtrodden blacks, NOT struggling in a white country.It does not make any statements or give any messages...it is a sweet movie.PERIOD. Nia Long, gives a terrific portrayal of a well-educated landscape architect.Her home is tastefully furnished and she wears gorgeous clothes. Actually...after Jennifer, Nia Long is my favorite of Colin's leading ladies.The film lacks a good script...I said that the day after I saw it... (Bethan)(One question for Ann and Evelyn, would it have been better for CF (as an actor) if MLSF had been released before SLOW (as should have happened). Although I think BVI are going to give MLSF a very low-key release, similar to SLOW's. We don't know what BVI has in store for MLSF...do we. SLOW and MLSF are two v. different films. I don't think they can be compared. I am just glad he is getting some good reviews so he doesn't have to go on stage every night and face an audience that has read bad reviews of SLOW that day. IMO only The Times counts.And I'm sending that one to the bank today. Sorry this is so long."}, {"response": 850, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (17:15)", "body": "Just stumble over a site with the nominations for the Olivier Theatre award: http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/olivier.html And no, ODB is not nominated. But Sam Mendes is, and Sophie Thompson (best actress in a musical). And - still more OT, and perhaps of no interest at all for anyone here: for \"Outstanding Achievement in Dance\" William Forsythe's Ballet company is nominated - they are from Frankfurt where I live!"}, {"response": 851, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (17:27)", "body": "Those are old nominations, I think, Renate...Sophie Thompson was nominated last year. Evelyn, For SLOW, the Times is good, The Evening Standard (very important in London) is supportive, and the Daily Mail quite likes it. It's a shame about the Telegraph, but I've noticed that reviews vary tremendously depending on the reviewer. The Guardian...I've not liked their film reviews for some time, and SLOW, quite emphatically, is not their kind of film."}, {"response": 852, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (17:29)", "body": "Don't worry, Renate. Those are last year's nominees and winners (marked in red). This year's nominations will be done in January as the Olivier awards cover the entire calendar year of 1999."}, {"response": 853, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (18:50)", "body": "Thanks Bethan...I'm sending the bank The London Times which is world renowned. About CF: \"It's a disarming performance: big on charm and bottled anguish\". About the film: \"Rambling and slight it may be but also surprisingly endearing.\" Listen folks...that's one good review. I am sure he is pleased.It could have gone the other way ."}, {"response": 854, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (19:51)", "body": "(Bethan) Those are old nominations, (Karen) This year's nominations will be done in January as the Olivier awards cover the entire calendar year of 1999. Oh. Thanks. That explains why some of the plays seemed so old to me that I wondered about the time span the award covers. ;-) The beginning of error...."}, {"response": 855, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (21:07)", "body": "Daily Mail reviews To make a comparative judgement.. Tookey on \"Joseph Lees\" Verdict ZZZZZZ......lugubrious rural melodrama..inflicted on thr public. Tookey on \"Astronaut's Wife\" Verdict...dull, a turkey, waste of space. SLOW Verdict: amiable but underpowered romantic drama \"Here's a gentle love story set somewhere attractively different among a small Nigerian community on the south coast of France. The heroine is a single mother and landscape gardner (NL). Her neighbours have it in mind for her to marry thenew preacher (AB). The heroine's seven year old son (FR) has no racial preconceptions and prefers an English writer (CF) who summers nearby. The theme of prejudices overcome is similar to that in the British hit of the moment \"East is East\" and this film suffers in comparison (my comment..\"why?\"..totally different kind of film). While the two leads charm , some of the other acting is amateurish. Director PS does not avoid cliche and goes for whimsy when a more hard-edged approach was needed to make us feel there's much at stake. It's light on drama and lighter on comedy - a pleasant way of spending a couple of hours. The final comment is rather flippant, and indicates that Tookey doesn't think it has any chance of cinematic success. (Again, why not? A pleasant way of spending a couple of hours is all that alot of us want!!) But it's not a bad review..obviously too whimsical for him."}, {"response": 856, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (21:27)", "body": "Not a bad review. In fact, it has a backhanded way of encouraging people to go see it. The final comment is far more positive than one of Siskel's famous regrets for having lost 2 hours of his life-type condemnations. At least Tookey can accept the film for what it is, a light romantic comedy. All the others appear to have gone in expecting a different kind of movie and when they didn't get it, blasted it. Unfortunately, any alien culture meets Brit culture movie will get compared to East is East, whi h I agree is highly dissimilar (and if that filmmaker is not making a fortune to compensate for ridiculing his own family, I'd disown him). ;-D"}, {"response": 857, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (22:35)", "body": "Karen, I agree with your observation about critics' expectations. It's almost the same sort of reaction to the latest Helen Fielding, condemning the book for not making a serious statement about women, when all it is, is a very entertaining light-hearted read. (BTW came across another Colin bit...Bridget is in prison in Thailand for alleged drug smuggling and has \"fantasies involving Mark Darcy/Colin Firth/Prince William (whom Bridget also fancies) bursting in saying \"In the name of God and England, release my future wife!\" :-) I've seen clips from \"East is East\"...looks like a parody of Brit perception of immigrant life in the sixties - living over the chip shop, using a bucket because there's no outside loo, sleeping 4 to a bed, stereotypical overweight Asian women. It's probably funny, but life has moved on. Last week we went to a wedding between a very handsome Oxford-educated barrister (whose parents happenened to be Asian) and a pretty university lecturer( whose parents happened to be Scottish). That's where life has moved on to in tne new millennium. Maybe this is too whimsical, not real enough! There was no review of SLOW in the Daily Express, but that's no loss. The reviewer Ryan Gilbey looks about 17. I didn't check the Independent, because what the Guardian dislikes, the Independent loathes. Two of a kind. Overall I don't think SLOW has done too badly. But it's all Bond this week. BTW what sort of reviews did the latest Bond get in the US? I read that it was critically panned (but huge at the Box Office) . Over here, it's raves all the way. I'm suspicious! :-)"}, {"response": 858, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (23:36)", "body": "Nothing in The Independent Bethan."}, {"response": 859, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (23:40)", "body": "I'll tell you about TWINE over at 72, which I had to see the day it opened. ;-D"}, {"response": 860, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Nov 27, 1999 (09:28)", "body": "Grrrr! After the not too bad review in the Times, comes this, by Melissa Whitworth, in the Metro section of Today's Times. Under Openers, she says of SLOW. \"In this interracial confection set in France, Colin Frith is a far cry from Mr Darcy. In pursuit of the beautiful, if strait-laced, Nia Long. Firth comes across as an unsympathetic cad. Furthermore, never has a film shown such a wanton misuse of soft fruit.\" There is a big picture on the following page of Matthew and Sammy, sitting on the wall. Not quite as I have seen it before. Matthew's head is slightly turned. Makes him look more severe but sexier! Lets hope people look at that page and don't read the previous one. Mentioned SLOW to my VDH and he said that his heart was beating quicker already and that of course he would come with me tomorrow! Yeee!"}, {"response": 861, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Nov 27, 1999 (09:42)", "body": "Just a few odd bods, which i'll post here, though they perhaps belong elsewhere. There's an article in today's Times about the new BJ book... \"The film of the book should be with us next year....and with Helena B-C playing BJ, there shouln't be any difficuly persuading Mr Right to take a seat in the stalls.\" There's a small photo of HF in a leather jacket, H B-C, and , then, a much larger one of CF in his Arsenal boxer shorts (Nick Hornby is mentioned in the article)!! Subliminal. Evelyn, I mentioned \"Melissa\" in which JE starred. There's a new Alan Bleasedale 8 hour adaptation of \"Oliver Twist\" starting tomorrow, which seems to use all the actors from \"Melissa\" (excepting JE of course) Bleasedale always uses the same team. THe review calls it \"outstanding\", but personally I think Bleasedale is over-rated, and 8 hours of \"Oliver Twist\", well, for me that could be several hours too long. There's also a Sue Birtwhistle/Andrew Davies adaptation of \"Wives and Daughters\" starring Justin Waddell, who has appeared in several costume dramas. As I've said before, time for the powers that be to remember a good looking talented duo currently on stage and offer them a substantial TV role!!! Finally, I may seem to be antagonistic to RF(!) , but I did think he did everything right in terms of promoting \"Onegin\", including at least two appearances on TV movie programmes,Breakfast TV, and blanket coverage in glossy mags. Yet \"Onegin\" is only no 9 in the Box Office charts, with takings of just over \ufffd100,000 and a low per screen average. A \ufffd10 million movie with a terrific promotion campaign should have done much better. Just highlights how difficult it is to make an impact with art-house movies ( ven upmarket ones) and why, in the UK, TV is the more accessible medium for good actors! That's me done. No more reading of papers...not even the Sundays! Ann, don't read Ann Bilson in the \"Sunday Telegraph\" tomorrow...i'm convinced she hates all British films/actors!! :-)"}, {"response": 862, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Nov 27, 1999 (09:52)", "body": "Allison, Strange...there's no mention of SLOW in our (northern!)version of Metro. Actually, CF can't win...if his performance is similar to Mr Darcy, he's \"reprising his Darcy role\", if it's dissimilar (why shouldn't it be), he's \"a far cry from Mr Darcy\". Darcy is always the point of reference. Time for critics to move on. I'll be seeing SLOW next week, not quite sure when. I'm not 100% confident that it will make it to the regions! But the video should come out quickly then!"}, {"response": 863, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Nov 27, 1999 (11:21)", "body": "Bethan - and why, in the UK, TV is the more accessible medium for good actors and that is why I was so excited when I read that he might have been doing Flashman, six episodes of Flashman on ITV, all the publicity. I mean even though he only has a 10min cameo in the forthcoming TTOTS, he name has been mentioned more than the rest of the cast. He is definitely a TV actor and I do wish he would do more TV, btw where is DQ, no mention of it in the BBC forthcoming Winter schedule. (I am still keepi g my fingers crossed for Flashman, I just think there was too much in the story for it not to be true. Re Alan Bleasdale's OT, I was very sorry that Jennifer was not chosen to play Nancy instead of Emily Woolf, she would have been great and I think of the two I shall probably watch OT and record W& D. I must say I really can't understand why Jennifer has not done more costume drama since her award-winning performance in P&P. As you say KH & JW are always popping up in these costume dramas. Its strange though because Juliet Aubrey who also won a Bafta for Middlemarch is also rarely seen on our TV screens, nd I think she is also a very good actress. Perhaps it is because they are so closely linked to their award-winning performance."}, {"response": 864, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Nov 27, 1999 (11:53)", "body": "Strangely enough, I thought the same thing about Juliet Aubrey, and then I caught a glimpse of her last week playing a gangster's moll in a rather unpalatable drama. She deserves better. So, Emily Woolf got the part of Nancy? Did JE actually audition? Can't understand this preference. Also, I think Justine Wadham is always the same...I agree with you, I shall probably check out \"Oliver Twist\" rather than \"Wives and Daughters\". W&D sounds like a series of cameos, with silly women and unattractive men. And ever since we did \"Cranford\" for GCSE, I've disliked Mrs Gaskell. The BBC should do \"Shirley\" by Charlotte Bronte...great male lead..Robert the strongwilled, ambitious, well-born mill-owner, and the two women who love him. Lots of gritty stuff about labour relations and working conditions too...not sentimental stuff. DQ...yes, Karen, our source of all knowledge...any news? I think I'd prefer to see it on TV!!"}, {"response": 865, "author": "baine", "date": "Sat, Nov 27, 1999 (13:27)", "body": "(Bethan)Actually, CF can't win...if his performance is similar to Mr Darcy, he's \"reprising his Darcy role\", if it's dissimilar (why shouldn't it be), he's \"a far cry from Mr Darcy\". Darcy is always the point of reference. Time for critics to move on. Well put and how about some letters to the editors expresssing this thought? We ought to do some lobbying for ODB as well as just drooling over what he does for us, no? I haven't seen SLOW or 3DOR, so I couldn't comment on why he deserves recognition and rewards for them, but I could make remarks about his overall oeuvre if I can get through to them via website. Anyone who actually sees the print version able to do anything in this line?"}, {"response": 866, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 27, 1999 (14:49)", "body": "Allison, I have that new picture of Matt (head turned) and Sammy on my page, along with the \"misused soft fruit.\" ;-D Think it's time for Colin to move on to a hard-edged film drama...he's done too many comedy roles in a row now. On DQ, I have nothing new, but I do have a lead to pursue."}, {"response": 867, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov 27, 1999 (16:36)", "body": "Re: Jennifer (Ann)Re Alan Bleasdale's OT, I was very sorry that Jennifer was not chosen to play Nancy (Bethan) Emily Woolf got the part of Nancy? Did JE actually audition? Can't understand this preference. We don't know if she auditioned....she has been busy with TRT since March, and then ran right into Summerfolk. I do think directors dislike casting an actor who has starred in a famous literary role into another one. People inevitably compare the two:\"She was a better Lizzie..\" Also, I think Justine Waddell is always the same.. Ditto. I just saw her in Mansfield Park..same ole, same ole. ( Ann) I must say I really can't understand why Jennifer has not done more costume drama since her award-winning performance in P&P Well, she did Wilde and now Summerfolk. I must say that her Annie in the TRT is outstanding.LOL, she is always a class act even in dreadlocks in This Year's Love. ~~~~~~~ (Cymbeline)We ought to do some lobbying for ODB as well as just drooling over what he does for us, no? Good luck, Cymbeline. This crowd is hard to crank up and do any much along the lobbying line. (**Ducking the tomatoes**) ~~~~~~~ Tomorrow is the A&E Pride and Prejudice Marathon. All six episodes...one sitting! We always get new fans after this yearly event. ~~~~~ (Bethan)Re; RF I did think he did everything right in terms of promoting \"Onegin\", including at least two appearances on TV movie programmes But at least he got it out on the big screen. That film is older than MLSF.. has hit every Film Festival in the world and he finally moved it. Now it will even be shown in the US...and on cable.Colin could well take a lesson here. At least CF and JE get residuals."}, {"response": 868, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov 27, 1999 (16:39)", "body": "At least CF and JE get residuals. This refers to P&P on television... (It was hiding.)"}, {"response": 869, "author": "baine", "date": "Sat, Nov 27, 1999 (16:51)", "body": "(Evelyn)This crowd is hard to crank up and do any much along the lobbying line.(**Ducking the tomatoes**) Someone wrote a letter a month or so ago castigating someone for ignoring CF--my apologies for not being able to remember the writer, but it was a good letter, and we ought to do more. How about you folks who've seen 3DOR--you've put some cogent insights on this discussion site. Copy and paste them into an email to the ES. Let's lob the soft fruit in the direction it ought to go. We are certainly creative and prolific here--can't we go public a little and show him that we can do more than drive our Volv s and drool?"}, {"response": 870, "author": "Adi", "date": "Sat, Nov 27, 1999 (17:15)", "body": "hi everyone! I don't know if you remember me, I posted here a few times several months ago. I returned from a long trip to the US a little while ago, had a great time! I was delighted to hear about SLOW, and BJD (love you HF!). I only wish that any of CF projects will come to Israel any time soon (no MLSF here just yet, although I catch it when I was in Chicago I stiil want to see it with hebrew translation). I'll probably be in the DONMAR on January 15th, so I'll try to catch any CF new work there (do you think SLOW will still be showing in January?) Adi."}, {"response": 871, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Nov 27, 1999 (17:22)", "body": "(Cymbeline) Someone wrote a letter a month or so ago castigating someone for ignoring CF--my apologies for not being able to remember the writer, but it was a good letter, Who else but Evelyn? She always puts her money where her mouth is. (And you'll notice, dear Evelyn, that I didn't put an adjective denoting size in front of \"mouth\"). ;-) We also have quite a few others who've made phone calls and sent e-mails so it is done and will be done again. Reminding a reviewer every now and then that DB is more than Darcy seems to be necessary with every new film. Speaking of Darcy, thanks for the reminder about P&P. And for those who still don't have their CF fix, The English Patient is showing immediately after. Forget which channel though - TNT?"}, {"response": 872, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov 27, 1999 (18:20)", "body": "Great to have you back with us, Adi....and we look forward to seeing you in January. Someone wrote a letter a month or so ago castigating someone for ignoring CF-- (Heide)(And you'll notice, dearEvelyn, that I didn't put an adjective denoting size in front of \"mouth\"). ; LOL....Say it Heide....:-)) Cymbeline that was to Movieline, the US magazine...and actually, I gave them ten lashes for leaving Colin out of the list of hot British Actors..when they included JN,Rufus Sewell etc. He is an unknown in the US...but I wonder what good it would do to write to the UK columnists or if it would just perpetuate the \"heart-throb\" reputation."}, {"response": 873, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Nov 27, 1999 (18:26)", "body": "re Jennifer Evelyn, could it be that she was commited to Sunshine at about the time OT was casting. I hope they both do more television next year, it is so more accessible and can be videoed without waiting months and months. My Wish-List for Colin and Jennifer for the year 2000 - Colin, Flashman (as I saidf I have not given up on this), BJD and Higgins in My Fair Lady which I believe is coming to ther West End next year and there was a whisper a few months ago in the Baz Bambigoyne Column that Colin's na e had been mentioned. For Jennifer, well she is busy for 8months of next year, but perhaps she could fit in a few months filming The Forsyte Sage, she would make an excellent Irene or Fleur, and there was talk many months ago that the BBC were to remake TFS. Wishful thinking I know."}, {"response": 874, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 27, 1999 (18:43)", "body": "Cymbeline has a good idea. When I've had questions of newpapers/magazines, I've gotten immediate responses. Don't know if they'd respond to criticism, although I believe the newspapers have an option to send a letter to the editor and indicate if it is for publication. BTW, after thanking Optimum for the materials they provided, I commented on the Q&A session at the Ritzy and the lack of professionalism displayed by Misan Sagay with her comments. So there. (of course, I haven't heard back from them)"}, {"response": 875, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov 27, 1999 (22:38)", "body": "I commented on the Q&A session at the Ritzy and the lack of professionalism displayed by Misan Sagay with her comments. So there. (of course, I haven't heard back from them) Bravissima, Karen! you did the right thing and I am sure there must be others at Optimum which feel the same way. Bethan, I am so glad you will have your escape to see SLOW. Thank you all for the reviews info postings."}, {"response": 876, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Nov 27, 1999 (23:49)", "body": "From http://www.virgin.net/cinema/whatson/index.bvs?form%25loc_name=WC1&form%25what_name=Secret+Laughter+of+Women&form%25venue_name=&GO.x=15&GO.y=9 Cinema - What's On - SLOW Colin Firth, who set pulses racing as the dashing Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, is back in romantic mood in this curiously titled, clumsily assembled comedy-drama. Firth plays an English comic book writer who falls for a Nigerian single mother while lying low on the French Riviera. The object of his affections, Nia Long, is being pushed by her ex-pat community into marrying a local preacher. But her young son (Fissy Roberts), who just happens to be Firth's biggest fan, brings them together so often that Long eventually falls for the Englishman's low-key charms. Quite who writer O O Sagay and director Peter Schwabach thought this unlikely curio would appeal to is anyone's guess. Some people may enjoy watching Brixton transplanted to Southern France, but it's not enough to excuse the excruciating two-hour running time, or make us care a fig about Firth's inexplicable hankering for the unremarkable Long. by Neil Smith"}, {"response": 877, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Nov 28, 1999 (00:07)", "body": "Hmm. Oh dear, another male review. And another reference to Dashing Darcy. One of Colin's problems (I think, though may be wrong ) is that men really don't like him at all. Actors like Ewan McGregor, Tim Roth, have a distinct male following...CF hasn't. I just caught glimpse of a Movie Review programme on Arena (cable channel). The reviewers and presenter were all male, under 25, from magazines like Uncut, Loaded and Total Film. It was like watching something in a foreign language. Fortunately, no mention of SLOW!"}, {"response": 878, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 28, 1999 (03:05)", "body": "To offset the awful review from Virgin.net, here's one from an independent film site in the UK. It is indulgently favorable, echoing many of the same comments that we had on our spoiler topic, but written by someone who so obviously knows the culture. http://www.6degrees.co.uk/films/mag_rev227_print.htm"}, {"response": 879, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Nov 28, 1999 (08:29)", "body": "And here from Ann Bilson in the Sunday Telegraph. \"Ah, but we film ctitics are paid to suffer so that you may avoid the pain. Take SLOW which is set among the Nigerian community in a strange part of France where no one speaks French. Nia Long, beautiful young widow and mother of a truly ghastly child, is being pushed into family-approved marriage but falls for comic book writer Colin Firth. This is supposed to be a romantic comedy but it's an unstructured mess which gives even Mad Cows a run for its money as Worst Movie of This or Any Other Year. Let's hear it for the Arts Council which once again has succeeded in squandering Natonal Lottery money on a screenplay so inept and unfocused it should have been smothered at birth.\""}, {"response": 880, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Nov 28, 1999 (08:41)", "body": "Not too good in The Sunday Times either 1* but I like the last sentence \"Pretty scenery and sweet performances from the leads are some consolation\" However, that comparison with \"Mad Cows\" has really upset me, because it is no where as bad as that!! Also in The Sunday Times not a very good review of TWINE and they have compilled a list of new Bonds, guess who has been left out but Greg Wise is mentioned at 2-1 no way, Ralph Feinnes 5-1 I hope hot, Jeremy Northam 4-1, if him why not Colin, Rufus Sewell 4-1 too slight, and Ioan Gruffudd at 3-1 who seems favourite and is everyone's favourite at the moment."}, {"response": 881, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Nov 28, 1999 (10:31)", "body": "Ann Bilson should be smothered at at birth. I actually wrote to the Telegraph to complain about her vicious review of British films (wasn't published!). She seems to maintain a vendetta against Arts Council films. And I remember she was very cutting about \"Valmont\"...\"C-list actors, redeemed only by a good performance by Annette Bening\". Never forgave her for that! I actually much prefer reading US critics...even when they're critical, they're not personal in their attacks. Well at least she didn't say th t the director and cast should be lined up and shot. But \"worst film of this or any other year\" is very cruel. Will kill the film. I hope this doesn't dent his confidence...he's never struck me as being a very self-confident man. I'm seriously dubious now as to whether he'll play Mark Darcy, unless the script is brilliant, or indeed any other romantic lead. As someone who has lived in Nigeria for several years, I'm looking forward to seeing SLOW...as Karen mentions, none of the critics seem to have the least interest in or knowledge of the culture. Brixton isn't Nigeria. Oh well, stuff the reviews. I always knew Ann Bilson would rubbish it. Although there were some good reviews...the Times, Evening Standard (OK), Time Out (wasn't too bad), the London Film Festival Review, and the first review I read which gave it 3 stars. Even the Daily Mail was okay. The omission from the Bond list doesn't surprise me ...he's not naturally dark haired, and I think Bond has to have this colouring. And anyway, Colin has a tendency to be omitted from lists. Except lists of actors who have played Mr Darcy! :-) Well,at least, thank goodness he's had recognition for his stage acting, and I hope he draws on this in his future performances (not memories of Ann Bilson!). What movie of his comes out next? In a way, I hope it's DQ. Not a romantic role, doesn't get the girl, is a loser and has a nervous breakdown, and the script is good. (Have to say, for the future, I'd also like to see him steer clear of first time screen-writers and also be offered stronger, more socially relevant dramatic roles!) No more reviews!! Am off to clear autumn leaves!"}, {"response": 882, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Sun, Nov 28, 1999 (10:56)", "body": "(Virgin Review) Some people may enjoy watching Brixton transplanted to Southern France, but it's not enough to excuse the excruciating two-hour running time, or make us care a fig about Firth's inexplicable hankering for the unremarkable Long. Frankly this smacks of racism - there is only one connection between Grasse's Rue Bonaparte and Brixton (mainly black inhabitants), and why CF should not fall for a beautiful and spirited woman is hard to imagine, unless it's meant to take more than that to love a black woman, perhaps? Also I am confused about the running time. Being on the tight schedule I was, I am convinced that SLOW ran for 100 minutes - yet reviews and film info say 2 hours. Could critics have seen a longer version?"}, {"response": 883, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Nov 28, 1999 (11:49)", "body": "Bethan- Colin has a tendency to be omitted from Lists you can say that again but WHY, he is every bit as good an actor as any of his Contemporaries.(sp?)"}, {"response": 884, "author": "moschlatter", "date": "Sun, Nov 28, 1999 (11:53)", "body": "Hello everyone I have been lurking a long time, but never felt I had something to say until now. Last week I have been in London and have seen 3DOR twice. I loved the performances very much and I think CF looked very much like Mr. Darcy in some parts. After the first perfomance, which was on an evening, he did give some autographs but left very soon as he was with some friends. For my second I had to queue for a return and was very lucky to get one. There were also some autograph collectors who waited for the actors to go up.So I waited with them. When Colin came I was very amazed to see him wear gla ses. Of course I'm not sure whether he just wears them for disguise. One man asked him whether he could take a photograph of Colin and he answered,he'd rather not at tis moment.Then I mustered all my courage and asked Colin if he could spare a few minutes for me between shows. He was very friendly and said they had some things to do between shows,but he would come down and I should wait for him there. After the performance he did come down and after giving a few autographs and having pictures taken he looked for me and I could talk to him. More later"}, {"response": 885, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Nov 28, 1999 (11:59)", "body": "Mark, the running time (in some reviews) is given as 95 minutes, which seems to be more realistic for a romantic comedy than an over-long 120 minutes. I would also trust your assessment of the running time (as you were \"bunking off\" and anxious to get back to work in time!) more than that of some of the critics who barely seem to have been watching the film. Commenting beyond the context of this particular movie, and on behalf of many small-scale films that are scathingly received, I must say that I am disturbed by the power of reviewers in the UK. Reviews are often very short, ill-considered and destructive. It must be very disheartening for directors/writers/producers, who have put years of effort into getting their product on screen, to see all their work negated by a few words. Small films depend on good reviews. I did suggest in my (unpublished!)letter t the Sunday Telegraph that Ann Bilson put some of her \"creative\" energy into actually making a film ...just to find out how difficult and depressing it can be! BTW, on the BJ fim and playing Mark Darcy, this may be safer ground. There are bigger guns involved...the producer was resposible for SIL, Richard Curtis co-wrote the screenplay (presumably), Universal are backing it...they have the power to promote and also to practice damage limitation if necessary. Small films with no promotional budget can just be cut down. Back to Autumn leaves."}, {"response": 886, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Nov 28, 1999 (13:23)", "body": "Just one more contribution...to counteract the negativity of the Telegraph reviews! I read the SLOW review in \"Time Out\" at the newstand, but was too stingy to buy it, and thought the review was so-so. But I jotted down some phrases from memory, and must say compared to the Ann Bilson School of Criticism, it was a longish, articulate review. SLOW...not short of good intentions but as a would-be romantic comedy, Peter Scwabach's unguarded naivety doesn't pay off. Attempts to keep drama light and sunny and sensitive lapse into rose tinted whimsy. Too many genre cliches..more romantic than comic. Acting is one of the film's strengths Director and scrreenwriter provide attractive local colour and culture. Not so bad!! Welcome Nita! Please tell us more."}, {"response": 887, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Nov 28, 1999 (14:46)", "body": "Yes Welcome Nita, please we want more and was Colin wearing his glasses when he spoke to you?"}, {"response": 888, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 28, 1999 (15:27)", "body": "NITA!!! Thank you for coming out of lurkdom. We want to hear more about (1) Colin wearing glasses (what kind/style of glasses were they?) and (2) what you spoke to him about. About these additional reviews in The Times and Telegraph...what goes on? It appears these capsule reviews are written by other than the newspaper's principal critics. Here, they just pick out a few comments that give the overall flavor and publish for ongoing reference. What gives? I mean, the original Times review was fairly favorable and now this other critic comes in and writes a pathetic piece and that only serves to counteract the newspaper's original recommendation. Are they playing both sides of the fence to maintain readership? Have never seen anything like it. tsk tsk (Bilson) Take SLOW which is set among the Nigerian community in a strange part of France where no one speaks French. Take The Scarlet Pimpernel, where no one speaks French or even English with a French accent. (Ann) a list of new Bonds I read that article with much interest last night. Can't believe the odds (provided by Ladbrokes) for Fiennes are that good even with The Avengers fiasco pointing out that he can't do debonair. Ioan Gruffudd doesn't stand a chance because (a) he's too young...although the next movie he will be up for is about 4-5 years away...and (b) his name, which requires subtitles and we all know Americans don't like subtitles. (Bethan) I'm seriously dubious now as to whether he'll play Mark Darcy, unless the script is brilliant, or indeed any other romantic lead. I do think CF needs to move away from the rom-com genre and into serious contemporary drama. But I would still love to see him in BJD. It will be such a high-profile film like a Notting Hill. he's not naturally dark haired, and I think Bond has to have this colouring. Certainly doesn't have to (remember Roger Moore), but we know Colin has no problem dying his hair. He was the v. dark-haired Darcy. ;-D (Mark) Frankly this smacks of racism I thought so too. How could that have been published? And Bethan, I've put many of the reviews (like TimeOut) in Drool's Bucket, so you won't have to jot down phrases."}, {"response": 889, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Nov 28, 1999 (15:47)", "body": "(Bethan), Reviews are often very short, ill-considered and destructive. That is what happened in Miami with MLSF. No one came to see it. It seems that no matter what he tries to do, he will never live the Darcy thing down so he might as well play Mark Darcy. It will be a high profile film and it may be the only way to have critics see him in a different light as Mr. Darcy. Reverse psychology and all that. (Karen), I do think CF needs to move away from the rom-com genre and into serious contemporary drama. I am subscribed to BBC America and have a very hard time watching the serious contemporary drama. The characters and the story lines are just not interesting. Who is their intended audience? (Karen), Thank you for coming out of lurkdom. We want to hear more about (1) Colin wearing glasses (what kind/style of glasses were they?) and (2) what you spoke to him about. Welcome Nita! We want to hear lots more. :-D"}, {"response": 890, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Nov 28, 1999 (16:17)", "body": "So glad you posted here, Nita. Had you seen it in March? Did you have to travel far and if so, what made you decide to make the trek? We're glad you did and happy you're willing to share. Phooey on reviews. Why obsess over the bad ones? There were some good ones too. Does no one mention this film was made two years ago? Colin's done some a lot of work since then - most of which any of us have yet to see. Are we afraid bad reviews are going to prevent us from seeing his new work? Heck no, none of these reviewers can remember anything Colin's done to his previous work except for Mr. Darcy. Are we afraid bad reviews are going to prevent us from seeing SLOW? Maybe, so better get to the inema quickly, girls. As for me, I knew there was little if any chance of SLOW making it to these shores because our own drool reviewers have told us it's a sweet but unremarkable film. I don't need a newspaper reviewer to concur for me to realize that SLOW is not going to be a highlight of his career. Have forgotten, does the new Donmar program still use SLOW in CF's bio?"}, {"response": 891, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Nov 28, 1999 (17:39)", "body": "Yes Heide it does, althou as mentioned here before ,I believe, his bio is shorter than that of the other two. For someone not knowing the cast, at first glance it would appear he is the least experienced etc from the Donmar programme. Did he approve this I wonder? Welcome Nita, we would love to hear more of your own Donmar Delights."}, {"response": 892, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 28, 1999 (17:42)", "body": "Here are the results of the Best British actor website: Best Site for an Actor or Actress Robson Green with 39% of the votes. As the voting was so close in this category, we have decided to make an extra award - Highly Commended, which goes to The Alan Bates Archive which gained 37% of the votes, just 2% less than the winner. Because it gained almost quarter of the votes cast, Colin Firth - an Appreciation gains a special Recomended Site award. ~~~~~ Someone has to tell Peter Latham how to spell \"Recommended\". Congratulations Murph!!At least he made this list which included all the actors mentionsed in the New Bond list. ~~~~~~ We all should write to Ann Bilson at the Telegraph. What is the S-Mail address please. ~~~~~ Agree with Mark The Virgin review does smack of racism. Insulting at best. In the US no publisher would dare print that. ~~~~~~ (Bethan)Re: Ann Bilson's review in the Telegraph...Well at least she didn't say the director and cast should be lined up and shot. The director and script-writer....Yesss. ~~~~~ (Heide)Phooey on reviews. Why obsess over the bad ones? There were some good ones too. Not many...and we're just hyperventilating. It was not the Movie of the Year...but not the worst by a long shot. And the bad reviewers are almost playing \"Who can write the worst review...\" t the director and cast should be lined up and shot."}, {"response": 893, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 28, 1999 (17:46)", "body": "Sorry, ignore this: t the director and cast should be lined up and shot. Welcome Nita"}, {"response": 894, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Nov 28, 1999 (18:23)", "body": "Poor SLOW reviews in The Observer and Popcorn as well. Time for something more upbeat. From USA Today's Weekend section, celeb Q & A column: Q: My daughter and I are equally drawn to the tall, dark and handsome British actor Colin Firth. Why isn't he a superstar? A: Women on both sides of the Atlantic have been swooning over Firth since his appearance as Mr. Darcy in the BBC's Pride and Prejudice. But he says, \"I get the jitters if too much attention is focused on me. And I wouldn't do something just for a big paycheck.\" To the happily married Firth, 39, whose roles in The English Patient and Shakespeare In Love were scene stealers, \"a character who's straight down the line with no twists or quirks is boring. You've got to have something to play. I like to watch stories where you're sure of what you're seeing, and then you're not.\""}, {"response": 895, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Nov 28, 1999 (18:28)", "body": "Well done Murph. Nice to see ODB on a list!"}, {"response": 896, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 28, 1999 (18:56)", "body": "Haven't we seen the Popcorn one before? I'm pretty sure someone posted a review by Tom Dawson."}, {"response": 897, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Nov 28, 1999 (19:34)", "body": "Yes, well done Murph. Your site is very much appreciated! Karen, thanks for compiling all the reviews for SLOW. Are you going to include the Daily Mail crit , which I posted on Friday (2stars).It's not too bad. But I'd use editorial discretion over Ms Bilson's \"review\"! Evelyn, the Sunday Telegraph e-mail is sletters@telegraph.co.uk I plan to send off another copy of my complaint...not specific to SLOW, but more as a general reaction to her demolition of all things British!! Give them a chance! Karen, Sunday papers tend to use different reviewers, hence the differing opinions. The Sunday Times Culture is definitely targeted at a young age group. I used to enjoy reading reviewers like Geoff Brown in the Times, or Quentin Curtis in the Telegraph, but they've all been replaced by younger critics who seem to write for Loaded magazine! Mark, you are exempt from my criticism of male reviewers! H-any-way, definitely ENOUGH on reviews!!!! Only silver lining...that he may be prompted by the sharp claws of the film critics to return to the safer waters of good TV drama with a ready made appreciative audience!!:-) He apparently told someone he wasn't planning on taking a break, so I hope he'll plunge straight into BJD and Flashman!! Or something equivalent. So he's wearing specs...how interesting. Camouflage or short sight?"}, {"response": 898, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Nov 28, 1999 (20:35)", "body": "Karen, I think that review at Popcorn is the one from Empire or Total Film magazine, can't remember which. I understand 3DOR is getting better and better, hope the critics are taking note! I second your hopes for Flashman & BJD Bethan, why bother with films when so many of us would like to see back on the TV, many people have written to Teletext and Ceefax bemoaning the fact that he has not been on our screens for far too long."}, {"response": 899, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Nov 28, 1999 (22:57)", "body": "Well, I don't know if this will make you feel better about SLOW ( :-) ), butI've just tried to watch the \"new production from the makers of P&P\" on BBC, and to be frank, all I thought initially was \"Bring back Darcy and Lizzie\"!! The production values are high, in so far as it looks good and the settings are beautiful - the location shots actually reminded me of P&P- and \"Lady Catherine\" is in it. But that's it...I found it boring and switched off before the end. The men are unattractive and Molly (JW)is irritating. No doubt the critics will rave, but I'd rather watch CF squashing tomatoes in the worst movie of the year!! And \"Oliver Twist\"...what I glimpsed of it, jumping channels, although I think it's still on at the moment, seemed even worse. Two hours! And three more episodes to come. JE was well out of this one, IMHO!"}, {"response": 900, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Nov 28, 1999 (23:18)", "body": "I agree about W&D Bethan, but I quite enjoyed OT, will watch next week, I think. I like Julie Walters but to me she is always the same."}, {"response": 901, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Nov 28, 1999 (23:59)", "body": "Thanks for the kind words about the contest. A friend sent me that page with all the possible Bonds, and I have uploaded it to here: New James Bond? Hope I did it right this time! Murph"}, {"response": 902, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (00:03)", "body": "I don't understand how you didn't win, Murph (of course, I didn't look at the Bates or Robson Green pages), but I did vote in true Chicago fashion. Hizzoner, da mayor (may he rest in peace), would have awarded me a ghost contract for my efforts. ;-D"}, {"response": 903, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (00:41)", "body": "Karen: The Bates site is outstanding. The web mistress there has become a correspondent. Her thoughts on doing web sites for celebrities, which appeared at the Theater site this past year, was very helpful to me. I don't know much about the Green site, but he is obviously popular! And no wonder...I loved him in Reckless. Peter Lathan, who ran the contest, says he is still looking for software that allows you to only vote once. He hasn't found it yet, and knows people voted mucho times for their favorites. Murph What do you all think of Colin in glasses! I have an old collage up on my news pages of pics of him in same. I love the look. Glasses Collage"}, {"response": 904, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (01:15)", "body": "Pride and Prejudice Marathon was wonderful!!! Sorry to hear about W&D and OT 'cause we're bound to get them both.... I have just emailed A&E and asked them to continue making it a Thanksgiving Tradition. I ask you please to do the same. We did it last year and they apparently got the message. http://www.aetv.com/feedback/feedback.html"}, {"response": 905, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (02:04)", "body": "I'd rather watch CF squashing tomatoes in the worst movie of the year!! And so would we all - but that's no consolation for Colin, who needs to safeguard his credibility. I bet ATA and SLOW scripts looked great on paper - until the finished product left the cutting room. But let's not forget FP, TEP, SIL and MLSF - not so bad, after all. Darcy was a wonderfully strong and romantic character executed with near-perfection and it will be difficult for Colin to find another role which would at least equal that one. If he is not liked by men, it is because neither as an actor, nor as a private man does he project a cynical/butch type, which seems currently prevalent as a male role model. Someone might say - neither does Hugh Grant, but he has been caught in a cynical/butch-like situation in real life and so he's been accepted as one of the lads... Generally, the so-called thinking women's heroes are disliked by the majority of the male style gurus. Colin has apparently tried to act cynical/laddish by sometimes using trong expletives when interviewed by male journalists, but it didn't work well and I think he's now abandoned this approach."}, {"response": 906, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (02:29)", "body": "(Arami), Colin has apparently tried to act cynical/laddish by sometimes using strong expletives when interviewed by male journalists, but it didn't work well and I think he's now abandoned this approach. I am disappointed he would care to impress those male/journalists at all. Happy to see your site did so well Murph! I think we all voted Chicago-style. ;-)"}, {"response": 907, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (02:44)", "body": "I'd rather watch CF squashing tomatoes in the worst movie of the year!! And so would we all - but that's no consolation for Colin, who needs to safeguard his credibility. I bet ATA and SLOW scripts looked great on paper - until the finished product left the cutting room. But let's not forget FP, TEP, SIL and MLSF - not so bad, after all. Darcy was a wonderfully strong and romantic character executed with near-perfection and it will be difficult for Colin to find another role which would at least equal that one. If he is not liked by men, it is because neither as an actor, nor as a private man does he project a cynical/butch type, which seems currently prevalent as a male role model. Someone might say - neither does Hugh Grant, but he has been caught in a cynical/butch-like situation in real life and so he's been accepted as one of the lads... Generally, the so-called thinking women's heroes are disliked by the majority of the male style gurus. Colin has apparently tried to act cynical/laddish by sometimes using trong expletives when interviewed by male journalists, but it didn't work well and I think he's now abandoned this approach."}, {"response": 908, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (13:10)", "body": "Ann, Colin didn't wear the glasses when he came down after the performance, and honestly, I was much too exited to notice what they looked like. But there is something else which I did notice.He came down with a women who looked like she was a security-person as she was wearing a kind of belt with a walky-talky across her chest.When we talked she waitetd for him. I wondered whether she is his bodyguard. We talked about PP and Darcy and Colin said he wasn't at all like Darcy.But while he said it he looked and behaved so much like Mr. Darcy,that I find it very difficult to believe him. After a few minutes there were more fans who wanted autographs and we couldn't talk any longer and he said very friendly good-bye."}, {"response": 909, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (14:22)", "body": "(Arami).... but that's no consolation for Colin, who needs to safeguard his credibility. I bet ATA and SLOW scripts looked great on paper - until the finished product left the cutting room. .... Agree. But how can an actor get around that...contractual? (Arami)..... Darcy was a wonderfully strong and romantic character executed with near-perfection and it will be difficult for Colin to find another role which would at least equal that one. I'll drink to that.... Imagine...Arami & I agreeing on two points It must be the season...:-))"}, {"response": 910, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (15:59)", "body": "(Evelyn) But how can an actor get around that...contractual? Become Tom Cruise or Tom Hanks?? Most directors can't even get approval for the final cut. Bethan, thanks for the explanation of multiple reviews by a single newspaper. Am so glad that doesn't happen here. While the major papers here have more than one critic (a main critic and various underlings), only one of them will review a given film. Therefore, if someone says the X Times recommended a film, there's no question about it. Am going back to pick up any stray reviews I have put on the page, although I haven't come across the name Tom Dawson yet. Ann, the review from Total Film didn't have a name, but it too used the term \"anaemic performance\" to describe Colin's performance. Maybe that's what I remembered? ;-D"}, {"response": 911, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (16:25)", "body": "anaemic performance How could they say that! Just back from seeing SLOW. Shall post on 126."}, {"response": 912, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (16:32)", "body": "Karen, the Popcorn reviewer is Tom Dawson. (Not to be confused with Jack Dawson or Rose Dawson;-) Starts out saying something like: Nimi's family is not impressed by Matthew--didn't they see Pride & Prejudice? He says he found the characterizations \"faintly racially patronising.\" Does any of this sound familiar? If not, I have it somewhere and can forward to you, though I'm not sure you'd want it on your page.;-) The one in the Observer is by Phillip French; not sure you'll want that one either.;-) RE: mutiple film revews from a single publication. The only time I can ever recall that happening here was this past summer when Janet Maslin wrote the rave review on Eyes Wide Shut in the NYT; shortly thereafter, they published a very negative one from an underling (the woman who I think is going to be taking Maslin's place). That really signaled JM's death knell; they thought she was too soft. A pity. Way to go, Murph! But you wuz robbed, kid."}, {"response": 913, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (16:46)", "body": "Mari, thanks, I have both reviews and, btw, the Popcorn site is the one with the SLOW trailer of a bunch of not-so-secretly-laughing women that I posted to Springfolks, I think??? Anywho, maybe, I'll just put links to the bad reviews and not put the text in... At the Trib, the same film might be reviewed by Siskel and Michael Wilmington, but Siskel had long since given up the title of Chief Critic to Wilmington and was a \"guest columnist\" every Friday. Since Siskel's death, no duplicate reviews that I recall."}, {"response": 914, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (17:42)", "body": "(Nita)When we talked she waitetd for him. I wondered whether she is his bodyguard. Well if she was (and I hope to god she wasn\ufffdt) I\ufffdm really angry with someone who has caused this. He looked so very secure in March. Has something happened that has made him feel like needing a professional around to handle certain situations? Obviously the possible trouble maker has been a woman, otherwise the bodyguard wouldn\ufffdt be female."}, {"response": 915, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (18:10)", "body": "I know it is an old warhorst, but I would like to see ODB do Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff is a very taciturn, troubled man and should be done by an actor who can project his anger and pain by body language, facial expressions and the ability to convey his thought with the use of his eyes. We all know that no one can do this better tha Colin as in The English Patient, when he was sitting in the car waiting for her to return for their 1st anniversary. You could see all that he was going through just by watching his eyes. It was the best part of the entire movie and the idiots who cut scenes to make way for the commercial on the tape cut it out. They were too stupid to see that everthing that happened centered on this one incident. The plane crash that started the story was about that scene."}, {"response": 916, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (18:16)", "body": "According to The Albermarle Theatre Website 3DOR stands at No.2 in The Top Ten Plays in London, does anyone know if this is based on Box Office or Critics' Opinions. I too would be very sorry if something has happened for Colin to need a Bodyguard, how can he be his natural self to his fans if he has something like this hanging over him. Might explain though why Livia has not been seen at the Theatre."}, {"response": 917, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (18:32)", "body": "The walky-talky woman likely worked for the Donmar org. A building like that would definitely have a security guard on premises at all times. There are NO accounts of any bodyguards accompanying Colin out of the Donmar or even a car picking him up or dropping him off. In fact, he just walks down the street alone or with friends."}, {"response": 918, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (18:48)", "body": "(Karen)In fact, he just walks down the street alone or with friends To the nearest Tube station perhaps?!?!"}, {"response": 919, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (18:56)", "body": "Don't know where he goes and isn't that the way it should be? ;-D"}, {"response": 920, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (19:12)", "body": "Bless him where ever he goes. Instead of the Tube he probably goes to his flashy car in a nearby parking house :-)"}, {"response": 921, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (19:19)", "body": "Instead of the Tube he probably goes to his flashy car in a nearby parking house :-) I doubt it is flashy. A couple of years ago he was still driving a very Toyota or was it a Honda?"}, {"response": 922, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (19:20)", "body": "Eeeek. That should read \"ancient\" Toyota. What is happening to me? I have firthitis."}, {"response": 923, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (19:45)", "body": "When he was doing FP interviews I am sure I read it was a C reg Nissan. For sure it's NOT a volvo!! BTW Bethan, I also could not bear W&D and just had to switch off."}, {"response": 924, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (20:03)", "body": "(Allison)Toyota or was it a Honda? Hey, where did you get this? Nissan Maxima is the only car that I remember being mentioned in his interviews. I know this for sure because after I read it a couple of years ago I almost ended up buying one myself (the price of that car helped me to come back to my senses :-D)"}, {"response": 925, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (20:50)", "body": "And so would we all - but that's no consolation for Colin, who needs to safeguard his credibility. I bet ATA and SLOW scripts looked great on paper - until the finished product left the cutting room. But let's not forget FP, TEP, SIL and MLSF - not so bad, after all. (Arami} Agreed! Also (like Evelyn!)I thoroughly agree with the other points you've made! I also think that editing is crucial, and it would appear that in ATA, SLOW, and to a certain extent MLSF (didn't Harvey take over?), editing responsibilty was disputed. Lizza's right about the car...it was a C Reg Nissan Cherry (I remember, because we'd just bought a (nearly new) Nissan Primera! Very reliable, Nissans! Lizza, I must admit that although I didn't take to W&D, it did give me a pang because superficially it remined me of P&P. I think the same production team must have been used...some of the location shots looked similar, the cinematography was reminiscent of P&P. Nothing else! But I would very like to see CF acting in that sort of \"protected environment\", knowing that the production values are high and there'll be no post-production squabbling.. There just don't seem to be many good roles for male actors e pecially in costume dramas! (I'd like to have seen him in the role of Henry I in \"Lion in Winter\" with Pat O'Connor directing. He's just the right age (Henry married at 18, had three sons by his early twenties and died in his late forties) A. Hopkins is way too old) Thanks for your comments on SLOW, Allison. I'll post mine when I've seen it (not long now!) BTW there are Nigerian communities in the South of France, and also much larger communities from Francophone Africa. Although they're mostly concentrated around Marseille."}, {"response": 926, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (21:25)", "body": "Too bad about W&D.The same team (AD and SB) did the TV Emma, which hasn't been heard of since. So where is the third member of the P&P team... Simon Langton. Apparently, he's crucial.Does anyone know what he's done lately?"}, {"response": 927, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (21:27)", "body": "What about The Mayor of Casterbridge? (4million pounds) Bethan, it was mentioned on Teletext this morning, ITV are to make it, no castings yet, to be screened in 2001. (? Bates was in the original) - my mind has gone a blank!!"}, {"response": 928, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (21:33)", "body": ""}, {"response": 929, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (21:34)", "body": "Ann, the Tom Dawson mystery is solved. He did write the smallish piece in Total Film. Found the original you sent me. The popcorn one is the full piece."}, {"response": 930, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (21:55)", "body": "Thanks Karen. (Alan Bates, of course)"}, {"response": 931, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (21:55)", "body": "Bethan, I admit to pangs too, how right you are. I was near the area it was filmed yesterday, a place called Marshfield, which is not so very far from Bath, nor from Lacock. Did I not read somewhere (dredging deep here!) that after P&P2 , adaptations had to have an \"F Factor\" (that's F for Firth!!) or else they would not take off, not just here but abroad too, and without it they wouldn't hit the public consciousness etc W&P just ain't got it."}, {"response": 932, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (22:53)", "body": "According to Teletext OT won the battle of the ratings last night by just over a million, unfortunately for W&D, and I am sorry about this as it may discourage the BBC from making expensive costume dramas in the future, they lost 2 millions viewers apparently they started off with 9million plus and ended up with 7million plus. Also Evelyn, I agree with you that Simon Langton must be the missing link, he also directed Upstairs & Downstairs and that had that certain something that P&P had."}, {"response": 933, "author": "baine", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (23:24)", "body": "I hope that what he drives is indeed an ancient Nissan b/c that is what I drive although not a Maxima."}, {"response": 934, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (23:30)", "body": "Yes, what happened to Simon Langton? I've not been aware of anything else directed by him since P&P. Ann, Teletext is a goldmine! The Mayor of Casterbridge....now that's not a bad project. Henchard is described as the most \"primitive and virile of all Hardy's heroes\", \"a man destroyed by his own passion\". Can be a bit downbeat though. But I'd actually like to see CF do this. Something with real meat! And I think ITV definitely have the edge in drama. I'm not surprised that W&D lost its audience. I actually think the potential audience might have been misled by all the \"from the makers of Pride and Prejudice\" style advertising. As I said, my initial reaction was \"Bring back Lizzie and Darcy!!\" There's certainly no Darcy in W&D (indeed the potential for romance is very disappointing!) and Justine Waddell isn't a patch on JE. There was some good character acting I suppose, but it didn't \"grab\" me."}, {"response": 935, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (23:59)", "body": "Hello Nita, I'm very new to this list myself, so I feel a bit awkward in welcoming you. I Don't feel as though I`ve paid enough dues, or something. Thank you for the providing the vicarious thrill of reading about your trip to 3DOR and your talking with CF. If I ever get to see on stage, I wouldn't have the guts to want to meet him. This is due mostly to the fact that I'm a frustrated writer. Scenario: I see CF, causing me to charge toward him yelling, \"Mr. Firth have I got a screenplay concept for you!\" At which point, the poor man runs from me in abject terror. I could remember the whole episode as \"How I met Colin Firth and got arrested.\" That just would not do. No, I am not the reason the (apparent) security guard was with him. I have not been in London within the last year. As for the James Bond list. Who cares? CF is fortunate his name isn't on the list to play that trash. They should drive a stake through the heart of that worn-out, irrelevant series. The only way to continue the series well would be as period adventure comedies, as the character and situations are so dependent on the cold war and Hugh Hefner's playboy philosophy. Better yet, forget Bond, why bother with that tripe when there's Austin Powers. Also, we stupid Americans seem to love Ioan Gruffudd, roug translation would be either \"handsome Welsh actor\" or \"John Griffith\"."}, {"response": 936, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Nov 30, 1999 (01:34)", "body": "(CherylB) see CF, causing me to charge toward him yelling, \"Mr. Firth have I got a screenplay concept for you!\" At which point, the poor man runs from me in abject terror. Just don't yell \"another cuckold part\" and maybe he'll stay. As for the James Bond list. Who cares? ... They should drive a stake through the heart of that worn-out, irrelevant series. On this we agree. Think we should quash the bodyguard reference now. Karen's suggestion is more plausible."}, {"response": 937, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Nov 30, 1999 (01:59)", "body": "Speaking of the Mayor of Castlebridge and others... I would love to hear from as many of you as possible on what characters - either real life or fictional - you would like to see CF play, and why. You can also stipulate film or stage or TV in your explanation. I know we've done it before, but I don't remember all the answers being listed in one place. Go To It! A Firth Survey I will post all the answers with some of your choicer comments on a new page in a few weeks. Murph"}, {"response": 938, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Nov 30, 1999 (11:07)", "body": "(Lucie)I would like to see ODB do Wuthering Heights. Lucie, I can understand why, if only there was a scriptwriter and a director in this world to be able to do handle that magnificent material well enough. Heathcliff is a frightening and paradoxal character and I hated him all through the book because of the terrible things he did, and was touched by his desperate passion....I\ufffdve always said that Colin would be great in horror stories because of his capability of great intensity/subtlety and WH is very close to one."}, {"response": 939, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Nov 30, 1999 (15:21)", "body": "Karen, I may be wrong but according to Yahooo Top 100 for the weekend before last, Mansfield Park opened at #44, at 8 theatres, and I think didn't do as well as MLSF at only 5 theatres in its opening weekend, and this is with much more vigorouse promotion thatn MLSF had. Just think how it might have done with just a little more help!!"}, {"response": 940, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 30, 1999 (15:47)", "body": "Ann, I didn't check last week's boxoffice figures, but you're probably right. MP is currently in 26th place (playing on 30 screens), grossing about $10K per screen. Not so hot, but enough...for the time being."}, {"response": 941, "author": "Xian", "date": "Tue, Nov 30, 1999 (19:01)", "body": "Do I feel some depression here over the general public's (including some of our own) reaction to SLOW? I hope I am wrong. I spent whole afternoon of the last Sunday to watch P&P. I video taped it although I've already owned a six tapes set. So when I want to watch the whole thing, I don't have to get up to change tape every 50 some minutes and dump my ice cream bowl on the floor (it only happened once though). I'm very pleased whenever a commercial break was needed, the announcer would say \"Pride and Prejudice starring Colin Firth will be right back...\". I just love to hear his name to be announced over and over again ;-). (Although I thought JE deserves the same credit for P&P). It definitely gained more to the Firthies crowd on this side of pond while SLOW was playing on the other side."}, {"response": 942, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Tue, Nov 30, 1999 (19:13)", "body": "Karen, I just noticed what name you gave the Colin-feet-tomato pic (I know I'm slow. Read: s l o w and not SLOW). I love it! What film is it from again? COW (cheering of women)?"}, {"response": 943, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 30, 1999 (19:27)", "body": "(Xian) the announcer would say\"Pride and Prejudice starring Colin Firth will be right back...\". I just love to hear his name to be announced over and over again;-). (Although I thought JE deserves the same credit for P&P). Now that you mention it.....Grrrrrr. Nice to hear his name...but I wanted to shout.... \"Who the h***kept those six episodes together.:-D \"I know, I know...he drove the bus, and she is an unknown here....but at least they could have said: \"and.....\". evelyn....* doing a slow burn on this side of the pond*:-D (Did not mention that to A&E in my thank you)"}, {"response": 944, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Nov 30, 1999 (19:53)", "body": "Who the h***kept those six episodes together.:-D You\ufffdre absolutely right Evelyn, Elizabeth of course is the most important person in the whole thing and Jennifer is the real star in P&P by far. And what an excellent performance that was. One just tends to forget these obvious facts when winding and rewinding and drooling for what\ufffds his name."}, {"response": 945, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Nov 30, 1999 (21:22)", "body": "News on SLOW...the video is out in April. Film will be on very selected release in the UK in the next few weeks...they only know where it will be a week in advance. For example, is at Manchester Showcase next week. Leeds Showcase soon (not art-house) If you want to find out about your region, ring Optimum Releasing on 0207 4784466. I saw SLOW today and enjoyed it! But am quite shattered by my long day!! Have posted briefly at 126. Murph, if you want to post the news about the video release, please do!"}, {"response": 946, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 30, 1999 (22:01)", "body": "(Tineke) What film is it from again? COW (cheering of women)? Cheering of women! LOL!! Does this help? ;-) It's from the 1983 ZZ Top song \"Legs\" but it was \"she's got legs\"...minor change. Bethan: Excellent news re: video - converters cranked up. Am anxious to hear your comments on seeing SLOW."}, {"response": 947, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 30, 1999 (22:01)", "body": "closing the tags... ;-)"}, {"response": 948, "author": "nky", "date": "Tue, Nov 30, 1999 (22:06)", "body": "Jennifer is the one who won the \"Best Actress\" award for P&P and I was pretty p***d off when her name wasn't mentioned. I waited thru the whole series for them to mentioned her name but I guess it was pretty nice to hear Colin Firth's name. I also waited around to see \"The English Patient\" and Colin looked sooooo good (yummmm)."}, {"response": 949, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 30, 1999 (22:19)", "body": "I waited thru the whole series for them to mentioned her name I attributed it to the fact that they didn't know how to pronounce \"Ehle\".:-D ~~~~~~ Hey, April is soon...those poor guys at Optimum need to get their money back."}, {"response": 950, "author": "ommin", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (00:30)", "body": ""}, {"response": 951, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (01:37)", "body": "I wish the Ehle contingent stopped moaning on this board... Why don't you start an Ehle thread, so that us Firthists can go there and post about Colin on every other line? ;-P"}, {"response": 952, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (03:03)", "body": "I wish the Ehle contingent stopped moaning on this board... Why don't you start an Ehle thread Oh yeah...so how come no one complained this summer with all the baseball and crickett comments on this very thread. And when Ben talks about Jennifer , you never say anything....scheeeeech."}, {"response": 953, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (03:05)", "body": "Sorry...I forgot to add my smiley.... scheeeeech :-D"}, {"response": 954, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (06:40)", "body": "It's a whole new ball game on Favorite Man. Colin was #1 to start but already other forces rise against him. Take a few moments of your time and vote for him daily. (If you can vote Chicago style, all the better ... Daley!;-D): http://www.freevote.com/booth/ladyviola Let December be Colin's month..."}, {"response": 955, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (14:23)", "body": "KJArt, I just noticed that it is Sir Percy against Mr. Darcy!"}, {"response": 956, "author": "baine", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (14:26)", "body": "OK, I've voted, but that green background is a killer. And how about Russell Crowe \"who broke all records\". And we know how, don't we! And who is Anthony Andrews? Isn't this Favorite Man thing just a microcosm of life? Here's Colin; he's always there, every month, and we're always voting like mad. And some upstart no one ever heard of always comes in #1. He's always #2 b/c of the few, the happy few, the band of droolers, the ones who never desert him. But these little shifters who vote for one guy one month and another the next. I see a book--Where's Colin? On each double page a seething crowd of two-bit actors, always changing--locales, costumes, and especially faces, some recognizable, some just a blur of aquiline noses and square jaws, surrounded by their screaming groupies. As you page through, the most prominent faces keep changing for no obvious reason, and the groupies swarm across the page, thickening and thinning gangs jostling around the hunk du mois . But somewhere in every picture there he is working away and miling gorgeously while around him the Firthettes quietly maintain sites, write fiction, read the source works, and power watch the Oeuvre. You have to look pretty hard to find him, and many people don't bother, but for the ones who do ... well, the rewards are infinite. Do you think this would move on Murph's bookstore? I bet it would go right to number two on the best seller list."}, {"response": 957, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (14:58)", "body": "(Cymbeline) I bet it would go right to number two on the best seller list. LOL!! Anthony Andrews?!! What has he done in the last decade or so? How can he have rabid fans on the order of Russell Crowe's. BTW, I would watch out for the Brendan Fraser and Timothy Dalton contingents. The way I look at it, vote Colin in for December and we never have to do it again. Is that reason enough? ;-)"}, {"response": 958, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (15:15)", "body": "I have hinted at Anthony Andrews being Sir Percy of the Scarlet Pimpernel once before. Personally, I can not remember anything else he has done, but I do suggest you all rent his SP video. You will not be disappointed. I repeat the contest seems to be Sir Percy vs Mr. Darcy. Now for a picture of Colin as Santa, Karen, could you oblige us? That should help to inspire the December vote. :-D"}, {"response": 959, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (15:57)", "body": "a picture of Colin as Santa Renate should have one at her fingertips. Here's an OK one: BTW, Anthony Andrews was also in Brideshead Revisited a million years ago."}, {"response": 960, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (15:59)", "body": "Anthony Andrews was Sebastian in Brideshead Revisted! He was awesome, but granted it was more than a decade ago;)"}, {"response": 961, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (20:42)", "body": "Jeremy Irons'career took off after Brideshead, Anthony Andrews' didn't. Guess it's luck of the draw. Noticed some indirect promo for SLOW. Some helpful soul had released most of the glossy mags in the Film and Computer sections from their Cellophane covers, so it was possible to browse without buying (Big sign...\"Customers are kindly requested not to read magazines\" !!) There a shortish articles on Nia Long in two of the film mags (Total Film, and I think, Empire) mostly promoting \"The Best Man\"(?}, but mentions of SLOW and CF. In one she says how much she enjoyed filming SLOW with Colin Firth. In another, the article says that her new fim is a romance with Brit Heart-throb CF. Nia says \"He's great. There's something about him that's very innocent, child-like, I think he's very shy\"."}, {"response": 962, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (21:00)", "body": "Here's two more Santa Colins: Marzipan Murph"}, {"response": 963, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (21:07)", "body": "All: The About.com British TV Newsletter has all the programs coming this winter on British TV. TOTS is mentioned under ITV's Christmas programs, along with a zillion others. I would post it, but it is long. At the risk of getting slugged by Arami (kidding!), I heard a radio ad today for \"Waiting In The Wings,\" Noel Coward's play starring Bacall and Rosemary Harris. I was thinking that Jen might come to the opening, Evelyn? It's on December 3, I think. Last mention of JE, I promise. Back to CF as Santa.... I have a DVD of TEP and can screen capture the most delicious stuff. Murph"}, {"response": 964, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (21:26)", "body": "(Murph)Noel Coward's play starring Bacall and Rosemary Harris. I was thinking that Jen might come to the opening, Evelyn? It's on December 3, I think. Last mention of JE, I promise. Meet you on #72 Murph. (And I nevah promise anything.) ~~~ Thanks for all the pics of the season.Loved it when he called Kathryn \"sausage\"."}, {"response": 965, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (00:44)", "body": "At the risk of getting slugged by Arami (kidding!) Murph - you are one very special Firthdom fighter and you may post anything you like here."}, {"response": 966, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (01:29)", "body": "Alert - an interesting CF/P&P-related discussion has developed on Topic 72."}, {"response": 967, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (02:14)", "body": "Did anyone notice Lady Viola's remark that it was nice to see someone she actually liked win? hmmmmmmmm Nia Long seems to have joined a long line of leading ladies who loved working with Colin. Gwenyth Paltrow went on about him in every interview that I saw."}, {"response": 968, "author": "LynnR", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (02:17)", "body": "Okay, who is Ioan Gruffudd and how did he get so far ahead in this favorite man poll???? I'm voting as often as I can remember but it's only the first day and this other guy is way ahead suddenly!"}, {"response": 969, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (02:59)", "body": "I was in there voting at about 2:45 pm central time, when the Horatio Hornblower crowd blew in. I'm convinced they have a way of circumventing the counter or are in collusion with Lady Viola. (Renate: does the host have a way of shutting down the counter or placing unlimited votes him/herself?) When I started voting, IO had 397 votes and CF was in first with 511. When I realized the counter was not working, that's when I wrote down the totals and kept on voting. When it finally stopped me and I \"relo ded\" to see the new totals, it was IO with 750 and CF with 588. I disconnected and got back in to the fray, and IO was at 808, so I continued voting. When everything got back to normal, IO was at 1022 and CF at 637. There's a way of shutting down the counter. Who knows a programmer in PERL?"}, {"response": 970, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (06:00)", "body": "In case anyone's interested, Anthony Andres first came to my attention by coming out of nowhere to star in a 13-part series called \"Danger--UXB\" which was quite popular at the time. He went on to do \"Brideshead\". I have wondered a couple of times \"Whatever happened to ... you know ... what's his face\". Why he's suddenly surfaced is beyond me. Has he done something current of which I am not aware? I totally agree with Cymbeline's philosophy on this one, but my true attitude toward the whole thing is Karen's, to wit: The way I look at it, vote Colin in for December and we never have to do it again. Is that reason enough? ;-)"}, {"response": 971, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (08:08)", "body": "I've found a little note about CF on an Estonian site, and would love to know what they are talking about. I think it is about the internet. This language seems related to Finnish. Elena , do you think you can translate this for us? http://portal.online.ee/article3931.html Filmiuudised Colin Firth ei ole rahul kuulsuse ja internetiga Online - Briti n\ufffditleja Colin Firth kardab oma privaatsuse p\ufffdrast, kuna internet annab t\ufffdnap\ufffdeval praktiliselt k\ufffdigile v\ufffdimaluse tema kohta nii palju teada saada kui v\ufffdimalik, kirjutab WENN. \"Shakespeare in Love\" staar kurdab, et selline avalik informatsioon v\ufffdib saada ohtlikuks. \"Ma arva, et ei ole sobiv piiluda kogu aeg, mida teised teevad,\" \ufffdtles ta. \"Ma kohtasin \ufffdhel peol \ufffdht t\ufffddrukut, kes teadis t\ufffdpselt kus ja millal ma s\ufffdndisin, minu venna ja \ufffde nimesid, mis koolis ma k\ufffdisin. Ta sai selle k\ufffdik internetist.\""}, {"response": 972, "author": "baine", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (12:45)", "body": "So, Renate, you are looking for Colin in all the tongue places. Here's a new project for us--in how many languages has Colin been mentioned. I see a beautiful collage, like a UN Christmas card, but much, much bigger covered with alphabets, characters, glyphs, and in every phrase the words COLIN FIRTH stand out. Title: Master of the Universe. Can't wait to see the translation of your Estonian piece, but you are barking up the wrong tree by asking Elena b/c ODB will never be Finnished (bwah-ha-ha-ha-ha!)"}, {"response": 973, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (13:00)", "body": "Thanks, Cymbeline, very \ufffdfunny\ufffd. Renate, Finnish is close to Estonian but not close enough for me to understand it. I found a translator though. That text is that famous piece from the Q/A in Hello or what was that paper/magazine a year ago. You know the one that made Ellen take down her FAQ. \"He wants to keep his private life to himself and today the internet can serve a lot of information about anybody. It is not appropriate to know what a person is doing all the time, he says. In a party I once met a girl who could name my parents, what schools I went to....the internet is where she got it all\ufffd. Aargh"}, {"response": 974, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (14:03)", "body": "(Karen)I was in there voting at about 2:45 pm central time, when the Horatio Hornblower crowd blew in. Interesting! I have been having a slothful day. Can't quite apply myself so, inspired by Karen's city father (Mayor Daley?), I have been hitting the Lady Viola booth, switching between ISP's I find I can clock up a fair number of votes. I was obviously not alone in voting this am (GMT). Could not help noticing that Colin's fellow countrymen have put on no extra votes to now (2pm GMT). Does this mean that all their backers live to the west of these isles or are they UK supporters who are not prepared o shell out prime rate telephone rates to back their man. BTW, I suspect Lady Viola herself for the sudden flood of Ioan votes."}, {"response": 975, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (14:42)", "body": "I've run into this 'disconnected counter' numerous times before. During November, the votes were racking up during the late night hours for us - around midnight. What time is that in Australia? ;-) Well, if IO pulls too far ahead, then I'm hanging it up. I'll try to be there the same time today to see if this becomes a daily thing. Seems strange...I've never been able to place more than 5 votes on Renate's list. But on Lady Viola's, the counter doesn't always work as well."}, {"response": 976, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (15:42)", "body": "Does anyone know if this Lady Viola site carries any weight in the real world? I know some poll-type sites do. This one is quite arbitrary and smells of rigged voting and therefore renders any results meaningless. Access Hollywood has been conducting several 'Best of...' polls and admitted on air recently that fan clubs had likely changed the outcome in at least one of them. And we know AH to be a bastion of reporting--for example, they recently broke the story that Michael Jackson had his nose done. Wow! I never knew that! *cue heavy sarcasm*"}, {"response": 977, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (16:02)", "body": "I hear the sirens--the OT police are coming to take me away. See you in jail, Evelyn! Murph, can you bail us out? Whoopsie, almost forgot... ;-)"}, {"response": 978, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (16:08)", "body": "Does anyone know if this Lady Viola site carries any weight in the real world? Define real world? ;-) On the moon, she would be weightless."}, {"response": 979, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (16:56)", "body": "(Nilee)See you in jail, Evelyn! Murph, can you bail us out? Oh, Nilee....you crack me up.... Ah yes,... Murph ...you have a lot of clout around here. Please, may I run my Jennifer news through you? Oops..I forgot....:-D"}, {"response": 980, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (20:30)", "body": "Thank you Elena, for the translation. Can't say I'm surprised that it is this unfortunate article - the word \"internet\" mentioned two times in such a small article was warning enough. I have also found something Russian, better I don't post it at all."}, {"response": 981, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (22:07)", "body": "I love to fool around with rhyming, and sent this out to the Firth list last year. I have changed a few words for Drool: ******************************* 'Twas the night before SIL, when all through Firthheaven, Not a person was stirring, not even Lady Karen; The stockings were hung by the great chimney with care In hopes that Lord Wessex soon would be there; The ladies were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of Firths danced in their heads; And Evelyn in her kerchief, and Arami in her cap, Had just settled their brains for a long winter's nap, When out in the courtyard there arose such a clatter, We sprang from our beds to see what was the matter. Away to the window we flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow Gave a luster of midday to objects below, When, what should we see on that night cold and chilly? But a opulent carriage and seven sleek fillies, With a tall dark haired driver so handsome and sexy, We knew in a minute it must be Lord Wexy. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled and shouted, and called them by name: \"Now Lizzie! Now Julie! Now Chirsty! now Meg! On, Nancy! On, Katherine, on Viola - shake a leg! To the top of the ramparts! To the top of the wall! Now Dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!\" As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky, So up to the Towers the coursers they flew With the carriage full of goodies - And Lord Wessex too. And then, in a twinkling, we heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As we drew in our heads, and were turning around, Down the chimney Lord Wessex came with a bound. He was dressed all in velvet from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot; A bundle of goodies he had on his back, And he looked like the Kingly Head of the Pack. His eyes - how they sparkled, his dimples so keen! His cheeks were like roses, his legs long and lean, His large mobile mouth was drawn up in a grin And the beard on his chin was darker than sin; The candlelight lit his smiling white teeth, And a white ruff encircled his neck like a wreath. He had a small waist, and a whole lot of pep, And he walked with a swaggering, rollicking step. He was elegant, daring, a right handsome old thing, And we laughed when he saw him, and wanted to sing! A wink of his eye, and a twist of his head, Soon gave us to know we had nothing to dread; He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk; And laying his fist against mouth (nothing new!) And giving a nod, up the chimney he flew. He sprang to his carriage, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But we heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, \"I'll see you next year, Luvs, but for now, A Good Night!"}, {"response": 982, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (22:10)", "body": "And may I say how impressively international we Firth fans are? To get an Estonian translation in a day is something else. Thanks, Elena. Murph (Mary ELLEN Murphy)"}, {"response": 983, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (22:27)", "body": "Murph...you're the Greatest....First the pic ..now the poem... Thanks...lenyev ~~~~~ (Renate) I have also found something Russian, better I don't post it at all. Aw c'mon, Renate...let's hear it.Might be something new."}, {"response": 984, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (23:46)", "body": "and Arami in her cap Mad-cap??? ***** Renate, did it say KO/\\UH FUPTb ?"}, {"response": 985, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (23:46)", "body": "Renate, send me any articles you find in pig latin. I can do Olde PL, Middle PL and modern day. ;-) And thanks Murph for the holiday poem."}, {"response": 986, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Dec  3, 1999 (04:53)", "body": "LOL. Thanks Murph for that bit of holiday cheer."}, {"response": 987, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Dec  3, 1999 (09:22)", "body": "The BBC is to screen a recording of Jeffrey Barnard is Unwell with Peter O'Toole as part of their Millenium programmes, wish they would consider doing the same for either 3DOR or TRT. Bethan, how many people were at the showing of SLOW on Tues, I ask so as to gauge whether it will still be playing this week."}, {"response": 988, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Dec  3, 1999 (13:38)", "body": "Murph, what holiday cheer! Bringing back all those memories of us waiting for our dear Lord Wessex. Merci!"}, {"response": 989, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec  3, 1999 (15:42)", "body": "Ann I think Bethan said there were 25 at the SLOW screening . ~~~~~~~ (ann)The BBC is to screen a recording of Jeffrey Barnard is Unwell with Peter O'Toole as part of theirMillenium programmes, wish they would consider doing the same for either 3DOR or TRT. Has anybody written to : alanyentob@bbc.co.uk lately to request they tape and show it? KJArt and I emailed them last year. I have been in touch with the Nationa Archives of Stage Presentations requesting they tape 3 DOR for their archives at the Theatre Museum at Covent Garden....they taped Charles Dance!!"}, {"response": 990, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  3, 1999 (17:40)", "body": "Found this, a full transcript of the Julie Andrews interview by Jonathan Ross on Film99 that was taped and images captured by Arami. Excerpts follow: J: It must feel good to be back on a film set. What was it that drew you to this project? Julie: Oh, that's easy. Lots of things really. It's a wonderful role for a lady. The cast are superb - Stephen Fry, Colin Firth, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Sophie Thompson, Edward Atherton - and the director is a very talented young man that I admire. So, put them all together and it seemed natural to want to do it. J: Could you tell me about the story? Julie: It's about a countess, the lady I play, who owns Marshwood House and all the estates. Her son, Lord Marshwood has long been an admirer of ladies and has had many, many amours but he's really gone off the deep end and fallen in love with a Hollywood star. Her reputation is not superb and he decides he's going to marry her. It takes place in 1954, when things were changing just after the war. She tries very hard to embrace a new concept and new idea. But, knowing that her son is not deeply in love an that it's just a passing whim, she's very anxious that she preserve her nest. It's very witty, very funny. The Hollywood star's ex-boyfriend shows up and I do what I can to stir the pot. It's charming. J: Your co-stars are in awe of you. Julie: Well, I'm very grateful for the way my previous roles have sort of kept going. Nobody could be more unbelievably lucky than I've been. First of all, they are movies that come around again and again and again. It's not just a fashionable thing. Children love them and adults love them too and so, in that respect, I'm very lucky. Jeanne Tripplehorn plays the American star and she's just become a new buddy. We've had tremendous giggles together and have bonded wonderfully. Colin Firth plays my nephew a d we've also had wonderful scenes together. Edward Atherton's the most delicious looking boy and I think he really looks like he could be my son. Sophie Thompson stands a good chance of just walking away with the movie, and maybe an Oscar, you never know. For full interview, go here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/movies/film99/interviews/julieandrews.shtml Arami, do you have the date this was broadcast?"}, {"response": 991, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Dec  3, 1999 (19:37)", "body": "That's not what I heard...though some comments are similar! Might be worth keeping a video in the VCR....the BBC seem to have started advertising their Christmas programmes (Pauline Quirk, yet again. No wonder there's 90% unemployment in Equity!) Perhaps ITV will follow suit and give us a glimpse of CF in TOTS!"}, {"response": 992, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  3, 1999 (21:14)", "body": "If anyone wants to do any voting, now is the time. Counter is off and the IO votes are racking up again."}, {"response": 993, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (01:09)", "body": "ET Alert!! On Monday, ET will show the cut scene at the end of SiL where Viola lands in the New World. This would coincide with the release of the collector's edition DVD, which will be released either the 6th or 7th."}, {"response": 994, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (01:50)", "body": "Arami, do you have the date this was broadcast? 6th October, I believe. It was obviously cut and edited in places, so she sounded as if she had been shamelessly drooling over the male actors... So, for example, she said \"Edward Atherton's the most delicious looking boy\", but I certainly don't recall her say \"I think he really looks like he could be my son.\""}, {"response": 995, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (04:22)", "body": "Murph, loved the poem, thanks. (Arami)Renate, did it say KO/\\UH FUPTb ? Show off! ;-) But we did have a lady from China posting ages ago, didn't we? (KarenR)Renate, send me any articles you find in pig latin. I can do Olde PL, Middle PL and modern day. ;-) What's pig latin? I need a translation of a regular latin piece of verse - the only surviving piece of Julius Caesar's comment on theatre writing. Do you think you could do it, Karen? (Arami)...she sounded as if she had been shamelessly drooling over the male actors... LOL! Another thing I'd love to see :-D"}, {"response": 996, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (16:00)", "body": "Thanks for the date for the Film99 interview. Perhaps we should call it an \"reinterpretation\" of Julie Andrews' comments vs. a transcript? ;-) What's pig latin? Sorry to have gotten your hopes up, Gi, but pig latin is a silly language that children use. There appear however to be several people on this board who could manage a real latin translation."}, {"response": 997, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (16:46)", "body": "re the Christmas TV schedule, I have a horrible feeling that TTOTS will be pittied again David Copperfield (BBC) and not only that but the second episode of DC., which will make it even more difficult to compete as DC will have an established audience. Oh please make my New Year ITV, and announce that Colin is to play the title role in the forthcoming Flashman series, well I can dream!!"}, {"response": 998, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (17:25)", "body": "Okay, on the question of what part would I like to see CF take on. Mmm -- well what about everybody's favorite passive-aggressive, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Just think of it, the chance to play two characters who are in essence the same man. Yes, it has been done before. Still it is a great story, and a chance for CF to make a famous character(s) his own; applying the subltety that you ladies have noted to Stevenson's oft adapted tale of repression and depravity, and the nature of good and evil. Actually, the film director/producer Francis Ford Coppolla wanted to do a trilogy of famous horror novels, which had also been done as classic films. The movies were to have been: \"Bram Stoker's Dracula\", \"Mary Shelley's Frankenstein\", and \"Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde\". The first two were produced, but unfortunately Coppola opted not to direct the \"Frankenstein\" adaptation, resulting in Kenneth Branaugh making a mess of it and pretty much killing the chances of completing the series."}, {"response": 999, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Dec  5, 1999 (08:14)", "body": "Correction to the above, I have just seen the TV schedules for Xmas and TTOTS goes head to head with David Copperfield (9pm) but the first episode not the second. ....Pam Ferris stars ...with Colin Firth, as we expected, no mention of Jodhi May, which seems a bit unfair."}, {"response": 1000, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Dec  5, 1999 (10:13)", "body": "Well, I hope viewers aren't disappointed and switch off! I also hope the next role ITV offered to CF will be more than one scene/10 minutes long (And BTW, I think the way to go for all good British actors is theatre and reputable high budget television drama. The odds are stacked against them in the movie business, and small Brit movies, irrespective of quality, mainly disappear) Choices Direct have just sent me their latest catalogue supplement. TOTS is listed as available for sale on 7 February 2000, price \ufffd12.99. You can order via their website http://wwww.choicesdirect.co.uk . There's no pic."}, {"response": 1001, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Dec  5, 1999 (10:14)", "body": "http://www.choicesdirect.co.uk"}, {"response": 1002, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec  5, 1999 (14:36)", "body": "And there is \"free shipping\" worldwide for a limited time on Internet orders. Fabulous. Still we need to find out when (not if) it will be shown in the US."}, {"response": 1003, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec  5, 1999 (18:45)", "body": "Inspired by Bethan, I have found that Turn of the Screw will be available on video in the US in April 2000 from our buddies at WGBH (Masterpiece Theatre). That must be when it is scheduled for broadcast too. :-D http://www.wgbh.org/wgbh/pages/masterpiecetheatre/shop.html#comingsoon"}, {"response": 1004, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Dec  5, 1999 (20:03)", "body": "Ah, there you are, things are moving on the video front...MLSF in January (US), TOTS and SLOW in April!! One advantage of made for TV dramas is that they seem to come out almost simultaneously on video. BTW, on MLSF, I recently saw a review (a good one!) from Newfoundland! It's certainly taking the long and winding road to the UK! Have you followed up your lead on DQ, Karen? If it's scheduled for a TV release it should be any time now....TV films are normally broadcast soon after completion. If they're aiming for a theatrical release (:-(), well it's anyone's guess...I just don't see a movie about an idealistic man recovering from a nervous breakdown, a dysfunctional Scottish family and a bus company, being big in the multiplexes! Evelyn, could you repeat the email for contacting the BBC about 3DOR. Thanks! Ann, when did you see the Baz B. item about CF/H-enery Higgins and My Fair Lady. Was it recently or some time ago (ie years ago!)? He'd make a good HH...there was always something of the overgrown schoolboy in the role."}, {"response": 1005, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Dec  5, 1999 (21:47)", "body": "Bethan, it must have been over ayear ago I read about CF playing Higgins in MFL, and it was also on the TheatreNet website as being a possibility. However, I have since read recently on that same site that Johnathan Pryce is the favourite for the role, Cameron MacIntosh? is to produce."}, {"response": 1006, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec  5, 1999 (22:28)", "body": "(Bethan)Evelyn, could you repeat the email for contacting the BBC about 3DOR. Thanks! I went for the Top Banana....but if it gets bounced back, I have others... alanyentob@bbc.co.uk"}, {"response": 1007, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Dec  5, 1999 (22:50)", "body": "Just to let you know that I like this guy .... found myself going back to Karen's Londinium page again and again ;-) http://www.spring.net/~KarenR/cfimages/londinium/allen.jpg"}, {"response": 1008, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Dec  5, 1999 (22:53)", "body": "My brain melted as well the rest of me"}, {"response": 1009, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Dec  6, 1999 (00:41)", "body": "Thanks for the info Karen. I shall be checking my Masterpiece Theater lineup diligently. Get out and vote Lady Viola has AA coming up fast."}, {"response": 1010, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  6, 1999 (14:57)", "body": "Bethan, the official BBC Scotland line on DQ is still \"no date scheduled.\" I did get a cute response back from someone there just recently. She said, \"No transmission date at present but as a Colin Firth fan I will be watching out for it.\" [no kidding] OK, now I'll go after the other lead... there's only so much rejection I can take from that bunch! ;-)"}, {"response": 1011, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec  6, 1999 (17:25)", "body": "(Karen)\"No transmission date at present but as a Colin Firth fan I will be watching out for it.\" [no kidding] Nice goin' Karen...but how about recruiting that girl for Drool :-D"}, {"response": 1012, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Dec  6, 1999 (19:31)", "body": "I am told that IBM is circulating the following virus alert: If you receive an email titled \"It Takes Guts to Say Jesus\" DO NOT OPEN IT. It will erase everything on your hard drive, and there is no remedy for it. Beware. Let others know - just in case."}, {"response": 1013, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Dec  6, 1999 (23:40)", "body": "I have to apologize to Karen for something that I did this afternoon. I will never post another URL. That way I will not get into trouble."}, {"response": 1014, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (00:03)", "body": "Just to say briefly that some of this week's TV magazines are be previewing the Christmas programmes. TOTS seems to be up against the Big Film (ie Tom Cruise \"Mission Impossible\") at 9.00pm, not David Copperfield (Part 2) which shows at 6.30. Lots of promotional stuff (interviews with actors) for David Copperfield. Zilch (so far)for TOTS, but it is definitely being used as ITV's \"big gun\" for the Xmas period. Just says \"with Colin Firth\". Marked as one to watch. I think that DC was produced with a view to capturing the Xmas market, whereas TOTS wasn't. ITV are using CF's name. In a way, this is complimentary, but I think a lot of people will expect to see him in the lead! DQ...thanks for trying Karen. I think this will definitely be heading for a theatrical release, otherwise they would have scheduled it by now. But it will also be shown on TV. I noticed that Bertolucci's \"Beseiged\", which was a BBC Film, and was shown in the summer in the UK cinema, was on TV over the weekend. I watched part of it because it featured a relationship between an Englishman and an African (and got very good reviews). I thought the opening shots in \"Africa\" were most unconvincing, and the acti n was slow and ponderous. But if actors do serious roles, and the director is well known, they are automatically taken seriously. Light romantic comedy is often dismissed by critics (CF take note!). Call me shallow, but I actually preferred SLOW...I thought the central relationship was more convincing, but unfortunately it didn't have the Bertolucci imprimatur!"}, {"response": 1015, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (00:47)", "body": "Bethan, the BBC Scotland respondent (also fan of...) has said she will let know as soon as she hears anything. Evelyn said I should steer her to Spring! ;-) I've also sent something off to someone with the production. Maybe I'll hear back, maybe I won't. :-( About Beseiged, that was Thandie Newton (from Beloved), and the film did not get good reviews here. I remember Ebert and another woman talking about it from Cannes and they disliked it immensely. Don't think it played hardly anywhere here. Winter has seen it as I recall and she liked it a lot or so she posted elsewhere."}, {"response": 1016, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (01:38)", "body": "(Bethan), TOTS seems to be up against the Big Film (ie Tom Cruise \"Mission Impossible\") at 9.00pm,Just says \"with Colin Firth\". ITV are using CF's name. In a way, this is complimentary, but I think a lot of people will expect to see him in the lead! I wonder if people will complain. We know he has only 10 minutes, but the regular audience will probably sit there waiting to see Colin again. It is bad luck to be matched up against \"Mission Impossible\". What day is TOTS going to be shown? We are relying on snappies taken from the TV. ;-D Will be waiting for your report. Don Q, I thank you for trying, Karen."}, {"response": 1017, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (01:59)", "body": "ITV are using CF's name. In a way, this is complimentary, but I think a lot of people will expect to see him in the lead! I don't think it's complimentary...I think it's exploitation of Colin's name.. What's more, this is v. disingenuous of ITV to do that. And will only cause disenchantment among the fans who will expect to see him for more than ten minutes."}, {"response": 1018, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (02:45)", "body": "Carrying on the discussion of Oscar nominations from Odds and Ends, now I've forgotten all the postings I was going to refer to, but someone said that Geoffrey Clifton was a scene stealer, and I completely agree. And someone said a couple of weeks ago, talking about scenes they always cut when trying to make room for commercials, that the great scene in the cab was what drove the whole action--impels the plane crash which leads to the cave, etc. And it's his brilliance in that and his convincingness (is that a word?) as a loving husband that makes the story a tragedy (and incidentally I believe what drove people to say why would KST leave CF for RF0--wasn't believable). And for that I think he should have gotten a nomination. Also--saw Ebert review TEOTA this evening. Thumbs down from him though not from his guest (I think I'm remembering correctly) Anyhow, biased though I may be and condensed though the clips were, I just don't find RF attractive and therefore convincing. Firthette rule #1 was in full play as I watched it."}, {"response": 1019, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (08:23)", "body": "There is a very small picture of Colin in TTOTS in the Xmas Edition of \"What's on TV\", with P.F. and the two children. I will try and get a copy but not everyone is selling the 18th-31st Dec. copy yet. I should have bought it yesterday but was in a hurry!! (his hair is quite long and he is standing Darcy pose with his hands crossed behind his back) Re DQ, I am a bit concerned about ever seeing DQ, as if you go to the BBC Scotland website and scroll down to all the dramas they have upcoming, none of them have as yet been seen on our screens, and many have household names in them. Now if Robson Green was to make a drama, it would be on our screens six months later. Oh stop it Ann!!"}, {"response": 1020, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (09:58)", "body": "Evelyn, I agree with you entirely....\"exploitational\" is the more appropriate word! I've just returned from and early morning visit to get milk (son has returned from uni with 6 friends!) and noticed that the new Christmas TV mags now have hit the stands. Barely had a chance to browse, but Radio Times says that TOTS is a terrific adaptation, mentions CF, and says that the governess may be in a state of sexual frenzy brought on by her flirtatious attraction to the Master. TV Times is more honest and says that \"Sadly we only get a glimpse of CF as the charismatic Master\". Only pic is of Pam Ferris and Jodhi May (which should strike readers as odd...why no pic of the \"star\"?. Oh well, maybe it will provoke an outburst of \"why can't CF be offered bigger/better parts!\" I think a lot of viewers (who don't have access to the Internet!) will be puzzled to see him in a cameo, after playing Darcy. On better roles....\"The end of the Affair\"...I must admit when I read about the casting of this, it gave me quite a pang...two potentially marvellous roles, the lover (inevitably RF) and the sympathetic cuckolded husband. For once, I wouldn't have minded if CF had played the cuckold. I would like to see CF cast in a role where he can express real depth of feeling! Having said this, I caught a glimpse of a preview of TEOTA on CNN, and wasn't overly impressed by the clips or the love scene....very artifici l. Seemed to be a lot of emphasis by the commentator on the fact there is nudity (is this the way they sell movies nowadays?. (BTW no nudity in SLOW..he seems to prefer to keep his clothes on!) But CF deserves a leading role in a prominent film or major TV drama!!!"}, {"response": 1021, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (11:49)", "body": "Don't despair Ann, we'll definitely see DQ. It's just that a theatrical release (why?) always seems the preferred option. And Aaargh!!! Having mentioned TEOTA, I open the Times, and there's a big feature on it. I've only just got over a surfeit of \"Onegin\"!! Let's hope 2000 sees CF in a serious dramatic lead role on screen (can't always go to RF, surely?):-)"}, {"response": 1022, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (13:17)", "body": "Let's hope 2000 sees CF in a serious dramatic lead role on screen (can't always go to RF, surely?):-) And he just won Best European Actor, I am sure those parts will still be going his way. I am only hoping that his commitment to do theatre will leave some of them open for Colin. :-) (Bethan), Radio Times says that TOTS is a terrific adaptation, mentions CF, and says that the governess may be in a state of sexual frenzy brought on by her flirtatious attraction to the Master. And it only lasts for 10 minutes! (Ann), (his hair is quite long and he is standing Darcy pose with his hands crossed behind his back) I hope we can see it very soon."}, {"response": 1023, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (14:32)", "body": "(Ann) his hair is quite long As long as in Valmont or more shoulder length? Can't wait to see the pic. The listing at BBC Scotland is a relatively *new* listing (as of mid-November), which surprised me also and prompted me to contact them again. I do think they are still trying for a theatrical release, especially after the nice review from Cork. Bethan, you asked \"why\"? More money of course - a better return potentially for BBC Scotland on its investment."}, {"response": 1024, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (16:28)", "body": "For anyone with a scanner (and who can use a scanner) (Arami?) there's a good pic of CF as The Master in the Xmas issue of TV Quick, page 10. (Can send copy if needed) He looks just like Darcy, dark curly hair, sideboards, dark jacket, silk waistcoat with watch fob, white shirt which looks opened necked (no tie), grey flannel trousers. Quote..\"The young governess is also quite taken with her new employer Colin Firth (aren't we all?)\" I could see nothing really worth watching in the Xmas programme (apart from TOTS!). \"Mission Impossible\" is without a doubt the BBC's Big Film, and TOTS is pitted directly against it. Moon, I read about the European awards. Catherine Z-J got Best actress (People's award) for Entrapment and Ray Winstone and Rupert Everett(AIH) were the other nominees, I think, for Best Actor."}, {"response": 1025, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (16:43)", "body": "FYI, about the European awards. There were the Best Actor and Best Actress awards (Fiennes and actress from \"All About My Mother\") and then there were the People's awards (Connery and Zeta-Jones), in which the public got to vote, a measure of popularity with movie-going public."}, {"response": 1026, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (17:14)", "body": "I think ITV should hear our comments about giving Colin a cameo-plus role in TTOTS, and then touting him as the star. (Hey, that's only eight minutes more than Secret Garden!). Why can't we email them and request a bonafide starring role for ODB. Does anybody have that email? These channels with commercials listen to their viewers. We can tell them that BBC is producing DQ. ~~~~~~~"}, {"response": 1027, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (18:40)", "body": "Also a quote about/from CF in Radio Times on TOTS...\"CF makes a welcome return to costume drama, starring (!!) in TOTS\" Then he comments something along the lines of liking ghost stories..\"they're perfect for wintry evenings..create a sense of chill and provoke the imagination\". There's a cartoon of CF as The Master. Didn't buy a copy."}, {"response": 1028, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (19:08)", "body": "the governess may be in a state of sexual frenzy brought on by her flirtatious attraction to the Master. All right. Confess! Which one of us playing the role under a nom du theatre? welcome return to costume drama Welcome to whom? Wouldn't it be nice if they could say ... a welcome return to a lead role in a meaty drama with plenty of scope both for his comic talents and his highly expressive dramatic ability. And finally, who knows what his next projects will be? Someone said all his films are off the shelf, in one way or another, and 3DOR will be over in a few weeks. What's waiting in the wings? Is he contemplating a nice long dramatic piece involving many interior and exterior scenes all set in the same small northern Virginia town and for which an unknown local woman of a certain age is needed as the perfect foil to his role as handsome British immigrant seeking the kind of really satisfying mature relat onship that only an older woman can provide? Sounds like a screenplay to me."}, {"response": 1029, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (20:38)", "body": "Bethan, that must have been the picture I say of The Master, are his hands behind his back and is there an awful picture of PF , sorry Pam but it really is awful!!(I get confused between TV Quick & What's On TV). On the other hand I don't think my picutre was near the front so perhaps it is What's On - anybody following this?"}, {"response": 1030, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (20:59)", "body": "(Cymbeline) Carrying on the discussion of Oscar nominations from Odds and Ends, now I've forgotten all the postings I was going to refer to, but someone said that Geoffrey Clifton was a scene stealer, and I completely agree. I thought Colin was excellent as Geoffrey but it was not an Oscar-worthy role. Face it, ODB doesn't have enough clout in tinsel town to receive a nod for such a small part. He's not even mentioned in the TNT English Patient ads! It certainly is misrepresentation for ITV to tout Colin as the star of TOTS but I find myself enjoying it nonetheless. I'd love to see any pictures (especially that cartoon) if it's at all possible. Thanks."}, {"response": 1031, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (21:45)", "body": "Bethan, that must have been the picture I say of The Master, are his hands behind his back and is there an awful picture of PF No, this is a different photo. He's standing behind Jodhi May, who is seated on a plush looking chair.He has his hands in his pockets and is staring at her. There are gilt framed paintings on the wall behind him. If you have the book \"The making of Pride and Prejudice,\" he looks just like Mr Darcy on page 104 (without the high collar). Same colour waistcoat. So, who needs a scanner? :-) As I said I'll gladly post the pic to any expert scanner. Elder Son has gone away with friends, otherwise I would ask him to talk me through the whole process of scanning, It's about time I mastered it! Eileen, the cartoon wasn't very recognisable..emphasises the line of his jaw and the sideboards. It certainly is misrepresentation for ITV to tout Colin as the star of TOTS It's all part of the ratings battle. It's probably just not the same in the US where you have so many channels, but for most people in the UK, the choice for Christmas viewing (if you haven't very sensibly switched off!!)is still between BBC and ITV. And the figures are always published as though it's a contest. Colin (and his cameo appearance) is up against the might of Tom Cruise and Mission Impossible, and it will no doubt be reported in terms of Darcy v. Hollywood megastar. And the bonuses of ITV exe utives will partly depend on the outcome! Although I must say that Pam Ferris and Jodhi May are both very good actors, and there's a first class production team involved, so it doesn't all hinge on CF."}, {"response": 1032, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (21:48)", "body": "Thanks Bethan, I had better take a look at TV Quick tomorrow, then."}, {"response": 1033, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (22:13)", "body": "Hmmm, page 104 you say...nice ;-) Arami, how long does it take to go to the store and buy those magazines? We're waiting. (Ann) but for most people in the UK, the choice for Christmas viewing...is still between BBC and ITV. And the figures are always published as though it's a contest. Colin (and his cameo appearance) is up against the might of Tom Cruise and Mission Impossible, and it will no doubt be reported in terms of Darcy v. Hollywood megastar. Sorry, but I don't see the draw for Mission Impossible. Running a movie (of dubious popularity) on television against original programming shouldn't be feared. I saw Mission Impossible once. Never had any desire to see it again, on television or on tape. Everyone has seen MI. Event programming would be showing Titanic. People can watch that one over and over again..."}, {"response": 1034, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (22:22)", "body": "there's a good pic of CF as The Master in the Xmas issue of TV Quick I'll scan all these pics tomorrow."}, {"response": 1035, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (22:44)", "body": "Good gal! Thanks!"}, {"response": 1036, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (23:29)", "body": "Mission Impossible was a terible movie IMHO. I am not a Tom Cruse fan, I dont think he can act worth diddely squat."}, {"response": 1037, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (23:50)", "body": "I second that, Lucie, very over-rated, IMO."}, {"response": 1038, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (00:43)", "body": "Today I heard the results of survey of who is the actor with whom you would most like to spend New Year's Eve. The winner was -- Tom Cruise. Yeah, I know, tell me about it. Now of course I know who would be the winner among the members on this list. But some of us might get trampled in the rush to kiss CF at midnight."}, {"response": 1039, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (00:48)", "body": "I agree with Karen that Mission Impossible should pose no threat at all to TTOTS. It's been out on video for who knows how long-- must be at least a year. Anyone who hasn't seen it by now probably has no interest in doing so. RE: Tom Cruise. I've enjoyed him in a number of films, such as Born On The Fourth Of July, The Color Of Money, Interview With the Vampire, Rain Man, Jerry Maguire, Eyes Wide Shut. He's more than held his own, IMO, in a wide variety of things, with top-notch directors, cast, etc. I think people sometimes discount him because of his looks. Sort of like when CF gets dismissed as a heart-throb in a wet shirt.;-)"}, {"response": 1040, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (00:59)", "body": "(CherylB) Now of course I know who would be the winner among the members on this list. But some of us might get trampled in the rush to kiss CF at midnight. I consider you my friends, but I'm sorry. In a case like this it's every woman for herself. You won't find me at the bottom of that pile. ;-)"}, {"response": 1041, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (01:45)", "body": "(Cymbeline) that the great scene in the cab was what drove the whole action--impels the plane crash which leads to the cave, etc. And it's his brilliance in that and his convincingness (is that a word?) as a loving husband that makes the story a tragedy. And for that I think he should have gotten a nomination. He was utterly divine and a better example of silent anguish would be hard to find. IMO though his role was too small for consideration. If he were very famous or if he did that car scene tearing up the seat and foaming at the mouth, perhaps he would have had a chance. (Yes, I'm kidding 'cause I know we're glad he did it the way he did.) Is it just me or does it seem very dry in here? I'll bet a picture or two of the Master will create a little welcome precipitation."}, {"response": 1042, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (01:56)", "body": "For anyone who cares to direct her comment to ITV re: the Dearth of Firth in TTOTS .. http://www.itv.co.uk/site.php3 I asked them to make amends and acquire a project with a suitable starring role."}, {"response": 1043, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (02:32)", "body": "Has anyone else had a problen getting votes registered at Lady Viola's booth today? I keep getting the sign that they are busy and reload but reload just gets the same thing. The count is the same as when I went to bed last night."}, {"response": 1044, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (05:17)", "body": "Let's not forget, little Tommy Boy has not only been nominated, he's had several roles where many people thought he should. I'm getting the feeling that he and Nicole are doing the big budget films just to finance other projects of their own. Also, Cruise approached the makers of Magnolia and wanted to appear in it for nothing. OK, back to our boy: Here's the picture Bethan mentioned from the \"Making of Book\" while we wait for the new TTOTS glimpses:"}, {"response": 1045, "author": "baine", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (07:08)", "body": "Here's a quotation from Wings of Fame that seems to illustrate just what we've all been talking about. For those who haven't seen it, be warned--I suppose it qualifies as a spoiler, but I don't want to put it on the spoiler topic b/c it fits here. For those of you who have seen it, you remember that ODB reads this. But for one who wants to become a good actor discipline, sensitivity, intelligence, and good looks are not enough. In order to become a really great actor, you have to be born one. But it does not necessarily follow that an excellent actor is also a famous one. In order to be a star you have to have an audience of millions. I'm sure all of us here agree that ODB possesses the first four requisites in full measure. There cannot be two opinions on that subject. And I imagine that we all also agree that he was born to be a really great actor. His early work confirms that. When P&P was released, he gained the audience of millions and became a star, but since then he has been moved about a bit from the luxurious second floor to other less satisfactory accommodations--so fleeting is fame. Now why is it that TC and old Kevin C stner make dogs but continue to be superstars? One reason, which they have in common with RF if I understand Onegin's origins correctly, is that they make their own movies, at least sometimes. This CF doesn't do; he is dependent on what the market sends to him. Segue to a repeat of my earlier question. Those of you with fingers on the pulse, what are the next projects? Anyone know anything?"}, {"response": 1046, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (08:24)", "body": "Sorry not to have been running to the newsagents to pick up copies of TV guides and pictures of CF. I do have a scanner but I also have a slipped disc! Groan! Great timing, just before Christmas. In spite of my comments on #126, I had also planned another trip to SLOW. I thought it might improve on further acquaintance. But alas."}, {"response": 1047, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (08:35)", "body": "You poor thing Allison, as you say not very good timing, hope it soon gets better. However, it sounds as if we shall soon be able to buy the video of SLOW. Lucie, The Voting Booth seems to be working again today, Mari, as you suggested I havde written to ITV, did you mention anything about the Flashman Series, I still live in hope. re TC, I'm sorry but I hated EWS, my hubby and I have never been so bored and it just went on and on."}, {"response": 1048, "author": "baine", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (12:11)", "body": "Ann - EWS? I'm a bit slow this morning, but I can't make any association here."}, {"response": 1049, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (13:14)", "body": "(Cymbeline), TC and old Kevin Costner make dogs but continue to be superstars? One reason, which they have in common with RF if I understand Onegin's origins correctly, is that they make their own movies, at least sometimes. This CF doesn't do; he is dependent on what the market sends to him. I have stated repeatedly, that Colin should search out his own projects and buy the rights. I guess the money went to the new house. Allison, I hope you get well soon! EWS= Eyes Wide Shut, the Kubrick film."}, {"response": 1050, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (14:16)", "body": "Sorry to hear about your back, Allison. Rest and take those pain pills. As Ann said, you'll get SLOW on video soon enough and can rewind to your heart's content. ;-)"}, {"response": 1051, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (16:03)", "body": "(Cymbeline) he is dependent on what the market sends to him. Or what he seeks out, auditions for, accepts...better not rely on just what they send you. ~~~~~ Bummer about your back, Allison, :-( Can you still watch Colin vids...?"}, {"response": 1052, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (18:24)", "body": "(Bethan) Eileen, the cartoon wasn't very recognisable..emphasises the line of his jaw and the sideboards. I'd like to see it anyway. Don't think I've seen a cartoon of ODB before. It certainly is misrepresentation for ITV to tout Colin as the star of TOTS (Bethan) It's all part of the ratings battle. Goes without saying. It's probably just not the same in the US where you have so many channels It's not the same in the US...it's worse. I'd wager the ITV execs learned their programming strategies over here! Cymbeline, I don't think there's been any recent intelligence on Colin's post-Donmar projects. Hope you're feeling better, Allison. The new treatment plan for back ailments is as follows: 1. bedrest with a pillow under knees 2. anti-inflammatory and pain medication 3. heat pad as tolerated 4. watch CF videos one after another until symptoms abate. There! All better :-)"}, {"response": 1053, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (19:52)", "body": "Another deer told me to post this here ;-) http://firth.com/tots/tots1.htm"}, {"response": 1054, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (19:53)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1055, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (19:55)", "body": "There! All better :-) Thank you all for your good wishes and helpful hints. I have found lying on the floor (firm mattress!) and watching Tumbledown good therapy. Watching ODB writhing in agony quite takes my mind off my own small aches and pains;-)"}, {"response": 1056, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (19:55)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1057, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (19:58)", "body": "Oh, Renate! More therapy! Wonderful. Thanks for posting the TTOTS picture. And are thanks due to Arami too?"}, {"response": 1058, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (20:02)", "body": "It was intentional, it was intentional. All for suspense. ;-) Allison, wish you to get better soon."}, {"response": 1059, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (20:33)", "body": "MOSTLY due to Arami. She scanned it in a hurry, and sent it to me to load it up, but I have no idea from which publication this is, and I hope my guess that the woman is Jodhi May was correct. Allison - did the therapy work already? ;-) Do you hear him whisper behind you \"Is there anything I can to do relieve your suffering?\""}, {"response": 1060, "author": "Xian", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (20:42)", "body": "(Cymbeline) But it does not necessarily follow that an excellent actor is also a famous one. In order to be a star you have to have an audience of millions. Exactly, ODB is an excellent actor but not as a famous as those stars. I'd like to add to that last sentence, in order to be a star you have to have some kind of luck. How many stars get their overnight fame just because one great film? So I'd say that it does not necessarily follow that a star is also an excellent actor. Thanks Renate, I love the picture!"}, {"response": 1061, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (20:55)", "body": "Renate and Arami, thank you! Did you notice the twinkle, twinkle little stars behind him? \"Is the lookout he's behind you\" part of the ad? He looks so pensive, and a bit worried. I can not wait to hear your reports on TOTS."}, {"response": 1062, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (20:58)", "body": "You know, I like Jodhi May. She was fantastic in this British American miniseries where she was in a cult. Prunella Scales was her father and David Warner was her father. James Earl Jones played a deprogrammer. It was excellent and she was very good. She may do well as the governess. I watched the Innocents (based on TOTS) with my daughter, the movie before that was The Ghost and Mrs Muir. I hadn't seen the Innocents and WOW, what a creepy movie! Even Rebecca (desensitized at a young age *sigh*), as creeped out and slept with me... well she still is;)"}, {"response": 1063, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (20:59)", "body": "MOSTLY due to Arami. She scanned it in a hurry, and sent it to me to load it up, but I have no idea from which publication this is, and I hope my guess that the woman is Jodhi May was correct. Allison - did the therapy work already? ;-) Do you hear him whisper behind you \"Is there anything I can to do relieve your suffering?\""}, {"response": 1064, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (21:06)", "body": "\"*#%X*$\ufffd&#!!!\" Had I ever learned......"}, {"response": 1065, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (21:38)", "body": "Thanks 3 Deers for the picture....Breathtaking. But I bet that's the only suit he wears. ~~~~ \"This pospective patron proved a gentleman, a bachelor in the prime of life,such a figure as had never risen, save in a dream or an old novel, before a fluttered , anxious girl out of a Hampshire vicarage....He was handsome and bold and pleasant, off-handed and gay and kind. He struck her, inevitably as gallant and splendid, but what took her most of all and gave her the courage she afterwards showed was that he put the whole thing to her as a favour an obligation he should gratefully incur. She figured him as rich, ...saw him all in a glow of high fashion, of good looks, of expensive habits, of charming ways with women....\" TTOTS...Henry James Of course Nick Dear's script might be different."}, {"response": 1066, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (21:56)", "body": "Thanks Renate & Arami, is it my imagination or does he seem to have a lot of hair and sideburns!!"}, {"response": 1067, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (22:07)", "body": "Thanks Arami and Renate for the TOTS treat. He is mentioned in TV Times ,\"an all too brief glimpse\" ??--- will check that, and of the two photos featured, it comes as no surprise to see they are \"Masterless\". Allison, imagine the very gentlest and restoring of back massages and those exquisite digits----- you should be feeling better already! Take care."}, {"response": 1068, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (22:09)", "body": "Do we think he is sporting a hair extension? Maybe Gi has been secretly working on him!! Evelyn, you have some great theories on this subject!"}, {"response": 1069, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (22:18)", "body": "Let's see'm side by side: Isn't this one from TV Quick? Hands are in pocket, not behind the back. And didn't you say, Ann, that the one from What's on TV, had the kids in it as well?"}, {"response": 1070, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (22:21)", "body": "Aha!! Hair is parted to other side and sideburns might be longer. Thanks Arami and Renate for getting this put up so quickly."}, {"response": 1071, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (23:30)", "body": "Karen. .. from What's On TV had the kids in it as well Yes that's right Karen, but its not a very good picture of Colin, he is in the background, its certainly not as good as the TV quick picture and the children arn't very clear. Talking of children, the young lad who plays Oliver Twist in Alan Bleasdale's adaption which is on TV at the moment, is excellent and if Oliver Twist comes to the US, I highly recommend it. I am sorry I can't say the same for W&D."}, {"response": 1072, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (23:47)", "body": "Aha! That's it...the very photo. Excellent team work, Renate and Arami! Allison, so sorry to hear about the slipped disc. Back problems are a nightmare...but they do go away, and normal life resumes. Are your movements very restricted at the moment? On SLOW...one way to guarantee that you will enjoy it (although admittedly not possible for you at the moment!)...get up at 5am, travel to London for exhausting all day seminar, give highly nerve-racking Power-Point presentation, sneak out 15 minutes early, rush to tube, get lost, arrive at cinema totally frazzled, gaze at gorgeous dimpled man looking completely gorgeous throughout movie, don't concentrate too much on the \"plot\" or fret about why he's not going to get a BAFTA, or why RF gets all the best oles, just sit back, relax and go with the picuresque and undemanding flow....:-) I have stated repeatedly, that Colin should search out his own projects and buy the rights. I guess the money went to the new house. (Moon) Moon, I just don't think Colin is in the right Big Money league for this. For example the rights to NH's \"About a Boy\" went (to Robert de Niro) for \ufffd1.25million. CF hasn't made it into Hollywood, nor does he have a lucrative TV contract, and I wouldn't think that any of his post P&P projects have been big earners...he'll be out of pocket after 3DOR, BBC Scotland only pay jobbing actor rates, and I remember reading that the budget for all salaries (cast and crew) for MLSF was \ufffd300,000....a weekly pay check for a Megastar! But I agree, actors with financial clout and bankability can control their own careers, rather than take what is offered. Cymbeline, you're quite right about the different levels of stardom. I guess (as must be perfectly obvious from my frequent tetchy comments) that I'd love CF to be up there with RF...to have his multi-million bankability, choice of leading roles, career flexibilty and unassailable reputation (despite a certain major turkey)!! Well, you never know! As to what's next for CF...well, I hope that 3DOR may remind some well-known directors/producers that he can act! Laura, I agree, Jodhi May is a very good actress...she was impressive in \"The Last of the Mohicans\""}, {"response": 1073, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Dec  9, 1999 (00:20)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1074, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Dec  9, 1999 (00:27)", "body": "(Moon) Did you notice the twinkle, twinkle little stars behind him? Sure did. Meant to mirror the stars in our eyes when we see ODB, I suppose. Oh, but the hair! Neither the top or the sides look real. Too pouffy! I'm sure Gi would have given him a more natural look. Sure hope he doesn't look so \"permed\" throughout his 10 minutes. But I bet that's the only suit he wears. LOL, Evelyn. Thanks, Renate and Arami for the peek."}, {"response": 1075, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Dec  9, 1999 (00:47)", "body": "I'll see if I can do some more scanning tomorrow, I had to go out this evening and had no time to do more. Though that cartoon is not very good imo. ODB is an excellent actor but not as a famous as those stars Don't forget that he said that wanting to be famous equals being deranged... and he craves normalcy in his life... if Oliver Twist comes to the US, I highly recommend it... I can't say the same for W&D. Oliver Twist According To Bleasdale has already been criticized for a variety of inconsistencies and puzzling details... Bleasdale takes some liberties which may not matter so much if one doesn't know one's Dickens... The production (acting, costumes, scenery) is very good indeed. W&D is also produced breathtakingly well, it has an air of P&P Revisited in that one imagines that Pemberley and its inhabitants must be somewhere not far away (after all, the time difference is only about 30 years on)... but I'm still waiting for anything in the story to grab and shake me - either by the throat or by the heart. It also lacks the sort of irony and sharp wit which we know from Jane Austen's prose and especially her wonderful, juicy dialogues. It's all very pedestrian and mundane... Quite atchable if you like that period, but don't expect fireworks. And worst of all, not one dark, handsome and mysterious bloke to clap your eyes on. ;-)"}, {"response": 1076, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Dec  9, 1999 (01:00)", "body": "That should be \"watchable\". And another thing - good dancing scenes! It seems that they used the same dance group as in P&P, I think I recognized a few \"background\" people from the Netherfield ball. Still another observation: P&P was criticized (lightly ;-)...) for using too much light in \"after dark\" interior scenes: this production is visibly better lit, the interiors are suitably darker."}, {"response": 1077, "author": "baine", "date": "Thu, Dec  9, 1999 (02:05)", "body": "high fashion, of good looks, of expensive habits, of charming ways with women... Yum! Yum! But is his hair dark again? I wish they'd play him as the red head he is. I love his coloring."}, {"response": 1078, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec  9, 1999 (02:08)", "body": "Jodhi May is a very good actress. But she sure is ugly.No couch-casting there."}, {"response": 1079, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec  9, 1999 (13:09)", "body": "(Bethan), Moon, I just don't think Colin is in the right Big Money league for this. For example the rights to NH's \"About a Boy\" went (to Robert de Niro) for \ufffd1.25million. I do not expect Colin to afford to spend so much. There are lots of books by new writers, or unknown writers that might have something for him. He has to be on the lookout. The rights to some stories are affordable. I read a book two years ago called The Reader by a German writer and there are others out there. Colin should put some time and money into developing a project. It is about time!"}, {"response": 1080, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Dec  9, 1999 (13:24)", "body": "Jodhi May is a very good actress. But she sure is ugly.No couch-casting there. ] Oh I don't think she's ugly. Plain looking in the Jane Eyre sense, but she looked quite beautiful in The Last of the Mohicans. I forgot about that one! She was great in that. So sad though;( I hope we get TOTS here! I like creepy (just not slice & dice)!"}, {"response": 1081, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  9, 1999 (13:49)", "body": "Laura, Masterpiece Theatre will be showing TOTS in April, most likely."}, {"response": 1082, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Dec  9, 1999 (16:33)", "body": "Laura, Masterpiece Theatre will be showing TOTS in April, most likely. ] Woohoo! Now all I need is cable so I have decent reception! Oh just thinking about it is giving me the wiggins! Those evil children. Who are playing the children? Just stock British children? Has any Americans bought the DVD Shakes in Love? Wanna know if it's decent to buy? (don't have DVD player, but am thinking of buying one in 2000). I've only seen Shakes in Love once! Haven't even rented it! Bad Laura! I think my daughter would like it. Except for that one scene, I don't think there's anything else that is bad in it. Well, just an update on the Laura front, still dealing with Mono, but getting progressively better. Outlook on life is better too! Yeah. (strange tho as it's the holiday season which instantaneously depresses me!) So to all Happy Holidays and Y2K bug it's a big bust! :) Happy Colin Firth viewing, like I do every Christmas Eve, I wrap, drink wine and watch all six hours of P&P! (have been doing that for the past three years now!)"}, {"response": 1083, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Dec  9, 1999 (23:37)", "body": "Sorry to hear about your back Allison. I know how painful a bad back can be. How did you slip your disk anyhow. Maybe you can get some help from Larry Bird, a bad back is what took him out of basketball."}, {"response": 1084, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Dec 10, 1999 (13:27)", "body": "From a friend who is happy to share: MLSF is now playing in Richmond, Virginia. Also now in Raleigh, North Carolina. Was in Durham and Chapel Hill last week; not sure if it's still there."}, {"response": 1085, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 10, 1999 (14:45)", "body": "Oh, there's one lucky lady here!!! SLOW is playing at the Showcase in Bristol. And it's still at the ABC Panton St. and in Peckham from what I can see. Gone from Manchester."}, {"response": 1086, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Dec 10, 1999 (14:47)", "body": "(Heide) Oh, but the hair! Neither the top or the sides look real. Too pouffy! My thoughts, too. Perhaps it's due to some shadowing (particularly the top). (Bethan) Jodhi May is a very good actress...she was impressive in \"The Last of the Mohicans\" Ah, yes, the movie that gave new meaning to the phrases \"watch that last step, it's a killer\" and \"eat your heart out.\" She's not ugly, Evelyn. I expect 'Miss' won't be a flattering (looks-wise) role, though. (Mari) MLSF is now playing in Richmond, Virginia... I see the wagon train has made it back to the east coast--closer to GB, Ann! In a few months, go to the seaside and look for bottles with film inside. I understand the Atlantic tide is very strong this time of year :-P"}, {"response": 1087, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Dec 10, 1999 (15:43)", "body": "Bethan, was it you who would like to see Colin in the forthcoming film Enigma, well I don't think it is going to happen as according to Baz Bambigoyne in The Daily Mail, Dougray Scott has been cast for the role."}, {"response": 1088, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 10, 1999 (19:47)", "body": "Baz Bambigoyne in The Daily Mail, Dougray Scott has been cast for the role. He's hot. Saw him in \"This Year's Love\"...couldn't understand a word he said. (Eileen)She's not ugly, Evelyn. I expect 'Miss' won't be a flattering (looks-wise) role, though. You mean she was cast for the role because of her \"unflattering looks\"?"}, {"response": 1089, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Dec 10, 1999 (21:56)", "body": "(Heavy Evie) You mean she was cast for the role because of her \"unflattering looks\"? No. But they won't go out of their way to doll her up either. I haven't seen her in anything but Last of the Mohicans, in which she played terrified very well. Seems to suit this role. Have a nice weekend! Nileee ;-P"}, {"response": 1090, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Dec 10, 1999 (22:35)", "body": "Hi everyone! I just realized that today... I think... is my \"I met Colin Firth\" anniversary!"}, {"response": 1091, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Dec 10, 1999 (22:41)", "body": "Congrats, Winter!! And MANY happy returns!! ;-D"}, {"response": 1092, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Dec 10, 1999 (22:56)", "body": "(Heide) Oh, but the hair! Neither the top or the sides look real. Too pouffy! My thoughts, too. Perhaps it's due to some shadowing (particularly the top). In the original photo in the magazine, there's a lot of dark shadowing and blurring of edges. Jodhi May's hair is naturally fairish, but looks dark here. Ditto, perhaps Colin. W&D...Quite watchable if you like that period, but don't expect fireworks. And worst of all, not one dark, handsome and mysterious bloke to clap your eyes on. (Arami) Apparently Sue Birtwhistle and Andrew Davies had carte blanche from the BBC to choose and adapt whatever they wanted....I was a bit disappointed that they couldn't find something to accommodate a dark (well, auburn!)handsome bloke. I agree with you and Ann about \"Oliver Twist\" though...and without reservation I think CF should be aiming for major roles in good TV drama. Forget small British films...definitely not the way forward! Mark Darcy is OK though (Sales for the BJ sequel have reached \ufffd1million in 3 weeks) Colin should put some time and money into developing a project. It is about time! (Moon) Even if he could afford the rights for some unknown work, the next stage...getting financial backing...is very difficult. RF got \ufffd10 million from a US backer for \"Onegin\" on the strength of his Oscar nom for TEP. So far \"Onegin\" has made \ufffd350,000 in the UK, and after 2 weeks is not showing north of Birmingham. It's a very tough market even when you get the financial backing. But I'd like to see Colin networking...Alan Yentob, for starters! SLOW is playing at the Showcase in Bristol. And it's still at the ABC Panton St. and in Peckham from what I can see. (Karen) Hey, it's made it into the third week in London! I rang Optimim to ask if it was still showing, and they said in London, Bristol and Manchester! I think there are literally only three prints, which hopefully may work their way round the country! In a few months, go to the seaside and look for bottles with film (MLSF) inside. I understand the Atlantic tide is very strong this time of year :-P (Eileen) LOL! It's showing in Newfoundland and somewhere called L... Valley (forget the name) over Christmas. If only Harvey had forked out for a few more prints we might have seen it earlier! Bethan, was it you who would like to see Colin in the forthcoming film Enigma (Ann) I was keen because of the Tom Stoppard script, but the last adaptation of a novel by Robert Harris -\"Fatherland\"- was a flop (no theatrical release) and \"Enigma\" is mostly about code breaking by Cambridge academics, interesting (sometimes)to read, but not very riveting on screen perhaps. Robert Harris is Nick Hornby's brother-in-law (networking!)But it's a decent, serious lead role. Hmmm."}, {"response": 1093, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Dec 11, 1999 (01:29)", "body": "I rang Optimim to ask if it was still showing, and they said in London, Bristol and Manchester! I think there are literally only three prints, which hopefully may work their way round the country! Keep us posted, there's a good gal, huh? :-) Ta!"}, {"response": 1094, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Dec 11, 1999 (11:39)", "body": "And here's the cartoon: http://www.firth.com/tots/totscartoon.htm or, if I succeed, here's the pic: That's why *I* call ugly No similarity whatsoever."}, {"response": 1095, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 11, 1999 (14:19)", "body": "Now, that's what I call pouffy hair! ;-) No similarity whatsoever. Yeah, they missed the dimples."}, {"response": 1096, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Dec 11, 1999 (15:12)", "body": "But he's not smiling here. Do the dimples show all the time, then? Wouldn't that mean he's puffy as well?"}, {"response": 1097, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Dec 11, 1999 (16:37)", "body": "I remember Johdi May from a film called \"A World Apart\" with Barbara Hershey and Yvonne Briceland. The movie was set in South Africa in the early '60's and was about the anti-apartied journalist Ruth First (played by Hershey). Johdi May was cast as her daughter; she was something like 14 at the time and was great. I don't really have a problem with the way she looks. She looks like a real person, which is really refreshing. And even better she is an atonishingly good actress. I'd much rather go the movies and see an average looking really fine actor/actress than some model that is more wooden than a redwood. As for \"The Turn of the Screw\", it is arguably the finest ghost story written in the English language. It's also pretty readable for Henry James. Don't get me wrong James deserves his reputation as a great writer, but his prose can be dense and difficult, albeit highly rewarding. The literary critic Hortense Calisher wrote, \"Henry James never for one minute underestimated the intelligence of his readers and some people have never forgiven him for it.\" I hope the new adaptation is good. Although I'm not expecting it to be as good as \"The Innocents\", that film along with the oringinal \"The Haunting\", is one of the scariest movies I've ever seen. If the new one is comparable I'll be pleasantly surprised. I've always thought that CF would be quite adept at -- and suitable for -- Henry James adaptations."}, {"response": 1098, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Dec 11, 1999 (17:02)", "body": "Thanks for posting the cartoon, Renate! The hair is definitely overdone, but still, there is something there. (Tineke, looks like that look-a-like at Luna Nuova. ;-)"}, {"response": 1099, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Dec 11, 1999 (18:25)", "body": "Renate: May I put it on my page? I love it! The nose is right. He has a very strong turned down nose, and the hair is good. No dimples, but then he was talking serious stuff to Jodhi -- trying to get her to accept a job where he knows strange things are happening. For those who loved the \"Allen\" look, thanks to Karen, I have a large version on my Londinium page -- HERE . Murph"}, {"response": 1100, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Dec 11, 1999 (20:52)", "body": "The cartoon's a scream. I want it framed! Thanks for posting, Renate."}, {"response": 1101, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Dec 12, 1999 (10:40)", "body": "Thanks for the Londinium update, Karen and Murph! So, it's official, Edward does get Heloise in the end! Allen looks very cute! I'd love to tighten his tie and straighten his jacket He seems to be back in baggy trousers though ...maybe it's the proper Englishman look. :-) I can see why CF related to this script (definitely a newly-wed choice)...\"Fiona is offered work in Rome which requires Allen to part with his beloved England to follow her\". :-) BTW what happens in the hotel, where \"culmination of the criss-cross affair takes place in a 'proper English fashion\"? Partner swapping over tea and muffins? I'm hoping \"Londinium\" will be okay....I really like the fact that MB wants to bring out the hidden beauty of London (often presented as dreary unattractively on film). BTW, Karen,who gave the movie that glowing review...any disinterested parties, or just people like Mike Binder's agent, friends, mum etc? Have posted a snippet of news about BJD at #80. The movie seems set to start in March. TOTS....apparently Channel 4 are showing \"The Innocents\" on the same day. SLOW....Arami, the best way of checking SLOW's progress is to check the Movie listings for your local Showcase at http://wwww.teletext.co.uk . This site (Movies/TV Plus) is an excellent source for news...it's where Ann got all her scoops! I've been reading Ann Bilson's subsequent reviews (She of SLOW \"worst movie\" fame). I wouldn't touch her ratings with a bargepole. She managed to like \"Guest House Paradiso\" which the Times called \"celluloid toilet paper\" and this week, having slated \"The Last Yellow\" (improvised by student actors, this film is the opposite of pleasure, central character unlikeable and nastily misogynist) she concludes \" certainly not the worst British film of the year\". SLOW had two charming performances at its heart ( a fact that even the less good reviews acknowledged), excellent cinematography, and was a genuine attempt to take a positive look at cross-cultural relationships, a few light years removed from \"Guess who's comming to Dinner\". I think Ann Bilson is an irresponsible reviewer...or at least she should sort out her worst movie category!!!"}, {"response": 1102, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Dec 12, 1999 (10:48)", "body": "Done it again...sorry! Correction http://www.teletext.co.uk"}, {"response": 1103, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 12, 1999 (14:32)", "body": "(Bethan) BTW, Karen,who gave the movie that glowing review...any disinterested parties, or just people like Mike Binder's agent, friends, mum etc? People in the latter category. ;-) I'm pretty sure I mentioned that when I first reported the info Now, about Binder's mum... ;-)"}, {"response": 1104, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Dec 12, 1999 (17:36)", "body": "Thanks to my son, I have just seen Colin on BBC TV in a Lifeline Survival Appeal, he seemed very nervous but very earnest. What a sweetie. For all UK fans who did not see it and wish to, it is being repeated on Wednesday, on BBC2 at 5.50pm."}, {"response": 1105, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Dec 12, 1999 (18:14)", "body": "What is Lifeline Survival? Presumably a charity connected with fundraising for refugees who are stranded in the UK? Or is it something different? Was he very nervous? Actually,that's something I admire in him...that he obviously finds these things difficult, but still does them. Shall certainly watch/video on Wednesday. Thanks Ann! Is your son connected with Lifeline? Allison, how are you managing with your slipped disc? I hope it's not too painful or incapacitating."}, {"response": 1106, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 12, 1999 (19:27)", "body": "Here is the website for that organization. After you enter the site, you will see a selection (after all the drop-down menus) for a Richard Gere interview. Maybe there will be one from Colin? ;-) http://www.survival.org.uk/"}, {"response": 1107, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Dec 12, 1999 (20:16)", "body": "Was he very nervous? Actually,that's something I admire in him...that he obviously finds these things difficult, but still does them What he evidently finds difficult is facing (strange) people/cameras as himself, not acting, not as someone else, not as a character he plays. Many actors are like that. Many refuse to face people outside professional engagements. In view of that, Colin patiently and generously meeting his fans in the foyer of the Donmar Theatre virtually every day after the performance is indeed very admirable (I believe he only missed one occasion?)."}, {"response": 1108, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Dec 12, 1999 (21:09)", "body": "he seemed very nervous but very earnest. What a sweetie. Yes indeedy. Ann, was this live? Did anyone else see it (and tape it)?"}, {"response": 1109, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec 12, 1999 (22:06)", "body": "I bought my Christmas cards from the Lifeline Survival Charity. Aishling told me they rescue people at sea."}, {"response": 1110, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Dec 12, 1999 (22:50)", "body": "(Bethan) Allen looks very cute! *sigh* I'd love to tighten his tie and straighten his jacket And I would like to do the opposite, ma subito!!! ;-P"}, {"response": 1111, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Dec 12, 1999 (23:25)", "body": "Firstly Bethan, Mark has no connection with Lifeline, just saw it in the Radio Times, I think. Secondly I have taped it together with a little snippet from TTOTS which was advertised straight after Oliver Twist, \" starring Pam Ferris, Colin Firth & Jodhi May\", just a glimpse of Colin but he touches JM's hand, looks her in the eye and says \"I will be forever in your debt...\""}, {"response": 1112, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Dec 12, 1999 (23:27)", "body": "oh dear - Colin Firth and Jodhi May.\" Just a glimpse of Colin holding JM's hand , looking her straight in the eyes he says \"I will be forever in your debt...\" Oh boy!"}, {"response": 1113, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Dec 13, 1999 (14:11)", "body": "I have just seen Colin on BBC TV in a Lifeline Survival Appeal Ann, tell us more about this appeal. Since it was a scheduled broadcast, I gather it was of significant length (vs. a short public service announcement). Who else was on it? How long was Colin's bit? What was his general thrust? (Karen) I'm pretty sure I mentioned that when I first reported the info That might have been in the steam room ;-) (Bethan) which the Times called \"celluloid toilet paper\" Yikes!"}, {"response": 1114, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (08:28)", "body": "I've been using a new Search Engine at work http://www.google.com which seems to be very good. It threw up some interesting information on Flashman...or at leat confirmation thtat the project exists. Reference to a Teletext item September 1998. \"Martin Clunes, Joe Fiennes, Sean Bean, Nigel Havers are being tipped as possibles to star in a multi-million pound TV version of the famouus Flashman books..to play the swashbuckling bed-hopper.An insider said it's likely to be a BBC production shot in Turkey this year and will be made by the team that made \"Sharpe\" and will rival \"Hornblower\". \" \"Sharpe\" was made by Carlton, who always produce for ITV (Are they doing TTOTS?). So \"Flashman\" is definitely on...let's hope that Colin has taken over in the lead stakes!"}, {"response": 1115, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (13:05)", "body": "\"Martin Clunes, Joe Fiennes, Sean Bean, Nigel Havers are being tipped as possibles to star in a multi-million pound TV version of the famouus Flashman books\"...let's hope that Colin has taken over in the lead stakes! Is that likely to happen? He is not listed with the contenders and we know how agfresive his agent is at pursuing roles for him.(ZZZZZ!) :-("}, {"response": 1116, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (13:13)", "body": "That should read aggresive. I would like to make a suggestion. We all make mistakes on the keyboard now and then, I know I am usually rushing when I type and submit quickly. We know when we read what the word or words should be. Let's not waste a message on this topic correcting ourselves. Thank you!"}, {"response": 1117, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (14:16)", "body": "TTOTS was made by Meridian. That's an interesting list of \"possibles\" from 1998. Quite an age span from Joe Fiennes to Nigel Havers. Much as I've been enjoying the books (Flash for Freedom now), I don't want Colin in the role. I know you all are hoping for him to do more television (as it is more accessible), but Flashman gets him further and further away from consideration for the roles that the *other* Fiennes gets. I haven't totally given up hope."}, {"response": 1118, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (15:08)", "body": "Another one down the tubes... :-( \ufffd Pierce Brosnan is in talks to star in John Boorman's adaptation of John Le Carr\ufffd's spy thriller, The Tailor of Panama, which Boorman will direct. Also on Boorman's wish list are Geoffrey Rush and Jamie Lee Curtis, but according to the studio, Columbia, no deals have been struck yet. So much for directors seeing him work."}, {"response": 1119, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (17:38)", "body": "Susan's question on 127 prompted me to go to the Albemarle site, where its 8 December update says this about 3DOR: ENTIRE RUN NOW SOLD OUT - returns and standing may be available by queuing at the theatre on the day."}, {"response": 1120, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (19:09)", "body": "( Karen), I know you all are hoping for him to do more television (as it is more accessible), but Flashman gets him further and further away from consideration for the roles that the *other* Fiennes gets. I haven't totally given up hope. Might that be the new James Bond? ;-) To know that JB has a wish list for TToP and Colin is not included is very disappointing. It looks like HF is the only one that really wants him for the BJD. So, what do you want for Christmas, Mr. Firth?"}, {"response": 1121, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (19:20)", "body": "(Moon) Might that be the new James Bond? ;-) No and you know that has nothing to do with the character. ;-) To know that JB has a wish list for TToP and Colin is not included is very disappointing. Yes, as I've always said Colin is right for a serious role in a LeCarre film, although none have ever done well at the box office. I think the casting choices really reflect the studio's preferences. In the Variety blurb on the same news item, it said Columbia is really after these people. Brosnan, Rush and Curtis are all bankable."}, {"response": 1122, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (19:31)", "body": "So then JB calls up CF and says, \"Sorry Colin, I tried for you, you were my first choice, bla, bla, bla..."}, {"response": 1123, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (20:30)", "body": "Thanks for the Flashman info, Bethan. \"Martin Clunes, Joe Fiennes, Sean Bean, Nigel Havers are being tipped as possibles Wrong, wrong, wrong! (Karen) I don't want Colin in the role. I know you all are hoping for him to do more television (as it is more accessible), but Flashman gets him further and further away from consideration for the roles that the *other* Fiennes gets I agree with you about this. But at the same time, I can't see anyone else in the role."}, {"response": 1124, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (21:18)", "body": "(Moon)So, what do you want for Christmas, Mr. Firth? An answer immediately made it to the tip of my tongue but I daren't! Only SB could get away with it ;-D"}, {"response": 1125, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (21:20)", "body": "God, Clunes in contention, there's a depressing thought!! So something to cheer us \"Secret Garden\" is on over Xmas, ITV says Dec. 30th. Not having seen it before,can anyone confirm (and I am choosing my words very carefully here!) how big his part actually is? Much smaller than the Master's I fear.:~)"}, {"response": 1126, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (22:26)", "body": "(Lizza)\"Secret Garden\" is on over Xmas, ITV says Dec. 30th. Not having seen it before,can anyone confirm (and I am choosing my words very carefully here!) how big his part actually is? Much smaller than the Master's I fear.:~) TWO WHOLE MINUTES, Lizza. And if ITV dares to say \"starring CF\" I'll spit! ~~~~~~ Agree with Karen about Flashman...he's getting farther away from being considered for serious roles...but does he care?"}, {"response": 1127, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (22:55)", "body": "I'm off to set the vid. Dying to know the pattern of his tie!"}, {"response": 1128, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (23:47)", "body": "TTOTS was made by Meridian. Interesting. Meridian made \"Hornblower\". They are also part owned by Carlton, who made \"Sharpe\" and who will (according to the 1998 Teletext report) be making \"Flashman\". What this proves, I don't know! CF is the only one with enough swash and buckie to play Flashman...and he's the only decent horseman! I didn't pay any attention to the list..it's old news...but I felt that it confirmed that there will be a Flashman series. I don't want Colin in the role. I know you all are hoping for him to do more television (as it is more accessible), but Flashman gets him further and further away from consideration for the roles that the *other* Fiennes gets. I haven't totally given up hope. (Karen) I think Flashman will be a good career move. The production values will be high and Flashman is a complex character, particularly as he gets older. It's not a shallow role. And good TV drama can be unbeatable...it has a different pace, a slower unfolding, which can be more satisfying. As you well know, I'd love to see him vying with RF(!!), but even at my most positive, I don't think he's got the bankability (yet!)that the major movie backers want. Interesting article in today's Guardian on how Brit movies aimed at the female audience are being killed off by hostile male reviewers/critics. \"Fanny and Elvis\" and \"Mad Cows\" are given as examples of films expected to do well, but which died because of critical panning (whereas male-oriented movies do well). Article says that television is the better medium for women, and also that women tend to ignore reviews and go on word of mouth recommendations. But most films only last one week in the mutiplexes a d therefore word of mouth is too slow. I'm off to set the vid. Dying to know the pattern of his tie! ((Lizza) LOL! And ditto. He's rarely seen as himself! BTW I think \"The Secret Garden\" is a later non CF version."}, {"response": 1129, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (01:06)", "body": "It is possible, of course, that the reverse applies and it's not that \"they\" don't want Colin, but perhaps Colin doesn't want \"them\". Wasn't he mentioned as a possible Flashman some time ago? Evidently he refused and is no longer included in the preliminaries. And maybe spy stories don't grab his imagination, either."}, {"response": 1130, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (01:13)", "body": "Evidently he refused Really, Arami? How do you know this? I am happy to see that DB has so many roles coming his way that he snubs spy stories."}, {"response": 1131, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (14:35)", "body": "Julie Andrews' malpractice lawsuit is in the news today, so there are references to Relative Values and a spring 2000 release. Also an item at BBC News about the Noel Coward Centenary, which says this: \"Another was Relative Values and a film version of the play is to be released in early 2000 as part of the centenary events.[...] It stars Julie Andrews, Stephen Fry, Colin Firth and Denise Richards - latterly of 007's The World Is Not Enough.\" hee hee That's one way to get the kiddies to see it. Keep Denise Richards' name in it! ;-) (There's a picture of Stephen Fry next to blurb.) No mention of the gala Coward evening."}, {"response": 1132, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (15:49)", "body": "(Moon)So, what do you want for Christmas, Mr. Firth? (Gi)An answer immediately made it to the tip of my tongue but I daren't! Only SB could get away with it ;-D LOL! what? little innocent me? *hee hee*"}, {"response": 1133, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (16:42)", "body": "Check out the Donmar Warehouse Holiday card I got in the mail. Himself representing the latest of their top 15 most important (I assume) productions of the 90's. The ones I can identify are Jane Horrocks in \"Cabaret\", Adrian Lester in \"Company\", Jim Broadbent in \"Habeas Corpus\", Zoe Wanamaker in \"Electra\", Gryff Rhys-Jones in \"Front Page\", Kidman in \"Blue Room\", Sophie Thompson in \"Into the Woods\", Charles Dance in \"Good\", JE and SD in \"The Real Thing\", Colm Meaney in \"Juno...\", and CF. Nice one! http://www.ultranet.com/~luvvy/images/donmar-card.jpg"}, {"response": 1134, "author": "baine", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (16:48)", "body": "(Chris L) Nice one! Nice indeed! And gratifying. Looks like a good pic; wish we could get a blowup of just that. Thanks for sending it on."}, {"response": 1135, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (17:08)", "body": "Love the card, Chris! Wonder if they sell them at the boxoffice? ;-) Top row, next to Adrian Lester, is I think Claire Skinner in The Glass Menagerie"}, {"response": 1136, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (18:02)", "body": "Check out the Donmar Warehouse Holiday card I got in the mail. Himself representing the latest of their top 15 most important (I assume) productions of the 90's. The ones I can identify are Jane Horrocks in \"Cabaret\", Adrian Lester in \"Company\", Jim Broadbent in \"Habeas Corpus\", Zoe Wanamaker in \"Electra\", Gryff Rhys-Jones in \"Front Page\", Kidman in \"Blue Room\", Sophie Thompson in \"Into the Woods\", Charles Dance in \"Good\", JE and SD in \"The Real Thing\", Colm Meaney in \"Juno...\", and CF. Nice one! http://www.ultranet.com/~luvvy/images/donmar-card.jpg"}, {"response": 1137, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (18:15)", "body": "Thanks for sharing, Chris. Was there a message inside the card?"}, {"response": 1138, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (18:30)", "body": "Thanks for posting that link, Chris. Here's clarification about Flashman: last September, a source close to CF's agent (stop snickering) denied any knowledge of the project and that CF was signed to play the role. This followed the TV Times (I think that was the publication) announcement to the contrary made mid-August. Since the bit Bethan found is dated 1998, we can consider that old news. The project has probably been kicking around for awhile but it isn't clear how close to reality it is (somewhere between oblivion and the BJD film). There was never any report that he was offered the role and turned it down. (Karen) and Denise Richards - latterly of 007's The World Is Not Enough.\" Oops! Bet they heard from Jeanne Tripplehorn's agent."}, {"response": 1139, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (19:39)", "body": "a source close to CF's agent That would be Moon! Why didn't you clarify this, dear? ;-)"}, {"response": 1140, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (19:43)", "body": "Moon, close to CF's agent? Wot, enough to strangle him? ;-)"}, {"response": 1141, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (19:46)", "body": "A lady who attended 3DOR in November asked Colin afterwards if he planned on taking a long-earned rest after the play and he said something along the lines of \"No, I don't know what I'll be doing, but it will be something\". Maybe by the time we see him in January, he will know. And you thought I'd gone away ;-)"}, {"response": 1142, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (19:55)", "body": "a source close to CF's agent ( Karen), That would be Moon! Why didn't you clarify this, dear? ;-) I would much rather be a source close to CF. ;-) Thank you for clearing that up, Eileen. I wondered what Arami might be talking about and I hope she let's us know. (Gi), Moon, close to CF's agent? Wot, enough to strangle him? ;-) Heehee......."}, {"response": 1143, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (20:00)", "body": "Thanks for that Cathey, its good to know he is not comtemplating another six month's rest!! BTW TTOTS is being previewed quite regularly on the TV with great emphasis on CF, there are going to be some very disappointed Firth fans who may be thinking that they will see their hero for the whole time 2hrs."}, {"response": 1144, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (20:04)", "body": "Bethan, did you get to see the Lifeline Appeal and btw Eileen Colin's Appeal was on behalf of the tribes of the Kalahari Desert who are being made to leave their land by the Botswana Government, land that is theirs by right. Have I got that right Bethan?"}, {"response": 1145, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (20:39)", "body": "Thanks, Ann. So, Lizza, what did his tie look like? ;-D"}, {"response": 1146, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (20:45)", "body": "Absolutely right! Just seen it and video taped it, Ann. I thought it was very thought-provoking, and I didn't think that Colin was at all nervous. He struck me as being composed, serious and professional. For those who didn't see it, it was a 10 minute slot and Colin spoke the commentary to the filmed shots of the tribesmen and their families (beautiful children) and made a direct appeal (appearing on screen four times). The intro stated \"Colin Firth presents the case for tribal peoples worldwide\". The specific example was of the Bushmen in the Kalahari desert, who are being forced to leave the land which they rightly own, by the Botswana Government who are interested in profits from tourism and diamond mining. The tribespeople are being re-located in inhumane camps, in terrible conditions, where children die from lack of food. Tribesmen who hunt are punished by torture. Survival supports cases like this and also many other instances of injustices against tribal peoples who want to preserve their way of life but are suppressed by exploitational governments. Survival also work to influence policies of organisations like the World Bank and the UN. CF's opening comments were \"In today's industrial society, the rich diversity of culture and ways of life are being wiped out. Success is measured by the achievement of wealth and power. But millions of people do not want to be in a profit-driven consumer society, especially if their lands are taken away from them... He concludes \"At this, the beginning of a new century, all of us who are lucky to live in freedom have the chance to help protect the basic human rights of the world's most vulnerable people... He then asks for donations to Survival (can be sent (very simple address) to FREEPOST SURVIVAL UK) The clip must have been shot at the Survival headquarters in London - there were boxfiles behind CF, and the Director of Survival also spoke briefly. CF just looked natural, very serious, hair tousled, no make up, black open necked shirt...but I found I was listening to him rather than looking. Murph, if wants to post my comments in your News section please do so...I'm sure there will be a lot of interest."}, {"response": 1147, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (20:55)", "body": "Thanks for your timely report, Bethan."}, {"response": 1148, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (21:10)", "body": "Bethan says: Martin Clunes, Joe Fiennes, Sean Bean, Nigel Havers are being tipped as possibles to star in a multi-million pound TV version of the famouus Flashman books..to play the swashbuckling bed-hopper. ********* I'm late on this, I know, but seeing Nigel Havers name reminded me that in a NY Times article yesterday about the novelist Elizabeth George, Havers in \"Chariots of Fire\" high-jumping with the champagne glasses was her role model for Detective Lynley. There's a role I'd like to see Dear Boy play. Some of the stories are going to be made by the BBC. I still think CF is out of the Flashman thing. My source was pretty close to the center. Murph"}, {"response": 1149, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (21:15)", "body": "I also loved the way he finished Bethan, very polite."}, {"response": 1150, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (21:28)", "body": "I'm the one, I think, that Eileen is referring to re a source close to CF's agent. I can only say that it is someone who talked directly with Colin's agent. The agent said he had never heard of the Flashman project. Murph Thanks, Bethan. I will put the Survival info up now, along with Luvvy's card on the Donmar page."}, {"response": 1151, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (21:35)", "body": "Yes, thank you, Murph. I should have cited your site as the source of my info. Apologies for my oversight. 8-D"}, {"response": 1152, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (21:46)", "body": "You're most welcome, Murph! Re. Flashman...the \"news\" item I found was an old one, which pre-dates the TV Times report (stating that CF would play Flashman) by about a year. I only quoted it to prove that there was, indeed, a \"Flashman project\" which was being worked on. I still think he'll do it...it's a good project IMHO. (Probably his agent was being politic and non-commital) Anyway, after nearly six months of working for nothing (two stints of 3DOR) and work for BBC Scotland, and cameo roles, he may need a cash boost! Carlton/Meridian pay very well to \"star\" actors...for his last series of \"Sharpe\" Sean Bean was paid \ufffd1million, which is big money in UK terms!(peanuts for Hollywood :-) ) But...CF may be the one actor in the world who's not interested in money!"}, {"response": 1153, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (22:37)", "body": "WOT, no tie! CF wore the sort of attire he might come down in after 3DOR, black top with collar of a slightly different black fabric. The rest has very competently been reviewed above. Thanks for link Luvvie. Do the\" backstage crew\" all get cards in the post?"}, {"response": 1154, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (22:49)", "body": "Thanks, Bethan for your detailed report on Survival. We would all loved to have seen it. I wonder if 3 Deers could put it on a software that would make it available for all to see at cf.com?"}, {"response": 1155, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (23:40)", "body": "Forgot to add, re. the Survival appeal, that you can also phone in credit card donations to UK code 0800 099 099. 0800 is a FreePhone service. BBC Audience Response take the calls...they also ask for your address, as Survival will acknowledge all donations. I think it's a very good cause. My first trip to West Africa was as a volunteer aid worker. I'm much more materialistic and selfish these days, and so it's nice to be reminded that there are still people who care."}, {"response": 1156, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 16, 1999 (00:10)", "body": "Bethan, did they mention when Colin would be *manning* the telephones? ;-)"}, {"response": 1157, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 16, 1999 (00:27)", "body": "Lookie here: More later... ;-)"}, {"response": 1158, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Dec 16, 1999 (00:42)", "body": "Oh dear, he looks very tired. He must have finally read the book.:-0 C'mon, does anyone need to have 85 words in one sentence? Thanks for the transcription of the Survival info. We may start seeing more of Colin in the news than on the screen."}, {"response": 1159, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Dec 16, 1999 (00:53)", "body": "I wondered what Arami might be talking about... Calm down, everybody... I was merely meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine dark eyes in the face of a handsome man... erm... Wot??? What I am often playing at is commonly known as surmising. Making an \"informed guess\". As the saying has it, there's no smoke without fire. Someone, somewhere, must have mentioned Flashman and Firth in the same sentence... Even if it was only to say \"I wonder if...\" This may have been followed by someone else saying \"No way!\"... Who, when, how - we shall probably never know. End of story. Only in the meantime the usual way of the gossip blew it up a bit out of the proportion. And in the Lifeline Appeal, Colin looked very earnest - indeed, not nervous at all - and concentrating on the autocue. His hair looked damp and flattened, as opposed to the usual fluffy."}, {"response": 1160, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Thu, Dec 16, 1999 (01:10)", "body": "Thanks for the picture, Karen. I'm glad to see The Master up close and personal, but I have to admit that this is not the favorite look I've ever seen on CF. Somehow the combo of the too-tall, too-dark hair with the big sideburns just isn't doing it for me. (Almost makes me long for Simon Westward's little moustache.) Maybe it's just this still photo. I'm sure ODB in action will not disappoint!"}, {"response": 1161, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Dec 16, 1999 (01:33)", "body": "The milisecond glimpse on the TV trailer wasn't too bad. There's hope."}, {"response": 1162, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 16, 1999 (01:36)", "body": "Oh honey, all the comments about how \"charming\" he is make me think the picture will not do him justice. ;-) \"On set Jodhi was 'chaperoned' by the production team as the intimate scenes between Miss and the Master were filmed. The Miss is driven by her feelings for the Master. Her thoughts are dominated by images of him. She is motivated by the responsibility the Master has placed on her.\""}, {"response": 1163, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec 16, 1999 (13:16)", "body": "Thanks for posting the Master, Karen! Those wardrobe people have done it again, the shirt collar is too big. I can see the resemblance in the cartoon a little more now. I am leaving for Italy tomorrow, Rome then Milan. I wish everyone a very Happy Christmas . I left my Holiday Greetings for you on Topic 127. Cheers!"}, {"response": 1164, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 16, 1999 (19:08)", "body": "Yeah!! We're back! OK, here's the new page for: The Turn of the Screw"}, {"response": 1165, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Dec 16, 1999 (19:31)", "body": "Karen... you sly thing... ;-) What can I say? I'm so proud of you. You're a firth.com great asset."}, {"response": 1166, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 16, 1999 (20:17)", "body": "Asset? There are probably any number of people in the UK who might consider me more of a Class A Pest. ;-) From the writeup, it does look like they are going to be emphasizing the sexual angle as Bethan - our resident psychic - thought. Yippee!!"}, {"response": 1167, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Dec 16, 1999 (20:36)", "body": "There are probably any number of people in the UK who might consider me more of a Class A Pest. ;-) With splendid results for us and cf.com - and long may it be so. they are going to be emphasizing the sexual angle And so they should. I have seen a stage production of TOTS recently and the master didn't even appear in person. The infatuation motif adds a lot of - erm...- flesh (yum! ;-)) to the story."}, {"response": 1168, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Thu, Dec 16, 1999 (20:51)", "body": "re: Donmar card. Don't know if they were sent to everyone. Inside is \"...and looking forward to the great moments of the future! Seasons Greetings and a Happy New Year From all of us at the Donmar\" with 10 signatures from the staff including Rachel (Weinstein) and Sam (Mendes). No actors."}, {"response": 1169, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Thu, Dec 16, 1999 (21:06)", "body": "OT: Benjamin Whitrow (Mr. Bennett in P&P) plays Sir Anthony Absolute in the RSC production of \"The Rivals\" that opens in Stratford-upon-Avon in March. Lindsay Posner directs."}, {"response": 1170, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 16, 1999 (22:03)", "body": "Thanks Bethan for the Lifeline info...I hope to get to see the tape when we go on the 15th. ~~~~~~ Karen....you are Spring's Secret Weapon....what a terrific coup... The TTOTS page is a wonder!Thank you!! ~~~~ re; Donmar card I got one too.....probably all \"Friends of...\" did. I notice the signature of the guys in the Box Office.....LOL!!!"}, {"response": 1171, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Dec 16, 1999 (23:31)", "body": "Congrats on another great scoop, Karen! How do you do it?!! Jodhi May seems to be blonde in the outside location shots, but dark haired in the interior shots. The interior shots seem much darker. Why did she have to be \"chaperoned\" while filming the shots with the Master...tongue in cheek, surely?"}, {"response": 1172, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Dec 17, 1999 (01:33)", "body": "The Miss is driven by her feelings for the Master. Her thoughts are dominated by images of him. Sounds like the Miss should be a drool girl. Beautiful page, Karen. Happy Christmas to you too, Moon. Arrividerci!"}, {"response": 1173, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Dec 17, 1999 (14:23)", "body": "Great job once again, Karen! *clap clap* Also am LOL about the \"chaperone\" line during the \"intimate\" scenes. Wonder what they mean by intimate?! (Heide) Oh dear, he looks very tired. He must have finally read the book.:-0 C'mon, does anyone need to have 85 words in one sentence? Hee hee! Not, to mention, too many, commas... (Evelyn) I notice the signatures of the guys in the Box Office.....LOL!!! Or were they only in your card? ;-D"}, {"response": 1174, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 17, 1999 (15:01)", "body": "(Eileen) about the \"chaperone\" line during the \"intimate\" scenes. Wonder what they mean by intimate?! How else are they going to get people to watch a Henry James dramatization? Lots of spin here. But if Miss is fantasizing about the Master, how better to show us than to film it... (am fantasizing those scenes right now) ;-) Looks like SLOW is not playing anywhere this week. :-("}, {"response": 1175, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 17, 1999 (16:03)", "body": "LOL....The wagon train finally made it out to Oklahoma bringing....MLSF!! Playing in Norman (60 miles away) home of the University of Oklahoma. Going tomorrow with a carful....er, I mean...hitching up the surrey....:-D"}, {"response": 1176, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Dec 17, 1999 (16:58)", "body": "(KarenR)But if Miss is fantasizing about the Master, how better to show us than to film it... (am fantasizing those scenes right now) ;-) Ha! I thought the same... or at least flash back to her encounter with him, which would multiply the actual 10 minutes ;-)"}, {"response": 1177, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Dec 17, 1999 (17:06)", "body": "Karen, just saw the TTOTS page, it is lovely and very informative. The pics of the houses are a dream. Did you have to mention \"the dashing Mr Darcy,(...) the man who set women's hearts a flutter in Pride and Prejudice\", though? ;-P"}, {"response": 1178, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 17, 1999 (17:15)", "body": "Hallelujah, Evelyn!!! Aren't you glad you went to Dallas. Look how long it took. But by the end of next month the video will be out. Was looking for a picture of a Conestoga wagon for you ;-) (Gi) Did you have to mention \"the dashing Mr Darcy,(...) the man who set women's hearts a flutter in Pride and Prejudice\", though? ;-P Seems quite unnecessary, doesn't it? ;-)"}, {"response": 1179, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Dec 17, 1999 (17:20)", "body": "Well, I'm going through thr Bucket at this very moment and there's no pic of Colin in the RV page :-( However, the Londinium page is wonderful, IMO :-)"}, {"response": 1180, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Dec 17, 1999 (17:22)", "body": "... and the DQ page is fun, thanks to the background tartan and the animated busues. You are an Artist, my dear :-)"}, {"response": 1181, "author": "Xian", "date": "Fri, Dec 17, 1999 (17:59)", "body": "Thanks, Karen. I love the TTOTS page. So, you live in a pair of boots now, are they the Master's boots? ;-) Question: has any one seen Don't Look Now which is one of ODB's favourite films? I am not fond of ghost movies but have eagerness to see this one right now. \"If I am offered something irresistible, and it means wearing a costume like Darcy's, then I will do it,\" says Colin What is irresistible for him is a mystery for me ;-)"}, {"response": 1182, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Dec 17, 1999 (18:08)", "body": "After reading Gi's comment, I had to go poke around in the bucket myself... and Karen it's absolutely wonderful!! :-) I liked the boots too -very cute."}, {"response": 1183, "author": "Xian", "date": "Fri, Dec 17, 1999 (18:22)", "body": "Another thought about what ODB said irresistible offers , Mr.Darcy was NOT irresistible for him if I remember correctly. If was not the producer's persuasion, we may get a totally different Mr. Darcy (very very scary thought *shiver*)."}, {"response": 1184, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Dec 17, 1999 (20:48)", "body": "I just wanted to thank all of you for making me feel welcome and for all the Firth news you have passed along. Here's a greeting just for you: THANKS Clive wrote to me that he has seen TOTS. Here is his take on it - definitely from a sound man's view! (no Colin): ****************************** On Sunday I went to a private screening of Turn Of The Screw and I must say I was very impressed. They've cut out about 4 minutes (I think), which has tightened the whole thing up - very much to the good in my opinion. The photography is beautiful; the acting is great, especially the 2 children; costumes and sets all look lovely. My one small criticism, between you and I only, is that the make-up people let Jodhi May down by letting the spots on her forehead show badly on a few shots. Not good. I was amazed at how well they cleaned up my location sound in post-production: I'd sat there in agony recording dialogue with light aircraft, jumbos and helicopters in the background of nearly every exterior, plus today's extremely noisy film lights sizzling and whistling their way through my interiors. But lo and behold! The finished film, which uses my sound for every scene bar one, is completely clear of all extraneous noises! How do they do that? There was just one scene, a conversation between Jodhi and Pam Ferris in the garden, which had to be re-recorded - we were dogged by a persistent stunt pilot who spent 2 hours practicing right over the location and we couldn't afford the time to wait till he'd gone. I was privileged to see the film without commercial breaks: the rest of Britain will have to put up with 4 of them breaking up the 90-minutes when it's shown on December 26th, Boxing Day here in England - so called because traditionally boxes, or presents, were given to employees the day after Christmas Day. I say traditionally but it almost certainly became an age-olde tradition in the 19th century, like so many of our so-called ancient traditions. - Clive ************** Again, thanks for being the Best \"Droolies\" in the world. Murph Evelyn = so glad MLSF has come to \"home country.\""}, {"response": 1185, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Dec 17, 1999 (21:00)", "body": "Xian, \"Don't Look Now\" is an excelllent film, directed by Nicholas Roeg, and starring Julie Christie and Donald Sutherland, made in the early eighties, I think. It's based on a novella by Daphne du Maurier (same title) which is also well worth reading. The film is set in Venice, is very atmospheric, and is about an English couple whose young daughter has died. It focuses on psychic powers and the ending is totally unpredictable and chilling. There are also some rather sexy scenes! Woth seeing, definitely. The only other film CF has been quoted as liking is \"A man for all Seasons\" starring Paul Schofield. Good review of TTOTS in Heat magazine, although they mention that \"unfortunately\" CF only appears in a cameo. As usual he's referred to as the \"dashing Darcy!\""}, {"response": 1186, "author": "Xian", "date": "Fri, Dec 17, 1999 (21:17)", "body": "bethan, Thank you very much for the info of Don't Look Now ! Hopefully I can find it in the Blockbuster near where I live. Thanks, Murph, that is lovely Christmas Greeting especially with ODB as Santa Claus. Tonight, I'll dream of THIS Santa coming down my chimney at the Christmas Eve ;-)"}, {"response": 1187, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Dec 17, 1999 (21:56)", "body": "Thankyou Murph, and Happy Holidays to you too. I was wondering Murph, and I may be being a bit cheeky but I was wondering if your source who is close to CF's Agent might be able to give you some early scoops on what he may be doing afgter 3DOR. Someone said that he intends to carrying on working and does not intlend to take a break after the play. A goog old fashioned thriller would be good ifx he thinks he is too old for a romantic role."}, {"response": 1188, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Dec 17, 1999 (21:57)", "body": "Thankyou Murph, and Happy Holidays to you too. I was wondering Murph, and I may be being a bit cheeky but I was wondering if your source who is close to CF's Agent might be able to give you some early scoops on what he may be doing afgter 3DOR. Someone said that he intends to carrying on working and does not intlend to take a break after the play. A good old fashioned thriller would be good ifx he thinks he is too old for a romantic role."}, {"response": 1189, "author": "baine", "date": "Fri, Dec 17, 1999 (22:23)", "body": "(Xian)What is irresistible for him is a mystery for me The most mysterious thing to me is his misguided notion that his viewers don't like to watch sex--the most obvious clue of all that he's never poked around over here on drool. Good sex is definitely in the fine eye of the beholder! And as for bums going up and down, everything depends on whose the bum, as we would be glad to explain, would we not?"}, {"response": 1190, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Dec 17, 1999 (22:23)", "body": "All this talking about \"Boxing Day\" reminds me of something. I declare Dec. 17 \"Boxers Day\". (and now I pray that I don't ruin the effect with incompetent htmlling) Karen: excellent work on TOTS!"}, {"response": 1191, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 17, 1999 (22:24)", "body": "Thanks Murph for the Firth Holiday card..ODB is also Our Favorite Santa. And for the review from Clive. His comment: between you and I only, is that the make-up people let Jodhi May down by letting the spots on her forehead show badly on a few shots. Not good. Am I mistaken...or did he originally say that his former girlfriend was the make-up person on the set.... ~~~~~ My only wish re: TTOTS reviews ...is that enough journalists complain about Colin's mini-part."}, {"response": 1192, "author": "baine", "date": "Fri, Dec 17, 1999 (22:52)", "body": "I declare Dec. 17 \"Boxers Day\" Great idea, Renate. Every day is Boxers Day with me! Murph--absolutely RRRRockin! I've got to go have some eggnog."}, {"response": 1193, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Dec 17, 1999 (23:08)", "body": "Forgot to add, the Heat magazine review gave TTOTS a 4 star rating, so I don't think I'll switch off after the cameo appearance! The most mysterious thing to me is his misguided notion that his viewers don't like to watch sex--the most obvious clue of all that he's never poked around over here on drool. Didn't he say that it was \"embarrassing to watch\"?! Depends who's watching whom. :-) Thanks for your Christmas greeting Murph! And have a good trip Moon!"}, {"response": 1194, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Dec 18, 1999 (00:28)", "body": "The most mysterious thing to me is his misguided notion that his viewers don't like to watch sex It must stem from the fact that ODS(hy)B doesn't like playing sex scenes (you must remember himsaying so in one interview?). In his opinion, sex is for doing, not watching."}, {"response": 1195, "author": "baine", "date": "Sat, Dec 18, 1999 (01:54)", "body": "(Arami)In his opinion, sex is for doing, not watching. So, fine! He can do it; we'll watch it. Then we'll all be happy. Or if he wants to educate us to the superiority of his point of view, I'm sure we'd all be happy to try the experiment. I'm ready to be convinced!"}, {"response": 1196, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Dec 18, 1999 (09:55)", "body": "Hmmm, talk about male reviewers! Just read the Times review of TTOTS \"It is a stunningly beautiful production, all Vermeer interiors, if only the governess did not look like a cetacean (Dinosaur)hoovering up krill.\" He's very cruel about Jodhi May's range of expressions, and then says...\"Intense attraction to the Master (Colin \"naked Darcy\" Firth)is captured with a slightly open mouth..\" Elsewhere says the plot should be \"familiar from its many stagings\" (I'd never seen any version of this). Aso says ther are \"four distinctive characters, plus two apparitions\", which presumably excludes The Master. I don't like the \"naked Darcy\" comment...it's innacurate, and why must CF always be referred to in the context of this role? It puts him in a no-win situation, and liable to be made fun of by male reviewers!! I sometimes wonder if it was wise to take a cameo role in a costume drama."}, {"response": 1197, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 18, 1999 (14:33)", "body": "Thank you, Gi, Esbee and Xian. Glad you like. This webpage stuff can be fun. Had to have a bucket, you know, to hold all this drool runoff. And FYI, Xian, those are my boots for wading through high drool. ;-) (Cymbeline) everything depends on whose the bum LOL!! I must agree 100% with your assessment. He really should mind his own business and \"do\" what he likes. Everybody happy. (Renate) I declare Dec. 17 \"Boxers Day\" Since it fell on a Friday this year, shall we make it a three-day weekend holiday time? ;-) (Evelyn) Am I mistaken...or did he originally say that his former girlfriend was the make-up person on the set I shouldn't drink coffee while reading. LOL!! going to get my Windex (Bethan) I don't like the \"naked Darcy\" comment...it's innacurate That's right! There was \"naked Tom Jones,\" but not \"naked Darcy.\" Sounds like a letter to the editor of The Times is required. Go to it, girl. ;-)"}, {"response": 1198, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Dec 18, 1999 (14:46)", "body": "Why don't you write to the reviewer, Bethan, and ask which P&P he saw because you sure would like a copy of it. I'm afraid our boy is destined to be Darcy forever unless he takes the lead in another success. Don't think the films bein released in 2000 are going to dispel the Darcy image and playing Mark Darcy would only add more fuel to that fire. But sigh! Inaccuracies aside, could there be a more flattering potrait of a character of whom to be constantly reminded? Reviewers bedamned. Nothing bad about Colin's performance and if Jodhi May can't carry the film, Colin's cameo appearance isn't going to be blamed. Thanks for the cheery greetings, Murph. And Renate, thanks for explaining so aptly with pictures what \"Boxer's Day\" is all about."}, {"response": 1199, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Dec 18, 1999 (15:03)", "body": "More from Clive on Colin in TOTS: ******************** It is misleading to put Colin up as the star of TOTS, I agree. Having said that his scene is so important in setting up the rest of the tale, as you know. In the film it is very intense. Colin comes across as a friendly, intense man, quite remote because we seem to be seeing him only through Miss's eyes, which is just right for the film. When we filmed the scene he was quite obviously very relaxed and happy with lots of on-set jokes and I think you can see that on the screen. We shot it very efficiently with very few takes of each shot, so the whole day was pleasant and easy as filming days go, apart from the fact that Sion House is directly under the approach path to London's Heathrow Airport, which is less than 8 miles away! My overall assessment of the film (a heavily biased one, of course) is that it's director Ben Bolt's best work to date, being much less meandering than other films I've done with him. That's not to say it feels rushed - the pace, which is probably the most difficult thing to perfect in film-making, felt absolutely right to me. ************* Murph"}, {"response": 1200, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec 18, 1999 (16:42)", "body": "Re: Times review of TTOTS\"if only the governess did not look like a cetacean (Dinosaur)hoovering up krill.\" He's very cruel about Jodhi May's range of expressions,..\" cetacean= \"any aquatic mammal including whales, dolphins and related forms with large head, fishlike nearly hairless body and paddle-shaped forelimbs.\" (Webster's). A krill is the larvae that a whale feeds on. The reviewer is also v. cruel about Ms. May's looks. All I said was that she was ugly...and everyone came down on me...and said she was \"Jane-Eyre-plain\".IMHO a more attractive governess (Sophie Marceau in \"Firelight\") would have made the production more palatable. I didn't even like her as Lady Sarah in \"The Aristocrats\".And don't think she's a v. good actress. Now I'm off to see MLSF!"}, {"response": 1201, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 18, 1999 (16:59)", "body": "Evelyn was in such a hurry to see MLSF, she forgot to close the tag. I don't blame her. ;-) Have fun!"}, {"response": 1202, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Dec 18, 1999 (18:13)", "body": "cetacean= \"any aquatic mammal including whales, dolphins and related forms with large head, fishlike nearly hairless body and paddle-shaped forelimbs.\" Ooops! Not a dinosaur....but still an unnecessarily unpleasant comparison by the reviewer. Quite over the top! I don't think \"Miss\" is intended to be particularly pretty...that would undermine the characterisation of someone suffering from repression and sexual hysteria. But I do think Jodhi May is quite attractive and a very good actress...I saw her recently in a very dramatically charged role (not a costume drama) and thought she was excellent. (Begging to differ, here! :-) ) Didn't like the Times review, so in the course of hectic Christmas shopping, did my usual \"browse not buy\" at the newsagents! All the papers are reviewing the Xmas TV programmes...and all the other reviews for TTOTS are, I'm pleased to say, very good indeed...,\"fine new adaptation\", \"excellent and chilling\", \"Good story very well told\" but they do point out that the \"dashing Master\" only makes a brief appearance \"but that should be enough to make millions of women happy\" and also comment that CF's \"return to costume drama has been over-hyped\" The Dail Mail review (male reviwer!)is worth giving in full (I bought this!). It's the Pick of the Day and one of only two or three (over a fortnight) to get a 5 star rating. TURN OF THE SCREW (5 stars) The jewel in ITV's drama crown this Christmas is this handsome, impressively atmosheric adaptation of Henry James' chilling ghost story. Jodhi May stars as Miss, the governess hired to look after two children in a grand, isolated country mansion. She is hired, in a scene that plays more like a seduction than a business transaction, by the Master, a debonair bachelor played by (swoon) Colin Firth. It's a pleasure to see him back in period dress, though the high Victorian gear isn't as fetching as Mr Darcy' shirt and breeches. Miss is charmed by the Master and delighted with her posting. The house is beautiful and the housekeeper is friendly and the children seem charming, However before long, Miss starts having some very strange experiences... Again, Murph, please feel free to use any of the above, if you think it would be of general interest!"}, {"response": 1203, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Dec 18, 1999 (18:19)", "body": "I should have said, Karen and Murph...sorry! It's just that I was thinking more in terms of a news update, but the reviews could also be an interesting addition to Karen's excellent TTOTS pages!"}, {"response": 1204, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Dec 18, 1999 (19:26)", "body": "But Darcy WAS completely and utterly naked in one scene... even if his full glory was carefully screened from prying eyes..."}, {"response": 1205, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Dec 18, 1999 (20:06)", "body": "And there's me just about to complain to the Times! :-)"}, {"response": 1206, "author": "baine", "date": "Sat, Dec 18, 1999 (20:28)", "body": "(Arami)But Darcy WAS completely and utterly naked in one scene. Nope. He was wearing his Arsenal boxers--that's why the dressing gown. IMO the most erotic moment in P&P2 comes when he leans back in his chair while writing the famous letter with all the fancy linen undone and you get that lovely view of his bare throat--so symbolic as he's making himself vulnerable by trusting his darkest secret for the first time ever and it's to the woman he loves even though she has just rejected him. One of the demonstrations of J.A.'s genius in this book is that she has Darcy and Lizzie trust each other with secrets that could ruin their families ev n though consciously they are angry and each thinks that the other is hostile. Nonetheless underneath each knows somehow that he is safe with the other, has sensed that the deepest assurance of marital success--mutual trust--is possible with the other. Warming to the doesn't-like-sex-theme (I see you sleeping in the back row!), one of CF's great talents I think is his ability to convey physical presence (I don't mean large size or physical power but rather being *physically* there in a scene). The viewer is aware of his body (and I don't think it's just my drool talking here) so that watching a scene becomes more like what you do when looking at a painting for instance as well as listening to the dialog and noting the characters' interactions. Three e amples come to mind. (SPOILER ALERT) In AMITC there's a scene where he's reclining outside Moon's tent--no sex, no Natasha, no discussion of her--you're just very aware of his body being there, how it's arranged and how it moves. In ATA of course I think that's what we respond to in the kitchen door snappies and what Jessica's character responds to (more than in the actual seduction scene!). In WOF which I've just gotten a chance to see, his physical presence is empashized throughout I think, which is nteresting in that he's not really supposed to have any, but it struck me esp in a scene in the hotel dining room where he sees what's her name crawling around on the floor among the tables and moves in to see what's going on and also at one point when he crosses the lobby and goes up the stairs. Maybe he feels it's more interesting, more difficult, requires more complex acting to convey sensuality and eroticism that way than through bald sex. And I think he's a real master of it unlike a number of actors who are supposed to be sexy guys but to my mind are merely pretty good-looking blunderers. Finally for comparison, I think one of the most erotic scenes I've ever seen comes in Strictly Ballroom when Scott and Fran dance the rhumba to Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps. That movie, though it suffers from the absence of ODB, is still one of my top ten. Interested in y'all's reactions here."}, {"response": 1207, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Dec 19, 1999 (00:56)", "body": "The bit you missed from the actual Boxing Day page in The Daily Mail, Bethen - , \"PICK OF THE DAY.......as above but this is the bit that worries me \" She is hired in a scene that plays more like a seduction than a business transaction, by the Master, a debonair batchelor, played by (swoon) Colin Firth. A pleasure to see him back in period dress, THOUGH THE HIGH VICTORIAN GEAR ISN'T AS FETCHING AS MR. DARCY'S SHIRT AND BREECHES. (not shouting, just don 't know how to emphasize any other way). I agree tha he does not look quite so good in this period costume as in P&P, but I am looking forward to the \"seduction\". Talking of seduction, I have just returned from seeing Colin in 3DOR with my sons and Mark's girlfriend and I have to say that I preferred Colin's March portrayal of Walker to how he is playing it this time around. Both my sons mentioned that they found it hard to hear what Colin was saying because he seems to shout quite a lot and waves his hands around much more and seems much more neurotic. However, I liked the way they played the second act, especially E.MCg who was much better this time around and was really quite seductive, I loved her scenes with Colin. Having said all this we all enjoyed it very much and I am looking forward to seeing it for the 4th time in January. To round off a really lovely evening with my two sons, just as we were leaving Colin came down the stairs beheind us and we nearly didn't recognise him as he had these dark rimmed glasses on, old jogging bottoms and trainers. I turned to Mark and said thats Colin behind you and he said where, and there he was right behind Mark. H gave some people in the foyer his autographs and had some photos taken, I was frantically searching for something for him to sign his authograph on but had no programme as I already had one and left it at home!!, well Mark rushed up to the Box Office, bought a programme and came back to find that he had left and was walking up the street, I said never mind but he ran after him said \"Excuse me Colin, but could I have your autograph for my Mum\".. What is her name says Colin, Anne says Mark, do you spell th t with or without an \"E\" says Colin, I'm not sure says Mark, (Iask you!), You ought to know how to spell your Mum's name says Colin. Then Marks says something about \"how come you got all the funny lines and he laughed. What a really nice man, he was with friends and still stopped and signed the autograph and spoke to Mark. Well done Mark and well done Colin. Sorry to ramble on but I think that will do. No so good was when we got back to Gatwick and found it was snowing very hard and I hate driving th ough the snow, still ODB is worth it!!"}, {"response": 1208, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec 19, 1999 (02:21)", "body": "Oh Ann...what a funny scene.Love the part of Colin telling Mark he should know how to spell your name!!He's getting \"fatherly\". Thanks for sharing. Well done, Mark for taking care of your mum. And dear Colin for being so obliging.Sounds like a perfect evening...:-) 'Cept for snow:-( ~~~~ .. he seems to shout quite a lot and waves his hands around much more and seems much more neurotic. I think he must emphasize this more in different performances.When I saw him in November, I saw a difference, but didn't find it objectionable...in fact I preferred it to last March's portrayal of Walker. Made more of a contrast to Ned. ~~~~~~ I'll post MLSF comments on #121 tomorrow; the Miramax guy tells me the review will be in Sunday's paper.I will say I'm glad Colin is packing the house in 3 DOR 'cause I had a \"private screening\" today."}, {"response": 1209, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Dec 19, 1999 (14:34)", "body": "After yesterday's rather bizarre zoological review of TTOTS in the Times, the Sunday Times gives it a glowing review (\"pick of the day\") and describes Jodhi May's performance as \"brilliant\". Usual pic of The Master and JM."}, {"response": 1210, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Dec 19, 1999 (15:45)", "body": "Sweet story, Ann. I'm so glad to hear he's still so obliging. Don't you wish you didn't care so much, then you could talk as freely to him as your son. Tell him what a good boy we all think he is. Only you at MLSF, Evelyn? Sounds like this horse has been beaten to death. Time to ship it over the Atlantic to resuscitate it."}, {"response": 1211, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Dec 19, 1999 (16:08)", "body": "(Cymbeline) Maybe he feels it's more interesting, more difficult, requires more complex acting to convey sensuality and eroticism that way than through bald sex. It would have to be. I've never heard any actor say they like doing sex scenes, mostly for the reason that they're difficult to do in front of a crew on a set. I'm sure conveying sensuality and eroticism is more challenging and exciting and it sounds as if Colin gets to bring it to the screen yet again in TTOS. Yippee! That said, I can't decide if it's the chicken or the egg conundrum. Do I like Coling Firth because he's a special actor or is he a special actor because I like Colin Firth. It's all become too entwined to know. I do cringe sometimes watching sex scenes and especially sappy romantic scenes with surging violin music in the background, candles and enraptured, open mouthed expressions because they're so badly done. Yet there's only one sex scene/romantic scene with Colin I can ever recall cringing at and that's the rock scene in Playmaker. Even Lost Empires which has the candles, open mouths and music isn't badly done, IMO. Cymbeline, sounds as if your CF video collection is getting quite large."}, {"response": 1212, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Dec 19, 1999 (17:59)", "body": "...-he seems to shout quite a lot and waves his hands around much more and seems much more neurotic. ...-I think he must emphasize this more in different performances. It helps to remember that in live theatre no two performances are exactly the same. Actors' mood on a particular day, their health, their private joys or sorrows, usually reflect on the performance, sometimes quite significantly. Do I like Coling Firth because he's a special actor or is he a special actor because I like Colin Firth \"Both, I imagine...\" :-)"}, {"response": 1213, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Dec 19, 1999 (19:19)", "body": "Great TOTS page Karen, choc full of goodies, thank you. Thanks Murph for sharing all your \"insider\" info, your site just keeps getting even better. Lovely encounter Ann, I am so glad you got your autograph, well done Mark too!"}, {"response": 1214, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Dec 19, 1999 (22:57)", "body": "(Heide)...-he seems to shout quite a lot and waves his hands around much more (Arami) . Actors' mood on a particular day, ........, their private joys ........, usually reflect on the performance, sometimes quite significantly. 'Bet he spends a lot of time with his Italian relations. ;-D"}, {"response": 1215, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Dec 19, 1999 (23:45)", "body": "Just caught a fisrt glimpse of CF in the TTOTS \"trailer\" which was shown at the end of \"Oliver Twist\". TTOTS looks good. My impression of the millisecond recording of Colin is that his hair is brown and shortish (sideboards are brown certainly) not that artificial dyed black, and it's the lighting that makes him look dark. (Jodhi May is blondish) He also looks slightly tanned...a healthy complexion anyway (probably after filming Londinium in the London sunshine!) and has a very slight 5 o'clock shadow. Did anyone see the ending of \"Wives and Daughters\"...Barbara Cartland meets \"The English Patient\". And the proposal in the rain...? Didn't work for me. Michael Gambon's performance was the saving grace."}, {"response": 1216, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Dec 20, 1999 (01:15)", "body": "the ending of \"Wives and Daughters\"...Barbara Cartland meets \"The English Patient\" Oh, yuk! Now you've done it. We watched Oliver Twist, because we wanted the longer one out of the way first (and it was quite unnecessarily overlong) - now I'm not sure if I want to bother with WaD seeing your summing it up... Still, I like the scenery and Michael Gambon is a rare treat, so... maybe."}, {"response": 1217, "author": "Xian", "date": "Mon, Dec 20, 1999 (03:58)", "body": "Ann, Loved your little encounter with ODB. You've got a great son there for sure! So did you get Colin's autograph with your name correctly written? I bet your son is sure how to spell your name now, LOL! (Heide) ...-he seems to shout quite a lot and waves his hands around much more (Renate) 'Bet he spends a lot of time with his Italian relations. Renate, that was what exactly came to my mind when I read Heide's comments ;-)"}, {"response": 1218, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Dec 20, 1999 (08:39)", "body": "Sorry to differ, Bethan, but we enjoyed the ending to W&D. The whole series got better from episode 2 onwards. It's true that a lot of the plotting is two-dimensional, but it meant the ending was appropriate."}, {"response": 1219, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, Dec 20, 1999 (11:27)", "body": "I have to wait till Saturday before I can watch the ending of W&D. I have to agree with Mark, I too felt the series got better and better. I actually considered staying home to watch the ending. But it was snowing heavily, so I wanted to leave home at a decent hour and not be stuck in the snow in the middle of the night."}, {"response": 1220, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Dec 20, 1999 (13:59)", "body": "Yes, I agree with Mark and Tineke! After the slow start we enjoyed it. It is worth watching just for Michael Gambon who is quite brilliant."}, {"response": 1221, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Dec 20, 1999 (15:26)", "body": "(Bethan) Hmmm, talk about male reviewers! /.../ if only the governess did not look like a cetacean (Dinosaur)hoovering up krill. Reflecting upon some of the lower-than-low blow British reviews that have been posted (that 'celluloid toilet paper' crack comes to mind, as well as the one calling Ralph Fiennes' lovemaking in TEOTA akin to opening a tin can [or something equally merciless]) it seems that no bad review is considered complete unless the author somehow makes it personally insulting. As for male reviewers and their naked jealousy toward Darcy (naked or otherwise), I can only say that it must be due to genetic programming--the same that results in male pattern baldness, failure to lower the toilet seat, failure to place dirty dishes in the dishwasher, failure to ask for directions, failure to move out of the passing lane although they're doing only 50 mph...I could go on and on! Loved your story, Ann! Kudos to Mark for having the nerve to scoot after Colin and kudos to Colin for being so accomodating (not to mention dispensing advice). I love these anecdotes. BTW, what did you think of his new specs?"}, {"response": 1222, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Mon, Dec 20, 1999 (15:38)", "body": "OT: Wives and Daughters. I'm looking forward to this if only because of Gambon. He's opening a new play by Nicholas Wright next year. It's called \"Cressida\" and the Almeida is producing it, Nicholas Hytner directing. Opens at the Albery Theatre in the West End on 4 April. I'm there!"}, {"response": 1223, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Dec 20, 1999 (19:28)", "body": "Are you going to The Albery in Jan/Feb/March Chris!! (TRT) Eileen, I thought his specs made Colin look very severe, very Headmasterish! re W&D, I agree with Bethan, I couldn't get into it, must confess I didn't get past episode 2, but couldn't relate to any of the characters and didn't really care, I am afraid. Liked OT though."}, {"response": 1224, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Dec 20, 1999 (21:04)", "body": "Are the specs for disguise, or for real? Or are they the specs he wears in 3DOR and he's forgotten to taken them off? Re W&D, I agree Michael Gambon was absolutely marvellous. But I switched allegiance to OT (with frequent channel hopping back and forth!) I thought the actual closing sequence of W&D was very Mills & Boon, and the thoroughly modern Molly reminded me of Kristin Scott Thomas in TEP. In the 1860s Africa was still the Dark continent, claiming the lives of most of its explorers (Mungo Park, Lander, Speke), and the malaria and sleeping sickness were endemic. No woman would have been allowed to join a scientifi expedition, and probably no husband would have exposed his wife to such dangers. But maybe I'm nit-picking!! :-) Are you feeling better, Allison? Ann (without an \"e\" :-))...thanks for describing your encounter!"}, {"response": 1225, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Mon, Dec 20, 1999 (21:19)", "body": "OT: \"The Real Thing\". Unfortunately, unless I get a business trip to the UK during the run, I'll will miss this production again. I won't be back until May for certain. But I'll be there for all three Almeida productions (at Albery, Gainsborough Studios, and Islington) and Vanessa Redgrave's run as Prospero as the Globe. That will have to do. :-)"}, {"response": 1226, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Tue, Dec 21, 1999 (02:57)", "body": "Article on CF, \"I'm Quite Rough, Actually,\" in The Daily Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/et?ac=001780639829970&rtmo=VMJ88w8K&atmo=99999999&pg=/et/99/12/21/btcol21.html"}, {"response": 1227, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 21, 1999 (05:05)", "body": "Thanks, Marianne. Take a look at the picture. He remarks of Three Days, \"Though it didn't reveal itself to me completely in the initial readings, now I think it's a really major work.\" Just imagine what he would think of the play after reading our discussion! ;-) At that time I was mostly in Tunisia filming The English Patient and in Italy\" - the native country of his soon-to-be wife, producer Livia Guiggiolo. Livia's been promoted? From PA to producer! Or is that what she's doing now? Firth the actor is not wholly averse to attention or publicity. He indeed declares that he is \"happy to plug all the work I've done this year\". Not \"wholly\" averse - ok, partially to fairly high percentage. ;-) If not, we've got some television talk shows he needs to appear on."}, {"response": 1228, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Dec 21, 1999 (14:28)", "body": "Hey, that coat looks familiar ;-) The only hysterical moment I've had was recently when some girls recognised me in the supermarket and started to shriek, but that was from Fever Pitch. Just for the record, that wasn't Heide and I. I had that same reaction to that bit about Livia, Karen. I think the author was going for past tense ('soon-to-be-wife'), but she got the job wrong. Well, at least everybody's age was right this time! he has also started pounding the pavements before and after performances ...muttering \"where is Evelyn? Where is she?\""}, {"response": 1229, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 21, 1999 (14:35)", "body": "OK, the date has been announced for the US broadcast of Turn of the Screw. Will be on February 27th!!"}, {"response": 1230, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Dec 21, 1999 (14:37)", "body": "I have just heard from a very good friend that 3DOR was voted \"Play of the year\" on BBC 2's \"Late Review\" last week. She said there were a lot of stills from the play used as well. Sorry if this is old news."}, {"response": 1231, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Dec 21, 1999 (14:47)", "body": "Marianne, many thanks for the link. So who's going to be checking out those Islington pubs? Good strong soled shoes are required for your visit to London ladies so you can \"pound\" the pavements in sympathy! \"Clubbable\" Colin LOL, sounds like he's out techno raving every night!! BTW agreed about W&D , got a lot better and MG was indeed superb. Thanks for forthcoming theatre news Luvvie."}, {"response": 1232, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 21, 1999 (14:54)", "body": "(Lizza) \"Clubbable\" Colin LOL, sounds like he's out techno raving every night!! Didn't you say his friend's hair was blue? ;-)"}, {"response": 1233, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Dec 21, 1999 (15:47)", "body": "(Karen) Didn't you say his friend's hair was blue? Maybe she's one of the Volvo ladies."}, {"response": 1234, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 21, 1999 (16:37)", "body": "Thank you Marianne for the Telegraph article. ~~~~~~ Interesting stuff.....tells us a lot about him. Livia ia a nice girl. That's the jacket he wore last March..the one in the Spring picture. I refer to it as the Camden Market jacket. ~~~~~ I like \"he's happy to plug all the work I've done this year...\" Does that mean he'll attend the premieres?"}, {"response": 1235, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Dec 21, 1999 (17:10)", "body": "For the competent scanners in our midst....the actual paper copy of the Daily Telegraph has a different HUGE black and white photo of Colin.....head and body shot, and a smaller colour photo (head only) on the front page (\"The real Colin Firth\") Looks thin...too much pounding the streets! Perhaps he walks home! Can't help but wonder why he's given this interview now. 3DOR has only a couple more weeks to go (after the Xmas break) and surely doesn't need any publicity now. He didn't give any interviews for MLSF or SLOW. Perhaps he only does interviews when put under pressure...Harvey for SIL, and in this case, I think, Carlton TV for TTOTS. Good news about The Late Review Best Play for 3DOR, Lizza. They can be extremely snooty and picky. That's praise indeed!"}, {"response": 1236, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 21, 1999 (17:33)", "body": "3DOR has only a couple more weeks to go (after the Xmas break) and surely doesn't need any publicity now. au contraire (or how ever that is spelled) The play AND Colin need lots of publicity now, to make sure he gets an Olivier nomination. I'm sure the ballots will be due within a couple of weeks of the beginning of the year."}, {"response": 1237, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Dec 21, 1999 (19:15)", "body": "To All: I could use your help -- A visitor to my AMITC site has asked me the source for: \"And he shal com with woundes rede To deme the quikke and the dede....\" From Moon's observation on the wall painting in AMITC. Is it Chaucer? Who is it? I'd appreciate any help. I've done every quote engine there is, and cannot get it. J. L. Carr himself tells no source for it in the book. Thanks for anything you can come up with. Murph"}, {"response": 1238, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Dec 21, 1999 (19:28)", "body": "On CF's interview: The \"nasty school\" was in St. Louis, I believe. And as Eileen said, it is so good to see Will finally arriving at a sensible age. He quotes Livia a couple of times. That's nice. If I saw him in the supermarket, I'd holler too! All we have are harried moms and old folk. He does love those old comfortable outfits. Remember when he chose those harlequin pants when they were being discarded from some theatrical group? And could he be doing publicity also for TOTS and Channel 4, though the interviwer only mentions that once? Murph"}, {"response": 1239, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Dec 21, 1999 (19:56)", "body": "Mary, it's Chaucer, Troiles and Cressida."}, {"response": 1240, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Dec 21, 1999 (21:53)", "body": "Thanks so much, Laura. Are you guys bright or what? Murph"}, {"response": 1241, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 22, 1999 (00:11)", "body": "Just noticed that the IMDB has added a feature called \"Box Office and Business Data.\" Looked up MLSF and it shows the weekly figures through 9/12 for the US. MLSF had grossed $616,310. Not too shabby for only 20-22 reels! FP only showed $2,519 for the three screens in the NY area for that opening weekend of October 17. Nothing shown for SLOW."}, {"response": 1242, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 22, 1999 (02:10)", "body": "From The Telegraph: New Pic? Same Camden Market jacket."}, {"response": 1243, "author": "ommin", "date": "Wed, Dec 22, 1999 (02:52)", "body": "Happy Christmas and New Year everyone."}, {"response": 1244, "author": "ommin", "date": "Wed, Dec 22, 1999 (02:52)", "body": "Happy Christmas and New Year everyone."}, {"response": 1245, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Dec 22, 1999 (03:22)", "body": "Karen, After the way he spoke of the play in that article: \"Though it didn't reveal itself to me completely in the initial readings, now I think it's a really major work.\" , the first thing I thought of was that that was exactly how the play had revealed itself to us during the discussion, and: \"I hope they're going to go through with getting a copy of the 3DoR discussion to him; I'm sure he'd really be interested.\" Are you still pursuing the idea?"}, {"response": 1246, "author": "LynnR", "date": "Wed, Dec 22, 1999 (04:31)", "body": "I think I'm giving up on Lady Viola's Favorite Men site. CF was 1200 votes ahead this morning, and tonight it's down to 450. The AA people seem to be able to get votes at will, while I'm plodding along at 5 votes per sign on! Bah Humbug!!"}, {"response": 1247, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 22, 1999 (04:59)", "body": "Evelyn, we've seen the top part of that pic before in color, but never the full shot to my knowledge. Lynn, don't give up! I was just there voting a couple of times and each time did about 20 votes. Don't have a clue why. I think the AA people (a handful actually) keep hanging up and calling back."}, {"response": 1248, "author": "Xian", "date": "Wed, Dec 22, 1999 (05:13)", "body": "Thank you for the picture, Evelyn. Don't you think he looked cold? The jacket must not be warm enough ;-)"}, {"response": 1249, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 22, 1999 (15:43)", "body": "Don't you think he looked cold? The jacket must not be warm enough ;-) I think he looks like a homeless person about to be confronted by Rudy Giuliani. The guy is too thin anyway. ~~~~~ Good girl, Lynn for persevering on those poll websites...I gave up a year ago. I think they're all rigged. (**evelyn being v. cynical**) ~~~~~~ As far as I know KJ, the plan is still to hand carry the 3 DOR discussion. If not Moon will haunt us. Yeah, I think we got the gist of that play before he did."}, {"response": 1250, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Dec 22, 1999 (16:16)", "body": "I think Lady Viola got her message thru with the note at the bottom just above the vote. She's taking those who have been at the top before off after this month. I think she means she doesn't want them in her little Hall Of Fame. It would explain lot."}, {"response": 1251, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Dec 22, 1999 (17:14)", "body": "Thank you 3 deers for your lovely Xmas page , all those sentiments are sent right back to you. I will have to have my daily fix! Murph thanks to you for that gorgeous Xmas log and Happy Holidays to you. It never ceases to amaze me, the versatility and inventiveness of such sites. A special thank you for all your hard work in 1999 Ladies to bring Colin to us in his many wonderful guises."}, {"response": 1252, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Wed, Dec 22, 1999 (19:52)", "body": "Merry Christmas everyone. Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and New Year. Three weeks today I fly to London - what a Christmas present!!! Thanks to everyone for all the info/photos/comments you bring to us via this list. I would rarely hear anything about Colin if it wasn't for you guys. Cathey"}, {"response": 1253, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Dec 22, 1999 (20:03)", "body": "Looking forward to meeting you Cathey, until then have a great time! Merry Christmas to you."}, {"response": 1254, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 22, 1999 (23:26)", "body": "Meluchie has done a tremendous job of grabbing some DVD images from FEVER PITCH DVD..available only in the UK now...this summer in the US. Check it out. http://members.xoom.com/morgaine/Fever_Pitch/feverpitch10.html Thanks Mel....Murph....3 Deers....Karen -in- the- boots.... Ann ...Bethan...Allison.... for keeping us informed of the latest Colin news...enhancing his past projects.. and everybody....for the million laughs. It's been a Firthrate Year. Let's hope the Firthcoming one will be even better."}, {"response": 1255, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Dec 22, 1999 (23:29)", "body": "I'm off to my Mom's for Christmas, so I just wanted you to know that I'll miss terribly all the informative, entertaining, witty, and insightful comments from all of you. But I'll be back next week and have lots of good reading ahead in the form of catching up with your posts. Can't wait to read what you have to note on \"The Turn of the Screw\". So -- \"Joyeux Noel\"!"}, {"response": 1256, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Dec 23, 1999 (14:25)", "body": "(Karen) Evelyn, we've seen the top part of that pic before in color, but never the full shot to my knowledge That's from the post-speaker-falling-on-head photo shoot. We've seen a couple of shots throughout the year, but never this \"hey, it's freezing in here\" gem. (Evelyn) I think he looks like a homeless person about to be confronted by Rudy Giuliani. Hee hee! I'll wager Livia has found a way to separate Colin from that jacket by now ;-) (Evelyn) Good girl, Lynn for persevering on those poll websites...I gave up a year ago. I think they're all rigged. I think we should start our own poll site for the new year. The slate of candidates could look something like this: - Colin Firth - Firth, Colin - C. Firth - Colin Frith - Rudy Giuliani - My garbage [dust]man Waddaya think? :-D"}, {"response": 1257, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Dec 23, 1999 (15:20)", "body": "There's a not-so-good readout of Blackadder Back and Forth in today's Guardian, based on a preview audience's reaction. Maybe someone could post?;-) (Evelyn) I think he looks like a homeless person about to be confronted by Rudy Giuliani. LOL! That's *not* a position one would want to be in! To me, it's from the same photo session that People mag used in the brief CF blurb when MLSF came out. Had a green background, I think it's on someone's website. Ann, l enjoyed your story about your son's conversation with Colin, and your interesting comments on the change in his Walker interpretation. I suppose actors get itchy playing the same role night after night, and maybe the temptation is there to fix what is not broken.;-)"}, {"response": 1258, "author": "baine", "date": "Thu, Dec 23, 1999 (15:25)", "body": "(Eileen) - Colin Firth - Firth, Colin - C. Firth - Colin Frith - Rudy Giuliani - My garbage [dust]man Everything depends on what your dustman looks like??? Are those his legs among the spilled bin contents at the top of the page?"}, {"response": 1259, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 23, 1999 (15:54)", "body": "(Mari) There's a not-so-good readout of Blackadder Back and Forth in today's Guardian, based on a preview audience's reaction. Not surprising based on the article Ann had sent me from The Times. Many comments were somewhat apologetic about the film, not up to their usual quality level, but \"hey, it's for the silly Dome.\" Will go dig that up. Here's the couple of paragraphs in the Guardian today: http://www.filmunlimited.co.uk/News_Story_Front/0,4057,,00.html Blackadder given thumbs down by millennium audience A preview audience has been less kind, however, to Blackadder Back and Forth, the film version of Rowan Atkinson's popular historical sitcom, Blackadder. The film is the centrepiece of the celebrations at the millennium dome on New Year's Day, but it failed to ignite the imagination of an audience invited to a sneak preview last week. In the film, Atkinson's character Blackadder goes travelling through time in an improvised time machine, encountering historical characters along the way. During the course of his travels, he steals Shakespeare's Hamlet in order to spare future generations from Kenneth Branagh playing the role. Which, in our book, means the film can't be all that bad. ******hee hee, liked that last line! ;-)"}, {"response": 1260, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 23, 1999 (16:17)", "body": "...Blackadder given thumbs down by millennium audience I don't care...maybe they'll let us stay for more than one showing now. ~~~~~~ BTW I was wondering if our UK friends would be willing to go to Chat for a few minutes aft TTOTS on the 26th and give us the scoop...like we did aft the A&E interview a year ago.Dumb idea? How many on both sides of the pond would be interested in attending? What time GMT does TTOTS end? ~~~~~~~ In the new year let's make a concerted effort to utilize that chat room for CF topics. Sometimes, we could even take film discussions there."}, {"response": 1261, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 23, 1999 (16:27)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1262, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 23, 1999 (16:28)", "body": "Good idea, Evelyn. It's on at 9 pm and will be over at 11. That's 5 pm Central (and chatroom) time or 6 pm Eastern."}, {"response": 1263, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Dec 23, 1999 (17:37)", "body": "That's a good idea, Evelyn. I haven't been in the chat room since...since...I can't remember when. Don't know if I can make the 26th but I'll try. I'm looking forward to hearing reactions to TTOTS. PS. Cymbeline, you shock me ;-D ! Here's a hint: my garbage man is a cross between Ricky Martin and the beast in Beauty and the Beast."}, {"response": 1264, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Dec 23, 1999 (17:55)", "body": "Would love to attend on26th but won't be able to, also have to video TOTS but would be willing to go into chat at another time when I have seen it."}, {"response": 1265, "author": "Xian", "date": "Thu, Dec 23, 1999 (18:00)", "body": "Just a thought for the New Year celebration and have to spit it out: I don't how many people make their New Year wishes (I sometimes do but never achieve them). This year, I'd like to make my New Year wishes for ODB, anybody wants to join me? I probably should go back to my little corner to mumble myself."}, {"response": 1266, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Dec 23, 1999 (19:24)", "body": "I'm with you Xian and my wish for Colin is that he does play Flashman and that we have six lovely episodes to watch this time next year!! Evelyn, if my visitors leave in time I shall be very happy to come to CHAT but can't say for sure. I will of course video TTOTS, I will add it to the recording of The Survival Appeal."}, {"response": 1267, "author": "baine", "date": "Thu, Dec 23, 1999 (19:25)", "body": "(Eileen) Here's a hint: my garbage man is a cross between Ricky Martin and the beast in Beauty and the Beast. Which parts of which? If he also shares the characteristics of the philosopher/garbageman in Dilbert, I think we might have a serious contender for Hall of Fame fave."}, {"response": 1268, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 23, 1999 (19:55)", "body": "11PM sounds kinda'late for UK types to go into Chat.But we can give it a shot and see who can make it. ~~~~~~ How about Monday the 27th 9PM GMT which is 4PM Eastern, and 3 PM Central. Ann, Lizza...Bethan...anybody over there can you go to Chat?"}, {"response": 1269, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Dec 23, 1999 (23:00)", "body": "A very Happy Christmas Season to all."}, {"response": 1270, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Dec 23, 1999 (23:30)", "body": "A very merry Christmas to one and all! I'm not sure about Chat but will certainly give a report on TTOTS."}, {"response": 1271, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 24, 1999 (00:27)", "body": "If you'd like an explanation of what is going on at the Lady Viola voting site, go to this place and read the messages. It will tell you what they are doing and how they are doing it. http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/anthonyandrewsfanclub What disgusts me to no end is that one of the people is belongs to another Firth fan group, but has been voting nearly on a nightly basis for 2-3 hrs for Anthony Andrews. If you have AOL, you can switch names and keep on voting forever... It's the great cheating device we've wondered about. And to think I sent that woman a picture of Colin from March... :-("}, {"response": 1272, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Dec 24, 1999 (00:31)", "body": "- My garbage [dust]man Everything depends on what your dustman looks like??? Are those his legs among the spilled bin contents at the top of the page? *********** Cymbeline and all: Rufus Sewell was once a dust man. Mine look nothing like him! CF built furniture??? After reading that he puts his hand in a lamp socket, and gets hit in the face trying to put up a stereo shelf, I'd love to see what the furniture looked like! But then, we know his talents lie elsewhere, don't we? HAPPY HOLIDAYS again to all around this nice place. Murph"}, {"response": 1273, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Dec 24, 1999 (01:17)", "body": "CF built furniture??? After reading that he puts his hand in a lamp socket, and gets hit in the face trying to put up a stereo shelf, I'd love to see what the furniture looked like! I am increasingly convinced that ODB, in common with most actors, has ever-so slight a tendency to exaggerate."}, {"response": 1274, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 24, 1999 (01:47)", "body": "What disgusts me to no end is that one of the people is belongs to another Firth fan group, but has been voting nearly on a nightly basis for 2-3 hrs for Anthony Andrews I've just been to that Anthony Andrews Yahoo fan club.The strategy confirms what I have suspected all along; pure larceny.And I recognized the email address of the perpetrator.And bragging about voting against ODB!!Frankly, IMO we should do what Nan did last year when this occured on another site....ask them to remove Colin's name from the competition. And then ask her to resign from Springfolks."}, {"response": 1275, "author": "baine", "date": "Fri, Dec 24, 1999 (05:40)", "body": "(Murph) Rufus Sewell was once a dust man. In real life? If there is such a thing. CF built furniture??? After reading that he puts his hand in a lamp socket, and gets hit in the face trying to put up a stereo shelf, I'd love to see what the furniture looked like! Now, now, we all have bad days. Oh, ye of little faith. If we don't have confidence in him, who will? Certainly not those traitors on the Anthony Andrews site."}, {"response": 1276, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Dec 24, 1999 (09:16)", "body": "Happy Christmas ('fraid that's what we still call it over here;-)), everybody! I know that I shall not be able to make it to chat and may not even be able to watch TTOTS on Sunday but I shall tape it."}, {"response": 1277, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Fri, Dec 24, 1999 (12:51)", "body": "I am back from my wonderful two weeks in London. With Christmas upon us, I have not had a chance to catch up on the posts but will do so when I find a moment and then post my impressions of 3DOR and SLOW and tell you about my encounter with ODB. To everyone, Cheers and a very Happy Christmas."}, {"response": 1278, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 24, 1999 (14:10)", "body": "Welcome back, Lynda. We'd love to hear about your viewings of El Firth and your *encounter* with same. :-0 Cymbeline, a dustman is a garbage man. We have them here. Don't you? ;-)"}, {"response": 1279, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Dec 24, 1999 (14:58)", "body": "Can't wait to hear your report Lynda."}, {"response": 1280, "author": "baine", "date": "Fri, Dec 24, 1999 (15:24)", "body": "(Karen) Cymbeline, a dustman is a garbage man. We have them here. Don't you? ;-) Yes---Murph said Rufe was once a dustman, and I asked in real life (as opposed to just acting one). I have seen him as a bus driver, a farmer, an Italian senator, and the strange person in Dark City, but not as a dustman. I guess I should go to her site and find out. And I see this is off topic and should be on Odds and Ends. I don't know how I got onto it over here. I've stuck my finger into the wrong socket. A thousand apologies. Help! I'm going now."}, {"response": 1281, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Dec 24, 1999 (15:37)", "body": "CF built furniture??? After reading that he puts his hand in a lamp socket, and gets hit in the face trying to put up a stereo shelf,I'd love to see what the furniture looked like! (Murph) Ah, but at least he tries to be handy!! If I mentioned in our household that our spotlights needed re-angling, or I wanted some shelves/speakers mounted, it would fall on deaf ears! Welcome back Lynda! Do tell! Just saw a preview of a few dramas coming up in next year's television. Vronsky in \"Anna Karenina\" will be played by Kevin McKidd (blonde frizzy hair, ex \"Trainspotting\") which doesn't thrill me...not Stephen Dillane. Also Channel 4 are just about to start casting for Evelyn Waugh's \"Sword of Honour\" trilogy, which we can expect to see this autumn. I like the speedy turnaround on TV work...definitely the way forward (not Brit films!) Still hoping for \"Flashman\"! (\"Sword of Honour\" is also a good prospect.) Back to peeling the sprouts!"}, {"response": 1282, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Dec 24, 1999 (15:47)", "body": "Lynda, looking forward wth bated breath to your report from London. Evelyn, 9pm on Monday sounds a better option for me. Happy Christmas and much Festive relaxation and cheer to everyone, whatever you do. Here's to the wonderful drool and its delightful posters in the next Millennium."}, {"response": 1283, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 24, 1999 (17:42)", "body": "OK so Boxing Day at 11PM GMT 3PM CT, 4 PM ET.is not a good option. But you guys can get together anyway.That's my Movie-rama Day. But if Lizza and hopefully Ann can make it on Monday let's *Do It*! 9 PM GMT, 4 PM ET, 3 PM CT.. you kids on the west Coast and Hawaii...figure it down from Central. Telegraph was wrong on SD...said he was filming Anna K. Makes me feel better. Heard that RF is doing a Pushkin program with Felicity Kendall for BBC1 though.. Does he have to do everything? :-("}, {"response": 1284, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Dec 24, 1999 (18:22)", "body": "Rufus was a dustman once in real life, Cymbeline. He has mentioned that in a couple of articles. Hey, I was only kidding about CF being less than perfect around the house. Like Bethan, I'm lucky if my husband can even find the circuit breaker box! At least Colin tries. Murph OT: Any discussion of Mr. Ripley going on anywhere at Spring? I plan to see it tomorrow. Rave reviews coming in. A great book, BTW."}, {"response": 1285, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Dec 24, 1999 (20:27)", "body": "Murph, let's do Mr. Ripley (hmm, didn't come out sounding how I meant it;-) on Topic 127 Odds and Ends. I'm going to try to see it Sunday, but will be anxious to hear your readout whenever. Am looking forward to hearing all about TTOTS--I've got company on Monday so will miss the chat, but hopefully you will all post your thoughts here too. Lynda, let's hear all about your Donmar trip! I wish a very Merry (and Happy!) Christmas to all here who celebrate it. You are a lovely group and I thank you for welcoming me so warmly this year."}, {"response": 1286, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Dec 24, 1999 (20:51)", "body": "I hope to be at Chat on Monday Evelyn. Glad you and Murph joined our happy throng Mari. Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year to everyone."}, {"response": 1287, "author": "baine", "date": "Fri, Dec 24, 1999 (21:15)", "body": "Does anybody know where he is? Did he go to Rome? I'll try to join you Monday--good idea. Let's definitely do TTMR--terrific reviews and great locations. I'm talking my family into seeing it. MDH said, Is he in it, that Simon Birch or whoever it is you like, my rival? Oh dear--I had no idea what effect this whole drool thing was having. I really keep pretty quiet about it."}, {"response": 1288, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Dec 24, 1999 (21:57)", "body": "Will see you all in chat on Monday. Loads of trailers for TOTS currently. Today's Guardian describes Colin as \"dashing\" and mentions sexual repression too Most unusually there are also verbal trailers without any footage! It's great to hear his name so much, althou' very misleading as we have said before."}, {"response": 1289, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 24, 1999 (22:11)", "body": "OK...we're on for Monday in chat.9PM GMT and 4 PM ET. Thanks Lizza and Ann...you're pivotal! What we don't go through for ten minutes of ODB ~~~~~~ I'm gonna see Mr. Ripley on Sunday too.Gotta support Anthony Minghella and hope he casts Colin sometime :-D. Let's do discussion on #127. ~~~~~~ Murph and Mari: It has been great fun having you both active at Spring this year.We always enjoy your postings...news, comments ...whatever. ~~~~ Most of this was OT but I did it all on one thread:-D"}, {"response": 1290, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Dec 24, 1999 (22:27)", "body": "F r \ufffd h l i c h e W e i h n a c h t e n and a peaceful and happy New Year to you all. *********************************************** Please, everyone, don't take this voting thing so seriously, in particular since it is obviously just a matter of how much time you spend with robot voting. You can employ your time much better I should think. And why is everybody so keen to vote on that ladyviola booth - there a several other pages where you could add Colin, or where he is already listed! Also, it is ridiculously easy to create your own booth. Call it \"Favourite British Man\", or whatever, and create your own rules, let the AA fans come to you ;-). http://www.freevote.com/ Having said thus, there's still my Colin Roles voting booth: http://www.freevote.com/booth/renate Whatever you vote, Colin will always win. :) ********* Since you were discussing dustmen but didn't mention ODB I can only assume that you are not aware that he also was in the dustbin business very early in his career...."}, {"response": 1291, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Dec 24, 1999 (22:45)", "body": "Such a voting booth does already exist, for favourite british actors: http://www.freevote.com/booth/hotbrits Colin had 6! votes - now he has 11, two less than his little brother, tsk, tsk"}, {"response": 1292, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Dec 25, 1999 (04:47)", "body": "I spent (?wasted?) An inordinate amount of time going back over that Anthony Andrews site that Karen pointed out and I discovered that if you go back far enough you begin to see that they are just like us. Right at the beginning, complaining that the place was rigged, strange unexplainable surges in \"the other guy\"'s vote counts. Oh, they should give up and not waste time. Oh, write the \"lady\" (who they concluded ain't no lady) about that and about the horrible color scheme, and they should not only stop voting but withdraw their favorite's name from the competition, etc., etc. ( Where have we heard THAT before, hmmm? ) But there was one major difference between their tone and ours, especially later when they decided to persevere ... the site sounds like one long pep talk. Not a day goes by when numerous messages are passed on to remind to vote, to give a hard-headed vote-count to the faithful, to commend the participants. In spite of being behind many times, they kept on, instead of indulging in pessamistic gloom. They (like so many) are totally unaware of Colin's work or popularity. Also of the number of his fans ( \"Don't those Firth people ever sleep?\" one complained well into the fray -- hee hee!! 8-D) or how wide-spread we are. We are the ones underestimating ourselves!! I'm willing to bet we've got 4 times the number of online followers as A.A. has (bless his soul) but we DON'T pull together like they are doing, and we discourage too easily as they continue to give each other moral support. We are aware of and have every trick they know about at our disposal... they just apply them more often. You wanna see outrageous surges in vote counts?? Then provide them. And provide them. And provide them. Colin's fans never sleep because we're around the world in every time zone. The race goes to those who don't flag at the end of the contest, or discourage at the drop of a vote percentage. So VOTE!, VOTE!, VOTE! End of pep talk! And while you're at it, pay some attention to Renate's site when you're waiting to get in again ... I'd hate to see Ross T. end up as the second most popular character after Fitzwilliam Darcy, due to some twisted visionary's persistence (there's that word again!), but I'm fighting a lonely battle here and could use some reinforcements! And Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All the Firthful!!"}, {"response": 1293, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Dec 25, 1999 (11:52)", "body": "There's an article with George McDonald Fraser on This is London. It's entertaining, but no Colin mention (and the political views of these two men are not very likely to meet anywhere, IMO). \"Flashman's George vents his anger\" http://www.thisislondon.com/dynamic/index.html Kjart, interesting what you write about the AA fans. They can't be all that bad if they like a British actor even less known than ODB outside of the UK. ;-) I think we should rather make friends with them, perhaps swap links. Meanwhile, let's vote for Colin ;-). On the Colin roles I have voted for Tom Birkin, but that means I have to abandon poor Stephen. I seem to be the only one to vote for Stephen! Come to think of it, what about a film discussion about MOTM, perhaps after we are all back from London?"}, {"response": 1294, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Dec 25, 1999 (13:13)", "body": "(Evelyn)From The Telegraph: New Pic? (Xian)Don't you think he looked cold? The jacket must not be warm enough ;-) My thoughts exactly! Wouldn't we all volunteer to warm him up? ;-) (Lynn Davis)I think I'm giving up on Lady Viola's Favorite Men site Hon, what took you so long? :-P (Evelyn)I think we got the gist of that play before he did Never tell him that! (Evelyn)IMO we should do what Nan did last year when this occured on another site....ask them to remove Colin's name from the competition. And then ask her to resign from Springfolks Ask her, you say? ;-) (KJArt)VOTE!, VOTE!, VOTE! KJ, I'm impressed! You would be great in politics!"}, {"response": 1295, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 25, 1999 (14:37)", "body": "KJ, you're quite right about the AA fans' attitude and desire to persevere, the cheerleading, etc. Other than our posting the voting booth url periodically here at Drool and at the Chatroom, I know of no other Colin site which promoted it. However, the most unfortunate thing is that the charge was led by another Colin fan, who many people know. They feel betrayed. I myself do not hide my liking for other actors (and my disliking for some . However, if I saw Colin's name in a listing, I would never ever consider for one second voting for someone else, let alone spend hours a night doing so. With hindsight (i.e., knowing that the booth owner is taking the top 3 names off regardless of outcome at the end of the month), I woul have waited until Colin had won in due course and then had Anthony Andrews name put on the ballot. Then, in all good conscience, I could even ask my Colin friends to help out with the voting. Ah... but that's all hindsight. ;-) Don't worry, I haven't given up voting, but I know some people have. :-("}, {"response": 1296, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec 25, 1999 (19:44)", "body": "(Renate)Please, everyone, don't take this voting thing so seriously, I'm not...in fact I don't to vote on any site. The part that riles me is that a Colin fan from this website was a traitor in situ. Now the List people might think she's cute, and admire her\"commitment\" but I think she's at the bottom of the food chain. I'm committed to Jennifer too, but if she and Colin were in competition in a poll,(v. unlikely). I would refrain from voting rather than betray my friends. Loyalty to Spring is a priority for me. ~~~~~ (KJArt).... going back over that Anthony Andrews site that Karen pointed out and I discovered that if you go back far enough you begin to see that they are just like us..... Leave me out of that \"us\", KJ."}, {"response": 1297, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 25, 1999 (22:53)", "body": "a Colin fan from this website was a traitor in situ Evelyn, she doesn't come here. Anyway, I'm done talking about. What's done, is done and everyone's entitled to his/her opinions. boo hoo... Hotmail has disappeared off the face of the earth since late this morning!"}, {"response": 1298, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Dec 26, 1999 (03:02)", "body": "As of about 6:20 tonight, Ladyviola got so angry at the (I guess insulting) communications and attitude from the Anthony Andrews group that she's frozen the vote and removed A.A. (Leaving CF on top). She hasn't actually declared a winner for December, though. ( I'd hate to think of all that effort from so many fans going for naught ). But it is a relief to be able to free up the rest of December for more weighty matters, eh? Thanx for that Hotbrits URL, Renate ...I think I'll transfer some of my attention there ... impractical, I know, but it hurts to see ODB so low on such a long list ... Evelyn, by \"us\" I was only seeing the similarity of fans appreciating the object of their affection to such an extent as to go to extraordinary lengths for him. I admire the \"togetherness\" of that group, but I do not necessarily admire the type of tactics practiced by INDIVIDUALS belonging to that group. I think all fan groups would end up with a bad reputation if their image was defined solely by some select minority of their membership. There's always one or more rotten apples in any barrel, but that is no reflection on the group as a whole or the object of their affection."}, {"response": 1299, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Dec 26, 1999 (12:54)", "body": "Happy Boxer Day in England. Can't wait until tomorrow (or later tonight over here) to hear how our Colin was. Tell all, please. Murph"}, {"response": 1300, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Dec 26, 1999 (23:43)", "body": "Boxing Day Murph. Apparently according to my aged mother-in-law it goes back to the times when landed gentry gave their servants Christmas Boxes, the day after Christmas Day. Saw the first five minutes of TTOTS and recorded the rest, what a let down even for a cameo role. so little of ODB, oh well. His hair is very poofy!! (not sure if that is the right word) and I wish someone had helped him tie his tie. Will watch the rest romorrow."}, {"response": 1301, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Dec 26, 1999 (23:58)", "body": "But his voice was sublime and his manner more than engaging!! Ok so I saw 10 seconds on my rewind but it was worth a glimpse. More tomorrow"}, {"response": 1302, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Dec 26, 1999 (23:58)", "body": "The sideburns were interesting in profile!!"}, {"response": 1303, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Dec 27, 1999 (00:32)", "body": "Pouffy hair?! Just what I was dreading.;-) At least the voice is intact. Lizza, I'm afraid to find out what was so interesting about the sideburns in profile. Thanks, Ann and Lizza, for checking in. Details tomorrow?"}, {"response": 1304, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Dec 27, 1999 (00:37)", "body": "The sideburns, yes well!! - thank goodness for those lovely eyes!! -- and that voice. Now if only we could have him in something where he is on our screens for the entire 2 hours!! I really do think that it was very misleading to people who did not know, to introduce it as \"starring Jodhi May, Pam Fereris & Colin Firth\" -I mean it was barely 5 mins. Any CF fans not in the know will be sorely disappointed."}, {"response": 1305, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Dec 27, 1999 (00:39)", "body": "Not one of my favourite CF looks, but any port in a storm!!"}, {"response": 1306, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Dec 27, 1999 (00:49)", "body": "Barely five minutes? So then I take it no sexy dreams from the Miss. Well, at least Henry James isn't rolling in his grave."}, {"response": 1307, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Dec 27, 1999 (01:11)", "body": "I'd recorded it and have just watched it. It was very true to the book, lots of dialogue directly transferred. Good production. Excellent photography. Under 5 minutes of CF, I'd say. Literally the opening scene. Have very mixed feelings about it. I would really prefer not to see him in any more cameos, especially on television and especially after Darcy. Cameos may be okay in Oscar winning movies, but on television he should go for a leading role in a major production or nothing at all! Voice, eyes, smile were all great, but I prefer his hair brown and natural!"}, {"response": 1308, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Dec 27, 1999 (01:16)", "body": "No sexy dreams, but she wanders round his empty bedroom, strokes his clothes in the wardrobe, gazes at his portrait and picks irises (the flowers he smells in the interview scene). Obviously very smitten."}, {"response": 1309, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Dec 27, 1999 (02:07)", "body": "In case I sounded too negative, it's a classy production, with an intelligent screenplay and faithful adaptation by Nick Dear. The sexual repression of the governess and the knowingness of the precocious children are well portrayed. It will, I'm sure, get good reviews."}, {"response": 1310, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 27, 1999 (02:36)", "body": "When in the book does she go into his bedroom? Did I miss that part?"}, {"response": 1311, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Dec 27, 1999 (09:00)", "body": "(AnnW)The sideburns, yes well!! - thank goodness for those lovely eyes!! LOL, Ann! Does this fall under the category of \"if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all?\" Now I'm really frightened to see those sideburns ;-)."}, {"response": 1312, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Dec 27, 1999 (12:34)", "body": "Thanks all for your prompt reports about TOTS. she ....... gazes at his portrait How was the portrait? Hope they didn't use the same painter as in P&P. :-/ Ann, Boxing Day was renamed into, yes, Boxers Day? ;-) But we haven't fixed dates for Breeches Day yet, or Wet Shirt Week."}, {"response": 1313, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Dec 27, 1999 (12:44)", "body": "sorry I missed the joke Murph and thanks for enlightening me, Renate."}, {"response": 1314, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec 27, 1999 (15:51)", "body": "Well done UK fans. Chat Room Today: Thanks to Ann and Lizza who have consented to be our TTOTS Reporters. Hope Bethan and Allison can make it too. 9 PM GMT 4PM ET 3 PM CT ~~~~~~~~ (Ann) Any CF fans not in the know will be sorely disappointed. Well, they could have gone to see 90 minutes of him in SLOW which apparently not many did!"}, {"response": 1315, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Dec 27, 1999 (19:39)", "body": "I much preferred the painting of him in this as it is a good likeness and having watched it today, it is an excellent production all round, as has been said. His look does \"grow\" on you, and having seen 3 DOR recently, the familiarity of him is quite tantalising. Gi, have you secretly been at work on his hair? But I do agree about the \"cameo\" thing. It is also frustrating in the sense \"now you see him, now you don't\". See you all later."}, {"response": 1316, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Dec 27, 1999 (21:47)", "body": "Our phoneline seems to be constantly in use at the moment so I don't think I'll be able to join Chat but I'll post my thoughts off-line and see if I get the chance to submit! Firstly, TOTS is a very good production, crisply edited with contrasting use of light and dark locations and photography. Nick Dear's screenplay is very true to the book, often using the exact dialogue from the text, and relects the ambiguities....also explains the expresssion \"the turn of the screw\". It will certainly meet with the approval of Henry James' fans...but the \"horror\" might be too subtle for the \"Scream\" generation. It's not really a horror story, or even a ghost story... it is more about s xual repression and (I think) a certain precosity in the children, certainly in Miles, who seems very mature for his age. The film opens with the suicide (by drowning) of the previous governess. The Master's role is a cameo one, but his presence is there throughout the film. The governess admits that she has fallen for him, and Mrs Gross says something along he lines of \"You won't be the first or last\" and later on she says that \"He liked them (governesses) young and pretty.\" Flora, the young girl, (deliberately?) shows Miss the Master's bedroom. Miss later on enters the room, looks at the bed and then strokes the clothes in the wardrobe. At this point, you might start wondering whether the Master is responsible for the previous governess' suicide, but then the apparition of Peter Quint appears, and the story takes a different tack. The children seem fond of their uncle...they want him to come down to join them, and the little girl says he is \"sweet\" and the boy talks about going to London to see him. This seemed a slight weakness in the screenplay, (and novel)...why is he so determined not to be involved in the affairs of th children, when he has obviously gone to a lot of trouble on their behalf? My initial reaction to TOTS was coloured, as usual, by cameo-itis, and I wasn't really sure about CF's appearance. He always looks different and it takes me time to adjust. I think they were going for the Victorian gentleman look, which means sideboards (although not those awful fuzzy mutton chop whiskers, thank goodness) which don't look real to me, and a lot of dark styled hair. I guess I just prefer him with his natural colouring and hair! Also (really nit-picking here!) they've given him a soft collar and a very untidy necktie, and his shoulders look too broad for the frock coat. Having said all that, eyes, voice and smile are all very much up to scratch! The portrait is also, as Lizza says, a good likeness! There's a lull in the phone use, so I'll try to go back on-line for a second and submit!"}, {"response": 1317, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Dec 27, 1999 (22:14)", "body": "I agree about the clothes Bethan, the coat seemed one size too big and the collar and tie were very untidy , however, he is such a chameleon, how does he do it, he looks so different in everything he does. He is never Colin Firth acting Colin Firth, he is Colin Firth acting whoever and so convincingly. The only good thing imo about the cameo role is that it has put in the the TV eye again and perhaps next time he will have the starring role. It seems incredible that he has only done Nostromo since P&P. no wonder people write to Teletext/Ceefax saying they are getting Firth withdrawal syptoms, I can sympathise."}, {"response": 1318, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Dec 27, 1999 (22:36)", "body": "An FOF sent me to this link for TOTS. Nice interview with CF. Thanks, Bethan and Anne, for your comments.- Murph ******************************* Colin Firth Plays The Master Colin Firth is set to charm viewers with his portrayal of another classic literary character in The Turn of the Screw. He wooed thousands as the dashing Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, now he's back in period costume to play the charismatic Master in Henry James' famous ghost story. \"The characterisation of the Master is very much a creation of this adaptation. In the book he is a presence by implication. But the young governess is so motivated by her feelings for him that we have tried to establish that relationship in this adaptation,\" explains Colin. \"It is one of the most argued over books of this century. Are the ghosts real, or is the governess psychotic. The Master manipulates this girl and tries to make use of what he perceives as his power to exploit her vulnerability.\" But he admits he is not a fan of watching costume drama. \"Despite my reputation for costume drama, I am not drawn to watching it on television. But I have not steered away from it as a result of playing Darcy. I don't want to be held hostage to that. If I am offered something irresistible, and it means wearing a costume like Darcy's, then I will do it,\" says Colin. \"In some ways there is more artifice in wearing modern dress than period costume. If I am putting on breeches, I know I am putting on a costume. If I am putting on jeans and a t-shirt for a role you have to be more specific. They're not my jeans and t-shirt. When we made Fever Pitch for instance we had to decide whether black jeans were in vogue at that time.\" Colin says he certainly found the Henry James story irresistible. \"I love The Turn of the Screw. I love the mystery of it. When ghost stories are told well, they are brilliant. But they are incredibly rare. It is a perpetually misjudged form of story telling. \"The Turn of the Screw is one of the models of ghost story telling. It is a gripping portrait of a person's psychology. The overwhelming majority of people who attempt such stories fall into the trap of wanting to explain everything. The golden rule of ghost stories is don't reveal all. And that is the beauty of this Henry James story.\" Colin recalls reading the book, and watching the chilling film The Haunting. The terrifying Don't Look Now, is one of his favourite films, he says. \"I like the mood of a ghost story. It is perfect for a wintry night, sitting by the fire, watching a ghost story which gives you a chill and provokes the imagination. If I am here at Christmas that is what I will be watching,\"says Colin. He says he doesn't believe in ghosts, but admits he had some \"uncanny and inexplicable\" experiences. \"When I was a teenager I dreamt up all sorts of things, but as I've got older I've found explanations for those experiences.\" The son of two university lecturers, Colin spent the first four years of his life in Nigeria, before the family moved to England. He has a younger brother and sister, Jonathan and Kate, who are also actors. Inspired by his grandmother's performances in amateur theatre, Colin decided as a teenager to become an actor. He trained at the London Drama Centre. When he left he was cast as Tommy Judd, in the stage and screen versions of Another Country. Colin quickly earned a reputation for versatility and has played a wide range of roles including a Falklands veteran in Tumbledown, John McCarthy in Hostages, an Arsenal supporter in Fever Pitch, Lord Wessex in Shakespeare in Love, and the cuckolded officer in The English Patient. Colin has had a busy year making four feature films, due for release in 2000. He plays the title role in Donovan Quick. His other films are My Life So Far, Londinium, and Relative Values. He is currently starring in Richard Greenberg's Three Days of Rain at the Donmar Warehouse with Elizabeth McGovern and David Morrissey. Away from acting Colin has developed a passionate concern for the plight of refugees, and offers his help to support groups all over Britain. \"The arbitrary detention of refugees is a source of appalling shame. It is shocking that refugees should be arrested when they have committed no crime. They should be treated as heroes when they have managed to flee their own countries and cross several continents to find refuge,\"says Colin. Turn of the Screw"}, {"response": 1319, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec 27, 1999 (22:38)", "body": "(Bethan).why is he so determined not to be involved in the affairs of th children, when he has obviously gone to a lot of trouble on their behalf When I read the book....(and there are some scholars who agree...but more of that later as we discuss it on #98..)I felt that the Master knew of the \"special relationship\" between the governess and the children(read: pedophile). ~~~~~ A Big Thanks to Ann and Lizza who were gracious enough to come to Chat and be \"grilled\" on TTOTS.(*clap, clap*) We had 9 to 11 on board at one time. Good Show. Now we can't wait for Feb. 27th."}, {"response": 1320, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Dec 27, 1999 (23:33)", "body": "Just had a quick TOTS replay and as Bethan says the costume is not fitting , the waistcoat is almost voluminous on him, but we do get a good deal of facial close ups. I would say about 4 minutes max (I had meant to time it) of ODB. will try and time it to give a more exact picture for you. Makes the hype of a \"starring role \" and the billing all the more amazing! Evelyn, we much enjoyed your company on Chat tonight, thanks everyone who was able to support Ann and myself. :@))"}, {"response": 1321, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Dec 27, 1999 (23:50)", "body": "Just timed ODB in TOTS and he is actually on screen for LESS than 4 minutes. Althou' his voice is heard later on, briefly, reading out a letter, we don't see him again. Hope this helps to put it in context for you, those of you who have not yet seen it."}, {"response": 1322, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Dec 28, 1999 (00:41)", "body": "Sorry I missed you all. Company (my daughter) here this afternoon. Can't wait until February either. The TOTS story is always compelling, and seeing CF even briefly will be a bonus. Murph"}, {"response": 1323, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Dec 28, 1999 (01:27)", "body": "Good details, Bethan, Lizza, and Ann. I actually can't think of anything else to ask you! Although he's in it for such a short time, I'm glad you think the production is worth seeing through its entirety. Looks like my power tape of TOTS will easily fit on the same cassette as The Secret Garden. ;-) Chat was fun. Thanks girls!"}, {"response": 1324, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Dec 28, 1999 (02:00)", "body": "I would like to have been in the chat room this p.m. but my son and his family were leaving at 6:00 and I wanted to spend as much time with my 2 grandsons as possible"}, {"response": 1325, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 28, 1999 (02:51)", "body": "Review of TTOTS from Monday's Times: \"At two hours, The Turn of the Screw (ITV, Boxing Day) had the opposite problem. Henry James's story relies on generating a supernatural frisson, and the two children, Miles and Flora, had a perfect blend of innocence and sinister precocity. Perhaps it was because the evil, malevolent ghost of Peter Quint reminded me of Wurzel Gummidge. Perhaps it was because Jodhi May as the Governess went through the film with her mouth ajar and was clearly bonkers, but the hairs on the back of my neck refused to stand p. Her anguish was plain. Was she really seeing ghosts? Were the children possessed? \"For heaven's sake, woman,\" I shouted at her, \"phone a friend\" ~~~~~~ For US fans I understand the latter phrase refers to the show \"How to be a Millionaire\"in the UK where the contestants are allowed to \"call a friend\". ( Hee, hee ) But who is Wurzel Gummidge?"}, {"response": 1326, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 28, 1999 (06:07)", "body": "Hair comparison time and even coordinating vests!! ;-)"}, {"response": 1327, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Dec 28, 1999 (07:50)", "body": "Hmmm, well come to think of it I've never seen the Master and Richard in the same place at the same time. Karen, you may be on to something! Everyone said that CF seemed to be walking home from the Donmar. Perhaps he was sweatin' to the oldies ;-)."}, {"response": 1328, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Dec 28, 1999 (08:57)", "body": "The Times TV reviewer was the same one who who made disparaging comments about Jodhi May in his preview review. All other previews were very good! Sorry to have missed Chat...too much competition for the phoneline!"}, {"response": 1329, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Dec 28, 1999 (20:07)", "body": "OT but I wanted you to know I saw Valmont for the first time last sunday evening, and loved it. Colin is so droolable, and plays such an interesting character. I had seen Dangerous Liaisons and must watch it again for comparison. I seem to remember Malkovitch's Valmont as a much more malevolent character, while Colin's is just childish. He hurts women because he does not even realize they have feelings. I am not excusing him, BTW! Annette Benning was fantastic (and beautiful) and her character totally believable. Is Meg Tilly of asian descent? Is ODB attracted to foreign women? Do I stand a chance? (;-)Just kidding)"}, {"response": 1330, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Dec 28, 1999 (20:33)", "body": "Valmont sounds like it's right on topic, Gi. I hadn't realized that was your first viewing! I remember it was the first Colin video I rented after seeing P&P and I was so startled by the grin. I hope you were able to tape it so you can watch it again and again. He's a fascinating character and we can debate his attraction to Madame Tourvel forever - real or manufactured? I wonder too if there's a South Pacific or Asian connection to the Tillys. Both she and her sister Jennifer have an exotic look around the eyes which to me is their best feature."}, {"response": 1331, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Dec 28, 1999 (20:51)", "body": "I did tape Valmont, Heide. I came home early to make sure nothing was wrong... It is almost impossible to find this movie nowadays - even online they didn't have them in the sites I looked for. Valmont's attraction to Mme de Tourvel - IMO, fake at the beginning, later more real. However, no woman was really important to him. I agree with you on Meg Tilly's best feature (only good feature?)"}, {"response": 1332, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Dec 28, 1999 (21:36)", "body": "How about when he swings her around the room in his arms? To me that was one of his better love scenes. They were playing it for real. I know Mari would disagree, but I like Meg Tilly! Glad you got to see it, Gi. Murph"}, {"response": 1333, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 28, 1999 (23:11)", "body": "(Gi) Valmont's attraction to Mme de Tourvel - IMO, fake at the beginning, later more real. Yesssssssss!!! ;-) (Murph) How about when he swings her around the room in his arms? On our list of claimed items/scenes at #113, that one has my name on it. :-) (Heide) which to me is their best feature Well, we know it is NOT their voice, especially Jennifer's."}, {"response": 1334, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 28, 1999 (23:25)", "body": "Glad you finally got to see Valmont, Gi. That twirling scene is Karen's favorite.I think he looks gorgeous, but he never convinces me of being an aristocratic lothario. ~~~~ MT website doesn't mention any asian affiliation. But then Jennifer has almond eyes too:-)) ~~~~~ shhhhh...I like Meg Tilly too, Murph...."}, {"response": 1335, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (00:07)", "body": "Hello again to all of you. I just got back from Mom's and had a wonderful Christmas in scenic central Pennsylvania. No, that's not a joke, central Pennsylvania is very pretty. The landscaping outside Mom's entrance was really nice -- with small colored lights wrapped around the dwarf European cypresses and lights sprinkled through the boxwood shrubs, but none on the holly bushes, those leaves are sharp. I've especially enjoyed reading your comments on \"The Turn of the Screw\". Thank you Murph for posting the CF interview. So he enjoys a really good ghost story, such as Henry James's celebrated novella. He also mentioned getting a really good shiver from the films \"The Haunting\" and \"Don't Look Now\". CF must have been referring to Robert Wise's original adaptation of \"The Haunting\" from the sixties, the one with Julie Harris and Claire Bloom. I first saw that on tv when I was about 14 and it scared me silly; it's still when of the scariest movies ever made, and I am one of the \"Scream\" generation. I wonder if CF has read the basis for that film, Shirley Jackson's \"The Haunting of Hill House\"; it's a great read. He probably has, as well as the Daphne du Maurier piece on \"Don't Look Now\" was based. He seems as though he can be very literary in his reading choices, even ghost stories, so I'd guess he's also read Edith Wharton's ghost stories and those of M.R. James. I don't know if the Tilly sisters have any Asian ancestory, but I thik I read something which said that they had some Native American background. That could qualify as Asian if you go back far enough."}, {"response": 1336, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (00:16)", "body": "twirling scene Gentlemen - if you ever ask yourself \"what do women want?\", watch this scene. Granted I don't expect to be twirled around the room in my beloved's arms every night but once or twice in my lifetime might be nice. At least while I can still be hefted."}, {"response": 1337, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (00:17)", "body": "Gi, yes to your earlier question - ODB has been quoted stating that he finds non-British women especially attractive. And I'm trying to figure out why I should not like MT... not easy. Just because she and ODB couldn't make it work is not enough, IMO."}, {"response": 1338, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (03:25)", "body": "Gi . . .are you trying to give me the Tilly Willies?;-) Yes, Meg's father was/is Chinese--I read this in recent interviews with Jennifer. According to her, they never advertised that fact early in their careers as they felt it might limit the roles offered to them. She's not my favorite actress, and don't even get me started on the voice.;-) But I like her personally. She seems very nice and unassuming, and is a good woman for encouraging and facilitating a relationship between her son and his father. Thanks for the TOTS comments, ladies. Four minutes is disappointing; I was hoping for at least 5;-) I'm still looking forward to seeing it though. A little CF is better than no CF. Karen, those comparison pics of Richard Simmons and The Master are a scream. Now we know why Colin is so thin--he's been doing Deal A Meal! ;-)"}, {"response": 1339, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (09:58)", "body": "Hi all... (Gi)It is almost impossible to find this movie nowadays Yep. If anybody knows where to get Valmont I\ufffdd be most grateful. I saw it in the movies when it was first released and never since, and Valmont is the first movie that made me interested in Colin. It\ufffds a good film (at least I remember it was) and it\ufffds a big pity that it seems to have \ufffddisappeared\ufffd. Speaking of his old movies, I finally ordered A Month In the Country, TA and COF from Video Direct to watch during the Christmas holidays. I knew what would happen and it did too, I loved AMITC and fell for Colin even more than before, I\ufffdm afraid. He\ufffds absolutely wonderful as Birkin, as you all know. I think I\ufffdve postponed seeing it because I was afraid of getting deeper into my firthoholism! I even made my DH watch it but that was a mistake, he started to yawn and read a newspaper after the first 20 minutes (probably not because he didn\ufffdt like the movie but because he just doesn\ufffdt want to see Colin regardless of the quality of the film). (Murph)I like Meg Tilly! So do I. I think she was very pretty in Valmont and Colin obviously has a thing for the girlish ballerina type with dark hair and beautiful dark eyes....btw I\ufffdve always suspected that his mother is the same type!!! He has praised Meg more than any other of his ladies in his interviews, you know, \"I had never met anybody like her and still haven\ufffdt\"."}, {"response": 1340, "author": "spike", "date": "Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (12:16)", "body": "murph"}, {"response": 1341, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (12:50)", "body": "Elena try Critics Choice video at www.ccvideo.com Thats where I got mine. Their service is quick too."}, {"response": 1342, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (14:07)", "body": "Elena, are you able to play NTSC or do you have to have PAL? I have an extra previously viewed Valmont that I picked up at a rental store. Let me know if you can use it."}, {"response": 1343, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (15:16)", "body": "The Queen should recognize Colin in the New Year's Honors List.... No one else has done as much for tourism .He doesn't need a title.... Any ole OBE would do;-) ~~~~~ Elena, if you can play NTSC, I have an extra Wings of Fame and TA"}, {"response": 1344, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (15:30)", "body": "...and I have another AZ. Elena, when you said you had purchased \"The Advocate\" which is the American NTSC version, is it that or the PAL original \"The Hour of the Pig\"?"}, {"response": 1345, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (16:14)", "body": "Gi I hope that you were not hit by the storms that roared through Europe. I know that Spain was hit."}, {"response": 1346, "author": "baine", "date": "Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (16:45)", "body": "If anybody knows where to get Valmont I\ufffdd be most grateful. Ebay. I recommend it most highly. I've gotten 11--count 'em--CF films there. There are almost always multiple copies of several available, and the prices are right, sometimes incredibly inexpensive (that's the advantage of his being a stealth star). The sellers I've worked with have been prompt, reliable, and pleasant with one exception, and even there I got the film; they were just a bit slow."}, {"response": 1347, "author": "baine", "date": "Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (16:58)", "body": "Valmont was my first CF film after P&P too, and I was amazed at the acting range and of course the grin. I think it's one of his best and an excellent film in general--the dance scene where he reacts differently to each of the four women is great as is his treatment of little Cecile after he decides to give in to Mme M and seduce her. The combination of bossiness, fatherliness, and lechery is masterful. I agree that he is less malevolent than John M. He reminds me of an 18th century fraternity boy--never occurs to him that women are people, just toys. So he doesn't have the strength of character to recognize when he does fall in love with Meg, doesn't know how to change his behavior, and then gets swept up in the chain of events that leads to his death. That's what makes it a tragedy and I think is how the book plays it. Mme M is unrelievedly nasty and scheming for her vengeful ends; Valmont just thi ks it's a lot of fun and doesn't realize what either of them is doing."}, {"response": 1348, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (18:34)", "body": "Thank you Cymbeline for your assessment of Valmont....I shall have to look at it again with a \"18th Century fraternity boy\" in mind. I think is how the book plays it. IMO that's how Milos Forman interpreted it. Stephen Frear (was that the other director?) made JM more of a lothario and that's how I envisioned Valmont when I read the book. I prefer Colin's of course."}, {"response": 1349, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (18:42)", "body": "Lucie, thanks for the tip. Karen, the reel I have is the tHOTPig PAL version. What\ufffds the difference? I suppose that some seconds of the funny shagging with Maria was cut off from the US version?? I like Colin in the film, a subtle performance with humour isn\ufffdt it, but I was almost appalled with the rest of it the first time I watched it. The second time I could somehow adjust to the beastly athmosphere in it but I still don\ufffdt like the movie. Does anybody really? Karen and Evelyn, I\ufffdll email you about the videos. I can easily get the NTSC converted to PAL."}, {"response": 1350, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (19:01)", "body": "btw Lynda, where are you? I have eagerly waited to hear about your recent 3DOR experience & encounter w. Mr. F."}, {"response": 1351, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (20:56)", "body": "Des anyone know if Portugal was hit by those storms, I read in the paper today that 6 were dead in central Spain . I have been wondering about Gi. It didnt's say anything about Portugal but I still worry."}, {"response": 1352, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (21:23)", "body": "Hi, everybody. I'm here, but with Christmas and all, I just haven't had a chance to post. When we returned from our trip we learned that we had been burgled while away and I had to replace all of the presents I had bought my husband and son and prepare for Christmas dinner, which we were having this year.Also my brother arrived from Denver, so I haven't had much free time. I did keep a diary, so I do have some things to share if you can wait until after the new year.I will say that we all very much enjoye 3DOR (well, not my son so much, my fault, I'm afraid)and SLOW and my husband and I were impressed with meeting dear Colin. Just a quick comment on Valmont. I also saw CF's Valmont as a self-centered boy, not a malevolent lady-killer. He liked sex and variety, it was all just a game to him. He seemed much too innocent to deserve his fate, unlike JM's Valmont, which is why I find it very hard to watch this film.I really, really hate it when Colin gives us a sympathetic character who is then killed off. Elena, I very much like The Advocate, all of it. I brought back a copy of THOTP and had it converted and cannot see why the shortened NTSC version. I did not see anything offensive in the original version at all, unless one considers Colin's (presumably)naked stroll by the water, miles from the camera, offensive. Most of the cuts were perplexing to me and some of the changed dialogue in the NTSC version was baffling. Perhaps one of you more knowlegable women could explain. I was left wondering if the whol business was a Miramax publicity stunt. Next week, I promise that I will post about 3DOR, SLOW and ODB."}, {"response": 1353, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (22:58)", "body": "I look forward to hearing you report Lynda, I am very sorry to hear that you were burgled whilst you were away, how awful for you. I hope it did not upset your Christmas too much, although I sure it must have done, I am very sorry for you all, what a horrible end to a lovely holiday. I would have hated it, can't think of anything worse. Take Care."}, {"response": 1354, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (23:11)", "body": "Cheryl, welcome back from the wilds of PA. I may not have been that far from you. I'm so sorry you came home to a burgled house, Lynda. I'm sure it was horrifying and I hope nothing sentimentally valued was taken. I look forward to hearing about London. Hurry if you can though because before you know it, the next contingent will be there and back! I can't believe it's coming up so soon! (Evelyn) The Queen should recognize Colin in the New Year's Honors List.... No one else has done as much for tourism . LOL!! and I second that. Mari, thanks for clearing up the Tilly ancestry. I will say no more about it. (Cymbeline) Mme M is unrelievedly nasty and scheming for her vengeful ends; Valmont just thinks it's a lot of fun and doesn't realize what either of them is doing. I agree that's how Forman portrays it and our DB conveys it oh so well. He's a spoiled rich kid who's not so jaded that he can't fall in love. MM is beyond even that, I think. the dance scene where he reacts differently to each of the four women is great I love that scene. And don't you just love Fabia Drake as his aunt? In that scene she looks at him so adoringly as they dance. She knows he's a rascal but she can't help loving that boy. Elena, HOTPIG/TA is one of my faves and always has been. I take it mostly as a comedy. The seigneur and his dysfunctional family are a hoot. I think it's that one particular sexual position in Hotpig that gave the US censors pause. Does seem silly. Ah, but AMITC and Birkin - what a love. Also in my own particular Firth Top 5."}, {"response": 1355, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Dec 30, 1999 (01:09)", "body": "Look what I found, can't recall having seen it before: \"INGRID BARES ALL TO SAVE STARS' BLUSHES\". Ingrid, who \"played hundreds of body doubles in her three years as an actress\", claims to have had her most embarrassing moment with ODB in a hot bathtub. ;-) http://www.britishnews.co.uk/lifeandlovearchive/baredouble.htm"}, {"response": 1356, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 30, 1999 (01:37)", "body": "Wow! Thanks Renate.... Ingrid from Luton says:But afterwards,he was a bit taken with me and kept coming up and talking to me. Wonder what his opening sentence was...\"Read any good books lately?\" \"The crew all started singing 'Falling in Love Again'.That was really embarrassing.\" Embarassing for whom? This chick bares it all and then gets embarrassed when the crew sings ? ~~~~~~~~ OK...so what film is this from:THOTP? Or (I hope!)\"Londinium\"?"}, {"response": 1357, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Thu, Dec 30, 1999 (03:44)", "body": "Thanks for the article, Renate. What a great scoop! But I'm with Evelyn and am having a tough time thinking which film this could be from. The only thing that comes readily to mind is Femme Fatale, but I don't think even I could mix up Billy Zane and a naked blonde woman ;-). Hmmm, come to think of it Joe and Elijah were in a wading pool, weren't they? I guess that doesn't qualify as a hot tub."}, {"response": 1358, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Dec 30, 1999 (04:46)", "body": "Lynda, how terrible to come home to such a scene. It seems that there was so much of that this year. It leaves you feeling so violated and fearful in your own home I hope your Christmas wasn't spoiled and that your son was happy with what he received. Jana was she the blonde who was posing in the nude for Billy Zane?"}, {"response": 1359, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 30, 1999 (05:31)", "body": "(Ingrid) \"and then he had to get his kit off as well. He was clearly embarrassed by the whole thing.\" How could she tell? ;-) Renate, this is a hoot!! What kind of sites are you visiting? ;-) Ingrid doesn't look like Colin's type, although she does have dark roots. HOTPig doesn't seem right. Who would ever call a communal bathhouse a hot tub? I'm betting on Londinium. Will send off an email and maybe we'll find out. ~~~~~~~ Awful news, Lynda. Hope everything is getting back to normal. Probably put a damper on the whole trip. :-( Looking forward though to hearing about your encounter with The Man."}, {"response": 1360, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Dec 30, 1999 (09:30)", "body": "Great job for Ingrid! :-D (Heide)it's that one particular sexual position That position goes very well with the rest of the movie and the animal/human theme. But Colin\ufffds job is sometimes pretty awful, imagine doing all that with \"Maria\" in front of cameras and all the film crew. Or going naked into a bath tub with an \"ingrid\" who would later report in papers about your embarrassment, whatever she means with that! Gaah, I say. Has THOTP been discussed here? I think it\ufffds altogether a very interesting piece of ****** even though I don\ufffdt like it."}, {"response": 1361, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 30, 1999 (14:36)", "body": "I definitely don't think Ingrid was referring to HOTPig. If you remember the bath house scene, there are several women who get in or are already in the water. They are all \"extras.\" Ingrid is a body double. That is only done for a movie star who won't do nude scenes. There were no big name actresses in HOTPig. I'm betting on this being Londinium and probably for Mariel Hemingway, since I've recently seen Irene Jacob in her all-together in a made for cable film called the Big Brass Ring."}, {"response": 1362, "author": "Xian", "date": "Thu, Dec 30, 1999 (15:33)", "body": "Very interesting about this Ingrid (is this her real name?) girl. I too, don't think the scene with ODB was in THOTP or we call TA because she did say that it was a hottub. I just wonder... why is ODB not among those actors who won't do nude scenes? Or why deos he want to do it himself? For money? It is a puzzle for me ^|^. I have watched TA for five times and not dislike it that much as I initially did but I still don't like it :-("}, {"response": 1363, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 30, 1999 (17:27)", "body": "KJArt is the one that put TA in perspective...\"a historical picture of the times\"etc. Maybe she'll do it again.We can't judge those times with modern day norms.Having said that....I don't like it either...everyone is so ugly, dirty and smelly. I don't know if shagging Maria is any worse than the gypsy! ~~~~ (Xian)..why is ODB not among those actors who won't do nude scenes? Cause he wants to work....and if a good role calls for a nudie.... Also European actors have a different attitude than American about their bodies. ~~~~ Hey gang..I think we ought to give Renate the Spring Web WOW Award..for the WOW Scoop of the Year on the Web.!!Way to go, Renate !Keep lookin:-))"}, {"response": 1364, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Dec 30, 1999 (18:22)", "body": "(Evelyn)We can't judge those times with modern day norms Actually what disgusts me in the HOTpig is that it\ufffds a picture of medieval times made with so clearly modern day norms and attitudes. Colin did his best with it. give Renate the Spring Web WOW Award I second to that! Wonder what Livia might think of that story?!"}, {"response": 1365, "author": "Noelle", "date": "Thu, Dec 30, 1999 (19:05)", "body": "Hi. I wanted to introduce myself. I've never done this before so bear with me, please. I'm guaranteed to make mistakes. I'm sorry to say I've been lurking for several weeks now, but I'm glad I did. I'm thrilled to find a group of gals with the same obsession as mine. Can I ask a question (which probably has a very obvious answer). Why do y'all call Colin ODB?"}, {"response": 1366, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Dec 30, 1999 (19:30)", "body": "Noelle asks: Can I ask a question (which probably has a very obvious answer). Why do y'all call Colin ODB? ***************** Can I answer? Maybe you guys have a different source, but years ago now I invented a guy who looked exactly like Colin who I called Dear Boy. He climbed into my bedroom window at all hours and we had great fun fooling around. He ate my chocolate chip cookies and watched old movies on the VCR, while wearing my favorite boxer shorts. It was divine, my dears! No one else in the family knew he existed, and I loved waiting for that tall figure to come in view under the streetlights, striding up my street from the NY bus. I wrote some tales about him to the FOF list. MDB soon became ODB. Murph Welcome, Noelle."}, {"response": 1367, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Dec 30, 1999 (19:33)", "body": "Why do y'all call Colin ODB? Because he is Our Dear Boy. ;-) Welcome Noelle! I have made a little firework on http://www.firth.com/ . Perhaps it will take very long to to load, and be too much for some smaller pc anyway. Please let me know if it is too slow for you. BTW, I really enjoy HOTPig - it is a great little comedy. Oh, and thank you very much for the WOW title ;-). How I found that site? It's a mystery ;-D."}, {"response": 1368, "author": "Xian", "date": "Thu, Dec 30, 1999 (19:36)", "body": "Welcome, Noelle! ODB stands for Our Dear Boy ;-)"}, {"response": 1369, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 30, 1999 (19:36)", "body": "Hi Noelle...Welcome to our group....we love newbies.Glad you decided to de-lurk and join us. What a pretty name...so apropos of the season... Don't be concerned about making mistakes..we do them all the time. Why do y'all call Colin ODB? ODB=Our Dear Boy DH= Dear Husband After a while you'll catch on.. ..Feel at home ...stick around."}, {"response": 1370, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Dec 30, 1999 (19:36)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1371, "author": "Xian", "date": "Thu, Dec 30, 1999 (19:49)", "body": "Mary, loved your little story about YDB/ODB! Are you sure that he worn your favourite boxer short? Somehow, I think it was the other way around ;-)"}, {"response": 1372, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 30, 1999 (19:49)", "body": "That's beeeeuuuuutiful, Renate. Oh how I wish he could see that...he'd be so pleased . Colin ...bringing in the New Millennium :-)))*Sigh*"}, {"response": 1373, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Dec 30, 1999 (20:42)", "body": "Wow, can't keep up with all these postings! Welcome Noelle! Lynda, so sorry to hear about the burglary. The Hot Tub...I agree, it must be Londinium! I think it must be tough for CF on set sometimes...he definitely needs a sense of humour, especially if he gets embarrassed. If the crew were singing \"Falling in love again\" I guess they were teasing him about his reputation (promoted by the tabloids!) for falling in love on set! I think nudity...or part nudity..is seen as more acceptable/natural in European films than in Hollywood products. In fact, it's almost de rigeur. And I think CF avoids it more than mo t! Murph, I saw your news update about CF's favourite movie period...the forties. (I'm really with him on this!) He mentioned two great movies..and if you look at the writing credits....W. Somerset Maugham, Thornton Wilder and Howard Koch, you can see why the writing is so good. I've always thought that CF would have had much more choice of roles in the forties than contemporary cinema! I'm in the pro HOTPIG/TA camp! I like it and I think (from what I recall of the director's notes) that it was intended to portray a clash of periods and social norms, medieval and modern. Tongue in cheek at times. Meg Tilly...I remember reading an interview with Jennifer Tilly. She said that they initially had a very middleclass upbringing...father a stockbroker, mother a teacher, but then her parents divorced and her mother took them to live on Prince Edward Island. MT went to the New York School of Ballet to train as a ballerina, while Jennifer stayed at home. I think that CF and MT do very well to maintain an amicable relationship which benefits their son, especially given the geographical split. TOTS....the final shot of CF (at the end of the four minutes!) is a great one. TOTS retains all the ambiguities of the book and as such may lack popular appeal (particularly the ending). But I thought it was well done..helps to have read Henry James though. I'm still not sure what really happened!!"}, {"response": 1374, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Dec 30, 1999 (21:18)", "body": "Oh, BTW, should have mentioned that the Colin/fireworks collage was made by Nan ......... Nan, are you there?"}, {"response": 1375, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 30, 1999 (21:41)", "body": "NOELLE!!!! Nice to have you join us. Ask all the questions you like. Somebody here is likely to have the answer...no matter what the question or need! ;-) I like HOTPig as well because it is poking fun at the times and the institutions. Now, about that beastial poke ;-)... From what I've read the ratings people were giving it an NC-17, which everyone knows is the kiss of death for a movie unfortunately. Miramax hired William Kunstler (as I recall reading) to fight the rating. As it was, they snipped little bits here and there. Like who doesn't know what is going on with Maria when we see her head peaking out from the curtains! BTW, far more was shown f Jeremy Northam performing the same in Carrington."}, {"response": 1376, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 30, 1999 (22:39)", "body": "Great fireworks display at firth.com Renate!! It took a while to load, but it was fantastic. :-) Go check it out: www.firth.com"}, {"response": 1377, "author": "ommin", "date": "Fri, Dec 31, 1999 (00:31)", "body": "A happy New Year - everyone and no glitches. Anne H"}, {"response": 1378, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 31, 1999 (00:38)", "body": "Spring Reunion 2000:Welcome in the New Millennium... I have sent everyone attending (that I know of) an email giving details. If you plan to attend 3 DOR Reunion in London on Jan. 15th, and have not received an email, pl. let me know. ~~~~~ Renate, I bet he'd like to autograph that fireworks pic!"}, {"response": 1379, "author": "Xian", "date": "Fri, Dec 31, 1999 (04:32)", "body": "Thank you, Renate! Your New Year page is beautiful! I love ODB picture on it and all the fireworks is fantastic!!! I just start working on my New Year wish list for ODB and will try to post it at the first minute of the year 2000. Hope some of you will join me ;-)"}, {"response": 1380, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 31, 1999 (18:08)", "body": "Many people are having problems acessing Spring....Karen, Gi, Mari, Tineke, Ann and others .That is the reason for the dearth of Firth postings today. I hope somone in admin is trying to resolve the problem....it seems to be geographic rather than individual. Meanwhile, this is the emergency message Drool Board:Karen is there. http://www.insidetheweb.com/messageboard/mbs.cgi/mb49898 Bookmark this in case this happens again. Keep fingers crossed. Check cf.com....real cute New Year greeting . More later..."}, {"response": 1381, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Dec 31, 1999 (18:32)", "body": "Terry is moving his tail and a lot of sand to make the new ISP correct their errors. I am bereft of my heart's home and it is most lonely out here!"}, {"response": 1382, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 31, 1999 (22:25)", "body": "Hi whoever can get in here. Marcia just showed me how telnet in here, but it's very weird. Happy New Year and hope that a fix is made so that we can all have fun together here."}, {"response": 1383, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Dec 31, 1999 (22:37)", "body": "Looks funny in here on telnet, doesn't it?! No pretties or anything but black and white. congratulations, Karen! You did it!!! Happy New Year everyone!"}, {"response": 1384, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 31, 1999 (22:38)", "body": "but what good is it if no one else can play? ;-)"}, {"response": 1385, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Dec 31, 1999 (23:28)", "body": "Got you online...that makes someone for Evelyn to talk to...and for me...by the time we get proficient at this it will be fixed (I am devoutly hoping, that is!)"}, {"response": 1386, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jan  1, 2000 (02:25)", "body": "I'm in but unable to go back to read anything previous. Can One call up individual entries and then go from there? (i.e.: 123.1338)."}, {"response": 1387, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jan  1, 2000 (02:55)", "body": "I sound like I am talking to myself but KJArt is the one who posted 1386. Yup! You can by using the r -3 command at the OK prompt. or r -5 or whatever... Congrats, KarenJ, You did it! Another telnetter strikes again!"}, {"response": 1388, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jan  1, 2000 (06:11)", "body": "Maybe it's the Millennium but I can get in now. Yeah! Welcome Noelle. Poor girl, you probably thought you made the board disappear when you posted. Tell us what you like about Colin, favorite films, etc. We never get tired of hearing about it. Love the scoop on Ingrid. Didn't she say she's just been acting for 3 years? So it can't be anything made before 1996 or so. Could Ingrid pass for Julie Andrews? We can't be sure it's Londinium. ;-) I'm tired but happy to be back here. Going to bed now."}, {"response": 1389, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan  1, 2000 (15:12)", "body": "Well...since Renate can't get on....I'm gonna try and bring back the pic she wanted to post on cf.com to usher in the new year... HAPPY NEW YEAR FIRTHFANS WORLD WIDE"}, {"response": 1390, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan  1, 2000 (15:23)", "body": "Sorry so many people can't get on Spring. I mean...I'm gettin a guilt complex. Even Karen is seeming to sound a little hostile... before ya' know it I'll be getting hate-mail;-) Of course, I view this as an reward of the exemplary life I lead.... I keep telling ya'...I'm a saint!! Anybody else out there....\"who hasn't been naughty\"?:-D"}, {"response": 1391, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Jan  1, 2000 (19:01)", "body": "Happy New Year, fellow Spring Firthers, Firthians, Firthettes, Firthists and everything and everybody Firth."}, {"response": 1392, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan  1, 2000 (19:06)", "body": "(Evelyn) Even Karen is seeming to sound a little hostile LOL!! You ain't seen hostile yet ;-)"}, {"response": 1393, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan  1, 2000 (19:12)", "body": "For those who come here and aren't on the Springfolks mailing list, Sprinhaving major technical problems that will take time to resolve. For the time being we are using Springfolks and the Emergency Drool Board at this url to communicate. http://firth.com/chat/talk.cgi"}, {"response": 1394, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jan  1, 2000 (19:25)", "body": "Telnetting my happy New Year is not the way I planned it, but that is actuality. At least my computer still works!"}, {"response": 1395, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Jan  2, 2000 (00:46)", "body": "Happy New Year, fellow Spring Firthers, Firthians, Firthettes, Firthists and everything and everybody Firth."}, {"response": 1396, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Jan  2, 2000 (00:48)", "body": "Oh, sh.... Forgot the Firthologists. ;-)"}, {"response": 1397, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan  2, 2000 (01:41)", "body": "Hauoli Makahiki Hou, fellow Firthians, even if you cannot get in here to read it!"}, {"response": 1398, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Jan  2, 2000 (04:05)", "body": "Well...crap! The first time I can get here in months and no one can get on. someone is trying to tell me something :-/ I'll go over to Drool in Exile and see what's happening over yonder. But for anyone who is able to get in here Happy New Year, chickies ;-)"}, {"response": 1399, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan  2, 2000 (04:29)", "body": "How the !@#$ did you get in here, Nan?"}, {"response": 1400, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan  2, 2000 (04:30)", "body": "Hi Nan, Sweetie! Welcome to telnet =P"}, {"response": 1401, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jan  2, 2000 (09:40)", "body": "Very good and perceptive review for TOTS in the Sunday Telegraph. The reviewer had read the original story (a \"must\", I think, if you are appreciate the dramatised version) and praised TOTS for playing it straight and preserving the ambiguities. He made the interesting point that Peter Quint looked like a ruined version of the Master, which gives an added twist to the sexual hysteria element (paying the wages of sin?) A few of mentions for David Puttnam in the press (he's on the Millenium Committee) and he's still talking about MLSF opening in the UK in May (which is reassuring...I don't want it to just fade away!) Also mentions for BJD and the movie which is \"about to start shooting\" (with whom, please?!!) Happy Y2K!"}, {"response": 1402, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jan  2, 2000 (09:42)", "body": "PS..I don't appear to have any problems with Spring."}, {"response": 1403, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Jan  2, 2000 (13:38)", "body": "Welcome back, Nan! LOL - trust you to greet this place with \"Well - crap...!\" I'm having no problems now - only a small hitch early in the year, but it's cleared up for me. Bethan - and all TOTSologists - I have noticed the male ghost's frightfully curly hair, but it was much too red for my taste. Also, the ghost of the previous governess seemed an older and sadder version of the young one. I thought that it would have been great for the visual effect to have Peter Quint played by the same actor as The Master! It would also have put a much clearer nterpretation on the young woman's nature of hallucinations... and perhaps clarity was not intended here. But I would still do it \"my way\" if I could!"}, {"response": 1404, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan  2, 2000 (18:15)", "body": "Brag and crap - somewhere between those two is this telnetter who is happy for some conversation but is far from pleased with the stark realities of telnet and how few can actaully use it. Nan, join the grouch group, and I wanna know how these others are getting on..."}, {"response": 1405, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Jan  2, 2000 (19:54)", "body": "I seem to have no problem getting on. What's going on?"}, {"response": 1406, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Jan  2, 2000 (19:54)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1407, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Jan  2, 2000 (19:56)", "body": "Love the fireworks Evelyn. Thanks"}, {"response": 1408, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan  2, 2000 (20:20)", "body": "Lucie, how did you post? If you saw the fireworks, you are webbing in. I am still stuck in the limbo of telnet...but it beats not being able to post at all!"}, {"response": 1409, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Jan  2, 2000 (22:10)", "body": "What on Firth is telnet? (I'm a cyberdumbo, you see...)"}, {"response": 1410, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan  2, 2000 (23:21)", "body": "You are far too young to remember this (;) but before windows we had to use Telnet to get online abd pine for our email. No mouse stuff, no graphics, no html. Just plain stuff. Which is the way I am doing it now. No clicking on things either. I have to order the program to rerespond by sending an r command or to go to Drool by j drool (join drool) etc. You will see errors because if I did not catch them before the cursor when to the next line, it was set in concrete. *sigh* Like reading by candle light. Terry actually prefers it this way because it is faster to read all new posts, but it is a pain to create long responses. That is the short answer... More?"}, {"response": 1411, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Jan  3, 2000 (00:00)", "body": "I just clicked on my bookmark and it came right up"}, {"response": 1412, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jan  3, 2000 (00:50)", "body": "You are indeed fortunate. I cannot get into my hard drive space at Spring to add stuffby ftp or by webbing. I cannot get anywhere near Spring unless it is in DOS which is telnetting."}, {"response": 1413, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Jan  3, 2000 (02:04)", "body": "What on Firth is telnet? (I'm a cyberdumbo, you see...)"}, {"response": 1414, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Jan  3, 2000 (02:12)", "body": "Oh, shhhhhhhhh... I keep forgetting this stupid, annoying quirk. Re telnet - enough, madam! DOS - eeek, I am too lazy to go back to groping around in the computer dark ages... As for my own age... thank you, madam, I rarely divulge... but I like your nice attempt to humour me. ;-)"}, {"response": 1415, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jan  3, 2000 (03:07)", "body": "Madame, when one is in a particular age group accompanied by some of the wittiest and sharpest minds known, One is allowed as much subterfuge as necessary. I think we are close, My Dear... Indeed, this is for the last resort for which I am using it now. At least I am able to communicate with you here...that makes the frustration worth while."}, {"response": 1416, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jan  3, 2000 (03:15)", "body": "I see Karen is logged in via telnet. Waiting for her transmission...."}, {"response": 1417, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan  3, 2000 (16:21)", "body": "Happy New Year to you too Nan. Hopefully Spring's problems will get resolved today when people get back to work.Obviously, new server doesn't have 24 hour tech support...shocking."}, {"response": 1418, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan  3, 2000 (16:36)", "body": "Since most of Drool is at the Emergency Board, would it be too much to ask you to post over there too...since there's no one over here...Bethan...I'll copy/past your comments on TTOTS...which I hope to see for myself soon. Can't wait. http://www.insidetheweb.com/messageboard/mbs.cgi/mb49898"}, {"response": 1419, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jan  3, 2000 (17:20)", "body": "I'll work on getting this back going as normal today."}, {"response": 1420, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jan  3, 2000 (18:10)", "body": "A good review for TTOTS in the Daily Telegraph's \"Arts and Books\" review of the week. The reviewer preferred it to the BBC's Big Gun \"David Copperfield\" which he descibes as \"disappointingly shallow\". \"Copperfield himself was a bit of a nonentity and would certainly not hold his own in a wet T-shirt competition with Mr Darcy as played by Colin Firth. Shorn of Henry James' impenetrable prose style, TTOTS turned out to be an interesting story. A wealthy young master (Colin Firth again) hired a youthful governess to look after his late brother's children in the country. A spoonful at a time we were fed information which was cleverly inadequate for our exact understanding of why deceased former employeees kept appearing at the window with the supposed intention of stealing the children. The governess (Jodhi May) had only expression of blank bemusement and one would have liked to have seen more facial variety in the two hour adaptation of this otherwise terrifically gripping drama. You have to read the last paragraph of Henry James' novella several times to work out exactly what is happening but here it was miraculously clear. In protecting her young charge from an evil apparition, the good governess hugged the boy so tightly that she broke his neck, which was a supremely disturbing conclusion.\" I think that reviwers who are familiar with the book appreciate this version.....the other Daily Telegraph review... \"playing it straight\".. also praised the production. BTW please feel free to use any of these quotes on TTOTS. Julie Andrews, as you know, is now Dame Julie Andrews, after the New Years honours. There was a longish interview with Julie in one of our women's mags. Several mentions for RV (\"starring CF and SF) to be released mid-May, and JA's first film in ten years. Looks as though MLSF and RV will come out in the same month in the UK. That's me done...my roving reporter stint. Haven't seen anything about \"Blackadder\" and Colin as Shakespeare, as yet. Hope Spring returns to normal soon..!!"}, {"response": 1421, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan  3, 2000 (21:33)", "body": "Terry..Bethan....I transferred your messages to the Drool Emergency Board. Since NO ONE can read them here....because they can't get here."}, {"response": 1422, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jan  3, 2000 (21:41)", "body": "Good idea, evelyn...I pasted 123 to Heide yesterday or was it before...it all seems like a blurr in telnet! ;)"}, {"response": 1423, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Jan  3, 2000 (23:43)", "body": "I am SOMEONE and I can read all the messages here. :-)"}, {"response": 1424, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jan  4, 2000 (00:58)", "body": "Hello! Arami! I thought we had lost you, too. Alexander in Germany can no longer get in. I guess just those who walk on cyber-water get to see the pretties of Spring...*sigh*"}, {"response": 1425, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jan  4, 2000 (04:06)", "body": "Well, I've gotten this far, but it's much easier to lurk than to say anything (KJArt, via Marcia). I saw the transferring of some of the posts to the Emergency site and was most happy to see it, as I'm sure other Droolers are. I come on, experiment with something, usually screw it up, andsign off out of desperationIf I suddenly disappear, that explains it. I'm going to try copying soon."}, {"response": 1426, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jan  4, 2000 (04:14)", "body": "Hi KJArt...(I am not talking to myself!!!) Copying is easy, but use your right mouse button to do it...from here to elsewherer, that is..."}, {"response": 1427, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Jan  4, 2000 (06:27)", "body": "Hi gang! I just tried Terry's suggestion to use the ISP address? (the string of numbers) to enter and amazingly, it worked. I thought I would tempt fate and try and post, but of course now I can't think of anything interesting to say!"}, {"response": 1428, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jan  4, 2000 (08:36)", "body": "I'm back too, followed Kirsten's link (springfolk's emails), oh what a relief.Long may it last. Thanks Bethan for all your reports and welcome Noelle. Thanks for the fireworks Renate and talking of fireworks the Fireworks in London were magnificient, she says proudly. Happy New Year to all my Firth friends."}, {"response": 1429, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Tue, Jan  4, 2000 (12:05)", "body": "I got in!! Yippee!! I didn't need to use to numerical address. Happy 2000 everyone!!"}, {"response": 1430, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan  4, 2000 (14:37)", "body": "Hallelujah!! Am in via the web and not that awful telnet. Thanks Bethan for the DT review of TTOTS. As far as I can tell, it wasn't online. *time for complaining* But why must there always be a reference to a wet-shirted Darcy!! I think it's definitely time for letters to the editor. If it doesn't stop, when Colin is in his 70s doing King Lear, they'll still be referring to his wet shirt. ;-)"}, {"response": 1431, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jan  4, 2000 (14:58)", "body": "Happy new year, everyone! Am back after an off-line break complicated by Spring's untimely crump. It's good to see it back to its usual state of operation. Have caught up on oodles of posts. Karen, ROTFLMAO about Richard and the Master. Welcome, Noelle! Welcome home, Lynda--glad to hear you met ODB, sorry about the nasty homecoming. I'm looking forward to reading about your 3DOR experience. Sorry I missed TTOTS chat--was on a ski slope (back when it was cold enough to ski). So his scene was trimmed to less than 4 minutes? Pooh! Thanks to all for their reports."}, {"response": 1432, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Jan  4, 2000 (16:19)", "body": "Ah! Happy to be here again! Thanks, Kirsten! Yes, wonderful New Year to everybody."}, {"response": 1433, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Jan  4, 2000 (16:26)", "body": "Yea! I got here too. Over at Drool In Exile, someone (Arami?) mentioned CF in L'uomo. I found that beautiful YOUNG picture: Murph Thanks, Bethan, for the review."}, {"response": 1434, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan  4, 2000 (16:33)", "body": "Thanks Murph...but he looks better in a black tee shirt. Karen...pl. put a head on that guy standing in the tomatoes...I'm tied of looking at only half of him. Good to have everybody here...it was godawful boring."}, {"response": 1435, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Tue, Jan  4, 2000 (17:12)", "body": "Happy New Year Everyone!! Glad to be back. Colin looks extremely boyish in the L'Uomo shot. Question? Was watching one of my Christmas presents (Apartment Zero) and noticed that Colin's voice seems more harsh then as compared to now. Almost like it is more throaty--burlish. What say anyone else?"}, {"response": 1436, "author": "Noelle", "date": "Tue, Jan  4, 2000 (18:29)", "body": "Happy New Year, everyone. Thanks for the welcome's, I know I'll feel right at home soon. Beautiful fireworks. I couldn't get on until today. OK, I'm going to try to italicize this like the rest of you do. I guess I won't know if it works until it's posted tho'. (Heide)Tell us what you like about Colin, favorite films, etc. We never get tired of hearing about it. Oh my God, what's not to like. His eyes, his voice...I first saw him in \"Valmont\", which I love, and of course, \"P&P2\". I actually haven't seen a whole lot of his movies (about half a dozen), but I'm working to remedy that situation."}, {"response": 1437, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Jan  4, 2000 (20:02)", "body": "(Noelle) Oh my God, what's not to like. A girl after my own heart :-). Welcome Noelle! Excellent job at italics, BTW."}, {"response": 1438, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Jan  4, 2000 (20:24)", "body": "I'm back again, too! Thanks for all the support in exile, and A HAPPY FIRTHFILLED YEAR to everyone!"}, {"response": 1439, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Jan  4, 2000 (20:34)", "body": "Thank the gods and Terry for bringing Spring to normal... Welcome Noelle, do make yourself at home. Lynda, so sorry about the burglary, it must have been terrible, how brave of you to buy new presents and go on with your projects. Lucie, thanks for your concern and as you know through email, the storm didn't hit us too strongly. (And for the turn of the year we have been having great weather :-)) (Mari)Gi . . .are you trying to give me the Tilly Willies?;-) Please explain. (Cymbeline)Mme M is unrelievedly nasty and scheming for her vengeful ends; Valmont just thinks it's a lot of fun and doesn't realize what either of them is doing. I disagree. Mme de Merteuil is, I think, genuinely fond of cecile, and although obviously using her for her own purposes, she still tries to help her and give her the education she is capable of giving...She is also fond of Valmont, and it is his stupid behaviour when trying to collect his prize that makes her want to give him a lesson. Also, remember he tried to set Darceny on her first. (Karen)If it doesn't stop, when Colin is in his 70s doing King Lear, they'll still be referring to his wet shirt. ;-) LOL! But why not? He might wear a wet shirt as Lear too, and no one here would mind, I bet! HAPPY Y2K!"}, {"response": 1440, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan  4, 2000 (20:39)", "body": "(Jana) Colin looks extremely boyish in the L'Uomo shot. He sure does. If Livia had shown that picture to her friends, they might have thought *she* was robbing the cradle. ;-) Here, couchie-coo Colin's voice seems more harsh then as compared to now. Almost like it is more throaty--burlish. Will definitely check that out and so timely!! We will be doing AZ next as a film discussion, but we really shouldn't start until after all our London hoopla subsides. Good thing you got the tape for Christmas, Jana. We'll be awaiting your comments. Noelle: Valmont is one of my favorites. How I wish it had preceded Dangerous Liaisons into the theaters. Speaking of theaters, found a NEW review of Fever Pitch in The Hollywood Reporter from 12/28/99. I wonder if it means that FP might be hitting the West Coast screens sometime in January. ;-) Time to bug (I mean, check with) Phaedra. Here's the review. It is pretty good: A Case of Soccer Fever Fanatic Firth caught between sports and love Although British made, this adaptation of Nick Hornby's acclaimed autobiographical novel is certain to strike a chord with any audience of sports-loving men and the women who put up with them. Although \"Fever Pitch\" doesn't work entirely in its cinematic translation into romantic comedy, its sharp perceptions into the eternal differences between the sexes and the highly appealing performances of its two leads should guarantee minor interest on the art house circuit. Colin Firth plays Paul, an English teacher and soccer coach at a British middle school. Paul is the kind of perpetually adolescent sports fanatic about whom women are constantly complaining, and he has no appeal whatsoever to Sarah (Ruth Gemmell), his ultra-serious and very attractive new colleague-at least at first. When the pair share a ride home on a stormy night and wind up having tea at her place, they fall immediately in love. Although Paul's interest in his favorite soccer team has waned of late because of their long losing streak, when they start to win again his obsession gets rekindled, much to Sarah's frustration. When she finds herself pregnant, the resulting tensions threaten to tear the couple apart. Although Hornby's adaptation of his novel is a decidedly low-key affair lacking big laughs or dramatic fireworks, it has enough small but pleasurable moments to make it worthwhile. It captures perfectly the heady sweep of emotions that can hold captive an entire city in the wake of a winning sports season, and the protagonists are highly engaging, complex personalities, well able to articulate their respective positions. Paul's obsession with the team, silly as it is made to look, ultimately acquires a ertain dignity, a sort of noble rebellion against the constraints of everyday experience. Director David Evans captures vividly the insular atmosphere of an English school, and the leads' performances are excellent. Firth is winning even when his character is at his most clueless, while the lovely Gemmell, faced with the difficult task of playing a character who often and loudly expresses her disapproval, is utterly charming. Stephen Rea, playing far against his usual type, delivers a hilarious cameo as an unctuous schoolmaster. -Frank Scheck"}, {"response": 1441, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan  4, 2000 (22:17)", "body": "From Mari (who can't post): I thought you might want to see this article from Variety. Says Shekhar Kapur is doing a remake of the Four Feathers, to be distributed by Paramount and Miramax. \"The plot centers on a British army officer who resigns his commission prior to going to battle in the Sudan. Accused by his comrades and fianc\ufffde of cowardice, he attempts to redeem himself by rescuing them. Casting is expected to begin immediately, with insiders saying the lineup will be culled largely from British actors. Production is sched led to begin in Morocco by late spring.\" I know someone who needs a job after 1/22.;-) And NOT as one of the \"comrades\" either! ;-) ~~~~ Let's see: On one hand, coward. On the other, cuckold. Which is better? ;-)"}, {"response": 1442, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Jan  4, 2000 (22:22)", "body": "(Heide) Could Ingrid pass for Julie Andrews? We can't be sure it's Londinium. ;-) I just don't see a nephew get into the tub with his aunt. I still hope it was an out-take from another film, f.e. P&P. ;-P Marcia, it is quite uncanny to hear Kjarts voice from your mouth ....... funny how used one gets to a medium (no pun intended). (Bethan) He made the interesting point that Peter Quint looked like a ruined version of the Master, What a pity, a missed opportunity for a double role for ODC (Our Dear Chameleon)."}, {"response": 1443, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan  4, 2000 (22:25)", "body": "Thanks Karen...excellent review..mo'better that it got in UK when it premiered three years ago. When the pair share a ride home on a stormy night and wind up having tea at her place, they fall immediately in love But if I remember it was coffee..followed by \"The Snog of the Year\":-)"}, {"response": 1444, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan  4, 2000 (22:52)", "body": "Right about the coffee. As I remember it, \"they fall immediately in bed not love.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 1445, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (00:41)", "body": "A very Happy New Year to one and all here on the threshold of a new millennium. Hello and welcome Noelle. Please don't worry about making mistakes. I'm a huge offender for typos, now that I can type almost as quickly as I can think, albeit badly. (Typing badly that is -- not thinking badly.) I'm lost without spell check, as I'm an indifferent proof reader. The point was posed as to did anyone really like \"The Advocate\". Yes! I adore this movie; Richard Courtois is my favorite Colin Firth role. The film is such a deliciously black comedy and tidy mystery, with well intergrated elements of melodrama. And amidst all this degradation, suspicion, and ignorance we have our stalwart hero, who is doing his utmost to get the pig off. Excuse me, that should be have the swine acquitted. Seriously, I do like this movie, but then I have a penchant for quirky thing . The wet shirt crops up yet again. It would be nice if reviewers and interviewers would give that topic a rest. CF is an accomplished actor with over 15 years of fine work. So it no doubt he will be in 70's playing Lear wearing a wet shirt (the storm scene) and someone will comment on Darcy. Although I think that when CF reaches that point he'll probably still look really good in a wet shirt. Enough... HAPPY NEW YEAR!"}, {"response": 1446, "author": "ommin", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (00:45)", "body": "Well, well, I made it. January 5th no less. Anne H"}, {"response": 1447, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (01:06)", "body": "Thanks for the review of Fever Pitch. I have to laugh when he asks if he can smoke and she says, \"No, but you can stay the night if you want. He gets the silliest look on his face and looks around the room before he puts his cigeretts in his pocked and walks over to kiss her. \"She says not in here I can't afford it.\" LOL"}, {"response": 1448, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (02:16)", "body": "Glad to be back. I didn't like that little vacation. My thanks to Terry for getting us back up. Just our bad luck it happened over the holidays. Special thanks to Marcia for keeping all parties informed, for posting here, there and everywhere, and for keeping a positive outlook. Things are looking up."}, {"response": 1449, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (03:13)", "body": "(lucie) \"She says not in here I can't afford it.\" LOL Beg to differ: She says \"Not on the carpet. I can't afford it.\" 8-) May I commend the Telegraph photos used on the top of the Timeline news section ... What I wouldn't give for a full-length full-sized copy of that top one!: http://hem.passagen.se/lmw/news.html Mmmmmmm -- Mmmmmmmm!"}, {"response": 1450, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (03:23)", "body": "And a Heartfelt Message for Terry & Co.: I'm SO happy that Spring is back!"}, {"response": 1451, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (03:28)", "body": "Yes, so am I...and I am happy to see you posting under your own name and using HTML...never thought I'd miss it so much!!!"}, {"response": 1452, "author": "Xian", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (04:14)", "body": "H A P P Y N E W Y E A R ! To Cloin and to All at the Spring ! A few days without Drool was a real torture. I lost my opportunity to make my New Year's wish/resolution for ODB :-( It is probably rusted now, but I think that I'll put it out anyways. 1. Plays the main role in a world winning (e.g. Oscar, etc.) film 2. Plays Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones Diary 3. Puts great effort to promot his new films 4. Gets to know his internet fan site, perhaps has a regular schedule (say, once a month?) to pay a visit 5. To join his film discussion held on Spring by an occasion 6. Fires his current agent and hires Karen instead ;-/ 7. To have a Millennium baby ;-) 8. Buy Livia a Volvo ;-D"}, {"response": 1453, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (09:58)", "body": "1. Plays the main role in a world winning (e.g. Oscar, etc.) film 2. Plays Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones Diary 3. Puts great effort to promote his new films Y-e-esss to all these.....especially to number one! I don't know if I could stand another cameo. More screen time, please, so that he has the opportunity to deliver the goods. I'd love to see him getting the sort of screen time RF ALWAYS gets!! \"Four Feathers\" is one of my all-time favourite old movies! Would love to see CF in the Laurence Harvey role. And late spring would accommodate Mark Darcy and BJD. Although I'm still keen on Flashman (when television is good, it's very, very good (for example the just screened \"Longitude\"...marvellous). To be honest, I don't really care, so long as it's not another supporting role in a less than auspicious movie. And I would like to see him revert to a serious dramatic role. Good project, script and reputable director, pl-ee-ase!!! I have a feeling that he's been very anxious to get home to Livia...he's done an awful lot of London-based work recently. Hopefully, she'll go with him on location to Turkey or Tunisia or wherever!! :-) What happened to the re-make of \"The Lion in Winter\" directed by Pat O'Connor? Henry II married at the age of 19 and was in his early forties, and still actively fighting and campaigning at this period. Anthony Hopkins is way too old for the part! CF's cameo in TTOTS has grown on me...it always takes me time to adjust to a new look! Even the hair is okay...but his shoulders are still too broad for the frock-coat. We watched SIL on video over Christmas (another cameo ......grrrr!!).It's only the second time I'd seen it after a Big Screen viewing. Why was Wessex always described as a buffoon and coward? He had the foresight to invest in tobacco plantations in Virginia, and the guts to go out and put his investments to work. All aristocratic marriage were business contracts (even Viola accepted her fate) and everyone depended on royal patronage and fawned before the Queen. BTW it's difficult to recognise the rather grim-looking unsmiling Wessex and the Master as the same actor! I'm happy that Spring is up and running for everyone... many thanks to Terry & Co."}, {"response": 1454, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (09:59)", "body": "Oooops! I closed my italics, honest!"}, {"response": 1455, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (13:28)", "body": "I will like to thank Terry & Co. for fixing our Spring fountain. Thanks also for the TOTS reviews, the Telegraph interview link, pictures and all extra tid-bits. I too loved the Advocate and one of these days, I will have to see the un-edited version. :-D Happy New Year!"}, {"response": 1456, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (14:22)", "body": "(Moon)one of these days, I will have to see the un-edited version. Yes m\ufffddear, you really have to. I first found it hard to believe that he was doing it himself (with Maria) and had to rewind a few times to make sure it wasn\ufffdt a stuntman. And I repeat my question, has the HOTPig/TA been discussed in Spring already and if it hasn\ufffdt, shouldn\ufffdt it? Most of us have seen it and we seem to disagree about its greatness (at least I do) which always makes a good conversation. (Xian) 4. Gets to know his internet fan site, perhaps has a regular schedule (say, once a month?) to pay a visit He probably does already, very silently, but he\ufffdll never tell us."}, {"response": 1457, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (14:33)", "body": "Thanks, Mari, for spotting that Four Feathers news and to Karen for posting in abstentia. Spring seems to be working fine since yesterday--hope everyone can get in today. Casting is expected to begin immediately, with insiders saying the lineup will be culled largely from British actors. Anyone care to speculate as to who will be selected? Let's see...using the usual H'wood formula: 1. Jude Law 2. Tom Cruise (with British accent) 3. Ben Affleck (with British accent) 4. Ewan McGregor 5. Ralph Fiennes 6. Anthony Hopkins 7. Hugh Grant 8. Mr. Bean :-P (I really do have my fingers crossed for ODB.) (Bethan) We watched SIL on video over Christmas (another cameo ......grrrr!!). Awww, c'mon, Bethan, Wessex wasn't a cameo. SiL had an ensemble cast. Bet all those Martin Clunes fans were wishing their man had more screen time too!"}, {"response": 1458, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (14:41)", "body": "Bethan says: Four Feathers is one of my all-time favourite old movies! Would love to see CF in the Laurence Harvey role. And late spring would accommodate Mark Darcy and BJD... What role did Harvey play? When I think of Four Feathers, I think of the classic 1939 version with John Clements as the \"coward,\" and Ralph Richardson as his friend who is saved in the desert by a \"dumb Swengali native.\" Great film, and a great part for CF - either one, though I personally like the Richardson role. The Clements one is the starring part, and he would be in the whole movie if he played it. Thanks to Terry and the powers that be here. The 3Deer's Firth.com and my Shakespeare in Love pages are safely back too! Murph"}, {"response": 1459, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (14:50)", "body": "(Elena) has the HOTPig/TA been discussed in Spring already Yes, it has, although it hasn't gone up on the archive page at firth.com yet. But that shouldn't prevent anyone from discussing it again in the interim. I'm sure there are lots of new angles...or positions...that haven't been addressed. Besides, Topic 98 isn't busy now. ;-) Bethan, you asked about Pat O'Connor and his remake of Lion in Winter. I've only seen his name mentioned very recently as directing \"Sweet November\": Lensing will begin Feb. 7, giving Reeves time to make that film before stepping into the Warner Bros./Bel Air remake of \ufffdSweet November,\ufffd to be directed by Pat O\ufffdConnor (\ufffdCircle of Friends\ufffd). Reeves will be paid his usual salary to star in \ufffdNovember,\ufffd his first romance since \ufffdA Walk in the Clouds,\ufffd portraying a tycoon who falls in love with a dying woman who wants no part of a long commitment. (Eileen) Wessex wasn't a cameo. SiL had an ensemble cast. Yes, but Wessex was a \"supporting role.\" All were not equal as in, say, Magnolia. SiL definitely had lead roles."}, {"response": 1460, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (15:23)", "body": "You may not want to read this but... Here's the scoop on Blackadder: Back and Forth: He's in it for about...oooh, 3 or 4 minutes, Blackadder bumps into him in the corridor as he finishes his audience with Elizabeth I.....and it's fairly funny, especially when Edmund...well, I won't spoil it for you!"}, {"response": 1461, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (15:27)", "body": "(Karen) Yes, but Wessex was a \"supporting role.\" All were not equal as in, say, Magnolia. SiL definitely had lead roles. Agreed. SiL had an ensemble supporting cast. I still maintain that Wessex was not a cameo role."}, {"response": 1462, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (15:37)", "body": "You may not want to read this but... Here's the scoop on Blackadder: Back and Forth: He's in it for about...oooh, 3 or 4 minutes, Blackadder bumps into him in the corridor as he finishes his audience with Elizabeth I.....and it's fairly funny, especially when Edmund...well, I won't spoil it for you! ~~~~~~ Next....MCI commercials??"}, {"response": 1463, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (16:03)", "body": "(Karen), He's in it for about...oooh, 3 or 4 minutes, Blackadder bumps into him in the corridor as he finishes his audience with Elizabeth I.....and it's fairly funny, especially when Edmund...well, I won't spoil it for you! Karen, please, we want to be spoiled, we live to be spoiled. How on earth did you manage to see this already??? Talk about I want my CF fix and I want it now!"}, {"response": 1464, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (16:19)", "body": "I don't know anymore. The \"I won't spoil if for you\" came from my *source* Eileen, I agree. Wessex is not a cameo. He is a supporting actor. In the animal kingdom, there are Leads, Supporting Roles, Cameos, Uncredited Roles, Bit Players, Extras (but they have a new name now) among other designators."}, {"response": 1465, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (16:20)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1466, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (16:21)", "body": "(Evelyn) Next....MCI commercials?? LOL!! Is there a competition for \"most cameos by an actor under age 65\"?"}, {"response": 1467, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (16:38)", "body": "Here's the entire critique: I won't spoil it for you but I felt that there was nothing new about it....but I didn't mind that! Same ol gags, same ol characters, same ol laughs!! Its not the best episode you'll ever see but it is nice to see them up there on a VAST screen and in deafening stereo. Duration is just shy of an hour but it did fly by, Robin Hood is good, Queenie is great and Balders is fab (esp with the apron'!) I wasn't let down, and there's a lovely twist at the end...lovely, it is"}, {"response": 1468, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (16:44)", "body": "(Evelyn) Next....MCI commercials?? Hee hee! As long as it's not 10-10- commercials... Looks as though we'll have to wait a few short weeks for the Blackadder scoop, Moon. Our London contingent will report thoroughly, I'm sure. And they'd better get a pic of those schoolboy specs, if possible! 8-D Watched Hostages on HBO Signature yesterday. First time I've seen the non-History channel version inclusive of scenes snipped out (presumably to make time for commercials), several of which featured ODB. We recently switched from cable to satellite--digital makes a world of difference. That face, that voice! I was almost stuck to the screen (for Hostages, no less. Even the grime and brown teeth didn't deter me)!"}, {"response": 1469, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (17:30)", "body": "I am sooo glad that drool is up and running again. I almost had a stroke when I found it missing last week. Thanks to dear Heide, I felt a little better when I found Drool-in-exile. I hope every one had a happy holiday. You are a great bunch. By the way, the burglary in no way spoiled my London trip; nothing barring the illness or death of a loved one could have done that. Re: the Ingrid article. Assuming her comments are true, I too was puzzled (like someone else on drool) as to why the female actress got a body double and not DB, especially if stripping embarrassed him. After playing Wessex, who looked decidedly pudgy (although that Japanese photo showed that Colin was not), maybe Colin wanted to show the world that he still has what it takes.;-) Re: HOTP. I can see why they cut a couple of shots from the Maria scene (her putting her feet through the wall, i.e.) but why did they cut the entire scene by the stream? Not only was it was inoffensive, but it helped explain the following scene. Now to my meeting ODB. I missed my chance to talk to him the first time I saw 3DOR with my sister-in-law. We waited for him to come down, which he did, with two other men. No one else asked him for his autograph, so I didn\ufffdt, though I did manage to squeak out that I thought his performance was excellent and he smiled and said \ufffdThank you very much.\ufffd All I could remember after was his wonderful left dimple and his running shoes (nobody wears them in London - I wore them once and never again, hated to seem p ovincial in such a sophisticated city). He and his companions headed for Neal Street and I didn\ufffdt even see them double back towards Seven Dials (I was too preoccuppied trying to figure out which direction to take to our hotel - London intersections are confusing enough in daylight, but impossible at night), but my sis did and wanted to chase him down for an autograph, which I talked her out of. Didn\ufffdt want her to give the poor guy a heart attack on the darkish street. When my husband and I went to see 3DOR, we waited for Colin to come down and in the meantime got DM\ufffds and EMcG\ufffds autographs (he seemed very nice, she was not particularly gracious). He never appeared and finally a staff member went upstairs and came down again to tell all of us lingering that Colin had already left. Must have gone immediately after the performance (or in light of the newspaper interview a week later, maybe he was waiting for the interviewer). I was a little disappointed that I would be going home without his autograph, but resigned myself to it. A couple of days later, my husband and I went to a matinee showing of SLOW and, unbeknownst to me, he wrangled a poster of the film from the manager, who kindly gave it to him in a cardboard tube. After the film, we had already planned to eat in Covent Garden before we went to see the comedy \"Art\". I suggested that we stop at the Donmar to pick up a poster, since we had the tube with us to put it in (I was going to buy one the following day at the matinee, but preferred not to get it squished). After buying the poster, we turned to leave when my husband went back to the box-office an asked if the cast had arrived, to which question he was told that everyone was there except Colin who would arrive anytime in the next half hour. Trying to be a thoughtful wife, I told my DH that we didn\ufffdt have to hang around, but he insisted we stay, bought a program for Colin to sign and we settled ourselves for a wait. I was against the wall facing the stairs and looking toward the front door and my DH was facing me when I heard him say almost immediately, \"Hello, Colin, would you do me a favour...\" I have to tell you my husband is quite the kidder, so I was about to say something joking to him in return, when I noticed he was looking past my sh ulder and I turned to look in the direction of his gaze. This very tall man wearing rather unattractive dark rimmed glasses was standing right next to me (I didn\ufffdt realise that I was standing beside the doorway to the shopping arcade which surrounds the theatre). So help me, I didn\ufffdt recognise DB and, thinking my husband had mistaken a stranger for Colin, started to give him an dirty look, when I realised the tall man was indeed Colin. For once, I was speechless, thank God, since I had been on the verge of making what would have been an embarrassing comment to my husband. My DH told Colin that we had come from Canada to see his play and that we liked it very much. Actually I think he said something else, but I wasn\ufffdt listening, being still too stunned to find DB a few inches away. Colin said (my quotes, needless to say are not accurate) \"Oh, then you have seen it already?\" We said yes and that we thought it, and he, was excellent. He asked us where we came from, we told him and my husband mentioned that he understood that Colin had lived in Canada for a while, to which he answered \"Yes, I lived in Vancouver.\" I then told him that we had just come from seeing his movie and ha"}, {"response": 1470, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (17:44)", "body": "What a thrill to finally find Spring back up in my corner of the world:-) Thanks to everyone who helped make it so. I'm reading the posts at work, hoping no one will look over my shoulder at the Ingrid article and think I'm on a porn site. Don't understand why they wouldn't let ODB wear a bathing suit in the hot tub, or at least one of those flesh-colored modesty garments. Sheesh, at least in FF they let him wear his blue undies;-) And not to quibble, but Barenaked Ladies is a Canadian band. Ten days and counting till Spring returns to the Donmar...:-)"}, {"response": 1471, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (17:54)", "body": "Lynda, glad I made it back to Spring just in time for your report! What a wonderful experience for you:-) Your DH sounds like a prince. Thanks for sharing."}, {"response": 1472, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (18:18)", "body": "Thanks Linda....what a coup to find him in the lobby. Aren't the posters great? You've got a prince of a husband BTW."}, {"response": 1473, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (19:10)", "body": "Lynda, you're husband is amazing. Mine would never had done it. There is just a handful of us here that have not met him yet, who would have thought it! Was he wearing those horrible robotic looking sneakers? Does anyone have the un-edited The Advocate to lend?"}, {"response": 1474, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (19:43)", "body": "Wow, Lynda! What a great Donmar experience. Thanks for sharing it in detail. You comported yourself very well, not to mention your DH. *clap clap* He does sport a nice smile these days. And you raise a good point about those glasses. (Susan) Don't understand why they wouldn't let ODB wear a bathing suit in the hot tub Yeah, I don't get that either (unless there was a shot of him exiting said tub). Guess we'll have to wait and see. After HOTP and P, I wouldn't expect him to exhibit the degree of embarassment Ingrid described. Maybe she's omitting the part where she jumped him (just a thought)."}, {"response": 1475, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (20:09)", "body": "Thanks Lynda for your report and thanks to your hubby for being such a sport. Again Colin has shown us that he is a really nice umpretentious,talented, gorgeous man. (sigh) Did you not drown in those lovely eyes when he smiled at you Lynda?"}, {"response": 1476, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (20:32)", "body": "(Nileee) After HOTP and P, I wouldn't expect him to exhibit the degree of embarassment Ingrid described. Perhaps it's an increased modesty that comes with maturity. I know that's happened to me through the years although come to think of it, even though CF and I are about the same age, his bod seems to have held up a heck of a lot better than mine ;-). Lynda, thanks for the great report. I could almost imagine being there and your DH deserves a prize for patience."}, {"response": 1477, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (20:41)", "body": "(Naja) Perhaps it's an increased modesty that comes with maturity Perhaps. I still think Ingrid's leaving something out (in a manner of speaking). Feeling v. stubborn today. AAA."}, {"response": 1478, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (20:54)", "body": "(Lynda)but he insisted we stay, bought a program for Colin to sign and we settled ourselves for a wait. Oh! Your husband is INCREDIBLE! Like Moon\ufffds, my dear hubby would have never done that, in fact he\ufffds not even coming to London with me because he can\ufffdt stand my admiration for Colin and wants to keep as far from him as possible. Thanks very much for your report Lynda, and what great luck you had managing to meet him like that. Good for you. I just hope Colin won\ufffdt go through the back door again in the 15th!"}, {"response": 1479, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (23:53)", "body": "I have to join in the chorus of admiration for Lynda's DH! And thanks very much Lynda for bringing us up to date with your adventures...well worth waiting for! I don't know why CF is so down on SLOW...I liked it! It won't win any awards, but CF and Nia Long are charming, the French backdrop is beautiful, and it made me feel better on a cold, wintry day! Perhaps, as a man without vanity, he doesn't appreciate just how handsome he is in this...and it's not a cameo! I kept on expecting him to disappear, but, no, there he was again, and again, and again...! Look forward to the video! BTW, I agree, before it's pistols at dawn, that Wessex is a supporting role, not a cameo. I guess I'm not even satisfied by supporting roles! The 3-4 minutes in Blackadder sounds okay, though, as it's essentially a trip thru' time, and presumably a series of cameos. I understood that the Blackadder film was only 30 minutes long, but as it cost \ufffd3.4 million, maybe it is longer. BTW, I think it will be difficult for the movie to live up to expectations...and I sometimes think that \"Blackadder\" wasn't quite s funny as people remember it to be. It was voted, in one poll, as the programme of the millennium. (Susan) Don't understand why they wouldn't let ODB wear a bathing suit in the hot tub I'm sure they would. But perhaps, given the media fascination with his tight breeches (and a certain part of his anatomy) and the fact that film crews in the UK can tease without mercy, I should think that even an appearance in a bathing suit (and a wet bathing suit!) might provoke some lively (and appreciative) comments! And if he's basically a shy man, he would find this embarrassing!"}, {"response": 1480, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan  6, 2000 (00:36)", "body": "Wonderful account, Lynda. Well worth the wait. \"Oh, is that still playing somewhere?\" *coughing and wheezing here* What date did you see SLOW? A little birdie told us Colin and family attended the 6:30 showing on Sunday, November 28th. Same theater as you. (Lynda) why the female actress got a body double and not DB Probably as simple as she asked for one and he doesn't mind doing it. I'm betting it's Mariel Hemingway. I don't think she takes it off anymore. There were no nude scenes in The Sex Monster. Colin probably only got embarrassed when the crew started in on him."}, {"response": 1481, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Jan  6, 2000 (01:09)", "body": "Loved hearing about your experience, Lynda. I love the idea of him in glasses though agree it sounds like they may be used for camouflage. What a coup to get a photo of these specs, ladies! Too bad on the Blackadder cameo. But still, it's only costing you five pounds per minute of Colin - come to think of it, quite a bargain. ;-) I'm inclined to believe Ingrid may be enhancing the truth here. Hot tub? Yeah. Naked? why bother unless he was pulling a Sharon Stone and shedding clothes for the \"integrity\" of the film. Time may tell though I'm not counting on it. Love the story anyway."}, {"response": 1482, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Jan  6, 2000 (01:24)", "body": "Wondeful report LYnda, what an exceptional husband you have. I agree with Bethane, why was Wessex considered so bad. He was only following the customs of the time. Shakespeare was the one who had a wife and kids in Stratford on Avon and was playing around with another man's betrothed."}, {"response": 1483, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Thu, Jan  6, 2000 (01:48)", "body": "Hurray - I'm back on line. I now have 119 messages to catch up on. Will talk to you later. Cathey"}, {"response": 1484, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan  6, 2000 (03:16)", "body": "(Bethan)I don't know why CF is so down on SLOW...I liked it! It won't win any awards, but CF and Nia Long are charming, the French backdrop is beautiful, Sadly, it lacks a story.And if you would have heard the writer/producer you could see Colin's point. Speaking of which....the bank and I are still in communication....I haven't given up. I have a gut feeling that someone owns the domestic rights to this film. Got a tip that it was Trimark. I called today and sure enough they said they considered it six months ago, but passed on it.Have a few more leads. I don't think it will ever be a theatrical release (hey, if it didn't make it in UK, it doesn't have a chance here), but I hope it gets a straight to video release."}, {"response": 1485, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan  6, 2000 (05:55)", "body": "Couple of more reviews of TTOTS: The Scotsman (1/2/00) [I]t was the unexpected Boxing Day treat, The Turn of the Screw (ITV), a mesmerising two-hour adaptation of Henry James' ghost story, which matched opulence and clarity to generate a genuine frisson of terror without resorting to the usual Hollywood-style bucketloads of SFX. [...] But then The Turn of the Screw proved similarly adroit at sucking the viewer into its grip. Adapted by Nick Dear and directed by Ben Bolt, this story of the artless young governess (Jodhi May) being employed by a gentleman (Colin Firth) to look after his two children, Miles and Flora, reeked with unspoken terror and brooding menace from the outset and built up towards a climax which was shatteringly portrayed. Until now, previous variants on this creepy Jamesian tale--as in The Innocents, which Channel 4 screened, presumably by chance, only a few hours later--have revolved around one central question: is the governess mad or deranged? But here, the impressive May, hiking up the paranoia and apprehension without resorting to hammy over-indulgence, left us in absolutely no doubt about her fears for her charges as spectral presences loomed ever nastier in the woodshed. From The Observer (02-Jan-2000) UNEARTHLY POWERS: A SPOOKY HENRY JAMES For Pride and Prejudice fans who didn't know the story, I suspect that seeing Colin Firth smouldering Firthishly at the beginning of Boxing Day's The Turn of the Screw constituted an almighty tease because, of course, he was never seen again. Fortunately, this was a very superior, spooky adaptation of the Henry James chiller with Jodhi May, as the governess, admirably handling her character's leisurely, sun-dappled spiral into haunted paranoia without ever resorting to melodrama, so we didn't miss Firth t o much. Nick Dear's screenplay hinted, modishly, at some messily repressed and righteously God-fearing Victorian sexuality, while the children playing the governess's two charges, Miles and Flora, were not half as revolting as they might have been, given that they were in almost every scene and may (or may not) have been demonically inclined. The least enviable part, however, went to Pam Ferris as the housekeeper, Miss Grose primarily a reactive, unflashy role, forced to feed off lines delivered by May and the ch ldren. Earlier in the day, I had caught Ferris going gloriously, malevolently OTT in Danny De Vito's dark, delicious film of Roald Dahl's Matilda. More Ferris in the twenty-first century, please. Watching The Turn of the Screw made me realise how refreshing it is to go cold turkey with old-fashioned spine-tingling terror on Boxing Day. Not only aren't there enough 'Oooh! Beeee-hind You! Aaargh, No, Don't You Go Down That Corridor in The Dark!' ghost stories on TV any more, but there can never be enough antidotes to the kind of smug Yuletide cosiness which involves Charlotte Church telling viewers, with all the irony that only a 13-year-old is incapable of mustering, to go and buy her CD before sin ing 'Let your dreams be wings and fly as far as a star' on Des O'Connor (oh, I will, Charlotte I will). Interesting, though, that the commercials punctuating The Turn of the Screw were so feminine (Fiat Punto, shampoo, lime leather horrorshow sofas from DFS ). Are ghost stories and Dickensian adaptations (and, come to that, Colin Firth) really only aimed at gurly-wurlies? ******** hee hee"}, {"response": 1486, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan  6, 2000 (13:13)", "body": "so we didn't miss Firth to much. With his sense of humour, he must of loved that. Are ghost stories and Dickensian adaptations (and, come to that, Colin Firth) really only aimed at gurly-wurlies? And hated this. Hey, the song is a classic. ;-D I'm just mad about Colin, Colin's mad about me... They call me gurly-wurley..."}, {"response": 1487, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jan  6, 2000 (14:04)", "body": "(Bethan) BTW, I agree, before it's pistols at dawn, that Wessex is a supporting role, not a cameo. Pistols at dawn? Oh, my. As the great Emily Litella said, \"violins? There's too many violins...today.\" Although mention the words 'voting booth' and I'll be happy to pull out my pistol. :-P I understood that the Blackadder film was only 30 minutes long, but as it cost \ufffd3.4 million, maybe it is longer. Correct my often unreliable memory--isn't this film in IMAX or giant screen format? Those are very expensive to make and aren't usually very long."}, {"response": 1488, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan  6, 2000 (14:34)", "body": "on a VAST screen and in deafening stereo. Duration is just shy of an hour See above message 1467. See you at the clearing in the forest at dawn. Don't be late and don't get too drunk the night before. Otherwise, it's a discussion of SiL's you know what! ;-)"}, {"response": 1489, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jan  6, 2000 (14:49)", "body": "Otherwise, it's a discussion of SiL's you know what! ;-) OK, OK...uncle! Uncle! Also don't relish going to the bar to pick out my seconds. I see that our favorite tomato stepper has his upper body back. What a scowl on that handsome face! (Nice hair, though)."}, {"response": 1490, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan  6, 2000 (15:16)", "body": "Am getting my red robes out. That torture is better than the comfy chair. ;-)"}, {"response": 1491, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan  6, 2000 (15:41)", "body": "Colin Firth smouldering Firthishly Hey, this guy read our Firth terms we did a year ago!! Thanks Karen for these reviews and for putting a head on the tomato-guy. ~~~~ (Eileen).. What a scowl on that handsome face! Not a scowl. At end of the film Nimi comes down the stairs with Rev. Folla and sees Matthew...and he says:..\"Field is a name too\", as he looks up at her. (This is Matthew's idea of a proposal...what can I say?)"}, {"response": 1492, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan  6, 2000 (15:45)", "body": "Evelyn) This is Matthew's idea of a proposal...what can I say? Isn't he already married?"}, {"response": 1493, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan  6, 2000 (19:22)", "body": "(Evelyn) This is Matthew's idea of a proposal...what can I say? (Karen)Isn't he already married? Yup.But when he decides to go to rescue Sammy ..and go to Nimi,Jenny (wife) says:\"But I need you..\" His response is:\"Rise above it\".As he turns and leaves the room arms flailing. ~~~~~~ What can I say? I swear that's the script."}, {"response": 1494, "author": "Janeway", "date": "Thu, Jan  6, 2000 (20:20)", "body": "Great to be with you all again. Belated Y2K greetings to all the feisty firthettes. Couldn't register as just plain Liza J, had to get in on this instead.(Naff) Have thoroughly enjoyed catching up on all your posts. Lynda, what a magnificent tale you told, and full marks to your ODB too."}, {"response": 1495, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Jan  6, 2000 (20:25)", "body": ";-)) Oh, how times change. I was excluded from Spring all the time, now I'm back and the others can't get in anymore.... feels like being caught in a revolving door. \ufffd%-]"}, {"response": 1496, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan  6, 2000 (20:49)", "body": "Lizza, loved the Janeway. My local Blockbuster confirmed the MLSF will be there to rent on Jan. 25th."}, {"response": 1497, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jan  6, 2000 (20:58)", "body": "Aha, can get back in. Goody! *coughing and wheezing here* What date did you see SLOW? A little birdie told us Colin and family attended the 6:30 showing on Sunday, November 28th. Same theater as you. . (Karen) Karen, you never cease to amaze me...first your exclusive scoops, and now little birdies judiciously positioned. \"Family\" as in \"mum and dad\"? I wonder, as they lived in Nigeria, if they would find the Nigerian bits (costumes, culture, expressions etc) interesting. I know I did, but I guess I'm in a minority of one in this! :-) I know I'm way, way behind on this, but I'm still catching up on SIL and the video, and although I'm horribly prejudiced, and although Wessex can look mightily unpleasant, I actually thought that at the end, when he's slightly ruffled and not wearing a silly hat, he and Viola looked much more suited to each other as a couple than Viola and Will (calf love). And at one point he does almost crack a joke (not my day for riding etc). I missed all this on the Big Screen! Also, after close scrutiny, his cameo i TOTS now gets my unreserved thumbs up... especially the closing shot!"}, {"response": 1498, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan  6, 2000 (21:26)", "body": "! (Bethan), TOTS now gets my unreserved thumbs up... especially the closing shot! Wait till you see his closing shot in MLSF, Bethan. Neither Fiennes Brothers can really make us believe that they make a better pair with ODBs leading ladies. It is incredible that the producers and director would think so. :-D"}, {"response": 1499, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jan  6, 2000 (21:47)", "body": "Ah, but aren't women silly sometimes? Lynda, I was delighted by your report, and I agree YDH is a wonderful man!"}, {"response": 1500, "author": "Janeway", "date": "Thu, Jan  6, 2000 (21:53)", "body": "Bethan, I completely agree about that closing shot. Won't comment on how many times I have seen it! In fact right now think I'll-----------"}, {"response": 1501, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jan  6, 2000 (23:17)", "body": "LOLOL! Due to all the technical difficulties, I just got here the long way--without the graphics I just noticed Karen's 'title' of the tomato pic. So it's Lizza Janeway now? Will it be Lizza Pettigrew soon? ;-D"}, {"response": 1502, "author": "kolin", "date": "Thu, Jan  6, 2000 (23:49)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1503, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan  6, 2000 (23:53)", "body": "Janeway Lizza! Love it. :-) (Bethan) \"Family\" as in \"mum and dad\" Sorry, family as in in-laws. Livia and her parents. (Moon) Wait till you see his closing shot in MLSF, Bethan. The UK will see a different version of MLSF. It will be the one that was shown in Australia, which puts a bit more closure on the Fraser story. They will see him go off to school and have a final good-bye words with Dad. Cathey or Anne H, can you describe it better on the MLSF spoiler topic 121?"}, {"response": 1504, "author": "ommin", "date": "Fri, Jan  7, 2000 (00:13)", "body": "Karen check your e-mail I have posted my remembrances of MLSF ending on it. Anne H"}, {"response": 1505, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan  7, 2000 (01:00)", "body": "OK, will post *other* ending for MLSF on 121. Thank you, Anne."}, {"response": 1506, "author": "AnnMari", "date": "Fri, Jan  7, 2000 (05:31)", "body": "Finally made it here; was able to re-register. A belated Happy New Year to all. Lynda, I enjoyed your post about meeting Colin. We'll be sure to mention MLSF if the opportunity presents itself. (Evelyn) Next . . .MCI commercials? LOL at this one, Evelyn. Hey, he has experience--remember Ross Talbert's \"Thank you for using AT&T.\" ;-) (Karen) Isn't he already married? Picky, picky, picky.;-) Welcome Noelle--do you have a sister Holly? Sorry . . couldn't resist!"}, {"response": 1507, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan  7, 2000 (15:28)", "body": "News Flash!! Secret Laughter of Women out on video on March 6 Also, would anybody be interested in attending a private screening of SLOW sometime during our London weekend? The possibility is being explored for an afternoon showing. Need to know how many."}, {"response": 1508, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jan  7, 2000 (15:33)", "body": "Karen, I would be interested if it could be Saturday afternoon, could come up early but understand if that is difficult as the Reunion is booked for 5pm."}, {"response": 1509, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan  7, 2000 (15:39)", "body": "Ann, we'll do this in Springfolks. Have just sent out the notice."}, {"response": 1510, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Jan  7, 2000 (17:03)", "body": "Karen, is March 6 the U.K. video release date for SLOW, or U.S.?"}, {"response": 1511, "author": "baine", "date": "Fri, Jan  7, 2000 (17:53)", "body": "Karen - VHS too or just PAL?"}, {"response": 1512, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan  7, 2000 (18:00)", "body": "Yes, the UK video release date and would be PAL (but that's no obstacle, you know) ;-)"}, {"response": 1513, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan  7, 2000 (18:10)", "body": "From the This is London site (was written after the preview): Outside of the Dome itself is the Skyscrape \ufffd a glorified packing shed that patently does not scrape the sky. Who knows, perhaps the name is a play on the phrase \"Sky is crap\"? Inside we are forced to queue in order that actors playing mentally-retarded members of the upper classes may accost us. Why? I still have no idea. It was a relief to get into the cinema and 45 minutes of a specially commissioned episode of Blackadder. Yes, it was funny; no, it did nothing to elucidate my feelings about the millennium."}, {"response": 1514, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jan  7, 2000 (20:47)", "body": "Secret Laughter of Women out on video on March 6 Ah, March 6, you've made my day, Karen!! After reading Lynda's very detailed report on SLOW over at #126, I was reminded of how much I want to see this movie again on video, and soon. You're right, Lynda, he really is an Alpha male in this, and every shot is freeze-frameable!! If he recited the Koran backwards, it would still be watchable! I agree about the music...African, with French accordian background...I'd like to hear it again. (Bethan) \"Family\" as in \"mum and dad\" Sorry, family as in in-laws. Livia and her parents. (Karen) He seems to be a very nice son-in-law!"}, {"response": 1515, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Jan  7, 2000 (23:18)", "body": "he seems to be a very nice man ;-)"}, {"response": 1516, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan  8, 2000 (04:03)", "body": "What happened to MLSF: the real story...or just some more spin (long) From the Guardian, January 7, 2000 Sights unseen They have the stars and the cash... but no release date. Brian Pendreigh on the Brit films that went missing in action Trainspotting had just been acclaimed as the best British film of the decade when Ewan McGregor joined Pete Postlethwaite, fresh from The Usual Suspects, in a cerebral period thriller called The Serpent's Kiss. B Monkey is another thriller, set largely in contemporary London, from one of the hottest scripts around. It had behind it Oscar specialists Miramax, The Crying Game's producer Stephen Woolley, Il Postino director Michael Radford and a cast headed by Rupert Everett, Asia Argento, Jared Harris and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers. And then there is World of Moss, a charmingly offbeat story about a boy growing up between the wars. It returned director Hugh Hudson and producer David Puttnam to the Scottish locations that had proved so propitious for them on Chariots of Fire and Local Hero respectively. The cast included Colin Firth and McGregor's Trainspotting co-star Kelly Macdonald. And again, most of the money came from Miramax. It just seemed a matter of sitting back and thinking about Oscar speeches. But, more than two and a half years after they wrapped, none of these films has opened in British cinemas. New British Film Institute figures show that, out of 116 British films made in 1997, 33 are still without a cinema, video or TV deal. The total number of British films has risen by half since 1994, but the proportion of unreleased films has almost doubled. Some of the unreleased films are every bit as bad as you might fear, but not all. The Serpent's Kiss (pictured) is no masterpiece, but it is an unusual and intriguing film that shares the sexual deceits and artistic conceits of Peter Greenaway's The Draughtsman's Contract. It's set in the 17th century, with a budget of more than \ufffd10m; and was directed by cinematographer Philippe Rousselot. McGregor plays Meneer Chrome, a fashionable Dutch gardener, in flowing wig, bright yellow coat and huge white stetson An elaborate Dutch parterre garden was laid out on boards but they were warped by torrential rain, and there is at least one scene in the finished film in which the ground is seen to bounce up and down. When the film received a one-off screening in Glasgow, there was sniggering from an audience that found it difficult to accept their local hero as a Dutchman. McGregor felt the script lost a lot of its complexity in translation to the screen. \"The director just missed the point really,\" he said after the G asgow screening. \"That was to do with him being very... difficult and arrogant.\" The Serpent's Kiss premiered at the Cannes film festival in May 1997 and subsequently opened in France and several other countries, from Brazil to Japan. Hopes of even a limited release in the UK all but disappeared beneath the poor figures from overseas. \"No one is likely to spend 200,000 quid on P&A [prints and advertising],\" says Archie Colquhoun of sales agents J&M Entertainment. He hoped McGregor's appearance in The Phantom Menace might stimulate new interest in the UK, but it did not happen. The onl British deal the film has is with Carlton's digital TV channel, which is unlikely to broadcast it before 2001. B Monkey shot just after The Serpent's Kiss, though it already had a colourful history by then. Director Michael Caton-Jones left over casting differences with Miramax, who, he says, wanted to cast Drew Barrymore as a cockney. He was replaced by Michael Radford, a fellow Scot who, as director of Il Postino, the (then) highest grossing foreign-language film in history, was in demand. He recruited Asia Argento, daughter of the famous Italian horror director, Dario Argento; he reworked the script and the female character became Italian. Argento plays Beatrice, a thief with a monkey tattooed on her shoulder; Jared Harris is a teacher and Everett and Rhys Meyers the partners-in-crime she cannot shake off. Everett describes filming as \"a lively experience\". It was a shock compared with what he was used to in America. \"We went to live in this little, tiny hotel in Cumbria and you could hear everything everyone else said in their bedrooms... There were endless fireworks and arguments and gangs.\" He responded by retiring to the bar and drinking copious amounts of bitter. Everett's suggestions of a lack of control are borne out by others who worked on B Monkey. \"There were different ideas of what the movie should be,\" says music supervisor Bob Last, who found his brief continually changing. The film was tested in New York, Miramax's base, with re-editing between screenings. When it surfaced at the London film festival in 1998, Radford described the post-production process as highly \"collaborative\". B Monkey opened last September in a handful of US cinemas, then disappeared. It was on the 1999 UK release slate of Buena Vista, which, like Miram"}, {"response": 1517, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jan  8, 2000 (10:25)", "body": "The Times has a review of all the different parts of the Dome, grading them out of ten. Average, I would say, is 5/10. \"Blackadder\" scores (and indeed is the only) 10/10. \"Easily the best thing in the whole day, though you need to make the chilly 5 minute walk from the Dome to the huge Skyscrape cinema. In this new 35 minute film, Blackadder and Baldrick invent a spoof time machine based on Leonardo da Vinci's design, to hoodwink their chums on New Years Eve 1999. Unfortunately for them it works....and off they go to intervene disastrously in the great moments of British history, from Roman occupation to Waterloo. What seems like the entire panoply of 1980s British TV comedy -Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson etc - returns on top form with more recent luminaries, including Kate Moss as a scrumptious Maid Marian. The film's wicked excursions into political incorrectness are a much-needed antidote to the preachy Blairite sentiments so prominent elsewhere in the Dome. Verdict: Unmissable, unless youu are French. The send-up of Napoleon is very naughty. Score: 10/10 As ever, please feel free to include in any CF site. This is the first review I've seen. MLSF opening...isn't the Curzon one of most prominent cinemas (location, no. of seats) in the West End?"}, {"response": 1518, "author": "AnnMari", "date": "Sat, Jan  8, 2000 (17:59)", "body": "(Karen) My Life So Far was finally ready for last year's Cannes film festival, only to be turned down. Undaunted, Miramax boss Harvey Weinstein staged a charity screening outside the official programme. It came out last July in the US, where it secured some strong reviews and grossed over $600,000. . . It may seem strange that a film with \ufffd1m of British taxpayers' money in it should be tested in the US and released there almost a year before the UK. ******* I'm thinking back to some of the utter crap that was screened at last year's Cannes (remember the journalists booing and jeering?), and it's hard to believe that this lovely little film would have been turned down. But what do I know about \"art?\" ;-) Good for Harve for finding a way. And that $600,000 was only as of the beginning of September, as I think you reported, Karen. It's continued to play on. As for where and when it tests and releases . . .another way to look at it is that millions of people in the U.S. with pension and/or mutual fund investments have bucks tied up in Disney/Miramax, whether they realize it or not. Interesting article, Karen. I think it's legit, and not just spin."}, {"response": 1519, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jan  8, 2000 (18:08)", "body": "Loved The Observer's review of TOTS but have never heard of this adjective - Colin Firth smouldering Firthishly - until I read Evelyn's explanation: Hey, this guy read our Firth terms we did a year ago!! Thanks for clearing that up. I see that our favorite tomato stepper has his upper body back. Alas, still getting in numerically so no graphics yet. Hope no one has a birthday coming up soon. (Bethan) although Wessex can look mightily unpleasant, I actually thought that at the end, when he's slightly ruffled and not wearing a silly hat, he and Viola looked much more suited to each other as a couple than Viola and Will (calf love). And don't you think after that long sea voyage, Viola will come to recognize the charms of her new husband? He's already recognized hers. \"your eyes, no, your lips\" Sounds like a match made in he..."}, {"response": 1520, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan  8, 2000 (18:58)", "body": "And that $600,000 was only as of the beginning of September, Yeah...but that sweet little film was nevah going to make $10. Mil. I don't think AIH made that. V. informative article.I think Harve knew it would lose $$$from the beginning. He loses on a lot on the Brit films...that's why he has to release those high school \"potty\" movies to make it up. Fine with me. I don't want Disney to lose money. In Sept. The Times published The Power List in Britain and in the Top 20 of the film industry, Harvey was #2"}, {"response": 1521, "author": "Janeway", "date": "Sat, Jan  8, 2000 (19:59)", "body": "Great news re vid date Karen. Thank you."}, {"response": 1522, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jan  8, 2000 (23:32)", "body": "Re Birthdays...Just Lidya on the 10th...but she does not expect anyone to post anything... (I'll make up for it somehow =)"}, {"response": 1523, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Jan  9, 2000 (12:13)", "body": "We shall perhaps have to use the springfolks vault to congratulate her."}, {"response": 1524, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Jan  9, 2000 (19:54)", "body": "I've been looking through my old hard copies of pictures, and found a few to scan again. This one was from those taken from, I think Vanity Fair, and then used in The Telegraph Magazine as well. The originals were shot on a California beach. Some people hated them because he is made up quite a bit around the eyes. Sexy Colin (as the heading says) All who are going to London, have a great time and say hello to The Great One for me! Murph"}, {"response": 1525, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Jan  9, 2000 (19:57)", "body": "Let me try again. Murph"}, {"response": 1526, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Jan  9, 2000 (20:42)", "body": "Test test"}, {"response": 1527, "author": "Janeway", "date": "Sun, Jan  9, 2000 (20:43)", "body": "Wow Murph, you know how to brighten a dull Winter's day. Thank you so much for the smouldering (kohl rimmed?) look. We have one from the series at work, I like them. A special hello from you will be said."}, {"response": 1528, "author": "Janeway", "date": "Sun, Jan  9, 2000 (20:44)", "body": "I ber you would like to test THAT Elena!!"}, {"response": 1529, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Jan  9, 2000 (20:45)", "body": "Had some trouble posting. Thanks Murph for the picture, I can see what you meant by made up, he looks like someone from the old silent movies. And one can see clearly where the hair rollers were! Lynda, is your email address here at Drool correct? I\ufffdve tried to send you a message without success."}, {"response": 1530, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan  9, 2000 (21:09)", "body": "Murph, my favorite in that series, is the one where he's sitting on the beach with dark shirt and white trousers, barefooted....smiling with lots of teeth. Yummmmm"}, {"response": 1531, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan  9, 2000 (21:47)", "body": "That lighting sure makes his nose stick out. And you are right about the hair rollers Elena. I agree with you Evelyn, the one on the beach is my favourite one too. I will be with all of you at the Donmar in spirit. You very lucky ladies in the front row seats. ;-D"}, {"response": 1532, "author": "Janeway", "date": "Sun, Jan  9, 2000 (21:59)", "body": "We will miss you being with us Moon but as with everyone else we know you will be there in spirit. Evelyn, your favourite is the on e we have at work. I will say a special hello from you tomorrow."}, {"response": 1533, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Jan  9, 2000 (22:44)", "body": "Suddenly and unexpected ---- my pc (named Truelove, btw) works again. Obviously enjoyed his private M-bug, and killed the mouse. Have you ever tried to navigate the net only with the keys? It is awful..... Interesting long article about Sam Mendes on thisislondon: http://www.thisislondon.com/dynamic/hottx/film/top_film.html?in_review_id=222304&in_review_text_id=190754"}, {"response": 1534, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (00:06)", "body": "Thanks Renate....\"American Beauty\" gets my Oscar vote. Donmar will have two of its productions on Broadway this spring: TRT and \"American Buffalo\" which will transfer to Broadway after Earlham St."}, {"response": 1535, "author": "ommin", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (01:11)", "body": "Just for everyone's interest - or at least I think so! MLSF is still playing in Western Australia - Perth, but finishes alas on Wednesday - has been with us since the beginning of November - is that a record. Popular here."}, {"response": 1536, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (03:26)", "body": "Evelyn and All: Is this the one you mean? I have this one and a bunch of nice black and white pictures (old ones I found to scan) here Murph"}, {"response": 1537, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (03:28)", "body": "Sorry. The picture doesn't appear! You can see it if you follow the link. I wish I could preview so I wouldn't mess things up for everyone, though Murph"}, {"response": 1538, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (04:51)", "body": "Mary: Nothing on Xoom or Tripod can be linked to outside sites."}, {"response": 1539, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (10:04)", "body": "Cool collection, Murph! But the magazine ANNA is not Swedish but Finnish."}, {"response": 1540, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (13:00)", "body": "Karen: Thanks re Xoom and Tripod. I wondered about that, and Elena, thanks as well. I'll correct it. Murph"}, {"response": 1541, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (13:08)", "body": "One more goodie that I DVD screen captured the other day. It is the exact moment when they give that long delicious look at one another from behind piano to couch: Murph I have one of Elizabeth that you will love, Evelyn - and Ben too if he is still around. I'll put it up later. Hope you are still in the U.S."}, {"response": 1542, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (14:57)", "body": "As good as he is in his profession, I think he wouldn\ufffdt have managed to create such an utterly fascinated look in his face if he hadn\ufffdt fancied Jennifer in real life. And I love it when he seems to look straight into the camera for a tiny second in this scene. I always wondered if that was carefully planned or just an accident."}, {"response": 1543, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (15:07)", "body": "Thanks for that Guardian article, Karen. I agree with Mari, it does ring true. The cast was recalled for extra shooting I wonder which scenes in particular were added after-the-fact. Miramax is famous for the time it spends fine-tuning films and Norris is not alone in seeing this as a positive process Let's see, at last count there were--what, three different versions? 1920, 1927, and the revised ending seen by Australian audiences (expected to be the version heading for Britain in May). That's some kinda fine tuning. My Life So Far was finally ready for last year's Cannes film festival, only to be turned down. Undaunted, Miramax boss Harvey Weinstein staged a charity screening outside the official programme. (Mari) Good for Harve for finding a way. I'll give Harvey some credit for getting MLSF to Cannes, but I'll yank it right back again for what happened next. Any momentum built up prior to Cannes seemed to go *poof* immediately afterward. Maybe Liz Taylor fell asleep during the screening? ;-P (Bethan) MLSF opening...isn't the Curzon one of most prominent cinemas (location, no. of seats) in the West End? If so, great! Do I sense another reunion of the British Firthfaithful sometime in May?"}, {"response": 1544, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (16:32)", "body": "that you will love, Evelyn - and Ben too if he is still around. I'll put it up later. Hope you are still in the U.S. Thank you Murph....I think Ben has dumped us since he went back to the ole neighborhood:-D ( Elena)As good as he is in his profession, I think he wouldn\ufffdt have managed to create such an utterly fascinated look in his face if he hadn\ufffdt fancied Jennifer in real life. He denies this and ... with Meg in Valmont, but I tend to agree. Hope not....we want to see those looks again and unless we can talk Livia into an acting career....they might be gone....:-("}, {"response": 1545, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (17:15)", "body": "I think you'll find that you get \"the Look\" once more in the closing frame of TTOTS! Just for everyone's interest - or at least I think so! MLSF is still playing in Western Australia - Perth, but finishes alas on Wednesday - has been with us since the beginning of November - is that a record. Popular here. That's really good to know, Anne, especially as, according to the Guardian article (thanks Karen!) it was touch and go whether we got it here. BTW do videos in Australia come out in the PAL format? And if so, could you please keep an eye open for the video release date for MLSF in Oz. It might even be before May! Donmar will have two of its productions on Broadway this spring: TRT and \"American Buffalo\" which will transfer to Broadway after Earlham St. \"American Buffalo\" is being advertised...it's a New York Theatre Company co-production, starring William H.Macey. Olivier nominations should be out soon! Fingers crossed for Colin, but it's terribly competitive. Mind you. If Timothy Spall and Harriet Walters can be awarded OBEs (and Simon Callow a CBE), a nomination seems a fairly modest hope! Working Title say they will start shooting BJD in April. Hope this is true...it's been \"about to happen\" for some time now. And John Madden will be directing \"Captain Corelli\" from April. No female lead cast as yet. I've seen nothing more about \"Flashman\", but having seen some re-runs of the \"Sharpe\" series, military history (with a dash of romance) is definitely something that Carlton/Meridien do well (ditto \"Hornblower\") so I hope this is a go-er."}, {"response": 1546, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (17:18)", "body": "Evelyn: Here is Lizzie reading Jane's letter: Murph"}, {"response": 1547, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (17:50)", "body": "\" (Bethan) American Buffalo\" is being advertised...it's a New York Theatre Company co-production, starring William H.Macey Read about this yesterday in a bit about Macy. He's very popular in the US--we see him as \"everyman.\" Or so they say. Olivier nominations should be out soon! Do you know exactly when? This month or next? Working Title say they will start shooting BJD in April. ...of which year? Wonder when they'll announce the cast?"}, {"response": 1548, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (18:14)", "body": "Thank you Murph...that's a winner. Olivier nominations should be out soon! Do you know exactly when? This month or next? I think it's Feb. for Olivier. But Critics Choice Award nominations should be out this month. ~~~~~ If Timothy Spall and Harriet Walters can be awarded OBEs (and Simon Callow a CBE), a nomination seems a fairly modest hope! Is there a correlation between the Honours List and Olivier awards?"}, {"response": 1549, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (18:29)", "body": "(Eileen) He's very popular in the US--we see him as \"everyman.\" Yeah, every man without a spine and every man with festering homosexual inclinations trying to keep a lid on things...unless Jeremey Northam or cute bartender winks at you. ;-) Olivier nominations should be out soon! Do you know exactly when? This month or next? The Olivier nominations are *announced* sometime in January (which it is) and given in February, according to the theatre website. Hope our timing is good...will say no more"}, {"response": 1550, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (18:32)", "body": "Is there a correlation between the Honours List and Olivier awards? No, none at all. The Honours List used to reflect oustanding performance in one's chosen field, or a particular dedication to duty, often over a lifetime. I'm not sure what it relects now....but an OBE would rank considerably higher than a mere nomination for an acting award. The awards are personally made by the Queen at Buckingham Palace. I think the point I was making was that if Timothy Spall etc can get such serious recognition for their acting skills, it would be nice to see CF included in the Olivi r nominations. And nominations/awards do matter!"}, {"response": 1551, "author": "baine", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (18:57)", "body": "(Karen)Yeah, every man without a spine and every man with festering homosexual inclinations trying to keep a lid on things This is OT here and should be moved I suppose to O&E, but could you clarify a bit here? Festering and inclinations are not words I think of as logically juxtaposed to homosexual."}, {"response": 1552, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (19:04)", "body": "(Evelyn)unless we can talk Livia into an acting career....they might be gone Hehe, I wouldn\ufffdt be so sure about that, men are men after all. Remember Ingrid and Falling In etc. ;-)"}, {"response": 1553, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (19:28)", "body": "(Karen) The Olivier nominations are *announced* sometime in January (which it is) and given in February, according to the theatre website. Thanks. Hope our timing is good...will say no more Have fingers and toes crossed. Have also commenced good luck dance (hard to do with fingers and toes crossed, but will do whatever it takes)."}, {"response": 1554, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (20:02)", "body": "Murph, thanks for those black and white photos. I had previously only seen one of them - WOW. Bethan, Australia has PAL vidoes and as soon as I see MLSF I will contact you. I'm sure Anne will too. I'm finishing work today and heading off to London on Thursday. I will talk to you either in London or back here about 31 January. Be good ;-)"}, {"response": 1555, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (20:08)", "body": "Have a safe trip Cathey, see you on the 15th. Don't wish to alarm anyone but according to the Government we have a Flu Epidemic in the UK, bring plenty of Aspirins!! and its pretty chilly but bright."}, {"response": 1556, "author": "Janeway", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (21:36)", "body": "Bright in the South East Ann but not elsewhere. Still the weather can't be a lot worse than the pouring rain we endured at the last one!"}, {"response": 1557, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (22:53)", "body": "It's good to be back at the Spring. I have a lot of reading to catch up on; due to technical difficulties on the part of the Spring, and the flu on my part. I have to tell you about a video I received as a gift. It is the infamous \"Playmaker\". The friend who gave it to me said, \"You like Colin Firth and think he's hot, so you should like this. You can see pubic hair.\" I don't mean to be rude, but I would have preferred to have seen a good movie. I did expect it to be bad, but I thought it might be so bad it's fun like \"Plan 9 from Outer Space\" or \"Howard the Duck\". No, it's not. I realize from reading past entries on Drool, that my namesake and predecessor on these boards, the erudite and intelligent CherylE had a grudging admiration for this film. She did justify her position quite admirably to her credit. As for my part I just thought it was beyond belief and beneath contempt. I mean it blows, it blow chunks. This film could induce projectile vomiting...wait, maybe that was the flu. It's still a lousy film. Why did CF do that? What was he thinking? He no doubt needed money. I hope the check cleared without much difficulty. It was just so embarassing. I was embarassed for him; I was embarassed for myself, but I watched it. What can I say -- I do think he's hot and it appealed to my purient interest. Sometimes I'm just so stupid and basic. Let's just say I'm glad CF never made a movie titled \"Captain Lecher and the Tramp Maidens from Mars\"."}, {"response": 1558, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jan 11, 2000 (00:36)", "body": "By his own admission, he was broke after a six month stint in the theatre (Pinter's \"The Caretaker\") and desperate to see his son in LA. He also said that he loathed every minute of filming PM and hoped it sank without trace. He's had his personal and professional ups and downs, and this must have been a real down period. You feel disappointed for him. B-ut, if you watch without the flu bug (guaranteed to have a depressive effect!) you may find that prurient interest can take hold (the scissors scene, for example):-)"}, {"response": 1559, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 11, 2000 (00:55)", "body": "(CherylB) This film could induce projectile vomiting That does it!! Nan is using an alias. Projectile vomiting IS on her Stinkosity scale. ;-) Have a glass or two of wine, and sit back and enjoy what the film does have to offer... OK, so maybe it does take a prurient interest and I'm proud to say I have one. ;-) Besides, Ross is v.v.cute. (I'm shallow too) And the contrast in acting abilities between Colin and that Meryl Streep wannabee is just too fun."}, {"response": 1560, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Jan 11, 2000 (01:23)", "body": "I too thought I'd never want to take another look at Playmaker but take heed to what Bethan and Karen say, Cheryl. If anyone can find anything remotely redeeming about this film, we can. It does have some significant rewards. Your friend picked up on a few of them and I'll bet you did too. ;-) Just fast forward over the rock scene. Thanks for the pictures, Murph. It's reassuring to know we can still get them here."}, {"response": 1561, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Jan 11, 2000 (11:52)", "body": "Erm....Cheryl, or anyone....just WHAT exactly is it in Playmaker that\ufffds so embarassing/disappointing/sickening? Is it just a lousy film altogether or does Colin do something specially disgusting in it?? I\ufffdll probably never see that film so could you please elaborate."}, {"response": 1562, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 11, 2000 (14:15)", "body": "Can't remember if I posted any casting rumors before...but so much for LeCarre's The Tailor of Panama. The main part went to Brosnan. Maybe Boorman has Colin in mind for a supporting role. :-( From Reuters: A writer will be hired quickly in hopes of making the picture right after Brosnan completes work in director John Boorman's \"Tailor of Panama,\" a Columbia film based on the John Le Carre bestseller. The negotiations aren't complete, but Brosnan expects to make that his next starring effort. \"Tailor\" centers on a British intelligence operative in Latin America who manipulates a crisis that leads the U.S. to invade Panama and nullify the Panama Treaty."}, {"response": 1563, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 11, 2000 (16:24)", "body": "A film with Brosnan would be good for CV and $$$$. He has a big following. And John Boorman's films are always well done.Good match."}, {"response": 1564, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 11, 2000 (18:30)", "body": "(Elena)Erm....Cheryl, or anyone....just WHAT exactly is it in Playmaker that\ufffds so embarassing/disappointing/sickening? Is it just a lousy film altogether or does Colin do something specially disgusting in it?? I\ufffdll probably never see that film so could you please elaborate. I can bring it to the Donmar, it you want it.Let me know. But don't ask him to autograph the sleeve...he says it a piece of c***. But hey, all actors do clunkers occasionally. He's probably dones less than most."}, {"response": 1565, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jan 11, 2000 (19:11)", "body": "Take Evelyn up on her offer, Elena. A picture is worth a thousand words. ;-)"}, {"response": 1566, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jan 11, 2000 (19:20)", "body": "Talk about \"little things please little minds\", I was so thrilled today when watching my favourite soap, Australia's Home & Away, Sally one of the main characters brought in the video on P&P (they were reading it at the local school for HSC I believe) and urged another character to watch \"The wonderful mini series starring Colin Firth & Jennifer Ehle (unfortunately she did not pronounce Jennifer's surname properly but it was still good to hear their names!! SPOILER The other thing, I have just finished reading \"The Edge of Reason\", I have been reading it slowly and savouring it because I didn't want to come to the end, but I have and I loved it. I really hope Colin plays Mark Darcy, he sounds so cute and a real gentleman and there are quite a few LOL moments, especially when he nearly gets arrested dressed only in a towel (again). So much Colin and so much MD, Helen Fielding really seems to like Colin and has done more than anyone I know to promote ODB. I wasn't s re about him playing MD until I read this book but now I think it will be a good move and I cannot think of anyone else in the role. The only problem is the casting of BJ, all I can think of is a HF lookalike. Sorry is if this is on the wrong topic."}, {"response": 1567, "author": "Janeway", "date": "Tue, Jan 11, 2000 (19:25)", "body": "Good news re weather for anyone London bound. Fine , dry and no snow for weekend!"}, {"response": 1568, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Jan 11, 2000 (21:50)", "body": "Article on ThisisLondon: \"Brits go for gold at the Globes\" Minghella mention, Sam Mendes mention, Donmar mention, but no - you guess it - mention. http://www.thisislondon.com/dynamic/hottx/top_review.html?in_review_id=242957&in_review_text_id=191390 #"}, {"response": 1569, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jan 11, 2000 (22:08)", "body": "Update on the Dome....don't know if this is useful. The Dome itself continues to get a bad crit, and queueing seems to be a particular problem, and the number of visitors per day is only about 12000, below expectations. But,on the positive side, \"Blackadder\" has got very good reviews (the \"best part\" of the Dome experience \"unmissable\") and because the number of visitors is down, there are no queues for Skyscrape, which is absolutely huge, with screen to match. I really hope Colin plays Mark Darcy, he sounds so cute and a real gentleman . Couldn't agree more!"}, {"response": 1570, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Jan 11, 2000 (22:08)", "body": "(Eileen)A picture is worth a thousand words. I know, I know. I feel very tempted but a bit ashamed as well to be so....what was that lovely word? Prurient?! I just read through the Spring Playmaker discussion and understood that Cheryl possibly didn\ufffdt exaggerate at all about projectile vomiting. Yes, I need to see that film! :-D (Ann)\"The Edge of Reason\", I have been reading it slowly and savouring it I know the feeling, I also wanted to read it slowly to make it last but it\ufffds the kind of book you tend to read very quickly, can\ufffdt help it. Btw I\ufffdve tortured my hubby again, I made him read the book. After some suspicion he seemed to like it all right and even commented the Colin interview as hilarious."}, {"response": 1571, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Jan 11, 2000 (22:45)", "body": "Article on ThisisLondon: \"Brits go for gold at the Globes\" Minghella mention, Sam Mendes mention, Donmar mention, but no - you guess it - mention. http://www.thisislondon.com/dynamic/hottx/top_review.html?in_review_id=242957&in_review_text_id=191390 #"}, {"response": 1572, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 12, 2000 (02:23)", "body": "Good News Looks like we are going to have a private screening of SLOW on Saturday the 15th. The details haven't been finalized, but I will specify that it should be early enough to accommodate people going to the 3DOR matinee at 3:00 pm and it should be in the Covent Garden area. I will send my hotel's phone number out on S'folks. If you are not on S'folks and want details, email me. And if you haven't RSVP'd (replied), it's not too late. The more the merrier."}, {"response": 1573, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jan 12, 2000 (15:05)", "body": "Way to go, Karen! *I'm high-fivin' you* I'm not even going and I'm thrilled you were able to pull this off. Woohoo! For those of you who will be in London this weekend, please move heaven and earth if necessary to attend this screening (even if you've seen SLOW before). Let's make Karen's efforts worthwhile."}, {"response": 1574, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 12, 2000 (17:41)", "body": "*High-fivin you back* ;-) This is so exciting. Will miss all you guys so very much. We'll give Colin a big *samooch* (mentally projected only) from you all."}, {"response": 1575, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Jan 12, 2000 (20:16)", "body": "(Elena)Btw I\ufffdve tortured my hubby again, I made him read the book. After some suspicion he seemed to like it all right and even commented the Colin interview as hilarious. Couldn't get Antonio to read it... not that I really mind. The interview is fantastic, isn't it? :-) (KarenR)We'll give Colin a big *samooch* (mentally projected only) from you all. Mentally projected only? Well well... I forget, he's English... Had he Portuguese and Italian genes..."}, {"response": 1576, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jan 12, 2000 (21:07)", "body": "Very well done, Karen!!! I'm sure you'll enjoy SLOW! Just don't think in terms of Oscars, Baftas, career defining moments etc. It's entertaining and the leads do charm, and I'm always pleased to see a movie without any violence, bad language or ear-splitting soundtrack! It's a shame the Man Himself can't join you at the screening...:-) Some friends of my son have seen \"Blackadder goes back and forth\" and have given it a definite \"Thumbs up\" rating, with some very funny moments. There are about a dozen screenings during the day, and as the auditorium is massive, no queueing is required."}, {"response": 1577, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Thu, Jan 13, 2000 (00:44)", "body": "(Karen) That does it!! Nan is using an alias. Projectile vomiting IS on her Stinkosity scale. What can I say. Great minds think alike. Well, I do aspire to be a great mind. (Elena) ...Just WHAT exactly is in Playmaker that is so embarassing/disappointing/sickening? The dialogue, the story, the direction (or lack thereof), the costumes, the lighting, the acting, with exception of Colin of course. Seriously, he is the only good thing is this movie. I felt so badly for him being very professional and trying to give a good performance given the putrid lines he had in this godawful mess of a movie. But when I'm feeling especially shallow it's there to appeal my prurient interest."}, {"response": 1578, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Thu, Jan 13, 2000 (00:51)", "body": "I wish you all the very best in London this week-end. 3DOR is a very interesting play and Colin is wonderful in it. I hope you all enjoy SLOW as much as I did. Good work, Karen. If only you could bring back a bunch of videos with you.It is much better than Playmaker, especially the ending, and Colin is very drool-worthy in it. Bon Voyage to one and all!"}, {"response": 1579, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Thu, Jan 13, 2000 (00:53)", "body": "I almost forgot. Karen and everyone going to the screening of \"SLOW\" have a great time. From what I've read \"SLOW\" sounds like a charming movie, maybe not great, but charming. Furthermore Karen, you lay that big *samooch* (metally projected) from all of us on CF. And Gi with the power of our collective minds, Colin doesn't need to have Portuguese or Italian genes. He may well feel that *samooch* in the physical realm."}, {"response": 1580, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Jan 13, 2000 (01:57)", "body": "A little bit of movin' and shakin' gets it done and it looks like Karen's got the moves down pat. I think the lucky girls getting the chance to see SLOW on Saturday know just what to expect - Colin looking very fine indeed. Despite his apparent ambivalent feelings, he can't hope it stays buried like Playmaker. Given the opportunity, I'm hoping someone mentions to him Friday night that they've arranged a special viewing of SLOW. It might surprise him to see the lengths one must take to see his work. The U.S.-based contingent should be in the air by now. Dinner is being served and the after dinner movie is My Life So Far! Then it's time to take plenty of drugs and zonk out 'til dawn. We'll catch up with them again tomorrow in London."}, {"response": 1581, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jan 13, 2000 (04:26)", "body": "Already I am rattling around Spring like a dried pea in a referee's whistle (someone's prized Keepsake from FP)...all of the Firthians are on their way to Old Blighty, and the others are busy IRL...so Heide and I shall play with the keepsakes and we can mix them up, then watch to see if anyone notices...*grin*"}, {"response": 1582, "author": "baine", "date": "Thu, Jan 13, 2000 (14:08)", "body": "Marcia and Heide--I'm with you--just sitting around drooling, sending mental smooches, and waiting for the reports."}, {"response": 1583, "author": "LynnR", "date": "Thu, Jan 13, 2000 (16:32)", "body": "I'm also sitting at home, feeling envious but waiting anxiously for reports from the traveling Firthettes!"}, {"response": 1584, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jan 13, 2000 (17:23)", "body": "The \"Olivier\" nominations have just been announced, not nomination for Colin, I am afraid, but 3 Days of Rain has been nomin ated in the Best New Play category. OT Jennifer Ehle and Stephen Dillane were nominated for Best Actress and Best Actor."}, {"response": 1585, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jan 13, 2000 (17:59)", "body": "Glad I'm still here and could read your news, Ann. Wonder if I might prevail on MDH to see The Real Thing... I doubt it. SLOW, 3DoR, TRT in one weekend, it's perhaps too much. (MarciaH)...so Heide and I shall play with the keepsakes and we can mix them up, then watch to see if anyone notices...*grin* Don't you dare mess with my Fencing Glove! I'd have to throw it at you:-)"}, {"response": 1586, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jan 13, 2000 (20:59)", "body": "Actually Gi, I think Antonio would enjoy The Real Thing!"}, {"response": 1587, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Jan 14, 2000 (00:15)", "body": "OK, I'm happy for Stephen Dillane (secretly seething that he took Colin's nomination away.) and I'm very happy for Jennifer. Will be rooting all the way for her. But I am seriously displeased that Colin was not nominated. These are the \"prestige\" awards, am I right? Damn, I thought his performance was in the bag. What does he have to do? Bwahhh! Ladies, I'm counting on you all to keep the fires burning while our London girls have a ball. We shall share in their pleasure at the first reports though it ain't nothing like the real thing. (Hmmm, still seething about the awards.) Speaking of The Real Thing, that's where some of our girls are tonight. Wonder if the stars will get extra publicity tonight because of the announcement. Evelyn and Karen and probably others were to pick up their theater tickets this afternoon at the Donmar. We shall see if there was a sighting whilst there. Gi, Helena, Sabine, et al, when do you depart?"}, {"response": 1588, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Jan 14, 2000 (01:30)", "body": "(Heide) Damn, I thought his performance was in the bag. Moi aussi, Heide. Pardon my French, but this sucks. Colin must be very disappointed -- I may be totally off base here, but I felt the main reason he agreed to do the longer run (after saying he can't do long runs because of fatherhood responsibilities) was because of the possibility of an Olivier nom. Does anyone know who were the other actors (in addition to Dillane) who were nominated? I'm very happy about Jennifer's nom, though. Also, I read that Alison Steadman was also nommed for best actress, so at least our female P&P stars are represented."}, {"response": 1589, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Jan 14, 2000 (02:35)", "body": "When are the awards presented? Is anyone going to the reception?"}, {"response": 1590, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jan 14, 2000 (08:23)", "body": "The Awards are presented on the 18th February, and will be recorded and shown on BBC2 on Sunday, 20th February. I too am very disappointed that Colin was not nominated but there are still The Critics' Awards due in Febrary, and they are also quite prestigious. I think Stephen Dillane's nomination was a foregone conculsion consdering the wonderful reviews he got from the critics. Here are the other nominees:- Anthony Sher -,The Winter's Tale, Roger Alam _ Summerfolk ( he was very good), Henry Goodman -T e Merchant of Venice, and Micheal Sheen - Look Back in Anger. According to one of Colin's websites his next project is a romantic period piece set in England at the turn of the century - now that is good news!!"}, {"response": 1591, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan 14, 2000 (13:13)", "body": "(Susan), Colin must be very disappointed -- I may be totally off base here, but I felt the main reason he agreed to do the longer run (after saying he can't do long runs because of fatherhood responsibilities) was because of the possibility of an Olivier nom. I agree! How very odd.I hate it when they nominate the play and ignore the lead actors. This may put him off from doing another play for a long time. SD was great in TRT, but it was an old play, as I see are the other actors who have also been nominated, those are known parts. I am looking forward to Karen's compare and contrast of the two performances. Gi, I think Antonio would like TRT. Go if you get a chance. Ann, could you give us more info on his next role?"}, {"response": 1592, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Fri, Jan 14, 2000 (13:19)", "body": "No Olivier nomination for ODB! Pooh!!! Hope he has the lead in the next project."}, {"response": 1593, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jan 14, 2000 (14:25)", "body": "(Heide) OK, I'm happy for Stephen Dillane (secretly seething that he took Colin's nomination away.) and I'm very happy for Jennifer. Will be rooting all the way for her. But I am seriously displeased that Colin was not nominated. These are the \"prestige\" awards, am I right? I'm possibly the furthest thing from an expert there is on this, but from where I sit, the Oliviers translate into the American Tonys. (Susan) Pardon my French, but this sucks. Well said! I am excessively disappointed. Shocked, grieved. Colin must be very disappointed -- I may be totally off base here, but I felt the main reason he agreed to do the longer run (after saying he can't do long runs because of fatherhood responsibilities) was because of the possibility of an Olivier nom. That was my first reaction as well. But from the little we know about Colin (via direct quotes), he doesn't strike me as the kind of actor motivated by awards. However, logic tells me the possibility of a nom surely had something to do with the reprise. We know it likely wasn't money! (Ann) According to one of Colin's websites his next project is a romantic period piece set in England at the turn of the century - now that is good news!! Details, Ann, more details! Which web site? Won't you pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease post the link! ;-)"}, {"response": 1594, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jan 14, 2000 (15:14)", "body": "Eileen, there is a link to the news on the project at Lizbeth's Timeline page, but what I have posted aboue is all the news they have at the moment."}, {"response": 1595, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 14, 2000 (16:15)", "body": "Hi from Karen and Evelyn in London Am only going to do a brief message because this keyboard sucks! (have gotten inspiration from the above carping about the nominations) And Heide gets the High Priestess of Telepathy prize for the day. Yes, yesterday, we had a Colin sighting at the Donmar before the matinee. He was getting his preperformance infusion of Starbucks coffee, while we were sitting quietly, resting our aching dogs (ok, just mine). Mari was walking back from the stand, making faces, indicating the area behind her. Standing at the counter was a guy in ugly glasses, wearing a ratty fur-trimmed parka and army green pants (no trainers). The back of his head fac d us. (I'll say no more about that view.) We were so good and didn't go up to him, but watched as he climbed the stairs directly over our heads. Our eyes met through the risers. ;-) Tonight is 3DOR and last night was TRT. Have lots to tell about opening night. Not in the least worthy of any prizes or nominations. (Ann, we will explain so don't get excited; there's a reason.) Evelyn says she saw Roger Allam in S'folk and no where is he near Colin's performance. She's thrilled about Jennifer and is chuckling that Tara F and Cate B didn't get a nod, but thinks Maggie Smith will take it. We're both heartsick about Colin's lack of a nomination. How could the play be nominated and none of the actors? This defies logic. We're all set for SLOW tomorrow. Will be quite the event. Bye for now, E&K"}, {"response": 1596, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jan 14, 2000 (16:44)", "body": "Here is the page Ann is referencing: http://members.aol.com/DJohn10589/index6.html As she has stated, Ann has reported everything there is to report. *Warning* This does not appear credible as yet (does the word \"Flashman\" ring any bells? At least that was reported in a credible publication). So let's not get too excited for now. Glad to hear from ya, 'E&K', looking forward to more!"}, {"response": 1597, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Jan 14, 2000 (17:35)", "body": "Thanks for the report, E&K, our ladies on the spot. What admirable restraint you showed in not approaching him! Colin should buy stock in Starbucks, what with all the business he gives them. Am anxiously awaiting the next dispatch. Have fun!"}, {"response": 1598, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan 14, 2000 (19:42)", "body": "It is such a good omen to have seen Colin casually. They are getting so blase about it. (just kidding!) How jealous are we ladies? So Karen, just what type of coffee he did ordered. (heehee)"}, {"response": 1599, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jan 14, 2000 (20:33)", "body": "Ho-hum...*yawn* Things have gone quiet here as we eagerly wait for news from those abroad. Have re-read E&K's earlier post. Standing at the counter was a guy in ugly glasses, wearing a ratty fur-trimmed parka and army green pants (no trainers). Am convinced the ugly glasses are a disguise. Hey, it worked for Clark Kent! :-P I see he continues to sport that 'early attic' look. The back of his head faced us. (I'll say no more about that view.) Uh-oh, that doesn't sound promising. Summon the hair wranglers at once! We were so good and didn't go up to him, but watched as he climbed the stairs directly over our heads. Our eyes met through the risers. ;-) I have a mental image of ODB watching his step then suddenly noticing six adoring eyes gazing up at him. (Moon) just what type of coffee he did ordered. (heehee) My money's on a double espresso ;-)"}, {"response": 1600, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Jan 14, 2000 (22:48)", "body": "Yeah!! Our girls made it safe and sound and have already reported in! Agree with Eileen that those glasses confirm he's attempting a disguise. Poor fellow can't know it's hopeless. Good on Mari for not being taken in. Must've been the voice...\"Double cafe latte, please\". Agree also that working just for nominations is not Colin's style but with such a project as this, one can't help but be disappointed. Jeez, at least he was nominated for P&P. This sucks. Hmmm, what's on the agenda today. Another sighting at Starbucks? How about those drinks with Mark and Ben? We can't wait to hear about our boy-toys. Absence does make the heart grow fonder. First viewing of 3DOR tonight. Let's hope they recover from the experience in time to post again. Pins and needles here."}, {"response": 1601, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Fri, Jan 14, 2000 (23:05)", "body": "Great to hear the news from London. Breathlessly awaiting more (while feeling a twinge of remorse for not going this time). However, the movie Camile is on television right now--this is the third showing since last night. Don't like it very much, but Colin gives a worthy performance."}, {"response": 1602, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Fri, Jan 14, 2000 (23:44)", "body": "High praise for you gals for not bothering ODB. That comment about his hair - was it wind-blown or wet? I must say that in only one performance did I see what you all have been commenting about, and I was looking, too. And his hair looked fine the day I met him and I too was looking at the back of his hand for a couple of minutes.Anyway, I can't wait to hear your reports on 3DOR,TRT and SLOW. Re Colin and the Olivier. Makes me think of Tumbledown. He was Tumbledown, so how was it that the film won a BAFTA for best drama and he did not win for best actor? I justed posted some comments on 3DOR and can't wait to read everyone else's."}, {"response": 1603, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Jan 14, 2000 (23:46)", "body": "URGENT! Hi, if anybody is online right now please reply: does any of you know Gi~s and Antonio~s family name? We are trying to get in touch with them but the guys at hotel can~t find them. Thanks! Renate"}, {"response": 1604, "author": "kolin", "date": "Sat, Jan 15, 2000 (00:07)", "body": "Could it be Patas?"}, {"response": 1605, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jan 15, 2000 (02:18)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1606, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sat, Jan 15, 2000 (09:01)", "body": "E&K, thanks so much for reporting back so promptly. It almost seems surreal to think you can be casually sitting near a coffee house and just see ODB strolling by. Thanks for the detailed play by play, because that is the only thing that sweetens the pill of not getting to go ourselves. I'm really bummed about no Olivier nom! I was so sure he'd get some recognition for this role. Even the critics liked his work in 3DOR. Argh! (Vera)Could it be Patas? Patas is her dog, but that was a good guess!"}, {"response": 1607, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jan 15, 2000 (14:22)", "body": "Eileen, thanks for linking to the info on the latest reported project. My, we are getting blas\ufffd. No further comment? Looks like we've been burned a few times before. Am curious about the special SLOW screening. I hope there was a good showing by his fans. Of course I'm also curious about last night's 3DOR. Was \"contact\" made? The virtual side-by-side comparison between Dillane and Firth should be interesting. I don't mean to sound like I'm picking on SD. It just seems that he came in late into the picture thereby taking Colin's spot. I know it doesn't work that way but I must provide some explanation. The ladies must be napping now. ;-) Getting that well deserved beauty sleep before tonight's performance."}, {"response": 1608, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jan 15, 2000 (15:34)", "body": "This has been posted at VV in RoP: The cast of \"Three Days of Rain\" will join you for dinner if you're willing and able to fork out (excuse pun) \ufffd250 for the privilege.A limited number of tickets are on sale now at The Donmar. Could you imagine having them there to discuss all our thoughts on 3DOR? What would be better to sit next to Colin or facing him. ;-D Does that price included dinner and who picks the restaurant? I wonder if it could be deferred to July when I will be there. Karen or Evelyn if you read this please ask. At this moment it is 3:30pm in London and they are there enjoying his presence."}, {"response": 1609, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jan 15, 2000 (19:25)", "body": "Have a really great time ladies! The lack of an Olivier nomination is a bummer, but apparently 3DOR is tipped for Best New Play! A-ny-way....ENJOY! Am having major computer problems, so if I disappear for a while, you'll know why. Hope it'll be okay!"}, {"response": 1610, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sat, Jan 15, 2000 (19:50)", "body": "Am taking a break from watching football (my goodness, it's gonna be a looong winter for you Miami fans); thought I'd check for news. (JanaC) However, the movie Camile is on television right now--this is the third showing since last night. Don't like it very much, but Colin gives a worthy performance. I saw this for the first time yesterday. Now I understand why the reviews were unfavorable. Didn't care for it, her or Colin's performance (except for a few scenes). But his voice was divine, and I liked the 'Darcy prequel' look. (Lynda) And his hair looked fine the day I met him and I too was looking at the back of his hand for a couple of minutes. I'm told the 'best' view of the follically challenged area is from above (the top of his head). You won't notice unless you're very tall or sitting in the balcony (circle?) seats during the performance. I was in steadfast denial about his hair until receiving unequivocal reports from our London contingent last March. (Moon) The cast of \"Three Days of Rain\" will join you for dinner if you're willing and able to fork out (excuse pun) \ufffd250 for the privilege.A limited number of tickets are on sale now at The Donmar. This is a Donmar fundraising gala (the way it was written at VV makes it sound like something more intimate). Past contributors to the Donmar received invitations several months ago. For your 250 pounds, you get a pre-performance reception, the play and a post-performance dinner with the cast and hundreds of the Donmar's other closest friends. Well, back to the game (maybe the score is 50-something to 0 now--poor Dan Marino). Will try to check back later. I hope Renate found Gi and Antonio!"}, {"response": 1611, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sat, Jan 15, 2000 (20:01)", "body": "One more thing--there's more info about Colin's rumored next project at Lisbeth's website. Click here: http://members.aol.com/DJohn10589/index6.html Alas, the source of the info is still not included. (Lisbeth, if you're reading this, please let us know where you're getting your information!) (Bethan) but apparently 3DOR is tipped for Best New Play! In the wake of Colin's Olivier status, I don't find myself the least bit excited about this. Sour grapes, I guess."}, {"response": 1612, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jan 15, 2000 (20:24)", "body": "Thanks for clearing that up Eileen. I thought it was too good to be true. a film by: Carlos Saura Writer: Raymond Khoury Title: The Maid of Buttermere Probably based on the book, The Maid of Buttermere, by Melvyn Bragg. This is from Lisbeth's site. I did not like Saura's last film Tango, it was a big bore, and I don't care for his other films as well. I would hope that Colin gets the lead, but, I do wish Lisbeth would credit her information. This is a bad habit of her's. Murph, do you have anything news on this project?"}, {"response": 1613, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Jan 15, 2000 (22:59)", "body": "Greetings from flu-bound England from a first time drooler...probably not the correct term but I'm sure you'll let this virgin poster off just this once. Many thanks to E&K for v useful info re Firth Coffee sightings..we'd been wondering how to spend our time before Thursdays 3DOR performance and now we know....lurking behind the pillars at Starbucks for a glimpse of the guy in \"ugly specs\"...who knowing my luck will just turn out to be an off-duty Big Issue seller..but maybe not. Apparently he's rumoured (CF not BigIssue guy) to be seen pounding the streets of Covent Garden before performances so there's another tip for anyone going to London to see Col. V envious of those having a Firth weekend , have not seen SLOW yet, does anyone know if they're managing to fit the Dome in (ladies please!) on their travels for a Blackadder/Colin fest? Or has anyone else been? Have been off work since 13/1 with this flu and huddled on sofa under duvet consoled by my CF video collection - needless to say feel much better & would recommend this cure wholeheartedly, a good dose of Richard Courtois, cockerel et al works wonders!"}, {"response": 1614, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jan 15, 2000 (23:03)", "body": "The \"Maid of Buttermere\" is a novel by Melvyn Bragg (very well known British writer) and it's an excellent read (quite sexy in parts, from what I recall!)...based on a true story in the 1810s in the Lake District. The hero (and there's only one male \"lead\") is a flawed scoundrel, an ex-convict and imposter who sets out to win the hand of an heiress by impersonating an aristocrat, but then destroys his plans and himself by falling hopelessly in love with the Maid. There's a chase and a trial...and a tragic ending. I hope this is true...but still want to see Mark Darcy (Working Title say they will start shooting April/May) and Flashman!!"}, {"response": 1615, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sat, Jan 15, 2000 (23:33)", "body": "I am afraid to comment on \"The Maid of Buttermere\" lest it not be true or ODB appears in it in a cameo. A tragic ending? Does that mean that Colin's character dies, shades of Valmont, Master of the Moor, Playmaker, The English Patient, et al? Beyond that, the character sounds more like our dashing Darcy. Hope it's true and that he has the lead in it."}, {"response": 1616, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jan 15, 2000 (23:45)", "body": "Welcome Tracy! I hope you will be feeling better by the time you see 3DOR on Thur. and don't forget, we want to hear from you again. Tell us if you encounter DB on your outing. Bethan, there is also the role of the brother of whom he impersonates, Lord..."}, {"response": 1617, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Jan 16, 2000 (00:48)", "body": "Moon: Nothing so far, so I made a page on Buttermere, The Director, and the person CF may play. Interesting character, John Hatfield, and a grand part for CF. He gets to be an anti-hero, and possibly hung in the end. I reserved the book from my library and will be quoting from it next week: The Maid of Buttermere I have feelers out for more info. Perhaps Lisbeth has more on Colin. What a description Karen gave us from Starbucks! And I echo their good taste in being restrained. Can't wait to hear what will happen tonight. Murph"}, {"response": 1618, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jan 16, 2000 (01:38)", "body": "Tracy! So glad you found us here. Hope you stay awhile You lucky thing, you, getting to see the play on Thursday. Please report back with your thoughts. I've heard the flu has been bad in England and my first thoughts of course were, \"I hope Colin doesn't get sick.\" It's bad in the US as well but I'd gladly suffer through it for him if it meant he'd stay well. Nah, not that crazy but what sorrow would be felt by a rather large army of fans if he comes down with the bug and can't go onstage. Some of the girls will be going to the Millenium Dome tomorrow. We're hoping they get their 20 pounds worth and see the film over and over and over again."}, {"response": 1619, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sun, Jan 16, 2000 (03:38)", "body": "Back to the Olivier noms -- I'm a bit confused. I took a quick look through the list of nominees, and in the best actor in a play category there were 5 nominees, but the other categories seemed to have 4 nominees. (Perhaps I'm mistaken here -- as I said, it was a quick look, but I remember it struck me as odd.) Is the rule that up to 5 actors can be nominated? If so, it sucks doubly that Colin wasn't nominated. (Karen) ...last night was TRT. Have lots to tell about opening night. Not in the least worthy of any prizes or nominations. (Ann, we will explain so don't get excited; there's a reason.) Can't wait to hear the reason. Hope nothing disastrous happened -- i.e., the sets fell down or actors forgot entire speeches. Calling E&K, calling E&K... dying to hear about SLOW... and dinner... and 3DOR... and afterward...;-D"}, {"response": 1620, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Jan 16, 2000 (08:54)", "body": "Welcome, Tracy! We always love to have newbies. So glad you joined us and hope you're feeling better soon. I'm sitting here on pins and needles waiting for our next installment from E&K."}, {"response": 1621, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jan 16, 2000 (10:37)", "body": "Murph, Thanks for getting together so much info on \"The Maid of Buttermere\" on your website....how do you do it so quickly? Amazing! Buttermere is a beautiful place and I remember seeing the Fish Hotel. We often go up to the Lakes for the day in the summer (we're just under 2 hours drive away). If they're filming on location, shall definitely go and have a look! According to Amazon.co.uk, the book is in print, price \ufffd6.99 (Sceptre)"}, {"response": 1622, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan 16, 2000 (15:44)", "body": "Thanks Murph! You did a great job. Why don't you email Lola Films for a confirmation on the cast. There are certainly several parts CF can play. Hatfield is supposed to be blue eyed and fair."}, {"response": 1623, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jan 16, 2000 (16:25)", "body": "I wonder how many times now the girls have seen the Blackadder film today. Often enough, I hope, that they'll be able to recite dialog in their sleep. We want all. Want...need...must have...my, I'm demanding. Going back a bit earlier to Camille. Now this is just me but on a good day, I'll rate this film just a bit above Playmaker and on a bad day, well.. The sets are so cheesy, the music so dramatic, the lines delivered so self consciously. I don't care if Gielgud and Kingsley are in it, they're almost as bad as Greta Scacchi. And who is that awful actor who plays his friend? Colin is very pretty throughout and does the best he can but that death scene...groan. I may take the rock scene in PM over this s ene. Luckily this is very early in his career and can be taken as a learning experience. Okay, I'm in my bunker now."}, {"response": 1624, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Jan 16, 2000 (17:53)", "body": "Heide: Can you help? A person (Monika) who loves to read the posts here cannot get in anymore. I think she is just a browsser. What direction can I give her? Thanks. Murph"}, {"response": 1625, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jan 16, 2000 (18:38)", "body": "Hi All, just back from London and I have been given permission to put you all out of your misery. Firstly Susan, because I too was concerned about what happened on Thursday at TRT. Well apparently the audience could not hear the actors, particularly SD., and half way throught the first half the audience started to clap and then shouted \"Speak up\" and which point SD came out of character and said something and then returned to character, spoke louder and things weren't too bad. However, Evelyn says they d play it differently to the Donmar, with two cast changes which are not for the better, lets hope they get things sorted out be it goes to Broadway because it was absolutely magical at the Donmar and anything less would be a disaster.cont."}, {"response": 1626, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jan 16, 2000 (18:43)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1627, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jan 16, 2000 (18:54)", "body": "cont. (have to do this as too long a message crashes) We then returned to the hotel and watch TTOTS and The Survival Appeal which Aishling had kindly recorded and brought with her. Next dinner at the Luno Nova, there were about 26 of us, great anticipation for the play. The play was great, DM has improved immensely and the audience applauded loudly at the end. Michael Winner (Director Columnist?) was in the audience no other celebrities spotted and no Livia. Afterwards Colin came down to the foyer and the were so many people there but I was lucky enough to et my FP Video sleeve signed and Colin seemed to be in a good mood although one of the Donmar staff said he had an appointmentand could not stay for long. Evelyn says there were more there last night than any other night she fhas been to the play, not just Spring etc. Then we finished off by trooping along to a hotel and had a dring in the hotel bar all 26 odd of us!! I am so glad for K & E that things worked out so well and thank Karen for arranging the Private Screening,it was a unique experience."}, {"response": 1628, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jan 16, 2000 (18:57)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1629, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jan 16, 2000 (18:57)", "body": "Hi All, just back from London and I have been given permission to put you all out of your misery. Firstly Susan, because I too was concerned about what happened on Thursday at TRT. Well apparently the audience could not hear the actors, particularly SD., and half way throught the first half the audience started to clap and then shouted \"Speak up\" and which point SD came out of character and said something and then returned to character, spoke louder and things weren't too bad. However, Evelyn says they d play it differently to the Donmar, with two cast changes which are not for the better, lets hope they get things sorted out be it goes to Broadway because it was absolutely magical at the Donmar and anything less would be a disaster.cont."}, {"response": 1630, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jan 16, 2000 (19:21)", "body": "sorry and welcome Tracy. (don't know why there are repeated posts!)"}, {"response": 1631, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jan 16, 2000 (20:18)", "body": "Also forgot to say to KJ that we all loved the card she produced for Colin, you are a very talented lady KJ, thankyou very much."}, {"response": 1632, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jan 16, 2000 (20:24)", "body": "(don't know why there are repeated posts!) Who cares? I read them all anyway because the news is too good. Not long to wait until the video comes out and any CF fan should have a copy. Thanks for this, Ann. Makes the deprivation a little less hard to bear. Glad enough showed up to help with the cost but given the opportunity, who wouldn't? Colin seemed to be in a good mood Spill, honey. What made you think he was in a good mood? What did you say to him? Did Karen get her picture yet? put faces to names. Ben or Mark there? '-) Might have been a bit intimidating for them. Evelyn says there were more there last night than any other night she fhas been to the play Wall to wall people? How long did he stay signing, considering he had an appointment. Did everyone get their chance? Thanks so much, Ann for posting. I'm afraid it has only whet my appetite for more. Murph, has Monika tried registering? She may need to even if it just to read. I assume she's trying to get in with the numeric addresses: http://206.97.234.70/yapp-bin/public/browse/drool/123/since/new (colin) http://206.97.234.70/yapp-bin/public/browse/drool/127/since/new (odds & ends) etc. If she still can't get in, have her contact Karen and me at nomdedrool@yahoo.com and we'll try to talk her through it. Thanks for being the go-between."}, {"response": 1633, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Jan 16, 2000 (21:25)", "body": "Thanks all fo making me feel so welcome, I'm much better now thanks and am sure that'll I'll be fit enough for Thursday. Seems like everyone had a great time over the weekend. \"Afterwards Colin came down to the foyer and the were so many people there\" How long did you have to wait until ODB appeared?"}, {"response": 1634, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan 16, 2000 (21:28)", "body": "Ann, thanks for posting. I agree with Heide, please tell us more. :-D Did Colin like the Janeway Flowers? Did he chat? Pix with Karen? etc etc It is a shame about TRT, I wanted Karen to see SDs performance at its best."}, {"response": 1635, "author": "Janeway", "date": "Sun, Jan 16, 2000 (22:11)", "body": "Hello just back and it is very late so I will be brief but give you some delicious details. Evelyn asked him if he liked the flowers , he dimpled up and turned to her and thanked her. loved the wonderful card KJ, I am in awe, thank you so much for doing it. BLACKADDER His part is at least half of TOTS (about 2 mins) He has long hair swept back off his face, beard, and the costume is I think Peacock blue, you get to see his long legs in tights as he walks away too. I don't want to do spoilers as I think that some of the others have things they want to share with you about it."}, {"response": 1636, "author": "Janeway", "date": "Sun, Jan 16, 2000 (22:18)", "body": "The SLOW screening was just wonderful, Thank you Karen so much. It has been a lovely weekend and great to see so many fans all together and as Ann said \"Put names to faces\" ODB was charming last night althou' he did look a little startled initially when he saw such a crowd. I think that the photos , of which many were taken, will give you all the exact feel of it, much better than this Domewearied poster can! We sat in the front row and sent him love from \"absent Friends\" and you were all toasted copiously and of course, much missed."}, {"response": 1637, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (00:11)", "body": "Thank you, Lizza, for posting though you must be exhausted. He sounds as if he's his ever-charming self. I'm so glad he came downstairs and everyone got a chance at photos. We'll be able to live off this for months. Each one of you has your own individual take on the trip. Please give us your thoughts. I doubt you can spoil it for anyone yet to post since theirs will be uniques as well. I'll look for both you and Ann tomorrow after you've rested up and anyone else who has returned home safely with stories to tell. This is the fun part!"}, {"response": 1638, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (00:29)", "body": "Thanks so much, Ann and Lizza, for posting so promptly. So glad everything went well. Dying to see those photos! And thanks for remembering us \"absent friends\":-) Oh, and before I forget again, welcome Tracy! Looking forward to hearing your report later this week."}, {"response": 1639, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (00:48)", "body": "Hi everybody, I\ufffdm back home from London and very very exhausted and I have to go to sleep in a minute (tough workday tomorrow) but I just want to say this: I think the Spring Reunion was a great success! I really loved to meet and talk to all the ladies, I miss you all so much already! And Colin then, well, he was just something out of this world, both on stage and off. I Saw 3DOR twice and Colin\ufffds performance on Saturday evening was so excellent that I felt touched. When he puts everything into what he\ufffds doing, he\ufffds simply outstandingly good and makes you listen to him and forget everything else. On Friday evening he was very different I think, not as good. He looked tired and sounded monotonous at times, just shouting away the whole Walker part, not much stopping to breathe and emphasize. He came down to meet fans on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and every time he was very friendly, beautiful dimpled smiles and ready to pose with everybody for pictures...KJ, as a thank-you for the card I do have a program for you, autographed by the most gorgeous brown-eyed man in this world. I\ufffdll get back to all this later in detail but most importantly: I feel happy and grateful. Colin is a wonderful actor and very lovely to his fans. For example: last night when he came down the stairs and the lobby was packed with fans the Donmar female guard shouted to us: \"Colin Firth has an appointment so please be quick\" and Colin continued: \"But I\ufffdll try to satisfy everybody\"!!! And so he went all the way through the enormous autographing session again."}, {"response": 1640, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (01:13)", "body": "I'm glad you were so touched, Elena, and your description touched me. When he puts everything into what he\ufffds doing, he\ufffds simply outstandingly good and makes you listen to him and forget everything else. He hasn't lost his touch, eh? ;-) He came down to meet fans on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and every time he was very friendly, beautiful dimpled smiles and ready to pose with everybody for pictures. Marvelous! Donmar female guard shouted to us: \"Colin Firth has an appointment so please be quick\" and Colin continued: \"But I\ufffdll try to satisfy everybody\"!!! And so he went all the way through the enormous autographing session again. I'm sure no one was disappointed. By the way, where were the other stars of the play? ;-) KJ, as a thank-you for the card I do have a program for you, autographed by the most gorgeous brown-eyed man in this world. And well deserved. I'm sorry I didn't get to see the card but I have seen KJ's art work and can be sure she did herself (and us) proud. Get some sleep, Elena. Work should be a breeze tomorrow since you'll still be walking on air. BTW, I checked out Dolores's site again today here and she lists The Hollywood Reporter as the source for The Maid of Buttermere news. I checked The Reporter and there found the article though I did not get to read far enough to see the Colin mention since it was an archived article and there is a fee to view archived material. Should have checked earlier but as usual I was a day late and a dollar short. Sounds more promising though I'm still waiting to get excited. How many projects have we seen fall apart? Good scoop though."}, {"response": 1641, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (01:32)", "body": "Thank you Elena, Lizza and Ann for posting so quickly. We appreciate the thoughtfulness. Looking forward to hearing lots more. Heide, thanks for the info. It is good to know it came from The Hollywood Reporter. We still need that CF confirmation."}, {"response": 1642, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (01:50)", "body": "Thanks for the Donmar reports, Ann and Elena. Can't wait to hear even more. Heide, I knew about The Hollywood Reporter, and for a minute or two even considered paying that high fee to join!! How crazy is that? I have written to a friend out there to see if she can get hold of a hard copy of the article. One of our Firth sisters at FOF just posted that Donovan Quick is to be on Australian TV this coming week -- on their ABC-TV. Any Aussies here please tape. It would have to be converted, but how nice to see that it is being shown somewhere in the world. Murph"}, {"response": 1643, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (02:40)", "body": "Thanks Elena, Lizza and ann for your great posts. I really am enjoying them"}, {"response": 1644, "author": "livamago", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (02:58)", "body": "Thank you Elena, Lizza and Ann for those lovely reports. I got goosebumps just reading them...he sounds wonderful. *sigh*"}, {"response": 1645, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (03:55)", "body": "Thanks Elena, Lizza and Ann for giving us a glimpse--can't wait for the rest."}, {"response": 1646, "author": "Janeway", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (06:16)", "body": "What a shame Cathey was with us at the Donmar when she could have been in Oz taping DQ. Think I know where she was happiest!!! Colin was as ever generous to all fans ,thou' we felt that as Elena said Friday may not have been his best performance. As I have seen it so often now, my pleasure was in hearing the reactions of those who either had not seen it before or were seeing it on this run since March and listening to their reactions and opinions. It would not have been appropriate to have asked for another group photo on Saturday due to the announcement of his appointment. The woman who made it said Colin could not give \"named\" autographs but as usual he asked each fan their name and did it anyway!! He said \"Goodnight\" and walked off in the rain alone. On Friday he had some male friends waiting for him and went off with them. He had the same outfit on both evenings and a parka type coat with white fur trim around the hood. As I had forgotten my camera I took photos for others , Emma and Elena and on both evenings there were so many flashes going off that he said \"I don't know where I am looking, which camera?\" And both times I said \"You're looking over here Colin.\" And put the camera up and snapped away. Hope they come out Ladies! You both looked so thrilled in those shots."}, {"response": 1647, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (07:27)", "body": "Ann, Lizza and Elena, thank you so much for all the Donmar news. I appreciate the way you make us all feel as if we were with you and can't wait to hear more details. Thanks!"}, {"response": 1648, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (08:30)", "body": "Tracey, it wasn't long after the performance before Colin came down into the foyer, we really just had time to get down to the foyer and firstly DM comes down, no sign of E.McG and then Colin about 5mins later. Don't be shy with him he is very amiable and seems quite happy to meet his fans. Heide, Mark was with us, with his wife (very nice lady but I am sure she must think we are all mad) but no Ben. Please Anne(H) and anyone else who is lurking in Australia please watch and record DQ, you are so lucky to be getting it, please report."}, {"response": 1649, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (10:13)", "body": "where were the other stars of the play? ;-) Like Ann said, they passed by pretty fast. On Thursday night EmcG came down and seemed to have at least one fan since she posed for a picture with him, smiling with that amazing orange shade Lina lipstick all over her mouth. She obviously had not done anything much to her face backstage after the play. David Morrissey looks like a very nice chap, he stayed for a while in the crowd on Saturday and smiled and looked very eager to autograph everything in sight. But he must have seen that most of us were actually gazing nervously up the stairs and only giving him programs to sign because he was there."}, {"response": 1650, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (10:52)", "body": "Oh, another thing....Colin definitely has devoted male fans too. On Thursday there were only a handful of fans in the lobby waiting for him and there two men who I supposed were EmcG\ufffds fans. But I was wrong. When Colin came down they looked just as stunned as we did and both wanted to be photographed with him. Colin kindly posed with them but because I was standing on his left hand side, I couldn\ufffdt see if he put his hand around them too like he did to us!"}, {"response": 1651, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (12:22)", "body": "reposting for Ann Now yesterday, it was absolutely wonderful, everything went like clockwork. I arrived at the Screening Theatre at about 11.15am and I am glad to say there were about 20 othe fans there. I really enjoyed SLOW as did most of us, it is not going to win any awards as others have said but it is a really nice feel good film and Colin has never looked so good, good enough to eat. Not long to wait until the video comes out and any CF fan should have a copy. It was really lovely to meet so many friends and to put aces to names."}, {"response": 1652, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (14:42)", "body": "Welcome, Tracy! I see from your posts the tried and true 'Courtois cure' worked for you. ODB has amazing antiviral properties, does he not? ;-) Great reporting, ladies! I'm so glad things went well and most of all, that you had your audience with ODB. (Janeway Lizza) Evelyn asked him if he liked the flowers Goody! You all managed to stop Evelyn from hiding in the *&^% loo! The woman who made it said Colin could not give \"named\" autographs but as usual he asked each fan their name and did it anyway!! 'Atta boy, Colin. You're well worth flying halfway around the world to see. And both times I said \"You're looking over here Colin.\" Ooooo, Lizza! *tingle* (Elena) KJ, as a thank-you for the card I do have a program for you, autographed by the most gorgeous brown-eyed man in this world. Well done, Elena; well deserved, KJ. (Heide) BTW, I checked out Dolores's site again today here and she lists The Hollywood Reporter as the source for The Maid of Buttermere news Thanks, Heide (sorry, Dolores, I credited Lisbeth's site). I'm glad she finally listed her source. Thanks for pursuing hard copy, Murph. (Heide) Going back a bit earlier to Camille...Colin is very pretty throughout and does the best he can but that death scene...groan Oh, Heide--I was ROTFLOL about her 'clown white' face makeup, which was hardly visible her neck and chest. It looked so distorted--very poorly done. Agree with all your other comments. IMO he was much better in P, even on the rocks."}, {"response": 1653, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (14:53)", "body": "One more thought--was glad to read news about Donovan Quick. It seems odd to me, though, that it's making its television premiere in Australia and not the UK. Is this how these things are usually done? Is this a test, of sorts?"}, {"response": 1654, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (15:23)", "body": "At least Eileen, it would seem that it is to be aired on TV and will not geta theatrical release which I am glad about. Murph, thanks for your report on DQ, however, do you know which day it is to be shown and at what time, so that our Australian friends may record it and report back."}, {"response": 1655, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (15:43)", "body": "I look forward to seeing the pictures, the parka look. ;-D Poor DM, bathing in a sea of CF admirers everynight. Please tell us more ladies."}, {"response": 1656, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (16:08)", "body": "(Janeway Lizza)Evelyn asked him if he liked the flowers Hehe, you\ufffdll all love it when Karen and Mari get a chance to tell you what they asked him!!! *far out* I planned to ask him a question or two but when I got a very good chance to do that on Thursday, I couldn\ufffdt. When he came down those stairs and there were only about five of us waiting for him, I almost couldn\ufffdt believe my eyes. There he was, yes, it really was him! And looking very good too. He didn\ufffdt wet his hair in the play as much as he did in March so his lovely reddish curls were practically dry when he met us. I believe we\ufffdll soon see some marvellous pics, he seemed to be very relaxed. He walked straight to me, Renate and Arami with a friendly smile and just like in March, AGAIN I forgot everything I had in mind to say. He carefully signed my programs with \"best wishes\" and that was that. Later outside the doors he talked to an older couple who were from Argentina and he seemed very interested about it, asking questions like he knew quite a lot about A. I eavesdropped and then took a pic and he seemed to blink somehow which made me ask if it was alright. He said kindly to me, \"it\ufffds alri ht\". Then he said goodnight and took a couple of steps to the Seven Dials direction and when I saw him leave I did something quite spontaneous. I took a couple of steps too and tapped his arm and said \"Colin\", and he stopped, looking a bit startled! And I stuttered with great effort: \"It\ufffds a....terrific performance! Thank-you.\" Imagine a Finn saying a thing like that when she\ufffds stunned stiff, it must have sounded funny and almost incomprehensible. But he gave me a smile, thanked and shook my hand!!!! Again I f rgot everything I meant to ask him and I think I said thanks again very weakly. He left, but flashed another smile to me sideways when he went, and it was the best one of all. Sort of playful I mean; he obviously saw that I was in the 7th heaven. It was so surprising that he shook my hand that I almost didn\ufffdt realize it happened. Afterwards I only remembered the warmth of his hand visiting mine. I had to ask my friend if he really saw Colin shaking my hand or what!"}, {"response": 1657, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (16:27)", "body": "You never said he shook your hand Elena, you lucky girl!!"}, {"response": 1658, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (16:28)", "body": "You never said he shook your hand Elena, you lucky girl!! BTW re your comment above about the most gorgeous brown eyed man etc., I hope your husband has blyue eyes, hee hee."}, {"response": 1659, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (16:29)", "body": "or even blue eyes!"}, {"response": 1660, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (16:41)", "body": "Flash! Colin's agent says the Buttermere project is still under consideration -nothing signed as yet. *********************************** An FOF made the call for me today. I think this is good news. \"under consideration\" means they are still deciding - maybe about money. But at least we know the rumor has a basis in fact. Ann: The person who got the DQ news didn't include more. I will ask her. Eileen, I too think it is strange it is premiering in Australia. Maybe Karen will have thoughts on this when she returns. Murph Lovely Donmar story, Elena. I too await what Mari and Karen asked!"}, {"response": 1661, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (18:08)", "body": "Thanks for the scoop, Murph. It's nice to know that Colin's agent was able to return from the black hole of oblivion to take that phone call. I think this is good news. \"under consideration\" means they are still deciding All the same, it was reported as a 'done deal' when, in fact, it was not. Grrr! I too think it is strange it is premiering in Australia The more I think about this, the odder it seems--especially in light of the amount of publicity his teeny tiny role in TTOTS generated in the UK. It's hard to believe DonQ would be passed over by UK broadcasting companies. It was well received at that Irish film festival. I thought the delay might imply a theatrical release. Yes, we'll have to put Karen to work on this one ;-) Have you washed your hand yet, Elena? :-D"}, {"response": 1662, "author": "Janeway", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (18:16)", "body": "There was such a lovely atmosphere at the private screening of SLOW, over 20 of us, I have always wanted to enjoy one of his films in the company of those who really value his work, and this was the perfect opportunity. The screening took place opposite the home of BBC TV \"Naked Chef\" Jamie Oliver. I will have to watch that now in case we get to see where we were too! (OK a vain hope I know!) Thanks Karen for organising such a perfect treat for us all and Evelyn for all you did too. Plush seats, good coffee, a discerning audience and ODB in full and glorious technicolour, lots of jokes and of course many audible sighs of pure and unadulturated happiness. Bet the \"Naked Chef\" can't come up with as good a recipe as that one Karen!"}, {"response": 1663, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (18:21)", "body": "Thanks for the scoop, Murph. It's nice to know that Colin's agent was able to return from the black hole of oblivion to take that phone call. Now that he does seem to be back from that black hole as Eileen said, Murph, do you think your contact can ask about his playing Mark Darcy? There might be a film schedule conflict with BJD. (One can only hope!) Elena, how great! Now I am all curiosity about the conversation Karen and Mari had, far out, too groovy, cool!"}, {"response": 1664, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (18:26)", "body": "(Moon) The cast of \"Three Days of Rain\" will join you for dinner if you're willing and able to fork out (excuse pun) \ufffd250 for the privilege.A limited number of tickets are on sale now at The Donmar. Please tell me: when is it??????? Or was it already?"}, {"response": 1665, "author": "Janeway", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (18:47)", "body": "It is Tuesday night I beleive (tomorrow) , got to be this week as it will soon be 3DOR final night."}, {"response": 1666, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (19:28)", "body": "(Lizza)On Friday he had some male friends waiting for him and went off with them. Yeah. He seemed to practically escape from us to his friends after the chaotic Friday fan session! There were a lot of fans that night and he was photographed a dozen times with people, also many of us from Spring. At one point I stopped photographing because by the time he was reaching the door I think I saw some a bit tired expressions in his face. I stood by the door when he finally emerged out of the crowd and out of the door but there were still many fans who wanted an autograph. I peeked over his shoulder and remember somebody saying to him \"ah, of course you never go out Colin\" and he laughed, dunno what was that about. Maybe somebody does?? Anyway, I also hoped to get another autograph, for the group photo this time but I didn\ufffdt ask for it because at that point he looked like wanting to leave. He turned and practically leaped to the street and to a group of guys of his age or younger who stood right there in front of the theater. They greeted him with a loud laughter and I realized how funny it all must seem to them. A hundred of women are almost eating their friend up every night!"}, {"response": 1667, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (19:55)", "body": "I am really loving these posts."}, {"response": 1668, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (21:10)", "body": "Hello ladies, I'm back home after a great weekend. Tired, of course... But I had to say hello :-) Let me tell you right now, I did not have any close encounters with ODB - had an attack of shyness so decided to stand aside and watch,because he was apparently in a hurry. The others, especially Evelyn, Karen and Mari, did talk to him and you will enjoy their delightful stories. Elena and the English ladies have already posted, bless them! Elena, what a wonderful report, I noticed your slightly dazed (happy) look, now I see the reason why! :-) Anyway, he is still looking great, acting wonderfully and being gracious to his fans. He has, however, a terrible taste in clothes... I enjoyed the private screening of SLOW immensely. And the best part was meeting some of my favourite ladies in the world :-)some for the second time, others for the first... Antonio had a good time and has already asked what plans Colin has that may justify another of these trips ;-)"}, {"response": 1669, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (21:29)", "body": "He has, however, a terrible taste in clothes... LOL, Gi! That must be the reason why he can not tell a good wardrobe person from a bad one, poor chap! Antonio had a good time and has already asked what plans Colin has that may justify another of these trips ;-) What a guy! Those would be words my DH will never utter. Glad you had a great time, but sad you did not get to talk to him about his Portuguese side of the family. We are all anticipation for Karen, Evelyn and Mari's reports. Of course, there is also Renate and Arami to hear from. Arami dear, you must have your share in the conversation. ;-)"}, {"response": 1670, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (21:47)", "body": "(Gi)however, a terrible taste in clothes Oh, you mean that boyish green parka I suppose? A little surprising choice perhaps yes but now that I\ufffdve touched it I WANT it!! Maybe Marcia would kindly give it to me as his real life keepsake?! :-D"}, {"response": 1671, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (01:31)", "body": "So much to read and respond to and even more to come. Oh my! Thoughts on DQ - Like Ann, I'm happy it's being shown on TV anywhere since it will be viewed by us all that much quicker. Seems odd that Australia gets first crack at it since it's a Scottish production. Could it be the BBC's decided this is going to appeal to a certain demographic, most of whom live in Australia? P&P got a lot of press when it was shown there making ODB quite the poster boy. I believe Lost Empires also did well down under. ANd didn't MLSF have a fairly long run there as well? nyway, Cathey has until the 23rd to get back home. And Anne H? Are you out there? (Lizza) I said \"You're looking over here Colin.\" Bet you surprised yourself. Good for you. I hope you got a photo with him this time. (Elena) EmcG came down and seemed to have at least one fan since she posed for a picture with him, smiling with that amazing orange shade Lina lipstick all over her mouth. LOL! I never thought she had such a large mouth until I saw it ringed in that Rusty Nail hue. And I stuttered with great effort: \"It\ufffds a....terrific performance! Thank-you.\" Imagine a Finn saying a thing like that when she\ufffds stunned stiff, it must have sounded funny and almost incomprehensible. But he gave me a smile, thanked and shook my hand!!!! Good for you, Elena. I know last March you and I much preferred to gaze at him from afar. I'm glad you took advantage of this opportunity. Was it a \"dead fish\" handshake or nice and firm? ;-) He turned and practically leaped to the street and to a group of guys of his age or younger who stood right there in front of the theater. They greeted him with a loud laughter and I realized how funny it all must seem to them. Were any of them cute? If you can't have Colin, maybe a friend is the next best thing.;-) (Lizza) The screening took place opposite the home of BBC TV \"Naked Chef\" Jamie Oliver. And does he actually cook in the nude? LOL. (Gi) I did not have any close encounters with ODB - had an attack of shyness so decided to stand aside and watch, because he was apparently in a hurry I'd have been perfectly happy to stand back with you and just observe. Perhaps you caught more details that way? Like... He has, however, a terrible taste in clothes... We've heard about that ratty green parka, etc. Anything else? BTW, we all still love Antonio! (Moon) do you think your contact can ask about his playing Mark Darcy? My dear, you are forever hopeful. After all your experience with his agent, do you think he'll ever give a straight answer?"}, {"response": 1672, "author": "ommin", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (01:50)", "body": "In reply Heide - yes Colin Firth is most popular here. I checked with the ABC to make sure it was coming on and on talking to the publicity girl - found she was a C.F. fan and was getting most excited herself. MLSF was in Perth, for 9 weeks at least. 11.11.99 to 14.1.2000. Oz is of course very Anglo Saxon, Irish, Scottish and Welsh but now with lots of other peoples which is all to the good. I shall be making a spare copy - we are going to tape it on two video players - so one will be spare and I wil arrange for it to be sent to Cathey as I don't think she will be home in time. Anne H"}, {"response": 1673, "author": "LynnR", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (02:55)", "body": "I've enjoyed all the posts, especially yours Elena! Thanks for sharing, I almost feel like I was there."}, {"response": 1674, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (03:37)", "body": "My apologies for posting so late, but we had some nasty breezes yesterday (a few gusts at 115 mph!!) which caused a prolonged power outage which made me miss most of yesterday's postings and it took so long to catch up, (and I think it fried my TV ... at least it hasn't been able to turn on yet, just blink the stereo light), and...why am I telling you all this??? (Anne H)...and I will arrange for it to be sent to Cathey as I don't think she will be home in time. Yes, but when IS it?! (Janeway Lizza): Evelyn asked him if he liked the flowers , he dimpled up and turned to her and thanked her. loved the wonderful card KJ, I am in awe, thank you so much for doing it. I am relieved to hear he liked it. (Awe is not necessary and hardly applicable in this case! ...but thanks, anyway! :-D) SusanMC (SusanMC): Oh, and before I forget again, welcome Tracy! Looking forward to hearing your report later this week. Yes, my belated welcome too! ...and take notes... :-) Elena (Elena) : ..KJ, as a thank-you for the card I do have a program for you, autographed by the most gorgeous brown-eyed man in this world. You did it, you did it!! OH, Thankyouthankyouthankyou! Eileen (EileenG): Well done, Elena; I second the motion... well deserved, KJ. As Pip would say: Eh! Heide (heide): I'm sorry I didn't get to see the card ... KarenR says you might, eventually ...but I have seen KJ's art work and can be sure she did herself (and us) proud. Eh, again. ...It was OK, and most of the ideas came from you ladies, so I can't take much credit in that direction, and as I said before, \" I am relieved to hear he liked it.\" Lucie (alyeska) : Thanks Elena, Lizza and ann for your great posts. I really am enjoying them AND... lidya maccarthy (livamago): Thank you Elena, Lizza and Ann for those lovely reports. I got goosebumps just reading them...he sounds wonderful. *sigh* .. AND..Jana Clark (jcjc): Thanks Elena, Lizza and Ann for giving us a glimpse--can't wait for the rest. Me too. Janeway Lizza (Janeway): As I have seen it so often now, my pleasure was in hearing the reactions of those who either had not seen it before or were seeing it on this run since March and listening to their reactions and opinions. Our pleasures are so much heightened when we see them shared by others. / ... / The woman / ... / said Colin could not give \"named\" autographs but as usual he asked each fan their name and did it anyway!! I am so proud of him!! He continues to earn the acronym, ODB! I am amazed... / ... / ...on both evenings there were so many flashes going off that he said \"I don't know where I am looking, which camera?\" And both times I said \"You're looking over here Colin.\" And put the camera up and snapped away. ...and that is what we call in the business \"chutzpah\". *Hee hee!* 8-D Elena (Elena): David Morrissey looks like a very nice chap, he stayed for a while in the crowd on Saturday and smiled and looked very eager to autograph everything in sight. But he must have seen that most of us were actually gazing nervously up the stairs and only giving him programs to sign because he was there. From an article I read, he sounded like he had resigned himself to it, but he sounds also like a serious and dedicated actor like ODB. While we still have a chance, we could ask what things he learned during the production and what he thought of his costars... (Ask the same of Colin as well...it is scandalous how much we ignore the efforts of 2/3 of the cast.)"}, {"response": 1675, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (03:44)", "body": "Elena (Elena): Colin definitely has devoted male fans too. On Thursday there were only a handful of fans in the lobby waiting for him and there two men who I supposed were EmcG\ufffds fans. But I was wrong. When Colin came down they looked just as stunned as we did and both wanted to be photographed with him. Mark has convinced me that any perceptive man can appreciate CF's skills as much as a perceptive woman ... just don't ask him to swoon over what he was wearing! ;-) Eileen (EileenG): Goody! You all managed to stop Evelyn from hiding in the *&^% loo! B-B-but hadn't it been established as the most likely place to meet ODB? ... merely good tactics.;-) 'Atta boy, Colin. You're well worth flying halfway around the world to see. A Phenomenon. One of the world's last true gentleman! (and I mean that, now!) Elena (Elena): AGAIN I forgot everything I had in mind to say. AGAIN!?!?! I told you to make notes on your palm ... oops! ... then it would have come off in the handshake!! Hmmm. Later outside the doors he talked to an older couple who were from Argentina and he seemed very interested about it, asking questions like he knew quite a lot about A. Isn't that where he made Apartment Zero and was most interested in the political situation there? And I stuttered with great effort: \"It\ufffds a....terrific performance! Thank-you.\" Imagine a Finn saying a thing like that when she\ufffds stunned stiff, it must have sounded funny and almost incomprehensible. Imagine ANYBODY saying a thing like that when they're stunned stiff -- most remain mute. I'm sure it endeared you to him... Besotted, I tell you, absolutely besotted...;-P Eileen (EileenG) : Have you washed your hand yet, Elena? :-D . Wellllll? ...... Have you? Hee hee! ;-) See? Besotted! Elena (Elena) : at that point he looked like wanting to leave. He turned and practically leaped to the street and to a group of guys of his age or younger who stood right there in front of the theater. They greeted him with a loud laughter and I realized how funny it all must seem to them. A hundred of women are almost eating their friend up every night! They may be teasing him, but I'll bet they're jealous as h--l!! 8-D Lucie (alyeska): I am really loving these posts. As are we all -- keep running off at the keyboard, ladies -- confession is good for the soul! :-D KJ Gi (patas): Elena, what a wonderful report, I noticed your slightly dazed (happy) look, now I see the reason why! :-) . Like I said, besotted (as if you were puzzled by this, Gi) ... but she doesn't let that get in the way of her memory, narrative skills, and photographer's eye, does she? ... He has, however, a terrible taste in clothes... Purely pragmatic, a man after my own heart. Well, ladies, I promise I won't get jealous if you keep this level of quality posting up ... every tiny detail, now, remember? Thank you so much for it!! KJ"}, {"response": 1676, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (03:47)", "body": "Elena, Lizza, Ann and Gi, thanks so much for your wonderful reports! Can't wait to see those photos:-) Just curious, are any of our ilk planning to attend the closing night performance?"}, {"response": 1677, "author": "Janeway", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (06:21)", "body": "Yes Susan you will be glad to know that they are! Cathy is going next Thurs and then final night and I believe some FOF will also be there. I have told Cathy that will await her last night report eagerly, we expect that Livia would be there too."}, {"response": 1678, "author": "Janeway", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (06:21)", "body": "But of course she will hardly be posting here LOL."}, {"response": 1679, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (08:23)", "body": "KJArt - Yes but when is it Yes Anne can you let us know when, what time DQ is being aired, thanks."}, {"response": 1680, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (09:20)", "body": "Before my computer gremlin re-asserts itself and throws me out of Spring, my hearfelt thanks to all you ladies for your wonderful reports! Marvellous reading!"}, {"response": 1681, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (09:28)", "body": "Posting briefly again, DQ is a BBC film and so doesn't have to be sold to broadcasting companies in the UK...will be shown on the BBC automatically at some stage. Maybe they're still hoping for a theatrical release in the UK only. Look forward to the reports from Oz..I think DQ is going to be a goodie! \"Maid of Buttermere\"....Murph (very well done!), that sounds like the most postive response ever from Colin's agent! Okay, it's not \"Yes\" but it does mean he's been offered it and hasn't said \"no\"! And he could easily fit this in with BJD...a lot of actors juggle different schedules. Mark Darcy won't be in every frame...more key scenes."}, {"response": 1682, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (10:36)", "body": "(Heide)Were any of them cute? Not particularly. I noticed this when Colin strode to them and one could make a comparison! They were just very ordinary London guys, one was very blond, in ordinary street clothes, exactly like they were planning to go to a pub. I really liked it that they were not the glamorous jet set type. \"dead fish\" handshake or nice and firm? Like I said I was so shocked that I hardly knew that he was shaking my hand but I can safely say that it wasn\ufffdt the soft type because I really hate that. It must\ufffdve been just a nice and normal, short and friendly handshake! But warm, definitely. I think I must have had very cold hands at that moment because I noticed the temperature of the handshake so clearly. And luckily I didn\ufffdt have my gloves on...although that encounter was perfectly spontaneous, I must admit that I had thought about a possible hands ake in advance and had decided to stuff my gloves in my bag....;-D (KJ)Apartment Zero and was most interested in the political situation Really? So that\ufffds it then. He really was talking about something that could be described as political, maybe he even said that word. He seemed so interested in the subject and talking with those people that I almost felt jealous!"}, {"response": 1683, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (13:19)", "body": "Glad to hear Cathy will be attending the last performance, it should be a very emotional one. (Elena), I must admit that I had thought about a possible hands ake in advance and had decided to stuff my gloves in my bag....;-D Brilliant, my dear, and it paid off. (Anne), I shall be making a spare copy - we are going to tape it on two video players - so one will be spare and I will arrange for it to be sent to Cathey as I don't think she will be home in time. I hope you will be able to send one our way, Anne. I think Karen knows of a place that converts the PAL system to be able to make copies. I am going to email BBC/America and see if they have plans to show it here. KJ, I too would like to see the card you made, I hear you deserve all the praise, don't be so modest. Another thought on why Colin has not yet signed for the Saura film. Maybe he has not been offered the lead but is negotiating for it. It is either the lead or nothing."}, {"response": 1684, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (15:18)", "body": "(Heide) Could it be the BBC's decided this is going to appeal to a certain demographic, most of whom live in Australia? P&P got a lot of press when it was shown there making ODB quite the poster boy. I believe Lost Empires also did well down under. ANd didn't MLSF have a fairly long run there as well? Good points. (Bethan) DQ is a BBC film and so doesn't have to be sold to broadcasting companies in the UK *smacking self in forehead* Of course. I had forgotten. (Moon) I am going to email BBC/America and see if they have plans to show it here. Great idea--thanks for doing this. Goody! You all managed to stop Evelyn from hiding in the *&^% loo! (KJArt) B-B-but hadn't it been established as the most likely place to meet ODB? ... merely good tactics.;-) Before we start rumors that Colin prowls ladies rooms, let's set the record straight--he was spotted at the stage door, from a place in front of the loo. Thanks for faithfully posting down to the details and tidbits, ladies. You know we're like fish at feeding time. (Moon) It is either the lead or nothing. I would hope so. The negotiation likely involes money and the other things agents dick around about (promotional responsibilities, placement of name in ad, proximity of dressing room to bathroom, etc.) :-)"}, {"response": 1685, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (16:32)", "body": "Anybody happen to know when Karen and Evelyn are coming back from London?"}, {"response": 1686, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (16:57)", "body": "Elena what a wonderful report. Your courage is fantastic--remember last year on the steps and how nervous you were. So did your hands shake at any point especially when you were taking photographs. I believe Karen & Evelyn are on their way back today."}, {"response": 1687, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (17:37)", "body": "Hello again :-) (Moon)Glad you had a great time, but sad you did not get to talk to him about his Portuguese side of the family. There! Why didn't I think of that at the time? I just thought, the man is in a hurry (he obviously was, although he stopped to talk and smile and sign - \"I'll sign as many as I can\", he said - and be photographed), I already have pics with him and his autograph, what should I stop him for that is worth his while? (Gi)...a terrible taste in clothes (Elena)Oh, you mean that boyish green parka I suppose? And the shoes, Elena, the shoes!;-)But I understand you wanting the parka :-D (Heide)BTW, we all still love Antonio! Thank you, my dear :-) Heide (heide): I'm sorry I didn't get to see the card ... (KJArt)KarenR says you might, eventually Oh I hope so, and also that they took pics of the \"Janeway House\" flower arrangement. (Anne), I shall be making a spare copy...and I will arrange for it to be sent to Cathey... (Moon)I hope you will be able to send one our way, Anne Anne, may I e-mail you about this? (Elena)Anybody happen to know when Karen and Evelyn are coming back from London? They were to fly home today, tuesday."}, {"response": 1688, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (18:41)", "body": "Please describe the shoes, Gi. Karen and Evelyn should be posting tomorrow. Unless, they decided to stay for the last performance of 3DOR. ;-D"}, {"response": 1689, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (18:42)", "body": "I did not use any tags, but I will close them."}, {"response": 1690, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (18:44)", "body": "I do not understand why they did not close? last try."}, {"response": 1691, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (20:18)", "body": "(Gi)And the shoes, Elena, the shoes!;-) Gi, I did not once look at his shoes! Something to drool over?? Please tell us about them, I only looked at his face and um...you know ;-) (Gi)what should I stop him for that is worth his while? I know the feeling exactly, knowing that he was busy made me really shy to say anything to him on Friday and Saturday. I actually asked Karen to take a pic of me and him on Friday but the crowd was so thick and he looked almost harassed at times so I decided I wouldn\ufffdt ask him. And anyway, I felt really awfully and impossibly shy about it. Btw I\ufffdve had really hard time with Spring today, the response area doesn\ufffdt always show up and I don\ufffdt know what to do about it."}, {"response": 1692, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (20:26)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1693, "author": "Janeway", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (20:31)", "body": "Gi, Antonio was great taking all the photos and accompanying us to SLOW. What a treasure! I echo what you said about already having things from Colin last time. I too was happy to stand back and observe and in fact when you are trying to get to him you cannot always take it all in. (who would want to take that Parka in?!) He was very polite and courteous despite the deadline set by theatre staff, who turned off/down the lights in the foyer, making it harder to film or photograph him. He said \"Goodnight\" to us all assembled out on the steps and I found myself waving back in response. Luckily he did not look back to see my salute! And just like his cameo as Shakespeare (\"Bill\") there is that all too familiar and heartstopping gait as he strides away. It was lovely to meet Mark and his ODW, who both fitted in perfectly with the mood."}, {"response": 1694, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (20:57)", "body": "Ladies - wonderful reports, all. Thanks so much for all the details. I hope Karen was able to scan KJ's card. I can't wait to see it! (Elena) Oh, you mean that boyish green parka I suppose? A little surprising choice perhaps yes but now that I\ufffdve touched it I WANT it!! This totally cracked me up. Very candid my dear, and I think we all can relate! I'm just glad to know that your natural grace and reserve kept you from tearing it off him ;-). (Eileen) You know we're like fish at feeding time. Just throw out a bit of chum and it's amazing what you can stir up ;-)."}, {"response": 1695, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (21:40)", "body": "Hi everyone! Shan\ufffdt be able to go on-line tomorrow as I\ufffdll probably be the worse for wear after several beers, Irish coffees and copious amounts of curry (and this is what they call a fun evening out in London with colleagues\ufffdBORING!) I\ufffdm loving all these posts. Thanks for all the tips - I\ufffdm frantically trying to think of something original to say to ODB should I get that chance (though don\ufffdt suppose I shall be as lucky as Elena) and anyway my British reserve will probably leave me in a quivering heap on the foyer floor! Anybody know of any girlies going to the Thursday matinee (Thursday 20th\ufffd THURSDAY\ufffd\ufffd.THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW ) as it would be nice to meet up during the interval if we get the chance so please ma l me with details . Unfortunately I\ufffdm in the circle, front row mind you, but may be in a position to update re hair/ lack of situation. Notebook will be at the ready so I can give a full account of proceedings if not totally incapacitated (see heap reference above!) ;-D Right now have I got everything, money for program \ufffdcheck, pen for autograph \ufffdcheck, camera film & batteries \ufffd triple check \ufffd sorted! I\ufffdm sure I\ufffdve forgotten something\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdoh yes \ufffd.. tickets! See you later!"}, {"response": 1696, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (22:01)", "body": "Welcome Tracy. From your report on the beers, Irish coffees, and curries, it would appear that you've pretty much gotten over the flu. That's good to know. Now you can enjoy watching Richard Courtois in good health. When I had the flu I watched \"Playmaker\"; it's definitely better to see that one when you're well. Hope the closing night performance of 3DOR is great. Have a wonderful time. Thank all of you ladies for the vicarious thrill of enjoying your London trip with you, via your posts of course. Elena, I wouldn't have had the courage to wave to CF, much less tap him on the arm and shake his hand. And they say Finns are the most shy people in Europe. I also read that Finns enjoy dancing the tango and love their cellular phones, (Nokia is a Finnish company). Is any of that true? Or have I been misinformed? Gi, I can perfectly understand your shyness. I probably couldn't even asked for and autograph. Still as an artist, you know that it's good to observe. I'm still wondering about that mental *samooch* though."}, {"response": 1697, "author": "ommin", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (23:40)", "body": "Sorry I did not post day. Sunday 23rd Jan, at 8.30p.m. Perth time - same as Singapore - 8 hours before gmt and 12 hours before New York. Yes I am quite happy to be e-mailed but you will need perhaps to write ommin@icenet.com.au"}, {"response": 1698, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (23:44)", "body": "(Moon)Please describe the shoes, Gi. (Elena)Gi, I did not once look at his shoes! Something to drool over?? Please tell us about them, I only looked at his face and um...you know ;-) No I don't know, Elena, what were you looking at? ;-D Anyway, he was wearing running shoes - big, white, black and red running shoes. (Elena)I felt really awfully and impossibly shy about it. (Lizza)I too was happy to stand back and observe and in fact when you are trying to get to him you cannot always take it all in. (CherylB)Gi, I can perfectly understand your shyness. I probably couldn't even asked for and autograph. Still as an artist, you know that it's good to observe. But I feel sad about it... I'm glad you conquered your shyness, Elena. (Lizza)(who would want to take that Parka in?!) You've got your answer: Elena ;-D But it is understandable, she touched it! I think Marcia must let her have it as a keepsake :-) Tracy, let me belatedly welcome you and wish you well for thursday."}, {"response": 1699, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (23:49)", "body": "Anne will you please look out for any reviews on Monday, in the papers or TV Listing magazine for previews, would love to hear what the critics think of it, hope they like it. I am so looking forward to this after reading the excellent review in The Irish Times. Tracy, have a lovely time, look forward to hearing all about it."}, {"response": 1700, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (00:15)", "body": "Hi all!! Am back and am quickly zipping through the postings to see what's been said and not said. Don't have time right now for a detailed report but will try to get on later (am I nuts? It's midnight London time but must pretend it is only 6 for now.) What an incredible Spring Reunion! Our Colin sightings were many and wonderful, but the best part is always the fun and good times shared with such fantastic friends as we've become here. Just to let you know, AnneH. You probably won't have to send the DQ tape to Cathey as we left her a message at her hotel as soon as we heard. After being fed through the enigma machine, it read: \"DQ on ABC this week. [stop] Phone home to tape.\" She called back later on her decoder ring to say that she got the message. ;-) BTW, Evelyn won't be home home until tomorrow. Is resting up in OKC. Have got an absolutely incredible story to tell...that doesn't even involve Colin...and AnnW doesn't know about it. Must keep some secrets. *hee hee* Have read about half of the new Bridget book and have decided Colin should play all parts (snippets from P&P for Mr. Darcy dreaming, Colin with hair dyed dark for Mark Darcy--may need to enhance chest coverage as well, and Colin with normal hair playing himself). Would be real coup. Have things to scan and post, but have to figure out what is Spring's current status. Did anyone FTP my stuff to new location in my absence? Argh And: WELCOME TRACY There would be a pretty graphic here, but don't know if mine are anywhere for the time being. Glad to see you joined us and will be getting to know us better. Have a wonderful time seeing Colin this week and make sure you ask the guy behind the coffee counter at Starbucks for \"what that other guy had.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 1701, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (00:21)", "body": "Karen, check your email."}, {"response": 1702, "author": "ommin", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (00:35)", "body": "Thanks for letting me know Cathey has arranged for a copy. Give her our best wishes when you see her - and how envious we all are for her to be seeing the real thing (person) I mean. Anne H"}, {"response": 1703, "author": "ommin", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (00:35)", "body": "Thanks for letting me know Cathey has arranged for a copy. Give her our best wishes when you see her - and how envious we all are for her to be seeing the real thing (person) I mean. Anne H"}, {"response": 1704, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (01:18)", "body": "I'm glad you're back, Karen. And Evelyn too, when we see her tomorrow, I hope."}, {"response": 1705, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (07:57)", "body": "(KJ)A Phenomenon. One of the world's last true gentleman! You are so right. (Eileen)Have you washed your hand yet, Elena? I\ufffdm afraid I have but I\ufffdll never wash my coat because he naturally touched it when we posed for a photo. I think I\ufffdll just have to hang it up on my bedroom wall and worship it ;-D (JanaH)your natural grace and reserve kept you from tearing it off him I think the parka was pretty cute on him actually, you\ufffdll see it in the photos. The light coloured fur in the hood matched his darkish hair and eyes like dream. And the fabric of the coat is *very* smooth. (Cheryl)Finns are the most shy people in Europe. I also read that Finns enjoy dancing the tango and love their cellular phones, (Nokia is a Finnish company). Is any of that true? It\ufffds all quite true :-D (Tracy)I\ufffdm frantically trying to think of something original to say to ODB I\ufffdm so excited for you, please tell us everything when you get back!"}, {"response": 1706, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (10:30)", "body": "give Colin a big *samooch* We didn\ufffdt but he gave a big one to a girl on Saturday night in the crowd. He suddenly saw this dark-haired young woman with a fur collar, greeted her very happily with a big smile and gave her a kiss on the cheek. I tried to photograph the event because I stood a meter away but probably didn\ufffdt succeed, it was so sudden and moving to see his sincere tenderness. Ah! Anybody know who the lucky person was? Karen, as soon as you have recovered from the jet lag, I think you had some clue about this?"}, {"response": 1707, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (13:02)", "body": "Welcome back Karen! I hope you will be able to post soon. Ladies, this is the message I received from BBC/America in regards to DQ: Thank you for your interest in BBC America. There are no immediate plans to air but please be assured that I will forward your program request to our director of programming immediately. I plan to email them again."}, {"response": 1708, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (13:24)", "body": "Consensus opinion was that the dark-haired girl was Italian and somehow associated with Livia. The girl wrote Colin a note at the box office thanking him for \"arranging everything\" and she went on to say how wonderful the show was, etc. I believe Colin also said he would see her later after the kiss. Not positive about all of this due to the crush of people in the lobby, but dark-haired girl passed right by me on her way out and she had a \"thrilled-to- pieces-look\" on her face. I'd have to be carried o t on a stretcher. ;-)"}, {"response": 1709, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (13:56)", "body": "LOL, Karen! But did they speak Italian. It would have been a treat to hear him speak."}, {"response": 1710, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (14:07)", "body": "But did they speak Italian. It would have been a treat to hear him speak. No Italian was *over*heard in the lobby, but I believe her accent gave her away at the boxoffice where she was attempting to leave Colin a message thanking him for arranging for the tickets, etc. We did hear him speak French though in SLOW. ;-)"}, {"response": 1711, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (14:12)", "body": "Welcome home, ye weary London voyagers! We're glad you had a great trip and hope you don't drown in posts and e-mail. Karen dear, I am all anticipation as to which questions you and Mari asked ODB. ;-P Have fun at 3DOR, Tracy. I hope there's less of a crowd in the foyer on Thursday. (Moon) I plan to email them again. Moon, please post their address so we can all e-mail them."}, {"response": 1712, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (14:38)", "body": "On Saturday night, as Colin was making his way slowly through the mob, I was standing near the exit and I asked him to sign our group picture from last year. As he was doing so, I said something to the effect of \"Colin, I have a dare question [he probably started panicking, thinking it would be something really embarrassing and personal like: \"Could I have your undies?\" ;-D]. We'd like to know how far Edward got with Heloise in the mossloft.\" Colin smiled and answered that it was a good question, one t at there's been lots of discussion about even while they were making it. Unfortunately, I didn't get to follow up with (1) \"so what's the answer, Colin. You must have had something in your mind as to the preceding action when you walked into the room with Malcolm McDowell and wanted to get in his face.\" or the infamous (2) is Peter gay? Another v.close encounter was Friday night in the lobby when, YES, I got my picture taken with him after Evelyn made the overture. Colin is standing next to me (hand on shoulder) asking where to look as there are a couple of cameras aimed at him, but then made the comment, \"should I lose a little height?\" Hmmm, perhaps I should have answered in the affirmative and then I might have a pic with us cheek to cheek, instead of cheek to navel. ;-)"}, {"response": 1713, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (14:59)", "body": "(Karen)\"should I lose a little height?\" I loved that little show! he was behaving so freely, bending down and up again, broadly smiling. Hope the pics turn out OK."}, {"response": 1714, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (15:04)", "body": "(Karen) or the infamous (2) is Peter gay? Or the even more infamous (3) Where DO you buy your clothes? :-D Hon, I'm glad you found the nerve to ask this question (did you carry a list of some sort?)! Too bad the place was jammed and he was in a rush. I'm also glad you got your picture with him, even if it is cheek to navel (LOL about that)."}, {"response": 1715, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (15:17)", "body": "(3) Where DO you buy your clothes? :-D There was no need to ask that one as we discovered the Oxfam store on Upper Street in Islington. ;-)"}, {"response": 1716, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (17:53)", "body": "Welcome back, Karen! I'm loving your reports -- more, more! Can't wait to see that photo:-) Did anyone tell Colin about your private screening of SLOW?"}, {"response": 1717, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (18:39)", "body": "Eileen, here is the link directly to BBC/America comments: http://www.bbcamerica.com/contactus.html (3) Where DO you buy your clothes? :-D (Karen), There was no need to ask that one as we discovered the Oxfam store on Upper Street in Islington. ;-) Did you run into him there too? There is still so much you are not telling. ;-) And he did not answer the Edward question! I am very happy to hear you got your picture!!! Yeah!"}, {"response": 1718, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (18:45)", "body": "Hi Everybody.....I'm baaaack...But I miss the Gang on Earlham Street!! Fantastic Reunion...they get better every time...Every day was a #10! Antonio and I are ready for the next one!Nice to walk into the Donmar lobby and know everybody there!! Like Karen, I will post more later... And don't let anyone tell you that the Finns are shy....Hey , that Elena was the Donmar Queen!! Yes, I was able to get ODB to pose with Karen....the pic is great too. He is grinning with dimples and Karen...what can I say...she was ecstatic. We missed you all and toasted many times \"to absent friends\"..."}, {"response": 1719, "author": "Janeway", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (19:44)", "body": "Good to relive the memories thro' your posts Karen and Evelyn. Glad you are both safely returned. In my recollection the Italian girl you spoke of made the move herself to kiss Colin. I was quite close at the time and initially had a major shock that ANYONE would attempt to do that but then I realised there was a connection between them. She whispered in his ear (oh bliss!) too. Have fun Tracy at your performance, get your list ready. Any news of that Gala Night?"}, {"response": 1720, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (20:27)", "body": "Firth's Real Life Keepsakes Yellow and black striped necktie worn to London Premier of SIL, AllisonM Leather Jacket he is wearing at the DonMar autograph signing, Esbee The boyish green parkab he wore to the 3DoR autograph session, Elena"}, {"response": 1721, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (20:53)", "body": "Karen and Evelyn, welcome home! So glad you're safely back and sharing all the details. What a great time you all had. Karen, good for you for asking about MLSF and the moss loft. Too bad our boy was too cagey to give a real answer! (Susan MC) Did anyone tell Colin about your private screening of SLOW? Excellent question and one I was wondering about myself. Did you have a chance to tell him or did you decide this would make you sound like fans of the SCARY VARIETY ? (Karen) No Italian was *over*heard in the lobby, but I believe her accent gave her away at the boxoffice where she was attempting to leave Colin a message thanking him for arranging for the tickets, etc. Did you overhear this yourself or rely on Evelyn's pals in the box office for this tidbit of info :-)? (Karen) Have got an absolutely incredible story to tell...that doesn't even involve Colin...and AnnW doesn't know about it. Must keep some secrets. Waiting with baited breath for this one, dear :-) Tracy, only one day until 3DOR! I hope you have a great time and can\ufffdt wait to hear all about it."}, {"response": 1722, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (21:19)", "body": "Welcome back, Evelyn! Looking forward to your report(s) once you've had a chance to rest up. Dying to see that photo of CF and Karen:-)"}, {"response": 1723, "author": "Janeway", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (21:27)", "body": "We all are, from my memory I don't know who looked most pleased. Colin because he had finally met his most resourceful fan, or Karen because she had always wanted her navel to be tickled by snow white parka fur ** Tee Hee** It will be a peach of a shot!"}, {"response": 1724, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (23:10)", "body": "Hey, that Elena was the Donmar Queen!! *Blush* please have mercy, I\ufffdm only human ;-D"}, {"response": 1725, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (23:44)", "body": "(Susan MC) Did anyone tell Colin about your private screening of SLOW? No way....he doesn't like the film and no one wanted to bring it up.We had a good time though ...hey,isn't anyone gonna mention the posters you got for a door prize? ~~~~~ (evelyn)Hey, that Elena was the Donmar Queen!! (Elena)*Blush* please have mercy, I\ufffdm only human ;-D Mean't as a compliment,m'dear.We were proud of you.:-)) And BTW re: pic of Colin and Karen....I was pleased too: Mission Accomplished"}, {"response": 1726, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (23:50)", "body": "(Susan MC) Did anyone tell Colin about your private screening of SLOW? Not to my knowledge. I'm convinced that something happened during or subsequent to the making of that film and Colin doesn't want to have anything to do with it. Optimum said that Nia gave 7 interviews for the film, so the quotes in the articles were not strictly out of the production notes. And, as Jana so aptly put it, I wouldn't want to appear to be a fan of the SCARY VARIETY. ;-) Re: The Other Story (since Mari has posted a summary at Springfolks, I shall elaborate...) On Monday night, we had tickets to \"Lady in the Van,\" with Maggie Smith. When we arrived at the theatre, there were tons of people milling around and a bunch of photographers. It turned out that Prince Charles was going to attend. So Mari and I waited in the lobby and got elbowed, stepped on and jostled by the polite crowd. Evelyn and Emma stood on the stairs for a while and then took their seats. After a while, the flashes started going off and lo and behold it was Camilla, who was quickly whisked u the stairs. More waiting. Then some flashes again went off and standing a couple of feet in front of me was Barry Manilow (I know how excited you all must be.) I had taken a picture of Camilla, but I was nearing the end of the roll, so didn't bother with Barry. ;-) We waited and waited and it was about 2 minutes until curtain time. The theatre management was repeating and repeating for everyone with tickets to take their seats and that the show was going to start on time regardless (who was he kiddi g). Finally, we gave up and went to our seats in the Dress Circle, Third Row, but on the side (considered to have a restricted view, but were fine). During the interval, Mari and I made our way up the side aisle so that she could buy a program and fine a place to smoke. As we hit the top of the aisle, Mari had her head down and bumped into a man (you know how smokers are...she was on a mission). I stepped to the side and watched Mari and Prince Charles do a little dance trying to pass each other. He had his hands on Mari and was saying \"sorry.\" Mari hadn't looked up. I was looking at the big bald spot on the back of his head and at Camilla taking in this outrageous sight and wondering when she was going to realize who it was. Of course, it wasn't until the party passed her and I said, \"Mari, that was Prince Charles!\" Turns out that Charles was ushered in at the very last minute (and it did start a few minutes late), but Mari and I had no idea that they were sitting up in the Dress Circle with us. Their seats were margininally better: first row, center. ;-) His party went off behind closed doors on the side (near our seats), where I expect there was a private lounge area. So when the interval was over, we were within inches of them again as they reemerged for the second act. There were many people in the stalls standing and facing the Dress Circle and staring at him. He never looked at them, but kept his head down. After the play, they waited until most of the area cleared and then ushered them out the side door by our seats. What fun! Especially, since Monday was not an official Colin day. ;-)"}, {"response": 1727, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (00:30)", "body": "Karen, I am LOL at the Prince Charles and Mari story! Mari, I must hang around with you, you have the funniest close encounters! :-D"}, {"response": 1728, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (00:46)", "body": "You're so right, Gi. I think I should take up smoking. All of you had a jam-packed whirlwind tour. Did you ever sleep? (Evelyn) We missed you all and toasted many times \"to absent friends\"... We missed you too but had to each get sloshed alone. (Karen) YES, I got my picture taken with him after Evelyn made the overture. Yeah!! I hope there are several shots. (Karen)\"should I lose a little height?\" (Elena) I loved that little show! he was behaving so freely, bending down and up again, broadly smiling. That's so adorable! And he must have been in such a good mood. Was it seeing Evelyn again? ;-) (Lizza) Karen because she had always wanted her navel to be tickled by snow white parka fur ** Tee Hee** Now wait a minute..just how low did he go? ;-)"}, {"response": 1729, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (01:55)", "body": "I was looking at the big bald spot on the back of his head LOL! You zero right in. Great story, Karen!"}, {"response": 1730, "author": "AnnMari", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (02:30)", "body": "(Gi) Mari, I must hang around with you, you have the funniest close encounters! :-D Since I *know* how much you like Rowan Atkinson, Gi, I'll share this.;-) When I told my husband about the run-in with the Prince, he said it reminded him of the Mr. Bean episode in which the Queen is moving through a receiving line and when she gets to Bean, he gives a deep bow and Wham! bangs her head, knocking the poor woman out cold! Good thing Charles had the sense to grab my shoulders before I could do any damage.;-) (Karen) \"should I lose a little height?\" That was a riot--he was in a great mood, and the photo that resulted is superb--Evelyn, you could give Scavullo a run for his money.;-) And, I must say, I think he was absolutely charmed by your cheeky question, Karen, about Edward and Heloise. It definitely wasn't the same old/same old query for him! I just want to add how wonderful it was to spend time and share these experiences with the terrific folks here. Many thanks to Karen and Evelyn for doing so much--arranging the SLOW screening and posters, getting us organized for the group dinner, and so much more. You two are the best, no kidding. I was so happy also to see old friends like Ann again, and to meet new ones like Lizza, Gi, Aishling, Emma, Arami, Renate, Cathey, Elena, Mark, Sabine. . . hope I haven't left anyone out. Evelyn said every ay was a 10--so true, and all due to you great people! Oh, I suppose I should give Colin some of the credit too.;-)"}, {"response": 1731, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (03:05)", "body": "All of you had a jam-packed whirlwind tour. Did you ever sleep? Not much....we had to rehash every day when we got back to the hotel at night. We got our money's worth! Saturday was an Intense Colin Day. AM. Colin on FILM: SLOW screening PM Colin on TELEVISION:TOTS,Survival International Infomercial and RV interview with JA, viewing in our room (Thanks to Aishling who taped it and brought it to London)in our room with lots of Chardonnay. Evening: Colin in the Flesh: 3 DOR."}, {"response": 1732, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (03:15)", "body": "Emma and I knew Camilla and Prince Charles were sitting only two rows in front of K & Mari...I tried to signal them...(not easy across a theatre.) Poor Mari didn't know this when she almost mowed him down. LOL. The Queen's Theatre is pretty elegant;we sat in the Royal Circle. BTW, that's where AC with Colin played. And no, we weren't wearing jogging suits and trainers! Interestingly,two actors in the play: Ben Aris and Michael Culkin list RV in their film credits."}, {"response": 1733, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (03:50)", "body": "Ay Dios Mio! What barrage of goodies to catch up on! Everyone on \"Team Donmar\"-- I give you a round of applause!!!!Good work, team! (Evelyn-- got your email from a few weeks back, sorry it's taken me so long to reply. I'm in the middle of doing my PhD exams...) So ODB is sporting the OxFam look, eh? Not to worry-- he's probably ahead of our time in terms of fashion. Was glancing at an \"Abercombie and Fitch\" catalogue and fuzzy parkas and ugly shoes were all the rage."}, {"response": 1734, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (10:28)", "body": "(Mari)You two are the best Hear hear. I loved to see SLOW, it was much better than I expected, and I and my friend were quite impressed by the way Evelyn and Karen had arranged everything. The small theater in D\ufffdArblay Street was the perfect place to watch the movie and the posters were an extra surprise. And watching it with all of you was great. Thanks a lot."}, {"response": 1735, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (14:17)", "body": "(Mari) the Mr. Bean episode I remember that one, actually one of the very few I ever watched. (winter) he's probably ahead of our time in terms of fashion. Then we have cause to worry!:-o A question: what keys have each of you hung on Arami's keyrings? Home, car?"}, {"response": 1736, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (14:33)", "body": "Karen, Evelyn and everybody who was there, I love all your reports and whish I had been there with you. Are we going to see any pictures here soon?"}, {"response": 1737, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (15:48)", "body": "(Elena)Re: SLOW screening:Evelyn and Karen had arranged everything Thank you...but I cannot accept the compliment. Karen did all the arranging, I accompanied her to Optimum, passed the coffee, collected the money and rolled the posters. A real no-brainer!:-)"}, {"response": 1738, "author": "LynnR", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (16:06)", "body": "Evelyn, Karen, and everyone: Thanks for sharing your stories! I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying them! (Family thinks I'm nuts as I sit here laughing out loud, silly family)"}, {"response": 1739, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (16:18)", "body": "Welcome back, Mari! *waving to you from the other end of the Turnpike* Glad all of you made it home before the snowflakes started falling. Mari, your close encounter of the royal kind is outrageous! We expected our group to see Colin, but Charlie and Camilla? Who would have thunk it?! (BTW, does she really look like a pit bull?)"}, {"response": 1740, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (16:36)", "body": "(Evelyn) Thank you...but I cannot accept the compliment. Hey, if it hadn't been for your influence (\"make it happen\" philosophy), it wouldn't have happened and we would've spent our time in London sitting in our hotel rooms watching \"So You Want to Be a Millionaire\" and \"The Big Breakfast.\" ;-) I've got a picture of Camilla...kind of blurred and not her entire head. She was close and walking fast as she passed me. Nita, you asked about pictures from London earlier. Sorry, but we don't post personal pictures."}, {"response": 1741, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (16:51)", "body": "Re; Camilla:(BTW, does she really look like a pit bull?) LOL. I actually thought she looks better in person...rather attractive. The hair , unfortunately, is her downfall.Looks somewhat like a wad of dried hay."}, {"response": 1742, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (17:35)", "body": "Tomato Boy has returned!! I have changed the link on Drool's main page so that Tomato Boy shows up and I've changed the link to my Bucket there too. It will take you to the Bucket main page, but you need to change the urls manually to get to the pages to the various movies, etc., and NO images or backgrounds will show up. I am still unable to access the files."}, {"response": 1743, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (18:08)", "body": "Sigh, Sigh, sob, sob. There you are having a ball in London while I am left behind scrubbing floors, chasing grandsons, making beds,chasing grandsons, washing clothes, chasing grandsons. Tracking down my husband stolen bike."}, {"response": 1744, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (18:16)", "body": "(Family thinks I'm nuts as I sit here laughing out loud, silly family) LOL,we seem to have the same kind of family!"}, {"response": 1745, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (18:35)", "body": "(KarenR)Tomato Boy has returned!! I noticed! How nice :-)"}, {"response": 1746, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (19:32)", "body": "If you have a Firth Hand Fetish, I have a nice picture for you. Only up today. The java changes the picture each day. It will be there again next Thursday -- if I don't change it beforehand! CF's Hands Murph Karen: I love Colin on his rump in the corridor!"}, {"response": 1747, "author": "AnnMari", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (20:29)", "body": "(Eileen) *waving to you from the other end of the Turnpike* Glad all of you made it home before the snowflakes started falling. . . .(BTW, does she really look like a pit bull?) *Waving back at you from snowy Exit 3, Eileen!* (Wasn't it a rottweiler?;-) Actually, I thought Camilla was attractive in person. Wish I could say the same for Barry Manilow.;-) Glad you enjoyed the story. Always happy to provide sport for my neighbors.;-)"}, {"response": 1748, "author": "Janeway", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (22:13)", "body": "What an amazing story Karen and Mari. Almost more adventures than Blackadder! You are SO kind to the \"straw\" Queen, Camilla. I have a dear 84 year old friend who refers to her as Camilla \"Park and Ride.\" I had not heard it before but believe it is quite a common (commoner's?) expression! Glad everyone has arrived home safely. It has been sheer delight to have you , Karen and Evelyn fitting in the missing pieces of the jigsaw. Karen what an amazing page you have created on Blackadder.Thank you. Did you know that the guy playing Napolean , Simon Russell Beale, has also been nominated for an Olivier? Mais oui, 'ee is not just a \"big girl's blouse\"."}, {"response": 1749, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (23:44)", "body": "Here's the listing from Donovan Quick on ABC and there's a color pic of him. Looks like a reverse from the b/w one that's on Murph's page. Enjoy!!! http://www.abc.net.au/tvpub/highlite/h0004dono.htm"}, {"response": 1750, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Fri, Jan 21, 2000 (00:19)", "body": "Hi everyone - where do I start. It's 11pm and I've just got home after a most wonderful day. It started off with a meal at Belgo Centraal (for those lucky enough to be in the Donmar gang it's the restaurant directly opposite) and continued with a Skinny Latte Grande at Starbucks with eyes fxed on the staircase just in case...sadly nothing but the anticipation was all! Then at just before 3 we took our front row Dress Cirle seats for the performance. The lights dimmed, a presence was felt on stage, the lights came up and there directly below me was....well need I say more.... the day just started to pick up! I was lucky enough to catch 3DOR early in December but I found this performance to be far superior( maybe it was because I was actually taking in ALL of what was going on on stage this time and not just the contents of that lovely green pully and ratty cardigan!). EMcG (parictuarly as Lina in Act 2) was a trifle OTT - yes I know the character is supposed to be but at times she was ...just plain loud. Although Lina's bed scene with Ned just sent shivers down the spine. As I said before our seats were directly above the bed and the moments were so tender, so intimate, that in a strange way it was almost as if I was intruding. It was a beautiful scene. DM I thought, as Pip, really held the stage during his speech about his life and the audience really warmed to his winks. And during the \"Walker's in pain\" segment the crowd were rolling in the aisles and he was lapping it up but as Theo he was ....average. Ok now, let's talk serious palpitations here! I have read previous comments to the effect that on some occasions ODBs performance appeared rushed, shouty and tense but this afternoon it was perfection....oh that voice! I had doubts too whether my view would be restricted from where I sat but these were unfounded because I spent a great deal of time gazing into those beautiful brown eyes of his. He seemed relaxed and to be enjoying himself (probably the relief that it will all soon be over soon) and this w s certainly borne out by his fantastic portrayal of the screwed up Walker (who seems to have lost his December manic Woody Allen tendencies thank goodness) and of the stammering and twitching Ned. It was a wonderful thing to watch Ned transform from a geeky no-hoper to Lina's object of desire. I had not before fully taken in the scene when Ned tells Lina about the, I think, \"flanneur\" (may have misheard) - the guy that wanders through the streets and round the world seemingly lonely and yet content with life, self assured and self sufficient..a Walker....you see it all fits! At the finale the customary bows seemed endless almost mechanical and in fact the three of them must have realised this as beaming smiles and laughter rang out. Great stuff! Anyway the piece de resistance. Having been forwarned about the possibility of a sighting in the foyer - thanks everybody for the tips by the way -I decided to temporarily shelve my shy nature and go for it. I WAS going to try and speak to him I WOULD ask for an autograph ...and a photograph? well just maybe. We took our places in the foyer and to start with there were quite a few people there but as time went on these dwindled and when an appearance was made ( about 20 minutes later) there was only a handful left. DM and ODB came down together with Alan Cumming and two other guys that I didn't recognise..friends I'd guess, scruffily chic. DM stopped at the foot of the stairs and chatted to the blokes, who shook hands and left, he seemed in a hurry to go so I didn't bother him, he muttered something to Coli and all I heard in reply was \"No, I've got to.....\" exit DM towards Starbucks. DB was then alone (I think) two girls were in front of me, the blonde asked if it would be ok if they were photographed and he said \"yes\" but they (the 2 girls) then faffed about for what seemed ages discussing something or other and generally annoying everybody (with me thinking can I nip in here and get a quick autograph - but not) then Colin said a bit tersly \"Well how do you want to do this?\". Oh dear I thought, perhaps he isn't up to this after all! I had warned my friend that if I got anywhere near him or looked as if I was about to talk to him then she was to take some photos - but at this little incident we exchanged a glance that said ..this just isn't going to happen. Finally the blonde's friend got her act together and took a snap. OBD seemed to be Ok with it so I motioned towards him asked for an autograph (which he kindly did ...and spelt my name correctly..nobody ever does!). All my plans to say something original just shrivelled and for ne awful moment I thought I'd frozen completely . I asked for a photograph \"Yes of course\" and then the blissful moment arrived when I felt his hand on my shoulder. I don't remember the flash, I don't remember if I smiled or not, I can't even remember what he was wearing (Parka I think) I do remember saying something sadly twee like \"Th"}, {"response": 1751, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 21, 2000 (01:39)", "body": "*applause**applause**applause**applause**applause**applause**applause**applause* Tracy, you did brilliantly! We all know how difficult it is to get our mouths to cooperate and spit out a coherent and nonidiotic sentence in the Great One's presence. Love that expression \"twee\" (I think I get the general gist) I really agree with you how DM has become so much better in the role over time, especially in comparison to last March and told everyone so. (See, I do give credit to the other actors!!) He's improved one hundredfold IMO...now, if they could only do something with that other one... I too thought his handling of the Walker is in so much pain speech was executed so well, as I had seen it done elsewhere by another actor. Lina however doesn't have to be an OTT part. Actually, I view her as a tired old southern belle vs a cutsey kittenish type. EMcG's Nan was a nonentity and her Lina was all wrong, wrong, wrong. Sounds like the cast is seeing the light at the end of the tunnel...only a few more performances to go. Thanks, Tracy for giving us your impressions."}, {"response": 1752, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 21, 2000 (01:57)", "body": "Thank you Tracy....you helped us relive the moments at the Donmar Lobby. You were lucky he doesn't always come down after the matinee. DM and ODB came down together with Alan Cumming They must be good friends. Alan Cumming (CoF) and he attended TEP premiere in Hollywood together.(Pic is on some website)."}, {"response": 1753, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Jan 21, 2000 (03:07)", "body": "Aren't you proud of yourself, Tracy, for hanging in there. We are. Echoing Evelyn, I'm surprised he did come down after the matinee but so glad that he did. Glad \"the blonde\" didn't keep you from your goal - an autograph and photo! Well done! then Colin said a bit tersly \"Well how do you want to do this?\". Glad he doesn't suffer fools too easily. Glad too he was sweet to you. Btw, what was Alan Cumming doing during all this. Or did he just sort of disappear? Colin Tunnel Vision seems to do that to all his friends and loved ones."}, {"response": 1754, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 21, 2000 (05:58)", "body": "Review of Donovan Quick in the Canberra Times: \"The story is uplifting enough without being too mawkish, and the performances are enough to make it worth watching (especially Firth's, who manages to establish Quick as flawed and interesting rather than a mysterious Superman).\" Firth is described as the \"tall-dark-and-handsome stranger Donovan Quick\"...but unfortunately the newspaper copy called him Peter Firth!! I've added that and some new graphics to the Bucket page. http://206.97.234.70/~KarenR/mdbro/DQ.html"}, {"response": 1755, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 21, 2000 (06:00)", "body": "And be sure to go the very end ;-)"}, {"response": 1756, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Fri, Jan 21, 2000 (12:56)", "body": "Thank you Tracy for your wonderfull report! I know how much courage it takes to ask ODB for an autograph. You did just super! (Tracy)I had not before fully taken in the scene when Ned tells Lina about the, I think, \"flanneur\" (may have misheard) - the guy that wanders through the streets and round the world seemingly lonely and yet content with life, self assured and self sufficient..a Walker....you see it all fits! It took me two times to notice this too. (Karen)Lina however doesn't have to be an OTT part. What is an OTT part? (Heide)Btw, what was Alan Cumming doing during all this. Or did he just sort of disappear? Colin Tunnel Vision seems to do that to all his friends and loved ones. LOL! I wonder whether these italics work, as I have never tried it before."}, {"response": 1757, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan 21, 2000 (13:20)", "body": "Congratulations Tracy, you did it! OTT means over the top, Nita. Karen, thanks once again. You are very *quick*. Loved the end. ;-D"}, {"response": 1758, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Jan 21, 2000 (13:20)", "body": "Had my photos developed. Good god he\ufffds handsome, again I can\ufffdt believe my eyes! Does he really have as beautiful face as that, and to think that we met him and touched him!!!!! I\ufffdm totally stunned again. Barbara & Mari, please email me your addresses."}, {"response": 1759, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jan 21, 2000 (16:05)", "body": "Here is the photo of Cumming and Colin Evelyn mentioned. It was at the Hollywood premiere of TEP. Murph"}, {"response": 1760, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jan 21, 2000 (16:08)", "body": "Mistake again! Murph"}, {"response": 1761, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jan 21, 2000 (16:14)", "body": "Anyway, if you click on \"Murph,\" above, you can see it. I do web pages all the time...you would think I could figure out how to put up a picture here...So sorry. Murph"}, {"response": 1762, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 21, 2000 (17:21)", "body": "Thanks Murph...that's the one. Colin is wearing The Premiere Suit. Wonder who picked out Alan Cumming's suit? He looks like as ice cream man! ~~~~~ (Elena)Mari & Barbara please email me you addresses Me too, Me too :-))) ~~~~~~~~ (Tracy)...a Walker....you see it all fits! (Nita)It took me two times to notice this too. Didn't you read our discussion of 3 DOR we did last spring? BTW we DID hand carry the film discussion to the box office. (Happy, Moon?)"}, {"response": 1763, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 21, 2000 (17:38)", "body": "I have this sinking feeling that Drool might disappear again one of these days. Nita, Tracy ..all new folks...this is the URL for Drool in Exile http://www.insidetheweb.com/messageboard/mbs.cgi/mb49898"}, {"response": 1764, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan 21, 2000 (17:38)", "body": "BTW we DID hand carry the film discussion to the box office. (Happy, Moon?) Happy, happy, Moon. Who had a great time eclipsing last night. ;-D Now we should get one to Greenberg. (just kidding)"}, {"response": 1765, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jan 21, 2000 (18:04)", "body": "Well done Tracy, great report and I am so glad you got to have your photo taken with Colin, as Evelyn says he doesn't ususally come down after a Matinee. I was thinking isn't it strange how things can change, Joseph Feinnes was the blue-eyed boy in SIL and garnered rave reviews and some people thought he shoudl have been nominated for an Oscar, however, his latest film \"Rancid Alluminium\" has had universally bad reviews, Christopher Tookey in The Daily Mail gave it no stars, at least SLOW had one star and he says it even makes Michael Winner's \"Parting Shots \"look good. (thought by many critics to be the worst film ever). So it doesn't just happen to Coli , everyone is there to be shot down."}, {"response": 1766, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Jan 21, 2000 (18:19)", "body": "Great work, Tracy! Loved your report! So glad you got your autograph and photo."}, {"response": 1767, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Jan 21, 2000 (18:49)", "body": "good scoop, Tracy! Get that stuff framed! (BTW, I just heard from Ben. Seems that he was waiting for y'all at the designated time/place, but didn't find a soul)"}, {"response": 1768, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Fri, Jan 21, 2000 (19:11)", "body": "(evelyn)Didn't you read our discussion of 3 DOR we did last spring? I have missed that one. Was it on an other topic?"}, {"response": 1769, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jan 21, 2000 (19:53)", "body": "Great reports, everyone! And very well done Tracy and Elena! Looking forward to hearing about DQ...the last collaboration between writer and director won a BAFTA, and deservedly so! Our local Waterstones has some copies of \"Maid of Buttermere\" actually on the shelves, so I'm refreshing my memory (years since I read it). The role of John Hatfield would be a very challenging one, and the choice of director seems very appropriate,,,this is not a \"costume drama\", but has strong political/religious undertones. Ann, SLOW got 2 stars from Chris Tookey in the Mail, and , I agree, Rancid Aluminium (and JFiennes) seems to have got the worst reviews, ever, ever. It's an up and down world."}, {"response": 1770, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Fri, Jan 21, 2000 (19:55)", "body": "A few days late, but finally found my way here thanks to Karen. What an amazing few days. I was so sorry to have missed the Friday CF sighting at Starbucks. Had to wait until the evening performance to see him. The play -- Evelyn was kind enough to trade tickets with me for the first act , sitting at the foot of the bed afford me a great view of his feet, nostrils and bottom of his chin during the opening scene. Karen was very busy looking at the bottom of his boot, to find the shoe size. The general consensus is that they touched more, DM improved, but not Emc, and Colin is just a wonder to watch. I noticed he is sometimes rather expressionless while the other characters are speaking. He looked much better off stage in the Donmar lobby, must be the lighting, or he looks better as himself? Saturday was an all Firth day, SLOW screening, 3DoR matinee, dinner with Firth friends and evening performance of 3DoR, drinks with same Firth friends, Jan 15 will always be my Firth Anniversary. Not a bad time to visit London either, with the low fare, and sales. The Mat. Performance seem a bit off, when Colin took his bow, was looking into the audience but not smiling, someone said he looked rather bored, I would agree. The evening performance was much better, everyone seems to be more energetic, and the audience was much more responsive too. However, it was hard to laugh at the punch line for the 5th time, except I can hear Mari from 2 seats away, good girl. Sunday at the Millennium Dome, two viewing of CF's Shakespeare (all of a minute, with dialogue of no more than a dozen words, but nice legs in dark green tights) 3 days of Colin, wonderful Firth friends, and countless memories, what a great way to start the new year."}, {"response": 1771, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 21, 2000 (20:53)", "body": "Bethan ...I thought you said you were going to see 3 DOR again...tomorrow? ~~~~~~ (Winter)I just heard from Ben. Seems that he was waiting for y'all at the designated time/place, but didn't find a soul) I sent Ben two email messages asking him to confirm...he never answered. So we thought he wasn't coming....Sorry,Ben:-( ~~~~~~ Nita: The film/play discussions that we do on #98 are archived on http:www.colinfirth.com courtesy of Karen who edits them and Kirsten who loads them.Go to front page and you'll find the button.Cliff Notes brilliant."}, {"response": 1772, "author": "Janeway", "date": "Fri, Jan 21, 2000 (21:04)", "body": "Well done Tracy. What a thrilling episode for you. As one who has also felt the Firth Fingers I know how you must feel. Savour every delicious minute of it."}, {"response": 1773, "author": "Janeway", "date": "Fri, Jan 21, 2000 (21:05)", "body": "Welcome back Emma , good to hear of your impressions and once again, lovely to meet you once more."}, {"response": 1774, "author": "Janeway", "date": "Fri, Jan 21, 2000 (21:10)", "body": "Just checked out DQ Karen, great page thank you. Your versatility is endless (hey something in common with ODB)"}, {"response": 1775, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jan 21, 2000 (21:51)", "body": "Bethan and all: Re MOB -- I too got the book from the library and will read it for the first time. It looks like a good one. \"His face was bright, the complexion high, whipped by the weather, strong nose, fine teeth, brown glowing eyes and broad black eyebrows; he wore no wig -- his hair was long, thick, grey now overtaking the brown -- and there was a scar on his left cheek which dimpled as he smiled...\" Chapter One - The Maid of Buttermere by Melvin Bragg Murph"}, {"response": 1776, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 21, 2000 (22:06)", "body": "The Maid of Buttermere by Melvin Bragg I'll read it when I know he's signed on the dotted line.... I got burned with Flashman."}, {"response": 1777, "author": "Adi", "date": "Fri, Jan 21, 2000 (22:33)", "body": "Hi, just got my computer back from the technician so here I am. I saw the evening performance of 3DOR on Saturday with my mom. We flew to London for 2 and a half days and tried to squeeze shopping, sight seeing, the millennium dome and as many plays as possible in that period of time. needless to say that I was completely exhausted when he got back... But, it was all worth it. The only thing I\ufffdm sorry about is that I didn\ufffdt have time to say hello to everyone before or after the performance. I just manage to say a few words to Karen, Evelyn & Mark and his wife. I think I\ufffdve recognized Gi & Antonio (as was the only folks around speaking in a Spanish accent). We were in the millennium dome all Saturday (extraordinary long lines to all the zones, millions of people. Don\ufffdt go on the weekend!) and didn\ufffdt have time to eat diner before 3DOR, so when it was over we were just sooooo hungry. After CF had gone we just ran to grab something to eat. Anyway, I was amazed to see how tiny the theater actually was! our seats were in the stalls, second row, so we were practically sitting on the stage. It was a completely weird experience to look at my fantasy man within a touching distance. Like Emma, I also think he looked better off stage. Don\ufffdt know why, but at first I thought he looked really awful as Walker (maybe because of the sweater. It made his head and neck look bigger), and then, bit by bit his looks started improving in front of my eyes. When he started playing Ned I was already drooling... After the play when we got out to the foyer, I asked my mom to take pictures of him while I tried to get near him to ask for an autograph/photo. I think that I pushed someone from FoF or Spring at this point... (I\ufffdm so sorry about that whoever it was. It was just the excitement and the possibility of not getting an autograph as the women from the theater shouted that he didn\ufffdt have much time). When I did got near him I asked him for an autograph and told him that I came from Israel just to see him. At this he looked at me surprised and said \"euuuuu...\". then he signed on my program and gave it to me looking at my eyes. He has such a talent in human relations. He just know what to say and do to make you feel great when you are with him (as many of you pointed out). Unfortunately, my mother ran out of film at that time (she thought there were 36 pictures in the film but there were only 24...), so I didn\ufffdt ask for a photo with him. And that\ufffds another thing I\ufffdm sorry about. Never mind, It was great anyway. Another huge benefit from this short trip was of course: \"Bridget Jones: the edge of reason\". Great book! Finished it in 3 days, laughing all the way through. I can\ufffdt decide whether I like it because I keep imagining CF as MD (did anyone ask him about that?) or because it is indeed a great book. Can\ufffdt wait to start discussing this book with other readers (god only knows when it will arrive to Israel). (Sorry for the long post...)"}, {"response": 1778, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jan 21, 2000 (22:33)", "body": "Thanks for your stories, Tracy and Emma! No detail is too small to be overlooked. (Tracy) two girls were in front of me, the blonde asked if it would be ok if they were photographed and he said \"yes\" but they (the 2 girls) then faffed about for what seemed ages discussing something or other and generally annoying everybody (with me thinking can I nip in here and get a quick autograph - but not) then Colin said a bit tersly \"Well how do you want to do this?\". Colin's been such a great sport about indulging his fans. We weren't sure if he would do the 'lobby bit' this time, since the run was much longer than March. But here he is, nearly at the end, still trying to satisfy everyone (even those who apparently forgot their manners). Great DQ page, Karen."}, {"response": 1779, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Jan 21, 2000 (22:40)", "body": "the bed afford me a great view of his feet, nostrils and bottom of his chin Hi Emma, great to read your report! You have seen something I haven\ufffdt, the soles of his feet, ah!! :-D And thanks very much for your detailed report, Tracy. Like Evelyn said, reading it was like reliving it all. About his terseness....oh my, I wouldn\ufffdt like to get in his way when he gets angry. I suspect he\ufffds got a very strong temperament actually, it\ufffds in all his movements and glances and expressive eyes. (Tracy)He seemed relaxed and to be enjoying himself I\ufffdm glad for that. isn't everyday you get to meet, talk to and be touched by Colin Firth Too bad it isn\ufffdt. I really wouldn\ufffdt mind it as an every day phenomenon. well I just couldn't stop, smiling, giggling to myself and shaking for hours......I still am. Hehee, I still am and meeting him was a whole week ago! I hope I\ufffdll never recover from that CF treatment."}, {"response": 1780, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jan 21, 2000 (22:46)", "body": "And thank you for your story, Adi (wasn't up yet when I posted). Re: Mark Darcy, Colin's been consistently non-committal about doing this part. (Evelyn) The Maid of Buttermere by Melvin Bragg I'll read it when I know he's signed on the dotted line.... I got burned with Flashman. My sentiments exactly. But things may be looking up--I'm going away next week. (So what, you're probably thinking.) I only bring it up because whenever I'm gone there's major news. Stay tuned!"}, {"response": 1781, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 21, 2000 (22:47)", "body": "Nita, here's the url to all our edited film discussions. You will find 3DOR listed. Be sure to read our \"Cliff Notes\" (an American brand name for study aids that students buy when they don't want to read the book). http://www.firth.com/filmdis/disindex.htm (BTW, I just heard from Ben. Seems that he was waiting for y'all at the designated time/place, but didn't find a soul) Really? On Ramble, he was asking for the url for Spring because he had no idea where we were to meet... (Emma) Karen was very busy looking at the bottom of his boot, to find the shoe size. Well...only for the opening monologue. Kept me distracted while he was having a bit of difficulty with his lines. Thanks, Lizza. You must have liked the horses at the end, my gilt-edged hooved one! ;-)"}, {"response": 1782, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Jan 21, 2000 (22:50)", "body": "Hi Adi, too bad we never met but we probably were very close to each other in the Donmar! Loved the \"euuuu\" bit!"}, {"response": 1783, "author": "Janeway", "date": "Fri, Jan 21, 2000 (22:52)", "body": "Welcome back Adi. Great to hear your impressions of that Saturday. We probably rubbed shoulders if we had but known it. I was talking with Mark and his wife too. Have you come down to earth from looking deep into those eyes yet?"}, {"response": 1784, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 21, 2000 (22:56)", "body": "Shoot!!! While I was posting, four others did as well. Wow! (Evelyn) I got burned with Flashman. Huh? How? Did you put your life savings into that production company? Great to hear your story, Adi, and very nice to meet you even though it was so brief. Buttermere: I asked my library today to send the downtown copy to my branch. I'll add it to the pile of books I plan to read. ;-)"}, {"response": 1785, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Jan 21, 2000 (23:07)", "body": "Hello, just to say I'm back, and how much I enjoyed meeting you folks. I only wish there had been more time to talk to everybody. It was great fun! I will never forget the face of the waiter when all 26 of us flooded the hotel bar after the show on Saturday night. Now I'll rather try to keep up with Spring and everything. Report to follow."}, {"response": 1786, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Jan 22, 2000 (00:25)", "body": "\"(Winter) good scoop, Tracy! Get that stuff framed! (Elena) Had my photos developed. Good god he\ufffds handsome\" I only hope that the solitary photo comes out OK. The film was especially bought for the occasion so apart from THE pic and some silly shots of me, holding THE pen, clutching THE signed program and my fondled *sigh* shoulder, taken in a pub not long after, there are numerous exposures yet to fill so I\ufffdve been snapping everything that moves \ufffd cats &birds (not together that would be just plain cruel ;-) ), niece, niece covered in chocolate, niece getting far too close to holy raincoat (see shoulder-fondled reference above) aarrgghhh! Must get it developed next week and if any good (silly comment really \ufffd if He\ufffds in it, it will be absolutely fantastic!) will post it \ufffdnot sure exactly how but someone will help me out I\ufffdm sure. \"(Heide) Btw, what was Alan Cumming doing during all this. Or did he just sort of disappear? \" The mind is a complete blur\ufffd. I think he must have just been absorbed into the walls or something as he just vanished, cannot recall, but in the words of Jo in FP \ufffdDo we really care ?\ufffd ;-) \"(Elena) About his terseness\ufffd\" Very masterful, it certainly made them sort their lives out, like you I think he may have a bit of a hot temper and I certainly wouldn\ufffdt want to be on the receiving end. You should have seen the look he gave them - talk about expressive glances! But he was very sweet with me *great big cheesy grin here*. \"(Emma) sitting at the foot of the bed afford me a great view of his feet, nostrils and bottom of his chin.\" Aha - but looking down as he lay there composing himself for the start of the piece gave us a great sight of everything else on view! Had to take great care not to drool too much as it may have landed on him from above and well, it might have ruined my chances of a greet later! \"(Lizza) As one who has also felt the Firth Fingers I know how you must feel\" It\ufffds about 24 hours since my last post and I\ufffdve still got that tingly feeling. I have a long train journey into London to work every day that I try to sleep through and I suspect that this morning I may have had a huge grin on my face throughout. Sorry to all passengers on the 7.05 Cannon Street train , I know you are not supposed to be that happy on the way to work! BTW a)what is LOL? (Stupid question probably but I am a newbie \ufffd please enlighten me) b) Is \ufffdPlaymaker\ufffd worth trying to get hold of? If so I suspect that I may have to buy it unless there are any kind Brits amongst us who can organise a copy (illegal taping, perish the thought) or is it too dire (have read some previous postings and there doesn't seem to be a party line here..C**p or worth a peek? Thanks for all the plaudits , glad you enjoyed the post, it wasn't exactly a hardship doing the research!!! Have a good weekend all!"}, {"response": 1787, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 22, 2000 (02:13)", "body": "Adi...great to have you back. Sorry we couldn't connect for dinner.Glad we got to meet, and you got close to The Great One.We have missed you.Thanks for the report. ~~~~~~ Tracy...yes \"Playmaker\" is worth getting hold of...and no, there is no party line at Drool. LOL=Laugh Out Loud ROTFLOL=Roll on the Floor LOL ROTFLMAO=ROTFL My A** Off"}, {"response": 1788, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Jan 22, 2000 (09:34)", "body": "(Tracy)sight of everything else on view! Aha? Like what else? Detailed description please! ;-D"}, {"response": 1789, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jan 22, 2000 (09:47)", "body": "I'll read it when I know he's signed on the dotted line.... I got burned with Flashman. (Evelyn) Hey, you've just got to hang in there! There was something in the Times about how long it takes major TV projects to reach the screen, often three or four years...for example we've just seen Melvyn Peake's \"Gormenghast\" which was commissioned way back in 1995. P&P took several years to actually get off the ground. Casting/signing on the dotted line is usuaaly the last stage. I'm always very, very optimistic...if his name is linked with a project, I reckon ('til proved otherwise!) that he'll do it! I'm sure there will definitely be a Flashman on screen in the not too distant future!"}, {"response": 1790, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Jan 22, 2000 (11:30)", "body": "Tracy, you did great, thanks for your report, loved it. You deserved that pic and autograph!:-) (Tracy)I have a long train journey into London to work every day that I try to sleep through and I suspect that this morning I may have had a huge grin on my face throughout. LOL! I know what you mean... Welcome back to Spring, Emma and Renate. Thanks for the report, Emma, and I can't wait for yours, Renate :-) Evelyn, I ordered Flashman from amazon.com. I hope it is interesting enough by itself, but am sure I will cast Colin as Flashman in my mind's eye... (Adi) I think I\ufffdve recognized Gi & Antonio (as was the only folks around speaking in a Spanish accent). Indeed? Were you and your mother the two Palestinian looking women in the lobby then? We thought so. (Bethan)I'm always very, very optimistic... Sure! ;-)"}, {"response": 1791, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Jan 22, 2000 (15:15)", "body": "It actually took 10 years from Sue Birtwistle's initial idea to complete \"her\" version of P&P. Now a small interim offering to cheer us while we're waiting for more pics from London... (fingers crossed...) http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Trailer/1833/candis0897.htm"}, {"response": 1792, "author": "AnnMari", "date": "Sat, Jan 22, 2000 (16:00)", "body": "(Emma) However, it was hard to laugh at the punch line for the 5th time, except I can hear Mari from 2 seats away, good girl. Good to see you posting, Emma. I think he likes an audience that \"gets\" the lines, so I was more than happy to oblige!;-) Welcome home, dear. And welcome overboard, Tracy--loved your report. As for whether Playmaker is *C---p or worth a peek*, I'd say it's crap *and* worth a peek . . or two, or three, or . . . Elena, I'm so glad your pictures turned out good. Mine are crap and *not* worth a peek.;-) Adi, good to hear from you--I believe we met in the lobby, but very briefly. I'm working my way through Edge Of Reason and loving it. Helen Fielding and the book get a quarter page of coverage in the 1/21 Entertainment Weekly, as part of their books to watch for in 2000 section. In the same issue, Evelyn, Jennifer's name is highlighed in bold in the plays to watch for section. Nothing on RV."}, {"response": 1793, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sat, Jan 22, 2000 (16:01)", "body": "(Bethan)I'm always very, very optimistic... (Gi)Sure! ;-) Hee hee! Say, Bethan, you still haven't told us when you're seeing 3DOR... (Gi) I ordered Flashman from amazon.com. I hope it is interesting enough by itself, but am sure I will cast Colin as Flashman in my mind's eye... You can't take Flashy too seriously, especially in this first book. He's repulsive by today's standards. He will grow on you, though (right, Karen? ;-)). I was able to find several books in libraries, thereby investing enthusiasm only--which quickly dwindled when Murph's news broke. Anyway, we shall see what the future brings."}, {"response": 1794, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 22, 2000 (16:28)", "body": "Listen folks....a week today we were viewing SLOW at Mr. Young's Private Theatre and I haven't seen a report of the movie on #82 (Current Productions) from anybody there.\"Go to it!\" ~~~~~ (Bethan)I'm always very, very optimistic... (Gi)Sure! ;-) (Eileen)Hee hee! New Year's resolution, Bethan? Atta girl,be positive!"}, {"response": 1795, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 22, 2000 (16:52)", "body": "Here is the Janeway House flower arrangement that Spring sent to Colin last Saturday. Inside was placed a small glass ornament in the shape of a windmill (Donovan Quick ref). And here are some scans of the card that KJ produced to accompany the flowers. Our thanks to her for all her hard work."}, {"response": 1796, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jan 22, 2000 (17:22)", "body": "Thanks for your reports, Emma and Adi. I hope to read Renate's soon. And Arami's? There's always something new in each one. So ladies, no reports of post-Colin blues like last time. Glad to hear it. Arami, bee-yootiful picture of the dear one. Thanks. KJ, wonderful likeness. You captured the Walker sweater too! Thanks, Karen, for showing us what we homebound ones missed."}, {"response": 1797, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Jan 22, 2000 (18:10)", "body": "Wonderful, K.J."}, {"response": 1798, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Sat, Jan 22, 2000 (20:17)", "body": "(Tracy)Had to take great care not to drool too much as it may have landed on him from above and well, it might have ruined my chances of a greet later! LOL Karen, thanks for the link to the film discusssions.Wonder when I'll find time to read them."}, {"response": 1799, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (00:01)", "body": "\"(Elena)Aha? Like what else? Detailed description please! ;-D\" Well without getting too base...perhaps it's better to just limit it to the word contours! ;- ~~~~~. But seriously and without my drooling hat on, as the lights were going up I would say that from above you got a great sight of the actor in preparation, and when his dialogue began you could really see the... I dunno..torment(?) in his expressions which may have not been evident to a lot of the audience."}, {"response": 1800, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (00:12)", "body": "Whoops hit the submit button by mistake! Great work KJ ..and the flowers what a nice touch! Mari have finished Edge of Reason..won't spoil the ending but it was fab! Thanks for your Playmaker advise, there's a copy up for auction at eBay quite reasonably priced at moment so I'll hopefully be able to judge for myself. Even if story is pants ... it will give my other vids a chance to cool down from overuse ;-)"}, {"response": 1801, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (01:02)", "body": "I just moved all of http://www.firth.com to http://www.spring.net/firth till we get the new site running. You can use this as an alternate, ot allt he scripts will work but I gave Myretta full access to the site and she was going to get in touch with Renate."}, {"response": 1802, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (01:22)", "body": "Hi Elena, Gi, Heide, Eileen, Mari, and all you ladies, Janeway Lizza, I didn't recognize you there for a minute. I've not developed film yet, am crossing my fingers, thanks for taking my pix with DB. The pen he used to sign my P&P book is encased in plastic, together with my other Colin treasures. Thanks to Evelyn, my P&P book is signed by JE as well. (Tracy) Had to take great care not to drool too much as it may have landed on him from above and well, it might have ruined my chances of a greet later! Believe me, it was hard to control myself, I was so exited before the show started, had to take deep breaths to calm myself. The hardest thing about sitting on the front row is trying not to be obvious when my eyes are glued on DB at all times. (Tracy) I suspect that this morning I may have had a huge grin on my face throughout. I still have mine. And it's been a week. (Arami) It actually took 10 years from Sue Birtwistle's initial idea to complete \"her\" version of P&P. And it's well worth it, but please, please, please, I cannot wait 10 years for the next one. Karen, lovely pix of the janeway house, and KJ, nice drawing of Walker. Did we really say \"delicious anticipation\" in the card? Blush."}, {"response": 1803, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (01:36)", "body": "(TracyT): Great work KJ ..and the flowers what a nice touch! Thanks to you, Tracy and to all the others expressing similar sentiments re: the card. (Emma): Did we really say \"delicious anticipation\" in the card? Blush. Sorry about that, Emma. I was approaching exhaustion at that stage and the proof-read just passed me by."}, {"response": 1804, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (01:42)", "body": "( TracyT): Great work KJ ..and the flowers what a nice touch! Oops!. And I forgot to add my compliments for that beautiful and unique \"flower-house\" arrangement. Inspired! Kudos to the team of Evelyn and Karen!! ;-)"}, {"response": 1805, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (01:46)", "body": "Evelyn, did you notice the kinds of flowers included in the arrangement? The monitor I have access to is not of the best."}, {"response": 1806, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (02:10)", "body": "There is now a mirrow (partial) of firth.com at http://www.spring.net/firth . It's a temporary place to hold this websites files during the move. Myretta has access here and can grant access to others, as can myself and Ray."}, {"response": 1807, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (03:09)", "body": "Evelyn, did you notice the kinds of flowers included in the arrangement? Er...a...hmm... I'm not a horticulturist...so I don't know the names.There were some yellow roses, lots of purple flowers and berries and greenery.We told them to stay away from pinks. We took Jennifer a low small crystal bud vase mounded with tiny coral roses. Figured roses fit in with \"love\" in TRT."}, {"response": 1808, "author": "LynnR", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (03:17)", "body": "Thanks for sharing the pictures, you are all so talented!"}, {"response": 1809, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (03:22)", "body": "Purple and white freesia, yellow roses, and those reddish berry things called hypericum (sp?) that look like they're plastic."}, {"response": 1810, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (05:38)", "body": "Another pic from Donovan Quick courtesy of Jane C in Australia:"}, {"response": 1811, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (11:10)", "body": "Lovely pic, thanks JanaC and karen. Thanks also to Terry for letting us know about firth.com (and taking care of it despite his difficult moment). KJ, the card is great, I hope he liked it; we know that he got that and the Janeway house :-) Post-Colin blues, Heide? I had them for a while, but I'm alright now."}, {"response": 1812, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (13:13)", "body": "(Evelyn)and I haven't seen a report of the movie on #82 Coming shortly! I\ufffdm still going on and on in my head about the Donmar experiences ans still want to talk about that above all else but SLOW is very freshly in my mind as well. I loved it! Btw I\ufffdm going to contact the cinema in Helsinki that showed Fever Pitch for months this year, and warmly recommend SLOW to them. I\ufffdm sure it would sell pretty well in Finland, like I said to you guys in London. The political incorrectness in it (white man winning the black girl from the black man) in the film wouldn\ufffdt look like a problem to the Finnish audience. (Gi)Post-Colin blues I\ufffdm afraid I\ufffdm only starting to get there. So far I\ufffdve been flying ecstatically in the clouds but now I\ufffdm realizing that I\ufffdll possibly never see him again, sob, sob. But that\ufffds what I thought in March as well so hopefully I\ufffdm badly wrong again!"}, {"response": 1813, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (14:02)", "body": "Some more about the Donmar Blues....remember how we moaned in March (or at least I did) about the shock caused by him being such an ordinary bloke, like someone from next door and so unlike Mr. Darcy?! Well, this time that\ufffds not a problem. I think he looked much better now than in March and partly it was because his hair was clearly longer. In the March pics it looks almost black and too short at the back, now it was obviously closer to his natural colour and formed lovely curls on his forehead. Talking about his so called ordinariness seems quite ridiculous now, he\ufffds everything but. I\ufffdve never seen such eyes on any man, nor such a variety of broad/happy/playful/twinkling/tender/shy/amused/impatient sm les and grins. Every time he flashed one of those to someone my heart made an extra beat. Whew!:-D"}, {"response": 1814, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (14:12)", "body": "(Elena) Btw I\ufffdm going to contact the cinema in Helsinki that showed Fever Pitch for months this year, and warmly recommend SLOW to them. Great idea, Elena. We were told that SLOW was purchased by about 18 distributors, representing 18 countries, but they wouldn't tell us who they were and where. This means that SLOW could be shown in about 18 other countries in any form (theatrical, video or television). You just have to keep your eyes open. No, post-Donmar blues for me as there were none last year either, although I wish I could see it/him again. The time we had was so good that I can be satisfied with it. ~~~~~ Donovan Quick articles in Australian magazines, also courtesy of Jane: WHO magazine The fantasy-driven story of legendendary idealist Don Quixote is modernised in this 90-minute drama starring Colin Firth. As Donovan Quick, Firth tilts at one big windmill, abandoning a disturbing past in England for a spiritual journey into Scotland. There, the well-heeled Englishman takes up lodgings in a village with a severely dysfunctional family headed by the heavy-drinking Luck Pannick (Katy Murphy). Quick seizes the day and quietly works to improve the lives of Lucy, her learning-disabled brother Sandy (David Brown), her unemployed son, Jim (Paul Doonan), and her merrily under-dressed gran (Liz Smith). When the all-powerful Windmill Transport company changes its rail timetable, leaving Sandy unable to get to his day centre, Quick charges to the rescue. He buys an old bus and establishes the Quick and Pannick bus service, a David-esque response that soon threatens the greedy Goliath. The impracticalities of Quick's idealism surface soon enough, but not before he's taken the fear and loathing out of the Pannick household. A brilliant Firth is well supported. Brown is superb as Sandy, who becomes Quick's faithful companion, but it is Murphy, as Lucy, who shines with her portrayal of a woman who has been so abused that she sees herself as nothing more than fodder for undiscerning men. Altogether quixotic. Grade = A (ranging from A+ to D-) New Weekly magazine Set in Scotland, Colin Firth is Donovan Quick, a man who wears black - symbolic of his dark past. Meet Lucy Pannick, a woman who, as her name suggests, is not coping brilliantly with life. She lives with her loopy gran (who walks around only in her petticoat) and her brother Sandy (who's got a learning disability). She also has a boyfriend, Clive, who makes empty promises. The mysterious Donovan rents a room in Lucy's bleak house and soon turns her world upside down. Although it's a little slow to start, tick with it. This terrific drama builds up very nicely indeed."}, {"response": 1815, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (14:12)", "body": "I absolutely agree with everything you have said, Elena. He can't possibly think that the only attraction is because of Darcy, it is because of all of the above!! Love the DQ picture, can't wait to hear from Anne H and anyone else in Australia.(Cathey is still in the UK I guess)"}, {"response": 1816, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (14:47)", "body": "Thanks for the picture and DQ review, Karen and Anne. Elena, you are very lucky to be able to have Donmar Blues, think of us who did not see it. :-( Did Cathey also attend the closing night show? I would love to know what happened. I expect electrifying performances. Thanks, Arami for that picture. Good luck to Terry on the big move tomorrow. Keeping fingers crossed for a glitchless move."}, {"response": 1817, "author": "Darlene", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (15:51)", "body": "It is about time to relate my London experience. It was wonderful to meet all those people I know from name only. Gracious Evelyn, Karen from Chicago, knowlegable Maria, and the dear woman from Texas who made Jim feel at ease, and Gi and Antonio our kindred spirits. The opening scene of 3dor was eye opening. CF is laying on his back in bed, and my seat was in line directly between his legs. I have no idea of what he said for the first five minutes. After he finally rose, I mean stood up the rest of the play did go very well. He is an excellent actor. Afterwards, I asked him to sign the photo of my car with the license plate of MR DARCY. He laughed and said oh my god. Jim had the presence of mind to take photos and I have some good ones. All in all it was a wonderful experience."}, {"response": 1818, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (15:59)", "body": "(Emma) The pen he used to sign my P&P book is encased in plastic, together with my other Colin treasures. Thanks to Evelyn, my P&P book is signed by JE as well. Did I hear that you got him to sign the same page Jennifer signed? Any reaction? (hint, hint; wink, wink). Am curious which page in the book it was."}, {"response": 1819, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (16:04)", "body": "Thanks Darlene for posting. It can be almost as nerve wracking meeting a bunch of people you don't know but I'm sure our girls put you and Jim at ease quickly. And of course you had already met Gi and our fave rave, Antonio. Colin is indeed a wonderful actor and seeing him perform in person is eye opening. Almost as eye opening as your description of the view from your seat. ;-)"}, {"response": 1820, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (16:59)", "body": "(Elena)The political incorrectness in it (white man winning the black girl from the black man) in the film wouldn\ufffdt look like a problem to the Finnish audience Elena, that was just my theory why the film wasn't picked- up in the US. I can think of no other reason. There are lots of mediocre films out there, and this one wasn't all that bad. ~~~~~~ (Elena)...but now I\ufffdm realizing that I\ufffdll possibly never see him again, C'mon Elena....you sound like Lizzie at the Lambton Inn. We must remain positive...there's the four videos you just got to tie you over...and who knows...Toronto FF for \"Londinium\"in September?, another play next year? \"Who knows what the future will bring\".... ~~~~ Thanks Karen and Jane for bringing us those reviews. Sounds interesting...even with no snogs."}, {"response": 1821, "author": "kolin", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (17:29)", "body": "\"(Elena)...but now I\ufffdm realizing that I\ufffdll possibly never see him again, (Evelyn)C'mon Elena....you sound like Lizzie at the Lambton Inn. We must remain positive...there's the four videos you just got to tie you over...and who knows...Toronto FF for \"Londinium\"in September?, another play next year? \"Who knows what the future will bring\".... \" ~~~~ Hi Spring I am an old Friend of Firth who has been lurking around here for a while. I hope 3DOR was a positive enough experience for Colin so he would want to repeat it and take on another play"}, {"response": 1822, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (17:38)", "body": "Hi Vera and Welcome. Still no news of DQ?!!"}, {"response": 1823, "author": "kolin", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (17:44)", "body": "I am new at this and hit the submit button too early. I also wanted to say that I cannot imagine that the happy circumstances of this play can be repeated aoon. The intimate play, small theatre and Colin coming down after the performances could be once in a lifetime treat. I am looking forward to all the projects and hoping very much that Londonium will be shown at the Toronto Film Festival in my hometown. I know ther is another Spring member from Toronto area and I would like very much to get in touch with you. Vera"}, {"response": 1824, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (19:30)", "body": "(Vera)I also wanted to say that I cannot imagine that the happy circumstances of this play can be repeated aoon. The intimate play, small theatre and Colin coming down after the performances I\ufffdm sure about one thing: Colin enjoyed the Donmar experience, in spite of some occasional fatigue. High class modern play, very positive reviews, sold out every night, loving fans everywhere. There are a lot of reasons for him to be interested in seeking a new role in a good theatre in London, especially because he seems to be so fond of living and working in Britain at the moment. (Evelyn)C'mon Elena....you sound like Lizzie at the Lambton Inn. LOL! I sure hope he\ufffds gonna gallop back to me and ask if my feelings are unchanged. there's the four videos you just got to tie you over Yes, I won\ufffdt run out of reasons for serious drooling (haven\ufffdt had them converted yet, have to go to Helsinki for it.)"}, {"response": 1825, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (20:00)", "body": "Karen, great DQ pix and report. (Darlene) Afterwards, I asked him to sign the photo of my car with the license plate of MR DARCY. He laughed and said oh my god. Welcome, sorry I didn't meet you, I was at the other end of the long table at dinner. Glad to see he has a sense of humor about \"Mr. Darcy\" (Heide)Did I hear that you got him to sign the same page Jennifer signed? Any reaction? (hint, hint; wink, wink). Am curious which page in the book it was. I had 2 pages with Lizzy photos bookmarked for JE to sign, but she signed the title page. I was very hesitant to ask CF to sign the book, but Evelyn said to go for it, however, I only asked for his signature, don't remember any negative reaction, now wish I had asked for a longer message. You know, my mind was a total blank, can never remember to look him directly in the eye. I\ufffdm sure about one thing: Colin enjoyed the Donmar experience, in spite of some occasional fatigue. High class modern play, very positive reviews, sold out every night, loving fans everywhere. That's probably why he chose to do the second extended run, luck us. Speaking of Donmar Blues\ufffdcoming here to relive the experience really keeps me on my high. I'm so happy to have seen him and the Spring ladies, will have many fond memories for a long time. And don't forget, there will be other reunions. (Elena)Yes, I won\ufffdt run out of reasons for serious drooling (haven\ufffdt had them converted yet, have to go to Helsinki for it.) Sounds like a woman with a mission. Go to it :-)"}, {"response": 1826, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (20:32)", "body": "Colin enjoyed the Donmar experience, in spite of some occasional fatigue. High class modern play, very positive reviews, sold out every night,loving fans everywhere. The downside is low pay. The Donmar and the National pay less than West End theatres. SD in a recent interview said that at the end of TRT run at the Donmar he was broke. Took Anna Karenina because it was available and fit in with his schedule.(Sounds like ODB).TV is the same.They need a film every now and then so they can afford to do theatre. Richard Burton said the same in his bio. ~~~~~~~ (Vera)I am an old Friend of Firth who has been lurking around here for a while. Welcome, Vera. Any fan of Colin's, old or new, is welcomed here.Stick around."}, {"response": 1827, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (20:48)", "body": "Donmar Blues? Nope no sight yet, still tingling! Hope I am not duplicating any info here but have just found out that the Olivier Awards ( to be announced 18th Feb) will be broadcast on BBC2 on Feb 20th for any UK Springers out there! Tapes at the ready girls you never know who might be there! Details of other award nominations are at: http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/olivier.html"}, {"response": 1828, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (20:51)", "body": "(Moon)Elena, you are very lucky to be able to have Donmar Blues, think of us who did not see it. :-( Sobering thought indeed. (Moon)Did Cathey also attend the closing night show? I would love to know what happened. I expect electrifying performances. Yes, is it possible that no one we know has gone and will post? (Darlene)The opening scene of 3dor was eye opening. CF is laying on his back in bed, and my seat was in line directly between his legs. I have no idea of what he said for the first five minutes. LOL! Very eloquent description, Darlene! :-) BTW; isn't it fantastic that Darlene's car has an official license plate that says MR DARCY? (heide)...our fave rave, Antonio Be careful! I sense a new fan club in the making!;-) Welcome, Vera! You are from Toronto? Friendly city. I may be visiting very soon. (Elena)LOL! I sure hope he\ufffds gonna gallop back to me and ask if my feelings are unchanged. LOL! I can see the adoration in your face as you turn to him and say, \"My feelings...oh my feelings are all but changed...\" :-)"}, {"response": 1829, "author": "Janeway", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (22:04)", "body": "Some lovely goodies , thank you ladies. Great to see all the pics, reviews and posts. it helps relive the weekend. Let's not get downhearted, I think back 18 months, when I first came here and we virtually had NOTHING new about ODB to go on at all. No real news of projects etc it was a very bleak time in one sense but we all supported each other thro' it. We could not dream that we would EVER actually gain so much access to him in person and have the bonus of seeing him perform last year and this. Who knows what is around the corner? With SPRING anything is possible!!! :))"}, {"response": 1830, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (23:08)", "body": "I have just gotten around to reading all the posts of your London experience. My DH has just had surgery and has been in and out of the hospital the last two weeks, with more to come. Reading your reports has been a very welcome distraction. Sounds like you had a great time meeting each other and, naturally, dear Colin did not disappoint. He seems like such a very nice man. Perhaps his unstylish clothes reflect his view of himself as a man who acts for a living rather as a man who is an actor. Therefore he dresses like a working man on his way to work. Rather endearing I think. Moreover, he is probably trying to avoid being molested on the underground. It is not unsurprising that his performances might be a little uneven. Stage acting does require more of the actor personally than film acting, which can be reshot or edited. An actor's mood is bound to seep into his performanc and ODB must have been disappointed at being overlooked for an Olivier nom. Of the four performances I saw, three were surprisingly uniform, with one being a little more subdued and the pacing just a little different. Elena, my e-mail address is lizzie12@sprint.com. I have no idea where that other e-mail address came from. Vera, I live in St. Catharines, not Toronto, but close enough. I am looking forward to hearing from you both. Thanks to Arami, Jane and Karen for the pictures. Colin is so handsome in both shots. The Maid of Buttermere does sound like a good bet for Colin, if he has the lead. As for Flashman, I don't feel as though I got burned because I really enjoyed the books and would never have read them otherwise. I do hope he does that role too. BTW, one of you (I am sorry but I couldn't find the post)just ordered the first book, Flashman. Don't judge the series or the role from that book as it is not the best of the Flashman stories,IMO. Have you all posted your pictures at springfolks or will you be posting them here at drool? I am drooling in anticipation of seeing them."}, {"response": 1831, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (23:40)", "body": "Wow, have just been to Deja Vu and have found some mouth-watering comments about DQ from some Australian posters. \"Appalling ending!!, wonderful, especially thanks to Colin Firth, I want more etc.etc.) It has realy whet my appetite, why oh why have we not seen it here. It sounds absolutely wonderful, I have a very good feeling about this but if is is so good now is the time to air it in time for the TV BAFTA's. Having missed out on the Oliviers this would be good for Colin."}, {"response": 1832, "author": "kolin", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (23:47)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1833, "author": "kolin", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (23:51)", "body": "Lynda, I tried to email you both at the address which shows up at the Springand the address you gave in your posting but both messages bounced back. Can you please email me at the address which shows up here. Thanks Vera"}, {"response": 1834, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (23:58)", "body": "sorry I meant Deja.com"}, {"response": 1835, "author": "bamitchel", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (00:34)", "body": "Hope this gets through to all. I've lurked here forever, but am now coming out!! Elena, I'm finally getting over my post Colin depression - mine hit almost immediately upon my returning home last week. I know exactly how you feel. But watching P&P, MOTM, and some of LE this week has restored me somewhat. Plus the anticipation of seeing DQ in the not too distant future. Darlene - I think I'm the \"dear woman from Texas\" you referred to. Jim was very sweet and easy to talk with. It was good meeting you both. Loved the pic of your car with the Mr Darcy license plate - so glad you had the opportunity to show Colin. Saw the pic of the glass Janeway House and Colin tribute. A very classy thing to do. The Spring folks were well represented in London. I had the pleasure of meeting several and it was an enjoyable experience, indeed. Evelyn and Karen did such a marvelous job of arranging the SLOW screening and the lovely dinner Saturday before the show. What an exciting time this is for Colin's fans/friends!"}, {"response": 1836, "author": "ommin", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (01:52)", "body": "I have seen Donovan Quick and will give a quick assessment without spoiling it. First both my husband and a male friend thought it was an excellent production, well directed, well acted and well written. The character became real so much so my husband was related to it by getting annoyed with the villains and egging on the characters playing the good part. The accents (glaswegian might be troubling - hard at first in getting used to) Colin was excellent in his part, one thing though that was really no iceable was his hair loss. It did not matter however as he was soo good in the part. I believe he was as near to playing himself as anything I have ever seen before. I personally really like it - it was gritty, but the endeavour to break down the tall poppies who only think of money not people was very much to my liking. The ending had quite a twist - I will say now more but wait until some of you have seen it. Unfortunately the copies I made were not too good it was as I feared the pool pumps, inclu ing our own affected it. Even I might try to obtain the video itself if and when it comes out. I shall contact our ABC to find out if they are going to sell it. I hope when you all see it you will enjoy it."}, {"response": 1837, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (02:07)", "body": "Thank you ladies! I waited until I had a down moment and read through your entire posting. What an experience! I think I would go just to be with like-minded souls...even if I could not have a close encounter with the man who brought us here in the first place. So, Emma, YES, I would go to NYC if I could have an experience anywhere like you did in London. And, Karen, in case you were planning on an American version of the PC&C near miss with Mari again, you have my permission not to use Monica and th President. ;D Mahalo, ladies! Well done!!!"}, {"response": 1838, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (02:11)", "body": "Excellent news about a solid leading role for CF - finally! Thank you Anne!"}, {"response": 1839, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (03:13)", "body": "Here are some pics of Colin on Survival appeal: http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Trailer/1833/news/lifeline.htm"}, {"response": 1840, "author": "ommin", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (04:53)", "body": "Did you receive my response?"}, {"response": 1841, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (05:05)", "body": "Thanks for the DQ report, AnneH. Sounds wonderful and I can't wait to see it. Oh Arami, could Colin look scarier in that Survival thing? I saw the taping made by Aishling...not a very impressive salesman for the cause. I particularly noted that look of \"desperation\" at the end. Eowww! Not his best work. :-( If you want to see Colin in his rose-colored glasses, go to Murph's news page for a picture taken by Roxy."}, {"response": 1842, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (12:22)", "body": "(Lizza)We could not dream that we would EVER actually gain so much access to him in person and have the bonus of seeing him perform last year and this. This is so true. I never imagined to have an opportunity to see, let alone meet him in person, not to mention ending up under his arm and giving & receiving a squeeze. It\ufffds so incredible....hehe, I wonder when you\ufffdll all get tired of my gushing. :-) (Lynda)Perhaps his unstylish clothes I beg to seriously differ in this. He was not unstylishly clothed in the Donmar in my opinion, everything but. The parka was obviously brand new and looked warm, which indicates that he really did walk in the streets a lot before and after performances. You\ufffdll see it soon as the photos start to come out! I\ufffdm trying to put some up this week. Compared to the utterly shabby DM (in a dirty brown leather jacket and greasy looking hair) he looked like cut from a menswear magazine. Arami, please tell us about your experiences. I remember you said that you made him laugh, how did you do that?"}, {"response": 1843, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (12:37)", "body": "Anne Hale, Thanks for your wonderful report on DQ. Sounds like it is something to look foreward to."}, {"response": 1844, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (13:04)", "body": "All: I have a good DQ review from Jane, an FOF, on my news page. Also today's picture is Donovan (Thanks, Karen!). If you scroll down a bit, you can see the \"real\" Colin in rose-colored glasses at Donmar. My News Page Murph"}, {"response": 1845, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (14:25)", "body": "No need to thank me for that picture, Murph; it was scanned in by Jane."}, {"response": 1846, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (14:58)", "body": "A review from Maureen: Just for those of you who would like to know Donavon Quick aired here last night on ABC TV Australia. The storyline was wonderful one of which we do not see enough off these days. As I read in someone else\ufffds description, a modern day Don Quixote and similar to the story of David and Goliath. Colin was wonderful as Donovan Quick and probably the best person for the role as he articulates the English language superbly. His complexion throughout the movie was a peaches and cream colour, accept for an incident where he gets a bit of a hiding of the mean alcoholic Clive. I do not want to give too much away as I know that some of you may not have seen it. However, to give just a little insight, Colin\ufffds character DQ is a hard nose corporate businessman turned mental patient who escapes from hospital and becomes a crusader of the common folk. There are bits of the movie where Mr Darcy is evident particularly when his character helps Lucy to bed after twisting her ankle, but you will see this for yourselves. All actors in the movie I thought were magnificent and were able to pull of an accurate depiction of a modern day dysfunctional family plagued with the perils of alcoholism and poverty. The movie is hilarious, dramatic, violent and sad but throughout manages to keep focused on the actual story. I was impressed with all the actors performances their characters being Lucy, Clive, Sandy, John and Gran. Sorry I did not manage to get all of their names, as the credits at beginning and end were snowy. My only criticism is that there was not enough of Colin in it but that cannot be helped, as others had to get their lines in as well. I do not often rave about movies but this one is a ten out of ten for me, not only because it stared Colin but because the actual story was delightful and meaningful."}, {"response": 1847, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (15:01)", "body": "Welcome Vera and Barbara! Murph, I liked CF in those glasses. A bit of Clark Kent there. Anne, thanks for the DQ report, sorry to hear the tape did not come out well. We are all anxious to see it. I am very curious about the ending. Can we have *spoilers* please? Thanks for pictures, Arami. Has anyone heard anything about the closing night of 3DOR?"}, {"response": 1848, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (15:39)", "body": "Thanks Anne, for your review and thanks Karen for posting Maureen's review, it sounds wonderful."}, {"response": 1849, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (15:49)", "body": "From what people have written about DQ, it really sounds to me like something that should have been pushed along on the Film Festival circuit. It may not have the film school artiness of Ratcatcher or Trainspotting, but Scottish films are very *in* right now. So far, I haven't heard anyone who hasn't liked it at Pemberley or other places."}, {"response": 1850, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (16:40)", "body": "Welcome Barbara, it was wonderful to meet so many Firth Fans and our pleasure include them in the Spring events. Thank you for posting.Stick around. ~~~~~ DQ sounds like a winner..Masterpiece Theatre stuff? A&E? (Karen)DQ, it really sounds to me like something that should have been pushed along on the Film Festival circuit BBC ,Scotland might consider that beneath them."}, {"response": 1851, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (16:57)", "body": "DQ sounds like a winner..Masterpiece Theatre stuff? A&E? Sorry to disagree, but DQ sounds like neither to me. How many MTs or A&E specials have been about bus drivers and set in modern times. Uh-uh BBC ,Scotland might consider that beneath them. Beneath them? No way. Both BBC Scotland and the prodution company were obviously looking for a theatrical release for this film. Since I can't be certain about its merits or where it ultimately belonged, I'll reserve judgment until I do see it."}, {"response": 1852, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (18:09)", "body": "(Moon)I liked CF in those glasses. Agree, they\ufffdre cool! And quite unlike his usual style. Thanks for all the DQ information and the lovely pic, friends."}, {"response": 1853, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (18:45)", "body": "Oh Arami, could Colin look scarier in that Survival thing? ...Eowww! Not his best work. :-( Fortunately it wasn't \"work\" in the actual sense, just a charity appearance. Doesn't suit ODB, he just can't do \"impassioned\" without hiding behind another character - I guess he should stick to reciting poetry on those occasions... :-) I remember you said that you made him laugh, how did you do that? I haven't seen him laugh, but he was certainly grinning wider and wider - that was on Friday, though. Meanwhile, back in the Donmar... :-) Thursday, 13 January, 2000 - The evening performance offers me a new perspective (after the first viewing in March) from a seat in Row B at the left (stairs) side of the stage. Lights out; in the dark I barely see movement on the other side as I sense, rather, than notice the familiar figure take his place on the bed. A dim spotlight lights Colin's face, his eyes are shut. After a while he opens them slowly and speaks: \"Meanwhile back in the city...\" I didn't particularly like his American voice last March and I am a little saddened that I still don't find it any more attractive. It's curiously flat and unnatural, coming from a tightened throat. The way he says the first line is different from what I heard before. On Saturday it will yet again be very, very slightly different - not significantly, but just a tiny bit at variance. Those theatregoers who have seen the play only once will not have known that. In my younger years I often watched the same p ay over several evenings and I know that it is impossible to see a repeat of exactly the same performance. The play may be the same, the same lines, costumes, scenery, but the live people on the stage are not clockwork automatons. Almost predictably five minutes into the play someone's mobile (cell) phone rings. The actors on the stage don't seem to notice, but perhaps they are just resigned to it by now. A few minutes later a tall man sitting in the first row directly in front of me suddenly lurches forward and starts fiddling with his foot for some reason. A few steps away Colin-Walker is facing our side delivering one of his early emotional speeches to his sister; played by Elizabeth McGovern who is standing with her back to us nd unable to see behind her. I observe how Colin's eyes, momentarily distracted, very briefly leave his partner's face and shoot a watchful, shiny brown glance in the direction of the fidgety spectator. All the time his delivery doesn't miss a single beat and it seems that no one else notices anything untoward. This new Walker desperately overplays his neurotic personality. I am not yet sure if I really like it, but I find his presence naturally compelling. He has a familiar, beautiful, often worried face, talks excitedly, and waves his hands a lot. It is obvious that he is trying to shout his insecurities down. I settle down to savouring the wonderful proximity and aura of Colin Firth... David Morrissey displays great comic timing and really shines as Pip, but I wish that EMcG played Nan with a little less indifference. She is supposed to be cold, but manages languid. She is not wholly bad, but perhaps could do better. Act two. Ned is such a different person, it is almost hard to believe we are watching the same actor. Colin's showcase continues in triumph - I only wonder if he should stammer a little more. When I see the play again two days later, he stammers in a more pronounced way. But as we all know by now, no two live performances can ever be the same. This play is a great emotional and psychological see-saw: it would not be surprising to discover that when he is exceptionally good as Ned, then his Walker may as ell suffer somewhat, and vice versa. And the same goes for the other two actors. However, such fluctuations would be only very subtle and only really noticeable to those (comparatively few) who care to see the play several times. They are also completely unplanned and unpredictable. (Colin doesn't say, \"Today I'm going to do a wonderful Walker, so Ned's turn is tomorrow...\" But he might think, \"I feel that perhaps my Ned wasn't as good today as he should have been...\") Yet in no way would it detract from he worth of the actors' achievement. That is what live theatre is about. EMcG is much better in the second part. DM less so. Afterwards we wait downstairs in the foyer. Average number of people milling around, comfortable, not too crowded. I feel very relaxed and decide just to stand around and feast my eyes and ears. Colin appears on top of the stairs wearing a dark parka with a light fur trim on the hood, grey, baggy slacks and navy blue trainers with white soles. He descends solemnly towards awed admirers lining the narrow lobby: someone steps forward and asks him to sign a programme. He stops immediately and obliges as usua . Next he is asked for a birthday dedication on a large photograph of himself. He is given the spelling of the recipient's name, concentrates, scribbles, winces, and sudd"}, {"response": 1854, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (19:15)", "body": "Thank you, Arami, for your report. I did not notice the difference in Walker in the two performances in March...but did in November when the manic was really accentuated; actually, less so this time. I liked the marked difference in the two characters.The accent did seem somewhat strained. ~~~~~ (me)DQ sounds like a winner..Masterpiece Theatre stuff? A&E? (Karen)Sorry to disagree, but DQ sounds like neither to me. How many MTs or A&E specials have been about bus drivers and set in modern times. Uh-uh Okay...I was trying to be hopeful.The more I hear about the heavy Scottish accent, the less hopeful I get. Bring on the sub-titles."}, {"response": 1855, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (19:27)", "body": "(Evelyn), Okay...I was trying to be hopeful.The more I hear about the heavy Scottish accent, the less hopeful I get. Bring on the sub-titles. LOL! It is true, we don't know what the future will bring with Colin. TV, theatre, video? It is strange that it would play on Australian TV first. Still can not figure that one out. Arami, thanks for your views. Do you think if he might have kept his Walker as he did it in March when all the rave reviews came out that he might have had a better chance to get an Olivier nomination?"}, {"response": 1856, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (19:57)", "body": "I really don't know (to use Colin's favourite phrase in answer to all our questions... ;-)), but I wouldn't think that any such minor tweaking could be a decisive factor here - he was quite openly acclaimed as one of the best male performances on the London stage in the past 12 months, but - obviously not the only one. I imagine the final choice must be difficult. The award might not necessarily mean that one actor is infinitely better than another, but different - in a way."}, {"response": 1857, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (20:17)", "body": "Hi! In response to various people's kind enquiries, I am still here! Lurking only for the past few weeks. My back is also better, I hope! Thank you for al your good wishes. I have a question about the Oliviers. Does anyone know how the nominations are conducted? It occurs to me that it may be that the Donmar is only allowed one crack at any award. This may be the rules or it may be that each theatre can nominate. Does anyone know? That maybe why 3DOR is only nominated in the best new play category. All the other nominations went to TRT which used up the Donmar quota. If that is not the case then I come up with theory 2 which is that Colin's style of acting does not appeal to fellow actors. First, he is not in Oxbridge and/or RADA/Central School mafia which seems to predominate on the London stage. Secondly, his style of acting is very naturalistic which may just not appeal to other thespians. His are not the performances of a *star* but of an actor. Coupled with that is the fact that he does not do the luvvy things. He does not appear at thesp type functions (the Noel Coward benefit was a case in point). All these things may make him a bit of an outsider. I am probably completely wrong and maybe everybody else can see him more clearly than we can but I find it interesting that the Evening Standard awards nominated him (an award from critics) and didn't he win the critics award for P&P? I have heard it said elsewhere that maybe he suffers for his left wing views. I am sure this is not the case. If he had rightward leaning views, that would be social death in thespian circles! Still, he is probably making a very very comfortable living and has his privacy, which is a clever balancing act."}, {"response": 1858, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (20:44)", "body": "Glad you're back is better, Allison. I like your theories about the Donmar. But I think SD is very much an actor in the CF term and he gets nominated. Why? With Blair in power his left-wing views surely fit right in. Actors do tend to be left-winged or else they would not be able to work in today's \"anything goes\" society, which is reflected in the overwhelming majority of recent films."}, {"response": 1859, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (21:35)", "body": ". But I think SD is very much an actor in the CF term and he gets nominated. Why? I agree. Having sort of majored in these two actors this past season;-) SD is v. private, lives in Brixton (would you believe), never goes to any public social function,style of acting v. similar to CF's, did not go to RADA or any London Acting school..... Up to this time my theory was because of the new American play.But then they went and nominated 3 DOR !!\"It's a mystery.\" Welcome back Allison. We have missed you."}, {"response": 1860, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (21:53)", "body": "Welcome Barbara, it was nice meeting you at the Luna Nuova, and it is nice seeing you de-lurk. I hope you enjoy it here."}, {"response": 1861, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (22:03)", "body": "Just saw the pic of CF in rose tinted glasses - hehehe :-)"}, {"response": 1862, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (22:04)", "body": "Here's something about the Oliviers: The Awards are unique because the adjudicating panels include members of the theatre-going public who work alongside experts chosen by the Society for their knowledge and professional experience. There are three independent panels for Theatre, Opera and Dance. Any new production that opens in a theatre represented in membership of the Society is eligible for consideration, provided it is proposed and seconded by members of the Society. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I also seem to remember seeing a long time ago, a request for volunteers from the public to serve on the panels. It said that people had to see about 60 plays a year to be considered. That being said, did you notice that there are 4 nominees for all categories, except Best Actor, where there are 5!! Sheesh, they even expanded the category and still no CF. I wonder if it has anything to do with the strangeness of the play (didn't many overhear comments about not knowing what was going on) and the characters? It appears that many in the audience were clueless about the relationships between the characters and the two acts. But then why would the play be nominated? Makes no sense."}, {"response": 1863, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (22:05)", "body": "And welcome back, Allison. Nice to see you getting back to the boards."}, {"response": 1864, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (22:16)", "body": "Welcome Barbara. Hope your CF withdrawal isn't too bad; you can always have him on video. Okay, so it's not the same as experiencing him in the flesh. Speaking of flesh -- that brings up \"Playmaker\". Tracy, you want to know if it's worth obtaining your very own copy. You might want to get it as the movie may well appeal to your baser (i.e.; prurient) urges. Did I mention flesh? You get to see quite a bit of CF's. That's the upside -- the downside is that this movie is beyond belief and beneath contempt. \"Donovan Quick\" sounds as though it should be quite good. I'd love to see it. It does seem strange that it's not being actively promoted on the film festival circuits. The film would seem, (from the reviews/descriptions), to have the potential to be an arthouse success. As for television broadcast in the United States, A&E would seem more likely an outlet, than Masterpiece Theatre, but I'm not holding my breath on either. I would like to see \"DQ\" get a theatrical release in the US though."}, {"response": 1865, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (22:21)", "body": "Sorry I forgot to mention that it's good to read that your back is better Allison."}, {"response": 1866, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (22:37)", "body": "Yes, Allison, I'm glad yo are better, and Lynda, I hope your DH's condition isn't serious and the surgery goes well."}, {"response": 1867, "author": "Janeway", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (22:39)", "body": "Good to see you hear Barbara, it was so nice to meet with you. Allison, glad you are better. Had a flyer from Donmar today singing their own praises for their nominations. Obviously mentioning 3DOR and its ' \"sell out run.\" that has just ended' Don't we know it."}, {"response": 1868, "author": "Janeway", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (22:41)", "body": "I mean HERE!! Hope your DH is doing fine Lynda."}, {"response": 1869, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (23:41)", "body": "Oh, Tracy, don't listen to CherylB about Playmaker ;-) ...have a few whatevers to drink and enjoy. It's an idiotic movie, but CF's worth watching and the best part is you can talk back to Jennifer Rubin, his horrible co-star. That alone can be very fun. I'm trying to think of an example of where something from television went on to a theatrical release in the US. Besides, a heavy Glaswegian accent is nearly the kiss of death (no offense to anyone, but they might as well be speaking Italian to us) ;-) DQ is currently up for sale at a convention of television programming executives being held in New Orleans this week."}, {"response": 1870, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (23:55)", "body": "Karen I said that Colin Firth was the only thing I liked about \"Playmaker\"; and you're right it is fun to yell things at Jennifer Rubin, she's so-o-o-o bad. Truthfully I've watched it since getting over the flu and have enjoyed more than I did the first time. It might be said it's grown on me -- like fungus. Your suggestion, Karen, that after a few glasses of wine it is fun is true, but it's still a rotten movie. I didn't tell Tracy not to get it; afterall, it does have a high drool factor CF-wise."}, {"response": 1871, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 25, 2000 (00:22)", "body": "Cheryl, you know I'm just kidding around. No one here would ever claim that Playmaker is a good movie. It's cheesy as all get out. Best part about it is making fun of it. And yes, it does grow on you."}, {"response": 1872, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Jan 25, 2000 (01:09)", "body": "(Karen) I'm trying to think of an example of where something from television went on to a theatrical release in the US. I was thinking about this too (trying to find a sliver of hope that we will actually see DQ here). The only film I could think of (and I apologize, because I don't think I'm going to get the title right) is The Last Seduction. It was Linda Fiorentino's first big role. I just remember the uproar because a lot of people thought she should have gotten a best actress Oscar nomination (and she was great in this, BTW) but she was ruled ineligible by the Academy because the film had a brief outing on HBO TV f rst. Allison, glad you're feeling better!"}, {"response": 1873, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Jan 25, 2000 (11:46)", "body": "(Lizza)Cathy is going next Thurs and then final night and I believe some FOF will also be there Were they? Please report. (Arami)he has written \"Happy [name]\", omitting the word \"birthday\" That was so sweet. And sweet also that he cared so much for making that little mistake, not realizing how lovely and funny those words can look like in fans\ufffd eyes. Btw I wonder what distraction he was talking about, there really was a minimal amount of distraction that evening. Did you scare him, Arami? Please post often, Barbara."}, {"response": 1874, "author": "Darlene", "date": "Tue, Jan 25, 2000 (13:28)", "body": "Barbara (aka the nice lady from Texas), when I spoke with Jim a few days later he did indeed remember your name. Thanks again for putting him at ease. Karen, would you please send me your mailing address? I will gladly mail you a check to cover the cost of a copy of the London tape. Arami, Your posting of the London experience was amazing. Do you take notes? In the first act, CF reminded me of Robin Williams at one point. His rapid fire delivery and facial expressions were similar to a RW routine. BTW, did anyone notice how glamorous Gi looked? With charming Antonio at her side, they looked more like movie stars than the real ones. Gi, thanks for staying in the backgound."}, {"response": 1875, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Jan 25, 2000 (13:39)", "body": "CherylB and everybody thanks for your Playmaker comments. My baser instincts need appealing to so dodgy video here I come. I will quite enjoy yelling at the screen if she is THAT bad and of course it's got the \"high drool factor CF-wise. It's a must! Just as I was starting the Donmar Blues my photographs are ready....yes it did all happen. The memories are flooding back, and I now know what he was wearing. The \"usual\" parka and what looks like a very Walker-esque jumper."}, {"response": 1876, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Tue, Jan 25, 2000 (14:31)", "body": "Arami, thank you for your Donmar report, what an eye for details, makes me feel like I was there again, just drinking up his presence. The reviews on DQ are so promising, plus SLOW on video in March, so much to look forward to that I know there'll be no Donmar Blues for me. Dear ladies, thanks for sharing."}, {"response": 1877, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Jan 25, 2000 (16:48)", "body": "Emma, pl. check your email."}, {"response": 1878, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Jan 26, 2000 (00:39)", "body": "(Darlene) Your posting of the London experience was amazing. Do you take notes? Only mental. One does not forget such moments easily... (Elena) I wonder what distraction he was talking about, there really was a minimal amount of distraction that evening. Did you scare him, Arami? Very likely: especially on Friday! :-) Friday, 14 January, 2000 No tickets for tonight, but I insist on going to the Donmar foyer later in the evening regardless. I buy a poster in the box office and join the crowd. Colin appears and, as usual, is asked to pose for photographs. There is a sort of a commotion and I hear him say, \"Which camera...?\" I remark cheekily that the group is in obvious need of a director... A shadow of a smile appears on his hitherto serious face. He is undoubtedly tired. The usual ritual of signing, posing and camera flashes continues as he works his way systematically towards the door. Everyone present gets a chance to approach him. I move forward, unroll the poster and hand him my pen, saying: \"Would you like to deface the image of your hand on this poster?\" He smiles amused, takes the pen and scribbles a dedication while I support the poster underneath with my outstretched palm. The movement of the pen tickles exhilaratingly. He hands the pen back to me, and when I take it, our fingers touch inadvertently. His skin is soft and warm and I think I am dreaming. I step back reluctantly and allow others their turn. The gathering is much larger than the day before. At some stage I find myself trapped behind his broad back and almost flattened against the wall. I struggle to control myself.. ;-) When he turns so I can see his face again, I boldly grab the (...!) opportunity and say: \"Mr Firth, have you any future plans for more live theatre? Will you be back on the stage soon?\" He stops scribbling for a moment, looks up straight at me with those large, deep, dark, serious eyes and booms: \"With this play?\" \"Any play, \" I say. \"Have you any plans at all?\" He looks up towards the ceiling, takes a deep breath, hesitates for a very brief moment and says quickly, \"I really don't know.\" \"No plans Well, hopes, then? For we have hopes, you know.\" A little appreciative smile appears on his lips as he is scribbling again, but says nothing. \"My God, it's true, that gentleman is really very difficult to interview,\" I venture in mock despair. Colin's smile is broadening visibly. He takes his leave soon after that and walks away with a little wave and one last glance, still smiling."}, {"response": 1879, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Wed, Jan 26, 2000 (01:02)", "body": "The movement of the pen tickles exhilaratingly. He hands the pen back to me, and when I take it, our fingers touch inadvertently. His skin is soft and warm and I think I am dreaming. At some stage I find myself trapped behind his broad back and almost flattened against the wall. I struggle to control myself.. Wow Arami, What a night, who wouldn't want to be trapped behind his broad back...and you still have the presense of mind to ask him those questions."}, {"response": 1880, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan 26, 2000 (01:07)", "body": "(Arami), \"My God, it's true, that gentleman is really very difficult to interview,\" I venture in mock despair. Colin's smile is broadening visibly. So true, Arami! He mocks us and we despair. ;-) Thanks for part II. May we look forward to a part III?"}, {"response": 1881, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 26, 2000 (02:40)", "body": "Re; Request that DONOVAN QUICK be aired on US television: Donovan Quick was produced by BBC Scotland. Pandora has International Sales. You can write to BRAVO cable channel at: programming@bravotv.com or A&E http://www.aetv.com/feedback/feedback.html Tell A&E that this stars Colin Firth of P&P. It can't hurt."}, {"response": 1882, "author": "AnnMari", "date": "Wed, Jan 26, 2000 (05:06)", "body": "Thanks for the contact info, Evelyn; I've sent off some e-mails. What do you think about HBO or Showtime? DQ sounds like it's more in the vein of the grittier contemporary stuff that these two have been producing."}, {"response": 1883, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Jan 26, 2000 (08:03)", "body": "(Arami)One does not forget such moments easily One does and doesn\ufffdt. Meeting him does something strange to your memory. You can remember some seconds of those encounters with amazing clarity afterwards, and completely forget something else. For instance, I\ufffdve found out that I\ufffdve totally forgotten something that happened a couple of seconds before my photo was taken with him. An ecstatic blank in the mind. His skin is soft and warm and I think I am dreaming. That happened to me too, I mean the meeting of hands when he signed the group photo for me. I wanted to show him where to write the name because he looked first like planning to write it across the group, making a hesitant movement above the picture with the pen, and our hands touched each other. That\ufffds very clear in my mind and I remember being somehow amazed by the feeling of his skin. It felt so nice, smooth and ordinary! :-D \"I really don't know.\" It\ufffds possible that he really sincerely doesn\ufffdt know exactly at the moment, but he\ufffds probably negotiating on several projects."}, {"response": 1884, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Jan 26, 2000 (08:35)", "body": "Tales of all these skin-tingling encounters are almost too much for me so early in the morning:-) Keep them coming. BTW there is another excellent review of DQ at IMDb."}, {"response": 1885, "author": "Darlene", "date": "Wed, Jan 26, 2000 (14:45)", "body": "The pictures of my Colin encounter have arrived. In one he is smiling at the MR DARCY license plate picture, and the next he is looking directly in my eyes as he asks how to spell Darlene. It is not exactly THE LOOK, but it works for me. I am glad he did not ask any difficult questions because I just sort of got brain lock staring at him. And yes, I do recall the moment our hands touched as he handed me back the pen. Sigh, a moment in time."}, {"response": 1886, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Wed, Jan 26, 2000 (16:26)", "body": "Arami,thanks for your wonderful,detailed reports! Amazing how you remember all those details. When I met ODB in November it was all somehow blurred. You seem to be a very cool lady to be able to talk with him just like that! (Elena) Meeting him does something strange to your memory. You can remember some seconds of those encounters with amazing clarity afterwards, and completely forget something else. So true. I, for example, don't remember at all what he was wearing when I saw him,but I remember quite clearly how he looked into the audience during the applause.Both times I was there I got the impression he was looking for someone he knew and when he saw that person his smile broadened."}, {"response": 1887, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  1, 2000 (15:45)", "body": "Finally, an answer. Sorry, but Ingrid didn't work on Londinium and Colin does NOT have a hot tub scene in it. What else could it be? No hot tub in Donovan Quick, huh, ladies?"}, {"response": 1888, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  1, 2000 (15:56)", "body": "From the January 26 Scotsman: CHARIOTS FILM TEAM LOOKING FOR ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL RUN A SCOTTISH film created by the makers of Chariots of Fire is to be released more than three years after it was made. The film, My Life So Far, produced by Lord Puttnam and directed by Hugh Hudson, is intended to be the latest in a line of low-budget Scottish film successes. Indeed, the film has backing from Miramax, the US production company famed for promoting \"small\" films and making them into worldwide hits. Miramax is promoting the film as a successor to its previous critical and commercial hits such as The English Patient and Mrs Brown. Chariots of Fire, detailing the story of the Scottish runner Eric Liddell, was one of the successes of British film in the 1980s, but it has been more than a decade since Hudson and Lord Puttnam worked together. My Life So Far, shot in Scotland, is based on the autobiographical memoirs of Sir Denis Forman, the television executive and now a director of the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. In the film, Sir Denis's alter ego is Fraser Pettigrew, a ten-year-old who is growing up on a Scottish estate in the 1930s, with his father, an eccentric inventor, beautiful mother and domineering grandmother. The family's life is rocked by the arrival of a sultry foreign governess whose presence ignites strong emotions in all the characters. The story, a gentle drama, is related through the boy's eyes as he comes of age in an atmosphere where adults act as much like children as he does. The film, which was made with money from the Scottish Arts Council's lottery fund, reunites Hudson, the director, with Puttnam for the first time since 1981. It stars Colin Firth, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Irene Jacob and Malcolm McDowell. Filming took place at Ardkinglass House on the banks of Loch Fyne, where for one scene a huge ice rink was built for a curling contest. Hudson said: \"The thing I love about shooting in Scotland is that you are completely removed from the world. We really had that feeling of being a family isolated from all the turmoil.\" Mastrantonio, the American actress who plays the mother, said she was delighted that My Life so Far would at last be seen in the UK. She said: \"It's strange to think it has been over three years (since it had been made) - I just had a baby and that baby now speaks and runs around. \"I did have a few problems with the Scottish accent, but as I live in London I felt at least I was halfway there before I started.\" Miramax picked up the film and premiered it at Cannes last year. Lord Puttnam has dedicated it to the Scottish actor Ian Charleson, who starred in Chariots of Fire and who died in 1990. The screenplay was adapted from Forman's Son of Adam by the Scottish playwright Simon Donald, whose film version of his stage play The Life of Stuff failed to obtain a proper cinema release. The young Fraser is played by an Edinburgh boy, Robbie Norman, who was 11 at the time of shooting and had never acted professionally before. One reason for the delay in the film's release is that Harvey Weinstein, the influential head of Miramax, insisted on nursing it through a long post-production and spent some time compiling a new soundtrack. It had a theatrical release in the US, with limited success. The record of Miramax in picking up and promoting relatively low budget films has become renowned in the film business. Mrs Brown was a modest part-BBC financed production until Miramax picked it up and after the Weinstein treatment it became a success at the box office and won a number of awards. Weinstein hopes to work his promotional magic on My Life So Far. \"It's a totally charming piece,\" he said. * My Life So Far will be released on 5 May."}, {"response": 1889, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb  1, 2000 (21:38)", "body": "Good news there, Karen. But, do we believe Harvey? The reason it had limited success in the US was because Miramax did not promote it one bit. I just hope that Colin promotes it with lots of interviews. My guess is that he will be busy filming BJs by then. ;-)"}, {"response": 1890, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb  1, 2000 (21:44)", "body": "(Karen), but Ingrid didn't work on Londinium and Colin does NOT have a hot tub scene in it. What else could it be? Sounds like a mystery for Arami to solve. (Maybe they are already secretely filming BJ and Mark Darcy is getting into the tub with Rebecca) :-D"}, {"response": 1891, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  1, 2000 (22:35)", "body": "(Maybe they are already secretely filming BJ and Mark Darcy is getting into the tub with Rebecca) :-D Ack!! Rebecca!! Bite your tongue. ;-)"}, {"response": 1892, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb  1, 2000 (22:49)", "body": "Thanks Karen, for scanning and uploading the pic . What a nice welcome for Spring's new home. He looks at home here, doesn't he? :-))"}, {"response": 1893, "author": "LynnR", "date": "Wed, Feb  2, 2000 (01:44)", "body": "Karen I love the new pictures....best one yet!"}, {"response": 1894, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb  2, 2000 (01:56)", "body": "Karen, I just DBs secret message to us. You are so clever! Will be away for 10 days and I expect to lots of news on my return. :-D"}, {"response": 1895, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  2, 2000 (06:01)", "body": "A Colin mention in this 2/2 Guardian article: KICK FLICKS ARE COMING SOON TO A CINEMA NEAR YOU Between The Arsenal Stadium Mystery (1939) and When Saturday Comes (1996), nothing. Nothing, that is, except Escape To Victory (1981) which I discount, since any film which plays Michael Caine in midfield and Sylvester Stallone in goal forfeits the right to call itself a serious film about soccer. Generally the view has been that soccer is not a suitable subject for what Hollywood likes to call a 'major motion picture\", lacking the intrinsic drama of boxing or baseball and fatally remaining utterly incomprehensible to the Americans. Soccer movies, conventional wisdom told us, would not play in Hard Knob, Illinois (real place, apparently). [KR: never heard of it] Well, yah-boo to conventional wisdom, because there are at least four soccer films scheduled for release this year, as Hollywood tries to cash in on the growing popularity of sport - any sport, even soccer. According to the American Sports Business Journal, sport generated Dollars 213bn ( pounds 130bn) last year, nearly seven times as much as its closest entertainment rival, the movies themselves. So the cameras are - or have just finished - turning on an unprecedented roster of sports movies; everything from Celebrity Deathmatch (wrestling) to Psycho Beach Party (surfing). Interestingly, soccer features in these forthcoming attractions as prominently as either boxing or American football. America may finally be waking up to the extraordinary worldwide appeal of the beautiful game. If you have a hot soccer idea to pitch - Gazza: The Movie, Nightmare On Filbert Street, Horror At The Bates Motel (otherwise known as Chelsea Village) - now could be the time. I have seen none of the four soccer movies scheduled for imminent release but advance publicity suggests that producers these days want something which gets under the skin of the game rather more than the ludicrous When Saturday Comes, where the rookie Sean Bean is improbably given the responsibility of the last-minute penalty against Manchester United, or even Fever Pitch, for which we were forced not only to accept loveable Cockneys cavorting in the streets to celebrate Arsenal's triumph but to believe in the hirsute Colin Firth as Nick Hornby. The Cup, for instance, a new film from Bhutan, is the story of two young Tibetans, who escape from the Chinese and join a Tibetan monastery-in-exile in the foothills of the Himalayas, where they find football fever running hot through the hallowed hallways. The film, directed by Khyentse Norbu, a pre-eminent lama of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, follows the soccer-mad monks' attempt to hook up a satellite dish to watch the 1998 World Cup. It is said to combine warm irreverent humour and Tibetan wisdom, alongside its insight into the healing, unifying nature of sport. It does sound more interesting than boy-meets-girl, boy-loses-girl, Arsenal-win-Championship, boy-gets-girl again. Some of you who have heard of The Cup may be wondering just where Ally McCoist fits in, given that the majority of the cast rose at 4am each day to complete their prayers before the day's shooting, which would leave little time over for Question Of Sport. The truth is that there is an entirely different soccer film, bizarrely also called The Cup, in which the former Rangers star has a small part. I suspect there might be a title change before the release of this movie, which stars Robert Duvall and in which Alex Ferguson (watch out Kevin Spacey) and Billy Connolly play cameo roles. McCoist plays a washed-up former star who tries to revive his flagging career by signing on for Duvall's struggling small-town club, Kilnockie. No type casting there, then. Also scheduled for release soon are The Match, featuring a game between two pub teams in another small Scottish town, and Mad About Mambo, a movie set in Ireland said to combine soccer and dance. [KR: latter sounds like a winner to me; maybe Patrick Swayze stars.] Strike while the iron is hot, I say, so here is my pitch for a film which combines the increasingly popular soccer genre (kick flicks as they no doubt will come to be known) with those fantasy movies that never go out of fashion like Heaven Can Wait and Blithe Spirit, in which people return from beyond the grave. Is Hollywood ready for The Glenn Hoddle Story? He's back and this time it's personal."}, {"response": 1896, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  2, 2000 (06:02)", "body": "just closing the tag - shame on me"}, {"response": 1897, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Feb  2, 2000 (14:53)", "body": "OK, am here and just getting oriented to our new home. Love the autograph, Karen dear (and anyone else responsible). XXOO from an absent friend! I've noticed that some posts from the ol' homestead are not here. Hopefully everyone will see Karen's message and begin posting here today--otherwise we've got that parallel universe thing going on. (Karen) Sorry, but Ingrid didn't work on Londinium and Colin does NOT have a hot tub scene in it. Don't be sorry. I wouldn't be a bit surprised to ultimately find out Ingrid was *ahem* 'stretching' the truth a bit. Thanks for researching! (Moon) The reason it had limited success in the US was because Miramax did not promote it one bit. AND printed only 22 copies AND it was picked up by mostly small art house theaters in obscure places AND it received mixed reviews AND... Speaking of MLSF, I read a review in a recent issue of EW (which may have been posted here earlier). This time around EW gave it a 'B'. If memory serves (many times it doesn't), the film fared much worse in this publication last summer. Guess someone else reviewed it or the original author had a change of heart. [from the article] but to believe in the hirsute Colin Firth as Nick Hornby. Godwilling, it will stay that way ;-) Hmm, perhaps Ollie Stone will become interested in doing a 'kick flick'. Al Pacino can play the tortured, screaming coach. If he's not incarcerated, Puff Daddy would be perfect in goal (hey, he needs the money). Jennifer Lopez can play his loyal but conflicted girlfriend. The soundtrack will make millions! Ollie himself can do a cameo as a referee with a drinking problem. and Mad About Mambo, a movie set in Ireland said to combine soccer and dance. [KR: latter sounds like a winner to me; maybe Patrick Swayze stars.] No dice on Patrick, Karen (no Jennifer Gray either, new nose or not). Per EW, \"Keri Russell plays an upper-crust Belfast lass with a talent for Latin dance.\" Wonder if she'll grow her hair back. Have a nice trip, Moon!"}, {"response": 1898, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Feb  2, 2000 (16:44)", "body": "Karen, I just checked out your excellent Relative Values page and watched the trailer a couple of times (blurry on my RealPlayer G2). Whereas Colin is a secondary cast member in this, it appears to be his funniest role, a real audience pleaser, i.e., Peter is the anti-Wessex. Sure, they've Hollywoodized the story, but it looks like a good one--and one we'll get to see in US theaters. And I agree, Peter is gay but it sure worked for Rupie in My Best Friend's Wedding!"}, {"response": 1899, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Feb  2, 2000 (17:09)", "body": "I love the new site with the new graphics, and the new Colin pic with the autograph to Spring. Who asked him for it? What a wonderful idea! Clap, clap! :-)"}, {"response": 1900, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Feb  2, 2000 (18:52)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1901, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Feb  2, 2000 (20:16)", "body": "Talking about mysteries: are we going to be told how ODB was tricked into signing a dedication to Spring? LOL! Is nothing sacred to those ruthless autograph hunters? ;-)"}, {"response": 1902, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  2, 2000 (20:21)", "body": "(Eileen) (blurry on my RealPlayer G2). Blurry on everyone's, which is the nature of the streaming video beast I think. And I agree, Peter is gay but it sure worked for Rupie in My Best Friend's Wedding! But there isn't a \"Say a Little Prayer\" number or that devastatingly handsome final dancing scene at the wedding, where you just say, \"oh who cares what he is!\" Argh! (Gi) the new Colin pic with the autograph to Spring. Who asked him for it? Thanks, Gi. That was just something Evelyn and I thought would be nice - a little memento for everyone at Spring who couldn't be in London with us."}, {"response": 1903, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Feb  2, 2000 (20:52)", "body": "(Karen) a little memento for everyone at Spring who couldn't be in London with us And we appreciate the thought. Kudos to all ruthless autograph hunters who remember their friends :-) BTW, I love the 'title' for DB's pic on the main page. Clever, clever! (Karen) But there isn't a \"Say a Little Prayer\" number or that devastatingly handsome final dancing scene at the wedding, where you just say, \"oh who cares what he is!\" True. Yet Colin's acting style might leave the audience with a greater impression of Peter as being funny rather than being...how shall I put it? Like Jack on Will and Grace."}, {"response": 1904, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Feb  2, 2000 (21:09)", "body": "Hurrah I'm here, thank goodness for that I thought I'd be stranded in the ether forever. Just to add to someone's (sorry) posting re Channel 4's showing of FP on Sunday 6th, Sky Box Office are showing SIL next week too! At last some decent TV! I echo all the previous comments ..great title page!"}, {"response": 1905, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  2, 2000 (21:35)", "body": "Is nothing sacred to those ruthless autograph hunters? ;-) Well, we did let him out of the kidnapper's car once he had signed it. ;-)"}, {"response": 1906, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb  2, 2000 (21:36)", "body": "..are we going to be told how ODB was tricked into signing a dedication to Spring? LOL! \"Tricked\"???? Along with the card that was signed \"Spring.net\"and Janeway House and the Discussion of 3 DOR bound in a folder with spring.net url all over the top....? All left at the Box Office with a note ?"}, {"response": 1907, "author": "baine", "date": "Thu, Feb  3, 2000 (02:41)", "body": "we were forced not only to accept loveable Cockneys cavorting in the streets to celebrate Arsenal's triumph but to believe in the hirsute Colin Firth as Nick Hornby I've heard of hair shirt, but hirsute? Isn't this what we just sent the contingent to the Donmar to investigate? I guess this reviewer has not been looking closely enough. (Karen) Well, we did let him out of the kidnapper's car once he had signed it. Why?"}, {"response": 1908, "author": "AnnMari", "date": "Thu, Feb  3, 2000 (02:50)", "body": "Hey, this is a cheery new home! Love the photo and the dedication/autograph--perfect! RE: Peter in RV: Although it sounds as if they've changed the story a bit for the film adaptation, my recollection is that Peter was a very small part in the play. Is that correct? In which case maybe the film's role is bigger? (Eileen) Speaking of MLSF, I read a review in a recent issue of EW (which may have been posted here earlier). This time around EW gave it a 'B'. If memory serves (many times it doesn't), the film fared much worse in this publication last summer. You're right, Eileen. It's a different reviewer--male this time. Original EW review was from Lisa Scharzb__ch, who hates just about everything.;-) It seems to me that the best reviews for MLSF came from men (NYTimes, LA Times, Rogert Ebert, Rex Reed, Boston Globe, etc., and the toughest from some (though not all) women. Overall, I think Miramax has to be very pleased with the reviews and with how the film did, considering their nonexistent effort."}, {"response": 1909, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb  3, 2000 (13:58)", "body": "I like that photo too. (I especially like how fast this site is now, WOW!)"}, {"response": 1910, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb  3, 2000 (14:10)", "body": "Thanks to some very good friends I have seen DQ, boy is everyone in for a treat who has not already seen it, he looks so good and the story is not all that bad!"}, {"response": 1911, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb  3, 2000 (14:12)", "body": "sorry about the grammar, urgh, just come from viewing DQ, all I can think about is Donovan."}, {"response": 1912, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  3, 2000 (17:29)", "body": "Ann: Tell us what you liked and didn't like. We're quite envious. Am still waiting for any tapes to land on my doorstep."}, {"response": 1913, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb  3, 2000 (18:25)", "body": "What I liked was the way Colin looked, the fact that he plays a very lovable character and you are really cheering for him and the whole dysfunctional family. Its just a wonderful drama and I can't think for the life of me why the BBC haven't screened it before now, at this rate all Colin Firth fans in the Uk will have seen it by the time the BBC twig. Well don ABC Australia."}, {"response": 1914, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb  3, 2000 (18:26)", "body": "There was nothing I didn't like well one thing but that would be a spoiler."}, {"response": 1915, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Thu, Feb  3, 2000 (20:13)", "body": "Hello again Sorry its taken me so long to respond to some earlier questions. Make of Car To me a car is a car (plus there were more important things to look at). I do think it was a small European type but couldn\ufffdt be sure. The next day I thought to myself I should have taken down the registration so I could check out all the cars in London, just in case ;-) I can just see myself pushing past Colin saying \"sorry, don\ufffdt want your autograph, I\ufffdm more interested in your car\". It didn\ufffdt occur to me to look for signs of pregnancy. Livia did have a coat on and the street didn\ufffdt have much lighting so I probably would not have been able to judge had I thought to look. Karen, you asked about Amanda becoming a fan. Not really. She thinks he is nice looking but not worth the hype we carry on with. It is also part of her nature not to be \"over\" enthusiastic (hope that doesn\ufffdt sound nasty, its not intended to). She was quite taken with David Morrissey though. Maybe because he was more accessible? (Evelyn) While he was signing the photograph of Edward, another lady said to him \"Cathey has come from Australia\" and he said \"really!!\", but I think she could have said I came from the moon and he would have had the same reaction."}, {"response": 1916, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb  3, 2000 (22:40)", "body": "(Cymbeline) I've heard of hair shirt, but hirsute? Isn't this what we just sent the contingent to the Donmar to investigate? I guess this reviewer has not been looking closely enough. Have you ever seen a picture of Nick Hornby? Compared to Nick, Colin is mucho hirsuto =:-D (Cathey) To me a car is a car We're curious to know if he's *still* driving that 1987 cherry red Nissan Maxima. Sounds like he's not. \"Cathey has come from Australia\" and he said \"really!!\" He's always very impressed by and appreciative of folks who come halfway (or more) around the world to see him. Don't know about the moon, though :-P"}, {"response": 1917, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  3, 2000 (23:27)", "body": "(Cathey) She was quite taken with David Morrissey though. Maybe because he was more accessible? It's a strategy...don't sell her short. ;-) I think she could have said I came from the moon and he would have had the same reaction. Yes, amazement, disbelief, etc. I wonder if the run would have been a total sellout without his fans coming from all points of the globe? (personally, I wouldn't cross the street to see the former American actress) (Cymbeline) Isn't this what we just sent the contingent to the Donmar to investigate? We? Oh, in that case, let me know where to send my hotel bill? ;-) I've got a picture of Nick somewhere. As Eileen said, there is no resemblance."}, {"response": 1918, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb  4, 2000 (00:04)", "body": "I think she could have said I came from the moon and he would have had the same reaction. Almost as far;-)Thanks Cathey. And I always wonder where people got the \"Cherry red \" bit on the car..... I've got a picture of Nick somewhere. As Eileen said, there is no resemblance. ROTFLOL...I'll say ;-)"}, {"response": 1919, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb  4, 2000 (00:36)", "body": "You see what we mean? ;-) And he's in Fever Pitch, as the coach of the opposing team that Paul's team is clobbering. He's wearing blue. Can't miss the glistening head. ;-)"}, {"response": 1920, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Feb  4, 2000 (01:25)", "body": "(those ruthless autograph hunters) Well, we did let him out of the kidnapper's car once he had signed it. ;-) He got away too lightly, if you ask me... (but then no one is asking, I know!;-P) that 1987 cherry red Nissan Maxima It was a light coloured car: kind of whitish or grey... Registration letter \"D\", meaning that it could also be 1986 - one way or another, it has probably started to go to pieces by now. And as for The Beginning Of Error, blame the people for whom one car looks like another... ;-) That one was called \"Nissan Cherry Maxima\"... I wouldn't cross the street to see the former American actress LOL! Former American or former actress? ;-)"}, {"response": 1921, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Feb  4, 2000 (15:20)", "body": "(Evelyn) And I always wonder where people got the \"Cherry red \" bit on the car I believe it's from a Jasper Rees article--the one in which he interviews Colin in a bar, post-Darcy, pre-Paul (?). Jasper observes him driving off in a C-reg (BTW, anyone, does that translate to 'old'?), cherry red Nissan Maxima. So there you have it. (Karen) I wouldn't cross the street to see the former American actress (Arami) LOL! Former American or former actress? ;-) Hee hee! Too cruel. C'mon, we're all on pins and needles waiting for the next Pimpernel. Can't wait to see which horribly wrong shade of lipstick she wears. [Don't know appropriate emoticon for 'meeoow, hiss, hiss'.] Saw a commercial for Starz last night--you know, the one where they chant 'Movies, movies, movies, movies...'. As we know, SiL has its premium TV premiere next week on Starz. I wasn't surprised to see a pic of Joe as Will then Gwynnie as Viola. But just when the chant turns to 'when I wanna see movies, I wanna see Starz', guess who they show? Hint: it wasn't Judi Dench. Trivial, I know, but I haven't seen his handsome face on US commercial TV in a year or so."}, {"response": 1922, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Feb  4, 2000 (15:35)", "body": "Eileen: driving off in a C-reg (BTW, anyone, does that translate to 'old'?), cherry red Nissan Maxima C-reg is 1985/86, and as Arami implies, the car is unlikely to have been red. The Nissan Cherry I learned to drive in was a hideous gold (I don't know if it was a Maxima variety). The Jasper Rees article is at http://members.aol.com/CFirthFan/IOS_Article.html ."}, {"response": 1923, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Feb  4, 2000 (15:44)", "body": "OK, Mark, now I'm confused. What is a Nissan Cherry? I always thought the term applied to color but it sounds as though it's a model type. In the US, there's always been only one Maxima model. I tend to overlook how different the model names translate from here to there. *bracing for the OT police*"}, {"response": 1924, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb  4, 2000 (16:05)", "body": "(Eileen) I always thought the term applied to color Me too. *ducking the flying fruit* Nissan named its cars after fruit? Wonder who sat on the focus groups in the UK? ;-)"}, {"response": 1925, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Feb  4, 2000 (16:16)", "body": "At the time they were making the Cherry, Datsun (as they were known here then) also had out the Bluebird and the Stanza. Nissan (which Datsun renamed itself) now makes the Micra, Stanza, Maxima and Almeira. Jasper Rees must be confused (who isn't?) as the Cherry and Maxima are completely different-sized models made at different times. As the Cherry probably stopped being made around 1985, the mystery car could be either a Cherry or a Maxima, but not both . This information supplied by my brother-in-law, who knows this stuff."}, {"response": 1926, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Feb  4, 2000 (16:46)", "body": "(Mark) Nissan (which Datsun renamed itself) now makes the Micra, Stanza, Maxima and Almeira Hmm, which may approximate the Sentra, Maxima and Altima in the US. Don't think a Micra would stand a chance over here (neither would a 'Bluebird')."}, {"response": 1927, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb  4, 2000 (16:56)", "body": "I'm sorry I opened up this Pandora's Box ;-) It takes a certain kind of personality ,IMO, for that color car. Colin just doesn't seem the type to own a red car, that's all."}, {"response": 1928, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb  4, 2000 (17:05)", "body": "Ok, thought I'd check my picture file for the infamous Hoover snap. As you can see the car is NOT red. What does your expert brother-in-law make of this car's make/model?"}, {"response": 1929, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb  4, 2000 (17:16)", "body": "Looks as if the ex- Hackney flat was in a block of flats with a parking lot.And not a house, or he would have had on -street parking. I see a red car two down. Maybe he just went to the wrong car :-D"}, {"response": 1930, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Feb  4, 2000 (18:02)", "body": "Believe me I have driven round Hackney looking for a place outside a block of flats with, what looks like, on street parking but with the cars parked at rightangles. If you look closely and know how London is sometimes a mish mash of housing styles, you can just see that to the right of the block is what looks like a victorian house."}, {"response": 1931, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Feb  4, 2000 (18:04)", "body": "Oooops! Didn't mean to post so soon. I think I have seen a picture of Colin outside a victorian house. I assume his flat was in such a house which had been converted into flats."}, {"response": 1932, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Feb  4, 2000 (18:32)", "body": "I drove a micra in Ireland, good getup. It looks like a Peugeuot (sp?)"}, {"response": 1933, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Fri, Feb  4, 2000 (21:43)", "body": "As usual I'm a day late and a dollar short, but I've been too busy to log on for a week or so. Karen, thanks for the article on MLSF from The Guardian. Did this phrase crack anyone else up? The family's life is rocked by the arrival of a sultry foreign governess whose presence ignites strong emotions in all the characters. Sultry governess?!?!? Which movie did this guy see? Perhaps they mixed up the stories for MLSF and TTOTS :-). I'm thoroughly enjoying the Nissan discussion, BTW. They really marketed a car called the Cherry in the UK? I suppose \"cherry\" can be appropriate slang for a really tricked out car, but some of the other meanings it has in the American vernacular give me pause :-)."}, {"response": 1934, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Fri, Feb  4, 2000 (22:30)", "body": "Loved the conversation on car model names. A car named a Cherry? I don't think would've gone over too well in the US. On the subject of cars, but not CF's car: Around the early 1970's when Ford was making the Pinto, they wanted to market it in Brazil. However, in Brazilian slang the word \"pinto\" meant \"tiny male genitals\", not really good for sales. Ford subsequently changed the name of the car for the Brazilian market to the Corcel, which means \"horse\". The new photo is wonderful, as are CF's notation for \"Best Wishes\". Thanks for my bit of the wishes. Now hurry up and be in a movie, on tv, something...Please?"}, {"response": 1935, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb  4, 2000 (23:14)", "body": "(Allison) I think I have seen a picture of Colin outside a victorian house. I assume his flat was in such a house which had been converted into flats. Right you are. I have seen that photo also Allison. Anyway , that was his old flat. New Mission: Drive around Islington looking for a rather ancient Maxima...cherry, or whatever. (Now we know it isn't red.)And we also know it is a house, and not a flat. ~~~~"}, {"response": 1936, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Fri, Feb  4, 2000 (23:31)", "body": "\"Colin just doesn't seem the type to own a red car, that's all\" ..... And what kind of person (IYO) drives a red car exactly? (Just be careful now I drive a bright red E reg (that's 1987/88 so were talking OLD here) Honda Prelude!) \"New Mission: Drive around Islington looking for a rather ancient Maxima...cherry,\" Thanks , I knew there should be something more constructive I could be doing in my lunch-hour than staring glazy eyed at my signed photo of ODB on my PC desktop...high tail it over to Islington with my A to Z and my copy of Nissan Monthly or whatever! ;-)"}, {"response": 1937, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb  4, 2000 (23:48)", "body": "And what kind of person (IYO) drives a red car exactly? (Just be careful now I drive a bright red E reg (that's 1987/88 so were talking OLD here) Honda Prelude!) I am sure you are a lovely charming person.... as is your car;-) Told 'ya I opened a Pandora's Box! Knew someone would get me on that one... No offense, Tracy...didn't mean it in any pjorative way;-)Next?Anybody who lives in Hackney wanna take me on?"}, {"response": 1938, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Feb  5, 2000 (00:06)", "body": "Evelyn ..none taken honest...and yes my car is charming,..and fast! As am I..er ...scratch that....I think this is getting out of hand!! ;-D As you can read in my previous posting have now installed scan of signed picci on my PC at work .. and as I hoped it is having the desired effect, I am amassing hoardes of converts all over the City in eager anticipation of CF domination.. ready to bombard tardy TV companies with phone calls/e.mails etc demanding the showing of DQ...well two or three anyway. It IS a start you have to admit!!"}, {"response": 1939, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Feb  5, 2000 (00:36)", "body": "Last posting tonight before I nod off at the keyboard (it's a quarter past midnight here in England). I've been surfing around to get some info re SLOW coming out on PAL video in March and having found one site that's got it for pre-order was absolutely \"gob-smacked\" to find out the price....\ufffd53.59 (was \ufffd66.99 so what am I quibbling at ;-o) that's..., that's..... well it's a lot of yer English pounds to shell out for a lump of plastic,even if DB does adorn it. I think I'd want it hand delivered by the man himself clad only in a soggy shirt for that price! MMMmmmm ...what a thought, sweet dreams everyone!"}, {"response": 1940, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Feb  5, 2000 (02:25)", "body": "was absolutely \"gob-smacked\" to find out the price....\ufffd53.59 (was \ufffd66.99 so what am I quibbling at ;-o) ************* Tracy: In my old wild passionate Firth days I spent anything I had to to get a CF video. Even today, if it weren't for my DVD, I would have paid that BIG close to $100 price for the VHS of MLSF. I'll never learn! Murph For those in the US, apparently Camille is being shown on the Romance Channel. The quality of the print is supposed to be excellent and there are scenes that were not available in the old version. This is one of CF's first films - with Greta Sacchi."}, {"response": 1941, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb  5, 2000 (03:44)", "body": "(Murph)...apparently Camille is being shown on the Romance Channel. Someone posted on Virtual Views that \"Camille\" would be aired on February 23 at 11 AM (Eastern time) on Romance Classics Cable Channel."}, {"response": 1942, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb  5, 2000 (14:27)", "body": "(Tracy) I drive a bright red E reg (that's 1987/88 so were talking OLD here) Honda Prelude!) So long as it's sporty, red is OK. Better if only a two-seater. It IS a start you have to admit!! Most definitely. BBC is going to show DQ one of these days and its probably within the next couple of months, otherwise it would NOT be listed so prominently at BBC Scotland's site. I think I'd want it hand delivered by the man himself clad only in a soggy shirt for that price! Now that would gob-smack me!! LOL! Hopefully, the price will go down. Did you ever get the see the movie, Tracy. Can't remember if you made it to the cinema in London, while it was playing. If not, a shame you hadn't post here earlier so you could have joined us at the January screening. Would've been great meeting you."}, {"response": 1943, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Feb  5, 2000 (15:35)", "body": "The car topic was OT, but it was funny. I enjoyed it and took shameful pleasure perusing that pic in the parking lot . (Tracy) \"New Mission: Drive around Islington looking for a rather ancient Maxima...cherry,\" (Allison) Believe me I have driven round Hackney looking for a place outside a block of flats with, what looks like, on street parking but with the cars parked at rightangles How anyone can drive around London at all amazes me. Traffic always looks like perpetual gridlock to me. I salute you ladies. (JanaH) Did this phrase crack anyone else up? The family's life is rocked by the arrival of a sultry foreign governess whose presence ignites strong emotions in all the characters. Sultry governess?!?!? Which movie did this guy see? Perhaps they mixed up the stories for MLSF and TTOTS :-). LOL, Jana! ;-) I didn't catch this at all. (Murph) For those in the US, apparently Camille is being shown on the Romance Channel. The quality of the print is supposed to be excellent.. Ah, but does the acting improve? (Sorry, I can't resist a dig at Camille every chance I get. Bad girl, bad girl.)"}, {"response": 1944, "author": "Sylvana", "date": "Sat, Feb  5, 2000 (18:28)", "body": "Hello everyone. It's been a long time since I have logged in, although I do visit here every day. I have been unable to log in for a long while, so I just changed my name slightly and re-registered. First, I want to thank everyone who had the good fortune to be able to travel to London to see TOR and all the reports to us deprived stay-at-homes. It was almost like being there (but not really). Great reporting all around, a million thanks. During the time I was being held incommunicado from drool, I did come across a website that lists all the CF films appearing on TV, the stations, times. Although some of the stations are rather esoteric cable networks, the information is all there, waiting for you to set your VCR. The url is www.tv-now/stars/firth.html The month of February features ODB not only in Camille, but also TA, AZ, TOTS (can't wait)as well as SIL and Valmont. If only I had direct TV. The information is accurate for the NY area of the US. I am not sure if there is a similar site for other time zones. Those of you who are not quite as cyberspatially challenged as I am may have more success that I did in determining this. Enjoy."}, {"response": 1945, "author": "Mannen", "date": "Sat, Feb  5, 2000 (23:26)", "body": "Hello people!! It seems like ages since I've been in here!!! But Donovan Quick was finally shown on Australian TV... so what hope was there, for me to stay away??? I just HAD to pick up all of the latest gossip!!! So, is ODB single yet?? (Just kidding!!) So, where's the best place to find out what he's up to???"}, {"response": 1946, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (00:10)", "body": "Tell us what you thought of DQ Mannen, please, it has yet to be shown on TV here. Oh and welcome back."}, {"response": 1947, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (00:52)", "body": "(Karen) Did you ever get the see the movie, Tracy. Sadly no I didn't get to see SLOW when it showed at those oh so \"numerous\" cinemas in London (although I work in town I live in the sticks and anything remotely Firthy seems to bypass this neck of the woods with startling regularity). \"Not good enough\" I hear you all cry, \"call yourself a fan\". I know, I am a sad excuse for a Firthlette - it's taken me how long to find Drool? But now I have found you (thanks to you Karen and Heide) I'm not planning on going away again so if any future opportunities for meet ups come along count me in."}, {"response": 1948, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (07:12)", "body": "According to the Sunday London Times, Kate Winslet has turned down the role of Bridget Jones. Reasons vary from \"scheduling conflicts\" to Kate wanting to do only \"serious\" roles, to conflicts between the producers, who presumably want a name, and Helen Fielding, who wants an unknown. Eric Fellner from Working Title says he thought Kate's casting was in the bag. It says Colin is \"mooted\" to play Mark Darcy, while Cameron Diaz is now \"tipped\" for the role of BJ. Qu'est que c'est \"mooted?\" I presume that's less definite than \"tipped?\" ;-) Article says filming is due to start in the summer for a Spring 2001 release. At this rate, Jude and Vile Richard will have grandkids by the time we see this.;-)"}, {"response": 1949, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (10:03)", "body": "Now it's \"in the summer\"?...was \"in the spring\". And what's happened to Helena Bonham Carter? And \"mooted\"? Rather lukewarm. And Cameron Diaz....just no, no, no. This movie sounds like it's never going to get off the ground. And it sounds like a Hollywood bankables only-type movie, which means that it could be Cameron Diaz and Rupert Everett! Although I'm rather sceptical about the so-called conflict between producers and HF...there's no way an \"unknown\" would get this part, and anyway, Helen's sold the rights...she has no say in the matter. Hope Colin signs for something else in the meantime. If they're not all that keen on him, why should he hang around. This \"iron in the fire\" could grow cold!! But then again, there have been so many reports about this movie...who do we believe? And KW and CD are both about 24 and look it! Hardly thirty somethings. Matt Damon for MD? :-) Forget the movies! :-) I'm all for more television. BBC Scotland Programming dept say that \"they keep on phoning the drama dept to ask if they've managed to find a slot yet for DQ\"..so it sounds as though they've had a few enquiries! Advice is to \"watch this space\" and \"check the Radio Times\". I can't believe that they'll delay on this. And this is one way he'll be seen by millions and millions, no problem! BTW in case anyone asks, I had a ticket for 3DOR, soon after it re-started in January, and deliberately chose a date when my husband was at a conference in Stockholm and my elder son was at university. But then my younger son was pole-axed by the dreadful flu bug, and I couldn't go. I hesitate to post this when people fly half way round the world to see Colin, but like many women (I suspect!) in the UK, I'm a secret CF admirer and prefer to keep it this way as I just can't see my DH ever being understanding of my special interest. I've never been a fan of any actor before. So there you have it. :-( BTW again, I did (with my DH! )actually catch a glimpse of Alan Rickman, some time before Christmas. They were shooting a new movie locally (behind the Magistrate's court, to be precise!) It's supposed to be a \"Full Monty\" type of film (same writer), about a Hairdressing Convention. Natasha Richardson is also in it. So if CF shoots \"Maid of Buttermere\", we'll definitely go up to the Lakes!"}, {"response": 1950, "author": "Maureen", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (10:12)", "body": "I have finally made it here with a lot of help, so fingers crossed I will not get \"lost in Cyberspace\" again. I left a message at the other drool as to my thoughts on why DQ made it to Australia at all, so I will try to re-write and remeber what I actually wrote there. ABC Australia has a notoriuosly low annual budget, us avid supporters here have seen many a time when shows have been cut half way through a season simply because the ABC could not afford to keep importing them. Now I do not presume to know a lot about movie sales but I can safely assume, and sorry to disappoint, that the price must have been right for us to have seen it here at all. In the past I have called the ABC to ask why a certain movie or show has either not aired or, a series has all of a sudden stopped. The response from the ABC has always been they could not afford to import or keep running what ever it was at the time. ABC Australia rarely imports anything from America 1, because ABC viewers here generally prefer locally produced or UK produced shows / movies and 2, even if they wanted too they could not afford too and 3, our commercial networks tend only to air anything imported from America."}, {"response": 1951, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (11:26)", "body": "Hi Bethan, I too cannot see CD as Bridget, we need an english actress who looks to be in her thirties. Also Summer could mean early June, so Colin would have time to do at least one project before then. My favourit for Bridget would be Helena B-C. Glad you found your way here Maureen. More RF in the papers today, wish Colin had his publisist, and sorry this is OT but according to the article Sunshine is now to open on the 21 April and not the 7th as originally suggested."}, {"response": 1952, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (11:32)", "body": "Sunshine has been in Portuguese theatres since January, and has had bad reviews. It is showing now in one theatre only; I'll do my best to see it this week; otherwise I'll miss it for sure. Will let you know."}, {"response": 1953, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (15:03)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1954, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (15:37)", "body": "(Mari) Qu'est que c'est \"mooted?\" I presume that's less definite than \"tipped?\" ;-) I'd interpret it as he's being \"debated\" for the role. That being said, I definitely don't want to see CD in the role, but she has far more range than you'd expect, especially if you haven't seen her in Being John Malkovich yet. There are so many British actresses of the RIGHT age who could be a Bridget. Welcome Maureen. Glad to see that something eventually worked. (Maureen) the price must have been right for us to have seen it here at all. Very likely. I was told that the producers made the decision quite a while ago not to transfer the program to movie film from Super 16 because of the expense. My question is: Does DQ look cheaply made? Like a student film with a hand-held camera? BTW, rights have been sold to the Pan Latin American satellite system (pay-per-view), then it will go to the Fox Latin American cable system. No further info as to dates."}, {"response": 1955, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (17:04)", "body": "Here's WGBH's site for Turn of the Screw. Nothing new there, textwise, and they didn't bother using the publicity stills. http://www.wgbh.org/wgbh/pages/masterpiecetheatre/programs/turnofthescrew/"}, {"response": 1956, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (18:35)", "body": "My dictionary says: moot: debated, broached (Bethan)...there's no way an \"unknown\" would get this part, and anyway, Helen's sold the rights...she has no say in the matter. Not necessarily. Depends on the contract. John Irving (author) for \"Cider House Rules\" went through three directors and selected the actors for this film. HF is not an unknown author at this point....she can throw her weight around if she wants to.Sounds like, IMO, if CF wants the part it's his. But with CD? Isn't she a little young for him at this point?"}, {"response": 1957, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (20:02)", "body": "My dictionary says \" moot: (adj) debatable, undecided; (v)raise for discussion\" In other words, uncertain."}, {"response": 1958, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (21:28)", "body": "Glad you made it over here, Maureen. Are you by chance the Maureen who comes to Chat occasionally? You don't have to answer that if you don't want. ;-) Sounds like your theories on ABC airing DQ are right on track. As Karen already expressed, I hope a low selling price doesn't mean poor quality. Perhaps you can enlighten us. I know the few stills I saw look like high quality to me. Or could that just be the subject matter? I would suppose too that the cast salary did not add that much to the overall cost.'-) Good to see you back here too Mannen!"}, {"response": 1959, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (21:30)", "body": "Totally agree with comments re CD as possible Bridget..argghhhh disaster! Tho' apart from HB-C am racking brains to think of someone else suitable and British. I had thought that JE might be an idea but I suppose that's a little too cheeky!"}, {"response": 1960, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (21:49)", "body": "(Tracy)I had thought that JE might be an idea but I suppose that's a little too cheeky! We, too, discussed her a while back. But: A. Karen said it would be \"too coincidental\" for both P&P stars to be billed in the P&P-based BJD. B. Karen said they seldom pair two co-stars together for a repeat performance. (Although I'm still holding out for \"Streetcar Named Desire\" with those two some day.)"}, {"response": 1961, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (21:53)", "body": "The Times article makes it seem as though CD is pretty definite for BJ, and that the part was offered to KW but she turned it down for a more \"serious\" role. On reflection, given that there seem to be surprisingy few options, I think CD could be okay, and certainly better than KW. CD can do comedy, can be smart and sassy, and in US terms is probably much better box office than KW who seems to be specialising in youthful hippy roles. CF and CD could, I think, make a good couple....to be honest, I just think it's high time there were some signatures on the dotted line, and they start filming! You can agonise too much! The budget for DQ was \ufffd1.2million, which is fine for BBC drama. I'm sure it will look good. Probably there was a major saving on cast salaries...standard BBC Scotland drama fees (which would apply for DQ...this is not a commercial station star vehicle) are about \ufffd15000 for lead actors! Not exactly Hollywood rates!"}, {"response": 1962, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (22:02)", "body": "(Bethan)CF and CD could, I think, make a good couple.... She's awfully cute...and young.Appeals to the young set and \"women of a certain age \" would go for CF. To be truthful, I never thought they would cast two British actors (with two British accents!)in that film....it heads it to the Art House realm."}, {"response": 1963, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (23:00)", "body": "(Bethan) Helen's sold the rights...she has no say in the matter. (Evelyn) Not necessarily. Depends on the contract. John Irving (author) for \"Cider House Rules\" went through three directors and selected the actors for this film. HF is not an unknown author at this point....she can throw her weight around if she wants to We don't know the conditions under which she sold BJD, but I'd put heavy odds that she has no right make the casting decisions...unless we see her name up there under Producers. The people who have the money at risk will make this decision. HF is not anywhere near as powerful as a John Irving or a Stephen King or a Tom Clancy (although he has distanced himself from the Jack Ryan series now). And I think the John Irving (Cider House Rules) situation is vastly different; he kept that story to develop himself because he was able to do it. Nick Hornby sold High Fidelity and About A Boy...and they are both going on without him. If HF has any influence on the film, it will because of personal friendships with the producers and the director (Sharon Maguire)."}, {"response": 1964, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (23:01)", "body": "Heide. I hope a low selling price doesn't mean poor quality Heide, I ahve just finished watching DQ, thanks to Maureen, and it is definitely not a poor quality drama, it is an excellent drama, wonderful acting, invloving characters, you are really urging them on, great music and of course CF looks great especially in the businessman's suits, When it is eventually aired in this country I am confident there will be many many more CF fans. I highly recommend it, come on BBC find it a slot as soon as possible before the BAFTA TV nominations. Tracy, I too think JE could do it and would like to see her play BJ but I guess she will be tied up with TRT when filming for BJD starts."}, {"response": 1965, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (23:15)", "body": "Let's take the Bridget discussion to Topic 80."}, {"response": 1966, "author": "Maureen", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (09:59)", "body": "Karen I agree with Ann, the production of DQ did not look like it was made on a home movie camera. I thought the quality was great when you consider it was transmitted from a network who's technology has not been upgraded for 20 years (shame on me for knocking the ABC). I'm glad you received DQ Ann, did you enjoy the 2 minutes of Pokemon cartoons at the beginning?. As I have said before I am not one to rave much about movies but DQ has to be one of the best ones I have seen in a long time. The acting by all was superb, the story line has meaning and Colin was just the icing on the cake. It will stay in my treasured archives along with P&P to be brought out and poured over at every opportunity."}, {"response": 1967, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (13:54)", "body": "Well...home movie is probably not the best description for Super 16 film."}, {"response": 1968, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (14:39)", "body": "Those of you pining away for the \"improved\" Camille via the Romance Channel [US]: don't lose any sleep. This is not ODB's best work, even with a few more scenes, brighter contrast, etc. Speaking of best work, *cough* did anyone [US] catch that Hallmark Hall of Fame special last night with James Coburn? Did you recognize the female lead? It's our favorite femme fatale, with bleached blonde hair! Welcome, Maureen. Welcome back, Mannen. Go to Karen's bucket or Murph's site to catch up on all CF's projects and the latest news."}, {"response": 1969, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (14:47)", "body": "A dark movie and thick scottish working class accent that I found difficult to understand - but never fear, Colin's is the same beautiful english accent we love - but no Blair Witch Project here."}, {"response": 1970, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (14:48)", "body": "I meant DQ, of course. Sorry."}, {"response": 1971, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (17:27)", "body": "(Eileen)Those of you pining away for the \"improved\" Camille via the Romance Channel [US]: don't lose any sleep. This is not ODB's best work, even with a few more scenes, brighter contrast, etc. I look forward to it.\"Camille\" one of my favorites :-D (I know, just Nan 'n me) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (Gi).. thick scottish working class accent that I found difficult to understand That's what I'm afraid of...I don't \"do\" scottish accents well. (Bring on understandable \"Camille\";-))"}, {"response": 1972, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (18:54)", "body": "Just dipping in !! Thanks for the lovely welcoming page Karen and Heide!! Sorry if this is old news but VALMONT is on TV on Tuesday 15th. I will check which channel (2 or 4?)It's a late showing running towards 1am. Thought it was time to ditch the Janeway, now 3 DOR is no more. Stunning reviews for the latest Donmar offering by David Mamet. Good review in Times today."}, {"response": 1973, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (23:45)", "body": "(Lizza J) Stunning reviews for the latest Donmar offering by David Mamet. Would that be the 25th anniversary production of \"American Buffalo\" with William H. Macy? I love Mamet, he is an absolute master of structure. I don't get Romance Movie Classics, so \"Camille\" is a moot point for me. I know it isn't well regarded, but from the production stills I've seen, CF looked great. He must have been very young -- certainly not more than 23. He was a really beautiful boy. He looks good now, but no longer a pretty boy, which is no doubt more useful for an actor. Would the peroxide blonde have been Lisa Zane, perchance? I saw \"Femme Fatale\". It was better than \"Playmaker\", but not as memorable. How's that for damning with faint praise?"}, {"response": 1974, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (15:10)", "body": "(Cheryl)He was a really beautiful boy. He looks good now, but no longer a pretty boy Yes, he was a beautiful boy, good god he really was. Thanks to dear Arami I finally had a chance to see Dutch Girls last night and the most striking thing in it was that strange purity of young Colin\ufffds face, it really touched my heart. And I like that movie, really exceeded my expectations. It\ufffds a funny and true little piece and Colin is great in it as the sensitive boy of the bunch. BUT I like Colin\ufffds 39-year-old face even more and that sexy maturity of his. Btw I also saw Femme Fatale yesterday and am sorry that Colin has had to make such foolish cr**. But I\ufffdm very happy to have seen it now, especially the infamous Vertigal Shag, a high class performance!! ;-D"}, {"response": 1975, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (16:14)", "body": "Ooo, Elena, you've really advanced your CF ouevre knowledge! DG is very good. As for FF (or Fatal Woman, as it's known in the US)--check out our recent discussion. Save a few staunch supporters, most of us thought it was foolish cr**. But he sure looked great and his acting was wonderful (especially in certain scenes). IMO Camille was the opposite. I preferred him as Darcy (looks-wise). His acting was...well, he's come a looooonnng way. BUT I like Colin\ufffds 39-year-old face even more and that sexy maturity of his. I couldn't agree more. And he's got such a terrific smile these days."}, {"response": 1976, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (16:21)", "body": "(or Fatal Woman, as it's known in the US) Only on the Lifetime channel. What does that say about viewers of Lifetime? Femme Fatale, a little too exotic for them? They might think it was subtitled! ;-)"}, {"response": 1977, "author": "susanne", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (16:58)", "body": "Fatal Woman or Femme Fatale, this movie by any name is pretty bad. The only good thing about it is Colin, otherwise I would have been seriously peeved to waste 2 hours of my time. He did look cute in that little Ranger uniform."}, {"response": 1978, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (18:47)", "body": "I guess FF falls within the Wilderness Years! I think he really did throw away his career for MT...but it makes him more interesting to me. He must have a strong emotional side! I like DG. But I think you can still catch a glimpse of the young Colin in the mature man! Didn't Nia Long say that there was something very innocent about him (an intriguing comment!)"}, {"response": 1979, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (18:51)", "body": "Meant to add..there was a very interesting programme about the work of the Refugee Council on the radio. Apparently many asylum seekers are housed in the Hackney and Islington areas, often in very desperate condiitons, and having suffered great personal tragedies and losses. They are supported and comforted by a network of local volunteer visitors. I wondered if this is the kind of work Colin does...he mentioned in a recent interview that he visits refugees."}, {"response": 1980, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (19:58)", "body": "(Elena)Yes, he was a beautiful boy, good god he really was. Why AC will always be one of my favorite movies of all time. That sweet unlined face with that deep mature voice. \"I don't have to try; I AM clever.\" A knockout. I will always be in love with Tommy Judd."}, {"response": 1981, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (20:08)", "body": "I'm with you Cymbeline. Another Country is my favourite Colin movie after P&P2. I love the way Colin looks in it, as well as the character he plays. And I really like the way Tommy and Guy get along, even though they have different opinions on more than one issue. I don't mind DC and FF, but don't bother watching Camille unless I've recently seen all my other CF videos and am still in need of seeing Colin ;-)"}, {"response": 1982, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (20:17)", "body": "There's only one thing wrong with Another Country...not enough Colin. Cathey, Cymbeline - I'll have to disagree with you here, I prefer the mature version myself, but I will admit he was an extremely pretty boy. HOTP is probably my fave after P&P with FP running a close third (although the hair is all over the place in that one!)."}, {"response": 1983, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (20:55)", "body": "he mentioned in a recent interview that he visits refugees Darn! Is there no less complicated, traumatic way to have him pop in for a cuppa and a chat, then???"}, {"response": 1984, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (20:59)", "body": "(Arami)Darn! Is there no less complicated, traumatic way to have him pop in for a cuppa and a chat, then??? Whatever it takes!;-)"}, {"response": 1985, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (22:24)", "body": ".... Re: FF...Save a few staunch supporters, most of us thought it was foolish cr**. Me. I still like Joe Prince. ~~~~ Didn't Nia Long say that there was something very innocent about him (an intriguing comment!) And \"childlike.\" ~~~~~~~~ (Bethan) guess FF falls within the Wilderness Years! I think he really did throw away his career for MT...but it makes him more interesting to me. He must have a strong emotional side! Actually,I see that as the \"innocent\", \"childlike\" side of him. Very earnest, but naive.(Which can be v. attactive in a man)"}, {"response": 1986, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (22:36)", "body": "Talking of MT, Valmont is actually being aired on BBC1, 15th Feb, so doesn't qualify as a Valmont Valentine. Shame on you Beeb."}, {"response": 1987, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (23:06)", "body": "(Bethan)Didn't Nia Long say that there was something very innocent about him (an intriguing comment!) (Evelyn)And \"childlike.\" I seem to have missed something crucial. Very interesting things to say about a man of his age. Never saw these comments, where were they? Has that article been posted here or somewhere? I just love his innocent and earnest side but \"childlike\" sounds to me like irresponsible or irrational."}, {"response": 1988, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (23:10)", "body": "Lizza J - Thanks for the Valmont tip - BBC 1 eh? The last time it was screened (a couple of years ago it was on way past midnight and on 2 - perhaps Auntie Beeb has seen the error of her ways! My present tape is in a very dodgy state through constant rewinds to the letter scene so at last I can get another copy!"}, {"response": 1989, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (00:17)", "body": "(Elena) Never saw these comments, where were they? Has that article been posted here or somewhere? Wasn't that in the Evening Standard's This is London article/interview with Nia Long? I didn't print it out and I can't find anything at the site now. Will keep looking. It is definitely not a quote from the production notes."}, {"response": 1990, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (02:13)", "body": "Yes it was Evening Standard This is London and was around the time SLOW was being released.Late November? ~~~~~ (Elena)I just love his innocent and earnest side but \"childlike\" sounds to me like irresponsible or irrational. Not at all. The latter would be \"childish\"...which is suggestive of immaturity ,lacking poise,...unpleasing qualities. \"Childlike\" suggests attractive and admirable qualities as innocence ,straightforwardnes, and trust."}, {"response": 1991, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (02:48)", "body": "Ah, sigh, you girls have just named a bunch of his early films I love watching still. A beautiful boy indeed. I know this one is a rarity but another beautiful boy is Richard Herncastle in Lost Empires. Hours and hours of him. A heck of a lot of shagging and snogging too. Agree FF is crap but it is a step above Playmaker. I for one like Elijah and I love Joe Prince. And CF doesn't look too embarrassed to be in this film though I can't say I like the Boy Scout, I mean the Ranger Rick outfit. A baseball cap is one piece of headgear he does not wear well. I'm starting a new topic to continue this one in case we don't make it over the 1,999 post hump. I'm curious to see if this will be an issue with the new server. Beware! The person who posts the 2,000th message here better copy it first before submitting...just in case."}, {"response": 1992, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (13:34)", "body": "I have been on holiday only a week and there are so many posts to catch up with! Thanks for the final reports on your 3DOR experiences. Your talk about ODB's early films makes me wonder whether anybody can tell me where I can get a copy of either of these videos: Tumbledown, Femme Fatale, Camille or Playmaker (European versions). I haven't seen any of these and would love to."}, {"response": 1993, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (13:56)", "body": "Nita, Tumbledown was never sold commercially, so any versions available would've been taped from television. Because of where you live, I suggest you contact the three deers at threedeers@yahoo.com for assistance on this one. Or if Carola sees this, she might be able to help you out."}, {"response": 1994, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (15:27)", "body": "(Moi).... Re: FF...Save a few staunch supporters, most of us thought it was foolish cr**. (Evelyn) Me. I still like Joe Prince. (Heide) Agree FF is crap but it is a step above Playmaker. I for one like Elijah and I love Joe Prince. Heide captured my sentiments. Love Joe Prince but think far less of the movie. Unfortunately can't say the same about Camille. (Heide) And CF doesn't look too embarrassed to be in this film though I can't say I like the Boy Scout, I mean the Ranger Rick outfit. A baseball cap is one piece of headgear he does not wear well. Someone needs to show him how to wear one correctly."}, {"response": 1995, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (17:08)", "body": "Things are so quiet here lately. Just goes to show that, when Colin's away (probably hunting down somebody's precious castoffs), it's time to catch up on old tapes. About this FF thing, I'm one of those who thinks it's barely a step up from Playmaker, quality-wise. What attracts you all to Joe Prince? So, he's a nice guy who loves a looney. Big deal. Yeah, Colin looks good in the role (when he's not wearing that stupid baseball cap), but really the film has little else to recommend it. It too could win awards for its cheesiness. A full and robust Limburger, I think. ;-)"}, {"response": 1996, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (18:26)", "body": "Sorry to have been so quiet. Just didn't have anything to say (strange for me!), but have enjoyed reading your posts. I have finally added something to my Firth site. I am \"scoring\" CF's films through visitors' responses. If you would like to rate a film, go HERE. Thanks. Murph"}, {"response": 1997, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (18:52)", "body": "Just though I'd let you know that I've had a response from BBC Scotland and here's their reply : \"Thank you for your email, at present we do not have a date for this drama, the best planning can offer is \"late summer\". I am puzzled by the fact it has been seen in Australia and will take this up with BBC Worlwide Television.\" Heide - where can I get a copy of Lost Empires on PAL - I tried contacting Granada it wasn't released on vid apparently -Boooh ;-("}, {"response": 1998, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (18:54)", "body": "Whoops the email was re DQ of course!!"}, {"response": 1999, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (19:03)", "body": "Interesting response from BBC, Tracy. Seems like they've been on an extended tea break. Wonder why they think BBC Worldwide Televison would need to be consulted. Late summer? It gets worse and worse. Lost Empires is another in the \"television broadcast only\" category. I suggest Sfolks for tape-lending possibilities. :-) drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 124, "subject": "How's your connection to the Spring?", "response_count": 593, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Aug  6, 1998 (23:25)", "body": "Some days yes, some days no. I think a lot of it is on my end with a slow ISP, but sometimes the Spring just loads slowly--I notice it when I am FTPing to, not just when I'm on the boards."}, {"response": 2, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug  7, 1998 (08:17)", "body": "Last night (Thursday) I was unable to log on. The dialog box said \"timed out\". Maybe my ISP..but all the other websites were ok. It's erratic. (Didn't say erotic....maybe that too!!)"}, {"response": 3, "author": "wolf", "date": "Fri, Aug  7, 1998 (08:38)", "body": "had trouble getting in last night too, got a message the computer couldn't connect to the server. Buuuuut, i tried the basic url ( http://www.spring.net ) and got in no problem."}, {"response": 4, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Aug  7, 1998 (09:11)", "body": ""}, {"response": 5, "author": "Ann", "date": "Fri, Aug  7, 1998 (12:01)", "body": "FTPing is slow right now--practically stuck (Noon Central time)."}, {"response": 6, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Fri, Aug  7, 1998 (15:43)", "body": "just curious...why is this in the Drool conference? :)"}, {"response": 7, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Aug  8, 1998 (00:32)", "body": "Cause I had so many emails and icq's from droolers the other night when we went down. And you are such a large, supportive group!"}, {"response": 8, "author": "riette", "date": "Sat, Aug  8, 1998 (01:18)", "body": "I always want to go to drool too, but I don't know much about actors, male or female, and I'm too lazy to start reading up on them. What a damned shame."}, {"response": 9, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sat, Aug  8, 1998 (11:33)", "body": "(Charlotte) just curious...why is this in the Drool conference? :) This is one of those topics that is linked from it's original Conference (Porch) to Drool and responses appear in both places. Since we droolers often stay within the walls of this Conference, I think this is Terry's way of introducing us to the people who participate at other parts of Spring. Sounds like a good idea to me. (Terry) And you are such a large, supportive group! However single-minded we are ;-p (Riette) I always want to go to drool too, but I don't know much about actors, male or female Really? There is no actor you have a crush on? Come, come...fess up, who is it? ;-D We also do general celebrities (sports figures, musicians, men in the news, Historical Hunks). If you think of someone who does it for you, I'll be happy to start a topic and hunt down some photos to facilitate your drooling :-) Oh, incidentally Terry...my connection is just fine. Except for the times when Spring hiccups, I fly through the boards. I've even grown fond of the Yapp software (something I once thought I'd never get used to). Hope you never change it ;-)"}, {"response": 10, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Sat, Aug  8, 1998 (12:40)", "body": ""}, {"response": 11, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug  8, 1998 (15:50)", "body": "Charlotte Thanks for the explanation, guys! What a team! Come join us. Newcomers are always welcomed . (Riette) I always want to go to drool too, but I don't know much about actors, male or female Honey...on this board...you'll learn fast. Great fun. Hop on!"}, {"response": 12, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sat, Aug  8, 1998 (23:36)", "body": "(especially if it's onto your favorite actor...)"}, {"response": 13, "author": "riette", "date": "Sun, Aug  9, 1998 (01:36)", "body": "Thanks Evelyn - just might!"}, {"response": 14, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Aug  9, 1998 (07:10)", "body": "Hmm, Riette hopping on to her favorite actor, now, there was an offer of posting photos and starting a topic but facilitating this would be pretty amazing, but Nan, Evelyn et al are very capable."}, {"response": 15, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug  9, 1998 (15:21)", "body": "Riette hopping on to her favorite actor, now, there was an offer LOL....See what I mean, Riette. #68, 97 & 98 are my favs..... Colin Firth..... but all are fun."}, {"response": 16, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sun, Aug  9, 1998 (15:32)", "body": "oh, riette, david duchovny is there too! (guess who started that one *grin*)"}, {"response": 17, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Aug  9, 1998 (22:59)", "body": "Hop on it, girls."}, {"response": 18, "author": "riette", "date": "Mon, Aug 10, 1998 (05:07)", "body": "I'm not hopping onto anyone but Sean Connery and Anthony Hopkins - they give me the shivers, they're so sexy. Especially Anthony Hopkins. Hope I never get to meet him, I'll probably go into a coma or something!"}, {"response": 19, "author": "wolf", "date": "Mon, Aug 10, 1998 (09:32)", "body": "LOL!!"}, {"response": 20, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Aug 10, 1998 (09:33)", "body": "You're my kind of woman, Riette! All my friends don't understand why I never want to meet Kevin. It's nice to know someone who does."}, {"response": 21, "author": "riette", "date": "Mon, Aug 10, 1998 (16:29)", "body": ""}, {"response": 22, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Aug 10, 1998 (19:02)", "body": "You and I are the only ones on the planet with a fondness for Waterworld, Riette! He first caught my eye in Fandango, and has been getting better ever since."}, {"response": 23, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Mon, Aug 10, 1998 (19:43)", "body": "(Charlotte) You and I are the only ones on the planet with a fondness for Waterworld, Riette! I liked Waterworld (but, in truth, I've always felt it was because Kevin can do no wrong for me ;-D) It's not Bull Durham , but what is? ;-)~~~"}, {"response": 24, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Aug 10, 1998 (19:59)", "body": "Hey, there's now 3 people on the planet who liked Waterworld, count me in! But I was far more interested in Jeanne Triplehorn (who also played in The Firm with Tom Cruise)."}, {"response": 25, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Mon, Aug 10, 1998 (22:56)", "body": "didn't see Waterworld..."}, {"response": 26, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Aug 10, 1998 (23:15)", "body": "Go rent it, KM! We need to start a movement here! I'm sure you'll like it, and then we'll have four people on the planet who liked it. :)"}, {"response": 27, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (00:39)", "body": "I loved it mostly because of the brilliant photography, and all those wonderful scrap metal contructions. Charlotte, Nan would you two like to come and join us in Art? I think (I hope) it isn't boring there, even for people who aren't 'into' art. There's even some art by Wer and Autumns daughters. Plus I promised Terry something very special in return for a sketch from him!"}, {"response": 28, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (00:52)", "body": "(Riette) Charlotte, Nan would you two like to come and join us in Art? I think (I hope) it isn't boring there, even for people who aren't 'into' art. Actually, I've already been...several times. I was going to jump into the American Impressionist conversation then I got sidetracked somehow :-/ Plus I promised Terry something very special in return for a sketch from him! And that would be...? ;-)"}, {"response": 29, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (01:14)", "body": "Go and see for yourself in the 'Let the fun begin' topic! No, it would be great to have you there too, Nan."}, {"response": 30, "author": "stacey", "date": "Fri, Aug 21, 1998 (15:48)", "body": "Been a little 'disconnected' to the Spring... but here I am! How's the drooling going guys and gals?"}, {"response": 31, "author": "autumn", "date": "Sat, Aug 22, 1998 (13:17)", "body": "Welcome back, Stacey! School back in session?"}, {"response": 32, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (00:44)", "body": ""}, {"response": 33, "author": "riette", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (02:07)", "body": "I've had no problems this morning - and last night I was out, so I don't know if it will have worked then. I'll see how it goes from tomorrow night onwards though....tonight I'm out again! Cool, edgy, hip!"}, {"response": 34, "author": "autumn", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (15:27)", "body": "If we get any cooler, edgier and hipper I think I'm gonna throw up!"}, {"response": 35, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (16:35)", "body": "Roll down the window."}, {"response": 36, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (22:23)", "body": "I'm down at the colocation site for the Spring and I just brought www back up. What an ordeal! I had a spare power supply to swap in but it didn't match the old one on this box. At least the connectors are different, and no soldering iron! Well, it's back together with bubble gum and bailing wire. It's not that bad, it's just the fan inside the power supply that I had to replace. And it's spinning now. And this server is running cooler. Check the time on this box and high tail it outa here. Captains Log, stardate 8/30/98 10:22 pm we are back on line after a brief interuption of about 20 minutes of moaning and groaning. You can resume normal activities now!"}, {"response": 37, "author": "riette", "date": "Mon, Aug 31, 1998 (01:34)", "body": "Thank you, cool guy!"}, {"response": 38, "author": "stacey", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (03:07)", "body": "I dunno... he sounded a bit more edgy to me!"}, {"response": 39, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (17:10)", "body": "Yep, more toward edgy on the proverbial edgy/cool continuum."}, {"response": 40, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 26, 1998 (16:26)", "body": "I hope this posting goes through. I am testing. It went through on Topic 1 Introductions."}, {"response": 41, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 26, 1998 (16:27)", "body": "Thank you....so far, so good. :-))"}, {"response": 42, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Sep 28, 1998 (12:28)", "body": "I've asked William Roland (wer@spring.net) to set up Heidi and Karen as hosts of drool. Congratulations Heidi and Karen! I'm out of pocket so hopefully Wm. can do this sometime today. If not, I can get you set up with hostly powers later. But in the meantime, please correspond with wer@spring.net about this and he'll, hopefully, get in touch with you!"}, {"response": 43, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 28, 1998 (16:34)", "body": ""}, {"response": 44, "author": "mikeg", "date": "Mon, Sep 28, 1998 (16:53)", "body": "anyone having browser problems might like to take a look at Opera - http://www.operasoftware.com"}, {"response": 45, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Mon, Sep 28, 1998 (18:23)", "body": "MSIE 4.0 was quite buggy and had problems with a lot of different applications. I installed 4.01 and have had no problems either here or anywhere else."}, {"response": 46, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Sep 29, 1998 (19:50)", "body": "Thanks, Terry. Will get in touch with William to get the ball rolling."}, {"response": 47, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 29, 1998 (19:59)", "body": "Great! And thanks so much Heide! New folks in apps: Topic 102 of 387: 'PIRCH' Resp 13 of 13: Solarboy (Solarboy) Sat, Sep 26, 1998 (04:12) 2 lines All the chat programs are similar or are they? l'm trying to find a relativly easy way of conversating. [102/387] Respond, forget, or pass? Item 263 entered Fri, Aug 9, 1996 (19:54) by Paul Terry Walhus (terry) I-View 1 new of 1 response total. Topic 263 of 387: 'I-View' Resp 1 of 1: Pierre R. Schwob (prs) Mon, Sep 28, 1998 (16:02) 5 lines This program isn't supported any longer (since 1996!) Please do not attempt to register for this shareware. Pierre R. Schwob PRS Corporation [263/387] Respond, forget, or pass? Item 381 entered Tue, May 5, 1998 (02:54) by Forrest H. Stroud (buzz) Microsoft Media Player 1 new of 2 responses total. Topic 381 of 387: 'Microsoft Media Player' Resp 2 of 2: John Tubbs (WhytKnyt) Thu, Sep 24, 1998 (17:26) 2 lines Version 6.0? The Microsoft download site says it's version 5.2."}, {"response": 48, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Tue, Sep 29, 1998 (23:41)", "body": "Heide, I'll change your host login from Heide to heide tomorrow... is Karen's login name all lower case as well?"}, {"response": 49, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct  1, 1998 (10:20)", "body": "Bill, I login as KarenR. Thanks."}, {"response": 50, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Thu, Oct  1, 1998 (15:09)", "body": "got it...will fix your and Heide's logins as soon as I can..."}, {"response": 51, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Fri, Oct  2, 1998 (16:22)", "body": "done...heide and KarenR are now hostesses..."}, {"response": 52, "author": "stacey", "date": "Fri, Oct  2, 1998 (16:29)", "body": "If i may be so bold (and nosy) what happened to the old hostess?"}, {"response": 53, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  2, 1998 (16:37)", "body": "Nan won the Powerball lottery and retired!! Just kidding. She's in graduate school and, with her work on cf.com, she needed to lighten up on her Drool responsibilities. Took two of us to replace her. :-)"}, {"response": 54, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Oct  3, 1998 (10:51)", "body": ""}, {"response": 55, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct  7, 1998 (20:04)", "body": "Hey, William...Terry...anybody home?? How's about setting Karen and Heide's passwords that they sent you for the sub-directories and setting up their email accounts. Karen has a real neat cover of Colin that we are all eager to see and she can't do it ....Youse' holdin' up the woiks.....:-)"}, {"response": 56, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Wed, Oct  7, 1998 (21:39)", "body": "Calling Terry now..."}, {"response": 57, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Oct  8, 1998 (08:17)", "body": "wuz up?"}, {"response": 58, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Oct  8, 1998 (08:47)", "body": "See my note in the projects conference."}, {"response": 59, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct  8, 1998 (10:42)", "body": "Thanks Terry, William and Jeff. I have alerted Karen and Heide. Karen has pictures to scan and can't do it. Appreciate what you guys can do to install the new credentials. I am off to UK. See ya' at the end of the month."}, {"response": 60, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Oct  8, 1998 (13:18)", "body": "Have fun in the UK, say hi to Mike Griggs if you see him on the street there."}, {"response": 61, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Oct 11, 1998 (17:03)", "body": "Trying to get onto Topic 2, Terry, but I keep getting an internal server error or misconfiguration. Gee, is it just me? I also get the same message in Topic 34 but no problem anywhere else I've gone. Also, can you explain why Topic 98 doesn't show up in the Conference Center page? There is daily activity there but perhaps it's just me again."}, {"response": 62, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Oct 12, 1998 (08:13)", "body": "I'll look in to these problems Heide, seems to be working ok today. You may just need to retry. Important information about the Y2K bug: Topic 7 of 9: Y2K or Year 2000 problem Sat, May 2, 1998 (09:22) | Paul Terry Walhus (terry) 1 new of 2 responses total. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Topic 7 of 9 [computer]: Y2K or Year 2000 problem Response 2 of 2: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Sun, Oct 11, 1998 (10:31) * 1 lines"}, {"response": 63, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 13, 1998 (10:38)", "body": "Terry, According to the conference log, Topic 98 was \"retired\" by Myretta on 10/8. As a result, it does not show up on the main listing or for those of us who use \"new\" even if there are new comments. Can you undo this or will we need to start a new topic for Film Discussions, one of our most active? Also, has a subdirectory been set up for uploading pictures that we wish to link to the drool conference? A ~karen??? or ~heide???"}, {"response": 64, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 13, 1998 (10:42)", "body": "Just decided to do a little testing myself and inadvertenly \"retired\" this topic. Sorry. :("}, {"response": 65, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 13, 1998 (13:56)", "body": ""}, {"response": 66, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 13, 1998 (14:15)", "body": "Moon, you can still read and post at 98. All \"retirement\" means is that it doesn't show up on the menu page."}, {"response": 67, "author": "casinosunrise", "date": "Tue, Oct 13, 1998 (18:18)", "body": "new here, what do i need to know to be political,etc. not sure i understand the layout of the land. sounds interesting however want to listen and learn before jumping in ."}, {"response": 68, "author": "casinosunrise", "date": "Tue, Oct 13, 1998 (18:24)", "body": "i took a left while looking to down load realaudio. looked interesting. looking to chat and moving around to see what's happening . loved the name moonbeam.....an intellectually sound decision."}, {"response": 69, "author": "casinosunrise", "date": "Tue, Oct 13, 1998 (18:33)", "body": "yo, just read \"macworld\", i don't have a mac. guess that's it guys. sorry i won't get to know the rest."}, {"response": 70, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Thu, Oct 15, 1998 (07:24)", "body": "According to the conference log, Topic 98 was \"retired\" by Myretta on 10/8. That's odd. I haven't done a hostly deed in months."}, {"response": 71, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 15, 1998 (10:30)", "body": "Thank you cfadm whoever you are for resurrecting the topics. :) And Myretta, I always blame the mouse. ;-o"}, {"response": 72, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Oct 15, 1998 (10:53)", "body": "Willliam most likely restored the topics. cfadm is the administrative account for Yapp."}, {"response": 73, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Fri, Oct 16, 1998 (03:42)", "body": "yep, it's all my fault..."}, {"response": 74, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Oct 18, 1998 (02:51)", "body": "This systems been running continually without crashing for 47 days now. We probably need to do a reboot just to let the processes clear out."}, {"response": 75, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Oct 19, 1998 (07:22)", "body": "The floods have wreaked havoc with our net connection out of San Antonio, but it only seems to be affecting the Spring's subnet isdn connection so far. But there is major work going on at the colocation site to get the routing back to what it was before all the heavy weather. We're on a UPS but there may be outages due to the regions abnormal weather. Stay tuned."}, {"response": 76, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 25, 1998 (13:34)", "body": ""}, {"response": 77, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Nov 25, 1998 (15:52)", "body": "Next time you come in it may. wer has some insights on this (email spew@www.spring.net)"}, {"response": 78, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Wed, Nov 25, 1998 (20:05)", "body": "actually, it's probably better to e-mail me at either rotazo@aol.com or kitchen_manager@juno.com or wer@spring.net (don't think you ever did a forward on spew@www.spring.net, or did you, Terry?)"}, {"response": 79, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Nov 28, 1998 (17:21)", "body": "You do have a forward file set up there now and it forwards spewmail to both hotmail and your other email acct but not to wer."}, {"response": 80, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Nov 28, 1998 (17:28)", "body": "It goes to Juno and Hotmail."}, {"response": 81, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sat, Nov 28, 1998 (17:28)", "body": "Who at Hotmail? Should forward to AOL... not sure if I remember my Hotmail address and password..."}, {"response": 82, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Dec  1, 1998 (00:28)", "body": "Just log in to your account, and do a pico .forward and you can edit it yourself anytime."}, {"response": 83, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Tue, Dec  1, 1998 (18:40)", "body": "cool..."}, {"response": 84, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Dec  2, 1998 (05:52)", "body": "Usually, .forward files are setup like this: \\wer,wer@hotmail.com,wer@aol.com where the \\wer keeps a copy on the spring machine. If you set it up like this: wer@hotmail.com,wer@aol.com then no copy will be kept on the forwarding server and it will appear only on the hotmail and aol mail areas. We met Stacey last night at the coffee shop on the drag, she tried buzzing by Little Italy to snag you but no wer at Little Italy (happened to us the last time or two we came by there too). She looked good and seemed happy about her state of affairs in Colorado."}, {"response": 85, "author": "wer", "date": "Sun, Jan 17, 1999 (23:48)", "body": "well, maybe next time..."}, {"response": 86, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jan 18, 1999 (08:20)", "body": "I had one of the best talks ever with her that night. Who says meeting folks online makes you depressed and alienated. Knowing Stacey and the folks online here has enriched my life immeasurable and made for lifelong friendships. We have such a great core group of folks here, we can grow organically."}, {"response": 87, "author": "ratthing", "date": "Mon, Jan 18, 1999 (09:53)", "body": ""}, {"response": 88, "author": "mikeg", "date": "Sun, Jan 24, 1999 (15:06)", "body": "Several times today i've been disconnected from www.spring.net on telnet...a bit strange."}, {"response": 89, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Jan 24, 1999 (18:43)", "body": "That is unusual. Wonder if it's your backbone. Our site had been up pretty regularly."}, {"response": 90, "author": "aschuth", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 1999 (04:02)", "body": "I always use a Netscape browser to log in; whenever I logged in from home, it was nearly always an unhappy experience (long load times, every second attempt \"There's no response from the server...\", etc.), which is why sometimes there are two postings by me, too, it seems. Anyhow, right now it loads like a marvel, is fast and everything. Yall sleeping? better connection? Upgraded the ancient 386 to a 486DX100? You tell me. Meanwhile, I'll be happy (but for phone charges... checking in from home is hell, as they bill per minute...)."}, {"response": 91, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Mar 22, 1999 (08:32)", "body": "Per minute! That sucks. Isn't there a flat rate provider in your area?"}, {"response": 92, "author": "aschuth", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (14:07)", "body": "Aren't I in Germany? Last one who tried was the first one who tried was the one who went floating down the river BELLY UP, my friend... I'll work on it. At least I got very good loading times today, too, and that from home."}, {"response": 93, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (00:43)", "body": "yipppeee!!! us, too, as we finally got AOL4.0 configured correctly on our new computer..."}, {"response": 94, "author": "aschuth", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (12:09)", "body": "Congrats, Wer! You ARE the master! Me, too: we got this funky ISDN-adapter w/ analog ports for phones, etc., which I set up AND IT STILL WORKED FROM DAY ONE! Which suprised everyone, but most of all yours truly Alexander."}, {"response": 95, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (16:24)", "body": "champagne for everyone!"}, {"response": 96, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 1999 (20:17)", "body": "hey, Terry, in case anyone was wondering... this topic and the Spring as a whole...etcetera topics are no longer linked in drool... the topics are still there but they are no longer linked...my proposal is to start a more of the spring as a whole topic and freeze the two (or more?) existing ones... can probably kill this topic name in drool and re-link this one..."}, {"response": 97, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 1999 (20:30)", "body": "Sure, go fer it."}, {"response": 98, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 1999 (20:38)", "body": ""}, {"response": 99, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 1999 (21:14)", "body": "Boring. Lot's of waiting for others today. Mostly waiting on tenants to come up with rent money. Yesterday was far more productive, we got three rooms sheetrocked and only have two to go in my little country cottage. The Spring is facing a financial crisis of sorts. We're going to crank up the pledge drive here and in drool. The cause? thespring.com domain sale for $6k fell though because the buyer found a technicality in the contract they had me sign. I find myself financially challenged right now. Three room mates found new places in Cedar Creek, so I have 3 rooms to fill and not much time to find new folks. I only got a weeks notice instead of the usual 30 days. I watching the X Files now. Still waiting for Paul N to pay his bills, he and Sam have been keeping me waiting all day."}, {"response": 100, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 1999 (23:07)", "body": "oops...sorry, Boss!"}, {"response": 101, "author": "ratthing", "date": "Mon, Apr  5, 1999 (15:26)", "body": "sorry to hear all of this terry. i am busy nowadays but will do what i can to help."}, {"response": 102, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (04:57)", "body": "The good news today is that I filled up Quail Creek with some great folks. And even though I'm three rooms in the hole in Cedar Creek, I have the new airport going in next month which is just 15 minutes away from this house. I rented the last room in Quail last night to a waiter at a new restaurant on 360 called Pacifica. It's very upscale. He's going to get us in for free this weekend as part of their beta test. So short term, the Spring is hurtin' moneywise. Long term, there's hope. I'm hoping the pledge drive will take some of the sting out of our short term woes."}, {"response": 103, "author": "wolf", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (03:02)", "body": "i'm sorry terry....building an airport? damn!"}, {"response": 104, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (01:59)", "body": ""}, {"response": 105, "author": "stacey", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (17:05)", "body": "feel better Karen?"}, {"response": 106, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 1999 (13:09)", "body": "oh, Alexander..."}, {"response": 107, "author": "aschuth", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 1999 (13:15)", "body": "And now I could submit stuff again! I wonder why I couldn't before..."}, {"response": 108, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 1999 (13:43)", "body": "gremlins and furbys..."}, {"response": 109, "author": "mikeg", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 1999 (18:13)", "body": "YEAH!!! Furbies are the business :-)) I saw a fifteen foot tall one in FAO Schwarz :)))"}, {"response": 110, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (00:18)", "body": "little ones come with Happy Meals right now, too..."}, {"response": 111, "author": "ratthing", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (23:10)", "body": "gremlins and furbys and wer! oh my!"}, {"response": 112, "author": "aschuth", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 1999 (03:38)", "body": ""}, {"response": 113, "author": "aschuth", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 1999 (03:58)", "body": "Oh, Werby, look! Terry changed the batteries in Rayby, too! Now I wonder who his third furby is... Could be Vurby, or mayby Wolfsby? Nah, don't think so. Perhaps Mikeby. But that doesn't ring that way, either... Ooooooh! I got it, it think! It's gotta be the incrediple le Plepby !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Notice: Due to appropriate content, this message has also been posted here: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/screwed/156.34 )"}, {"response": 114, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 1999 (23:07)", "body": "as well it should be!"}, {"response": 115, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Nov 10, 1999 (09:25)", "body": ""}, {"response": 116, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (10:07)", "body": "Any news when those two websites will be up and running?"}, {"response": 117, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (10:39)", "body": "Peter's working on it now. He found the problem, all the aliases were pointing to the same website and knows how to fix it, but he rebooted and it got hung up. So we have to call DDC.net and have them send someone to the colocate facility to physically reboot the access.spring.net server. He's going to call me when this is done. I just called John and he's going to be on the way soon. 10:37 am Austin time."}, {"response": 118, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (10:48)", "body": "Great, good news! Very happy to hear it! yoo hoo! Thousand women are thanking you too;)"}, {"response": 119, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (11:25)", "body": "The server's back up and I just left a message on Peter's voice mail. If you want to thank Peter personally for doing a great job as our extremely low paid system admin, here's his contact information: Peter Jensen 337086 Georgia Tech Station Atlanta, GA 30332-1715 404-206-1745 mailto://peter@diff.net"}, {"response": 120, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (12:01)", "body": "I will thank him again (He should recognize the lady from Hawaii by now!) It is good to keep important people who help Spring to flow smoothly well appreciated!"}, {"response": 121, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (12:30)", "body": "Terry, still can't get into austen.com. says connection to server could not be established."}, {"response": 122, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (12:52)", "body": "Nor to firth.com or either of the chatrooms."}, {"response": 123, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (13:00)", "body": "Thank you Terry,Peter, Jacob, william and Ray from all of us who use these sites. Your efforts are appreciated."}, {"response": 124, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (22:09)", "body": "I am still having problems with Austen.com, but some people can get in and don't have a problem. I was able to connect using FTP, but not my browser. Is this one of those things which have to roll accross all the IP servers in the country? or is something else going on? Why can some people get in and not others?"}, {"response": 125, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (22:28)", "body": "Ann, firth.com and firth chat are both up, but I can't get into austen.com or your chat either."}, {"response": 126, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (22:41)", "body": ""}, {"response": 127, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (22:45)", "body": "Ann, Terry did it while creating a bunch of new websites two days ago and only now are some things beginning to work. If you are ftp-ing to access.spring.net you will not succeed. I do not know whether the other www.spring.net works or not because my account is not there."}, {"response": 128, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (22:58)", "body": "Yes, www.spring.net works. I've been working in that throughout the outage, without any problem. Now if only we could settle on \"what our favorite colors are!\" ;-D"}, {"response": 129, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (23:09)", "body": "I am in telnet responding to your comment and will scrutinize what is in here I just think it would be bad form to mess with the owners' creations without first asking him about it. Any thoughts?"}, {"response": 130, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (08:30)", "body": "Please email any specifics of problems you're having with details to sysad@spring.net, which Peter and I read."}, {"response": 131, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (09:22)", "body": "And how about a big round of applause for Peter Jensen! He definitely came through and fixed our system. What a nice guy, and a rambling wreck to boot. peter@diff.net (for congratulatory emails)"}, {"response": 132, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (13:03)", "body": "I did and I did. Messages should be ready to read in one case and already read in the first. I am most grateful that you have Peter to help out. Now, if I could just get into my access.spring.net so I could post a few rock specimen...that would be perfect!"}, {"response": 133, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (13:05)", "body": "Poor Peter know what a one-loss feels like in a perfect football year, just as we Penn Staters do...*sigh*...my sympathies!"}, {"response": 134, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (14:00)", "body": "I just exchanged emails with Peter, and access.spring.net is back on line and files attainable. I sent the good news on to Wolfie. Thanks guys!"}, {"response": 135, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (23:47)", "body": "Anyone else awake tonight and trying to ftp to access.spring.net? I can do it to the UHHilo web site I am supposed to be working on, but cannot here."}, {"response": 136, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (15:38)", "body": "I sent Peter and gracious thank you for all his hardwork. And want to thank ALL the system admins for their hardwork in getting all the servers in tip top shape! Thank you!"}, {"response": 137, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (18:42)", "body": ""}, {"response": 138, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (09:25)", "body": "You should be able to ftp here, are you sure. Jill just ftped some stuff to her site on access. Are you set up on access.spring.net, Marcia?"}, {"response": 139, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (09:44)", "body": "Please, if you have time, email peter@diff.net and thank him profusely for the life saving job he did getting all our webservers back up and running. This rambling wreck deserves our highest praise and support!"}, {"response": 140, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (13:02)", "body": "Did profusely thank Peter and he emailed me a return note. Nice guy and a definite asset we should cultivate. I still can't login, so it is something I did wrong when I entered the UHHilo ftp site... Will work on it today. Thanks. Three Cheers for Peter!!!"}, {"response": 141, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (15:12)", "body": "Ok, I got all of my ftp sites separated and working individually again. *whew* That is more than a little scary since I had expert help setting up the first time and it was late at night when I am least likely to remember how to do it again should the need arise. Three Cheers for Marcia"}, {"response": 142, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (16:13)", "body": "I got this e-mail today. She had sent me one yesterday saying she was still having problems, and I asked her if she continues to have them. Are there still problems? (I blacked out part of her e-mail) --- Linda MacLachlan grand****@earthlink.net wrote: Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 13:16:22 -0500 From: Linda MacLachlan grand****@earthlink.net To: \"Ann of Austen.com\" dwguild@yahoo.com Subject: Re: off-line? Ann: Yes, I still have problems. when I click on my bookmark, Netscape says \"The server could be down or is not responding. If you are unable to again leter, contact the server's administrator. Using previously cached copy instead.\" [a copy last updated 11/7/99] When I click on the Fantasia Gallery, the Derbyshire Writers Guild Message Board or to \"find out what the dots are fore,\" I get nothing but the same message minus the last sentence. I miss not getting my virtually daily \"fix' from Derbyshire1 Linda grand****@earthlink.net Ann of Austen.com wrote: Linda, Are you still having problems? The site was down for a couple of days last week, But it should be back up. Unfortunately, it is hard to tell whether everyone can get in now, because they can't really say that they are *not* there. I don't know what could still be wrong, but I Would certainly look into it. Ann --- Linda MacLachlan grand****@earthlink.net wrote: I have been enjoying your Epilogue Gallery site For years, printing the stories when they finally finish. But I have Not been able to update the website since 11/7. What's wrong? Can I help? grand****@earthlink.net"}, {"response": 143, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (20:08)", "body": "she should be able to get in now. All is back in worjking order, I understand."}, {"response": 144, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (20:14)", "body": "...and I hope I either learn to type better or learn exactly when I am to use the \"Ok: stty erase\" when I telnet. Most frustrating!"}, {"response": 145, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 30, 1999 (16:18)", "body": "Terry, there is definitely a problem out there. Possibly that named server situation and/or router problems. Some people can get in and many cannot. I've been in contact with our Drool bunch via our backup mailing service and encouraged them to try their ISP's other phone lines for alternative routing as worked for me (except for the austen.com areas). Do you need any other evidence than Marcia hasn't posted all day! ;-)"}, {"response": 146, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Dec 30, 1999 (19:29)", "body": "Everyone reading this, digihost screwed up our nameservers by submitting a premature change request to Network Solutions. Use ip addresses instead of domain names till it's fixed. http://206.97.234.70 will give you the names. http://206.97.234.91 is austen http://206.97.234.101 is firth Email me at springnet@visto.com during the nameserver crisis. I emailed digihost to fix it so we can resolve our names again but restoring our primary nameserver to ns1.spring.net at 206.97.234.70 and using one of their ip addresses for ns2.spring.net Some guy named mike@digihost.com iniated this boondoggle and I emailed him to fix it back."}, {"response": 147, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Dec 30, 1999 (19:57)", "body": "Emergency contact information during the nameserver crisis: My cellphone is 512-699-4000 My palm mail (which I carry around with me) is springnet@palm.net Austin 512 302 4000 Cedar Creek 512 303 4000 But the first two are the most reliable. I'm hoping mike@digihost.com realizes the havoc he's causing us by having sent in that nameserver change without talking to me first! It's really messing things up. Email as many folks as you can and let them know what's going on about using the http://206.97.234.70 and the other ip addresses for austen and firth, etc. Who needs a y2k crisis, right? We have our own little nameserver crisis."}, {"response": 148, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 30, 1999 (20:06)", "body": ""}, {"response": 149, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Dec 30, 1999 (20:37)", "body": "I did for him, which you probay know by now..."}, {"response": 150, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Dec 31, 1999 (09:24)", "body": "Well, it's already been y2k out in the Pacific and Australia, and we're still talking! Happy New Millenium! Who among us will see y2k first? Any Australians in Drool?"}, {"response": 151, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 31, 1999 (09:29)", "body": "Terry, there's a big contingent that still can't access Drool.Karen, Mari, Ann. Take a look at your email."}, {"response": 152, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Dec 31, 1999 (09:31)", "body": "Have you told them about ip addresses? Is it better today?"}, {"response": 153, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Dec 31, 1999 (11:59)", "body": "My success today is much like yesterday. Telnet or nothing! Same with the others I have heard from. Gi from Portugal is unable. Discouraging."}, {"response": 154, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 31, 1999 (12:00)", "body": "ip addresses don't work. The situation is dire....still the same. This is the message board that is being used ... http://www.insidetheweb.com/messageboard/mbs.cgi/mb49898 Hope this is temporary. Is Anyone trying to rectify the situation? It seems to be geographic."}, {"response": 155, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Dec 31, 1999 (12:05)", "body": "I am sure Terry is on the new Server's tail with great vehemence and regularity. I can only use the numerical ip for telnet which is how I am posting this. Evelyn, you can still get in? Gi in Portugal and Tineke in Belgium are out of the loop as am I. Curious that Germany can get online."}, {"response": 156, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 31, 1999 (12:33)", "body": "Yes, I can access fine and apparently part of UK can...Bethan posted yesterday, but Ann W. cannot. Neither can Karen...who even went to the library computers and still could not access Spring. Argggggg"}, {"response": 157, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Dec 31, 1999 (12:55)", "body": "I cannot understand how Karen got online at Spring yesterday by using a different local phone number for connection....perhaps coincidence. It willl be interesting to hear the whole story in retrospect - the sooner the better. It is fun to telnet, but nothing as good as webbing."}, {"response": 158, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan  1, 2000 (17:25)", "body": "Is the new server in Florida having any success getting the Drool problem resolved? No one still can get in except me, Terry. Do you think they are *trying*? Or is nobody home?"}, {"response": 159, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan  1, 2000 (19:19)", "body": ""}, {"response": 160, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jan  1, 2000 (19:37)", "body": "I'd like to know Evelyn's secret - and Heide's from this morning when she got on. I am still relying on the magick of telnetting...*sigh*"}, {"response": 161, "author": "ratthing", "date": "Sat, Jan  8, 2000 (18:27)", "body": "hi! i'm one of the volunteer system admins for the Spring, and have been away for awhile on other projects. i've caught up with the situation here and just wanted to let everyone here know that we are trying to resolve all of the connection problems as quickly as possible. unfortunately, our problems are with domain name servers. this is unfortunate, because dealing with the powers behind domain name servers means dealing with many persons and many layers of bueracracy. i think that perhaps most of our problems should be solved by the middle of January. worst case scenario would be the end of January, but i doubt that very much. anyway, i hope all of you will understand and hang in there with us until this problem gets resolved. i'll try to do what i can to help terry and hopefully we'll be back online soon."}, {"response": 162, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jan  8, 2000 (18:44)", "body": "Thanks loads, Ray! We needed you to ride in for moral and tech support for Terry. He needs all the help he can get at this point!"}, {"response": 163, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jan  8, 2000 (20:41)", "body": "Does anyone know why we have topic 107 and 124 which appear to be duplicates?"}, {"response": 164, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Jan  9, 2000 (09:04)", "body": "I don't know about that topic issue. But on the domain issues, we are dealing mainly with a new provider and they have assigned one person to help us who is mike@digihost.com and he reports to ceo@digihost.com. We just have to get in synch with these folks and work out the details and we'll be able to get up and running at the new home. I had planned on colocating at Springfield for a year but they backed out till March on this deal, so we'e moving to Digihost. They run on BSDI 4.1 which is much more up to date than the BSDI 2.1 which www.spring.net runs on now. I really appreciate your help and support in getting in touch with this situation Ray! Please feel free to jump in to the process and raise issues and add action items to our migration checklist."}, {"response": 165, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan  9, 2000 (11:38)", "body": "Thank you Ray and Terry for the updates on the Spring relocating status...it helps to know that someone is out there fending for us. As Lizzy would say:\"We shall endure it as best as we can\"... :-)"}, {"response": 166, "author": "ratthing", "date": "Sun, Jan  9, 2000 (16:05)", "body": "wheres the migration checklist, terry.\b?"}, {"response": 167, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Jan  9, 2000 (21:57)", "body": "I'll work one up, the main priority now is just ftping everything on our servers over to the new location and getting the domain names moved. The we can start testing."}, {"response": 168, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Jan 11, 2000 (03:01)", "body": "I got in to our new server locaton a while ago and ftped the main page over there, which still points to the confernces on our old server. I set it up so folks can get in to drool but there are still times when you have to type 206.97.234.70 in place of www.spring.net, it's the penalty we're paying for me not paying enough attention to relative html coding."}, {"response": 169, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jan 11, 2000 (11:14)", "body": "Don't worry about it...Hindsight is always 20-20 It all a learning process and I am happy to find you are mortal after all!"}, {"response": 170, "author": "aschuth", "date": "Tue, Jan 11, 2000 (16:58)", "body": "Ray, you live? Good thing, I'd say, especially now Terry needs as much help with the stuff as he can get (which is, BTW, exactly MY situation here, too... Can't handle the workload with the number of people available for this project. Will be an interesting ride, I daresay...)."}, {"response": 171, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jan 11, 2000 (17:03)", "body": "Hang on tightly, Alexander. I am rooting for you!"}, {"response": 172, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Jan 15, 2000 (23:00)", "body": "I still can't get in to Austen.com and it's been three days now. Most other people don't seem to be having a problem, but my ISP can't seem to be able to find it. When I use the IP# (206.97.234.93), I get Bruce Sterling's page, which I know is on the same machine. I can FTP in, but the way the site works, I can't do much with that. I'm going through withdrawl!!!!"}, {"response": 173, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan 16, 2000 (18:29)", "body": "Tell me about it...Poor dear! Have you tried telnetting, Ann? I just tried and cannot get onto austen.com that way - or I do not know how to (which is more than likely the case). I do not know what to suggest other than to wait out the drought till Terry gets back from his sad duties in California."}, {"response": 174, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan 16, 2000 (18:34)", "body": "I can get telnet://206.97.234.93 to work but it does not like my login or password. I think it is because access is still down. My ftp to access still does not work....and it is not much help in reading things there...or other things you do to keep DWG and all that up and running...! *sigh*"}, {"response": 175, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Jan 16, 2000 (20:23)", "body": "I do have FTP access to 206.97.234.93, but I can't really do much with that. I can read some of the messages, but I can't participate on the boards and I can't chat :( I actually went to work today to use the computers there. I needed to do some archiving of stories, and the only way to get them was to log on from there."}, {"response": 176, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (06:29)", "body": "Access is still up at http://206.97.234.73 . If you telnet there, you can then cd to the austen.com area at /www/austen.com. Ann, I want you and everyone to have access. This week, we're going to move the whole site to our new dns servers, so I'll be setting up new user accounts on the new server. Please make sure your sites, like austen.com and firth.com are backed up on your local machines, I've got www.spring.net running on the new server now, except the conferencing and I've got emails in to Kaylene Thaler ( mailto://kaylene@armidalesoftware.com ) and Ray ( mailto://ray.lopez@mindspring.com ) about getting this done. Later today, when it's a more decent hour, I plan on calling Ray and Kaylene. Feel free to call me on my cell phone at 512-699-4000 to talk about any migration issues with spring.net or your sites. I'll try and make this as painless as possible. Send me email to either springnet@visto.com, terry@spring.net or to my Palm Pilot at springnet@palm.net. Let's stay in touch as closely as possible and get this done as painlessly as possible. I'd like to hear from as many of you as possible directly during this transition and for as many of you as possible to get directly involved in the hands on work of making this move. We can get it done and move on and things will get much easier. I won't have to babysit hardware any more and we'll be able to concentrate more on the real creative work of getting our sites looking good and attracting more folks to our community."}, {"response": 177, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (06:33)", "body": "This is our dns table as it exists now: 206.97.234.71 http://www.spring.net ns2 206.97.234.72 206.97.234.73 http://access.spring.net 206.97.234.74 http://www.childrenstory.com 206.97.234.75 http://www.repeater.org 206.97.234.76 http://www.golftravel.net 206.97.234.77 pointer from barton 206.97.234.78 http://www.minds.org 206.97.234.81 http://www.janhooks.com 206.97.234.82 http://www.thechildrens.com 206.97.234.83 http://www.webarter.net 206.97.234.85 points to www.spring.net 206.97.234.86 http://www.wonderbee.com 206.97.234.87 http://www.clearminds.com 206.97.234.88 http://www.texasequityloan.com 206.97.234.90 http://www.motorblade.com 206.97.234.91 http://www.austen.com 206.97.234.92 http://www.divecruise.com 206.97.234.93 http://www.brucesterling.com 206.97.234.94 http://www.starlust.com 206.97.234.95 http://www.eatsolar.com 206.97.234.96 http://www.guadalupestreet.com 206.97.234.97 http://www.lamarboulevard.com 206.97.234.98 http://www.congressavenue.com 206.97.234.99 http://www.burnetroad.com 206.97.234.100 http://www.researchboulevard.com 206.97.234.101 http://www.firth.com 206.97.234.102 http://www.silkcloth.com 206.97.234.103 http://www.suzyamis.com 206.97.234.104 http://www.roxburyguys.com 206.97.234.105 http://www.teachai.com 206.97.234.106 points to access.spring.net 206.97.234.107 http://www.lifespaces.com 206.97.234.108 http://www.ratthing.com 206.97.234.109 206.97.234.110 http://www.bioregion.com 206.97.234.111 next available ip address"}, {"response": 178, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (06:45)", "body": "Also, check the bottom of http://206.97.234.70 as I'll be posting bulletins there."}, {"response": 179, "author": "Ann", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (10:10)", "body": "Terry, I tried that IP for Austen.com, and it didn't seem to work. The network couldn't find it. The site seems to be working though, and I'm able to get onto it from work--just not from home through my browser. Do you have any idea why I haven't been able to get through using Netcom for the last 5 days?"}, {"response": 180, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (13:32)", "body": "Thanks for the list, Terry. I'm gonna print the whole thing out so I can reference it easily. (Ann, My son is on netcom in California and it is a little capricious since it was purchased by mindspring.)"}, {"response": 181, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (19:05)", "body": "Am back now, Terry. A few questions: What about my files at www.spring.net/~KarenR ? Will I be able to FTP my files to the new servers using the same logon and password? Karen"}, {"response": 182, "author": "Ann", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (06:44)", "body": "I'm still locked out! Why!?!?"}, {"response": 183, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (07:27)", "body": "When I try to FTP into spring.net, it says the password is not valid. Help!"}, {"response": 184, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (11:53)", "body": "Guess they are ftp'ing the stuff to the new ISP and it is currently not receiving input. Curiously, I have not been able to ftp since December 30th..."}, {"response": 185, "author": "Ann", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (20:44)", "body": "I can't get to my www.spring.net/~anneh account either, Karen. Same problem as you. It's been that way for a couple weeks now. Still locked out of Austen.com. That makes 6 of the last 7 days I haven't been able to get in."}, {"response": 186, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (21:42)", "body": "Yes, I know. I haven't had access to my directory/files since 12/30 either. But when I read the messages about having to get our files off the old server and to FTP them to the new site, thought I'd bring it up again."}, {"response": 187, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (22:40)", "body": "That password invalid is the only error message they have when the other end is inaccessable. My telnet gets the same response if I try to enter with the old URL. Terry and his cyber-guys must be about ready to tell us something...I hope!"}, {"response": 188, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (08:23)", "body": "That password invalid is the only error message they have when the other end is inaccessable. My telnet gets the same response if I try to enter with the old URL. Terry and his cyber-guys must be about ready to tell us something...I hope! Hey, yep. Me and my cyber-guys, hey, cool it guys, I'm talking, are gonna spill da beans. You need to ftp or telnet to 206.97.234.73 which is access.spring.net, then do this command via telnet or ftp: cd /www/austen.com Likewise, cd /www/firth.com All the files are there. You can ftp them to your local machine using something from http://www.stroud.com like ws ftp or one of the other ftp programs. Then, email or call (512-699-4000) me and request a username and password on the new system. Let me know who is going to strawboss this move, Ann, Karen or ??? and then I will get with them and they will dictate the date and time of the actual switchover to the new site for firth and austen. Now, the www.spring.net/~anneh files should still be in place, at 206.97.234.70/~anneh. They're in /usr/home/anneh if you need to use the full directory path. The web files all being in public_html of course. Don't hesitate to email me, call me (512-699-4000 I love to talk to you guys), or invite me to your chat room to discuss any issues."}, {"response": 189, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (08:47)", "body": "Terry, My files are NOT associated with firth.com or austen.com nor were they on the access server. Ann is in charge of austen.com and Renate is in charge of firth.com My files were/are in: www.spring.net/~KarenR and support Drool and my Bucket site within the confines of Spring. (1) Do I need to move those myself or have you moved them already? If so, where are they now? (2) I will email you my logon and password. (3) I use WS-Stroud's FTP program, but it can't get into my files. Do I need to change the path from Spring to the numeric? And I'm assuming that is the old Spring vs. the new Spring, which will be using the domain name."}, {"response": 190, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (11:36)", "body": "Terry, I tried numeric and KarenR done every which way but loose. Can't get there via the web or via FTP. Login fails. Karen"}, {"response": 191, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (12:02)", "body": "(I'm working with Karen on this right now via landline)."}, {"response": 192, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (13:00)", "body": "(Good, because the URL and the IP yeild the same cannot login results here, too for access.spering.net ftp.) Terry has the cutest and neatest cyber-guys on the planet. If they can't do it, it can't be done!"}, {"response": 193, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (14:08)", "body": "Terry, I sent you and e-mail about a week ago with the info for the Austen tech people. I'm the one who will supervise the whole Austen.com site, so if you could send me the new password to dwguild@yahoo.com, I'd appreciate it. Though I can get on to Austen.com at work, I am STILL locked out at home. WHY??? It's been a week now (except, mysteriously for one day when I was able to get through). Is this an ISP problem or a DNS problem or what? I am getting reports of others having the same problem too."}, {"response": 194, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (14:25)", "body": "You need to ftp or telnet to 206.97.234.73 which is access.spring.net, then do this command via telnet or ftp: } Nope. That doesn't work, Terry. I get a \"Cannot find server\" message when I try to FTP or Telnet. Now I can FTP into 206.97.234.93, and move over into the Austen.com folders, but I really need to be able to get there through my browser too!!!"}, {"response": 195, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (15:42)", "body": "I got into Austen.com from my home computer--finally. Of course, I was able to get in for one day over the weekend too, only to be locked out again."}, {"response": 196, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (16:05)", "body": "Any secret you care to share on how you got in today? I am still in the same holding pattern...but I know they are straightening out momumental messes in Austin and I will not add to their problems...!"}, {"response": 197, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (16:56)", "body": "Don't know why I got in. I have also been able to access my files in the www.spring.net/~anneh folder. I FTP to 206.97.234.70, log on using ID: anneh and my usual password. I'm in the process of downloading all my files from there to back them up."}, {"response": 198, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (17:41)", "body": "Praise be, as they say. And you have a bunch to download! I trust Geo will go over as one of those tarballs Ray is making and my files on access.spring.net will as well. I keep files backed up but only as word files. My image files are url files and I can recreate them if necessary. Goodness, the things we learn which we never anticipated needing to know...!"}, {"response": 199, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (22:04)", "body": "I've downloaded just about everything except the messages on our message boards. Don't know how I'm gonna transfer them. Also, the archives of the Guild is rather huge, and at 28KB/Sec, it would take a long time to transfer. If that can be tarballed too, and sent over a quick connection, it would help."}, {"response": 200, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (22:52)", "body": "Ann, I read what they were saying Unix conference about moving this stuff. They might have as well been discussing brain surgery in another language. But, they knew what they meant which I find impressive and daunting at the same time! There is a great deal more to this than a simple Move...picking up a computer, put it in the car and move it across town to another place and plug it in. Not that easy, I guess!!!"}, {"response": 201, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jan 21, 2000 (09:03)", "body": "Marcia send me detailed email on what you need regarding your account setup and password, etc on the new server. Everyone, email or call me with any such similar needs, if you need to get set up on the new system. Ray, how's the tar stuff coming along? We also need to get the new hosting folks to set up a cfadm user and maybe do some of the things Kaylene suggested. We're racing to get this done before ddc puts the hammer down on us again."}, {"response": 202, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jan 21, 2000 (13:41)", "body": "Just sent you two emails to visto address the first with my minimal needs and the second with my username and password which was in use before. Feel free to augment or alter at will and let me know what the new ones are. Anything else?"}, {"response": 203, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Jan 22, 2000 (14:54)", "body": ""}, {"response": 204, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 22, 2000 (15:41)", "body": "Terry, I sent you an email at your briefcase account with my needs for accessing the new server. What's the timetable for getting off this server? I need to know as copying all my files to my hard drive is a slow process...but I am making progress! ;-) Karen"}, {"response": 205, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Jan 22, 2000 (15:51)", "body": "I'm in again. Was only out for about 4 hours this time."}, {"response": 206, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Jan 22, 2000 (17:25)", "body": "Ann and I talked on the phone, so now I have austen.com running temporarily at http://www.spring.net/austen and I got the new site in motion. It should be ready for prime time in a couple of days. Ann, wish we could send you some of this warm air!"}, {"response": 207, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jan 22, 2000 (22:31)", "body": "Colinfirth.com and austen.com look lovely and familiar. Now, if only the stuff I work with would come back. Alas, access.spring.net is at the bottom of the list for getting things done, I figure....not as important, I guess. And, I guess I understand. It's ok....I'll be here doing my thing even if no one can see what I put up or stuff like that...I'm used to it. I'm the little kid on the Spring and I gotta wait my turn...thank you in advance for your help..."}, {"response": 208, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jan 22, 2000 (22:32)", "body": "Would it be helpful if we stopped posting on Spring?"}, {"response": 209, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (09:27)", "body": "No, keep posting. Life should go on as usual. I'll keep setting up accounts on the new system as folks need them."}, {"response": 210, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (09:29)", "body": "I'll set up a directory called marcia so you can work there. The url will be http://www.spring.net/marcia"}, {"response": 211, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (09:44)", "body": "Terry, Have you set me up on the new system yet? I have downloaded ALL my files and am ready to send them over whenever you give me access. I sent you an email with the particulars. Karen"}, {"response": 212, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (09:56)", "body": "I'm working on it today and tomorrow. Folks who set up web pages should use *relative* references not *absolute* references and base href tags in the header of the html document. I just did a bit of editing on http://www.spring.net/firth because it uses absolute references (not recommended!). If you don't understand absolute vs. relative refererences, please go to one of the many great html tutorials on the web and to our web conference to the appropriate topic. I'll be happy to discuss this most important issue further. For an example look at the base href tag at the beginning of the index.html file on http://www.spring.net/firth/index.html It's the difference between working and not working, and you can get a lot of stuff on the old site to keep working by using these relative tags. And then when you don't need the old site, you just change the base href tag. I have given permission to Myretta to grant access to any authoring type folks who need ftp access to the site. I'll try and make this as effortless as possible, but there may be painful moments in the next week or two. After that, it should be smooth sailing again."}, {"response": 213, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (10:21)", "body": "Thanks, Terry. I know this is an educational experience as well as a nusiance. All of us little strugglers trying to become cyber-smarter the least painful way appreciate your making the transition as smooth as possible. Big *hugs* for your patience and perseverence."}, {"response": 214, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (10:52)", "body": ""}, {"response": 215, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (10:56)", "body": "It just finished and it found 271 occurences of the phrase http://www.firth.com in 74 pages. Mind you, these changes were only made on the little backup mirror site at http://www.spring.net and not on the main site http://206.97.234.101 where firth.com lives. I did change one file there in the afirthionado directory called afi.htm I believe so folks could still get to the chatroom. I'll be glad when we get everything moved. I'm about to set the austen.com in motion, so folks that need access be sure to email me (terry@spring.net and springnet@visto.com) and/or call me (512-699-4000) with their desired usernames and passwords."}, {"response": 216, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (15:34)", "body": "Terry, I couldn't get into the new www.spring.net via FTP. Access denied. When I checked the url http://www.spring.net/KarenR says does not exist. Isn't that the area you set up for me?"}, {"response": 217, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (09:49)", "body": "I'll set this up again. For the folks working on the new austen.com, the ip address is going to be 208.171.121.122. It has FrontPage 2000 extensions, RealAudio, SSL, Webtrends, MySQL. All the Internic stuff has been performed. The above is important technical information, please make note of it."}, {"response": 218, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (11:00)", "body": "Terry: I have set up an account for you there. I will set it up again using all lower case instead of upper and lower. Email me so I can reply with the details. ~~~~ Terry, I emailed you twice yesterday. You can reply with the details. However, that server doesn't recognize me."}, {"response": 219, "author": "Ann", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (13:30)", "body": "Terry, the old Austen.com IP doesn't seem to work. (206.97.234.91). Wonder why."}, {"response": 220, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (13:58)", "body": "Terry posted above: For the folks working on the new austen.com, the ip address is going to be 208.171.121.122."}, {"response": 221, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (18:29)", "body": "I'm home now, Ann, I've been out in the field all day and I'll resolve this access problem you have and probably give you a buzz tonight."}, {"response": 222, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (18:39)", "body": "http://208.171.121.122 is working pretty much, I may have gotten all the files over this morning except the derbyshire ones, and I'm ftping the files in the derby directory now. I'll have to check, but I may have inadvertently put some of these derby files in /usr/home/auste3/virtual_html/ instead of /usr/home/auste3/virtual_html/derby"}, {"response": 223, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (18:41)", "body": "Hey, http://www.austen.com just came up for me without typing the ip address, and I'm on a Time Warner (not spring.net) connection. Are other folks seeing it also?"}, {"response": 224, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (19:00)", "body": "Yes, Terry, it comes up for me using http://www.austen.com"}, {"response": 225, "author": "Ann", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (23:06)", "body": ""}, {"response": 226, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jan 25, 2000 (01:05)", "body": "Will you be having a new site when the old one is working so well, or does it still have to be moved? I thought all of your stuff was moved firthst!"}, {"response": 227, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Jan 25, 2000 (08:40)", "body": "You can tell when you're on the new site when it says at the botom of the page of http://www.austen.com : New Site Last Updated 1/25/00 If it doesn't say this, you're on the old site which just says \"last updated\"."}, {"response": 228, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 25, 2000 (08:52)", "body": "Terry, I cannot get into the new site. I have sent you details via email. Could you please look into it and then answer. Karen"}, {"response": 229, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jan 25, 2000 (13:17)", "body": "It does say New Site Last Updated 1/25/00 Thanks!"}, {"response": 230, "author": "Ann", "date": "Tue, Jan 25, 2000 (18:08)", "body": "The http://austen.com address for me now refers to the new site, and it seems to be working great! Any news on when the old computers will go down? I want to know if there is a deadline for when all files must absolutely either be moved or backed up off the old computer."}, {"response": 231, "author": "wolf", "date": "Tue, Jan 25, 2000 (18:55)", "body": "ok, www.austen.com shows a last update of 9/5/99 *frown* for me..... i am completely confused. terry thanks for your never ending patience with us! *HUGS* i tried getting to access using the ip to see if my site was up and i get an error page. i can wait, just wanted to let you know *grin*"}, {"response": 232, "author": "wolf", "date": "Tue, Jan 25, 2000 (18:56)", "body": "but....on austen.com, i used the hyperlink to the new site and that worked and i got the right update date! *smile*"}, {"response": 233, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jan 25, 2000 (19:26)", "body": "Wolfie, try it without the www next time..."}, {"response": 234, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jan 25, 2000 (19:32)", "body": "...for austen.com, that is. My stuff on Spring is not yet available, either. But, that's ok. I can wait."}, {"response": 235, "author": "wolf", "date": "Tue, Jan 25, 2000 (19:50)", "body": "thanks! *grin*"}, {"response": 236, "author": "wolf", "date": "Tue, Jan 25, 2000 (19:50)", "body": ""}, {"response": 237, "author": "Ann", "date": "Tue, Jan 25, 2000 (22:34)", "body": "Is there an agreement between Spring and Barnes and Noble?"}, {"response": 238, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jan 25, 2000 (22:56)", "body": "Ann, not that I am aware of. I just hunted through the main page and the welcome pages where all of the links are and I see nothing for them. Just Amazon.com."}, {"response": 239, "author": "Ann", "date": "Wed, Jan 26, 2000 (07:26)", "body": "On the front page, in the Spring Shopping Mall area, there is a link to B&N. That's why I was wondering. There are actually two links there which go to B&N, both \"Books\" and \"Barnes and Noble\"."}, {"response": 240, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Jan 26, 2000 (09:32)", "body": "I would like to get our conferences and everything moved on spring, austen, firth and all our other sites by the end of the month to save another months enormous cost at our present site. There is even the possibility we could get \"turned off\" at the old site. I need help from Ray and anyone else with Unix expertise to move the conferences to the new site and then work with Kaylene in getting them running again. Time is getting tight, for sure. I think most of austen is moved and the chat room seems to work. I added a few minor embellishments on the new Austen page just so folks would see something \"new\" there and know which page they were on. I edited the word \"editting\" so it's now \"editing\", how's that for some editing! If anyone's offended by these changes, please change them back. I was just playing, honest! New user accounts are available if you email me or anyone else who has admin access at the new site, like Ray, Myretta and Ann. We can expand our admin team. The new sites all have quite a few features we haven't had, the Front Page 2000 extensions are more up to date, there are ecommerce options, there are database capabilities with MySQL, and there are quite a few options for dynamic effects and plug ins (I put a counter at the bottom of the new Austen page, again, feel free to nuke it if this offends anyones sensibilities.) But the key job now is Ray's, getting the conferences moved by tarring them and untarring them on to the new server, they are all located in /usr/bbs. And I have to move all these sites: atlantea.com larainenewman.com bioregion.com love30.com midnightwolf.net tcares.org brucesterling.com miniaturebooks.com teachai.com motorblade.com mustardbath.com tvreviewer.com cooltoys.net mysticalplaces.com tvshows.com eatsolar.com poolgoods.com wearfree.com energywork.com ratthing.com wholetech.com workontheweb.com saveseed.com silkcloth.com The cost of moving each site averages $50. The cost of staying one more month at ddc.net is at least $800. And I'm losing some names right now to lack of payment. So I want to keep the pledge drive going. There may never be a time in the Spring's history when we need funds more than now. This is a very pivotal time for us."}, {"response": 241, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Jan 26, 2000 (10:17)", "body": "I decided to go ahead and tar and move the conferencing right now, all our conferences are now being tarred and then I'll move the tar file over and untar it to a new directory on the new server. Then deal with issues of permisssions, administrative ownership, etc. I got on the phone to Dave Thaler just now (he's the author of Yapp) and discussed this process. I'll do it one step at a time. So whatever is posted from now on, including this post, will not show up at the new conferences. We're movin' on!"}, {"response": 242, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Jan 26, 2000 (10:19)", "body": "Acutally, since it's tarring in alpha order, the above post may show up on the new site, it's on drool now and moving along alphabetically through all the conferences. It looks like this on my screen: ./confs/drool/_34.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig ./confs/drool/_39.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig ./confs/drool/_51.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig ./confs/drool/_46.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig ./confs/drool/_53.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig ./confs/drool/_59.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig ./confs/drool/_67.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig ./confs/drool/_107.orig.orig.orig ./confs/drool/_68.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig ./confs/drool/_72.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig ./confs/drool/_93.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig ./confs/drool/_97.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig ./confs/drool/_98.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig ./confs/drool/_99.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig ./confs/drool/_127 ./confs/drool/_102.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig ./confs/drool/_104.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig.orig"}, {"response": 243, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Jan 26, 2000 (10:30)", "body": "It's still tarring."}, {"response": 244, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jan 31, 2000 (23:46)", "body": "It's done, and now 5 days later, we're up and running on the new site."}, {"response": 245, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Feb  1, 2000 (03:21)", "body": "Congratulations, Terry & all who participated in the transfer. Ah, the clean fresh air on the new server!"}, {"response": 246, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  1, 2000 (08:33)", "body": "Great Terry! Congrats that everything seems to be working. Now, how do we get our Drool page layout back? I know these icons are standard on the other conferences, but we'd like our cool waters and coordinated buttons. How can this be done? Karen"}, {"response": 247, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  1, 2000 (08:45)", "body": ""}, {"response": 248, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb  1, 2000 (10:52)", "body": "Brighter colors, faster access or is it my imagination. I 'm going to like the new territory.Thanks all ."}, {"response": 249, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Feb  1, 2000 (12:32)", "body": "Thanks, I'm surprised we're not getting more glitch reports. I'm ecstatic that we're running on the new server and folks accounts are working. It wasn't easy, it took Mike's system admin efforts, Kaylenes programming skill and your contributions to make this all work. It really was a concerted, team effort and I'm very grateful for everyone's help. We really pulled together this time. I'm going to defer to William (wer) on the Yapp stuff, as he's built up most of this, I called him last night and gave him admin access so he can work his magic on the new place. Email William, Karen, if you will. I clicked the button in FrontPage 2000 for brighter colors. FP2000 is a double edged sword, it makes it easy for newcomers to generate web pages but it messes with already constructed pages sometimes. It's our unruly uncle in the basement. Whew! We made it! Now I've got to move all those other domains and then shut down the servers. Make sure you save stuff you need off the old servers!"}, {"response": 250, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Feb  1, 2000 (15:14)", "body": "I like the way it downloads with a scrolling action instead of the entire thing showing up after a long pause as in the old server."}, {"response": 251, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Feb  1, 2000 (15:20)", "body": "I am a patient person. I definitely will defer to William on all things Yapp that I do not feel competent enough to handle - including most of the esthetic things on Geo. Now, if I could only get into my files... Probably just as well I cannot as I most assuredly would mess them up if I could right now! I am grateful to all who labored (and it is seriously draining mental labor) on our behalf to make this place a reality again."}, {"response": 252, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Feb  1, 2000 (16:59)", "body": "Is it a fact that posting using the old ip will render your post null and void? Maggie is posting several places and they are not showing up on the URL topics. Be aware you must be using the www.spring.net URL to have your responses posted. I think..."}, {"response": 253, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  1, 2000 (17:09)", "body": "Things are getting posted at numeric Spring (old Spring), but they will not get moved over here. What's here is here. What's there now, will go down the proverbial drain when the plug is pulled...unless someone manually copies and pastes from there to here. All cleared up?"}, {"response": 254, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Feb  1, 2000 (19:10)", "body": "Yep, that's it Karen, the old server will be up for another day or two, maybe longer, so copy and paste whatever you need. But don't bother posting on the old system, just post here using the domain name."}, {"response": 255, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Feb  1, 2000 (19:23)", "body": "Gotcha! But lots of people are posting the new/old-fashioned way...*sigh*"}, {"response": 256, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Feb  1, 2000 (19:58)", "body": "It's hard to get the word out. We're missing posts, btw, but I can live with it. I just added Topic 128 to take over for crowded 123 on the old site (sorry) and it didn't carry over but since we're 100 postings fewer on 123 here no need to start up another just yet."}, {"response": 257, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Feb  1, 2000 (20:08)", "body": "Part 6? Yessssssssss!"}, {"response": 258, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Feb  1, 2000 (22:38)", "body": ""}, {"response": 259, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Feb  1, 2000 (23:41)", "body": "Incredible. Amazing. And, more than a little confusing for some!"}, {"response": 260, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Feb  1, 2000 (23:44)", "body": "The only thing I have noticed that Geo lost was topic 26 which I re-created."}, {"response": 261, "author": "Ann", "date": "Wed, Feb  2, 2000 (08:00)", "body": "I got this e-mail today: Date: Wed, 02 Feb 2000 03:38:49 PST Dear Ann, I am still unable to get into Austen.com. In fact I am unable to get into www.spring.net as well. Am I the only one from outside the US (I'm from Malaysia) who is unable to get into these sites? This is very frustrating. I cannot figure out why this is. My husband thinks that it could be because of the new 128-bit connection available in new sites in the US which is not available outside the US is the cause. I am completely clueless about this. Appreciate any assistance you may render. If not, this is just an end of nearly 2 years lurking and enjoying all the stories posted in DWG, Novel Idea & Drool. If I am unable ever to get into these sites again, can you please convey my heartiest appreciation to all the authors in DWG & Novel Idea for their creative and most entertaining writing. cheers, sheriMD"}, {"response": 262, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  2, 2000 (08:11)", "body": "Ann, Is there some way of contacting her? Her email address? Thanks for passing it on. Karen"}, {"response": 263, "author": "Ann", "date": "Wed, Feb  2, 2000 (10:07)", "body": "Karen, I forwarded her e-mail to you."}, {"response": 264, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb  2, 2000 (21:49)", "body": "Resp 262 of 263: Marcia (MarciaH) Wed, Feb 2, 2000 (17:56) 2 lines Good...but I think we are back to old Spring right now...and I am telnetting so this will also disappear... Topic 43 of 69: 'How's your connection to the Spring? ' Resp 263 of 263: Karen (KarenR) Wed, Feb 2, 2000 (18:37) 1 lines Nothing disappears. I checked and yesterday's messages on 123 are still there. ******************************** Wanna bet??? This is from telnet and we were evaporated !"}, {"response": 265, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  2, 2000 (21:57)", "body": "Marcia, I can plug in Redisplay -20 and get how ever number of old messages desired from the old site. Here's one from yesterday at #123. They aren't disappearing from the regular website. Karen Topic 123 of 128 [drool]: Colin Firth (Part 6) Response 1970 of 1987: Ann W (amw) * Tue, Feb 1, 2000 (17:10) * 2 lines a surprise awaits you here Karen, I can't get this page, can you put it here."}, {"response": 266, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb  2, 2000 (22:51)", "body": "Curious! Redisplay was not working before it shut down altogether this morning (for me)...it works fine now. Other glitches are when you access topic X.x you get the entire topic instead from that x response onward. Curious!"}, {"response": 267, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb  2, 2000 (22:53)", "body": "Btw, I just spent several hours checking through my topics throughout Spring and all of Geo to repost missing messages. I think I have gotten them all - at least the ones affected by this recent change over...I hope!"}, {"response": 268, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb  3, 2000 (07:52)", "body": "Is there a way to link the new location from the old location? sorta like a click here? Terry keeps telling people to post to the new boards, but even I didn't know how to go about getting here!"}, {"response": 269, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  3, 2000 (07:58)", "body": ""}, {"response": 270, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, Feb  3, 2000 (08:17)", "body": "Old site is http://206.97.234.70 New site is http://www.spring.net or http://208.165.85.156 Keep the ip address for backup purposes, bookmark it in the unlikely event nameservers start acting up."}, {"response": 271, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, Feb  3, 2000 (09:02)", "body": "How's your connection to the new Spring site? Is anyone having any problems?"}, {"response": 272, "author": "aschuth", "date": "Thu, Feb  3, 2000 (12:24)", "body": "Cool runnings here."}, {"response": 273, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  3, 2000 (12:26)", "body": "8am HST all is up and working well, thank you. I seem to be able to find messages which were missing yesterday. Thanks for all of the hard work behind the scenes in Spring Heaven where the magicians and angels live. Lots of appreciative *hugs* and warm fragrant breezes from Hawaii for your efforts!"}, {"response": 274, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Feb  4, 2000 (00:17)", "body": "Could someone please tell me what address to use now to telnet to the Spring? Please?"}, {"response": 275, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb  4, 2000 (08:16)", "body": "Shouldn't it be this one that Terry just left? http://208.165.85.156 (using the telnet prefix)"}, {"response": 276, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Feb  4, 2000 (09:11)", "body": "telnet accounts haven't been set up yet, I'm looking in to how to set this up on the new site."}, {"response": 277, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Feb  4, 2000 (17:35)", "body": "Ok, thanks!"}, {"response": 278, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Feb  5, 2000 (10:12)", "body": "Got another person who can't get to Austen.com: --- Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2000 02:09:38 -0800 (PST) From: serena s Subject: new url for DWG Dear Ann, Please help! I've been deprived of the guild from 27th january.. I kept checking back to the old tea room but the latest post seem to date right back to the 27th o january.. Is there a new url for DWG? Thanks, Ann. Serena. --- I sent her an e-mail asking where in the world she resides. If she's in Asia too, I might see a pattern with the other person from Malaysia who can not get in."}, {"response": 279, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sat, Feb  5, 2000 (10:16)", "body": "I don't know why these folks can't get in, can they get in to the main site and in to http://www.spring.net ? Will you ask serena to email me direct, Ann? I'd be happy to try and help her get connected. Has she tried the direct ip address?"}, {"response": 280, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Feb  5, 2000 (11:19)", "body": "I just gave her the numeric IP today. I haven't heard whether she can get in using that or not. If you want to talk to her, her e-mail is: serena484@yahoo.com Also, SheriMD can't get in, and she has tried the numeric. Her address is: sherizan@hotmail.com (She's in Malaysia, maybe their routers are slower to upgrade to the new adresses than in the US)."}, {"response": 281, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sat, Feb  5, 2000 (11:39)", "body": "I think that's what's happening. But I'll email her. I want everyone to have access!"}, {"response": 282, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sat, Feb  5, 2000 (11:54)", "body": "I told her about http://208.171.121.122 and to try it if she can't get in my domain name address. At least she'll be able to get to the site still it starts resolving in her area."}, {"response": 283, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Feb  5, 2000 (14:00)", "body": "Telnet does not work today for me - the old one has been disconnected?! And, we await the new accounts. Hmmm...but three are telnetting at the moment. They definitely know something I do not know. But, that's ok, too! What I do not know I cannot mess up - much...!"}, {"response": 284, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (09:06)", "body": "There does seem to be a Malaysia problem with connecting: ------------ From: serena s Subject: Re: new url for DWG To: \"Ann of Austen.com\" Thanks for the reply. But the numeric version of the address doesnt work as well. And yes, i am from Malaysia. Is there a backup remedy for this problem? Thanks, Ann. ------------ So both Serena and SheriMD are in Malaysia and can't get through."}, {"response": 285, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (09:25)", "body": "I'll continue to work with them on this."}, {"response": 286, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (10:05)", "body": "I realize all you folks at Spring are very busy, but if you could put the login button back on the new main page it would be much appreciated. Thanks."}, {"response": 287, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (11:42)", "body": "Main page of Drool or main page of Spring?"}, {"response": 288, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (11:44)", "body": "BTW if you use http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/drool/all/new you will get an automatic pop-up box for you to use to login."}, {"response": 289, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (13:09)", "body": "Main page of Drool or main page of Spring? Main [home] page of Spring. Thanks for your help, Marcia, but I share my computer and don't use a bookmark (trust me, there's a method to my madness)."}, {"response": 290, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (13:21)", "body": "*grin* I understand perfectly! This should be of help, then... http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/main This URL will also cause a opo-up login box to appear. I have an array of conference/all/new buttons on my personal button list which sows up on a bar just below the location space. It is so handy!!!"}, {"response": 291, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (13:24)", "body": "If it is really necessary to keep where you go on the net private, You know how to delet the location bar history? Otherwise it would be very easy to access where you have been going for the truly curious!"}, {"response": 292, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (15:42)", "body": "I'll put the login button back on tonight."}, {"response": 293, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (16:16)", "body": "Marcia: yes. Terry: thanks."}, {"response": 294, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (17:00)", "body": "Eileen, then you are covered. Also dump your document file!!! Email me if there is any question about it (but, youknow that *grin*)"}, {"response": 295, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (09:41)", "body": "Thanks for that login button, Terry, and for your concern, Marcia. XXOO"}, {"response": 296, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (13:10)", "body": "That is one remarkable front page Spring now has. My ex commented: The welcoming page is very attractive, and should make any visitors feel that they have reached a substantial site. I agree!"}, {"response": 297, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (15:36)", "body": "(MarciaH)That is one remarkable front page Spring now has. And i'm quoted there ;-) May I ask questions here about things I don't understand in Drool? Like, where have hundreds of posts gone in the old conferences?"}, {"response": 298, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (15:56)", "body": "Gi, in Drool or in other conferences? I don't think we are missing anything other than the posts from when Terry copied from the old place and we actually started up here."}, {"response": 299, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (17:32)", "body": "Drool is missing hundreds of posts because it is so active during the transfer from one changer to the other. I was able to repost the ones on 113 in Drool and the ones in Geo and my other topics in various conferences which were missing. (I keep files of responses of most of the topics...)"}, {"response": 300, "author": "Ann", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (17:21)", "body": "I looked at the front page ( http://www.spring.net) , and I had a couple problems loading it: Three images didn't load for me: 1) the title bar at the top, 2) the big one in the middle, 3) and the one on the right with \"Maggie on equality...\" In addition, several of the links in the \"What's Cool\" section don't seem to go to the right place: eg. shops, roomates, ICQ, and our webs. Also, the page is too wide for my screen and quite a bit on the right hand margin is getting cut off. I rarely have this problem on other sites, so my screen isn't abnormally small. I use Netscape 4.5, which is not the latest, so maybe my browser isn't compatable with some of the HTML used on the front page."}, {"response": 301, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (17:32)", "body": "Ann, I think it is a work in progress. I have been watching it in amazement for the past few days. The page fits perfectly on my Netscape 4.7 4.5 should be able to handle it. Have you tweaked your monitor screen? (I know you know all about this stuff!) The pictured in the black table to the right do not load because there are no pictured installed there yet...so far...still working...I think...!"}, {"response": 302, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (17:38)", "body": ""}, {"response": 303, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (19:03)", "body": "The main page does not fit on my screen either...and my monitor is tweak-free. Also, some links do not work, as Ann said."}, {"response": 304, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (19:50)", "body": "Like Marcia said, it is still being worked upon and rearranged and so on. Be patient. Your sites are up and humming happily as is Geo... I am wondering why it fits on my monitor even when I shrink it to medium-sized...?!"}, {"response": 305, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (22:10)", "body": "It needs work, I'd be happy to give y'all, Ann, Karen and Marcia author permisson on the page if you like. Wouldn't it be great to make it a team project?"}, {"response": 306, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (22:24)", "body": "sprin5, you know not what you do. Can you see CF balancing the earth ala Atlas clad in loin cloth? *lol* Actually, that might make for interesting stuff but alas, not for your front page. Let us discuss this and get back to you...whew! What a thought!"}, {"response": 307, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (22:29)", "body": "With all due respect, I wish you would continue doing as you contemplated doing. They will never agree to leave Geo things there...and I really appreciate seeing them...and I will not agree to Colin Firth all over the place. There is so much more to Spring than Drool! (ducking under my work station just in case they brought brickbats with them...)"}, {"response": 308, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (22:38)", "body": "Marcia, why would you think we'd want Colin on the front page? And BTW, you are not talking in Inner."}, {"response": 309, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (22:51)", "body": "I know that...why did you think I was? My comments about CF? Just having a bit of fun. Actually, I could see him as the god Vulcan who wore just about nothing. Neptune, Ditto... Ok, I'll be serious here. We could certainly do it. might we wish to toss ideas round somewhere before tackling it? I am a most agreeable person, as you know, and try to get along with all ideas...I am willing to put my meager experience in your more capable hands."}, {"response": 310, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (23:08)", "body": "why did you think I was? The use of \"they\""}, {"response": 311, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (23:16)", "body": "Oops....shoulda been \"us\" Actually, I saw it as a contest for space between austen.com, drool and everything else. There is no reason for that assumption, and I am sorry! Constructively, do you have any ideas?"}, {"response": 312, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (23:28)", "body": "Not really, but thought I would cause trouble anyway. ;-)"}, {"response": 313, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (23:34)", "body": ""}, {"response": 314, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (23:46)", "body": "Of course, but now am off to slumberland...not to be confused with Firthland, a high-class suburb. ;-)"}, {"response": 315, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (08:49)", "body": "We really do need to get organization, form a team, and all. Ideas?"}, {"response": 316, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (12:23)", "body": "It was Evelyn's idea initially...perhaps she will see this or we can post it to her and get her input. She is very good at this sort of thing!"}, {"response": 317, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (16:18)", "body": "Thank you Marcia....for the compliment... I have an idea of a workable committee, that would work in other instances, however I am not knowledgeable of cyber- problems. I suggest that someone ask Myretta re: the overall organization of Pemberley. Although they are set up differently, we could modify and build on their plan.I believe both Ann and Karen know her well enough to inquire. She has always been v. generous with Spring and I know would assist us to organize.My other suggestion would be to ask a representative from Digihost to also serve on the team/committee. There should be periodic meetings....not just meet when there is a crisis. This keeps communication flowing. What do you guys think? I'm excited....A New Era for Spring!"}, {"response": 318, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (17:41)", "body": "Let's hear it for the New Era of Spring (whilst Alexander is working on the advertising dynamics on Porch 31...)"}, {"response": 319, "author": "Ann", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (20:41)", "body": ".I believe both Ann and Karen know her well enough to inquire. } I think I'll leave that one for Karen >:)"}, {"response": 320, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (20:51)", "body": "(Oh yes...!)"}, {"response": 321, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (21:31)", "body": "*guffaw guffaw*"}, {"response": 322, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (21:59)", "body": "Ummm Hmmm... I shall say no more...lest I get...never mind...!"}, {"response": 323, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (08:43)", "body": "I am unable to read the last 50 responses. Is anyone else having this problem? Marcia, I have not been to Geo because of this. I use to be able to click on a post of the last 50, but Geo is not even listed on the Main Menu."}, {"response": 324, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (08:45)", "body": ""}, {"response": 325, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (09:17)", "body": "Thanks, Karen! And little Red Valentine said, \"My, Marcia, what a great big topic you have!\" ;-)"}, {"response": 326, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (11:09)", "body": "Wow!!! What a Valentine to find from Karen and Moon this morning. I am all amazement and delight. Thanks for helping, Karen, and thanks also for your nice comments, Moon. There are all sorts of updating maps and things in there from sunspots in 24 to weather maps for just about everywhere on earth in 14 and updating earthquake map in 26. My fav ones are the Jewels ones in which Karen has held forth on the Darcy Family items of the same - or was that Vulcanism?! We have managed to import Darcy into Geo, as is only appropriate, considering..."}, {"response": 327, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (11:12)", "body": "As to the last 50 posts etc, Terry emailed Kayleen about that. She is the wife of the author of Yapp software and it appears to be a problem with it. Soon hopefully..."}, {"response": 328, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (11:29)", "body": "I had a very nice email from Myretta re: the RoP organization. I shall read it and present my suggestion for you all to work on (NOT adopt)later in the week."}, {"response": 329, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (12:07)", "body": "Excellent news, Evelyn."}, {"response": 330, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (09:11)", "body": "Yep, I'd like to review that."}, {"response": 331, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (06:27)", "body": "What I meant a while ago about lost posts was this: Topic 53 has only 5 posts; Topic 59 has 12; 67 has 12 and 68 has 24. I don't know about others, but I'm sure these were much bigger when first I got into Spring. What happened?"}, {"response": 332, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (09:18)", "body": "Those losses had nothing to do with the move and happened ages ago. They were caused by an inexperienced new host. ;-) (hiding behind the curtain)"}, {"response": 333, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (10:06)", "body": "Oooohhhhh neat!! The Most Recent Postings are back on the main Drool page. Yeah!! Thanks Terry and Kayleen."}, {"response": 334, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (10:25)", "body": "(Karen)Oooohhhhh neat!! The Most Recent Postings are back on the main Drool page. Yeah!! Thanks Terry and Kayleen. Yes, I noticed it too. I was in Geo when it happened, a few moments ago :-) Those losses had nothing to do with the move and happened ages ago. They were caused by an inexperienced new host. ;-) (hiding behind the curtain) Oh! So we'll never read them again? Or has Marcia saved them at some point?"}, {"response": 335, "author": "cfadm", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (10:28)", "body": ""}, {"response": 336, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (10:37)", "body": ""}, {"response": 337, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (10:50)", "body": ""}, {"response": 338, "author": "cfadm", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (11:05)", "body": "They were lost getting drool's back, but that has been corrected."}, {"response": 339, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (11:15)", "body": "Wow, our buttons are back! Thanks so much. Now I think the designer bars need to be removed as well, for aethestic reasons. They're pretty but just don't fit the overall design."}, {"response": 340, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (11:21)", "body": "Just put them in Geo where they are well loved and appreciated *smile*"}, {"response": 341, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (11:30)", "body": "Marcia Has them - shall I send you the 53 file? Email, of course."}, {"response": 342, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (11:37)", "body": "(Marcia)Just put them in Geo where they are well loved and appreciated *smile* I like 'em too:-)"}, {"response": 343, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (11:42)", "body": "...and Marcia does not have them any longer...rather she has the pristine marble bars which were chosen when the conference was first created....*sigh* I know..."}, {"response": 344, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (17:15)", "body": "If we are very polite and wash our hands and put on pretty dresses and act like ladies, may we have a Crafts Conference with Wolf and Marcia as Hosts...or crafters?! Please?"}, {"response": 345, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (17:57)", "body": "...but not before Food conference is brought up to speed and is back to being as lovely as Geo is and Paraspring, and all of those other non-default conferences. Food is the only conference without horizontal bars or other neat things. It makes me very sad to see it that way. Please fix it!"}, {"response": 346, "author": "wolf", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (19:45)", "body": ""}, {"response": 347, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (21:03)", "body": "....oops...we've been found out already? *lol* Dontcha think someone needs to fix the Food conference and Screwed now? You and I could put up little curtains all around and hang copper pots from the ceiling, and wear frilly little aprons and little else (if'n you want to bury the lady idea altogether...) Think I got anyone's attention, Wolfie?!"}, {"response": 348, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (22:07)", "body": "I feel sorry for those buttons and bars... I really liked them, they were \"happy\". I feel a Conference should be created just so they could be used again :-)"}, {"response": 349, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (22:19)", "body": "They are in all other conferences (porch, food, news, cultures, babes, books, austin... on and on) not having their own setup like mine and Wolf's. I think I shall change back and forth as the seasons change, but there was such dedicated work on my behalf today I do not have the heart to change it now... By the end of the weekend, however ..."}, {"response": 350, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (22:34)", "body": "No, if they are on all the others, let them be and bask in your exclusivity ;-)"}, {"response": 351, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (22:43)", "body": "Thank you for saying that. I have been torn all day. They are the default buttons and are wonderful where they are to cheer up the default wallpaper which is really bland and intended to be so. You made me feel very good by your comment. Thank you more than I can say...*hugs* Gi, dear!"}, {"response": 352, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (00:03)", "body": "There is a glare on the bottom of the SpringCam where the phone number is. However, there is enough visible to know that it is one of Terry's Spring.net phones. Tonight is the first time I have not gotten a window saying that the url was not a working one. I am getting \"the wailers in austin, texas\" but I cannot hear anything but what is the computer equivalent of rectifier hum. My problem or Spring's? Otherwise things are splendid on The Spring and it is better than ever. Thanks for all the hard work and sleepless nights. I truly appreciate it! Anything new on Telnetting to Spring?"}, {"response": 353, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (00:05)", "body": "Mike is back! He is the crown jewel of Geo, I am happy to say. I miss others, though..."}, {"response": 354, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (00:06)", "body": "(What does a mom have to do to get her kid-the-geologist onto Spring?! Mine has a pretty neat one, too...*sigh*)"}, {"response": 355, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (10:41)", "body": "well, my connection to the spring is great! my thanks to all those hardworking behind the scenes type people!"}, {"response": 356, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (11:29)", "body": "Mine is, as well...Guess I do not need to hear SpringCam...*sigh* G'morning, Wolfie!"}, {"response": 357, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (17:46)", "body": ""}, {"response": 358, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (18:14)", "body": "bleeding hearts!!! My Mother always had them and I have been away from the temperate zone for so long I have no idea how to grow them. I think I have heard some really pilau music from SpringCam (nevvah mind - did not like it so no loss!) and an occasional guy discussing things local Austin that I had no idea about. Mostly I am hunting for our fearless leader in blond ringlets or some other permutation and so far I have not seen him at all on SpringCam Ree...Yes. Terry...No. *sigh*"}, {"response": 359, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (18:19)", "body": "Even though this is hardly the topic... my bleeding hearts (which have taken over an entire terraced area, daffodils, columbine, and iris are pushing way up out of the ground. This idiotic weather. Everything here thinks it time to come out. Stupid plants! Don't they know it's still February. ;-)"}, {"response": 360, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (18:43)", "body": "http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/garden/2/new Actually... A friend in North Carolina said each time the snow melted the dandelions were blooming under the ice and snow and were all pretty and green and yellow. He said it was surrealistic!"}, {"response": 361, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (20:22)", "body": "Now playing on Spring's webcam, Colin Firth in Turn of the Screw, full motion fvideo and sound."}, {"response": 362, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (20:27)", "body": "Thanks, Terry! We do not get it until this evening!"}, {"response": 363, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (20:30)", "body": "Terry!!! It'excellent quality sound and picture. Wow!!! HE is speaking... *sigh* Very much appreciated!!!"}, {"response": 364, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (22:09)", "body": "And after that there was this cool poetry show. About Rumi poetry."}, {"response": 365, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (22:41)", "body": "Now playing, the Wailers, some hot mamas and some great reggae musicians, from the the live show the other night. Shot it with my digital camcorder. What a rockin' good time, man, I danced heavily for two hours."}, {"response": 366, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (23:52)", "body": "Did anyone catch that? Gotta watch really carefully!!!"}, {"response": 367, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (00:14)", "body": "You are loud and clear and wonderful and I love it!!!"}, {"response": 368, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (00:33)", "body": ""}, {"response": 369, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (00:39)", "body": "Yup! got it! Wish there were some way to save it here!"}, {"response": 370, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (01:41)", "body": "I even tried to pause on your image and using LviewPro to save you as part of the desktop capture. Your image turned into a pink screen. I am all disappointed. How do we get a picture of you like you look now? Much better, I might add. Men get better and better - like fine wine!"}, {"response": 371, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (01:50)", "body": "Nice house - needs some soft touches but no sound! (Hawaii still awake - IO sleeping elsewhere tonight...)"}, {"response": 372, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (01:54)", "body": "Love the side views - literally side...This must be the lovely house which you took a camera to hide behind. Lovely, like you said! And...of course no sound...tis a slide show!"}, {"response": 373, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (08:07)", "body": "It's still playing as a tape, the Wailers, Elota's play, Wimberly. It went to a blue screen for the latter part of last night."}, {"response": 374, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (11:01)", "body": "Then I did not miss anything. Excellent!"}, {"response": 375, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (17:44)", "body": "(((((((((( TERRY )))))))))) SpringCam is making really nasty loud noises and the screen is black and blank, too. Help!"}, {"response": 376, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (10:06)", "body": "Firth.com and its chatroom are missing. Tried www.colinfirth.com, but that didn't get me there either."}, {"response": 377, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (11:01)", "body": "Karen, when the cf domain problem gets resolved, would you consider listing The CF Chat Room with the other websites at the top of Drool? Then I wouldn't have to go to favorites first. Thank you:-)"}, {"response": 378, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (13:50)", "body": "I'll consider it. ;-)"}, {"response": 379, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (16:04)", "body": ""}, {"response": 380, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (09:02)", "body": "I finally finished the move to our own nameservers, ns1.spring.net and ns2.spring.net so some things may be broken. The admins of cf may have to do a bit of patching, even though I tried to keep everyting intact. If anyone needs access information please email me terry@spring.net Today is the last day the old servers will run at the old Austin colocate facility so if you need anything off of 206.97.234.70 or 206.97.234.73 get it today."}, {"response": 381, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (09:08)", "body": "I moved a *bunch* of sites last night to new locations: primoincense.com 207.0.32.100 atlantea.com 207.0.32.119 lifespaces.com 207.0.32.120 mysticalplaces.com 207.0.32.121 motorblade.com 207.0.32.122 miniaturebooks.com 207.0.32.123 colinfirth.com 207.0.32.155 firth.com 207.0.32.155 bioregion.com 207.0.32.157 childrenstory.com 207.0.32.158 tvreviewer.com 207.0.32.159 poolgoods.com 207.0.32.160 workontheweb.com 207.0.32.161 wholetech.com 207.0.32.162 saveseed.com 207.0.32.163 silkcloth.com 207.0.32.164 golftravel.net 207.0.32.165 divecruise.com 207.0.32.166 ns1.spring.net 208.165.65.27 ns2.spring.net 208.165.67.233 eatsolar.com 208.165.68.149 spring.net 208.165.85.156 austen.com 208.171.121.122 suzyamis.com 208.171.121.38 repeater.org 208.171.127.70 Not all of these are built, some are concept sites. But this is our current roster of websites. Note that firth.com is a *pointer* to colinfirth.com. Some folks who have authorship on these sites will need to email me for access. If anyone wants to volunteer to work on any of these sites plese email me terry@spring.net or post something here."}, {"response": 382, "author": "wolf", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (12:26)", "body": "i'm willing to help out if i can. let me know what you need, terry!"}, {"response": 383, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Fri, Mar  3, 2000 (06:56)", "body": "You can visit some of these sites and say what you like or don't like, or suggest a direction for future growth. austen.com is now surpassing spring.net in overall traffic and bandwidth."}, {"response": 384, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Mar  3, 2000 (22:50)", "body": "That is pleasing and gratifying to know! Ann, Congratulations!"}, {"response": 385, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sat, Mar  4, 2000 (03:31)", "body": "Austen is really growing in size and bandwidth."}, {"response": 386, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Mar  4, 2000 (10:14)", "body": "How much growth can this new server handle. Wolf is afraid to post pictures for fear of over-loading the Spring's share of their hard drives or however it is being done. I am also concerned about that..."}, {"response": 387, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar  4, 2000 (11:36)", "body": "*Clap* , *Clap*I applaud DWG and Ann at the helm."}, {"response": 388, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sat, Mar  4, 2000 (15:31)", "body": "We're already maxing out, but that's ok, we'll just run a pledge drive. Or I could go down to the freeway and hang out with a sign \"Will work for bandwidth!\"."}, {"response": 389, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Mar  4, 2000 (15:34)", "body": "No nononononono! Geo is hot these days, but I shall cut back on my postings. Have you posted this information on the email message board that was set up so you don't have to do that?! Time to rattle the cages again?! NO playing on the Freeway, Please! We NEED you!!!"}, {"response": 390, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (07:53)", "body": "Since austen.com is getting so incredibly popular. It's off the charts, a little ecommerce, like Visto and some click though programs to booksellers, etc ought to help as well, depending on how the powers at be at austen feel about that."}, {"response": 391, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (08:35)", "body": "Terry, isn't this the kind of discussion that should be occurring on springcom?"}, {"response": 392, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (16:46)", "body": "maybe you should post something at austin.com for donations. make them pay for their site?"}, {"response": 393, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (16:49)", "body": "Most definitely! If they are using most of the bandwidth..."}, {"response": 394, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (16:50)", "body": "i still don't understand the bandwidth thing but know about taking up space. do you want me to start posting pics as hotlinks to save space? i can do it again if need be. (still got my geo account and it's got lots of room for now)"}, {"response": 395, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (16:54)", "body": "I can delete Ree's paintings from my space on Spring's hard drive too and portraits os Springizens, as well. (Wolfie, I think you and I are not using all of the space - I'll bet it is other stuff not even on Spring...)"}, {"response": 396, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (16:57)", "body": "well, if you delete ree's paintings, save them to disk! we don't want to lose any of her artwork at all."}, {"response": 397, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (16:58)", "body": "they really belong in the artcentaur project we started. am waiting further instructions from ree-ree for building it up!"}, {"response": 398, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (16:59)", "body": "I just deleted two files from Geo...I have them on my hard drive in case anyone wants them posted again....*sigh*"}, {"response": 399, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (17:01)", "body": "I have Ree's stuff saved on my computer!...and all other stuff originally on the old hard drive. It should be on ArtCentaur...but all I have seen of it was the topic and a few posts..."}, {"response": 400, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (17:06)", "body": "yep. the domain did get registered but right after, ree went back to school and has been rather scarce. don't know whether we should press with it or wait. *sigh*"}, {"response": 401, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (17:10)", "body": ""}, {"response": 402, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (17:15)", "body": "i want to wait too...."}, {"response": 403, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (18:07)", "body": "*hugs* Wolfie. It just won't be the same otherwise... We need Ree to be here to untie the maile lei which I insist on supplying!"}, {"response": 404, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (11:04)", "body": "Terry, It would appear that I will need to remove my Bucket site from Spring. Again, your Frontpage defaults overrode my pages' formatting specifications and I had to re-FTP mine. This is the second time in less than a week I've had to do so. This doesn't take into account my time to eliminate of all the duplicate files created by the program, which I assume also take up server space, which you are paying for. Karen"}, {"response": 405, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (14:56)", "body": "My connection to The Spring is splendid as far as using the Net. Is there a chance in this lifetime that I might have another telnet account established before I forget all that I learned? I would really appreciate it very much. I note that three different accounts are logged in the old way right now..."}, {"response": 406, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Wed, Mar 22, 2000 (05:40)", "body": "It may be that you have to get your own website to get a telent account. I'm still figuring this one out. And it might be that you could only telnet to your own website server. Now if that server were the same one (baldur) that the spring is hosted on you would have access."}, {"response": 407, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Mar 22, 2000 (11:17)", "body": "OK...I'll wait for now. Do you mean my own website on my isp or elsewhere or do you mean my own website on The Spring?"}, {"response": 408, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, Mar 23, 2000 (04:44)", "body": "I mean you might have to have your own dedicated website on baldur."}, {"response": 409, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar 23, 2000 (11:39)", "body": "I need to discuss this with someone to whom I cannot speak right now. I'll just wait till things calm down some more then talk directly with baldur...is that the way I should attack this problem? I still cannot understand why I cannot telnet in from my account on Hawaii-on-line. Might have a go at it again."}, {"response": 410, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Mar 24, 2000 (20:50)", "body": "Thanks for talking to me about this, Terry...Will talk to Kat about it on Monday. Thanks! I'll let you know what she says...!"}, {"response": 411, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Apr  1, 2000 (13:36)", "body": "Just a little note to remind the rest of the United States that you will \"Spring Forward on hour at 2AM tomorrow but Hawaii remains on Standard time. That means Austin will be 5 hours ahead of us (when it is 10am in Austin, it is only 5am in Hawaii) and the East coast will be 6 hours ahead of us. It is as though 1000 miles of ocean is being slipped between us and the Mainland. Aloha."}, {"response": 412, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Apr  1, 2000 (13:57)", "body": ""}, {"response": 413, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Apr  1, 2000 (14:16)", "body": "I shall post it in there, but our handsome and fearless leader does not go into Geo unless I truss and haul him in all by my little self...so I thought I would put it out here, first with the hope that he just might see it. It is amazingly confusing to the rest of the world as to whether we are 5 hours ahead or behind everybody. Just remember, Hawaii is the last place in America to get anything - including the day. Theoretically, that means we should know if the world is going to end tomorrow, because most of you are there already and are still posting!"}, {"response": 414, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Apr  1, 2000 (14:17)", "body": "According to Maggie, they went on British Summer Time last weekend."}, {"response": 415, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Apr  1, 2000 (14:19)", "body": "MEXICO CITY - Debate flares over the adoption of daylight- savings time in Mexico. Among the evils of daylight-savings enumerated by Mexican Senator Felix Salgado is the strain it puts on good marital relations. Ever since it was introduced, six years ago, setting the clock back has caused distress among Latin lovers who are unable to engage in their 'mananero' (Spanish for morning quickie - really!) because wives have to take their children to school an hour earlier. In Salgado's defense, he also mentions the risk that school- children face, venturing out on crime-ridden streets in the dark, but with elections just months away he's focusing on the issues that really hit home."}, {"response": 416, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr  1, 2000 (16:38)", "body": "Thanks, Marcia, I had just noticed it on my calendar. I hate this one. :-("}, {"response": 417, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Apr  1, 2000 (16:51)", "body": "Me too...we will be farther from civilization than ever."}, {"response": 418, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Apr  1, 2000 (23:07)", "body": "While you're shifting your clocks...remember to check the batteries on your smoke detectors!"}, {"response": 419, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Apr  1, 2000 (23:14)", "body": "Thanks for that, Ann. We don't shift our clocks but we do need to check the batteries in the smoke detectors. Mahalo!"}, {"response": 420, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Apr 14, 2000 (12:23)", "body": "Terry requested I put this comment on Porch. I thought this topic would reach the most people: We need a way to post to topics via email ...-wlll you please post this in porch? I am trying to figure how it would be possible to email Spring and show up as a posting. Login? How? More information as it becomes available. Till then, any thoughts ?"}, {"response": 421, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (08:25)", "body": "Spring is taking a very long time to load and refresh for me? Anyone else having this problem. I'm not experiencing it with any other sites."}, {"response": 422, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (09:08)", "body": "Have called digihost. Problem is all fixed. :-)"}, {"response": 423, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (09:37)", "body": ""}, {"response": 424, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (09:42)", "body": "Webtrends, man. I never saw such detailed stats on our site. Whois is fitzwd in place 6?"}, {"response": 425, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (11:13)", "body": "fitwd is a Droolian lady. Firthian, actually"}, {"response": 426, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (11:15)", "body": "Sheesh - I knew I was busy here, but did not think I was that overwhelming. Shall I just slink back to my cave? (I am trying to keep stuff going while the usual busy poster is on Hiatus (that cursed Greek (?) island...)"}, {"response": 427, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (13:07)", "body": "No! Keep on truckin' Marci! Stay out in the daylight, you don't want that dark 'ol cave."}, {"response": 428, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (13:09)", "body": "That's for sure! I'll be here when I'm not doing baseball stuff in real life for the UHHilo Vulcans (we have no short name for us, unfortunately - other than \"the Vuls\")"}, {"response": 429, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (13:11)", "body": "Great!"}, {"response": 430, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (13:28)", "body": "...I'm doin' it even as we read this stuff here. I gotta lotta stuff to post, and I just can't let a comment go uncommented upon...*sigh* (Like this one!)"}, {"response": 431, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (13:30)", "body": "Can't believe Geo and Food (only that one gluttony topic someone once called it) broke Drool's stranglehold on the top 10 busiest conferences...Yippee! Congratulations to the hosts *smile*"}, {"response": 432, "author": "stacey", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (16:59)", "body": "neato stats Paul!"}, {"response": 433, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (19:23)", "body": "If Drool has so many hits...why do so few people post? ~~~~~ I personally don't care...but do you think these stats showing the top ten users should be posted on a public board? Maybe we should respect people's privacy. Or at least warn them ?"}, {"response": 434, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (19:39)", "body": ""}, {"response": 435, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (19:49)", "body": "If I want Big Brother to watch me, I can get enough of that at work. Don't need it in my recreational time."}, {"response": 436, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (20:16)", "body": "Aloha Donna! Terry is anything but Big Brother. But, perhaps he is not the one with which lies your concern. I live with one I am breaking of that nasty habit. I appreciate your adversity to the very idea."}, {"response": 437, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (20:21)", "body": "Hi Marcia. Sorry if my response sounded edgy. The stats reminded me too much of the workplace :-( In a better mood now :-)"}, {"response": 438, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (20:48)", "body": "I know...and that is why I identified you as I did when Terry wondered who fitzwd was. Been there, done that, have the T-shirt (and all the rest of that stuff) *hugs* for being so regular in your posting. We need more to be that way!"}, {"response": 439, "author": "wolf", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (21:04)", "body": "well, i don't really care if i'm listed on the top users. the only one who can link it to me is terry and a limited few others. big brother's watching anyway, so smile at the camera!"}, {"response": 440, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (23:05)", "body": "Hey, I didn't mean any bigbrothishness! On a lighter, less personal note, Saturday is the lonliest day of the week! Activity Level by Day of the Week Day Hits % of Total Hits User Sessions 1 Sun 91,712 13.51% 19,092 2 Mon 123,738 18.23% 24,313 3 Tue 117,172 17.26% 22,627 4 Wed 118,037 17.39% 21,776 5 Thu 112,797 16.61% 21,954 6 Fri 104,171 15.34% 20,605 7 Sat 11,073 1.63% 2,778 Total Weekdays 575,915 84.85% 111,275 Total Weekend 102,785 15.14% 21,870"}, {"response": 441, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (23:06)", "body": "And Monday is the least lonely, most active. But Saturday, the Spring must roll up the sidewalks!"}, {"response": 442, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (23:09)", "body": "We're also night people. Activity Level by Hours Details Hour # of Hits % of Total Hits # of User Sessions 00:00-00:59 21,897 3.22% 4,885 01:00-01:59 17,346 2.55% 4,088 02:00-02:59 15,663 2.3% 3,438 03:00-03:59 14,526 2.14% 3,389 04:00-04:59 13,710 2.02% 2,797 05:00-05:59 15,425 2.27% 2,757 06:00-06:59 15,276 2.25% 3,186 07:00-07:59 18,262 2.69% 3,805 08:00-08:59 21,602 3.18% 4,763 09:00-09:59 25,412 3.74% 5,660 10:00-10:59 32,825 4.83% 6,537 11:00-11:59 33,591 4.94% 6,225 12:00-12:59 36,660 5.4% 6,581 13:00-13:59 37,469 5.52% 6,822 14:00-14:59 37,539 5.53% 7,103 15:00-15:59 39,025 5.74% 7,446 16:00-16:59 42,668 6.28% 7,819 17:00-17:59 38,658 5.69% 7,189 18:00-18:59 37,994 5.59% 6,975 19:00-19:59 35,109 5.17% 6,497 20:00-20:59 36,492 5.37% 6,675 21:00-21:59 34,419 5.07% 6,297 22:00-22:59 29,826 4.39% 6,306 23:00-23:59 27,306 4.02% 5,905 Total Users during Work Hours (8:00am-5:00pm) 306,791 45.2% 58,956 Total Users during After Hours (5:01pm-7:59am) 371,909 54.79% 74,189 All this from http://www.spring.net/_webtrends"}, {"response": 443, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (23:10)", "body": ""}, {"response": 444, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (23:11)", "body": ""}, {"response": 445, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 21, 2000 (09:30)", "body": ""}, {"response": 446, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Apr 21, 2000 (10:01)", "body": "Interesting stats. You wondered why so few people post when we get so many hits, Evelyn. Did you notice that in this 2-month+ time period, there were 30796 one time user visits but only 1,179 users who visited 10 or more times? We must have scared off the first-timers from ever visiting again. ;-) Also, if it makes even one person uncomfortable about having a personal stat posted here, I think we should take it off. I saved the site though for future reference. Illuminating."}, {"response": 447, "author": "wolf", "date": "Fri, Apr 21, 2000 (11:40)", "body": "terry, you're gonna explode with all that info!!"}, {"response": 448, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Apr 21, 2000 (14:20)", "body": "I, for one, love to see stats - it is the only way I can really tell how Geo is doing when we have a lot of responses being posted. I requested to know some time ago if there were a way for me to tell how well Geo was doing in comparison with other conferences, including Drool. I appreciate knowing, and I thank you!"}, {"response": 449, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Fri, Apr 21, 2000 (14:50)", "body": "Yep, sorry if anyone was offended. I didn't mean to hurt anyones feelings. I'm just a nut for statistics. I'm curious as to how our site is doing. Stats are available for our other sites as well. And speaking of other sites: Month to date plan bandwidth [HELP] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Domain Name Bandwidth Used PCT austen.com 2,746,026 KB 55.42% spring.net 1,189,254 KB 24.00% childrenstory.com 572,185 KB 11.55% colinfirth.com 262,895 KB 5.31% repeater.org 15,675 KB 0.32% georgebush2000.net 4,125 KB 0.08% mitchie.com 3,407 KB 0.07% eatsolar.com 1,733 KB 0.03% tcares.org 1,516 KB 0.03% silkcloth.com 1,078 KB 0.02% mysticalplaces.com 931 KB 0.02% atlantea.com 887 KB 0.02% bioregion.com 808 KB 0.02% motorblade.com 731 KB 0.01% suzyamis.com 560 KB 0.01% golftravel.net 301 KB 0.01% workontheweb.com 149 KB 0.00% lifespaces.com 127 KB 0.00% divecruise.com 90 KB 0.00% saveseed.com 77 KB 0.00% miniaturebooks.com 67 KB 0.00% primoincense.com 63 KB 0.00% webarter.net 44 KB 0.00% tvreviewer.com 43 KB 0.00% wholetech.com 20 KB 0.00% jefftv.com 19 KB 0.00% poolgoods.com 19 KB 0.00% Total Bandwidth 4.95 GB"}, {"response": 450, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Apr 21, 2000 (15:39)", "body": "What on Austen.com is consuming so much bandwidth? Is it sheer volume of words or something else? I think they need to help you raise money to afford you more bandwidth. While I am deleting things from my tiny hard drive space, they are off and flying and I am beginning to resent that....Please explain, as Ann is my hero(ine) so far..."}, {"response": 451, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Apr 21, 2000 (15:40)", "body": "Oh, and could you bread down how the conferences on Spring are doing as far as bandwidth is concerned. Thanks! In other words, should I shut down Geo???"}, {"response": 452, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Fri, Apr 21, 2000 (17:36)", "body": "No way should you shut down geo or delete *any* of your stuff. The bandwidth is used by much bigger files, mostly log files and archives. I am dealing with these issues so you don't have to worry about them. Bandwidth refers to the information being transferred over the web, not to the amount of disk space anyway. It means that austen.com is very, very popular these days. Disk usage looks like this: Week to date plan disk usage [HELP] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Domain Name Date Updated Data Storage Used PCT spring.net 2000-04-19 1,057,143 KB 80.85% austen.com 2000-04-20 134,736 KB 10.30% childrenstory.com 2000-04-20 37,920 KB 2.90% colinfirth.com 2000-04-20 20,167 KB 1.54% mitchie.com 2000-04-20 7,784 KB 0.60% repeater.org 2000-04-20 7,762 KB 0.59% atlantea.com 2000-04-20 6,728 KB 0.51% tcares.org 2000-04-20 3,789 KB 0.29% silkcloth.com 2000-04-20 2,618 KB 0.20% eatsolar.com 2000-04-20 2,405 KB 0.18% georgebush2000.net 2000-04-20 1,407 KB 0.11% poolgoods.com 2000-04-20 1,315 KB 0.10% golftravel.net 2000-04-20 1,284 KB 0.10% bioregion.com 2000-04-20 1,254 KB 0.10% primoincense.com 2000-04-20 994 KB 0.08% mysticalplaces.com 2000-04-20 978 KB 0.07% suzyamis.com 2000-04-20 934 KB 0.07% jefftv.com 2000-04-20 874 KB 0.07% motorblade.com 2000-04-20 702 KB 0.05% saveseed.com 2000-04-20 665 KB 0.05% webarter.net 2000-04-20 633 KB 0.05% lifespaces.com 2000-04-20 631 KB 0.05% divecruise.com 2000-04-20 630 KB 0.05% miniaturebooks.com 2000-04-20 625 KB 0.05% tvreviewer.com 2000-04-20 620 KB 0.05% workontheweb.com 2000-04-20 607 KB 0.05% wholetech.com 2000-04-20 582 KB 0.04% Total Disk Usage 1307.60 MB I think you'll see a big decline in spring.net's disk space soon. But don't worry about it Marcia! Use all you want."}, {"response": 453, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Apr 21, 2000 (18:03)", "body": "Thanks, Terry. Understand about the size of the files, and I try my utmost to keep them manageable - most especially the image ones. I know this also worried Wolfie who has not posted many pictures on her collecting conference since you mentioned about the bandwidth problems. Thanks for the clarifications. Log files are killers. My son just had to deal with the company-he-works-for's \"Log Jam\" and deleted an incredible amount of \"stuff\" which was no longer relevant."}, {"response": 454, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Fri, Apr 21, 2000 (19:22)", "body": "Y'all stop being paranoid. You are not the problem, you're the solution! Your a teeny, tiny drop in the bucket of our disk pool, but your content far outweighs the space you use. Don't worry. Be happy. Use our disk space for your noble pursuits. Keep on keepin' on."}, {"response": 455, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Apr 21, 2000 (19:51)", "body": "Yippee!!! Just What I needed to know... I shall not doubt again. Not being paranoid...just concerned about you and your commitment to Spring and its importance in our lives. The best people in the world post here. I *know* that! Now, I'll go convince Wolfie and we'll be back in business *grin*"}, {"response": 456, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Fri, Apr 21, 2000 (22:21)", "body": ""}, {"response": 457, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Apr 22, 2000 (01:06)", "body": "I've started a fundraiser on Austen.com, so I hope that pulls in some money for you. I'd be happy to try to cut down on the bandwidth, but I don't know how it all works. Would bandwidth decrease, if some of the often-loaded files were smaller? Any other ways to decrease it?"}, {"response": 458, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 22, 2000 (08:19)", "body": "Your bandwidth was so high due to the chatroom, which no longer exists."}, {"response": 459, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 22, 2000 (08:21)", "body": "Bandwidth is the amount of data flowing through the pipes, not the stored data."}, {"response": 460, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sat, Apr 22, 2000 (09:30)", "body": "I wonder why chat rooms use so much bandwidth? I wonder if there's software that's less bandwidth intensive for this purpose?"}, {"response": 461, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Apr 22, 2000 (14:11)", "body": "Wondering even more why Sprin5 does not add Geo to his list so we can see recent posts there. Is he playing favorites? Shall I go on strike and not post until he does? I know it is accessable because when I telnetted, it gave me my entire conference list. He added springark and collecting but not Geo. Terry, meet you out in the alley in 5 minutes to slug this out!!!"}, {"response": 462, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sat, Apr 22, 2000 (16:16)", "body": "I added Geo! (see, she beat me up in the alley, I'm getting treatment for all those bruises)."}, {"response": 463, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Apr 22, 2000 (17:24)", "body": "*giggle* If you only knew what a pussycat and pacifist I am... Thank you!"}, {"response": 464, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Apr 22, 2000 (17:33)", "body": "(Let's see what sort of match-up we'd make. I'm 5'6\" and about 120 pounds soaking wet on a fat day...)"}, {"response": 465, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sat, Apr 22, 2000 (21:02)", "body": "now that terry is checking in more frequently...i have a question that may seem a selfish concern of mine but.... terry, how come i can't type in the url address: http://www.midnightwolf.net ? do i have to use the spring.net/wolf/index.html? (marcia, i'm shorter and, shamedly, outweigh you)....."}, {"response": 466, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Apr 22, 2000 (21:20)", "body": "(most medium-sized birds outweigh me, according to my mother! That is up from my eternal 116 pounds which was a little too skinny.) Can't answer the other question..."}, {"response": 467, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sat, Apr 22, 2000 (21:25)", "body": ""}, {"response": 468, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Apr 22, 2000 (21:32)", "body": "Yup! I too hate being told I am too skinny like I did it on purpose. They don't say it any more. They ask me to share my secrets, now. I can lose weight sitting still. Twitch factor is the deal. At 100, I was way too thin even with my small bones - it's the long legs and long neck which stretches me out."}, {"response": 469, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Apr 22, 2000 (21:33)", "body": "Oh yeah, I can eat the house male under the table, too!"}, {"response": 470, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sat, Apr 22, 2000 (21:36)", "body": "i'm small-boned with a short torso (the AM's taller but my jeans are longer than his!!) so the weight i lug around is really visible, you know? esp. since i carry it the german way, on the hips....(but i am working out *smile*)"}, {"response": 471, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Apr 22, 2000 (21:48)", "body": "I figured my \"twin\" sister would also be short-waisted...just as I am. Don't seem to carry weight in any particular place, though I suppose that is not a bad thing. If I had my druthers...*sigh*"}, {"response": 472, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sat, Apr 22, 2000 (21:53)", "body": "i know what you mean. i used to joke about how i would move this to there, etc.!! (it even made my mom laugh)"}, {"response": 473, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Apr 22, 2000 (23:21)", "body": "Yup!"}, {"response": 474, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Apr 23, 2000 (21:12)", "body": "CHECK 'EM OUT BEFORE YOU GO OUT! WhatAJerk was developed as a public service to provide links to State and Government sites which maintain databases for registered sex offenders, missing children and deadbeat parents. We also provide a bulletin board where you can see if someone has posted information about a particular individual. Check them out before you: - Get emotionally involved - Go into business with that person - Move to a new neighborhood - Go to work for that person Better to be aware now than victimized later! http://ads.autojoker.com/redirect.cgi?AD=checkemout AOL Users: Know BEFORE you go!"}, {"response": 475, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (15:41)", "body": "Can anyone tell me why I cannot see any of the graphics on www.spring.net with my powerful and new desktop computer using Netscape 4.7 but I can see them with IE on my miserable little w 3.1 laptop?! Must I switch to IE for this computer, as well?"}, {"response": 476, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (17:36)", "body": "I may have to do some re-authoring of the main page. It doesn't happen on other pages does it?"}, {"response": 477, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (20:48)", "body": "I just deleted some files in the /tmp directory on baldur, our host machine. I got a call from Karen a bit ago saying folks couldn't post. That may fix it. If you're reading this it's fixed."}, {"response": 478, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (20:48)", "body": "It's fixed now. I'll call Karen R."}, {"response": 479, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (20:53)", "body": "I just let Marci know via dialpad, I didn't have KarenR's number handy."}, {"response": 480, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (20:54)", "body": "Thanks Terry, and I just emailed Karen no, it does not happen on any other place except www.spring.net"}, {"response": 481, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (20:57)", "body": "What happened is that the /tmp directory got full and I mistakenly told Karen I had no control over it. But I was wrong. I was actually able to go in and delete some files that were owned by sprin5. So next time I'll be able to fix it. Call me if it ever happens again as soon as it occurs! Thanks for the heads up Karen R!"}, {"response": 482, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (21:23)", "body": "I shall call you. I am just shy on the phone...I could have alerted you immediately after it happened. I did send you 2 emails..."}, {"response": 483, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (22:12)", "body": "Thanks, how it gets done is not important...just that it gets done. :-) Maybe that /tmp directory should get regularly dumped...like once a week???"}, {"response": 484, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (23:01)", "body": "Btw, while the Spring was frozen, did anyone notice the mess it made of our hotlists? Phantom posts were listed and empty when accessed. Curious! Great idea, Karen!"}, {"response": 485, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Tue, Apr 25, 2000 (06:51)", "body": "Yep, I'll start checking it regularly."}, {"response": 486, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Tue, Apr 25, 2000 (06:54)", "body": "Right now it's empty, it has one subdirectory. $ cd /tmp $ ls -l total 1 drwx------ 2 missi2 user 512 Apr 20 11:25 ssh-missi."}, {"response": 487, "author": "Ann", "date": "Wed, Apr 26, 2000 (15:48)", "body": "There seems to be problems on Austen.com. Our boards have disappeared, my mailbox is gone, and I can't even FTP in. Any idea what's wrong? It was working earlier this afternoon, but stopped functioning around 2pm or so. The main pages of the site are still working, it's just the CGI scripts and FTP access that is busted. (If I can't get in, I can't even take a look round to figure out what's wrong.)"}, {"response": 488, "author": "Ann", "date": "Wed, Apr 26, 2000 (17:27)", "body": "All of Austen.com seems to be down now. Can't get in at all. :("}, {"response": 489, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Wed, Apr 26, 2000 (17:36)", "body": "I'll check it out."}, {"response": 490, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Wed, Apr 26, 2000 (17:50)", "body": "I can't figure out what's going on, it's at our hosting service, I can ping it but I can't telnet to it, ftp to it, or anything. So I'm leaving voicemail and email for mike, the sysad guy."}, {"response": 491, "author": "wolf", "date": "Wed, Apr 26, 2000 (17:51)", "body": "terry see my topic in projects. maybe this is the answer to my question..."}, {"response": 492, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Wed, Apr 26, 2000 (17:51)", "body": "OK I'll look, wolf."}, {"response": 493, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Wed, Apr 26, 2000 (18:02)", "body": "I looked and set up an ftp account, well, go to projects for the details."}, {"response": 494, "author": "Ann", "date": "Wed, Apr 26, 2000 (18:39)", "body": "I sent an e-mail to Digihost too. Thanks for taking a look, Terry!"}, {"response": 495, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Wed, Apr 26, 2000 (18:48)", "body": "Thanks, Ann. Maybe they'll catch the email, the office closes at 5 pm EST. So if anyone ever catches an outage like this try and make a voice call to me before 4 pm CST, 5 pm EST, if at all possible. I'll look into setting up a backup server with a different name."}, {"response": 496, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Apr 26, 2000 (19:38)", "body": "Btw, Ann, that is a great page with the plea for help with funding - any response?"}, {"response": 497, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Wed, Apr 26, 2000 (20:09)", "body": "I got a response today, $50 check. Thank you!"}, {"response": 498, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 26, 2000 (20:40)", "body": "Connection refused -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Description: Connection refused This is what I get trying to enter DWG. I hope it will be up soon."}, {"response": 499, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Apr 26, 2000 (21:27)", "body": "It was up earlier for me. Just the message boards were down. Oh dear!"}, {"response": 500, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, Apr 27, 2000 (05:42)", "body": "We should be able to get things back up this morning when our server facility opens around 8 am EST or in about and hour and fifteen minutes from now."}, {"response": 501, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, Apr 27, 2000 (07:27)", "body": "It looks like our hosts Apache webserver is down right now because I can telnet in but I can't get to the site via the web. I just got email from Gena who's having the same problem. I'm in touch with our site hosts via email and am trying to get through via phone right now."}, {"response": 502, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, Apr 27, 2000 (09:18)", "body": "Now we're back up!"}, {"response": 503, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Apr 27, 2000 (09:45)", "body": "We're back! Thanks for the help, Terry :) [This might scare people into donating too! :) A lot of people have asked me whether the crash was connnected to the lack of money.]"}, {"response": 504, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, Apr 27, 2000 (09:49)", "body": "Nope, not connected, is was a disk error on the server. I thought it might have been the Apache webserver, but that was not the case. I'm setting up a couple of backups for future outages, if they occur. If it's ok with the authors and denizens of austen.com, we'll tell springeurs to go check the austen.com board in the event of an outage and we'll tell austhe.com folks to post on the old austen conference on spring if an outage occurs there. It would be extremely unlikely both would go down at the same time, as they're on totally different server machines."}, {"response": 505, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 27, 2000 (09:53)", "body": "No need, Terry, we here at Drool have our own emergency backups--a listserv and a message board over at Insidetheweb (as does austen.com)."}, {"response": 506, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Apr 27, 2000 (10:02)", "body": "Yep, we have a couple off-site back-ups. We've got a couple bulletin boards at InsideTheWeb (which is why I pointed out we could move our boards off-site if costs of them became prohibitted) and we now have an off-site chat room. I was thinking, though, Terry, maybe you should write up some sort of an introduction to the Spring page. I could post it over on the Tea Room board, to give people an idea of what's available at the Spring. Right now, most probably barely know it exists."}, {"response": 507, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 27, 2000 (10:16)", "body": "Ann, have you tried out the chatroom facilities advertised at the top of the Insidetheweb board from a place called Beseen.com (or something like that?) Haven't been to your alternate chat sites. What's the name of it at AT&T?"}, {"response": 508, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Apr 27, 2000 (10:24)", "body": "beseen.com isn't good at all, we've been there."}, {"response": 509, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, Apr 27, 2000 (11:01)", "body": "Thanks Ann, I'll post something in the tea room. I'm trying to impart some more content besides just the conferences to the Spring."}, {"response": 510, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Apr 27, 2000 (14:16)", "body": "I think I was the only one who liked the BeSeen rooms :( At ATT, we use the name \"Austen\". See you there!"}, {"response": 511, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 27, 2000 (15:25)", "body": "Didn't see that in the Dropdown box."}, {"response": 512, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Apr 27, 2000 (22:17)", "body": "No, you have to create it as a private room. I have instructions on the Tea Room board--with pictures and everything. Instructions on getting in ."}, {"response": 513, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 27, 2000 (22:41)", "body": "...thanks, although when I went looking for it, the Tea Room wasn't there. ;-) And I have to register, right?"}, {"response": 514, "author": "Ann", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (10:15)", "body": "Yep, you have to register. I usually lie when I register on sites. I'm often a 50 something male janitor names Peter Shrinks."}, {"response": 515, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (10:53)", "body": "*lol* Love your nom de guerre!"}, {"response": 516, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, May  5, 2000 (15:57)", "body": "Please check the updates on your virus checker - especially if you are using MS Outlook program and Internet Explorer. Three files you should NOT open if they show up in your inbox are I LOVE YOU, VERYFUNNY, and JOKE. Check your download file for anything they might have put in there, as well."}, {"response": 517, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, May  5, 2000 (17:36)", "body": "'Love Bug' Takes New Forms to Smite Users Friday - 16:30 05/05/2000, EST NEW YORK (Reuters) - Copycat variants of the ``Love Bug'' virus labeled ``Joke'' and ``Mother's Day'' infected computers around the world on Friday, a day after the most widespread cyberattack ever wreaked havoc on business and government operations. Tens of millions of computers have been disabled so far, as the virus, first detected in Asia, spread around the globe, forcing network administrators to shut down e-mail systems at major companies and penetrating the Pentagon, the Central Intelligence Agency and Britain's Parliament. Security experts said the virus was far more devastating than last year's Melissa bug, with losses now counting in the billions from damaged data and the distractions of fighting the software scourge, and warned that it could take a while to stem the invasion. By one estimate, approximately 45 million computers around the world have been infected by various strains of the virus, according to Computer Economics, a research firm in Carlsbad, Calif. ``We estimate $2.61 billion of damage has been done,'' said Samir Bhavnani, a research analyst with Computer Economics. ``By Wednesday, the total can reach $10 billion. We see damages growing by $1 billion to $1.5 billion a day until the virus is eradicated.'' Other experts said actual damage estimates would be harder to pin down. Sal Viveros, group manager for Network Associates' (NETA.O) Total Virus Defense, told a conference call of reporters that his researchers have found as many of five different variants of the virus, although he didn't yet have details of the specifics of the variants. Business software maker Computer Associates International said it was relatively easy to create new strains of the virus. ``There's a potential that anyone who receives this virus can go to the Internet and (find) tools to change codes within the virus program that can give the e-mail or the attachment a new name,'' said Simon Perry, vice president for security products at Computer Associates International Inc. (CA.N). The Islandia, N.Y. is a leading maker of anti-virus software such as InoculateIT. For the time being, most of the virus variants are only cosmetically different from the original virus. ``Based on our research, we believe that the variants are coming from a number of different people,'' Perry said. LOVE BUG TAKES NEW FORMS TO TRICK USERS Technically, the software scourge is known as a worm, not a virus. ``Worms have the ability to self-replicate; viruses do not,'' said Jeff Carpenter, a security expert with the Computer Emergency Response Team, a Defense Dept.-funded clearinghouse at Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh. The original worm ``ILOVEYOU,'' works by enticing e-mail recipients to open an attached letter, only to cripple their e-mail systems. This so-called Love Bug continued to pop up in e-mail systems on Friday, even as variants appeared to pose new tricks for computer users. But the effect is unchanged: Upon opening the attachment using Microsoft software such as the Outlook program, it sends a copy of the worm to everyone in the user's address book and seeks to destroy a variety of files throughout a computer network, including picture and music files. The worm is being sent as an e-mail attachment and many sites are experiencing significantly increased electronic mail traffic. The worm can spread through network disk drives, Web pages, and via IRC (Internet Relay Chat), a communications system popular with computer aficionados, experts said. The damage is limited to users of the Microsoft Windows operating system, said Gene Hodges, president of McAfee, a maker of anti-virus software and a unit of Network Associates. ``We've seen no evidence of affected users of Apple, Linux or Unix operating systems,'' he added. In one new version designed to spoil the upcoming ``Mother's Day'' holiday that will be celebrated in the United States on May 14, a variant of LoveLetter sends e-mails which appear to be a confirmation of an electronic gift order. ``The Mother's Day version of this worm is quite cunning,'' said Mikko Hypponen, manager of anti-virus research at computer security firm F-Secure Corp.'s laboratories in Helsinki, Finland. ``The e-mail appears to be a confirmation of an order for 'Mother's Day diamond special,' and the attached file mothersday.vbs is portrayed as if it were an invoice. With only eight days to go until Mother's Day, this attack is quite credible,'' he said. F-Secure has identified five variants so far in its efforts to keep pace with the worldwide assault. Another variant appears to have originated in Lithuania, in which the subject line reads, ``Susitikem shi vakara kavos puodukui.'' In Lithuanian, the sentence translates into: ``Let's meet this evening for coffee.'' And still another has ``fwd: Joke'' in the subject line and an attached file called ``Very Funny.vbs,'' which when opened has a similar impact as the ``Love Bug"}, {"response": 518, "author": "Ann", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (09:49)", "body": "Austen.com seems to be doing something strange. I am getting intermittent Internal Server Errors on my CGI boards. It will happen, then not happen the next time I try to click on something, then happen again, on and off. Very strange...might presage something nasty."}, {"response": 519, "author": "Ann", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (10:54)", "body": "Austen.com's boards seem to be down completely now :("}, {"response": 520, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (14:33)", "body": "Yesterday I had temporary trouble with FTP but it was resolved just in time for a post using an ephemeral internet source to be scribbled and replaced with the FTP'd diagram we needed to have reliably on the topic. Have not needed to use FTP today yet, so I don't know how it is faring now."}, {"response": 521, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (14:51)", "body": "I too could not get in. This is what I get: Internal Server Error The server encountered an internal error or misconfiguration and was unable to complete your request. Please contact the server administrator, auste3@austen.com and inform them of the time the error occurred, and anything you might have done that may have caused the error. More information about this error may be available in the server error log."}, {"response": 522, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (15:02)", "body": "I typed austen.com on Netcape and voila! I am in and all seems to be in working order."}, {"response": 523, "author": "viola", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (15:54)", "body": "voila viola, Maggie's here with me and she's rather MAD!"}, {"response": 524, "author": "viola", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (15:55)", "body": "Spanna and maggia say HI! Bye the way, thankyou for the hug, Marcia. Here's one in return... *Hug!*"}, {"response": 525, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (15:58)", "body": "Oooh! Lovely stuff, Viola! Thanks for the hug! Sit on her and put cold compresses on her if Maggie gets too far out of hand. Can't take chances with ladies like her *grin* Aloha all! Behave yourselves and remember to say thank you and wash your hands and..."}, {"response": 526, "author": "Ann", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (16:02)", "body": "Austen is still acting weird. One minute it works and the next it doesn't. I don't understand how that happens :("}, {"response": 527, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (16:03)", "body": "Oh dear...Terry!?! Where are you?"}, {"response": 528, "author": "viola", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (16:04)", "body": "*Disapproving look from T.* (The gang's all here!) Just finished a concert and maggie and Tony enjoyed my MARVELLOUS singing and timpani playing, but then again, I am Brilliant! (I can't understand why maggie is rolling around on the floor in hysterics...!)"}, {"response": 529, "author": "viola", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (16:06)", "body": "(Marcia: maggie's not allowed to open her emails until tomorrow because we've had to lock her away for the evening. I'm sure you'll understand.)"}, {"response": 530, "author": "viola", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (16:07)", "body": "(Marcia: Gotta go, Tony wants to drive home. Bye!! From Viola, maggie, spanna, and Tony!)"}, {"response": 531, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (16:23)", "body": "*lol*"}, {"response": 532, "author": "sociolingo", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (16:46)", "body": "Sorry about the pitch invasion - circumstances beyond my control! I shall send her back to Geo! (and she's not mine - honest!)"}, {"response": 533, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (17:33)", "body": "YeahYeahYeah....*grin*"}, {"response": 534, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (14:19)", "body": "The problem is still going on at Austen. Digihost e-mailed me saying it should be fixed now, but it isn't :("}, {"response": 535, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (14:58)", "body": "OK, I'll call and email them today. I haven't experienced any problems today in some thorough testing I did. I made sure the /tmp file wasn't full."}, {"response": 536, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (15:03)", "body": "Still getting internal server errors, but only on the tea room, everything else is fine. Totally bizarre, it happened here at drool earlier this AM as well. Don't remember what time."}, {"response": 537, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (15:12)", "body": "I'll open a top session at austen.com and see what processes are running on austen. Maybe I can see what the problem is by this method."}, {"response": 538, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (15:21)", "body": "All I see is that root is running a telnet session that's using 42% of the cpu process time, an unusually high amount for a telnet session. load averages: 9.21, 6.59, 4.89 16:20:23 176 processes: 11 running, 163 sleeping, 2 zombie CPU states: 27.8% user, 0.0% nice, 72.2% system, 0.0% interrupt, 0.0%idle Memory: Real: 60M/103M Virt: 582M/1385M Free: 104M PID USERNAME PRI NICE SIZE RES STATE TIME WCPU CPU COMMAND 1186 root 101 0 328K 452K run/0 23.1H 44.92% 44.92% telnet 4348 cmaco2 39 0 216K 540K run/0 0:02 2.59% 2.59% popper 14132 www 2 0 4568K 3232K sleep 1:49 0.93% 0.93% pnserver 9900 agenc2 2 0 208K 512K sleep 0:00 1.36% 0.68% popper 10065 root -14 0 1184K 1424K sleep 0:00 6.66% 0.63% sendmail 10063 root 30 0 1184K 1424K run/0 0:00 6.15% 0.59% sendmail 10061 root 30 0 1236K 1504K run/0 0:00 3.50% 0.49% sendmail 10066 root 10 0 1236K 1136K sleep 0:00 1.03% 0.10% sendmail 10080 root 2 0 1244K 1264K sleep 0:00 2.00% 0.10% sendmail 10059 root -5 0 1300K 1120K sleep 0:00 0.70% 0.10% sendmail 10071 root -6 0 1300K 1248K sleep 0:00 1.03% 0.10% sendmail 10069 root 28 0 1236K 1216K run/0 0:00 0.51% 0.05% sendmail 8598 www 28 0 8496K 1108K run/0 0:00 0.05% 0.05% httpd 10054 root 10 0 1300K 1164K sleep 0:00 0.35% 0.05% sendmail 10053 root 10 0 1236K 1104K sleep 0:00 0.35% 0.05% sendmail"}, {"response": 539, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (21:03)", "body": "Okay, that means next to nothing for me;) Terry, how 'bout translating?"}, {"response": 540, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (23:33)", "body": "Why is 'root' running a telnet session??? Is it necissary? can it be shut down?"}, {"response": 541, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (09:13)", "body": "Hi, fellas--can you restore the log in button to Spring's home page? Many thanks from those of us who share our computer and can't bookmark the site. :-)"}, {"response": 542, "author": "Ann", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (12:58)", "body": "Austen.com is still having tons of problems. The CGI boards are practically shut down. You have to keep trying to reload the page about a dozen times before you'll be able to get it to load :("}, {"response": 543, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (13:33)", "body": "Log button resotred. I sent more email to the hosts. They say it's fixed now. But Ann says not. So I forwarded Ann's email to them. Send email to support@digihost.com describing what's going wrong and be sure to mention the url, austen.com."}, {"response": 544, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (13:35)", "body": "More correspondence sent to Ann from Digihost regarding the problem, they want more specifics about what's happening."}, {"response": 545, "author": "Ann", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (20:05)", "body": "I sent them sample URL's where there are problems and the fact that it happens sometimes and sometimes not."}, {"response": 546, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (10:50)", "body": "Log button resotred. Thanks!"}, {"response": 547, "author": "Ann", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (23:00)", "body": "Austen.com is working again :)"}, {"response": 548, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (23:08)", "body": "Maybe they said the magic words - it more than a little resembles smoke and mirrors they way they do things at DigiHost!"}, {"response": 549, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (13:57)", "body": "I moved it from the far right side of the screen to the left side as well, I guess folks couldn't see it all the way on the right side of the screen."}, {"response": 550, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (14:19)", "body": "Even with Netscape at full screen and my monitor adjusted to eliminate wrap-under, I still cannot see the right side unless I scroll over to do so. I still wonder if I will ever be able to see the pictures there! Without installing IE, that is..."}, {"response": 551, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (21:12)", "body": "I need to do a maor revision on the spring.net main page. I need to work with a team, are some of the folks who worked on austen.com interested in helping with this?"}, {"response": 552, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (21:18)", "body": "That would be me, Terry. Sure, I can help. Let me know what you are looking for."}, {"response": 553, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (21:22)", "body": "Mostly, a fresh vision. It's too much of a one man show. I'd love to give you permission to just go in and revise our page! Will you have a crack at it?"}, {"response": 554, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (21:22)", "body": "Send me the password, and I can clean up the page so all the images and links work. They we can talk about what you want it to look like."}, {"response": 555, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (21:23)", "body": "I see you're on right now :)"}, {"response": 556, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (21:25)", "body": "I see my e-mail isn't right here...it should be ann@austen.com"}, {"response": 557, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (23:01)", "body": "Will changes on the main Spring page affect my Bucket pages? Or have you figured out how to exclude my directory?"}, {"response": 558, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, May 19, 2000 (23:01)", "body": "There is a new conference at Spring. Please check it out... http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/crafts/all/new Terry, is there anything I know enough about to be helpful to you? I am ever willing but also know my limitations..."}, {"response": 559, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Fri, May 19, 2000 (23:45)", "body": "You know about a lot of things - radio, sports, earth sciences, hawaii that are helpful to my understanding of these topics. Crafts is a real good conference idea. I wonder if you could get some crafts websites to link to it by emailing the folks that run them?"}, {"response": 560, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (00:39)", "body": "Wolfie is the webring expert - I'm still hunting for one for Geo which is appropriate. I'll let her connect us with the outer world. Thanks for the suggestions and the compliments *blush* Right now I am on the laptop because I installed Norton Utilities anti virus and it has frozen my big PC and I cannot get it to reboot completely - keeps shutting me down. Any suggestions???"}, {"response": 561, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (03:11)", "body": "Okay, I went ahead and reformatted the front page of the site. I hope I have all the links and images working, and have everything formatted so that it all fits on everyone's screen. The only thing I didn't get working was the hit counter at the bottom. Any one having problems with the new formatting?"}, {"response": 562, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (03:18)", "body": "Hmmm, the Real Player things aren't working on the front. For some reason they are trying to access something on the austen.com site. I'm getting a file not found error for: pnm://austen.com:7070/auste3/live.ra Don't know what that's doing in there. The only thing on the page that refers to Austen is the link in the what's cool section."}, {"response": 563, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (05:32)", "body": "Wow, that's a great start Ann. Do you find it hard reworking Frontpage stuff? Feel free to get more creative and throw in plugs for Austen, Firth or whatever you like."}, {"response": 564, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (16:43)", "body": "Terry: What's going on? These Internal Server Errors keep popping up. Have to hit Reload several times and then it goes through."}, {"response": 565, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (17:06)", "body": "It is very spotty. I still have to go to main before I can get anything but the error message. Ann, I can see your front page! Thank you forever for that. My Geo globe is finally visible! Yippee!!!"}, {"response": 566, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (17:07)", "body": "Karen, thanks for suggesting hitting the reload button to get the posts through. It really works...*whew*"}, {"response": 567, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (18:22)", "body": "It does work but it's a pain, I'm looking at the server now."}, {"response": 568, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (18:51)", "body": "Terry, this sounds like the same problem Austen.com was having last week. Our HTML pages were working, but our CGI pages weren't."}, {"response": 569, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (18:57)", "body": "It just took me 7 hits of the reload to read your message - still not fixed even if Mike of DigiHost is logged on..."}, {"response": 570, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (19:24)", "body": "I noticed the same thing Ann about your pages too. My Bucket HTML pages were OK, but the Conference (yapp-bin stuff) wasn't. Might help isolating the problem."}, {"response": 571, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (19:55)", "body": "This is a royal drag....Is the problem with Digihost? Spring? How come Pemberley never has that problem?"}, {"response": 572, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (19:55)", "body": "I checked running non-yapp programs like Digihosts own administration program and was getting the same errors, this would indicate that it's not a Yapp problem rather a server problme."}, {"response": 573, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (19:55)", "body": "slippage."}, {"response": 574, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (20:01)", "body": "Is anyone home there? I see that Mike at DigiHost is logged on most of the time. It makes me wonder if he just turns it on and leaves, giving the semblance of being active when he is not, in fact..."}, {"response": 575, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (20:41)", "body": "I've been fiddling with the front page again: http://www.spring.net Any ideas folks? Any suggestions?"}, {"response": 576, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (21:04)", "body": "Looks great! I like the way you put the login and signup on the left on the table with the conference titles. (Can you add Crafts, please?) Like the smaller font used at the bottom and the spacing, as well. Not sure about the middle - it needs to be renewed fairly often if we are going to go for post from certain conferences - but that is Terry's call and this is just my opinion."}, {"response": 577, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (21:06)", "body": "Go Ann, Go. Stands up and cheers. Can I be your cheerleader section! Go wild! Make some big changes! Give me an A. Give me and N. Give me another N! Go Ann!!!!"}, {"response": 578, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (07:33)", "body": "Please get in touch with me if you have any ideas for courses we could run online and tie in with the Spring conferences. This may be the mmost important project the Spring has ever undertaken and is vital for our future growth. Please pass the word around about this. We're looking for courses based on topics in all our conferences and courses around the works of Jane Austen and her novels and adaptations. This will become a growing venture within the Spring with funding going to the community as a whole and the participants in the project. Scale of importance: Extremely high priority, urgent!"}, {"response": 579, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (07:39)", "body": "I'd really like to get a preliminary proposal together by Friday and would love to see some discussion of this around the Spring."}, {"response": 580, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jul 15, 2000 (23:13)", "body": "This could cause problems here too.... Magnetic storm may disrupt pagers, broadcasts It's caused by the eruption of a giant sunspot, scientists say By Helen Altonn Star-Bulletin A magnetic storm this weekend could disrupt radio transmissions and satellites and produce colorful northern lights visible over most of the mainland. Islanders aren't likely to see the aurora, which is rarely visible this far south, said University of Hawaii astronomer Donald Mickey. A full moon also would make it difficult to see, he said. As for whether television, pager and radio reception will be affected, he said: \"We don't know how to forecast these effects in enough detail so far to be able to tell whether TVs will be affected.\" He said National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasters in Colorado expect the storm \"to be large, but probably not devastating.\" NOAA scientists reported that the solar flare already has caused some radio blackouts. The sun may be nearing the peak of its 11-year cycle, known as solar maximum, Mickey said. \"You never know (if you reach the peak) until it starts going down again.\" A giant sunspot eruption just after midnight Hawaii time yesterday triggered the magnetic storm. Billions of tons of plasma and charged particles were ejected into space, some at 3 million miles an hour, NOAA scientists said. The mass ejection was expected to hit the Earth's magnetic field this afternoon and cause the geomagnetic storm. Mickey said the eruption was the biggest this cycle but there haven't been many. \"We've been sort of wondering, expecting more big flares, and that hasn't happened so far.\" Sometimes larger flares happen later in the cycle, he said. The latest eruption occurred in a very complex magnetic region near the visible part of the sun, Mickey said. \"When a large flare like this is at the surface, sometimes -- and this is one of those cases -- an amount of corona gets ejected into interplanetary space, leaving sort of a hole in the corona and sending basically a cloud of plasma out away from the sun,\" he said. Cameras on the NASA spacecraft SOHO, positioned to look continuously at the sun, showed the ejection \"and within minutes, the cameras were hit by clouds of very fast protons that showed up as snow on the images,\" Mickey said. A severe solar storm in 1989 knocked out power stations serving Canada and northeastern states, and an electrical transformer in New Jersey. UH astronomers are collaborating with scientists around the country to study the solar maximum. Mickey said they're setting up interdisciplinary studies \"that will try to understand this all the way from the sun to Earth and how it affects things we do in our daily lives.\""}, {"response": 581, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sun, Jul 16, 2000 (08:23)", "body": "I wonder if this will affect local vhf/uhf?"}, {"response": 582, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jul 16, 2000 (14:49)", "body": "Nothing noted here.....but it is not yet over. Would love reports of any adverse effects from this extraordianry event."}, {"response": 583, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (07:54)", "body": "Help! Help! Help! The counter I installed on my Bridget Jones page stopped working yesterday. I've had it up there since July 5 and then suddenly yesterday it stopped. The message within the counter reads: \"could not create data files /var/Counter/data/x.dat\" I tried another counter from the Webhosting features page, but got the same thing. Looks to me like something isn't working on the server. Here's the url of my Bridget page. http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjd.html Also, how do I look at stats?"}, {"response": 584, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (12:07)", "body": "I can install the Frontpage 2000 counter if you like, Karen. Would you like me to do this? Do you have Frontpage?"}, {"response": 585, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (12:37)", "body": "No, I do not have Frontpage. But why did the counter stop working? Aren't those digihost counters? I'm kind of particular about the design of the counter. Where can I see samples?"}, {"response": 586, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (11:02)", "body": "I'll set up a counter test page and get the url to you."}, {"response": 587, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (11:34)", "body": "Have contacted Digihost and they have fixed the problem. My counter now works. Thanks anyway."}, {"response": 588, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Mon, Jul 24, 2000 (20:02)", "body": "Good news!"}, {"response": 589, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (22:43)", "body": "The Spring went down earlier tonight and I got on the phone long distance to Kaylene Thaler in Seattle and after and exchange of emails she fixed the problem. I'm going to run a little fundraiser to help pay her expenses for keeping this community's software running. Sure, thanks for helping again as you have many times before, Kaylene. Terry > > It's fixed. Your license file had been trashed. I'm not > sure how it happened but it is fixed. By the way, I have > been holding onto the invoice for transfering you to this > new system to give you time to figure out your cash flow, > and to make sure everything was running smoothly. > How are things looking now? I'd like to send out the invoice > for the help to move systems, as well as the unpaid invoice > for the upgrade on your license file to the current use level. > > Kaylene > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: sprin5@baldur.domainnameservers.net > > [mailto:sprin5@baldur.domainnameservers.net] > > Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2000 3:43 PM > > To: kaylene@armidalesoftware.com > > Subject: error on spring.net > > > > > > baldur:/tmp $ bbs > > Invalid checksum > > Couldn't get license for baldur.domainnameservers.net > > baldur:/tmp $ > > > > How do I fix this Kaylene, the Spring is down. > > > > Thanks, > > > > Terry > > > > >"}, {"response": 590, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (23:16)", "body": "Gotcha Terry - I 'll try my best to help"}, {"response": 591, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (08:20)", "body": "After some more checking, it seems that you may have hit the license limit yesterday. (note the error log said you ran out of hits with about 3 minutes left to go) this is probably related to the problem with your licence file. The usage history seems to indicate that on most days you are between 3000 and 5000 hits, but occationally you get up in the 6000 + range. If you pay for the 64 user license (which you currently have), I'll consider bumping the hit limit substanially at no additional charge. Kaylene"}, {"response": 592, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (16:32)", "body": "Kaylene, that would be fantastic! Long live Yapp software and the esteemed creators. Hawaiian Hugs!"}, {"response": 593, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (08:43)", "body": "The hits are cumulative of all the users. Right now you have paid for the 16 user/ 1600 hit licence. ( I don't mind if places need a 3000 hit license for the occasional heavy day safety net). However, you are consistantly above the 3000 hit level, and periodically above 6000 which definately takes you well into the next license level. I will cushion the 6400 so that if you average around 6400, and have an occational heavy day you are still fine, but you need to pay for that level of a license. Kaylene drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 125, "subject": "Arnold Vosloo", "response_count": 63, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (15:46)", "body": "A truly rare occasion - a Springizen becoming a Droolian (rather than the way I did it)...Congratulations, Wolfie. Now, post those incredible eyes..."}, {"response": 2, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (15:48)", "body": "what? you need a picture? ok.... and here's a great site to begin our journey: http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Park/2398/"}, {"response": 3, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (15:50)", "body": "(thanks marcia *hugs*) and, let's try that pic again:"}, {"response": 4, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (15:51)", "body": "AND:"}, {"response": 5, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (15:51)", "body": "Um...you forgot to put the img src=\" pix etc thingy around that .... with the point y brackets and all..."}, {"response": 6, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (15:52)", "body": "let me find some out of character...."}, {"response": 7, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (15:53)", "body": "Nope, you got it...I gigured you would...*grin* (wanna scribble that post?)*hugs*"}, {"response": 8, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (15:55)", "body": "(thanks, dear!) ok, this pic came from the arnold website i posted earlier: http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Park/2398/galleries.html"}, {"response": 9, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (16:15)", "body": "Welcome, Wolf, to the land of Drool. All citizenry wear hipwaders at all times. ;-D"}, {"response": 10, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (16:15)", "body": "Ooo...that's really nice. Great eyes! Could use a bit longer hair, but at least he is not hiding under anything. Could those eyes see into your soul, or what?!"}, {"response": 11, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (16:17)", "body": "Hi Karen...I also wear water-wings to bolster my figure and just in case it gets perilously wet in here...it has in the past (and my posts probably aided and abetted the deluge at the time, as well!)"}, {"response": 12, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (16:25)", "body": "Wonderful idea...it can get deep and I'm rather altitudinally challenged. ;-D"}, {"response": 13, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (16:27)", "body": "*lol*"}, {"response": 14, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (16:38)", "body": "Hope you get a lot of hits here, Wolf. It's so much fun to drool with company. How old is Arnold? Does he have one of those fine South African accents?"}, {"response": 15, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (16:54)", "body": "Give us some vitals on him. How tall? Married? Children? Education? Inquiring minds and all that, you know!"}, {"response": 16, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (18:29)", "body": "oh, the goods? (karen, your post about hipwaders really had my mind in the gutter, where it's supposed to be) he's 6'2 or 6'4 depending on which bio you read. he's married (and happily so), no kids that were mentioned in any of his bios. he lives in california (where else, eh?). education? oh, yeah, i love brainy babes but i didn't get that far yet. will dig for some dirt plus send an invite to all those other AV lovers. please show me what to use as the url so they can come directly into arnold land!"}, {"response": 17, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (18:30)", "body": "oh, he does have an accent as was displayed rather elegantly (although deranged) in the movie diary of a serial killer (he was the bad guy and charmingly so)."}, {"response": 18, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (18:30)", "body": "and one other thing before i launch my search, he's a member of gold's gym."}, {"response": 19, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (19:04)", "body": "http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/125/all/new That should get them the newest information posted and is really the only one they need for this topic. Ok, we know he is not a womanizer, he works out, has an elegant accent (not Kentucky-Texan as some are known to prefer? *lol*), plays a great bad-guy and Wolfie is in her element here if she knows why we wear the hipwaders *grin*"}, {"response": 20, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (19:07)", "body": "...oh yes, he is also gloriously tall...6'2\" is perfect, but 6'4\" is ok, too..."}, {"response": 21, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (19:19)", "body": "Marcia, that url is only good if they register at Spring first. For the unitiated, they would use: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/public/read/drool/125 and be able to read the messages. Then there's a button up at the top that says, \"Join In\" and \"Log in\" that will allow them to fully participate in Arnoldville. Then they can use the other url for bookmarking."}, {"response": 22, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (19:35)", "body": "I had this little discussion one time with a cfadm known to us all. His considered opinion, and I concur, is that people should be encouraged to login and post rather than to lurk which a public url lets them do. I gave that public url to my ex and my son for Geo, and neither of them ever logged in...but they did look and told me about it in email. (They were amazed - the one with the PhD did not know it was possible to do stuff like that on the internet...he uses his computer only for email!) However, if you do not let them take a look, they may never come in. When I came to Spring, I thought I had to login so I went there first. I only lurked for about a week - you know me, always have to put my foot in my mouth..."}, {"response": 23, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (19:54)", "body": "I agree and have never been a lurker myself, but handing out the other url does no good, because the login window pops up and if they don't have an id/password, they might as well just sit there picking lint from between their toes. ;-o"}, {"response": 24, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (15:19)", "body": "i've invited members from yahoo clubs dedicated to AV. hope they show up! sounded dumb, too, like one of those spam emails we all get. anyway, gave them the public url so they can choose to join in or not. thanks for your help!"}, {"response": 25, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (16:34)", "body": "...nah...not going to make fun of the fact that you invited a bunch of yahoos over to drool...I'm far too nice to do that ;)"}, {"response": 26, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (17:22)", "body": "If you build it, they will come... ;-D"}, {"response": 27, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (17:52)", "body": "Kevin Costner strikes again...! *lol* One hopes..."}, {"response": 28, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (18:17)", "body": "haha!!"}, {"response": 29, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (12:22)", "body": "Arnold was definitely a hunk in THE MUMMY (after he got reconstituted, that is), but it was Oded Fehr (the guardian with the tatoos -- see below) who stole my heart. Well, not really. That beloves to Mr. Costner, but ole Oded definitely had these old hormes a cookin'!"}, {"response": 30, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (14:26)", "body": "*lol* I can see why - at least two reasons..."}, {"response": 31, "author": "wolf", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (16:37)", "body": "so why is HIS photo in this ARNOLD VOSLOO topic? hmmmmmm????? this guy ran around the whole movie on his horse with face paint on trying to run off the would-be architects. i'll agree that he's cute, but open a topic for him! (btw, charlotte, did you get that pic out of people? *grin*)"}, {"response": 32, "author": "wolf", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (16:38)", "body": "did i say architects? well, you know what i meant *grin* i was just so flustered! *haha*"}, {"response": 33, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (16:52)", "body": "Y'know, from time to time *other* men's pix have shown up on CF drool and there was universal outrage or oohing or NOT!!! as the case warranted. D'ya think there'd be enough drool for that guy? Lots of guys have pretty faces *grin*... (I was wondering when you would come claim your territory, Ms Wolf! At first I though it WAS AV...but alas, it was not!"}, {"response": 34, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (16:56)", "body": "archy-tects and archy-ologists are much alike, m'dear! I hardly noticed it=)"}, {"response": 35, "author": "wolf", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (17:00)", "body": "you're so kind! as to your question about this dude, he made people magazine and arnold did not. so my guess would be, there'd be a following. just have to find them. so let me go see if i got any replies at the yahoo clubs!"}, {"response": 36, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (17:03)", "body": "....I do not like People Magazine, then...bring on the Yahoos (I'd better quit that before I get pounced upon by an irate congregation of Droolers...)"}, {"response": 37, "author": "wolf", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (17:11)", "body": "well, people, i found one of the most comprehensive, complete site to arnold vosloo. please enjoy and i shall invite them to post here as well: http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Boulevard/3414/Vosloo/100Links/hauptseite.html"}, {"response": 38, "author": "wolf", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (17:18)", "body": "ok, been there, did the invite, let's see if they come! i can't help it but this site is GOOD!! it's got everything!"}, {"response": 39, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (17:30)", "body": "(Wolf)this site is GOOD!! it's got everything! ...and, which \"this site\" might this be? Here or in Geocities?"}, {"response": 40, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (17:37)", "body": "That is a spectacular web page. I wish the 3 Deers would take a look at it... CF has nothing quite like Geocities (that I am aware of, that is...) Is that a pro job? Not on Geocities, I think, but it is most attractive. Makes me wish we had one that nice"}, {"response": 41, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (17:40)", "body": "Sorry, but I just had to borrow this. I can't resist a man with a beard."}, {"response": 42, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (10:33)", "body": "Sorry. That photo was from People, but I got it from the Oded Fehr Yahoo club. I did not intend to steal any of Arnold's thunder here. I mean, it's really like comparing apples and oranges isn't it? Both men are delicious."}, {"response": 43, "author": "wolf", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (20:23)", "body": "you're right, charlotte! *grin* marcia: the complete site i was talking about was at geocities."}, {"response": 44, "author": "wolf", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (20:46)", "body": "from the movie Hard Target: http://community-1.webtv.net/sugar26r/HardTargetPics/"}, {"response": 45, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (21:18)", "body": "*smile*- I knew...that is where I stole the bearded picture *grin*"}, {"response": 46, "author": "BlackB22", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (23:58)", "body": "Hi Wolf!! Thank you for directing me here!! I added this link to my \"100 Arnold Vosloo Links\" Site at: http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Boulevard/3414/Vosloo/index/index.html Actually there are more than 100 links, so if you search something about AV, this is one fine place to start with. Just found the Sexiest Import pic too on this list - if anybody is interested just go to: http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Boulevard/3414/ - it's my German Oded Fehr fanpage, but if you like to read everything about him in English, just try: http://ofas.simplenet.com/ - it's the Oded Fehr Appreciation Page! Ciao BlackB"}, {"response": 47, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Nov 21, 1999 (13:14)", "body": "Aloha BlackB...thanks for the links. I'm gonna go an check 'um out as soon as I finish this post. Welcome to Drool. Take your shoes off and get comfortable. Wolf should be along later when her day winds down a bit...unless she is out with the family working on something or doing a beach thing (jealous of that!) Ah Yes, Oded Fehr. Are you one of his admirers, as well? He certainly looks worthy of such admiration. I am interested in what else he has done. Aloha, and don't be a stranger!"}, {"response": 48, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sun, Nov 21, 1999 (15:12)", "body": "thanks for popping your head in here blackb! i've invited a bunch of folks and you're the only one so far!! hi marcia! *hugs* having a pretty lazy day with the AM out fishing. catching up on some cross-stitch. hmmmm...wonder how arnold would look with his face on aida cloth!"}, {"response": 49, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sun, Nov 21, 1999 (15:13)", "body": "oh, blackb, thanks so much for adding us to your wonderful site! yours is one of the best sites i've seen in awhile! very professional but not cold."}, {"response": 50, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Nov 21, 1999 (15:51)", "body": "Oooh, you are not just doing cross-stitch, you are doing the much more precise and artistic form, counted cross-stitch. Some of the stuff I have seen is so precise that it resembles tapestry. He would look wonderful, and you would learn much about this man's face ...*hugs* and *smiles*"}, {"response": 51, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Nov 21, 1999 (15:51)", "body": "Oooh, you are not just doing cross-stitch, you are doing the much more precise and artistic form, counted cross-stitch. Some of the stuff I have seen is so precise that it resembles tapestry. He would look wonderful, and you would learn much about this man's face ...*hugs* and *smiles*"}, {"response": 52, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Nov 21, 1999 (15:53)", "body": "Did not post that twice!!!"}, {"response": 53, "author": "wolf", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (18:10)", "body": "am watching zeus and roxanne as we speak. arnold is in this one too but haven't seen him yet (just started). so not only and i watching for the dolphin but for the arnold too!"}, {"response": 54, "author": "wolf", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (18:11)", "body": "oh and there he is, as claude! check out them shorts!"}, {"response": 55, "author": "wolf", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (19:51)", "body": "oh, and he was in a wet suit *sigh* too bad he played such a dork!"}, {"response": 56, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Nov 25, 1999 (13:32)", "body": "Well, where are the pictures??? Oooh, a wet suit?! *sigh* I still like the bearded one. I find that a great turnon just like CF as Nostromo, and other men with fur...I am particularly attracted to them *grin*"}, {"response": 57, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sun, Dec  5, 1999 (21:31)", "body": "ok, here's one hot pic site of arnold in the red shoe diaries..... http://www.members.home.net/abletree/redshoes.htm"}, {"response": 58, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Dec  5, 1999 (22:33)", "body": "Oh Wolfie, he has an incredible smile when he is being sly...Love the way he looks out the corners of his eyes. And, *gasp* he is something else without most of his clothes on!!!"}, {"response": 59, "author": "wolf", "date": "Mon, Dec 27, 1999 (11:40)", "body": "looks like i'm gonna have to go out and get some more folks to post here. this topic should be crawling with arnold fans!"}, {"response": 60, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Dec 27, 1999 (12:11)", "body": "He certainly is Drool-worthy. Perhaps after the new year people will be looking for something else to do for their head beside hangovers. This will be the time to post the killer pix and get out the snares for the surfing Arnold fans."}, {"response": 61, "author": "wolf", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (19:22)", "body": "well, the filming of mummy 2 has begun. you can find more news and pictures about arnold (who, btw, is a major dog fan, like moi) at the new location of 100 arnold vosloo links: http://blackb22.tripod.com/pictures.htm i think i like him in mummy the best but still have several films to catch up on. this man is one heckofa babe!"}, {"response": 62, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (20:15)", "body": "I liked him in the one with the beard. I like furry guys...*grin*"}, {"response": 63, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sat, Mar 11, 2000 (08:51)", "body": "Arnold Vosloo Cyberspace Headquarters - www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Chateau/2514/ THE MUMMY 2: Arnold Vosloo, as you already know, has signed on for the sequel of The Mummy. What's going on with the film? Find out on the site! http://www.geocities.com/arnoldvosloo/ Webmaster Web Maestro of AVCH drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 126, "subject": "SPOILERS to Current Firth Productions", "response_count": 470, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (09:35)", "body": ""}, {"response": 2, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (09:36)", "body": "Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 226 of 352: MarkG (MarkG) * Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (10:27) * 21 lines I am using this topic for The Secret Laughter of Women This is a fairly instant review, but objective (I hope), given my gender! SLOW is a colourful and touching film, focusing apparently on race, but more importantly about love and the goals of life. Widowed Nimi's son Sami lies to his friends that he has moved to a big house, where Matt Field spontaneously helps the deception and turns out to be the author of Sami's adventure hero Saracen (\"Justice, with a body-count\"). Matt subsequently courts Nimi, but is comprehensively rejected by her exiled Nigerian community, who are trying to wed Nimi to the new priest. Matt uses his wealth to help her realise her ambitions at work, but is visited by his open-marriage wife, who becomes jealous of the perceived bond. Both Matt and Nimi are forced to resolve their own aspirational conflicts, catalysed by Sami's misadventure on the eve of Nimi's arranged marriage. CF starts as a wealthy, carefree, amused figure - who slowly becomes aware that he too has needs. The difficulties for Nimi are tougher, with an ancient yet matriarchal culture shaming her to learn how to cook stew, talk in proverbs and find a husband to serve, while she tries to forgeher own way without fracturing her links to her community (and family). The film is strong on humorous moments, especially early on in the Church of the Anglican Ascension (\"remember ... Satan is always portrayed with a white face\"), and in the mansion where Matt abets Sami's fib. Later on, there are touching moments, and even an action scene and a post-coital scene. The colour is provided by Grasse, an almost irrelevantly French setting, and especially by the Nigerian Christian garb. The earthy women of the community joke about men, sex and clothes whilst trying to inculcate the ancient oppressive values into Nimi. CF is variously amusing, tender, wilful, confused and heroic, but appears to appreciate the Nigerian sensitivities before finally deciding to ride roughshod over them. I thought it was a charming film, and would be very popular in cinemas. Possibly it would need still more humour to play really well, and maybe a less formulaic denouement would help it to bemore earthed in reality. Overall well worth goofing off from work! As a review, I barely need to state that the above is all IMVHO. Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 227 of 352: Eileen (EileenG) * Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (10:44) * 12 lines As a review, I barely need to state that the above is all IMVHO. Well done, Mark (for both the review and blowing off work to see a CF movie). *cue applause* maybe a less formulaic denouement Recent reviews point to this as the reason it wasn't picked up earlier by distributors. Regardless, it's great to see it out of the bank vault and on the screen. I hope UK audiences forgive its flaws. Later on, there are touching moments, and even an action scene and a post-coital scene. Ahem...I wouldn't mind a few spoilers here--perhaps after the LFF is over and Evelyn, Ann, etc. have seen it? Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 228 of 352: Karen (KarenR) * Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (10:46) * 3 lines Oh, thank you, Mark. You have missed your calling. Film criticism beckons you. Far better than 99.9% of the reviews I've read at AICN site. So, how did our \"plain-speaking\" Evelyn react? Did she walk out saying, \"This doesn't have a prayer\" or \"no wonder no one bought it\"? ;-D Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 229 of 352: MarkG (MarkG) * Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (11:02) * 2 lines Re-reading my review, I realise that as usual I have become dry and pompous. Only fair to say that the film is lovely and funny, and I would recommend it without hesitation to any kind of audience. Definitely did not deserve to languish in a vault! Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 230 of 352: S B Robinson (SBRobinson) * Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (11:02) * 5 lines Wonderful review Mark! I'm so glad you were able to escape work for a few hours and see it. :) Later on, there are touching moments, and even an action scene and a post-coital scene. (Eileen)Ahem...I wouldn't mind a few spoilers here-- you and me both, Eileen *hee hee* ;D and can you fill us in on if there were any great close ups of his face Mark? Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 231 of 352: Eileen (EileenG) * Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (11:10) * 2 lines I have become dry and pompous Not at all!"}, {"response": 3, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (09:39)", "body": "Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 232 of 352: MarkG (MarkG) * Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (11:16) * 7 lines SB: can you fill us in on if there were any great close ups of his face Mark? Ah yes, just the sort of question I wasn't concentrating on. The answer is that there must have been, because there is so much of YDB in the film. Almost every scene features either Nia Long or himself (or both), and little of it from any kind of distance. I don't know what Evelyn or others thought yet, as I turned up seconds before the start and rushed off as soon as the credits rolled. I am confident that they will report this to be one of the most successful film releases yet from the Firthettes' point of view (i.e. focus, role, presentation of CF). If you can imagine Paul Ashworth with financial success in the bag, that's a pretty good start. His wife, BTW, describes a certain part of him as \"Ever-Ready Eddie\". What can this mean? Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 233 of 352: Moon Dreams (Moon) * Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (11:59) * 10 lines (Karen), Oh, thank you, Mark. You have missed your calling. Film criticism beckons you. Far better than 99.9% of the reviews I've read at AICN site. You and me both! Thank you Mark! Now we will be asking you opinion on many more films. :-D (Mark), His wife, BTW, describes a certain part of him as \"Ever-Ready Eddie\". What can this mean? LOL! We certainly want to hear much more on this from Evelyn and Ann. Now that SLOW is out, I do believe Colin has no more films in the vault. Which is more than can be said for Mr. Fiennes. ;-) I wonder if Livia attended the screening? Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 234 of 352: bethan (lizbeth54) * Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (12:13) * 1 lines Terrific review Mark! I second Karen's opinion....you have missed your calling! Thanks for bunking off! Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 235 of 352: Ann W (amw) * Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (13:09) * 2 lines Wow, how do I follow Mark's review except to say I second everything he has said and am very glad to hear it from the male perspective as someone in the audince said it w as a chick-flick, whatever that means. Lots of lovely close-ups of Colin, and I thought the chemistry and romance betwen Nimi and Matthew was very convincing, much more so than Ruth Gemmell and Colin in Fever Pitch (and I liked FP), although you knew they would end up together you really really wanted them to. One review I read said that the end was a bit contrived and to be honest I tend to agree, I felt the ending was rather rushed, I could have done with another 30mins. We had close-ups, love scenes, longin gazes and even a wet shirt!!! Evelyn's comment as I mentioned on topic #123 was that it wouldn't win any Oscars, except possible in Nigeria, but was a charming film. A must-see and a must-keep for a CF fan I am sure. What with MLSF there is so much to look forward to, oh and 3DOR. Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 239 of 352: Lucie (alyeska) * Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (13:19) * 1 lines Thank you from me too Mark. I wonder how long we will have to wait to see it in the U.S. Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 240 of 352: Eileen (EileenG) * Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (13:54) * 4 lines Ann, your excitement is palpable! Thus far SLOW sounds alot like MLSF--not a perfect film but enjoyable and lots of CF to boot. What with MLSF there is so much to look forward to, oh and 3DOR. Good things come to those who wait. With SLOW (of course, you'll have to see it again when it's released later this month), TOTS, Blackadder and possibly Don Q in addition to 3DOR, May will be here before you know it! Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 241 of 352: Ann W (amw) * Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (14:00) * 1 lines True very true, as Lizzie once said and talking of Lizzie, JE is definitely coming to Broadway with TRT. only hope that MLSF's opening in May doesn't clash with a trip to NY!!! but what a lovely problem. Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 242 of 352: Heide (heide) * Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (16:56) * 1 lines I must rush off but had to check this sight. WOW!! I'm thrilled with both your posts, Mark and Ann, and can't wait to read the rest. I want to know how it ends!! Please, more details. I'll think of questions for tomorrow if no one else does first. Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 243 of 352: Lynda Wilson (lyndaw) * Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (18:01) * 2 lines Thanks for the encouraging reviews, Mark and Ann. I hope everyone else who sees it tomorrow will post ASAP. Sounds like an enjoyable film. Loved both MLSF and FP and can't wait to see SLOW. I will be in London on Dec.4 and am keeping my fingers crossed that SLOW will be playing then. The thought of seeing this film in addition to ODB on stage is so exciting that I won't mind even if it rains every day we're there. What "}, {"response": 4, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (09:42)", "body": "(copy continued) Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 244 of 352: Mary Murphy (Brown32) * Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (20:02) * 5 lines Thanks from here, Mark and Ann. I just KNOW we will never get to see it on this side of the pond, and, since I am well known as a non-flyer, I despair of ever finding out about \"Ever Ready Eddie.\" Mark, may I post your review on my SLOW page? I can make it \"anon\" if you want, but it is so good, and would cheer those who will never get to see the film. Murph Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 245 of 352: Heide (heide) * Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (08:23) * 18 lines I don't want to spoil SLOW for anyone else who has a chance of seeing it in the next few weeks so just don't read the answers to the questions I'm going to post to Mark, Ann, and the others who have not yet weighed in. Sorry Bethan, Lynda - close your eyes. It will be a long wait before the video gets to these shores. How does the courtship between Matthew and Nimi come about? help her realise her ambitions at work Does Nimi get a job outside her restricted enclave? visited by his open-marriage wife So then we are not to find Matt's adultery distasteful.;-) I take it his wife (name?) doesn't always live with her husband and takes lovers. How is that conveyed? Echoing the others asking for more on the post coital and action! scenes. Ann, et al, I'm sure you'll be able to give us a clear description of his physical appearance. Hair? Any interesting attire? (shorts, swimming, formal, none?) not too serious. Paul Ashworth sort of but not as rumpled? Big question - Do Matthew and Nimi end up together? And, what was the audience response? Thanks! Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 246 of 352: Ann W (amw) * Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (13:40) * 8 lines Here are some of the answers to some of your questions Heide. I was concentrating so much on Colin that I really need to see it again to answer all your questions. Anyway, firstly yes Nimi and Matthew do end up together, and I would say that his is the most romantic role Colin has played in a long time. They are both so sweeet they were made for each other and although Matthew and his wife seemed fond of each other, it was a very open marriage and they both knew the rules and until Matthew met Nimi he was quite happy with things. Colin wore lots of loose fitting shirts and dark suits with tee shirts underneath, showed off his lovely long lean body beautifully. His hair was a reddish brown, , very near his natural colour I would think, and curly but not as unruly as Paul Ashworth. He looked great in everything he wore. Nimi designs gardens and Matthew hired her to re-design her garden, he had 115 acres? I think that is what he said. Her family were not happy with her working for a white man. I shall have to go again to take in the things I missed the first time around. Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 247 of 352: Ann W (amw) * Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (13:41) * 1 lines Oh btw the audience response was pretty good, well very good seeing as most of them wereprobably Firth fans, they laughed in all the right places and applauded at the end. Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 248 of 352: Heide (heide) * Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (16:46) * 7 lines I would say that his is the most romantic role Colin has played in a long time. Ummmmm...I knew I would like this film. How was the relationship portrayed between Sami and Matthew? Pals? Father-son? I'm afraid I will pester you all for details until I can see the whole filmin my mind...which may be the only place I will see it for months. BTW, today is Caroline Goodall's 40th birthday. Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 249 of 352: Heide (heide) * Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (14:29) * 1 lines And another thing...you mentioned wet shirt. Ann, don't leave us hanging. ;-) Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 250 of 352: Ann W (amw) * Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (15:29) * 2 lines Well - and this is where I agree with the reviewers the ending was rather contrived and rushed. The day before Nimi's marriage to the Reverend, Sammy goes missing and Nimi seeks Matthew's help just as he is about to leave with his wife. Sammy meanwhile has gone off on an adventure to Matthew's boat, climbs in and the boat tips over and is taken out to sea or to the rocks. Colin rushes off to Nimi' side say she needs me and I need her, realises where Sammi could be, dives in fully clothed and rescues Samm from the overturned boat. Hence wet shirt!! Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 251 of 352: Lizza J (Lizza) * Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (16:10) * 7 lines Great to read your reviews Mark and Ann, you have given us a really accuratepicture of it, that I anm sure we would enjoy it. It makes me even sadder that it has not been picked to tour the provinces in the LFF on tour later this month. Ho HUM! I love your description of his"}, {"response": 5, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (09:45)", "body": "(copy continued) Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 252 of 352: Ann W (amw) * Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (16:26) * 1 lines Lizza, do you know it is going on General release on the 26th . BTW thanks for your very thorough answers on #123 Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 253 of 352: Lizza J (Lizza) * Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (16:59) * 5 lines Of course Ann, thanks for nudging my brain there! Is that general release though or will it be very limited, eg arthouse type venues? Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 254 of 352: Karen (KarenR) * Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (17:08) * 3 lines Didn't Bethan post something about how SLOW was going to be in \"normal\" theaters? I've just spoken to Evelyn a little while ago. She and Aishling and Tineke are boiling mad after the Q&A at the Ritzy! But I'll let them relate what was said. Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 255 of 352: bethan (lizbeth54) * Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (17:29) * 3 lines Don't leave us in the lurch too long over the Q&A session, please, or my imagination will work overtime. Hostile questions? Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 256 of 352: Ann W (amw) * Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (18:05) * 1 lines Oh before I go off to bed I forgot to mention that Colin spoke three sentences in French, oh la la. Is there no end to this man's talents. Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 257 of 352: Heide (heide) * Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (19:09) * 5 lines Fr..Fr..Fr..French? Be still my heart. Ending does sound contrived but hey..they can't all be award winners. I'll let you sleep, Ann, but come back tomorrow. We have other questions. Thanks so much for bearing the brunt of this. I hope Evelyn can share your load soon. Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 258 of 352: Cymbeline (baine) * Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (20:39) * 1 lines And 'ow is ees accent? Does he make beautiful music? Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 259 of 352: MarkG (MarkG) * Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (01:58) * 7 lines Murph, of course you can post my \"review\" on your site. Such flattery! (Heide) How does the courtship between Matthew and Nimi come about? After Sami gets delivered to CF's big house and CF plays along with his pretence that he lives there, CF has to return Sami to his mother. His first line about Nia Long is \"Why did you tell me she wasn't beautiful?\" and so begins his pursuit, which is never convincingly rebuffed. (Lizza) Mark are you coming to 3DOR with us? I have tickets. Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 260 of 352: Tineke (Tineke) * Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (03:21) * 1 lines Help!! What's this Yapp error? It took me an hour to write down all my comments, and when I wanted to post them, I got this yapp error and lost everything! Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 261 of 352: Tineke (Tineke) * Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (03:36) * 21 lines I guess I'll have to start all over again. First of all, Ann and Mark, I enjoyed reading your reviews of SLOW. (Ann) He looked great in everything he wore. Except for that awful bathrobe! You forgot to mention the silly but cute sneakers he's wearing in this film;-) There are a lot of P&P scenes in this film; looking through window in the above mentioned bathrobe, getting wet... Fr..Fr..Fr..French? Be still my heart. He says \" Qu'est-ce que vous voulez? Comment \ufffdtes-vous rentr\ufffd?\" (What do you want? How did you get in?) He speaks rather fluent, but obviously with a slight English accent. So then we are not to find Matt's adultery distasteful.;-) I take it his wife (name?) doesn't always live with her husband and takes lovers. How is that conveyed? They both live in London. Matt's in the South of France to get some rest (apparently after having had a heart attack. But this is not clear in the film. We only know because we read the production notes). Matt keeps on postponing his trip back home (another P&P parallel). We see his wife talking over the phone with Matt, with another man lying next to her in bed. How was the relationship portrayed between Sami and Matthew? Pals? Father-son? Sammy's favourite hero is Saracin, a character invented by Matt. Sammy keeps on playing theseSaracin games, which gets him into trouble at times. So when Sammy meets Matt, his hero, he can't believe his luck! Of course, Sammy and Matt get along really well. Matt plays games with him, has to answer lots of Sammy's questions about life and sex..."}, {"response": 6, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (09:48)", "body": "copy continued Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 262 of 352: Tineke (Tineke) * Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (03:46) * 7 lines And now, the Q&A at the Ritzy. Both the director Peter Schwabach and the producer/writer Misan Sagay were there. They were talking about all the problems they had financing the film. The main production company, Handmade Films, went bankrupt around the time they started shooting the film. This obviously lead to questions about whether this forced them to cut the film more than they would have like, whether they had to leave out important scenes. Ms Sagay replied that they were overall happy with the film, but had a hard time convincing the people not to leave out too many Nigerian scenes. She said \"imagine, they almost wanted to make a film about Colin Firth!\" and laughed. She wanted to make a Nigerian film and would have preferred leaving out the Colin scenes rather than the parts with the Nigerian women. And she kept on talking how they were so fortunate to get such a great cast (clearly referring to all the Nigerian woman and not Colin). Then she thought she'd impress us by saying that Jeremy Irons was going to play the part of Matt nd had thought of Whitney Houston as Nimi. Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 263 of 352: aishling (aishling) * Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (03:46) * 15 lines I haven't time at the moment to catch up on the posts so apologies in advance for any repeats. Although no master piece, this is a very enjoyable and comical film and CF looks gorgeous throughout. The film is set in Grasse, South of France and the location is colourful and beautiful as is the Nigerian native dress. The conversations between Matthew and Sami are very funny with Matthew having some very witty lines. Matthew is a bit of a cad and has had numerous affairs although he admits to being very happily married. The film runs for approx 40 mins before anyone knows he is married. For those worried about his infidelity, fear not. You just cannot take this film seriously. This is an open marriage with Jenny having her flings too and this is how their marriage works. One of my favourite secnes is when Matthew and Jenny are dancing together and Matthew is acting like a clown and being very laddish and extremely enjoying himself. He is also genuinely pleased to seeJenny when she makes a surprise visit. Poor CF get all wet again when he goes underwater fully clothed. He also gets to look at Nimi in his garden from an upstairs window wearing his bath robe. There was a lot of laughter throughout the film from both audiences and applause at the end. Tickets for Saturday night were sold out but due to rail works on the underground, there were no trains going to Brixton station. I won't go into the state Evelyn, Tineke and I got into. Suffice to say we made it. To whet your appetite, the Director and Writer attended on Saturday evening and held a question and answer session at the end of the screening. My cue to say \"go to it Evelyn\", who will be winging her way home today. Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 265 of 352: Ann W (amw) * Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (04:00) * 1 lines Tineke, I don't know if you know this but he was actually protesting outside the Houses of Parliament about the time Slow was being shown on Friday. Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 266 of 352: MarkG (MarkG) * Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (04:30) * 16 lines A few more spoiler thoughts, in no order: Americans get a pretty bad press in the film; the American characters I can remember are: Sami's disdainful Anglophone schoolfriends; Caroline Goodall's gormless lover, who she brings on her visit to Grasse; Matt's agent, who thinks the worst of his client and offers to sort out any mess that Matt has made. Would this affect an American distributor, I wonder? It's news to me that Matt is recovering from a heart attack (I hadn't read production notes). I was assuming he was lying low for a while after ending a liaison with a politician's wife (as the priest read out from the paper). I was going to say CG didn't look 40, but then I remembered when the film was made. She wouldn't! Tineke, are you honestly saying his French had only a \"slight English accent\"? I'm going to start daring to speak French again if that's true. I thought he sounded as hopeless as most of us (deliberately). On Matt's relationship with Sami, he was like the grown-up pal who dares to tell the kid the truth for the first time. \"You mean all grown-ups have sex? Even the married ones?\" \"Especially the married ones\" Re the ending: turning up with a lorryload of tomatoes is a typical Hollywood Quixotic gesture (imagine Richard Gere in Pretty Woman, or whoever that is who turns up with a yacht on a Manhattan street, or Billy Crystal bringing back a calf in City Slickers, or pretty much any romantic film of the past twenty years). Yeah, don't bust my chops, City Slickers isn't romantic, but you know wha"}, {"response": 7, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (09:51)", "body": "(copy continued) Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 269 of 352: Eileen (EileenG) * Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (09:49) * 21 lines Thanks, thanks, thanks for the additional info, Ann, Mark, Tineke, Aishling and (in abstentia) Evelyn! (Aishling) with Matthew having some very witty lines. Do you (any of you who saw it) remember them? Also, Nimi laughed in the \"post-coital\" scene can you tell us more about this scene? How about the 'action' scenes (besides the wet shirt water rescue scene)? (Mark) Americans get a pretty bad press in the film...Would this affect an American distributor, I wonder? That and the fact the film has received so-so reviews (not original, contrived ending, etc.). or whoever that is who turns up with a yacht on a Manhattan street Michael Douglas in Romancing the Stone. But your point is taken ;-) (Tineke) Ms Sagay replied that they were overall happy with the film, but had a hard time convincing the people not to leave out too many Nigerian scenes Perhaps those were all the scenes with the women secretly laughing :-P She said \"imagine, they almost wanted to make a film about Colin Firth!\" Certainly not at his insistence. Unless ODB has a vain, pompous side (naaah). Ms. Sagay's lips must have been puckered from those sour grapes. Even with Colin Firth the film came *this close* to bank vault oblivion. Jeremy Irons and Whitney Houston, huh? IMO Whitney's salary alone would have eclipsed the entire budget for this movie. (Aishling) \"ah, that's too bad\" It sounds like there's no love lost over this production. Topic 121 of 125 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 270 of 352: Karen (KarenR) * Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (09:58) * 29 lines Wow!! All the comments. Thank you, Mark, Tineke and Aishling. Knew you wouldn't wait toolong to get back in here. Even before any comments re: SLOW, I must know: Caroline Goodall's gormless lover What is this lover missing? I shudder to think. ;-D And Tineke, if you're using IE, always \"Copy\" your response before submitting, just in case you need to redo it. Now back to our subject at hand... Good point about the title. What is this \"secret laughter of women\"? If none of you can answer that, it would seem the filmmakers did not succeed with their message. (Tineke) silly but cute sneakers he's wearing in this film;-) Ooh, someone is looking at his feet! ;-D (Aishling) Matthew is a bit of a cad and has had numerous affairs...The film runs for approx 40 mins before anyone knows he is married. I did get the impression from all I've read that he actively pursues Nimi...that he's quite the hound. :) (Tineke) She didn't seem to like Colin very much. No wonder he didn't show up at the screening! When I spoke to the guy at Optimum, he said the Director had been in contact with Colin. Yeah, I wouldn't leave it up to Misan to entice Colin into attending. (Mark) Americans get a pretty bad press in the film...Would this affect an American distributor, I wonder? Interesting point. We can do it to ourselves, but no one likes it when others do it. However, it seems that point alone wouldn't be the reason why it hasn't found an American distributor. I get the impression that it's a fairly average film. Not even one that would get a first-time writer and director noticed. Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 271 of 352: aishling (aishling) * Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (10:38) * 17 lines Karen: I did get the impression from all I've read that he actively pursues Nimi...that he's quite the hound. :) Absolutely. She is just another conquest until the end of the film. He tells her he is not ready for love and that she must know the boundaries!!!! What is this lover missing? I shudder to think. Speech for a start. Karen, I think you are in for a very entertaining meeting later today. Eileen: It sounds like there's no love lost over this production. I don't think so. Ms Sagay gave no credit to CF at all and he carried the film. She did say that what they could afford to pay Whitney Houston wouldn't pay for her hairdresser. I thought it very bad taste to say they wanted Jeremy Irons and that he wanted the part but by the time they were ready for filming, he was committed elsewhere. I like JI but he couldn't se him in this part. Anyway I am not going to say anymore about her. I am not sure that I have fathomed out the meaning of the title either. Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 272 of 352: Karen (KarenR) * Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (10:55) * 8 lines (Aishling) I think you are in for a very entertaining meeting later today. I know I will. I called her up Sunday night just after she came in from seeing Mansfield Park and heard lots and lots. Oooohhhh, my phone bill!! :-o I thought it very bad taste to say they wanted Jeremy Irons and that he wanted the part but by the time they were ready for filming, he was committed elsewhere. Extremely bad taste. However, from that, I can only conclude that something happened post-production betwe"}, {"response": 8, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (09:54)", "body": "(copy continued Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 273 of 352: Eileen (EileenG) * Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (11:17) * 2 lines (Karen) However, from that, I can only conclude that something happened post-production between the two (Ms. Sagay and CF). So do I (that's what I meant by my 'no love lost' comment, Aishling). As for Sagay's bad taste in mentioning her desired cast, perhaps that was a rookie mistake (I'm going out a limb for her when she doesn't deserve it). Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 274 of 352: Elena (Elena) * Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (11:20) * 7 lines (Aishling) I thought it very bad taste to say they wanted Jeremy Irons and that he wanted the part but by the time they were ready for filming, he was committed elsewhere Oh, that Ms. Sagay appears to be a real bitch! I\ufffdm so glad that Colin didn\ufffdt bother to show up. On the other hand, we don\ufffdt know what has happened between them and it\ufffds obvious that she is really deeply pissed off for some reason...... I only wonder what could have caused it. This is probably the first time ever that I hear someone being so very displeased with him. Thanks for all your comments Aishling, very interesting! Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 275 of 352: Ann W (amw) * Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (13:18) * 2 lines Aishling and Tineke, what question lead to this unnecessary comment from Ms. Sagay, or did she offer it off her own bat so to speak. There can't have been many Firth fans there on Saturday or else I am sure there would have been a riot, I would have been furious to think that she had something like that in such a public place. Poor Colin and it is such a lovely film, and it is so romantic and the romance so convincing im my opinion anyway, but this has soured it for me, I shall always think that Colin for one reason or another did not like it which makes the film less than convincing. Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 276 of 352: bethan (lizbeth54) * Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (17:46) * 4 lines Ann, I'm rather dubious as to whether CF actually said anything derogatory about SLOW. I think that possibly he was preoccupied and misheard what was said to him. His response could be interpreted to refer to almost anything. SLOW may not be \"Citizen Kane\", but neither is it \"Mad Cows\"! As to Ms Sagaye. I'm geniuinely puzzled by her remarks. CF may not be a man without fault, but he seems to have an unblemished record of good working relationships, often leading to continuing friendships. Perhaps she never got over the disappointment of not getting J. Irons as leading man!! Or does she blame CF for the chequered history of SLOW's release. In all honesty, I don't think he could be expected to attend the Q&A, ...he'd had a fairly punishing day with two performances. And he will promote (FP IL, 3DOR) All in all, Ms Sagaye strikes me as highly unprofessional! Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 277 of 352: bethan (lizbeth54) * Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (17:58) * 3 lines Did the director concur with the producer's comments? What was his attitude to CF? And why did the reference to a \"good cast\" apparently exclude CF? It will be interesting to see if CF does promote SLOW... promotional interview(s) often appear the weekend before release, so there's still time. Actually, Ms Sagay doesn't need CF to publicise SLOW.....as a first-time writer/producer, and a black female, she would attract attention in her own right. The BFI recently produced a report on under-representation of black minorities in film production. the media would be interested in this sort of breakthrough, especially if SLOW gets a mainstream release. Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 278 of 352: Ann W (amw) * Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (18:25) * 2 lines Bethan, I am not quite sure what your first paragraph means, I don't think I said Colin said anything derogatory about SLOPW did I. Aishling did say that someone who had attended 3DOR spoke to him and said they had come to see SLOW and he said \"Oh Dear\" or something like that, is that what you mean? and was Colin really excluded from the \"good cast\" comment, this is too much. Even if I were not a Colin Firth fan I would say that he was the best thing in the film and I am sure J.I could not have done bette or W.H. better than Nia Long. Her dialogue certainly left much to be desired not Colin's acting!! Bethan you will love SLOW, I definitely did and despite everything I shall certainly be buying the video. Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 279 of 352: Heide (heide) * Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (19:19) * 5 lines Regarding Ms. Sagay, is it possible she did not mean to deride Colin at all but was miffed that her film did not focus on the story she wrote - the relationships among this matriarchal society. By saying she'd rather his scenes were cut, could she mean she didn't want the love angle to be as important as the story of t"}, {"response": 9, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (09:57)", "body": "(copy continued) Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 281 of 352: MarkG (MarkG) * Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (02:57) * 6 lines Although we didn't see Matthew with other women, we had the scurrilous tittle-tattle read out from the papaer by the priest, and we had his agent say to him \"I can come down there and sort out the mess - you know I've done that before for you.\" And he was happy(ish) in his open marriage. I think Jenny implied to Nimi that she was just another girl (but she would). None of that is conclusive, I admit. Is it possible they made Ms Sagay change the ending? Maybe Nimi originally dumped both suitors and went off on her own (secretly laughing). And if Jeremy Irons had played Matthew, it would have been a very different film. Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 282 of 352: Elena (Elena) * Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (06:03) * 4 lines (Mark)And if Jeremy Irons had played Matthew, it would have been a very different film You must be right, Mark. Haven\ufffdt seen SLOW but personally I can\ufffdt stand Jeremy Irons and the thought of someone wanting him somewhere instead of Colin looks insane and a sacrilege! I\ufffdve felt disgusted with JIat least since The French Lieutenant\ufffds Woman or what was that dumb movie (sorry JI fans, just my humble opinion :-) Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 283 of 352: Karen (KarenR) * Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (07:47) * 4 lines I've read through the production notes, which emphasize the collegiality of the entire project: how Sagay basically picked out Schwabach and how they worked closely together. Lots of complimentry things about Colin in the notes, but then again, these were written by PR people, who wouldn't make such a mistake. BTW, Evelyn said the comment was made in response to a question about whether Sagay had fulfilled her vision (or some such baloney). Not getting the cast of her dreams is something she should have ept to herself. I'll let Evelyn elaborate later today when she gets home and online. Nothing in the notes that helps with the title, but I like your take, Mark. Think I'll ask a woman I know, who is married to a Nigerian, about the title. Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 284 of 352: Eileen (EileenG) * Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (10:12) * 10 lines (Bethan) I'm rather dubious as to whether CF actually said anything derogatory about SLOW. I think that possibly he was preoccupied and misheard what was said to him. I know what you mean, Bethan; I had the same reaction. Re: Sagay's comments--again, it sounds to me that her comment breached the unwritten rules of professional etiquette (never diss your cast, directly or indirectly). She's new at this, right? She answered the question honestly but failed to see the impact. Possibly we're the only ones offended by her remarks, though. (Mark) Maybe Nimi originally dumped both suitors and went off on her own (secretly laughing). Hee hee! Back to the particulars... How do Matthew and Nimi end up *ahem* in bed? What were some of Matthew's funniest lines (in context)? And what about these action sequences? Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 285 of 352: MarkG (MarkG) * Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (10:27) * 9 lines Eileen How do Matthew and Nimi end up *ahem* in bed? What were some of Matthew's funniest lines (in context)? And what about these action sequences? We've heard previously that in Nimi's culture, first names have a mystical property and their use can be an intimate act. \"Like making love?\" asks Jenny's gormless lover. \"Yes\". So when Matthew and Nimi end up alone and indoors, he tells her to say his name (before she called him Mr Field, and he called her Mrs da Silva, as he didn't know her first name), so that once she does, he unwraps the bottom of her outfit... Cut to post-coital scene. Sounds awful written down, but was well acted. The action sequence was the above-mentioned scene where Sammy nearly drowns on the rickety wrecked speedboat which falls into the sea. Colin performs an underwater rescue, kicking in the window to pull Sammy out, and handing up to his anxious mother. Funny lines - I will try to recall. In his first scene, having spotted a drawing of Saracen's transporter on the hiding Sammy's wrist, he bluffs Sammy's friend with a long speech about how Star-rule 37G forbids the revelation of his whereabouts during a mission, blah, blah, or something. It was so unexpected that the audience fell about. Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 286 of 352: Eileen (EileenG) * Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (10:45) * 1 lines Thanks, Mark! Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 287 of 352: Ann W (amw) * Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (11:05) * 1 lines She didn't seem to like Colin apart from saying that she would have liked J.I. (which was bad enought) was there anything else she said that made you think she didn't like Colin and did theProducer/Director seem to agree with her. Personally I think s"}, {"response": 10, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (10:00)", "body": "(copy continued) Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 290 of 352: Lizza J (Lizza) * Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (15:23) * 8 lines Thanks Ann, Tineke, Aishling and Mark once again for enlightening us so thoroughly! I don't think you have left a stone unturned in your quest to bring us every SLOW detail. I think I am really looking forward to seeing it and Ann has particularly convinced me by saying the video is one to keep (and treasure!) when it does eventually appear. Just one question - does he look as thin as he is now in 3DOR, or would you say he has lost weight? Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 291 of 352: Evelyn (lafn) * Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (15:52) * 54 lines Hi Gang....Mark, Ann and Aishling....you have all given a great synopsis of the film...Here is mine: ~~~~~~ Mark...sorry we missed you on the Friday screening..but Duty called, I see: to write the first SLOW review!!Thanks Mark.We took off to the distribs for press kit. Not too much to add to all my predecessors remarks.. They could have called SLOW \"Man Behaving Badly and they wouldn't have been far off the mark....and with a less skilled actor the audience would have loathed him. But even knowing his intentions are disingenuous , the audience is swept along and seduced by Matthew ..just like Nimi. You know the plot and the predictable ending. The dialogue at times is \"Screen-Writing 101\"stuff..but there are a few clever lines...three!I found the dialogue among the Nigerian women most appealing...esp. the preponderanceof proverbs to make a point. Misan Sagay seems to write women -talk best...along with dialogue between Matthew and Sammy ( she should, she's a pediatrician!)Most unappealing are the lines between Matthew and Nimi....baaaad.Peter Schwabach has seen P&P more times than I have...and stolen all the best Andrew Davies scenes...He should sue. But hey, we're the beneficiaries. As one reviewer says \"CF saves the film\"...and he has never looked better. So with apologies to Moon: TEN REASONS WHY I LIKED SLOW... 1. ODB has the starring role 2. He speaks French 3. He dances 4. He smolders (with sexual undertones!) 5. He flirts...(with that \"on foot\" smile) 6. Lots of snogs ...alas no foreplay and no shags:-( 7. Wears clothes to die for 8. Lots of close ups...plainly seen: ears pierced, neck (for those of you who are into mole-counting!)....and we noticed a small flaw under the left nostril!) 9. Good Chemistry with Nia Long. 10. Cute banter with Sammy. ~~~~~~ Womanizer references are several: 1. Jenny confronts Nimi with \"there have been several\"...and implies that she is another one. 2. The Reverend Folla reading in the newspaper about Matthew Fields; \"...had a heart attack while bonking an MP's wife\". BTW Matt has a heart attack in this film too...(alas not while bonking anybody.) It takes two viewings to get the gist of this film... ~~~~~ This is a cute film...don't know why a British distributor didn't pick it up sooner.It was available to them. IMO it has a better potential for a US audience than FP. (Somebody tell Phaedra!!)Definitely, the best ODB has looked since P&P. We will have a real party discussing this one. ~~~~ I'll give The Ritzy Report later....enough to say that it was an exasperating experience. Aishling and I reconstructed the Q&A. I spoke to the director on the way out...pertaining to US distribution. I can see that my job isn't over...if she is right. Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 292 of 352: Eileen (EileenG) * Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (16:23) * 19 lines Thanks for your comments, Evelyn. Now *shining a bright light in your eyes* it's your turn for the interrogation. I found the dialogue among the Nigerian women most appealing...esp. the preponderance of proverbs to make a point Aha! Has this something to do with \"secret laughter?\" Loved your top ten list! 2. The Reverend Folla reading in the newspaper about Matthew Fields; \"...had a heart attack while bonking an MP's wife\". BTW Matt has a heart attack in this film too...(alas not while bonking anybody.) Alas, indeed! You've lost me on the heart attack business, though. Others have referred to the newspaper article--a heart attack in one so young would be unusual (now, in someone of Jeremy Iron's age...), so it was likely a ruse--but what do you mean about Matt having a heart attack in the film? IMO it has a better potential for a US audience than FP. (Somebody tell Phaedra!!) You're right. Poor Phaedra. FP did so poorly in NY it seems to have vanished. I spoke to the director on the way out...pertaining to US distribution. I can see that my job isn't over...if she is right. Do tell! Do tell! Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 293 of 352: Moon Dreams (Moon) * Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (16:40) * 9 lines Welcome back, Evelyn! Loved the top 10! It is definitely one to swoon over. ;-D Did anyone point out the faux-pas to Sagay? I would have! What does the 3DOR poster look like? Have we seen t"}, {"response": 11, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (10:03)", "body": "(copy continued) Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 294 of 352: Karen (KarenR) * Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (16:49) * 15 lines Great comments, Evelyn! and we noticed a small flaw under the left nostril!) Definitely a point we need to discuss! IMO it has a better potential for a US audience than FP. (Somebody tell Phaedra!!) Oh no!!!! It should go to somebody somewhat competent. These people don't have enough clout to get their coffee refilled at the nearest Denny's let alone find an \"avelilable\" [sic] screen in the entire US! I see 10 excellent reasons to see this film, when only one would have sufficed and these are double-barrelled reasons, counting two apiece: 4. He smolders (with sexual undertones!) 5. He flirts...(with that \"on foot\" smile) *be still my heart* (Eileen) a heart attack in one so young would be unusual (now, in someone of Jeremy Iron's age...) You are baaaaadddd! Of course, a heart attack in one so young is usually massive and fatal. But with this second one, he isn't even taken to the hospital, but to Nimi's house or her mother's house. Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 295 of 352: Karen (KarenR) * Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (16:52) * 1 lines Hopefully, you will see the poster tomorrow. Right now it is masking taped to my wall where I photographed it this morning. Will pick up the prints tomorrow for scanning. It is an *ooohhhh yeahhhh* Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 296 of 352: Moon Dreams (Moon) * Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (16:59) * 2 lines It is an *ooohhhh yeahhhh* Go ahead and tease us, we tremble with anticipation. ;-) Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 297 of 352: Heide (heide) * Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (19:08) * 7 lines Welcome back, Evelyn. XOXOXOX We missed you! Before I get maudlin, back to the film... What is with this heart attack business, we all want to know. He's suffered two already at his age? This film may not be a good candidate for \"will they live happily ever after.\" Looking forward to my new SLOW wallpaper. Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 298 of 352: Evelyn (lafn) * Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (20:55) * 18 lines (Eileen)but what do you mean about Matt having a heart attack in the film? Just what I said....you see him slumped over in the car...with the people carrying him out...Then he's taken to Nimi's house!!! \"The doctor said he would release him.. when we found his relatives\"...then....\"We found your wife\" says Nimi. You see what I mean about the riveting dialogue. ~~~~ (Moon)Did anyone point out the faux-pas to Sagay? I would have! What does the 3DOR poster look like? Have we seen the pix? Tell us all about your encounter with Colin. Did you ask about Flashman, or any future project? Do you have a pix of your lovely group? Moon...I posted the encounter with Colin on 123. The 3 DOR poster is the same as the pic on the brochure. I did not ask any questions. I treat this encounter as a social one ...not an interrogation. I have no agenda when I go ....I never plan to ask him any questions. I did not ask him for an autograph ( I don't have one) and I did not take a picture.In January, I would like to take a pic of Karen and him ...I feel the poor girl was cheated in March.Like I said.. I go to relish the moment. I did not confront Ms. Sagay with any derogotory comments ...that would have been rude. I did ask her privately about th US distribution....I will give you that account later. The film ended about 11:20...the tubes stop running at midnight...and Brixton was to hell 'n gone. There were no tubes from Brixton and I was not sure we could get a taxi to Victoria to make the midnight deadline. Susan....you were our inspiration...if Susan did it alone...I felt the three of us could do it together. So we were anxious to get out...yet we wanted to stay til the end of the Q&A. We were fighting the clock. The SLOW poster is absolutely gorgeous...as is the film. This movie is a survivor...I'm convinced it will be shown in the US. A natural for Lifetime channel on cable. Definitely a \"chick-flick\", a date movie.A heart-stopper for sure. Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 299 of 352: Moon Dreams (Moon) * Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (21:50) * 12 lines I did not confront Ms. Sagay with any derogotory comments ...that would have been rude. Evelyn, you misunderstood me. Ms. Sagay should have been checked on her comments but there is no need to be derogatory or rude in doing so. I did not ask any questions. I treat this encounter as a social one ...not an interrogation. I have no agenda when I go. Asking a question about a future project does not make for an interrogation and certainly in no way could he have thought you to have an agenda by asking a question. We are interrogating you with all our questions, as we do have the tendency to assail the lucky ones who chat with OVDB. I hope you do get a chance to take his picture with Karen, she deserves it! How was"}, {"response": 12, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (10:07)", "body": "(copy continued) Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 301 of 352: Eileen (EileenG) * Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (07:43) * 14 lines (Moon) Age is not neccesarily a factor for one to have a heart attack. It most certainly is. (Karen) You are baaaaadddd! Most of the time, yes, but I was speaking medically here. And humbug, Humbert, indeed! he isn't even taken to the hospital, but to Nimi's house or her mother's house. Guess he had an American HMO. (Evelyn) you see him slumped over in the car...with the people carrying him out...Then he's taken to Nimi's house!!! Thanks for the clarification, Ev. The place to go after a heart attack (or as Mari calls it, a My-oh-Colin-al Infarction) or even an angina episode is not someone's house. Matthew probably just had gas :-D Harumph. If Sagay is a pediatrician, she ought to know this. Bad story line. Veddy veddy bad. If I ever come face-to-face with ODB, I'd be lucky to get an intelligible word out of my mouth. You knew what was appropriate for the time and place, Evelyn. But it doesn't stop the rest of us from wanting to ask by proxy! Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 303 of 352: Elena (Elena) * Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (09:47) * 3 lines (Evelyn)I treat this encounter as a social one That\ufffds what makes that encounter so great, your instincts work perfectly, Evelyn! He came to you to say he was glad to see you there, not to answer a flow of curious fan questions. If you had started to question him he wouldn\ufffdt come to you deliberately again. Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 304 of 352: Mari (mari) * Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (10:05) * 11 lines he isn't even taken to the hospital, but to Nimi's house or her mother's house. (Eileen) Guess he had an American HMO. ROTF! If you're right, Eileen, one can only hope that Dr. Nimi, the Primary Care Physician, had a fresh supply of leeches on hand!;-) Note to self: 1. Swallow coffee before reading posts. 2. Purchase plastic slipcover for monitor if neglect to do # 1. Evelyn, you are amazing. As I told Karen, most of us bring home red double-decker bus magnets; leave it to you to haul a Colincopia of Firthabilia! Am greatly enjoying your posts. Would love to hear more about the *exact* moment that you realized he recognized you and was coming over. I have to confess: in March I was one of those curious fan types who asked him questions, just work-related stuff, you know, like \"boxers or briefs?\";-) Mari Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 305 of 352: Moon Dreams (Moon) * Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (10:18) * 6 lines (Mari), I have to confess: in March I was one of those curious fan types who asked him questions, just work-related stuff, you know, like \"boxers or briefs?\";-) Mari you should know better than to make such a confession here. We need all the details before we can absolve you. :-) Please continue... Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 306 of 352: SusanMC (SusanMC) * Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (10:42) * 16 lines (Evelyn) Peter Schwabach has seen P&P more times than I have...and stolen all the best Andrew Davies scenes. Could you elaborate? Was there a lot of sparring-type situations between Matt and Nimi? In January, I would like to take a pic of Karen and him. Most definitely! Susan....you were our inspiration...if Susan did it alone...I felt the three of us could do it together. You're sweet to say this, but I shouldn't be anyone's inspiration. If I was any kind of a competent driver my trip would have been a piece of cake. Guess he had an American HMO. LOL, Eileen! Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 307 of 352: Xian (Xian) * Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (12:40) * 9 lines (Evelyn)I treat this encounter as a social one (Elena) That\ufffds what makes that encounter so great, your instincts work perfectly, Evelyn! He came to you to say he was glad to see you there, not to answer a flow of curious fan questions. If you had started to question him he wouldn\ufffdt come to you deliberately again. But he might expect Evelyn to ask him some questions since he knew she was not one of those stalkers (you know what I mean, don't you?) then Colin could be disappointed for not having an exciting conversation with one of his finest fans ;-) I do wish Evelyn would ask him to get onto cf.com for his film discussion (that may get him interested). Thanks to all who posted the latest 3DOR and SLOW reviews. I'm having a great time to absorb them. Now go back to my little corner, see ya!"}, {"response": 13, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (10:12)", "body": "(copy continued) Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 308 of 352: Evelyn (lafn) * Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (12:57) * 13 lines (Mari)I have to confess: in March I was one of those curious fan types who asked him questions, justwork-related stuff, you know, like \"boxers or briefs?\";-) Mari, you're the greatest....and coming from you, I am sure he would laugh and not be offended. I guess, I just don't care that much....I am happy to see him on stage anytime, anywhere. Anyway, asking questions when I don't know anyone personally is just not me...sorry. ~~~~~~~ (Evelyn) Peter Schwabach has seen P&P more times than I have...and stolen all the best Andrew Davies scenes. (Susan)Could you elaborate? Was there a lot of sparring-type situations between Matt and Nimi? P&P cloned scenes 1. He looks out the window (wearing a ghastly dressing gown)at Nimi while she is sketching his garden. (She is a landscape architect). 2. He rescues Sammy in a boating accident ...swims in a tank...comes out with dripping wet shirt.. 3. Lots of smoldering looks. I have notes someplace...Springfolks who attended please add to this list. Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 309 of 352: Lizza J (Lizza) * Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (16:07) * 7 lines OOOHHH!!! What glimpses of ODB to whet the appetite! Evelyn, great top 10 and Karen we await your skilled photography with keen anticipation. I can see I will have to focus on his nose at my next 3DOR visit! I have lapped up every detail, thank you. Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 310 of 352: Lizza J (Lizza) * Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (16:08) * 3 lines P.S Is the dripping wet shirt white as in Pemberly white? Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 311 of 352: Ann W (amw) * Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (16:17) * 1 lines Blue, I think Lizza! Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 312 of 352: Karen (KarenR) * Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (18:20) * 9 lines (Evelyn) 1. He looks out the window (wearing a ghastly dressing gown)at Nimi while she is sketching his garden. Wot?! She wasn't frolicking with a dog? ;-D Does Colin do his trademark (Andrew Davies) snuff out a candle with bare fingers? (Lizza) we await your skilled photography I guess I must be one of those who cuts off heads. ;-D Sorry, the others will have to wait. I've had a hard day picking up pictures, taking another roll (hanging the poster on outside walls, garage doors, etc.), having that developed, trying to figure out if any were good, picking up the slides from another place, then scanning the lot of them. 'Fraid I don't even want to look at them right now....at least until tomorrow. BTW, the kid at the photoshop thought the closeup one of Matt and Nimi in bed (which you've already seen) was \"really neat.\" ;-D Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 313 of 352: Evelyn (lafn) * Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (19:57) * 43 lines THE RITZY REPORT After the screening there were some Q&A's for about 25 minutes with Misan Sagay, the writer/producer and director Peter Schwabach.the questions came from members of the audience...one we felt was planted.The audience was not as enthusiastic as at the Friday screening. That might have had something to do with the fact that it was a real marathon to get to the Ritzy since the tubes had quit running. The Ritzy BTW is a misnomer...the place is a dive.The cinema had about ten rows..with seats that defied viewi g the film. Brixton BTW is OK....we never felt threatened.Busy High Street. (I am paraphrasing the following....would like Tineke and Aishling to comment/correct) Q. Did you feel you accomplished your mission in making this film? Misan: Well, yes and no.I wanted to make a film about Nigerian women for women...but the financiers[ Handmade] wanted a film about Colin Firth.They actually wanted me to cut out the part with the women....then you just would have had CF walking around. [Much laughter] She then spoke at length about the trials of getting financing.I got the idea that they were grateful that the LFF had given them a slot. Someone asked if the film would be shown in the UK and she said yes from Nov. 26 Optimum would distribu e it. The US distribution rights were still in the hands of the bank. [That got a big WOT? from me] BBC wanted Whitney Houston and only wanted a budget of 400,000 UKP.\"Why that's WH's haridresser money!!\" They also wanted Jeremy Irons but when the production was delayed, \"he couldn't fit the dates into his schedule.\"[This lady was so inarticulate].So we got Colin Firth.Three weeks into production, Handmade went bankrupt and I had to pay the bills on my credit card. At times I hid among the cast when the bill collectors came. Finally I went to the Art Council for money to pay the creditors. Q. Why did you make an English film in the south of France. PS said because it is a picturesque spot and there is a colony of expats [Brits] there and a Nigerian community. Q. What was you backgr"}, {"response": 14, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (10:16)", "body": "(copy continued) Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 314 of 352: Evelyn (lafn) * Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (20:16) * 4 lines I want to add that the Nigerian native dresses are absolutely exquisite. Nia Long looks particularly beautiful when she wears them...she has a dazzling smile and a impish, ironic intelligence about her.Was perfect for the part as was the little boy [actually I preferred him to Fraser in MLSF].The bi-racial topic was never an issue..more cross-cultural. [Could have been Anglo-Italian!]The director said it was a film about an individual vs. the community. Also forgot to add that Misan wanted African music and the financiers insisted on a mainstream soundtrack.They do play African music when the women dance at Sammy's Birthday party.Nimi is very a graceful dancer and Matthew an appreciative audience!!( With that \"on foot\" smirk) Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 315 of 352: Karen (KarenR) * Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (22:24) * 9 lines She then spoke at length about the trials of getting financing. Excuuuuuuuuuuuz me???? From the Production Notes and I quote: The filmmakers were fortunate to be offered financing very early on. The script was picked up first by British Screen and then the European Script Fund who funded the first two drafts. \"I'm afraid I don't have one of those wonderful epic stories about how it took 20 years to get the script funded,\" states Misan. Peter concurs: \"In terms of attracting money it wasn't an uphill struggle because the material was so good. British Screen having seen Attenborough put the first money into the script followed by the European Script Fund. HandMade Films were next to come on board with Gareth Jones as Executive Producer. The relationship with HandMade Films was a happy one, they were very committed and a real pleasure to work with.\"[...] The film wrapped after a seven week shoot. Peter Schwabach was never really daunted by the task of directing his first feature: \"It was project I'd worked on for a couple of years already and I'd been intimately involved with writing the script. I also spent a lot of time casting it, we flew to Lagos to get Nene, and the film was of a sufficient budget that I was able to hand-pick the people I wanted. In that sense the film wasn't compromised in the way that when you make a short you have to get people for free.\" So which is it? Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 316 of 352: aishling (aishling) * Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (04:30) * 1 lines Well, Evelyn's report is accurate. Misan did go on at length about the financing (or lack of it). She did acutally say she was very grateful to the LFF for screeening the film. Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 317 of 352: MarkG (MarkG) * Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (04:48) * 8 lines I guess there's no sympathy available for producers who get the money easily - better to overspend, dodge creditors and tell stories about how harrowing it's all been. The heart attack - I assumed it was all a ruse to get into Nimi's house; I'm sure Nimi is told \"he's lying on the couch, and they can't find anything wrong with him at all\". I don't know anything about him recovering from another h.a. Otherwise they have a clouded happy ever after together - she's already lost one husband. Eileen asked for the funny lines a while ago; I'm having trouble remembering them all but when CF has caused consternation at the party and Sammy explains: \"You must never touch food with your left hand; it's dirty - you wipe your bottom with it\", he replies \"Not necessarily\" - that got a big laugh. (probably British toilet humour) Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 318 of 352: Moon Dreams (Moon) * Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (07:13) * 5 lines Very funny, Mark. The director said it was a film about an individual vs. the community. Hey, this is Donovan Quick! Thank you, Evelyn for the report. Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 319 of 352: Eileen (EileenG) * Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (08:32) * 7 lines (Mark) The heart attack - I assumed it was all a ruse to get into Nimi's house; I'm sure Nimi is told \"he's lying on the couch, and they can't find anything wrong with him at all\". I don't know anything about him recovering from another h.a. The first one, incurred while--how was it put?--bonking a politician's wife sounded like a ruse to me (no doubt influenced by all those Flashman books I've read!). A repeat of the same ruse to get into Nimi's house makes sense. Thanks for trying to remember the funny lines! (Elena) That\ufffds what makes that encounter so great, your instincts work perfectly, Evelyn! He came to you to say he was glad to see you there, not to answer a flow of curious fan questions. If you had started to question him he wouldn\ufffdt come to you deliberately again. Very well said, Elena. Evelyn, you haven't been christened 'Dame Evelyn' for nothin'! Thanks for the Q&A summation. IMO the production no"}, {"response": 15, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (10:20)", "body": "(copy continued) Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 321 of 352: Karen (KarenR) * Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (09:08) * 10 lines (Mark) she's already lost one husband Really? Did they ever say that Nimi had been married? What happened to the other husband? I got the impression that Sammy was produced out of wedlock. The notes mention several times that Nimi's mother's greatest desire is for Nimi to wear a \"married woman's head-tie\" for her \"chance of respectability.\" A widow is very respectable in most cultures. Don't know if Nimi had been married before and her husband just left her or divorced her...and what that would say about her status in the community. A ha!! Found this: \"There are few stains that a married woman's head-tie cannot disguise ..\" [synopsis lead in] We are introduced to Nimi da Silva at the Church of the Anglican Ascension. Women in bright traditional African dress flutter around like birds of paradise discussing the latest gossip as tehy stand in pecking order of head-ties. Towards the front, under the pulpit are the noble head-ties, silken and luxurious; at the back, simple cotton prints and more animated converesation. Nimi enters the church with her seven year old son Sammy and heads towards the back, nervously adjusting her humble scarf - the clear sign of her shameful unmarried status. (Eileen) IMO the production notes have been 'spun' and Sagay spoke the truth during the Q&A I agree that the production notes have been spun, but why go to such lengths to fabricate a story about the ready availability of financing. To place blame for the delayed release on the film to HandMade's bankruptcy as opposed to the film's brilliance? ;-D Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 322 of 352: MarkG (MarkG) * Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (09:52) * 7 lines The film makes it quite clear that Nimi's first husband, Sammy's father, drowned (no explanation of how or why, but I guess it adds extra poignancy to Sammy's subsequent brush with death). I was taking it as a charming point in MF's favour that he didn't immediately ask about Sammy's father, or indeed seem to be bothered. The information was given well into the movie (I think in response to a question from the priest or his parents). I now think it may have been because someone other than the original writer demanded that Nimi have a *decent* explanation of her situation. The implication was that the culture was even more oppressive because despite her widowhood, the Nigerian women needed to shame Nimi into re-marrying. Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 323 of 352: SusanMC (SusanMC) * Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (09:55) * 7 lines Thanks for the Q&A, Evelyn. Which was the question you feel was planted? I asked her if I heard her correctly when she said the US distribution was still in the hands of the bank and she said Yes, but we're trying to talk them out of it. . Am I confused, or is she saying that she hopes the film *won't* be distributed in the U.S.? This woman really sounds like a piece of work. No wonder Colin seems to want to wash his hands of the whole thing. Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 324 of 352: Eileen (EileenG) * Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (10:35) * 4 lines (Karen) but why go to such lengths to fabricate a story about the ready availability of financing. To place blame for the delayed release on the film to HandMade's bankruptcy as opposed to the film's brilliance? ;-D Tee hee! Good point. Since posting my last I thought of another question, then promply forgot it. Thankfully Susan hasthought of it also: Which was the question you feel was planted? Was it the one about Sagay's vision for the film? Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 325 of 352: Cathey (catheyp) * Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (15:04) * 6 lines (Karen) I've heard this used before and I can't remember. It's killing me. Same type situation where the woman had never used his first name before, so he asks her to say his name. Don't know if this is the one you were thinking of Karen, but I saw it in a BBC version of Emma. Mr Knightly asked Emma to call him \"George\" (I think that was his name; I always think of him as Mr Knightly). I'm going to see MLSF again on Sunday (another 250km trek). My Mum may come with me. I've convinced her she will like the film even though she doesn't have a firthsession. Cathey Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 326 of 352: Karen (KarenR) * Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (16:03) * 1 lines Actually, the Timothy Dalton \"Jane Eyre\" keeps surfacing, but I think it's something a bit more recent. Don't think it was the BBC's Emma. I've tried to forget that one. ;-D Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 327 of 352: Evelyn (lafn) * Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (17:25) * 8 lines IMO the production notes have been 'spun' and Sagay spoke the truth during the Q&A Karen, did you say that the production notes were probably written by Handmade Film"}, {"response": 16, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (10:23)", "body": "darn! (copy continued) Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 329 of 352: bethan (lizbeth54) * Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (17:39) * 5 lines Aaaah! My kind of film! I'll keep my eyes wide open for some promo in the press this weekend. SLOW doesn't have to be outstanding to attract some attention. There's enough that's \"different\" about it...the setting, the fact that the director is a woman and Nigerian (I presume), the theme, the culture clash, and the fact that there are two very photogenic leads. It opens the same week as the latest James Bond, so I'm really hoping to see some publicity! I don't think Handmade went bankrupt during the filming...well afterwards, surely. And I don't think the BBC would budget only \ufffd400,00 for a full-length film! Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 330 of 352: Evelyn (lafn) * Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (21:10) * 5 lines (Bethan)I don't think Handmade went bankrupt during the filming...well afterwards, surely. And I don't think the BBC would budget only \ufffd400,00 for a full-length film! That's what Misan said....elaborated on it too. Said the funding was cut three weeks into production. The Art Council finally gave her money to pay the bills. But they had no money for post-production..which is why it went on for a year...! Let me assure you..according to her it was a real Pity Party. Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 331 of 352: Karen (KarenR) * Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (22:30) * 15 lines (Evelyn) did you say that the production notes were probably written by Handmade Films...probably before they went bankrupt Oh, definitely, they were done by HandMade...before. In Colin's bio, it says: \"and most recently, 1000 Acres (Jocelyn Moorhouse) and World of Moss (Hugh Hudson).\" (Mark) The film makes it quite clear that Nimi's first husband, Sammy's father, drowned (Evelyn) I understood that Nimi was an unwed mother... Sammy's father could have drowned, but he may not have been Nimi's husband. The significance of the head-tie (rank) appears integral to the story. (Evelyn) the bank still has the rights of distribution in the US. The only thing I can make of this is that Optimum didn't have enough $$$ to buy the film outright from the bank. It could only afford distribution rights within the UK. So the bank or its sales agent may be continuing to parcel it out. Plausible. (Bethan) And I don't think the BBC would budget only \ufffd400,00 for a full-length film! Where did BBC come from? It isn't mentioned anywhere in the credits or production history. (Bethan) It opens the same week as the latest James Bond Would be a tough choice for me! ;-D so I'm shallow ;-p Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 332 of 352: Evelyn (lafn) * Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (08:36) * 8 lines (Bethan) And I don't think the BBC would budget only \ufffd400,000 for a full-length film! (Karen)Where did BBC come from? It isn't mentioned anywhere in the credits or production history. I think BBC must be the same as The Art Council funding. She did mention BBC...and if I remember correctly at the beginning it says: \"Paragon Films, Handmade Films and BBC\". Bethan, 400,000UKP would not have been the whole budget for this film...their was other funding. ~~~~~~~ Hey....Karen....you changed Mathew's shoes!!!! Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 333 of 352: Eileen (EileenG) * Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (09:12) * 3 lines Love the 'shoes among the tomatoes' pic on the main page. But will you be revealing the rest of his body? Yikes, we're sooo demanding! Let me get this straight, Evelyn. In your opinion, was Sagay's sad tale of bankruptcy, lack of funds, hiding among the actors to escape bill collectors, etc. (BTW, were violins playing in the background?) an exaggeration of the truth? Or did HandMade go bankrupt much later on in the process? Thanks. Also, which question in the Q&A do you and Aishling feel was a plant? I promise to turn off the bright light that's shining in your eyes very soon :-) Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 334 of 352: Karen (KarenR) * Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (11:03) * 3 lines Eileen, am working on it now. ;-D OK, you people who saw SLOW, why didn't you say that Christopher Bowen plays Rupert, who I assume is Jenny's lover? Fond memories of Cold Comfort Farm (when I wasn't admiring Rufus)! ;-D Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 335 of 352: Evelyn (lafn) * Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (11:19) * 8 lines (Karen)OK, you people who saw SLOW, why didn't you say that Christopher Bowen plays Rupert, Who cares about CB??Anyway that was one anemic performance...:-) ~~~~~ No Eileen..I don't think Misan was exaggerating....as improbable as it might seem. She had the director standing next to her and I doubt she would have blatantly lied.If she said Handmade went bankrupt three weeks into production and Peter Schwabach agrees...who are we to say they didn't. There was a lot going on at that time. You see, P"}, {"response": 17, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (10:27)", "body": "(copy continued) Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 338 of 352: Karen (KarenR) * Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (14:51) * 5 lines So much for putting a link up??? Just go to my Drool Bucket. Lots of new stuff for SLOW ;-D Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 339 of 352: bethan (lizbeth54) * Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (18:54) * 1 lines Thank you Karen! And Evelyn! First-rate stuff. Fascinating production notes, and the synopsis is excellent. I like Nia's comments about Colin, oh, and the fact that he can relate to the commitment-phobic Matthew, and the moment of really falling for someone (I paraphrase!) Looking forward to seeing this! Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 341 of 352: Karen (KarenR) * Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (21:14) * 3 lines Oops I see the mistake. BTW, you can always get there from the 3Deers main page. http://www.spring.net/~KarenR/mdbro/main.html Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 342 of 352: bethan (lizbeth54) * Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (05:10) * 3 lines SLOW...don't know if this is significant, but the Times Metro lists as its \"coming next week\" three films, the Bond movie, \"The Astronaut's Wife\" (Johnny Depp) and SLOW. Given that about ten films seem to open each week and several suffer the indignity of being totally ignored, this is recognition of a kind. I also noticed that in our region, \"Onegin\" is playing in very few theatres...about par with \"TheWinslow Boy\" when it was first released. Suprises me in view of the blanket promotion it received. BTW, Colin may find that courtesy of the new Bridget Jones and the ES awards (hopefully!), SLOW may get some indirect publicity! Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 343 of 352: Karen (KarenR) * Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (08:37) * 3 lines Any sighting is significant. :-D Think I was inspired by the television show I taped for Evelyn about the WWII code breaking. There is another interpretation for Colin's remarks in the Donmar lobby about SLOW. He said something to the effect of \"sorry it didn't work out.\" In addition to (1) sorry you missed it and (2) sorry it turned out so bad, there is also the possibility that he's expressing regret that it took so long to come out. I'll know more when I find my codebooks. ;-D Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 344 of 352: Heide (heide) * Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (11:10) * 5 lines That's a beautiful page, Karen. The colors are brilliant and the photos - argh, I wanna see this film. I'm greedy. In addition to (1) sorry you missed it and (2)sorry it turned out so bad, there is also the possibility that he's expressing regret that it took so long to come out. Sounds like Moon's cue for the other seven reasons to make her Top Ten list. Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 345 of 352: Mari (mari) * Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (11:46) * 8 lines Super job on the SLOW page, Karen! Thanks to you and Evelyn for these goodies. Nice to see that Nia Long has joined the ever-growing list of Colin's Leading Ladies Who Love him. But what's with the tomato pic? Looks rather . . .seedy.;-) Sigh. Remember when guys brought you roses? ;-) (Karen) There is another interpretation for Colin's remarks in the Donmar lobby about SLOW. He said something to the effect of \"sorry it didn't work out.\" Maybe he really said, \"sorry *I* didn't work out.\" Nimi might have immediately gone for a guy with pecs! ;-D Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 346 of 352: Evelyn (lafn) * Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (11:56) * 4 lines Thanks to you and Evelyn for these goodies. Hey..not me....all I did was carry the stuff home. Aishling schlepped that poster all over London(found the tube) and Tineke found the Optimum cubby-hole on Charring Cross Rd. A real Spring-team effort. ~~~~~~ BTW anybody planning to bring home a 3 DOR poster, you can purchase tubes at a post office...but the closest ones to the Donmar is on Trafalgar Sq. US poster shops have shoulder strap carriers. They are fiendish to carry through Heathrow. Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 347 of 352: Arami (Arami) * Sun, Nov 21, 1999 (17:23) * 5 lines LOL, Mari! * Evelyn, next time remember to bring a piece of string and some sticky tape...;-) * Btw, isn't it time to open a new SLOW board? Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 348 of 352: Heide (heide) * Sun, Nov 21, 1999 (18:14) * 2 lines Btw, isn't it time to open a new SLOW board? Sure, it's only fair. When does the film open for general release and will you UK ladies be ableto see it so we get some posts? Topic 121 of 126 [drool]: My Life So Far SPOILERS!!! Response 349 of 352: KJArt (KJArt) * Sun, Nov 21, 1999 (20:38) * 2 lines May I suggest that we're doing just fine with this one, so far? Why not have a general \"Current Film Spoilers\" Topic so you won't have to keep creating new ones ... remember, next year is going to be a busy year. We shouldn't "}, {"response": 18, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (10:32)", "body": "Oops, missed this last one. Sorry, Karen Evelyn's right. The only Nigerian is the actress who plays Nimi's mother. Her bio was pretty interesting. She has mounted a Nigerian production of \"An Ideal Husband.\" I get the feeling that people are disappointed because they were expecting something different. As if using a Nigerian-English premise would somehow lift it out of being a usual and customary romantic comedy. But aren't many rom-coms about opposites attracting?"}, {"response": 19, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (11:31)", "body": "Great effort to get this topic started & posted up, Heide! My sincere apologies for just blithely using 121 originally."}, {"response": 20, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (14:57)", "body": "Heavens no, Mark using 121 was entirely appropriate! With so many new CF projects showing up in 2000, now is the time to do away with one topic per production lest we overtax the board. It's been behaving so well lately, I don't want this sudden wealth to blow it up. ;-) BTW, it was entertaining to re-read all that has been posted on SLOW. We tackled this project with our usual thoroughness and still more to come I trust."}, {"response": 21, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Nov 28, 1999 (14:05)", "body": "Great idea Heide, thanks for doing this, it makes great reading , always good to give such an excellent review another airing Mark!! As it looks like I may have to wait until at least December to see SLOW then this topic is a great taster! Or should that be teaser?"}, {"response": 22, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (10:46)", "body": "Well...how to begin... I was supposed to see this yesterday with my DH but he had a work crisis (the story of out life) and so I went alone today to the 1.35 pm performance. There were about 25 people there, all but about 2 were women. I am actually glad that the DH wasn't with me. For I have to say that Anne Billson was not all wrong. IMHO, the film has a weak script, terrible editing and except for CF, NL and CG, very feeble acting. The whole thing was very amateurish. The editing was so jagged that it almost gave me a headache. In one example, Caroline Goodhall is with Matthew one minute and then, \"flash\", she is in Nimi's living room. It must have been all the work of Saracen. I am also with those critics who commented on the lack of explanation for this community in the South of France. What were they doing there? It is obvious that their culture was important to the plot but it is never explaned or examined. Also Matthew and his wife seemed so fond of each other and were obviously such friends that Mattew's rejection of his wife seemed cruel."}, {"response": 23, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (10:51)", "body": "Onto another post. AOL problems again but only 2 more weeks of the free trial and then I'll try another! Colin is wonderful, he looks gorgeous, those dimples! But I just felt embarrassment that such a professional actor could be in this mish mash. Sorry to be so down on this. Do go and see it. If you love CF, you will come out of the cinema, as I did, with a huge smile on your face. But if you are not a CF fanatic, I have to say this is one to miss."}, {"response": 24, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (11:10)", "body": "You'll buy the video though, won't you Allison. Colin's looks out of 10 - off the scale!!! definitely one to drool over and I am sure this isn't the film Colin signed up for, some much editing. He certainly doesn't have much luck in this respect what with MLSF, ATA and now SLOW."}, {"response": 25, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (11:14)", "body": "(Unfortunately all these films are with him as the romantic lead, enough to put him of for ever, unfortunately)"}, {"response": 26, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (11:19)", "body": "(Allison) Sorry to be so down on this. Don't be! IMHO anyone who expected this movie to be immune to bad reviews (OK, the 'violent' ones sounded a bit over the top) was being a little unrealistic. There was a reason this film wasn't picked up for distribution and came *this close* to remaining in the bank vault forever. It must have been all the work of Saracen. Hee hee! Good explanation."}, {"response": 27, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (11:27)", "body": "Ann, I agree that his looks are to die for. I came out into Leicester square at 3.30pm. It was starting to get dark (euchh) and it was raining but I had such difficulty not grinning from ear to ear all the way home. Think I might have to watch the video. Very high rewind factor here!"}, {"response": 28, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (13:05)", "body": "...but you wouldn't consider it one of the year's worse (Ann Billson), would you? I think we all would agree that, if it were not for Colin, we probably wouldn't waste our time with this film. If had even *some* boxoffice potential, it would have sold here...at least to cable!! Now onto more substantive concerns... I am also with those critics who commented on the lack of explanation for this community in the South of France. What were they doing there? Why did you feel this needed to be explained? There are ex-pat communities of all nationalities all over the world. People leave their native lands for many reasons and tend to congregate with others from their same land. Happens everywhere. The fact that there is a Nigerian community in the s. of France wouldn't seem particularly unusual. There is probably one here in Chicago. Have been in many cabs here driven by Nigerians. :-)"}, {"response": 29, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (13:11)", "body": "The south of France seems odd. They were an anglophone community and also an anglican one. Why in France? If they were Catholic and French speaking it wuld make sense. We have an enormous community in London, obviously and I can understand there bieng groups in the States, same language etc. But France? Pourquoi?"}, {"response": 30, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (13:11)", "body": "The south of France seems odd. They were an anglophone community and also an anglican one. Why in France? If they were Catholic and French speaking it wuld make sense. We have an enormous community in London, obviously and I can understand there being groups in the States, same language etc. But France? Pourquoi?"}, {"response": 31, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (13:12)", "body": "Sorry for typos and repetition!"}, {"response": 32, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (13:14)", "body": "but you wouldn't consider it one of the year's worse (Ann Billson), would you? It's right up there with the Blair Witch Project, she said provocatively!"}, {"response": 33, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (13:23)", "body": "It's right up there with the Blair Witch Project, she said provocatively! Oh nooooooooooo!! It can't be THAT bad! I could barely keep my eyes open during TBW, because it was soooo booring. Can't say the same about SLOW. Way too much eye candy. BTW, did you know that TBW got its worse response demographically from *women* in *our* age group. In other words, it didn't appeal to \"thinking persons\" ;-D"}, {"response": 34, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (14:09)", "body": "Duuhhh????"}, {"response": 35, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (15:37)", "body": "(Allison)But I just felt embarrassment that such a professional actor could be in this mish mash. Know what you mean..., I felt the same way about FP.....:-D However, we can say all want about editing etc...but surely he must have read the script and realized that the whole thing was made up of cliches. Unless, of course, they wrote the script as they went along and changed it from the original.He has had enough experience reading scripts by now to analyze which one sounds amateurish. I liked my original assessment that he did it for altruistic reasons (help out a Nigerian author). But after the Q&A period at the Ritzy , that theory went out the window. One wonders what his prioities are in choosing a project...the character was interesting...but the \"script... Louisa\". ~~~~ No one contests that he looks gorgeous, however."}, {"response": 36, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (15:46)", "body": "Duuhhh???? And this relates to what specifically in my last comment? ;-D"}, {"response": 37, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (15:58)", "body": "In other words, it didn't appeal to \"thinking persons\" ;-D So, there's hope for my eldest son. He hated it!"}, {"response": 38, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (16:14)", "body": "I didn't think it possible for anyone under 30 to \"hate it.\" I saw it early on, when it was only playing in 13 cinemas in the US, a full house, much laughter and not all \"with\" it. No screams of horror, no vomiting. Afterward, all I heard was \"hey, man, that was the 'coolest' 'scariest' flick ever.\" Think it was handed out on little slips of paper to memorize. I was too sleepy and glad to be leaving."}, {"response": 39, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (17:50)", "body": "but surely he must have read the script and realized that the whole thing was made up of cliches. Well, he was (technically speaking!) still in his honeymoon period when he filmed it! Maybe he was looking through life with rose-tinted glasses at the time and didn't recognise a cliche as a cliche! He also does seem to be attracted to projects which involve children. I think he's a bit of a sentimentalist at heart....needs some help with reading his scripts! Well, I'll go expecting eye-candy, and anything else will be a bonus. Although I am interested in the depiction of African culture (and BTW there is a Nigerian community in the south of France (and a much larger Francophone African community), and I presume they would have their own church.) I also wonder about the style of acting (amateurish?)...having watched dramas on Nigerian TV, their style of acting is quite different, and even in everyday life, they seem to speak more pedantically."}, {"response": 40, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Nov 29, 1999 (19:42)", "body": "Thanks for the review, Allison, and I'm sure we're not that surprised. The information the film missed giving may give credence to Ms. Sagay's more legitimate complaints that her film ended up to be not what she wanted. but surely he must have read the script and realized that the whole thing was made up of cliches. And hey...he was paid for spending time in the South of France. Sounds ok to me."}, {"response": 41, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Nov 30, 1999 (02:29)", "body": "And this relates to what specifically in my last comment? Sorry, Karen, I was just identifying myself in the categories of non-thinking people (by virtue of my gender) Ah well, the same old story (... me ... \"humour\" ... lead balloon ... just keep quiet, Mark ...)"}, {"response": 42, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Nov 30, 1999 (07:05)", "body": "(Mark) Sorry, Karen, I was just identifying myself in the categories of non-thinking people (by virtue of my gender) Ah well, the same old story (... me ... \"humour\" ... lead balloon ... just keep quiet, Mark ...) Not at all, Mark. What I thought you meant by that exquisitely expressive and perspicacious monosyllable Duuhhh???? was Who in the world would have thought that BWP appealed to thinking persons in the first place? Are you saying that you did in fact enjoy it? MDH and MDSon both saw it, and they do think, although perhaps not about the same things as I. It made MDH sick but not MDS. No doubt this is significant as the 30th birthday chasm separates them. I however did not see it partly b/c of the corollary to Firthette rule #1. That, you will recall, is Any Film is Improved by the Addition of ODB--Any Film, Anywhere, Any Time. The corollary is Any Film is Impoverished by the Absence of ODB to Some Degree and May Be Fatally So."}, {"response": 43, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Nov 30, 1999 (07:59)", "body": "I didn't see BWP, as (a) I don't like horror, and (b) Karen panned it. Reaction from friends suggests, as so often, that its impact is the opposite of their expectations. Those who hoped it would be the scariest film for a generation were disappointed and bemused, those who hadn't heard the hype were impressed and frightened. I even enjoyed not explaining the truth to a visitor in the office who was convincing people it was real film salvaged from the forest."}, {"response": 44, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 30, 1999 (08:33)", "body": ""}, {"response": 45, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 30, 1999 (08:33)", "body": ""}, {"response": 46, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 30, 1999 (08:52)", "body": "Re: Duh??? I wasn't sure. And it's a combination of gender and age, smart guy ;-D BTW, Allison's son not only showed good taste but also bravery--going against popularly held opinion for his age group."}, {"response": 47, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Nov 30, 1999 (11:18)", "body": "BTW, Allison's son not only showed good taste but also bravery--going against popularly held opinion for his age group. Gosh, Karen! How kind of you to ascribe such sentiments to my son. I fear he is just the world's most impatient person and just could not stand the slow pace:-) Talking of slow paces, I find myself suffering withdrawal today. Much as I criticised SLOW, I do find myself yearning for another fix of those deep brown eyes, that loping stride and long lean.......ah, I can't go on! Unfortunately I do not think there will be another opportunity for popping up to Leicester Square this week and I do not antic pate that it will be around much longer."}, {"response": 48, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Nov 30, 1999 (12:53)", "body": "How long before the video comes out I wonder, I think Slow will be one of my favourites and one that is played very often. I had hoped it would come to Brighton, but nothing so far."}, {"response": 49, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Nov 30, 1999 (13:34)", "body": "The corollary is Any Film is Impoverished by the Absence of ODB to Some Degree and May Be Fatally So. I do agree with your theorems, Prof. Cymbeline. I saw Sleepy Hollow last w/e mostly because I thought Johnny Depp had a kind of Darcy-esque quality about him (the eyes, the costume). Well, Depp was good but the rest of the movie tanked. Halfway through 'art' fades in the face of blood, guts and gore. And rolling heads, of course. Sorry for the OT: now back to SLOW."}, {"response": 50, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Nov 30, 1999 (15:16)", "body": "Am absolutely shattered after a very long day, starting at 5.30am. But have seen SLOW and actually enjoyed it! More later... Just briefly though, I rang yesterday Optimum Releasing re SLOW. It will have a very selective release in other parts of the countery. For example, next week it's showing at Manchester Showcase, then in 3 weeks probably Leeds Showcase. I only asked about my area. They really only know a week in advance (but it's not art-houses) The best thing is to ring them on 0207 4784466 (new London code) and enquire about your region. You get through instantly and the guy in charge of SLOW is very helpful. Other news....the VIDEO will be out in just over 3 months, in April. So everyone, PAL conversions permitting, should be able to see it. Meant to ask about where it had been sold, but forgot. More next...."}, {"response": 51, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Nov 30, 1999 (17:37)", "body": "Have gotten a second wind, so I'll try to post some thoughts about SLOW before going to bed! I had a hectic day in London, attending a very demanding seminar, but managed to squeeze in SLOW before rushing for my train. I have to say that I went in with zero expectations, and was pleasantly surprised. Call me shallow, but I didn't think it was too bad ....I agree with Christopher Tookey's review...its a pleasant way of spending 2 hours (well, an hour and a half or so!) I think I was a bit stressed after all my rushing around, and just found it relaxing to watch something that is visually pleasing. The setting is picturesque, the costumes are very colourful, Nia Long is very pretty in her Nigerian dress, and Colin, well, he is , no doubt about it, very, very handsome! Forget those Fiennes bros! I just thought \"mmmm\"!! And gawped! But, apart from the superficialities, I enjoyed the romance (Okay, corny, but they make a charming couple) and also the depiction of Nigerian culture...the significance of the costumes, the arranged marriage etc. I didn't think it was badly acted...just \"differently\" acted, and appropriate to Nigerians' speech patterns, delivery and body language, which are not the same as ours. I had no problem with the acting. Or with the notion of an African community living in S.France...although I agree we should hea more of the French language!! (Some Africans are bi-lingual, and also speak their local dialect.) It's lightweight but easy on the eye, and has a core of sweetness which I quite liked. I think it's been over-edited...perhaps cut down from 120 minutes to 95, and this can results in apparent jumps and inconsistencies. And the dialogue can be so-so, but ..overall, not too bad! I'd love to see him in a seminal role, and I guess it's always disappointing, when, yet again, you see him in something fairly average that doesn't do justice to his talents (although this film certainly does justice to his looks...those dark suits!) But if you accept the film for what it is, I think I can definitely go along more with the Times review (rather than Ann Bilson!)"}, {"response": 52, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Nov 30, 1999 (17:59)", "body": "Thanks for that Bethan, I too thought they made a lovely charming and believeable couple. Unfortunately the bad reviews are sure to put Colin off from playing the romantic lead, which is such a shame. He sure did look good though, defintely a video to savour!!"}, {"response": 53, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Nov 30, 1999 (19:49)", "body": "the bad reviews are sure to put Colin off from playing the romantic lead I'm sure that nothing will put Colin off playing whatever roles he thinks suit him best. That's his job, remeber? :-)"}, {"response": 54, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Nov 30, 1999 (20:57)", "body": "I'm happy for everyone who got a chance to see SLOW, but especially Evelyn and Bethan--I know how closely you've followed its fortunes (or misfortunes;-) over these many months. Good news on the speedy video release, Bethan. Ok, good for those of us who have no chance of seeing it any other way!;-) Your comment about the different style of acting by the Nigerian cast is interesting. Ann, I also hope that this doesn't turn him off from romantic type roles--but it may give him pause about the types of film projects he gets involved in. Maybe that's ultimately a healthy thing. And, if the SLOW reviews had to be mostly negative, at least they came at a time when they are more than counteracted by his success at the Donmar. He's in a hit play, working before a packed-house every night, in a critically-acclaimed performance. And, I think that MLSF will receive a good critical receptio when it reaches your shores. Maybe I have blinders on about this film, but it really is a wonderful movie--well-written, beautifully acted, sweet but with a bit of a bite. So, that's a great one to look forward to. Funny . . .I generally don't see the glass as half full; this is so unlike me.;-) (Mark) Ah well, the same old story (... me ... \"humour\" ... lead balloon ... Don't feel bad, Mark. I've been told that my jokes go over like a pregnant high-jumper!;-)"}, {"response": 55, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 30, 1999 (21:20)", "body": "Thanks Bethan...you had quite a marathon day. But SLOW was a good way to end it. Like you said visually pleasing ...just don't dissect it."}, {"response": 56, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (08:34)", "body": "Brava, Bethan! I think back to your crusade (and Evelyn's), and now you have both seen it! There is something so rewarding in that. It makes my day. Now I just have to wait for the video. :-)"}, {"response": 57, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (13:40)", "body": "(Mari) I'm happy for everyone who got a chance to see SLOW, but especially Evelyn and Bethan--I know how closely you've followed its fortunes (or misfortunes;-) over these many months. Well said, Mari. Ditto for me! (Bethan) But have seen SLOW and actually enjoyed it! I would have been disappointed if you didn't like it, Bethan. Thanks for the video news. (Mari) I've been told that my jokes go over like a pregnant high-jumper!;-) Hee hee! Sez who?"}, {"response": 58, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (14:46)", "body": "If you'd seen the reviews for this week's crop of UK films, you'd have thought that SLOW was very well received! Yes, not long to wait for the video....and as I've said, visually this is a treat! I'm impressed that Optimum have managed to slot it into a multiplex chain (Showcase). What a contrast with the apparent indifference of Miramax/Buena Vista towards MLSF. BV said they planned just a London release followed by a slow release thru' the regions, because \"it just wasn't a multiplex film\". So it will be spasmodic independent art house, I suppose!"}, {"response": 59, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (16:29)", "body": "Bethan, I could live with all the reviews for SLOW except Anne Bilson's, comparing it to Mad Cows is just too much to take. Am waiting to see if it comes to my neck of the woods, tomorrow!"}, {"response": 60, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (16:32)", "body": "I wonder why MLSF is considered an Art House film and SLOW isn't? Could it be because MLSF is scottish and SLOW Arts Council?"}, {"response": 61, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (17:51)", "body": "While I could hardly tell BVI how to do its business, but MLSF has been playing in lovely, state-of-the-art multiplexes throughout Australia. There is nothing about that film that necessitates screening it in dilapidated art houses. Evelyn, MLSF was funded by the Scottish Arts Council."}, {"response": 62, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (18:32)", "body": "When MLSF played in my area, it was in a state-of-the-art multiplex. The one near me is a 16-screener (just expanded from 12) that shows some of the more interesting studio fare (American Beauty, Being John Malkovich), smaller indie fare (Dogma, The Straight Story, The Winslow Boy) and foreign language films (Run Lola, Run, The Dinner Game). So, I think it really depends on what's available screenwise in the area, and if an area shows support of such films. And frankly, compared to some of the films I entioned above, there's nothing particularly \"art-house-y\" about MLSF. Miramax chipped in the bulk of the MLSF cost."}, {"response": 63, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  3, 1999 (08:06)", "body": "Bethan, is SLOW still playing in London and Peckham in addition to the Showcase in Manchester?"}, {"response": 64, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  3, 1999 (08:35)", "body": "Very nice page put up by the Showcase theatre chain: http://www.showcasecinemas.co.uk/films/slaughter.fhtml (although I notice that there is only one screening time for SLOW in Manchester; not exactly positioning it for the date crowd)"}, {"response": 65, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Dec  3, 1999 (09:03)", "body": "(Allison) Also Matthew and his wife seemed so fond of each other and were obviously such friends that Mattew's rejection of his wife seemed cruel. Trying to reserve judgment till I see the film, but this is the part I'm having trouble with. Have a hard time finding anything sweet or romantic about films that involve dumping your spouse -- unless you're married to the spouse from hell. Sounds like Matthew leaves Jenny in the lurch -- in which case the \"happy ending\" kind of leaves a sour taste with me. Could you elaborate on how Jenny is portrayed? One reviewer describes her as \"catty\" -- is this a fair assessment? Any more so than any woman would be who doesn't want to lose her husband? At the end, did it seem she realized she really loved Matthew, or just didn't want anyone else to have him? Does the fact that Matthew is, um, married ever come up as an obstacle, in addition to the cross-cultural ones? If not, that seems rather odd to me. (And yes, I know it was an \"open\" marriage, but still.) Would the plot have worked just as well if Matthew were a notorious (single) playboy rather than a married man?"}, {"response": 66, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Fri, Dec  3, 1999 (09:04)", "body": "I checked the This is London site last night and SLOW is showing at the ABC Panton until at least Dec. 9. Thank heavens. I am leaving for London tonight and am really looking forward to seeing this film and of course ODB in the flesh at the Donmar.I will be thinking of all you wonderful Firth fans while I am away."}, {"response": 67, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Dec  3, 1999 (09:21)", "body": "Have a lovely time Lynda and a safe return and we look forward to your report on your return. Its rather windy and cold in the UK so wrap up warm, lots of snow in Scotland but it has a long way to come to get to London!!"}, {"response": 68, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Dec  3, 1999 (09:26)", "body": "(Karen) Very nice page put up by the Showcase theatre chain: http://www.showcasecinemas.co.uk/films/ slaughter .fhtml Wouldn't be surprised if this address would attract the wrong kind of audience for \"Slaughter of Women\". Or can they possibly refer to the editing? ;-P"}, {"response": 69, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  3, 1999 (11:19)", "body": "Why are they the \"wrong\" kind of audience? ;-) They are the under 25 crowd who flock to Scream movies. Who else could go to a 4.20 showing?"}, {"response": 70, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Dec  3, 1999 (12:27)", "body": "(Susan) Could you elaborate on how Jenny is portrayed? As I remember, catty is a fair assessment; when she turned up she was sardonic and mocking, and of course brought her current man for flaunting. Even when she turned up in Nimi's home with the \"hands-off\" speech, you didn't feel that she was revealing a deep love, more protecting her property. Does the fact that Matthew is, um, married ever come up as an obstacle, in addition to the cross-cultural ones? When he is recovering from the \"heart attack\", Nimi says \"we didn't know who to tell, but then we located your wife \". She spits out the word, and it is the first time, after about 45 minutes, that we find out he is married (if we haven't read the spoilers). So it is clearly an obstacle, and one not fully broken down by the \"sophisticated\" open nature of the marriage. However, I didn't feel much sympathy for Jenny, even though she is not a complete villain."}, {"response": 71, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Dec  3, 1999 (13:56)", "body": "Susan, I agree with Mark's assessment of the \"marriage\"....there's really no leaving in the lurch. Karen, you amaze me...you really do track down the information! I was going to refer you to http://www.yell.co.uk , which enables you to search for programmes in all cinemas in the UK. But you don't need it!. SLOW is still at Peckham Premier. Actually this isn't a bad theatre. I used to get a magazine called Screen which covers the business side of the film industry. Peckham Premier has four or five screens, each with 300 seats (cf ABC Panton St with 140 seats) As to SLOW with a 4.20 screening in Manchester Showcase...I still think this borders on a miracle! Have you seen what it's showing with...The World is not enough, Sixth Sense, Blair Witch, Tarzan and Phantom Menace! This is the \"big\" league!! :-) Have a great time Lynda. By all accounts, CF is getting better and better in 3DOR, and SLOW will be an unexpected bonus!"}, {"response": 72, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Dec  3, 1999 (14:48)", "body": "Thanks for your assessments re: the marriage issue, Mark and Bethan. Sounds like I'll be able to enjoy this film after all:-)"}, {"response": 73, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  3, 1999 (15:24)", "body": "Thanks, Bethan, for the url. It is rather hit or miss since I don't know the UK cinema chains' names and do guess a lot. But a 4.20 showtime is not conducive for a \"date movie,\" which is generally how romantic comedies are marketed. Of course, all the Volvo-driving women of a certain age will see to it that their Labs have ample water and will head off for the 4.20 showing and then bring takeaway home for dinner. Correct? ;-)"}, {"response": 74, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec  3, 1999 (17:32)", "body": "(Susan)Sounds like I'll be able to enjoy this film after all:-) Just remember to drink this movie in visually...don't dissect it...it's full of holes. And actually, Colin isn't a very convincing adulterer/cad either.Even when you know he doesn't plan to marry Nimi..you're on his side! (I had the same problem in Valmont too...he never convinced me of being an aristocratic lothario)"}, {"response": 75, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (04:33)", "body": "According to the regional cinema listings, SLOW is showing at the Manchester Showcase at 4.20, 7.05, 9.20 and 11.35, which is okay!"}, {"response": 76, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (15:04)", "body": "One shouldn't have to be away from one's computer for such a length of time that posts in Drool gain a \"too much - these'll have to wait\" quality. I thank you all for the marvelous reviews and comments. I enjoy CF's movies so much from all your posts it is almost as good as actually watching them - or so I tell myself ;-) Truly, thank you all very much. These spoilers don't spoil anything for me - quite the contrary! :-) Last minute news : I've just learned that my tv cable company is giving Valmont on the 26th... A real Xmas present! I can't believe I'm atually and finally going to see it - as long as the VCR works!"}, {"response": 77, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (15:05)", "body": "Can anyone please tell me why the simple \"news\" I typed in became a sort of link?"}, {"response": 78, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (15:40)", "body": "It's a mystery ;-)"}, {"response": 79, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (15:47)", "body": ":-D"}, {"response": 80, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (16:34)", "body": "(Gi) I've just learned that my tv cable company is giving Valmont on the 26th Merry Christmas, indeed! Let us know how you like it. Also let us know if you feel an overwhelming urge to take dictation. You'll see, you'll see ;-)"}, {"response": 81, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (17:09)", "body": "Gi, how marvelous! I will enjoy reading your comments on my return from Italia."}, {"response": 82, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (05:12)", "body": "I hope to make some... I'm embarrassed at how mute I've been on ATA, one movie I did see recently..."}, {"response": 83, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Thu, Jan  6, 2000 (20:48)", "body": "I must post my views on SLOW before I can no longer read the handwriting of my notes. First of all, I did see this film a few times. It was a perfect respite from pounding the London pavements in the cold...the rain...the wind, sometimes all three together. And it was showing in Leicester Square, most conveniently. My 15-year old was lukewarm, but my sister-in-law and my DH enjoyed it very much, as did I . Okay, we aren\ufffdt film critics, but we know what is boring, and this film wasn\ufffdt. IMO. Colin has never looked better. His hair was curly and thick. His clothes, even the flashy, expensive-looking dressing gown, were very flattering. Everything he wore set off his lovely neck and slim build. My favourite outfit was Matthew\ufffds white shirt, partially unbuttoned, but, honestly, he looked fabulous throughout. Lots of smiles and terrific looks between him and Nimi and even Jenny. He had some very sexy scenes and the chemistry between him and Nimi was quite believable. I enloyed the entire film, even the parts with no Colin and even after repeat viewings. I liked Nia Long and didn\ufffdt think the other actors were amateurish, at all, with the possible exception of Rev. Fola\ufffds mother. Quite enjoyed the interplay of the women. I also liked the music, a combination of gentle African rhythms and French accordion. The African clothes were stunning. As an American, I did not find the film anti-American, more anti the phony and lonely sophistication that Jenny and Matthew (British and John (American) represented. Nimi\ufffds mother made a comment to that point which was quite telling. Made me think. Favourite scenes: Matthew snooping around Nimi\ufffds place. When he asks her to say his name - oohh. And again, right before they make love the first time, when he asks her the same thing. The scene between Matthew and Jenny when she first appears. He is dozing in the garden and looks absolutely edible. It\ufffds apparent she thinks so, too, especially when she grabs the hair at his nape in her fist, gives his head a shake, and tells him it (his hair) looks wild. I thought she was going to gobble him up - I would have. Matthew stroking Nimi\ufffds arm, right before Sammy interrupts and the scene after in which Nimi pulls off his jacket. Jenny untying Matthew\ufffds dressing gown sash. Notice how I chose all the high-brow scenes. Favourite Lines: Sammy yelling at his mother, as he drags Matthew into the church, \ufffdMamma, look what I got you.\ufffd What a kid! Nimi saying to Matthew, \ufffdSaracen (his comic book creation) banging, screwing and nailing is not sex, but carpentry.\ufffd Matthew saying later, when Nimi comments that he really thinks about things, \ufffdYou mean I\ufffdm not just a carpenter.\ufffd Matthew asking Nimi to say his name - very erotic. The comment of Nimi\ufffds friends that \ufffdwhite men chase women up and down the bed, turn them over and over like grilling meat and they still conceive. Miracle!\ufffd Then Nimi pipes up and says \ufffdIt\ufffds foreplay - I read it in a magazine.\ufffd Re: Matthew\ufffds marriage. He and Jenny are quite clearly fond of each other, have great sex together, move in the same social circles. She is not a villain as they obviously at one time shared similar values. However, Nimi awakens in him the need for commitment, the need to be possessed and to possess. Now I ask you, could any of us imagine sharing our husbands, boyfriends, whatever, sexually, especially if he looked like ODB. Jenny actually leaves France so that Matthew and Nimi can develop their relations ip. When Jenny arrives the first time, Matthew and Nimi had not yet slept together. Whatever Jenny and Matthew share, it is not passionate love. Matthew attempts to talk to Jenny about this one night when he is unable to make love to her. She tells him they are the fittest and he replies, (I am paraphrasing here) \ufffdWhat about when we are not fit? What about when we need?\ufffd She responds, \ufffdWe\ufffdll rise above it.\ufffd Hence his remarks near the end when he says that he needs Nimi and Jenny asks, \ufffdWhat about me?\ufffd and he says, \ufffdYou\ufffdll rise abov it.\ufffd He wanted her reassurance that she would always be there for him and she wouldn\ufffdt give it. I never got the sense that she was passionately, in the emotional sense, in love with him. Re: the ending. The only thing that seemed contrived was the boat business and that was partially because of bad editing. The boat is first shown drifting out to sea, but when Matthew and Nimi arrive, it is on its side in the cove. How convenient. Matthew\ufffds making the comment about \ufffdField is a name too,\ufffd refers to Nimi\ufffds only reason for marrying Rev. Fola. She wants Sammy to have a last name. BTW, the Rev. Fola may have been in lust with Nimi, but again I never got the sense that he loved her. Think of Mr Collins\ufffd reasons for wanting to marry Lizzy and you have a good perspective on Rev. Fola\ufffds interest in Nimi. Moreover, you just knew that he didn\ufffdt like Sammy and planned to send him off to boarding school ASAP. Matthew and Sammy, however, were friends before he ever met Nimi. Matthew brings th"}, {"response": 84, "author": "baine", "date": "Fri, Jan  7, 2000 (07:10)", "body": "Lynda--thanks for that lovely synopsis/commentary. I'm unhinged! she asks Matthew about his wife and he says, \ufffdYou are my wife.\ufffd Get a bigger bucket! That reminds me of the line in The Advocate, (and btw I am among the admirers of that film--brains, looks, AND charm--they get me every time) anyhow, the line where Colin quotes The Song of Solomon to the gypsy woman--Thou art black but comely, my sister, my wife. Absolutely edible as you so perfectly put it. When does the video come out!?"}, {"response": 85, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan  7, 2000 (11:44)", "body": "(Lynda), Colin plays an Alpha male in this - rich, handsome, successful, desirable, commanding. The producers of BJD should see it and put an end to their doubts and finally offer DB the part of MD. Thank you for such a detailed opinion, Lynda. You certainly had a firthfilling time. ;-D"}, {"response": 86, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan  7, 2000 (17:51)", "body": "Thank you Lynda..I enjoyed your review. I didn't find all the things you did in the film...But I enjoyed it alright...because he is in every frame, and never looked better. But the film per se gets a poor grade ...He gets a #10."}, {"response": 87, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jan  8, 2000 (12:30)", "body": "Oh! I'm putting in my order for that PAL video right now. Marvelous rendering, Lynda. Your favorite scenes like they'd be mine too. And I love the lines you quoted, especially this: Nimi saying to Matthew, \"Saracen (his comic book creation) banging, screwing and nailing is not sex, but carpentry\". Matthew saying later, when Nimi comments that he really thinks about things, \"You mean I\ufffdm not just a carpenter.\" and this: The comment of Nimi\ufffds friends that white men chase women up and down the bed, turn them over and over like grilling meat and they still conceive. Miracle! Then Nimi pipes up and says \"It\ufffds foreplay - I read it in a magazine.\" Matthew asking Nimi to say his name - very erotic. I notice you mention this twice. ;-) Yes, I know I will love this film."}, {"response": 88, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Fri, Jan 14, 2000 (17:30)", "body": "I thought I would post my comments about 3DOR now while we are attempting to get over Colin\ufffds snub. Although all three actors in this Olivier-nominated play were good, he was the best of them, IMO. The Donmar is an excellent venue for an intimate play like this in which it is important to see the actors\ufffd faces. Mind, we had excellent seats (first and second row, centre stalls). I was told that the corner side seats are not so good despite the actors\ufffd efforts at playing to the entire audience. EMcG was good, especially in the second act as Lina, but her appearance put me off - way too much lipstick making her look a tad clown-like. David Morrissey performed his role well and had some good lines, but his characters were rather light weight and didn\ufffdt make a big impression. As for the costumes, they were uniformly unattractive, particularly ODB\ufffds and especially the lovely sweater he wears as Ned. The play is a great deal funnier than I expected, but had some touching moments, too. Colin looks very handsome at some moments, especially in both acts when he is sitting on the stool in semi-profile listening to Lina speak. I marvelled at how different he looked from moment to moment, even on stage. His chameleon-like quality in films is a talent, not the result of make-up or editing. He uses his hands to great effect, particularly as Walker, constantly fidgeting and picking at his clothes and waving them about. You could sense the character\ufffds high level of nervous tension and the panic hreatening to overwhelm him at any moment. I was also quite fascinated with Colin\ufffds lengthy time on the cat-walked posed in a motionless, silent s-curve. A feast for the eyes. Some of my favourite moments: Walker\ufffds \ufffdreconstruct along with me\ufffd monologue - very funny, but touching too. Ned\ufffds flaneur monologue, so sad, yet he didn\ufffdt find the notion of that life sad. Ned\ufffds comment about taking his drawing materials with him to Central Park as a shield in case someone wanted to talk to him. The one line sums up the effects of the cruelty directed by so-called normal people towards anyone different. Ned\ufffds being the butt because of his stuttering turned him inward in self-defence. A touching moment. Ned\ufffds monologue about children. I can remember having the very same thoughts before I became a parent. Very funny and so true. Walker\ufffds saying that his mother looked like something crystal, then red everywhere. A child\ufffds concrete observation. His perfectly delivered words to Pip, \ufffdyou must publish,\ufffd and also his scornful comment regarding Pip\ufffds qualifications as a cultural critic as one who buys copies of antique Italienate chifferobes from catalogues. Lina\ufffds quip about everyone in NYC being a genius or a connoisseur. Colin\ufffds delivery of the lines about his attempting to get a hamburger from Craig-the-waiter. Lina's sweet encouragement of Ned at the end of the play. Made me feel sad that they ended up divorced. I agree with other comments about ODB\ufffds talents as a comedian. His timing is quite good and he doesn\ufffdt try for laughs. All-in-all, I think 3DOR is a very good showcase for Colin. My only criticism of his poignant, funny performance is of his voice. I cannot for the life of me figure out was his accent was supposed to be. DM was clearly going for a Boston-accent but Colin\ufffds voice was too flat for my liking and pitched a little high. Also re his failure to capture a Olivier nomination, at one performance I ent to, a couple of women behind me thought he was too hysterical as Walker and it seems from previous drool comments that he had upped the energy level from his highly-acclaimed performance in March. As for me, not having seen his earlier portrayal, I really enjoyed him as the Janeways, son and father, because the performance was so very different than his film work which is generally much quieter. I am sure everyone in London now will enjoy him in this and in SLOW. BTW, can anyone say why the group didn\ufffdt go next week to see him on his closing night? Just curious."}, {"response": 89, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jan 15, 2000 (09:33)", "body": "Colin looks very handsome at some moments, especially in both acts when he is sitting on the stool in semi-profile listening to Lina speak. I was also quite fascinated with Colin\ufffds lengthy time on the cat-walked posed in a motionless, silent s-curve. A feast for the eyes. Wot!? My dear Lynda, you're supposed to be following the action on the stage , not watching Colin! What got into you? ;-) Walker\ufffds \"reconstruct along with me\" monologue - very funny, but touching too. Ummmm. Don't you want a tape recorder for that? You're bringing it all back to me, including the expressive hands. Lina\ufffds quip about everyone in NYC being a genius or a connoisseur. Perhaps her best line? One of the few times she puts a genuine Southern drawl to her words. DM was clearly going for a Boston-accent He was? Then he must have been trying harder this time around. I don't think he bothered with any accent but his own when I saw it. Thanks for posting your observations, Lynda. Did you overhear the women behind you regarding their opinion of Walker or did you speak to them. Curious to know more of what they said. I don't know why. My opinion of his performance if firmly entrenched. He was mahvelous, darlings! And I'm glad you thought so too."}, {"response": 90, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Jan 15, 2000 (16:22)", "body": "Thank you so much, Lynda for that articulate and perceptive report on the experience of witnessing a 3DoR performance. It is perhaps the most vivid and comprensive one that I've seen here so far, IMO. What a gift you have!"}, {"response": 91, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sat, Jan 15, 2000 (17:17)", "body": "Did you overhear the women behind you regarding their opinion of Walker... I overheard them during the intermission, since they were sitting in the row behind me a few seats over and were not being particularly quiet as they aired their observations. They also said something to the effect of \"Couldn't they have found a better actor to play the part?\" Believe you me, I was boiling a little (okay, a lot). I know everyone is entitled to an opinion, but does one need to be so loud about it while one is still in the theatre and the play is not yet over. I restrained myself and did no enter into a debate, though I was sorely tempted. And speaking of theatre behaviour, I am amazed at the rudeness of some theatre- goers in London, who seem to be under the impresson that they are at the cinema instead of attending a live-performance being given by real, flesh and blood human beings. Patrons are not permitted to eat in live theatres in North America, and it is a good policy IMO. Mind, this is not a recent development in London - I was quite shocked the first I was in London in the 70's. This time,I actually had to turn around and speak to someone behind me who was eating Pringle's potato chips with such noisy ferocity during a performance of The Woman In Black, a quiet, rather intense two character play, that I was nearly crawling out of my skin in annoyance. Fortunately, the culprit was took heed of my glare and my polite request that he stop, so that I was spared the necessity of throttling the idiot. On the subject of opinions, I sat next to a Firth fan at my last performance. She saw SLOW at the London FF (not at the Brixton theatre, but at the other one), thought he was to die for but did not like the film. I think she said, \"It wasn't brilliant, was it?\" No, it wasn't Amadeus, but as you know, I did like it anyway. Also, she asked me whether I thought his accent was good. I hemmed and hawed, said I thought it was interesting, I think. I didn't hate it, but it was his weakness, IMO. But she said she liked it a lot better than his voice in Fever Pitch, which she did not care for. While I really like his voice as Paul Ashworth. My dear Lynda, you're supposed to be following the action on the stage, not watching Colin! Excu-u-u-se me, but the only action I flew 3000 miles to see was Colin's.;-) I did try to glance at DM and EMcG occasionally, but I did not really feel the need to look at them deliver their lines as long as I listened and if there was something better to look at at the moment. One other moment I forgot to mention. At one matinee, I was sitting maybe six feet away directly in front of where Ned picks Lina up and whirls her around. All I could think was, \"Me, me, take me, Colin, Ned, whatever.\""}, {"response": 92, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sat, Jan 15, 2000 (17:19)", "body": "Sorry, I am sure I closed the tags. Can some one please close them for me now, since I don't know how to do it?"}, {"response": 93, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jan 15, 2000 (17:49)", "body": "testing"}, {"response": 94, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sat, Jan 15, 2000 (20:57)", "body": "Thanks for your 3DOR report, Lynda -- loved the details. Just curious, what did your DH and son think of the play and performances?"}, {"response": 95, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (02:29)", "body": "Susan: Just curious, what did your DH and son think of the play and performances? Just a few words from another male who has now watched 3DOR: I thought it was an excellent play, although the writing was outshone by the performances (with the exception of EMcG\ufffds first half effort). As noted, only the accents seem off, even to English ears. Mind you, I don\ufffdt know how I\ufffdd cope with trying to do American for 3 hours! There is plenty of humour to jolly things along throughout (though I guess it palls for those who have seen the play several times), and the flashback/reversion device allows Richard Greenberg to indulge in some elegant construction. I\ufffdm sure I missed many subtleties, but it was fun to nod sagely after Ned\ufffds \ufffdflaneur\ufffd monologue, and whisper \"So that\ufffds why he called his son Walker\". I felt CF really worked his way into the performance whereas David Morrissey hit the ground running, but found it hard to sustain. By the end there was no question who had carried the whole play through though: clearly YDB! I was equally impressed by his dedication in satisfying the fans\ufffd demands in the lobby \ufffd frankly it was a madhouse, and I could understand EMcG not braving the throng, though I scoffed at the time. What was even more fun though was to meet so many fellow-posters and others, and I should apologise to those I didn\ufffdt talk to/identify, and thank those who made it so enjoyable for Anna and myself."}, {"response": 96, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (09:35)", "body": "(Lynda) At one matinee, I was sitting maybe six feet away directly in front of where Ned picks Lina up and whirls her around. All I could think was, \"Me, me, take me, Colin, Ned, whatever.\" Tee hee! It's great that the Donmar provided such an excellent setting for this play. It seems from all accounts that the intimacy increased overall enjoyment immensely. They also said something to the effect of \"Couldn't they have found a better actor to play the part?\" Believe you me, I was boiling a little (okay, a lot). I know everyone is entitled to an opinion, but does one need to be so loud about it while one is still in the theatre and the play is not yet over. I restrained myself and did not enter into a debate, though I was sorely tempted. Could you make out their accents? American? I was equally impressed by his dedication in satisfying the fans\ufffd demands in the lobby \ufffd frankly it was a madhouse Whatta guy. I'm glad you were able to meet everyone, Mark. Your wife's a real trouper."}, {"response": 97, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (09:53)", "body": "Lynda - I restrained myself .... Lynda, I don't know how you did such sacrilege to say ODB is not a good actor, a good actor he most definitely is, I guess they would prefer someone like Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt!!"}, {"response": 98, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (19:44)", "body": "Thanks, Mark, for posting your thoughts. We count on the men in our midst to be a tad more objective than we could be so I'm glad to see you were able to single out Colin's performance as the one that carried the play through. There is plenty of humour to jolly things along throughout (though I guess it palls for those who have seen the play several times) Gasp! Surely not for anyone here. ;-) I\ufffdm sure I missed many subtleties, but it was fun to nod sagely after Ned\ufffds \"flaneur\" monologue, and whisper \"So that\ufffds why he called his son Walker\". Good catch for someone who has not spent hours dissecting the script as we have done. You'd be amazed at what we came up with regarding \"fenestration\". Sounds like the evening was well worth it. So does Anna think we're mad? Thanks, Lynda, for telling us what the women behind you were saying. Okay, I'll be big and say they're allowed to dislike ODB. But how amazingly crass to announce their expert opinions to the rest of the room. You showed such restraint. You did fix them with the evil eye though, I hope."}, {"response": 99, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (19:46)", "body": "Sheesh! Sorry....it's fixed."}, {"response": 100, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (03:43)", "body": "Heide: So does Anna think we're mad? Far from it. You may yet see her post."}, {"response": 101, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (07:24)", "body": "Mark how nice of you to ask your wife to post. I hope she does. Glad you had a positive Theatre experience after what I heard happened with The Real Thing. We enjoy your objective posts."}, {"response": 102, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (07:52)", "body": "The theatre experience was good but the Spring experience was better! It was really Karen & Evelyn who got Anna interested in posting, not me. What they said about TRT was that the incident was really very funny, rather than any worse. Apparently JE collapsed from a kneeling position until she was ROTFLHAO. :-)"}, {"response": 103, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (08:11)", "body": "The theatre experience was good but the Spring experience was better! Spoken like a true gentleman. We are quite envious. I look forward to hearing their accounts of TRT. But first we want all the news from 3DOR. ;-D"}, {"response": 104, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (11:30)", "body": "HI Mark! It was nice to meet you and your wife. I thought beforehand that I could watch 3DOR with open eyes and objectively from every angle this time and not only our dear boy but that\ufffds really almost impossible for a firthfanatic like me, to be honest. So I kept devouring him and his every body movement and face expression and other physical details with my eyes and listening greedily to his articulation and breathing, and enjoyed it ruthlessly! It again surprised me how close the first row really is to the actors. It was my first time in row A on Friday and it really is something else. You can almost feel the breeze in your face when Colin leaps here and there as Walker and waves his hands in the air. Btw I was a little in panic on Friday because I had a very ill stomach and was afraid that I would suddenly have to rush out in the middle of the performance! It would\ufffdve been a catastrophe for me because I didn\ufffdt want to lose a second of it, and e pecially not disturb the performance. Like I\ufffdve said, Colin was very good on Saturday, and very energetic and athletic too! I loved it how he ran to get the photo and the diary to show Nan etc. with his feet loudly stomping. He also took risks with his breathing technique and once almost couldn\ufffdt make it to the end of a very long sentence with one draw of breath (when he said to Pip how he\ufffdd like to hear what an expert like him.......has to s-a-y.) That stuggle even brought a little color to his face! oops, gotta go, I\ufffdm at work....some more comments later."}, {"response": 105, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (15:10)", "body": "Heide: So does Anna think we're mad? (Mark)Far from it. You may yet see her post. Ooooh, a potential convert. Please tell Anna that we love newbies and are very gentle :-). Mark, I'm really glad you and Anna got to see 3DOR and meet all the gang! It sounds like a lovely evening was had by all. And everyone, thanks for sharing your thoughts about the play. We Firthless few are living on all the details you throw our way."}, {"response": 106, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (15:32)", "body": "Another little observation.... After the play we talked about his habit of looking straight into people\ufffds eyes during the bows. That\ufffds what happened to me as well on Friday when I sat in the front row, directly in front of him when he bowed. He seemed to look directly into my eyes every time he straightened his back and believe it or not, I felt difficult to just look back and I turned my head! Anyway, I knew from that gaze that he enjoys being intensely watched (just like every ambitious performer does) and during the bows he sort of thanks for our attention with his own gaze. And he knows very well what it means to his fans to meet his eyes. It\ufffds a lovely moment."}, {"response": 107, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Jan 18, 2000 (17:31)", "body": "Also during the the monologue at the beginning I felt that he looked directly at people in the audience."}, {"response": 108, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (08:31)", "body": "(Elena) He seemed to look directly into my eyes every time he straightened his back and believe it or not, I felt difficult to just look back and I turned my head! I suppose this was an involuntary reflex to keep your eyes from popping out of your head! 8-D (Gi) Also during the the monologue at the beginning I felt that he looked directly at people in the audience. Yes, I've read about this before. He certainly does know how to connect with an audience, doesn't he? I echo Jana2's sentiments--thanks for all the details. Elena and Gi, what are your thoughts about his performance this time vs. last March? Which did you prefer?"}, {"response": 109, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (10:18)", "body": "Hi, Personally I preferred last March's performances, maybe because it was so thrilling and so new but I just felt he differentiated between Ned and Walker more in March and I wasn't so keen on all the arm waving this time, also there were times when I couldn't quite hear what he said which is surprising as his diction is usualy so clear. Having said all that though, he has such a stage presence that the stage lights up when he is on it and dims when he is not."}, {"response": 110, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (13:10)", "body": "I want to thank Mark and Ann for coming to the Spring Reunion. When I said on #123 that the reunions are getting better, it's because of all of our new friends.They were both real troupers to stay with us til the end and even go for drinks afterwards at the hotel lounge ( we took it over!) The lobby was a madhouse....maybe 50 to 60 people.But not unruly..excited and loud, yes.I had spotted ODB on the upper level and had decided that if he didn't come down ,I personally was going to go up and drag him down.It would have been a dismal disappointment had he not.He was all charm and grace, although surprised at the number of people."}, {"response": 111, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (13:22)", "body": "Thank you Lynda, for your comments on 3 DOR. I happen to love this play per se...and having Colin in it is just a bonus. However his performances have been uneven. I have seen it five times total. On Friday night I thought he gave the best Ned ever....I prefer his manic Walker and on Saturday he accentuated the arm-waving and twitching. Ned, not so good. In contrast, I have seen TRT also five times...and it has been constant and seamless.(Except we could not hear him clearly on opening night.)But the guy plays Henry consistently.Does that make SD a better actor? No. But he has had more stage experience than ODB, who has conscentrated on TV and films.And Mark, we got to see \"The Lady in the Van\"with Maggie Smith. WOW!"}, {"response": 112, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (13:32)", "body": "( Sorry for the different postings..but I'm doing doubles on Explorer. ) About the Glass House: K&I and others had decided we wanted to give him a remembrance from all of us on Spring.A glass house...A Janeway House....K. found one around Christmas and lugged it to London. We had a florist make an arrangement of flowers in it. We have pics and K. will scan them on later. We had it sent to the Donmar. KJArt made an original card which we enclosed. Also K. had found a crystal windmill (for DQ) and we enclosed it in the house. On Saturday night I asked him if he had received the Janeway House ...his f ce lit-up, he turned smiled and said \"Yes, thank you\"\"."}, {"response": 113, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (13:38)", "body": "Welcome Evelyn! Elena thought his performance on Friday night his worst ever, he seemed to just go through the lines, but she loved Saturday's. Funny, huh? We still want to hear about what happened at TRT opening night."}, {"response": 114, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (14:15)", "body": "Welcome back, Evelyn! I had spotted ODB on the upper level and had decided that if he didn't come down ,I personally was going to go up and drag him down. Now that alone would have been worth the price of admission!"}, {"response": 115, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (14:33)", "body": "Re. the uneven performances....maybe the disappointment of not being one of the five to get an Olivier nomination got to him on the Friday and he felt \"flat\"...he's only human after all. And despite all the fuss that has been made about him (Darcy in a wet shirt etc), he has said that all he wants is to be regarded as a good actor. (And Anthony Sher didn't get good reviews for \"A Winter's Tale\") I'm sure he was delighted by his reception on Saturday!!!"}, {"response": 116, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (14:41)", "body": "Didn't you post some time ago that you were seeing 3DOR toward the end of its run, Bethan? Are you still planning on attending?"}, {"response": 117, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (15:39)", "body": "(Evelyn) K&I and others had decided we wanted to give him a remembrance from all of us on Spring.A glass house...A Janeway House....K. found one around Christmas and lugged it to London. We had a florist make an arrangement of flowers in it. I'll bet this looked gorgeous, especially with KJ's wonderful card. Thanks for all your efforts (lugging, finding a florist, etc.) on our behalf. Can't wait to see the photos of both flowers and card. Did you send flowers to JE as well? (Moon) We still want to hear about what happened at TRT opening night. Yes, am interested to hear this as well. (Guess we should do that at Odds & Ends.) There was a glowing article about TRT in Yahoo's Theatre section today (article made it sound like last night was press night?) -- after K's initial report I was fearing disaster."}, {"response": 118, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (16:47)", "body": "(Evelyn)I personally was going to go up and drag him down. LOL I believe you would have done that! (Ann)he differentiated between Ned and Walker more in March Yes, that\ufffds true. I really think that Colin started doing Ned like he did Walker on both nights, and he shouldn\ufffdt have. I remember Ned stuttering more and having a masterfully bad posture in March. Wonder why Colin has made this change. (Bethan)maybe the disappointment of not being one of the five to get an Olivier nomination got to him on the Friday and he felt \"flat\" He actually had bags under his eyes on Friday = tired, obviously. I do believe that awards mean something to him, why wouldn\ufffdt they! Everybody needs praise. But I hope that he\ufffds not the sort of person who would let a thing like that actually disturb his work on stage, in front of a very admiring audience."}, {"response": 119, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (17:55)", "body": "Did you send flowers to JE as well? Will take this up on #127. I'm sorry that I posted all about the house etc. on this board. I know better...still jet-lagged. Also we did a Bridget Jones tour of her favorite haunts in Notting Hill...we'll do that on #80. and The Dome on #127 ... some other day. ~~~~~~~ I do want to thank all the Firthfans in UK who made us feel so welcomed...Mark, Ann W., Aishling , Lizza...you were dears.Arami who made us CF keychain prezzies. You made us feel at home...hope we can reciprocate some day."}, {"response": 120, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (21:40)", "body": "I found by happenstance an article on Malcolm McDowell, and he had what I thought were some interesting comments about the filming of MLSF. [This is excerpted, but still unconscionably long!] Reel.com Interview: His Life So Far: Malcolm McDowell by Pam Grady McDowell returns to his U.K. roots with his latest project, My Life So Far. In this atmospheric period comedy-drama from Chariots of Fire director Hugh Hudson, McDowell plays the hardheaded businessman Uncle Morris whose return to his mother's Scottish estate with young beautiful fiancee Irene Jacob spells trouble for his sister Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and her husband Colin Firth. In New York recently to promote My Life So Far, McDowell paused to speak to Reel.com's Pam Grady about the movie... ~~~~~~~~~~~ Q: Let's talk about the new film, My Life So Far. How did you get involved with this? What was it about the script that appealed to you? MM: To be honest with you, it wasn't really so much the appeal of the script, although I liked it. It was the fact that Hugh Hudson is a great old friend of mine. And Hugh called me up and asked me if I would do it, really as a favor to him. I said, of course, I'd do it. If you can't work with your friends, who can you work with? So, I was very happy to do it. Then I heard who he'd cast in it. Colin Firth, who I'm a very big admirer of, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio -- not bad! And Rosemary Harris, who I adore and had worked with before. Irene Jacob, who's a delight. Just to throw into the mix, a whole mob of lovely kids from Scotland and the lovely Kelly Macdonald who was in Trainspotting. So, that mix, that wonderful cast, and I met a lot of other wonderful people on that who became friends of mine. One of them was the continuity girl or the script girl, as they're called, called Libby Barr, who's a lovely Scot from Edinburgh. I got to know her very well. In fact, she worked on this film I'm just doing ow called Gangster Number One. I managed to get her on that. I was thrilled that Libby came with me to that. She's a very fine script person and she's also a friend of mine and I adore her. So, that was great. That was about it really. And the fact that it was David Puttnam, who've I've always admired and liked and I'd never worked with him, either. I thought it was about time I went back to England to work. I hadn't worked in England in a while. I really thought it was time to get back home and do a bit of work in the English way ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Q: To get back to the film. Your character, Uncle Morris, is constantly referred to as a hard-hearted businessman, yet he melts whenever he's in the presence of his fiancee and he clearly enjoys a warm relationship with his young nephew. Was that warmth in the script or is that something you brought to it? MM: I think I brought a lot of that, because I just felt that when you play a character, there obviously has to be more than one side to him. Of course, he's rather an old Edwardian, really. Yes, he can't bear to see waste and he feels that his brother-in-law is completely frivolous and has probably utter contempt for him. Which is hard for him to hide. But, of course, he loves his mother, so it's all kind of all under the surface. Of course, he loves his fiancee and he loves the kids. They're Moira's kids -- his sister's kids. And he loves children. I wanted to make him like a sort of favorite uncle that we've all had at some point in our lives or somebody in the family who's turned up every so often and is larger-than-life. And who sort of brings gifts and things, unusual things. And everybody loves that, you know, that kind of person. I wanted to get a feeling of that for the kids. Q: What was it like working with those kids, particularly Robbie Norman, the little boy at the center of everything, because you share a number of scenes with him? Is it hard to work with such small children? MM: No. they were so good. Of course, they'd been very well rehearsed by the coaches. They did a very good job with them. They had a wonderful casting director, called Patsy Pollack. She organized those kids brilliantly and made sure that they gave wonderful performances and took them through it many, many times. They were really wonderful. He has such an earnest innocence about him -- Robbie. He's lovely. He's absolutely lovely. And little Daniel, too, his brother, but he's been cut out of it a bit. He had quite a mischievous streak. You never knew what he was gonna do, and so I'd always have to say, \"I can't hear you. What did you say?\" It made it real. Like it would be. I think they all were at ease with me. It was fun. It was a lot of fun doing it. You can't take the attitude, I think, with kids that ... you have to be patient and just let it happen. Make them all feel part of it and important and then they come across beautifully. Q: You've said before that costumes help you get into your characters. In the case of Uncle Morris, he has been described as flashy, but not "}, {"response": 121, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (02:57)", "body": "Interesting! I hope M McD and CF did not have too many political discussions:-)"}, {"response": 122, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (14:53)", "body": "Thanks KJ , really interesting. Unlike you still waiting to see it."}, {"response": 123, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (19:21)", "body": "Great find, KJ. Interesting about his mentioning scenes with the younger boy being cut. Another casualty of this film's editing though probably not as critical as any little snippet of Colin they left on the floor."}, {"response": 124, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (23:08)", "body": "(Lizza) Thanks KJ , really interesting. Unlike you still waiting to see it. Still waiting to see it? Whatever made you think that? Did a long drive to Seattle the first week of its release (good thing, too...it only lasted another of reduced showtimes and then was gone), and only just last week rented the tape (this, for me is an amazing phenomenon ... I hardly ever rent videos). Incidentally, this 2nd (and 3rd) viewing only solidified my opinion about the loft scene. But I had a distinct impression that a tiny little snippet of a scene was added to the video that I don't remember from the theatre viewing. My memory is nothing to crow about, however. Maybe I just forgot it. Or perhaps it was put there to solidify one's view of the loft scene. ;-). It was a quick cut back to the loft right after Frazer heard the scream and then was distracted by the Hairy Man erupting out of the leaves just under his nose. Heloise was standing apart from Edward and accused him of acting like a child. Then we cut to the drawing room scene w. MMcD. I interpreted her upset behavior just before joining them to discovering that the precious heirloom choker was missing. Yeh, another thing. Watch when Frazer picks it up out of the hay/moss. He immediately hides it behind his back because a workman LEADING A HORSE past the barn door greets him. The choker is therefore NOT found in the loft, but on ground level below. What does that mean?"}, {"response": 125, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (23:13)", "body": "No, Lizza is still waiting to see it. ;-) think there was an implied subject in her comment KJ, that scene with Fraser picking up the choker didn't look familiar to me either (bad memory here too), especially with that workman and the horse. The choker is therefore NOT found in the loft, but on ground level below. What does that mean? While they tumbled in the moss, the choker tumbled to the ground? ;-)"}, {"response": 126, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Feb 10, 2000 (22:04)", "body": "(Karen) No, Lizza is still waiting to see it. ;-) think there was an implied subject in her comment Sorry I misunderstood Lizza. And you do have my sympathy (sort of ... I wish waiting were all I needed to do to finally see 3DoR!!;-D). (Karen) KJ, that scene with Fraser picking up the choker didn't look familiar to me either (bad memory here too), especially with that workman and the horse. I remember seeing him pick it up out of the hay/moss and hiding it, but the ground-level bit just didn't register at the time. Only on 2nd watching did I notice it and wonder."}, {"response": 127, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (09:41)", "body": "*WARNING* Spoilers ahead! I recently rented the video as well (as an aside, it's probably the best picture and sound quality I've ever seen/heard in a video--perhaps because it was new?). You raise a great point, KJ. I'd only seen the movie once, like you, but I could swear that we heard a full-fledged scream from Heloise, not a truncated little squeal. The whole scene seemed different to me--it's now much clearer there was no rape. BTW, did you notice how the dialogue revolves around the word 'child'? H (to E) \"Fraser's a child.\" E \"And you, Morris' child bride.\" H \"You're behaving like a child!\" [Those lines not in sequence.] I also noticed Fraser's lead-in voice over, said while he's walking in the direction of the loft (we next see Edward and Heloise in the loft): \"I now know more about naked ladies than my dad.\" (KJ) The choker is therefore NOT found in the loft, but on ground level below. What does that mean? (Karen) While they tumbled in the moss, the choker tumbled to the ground? ;-) Must be. I noticed this in the video also, but could not remember any details other than Fraser finding it. Other things that seemed new to me: - The explicit explanation of who the hairy man turned out to be (Andrew Burns' shell-shocked cousin). I had no recollection of Fraser's voice-over. I agree with Lynda's point made last summer, that he represents Fraser's fears. He only appears when Fraser is frightened or is discussing fear. - The scene in the hallway between Edward and Heloise, when she returns for the curling match (E \"Happy?\" H \"Very. Are you?\" [or words to that effect]). - The bull and cow mating scene. Have no recollection at all :-P There are repeated references to bulls and swans throughout the movie. I also missed the end of the Halloween party, when we see Edward through the glass, applying the rod to Donald and Fraser for fighting. But that was because the film had melted. My new favorite line: During the Beethoven's Fifth fishing lesson, when Edward says \"...unsuspecting little fishy, hiding in the weeds...\" It's the way Colin delivers the line--hilarious. The movie makes alot more sense to me now. This could be due to changes in the video (??), our discussion, or just multiple viewings. It doesn't seem nearly as disjointed as it did on the first go-round. Does anyone else feel the same?"}, {"response": 128, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (13:19)", "body": "I've yet to see MLSF, but in Denis Forman's book, I thought he made it quite obvious that in some ways his father was a sexual innocent who had only \"known\" his wife (childhood sweethearts, and didn't recognise or know how to cope with sexual yearnings in himself towards other women (he likes fondling waitresses)."}, {"response": 129, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (13:34)", "body": "(he likes fondling waitresses) I don't remember that part, but since I picked up the book in London for 1 pound, I'll take another look. ;-)"}, {"response": 130, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (13:53)", "body": "I read the book and don't remember him fondling anybody. Eileen...I only saw it twice, but the version I recently saw (December 21) included all the scenes you say are new:The hallway scene bet E and H, the bulls and cows....Hmmmm"}, {"response": 131, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (14:03)", "body": "(Evelyn) but the version I recently saw (December 21) included all the scenes you say are new:The hallway scene bet E and H, the bulls and cows So they were there all along. Thanks."}, {"response": 132, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (16:13)", "body": "\"Also at the theatre or in the Cally, he would get very friendly with the programme girls or the waitresses and their encounter might end in a playful cuff or a quasi embrace...embarassing, not for him, for he had not the least idea that his antics had anything to do with sex, but for my mother and myself who knew they had\". Page 122! Not exactly \"fondling\" I agree! :-)"}, {"response": 133, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (16:16)", "body": "thanks, Bethan. So Master Denis/Fraser's recollections of Adam's flirtatious antics have some foundation in reality. Must have forgotten that bit or fell asleep. ;-)"}, {"response": 134, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (16:25)", "body": "To continue.. (yawn! :-) ). \" But such minor irregularities made no dent on the abiding affection between my parents, which must be the root cause of the happy and confident nature of the majority of their children\". There's also another comment that his mother tolerated a lot of his father's more irritating habits because the physical side of their marriage was good. Can't find that page! Seems true to the movie."}, {"response": 135, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (16:39)", "body": "There's also another comment that his mother tolerated a lot of his father's more irritating habits because the physical side of their marriage was good Now that stuff I remember (couldn't you guess?). Little Denis wrote about when they went upstairs in the afternoon for a slank, that the door would be locked and when they emerged they were rather flushed in appearance. ;-)"}, {"response": 136, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (16:45)", "body": "Little Denis wrote about when they went upstairs in the afternoon for a slank, that the door would be locked and when they emerged they were rather flushed in appearance. ;-) IMO that was the cutest part of the book. The movie is waaaay better..trust me."}, {"response": 137, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (23:51)", "body": "Mixed reactions to Eileens's list: My biggest frustrations upon leaving the theatre was the awareness that there was so much more there than I could possibly absorb in one sitting, and the worry that I might never have another chance... I shared w. Eileen the impression of newness at - The scene in the hallway between Edward and Heloise, when she returns for the curling match (E: \"Happy?\" H: \"Very. Are you?\" [or words to that effect]). If it had been there before it completely got by me. But I do remember the others being there, but many details of them being lost in the shuffle. My new favorite line: During the Beethoven's Fifth fishing lesson, when Edward says \"...unsuspecting little fishy, hiding in the weeds...\" It's the way Colin delivers the line--hilarious. I love that too, but it took three viewings to capture what he'd said. The movie makes alot more sense to me now. This could be due to changes in the video (??), our discussion, or just multiple viewings. It doesn't seem nearly as disjointed as it did on the first go-round. Does anyone else feel the same? Absolutely. But I'm still unclear about what, if anything, was added/ subtracted for the video version. Probably just a byproduct of my terrible memory. Oh, and found another obscure little review at: http://www.metroactive.com/papers/cruz/09.22.99/mylifesofar-9938.html"}, {"response": 138, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Feb 12, 2000 (08:13)", "body": "Have yet to rent the video (maybe today) so I can assure you that all the scenes that are mentioned here are in the theater version. I last saw it after Christmas so those scenes are all still clear in my mind, not an imaginary visual transference. ;-)"}, {"response": 139, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Feb 12, 2000 (20:31)", "body": "(Heide) I last saw it after Christmas... ... And how many times before that? I had but a single viewing to do my comparisons to, and that back in the first week of release... ...but a fleeting glimpse... ;-] KJ"}, {"response": 140, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (16:12)", "body": "Come to Drool and learn a new word \"slank\" , thanks Evelyn for completing an innocent's education. Might finally get to see this in the US KJ, but not sure if I can put my ODB thro' renting the vid!!! Actually think he would enjoy it too (well he was very keen to see the Donmar one) so thanks for all the tips."}, {"response": 141, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (16:13)", "body": "BTW Evelyn, tell me more about \"slanking\"!!!"}, {"response": 142, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (18:06)", "body": "(Lizza)BTW Evelyn, tell me more about \"slanking\"!!! Me??? I think you're confusing me with Karen....who brought it up. All I said was ..\"that was the most interesting part of the book.\" ( Alas, they never went into details."}, {"response": 143, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (15:30)", "body": "Just saw DQ and loved it. No wonder he chose to do it, it\ufffds exactly his type, and not only as a film but as a view of life, I believe. I\ufffdm so happy that Colin has done something that\ufffds worth him for a change (sorry, I sound sour just because right before I watched DQ I saw Hostages and that movie really isn\ufffdt one of his best ones.) Anyway, I think everything that Ann has said about DQ is true. Colin looks great in it, very natural and very much like he does in real life, a lot of those familiar smiles and Colinisque gazes. His acting is good because that film allows him to be what he can be at best: true, subtle, innocently funny (and innocently sexy!)."}, {"response": 144, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (20:37)", "body": "Did you understand the heavy scottish accents in the supporting cast, Elena? I'm worried."}, {"response": 145, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (02:19)", "body": "(Evelyn)Did you understand the heavy scottish accents in the supporting cast It really is heavy and it\ufffds not the supporting cast only, it\ufffds everyone except Colin and the Windmill company people. But I suppose it\ufffds much easier to understand for a native English speaker. I like the Scottish accent very much even though I have a hard time with it. I had to rewind a few times just because I didn\ufffdt understand the lines first time, and not even the second and the third time, not only because of the accent but because of some of the Scottish(?) phrases that are unfamiliar to me. (Well I did also rewind a few times because Colin is simply breathtaking in many scenes!)"}, {"response": 146, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (10:58)", "body": "(Elena)It really is heavy and it\ufffds not the supporting cast only, it\ufffds everyone except Colin and the Windmill company people. But I suppose it\ufffds much easier to understand for a native English speaker. That's what you think. I don't ever understand a scottish accent. Missed all of Brodie in the TRT in London..... And if they throw in scottish words to boot.....fergedit! I sincerely hope that some celtic experts around here will do some translating for us."}, {"response": 147, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (18:50)", "body": "(Evelyn) That's what you think. I don't ever understand a scottish accent. Missed all of Brodie in the TRT in London.. Ah, but you couldn't rewind that. We'll get through DQ together just as we did Fever Pitch. No syllable will be left unknown."}, {"response": 148, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (19:04)", "body": "(Heide) Ah, but you couldn't rewind that. Wot? You don't think Evelyn has memorized the script? ;-)"}, {"response": 149, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (13:53)", "body": "Donovan Quick is excellent! Elena is right; this part was just made for Colin. The production is top notch and could easily have been a theatrical release. BTW, it has great scoring too. Once in a while, when DQ is revving up for a tilt, you get some Spanish guitar strains in the background. Then it wings along on a Van Morrison song. Terrific. It has dark themes and bit of ugliness, but it's not unnecessary to show the depths of despair of Lucy's character. Colin is...gorgeous, fabulous, gorgeous, perfect, gorgeous. Why don't my bus drivers look like he does? ;-) I saw a lot of Colin's Walker when he first challenges Windmill (pulling the emergency stop on the train and then verbally abusing the company mgt). The dialogue is smart and intelligent. How could anyone not love a movie with this dialogue: Lucy: You must think I'm disgusting DQ: No. No. No. It just wouldn't be right to take advantage of your fragile state. Also I realize that you're spoken for. Lucy: By Clive? That's like saying that the household refrigerator is spoken for. It's just something you use. Something you stuff your salami in. DQ: So why do you let him... Lucy: ...park his salami? ~~~~~~~~ I had to stop the tape with that one and jot it down. ;-)"}, {"response": 150, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (13:55)", "body": "and someone is going to have to explain the word \"slag\" to Evelyn. ;-)"}, {"response": 151, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (17:45)", "body": "I knew you would like it Karen, as I said I think Colin will find he has even more fans after it is shown here, whenever that may be. I really do think he is at his best on the TV screen, and of course, it is good to see him in the starring role. Definitely gorgeous as you say, especially in that grey suit!! \"Slag\" = \"slut\", easy, loose woman\" !!??"}, {"response": 152, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (19:27)", "body": "My tape arrived! This is an exciting moment, knowing that I am in for such a treat. Off to see it! :-D BTW, Karen, that dialog had me LOL! Was it an easy delivery for Colin? ;-)"}, {"response": 153, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (19:46)", "body": "Boo Hoo...my copy hasn't arrived yet.... (Ann)\"Slag\" = \"slut\", easy, loose woman\" !!?? Thank you Ann...you girls are always looking out for me;-) LOL My dictionary said something to do with a volcano!!!"}, {"response": 154, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (22:23)", "body": "(AnnW) Definitely gorgeous as you say, especially in that grey suit!! Those flashback suits remind me of ones we've seen him wear to premieres. You know, with the darker shirts. But I liked him in his all-black outfit. *yum yum* Just loved when you could see the shots where those few pics were taken. BTW, we get Donnie in PJs, but not all buttoned up to the top this time. ;-) (Moon) Was it an easy delivery for Colin? ;-) He was the Don at the time. Such things would embarrass him. Wait until you see Lucy the aforementioned slag sing \"I Will Survive\"!"}, {"response": 155, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Feb 18, 2000 (02:00)", "body": "(Lucy)park his salami? Ach so, it is salami then! I could hardly believe my ears. Everyday British phrases I suppose? (Karen)But I liked him in his all-black outfit. Oh yeah...(I\ufffdm drooling....)Actually he looks like a priest and he often behaves like one too, for instance when he looks at Lucy with that silent, almost expressionless compassion. He is a man with a mission. He\ufffds also very thin in DQ, I think I\ufffdve never seen him that slender before and it does suit him. I\ufffdve watched it now enough to have found some things I like less than others and one is the role of Sandy. The performance is fabulous of course and touching at times but somehow I feel funny to be expected to laugh at a \"moron\" like Clive says. Hm!"}, {"response": 156, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb 18, 2000 (07:29)", "body": "Colin looks great in DQ. I agree Elena, I have never seen him that slender before and it does suit him very well indeed! I was always very impatient for Colin to come back on the screen, so that kind of put me off to the other characters. I liked the ending very much and thank everyone who has already seen it for not *spoiling* it eventhough, I had begged for it. :-) The beginning I found awkward and forced. He arrives at their house and he is it seems best friends with Sandy on the first night. Loved the haircut too, longish in the back. Getting back to DQ, I am not sure if it will ever show up in the US. It is for a very select audience and I can understand the problems they are having in selling this film. It is not really geared for the Trainspotting generation."}, {"response": 157, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Feb 18, 2000 (11:51)", "body": "It is for a very select audience Maybe in the US?? But it\ufffds exactly what Finns love. Realistic, social themes and ordinary ugly people and funny & entertaining, with a positive female survival story. And Scotland is always an extra plus in anything over here. (Moon)The beginning I found awkward and forced. He arrives at their house and he is it seems best friends with Sandy on the first night. I didn\ufffdt find it forced, it\ufffds just what happens in farytales! Gorgeous and well-behaving Donovan with his strange ambitions is a fairytaleish element in the lives of the Pannicks. He\ufffds a bit unreal and the P\ufffds surrender to him one after the other, each in their own way."}, {"response": 158, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 18, 2000 (12:25)", "body": "(Elena)And Scotland is always an extra plus in anything over here. Why Scotland? Their accent is so hard to comprehend.Painful."}, {"response": 159, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Feb 18, 2000 (13:12)", "body": "Why Scotland? I guess we feel it\ufffds a bit like one of the Nordic countries, especially the Highlands, because of many things. The climate, large inhabited areas, living close to nature, own strange traditions, primitive national pride...! The accent also has a distant ring of the Scandinavian languages, Norwegian especially I think."}, {"response": 160, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Feb 18, 2000 (15:23)", "body": "Got it yesterday, watched it today. Thanks to all who made that possible (you know who you are). XXOO! (Karen) The production is top notch and could easily have been a theatrical release. Why don't my bus drivers look like he does? ;-) My thoughts, exactly. But I liked him in his all-black outfit. *yum yum* Could his shoulders be any broader? He looks solid and healthy to me. But his IRL habit of wearing the same thing all the time has apparently translated to his character ;-) Your analogy to a priest is interesting, Elena. I knew there was a message behind the black outfit. (Moon) Loved the haircut too, longish in the back. To offset the top...*sob* (Moon)The beginning I found awkward and forced. He arrives at their house and he is it seems best friends with Sandy on the first night. I also felt the same about the beginning (waddaya want, I'm a cynic) but after a bit it all started to click. (Elena) Gorgeous and well-behaving Donovan with his strange ambitions is a fairytaleish element in the lives of the Pannicks Precisely. Didn't you love it when Donovan tells the drunken Lucy that she's beautiful? IMO one of the most well-done aspects of the story was the Lucy-Donovan relationship. She takes the longest to come around. (Moon) I am not sure if it will ever show up in the US. It is for a very select audience and I can understand the problems they are having in selling this film. Didn't Brassed Off play around the art-house circuit? DQ is *much* better. Regardless, I hope it makes it to US cable TV (since networks are spending their money on stellar productions such as Leprechauns and the like). (Evelyn) Their accent is so hard to comprehend. I missed lots of dialogue. \"If I told you you had a beautiful body, would you hold it against me?\" I propose that line be used next time we're in ODB's company :-D Just to see his reaction, of course..."}, {"response": 161, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Fri, Feb 18, 2000 (17:33)", "body": "Watched DQ last night and thought it was some of the best acting I\ufffdve ever seen Colin do. Exciting, fresh, didn\ufffdt remind me of any of his previous characterizations. The Scottish accents were a pain now and again, but the old rewind button helped. Enjoyed the story line and I definitely will view it again. However, I\ufffdm tired of seeing CF get his a-- kicked in his movies! Could someone name one movie where he overcomes his opponent?"}, {"response": 162, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Feb 18, 2000 (17:47)", "body": "At the end of Apartment Zero -- where do you think that corpse came from!"}, {"response": 163, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 18, 2000 (17:58)", "body": "(Eileen) Didn't you love it when Donovan tells the drunken Lucy that she's beautiful? And you just knew he was going to say it, didn't you? ;-) The be-yew-tiful Dulcinea. Could they have found a doggier woman? I doubt it. One of my favs is the DQ: \"What do you call this pasta dish?\" Lucy: \"Macaroni cheese.\" DQ: (kissing hand) \"My compliments to the chef.\" BTW, weren't you disappointed that it turned out to be Clive? You know which scene I'm referring to. \"If I told you you had a beautiful body, would you hold it against me?\" I was surprised at the universality of that line. Hadn't heard it in ages...eons. ;-) (Jana) I\ufffdm tired of seeing CF get his a-- kicked in his movies! But in this one he had to. Old Don Q gets beaten up on a regular basis. Thank goodness, they didn't have him die in the end as he did in the novel."}, {"response": 164, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 18, 2000 (17:58)", "body": "Closing those italics. :-("}, {"response": 165, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Feb 18, 2000 (18:17)", "body": "Thank goodness, they didn't have him die in the end as he did in the novel. He died - symbolically, in the spirit."}, {"response": 166, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 18, 2000 (18:31)", "body": "Yes, I interpreted the ending the same way."}, {"response": 167, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sat, Feb 19, 2000 (14:14)", "body": "Loved DQ! Agree it's one of CF's best. (Think he actually learned to drive a bus? ;-) Re: Colin's Donovan seeming like Walker -- I didn't see 3DOR, but in the scenes where Donovan is all fired up and talking fast, this is the way I've envisioned Walker to be. (Karen) One of my favs is the DQ: \"What do you call this pasta dish?\" Lucy: \"Macaroni cheese.\" DQ: (kissing hand) \"My compliments to the chef.\" I loved this, too. After Lucy says \"Macaroni cheese,\" Colin repeats \"Macaroni cheese\" in the same intonation he uses in P&P2 in his post-swim encounter with Lizzy when he says \"Oh yes of course\" to her reply that she's staying at the Lambton Inn. Or so it seemed to me. Thought the other actors were marvelous too, esp. Lucy. That scene where she tells Donovan about her past brought me to tears. Re: accents, had no trouble with Lucy, but Clive and Sandy were often tough to follow. Combine the accents with the use of the f-word and that graphic sex scene, and this would seem destined for American cable rather than PBS. (Then again, after Madame Bovary, the sex probably wouldn't faze PBS at all;-) And they could cut out the swears, I suppose.) Was DQ broadcast on \"regular TV\" in Australia?"}, {"response": 168, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 19, 2000 (15:09)", "body": "(Susan) Combine the accents with the use of the f-word and that graphic sex scene, and this would seem destined for American cable rather than PBS. Our PBS could easily cut out that shooting from the top rumpy pumpy scene. Getting rid of the \"fooking\" language should also be doable, since DQ is in a foreign language. ;-) As is, it could be broadcast on Bravo (only they have commercials, but so does A&E). In Australia, it was on their PBS-type network, but like in the UK, they show these things. Only in America are we treated like a bunch of babies or Puritans on television. (Susan) but in the scenes where Donovan is all fired up and talking fast, this is the way I've envisioned Walker to be. Yes, particularly when he's lording over the guy in charge of Windmill Transport, Mr. Mackie. Love how \"in command\" Colin acts throughout. How superior. Definitely built on the foundation of his real life."}, {"response": 169, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Feb 19, 2000 (16:23)", "body": "DQ is one of those films that get better every time you watch it again, doesn\ufffdt it. By now I\ufffdm almost in love with it. Colin is such a great Don Quixote, I think he must have read that goddamn book to be able to deliver that crazy character so well. Take that macaroni cheese scene or that \"slag\" fight with Clive, or the encounter with the bad guys in the bus; he\ufffds just as kind and fierce and totally unrealistic as the original poor DQ. (Susan)Thought the other actors were marvelous too, esp. Lucy. I deeply agree. I think that Clive is a great performance too, maybe the best one. (Susan)where she tells Donovan about her past brought me to tears. The ending brings me to tears, it\ufffds almost painful. I don\ufffdt know why really, it is a life-goes-on type of ending after all. But Donovan looks like he\ufffds lost something important and can\ufffdt get back to it anymore."}, {"response": 170, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (08:18)", "body": "A pause-your-VCRs moment: When Donovan can't get the bus started, he leans his head out of the window and asks Jim if he's going to help. There's a side mirror on the bus. Pause and take a look. *running screaming from the room* ;-)"}, {"response": 171, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (10:33)", "body": "Waited to read these recent comments until I watched last night for the first time. Did anybody say he was GORGEOUS? ;-) (Karen) I saw a lot of Colin's Walker when he first challenges Windmill Absolutely. He uses his hands a lot for emphasis like Walker. Why don't my bus drivers look like he does? ;-) Truly. How could anyone have gotten on the wrong bus by mistake? Those flashback suits remind me of ones we've seen him wear to premieres. You know, with the darker shirts. And the high buttoned vests. Thought so too. (Moon) I am not sure if it will ever show up in the US I sadly agree with you although some obscure US channels may show it eventually. I can't see it making it to PBS. It's not a period piece and it's not a mystery. It would have to get critical acclaim overseas first to get noticed here. (Moon)The beginning I found awkward and forced. And abrupt. I hadn't really gotten a feeling for the situation and the different roles the family had before Donovan very suddenly showed up. (Eileen) Didn't you love it when Donovan tells the drunken Lucy that she's beautiful? A great scene. She's so beaten down, cynical, and then to be so surprised in that way. I think we see her in profile, sort of shadowy at that moment. \"If I told you you had a beautiful body, would you hold it against me?\" I propose that line be used next time we're in ODB's company :-D I think you've just committed yourself, girl, and I don't mean into the looney bin. (Karen) BTW, weren't you disappointed that it turned out to be Clive? Not really. Such a ridiculous shot. But she would have looked a lot happier if it had been Donovan. When Donovan can't get the bus started, he leans his head out of the window and asks Jim if he's going to help. There's a side mirror on the bus. Pause and take a look. *running screaming from the room* ;-) I know exactly what you mean, honey. And there are a bunch like that too. In particularly like when he and Sandy run through town putting up their flyers. There's one broad grin he gives to an older woman as they're crossing the street. I imagine her not knowing this was being filmed and calling out to him, \"Aren't you Mr. Darcy?\" ;-) Have seen it just once but will watch again tonight. I obviously have to re-read Don Quixote but some questions/thoughts: I know Quick & Pannick is not a profitable business. In one scene we see Donovan look at his stash of money and we see it's noticably depleted. I thought at first Clive had found it but there is no later evidence of that. So my assumption is this was not only unprofitable but a money-sucking operation. The lapse of time during the film completely eludes me. It is painful to see him beaten again. He lays there offering absolutely no defense. Can not remember from the book if Quixote is as unresistant. Finally, where did he come from? Where did he end up and where was Lucy when she came across him again in the end?"}, {"response": 172, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (10:35)", "body": "Sorry...fixed."}, {"response": 173, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (10:50)", "body": "(Heide) Sorry...fixed. That's OK. You could've done the whole thing in your big red font and we wouldn't mind. (Heide) And there are a bunch like that too. Most were of the wide part variety, but this one was a big old round patch. (Heide) In one scene we see Donovan look at his stash of money and we see it's noticably depleted. He said that, when he escaped the institution, he got a hold of all his liquid assets (cash) before they froze them. We don't know how much it represented, but you can be sure that his cash outlays to fix up that bus would've cost a pretty pence. I'm guessing that the route was not in business long enough to recoup his outlays or that he gave a substantial portion of the receipts to the Pannicks. He would have to pay for his stellar customer service rep and the use of the family's telephone line. I've had a few discussions about the lighting of the film. I don't believe it is the tape. Note the outdoor scenes or the ones in the Windmill offices. I think the use of darkness within the Pannick home was intentional. Haven't a number of people mentioned this is a \"dark\" show? Initially, I thought they meant it was dismal or cheerless. But now, I think it means the lighting or lack thereof. Colin is often in shadows or illuminated by a single bulb or a crack of light from a window."}, {"response": 174, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (12:04)", "body": "Heide. There's one broad grin he gives to an older woman.. I too liked this grin, Heide, a Colin grin I am sure, wish he did it more."}, {"response": 175, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (15:18)", "body": "(Elena)DQ is one of those films that get better every time you watch it again, doesn\ufffdt it. By now I\ufffdm almost in love with it. I agree and have only seen it twice. Despite the fact that I don't get much of the dialogue...esp. Clive and Sandy. Some of Lucy. All of Gran, though;-) Great production and story line. Read the book in the original in college. would swear some of Colin's dialogue comes straight out of the novel. A story of love and all it's complications. I was teary when Donovan asks Lucy :\"Why do you let him do that to you\"? Her answer about looking for love and affection was heart -wrenching. I bet there was some footage cut out of the beginning, making Donovan's first encounter with Sandy a bit contrived. I like the obscure ending....he does this type of a scene so well...the look on his face mirrors his soul I don't think it will have a life in the US....unless it's a big hit on BBC UK."}, {"response": 176, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (15:19)", "body": "(Karen) Most were of the wide part variety, but this one was a big old round patch. LOL at me. I thought you meant how good he looked in the mirror, hence my addition of that beautiful grin in the street. Now I see I should have seen a glaring absence of h***. I shall look for that tonight...if I can bear it. (Ann) I too liked this grin, Heide, a Colin grin I am sure, wish he did it more. You saw it too? I rewound on that one quite a bit last night, she sheepishly admits. Ann, have you watched the whole thing several times? (Karen) Haven't a number of people mentioned this is a \"dark\" show? Initially, I thought they meant it was dismal or cheerless. I was pleased at how many light moments there were in this film. Having heard how \"dark\" it was, I was afraid it would be unrelentingly downbeat but there are quite a few laugh-out-loud moments. A relief that there's another meaning to the term \"dark\" even though making out some scenes was difficult at times. No reflection on the quality of the tape with which I was very pleased."}, {"response": 177, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (15:30)", "body": "(Ann) I too liked this grin, Heide, a Colin grin I am sure, wish he did it more. (Heide) You saw it too? How could anyone miss it! I've got that and mirror shot here, but haven't been able to scan today. Hope to post those tomorrow. (Evelyn) Despite the fact that I don't get much of the dialogue I'm understanding more and more. Too bad there wasn't any closed captioning...or any that made it through the conversion process. Also hadn't noticed that Clive watches Donovan help Lucy at the door after she \"trips\" over loose paving stone. (Evelyn) would swear some of Colin's dialogue comes straight out of the novel. How about \"into the belly of the beast\"? Doesn't that sound like it might? Anyone know?"}, {"response": 178, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (17:05)", "body": "Heide, I have seen it twice so far all through, have also fast-forwarded to some really nice bits. The BBC have got a hit on their hands with this so why are they not airing it, it really is a mystery, especially knowing that people want to see CF back on the TV, there have been many letters to this effect to Teletext and Ceefax. My favourite shot of CF is the closing minute of it where he looks over his shoulder and the captions come up, lovely!!"}, {"response": 179, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (11:10)", "body": "(Karen) BTW, weren't you disappointed that it turned out to be Clive? You know which scene I'm referring to. You know me too well, dearie ;-P (Susan) Re: Colin's Donovan seeming like Walker It's also like Paul (FP) in the kitchen with Sarah. (Elena) But Donovan looks like he\ufffds lost something important and can\ufffdt get back to it anymore. Captured completely by Colin's final, over-the-shoulder shot. As Evelyn put it, the look on his face mirrors his soul . (Ann) My favourite shot of CF is the closing minute of it where he looks over his shoulder and the captions come up, lovely!! Mine, too. As did Evelyn, I also liked the obscure ending (never read the book, saw the movie 20+ years ago and only remember shots of big windmills). (Heide) I was pleased at how many light moments there were in this film My favorite would have to be the 'macaroni cheese' line mentioned earlier by Karen, but I also enjoyed seeing Colin singing (another topic--cheerier, too--for a 'how many times?' list). I've only seen it once so far--will watch out for the big grin next time (as well as concentrating more on Clive's dialogue). As for the rear view mirror shot (his h***, Louisa!), I caught this on the first go-round. It's getting more difficult to avoid :-("}, {"response": 180, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (11:21)", "body": "Really must compile a list of \"Films in which Colin Runs Up/Down Stairs.\" My personal fav in DQ has to be quick (blink and it's gone) hop up the steps of the bus. Only catch a glimpse from the rear, but.... worth it. ;-)"}, {"response": 181, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (12:12)", "body": "(Elena) But Donovan looks like he\ufffds lost something important and can\ufffdt get back to it anymore. Captured completely by Colin's final, over-the-shoulder shot. As Evelyn put it, the look on his face mirrors his soul. (Ann) My favourite shot of CF is the closing minute of it where he looks over his shoulder and the captions come up, lovely!! Definitely mine as well as the big grin he gives with the two old ladies. I agree Heide, they must have recognized Mr. Darcy. Karen, I too noticed that ... but he does seems to have patches throughout the film. When the light catches them. I thought of Walker too and I was not even there! See how well you all describe ODB. ;-D"}, {"response": 182, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (15:20)", "body": "(his h***, Louisa!).... It's getting more difficult to avoid :-( ...he does seems to have patches throughout the film. When the light catches them. Three (only three???) cheers for the man who completely lacks vanity."}, {"response": 183, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (15:29)", "body": "(Karen)but this one was a big old round patch. (Moon)but he does seems to have patches throughout the film. (Heide)Now I see I should have seen a glaring absence of h***. I know that you\ufffdre complaining about his dear patches out of sheer love and tender concern but....again I want to say that I don\ufffdt see what\ufffds so terribly wrong about it that a man loses his hair. I find it easy to accept because it\ufffds just a part of masculinity and that\ufffds what I adore in him, among other things. Please feel free to think I\ufffdm perverse again but I can even find those patches sexy!! I would honestly like to take a MUCH closer look! ;-D Am I really the only one here who feels this way? He simply isn\ufffdt a boy anymore and oooh I like it."}, {"response": 184, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (16:07)", "body": "(if they didn't have a budget for a hair wrangler, a can of spray paint is cheap)"}, {"response": 185, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (16:21)", "body": "That is the grin! Thanks, Karen. The pic in the middle does not look like him. Maybe he caught that patch in the mirror on the first take and could not help but react. ;-) Yes, Elena, we would all like a closer look, and so many of you have had that closer look."}, {"response": 186, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (17:09)", "body": "(Moon)so many of you have had that closer look. Oh no no no com\ufffdon we have not, I meant MUUUCH closer! I did not see enough! (drool...*hic* sorry I must sound like having had some b-day bubbly :-D) Seriously I did not look at his patch when I met him."}, {"response": 187, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (17:58)", "body": "Karen....you \"snapppy\" pictures are terrific... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ( Elena)Seriously I did not look at his patch when I met him. I looked up at the left ear for the ear-piercing ...;-) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"}, {"response": 188, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (20:42)", "body": "(Moon) The pic in the middle does not look like him. No, but it *does* look like Tom Jones! Hey, it's not unusual to resemble somebody.;-)"}, {"response": 189, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (21:21)", "body": "My favorite actor is Colin Firth. He has thinning hair. It has been apparent that his hair has been thinning since P&P at least. That is 6 (count 'em) six years ago! Why is this endlessly being discussed as a new and shocking discovery? IF I HEAR ONE MORE REFERENCE TO \"THINNING HAIR\" I WILL POST IN ALL CAPS LIKE THIS IN PROTEST UNTIL THE SUBJECT HAS BEEN PUT TO BED -- PERMANENTLY!!! I love you all ... anyway ... honest! 8-) ...KJ"}, {"response": 190, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (10:32)", "body": "(KJArt)IF I HEAR ONE MORE REFERENCE TO \"THINNING HAIR\" I WILL POST IN ALL CAPS LIKE THIS IN PROTEST UNTIL THE SUBJECT HAS BEEN PUT TO BED -- PERMANENTLY!!! \"Rise Above It\". KJ ;-)"}, {"response": 191, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (13:15)", "body": "Okay...one more reference to \"that\" topic (craving your indulgence, pl-e-ase!) We should take a leaf out of Helen Fielding's book (literally!) To quote from \"The Edge of Reason\"....\"little kids get one toy that they love more than all the others, and even when its fur has been rubbed off, the little child still thinks it's the most beautiful toy in the world, and can't bear to be parted from it\" (Next page) \"I stroked his hair, I kissed the bald patch where his fur has been loved off. And I told him what I felt, what I really, really felt.\" \"where his fur had been loved off\"...I rather liked this! And final word, thank God he's not vain!"}, {"response": 192, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (13:17)", "body": "I have this recurring nightmare. That someone has finally convinced CF to visit his sites where fans are discussing his work. What will they be saying about me?, he asks himself. Acting technique? Philosophy behind choices of project. How his agent could better serve him? Nope. You guessed it. I had thought of a great compromise last night. How about creating a new Topic, entitled \"His hair, Louisa!!\". There, those obsessed with what they see as an increasing problem may remark upon every newly- appearing bare patch, every widening part, every failing Firth follicle, whether it were the North-40 or the South-40 that was defoliating faster, and so on. Other like - minded souls could gather in clots of commiseration -- and it would provide a place to avoid -- a blessed sanctuary from the incessant sobbing -- for those us who have heard enough of the subject to last several lifetimes. That will leave us to discuss more substantive issues like his shoe-size, what kind of fur decorated the hood of his parka, whether the ring were 10- 12- or 14-carat, and so on -- things of importance that have not been covered or settled completely to our satisfaction. That way everybody could be happy. How about it?"}, {"response": 193, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (13:29)", "body": "I think the ring is 18 carat. And his shoe size 10.5 (US). ;-)"}, {"response": 194, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (13:30)", "body": "(arami) Three (only three???) cheers for the man who completely lacks vanity. (Elena)...I don\ufffdt see what\ufffds so terribly wrong about it that a man loses his hair. I find it easy to accept because it\ufffds just a part of masculinity and that\ufffds what I adore in him, among other things. (Bethan) ..\"where his fur had been loved off\"...I rather liked this! ...And final word, thank God he's not vain! You are all very wise. Like you, I will take him as is. ;-)"}, {"response": 195, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (14:42)", "body": "So have we heard the last of it now? ;-P"}, {"response": 196, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (14:52)", "body": "LOL!! KJ The topic is forever going to crop up and we are forever going to moan. Does it make one bit of difference to most of us? No. Noticing new scalp shots is like earning Boy Scout merit badges around here. ;-) Maybe you'd like to design the Follicle badge?"}, {"response": 197, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (15:25)", "body": "KarenR, thanks for putting humour back into this topic :-)"}, {"response": 198, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (15:42)", "body": "(Bethan)\"where his fur had been loved off\"... Thanks Bethan, I also have been thinking about that lovely line today. (Karen)Does it make one bit of difference to most of us? No. I certainly hope so. I\ufffdd hate seeing Drool dry up as fast as he\ufffds losing his hair. Shall I be the only one left here in 2010?! And what does a man with such eyes and smile and voice and hands and body do with hair anyway? Nothing! :-)"}, {"response": 199, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (16:04)", "body": "(Gi)KarenR, thanks for putting humour back into this topic :-) Besides....Our Fearless Leader calls the shots ;-) Let's go back to discussing DQ. Fastly becoming my #2 fave...(and I only get 60% of the dialogue!)"}, {"response": 200, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (16:14)", "body": "Actually, I think KJ's comments had *me* in stitches. Am trying to coming up with even better trivial pursuits. ;-)"}, {"response": 201, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (20:22)", "body": ""}, {"response": 202, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (21:48)", "body": "(Moon) The pic in the middle does not look like him. (Mari) No, but it *does* look like Tom Jones! Aha! That's it! Just no throwing your undergarments at him, ladies."}, {"response": 203, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (09:19)", "body": "(Karen) Am trying to coming up with even better trivial pursuits. ;-) How many times he changes his clothes (or doesn't)... So what do we think is running through DQ's mind (underneath all that hair) during his last, enigmatic, over-the-shoulder look?"}, {"response": 204, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (10:29)", "body": "\"Thank god this one won't spit at me\"?"}, {"response": 205, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (10:38)", "body": "LOL!"}, {"response": 206, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (11:45)", "body": "(Eileen)So what do we think is running through DQ's mind (underneath all that hair) during his last,enigmatic, over-the-shoulder look? I find that intense look v. interesting too, Eileen. When I first saw it I thought he really did not remember Lucy or what the H*** she was talking about. \"I'm sorry....I caused that trouble\"of course makes it plain he does remember. But how much? Maybe he just remembers that he was troublesome, and not the details.He clearly has a different personality now.Will have to confer with son about what type of treatment is involved for behavior mod like this."}, {"response": 207, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (14:13)", "body": "It used to be electric shocks in certain parts of the world..."}, {"response": 208, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (22:47)", "body": "Electroshock, Drugs, Conditioning, whatever, \"They\" have gotten him back to \"Normal\" -- he has become what he had originally been -- the Corporate - Takeover - King. He is out in the world doing it all over again. However it was achieved, they had to (re)educate him to the utter righteousness of material gain over the welfare of human beings, (re)condition him to be utterly contemptuous of the \"weaknesses\" in Donovan, and teach him to feel intense shame at having somehow succumbed to the temptation of the Golden Rule. His new self was released upon the world in the confidence that these proper attitudes had been completely and permanently internalized again ... and they had. Thus his denial at first. Even when finally admitting some connection with those events, they were in the form of an apology for causing \"trouble\" ... he was mortified at having caused all that \"trouble\". I'm sure he felt completely justified as he went to catch his train. Only there was a sudden attack of wistfulness from he - knew - not - where that caused him to turn back, and feel a regret for he - knew - not - what, but it wasn't for causing trouble ... but probably for something he felt had been permanently lost like a fading dream, only he couldn't remember..."}, {"response": 209, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (16:24)", "body": "...he felt had been permanently lost like a fading dream, only he couldn't remember... I think you nailed it, KJ. And have you noticed that even his voice changes as Daniel Green.Has the timbre of the early arrogant Mr. Darcy."}, {"response": 210, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (18:07)", "body": "Green? Or Quinn?"}, {"response": 211, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (21:02)", "body": "Oops....Quinn... (Picky,Picky) ;-)"}, {"response": 212, "author": "Maureen", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (04:47)", "body": "Hi folks back again from the world of mundane reality. As regards to how DQ was treated, to transform him back to Daniel Quin there can only be one simple answer, PROZAC. Although I thought prozac was supposed to make people happy, Daniel Quinn did not look very happy to me. I aslo think in the scene at the end of the movie where he apologises to Lucy, he is also letting her know that he is sorry for breaking her heart."}, {"response": 213, "author": "Maureen", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (04:49)", "body": "Ooops, Quinn!!!!!!"}, {"response": 214, "author": "Maureen", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (04:52)", "body": "Reading back over what I wrote (back from the world of mundane reality) Maybe I should get a script for PROZAC."}, {"response": 215, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (11:09)", "body": "Great comments, KJ. You put my thoughts on \"paper\". Maureen, I don't doubt your assessment either. Perhaps our resident health care experts might have more insight. I wouldn't mind a few of those drugs myself some days. I'm not quibbling with the fleeting glimpse we get of Daniel's wife. Would have liked to have seen more of her though, perhaps in the flashbacks. From what little we see of her, she looks sleek, successful, a perfect partner to the man he was. I of course imagine she is the \"family\" he mentions who first sought his psychiatric care. Would have liked a little more insight into the life he led pre-Donovan."}, {"response": 216, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (11:46)", "body": "..., to transform him back to Daniel Quin there can only be one simple answer, PROZAC. Well, actually there are several protocols that could have been used...including shock treatment.Of course, this is a multi-layered fictional creation , it is not a documentary.Didn't Bethan tell us that the author has written other stories involving mental illness? A traumatic episode doesn't turn someone into a manic depressive. And treatments of any kind does not blank out entire memory. The ending is ambiguous because probably the whole story is improbable. Still it is a brilliant correlation to Don Quijote with a contemporary correlation to current social problems. Heavy agenda."}, {"response": 217, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (11:50)", "body": "(Heide) our resident health care experts Oooo, not me; psych's never been my thing. I agree with KJ, though, it really doesn't matter how they got him back to Daniel Quinn. I watched DQ again yesterday. What a wonderful script--no wonder Colin took this project. There's one line (which I didn't write down, so I'm paraphrasing). It comes near the end, when Donovan is 'confessing' his past to Lucy. She brings up Don Quixote. He replies \"Don Quixote was mad. When they restored him to sanity, he was nothing.\""}, {"response": 218, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (12:09)", "body": "\"Don Quixote was mad. When they restored him to sanity, he was nothing.\" I rewound that line a couple of times to catch exactly what he said and still am not sure. Think it went like this: \"DQ was a great man (or madman).\" The rest went as you wrote, Eileen. Do they still use electroshock therapy on people? I too like what KJ wrote. Daniel has been rehabilitated, brought back to \"sanity,\" although I don't think he was unaware of his real self at any time. He would refer to his old life with a sadness."}, {"response": 219, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (13:43)", "body": "Do they still use electroshock therapy on people? Son says yes. 1. Used when patient does not respond to chemical treatment. 2. V. expensive. Therefore chem treatments preferred by insurance co. However, neither treatment blanks out memory IRL. Therefore what you say is true, Karen. I don't think he was unaware of his real self at any time. He would refer to his old life with a sadness. He was not unaware of Daniel when he was Donovan. Or of Donovan after he returned to being Daniel. Of course, as I said this is fiction, and the author can do what he wants with the character."}, {"response": 220, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (15:29)", "body": "Response 1627 of 1628: KJArt (KJArt) * Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (15:07) * 5 lines Prozac is mainly for chronic depression, which is not, I think what Donavan was suffering from. I don't know -- he might have been bipolar (manic-depressive) in which case they had probably used lithium (which he has to continue taking). But all these are mood alterers which wouldn't completely do the trick. I truly believed he had to go through intensive \"counseling\" (read brain-washing) to completely change his reactions to things, his attitudes towards them. He had to be taught to hate and fear....again."}, {"response": 221, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (16:01)", "body": "(Evelyn), The ending is ambiguous because probably the whole story is improbable. What if he really did not recognize Lucy at the end but transfered his memory to the woman in the beginning and ended up apologizing to Lucy thinking of the other woman. Or apologizing in general for what he does. (That is one big mea culpa)."}, {"response": 222, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (16:26)", "body": "The husband of Donna Fairchild, screenwriter of DQ, is a psychiatric nurse. \"Taking over the Asylum\" which she also wrote (and won a BAFTA) was about mental illness."}, {"response": 223, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (18:59)", "body": "transfered his memory to the woman in the beginning and ended up apologizing to Lucy thinking of the other woman. You may have hit the point, I think."}, {"response": 224, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (19:21)", "body": "transfered his memory to the woman in the beginning and ended up apologizing to Lucy thinking of the other woman. You mean,Mrs. Sapas, the wife of the man he killed? Well, like I said...anything can happen in fiction.And this is a very probale ending. The dialogue is v. sparse, and ambiguous.We have to rely on his facial expressions which could justify several plausible endings."}, {"response": 225, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (19:27)", "body": "Yes, indeed! Isn't it fun that all these questions can be the subject of much discussion ?"}, {"response": 226, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (19:32)", "body": "..Isn't it fun that all these questions can be the subject of much discussion? Indeed,which adds to the intrigue of this film. IMO no other actor could by facial expression alone connote several different endings justifiably than ODB."}, {"response": 227, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (19:39)", "body": "Accordingly, in that last shot, he seems to be thinking: \"What the hell is she talking about...?\" That was my first impression. Any more interpretations? Shall we make a list of possibilities?"}, {"response": 228, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (11:10)", "body": "...\"What the hell is she talking about...?\" That belongs to the ending category:He doesn't remember a thing\" Which perhaps the author wanted to relate. (Doesn't happen IRL.Amnesia blanks out memory.Treatments don't....they alter behavior.)But this is fiction.(Def. my fave after P&P...written and acted on many levels.)"}, {"response": 229, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (13:46)", "body": "(Arami)Any more interpretations? \"Why won't she let go of me?\" Like: I wanted her to think I wasn't Donovan because I was afraid she'd spit on me like the other one, but apparently I couldn't fool her."}, {"response": 230, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (15:21)", "body": "\"Gosh, I fancy that woman something rotten...\""}, {"response": 231, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (15:22)", "body": "(Sorry. Couldn't resist it.) :-)"}, {"response": 232, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (17:45)", "body": "(Jana C)...I'm tired of seeing CF get his a-- kicked in his movies! (Donovan Quick) ...He had to atone, you see... The passive resistance was part of the atonement process, as was the humiliation. Perhaps another way to bring back Daniel was to convinced him that he'd atoned enough, he was free and clear now... Who knows? ...\"Don Quixote was a great madman, Lucy. ...When they returned him to sanity, he was nothing.\" -- [Donovan Quick] It might have been easy to get Daniel back by pointing out to him what an utter failure Donovan was ... a crazy fool who had thrown all that money away on that trash of a family ... and what had it gained them or him? Donovan himself probably believed he was a failure as he was being \"recaptured\". Daniel could easily despise Donovan and be ashamed of him and of what he'd done. It's understandable that he could put it all behind him. On that station platform you could see how hard that he was concentrating on NOT listening to what Lucy was saying to him. And what Lucy was saying to him was that Donovan had not been a failure. On the contrary, he had made a great positive change in those whose lives he had touched. But Daniel was in a powerful state of Denial ... he must not listen, he would not hear! (Daniel -- Denial ; I love it!) It could be argued that he apologized for making \"trouble\" to get rid of her (...because that is how he honestly perceived it, had to perceive it ...). But as he walked to the train, what she implied was slowly beginning to register. It was trickling into his consciousness little by little in spite of his denial of it. He began to see what Donovan had meant to these people. Most of the change had happened after he had left, after all. Maybe the \"turnaround\" in his perception of Donovan ... that he was not utterly insane for harboring such unrealistic notions, that maybe it was Daniel who was a bit contemptible for disbelieving in them ... was reflected by the turnaround and stare after the one who made him see that maybe Donovan wasn't a failure after all! Maybe Donovan hadn't been TOTALLY crazy... If you're the optimistic sort, you could even read into it that the turnaround back to Donovan had slowly and subtly begun in him again too... :-) (Sorry about the essay ... it's only one interpretation after all, I know.)"}, {"response": 233, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (18:27)", "body": "An important thing to remember is that, when Donovan was hauled away, he thought he'd ruined their lives. The bus service had been taken out of commission by the vandals and Windmill's management had the upperhand; the bus was in need of major repairs and he didn't have the money; Lucy was tossed aside by Clive; and Sandy had been humiliated, lost the love of his life on the bus, and was now injured in the hospital. Donovan felt he was a failure. He had no way of knowing the positive impact he had on them. Daniel Quinn's family and doctors kept the Pannicks away from him in the hospital, so he didn't know. I felt he was trying to ignore Lucy on the platform, not face up to someone whose life he thought he had ruined. He knew who she was."}, {"response": 234, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (20:00)", "body": "Thanks KJ. We can always rely on you to go the extra mile on these discussion. If you're the optimistic sort, you could even read into it that the turnaround back to Donovan had slowly and subtly begun in him again too... :-) I'm a believer...and IMO Donovan makes an impact on Daniel too."}, {"response": 235, "author": "Maureen", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (04:37)", "body": "Just getting back to Bipola, I do not believe that DQ was suffering Bipola at all. I think he was in some sort of psychosis as a result of deep depression. His depressed induded psychosis would account for the altered state of mind but, all the time he would remeber his history. A person suffreing a severe depression induced psychosis, in most cases, will know what they were about, but at the same time will have an inability to take control of what they are doing. Does that make sense?????? Bipola symptoms can often look similar, however, people suffering regular episodes, or even one severe case, do not usually fully recover. In the beginning of the movie I thought that the prognosis was aimed toward scizophrenia due to the voices he was hearing when in his hospital room listening to the radio. But these thoughts were short lived. BTW Electric shock therapy is illegal in Australia, but I believe every second business person here, is on some form of prozac."}, {"response": 236, "author": "Maureen", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (04:40)", "body": "PS if anyone here happens to be a business person from Aus please consider yourselves the first person."}, {"response": 237, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (07:18)", "body": "Very funny Maureen, and of course, politically correct. ;-)"}, {"response": 238, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (10:04)", "body": "ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) is done under general anesthesia and as Evelyn's son says, is performed infrequently in the US these days (interesting that it's illegal in Aus). Over the past 20 years drugs have improved to the point of revolutionizing mental health treatment and would be the first approach. ECTs are not without risk (as is anything done under GA) and are expensive because they need to be done in high tech settings with monitoring, etc. I used to work with an anesthesiologist who called them 'jumpstarts' (if you've ever seen one done, you'll know why). But enough about treatment. IMO Daniel is restored simply...because (same reason Larry goes mad in ATA). Same goes for his diagnosis. (KJArt) On that station platform you could see how hard that he was concentrating on NOT listening to what Lucy was saying to him. And what Lucy was saying to him was that Donovan had not been a failure. On the contrary, he had made a great positive change in those whose lives he had touched. But Daniel was in a powerful state of Denial ... he must not listen, he would not hear! (Daniel -- Denial ; I love it!) Good one, KJ. (I hadn't gotten past the repeated D.Q. use). As Lucy approaches Daniel, the audience is left without a doubt that Daniel has been thoroghly restored. His phone conversation concerns putting someone out of business. Not a trace of Donovan remains--or is there? (Karen) He knew who she was. I agree. (KJ) Maybe the \"turnaround\" in his perception of Donovan ... that he was not utterly insane for harboring such unrealistic notions, that maybe it was Daniel who was a bit contemptible for disbelieving in them ... was reflected by the turnaround and stare after the one who made him see that maybe Donovan wasn't a failure after all! Maybe Donovan hadn't been TOTALLY crazy... ...maybe Daniel Quinn, like Don Quixote, is nothing ."}, {"response": 239, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (13:26)", "body": "(Maureen) A person suffreing a severe depression induced psychosis, in most cases, will know what they were about, but at the same time will have an inability to take control of what they are doing. Does that make sense?????? Not really in this case. Donovan cannot be said to not be in control of what he's doing, on the contrary, he takes action every time. But did you notice how, when he gets off the bus in the beginning, he says \"In the lion's den\", or something to the same effect? And that he used to work for Windmill? So he's not completely \"another\", and a case might even perhaps be made for his using the Pannicks for his own purposes against the company. This is just another angle, it does not mean I believe this is the right one."}, {"response": 240, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (14:22)", "body": "(Gi) And that he used to work for Windmill? How is that possible? Daniel Quinn is a millionaire. Windmill was owned by this Kathleen Gorman (?) person. There are two strange bits: (1) when Mackie asks if he knows him and DQ says \"if you met me before, you'd remember\" [great line and delivery btw] and (2) at the end, when it looks like Mackie is looking Daniel up in his computer as an employee record. As DQ is a well-known millionaire businessman type, he would be recognizable to the business community, but that last thing is rather strange. Must watch again soon."}, {"response": 241, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (14:43)", "body": "Throughout my re-watch last week, I was wondering for whom/what Daniel worked. I thought it was odd that Mackie wouldn't recognize him if they worked for the same company (although it was 'multinational'). Toward the end, it's made clear Daniel works for Windmill. At one point during Donovan's 'confessional', Lucy says 'Windmill?' and he doesn't refute it (I don't recall the exact words). Mackie *is* looking up Daniel's employment record. At the top of the computer screen there's a Windmill logo and it says \"personnel\" (isn't it wonderful he has such open access, Heide?). Afterward, it made sense--all those comments about \"into the belly of the beast,\" \"I knew they'd [Windmill] do this, it's standard procedure,\" \"anything to keep the wheels turning,\" etc. Who better to know how Windmill works, but him? (Karen) Windmill was owned by this Kathleen Gorman (?) person. Didn't you get a kick out of her giant portrait adorning Mackie's office? It sounds as though Daniel Quinn is in charge of mergers and acquisitions; Windmill's a big corporation, he's well paid."}, {"response": 242, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (14:50)", "body": "(Eileen), maybe Daniel Quinn, like Don Quixote, is nothing. Or totally mad. (Karen) Windmill was owned by this Kathleen Gorman (?) person. (Eileen), Didn't you get a kick out of her giant portrait adorning Mackie's office? I thought she was his wife and they used that shot with her picture in Mackie's office as symbol of all he was going against (family too), and therefore making the end more relevant."}, {"response": 243, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (15:15)", "body": "You thought Gorman was Daniel's wife? Hmmmm, that would work. I wish we got a clearer shot of the wife being ushered into his room in the hospital. I thought her hair was longer than Kathleen's. Will have to watch again."}, {"response": 244, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (16:01)", "body": "Would it be possible that Daniel Quinn's reaction to Sapas' death might have triggered a type of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?"}, {"response": 245, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (16:42)", "body": "I was going to take another looksie at the wife too before I posted again because it would fit...sort of. Quinn gives off the air of someone much higher up than a guy in M&A. My feeling was that he was the owner of a big multinational corporation, but that his wife ran the transport company. Perhaps, Windmill started it all (hence his affinity for playing with the train set), but that he had gone on to bigger and better things. (Eileen) I thought it was odd that Mackie wouldn't recognize him if they worked for the same company He looked familiar to him. I would recognize the president of my company in an instant, whereas the chairman of the board, not necessarily...of course, my company was a bit different than the norm."}, {"response": 246, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (17:45)", "body": "(Cheryl B) ...Would it be possible that Daniel Quinn's reaction to Sapas' death might have triggered a type of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder? That is exactly my take on it. Most people's basic personalities are pretty unchangeable (that's why basing a marriage decision on the expectation of changed behavior is pretty foolish ... that's VERY rare). But though our basic personalities stay pretty much intact, what can be changed is value systems, which are especially heavily influenced by our surrounding society. Religious cults depend on the power of the peer group to totally change people's opinion of what is and is not important. This in turn changes their relationships with the world by changing the things that are and are not valuable. Beliefs are based on what we see as True or Untrue about how the world works. Change in one's perception of even one \"fact\" within one's system, and that may throw the entire Construct of Truth into doubt, and all Hell breaks loose. We are creatures of habit after all, and are uncomfortable with change. The idea that the world was not the center of the Universe threatened an entire Dogma for the simple reason that if that were not true, then other parts of the Construct could not be taken literally either. When doubt enters the picture, beliefs often exit completely or are distorted, sometimes beyond recognition. Trauma often creates whole new realities in perception. The shock of realizing that his decisions were directly instrumental in murdering another human being shook Daniel's whole Construct of what was and was not true of the world, what was and was not important. His personality did not change -- he was a take-charge, take-risks, do-it-now kind of guy and that transferred intact into his new belief System. It was \"What was True\" that had changed. Donovan emerged as a new person to act within this new reality. Unfortunately, if the things one believes in don't pan out, then the new belief system is threatened, too. Donovan hadn't had the chance to see if his new value system would bear fruit. The facts at that time appeared just the opposite. Therefore it was easy to influence him to revert to the old familiar world and relationships that were long habit. Just as we have ways to \"deprogram\" cult members, there are ways to deprogram the need for atonment. That is why the end of this little gem is so deliciously uncertain. There are a multitude of possibilies -- which can become the subject of much discussion! Hee hee! I love to stir up the coals! KJ"}, {"response": 247, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (18:01)", "body": "Thanks KJ and Cheryl..you keep bringing up new options for the guy's condition. I thought her hair was longer than Kathleen's. And she is younger too.But that giant photo in the Windmill office was there for a purpose. I , too, thought Daniel worked for Windmill.(BTW thank you all for filling me in on bits of the dialogue.)But what about the first scene when some ole guy is getting a commendation in a RR yard? How did that fit in?"}, {"response": 248, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (18:57)", "body": "Hmmm, they make a point of saying Kathleen Gorman was the founder.... first scene when some ole guy is getting a commendation in a RR yard? How did that fit in? Windmill has just taken over the Port Clyde franchise and is integrating the old transport lines into its system. Old company meet new company's local management (Mackie) to the cheers of the paid crowd."}, {"response": 249, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (19:00)", "body": "Another cute touch at the beginning is that the radio call in guy is the director."}, {"response": 250, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (22:34)", "body": "OK, Mrs. Gorman is not Daniel's wife. The woman who goes into the hospital room is not her. He confesses to Lucy that he was a business man, a corporate raider type. He talks about \"his company.\" Lucy does say Windmill, but he doesn't acknowledge it in any way. Somehow I just don't see an M&A guy down in the trenches, calling the shots in an operation like the drivers' protest. If he were a big wheel with the company, why didn't anyone recognize him from the newspapers or from Good Morning Scotland?"}, {"response": 251, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (00:00)", "body": "(Gi) And that he used to work for Windmill? (Karen) How is that possible? Daniel Quinn is a millionaire. /.../ As DQ is a well-known millionaire businessman type, he would be recognizable to the business community, Umm, where does it say Daniel is a millionaire? That bag full of money of Donovan's wasn't several million ... for that he could have bought a whole fleet of new buses. Maybe a couple of hundred thousand at the very most. That is \"Liquid assets\" of a very well-paid man, but not necessarily a millionaire. (Eileen) Mackie *is* looking up Daniel's employment record. At the top of the computer screen there's a Windmill logo and it says \"personnel\" Yup. Very illustrative, wouldn't you say? (Karen) If he were a big wheel with the company, why didn't anyone recognize him from the newspapers... Maybe because he wasn't a \"big wheel\". He had power in the company, there's no doubt about that. But just as in the assistants to the top executives who really do the dirty work for them behind the scenes, he might keep a very low profile because of the nature of what he does -- he is probably a strategist of sorts. He is very well recompensed for his brains and his ruthlessness, but well-known? -- I should think that would be antithical to his success if they saw him coming.... ;-)"}, {"response": 252, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (00:30)", "body": ""}, {"response": 253, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (00:31)", "body": "(KJ) he might keep a very low profile because of the nature of what he does -- he is probably a strategist of sorts. He is very well recompensed for his brains and his ruthlessness, but well-known? -- I should think that would be antithical to his success if they saw him coming.... ;-) Sorry, but these guys are rarely low profile."}, {"response": 254, "author": "Maureen", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (04:55)", "body": "I do not think that DQ worked for Windmill at all. I would say he was more into the mega millions and brokerage side of things. Putting huge deals together, squeezing out the small companies, bullying others to merge or go under, that sort of thing. I think his involvement with Windmill may have been in this sort of capacity."}, {"response": 255, "author": "ommin", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (05:48)", "body": "Your query why wasn't he recognised in Scotland - he worked for the company in Sussex - some 400 miles or so from Glasgow. The boss in Scotland might have recognised him if he appeared in a business suit - but he started off by stopping the train like a vandal."}, {"response": 256, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (07:48)", "body": "True, Anne. (Karen), Somehow I just don't see an M&A guy down in the trenches, calling the shots in an operation like the drivers' protest. At one point when Windmill gets two buses on the P&Q route, he comments One in front and one behind as usual it has started. (Something to that affect) He certainly worked for the company. OK, Mrs. Gorman is not Daniel's wife. The woman who goes into the hospital room is not her. We only see from behind, Karen. It would work better for the story if she were. :-) And length of hair is not an issue. We did see Gorman in a flashback, no?"}, {"response": 257, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (08:26)", "body": "(AnnH) he worked for the company in Sussex - some 400 miles or so from Glasgow. When did they say he was at a company location (or headquarters) in Sussex? I don't recall. At one point, Mrs. Gorman makes a comment about Windmill being a \"local\" company, which I took as having started up in Scotland. It could however have another meaning having to do with Windmill's swallowing up local companies, giving an illusion of being local. The bothersome point about Daniel working for Windmill is toward the end, when Mackie tells him about Mrs. Gorman's business philosophy. The bit about not only squashing competitors but more importantly they must be seen to fail. If Daniel did indeed work for the company, he would surely know this. No, Moon, it is not her. Gorman is an older woman. You see her at the management meeting. The woman who walks into Daniel's hospital room is younger."}, {"response": 258, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (10:51)", "body": "If he didn't work for Windmill...why the comment when he sees the Windmill advert as he gets off the train: \"Into the belly of the beast.\" It connotes some type of familiarity with the firm and its nefarious dealings.. Otherwise, the remark makes no sense."}, {"response": 259, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (12:53)", "body": "I never thought Daniel was a millionnaire. Would the owner, or the owner's consort, be the one to decide on local anti-strike attitudes? He would perhaps say \"No negotiations with strikers\", but decide whether a bus stops or not before the demonstrators? Perhaps not. I think he was definitely an employee, but Mackie did not know him because they probably did not go to the same meetings at headquarters."}, {"response": 260, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (14:00)", "body": "Somebody at the top would make the decision to order the trucks on through when confronted by strikers. No lowly director of ops or middle management official is going take the responsibility for an action that would surely result in violence. Daniel was the one who made the decision. He felt the consequences of it personally. He finally saw the human beings involved, rather than the cold impersonal business he had tended, the balance sheets, the pro formas, etc. And...I have given up on his being married to Gorman. ;-) Into the belly of the beast? Well, he specifically came to Port Clyde to take on Windmill, having heard (on the radio) how that company had taken over a new franchise and was characteristically ignoring its ridership, the little people."}, {"response": 261, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (14:48)", "body": "Karen, I too thought Daniel might be an independent corporate-consultant-raider type (like Harrison Ford's character in Working Girl) but how would that explain his Windmill personnel record? Whereas I agree that Lucy's 'Windmill?' question was ambiguous, that computer screen clinched it for me. I agree with KJArt and Gi here. And I agree with Karen that Kathleen Gorman is not Daniel's wife. Sorry Moon. Definitely not, but that would have been interesting plot-wise. I missed that reference to his working for the company in Sussex, Anne. Can you tell us approximately when it comes up? I still can't understand some of the dialogue, but thought I caught most of Colin's."}, {"response": 262, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (15:20)", "body": "I know, there's no getting around that computer screen! It just seems too implausible for him to be a mere employee, handing out briefcases full of cash, no matter what rank. Works better in my mind if he's a hotshot businesman and an owner of a similar type business. That's it. I'm done. :-)"}, {"response": 263, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (15:25)", "body": "And I agree with Karen that Kathleen Gorman is not Daniel's wife. Sorry Moon. Definitely not, but that would have been interesting plot-wise. Too bad, it would have created more tension. I do feel that he is somehow related Mrs. Gorman. Is it just me? Why would the \"family\" care to get him into a mental institution to rehabilitate him unless he were related to the company? He does go back to the same job. He is definitely not an ordinary executive. Why is he not tried in court for the death of Mr. Salas(?) it was manslaughter and he gave the order. He was rich and liquidated whatever assets he was able to in a short time he probably had lots more tied up. But he just wanted to get away quickly. (Mr. Quick all the way) ;-))"}, {"response": 264, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (15:43)", "body": "(Moon) Why would the \"family\" care to get him into a mental institution to rehabilitate him unless he were related to the company? Because he's giving away all their money?!"}, {"response": 265, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (16:01)", "body": "(Eileen),Because he's giving away all their money?! It is his money. Otherwise they can add robbery to the manslaughter charge."}, {"response": 266, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (18:02)", "body": "(Moon) It is his money. Otherwise they can add robbery to the manslaughter charge. It was an accident, your honor--and besides, we've already entered the insanity plea. (Sorry, Moon I just had to do that) :-)"}, {"response": 267, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (22:38)", "body": "(Moon) He was rich and liquidated whatever assets he was able to in a short time Yes, let's see. I tiptoe out of a mental facility, go to the nearest ATM, and fill up my bag with cash. No, the cash was strapped. He withdrew whatever was in a deposit type of account. Seems like a lot to have in that form."}, {"response": 268, "author": "ommin", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (23:09)", "body": "One of the flashbacks where South of England and I am sure Brighton was mentioned which of course is in Sussex - Windmill was all over the country - i.e. like Virgin transport, I travelled a lot on trains when I was last in England and felt much the same way as D.Q. I am watching it again with three firth friends on Saturday so I will ask each one of them to look out for it."}, {"response": 269, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (07:22)", "body": "LOL, Jana! The trial continues. (Karen), Yes, let's see. I tiptoe out of a mental facility, go to the nearest ATM, and fill up my bag with cash. He does not start out in the mental asylum, he ends up there. No, the cash was strapped. He withdrew whatever was in a deposit type of account. Seems like a lot to have in that form. In Europe people have large bank accounts. They are not as used to morgaging everything they own as they do in the States. It is his money. Would they let him resume his job if he had also stolen their money? Only if he were related to them and therefore it is his money too. :-)"}, {"response": 270, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (08:07)", "body": "Stolen? No one said or implied he had stolen their money. I just mean it seemed a lot of money to have in a plain deposit account. I would think it was invested or in a time deposit account, if anything. Donovan told Lucy he was in a very nice facility, not a mental asylum."}, {"response": 271, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (08:15)", "body": "(Moon) It is his money If my hubby became depressed and suddenly began giving out 'our' money to strangers, I would be hard pressed to ignore such abberrant behavior and would see to it that he got some help. I interpret \"family\" in the literal sense--Daniel's family (wife), not Windmill, had him 'sectioned.' I don't know much about commitment laws in Scotland, but would find it very unusual that an employer had the ability to section someone."}, {"response": 272, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (09:03)", "body": "As we watched the tv show the other night, my friend said \"*That's* Colin fFirth!*\""}, {"response": 273, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (13:03)", "body": "Hi - can I add my two cents re DQ ? I've been catching up on the posts and regarding the scene where Mackie asks Daniel if they had met before, I thought Daniel's answer was a sly way of saying, \"You're too low in the food chain to have ever traveled in my circle. Maybe you saw my picture in the company annual report, but you have never met me. Otherwise, you'd know it because I was a mean son-of-a-bitch and would have had you for breakfast.\" Yeah, I thought Daniel worked for Windmill at the very senior executive level, maybe even a right-hand person to Mrs. Gorman. When he had the last meeting with Mackie, where Mackie said that the local companies must appear to fail, I truly expected Daniel to say something like, \"Yeah, I taught her that.\" I thought he had that look in his face (will have to rewatch, maybe just my imagination). And what a pleasure to hear his real speaking voice again. Any chance that this will have a theatrical release in the US? I think it was that good. And what a nice change to see Colin in a movie that seems to stand on its own merits, not merely carried by Colin. That's it!"}, {"response": 274, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (13:18)", "body": "Hi Donna! Nice to see you here. Of course you may add your two cents. :-) Glad you agree that Donovan acted like a person very high up. About DQ's future, I've just posted something on 129. However, there's no chance of theatrical. Strictly television, but they're running into resistance here because of to the accent."}, {"response": 275, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (13:44)", "body": "(Karen)Glad you agree that Donovan acted like a person very high up I agree as well. Though not the owner of the company. And the money is his, not Windmill's - but it is his wife's too. Although the money he offered to Mrs. Salas could be the company's."}, {"response": 276, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (13:49)", "body": "The money would be his. He felt \"personal\" remorse and responsibility for having ordered the aggressive action. No company is going to cut an expense check for that...unless a court so ordered, following a civil trial. Any payment by the company could be taken as an admission of legal liaibility."}, {"response": 277, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (14:26)", "body": "As we watched the tv show the other night, my friend said \"*That's* Colin fFirth!*\" Terry, congratulations on keeping such commendable company! :-)"}, {"response": 278, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (14:36)", "body": "(Donna DL) Yeah, I thought Daniel worked for Windmill at the very senior executive level, maybe even a right-hand person to Mrs. Gorman. ...But in Southern UK. I remember his mentioning take-overs and tactics and he used English areas as examples. I do remember Sussex being mentioned. After my having rewatched the end, I think you've got a very good handle on the situation . With that interpretation I can easily go along with it. (Karen) Glad you agree that Donovan acted like a person very high up ...And glad you agree \"the Beast\" was his very own Windmill Transport company. (Karen) About DQ's future, I've just posted something on 129. However, there's no chance of theatrical. Strictly television, but they're running into resistance here because of to the accent. And no wonder... Hate to sound like a wet blanket here, [as I have only seen it in its entirelty one and a half times] But my initial reaction after the first viewing was extreme disappointment. After having heard all the praises heaped upon it, I was prepared for an excellent presentation, but I came away rather bitter because my impression was that despite the excellent performance by ODB that I had missed 85% of the dialog and was totally at sea most of the time as far as the Pannick family was concerned. I didn't stop and rewind during any of it, mind you, but took it straight as it came as if a broadcast on my local PBS station. I could recognize the quality of the production, the excellence of the acting by most of the characters, and I knew with careful replay and persistence that I would \"get\" most of it, but I was trying to watch it from the point of view of the one-time viewer. From that point of view, in the U.S.it would probably not even be watched to the end by many viewers because of the level of frustration in my inability to comprehend what the h*** was being said. Personally, I can see that (like FP) it will probably come to be one of my favorite performances of his, but many people won't take the opportunity to record and re-view it, as I am privileged to do. For them, it will probably be a reaction of: \"What we have here is a failure to communicate.\" I hope I am wrong, however. Maybe I am especially handicapped in the comprehension of dialects. I certainly hope so! :-) (Bethan --in 129): RE. the Scottish accent in DQ...didn't the mega successful \"Trainspotting\" have subtitles? Now you're talking!! KJ"}, {"response": 279, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (14:55)", "body": "I understood most of the dialogue in DQ. Of course, there are lost words/phrases here and there, particularly with Clive. Even if I couldn't understand the exact words, I thought I caught the gist of what was being said. IMO there's alot less slang used in DQ than in FP. I was confused about who was who during the frenetic introduction to the Pannick household--on second viewing I caught on that it was the previous boarder leaving in a huff because Sandy's trains kept him up at night. Didn't you love Gran? \"Quick and Pannick Bus Service...HOW may I help YOU?\""}, {"response": 280, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (18:09)", "body": "WELCOME DONNA Stick around.... (Eileen)..IMO there's a lot less slang used in DQ than in FP. I didn't understand it either, til I got the screenplay .Then I wondered why I bothered;-) On the other hand, this production even with the accent problem, is definitely worth the effort. And I'm slowly understanding the dialogue. So far I'm a six-timer"}, {"response": 281, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Mar  2, 2000 (08:30)", "body": "I find the most difficult parts to understand were Lucy and Sandy's conversation while they walk across the pedestrian bridge (near the beginning--the one that ends when she asks him to meet her by the clock) and any conversation between Lucy and Clive. The shrillness of Lucy's raised voice is akin to nails scratching a blackboard. *shiver*"}, {"response": 282, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Mar  2, 2000 (10:08)", "body": "Months ago, we read about Colin cracking an \"end of scene party\" joke. Now, after seeing DQ, I couldn't recall which scene and just found the answer at (in?) Karen's Bucket: Firth is unwinding in a rather fancy Japanese restaurant following a hot afternoon in the central Glasgow studio. Director David Blair, who collaborated with Franceschild on her two previous hits, has been driving him and Brown hard in a scene where they return home defiantly singing \"We Shall Not Be Moved\" after a punishing day battling Windmill buses. When Blair finally says he\ufffds happy after numerous takes, Firth jokily asks: \"Shall we have an end-of-scene party?\" (from the post-Irish film festival review)"}, {"response": 283, "author": "ommin", "date": "Fri, Mar  3, 2000 (20:51)", "body": "Men like this film - that is important. My husband and a good friend have watched and my did they get involved. For myself I loved the reality of it - it was like it was being acted it was like it was a real happening - I love that sort of thing, you become involved its not like Sylvester Stylone - always over the top, I know this probably controversial - but surely that was what made Pride and Prejudice different in the Colin Firth version - ever see Laurence Olivier in it - it was way of the top and rather silly. You believed in Lizzy and Darcy. In D.Q. much the same happens and Lucy was absolutely brilliant so was the Gran who is a famous character actor seen often on T.V. in U.K. and Oz. No this film was brilliant but I fear not for the young masses."}, {"response": 284, "author": "ommin", "date": "Fri, Mar  3, 2000 (20:52)", "body": "correction not being acted but a real happening."}, {"response": 285, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Mar  4, 2000 (01:33)", "body": "I absolutely agree with everything you have said Anne, especially the bit about believing in CF's & JE's Darcy & Lizzie."}, {"response": 286, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Mar  4, 2000 (09:36)", "body": "(Anne)...absolutely brilliant so was the Gran who is a famous character actor seen often on T.V. in U.K. and Oz. The wonderful Liz Smith, she was also in \"Apartment Zero\"."}, {"response": 287, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (04:13)", "body": "Yes Gran is often seen here - she is in the new Oliver Twist too to be shown next week on our ABC. I saw Donovan Quick again last Friday with three firth friends - I understood most of it. I anyone wants any help I would be only to happy to oblige - write to me at ommin@icenet.com.au"}, {"response": 288, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (04:37)", "body": "What did you other firth friends think of it Anne?"}, {"response": 289, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (11:55)", "body": "(Anne H)I saw Donovan Quick again last Friday with three firth friends - I understood most of it. I envy you. I also want to know what your friends thought of it. I tend to go with the theory that Daniel worked for Windmill. If he didn't there are too many clues left out there hanging.But I'm still confused about Kathleen Gorman, ...the board meeting, the large photo in the office...all incidental? I like the way women are protrayed in this film, BTW."}, {"response": 290, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (11:58)", "body": "A woman wrote DQ. (not incidental btw) ;-) What do you find confusing about Kathleen Gorman?"}, {"response": 291, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (12:06)", "body": "What do you find confusing about Kathleen Gorman? IMO there is more to her presence in the story than I'm seeing. More than just the ruthless director of the board. We eliminated the theory that she's Daniel's wife.Why does she surface so often?"}, {"response": 292, "author": "ommin", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (02:07)", "body": "My three friends loved D.Q. none of us had any trouble understanding the accent - perhaps it is easier for Aussies than in the U.S. because we have lots of programmes from Scotland on our T.V.s and of course our ABC only puts Aussie and British programmes on - very very rarely an American one - in fact I can't think of one. I really rate this one of his very best - the reality of the dialogue made you believe you were watching something real. Yes he did work for Windmill - in the top echelons of power - maybe related to Gorman. Which was why he was back with them - although I sense on probation!"}, {"response": 293, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (11:05)", "body": "(Anne) very very rarely an American one - in fact I can't think of one. Wot, no Leprechauns? Perhaps, if you're very lucky, you'll be treated to a week-long broadcast of The Tenth Kingdom. Camryn Manheim as Snow White should not be missed (hold on a minute while I lose my breakfast). (Evelyn) IMO there is more to her presence in the story than I'm seeing. An interesting question. Agree that the overlarge portrait was sending a message of some sort: how much the big corporate muckety-mucks are to be revered? Rank has power? Her character also illustrates the great dichotomy between a company's internal image (can't remember the rah-rah slogan used in that video) and how it really operates--crushing the competition with ruthlessness, dirty tricks, etc. Gorman endorsed the former, while Daniel knew the real slogan: keep the wheels turning, at all costs."}, {"response": 294, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (11:11)", "body": "Sorry to be so late on this DQ discussion. I'll try not to repeat too much of what others have written. Overall, I liked the film, and actually had little trouble with the accents. I even understood Clive most of the time.;-) Watching a conversion, you do lose sound quality. Good script, engaging story, very good acting all the way around, especially by the woman who played Lucy. RE: Kathleen Gorman. I think her purpose was to be the embodiment of \"evil\"--the personification of Windmill's philosophy of (paraphrasing here) not just beating the competition, but showing them to fail. Also, I think it was more than a coincidence that she resembled Margaret Thatcher just a bit. I do think that the film was rather simplistic in how it drew the \"good guys\" vs. the \"bad guys.\" I was waiting for Margaret Hamilton to fly in on her broom.;-) In real life, of course, things are rarely this black and white, and reputable companies succeed primarily through merit and smart management, not by humiliating/carrying out vendettas against the competition. I prefer films that maintain more gray areas--those are the most interesting to me in terms of presenting moral dilemmas. The deck was far too stacked in this one, IMO. Still, lots of positives here, CF did a good job and looked great, and it's always nice to see him in a contemporary role."}, {"response": 295, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (11:23)", "body": "(Mari)In real life, of course, things are rarely this black and white, and reputable companies succeed primarily through merit and smartmanagement, not by humiliating/carrying out vendettas against the competition. Thanks Mari, good insight. But we know this was not a documentary..fiction all the way. Even his medical condition and reactions.I thought the adaptation to Don Q. was the cleverest part.Still wonder about Kathleen Gorman though..I think she is more than symbolic."}, {"response": 296, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (11:38)", "body": "(Mari) I think it was more than a coincidence that she resembled Margaret Thatcher just a bit. Excellent observation. I think you've nailed Gorman's purpose to show the effects of Thatcherite policies. Didn't she start the privitization movement? What was she called, \"the Iron something\"?"}, {"response": 297, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (12:07)", "body": "\"the iron lady\"! - kept a very tight ship, very singled minded, nobody else's opinion seemed to matter, her downfall I think."}, {"response": 298, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (12:45)", "body": "...I think you've nailed Gorman's purpose to show the effects of Thatcherite policies. Didn't she start the privitization movement? \"Privatization\" was mentioned in Mackie's office with Donovan. \"The evils of privatization\"...aha...good subtitle to DQ. The large photo of Gorman in the office could emblematic to a Thatcher-like satire of Tory politicians' adulation to her policies. Board of Directors meeting(Cabinet meetings) and video of her speech (before Parliament).....hey, we've got it.Thanks Mari...you ignited the spark."}, {"response": 299, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (18:04)", "body": "Could someone explain a bit more about privatization--specifically, would a sole company, in this case Windmill, have been awarded an exclusive contract to operate in a given area? In other words, is it a monopoly, or is it possible for a competitor (Q&P) to legally operate in that area? Some other questions: assuming that Daniel had worked for Windmill (and I think it's pretty clear he did), why wouldn't Donovan have known that Windmill was technically meeting its requirement to run that route 4 times per day? He seems to remeber everything else. Also, why wouldn't Daniel have been charged in Mr. Sapas's (sp?) death? Is anyone familiar with the \"sectioning\" laws in Scotland? How could Daniel have been committed? Here, you'd have to prove that the peson was a physical danger to himself or others. One more, and then I promise I'll stop for now;-) If Donovan's purpose was to restore realistic bus service to the route, why didn't he quit after Windmill added their own buses according to his time schedule? I'd have thought he would have moved on to the next area needing his \"help.\""}, {"response": 300, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (18:39)", "body": "\"Privatization\" means taking government-owned and operated businesses out of the public sector. Competititive market forces would govern who operated where under general guidelines, as we have for the telcos and utilities. You know, used to be that our municipal govt owned and operated the garbage trucks. Now, it is done by private companies under contracts awarded through supposedly competitive means. (Mari) Also, why wouldn't Daniel have been charged in Mr. Sapas's (sp?) death? Here's where we need Kate, Drool's resident legal expert. I'm guessing the laws are significantly different between the US and UK. Is there a huge ambulance-chasing contingent because it may not be a criminal. I'll see if I can raise Kate over at ROP. I'd bet she watched it as she's back in Australia now. why didn't he quit after Windmill added their own buses according to his time schedule? My own opinion is that he knew they wouldn't continue it. Windmill would revert to form and abandon the route."}, {"response": 301, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (21:17)", "body": "(Mari), why didn't he quit after Windmill added their own buses according to his time schedule? (Karen), My own opinion is that he knew they wouldn't continue it. Windmill would revert to form and abandon the route. I agree, Karen. That was the madening part. Mari, I too wondered why he was not charged with manslaughter. It was a big miss in the script. I have come up with the reason why he was re-hired at the end...Too handsome to not have around. ;-)"}, {"response": 302, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (21:58)", "body": "(Karen) Now, it is done by private companies under contracts awarded through supposedly competitive means. Yes, lots of examples. Our DMV here just went private (to much improvement, I might add). I am still wondering whether competition was allowed once the contracts were awarded in the case that DQ illustrates. Probably, or else Windmill would have had an easy legal remedy to stop Q&P. Thanks for checking with your legal source about the wrongful death (also ask her about the sectioning rules;-) (Moon) I have come up with the reason why he was re-hired at the end...Too handsome to not have around. ;-) Hee, hee. I'm with you, Moon. One could overlook an awful lot while looking over DQ!;-) So he had a few lapses in judgement. So what. Picky, picky, picky . . .;-)"}, {"response": 303, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (23:26)", "body": "The garbage collection example was poor. Huge sectors of the economy were taken totally private. I'm no expert, but this involved many of the \"Bs\"--BT, BP, BA (British Telecom, Petroleum, Airlines, etc.), ownership of water and transport, airports, utilities, etc. Think of it on the scale of the breakup of Bell and banking deregulation. When these industries were taken private, they were definitely open to competition from anyone. But the government always sets minimum levels of service that must be provided. manslaughter/wrongful death Since Daniel wasn't driving, I don't think it can be manslaughter. DQ made certain decisions and set a policy in action. There could be a civil case against the company in *this* country, especially because of his trying to clear his conscience with the money. That in effect could be taken as liability for the man's death. I'll see what I can do about raising Kate (or Myretta, if you are reading, can you contact her?)"}, {"response": 304, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Mar  7, 2000 (04:26)", "body": "The privatisation process in transport involved bids from different companies for certain sections of the rail network and the bus networks. Once a company was awarded a franchise, it got to operate there in a monopoly situation, regulated by a goivernment watchdog, who could step in and fine it for poor service or ultimately award the contract to another interested party. The utility & transport companies were the biggest privatisations (the airlines having happened years before). I was going to say: it is highly likely that Mrs Thatcher would be referred to by an anti-privatisation writer (as openly as legally possible) so without having seen DQ, I'm sure that Mari is right and that Mrs G is a thinly-veiled Mrs T figure."}, {"response": 305, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  7, 2000 (07:39)", "body": "Thank, Mark. So maybe the garbage one wasn't so bad. ;-) No competition allowed? Strange then that DQ's startup bus company was allowed to operate within Windmill's territory. DQ also relates Windmill's past history of swallowing up the competition in other areas of Britain; that's when he mentions their tactics in the Midlands and Brighton, etc. Windmill not only had the buses, but also trains."}, {"response": 306, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  7, 2000 (10:13)", "body": "A little research on the web: The Mental Health Act 1983 governs the admission of people to psychiatric hospital against their will, their rights while detained, discharge from hospital, and aftercare. The Act applies in England and Wales. The Mental Health Act 1983 is, like any other Act of Parliament, divided into Sections. This has coined the term \"being sectioned\" to mean being compulsorily admitted to hospital. Section 1 attempts to provide a legal [rather than a medical] definition of the types of mental health problems the Mental Health Act is intended to cover. It gives a definition of Mental Disorder, which - for the purposes of the Act - is then split into 4 types: Severe Mental Impairment, Mental Impairment, Psychopathic Disorder, and Mental Illness. Section 2 provides the authority for someone to be detained in hospital for assessment for up to 28 days. The grounds for the Application, as stated in the Act, are that the person: is suffering from mental disorder of a nature or degree which warrants the detention of the patient in a hospital for assessment (or for assessment followed by medical treatment) for at least a limited period; and he ought to be so detained in the interests of his own health or safety or with a view to the protection of other persons. Section 3 provides the authority for someone to be detained in hospital for treatment for up to 6 months. Sections 18 and 21 - Unauthorised Absence: Being Absent Without Leave, and Returning A person who is liable to be detained in hospital under the Act is absent without leave if he/she: . goes away from the hospital without leave being granted under Section 17 . fails to return when a period of authorised leave comes to an end, or when recalled from authorised leave . goes away from a place where he/she is required to reside as part of the conditions for authorised leave A person who is detained for treatment, or subject to Guardianship, and is absent without leave, can be taken into custody and returned at any time up to the later of: . six months from the date he/she went absent . the expiry date of the current Section / Guardianship order Read all about it: http://www.hyperguide.co.uk/mha/#cont"}, {"response": 307, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  7, 2000 (10:22)", "body": "Here's another good one and easy to read: http://www.mha.inuk.com/"}, {"response": 308, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar  7, 2000 (11:37)", "body": "Thanks Karen. At the end Lucy tells Daniel/Donovan: \"It hasn't been that long...\" and she mentions that Sandy and \"Sweetie Pie have been married six months... .... returned at any time up to the later of: six months from the date he/she went absent So Daniel must just have been released."}, {"response": 309, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar  7, 2000 (11:39)", "body": "(Mark) Once a company was awarded a franchise, it got to operate there in a monopoly situation, regulated by a government watchdog, who could step in and fine it for poor service or ultimately award the contract to another interested party. Thanks, Mark, that answers my questions. About what year did this privatization of the railways and buses take place? Early '80s? (Karen) No competition allowed? Strange then that DQ's startup bus company was allowed to operate within Windmill's territory. DQ also relates Windmill's past history of swallowing up the competition in other areas of Britain; Exactly, Karen, neither of those plot points make sense, given the fact that they were monopolies, and that the franchises were awarded by the government through a fair and square bidding process--not through unregulated gobbling up of the previous operators. I guess this is what I meant yesterday when I wrote that the film stacks the deck in favor of the point it is trying to make. The term 'revisionist history' comes to mind.;-) Obviously this makes for better dramatic tension--good guys vs. bad guys, David vs. Goliath. And I suppose if they didn't show Q&P as competing against Windmill, and if they didn't paint Windmill as totally ruthless, they wouldn't have a movie. Or at least not this movie. Gray areas are *so* boring.;-) ;-) Thanks, Karen, for the info on sectioning. Great research. I want to give those sites a closer look because I find the subject fascinating, but at first blush it appears that the UK laws are similar to ours (actually, the other way around--much of U.S. law is taken directly from our English founders). In other words, it appears that a person could only be involuntarily committed if an inpatient setting were deemed necessary for assessment AND the person is a danger to himself or others. Daniel wasn't dangerous, and your relatives can't put you away for giving away your money. We had a case here recently involving one of the duPont heirs--he was giving away all his fortune to a cult. The family was able to have a financial guardian appointed (sort of like a conservatorship), but tossing him into a mental hospital? No way."}, {"response": 310, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar  7, 2000 (12:59)", "body": "BTW, I don't mean to sound so down on the film. As a fable, I think it works wonderfully, and is at its best when dealing with the human relationships--primarily the way in which DQ is able to foster a feeling of self-worth in these people, playing to their strengths and helping them find a measure of self-respect. (Karen) There could be a civil case against the company in *this* country, especially because of his trying to clear his conscience with the money. I think there would be both criminal liability on Donovan's part and possibly the company's as well, in addition to civil damages for lost wages. This man had young children; his widow would easily be awarded an amount equal to his projected wages for the rest of his presumed working life. Obviously, I wouldn't expect the film to deal with this latter point, but it really should have dealt with the former, i.e., culpability for the man's death. Forget sectioning; that's jail time."}, {"response": 311, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar  7, 2000 (15:11)", "body": "(Mari)I guess this is what I meant yesterday when I wrote that the film stacks the deck in favor of the point it is trying to make. The term 'revisionist history' comes to mind.; But this is not a docu-drama like \"Tumbledown\" or \"Hostages\"...this is fiction. Like, \"not in real life\".It is a very political film however, and like all films with a pre-set agenda, it exaggerates some scenarios to make a point. I can see why he had to make this film.It personifies his philosophy . In many ways, by being a \"passionate crusader\", as they author says, ODB is a Don Quijote."}, {"response": 312, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Mar  7, 2000 (15:12)", "body": "We don't know the actual circumstances of the death. There could have been some sort of restraint barrier set up manned by police which the man violated and ran into the path of a moving bus. I believe it was referred to as an \"accident\" and the victim himself could have been declared partially liable. (Not to mention paid \"witnesses\"). We also don't know the time frame. Such an inquiry and court appearance and decision could already have been made, simply not referred to in the plot. When Daniel started to crack relative to the other events was not made clear... he may have reacted to a sense of injustice in the court findings or knew of dirty tricks used to keep the company from appearing liable. The thing with fiction is that you can manipulate the events to suit your premise..."}, {"response": 313, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  7, 2000 (16:31)", "body": "(Mari) if they didn't paint Windmill as totally ruthless, they wouldn't have a movie. Or at least not this movie. Gray areas are *so* boring.;-) ;-) Did you voice this same criticism for The Insider? ;-) (Mari) much of U.S. law is taken directly from our English founders Not sure about this especially as it relates to civil liberties types of things? US law's foundation would be the Bill of Rights, which exists in no form in the UK. But before I put my foot firmly in my mouth, I have emailed our former resident barrister Kate. (Mari) Daniel wasn't dangerous, and your relatives can't put you away for giving away your money True, he can't be *put away* for that reason, but he could be put under observation for 72 hrs. If he left the facility and then went on to cause *trouble* demonstrating that he was delusional, then they could convince the authorities to keep him there for treatment. Here's a definition: The grounds for the Application, as stated in the Act, are that the person: is suffering from mental disorder of a nature or degree which warrants the detention of the patient in a hospital for assessment (or for assessment followed by medical treatment) for at least a limited period; and he ought to be so detained in the interests of his own health or safety or with a view to the protection of other persons. Another from the Dept of Health, although not legally binding: Mental Illness means an illness having one or more of the following characteristics: - more than temporary impairment of intellectual functions shown by a failure of memory, orientation, comprehension or learning capacity; - more than temporary alteration of mood of such degree as to give rise to the patient having a delusional appraisal of his situation, his past or his future, or that of others or to the lack of any appraisal; -delusional beliefs, persecutory, jealous or grandiose; -abnormal perceptions associated with delusional misinterpretation of events; thinking so disordered as to prevent the patient making a reasonable appraisal of his situation or having reasonable communication with others. ~~~~~~~~ Seems broad enough to me. (Mari) both criminal liability on Donovan's part and possibly the company's as well, in addition to civil damages We, the jury, find for the defendent. We aren't given enough information to determine what Daniel's real role was and what occurred at the scene of the \"accident.\" Daniel was a big time exec, but he wouldn't have said \"run them over.\" He probably felt enormous guilt that a program he was associated with had resulted in a man's death. Could the company face criminal charges? Was there intent? Or was there some form of reckless endangerment or negligent action on their part? I don't know. The civil action would seem more likely to me, although when I did a search under \"wrongful death,\" lots came up in the US, but nothing in the UK. If Mrs. Sapas sued the company, Daniel's offer of cash is very bad. However, the company's defense would be that Daniel was nuts. ;-)"}, {"response": 314, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Mar  7, 2000 (18:03)", "body": "Once a company was awarded a franchise, it got to operate there in a monopoly situation Sorry, old chap, I think you're possibly a bit off the Mark here... ;-) As far as I remember, there were no franchises in case of the buses. I can't speak for trains (the basis of operating is different, of course, though I believe they are similar in principle), but the interested private bus companies are free to run service along any separate line (route) at any time they choose, provided they register the details with the traffic authorities, subject to two weeks notice. That's it. No bidding (that happened only once in the beginning) and especially no franchises; what matters is the competition and profit. If there is only one company running a service, they can pretty near hold the public to ransom. They can withdraw a service if there are no profits - whilst in the \"old times\", a public company would run buses with the community in mind (the profitable routes would be used to cross-subsidise the less profitable ones: that was a huge part of the basis of an evenly balanced, integrated public transport for about 80 years: this is now disallowed.) And there is no monopoly s such: as long as you are a private enterprise, hold the requisite licence and (most importantly!) chase profits to death (often literally, too, as in DQ's case), you are allowed to run a public bus service. In larger towns and cities, there may be buses belonging to several different companies all running along the same route. The \"one in front and one behind\" squeezing manoeuvre is a classic in that situation. Buying out - big fish swallowing small fry instead of coexisting peacefully - is another. The buses were initially privatized in 1986, but the real misery started a few years later when local authorities were ordered to sell their interest in the companies. Lots of people lost jobs, but most significantly, the courteous, reliable, affordable communal transport has effectively started to disintegrate."}, {"response": 315, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Mar  7, 2000 (18:15)", "body": "Oh, and perhaps I should add, by way of illustration, that there are villages within a relatively small radius of important regional towns where the bus service frequency is once or twice a week... And some places have no public transport at all. At the same time traffic congestion is growing. chase profits to death (... as in DQ's case) I mean the fatal accident which had such an effect on Daniel."}, {"response": 316, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar  7, 2000 (18:48)", "body": "(Mari), is at its best when dealing with the human relationships--primarily the way in which DQ is able to foster a feeling of self-worth in these people, playing to their strengths and helping them find a measure of self-respect. That, is closer to the book. In the book, Don Q is a baffoon, and draws a thin line between madness and his actions. Quick's madness or mental illness is not really apparent, Sandy is mentally ill as is the old aunt. Thanks Karen for all the info. So everyone thinks he was either under house surveillance or at an asylum and on some treatment? I did not get that. I thought he was living at home, going to work, till he saw Mrs. Salas to offer her his money and when she did not accept it, he decided to do some good with it. That it ended up being against Windmill was just by chance. In a sense, Lucy was a victim as Mrs. Salas had been at the hands of Windmill. He needed to correct it, for his own sanity. ;-)"}, {"response": 317, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar  7, 2000 (20:42)", "body": "(Karen) Did you voice this same criticism for The Insider? ;-) Clearly, that film was told from Wigand and Bergman's point of view, which I don't have a problem with. Having a point of view and creating a premise that could not exist are two different things. However, given Arami's post it may be a moot point. If there is no monopoly and competition is allowed, then the film is accurate on those points. (Arami, thanks for the details.) And I thought Russell Crowe was great.;-) RE: Daniel's role in the \"accident\"--DQ tells Lucy that \"Daniel Quinn ordered the working drivers not to stop, and they didn't.\" He gave the order, so IMO he could be held responsible for the death even though he wasn't actually driving the bus. I believe he even tells Lucy that he is responsible. RE: Having him committed-- He tells Lucy that he tried to compensate the widow, then he tried giving away money to the downtrodden, then his family \"had to do something\" so they went to a solicitor and had him sectioned--committed to a \"nice loony bin\" where they set out to cure his hypomania. That doesn't sound like a short-term observation period to me, and neither does it sound as though he were a danger to anyone. So their ability to section him still seems shaky to me, but I'd be interested to hear what Kate comes up with. Now I have a really important question: When Donovan pours his heart out to Lucy after being beaten by Clive, and they start kissing, and then the scene changes . . .did they . . .umm . . .are we dealing with another moss loft situation here?;-)"}, {"response": 318, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (03:04)", "body": "Arami, Thanks for putting me straight. I admit I was majoring on the train situation, and guessing the buses would be the same. Here in London, I still believe that at the beginning (mid-80s) certain routes were \"awarded\" to certain companies."}, {"response": 319, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (16:42)", "body": "The research embarked upon by those posting on this board is admirable, and from the standpoint of wanting to know the particulars can be called useful. I think, however, it is not germaine to the understanding or appreciation of the film \"Donovan Quick\". As has been noted it is fable, and is best accepted on those terms. The \"Don Quioxte\" parallel works much as the genre of science fiction worked as allegory to the social concerns of the 1950's and 1960's; affording the writer or filmmaker the luxoury of exploring the truth without muddling it with the facts. Quite simply, too much everyday minutiue obscures the story. \"Donovan Quick\" addresses the absurdity of what is condoned as socially acceptable behavior. Why is it considered aberrant for Daniel Quinn to give his money to street people -- there is no justifiable reason. It is his money and he should have the right to dispose of it as he sees fit. If by giving away what he views as his ill gotten gains, he salves his conscience, why not so be it? What is viewed as socially unacceptable is his mode of doing it -- giving the money personally to destitute individuals. Whereas, if Quinn had created a foundation named for Sapas to help the needy, that would have been lauded. The film reminds me of an old \"Twilight Zone\" episode in which a rather plain young woman is refusing to undergo required plastic surgery to make her fufill the societal demands of beauty. She wishes to assert her individuality by keeping her own face. Finally, she sucombs to the surgery and in the last scene says to her friend, \"I look exactly like you\". She had conformed to the norm. As Daniel Quinn learned again to be a good company man. Like Winston Smith had learned to love Big Brother. Perhaps Mrs. G was a bit of a distaff Big Brother as well as a symbolic iron clad Auntie Maggie."}, {"response": 320, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (17:03)", "body": "RE: Daniel's role in the \"accident\"--DQ tells Lucy that \"Daniel Quinn ordered the working drivers not to stop, and they didn't.\" He gave the order, so IMO he could be held responsible for the death even though he wasn't actually driving the bus. I believe he even tells Lucy that he is responsible. The driver could not use Daniel's orders as his defence in running a person over. A driver's responsibility is to drive not *regardless*, but *according to* the conditions on the road. He cannot claim that someone ordered him not to stop (i.e. forbade him to use the brakes? illogical) - though he could say that he was under duress due to the pressure from the management. But Daniel's responsibility for the accident is not so much legal as moral - and, surely, that's how he himself sees it. He is so shaken by the outcome of his involvement in the application of ruthless policies that he suddenly sees the company as a beast without mercy or conscience - and so tries to make personal amends. their ability to section him still seems shaky to me And to me too. I can't wait to hear what the UK media will have to say about that (if anything...) when the film airs here eventually. I was majoring on the train situation, and guessing the buses would be the same. Here in London, I still believe that at the beginning (mid-80s) certain routes were \"awarded\" to certain companies. Mark, apparently the situation with London buses was/is largely different from the rest of the country. (Come to think about it, most things in London are greatly different... ;-)) it is fable, and is best accepted on those terms I beg to differ; it's not a fable - it is a parable. (Btw, posting here in the last two days has been a problem - any reason why?)"}, {"response": 321, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (19:02)", "body": "Have no idea, Arami. From your post at 107 I gather this is the only topic you're having problems with. Anyone else? But Daniel's responsibility for the accident is not so much legal as moral My thoughts exactly. It's not very clear to me how much responsibility Daniel Quinn had through his directives to the drivers but Donovan Quick has decided to bear the responsibility himself, warranted or not. (CherylB) I think, however, it is not germaine to the understanding or appreciation of the film \"Donovan Quick\". Well, everybody appreciates the film in their own way. I'm not concerned about missing details either but it promotes plenty of conversation. There's always Mari's observation: When Donovan pours his heart out to Lucy after being beaten by Clive, and they start kissing, and then the scene changes . . .did they . . .umm . . .are we dealing with another moss loft situation here?;-) which is bound to provoke conversation of the more amorous kind - my own personal favorite to be sure. By the way, I say they didn't."}, {"response": 322, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (19:11)", "body": "I thought they had... but I'd better go check again ;-)"}, {"response": 323, "author": "Maureen", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (22:37)", "body": "I'd say they most certainly did, they were asleep when the police arived at the house to pick him up. Now what do most people usually do after a deed is done? I bet they don't go jogging????? As for DQ being sectioned, of course somebody can be sectioned for trying to give away a brief case full of money. In doing so you are placing the financial security of yourself and your family at great risk."}, {"response": 324, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (22:41)", "body": "Thanks, Arami, for all the background on buses. Was wondering when you would fill in the blanks. ;-) Mackie does, however, use the term \"franchise\" when referring to the local routes. That scene at the beginning when there's some kind of ceremony going on with Mackie...am rethinking. Isn't the old man wearing something across his chest/neck? Almost looks like a chain, as if there were a robe or cape. Could he be a government official? An MP? Another minor detail, can any old person just hop on a bus and become a driver? People here need to have special chaffeur licenses. However, if one walks into the right Illinois Secretary of State office and pays the right person, you can drive anything you want. (major scandal here) I agree with all you said Arami about the Daniel's role relative to the death, although I do think that having someone sectioned may not be that difficult. Daniel said that his family went to a solicitor and had it done. That wasn't for permanent commitment. But when he bugged out, then he could be forcibly detained. It would appear that the Sapas' lived in the W14 area of London (can be seen on the playground sign). Anybody notice the funny line about Speed? As they are getting their passengers on board quickly, one man makes a comment, \"will the bus blow up if we go under 50?\" :-) (Arami) it's not a fable - it is a parable. Agree. Anybody notice that Mrs. Gorman laid the Scottish accent on heavy in the video, but not at the meeting? (Mari) When Donovan pours his heart out to Lucy after being beaten by Clive, and they start kissing, and then the scene changes . . .did they . . .umm Fully dressed afterward. I'm voting no. Too much respect for her. Kate said she would check in with us next week and did watch DQ."}, {"response": 325, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (03:51)", "body": "Karen: Isn't the old man wearing something across his chest/neck? Almost looks like a chain, as if there were a robe or cape. Mayors wear chains and typically attend ceremonies, but in practice have few powers. Of course, London being different, we're soon to vote for a mayor whose main policies will involve the transport system. can any old person just hop on a bus and become a driver? Bus drivers would need to possess a \"large vehicle\" licence, and would have had to sit a test for it. But some people own these anyway, having driven large vehicles previously. Next time I see my sister-in-law, who works in mental health, I'll ask the key questions about sectioning. These moss loft incidents really polarise people. Some are sure they did, some convinced they didn't. More debate from those who have watched, please..."}, {"response": 326, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (07:49)", "body": "(Mark) Bus drivers would need to possess a \"large vehicle\" licence, and would have had to sit a test for it. Theoretically, people here do the same, although we have more than one class of license. Large vehicles and driving people is not the same. I know for a fact that to drive a school bus here one needs to have a criminal record as well. ;-)"}, {"response": 327, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (09:59)", "body": "(KarenR)I know for a fact that to drive a school bus here one needs to have a criminal record as well. ;-) To have or have not? ;-)"}, {"response": 328, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (10:12)", "body": "Not a stated requirement, but seems as though they all do. Sad fact that the newspapers keep uncovering. :-("}, {"response": 329, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (10:18)", "body": "I wouldn't be surprised to eventually read that the sectioning storyline was a bit contrived for drama's sake (it would be a tiny fraction of the dramatic license used for each episode of ER, believe me). As Evelyn said and others have pointed out using various terms, DQ is fiction. The pieces won't ever fit perfectly. DQ writer Donna Franceschild's hubby (a psych nurse) would know a thing or two about sectioning, though. I think they didn't. Too much trouble to put all of one's clothes back on before falling asleep (but I don't think they went out jogging, either, Maureen ;-)). Agree with Karen than Donovan has too much respect for Lucy--didn't want to merely stash the salami in manner of Clive. (Karen) I know for a fact that to drive a school bus here one needs to have a criminal record as well. ;-) Ohhh, you're bad. Had a sort-of DQ moment last weekend when hubby and I boarded a small NYC-bound bus which was poaching mighty NJ Transit's route--it came minutes before the regular bus was due and charged $1 instead of $3.20 for the trip. Of course, in DQ mighty Windmill was poaching little Q&P's route; besides, our driver didn't look a thing like Donovan :-P"}, {"response": 330, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (13:58)", "body": "(Eileen), hubby and I boarded a small NYC-bound bus which was poaching mighty NJ Transit's route-- Is it a small bus now? Last time I took one, it was a large van. Agree with Karen than Donovan has too much respect for Lucy--didn't want to merely stash the salami in manner of Clive. I agree. I wonder Heide what made you think that they had?"}, {"response": 331, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (14:56)", "body": "I side with the \"no salami\" bunch."}, {"response": 332, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (17:49)", "body": "did they . . .umm . . . I say they didn't. I thought they had... I'd say they most certainly did, they were asleep... Fully dressed afterward. I'm voting no. I think they didn't. Too much trouble to put all of one's clothes back on before falling asleep... LOL! Keep going, please... of course somebody can be sectioned for trying to give away a brief case full of money Surely not. The only recourse his family would have would be to the court of law. The state of the person's mind is not a decisive issue here. He wasn't dangerous and he thought himself free to spend the money as he liked. If the ownership of the cash was disputed, then it's still only a civil court matter. The case doesn't seem sufficiently clarified in the film (editing fault?). Daniel said that his family went to a solicitor and had it done. That wasn't for permanent commitment. Presumably he was under observation, e.g. for mental exhaustion... The thing is, however, that apparently one must voluntarily agree to treatment, unless - again - the person is criminally insane and dangerous... I still say that it hasn't been fully explained. the sectioning storyline was a bit contrived for drama's sake Very likely. Mackie does, however,use the term \"franchise\"... It really depends what one means by that term. In case of unprofitable routes, local authorities in England put deemed socially necessary services to the open tender: any properly licensed bus owner can bid for it and the winner is then contracted (i.e. paid according to his bid) to run the service. If someone wishes to call this \"franchise\" then so be it, but officially it's a contract. Obviously there is no competition on those routes. In case of profitable routes there is no tendering and no contracts, but free competition (subject to certain rules, e.g. registration) is allowed instead. To be honest, I don't really know if the Scottish system is the same or different, but from the practice hinted at in the film, it seems largely similar. Mrs. Gorman laid the Scottish accent on heavy in the video, but not at the meeting That reminds me of another interesting thing. Throughout the whole sorry privatization affair an awful lot of bus companies in England - maybe even the majority - have been bought out by... Scottish owned companies. So there you have it..."}, {"response": 333, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (18:25)", "body": "(Moon) I wonder Heide what made you think that they had? Wha? I'm in the \"didn't\" camp. But I'll be they had the best night's sleep either one of them had in a loooong time."}, {"response": 334, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (20:41)", "body": "Been away. Sorry to dredge up old stuff... (Moon) Sandy is mentally ill as is the old aunt. Gram is most certainly showing signs of senile dementia, but Sandy's Learning Disability (as they call it now) is not considered a mental illness in this country (nor in the UK, I would surmise), merely a developmental disability. Depending on its severity, those who have it are still capable of caring for themselves, can circulate freely in society, take jobs, and even marry as Sandy has done. And the \"Wean\" on the way may very well be perfectly normal. (Mark G) Bus drivers would need to possess a \"large vehicle\" license, and would have had to sit a test for it. . . . Right after they bought the bus, I think they are seen exiting some government bureau office or other for permits, so I think that that, and the technicalities of operating on the route got covered OK. (Mark G) But some people own these anyway, having driven large vehicles previously. . . . Who knows how far Daniel had to come to get into the top eschelons in England? And even so, it doesn't hurt to be able to operate one of the main machines (especially during a strike... Who knows? Management have been known to take over the reins temporarily before...) (Mari) . .did they . . .umm . (Karen) Fully dressed afterward. I'm voting no. Too much respect for her. . . . yeah, but respect aside, and in consideration of how battered his face (and body) had been, I was already saying \"Ouch!\" at the first kiss, too... ;-) KJ"}, {"response": 335, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (20:55)", "body": "of course somebody can be sectioned for trying to give away a brief case full of money Not for giving away the money. DQ was shown venturing into bad parts of the city to give away money. The family could argue his own personal safety was in danger. He could get mugged, killed or both and he was delusional."}, {"response": 336, "author": "ommin", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (23:05)", "body": "Some answers - it could have taken time to get the bus working - in that time DQ could have obtained large vehicle licence - he had plenty of money still then. 2. Being sectioned, a tame psyciatrist, two tame doctors, a tame solicitor - yeah he could easily have been sectioned - money could have been handed over. Sandy was too much of a slow learner - he could read. He was quite capable of earning his living. Last time I was in the U.K. big companies were taking over. In the villages in Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, hardly any public transport, no libraries, no pubs and no post office - nearly all had been closed down. Its like the bush here in Oz - everything is closing down. I felt very sorry for elderly people, it was quite terrible. D.Q. is important - it shows what the government is capable of privatising everthing. And as I said on 129 it makes Colin politically unreliable - if Blair can stop is nanny writing - well he is capable of anything."}, {"response": 337, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Mar 10, 2000 (12:38)", "body": "(Arami)did they . . .umm . . . I say they didn't. I thought they had... I'd say they most certainly did, they were asleep... Fully dressed afterward. I'm voting no. I think they didn't. Too much trouble to put all of one's clothes back on before falling asleep... LOL! Keep going, please... (Karen) Fully dressed afterward. I'm voting no. Too much respect for her. (KJ). . . yeah, but respect aside, and in consideration of how battered his face (and body) had been, I was already saying \"Ouch!\" at the first kiss, too... ;-) If they didn't (and who says you have to take your clothes off?), I don't think \"respect for her\" is the answer."}, {"response": 338, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 10, 2000 (14:22)", "body": "(Gi) and who says you have to take your clothes off? True, but they were home, so why wouldn't they? (not like it was the backseat of some car);-) (Gi) I don't think \"respect for her\" is the answer. Chivalry. Lucy was Dulcinea. He put her on a pedestal. She was a symbol of love and perfection. It would've been profane to desecrate his symbol. All he wants to do is serve her and, in this case, cuddling and kissing would've meant far more to Lucy. Does that work? ;-)"}, {"response": 339, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Fri, Mar 10, 2000 (15:21)", "body": "Yes, the idea of cuddling does work. I find the key to that in Lucy's speech on what you (retorical you) will put up with just to feel loved. She knew Clive didn't care for her, not really, all he wanted was a place to put it. In Clive's reasoning, he didn't have to put much effort at all into his relationship with her, as she was a plain woman and should fall on her knees in graditude that any man would bother to notice her. So she went through the motions as it were, just to convince herself that there was the small chance of companionship. That is what she wanted above all, companionship, to be liked, to be esteemed, to be loved for herself alone. To have someone who felt she was beautiful, because she was a worthwhile person. The cuddling would work mutually between Lucy and Donovan, since Donovan was injured from the fight, she would want to comfort him but not hurt him. He, in turn, would want to hold her to say that he does value her."}, {"response": 340, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 10, 2000 (15:25)", "body": "I think I'm with Gi on this one. Making love to Lucy wouldn't have been disrespect; they are two troubled people who have just confided their innermost secrets to each other and are seeking/giving mutual comfort and affection. A far cry from how Clive uses her. (Karen) All he wants to do is serve her Mmmm . . .Yes???? ;-) Poor Lucy's been through so much. I say let's not deprive her of a night with Colin Firth.;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 341, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 10, 2000 (15:31)", "body": "Next time I run into Colin in a lobby, I'll ask him. ;-)"}, {"response": 342, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Fri, Mar 10, 2000 (16:05)", "body": "He may well reply that it is whatever you think. Then again, he may give a definite answer. I agree with Karen, I don't think they did."}, {"response": 343, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Mar 10, 2000 (17:08)", "body": "let's not deprive her of a night with Colin Firth.;-) ;-) It would have been a quickie, really... anyway, judging from Lucy's subsequent behaviour, I'd be inclined to think they didn't. It was more of a sister-brother embrace at that point. He may well reply that it is whatever you think Yes, the subject of more discussion! But having considered all the pros and cons here, I'm beginning to think that, whatever each of us may think and feel about it, ultimately it doesn't really matter whether they did or didn't. ... Or does it...? ;-)"}, {"response": 344, "author": "Maureen", "date": "Sat, Mar 11, 2000 (05:41)", "body": "Arami I'm affraid it does matter. The Movie industry is all about inspiring ones imagination. Now whats the point of any discussion if we cannot at times, let are imaginations run free and explore what might have, or might not have been???? For my part I am absolutely, completely sure that they did it. Of course, you all know what I think, so as Forest Gump says \"thats all I have to say about that\". Now I believe that some of you may have read the book, I think I remeber you Karen referring to it? This I promise will be the last mention on the subject, but does the book reveal what happened in that particular scene any more than what we saw in the film???????"}, {"response": 345, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 11, 2000 (12:24)", "body": "Maureen, can't help you with what happens in the book as I haven't read it. I am basing my comments on what I know about the character (gathered informally) and about books of that type. Others have read the book, however, I do not think that Donovan Quick is that closely based on the book, which is a very long series of adventures. And feel free to discuss any aspect of the story you wish. We are well-known for picking stories/films apart, as you once commented to me long ago. Some people will agree with you and some people won't. That's what makes it all so fun."}, {"response": 346, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Mar 11, 2000 (14:36)", "body": "(Maureen) The Movie industry is all about inspiring ones imagination. I know you meant this well, but most of the movies currently prodruced do not. The movie industry is about making money, lots of money, for the investors. If you can fire someone's imagination, that's very nice, but not even a requisite."}, {"response": 347, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Mar 11, 2000 (17:03)", "body": "(Arami) I'm beginning to think that, whatever each of us may think and feel about it, ultimately it doesn't really matter whether they did or didn't. ... Or does it...? ;-) What mattered was that they came to an ultimate understanding of the depth of loss and pain that both had endured. How they expressed that understanding and empathy may have been important to them at the time, but either way, for us it is irrelevant compared to the insight and compassion they both experienced. We will inevitably read into it our own philosophy as to what we believe is an appropriate form of expression, and that is why it is better for the moviemaker to leave it up in the air... it is more satisfying to more people when they are allowed to fill in the blanks wisely left for them to create their own version of the way it should have been! ;-). KJ"}, {"response": 348, "author": "Maureen", "date": "Sun, Mar 12, 2000 (00:26)", "body": "Cheryl, I should have perhaps referred to the story telling industry but when it comes down to grass roots, its all about making money these days."}, {"response": 349, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Mar 12, 2000 (15:35)", "body": "(Arami) It would have been a quickie, really... anyway, judging from Lucy's subsequent behaviour, I'd be inclined to think they didn't. It was more of a sister-brother embrace at that point. Ok, then let's not deprive her of a quickie with Colin Firth.;-) Seriously, that kiss and embrace on the bed is hardly a brother-sister type thing . . .although . . .in certain parts of Mississippi . . .hee, hee;-) And they do wake up in each other's arms. Later at the hospital, Lucy looks a bit wide-eyed when told Donovan/Daniel has a wife. It could go either way, I suppose, and no it really doesn't matter, but it's fun to speculate. (Karen) Next time I run into Colin in a lobby, I'll ask him. ;-) LOL! Exactly what I was thinking. Your time will come, I'm confident.;-)"}, {"response": 350, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar 12, 2000 (15:57)", "body": "(Karen) Next time I run into Colin in a lobby, I'll ask him. ;-) (Mari)LOL! Exactly what I was thinking. Your time will come, I'm confident.;-) The guy's gonna think she's a pervert;-)"}, {"response": 351, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 12, 2000 (23:16)", "body": "Anyone notice during the Screen Actors Guild awards an upcoming commercial for a TNT special? Don Quixote!! It'll be on Sunday, April 9, and stars John Lithgow and Bob Hoskins, with Vanessa Williams and Isabella Rossallini. Since Maureen asked about the book, I picked it up at the library and skimmed through the ending sections to see what I could find about Dulcinea and DQ. A key part of the relationship between DQ and Dulcinea is that he \"serves\" her. DQ is told that Dulcinea has been enchanted and he attempts to disenchant her but fails. Toward the end, another knight challenges him and the terms are if he loses he must give up arms and return home for a year. DQ loses and would rather die rather than allow Dulcinea's perfection to suffer from his weakness. In other words, he remains faithful to her (his ideal of perfection), but feels he has lost his honor. Now the bad part, which could alter your views of the ending at the railroad station. He went home and fell into a melancholy state, which people attributed to his being vanquished and not being able to restore Dulcinea. In bed he asks forgiveness for his sins, to which his niece ask what they are. His answer: \"My judgement is now undisturbed, and free from those dark clouds of ignorance with which my eager and continual reading of those detestable books of chivalry had obscured it. Now I perceive the absurdity and delusion of them, and am only sorry I am undeceived so late, that I have no time left to make some amends, by reading others that might help to enlighten my soul. I feel myself, niece, at the point of death, and I would fain so order it, as not to leave the imputation of madness upon my memory; for though I must confess I have been a madman, I would not confirm the truth of it at my death.\" To his friends he says the following: \"Give me joy, good gentlemen, that I am now no longer Don Quixote de la Mancha, but Alonso Quixano, for his virtues surnamed the Good! I am now an utter enemy to Amadis de Gaul, and the innumerable rabble of his descendants; now all the histories of knight-errantry are to me odious and profane: I am now sensible of my folly, and of the danger I was led into by reading them; and now, through the mercy of God, and my own dear-bought experience, I detest and abhor them.\" DQ then confesses to the priest and makes his will. He asks Sancho's forgiveness for making him into a madman as well and making him believe in knight-errantry. About three days later, he died. His epitaph: Here lies the valiant cavalier, Who never had a sense of fear; So high his matchless courage rose, He reckon'd Death among his vanquish'd foes. Wrongs to redress, his sword he drew, And many a caitiff giant slew; His days of life tho' madness stain'd, In death his sober senses he regain'd."}, {"response": 352, "author": "Maureen", "date": "Mon, Mar 13, 2000 (03:13)", "body": "Thanks Karen sounds very interesting, I may start looking for a copy myself."}, {"response": 353, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 13, 2000 (10:20)", "body": "Thanks Karen. But what happened to Dulcinea,Sanch Panza and the others he befriended. Did he make an impact on their lives, for the better? Or did they return to their hapless existence.Because here is where Ms. Francechild (author?)and Cervantes might part ways.When he left, Donovan might have had the despondent attitude that Don Q. has.At the railroad station, however, Donovan sees first hand that his time at Clyde brought positive results on the llives of the Pannicks.."}, {"response": 354, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 13, 2000 (11:52)", "body": "Argh, this is a long book (over a 1,000 pages of itsy bitsy type). Not real sure about Dulcinea but it seemed like they weren't at all close, i.e., she put up with him as he was a lunatic. Sancho is at his death bed and attempts to revive his idealism. DQ is real sorry about failing to get him a governorship of some island. BTW, Sancho has a wife named Teresa."}, {"response": 355, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 13, 2000 (12:13)", "body": "Let's take the easy route and wait for the film on April 9th :-)"}, {"response": 356, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Mar 13, 2000 (15:28)", "body": "Maureen, my bark is worse than my bite. I wish what you said were true about the film industry. My gripe is with said industry, there are so many trite and/or crappy movies. The best art requires that you bring something of yourself and experiences to the appreciation and understanding of it. As a character kept asking in a play I once saw, \"Did they have it off or didn't they.\" POV. It's all in your point of view. I don't think that Lucy and Donovan \"had it off\" as it were. That just doesn't jibe with my perspective on the story. It's not wrong or right, it's just perspective."}, {"response": 357, "author": "Maureen", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (03:34)", "body": "Cheryl, mine is just wishful thinking, thats what I'd like to think that happened. Lucy had such low self esteem, wouldn't it be nice for her to think that a man like DQ wanted her for who she was. Lets face it, whether they did or they didn't, if we were Lucy what would we have wanted?????? If I had the oppertunity I would just settle for a kiss and a cuddle, even if it is only acting. Then again an autographed picture would do just fine. Evelyne, where is DQ screening on the 9th of April? Karen, did you ever resolve the lighting problem with the movie? I have just received another copy from a freind who taped it in QLD. Transmission was fine, no snowy pictures, but I've just realised how dark some of the scenes really were. Initially, I had put it down to the poor transmission in this part of the country but it seems I was wrong."}, {"response": 358, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (07:43)", "body": "On April 9th, a US television production of Don Quixote will be shown, not Donovan Quick. Still have no word on if/when it will be broadcast here. Maureen, we have transmission interference at the beginning (during the credits) and then a few intermittent hiccups. I've also decided that the interior lighting at the Pannicks was intentionally kept dark, as the other scenes (outside and at Windmill) are just fine."}, {"response": 359, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (16:26)", "body": "I thought the hiccups and transmission interference were just my machine. It's temperamental. (Just like it's owner.)"}, {"response": 360, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (18:18)", "body": "its owner"}, {"response": 361, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (18:30)", "body": "Correct. Should read, \"Just like its owner.\""}, {"response": 362, "author": "Maureen", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (03:12)", "body": "Are we the only souls discussing DQ at the moment??? If only it was screening in more places, I'm sure we would be getting more feedback. Karen I tend to agree with you that the lighting or lack of, in some parts was intentional. I have another movie of his arriving from the UK this week Fem Fetal??? (please excuse poor spelling). I have not seen this one yet, is it appropriate for me to discuss it here?????????"}, {"response": 363, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (08:06)", "body": "(Maureen) Fem Fetal??? (please excuse poor spelling). I have not seen this one yet, is it appropriate for me to discuss it here??? I think we changed the title over here...but sure,the bosses say you can discuss any CF production here..and you'll love Joe Prince:-)"}, {"response": 364, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (08:17)", "body": "Maureen, you can use topic 98 (Film Discussion) for Femme Fatale, since that's an oldie. I thought that Kate was going to post here, but here are her legal opinions: Sectioning The traditional position was that you need two doctors to sign you in, but I'm sure that's changed in these enlightened times. But his behaviour was probably sufficiently bizarre to justify some sort of intervention, especially since his family was in favour. Mr. Sapas' Death Well, that's tricky. If he ordered the drivers not to stop, knowing that someone was likely to be hurt, then conceivably he could be charged with some kind of conspiracy, or aiding or abetting offence to murder or manslaughter. But it would very much depend on the circumstances of the events. As to civil proceedings. Again, it would depend on the circs. But it would seem reasonable that he could be seen as being negligent with respect to the death if death or injury was the reasonably foreseeable result of his actions, and he was in legal terms, in close 'proximity' to the death. That would really depend on to what extent the driver of the vehicle took into account what he had said. But yes, it seems to me there would be good grounds for some kind of litigation there. You make the call. ;-)"}, {"response": 365, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (14:13)", "body": "Are we the only souls discussing DQ at the moment??? If only it was screening in more places Amen to that... I'm having to take comfort in knowing that the long awaited DQ does actually exist out there from all the chatter (and pix) about it from drool and cannot wait until the Summer , Christmas, sometime, never when it will be screened in the UK ;-("}, {"response": 366, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (14:45)", "body": "Don't worry about your spelling Maureen, it can't be worse than mine."}, {"response": 367, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (19:39)", "body": "Counselor Karen, thanks for the legal view on sectioning and culpability in the Sapas death, and please extend our thanks to Kate as well."}, {"response": 368, "author": "Maureen", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (05:38)", "body": "Mari ditto on the comments, and Karen thanks, not only for the legal explanations but the correct spelling of Femme Fetale."}, {"response": 369, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (11:04)", "body": "Femme FATALE."}, {"response": 370, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (11:21)", "body": ""}, {"response": 371, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (12:04)", "body": "...besides, Maureen might be referring to the unnamed Cynthia/Elizabeth personality shown in Doctor Daddy's video. ;-)"}, {"response": 372, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (18:15)", "body": "Listen, Passionate Colin, it's really time to say something positive now. Please?"}, {"response": 373, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (18:40)", "body": "Yes, come on now Passionata/Colin we're all friends here...let's have some positivity."}, {"response": 374, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (18:14)", "body": "I've noticed several people who've referred to Clive as having a \"heart of gold\" or some such like. From what do you get that impression? The apology and promise to redo the direction of his ambitions? Sorry, that isn't enough to release him from my impression of \"same-old, same-old\" promises that type are forever citing and never doing. So what gives rise to this more favorable impression of the character?"}, {"response": 375, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 22, 2000 (11:50)", "body": "FYI, saw another Scottish film last night called Orphans, the directorial debut of Peter Mullan. It was set in Glasgow and it was totally subtitled. There's hope. BTW, this film was made in 1997 and look how long it took to get here. ;-)"}, {"response": 376, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 23, 2000 (14:34)", "body": "(KJ) I've noticed several people who've referred to Clive as having a \"heart of gold\" or some such like. Where? I've gone back to the beginning of this discussion here (message 143) and checked the print articles/reviews at The Bucket. Don't see anything."}, {"response": 377, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Mar 23, 2000 (16:23)", "body": "And I don't believe anyone here would refer to Clive as having anything but a functioning salami ;-)"}, {"response": 378, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Thu, Mar 23, 2000 (17:48)", "body": "Hey, don't knock it."}, {"response": 379, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Fri, Mar 24, 2000 (15:45)", "body": "Clive may well have had a functioning salami, but he had all the technique and finesse of a moldy cold cut. He even had the personality to match."}, {"response": 380, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Mar 24, 2000 (21:05)", "body": "(KJ) ...referred to Clive as having a \"heart of gold\" or some such like. .. (Karen) Where? I've gone back to the beginning of this discussion here (message 143) and checked the print articles/reviews at The Bucket. Don't see anything. ~~~I couldn't find it either although I remembered reading *something* (\"which is why I said \"Some such like..\"), yet I knew I'd seen it somewhere. Finally remembered last night. At Murph's DQ site, there were 2 reviews, one from her and one from Jane: (Murph) I particularly liked O'Hara as a thuggy loser with a heart. ~~~ (Jane) and her abusive boyfriend Clive, a loser who takes a woman for all she's got simply because he can. This is the saddest part of the tale. \\...\\ By the time the film ends you feel like you have been through it with all the characters and the sympathy you have for them is very strong. It is a good tale, very finished. Even Clive is just a man with human failings. I could have sworn it was one or more of you guys. Mea Culpa. I guess I'll have to ask them... (both reviews at: http://www.geocities.com/%7Emurphyat65/quick/quick.html )"}, {"response": 381, "author": "Maureen", "date": "Sat, Mar 25, 2000 (00:17)", "body": "Hi all just dropped in to see how the discussion is going thus far. Sorry KJ, can't help with the liking Clive bit. The only positive thing about the role was the actor who played it. What I mean is he played a very convincing nasty type and what a pitty that there are people in this world who are actually like that. One question here, and call me ignorant if you will, but the guy who played Lucy's brother is he intellectually disabled in real life??????I thought his role was very convincing also."}, {"response": 382, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Mar 25, 2000 (03:13)", "body": "(Maureen)The only positive thing about the role was the actor who played it. Hear hear. Cheryl, to have a functioning salami is not anything to write home about and I did not mean it that way :-)"}, {"response": 383, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 25, 2000 (08:40)", "body": "Two articles (Melbourne Age's supplement and the Irish Times) mentioned that David Brown, who played Sandy, was learning disabled. I thought he did a great job. http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/DQ.html Let's see, as I remember, Clive told Lucy, \"you have to have it here, here and here.\" Don't remember him pointing out his heart. ;-)"}, {"response": 384, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Mar 25, 2000 (08:40)", "body": "I didn't think you did Gi. I thought Clive was scum, but the actor's performance was wonderful and the part well-written."}, {"response": 385, "author": "Maureen", "date": "Sun, Mar 26, 2000 (00:51)", "body": "Bugger, why in heavens name, did not the Sydney papers have Colin on the front page of the TV guide. I can't believe we missed out up here, had I known at the time, I would have ordered the Age from the newsagent. No need for anyone to answer that, I'm just kicking myself after having made the discovery 2 months after the event."}, {"response": 386, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, May 13, 2000 (22:32)", "body": "Ta da! Have seen SLOW tonight. Sorry, only on video - it has not miraculously opened on these American shores. Good or bad first? You've all warned me SLOW is not a masterpiece and now I certainly can't argue with you. I'd imagine this film had a lot more to it when Colin signed on for it. He wouldn't intentionally make such a shoddy film. The story is sound - it just seems that so much of it is missing. I'm sure I missed much in the first viewing regarding the traditions and culture of the Nigerian community - so much of it seemed assumed. His relationship with his wife was very sketchily drawn. Matthew is chasing Nimi before he's even seen her. Nimi's engagement to the reverend seems on, then off, then on again with little explanation. The boat business is contrived and Matthew's illness unreal. Still I think it could have been so much better with some of these pieces filled in. Dialogue could have used some beefing up as well - pretty lame. Still, no surprises since I'd read all the comments here when this film was seen in January. Now the good parts - I thought there was good chemistry between Colin and both his leading ladies. Nia Long was lovely and I thought quite good. Perhaps Colin winced at some of the lines he was given but of course delivered them quite naturally. He does tongue-tied so well! Why did the writer complain about the focus of the film being taken away from the women? I thought there's was the bulk of the story. And then the man himself - that oh-so-familiar stride when we first see him - only the waist down but no mistaking who it is. Most times he was looking oh so good and oh so tall. Nia must be quite tiny. Great smooches with his wife.. He looks absolutely the best in the very last scene. Camera looking down at him as he's surrounded by the tomatoes. Terrific shot of that fine jaw. I'm a sucker for his chin. Plenty of dimples too. I remember someone saying that before. Now I'll have to re-read the early comments to compare to this most nascent view."}, {"response": 387, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 14, 2000 (09:01)", "body": "(Heide) The boat business is contrived and Matthew's illness unreal. Definitely, two of the weakest plot points. Dialogue could have used some beefing up as well - pretty lame. So you don't think Missan got to Screenwriting 102? ;-) Why did the writer complain about the focus of the film being taken away from the women? I thought there's was the bulk of the story. Had to complain about something, didn't she? I agree there was an appropriate balance of Nimi's community and her relationship with Matthew and I really enjoyed the women's banter, but what there was was sufficient. Sounds like that rewind button is going to get a major workout, my dear. ;-)"}, {"response": 388, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, May 14, 2000 (09:47)", "body": "Sounds like that rewind button is going to get a major workout, my dear. ;-) You betcha! SLOW is definitely a must-have to that Colin collection for anyone who can get it."}, {"response": 389, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, May 14, 2000 (11:00)", "body": "A flawed film, but a first class Colin watcher."}, {"response": 390, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May 14, 2000 (11:45)", "body": "Definitely, a must-have for drooling. On the big screen it was overwhelming. On the TV, hit the mute button, you won't have to listen to the dreadful script. I'd imagine this film had a lot more to it when Colin signed on for it. I hope so.Remember the reviewer who said...\"What possessed CF to take on this film?\" I thought the reviewers (esp. The Times) were v. kind. I can see why it sat on the bank shelf so long.And no distrib would touch it in the US.The guys at Optimum are my heroes."}, {"response": 391, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (10:48)", "body": "Have to concur with Heide, though I've not been able to finish watching the video yet (realtors have turned house into Grand Central Station). My initial feelings were that, besides the flawed (to say the least) script, CF starts off a bit on the wooden side (found myself thinking 'c'mon Colin, you can move your lips a little more'). Loved the playing with guns bit when he falls backwards off the stone wall. LMAO at those fakey-fakey garden stills! Veddy, veddy baad."}, {"response": 392, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (17:39)", "body": "CF starts off a bit on the wooden side Colin - wooden? This is sacrilege! 'c'mon Colin, you can move your lips a little more' Maybe he doesn't want to. My lips would also refuse to move if I had to say some of the crap lines they give him. ;-)"}, {"response": 393, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (12:11)", "body": "This is sacrilege! Waddaya going to do, stone me? :-P Have now watched SLOW twice. It does improve on second viewing, IMO. Have been commiserating about the MLSF vs. SLOW quasi-debate (of sorts) over at the CF topic. Have developed a comparison of the two films, using my own rating system (these are my ratings, I tell you, mine! Copyright me, me, me! ;-)). Here we go: Key: 4 stars = excellent; 1 star = pffftttt (Bronx cheer) CF's costumes MLSF **** SLOW * (does art imitate life here? If I saw that royal blue shirt one more time...) CF's hair MLSF *** SLOW **** \"Huh? What just happened?\" moments MLSF ** SLOW * (had more) Camera angles MLSF **** SLOW * (how 'bout that bed scene? Great view of their nostrils) Accents (hee hee) MLSF ** SLOW ** Ending (US version) MLSF *** SLOW * (sentimental, yet *barf*) It couldda been a contenda (i.e., the premise was good, but...) MLSF ** SLOW *** There you have it. Disclaimer: Eileen is expressing her own opinion, which should not be construed, express or implied, as the opinion of anybody else."}, {"response": 394, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (12:26)", "body": "A classic, Eileen. A real keeper. I'll take your word, that SLOW improves with viewing....this is a fun topic so I won't go into the fact that IMO it is an insulting film to the black culture and I can see why it was never picked up by a US distrib for the US. So you see... ...some of us say tomayto and some of us say tomahto ;-);-)"}, {"response": 395, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (14:11)", "body": "LOL, Eileen. Have registered *your* rating system with copyright agencies worldwide. ;-) BTW, have you adjusted *your* ratings for size of budget? May account for ever-present royal blue shirt and inability to photograph more than nostrils. ;-)"}, {"response": 396, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (15:27)", "body": "(Karen) Have registered *your* rating system with copyright agencies worldwide. ;-) You must have applied to LTO Ratings International, then. ;-D have you adjusted *your* ratings for size of budget? Aww, that would spoil the fun. Of course 99.99% of the nominal costume budget went to the Nigerian women. Matthew's attire was quite reminiscent of Brian Smith's, though."}, {"response": 397, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (09:02)", "body": "(Evelyn)IMO it is an insulting film to the black culture I believe in North America people are much more sensitive to possible insults to different groups. I know there are a number of jokes I cannot tell my sister anymore... But is there a general black culture? Or is saying that insulting in itself? ;-)"}, {"response": 398, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (09:39)", "body": "But is there a general black culture? There are ethnic cultures...black is just part of it.One has to be pretty careful not only about what one says, but how the culture is portrayed. \"But I don't wanna go there....\""}, {"response": 399, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (16:26)", "body": "(Evelyn)IMO it is an insulting film to the black culture... That's an interesting observation, since wasn't the film writtem by an African woman, who is herself black? I think you are right in your assertion that this topic should pretty much stop here, Evelyn. Like you, I do not want to go there."}, {"response": 400, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (18:34)", "body": "One has to be pretty careful not only about what one says, but how the culture is portrayed. All right, we won't go there, but I just can't help noticing that the above statement gives me creeps."}, {"response": 401, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Fri, May 19, 2000 (02:04)", "body": "Which ending did the UK have for MLSF?? Thanks."}, {"response": 402, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 19, 2000 (07:17)", "body": "One has to be pretty careful not only about what one says, but how the culture is portrayed. Which proves that in our present \"Democracy\", we are not really free. To be \"politically correct\", binds you with chains. But, we do not have to go there either. ;-)"}, {"response": 403, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May 19, 2000 (10:10)", "body": "...But, we do not have to go there either. ;-) I'm not. No matter how much you tempt me....;-)"}, {"response": 404, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, May 19, 2000 (20:23)", "body": "our present \"Democracy\" Is there only one (type of) democracy? Also, democracy has been described as a system of oppression of minorities. But then, surely, any form of government must have an element of oppression. (All right! I'm going to shut up now.)"}, {"response": 405, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 19, 2000 (21:33)", "body": "democracy has been described as a system of oppression of minorities. I beg to differ! (I will say no more on this subject.)"}, {"response": 406, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 19, 2000 (22:05)", "body": "Which Firth production are we talking about?"}, {"response": 407, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 19, 2000 (22:16)", "body": "Which Firth production are we talking about? We have all sworn not to speak about it anymore. ;-)"}, {"response": 408, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (04:04)", "body": "CatheyP - Which ending did UK have for MLSF? Hi Cathey, I think we had the same ending as you where Fraser is seen going off to school, with Edward giving him a few words of advice!"}, {"response": 409, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (05:35)", "body": "Which Firth production are we talking about? \"My Democracy So Far\" and \"Relative Values Of Democracy\". Also, \"Refugees' Lost Empires\", at a pinch. ;-) *democracy has been described as a system of oppression of minorities.* I beg to differ! I have it on academic authority... The simple reason is that, because the vote of a (relative!) majority wins, those who are outvoted (= a relative minority) have to accept the dictatorship of the (relative!) winners. Any experts on the theory of relativism here? ;-P (This is the last on the subject... For now.)"}, {"response": 410, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (08:30)", "body": "We've got way too many \"experts\" already, thank you. ;-) I'm not surprised the Aussie ending is also the UK ending. Looks like a tape exchange may be required once the PAL version comes out. I do want to see the \"going off to school\" ending and the I believe your version is missing the \"dancing in the rain\" scene. Frankly though, that scene is just a few seconds long."}, {"response": 411, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (09:23)", "body": "I have it on academic authority... The simple reason is that, because the vote of a (relative!) majority wins, those who are outvoted (= a relative minority) have to accept the dictatorship of the (relative!) winners. The point is that the race of the winners are very often of a \"minority\" one. This would never have happened if it were not for Democracy. In this case the (relative) minority finds itself with the power of the dictatorship. It is up to you who you wish to be your dictator. ;-) I thought we swore to end this topic?"}, {"response": 412, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (19:32)", "body": "It is up to you who you wish to be your dictator. ;-) But if *my* candidate loses, I lose my actual right to chose my dictator - and gain the actual right (or even obligation) to accept the will of the opposition (which I do not accept). If I do not accept that right/obligation, I become a lawbreaker. If I do not wish anyone to be my dictator, I am an anarchist. However, if I don't want lawlessness and anarchy (for simple selfish, self-preservation reasons), I have to accept (periodically) someone else's choice of government: ergo, I am (periodically) the oppressed minority. Q.E.D. I didn't swear to do anything, but I'll try to shut up now. :-)"}, {"response": 413, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (20:03)", "body": "But if *my* candidate loses, I lose my actual right to chose my dictator - Wrong because if you like who wins or not, you had the choice of voting. You had the choice of chosing your dictator, he just did not win. If you need consolation, get yourself \"Anarchy in the UK\" by the Sex Pistols. ;-) Getting back on topic, I finally saw SLOW. It was a sweet film, a must-do-fastforward one, but sweet. His acting is vintage CF. Mathew is not such an interesting character, and I am baffled as to why Colin did this. Did anyone notice the major acne break-out on his face? I did not notice any in the Donmar pictures."}, {"response": 414, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (20:41)", "body": "....and I am baffled as to why Colin did this $$$$$$$$$$$"}, {"response": 415, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, May 21, 2000 (06:52)", "body": "(Moon Dreams) Did anyone notice the major acne break-out on his face? I did not notice any in the Donmar pictures. Yes, I noticed the bumps; they are also seen in DQ. I didn't know what they were, because his skin looked beautiful at the Donmar. I thought perhaps they were natural moles and bad lighting...? But maybe he was suffering from a breakout..."}, {"response": 416, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, May 21, 2000 (08:46)", "body": "Wrong because ... You had the choice of chosing your dictator, he just did not win. ...get yourself \"Anarchy in the UK\" by the Sex Pistols. ;-) Moon, I finally see how you got your name... ;-) I am baffled as to why Colin did this $$$$$$$$$$$ It was probably just $$$$$ - barely \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd... I thought perhaps they were natural moles and bad lighting...? But maybe he was suffering from a breakout... He has some permanent very pale moley bumps on one of his temples - and also periodical breakouts around his chin... There were some visible when he did the Survival appeal. But he looked beautifully smooth at the MLSF London premiere. Do the poor baby's hormone levels fluctuate, then?"}, {"response": 417, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (14:02)", "body": "(Moon)I am baffled as to why Colin did this (Evelyn) $$$$$$$$$$$ Have to wonder if he's been paid. I heard Misan was over the limit on her credit card. ;-P"}, {"response": 418, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (14:16)", "body": "I heard Misan was over the limit on her credit card. LOL! That was probably cos of Colin's paycheque. Maybe Jeremy Irons would have accepted a share of the profits."}, {"response": 419, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (15:41)", "body": "Maybe Jeremy Irons would have accepted a share of the profits. Why does he strike you as one can short of a six-pack? ;-)"}, {"response": 420, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (16:04)", "body": "Why does he strike you as one can short of a six-pack? ;-) LOL! No way. He had enough sense to turn the project down."}, {"response": 421, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (16:44)", "body": "(Moon) I finally saw SLOW. It was a sweet film, a must-do-fastforward one, but sweet. I did too. I also arranged to watch it with a friend over the weekend. Upon my first viewing (alone), I was inclined to agree with you. His acting is vintage CF. Some very nice spots. I was especially taken with his confession to Nimi of being afraid of her and what was happening. Very touching and bee-you-tifully done! Mathew is not such an interesting character, and I am baffled as to why Colin did this. Again, on my first viewing I would have agreed with you. It wasn't until my second (when I was beginning to figure out who was who and how they were related, and finally picking up some of the dialogue) when I had a definite reassessment: This story was very redeemable given better screenwriting and more original dialogue; it made more sense than was originally apparent. The situation had some very interesting possibilities. My friend picked up on it faster than I, and liked it very much. Things were there that were incomplete, quickly passed over and not made clear. But I can see why CF would have been intrigued by it originally. I have seen it a third time and suspect I will watch it through a couple more ... I'm not at the \"fast-forward\" stage yet. :-) Unfortunately, potentially good and powerful stuff was badly mishandled both during shooting and after. But as ODB stated philosophically during one of his interviews, once the actors have done their bit, it is in other people's hands -- the old too-many-cooks syndrome. It had been suggested that the major players in this production were operating under different agendas ... unfortunately, it shows. Did anyone notice the major acne break-out on his face? I did not notice any in the Donmar pictures. He must be a trial for his make-up people occasionally. That \"aging\" article was citing genetic luck for some people that don't show the signs of aging as fast as others (and including ODB). He apparently has a naturally oily skin which is both a blessing and a curse. It forstalls the wrinkling process, but unfortunately keeps breaking out and producing sebaceous cysts even into middle age. I guess he just \"rises above it\". ;-) KJ"}, {"response": 422, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (18:03)", "body": "Moon, I finally see how you got your name... ;-) Thank you, Arami! It is true, I dream of a kindlier world. ;-)"}, {"response": 423, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (09:01)", "body": "(KJArt) This story was very redeemable given better screenwriting and more original dialogue It wasn't so much the dialogue but the abundance of cliche situations which got to me. The premise was interesting, the setting was terrific but the story was unimaginitive. I suppose if they didn't give Matthew a wife and a commitment problem there wouldn't have been enough conflict, but... I've seen that men often encounter skin problems related to shaving. Of course, he could be secretly waxing. ;-D"}, {"response": 424, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (10:00)", "body": "While doing some research for Moon, I ran across this comment of Eileen's on the BJD topic: ...again! Colin's had more 'breakouts' than a teenager. Seems rather apropos ;-)"}, {"response": 425, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (18:40)", "body": "After watching SLOW for the second time, I can truly say that this movie will never grow on me. I\ufffdm truly disappointed and it would pain me to see it again in its entirety. I can\ufffdt get past the story or that soooo stiff acting. It was totally unbelievable\ufffdand if it were, believable, Matthew would be someone you could never trust."}, {"response": 426, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jun 10, 2000 (08:28)", "body": "I agree about not trusting Matthew. Besides the fact that cheating on his wife is perfectly acceptable to him, he set out to seduce Nimi before he even met her. All he needed to hear was if she were beautiful. And when the next pretty face comes along? Sure, sure, he says he loves her and we're supposed to believe that the kind of life he led pre-Nimi was unsatisfactory but do we really believe it? Still, I'm shallow enough to watch this film again for some very pretty scenery."}, {"response": 427, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 10, 2000 (08:37)", "body": "(Jana) Matthew would be someone you could never trust. (Heide) Besides the fact that cheating on his wife is perfectly acceptable to him Have we forgotten that he and his wife have \"an arrangement\"? As she tells Nimi in the kitchen the day before she and Matthew are supposed to leave, it \"adds spice.\" I've had to watch the movie umpteen times (for administrative purposes) - in fact, last night again - and it hasn't been torture at all. ;-)"}, {"response": 428, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 10, 2000 (08:38)", "body": "...and he tells Nimi that there are boundaries and asks if she can accept them. To which, she answers \"yes.\""}, {"response": 429, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 10, 2000 (08:54)", "body": "(Karen)..and he tells Nimi that there are boundaries and asks if she can accept them. To which, she answers \"yes Yeah..but that's after they've had a good shag in the potting shed. Doesn't count;-) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~` (Heide)I'm shallow enough to watch this film again for some very pretty scenery. Scenery better on the big screen...alas not the story or his acting. *two thumbs down*"}, {"response": 430, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Sat, Jun 10, 2000 (11:14)", "body": "(Karen)Have we forgotten that he and his wife have \"an arrangement\"? As she tells Nimi in the kitchen the day before she and Matthew are supposed to leave, it \"adds spice.\" One of many clues telling her that he's a loser. (Karen)I've had to watch the movie umpteen times (for administrative purposes) - in fact, last night again - and it hasn't been torture at all. ;-) I have to stick to the snappys less painful. With them I can at least make up another story. By reading some of the earlier posts I would like to know what possessed this lady to write such a story. She offerred no depth or anything new. I could have written a better story on toilet paper."}, {"response": 431, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Jun 12, 2000 (16:51)", "body": "I quite liked SLOW... Am I alone in this then?"}, {"response": 432, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 12, 2000 (17:30)", "body": "(Gi)I quite liked SLOW... Am I alone in this then? Probably not...but aside from looking gorgeous, what did you like about it?"}, {"response": 433, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (07:37)", "body": "The kid, the headdresses, the house, the wedding negotiations, the tomatoes, the music... Of course he *did* look gorgeous and sullen in a Darcy-like way... ;-)"}, {"response": 434, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (09:02)", "body": "Thank you...just curious. Thought I was missing something ;-)"}, {"response": 435, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (15:56)", "body": "(Gi) .. I quite liked SLOW... Am I alone in this then? Absolutely not! (I said so before but I can reiterate), Enjoyed all that and a few of the cracks showed a genuine wit back there somewhere. A bit off the wall, granted, but so what. I can, and will watch it again. KJ (not a perfectionist as far as CF is concerned)"}, {"response": 436, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (16:50)", "body": "We've seen ODB in far less-than-perfect films before. Much as I hate to admit it, even the dreaded P offers a better performance, IMO, than SLOW. And the scenery's pretty good, too... ;-D There were things I liked about SLOW but the acting wasn't among them."}, {"response": 437, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (17:52)", "body": "I liked the Nigerian hair wraps, and proverbs.... (Eileen)..but the acting wasn't among them. Oh...there was acting?"}, {"response": 438, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (01:20)", "body": "Oh...there was acting? You're too cruel!! (giggle)"}, {"response": 439, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (22:58)", "body": "Comments from the New York showing of Londinium from a friend: Yes, indeed. I liked it. I laughed. Colin was truly truly handsome: Charles Gould + (beard), modified Darcy (hair and sideburns--darkish). I know that there will be several skeptics encountered--particularly those who like me have watched other Mike Binder classics like Sex Machine and Indian Summer. I went into viewing the film really hoping not to dislike it, but I have positives to report--and again I think those of you who like romantic comedies will like this one--and particularly Colin. Londinium, while somewhat predictable, is never gross or sophmoric--and only slightly immature. It is unlike the other Binder films I watched. The Binder character is still the loser--but he is truly a bit more likeable loser. The film begins with a voiceover telling us that it's a film about foolish behavior and that we shouldn't judge the characters too badly--and it comes back to this statement in the summing up at the end. It strikes the right tone! The film of course is about coupling--and uncoupling--and musical relationships. And it's also kind of an American's love affair with London--which looks good--and is always SUNNY in this film (never a drop of rain/ or a spot of fog): it's always summer in the park. But best of all (am I biased?) was Colin. He plays a true romantic lead--and he's involved in so many comic situations--rather than in a load of comic lines. And I think he is wonderful again at doing what he does best--letting us know what's he thinking effectively and subtly. And he kind of underplays some of his comic lines (like the bit about the Binder character--Ben--not being able to help being American). And, I'm sorry, he and Irene Jacob make such a cute couple--and when he smiles at her . . . And really some of the best scenes are the ones with Stephen Fry, who plays the therapist. It turns out he deals in labor conflicts, not romantic ones, so when Colin and his partner go to him and start talking about sex--the poor therapist is a bit nonplussed--as only Stephen Fry can be. And poor Colin having to be so repressed and uncomfortable about talking about his sex life... The theatre was only about 1/2 full and most of the people looked in their twenties and early thirties. There was laughter throughout--on the lightish side. And those for stayed for the credits applauded--couldn't recognize any Binder-looking relatives among them, who it might have been genuine appreciation. It was entertaining--and it had Colin looking at his best and acting very well indeed. A thumbs up? Definitely not down in any case."}, {"response": 440, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (07:40)", "body": "So Binder is getting it together! Thanks for the review, Karen. The first of many I hope. It looks like it is definitely Colin's film. Commedies are always the hardest to do as an actor. I look forward to reading more opinions. :-)"}, {"response": 441, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (10:57)", "body": "(Moon) So Binder is getting it together! Before you get your hopes too high... It wasn't like Sex Monster or Indian Summer. There was less physical humor and neebish-y Mike. The four lead roles kind of had equal force in the movie--although the framework and main interest was Mike. Colin got to play a romantic lead: he gets to seduce a woman in a hotel room and use his dimples as well as other parts of his body. His look was wonderful and he did his usual wonderful signaling of his thoughts through his face. The main question of the film, was can relationships survive the initial glow? Not too original and not answered originally but it was entertaining along the way--one gross, offensive scene that involved some overweight folk. Binder does go for the cheap laugh and his one-liners aren't great but this time they aren't insulting. The sheer cuteness of Colin and Irene Jacob carries the film. Probably the best part are the \"sex\" therapy sessions with Stephen Fry as the therapist, but actually he specializes in labor disputes. Have asked for clarification of the line: \"he gets to seduce a woman in a hotel room and use his dimples as well as other parts of his body.\" ;-D As far as billing goes, all the leads' names were on the screen at the same time alphabetically. Very ensemble-ish. Haven't heard back how the names were shown in the end credits. Perhaps \"in order of appearance.\""}, {"response": 442, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (11:58)", "body": "I have an impartial report (she is not smitten with CF as we are), from a friend who went. Not too good. The film is basically a predictable couples in love, couples in lust, couples out of love, couples out of lust scenario that has been done countless times before usually better. However, C.F. and I.J. were good considering the script they had to work with, it wasn't the worst film made and it did have some amusing moments but it could have been so much better. Binder acts like a poor man's Woody Allen throughout,. Very manic, Jewish NY cadence but very forced. Stephen Fry had a very small part which is too bad since he was so good in Oscar Wilde. Mariel Hemingway was her usual stiff self. We all agreed that it was about forty minutes too long and the characters lacked any passion. My friend who went with me said they were just so cold you could not feel for them but we all thought Colin, Irene and one of the English actors (can't remember his name right now) were good. We also all agreed we were happy we didn't pay the NY price of $9.25 for the film. Colin looks thinner again, not as muscular as in P & P."}, {"response": 443, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (12:03)", "body": "(Karen),Have asked for clarification of the line: \"he gets to seduce a woman in a hotel room and use his dimples as well as other parts of his body.\" ;-D Forgot this part: Oh, he did have a few love (sex) scenes but nothing revealing...sorry !"}, {"response": 444, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (12:25)", "body": "Binder acts like a poor man's Woody Allen throughout,. Very manic, Jewish NY cadence but very forced. I see nothing has changed. Of course, it was \"forced.\" Binder is (a) not from NY and (b) not a good actor. ;-D Oh, he did have a few love (sex) scenes but nothing revealing...sorry ! LOL! Your friend knows you all too well."}, {"response": 445, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (13:44)", "body": "Oh, he did have a few love (sex) scenes but nothing revealing...sorry ! LOL! Your friend knows you all too well. (Blushing) Well, I did ask her for more details too. ;-) I hope whoever has seen it post the details of the sex scenes. We get the gist of the movie."}, {"response": 446, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (15:07)", "body": "Bethan: Yes, Yes, Yes"}, {"response": 447, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (15:07)", "body": "(Moon) I hope whoever has seen it post the details of the sex scenes. We get the gist of the movie. Just a quickie, as must get back to work. I'll write more later as you have questions. Regarding the sex scene (only one, sorry!) Colin and Irene are progressively more attracted to each other and end up alone at a B&B. Don't want to give away too much plot as to why Mike and Mariel aren't there. Colin just can't take it anymore and he reaches out to kiss Irene and pulls her close. She protests feebly \"no we mustn't\" and then succumbs to his charms. What follows is a brief bit more of heavier kissing and clinching, first standing up and then falling down on the bed together. All clothes remain on during the entire time. After that we hear a lot more lovemaking sounds through the wall but do not see anything more. There is also a lovely kiss between CF and IJ at the end. The only sexual situation between CF and Mariel involves them lying in bed, bored with each other and talking about why they're not haveing sex :-). BTW Bethan, if you're checking here I didn't want to post the answer to your question from #134, but IMO there were several portions of the film where I thought Colin's role made him appear as a stereotypical, repressed and somewhat wimpy Brit. Not that I think British men are like that, mind you..... just answering your question about a stereotypical portrayal :-)."}, {"response": 448, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (15:14)", "body": "I see Marianne and I crossed posts. So as not to be totally confusing in the answer to Bethan's second question, yes I agree with Marianne there are moments when Colin gets to act sexy. Unfortunately there are also moments when he's wimpy and un-sexy. So there you go - a well rounded performance :-)."}, {"response": 449, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (15:32)", "body": ".Thanks to everybody....Marianne and Jana for going to the film . By all reports it seems that it was Max Binder's good fortune to latch on to Colin and IJ. Apparently they made the movie palatable.Of course we all knew he would look gorgeous. (Jana)..What follows is a brief bit more of heavier kissing and clinching, first standing up and then falling down on the bed together. What kind of heavier kissing ...details, please....movie kisses.?..he takes her upper lip or TRT....? Enquiring [dirty]minds want to know;-)"}, {"response": 450, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (15:39)", "body": "(Evelyn) What kind of heavier kissing...details, please....movie kisses.?..he takes her upper lip or TRT....? Enquiring [dirty]minds want to know;-) LOL! Unfortunately I can't really remember. I don't think we got a real close up on the lip area. If I recall correctly, the scene is mostly shot with Colin facing camera, Irene's back to camera and her head blocking a lot of the details in the lip area. Sorry I can't be more specific. The scene happened so quickly - this is when you really want the video so as to be able to rewind and uncover matters of such doctrinal import :-). Marianne, can you add anything better than my recollection?"}, {"response": 451, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (15:51)", "body": "Was there evidence of lapdancer stimulation as is described on 136? ;-D"}, {"response": 452, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (15:52)", "body": "(Jana2)there are moments when Colin gets to act sexy. Unfortunately there are also moments when he's wimpy and un-sexy. So there you go - a well rounded performance :-). LOL! Not the wimp word, anything but that! Colin just can't take it anymore and he reaches out to kiss Irene and pulls her close. As in Paul in FP? Does Colin's performance here remind you of any other ones? Thanks for the reports. :-D"}, {"response": 453, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (15:55)", "body": "Another matter of doctrinal import... do you think his beddie-by black t-shirt was one from his own collection? ;-D"}, {"response": 454, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (16:09)", "body": "Warning! S P O I L E R S I hope I remember things correctly. When the story begins, he's married to MH. But, it's already a dull, boring marriage. Ben, infatuated with Carly, decides to set up Allen and Fiona to prove to Carly that they are having an affair, and becuase Carly requires proof that Allen and Fiona are actually having an affair before she\ufffdll sleep with Ben. He plans a weekend for all four. Carly feigns being ill and Ben running late at work and he\ufffdll meet up with Allen and Fiona who are already at the station. Actually, Carly and Ben are at the B&B, and have situated themselves in the room next to Allen\ufffds. It turns out that Allen and Fiona are attracted to each other and fall into each other\ufffds arms and onto the bed (fully clothed!). On the other side, Ben and Carly are listening to their moans and groans, and staring at the decorative china plates over the bed banging against the wall. Allen and Fiona get together; live happily ever after for a while, then things become strained between the two of them. She\ufffds become a successful author and is as ed to go to Rome to do book. Allen doesn\ufffdt want to go. She says they need to see a therapist to talk about why they don't communicate and have sex anymore. He\ufffds against it, but relents and says they should see a therapist he knows. They both go and see this labor/management arbitrator, who\ufffds in over his head with their problems. She makes ask questions, like: how many times they used to do it in a day? Where they used to do it? Why doesn\ufffdt he like to kiss her between her legs anymore? (Was I too graphic?) Allen and Nigel (SF) are both extremely uncomfortable with her plain speaking. Finally, she decides she\ufffds going off to Rome on her own. Allen goes back to the therapist to try to understand why this is happening. He has one last confrontation with Ben and Davey (JD) outside the pub, tells them he\ufffds leaving London and going to Rome because he loves his wife. At the train station, he meets up with Fiona. They hug and they kiss \ufffd quite lovingly."}, {"response": 455, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (17:26)", "body": "I don't think the plot will merit a Pulitzer :-( BUT Why doesn\ufffdt he like to kiss her between her legs anymore? (Was I too graphic?) The dialogue shows promise:-)) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ do you think his beddie-by black t-shirt was one from his own collection? ;-D I was thinking the same.... ~~~~~~~~~~~ (Evelyn) What kind of heavier kissing.. (Jana)LOL! Unfortunately I can't really remember. I don't think we got a real close up on the lip area OK , Mark...you just got your assignment;-)"}, {"response": 456, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (17:48)", "body": "(Marianne) Allen and Fiona get together; live happily ever after for a while, then things become strained between the two of them. She\ufffds become a successful author and is asked to go to Rome to do book. Yeah, every makeup artist *I* know becomes a successful author.;-) And me, like a dope, I majored in Journalism--*slapping side of head*;-) (Evelyn) I don't think the plot will merit a Pulitzer :-( See comment above.;-) Marianne or Jana, could you clarify: are Ben and Fiona married at the start of the film? Also, what was the audience's general reaction? Again, many thanks to you both for the reports. I agree that the dialogue shows promise--and, um, could we get the answers to the questions posed in the shrink's office?:-)"}, {"response": 457, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (18:00)", "body": "Thank you for the Londinium reports. Didn't read the spoilers in detail (only through the fingers), but there's one thing I'd like to know: Was there a bathtub sharing scene with the body double from Luton, Bare-Everything-Ingrid?"}, {"response": 458, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (18:23)", "body": "Renate: No Mari: Fiona (IJ) is a friend who works for Allen (CF) on Carly's (MH) TV show. Ben (MB) is a writer from the US brought on by Carly to energize her show. Ben, even though he's infatuated with Carly, hooks up and marries Fiona. Um, answers to those questions ... I don't remember exactly if there was a reply (Jana, HELP!) ... all I pretty much remember was how he and Nigel were both squirming. But, I'm sure there were some allusions that they had a very satisfactory sex life in the beginning ... would do it in every room in the house, the taxi, the train station, ... hope that helps. As for audience reaction, there was polite applause in the end for everyone (MB got the longest applause) well he was in the audience and I guess it's safe to assume most of the people there were there to see his movie. At least quite a few kept saying \"Where's Mike?\" Everyone seemed to laugh at all the appropriate places, especially when it came to digs about the industry."}, {"response": 459, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (18:36)", "body": "Thanks, ladies. Haven't gotten to the other topic yet so forgive me if I repeat stuff that's already been asked and answered. If no lip action to report (yes, world, we're insane), how about at least some left shoulder rotation? When is the wedding scene that we've seen shots of? I had assumed at the end of the film but it sounds as if Fiona and Allen get together midway through the film. But, I'm sure there were some allusions that they had a very satisfactory sex life in the beginning ... would do it in every room in the house, the taxi, the train station, .. And we don't get to see it? Waaah! Just kidding. Simply seeing Colin as a halfway normal modern male will make me very happy. The dialog is better than SLOW, right?"}, {"response": 460, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (19:00)", "body": "Heide: There are 2 wedding scenes, Fiona & Ben's, and Fiona & Allen's."}, {"response": 461, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (21:06)", "body": "(Moon) Does Colin's performance here remind you of any other ones? There were some Paul Ashworth moments, for example one time he was angry and yelled something like \"Would you Pleeeeeze stop....\" (can't remember the rest because I was so taken by the Paul-like \"please\". Perhaps Paul comes to mind because they are both modern day characters. I will do some more thinking on this question and see if I come up with any more likenesses. Why doesn\ufffdt he like to kiss her between her legs anymore? (Was I too graphic?) (Evelyn) The dialogue shows promise:-)) If you liked that, you'll love the follow up session where they discuss why there's been a drop off in the number of times per week he wants her to make love to him with her mouth ;-). I use the term discussion loosely, since it mostly consists of very frank (and hilarious) talk by IJ and much hemming and hawing by CF and SF. (Marianne) Um, answers to those questions ... I don't remember exactly if there was a reply (Jana, HELP!) Hmmm, I think CF responded that passion just drops off which is natural in a relationship. IJ then gets huffy and wonders that if it's so natural, why hasn't he lost his passion for the taste of a good steak :-)? (Renata) Was there a bathtub sharing scene with the body double from Luton, Bare-Everything-Ingrid? LOL - I had totally forgotten about Ingrid and the hot tub. Unfortunately there is a sad dirth of wet scenes in this movie. Lots of scenes walking or standing next to bodies of water but the shirt never gets wet. No hot tubs in sight either, although Ingrid sounds like the type of person that Mike Binder might hire :-). (Heide)If no lip action to report (yes, world, we're insane), how about at least some left shoulder rotation? I knew you'd ask about that so I watched for this especially :-). There is a lovely snog at the end where there might have been something close to our lovable shoulder action. The camera is whirling in a circle though, so I got a little disoriented. And just in case you're disappointed at the lack of lip action, take heart that there is one good close up of MB planting one on Mariel ;-). I guess that's not quite the same, is it? (Heide) When is the wedding scene that we've seen shots of? As Marianne says there are two. Fiona and Ben's about one third of the way through and Fiona and Allen's about two thirds of the way through. I had figured the wedding would have been the grand finale ala P&P, but it turned out there was quite a bit more action after the second wedding. Let's see, what other tidbit can I throw out to you..... Oh yes, we get to see how CF does in a fight."}, {"response": 462, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (22:21)", "body": "(Evelyn) The dialogue shows promise:-)) (Mari) I agree that the dialogue shows promise--and, um, could we get the answers to the questions posed in the shrink's office?:-) Scene screams for visuals, rather than dialogue IMO. ;-D (moi) do you think his beddie-by black t-shirt was one from his own collection? ;-D (Evelyn) I was thinking the same.... *hee hee* Knew it! (Marianne) At least quite a few kept saying \"Where's Mike?\" That was when he stood up, right? ;-D Thanks for the reports, ladies. Most enjoyable. Catch any \"insider\" audience comments?"}, {"response": 463, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 12, 2000 (07:27)", "body": "Oh yes, we get to see how CF does in a fight. As in MLSF? Is this when the wimp comes up? Please say no! ;-)"}, {"response": 464, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 12, 2000 (08:19)", "body": "No, remember how Allen was originally described as a barroom brawler?? CF gets to punch out a bunch of people and does so credibly. His arm has improved. So we're not going to wince...at least at that part. ;-D"}, {"response": 465, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Oct 12, 2000 (14:17)", "body": "(Evelyn) The dialogue shows promise:-) *snort* (Heide)If no lip action to report (yes, world, we're insane), how about at least some left shoulder rotation? (Jana) I knew you'd ask about that so I watched for this especially :-). There is a lovely snog at the end where there might have been something close to our lovable shoulder action. The camera is whirling in a circle though Ooh, another whirly-twirly. Whee! ...so I got a little disoriented. And just in case you're disappointed at the lack of lip action, take heart that there is one good close up of MB planting one on Mariel ;-). I guess that's not quite the same, is it? Did he have to stand on a chair? (Marianne) At least quite a few kept saying \"Where's Mike?\" (Karen) That was when he stood up, right? ;-D *snort again* Thanks for your reports, Jana and Marianne! Re: love scenes, am afraid the NMPR* rule applies. Also, he might have to sit through a screening with the in-laws. ;-) *No more pumpy-rumpy (or was it rumpy-pumpy?) :-D"}, {"response": 466, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Oct 12, 2000 (14:48)", "body": "I may never (or at least not for a long time) get to see his new films so I do the next best thing, I read your reports... Thank you ladies. Knowing the end doesn't spoil a movie or a book for me (unless it's a thriller, of course), so please go on, go on :-)"}, {"response": 467, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Thu, Oct 12, 2000 (15:42)", "body": "Oops forgot, they gave out cards for Londinium ... really just cast list and site address. You've probably already seen this. http://sunlightproductions.com/Londinium http://sunlightproductions.com/Londinium/40x.html"}, {"response": 468, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Thu, Oct 12, 2000 (21:01)", "body": "(Moon) As in MLSF? Is this when the wimp comes up? Please say no! ;-) (Karen) No, remember how Allen was originally described as a barroom brawler?? CF gets to punch out a bunch of people and does so credibly. His arm has improved. So we're not going to wince...at least at that part. ;-D Karen is absolutely correct, so take heart Moon. Allen does the punching in this film so you don't have to watch him cower on the floor and get beat up :-)."}, {"response": 469, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct 13, 2000 (08:22)", "body": "So my DH will just keep quiet this time? Yeah! Thanks Jana and Karen!"}, {"response": 470, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 13, 2000 (08:31)", "body": "(Moon) So my DH will just keep quiet this time? Yeah! *hee hee* Yes, Colin seems to get all the women in this film, by YDH might be gloating during the analyst sessions. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 127, "subject": "Odds and Ends (Part 2)", "response_count": 1999, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "baine", "date": "Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (21:32)", "body": "It seems I am, shall we say, inaugurating the virgin Odds and Ends II. So first, an apology for misspelling Lidya's name back on Part I. Second, I love Evelyn's comments \"What are *we* doing? Londinium with Mariel Hemingway. *We* need some luck\". Firthettes--a unified organism working together for the greater glory. All for one and one for all. Almost as uplifting as a Regency wonderbra. Third, CF as the ingenious villain against a gay RE 007 is the only way I'd see a Bond flick. Inspired idea, but definitely lose the Madonna theme song."}, {"response": 2, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sun, Dec  5, 1999 (12:16)", "body": "Cymbeline the Madonna theme song is easily disposed. I'm glad you liked the concept; however, RE as a gay 007 is not my original idea, but CF as his worthy adversary is."}, {"response": 3, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Dec  5, 1999 (18:43)", "body": "Why is everyone so eager to have him playing Dastards all of a sudden? Seems to me that when Wessex first reared his (gorgeous) head into our conciousness, everyone was b******g that this was beneath him! Ah! How soon our tune changeth ...."}, {"response": 4, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Dec  5, 1999 (18:53)", "body": "I would love to see him do A Man For all Seasons. I believe he would give the greatest performance of the lead that anyone has ever done, because of his uncanny ability to loose himself in any character he portrays. I watched TEP on TNT this weekend and again wonder at what a great movie this is. I even like R.F. in it (well almost). Colin was wonderful in the part of Geoffrey. Again he said so very much without opening his mouth."}, {"response": 5, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Dec  5, 1999 (19:16)", "body": "(Lucie) I would love to see him do A Man For all Seasons. Now you're talkin'!"}, {"response": 6, "author": "baine", "date": "Sun, Dec  5, 1999 (20:33)", "body": "I never said I thought Wessex was beneath him. I can easily understand why he thinks it's more interesting to do villains. I love the scene where he grabs JF out of the dance and sticks a dagger in his throat. I adore him as Valmont; he'd seduce me much more easily than old John Malkovich any day of the week b/c he's just a French Tom Birkin with a bit more frat boy bravado and without the WWI trauma to slow him down. I think he'd be good in AMFAS; it's sort of a mature Richard Courtois. But of course he'd be good at anything he did. And BTW--I know this is a rhetorical question, but I'll ask it anyway--why wasn't he nominated for best supporting actor for Geoffrey Clifton?"}, {"response": 7, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Dec  5, 1999 (23:13)", "body": "Why wasn't he nominated for Wessex either. I thought he certainly earned it more than Jeffrey Rush. I loved him as Valmont too. It was the first movie that I saw him in that I reamembered him. While I was watching P&P I kept thinking that I should know that actor but he looked so different that I didn't put the two together until I started looking him up on the computer."}, {"response": 8, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Dec  6, 1999 (16:29)", "body": "It would seem that Miramax choose to push Geoffrey Rush for a best supporting actor nod because Rush already had the glamour of having been an Oscar winner for \"Shine\". The Oscars are incredibly political, that is in terms of Hollywood politics. Rush was also helped by the fact that he was in \"Elizabeth\", which was also nominated for an Oscar. He was actually better in \"Elizabeth\", but money talks in Hollywood, and Miramax/Disney has more clout than Grammercy."}, {"response": 9, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Dec  6, 1999 (18:32)", "body": "(Cymbeline) I never said I thought Wessex was beneath him. You weren't here at the time, Cymbeline, and while I don't think any of us said \"beneath\" him, some of us were griping that this looked like another cuckold sixth banana role and he wouldn't have enough screen time. Luckily, it turned out much better. (KJArt) why wasn't he nominated for best supporting actor for Geoffrey Clifton? One of my takes on this is, I repeat, it was a sixth banana role. I don't think Geoffrey jumped out at you enough for him to get the nod ahead of Willem Dafoe or Kip whaziz name who had better billing but were not nominated either. (Lucie) Why wasn't he nominated for Wessex either. (CherylB) It would seem that Miramax choose to push Geoffrey Rush for a best supporting actor nod because Rush already had the glamour of having been an Oscar winner for \"Shine\". Exactly. Interesting conversation and I wouldn't mind seeing it at topic 123 since it is definitely Colin-related."}, {"response": 10, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Dec  6, 1999 (19:46)", "body": "(KJArt) why wasn't he nominated for best supporting actor for Geoffrey Clifton? (Heide), One of my takes on this is, I repeat, it was a sixth banana role. I don't think Geoffrey jumped out at you enough for him to get the nod ahead of Willem Dafoe or Kip whaziz name who had better billing but were not nominated either. I do not know anything about sixth bananas, (although he did sing beautifully), but I beg to differ, Heide. Geoffrey was a scene stealer and in such subtle ways. Please watch TEP again."}, {"response": 11, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Dec  6, 1999 (20:39)", "body": "(KJArt) why wasn't he nominated for best supporting actor for Geoffrey Clifton? Don't get me wrong ... I am following this discussion with intense interest, but don't ascribe the above query to me. (It was Cymbeline's). I never wondered at it. :-)"}, {"response": 12, "author": "baine", "date": "Mon, Dec  6, 1999 (20:48)", "body": "Am carrying this on over at Part 6 as per suggestion."}, {"response": 13, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (19:05)", "body": "(Moon) Please watch TEP again. Doubt it will make me see the role in a new light but if you insist, I'll watch it again tomorrow night on TNT. What I suffer for you girls...."}, {"response": 14, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (09:54)", "body": "Thanks to Karen for this: From Today's The Hollywood Reporter \"NEW YORK -- Paramount Classics is basking in the \"Sunshine,\" acquiring U.S. rights to the Ralph Fiennes-topped epic from Oscar-winning Hungarian director Istvan Szabo. This week, the film won three European Film Awards for Fiennes, screenwriters Szabo and Israel Horowitz and cinematographer Lajos Koltai. The picture was also nominated Tuesday for 14 Genie Awards. \"Sunshine,\" which premiered at this year's Toronto International Film Festival, also stars Rosemary Harris, Rachel Weisz, Jennifer Ehle, Debora Kara Unger, Molly Parker, James Frain and William Hurt. \"I think (Szabo) did an incredible job,\" Paramount Classics co-president Ruth Vitale said. \"He covered a huge portion of history in one country, spanning three generations from 1890-1960. It's a really beautiful story about survival and love, and it's an honor to be part of it.\" Paramount Classics plans to release the film in late spring or summer.\" ~~~~~ Whooooopeeeee!!Early spring....late Summer....Who cares? We've got a distrib!! ~~~~~~ Called the National Press Office....Jennifer will not be playing Vavara... the role will be recast. \"We are v. sorry that she had a previous commitment\". Isn't this job the pits?....Either feast or famine."}, {"response": 15, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (09:54)", "body": "NY Times Confirms Film Critic Triumvirate NEW YORK (Variety) - A dark horse has emerged as the winner of the final New York Times film critic spot. A.O. \"Tony\" Scott, a book reviewer for Newsday's Sunday Book Review, will join current Fort Worth Star Telegram film critic Elvis Mitchell and current New York Times No. 2 film critic Stephen Holden as the replacements for Janet Maslin, who will be leaving the paper at the end of the year. Along with Scott, Times culture editor John Darnton said the other finalists for the job were former Wall Street Journal film critic Julie Salamon; former Daily News critic David Kehr; the New Yorker's David Denby; and Daily Variety's Todd McCarthy. More than 50 critics were considered. A newcomer to film reviewing, Scott was an editor at the New York Review of Books and a frequent contributor to the Sunday Times Book Review before joining Newsday. The Times contacted Scott about the position a little over a month ago, after reading an essay Scott had written about Martin Scorsese which appeared in the online magazine, Slate. Darnton said the paper was looking for, among other things, \"new voices and younger people. They're writing about a medium that has instant appeal to young people.\" Mitchell turned 41 Monday, the same day he was in Manhattan confirming the job. Scott is 33; Holden is 58. Rather then having a traditional lead critic, the Times will be trying a new system: the three critics will divide assignments on a rotating basis or roughly appealing to their areas of expertise. Scott said that he will likely focus on independent and foreign films. Darnton said hiring more critics is a response to the increase in the number of films being produced and a desire to cover more European and indie fare. \"The job is too much for just a lead critic and a second string,\" said Darnton. \"The job should be fun. It shouldn't be a (chore).\""}, {"response": 16, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (12:48)", "body": "Hmmm, don't see Mark's name mentioned above... That's good news about Sunshine, Ev. Be prepared: it'll be touted as a film starring Ralph Fiennes and William Hurt :-P"}, {"response": 17, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (15:53)", "body": "(Eileen)That pic of JE and RF in the bath with the children looks interesting. Wonder if she had any better luck igniting some sparks with him than his other recent leading ladies have;-) You mean this one? All a matter of opinion:-) From the gals who saw it in Toronto...they say great chemistry. But then I though he and KST were pretty steamy too."}, {"response": 18, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (16:16)", "body": "God, I can't imagine Rafey boy lighting anyone's fire, he's more of a damp (limp?) squib! Now Jennifer, that's a different matter entirely, she could turn a wet weekend into a heatwave!"}, {"response": 19, "author": "baine", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (19:55)", "body": "(Lizza J) God, I can't imagine Rafey boy lighting anyone's fire, he's more of a damp (limp?) squib! I'm with you here, and bathroom scenes don't do much for me in any case. Context and action may help, but the pic looks like some kind of strange pediatric clinic."}, {"response": 20, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (20:11)", "body": "and bathroom scenes don't do much for me in any case. You didn't like the bath scene in P&P? You didn't like the bath scene in TEP?"}, {"response": 21, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (22:12)", "body": "Great news about Sunshine, Evelyn--the noms and the distribution. Am really looking forward to this one. Any idea how big Jen's role is? She and her mother play the same character, right? I really like the tub photo. In one simple shot, they have captured the joyful intimacy of family life. Beautiful. Rafe sure looks happy. I must say, I've liked him best in roles where he is not called upon to brood constantly. Quiz Show was his best, IMO, for that reason."}, {"response": 22, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  9, 1999 (08:28)", "body": "This is from George Christy's column in THR and its about TEOTA: \"Greene is great on moral dilemmas, and I [Neil Jordan] wanted the movie to be as much a portrait of a writer as anything else.\" He cast Ralph Fiennes \"to convey that disenchantment of the '40s intellectuals, a man with too much emotion and intelligence for his own good, and Ralph's huge intelligence suited the character brilliantly.\" After reading the screenplay, Julianne Moore wrote Jordan a letter, asking to meet him, and Jordan says, \"She blew me away ... since the role needed an overtly sexual being.\" He adds that Stephen Rea in the role of the cuckolded husband is \"darkly moving,\" and Stephen reflects that \"Neil's a novelist and writer, knows how to structure, and is a great narrator, his movies have that strong narrative spine. He pares emotions down to the the bare bones, which support an actor.\" ****** Interesting...."}, {"response": 23, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Dec  9, 1999 (08:44)", "body": "As a special favor, will y'all please comment on the poems of Dorothy, the newest topic in the poetry conference?"}, {"response": 24, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Dec  9, 1999 (11:30)", "body": "I generally like all of Neil Jordan's movies. I even liked In Dreams which was bizarre but interesting. Did people here get to see the pic of Mom, dad and Jane.com? I am SOOOO glad that I wasn't the only person who looked like that after giving birth. However, they look ecstatically happy and I'm happy for them. Cute little girl, for a newborn:)"}, {"response": 25, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Dec  9, 1999 (15:52)", "body": "I did, Terry. Thanks for reminding us!"}, {"response": 26, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Dec  9, 1999 (21:25)", "body": "Thanks, it will help encourage a budding artist."}, {"response": 27, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Dec 10, 1999 (09:18)", "body": "(Mari) I must say, I've liked him best in roles where he is not called upon to brood constantly. Quiz Show was his best, IMO, for that reason. He struck me as brooding in that one, too (brooding about cheating). Perhaps it's my memory. Will have to watch it again."}, {"response": 28, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 10, 1999 (09:33)", "body": "Yippeee! Bedrooms and Hallways is playing here. Will definitely see it sometime during the week."}, {"response": 29, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 10, 1999 (13:37)", "body": "Yippeee! Bedrooms and Hallways is playing here. It's late....on my schedule, it was due in Chicago mid November... Marcia it's due at the Honolulu Academy of Arts on Sunday."}, {"response": 30, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 11, 1999 (09:42)", "body": "Wot?! I specifically ordered Mari for dessert - NOT Maria!! Get me that ****ing waiter! Happy Birthday Mari!!"}, {"response": 31, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Dec 11, 1999 (10:58)", "body": "What a feast, Mari! Happy Birthday!"}, {"response": 32, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Dec 11, 1999 (11:34)", "body": "Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Dear Mari, Happy Birthday to you"}, {"response": 33, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Dec 11, 1999 (11:38)", "body": "HAVE A WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY MARI."}, {"response": 34, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 11, 1999 (12:33)", "body": "Listen, hon, next time you call, don't bother with my flunkies. You, I always got time for. And I promise, right after we get that fegellah his Oscar nomination, bubellah will star in my next picture. OK? And Happy Birthday too"}, {"response": 35, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Dec 11, 1999 (14:59)", "body": "Yeah, I understand Mari and Harve are like this - XXXOOO - Happy Birthday, Mari!"}, {"response": 36, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Dec 11, 1999 (22:07)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Mari!"}, {"response": 37, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Dec 11, 1999 (22:17)", "body": "Oh, Foo! It was supposed to be animated...."}, {"response": 38, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 12, 1999 (00:01)", "body": "It is animated, KJ - at least it was for a bit then wore out. ;-)"}, {"response": 39, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Dec 12, 1999 (03:10)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Mari! So glad you joined the pond :-)."}, {"response": 40, "author": "bordel", "date": "Sun, Dec 12, 1999 (04:47)", "body": "allo"}, {"response": 41, "author": "bordel", "date": "Sun, Dec 12, 1999 (04:48)", "body": "hi"}, {"response": 42, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Dec 12, 1999 (11:49)", "body": "Thank you all so much for the birthday wishes! Karen, that Courtois thing is a hoot. Imagine my favorite barrister showing up for my big day, and then not getting what he ordered. Well, he can nolo my contendre any old time he feels like it. ;-) And Harve even put in an appearance--what a mensch! KJArt, you're right, there were entirely too many candles on my cake this year! Moon, Ann, Heide, Cheryl, Jana . . .thank you all so much. What a nice group you all are. Capped off my birthday at the movies with \"Tumbleweeds\"--I loved it. Janet McTeer and the young actress who plays her daughter, Kimberly Brown, are awesome. This film is so well written and beautifully acted, and the relationship between the mother and daughter is so real. I highly recommend it!"}, {"response": 43, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Dec 12, 1999 (13:08)", "body": "Talked to my son last night. They had just come home from seeing \"The Green MIle\" He says it is better than Forest gump, or Saving Sgt Ryan, but take a towel tissues will not do. It sounds looks Michael Clark Duncan (6'5\", 315 lbs) steals the show as the gentle giant(who is afraid of the dark), wrongly convicted of murdering 2 young girls. He says this is an Academey Award performance if there ever saw one."}, {"response": 44, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Dec 12, 1999 (13:09)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARI."}, {"response": 45, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 12, 1999 (13:34)", "body": "There was an interview with McTeer (now sporting red hair) this morning on A&E's Breakfast with the Arts. This is text-book Oscar campaigning, but at least it's for an Oscar-calibre performance. I haven't seen anything to match yet and that includes Streep's Music of the Heart. Even though Hilary Swank got the LA Critics' nod, McTeer has an edge because of the movie's subject matter. Boys Don't Cry is not the kind of movie that many MPAAS members are going to run to see or to even plop the videotape i to their players. Definitely, go see Tumbleweeds folks. It's a real good one."}, {"response": 46, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec 12, 1999 (15:58)", "body": "Happy Belated Birthday, from Houston, Mari.... IOU a Chardonnay ....a month from today in Londinium!!"}, {"response": 47, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Dec 12, 1999 (20:39)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARI"}, {"response": 48, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Dec 13, 1999 (08:30)", "body": "http://www.compcovers.com/ccupics/nycovlrg.gif"}, {"response": 49, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Dec 13, 1999 (08:30)", "body": "http://www.compcovers.com/ccupics/nycovlrg.gif"}, {"response": 50, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 13, 1999 (08:36)", "body": "I give up. What was that, Eileen?"}, {"response": 51, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Dec 13, 1999 (08:42)", "body": "Sorry I missed your birthday, Mari. Here's a little something I hope you can use. Wot? You can't see through it? Hmmm, I suppose that defeats the purpose. Better stick with something like this. Hope you had a great one!"}, {"response": 52, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 13, 1999 (08:48)", "body": "OK...now it makes *perfect* sense. ;-) for a moment there, thought I was in the Twilight Zone and was back in our plastic-covered furniture living room."}, {"response": 53, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Dec 13, 1999 (08:48)", "body": "Huh? Sorry, don't know what happened. I didn't hit the submit button but Netscape did kick me out twice. ??? Feel free to delete 'em, Karen."}, {"response": 54, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 13, 1999 (09:40)", "body": "In case anyone's interested, Paul McCartney's concert at the Cavern will be broadcast on the web at: 3 p.m. EST Tuesday on http://www.msn.co.uk/cavern"}, {"response": 55, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Dec 13, 1999 (12:03)", "body": "Happy Birthday Mari, sorry i'm late. Hope you had a wonderful day!! :-)"}, {"response": 56, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (09:45)", "body": "OK, I've seen Bedrooms & Hallways. Hate to disagree with you, Moon [;-)], but I thought it was really cute and didn't have a problem with Jennifer's wardrobe. If you think that was hideous, you should've seen This Year's Love. Speaking of which, B&H is 1000x better than that thing. I put B&H in the category of light, gay-themed comedy. It doesn't deal with serious issues in a serious way as other films have done. It is more satiric in its portrayal of pop cultural trends. The seminar led by Simon Callow is hysterical, and the character played by Harriet Walter as his wife is similarly very funny. The audience really laughed it up, especially at the guy who plays Leo's flamboyant roomie. I really wonder about the ending though. Rose Troche really set herself up for criticism from the gay community. Strange."}, {"response": 57, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (10:53)", "body": "Speaking of JE -- Evelyn, have you heard anything about how the Noel Coward centenary (in which she was listed as performing) went? Is it to be televised? Would have liked to have seen Colin take part in this."}, {"response": 58, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (10:56)", "body": "Hi Mari, I'm sorry I'm late for your birthday, what can I do but wish you the best of lick for this new year in your life? :-) Have a Great one!"}, {"response": 59, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (12:51)", "body": "(Karen) especially at the guy who plays Leo's flamboyant roomie. I suppose you mean Tom Hollander. He's in Wives and Daughters as well, the latest BBC costume drama. What a metamorphosis!"}, {"response": 60, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (12:54)", "body": "I'm sorry I'm late, Mari."}, {"response": 61, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (13:09)", "body": "(Tineke) I suppose you mean Tom Hollander. Yes, that's the one. When he came running down the street in those platform shoes, my oh my, big laughs. ;-)"}, {"response": 62, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (13:27)", "body": "TH was my favourite character in B&H. Still, I found it filled with clich\ufffds. And, I waited too long for JE. Tineke, is that stop from one of your visual projects? Cute!"}, {"response": 63, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (16:35)", "body": "JE was scheduled to appear at the Noel Coward tribute....her Summerfolk director Trevor Nunn was one of the honchos for the event. I bet he twisted her arm...she normally does not attend activities. Don't know if it was televised...hope so."}, {"response": 64, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (20:38)", "body": "Lenzi has shown up in the ghost town formerly known as the bronte conference, I wonder if the bronte and the austen conferences will ever have a resurgence. I suggested Lenzi check out this conference and perhaps get some opinions. I'll open a topic in porch called Austen and Bronte - is there an Afterlife? Welcome to the bronte conference. This file may be edited by a fairwitness. 1 newresponse item 64 items numbered 1-68 You are a fairwitness in this conference. You have mail. Ok: r Item 1 entered Wed, Jul 9, 1997 (15:42) by Paul Terry Walhus (terry) introductions 1 new of 37 responses total. Topic 1 of 68: 'introductions' Resp 37 of 37: Lenzi (Lenzi) Mon, Dec 13, 1999 (19:19) 3 lines Hello...I've been looking for something like this and have only come across a discussion page which was populated by a massive group of high schoolers looking for help because they hadn't read Jane Eyre for school. Now, after my initial glee in finding this conference, I am wondering how active this site is. It appears there have been no entries for quite a while. I hope it is merely a temporary lull... I am very enthusiastic about the Brontes and have read all I could get my hands on. Until recently I had concentrated on the works of C.& E. and their bios but I have ordered Anne's novels and I'm excited about discovering something of the more forgotten sister. Has anyone read \"A Chainless Soul\" by Katherine Frank? I'm in the middle of it. She proposes that Emily was anorexic. Although there is a considerable amount of conjecture throughout the book, I felt that she might have something there. I think if it is a truth, it was not the kind of self mutilation arising from low self esteem which plag es some of our young women in this day, but probably sprang from her passionate need for control, esp. when she was placed in situations in which she was away from home, away from her usual liberty. Does anyone have thoughts on this? I'm so glad I found you all!"}, {"response": 65, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (00:51)", "body": "Terry: I doubt the Austen conference will return as they are comfortably housed at Pemberley and the very, very serious minded Austenites participate in an Austen listserv. Who were the active participants at Bronte? Perhaps we can find out where they are hanging out now and steer Lenzi that way."}, {"response": 66, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (15:21)", "body": "Ok, Eileen, all surfaces have been duly covered and I'm ready for all the bon mots that you merry pranksters can dish out! I was ROTFLMAO when I got your \"gift\"--brilliant, m'dear! Gi, someone must have told you of my fondness for Ye Olde Dice Tables--and there, I can use all the luck I can get--thanks! Tineke, I will \"stop\" and enjoy your good wishes, and SB's also--thanks so much for the great birthday greetings, everyone. You are very thoughtful and kind."}, {"response": 67, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (16:49)", "body": "Okay, let me start by admitting that I'm a clueless American. Which is not to say that Americans in general are clueless, but this particular one is very often. Maybe someone can help me with my question, what exaclty is the significance of Boxing Day? I know it's celebrated on Dec. 26, a date I associate with the Feast of the Holy Family or St. Stephen's Day, does it have religious conotations? When I was a child and heard there was this holiday called Boxing Day celebrated in Britain and Canada, I t ought it was a day for people to put all the gifts that weren't quite right for them in boxes and take them back to the stores to be exchanged. Now I know that cannot be right. A Canadian friend told me the holiday goes back to feudal times when the tennants and serfs used to go to the homes of the nobility to be given the remnants of the Christmas feast, which they carried away in boxes or whatever containers they had. Is that what it is?"}, {"response": 68, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (17:08)", "body": "On a completely unrelated topic the Los Angeles Film Critics Assoc. recently gave out their 1999 Awards. The film which came away the big winner was \"The Insider\", among its awards were: Best Film, Best Director -- Michael Mann, Best Actor -- Russell Crowe, and Best Supporting Actor -- Christopher Plummer."}, {"response": 69, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (18:44)", "body": "(Cheryl)what exaclty is the significance of Boxing Day? Five bucks says Marcia knows. :-)"}, {"response": 70, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec 16, 1999 (07:03)", "body": "I am leaving for Italy tomorrow and would like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas And a firthfilling 2000!"}, {"response": 71, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec 16, 1999 (07:05)", "body": "And make sure you are all YK2 ready. ;-D"}, {"response": 72, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Dec 16, 1999 (07:16)", "body": "and the same to you Moon, and have a safe journey and safe return. Wishing you and everyone a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year"}, {"response": 73, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Dec 16, 1999 (14:22)", "body": "... the holiday goes back to feudal times when the tennants and serfs used to go to the homes of the nobility to be given the remnants of the Christmas feast, which they carried away in boxes or whatever containers they had. Is that what it is? More or less. One could argue over the precise details here, but yes, the boxing day was the day after Christmas when the servants were allowed to carry away boxes of whatever gifts they had from their masters."}, {"response": 74, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 16, 1999 (14:56)", "body": "Someone sent me a short interview from a Canadian news source...with Jennifer and her mum entitled \"The Sunshine Girls\"..... Interesting comment re: MLSF..which I do not want to quote out of context. http://www.canoe.ca/JamMovies/dec15_sunshine.html"}, {"response": 75, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Dec 16, 1999 (19:39)", "body": "Cheryl, I hope this is what you need. Boxing Day is the 26th of Dec. The nobility gave gifts, usualy money, to servants, trades people and the poor. It is a legal holiday and the bankd are closed."}, {"response": 76, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Dec 17, 1999 (02:21)", "body": "Ah but .... if Dec 26th is on a Sunday, as it is this year, then the 27th becomes a Bank (national)holiday. Is that then Boxing Day? I was in a meeting the other day where we had an earnest discussion about this. Does anyone know the answer?"}, {"response": 77, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Dec 17, 1999 (03:06)", "body": "Allison, I'm sure there's no definitive answer. Since both Monday and Tuesday are bank holidays, maybe the 27th is \"Christmas Day\" and the 28th is Boxing Day! Radio Times always lists the 26th as Boxing Day, so that's good enough for me. Incidentally, Ireland doesn't have \"Boxing Day\". It's St Stephen's Day there."}, {"response": 78, "author": "baine", "date": "Fri, Dec 17, 1999 (05:49)", "body": "Would the 27th not be Boxing Day Observed? That's how calendars in the US list holidays now that we celebrate (I use the expression loosely) most of them on Mondays instead of the day they're supposed to be. The 26th would continue to be the actual BD. If this is so, by the same logic Friday the 24th would be Christmas Day Observed which raises the vexed question of What Happens to Christmas Eve. Since it's not an actual holiday (at least not in the US), which is to say that most large institutions don't close (the only standard by which we measure the existence of holidays now), it can't be Observed on, say, the 23rd therefore must continue in its place on the 24th which is now also Christmas. So we'll have to institute a new phenonmenon--Midnight Ma s Observed--which will begin at 11 on the 23rd which will be known as Not Christmas Eve--and end at midnight on the 24th during which day people will then simultaneously decorate their trees and open the presents beneath them. They will then not attend Not Midnight Mass at 11 on the 24th which will be followed on the 25th by the day after Christmas Day Observed which is of course Not Boxing Day. Santa Claus will have a psychotic break and have to be institutionalized, and the question of whether the century/millenium turns at the end of 1999 or 2000 will pale into insignificance beside the burden of getting through the weekend before."}, {"response": 79, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Dec 17, 1999 (08:49)", "body": "Cymbeline, I think you may be on to something...your 'proposal' has all the makings of an Act of Congress (just throw in something about pork bellies, Medicare and/or highway funding)."}, {"response": 80, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 17, 1999 (09:57)", "body": "Rosemary Harris took Broadway by storm last night....NY Times glowing review of the Noel Coward Play \"Waiting in the Wings\" \".... In a city where snubbing is an advanced social sport, Rosemary Harris is offering a master class in the form's more refined elements that no climber (or actor) should miss...\" http://www.nytimes.com/yr/mo/day/news/arts/wings-theater-review.html Poor Lauren Bacall is apparently out of her element and the weak link. Sad for the show...since she is the bankable star."}, {"response": 81, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Dec 17, 1999 (10:34)", "body": "Glad to hear that \"Waiting in the Wings\" was better received in NY than in Boston. The critics here were most unkind (not toward RH, though). Speaking of RH, I read a blurb in the paper the other day to the effect that PBS has acquired the rights to show a bunch of classic theatre performances that were taped in the '50s and '60s. One was RH and Richard Burton in \"Wuthering Heights\" from 1958, which would have made her about the age Jennifer is now. Am very interested in seeing this."}, {"response": 82, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 17, 1999 (11:18)", "body": "RH and Richard Burton? Sounds v. interesting. Perhaps, PBS should tape a performance currently on stage that WILL be a classic? ;-)"}, {"response": 83, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Fri, Dec 17, 1999 (15:50)", "body": "Thank you Arami, Lucie, Allison, Mark, and \"The Radio Times\" for clarifying \"Boxing Day's\" traditional observances, it's significance to the concept of \"noblesse oblige\" and banking practices, also for noting when it's celebrated -- more or less. Cymbeline, I feel great sympathy for your Santa suffering from nervous exhaustion. It's all just too confusing, Christmas Day, Christmas Eve, which is when Christmas Day is observed, so when is Christmas Eve? Dec. 23. Isn't that when most men actually start Christmas shopping? Then for being absolutely disconcerting -- nothing can match that 25 hour Midnight Mass. That may qualify as a form of penance. After that I'd need more than a rest, like Kris Kringle I'd need a rest home."}, {"response": 84, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Fri, Dec 17, 1999 (16:17)", "body": "About the Los Angeles Film Critics Awards: after further checking it should be noted that Michael Mann did not win best director kudos, he in fact was the runner-up. The best director award went to Sam Mendes for \"American Beauty\". The winner for best screenplay was Charlie Kaufmann, for penning \"Being John Malkovich\". Hilary Swank was named best actress and Chloe Sevigny won best supporting actress, both were in \"Boys Don't Cry\". The New York Film Critics Circle chose \"Topsy, Turvey\" as their best film."}, {"response": 85, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 17, 1999 (16:59)", "body": "As everyone is now concluding: the Oscar race this year is up for grabs. There are no clearcut winners. And, if anyone even thinks Oscar nominations on the same day as seeing \"Cider House Rules,\" they should be held 48 hrs. for observation. Sheesh! What a nothing movie. A question: Why do they call Tobey Maguire an actor? Can't wait to see Magnolia on Monday!! :-)"}, {"response": 86, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Dec 18, 1999 (16:21)", "body": "More on the New York Film Critics Circle Awards. As noted the winner for best film was \"Topsy -- Turvy\", which also netted a best director award for Mike Leigh. The best actor prize went to Richard Farnsworth for \"The Straight Story\", best actress was Hilary Swank for \"Boys Don't Cry\". John Malkovich was named best supporting actor and Catherine Keener was given the best supporting actress nod, both for \"Being John Malkovich\". Best screenplay was won by Alexander Payne for \"Election\"."}, {"response": 87, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Dec 20, 1999 (02:50)", "body": "Was this best actress Hilary Swank the girl in 90210?"}, {"response": 88, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 20, 1999 (08:31)", "body": "Just checked at the IMDB (as I've never watched 90210) and, yes, she appeared on that show for one season."}, {"response": 89, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 20, 1999 (08:47)", "body": "Hot off the wire: The Golden Globe Nominations \"American Beauty,\" a dark satire of suburbia and family dysfunction, received six Golden Globe nominations today to lead all film contenders. \"The Insider,\" based on the true story of tobacco industry whistleblower Jeffrey Wygand, was right behind with five nominations. \"American Beauty\" received nominations for best dramatic picture, best dramatic actress for Annette Bening, best dramatic actor for Kevin Spacey, best director for Sam Mendes, screenwriter Alan Ball and best score for Thomas Newman. Here is a partial list of nominees: BEST MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA \"American Beauty\" \"The End of the Affair\" \"The Hurricane\" \"The Insider\" \"The Talented Mr. Ripley\" BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA Annette Bening (\"American Beauty\") Julianne Moore (\"The End of the Affair\") Meryl Streep (\"Music of the Heart\") Hilary Swank (\"Boys Don't Cry\") Sigourney Weaver (\"A Map of the World\") BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA Russell Crowe (\"The Insider\") Matt Damon (\"The Talented Mr. Ripley\") Richard Farnsworth (\"The Straight Story\") Kevin Spacey (\"American Beauty\") Denzel Washington (\"The Hurricane\") BEST MOTION PICTURE - MUSICAL OR COMEDY \"Analyze This\" \"Being John Malkovich\" \"Man on the Moon\" \"Notting Hill\" \"Toy Story 2\" BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE - MUSICAL OR COMEDY Janet McTeer (\"Tumbleweeds\") Julianne Moore (\"An Ideal Husband\") Julia Roberts (\"Notting Hill\") Sharon Stone (\"The Muse\") Reese Witherspoon (\"Election\") BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE - MUSICAL OR COMEDY Jim Carrey (\"Man on the Moon\") Robert DeNiro (\"Analyze This\") Rupert Everett (\"An Ideal Husband\") Hugh Grant (\"Notting Hill\") Sean Penn (\"Sweet and Lowdown\") BEST DIRECTOR - MOTION PICTURE Norman Jewison (\"The Hurricane\") Neil Jordan (\"The End of the Affair\") Michael Mann (\"The Insider\") Sam Mendes (\"American Beauty\") Anthony Minghella (\"The Talented Mr. Ripley\")"}, {"response": 90, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 20, 1999 (08:52)", "body": "BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM \"Aimee & Jaguar\" \"All About My Mother\" \"East-West\" \"Girl on the Bridge\" (\"La fille sur le pont\") \"The Red Violin\" BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Cameron Diaz (\"Being John Malkovich\") Angelina Jolie (\"Girl, Interrupted\") Catherine Keener (\"Being John Malkovich\") Samantha Morton (\"Sweet And Lowdown\") Natalie Portman (\"Anywhere But Here\") Chloe Sevigny (\"Boys Don\ufffdt Cry\") BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Michael Caine (\"The Cider House Rules\") Tom Cruise (\"Magnolia\") Michael Clarke Duncan (\"The Green Mile\") Jude Law (\"The Talented Mr. Ripley\") Haley Joel Osment (\"The Sixth Sense\")"}, {"response": 91, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Dec 20, 1999 (10:07)", "body": "Thanks for posting these, Karen. Although these award races are up for grabs, it seems these nominations have fallen in line with conventional wisdom. An exception--no Tom Hanks. Julia Roberts (\"Notting Hill\") Instead of best actress, substitute 'best dull performance with the exception of a few zippy one liners.' Hugh Grant (\"Notting Hill\") Instead of best actor, substitute 'best reprise of the same role in a non-sequel.' Sorry, couldn't resist."}, {"response": 92, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 20, 1999 (10:39)", "body": "Actually, I think the Golden Globes are truly stupid and presage nothing more significant than would result based on the laws of probability. They are very establishment oriented and represent one's relationship with the small group comprising the Hollywood foreign press (100 people who go to cocktail parties). Give enough interviews, make yourself available to these people, invite them into your home and-voila-you're a contender. Did you also notice that Rafey boy is missing ;-)"}, {"response": 93, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec 20, 1999 (10:44)", "body": "Thanks for the quick reporting, Karen. Overall, these look like good picks to me. Eileen, I agree on your assessments of the \"comedy\" categories. I'd add: Rupert Everett (An Ideal Husband) Instead of Best Actor, Comedy, substitute Best Impersonation of Granite. In his acceptance speech, he could thank his taxidermist. ;-) The problem with the Globes (ok, *one* of the problems) is that the addition of the comedy categories spreads it around way too thin. But then again, it assures that worthy folks like McTeer and Witherspoon don't get left out. Nice to see two noms for Julianne Moore--she's a fave of mine. Karen, I'll be anxious to hear your assessment of Magnolia today. Ebert raved about it and seemed genuinely angry at his guest critic who didn't like it at all. Joel Siegel on GMA said today that the first two hours were among the most brilliant filmmaking he'd ever seen. I won't tell you what he thought of the last hour. ;-) The trailer looks great, and what a cast! Harve will be buoyed no doubt by the great showing for Mr. Ripley. More later."}, {"response": 94, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 20, 1999 (10:52)", "body": "Harve will be buoyed no doubt by the great showing for Mr. Ripley. But he'll have to do so quietly, as Paramount gets to take all the glory for this one. Nice to see two noms for Julianne Moore--she's a fave of mine. I'm not!! This way they can give her the award in the comedy category, beating out McTeer, who shouldn't be in that category to begin with, because Moore wouldn't win for dramatic actress. Imagine McTeer up against the Julia Roberts and Reese Witherspoon (do have to rent that movie). Also am sickened to see Michael Caine (old boy who won last year!) being nommed for supporting. Plenty of other more deserving guys. I hate the separate categories."}, {"response": 95, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 20, 1999 (12:03)", "body": "Another MIA: Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio for Limbo anyone catch her as mob housewife in witness relocation made-for-cable movie last week? ;-) Surprised the Hollywood 100 didn't find a category to nominate Robin Williams. Don't they always? ;-)"}, {"response": 96, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Dec 20, 1999 (12:28)", "body": "(Mari) Rupert Everett (An Ideal Husband) Instead of Best Actor, Comedy, substitute Best Impersonation of Granite. Ooohh, isn't that the category in which Bruce Willis won last year for his 'performance' in The Seige (I think that's the title--it's the one where NYC is threatened with annihilation.)? He played the general. It was mesmerizing--his facial expression did not change for the entire movie. I think it was actually a picture of Bruce Willis, with Conan O'Brien's lips moving. (Karen) I think the Golden Globes are truly stupid Truly. But I'm still glad SiL won last year :-)"}, {"response": 97, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 20, 1999 (12:43)", "body": "(Karen) But I'm still glad SiL won last year :-) Yes, it beat out such stellar Musicals and Comedies as: Bulworth, Patch Adams, There's Something About Mary, Still Crazy and The Mask of Zorro. ;-) Here are last year's nominees with the winners shown: http://www.goldenglobes.org/1999awards.cfm"}, {"response": 98, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec 20, 1999 (14:17)", "body": "Thanks Karen, for posting this list It looks good to me.... I hope Anthony Minghella wins best director this time...lost TEP to Billy Bob Thornton...but against Sam Mendes...I dunno. Did you also notice that Rafey boy is missing ;-) Yeah....I have mixed feelings. The guy works so hard on his roles and promoting them. Still, I would hate for him to beat out ODB."}, {"response": 99, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec 20, 1999 (18:13)", "body": "(Karen) Another MIA: Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio for Limbo anyone catch her as mob housewife in witness relocation made-for-cable movie last week? ;-) Ok, let's list all the people who got screwed. You are absolutely right about MEM for Limbo, but I really didn't expect her to get nommed as these people can't remember what they ate at last night's press junket, let alone a movie from June (which they probably nevered bothered to see). I did see her in Witness Protection, Karen--the film was nommed, as was Tom Sizemore (who I thought was very good). Another big MIA: Wes Bentley of American Beauty. Bentley and Spacey *are* the movie. This young man was fantastic, IMO. Ditto Kimberly J. Brown in Tumbleweeds--the kid was amazing. She and McTeer *are* the film. Speaking of McTeer, relax, Karen, the Globe will enhance her name recognition and she'll be in there come Oscar race time. Here's another MIA: Jeremy Northam for The Winslow Boy. Terrific. See MEM comment on Limbo.;-) I haven't seen Caine's performance yet, Karen--tell us about it. (And I liked Tobey McGuire in The Ice Storm, so there.;-) (Evelyn, re: RAFE) Yeah....I have mixed feelings. The guy works so hard on his roles and promoting them. Still, I would hate for him to beat out ODB. Somehow I don't ever see that situation even coming up. :-("}, {"response": 100, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec 20, 1999 (20:14)", "body": "Re: Rf(Evelyn) Still, I would hate for him to beat out ODB. (Mari)Somehow I don't ever see that situation even coming up. :-( Oh Mari...I know ,hope springs eternal ...but I do . He just has to quit making these s***y films.And move his bums.I'm convinced that ole Harve would go to the mat for him, if he saw a semblance of initiative on ODB's part. Of course this is all IMO."}, {"response": 101, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 20, 1999 (23:23)", "body": "You're right about Wes Bentley, Mari. He's bound to get a *real* nomination come Oscar time, and the McTeer thing will get sorted out when they drop all those other favs. About Tobey Maguire. He is so absolutely nothing in Cider House Rules, it's hard to describe, but then again so is the movie - a big, huge nothing. Maguire barely changes expressions and just floats through the story even though he's the main character is supposed to be propelling some form of self-discovery. argh Now unto Michael Caine. He's ok, not great. Everyone comments about his American accent. Well, he didn't speak with a Maine accent, but (a) no one did, (b) no one did and (c) no one did. And we all know Maine accents are v. distinctive. He was a kindly, manipulative ether-addicted god-like doctor. Yet you would probably like him, if (big if) you were sympathetic to his leanings. Last year, he got the award for Little Voice, but that was same-old, same-old Michael Caine."}, {"response": 102, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 20, 1999 (23:29)", "body": "Of course, I may still be rambling after the three-hour Magnolia. At this point, all I can say is PT Anderson (writer-director) aspires to be the heir apparent to Robert Altman. There's a lot to digest, and the role Cruise had, you can understand why he pursued it. btw, that guy from Laugh In (Henry Gibson) plays a character named Thurston Howell. That should give you some idea of the kind of humor. ;-) more later..."}, {"response": 103, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 20, 1999 (23:37)", "body": "And, at a certain point in the movie, it will hit you like a sledge hammer: this is the ultimate Diaper Drama! ;-)"}, {"response": 104, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Dec 21, 1999 (07:00)", "body": "And I also thought Tobey Maguire was quite good in Pleasantville, too. I haven't seen ANY of the movies listed. Well I did see Being John Malkovich and can I say that I loved it. I never laughed so hard in my life (okay, I laughed at The Full Monty). I loved the 7 1/2 floor and \"I'll meet you by the New Jersey Turnpike\". Poor John Horatio Malkovich;)"}, {"response": 105, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Dec 21, 1999 (08:51)", "body": "(Karen) that guy from Laugh In (Henry Gibson) plays a character named Thurston Howell. Tell me he says \"Luvvy..\"! Hubby is off next week and we've decided to catch up on current movies. I wish Magnolia wasn't 3 hours long. Karen, does the time go fast (as with Titanic) or drag (as with Thin Red Line)? I think all the editors in the business have been assigned only to ODB's films lately. (Mari) Ok, let's list all the people who got screwed Well, they had to make room for those bastions of talent, Julia and Hugh. *cough* Last night ET made a big deal out of the omission of all the big moneymakers (Phantom Menace, Sixth Sense, etc.). Leonard Maltin said the GG noms usually follow the money; if that's the case (frankly, I've never paid that much attention) then perhaps this year's noms are a step in the right direction."}, {"response": 106, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 21, 1999 (09:10)", "body": "(Eileen) Leonard Maltin said the GG noms usually follow the money ...and the hors d'oeuvres. IMO, the GGs are only one step above the People's Choice Awards. does the time go fast (as with Titanic) or drag (as with Thin Red Line)? Since I didn't see the latter, can't rate on your scale. ;-) It's an engrossing movie and the first couple of hours are filled with really funny and bizarre things. There's also this wildly bizarre (cannot miss for the world) scene toward the very end, which I'm betting is supposed to have biblical significance. I hardly looked at my watch, maybe once. To offset the humor and drive away audiences in droves, Magnolia is about characters whose lives are revealed slowly, perhaps like the petals of a flower. Julianne Moore is going to get a lot of praise for her role, but IMO her character's motivations were the least believable. Afterward people were sitting there talking. IMO, it's a movie worth seeing, especially if your other option is Bicentennial Man. ;-)"}, {"response": 107, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 21, 1999 (09:26)", "body": "In a statement, \ufffdNotting Hill\ufffd star Hugh Grant deadpanned, \ufffdI am very flattered. The readers of Horse & Hound will be delighted.\ufffd"}, {"response": 108, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Dec 21, 1999 (09:45)", "body": "(Karen) IMO, it's a movie worth seeing, especially if your other option is Bicentennial Man. ;-) Have already resolved to stay as far away from that clunker as possible. As for TRL, rent it only if you suffer from insomnia. ZZZZZZZZ (Hugh) The readers of Horse & Hound will be delighted. Good answer! (Karen) the GGs are only one step above the People's Choice Awards Hearing the TV noms, you'd never know the difference. I think Ray Romano is a talented comedian, but best actor? No way. He went to the Jerry Seinfeld acting academy."}, {"response": 109, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 21, 1999 (10:15)", "body": "Am I the only one who feels The Winthrow Boy was also screwed....what a cast! Rebecca Pidgeon was certainly as good as Meryl Streep in that music thing.."}, {"response": 110, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 21, 1999 (10:39)", "body": "(Eileen) As for TRL, rent it only if you suffer from insomnia. ZZZZZZZZ A friend who went to see it (early on) said he was among the last people left in the theater, as most people walked out. He walked out as well. That could've influenced me, as well as the description of a shot involving a blade of grass that went on interminably. *hee hee* (Evelyn) Am I the only one who feels The Winslow Boy was also screwed Face it, Ev. TWB is going to be overlooked by everybody. Hardly anyone saw it and there are always an overabundance of male candidates for the best actor and supporting actor. IMO Rebecca Pidgeon was OK, not all that great. Besides, the movie was in the summer...might as well have been another century."}, {"response": 111, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Tue, Dec 21, 1999 (11:06)", "body": "(Eileen)As for TRL, rent it only if you suffer from insomnia. ZZZZZZZZ I'd read such excellent reviews for this film, that I'd decided to see it. I don't think I've ever looked at my watch as often as I did then. I kept on thinking \"now, that's a perfect scene to end this film! *hoping hoping* This IS the end, right?\" and then it would go on and on and on.... I suppose it's a nice nature documentary."}, {"response": 112, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Dec 21, 1999 (15:52)", "body": "Sorry, what's TRL? I'm not making any associations."}, {"response": 113, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 21, 1999 (16:03)", "body": "Another Henry James movie comin' up... From Premiere Mag, Dec. THE GOLDEN BOWL by Henry James is the latest-and most torrid - Merchant Ivory production. Directed by James Ivory(Howard's End).Has a budget of $15.Mil being filmed largely at Syon House [of TTOTS fame]. Stars Uma Thurman, Nick Nolte, Jeremy Northam and Kate Beckinsale. ~~~~~~ Looks like the 12th Duke of Northumberland, the lord of the manor, is gonna make a killin' this year."}, {"response": 114, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Dec 21, 1999 (16:36)", "body": "TRL = Thin Red Line Have not subjected myself to this one based on the reviews of the girls from Drool. I'm not sure I want to spend 3 hours with a retrospective on the nature of a blade of grass ;-)."}, {"response": 115, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 21, 1999 (17:53)", "body": "TRL? Isn't that last year's film?Seems to me it was trying to compete with Saving Pvt. Ryan. ~~~~~~ This was Matt Damon Day on ABC. He was on GMA this AM and on Oprah this afternoon with Gwynnie...plugging \"The Talented Mr. Ripley\" which opens Christmas Day....as if it needed more publicity.That's all the magazines are talking about.They also had a filmed comment by anthony Minghella. Gwynnie commented on Harvey re: her spread in Talk Mag...\"You know, how he makes you do things.\" Harvey is pushing this film like he did SIL at this time last year. No longer can actors and directors walk away from a film when the director says the last \"cut\".In fact,it seems that's when their sales job begins."}, {"response": 116, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 21, 1999 (17:57)", "body": "In case anybody's interested, \"The Very Thought of You\" just came out on video. This was originally titled \"Martha, Meet Frank, Daniel and Laurence\" and stars the simian-faced Fiennes brother, Monica Potter, Rufus Sewell, Ray Winstone and Tom Hollander (Mr. Platform Shoes and leopard jacket from Bedrooms & Hallways). It only played in NY for about as long as FP did - or less. I'll let you know how \"bad\" it is. ;-)"}, {"response": 117, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Dec 21, 1999 (19:23)", "body": "The Golden Globes are pretty much a joke insofar as awards are concerned. Their only purpose seems to be making money for the tv show's producer Dick Clark, (yes, it is he who would seem to be the Dorian Gray of the television), and the NBC network. Last year Peter Travers wrote a hilarious piece for \"Rolling Stone\" on the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and the Golden Globes. Not one of these alleged journalists is from from France, which is rather surprising since the French have largely shaped f lm criticism as we know it, although there is something of a backlash against established forms of film criticism in France, but I digress. It would seem that most of these, ahem, reporters, spend most of their time attending hollywood parties, and would never consider going to the movies, much less actually, horrors! writing about them. Now on to some prestigious film awards -- those given out by the National Board of Review. Their 10 Best Films of 1999 are as follows: 1. \"American Beauty\" 2. \"The Talented Mr. Ripley\" 3. \"Magnolia\" 4. \"The Insider\" 5. \"The Straight Story\" 6. \"Cradle Will Rock\" 7. \"Boys Don't Cry\" 8. \"Being John Malkovich\" 9. \"Tumbleweeds\" 10. \"Three Kings\" The best foreign language film was Pedro Almodovar's \"All About My Mother\". The best screenplay honors went to John Irving for adapting his novel \"The Cider House Rules\", and Anthony Minghella was cited as best director for \"The Talented Mr. Ripley\". As for the acting awards, Russell Crowe won best actor for \"The Insider\", the best actress prize went to Janet McTeer for \"Tumbleweeds\". The supporting category was quite interesting, Philip Seymour Hoffman was a winner for both \"The Talented Mr. Ripley\" and \"Magnolia\"; while best supporting actress Julianne Moore won for 3, count 'em 3, different performances in the films \"Magnolia\", \"A Map of the World\" and \"Cookie's Fortune\". She must have a really good publicist. Yes, she is talented, but lots of pe ple are talented...they just don't work as much and get noticed for it."}, {"response": 118, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Dec 21, 1999 (19:30)", "body": "I'm so remiss. I almost forgot to wish everyone Happy Start of Winter Holidays. I'll start with HAPPY WINTER SOLTICE, followed with MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY BOXING DAY, JOYFUL KWANZAA, HAPPY RAMADAAN, and not to be left out HAPPY SATURNALIA. Seriously I do hope that all of you have joyous holidays, no matter which ones you celebrate."}, {"response": 119, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 21, 1999 (19:32)", "body": "Re: Julianne Moore...She must have a really good publicist. Yes, she is talented, but lots of people are talented...they just don't work as much and get noticed for it. Saw her on GMA plugging \"The End of the Affair\". She goes after roles like a cheetah.She said she had heard of this role, got hold of the script, wrote to the director (Neil Jordan) and pleaded for an audition.Apparently she just doesn't sit around and wait for'em."}, {"response": 120, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Dec 21, 1999 (19:48)", "body": "Yes, Moore does pursue roles, and good for her, but it can backfire. The most obivious example is Sean Young, who relentlessly solicited director Tim Burton for the role of Catwoman in the second Batman movie -- she didn't get it. In fact she alienated Burton, who probably would have hired again if she hadn't been so dogged. Granted Young is a bit, umm, flaky. Moore still needs a good publicist to help her in the awards' derby. Case in point, Don Cheadle is one of the finist actors working in film, b t as far as I know in the awards sweepstakes he hasn't won jack squat."}, {"response": 121, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Dec 21, 1999 (19:54)", "body": "Did anyone else notice ODB in the picture of the director talking to two people in the TEP part. He was just to the left of the director who was waving his hands. Giving directions I would imagine."}, {"response": 122, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec 21, 1999 (21:34)", "body": "(Evelyn) This was Matt Damon Day on ABC. He was on GMA this AM and on Oprah this afternoon with Gwynnie...plugging \"The Talented Mr. Ripley\" which opens Christmas Day And Jude Law is scheduled to be GMA on Thursday. These kids are out selling--good for them for supporting their movie, their studio, and their director. Huge Ripley article in the new issue of Time--very good review, but a bit of grousing that Ripley is drawn more sympathetically than in the book. Didn't realize that Patricia Highsmith was an expat American herself. I also liked Rebecca Pidgeon in TWB, Evelyn, and Nigel Hawthorne also. Just a really well-done film. And Entertainment Weekly has (somewhat) avenged Northam's MIA status by listing him in their \"Great Performances for '99\" section in the new issue. Gorgeous pic of him in bed, rolling in the sheets. Yikes! Says he was the true standout in AIH, and also cites his work in Winslow. Wes Bentley is also in there. RE: Julianne Moore--she's not only talented but she pursues her roles with intelligence. She just doesn't make dumb choices, and she's been quoted as saying she tries to seek out the best direectors and then just places her trust in them. And unless you're one of the very few at the top of the A list, they all have to chase for the best roles. Kate Winslet chased James Cameron for months before he'd audition her for Titanic. Cheryl, thanks for posting the various \"best lists\" from the critics groups. I like Don Cheadle also--hasn't he won an Emmy? I think he's been nommed at least once, but will have to check. Karen, I'd love to hear more on the Magnolia performances. How was Cruise?"}, {"response": 123, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Dec 21, 1999 (22:33)", "body": "I have been over at Lady Viola and the same thing is going on that went on last month now Anthony andrews is getting Racking up the votes. I talked to Paul last weekend and he said they can be rigged, he wanted to know if I had any site in particular in mind but I put him off. He comes back next week, right now he is in Orlando for at least a week. I wonder if I should have him check it out. I hate to do that, if she isn't doing anything."}, {"response": 124, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 21, 1999 (23:26)", "body": "Everybody's on the shows and will be making appearances until (1) the AA noms are made and then the nominees will be parading around on all the shows until balloting is finished. Emily Watson was just on Letterman and Alan Rickman is on Conan. (BTW, I recommend Dogma, but you have to like Kevin Smith movies as I do.) Mari, I'll write something up about Magnolia for tomorrow. Cruise does a credible job, but it is The Role vs. Him Playing the Role that makes it. He plays a real huckster type, which are always colorful and scene stealing. What makes it even more appealing is that his character Frank TJ Mackie is the Guru of Maleness. Most of his scenes are during a seminar he runs for men who are losers with women. He's slick and you'll love the chapter titles of his manual. Stuff like \"How to Pretend to Be to be N ce and Sensitive to Women.\" He's rude, crude and socially very unacceptable. Until the end, he is basically projecting a role, not playing off other characters. He does this very well, strutting around like a peacock and gyrating those hips while only wearing jockeys."}, {"response": 125, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Dec 22, 1999 (02:38)", "body": "Karen, I think you'll enjoy The Very Thought of You which played in the UK as Martha Meet Frank, Daniel and Laurence . Quirky rom-com stuff, plot slightly too coincidence-driven, but sweet overall. Yeah, I liked Monica Potter too. Talking of London-based rom-coms, my daring 2000 prediction is surprising success (in the UK, at least) for Londinium (given any kind of decent release). I think it has all the ingredients for a hit here - especially renowned comedians and a feelgood look at London. Also, I would like to add to the accolades for The Winslow Boy , which was my find of the year. Driving by the cinema, saw the poster in a corner, barely attempting to compete with Phantom Menace and other tosh, and swept my wife in to impress her with my knowledge of Rattigan (which worked right up until Northam's entrance, after which I lost her interest). As I will be offline after today until next century, I would like to wish everyone a very happy Christmas and New Year with thanks for the entertainment afforded. Looking forward to seeing those who make it here in January."}, {"response": 126, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 22, 1999 (08:09)", "body": "(Mark) my daring 2000 prediction is surprising success (in the UK, at least) for Londinium You have no idea *how* daring that is!! ;-) We can hope, pray and offer up burnt sacrifces to help out. Have a very happy holiday and don't spend all your time on that ferris wheel! See you in January. :-)"}, {"response": 127, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 22, 1999 (08:37)", "body": "Very amusing article in the Guardian about the differences in attitudes toward seeing/releasing movies in December. http://www.filmunlimited.co.uk/Column/0,4541,116358,00.html A few tidbits: It would not occur to the average British film-goer to visit a cinema over the Christmas period any more than it would occur to them to volunteer for root canal surgery. Or, for that matter, to set foot inside a church. Christmas in this country is a time for bolting the door, unwrapping a chocolate orange and bedding down with a star-studded Dickens adaptation, the ubiquitous Carol Smilie and the terminally irritating Chris Tarrant. In fact between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day most of us would not vacate the sofa unless it were on fire. ******* While this time of year is a tense one for movie executives, it is certainly a joyous one for film fans. Americans plan their Holiday Season movie trips with Operation Desert Storm precision. They study show times in the same way we study the Radio Times. What's more, in many US cities, cinemas are actually open on Christmas Day."}, {"response": 128, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 22, 1999 (10:03)", "body": "(Mari) Kate Winslet chased James Cameron for months before he'd audition her for Titanic. Saw her on GMA while plugging T. said James Cameron did not answer her letters...so she got hold of his cell phone number and called him while he was driving on the LA freeway (yikes!)He pulled over, took her call and said \"Yeah, I'll give you an audition\".(Gywnnie had just turned the part down to do sliding doors)The rest is history...as they say. ~~~~~~ (Karen)Americans plan their Holiday Season movie trips with Operation Desert Storm precision.....What's more, in many US cities,cinemas are actually open on Christmas Day. Oh, Karen what a hoot.Part of my Christmas present from my son is a movie marathon the day aft Christmas. We see as many as we can crowd in....buns hurt by the end of day. ~~~~~~~ (mark) Re: Londinium I think it has all the ingredients for a hit here - especially renowned comedians and a feel good look at London. Mark! What a nice gift you have given us. But tell me...have you ever seen a film with these \"renowned comedians\"? Don't!!You might change your mind. See ya on the 15th. Details in email shortly aft the New Year. Happy Hols to you and your wife...and hey...we wanna meet her too.( Tell me, Santa...is there such a person???hmmm?) :-D"}, {"response": 129, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 22, 1999 (10:13)", "body": "Forgot to mention that GMA Joel Siegal said \"Man on the Moon\" with Jim Carrey is a real turkey. \"What got into Milos Forman to do this\"."}, {"response": 130, "author": "baine", "date": "Wed, Dec 22, 1999 (12:44)", "body": "(Karen)[re:The Very thought of you] I'll let you know how \"bad\" it is. Please let us know if the presence of Rufus is worth having to endure the simian face. (CherylB)... solicited director Tim Burton for the role of Catwoman ... who probably would have hired her again if she hadn't been so dogged. Ha,ha,ha,ha! Dear Firthettes and Firthians, I have had the great honor and pleasure of being admitted to your company for just over three months now. They have been ones of fascination and joy. I have seen films I would not have known of and read books I would not have picked up. I have learned a good deal about the ways of film, theater, and the PR industry. And I have enlarged my acquaintance with some of the pleasantest and most interesting people with which it has been my pleasure to consort and been on the receiving end of your knowledge, it, and generosity. For all of this I have to thank the manifold attractions of OVDB. And so I do thank him and each of you for making life even more interesting. Likewise I wish him and each of you the happiest of holidays, whatever they may be. And may we all gather again in good health on the other side of Y2K."}, {"response": 131, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Dec 22, 1999 (13:44)", "body": "Here, Here Cymbeline. Happy Holidays to everyone and a wonderful New Year."}, {"response": 132, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Dec 22, 1999 (13:57)", "body": "What a wonderful sentiment Cymbeline. May you have a happy holiday and here's to your enlightening and joyful company again in the New Year. And to everyone else, whatever you may celebrate and wish for yourselves."}, {"response": 133, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Wed, Dec 22, 1999 (14:24)", "body": "Happy Holidays to all the denizens of drool! You all add a much-needed spice to life."}, {"response": 134, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Dec 22, 1999 (15:16)", "body": "I want to wish everyone here a safe Holiday and a wonderful new year."}, {"response": 135, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Wed, Dec 22, 1999 (15:20)", "body": "I'm still cyber-clueless about how to do images, but hope everyone will accept my plain but sincere wish of Happy Holidays to All! And now, on this the anniversary of his birth, let's all join in a chorus of: \"Happy Birthday to Rafe, Happy Birthday to Rafe...\" C'mon, Karen, I can't hear you singing;-D"}, {"response": 136, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 22, 1999 (15:28)", "body": "(Susan) C'mon, Karen, I can't hear you singing;-D ha ha!! Listen carefully, as I've strained my vocal chords trying to make some subintelligent lifeforms, who work in the financial industry, do what I tell them to do!! Laura, get me the SEC's rules and who I complain to. Now, must watch that simian-faced one (who I did like as Shakespeare, Cymbeline) because tape is due back shortly. :-( Happy Holidays everyone. You've all been great friends, providing countless hours of amusement and support (CF support group activities) and I hope we continue into the next, the last of this millenium! ;-D"}, {"response": 137, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 22, 1999 (17:07)", "body": "(Susan)\"Happy Birthday to Rafe,Happy Birthday to Rafe...\" C'mon, Karen, I can't hear you singing;-D You have more courage than I,Susan.:-) FYI ; His list had a Chat Room party yesterday.Fans dropped in all day and left messages. No animation though....it's an e-group like Springfolks. I don't know of anyone who has the facilities we have...THANKS TERRY."}, {"response": 138, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 22, 1999 (20:40)", "body": "Chalk The Very Thought of You's failure at the boxoffice to the idiots at Miramax. It's a really cute rom-com as Mark said, and Monica Potter (I swear) is an incarnation of Julia Roberts, that is, without the extra teeth. She speaks like Julia and has all the same mannerisms. I've never seen her before (or just didn't notice her in Con Air), but that's what stuck out. How can anyone not like a movie that has Dusty Springfield singing \"I Only Want to Be with You\" over the end credits. This is get up and dance in front of the TV time. (OK, I rewound it a few times) The title should never have been changed to the innocuous The Very Thought of You because it means next to nothing. The original title at least describes what goes on. Martha meets Tom at the Minneapolis airport enroute to London. He likes her, but doesn't really hook up with her in London. She meets the other two--series of many coincidences, although I disagree with Mark about believability (she does know about the park bandstand)--and immediately falls for one. The story is told in a nonlinear fashion and narrated by Joe Fiennes character, Laurence. (BTW, Cymbeline, I do like JF; he can express emotion/passion unlike the other one and he has a good chest.) He tells his neighbor his troubles a la the Elizabethan psychologist in SiL. Kept waiting for him to say he was trying to pick a lock with a wet herring! ;-) Rufus and Tom Hollander are comic foils for each other. Rufus is a self-absorbed actor without money and Hollander is a self-absorbed record industry exec with money. All three are friends since childhood, but its obvious that Laurence (also called Florence) is the only one who knows what being a friend is all about. Thumbs up. Especially for Joe and Monica and Dusty!!"}, {"response": 139, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Dec 22, 1999 (20:50)", "body": "HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ONE AND ALL."}, {"response": 140, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Wed, Dec 22, 1999 (21:23)", "body": ""}, {"response": 141, "author": "baine", "date": "Wed, Dec 22, 1999 (22:54)", "body": "(Karen)BTW, Cymbeline, I do like JF; he can express emotion/passion unlike the other one and he has a good chest. And definitely a more believable love object than Fiennes the Elder--maybe b/c he's a better comic actor?. Too skinny though."}, {"response": 142, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 23, 1999 (08:26)", "body": "A MUST read. There's a two-part interview in Indiewire with Mark Gill, president of Miramax. They discuss what indie films are, what Miramax is and how it's changed from the early years. No mention of MLSF but in part 2 Gill talks about a major emphasis on \"clearing the shelf\" after winning the Independent Spirit Award for keeping films on a shelf. http://www.indiewire.com/film/interviews/int_DECADE_Gill_991222_p1.html"}, {"response": 143, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 23, 1999 (08:51)", "body": "...and there's much more. Indiewire has interviews with all the major players in this retrospective of the decade. Very interesting stuff about how certain films were positioned and marketed, the problems of distribution at the *arthouses*, how the indie spirit and filmmakers have been absorbed into the studio system. Here are the urls. Read at your leisure. October Films: http://www.indiewire.com/film/interviews/int_DECADE_Ray_991210_p1.html Fine Line: http://www.indiewire.com/film/interviews/int_DECADE_Manne_991213_p1.html Sloss Law (company that reps indie films to distributors): http://www.indiewire.com/film/interviews/int_DECADE_Sloss_991214_p1.html John Pierson (author of book on indie films): http://www.indiewire.com/film/interviews/int_DECADE_Pierson_991215_p1.html Reid Rosefelt (High Priest of publicity for these films): http://www.indiewire.com/film/interviews/int_DECADE_Rosefelt_991216_p1.html Strand Releasing: http://www.indiewire.com/film/interviews/int_DECADE_Strand_991217_p1.html Sony Picture Classics: http://www.indiewire.com/film/interviews/int_DECADE_SonyClass_991220_p1.html Sundance Festival Director: http://www.indiewire.com/film/interviews/int_DECADE_Gilmore_991221_p1.html"}, {"response": 144, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Dec 23, 1999 (09:04)", "body": "(Evelyn) TRL? Isn't that last year's film? Yes. I brought it up as the 'standard' of excruciatingly slow movies selected for view by one's husband, throughout which one searches in vain for the ejection button on the armrest. (Mari) Jude Law is scheduled to be GMA on Thursday I saw this on Tuesday (maybe it's a two-parter since it was definitely taped). Thought he looked great and was well spoken. Mari's right, Cheryl. Don Cheadle won an Emmy last year for his portrayal of Sammy Davis Jr. Thanks for that Indiewire article, Karen."}, {"response": 145, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 23, 1999 (10:05)", "body": "Thanks Karen for all the Indie films URLs. That seems to be the industry side ODB gravitates to in starring roles..so we should read.And it is definitely changing...daily. So maybe he should read them too!! ~~~~~~~ MLSF lasted 5 days in Okla. Waddaya expect? Never a n'paper review."}, {"response": 146, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 23, 1999 (10:22)", "body": "More reading matter ;-) An interview with Anthony Minghella - hits on why he keeps changing the original material (as in TEP), and has a more professional answer for the question of whether Matt Damon was his first choice to star (Misan Sagay, please read!) http://cnn.com/1999/SHOWBIZ/Movies/12/22/minghella/index.html"}, {"response": 147, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Dec 23, 1999 (11:52)", "body": "Thanks for that link, Karen. Minghella's a class act--thought so ever since he thanked the principal cast (*all* of them, unlike Harvey at last year's GGs) in his TEP Oscar acceptance speech."}, {"response": 148, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Dec 23, 1999 (12:25)", "body": "Happy Holidays to All!"}, {"response": 149, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Dec 23, 1999 (12:33)", "body": "And as the year draws to a close, a special to our hostesses, Heide and Karen , for all the effort you put into making Drool such a delightful place."}, {"response": 150, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Dec 23, 1999 (13:28)", "body": "I'll second that, Eileen."}, {"response": 151, "author": "baine", "date": "Thu, Dec 23, 1999 (13:31)", "body": "Amen to Eileen's thank you for making Y1.999K a great one for me. Happy note--found TVTOY just sitting in my video store today plus they had their old copies of SIL on sale. So my Christmas Eve viewing pleasure is assured."}, {"response": 152, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 23, 1999 (13:42)", "body": "I got SIL on sale too...$5., pre-viewed. ~~~~~~~ The JE website editor went to see \"Waiting in the Wings\"on B'way. Said the play and Lauren Bacall were better than the reviews. As the curtain rises a group of actresses are singing around the piano and when RH turned around the audience burst into applause**.Nice that audiences remember stars even as they get older and in her case she has not been on stage for five years. **Just wait til I go see TRT on B'way in May...guess who's gonna lead the applause when JE comes on stage:-D (It's a custom in the US...Judi Dench loved it!)"}, {"response": 153, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 23, 1999 (15:52)", "body": "Aw shucks, ladies, we don't do anything special. We don't have to. If you're all here, then it's a piece a cake. :-) Re previously viewed vids, Blockbuster will be having another of its clearance sales in which you take $2 off. SiL is currently at $9.99, so you would get it for $7.99. Sorry, can't beat Evelyn's $5. However, I am working on a free DVD of MLSF. Have racked up $14 for correct trivia answers at reel.com. Should have that baby nailed soon!! (if anybody wants to join in, let me know 'cause I'll get credit for referrals)"}, {"response": 154, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 23, 1999 (15:53)", "body": "Forgot to tell you the dates: Jan 10 through Jan 31"}, {"response": 155, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 24, 1999 (14:23)", "body": "(Murph) OT: Any discussion of Mr. Ripley going on anywhere at Spring? If it occurs within Drool, it would be here, at our OT board. I haven't decided on my movie picks (two) for tomorrow yet...must wait for the times to be posted...then will decide on the theater. It's a tossup right now between the one around the corner, which is/will be playing: All About My Mother, The Cradle Will Rock, The End of the Affair, and Sweet and Lowdown. One of my other places has Ripley and Man on the Moon and the Green Mile, but I have to drive there. Oh the pain of decision-making! ;-("}, {"response": 156, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 24, 1999 (20:31)", "body": ""}, {"response": 157, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Dec 24, 1999 (21:21)", "body": "Mele Kalikimaka ,"}, {"response": 158, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Dec 25, 1999 (07:18)", "body": "(Karen)I haven't decided on my movie picks (two) for tomorrow yet I don't know about the others, but I think you will like All About My Mother."}, {"response": 159, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Dec 25, 1999 (07:22)", "body": "FELIZ NATAL to all FirthFans in Spring!"}, {"response": 160, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Dec 25, 1999 (07:24)", "body": "The Green Mile is excellent, we are still debating whether or not John Coffey is an angel"}, {"response": 161, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 25, 1999 (08:41)", "body": "Time to close the centering tag. ;-) Hmm if everybody's going to see Ripley today, guess I'm going to have to too! Must check the times. I will definitely see \"All About My Mother\" Gi, but perhaps not today. It is destined to be best foreign film or so say all the critics."}, {"response": 162, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec 25, 1999 (13:50)", "body": "Are you Y2K compliant? This website might help. It analyzes your programs, tells you if you are compliant and then gives you links for readiness. You may find the executable available for download about 3/4 of the way down this page: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/year2k/pca/pca.htm Simply choose the English Language (or whatever language you are comfortable with), and click the download button. ~~~ Hey, if I did it anyone can...I'm a cyber-klutz. This is my New Year's gift to everybody...."}, {"response": 163, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Dec 25, 1999 (16:37)", "body": "Murph here -- Mari said I should post my feelings about TTMR here, so here goes: The Talented Mr. Ripley.... Offbeat, beautiful and menacing at the same time...young cast terrific. Best Jude Law, Gwyneth, and Philip Seymour Hoffman, playing to perfection one of Holden Caulfield's boorish rich classmates in a bit older version - or one of the characters in O'Hara's Appointment in Samara. American rich -- knowing, sarcastic, with voice and sneer to match. Law's Dickie Greenleaf filled the screen with life and beauty. What man or woman could resist him? Charm, talent, unreliability and nastiness combined. The scene in the jazz club where he wears an adorable pork pie hat and plays sax and sings is worth your ticket. His is a character seen over and over again in fiction and film, but O, how full of life he made him! Damon too was good, but to me he was always playing at playing a part. Hard for him to look scary, no matter how hard he tried. Though that grin at the end was becoming skeletal-like. Gwyneth is an actress with a face so luminous that it can break your heart. She more than held her own with the two men. If Dickie was to have a girl friend, Paltrow's Marge was the perfect choice. To me Cate B. came off less successfully. Her role was thankless, added for the film. She was not in the book. She played it a bit too mannered for me. I thought the movie lost a lot of its life when Law left the scene, but watching Damon's Tom Ripley keep a step ahead was entertaining. You wondered what he would think of - or do - next! Film went on a bit too long at the end, but not so much that it took away from the enjoyment. The music is a real part of this movie. I was of the character's ages in the 50's, the time in which the film is set, and I remember the Blue Note and Birdland on 52nd street. The jazz was cool, and so exciting then. I didn't catch what recording of My Funny Valentine they played, but it was a good one. And as for scenery - all the Italy you could want. Good for Minghella to show he has what it takes to make another big picture. Harvey and Miramax have a hit on their hands again, if the crowd at the earliest showing on Christmas Day is any indication. It was packed. Go see it."}, {"response": 164, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 25, 1999 (17:23)", "body": "The Talented Mr. Ripley is definitely worth seeing, but mainly for Jude Law. This is what is called a \"breakout performance\" and has to get him a best supporting actor nomination and a huge amount of recognition. He's wonderful, as he's been in everything I've seen him in (eXistenZ, Wisdom of Crocodiles, Wilde, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Gattaca). And he can do American accents with the best of them!! I have to agree with Mary about the jazz club scene. I never thought anyone could do th t \"L'Americano\" number better than Sophia Loren did in \"It Started in Naples\" but, wow, that was a killer performance. Initially, I didn't think much of Gwyneth's performance. There's this little scene where Tom Ripley surprises her and she gives a little fakey startled jump. However, she definitely improved. I too don't think very much of Matt Damon's acting abilities. You don't sense an undercurrent of evil within him, which I think must be conveyed beneath his \"pretty\" fa\ufffdade. While I didn't read the book (but do know that Blanchett's character was added), I thought hers was an interesting character and she did a rock solid job as an naive American heiress who lacks self-confidence. Am really wondering how the book ended if that character was not present. (Someone is going to have to tell me in an email.) BTW, could Philip Baker Hall be in more big big films this year than Julianne Moore? I think so. He's in this (the private eye), Magnolia, The Insider, and Cradle Will Rock. It's a good film, but not a Best Picture. It is too cliche-ridden. How many times in good old-fashion thriller style did you want to moan and tell the characters they were too stupid for words. You know, like \"look out, the monster or slasher is right behind you!\" It lacked believability IMO. It will be nominated for all sorts of awards and might even win a couple, although it has serious competition in all the technical categories. So I wouldn't bet on it. So far, IMO nothing can touch American Beauty yet (and, you know, I've seen a lot of them already). It alone has given off that Best Picture aura."}, {"response": 165, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 25, 1999 (17:24)", "body": "Oh yeah, one of the other cliches was Peter Smith-Kingsley being British and his relationship with Ripley. ;-)"}, {"response": 166, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Dec 25, 1999 (18:24)", "body": "Karen: Tell me more about Peter Smith-Kingsley. He is new to me, I think. He has that dark full Colin Firth type voice. I agree about American Beauty being a top film, though I would pick The Insider as my best. I just e-mailed you on the book's ending. My husband and I were just talking more about the film, and he made the point the Tom Ripley really was boring, as Dickie said. Even later, with all the money, he still lacked charm. Was that Damon, or his part? The scene with Marge outside the apartment door where she says he (Dickie) broke her heart? That was very well done I thought. Murph"}, {"response": 167, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Dec 25, 1999 (18:29)", "body": "Whoops! Peter Smith-Kingsley is the character, and Jack Davenport is the real person. I just looked it up at IMDb. Sorry. Murph"}, {"response": 168, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 25, 1999 (20:51)", "body": "Peter Smith-Kingsley When I said he was a cliched character, it referred to the fact that, since he was British, he would be the one to have a homosexual relationship with Tom, not Dickie, the golden boy American. Aren't all public school boys presumed to have those leanings? ;-) Like I said cliched. Tom Ripley really was boring, as Dickie said. Even later, with all the money, he still lacked charm. Was that Damon, or his part? It's not lack of charm, but he was out of his element with those moneyed types. He had bourgeoise tastes. Remember Freddy's comments about the apartment's decor. He said Dickie couldn't possibly live there because it wasn't furnished in Dickie's taste/style. It was too bourgeoise. Besides, Ripley isn't supposed to have any charm. That's Dickie. He's the charismatic one."}, {"response": 169, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Dec 25, 1999 (23:03)", "body": "Thanks, Murph and Karen, for your thoughts on TTMR. After reading your comments, I'm thinking I should head to The End Of The Affair tomorrow instead. At least that one has Rafe's bare bum! Hmmm . . .come to think of it, I'll stick with Ripley.;-) Please keep going . . ."}, {"response": 170, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Dec 26, 1999 (05:24)", "body": "Lady viola has taken charge of her site and locked it down. She dumped . Go and see for yourself, I say bravo to the lady."}, {"response": 171, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Dec 26, 1999 (06:52)", "body": "Mari: If you want bare bums -- go see Ripley! Jude Law gets to show his again (aka Wilde). The End of the Affair is my next \"want to see.\" It hasn't come to our neigborhood yet. I'd love to discuss that one. Glad you pointed me here. Murph"}, {"response": 172, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 26, 1999 (08:20)", "body": "Bare bums you say, well, with Law you get a bit more! ;-) Damon, on the other hand, only drops his towel (for a rear shot) for one sec."}, {"response": 173, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Dec 26, 1999 (10:08)", "body": "(Karen) Bare bums you say, well, with Law you get a bit more! ;-) Is that why they call him Dickie?;-) Ok, you two convinced me--Ripley it is! I'll be back in a jiffy.;-)"}, {"response": 174, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 26, 1999 (15:41)", "body": "Go here to listen to selections from the Talented Mr. Ripley Soundtrack. I recommend especially Tu Vuo' Fa L'Americano: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000034CZA/103-1081427-0543850"}, {"response": 175, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 26, 1999 (15:44)", "body": "This clicks right to the song: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/eras/B000034CZA001001/103-1081427-0543850"}, {"response": 176, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Dec 26, 1999 (16:02)", "body": "except that it says this when you get there: \"We're sorry. The track you requested isn't available.\""}, {"response": 177, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Dec 26, 1999 (16:17)", "body": "Guys: I just made a web page for Jude Law. I have the songs in midi versions. Not the same thing, but it gives you the flavor of the real thing. The Talented Mr. Law Feast your eyes.... Murph"}, {"response": 178, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Dec 26, 1999 (16:34)", "body": "RE: Mr. Ripley--two big thumbs way up from moi! I really liked this one. In my next life, I want to be a rich, spoiled expat American hanging around jazz clubs in Italy singing drunken renditions of Tu Vuo' Fa L'Americano.;-) I think you've way underestimated Matt Damon's performance. To me, he was chilling *because* he seemed so normal, charmless, and yes, a bit boring. Beautifully understated performance from Matt, I thought. His Ripley was not only uncomfortable in his own skin--he couldn't even find his own skin. He was only at home when being someone else. Recall the laughs and appreciation he evoked when doing the (spot on) impressions of other people. As himself, you actually felt uncomfortable for him around Dick e's crowd. He is the quintessential outsider--he'd never fit in with this group in a million years, despite the new clothes, the trappings, etc. Jude Law was awesome in the much flashier role of Dickie. What a juicy part and he nailed it. Talk about matinee idol good looks! He was perfect. I also thought Gwynnie did a good job. I agree about Cate, Murph--a bit mannered. Phillip Seymour Hoffman--what a little gem of a performance. So smug, so sarcastic, so self-satisfied. I thought Minghella's screenplay was terrific; I didn't find it cliched at all. Great line: \"I wanna f___ this icebox, I love it so much!\"--the perfect personification of Dickie. Murph, what did you think about how his written adaptation compared to the book? Also, how does the book end? In the film, do you think he sticks with Meredith? I confess to being disappointed --but not surprised--when things didn't quite work out between him and the Brit musician. Yes, I actually felt sympathetic for him nd wanted him to pull it off. Is this book the first in the series?"}, {"response": 179, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 26, 1999 (16:58)", "body": "Hate to tell you, Mari, Meredith was Minghella's creation. Wait until you hear how the book really went. Check out the review at Salon mag. Boy oh boy, do they hate what Minghella did. It starts out with this line: \"It must be hard to misread the tone of a book as single-minded as Patricia Highsmith's \"The Talented Mr. Ripley,\" but Anthony Minghella manages somehow. Here's the url: http://www.salon.com/ent/movies/review/1999/12/24/ripley/index.html I'm glad I didn't read the book or any reviews beforehand. However, as I said to Murph last night, if as the Salon article (and Murph's husband) say that Ripley planned everything, then Minghella has made a major change. Evidently, in the book, he's a real psychopath."}, {"response": 180, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Dec 26, 1999 (18:59)", "body": "Wow, Karen, what a slam review. People who are purists about novels made into movies always go on a bit too much about what was done to THE book. I agree that Minghella made Italy so beautiful it is hard to picture evil happening, but in some ways this made the evil more startling. Dickie's murder was more gruesome when we pulled back from the boat to see a beautiful sea, with two entwined bodies covered with blood. The contrast was chilling, I thought. The same with the religious celebration and then the dead girl's body. I agree with the reviewer about Damon's looks and that he was made more touching in the film. He is a real psychopath in the novels. I haven't read them in years, but I remember in one he casually kills someone who comes to his door when Ripley is living as a married man in France because that person remembered him. He then proceeds to turn on the charm for his wife. I still recall him as charming and fascinating. Mari, Damon's performance was understated, maybe too much so. Law had the meatier role, but so much vitality went out of the film when Dickie died. I totally agreee with Salon about Hoffman. He did steal the film. His little jabs about \"peeky boo\" to Ripley on the boat really went under the skin. More later... Murph"}, {"response": 181, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 26, 1999 (20:42)", "body": "But Minghella is notorious for changing his source material. This is major ego at work here. He turned the focus of Ondaatje novel into something entirely different. Yes, I liked what they said about Hoffman, a rich, frat boy. But, didn't you want to scream at him when he came back to the flat? That's what I mean about stupidity. I expected far more from characters of that caliber. They were not high-schoolers from Scream XX. Damon was \"too understated\" is spot on. Minghella makes it look as though Ripley commits his acts on impulse, when cornered, instead of being the planner that he is and what would be consistent with the book's character."}, {"response": 182, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 26, 1999 (20:43)", "body": "and btw, I generally do like Salon's reviews."}, {"response": 183, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec 27, 1999 (00:10)", "body": "Salon can bite me.;-) Why does Minghella have to stick closely to the source material? Ripley is no less a psychopath just because all his actions are not premeditated. I think it's more interesting to watch because he *is* unpredictable. Part of the character's interest, to me, is seeing what bizzaro self-preserving actions he'll fashion on the run when he's cornered, and it's fun to see him think fast on his feet and escape the noose--just barely--each time. You know he's a nutcase and a pathological liar right from the tart--his whole identity from the get-go is a sham. The way he tells Meredith why his baggage is with the Rs, for example, or the way he studies and appropriates Dickie's taste in music. He's creepy. I don't think Minghella needs to telegraph it. Just my opinion. Yes, I knew that Meredith was Minghella's invention, there solely because he wanted Blanchett in the movie. Can someone tell me how the book ends? One more thought: if Ripley were played as a blatantly boo-hiss psycho, would you feel sympathy for him? I probably wouldn't have . . .and it's a bit disturbing to realize the extent to which he's reeled you in with his aw shucks demeanor and seemingly endearing naivete. I'm not saying the film is perfect--it's not. I would have liked more exposition in the beginning, for example. We see Ripley's drab existence, but a lot of people live drab existences and they don't turn into head cases. Minghella doesn't tell us what's pushed Tom over the edge. And the last half hour does drag a bit and should have been trimmed. But still, I did enjoy it a lot."}, {"response": 184, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Dec 27, 1999 (07:10)", "body": "Me too - enjoyed the film a lot. Anything that can make us think and inspires discussion, as this film does and will, is good. It did well in the ratings too. Any Given Sunday was tops, but TTMR opened later and had a better screen percentage. The ending of the book, Mari, has Ripley getting the letter from Dickie's Dad and then, happily wealthy, heading off the Crete - alone. He has met some new friends and hopes to link up with them there. Murph"}, {"response": 185, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec 27, 1999 (10:13)", "body": "Got to see Mr. Ripley yesterday and agree with pieces of what everyone said. Yes, Murph, it did drag a bit for me...esp once Jude Law was killed. Boy, if you don't like Matt Damon you better not see this film...the guy is in every scene...got tired of that smile after a the first hour...but he does pull the part off that Minghella invented for him...apparently not Patricia Highsmith's psychopath. Jude Law and Cate Blanchette have the best American accents and mannerisms I have ever heard/seen. (David Morrissey take note!) I felt that Minghella's script was weak (as was my other film..John Irving in Cider House). But the real star of this film is ITALY!Would it have been as good without the scenery and filmed on location dripping with all that Italian culture. Wow...in the credits I noted he even roped some of his relatives in! Good entertainment...Best Picture? Best Actor? Nah. ~~~~~~ Also saw \"The Cider House Rules\" by John Irving.I had not read this book, but I like him as an author. First time screenplay for him...needs a little practice. I liked the film...written on many levels...Very pro-choice....you wanna discuss a film, Murph? This is it...."}, {"response": 186, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 27, 1999 (13:46)", "body": "(Mari) You know he's a nutcase and a pathological liar right from the start--his whole identity from the get-go is a sham. From the beginning scene, when he tells Herb he went to Princeton, all I would conclude is that he is a liar (not necessarily pathological) and an opportunist. Neither makes him a nutcase, as defined in the medical books. ;-) Separating this movie from the novel is advisable as it usually is for a Minghella work. He sees between the typed lines and makes a movie out of them. He saw Ripley as a poor shnook who gets caught up in the Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous and, when Dickie tires of him, he [Ripley] gets so caught up in his emotions and passions (for the lovely Dickie) that he kills him. It's all an unfortunate accident. Tommy didn't mean it. I'm guessing (based on the Salon piece) that the Ripley character is a lot darker. Minghella knows what plays well on the screen and the original character would not have fit in with his lovely movie. To me that is a shame. However, you do realize that I liked the film, don't you? ;-) Discussion question: Do you think Ripley killed Silvana?"}, {"response": 187, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Dec 27, 1999 (20:57)", "body": "Evelyn: Re your Y2K check thank you. Sorry for the OT, but VERY important. Even with all these fancy programs, though, your computer (covered all over with Y2K Compliant stickers) may still fail -- due to a simple oversight by MS in their certification process. To check is elementary, my dear Watson and the fix is easy. (I checked my offc computer and it wasn't, so surprise, surprise!!) To check: 1: click START 2: click SETTINGS 3: click CONTROL PANEL 4: Double-click on REGIONAL SETTINGS (the globe icon) 5: click the DATE TAB on the top right. 6: Look where it says SHORT DATE SAMPLE. If the year is shown in 2 digits (12/27/ 99 ) it is set incorrectly (format \"m/d/yy\"). 7: to adjust, click on the button across from the SHORT DATE STYLE and select an option ending in \"/yyyy\" instead of \"/yy\" 8: click APPLY below (your year date should now show as /1999) 9: click OK Every windows , 95 or 98, or NT installation \"as distributed\" is defaulted to fail Y2K rollover!!. Pass this on to your PC buddies ... no matter how much of a guru they think they are, this may have escaped their notice! ( Just passing on what looks like an important \"forward\" )"}, {"response": 188, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Dec 27, 1999 (23:49)", "body": "Dear KJ, I got this same message that you described about changing the date format in Windows. It certainly sounded legit, so I checked it out with the technical support guy at work. He is very sharp and I trust his opinion. Anyway, he said that this message is a hoax. The date format in the control panel settings is merely for display purposes and does not impact whether or not your computer will operate correctly under Y2K. Of course, this is just one person's opinion so you can disregard or not. He did sa that changing this setting in the control panel won't hurt anything, so it might not be a bad idea to change the setting."}, {"response": 189, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 28, 1999 (18:01)", "body": "OK, Mari, I want to hear you defend Ripley's day-glo swimming trunks!"}, {"response": 190, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 28, 1999 (19:38)", "body": "Ripley's day-glo swimming trunks! On the Oprah Show they blew that picture up on a huge screen..... quite\" revealing\". Gwynnie roared laughing and MD blushed , threw head back, put hands over face!!"}, {"response": 191, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Dec 28, 1999 (20:26)", "body": "Thanks, Jana. Glad you had someone to contact. Not being a \"guru\"-type, I wasn't sure how legit it was, but I passed it on because I knew it wouldn't hurt anything, and it ?MIGHT? help."}, {"response": 192, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec 28, 1999 (22:55)", "body": "(Karen) OK, Mari, I want to hear you defend Ripley's day-glo swimming trunks! Even *I* can't defend the indefensible.;-) Still, I think Matty (he likes when I call him Matty;-) showed a *very* nice physique. As for the frontal peek of dickie, er, Dickie--too quick. I wanted to holler to the projectionist to back it up and freeze.;-) I don't think Tom killed Silvana, Karen. Which brings me to another point: Italy in this film. Knowing this is Minghella's roots, it was probably unintentional, but I thought the country came off as a metaphor for the characters--pretty enough on the surface, but underneath. . . A pregnant single girl feels she has no recourse but suicide, it takes an hour to get an ambulance, and you can't get a phone line. I realize it was the '50s, but still . . . I do agree with you all that this is not the \"Best Film\" of the year--but then again, I don't think I've seen the Best Film yet. Much movie-going work to do this week.;-) Though I liked it very much, I do think that American Beauty has flaws, and that the door is open for something else to beat it. Any reactions to that? (Evelyn) Jude Law and Cate Blanchette have the best American accents and mannerisms I have ever heard/seen. I agree with you on Jude. Minnie Driver also does a flawless one--ever seen Grosse Point Blank? Who else does an especially good--or bad one? I have a few in mind . . . My self-imposed choice for next movie to see this week is The End Of The Affair or Being John Malkovich--help me choose."}, {"response": 193, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (09:00)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY JENNIFER See ya' on your West End Opening Night..Jan. 13th!"}, {"response": 194, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (09:05)", "body": "Sorry about the whole advert....thought only image was suppose to appear. Believe me...I am not leading the \"Stephen Dillane for the Olivier\" balloting!:-D"}, {"response": 195, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (09:11)", "body": "Nice program cover, Ev! I see what you mean, but the picture might be deceptive. Will be at opening night with bells on! ;-) and neither am I...you can be certain ;-D"}, {"response": 196, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (09:23)", "body": "I see what you mean, but the picture might be deceptive. You mean about being thin? She really is...Looked like that in June...and I just saw her last month in \"Summerfolk \"and the period costumes just hung on her....Gone is the little round face...but the ping-pong cheeks are still there:-)"}, {"response": 197, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (10:42)", "body": "Happy day to Jennifer! Is this one the big 3 oh, or did that already happen? Looking forward to seeing TRT and the second best male performance this year;-) There's a big article in the December Playbill on Rosemary Harris and Lauren Bacall re: Waiting In The Wings. Several pics of Rosemary, including one from her younger years. Jen is her spitting image."}, {"response": 198, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (14:56)", "body": "(Evelyn) You mean about being thin? She really is... She does appear very thin in this picture, and seems particularly smaller, shall we say, \"above the waist\". Sorry, I don't mean to be rude- I admire Jen and thinks she's beautiful! I just wonder if the smaller appearance up top is due to actually being smaller or did she just appear more endowed in her P&P corset than she actually was? Haven't seen Chamomile Lawn, so can't verify ;-). (Mari) I agree with you on Jude. Minnie Driver also does a flawless one--ever seen Grosse Point Blank? Who else does an especially good--or bad one? I have a few in mind . . . Jeremy Northam in The Mimic. I think that's what it's called anyway - it was the one where he was battling the giant cockroaches with Mira Sorvino. Poor boy was trying so hard to get the accent right that the acting came off wooden. OK, I know it's hard to act when you're pretending to battle a giant cockroach, but there you are. I saw a bit of JN last night in the remake of Gloria with Sharon Stone. He wasn't very convincing as a NY gangster type either (neither was SS, BTW). Much prefer JN when he speaks in his natural voice as in Emma or The Winslow Boy."}, {"response": 199, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (15:08)", "body": "So Gloria is a \"thumbs down\" too? Have been debating whether to watch it. Mustn't forget Kenny. He does flawless American, with or without a southern accent or NY neuroticism. ;-) Remember, Dead Again? Emma does OK, but she loses it every once and a while. Noticed that in Primary Colors."}, {"response": 200, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (15:09)", "body": "...and his other ex-something: Helena B-C. She did a good (i.e., acceptable) American accent in Fight Club."}, {"response": 201, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (15:19)", "body": "Happy coincidence: In addition to Jennifer, today is lovely Jude Law's birthday as well. Wonder if ET will take notice?"}, {"response": 202, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (15:25)", "body": "Had no idea! why would I? ;-) In honor of this event, I've rented a movie called \"Music from Another Room,\" listed as a romantic comedy from 1997. Probalbly straight to video. But has Jude starring in it. However, if you want to celebrate BOTH birthdays, rent Wilde and then you get to see a whole lot more of Jude. ;-)"}, {"response": 203, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (16:04)", "body": "(Jana)Haven't seen Chamomile Lawn, so can't verify ;-). I assure you her bosom was real in P&P (came up in a Times article on the \"Wonder Bras\" that the females all wore).Apparently no bras...corsets and some contraption that pushed the bosoms up! In The Camomile Lawn there's no discussion.... Now, she is still well endowed, but not voluptuous, shall we say. ~~~~~~ American accents: Kristin Scott Thomas loses it too in \"Random Hearts\". The American vowels seem to be the problem...ODB has slips on those too in: \"coffee\", \"mall\" and another one I forget.What are the dialect coaches doing anyway!!"}, {"response": 204, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (17:07)", "body": "I am half way through BJ. TEOR, and I love it, so much Mark Darcy, and he is so sweet and very funny and of course, lots of mentions for ODB, if he weren't known before he will be now!! I am beginning to change my mind about wanting to see Colin play Mark Darcy, if he is in the film as much as he is in this book and comes over as sweet, sexy and funny as he does in Edge of Reason then I am all for it. (A MD/Barrister clad only in a towel hmm hmm!!)"}, {"response": 205, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (17:28)", "body": "Ann: (A MD/Barrister clad only in a towel hmm hmm!!) Precisely my favorite image from all the columns. Had Helen Fielding autograph that particular week's column. She wrote: \"Mmmmm! To Karen O.K. more sexy Mark to come v.g. wishes Helen Fielding\""}, {"response": 206, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (21:55)", "body": "(Karen)So Gloria is a \"thumbs down\" too? Have been debating whether to watch it. It was OK. Somewhat lame, but if you go into not expecting a GREAT FILM it is kind of fun. I thought the boy who played the kid was believable and likable and even Sharon grew on me after awhile. It's on cable for free so you can always start it out and change the channel if you think it bites. (Karen) However, if you want to celebrate BOTH birthdays, rent Wilde and then you get to see a whole lot more of Jude. ;-) Eeek, too true. But personally, I could have done without the sight of Jude in his more ahem, intimate moments."}, {"response": 207, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (23:42)", "body": "(Mari) I don't think Tom killed Silvana It didn't occur to me at first, but when I was told that Ripley planned all his murders, I thought it might. Silvana was a problem; she was a rival for Dickie's time and affection and Tommy knew about her. He didn't want her to split up their little group, so he offed her. I definitely want to read this book now. I thought the country came off as a metaphor for the characters--pretty enough on the surface, but underneath. . . Speaking of underneath...the basement symbolism? In NY, Ripley lives in a horrible basement apartment. Later, he tells Peter Smith-Kingsley that his real self lives in a basement and it's all locked up. Wish I had the script for the description. It's perfect."}, {"response": 208, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Dec 30, 1999 (02:24)", "body": "Karen, I am hoping HF has plenty of input into the screenplay especially as regards MD!"}, {"response": 209, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Dec 30, 1999 (07:53)", "body": "Karen, if you want to see \"Gloria\" rent the first one, THAT is brilliant! Gena Rowlands is amazing. And I see simularities to Central Station. (is that the name of the movie that you adored last year?)"}, {"response": 210, "author": "baine", "date": "Thu, Dec 30, 1999 (14:56)", "body": "Just came back from TTMR, and have to agree with Mari. This is Matt Damon's film, and he is great. IMO Bosie was Jude's breakout role. He is certainly good here and full of energy, and the Tu Vuo scene is a show stopper, but his character never changes. With Ripley you never know what he's thinking, never know how he's going to get out of the endless string of jams he keeps getting himself deeper into, never stop admiring how he does it over and over again, and find yourself rooting for a happy ending for him even as you keep reminding yourself he's a psychopathic murderer. That's MD's work, and I did not tire of the crooked little smile. Does he actually love Dickie or Marge or Peter or all of them or just want to use them? What would he have done with and to Meredith had he not had to give her up suddenly when Marge reappeared in Rome? We never know his motives, never know what's in his mind, are shocked by what he does, yet admire his daring and still sympathize with him. I think that makes it a great job by MD."}, {"response": 211, "author": "baine", "date": "Thu, Dec 30, 1999 (14:57)", "body": "Someone wanted to know whether to see Being JM or something else. My recommendation--BJM--one of the most inventive, unpredictable, riveting films ever. Gives you hope for the American film industry."}, {"response": 212, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 30, 1999 (20:56)", "body": "The New Year's Honors List has been announced: The showbiz stars I recognized: Dame Julie Andrews (good for RV) Dame Elizabeth Taylor Knighthood for Sean Connery CBE for Richard Curtis (too bad he had heart attack and isn't doing BJD) OBE for: Jane Seymour, Liam Neeson and Timothy Spall (Oh no! from Dutch Girls) ~~~~~~~ Oh well, there's next year....."}, {"response": 213, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 31, 1999 (16:10)", "body": "and on the Queen's list is Allison Steadman"}, {"response": 214, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Dec 31, 1999 (16:23)", "body": "Alright Karen. You posted in telnet. Brava, my dear!"}, {"response": 215, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 31, 1999 (16:28)", "body": "Thank you, but don't like it. :-("}, {"response": 216, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 31, 1999 (16:35)", "body": "Hey...I had this guy all to myself til you came muscling in!!:-D ~~~~ \"Good to have you back where you belong, Dolly\" :-) ~~~~ Just heard that the \"Waiting in the Wings \"page wants to use our JE Page as a link....cool, uh? I hope the B'way TRT page links us too...! (I only wish she had more than one page, though.)"}, {"response": 217, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 31, 1999 (16:37)", "body": "I am amazed that you can still get in here the regular way when everybody else on the globe appears to be cutoff!"}, {"response": 218, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Dec 31, 1999 (16:38)", "body": "(Karen, I don't blame you...don't like it either but since it is this or nothing, I am beginning to love it!"}, {"response": 219, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan  2, 2000 (21:10)", "body": "Question: In which area would the W10 designation of London be? by tube stop or named area would be helpful. ;-)"}, {"response": 220, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jan  4, 2000 (10:25)", "body": "Am (as usual) chiming in late with my two bits regarding the movie discussion: Saw Any Given Sunday first (a football movie, how unlike me...:-P). IMO one must be an Oliver Stone fan or football fan to really enjoy this one. Too \"Ollie-ized\" for me--overabundance of unnecessary stylized shots, picture-in-picture, lightning bolt symbolism, closeups of a football in the air, etc. Ollie himself plays a sportscaster. He's into the Alfred Hitchcock thing. Cameron Diaz was convincing but miscast as the bitch-with-a-capital-B deceased owner's daughter. I thought the part was tailor m de for Sharon Stone. Pacino screams and shouts alot (what a surprise). Having said this, aside from the usual football cliches (ho-hum, another locker room pep talk), the story was realistic and believable. I enjoyed the appearances by various football personalities--Lawrence Taylor, Barry Switzer, etc. Mr. Ripley: agree with many points already made about Jude Law. He made the film, IMO. Gorgeous. Great accent. I thought his characterization had variation, noting the difference between the open and unaffected welcoming Ripley scene to the 'you're boring' scene. Matt and Gwyneth were good but not spectacular. Agree that Gwynnie got better as the story unfolded, esp. the 'I know it was you' scene. I agree with your comment about Phillip's market saturation, Karen. I also enjoyed Freddy's 'how's t e peeping, Tom?' bit, Murph. Cate was also good, but I tired of her character predictably popping up, especially at the end. To me, the perfect ending would have been when Dickie's father, Marge and the private investigator left in the Andrea Doria launch. Everything after that was overkill (perhaps to push the homosexual angle?). Oooo, sorry about the double entendre! All in all, IMO an enjoyable, absorbing film shot in a wonderful setting. You can tell I have not read the book. PS. Karen, interesting question about Ripley possibly killing Sylvana. My thought is no, based on the scene with Sylvana watching as the group returns from their sailing excursion. She sees the rich, beautiful Americans frolicking on deck and knows she will never be one of them. Next thing we know, she's floating face down behind the Virgin Mary. Later, Dickie admits rejecting her when she came to him for help. Hmmm....Minghella did say in this movie things are never what they seem! We also saw Anna and the King, or whatever it's called (DH's pick). Jodie's a terrific actress, but not in this one. Chow steals the show. It's about a 5 out of 10 on the 'Thin Red Line slowness factor scale'. I didn't miss the musical numbers, so I guess their objective was realized. Contrary to the other two films, there were no penis shots in this one! Lastly, saw American History X on cable. Edward Norton was postively chilling. What a brilliant performance. He was the dark horse in last year's best actor AA race, but to lose to Roberto Benigni? Bah!"}, {"response": 221, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan  4, 2000 (10:27)", "body": "From my London Theatre Newsletter: Re: the play BATTLE ROYAL at the National with Zoe Wanamaker and Simon Russell Beale \"The show has received mediocre notices the popular press.... JOHN PETER of THE SUNDAY TIMES says, \"This is a flat flashy, pedestrian play. THE GUARDIAN says, \"Howard Davies's production, set on Rob Howell's tirelessly revolving inner and outer stages, vainly substitutes perpetual motion for dramatic dynamism. For all its implied contemporary parallels, the result is an animated history lesson that belongs to the theatrical past.\" NICK CURTIS of THE EVENING STANDARD says, \"Nick Stafford's play is drily witty but emotionally barren, overlong and under-rehearsed.\" ~~~~~~ Simon Russell Beale is the actor that you all said Colin should be proud to be in his company (short list for Evening Standard Award). And he gets this review? Puhleeze...Colin never appeared in a project that was \"under-rehearsed\"."}, {"response": 222, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Jan  4, 2000 (14:27)", "body": "I can't believe I'm back in... Thank you, Terry!"}, {"response": 223, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Jan  4, 2000 (14:31)", "body": "Still out in Wessexland. I'm getting in with the workaround Karen sent me but can't use the regular springnet route. Don't see any graphics."}, {"response": 224, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Jan  4, 2000 (14:42)", "body": "I saw Mr. Ripley this weekend too. I liked it pretty well, but I don't think I'm as enthusiastic about it as most of the comments I've read. First I agree with all who said it dragged in the second half and it could have stood with some serious trimming down (way too long at 2.5 hours IMHO). I agree Jude Law was great - a vibrant and interesting character, but the whole thing lost momentum after he left the picture. I guess most of my disappointment centers around the characterization of Ripley. I haven't read the book, but my understanding was that the Ripley character was supposed to be a sort of sociopath, who coveted Dickie's life and tried to steal it. The way the character was presented I felt like they were trying to make Ripley a poor, downtrodden boy that we were supposed to feel sorry for. None of his bad actions seemed calculated or thought out and the only reason he didn't get caught seemed to be dumb uck. Frankly, I was expecting a smarter, scarier villain so was disappointed by bland, poor old Tom who was just looking for someone to like him. Another thing I thought was really missing from Matt Damon's performance (not sure if this was his doing or he was directed this way)was any gradation in manner or style when he was himself and when he was living as Dickie Greenleaf. The early scene when Ripley said his one talent was that he could mimic anybody and then he did such a dead-on impersonation of Dickie's father did not seem to be carried through anywhere else in the film. I think Matt's performance would have been a lot more interesting if he had used Tom's ability for mimicry to be more Dickie-esqe when he was living as Dickie. It just seems this would have added an interestingly psychotic dimension to Ripley's character instead of him being the somewhat pathetic and desperate schlub he seemed throughout most of the film. Well.... maybe schlub is a little harsh ;-). Also, I'm not sure why Minghella felt the need to emphasize the homosexual themes so strongly. Every male character seemed to be leaning this way at times, even Dickie. (Or am I just too heavily influenced by my DH who was irritated that in his opinion all the male characters were a few ounces too light in the loafers?) Was this homosexual theme in the book? Regardless IMHO, I think Ripley would have been a more interesting character had his sexuality been more ambiguous, i.e. he was \"open minded\" eno gh to go whichever direction presented him the most attractive opportunity be it with a man or with a woman. Just my two cents - perhaps I was expecting too much of the film going in. I do agree with all who said the jazz club scenes were lots of fun, though. Made me want to go to Italy!"}, {"response": 225, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan  4, 2000 (15:07)", "body": "Cymbeline, the pics will return. The regular spring.net is also working for many if not all. Seems like nearly everything is back in sync. (Eileen) Cameron Diaz was convincing but miscast as the bitch-with-a-capital-B deceased owner's daughter. I thought the part was tailor made for Sharon Stone. Haven't seen the movie yet, but thought it unbelievable that CD would be owner of a football team. Didn't look anything like a Marge Schott type. Sharon Stone is an inspired choice. Thumbs up from me. Contrary to the other two films, there were no penis shots in this one! Guess I'll wait until it's on video or TV. ;-) Edward Norton was postively chilling He does excellent work. Check out Fight Club. Real interesting, new wave movie, except for the trite ending. Cate was also good, but I tired of her character predictably popping up, especially at the end. Give you some idea of the inspired adapting that Minghella did. Cate/Meredith was his creation. If she's a flaw, then you can totally blame Minghella. Everytime she pops up, you know it's going to be a *crisis of identity* and will he or won't he be caught!! ;-) BTW, I've just bought the book. Am really interested to see how different it is and how despicable a character Ripley is. (Jana2) I agree with all who said it dragged in the second half Is that not the Dickie-less effect. He is the sun and when the sun goes away... it gets rather cold and a little slow. I felt like they were trying to make Ripley a poor, downtrodden boy that we were supposed to feel sorry for. Precisely. I really object to that central change to his character. They also gave him a conscience. Would a psychopath have a conscience? Evelyn, ask No. 1 son. I thought was really missing from Matt Damon's performance...was any gradation in manner or style when he was himself and when he was living as Dickie Greenleaf. Wot?! You didn't notice that he changed the part in his hair. ;-) instead of him being the somewhat pathetic and desperate schlub he seemed throughout most of the film. Well.... maybe schlub is a little harsh ;-). I'd go with schlemiel (a loser) on this one. For schlub, he'd have to have a beer belly. my DH who was irritated that in his opinion all the male characters were a few ounces too light in the loafers? Ha!! Think DH should've gone to see Any Given Sunday. Loved all your comments, ladies. This is such an interesting film to discuss."}, {"response": 226, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Jan  4, 2000 (20:12)", "body": "Help! I still can't get in here with my old spring.net bookmark. It's still saying NOT FOUND. Where have I gone wrong?"}, {"response": 227, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan  4, 2000 (22:54)", "body": "*hee hee* Since Eileen started it, this is from The Times review of Magnolia on Monday: The most impressive feat is Cruise's turn as a \"Seduce and Destroy\" sex guru. The parody is too broad to sting, but when was the last time Cruise showed an ounce of self-mocking fun? Come to think of it, when was the first time? The star's trademark focus during his seminar rants is spookily like Scientology on steroids. Compared with his emotionally costive medic in Eyes Wide Shut, it's a fireworks display. By upending his Prince of Confidence persona, Cruise can still resort to indignation (his standard method of pumping up a scene) but it's no longer righteous indignation. This overthrows 15 years of escalating cockiness. Cruise did show vulnerability in Jerry Maguire, a belated return to the gaucherie of Risky Business. But Cruise goes a step further here. He is shown to be a fraud. What is bizarre is that Cruise acting phoney here--his best scenes--is identical to his acting sincere elsewhere. The crinkled brow, the clenched cheek muscles, the laser-beam stare--now it's great acting. Pauline Kael once called him the most fraudulent actor since Robert Taylor. But in Magnolia Cruise rings true as a swine, even stripping down to his (hopefully padded) underpants to unsettle a woman interviewer. [am amazing sight] Villainy feels like the more creative outlet for him. And if Ander on feels self-important for that discovery, it's deserved."}, {"response": 228, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan  4, 2000 (22:55)", "body": "...wonder if the director had some left over props from Boogie Nights? ;-)"}, {"response": 229, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (06:09)", "body": "Karen: In which area would the W10 designation of London be? by tube stop or named area would be helpful. W10 is \"North Kensington\". The only tube stop is Latimer Road. Never make the mistake of trying to walk from South Kensington to North Kensington - the areas are completely separate with other localities (e.g. Shepherds Bush, Holland Park) having grown up in between."}, {"response": 230, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (08:10)", "body": "Thank you, Mark, for the directions and advice. Have found the tube stop. Our detailed London street guides don't extend that far west. I understand about the names. Here, it is a major drive to North Chicago (nearly in Wisconsin) and East Chicago (which is in Indiana). ;-)"}, {"response": 231, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (09:11)", "body": "(Karen) Haven't seen the movie yet, but thought it unbelievable that CD would be owner of a football team. Her youth is explained in that her father, recently deceased, was the long-time owner of the team. CD's character is the team's general manager. Ann Margret is terrific as her alcoholic mother. Am really interested to see how different it is and how despicable a character Ripley is. Several weeks ago, the NY Times magazine featured an in-depth analysis of the book vs. movie. I've sent hard copy to the recycle depot already, but perhaps it's available on-line if you're interested. Everytime she pops up, you know it's going to be a *crisis of identity* and will he or won't he be caught!! ;-) Thought this worked well during the opera sequence and afterward at the coffee house by the Spanish steps. Became predictable after that. Too much of a good thing is...too much. (Jana) I thought was really missing from Matt Damon's performance...was any gradation in manner or style when he was himself and when he was living as Dickie Greenleaf. True. At first I thought that Tom didn't necessarily want to be Dickie, he just wanted Dickie's things (all those shots of him with Dickie's clothes and jewelry). But then why wear Dickie's rings? What is bizarre is that Cruise acting phoney here--his best scenes--is identical to his acting sincere elsewhere. Tom can't catch a break (but then, he doesn't need to)!"}, {"response": 232, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (17:21)", "body": "Happy Birthday Vera!"}, {"response": 233, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Jan  5, 2000 (20:34)", "body": "My HAPPY BIRTHDAY greeting to you too, Vera"}, {"response": 234, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan  6, 2000 (08:39)", "body": "LONDON (Variety) - Director John Madden, making his first outing since \"Shakespeare in Love,\" has committed to take the helm of the wartime romance \"Captain Corelli's Mandolin.\" He replaces Roger Michell (\"Notting Hill\"), who suffered a heart attack late last year. Set on the Greek island of Cephalonia during the Italian occupation in World War II, the film stars Nicolas Cage as an Italian officer who charms the locals. It is based on Louis de Bernieres' bestselling novel. Shooting starts in April on the Greek island of Corfu."}, {"response": 235, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Jan  6, 2000 (09:58)", "body": "At #212, Evelyn said Richard Curtis had had a heart attack. Evelyn, did you mix him up with Roger Michell? I must say I certainly hoped RC would do the BJD script, and he looked healthy enough on TV shortly before Christmas..."}, {"response": 236, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan  6, 2000 (10:27)", "body": "Evelyn, did you mix him up with Roger Michell? I think Evelyn is interviewing conservators today. ;-)"}, {"response": 237, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan  6, 2000 (13:29)", "body": "(Mark)Evelyn, did you mix him up with Roger Michell? Yes, I did. Sorry, Mark. Apologies to Richard Curtis...may he continue to enjoy good health. Well it starts with an \"R\" (Karen)I think Evelyn is interviewing conservators today. ;-) Smart-ass :-D"}, {"response": 238, "author": "nky", "date": "Thu, Jan  6, 2000 (15:45)", "body": "Sorry to change to subject but does anyone know if CF has his own calendar? Love to get a hold of one for my wall."}, {"response": 239, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan  6, 2000 (16:11)", "body": "LOL. I just got the file name on the new pic of the tomato guy... \"Are you happy evelyn?,\" indeed. Better be nice to me...I'm the only one the digihost gods like!"}, {"response": 240, "author": "Janeway", "date": "Thu, Jan  6, 2000 (16:24)", "body": "So we have noticed Evelyn. Must be your tolerance to pips!!!"}, {"response": 241, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan  6, 2000 (17:56)", "body": "Nancy re: Calendar I've never heard of there being a commercially available calendar. It doesn't strike me as something he would authorize (a pinup boy image...naw)"}, {"response": 242, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jan  6, 2000 (18:37)", "body": "But surely...with all the cut 'n' pasting we do here, we could put one of those free calendars we got over the holidays and print out our favorite pix and paste'um into place, no? Make that cut 'n' pasteing (still does not look right but I am in telnet and nothing looks right!)"}, {"response": 243, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan  6, 2000 (22:44)", "body": "From the Evening Standard, excerpt from Alexander Walker's year in film: Culture Secretary Chris Smith will shortly boast that the audience for British-made movies is up to 15 per cent, maybe more. What he won't tell you is that the welcome increase is due almost entirely to a few films - such as Shakespeare in Love, the new Bond and the comedy Notting Hill - all financed by the Americans who, of course, cull the profits. East Is East is virtually the only authentic British-funded film to pull in big business. So much for the Lottery funding of films. A greater waste of nation l resources I have not seen in 40 years of reviewing. Doomed from the start, since films are a gamble not an investment - and so declared to be in a headline (\"Lottery millions will be wasted\") on an article I wrote in 1995 - this grandiose abuse of public money has produced neither art nor box-office. The year just ending showed the full, dreadful incompetence of Arts Council-aided funding. Plunkett and Macleane, Captain Jack, LA Without a Map, The Trench, Food of Love, The Last Yellow, Hold Back the Night ... each seemed worse than the last, if possible. The fact that the year's two worst films, Mad Cows and Guest House Paradiso, were British but not Lottery funded is the only thing in their favour. As is his usual practice when his master plan isn't working, Mr Smith gave it a new name. It's now called the British Film Council. But on it are some of the same people responsible for the calamitous decisions of Arts Council Lottery funding. The waste is likely to continue. Those rejoicing will be the financial service industries. Bankers, insurers and money merchants of all shades of honesty have been the main beneficiaries of New Labour's film planning. They have taken advantage of all legitimate - and some dubious - tax benefits, loopholes and gifts from Gordon Brown to enrich themselves by funding films that should never have been made and actually were simply because public money sweetened the pot; or because such movies could be converted into sale-andleaseback income; or set against taxes; or benefit their financiers from on of a half-dozen other wheezes thought up by film lawyers and accountants. The losers, the big losers, are the public who are seeing their Lottery money shelled out to part-pay for dreck. I can think of only three of this year's films with Lottery money in them that I care to remember: Gillies MacKinnon's Hideous Kinky, a soft-centred but touchingly confected tale of a happily feckless British mum (Kate Winslet) and her children living the drop-out life in Morocco; Lynn Ramsay's Ratcatcher, a study of a Glasgow childhood, darker in tone than Kes, but touched by the same transforming magic; and Peter Mullan's Orphans, a rebarbative black comedy made by the star of last year's My Name Is Joe Surely it's no accident that all three film-makers are Scottish. The Scots feel more than the English, and let it show."}, {"response": 244, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan  7, 2000 (07:23)", "body": "This is from the E. Telegraph today: The 55-year-old star proposed to the actress, who is 25 years his junior, on New Year's Eve at his home in Aspen, Colorado. Like any modern Hollywood couple, the announcement was made on Douglas's personal web site. He said: \"We plan to marry sometime this year. However, no date has been set. Check my website and you'll be among the first to know.\" Another creative way to use the website."}, {"response": 245, "author": "baine", "date": "Fri, Jan  7, 2000 (07:24)", "body": "Surely it's no accident that all three film-makers are Scottish. The Scots feel more than the English, and let it show And that goes far to explain ODB's prodigious screen powers as well. He may have been born south of the wall, but with a name like Colin Firth, he's a Scot. That's the unassailable opinion of someone who's maiden name is Scott."}, {"response": 246, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan  7, 2000 (07:24)", "body": "Forgot to say it is Michael Douglas and Catherine Z-J. (As if)"}, {"response": 247, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan  7, 2000 (08:31)", "body": "Thank you Karen...I have to agree with The Evening Standard.Even though JE and CF have been recipients of lottery money ....I think the British film industry should be funded by private capital...like ours.There is enough money in UK that should be invested in their own film industry.Look at the West End ...Shocking that they're letting all the American firms come in and buy up those theatres. Where are all the British moguls..the ones that appear on the Honours List?"}, {"response": 248, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jan  7, 2000 (08:41)", "body": "Thanks for posting that ES article, Karen. Points made by Alexander Walker: 1. I was right 2. I told you so 3. There is no 3. Alexander's favorite Hollywood films: 1. Big Daddy 2. Deuce Bigelow, Male Gigolo 3. 1998's Armageddon I suppose if my own tax dollars were in question, I'd be more inclined to agree with his diatribe."}, {"response": 249, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan  7, 2000 (17:42)", "body": "Ok...Karen was right...It happened. I've joined the club...can now only get in with numbers.Not only that but I'm on Explorer...Netscape won't let me in! ~~~~~~ Didn't really mean to cricize the Brit gov't for film -funding. Mind your own business, evelyn But I detect an aura of resentment on the part of the British maninstram media when reviewing the films that are so funded...and I wonder if their own tax dollars weren't involved, if the films would be judged more objectively. Anyway, that's IMO. And I probably shouldn't have any on this topic"}, {"response": 250, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan  7, 2000 (17:50)", "body": "(Evelyn) But I detect an aura of resentment on the part of the British maninstram media when reviewing the films that are so funded...and I wonder if their own tax dollars weren't involved, if the films would be judged more objectively. Excellent observation, Evelyn. You might be on to something."}, {"response": 251, "author": "AnnMari", "date": "Sun, Jan  9, 2000 (11:53)", "body": "(Evelyn) But I detect an aura of resentment on the part of the British maninstram media when reviewing the films that are so funded...and I wonder if their own tax dollars weren't involved, if the films would be judged more objectively. ******* But these people are professional critics/journalists. I wouldn't think that what has to be a very small proportion of their tax money would influence their reviews. Besides, some of the dogs he mentions got lousy reviews here too, from people who have no ax to grind. There was an interesting article in the Telegraph last week on the director Alan Parker, who is heading up the British Film Council that Walker mentions. According to Parker, the Lottery gravy train is going to stop until the scripts ge better. On another note, I saw The Green Mile last night. I absolutely loved it. Didn't expect to, but I did. Three+ hours long, but feels like only half that. Beautiful ensemble acting headed by Tom Always Terrific, and smartly written and directed by Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption). This is my fave of the year so far. Anyone else here seen it?"}, {"response": 252, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan  9, 2000 (13:25)", "body": "(Mari)Re: Green Mile\"Anyone else here seen it? Not yet. Encouraging to know though that three hours of a prison movie didn't bore you. I saw \"Magnolia\".....interesting ...not for everyone.V. Robert Altman-like. Multi-character, multi-plot, multi-layered.Different incidents that take place in the lives of people all in one day.Get ready for another three hours! V. creative. Definitely not \"same ole, same ole\"! You'll never look at Tom Cruise the same again.Not Top Gun, not Jerry Maguire. In \"Magnolia\" this guy really proves he is an actor. I was v. impressed"}, {"response": 253, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan  9, 2000 (13:52)", "body": "Hey...Lookee, Lookee Today's New York Post, \"Hope on the Horizon\" by Clive Barnes (icon reviewer!) ... \"There are also a few revivals in the definite offing -- notably, the terrific must-see revival (unless something has gone wrong on the transatlantic crossing) of Tom Stoppard's \"The Real Thing\" from London's Donmar Warehouse, staged by David Leveaux and starring Stephen Dillane and Jennifer Ehle. Don't be surprised if, come Tony time, Ehle finds herself vying with her mum, Rosemary Harris, from \"Waiting in the Wings,\" for the Best Actress nod.\""}, {"response": 254, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan  9, 2000 (15:56)", "body": "Tough television decision tonight. Showtime is airing a taped performance of Death of a Salesman with Brian Dennehey from its Broadway run. And then there's The David Cassidy Story. Should be griping and incisive. What to do, what to do?! ;-)"}, {"response": 255, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan  9, 2000 (16:01)", "body": "Watch Bramwell on Masterpiece Theatre. Saw the previews to the new Alan Parker film. Another film about ordinary people with no redeeming qualities, and he heads the British Film Council? A sad state of affairs. I guess nothing will be changing there too soon."}, {"response": 256, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan  9, 2000 (16:09)", "body": "Watch Bramwell on Masterpiece Theatre. Watched a few of the first season. Didn't care for it. Another film about ordinary people with no redeeming qualities, and he heads the British Film Council? You mean, Angela's Ashes? About McCourt and his family? A lot of people bought the book. ;-)"}, {"response": 257, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan  9, 2000 (16:11)", "body": "You mean, Angela's Ashes? About McCourt and his family? A lot of people bought the book. Yes, ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 258, "author": "Janeway", "date": "Sun, Jan  9, 2000 (16:36)", "body": "Loads of stuff in Sunday Papers re \"Angela's Ashes\" the two stars are well known here (Robert Carlise and Emily Watson) also stuff about the \"British are Coming\" re Brits inclusion in G.G's and Oscars. Should find it online Sunday Times etc They do that article headline every so often and then nothing changes"}, {"response": 259, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan  9, 2000 (17:55)", "body": "More....\"The British Are Coming\"...Hey, they're even buying their theatres!! From my weekly British Theatre Newsletter: \"It has just been announced Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Company has bought the Stoll-Moss Group for \ufffd85m. This puts the company, of which ALW is by far the majority shareholder, in control of 13 West End theatres.... Much of the West End is now controlled by the two big names in music theatre, ALW and Cameron Mackintosh, leading to fears among commentators that straight drama may be squeezed out. ~~~~~~ Hooray!Good for Sir Andrew.Investing his money in UK!"}, {"response": 260, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan  9, 2000 (23:01)", "body": "From The Times review of TTMR, I knew there was a reason I liked Dickie: ;-) Ripley's inaugural victim is Dickie Greenleaf, a rich scion living it up in jazz clubs in Italy. Stylishly played by Jude Law, Dickie is everything Ripley is not - rich, carefree, adored, fun. It's the reverse of Strangers on a Train. The victim is the charismatic flaneur; the hero is the dullard. And the victim disappears halfway through. Many reviewers have remarked on how Law would have made a better Ripley than Damon and vice versa. He's certainly the more compelling presence, with his languid silky menace. Damon is just too waspy, too tidy an actor, to be scarily unpredictable. It's the best example of backwards casting since Sliver, in which some bright executive decided Sharon Stone should play the simpering victim and Billy Baldwin the flinty sexual predator. ~~~~~ BTW, I've read nearly half the book and, at first, I thought maybe Minghella hadn't made that much of a change with Ripley's character. But, whoa, baby!! Dickie's murder: same location, but way different."}, {"response": 261, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (07:15)", "body": "I loved Dickie and Jude Law was perfect. Plays rich/carefree/playboy very well. I do not think MD could have done it better. I did not care for him at all and I was not impressed with Gwynneth either. Kate Blanchett stole the scene each time. The film is very overrated. I could see why Minghella would be interested in doing it. The book certainly has many ideas and that is something very rare to find lately."}, {"response": 262, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (07:16)", "body": "Karen, in the book, was Dickie's murder an accident?"}, {"response": 263, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (07:36)", "body": "The answer is in your email."}, {"response": 264, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (08:22)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIDYA!!!"}, {"response": 265, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (09:47)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Lidya! I hope you have a great one. Alas, I can't get into Spring via Netscape in order to post a graphic, so... *imagine a nice, juicy pic of Darcy here* Caption: It is Lidya's birthday--take care you do not confuse her with my sister-in-law, Lydia ...I wish you the happiest of days, Miss--er, Mrs. Lidya! All right, it loses something in translation, but the good intentions are there!"}, {"response": 266, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (10:24)", "body": "Happy Birthday Lidya! Have a Wonderful Day! :-)"}, {"response": 267, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (10:37)", "body": "Happy Birthday Lidya...IOU a card when I get back to Netscape too.Can't get in...am doing double posting with Explorer."}, {"response": 268, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (11:03)", "body": "Happy Birthday Lidya!"}, {"response": 269, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (13:11)", "body": "Your wish is my command... (Cymbeline) but could you clarify a bit here? Festering and inclinations are not words I think of as logically juxtaposed to homosexual. You want logic! Oh my. You have to see Happy, Texas and Magnolia. Macy plays closet homosexual types and, with the way he plays most of his characters, everything festers. ;-)"}, {"response": 270, "author": "baine", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (13:14)", "body": "Many reviewers have remarked on how Law would have made a better Ripley than Damon and vice versa. He's certainly the more compelling presence, with his languid silky menace. Damon is just too waspy, too tidy an actor, to be scarily unpredictable. I emphatically differ here. It's precisely b/c MD is so bland looking that he's so unpredictable as Ripley. JL's \"languid silky menace\", which is well said, is what would make him an obvious villain. He's got the same sort of thing the young Paul Newman had--you just look at his eyes, and you know he's thrillingly dangerous. That's what made him good in Wilde, but to make him the victim and MD the villain is both inspired casting and true to Highsmith's book. I think MD faithfully embodied her portra t of Ripley. He feels himself to be bland and inconsequential; that's why he's attracted to Dickie's compelling personality. If Dickie were bland and unlikeable what would be the point? And yet it's ineffectual Ripley who turns the action and rich, powerful, handsome Dickie who loses. It is true that the book is more complex than the movie and that both Dickie and Marge have been jazzed up a bit for the film, but I don't think they changed the tone of the book nor Ripley's character, and both versions are compelling b/c of the unusual drawings of the two antagonistic characters."}, {"response": 271, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (13:23)", "body": "Lovely Birthday to you, Lidya!"}, {"response": 272, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (13:34)", "body": "but I don't think they changed the tone of the book nor Ripley's character I haven't read the book, but from what I've read about the book vs. movie, the conclusion is Minghella made some fundamental changes to Ripley's character (specifically, the movie's victimization of Ripley as well as the overt homosexual themes). What say you, Karen? Murph?"}, {"response": 273, "author": "livamago", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (14:03)", "body": "Thank you all for the good wishes. Birthdays are great fun when one has nice friends with whom to share them! ;~D (Eileen)*imagine a nice, juicy pic of Darcy here* Caption: It is Lidya's birthday--take care you do not confuse her with my sister-in-law, Lydia...I wish you the happiest of days, Miss--er, Mrs. Lidya! Ahh! There can be no better gift for me than Darcy. Thank you Eileen! I am afraid that indeed I can be confused with Mrs. Wickham, but that is only when I am panting and swooning for Mr. Darcy..."}, {"response": 274, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (16:29)", "body": "A very happy belated birthday to you Vera; I hope it was great and that you have a wonderful year! A more timely birthday greeting for you Lidya -- here's wishing you the absolute best in the coming year!"}, {"response": 275, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (17:48)", "body": "(Cymbeline) I think MD faithfully embodied her portrait of Ripley. He feels himself to be bland and inconsequential Can't argue that MD was bland...and so was Ripley in the book. However, the main difference I see is that Minghella has raised him up to be some kind of \"lost boy\" who shows shreds of a conscience. Nothing, absolutely nothing in the book (60%) to suppport that view. Ripley is one tough little cookie inside. He knows the ins and outs of the underbelly of society and has a criminal mind. He plots and plans, thinks quickly on his feet and uses people. What makes it even worse is that Ripley is not moti ated by his feelings for Dickie, but because he wants Dickie's things (material possessions). Overt homosexuality. Remember, the book was written in the 50s. Nothing overt possible. Ripley lived in a weird world, amongst people of dubious backgrounds. Marge tells Dickie that she thinks Tom is a \"queer\" and that's the beginning of the end of Tom and Dickie's relationship. Later in a letter to the dead Dickie, she says she thinks Tom is probably asexual. Yes, Minghella added more here, especially since the character Peter-Smith Kingsley was only a brief mention in the book and there was no rela ionship with Tom. About the reverse casting: The writer undoubtedly has seen JL in many more roles than we have in the US. He has a far greater range than MD and would IMO be as convincing as Ripley as he is Dickie. Wait until you see him as a vampire (with a conscience) in Wisdom of Crocodiles. ;-)"}, {"response": 276, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (21:00)", "body": "Happy Birthday Lidya"}, {"response": 277, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (22:33)", "body": "HAUOLI NA HANAU, LIGIA"}, {"response": 278, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jan 10, 2000 (22:34)", "body": "(That's double dendrobium orchids...in two colors...)"}, {"response": 279, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 11, 2000 (08:55)", "body": "From a Variety article on last year's indie films: While certainly no banner year for the specialty company from which everyone has come to expect the most, MIRAMAX FILMS and its genre label, Dimension, did rack up 10 Golden Globe noms and 1999 profits were roughly $80 million. Naysayers point to pics such as \"Happy, Texas,\" \"A Walk on the Moon,\" \"Princess Mononoke,\" \"eXistenZ,\" \"The Castle,\" \"Teaching Mrs. Tingle,\" \"Mansfield Park\" and \"Music of the Heart\" as underperformers, [where's MLSF?] and note that Miramax's days of slapping down high acquisition fees may be numbered. \"We should have had a better year,\" Miramax co-chairman Harvey Weinstein said. \"Sure, I spent too much at Sundance. I thought 'Music of the Heart' would be a winner and that 'Happy, Texas' would find an audience. [where's MLSF?] But what people don't realize is we're basically a fiscally conservative company. We know how to hedge our bets.\" But Mark Gill, Miramax's prexy of worldwide marketing, is less apologetic: \"In 1999, we won with 'Shakespeare in Love' and 'Life Is Beautiful.' 'She's All That' played terrifically and we still have high Oscar hopes for 'An Ideal Husband,' 'Cider House Rules,' 'The Talented Mr. Ripley,' which we did with Paramount, and several other films.\" Marcy Granata, Miramax prexy of publicity, defended the mini-major from the charge that over the past year the company has abandoned its roots: \"There used to be a notion floated out there that Miramax was abandoning the small film. Honestly, if you look at last year's slate, you'll see that the large and small films are nicely co-existing.\" Among the smallest pics on the 1999 Miramax slate \ufffd which Granata notes were bought \"out of passion and not solely for profits\" \ufffd were \"My Son the Fanatic,\" Iranian pic \"The Children of Heaven\" and Sundance favorite \"Guinevere.\" [where's MLSF?] Lessons learned from the year that was? \"The single biggest lesson is that you have to be really careful about bidding wars,\" says Gill. \"The second is that, unless you are Disney, family films like 'Music of the Heart' are tough to pull off.\" Next year, Miramax will reduce the number of pics it acquires and produces and, like the studios, favor pre-buys and co-productions. Still, Miramax execs expect that whatever perception lingers about its \"troubled\" year will dissipate in 2000, when the company will release roughly 30 films (nearly the same number as in 1999), including, from Dimension: \"Scream 3,\" starring Neve Campbell, David Arquette and Courteney Cox Arquette, helmed by Wes Craven; \"Deception,\" formerly \"Reindeer Games,\" starring Ben Affleck, Gary Sinise and Charlize Theron, directed by John Frankenheimer; Keenan Ivory Wayans' \"Scary Movie\"; Gary Fleder's \"Imposter, starring Sinise, Madeleine Stowe and Vincent D'Onofrio; and \"Texas Rangers,\" starring James Van Der Beek, Dylan McDermott, Rachael Leigh Cook, Alfred Molina and Tom Skerritt, directed by Steve Miner."}, {"response": 280, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan 11, 2000 (09:31)", "body": "None of those titles entice me in any way. There used to be a time when a Miramax Film meant something to me. \"Princess Mononoke,\" got rave reviews and I would have taken my boys to see it but it is no longer around. \"The Castle,\" was very funny and even DH liked it. \"Mansfield Park,\" which I did not like, suffered from under-exposure. The others I may rent in due time. Their ommiting MLSF is outrageous, since it is the best film out of the whole lot mentioned. Miramax will reduce the number of pics it acquires and produces and, like the studios, favor pre-buys and co-productions. It looks as if they are going through an identity crisis."}, {"response": 281, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 11, 2000 (09:41)", "body": "(Moon) \"The Castle,\" was very funny and even DH liked it. Am shocked!! Never, in a million years, would I have thought you'd like this one. Is YDH also a closet Three Stooges fan?"}, {"response": 282, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan 11, 2000 (10:04)", "body": "You forget we have three boys. ;-D DH loves Laurel&Hardy and the Marx Bros."}, {"response": 283, "author": "AnnMari", "date": "Tue, Jan 11, 2000 (10:06)", "body": "RE: MLSF being MIA. Relax. Be glad it wasn't in that first list of \"underperformers.\" BTW, I saw 4 of them (Happy, Texas, A Walk On The Moon, Mansfield Park, and Music Of The Heart) and liked them all. And, the way I'm reading this, the second and third references are to films which Miramax bought (i.e., spent too much money for)from other production companies--not their own productions. Mr. Ripley: agree with you, Cymbeline. The two leads were perfectly cast. I still get a bit of a chill when I think of Damon's toothy smile that lasts just a bit too long. You know this guy has some screws loose, without resorting to \"look, ma, I'm crazy\" histrionics. I read the full article and this guy's main beef seems to be that Minghella is no Hitchcock. I say: picky, picky, picky.;-) The Sunday Times review, on the other hand, was very favorable for the film and the actors. Happy belated bithday to Lidya! Mari"}, {"response": 284, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jan 11, 2000 (10:22)", "body": "(Mari) RE: MLSF being MIA. Relax. Be glad it wasn't in that first list of \"underperformers.\"/.../ the second and third references are to films which Miramax bought Good points."}, {"response": 285, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 11, 2000 (10:37)", "body": "I would have liked to have seen MLSF listed under the out of passion and not solely for profits category instead of underperformers . How about a new category Harve:\"Oops, I forgot\"...\"Starved\".....\"Stealth\"... ~~~~~~ Miramax will reduce the number of pics it acquires and produces and, like the studios, favor pre-buys and co-productions. Hope for \"Londinium\" and RV."}, {"response": 286, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 11, 2000 (11:14)", "body": "(Evelyn) Hope for \"Londinium\" and RV. Why? Those would be acquisitions as they are done (RV) or nearly so (L). (Mari) this guy's main beef seems to be that Minghella is no Hitchcock. True, and why should he be? Thought that was a ridiculous argument he was making. If Minghella had done TTMR as Hitchcock, he would have been crucified for being unoriginal. ;-) (Moon) DH loves Laurel&Hardy and the Marx Bros. B-b-but these people were the equivalent of trailer trash. ;-)"}, {"response": 287, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Jan 11, 2000 (11:52)", "body": "Happy belated Birthday Lidya! May all your panting and swooning wishes come true ;-)"}, {"response": 288, "author": "AnnMari", "date": "Tue, Jan 11, 2000 (12:20)", "body": "(Evelyn)How about a new category Harve:\"Oops, I forgot\"...\"Starved\".....\"Stealth\"... And the *winner* gets a 22-reel salute!;-)"}, {"response": 289, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 11, 2000 (12:22)", "body": "Miramax will reduce the number of pics it acquires and produces and, like the studios, favor pre-buys and co-productions. Evelyn) Hope for \"Londinium\" and RV. (Karen)Why? Those would be acquisitions as they are done (RV) or nearly so (L). ~~~~ Well, I read that pics it acquires and produces, like the studios (one phrase) means where they \"acquire\" the book/script and then produce. Then \"pre-buys\"is buying a film that has already been made. I dunno'...I guess wishful thinking...\"any port in a storm....\""}, {"response": 290, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan 11, 2000 (13:47)", "body": "(Mari) this guy's main beef seems to be that Minghella is no Hitchcock. (Karen), True, and why should he be? Thought that was a ridiculous argument he was making. If Minghella had done TTMR as Hitchcock, he would have been crucified for being unoriginal. ;-) Otherwise, the critics would not have anything to say. I loved \"Stranger on the Tain,\" and must say Hitchcock did a fantastic job. (Moon) DH loves Laurel&Hardy and the Marx Bros. (Karen), B-b-but these people were the equivalent of trailer trash. ;-) Well they dressed and spoke (except Harpo), in a different manner. Back then, IMO, trailer trash tried to improve themselves, now, it seems to be glorified in the movies."}, {"response": 291, "author": "livamago", "date": "Tue, Jan 11, 2000 (21:57)", "body": "Thank you CherylB, Lucie, and Mari! Marcia, I shall proudly wear my beautiful lei (my mother wants one, btw), and Gi, I hope my genie grants me more than just three wishes... ;~D They all start with the letter D..."}, {"response": 292, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jan 12, 2000 (14:11)", "body": "Lidya, for your mother, I am delighted to present (and all mothers should get flowers on their child's birthday!)"}, {"response": 293, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Jan 12, 2000 (14:19)", "body": "I am wondering what your wishes are, Lidya... And I also like the Marx Bros (esp. Groucho):-)"}, {"response": 294, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Jan 12, 2000 (18:19)", "body": "(Mari) I still get a bit of a chill when I think of Damon's toothy smile that lasts just a bit too long. I think the effect may be due to genetics; it would appear that Matt Damon was spawned from the same gene pool which produced the Osmonds and Julia Roberts. His teeth are huge. When Matt Damon smiles he could frighten an entire family of beavers. As to why certain reviewers and critics the need for reverse casting between Damon and Jude Law; this is may well be due to the casting in the first screen adaptation of \"The Talented Mr. Ripley\", an early '60's French film titled \"Purple Noon\". This is the movie in which introduced Alain Delon to an international audience. He would then go on to strengthen his position as an international film star by next doing the classic film \"Rocco and His Brothers\". Jude Law is certainly more comparable to Delon than is Matt Damon. Also, and more importantly, Dickie Greenleaf is Jude Law's breakout performance, much as Tom Ripley was Alain Delon's. My thoughts on inverse casting are that Jude Law could have very easily played Tom Ripley, while Matt Damon would have been much less successful as Dickie. Jude Law really floored me. Yes, I had been impressed by him in \"Gattaca\" and \"Wilde\", even \"Shopping\". I also saw (quite a bit, make that all of) him in \"Indiscretions\" on Broadway. His performances are always good. In \"The Talented Mr. Ripley\" it was a fight to the finish as to which was more scenic -- Italy or Jude Law. He looks that good and what an ACTOR."}, {"response": 295, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Jan 12, 2000 (19:29)", "body": "Someone posted a question here a couple of weeks ago about the celebrity 1000. They still have the same months up but the cout is in through December 17, if you check the polls"}, {"response": 296, "author": "baine", "date": "Thu, Jan 13, 2000 (08:23)", "body": "(Mari) Mr. Ripley: agree with you, Cymbeline. The two leads were perfectly cast. I still get a bit of a chill when I think of Damon's toothy smile that lasts just a bit too long. Yep. Love Jude, thought he was great as Dickie, thought Bosie was his breakout role as well as harder to play than Dickie. Thought Ripliey was a more demanding role than Dickie, thought Jude and Matt were each in the right place. Thought they played off each other beautifully. Hoping the Academy feels the same on Feb 15."}, {"response": 297, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jan 13, 2000 (12:04)", "body": "(CherylB)...it would appear that Matt Damon was spawned from the same gene pool which produced the Osmonds and Julia Roberts. His teeth are huge. When Matt Damon smiles he could frighten an entire family of beavers. ROTFLOL!"}, {"response": 298, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jan 14, 2000 (11:20)", "body": "(Lucie) ...if you check the polls No polls, I beg you...no polls!"}, {"response": 299, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Fri, Jan 14, 2000 (16:01)", "body": "Actually I don't think that Bosie was a breakout role, but that Dickie is. Why? Because Dickie introduces Jude Law to a much wider (i.e., mainstream) audience than did Bosie. \"Wilde\" was an arthouse film and as such had a limited appeal. \"The Talented Mr. Ripley\" is a major studio/major market venture, which introduces Law to a much broader audience. Also, I feel that Dickie offered Law much more to do than did Bosie. The best supporting part, from standpoint of the screenplay, in \"Wilde\" was had by M chael Sheen. Ripley might possibly be a more difficult part than Dickie, but I think Jude Law would have brought more nuance to it. I still think that Matt Damon would have been badly cast as Dickie Greenleaf, as he is not a particularly subtle actor, Dickie would have come off as all surface, a characature rather than a character. Damon's too apparent, bowlderizing charm works for Ripley; it would not work for Dickie. Matt Damon is a good actor, but not a fine one, as he has a limited range. Jude Law is easily the better actor; he dominates \"The Talented Mr. Ripley\". It is his movie, even though his character dies halfway through the film. This is also the movie that will make Law an international star, hence it is his breakout role."}, {"response": 300, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Jan 14, 2000 (20:02)", "body": "Re polls. I only put that message up because someone had asked. Soory if I offended you. I just go back to lurking."}, {"response": 301, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jan 15, 2000 (09:39)", "body": "She's just joking, Lucie. Don't worry about it. We've just had some bad experience with polls. Can't take them too seriously."}, {"response": 302, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Jan 15, 2000 (14:01)", "body": "Paraphrasing Mr. Bennett's \"lace\" quote, I believe. :-)"}, {"response": 303, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Jan 15, 2000 (19:03)", "body": "Thanks Heidi. That was a bad day for me so I was a little too sensitive. My water pressure dropped when I was taking my shower but I finally got rinsed of, then the water was off for 4 hours. Then they gave us a notice that we have to boil the water til further notice. To cap it all off I found a leak under my bathroom sink, and someone stole my butterfly plant, pot and all. When I read this I have to laugh It sounds like a three stooges plot."}, {"response": 304, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Jan 16, 2000 (03:03)", "body": "Oh my, Lucie that is a bad day :-(. I hope you have no more plumbing or thieving problems for a good long while."}, {"response": 305, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (10:09)", "body": "(Lucie) Soory if I offended you Now, now, Lucie, *of course* I was kidding. I hope your day improved and that you're back in the splash of things!"}, {"response": 306, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Jan 17, 2000 (13:50)", "body": "Yes, thank you and my husband got his bike back."}, {"response": 307, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (17:34)", "body": "THE REAL THING MOST CRITICS adored David Leveaux's revival of Stoppard's play about love, commitment and politics when it was staged at the Donmar last May, so its reappearance is welcome. Stephen Dillane is still bringing his rueful charisma to the role of a dramatist, alongside Jennifer Ehle (above) as the charming, but wayward, actress he eventually marries. The play has all the wit and intellectual sparkle you expect from Stoppard, but its main interest is that, for the first time, he fully acknowledges the pull of he heart and the glands. Its conclusion would appear to be that love is not merely a game or a weapon to be used in the sex war, it is \"mess, pain, self- abasement, loss of self- respect, nakedness\". This is subtly argued but, more importantly, powerfully shown in a tale that embraces adultery, betrayal and a hard-won happiness - and, let me add, plenty of classy fun. BENEDICT NIGHTINGALE"}, {"response": 308, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (18:07)", "body": "The Fracas on Opening night of TRT was to due to the fact that we could not hear SD clearly.At the beginning of the second act we heard clapping from the rear of the stalls..then,people shouting \"Louder, we can't hear you\". ( At first I clapped too thinking it was genuine applause ) SD rose from the reclining position on the sofa and said \"Wot\"?Meanwhile Jennifer who was kneeling on stage right, heard it all and ROTFL. SD then said \"Pause\". And went right on in character. It was extraordinary..I have never heard of such. PS, They spoke louder after that. Got three long curtain calls. Did you send flowers to JE as well? Yes, in the afternoon we took her a mini-vase with tiny coral roses and a card."}, {"response": 309, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (18:16)", "body": "They spoke louder after that. Got three long curtain calls. Undeserved IMHO. The night was a mess. The number of curtain calls was out of pity. All the coughing and sneezing!! I thought I was in a hospital ward. Then the telephone ringing (and not from an audience member's mobile phone), but from somewhere else in the theatre. Totally a mess."}, {"response": 310, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (19:47)", "body": "Karen, what did you think of SDs performance? And, compare it to CF. How crazy are those Oliviers for not nominating him? Evelyn, what are the three changes that you mentioned from London that have been implimented in TRT?"}, {"response": 311, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (21:24)", "body": "Evelyn, what are the three changes that you mentioned from London that have been implimented in TRT? Debbie and Brodie are cast changes....not for the better IMO.Brodie speaks with such a thick Scottish accent, they'll have to use surtitles for the audience to understand him.SD does not sob like he did on the Donmar...instead says: \"Oh, god\"..despairingly. Jennifer does not do the play within the play love scene with her lover.Costume changes (for the better). Gone is the dowdy gray number at the end. Instead a pretty clingy purple two piece.Her hair is a strawberry blond color now."}, {"response": 312, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (21:27)", "body": "BTW Emma got the definitive souvenir, IMO. She had Jennifer sign her \"Making of P&P\" book and that evening had Colin sign it on the same page. Cool, uh?"}, {"response": 313, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 19, 2000 (21:48)", "body": "Debbie and Brodie are cast changes....not for the better IMO. Brodie speaks with such a thick Scottish accent, they'll have to use surtitles for the audience to understand him. I'd lay odds that the new Brodie will NOT be going to Broadway. Smallish part will be given to an American actor who will do a v. light Scottish accent that we can understand, e.g., a la Sean Connery. Which reminds me...saw a funny movie tonight called The Big Tease, a mockumentary about a Glaswegian hairdresser who thinks he's entered in this big international hairdressing competition in L.A. and what he does to actually get in it. If you like Waiting for Guffman type things, you will like this. Very funny. Starred Craig Ferguson (of the Drew Carey Show) and written and produced by him. Small film with lots of walk-ons by celebs playing themselves."}, {"response": 314, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (07:10)", "body": "(Evelyn), Debbie and Brodie are cast changes....not for the better That is a huge mistake. TRT was perfectly cast. I will have have to agree with you on the changes. Karen, I would like to hear your critique of SDs performance."}, {"response": 315, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (08:18)", "body": "(Evelyn)BTW Emma got the definitive souvenir, IMO. She had Jennifer sign her \"Making of P&P\" book and that evening had Colin sign it on the same page. Cool, uh? Indeed! Cooler would freeze :-)"}, {"response": 316, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (10:43)", "body": "SD CV in the TRT listed \"Anna Karenina\" in the TV credits, This from the London Standard: \"In May, he appears alongside Helen McCrory and Kevin McKidd in Channel 4's Anna Karenina, playing the hapless Karenin.\""}, {"response": 317, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (11:13)", "body": "(Evelyn) BTW Emma got the definitive souvenir, IMO. She had Jennifer sign her \"Making of P&P\" book and that evening had Colin sign it on the same page. Did JE come down and sign it in person? Or did Emma send the book backstage? Did SD come out at all? (Karen) All the coughing and sneezing!! By the actors, during the performance? Must have made it hard to do the love scenes;-) Well, the flu is sweeping the U.K., so guess actors aren't immune."}, {"response": 318, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (11:29)", "body": "No the coughing and sneezing were by the audience. V. loud. These people should've stayed home, especially in view of the theatre's policy of ticket returns and resales. Here, you'd lose your money. There, they get their money back if the boxoffice resells. People were queued for returns for 3DOR. Totally impolite to come to the theatre and disrupt everything."}, {"response": 319, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 20, 2000 (16:55)", "body": "Glowing review of TRT in today's TIMES...so the voice projection problems must have been resolved.Don't know what they did with the coughers. Pic of Jennifer looks like she has red hair, but it is strawberry blond... \"Ehle's vocal precision and air of fierce attention go with her luminous beauty to create an object of love as passionate and real as her lover.\" Last night was press night. ~~~~~~~ (Susan)Did JE come down and sign it in person? Or did Emma send the book backstage? Did SD come out at all? We dropped the book off at the stage door when we took the flowers. She and SD never came down at the Donmar. The Albery stage door is in the rear...so I imagine they have to come out that way.We did not go after the performance."}, {"response": 320, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 22, 2000 (08:34)", "body": "The NY Times article about Jane Austen fanfic was picked up and excerpted in the Evening Standard on 21 January: EVENING STANDARD: JANE AUSTEN 2: AT A WEBSITE NEAR YOU from MOLLY Watson in New York It is a truth universally acknowledged that a reader of Jane Austen's novels must be in want of a sequel. For the millions of people addicted to her books, often through the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice starring Colin Firth or the movie, Sense and Sensibility, with Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Kate Winslet and Alan Rickman, Austen's six completed novels have never been enough. Now her fans are logging on to the Internet for all things Austen and creating online libraries of their own stories, either written in her prose style or using her characters - even for tales set in space, the Wild West and Medieval England. Ann Haker, the founder of Austen. com, which offers its 30,000 weekly visitors live chat in the Jane Austen tea room as well as hundreds of stories by fans, says: 'There are just not enough of Jane Austen's own words to read, so we write our own.' It's called fan fiction - or fanfic - at the two most popular websites for American e-mailers paying homage to the English spinster who died in 1817. The Republic of Pemberley at www. pemberley. com is 'your haven in a world programmed to misunderstand obsession with things Austen'. It has thousands of creative offerings by more than a million visitors to the site. But the most fun is to be had at the Fantasia Gallery page of Austen. com which features works like Darcy Hood, in which 'Darcy and his merry men do good in the forest of Netherfield', and Shooting Stars, an ambitious leap of the imagination which has Elizabeth Bennet wrestling with her driv controls as the entire cast of Pride and Prejudice is uprooted to the Star Wars universe. Even funnier is a tale of Darcy and Bingley running Netherfield airbase in which Darcy delivers the immortal line to Mr Bennet: 'Are you saying Elizabeth is going to flip out?' In a later chapter when Darcy and Elizabeth are happily married, they move into their new linoleum-floored home where she discovers the waste disposal unit is broken and Darcy, who was once the master of Pemberley's rolling acres, decides the back garden 'was big enough to justify buying a lawnmover'. In Epilogue Abbey amateur authors try to continue Austen's literary legacy by filling in critical scenes that Austen never described, like Darcy's second proposal to Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice. Fanfic writers also attempt to embroider Austen's restrained Regency prose, often with cringe-making results. In Roses and Thorns, Darcy muses that Elizabeth 'brought me to the rim, the very edge of wild madness and desire, my mood has changed from lofty pride and prejudice to teeter at the brink of love's precipice'. Austen's Internet fans are serious about their work. Professor Laurie Kaplan puts the urge to expand her novels down to the author's own 'non-endings'. 'Her summaries at the end of her novels are never as neatly packaged as those of other authors at that time,' she says. 'There's always change and trouble hinted at - it's almost satiric - and the story isn't projected very far into the future. It makes the reader want to push it further.' Ann Rydberg, a prolific Swedish fanfic writer, says: 'Austen's novels can take any amount of bungling amateurism and still remain unsoiled, the exquisite and well-polished bits of ivory she once presented us.' Sadly, the readers of Arias and Arrogance, in which Darcy and Elizabeth sing in a sexually charged production of The Marriage of Figaro, would beg to disagree."}, {"response": 321, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 22, 2000 (10:18)", "body": "Wait til they find Fan Fic on Drool.Sizzzzzle."}, {"response": 322, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jan 22, 2000 (11:26)", "body": "Thanks for posting, Karen. Poor Ann is having trouble posting too. She deserves the praise. Wait til they find Fan Fic on Drool.Sizzzzzle. Oh! I do not think Terry could handle the million plus readers, could he?"}, {"response": 323, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jan 22, 2000 (11:32)", "body": "Wait til they find Fan Fic on Drool.Sizzzzzle. LOL!! What would they make of us? We can only hope we remain unexposed. Kudos to Anne."}, {"response": 324, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 23, 2000 (23:08)", "body": "You know who looked the most uncomfortable at the GGs? Minnie Driver!! ;-) Bet she had a good time chitchatting with Matt Damon or perhaps Babs and James Brolin. OK, how many pictures will there be of Courtney Love's dress that wouldn't stay up?"}, {"response": 325, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (09:21)", "body": "Minnie looked great last night, and her boyfriend Brolin's son is very handsome. I loved Halle Berry's dress and Babs looked fab too. Did you notice that Gwynnie arrived wearing a long skirt and changed to jeans for the show? She must have seen Lara F-B in her bell-buttoms and probably called someone to bring her jeans. Certainly, as the only two with that casual look, the called attention to themselves. Winona Rider has no class, no style or taste in clothes, and no posture either. As a presenter this really came through. Jim Carrey was very funny and he makes a cute couple with Renee (loved her dress, very 60's). Did you know that Courtney Love's dress was glued on to her breasts?"}, {"response": 326, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (09:55)", "body": "Minnie looked great last night, and her boyfriend Brolin's son is very handsome. Wait a minute!! I thought that was all over, as Minnie has been spotted sneaking out with David Duchovny, he of \"new fatherhood.\" Argh!"}, {"response": 327, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (10:18)", "body": "From the Guardian: Full-length Blackadder movie to be made Rowan Atkinson is to make a film version of Blackadder, with our hero playing a pop manager who misses out on signing the Beatles. There have been rumours of a feature-length version of the popular BBC series for a number of years now, intensified recently by the reunion of the characters in Back and Forth, the short film currently showing at the millennium dome in the Skyscape cinema. But the stumbling block for Atkinson and co-writers Ben Elton and Richard Curtis has been the period in which to set the film. However, according to cast member Stephen Fry, the team have finally decided on the 60s. \"We have had great fun thinking what the next one ought to be. We've decided it should be set in the 60s, where Rowan would be a manager of a band that was on the night after the Beatles played at the Cavern Club - so he just misses [them]... and he's enraged with bitterness,\" he said. Atkinson will play the Svengali Brian Epstein-esque manager Edmund Blackadder, and as usual will be joined by Tony Robinson, this time as the band's bald drummer, Rick. The remainder of the band will be played by Hugh Laurie, Tim McInnerney and Rik Mayall. Together they spend the 60s trying and failing to make it big by emulating the Beatles. It is not yet known when the film will go into production. ~~~~ Opportunity for another guest-starring bit? ;-)"}, {"response": 328, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (10:22)", "body": "I just left voicemail for Ann giving her every technical detail she needs to access austen.com or 208.171.121.122, the new site. I imagine she's at work, so she'll probably get this tonight. Ann, please send me a confirming email or voicemail when you get this information."}, {"response": 329, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (10:24)", "body": "I'm ftping all the old site files to http://208.171.121.122 . Some of the links (probably being absolute links) won't work till the site gets tweaked. But you should be able to access the ip address url till the domain name repropagates through the net. Try it out!"}, {"response": 330, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (10:31)", "body": "Terry, Ann will never see this message here, as she doesn't frequent the Drool conference. Just FYI. And BTW, have you looked into my access to the new server. Karen"}, {"response": 331, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (10:45)", "body": "I have set up an account for you there. I will set it up again using all lower case instead of upper and lower. Email me so I can reply with the details."}, {"response": 332, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (10:56)", "body": "Agree with everyone on the GG clothes. Courtney Love is a mess.As is Winona Ryder.Did you see her punching Matt's arm when they were mentionsing his name for Best Actor.She lacks poise.This is Gwynnie's best friend? Gwynnie looked cadaverous in those leather trousers.I thought Denzel was the classiest guy around.Liked all the Barbra Streisand stuff.... though it went on 'on...almost like an obit."}, {"response": 333, "author": "AnnMari", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (12:40)", "body": "Did everyone spot Meg Tilly at the GGs? She was sitting right next to Julianne Moore, and they showed her several times. Meg looked terrific--very glam, very youthful; must be the contentment and security of married life;-) ;-) Also . . .I believe that was that was Richard Greenberg sitting at the table directly behind Sam Mendes (who is adorable, IMO). Discussing a film version of our fave play perhaps?;-) Courtney Love--gets my Smacked Ass award. Yech! Minnie Driver--We know you have breasts, dear, you can put them back inside your dress now;-) Odd (but Cute) Couple: Russell Crowe and Jodie Foster I thought Julia Roberts looked great--slinky but classy. Barbra--very very elegant, but Shirley MacLeane's intro almost took us into next year. Nicole K's sis is a brunette version of Nic--and also a foot or two taller than Tommy (who I thought gave a nice acceptance speech)."}, {"response": 334, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (13:06)", "body": "Hmmm, missed Meg T. I hardly pay attention to the others who might be in the shot from the rest of the table, and I missed the criticial E! Pregame Show. Joan and Melissa would've surely pointed out all that was fit to watch. Maybe they'll do a rerun tonight. ;-) Why would Richard Greenberg be at the GGs, especially seated anywhere near the American Beauty table, way down front? Don't think it was him. Did you see where Pedro Almodovar sat? Up in the cheap seats."}, {"response": 335, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (13:12)", "body": "Julianne Moore looked so good on camera, I did not notice Meg. I will take your word for it Mari, if she looked glamorous. Wow, Greenberg by Mendes and of course, Spielberg? What could that mean? You are a hawk Mari, good scoop! According to the Miami Herald, Gwynnie's new best friend is Madonna. They spent the holidays here and techno dancing on NY Eve the were seen kissing/making out after a long hot dance number."}, {"response": 336, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (13:19)", "body": "I missed the criticial E! Pregame Show. Joan and Melissa would've surely pointed out all that was fit to watch. Maybe they'll do a rerun tonight. ;-) I doubt that, Joan is so out of it. I remember at the Oscars big stars would walk right by her and she would be there trying to be funny with a TV actor. I preferred watching the pre-show with Dick Clark last night. Still no Meg. BTW, when Tom Cruise was interviewed, he said the same thing he ended up saying when he accepted his award. So did Jack Lemmon. I guess they had their lines down."}, {"response": 337, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (13:30)", "body": "Meg Tilly at Julieanne Moore table? Which one was Sony? Magnolia, End of the Affair,or AIH? Moon, Rupert Evert looked a little mangy...not his usual sartorial self.Too many parties?"}, {"response": 338, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (14:02)", "body": "The End of the Affair was Sony. (Moon) I doubt that, Joan is so out of it. Did you not see my winky? Maybe Greenberg was somebody's date? Huh, Moon? ;-)"}, {"response": 339, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (14:32)", "body": "Maybe Greenberg was somebody's date? Huh, Moon? ;-) He really wanted to sit with Aldomovar but changed his mind when he saw mangy Rupert, he knows a party boy when he sees one! ;-) Totally missed the winky, Karen. I know you're in the know. :-D I would love to see a glamourous Meg. Did anyone tape the show?"}, {"response": 340, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jan 24, 2000 (19:40)", "body": "Sorry to interrupt, but first thing firthst...I was checking my Birthday list and I see we have CherylB's Birthday 31 of January . Time to hunt new gifs because all of mine are locked up on a Spring file I cannot enter. See you then if not before!"}, {"response": 341, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 25, 2000 (08:14)", "body": "Elena, are these your neighbors too? ;-) BERLIN \ufffd The Berlin Intl. Film Festival\ufffds (Feb. 9-20) Intl. Forum of Young Cinema section announced a string of European titles Monday. The world premiere of two Finnish films follows last year\ufffds coup of vet Finnish director Aki Kaurismaki\ufffds \ufffdJuha.\ufffd This year, Markku Lehmuskallio\ufffds \ufffdSeven Songs From the Tundra\ufffd and Auli Mantila\ufffds \ufffdGeography of Fear,\ufffd about a group of women dealing with male violence, rep Finland."}, {"response": 342, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Jan 25, 2000 (08:41)", "body": "Be sure to email or call me today with the details of your new account, Marcia. I'll get you going on the new site."}, {"response": 343, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 25, 2000 (11:06)", "body": "Okay...This is me, who hates polls and is now about to eat her words....again;-) FYI The Albemarle Theatre website is conducting an Olivier Awards poll and 3 DOR ia waaaay ahead of \"Lady in the Van\". And so is Jennifer.Now I'm not asking anyone to vote...just giving results. http://www.demon.co.uk/cgi-bin/albemarlelondon2/survey.pl"}, {"response": 344, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Jan 25, 2000 (11:07)", "body": "Elena, are these your neighbors too? If they are, they\ufffdve kept quiet about it. We actually planned to go to see the Geography of Fear (Pelon maantiede) with hubby last Sunday but started to fear even before we saw it and changed our minds. We went to see Sam Mendes\ufffds American Beauty instead. Hmmm...quite interesting, partly. I\ufffdd like to know what kind of reviews it received in the US, if anybody happened to read any. I was amazed how terrible Annette Bening was in it, too histrionic to be true."}, {"response": 345, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Jan 25, 2000 (11:09)", "body": "Something wrong with the link Evelyn? Doesn\ufffdt work for me."}, {"response": 346, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 25, 2000 (11:13)", "body": "Try this URL and click on \"Voting results without voting\". The one I gave you was after I voted. http://www.albemarle-london.com/vote.html"}, {"response": 347, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 25, 2000 (11:33)", "body": "Too bad there isn't a place for *write-in* votes ;-)"}, {"response": 348, "author": "AnnMari", "date": "Tue, Jan 25, 2000 (12:00)", "body": "(Elena) I\ufffdd like to know what kind of reviews it received in the US, if anybody happened to read any. American Beauty got outstanding reviews, Elena--probably the best-reviewed film of the year here. Did very well at the box office as well. Re: Bening--it's supposed to be a satire, not real life, ts the tone of her character. What did you think of Kevin Spacey and Wes Bentley (the young neighbor)? Sorry, Moon, I didn't tape the GGs, but will ask around. (Karen) Too bad there isn't a place for *write-in* votes ;-) Yeah--poor David Morrissey.;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 349, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 25, 2000 (12:16)", "body": "Elena, about American Beauty, I still feel it was the best picture of the year of the ones I've seen so far. It was perfection in every category. Yeah--poor David Morrissey.;-) ;-) Exactly, they should have \"Most Improved\" category too! ;-)"}, {"response": 350, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Tue, Jan 25, 2000 (12:50)", "body": "Feeling dense here, but I still don't get why 5 actors are nominated in the best actor and best actor/musical categories, while all the other Olivier categories have only 4 nominees. Anyone know the logic? I presume that 2 actors tied for the 4th slot in both the actor categories?"}, {"response": 351, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan 25, 2000 (13:20)", "body": "(Elena), We went to see Sam Mendes\ufffds American Beauty instead. Hmmm...quite interesting, (Karen), I still feel it was the best picture of the year of the ones I've seen so far. It was perfection in every category. I was not as satisfied as you were. I tend to agree with Elena. I liked The Three Kings very much (in every category), and that film seems to have been forgotten. Thanks Mari, I think we would all like to see a picture of a glamourous Meg Tilly. I still don't get why 5 actors are nominated in the best actor and best actor/musical categories, while all the other Olivier categories have only 4 nominees. Good question, Susan."}, {"response": 352, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Jan 25, 2000 (14:32)", "body": "(Moon) I liked The Three Kings very much (in every category), and that film seems to have been forgotten. I agree, Moon. I liked this movie very much - good acting, interesting characters that you could care about, plus a message about the ramifications of war and poorly thought out policies of governments. And thankfully enough action to keep my DH from squirming in his seat :-). I would like to see it gain some awards recognition, particularly for its script or story, but there is so little buzz about this film I kind of doubt it will happen."}, {"response": 353, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Jan 25, 2000 (15:37)", "body": "Evelyn. Is this site poloced like Hot Brits? This gal has it set up so that you have to log in before you can vote and you get 5 votes. You get to vote once every 24 hours and if you try before the 24 hours is up you lose those votes and you are locked out until 24 hours from that time. Right now it seems that there are only 2 of us voting for Colin. http://www.freevote.com/booth/hotbrits"}, {"response": 354, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Jan 25, 2000 (16:07)", "body": "(Mari)it's supposed to be a satire, not real life But satire just doesn\ufffdt work if it\ufffds not somehow plausible too. And satire has everything to do with real life...it won\ufffdt bite if all you can think of is \"good god, she\ufffds really trying to act her socks off\" every time an actress steps in and starts to badly overdo her stuff. What did you think of Kevin Spacey and Wes Bentley Wes Bentley: great, mostly. Very Finnish type of sincere insanity!! Spacey: not my taste. Typical clownery. But whoever it was who played Janey, I thought she was brilliant! (Karen)It was perfection in every category. Especially in the flying plastic bags category! Seriously, I think American Beauty is one of the better American movies I\ufffdve seen because the technique was so different and it really tried to say something about reality for a change. Great psychedelia and some almost touching scenes (but not very touching really and that\ufffds one thing that sucks in it.) And the music was good, hubby wants to point out!"}, {"response": 355, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Jan 25, 2000 (16:13)", "body": ""}, {"response": 356, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan 25, 2000 (16:53)", "body": "(Jana), I would like to see it gain some awards recognition, particularly for its script or story, but there is so little buzz about this film I kind of doubt it will happen. \"The Three Kings\" also had great music and beautiful cinematography. I hope the academy remembers this at Oscar time. Elena, I recommend you see \"Happiness.\" One could easily compare it to Am. Beauty because of the themes. \"Happiness\" is a more important film. BTW, I also did not like Annette Bs acting. If you want to see great acting go to see Sean Penn in Woody Allen\ufffds new film \"Sweet & Lowdown.\" Wow!"}, {"response": 357, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 25, 2000 (17:02)", "body": "(Lucie)Evelyn. Is this site policed like Hot Brits? Lucie, I really don't know any of the voting regulations of the Albemarle website.It's strictly for fun....nothing serious.The Olivier committee obviously will not pay any attention to it.Nor should it."}, {"response": 358, "author": "springnet", "date": "Mon, Jan 31, 2000 (23:04)", "body": "On Jan 25th, I moved all the old spring conference files to the new site, and I am now posting on the site for the second or third time. Kaylene Thaler has been our savior today, working on getting it to work. Not everything will work at first, because we're being pioneers, but we'll get it to work with your help. The old accounts may not even work, because Kaylene is trying to figure out how to make them work. I'm logging in with a new account."}, {"response": 359, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jan 31, 2000 (23:27)", "body": "I just logged with my old username, so maybe our old usernames and passwords will work after all. I hope someone else shows up soon. Last 50, etc. doesn't work yet, there will be lots of things to fix, but the good news is that we've done what many said couldn't be done and moved to this new server. I'm pumped!"}, {"response": 360, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  1, 2000 (09:30)", "body": "Welcome everybody to the new site! Thanks Terry. Calendar of Oscar events: Oscar nomination ballots are due by 5 p.m.(PST) Friday. Noms will be announced Feb. 15 at 5:30 a.m. The awards will be handed out March 26."}, {"response": 361, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb  1, 2000 (10:49)", "body": "Thanks Terry and Karen. I too logged on successfully with my old user name and password. Hooray!"}, {"response": 362, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Feb  1, 2000 (12:36)", "body": "That's great, Kaylene wasn't sure if our old passwords would work, with the exception of the missing background here, we've been far more glitch free than I expected. A lot of people said we couldn't pull this move off, but we did it and I'm relieved."}, {"response": 363, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  1, 2000 (16:51)", "body": "This was posted at austen.com's Tea Room. Thought many of us might be interested. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ********************************************** TLC'S \"GREAT BOOKS FESTIVAL\" TAKES A WALK DOWN THE AISLE WITH \"PRIDE AND PREJUDICE\" AND \"MADAME BOVARY\" ********************************************** On Saturday, February 19, TLC will feature an all-day GREAT BOOKS FESTIVAL, with two all-new, world premiere episodes: Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice,' and Gustave Flaubert's 'Madame Bovary.' \"GREAT BOOKS: Pride and Prejudice\" airs Saturday, February 19, from 9-10PM, and \"GREAT BOOKS: Madame Bovary\" follows from 10-11PM (ET/PT). The GREAT BOOKS FESTIVAL airs from 9AM to 3AM. TLC's GREAT BOOKS presents the stories of the heroines of these two novels, and introduces viewers to modern-day writers and relationship experts, who explain how and why women around the world still identify with the novels' characters. \"GREAT BOOKS: Pride and Prejudice,\" airing from 9-10 PM, interviews blockbuster screenwriter Nora Ephron to reveal how she features elements of Austen's work in her movies. Helen Fielding, the author of the bestseller 'Bridget Jones's Diary,' borrowed her book's plot from 'Pride and Prejudice.' The program illustrates that Austen's characters are so universal that they update with ease. The program goes from gyms to private girl's schools to bridal shops, meeting young women and their mothers who reveal that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Women are still worried about finding the elusive Mr. Right, couples still have to overcome first impressions in order to find true love, and mothers still obsess over seeing their daughters wed. The story doesn't end at the wedding though, as Madame Bovary learns to her dismay. Stuck in a marriage that can never live up to the passionate romances in the novels she reads, Flaubert's Bovary feels trapped. \"GREAT BOOKS: Madame Bovary,\" airing from 10-11 PM, interviews Erica Jong, author of 'Fear of Flying,' who explains why she took a character similar to Emma Bovary, and sent her on the same sort of emotional quest that Flaubert created. The program also introduces Delma Hayn, the author of 'Marriage Shock,' who reveals that the feelings Flaubert imbues in Bovary are fairly typical with newlywed women. They often feel disillusioned and some turn to affairs to try and recapture some of their old feelings of attractiveness and romance. In order to illustrate the point, the program contains interviews with women who've experienced this disconnect, as well as one women who's currently having an affair. An unmarried man, Flaubert managed to capture the essence of these women's emotions in his masterpiece"}, {"response": 364, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Feb  2, 2000 (09:15)", "body": "interviews blockbuster screenwriter Nora Ephron to reveal how she features elements of Austen's work in her movies. Goody! This must include a fleeting glimpse of ODB on the P&P book cover. Can't tell you how many times I've tuned into You've Got Mail just to catch this elusive sight (best part of the movie, IMO). Thanks for this, Karen. (Karen) Calendar of Oscar events: Oscar nomination ballots are due by 5 p.m.(PST) Friday. Noms will be announced Feb. 15 at 5:30 a.m. The awards will be handed out March 26. If you're interested in all things Oscar, the current edition of Newsweek (2/7/00) features \"The Envelope, Please\" where \"Newsweek invited the makers of the year's most talked-about films to discuss art, money, studios and statuettes. There were a pair of thoughtful Brits (Anthony Minghella, Sam Mendes), a fiesty Canadian (Norman Jewison) and three very different, but equally driven, Americans (Michael Mann, Kimberly Peirce and M. Night Shyamalan).\" If you're a Sam fan, he comes off funny (\"directing is a very lonely occupation. You think you're the only one who goes through it. This is our AA meeting. My name is Sam, and I am a director [laughter]\") and respectful of his peers. Anthony describes how his fight to retain the TEP cast of H'wood unknowns strengthened his commitment to make movies on his terms, not the studios. It's an interesting piece."}, {"response": 365, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  2, 2000 (09:15)", "body": "Here we go - the nominations that count for something - the SAG nominations: American Beauty continued to bloom Tuesday as the awards season front-runner with four nominations for the sixth annual Screen Actors Guild Awards. Being John Malkovich and Magnolia received three nominations each. DreamWorks' Beauty, which won Golden Globes for best film drama, director and script, received SAG nominations for outstanding performance by a cast, for leads Kevin Spacey and Annette Bening and for Chris Cooper in a supporting role. First-time nominees dominated, taking 15 of the 20 possible individual nods in the film categories. Julianne Moore achieved a first by taking double nominations for lead role in The End of the Affair and her supporting role in Magnolia, giving Moore her second and third nominations; her first was for 1997's Boogie Nights. Crystal ball SAG film nominations and awards provide forecasting guidance as to sentiment among Academy Awards voters, since actors represent nearly 24% of the Oscar vote with 1,321 of the 5,607 ballot-casting members. Indications have been particularly strong in the lead actor and actress categories, with nine of 10 SAG winners since 1994 also taking the Oscar. The lone exception came in the first year, when Jodie Foster won the SAG award for Nell and Jessica Lange won the Oscar for Blue Sky. SAG selections in supporting categories have been a less reliable predictor. Last year Robert Duvall (A Civil Action) and Kathy Bates (Primary Colors) won SAG awards, but James Coburn (Affliction) and Judi Dench (Shakespeare in Love) won the Oscars. And SAG ensemble cast winners matched the best picture Oscars only last year with Shakespeare in Love. \"This and the Globes are good indicators of what might happen at the Oscars,\" said SAG president William Daniels. \"It's very meaningfulfor these actors to be honored by people who are in front of the camera.\" Ballots to 97,000 Nominations were based on polling of 4,200 randomly selected SAG members. Ballots will be mailed Feb. 15 \ufffd the day that Oscar nominations are announced \ufffd to the 97,000 SAG members, and winners will be announced March 12 at the Los Angeles Shrine Exposition Center. The film nominations give a major boost to New Line's Magnolia and USA Films' Being John Malkovich, which were both shut out at the Globes. Besides Moore's nod, Magnolia also received nominations for cast performance and for Tom Cruise for his supporting role, while USA Films' Being John Malkovich scored nods for cast and for Cameron Diaz and Catherine Keener in supporting roles. Warner Bros.' The Green Mile, Fox Searchlight's Boys Don't Cry and Miramax's The Cider House Rules each took two nominations. Mile received nods for cast and Michael Clarke Duncan's supporting role; Boys for Hilary Swank's lead and Chloe Sevigny's supporting role (Swank took the Globe for actress in a drama); and Cider House for cast and for Michael Caine's supporting role. Kudos counting In addition to Cruise, Globes winners Denzel Washington (The Hurricane), Jim Carrey (Man on the Moon), Janet McTeer (Tumbleweeds) and Angelina Jolie (Girl, Interrupted) received nominations. A mild surprise came from the lead actor nomination for Philip Seymour Hoffman in Flawless rather than a supporting actor recognition for Magnolia. Meryl Streep's nomination for Music of the Heart was her fourth, the most of any of the nominees."}, {"response": 366, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Feb  2, 2000 (09:44)", "body": "If you're interested in the Newsweek article I spoke of in #364, here's a link to the online version: http://newsweek.com/nw-srv/printed/us/ae/a2873-2000jan30.htm"}, {"response": 367, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Feb  2, 2000 (13:55)", "body": "I'm so excited, just had to share with everyone, I have tickets to go to The Olivier Awards on the 18th February, now if only Colin had been nominated, (sob) but you never know he may be one of the Presenters, will be able to give you a first hand report on all the gossip!!"}, {"response": 368, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Feb  2, 2000 (13:57)", "body": "I made it over, has other topics been transfered yet? And are all of them transferring over? Should the ones that are not used just be deleted? Anyway, the aztec/mayan motif is interesting."}, {"response": 369, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  2, 2000 (14:08)", "body": "Laura, everything's here that's gonna be here. AnnW, how exciting! Are you going to go to the Oliviers? I'm sure, SD's presence will make up for the dearth of Firth. Be sure to yell out, when they are reading the nominees for Best Actor, \"This is rigged!! You left out the best one!!\" ;-) Just kidding (well, sort of) Have fun."}, {"response": 370, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Wed, Feb  2, 2000 (14:31)", "body": "Ann, I'm jealous! You're so lucky! How on earth did you manage to get tickets? Do you know where you'll be seated? I'll look out for you when it's screened on the BBC."}, {"response": 371, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb  2, 2000 (15:44)", "body": "Ann and Aishling ...we're so proud that you're going to be our reps....I'm thinking that perhaps Richard Greenberg, author of 3 DOR will be there. (If you tell Moon, she'll want his autograph!) .And all sorts of important people. What troupers! Take copious notes.Tell me what she's wearing... And who her date is....;-)"}, {"response": 372, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Feb  2, 2000 (15:48)", "body": "tell me what she wears Evelyn , I just hope it is not that black dress she wore at the BAFTA Films Awards when she was nominated for Wilde!!"}, {"response": 373, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb  2, 2000 (20:15)", "body": "....that black dress she wore at the BAFTA Films Awards when she was nominated for Wilde!! That was ghastly...even with the front slit all the way up. By her own admission, she is not a \"clothes-horse\" and like her ex-boyfriend, is not concerned about clothes. Imagine...with that bod!"}, {"response": 374, "author": "baine", "date": "Wed, Feb  2, 2000 (20:49)", "body": "FYI - 3DOR just opened in DC to good review in the Post. The actress looks cuter than EM, but of course Ned/Walker--well, what's the point? I was hoping that, when his agent said he was leaving the country, it meant he was coming here to continue the role. Alas!"}, {"response": 375, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Feb  2, 2000 (21:07)", "body": "(Karen) Be sure to yell out, when they are reading the nominees for Best Actor, \"This is rigged!! You left out the best one!!\" ;-) Just kidding (well, sort of) Karen, maybe we should jet back over for the show and wrap ourselves in paper chains in protest.;-) (Sorry, totally tasteless, I know;-) Ann and Aishling, have a super time--very exciting! BTW, the What's On Stage newsletter predicts Maggie Smith to win (predictably), but says Jennifer *should* win. RE: SAG noms. Nice to see people like Chris Cooper and Phillip Seymour Hoffman recognized. Does CF have one or two of these? If memory serves, cast won for SIL, but not for TEP, though nommed. Cymbeline, I saw that 3DOR review. It gets good reviews wherever it plays--which is pretty much everywhere in the U.S., which is why there's no way it will come back to NYC any time soon."}, {"response": 376, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb  3, 2000 (07:35)", "body": "I was going to see 3DOR in Philadelphia, but never made it:( And I saw that it was getting really good reviews. I'm curious who are the actors that are in the American version? Does anyone have a clue?"}, {"response": 377, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  3, 2000 (07:50)", "body": "Is it still there? Cymberline reported that 3DOR is playing around Washington DC right now. You can read the review at the Post site. I'm sure different actors perform at each theatre."}, {"response": 378, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb  3, 2000 (07:58)", "body": "I don't know if it's still in Philadelphia. But DC is only 2 hours away, it could be the same troupe from Philadelphia? I thought maybe the 3DOR cast was the same (traveling company). Karen, when you saw it in Chicago, I don't remember what you thought of the actors? Were they good in their own right?"}, {"response": 379, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  3, 2000 (08:26)", "body": "Of course, they were. It was the Steppenwolf Theater."}, {"response": 380, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb  3, 2000 (08:28)", "body": "No, the troupe in DC is not the one who played in Philly. I just did a compare from the Philly review I had posted at springfolks. It ran in Philly from late October to early December. Also, it played in Boston in April."}, {"response": 381, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, Feb  3, 2000 (08:37)", "body": "If topic 34 didn't make it over from drool, Karen, can you revisit http://206.97.234.70 and copy and paste it in to a new topic. How many posts were in that topic, was it very big? I'm concerned and want to help get that stuff over here to the new site."}, {"response": 382, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, Feb  3, 2000 (09:03)", "body": "I think I got this done in topic 128. It it may not be as bad as I thought. Try it out and let me know if topic 128, the old fan fiction topic, is working ok. I don't know why this didn't travel over??? But maybe it's ok now."}, {"response": 383, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  3, 2000 (09:27)", "body": "Thank you, Terry. Everything moved over just perfectly on 128. I've left a big message on old 34 about the changes and how their entry the first time will be a bear and a tip about how to avoid loading hell, which I'm reproducing here: Important!!! Drool Fan Fic has moved to the new Spring location and has a NEW topic number. Bookmark this url if you only check Fan Fic: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/128/new Be Warned However... The first time you use that url, it will take forever to load because you will be getting 1970 messages and your PC will not likely be able to hold it all in memory cache and will stop loading at some point. So for the first time you go into the new Fan Fic topic, use this url, which will start it loading at message #1900. http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/34.1900 After that you can go back to the usual one I listed first. See you there! :-)"}, {"response": 384, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb  3, 2000 (09:39)", "body": "What's On Stage newsletter predicts Maggie Smith to win (predictably), but says Jennifer *should* win. Albemarle Theatre website has Jennifer 115 votes .... Maggie Smith 68 3 DOR 102...Lady in Van 79. SD 107....Henry Goodman 38 My guess is that at Olivier time the owners of the website will rig the numbers to coincide with the awards. *Cynical* evelyn"}, {"response": 385, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  3, 2000 (10:20)", "body": "Evelyn!! You're not going to believe this. This Year's Love is going to show at the Santa Barbara Intl Film Fest, which begins March 2. Here's the url at Variety: http://www.variety.com/article.asp?articleID=1117776079 Films among the U.S. preems are \ufffdIf You Only Knew,\ufffd toplined by Johnathon Schaech; \ufffdThe Spreading Ground,\ufffd Dennis Hopper; \ufffdThe Annihilation of Fish,\ufffd James Earl Jones; \ufffdIt\ufffds the Rage,\ufffd Gary Sinise and Joan Allen; \ufffdPassion,\ufffd Barbara Hershey; and \ufffdThis Year\ufffds Love,\ufffd Catherine McCormack. For fest passes and a complete schedule of events call, (805) 963-4408 or log on to www.sbfilmfestival.org."}, {"response": 386, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb  3, 2000 (14:46)", "body": "Evelyn, how about this then, from today ES Theatre Section:- \"ACT sale hit by price of Success: .... this week The Real Thing broke the theatre's all-time box office record.\" All-time record, can you believe it."}, {"response": 387, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb  3, 2000 (18:10)", "body": "Ann.....Evelyn...this week The Real Thing broke the theatre's all-time box office record.\" All-time record, can you believe it. And that's 800 seats/performance.!!! (Karen)Evelyn!! You're not going to believe this. This Year's Love is going to show at the Santa Barbara Intl Film Fest, which begins March 2. *evelyn...smiling...like a dog eating..----!*"}, {"response": 388, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Fri, Feb  4, 2000 (16:13)", "body": "Well I finally got to the new site. It's really good to find all of you again. Thank you for the virtual birthday party, it was great. My actual birthday celebration(s) were very nice too. I posted about them on the old site, which was the only one I could access. As per usual, I was much too verbose. It figures that my birthday would happen at the time Spring is in upheaval. But I won't take it personally that, my birthday party and response weren't transfered to Spring's new site. I swear computers have it in for me. At work the running joke is I'm always the first person to be thrown out of certain programs or whose computer crashes. In the future, when artificial intelligence is perfected, an unintentional offshoot will be artificial mental illness. Just think you could get a bi-polar computer or even one that's obsessive-compulsive; it would just keep doing the same thing over and over. Mine would no doubt go shopping for itself on the web. Because of online shopping, it would know my credit card number and decide to buy itself some new software, sent overnight mail of course. Sorry, I'm being silly. Thanks again to Karen, Moon, KJArt, Evelyn, Heide, Gi, and Eileen for all your birthday felicitations. I hope that's everyone, and the right names. Now I can't access the old site. Lastly, Happy Chinese New Year. It's the year of the dragon, I'm not certain what that entails, but I am being taken out for the multi-course Chinese dinner. It is good to be back."}, {"response": 389, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Feb  5, 2000 (05:08)", "body": "CherylB, I think Darlene left you her belated birthday wishes too at the old site, I went in today to check for stragglers and there they were... :-) The url is http://206.97.234.70/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/127/new and it is still accessible if you want to go there."}, {"response": 390, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb  5, 2000 (09:23)", "body": "HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR.. GOOD HEALTH AND GOOD FORTUNE IN THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON 4698"}, {"response": 391, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb  5, 2000 (09:54)", "body": "And a Happy New Year from me too!!"}, {"response": 392, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (03:27)", "body": "More Ralph Feinnes on the front cover of the Sunday Times Culture section, how I wish Colin has as much exposure, however, some news that Sunshine starring Jennifer Ehle and her mother oh and RF, opens on the 2st April, and not 7th April as originaly suggested,"}, {"response": 393, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (03:28)", "body": "that should be the 21st April."}, {"response": 394, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (05:28)", "body": "Happy year of the Dragon everyone! (This is as near a dragon as i could get in the spur of the moment) Can someone tell me: a. Why is the numerical Spring location still up? b. Why can't we see the list of the most recent postings in this one? c. Why can't some graphics (e.g. the Amazon.com button)show up here yet?"}, {"response": 395, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (09:07)", "body": "a) No idea. The company has not shut it down yet. b) They haven't fixed that yet. c) Someone has to fix the urls, which point to the wrong place. Like the background, which didn't show up initially. wer fixed that, and he will get around to bringing back our other buttons and customizing our conference page."}, {"response": 396, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (10:23)", "body": "Headline story from The Sunday Times: Disney takes over as dome boss is sacked [last paragraph] Gerbeau will look immediately at the issue of admission prices."}, {"response": 397, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (10:25)", "body": "Oh no, I have just bought our tickets for April!!"}, {"response": 398, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (10:30)", "body": "Oh forgot to say that TRT is the No.1 play in London now, has taken over from The Lady in a Van and if Friday night is anything to go by it will stay there, the audience loved it."}, {"response": 399, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (10:55)", "body": "About BBC Drama, with Colin mention: WHY THERE'S MONEY IN THOSE TV FLOPS (4/2/00) Only four million of us tuned into the first episode, and barely half that number have stayed the course. With the final part due to go out on Monday night, it's no longer just a matter of the critics carping. Gormenghast is officially a flop. The BBC denies it, of course. Alan Ayres, the publicity commissioner for BBC2 drama, says the figures for the opening episode were a \"terrific success\". But a couple of years ago the Beeb admitted that its adaptation of Ivanhoe was an \"honourable failure\" - and that drew eight million. The Beeb will plead that you never get a huge audience on BBC2, which begs the question why a GBP6million adaptation was scheduled there. And that doesn't explain why half the viewers who did watch the adaptation of Mervyn Peake's work decided so quickly to give up the Gormen-ghost. We know the real reason. The series was slated by the critics as a badly written, self-indulgent turn-off. Grotesque characters babbled incoherently, and nobody seemed to care whether we understood what was going on. The world of Gormenghast was like nothing we have seen before, but the story of high costs, overinflated expectations and pitiful ratings is familiar. For this isn't the first BBC flagship drama to sink. Gormenghast is the latest in a fleet of them. That \"honourable failure\" Ivanhoe was so difficult to follow that most of us gave up trying. At GBP5million, it was only just cheaper than Gormenghast. Even more expensive was the eight-part biopic Rhodes. The series was 10 years in the making and involved 10,000 extras. Unfortunately, each episode also felt like it lasted 10 years. It cost a cool GBP10million. Then there was Nostromo, starring Colin \"Mr Darcy\" Firth. Half the nation may have drooled over Firth in his wet breeches, and six million people tuned into a repeat of Pride And Prejudice in the same year, but only 1.5 million stayed loyal to the GBP5million Nostromo. Other flops included A Year In Provence and the interminable Seaforth. And never forget the disastrous Eldorado. Set in a specially built village outside Malaga, the \"sun, sex and sangria\" soap was actually more like a dose of Spanish flu. Another GBP10million was sneezed away. But the turn-offs need putting in context. For every Nostromo there is a David Copperfield or a Pride And Prejudice. And even if a series is a flop at home, the BBC can point to some staggering successes in persuading television companies overseas to buy our rejects. Rhodes was sold to Canada, Australia and South Africa for GBP15million. The Canadians and Aussies loved A Year In Provence, earning the BBC a healthy GBP10million, and Seaforth found an audience in Holland, Denmark, Finland, Hong Kong and Romania, recouping about half of its GBP10million budget. Most remarkably of all, Eldorado has struck gold in Sweden, Poland, New Zealand, Mauritius, Australia and Russia, earning a staggering GBP20million. Sure enough foreign viewers are already coming to the rescue of Gormenghast. The series has already sold to Greece, Poland, South Africa, Hungary, Australia and New Zealand, and more deals are expected. \"It's selling extremely well and we're very confident it will recoup the original BBC investment,\" says Mary Collins, head of publicity at BBC Worldwide. She also stresses that the cost of Gormenghast was split with co-producers WGBH in Boston and a Canadian television company called Chum, so the licence-payer is not responsible for the full GBP6million. She says it is quite normal for a programme to be made with one eye on the foreign rights if the producers think it will sell."}, {"response": 400, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (12:46)", "body": "I thought that RF article in the London Times was rather cruel... Titled \"Fogey Bare\" an Old Fogey at 37? C'mon. And those buns look pretty good in the End of the Affair\". The last line of the article was really the killer: \"But remember, even Olivier did coffee commercials in the end.\" Those UK journalists really know how to get to a fella'. And that's a mainstream paper...not a tabloid. No wonder Colin doesn't like to do interviews. Who needs these assaults?"}, {"response": 401, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (14:22)", "body": "\"Fogey Bare\" is also a play on \"Yogi Bear\" - I can't see a connection, can anyone else? Enlighten me, please. It's very true that an awful lot of the popular media in the UK seem to go for merciless teasing and even ridicule in their reviews and interviews. Often it's pretty tiresome: sometimes hinting at malicious and offensive. It's some kind of a trend, I guess, and the problem is that they all try to outdo one another. They think it's funny, you see."}, {"response": 402, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (15:27)", "body": "(Arami)\"Fogey Bare\" is also a play on \"Yogi Bear\" - I can't see a connection, can anyone else? Enlighten me, please. \"The phrase that's been used, and it's not nice, is: old fogey. Or is it young fogey? At his age, who can tell? \"London Times I ,too, can't see the connection with Yogi Bear. My take on \"fogey\" was old at 37 to be \"bare\" as in his bum in the \"End of the Affair\" ...a real \"rumpy -pumpy\" which the UK rated as NC 18. We got the R-rated cleaned-up version which was steamy but not raunchy. I still think it's beneath the eminent London Times to stoop to tabloid journalism."}, {"response": 403, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (17:03)", "body": "Maybe the connection was with Yogi's sidekick Booboo Bear? ;-) BTW, I had no problem with the buns on display and I didn't count how many times they went up and down. Something is wrong with people who do IMO."}, {"response": 404, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (21:09)", "body": "Booboo Bore, more likely. ;-)"}, {"response": 405, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (22:59)", "body": "From Monday's Times: THE low-budget Asian comedy East is East was named film of the year at the Evening Standard British Film Awards last night. The bleakly comic tale of a traditional Muslim father forced to review long-held beliefs by his seven westernised and rebellious children took the Best Film award at the Savoy Hotel, London. Among the other winners, Jeremy Northam was Best Actor for his roles in An Ideal Husband and The Winslow Boy and Samantha Morton was named Best Actress for her performance in Dreaming of Joseph Lees. Notting Hill confirmed its status as the highest-grossing home-grown film of all time by winning the Peter Sellers Award for Comedy. Tom Stoppard capped a highly successful year by winning his third major Best Screenplay prize for Shakespeare in Love. A Special Award for Lifetime Achievement was handed to the cinematographer Freddie Francis by Jessica Lange, the double Oscar-winning actress, who worked with him on Martin Scorsese's 1992 remake of Cape Fear. The success of East is East, directed by Damien O'Donnell and starring Linda Bassett, follows several other awards for the film. Last year its scriptwriter, Ayub Khan-Din, won Best Original Screenplay title at the British Independent Film Awards, and Bassett was named Best Actress at the Valladolid International Film Festival, with O'Donnell taking the Golden Spike. Guests at last night's event included Madonna, who arrived with her British boyfriend, Guy Ritchie, the director of the gangland comedy Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. The Evening Standard critic Neil Norman said that judging had been difficult because of the high number of eligible candidates. The awards, formerly known as the Evening News British Film Awards, were first presented in 1973. Judges this year were Norman, Angie Errigo of Empire magazine, the Evening Standard film critic Alexander Walker, Derek Malcolm of The Guardian and the journalist and broadcaster Mark Lawson."}, {"response": 406, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (09:58)", "body": "WHY THERE'S MONEY IN THOSE TV FLOPS (4/2/00) Thanks for this, Karen. I fail to see why the author's so upset--after all, *they* didn't do 'Leprechauns.' Saw Onegin on TV Saturday night. Rafie was brooding for a change *snicker* but was tremendous compared to Liv. The film was pretty to look at, though. Benedict Nightingale gushed about TRT in yesterday's NYT. There was also a large advance ticket sales ad, featuring an extreme, grainy close up of JE and SD smooching."}, {"response": 407, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (10:11)", "body": "after all, *they* didn't do 'Leprechauns.' *hee hee* I've been seeing commercials for another BIG special (can't remember the name), but it looks like they got to reuse the costumes from Leprechauns. ;-)"}, {"response": 408, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (11:42)", "body": "..... Jeremy Northam was Best Actor for his roles in An Ideal Husband and The Winslow Boy Hooray....at last someone recognized this guy's talent in these two films...which no one saw (TWB).And both lost $$$$. ~~~~~~~ Benedict Nightingale gushed about TRT in yesterday's NYT. There was also a large advance ticket sales ad, .. Selling tickets now til August. First few weeks in April sold out. The PR people are going great guns with ads in the NYTimes. I'm looking for the website..."}, {"response": 409, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (17:31)", "body": "Thanks Gi for posting the URL link to the old site; I did find Darlene's birthday wishes there. Thank you Darlene. RE: The Year of the Dragon -- I love all the dragons adorning this board. In honor of it being the Year of the Dragon, I should get some Oolong tea. \"Oolong\" is a variant of \"wu long\", which means \"black dragon\". If I remember any Chinese folklore correctly, the Black Dragon was the symbol of the emperor. Since it's the time of year of for film awards, I'm going to post the winners of the National Society of Film Critics. These are American film awards similar to the New York Film Critics Circle and the National Board of Review. They are as follows: Best Film \"Being John Malkovich\" and \"Topsy-Turvy\" (tie) Best Actor Russell Crowe, \"The Insider\" Best Actress Reese Witherspoon, \"Election\" Best Director Mike Leigh, \"Topsy-Turvy\""}, {"response": 410, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (18:00)", "body": "Another article about Hits & Misses; this time from the Guardian (2/5). A stufy must have been released for all the newspapers to have glommed onto this: COSTUME DRAMA: THE TRIUMPHS AND THE TURKEYS The hits Pride and Prejudice The 1995 BBC1 adaptation became required viewing for an average 10m a week. Some 11.3m saw the final episode. Enthusiasm was fired by news of the true off-screen romance between Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle - Mr Darcy and Lizzie Bennett - and, among female viewers, his penchant for tight breeches and wet shirts. Moll Flanders With its 17 sex scenes, ITV's bodice-ripping 1996 adaptation, again by Andrew Davies, lured 13m viewers. The BBC's rival offering, Anne Bronte's bleaker and more demure The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, drew in around 4m fewer. Brideshead Revisited Figures no longer exist to attest to this ITV adaption's popularity, but it was widely-acclaimed, and brought Evelyn Waugh's tale of Sebastian Flyte and his teddy bear to the masses. Wives and Daughters Elizabeth Gaskell's tale of love and marriage, screened on BBC1 last autumn, was initially beaten by ITV's adaptation of Oliver Twist in the ratings, drawing 7.2m viewers for the initial episode compared to its rival's 8.4m. However, on average, 7.95m viewers tuned in for each episode. Oliver Twist Bleasdale's acclaimed, though not entirely faithful, adaptation starring Robert Lindsay and Julie Walters just pipped Wives and Daughters at 8m viewers per episode. The misses Gormenghast The lavish BBC2 drama has lost 40% of its viewers since its opening episode - with ratings falling from 4.2m to 2.5m. Rhodes An unprecedented flop. The pounds 10m BBC1 production about the story of Cecil Rhodes and the founding of Rhodesia boasted superb scenery and Martin Shaw as the star. The 1996 serial slumped to 4.8m viewers, from 7.6m, after just one episode. Hornblower Despite being - at pounds 12m - the most expensive TV dramatisation ever, ITV's seafaring saga drew in just 6m viewers. The cherubic Ioan Gruffudd in breeches was insufficient compensation for a lack of strong females. Nostromo 'Don't touch Conrad,' the novelist and academic David Lodge warned BBC1 after they had commissioned this adaptation. The four-part 1997 serial flopped, drawing in less than 3m viewers. Vanity Fair Not an unmitigated disaster, but Andrew Davies' 1998 adaptation of Thackery's novel was initially dubbed 'Vanity Flop' after the 7.8m who tuned into the first episode slumped to 6.8m a week later. It was beaten by the 9.9m who tuned in for the ITV detective series, Taggart."}, {"response": 411, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (19:56)", "body": "Thanks Karen... Poor \"Nostromo\"...not even an off-screen romance with Serena would have helped that one. ~~~~~~ I just saw the first episode of Madam Bovary last night and don't think I'll bother next week.Although Frances O'Conner is a more acceptable MB than she was Fanny Price in \"Mansfield Park\". ~~~~~ \"Oliver Twist \"coming this spring looks promising...with a knock-out cast."}, {"response": 412, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (22:34)", "body": "Did you notice that the production specifically said BBC \"America\" and WGBH? Was it shown in England? BTW, this was probably the most risque program PBS has ever shown!! Yowza, that Greg Wise in the woods. ;-)"}, {"response": 413, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (02:02)", "body": "Oliver Twist is excellent, I higly recommend it."}, {"response": 414, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (08:42)", "body": "A veritable Who's Who Minus One: Waiting for Beckett By Karen Fricker DUBLIN (Variety) - The full canon of Samuel Beckett's dramatic work -- 19 plays in all -- is being filmed for television with top flight talent including director Neil Jordan and actress Julianne Moore. Two plays have already been filmed: ``What Where,'' directed by up-and-comer Damien O'Donnell (''East Is East''), and ''Endgame,'' directed by playwright Conor McPherson (''The Weir'') and featuring Michael Gambon and David Thewlis. Other talent associated with the project includes Judi Dench, Harold Pinter, Tom Stoppard, David Mamet, Richard Eyre, John Boorman and Jim Sheridan. The project marks the first time that the Beckett estate has awarded the complete film rights to all of the writer's stage works. Filming will continue through the summer, and the project is set to hit Irish and British TV screens in the autumn. Representatives from Irish national broadcaster RTE, which is coproducing with Britain's Channel 4, report ``serious interest'' from several American broadcasters, including PBS, in buying U.S. broadcast rights to the series. While some casting and directing decisions remain open, those assigned include artist Damien Hirst, directing the 45-second-long ``Breath''; Jordan directing Moore in ``Not I,'' in which only the actress's mouth is visible; Stoppard helming ''Ohio Impromptu''; Mamet directing Pinter in ``Catastrophe''; and Eyre directing Dench in ``Rockaby.'' Former Beckett assistant Walter Asmus will direct ``Waiting for Godot,'' while actor John Hurt is attached to ``Krapp's Last Tape.''"}, {"response": 415, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (10:29)", "body": "Just read this in Broadcasting & Cable Mag NBC PILOT IS AROUND THE CORONER NBC has ordered a pilot from GBTV, the U.S. programming venture with BBC Worldwide and Granada Media, based on the British crime series Silent Witness . The order is the first fruit of the deal between Britain's two largest TV production companies to develop and produce shows for U.S. broadcasters based on British formats. The pilot is scheduled to begin shooting in March. GBTV will produce in partnership with NBC Studios and Columbia TriStar. The central character is a female coroner."}, {"response": 416, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (10:39)", "body": "I thought Cold Feet (which didn't last long) was the first such venture?"}, {"response": 417, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (13:26)", "body": "I haven't a clue, Karen. I'd never even heard of the venture until I read this. I've seen Silent Witness on A&E, it was okay, not great. Cracker (British) was awesome, but the American version tanked. Only British game shows seem to make here. And that's my final answer, Reege."}, {"response": 418, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (17:21)", "body": "News Flash Evelyn, JE & SD won the Best Actress and Best Actor awards at The Variety Club Showbusiness Awards today, for their performances in The Real Thing. Also Jeremy Northam won the award for Best Film Actor."}, {"response": 419, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (20:01)", "body": "Thanks Ann: Here's the URL: http://www.eventselector.co.uk/news/950010231_9892.html VARIETY Club Showbusiness Awards now in their 48th year. Ceremony at the London Hilton on Park Lane.Will be televised Winners were judged by a panel of showbusiness and entertainment professionals for their 1999 achievements. Best Screen Actor JN Best Actress Catherine Zeta-Jones \"Best Stage Actor was won by Stephen Dillane and Best Stage Actress by Pride and Prejudice star Jennifer Ehle.\" Will be televised on BBC1 on Sunday Feb 13. ~~~~~~~ (I like the way they keep bringing up P&P. US adverts are using P&P too. \"JE from A&E's Pride & Prejudice\".)"}, {"response": 420, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (21:11)", "body": "What did Stephen Dillane win for? Was he just on the stage? That is he I saw in Firelight and Deja Vu, isn't it? Both roles were rather lacking in pizzazz I thought, esp the latter where he looked as though he didn't much like his costar and was bored by the whole experience. Anybody got suggestions for something good?"}, {"response": 421, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (21:56)", "body": "Great news for Jennifer! Those awards count, don't kid yourself. Which film did Northam win the Variety award for? He was terrific in The Winslow Boy, and he and Julianne Moore made An Ideal Husband marginally watchable--but just.;-) . And I'm almost afraid to ask what Zeta-Jones won for . . .;-) (Cymbeline) What did Stephen Dillane win for? Was he just on the stage? That is he I saw in Firelight and Deja Vu, isn't it? Both roles were rather lacking in pizzazz I thought, esp the latter where he looked as though he didn't much like his costar and was bored by the whole experience. Anybody got suggestions for something good? Dillane is currently appearing with JE in The Real Thing for about another month, then they move it to Broadway. I'm not familiar with Deja Vu, but yes that was him in Firelight. As for suggestions for something good--do they have to be Dillane related?;-) If so, Welcome to Sarajevo with SD and Woody Harrelson, is good. If you're just looking for newish good rents in general, I'd recommend The Winslow Boy (which I think just came out here on video today); Limbo, with Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and David Stathairn--written and directed by one of my faves, John Sayles; purely for light fun, The Thomas Crown Affair--breezy and sexy and what a relief to see a middle-aged man paired with a middle-aged woman! One I would *not* recommend: Tea With Mussolini. Yuck."}, {"response": 422, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (08:37)", "body": "The Guardian has a printed an extensive group of interviews with Ralph Fiennes, Neil Jordan and Stephen Woolley done following the NFT premiere of The End of the Affair. It's in three parts (the links are on the left). Start here: http://www.filmunlimited.co.uk/Guardian_NFT/interview/0,4479,132683,00.html"}, {"response": 423, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (09:46)", "body": "Best Actress Catherine Zeta-Jones Well, that lets some air out of the balloon, doesn't it? (Mari) And I'm almost afraid to ask what Zeta-Jones won for . . .;-) Best Beautiful Body Contorting Around Red Yarn in the Presence of a Man Nearly Twice Her Age (kind of long--must be a big trophy)."}, {"response": 424, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (09:49)", "body": "New website for Broadway's THE REAL THING: http://www.therealthingbroadway.com Great Darcy-like- liplock between Jennifer and SD.Must be the same pic as advert from NYTimes.It's not grainy, Eileen...symbolic ..for \"love\".Part of the ambience of the play. ~~~~~~ Interestingly...it mentions among the presenters....\"Miramax Films\"... \"C'mon, Harvey...waddaya have up ya' sleeve?\"The guy never spends a dime without a reason!!"}, {"response": 425, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (09:55)", "body": "It's not grainy, Eileen Watch your mailbox for the next few days... \"C'mon, Harvey...waddaya have up ya' sleeve?\" The guy never spends a dime without a reason!! My thoughts, too. Although he's likely looking to recoup some of his losses incurred by Talk Mag--until last weekend, that is, when Scream 3 made a killing (yukyuk) at the BO."}, {"response": 426, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (09:57)", "body": "Catherine Zeta-Jones is IMNSHO the worst actress. I think they were looking at her breasts when they were watching whatever movie she was in!"}, {"response": 427, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (10:06)", "body": "Best Beautiful Body Contorting Around Red Yarn in the Presence of a Man Nearly Twice Her Age Nearly? Try more than. ;-) What was she in last year? Entrapment and The Haunting? Save me. Nice website, Evelyn. Too bad the Donmar didn't spring for one like that for 3DOR."}, {"response": 428, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (10:12)", "body": "Janie Dee won The Critic's Circle Awards announced today, she on a hat-trick with The Olivier Awards. Henry Goodman won the Best Actor."}, {"response": 429, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (11:56)", "body": "Janie Dee won The Critic's Circle Awards announced today Words fail me! That play was sooooo bad! And can any one tell me what was so special about SD's performance? It was fine but I cannot see what was so great about it. Or is my CF partiality blinding me to the merits of others?"}, {"response": 430, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (12:57)", "body": "(Allison) Or is my CF partiality blinding me to the merits of others? I had an *eye* problem as well during TRT, but I think it was severe jetlag that was forcing my lids down. The role of Henry is a very good one, full of dramatic and comic potential. I almost think anyone could have a bravura performance in it. Wish I had seen it at the Donmar (up close) rather than at the Albery (further back) because if there were subtleties to the performance, then I didn't pick them up...up in the dress circle (?) or first balcony as we would call it."}, {"response": 431, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (14:25)", "body": "From the NY Daily News : Miramax Is Going Broadway For the first time in its 20-year history Miramax Films is backing a Broadway play. The company has agreed to co-finance the Tom Stoppard revival \"The Real Thing,\" which opens a 20-week limited engagement on the Great White Way on April 17. Stoppard, you'll recall, was the co-writer of Miramax' enormously successful Academy Award winner \"Shakespeare in Love,\" so his relationship with company honcho Harvey Weinstein is nothing if not strong. \"I am pleased to be teaming up again with Harvey, a long-standing admirer of my play,\" Stoppard said. \"The Real Thing,\" a humorous play within a play about marriage and pop culture,currently is running in London. The plan, according to Miramax reps, is for the London co-stars Stephen Dillane and Jennifer Ehle to come to New York when the play closes there March 18. Miramax and Universal already co-own the film rights to \"The Real Thing.\" This co-venture with producers Anita Waxman, Elizabeth Williams and Ron Kastner could be the first of a number of Broadway shows for Miramax. Another project thateinstein has his eye on for Broadway is a musical adaptation of \"Cinema Paradiso.\" As for Weinstein himself, he is said to be feeling \"fantastic,\" to quote someone at Miramax, and is expected back at work soon following what must have been a major ordeal fighting off a bacterial infection. I asked a Miramax rep whether it was safe to pencil in Weinstein as a definite for the March 26 Oscars in Los Angeles. \"Count on it,\" he replied. ~~~~~~~~~ I have always wanted to see Colin playing Henry.....Perhaps, the film? As Bethan would say...\"I am very, very optimistic.\""}, {"response": 432, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (14:35)", "body": "(evelyn)It's not grainy, Eileen (Eileen)Watch your mailbox for the next few days... I don't get it..... ~~~~~~~~ (Karen)The role of Henry is a very good one, full of dramatic and comic potential. I almost think anyone could have a bravura performance in it. (Allison) And can any one tell me what was so special about SD's performance? It was fine but I cannot see what was so great about it We always said TRT was a better play for showcasing acting talents. As Karen says anyone could have a winning performance. Though easy to overact. Both Colin and SD have similar acting styles...I have no doubt Colin would have won in this play."}, {"response": 433, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (14:49)", "body": "(Evelyn)I don't get it..... You will, you will (she says mysteriously). ;-D Stoppard, you'll recall, was the co-writer of Miramax' enormously successful Academy Award winner \"Shakespeare in Love,\" so his relationship with company honcho Harvey Weinstein is nothing if not strong. 'Natch. Stoppard's great, isn't he? It was his talent that made SiL what it was. Remember how what's-his-name Norman kept taking all the screenwriting credit?"}, {"response": 434, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (17:04)", "body": "I had read at some screenwriting sites that Stoppard is responsible for only about 25% of the screenplay for \"Shakespeare in Love\". Mark Norman had the right to be listed first as author because most of the material was his. Also the screenplay languished for roughly 5 years, because of casting problems, not because it was deemed sub-standard. Tom Stoppard was hired by Harvey Weinstein because of the prestige his name would carry. Snob appeal. Interestingly there is a something of a backlash toward Miramax, due to some hard feelings about the slick marketing involved in making SIL a multi Oscar winner. Hardly anyone in Hollywood thinks it deserved to win Best Picture, that should have been \"Saving Private Ryan\". There is also a feeling that \"The Truman Show\" was far more deserving to win Best Screenplay. Please don't take offence, that's just the prevailing mindset now."}, {"response": 435, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (17:12)", "body": "I'm a Generation X'er, okay. I cannot spell, that is why Spell Check was invented, but I don't think it's on this site. The name of the co-author of SIL should be Marc Norman."}, {"response": 436, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (19:31)", "body": "No offense, of course, Cheryl. I think you got the sentiment down right, Hardly anyone in Hollywood thinks it deserved to win Best Picture but in the rest of the world outside of Hollywood, SIL was enthrallingly different. I never though Private Ryan should beat out SIL...can't say anything about The Truman Show since I didn't see it."}, {"response": 437, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (19:34)", "body": "Sorry, I disagree, immensely about SPR and do believe (despite the amount of money spent by Miramax) that SiL deserved the Oscar. SPR was a great war epic, but nothing distinguished it above all the others that have preceded it. But that just MHO. (Cheryl) Mark Norman had the right to be listed first as author because most of the material was his. Percentage of material is not how the Writers Guild determines order of credit. Norman got first billing because it was his script/idea first. I have an early version of SiL (pre-Stoppard's involvement) and, believe you me, that man despite his master's credentials would not be capable of writing the dialogue in the final movie. That script is dated 6/1/92 and only has Marc Norman's name on it. It is swill, tripe, !@$% etc. Bears no resemblance to the movie we all saw, probably only 1-2 scenes continued into the end product. Viewed against Stoppard's other works, SiL (final form) is most definitely in his voice with his humor. One does not pull a plum like this out of a \"Cutthroat Island\" ;-)"}, {"response": 438, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (21:53)", "body": "I have to agree with Cheryl here: SPR should have won, IMO. That's not taking anything away from SIL, which was very good, but I like my Oscar winners to touch my heart *and* my intellect, which SPR did. SIL appealed to the brain only, IMO. Moreover, SPR wasn't just another war movie to me. It examined issues of honor and integrity; of why we fight wars; of subordinating a group's needs to those of an individual; and so much more. Better still, it provided no easy, pat answers. And, I feel it honored the people of my parents' generation who preserved a way of life as we know it. Cheryl, one theory I've read which seems to make some sense is: most of the Academy members don't bother to get off their asses to actual see the films in the cinema, so they wind up watching on the videos/DVDs that the members get. The film that comes across best on the big screen (SPR) is at a distinct disadvantage. The film that transfers better to the small screen (SIL) has the upper hand. Just a theory, but I think it's an interesting one. Hey, the Oscar noms are announced next week (Tuesday?). Anyone interested in a discussion/predictions? It's not necessary to have seen a lot of films to have an opinion--that never stops the Academy.;-)"}, {"response": 439, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (22:36)", "body": "Mari, there are lots of theories about why SPR didn't get it last year, ranging from Spielberg already won for Schindler's List or the Best Director was a cut- the-child-in-half approach, but the one I subscribe to is: it didn't get enough votes. ;-) Using my convoluted logic, Spielberg's Dreamworks org will get it this year to make up for last year. Therefore, my risky predictions for nominations: American Beauty for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor (and the full complement of Best Other Stuff: writing, art design, cinematograhy, etc.) Denzel is a given and I'd say THE leading contender, notwithstanding what all the critics have already said. Denzel will get the votes. His performance is a touching one (brings tears to your eyes several times), and the Academy likes when an actor has to undergo physical changes (buffs up and frails down), just putting on the pounds and dying your hair like Russell Crowe is not enough. ;-) Personally, I liked The Hurricane much better than The Insider. Even though you know the outcome of both, I was engrossed with TH and touched by it."}, {"response": 440, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 10, 2000 (08:06)", "body": "Speaking of the Writers Guild, here are its nominations: Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen: -- \"American Beauty\" by Alan Ball -- \"Being John Malkovich\" by Charlie Kaufman -- \"Magnolia\" by Paul Thomas Anderson -- \"The Sixth Sense\" by M. Night Shyamalan -- \"Three Kings,\" Screenplay by David O. Russell, Story by John Ridley Best Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published: -- \"The Cider House Rules\" by John Irving -- \"Election\" by Alexander Payne & Jim Taylor. Based on the novel by Tom Perrotta -- \"The Insider\" by Eric Roth & Michael Mann. Based on the article \"The Man Who Knew Too Much\" by Marie Brenner -- \"October Sky\" by Lewis Colick. Based on the book \"Rocket Boys\" by Homer H. Hickam, Jr. -- \"The Talented Mr. Ripley\" by Anthony Minghella, Based on the novel by Patricia Highsmith. Remember, at the Oscars, only people in the Writers Guild can vote for writing awards."}, {"response": 441, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 10, 2000 (14:32)", "body": "Notice from Yahoo: Actor Rupert Everett chats about his new film \"The Next Best Thing\" on Sunday, February 13th at 9pET/6pPT in Yahoo Chat. Where's Moon? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Think we'll get ODB on some time?"}, {"response": 442, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 10, 2000 (14:37)", "body": "Moon is on vacation...AGAIN!! She'll be back in time to join in on the Rupe chat."}, {"response": 443, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb 10, 2000 (15:57)", "body": "(Evelyn) Think we'll get ODB on some time? Checking his schedule here, I see it's penciled in for the 12th of never. Rain date: when pigs fly. ;-) Hey, that's a good-looking site for TRT. Harve has his hand in every pot, doesn't he? I'm all set: 6th row!"}, {"response": 444, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 10, 2000 (17:14)", "body": "Hey, that's a good-looking site for TRT. Harve has his hand in every pot, doesn't he? I'm all set:6th row! You'll be able to see his big brown eyes from there....better than the Royal Mezzanine...(I don't care if Prince Charles likes those seats...I don't) I just called and they are selling tickets til August 13th. Eileen was kind enough to send me the NY Times advert last Sunday...full lenigh of the page...a third of the page wide....like big ! Actually, I don't think it looks like Jennifer....dark hair? Annie is a blonde. I bet Harvey makes them do interviews.He got Colin to go to the Berlinale."}, {"response": 445, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Feb 10, 2000 (19:12)", "body": "(me) I never though Private Ryan should beat out SIL.. (Karen) Sorry, I disagree, immensely about SPR Gulp! I hope you weren't talking to me. I see I left out my \"t\" at the end of \"thought\" and therefore my meaning may have been misinterpreted. I agree w/you, Karen. Though SPR was several cuts above most of Spielberg's work, I feel he's a master manipulator and never quite trust the emotions he's attempting to pull. IMHO too, of course. Had to set my record straight and the fact that CF was in SIL has no bearing on my opinion whatsoever. ;-)"}, {"response": 446, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 10, 2000 (20:49)", "body": "From playbill.com MIRAMAX JOINS PRODUCTION OF THE REAL THING \"Miramax Films has joined the production team for Broadway's The Real Thing, set to start previews March 29 for an opening April 17 at the Barrymore Theatre. The film company joins Anita Waxman, Elizabeth Williams, Ron Kastner and Associated Capital Theatre, Ltd. on the project. Miramax co-chairman Harvey Weinstein told Variety he'd already been fond of several of the show's principles, including author Tom Stoppard and stars Stephen Dillane and Jennifer Ehle. \"But after attending three performances of The Real Thing at the Donmar Warehouse last summer, I fell in love with this production,\" Weinstein said. The company and Universal Pictures already own the film rights to the play. Variety notes that sources are saying Miramax may invest in other plays, but only as a co-financing partner. \" ~~~~~~~ Harve has seen it almost as many times as we have, Ann!"}, {"response": 447, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 10, 2000 (22:57)", "body": "(Heide) Had to set my record straight and the fact that CF was in SIL has no bearing on my opinion whatsoever. ;-) I understand completely. No bearing whatsoever. ;-)"}, {"response": 448, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (10:21)", "body": "Another of the many theories postulated about why SiL beat SPR: actors, who make up a good part of the Oscar voting contingent, were thrilled to pieces that the movie captured their profession so well. (Cheryl) Mark Norman had the right to be listed first as author because most of the material was his. (Karen) That script is dated 6/1/92 and only has Marc Norman's name on it. It is swill, tripe, !@$% etc. Have to agree with Karen here. Eons ago I had read excerpts of the original script. The end product is Stoppard all the way. (Cheryl) Hardly anyone in Hollywood thinks it deserved to win Best Picture, that should have been \"Saving Private Ryan\". There is also a feeling that \"The Truman Show\" was far more deserving to win Best Screenplay. Please don't take offence, that's just the prevailing mindset now. Are you in the b'ness? It always helps to have an insider in our midst! Glad to hear your postal carrier is more efficient than Karen's, Evelyn ;-). full length of the page Almost. There were a few small ads under it. It was very eye-catching, though."}, {"response": 449, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (11:52)", "body": "(Evelyn) I bet Harvey makes them (JE and SD) do interviews. He got Colin to go to the Berlinale. And I think another appearance on \"Rosie\" is a safe bet, too, since she's such a huge theatre fan. Maybe she'll talk Jennifer into bringing her mum along this time;-)"}, {"response": 450, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (13:57)", "body": "The mother-daughter Broadway team angle will surely be part of TRT's overall publicity scheme, I would think. It will help Jen's name recognition problem. Bet they save Rosie until Tony-time if both are nommed."}, {"response": 451, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (15:07)", "body": "The mother-daughter Broadway team angle will surely be part of TRT's overall publicity scheme,I would think. It will help Jen's name recognition problem. Bet they save Rosie until Tony-time if both are nommed. Wait a minute.....this play hasn't even been previewed on Broadway yet... I am so thrilled that JE is going to be on Broadway . This is her first time there....she's young....v. limited stage experience.Was only a supporting actress in \"Tartuffe\" in 1991(RSC at Stratford summer of 95) Let's not get into the Tony business yet.That's setting myself up for unreal expectations. Most of SD work has been on stage. He was on the short list for Evening Standard Award two years ago.He is 42 years old with lots of acting experience. I would expect him to get more awards than she."}, {"response": 452, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (16:17)", "body": "Sorry, Ev, didn't mean to get you going (but when Harvey's involved...never mind). I am certain we'll hear that she's RH's daughter. Publicity for Waiting in the Wings has blossomed--full page ad in NYT two Sundays ago; lo and behold, when I opened my mailbox today, Lauren and Rosemary were smiling up at me from a mass-mailed brochure."}, {"response": 453, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (16:26)", "body": "(Eileen) Are you in the b'ness? It always helps to have an insider in our midst! Sorry but I've only had limited exposure to the film industry, such as working on student films and doing storyboards for some independent shorts. I've worked in advertising, although one of my best friends is in the business. Also, for those of you interested in the origins of SIL; you might want to read \"No Bed for Bacon\" by Caryl Brahms and S.J. Simon. There was some flak about Stoppard borrowing liberally from that comic novel. I think that there are some similarities, but not nearly enough to warrant plagerism. I also think that \"No Bed for Bacon\" is more well written than SIL. On the point of screenplays, it's quite arcane as to not only the author order, but also who gets credit. Walter Hill still has no idea as to how he got the screenwriting credit on \"The Macintosh Man\". Kenneth Branagh got Oscar nomination for adapted screenplay for \"Hamlet\". Go figure. What did he adapt? He filmed a performance of Shakespeare's entire text. The screenwriting bylaws are something of an industry joke. Still, the revised screenplay by Stoppard may in fact bear little resemblence to the finished film. That is no reflection on Stoppard, it is simply a fact that very often a director may not want a particular scene, or want it rewritten, or simply change it to his liking. This can also hold true for producers and some actors with clout. Then again, there is a chance that the script written was pretty much the one which was shot. Actually Mari there's a lot to be said about your theory on the Academy members, that they can't be bothered to actually go out and see these movies. So the one's in theatrical first release have an advantage over those on tape or DVD. I've also heard it said that many Academy members can't be bothered to vote, period. They give their ballots to their secretaries or personal assistants, and they are the ones who do the actual voting in some cases. I'm interested in an Oscar discussion, since you asked who would be. What film would I have voted for had I been a member of the Academy? Sorry to tell you it would not have been SIL. It would have been \"The Thin Red Line\", a stunningly visual, visceral, and cerebral elegy from an estimable stylist, Terence Malik. The visual impact of it really got to me, but I was trained as an artist. I still respect the opinion of all of you who felt movie is best summed up by the phrase \"snores galore\"."}, {"response": 454, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (16:32)", "body": "(but when Harvey's involved...never mind). I am certain we'll hear that she's RH's daughter. Publicity for Waiting in the Wings has blossomed Know what you mean about Harvey.After the news that he's involved I decided to order my tickets for end of May.Good thing....\"Waiting in the Wings\" front sold out; I got two mid-orchestra....TRT I got the last two in the 6th row! ~~~~~ I only hope she gets good reviews on B'way...I don't expect a Tony. An Olivier would be the real icing on the cake...she's played in two outstanding plays this season..(Both her leading men and directors are up for Oliviers too!) That's an accolade in itself."}, {"response": 455, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (16:35)", "body": "(Cheryl) It would have been \"The Thin Red Line\", a stunningly visual, visceral, and cerebral elegy from an estimable stylist, Terence Malik. The visual impact of it really got to me, but I was trained as an artist. I still respect the opinion of all of you who felt movie is best summed up by the phrase \"snores galore\". Oh, that would be me. TRL falls in my 'slowest movie of all time' category, slower than Meet Joe Black. Visual stunningness only gets me so far. Give me a SiL or a SPR anytime over that one. However, you're certainly not alone in your praise for the movie--it was nommed, after all."}, {"response": 456, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Feb 12, 2000 (08:21)", "body": "\"But after attending three performances of The Real Thing at the Donmar Warehouse last summer, I fell in love with this production,\" Weinstein said Damn. No one saw a piggy-eyed chubby guy with a cigar in his hand during 3DOR I gather."}, {"response": 457, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 12, 2000 (10:41)", "body": "No one saw a piggy-eyed chubby guy with a cigar in his hand during 3DOR I gather. 3 DOR wasn't playing in the summer.Also seen another time at TRT was Stephen Speilberg with Tom Stoppard at the bar.."}, {"response": 458, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Feb 12, 2000 (16:28)", "body": "I didn't say it was playing in the summer. Perhaps Harvey made it to London twice in one year! Not that we care."}, {"response": 459, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (15:21)", "body": "Saw the Rafe article in the TIMES last night. If my name was \"Cosmo Landesman,\" I'd have a chip on my shoulder too. Second week in a row that they are Rafe-trashing.And if he ever defects to the US, they'll wonder why. They did the same thing with TEP...except when it won the Oscar, they had a lot to say about what a Great British film it was with an All British Cast and director.\"All sweetness and light.\" Quite disengenuous.But it sells papers for them,I guess."}, {"response": 460, "author": "baine", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (19:22)", "body": "(Evelyn)If my name was \"Cosmo Landesman,\" I'd have a chip on my shoulder too. ROTFL as we say, Evelyn."}, {"response": 461, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (19:23)", "body": "A Valentines wish from a very \"in\" couple: \"What about us for Bridget and Mark?\""}, {"response": 462, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (19:29)", "body": "Oooo, I knew she'd hop on Rupe as soon as she got back! BTW, I saw the trailer for the film last week. Looked really cute. Also, Rupe's in her music vid for American Pie and he's wearing a sleeveless t-shirt. He works out. ;-)"}, {"response": 463, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (19:51)", "body": "ACCKKKK!! Moon, that poster is all over the malls up here! (You want I should make off with one?;-) He and Madonna are on the cover of the March Vanity Fair, BTW. Evelyn, LOL about Cosmo--and you are right about the Rafe-bashing. Sheesh, what are they, jealous? The guy works hard, chooses quality stuff with the best in the business, and supports his projects. Sounds like a solid citizen to me. And \"Affair\" is very good and he's fine, er, fienne, in it.;-)"}, {"response": 464, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (22:41)", "body": "Lookie, what we got: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/40/new"}, {"response": 465, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (08:11)", "body": "Will you be my Valentine?"}, {"response": 466, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (08:23)", "body": ""}, {"response": 467, "author": "baine", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (08:26)", "body": "Roses are red Banahnahs aren't blue. The Look makes me drool. And lose all sense of rhythm so completely that my poetry stops scanning and I can't for the life of me figure out what in the world to do."}, {"response": 468, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (08:27)", "body": "Yes! I am on my way. :-D"}, {"response": 469, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (08:40)", "body": "For the fairest of the fair, dear ladies of Spring"}, {"response": 470, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (08:52)", "body": "And I can only add: She Walks in Beauty She walks in beauty like the night Of cloudless climes and starry skies, And all that's best of dark and bright Meet in her aspect and her eyes; Thus mellowed to the tender light Which heaven to gaudy day denies. One ray the more, one shade the less Had half impaired the nameless grace Which waves in every raven tress Or softly lightens o'er her face, Where thoughts serenely sweet express How pure, how dear their dwelling place. Lord Byron"}, {"response": 471, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (09:20)", "body": "Hmmm, Colin Firth's a better kisser"}, {"response": 472, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (09:43)", "body": "Interrupting our Valentine's Day festivities, here are a couple of news item: Weinstein's back in public, less his smokes and 40 pounds After months of speculation about the nature and seriousness of the illness that kept Miramax co-chairman Harvey Weinstein away from the day-to-day operations of his company, the Sundance Film Festival and the Golden Globe Awards, the executive suddenly emerged at a Feb. 9 party for the New York Post's Page Six. But Weinstein's tour of the Fashion Week fete, held at Guastavino's restaurant, was rather brief, said sources, who reported that he slipped out minutes after the shindig began, around 7:30 p.m. \"Harvey and [brother and co-chair] Bob were the magnets in the room,\" reported one guest, who added that it was the first time he had seen Harvey without a lit cigarette. Despite heated industry speculation about just what ailment kept Harvey out of circulation, a company spokesman maintains it was a bacterial infection. Weinstein is now using a patch to curb his nicotine cravings and has lost approximately 40 pounds. Weinstein was unavailable for comment but is apparently back in business: Last week, he was on the phone again chatting with top Hollywood executives. AICN's Supposed Scoop on Oscar Noms This site has published a listing of the top 8 vote getters (in alpha order). Whether this has any validity or not, an interesting omission is the dearth of Julianne Moore from any/multiple categories! http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com/display.cgi?id=5216"}, {"response": 473, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (09:56)", "body": "Thanks, Karen. Happy to see Sean Penn for Best Actor, I hope it sticks. The Three Kings I have stated before should be in Best Picture. They nomited it for Best Director. I hate it when they do that. Matt Damon is not worthy, IMO. But, hey, it is only a game the Academy likes to play every March. ;-)"}, {"response": 474, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (10:06)", "body": "So Harve quit smoking *and* lost weight? Must be on the Colin Firth diet.;-) Karen, Julianne is there, under Best Actress. Too bad Harry didn't have the guts to publish the five finalists in each category; we could have guessed who the eight were. Actually, this makes it more fun to speculate on who will be eliminated. Anybody want to go first? Somebody at Price-Waterhouse is in deep doo-doo.;-)"}, {"response": 475, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (10:11)", "body": "Hmmm, Colin Firth's a better kisser LOLOL! *wiping a tear* I must say, his outfit makes the picture. Despite heated industry speculation about just what ailment kept Harvey out of circulation, a company spokesman maintains it was a bacterial infection. Must have been that awful flesh-eating bacteria. Either that or 'ol H. merely ducked out to the fat farm. Good for him for getting his health in order, though. With his Type A+ personality, chain-smoking and extra weight he always struck me as a heart attack waiting to happen. Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!"}, {"response": 476, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (10:26)", "body": "Don't I know it, sister! Where *do* they get these lunks? I want my Colin!"}, {"response": 477, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (10:37)", "body": "For all you Lisa Zane fans out there (heehee), I came across this in the 2/7/00 edition of People. Sister Act Actress-singer Lisa Zane gamely follows in brother Billy's Titanic footsteps When Lisa Zane shot the CBS TV movie Missing Pieces in usually temperate Santa Barbara, Calif., last March, she got a cold dose of reality: Winds blowing off the Pacific left temperatures in the low 50s. \"I despise the cold,\" says Zane, 38, who costars with James Coburn as his late son's ex-girlfriend in the Feb. 6 mystery /.../ \"and I was the one who suffered the most because I had these skimpy little dresses on.\" Even so, \"there was no bitching about anything from Lisa,\" says Coburn. \"She's one groovy chick.\" [Note: c'mon, James, can't you get out of the '60's?] In more ways than one. Since 1997, Zane, who's single, has been moonlighting as a lounge singer in the Hollywood hot spot Les Deux. Music is a lifelong passion. \"When we were little,\" says her brother, Titanic bad guy Billy Zane, 33, \"she was always singing preposterously sophisticated songs for a 12-year old.\" Encouraged by their parents, Billy Sr. and Thalia, both 69--medical-technician instructors, and amateur actors in Chicago--both sibs pursued acting careers. In 1988, after studying drama at Vassar, Lisa followed Billy to L.A. at his urging (\"I missed her madly,\" he says) and landed roles in 1991's Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare and on TV (LA Law, ER). Her next movie, Monkeybone, a comedy due out next fall, also has her singing--as the mythical Medusa. Her serpentine tresses required five puppeteers, plus a guy, she says, \"who lifted the cables for me so my neck wouldn't break.\" She had to make twice-weekly visits to the chiropractor. Maybe freezing to death isn't so bad after all. *** What, no mention of FF? *scratching my head* ;-D Thought you'd love this, Evelyn after studying drama at Vassar . Proves she didn't learn her craft from a Crackerjack prize (as did the wonderful actress in P)."}, {"response": 478, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (10:43)", "body": "...Oh, I know what I did, a page search for \"An Ideal Husband\"! Strange, none found. ;-)"}, {"response": 479, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (10:46)", "body": "(Harry Knowles) We are currently working on getting the final 5 in each category, as well as the Foreign Film Nominees... which didn't come in here. Has anyone checked the trash bin next to the xerox machine? ;-)"}, {"response": 480, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (11:15)", "body": "(Eileen)Re; Lisa Zane..Thought you'd love this, Evelyn after studying drama at Vassar. That woman couldn't clean the latrines at Vassar. ~~~~~~~~~ Thanks all for the Valentines...esp. Mr. Darcy.He's Still the One!! ~~~~~~~~ Rafe has a sight on Drool!!!! Thanks Cheryl.Should I tell the RF List?"}, {"response": 481, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (11:32)", "body": "(Evelyn) That woman couldn't clean the latrines at Vassar. As I recall reading, the Zane kids went to either Latin or Parker, two very exclusive ($$$) private schools in my neighborhood. She might have been classmates with Jennifer Beals (another terribly gifted actress) who went there, but went to Yale instead. They are only 2 years apart in age."}, {"response": 482, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (19:03)", "body": "Renate: I think I saw you behind a barricade at the Berlinale, mouthing \"Le-o, Le-o\" ;-) Can you look around at the Berlinale or ZDF site to see if there's a Talented Mr Ripley press conference? I found movie trailers but not the conference. Maybe it isn't up yet. :-("}, {"response": 483, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (22:38)", "body": "HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, M' LUV'S!!"}, {"response": 484, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (22:39)", "body": ""}, {"response": 485, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (22:39)", "body": ""}, {"response": 486, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (22:43)", "body": "Have fixed the centering (trust me) From The Times: Dench's dream may come true DAME Judi Dench is backing a full-size reconstruction in London of The Rose theatre, the Shakespearean playhouse that rivalled the Globe. The theatre was the set for Shakespeare in Love. Dame Judi, who won an Oscar for her performance as Elizabeth I in the film, was so impressed by the set's authenticity that she urged David Parfitt, the producer, not to pull it down. Unlike traditional, wobbly, theatre sets, this was carved in oak and topped with a thatched roof. \"It took my breath away when I saw it,\" Dame Judi said, and, determined to find another use for it, set about finding one. Through her involvement, there are now plans to rebuild it on the site of the Sam Collins Music Hall, which was built in 1850 and burnt down in 1958. Since then the site - on the corner of Islington Green and Essex Road in North London - has become derelict and is now a car park. The reconstruction project is part of a \ufffd27 million development supported by the Collins Music Hall Trust and the Old Vic Theatre. CZWG, a leading firm of architects, has drawn up intricate plans for a scheme that would involve building the theatre three storeys underground, with a ground-level glass roof. The theatre alone would cost about \ufffd7 million. To fund it, an innovative \ufffd20 million residential development above is planned, its design inspired by the same architecture/.../ Unlike The Globe, which is open to the elements and closes during the winter, The Rose, protected by glass, will be able to open all year, with its audience always kept warm and dry. ***** Now, let's see, we were on the corner of Islington Green and something! ;-)"}, {"response": 487, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (23:09)", "body": "Sorry, KR =:-{ KJ"}, {"response": 488, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (23:13)", "body": "test , test"}, {"response": 489, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (06:36)", "body": "(Karen) Now, let's see, we were on the corner of Islington Green and something! ;-) Yes, we were! I do hope this project will not jeopardize the Colinsdale Estates.;-)"}, {"response": 490, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (06:46)", "body": "From Variety: Fox to remake a ``Monster'' Who says only obscure old French flicks qualify for American remakes? Fox has just picked up the remake rights to ``The Sex Monster,'' an American film that was made exactly a year ago. The studio has made a deal with veteran scripter Mike Binder, who wrote and directed the original low-budget indie comedy and starred in it with Mariel Hemingway and Steven Baldwin. The pic's about a guy whose decision to excite his marriage with a menage a trois awakens his wife's bisexuality, ruins the guy's business and pretty much destroys his life. At last year's U. S. Comedy Festival, ``Sex Monster'' won Best Picture and Binder won Best Actor, but the pic was only seen on Cinemax and on video, never getting a theatrical distribution. Fox execs Hutch Parker and Tom Rothman considered buying the pic, but instead paid Binder to rewrite it as a mid-sized budget pic designed to appeal to the likes of Ben Affleck and Gwyneth Paltrow."}, {"response": 491, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (07:59)", "body": "Fox execs Hutch Parker and Tom Rothman These people are on drugs. I feel sorry for the two. I guess the scripts going around Hollywood have hit rock bottom. May GP and BA have more sense. Thanks for the info Mari. If Islington keeps going that way, the Firths will be able to sell their townhouse at a fantastic price and Livia will finally get her wish of moving to Chelsea. ;-)"}, {"response": 492, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (08:01)", "body": "Argh! But, you know, I remember saying the film *did* have potential...to appeal to frat boys. THE OSCAR NOMS ARE IN: BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE: Russell Crowe... THE INSIDER Richard Farnsworth.... THE STRAIGHT STORY Sean Penn... SWEET AND LOWDOWN Kevin Spacey.... AMERICAN BEAUTY Denzel Washington... THE HURRICANE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Michael Caine.... THE CIDER HOUSE RULES Tom Cruise... MAGNOLIA Michael Clarke Duncan... THE GREEN MILE Jude Law..... THE TALENTED MR RIPLEY Haley Joel Osment... THE SIXTH SENSE ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE Annette Bening..... AMERICAN BEAUTY Janet McTeer.... TUMBLEWEEDS Julianne Moore.... THE END OF THE AFFAIR Meryl Streep.... MUSIC OF THE HEART Hilary Swank.... BOYS DON'T CRY ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Toni Collette.... THE SIXTH SENSE Angelina Jolie... GIRL, INTERRUPTED Catherine Keener.... BEING JOHN MALKOVICH Samantha Morton.... SWEET AND LOWDOWN Chloe Sevigny... BOYS DON'T CRY"}, {"response": 493, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (08:05)", "body": "BEST PICTURE AMERICAN BEAUTY CIDER HOUSE RULES THE GREEN MILE THE INSIDER THE SIXTH SENSE"}, {"response": 494, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (08:24)", "body": "DIRECTOR M. Night Shyamalan, \"The Sixth Sense\" Michael Mann, \"The Insider\" Sam Mendes, \"American Beauty\" Spike Jonze, \"Being John Malkovich\" Lasse Hallstrom, \"The Cider House Rules\" SCREENPLAY \ufffd ORIGINAL Paul Thomas Anderson, \"Magnolia\" Alan Ball, \"American Beauty\" Charlie Kaufman, \"Being John Malkovich\" Mike Leigh, \"Topsy-Turvy\" M. Night Shyamalan, \"The Sixth Sense\""}, {"response": 495, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (08:34)", "body": "SCREENPLAY - ADAPTATION THE CIDER HOUSE RULES Screenplay by John Irving ELECTION Screenplay by Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor THE GREEN MILE Screenplay by Frank Darabont THE INSIDER Screenplay by Eric Roth & Michael Mann THE TALENTED MR RIPLEY Screenplay by Anthony Minghella ART DIRECTION ANNA AND THE KING THE CIDER HOUSE RULES SLEEPY HOLLOW THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY TOPSY-TURVY CINEMATOGRAPHY AMERICAN BEAUTY THE END OF THE AFFAIR THE INSIDER SLEEPY HOLLOW SNOW FALLING ON CEDARS COSTUME DESIGN ANNA AND THE KING SLEEPY HOLLOW THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY TITUS TOPSY-TURVY FILM EDITING AMERICAN BEAUTY THE CIDER HOUSE RULES THE INSIDER THE MATRIX THE SIXTH SENSE BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM ALL ABOUT MY MOTHER (SPAIN) CARAVAN (NEPAL) EAST-WEST (FRANCE) SOLOMON AND GAENOR (ENGLAND) UNDER THE SUN MAKEUP AUSTIN POWERS: THE SPY WHO SHAGGED ME BICENTENNIAL MAN LIFE TOPSY-TURVY MUSIC: ORGINAL DRAMATIC SCORE AMERICAN BEAUTY ANGELA'S ASHES THE CIDER HOUSE RULES THE RED VIOLIN THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY MUSIC: ORIGINAL SONG SOUTH PARK: BIGGER, LONGER & UNCUT MUSIC OF THE HEART MAGNOLIA TOY STORY 2 TARZAN"}, {"response": 496, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (09:18)", "body": "(Karen), Argh! But, you know, I remember saying the film *did* have potential...to appeal to frat boys. True. The lesson to be learned is not to incite your wife into a menage a trois, you may ruin your life! Use your ecessive libido for adultery instead. ;-) Thanks for the Oscar Nominations, Karen. I see it will be an American Beauty night. I have not seen The 6th Sense but I hardly think it could compare to The 3 Kings which has been completely ignored, much to my chagrin. Will root for Sean Penn, Jude Law and Samantha Norton. For the rest, frankly I can only quote Rett Butler."}, {"response": 497, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (09:42)", "body": "(Moon) Will root for Sean Penn, Jude Law and Samantha Norton. You like rooting for the losers? How noble of you. ;-) The 3 Kings which has been completely ignored Not surprising and not totally to be faulted. In the \"unconventional\" category, there were too many--Am B, BJM, Mag, 6thS--this year which did get recognition and were IMO far better. 3Kings just didn't have it for an Oscar. Remember, Oscar doesn't mean \"the best.\" ;-) Big shockers: the Jim Carrey and Topsy-Turvy (I'm sure the great unwashed have not seen it) omissions AND the Cider House Rules inclusion (tres boring and tres trite)!!"}, {"response": 498, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (10:00)", "body": "How noble of you. Thank you for noticing. :-) Remember, Oscar doesn't mean \"the best.\" ;-) I know. It only means you are invited to the best apres Oscar parties in town. ;-) Did I mention that I only watch it to see the gowns the actresses wear?"}, {"response": 499, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (11:09)", "body": "The Cider House Rules inclusion (tres boring and tres trite)!! Told you.I liked this film.Great book too, by John Irving...World of Owen Meany. Do agree it will be an American Beauty night....But don't discount Denzel. Jude Law might be displaced by that kid in 6th Sense."}, {"response": 500, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (11:19)", "body": "(Karen) Big shockers: the Jim Carrey...omissions I'm not surprised. IMO he made his bed years ago. Remember when 'Liar Liar' debuted with huge BO numbers and he 'mooned' (left pants up, thank God) the audience at some awards show? I thought Lauren Holly was going to cry. It's gonna take him years to prove himself (but he appears to have a few friends among the H'wood Foreign Press). Tom's still trying, and he didn't piss off the big boys. At least he's making progress. Thanks for posting the list."}, {"response": 501, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (11:24)", "body": "I haven't discounted Denzel. I think he'll get it. To me, Farnesworth is the dark horse to watch. For suppporting, while I may want Jude to take it, he doesn't have a prayer. But Supporting is always a difficult category to call. I'd go with the kid or Cruise, but Caine has to be a sentimental fav, especially in view of last year. But last year, they gave it to an oldster (Coburn in a role no one saw), so I'll stick with my first two--the kid and Cruise. BTW, I'm not at all surprised about Emily Watson being left off. There was nothing notable about her acting in AA. The kids were the main attractions."}, {"response": 502, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (11:26)", "body": "(Moon)These people are on drugs. Yeah, hopefully Stelazine and they'll forget all about it.;-) (Moon)For the rest, frankly I can only quote Rett Butler. \"Mammy, is that a red petticoat you're wearin'?\" ;-) Karen, thanks for getting the list on so quickly. AICN was wrong! Harry's excuse this morning: \"Hey, it came off the Academy server.\" Whatta schlub.;-) (Karen)Big shockers: the Jim Carrey and Topsy-Turvy (I'm sure the great unwashed have not seen it) omissions AND the Cider House Rules inclusion (tres boring and tres trite)!! Poor Jim Carrey; I don't know what else this guy has to do. And I guess I'll have to see Cider House now. Topsy-Turvy: it came out way too late in the year for people to have a chance to see it. Poor marketing/planning. Other shockers: relatively poor showing by Ripley, and great showing by Sixth Sense. Glad and surprised for Toni Collette, whom I've always thought would make a fine BJ! And Shyamalan is a homeboy so I'm happy.;-) The kid, Osment, is very deserving--he rocked. I must admit, however, that the ending is so awesome that it leaves you thinking it's a better movie than it really is. Still, it's a smart film, and proves that a blockbuster success doesn't have to be dumbed-down. Interesting that the 6 non-American acting nominess all played Americans."}, {"response": 503, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (11:26)", "body": "(Eileen) he made his bed years ago...It's gonna take him years to prove himself I agree. Also, his comments at the GGs didn't help. In fact, they also signaled to me that he wouldn't be nominated. His situation is far worse than Spielberg's was for the longest time."}, {"response": 504, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (11:41)", "body": "Re: Solomon and Gaenor It hasn't played here yet, but I remember the reviews were not good. From The Evening Standard: Set in a Welsh mining village in 1911, Paul Morrisson's Welsh-Yiddish/ English-language film starts miserable and goes downhill from there. Oh, all right. There are some lovely bits in the middle when sparky Welsh girl Gaenor (Nia Roberts) conducts an illicit romance with Jewish Welsh lad Solomon (Ioan Gruffudd) and they roll about in the hay to erotic effect but when Gaenor's resulting pregnancy and her discovery of her lover's real ethnic persuasion come to light, the film descends into the murk of melodrama. Set against a backdrop of miners' strikes and local political unrest, it charts the rise of anti-Semitism in The Valleys with respectful skill and the two attractive leads momentarily lighten the load of a tale whose Hardyesque burden is finally too much to bear."}, {"response": 505, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (11:53)", "body": "Thanks for the info on Solomon and Gaenor, Karen. It has played here at a few Jewish film festivals (Philly--alas, I missed it, Boston, etc.) I'm happy it got nommed only because now it might have a chance to get a distributor here and I can see Ioan on the big screen.;-) What I don't suffer for art.;-)"}, {"response": 506, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (12:01)", "body": "Actually, I think I read a couple of days ago that S&G was picked up...maybe by Sony Pictures Classics."}, {"response": 507, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (16:29)", "body": "Since then the site - on the corner of Islington Green and Essex Road in North London - has become derelict and is now a carpark park. (Karen)Now, let's see, we were on the corner of Islington Green and something! ;-) \"The very one\"...we were on Islington Green which is where Upper Street separates & Essex Road begins.Don't remember a car park though."}, {"response": 508, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (16:34)", "body": "You do remember construction, don't you? I do. We walked under the scaffolding on our way to Colinsdale Estates. ;-)"}, {"response": 509, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (18:25)", "body": "Have just come back from seeing American Beauty with my sister and two friends and I have to say we were all rather under-whelmed, don't not quite what we were expecting but I'm not sure what all the fuss is about. There were some nice performances but it definitely dragged in places, in our humble opinion and yet all the reviews have been universally great, here and in the US. Back to Valmont..."}, {"response": 510, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (19:41)", "body": "(Moon)the Firths will be able to sell their townhouse at a fantastic price What's a fantastic price in your estimation? You can't get anything reasonable in Islington below \ufffd500,000."}, {"response": 511, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb 16, 2000 (07:59)", "body": "(Arami), What's a fantastic price in your estimation? You can't get anything reasonable in Islington below \ufffd500,000. Try to buy the equivalent of their Islington townhouse in Chelsea and you get the figures."}, {"response": 512, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 16, 2000 (08:50)", "body": "Long column about Bonnie Hunt's movie \"Return to Me,\" the one she filmed next door to me. Mentions the location shooting, among other things. ;-) http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/columnists/grove/index.asp"}, {"response": 513, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb 16, 2000 (09:11)", "body": "What a thrill for me. All the actors were very unique. They each had very, very different approaches to the work. And you just had to adjust your directing style to each person.\" That sounds like a nightmare to me. A director should have their vision straight and be decided on what they want to do. You may take a suggestion once in a while but to adjust your directing style each time sounds like no directing style at all to me. Thanks, Karen. I have seen the previews and I can tell you that Bonnie loves close-ups. I hope we get to see a lot of Chicago."}, {"response": 514, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 16, 2000 (09:54)", "body": "The Razzies \"Dis-honoring the Worst Film Achievements of 1999\" are in.They are listed on their website: http://www.razzies.com/PRNominations00-2.html Scroll down to the middle... don't miss Kenneth Brannagh as Worst Supporting Actor for \"Wild, Wild West\". Which has also been nominated in the Worst Movie of the Year category. The Golden Raspberry award will be presented the day before the Oscars. Quite a come-down for ole Ken :-D He shudda stuck to Shakespeare."}, {"response": 515, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 16, 2000 (10:38)", "body": "*hee hee* thanks, Evelyn. It really boils down to a contest for worst between TPM and Wild Wild West. Everybody associated with those appears to have been nominated. Thank goodness, I didn't bother with them. NOMINATION TOTALS by TITLE: STAR WARS: EPISODE I, THE PHANTOM MENACE and WILD WILD WEST - 8 EACH BIG DADDY, THE HAUNTING - 5 EACH END OF DAYS, SHOWGIRLS - 3 EACH THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT, ENTRAPMENT, THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH - 2 EACH"}, {"response": 516, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Feb 16, 2000 (12:40)", "body": "(Ann)I'm not sure what all the fuss is about. I want to suggest what the fuss around American Beauty is is all about....it\ufffds about the fact that this film contains some good ideas and a little exceptional approach, in other words, it\ufffds an ok movie. That\ufffds enough to make a great fuss around a film in the western world these days. But if Shakespeare In Love was the best picture of 1998, American Beauty must the best of 1999!! :-D Ps. if Annette Bening is the best actress of any year then something is very badly wrong with this world. Probably is too."}, {"response": 517, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 16, 2000 (13:42)", "body": "(Ann)I'm not sure what all the fuss is about (elena)....it\ufffds about the fact that this film contains some good ideas and a little exceptional approach,... Ann, \"American Beauty\" is a satire. The story is not mean't to be taken at face value.It is a spoof on suburban life, values that people hold, apsirations that they have, behavior patterns....a critcal view of today's life. Each character is a prototype.I found myself in some of it...and I know most people have. Like Elena said....lots of food for thought.IMO it was brilliant. And a seamless production. Ann....don't see \"Magnolia\"; you'll hate it.Another \"new wave\" film. Three hours, and it doesn't even have a plot."}, {"response": 518, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 16, 2000 (14:09)", "body": "(Evelyn) and it doesn't even have a plot Hey, if they filmed a \"day in my life,\" it wouldn't have a plot either. ;-)"}, {"response": 519, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Wed, Feb 16, 2000 (15:10)", "body": "I saw American Beauty last week and loved it! I think it deserves to win for Best Picture. And I couldn't help but love Kevin Spacey."}, {"response": 520, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb 16, 2000 (15:33)", "body": "(Evelyn), Another \"new wave\" film. The original \"new wave\" film from France (1960s) is greatly missed by me and most cinephiles. Those current films have nothing to do with it. I would call them pseudo-modern films."}, {"response": 521, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Feb 16, 2000 (17:03)", "body": "I don't think anyone as posted the DGA (Directors Guild Award) nominations. They are generally a pretty good indicator of which film will win the Oscar for Best Picture. They have an over 90% accuracy rate; although, last year \"Saving Private Ryan\" won the DGA and \"Shakespeare in Love\" was the Academy's choice. The nominees are: \"American Beauty\", Sam Mendes \"Being John Malkovich\", Spike Jonze \"The Green Mile\", Frank Darabont \"The Insider\", Michael Mann \"The Sixth Sense\", M. Knight Shyamalyn(sic)"}, {"response": 522, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Feb 16, 2000 (19:05)", "body": "(Evelyn) Three hours, and it doesn't even have a plot. Hey, who needs a plot when you have frogs?;-) One of my faves last year was Limbo, which didn't have an ending. Conventional film structure is *so* overrated. ;-) ;-) Mari 8:18 P.S. Cheryl, thanks for the DGA noms list. I see they've corrected the Academy's oversight and have nommed Frank Darabont for The Green Mile. This guy takes the audience inside a claustrophobic prison corridor for three+ hours--and makes you feel grateful for it. Very good movie."}, {"response": 523, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Feb 16, 2000 (21:02)", "body": "(Moon) Try to buy the equivalent of their Islington townhouse in Chelsea and you get the figures. No way - Chelsea is not quite the right place for a left-leaning celebrity. She may scream her beautiful head off and stamp till her little feet are blue, but he ain't going there, I can safely bet on that."}, {"response": 524, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (07:23)", "body": "So much for my Four Feathers hopes. From the \"when you're hot, you're hot\" department: HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Jude Law, Oscar nominated for his role in ``The Talented Mr. Ripley'' has committed to star in ``Four Feathers,'' which begins shooting in July. The Paramount/Miramax co-production is a remake of the Zoltan Korda tale that Hossein Amini (''The Wings of the Dove'' ''Jude'') will adapt from the 1939 screenplay. Shekhar Kapur (''Elizabeth,'' ``Bandit Queen'') will direct. ``Feathers'' centers on a British officer who resigns his post just before battle and is given four white feathers by his friends and fiancee as symbols of what they believe to be his cowardice. Law is also eyeing the lead in ``The Good Shepherd,'' set up at MGM, which will be directed by Robert De Niro. Law recently participated in the table read of Eric Roth's ``Shepherd'' script in Manhattan. The story follows a CIA agent who is recruited fresh out of the Ivy League at the agency's inception after WWII, and the toll his work takes on his life and family. Sources familiar with the talks indicated that the two projects would not present a scheduling conflict for Law, given that ``Feathers'' would begin lensing this July, and that De Niro's acting jobs will have him tied up until early 2001."}, {"response": 525, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (07:53)", "body": "Thanks, Mari! I am happy to see Jude being offered these roles instead of the usual Matt and Tom. He truly glowed in TTMR and I hope he takes the Oscar for it. I do not see why a little boy on his first acting job has to be the favourite. Tom Cruise should have won for the 4th of July, but this one should be for Jude. :-) (Arami), Chelsea is not quite the right place for a left-leaning celebrity. I remember when Kings Road was. There are plenty of left-leaning celebrites who live in Chelsea."}, {"response": 526, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (07:57)", "body": "So he plays an American again in the second one. ;-) He's hot and doesn't look like he's going to squander it. And he's expanding his scope now, doing that war picture, Enemy at the Gates, giving him a semi-action role for his C.V."}, {"response": 527, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (09:19)", "body": "From the Picky-Picky: Let's be Pure department: So I log on to #80 expecting BJ stuff and I get High Fidelity...how come it isn't on here? ;-) ~~~~~~~~~ (Arami), Chelsea is not quite the right place for a left-leaning celebrity. He shudda stayed in Hackney. RF lives in Hampton Heath and he's an agnostic ...is that the same? ;-)"}, {"response": 528, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (09:32)", "body": "RF lives in Hampton Heath and he's an agnostic I know lots of New-Agers that live in Hampstead Heath. I guess they balance his agnosticity. ;-)"}, {"response": 529, "author": "baine", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (11:06)", "body": "CIA agent who is recruited fresh out of the Ivy League at the agency's inception after WWII Picky-Picky Dept, part deux: CIA *officer*. An agent is someone recruited to help spy, as Guy Bennett, that is, Burgess, became a Soviet agent; an officer is an employee of the agency which I assume is what they're talking about here. Who will play Allan Dulles? Ed Harris?"}, {"response": 530, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (17:47)", "body": "There are plenty of left-leaning celebrites who live in Chelsea. More money than sense. Not Colin's scene. :-)"}, {"response": 531, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (17:59)", "body": "(Evelyn) RF lives in Hampstead Heath and he's an agnostic Would that then make him a Hampstead heathen?;-)"}, {"response": 532, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (18:39)", "body": "Careful with generalizations: HH also happens to be famous for gays."}, {"response": 533, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (19:22)", "body": "(Arami), More money than sense. Not Colin's scene. :-) My cousins have lots of sense as do my friends that live in Chelsea. A Burrough I love and know quite well. I suppose I am a Royalist so you may despise me. :-) I believe Colin must have friends in that area, so it must sometimes be part of his scene."}, {"response": 534, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (19:50)", "body": "Jennifer's new flat is also in Islington...and she is not a Leftist.Although Labor. So that borough must be a mixed bag."}, {"response": 535, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (22:49)", "body": "Long article in The Times by Benedict Nightingale about the Oliviers. Here's the ending [no mention of a play some of us liked or an actor...]: But the prime reason for awards is surely to acknowledge excellence, set standards and proclaim the strengths of British theatre. They can also accelerate the careers of individuals like Imelda Staunton, who was unknown before she was named best supporting actress in Ayckbourn's Chorus of Disapproval at the 1985 Oliviers. Janie Dee's parallel victory for a minor role in Carousel in 1993 partly explains why she got the major role that has already won her the Standard and Critics Awards for 1999. But will Maggie Smith or Jennifer Ehle beat her for their performances as, respectively, a genteel tramp in Alan Bennett's Lady in the Van and the creamy, dreamy heroine of Stoppard's Real Thing? Will the Olivier panel find a new play worth honouring from a list that includes Lady in the Van and Martin Sherman's monologue, Rose? Will the National Theatre, whose unprecedented 21 nominations vary from Roger Allam's supporting performance in Summerfolk to John Napier's costume designs for Candide, break existing records for winners too? Well, at least the competition remains fierce here. New productions on Broadway are so few nowadays that the Tony shortlists often contain critical and commercial disasters, just to make up the numbers. But in just one category this year the Olivier panellists have felt able to overlook Cate Blanchett, Juliet Stevenson, Helen Mirren and others I thought eminently rewardable. And what of Mark Rylance's Cleopatra? But that would, I suppose, have needed a category all its own."}, {"response": 536, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 18, 2000 (08:37)", "body": "Grocery chain screens films Who said the drive-in is dead? U.K. grocery store chain Asda has announced plans to show movies in the parking lots of its outlets. Asda, recently bought by U.S. retail giant Wal-Mart, will charge customers \ufffd1 ($1.61) a car to park in front of a large screen showing Disney classics. Usherettes on roller skates will deliver popcorn, hot dogs and ice cream to customers who can listen to the movies on their car radios or sit in a tiered seating area. The project will tested at Asda's 24-hour store in York next month before being extended to 50 stores by September."}, {"response": 537, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 18, 2000 (10:32)", "body": "OLIVIER AWARDS; Best actress: Janie Dee Best Actor: Henry Goodman Best New Play;\"Goodnight Children Everywhere\" [Are they kidding??] Best New Musical: \"Honk!The Ugly Duckling\" [So , why is\" Lion King\" selling tickets til October 2000? Preverse nationalism!!] Whole list of winners: http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/index.cfm"}, {"response": 538, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 18, 2000 (11:13)", "body": "Hardly a surprise about the first two. Benedict's article today said they seemed to be shoe-ins. Sorry about Jennifer. But she's got the nominations, is firmly etched in reviewers/voters minds, and will have much better shot at them next time around. Sounds like they definitely have to earn their stripes. No awards for first-timers."}, {"response": 539, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 18, 2000 (12:22)", "body": "I read Benedict Nightingale last night in the TIMES, which Karen posted... so I knew .The guy was probably on the committee!! Anyway, JE & SD are off to B'way whose tickets are going like hot cakes. I have never seen Janie Dee, but I did see Maggie Smith !!... and I can tell you I've seen Henry Goodman in Summerfolk and the guy couldn't wipe Colin's shoes....or SD's.Pretty decrepit. And how about the new play and musical that won...who heard of them.? *evelyn who is off to go to post- Olivier therapy* (DQ better come today)"}, {"response": 540, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb 18, 2000 (15:08)", "body": "I hope you get well soon, Evelyn! ;-) Onegin is on tonight on Starz at 8pm. I no longer get it. Eileen, you and your million channels? I wonder if it will be out for rent soon?"}, {"response": 541, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Feb 18, 2000 (15:23)", "body": "FOR THE TREATMENT OF POST-OLIVIER TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER: 1. Park your sanity at the door. 2. Keep repeating, \"What an Honor and a Thrill and a Privilege and a Delight it is just to be nominated with such august company.\" 3. Try to remember who was nominated and lost in previous years. 4. Failing that, fill out application for membership in old boys/old girls network. Lie about your references. 5. Ayckbourn: with a \"y\" or without? 6. Hum those snappy tunes from \"Good Night Children Everywhere.\" 7. Failing that, Hakuna Matate! 8. Check Barrymore Theater site for nearby parking. 9. Argue with husband over whether 47th Street runs east or west. 10. Handicap the Oscar race."}, {"response": 542, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Feb 18, 2000 (15:42)", "body": "(Moon) Eileen, you and your million channels? Heehee...yep (FYI we only kept Starz, HBO and Encore :-P). Saw Onegin a couple of weeks ago. Rafe's OK, great cinematography, but Liv...*shudder*. I wonder if it will be out for rent soon? I was very surprised to find it on cable so soon. That issue of EW I referenced a while ago presented it as a theatrical release, which I'm sure it is in some markets."}, {"response": 543, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 18, 2000 (17:50)", "body": "(Eileen)Re: Kissing ...They had similar unflattering comments from several other female costars. Ruth's comments aside, let's hope we never anything like this written about ODB! (I brought this over from 129....aren't I a good girl?) I would rather a leading lady spoke about what a great kisser ODB is...than talk about \"his professionalism in kissing\". Apparently, Kevin Costner is a real winner in kissing ~~~~~~~ Thanks Mari....or rather...Hakuna Matate! Anyway, she won on the Albemarle website....so did SD and 3 DOR. http://www.albemarle-london.com/vote.html No remarks!"}, {"response": 544, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 18, 2000 (18:02)", "body": "Very funny, Mari, but them theater people don't know beans about the Oscars! ;-) (All puckered up Evelyn) Apparently, Kevin Costner is a real winner in kissing So is Pierce Brosnan. Everytime one of his leading ladies is on TV, they mention it. He has lots of references; probably doesn't have to lie or make them up. ;-)"}, {"response": 545, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Feb 18, 2000 (18:33)", "body": "(Moon)My cousins have lots of sense as do my friends that live in Chelsea. A Burrough I love and know quite well. (Oh, shhhh...) I suppose an invite is out of the question, then? ;-)"}, {"response": 546, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Feb 18, 2000 (18:49)", "body": "I've found this in one of the UK papers today: Michael Caine revealed he had not taken any chances over this year's Oscar nominations - as an Academy member he is able to vote for himself. \"I voted for myself,\" he said, \"because I'd kick myself if I lost by just one vote. I've got all my friends to vote for me too.\" [...] \"The Academy Awards have real respect. They are voted for by people in the industry and not rigged.\""}, {"response": 547, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (07:50)", "body": "A couple of paragraphs in the Sunday Times (AA Gill's TV column) about the South Bank Show that Lizza mentioned: Melvyn Bragg and Sam Mendes A lot of special people were looking forward to seeing Sam \"Orson\" Mendes on The South Bank Show (Sunday, ITV). We are a committed and long-suffering gang of fans who used to be called his friends. We like to keep up with how he is. Modern communication is fabulous. We can stay in touch via the television. \"Saw Orson today,\" we say. \"Channel 4. Put on a bit of weight.\" Through Melvyn's incisive interviewing, we heard what an unspoilt, unstarry person he is, completely unfazed by mega-celebrity and fawning adoration. Funnily enough, that's exactly what his PA, secretaries and assistant always tell me when I leave numerous unanswered messages. Right, I thought. We'll fight mass media with mass media. I'll tell them how fame and success hasn't changed him. It's jolly well transported him like the Buddha, Golden Globes and all, right off this mortal stage . . . and then, just when we were getting to the bit where Kevin Spacey said with tears in his eyes that Orson only had one shirt, the phone goes, and it's Sam. Would I like to go to the flicks this weekend? Typical, typical. He doesn't call from one year to the next and when he does, it spoils my entire bloody review."}, {"response": 548, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (08:09)", "body": "Bigger profile article on Sam/Orson in the Britain section of the Sunday Times. ********************************** This is the final week in which votes can be cast for the Bowmore Scottish Screen Awards. You have until Wednesday to vote for the Scottish Film of the Year and the Scottish Film Personality of the Year. You can also call our hotline numbers or vote by email: scotfilm@sunday-times.co.uk FILMS The Acid House: Raw and brutal Irvine Welsh adaptation. Call 09015 624141 The Big Tease: Hair salon comedy. Call 09015 624142 The Debt Collector: Billy Connolly plays a killer turned sculptor. Call 09015 624143 Entrapment: Connery's big-budget thriller with Catherine Zeta Jones. Call 09015 624144 Gregory's Two Girls: Follow-up to the classic of teenage angst. Call 09015 624145 The Match: Romantic comedy. Call 09015 624147 Hold Back the Night: Scottish road movie starring Sheila Hancock. Call 09015 624146 Orphans: Peter Mullan's first feature film as director. Call 09015 624148 Ratcatcher: Lynne Ramsay's poetic film set in 1970s Glasgow. Call 09015 624149 This Year's Love: Scots' London relationships go full circle. Call 09015 624150 PERSONALITIES Ian Bannen: Huge success with Waking Ned, but died at end of year. Call 09015 624171 Trisha Biggar: Dressed the big names in The Phantom Menace. Call 09015 624172 Robert Carlyle: From cannibal to Bond villain to Angela's Ashes. Call 09015 624173 Sir Sean Connery: Came home to film Entrapment and get a gong. Call 09015 624174 Craig Ferguson: Produced and starred in The Big Tease. Call 09015 624175 Laura Fraser: The best thing about Virtual Sexuality. Call 09015 624176 John Hannah: Supplied the comic touches in The Mummy. Call 09015 624177 Douglas Henshall: Bereaved son in Orphans, also in This Year's Love. Call 09015 624178 Ewan McGregor: Most impressive in Little Voice. Call 09015 624179 Peter Mullan: His latest film, Miss Julie, was well received in America. Call 09015 624180 Lynne Ramsay: Her debut film Ratcatcher was shortlisted at Cannes. Call 09015 624181 Ray Park: Darth Maul, face of Star Wars prequel The Phantom Menace. Call 09015 624182 Siobhan Redmond: Stars as a journalist's wife in Beautiful People. Call 09015 624183 John Gordon Sinclair: A gawky teacher in Gregory's Two Girls. Call 09015 624184"}, {"response": 549, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (08:57)", "body": "Gregory's Two Girls: Follow-up to the classic of teenage angst. This is a wish of mine come true! I loved Gregory's Girl! I saw it in Scotland when it came out eons ago. I wonder if it will come to the US? Thanks, Karen!"}, {"response": 550, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (09:12)", "body": "I seem to recall the reviews were not so good. But you know reviewers. ;-)"}, {"response": 551, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (11:49)", "body": "Interesting article in today's L.A. Times, entitled \"An Unresolved Border Conflict: European Films Get A Warmer Welcome In The U.S. Than From Neighbor Countries\" http://www.calendarlive.com/calendarlive/movies/20000220/t000000087.html"}, {"response": 552, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (12:22)", "body": "(LA Times article) Paris-based Richard Covington Is an Occasional Contributor to Calendar Maybe the occasionalness is due to his need to get a map. Last I remember, Australia (Cate Blanchett) was not in Europe. Good article, Mari."}, {"response": 553, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (14:58)", "body": "Interesting article....the French are always belly-aching though...like we have a duty to show their films."}, {"response": 554, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (15:13)", "body": "The French are just so...French. I can say that, as I am partly French. I have I friend who was complaining about one of his co-workers named Luc. He complained that Luc was arogant, opinioned, obnoxious, and French. I told him he just could have said Luc was French, and that would have pretty much covered everything. Well maybe not obnoxious."}, {"response": 555, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (15:20)", "body": "But Covington (the writer) is not French. He is only based in Paris and apparently a stringer or freelance journalist, not from the LA Times' Paris bureau."}, {"response": 556, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (15:30)", "body": "True Covington is not French, but he did interviews with some French people, as well as other nationalities. He's just reporting the standard line the French give concerning the French Film Industry. A few years ago there was a French film called \"Irma Vep\", it was a satire of those make and write about French films. I thought it wonderful, but it's one of those movies you either really like or can't stand."}, {"response": 557, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (15:35)", "body": "Covington is not French...but the article says: \"Despite the surprise success of a handful of French films in the US, the French distributors and officials complain that the imports would reach still larger audiences if they had wider releases.....'Our films have to compete for the same screens as the other independent American film makers', grouses Daniel Toscan du Plantier....\"The American public is ready for French films ,but the American distributors are not\" says, Philippe de Chaisenartin. ~~~~~~ Maybe it's because they don't make any money...distributors are funny that way...they like to get a return on their investments cause they don't get government handouts and tax incentives like they do in Europe."}, {"response": 558, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (15:41)", "body": "Sorry, but I don't see why anyone is focusing on the French re: Mari's article. It was about European films and stated that many European films have reached more Americans than their neighbors, which films have crossed borders well and which haven't, with some attempt to understand the reasons. period."}, {"response": 559, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (15:47)", "body": "Sorry, but I don't see why anyone is focusing on the French re: Mari's article. It was about European films and stated that many European films have reached more Americans than ....\" Sorry...did I make up those quotes? The French input comes towards the end of the article :-D"}, {"response": 560, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (16:02)", "body": "(closing tags) and there were lots of other quotes at the beginning by others...Germans, Australians (oops, sorry wrong continent); discussions about Italian and British films, Danish films, etc. Everyone carps. Everyone tries to rationalize why their films don't get the audience acceptance they think they deserve. Sounds like stuff we do all the time here over CF's films. All I'm saying is that the French quotes weren't the major focus of the article...to me."}, {"response": 561, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (20:00)", "body": "Elena's Birthday is the 21st of February.. Y'all come!!!"}, {"response": 562, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (22:36)", "body": "So as not to interrupt tomorrow festivities for Elena, thought I'd post this now. Wish there was an accompanying sound file. ;-) For non-Americans, tomorrow, Feb 21st, is also Presidents Day, a Federal holiday."}, {"response": 563, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (09:09)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELENA"}, {"response": 564, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (09:49)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Elena! From the new man in your life... I'll leave it to another to find a dreamier picture of our favorite dreamer."}, {"response": 565, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (09:53)", "body": "No birthday cake but since this year you share your birthday on the US President's Day, here's a piece of symbolic cherry pie... and a candle to stick on top -"}, {"response": 566, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (09:55)", "body": "Oops! Candle didn't want to light. Better quit while I'm ahead. ;-) Hope you have a happy day, Elena."}, {"response": 567, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (09:57)", "body": "Happy, happy birthday, Elena. Nasty computer crash has eaten my Netscape, so can't post a graphic :-( but the sentiments are there, nonetheless! *Imagine a nice pic of 'Donmar Colin' here* Caption: Where is the lovely Scandanavian lady with her camera? I want to wish her happiness on her birthday!"}, {"response": 568, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (11:27)", "body": "Looking for that Ace Photographer from the Donmar lobby... ...to wish her a Very Happy Birthday"}, {"response": 569, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (11:31)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELENA!!!!"}, {"response": 570, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (11:39)", "body": "I know he's not Don Quixote or even Donovan Quick, but this knight has some roses for you, Elena But if you close your eyes and make a wish before blowing out the candles on the cake above, you might get this:"}, {"response": 571, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (11:52)", "body": "Thanks so much girls for all your gifts, I\ufffdm so happy for all this! I practically forgot about the B-day myself, maybe intentionally because I don\ufffdt want to be #%\ufffd%&% 37. Who does?! :-) (Karen)Feb 21st, is also Presidents Day, a Federal holiday. Wow, I\ufffdm impressed! I chose the day well it seems. And Karen, thanks for that lovely DQ picture, it belongs to my favourites. (Eileen)Where is the lovely Scandanavian lady with her camera? Hehe, thanks for that lovely caption but I\ufffdm sure Colin has had nightmares about me and my camera. The flash is so efficient that it made the poor guy blink!"}, {"response": 572, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (12:04)", "body": "Happy Birthday Elena! xxooo"}, {"response": 573, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (12:06)", "body": "I do not understand what happened to the graphic, it really is not rated X! Enjoy your day, Elena. :-)"}, {"response": 574, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (12:24)", "body": "Is this the one, Moon?"}, {"response": 575, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (12:53)", "body": "Hapyy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Dear Elena, Happy Birthday to you. I have a horrible feeling this is not going to work, haven't done it for ages."}, {"response": 576, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (13:06)", "body": "HAUOLI NA HANAU, ELENA (Dendrobium orchids and resebuds)"}, {"response": 577, "author": "Donna", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (13:57)", "body": "This is a response to a old message above: Since I have seen Private Ryan and the TRuman show I would like to say that they are both good movies but: Private Ryan was a blood bath and very depressing. The Truman Show was all Jim C. a lot of hype and tech stuff. Once you have seen Private Ryan you would want to watch it again. I wouldn't anyway, but SIL is fun, fun ,fun and it put portrays women in a good light in some ways. The determination of GP to be an actress and Queen Elizabeth so brillant. I am really find her intriging. She was amazing. Donna"}, {"response": 578, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (15:06)", "body": "Happy Birthday to Spring's ace photographer! Have a lovely day, Elena, and I wish you a happy, healthy, Firth-filled year! Mari"}, {"response": 579, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (15:28)", "body": "Happy B-Day, Helena!"}, {"response": 580, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (16:08)", "body": "(Ann)I have a horrible feeling this is not going to work LOL! Thanks for the song Ann, it worked for me! Dear Marcia, thanks for the dendrobiums, I love them and that colour too. I even have d\ufffds here at home because growing orchids and making them bloom is my mum\ufffds rave hobby. (Mari)healthy, Firth-filled year! There\ufffds nothing like Drooling to keep the doctor away :-D (Arami)Happy B-Day, Helena! Thanks pal but eeek! don\ufffdt blow my cover ;-)"}, {"response": 581, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (16:14)", "body": "Cutting in: Milos Forman has said that the reason Jim Carrey did not get an Best Actor Oscar nomination is because he is so good that you do not see the sweat of acting, you see Andy Kaufman. That must go for CF in Valmont too when you think of JMs in your face performance, ugh! Milos knows. :-)"}, {"response": 582, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (16:43)", "body": "A BIRTHDAY, ELENA? Here's a big Birthday Hug from Across the Big Pond: I got so excited when I discovered it was your birthday... I just had to shop for some gifts worthy of you. A lovely bouquet... And this... It's Magic!! So make a wish... I think I know what the wish is, too!... May he always be in your picture... ...And you in his ... [besotted, I tell you!! *Hee hee*] HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ELENA!"}, {"response": 583, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (17:07)", "body": "(Elena)I don\ufffdt want to be #%\ufffd%&% 37. Who does?! :-) Anyone who's over 40?; to wish Elena A Very Happy Birthday!"}, {"response": 584, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (17:30)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY,from me too Elena. Of course you don't mind being 37. What is the alternative."}, {"response": 585, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (18:02)", "body": "KJ, now you almost managed to make my eyes wet. That creature with the globe is what I often feel like when thinking of you. Thanks for the flowers too, beautiful. (KJ)I think I know what the wish is, too!... Oh god *blush* I bet you do ;-D Gi, thanks much for remembering. Lucie, a good question. I\ufffdm trying to think positively: that I\ufffdm now younger than I\ufffdll never be again!!"}, {"response": 586, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (09:59)", "body": "Here's a link to Entertainment Weekly's preview of High Fidelity. Interesting credit war and Frears' comments about the location: http://www.ew.com/ew/moviepreview/0,3971,152,highfidelity.html And here's the official site for Return to Me (my movie next door). There are some pictures and three videos (including one of outakes), but I haven't viewed them yet. Looks interesting and will be pushed as a big date movie. http://www.mgm.com/rtm/index.html"}, {"response": 587, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (10:25)", "body": "Since only cinematographers (as such) can vote in this category for the Oscars: \"American Beauty\" director of photography Conrad Hall took top honors in the feature film category at the 14th annual American Society of Cinematographers Outstanding Achievement Awards Sunday night. Overall, it was an evening of perennial favorites, with Hall notching his third ASC statuette (following \"Tequila Sunrise\" in 1988 and \"Searching for Bobby Fischer\" in 1993) -- a benchmark in any one category."}, {"response": 588, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (10:29)", "body": "I just saw American Beauty this past weekend. We ended up discussing it and other things for hours at Neal and Jans. Good choice. Great film."}, {"response": 589, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (11:19)", "body": "The trailer for High Fidelity is up. I haven't downloaded it yet; a friend says it's a huge file but well worth it. http://www.hollywood.com/trailers/highfidelity/highfidelity.mov"}, {"response": 590, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (13:41)", "body": "I can't find the # for RF board...so here goes: it hasn't been released yet, but RF will be here to perform Coriolanus and Richard II with the Almeida on the following dates: Richard II date are Sept 6,7,13,17,19,23,24,26,27,30. Coriolanus dates are: Sept 9,10,14,15,16,20,21,22,28,29. The tickets prices are $75.00, $45.00, & $25.00 and will not go on sale until April. The shows will be in the Harvey theatre at B.A.M. So get ready! If you purchase a package that includes the RSC's Midsummer Night's Dream & RII, and Coriolanus, you get a 15% discount. \" ~~~~~~ If Rafe comes...can Colin be far behind??"}, {"response": 591, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (15:34)", "body": "If Rafe comes...can Colin be far behind?? Let us ask Kristen Scott-Thomas. ;-)"}, {"response": 592, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (16:43)", "body": "Happy Birthday Elena. Hope it was lovely, have a great year."}, {"response": 593, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (16:48)", "body": "Moon, you know I love to read your postings -- but I'm aghast! Heresy, to mention Colin Firth and that person from \"Man in the Moon\" in the same paragraph. Absolute heresy. Jim Carrey (please note seperate paragraph) is not nor ever has been a good actor, or even actor for that matter. He didn't get an Oscar nomination simply because his work is not good enough."}, {"response": 594, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (16:49)", "body": "Happy Birthday Elena. Hope it was lovely, have a great year."}, {"response": 595, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (17:10)", "body": "Having refused to see most Jim Carrey movies, where they needed Brink's trucks to haul away the daily box office take, I did break down to see The Truman Show, and I thought it and him were very good. A major pleasant surprise, although I did know it was not typical Jim Carrey fare. Having seen The Man on the Moon, Carrey is incredible. The movie itself is not. As everyone knows the Oscars are not solely about \"the best\" in a category. Impressions, reputations, the past, etc., all play a role. If Sarah Bernhardt had thumbed her nose at the Academy the way Jim Carrey has been doing, even she wouldn't get a nomination."}, {"response": 596, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (17:25)", "body": "Moon, you know I love to read your postings -- but I'm aghast! Heresy, to mention Colin Firth and that person from \"Man in the Moon\" in the same paragraph. Absolute heresy. Heehee... Cheryl, I am not at all partial to JC, although, I do think he did a good job in Truman Show. I have not seen MOTM yet, as much as I like REM. ;-) I thought it was interesting that Milos Forman would make excuses for JC and wondered if he might not have done the same at the time of Valmont for ODB. And while we are on the subject of acting. Has anyone seen Sean Penn's extraordinary performance in Woody Allen's Sweet & Lowdown?"}, {"response": 597, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (19:17)", "body": "IMO, what Jim Carrey has done to tweak Hollywood is nothing--small potatoes-- compared to the stuff Sean Penn has pulled over the years. Penn is the ultimate bad boy, and yet they've nommed him twice that I can recall. The guy is unbelievably talented. That Best Actor category is a very high caliber one this year--who would they have left off to make room for Carrey? Spacey, Washington, and Crowe were all considered shoo-ins; Farnsworth and Penn a bit of a surprise. It helps when your film has gotten good reviews, which is the case with all of these guys (somewhat less so with Denzel/Hurricane as the film's veracity has been called into serious question). Anyway, here's the latest from the Kingmaker department: Harve told Newsweek he blames himself for the relatively poor showing of Ripley in the Oscar race. \"I was the captain of that ship and I was, unfortunately, convalescing in the hospital when I should have been out there campaigning for it. I would have made sure that the right people saw the film. I feel like Matt Damon and Anthony Minghella got robbed because I was away.\""}, {"response": 598, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (04:26)", "body": "Thanks Cheryl for your kind wishes! :-)"}, {"response": 599, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (06:21)", "body": "Was Harvey ill when MLSF was being shown in the US?"}, {"response": 600, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (07:29)", "body": "Yes, Gi, go back a few posts. I did not think Farnsworth's performance anything much. But I am probably the one person that thinks his film was overrated. If Karen says JCs performance was so good in MOTM I trust her (eventhough she liked The Straight Story). JC could have taken his place. Mari, Marlon Brando, I think is the ultimate Oscar bad boy and he has been nominated a few times (way overrated actor), although I once had an acting teacher who thought he was God). Matt Damon? I don't think so Harvey."}, {"response": 601, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (09:32)", "body": "OK, I don't follow the antics of Sean Penn, but being a bad boy in one's personal life isn't what I was referring to. Carrey has to earn Hollywood's respect. It takes time to be recognized for your serious work when making the transition from schlocky big grossing movies or television. Look how long it took Spielberg. His films are among the highest grossing of all time, yet they were regularly snubbed by the Academy for any nominations. Carrey goes out of his way to antagonize them and probably (although I wouldn't know for sure) doesn't do enough to curry their favor. IMO he needs a new publicist and strategy for making nice with the powers that be. And I do have my personal favorites for two that I would drop off the Best Actor list to make way for Carrey. One is Farnsworth. Moon, while I did like elements of The Staight Story, certain things (the predictability and platitudes) drove me nuts. If he told another story with *deep* meaning that would change a stranger's life, I wouldn't have been able to handle it. There were good things in the film however, but I wouldn't call Farnsworth's performance exceptionally great. Matt Damon? I don't doubt Harvey's ability to stage an effective campaign. Thank goodness, it didn't get rolling."}, {"response": 602, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (10:18)", "body": "Look at this attempted sexy pose of Sam Mendes from The Guardian: LOL!"}, {"response": 603, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (10:39)", "body": "(Gi) Was Harvey ill when MLSF was being shown in the US? LOL! My thoughts exactly, Gi. What was the excuse then?;-) I *do* think he tried to give it a good send off by getting it featured at the AMFAR benefit in Cannes (after it was turned down for the Cannes program itself). The film just didn't catch on at that point, I suppose, and they backed other horses. Moon) Marlon Brando, I think is the ultimate Oscar bad boy and he has been nominated a few times (way overrated actor), although I once had an acting teacher who thought he was God). I always had the impression that Brando was so revered because he was the first/one of the first to bring Method acting to the big screen (as opposed to it staying in the New York theater world). Colin praised him (yes--in an interview, Arami!;-), though of course that should not sway us, Moon.;-) I'll look through my stash and see if I can find the article. His work in the Godfather was, IMO, awesome. (Karen) And I do have my personal favorites for two that I would drop off the Best Actor list to make way for Carrey. One is Farnsworth. Who is the other? I wasn't referring to Sean Penn's personal life, about which I know little other than he used to be Mr. Madonna.;-) I was thinking about the tantrums he threw when Fox wouldn't send him on a private jet last year to promote Thin Red Line. Imagine that--expected him to fly commercial with us slobs!;-) ;-) Then there were his and Alec Baldwin's very public criticisms of Nicholas Cage--attacking him for abandoning his roots as a serious actor and doing action flicks for the money. So Carrey has poked fun at not getting nommed last year. So what? It wasn't done in a nasty way, and the guy always shows up at the Oscars (viewed as supporting the industry)--unlike other actors who don't show their faces unless they're nommed. As far as having to prove oneself in a serious body of work before getting nommed, I think there is some element of that, but there are lots of departures from that this year. Hilary Swank is one, and there are several in the supporting categories."}, {"response": 604, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (10:54)", "body": "Here's the link to the Newsweek article Mari referenced, about everyone's favorite piggy man: http://www.newsweek.com/nw-srv/printed/us/ae/a16574-2000feb20.htm (Gi )Was Harvey ill when MLSF was being shown in the US? (Moon) Yes, Gi, go back a few posts. Harvey didn't become ill until after Christmas when MLSF was wrapping up its US run (since opening in July). I got a kick out of this: I think somehow Bob and I have both become figures [of speculation] because we defy the rules. We stand up for the, you know, with the rank and file. We're more [like] them than the studio executives who govern. There is a tremendous amount of jealousy in the executive ranks. We hang with the talent. We hang with the technicians. We're just as friendly with the cameraman and the production designer as we are with the stars... He may hang with the little people but he always struck me as the quintissential 'studio exec who governs'."}, {"response": 605, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (11:13)", "body": "(Mari) and they backed other horses. That \"other horse\" was Outside Providence, another early summer release, positioned as a coming-of-age film made by that madcap team, the Farrelly (sp?) Bros. It bombed, but was aggressively promoted by Miramax. The marketing was a blatant attempt to mislead the public by emphasizing the huge success of Farrelly's \"There's Something About Mary.\" (Mari) Who is the other? I'll keep it to myself, as there are many here who like him very much. Is that enough of a hint? (Mari) there are lots of departures from that this year. Hilary Swank is one, and there are several in the supporting categories. Swank is an exception, but she benefitted from the overall praise the indie film received at the hands of the nation's critics. The Supporting Actor category is where new and old have equal standing - that's why predicting its winner has proven so difficult. Such huge surprises in it. Best Actor/Actress seem more predictable. But what do I know, writing from Cowtown. ;-) He may hang with the little people but he always struck me as the quintissential 'studio exec who governs'. Am spinning from the spin. ;-) Yeah, all us rank and file regularly jet back and forth on the Concorde, where we smoke in the lavs, and then rent an island in NY's harbor for parties."}, {"response": 606, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (11:54)", "body": "(Mari) The film just didn't catch on at that point, I suppose, and they backed other horses. You may have something there, Mari. The local Miramax guy said there was a definite schedule for MLSF including press screenings and scheduled city releases. Then...everything was retracted.Let's face it, it didn't have universal appeal...some places it did well, but others it bombed. I will be v. eager to see what it does in UK...that's their kind of film."}, {"response": 607, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (14:22)", "body": "(Mari)Colin praised him (yes--in an interview, Arami!;-) When, where, how??? Be an angel, jog my memory, please..."}, {"response": 608, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (16:37)", "body": "Brando might have been good in The Godfather, but as a young actor, he was a terrible. His Stanley in SND made me laugh. Method acting is very overrated and I dearly hope ODB thinks so too. You can see De Niro and Pacino now and all they do is repeat those same old feelings. ;-) Thanks Eileen for posting the Harvey interview."}, {"response": 609, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (17:02)", "body": "Colin strikes me as very much a Method actor, but haven't we had this discussion before? ;-)"}, {"response": 610, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (17:15)", "body": "Colin strikes me as very much a Method actor Ditto - with a slight correction: an intelligent and dedicated actor. I'd even risk saying \"passionate\" if I knew no one would attempt to turn it into a silly joke..."}, {"response": 611, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (18:31)", "body": "(Karen) That \"other horse\" was Outside Providence, Actually, I was thinking about An Ideal Husband, which was moved into MLSF's more favorable mid-June slot, and MLSF got yanked back to late July/early August. Same target audience. They promoted the hell out of AIH--I'm surmising it was well-received by the press at Cannes; recall that it was, inexplicably IMO, accepted as the closing night film. Right after is when MLSF got yanked back and put on the back burner, promotion-wise. (Karen) I'll keep it to myself, as there are many here who like him very much. Is that enough of a hint? No, as I have no idea who people like here, but that's ok. I wouldn't want to contribute to the hurt feelings of some ultra-sensitive soul who might be devastated by one person's subjective and honestly-felt opinion that their boy's performance was nothing to crowe about.;-) ;-) But what of the Straight Story proponents? Hath not a Farnsworth fan feelings?;-) I found the Brando quote. It's from the March 19--26, 1997 Time Out: Firth has mixed feelings about the Method school of approach. \"It's difficult to assess an actor's ability. It can be a conjuring trick. It doesn't depend on internals. I remember the story about Marlon Brando being asked what was going through his head at the climax to 'On The Waterfront.' Brando said he kept thinking: 'I'm so glad this movie is over.' Would anyone without Brando's talent have the same effect? I doubt it.\" So there it is. I have no idea what it means.;-)"}, {"response": 612, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (19:52)", "body": "(Mari) Actually, I was thinking about An Ideal Husband, which was moved into MLSF's more favorable mid-June slot, and MLSF got yanked back to late July/early August. Very true, AIH did bump MLSF out of the picture and took a huge chunk out of Harv's marketing budget. The rest of the money went for pushing Outside Providence (premiered August 16)--and Alec did his thing. MLSF had \"word of mouth\" advertising. (Mari) So there it is. I have no idea what it means.;-) LOL!"}, {"response": 613, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (20:20)", "body": "(Mari) So there it is. I have no idea what it means.;-) It seems to me he is expressing doubts about Method Acting, therefore it is not the way he works. :-)"}, {"response": 614, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (20:39)", "body": "I have no idea what it means.;-) Easy. His acting depends on internals. ;-)"}, {"response": 615, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (10:02)", "body": "This snippet from The Times intrigued me. What pray tell is a Mars Bar? I know what American Mars Bars are. ;-) ~~~~~~~~ THE deep-fried Mars Bar is synonymous with everything that has made Glasgow the bad food capital of Britain (Magnus Linklater writes). The deep-fried Mars bar, which originated in Stonehaven, helps to account for the fact that the West of Scotland has the highest incidence of heart disease, cancer and strokes, the worst teeth and the lowest life expectancy in the developed world."}, {"response": 616, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (10:26)", "body": "Did we need to know that, Karen? ;-) Interesting article plus interview on Jude Law in The Telegraph today. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/et?ac=001182080732013&rtmo=aNxppXeL&atmo=aNxppXeL&pg=/et/00/2/24/tljude24.html Makes a big point about being a British actor instead of an American movie star."}, {"response": 617, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (10:34)", "body": "Looks like they may just be batter-dipped, deep-friend Mars Bars - nothing horrendous. Hey, fried ice cream is good."}, {"response": 618, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (11:11)", "body": "The Scottish chef at the Parisian restaurant in question is also serving \"chocolate-filled ravioli\" and \"chicken in 7-Up\""}, {"response": 619, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (11:14)", "body": "The deep-fried Mars bar, Isn't that what Lucy brings Sandy in the hospital in DQ?"}, {"response": 620, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (11:16)", "body": "Chocolate-filled ravioli have been around for awhile. v.v.g. chicken in 7-Up\" While that may sound ridiculous, those types of sodas have long been used as a basting liquid for roasted turkey (or any fowl); takes the fowlness out."}, {"response": 621, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (14:33)", "body": "I have just received an announcement of the Donmar Gala in New York on April 5, 2000 with the cast of TRT.... Major Benefactor Tale for Ten at $15,000 Benefactor Table for Ten at $10,000. Patron Table for Ten $5,000 ~~~~ Benefit Tickets Benefactor Ticket $1,000 Patron Ticket $500. ~~~~~~~~~ I think they escalatd their ticket prices a bit for the US market ;-)"}, {"response": 622, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (16:29)", "body": "I thing Richard Farnsworth could very well be the spoiler in the Best Actor race. Weird things can and have happened on Oscar night. (Juliette Binoche winning Best Supporting Actress over Lauren Bacall. You know that Binoche voted for Bacall.) Farnsworth could be an upset winner. The Academy is sentimental, and Farnsworth is one of the oldest nominees ever. Richard Farnsworth also has deep root in Hollywood; he was a stuntman in the 1930's. I thought his performance in \"The Straight Story\" delightful, wonderfully underplayed. You didn't catch him acting. I actually prefer him over Kevin Spacey, whom I feel was miscast in \"American Beauty\". Kevin Spacey's character looses it, no big surprise there. Spacey, like James Woods, always seems a little nuts, so casting him as someone falling apart just isn't very interesting. I would have liked to have seen Gary Sinise in the role. He would have done a great arching slow burn into self-destruction."}, {"response": 623, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (03:38)", "body": "From Baz Bamigboye in today's Daily Mail: Spanish beauty Penelope Cruz has won the role in the movie of the best-selling novel, Captain Corelli's Mandolin."}, {"response": 624, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (03:41)", "body": "Sorry - that should be won the role of the heroine in the movie"}, {"response": 625, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (08:04)", "body": "Penelope Cruz a good choice. Saw her in All About My Mother not too long ago."}, {"response": 626, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (09:26)", "body": "Penelope Cruz a good choice. Yeah--they need a great Pelagia to offset Cage's casting as Correlli. Yuk."}, {"response": 627, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (10:36)", "body": "(Eileen) Yeah--they need a great Pelagia to offset Cage's casting as Correlli. Yuk. Jeez, Eileen, now you're sounding like Sean Penn.;-) I haven't read Correlli, but would be interested to know why you think Nic is wrong for it. (He *is* Eye-talian, and he does speaka the language--not sure if that's needed for the part though). Cheryl, I'm glad to see someone speak up for Farnsworth (I haven't seen the film yet, mind you, but I like to see everyone represented;-) I did like Spacey very much in AB, and I guess I viewed his character as not so much nuts, but just as someone who's been pushed to his limit. Granted, it is a satire, and frankly I don't know anyone wound up as much as Bening's character, and I don't have any neighbors' kids videotaping through the blinds (hmmm . . .at least I don't think so;-) but I thought there was a real element of reality and truth in Spacey's character. When he applies for the job in the fast-food restaurant and the kid tells him, jeez, you're overqualified, you wouldn't have any responsibility here, Spacey/Lester tells him that's exactly what I'm looking for--no responsibility whatsoever. I think we've all felt that way occasionally--I know I have! Anyway, I agree with you on Gary Sinise--superb actor."}, {"response": 628, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (10:56)", "body": "Mari), interested to know why you think Nic is wrong for it. (He *is* Eye-talian, and he does speaka the language--not sure if that's needed for the part though). I agree with Eileen. I do not think he has the physique du role. Plus I am tire of him. Are you sure he speaks Italian or he speaks a generational Sicilian dialect he got from his grandparents?"}, {"response": 629, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (11:12)", "body": "(Karen)Colin strikes me as very much a Method actor Forgive me my deep ignorance but what really is Method acting? And anybody please give me some good examples of how it shows in Colin\ufffds work.( Just one of those things I\ufffdve always wanted to know and never dared to ask :)"}, {"response": 630, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (12:15)", "body": "Elena, go to this website: http://www.theatrgroup.com/Method/ Lots of information. Look especially under The Actor's Studio, Strasberg, Stanislavski, and History. When you click on Strasberg's name, you will get the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institue, click on \"Definition of Acting.\""}, {"response": 631, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (13:33)", "body": "(Moon) Are you sure he speaks Italian or he speaks a generational Sicilian dialect he got from his grandparents? I saw him on a talk show several months back (maybe Leno) and he said he was taking Italian lessons. He was asked if he spoke any and he said yes, but he wanted to improve. I'd imagine the lessons he was taking weren't in Sicilian dialect.;-) But who knows, maybe Uncle Francis has a Part 4 in the works.;-)"}, {"response": 632, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (14:38)", "body": "(Mari) I haven't read Correlli, but would be interested to know why you think Nic is wrong for it. Read the book, then we'll talk. :-P Loved, loved, loved dear Nic in Moonstruck. He certainly deserved the Oscar for LLV. I haven't really liked him in anything else, though my DH and I have a running gag about 'put the buhn-neh back in the box'. Snake Eyes (even with Sinese) and 8MM (even with James Gandolfini): blecch."}, {"response": 633, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (16:15)", "body": "He was pitiful in \"City of Angels\" with Meg Ryan.He has that \"horsey\" kinda face and gets that gets a weird look when he tries to be moony.Maybe he needs to take method acting lessons when he's brushing up on his Italian."}, {"response": 634, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (16:47)", "body": "Guessn we're going to have to try harder or get ourselves a publicist! Read on: Dame Judi's fans fly in Dench and Palmer have a huge US fanbase More than 50 American fans of the hit BBC sitcom As Time Goes By - who met via the internet - have made a pilgrimage to see the show recorded in London. for rest of article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/entertainment/newsid_656000/656841.stm"}, {"response": 635, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (17:06)", "body": "LOL Firthfans are even better than that. We went two times ...to see the same show..at twice the price."}, {"response": 636, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (11:23)", "body": "Well, CF sure knows about his devoted pilgrimagers (pilgrims?) since he availed himself to all of you, found out the ends of the earth from which you came, etc. Had to chuckle at the publicity surrounding 3DOR around Olivier-nom time though--everyone thinks the run was sold out due to the play. Nothing against Greenberg, but I wanted to shout (James Carville style) \"it's the star, stupid.\""}, {"response": 637, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (11:54)", "body": "....everyone thinks the run was sold out due to the play. Actually, everything at the Donmar sells out.They do excellent productions, at less than West End prices, and only have to sell 250 tickets per performance."}, {"response": 638, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (20:59)", "body": "From \"This is London\": Interview with Anthony Minghella: \"What did you do the last time you were in Soho? I went to a screening at Mr Young's on D'Arblay Street.\" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sorry we missed ya' Tony;-)"}, {"response": 639, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (22:20)", "body": "*hee hee* Do you think he got up and served the coffee? ;-) Did anyone watch the show Grapevine that started tonight. The lead actor Steven Eckholdt (from that Valleyspeak-named show) bears an uncanny resemblance to Colin. What do you think? Interesting part about tonight's show was its use of the Emma plotline. There was even a dance and no one would dance with the poor girl, except our gallant Mr. Knightly here. :-)"}, {"response": 640, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (22:20)", "body": ""}, {"response": 641, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (22:24)", "body": "Here's the webpage for the new show. Check out what the girl on the left is saying. :-) http://www.cbs.com/network/tvshows/mini/grapevine/"}, {"response": 642, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (07:36)", "body": "I am not so sure Karen. I guess I will have to see him in Regency dress before I can decide. ;-) Saw the previews to High Fidelity and was v. disappointed. :-(( It is nothing as I had imagined. The way JC plays it (a bit overdone was out of character), the actors picked who work in the record shop, and the music...I guess NH took the money and ran."}, {"response": 643, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (08:01)", "body": "I watched Grapevine. I liked it. (Kristy Swanson is the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer). I laughed loud at the Emma plotline. Poor Elena, and she went back to her old boyfriend. The Mr. Elton character (cuter, than Elton, those blue eyes!). I liked it. Shows promise!"}, {"response": 644, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (08:18)", "body": "Did anyone in the UK follow At Home with the Braithwaites ? My tape ran out before the end, and Anna is on my case to find out how it ended."}, {"response": 645, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (08:54)", "body": "Miramax Films has closed a million-dollar deal for the film rights to tyro novelist David Liss\ufffd \ufffdA Conspiracy of Paper.\ufffd Book, published earlier this month by Random House, is a mystery thriller set against the backdrop of early 18th century London and the burgeoning stock exchange. ~~~~~~~~~~ Hmmmm :-)"}, {"response": 646, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (10:42)", "body": "The lead actor Steven Eckholdt ... bears an uncanny resemblance to Colin. What do you think? In the serious one he does. In the smiley one he looks like Jonathan."}, {"response": 647, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (11:39)", "body": "The happy guy looks like Kevin Anderson. Serious guy resembles CF, but has Rupert hair.;-) Speaking of which, Moon, Rupert will on the Today Show tomorrow. I've read a couple of decent Internet reviews for Next Best Thing."}, {"response": 648, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (15:09)", "body": "When did Rupert become our mascot? He is not my Mr. Rupert. ;-) Karen, you did start this did you not? I did enjoy the previews for Next Best Thing and will see it (w/out DH). I am still fuming about High Fidelity. In Miami, Grapevine got rave reviews, but I did not watch. Sorry I missed HF this morning. Is she going to be on any other show?"}, {"response": 649, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (15:21)", "body": "Karen, you did start this did you not? Everyone blames me for everything. ;-) maybe I did? maybe I didn't"}, {"response": 650, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (15:34)", "body": "Well Moon...you were touting him last summer for his role in AIH.Said he should win the BAFTA ( He was nominated for the EFA for that role, however). The rest of us were cheering for JN."}, {"response": 651, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (15:38)", "body": "Evelyn, he was good in AIH and he is consistently good. But RE over JN? Not from my lips!"}, {"response": 652, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (15:39)", "body": "I liked RE in AIH. He had the funniest lines. JN was great too. Still have to see The Winslow Boy."}, {"response": 653, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (08:18)", "body": "BAFTA Nominations Best Film: American Beauty, East is East, The End of the Affair, The Sixth Sense, The Talented Mr Ripley. Best Achievement in Direction: Pedro Almodovar (All About My Mother), Sam Mendes (American Beauty), Neil Jordan (The End of the Affair), M. Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense), Anthony Minghella (The Talented Mr Ripley). Outstanding British Film of the year: East is East, Notting Hill, Onegin, Ratcatcher, Topsy Turvey, Wonderland. Best Original Screenplay: All About My Mother, American Beauty, Being John Malkovich, The Sixth Sense, Topsy Turvy. Best Adapted Screenplay: An Ideal Husband, East is East, The End of the Affair,The Talented Mr Ripley. Performance by an Actress in a leading role: Linda Bassett (East is East), Annette Bening (American Beauty), Julianne Moore (The End of the Affair ), Emily Watson (Angela's Ashes). Performance by an Actor in a leading role: Jim Broadbent (Topsy Turvy), Russell Crowe (The Insider), Ralph Fiennes (The End of the Affair), Om Puri (East is East), Kevin Spacey (American Beauty). Performance by an Actress in a supporting role: Thora Birch (American Beauty), Cate Blanchett (The Talented Mr Ripley), Cameron Diaz (Being John Malkovich), Maggie Smith (Tea with Mussolini), Mena Suvari (American Beauty). Performance by an Actor in a supporting role: Wes Bentley (American Beauty), Michael Caine (Cider House Rules), Rhys Ifans (Notting Hill), Jude Law (The Talented Mr Ripley), Timothy Spall (Topsy Turvy). The Anthony Asquith Award for Achievement in Film Music: American Beauty, Buena Vista Social Club, The End of the Affair, The Talented Mr Ripley. Film Not in the English Language: All About My Mother, Buena Vista Social Club, Festen, Run Lola Run. Cinematography: American Beauty, Angela's Ashes, The End of the Affair, The Matrix, The Talented Mr Ripley. Production Design: American Beauty, Angela's Ashes, The End of the Affair, The Matrix, Sleepy Hollow. Costume Design: An Ideal Husband, The End of the Affair, Sleepy Hollow, Tea With Mussolini. Editing: American Beauty, Being John Malkovich, The Sixth Sense, The Matrix. Sound: American Beauty, Buena Vista Social Club, The Matrix, Star Wars Episode One: The Phantom Menace. Achievement in Special Visual Effects: A Bugs Life, The Matrix, The Mummy, Sleepy Hollow, Star Wars Episode One: The Phantom Menace. Makeup/Hair: American Beauty, An Ideal Husband, The End of the Affair, Topsy Turvy. Most Promising Newcomer in British Film: Justin Kerrigan (Human Traffic), Ayub Khan Din (East is East), Kirk Jones (Waking Ned), Lynne Ramsey (Ratcatcher)."}, {"response": 654, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (08:49)", "body": "From Variety: In another case of a female British author getting wealthy off of Hollywood, Warner Bros. has paid Robyn Sisman high six figures upfront for \ufffdJust Friends,\ufffd a romantic comedy to be produced by David Heyman. Deal contains bestseller bonuses for the novel that push the payday past $1 million \ufffd and significantly more if the film gets made. It was a preemptive tally strong enough to end the bidding before it really got started. Novel will be published by Penguin U.K. Deal also comes as Universal and Working Title gear up for production on the screen adaptation of Brit author Helen Fielding\ufffds bestseller \ufffdBridget Jones\ufffd Diary,\ufffd with Renee Zellweger in the title role. \ufffdJust Friends\ufffd is a romantic comedy in which a guy and a girl who are best friends decide to shack up platonically. Romantic sparks ensue, but by the time both acknowledged them, he\ufffds slept with the stepsister she loathes, and they part company in a loud breakup."}, {"response": 655, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (09:11)", "body": "Am disappointed TWB did not receive BAFTA recognition or JN. Thanks Karen for the list."}, {"response": 656, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (12:32)", "body": "Thanks for the BAFTA list, Karen. Question: Does anyone know who nominates? Some of these nominees (e.g., Michael Caine) are for films that haven't opened in the UK yet. Nice to see them recognize the kids from American Beauty, especially Bentley, who were ignored in the Oscars. A few of the other picks are horrendous, though, IMO."}, {"response": 657, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (14:15)", "body": "From the L.A. Times Indie Films Hope to Find Life on the Auction Block Movies * At a black-tie event, 15 films will (hopefully) go to the highest bidders. Backers hope to open up the ways in which movies are sold. By RICHARD NATALE, Special to The Times If the selling of independently made movies has become a major rat race, Chicago entertainment attorney Hal Kessler hopes he's come up with a better mousetrap: Auctioning off new films to the highest bidders. Friday, Kessler's recently formed Art in Motion will attempt to sell 15 independently made films at a Films4Auction black-tie event conducted by the William Doyle Galleries at Los Angeles' Bel Age Hotel. The auction will also be simulcast on the Internet by Flixnetwork.com. No one has ever tried to sell movies at an auction like this. (There were bankruptcy auctions for Orion Pictures' \"The Addams Family\" and other films as well as Carolco Pictures' properties, including sequel rights to movies like \"Terminator 2\" to various companies.) But Kessler and his partners, producers Ricardo del Rio and Ramiro Gonzalez, think that if everything from Marilyn Monroe's dresses to Disney animation cels can be put on the block, they argue, why not feature-length films? Since Art in Motion was announced last fall in the film industry trades, Kessler and his partners received more than 50 submissions, narrowing it down to a manageable 15 films that were deemed to be both credible and salable. They include comedies, dramas, documentaries and even a foreign-language film title--with production budgets ranging from $100,000 to $2 million. While some of the films have been shopped to distributors previously, few of them have been seen widely, and two are world premieres. Screenings at the Nuart and NuWilshire theaters and Raleigh Studios began Tuesday and will continue through Thursday, with each film being shown twice. \"It's an interesting concept,\" says Nick Stiliades, general manager of the Canadian foreign sales company S Entertainment. \"After all, EBay seems to be working.\" And, Stiliades reasons, there are often bidding wars for movies and scripts. Why not concentrate it into the period of an evening? The idea for an auction, according to Kessler, was born out of frustration with the very limited way in which movies are currently sold. Kessler, who has been executive producer on two independent films--1994's \"The Sum of Us\" starring Russell Crowe and the more recent \"Finding North\" starring John Benjamin Hickey (both of which were released theatrically)--is aware of the difficulty of finding distribution for independently financed movies. \"The struggle is monumental,\" says Kessler, who estimates that of the approximately 2,500 independent films made each year, only about 40 or 50 receive any kind of distribution. Most of them are sold via screenings at the major film festivals--Sundance, Toronto, Cannes. But not all festival films are picked up for theatrical distribution. Some genre films--usually action or suspense and, in some cases, comedies with higher-profile casts--also sometimes get picked up. Everything else falls between the cracks, dashing the hopes of both investors and fledgling filmmakers. Kessler finds it hard to believe that all those orphan films are without merit. Even if some titles aren't appropriate for U.S. theatrical distribution, with the increased appetite for product on foreign cable and satellite systems, more films should be able to find some kind of audience. Another problem with the current system is the arcane and byzantine manner of motion picture accounting, which is daunting to inexperienced producers. \"When you have a simple seven-page sales contract for a film accompanied by a 37-page definition of what constitutes net profits, something is wrong,\" Kessler says. What Art in Motion is attempting with Films4Auction is to simplify the process. Films will be sold outright \"at a fair market value,\" rather than having the distributor pick the movie up for what amounts to a long-term lease, which is how independently made films are sold today. \"This way the distributor owns the movie and doesn't have to account or report to the producers. The fair market will dictate the price he pays. And then it's his.\" For the films that sell, producers will pay a 20% fee, split between Doyle Galleries and Art in Motion. The filmmakers participating in the auction are realistic about their chances, but willing to take the risk. Karchi Perlmann, who produced the dark comedy \"Rose's,\" about an interracial friendship, is hoping the auction will succeed where his other efforts have failed. \"Rose's\" has played several film festivals including Houston, the Hamptons and Boston, and has been shopped to distributors. \"Even though it performs well with audiences, nobody has wanted to buy it yet,\" Perlmann says. He suspects that none of the real decision-makers at a particular company have even seen the film. \"It probably stopped with a 25-year-old junior execut"}, {"response": 658, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (14:21)", "body": "He suspects that none of the real decision-makers at a particular company have even seen the film. \"It probably stopped with a 25-year-old junior executive.\" Oh Mari, isn't that pathetic! And how true..."}, {"response": 659, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (14:27)", "body": "Good article, Mari. I'd read about the auction before in news items in the trades, when they were advertising for submissions."}, {"response": 660, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar  2, 2000 (14:36)", "body": "...few of them have been seen widely, and two are world premieres. Now that would be embarassing...to have your World Premiere at a film auction! ~~~~~~~~ \"Most [of the films] have been around for a while and we've already seen a number of them,\" Do you think he's talking about our SLOW? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ... rather than having the distributor pick the movie up for what amounts to a long-term lease, which is how independently made films are sold today. So even after a distributor picks up a film, he's till \"wedlocked\" to the producer?No wonder they're so cautious. Interesting article, Mari. Thanks."}, {"response": 661, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Mar  2, 2000 (15:12)", "body": "Evelyn, I had the strangest dream last night. I was at the Bafta's and Rosemary Harris and Jennifer Ehle were up for an award in the same role, however RH was nominated in the Supporting Category and JE was in the Main Actress category. It was bizarre, because when Jennifer won, they called out the winner of the supporting category and RH won as well, so they were both giving winning speeches. Am I losing it?"}, {"response": 662, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  2, 2000 (15:26)", "body": "(Evelyn) So even after a distributor picks up a film, he's till \"wedlocked\" to the producer? The accounting for revenue and net profit. A lot of people have a stake in this. A distributor distributes the film and gets a cut of the receipts, as well as the theatre owner, and the rest goes back to the studio/production co to payout to others with a cut of the action."}, {"response": 663, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar  2, 2000 (16:44)", "body": "I was at the Bafta's and Rosemary Harris and Jennifer Ehle were up for an award in the same role LOL Laura.It could have been actuality except that at the Genie Awards (Canada) they were both up for Best Actress in \"Sunshine\" and sadly lost to some no name.Some conjecture is that the panel votes were split. ~~~~~~~ (Karen) A distributor distributes the film and gets a cut of the receipts, as well as the theatre owner, and the rest goes back to the studio/production co to payout to others with a cut of the action. So a distributor has nothing to lose? Does that mean the guys at Optimum didn't lose on SLOW? ( I worry about them.I sorta hate to build these distribs up about what a hit they have on their hands with CF and then it goes belly-up. We did that with Phaedra, remember?)"}, {"response": 664, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  2, 2000 (18:02)", "body": "No, they paid for distribution rights and may not get their money back or make any kind of decent profit."}, {"response": 665, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar  2, 2000 (19:12)", "body": "The distributor also loses when there is a limited space availabilty at the theatres. He could be planning on showing a film at several theatres and if Hollywood decides to release a movie earlier or later than planned and it coincides with his release dates, the spot will go to Hollywood and he may not be able to fit it in the theatres schedules again for months. Thanks for the Bafta list, Karen. I am glad to see Kate Blanchett who did a great job in TTMR. This is a very busy time for me and I may not have much time to post, but I am reading, so keep up the good work. :-)"}, {"response": 666, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar  3, 2000 (14:38)", "body": "From the BBC: Box office hit American Beauty has swept the board at a critics' awards ceremony - leaving last year's Oscars' hit Shakespeare in Love with nothing. The two films had rivalled each other at the top of the nominations list for this year's Awards of the London Film Critics Circle (Alfs), in the running for seven each. Main award winners British Film of the Year - East Is East Film of the Year - American Beauty Special Achievement Award - Mike Leigh Actress of the Year - Annette Bening (American Beauty) Actor of the Year - Kevin Spacey (American Beauty) But American Beauty stole the glory at the London ceremony by taking five trophies, including Film of the Year. American Beauty, a dark US suburban satire, is already shortlisted for eight Oscars and 14 Baftas. Shakespeare in Love won seven Oscars last year. The film's maker, British high-flier Sam Mendes, was rewarded as Best Director. It also won honours for Best Screenwriter Alan Ball, Best Actor Kevin Spacey and Best Actress Annette Bening. Mendes said: \"I worked for 10 years in the theatre and won one award and I seem to be winning one every day at the moment. East is East was best British film \"It's strange but it's very nice. I think on some level some part of me never thought the film would be a hit until it hit Britain. I was on tenterhooks until it opened here.\" Thanking the critics, Mendes said it was partly their enthusiastic response which had helped the film do so well. Low-budget British hit East Is East was also the winner of more than one award. It was named Best British Film, won the Best British Screenwriter prize for Ayub Khan Din, and Best British Producer for Leslee Udwin. The movie has already been picked out for six possible Baftas. Emily Watson was shocked to be named Best British Actress for her roles in Angela's Ashes and Hilary and Jackie. Best British Actor was Jeremy Northam, adding to a growing list of awards he has won for his roles in The Winslow Boy and An Ideal Husband. Screen veteran Michael Caine - another Oscar contender - took the Best Supporting Actor title for his seedy agent in Little Voice. In a taped message, he joked to guests: \"I'd like to thank the critics for at last giving me a good time. You gave me a lifetime achievement last year without actually noticing that I've achieved anything.\" Lynne Ramsay was honoured as Best British Director for her film Ratcatcher, set in Glasgow during the binmen's strike of the 1970s. Mike Leigh, known for a string of gritty comedies, was given a special achievement award."}, {"response": 667, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Mar  4, 2000 (01:53)", "body": "Another interesting snippet from BB yesterday (Daily Mail) and that is that Natasha Little was supposed to appear in the forthcoming film \"Enigma\" but her contract was bought up so that Kate Winslet could take the part, poor Natasha, hope she was well compensated."}, {"response": 668, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar  4, 2000 (11:34)", "body": ".... forthcoming film \"Enigma\" but her contract was bought up so that Kate Winslet could take the part, poor Natasha, hope she was well compensated. I wonder how often that's done. Eats up a budget, but in this case, it will be made up with KW starring.(Why pick NL, anyway?...she was a terrible Fanny Price in VF,generally a poor Andrew Davies screenplay too, IMO,)"}, {"response": 669, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Mar  4, 2000 (13:12)", "body": "I saw the preview for the new Hugh Hudson film, \"from the director of Chariots of Fire,\" was the intro, no mention of MLSF! It stars Kim Bassinger and takes place in Africa, based on a real story again. Was not impressed."}, {"response": 670, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Mar  4, 2000 (18:28)", "body": "poor Natasha, hope she was well compensated. Not so poor anymore: according to the showbiz gossip in another UK paper, since the contract has already been signed, she's going to get the full fee for doing nothing: \ufffd300 000 - how lucky can you get?"}, {"response": 671, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar  4, 2000 (23:04)", "body": "From Richard Brooks' column in The Sunday Times an item of interest, especially to those who saw 3DOR: The Great Gatsby was the most widely read American novel of the 20th century. Yet F Scott Fitzgerald's portrait of the rich and privileged of the jazz age was first written as another book, Trimalchio. Same main characters, but different personalities and story lines. Trimalchio (it's the name of a nouveau-riche freed slave from a book by the Roman writer Petronius) is also more obsessed with snobbery and personalities. Fitzgerald knew Trimalchio didn't quite work and so rapidly rewrote it. Now it's to be published for the first time next month by Cambridge University Press. Why bother? \"Because it's a good book in its own right, even though, of course, Gatsby is a great one,\" says James West, professor of English at Penn State University, who has been working on Trimalchio for the past couple of years. The book will largely be of interest to academics and a few Fitzgerald fans. Of course, most novels have earlier incarnations. Sir Malcolm Bradbury, who wrote the preface to an Everyman version of The Great Gatsby, tells me his first attempt at The History Man was quite different. Originally it was written in the past tense, which somehow seems appropriate for The History Man. The published version was in the present tense. His original, by the way, is kept at the University of East Anglia for students on the creative writing course to read."}, {"response": 672, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (05:43)", "body": "(mari)Box office hit American Beauty has swept the board at a critics' awards ceremony - leaving last year's Oscars'hit Shakespeare in Love with nothing. Talk about hype..."}, {"response": 673, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (05:45)", "body": "(KarenR)From Richard Brooks' column in The Sunday Times an item of interest, especially to those who saw 3DOR Why?"}, {"response": 674, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (08:36)", "body": "Trimalchio, of course. :-)"}, {"response": 675, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (10:13)", "body": "Geesh, I thought I understood the 3DOR reference and now I don't. I know Richard Greenburg, author, had re-written one of his early plays (maybe his first) that became 3DOR. But Trimalchio, I am at a loss. Help!"}, {"response": 676, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (10:27)", "body": "During our discussion of the play, Moon had provided the following definition of Trimalchio to better understand the context of Lina's comment about the salad: The word is Trimalci\ufffdnico, it comes from Trimalcione, the character in Satyricon by Petronio. Trimalcione gives a huge banquet: grandiose, sumptuous, spectacular. The word is associated with banquets. Gi added the following: Trimalchion (Greek name) was also a nouveau riche type, as opposed to Lucullus, also known for his lavish banquets but who was a real Roman aristocrat. The discussion is posted at firth.com, along with a Cliff Notes for the references: http://www.firth.com/filmdis/3dor/3dor-part1.htm"}, {"response": 677, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (10:31)", "body": "Thanks! For a moment there I was scratching my head thinking, \"was Trimalchio something that Walker mentioned when he was talking about booleon algebra and Umbert Eco\"! LOL"}, {"response": 678, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (11:35)", "body": "Nah, Trimalchio doesn't fit within that illustrious other group of logical theorists. The third was Hegel. So next time you attend a particularly lavish and garish banquet be sure to work the word Trimalchian into the conversation and watch everybody scratch their heads. ;-)"}, {"response": 679, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (11:37)", "body": "...that is, unless you attend banquets with Gi and Moon, in which case, the reference would not be lost. ;-)"}, {"response": 680, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (12:01)", "body": "Thanks Karen...actually it has become one of my favorite words..\"Trimalchian Feast\".Throw it out to some academics, Donna;-) Richard Greenberg is hard work, but he's worth it."}, {"response": 681, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (22:35)", "body": "Live Movie Auction Gets No Takers (by Cynthia L. Webb, AP) Independent filmmakers drew laughs and a few bids at the first live movie auction, but failed to sell a single film. Promoters are still holding out hope that some bidders will follow through and snap up some of the 15 films that included a tale of four 20-something sunbathers talking about sex and a documentary starring live rodents from the nation's capital. \"It's not like we threw a party and no one came,\" said Alfred Newman, an event spokesman, who pointed to the auction's standing-room-only turnout. The Films4Auction event Friday night was touted as a new way for independent films to get distribution. Some 300 people gathered at a hotel ballroom for the public sale and watched clips of the independent films, but only an estimated 27 in the audience were potential buyers, organizers said. A few waved paddles to offer bids. The entire lot failed to meet the non-disclosed reserve prices set by the organizers, the auction house and the movies' producers. The screenwriter and director of a romantic comedy dubbed \"Killing Cinderella\" said festivals like Sundance have become a showcase for polished works, not for getting independent films distributed. Even if her film didn't get picked up at the auction, Lisa Abbatiello, 29, thought it might be good just to say she was part of the premiere event. \"I just decided to take the risk,\" she said. Bidding for her film, a romantic comedy about a young woman torn between a sophisticated Prince Charming and her bartending best friend, was started at $175,000, but the minimum price needed to sell the film was not met. Rudolf Van Den Berg of Holland was trying to get distribution for his sixth feature film, \"For My Baby,\" about a troubled man who dresses up like his dead sister as a way to remember her. But the $750,000 minimum bid passed with no interested buyers. The director said before the auction that a no-sale would make him sad, but said \"it's all in the game\" of moviemaking. Entrants had to pay $375 to get their film in the auction. Fifty films were submitted and a panel whittled them down to 15, said Hal \"Corky\" Kessler, a lawyer and partner in the group that staged the event. Many of the works were first time projects. Eleven had been at various film festivals. Kessler said representatives from reputable companies - he wouldn't say which ones - had approached him after the auction and told him to let them know which films were still available. He said representatives from Miramax, USA Films and Tristar had attended. \"The very fact that we had bids out there tells us this works,\" Kessler said. \"You have to introduce the category to the public and that is what we did,\" said Kathleen Doyle, CEO of William Doyle Galleries, which teamed up with Kessler's Art in Motion to hold the auction."}, {"response": 682, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (22:51)", "body": "The Writers Guild of America awarded Alan Ball Best Screenplay written directly for the screen to \"American Beauty,\" with Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor winning for Best Screenplay based on material previously produced or published for \"Election.\" ...and there was the cinematographers one a week ago... ;-)"}, {"response": 683, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (06:58)", "body": "Just read this in Boston Herald. Angelina Jolie is slated to play Lara Croft in live action Tomb Raider. Wonder how they'll enhance her;)"}, {"response": 684, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (09:27)", "body": "Do they need to? I can see the resemblance. ;-)"}, {"response": 685, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (09:36)", "body": "Karen, thanks for explaining about Trimalchion, I had forgotten all about it."}, {"response": 686, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (10:05)", "body": "When you've edited something, you tend to remember each and every comment. :-)"}, {"response": 687, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (17:00)", "body": "The ASC (American Society of Cinematographers) awarded best cinematography for a feature film to Conrad Hall for his work on \"American Beauty\". Hall is something of a legend for his work on \"In Cold Blood\" and \"Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid\", among other films. Hall is also the son of one of the writers of the book \"Mutiny on the Bounty\"."}, {"response": 688, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (17:31)", "body": "The ASC award info was posted on Feb. 22."}, {"response": 689, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (17:35)", "body": "That's what I get for only checking back 1 week. Sorry."}, {"response": 690, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (19:48)", "body": "From the what-in-the-world-could-this-guy-be-smoking department. Worst reviews I've read in a long time. And check out the paycheck. From Reuters: ***** Rupert Wrangles for Writing Cred Not only does Rupert Everett play proud pappy to Madonna's baby in their new movie, The Next Best Thing, but he also claims to have fathered something else--the film's screenplay. The actor and his writing partner, Mel Bordeaux, say they rewrote key elements in the The Next Best Thing but were denied writing credit by the Writers Guild of America. The two claim they altered a key scene in the movie by having Madonna's character, Abbie, and Everett's Robert accidentally sleep together after one too many martinis. The original script, says Everett, called for Abbie asking Robert to donate sperm for artificial insemination. \"It went to arbitration and the original writer won, so I can't really talk about it,\" says Everett of the WGA's decision to award sole screen credit to original writer Thomas Ropelewski. But Madonna recently threw her two cents into the fray when she told Entertainment Weekly Online that her costar and his writing partner made significant contributions to the script and deserve screenwriting credit. \"Rupert had lots to do with writing this story and we all know it,\" says the Material One. \"Our relationship seemed so mercenary in the first script. It was this test-tube situation. We wanted it to be more about us really caring about each other.\" According to Madonna, Everett also made such monumental alterations as switching the setting of the story from its no-name locale to Los Angeles and changing Madonna's occupation from swimming instructor to yoga teacher. And lest we forget, Madonna also says Everett convinced her to cover Don McLean's \"American Pie\" for the soundtrack. Alas, those changes do not a credit make. Ropelewski says the WGA's three-member panel made the right decision to rule in his favor because Everett's changes never affected the arc of the story. \"The things they rewrote were easy to change\" he tells EW Online. \"He did a polish, but he didn't change anything structural.\" (Translation: that yoga instructor thing doesn't count.) \"It seems ironic to me that an actor who makes $3 million a picture yearns to be a modestly paid and ill-respected screenwriter,\" add Ropelewski. \"You can't identify a certain percentage of what someone wrote,\" says Annett Wolf, Everett's publicist. She adds that the actor will live with the WGA's decision. Our big question is why would Everett want to be credited on such a turkey of a film anyway. Next Best Thing opened to dreadful reviews and even worse box office. In its first weekend of release, the flick debuted at No. 2 behind the Bruce Willis hit-man comedy The Whole Nine Yards, with a dismal $5.9 million-- practically guaranteeing the grumbling over the credits will outlast the film"}, {"response": 691, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (20:46)", "body": "I found it amazing as well. Do you think he'll want credit for Madonna's version of American Pie as well? Saw bits of the video. He looked pretty good."}, {"response": 692, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (21:10)", "body": "Do you think he'll want credit for Madonna's next offspring? ;-D I have only seen the previews, but debuting at #2 is not bad. I have never liked Madonna as an actress or singer, Rupert at least can act and now he wants everyone to know he can write too. (If you call that writing!) I wonder how much she got paid for her role? If Rupi gets 3 mil. and he is relatively known here, I wonder how much Colin would get? Any guesses?"}, {"response": 693, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  7, 2000 (08:16)", "body": ""}, {"response": 694, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  7, 2000 (08:34)", "body": ""}, {"response": 695, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar  7, 2000 (08:45)", "body": "Wow, Karen! You are in the \"carnevale \" spirit! :-) It makes me think of how much fun they are having in Italy. I hope this works, I have not been able to post an image lately."}, {"response": 696, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Mar  7, 2000 (08:50)", "body": "Happy Fat Tuesday, everyone! Yesterday's MSN home page featured a pic of Madonna with the caption 'bombs away.' The accompanying story was along the lines of 'Why Madonna's Movies Always Tank'. Ouch! Thus far I haven't read anything good about the movie (Rupi steals the show but essentially reprises his role from MBFW; Madonna's acting leaves much to be desired, movie can't decide whether it's a light comedy or a courtroom melodrama, etc.). Doubt we'll see this at #2 next weekend (My Dog Skip was hot on its heels)."}, {"response": 697, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Mar  7, 2000 (17:31)", "body": "Sorry to interrupt, but I am trying to post on another board and it's not working. I simply must test it here... :-)"}, {"response": 698, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar  7, 2000 (20:49)", "body": "My kind of crowd--ya'll even celebrate Mardi Gras.;-) But Karen, I hear tell those Cariocas were topless this year! ;-)"}, {"response": 699, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  7, 2000 (22:41)", "body": "Anybody here interested in topless babes? Naw, I didn't think so. On the other hand, were any of the Krewe Kings mooning anyone?"}, {"response": 700, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (10:39)", "body": "SUNSHINE US release date: December 17 UK \" \" April 21 New Alliance- Atlantis website: http://www.allianceatlantisfilms.com/shocked/index2.html Click on Box Office and then \"Sunshine\". Vid of Rafe. But JE gets second billing :-)) Thanks Karen"}, {"response": 701, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (10:40)", "body": "Evelyn, that date was probably referring to the Canadian opening in December 1999, don't you think?"}, {"response": 702, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (10:53)", "body": "Canadian opening in December 1999, don't you think? Oops!You think they don't update their website dates? Must check with distrib ."}, {"response": 703, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (11:37)", "body": "Alliance isn't the distrib in the US."}, {"response": 704, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (12:13)", "body": "Alliance isn't the distrib in the US. I know, Paramount Classics is.But Alliance is nicer:-) US release date is June 9th."}, {"response": 705, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (16:48)", "body": "CNN informed me that the New Orleans Police Department was cracking down on public displays of nudity this year. Believe it or not, it is illegal, even during Mardi Gras. Love the dancing 'gators though. They have trumpets too. Do they know \"When the Saints Go Marching In\"."}, {"response": 706, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (08:19)", "body": "From The Hollywood Reporter: LAS VEGAS -- What's the word on Miramax Films' 25-minute product reel of 13 films? Youth-oriented fare. From the U.K. modern manners/arranged marriage comedy \"East Is East\" to the rugged American \"Texas Rangers\" to a slate of young adult-skewed comedies such as horror spoof \"Scary Movie\" and \"Girls & Boys,\" exhibitors reacted well to two Tuesday-night product reel screenings. \"I think (Miramax) will do well with the 'She's All That' crowd,\" one exhibition executive said. \"They've got a good corner on the teen market.\""}, {"response": 707, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (10:00)", "body": "Ok. We're dead :-("}, {"response": 708, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (10:27)", "body": "(Cheryl) CNN informed me Hey, did Bernie call you directly? Do you know Ted? ;-P \"They've got a good corner on the teen market.\" Given the success of Scream 3, I'm not surprised to read this."}, {"response": 709, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (12:10)", "body": "\"They've got a good corner on the teen market.\" (Gi)Ok. We're dead :-( Not necessarily....they pay for all the Brit imports and foreign films. My cineplex manager tells me the art-house films never make a profit, he makes it from the \"Deuce Bigelow\" and \"Scream 3\" that play on three screens. So those teenagers are paying for the films we see! No company is going to make a profit producing the ilk of MLSF alone."}, {"response": 710, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 10, 2000 (08:10)", "body": "Lover accused British war poet Brooke of cruelty LONDON (Reuters) - Golden-boy of British war poetry Rupert Brooke lost a little of his shine Thursday when a former lover's memoirs, discovered 85 years after his death, accused him of being cruel and insensitive. The memoirs -- which include details of a naked romp in a field near Brooke's Cambridgeshire home -- were found with a bundle of about 50 letters left to the British Library by his sister Delphis on the condition they stayed sealed for 50 years. The letters were opened late last year, but their contents were only revealed by library officials Thursday. Phyllis Gardner, an arts student previously thought to be no more than a friend, told how she could sense Brooke was about to leave her for another woman in a 90-page history of the affair. \"There was a sense of impending doom about (the relationship). He was not particularly sensitive to her feelings,\" a library spokesman said, adding the details would be kept under wraps until a biographer had studied the memoirs. Part of the cache will go on public display in the library's Millennium exhibition and the memoirs will be studied to see what light they shed on a mental breakdown the poet was thought to have suffered in 1912-1913 -- the time of the affair. \"The letters and the memoir will give Brooke scholars...a whole new body of work with which to re-evaluate and interpret some of his early poems,\" curator of the library exhibition Chris Fletcher said. Brooke, who died of blood poisoning in 1915 on an island in the Aegean region, where Britain was fighting Turkey, is remembered for his boyish good looks, intellect and patriotism. His sonnet \"The Soldier\" is a staple for literature students. \"If I should die, think only this of me: That there's some corner of a foreign field that is forever England,\" resonate as some of the country's best-known verses. But the reality of war and morbid death also permeated his love letters and poetry. One of the British Library letters told Gardner: \"One day you'll die\" and sent her a handwritten copy of his poem \"Beauty and Beauty.\" \"When Beauty and Beauty meet, All naked, fair to fair, The earth is crying-sweet...Veiling all that may befall After-- after--,\" he wrote. After his death at the age of 27, Winston Churchill wrote his obituary in The Times. \"The poet-soldier told with all the simple force of genius the sorrow of youth about to die and the sure, triumphant consolations of a sincere and valiant spirit,\" wrote the future Prime Minister."}, {"response": 711, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Mar 10, 2000 (08:51)", "body": "(KarenR) Lover accused British war poet Brooke of cruelty Only know him from the audio play, The One before the Last, and would tend to agree, at least on the \"insensitive\" part."}, {"response": 712, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 10, 2000 (09:02)", "body": "(Gi) would tend to agree, at least on the \"insensitive\" part. Me too, but if you had a mother like his... ;-) Longer article in The Guardian: http://www.booksunlimited.co.uk/news/articles/0,6109,145213,00.html"}, {"response": 713, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 10, 2000 (11:27)", "body": "(Evelyn) Not necessarily....they pay for all the Brit imports and foreign films . . .So those teenagers are paying for the films we see! Agree completely. Between the actual costs of filming plus the marketing expenditures, Miramax put out well over $100 million just for TEP and SIL alone. Granted, those two more than made the money back, but the initial investment has to come from somewhere. I've been looking at their slate for the cominmg year, and there's lots of non-teen stuff there too, including three Shakespeare adaptations and a Merchant-Ivory production. So, they're not giving up the ship. But they *do* have to pay for the ship.;-)"}, {"response": 714, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Mar 11, 2000 (09:34)", "body": "Interesting about Brooke... I've read a couple of things on him recently. First signs of future projects? There's a biography of him by Nigel Jones published just last autumn that apparently isn't coy about his active sex life either. From the radioplay I had always assumed he leaned more strongly towards homosexuality but it now appears to me he wasn't indiscriminate about either sex. He was a handsome devil though, just couldn't shake them all off I suppose. ;-) (Karen) but if you had a mother like his... ;-) LOL! Is she possibly the worst? I may take this over to topic 98 just to discuss all those productions Colin's been in where he had some serious mother problems."}, {"response": 715, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Mar 11, 2000 (14:39)", "body": "Eileen, Bernie Shaw sends you his regards, and you can call him Bernie. Ted is well and would like you to know that the buffalo are doing well on the ranch. He requests that you call him Mr. Turner."}, {"response": 716, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Mar 11, 2000 (20:08)", "body": "Just a reminder for those in the U.S. and Canada: the Screen Actors Guild Awards are on tomorrow (Sunday) evening on TNT, starting at 8 p.m., Eastern time."}, {"response": 717, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 12, 2000 (08:01)", "body": "The Telegraph has an even more detailed article about the Rupert letters, based on \"exclusive access to the letters\" An excerpt: Phyllis then let down her hair and ran her head up and down his back, \"and I understood how an animal that loves you feels when it rubs you with its head,\" she confessed, \"and I went on rubbing in a kind of ecstasy.\" I want the book!! You can read the article here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk:80/et?ac=000576481449931&rtmo=aTX5CKuJ&atmo=lllllljx&pg=/et/00/3/11/babroo.html"}, {"response": 718, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Mar 12, 2000 (10:39)", "body": "Ummm, the book does sound good. I want to read that and his bio. Is it possible the sudden interest in Rupert may signal future projects? Too bad Colin's too old now to play Rupert. :-( or should that be ;-)"}, {"response": 719, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar 12, 2000 (14:17)", "body": "Over the weekend I went to a Blockbuster in the northern part of the state that is as big as Walmart (Tesco/Asda). The holdings are computerized...one types in the actor and up comes all the films in that store. ALL of Colin\ufffds films were in stock. I wonder how many Blockbuster\ufffds in UK can match that.I checked out \ufffdThe Very Thought of You \ufffdand MLSF. The former was released in the UK as Martha, Meet Daniel, Frank and Lawrence (I think)..starring Tom Hollander, JF and Rufus Sewell.A Miramax film ,it got a v. limited (if any) theatrical release in the US, but it is doing v. well on video (4 copies). It is funny, cleverly written with a good twist in the boy meets girl syndrome...cool and hip.MLSF did at least get a fair theatrical release but is not doing as well on vid (1 copy). So we should be grateful that it was shown at all.Not all Brit films make it. BTW, this was my first viewing since Karen asked Colin the question about the hayloft....and IMO it was purposely filmed to pose an ambiguous situation. I really can\ufffdt wait to own this film....it\ufffds one he can be proud of."}, {"response": 720, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Mar 12, 2000 (18:57)", "body": "I rented MLSF while we were in Nashville. Now I want to buy it so that I can watch it again and again. Had no problem with the accents. Maybe thats because I grew up with such. He never ceases to amaze me with how much he can convey with just the expressions on his face and with the look in his eyes."}, {"response": 721, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Mar 12, 2000 (19:16)", "body": "Why is the above comment in Odds and Ends and not in CF? (yes, I know that one possible answer is that Odds and Ends is mainly about CF anyway...) ;-)"}, {"response": 722, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 12, 2000 (23:32)", "body": "Do they really even need to have an Oscar broadcast? ;-) Seems a foregone conclusion. Mendes has won the Directors Guild award and now Spacey, Benning and the AB ensemble cast got the SAG awards. I do wonder if Benning's will hold up to Swank. (Hmm, last year, relative newcomer; this year, established actress who has *paid* her dues.) Angelina Jolie was the fav as was Caine (yuck) in the supporting categories."}, {"response": 723, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 12, 2000 (23:38)", "body": "Finally!! Next time we all meet after a play, we should be able to find a place to go that doesn't close at 11. From The Times: BRITAIN is to adopt the more relaxed continental attitude to drinking and allow pubs to stay open for 24 hours a day. The biggest change in the licensing laws since the First World War is to be announced later this month in a government White Paper, details of which have been obtained by The Times. As early as summer next year, Britons will be able to enjoy the same liberal drinking laws as the rest of Europe, where people spill out of restaurants, cinemas and theatres to drink in caf\ufffds and bars until the early hours of the morning. The White Paper will allow pubs to close when they choose, or to serve alcohol all night."}, {"response": 724, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar 13, 2000 (05:37)", "body": "(heide) Too bad Colin's too old now to play Rupert. :-( or should that be ;-) Never mind, they'd have got Hugh Grant for the part :-(... I just watched Notting Hill on video, and found myself wondering what CF would have made of it. I bet he would have been a lot more convincing."}, {"response": 725, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar 13, 2000 (07:35)", "body": "(Karen), Do they really even need to have an Oscar broadcast? ;-) Seems a foregone conclusion. Agree! Roberto Benigni and Billy Crystal will have to put some extra excitement there. Saw the SAG Awards. Gwynnie, what was the deal on her dress? And her hair? She must be going through some crisis."}, {"response": 726, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Mon, Mar 13, 2000 (08:34)", "body": "(Heide) Too bad Colin's too old now to play Rupert. :-( or should that be ;-) (Gi) Never mind, they'd have got Hugh Grant for the part :-( Sad, but true. I think Jude Law should drop everything and dash to acquire the rights to play Brooke. He's the right age, has the right looks... and is tailor-made for al fresco romping;-)"}, {"response": 727, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Mar 13, 2000 (15:13)", "body": "(Heide) Too bad Colin's too old now to play Rupert: (Gi) Never mind, they'd have got Hugh Grant for the part: Maybe they would've hired Grant, but had it made in the late 1980's or early 1990's; it seems Daniel Day-Lewis would have gotten the part. This would probably have been the case if it were an American backed project. As far as American producers were concerned there was pretty much no other young British actor than DDL. Or so it seemed. Jude Law. Well you know I love him, but I rather see Linus Roche as Brooke. I wouldn't be adverse to Law. But I really don't want him to become, (pardon the pun), overexposed. Sorry. Familiarity breeds contempt and all that. I just get sick of some actors, they're everywhere in everything, it seems."}, {"response": 728, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar 13, 2000 (17:29)", "body": "Look who is doing the Bard with KB. From the E. Telegraph today. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/et?ac=001533513654540&rtmo=Q0kO90mR&atmo=YYYYYYYp&pg=/et/00/3/13/tlsilv13.html"}, {"response": 729, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Mar 13, 2000 (17:31)", "body": "And she's brunette!"}, {"response": 730, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 13, 2000 (17:38)", "body": "Hmmm, the article mentions a boyfriend by name. Thought KB had dumped Helena for Alicia. Wasn't that the gossip?"}, {"response": 731, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Mar 13, 2000 (19:23)", "body": "Daniel Day Lewis...now there's a name from the past. What's happened to his career? Can't remember anything since The Boxer. Yes, Jude Law does seem to be the flavor of the month but I agree he'd make a good Rupert. LOL on this speculation (which I happily started) since there is not film to speak of."}, {"response": 732, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 13, 2000 (23:37)", "body": "Article about Mark Strong, with a mention of Colin toward the end, from Tuesday's Times: Brightest star in Mamet's plow In the age of the headline-grabbing celebrity thespian, Mark Strong is an old-fashioned actor - always employed, always well received, yet unassuming enough to pass unnoticed in his local caf\ufffd, where I find him quietly sipping coffee and reading the newspaper. Perhaps most recognisable for his television roles in Our Friends in the North with Christopher Eccleston and Births, Deaths and Marriages with Ray Winstone, Strong is getting ready to beguile West End audiences as film producer Bobby Gould in Peter Gill's revival of David Mamet's 1988 black comedy, Speed-the-Plow. \"Even though I've done 30 plays in 12 years, I haven't done a Mamet before,\" he says. \"I've seen a couple of his plays, like Glengarry Glen Ross, but I've never acted in one. And I tell you, it's been a fantastic experience so far.\" Strong's co-star is Patrick Marber, the Olivier-winning writer of Closer, which starred Strong at the National. \"It's a short, punchy, funny, dark play about two Hollywood producers sitting around talking about making a film,\" explains Strong. \"They've got a big star who's agreed to leave his studio and make a film with them. Then this girl [Kimberly Williams] comes into the picture and upsets the applecart. \"There's a bit of sexual tension, but mainly it's an exploration of art versus commerce and good versus evil. Ten years ago it was seen as a poke at Hollywood, now I think it has relevance about the way people talk about film in Britain.\" The production may be Strong's first Mamet, but it's also Marber's acting debut. \"We stayed good friends after Closer,\" explains Strong, \"and we did a lot of reading together for this. But as it turns out we are very different actors - he is first and foremost a writer and a director, so he has a very analytical style. I'm much more instinctive and emotional. The methods are different but the results are the same.\" And they are both doing American accents. \"I played an American in front of another American when I did The Iceman Cometh with Kevin Spacey at the Almeida, so I'm quite used to it,\" says Strong. \"But I don't think it's a disadvantage doing Mamet if you are an Englishman. His writing is very musical, which makes it easier. \"It's fast, punctuated, intricate dialogue that you can't busk and you can't ad lib around,\" he grins. \"It's like a dance, you are literally dancing with the other person. There are no complete sentences, there are sounds as well as words.\" It wasn't just the Mamet script that drew Strong in, however, it was also the prospect of getting back into the theatre. His involvement in television dramas such as Bombers, Trust and In the Name of Love, as well as a spell in Hungary filming Istv\ufffdn Szab\ufffd's Sunshine with Ralph Fiennes, have kept Strong off the stage for more than two years. \"It's the longest time I've been away,\" he says. \"I've never left a gap like that before. What I was looking forward to most of all was getting back into a rehearsal room and having the time and the space to work on something over a period of time, rather than turning up on the day and seeing how it goes.\" He is also looking forward to performing for a live audience again. \"I'm really happy to be back in front of real people,\" he enthuses. \"It's the immediacy of their reaction that I like. I mean, they will either applaud or throw veg.\" Not that there's been much veg throwing in 36-year-old Strong's extraordinary career. From the National Theatre to Fever Pitch with Colin Firth, from the Royal Shakespeare Company to The Buddha of Suburbia, he has been extraordinarily successful for a man who claims to have stumbled into acting more or less by mistake. \"I didn't know what I wanted to do. I thought, perhaps I should become a lawyer because it would make my Mum happy,\" he says, explaining a year spent studying law at Munich University. \"But I very quickly realised how dull it was and that it wasn't for me. So I chose acting as something that wasn't dull. I was never one of those twinkletoes who'd been desperate to climb on stage from the age of three.\" He was born Marco Giuseppe Salussolia, the only child of an Italian father and an Austrian mother who emigrated to London in the 1960s. His mother changed his name by deed poll so that he would \"fit in\". \"I think she probably just opened a dictionary,\" he laughs. Educated at various boarding schools in Surrey and Norfolk, he spent most of his childhood away from his family while his mother worked in Germany. \"School was in a little field surrounded by loads of other fields, so they gave us lots to do to keep us busy. I had a great time. It was where I learnt to relate to other people, not having grown up with brothers or sisters.\" After a drama degree at Royal Holloway, and a postgrad course at Bristol Old Vic, it wasn't long before Mark was clocking up his stage hours in rep. \"It was gold dust - it gave me t"}, {"response": 733, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (03:26)", "body": "Educated at various boarding schools in Surrey and Norfolk... Interesting. I was at a boarding school in Surrey where a boy called ? Strong played Horatio in the school Hamlet . (Hamlet was already taken by Stephen Tredre, who tragically died young after being Kate Winslet's boyfriend and inspiration). I was Rosencrantz. I'll have to see if I can find the programme at home. The age would be almost right, but I don't remember the face at all (or rather my memory is very different from the look of the guy in FP)."}, {"response": 734, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (07:26)", "body": "Mark Strong probably had more hair then? :) Marco, nice Italian name;)"}, {"response": 735, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (09:48)", "body": "(MarkG) I'll have to see if I can find the programme at home. Definitely, take a look! Wouldn't that be fun."}, {"response": 736, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (09:48)", "body": "Thanks Karen....he's got excellent credentials... Educated at various boarding schools in Surrey and Norfolk... ... drama degree at Royal Holloway, and a postgrad course at Bristol Old Vic I wasn't terribly impressed with him in FP, must try to see him on stage...look forward to seeing him in \"Sunshine\"; I think he plays Rafe's brother. The crowd at Toronto gave him good reviews."}, {"response": 737, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (10:06)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANN"}, {"response": 738, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (10:11)", "body": "One more try..."}, {"response": 739, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (10:13)", "body": "Here's Evelyn's first one:"}, {"response": 740, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (10:41)", "body": "Oh, they are lovely thanks very much, especially the droolable one!"}, {"response": 741, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (10:53)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANN!!!!"}, {"response": 742, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (10:57)", "body": "Look who we've arranged to have a quiet little birthday dinner with you tonight!! I don't think you'll feel like ordering dessert. ;-) We won't tell James if you won't"}, {"response": 743, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (11:03)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Ann! *imagine a big, juicy pic of Edward Pettigrew here* [sorry, I'm still Netscapeless] caption [read with Scots accent]: \"For your birthday, Ann, here is the same delightful sampler of sphagnum moss products I gave to Heloise in the moss loft. Oh, I beg your pardon--you have not seen My Life So Far as yet, have you? 'Tis another 52 days until it opens in the UK? No problem, then. I shall be waiting for you, Ann. Humph. Now I find I must take a cold plunge in the loch...\""}, {"response": 744, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (13:00)", "body": "Just for you Ann!"}, {"response": 745, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (14:13)", "body": "Hauoli Na Hanau, Ann"}, {"response": 746, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (14:15)", "body": "That lei is tuberose and lantern ilima blossoms, and it smells exquisite. I had one a few weeks ago and it hung around my lamp until it no longer was fragrant."}, {"response": 747, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (14:23)", "body": "Tanti, tanti, Auguri! Ann! May All Your Wishes Come True! I think we all share a few. ;-)"}, {"response": 748, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (14:56)", "body": "Happy birthday Ann, hope it's one of the best ever."}, {"response": 749, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (15:03)", "body": "Mark if you were Rosencrantz, who was Guildenstern?"}, {"response": 750, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (15:29)", "body": ""}, {"response": 751, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (15:34)", "body": "Coming in on Eileen's wings, Many happy returns, Ann!"}, {"response": 752, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (15:56)", "body": "Ann! May all your wishes come true! Happy Birthday, Ann!"}, {"response": 753, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (16:50)", "body": "Happy Birthday Ann!"}, {"response": 754, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (17:22)", "body": "Oh, thankyou all very much indeed, you are all so very ingenious, all I can do is to say Thankyou very much my friends and fellow droolies fingers crossed."}, {"response": 755, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (17:33)", "body": "A very happy birthday to you, Ann! I wish you all good things in the coming year, including more Close Encounters Of The Firth Kind!"}, {"response": 756, "author": "aishling", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (03:39)", "body": "Belated happy bithday wishes Ann. Hope it was a good one. Sorry I cant do any of the clever stuff."}, {"response": 757, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (04:10)", "body": "A late Happy Birthday from me also, Ann. Checked my old programme. It was Michael Strong. Curses! Guildenstern was just some other schmo"}, {"response": 758, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (04:39)", "body": "Thanks Mari, Aishling & Mark for your birthday wishes, all these lovely wishes have been the icing on the cake to a very nice lazy birthday. Had two lovely phone calls from my two sons and some flowers from my hubby, I am a very lucky lady."}, {"response": 759, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (05:42)", "body": "Happy Birthday Ann"}, {"response": 760, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (07:16)", "body": "Happy birthday from me too, Ann. Sorry I cannot do any of that clever stuff!"}, {"response": 761, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (08:08)", "body": "Ides of March, 2000 Julius Caesar assassinated 2044 ago--still mourning him... Oh well, we shall be stoic. ;-)"}, {"response": 762, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (09:56)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Ann! Hope the sun is shining where you are. Enjoy your special day:-)"}, {"response": 763, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (10:09)", "body": "Thanks very much, Lucie, Allison and Susan, and yes Susan it was a lovely sunny day."}, {"response": 764, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (14:07)", "body": "I Love Birthdays ... ...has everyone registered with Karen? Or is it Marcia? Anyway...we need notice, gang...so we can pick out just the right card and shop"}, {"response": 765, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (14:07)", "body": "(Moon)Ides of March, 2000 Julius Caesar assassinated 2044 ago--still mourning him... Oh well, we shall be stoic. ;-) Moon! I never thought anyone else was still mourning him but me! And I am not stoic about it ;-)"}, {"response": 766, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (15:47)", "body": "Gi, watch my winky. We are of one thought here. :-) Viva Cesare!"}, {"response": 767, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (16:23)", "body": "Marcia is the official Keeper of the Lists."}, {"response": 768, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (16:43)", "body": "Yesterday, March 15 was not only the anniversary of the death of Gaius Julius Caesar -- but it is also the day when the buzzards return to Hinkley, Ohio. My apologies to Moon, Gi, and Gaius Julius's ghost for mentioning Caesar and the avian trivia fact in the same sentence. Gi, you mentioned in one of your posts reading one of Steven Saylor's Gordianus the Finder novels. Love them. I've read them all except \"Rubicon\", the most recent one. That has nothing to do with Colin Firth's career or Ann's birthday. I'm off-topic and babbling. Enough. Hope you enjoyed the book though."}, {"response": 769, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (17:35)", "body": "Gallia est omnis divisa in partes tres... I still remember studying Julius Caesar's diaries in my Latin classes."}, {"response": 770, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (17:39)", "body": "\"All Gaul is divided into three parts.\" Arami, you no doubt remember, \"I came, I saw, I conquered,\" as well."}, {"response": 771, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (18:01)", "body": "Veni, Vidi, Velcro (I came, I saw, I stuck around) ;-)"}, {"response": 772, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (18:32)", "body": "Velcro. Those Romans had an advanced culture."}, {"response": 773, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (20:28)", "body": "Veni, Vidi, Vito (Icame, I saw, I moidered da bum;-)"}, {"response": 774, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (11:26)", "body": "Law wings from ``Feathers'' By Claude Brodesser HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - As the producers of the remake of 1939's ``Four Feathers,'' were scouting locations in Morocco, their star, Jude Law, was winging his way toward other projects. Feathers flew at Miramax Films, which is financing the project with Paramount, after Law demanded a $4 million payday and significant gross participation, according to people familiar with the talks. Miramax, known for getting white-hot talent at civil servant wages, would not brook such demands. Law is likely, however, to cut a richer deal elsewhere, given that he's Oscar-nominated -- ironically, for his role in another Paramount/Miramax co-production, ``The Talented Mr. Ripley'' Meanwhile, Paramount and Miramax are understood to have had conversations with Billy Crudup as a possible replacement, according to insiders. ``Feathers'' is a remake of the Zoltan Korda tale that Hossein Amini (``The Wings of the Dove'' and, it might be noted with some interest, ``Jude'') will adapt from the pre-war screenplay. Shekhar Kapur (``Elizabeth,'') will still direct. Stanley and Bob Jaffe are producing. ``Feathers'' centers on a British officer who resigns his post just before battle and is given four white feathers by his friends and fiancee as symbols of what they believe to be his cowardice. Law's next project is unclear, for while he is still understood to be attached to the MGM pic ``The Good Shepherd,'' directed by Robert De Niro, the picture isn't scheduled to begin shooting until early 2001. ``Shepherd'' follows a career CIA agent who is recruited fresh out of the Ivy League at the agency's inception after WWII, and the toll his work takes on his life and family. ******* I read today that Jude is in the running for Spielberg's AI--Artificial Intelligence, the film that Stanley Kubrick was to direct. Mari"}, {"response": 775, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (11:35)", "body": "Was thinking, should I start a Jude Law topic? ...although I do know that some might be happy the Four Feathers role is open again and we know Colin will work for a pittance. ;-)"}, {"response": 776, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (12:38)", "body": "I know I shouldn't post this here, but with St. Patrick's Day tomorrow and I AM in Boston;) This was a review in 1995 of Circle of Friends: Movie Details This \"Circle of Friends\" proves irresistible By Jay Carr Boston Globe Published: 03/24/95 Three of its leads are British, one is Scottish, one is American and only one is Irish, but Pat O'Connor's \"Circle of Friends\" warmly and beautifully continues Ireland's winning streak at the movies. It's filled with honest feeling, atmospheric rightness and a wealth of detailing that make it a sweetly appealing screenful of beguilement on several counts. Let's start with Minnie Driver's enchanting heroine in her sensible clothes, sensible shoes and (most of the time) sensible mindset. \"You're easy to talk to,\" says Chris O'Donnell as the shy, handsome guy she's got her eye on, \"very solid, aren't you?\" \"Yes, everybody notices,\" replies Driver's Benny, the most central of three Irish village girls going to college in Dublin. She's described as a big, soft girl, but there's nothing soft about her head, and one of the pleasures of the film is that it isn't afraid to make brains sexy. Given that the time is 1958 and the story is set in rural Ireland, sexy is something that does not come easily, especially to Benny, who in the movie's most moving scene sits at a dance wilting and finally crying into her decolletage because O'Donnell's Jack doesn't ask her to dance. But then of course in the end, he does. Driver, filled with impulse yet familiar with unfulfillment, is a jewel, the kind you keep hoping the handsome lad played by O'Donnell will have the good sense to notice. Like Maeve Binchy, on whose popular novel the film is based, Benny has plenty of time to notice things, and the thing that makes the film so rich is not that it's filled with quaintness, but rather that it's so overflowing with keenly observed bits of human behavior. O'Connor colors his actors' discoveries with levity, too, finding gentle fun in Irish sexual repression by sending frissons through a class when an anthropology lecture turns to the sexual life of savages, then cutting to a football game outside. It's part of the measure of the humane warmheartedness of the film that its sexual adventuress never is banished from our sympathies, either. As one of Benny's intimates, Geraldine O'Rawe, the sole Irish cast member, is persuasive on more than linguistic grounds. Playing a convent girl raised by kindly but acute nuns, she brings a keen watchfulness to the role of the girl who is always a guest, never someone who belongs by birth. And Saffron Burrows, as the prettiest of the three, is allowed emotional complexity and understanding. It's the men who fall short. Not O'Donnell as the doctor's son, uncomfortable at feeling pressured to follow his father's footsteps. He looks natural inside the world of the film, projecting not only his customary boy- next-door appeal, but also an ability to persuade us of Jack's most attractive quality -- his modesty. The fun comes from the slimeball role of an unctuous Uriah Heep-like clerk played by Scottish actor Alan Cumming. We'll be seeing more of him. And Colin Firth gets the job done as the town's weak aristocrat. But \"Circle of Friends,\" in keeping with its title, goes beyond individual performances to evoke the kind of fragile yet intense community of tentative kids on their way to unknown destinations. O'Connor captures the touching littleness of their world, its rich specificity and the passionate connectedness of the characters to their patch of turf and to each other. It would be too stupidly aggressive to speak of so gentle and endearing a film as a bull's-eye. Let's just say that \"Circle of Friends\" gets inside Binchy's bustling busybody world and brings it home with the same humor and energy and generosity. It's pretty irresistible. Movie Type Drama Running Time 1 hr. 52 min. Directed By Pat O'Connor Cast Chris O'Donnell, Minnie Driver, Geraldine O'Rawe, Saffron Burrows, Alan Cumming, Colin Firth Written By Andrew Davies (based on the novel by Maeve Binchy) Year 1995"}, {"response": 777, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (13:40)", "body": "(CherylB)Gi, you mentioned in one of your posts reading one of Steven Saylor's Gordianus the Finder novels. Love them. I've read them all except \"Rubicon\", the most recent one. That has nothing to do with Colin Firth's career or Ann's birthday. I'm off-topic and babbling. Enough. Hope you enjoyed the book though. Well, this is Odds and Ends, right? Actually, I'm reading another Gordianus novel now (The Venus Throw), and quite enjoying it. Saylor is better at creating atmospheres than at making sense of the story - I think Gordianus solves plots by the grace of Fortune more than by clever reasoning. Oh well. On the other hand, I'll read \"anything\" that takes place in Caesar's time. Colleen McCullough's series has me eagerly waiting for the next book :-) One day I'll write one of my own ;-) Sorry, ladies. I couldn't resist. Maybe I should take Veni, Vidi, Velcro as my motto... Karen, that was brilliant!"}, {"response": 778, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (14:05)", "body": "Hey, Laura, no need to apologize about the CoF review. Anywhere is fine for Colin stuff... ;-) Gi, I can't take credit for the velcro. Saw it somewhere and jotted it down, but don't remember where."}, {"response": 779, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (17:43)", "body": "Colin will work for a pittance Are you saying that Colin is cheap???"}, {"response": 780, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (19:29)", "body": "I am all astonishment."}, {"response": 781, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (20:39)", "body": "Oh, hi again! Shall we call you Colin or Passionata? ;-) Oh, never mind: why not tell us more about your astonishment?"}, {"response": 782, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (20:44)", "body": "(In Italian, if you prefer.)"}, {"response": 783, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (21:59)", "body": "(Cheryl) Yesterday, March 15 was not only the anniversary of the death of Gaius Julius Caesar -- but it is also the day when the buzzards return to Hinkley, Ohio. As a soul born and bred in No. Ohio, I'll have you know that we take umbrage at the continued spread of these vicious rumors -- and I resemble ... oop ... resent the term \"buzzard\" (which is a kind of European Buteo hawk) ... the returnees are vultures ... turkey vultures. I know because we went to Hinkley one year and saw 'em (big thrill) (eh)(I prefer swallows, thank you). (Arami) Gallia est omnis divisa in partes tres... I still remember studying Julius Caesar's diaries in my Latin classes. So do I (I think I have one and I wish I could find my of it, but it's packed away in storage among about 2000 of its brethren or so ...), but I seem to remember the whole verb at the end. More like \"Omnis Gallia in tres partes divisum est.\" I suppose we could blame the discrepency in memory to different translations (or almost 40 years), except that we were all supposedly studying the original. Anybody have it to hand? (It's no Winnie Ille Pu\" but waddaya want?) ;-)"}, {"response": 784, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (08:13)", "body": "KJArt it is most definitely: Gallia est omnis divisa in partes tres..."}, {"response": 785, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (08:36)", "body": "Can I recommend a non-Colin Firth movie in honor of St. Pat's Day? The Commitments. It is brilliant. Also, Circle of Friends is a good movie to watch today as well!"}, {"response": 786, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (08:47)", "body": "Here you go, Laura, hum a little Bee Gees:"}, {"response": 787, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (09:16)", "body": "Hey, why is that bottom leprechaun dancing like John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever? Is he Tony O'Manero? HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY, EVERYONE! From someone who wears her green every day but is way more Italian than she is Irish :-P Don't drink too much green beer!"}, {"response": 788, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (13:54)", "body": "Thank you, Moon. HAPPY ST. PATTY'S DAY ALL!"}, {"response": 789, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (14:18)", "body": "Anytime, KJArt. :-) LOL, Eileen. The Italia, Ireland connection is also the flag and the I. To all the Celts out there; A Very HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY!"}, {"response": 790, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (14:47)", "body": "(Karen) hum a little Bee Gees It would've been nice if I read that *before* I posted... must go clean my lenses!"}, {"response": 791, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (15:49)", "body": "(KJart)I resemble...oop...resent the term \"buzzard\"...the returnees are vultures. Turkey vultures. I no because I went to Hinkley one year and saw 'em (big thrill)(eh)(I prefer swallows, thank you). Far be it for me to be un-politically correct in regard to turkey vultures. Glad to hear that you don't resemble a buzzard. Although when I wake up in the morning the sight of me could frighten buzzards and vultures alike. Remember it is a far better thing to be called a vision than to be called a sight. You're right, the vultures returning to Hinkley doesn't have quite the same romance as the swallows returning to San Juan Capistrano. The swallows should be returning on March 19. Happy St. Patrick's Day to all of you out there celebrating it. Perhaps the leprechaun is dancing like John Revolting because the road has risen up to meet him, or the barstool has walked out from under him. There are some Roman Catholic archbishops and bishops in the US who wouldn't give their Irish-American parishioners a dispensation to eat meat on St. Patrick's Day this year, as it falls on Friday during Lent. The tradional meal of corned beef and cabbage is out. Catholics can eat the meat of any cold blooded creature, such as fish or snake. That would be appropriate, eating snake for St. Patrick's Day. The equinox is on March 20, to those in the northern hemisphere it's the vernal equinox -- so Happy Spring. To the southern hemisphere dwellers it's the atumnal equinox -- which means Happy Fall. If you're a pagan, I think it's a holiday for you -- anyway hope it's a good one. Have great change of season everyone."}, {"response": 792, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (16:08)", "body": "(Cheryl) ...Remember it is a far better thing to be called a vision than to be called a sight. **Hee hee!** (Too bad I usually fall into the latter category.) Anyway, we all get to celebrate no matter our color, creed, or national origin: , Right?"}, {"response": 793, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (16:19)", "body": "That's right, and I hope the barstool doesn't walk out from under me."}, {"response": 794, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (17:27)", "body": "There's a full-page ad for The Real Thing in the new issue of Entertainment Weekly (week of March 24). Grainy black and white super close-up shot of (I assume) Stephen and Jennifer in a hot lip lock. Right across their upper lips is this quote: \"You'd be mad to miss this modern classic\"--London Daily Telegraph No stars names. Just says Anita Waxman, Elizabeth Williams, Ron Kastner and Miramax Films present The Donmar Warehouse production of Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing. Directed by David Leveaux. Then it says limited Broadway engagement and gives the theater and ticket info and the website."}, {"response": 795, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (17:31)", "body": "I know I'm a bit late as there's ony half an hour left of it but Happy St.Paddy's Day one and all!"}, {"response": 796, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (18:32)", "body": "any cold blooded creature, such as fish or snake I've touched quite a number of fishes (love angling!) and snakes (adore wildlife!) in my life and I can assure anyone who has so far missed this exquisite sensation that snakes are warm. But it may have little to do with the actual term \"cold blooded\". Any zoologists around here?"}, {"response": 797, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (20:51)", "body": "...There's a full-page ad for The Real Thing in the new issue of Entertainment Weekly...Stephen and Jennifer in a hot lip lock. .. You mean this one: Today's NY Times has a blurb on it too....and it closes in London tomorrow night.Harvey's hand is prominently in the publicity. We'll see.....NY critics don't always go hand in hand with London critics...and vice versa...witness \"Lion King\" major shut-out at the BAFTAs.For that matter TRT didn't do that well either;-)"}, {"response": 798, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (20:54)", "body": "...I've touched quite a number of fishes (love angling!) and snakes (adore wildlife!) in my life and I can assure anyone who has so far missed this exquisite sensation that snakes are warm. I had an all- snake meal in Hong Kong. It tastes like chicken..except for the scally top.Not bad. Low fat too, they tell me;-)"}, {"response": 799, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (01:35)", "body": "For that matter TRT didn't do that well either - that doesn't sound like you Evelyn, they did very well, they received 4 Olivier Nominations !"}, {"response": 800, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (08:55)", "body": "The term cold-blooded is not precisely accurate, what it means, more or less, is that these animals cannot maintain a constant body temperature. Their internal body temperature is influenced by the air temperature. Snakes and lizards become more active the warmer they are. The snakes you've touched Arami might have been warm because they'd been sunning themselves. The snakes I've touched felt cool and dry, and not at all unpleasant."}, {"response": 801, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (09:21)", "body": "I had an all- snake meal in Hong Kong. It tastes like chicken..except for the scally top Presumably you didn't have to eat the scales. I wouldn't mind opening a snake farm, except that they are notoriously difficult to herd... these animals cannot maintain a constant body temperature Right! I remember now. The snakes you've touched Arami might have been warm because they'd been sunning themselves No, they were kept warm by their keepers! I didn't go touching snakes in the wild... I'm not THAT mad. ;-) The snakes I've touched felt cool and dry, and not at all unpleasant. Mine were not too hot, either. It was like touching a muscular human arm. Contrary to many people's belief, snakes are not slimy or wet (except after a swim)."}, {"response": 802, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (09:38)", "body": "I never meant to imply that you madly went off to handle wild snakes. I thought perhaps that you knew people who had pet snakes; and that you'd touched them after the snakes had spent some time in front of the windows."}, {"response": 803, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (10:27)", "body": "People who keep \"pet\" snakes are somewhat... hm... curious sort, at least they tend to be in this country (UK). A little like the bikers, you know, long hair, tattoos, leather... I have absolutely no prejuduces, but neither do I keep such company - more through the lack of opportunity than avoidance, really. Anyway, they have occasional get-togethers, fairs, etc., where they display their pets to the public and it's always a must for me! I just have to go and have my customary annual snake cuddle... The huge pythons are superb. I wouldn't call them pets, though."}, {"response": 804, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (10:30)", "body": "I have absolutely no prejuduces, Ooops, two mistakes there. It's prejudices, of course; and can anyone honestly say they have none at all? ;-)"}, {"response": 805, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (10:55)", "body": "Perhaps the French. They aren't prejudiced, they hate everyone equally. (I can say that as my great-grandfather was born in France.)"}, {"response": 806, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (11:01)", "body": "That is a failing indeed. I really cannot laugh at it. ;-) (But you only have a quarter of a right to say that, don't you think?)"}, {"response": 807, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (11:25)", "body": "For that matter TRT didn't do that well either - that doesn't sound like you Evelyn, they did very well, they received 4 Olivier Nominations ! I was comparing TRT to \"The Lion King\" both which are outstanding productions and got major shut-outs at award time. \"sour-grapes-evelyn\";-)"}, {"response": 808, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (11:28)", "body": "Pretty much. On the upside the French have great art, fine food, great wine, and speak a beautiful language."}, {"response": 809, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (11:31)", "body": "There is a lovely topic already started on snakes for those who'd like to continue this thread: :-) http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/SpringArk/32/new"}, {"response": 810, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (11:32)", "body": "Evelyn, I think you make an interesting point about about theatre awards in New London and New York. I believe \"The Wier\" won an Olivier Award for Best Play, but it wasn't nominated for a Tony award in that category."}, {"response": 811, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (11:38)", "body": "..\"The Wier\" won an Olivier Award for Best Play, but it wasn't nominated for a Tony award in that category Neither did \"Amy's View\" or \"Closer\" last year. Which brought on a lot of belly-aching from the British press. Then \"Sideman\", which did win the Tony for Best Play opened to v. lukewarm reviews in the West End. Hey...these guys get even...Big Time."}, {"response": 812, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (14:49)", "body": "Perhaps the French. They aren't prejudiced, they hate everyone equally. LOl Cheryl. That is just what a Frenchwoman who goes to my church said when I asked why the French seem to hate Americans. She laughed and said, \"Don't worry about that, the French hate everyone. They even hate each other.\""}, {"response": 813, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (15:04)", "body": "(Karen) There is a lovely topic already started on snakes for those who'd like to continue this thread: :-) Is there a topic in defense of the poor French? ;-)"}, {"response": 814, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (16:46)", "body": "Karen is trying to get rid of too many odds and ends... ;-)"}, {"response": 815, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (18:13)", "body": "From Jeffrey Wells (take it for what it's worth?): Very Good Groove Stephen Frears' High Fidelity, a wholly original, deeply quirky romantic comedy, is the fourth entry on my list of truly special films I've seen this year \ufffd the other three being Erin Brockovich, Wonder Boys, and U-571. I suppose the possessive shouldn't go entirely to Frears, since star John Cusack has his paw prints all over it also, having co-written and co-produced. All I know is, this is a low-key charmer with its own unique take on life, love, and pop music. It's a great date movie for discriminating urbanites and just about anyone who takes music seriously. (Who doesn't?) It's even got Bruce Springsteen doing a cameo. I can't wait to get my hands on the soundtrack CD. Fidelity, which was screened Wednesday night for junket press, is also an absolute blowout for co-star Jack Black, the Tenacious D lead singer who's played off-center supporting roles for years (in The Jackal, Enemy of the State, Cradle Will Rock). He totally steals this movie every second he's on screen, playing a thoroughly obnoxious record store employee whose mania for pop music (and his ability to offend or alienate customers) knows no bounds. Black's performance is going to put him on the map \ufffd trust me. Fidelity is special because it's not just honest, funny, and touching, but musical in the truest sense imaginable. The three main characters \ufffd played by Cusack, Black, and Todd Louiso \ufffd are pop music freaks who work at Cusack's downmarket Chicago record store (selling mostly vinyls, naturally). The story's about Cusack's off-and-on relationship with Laura (Danish actress Iben Hjejle, last in Mifune), and how his past affairs weave their way through his brain as he tries to win Laura back after she moves out. The distinctive, flavorful thing is how Cusack processes everything he does or feels in terms of songs he loves, or lyrics that are especially meaningful to him. (I related to this because I do the same thing with movies. Everything I see or do is processed in terms of scenes or dialogue from my personal pantheon.) The idea is mainly Nick Hornby's, whose 1995 novel the screenplay is based upon. The script is by D.V. DeVincentis, Steve Pink, Scott Rosenberg, and Cusack. The cast is terrific \ufffd Cusack, Black, Lisa Bonet, Joan Cusack, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Tim Robbins, Lili Taylor, Natasha Gregson Wagner, and the always wonderful Louiso. (He played almost the same kind of music-obsessed weirdo in Jerry Maguire. The babysitter?) I've never been able to get a handle on Frears. He's one of my absolute favorite directors \ufffd sometimes. That is, when he's directing cool, low-budget films like The Hit (which Disney's press kit doesn't even mention \ufffd shame!), The Snapper, My Beautiful Laundrette, Bloody Kids (also not mentioned by Disney \ufffd who wrote this thing?), and Sammy and Rosie Get Laid. But he's not as cool \ufffd his personality vanishes \ufffd when he's shooting big-studio features like Mary Reilly, Hero, and Dangerous Liaisons. One of Frears' more recent pics, the lower-budgeted The Hi-Lo Country, I didn't much care for either. But he's back in the groove with Fidelity. It opens March 31. See it. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ BTW, you can also listen to all the tracks on the CD at the High Fidelity website. http://studio.go.com/movies/highfidelity/index.html"}, {"response": 816, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (18:17)", "body": "And a little tidbit (also from the former Mr. Gossip) for Mari: I'm not supposing this is of paramount interest to very many of you, but I'm hearing that Sony Pictures chairman and CEO John Calley will probably be gone six months from now. I'm also hearing that Mel Harris, Sony's co-president and COO, is a prime candidate to replace Calley when the time comes.[...] Rumors of Calley's demise have been circulating for some time now, but it's heating up again after the failure of the $45 million Garry Shandling comedy What Planet Are You From? and the disappointing earnings ($26 million so far) of the Meg Ryan-Diane Keaton comedy-drama Hanging Up, which cost roughly $45 to $50 million to produce.[...] Sooner or later you hear the same stories about every studio chief. It's Calley's turn, is all. Do I know for sure what's coming down? No. Calley may hang in there for another year or so, despite the talk. Who knows?"}, {"response": 817, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (19:41)", "body": "I'm afraid to see High Fidelity:( It's one of my favorite books and I'd hate to see it ruined (or dumbed down). Well I gather my courage, go see it and pray I enjoy it. May even bring the book w/ me so I can say... \"Hey, THAT's not what NH meant!\" :)"}, {"response": 818, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Mar 19, 2000 (09:35)", "body": "Isn't it about time John Calley retires anyway and starts collecting his Social Security? He's what?...80? I'm looking forward to High Fidelity, knowing full well the film's rarely as good as the book. So expectations won't be high, despite that glowing review. Hey, John Cusack's in it, it can't be too bad."}, {"response": 819, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar 19, 2000 (10:15)", "body": "Is Mel Harris Meg Tillys husband?"}, {"response": 820, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Mar 19, 2000 (10:40)", "body": "No Moon, John Calley is Meg's hubby (and Will's stepfather). Karen knows PopPop Calley and I are *like this.* ;-) He's close to 70, Heide, and I hear he is not in the best of health. I wonder if they'd stay in the L.A. area if he leaves Sony. I'm looking forward to High Fidelity--I think Cusack will do a good job and it's the same team who wrote the screenplay for Grosse Point Blank. Evelyn, yes that's the same pic as in EW, only cropped even tighter."}, {"response": 821, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar 19, 2000 (15:04)", "body": "Mari, you mean to say that Meg is married to a 70 year old man? I will still see HF (by myself), but I was not happy with the previews."}, {"response": 822, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 19, 2000 (17:33)", "body": "Saw the commercial for HF on TV yesterday. Looks to me like they are playing up the slackers in the record shop angle (as opposed to the crux of the book, i.e., the Rob-Laura relationship). Marketing a totally different movie. :-("}, {"response": 823, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Mar 19, 2000 (20:25)", "body": "(Moon) you mean to say that Meg is married to a 70 year old man? Yes indeedy. 30 years her senior. However, her first husband (father of her two eldest kids) was *only* 20 years older than she.;-)"}, {"response": 824, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 19, 2000 (22:12)", "body": "(Moon) you mean to say that Meg is married to a 70 year old man? Correction: Meg is married to a very rich 70 year old man. ;-)"}, {"response": 825, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (07:10)", "body": "Correction: Meg is married to a very rich 70 year old man. ;-) But does she have her own bedroom? ;-) Sounds like a big rebound after Colin. \"Apr\ufffds lui la mort!\""}, {"response": 826, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (07:54)", "body": "And I thought I liked older men!"}, {"response": 827, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (08:51)", "body": "So much for a \"surprise\" cameo role (and he doesn't appear as Marie's musician friend or former boyfriend). From EW: 'High' Concept Bruce Springsteen cameos in John Cusack's new film. EW tells you how the Boss ended up in \"High Fidelity\" by Tom Sinclair Fans of \"High Fidelity,\" Nick Hornby's best-selling novel about the romantic travails of a music-obsessed record-store owner, may be dismayed to learn that the film version, directed by Stephen Frears and set to open March 31, switches the story's location from London to Chicago. Perhaps to compensate for the shock of Fidelity's being reborn in the USA, everyone's favorite red, white, and blue rock hero, Bruce Springsteen, makes a brief appearance as himself in the flick. The Boss is shown picking some bluesy guitar licks and offering jokey, extemporaneous-sounding advice to the film's lovelorn protagonist Rob Gordon (played by John Cusack). In the book, Rob wishes that he could handle his feelings about his ex-girlfriends as levelheadedly as the narrator of Springsteen's \"Bobby Jean\" does. \"We just played that idea out a little bit in the script by actually having Springsteen advise [Rob],\" says the movie's coscreenwriter and coproducer D.V. DeVincentis. Springsteen declined to comment on his role, but apparently the lure of Hollywood was enough to snare the superstar's cooperation. \"John [Cusack] called Bruce, and for some reason he showed up,\" says DeVincentis. Yeah, yeah -- dude probably got free Springsteen tickets, too."}, {"response": 828, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (09:01)", "body": "From The Hollywood Reporter: 'Patient' bleeds red ink as audit 'never ends' In 1997, Saul Zaentz and Anthony Minghella's \"The English Patient\" swept the Oscars, but three years later, the filmmakers and the cast (who deferred fees to get the picture made) are still waiting for distributor Miramax Films to pay them. \"Right after the Academy Awards, Harvey (Weinstein) gave a $5 million advance (to be divvied up amongst everyone), but no one's gotten a nickel since,\" said one source involved. Zaentz hired a law firm in June in an effort to secure documents from Miramax for an audit. The distributor said that the audit would be completed by the end of summer 1999, but it did not deliver. Asked about the situation at the Oscar nominee luncheon last Monday, Zaentz confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that everyone is still waiting for the audit to end. Said one source with a direct interest: \"There is this ongoing audit that never ends. They are very slow in producing documents. Meanwhile, we keep getting statements from (Miramax) showing us that the movie is in the red. It just do sn't make any sense.\" The film has grossed $231.7 worldwide."}, {"response": 829, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (10:13)", "body": "but three years later, the filmmakers and the cast (who deferred fees to get the picture made) are still waiting for distributor Miramax Films to pay them. Waddaya want, Harv's got a whopping hospital bill to pay (heard a rumor that Miramax has HMO coverage, and you *know* they're not paying for a 5 week stay)...then there's Talk Magazine... The same TRT ad has been in NYT and the north Jersey papers for weeks. BTW, Evelyn, I'm seeing loads of TV commercials for new B'way shows. One of them features Jesus (of JC Superstar fame, of course) wandering through the streets of Manhattan--was waiting for Jesus to take the #7 train to Shea as a sly retort to John Rocker's comments, but he stays on the streets. Will let you know if there's one for TRT (doubt it, but you never know with Miramax). I've also seen the High Fidelity commercial. Some movies don't lend themselves to 30-second ads; IMO this is one of them."}, {"response": 830, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (10:19)", "body": "you mean to say that Meg is married to a 70 year old man? Correction: Meg is married to a very rich 70 year old man. ;-) Key word here: \"married\" ;-) (Michael Douglas is 26 yrs older than Catherine ZJ)"}, {"response": 831, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (11:22)", "body": "Key word here: \"married\";-) PFFT! Good one, Evelyn!"}, {"response": 832, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (11:46)", "body": "From the L.A. Times, an Englishman's view of the Oscars: The English Patience: British Eyes on Oscar By PETER WHITTLE, Special to The Times It's been nearly two decades since the British screenwriter Colin Welland screamed \"The British are coming!\" after having won the Oscar for \"Chariots of Fire.\" That proclamation, made at the Academy Awards ceremony in 1982, was to prove embarrassingly premature in the following years. But it also went to show how the British, albeit reluctantly, seem to measure much of the success of their own film industry in terms of how well \"we\" are doing \"over there.\" And nothing denotes success so visibly and tangibly as the Oscars. There is, however, a markedly schizoid quality about the British response to the Academy Awards, the hoopla surrounding them and indeed Hollywood in general. Traditionally speaking, the British are reticent about awards; they smack a little too much of achievement and success, still regarded in many ways as something of a sin even in the new, streamlined, classless Britain of Tony Blair. Most of the big awards ceremonies there, such as they are, are performed in an air thick with self-referential irony, and one can't help but sense a residual feeling that this is all, well, too vulgar for words. But rather like a junkie, the British can't quite help craving what their heads tell them is bad for them. And there remains the sneaking feeling, nurtured from decades of exposure to American films and TV shows, that being big in Britain is not quite enough, that you haven't really made it until you've made it in Hollywood. So on the one hand there is a kind of superior disdain for the whole circus, and on the other a keenly patriotic desire to see Brits beating Americans at their own game. Many of us, of course, walk among you already, and have done for years. There are a staggering 400,000 Brits in Southern California. Whether Britain and America are divided, as the saying goes, by a common language, any ex-pat Brit will tell you that, contrary to any illusions we might have had before coming to live here, this cultural chasm that exists between us is certainly big enough to fall into. Having spent much of last year working on a BBC documentary about the British in Hollywood, I can more than attest to this fact. And in many ways, the Oscars demonstrate it superbly. The nominations announced Feb. 15 had a very fair sprinkling of British names. Sam Mendes, hitherto a much-praised London theater director, is of course the standout name in the list for his feature film debut with \"American Beauty.\" Along with him there was Samantha Morton (nominated for \"Sweet and Lowdown\"), Janet McTeer (\"Tumbleweeds\"), Jude Law (\"The Talented Mr. Ripley\") and that quintessence of a certain kind of Britishness, Michael Caine (\"The Cider House Rules\"). The British are becoming more and more used to coverage of all aspects of Hollywood and its personalities--even if, like the French, they hate themselves for it. Back in my hometown of London recently, I had the chance to examine this divided reaction by studying the British media's coverage of the Oscar nominations. It was extensive in both the tabloid and \"quality\" press. The general thrust was on how Brits had fared. Would we be storming the Shrine Auditorium this year? Was the British contingent a disappointingly small one? The Times hailed an \"outstanding lineup of British talent,\" which was \"on course for Oscar glory.\" If the favorite, \"American Beauty,\" wins, said the Standard, it would be \"a victory shaped and secured in an all-American movie by the British talent of Sam Mendes.\" Some considered the list a mixed bag for Britain; the Daily Telegraph saw the nominations as \"largely a disappointing affair for the big names of British cinema.\" But in the main, it was jolly, stirring stuff. When Brits do anything \"abroad,\" it generally brings back long-lost, subliminal memories of The Empire. That's when the more hackish of our journalists are moved to flights of patriotic fervor. And when there is a big Oscar triumph featuring prominent British talent or themes, as with \"The English Patient\" or \"Shakespeare in Love,\" the British media can even cheat a little and forget to mention the American money that got them made. Come the night of the Academy Awards, I will make sure that I find an all-American, no-holds-barred Oscar party to go to. Having grown up intrigued by the glamour of it all, I will be embracing it wholeheartedly. Acceptance speeches in British accents will be nice; I just won't immediately break into a rendition of \"God Save the Queen.\" * * * Peter Whittle is a documentary maker and TV broadcaster who has lived in Los Angeles for the past year."}, {"response": 833, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (12:15)", "body": "Here's something else I found interesting--will only post excerpts as the entire article is quite long. It's available on line at http://www.nytimes.com/library/film/031900oscars.html From The New York Times, 3/19/00 A Film Surprise This Year Is in the Audience as Well as on the Screen By RICK LYMAN HOLLYWOOD, March 18 -- Not so long ago, the way to promote a major mainstream movie was to put up a trailer that in the case of a comedy included all the best jokes and in the case of a drama included almost all the crucial plot points. Audiences craved the familiar. Knowing pretty much exactly what they were going to get was somehow comforting. \"It was almost like they were being ordered to go see the film,\" said Brian Grazer, co-founder of Imagine Entertainment. \"Knowing what was going to happen somehow made them more likely to go see it.\" But as Hollywood prepares for the 72nd annual Academy Awards on March 26 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, there is a growing sense among many filmmakers and movie professionals that something exciting and unexpected has happened to American moviemaking over the last half-decade and with increasing force in the last year: a fundamental shift in the taste of the mainstream movie audience. After two decades of formula comedy, feel-good tales and big budget he-man adventures, the mass audience seems much more willing to embrace movies that astonish them, even in unsettling or downbeat ways, and use fresh storytelling techniques to upend their expectations. The evidence for this, they say, is not merely in the roster of films vying for Oscars this year but also in the fact that many of the most offbeat and thematically challenging of them were also among the year's biggest box office hits. \"The early 80's was when the quote-unquote high-concept notion infected the studios, and infected is a good word for it,\" said Terry Press, chief of marketing at DreamWorks. \"The idea was that if you can't tell the story in two lines, don't make the movie because audiences won't get it. That has literally taken 20 years to die, but it's finally dead. It's been a long time coming.\" Amid the predictable fare in the list of the biggest box office hits of the last year are a significant number of genre-bending movies that seemed to spring from nowhere, packing a surprise punch or a subversive twist, like \"The Sixth Sense,\" \"American Beauty,\" \"Three Kings,\" \"The Blair Witch Project\" and \"The Matrix.\" Those are movies that could not stand up to that traditional, tell-all kind of promotional campaign and would lose their greatest appeal to audiences in doing so. \"It doesn't have to have a dark edge, but the idea of surprise is the crucial point,\" said Joe Roth, who left as president of Walt Disney Studios late last year and is now forming his own ministudio. \"The audience is way more sophisticated. They see it all. I mean, any medium-market city has something like 100 cable television channels and there's all the video and now DVD and the Internet. \"We're at the point now where if you come at the audience in the traditional way, they're way ahead of you. But if the public hears about something fresh and new, they're onto it immediately.\" /.../ Skeptics, of course, say it is just wishful thinking to believe that studios are about to abandon old formulas for a riskier, more sophisticated form of storytelling. What is happening now, they argue, may be more of a Prague Spring than an Endless Summer. \"I haven't yet noticed a major difference in the taste of the studios,\" said Marc Norman, who wrote the Oscar-winning script for \"Shakespeare in Love\" with Tom Stoppard. \"I can remember a brief moment during the making of 'Shakespeare in Love' when one of the marketing guys said if we could make it so the two main characters could go off together at the end it would be worth $10 million at the box office,\" Mr. Norman said. \"I don't know where he got that figure, but he said it with great assurance. \"We really had to fight to beat that back, saying that it would be cheap and against the thrust of the film up to that point,\" he continued. \"But I don't think we've reached the point now where some marketing executive would say, 'Gee, it would be worth $10 million more at the box office if you kill the star.' No, that's hard to imagine.\" It is always tricky to generalize about something as amorphous as audience tastes, especially as an emerging trend toward offbeat subjects and storytelling as presented in films like \"Sixth Sense\" and \"American Beauty.\" \"The problem is that sometimes audiences accept movies like that and sometimes they don't,\" said Bill Mechanic, chairman of Fox Film Entertainment. He was talking, among other things, about \"The Fight Club,\" a 20th Century Fox film that had a decidedly dark edge and employed fresh storytelling techniques but dropped with a thud at the box office last fall. /.../ Mr. Norman said that movies were in a more adventurous phase at the moment only because the older"}, {"response": 834, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (12:18)", "body": "Sorry, those 'excerpts' turned out to be longer than I expected. Thought you'd all enjoy reading Marc Norman's comments! ;-)"}, {"response": 835, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (12:45)", "body": "In 1997, Saul Zaentz and Anthony Minghella's \"The English Patient\" swept the Oscars, but three years later, the filmmakers and the cast (who deferred fees to get the picture made) are still waiting for distributor Miramax Films to pay them. Good grief! Thank Heaven for those P&P2 residuals;-) you mean to say that Meg is married to a 70 year old man? Correction: Meg is married to a very rich 70 year old man. ;-) What's the saying: \"Men marry for sex; women marry for security.\" Not that I'm implying MT's a gold digger, mind you. Besides, if Calley's got a bad heart, he probably didn't marry for sex, either;-) Interesting articles, Karen, Mari and Eileen -- thanks for sharing."}, {"response": 836, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (13:02)", "body": "Thanks, Mari. Loved the article. I think we can safely bet it won't be picked up by any of the newspapers mentioned. ;-) And Eileen! Whatever has happened to NYT? To have allowed such a boilerplate \"think\" piece? Gaah! And to have used Brian Grazer and Marc Norman as quotable sources? Hmmm, where did he find Marc Norman? Perhaps writing the sequel to Cutthroad Island? And then Brian Grazer, whose producer credits are filled with such avant garde films as: Bowfinger, EdTV, the Nutty Professor (and the soon-to-be-in-our theaters Nutty Professor II), Psycho remake, Liar Liar, Ransom, Sgt. Bilko, Backdraft, Kindergarten Cop... I could go on. This man lives in the world of \"sub-mainstream, idiot movies.\" Oh well, the insightfulness of those remarks has inspired me to write my \"post-mortem\" of the Oscars now. ;-)"}, {"response": 837, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (13:28)", "body": "(Karen) This man lives in the world of \"sub-mainstream, idiot movies.\" Aww, c'mon, he has such lovely hair. He and Opie are attached at the hip, after all. Grazer didn't say he hasn't gotten rich from all those H'wook formula movies he made. BTW, in hard copy this article appeared in the national section, not arts and leisure :-D"}, {"response": 838, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (13:41)", "body": "..three years later, the filmmakers and the cast (who deferred fees to get the picture made)are still waiting for distributor Miramax Films to pay them. Some of us have wondered if he ever got paid for SLOW....given the tenuous financial circumstances."}, {"response": 839, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (14:24)", "body": "(NYT writer) It is always tricky to generalize about something as amorphous as audience tastes, especially as an emerging trend toward offbeat subjects and storytelling as presented in films like \"Sixth Sense\" and \"American Beauty.\" About the only thing I agree with. Bill Mechanic, chairman of Fox Film Entertainment. He was talking, among other things, about \"The Fight Club,\" a 20th Century Fox film that had a decidedly dark edge and employed fresh storytelling techniques but dropped with a thud at the box office last fall. Fresh? I dunno 'bout that. It fell flat because it had a crappy \"MAINSTREAM\" ending. Guess that wasn't worth $10 million at the boxoffice. ;-) (Eileen) Aww, c'mon, he has such lovely hair. Yeah, next time we start carping about how can Livia let Colin out of the house dressed the way he is, Mrs. Brian Grazer should share the same blame. Aren't there laws against having hair like that? ;-)"}, {"response": 840, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (15:52)", "body": "I liked the Eddie Murphy \"Nutty Professor\"; it was very good example of its genre. (Please note the spelling of \"its\" Passionata.) It was a successful mass market mainstream comedy that actually wasn't aimed at 14 year old boys with ADD. I also thought that \"Bowfinger\" had some clever moments of Hollywood satire. What's wrong with using Marc Norman as a source? The man is a Hollywood player, and has been one for over 20 years. He was not just a writer of SIL, but one of the film's producers as well. \"American Beauty\" certainly is not a significant, genre bending movie. It deals with the cliche themes of rot and ruin in the middle class and mid-life crisis, nor does it do anything to transcend itself from being cliche. I've seen these themes handled much better in other films; the most recent notable example was Ang Lee's elegant and scathing \"The Ice Storm\". Although it is pedestrian, \"American Beauty\" is a goood enough movie to win the Oscar, and it probably will. That however, is my opinion, which is in the minority. The film has enough critics' awards to indicate I have the lesser-held viewpoint."}, {"response": 841, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (16:41)", "body": "(NYT writer) It is always tricky to generalize about something as amorphous as audience tastes, especially as an emerging trend toward offbeat subjects and storytelling as presented in films like \"Sixth Sense\" and \"American Beauty.\" (Karen),About the only thing I agree with. Sorry but the math does not add up. I always go see the offbeat films and end up sitting in the theatre with 6 other people. Holy Smoke with Kate Winslet and Harvey Keitel, Lovers on the Bridge with Juliette Binoche, The 9th Gate with Johnny Depp, the list goes on and on. Thanks for the article, Eileen."}, {"response": 842, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (17:35)", "body": "Hey, got a big laugh at Meg Tilly married to Mel Harris (Mel Harris is Melanie Harris!)"}, {"response": 843, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (20:00)", "body": "\"Hello Ladies! Do think of me on Oscar night, the offbeat guy.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 844, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (08:10)", "body": "Review of High Fidelity at the AICN site. Didn't even mention Nick Hornby, but loved it nonetheless. http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com/display.cgi?id=5470"}, {"response": 845, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (08:56)", "body": "Fabulous review of High Fidelity in Variety, written by someone intimately knowledgeable about the book and the characters: http://www.variety.com/filmrev/cfropen.asp?recordID=1117778809"}, {"response": 846, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (09:53)", "body": "(Karen) And then Brian Grazer, whose producer credits are filled with such avant garde films as: (...)Ransom(...) I could go on. This man lives in the world of \"sub-mainstream, idiot movies.\" C'mon, Karen, spare Ransom for me, will you? ;-)"}, {"response": 847, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (09:56)", "body": "(Gi) C'mon, Karen, spare Ransom for me, will you? ;-) Forgive me. This shouldn't be in the \"sub\" category. ;-)"}, {"response": 848, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (09:57)", "body": "C'mon, Karen, spare Ransom for me, will you? ;-) ROTFLOL. This is a hard crowd to please, Gi. Unless it's anything CF does.They beat the British critics any day;-)"}, {"response": 849, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (10:25)", "body": "(Gi) C'mon, Karen, spare Ransom for me, will you? ;-) Hee hee! Wouldn't have anything to do with the handsome, blue-eyed star, would it?"}, {"response": 850, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (12:34)", "body": "(EileenG)Hee hee! Wouldn't have anything to do with the handsome, blue-eyed star, would it? Can't hide anything from you, can I? ;-) But I didn't like Conspiracy Theory or Payback..."}, {"response": 851, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (13:51)", "body": "Check out the last paragraph especially. Oscar Delivers Big Bucks to Flicks By DAVID GERMAIN, AP Entertainment Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) -- ''The Cider House Rules'' doubled its money. ''American Beauty'' climbed past $100 million. ''The Sixth Sense'' is creeping toward the all-time top 10. Just what are the Oscars worth? Tens of millions of dollars at the box office for some top nominees. Many moviegoers are in their annual Oscar mode, scrambling to see best-picture contenders and other films with big nominations before they watch the Academy Awards this Sunday. ''Mainstream audiences across the country look for reasons to see a movie that maybe they haven't felt compelled to see yet,'' said Paul Dergarabedian, president of Exhibitor Relations Co., which tracks movie admissions. ''Oscar nominations are de facto word of mouth from a source they trust. Rather than a friend saying you've got to go see this movie, it's the Academy saying, 'Go see it.''' DreamWorks pulled ''American Beauty'' from all but a few theaters the weekend before Oscar nominations came out in mid-February, with plans to re-release it right after. The movie received a leading eight nominations, and is now in its its widest release yet, 1,650 theaters. It has added $28 million to its gross, hitting $103 million last weekend. ''American Beauty'' was a record 20th movie released last year to top $100 million, a figure it probably would not have approached without its best-picture and other nominations. ''I would love to tell you I knew this was going to happen, but when the movie came out, it would have been difficult for me to think it would do more than $35 million to $50 million,'' said Jim Tharp, DreamWorks' head of distribution. Smaller movies also benefit from the Oscars. With acting nominations for Hilary Swank and Chloe Sevigny, arthouse favorite ''Boys Don't Cry'' has risen from $3.7 million before the nominations to $6.8 million as of last weekend. With seven nominations, including one for best picture, ''The Cider House Rules'' quickly cashed in. In fairly narrow release, ''Cider House'' had grossed just $22.7 million before the nominations, but distributor Miramax has more than doubled the theater count to 1,738 since then. Like Miramax' best-picture contenders last year, ''Shakespeare in Love'' and ''Life Is Beautiful,'' the Oscar nominations have helped double the take for ''Cider House'' to $45.8 million. Last year's surprise blockbuster ''The Sixth Sense'' is on the verge of moving into 10th place all-time at the box office. Disney quadrupled the ghost story's theater count, to about 800, the weekend before the nominations. Since grabbing six nominations, including best picture, ''The Sixth Sense'' has rung up an additional $6.5 million, for a total of $288.5 million. That is just $1.8 million shy of ''The Empire Strikes Back.'' The best-picture nomination for ''The Green Mile'' has helped the death row saga add $10 million to its gross, pushing it to $134.4 million. The fifth best-picture hopeful, ''The Insider,'' is the only nominee that failed to capitalize. The movie took in a disappointing $26.7 million before the nominations and has added just $1.6 million since. Audiences may have viewed the story of real-life tobacco whistle-blower Jeffrey Wigand and his ''60 Minutes'' interview as too cerebral. ''It's an older demographic that watches '60 Minutes,''' Dergarabedian said. ''Those viewers will probably wait for the movie on video.''"}, {"response": 852, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (14:01)", "body": "tick tick tick LOL! as too cerebral. puh-leez"}, {"response": 853, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar 23, 2000 (13:27)", "body": "Ever wonder what the Oscar presenters get for their trouble?;-) Stars Treated As Royalty at Oscars LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Complimentary limousines. Free gowns. Jewels on loan. Oscar night for Hollywood royalty is all that and, it turns out, much, much more. Presenters ripping open the envelope and announcing ''The winner is ...'' at the Academy Awards get a thank-you basket of luxurious goodies from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. And it's not your usual fruit basket. Among other trinkets, Drew Barrymore, Annette Bening, Jane Fonda, Mel Gibson and others will be taking home a $1,700 TAG Heuer limited-edition 2000 Chronograph Grand Prix USA watch. There's also an $850 David Yurman Coil Charm Bracelet, a $450 Meisterstuck Solitaire stainless-steel ballpoint pen, a $185 Baccarat crystal heart, $59 Wolford Stay-Hip Sheer Tight bodywear, $38 Wolford cotton knee socks, Godiva chocolates and a bottle of Absolut Mandrin vodka. About 100 baskets have been assembled as gifts for Oscar presenters, who also include Ashley Judd, Tobey Maguire, Brad Pitt, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mike Myers, Edward Norton and little Haley Joel Osment. Other items: -- Alfred Dunhill silver letter opener and cufflinks. -- Lifetime VIP America Online membership. -- Bally Havana loafers. -- Kodak DC215 zoom digital camera. -- A year's worth of flowers and plants from www.garden.com. -- eGo portable MP3 player. -- Joe DiMaggio autographed baseball in display case. -- Getaway weekend at the Quail Lodge in Carmel. -- Two-night getaway suite at any Ritz Carlton worldwide. -- One-year bi-coastal Sports Club/LA health club membership."}, {"response": 854, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Mar 23, 2000 (15:08)", "body": "Hmmm.. Wonder if I can volunteer next year???"}, {"response": 855, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Mar 23, 2000 (16:25)", "body": "Or I? ;-)"}, {"response": 856, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar 23, 2000 (17:08)", "body": "Lifetime VIP America Online membership. So AOL has VIP now? I just have to say...NO COMMENT!"}, {"response": 857, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar 23, 2000 (19:14)", "body": "Hey, I'd do it for the DiMaggio baseball alone! (Moon) So AOL has VIP now? Yeah, you only get bounced off three times per average session, rather than the usual seven.;-) And in other Oscar news . . .looks like the Wall Street Journal is going ahead with its plan to publish the results of its Oscar voters poll in tomorrow's edition. Seems like they polled enough people to yield a statistically valid result. What a bunch of killjoy spoilsports! Hasn't the WSJ better things to worry about, like, I don't know, money stuff.;-) ;-) And yes, of course, I'll read the article.;-)"}, {"response": 858, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Mar 23, 2000 (19:24)", "body": "How to become an Oscar presentor -- get photographed in a Jennifer Lopez dress :-) I'd volunteer, but I'm allergic to tape."}, {"response": 859, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 24, 2000 (08:36)", "body": "From today's Baz's column in the DM (thanks to Aishling) \"\"The Donmar's mesmerising revival of Tom Stoppard's THE REAL THING, starring JE and SD, starts up next week, to record advance bookings\". ~~~~~~~ Alliance Atlantis press release: SUNSHINE opens in UK April 28th."}, {"response": 860, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 24, 2000 (08:38)", "body": ""}, {"response": 861, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 24, 2000 (08:41)", "body": "From today's Guardian: Hornby's unfaithful film wins rave review They said it was sacrilege and a sell-out to Hollywood. But after enduring a chorus of complaints for allowing the film of his novel High Fidelity to be transplanted to Chicago because it was deemed too British, the writer Nick Hornby can allow himself a wry smile this morning. For he and the film's British director, Stephen Frears - who has also come in for criticism for not sticking with its north London setting - have a huge hit on their hands. Variety, the film industry bible, has given their movie, about an obsessive record shop owner who lists his life in top ten moments, the kind of review studios dream of. \"Top five reasons why High Fidelity is some kind of wonderful,\" it begins. \"1) John Cusack's fresh, fearless and ferociously funny lead performance; 2) a trenchantly witty and acutely insightful script; 3) surprising faithfulness to first rate source material; 4) cunningly graceful direction by Stephen Frears, who manoeuvres through mood swings and tempo variegations; and 5) this is the first great date movie of 2000.\" The pair, who are preparing for the premiere in Los Angeles next week, are said to be \"well chuffed\". Frears' wife, Annie Rothenstein, said the plaudits felt doubly sweet. \"There's been all the aggro about setting the film in Chicago, and rubbish about Stephen going to Hollywood and selling out, when all he has ever done is flirt with it. It's a great film - it's very funny, popular stuff, handled in a really intelligent way.\" Although Hornby's first book, the semi-autobiographical soccer memoir Fever Pitch, transferred badly to the big screen, he said even if he had gripes with an adaptation he'd keep them to himself. \"Goodness no, you can't complain,\" he said. \"It would be like making a leather jacket, selling it and then complaining you don't want a fat person to wear it.\""}, {"response": 862, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 24, 2000 (10:14)", "body": "Thanks Karen....the financial n'papers are all glowing about the big hit Disney has on their hands.Lots of trailers on TV.Sneak preview here tonight.The success is probably not due to the change in locale ...it's no doubt a better script and a well known, experienced director.(Didn't he do \"Dangerous Liaisons\" with JM?) .... Fever Pitch, transferred badly to the big screen, IMO due to Hornby's poor script.(Author's don't always make good screenwriters...different skill)"}, {"response": 863, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar 24, 2000 (11:53)", "body": "(Donna DL) get photographed in a Jennifer Lopez dress :-) I have a bet with my DH that Billy Crystal is going, at some point, to come out in a knock-off of that dress."}, {"response": 864, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 24, 2000 (13:57)", "body": "(Evelyn) \"The Donmar's mesmerising revival of Tom Stoppard's THE REAL THING, starring JE and SD, starts up next week, to record advance bookings\". Great news; glad I bagged my ticket early! See, Evelyn, I told you, nothing to worry about.;-) ********** (Karen quoting NH) \"Goodness no, you can't complain,\" he said. \"It would be like making a leather jacket, selling it and then complaining you don't want a fat person to wear it.\" This is a riot; Nick is absolutely right. Glad for everybody involved that this looks like a good one. They changed the commercial in my area, and the new one is much better. ********* In case anybody hasn't seen the results of the Wall Street Journal's Oscar voters poll--and you want to know--read on: Film--American Beauty Director--Sam Mendes, AB Actor--Denzel Washington, The Hurricane Actress--Hilary Swank, Boys Don't Cry Supporting Actor--Michael Caine--The Cider House Rules Supporting Actress--Angelina Jolie, Girl Interrupted The Best Actor race is the closest, with Washington slightly ahead of Kevin Spacey. So glad for Hilary Swank (if this poll is correct). That was an amazingly good performance. She deserves it."}, {"response": 865, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 24, 2000 (14:50)", "body": ""}, {"response": 866, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar 24, 2000 (14:50)", "body": "(if this poll is correct) WSJ rep was on ET or AH (can't tell them apart) last night; called the poll \"informal\" and \"not scientific.\" Does the article include any info about how many members participated? WSJ's mission was accomplished--grab sensational headlines in manner of tabloid. What's next? \"Space Alien Announces IPO?\" Aargh!"}, {"response": 867, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 24, 2000 (15:05)", "body": "(Donna DL) get photographed in a Jennifer Lopez dress :-) Might I suggest a few strategically placed doilies? (Eileen) I have a bet with my DH that Billy Crystal is going, at some point, to come out in a knock-off of that dress. Who says he will? ;-) What would be funnier is if David Duchovny wore it and walked out with him so he could just go right into his Best Picture parody spiel. Am trying to imagine which scenes he will use. For The Green Mile, definitely when whatshisname \"cures\" Tom Hanks' urinary tract infection. ;-) Mari, wonder how many voters took the Academy's advice to lie to the WSJ?"}, {"response": 868, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 24, 2000 (15:38)", "body": "Did WSJ also say what the stars were going to wear?;-) This year that's all I'm interested in...Remember last year?..We were all wondering of Colin and Livia would attend?And the excitement of SIL winning?...Karen and I were telephoning at midnight!! ~~~~~~~~~ Re: TRT ..(Mari)Great news; glad I bagged my ticket early! See, Evelyn, I told you, nothing to worry about.;-) Yeah...but the Barrymore has almost 1000 seats to fill nightly...twice on Wed and Sat....at outrageous prices. Like Gi, I'm superstitious....those Tony blurbs ain't goin up til we're there!!"}, {"response": 869, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Fri, Mar 24, 2000 (15:53)", "body": "(Evelyn)...a well known, experienced director.(Didn't he do \"Dangerous Liaisons\" with JM?) Yes. Stephen Freas did direct \"Dangerous Liaisons\", which Christopher Hampton adapted from his own play based on the Chodoleros de Laclos novel."}, {"response": 870, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 24, 2000 (16:01)", "body": "From NY TIMES Theatre Section.... Re: The Roundabout Theatre Company \"Design for Living\" by No\ufffdl Coward is to open next February, with Joe Mantello directing. Mr. Mantello said he can't confirm any casting, but Alan Cumming, Julianne Moore and Rupert Everett have been mentioned. \" Hmmmmmmm...wishful thinking:-)...."}, {"response": 871, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 24, 2000 (17:24)", "body": "RE: the WSJ poll. I borrowed the paper from a colleague at work, so I don't have it here, but my recollection was that they contacted about 1400 voting members, and got responses from about 400 of them (the other 1,000 declined to participate). There are about 5,600 voting members altogether; if I recall anything from college Stat class (aside from how to sleep with my eyes open;-) that would seem to be a statistically valid sample numbers wise, but it's probably not absolutely representative of the membership which is why I'd imagine they are fudging and calling it \"unscientific.\" As I recall, Best Director and both supporting categories were slam dunks; for example Michael Caine had twice as many votes as his nearest competitor (Haley Joel Osment). Cider House was running second to American Beauty, but it wasn't that close. Best Actress--Hilary Swank was fairly far ahead of Bening, but oddly enough most respondents thought Bening would win. Best Actor--Denzel was 7% ahead of Spacey, and they said it was probably too close to call. Well, they'll have mucho egg on their face if they're wrong, which I sort of hope they are. I like to have a little suspense.;-) You know CF and Livia were at the Miramax Oscar party last year, right? I'd imagine at the awards show, too, but don't know that for sure."}, {"response": 872, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Fri, Mar 24, 2000 (18:11)", "body": "Yes, I was at Harvey's party. He asked me to p\ufffdt on a skit and I told him \"no way\""}, {"response": 873, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 24, 2000 (18:11)", "body": "ET just said there were 356 responses, which represented 6% of the total (about 5,900) - a number that was not statistically valid. And they are naming names. Who voted for who. :-("}, {"response": 874, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 24, 2000 (18:47)", "body": "(Karen) ET just said there were 356 responses, which represented 6% of the total (about 5,900) - a number that was not statistically valid. And they are naming names. Who voted for who. :-( Far be it from me to question the math brain trust at ET.;-) Like I said, I was practicing for Eyes Wide Shut.;-) The only people I recall as being quoted in the article were Amy Irving, Ernest Borgnine (who I think said something like he voted for Cider House because who wants to watch dysfunctional families and adulterers (alluding to AB), Alan King, and Buddy Hackett (who dissed poor little Haley Joel). Notice they didn't quote anybody who has any power whatsoever in Hollyweird; they're not stupid. But if they were going to name names, they should have at least quoted people who actually appear in movies!:-( (\"Colin\") Yes, I was at Harvey's party. He asked me to p\ufffdt on a skit and I told him \"no way\" I don't blame you. I wouldn't put a skirt on for him either.;-)"}, {"response": 875, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 24, 2000 (19:43)", "body": "(Passionata)Yes, I was at Harvey's party. He asked me to p\ufffdt on a skit and I told him \"no way\" Correction: \"No bloody way.\""}, {"response": 876, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Mar 25, 2000 (08:54)", "body": "Was the food any good at Harvey's party Colin? Also, why do spell \"p\ufffdt\" with that German mark of punctuation above the letter \"u\"? In reaction to the \"Wall Street Journal\" sampling, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has strongly cautioned its members against speaking to the press in regard to their voting. Perhaps no big Hollywood names responded because they hold liberal political view and do not want to be quoted in that big business rag and Repulican opinion bastion \"The Wall Street Journal\"."}, {"response": 877, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 25, 2000 (10:12)", "body": "Long article about Eric Fellner and Tim Bevan of Working Title in The Telegraph. No mention of Bridget, although: What Bevan and Fellner did brilliantly was use the success of Four Weddings to trade up. All of a sudden the talent agents who really run Hollywood were returning their calls, and the clarity with which Bevan and Fellner perceived that fact and the care they take to schmooze has been vital to their success. 'They're the gatekeepers,' says Bevan. 'We've got Nic Cage in this Corelli movie entirely thanks to our relationship with the agency because, at the end of the day, Captain Corelli's Mandolin - why the fuck would Nic Cage want to read that?' Also says that Fellner pals around with Hugh (golfing). Argh! http://www.telegraph.co.uk:80/et?ac=000576481449931&rtmo=wQf5fieb&atmo=tttttttd&pg=/et/00/3/25/tlwork25.html Think I'm going to watch Elizabeth on Showtime this week to check out \"Handsome Man\" on barge. ;-)"}, {"response": 878, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Mar 25, 2000 (10:17)", "body": "Mr. Bevan, such language!"}, {"response": 879, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Mar 25, 2000 (11:26)", "body": "Was that the F word in our little circle? AB is said to have her doctor on hand and her suitcase packed tomorrow night, just in case. What a drag not to be able to wear an extravagantly beautiful gown on your Oscar night. I can not understand why Sean Penn or Jude Law are not really in the running with their outstanding performances. I have seen Kevin S act in the same way too many times, and that goes for Densel W as well. I thought AB did a much better job in What Planet are You From than in AB."}, {"response": 880, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sat, Mar 25, 2000 (11:53)", "body": "(Moon Dreams) AB is said to have her doctor on hand and her suitcase packed tomorrow night, just in case. What a drag not to be able to wear an extravagantly beautiful gown on your Oscar night. I heard on the news yesterday that designers were besieging AB offering to make her an outfit. Must be nice to have a designer maternity evening gown :-)"}, {"response": 881, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Mar 25, 2000 (13:20)", "body": "why do spell \"p\ufffdt\" with that German mark of punctuation above the letter \"u\"? Well spotted, Cheryl. Our Passionate Colin probably uses a German keyboard. She (he?) also uses a German based ISP, the discovery of which upset our regular German poster (currently computerless due to HD failure). Come on, \"Colin\", be man enough to admit that this round is over. ;-)"}, {"response": 882, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Mar 26, 2000 (11:15)", "body": "Let Renate know we miss her. She need never fear we'd mistake her for our androgynous friend."}, {"response": 883, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Mar 26, 2000 (17:38)", "body": "Hi, all been a while since I posted. This is a question for Evelyn... Evelyn, I'm going back to NYC for my 32nd bday (can you believe that!?!), I'd like to see the Real Thing if it's open and not sold out. What are the odds? It would be at the beginning of April? (I think April 8-9th), if not, what would you recommend? Any and all help for anyone here would be appreciative. (Um, Art has already said NO MUSICALS:))"}, {"response": 884, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (00:55)", "body": "MAKING A CRISIS OUT OF DRAMA: THE BATTLE DYKE MUST FIGHT IN WAR WITH ITV The Independent (27-Mar-2000) The director general of the BBC, Greg Dyke, has a battle on his hands of the most dramatic kind if he is to wrestle the public away from ITV in the bitter ratings war. BBC drama is increasingly perceived as lagging woefully behind ITV and is in need of a huge injection of cash, or new talent, or some other magic ingredient. Mr Dyke's problem is that matters are getting worse, not better. The corporation's drama department is wincing over the ratings failure of its gothic monstrosity Gormenghast and the mediocre performance of middle-of-the road series such as Sunburn, Harbour Lights and Playing the Field. It is also being roundly beaten on the sheer amount of drama that it produces. ITV's drama budget is now a whopping pounds 253m, against pounds 152m for BBC 1. The pounds 101m difference, not surprisingly, shows up onscreen. ITV boasts of having a \"drama special\" about every 10 days - often with big stars such as Robson Green, John Thaw or Ross Kemp. BBC executives are, obviously, envious. Last week, the controller of BBC 1, Peter Salmon, went so far as to make a public plea for more money for drama, expressing the fear that unless he got extra cash, BBC 1 would start to look like a factual channel. Mr Dyke is aware that \"something must be done\". And that something needs to happen sooner rather than later, because of a new development at ITV. A few months ago, the commercial network was delighted when its adaptation of Oliver Twist got bigger audiences than the BBC's period drama Wives and Daughters when the two were scheduled against each other. ITV executives had taken on the BBC in its core territory - costume drama - and won. That success has given the network an appetite for more. On Wednesday, ITV bosses will announce a massive new drama portfolio with a number of costume dramas in the line-up. An expensive production of Nicholas Nickleby is, they believe, the jewel in the ITV crown. The programme has been commissioned and is currently being cast. That will be followed by an adaptation of Thomas Hardy's The Mayor of Casterbridge (a project the BBC, it is said, was also keen on), and three plays by Hollywood's hottest writer - William Shakespeare. New adaptations of Othello, King Lear and Hamlet are on their way. The man behind the new programmes is ITV's Nick Elliott - who is regarded as the most successful drama commissioner in Britain. Over the past year he has managed to secure a massive 36 per cent increase in the amount that ITV is spending on peaktime drama and, he confirms, he is now investing in a team of ITV \"super-actors\" to pull in ratings. David Jason and John Thaw are the team's backbone. They have recently been joined by Ross Kemp, poached from BBC's EastEnders, and Amanda Burton, star of the successful BBC series Silent Witness. Robson Green has also been recruited and Mr Elliott says he will soon sign up one more actress to complete the team. It is not surprising that the television industry is buzzing with rumours that Mr Dyke would like to poach Mr Elliott. The two men get along well, and have been dining together of late. Mr Elliott and Mr Dyke go back a long way. They are both, like Sir John Birt and the BBC chairman, Sir Christopher Bland, former high-flyers at London Weekend Television - in industry terms, part of the LWT mafia. The snag is that Mr Elliott is said to be wary of the BBC. He went there a few years ago, persuaded by his friend Sir John. He was immensely successful, presiding over the launch of Ballykissangel, Hetty Wainthrop Investigates and Silent Witness. But he lasted months rather than years. Friends say he did not enjoy the relentless in-house politicking and grinding bureaucracy. Mr Dyke will have his work cut out if he is to persuade Mr Elliott to give the corporation a second chance. Another element in the equation is Alan Yentob - the BBC's director of television. Under Mr Dyke's new management structure, Mr Yentob is expected to be moved to a more \"creative\" role. The veteran BBC boss, insiders say, may regard this as a demotion. It might also put him in charge of the drama problem - a position perceived as inconsistent with any idea of Mr Elliott returning to the corporation. In the meantime, Mr Elliott is busy strengthening the ITV drama armoury further still. He has up his sleeve a television drama called Cor Blimey, which will be based on the love affair of Barbara Windsor and Sid James and feature a cameo appearance by Windsor. He is also about to reveal a drama, Little Bird, which will star Amanda Burton and be loosely based on last year's news story of a couple who ran away with their foster children to escape social services. Another drama, Fat Friends, will follow the varying fortunes of a bunch of women who belong to the same weight-loss class. This Easter, ITV is expecting a huge audience for its new adaptation of E Nesbit's The Railway Childr"}, {"response": 885, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (00:57)", "body": "and now for something completely different. Oscar attire: Best Dress (so far): tie. Hilary Swank and Julianne Moore Worst Dress (and hair): Gwyneth (so much for once having a good sense of style)"}, {"response": 886, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (07:27)", "body": "My son broke his leg (the tibia in three points), last night at his hockey practice! It ruined my Oscar night. :-( Cher and Jane Fonda looked ridiculous. Gwynnie has got to get her act together. Billy Crystal was not v. funny. And the whole show had a corporate feel. Jack and Warren are stsarting to show their age poor guys. James Colbourn (Sp?), who is older looks much better. Gi, your Mel looked good as did Jude and Brad. Sam Mendes lives on Primrose Hill as does my good friend, she knows everyone there and vice versa, I will ask her about him. :-) Am off to the Doctor with my son. I hope to check back later."}, {"response": 887, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (07:53)", "body": "(Moon)My son broke his leg (the tibia in three points), last night at his hockey practice! It ruined my Oscar night. :-( Oh Moon, I always say that sports is bad for your health but nobody listens ;-) Seriously, I hope everything goes well with the treatment (is he going to have surgery?) and he gets well soon. Jack and Warren are stsarting to show their age poor guys. They are not the only ones... They should choose their plastic surgeons better ;-) Gi, your Mel looked good as did Jude and Brad. He did, didn't he? Although I thought I perceived a little bald patch ;-) Could be the gel though. Sam Mendes lives on Primrose Hill as does my good friend, she knows everyone there and vice versa, I will ask her about him. :-) I believe he is of Portuguese descent? The show here was from 2 to 6.30 a.m., I only watched the beginning and the end because Patas is ill and woke me up with his coughing. It's being aired in Digest form today, I'll check the dresses if I get to see it ;-)"}, {"response": 888, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (08:26)", "body": "Oh, Moon, how awful about your son. :-( Take care and I hope everything mends quickly. What's he doing playing hockey? Jude Law also lives in the Primrose Hill area. Re: Sam Mendes Here's a link to an interview with him from the Telegraph in 1998. I remembered it contained info on his background, Gi. http://www.telegraph.co.uk:80/et?ac=000576481449931&rtmo=quJRMb99&atmo=tttttttd&pg=/et/98/9/19/btmend19.html Billy Crystal was not v. funny. Looked like the place went up for grabs when he made that comment about Judi Dench and her thong. :-)"}, {"response": 889, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (09:03)", "body": "...and could there have been two more glum faces than Chloe Sevigny and Russell Crowe? Well, at least he cracked a smile when Billy Crystal said Crowe wanted a cigarette. ;-) (and Chloe's on my ugly attire list)"}, {"response": 890, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (09:11)", "body": "Very sorry to hear about your son's accident Moon, hope it is not too painful and that it won't be too long before he is back on the Hockey field."}, {"response": 891, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (09:20)", "body": "Pre-Oscar Parties: The Hosts: Miramax Films' Harvey and Bob Weinstein. The Setting: Regent Beverly Wilshire on Saturday night. The Guests: Kevin Spacey, Gwyneth Paltrow, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Jude Law, Michael Caine, Judi Dench, Meryl Streep, Lasse Hallstrom, Anthony Minghella, John Irving, Tobey Maguire, Uma Thurman, Ethan Hawke, Quentin Tarantino, Delroy Lindo, Heavy D, Paul Rudd, Scott Rosenberg, Rachael Leigh Cook, Sydney Pollack, Wes Craven, Diane Warren, MGM's Chris McGurk, Disney's Michael Eisner, WMA's Jim Wiatt, CAA's Josh Lieberman, ICM's Chris Andrews, Nick Wechsler, Dylan McDermott, Buena Vista's Jere Hausfater, Kyle MacLachlan, Lawrence Bender, Richard Gladstein. The Buzz: Once partygoers got past about two dozen placard-carrying anti-abortion protesters outside the hotel, they settled into the most entertaining of the pre-Oscar bashes: Miramax's fourth annual Max Awards. The highlight of this year's \"talent contest\" -- where actors cross-dress and portray comically altered scenes from Miramax films -- was Ben Affleck doing a dead-on impression of Harvey Weinstein as a teacher in \"Music of the Heart,\" or as one player put it: \"The Weinstein House Rules.\" Other readings included Minghella as Maguire and Spacey in a blond wig as Charlize Theron doing the drive-in theater romantic scene from \"The Cider House Rules,\" and Judi Dench as Jude Law and Michael Caine as Matt Damon in \"The Talented Mr. Ripley.\" \"Everyone works for Miramax for free ... always,\" joked Spacey, prompting one attendee to call out: \"I hope you're listening Michael Eisner.\" After a rousing rendition of \"Americana, Americana\" that had the entire party clapping, the evening ended with a twist on the fa iliar quotation from \"The Cider House Rules\": \"Good night, you princes of Tribeca, you queens of West Hollywood.\""}, {"response": 892, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (09:45)", "body": "Sorry to hear about your son's hockey misfortune, Moon. Yeech, wearing a cast in hot weather! I thought Billy was a riot, though. That opening film sequence laid me out (\"look out! It's Stephen King!\"--he's sooo bad). The bit about what's-her-name having one of the still-missing Oscar statuettes hidden in her hideous green 'cat in the hat' headgear was pretty funny also. IMO Billy's much better than Whoopi. Thought Cher looked better than in the past; was howling when she fought with the train of her dress. How about Angelina's get up? *cue music* The Addams family started...when Uncle Fester fa-- oops, that's not how it's supposed to go ! Agree that Gwynnie looked a shadow of her former self (something's not right with her) but she looked alot better last night than she did at the GGs. Could Russell Crowe have looked more bored? Could ABC's pre-Oscar show have been any worse? Tyra Banks was horrendous! Annette looked marvelous--huge, but marvelous. It was nice to hear Sam thank the Donmar."}, {"response": 893, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (09:50)", "body": "(and Chloe's on my ugly attire list) The dress was OK, the jewelry was a bit much, but her hair, Louisa! She looked as though she slept in those pink foam rollers I used when I was a kid. I hope she didn't pay anyone for that do. The Buzz Sounds like it was a riot."}, {"response": 894, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (09:54)", "body": "Speaking of pre-game shows, anyone catch the end of E!'s show with Joan and Melissa? It ended a half hour before the Oscar telecast, when ABC picked up with its pregame. Joan was yelling to Melissa to \"get off the mic,\" \"they aren't paying us,\" etc. Then Melissa (clearly embarrassed) was trying to get her mother calmed down. Joan was mad (possibly because only ABC could broadcast from the red carpet area during that timeframe and everyone else had to stop). It was a hideous display. Surprised there isn't anything in the news about it."}, {"response": 895, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (10:00)", "body": "(Karen) anyone catch the end of E!'s show with Joan and Melissa? Missed it--was watching Baba Wawa's *ho-hum* special. I wish E! was able to continue 'til kickoff, though--I'm no Joan and Missy fan but anything would have been better than ABC's horror show. I was watching E! earlier and there were several occasions in which Joan thought she was off the air when she wasn't."}, {"response": 896, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (11:47)", "body": "Laura, yes, you will be able to seats for TRT ...the Barrymore is huge.Has lousy accustics,though,I saw\"Amy'sView\"there and could hardly hear f rom the balcony.I hope they body-mike SD.Get orchestra,now from tele-charge:212-239-6200.\"Copenhagen\" coming from the West End (now with American cast)got rave reviews in UK Um, Art has already said NO MUSICALS:)) Good man...(she said as she has tickets for \"Aida\");-) ~~~~~~~ (Karen)Best Dress (so far): tie. Hilary Swank and Julianne Moore Think so?? Hilary Swank looked like a Scarlett O'Hara \"drag queen\" . something definitely wrong with Gwynnie and Warren Beatty(20 years older than Annette). The guy was incoherent.Liked Billy Crystal...though cheap shot about Judi Dench. Esp.since she didn't get equal time."}, {"response": 897, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (13:02)", "body": "My favorite Oscar Ceremonies blunder was when Jane Fonda announced that it was her pleasure to prevent, pause, present this award to Andrzej Wajda. Liked the opening film montage with Billy Crystal, and absolutely loved the production number for \"Blame Canada\" with Robin Williams. My choice for best dressed woman was Cate Blanchett, with runner-up honors going to Hilary Swank and Annette Bening. I also thought Nicole Kidman very striking in a couture Dior gown, but that dress isn't for all tastes. The absoulute worst was Cameron Diaz, what was that mess she was wearing? It puts the \"U\" in ugly. Judi Dench looked very elegant and lovely, a really great dress for an older woman. The best speech was undoubtably Michael Caine's, wonderfully gracious and generous. The worst speech was that of Kevin Spacey; he came off as a shallow, self-absorbed ass. Boring. The evenings most pleasant surprise, to me, was \"The Red Violin\" winning for Best Score. A great score in a great film. \"The Red Violin\" was one of my picks for number one on my own 1999's Ten Best Film List. It tied at number one with \"All About My Mother\", which snared Oscar as the Best Foriegn Language film. The other thing I was glad to see was Hilary Swank winning Best Actress. It was good to see the person who actually deserved the Oscar getting it."}, {"response": 898, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (13:59)", "body": "(Evelyn) Hilary Swank looked like a Scarlett O'Hara \"drag queen\" Huh? I didn't see any tassels or curtain swags. ;-) (Cheryl) It was good to see the person who actually deserved the Oscar getting it. I'm sure it was just oversight that you forgot to add \"in my opinion.\" ;-) My personal fav has been Janet McTeer from day one, but am v. glad she was nominated. Category Most Deserving Being Dropped: Best Song Argh! They were all losers IMO, especially when you look back on the good songs that were written for the movies long ago. Loved Dionne doing Alfie and could've sworn that was the same production number for Shaft (mini version though) as was done years ago. Still remember it. ;-)"}, {"response": 899, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (14:23)", "body": "Janet McTeer was wonderful and did, in fact, win the Best Actress award from the National Board of Review, a very prestigious award."}, {"response": 900, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (14:29)", "body": "...worst speech was that of Kevin Spacey; But his openner was a hoot..\"This is the highlight of my day..\" reminiscent of the openning shower scene in American Beauty. ~~~~~~ Everyone seems to like Hilary Swank's dress...hmmmm. Ya' like those hooped skirt numbers , uh? Now, Penelope Cruz looked stunning."}, {"response": 901, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (14:30)", "body": "(Cheryl) My choice for best dressed woman was Cate Blanchett She looked great, didn't she? The absoulute worst was Cameron Diaz, what was that mess she was wearing? The frontless thing? It didn't do much for her (but I'm sure the men in the audience were pleased by some revealing side shots during the pre-game show). My 'U for Ugly' (or should that be 'F' for...) award has to go to Tyra Banks' purple Barbie-wouldn't-even-wear-this fluffball thing. loved the production number for \"Blame Canada\" with Robin Williams Agree it was a great way to divert potential controversy (hardly deserving of same, IMO), but the big number? Ugh. It was loads better than last year's tap dancing to the theme from SPR, though. The best speech was undoubtably Michael Caine's, wonderfully gracious and generous Absolutely agree. Winners have been recognizing their co-nominees for years but he did it in a way that was fresh and sincere. (Karen) Category Most Deserving Being Dropped: Best Song Argh! They were all losers IMO Yeah, what if 'Blame' had won?"}, {"response": 902, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (14:34)", "body": "v. funny play-by-play of the Oscar ceremony at film.com. Running gag about Annette doing all those standing ovations and still not having gone into labor. Comments like: (although we're still not sure what Peter Coyote, giving his best impersonation of a headwaiter, was doing at that little desk) Gwyneth Paltrow, with a bad case of bed head Roberto Benigni runs around the stage for a while and says he'd like to be a dog Angelina Jolie (Girl, Interrupted), who's wearing some sort of Elvira getup with major hair extensions. Mike Myers, Heather Graham, and Heather's cleavage present the award for Best Sound http://www.film.com/reviews/features/awards/99oscars/"}, {"response": 903, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (15:04)", "body": "The Independent Spirit Awards, Hollywood's annual celebration of independent and low-budget film, were given out on Saturday, March 25. The awards are voted on by the 9,000 members of the Independent Feature Project. They were handed out on a marquee on Santa Monica Beach in a star-studded ceremony, attended by 1,200 people. Election won 3 awards, they were for Best Feature, Best Director - Alexander Payne, and Best Screenplay - Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor. Richard Farnsworth, a 79-year-old former stuntman, won as Best Male Lead for his role in \"Straight Story\". \"Boys Don't Cry\" won the categories, Best Female Lead - Hilary Swank and Best Supporting Female - Chloe Sevigny. Other winners included \"Being John Malkovich\" for Best First Screenplay - Charlie Kaufman and Best First Feature(over $500,000). Steve Zahn for Best Supporting Male for his perfomance in \"Happy, Texas\". Lisa Rinzler for Best Cinematography - \"The Three Seasons\". Kimberly J. Brown was cited for Best Debut Performance for her work in \"Tumbleweeds\". Winning for Best First Feature(under $500,000) was \"The Blair Witch Project\". \"Run Lola Run\" from Germany was named Best Foreign Film."}, {"response": 904, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (15:52)", "body": "1. Where have Gwynie's SiL \"boobies\" disappeared to? 2. Thanks for the link, Karen. 3. A comment I heard on television today: \"Seems that the best way for an actress to get an Oscar is to dress as a boy... This year and last year as well... \""}, {"response": 905, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (17:13)", "body": "loved the production number for \"Blame Canada\" with Robin Williams I liked the Gap production number ;-) No one like Phil Collins singing the song from Tarzan? ~~~ Thanks Karen for the link."}, {"response": 906, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (17:19)", "body": "(Evelyn) I liked the Gap production number ;-) Gotta agree. They were great. Three dance numbers from West Side Story and even went with Billy Crystal's \"Tonight\" ;-) Who does their advertising? It's fantastic."}, {"response": 907, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (17:54)", "body": "Thank you for all your kinds words. My son has a cast that is set over his knee. Bad multiple fractures and the cast will stay on for 3 months! I am exhausted! My 16th wedding anniversary is on April Fools Day and we were going away but now all has changed. :-( Back to Oscar... I loved Kate Blanchette's dress! The halter dress was in. Cameron's dress was Versace. It looked more like something to wear around the house (heehee, I am giving myself away). I do not like Galliano and thought Nicole Kidman's dress was a half thought. I usually like the way she dresses. I basically agree with the comments on Robin W and Caine and found Benigni very toned down. They must have given him something. ;-) You should see him in Italy! Tu vuol far l'americano ma sei natto in Italy!"}, {"response": 908, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (18:38)", "body": "Sorry to hear about your son's misfortune, Moon. ****** Renate says \"hallo\" to all: she misses you and wants to reassure you that she definitely isn't \"that silly little thing\" (reference: Heide's comment.)"}, {"response": 909, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (19:29)", "body": "Sorry to hear about your son Moon. Three months, it must be a bad one. The hardest thing is to keep them amused especially after about a month. I was surprised at the resemblence between the young Michael Caine, in Alfie and Jude Law."}, {"response": 910, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (20:46)", "body": "I swore I wasn't going to check in on this topic but I took some Pepto Bismol and feel better now. ;-) First, terribly sorry about your son, Moon. Poor baby, poor Mom. My 16th wedding anniversary is on April Fools Day And you're still married!? ;-) Sorry, everyone I know who married on April Fools Day have gotten divorced but I think after 16 years you've gotten over the humps. I'll wait for Joan's Oscar fashion critique next Saturday but my #1 worst was Angelina Jolie. The Addams Family indeed, Eileen. And what kind of kinky thing does she have going on with her brother? I thought Jane Fonda looked great - so glad she cut her hair but she I guess it's too late for her neck. Ooh, those wrinkles. Yeah, I can only hope I look that good when I'm 60. Agree James Coburn looked better than Jack and Warren. Jack's starting to look more and more like Mr. Whipple of Charmin fame with that little muzzy and... (Gi) They should choose their plastic surgeons better ;-) LOL! You might want to give Warren your card. (Eileen) Could Russell Crowe have looked more bored? But he sure looks sexy when he's bored. (Well, I thought so!). Where was Jodie Foster? (Cheryl) The worst speech was that of Kevin Spacey; ... Boring. I'm afraid I fell asleep before that. Everything was too longgggg. (Evelyn) But his openner was a hoot.. Sorry I missed it. I got a big hoot too when he presented the (?) award he was supposed to do with Annette and said if she won the Best Actress Oscar, she'd crawl up to the stage on all fours. (Karen) Loved Dionne doing Alfie and could've sworn that was the same production number for Shaft Definitely the highlights of that segment for me. Ray Charles was ok but he ruined that beautiful song \"All The Way\". Finally Dionne came on and showed the others some class."}, {"response": 911, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (21:06)", "body": "There's a complete rundown of the Oscars in the movie topic 29, including all my goofy opinions and a blow by blow description of the night."}, {"response": 912, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 28, 2000 (07:17)", "body": "Thank you, Arami, Lucie and Heide. It will be a long 3 months. (Heide), My 16th wedding anniversary is on April Fools Day And you're still married!? ;-) We play great jokes on each other on that day. ;-) (Heide), I'll wait for Joan's Oscar fashion critique next Saturday but my #1 worst was Angelina Jolie. The Addams Family indeed, Eileen. And what kind of kinky thing does she have going on with her brother? Agreed! And did you notice she always leaves after the award? She did that at the GGs too."}, {"response": 913, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Tue, Mar 28, 2000 (08:44)", "body": "I'll have to fast forward to Angelina Jolie on my tivo recording to see what you're talking about, moon."}, {"response": 914, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 28, 2000 (08:48)", "body": "From The Times: Oscar star Mendes puts his 'family' first He was the toast of Hollywood with five Oscars for his debut film, but Sam Mendes did not forget the London theatre where he made his name. Shortly after his speech accepting the best film award was broadcast around the world, the young British director made an emotional transatlantic phone call to his colleagues at the Donmar Warehouse. The 24-strong staff, whom Mendes calls his \"substitute family\", had stayed up until 7am to watch their artistic director conquer Hollywood with American Beauty. Mendes, 34, assured them that success had not shaken his commitment to return to the 250-seat theatre to direct a play this summer. He will announce his next season within the next ten days, and plans to direct one of four plays, although he had not decided which when he left for Los Angeles. None of the Donmar staff, who gathered round a large screen in a London hotel to watch the ceremony, had ever thought he would abandon them, however lucrative the Hollywood offers. Even while shooting the film, he had been in daily contact with them. \"He was there with all the stars in LA, but what he most wanted to know was what the atmosphere was like at our party in London,\" one insider said after yesterday's call. Caro Newling, executive producer of the Donmar, spoke of the disparity between \"watching him at the 'shrine' receiving his award\" and the comments he made while editing the film. \"He said that 'if all went well, it could be a critical success, but not broad popular success'. Cut to nine months later and there he is with a top-selling movie around the world, collecting an Oscar.\""}, {"response": 915, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Tue, Mar 28, 2000 (12:23)", "body": "Mendes, 34, assured them that success had not shaken his commitment to return to the 250-seat theatre to direct a play this summer. Great, Sam -- and get Colin to star in it to, wouldja? (After BJD wraps, that is.) Re: Jane Fonda -- seems painfully unfair that Jack and Warren can flit around squiring babes and spawning rug rats in their 60's while poor Jane has to contend with the likes of Ted Turner. It's a man's world:-( Sorry about your son's accident, Moon. Hope you don't have a lot of stairs in your house;-)"}, {"response": 916, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar 28, 2000 (12:25)", "body": "(Moon)My son has a cast that is set over his knee. Bad multiple fractures and the cast will stay on for 3 months! (Heide)Poor baby, poor Mom. Ditto :-( (Moon)I basically agree with the comments on Robin W and Caine and found Benigni very toned down. They must have given him something. ;-) Is he always like this? Or is it just the \"crazy italian\" image put on for the American cousins' benefit?"}, {"response": 917, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Mar 28, 2000 (14:05)", "body": "(Gi) Where have Gwynie's SiL \"boobies\" disappeared to? She looks anorexic to me--skin and bones. Much thinner than last year. Something's up with her. (Gi) Or is it just the \"crazy italian\" image put on for the American cousins' benefit? I saw or heard Judi Dench being interviewed recently. She was speaking about her Oscar experience last year. Judi referred to Benigni as \"a lunatic\" who was \"jumping around\" (not her exact words); after the ceremony she found out that he speaks \"perfect English.\" (Heide) And what kind of kinky thing does she [Angelina Jolie] have going on with her brother? Ewwww, wasn't that creepy? She's OTT. (Moon) Agreed! And did you notice she always leaves after the award? She did that at the GGs too. Maybe her brother just wants to keep her out of the pool ;-P Jack's starting to look more and more like Mr. Whipple of Charmin fame LOL! (Susan) Re: Jane Fonda -- seems painfully unfair that Jack and Warren can flit around squiring babes and spawning rug rats in their 60's while poor Jane has to contend with the likes of Ted Turner. It's a man's world:-( That's why she's chucking the rat bas***d. She looked great--too bad she fluffed her presentation. (Moon) My 16th wedding anniversary is on April Fools Day (Heide) And you're still married!? Moon hinted at the secret to her marital success a few posts before yours, Heide: Cameron's dress was Versace. It looked more like something to wear around the house (heehee, I am giving myself away). Aha! :-D"}, {"response": 918, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 28, 2000 (15:10)", "body": "Moon hinted at the secret to her marital success a few posts before yours, Heide: Cameron's dress was Versace. It looked more like something to wear around the house (heehee, I am giving myself away). Aha! :-D OK, I'm blushing. (Gi) Where have Gwynie's SiL \"boobies\" disappeared to? She looks anorexic to me--skin and bones. Much thinner than last year. Something's up with her. It must be boyfriend problems. She has not looked well lately. Or maybe she's bummed out about not getting Bridget. ;-) Gi, Benigni is really very hyper. Impossible actually. And he does get on a lot of people's nerves in Italy. He does not speak perfect English. What was Judi thinking? Or maybe she had too many drinks and imagined him speaking perfect English. ;-) Karen, it's nice to see Mendes so attached to his friends. Although by now I am sure he has made plenty of them in LA. Thanks, Gi and Susan for your well wishes."}, {"response": 919, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Mar 28, 2000 (15:32)", "body": "(Moon) He does not speak perfect English. What was Judi thinking? Let me clarify. Her context was Benigni speaks better English than he would have American audiences believe. In other words, it's an act. Which doesn't surprise me!"}, {"response": 920, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 29, 2000 (08:21)", "body": "Frears rates high marks for 'High-Fidelity' cast (March 29) By Martin A. Grove (THR) Frears' \"Fidelity:\" Hollywood's most interesting filmmakers can be the least predictable in terms of the projects they choose to make. A case in point is Stephen Frears, whose \"High Fidelity\" opens Friday via Buena Vista/Touchstone in about 1,200 theaters. The wonderfully biting romantic comedy is not only a departure from Frears' such earlier serious dramas as \"The Grifters'\" and \"Dangerous Liaisons,\" but the British director shot it in Chicago although it's based on a book set in London. \"Fidelity's'\" screenplay by D.V. DeVincentis & Steve Pink & John Cusack and Scott Rosenberg is adapted from the novel by Nick Hornby. A Working Title Films production, it was produced by Tim Bevan and Rudd Simons and executive produced by Mike Newell, Alan Greenspan and Liza Chasin. Starring are John Cusack, Jack Black, Lisa Bonet, Joelle Carter, Joan Cusack, Sara Gilbert, Iben Hjejle, Todd Louiso, Lili Taylor and Natasha Gregson Wagner. \"I was asked by John Cusack if I would do it,\" Frears told me. \"I think highly of him and really wanted to work with him again (after 'The Grifters'). I thought, 'That's a really good idea.' It's a book I like very much. So it all made sense.\" Frears had read Hornby's novel when it was first published in the United Kingdom in 1995 but hadn't thought about it then as something to turn into a movie. \"I don't read books like that. I read books to enjoy them. I'm not looking for whether they make good films or not,\" he explained. In \"Fidelity,\" Cusack's character Rob analyzes the reasons his romantic relationships have failed during the years. Much of the story revolves around his record store, Championship Vinyl, which sells old-fashioned vinyl LPs rather than CDs. Rob's two store assistants (Black and Louiso) boast an encyclopedic knowledge of pop music that rivals Rob's own. It wasn't long after he received the screenplay from Cusack that Frears decided to sign on: \"I just said, 'This is great. Let's do it.' We had to wait while I finished the film I was making, which was 'The Hi-Lo Country,' and then we did it. It was all quite straightforward. We went to work on the script. In fact, the script changed a lot from the one I'd originally read.\" The most striking change, he said, was turning what had been voice-over narration into dialogue to be delivered straight into the camera -- and, therefore, directly to the audience -- by Cusack. \"That was a tremendous breakthrough,\" he said. \"That's the really good stuff in the book, you see -- his thoughts. That was the sort of breakthrough invention that got us to where we could get at the good material. So I found that very liberating.\" When I observed that \"Fidelity\" is somewhat different material from what he has previously done, Frears replied diplomatically, \"If you say so. I don't sort of think like that. But I'm sure you're right. I just do what I'm asked to do -- if I love it.\" With the book having been set in London, I told him, one would have expected him to have wanted to film it there in his own backyard rather than shoot in Chicago. \"When I was told about (doing it in Chicago), I was surprised,\" he noted. \"Then when I started to read it, I forgot about it. When I then thought about it, I actually thought, 'This is very, very liberating.' I'm not supposed to say things like that (being a British filmmaker). I will be taken to the Tower (of London) and beheaded for that. But, actually, I found it tremendously liberating. I found that very, very fresh and lively (to be working in Chicago).\" After starting to work on the film, he said, \"I discovered that, in fact, this is a sort of home movie these guys have written. It was really about them growing up in Chicago -- John and his two friends, D.V. and Steve. They all grew up together. So then you discover, 'Oh, I see. I've actually got to learn about these people's lives to understand it.' So I started doing that and then I realized their sort of take on life was already, as it were, like Nick Hornby's.\" Black and Louiso deliver stand-out supporting performances as Cusack's assistants. Black's character Barry, in particular, is a manic guy who dominates every scene he's in. Although it looks like it must have been impossibly tough to cast the role, Frears said that wasn't the case: \"I said to them (Cusack and his writing partners), 'Who should play Barry?' and they said, 'Jack Black,' just like that. I met Jack and about two minutes after talking to him I said, 'Yeah, well, you're fine.' \" Among Black's credits are roles in 'Dead Man Walking,' 'Enemy of the State' and 'Mars Attacks.' Then they said, 'Well, maybe he could play the other one (Barry's quieter colleague Dick, played by Louiso).' Then they started hedging their bets. But I always knew that their first response was, 'Oh, Jack Black.' When they started to undermine themselves, I always knew that they'd said Jack. Then it was quite a complicated pr"}, {"response": 921, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Wed, Mar 29, 2000 (11:46)", "body": "There's also an article about John Cusack/Hi Fi in today's Boston Herald: http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/movies/cusa03292000.htm"}, {"response": 922, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 29, 2000 (14:48)", "body": "Here's a little HF info from a British movie website: As for Hornby, he isn't bothered about accusations that he sold out to Hollywood. The author tells us that he thinks this version works, explaining, \"It's about a guy in a record shop with a lot of ex-girlfriends. They do have that here.\" 'High Fidelity' opens in the UK on July 21."}, {"response": 923, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Mar 29, 2000 (17:42)", "body": "Moon, sorry to read about your son. Three months in a cast, poor boy. That's rough. I hope his spirits are holding up. You're wedding anniversary is April 1st. Did you and your husband plan it that way? If so, you two have great senses of humor. My parents got married on a Friday the 13th. No, they weren't Satanists. Most of my relatives are Catholics in one of the following categories: practising, cafeteria, lapsed, or collapsed. There are a few agnostics and, I think, one Buddhist. Then there were some of my French cousins who were practising Catholics and card carrying communists. Being contradictory is something of a family trait. Heide, did the Pepto work? No gastric rumblings, I hope. I agree with you that Russell Crowe does look sexy when he's bored. A friend of mine describes him as being \"a very handsome man in a really intense way\". I read somewhere that Crowe is part Maori, but I'm not certain on that point. He was born in New Zealand, though. Caught an interview with him before the Oscars. He said that Jody Foster wouldn't be going to the ceremony. She told him that she was going to watch from home, half-dressed, sitting on her bed, eating."}, {"response": 924, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Mar 29, 2000 (17:56)", "body": "He said that Jody Foster wouldn't be going to the ceremony. She told him that she was going to watch from home, half-dressed, sitting on her bed, eating. LOL! How many other mothers of toddlers would love to have the luxury, not to mention the time to do that."}, {"response": 925, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 29, 2000 (18:40)", "body": "You're wedding anniversary is April 1st. Did you and your husband plan it that way? If so, you two have great senses of humor. We did it for the fun and in 1984 in honour of Orwell's novel. Thanks for caring, Cheryl. My son's spirits are starting to pick up. I would like to invite everyone for margaritas and stone crabs on April Fools Day. :-D"}, {"response": 926, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Mar 30, 2000 (02:51)", "body": "(Moon)I would like to invite everyone for margaritas and stone crabs on April Fools Day. :-D Sounds like a party to me ;-) Yeah, I sound like I'm turning into a blonde party girl, but I'll have you know it's only virtual"}, {"response": 927, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 30, 2000 (08:44)", "body": "LONDON \ufffd Odeon Cinemas, the U.K.\ufffds largest theater chain, is joining forces with the British Film Institute in a pioneering initiative to bring arthouse pics to a wider audience. Odeon has agreed to set aside one screen in eight theaters around the country for the BFI to program with alternative fare. Films in the initial run, which starts April 28, will include Fox\ufffds \ufffdBoys Don\ufffdt Cry,\ufffd FilmFour\ufffds \ufffdHoly Smoke\ufffd and Buena Vista\ufffds \ufffdMansfield Park,\ufffd as well as the BFI\ufffds own reissue of the British classic \ufffdA Matter of Life and Death.\ufffd The BFI already programs its own regional arthouse theaters, but this is the first time the org has pushed its way into the mainstream. Now it is negotiating similar deals with other leading exhibitors. Sources at Warner Village, for example, say it is likely to hand over three screens at its new Birmingham 30-plex for the BFI to program. Director Terry Gilliam, who sits on the BFI board, is one of the most enthusiastic supporters of the new initiative, which will be marketed under the banner \ufffdBFI at the Odeon.\ufffd \ufffdThis will encourage adventurous people to be adventurous about the films they see,\ufffd he told Daily Variety. \ufffdAt the moment the choice of films in England, and even in London, is the worst in the world.\ufffd \ufffdWe thought the multiplexes were going to give us greater choice, but we just got \ufffdTitanic\ufffd on every screen. But now at last there are so many screens out there that exhibitors are realizing they might as well be bold and put something interesting in.\ufffd Paul Brett, the BFI\ufffds head of cinema services, said, \ufffdThe U.K. urgently needs more screens for specialized films. This initiative is just the beginning of a resurgence in arthouse cinema \ufffd movies for grownups.\ufffd The eight Odeons already committed to the scheme are in Birmingham, Liverpool, Ipswich, Maidstone, Bournmouth, Cheltenham, Guilford and Epsom. As well as new releases, the BFI will program \ufffdfestivals\ufffd at these cinemas, showcasing either films from a single country or the work of one filmmaker or actor. Ross James, marketing director of Odeon, said: \ufffdWe\ufffdre fanatical about film, and determined to give our customers more choice. This initiative is all about offering people the chance to experiment a little.\ufffd Odeon has done extensive research to prove that the demand is there, and the programming in each town will be tailored closely to the local audience. The cinema managers will be heavily involved with the BFI\ufffds choices, and are already seizing the opportunity for creative local marketing."}, {"response": 928, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar 30, 2000 (09:19)", "body": "I applaud! Now if they would only do the same here. Caught the last 5 minutes last night on E of the celebrity profile on Jennifer Tilly. She a celebrity?! Meg was interviewed and I was surprised at how old she looks. Her face is round and she looks v. different. Not aging well. (Or is that what happens when your husband is 70 and CF leaves you. ;-)"}, {"response": 929, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar 30, 2000 (09:29)", "body": "This initiative is just the beginning of a resurgence in arthouse cinema \ufffd movies for grownups.\ufffd I too applaud their efforts.Now let's see how many grown-ups go;-) Here they're mostly \"renters\"."}, {"response": 930, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 30, 2000 (09:30)", "body": "Rats! I missed that. Maybe it will be repeated. ;-)"}, {"response": 931, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Mar 30, 2000 (16:38)", "body": "(Cheryl) Catholics in one of the following categories: practising, cafeteria, lapsed, or collapsed. LOL! What's cafeteria Catholics?"}, {"response": 932, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 30, 2000 (17:06)", "body": "Cafeteria means \"pick and choose what you like.\" Term is also used for employee benefit programs."}, {"response": 933, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar 30, 2000 (17:22)", "body": "Catching up with you all after several days away . . . John Cusack will be on David Letterman's show tonight, undoubtedly talking High Fidelity. And now this cafeteria Catholic is off to attend a Seder supper . . .:-)"}, {"response": 934, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Thu, Mar 30, 2000 (18:46)", "body": "(Arami)LOL! What's cafeteria Catholics? (Karen)Cafeteria means \"pick and choose what you like.\" You've met my relatives, Karen? Probably not, but that does sound like some of them. That's a pretty concise definition, they are people who cut and paste official church positions. Picking what they like as it were, Arami. Okay, I think this is the list where someone asked who does the Gap's television advertising. The tv commercials are done in-house, which is to say they don't employ an outside advertising agency. They have an advertising department that does them. I thought the Gap did their own advertising, but I wanted to check."}, {"response": 935, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar 30, 2000 (20:34)", "body": "Ahhh, don't be too hard on the relatives, Cheryl. Most Catholics I know don't agree with the Church's position on everything, and the \"one from column A and one from column B\" approach saves them from having to toss out the entire menu.;-)"}, {"response": 936, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 30, 2000 (22:47)", "body": "My, oh my, from The Guardian (3/31) - a Bridget comment at v. end too. A national sense of superiority On patronising the Yanks Shane Watson When Sam Mendes collected his Oscar for American Beauty last Sunday in Los Angeles there wasn't a dry eye back home in his flat in Primrose Hill where, so he informed us, his friends were gathered toasting his health. We weren't given precise details of the occasion (guests: Jack and Jill from the NFT, Marion from the local theatre workshop; drink: some kegs of Old Peculier) but the message couldn't have been clearer. Mendes - in between being hugged and squeezed by Kevin Spacey and hugged by Steven Spielberg - was just letting everyone know that he comes from a very different place to the artificial world inhabited by most members of the audience. He stood before them, in their crystal-encrusted Jimmy Choo shoes, and their $400 hairdos, and quietly reminded us that, while it was great to be clutching the Oscar for Best Director and seeing his film take the awards for Best Actor, Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay, he was not one of them. Our boy from the Donmar Warehouse made his detour to Tinseltown, beat the Yanks at their own game hands down, first time around, and made no bones about the fact that he was on the next plane home to the country that understands quality, that is daring and innovative, that makes art in the finest tradition, without pandering to the lowest common denominator. We all know the story about The Madness of King George, which couldn't be called Madness of George III for fear that the Okies in Fenokie would think it was a sequel - duuur. We all know the reputation of British audiences: so critical, so intelligent, so ready to be challenged, whereas the Americans have to have every little thing spelt out. Subtitles for Trainspotting! They have no idea! And frankly we haven't had such a good crack at reminding them since, well, Shakespeare in Love. This sport of attempting to patronise the Americans has been going on for as long as they've been letting us get away with it. On the one hand, there's us in the educated, sophisticated, liberal and (very important this one) ironic camp. On the other, there's the poor old Hicksville Americans who cry at airports because they can't work out which country they're in, who think things built in 1899 are incredibly old (tsk) and are pathetically preoccupied with their family genealogies (dur) while thinking we all live in smog-laden Upstairs Downstairs style in Georgian crescents. The last phase of the special relationship, circa 1970 to Margaret Thatcher, say, hinged on an image of us all speaking like Terry-Thomas, having brains like Bamber Gascoigne and the standards of the characters in Brief Encounter. More recently this rose-tinted view of our twinkling isle has been rumbled and America has looked to us more as an edgy, somewhat aggressive, comfort- and hygiene-challenged place where everyone is rude and c nical and which is disseminating dodgy nannies faster than BSE. But still we've managed to hang onto this aura of intellectual superiority and liberalism coupled with an old-fashioned sense of fair play - of what really counts. It doesn't really matter whether they buy it any more, because we do and we've got no one else to patronise. They couldn't handle our Sensation exhibition in New York! Ha! (The fact that nor could we at the outset has been conveniently forgotten.) They couldn't get enough of our Princess Diana! (The fact that we found her a little too much has since been glossed over.) We have such a unique sense of humour, and we all know what happened when they tried to copy Men Behaving Badly (snort) and now they want to make their version of The Royle Family! Let's hear it for the Brit stiff upper lip. Let's hear it for the way we show our emotions (Michael Caine, Phil Collins), but not too much like ghastly American Gwynnie Paltrow. It takes an Oscar ceremony to bring out our natural sense of superiority, to polish up our sense of ourselves as the plucky little heroes holding out for standards in the face of insurmountable vulgarisation and rot. But it's never far from the surface. As I recall, the last really good cause for a bit of a What Have the Americans Done for Us (other than ruin our culture with their mocha-choca latte outlets) was the news that American actress Renee Zellwegger had been chosen to play our Bridget Jones! In our Notting Hill! With our Hugh Grant! Don't you just love being so much better than everyone else?"}, {"response": 937, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (07:00)", "body": "I have an extra ticket available for THE REAL THING, next Saturday, April 8, 2:00 p.m. matinee, in NYC. Great seat, 6th row. E-mail me privately if you're interested. Thanks."}, {"response": 938, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (07:52)", "body": "Thanks, Karen! Poor Shane. Sounds like she has a tremendous complex of inferiority and could nit wait to bash Americans."}, {"response": 939, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (08:05)", "body": "Took the day off from work today - not to see High Fidelity but I'm going to anyway. What should I look for, Karen? Love the Hard Day's Night=style ad."}, {"response": 940, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (08:27)", "body": "Was wondering what you were doing here at this time of the day. ;-) Last night, I've never seen Letterman so effusive in his praise of High Fidelity!! Before Cusack even came out, he was going on and on about how he's had to talk (not the word he used) about movies that were utter crap. Said this was the best movie he's seen in 5 years. Said he read the book years ago and loved it and was so relieved they hadn't ruined it. I'm going to see HF today too. New state-of-the-art arthouse theater near me opening today with HF (only mainstream movie) playing on two screens (Onegin's there too). Finally, read where they did the record store filming. No wonder I only saw the production once. Cusack called it Wicker Park, but most people would refer to it as Bucktown. (Laura, that's where I picked you up from the L.)"}, {"response": 941, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (08:54)", "body": "(Moon)Thanks, Karen! Poor Shane. Sounds like she has a tremendous complex of inferiority and could nit wait to bash Americans. Weellll. American -bashing seems to be the current sport...but I don't think it was so prevalent in England. Wish I could find a comparable article for Brit-bashing in the US in our media...but the fact is we love the British ...take them as they are...Why can't they take us as we are... ...George III for fear that the Okies in Fenokie would think it was a sequel I'm an Okie and I take offense to this....not all rural folks are ignorant... C'mon...give us a break..."}, {"response": 942, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (09:28)", "body": "(Evelyn)I'm an Okie and I take offense to this....not all rural folks are ignorant... However, you're and adopted Okie and originally for culturally respected NY;) Mari, figures you'd have a ticket that day, when I was supposed to go, but looks like we're going the week after:("}, {"response": 943, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (09:28)", "body": "i forgot;"}, {"response": 944, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (09:33)", "body": "Re: that article--*gag me* (and I mean that with every rude and cynical bone in my italian-irish-scottish-american body). Wait--what country am I in? Waahh! I want to go back to Hicksville! Missed Letterman last night, but heard a Cusack interview on a NY radio show yesterday a.m. He's very well spoken. Said HF was based on \"an extremely funny, best selling novel\" (did not mention NH's name), as well as all the other now-familiar sound bites. HF is getting consistently terrific buzz."}, {"response": 945, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (09:49)", "body": "Cusack did mention Hornby by name on Letterman. What I don't get is so much praise being given to \"Cusack & chums\" for writing and then all the mentions in reviews that \"so much was lifted directly from the novel.\" Excuse me? BTW, the article must be taken as ironic, at least that was my conclusion when I got to the final lines. BTW2, isn't it Okie from Muskogie (sp?) ;-)"}, {"response": 946, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (10:11)", "body": "(Karen) BTW, the article must be taken as ironic I know. Didn't you get my irony? ;-P What I don't get is so much praise being given to \"Cusack & chums\" for writing and then all the mentions in reviews that \"so much was lifted directly from the novel.\" Excuse me? There is alot of hype for \"the team that brought you Grosse Pointe Blank.\" At least John's trying to give proper credit to Nick. Said even though they changed the setting from London to Chicago, they left the heart of the book, 'how men really think', intact."}, {"response": 947, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (10:33)", "body": "Yes, I wouldn't be too quick to don the red-white-and-blue hairshirts; the article was definitely written tongue-in-cheek, though it's not particularly well-done satire (sniff!;-) so I can well understand the misunderstanding;-) Unfortunately, it's not unusual to read articles like this in the British press that *aren't* meant to be ironic:-( (Evelyn)Wish I could find a comparable article for Brit-bashing in the US in our media... Will never happen. Jeez, even Saddam Hussein gets a fair shake in our press. We like everybody (ok, mostly everybody;-) because we *are* everybody. Just ask my lovely fellow mutt from NJ, Eileen.;-) (Karen) Last night, I've never seen Letterman so effusive in his praise of High Fidelity!! I've never seen Dave enthusiastic, period.;-) Cusack got Nick Hornby's name in there twice last night, and has been very forthcoming about crediting Nick in most interviews I've read. How often do you hear an actor credit the poor schmuck screenwriters, let alone the author of the book upon which the screenplay was based? Rarely. JC is a classy guy."}, {"response": 948, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (11:24)", "body": "...a little contradictory info though. In print, he has said he had never read High Fidelity before Disney gave it to him, although he had read other things by Nick (like what? Fever Pitch?) Last night, he said he had read it before. Minor quibble."}, {"response": 949, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (16:00)", "body": "I don't see anything ironic about \"Okie from Fenokie\"...maybe I'm missing something.(I also don't see anything ironic about Polish or any jokes about minorities.)Period.End of topic."}, {"response": 950, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (16:05)", "body": "As a satirist Shane Watson is nowhere near Jonathan Swift in ability. As satire, the Shane Watson piece was nowhere. (That's just my opinion.) Now on the point of \"Shakespeare in Love\". Sorry Shane, you got it wrong. SiL is an American film; since it was produced by Miramax, an American company. Shane, you and SOME of your fellow Brits have got to get over your feelings of inferiority. There's no excuse for it. So the French think you have an apalling lack of style and that the term English culture is an oxymoron, get over it. Yes, the Germans think you're lazy and lacking in self-discipline, get over that as well. As for the Italians, they may well pretty much think everybody else wants to be Italian. Lastly Shane, you must remember that nobody can touch the Americans when it comes to arrogance and cultural imperialism. We know that we are what everyone else wants to be. Everybody wants to be American. Well, probably not, most people are happy to be who and what they are. And no, most Americans don't really think that way. I was only joking, after all. Apologies to the French, Germans, Italians, and to the English as well. Oh Shane, I do know who George III was. He was on the throne of Great Britain when the 13 American Colonies were lost to the rebel side in what was called the American Revolution in my history classes. But it was also during his reign that the British gained unquestioned dominance in regard to other European nations over India."}, {"response": 951, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (22:49)", "body": "Hopefully, less controversial??? From Saturday's Times: Spielberg backs film company at Donmar By Dalya Alberge SAM MENDES, the Oscar-winning director, has turned down a multimillion-pound offer from Steven Spielberg's Dreamworks and negotiated a \ufffd700,000 investment in the 250-seat London theatre that he calls his substitute family. Dreamworks' extraordinary two-year commitment, with even more money in the pipeline for a third year, will provide \ufffd200,000 for the Donmar Warehouse and \ufffd500,000 for the establishment of the Donmar Films company. Mendes is the artistic director at the theatre, and the deal gives Dreamworks a first look at any project he suggests, leaving him free to work for other studios or theatres on both sides of the Atlantic. Mendes has also received offers from two other studios, he revealed yesterday. \"I was not interested in tying myself down to one studio.\" He said that he was \"very conscious to allow myself freedom\". He was also nervous of being pressured into doing a movie just because millions of pounds had been paid for it. Speaking at the Donmar, he said that his next production would be Shakespeare's Twelth Night at the Covent Garden theatre in September. Casting has not yet begun, but is likely to be filled by \"the home team\" of British actors. Mendes, 34, can name his price. He is the toast of Hollywood after being showered with five Oscars for American Beauty. \"Now's the time to make the crusaders' epic that costs $120 million,\" he said. He received the minimum fee set by the Directors' Guild of America for American Beauty. Such is the interest in America that he has also secured \ufffd350,000 for the Donmar over the next three years from the leading Broadway producer, Anita Waxman. Harvey Weinstein and Sydney Pollack are among leading producers who have bought tickets to the Donmar's fundraising gala in New York: dinner and Sir Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing. Mendes has devoted himself to the Donmar as artistic director since 1992. Even while shooting American Beauty, his debut as a film-maker, he was in daily contact from America. His repertoire extends to classical and contemporary plays and his stagings have been hailed as masterful. He attracted Spielberg's attention with his musical Oliver! and later with The Blue Room. The new film company, which will initially involve a staff of two reading scripts, will share the same aesthetic as the Donmar theatre but will not have a relationship with it. Mendes said plays that worked on stage rarely transferred well to the screen. The film company's funds will allow Mendes, for example, to buy an option on a novel that he likes, and to hire a writer. ~~~~~~~ Winter, get over there with your resume!! ;-)"}, {"response": 952, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (22:59)", "body": "The Guardian/Observer had much the same re: Mendes and this additional info: He said Hollywood stars were queuing up \"all the time\" to work at the Donmar. \"They see us as a way of increasingly their artistic validity, which is great. But that is not quite how we work. I'm nervous of star vehicles. As I think Philip Larkin said, the sun destroys the interest of what is going on in the shade. Often there is someone better for a role who is English or a theatre actor.\" Mendes denied rumours that he was close to persuading Tom Cruise to tread the London boards soon. \"I wish,\" he said. \"It's far more likely that I will be working again with Nicole [Kidman].\" He did, however, concede that he was yearning to tempt Annette Bening, the star of American Beauty, across the Atlantic after she has her baby. \"I don't know, it may take 10 years - she has four kids you know - but I would really love to bring her here.\" He said he \"hasn't a clue\" what his next film will be, although it was a \"safe bet\" it would be one developed by Donmar Films, which he said he wanted to keep \"small and light on its feet, a bit like this theatre\". He has has spent six months working on Lookout, written by Scott Frank, who adapted Elmore Leonard's Get Shorty and wrote the thriller Out of Sight, but he doubted that it would get off the ground for some time. The DreamWorks money would be added to the \ufffd350,000 a year that the New York producer Anita Waxman is pumping into the Donmar so that she can bring their new productions to Broadway. Mendes said it would allow them to be more adventurous and to get more people into the theatre with \"lower seat prices and pay-as-you-wish nights. We are doing one next month for the Passion Play. You pay whatever you can afford, be that 10p or whatever.\" He said he had enjoyed Los Angeles but wanted to work in England if possible. \"Hollywood gets a bad rap here, but I enjoyed very much working with the people I met there. \"Obviously the Oscars was an entirely different experience. You are on a train and it's travelling at 120mph and you can't get off. Like every director, I'm a control freak. But all you can do is just sit there and grit your teeth. Some of the time it's exhilarating, sometimes it's not. \"I was doing publicity for the film for what seemed like a decade. Did I enjoy the Oscars? Well, it's the single most nerve-wracking experience ever. \"It is away out there on its own.\""}, {"response": 953, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Apr  1, 2000 (04:43)", "body": "(Evelyn)I don't see anything ironic about \"Okie from Fenokie\"...maybe I'm missing something. (CherylB) As a satirist Shane Watson is nowhere near Jonathan Swift in ability. As satire, the Shane Watson piece was nowhere. (That's just my opinion.) Oh dear... As I read it, Shane was trying to say that the British should beware of feeling superior to Americans, as they tend to do when \"one\" of them gets a prize among \"a number\" of Americans. Was \"not\" being superior. It is a feeling very popular in small countries that used to be great at one time. America's time will come to, never fear ;-) Karen, loved the articles on Sam Mendes. Seems quite a nice and sensible guy."}, {"response": 954, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Apr  1, 2000 (08:36)", "body": "Yes, nice to see Sam's head hasn't been turned. And that he recognizes talent no matter from which part of the world it comes. Can only hope Colin is part of the \"home team\". Would so love to see him at the Donmar in something new. (Mari) Cusack got Nick Hornby's name in there twice last night, and has been very forthcoming about crediting Nick in most interviews I've read. As he should considering whole sections of dialogue were lifted from the book. ;-) I don't know if I've ever seen a film so faithful to the book though perhaps Rob is more sympathetic in the film but then played by cutie John Cusack, how could he not be. As a film standing alone, I think some people are going to be scratching their heads in the beginning wondering what is this film about? But once it picked up steam, it sailed beautifully through to the end. I'm confused by who the target audience is meant to be. The trailers shown before the film in the theatre I went to were definitely aimed at teenagers but I have serious doubts High Fidelity is going to appeal to someone who never owned a record album. ;-)"}, {"response": 955, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr  1, 2000 (09:03)", "body": "(Heide) but I have serious doubts High Fidelity is going to appeal to someone who never owned a record album. ;-) What have we here? A geeky music snob? ;-) From the beginning, I had that reaction - that they were trying to sell it as some weirdo guys in a record store in order to appeal to the young teenage male audience. But I think that audience is going to have an impossible time relating to a Thirtysomething guy reflecting on his life and his relationships. 15-year olds haven't had those relationships. They can only fantasize about baked goods in anticipation. Funny thing is that The Hollywood Reporter used the term \"mature audience\" when describing High Fidelity. (Heide) don't know if I've ever seen a film so faithful to the book though perhaps Rob is more sympathetic in the film but then played by cutie John Cusack, how could he not be. I'm disappointed they didn't show his presex fears with Marie. Remember the funny bits about his head getting caught in the sweater or the underwear/no underwear thing? Maybe they thought we wouldn't believe John Cusack lacking confidence. Oh well, I enjoyed it."}, {"response": 956, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Apr  1, 2000 (10:42)", "body": "(Karen), What have we here? A geeky music snob? ;-) Hey wait, that's me! My record collection is larger than what Cusack had in his apt. and then there are the CDs. :-) The reason I enjoyed the novel was partly because NH has very good taste in music and mentioned bands that I love that nobody has heard of. I too found the movie close to the book. Karen it does rain an awful lot in Chicago. ;-) Coconut Grove, last night. I talked my DH into taking me to see it. Five minutes into the film and he's off to watch something else in the theatre. Comes back later just before the dinner party at Charlie's and his comment was: I would have preferred to have seen more of Charlie's life. She is definitely the more interesting character. And then he agreed on Charlie's assesment of Rob's life. Ouch! Thank you Karen for posting such an interesting article on Sam. It does give one ideas. ;-)"}, {"response": 957, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Apr  1, 2000 (11:27)", "body": "..Steven Spielberg's Dreamworks and negotiated a \ufffd700,000 investment in the 250-seat London theatre that he calls his substitute family. Rachel Weinstein (American Development Officer) and her staff must be dancing in the aisles over this.All are expected to attend TRT Gala on Wednesday night. Re: Sam Mendes...Big names Bring Big Bucks.And one film did it. Thank you AB.Thank you Steven Speilberg."}, {"response": 958, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Apr  1, 2000 (13:35)", "body": "Good interview with Nick Hornby from Salon. I'll post in parts. Here's Part 1 of 3. About a writer Nick Hornby talks about soccer, writing and a highly faithful adaptation of \"High Fidelity.\" - - - - - - - - - - - - By Steffan Chirazi March 31, 2000 \"I have read books written by people who obviously love football, but that's a different thing entirely; and I have read books written, for want of a better word, about hooligans, but 95 percent of the millions who watch games every year have never hit anyone in their lives. So this is for the rest of us, and for anyone who has wondered what it might be like to be this way ...\" -- Introduction to \"Fever Pitch\" by Nick Hornby It was with some expectation that I headed out of Arsenal tube station and toward an Italian restaurant on Northolme Road last fall to meet Nick Hornby. I'd been a fan since his first book, \"Fever Pitch,\" a loving account of the way his home team, Arsenal FC, had been symbolically linked to every significant event in his life, was published in 1992. \"Fever Pitch\" spoke to all British men obsessed with football (soccer in America), but for me there had been a special twist: I support the team Tottenham Hotspur. Located barely two miles from each other, Tottenham and Arsenal have been fierce rivals for more than 100 years. Hornby's second book, \"High Fidelity,\" explored the weird adolescent hangover that seems to strike men in their 30s. It was a sweet and moody meditation on lost loves, fluctuating friendships and a passion for music. By the time \"About a Boy\" (a novel about fatherhood, responsibility and the struggle to grow up) came out in 1998, it seemed to me that Hornby had produced one novel for each of the most important areas of my life: football, fatherhood and music. \"Some of the players come in here to eat,\" said Hornby shortly after we arrived. \"Ars\ufffdne Wenger [Arsenal's coach and manager] comes in here after every home game ... It's quite sweet really, because he always gets a round of applause.\" Reading Hornby for six years had me feeling like we were old mates, which probably explains why it took me all of a capresi salad and some fusilli with pesto to remember I should probably stop arguing the merits of Tottenham Hotspur's David Ginola over Arsenal's Dennis Bergkamp and record something. Considering that, at the time we met, Hornby was working on a new novel, selling the screen rights to \"About a Boy\" to Robert De Niro's Tribeca Productions and previewing \"High Fidelity,\" then still in post-production, it was extremely gracious of him to agree to meet me. And considering that not four days earlier Tottenham had beaten Arsenal 2-1 in a typically raucous North London match, he was surprisingly friendly. Is it easy watching your work reinterpreted on the screen? There's two answers to that. One, once you take the money then that's that. It's like selling a coat. You can't then say, \"I don't want that fat bloke wearing my coat because he doesn't look good in it.\" You'd just think, Well you sold it, you burke, you took the money. I got paid really well for it and I wanted the money and fine, I don't think I should whinge. The other thing is that I think the books are so unfilmic in a certain way that the only people who want to make films of them do so because they love them, and not because they've seen this \"thing\" they can pull out of it. I mean what's the big idea of \"High Fidelity\" where you'd take something and throw the rest away? You'd be left with nothing, a story where a bloke splits up from his girlfriend? Couldn't you have thought of that yourself? Weren't some basic elements of the book changed in the film, though? Actually the film of \"High Fidelity\" is incredibly faithful to the book despite the fact it's been reset in Chicago. John Cusack's in it, he's Rob, and it doesn't make an awful lot of difference to anything. The only thing that's changed is the music. I would've thought that was integral to the story. Yeah, except again I take it as part of the personal connection with it. The guys who are doing it see it as a story about themselves, therefore they've transposed their music into it and I appreciate the spirit of that. I think the only thing that's holding it up right now is they're arguing with each other about the soundtrack. Part of their thing with the whole project was getting their favorite obscure bands into the soundtrack, which seems in keeping with the spirit of it all anyway. Were you able to remain involved in the project? They've been incredibly solicitous all the way through. I've been invited to see a couple of cuts, I'm going to see another one tomorrow and they've tried to keep me as involved as I want to be. But, frankly, I quite enjoy the distance. I also think with those things you're either completely in or completely out, and if you're in that takes up a lot of time and I want to do other stuff. It's been directed by Stephen Frears, who's English anyway, so there's an English sensibility"}, {"response": 959, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Apr  1, 2000 (13:38)", "body": "Part 2 of 3, Hornby interview Are you still interested in writing screenplays after \"Fever Pitch?\" Actually, the three of us who made \"Fever Pitch\" -- writer, director and producer -- got a development deal with Miramax, and this will be the first film to come out of that. It's about an American band in the U.K. where the lead singer walks out halfway through and ends up in a small seaside town. The other one is a sort of gimmicky romantic comedy. I always liked those films like \"Big\" and \"Groundhog Day\" and I wanted to try one myself. At the moment I'm developing that with John Madden, who directed \"Shakespeare in Love,\" but he's got loads of things on the go. I don't know if he'd end up directing it, but he's helping me with the script every couple of months. Does writing a screenplay feel like taking a break from your real job? Sort of. I really enjoyed doing \"Fever Pitch\" and I really enjoyed working with people. It occurred to me that I'm really too sociable to want to sit on my own in a room for two years, which is what you do when you write a book. I've got a couple of things on the go right now. Original screenplays. \"High Fidelity\" and \"About a Boy\" are both going to be films -- well you know \"High Fidelity\" is coming out soon -- I didn't do the screenplay for that. So the last year has been spent doing drafts of two different screenplays which are very different from each other. You created some dead-on depictions of London males, especially with \"High Fidelity.\" Do you find people saying that to you when you're doing readings in America? No, not really. Englishness doesn't really seem to come into it. \"High Fidelity,\" for example, works for any Western country because there are guys everywhere who are obsessed with popular music. In Scandinavia the books have done well, Italy the same, Germany very well and Spain not at all. I wonder if there's something about Catholic countries where a lot of people still live with their mums and stuff and I'm not sure if they get it; the endless chopping and changing of relationships, the agonizing over what you're doing with your life. I think paradoxically they've worked so well here because we are more American in that way and we do agonize that much more over life. Also, all my input is American. I only read American novels, I only watch American television. What American writers do you admire? My inspiration was Anne Tyler. I'm very different from her, but I think she's fantastic. It's that simplicity, where there seems to be bottomless intelligence and yet they don't exclude. I think for me, what's wrong with more or less all English fiction, to be clever means to be erudite and to express your vocabulary and it alienates more or less everybody. They have tiny book sales and there's this little literary circle in Britain which is basically for themselves and doesn't impinge upon the outside world at all. What the fuck's that? The good American writers don't exclude in that way. Who else do you read? There's a short story writer called Lorrie Moore who I think is great, Tobias Wolff ... \"This Boy's Life\" was a big book for me before I wrote \"Fever Pitch.\" Part of it also comes from teaching. You're looking around for stuff to give to kids that takes them places, is intelligent and that they can also comprehend. That's why in English schools even today people read Hemingway and Steinbeck all the time, \"Of Mice and Men,\" Salinger's \"The Catcher in the Rye.\" You don't feel you're being patronized by the vocabulary of the characters because the ideas and relationships behind it are extremely complex, yet the language itself is simple, so any kid can grasp what's going on in those books. Are you happy with the way your books have been received? None of the books have had really bad reviews, but I think I'm still viewed by the \"establishment\" with some suspicion. Why's that? Well, none of the books have been up for a literary prize. I don't feel chippy about it at all, but looking at it dispassionately I think that \"High Fidelity\" and \"About a Boy\" were better books than some which ended up on short lists. Why do you think that is? I think we have a problem with jokes in literature. If you have jokes, it's not literature. How many funny books have won the Booker Prize? I can't remember how this came up, but I think it was the year \"High Fidelity\" came out and one of the judges was asked why \"High Fidelity\" and a couple of other books weren't on the list, and she said, \"I think people are confusing the best book with the best read.\" I appreciate you can have a difference but I'll tell you, you can't have a good book that isn't a good read. If it's not a good read, it's a bad book. Do you think fiction should be without geography? Oh no, I think fiction should certainly have a set geography. I think something's gone wrong somewhere if a book works for every single audience everywhere in the world. I don't think I'm writing about Britain, but a very precise class o"}, {"response": 960, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Apr  1, 2000 (13:41)", "body": "Part 3 of 3, Hornby interview Have you ever been interested in relocating to the U.S. for a couple of years somewhere down the line to write a book? There's a part of me that feels it's sort of cheating. The sort of book where you go and research something and then regurgitate it onto the page doesn't seem like proper writing to me. I'd be wondering what had come from me if I took myself somewhere and said, \"Right, I'm going to live in Memphis, look at Memphis and write about Memphis people.\" There's people who have been living in Memphis for the past 50 years and they're not going to be interested in what I think of Memphis having lived there for three months. In terms of urban environments, let's say I went to San Francisco. I'd end up writing the same sort of book except the places would be different. Names of streets would be different and so on. In \"About a Boy\" you explored a \"typical male\" reaction to children and the concept of fatherhood. Yet you seem very comfortable with your own role as a father. Anyone who has a kid, at some point in every day, for one minute, says, \"Fucking hell! I wish I lived in this penthouse with my CDs in perfect order and no one to piss around with my Bang & Olufson!\" And writing a book is taking that flash of fantasy and expanding on it. In the course of a day you have a million contradictory thoughts. You look at a woman and think, For this second I do not want to be married. All that stuff happens all the time and can take you anywhere, and all that stuff is certainly true about being a parent. Has fatherhood influenced your writing? My experience with Danny is so different that I don't think that has properly influenced my writing yet. [Danny is autistic.] Does writing force you to analyze yourself as a person? Well with the type of books that they are, contemporary, I think it's very hard to write about things like drugs or hooligans without finding a bit of yourself in there. Is writing books therapeutic for you? Well, I have therapy as well, so [laughs] ... I had therapy a couple of years before I wrote \"Fever Pitch,\" and it was the first time I'd ever talked about football in a way other than it being football. I used to go on Mondays, and every Monday I'd sit down and be asked, \"How was your weekend?\" And I'd reply, \"Oh it was crap, 'cause we lost 2-1.\" It was just a crap joke because I didn't know what else to say. After about a year she [the therapist] said, \"Why do you always do that, the joke about the weekend?\" And she just started asking me about it. It had never occurred to me that there was any sort of meaning connected at all. And I was amazed at the time scale of when she pointed out I was getting interested in football relative to my parents getting divorced and things like that. So I don't think the book was therapy but is was certainly a product of it. Your first book dealt with very personal subjects. When I saw [\"Fever Pitch\"] in print for the first time I thought, God, I've exposed myself here! You look at it and think, Why did I want to go and write all this stuff about me? It struck me as a very peculiar thing to have done. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - With the restaurant all but empty, save for a handsome chap and two rather stunning women at the table behind us, it was time for Hornby to go home and continue working on his fourth book. The working title: \"How to Be Good.\" \"It's at an early stage and it's narrated by a woman,\" Hornby said quickly before thanking me for lunch and striding purposefully out of the restaurant. But then I saw him stop, turn abruptly and head speedily back inside, head down. He looked a bit stern and it was actually a little worrying. He came right up to me, stopped and looked up from under his eyebrows before gesturing over his shoulder at the occupied table. \"Giles Grimandi,\" he whispered, having recognized the Arsenal defender moments earlier. He winked and quickly strode back out. Even Nick Hornby couldn't have written a better ending. salon.com | March 31, 2000"}, {"response": 961, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Apr  1, 2000 (14:13)", "body": "Nice article, Mari. Now where do you find a single guy who thinks like Nick and looks like..oh you know who. (Though I like the way that other guy thinks too.) Happy Anniversary Moon! (Moon) I would have preferred to have seen more of Charlie's life. She is definitely the more interesting character. Hmmm... so your DH and Charlie would have hit it off, eh? You reminded me though that even though Rob's Top Five Breakups are mentioned at the beginnign of the film, he didn't try to find #3, Jackie Allen. Or did he and I missed it?"}, {"response": 962, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Apr  1, 2000 (15:38)", "body": ""}, {"response": 963, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Apr  1, 2000 (15:52)", "body": "what happened, the bit in brackets shouldn't have been in red!!"}, {"response": 964, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Apr  1, 2000 (16:03)", "body": "Hello, all! I just drop in briefly to say I'm still offline, more or less, software is still playing mad, don't know when/if I can log in again. Arami, Kirsten, Karen, did you get my mail, if so: please don't use the new email address yet. Whenever I use that ISP the trouble seems to start all over again. Twinwave costs more than twice as much as my new ISP, but is at least reliable.... Karen, I have disconnected chat, and will remove it after this if the line holds."}, {"response": 965, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Apr  1, 2000 (16:38)", "body": ",,"}, {"response": 966, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Apr  1, 2000 (16:42)", "body": "Good to hear from you Renate...Hurry back to Spring, we miss you;-( I have disconnected chat.... Thank you, Thank you, Thank you...."}, {"response": 967, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Apr  1, 2000 (16:50)", "body": "Hello, all! I just drop in briefly to say I'm still offline, more or less, software is still playing mad, don't know when/if I can log in again. Arami, Kirsten, Karen, did you get my mail, if so: please don't use the new email address yet. Whenever I use that ISP the trouble seems to start all over again. Twinwave costs more than twice as much as my new ISP, but is at least reliable.... Karen, I have disconnected chat, and will remove it after this if the line holds."}, {"response": 968, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Apr  1, 2000 (16:53)", "body": "Ooops! That good old Netscape bug still works, I must be at home ;-)) I don't know if/when I can change the chat link on cf.com, nothing works, grrrrr."}, {"response": 969, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr  1, 2000 (17:06)", "body": "Yes, Renate, I received your email and have replied to ALL your addresses. ;-) I just got a failure notice for your new address. Thanks, Mari, for the article on Nick. v. interesting. I can't believe that he is still going forward with a book written from a woman's perspective. As that has always been the weakest part of his previous books, maybe he wants to prove something. How many times have we argued that the Paul-Sarah relationship was unbelievable and now a few critics are commenting on the Rob-Laura thing (i.e., not understanding what on earth she saw in him and why she'd take him back), but they are blaming the filmmakers when they should be laying that on Nick's shoulders. ;-) Here's the url for the Salon article and there is a review of HF too there. http://www.salon.com/people/feature/2000/03/31/hornby/index.html And lastly, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOON!"}, {"response": 970, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr  1, 2000 (17:09)", "body": "...and about that rain, per a Frears interview, they filmed in April-June. April showers bring May flowers, etc. ;-)"}, {"response": 971, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Apr  1, 2000 (17:41)", "body": ""}, {"response": 972, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Apr  1, 2000 (18:30)", "body": "Happy Anniversary Moon."}, {"response": 973, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Apr  1, 2000 (18:54)", "body": "Love the red, NOT!!! Haven't seen HIFI yet;( Will see it with date in about two weeks. However, Boston reviewers LOVE Cusack, but not the Dane? Hmmmm... Said she was better in Mifune."}, {"response": 974, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Apr  1, 2000 (19:36)", "body": "How many times have we argued that the Paul-Sarah relationship was unbelievable and now a few critics are commenting on the Rob-Laura thing (i.e., not understanding what on earth she saw in him and why she'd take him back), but they are blaming the filmmakers when they should be laying that on Nick's shoulders. ;-) Ahaa...when I said that you all almost drummed me out of here;-) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Happy Anniversary , Moon...wish we were there with the Margaritas and stone crabs...yum."}, {"response": 975, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr  1, 2000 (22:43)", "body": "(Evelyn) Ahaa...when I said that you all almost drummed me out of here;-) Ahaa yourself! Didn't say I subscribed to it though. Maybe Nick has spent a lot more time studying women these days and less watching Arsenal or playing his music, i.e., grown up a bit and moved on with his life. BTW I've always known why Sarah couldn't stay away from Paul."}, {"response": 976, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Apr  2, 2000 (13:18)", "body": ""}, {"response": 977, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Apr  2, 2000 (13:19)", "body": ""}, {"response": 978, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Apr  2, 2000 (13:19)", "body": ""}, {"response": 979, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Apr  2, 2000 (13:23)", "body": ""}, {"response": 980, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Apr  2, 2000 (13:27)", "body": ""}, {"response": 981, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Apr  2, 2000 (13:31)", "body": ""}, {"response": 982, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Apr  2, 2000 (13:36)", "body": "sorry about wasting space, have been trying to delete red lettering, can you delete all the above Karen, thanks."}, {"response": 983, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Apr  2, 2000 (14:12)", "body": "Thank You all very much! Here is a rose for every single one of you. Had a lovely time, beautiful gifts and I discovered my new drink: the Cosmopolitan! Having a hard time adjusting to the time change today. ;-)"}, {"response": 984, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr  2, 2000 (14:33)", "body": "Lots of reviews, interviews in the Sunday papers re: \"High Fidelity\". It helped that it was a weekend with no competing film releases(Road to Eldorado...with Kenneth Brannagh?) I am fervently hoping that all this interest in Nick Hornby will resuscitate \"Fever Pitch\"...wouldn't that be nice?"}, {"response": 985, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr  2, 2000 (14:58)", "body": "Ann, the red lettering was fixed many, many messages back. But just so no one else see RED, I'm going to delete the original message. Moon's anniversary is over anyway. ;-D"}, {"response": 986, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Apr  2, 2000 (15:18)", "body": ""}, {"response": 987, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Apr  2, 2000 (15:27)", "body": "Does anyone here know about this? \"Direct File Linking / Bandwidth Bandits In Relation To Image Linking This is something we feel very strongly about and many people don't know that it is wrong, or even what it is, so we're going to explain. Any time you link to another person's graphic that is not inside your own website, and that in the HTML you call as: You are being bandwidth bandit! What should be seen is: or or anything else, as long as it is inside your own site, not linked from another. Some things must be linked to, and you are given permission to do so, for example, a counter on your website. As long as you have permission, it is OK. However, you do not need permission to link to another website, provided you are linking to their site (for example, their main page), and NOT to one of their individual graphics, for instance, their logo. If you were just linking to their logo, or any of their other images or graphics, then you would be committing a internet no-no, which is best described as bandwidth or data transfer theft. Many webspace providers charge more to its customers (like the A-1 Clipart Archive), when more bandwidth gets used within a monthly period. Bandwidth is really just a technical term for the amount of data being transferred between their files and someone else's. The fees are sent to the original site owner, not the person directly linking. These fees, depending on the popularity of the site, and the price of the provider, can reach into the thousands of dollars.\" I was going to paste a .gif from their site for Moon but now... If you want to read the rest of the text, the url is: http://www.free-graphics.com/bandit.htm"}, {"response": 988, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Apr  2, 2000 (15:39)", "body": "Wow, Gi. Is this the end of our virtual fest here? I am not into commercials. So unless we scan eveything from our own scanners and give it other gif or jpg names, we can not post an image? I think I like the sound of bandwidth bandit. ;-)"}, {"response": 989, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Apr  2, 2000 (16:14)", "body": ""}, {"response": 990, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr  2, 2000 (16:52)", "body": "There are many sites that ask you to download the image for your use. If a site has that warning, you DON'T link to the image, but you are allowed to use it on your own site. They don't want you to use their bandwidth (for which they are charged) each time an image is accessed here. I respect those websites' requests and don't link directly to them. Both Moon and Gi have their own webspace and can upload images and link from them if they so desire. You will see that warning at many graphics sites. It does not mean an end to posting pictures here. It just means to read and respect what the owners ask."}, {"response": 991, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr  2, 2000 (17:24)", "body": "How is this possible? LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Julia Roberts and her \"Erin Brockovich\" alter ego held off another slew of newcomers to win the North American box office derby for the third consecutive weekend. At the top of the weekend's charts, \"Erin Brockovich\" earned about $14.2 million, a 23 percent fall from last weekend. Its 17-day total stands at $76.2 million. Two rookies rounded out the top three: the DreamWorks cartoon \"The Road to El Dorado\" pulled in $12.5 million, a sum considered disappointing by the studio, and \"The Skulls\" (Universal) opened at No. 3 with $11.4 million, a sturdy sum given the bad reviews for the teen secret society drama. Hong Kong action star Jet Li's \"Romeo Must Die\" (Warner Bros.) slipped two places and a hefty 46 percent to No. 4 in its second weekend with $9.7 million. The $25 million-budgeted chopsocky-gangland romance is expected to reach about $60 million, said WB distribution president Dan Fellman. \"High Fidelity\" (Disney's Touchstone), a romantic comedy starring John Cusack as a music snob who ponders his romantic shortcomings in between compiling lists of songs, opened at No. 5 with $6.4 million. Its per screen average of $5,414 was the highest in the top 10. [...] \"High Fidelity\" received strong reviews, and it pulled in equal shares of males and females primarily in the 18-30 age bracket, said Chuck Viane, president of Disney's Buena Vista Pictures distribution unit. Noting that Cusack's romantic comedy \"Grosse Pointe Blank\" opened at $6.8 million en route to $29 million in 1997, he hoped to bring in the review-sensitive, over-30 crowd in coming weeks."}, {"response": 992, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Apr  2, 2000 (21:01)", "body": "What surprised you, Karen--did you think it would do better? I think it's a great showing. HF was only on one-half to one-third of the screens that the other films were, and it topped them in per screen average. It's still considered a small movie, but getting good exposure due to the positive reviews and Cusack's publicity efforts. Moon, I just caught the last half of that E! show on Jennifer Tilly. That wasn't Meg they were interviewing; it was another sister, Rebecca, I think. They do all resemble each other."}, {"response": 993, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr  2, 2000 (22:09)", "body": "I didn't check to see how many screens it was on because it's on like about 2,000 in Chicago alone! ;-) But what I found bizarre was the comment about getting out the \"over-30 crowd.\" Maybe they were all at home watching the NC2As. Speaking of E! I just saw a clip of Jude Law and Sadie Frost at the Oscars. Had seen him, but not her. Eeoww, bad choice of dresses. Looked like she was very cold. ;-p"}, {"response": 994, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr  2, 2000 (22:31)", "body": "The Monday Times has weighed in on HF, starting off with the Reuters boxoffice info above, so I'll delete: A US take on Nick Hornby has been showered with faint praise, says Sean Macaulay John Cusack, as the moping antihero of High Fidelity, cuddles up to Iben Hjejle, the girlfriend who comes back to him. Some will wonder why she bothers Cusack wallows in record whinge [...] The most praised new release is High Fidelity, an Americanised version of Nick Hornby's novel starring John Cusack. It took fifth place with an estimated $8 million. But the reviews - \"wry\", \"quirky\", \"whimsical\" - are synonyms for not much plot and will prove kinder than the word of mouth. This is a static tale of a morose record store owner (Cusack) having a thirtysomething crisis after his girlfriend moves out. He reorganises his record collection, reviews his Top Five All-Time Break-Ups then tries to win her back in his passive-aggressive, selfish way. It ends as souffl\ufffd light conventional romantic comedy, but not before spending countless moments striving for heartfelt drama. Every time there's a rainstorm Cusack heads outside to get drenched and wail at the sky. Cusack scored a similar-sized hit two years ago with Grosse Pointe Blank, his romantic comedy about a hit man attending a high-school reunion. It was fun, zany, offbeat, all you could want until the Girl arrived. In the world view of the eternal adolescent male, the Girl is invariably the earnest voice of reason. This means she gives Cusack the big dramatic choice: be a hitman or be with me. It's a terrible choice because he is such a likeable hitman and the world is so madcap. The perfect match would be a woman who loves him precisely because he is a hitman. Even better, a girl who wants to be one too. It was a similar problem that afflicted Hornby's own film adaptation of his soccer fan memoir, Fever Pitch. The Girl represented maturity, the way forward, growing up. In short, everything you don't want in a romantic comedy. Like the book, the film of Fever Pitch should have a been joyous romance. Boy meets Team. Boy Loses Team. Boy wins Team back. That courtship died the moment the Girl forced him to choose between his love of football and domesticity with her even though he was so happy with the team. I would have given him a girl who loved him precisely because he was an Arsenal nut. Even better, one who was more obsessed with the team than he was. High Fidelity, at least, doesn't make this mistake. Iben Hjejle who plays the Girlfriend/ex-Girlfriend/Girlfriend doesn't tell Cusack he has to give up his obscure record shop. But she does urge him on to do something genuinely creative - like, gee, maybe recording a local band and getting back to being a DJ again. All the trendy, indie cred the movie works so hard to cultivate evaporates with this cheeseball climax; all its hip music references, all its candid relationship analysis, all its heart-to-heart drama. It might as well be the dancing finale of Footloose with the falling glitter effect. It also prompts a new list to add to the Top Five lists the characters keep compiling: Top Five Most Embarrassing Disco Dancing Scenes for White Male Actors. Cusack's arm-raised sashay as he follows his girlfriend into the crowd is right up there with Michael Douglas's dancefloor moment in Basic Instinct (V-neck sweater, nothing underneath) and Harrison Ford's Parisian nightclub turn in Frantic. Until this eager-to-please finale, High Fidelity works the other way. Its hero is a royal pain. It's meant to be touching and honest but it exposes the limitations of the book's pensive, bruised new lad persona. It is the literature of loser justification - Bridget Jones for blokes. The phrase \"Take it on the chin\" is not in this character's vocabulary. \"Why am I doomed to be rejected?\" he asks. Hmm, let's see - because you're a whining, sad-sack, self-obsessed loser with no passion, no courage and no sensitivity for another's person's feelings. The narcissism is breathtaking. \"What came first the music or the misery?\" he wonders - with his record collection, there's not much difference. The real reason for Cusack's pain is his selfishness. He is a heel who can't admit it. The film doesn't want to see it either. We are meant to forgive the fact that he sleeps with someone else while his girlfriend is pregnant and still owes her money. Or not mind that he sleeps with a nightclub singer, all the while raging at his ex-girlfriend for having a new boyfriend (whom she's yet to sleep with). Cusack is a performer of great charm. He's been playing everyman romantics since Say Anything and The Sure Thing. But even his candour can't paper over these wrong turns. There's no sweetness to him here. No decency. He's a baby, an eloquently rationalising angst-ridden baby, and director Stephen Frears is happy to mostly indulge him as he blames all his old girlfriends for his pain. If only it were a satire it would be a triumph. ~~~~~~ I have to disagree with "}, {"response": 995, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr  3, 2000 (07:51)", "body": "It is the literature of loser justification - Bridget Jones for blokes. LOL, Karen! Now you know why my DH did not care for it. The above critique I have heard before from him. Mari, did you see Meg at all in the E profile? I imagine she would say something about Jennifer. That sister Rebecca must be her twin because she was identical to Meg."}, {"response": 996, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Apr  3, 2000 (15:33)", "body": "It is the literature of loser justification - Bridget Jones for blokes. Was it Sean Macaulay who wrote that, or was he quoting Will Self?"}, {"response": 997, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr  4, 2000 (11:40)", "body": "STARS COME OUT FOR BAFTA AWARDS Hollywood legends Dustin Hoffman and Faye Dunaway and pregnant Titanic star Kate Winslet will be among the VIPs at this weekend's Baftas. The stars are set to present prizes at the glittering awards ceremony in the Odeon cinema at London's Leicester Square. Also lining up as guest presenters are Notting Hill star Hugh Grant, Shakespeare in Love heart-throb Joseph Fiennes, Naked Gun comic actor Leslie Nielson and supermodels Elle Macpherson and Naomi Campbell. ~~~~~~~ Now, if this were the Oscar telecast, the producers would have Colin, Renee and Hugh trotted out together with the announcer saying, \"now the three stars of the most eagerly anticipated British film in years...\" ;-)"}, {"response": 998, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Apr  4, 2000 (12:54)", "body": "(KarenR)Now, if this were the Oscar telecast, the producers would have Colin, Renee and Hugh trotted out together with the announcer saying, \"now the three stars of the most eagerly anticipated British film in years...\" ;-) You wish... They'd probably leave Colin out of it entirely :-("}, {"response": 999, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr  4, 2000 (13:49)", "body": "You wish... They'd probably leave Colin out of it entirely :-( More likely, he'd leave himself out of it entirely. This is a guy who's been known to skip his own premieres.:-("}, {"response": 1000, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr  4, 2000 (15:41)", "body": "This is a guy who's been known to skip his own premieres.:-( C'mon...you know he'd send someone in his place;-)"}, {"response": 1001, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr  4, 2000 (15:53)", "body": "(Evelyn) C'mon...you know he'd send someone in his place;-) Yeah, like Matthew Modine.;-) And then they can put Matt & Harvey's pic in the NY papers the next day.;-) *Much* better than going himself.:-("}, {"response": 1002, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Apr  5, 2000 (13:22)", "body": "What lengths to go for for some publicity, as things are a bit slow I thought I would post this snippet from The Times today:- \"Sir Tom Stoppard is upholding British honour on Broadway, as the Donmar Warehouse's production of The Real Thing swings into town. After a cricket bat prop was lost in transit, an American replacement was summoned. Not good enough, said the leading man, Stephen Dillane. So the playwright is flying out with his own bat \"I'm really loath to lend it, even in such an emergency \", he says \"I'm terrified I won't get it back. It was signed by the entire Austalian Test team 20 years ago\"."}, {"response": 1003, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  5, 2000 (15:01)", "body": "LOL!! Appears that SD has a touch of the prima donna in him (non-gender-specific type of course). Shame that Donna probably won't get to read this before meeting him. Would've been such an ice breaker, like, hey, Stevarino, what was wrong with the replacement bat? ;-)"}, {"response": 1004, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr  5, 2000 (15:57)", "body": "..Appears that SD has a touch of the prima donna in him What?...that's his lucky bat....best scene in the show. Brings down the house every time! Shame that Donna probably won't get to read this before meeting him. I'll try to call her at the hotel."}, {"response": 1005, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Apr  5, 2000 (16:02)", "body": "To those RotP-ers and Springers meeting at Topham's Belgravia tomorrow (esp Winter & JenK)..see you there and if you're there before me at the bar, mine's a Bacardi & Coke *hic*"}, {"response": 1006, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  5, 2000 (16:28)", "body": "Say hi to Winter for us and tell her to get her resume over to the Donmar for their new film unit; they're looking for someone who can read (scripts). ;-)"}, {"response": 1007, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Apr  5, 2000 (17:07)", "body": "Have fun, Tracy, Winter et alt. :-)"}, {"response": 1008, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Apr  6, 2000 (16:26)", "body": "The Donmar Gala and benefit performance of The Real Thing was a smash last night. Thanks to E and A for the bat story and lovely send-off. I got the best phone call before I left for the theater. It put me in a great mood. Spotted in the theater and at the party were a few celebrities, including Erica Jong, a contingent from Sony including Sydney Pollack, Peter Gallagher who played the character of Billy in the original Broadyway run (with Jeremy Irons and Glenn Close in 1984), Bill Macy (currently in American Buffalo), an actor from Magnolia and now appearing in True West (can't remember the name), Harvey from Miramax, and of course Sam. Tom couldn't make it. Sam gave a very nice speech during the dinner. The Donmar staff are pleased that he will continue to work with the theater, even if less so due to his popularity. And yes, they confirmed that the news stories of their party while watching the Oscars was true. The staff was thrilled with the success of the party and were taking in many shows before they go back to the UK. They were very nice people. The play was wonderful again, better than one of the earlier preview performances. This crowd was much more lively, much more laughter. A standing-O on the second curtain call. FYI, some staging differences from last week too. And JE played Annie less harsh. Very good changes. The cast was friendly and pleased that Americans who saw the play in London were coming to see it again in NY. (I didn't mention the lucky UK lady who is coming to NY to see it again!) Sarah Woodward was especially warm and very attractive up close. They were all quite nice. JE looked wonderful (radiant as usual) in a lace dress, mid-calf. And SD was quite handsome in a dark suit and aqua shirt. They were all approachable and gracious. Very little picture taking with the public and I saw no autograph seekers (no Colin-like frenzy). Maybe they were there, but I didn't notice. Yes, the story of the bat was true. Although the story gives the impression that it was lost. It was not, it was returned to the owner (who didn't want it to go to the US). A replacement was brought in from the US, but apparently it was not right. The bat that is being used looks like a well-worn bat. So perhaps it was the right decision to go with something that had the right look and feel. The Supper Club was quite a nice place for a party. The staff were very attentive, constantly filling glasses, bringing around food, etc. I had asked the bartender for a White Russian. He apologized because he had no milk. But about 10 minutes later a waiter searched me out and brought around the drink. Very attentive. Everyone that I met was very friendly. I met a lovely older lady from the UK who came to NY just to attend the gala. She had seen 3DOR too, and remarked at how much more handsome Colin seemed in person, though she thought he was quite handsome on film. :-) The Donmar staff praised Colin for being very friendly and easy to work with. The party lasted for quite some time. It started about 9:30 and ended after 1am. The cast stayed long, as opposed to the 3DOR gala, where early departures were reported. It was a very fun evening, made especially memorable because of the warmth of the Donmar staff. You could tell they loved their work and were very appreciative of the response of the attendees. That is all. :-)"}, {"response": 1009, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Apr  6, 2000 (18:16)", "body": "Great report Donna, thank you! What nice people the Donmar staff seem to be. Did you get a chance to speak to Sam? It sounds like a very old fashioned party, which are always the best. :-) Did you also attend the 3DOR Gala? Who left early?"}, {"response": 1010, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Apr  6, 2000 (18:34)", "body": "Thanks, Donna. Sounds like you had a lovely evening."}, {"response": 1011, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Apr  6, 2000 (18:36)", "body": "Hi Moon - no, I did not speak to Sam. :-( Actually one of the Donmar staff was trying to introduce me to him, but he got called away, so the opportunity was lost. I could have been agressive and approached him, but I was having such a nice time talking to everyone else, I actually didn't mind missing the opportunity. The staff seems to be very loyal to him, and vice versa. It was really nice to see. No, I was not at the 3DOR gala. But I heard through the grapevine that DM was the first to leave. I think he left fairly early. Colin was the second to leave, I think it was reported as around 11-ish. But by comparison, this cast all hung around (until at least 1am) and it was the guests who were leaving first. Hey, I would have stayed longer, but I ran out of people to talk to :-)"}, {"response": 1012, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr  6, 2000 (19:40)", "body": "Thanks Donna for being such a gracious ambassador last night. A lot of us were with you in spirit.... ....A standing-O on the second curtain call A real Broadway Welcome...and guess what?...she didn't even have to drop her towel;-) Sounds like the cast had a great time...a compliment to the audience and guests. Ya' made it happen...proud of ya:-))"}, {"response": 1013, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Apr  7, 2000 (08:01)", "body": "Donna, let me add my thanks for your report, it sounds like everyone had a good time and so did I reading it :-) How did 3DoR and Colin come to be talked about?"}, {"response": 1014, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr  7, 2000 (08:09)", "body": "Wonderful story, Donna. Sounds like you had an incredible evening. Did you slip SD your phone number? ;-) Here's the only mention of the party I can find from the NY Post: Oscar-winning \"American Beauty\" director Sam Mendes told this story at the Supper Club Wednesday after a preview performance of Broadway's upcoming \"The Real Thing\": Speaking to a group that included such A-listers as Sydney Pollack, Harvey Weinstein, Stanley Donen, Philip Seymour Hoffman, John C. Reilly, William H. Macy, Donna DL and Betty Buckley, Mendes recounted how the notables attending the annual Oscar nominees luncheon \"all clinched their buttocks\" when they were told to keep their acceptance speeches down to 45 seconds. \"I am happy to be standing before you tonight with my buttocks finally unclinched,\" he said. \"The Real Thing\" opens on April 17. ~~~~~ The Magnolia actor would be John C. Reilly (the cop); his story was possibly my fav in the movie."}, {"response": 1015, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Apr  7, 2000 (09:02)", "body": "\"clinched buttocks\" - hee hee, I forgot that line. Yes, Sam did say that. His speech was surprisingly long and engaging. He seemed to be a very nice person. 3DOR - I confess I would bring that up now and again, as in, \"Did you see 3DOR?\" Yes, many of the Donmar patrons had seen it and were favorably impressed. (of course!) With the staff, I joked with them about how some acquaintances of mine had \"badgered\" them about trying to get Colin's autograph. They actually had fond memories of that, talked about how sweet the ladies were, and mentioned how gracious he was with the public. Similar to Sam, I think the staff genuinely liked him. :-)"}, {"response": 1016, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Apr  7, 2000 (09:06)", "body": "(Karen) John C. Reilly, William H. Macy, Donna DL and Betty Buckley You're too much, Karen! :-D Thanks for your report, Donna. Glad to hear the Donmar raised big bucks here in the states. *sigh* and I never get tired of reading stuff like this: The Donmar staff praised Colin for being very friendly and easy to work with."}, {"response": 1017, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Fri, Apr  7, 2000 (16:08)", "body": "(Donna DL) an actor from Magnolia and now appearing in True West (can't remember the name), The actor in question could be either Philip Seymour Hoffman or John C. Reilly, as both were in the film \"Magnolia\",(that movie was trash -- my editorial comment), and are currently appearing in stage in \"True West\". Reilly and Hoffman alternate in the roles of the bickering brothers."}, {"response": 1018, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Fri, Apr  7, 2000 (16:14)", "body": "Since both Hoffman and Reilly are listed as having been there, it works for either one of them."}, {"response": 1019, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr  7, 2000 (20:03)", "body": "TALK MAGAZINE, May issue (Russell Crowe on cover) has full page pic of JE&SD on p. 125. (Thanks Harvey)"}, {"response": 1020, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Apr  8, 2000 (05:01)", "body": "(Donna)They actually had fond memories of that, talked about how sweet the ladies were Good, now we know we can go again ;-)"}, {"response": 1021, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Apr  8, 2000 (22:45)", "body": "Just returned from seeing The Real Thing in NY. What a day--beautiful sunny spring day in New York, great play, good friends . . .and we met Jennifer Ehle after the show! I'll fast forward to meeting Jennifer. After the play, we were standing outside the theater, just chatting and debating where to go for coffee. We saw a couple of the actors (the guys playing Max and Billy) leaving by a door next to the theater, and decided to try our luck. After a few minutes, sure enough, out she comes, wearing a green leather coat. A couple was waiting for her to sing their poster. She chatted briefly with them, then I approached her and asked if she would sign my program. We told her how much we enjoyed the play and her performance, and I then told her I had seen it at the Albury in London and she said, \"Really? That's fantastic!\" I then told her that I actually preferred today's show--she gave me a big wry grin and said, \"you know, I do too, it seems to be working.\" Janet told her that she had seen it on Broadway back in '84 with Glenn Close in her role. Jen said \"I saw it then, too; wish I remembered more of it--I could have used it!\" Bobbie then said, \"but you were practica ly a baby in '84.\" I added, \"yes, in '84, we all watched it from our cradles.\" She laughed--that great throaty laugh--and said, \"that's right--that's our story!\" We then all commented on P&P and how it was the gold standard, and how she was the quintessential Lizzy. She seemed so pleased--said something like, \"its such a great story, isn't it.\" We told her what a pleasure it was to see her perform live and wished her luck. We said good bye, and then she turned and said \"thank you all so much for coming.\" What a nice, pleasant girl. She has a very nice manner about her--very genuine, with a wry good humor. Just realized I wrote nothing about the play. I'll do that next.;-)"}, {"response": 1022, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Apr  8, 2000 (23:27)", "body": "Sorry for the typos in the above--I'm trying to get this down. The play--terrific. They were all really *on.* Same staging as what we saw in London. The theater was full from what I could tell. We had great seats--6th row. BTW, the Barrymore is smaller than the Albury. Audience reaction was good, building as the show went on. (In the beginning, I felt they weren't projecting as loudly as they could, and I wonder if the folks in back or upstairs could catch it all. But this improved by about the middle of the first act.) Stephen Dillane--I can't say enough about his performance. At no time do you ever feel that this guy is acting. Honestly, if I saw him on the street, I'd probably call him Henry.;-) The audience was howling during the cricket bat scene--and he seemed to respond to that and really brought it home, even falling to the floor when using Brody's script to bat. (Donna mentioned that she hadn't seen him do that before, but maybe she can elaborate.) Jennifer was laughing and seemed to really enjoy seeing him have some fun with it. Same with the scene where he's reading Brody's pathetic script, easing bit by bit into that Scottish accent--he really *sold it.* It's a great role and he does a superb job with it. Believe it or not, after watching DQ so many times, I actually was able to understand most of what Brody says.;-) Jennifer was wonderful also; she seems very confident and gives a completely naturalistic performance--nothing stagey or *actressy* about her. Warm applause at the end, two curtain calls. . .but no standing O, except for a very few of us. Matinee audiences tend to be weird that way--like they can't wait to leave and head for dinner and a nap.;-) Donna felt the reception was much better today than the first preview she saw, but not as enthusiastic as at the Donmar benefit the other night--but that's understandable. I guess that's about it. Jennifer is taller than I thought--we were both wearing flats, and I'd say she has about two inches on me, so about 5'7\" or 5'8\". Hair is redder than I recalled from London. She was wearing very little make-up--and looked gorgeous. Not fair at all, but she's so nice it's hard to hold it against her.;-)"}, {"response": 1023, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr  8, 2000 (23:41)", "body": "Everything sounds fabulous. You were probably not fighting off the heavy eyelids of last time. ;-) The Observer on High Fidelity, quite good and interesting. http://www.newsunlimited.co.uk/observer/screen/story/0,3879,157275,00.html"}, {"response": 1024, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (03:48)", "body": "Thanks for that wonderful report Mari, sounds as if everyone had a great time. I just love this play and am glad that things seem to be coming together just in time for the critics."}, {"response": 1025, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (11:04)", "body": "Thanks Mari...I was with you guys in spirit yesterday. Waiting to hear from Donna and others who went. (Mari)Stephen Dillane--I can't say enough about his performance. At no time do you ever feel that this guy is acting. Honestly, if I saw him on the street, I'd probably call him Henry.;-) (Mari)Jennifer was wonderful also; she seems very confident and gives a completely naturalistic performance--nothing stagey or *actressy* about her. Your comment reminds me of the quote from Spencer Tracy when someone asked him what was the secret of a good actor , and he said: \"Don't let them catch you at it\" ;-) These guys apparently have the secret."}, {"response": 1026, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (11:56)", "body": "Mari-Something I've been curious about JE: what is her speaking voice like? She was born in North Carolina, and has lived in England A LOT. So, what kind of accent does she have? I told my DH about your JE encounter, but warned him it won't happen for us! We are going at night, and I for one, won't be hanging out by the stage door! Our first trip to NYC--we're so excited."}, {"response": 1027, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (14:54)", "body": "Great report, Mari. What is it about the theater that allows such a feeling of camaraderie between the actors and audience? Hmmm, I think I just answered my own question."}, {"response": 1028, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (16:44)", "body": "Thanks, Mari! It brings back memories. SD is really hipnotic in that part. How does JE voice carry. She has a soft low voice and I remember she strained it a few times at the Donmar."}, {"response": 1029, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (16:49)", "body": "It's our first trip to NYC as well Meredith, although it will be my fifth time of seeing TRT, I guarantee you and your husband won't be disappointed."}, {"response": 1030, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (16:51)", "body": "... She has a soft low voice and I remember she strained it a few times at the Donmar. She did fine at the Albery.She did strain at the National ( a cavernous place)in Summerfolk. It was SD at the Albery that was inaudible at times in the mezzanine.I would think Mari could hear fine in the sixth row. (That's where I'm sitting next month)"}, {"response": 1031, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (17:16)", "body": "Hi - to elaborate on Mari's comments... SD seems to be so experienced on the stage, he can \"turn on the juice\" in reaction to an audience. Not mechanical, but very instinctive. The matinee audience was laughing at the infamous cricket bat scene (I believe Mari and I may have been the cheerleaders at that moment), and when SD hit the imaginery ball (words) with Brodie's bat (script), he not only howled \"ouch\", but he fell to the floor and rolled onto his back. That was my fourth viewing of this play, and the first time that I ever saw him roll to the floor and been flat on his back. (The first 3 times he just kind of hopped around yelling ouch.) I'm not sure if he had ever done that before, but JE seemed to be relishing that act too. The audience loved it. Then during the evening performance, he was slightly less animated, falling only to his knees this time, but he didn't roll onto his back. Gosh, I never tire of seeing this... Sigh... Mari mentioned how SD eased into a Scottish brogue, bit by bit, while reading Brodie's script, especially when the dialogue becomes totally inane. That left the audience howling too. And interestingly, the \"sinking\" into the accent is not referenced in Stoppard's script. So again this may be SD's intelligence and genius in interpreting the author's words. I also noticed on the multiple viewings that he may occasionally pause and do his infamous \"raising of his eyebrows\" during this scene, depending on the audience reaction. When he does that, the audience laughs again. But he doesn't always do that. I think he will be the toast of NY very soon. Thanks for indulging me :-)"}, {"response": 1032, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (20:13)", "body": "Thanks Donna for your reports...you and Mari should be at every performance !! I have never seen him falling on his back during the cricket-bat scene.It's a showstopper anyway.I bet Stoppard loves it. He did \"raising of the eyebrows \" a lot at the Donmar and the audience howled. No wonder Harvey saw it three times, and then went out and bought the film rights...."}, {"response": 1033, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (21:58)", "body": "It was Almodovar over Mendes at the BAFTAS. That is what is meant by a beautly surprise. (I feel sorry for people who vote for Almovar's sick vision) This is from the E. Telegraph: Beauty and a beastly surprise at the Baftas By Nigel Reynolds THE hit film American Beauty triumphed at the Baftas last night, winning six awards - one more than it collected at the Oscars in America a fortnight ago. Click to enlarge But in the biggest surprise of the night, Sam Mendes, the film's 34-year-old British director, failed to repeat his success at the Academy Awards by winning the Best Director award. Showing customary British independence, the ceremony formerly known as the British Academy of Film and Television Arts gave that award to Pedro Almodovar, the Spanish director, for his film All About My Mother. However, American Beauty was named Best Film and its leading stars, Kevin Spacey and Annette Bening were chosen as Best Actor and Best Actress. The title had eluded Miss Bening at the Oscars where Hilary Swank took the prize for Boys Don't Cry. American Beauty raised its tally at the star-studded ceremony when the composer Thomas Newman won the Best Film Music prize. It went on to carry off awards for Best Cinematography and Best Editing. Before collecting his award, Mr Spacey indicated his surprise at Sam Mendes's defeat. He said: \"Without him we couldn't have made it.\" Miss Bening, who was unable to attend the ceremony because she is expecting her fourth child by Warren Beatty, beat the British actresses Emily Watson and Linda Bassett as well as the American actress Julianne Moore for her award. Although it was a thin night for British talent, Jude Law, one of the new British bratpack of actors, managed to reverse his Oscar defeat at the hands of Michael Caine to be named the Best Supporting Actor for his role in The Talented Mr Ripley. Dame Maggie Smith won Best Supporting Actress for her role in Tea With Mussolini. Law, now heavily in demand in Hollywood, arrived at the ceremony saying that despite his success he would never move to America because the film boom in Britain meant there were now huge opportunities here. The Irish director and novelist Neil Jordan won the Best Adapted Screenplay award for reworking Graham Greene's semi-autobiographical novel about adultery, The End Of The Affair. The highly-rated East Is East, one of the few all-British films up for major awards, won one only - Outstanding British Film. Law's win apart, there were no other awards for Anthony Minghella, director of The Talented Mr Ripley, or his team. And Notting Hill, the most commercially successful British film of all time, won nothing apart from the Orange Audience award. Orange, the telecom company and sponsor of the Baftas, polled 70,000 people to find the most popular film of the year. Notting Hill won with almost 14,000 votes. The sponsorship also meant the prizes were renamed the Orange British Academy Film Awards. The television awards are to be held at a separate event. Outside the ceremony in the Odeon Leicester Square, central London, hundreds of fans gathered to catch a glimpse of the stars as they arrived. They included Dustin Hoffman, Faye Dunaway, Ralph Fiennes, Cate Blanchett, Hugh Grant and Elle Macpherson. The performers went on to a dinner and a party afterwards. Ralph Fiennes came away empty-handed after being nominated for Best Actor for The End Of The Affair, as did his sister Martha, who directed her brother in the film Onegin. Lynne Ramsay, director of the highly acclaimed low-budget film Ratcatcher, set on a tough council estate in Glasgow, went home with the Best British Newcomer award."}, {"response": 1034, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (21:59)", "body": "beautly should be beastly."}, {"response": 1035, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (22:15)", "body": "v. interesting, Moon. Defies logic to not give the award to Mendes, regardless. BTW, I don't think that Hilary Swank was eligible, as Boys Don't Cry just opened (last week) in England. *clap clap* for Jude and an \"are you kidding?\" for best suppporting actress. On another subject, I've got to say that I was thoroughly amazed at the job they did on Fail Safe tonight. Fabulous work with a fabulous cast of actors (save one - wasn't Martin Sheen available?). Did you notice that Stephen Frears directed it. Wow! Quality television on a major network and next week a production of Picnic."}, {"response": 1036, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (22:29)", "body": "I was stuck with Don Quixote at my house. My guys and the Knight errant thing. ;-D The beginning was alright but then it fell apart. The had it taking place in the 18th Century, go figure! I too am glad for Jude Law. Sam should have won it."}, {"response": 1037, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (22:50)", "body": "Watched the first hour of DQ, shaking my head at the anachronisms, then called Evelyn up about 15 minutes into Fail Safe and told her to change channels. Taped the Sopranos. ;-) Saw the very ending to DQ (during a commercial), it didn't appear as though they were true to the book. What was Dulcinea doing at his death bed? Pathetic, expected to see some leftover leprechauns."}, {"response": 1038, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (23:16)", "body": "(Meredith) Something I've been curious about JE: what is her speaking voice like? She was born in North Carolina, and has lived in England A LOT. So, what kind of accent does she have? Hi Meredith, her accent in casual conversation seems sort of \"transatlantic\"--neither fully here nor there. On the Rosie O'D show, I believe she said she can easily switch back and forth between the two, and sometimes finds herself doing so in mid-sentence.:-) (Meredith) I told my DH about your JE encounter, but warned him it won't happen for us! We are going at night, and I for one, won't be hanging out by the stage door! If it's a nightime safety concern, fear not--remember, this is Rudy Giuliani's new and improved New York.;-) Seriously, I've walked around the theater district well past midnight several times--never a problem. The streets are crowded and full of normal folk, so party on and enjoy! When is your trip, and where are you from? Ann, when is your trip? I'm just sorry I didn't see TRT at the Donmar--there is no place like the Donmar! Moon, you asked about Jennifer's voice carrying. It was fine, very clear and strong, no strain. It was the fellows who seemed a bit too low at first. (Donna) I think he will be the toast of NY very soon. And well he should be--it's a brilliant job. Donna, thanks for your report on the evening performance. Your description of SD's work in this as \"instinctive, not mechanical\" in terms of how each performance is delivered is right on. It is very exciting to see actors who can do this."}, {"response": 1039, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 10, 2000 (08:42)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1040, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 10, 2000 (08:44)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1041, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 10, 2000 (08:48)", "body": "Eh, what's that you say? Come again? It's whose birthday? Laura? Laura who? OK... HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAURA!!!"}, {"response": 1042, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr 10, 2000 (09:37)", "body": "Happy Birthday Laura! May all your wishes come true!"}, {"response": 1043, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 10, 2000 (10:48)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LAURA"}, {"response": 1044, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 10, 2000 (10:52)", "body": "Thanks to Murph for the card. And thank you Karen for alerting me to \"Fail Safe\"...was like being at a play.WoW!! Big kudos to George Clooney for producing this. Don Q. was a loser...and with a good cast too. Written by John Mortimer who writes Rumple and other Brit shows. What a disappointment. Agree with everyone ...Sam Mendes got screwed....by his own countrymen too. Come on over here, Sam...we love you!!And bring the Donmar with you...."}, {"response": 1045, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Apr 10, 2000 (12:25)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LAURA! (For some reason, I couldn't resist using capital letters. *heehee*) Saw the first two minutes of DQ and deemed it hard to follow. Then on to the Sopranos (Karen, wait 'til you see the talking fish--hysterical), finishing with Fail Safe. Could Brian Dennehy get any bigger? He's shaped like a barrel. Thought Hank Azaria did a great job. He's so different in everything he does."}, {"response": 1046, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 10, 2000 (12:55)", "body": "Donna has posted the pic from TALK Mag of SD & Jennifer. http://fp.enter.net/~purrfect/dillane.htm Click on Dillane Dateline. Cute sound file from TRT too...."}, {"response": 1047, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Apr 10, 2000 (13:13)", "body": "May I also add my Congrats, Laura! Thanks Karen for the Observer Interview..I was just about to type it all in and then I saw your posting so you saved my fingers! Did you check out all the nice pics that went with the article - nothing new I don't think but still it's nice to see!"}, {"response": 1048, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Apr 10, 2000 (15:15)", "body": "Happy Birthday Laura! Have a great year."}, {"response": 1049, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Apr 10, 2000 (15:43)", "body": "Lovely Birthday to you, Laura."}, {"response": 1050, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Mon, Apr 10, 2000 (17:24)", "body": "(Mari) When is your trip, and where are you from? We'll be up there Easter weekend. We're seeing \"Waiting in the Wings\" on Friday and TRT on Saturday (keeping it all in the family ). We're from North Carolina, very close to JE's birthplace and her mother's home."}, {"response": 1051, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Apr 10, 2000 (18:24)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Laura"}, {"response": 1052, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Apr 10, 2000 (19:04)", "body": "Happy Birthday Laura! Does this mean it's Jon's birthday today too?"}, {"response": 1053, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (07:04)", "body": "Thank you all for the wonderful birthday wishes. I wish I could say it was a happy one, however it wasn't. Onward and upward (like watsihisname said on Ally McBeal.)"}, {"response": 1054, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (08:40)", "body": "(Meredith) We'll be up there Easter weekend Just a few things to bear in mind for your trip: 1. Check the weather forecast carefully. You may need to bring everything in your closet: winter coat, shorts, etc. 2. Do not mention Hillary Clinton's name. It disturbs the mayor. Come to think of it, everything disturbs the mayor (but the place is cleaner and safer than ever). 3. Remember to ask \"is that your final answer?\" every time someone answers your question. 4. Bring Yankee garb. They won't let you into the city without it. 5. GMA is better than Today. You don't have to stand out in the street. 6. If you want to climb up to the crown in the Statue of Liberty, you've got to be at the ferry in Battery Park at the crack of dawn and not be afraid of heights--those steps get pretty darn narrow in her neck. Enjoy your stay!"}, {"response": 1055, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (09:22)", "body": "Eileen-LOL, Loved your travel tips! We'll put them to good use. I've already heard about the weather. Didn't it snow the other day!? So...what is considered \"Yankee Garb\"--anything, as long as it's black? The only tourist thing that is a requirement (requested by DH-he's such a romantic) is the Empire State Building. And, yes, yours truly is afraid (actually a healthy respect for ) of heights. We will admire Liberty from afar this trip."}, {"response": 1056, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (09:36)", "body": "(Meredith) Didn't it snow the other day!? It's snowing right now, as a matter of fact. Yankee garb--New York Yankees garb. Hats, jackets, etc. I should have been more specific ;-) Re: Empire State Bldg: get there early. The lines get really loooong and there's nothing interesting to look at while you're waiting. When you're up on top, face northwest and you'll see me waving to you from Jersey :-) Lastly, remember to substitute 'youse guys' for 'y'all' and you'll fit right in!"}, {"response": 1057, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (10:01)", "body": "Have you got a Check List for me in July, Eileen, apart from not forgetting to bring my hubby,of course. Glad to read that the city is safe, does this apply after the theatres have closed, is it safe to walk back to the hotel!!You should publish a Tourist Guide."}, {"response": 1058, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (10:04)", "body": "Eileen-LOL again. Yankee garb--New York Yankees garb Shows you where my mind is--I thought is was some sort of anti-Southern thang that I needed to worry about! ;-)"}, {"response": 1059, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (10:20)", "body": "At least you won't need your winter coat, Ann! IMO the safest part of the city is the theater district because it's crowded with tourists 'til well past midnight. Even if you mistakenly hop the subway to Queens (as my DH and I did a few months ago--wanted to go from 51st St to Madison Square Garden and took the E train going the wrong way. Shame on those tourists from NJ! ) it's still safe. NYC is presently cleaner, safer and nicer than I can remember (and I've had to knock a few squeegie men off my windshield in years past). As long as you use your common sense, you'll have no problems."}, {"response": 1060, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (10:47)", "body": "Ann, the theater district has undergone a major overhaul. Some call it the Disneyfication of Times Square. Thing to be most feared: running into Goofy"}, {"response": 1061, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (10:51)", "body": "Thanks Karen, & Eileen, I hear it can be very hot and humid in July , need to bring some stamina with me but I don't think that will be a problem as I am so excited about coming to NY for the first time."}, {"response": 1062, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (11:57)", "body": "Eileen, love your checklist :-) Laura, I'm sorry it wasn't a happy Birthday for you, but as I am late with my birthday wishes, may I wish you many happy years to come? And so you can start counting them now, here's my gift:"}, {"response": 1063, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (12:15)", "body": "Another tip for NY - always carry small bills (single dollars and fives). Don't expect the taxi driver to always have change for a $20 bill (or to admit that he has)."}, {"response": 1064, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (14:11)", "body": "(Karen) Thing to be most feared: running into Goofy Hee hee! Goofy sure beats the heck out of the peep shows and XXX movie theaters that used to populate Times Square and 42nd Street (picture a certain scene from Dutch Girls...)! Another tip (this won't affect you, Ann): if you drive in, be prepared to pay outrageous prices for parking. Don't be intimidated about driving in Manhattan. It's not as hard as it looks. Just turn the radio up so you can't hear all those annoying horns and pretend your car has no sides."}, {"response": 1065, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (15:13)", "body": "(Eileen)Lastly, remember to substitute 'youse guys' for 'y'all' and you'll fit right in! LOL...don't you believe it. Only the people from Neuw Joisey speak like that;-) ~~~~~ I feel as safe in NY as I do in London.(And it's not as expensive.)"}, {"response": 1066, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (15:35)", "body": "Only the people from Neuw Joisey speak like that Only in Jersey City, that jewel *cough* *choke* on the Hudson."}, {"response": 1067, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (15:45)", "body": "(Ann)does this apply after the theatres have closed, is it safe to walk back to the hotel!! Ann, I walked in NY at night and didn't feel unsafe at all. We even took the metro at night. Just try to avoid empty streets. I had an excellent tourist guide with loads of info about safety."}, {"response": 1068, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (17:19)", "body": "(AnnW) is it safe to walk back to the hotel! That all depends on where your hotel is. There are far more taxis in NY than people, but you might have to lay down on the street to stop one after the shows let out. They are very reasonable (comparatively speaking). (AnnW) I hear it can be very hot and humid in July Very likely could be. However, remember, everything is air-conditioned here, except the outdoors and the aforementioned taxis probably, whose drivers are masochists. ;-)"}, {"response": 1069, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (17:29)", "body": "Thanks Karen & Tineke, very heplful comments, knowing it is safe makes the visit all the more exciting."}, {"response": 1070, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (08:17)", "body": "The Metro system in NYC is awesome. We used it a few weeks back, for $4 you can have unlimited use for that day! (which is cheap, when you think of getting on and off all day!) Times Square has changed SO MUCH, I never once felt scared walking around. Ann, definitely check out the Frick Collection, it's small, but wonderful. There is a great Irish Pub in Times Square (on a side road, you can't miss it) called Langan's, food is wonderful! Even Penn Station has changed (for the better, however, all I remember is living in the bathroom (drank WAY too much):))"}, {"response": 1071, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (10:33)", "body": "(Karen) There are far more taxis in NY than people Not any more. Lots of stuff written locally about the taxi shortage, due in part to booming tourism. Even without the shortage, I wouldn't ever count on getting a taxi when the theaters let out en masse or if it's raining. Unless you take off your clothes or do something else outrageous and attention-grabbing! (Laura) The Metro system in NYC is awesome Locals hate it--extremely confusing (stops change based on day of the week and time of day), used to be unsafe (remember Bernie Goetz?), abysmally crowded during rush hour. It can't compare to London's underground or Washington DC's metro. But implementation of the Metro Card payment system, major clean-up efforts, improved safety (still gotta watch for the looneys) and better signage have helped. Buses are another alternative to taxis. They take the Metro Card as well. Re: safety--it's not without controversy. Saw an all-too-true cartoon in this week's Newsweek. A tourist wearing an \"I love NY\" t-shirt is looking through a storefront at a collection of other t-shirts. The caption: \"New York City has changed since I was here last.\" The t-shirts read \"hold your fire, NYPD!\" \"don't shoot! It's a cell phone\" \"ask questions first, shoot later\" \"unarmed black male\" and \"I love being lead-free\"."}, {"response": 1072, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (12:34)", "body": "(LauraMM)Ann, definitely check out the Frick Collection, it's small, but wonderful It's small and wonderful ;-)"}, {"response": 1073, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (13:55)", "body": "What's in it?"}, {"response": 1074, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (14:31)", "body": "Beware of cyclist in NY. More people are hit by them than they are by taxis. What I love most of the Frick is the library. You should also have lunch at the Carlyle. Great place to run into old New York with their hip grandchildren. Also Cafe des Artists on the West side. Perfect for after Theatre or Opera/Concert dinning."}, {"response": 1075, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (14:38)", "body": "The Frick museum was Henry Frick's home (mansion is more like it). I believe he had it specially built to house his vast art holdings. Frick was a railroad tycoon--early 1900s. Beautiful collection of paintings (including many of the European Masters), sculpture, bronzes, porceleins, furnishings, etc. Well worth a visit; it's right on Central Park East at 70-something Street."}, {"response": 1076, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (14:42)", "body": "Thanks Laura and everyone for recommending the Frick Museum, will certainly add it to our List, just hope we have time to do everything we want to do."}, {"response": 1077, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (15:19)", "body": "Henry Clay Frick was perhaps is the best example of the American Robber Baron of the Guilded Age. For a time he was business partner of Andrew Carnegie in Carnegie Steel. Both Frick and Carnegie were pivotal figures in the Homestead Strike. However, I digress, the Frick in New York is well worth visiting. If you're ever in Pittsburgh, you might consider visiting Frick's home, Clayton, a Victorian Gothic mansion, to be sure. On the subject of Times Square, my friend E., a life-long New Yorker, says the only thing which remains of the old Times Square is the HoJo's (Howard Johnson's). While in Times Square you might run across the Homeless Theatre Critic. I'm not making that up -- he's real."}, {"response": 1078, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (15:38)", "body": "The Frick museum was Henry Frick's home (mansion is more like it) Also less intimidating than the Metropolitan Museum of Art...thought that one is worth a visit too.The Americana wing esp. and the Egyptian wing for the display..I swear you think you're in Luxor.So much of the other stuff,old masters) you have at the National Art Gallery and the British Museum."}, {"response": 1079, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (16:53)", "body": "Couldn't resist this one: UK's Optimum, MGM team for Flawless release (12/04/00) Optimum Releasing, the indie distributor that flashed its marketing savvy by re-releasing The Third Man opposite Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, has struck a joint partnership with MGM to release Flawless, starring Robert DeNiro and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Optimum and MGM have also partnered for a UK release on Mike Figgis\ufffd Miss Julie. Additionally, Optimum is re-releasing Jean-Luc Godard\ufffds Breathless (A Bout De Souffle) on its 40th anniversary and has acquired Iranian Oscar nominee Color Of Paradise. Optimum was formed last year by Will Clarke, who was formerly at UK distributor the Feature Film Co. \"The company is now in the position where it can comfortably release a diversity of mainstream and traditional art-house product with precision in the UK,\" Clarke said. ~~~~~~~ Don't know why they didn't mention the Secret Laughter of Women? ;-)"}, {"response": 1080, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (22:46)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1081, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (22:46)", "body": "This article from The Guardian is about Anna Karenina, but interestingly it was directed by David Blair (as a last minute replacement) just after he did Donovan Quick. \"Blair, his replacement, has come straight from making a film with Colin Firth and admits that he hasn't read the book and is still finding his way.\" http://www.newsunlimited.co.uk/arts/story/0,3604,160335,00.html"}, {"response": 1082, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (11:59)", "body": "Sounds like they bit off more than they can handle.... Why didn't they get Simon Langton? He directed the 1985 TV movie with Jacqueline Bissett, Christopher Reeve and Paul Scofield. (Hey Donna , can't see dumping SD for Dougie Henshall)"}, {"response": 1083, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (12:30)", "body": "re: Anna K. I think this is the production co-produced by Rebecca Eaton at WGBH Boston. It's on the schedule for next season Masterpiece Theatre on US PBS stations."}, {"response": 1084, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (16:59)", "body": "Why didn't they get Simon Langton? Obviously not everybody thinks that the sun shines out of his behind... ;-) I was unhappy with some scenes in P&P which lacked \"vision\" and buoyancy. He is generally OK, but does make occasional mistakes (for which less experienced audience - i.e. most of us - tend to blame actors)."}, {"response": 1085, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (17:41)", "body": "He is generally OK, but does make occasional mistakes (for which less experienced audience - i.e. most of us - tend to blame actors). Well...being a member of the \"great unwashed\", I didn't see any errors and was generally mesmerized by the whole production.One does hear of lighting that wasn't the same in some scenes etc....I just chalk up to people who always look for those thorns in rose bushes...."}, {"response": 1086, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (18:34)", "body": "I'm talking mainly about small points of concern to those who are particular about the period. The Republic of Pemberley site is forever chewing over full details of what and why could be considered not quite right. But I agree that on the whole these relative trivia do not spoil the enjoyment. Yes, I was also mesmerised! Most scenes were brilliant, some outstanding - thanks to great casting, of course (though I'm still not too sure about cartoon-style takes on some characters)."}, {"response": 1087, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (19:20)", "body": "I know there's been discussion here from time to time on why CF doesn't win BAFTAs and theater critics awards. Thought this might be of interest. ********** Caine mutiny opens acting class divide Oscar winner's outburst unites stars from humbler backgrounds against snobbery in British film and theatre as valleys lad quits for States Film Unlimited Fiachra Gibbons, Arts Correspondent Friday April 14, 2000 The acting profession was last night thrown into a tizz over the five letter word that is still its greatest taboo - class. Nudity, violence and strong language hardly raise a hackle these days but pulses have been set racing after three \"working class\" stars branded British film and theatre \"class ridden\" and \"snobbish\". Michael Caine set the cat among the pigeons by using his acceptance speech for his lifetime's achievement award at the Baftas to complain about how as a south Londoner with a \"duff accent\" he felt ignored and unloved, like \"a stranger in my own country and profession\". The former meat market porter turned Hollywood star was promptly dismissed as an ungrateful, grouchy \"millionaire whinger\" until Jane Horrocks, who played alongside him in Little Voice, rallied to his defence. Horrocks, 36, insisted there was \"a lot of snobbery\" in the film industry and said she was told to ditch her broad Lancashire accent at drama school. \"Juliet Stevenson, Judi Dench and Maggie Smith are always getting awards. That isn't to say that they don't deserve them but it's much easier for them,\" she said. \"It happens a lot with the middle and upper classes in the profession while a lot of people in the lower classes are ignored.\" Bob Hoskins piled in to confirm that the British industry was indeed full of \"lunatics\" who judged actors on their accent and backround rather than their talent. \"There is still a class aspect in this country. It is ridiculous,\" he said. Last night the plebeian thespians found support from an unexpected quarter. Actor Corin Redgrave, head of the nearest thing British stage has to a royal family, said there was \"sadly a lot of truth in what they say\". What is more, he claimed, it is much more difficult now for working class kids to become actors than it was even in Caine's day. \"If it was hard for Michael Caine in the sixties, it's harder now. Back then there were a lot of working class actors and writers coming through. Take Albert Finney or Tom Courtenay. They could get grants to go to drama school but they are only given now on a discretionary basis, which means more often than not they are not getting them at all. I get heartbreaking letters all the time from young people working all hours to get through drama school. It's wrong and that is leading to working class people not being represented in the way they should.\" Philip Headley, artistic director of the Theatre Royal Stratford East, said the class divide still held. \"You only have to look at the careers of someone like Ann Mitchell, who was so brilliant in Widows on TV. She should be a mainstay of the National Theatre and the RSC but only now in her sixties is she getting to play the Greek tragedies on really big stages, and that is with Peter Hall in America.\" Headley said the real unfairness came at awards, where middle and upper class actors usually clean up. Occasionally, working class actors do scoop the big awards though. Kathy Burke won best actress at Cannes for Nil By Mouth, but even she has not entirely buried the class hatchet. When Helena Bonham Carter complained that you \"have an easier time if you're not pretty and you're working class\", Burke wrote her a little note to sympathise: \"As a lifelong member of the non-pretty working classes, I would like to say to Helena Bonham Carter (member of the very pretty upper middle classes): shut up you stupid c***.\" Even so, film and the theatre are still far less exclusive than many areas of British life, maintained producer Stephen Woolley. The bias emerges at award ceremonies. He added: \"Award committees will inevitably always go for the face that fits or that seems to be right and respectable. \"That's why maybe John Hurt who played Stephen Ward in [the Profumo film] Scandal never won a Bafta for his performance - people did not want to be seen as backing his character.\" Actor Ray Winstone, a former boxer who won huge acclaim but few prizes for films such as Nil By Mouth, is much less circumspect. \"People say there's no class system. Let me tell you, there f****** well is.\" The oiks Sir Ian McKellen: Don't let the knighthood fool you. Famously fled the \"middle class\" West End for down to earth Leeds. Ray Winstone: Started as a boxer and was an amateur English champion before the director Alan Clarke spotted him. Jane Horrocks: Lancashire-born actor who refused to lose her accent while at Rada Kathy Burke: describes herself as \"a north London working class Irish peasant and proud of it\" The toffs Helena Bonham Carter: Aristocratic blue blood from a long line of bankers and p"}, {"response": 1088, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (19:25)", "body": "Well, can anyone find fault with our Colin's accent? ;-)"}, {"response": 1089, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (20:14)", "body": "Awards always will be a matter of a little bit more than just merit... - unless of course award boards agree to feed all the names in the computer and leave it to the cyber-chance... Michael Caine continued his accusations at a private party attended by his family and friends after last Sunday's ceremony - including Horrocks and Hoskins, who seemed to be prattling under the influence... Apparently later Caine tried to diffuse the situation and another of his friends, film director Michael Winner, said jokingly that \"Michael has had a bad day today: no one gave him an award... when his wife passed him his coat, he made an acceptance speech...\""}, {"response": 1090, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (20:28)", "body": "Awright Kathy Burke. LOL!! Hmmm, if the theory is that \"upper class\" actors have the \"upper hand\", then it still doesn't explain while Colin continues to be ignored. Wasn't he just complaining in the recent article posted on 129 that he's always resented being called \"posh\"? Hey, we know he's not a toff, but he sure can pass for one."}, {"response": 1091, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (22:08)", "body": "Hmmm, if the theory is that \"upper class\" actors have the \"upper hand\", then it still doesn't explain while Colin continues to be ignored. Perhaps because the establishment people know he is not one of them and he has no desire to be one of them."}, {"response": 1092, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Fri, Apr 14, 2000 (08:43)", "body": "Michael Winner? Michael Winner??? Dear god in heaven. Has that man ever made a decent film, much less an award winning one? He's a revolting little t**d, my dears, and a f***ing miserable excuse for a director. Babbling to myself, just ignore me."}, {"response": 1093, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Apr 14, 2000 (16:49)", "body": "I quite agree, Chris. But Winner *occasionally* manages a witty remark - and the one above happens to be quite funny. Apart from that he is everything you say - and one of Caine's cronies... Enough said."}, {"response": 1094, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Apr 15, 2000 (18:17)", "body": "Colin also backs causes that are note politicaly correct and makes movies like Tumbledown, which was not well recieved by some of the powers that be. It was too near the truth."}, {"response": 1095, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Apr 15, 2000 (18:51)", "body": "Colin also backs causes that are note politicaly correct Humane treatment of less fortunate people regardless of their background is not politically correct? and makes movies like Tumbledown How many such movies has he made so far? He also makes movies like Playmaker. :-)"}, {"response": 1096, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Apr 15, 2000 (20:03)", "body": "(Arami) How many such movies has he made so far? He also makes movies like Playmaker. :-) Well he is an ACTOR, and that is what ACTORS do, they make movies. Good or bad."}, {"response": 1097, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 15, 2000 (23:44)", "body": "Article in the NY Times about Stephen Dillane: http://www.nytimes.com/yr/mo/day/artleisure/realthing-thater.html"}, {"response": 1098, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (08:52)", "body": "250"}, {"response": 1099, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (09:00)", "body": "Oops - I don't know what happened there... Well he is an ACTOR You don't say..................? ;-) Article in the NY Times about Stephen Dillane: http://www.nytimes.com/yr/mo/day/artleisure/realthing-thater.html Here's a professional who really has got it cornered... Comparisons might be unfair..."}, {"response": 1100, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (09:46)", "body": "(Arami) Here's a professional who really has got it cornered... Comparisons might be unfair... Ah, go ahead and live dangerously, Arami.;-) Nice article, Karen. It captures what a number of us here have been saying about Dillane's abilities and technique."}, {"response": 1101, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (10:18)", "body": "Ah, go ahead and live dangerously, Arami.;-) Moi...? (;-P) I'll let someone else take the first bite... if they dare... ;-)"}, {"response": 1102, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (10:48)", "body": "Ladies, ladies, you're almost drooling. Would you like a Stephan Dillane topic? Your wish is our command."}, {"response": 1103, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (11:55)", "body": "Not me, alas. I very highly admire and respect Stephen as an actor but, apart from that, quite honestly, he renders me impotent (I can't get my drool to rise... ;-D)."}, {"response": 1104, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (12:31)", "body": "Well to badly misquote a Tom Stoppard line in TRT, Stephen leaves all 4 of my lips quivering :-)) Hmmm, maybe that's why I keep fidgeting in my seat..."}, {"response": 1105, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (13:28)", "body": "TMI -- too much information. Still, Donna if you're enjoying yourself; knock yourself out over SD."}, {"response": 1106, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (14:08)", "body": "No need to start a Dillane topic on my account, Heide, but thanks anyway. Shallow gal that I am, my considerable admiration for him is purely professional.;-) I do imagine we'll have a number of TRT articles and reviews posted here in the coming days, but if no one minds, we can keep it here. Now let's see some nice Jennifer articles too. . .:-)"}, {"response": 1107, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (17:07)", "body": "Four quivering lips? Phheeww"}, {"response": 1108, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (18:21)", "body": "I will try to find the article about Tumbledown. The writer says that many influential people were very upset about that movie because it showed a little too graphicaly how the patients in vets hospitals were treated. To the people trying to pass laws tightening the immigration laws the protesters are political burrs in their pants."}, {"response": 1109, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (19:04)", "body": "Four quivering lips? Phheeww You have to do better than that, Passionate Colin, dear. Phheeww, phheeww, phheeww, phheeww."}, {"response": 1110, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (07:26)", "body": "Check out this kid's age. ************ Aussie Ledger to star in ``Feathers'' By Claude Brodesser and Michael Fleming HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Australian newcomer Heath Ledger is in advanced talks to play the lead role in ``Four Feathers,'' a remake of the famed 1939 Zoltan Korda picture. Ledger would portray a British officer who resigns his post just before battle and subsequently receives four white feathers from his friends and fiancee as symbols of what they believe to be his cowardice. The 21-year-old has just wrapped the Mel Gibson starrer ``The Patriot'' upon which Sony is pinning much of its hopes for summer box office. Ledger's only American film credit prior to that Revolutionary War picture was Disney's Shakespearean update ``10 Things I Hate About You.'' But he got raves from Columbia brass for his work in ``The Patriot,'' and that led to Columbia's offer to topline ``L.A. Confidential'' co-scribe Brian Helgeland's newest picture, ``A Knight's Tale,'' now lensing in Prague. Helmed by Shekhar Kapur (''Elizabeth''), ``Feathers'' was originally to have starred Jude Law, but talks over his salary broke down last month. The Paramount/Miramax co-production will be shot in Morocco this spring. Reuters/Variety"}, {"response": 1111, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (09:02)", "body": "Thanks, Mari. I heard that kid being hyped last week on ET as the next Somebodyorother. ;-) Seems to be a plethora of Don Quixote projects surfacing. From FilmUnlimited today: Johnny Depp could be playing opposite his real-life partner Vanessa Paradis, and reuniting with Terry Gilliam in The Man Who Killed Don Quixote. Depp is in advanced talks to play Sancho Panza, the servant of Don Quixote, a wandering knight who battles both windmills and reality itself. In a twist on Miguel de Cervantes' 17th century classic, Depp's character is a modern-day advertising executive who travels back in time to meet Don Quixote. Paradis would play Aldonza, a kitchen-wench whom Don Quixote sees as the most beautiful woman the world. The production, which would reunite Depp and Gilliam after Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas, is thought to be the largest-scale picture backed by the UK National Lottery to date. The project's other European backers include Le Studio Canal Plus, French production outfit Hachette Premiere and German film fund KC Medien. Pathe Pictures is aiming for a September shoot in the UK and Spain. France's Rene Cleitman is producing, while Los Angeles-based sales operation Pathe International is handling international sales. ~~~~~~~ Let's see, in our TV version, Aldonza was played by Vanessa Williams (beautiful woman) and in this new one, she will be played by Vanessa Paradis, another beautiful woman. Apparently, the producers haven't the guts to go for a plain woman."}, {"response": 1112, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (09:38)", "body": "BTW, I have opened up a new topic for Stephen Dillane. It is 132, and would be a perfect place for all the TRT notices. (you know me, everything in its place)"}, {"response": 1113, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (10:22)", "body": "(Karen) BTW, I have opened up a new topic for Stephen Dillane Hee hee. My quivering lips thank you! FYI, Stoppard does write about uppers and lowers in TRT. This is the scene with Henry (SD), Charlotte (Sarah Woodward) and Max (Nigel Lindsey). Charlotte is complaining about how Henry writes his women characters, with her role in \"House of Cards\" having a stiff upper one and two semi-stiff lower ones all trembling for him (Henry). :-D))"}, {"response": 1114, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (11:31)", "body": "Heath Ledger is a cutie, btw;)"}, {"response": 1115, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (12:36)", "body": "Hmmm, sounds like Rupe is really winning friends and influencing people.;- ;-)This letter was in yesterday's L.A. Times: It is a naive assumption that bad films begin life as bad scripts (\"Frailty, Thy Name is Director,\" by Kenneth Turan, April 9). In postulating about why good directors \"choose\" weak screenplays, Turan has overlooked an increasingly frequent cause of script-deterioration: the egocentric actor. The original screenplay for \"The Next Best Thing,\" which Turan lashes, was a highly regarded script that several studios wanted to buy; however, the version that John Schlesinger signed on to direct was not the version that made it to the screen. Although uncredited, Rupert Everett was allowed to rewrite the screenplay, bragging loudly to any journalist who would listen that he had \"improved\" it. I think the result speaks for itself. LESLIE DIXON Producer, \"The Next Best Thing\" Beverly Hills"}, {"response": 1116, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (13:08)", "body": "(Laura) Heath Ledger is a cutie, btw;) If you like zygotes.;-) And to think some of us hoped CF might have a shot at this one.:-("}, {"response": 1117, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (14:59)", "body": "If you like zygotes.;-) And to think some of us hoped CF might have a shot at this one.:-( ] My taste in men of late is generally in the geriatric level, so um, a zygote is a nice change of pace for me;) I don't know much of Four Feathers, sounds like a Marx Brothers production;)"}, {"response": 1118, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (11:16)", "body": "Cannes lineup is now being released In Competition - compete for the following awards: Palme, d'Or, Grand Jury Prize, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Director, and Best Screenplay \"S\ufffdnger Fr\ufffdn Andra V\ufffdningen,\" directed by Roy Andersson \"Eureka,\" directed by Aoyama Shinji \"O Brother, Where Art Thou,\" directed by Joel Coen \"Kippur,\" directed by Amos Gita\ufffd \"The Yards,\" directed by James Gray \"Estorvo,\" directed by Ruy Guerra \"Chunhyang,\" directed by Im Kwon Taek \"The Golden Bowl,\" directed by James Ivory (with Jeremy Northam!) \"Guiza Lai Le,\" directed by Jiang Wen \"Fast Food Fast Women,\" directed by Amos Kollek \"Nurse Betty,\" directed by Neil LaBute \"Bread and Roses,\" directed by Ken Loach \"La Noce,\" directed by Pavel Lounguine \"Takht\ufffd Siah,\" directed by Samira Makhmalbaf \"Gohatto,\" directed by Nagisa Oshima \"Trolosa,\" directed by Liv Ullman \"Dancer in the Dark,\" directed by Lars von Trier \"Untitled,\" directed by Wong Kar-Wai \"Yi Yi,\" directed by Edward Yang Un Certain Regard - the non-competitive section of the official selection. (However, first-time films presented in this section can compete for the Camera d'Or.) OPENING FILM: \"Things You Can Tell Just By Looking At Her,\" directed by Rodrigo Garcia CLOSING FILM: \"I Dreamed Of Africa,\" directed by Hugh Hudson \"Preferisco Il Rumore Del Mare,\" directed by Mimmo Calopresti \"Capitaes De Abril,\" directed by Maria De Medeiros \"Famous,\" directed by Griffin Dunne \"Oh! Soojung,\" directed by Hong Sang-Soo \"Wild Blue,\" directed by Thierry Knauff \"The King Is Alive,\" directed by Kristian Levring \"Tierra Del Fuego,\" directed by Miguel Littin \"Jacky,\" directed by Brat Ljatifi & Fow Pyng Hu \"Asi Es La Vida,\" directed by Arturo Ripstein \"Abschied,\" directed by Jan Sch\ufffdtte \"Lista De Espera,\" directed by Juan Carlos Tabio \"Nichiyobi Wa Owaranai,\" directed by Yoichiro Takahashi \"La Saison Des Hommes,\" directed by Moufida Tlatli \"Woman On Top,\" directed by Fina Torres \"Lost Killers,\" directed by Dito Tsintsadze \"Eu Tu Eles,\" directed by Andrucha Waddington \"Djomeh,\" directed by Hassan Yektapanah Out of Competition - special screenings OPENING NIGHT: \"Vatel,\" directed by Roland Joff\ufffd CLOSING NIGHT: \"Stardom,\" directed by Denys Arcand OUT OF COMPETITION: \"Requiem For A Dream,\" directed by Darren Aronofsky \"Mission To Mars,\" directed by Brian De Palma \"Under Suspicion,\" directed by Stephen Hopkins \"A Conversation With Gregory Peck,\" Barbara Kopple Still waiting for the Directors Fortnight category... \"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,\" directed by Ang Lee \"Honest,\" directed by Dave Stewart \"Cecil B. Demented,\" directed by John Waters *** \"Avril (1962),\" directed by Otar Iosseliani \"Les Glaneurs Et La Glaneuse,\" directed by Agn\ufffds Varda"}, {"response": 1119, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (12:51)", "body": "Thanks for the Cannes list, Karen. Disappointed that RV is not there. . . .was still hoping . . . \"The Golden Bowl,\" directed by James Ivory (with Jeremy Northam!) You mean poor Mr. Merchant has been replaced by JN? ;-) ;-) Good to see Jeremy's name. \"Nurse Betty,\" directed by Neil LaBute Starring (drum roll here, please) Renee Zellweger. Good exposure for her. CLOSING FILM: \"I Dreamed Of Africa,\" directed by Hugh Hudson Oh, sure. Hugh Hudson is going to have a hit one year too late.;-)"}, {"response": 1120, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (15:02)", "body": "I had a farm in Africa at the foot of the Ngong Hills...oops, I mean, I dreamed of Africa. If there's a biplane flying around some rift valley, I'm outta there! ;-) Thank goodness Nurse Betty wasn't written by you-know-who, although I wonder about any project he's associated with."}, {"response": 1121, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (16:47)", "body": "I had a farm in Africa sadly, farms in Africa are a dangerous thing today."}, {"response": 1122, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (17:12)", "body": "(Mari)Thanks for the Cannes list, Karen. Disappointed that RV is not there. . . .was still hoping . . . Cancel that trip to France!! Let's start working on Toronto!"}, {"response": 1123, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (23:08)", "body": "Interesting article about Cusack and High Fidelity on Reuters. Cusack Plays to His Own Tune in 'High Fidelity' LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - It is no huge commercial hit, John Cusack's \"High Fidelity,\" with only $16.8 million in domestic ticket sales in about three weeks in theaters. It will not break box office records or make instant stars of relative unknowns, but with its modest success \"High Fidelity\" will keep its star, co-writer and co-producer, John Cusack, comfortably in the movie business. Contrary to popular belief, making Hollywood movies is not just about smashing box office records -- or cars, airplanes or even egos. Just check the five Oscars and $124 million-plus domestic ticket sales for \"American Beauty.\" At age 34 and with 17 years of film roles under his belt, Cusack knows that little secret as well as anybody. If he shows up in every now and then in a big budget thriller like 1997's \"Con Air,\" the corporate suits who run the studios give him the money to make movies his way. Sometimes they are hits, like the first film he co-wrote and produced, \"Grosse Pointe Blank,\" and sometimes they are not. \"They (the studios) have to have the perception that you can bring people into the movie theaters, so sometimes you have to do films that normally wouldn't be your first choice,\" Cusack told Reuters in an interview. \"I don't think anybody survives in Hollywood for 15 or 20 years without compromise.\" As much as anything, \"High Fidelity\" is about the fine art of compromise, albeit of a different sort than the kind Cusack seems to have mastered so far in his career in Hollywood. The film, based on Nick Hornby's novel of that name, stars Cusack as Rob Gordon, a music junkie and owner of a record store in Chicago who cannot fully commit to a relationship. As a result, the women in his life are always walking out on him. A personal conflict arises in his mid-30s when his live-in girlfriend Laura (Denmark's Iben Hjejle) decides she will never be Mrs. Rob Gordon and moves out. Her departure sends him in search of old girlfriends to find out why they all left him, as well as looking for someone to fill Laura's side of the bed. After finding and questioning his list of all-time top-five girlfriends, Rob learns it is not the women in his life who are walking out on him but he who refuses responsibility that could last a lifetime, whether in his music career or his love life. \"A lot of stuff that happens in this movie has happened to everybody. I've certainly been in relationships half committed and realized that you have to get in or get out,\" Cusack said. While \"High Fidelity\" may sound like a story meant mostly for men, Cusack said some of the best response has come from women who see Laura's character as strong and unwilling to put up with Rob's indecision. In fact, before he can fully realize his past mistakes, she moves in with another man. Cusack said he, too, has been \"kicked in the chest\" by a breakup that results in a lover heading into the arms of another man and it is the sort of story people learn from and the sort of story he likes to tell. \"High Fidelity\" is also a story about music and music's affect on people as well as about introspection and searching, two other topics Cusack enjoys. He calls himself a \"music lover\" who remembers certain times in his life through the songs he was listening to at the time, and he says he explores his own thoughts and actions \"more often than he should.\" But if it were not for that sort of inner voice telling him what to do or where to go, movie fans would not have films like \"High Fidelity\" that feature stories of everyday life treated with thought and concern and even a touch of humility. Instead, all of Hollywood's films would feature car crashes and hopelessly unrealistic sets of circumstances. \"I want people to have a good time and I want them to be entertained,\" said Cusack. \"But I want there to be something behind it too, so it makes you think.\""}, {"response": 1124, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (23:10)", "body": "I had a farm in Africa at the foot of the Ngong Hills...oops, I mean, I dreamed of Africa. If there's a biplane flying around some rift valley, I'm outta there! ;-) LOL, Karen! I saw the previews... ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ! Un Certain Regard, seems more interesting than the ones in the competition. Anyway, Cannes is not what it used to be. I think they are honoring Jean-Luc Godard this year. Ah, la nouvelle vague!!!"}, {"response": 1125, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (09:06)", "body": "Let's start working on Toronto! Toronto International FF Sept. 7-16 http://www.bell.ca/filmfest They suggest in mid-July call to make flm reservations. Schedule is finalized in late August. Should I call to make hotel reservations?"}, {"response": 1126, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (09:15)", "body": "TO KAREN N' Lottsa' Lov...."}, {"response": 1127, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (09:18)", "body": "You told me it would work!! Anyway... HAPPY PASSOVER,KAREN"}, {"response": 1128, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (10:12)", "body": "Have a wonderful Passover, Karen! Say hello to all the family and do not cook too much. ;-)"}, {"response": 1129, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (10:15)", "body": "Thanks, Evelyn and Moon. Evelyn, I don't know what you attempted to post, so can't investigate."}, {"response": 1130, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (10:39)", "body": "Happy Passover, Karen. Have fun tonight. (don't EAT too much;))"}, {"response": 1131, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (15:23)", "body": "Happy Passover to all those of the Jewish faith."}, {"response": 1132, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (16:48)", "body": "HAPPY PASSOVER, KAREN! Don't stuff yourself at Seder!! KJ"}, {"response": 1133, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (17:49)", "body": "New \"Premiere\" Mag.... \"The 100 Most Powerful People in Hollywood\" John Calley ranked as #10. \".....Calley,69, dreams of retiring with his family to Victoria, British Columbia.....\" [Uh,oh...to the \"backwoods cabin\"? And he thought he had left that place for good...]"}, {"response": 1134, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (20:23)", "body": "\".....Calley,69, dreams of retiring with his family to Victoria, British Columbia.....\" Does he dream or is the dream dreamt for him...?"}, {"response": 1135, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (20:26)", "body": "I may be going there this summer."}, {"response": 1136, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (21:55)", "body": "(Arami) Does he dream or is the dream dreamt for him...? Ha! You've nailed it, Arami. Amazing. The woman is a veritable pied piper.;-)"}, {"response": 1137, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (22:23)", "body": "Oh, KJ!! I love the dancing matzo. Going to have to send that image to some family. And thanks to everyone else. The next 8 days are a culinary trial. Ack."}, {"response": 1138, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (22:48)", "body": "Another Happy Passover Wish: Karen: If you can, please explain what is this search for the \"Afikoman\"?"}, {"response": 1139, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (23:14)", "body": "A party game for the kiddies. A piece of matzo is broken off during the seder and hidden. After the meal, the little kids go to find it. Winner gets something. I've never understood how anyone can hide something in a roomful of people. Suspect it's done in advance."}, {"response": 1140, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (07:19)", "body": "\".....Calley,69, dreams of retiring with his family to Victoria, British Columbia.....\" Will this move prompt Colin to have Will move to London?"}, {"response": 1141, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (09:32)", "body": "\"Premiere\"Movie Mag.Long article on press junkets.. \"Being in movies these days means that artists have to intermittently stop being artists and go out and be salespeople\". Some hate it and it shows...journalists catch on fast. Anthony Minghella who is writing \"Cold Mountain\" has Matt Damon in mind. Apparently MD is a director's and producers' dream...the guy works his butt off plugging his films. Some stuff on Working Title which I'll post on #80."}, {"response": 1142, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (10:44)", "body": "(Karen)\"Capitaes De Abril,\" directed by Maria De Medeiros Portuguese actress, now turned director, of movie about the Portuguese military coup of 1974. While it is nice to see someone listed who is not Manoel de Oliveira, I've read reticent reviews. (Arami)sadly, farms in Africa are a dangerous thing today. Indeed. Sad to see politicians play upon people's difficulties and endanger other people's lives instead of trying to solve problems adequately. Happy Passover, Karen! May I also start posting Easter greetings for the Christians among us? :-)"}, {"response": 1143, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (10:53)", "body": "You don't need my permission...let the eggs roll :-)"}, {"response": 1144, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (12:39)", "body": "Is Maid of Buttermere slated to be a film? Hate for Colin to get involved in another foreign film project. They are invariably under financed and have a terrible time getting distributed...if at all.IMO. Before anybody flames me...I have nothing against foreign films...or film directors from other countries..etc. It's the distribution that becomes problematic.And I don't want him in another film that tanks ..or that no one gets to see. BTW...I am watching the Video rental charts on Teletext....SLOW has never made it among the top ten.Where, Oh where ,are those millions of CF fans who are supposed to be flocking to Blockbusters...inasmuch as they didn't flock to the cinemas.Hmmmm?"}, {"response": 1145, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (18:53)", "body": "Happy Easter - and whatever other denominations call this seasonal feast. Whatever each of us is celebrating - praise be."}, {"response": 1146, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (19:29)", "body": "Interesting article on Stephen Frears, from the Guardian: Tracks of my Frears Nick Hornby's London novel about an obsessive music fanatic has become a movie set in Chicago. Stuart Husband gets the lowdown from its director, the very English Stephen Frears, man of many genres. Friday April 21, 2000 \"I think, as time goes on, I'm getting more and more English,\" Stephen Frears announces, as he contemplates his antipasti in a Notting Hill trattoria, just down the road from his home. \"I wouldn't know what to do in Hollywood. This is where I live.\" It's just the kind of mission statement you might expect from a director who's turned the filmic spotlight on the complexities of domestic class and culture, whether set among the thrusting Thatcherite immigrant entrepreneurs of 1985's My Beautiful Laundrette - the movie which brought him to international attention - or mavericks clawing and scheming their way out of the working-class ghetto, both in his Joe Orton biopic Prick Up Your Ears, and his adaptations of Roddy Doyle's The Snapper and The Van. Hang on, though - wasn't this also the man who made one of the definitive American road movies in The Grifters, meticulously anatomised the court machinations of 18th-century France in Dangerous Liaisons, and, most recently, helmed the finest Sam Peckinpah western the man himself never made, complete with cattle drives and dusty rodeos, last year's The Hi-Lo Country? We should at least be back on familiar terrain with Frears's latest movie, High Fidelity, an adaptation of Nick Hornby's best-selling novel about a manic-depressive, north London second-hand record shop owner who consoles himself through serial break-ups with obsessive Top 5 list-making. Somewhere in development hell, however, John Cusack acquired the rights to the book, assembled his Grosse Pointe Blank writing team, and shifted the location from London to Chicago, with Cusack himself - not the first face that would spring to mind when contemplating the doleful character of Rob - in the leading role. It turns out to be these two factors that attracted Frears to the project. \"I'd read the book,\" he says, \"and though I found it enjoyable, it didn't really chime with me; it's not about my generation. But I liked the idea of John doing it; he's been a friend since we did The Grifters. And while I was as sceptical as anyone about the change of setting, it finally appealed to me, because it made it less parochial; it stops it being about England.\" \"That's sort of the problem with English films, isn't it?\" he asks, warming to his theme. \"England is all they're ever about, and if they're not, they're even worse. This country is just not a very interesting subject. It's terribly limited.\" It sounds contradictory - an English film director who feels intensely English, who's ambiguous at best when it comes to making films about England because he doesn't find England interesting. But then, Frears himself cuts a rather contrary figure. A youthful-looking 58, his bushy black hair greying above the ears, he resembles a rumpled, trendy don. He is, in fact, a visiting tutor at the National Film School in Beaconsfield, and his soft-spoken manner can change from avuncular bonhomie to icy patrician disdain with quicksilver speed. For instance, when I venture a remark that 70% of High Fidelity appears to be delivered straight-to-camera by Cusack, he's indignant: \"That's stupid, a wild exaggeration. It's nothing like that, you don't know what you're talking about. It's more like 7%.\" The next minute, he's asking my opinion on which of the new breed of British film directors has \"got it\" (for the record, the only one he really rates is Kevin Allen, who made Twin Town and The Big Tease - \"he seems a very clever boy\"). In some ways, he's the embodiment of the establishment that came of age in the late 60s and early 70s - he abandoned his Cambridge law degree to work as assistant director to Karel Reisz on 1966's Morgan - A Suitable Case For Treatment, and repeatedly refers, luvvie-like, to \"Lindsay\" (Anderson), \"Ridley\" (Scott), \"Ken\" (Loach), \"Les\" (Blair), or \"Mike\" (Newell and Leigh). However, he also portrays himself simply as a workaday movie-maker who's generally been lucky with his projects (though he passed on Thelma & Louise), despite the fact Cusack puts him \"in the front rank\" of directors working today. \"It doesn't feel like that from where I stand,\" he shrugs. \"It's not that there are 15 offers sitting around and people begging me to do them. There's generally one thing that captures my imagination and, like a spoilt child, I'll go off and do it, whether it's set in Dublin or Illinois.\" But not, perhaps, Notting Hill. Despite living in the area for 20 years with painter Anne Rothenstein and their three sons and daughter, Frears hasn't seen the film of the same name, \"except occasional bits over people's shoulders on planes\", and looks blank when I mention the legendary Blue Door. \"I'm not really interested in it,\" he c"}, {"response": 1147, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (23:07)", "body": "There are differences - the character of Rob probably has more sexual confidence, but that's partly a function of setting it in the States, where they seem less neurotic about that kind of thing, and partly because it wouldn't be too convincing having John being that gauche Didn't I say just this (not that it was an American thing, but the rest)? ;-)"}, {"response": 1148, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (23:21)", "body": "This speaks for itself. HAPPY EASTER! You've not heard the last of this! **Heehee** KJ"}, {"response": 1149, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (23:23)", "body": "(Not everything the Easter Bunny leaves are blsck jelly beans! KJ"}, {"response": 1150, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Apr 21, 2000 (07:28)", "body": "I don't know if that's funny or gross;) Happy Easter all!"}, {"response": 1151, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 21, 2000 (09:39)", "body": "Why is it that any actor/director who comes to work in the US is considered a traitor by the British press. No other country does this...Italy, Spain.. Sheech!"}, {"response": 1152, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Fri, Apr 21, 2000 (10:00)", "body": "Happy Easter to everyone who celebrates the holiday. Now I'll bore everyone with trivia. The day on which Easter falls every year is the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox. That is not the case for Eastern Orthodox Christians, who determine Easter to fall the week after Passover. Most of you probably knew that. I'm going to visit Mom for Easter; and as she's a bit of a Luddite I'll be computerless, (that's not really a word), for several days. The upside is that I will have lots of posts to read and be hugely entertained when I get back. Happy Easter and Happy Spring!"}, {"response": 1153, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Apr 21, 2000 (13:08)", "body": "Let me add my best wishes to all for a happy [insert holiday of your choice here]. Loved the greeting, KJ. Hope you're feeling better."}, {"response": 1154, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 21, 2000 (14:15)", "body": "HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!"}, {"response": 1155, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Apr 21, 2000 (16:57)", "body": "Advice to the wise... Don't get too excited celebrating the delights of this Vernal Season. One can overdo having a joyous.... Next thing you know you'll be running out of... duckies, bunnies, and chickies... Kinda spoils the symbolism don't it?... Happy Easter/Spring to All anyway! KJ"}, {"response": 1156, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 21, 2000 (17:24)", "body": "*clap clap clap* What an adorable posting, KJ."}, {"response": 1157, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 21, 2000 (17:41)", "body": "Thanks KJ...and everybody for the greetings...mo'betta than an Easter basket. (Less calories too...though I miss those jelly beans..)"}, {"response": 1158, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Apr 21, 2000 (18:24)", "body": "(Evelyn) ...though I miss those jelly beans.. Not the black ones, I hope! **Heehee** KJ"}, {"response": 1159, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Apr 21, 2000 (21:48)", "body": "Loved the Easter greetings! My house is full of giant chocolate eggs which my mother-in-law brought with her from Italy. Yum! Have a wonderful Easter everyone! God bless you."}, {"response": 1160, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Apr 22, 2000 (10:00)", "body": "This has been a strange Easter for me... Yesterday I thought my dog, Patas , was dying. He has just been diagnosed as having a heart failure. I had one of the most anguishing days of my life, and don't know how I'd have coped but for my DH's support and that of some friends who are staying with us. We all took Patas to the vet (for the third time in four days) and he seems to be recovering. Please have some happy thoughts for us"}, {"response": 1161, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sat, Apr 22, 2000 (10:22)", "body": "Gi, what a terrible thing to have happen! Am keeping you in my thoughts and hoping for a speedy and complete recovery for dear Patas. Hope your mother-in-law didn't have any trouble getting those Easter eggs through customs, Moon;-) Sounds yummy indeed. Does Italian chocolate taste better than the American variety? Easter and Passover greetings to all from rain-drenched New England, where there'll be no outdoor egg hunts this year;-("}, {"response": 1162, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Apr 22, 2000 (13:43)", "body": "Hi Gi, and Hi Patas, glad to hear he is on the way to recovery, try not to worry too much Gi, all the best, Ann"}, {"response": 1163, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 22, 2000 (14:25)", "body": "Poor Patas and his mommy. Here's hoping for a full and speedy recovery."}, {"response": 1164, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Apr 22, 2000 (16:54)", "body": "So sorry, Gi. I hope Patas is better now. He'll get only the best care from you, I know. Pets are like children (one of my \"kids\" is sitting on my lap now) and it's heartbreaking to think of losing one. Let us know how you all are doing."}, {"response": 1165, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Apr 22, 2000 (17:56)", "body": "I know how intense the worry can be, Gi. I pray Patas gets better soon. Love, KJ"}, {"response": 1166, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Apr 22, 2000 (19:18)", "body": "Gi, Patas is adorable. Here's hoping for a full recovery for him. I know he's in good hands. Keep a happy thought--here's one: I thought of you yesterday as I was channel-surfing and came across \"Bounty\" with a young Mel G. Oh my oh my oh my! Made me want to turn native!;-) Hang in there, dear. And a blessed Easter to all who celebrate it."}, {"response": 1167, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Apr 23, 2000 (18:10)", "body": "Gi, pets are such an important part of the family. I hope Patas makes a full recovery. I'll be thinking good thoughts for you, Antonio and Patas."}, {"response": 1168, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Apr 23, 2000 (22:10)", "body": "Gi, all of my love and support are with you now...Take care of Mommy and be strong as he needs you to be! Here is mine to help his:"}, {"response": 1169, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (07:16)", "body": "Gi, sorry to hear about Patas. I hope he is better now, keep us informed."}, {"response": 1170, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (12:07)", "body": "Gi, *hugs* for you and Patas... as well as lots of happy thoughts and prayers for his safe recovery."}, {"response": 1171, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (12:11)", "body": "Thank you Susan, Ann, Karen, Heide,KJ, Mari, JanaH, Marcia, Moon, also those who emailed me, for your support. It is very good to feel your warm good wishes. Patas had been coughing for more than a month, had been treated for a lung infection but hadn't looked any better, and was finally diagnosed last tuesday as having heart failure and medicated accordingly. However, his condition got suddenly much worse and by friday morning he would not eat, pee or even move, vomited profusely (even water), and I thought I was losing him. He is now better, and although he still refuses to eat and we must feed him forcibly, and his heart has still not stabilized at a reasonable pace, he breathes better, drinks and pees, so I hope he'll stay with me for some time yet. Thank you all again very much."}, {"response": 1172, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (12:12)", "body": "... And thank you too, Esbee, I just read your post."}, {"response": 1173, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (12:14)", "body": "Goodness, Gi! Poor Patas! My thoughts are with you. How old is he?"}, {"response": 1174, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 26, 2000 (09:14)", "body": "Ran across this website dedicated to Meg Tilly. There are some recent candid shots you should get a look at: http://www.xmission.com/~waynew/page2.htm"}, {"response": 1175, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr 26, 2000 (09:46)", "body": "*Hee hee!* Did she borrow that gray coat from Colin?"}, {"response": 1176, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 26, 2000 (09:48)", "body": "recent candid shots you should get a look at Not so recent....maybe two years old.The one with black dress and pearls taken at a premiere was in Movieline."}, {"response": 1177, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr 26, 2000 (13:11)", "body": "I love the photo of Meg that he uses right on the front page--very glam. (Too bad the Observer didn't use that one in the recent side by side comparison.;-) But that pink peeling-it-off-the-shoulder number further down the page has got to go! I guess men like that sort of thing . . .go figure.;-) ;-) Poor Wayne has a *much* tougher time than we do with getting info; seems like he tries hard."}, {"response": 1178, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Apr 26, 2000 (16:48)", "body": "I had hoped to return to read entertaining and/or amusing posts after my Easter break. Instead, there's appalling news concering Patas. I'm sorry to read about the bad time he's been having. Gi, has he improved any? I hope to hear that his heart rate has stabilized, and that he's eating on his own."}, {"response": 1179, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Apr 26, 2000 (17:02)", "body": "Amen, Cheryl. (It is good to see you posting again!)"}, {"response": 1180, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Apr 26, 2000 (17:04)", "body": "Hello Marcia! It's good to be back -- now I'm headed on to Geo."}, {"response": 1181, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 26, 2000 (20:36)", "body": "Thanks for the link, Karen. How could she fall with JC after ODB? Interesting to note that she was directed by Jack (must I use the last name?), while she was still with Colin. I wonder if they are friends? I read from her book... (gag, choke, cough)."}, {"response": 1182, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 26, 2000 (21:11)", "body": "London Times, April 27th, Arts Section Two good articles: \"Luvies in a cold climate\" Re; Anna Karenina \"Days in the sun...Frightful nights:\"New Films: Review of SUNSHINE...surprise, surprise...they like a RF film..."}, {"response": 1183, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 27, 2000 (09:15)", "body": "From the BBC for all those who have been following the casting of this Working Title movie: Bale plays Corelli's Mandolin American Psycho star Christian Bale is to start work on a movie version of the best-selling novel Captain Corelli's Mandolin, by Louis de Bernieres. Bale, 26, will play a Greek fisherman in the romantic World War II movie alongside Nicholas Cage and Penelope Cruz. It is set during the German occupation of the Greek island of Cephallonia. Cruz plays Bale's girlfriend who falls in love with commander Corelli (Cage). ~~~~~~ When you're hot, you're hot. Also FYI, there's another Ripley story that's going to be made into a movie. From Empire: Ripley Sequel Helmer Agreed Liliana Cavani, the Italian director behind The Night Porter who hasn't made a film since 1993, has boarded Fine Line Features' Ripley's Game - an adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's classic novel which follows Tom Ripley 25 years after the events portrayed in The Talented Mr Ripley. Cavani is supervising a script rewrite and has agreed to direct the movie. Fine Line had originally set the project up two years ago with Mike Newell and Alan Greenspan of Dogstar Films attached as executive producers. Rupert Everett was attached to star as Jonathan, a terminally ill picture-framer, hired by Ripley to carry out some killings. When Fine Line announced the project at Cannes two years ago, there was speculation that the company would race Miramax Films, itself in pre-production on The Talented Mr Ripley, to theatres. However Fine Line's president Mark Ordesky said that \"it's a sequel book and was always envisaged as a sequel film.\" \"We're looking to put it together as a European co-production since it's set in France and Germany, the director is Italian and all the producers are Italian nationals,\" said Ordesky. ~~~~~~ A 55+ year old Ripley. Definitely too much of a stretch for Matt. ;-)"}, {"response": 1184, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Apr 27, 2000 (17:57)", "body": "News from Patas to all who have kindly been concerned (Moon and Cheryl, thank you too. He is twelve years old): he is doing better, has been on i-v fluids and is to remain so at least until the weekend, but is now strong enough to resent it. I have been force feeding him but today he has volunteered to eat a little. As he gets better and stronger his willfullness returns and it's harder to treat him...;-)"}, {"response": 1185, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Apr 27, 2000 (18:17)", "body": "Glad to hear he's doing better Gi. *hugs* for both of you! :-)"}, {"response": 1186, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Apr 27, 2000 (18:48)", "body": "As he gets better and stronger his willfullness returns and it's harder to treat him...;-) Heh-heh... typical male... ;-)"}, {"response": 1187, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Apr 27, 2000 (19:40)", "body": "As he gets better and stronger his willfullness returns and its harder to treat him. Sounds like my kids. I glad to hear he is improving, Gi."}, {"response": 1188, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 27, 2000 (20:53)", "body": "Telegraph has lukewarm review for SUNSHINE but a cute paragraph about Jennifer: \"From the article:\"Sunshine raises a whole lot of questions about performance and acting. On this point, Jennifer Ehle is a very rare and lovely performer. She brings a complicated freshness to every scene she is in. In fact this week your soar away Telegraph film page announces a competition: 'The Would Someone Please Write A Good Leading Role for Jennifer Ehle Competition.' There are two prizes - first, you get to feel you've done something important in Western culture, and second, you get sent at least a half dozen leftover Easter eggs. This is serious. Why are there no leading parts for excellent young women?\" ~~~~~~ Let's add to that:\" The Would Someone Please write a Good Leading Role for CF\" The winner gets a lifetime supply of jelly beans;-) Don't you think we could endow a Jelly Bean Fund?"}, {"response": 1189, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (07:25)", "body": "Thinking back, there is no specific food that CF eats in his movies. Does he like jellybeans? We really do not know much about him. ;-) Great press for Jennifer, Evelyn! Gi, some good at least about Patas."}, {"response": 1190, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (08:13)", "body": "Sounds like Patas is responding and hasn't given up. We know you haven't. Hang in there, Gi."}, {"response": 1191, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (15:29)", "body": "It's good to hear that Patas's getting a bit fiesty lately. Hope your little fur person is back to being himself again. I was wondering, Moon, how your son has been doing since his surgery? No doubt, the visit from his grandmother and the chocolate eggs helped."}, {"response": 1192, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (15:45)", "body": "Thanks for asking, Cheryl! My son had a complicated rotary fracture(he was plying hockey), in three different points. In two weeks they remove the cast and if the x-rays are fine he will have to wear a special leg brace until the end of June (just in time to board the plane for Italy!). He is taking it rather well but is very disappointed that he will be wearing that brace at his 8th grade graduation dance(which will be held a very ritzy hotel ballroom). :-( Grandmother is still here and the chocolate eggs were delicious."}, {"response": 1193, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 29, 2000 (00:26)", "body": "Evelyn!! BBC News has an article about Jennifer and mom http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/special_report/1999/03/99/tom_brook/newsid_729000/729611.stm"}, {"response": 1194, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Apr 29, 2000 (07:49)", "body": "(Moon) Thinking back, there is no specific food that CF eats in his movies. I've noticed that myself. There are very few times we see CF's character eat. That stalk of celery in Femme Fatale comes to mind. Most times others are eating but it's rare to see a morsel pass between those fine lips. Gi, I hope Patas remains well for you for some time. Moon, your son is a trouper. I know few boys who've escaped childhood without broken bones. I hope your other boys remain unscathed so Mom can take it a little easier."}, {"response": 1195, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Apr 29, 2000 (11:31)", "body": "Thanks, Heide! There is no such thing as mom taking it a little easier. You should see what my little Indiana Jones (the 8 year old), is capable of doing. ;-)"}, {"response": 1196, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Apr 29, 2000 (15:30)", "body": "Have just got back from seeing \"Sunshine\" and although I am not an RF fan, I have to say he is very good in this and boy do you see a lot of him!! No spindly legs this time Karen. JE & Rosemary Harris were very good and not having seen RH on the big screen before I must say I was very impressed, she has a certain class which her daughter has inherited. I also liked James Frain, very cute. I would certainly recom mend this to anyone who has not seen it and the 3hours just flew by. Aishling was also very impressed, particularly with RF, I think!!"}, {"response": 1197, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Apr 29, 2000 (15:31)", "body": "Karen, my poor little computer will not open the BBC article on RH & JE, would it be too much to ask you to post it here?"}, {"response": 1198, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 29, 2000 (17:39)", "body": "Here you go, Ann: Ehle plays the young bride Valerie in Sunshine Acting across the ages By BBC News Online entertainment correspondent Tom Brook British actresses Rosemary Harris and Jennifer Ehle - mother and daughter in real life - are dazzling audiences in separate plays on Broadway - and appearing in the movie epic Sunshine which opens this week. On Broadway, 30-year-old Ehle is playing the role of Annie in a revival of The Real Thing - Tom Stoppard's celebrated play about love and betrayal. One critic referred to Ehle as \"delectable\" and \"a rising star\", while her 69-year-old mother - who is starring opposite Lauren Bacall in a revival of Noel Coward's Waiting In The Wings - is also receiving lavish praise. Harris says she was drawn to Sunshine, the epic story of a Hungarian-Jewish family over three generations from director Istvan Szabo, partly \"because it was a chance to work with Jennifer\". Mother and daughter portray Valerie, a strong character who weathers the winds of change in Central Europe through two World Wars, the rise of Nazism and Soviet domination. Ehle plays Valerie when she is a sister and a young wife. Harris takes over and portrays her in her later years. Strangely, Harris says, she didn't discuss the role with her daughter, but found there was a genetic imprint in their acting. Harris says: \"I was amazed when I saw the similarities we bear and which I wasn't aware of. I think it's in the hand gestures or something.\" Sunshine is currently opening around the world, and meeting with a mixed reaction. Some critics think it is overly ponderous, few say it matches director Istvan Szabo's classics like Mephisto and Colonel Redl. But Rosemary Harris, who made her stage debut more than 50 years ago, says she found there was much she could learn from working with the Hungarian director. \"Each scene I did with him seemed like a master class,\" she recalls. While shooting in Budapest, the director would \"slowly nudge you with little taps on the nose here and there until he got what he wanted. \"Sometimes he would get it in a first take and sometimes he would go on for ten takes.\" In acting terms Sunshine is driven by Ralph Fiennes who plays three different characters: a father, his son and then a grandson in three successive generations of the same family. Ehle, who appears opposite Fiennes, was very impressed by his approach. \"There is no element of showing off. It would be tempting at some point when you are playing three characters to say, look what I can do\". Being away from home, whether it is working on location in Hungary, or on the Broadway stage is part of the actors' life that both Ehle and Harris have grown to accept. The characters in Sunshine are constantly being torn away from home and for Ehle - who admits to feeling \"rootless\" - it was an aspect of the film she could identify with. \"I had quite a rootless upbringing, so that was something just very personally that probably pushed a few buttons\". Harris explains further: \"Jennifer was practically born in a trunk and moved around all over wherever I got work. \"I would put her in my pocket and we would go, the three of us, her father and me, we'd just trot off and throw her into another school and hope she would survive.\" Despite their transient existence mother and daughter definitely seem to have flourished. Their performances on the New York stage have made them must-see attractions of the current theatre season and both actresses could find temselves in the running for Broadway's top prize, a Tony Award, when the nominations are announced on 8 May."}, {"response": 1199, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 29, 2000 (17:41)", "body": "(AnnW) No spindly legs this time Think he is working out? ;-) (JE) \"I had quite a rootless upbringing...\" No wonder! They were two of a kind. Not at all suited. He needed someone with substantial roots."}, {"response": 1200, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Apr 30, 2000 (12:19)", "body": "Thanks very much Karen, for posting the article."}, {"response": 1201, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May  1, 2000 (09:16)", "body": "Alan Parker takes British film's hot seat By Merissa Marr LONDON (Reuters) - Filmmaker Alan Parker, who fled for Hollywood 15 years ago in disgust at the state of the British film industry, on Tuesday unveils his plan to revive it. The abrasive director behind \"The Commitments\" and \"Midnight Express\" once lambasted Britain's movie business for what he called an obsession with pretentious art films. On Tuesday he will announce his strategy for injecting some commercial fizz at the helm of the Film Council, a new super agency loaded with the bulk of the government's film funding. \"One thing about Alan is he will not be complacent,\" said Bertrand Mouiller, head of film at the Producers' Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT). \"He will challenge the system and the lack of ambition which has characterised British film.\" \"We make too many films in Britain,\" Parker said earlier this year. \"We are entrusting millions of pounds to people who have never (directed) before.\" Parker, 56, who left Britain to make a string of commercially successful films including \"Fame\" and \"Angel Heart\", will have more than 150 million pounds to spend over the next three years. \"We have all this success at the Oscars with claims that 'the British are coming!' but then we're disappointed,\" said a specialist who raises funding for films. \"Hopefully Parker will give some credibility to the British film industry.\" Britain boasts world-beating talent -- as the multiple Oscars for director Sam Mendes' film \"American Beauty\" or one-off wonders such as \"Four Weddings and a Funeral\" and \"Trainspotting\" prove. LOADS OF MONEY BUT SHABBY SCRIPTS Film executives say the problem is no longer too little money but too much ill-directed finance. After years of under-funding, the film industry is suddenly awash with millions of pounds from lottery money and tax breaks. But while Hollywood films regularly make a profit of 50 million pounds, just 10 of the 70 British films released in 1999 took more than two million. \"The structure of the UK sector puts enormous pressure on producers just to get a film shooting and so many projects go before the camera without being properly developed,\" said BBC Worldwide director Mike Phillips. The real issue is \"shabby\" scripts, according to Parker. \"To be able to develop a screenplay is an art which the Americans are so good at and we're not,\" said Parker, who wrote seven drafts of the script of his latest film \"Angela's Ashes\". \"The industry here is flimsy and the only way producers can pay their mortgage is by getting the movie made.\" Parker, who started his career in advertising, must use his commercial nose to put more emphasis on the less glamorous areas of distribution and marketing, experts say. A Hollywood studio will often spend as much energy on a film's merchandising as on its plot. But in Britain production, distribution and exhibition have become fatally separate. The British government has championed the creation of mini-studios with three new film franchises. But the past failure of both Goldcrest and Palace Pictures suggests it is not that easy. Both were finished off by one disastrous film. \"Better it be Alan than a bureaucrat in charge,\" said Alan McQueen, acquisitions director at distributors Downtown Pictures. \"I would rather there be someone who makes films in there than a politician.\""}, {"response": 1202, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May  1, 2000 (14:46)", "body": "Can't say I blame him for losing it. Must be frustrating. Patrick Stewart Denounces Producers NEW YORK (AP) -- Patrick Stewart shocked Broadway audiences during curtain calls of ''The Ride Down Mt. Morgan'' when he angrily accused producers of the Arthur Miller drama of failing to promote it. ''Arthur Miller and I no longer have confidence in our producers' commitment to this production, especially the Shubert Organization, or their willingness to promote and publicize it,'' Stewart, still in costume, proclaimed Saturday at his matinee and evening performances. ''Arthur and I feel frustrated and helpless.'' The complaint was endorsed by Miller during a New York Times interview. ''Clearly the play has dropped through the memory hole,'' Miller said. ''I haven't talked to management, but Patrick has, since he's there for every performance. Promises have been made repeatedly that were never kept.'' Shubert President Philip Smith issued a statement disputing Stewart's claims but did not detail promotional efforts. ''The producers' commitment to 'The Ride Down Mt. Morgan' could not be stronger,'' Smith said. The show's chief publicist, Michael Hartman, said more money had been spent on advertising for the play than was spent on two comparable plays last season, ''The Blue Room,'' which starred Nicole Kidman, and ''Amy's View,'' which featured Dame Judi Dench. More publicity would be forthcoming, Hartman said. Audiences applauded Stewart's accusations Saturday, prompting him to say he would restate them at the Sunday matinee. But he did not, and it was unclear whether Stewart and the producers had reached a compromise. Shubert representatives did not immediately return a phone call today seeking comment. ''Mt. Morgan'' is the story of a bigamist whose efforts to keep his two families unaware of each other fail when he's injured in a car crash and both wives visit him in the hospital. It was produced in London in 1991 and opened at Broadway's Ambassador Theater on April 9 for a run scheduled to end July 23. The show has enjoyed positive reviews and has done well at the box office, according to the show business journal Variety. Stewart, 59, is known for his role in television's ''Star Trek: The Next Generation.''"}, {"response": 1203, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, May  1, 2000 (19:17)", "body": "\"American Beauty\" is an American film. A mainstream Hollywood film, in fact. Sam Mendes may be English, but the funding, screenwriter, and actors were American. So I can't really understand the claims in some British published articles that the film is one of theirs. A movie's country of origin is determined by who puts up the money; Dreamworks is American company, hence, AB is an American film."}, {"response": 1204, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, May  2, 2000 (03:02)", "body": "Cheryl, I agree! American Beauty is definitely American (thoughI think they have changed or are planning to change how the nationality of a film is determined). But you must have realised by now that we have the most irresponsible and slipshod press. Never believe anything in the British press. I have never read an article with which I have had some knowledge which has been 100% accurate. Alongside that, there are two strong traits 1) Over hyping any achievemants which have any British connection 2) knocking success at ever opportunity - how they manage to balance those two is one of our newspapers' only talents."}, {"response": 1205, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Tue, May  2, 2000 (12:21)", "body": "Excuse me, but the writer did not claim in the article posted that \"American Beauty\" was a British film. The writer said: \"Britain boasts world-beating talent -- as the multiple Oscars for director Sam Mendes' film \"American Beauty\" or one-off wonders such as \"Four Weddings and a Funeral\" and \"Trainspotting\" prove.\" Sam Mendes, Richard Curtis, and Danny Boyle are all British directors, i.e. talent ."}, {"response": 1206, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May  2, 2000 (16:59)", "body": "Yoo hoo, Gi... How fast can you get here? Mel will be here tomorrow shooting about a block away. They are decorating the street now, planting and trimming, etc."}, {"response": 1207, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (02:39)", "body": "Oh Karen...Do you think you can at least take a picture? How I wish III could be there! What movie will that be? Beam me up, Scottie!"}, {"response": 1208, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (07:43)", "body": "Movie is called \"What Women Want\" and it also stars Helen Hunt. According to some stuff I read, it's a romantic comedy about a male chauvinist (Gibson) who after a freak accident gains the ability to read women's thoughts. Supposed to be out at Christmas time. Will see what I can do about pictures. Just took some film out of the camera!"}, {"response": 1209, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (10:44)", "body": "\"Movieline \" says: WHAT WOMEN WANT: Film centers on a womanizing executive who gets passed over for a promotion whne his company brings in Helen Hunt for the job he wanted. The firm's plan to deal with a stronger female demographic soon has Mel doing homework with products like panty hose and blow dryers, which leads to an accident in the bathroom that literally knocks him out. When he comes to,he has the new extrasensory capacity to hear women's thoughts.Mel is likely to be very good especially in the scenes where his character, now privy to women's real responses, learns that his macho posturing is not nearly as charming to them as he'd always thought.... Bette Midler plays the shrink Gibson goes to for help, and somehow, just the idea of Gibson and Midler in the same frame makes it all seem like it could be mind-boggling fun\""}, {"response": 1210, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (11:48)", "body": "(Evelyn)it could be mind-boggling fun Yes it could... It could also be fun if they needed an extra and our Karen happened to be passing by... ;-)"}, {"response": 1211, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (12:49)", "body": "Yeah, right! Drove by a little earlier and they are just bustling around, still setting up. Will check back later. They filmed another movie a few years back on that same street (a gangster movie, complete with old cars parked all around). I'm pretty sure I pointed it out to Tineke when we walked past because of the landmark status and unique architectural detail: the guy who built the rowhouses put his children's names above each doorway. Sorry no pic: http://destinations.previewtravel.com/DestGuides/0,1208,WEB_25_1_6_6451,00.html"}, {"response": 1212, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (14:37)", "body": "Sounds like a fun film, perfect for ol blue eyes. (now that the original is gone, permit me the liberty) Karen, go and ask to be an extra. You never know when you might end up with a SAG card. ;-)"}, {"response": 1213, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (17:03)", "body": "No extras even used in this scene. A cab dropped him off. He ran up the stairs (not as well as somebody else we know), knocked on the door, said some stuff, was let in and door slammed. That took hours to do. Got some pictures. The publicist came up to me and asked if I was in the press because I had the long lens (as we weren't allowed on their side of the street). Hopefully, one or two will come out. Mel didn't come over while I was around. Now they are off for some scenes by the beach and then later off to North & Damen in Bucktown (site of High Fidelity). 'nuff for me. ;-D"}, {"response": 1214, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (17:44)", "body": "(Allison M) ...though I think they have changed or are planning to change how the nationality of a film is determined... That's a big bone of contention every year at the Oscars concerning the category for Best Foreign Language Film. It is a very big consideration insofar as European films are concerned; many of them currently are co-productions between countries; i.e.; French-Danish, Czech-German, and the like. Certain films have been found ineligible because of this. They are always threatening to change this by-law, and it would great if they did. Still, as far as the business world is concerned, a movie's country of origin will be determined by from where the money came. (Chris L) Excuse me, but the writer did not claim in the article posted that \"American Beauty\" was a British film. The writer said: \"Britain boasts world-beating talent -- as the multiple Oscars for director Sam Mendes' film \"American Beauty\" or one-off wonders such as \"Four Weddings and a Funeral\" and \"Trainspotting\" prove.\" Sam Mendes, Richard Curtis, and Danny Boyle are all British directors, i.e. talent. Duly noted, and you are right -- to a point... Danny Boyle, does he prefer to be refered to as \"British\" director or a \"Scottish\" director? The comment was not made with this article not being the only one in mind. I have read others where the inference to AB being an English film was more pronounced. That my be due to bad editing or bad reportage. There is another option, that being that the writer(s) subscribe to the \"auteur\" theory of film making. The director being the most important to \"the vision\" and intent of a movie. It's an oringinally French view on the art of film making, largely popularized in the 1950's/1960's by the influential film critic and director Francois Truffaut, among others. There has been reaction in French film criticism in recent years against such thinking. Anyway, British talent is nothing new, nor exceptional by its presence in film making. It has been there all along. British talent has been working in movies and winning film awards for decades. The world of cinema is richer for it. And \"American Beauty\" is still an American film."}, {"response": 1215, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (02:24)", "body": "Karen, thanks for the report on WWW... I can see it in my imagination, while I wait for your pics ;-)"}, {"response": 1216, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (11:15)", "body": "Danny Boyle, does he prefer to be refered to as \"British\" director or a \"Scottish\" director? Dunno. He's never expressed a preference to me, although I wouldn't dream of calling him \"English\"."}, {"response": 1217, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (15:23)", "body": "From The Scotsman: Their lips meet, and we still go weak William Peakin says the on-screen kiss is as highly charged as ever WHEN Ralph Fiennes melted the heart of Kristin Scott Thomas in The English Patient with the words \"Swoon. I\ufffdll catch you,\" for his leading lady, this was just the hors-d\ufffdoeuvre to the tastiest bit \ufffd their on-screen kiss. Fiennes is simply the best, Scott Thomas revealed this week. Better than Sean Penn, with whom she stars in Up At the Villa. Better even than her Random Hearts mate Harrison Ford. And would you believe, better than Robert Redford? He may have whispered well, but when it came to puckering-up, the screen idol of many a female generation was \"the worst of all\". Who would have thought that more than a century after John C Rice locked onto May Rice in The Kiss \ufffd prompting a Chicago newspaper to declare that \"the sight of their prolonged pasturing on each other\ufffds lips was hard to bear and calls for police interference\" \ufffd that such a well-worn moment in cinema can remain so highly charged. Indeed, a few years ago the screen kiss had all but dried up. Hollywood scriptwriters were churning out plots in which the stars got straight down to sex with barely a peck first, or which skipped romance altogether. Spacecraft, tornadoes, volcanoes; that is what audiences wanted. Even in romantic comedies like When Harry Met Sally, lips rarely met. There was a time when people went to the movies to perfect their technique, lingering on the suave carnality of Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman in Notorious before banging noses, bruising lips and chipping teeth with their lovers in the back row. Those making the mistake of looking to Humphrey Bogart as a role model ended up with what one critic described as \"the quivering nibble of a horse closing in on an apple\". He may have taught a generation how to smoke and narrow their gaze through a tobacco haze, but he could not kiss. However, a Bogart kissing scene did provide one of the more memorable moments of screen foreplay; in To Have and Have Not, instead of melting into each other\ufffds arms,Bogart and Lauren Bacall raised the heat with some whispered not-so-sweet-somethings as they kissed. \"What did you do that for?\" asks Bogart. \"I was wondering if I\ufffdd like it,\" replies Bacall. He waits: \"What\ufffds the decision?\" \"I don't know yet.'\" They kiss again. \"It\ufffds even better when you help,\" she says. The power of the celluloid kiss was that the consummation was left to occur in the audience\ufffdsimagination. Would it have been the same if the camera had followed Rhett Butler carrying Scarlett up the stairs and into the bedroom to record what happened next? Of course, directors were not just being subtle for art\ufffds sake, they were also working within the moralstrictures of the time. In 1932, the former US postmaster general Will Hays created the Motion Picture Production Code which kept couples in separate beds, forbade any depiction of sexual pleasure, censored mention of abortion, breast-feeding and childbirth ... and set the permitted length of a screen kiss to 1.5 seconds (although, somehow the longest screen kiss \ufffd three minutes and five seconds between Regis Toomey and Jane Wyman in 1940\ufffds You\ufffdre in the Army Now \ufffd escaped). The code controlled Hollywood for more than three decades but after the sexual revolution of the 1960s just about anything went. The French kiss became so common in films no-one thought about it much until 15 years ago when it was revealed that Rock Hudson had given Linda Evans a passionate kiss during an episode of Dynasty when he knew he had Aids. The Screen Actors\ufffd Guild sent a letter to 7,000 producers and agents informing them that in future they had to notify actors in advance of any scenes that required open-mouthed kissing. Anxiety about other stars\ufffd private lives took some of the romance out of the screen kiss. \"I try to kiss normally. But there are times when the other person isn\ufffdt comfortable or you aren\ufffdt, so you fake it,\" says Johnny Depp, star of Sleepy Hollow. \"Maybe we should always do that; it\ufffds not wise to run around kissing people. It\ufffds not hygienically sound.\" ~~~~~~~` Makes me want to watch some old movies. ;-)"}, {"response": 1218, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, May  5, 2000 (02:36)", "body": "It\ufffds not hygienically sound. Reminds me of a Burt Bacharach song: \"What do you get when you kiss a guy? You get enough germs to catch pneumonia.\" Doesn't put anyone off kissing, though, does it?"}, {"response": 1219, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, May  5, 2000 (09:30)", "body": "Fiennes is simply the best, Scott Thomas revealed this week. Hmmm... looks like Rafe isn't such a cold fish after all. Ladies who have seen Sunshine, how were his love scenes with JE?"}, {"response": 1220, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, May  5, 2000 (09:38)", "body": "The ones with JE were okay, but the one with Debra Unger-something? were very embarassing and quite unnecessaary I thought."}, {"response": 1221, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  5, 2000 (09:38)", "body": "Was wondering when anyone would pick up on that? ;-) Am guessing that Geoffrey in a Santa suit couldn't possibly generate the same appeal."}, {"response": 1222, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May  5, 2000 (10:21)", "body": "Ladies who have seen Sunshine, how were his love scenes with JE? \"Steamy\"is the consensus. And I doubt if we'll get to see the one with Debra Kara Unger;-) We also didn't get to see all of the scenes with Julianne Moore in \"End of the Affair\" ...courtesy of the same censor."}, {"response": 1223, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May  5, 2000 (10:43)", "body": "Actually, we did see all in End Of The Affair. Wooley appealed the original MPAA ruling and won. Nothing was cut."}, {"response": 1224, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, May  5, 2000 (10:50)", "body": "I think the film can only be improved by cutting the DKU scene, in a way it was laughable or else he is an exception human being!!"}, {"response": 1225, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May  5, 2000 (11:28)", "body": "From The Guardian: Oscar winner Mendes to direct unknown's play Fiachra Gibbons Arts correspondent Friday May 5, 2000 Sam Mendes shocked the world of theatre last night by revealing that the first play he is to direct since winning an Oscar will be by an unknown author. After his American Beauty triumph, the British director took Hollywood by surprise by saying that he was dying to return to the Donmar Warehouse, a small London theatre he had put on the map with his Tony Award-winning production of Cabaret and of The Blue Room starring Nicole Kidman. Now Mendes has ditched his plans to direct Twelfth Night in favour of a drama called To The Green Fields Beyond, which is set in a tank on the western front during the first world war, and written by the relatively obscure Nick Whitby. \"Shakespeare can wait,\" Mendes said last night. \"You have to take advantage of a good and exciting new play like this. It is not every day they land on your desk. One of the benefits of running a theatre is that you can change the programme when you need to.\" A spokeswoman for the Donmar said Twelfth Night would be staged next year instead, although casting had actually begun before the change of plan. \"Sam read To The Green Fields Beyond and went 'Wow!' said the spokeswoman. \"He really loved it, so he thought 'what the hell!' It is a fascinating piece, and it's a very unusual subject.\" The play revolves around a multiracial crew of a tank during the Somme offensive in September 1916. The generals hoped that the new weapon would turn around the war, stuck in a battle of attrition, by being able to break through the German lines. But most of the tanks broke down with mechanical failures on their first outing at the Somme, long before they got in sight of German trenches, and failed to break the stalemate. In contrast to army tradition, the new tank corps recruited from all corners of the British empire, and moreover its tank commanders were \"ordinary blokes\" rather than officers. Whitby, in his early thirties, has written comedy for TV but is best known for a play, Dirty Dishes, that has been a hit in Germany. Mendes, 34, said last month that he was happy to direct one play a year until the right film script came along: \"There are not as many of them out there as you think.\" He has formed his own film company, called Donmar, backed by the DreamWorks studio, and even persuaded its boss, Steven Spielberg, to donate money to the theatre. The head of Miramax, Harvey Weinstein, is also keen to secure Mendes' services, and is investing in the Donmar production of Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing on Broadway."}, {"response": 1226, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, May  5, 2000 (13:25)", "body": "Cineoke (as in karaoke) in London... I found this snippet in an article, and cracked up laughing... Just as plays are becoming films, so films are rapidly becoming plays: I don't mean film-to-stage translations like the already mentioned The Graduate or the imminent musicalization of The Witches of Eastwick: I mean films that are becoming participatory events. The hit of last year's Film Festival was Sing-along Sound of Music, a screening of the classic film musical with subtitles of the lyrics so the audience could join in. That has long since transferred to an extended run in a West End cinema, the charmingly scruffy Prince Charles off Leicester Square, where audiences don't just sing but also dress up as nuns and other characters from the film. This year, the Festival's response to that success was an event called Cineoke, in which extracts from a whole bunch of movie musicals were shown for the audience to continue the karaoke experience with. Camp highlights included the inevitable \ufffdYMCA\ufffd (from Can't Stop the Music), the title songs to Fame and Xanadu, \ufffdDon't Cry for Me, Argentina\ufffd from Evita and \ufffdDo 't Rain on My Parade,\ufffd from Funny Girl."}, {"response": 1227, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (09:55)", "body": "\"Shakespeare can wait,\" Mendes said... He's right Shakespeare will always be there."}, {"response": 1228, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (08:18)", "body": "This she missed a cultural icon!! The world's largest photograph has been unveiled at a London department store by pop star Elton John. The photo, which is 900ft long and 60 ft high, stretches around Selfridges in Oxford Street and features a huge picture of the star over the store's main entrance. The frieze is the brainchild of Turner-shortlisted artist Sam Taylor-Wood, who also attended the unveiling. She said she wanted to create a modern day version of the Elgin Marble frieze, using images of famous cultural icons instead of Greek gods. The pop superstar said his inclusion was very appropriate as he was the \"god of shopping\". Other stars who feature in it include actors Leonardo Di Caprio, Ray Winstone, Timothy Spall, Richard E Grant, Adrian Dunbar and actress Jane Horrocks."}, {"response": 1229, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (09:03)", "body": "Another omission: Knight to take on tramp role Sir Michael Gambon will return to the West End in the autumn to play Davies, the tramp, in Harold Pinter's classic play The Caretaker. The role was created by the late Donald Pleasance in 1960, then revived by him in 1991 [with Colin Firth] shortly before he died. Directing is actor-playwright Patrick Marber, recently seen in Speed-the-Plow at the Donmar Warehouse, and the producer is Robert Fox, brother of actors James and Edward."}, {"response": 1230, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (15:10)", "body": "WOOOHOOOO! I just read over at the MSN site about TRT's 5 Tony noms! Here's the scoop: \ufffdThe Real Thing\ufffd has five nominations, including Revival of a Play and Best Performances by a Leading Actor (Stephen Dillane) and Actress (Jennifer Ehle) in a Play. (The original Broadway production had seven nominations in 1984.) What great news for all JE (and SD) fans! Congrats all around!!"}, {"response": 1231, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (16:26)", "body": "I bet there's a big block part on Earlham Street. Sent them an email. Will call later in the week."}, {"response": 1232, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (21:01)", "body": "OH MY GOD!!! Tim Dutton was on Ally McBeal, and WOW, does he look GREAT!!!! And he said RED SOX!!!! Woo Hoo!!! Evelyn, I know you didn't think much of him in \"Melissa\", but WOW!!! I mean WOW!!! (Just get him away from Ally!)"}, {"response": 1233, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (23:40)", "body": "Sorry, wasn't impressed. He had that floppy hair and looked a bit dorky. I know one, maybe two actors, who would've been better. ;-)"}, {"response": 1234, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (04:03)", "body": "Five Tonys! Bravo. And now go read Karen's post on #131, Evelyn ;-)"}, {"response": 1235, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (07:09)", "body": "Oh, Karen, I've always been a fan of Tim Dutton. I first saw him in a Mystery series on PBS a few years back. Then Evelyn sent me \"Melissa\" and I was hooked. He's floppy, but in a cute way!!! Did love the Internet love interest tho, that was hysterical. (especially everytime she talked about sex and the microphone would get louder and make weird noises;))"}, {"response": 1236, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (07:53)", "body": "Missed the first 20 minutes and didn't see that; will catch during reruns maybe."}, {"response": 1237, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (08:32)", "body": "Tom Cruise with a southern accent doing Brick? No way. Who are they going to cast for Big Daddy? Timothy Spall? ;-) Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman are reportedly considering a visit to England to co-star on the London stage. According to the Daily Express, the husband-and-wife team have their sights set on a production of Tennessee Williams's fevered Deep South familial drama Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, which will be directed by Sam Mendes, winner of the Best Director Oscar for his film debut American Beauty. Cruise and Kidman have acted together on screen with mixed results in films like Days of Thunder, Far and Away and Stanley Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut, though they have never taken to the stage together. Cruise has little stage pedigree, though Kidman won rave reviews for her appearance in the Donmar Warehouse's production of The Blue Room back in 1998 - a performance dubbed by one panting critic as \"pure theatrical Viagra\"."}, {"response": 1238, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (09:13)", "body": "Very interesting chart at THR (that is, if I'm interpreting it correctly) about the cost to buy film rights around the world. Here's the link: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/cannes/cannes2k/going.asp What that chart shows is that, for example, an Australian distributor would have to pay $300,000-$600,000 (US) for a film whose budget was $6 million-$12 million (US) like BJD. What's the deal with Portugal? Rights go for dirt cheap."}, {"response": 1239, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (09:30)", "body": "(Laura)Evelyn, I know you didn't think much of him in \"Melissa\" Wrong. I liked him in Melissa...third in line of JE's best leading men (CF & SD ahead). It was the production and story that I didn't like. He was even in a short-lived TV sit-com recently about pilgrims...he's v. handsome. ~~~~~~ Tom Cruise playing Brick? ROTFLMAO.I want Colin for that role...with Jennifer doing Blanche. Sizzzzzle. RH did it at Lincoln Center years ago...got a Tony for it."}, {"response": 1240, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (09:34)", "body": "What HASN'T RH won a Tony for:)"}, {"response": 1241, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (11:13)", "body": "(Karen)What's the deal with Portugal? We have no money. Try and compare salaries in Portugal and other countries and you'll see what I mean."}, {"response": 1242, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (12:07)", "body": "Still the case, huh? Sorry to hear. :-("}, {"response": 1243, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (06:54)", "body": "I sure wish Ralph would take some time off.;-) From Teletext: Paltrow and Fiennes possessed? Gwyneth Paltrow and Ralph Fiennes are being courted to star in a movie version of AS Byatt novel Possession. Byatt's Booker-prizewinner is the story of two rival academics who discover the secret affairs of the poets they are studying. Neil LaBute, better known for harsh modern satires like In The Company Of Men, is writing the screenplay and may direct this very British project for Warner Bros."}, {"response": 1244, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (07:18)", "body": "OH NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ralph Fiennes CANNOT play Roland!!!! Gwyneth as Maud????? However, I can picture Jeanne Tripplehorn has Val. Or would Ralph Fiennes play Ash? And Gwyneth Cristabel??? Ugh!!! How can they do this??? MY ALL TIME FAVORITE CONTEMPORARY NOVEL AND THEY'LL RUIN IT!!!! Neil LaBute? I HATED In the Company of Men!!!! UGH! Can you tell I don't like this???"}, {"response": 1245, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (07:58)", "body": "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Major dittoing. But I think it would be Fiennes playing Ash and Gwynnie playing Maud (Christabel was a little petite thing a la Holly Hunter in The Piano). I always wanted Colin to play Roland. And I won't even address the piggy director who is also ruining adaptation. My favorite book. Get me a knife. :-("}, {"response": 1246, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (08:37)", "body": "You know, Gwynnie's a little young to be playing Maud. Somehow picturing her as professor doesn't jive. Have hard time picturing her as even graduating college. Am still shaken about the Fiennes potential and how he'll ruin the central love story, especially when it's consumated. Yeah, he'll do fine as the cold fish Victorian poet and the spurned lover."}, {"response": 1247, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (09:17)", "body": "It is too good a project to pass on. I bet they will both do it. Too bad for Colin, he would have been PERFECT! New mantra: I hate Colin's agent..."}, {"response": 1248, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (09:46)", "body": "I don't know how they could possibly make \"Possession\" into a movie without destroying it? I mean look at the English Patient. They focused on the wrong love story! This is a complex book with complex themes. Something in the translation will get destroyed, I think they should leave it alone. Arundhati Ray author of the Booker winning \"The God of Small Things\" (fascinating book for those of you haven't read it), refuses to have her book made into a movie, and she's a director! Only one other of AS Byatt's novels (novella, actually) went big screen \"Angels & Insects\" granted it was a decent adaptation that was a story that could translate well to the screen. I'm not happy. I am SO not happy. (Now if they were to make Virgin in the Garden, Still Life and Babel Tower into a movie Colin Firth would HAVE to play Alexander!!!! right Karen???)"}, {"response": 1249, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (09:52)", "body": "Colin Firth would HAVE to play Alexander!!!! right Karen???) All depends what happens in the fourth book? ;-) But, I wouldn't complain. I always thought Byatt never sold or optioned Possession and was pretty happy about it, as it cannot be done, especially by someone as untalented as the misogynistic writer/director *mumble mumble* Could they possibly have found anybody worse?"}, {"response": 1250, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (10:11)", "body": "All depends what happens in the fourth book? ;-) But, I wouldn't complain. If and when it ever comes out! The Game would make an interesting movie;) Yes, misogynistic! He calls himself a writer/director! NO!!! Not for nothing, but I think I'd rather have Anthony Minghella do the screenplay if that was the case! Wonder who could possibly do Frederica or even Daniel for that bit. (Mark Addy?) He's a lovable sorta guy, which is what Daniel is lovable. As I think of it, when I picture Roland in my head, I see John Cusack:)"}, {"response": 1251, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (11:19)", "body": "I sure wish Ralph would take some time off.;-) He's 'Johnny on the spot' for good every role that comes along. New mantra: I hate Colin's agent... I do too. But ...it isn't like Colin is unknown among directors in the UK.This might be true in Hollywood, but that's his turf. Wadsamadda here?"}, {"response": 1252, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (11:38)", "body": "(Evelyn) But ...it isn't like Colin is unknown among directors in the UK.This might be true in Hollywood, but that's his turf. Wadsamadda here? Warner Bros, jerkhouse writer/director...American production. That's wadsamadda! :-( Daniel Day Lewis was always Randolph Ash in my mind. For some reason, he has the right gaunt appearance and would look good with a beard (as I picture him). Cusack? Bite your tongue!! Daniel, I always saw as stocky, hairy Alan Bates type. ;-)"}, {"response": 1253, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (11:52)", "body": "Wadsamadda here? Bankability, that's the madda."}, {"response": 1254, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (12:08)", "body": "Alan Bates is too old! :) Oh Karen, keep forgetting, rented Tumbleweeds. REBECCA LOVED IT!!! she now wants me to pack up and head out west and meet up with different men along the way;) Janet McTeer was incredible! Kimberly J. Brown was brilliant as well."}, {"response": 1255, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (13:03)", "body": "It's the cost associated with keeping a low profile and not striking while the iron is hot (like after P&P). Rafe has had good breaks, but he also works his butt off, isn't afraid to fail, promotes his stuff, and takes on only substantial, challenging work. Think he'd be caught in something like SLOW? I assume there's also a cost associated with taking what amounts to a five-month vacation each year; sorry, but most kids see their dads go off to work each day.;-)"}, {"response": 1256, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (13:07)", "body": "I meant to add that, on a personal level, I have great sympathy for how he manages his life. But we shouldn't be surprised or upset when the plumb parts go to others as a result."}, {"response": 1257, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (13:07)", "body": "plum;-)"}, {"response": 1258, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (13:15)", "body": "(Laura) Alan Bates is too old! :) I said \"hairy Alan Bates type\" NOT Alan Bates himself. (Mari) the plumb parts go to others he did get the carpenter's role in SLOW ;-)"}, {"response": 1259, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (13:21)", "body": "Okay okay, now I must read that book too! ;-)"}, {"response": 1260, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (13:49)", "body": "...Think he'd be caught in something like SLOW? Or (godferbid)a cameo role...and how's about the forthcoming \"Londinium\". Max directing it would be bad enough, but directing and starring in it...uh, uh. RF did do The Avengers which he admits was a terrible mistake. And one he will not repeat.Of course, acting is his life. You are right, Allison, he is bankable, but he works so hard at it...even after he's finished filming it. Producers must love him."}, {"response": 1261, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (14:08)", "body": "You are right, Allison, he is bankable, but he works so hard at it.. I do have huge sympathy with CF as a person. He has his parallels amongst so many people we must know. Who do not give over their lives to the self promotion which seems to be a necessary part of so many occupations these days. I am sure part of him must want to do it but you only have to see him bantering with M McD at the MLSF premier and to hear how self conscious he feels when visited by HF on the FP set to realise that he just finds that self promotion very difficult. For those who have not seen the premier clip, CF comes across as awkward and slightly embarrassed IMHO. Do you agree, Arami?"}, {"response": 1262, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (14:08)", "body": "Karen. Maybe that should all be on #129."}, {"response": 1263, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (14:12)", "body": "(Karen) he did get the carpenter's role in SLOW ;-) *Snicker* Need plum parts, not plumb lines.;-) (Evelyn) Or (godferbid)a cameo role...and how's about the forthcoming \"Londinium\". Yeah . . . As I think I wrote before, I can't imagine that Mike Binder will suddenly be confused with Fassbinder.;-) RE: Avengers. Certainly a poor choice, but at least he didn't commit career suicide afterwards by going and hiding just because he had a flop. Nope, he got right back in there, and now all is forgotten (and rightfully so). Solid, mature, smart. I admire him and how he handles his career."}, {"response": 1264, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (14:28)", "body": "Sorry to be talking again about CF on this topic but looking at what he chose to do in 1999, I definitely get the impression that he was filling in. While they were fiddling around with BJD, he presumably wished to keep himself free in case it was greenlighted. So he might have taken L and RV at the last minute as fill ins."}, {"response": 1265, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (14:56)", "body": "Gi, YOU MUST READ THE BOOK!!! I absolutely adore AS Byatt. It's wonderful."}, {"response": 1266, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (15:26)", "body": "(Mari), the plumb parts go to others (karen), he did get the carpenter's role in SLOW ;-) (Mari), I can't imagine that Mike Binder will suddenly be confused with Fassbinder.;-) LOL! You girls are bang on! (Mari), Think he'd be caught in something like SLOW? I assume there's also a cost associated with taking what amounts to a five-month vacation each year; sorry, but most kids see their dads go off to work each day.;-) Wow, Mari! Ouch! Of course, we all agree. I looked forward to the Avengers, (loved the clothing), RF makes a v. fine gentleman. Unfortunately, the movie tanked."}, {"response": 1267, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (15:50)", "body": "(Evelyn)...it isn't like Colin is unknown among directors in the UK.This might be true in Hollywood, but that's his turf. Wadsamadda here? He is not perceived as a strong enough lead to generate much box office worldwide. The general concensus is that hardly anybody goes to see a movie because Colin Firth is in it. And yes, they could have found a worse writer/director than Neil LaBute. Namely Paul Thomas Anderson. I loved when Kevin Smith dissed Anderson on the Web last year. Couldn't have happened to a more deserving no talent hack. \"Magnolia\" blew. The only worse movie with artistic intent from last year was \"Eyes Wide Shut\". Shudder."}, {"response": 1268, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (17:22)", "body": "From reel.com's news : Fiennes, Paltrow, and Eckhart Ponder Possession By Kasia Anderson Warner Bros. is pulling together a prize-winning cast for its film adaptation of a prize-winning novel, A.S. Byatt's Possession. The studio is angling to hook Oscar girl Gwyneth Paltrow, as well as Ralph Fiennes and Erin Brockovich's Aaron Eckhart, for starring roles in Byatt's cerebral love story. According to Variety, WB has made a $5 million offer to Paltrow to play Maud Bailey, a brainy looker who stumbles upon an academic mystery while researching poetess Christabel LaMotte. [Note to all: Actually it is Roland who stumbles on it.] It seems Maud's subject, considered by others in her field to be a lightweight, had a secret affair with literary giant Randolph Ash. Maud's discovery [shudder!! They've changed the story] leads her to fellow researcher Roland Michell, who has devoted his studies to Ash's life and career. Thus ensues an academic sleuth story, with the two contemporary colleagues trying to keep their findings secret while unraveling the mystery. Naturally, all that poetic talk of romance starts to affect Roland and Maud \ufffd. Byatt, also the author behind Philip Haas' Angels and Insects film adaptation, won the 1990 Booker Prize \ufffd Britain's highest literary honor \ufffd for Possession. Though WB has kicked off the casting process with its offer to Paltrow, formal negotiations haven't yet begun. It's also unclear whether an offer has been made to Fiennes, but writer/director Neil LaBute (In the Company of Men) is re-writing the script and is \"understood to be attached to direct,\" says the trade. LaBute's latest, the dark comedy Nurse Betty, is in competition at this year's Cannes Film Festival. Betty, starring Eckhart, Renee Zellweger, Chris Rock, Morgan Freeman, and Greg Kinnear, opens in the U.S. on November 10. ~~~~~~~~ Am getting nauseous...although Eckardt does fit the bill of Maud's narcissistic ex-boyfriend."}, {"response": 1269, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (17:28)", "body": "(Mari) RE: Avengers. Certainly a poor choice, but at least he didn't commit career suicide afterwards by going and hiding just because he had a flop. Nope, he got right back in there, and now all is forgotten (and rightfully so). C'mon, Avengers was *not* Rafey boy's 'break-out' role. His post-Avengers career was in a far better place than CF's was post-Valmont (assuming you were making that comparison). Otherwise I agree with everything you, Evelyn and others have said about Ralph. He plays the game."}, {"response": 1270, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (17:59)", "body": "For those who have not seen the premier clip, CF comes across as awkward and slightly embarrassed IMHO. Do you agree, Arami? Yes, Allison, definitely. I've never known him behave in a bwww-ha-ha-ha! capital! sort of manner."}, {"response": 1271, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (19:40)", "body": "...For those who have not seen the premier clip, CF comes across as awkward and slightly embarrassed IMHO I certainly hope that the acting schools include a course in publicity/interviews/dealing with the media (to include live tv interviews ) in their canon. If they don't, they are shortchanging their students. That is such an important factor in an actor's career . I don't see it as self-promotion either.If one is going to be in the public eye, one should feel comfortable doing so."}, {"response": 1272, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (21:08)", "body": "Oh, Karen, that is terrible! Gwyneth is all wrong. Maud was prettier and more robust looking. I mean this woman had a figure! How can they completely change the story like that? I think I need to write to Antonia Susan Byatt tonight telling her that they are destroying the best contemporary novel EVER!!!"}, {"response": 1273, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (22:12)", "body": "Laura, the Variety item by Claude Brodesser didn't have any of that detail that reversed the roles. Basically gave a plot outline: \"Based on the Booker Prize-winning A.S. Byatt novel, the storyline centers on two contemporary academicians, each studying one of two Victorian poets, who reconstruct their subjects' secret extramarital affair through their poems, diaries, epistles and analysis.\" Am hoping that reel got it wrong."}, {"response": 1274, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (02:12)", "body": "(Karen)Laura, the Variety item by Claude Brodesser didn't have any of that detail that reversed the roles...Am hoping that reel got it wrong. Plots are seen differently from different points of view... Perhaps this is how they introduced it to Gwynie. Remember SiL: the play was supposed to be called Mercutio, right? ;-) Laura, I most definitely shall read the book - but probably only in a few weeks."}, {"response": 1275, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (06:47)", "body": "Hope Reel got it wrong. But I can see how misogynist will make Gwyneth the \"star\" of show. I don't know, Karen, I just picture John Cusack as Roland. Or a John Cusack-type as Roland. I could never really define Ash. Cristabel/Maud I thought had similar appearance. Am thinking that Rupert Graves would be a good Roland. Still trying to picture Ash. Can't do it. (and don't see Fiennes as him either.)"}, {"response": 1276, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (07:51)", "body": "Watch your questions, Laura. They are bordering on *spoilers* and if Evelyn and Gi are going to read it, some things cannot be discussed. Actually, Gwynnie is not too bad (although she lacks a scholarly look). I had picked out Joely Richardson a long time ago for Maud, who was taller than Roland."}, {"response": 1277, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (08:36)", "body": "Oops, will watch questions. Okay, ladies hurry up and read book so we can discuss the bad casting attached to said project!! :) Joely Richardson, hmmmm.... Janet McTeer I think would be a wonderful Maud. Curious to see how they cast Val, Ellen, Mrs Ash, Blanche, Steven Eckhart as (watshisname?), the blonde guy???? um, no?"}, {"response": 1278, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (10:50)", "body": "I ordered the book yesterday...but I don't mind reading discussions beforehand. (Though I'm glad no one told me the ending of \"The 6th Sense\") (Laura).... Okay, ladies hurry up and read book so we can discuss the bad casting attached to said project!! :) Not giving an inch, eh? You're tough , Laura;-)"}, {"response": 1279, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (12:30)", "body": "I LOVED the Sixth Sense (however, I figured it out, like at the very beginning!) But it was still good, and quite a cast. Olivia Williams (Jane Fairfax in A&E's Emma, was BW Wife!)"}, {"response": 1280, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (13:51)", "body": "Olivia Williams (Jane Fairfax in A&E's Emma, was BW Wife!) And Toni Collette, Harriet Smith in the film \"Emma\" was the little boy's mother. LOL all-Brit female cast. They were excellent too.TC nominated for Oscar for that role.Is on B'way now in a musical. I really liked Olivia Williams with Kevin Costner in \"The Postman.\" Only redeeming part of that film."}, {"response": 1281, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (14:12)", "body": "Actually, Toni C is Australian. Did a bang-on job with the Philadelphia accent in SS. Most non-Yanks go for an all-purpose American accent, which is fine; but she not only got it down to the city, but a particular section of the city in which the film takes place. Loved her in Muriel's Wedding, too. Cosi is another good one--offbeat Australian comedy. I'd love to go up to NY and see her in Wild Party; not sure I can put up with Mandy Patinkin, however (whom I used to like, but I think he's lost it now in more ways than one)."}, {"response": 1282, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (14:56)", "body": "Right, forgot of Toni Collette! She was so good! \"Look at my face!\" Loved it! Even Rebecca liked it. (she thinks Cole was cute:)) I'm in trouble!"}, {"response": 1283, "author": "Ann", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (15:08)", "body": "Lala: Am thinking that Rupert Graves would be a good Roland. Really Laura? How surprising ;)"}, {"response": 1284, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (17:48)", "body": "Ooh, RG in the flesh. Saw a preview for Dreaming of Joseph Lees? Looks good, anyone see it?"}, {"response": 1285, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (17:52)", "body": "I've seen it. Worth seeing for Samantha Morton's performance and the cinematography. Plot was pretty unbelievable for piece set in a rural area in the 50s. Had a very ambiguous ending, although director said which way he intended it to go. BTW, director is same as Colin's Relative Values. Rupert looked very good."}, {"response": 1286, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (18:20)", "body": "I'll have to check it out. Have you guys seen Boys Don't Cry? I was very impressed by Hilary Swank's performance. She REALLY had me thinking she was a guy! (more so than Gwynnie in SIL:))"}, {"response": 1287, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (19:36)", "body": "No comparison and shouldn't be. As I've said numerous times before, women masquerading as men/boys in Shakespeare do not need to be believable."}, {"response": 1288, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (20:15)", "body": "Oh, I was trying to make a funny:) It was a great movie! I haven't seen much lately:( I think Rebecca is itching me to take her to see the Flintstones (I like Mark Addy, but...) Geez, now I have this comp at home, (and bunch of bootleg movies to boot;)), I stay home. I saw Magnolia, and not for nothing, I really liked it a lot. I'm am so not a Tom Cruise fan, but wow, he was an awesome misogynist! (word for the week?) Philip Seymour Hoffman as the nurse was very good too. As well as the guy who played the cop (forget name). Thought the rainstorm was very good too;)"}, {"response": 1289, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, May 14, 2000 (09:15)", "body": "... to the mothers on our board (and I mean that in the nicest way)!"}, {"response": 1290, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May 14, 2000 (12:21)", "body": "Here's the URL for the NY times article that Murph mentioned: \"The British are coming...\" http://www.nytimes.com/library/film/051400british-actors.html Jude Law's sticker-price now up to $5.Mil...wow! (Don't blame him...strike while you're the flavour of the month!) And while neither CF or SD are mentioned by name, the article is v. complimentary of their talent as a group. Love the last sentence....bet Ben Affleck isn't thrilled;-)"}, {"response": 1291, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 14, 2000 (13:47)", "body": "Thanks, Evelyn, for the article. v. interesting. Liked that last line too. ;-) But you'd better look fast before they enter the land of the limousine. Limousine? Imagine that! *hee hee* screen evil may not have reached quite such well-spoken proportions since Ralph Fiennes delivered his career-making performance in the 1993 film \"Schindler's List.\" Did anyone have any doubt re: career-making performance? This Isaacs guy is certainly *driven* to succeed: Isaacs, who in conversation couldn't be warmer or more open. (About everything, that is, except his age. \"I'm as old as you need me to be,\" he told a reporter, admitting only to being \"in my 30s.\") \"I kill everything in my path,\" he added. \"I think I cross every boundary known to man.\" Don't think someone we know would be quite so.... Isaacs seems to have crossed that most important boundary: a role to lift a good company player, of which Britain boasts literally hundreds, into the next echelon of fame. Good company player? See they did mention Colin, among all those hundreds who fill this bill. :-("}, {"response": 1292, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sun, May 14, 2000 (14:11)", "body": "Happy Mothers' Day to all the Moms at drool."}, {"response": 1293, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, May 14, 2000 (18:54)", "body": "To All you Mommies Out There ... HAPPY MOTHERS DAY! ... And for good measure ... Love, KJ"}, {"response": 1294, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (07:15)", "body": "Thank you Heide and KJ for the lovely flowers. Had a wonderful day yesterday. \"I'm as old as you need me to be,\" he told a reporter, admitting only to being \"in my 30s.\") Loved this quotation. I think I will use it. Thanks for posting the link, Evelyn. Frankly, I am sick of Ben Affleck and his bobsy (sp?) twin Matt."}, {"response": 1295, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (08:16)", "body": "Argh, this is appalling. As written, you'd get the impression that Fiennes would be Roland. :-( Some of the worst miscasting I've ever seen. Plus give away the plot, why don't you? Paltrow takes 'Possession' with Fiennes (Mon., May 15, 2000) By Zorianna Kit Warner Bros. and USA Films are co-financing \"Possession,\" which Neil LaBute has committed to direct as his next film. Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow and Ralph Fiennes have committed to star. Aaron Eckhart (\"Erin Brockovich\") is in talks to star. Under terms of the 50-50 split, USA has agreed to distribute the film domestically with Warners taking foreign rights. Barry Levinson and Paula Weinstein's Baltimore/Spring Creek, which had been developing the project at Warner Bros., are producing. \"Possession\" is based on British author A.S. Byatt's novel \"Possession: A Romance.\" The film, alternately set in present day and Victorian England, is about two academics who, while researching 19th century poet Randolph Ash, stumble upon a love letter written by Ash -- a man believed to be faithfully married -- to a lesser known poet, a chaste spinster. In unearthing the romance, the scholars embark on a journey that challenges their beliefs about themselves. LaBute, whose film \"Nurse Betty\" screened in Cannes, has been rewriting the \"Possession\" script. Warners' senior vp production Courtenay Valenti is overseeing the project for the studio. Paltrow is no stranger to the Fiennes family, having co-starred opposite Fiennes' younger brother Joseph in \"Shakespeare in Love,\" a role which garnered her a best actress Oscar win. Both actors are repped by CAA. [Colin needs to change agencies] Should Eckhart also come aboard \"Possession,\" it would mark the actor's fourth consecutive project for LaBute, having previously starred in all of the director's films, including \"In the Company of Men,\" \"Your Friends & Neighbors\" and the upcoming \"Betty.\""}, {"response": 1296, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (12:12)", "body": "(Karen) Both actors are repped by CAA. [Colin needs to change agencies] Maybe, but I shudder to think what projects they don't even bother presenting him with because the shoots don't coincide with the months in which he's willing to work.:-( BTW, some mediocre reviews for The Golden Bowl at Cannes--Variety says Uma and Jeremy are miscast.:-( JN sports an Italian accent. I don't care, I'll see it anyway."}, {"response": 1297, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (12:40)", "body": "I've posted the Variety review at JN's topic (43), along with a va-va voooooom picture. ;-)"}, {"response": 1298, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (09:30)", "body": "Tineke reported this: And don't forget to log on at http:// www.tonys.org tomorrow (Wednesday) at 11.30am ET for live interviews at the Tonys Nominees Brunch. It is reported that Jennifer will be there."}, {"response": 1299, "author": "EAGrace", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (11:27)", "body": "I've received important Drool advice to check out this board. I'm glad I did --- you guys are very funny. Brightens my otherwise solitary day spent working at the computer. I've been wondering myself what's gone wrong with Colin Firth's career. He's obviously talented, and I admire his Olivier-like flexibility, but I found his performance in My Life So Far to be less emotionally believable than in earlier films. I'm at a disadvantage though, because I haven't seen a lot of his latest projects. Saw SIL, A Thousand Acres, and English Patient, but he had small roles in these. Can't find Fever Pitch in video stores, and it never made it to the big screen. Haven't seen Secret Lives of Women --- I think it did make it to the local independent, but so briefly I missed it. I thought Hostages was stunning, and yet only got to see it on video a couple of years ago. And The Advocate/Hour of the Pig was hilarious, clever, and progressive. Yes! Progressive --- in its subtext. I'm always amazed though, how his finer films are so completely ignored. Valmont is a case in point. I think it remains his best all-round performance (that I've seen), and was one of the best-directed films. Certainly much better than Dangerous Liaisons, in my opinion. If I'd been part of such a fine enterprise and it flopped, I think I'd crawl away for awhile. Of course, if he did disappear (I take your word for it) it may not have been about that at all. It may be lack of career know-how or interest, bad agents, the tastes of the hoi polloi, or simple differences in priorities. But for Valmont to flop has to be nothing other than pure karma! Man, do I ever wish this thing had a spell-checker. Can't believe how many words I'm now unsure about that I used to remember. This is the real reason Bill Gates is insidious! Sounds like his later choices leave something to be desired. Which recent Firth films do people recommend?(I'm a little fuzzy about films from 1997 on.)"}, {"response": 1300, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (11:38)", "body": "(EAG) and it [FP] never made it to the big screen. It did indeed, even here in the states. I saw it in NJ last October. Blink your eyes and you would have missed it, though. It also played on the big screen in countries where football is popular (everywhere in the world, so it seems)."}, {"response": 1301, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (14:18)", "body": "Let's not make it appear as though FP *really* played in the US. For about a week, it was in a few theaters in and around NYC. There are a few other places outside that small piece of real estate considered part of the US. ;-) Since it played all over the world (except the US), you can buy the video in both PAL or NTSC formats and would be available in rental stores everywhere but... The Secret Laughter of Women only played in the UK for a short while, but is on video there in PAL."}, {"response": 1302, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (14:41)", "body": "FLASH! Have just spoken to TRT publicist.... JE will be interviewed on A&E \"Breakfast with the Arts\" show to be televised on Sunday June 4th (Tony- Sunday!).Check local listing for time. She is doing this \"alone\"...no Stephen, no Mum..This is the same show that did an interview with CF before SIL. P&P is still A&E's highest rating show ,so no doubt they will ask her about it.I know they are thrilled to have her...they've been after her for a while. I will say PR people are great to deal with in NY...I identify myself as being from the JE website, and they are most informative and accomodating. IMO they really understand the importance of publicity on the web."}, {"response": 1303, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (17:21)", "body": "I hope JE sits up straight for this one. ;-) Fever Pitch never made it to soccer loving Miami. Karen is right, it played the world but the US."}, {"response": 1304, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (17:29)", "body": "for Valmont to flop has to be nothing other than pure karma! Had it premiered ahead of the other adaptation, it wouldn't have flopped, I'm (almost) sure of that."}, {"response": 1305, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (17:37)", "body": "Had it premiered ahead of the other adaptation, it wouldn't have flopped, I'm (almost) sure of that. Agree. Stephen Frears beat Milos to it.If he hadn't been so egotistical ,and finished the film on schedule instead of dragging out V. would have made it."}, {"response": 1306, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (17:59)", "body": "There were various shady things going on behind the scenes - I believe it started with some people who were originally meant to work with Forman (including the scriptwriter and one of the stars?), but who \"defected\" to the other side for one reason or another... And it seems that Forman decided to stake his reputation (a string of Oscars for Amadeus, etc.) against the other film's better known and more \"bankable\" cast."}, {"response": 1307, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (18:13)", "body": "I just read this and thought I'd share it with you:- \"A celebrity is a person who works hard all his life to become well known, then wears dark glasses to avoid being recognized.\""}, {"response": 1308, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (18:39)", "body": "There were various shady things going on behind the scenes I've never heard of any of those things you've described. Frears was lensing (as they call it) before Forman had his script finished, but the egomaniac kept going anyway. The only thing that rings a bell is that Forman wanted Michelle Pfeiffer for Madame de Merteuil. She didn't commit and wound up playing Madame de Tourvel in Frears' version. And Forman wrote the script with Carriere, who I believe was in from the beginning. Hampton, who wrote the play, wouldn't have collaborated with Forman as they had different perceptions of the story. Valmont didn't stand a chance since DL had already garnered so much praise."}, {"response": 1309, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (19:20)", "body": "I have read Forman's wailings in a book he wrote. He alleges that Hampton promised to work with him and then somehow inexplicanbly started avoiding him, only to emerge bowling for the other side, so to speak... I haven't heard Hampton's side of the story, but it's quite plain that he saw Valmont as selfish and evil (Rickman in the original London stage production was physically handsome and morally revolting!), whilst Forman saw him charming, vain and misguided."}, {"response": 1310, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (19:21)", "body": "Oops. Inexplicably."}, {"response": 1311, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (19:51)", "body": "Re: Forthcoming TV interview with JE on A&E: (Moon)I hope JE sits up straight for this one. ;-) LOL. Yeah...and wears black \"trainers\" with white shoelaces....then we'll all think she's super cool. After all, she lives in Islington too;-)"}, {"response": 1312, "author": "EAGrace", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (01:51)", "body": "Oops, I meant The Secret Laughter of Women. Why do you suppose I wrote The Secret Lives of Women?"}, {"response": 1313, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (08:22)", "body": "I have read Forman's wailings in a book he wrote. He alleges that Hampton promised to work with him and then somehow inexplicanbly started avoiding him If you're referring to Turnaround, Forman's book, please see pp. 282-3."}, {"response": 1314, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (08:48)", "body": "(Eileen)(Fever Pitch) also played on the big screen in countries where football is popular (everywhere in the world, so it seems). (Karen)Since it played all over the world (except the US) Sorry! Not here :-("}, {"response": 1315, "author": "EAGrace", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (10:06)", "body": "Does anyone know for sure if it played in Canada,though? And when? I wouldn't be surprised if it did and I missed it. Come to think of it, I was suffering through my thesis around the time FP came out. Took blood to finish writing it. I missed everything going on in the world!"}, {"response": 1316, "author": "EAGrace", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (10:08)", "body": "Question: did Topic #129 disappear, or did I dream its existence?"}, {"response": 1317, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (10:13)", "body": "Topic 129 is there. Did you hit the \"Forget\" button on top by mistake? Happens. Just insert 129 instead of any topic number into the url at top and you'll be back. See if the Remember button is shown, then you've done a Forget. Yes, Fever Pitch definitely played in Canada; it was during the last World Cup. It has been available on video there since last year and was recently reduced to a purchable price. Check www.videoflicks.com (a Canadian videoseller)"}, {"response": 1318, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (11:43)", "body": "Got around to thumbing throught the current edition of Newsweek last night. In the Newsmakers section, stumbled on a couple of familiar faces, along with this snippet: The Tony Awards' Family Feud Newsweek, May 22, 2000 Poor Jennifer Ehle. Can't she ever get the limelight to herself? The 30-year-old actress is going head to head with her mother, Rosemary Harris, for the Tony Award for best actress in a play. (There's never been this type of family feud, although a father and daughter squared off once, as did an aunt and niece.) Ehle's nominated for her role as the mistress in Tom Stoppard's \"The Real Thing.\" It's not the first time she's played second fiddle. She was the other woman (for a while, at least) in the 1995 BBC version of \"Pride and Prejudice,\" too. Apparently, she's not too concerned about being upstaged. Harris will play an older version of Ehle's character in the movie \"Sunshine.\" Every mother should have a daughter like that. ***** Lizzy was the 'other woman' in P&P?? Who wrote this, Caroline Bingley? Sheesh! Regardless, the pictures (which are n/a on line) of JE and RH were on the top left of the page--v. eyecatching (will send ya hard copy, Ev). I sense the hand of Harvey once again..."}, {"response": 1319, "author": "EAGrace", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (11:48)", "body": "Yes Karen, that's exactly what I did. Thanks. I really think this is an excellent system, even though I don't completely know my way around yet. I checked, and FP is not there. What did you think of it(if you're not tired of talking about it)?"}, {"response": 1320, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (11:54)", "body": "(Eileen) The Tony Awards' Family Feud Maybe this is the article that inspired that interviewer yesterday, who asked that insipid question of JE at the Tony luncheon (see topic 132). p.s., I just looked in the dictionary to confirm my spelling of insipid, and the page opened up to Islington :-)"}, {"response": 1321, "author": "EAGrace", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (11:58)", "body": "Hmmm, when the Oracle speaks . . ."}, {"response": 1322, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (13:14)", "body": "(Eileen) Lizzy was the 'other woman' in P&P?? Who wrote this, Caroline Bingley? LOL! Doncha wonder where these people get their information? (LizG) I checked, and FP is not there. If \"there\" refers to your local video store, I can't help you, but if it refers to for sale in Canada, go here: http://www.videoflicks.com/VF2/9996/9996141.ihtml We did talk about Fever Pitch a very long time ago, but it's one of my favorites to watch for sheer pleasure and the soundtrack, which is always on hand in my car. ;-)"}, {"response": 1323, "author": "EAGrace", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (13:29)", "body": "(Karen) Actually, \"there\" refered to www.videoflicks.com. I searched under Colin Firth. Other films there, but not FP. (?) Ok, now how exactly was Lizzy the \"other woman\" for awhile in P&P2? Did they cut something in the version I saw? Darcy with a secret mistress stashed somewhere, a crazy wife in the attic, perhaps? Didn't he ride stallions? So she couldn't have been competing against a love affair with his horse! . . . well, I suppose she could have, but lets not go there. TMI!"}, {"response": 1324, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (13:55)", "body": "(Eileen) I sense the hand of Harvey once again.. For sure. FP soundtrack a winner. In TIME RH&JE were compared to Joan and Melissa Rivers mother/daughter team. I think I'd rather be \"the other woman\";-)"}, {"response": 1325, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (14:48)", "body": "(Evelyn), Yeah...and wears black \"trainers\" with white shoelaces....then we'll all think she's super cool. So that's why he does it, to be cool? A new insight on Colin. Do you think Will wears them like that too? ;-) (Eileen) Lizzy was the 'other woman' in P&P?? Who wrote this, Caroline Bingley? (Karen), LOL! Doncha wonder where these people get their information? Who hires these people? (Liz), I checked, and FP is not there. What did you think of it(if you're not tired of talking about it)? Liz, you should check out the film disc. topic. Could someone add the link."}, {"response": 1326, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (15:25)", "body": "(Evelyn) In TIME RH&JE were compared to Joan and Melissa Rivers mother/daughter team. You know, on the first read, I just snickered to myself and read on. But when you stop and think about it, geesh."}, {"response": 1327, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (15:38)", "body": "(Donna) But when you stop and think about it, geesh. Honestly, couldn't Time come up with any other mother-daughter teams for comparison? It makes me forgive Newsweek for their P&P mistake."}, {"response": 1328, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (16:07)", "body": "(Eileen) Lizzy was the 'other woman' in P&P?? Who wrote this, Caroline Bingley? Sheesh! Not only was she \"the other woman\" to Miss Bingley, but most especially to Lady Catherine. ;-)"}, {"response": 1329, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (16:48)", "body": "LizG: Yes, for some reason FP doesn't show up by searching under Colin's name. A technical snafu. But if you search under FP, you will get two hits. Take the more recent or use link above directly to the video. Here's the link to the edited and archived Spring Drool film discussion index at firth.com: http://www.firth.com/filmdis/disindex.htm *more reading* I hear you cry! ;-)"}, {"response": 1330, "author": "EAGrace", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (17:47)", "body": "Well, thank you so much for the link, Karen! Very drool-like approach to film reviewing! :-)"}, {"response": 1331, "author": "EAGrace", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (18:30)", "body": "Hmmm, if life always imitates art, and JE was the 'other woman' to her own mother, and if you start with Premise One and add Premise Two, reasoning without any logical fallacies (don't hold it AGAINST the man), using only valid rules of inference... and defering to all applicable truth tables . . . now let me see, its been awhile but . . . First Conclusion: The woman behind Lizzy's 'other woman' status is none other than . . . Second Conclusion: Darcy, Darcy, Darcy, so that's why you ----"}, {"response": 1332, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, May 19, 2000 (15:00)", "body": "Have just read the Waiting in the Wings, is to close on the 28th May, looks like you have just made it Evelyn, what a shame, I was hoping to see it in July."}, {"response": 1333, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 27, 2000 (23:22)", "body": "To Heide for having been a great co-host on Drool for all this time"}, {"response": 1334, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, May 28, 2000 (09:04)", "body": "To both Karen & Heide, our wonderful co-hosts, what would we do without you both. (that is so cute Karen). BTW as it is so quiet on the Boards, I thought I would just mention that yesterday James & I went to see Glaldiator, what a wonderful movie, I was so close to tears at the end and I think I have found my 3rd favourite actor, RC. Highly recommend it to anyone who is thinking of going."}, {"response": 1335, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, May 28, 2000 (09:07)", "body": "Thanks, sweetie, but I'll always be here. I'm just shoveling all the work off on you. ;-) Ladies and gentlemen, now there's a host. A holiday weekend in the US and also in the UK I believe. Enjoy, everyone. I'm off to do the picnic thing in the rain."}, {"response": 1336, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, May 28, 2000 (18:38)", "body": "Holiday, true. All public means of access to the Net closed, so I'm off tomorrow. Don't do too much exciting while I'm gone. Thank you both for a multitude of good works. Have a nice holiday, Karen and Heide!! KJ"}, {"response": 1337, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, May 28, 2000 (19:58)", "body": "Karen and Heide, THANK YOU for all the fun and games! You are appreciated. Am I hugging too tightly? ;-)"}, {"response": 1338, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, May 28, 2000 (20:14)", "body": "Thanks to both of you."}, {"response": 1339, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 28, 2000 (22:34)", "body": "Your kind words are appreciated, ladies. However, I wasn't as clear as I should've been. My thanks go to Heide, as she has decided to no longer be a host at Drool."}, {"response": 1340, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, May 29, 2000 (01:56)", "body": "Oh no, we shall miss her, but she will still be around?!"}, {"response": 1341, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 29, 2000 (08:30)", "body": "Sorry to hear it. Heide, I hope you will still hang out with us. And remember, we have AZ to discuss in the fall."}, {"response": 1342, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, May 29, 2000 (08:40)", "body": "Heide, thanks for everything, you\ufffdve been a lovely and diplomatic host. I sure hope you mean to stay with us in spite of giving up hosting!"}, {"response": 1343, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Mon, May 29, 2000 (09:03)", "body": "I agree. Heide will still have her hostly privileges, even though the work world is getting more of her attention."}, {"response": 1344, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, May 29, 2000 (12:22)", "body": "(KarenR)...I wasn't as clear as I should've been. My thanks go to Heide, as she has decided to no longer be a host at Drool. Thanks for explaining, Karen, I was wondering what that was all about - I thought some kind of anniversary or something. Heide, I hope whatever is taking more of your time is a good thing :-)Hugs. Karen, hugs to you too, and keep up the good work :-) Marcia, I know it's your birthday soon. Thirty-first, is it?"}, {"response": 1345, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 29, 2000 (17:37)", "body": "We are planning a birthday bash for her Marcianess. Please join us here on Wed. May 31st."}, {"response": 1346, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (16:29)", "body": "Oh Heide, tear out my heart, rip it apart, and stomp that sucker flat! You're no longer hosting at drool. I'm bereft. Seriously, thank you for your patience, graciousness, and humor. Thanks for the advice you gave me when I asked. I hope to see that you will still be posting here. Good Luck."}, {"response": 1347, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (18:03)", "body": "Heide, thanks for all you've done as a host; I know it's tricky, but the best ones make it look easy and you ladies here are the best. Glad to hear you'll still be hanging out with us. An early happy birthday to Marcia!"}, {"response": 1348, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (21:22)", "body": "Heide is What? I go away for a week and look what happens;-) Wadsamadda...don't you like us anymore? And we try so hard to be good;-) Thanks Heide...you've been a great \"Madeline Albright\".. Now...will we see the real Heide?? No kidding....you've diffused a lot of \"almosts\" and I hope you will continue. ~~~~~ From a theatre website on the Tony Awards predictions: \"Jennifer Ehle: chances: Strong. Ehle is the discovery of the season and Tony voters may want the chance to claim her as one of our own before Hollywood comes knocking. [Oh dear....if she reads this, she won't show up!] \" Rosemary Harris: chances: Despite strong competition from her own flesh and blood, Harris may just repeat her Tony win of 34 years ago\""}, {"response": 1349, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (21:32)", "body": "June 4th is Heide's Birthday"}, {"response": 1350, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (23:26)", "body": "Lizza's Birthday is June 7th Karen (KJArt)'s Birthday is June 8th Moon's is the 14th"}, {"response": 1351, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (02:35)", "body": "Happy Birthday Marcia!"}, {"response": 1352, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (02:53)", "body": "Thank you! Wow!!! *hugs* I have more roster sheets to send to you...=)"}, {"response": 1353, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (02:54)", "body": "How did you know???"}, {"response": 1354, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (09:12)", "body": "Happy Birthday dear Marcia! Here's my first gift to you: so you can move around freely without logging out. This: for those rainy days in Hilo; And a nice, young, athletic,whole team to keep you busy :-)"}, {"response": 1355, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (10:22)", "body": "Happy Birthday Marcia!!! Three cheers for the queen of GEO! You may not know this, Marcia, but I do lurk there. Of course our Marcianess deserves to wear the constellation watch to keep up with all things geo. And since you are always giving us such beautiful lais, I thought you might like one with diamonds. A send you a big hug. Enjoy your day!"}, {"response": 1356, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (10:40)", "body": "Marcia, I am NO good at putting up images like the others, but lots of special birthday hugs to a truly wonderful, witty and wise co drooler. Cue amazing invisible image of a huge birthday cake , from which OBD emerges wearing the icing of Marcia's choice and his dimples! Invisible that is to all but Marcia!!"}, {"response": 1357, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (10:44)", "body": "Heide, sorry to hear that you are unable to co-host anymore. A huge thank you for all you have done to encourage newbies to stay over the years (!), myself included. I do hope we will still have your tact and diplomacy to enjoy from time to time not to mention your sense of humour. Cue huge ( and still invisible) image of an exploding \"thank- you\"."}, {"response": 1358, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (11:13)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Marcia! And thanks, Heide, for all you've done to make these boards so great:-)"}, {"response": 1359, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (12:10)", "body": "Oh...Wow! Thank you - Gi, you know I need another laptop - a real one! The umbrella is lovely and looks like Applique - stunning....but that team. This morning I could really us a team. I'll give you details in email - but I seem to have \"done it\" again! Moon...*sigh* Nothing even close grows around here for lei-making. How stunning. I could build a whole new wardrobe around a piece of jewelry like that! Great Chronometer (which that is - no plain watch from You!)...Love to have one like that! And the Piece which I could not resist is OBD. Gadzooks! Lovely and much appreciated. Sluuuuuuurp! (Yeah, I did know you lurk and that is wonderful and a great compliment! *hugs*) Lizza dear, I have IRL present from you with the most lovely image on the cover. What could be better that I don't have to return to Livia at the end of the day?! Mahalo with great bit *hugs* Susan! It is so good to hear from you! Thanks for the good wishes. Whoopee! It IS gonna be a happy birthday, after all...*happy grin*"}, {"response": 1360, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (12:22)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Marcia! Although I am not a long-time Drooler, I must say that whenever I have randomly clicked on one of your posts, I have been impressed with your breadth and depth of knowledge on an array of topics, not to mention your wit and overall sense of fun. You truly are the renaissance woman of Spring. Heide, I will never forget how kind and encouraging you have been to me, as I am certain you have been to all newcomers. Thank you for your grace, humor, and intelligence."}, {"response": 1361, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (12:30)", "body": "Woo Hoo...Thanks - You guys are saving my life this morning - AND my sense of humor. Big hugs to you all. The rest of spring occupies my intellect but The Ladies of Drool have my heart. Thanks for lurking and enjoying!"}, {"response": 1362, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (12:43)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARCIA Every Birthday Girl should have one!!"}, {"response": 1363, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (12:52)", "body": "(MarciaH) The umbrella is lovely and looks like Applique - stunning... It is hand-painted, actually. I seem to have \"done it\" again! Oh dear... Awaiting your email with some anxiety..."}, {"response": 1364, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (13:49)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1365, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (13:57)", "body": "Happy Birthday from me too, Marcia."}, {"response": 1366, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (14:14)", "body": "Happy Birthday Marcia!"}, {"response": 1367, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (15:28)", "body": "What's dat!! I tawt I taw a party going on... Yeah! Dis joint is jumpin' And der's a whole lotta shakin' going on... CAUSE IT'S MARCIA'S BIRTHDAY!!!!"}, {"response": 1368, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (15:32)", "body": "Have a little itsy bit of cake, while you drool over your prezzie Just a little something I picked up for you at BB&B ;-)"}, {"response": 1369, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (16:19)", "body": "I am so glad we have a birthday month comin...love a pahty!! Hey Marcia....you do a mean hula;-) ~~~~~~~~~~ TV ALERT (Thanx to SUE) Just saw mini-interview with Jennifer and her mum on CNN Mr. Showbiz. Shows clips of TRT ,WITW, and SUNSHINE. Will re-show at 3 AM."}, {"response": 1370, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (16:33)", "body": "Happy Birthday, dear Marcia!"}, {"response": 1371, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (16:38)", "body": "Will re-show at 3 AM. Re: CNN that's 3 AM Central Time."}, {"response": 1372, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (17:13)", "body": "Happy birthday again Marcia. You're such a wonderful contributor here!"}, {"response": 1373, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (17:57)", "body": "Thanks Terry! My pleasure!!"}, {"response": 1374, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (18:10)", "body": "Marcia... I have to rush off, but I'll be back later with more goodies. Meanwhile... (and this is straight from the heart...) And some tropical beauties for a tropical lady... HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARCIA! ...KJ"}, {"response": 1375, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (18:50)", "body": "Marcia, the All Knowing, (okay, almost all knowing), you will insist that you don't know everything. Carpe Cakem and Carpe Diem. Carpe Annum for that matter. Happy Birthday and have an even better year."}, {"response": 1376, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (19:08)", "body": "I just scrolled back through the party going on in here and what fun!!! LOLROTF stuff starting out with my fav collectable - a SPAM Sno-globe...*sigh* Evvie-Luvvie never forgets! Mahalo and *Hugs* for that. Karen...YOU remembered as well......*BIG sigh*... That is a stunner I could arrange a whole wardrobe around...!!! Love ya for that!!! Elena, thanks and please come back to Geo and run around with your boulders and beetles and bioregions - Please??!! Lisa (left speechless, are you?) thanks and Tineke...wow!!! Everyone is just about making my whole decade........I am delighted out of my lavalava!!! Big mahalos, hugs and love to you all!!!"}, {"response": 1377, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (19:09)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARCIA"}, {"response": 1378, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (19:26)", "body": "Oh my - more goodies and great thoughts for me! Yippee. KarenJ, thanks! Luv the purple hippopotapuzzle....and flowers and kind thoughts from AnnW and Cheryl, you're the best!!!"}, {"response": 1379, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (19:28)", "body": "Thanks Lucie!!!"}, {"response": 1380, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (19:36)", "body": "Marcia! 29 Again? Happy Birthday, dear. A toast to our biggest cheerleader - Couldn't find any pom poms, sorry, but a rose by any other name..."}, {"response": 1381, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (19:39)", "body": "I loved looking at your gifts, Marcia. Moon, dear, I had to chuckle when you told Marcia she's given us so many \"leis\" over the years. ;-) And Spam? I understand Hawaii has the biggest consumption of Spam per capita. We're gonna get you a Spam cookbook next. An aside, thanks for so many warm wishes from you all. I feel a tad silly because I'll always be here and I'll bet you won't even notice the difference. But your nice words sure made me feel good."}, {"response": 1382, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (19:49)", "body": "...at least Ann did not say I had been lei'd...like some do here where the hula dancers make like Karen's gif!!! are we not the couthest group on the planet?! When we do things including lusting, we do it with panache and class. Ladies, you are making me into a warm and fuzzy ball of bliss!"}, {"response": 1383, "author": "wolf", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (19:55)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARCIA!!!!"}, {"response": 1384, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (20:10)", "body": "Yup Heide, you are always one of the very best we have - but you know that and I'm gonna tell you anyway...... thanks for the rose pompoms, and the other goodies....*sigh* Is Drool not the most special place on earth?!"}, {"response": 1385, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (20:12)", "body": "Wow!!! Wolfie! Thanks for joining the party! Now, if we could just get someone off of Hiatus, that hateful Greek island where Cfadms go when ....!"}, {"response": 1386, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (20:59)", "body": "(Heide).. A toast to our biggest cheerleader - You've got to watch it with too many toasts, Marcia. You never know .... ***Hehehehehhehehehehehe***"}, {"response": 1387, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (21:14)", "body": "Mmmmm good!! That Spam snowglobe is to die for. Am jealous. Bet Gi is going to want one too for her anniversary present. ;-) (Heide) We're gonna get you a Spam cookbook next. I think Gi got one as a shower gift. She can lend it to Marcia, but as we already know, Marcia has won the Culinary Inst of America's Top Toque Award for Spam Preparation."}, {"response": 1388, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (21:37)", "body": "First, I am still getting up off the floor from KJ's gif! Too funny! I am going out for prime rib dinner shortly so I'll watch those toasts! Hey, whoelse has created their very own Spam topic in the Food conference?! And, I probably eat more of the stuff than all of you put together...(nuthin to shout about, however!) Top Toque award, Indeed - it is sitting just next to the place of honor wherein sits the Spam Sno globe and anytime you get to Hilo you might be allowed a peek at it if you wash your hands first! I gave my son a Spam cookbook for a going away gift and he has taken his creations to parties and the plate always comes home clean (the dog must lick it...?!) Thank you for a lovely day. You have been incredible!"}, {"response": 1389, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (21:52)", "body": "What are Birthday Parties all about? Well, there's dancing... (It ain't a true hula, Marcia, but with MY hips, the real thing could become downright destructive!) [Let's see -- We've ruled out too much toasting. ... Hmmmmm ...] Wait a minute, I'm sure we could safely drink toasts with this... There also must be a cake -- inscribed with the proper sentiments, of course... And for a final touch, a lovely present for a lovely lady worth her weight in gold ... HAVE AN ENJOYABLE NATAL DAY, MARCIA! ... KJ"}, {"response": 1390, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (22:04)", "body": "(Marcia) ..Karen...YOU remembered as well......*BIG sigh*... That is a stunner I could arrange a whole wardrobe around...!!! Love ya for that!!! ...I am delighted out of my lavalava!!! P.S. I was thinking of doing something about enlarging your wardrobe as well, but since you are arranging your own around Karen's gift, all I can do is make helpful suggestions....Such as ..... [***Heeheeheehee**** couldn't resist..]"}, {"response": 1391, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (00:20)", "body": "LOL Dear....You found another one which put me on the floor again. Thanks! The cake is lovely the sodas non-fattening and I brought size XXXX trench coats to hide our new girth under after all this over-indulgence. What a blast it has been....and I shall fandango out of here with the golden rose between my teeth. *H U G S* and *ALOHA*"}, {"response": 1392, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (09:29)", "body": "From the WTHITAB (what the hell is this all about) file: Kinnear drawn to 'Husbandry' Greg Kinnear is in negotiations to star opposite Ashley Judd in Fox 2000's \"Animal Husbandry\" for director Tony Goldwyn. Lynda Obst is producing the project, which will go before the cameras in July. \"Husbandry,\" based on the comic novel by Laura Zigman, centers on a young woman (Judd) who develops a theory about men and women based on the animal world and tries to apply it to her own romantic situation. Kinnear will play Judd's boyfriend and colleague who breaks her heart. Australian actor Hugh Jackman stars as Judd's roommate who is longing for an old girlfriend and searching for a replacement. Elizabeth Chandler (\"A Little Princess\") adapted the screenplay. Fox 2000 production vp Ashley Kramer will oversee \"Husbandry\" for the studio. Getting \"Husbandry\" before the cameras is a coup for Obst. The project has been in development for many years and has gone through various incarnations. At one point, Jennifer Aniston was in talks to star. ******* This was a book we talked about on the Bridget board a ways back. Pretty funny and a quick read. Hope Bridget gets to the theaters before this one."}, {"response": 1393, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (14:33)", "body": "It is so typical of Hollywood to look for clones. I remember last year there was Stigmata, End of Days, Dogma, etc. all basically about the same subject. Studio heads are very insecure people with no balls. No one wants to take a risk. They always wait and see what the others are doing and then they bring out of dormancy projects which have been around for years but because no one else was doing similar things, it must mean that it would flop. Such cowards, I hate that attitude."}, {"response": 1394, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (14:43)", "body": "No, Moon. They are not all that similar, except boyfriend is a lying, scumbag jerk. ;-)"}, {"response": 1395, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (18:17)", "body": "No, Moon. They are not all that similar, except boyfriend is a lying, scumbag jerk. ;-) Actually, it was you who brought that up, Karen, as competition for BJD. ;-) What is similar, are the films I quoted."}, {"response": 1396, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (21:59)", "body": "Hmmm, don't think Dogma is like *any* other film I've seen. I do recall Miramax having to unload it when Disney wouldn't distribute it due to the controversy. Anyway, here's a very thoughtful and insightful thumbs-up review of Sunshine from Roger Ebert: SUNSHINE by Roger Ebert * * * Paramount presents a film directed by Istvan Szabo and produced by Robert Lantos, Jonathan Debin, Andras Hamori and Rainer Koelmel. Written by Szabo and Israel Horovitz. Photographed by Lajos Koltai. Edited by Michel Arcand and Dominique Fortin. Music by Maurice Jarre. Running time: 180 minutes. Classified: R (for strong sexuality, and for violence, language and nudity). \"One gang was as bad as another,\" says an old woman at the end of Istvan Szabo's \"Sunshine.\" In her long lifetime in Hungary she has lived under the emperor, the Nazis and the communists. And she watched as the West betrayed the 1956 uprising. She has watched some members of her Jewish family spend the century trying to accommodate themselves to the shifting winds of politics and society, and failing. She has seen other members fight against the prevailing tyrannies, only to find them replaced by new ones. And she has witnessed the Holocaust bearing down over three generations -- not as an aberration, a contagion spread by Hitler, but as the inexorable result of long years of anti-Semitism. We are reminded of the 1999 documentary \"Last Days,\" also about Holocaust victims in Hungary, which observes that the persecution of the Jews there began fairly late in the war, at a time when Hitler's thinly stretched resources were needed for tasks other than genocide. But the Nazis had help. \"Nice, ordinary Hungarian people did the dirty work,\" we learn, and there is even the possibility that some members of the Sonnenschein family, which the movie follows over three generations, would have helped had they not been Jewish and therefore ineligible. The movie shows family members determined to think of themselves as good Hungarians. The family name is changed to Sors to make it \"more Hungarian,\" and Adam Sors, in the middle generation, converts to Catholicism, joins an officers' club, and wins a gold medal for fencing in the Olympics. But assimilation is not the answer, as he learns when he remains too long in Hungary, believing a national hero like himself immune to anti-Semitism. There is a heartbreaking scene in a Nazi death camp where he tells an officer that he is a loyal Hungarian Army officer, too -- and a gold medalist. \"Strip,\" the officer tells him, and soon his naked body has been crucified and sprayed with water until it forms a grotesque ice sculpture. Szabo's epic tells the story of one family in one country, but it will do as a millennial record of a century in which one bright political idea after another promised to bring happiness and only enforced misery. The Sonnenschein family fortune is founded on \"Sunshine,\" an invigorating tonic with a secret recipe. The film does not need to underline the symbolism that the formula for the tonic is lost as the century unfolds. Ralph Fiennes plays the father, son and grandson, each one rebuffed or repelled by a Hungary in agony. Ignatz Sonnenschein, whose story begins the film (with some flashbacks about his father), is a successful businessman who presides over a comfortable bourgeoisie home and thinks of standing for parliament. His brother Gustave (James Frain, and later John Neville) is disgusted he would support a corrupt regime, and Ignatz speaks hopefully of progressive elements in the regime and the emperor's openness to reform. After the war, a communist government gets in briefly, and Gustave joins it. Then the rise of the right ends that chapter, and he is placed under house arrest before fleeing to France. Meanwhile, Fiennes now plays Adam Sors, whose attention is focused on fencing; since the best fencers are in the officers' club, he takes lessons and converts to Catholicism so he can join it, too. He doesn't take religion seriously; it's just a ticket you punch in order to fence. His son Ivan (Fiennes again -- uncanny in his ability to suggest the three different personalities) emerges after the war as a police officer under the new communist regime. Ivan grows close to an idealist named Knorr (William Hurt), who believes in communism and wants to do a good job, and therefore is a threat to the government. This sequence, showing a weary Hungary being betrayed once again by a corrupt regime, is the most effective, because it pounds the message home: The people running the communist government are more of the nice, ordinary Hungarians who helped with the Holocaust. The point isn't that Hungarians are any worse than anyone else -- but that, alas, human nature is much the same everywhere, and more generous with lackeys than heroes. At three hours \"Sunshine\" made some audience members restless when it premiered at the Toronto Film Festival, but this is a movie of substance and thrilling historical sweep, and"}, {"response": 1397, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (08:04)", "body": "And if you want to read Roger on the Dome...Shame he didn't mention the Blackadder film ;-) http://www.suntimes.com/output/eb-feature/ebert3.html"}, {"response": 1398, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (11:05)", "body": "Thanks Mari ....SUNSHINE needs all the good reviews it can get.... Paramount tells me June 9th is just NY/LA. Nationwide later in the month. Local Miramax rep is also Paramount Classics rep...was he glad to hear from me again....;-) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ IMPORTANT: I have just been notified by A&E that BREAKFAST WITH THE ARTS will begin a half-hour earlier on Sunday . 8:30 AM Eastern Time. Pl. check your schedules for local time. Jennifer and David Suchet (he plays Poirot on A&E...also up for Tony) are the two celebrity interviews.Along with other musical stars."}, {"response": 1399, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (11:28)", "body": "For people taping A&E - it will be 2:30 hours in length!"}, {"response": 1400, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (11:29)", "body": "Hi, It's pretty quiet over at the other boards, so I hope you don't mind me jumping into this one (without having the time to read responses going very far back). Moon:Studio heads are very insecure people with no balls. Now, now, musn't be sexist. We all know the real problem is that they lack ovum! Imagine how many CF films there'd be if they had 'em! Although courage may have nothing to do with it. :-) Speaking of Ashley Judd and 'Animal Husbandry', I just saw her in Where the Heart is . I thought she was very powerful. I've never read 'Husbandry',but it's been around for ages hasn't it? Is it one of the earliest 'young Singleton woman' reflections on modern life?"}, {"response": 1401, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (17:53)", "body": "Ova, Sadie, Ova! ;-) KJ"}, {"response": 1402, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (19:02)", "body": "Well, just being on the same island doesn't guarantee good reviews. This is from a review for Maybe Baby by The Scotsman: \"...while Tom Hollander should be immediately hospitalised until they work out why his Scottish accent sounds like it does.\" *hee hee*"}, {"response": 1403, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (11:17)", "body": "(Moon) Studio heads are very insecure people with no balls. (SadieR) Now, now, musn't be sexist. We all know the real problem is that they lack ovum! Actually, what they would be lacking is ovaries."}, {"response": 1404, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (04:29)", "body": "(Evelyn)...SUNSHINE needs all the good reviews it can get.... It got bad ones in Portugal. On the other hand, Portuguese critics seem to have enjoyed High Fidelity."}, {"response": 1405, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (08:36)", "body": "Yikes! Ovum, ova, ovaries - surely could be one, all, either/or. Such sticklers. ;-) Had a good chuckle, Sadie. Thanks for the reminder, ladies on A&E. Forgot entirely and now have it on. Wondering if I've missed Jennifer yet. Some guy in a fright wig who souns like Count Almasy (but looks nothing like Rafe) is talking to Clara Schumann."}, {"response": 1406, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (10:12)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HEIDE thanx murph"}, {"response": 1407, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (11:24)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1408, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (11:28)", "body": "\"Heide, I've heard you also can be tempted with to-mah-toes...\""}, {"response": 1409, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (11:36)", "body": "\"OK, I've finished warming up. Heide, get over here!\""}, {"response": 1410, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (11:43)", "body": "\"Now, I don't want you to get too upset, but I've decided to give the job to a better looking American woman who not only has a first name (Heide) but who more importantly doesn't sit around wide-eyed, with her mouth hanging open. No hard feelings.\""}, {"response": 1411, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (11:49)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEIDE!!! Have a great day!"}, {"response": 1412, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (12:26)", "body": "Heide, have a lovely Birthday! I wish I was more skilled in putting up pictures here but because I\ufffdm not I\ufffdm just sending you big and warm congratulations! xoxo"}, {"response": 1413, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (13:07)", "body": "I'll keep it simple, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HEIDE!!! Bet you still don't look a day over 18."}, {"response": 1414, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (13:07)", "body": "A very happy birthday to you, Heide! (And congrats on snaring that job with The Master.;-)"}, {"response": 1415, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (13:15)", "body": "Indeed, happy birthday to you Heide!"}, {"response": 1416, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (13:56)", "body": "Happy Birthday Heide! Since you have been working so hard lately, I thought I would give you a trip to the Turks & Caicos for a little R&R and F&F (fun & Firth). I took this picture, it really is heavenly. Enjoy your day!"}, {"response": 1417, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (14:55)", "body": "Happy Birthday to a very nice lady who I have only had the pleasure of meeting once, but I am sure there will be more opportunities in the future. Talking of which what about a Spring Reunion 2001 for the Premiere of Bridget Jones' Diary!!! in London."}, {"response": 1418, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (15:12)", "body": "Happy Birthday Heide! *fingers crossed*"}, {"response": 1419, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (15:19)", "body": "Just popping in to add my wishes to a special lady that can sure light up Cf and the Donmar lobby !!! Cue music and chardonnay corks popping. Cheers Heide, have fun,and as we said when your \"twosome\" snappy came out LOOK OUT LIVIA!!"}, {"response": 1420, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (15:25)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Heide! Have a (insert alcoholic beverage of your choice) on me:-) Hope you're enjoying your special day!"}, {"response": 1421, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (16:00)", "body": "Happy Birthday Heide. Hope I'm not too late."}, {"response": 1422, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (16:03)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1423, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (16:07)", "body": "HAUOLI NA HANAU, HEIDE This is a white ginger lei and is the most wonderfully fragrant lei in the world"}, {"response": 1424, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (16:08)", "body": "yikes! Oops! fixing my html tags"}, {"response": 1425, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (16:09)", "body": "*sigh*"}, {"response": 1426, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (16:20)", "body": "*Darcy is tan breeches is placing lei around neck and kissing you* I asked him if he would fill in for me since I am so far away......He was most eager to help and so understanding. Mind you, I do not provide this service for just anyone, and with my programming skills elsewhere this morning, I'd best leave it to your imagination (which I happen to know are excellent) *Happy Birthday Hugs*"}, {"response": 1427, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (17:32)", "body": "*Darcy in tan breeches is placing lei around neck and kissing you* \"Getting leid by Mr. Darcy\"....Marcia...what a pal...you're all heart..."}, {"response": 1428, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (17:57)", "body": "For special ladies only the best will do. I try..."}, {"response": 1429, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (18:58)", "body": "FIRST of all I have only one thing to say when it comes to VIRTUAL BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS! ... YOU GUYS QUACK ME UP! (**HEEHEE**) SECOND of all, I still have not expressed my feelings upon Heide no longer exerting her comforting and sanity-inducing influence on Drool... I'll miss that and ... Truly heartfelt, believe me! And finally, THIRD of all, greetings and good wishes upon your natal day, oh, fellow gemini! ...I'm so excited that the day is here at last! I want you to ... , on this ...Heidi"}, {"response": 1430, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (19:40)", "body": "I just love a good party and when it's mine so much the better. Everybody shows up including those of you who have little time to post frequently anymore. We miss you! Thanks for the warm wishes Evelyn, Elena, Cheryl B (pssst, I'm only 17;-)), Mari (just call me Genie), Lizza, Cathey and Susan. The alcohol is flowing. What kind of reputation do I have anyway? Karen, my employment advisor, what would I do without you? Moon, that vacation is just too dreamy. I may never come back. Ann, a BJD reunion sounds good. When was that date again, Mari? Tracy, loved the hearts and flowers. You're getting to be a gif queen. Marcia, thanks for arranging that lei from Darcy. (Evelyn, you beat me to it!). KJ, one can never have enough cake (as opposed to booze). You made me so hungry, I'm heading off to the freezer for some chocolate truffle ice cream before the Tonys begin. Here's hoping my great day carries over for Jennifer (and Stephen). Hugs and kisses, ladies."}, {"response": 1431, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (19:40)", "body": "Oops. I'll end that bold."}, {"response": 1432, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (20:44)", "body": "You don't know how close to sending you a \"You've been Lei'd\" card....but we are so couth here that I did not wish to offend.....;D"}, {"response": 1433, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (22:03)", "body": "YIPEE...THEY WON Our gang cleaned Up...Thank you Heide....you brought us luck!! THREE TONY'S BEST REVIVAL THE REAL THING BEST ACTOR IN A PLAY STEPHEN DILLANE BEST ACTRESS IN A PLAY JENNIFER EHLE I tell you...i'm in shock.... Bring on the bubbly!!! Stuff the Olivier's!!"}, {"response": 1434, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (22:16)", "body": "Yippee!!! YeeHAW!!! Watched Jennifer's interview this morning...twinkly eyes of Elizabeth Bennet all over again! I am delighted! Okole Maluna, Evelyn *hugs*"}, {"response": 1435, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (23:28)", "body": "My HAPPY BIRTHDAY wishes to you too Heidi. I,m a little late but this has been a hectic weekend. Loved seeing Jenifer win. Loved Rosie and Nathan, I am a huge Nathan Lane fan. With the cooperation between the Donmar and Broadway maybe there is a hope for ODB to make it to New York."}, {"response": 1436, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (23:57)", "body": "(Lucie)With the cooperation between the Donmar and Broadway maybe there is a hope for ODB to make it to New York. First of all he's got to get away from that \"jail\" (AKA BBC)"}, {"response": 1437, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (00:25)", "body": "First of all he's got to get away from that \"jail\"(AKA BBC) We can hope and maybe pray a little."}, {"response": 1438, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (11:37)", "body": "Gaah! Away for awhile and I miss the start of Drool's birthday-o-rama! A belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY , Marcia. Hope it was a good one ;-) And to you, Heide, a belated one as well! I have it on good authority that Vinny and the boys from Gang Green have dedicated their first touchdown to you. Keyshawn's also promised to drop every pass when the Bucs play them on Sept. 24th. Just for you, my dear... LMAO at the TTOTS pic and caption, Karen. Heide, a condition of employment with the master is to resist every urge to peel off those annoying sideburns. Also, willya please buy him a suit that fits?"}, {"response": 1439, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (12:09)", "body": "(Eileen)LMAO at the TTOTS pic and caption, Karen. Heide, a condition of employment with the master is to resist every urge to peel off those annoying sideburns. Also, willya please buy him a suit that fits? Didn't you know?..... Character actors don't have to look good or wear clothes that fit... It's just not that important in the UK or Australia ;-)*winkie, winkie*"}, {"response": 1440, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (14:58)", "body": "Evelyn you crack me up!"}, {"response": 1441, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (15:23)", "body": "Wow, I go away for a romantic weekend and return to find wild partying and CF exploding all over the board! (I mean that metaphorically of course, a discreet reference to all the super photos) First of all, happy belated birthday wish Heide. Even though I was wrong, and you weren't the tootsie woman (Gi, it had to be you), that's okay. Still love your stories. Ova, Sadie, Ova! ;-) KJ (Cheryl) Actually, what they would be lacking is ovaries. (Heide)Yikes! Ovum, ova, ovaries - surely could be one, all, either/or. Such sticklers. ;-) Had a good chuckle, Sadie Well I see I shall have to explain my complex theory on \"Generation of Animals\" which is intricately intertwined with my inexplicable metaphysics and posterior analytics. Actually, it's not, it's really just a prejudice . . . but pretend Aristotle is alive, a woman, and making up for centuries of misogyny perpetuated by Aristotle: one ovum = two testicles/testes (tests, hmmm) ERGO (Carl Sagan voice required) BILLIONS AND BILLIONS of little swimmers. Ovaries? Now that's an entirely different sphere/universe of influence! I see I didn't get to the 'generation of animals' part, but all you need is a photo of CF and your imagination. :-)"}, {"response": 1442, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (15:38)", "body": "LOL Sadie - *sitting at your feet to learn more of your philosophy*"}, {"response": 1443, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (15:49)", "body": "Which part, Marcia? Personally, I find the 'generation of animals' my favorite part! (Should this be on the Darcy Drool board?)"}, {"response": 1444, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (16:47)", "body": "(SadieR)Even though I was wrong, and you weren't the tootsie woman (Gi, it had to be you) Wrong. Esbee is the tootsie woman. I'm very \"gestaltist\" about men :-) Happy belated Birthday, Heide! For some reason, I thought it was on the 7th... Sorry:-( Look who I brought home to you, though: I hope you had a great day!"}, {"response": 1445, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (17:00)", "body": "Wrong. Esbee is the tootsie woman. I'm very \"gestaltist\" about men :-) Sorry Gi! Oh my poor nerves. I was just all aflutter when you said you downloaded the photo! For I love to be of use (but I'm much much calmer than Mrs.B and nicer than LadyC). I too am a \"gestaltist\", but I always start with the eyes."}, {"response": 1446, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (19:24)", "body": "Congratulations to The Real Thing. That was... Truly didn't expect Jennifer to win but our good vibes carried her through. I'll check the Dillane topic where I suspect there's more about TRT's near sweep. Thanks for the birthday greetings my dear Lucie, Eileen, Gi, and Sadie. The more I look at Flashman, the more I'm relieved that this one was a bust. ;-) Thoguh I always did go for a man with facial hair. Just sans the muttonchops."}, {"response": 1447, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (21:16)", "body": "I was just looking back over older posts, and realized another belated Birthday wish is appropriate. Best Wishes to you Marcia. Really envy you the Spam!"}, {"response": 1448, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (21:45)", "body": "FYI to anyone in Mass., \"Sunshine\" premieres in Boston tomorrow night at the Kendall Sq. Cinema. Israel Horovitz, who co-wrote the screenplay (and is a local boy), will introduce the film."}, {"response": 1449, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (03:35)", "body": "A belated h a p p y b i r t h d a y , Heide. Sorry to be lazy enough not to post this before."}, {"response": 1450, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (16:05)", "body": "LOL...just had an email from the A&E producer.... \"Due to the overwhelming response, we will re-show the Jennifer Ehle Interview on \"Breakfast with the Arts\" on July 23\" . ~~~~~~ Honestly guys I only wrote one thank you note...."}, {"response": 1451, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (18:23)", "body": "Kenneth Branagh was on Rosie this afternoon, he was great, I love his sense of fun. He is in a musical opening this weekend. The Way We Were, he dances and sings. The clip was great, he's really a good dancer but I laughed at his stories of his aches and pains after doing it. He said that in drama school they had to take dancing and singing lessons every morning. Didn't he and Colin go to drama school together? Hmmm, the thought of ODB in tights is intriguing to say the least."}, {"response": 1452, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (21:32)", "body": "Don't tell anyone, but... (oh, go ahead tell everyone)"}, {"response": 1453, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (07:07)", "body": "Happy Birthday Lizza!!! I heard you were having a masquerade party on your birthday and I would not miss it for the world."}, {"response": 1454, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (08:43)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIZZA \"I was nice to see you at the Donmar\""}, {"response": 1455, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (09:11)", "body": "AP review of SUNSHINE http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/e/AP-WKD-Film-Review-Sunshine.html"}, {"response": 1456, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (09:46)", "body": "Having seen Sunshine, I think this review sums up what I thought of the film and I wholeheartedly agree with his comments about Debra K. Unger!! RH was very very good but so was Jennifer as the younger Valerie."}, {"response": 1457, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (09:46)", "body": "\"Now, listen old man, I don't know how else to put this, but would you push off? There's a luverly young thing named Lizza that I'd rather be with. She's the finest looking babe in this spa.\""}, {"response": 1458, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (09:54)", "body": "\"I'm telling you, Elizabeth, there was this woman in the front row...on both Friday and Saturday nights. I couldn't take my eyes off of her. That hair!! It drew me toward her like a fly into a flame. I'm sure my performance suffered as a result. How am I to go on?\""}, {"response": 1459, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (09:59)", "body": "\"Would you mind signing this 'To Lizza'? She came all the way to the Dome to see you and sat through the movie twice.\""}, {"response": 1460, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (10:29)", "body": "LIZZA!!! (have fixed the bold tag, trust me)"}, {"response": 1461, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (10:44)", "body": "ROTFLOL, Karen! *sigh* These are the times when I really miss my access to Netscape. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LIZZA DEAR! Seen anything interesting while waiting on the loo line lately? ;-D Andrew (my chief collaborator) and I are working on a new story (long delayed, but he was tied up with that BJD project forever). It has to do with a luvvy *oops* lovely young lady with beautiful hair, who goes out for a walk one day with a charming gentleman who has handsome thighs. Suddenly, it begins to rain... Have a great day!"}, {"response": 1462, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (11:27)", "body": "Have a great day, Lizza. To use Eileen's virtual image, *waving at you from the other end of the M4*."}, {"response": 1463, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (11:27)", "body": "Lizza, with all these great pics and captions, I'm enjoying your birthday almost as much as you are!:-) Wishing a very Happy Birthday and a great year to a neat lady. Looking forward to the next reunion . . ."}, {"response": 1464, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (11:37)", "body": "\"I'm here for Lizza's party. I like nothing better than a good country hoedown. Will there be a tractor pull?\""}, {"response": 1465, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (11:45)", "body": "WOW!!! You certainly know how to make a girl's day. Moon, Evelyn, Karen and Eileen. Thank you all so very much for your hilarious and wonderful comments, wishes and gorgeous pictures. I am all of a birthday quiver, I can tell you, I just want to break into song (know that \"My Fair Lady\" number sung by AH with the \"wouldn't it be luvverly\" refrain?). Moon come and join the party, in your diamante mask of course. Evelyn, you know how I adore big digits. Karen, too funny! That's a man I would sit through amillion Dome shows for. Eileen, you know I am very keen to take shelter from the storm, a cottage and a real fire..... Thanks for making my day special (I have to share it with Tom \"the voice\" Jones!) and I can't think of anything nicer than wishes from such lovely droolers. Off to test the water in that Spa Karen, hope it's hot ......... cold water doesn't remove kohl!"}, {"response": 1466, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (12:28)", "body": "Long, but fascinating article on dialect coaches, from the LA Times. (I *think* Carla Meyer worked with CF on ATA.) A Pronounced Trend Today's films demand that more and more actors speak in authentic accents. Enter dialect the coach. By ELLEN BASKIN The rain in Spain may fall mainly on the plain, but, as Eliza Doolittle complained, being trained to explain that refrain (with the proper accent) can be a real pain. \"Essentially it\ufffds like taking your mouth to the gym,\" says Welsh actor Rhys Ifans (familiar to U.S. audiences as Hugh Grant\ufffds daffy roommate Spike in \"Notting Hill\"), who is learning how to speak \"posh American\" for the independent feature \"Human Nature.\" \"Your tongue\ufffds a muscle, and you\ufffdre training it to work in a different way.\" Once upon a time, what characters said in a film was more important than how they said it. For years, Hollywood played fast and loose with foreign accents, generally relying on a stable of European character actors to provide international flavor, with the overall attitude being something along the lines of \"one accent fits all.\" But that\ufffds no longer the case, and long gone are the days when an American star such as Katharine Hepburn could sound the same whether she was playing a Philadelphia socialite, Eleanor of Aquitaine or Mary, Queen of Scots. Many give Meryl Streep credit for raising the accent bar in 1982 with her Oscar-winning performance as a Polish woman in \"Sophie\ufffds Choice.\" (She\ufffds subsequently done everything from Irish and Italian to regional American--Southern, New York, etc.). Since then, many actors and actresses have altered their natural accents for film roles, with varying degrees of success, but Streep is still considered by most to be the standard against which other accented performances are measured. Now, in an increasingly international market, actors are expected to be masters of accents. \"It broadens the scope of characters you can play enormously,\" says Minnie Driver, whose most recent film, \"Return to Me,\" featured the English actress as a character from Chicago. Driver returns to the Midwest in another American role in the upcoming \"Beautiful.\" \"Accent informs so much about a character,\" she says. \"It completely changes the rhythm of your speech and movement.\" In these days of ultra-political correctness, where filmmakers are called on the creative carpet for a seemingly endless variety of historic inaccuracies, vocal verisimilitude has become a highly prized commodity. Enter the dialect coach, well-armed with a verbal bag of tricks. In the past decade, dialect coaches have become a significant presence on the Hollywood scene--and on many a film set as well. It\ufffds a process that involves repetition, studying audio- and videotapes, visits to locations where the characters live, along with breathing and vocal exercises. Dialect coaches don\ufffdt all use the same methods to get talent to mind their properly pronounced Ps and Qs, but all are in agreement when it comes to the finished product. \"You don\ufffdt want to call attention to it,\" notes Carla Meyer, one of the busiest dialect coaches in Hollywood. \"You want it to look as seamless as it can be.\" Using far less equipment, these sought-after instructors work the same kind of transformational magic usually associated with makeup and special effects. They keep a low behind-the-scenes profile, but their influence is being felt where it counts. Consider the recent Academy Awards: Though it\ufffds a rare Oscar season that doesn\ufffdt feature several nominees from Britain or Australia, what was especially notable this year was that every non-American in the four acting categories was nominated for a role in which he or she portrayed an American character, including best supporting actor winner Michael Caine. It\ufffds possible to look at this trend of non-American actors striving to take on American accents as yet another dreadful sign that this country is, indeed, taking over the global cultural landscape. While that particular point is up for debate (except perhaps in France), the reality is more marketplace-based: For one thing, films are often financed at least in part by interests outside the U.S., which could make non-American actors appealing to producers. And then there\ufffds the undeniable fact that there\ufffds more film work for English-speaking actors and actresses here than elsewhere; by becoming adept at American accents, actors make themselves more competitive. Certain actors find a change in vocalization a fundamental part of the acting process. \"Every time I create a character, I don\ufffdt assume they speak like I do, even if they\ufffdre Australian,\" says Cate Blanchett, who worked with Meyer for \"Pushing Tin\" (1999) and the yet-to-be-released \"The Gift.\" \"Like finding the way the characters move, you have to find the way they speak.\" In \"Pushing Tin,\" Blanchett was totally credible--and almost unrecognizable--as Connie Falzone, a disenchanted housewife from Long Island, or, to use the vernacular, Lawng Geylund. (Coming "}, {"response": 1467, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (13:11)", "body": "Thanks for all your super wishes Mark and Mari. Let's get that party going, I know a good hotel bar in Soho, close to Earlham street! Virtual drinks are on me."}, {"response": 1468, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (13:18)", "body": "I'm late, as usual! Happy Birthday, Lizza!!"}, {"response": 1469, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (13:19)", "body": "Ifans is vv.v. funny! Interesting article, Mari. Where could we buy the International Phonetic Alphabet\ufffds Symbols Book? It sounds like a must have. ;-) Karen, luv, you are cracking me up! Lizza, great party! Liam Neeson also celebrates today with you. :-)"}, {"response": 1470, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (13:21)", "body": "And here's the sequel 'Pralines: the Edge of Reason'.It's a good read, I assure you;-)"}, {"response": 1471, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (13:21)", "body": "And here's the sequel 'Pralines: the Edge of Reason'.It's a good read, I assure you;-)"}, {"response": 1472, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (13:22)", "body": "Sorry about the double post. I don't know how that happened."}, {"response": 1473, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (13:30)", "body": "(Moon) Karen, luv, you are cracking me up! Words fail me, so I'll rely on one of my favs from Bridget: Mmmmm (another bit of Bridgetese) for those chocolates, Tineke. Think more would read if we supplied with such goodies. ;-)"}, {"response": 1474, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (13:32)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1475, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (14:43)", "body": "This message is from AnnW (Imagine it is in big red lettering): Happy Birthday from me too,Lizza, hope the sun is shining on you, it is in sunny Sussex, at last!! (sorry, only way to fix the tag problem)"}, {"response": 1476, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (15:17)", "body": "Thanks Mari....good article. The 3 DOR crowd could have used one...including the American!"}, {"response": 1477, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (15:31)", "body": "sorry about that Karen, I'm sure I closed the tags or whatever."}, {"response": 1478, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (16:00)", "body": "Happy Birthday Lizza (better late than never). I hope you had a wonderful, firthful day. I still hope to see you again in your neck of the woods, but it won't be until March/April next year now."}, {"response": 1479, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (16:05)", "body": "Delicious greetings Tineke, much appreciated and Ann and Cathey too, it's great to see greetings from the three of you that I have met in the last year,"}, {"response": 1480, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (16:09)", "body": "Liam., Tom and the \"droolers\", not forgetting ODB. It's a memorable occasion. Bring on the brandy with Tineke's chocs."}, {"response": 1481, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (16:31)", "body": "Excellent article. Thanks for posting, Mari. Loved this: In \"Pushing Tin,\" Blanchett was totally credible--and almost unrecognizable--as Connie Falzone, a disenchanted housewife from Long Island, or, to use the vernacular, Lawng Geylund. Is there another way to say it? :-D (Tineke) 'Pralines: the Edge of Reason' Hee hee! Keep those chocolates comin', we've got another celebration tomorrow. Meanwhile, here's to you, Lizza! Bad, bad, Karen. Baddest girl in the whole da*n town..."}, {"response": 1482, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (16:56)", "body": "No Bubbly or Chardonnay? What kind of a party is this anyway?"}, {"response": 1483, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (17:02)", "body": "They always card Evelyn at the store, so I'll buy: Drink up: To Lizza, a luverly gal! *clink clink*"}, {"response": 1484, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (17:10)", "body": "Merci...It always tastes better when other people buy;-) He's to you Lizza- Luv! Hic!"}, {"response": 1485, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (17:30)", "body": "Cheers, from me too. You know I do not resist champagne. :-D"}, {"response": 1486, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (18:00)", "body": "Just a few more minutes, Lizza, until your birthday is over. But we're celebrating still... Just don't have too much of that or you may wake up like this... ...which is okay, I guess, if you also wake up with this..."}, {"response": 1487, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (18:04)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY Lizza!"}, {"response": 1488, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (21:21)", "body": "Happy Birthday Lizza! Good Firth haul. How long before you come back Lizza? *wink, wink* I think you're all talented enough to start an e-greeting-card business. A slug of booze, a box of chocolates, and THE MANY MANS HIMSELF. *biblical reaction* You know how to elicit all the important sentiments!"}, {"response": 1489, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (21:30)", "body": "Wolfie and KJArt tomorrow, the 8th! Don't forget!!!"}, {"response": 1490, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (22:14)", "body": "Happy Birthday Lizza"}, {"response": 1491, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (22:52)", "body": "We got your birthday Last Lizza, so here you go: It is sent in this form to protect the blossoms but it will open like Heide's and be fragrant beyond belief - WITH LOVE FROM HAWAII! HAUOLI NA HANAU LIZZA DEAR"}, {"response": 1492, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (23:30)", "body": "Actually, I didn't forget Lizza (I was thinking of you all day, honest!) but I by the time I could sit down to make your birthday post, it was already past 4 in the morning, your time! Mea Culpa! [**beats breast**]. Well, if it's any comfort to you, I have a h*** of a backache right now, too. Nevertheless, I will embark on a wild series of celebratory stuff, albeit apologetically ! Pssst! ... Hey there ... Lizza... over here.. I, ahem ... um ...Hi, there. I came a little late ( sorry ) to .. um .. wish that you, sort of, ..um ...had a neat birthday. I hope you ended up with lots of: : and : That you were supplied with multitudes of: And that wherever you were became: AND THAT EVERYONE WISHED YOU A:"}, {"response": 1493, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (03:26)", "body": "Very good review for Sunshine for James Berardinelli (he who absolutely adores P&P) at http://movie-reviews.colossus.net/movies/s/sunshine.html"}, {"response": 1494, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (04:52)", "body": "Great article in NY Daily News with JE & RH at http://www.nydailynews.com/today/New_York_Now/Movies/a-69202 - The Sunshine promotion seems to be in full swing."}, {"response": 1495, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (04:57)", "body": "sorry this is the correct URL and I also meant to say there is a very cute picture of JE & RH 25 years ago - http://www.nydailynews.com/today/New_York_Now/Movies/a-69202.asp"}, {"response": 1496, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (07:10)", "body": "Happy Birthday KJ!!! To a brilliant lady, a diamond. KJ, Will you marry me?"}, {"response": 1497, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (07:18)", "body": "Happy Birthday Wolf! We Geminis seem to be a majority in Spring. Any political aspirations? ;-)"}, {"response": 1498, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (07:21)", "body": "For some reason I couldn't post on this topic yesterday or this morning either, so I am late again for a special birthday :'-( Anyway, I wish you a Happy belated Birthday, dear Lizza! and I guess I'm early but Happy Birthday, KJ!"}, {"response": 1499, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (07:27)", "body": "And also, of course, Happy Birthday Wolf!"}, {"response": 1500, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (07:55)", "body": "Not a very good review of Sunshine in the Village Voice. No mention of Jennifer, but singles out RH and Unger. http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0023/taubin.shtml"}, {"response": 1501, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (08:23)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KJ"}, {"response": 1502, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (08:26)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY WOLF"}, {"response": 1503, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (08:57)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY JK AND WOLF! Tell ME Your Secret Birthday Wishes Little Girl"}, {"response": 1504, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (09:00)", "body": "Darn, I'll try that again."}, {"response": 1505, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (09:20)", "body": "Here's the pic you've been trying to post, Sadie. Make sure you click on \"copy image location\" to get the right url and it must have a .jpg or .gif ending; can't post a webpage (.html) End of lesson. ;-)"}, {"response": 1506, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (09:20)", "body": "Oops, I meant to type KJ! v. sorry. And no lust-inspiring photo either! Of course, I'm assuming you are of the female gender too! Is it three strikes, then I'm out?"}, {"response": 1507, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (09:27)", "body": "Thanks Karen! I know html basics, but not savvy like experienced Drool veterans. You just opened up a whole new world for me! Poor CF!"}, {"response": 1508, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (09:53)", "body": "Happy Birthday KJ and Wolf!"}, {"response": 1509, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (14:43)", "body": "Happy Birthday, KJ!"}, {"response": 1510, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (14:43)", "body": "HAUOLI NA HANAU, WOLFIE AND KAREN Tuberose / Lantern Ilima White tuberose mixed with orange ilima blossoms. Very fragrant. Lei Bestowers are HIM in both cases but totally different men, of course...=)"}, {"response": 1511, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (14:47)", "body": "So many birthdays in the offing! Many congratulations to Lizza (belatedly sorry!), KJ & Wolf. P.S. Can I allow myself a little celebration of my own? I've just been promoted \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd. The virtal drinks are on me!"}, {"response": 1512, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (14:51)", "body": "Clearly I have had several too many already *hic*. That should, of course, read virtual"}, {"response": 1513, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (14:52)", "body": "Yippee and applause ! Okole Maluna dear!"}, {"response": 1514, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (15:53)", "body": "Happy Birthday KJ & Wolf. I am a Gemini too so its nice to have such company. Cheers ladies!!! And Congratulations Tracy; well done girl."}, {"response": 1515, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (15:59)", "body": "Happy Birthday, slightly late, Lizza. I hope it was a really good birthday. Sorry for the late greetings, but sometimes I'm such a dolt."}, {"response": 1516, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (16:02)", "body": "KJ, have a happy and colorful birthday. I will remember next March 15 that it is the turkey vultures that return to Hinkley, not the buzzards. Happy (and buzzard -free, turkey vultures, too) Birthday!!!"}, {"response": 1517, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (16:02)", "body": "Happy Birthday, slightly late, Lizza. I hope it was a really good birthday. Sorry for the late greetings, but sometimes I'm such a dolt."}, {"response": 1518, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (18:31)", "body": "Oooo. Neat Natal day, so far!Thanks for the two gems, Moon, I'll never hock that second one, promise! (In answer, ODB, I'd love to ... That's awfully big o' you, but wouldn't that be Big o' ME??) Gi and Evelyn, thanks for the good wishes and the additional calories in that inhabited cake (Eeep!) Only 2 strikes, Sadie, but who's counting ... not out at all. You keep giving it that ol' college try ... I luv it!. Thanks Tineke, do I get the relics along with the goodies? Mari, thank you for your good wishes, and Marcia, I'm glad I got lei'd on my birthday, too. Tracy ..., I warned Marcia about the dangers of too much toasting ... A word to the wise... Cheryl, my birthdays are usually vulture free, anyway, or so my past experience has informed me, but I'm grateful for the thought, anyway. If you're a fellow Gemini, do I get a chance to get a crack at you this month?**Heehee** Thank you all for the good wishes and virtual gifts, they made for a wonderful birthday. And as for you, Wolfie ....."}, {"response": 1519, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (18:33)", "body": "Wolfie: So we share a birthday, eh, oh fellow Gemini? (\"The Twins\", probably as alike as two peas in a pod, right?) ( -- Well, nurture has to come into it too, right?) You grew up to be a wolf: (Although whether Canis lupus or Canis rufus , you never specified, I believe.)... Whereas I had more insipid influences and became an shy puppy-dog, eager to please: And being eager to please you , I'll make sure that this is a proper birthday celebration, which should include several essential elements, one of which is music: (You would, of course, be expected to sing along with enthusiasm:) As would everybody else at the party ... ...(even the refreshments!) We'd have the wherewithall to eat (well, nibble), drink and be merry... And you'd get terribly appropriate gifts for your door... ... And in general have a good, old-fashioned birthday bash... So that the both of us will end up with a ... My best Birthday wishes to you, Wolfie, even if you are stealing the limelight from venerable old me ..! (**Heehee**). KJ"}, {"response": 1520, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (18:37)", "body": "and thanks for the liquid libations! They were much appreciated. ;-) HAPPY BIRTHDAY Have a howling good time"}, {"response": 1521, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (18:40)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1522, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (19:01)", "body": "Why thank you, [Other] Karen! I'm off ...(but not so much as you'd notice...) but I SHALL return!"}, {"response": 1523, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (19:01)", "body": "You want to me to switch to WOT? Finger painting? I'm a serious artist, KJ. Oh, I see... ;-)"}, {"response": 1524, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (19:04)", "body": "I'm all wrapped up. Can I be your present? You do get to unwrap me ;-)"}, {"response": 1525, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (19:15)", "body": "The place is overrun!! but we have to have cake...."}, {"response": 1526, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (19:18)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1527, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (19:20)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1528, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (19:21)", "body": "Best wishes on your birthday, KJ, from me and my livestock ;-)"}, {"response": 1529, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (19:27)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY Karen! Congratulations, KJ. For this birthday you get to travel to jolly olde England... How about a shopping spree? All you can buy... We'll throw in a side trip to a stately home.. You never know who you might run into.."}, {"response": 1530, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (19:36)", "body": "... Enjoy! HAPPY BIRTHDAY WOLF! We do indeed have a lot of Geminis. Cathey, you too?"}, {"response": 1531, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (19:37)", "body": "Let me try that again. HAPPY BIRTHDAY WOLF!"}, {"response": 1532, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (19:46)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY to KJ and Wolf, I didn't realize that there were so many of us Gemini's here. Congratulations on your promotion Tracy."}, {"response": 1533, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (20:17)", "body": "KJ and Wolf, happy birthday!"}, {"response": 1534, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (21:14)", "body": "Happy Birthday to Drool's Best Artist-Analyst, KJ! I can't post a picture but no need, am LMAO over Karen's. Finger painting? *snort* Happy birthday, Wolf. Tracy, congrats on your promotion!"}, {"response": 1535, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (21:28)", "body": "OK Lucie, when is /was yours??? Not on my list!!! *waaaaaa*"}, {"response": 1536, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (21:57)", "body": "well, since you mentioned it ;-) Dr KJ, I have many fears walking the streets of the city in broad daylight without wearing really ugly, ugly clothes that I pick up at the local Oxfam store and some bizarre rose-colored glasses that belonged to my sister when she was 13. And then, every once and a while, I have a strange desire to smell coffee, but that passes quickly. People seem to want me to make more of my talents, but I can't. I find that Ralph Fiennes keeps beating me to the good roles. Do you think these problems have anything to do with my horrible childhood and the rootlessness people talk about? Or was it the short pants I was forced to wear? Help me, Dr. KJ!!"}, {"response": 1537, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (22:03)", "body": "OK Lucie, when is /was yours??? Not on my list!!! *waaaaaa*"}, {"response": 1538, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (22:14)", "body": "From an article in The Times about things to do if you don't want to watch football: So, once you have clarified where you can't go, focus on the places that you can. Cinemas seem a decent bet. Many, such as Warner and Odeon, are offering two-for-the-price-of-one deals during June for those desperate to escape the football, although whether you would want to see much of the slush on offer is another matter. Studios have held back the British release dates of action movies such as Mission Impossible 2 to free up slots for \"women-friendly\" films which they hope will be an antidote to TV boredom during June. A classic example is Madonna's The Next Best Thing (released June 23) in which she stars with Rupert Everett as a woman whose child is fathered by her homosexual best friend. Another Euro 2000 blockbuster is Return To Me, starring Minnie Driver, the story of a woman who has a heart transplant and falls in love with the donor's bereaved husband (released June 9). Emma Cochrane, editor of Empire magazine, said The Next Best Thing has had its release date held back until June despite being out in the US for the past two months. Return To Me's date has been brought forward from September specifically to cash in on Euro 2000. \"It is quite a common practice to change the release dates to coincide with major events,\" said Ms Cochrane, whose magazine is running a two-for-one offer with Odeon. \"It was done during the World Cup and Euro 96. It's the same principle with Matthew Perry's film It Takes Three To Tango. It's not a very good film but they thought they might as well chance their arm and put it out while there might be a boredom factor.\" Similar reasoning, apparently, applies to Deception, starring Ben Affleck. \"The film used to be called Reindeer Games and was supposed to come out at Christmas but they changed the name and are putting it out in June even though he (Affleck) wears a Santa suit,\" she said. Studios also have contingency plans if England are knocked out early in the tournament. A tranche of gangster films has been lined up, including the British Essex Boys. [stuff on television...] On the only two nights that ITV is not broadcasting football this month (June 18 and 20), it is relying on the hardy perennials of female pin-ups (Robson Green in Rhinoceros, Ross Kemp in In Defence) [now might be good time for TTOTS] ****** Oh well, no mention of Colin, but how come we don't get those half-price movie tickets during the baseball or basketball playoffs?"}, {"response": 1539, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (23:27)", "body": "**Heeheeheehee**Chuckle, chuckle**GufFAWWW**titter, titter**Giggle, etc****;-D WOW,Karen, what a tour de force!! I have tears from so much laughing (or is that drool?) Yes, I wanna unwrap that present (in the worst way, as they say) and I can put up with a small rodent invasion if they bring me baked goods and sweets. I love your livestock, too. Heide, thanks for the virtual trip, especially the last stop and the neat Tour Guide. I think i'll go through the house and grounds twice, just to keep up with those magnificent thighs!!;-) Thank you Lucie for your thoughts (and your mail), and Thanks also to dreuler and Eileen. Poor man, I have to leave this machine in three minutes, but I'll need some time to diagnose your problem. See you tommorrow, therefore."}, {"response": 1540, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (23:27)", "body": "**Heeheeheehee**Chuckle, chuckle**GufFAWWW**titter, titter**Giggle, etc****;-D WOW,Karen, what a tour de force!! I have tears from so much laughing (or is that drool?) Yes, I wanna unwrap that present (in the worst way, as they say) and I can put up with a small rodent invasion if they bring me baked goods and sweets. I love your livestock, too. Heide, thanks for the virtual trip, especially the last stop and the neat Tour Guide. I think i'll go through the house and grounds twice, just to keep up with those magnificent thighs!!;-) Thank you Lucie for your thoughts (and your mail), and Thanks also to dreuler and Eileen. Poor man, I have to leave this machine in three minutes, but I'll need some time to diagnose your problem. See you tommorrow, therefore."}, {"response": 1541, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (07:21)", "body": "From an article in The Times about things to do if you don't want to watch football: I know that I will be watching the EURO Cup. In fact I will be in Umbria for the final. :-D"}, {"response": 1542, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (08:05)", "body": "I know that I will be watching the EURO Cup *groan* Football everywhere!! Guess what I had to do for my building installations exam today.....design all the sanitary installations for a football stadium. The opening game is tomorrow, you see flags everywhere. But I must confess, I think I'll watch the game too;-)"}, {"response": 1543, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (14:15)", "body": "(Moon)I know that I will be watching the EURO Cup. (Tineke)I must confess, I think I'll watch the game too;-) Same here... At least until Portugal starts losing heavily ;-( Tracy, my compliments on your promotion. I am very glad for you :-)"}, {"response": 1544, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (16:17)", "body": "May I add my congratulations, Tracy, on your promotion. May you use your payraise wisely. (heheh). Marcia, looks like we need an update on the birthday list. Didn't Cathy say she was a Gemini too?"}, {"response": 1545, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (16:28)", "body": "Sorry about that double post, especially since I hadn't intended to post then, the FIRST time and have no idea how it happened. My congratulations to you too, Tracey Karen, I was really intrigued by that photo of ODB at 1536. I don't recall seeing it before. Is it, by any chance, from 1919? Now, Dr. KJ would like to address the problems of this seriously unhappy man: Dr KJ, I have many fears walking the streets of the city in broad daylight without wearing really ugly, ugly clothes that I pick up at the local Oxfam store and some bizarre rose-colored glasses that belonged to my sister when she was 13. Not to worry. You are probably anxious that your personal comfort will be in jeopardy during your exercise. Take comfort in the fact that you wear NEW scruffy clothes instead of old ones, which will positively impress anyone who wants to speak with you during these outings. The last part isn't a problem, but a preference ... you want to see the world through rose-colored glasses and there's no reason why you shouldn't some of the time, as long as you take them off while indoors or during performances and business meetings. And then, every once and a while, I have a strange desire to smell coffee, but that passes quickly. This is a natural attempt to counter the effects of the glasses. Being 'clever and articulate' requires that you be aware of the nature of the world around you, even if you don't necessarily subscribe to all of its ongoing changes in ideas and mores. People seem to want me to make more of my talents, but I can't. Ah, now this is a problem of self-esteem. Firstly, humility aside, you shouldn't think of yourself as unable to do this, but rather choosing according to present circumstance, which gives you the option of reassessing choices with every decision. Secondly, you sound as if you placed a greater value on other peoples' ability to define what is best for you, rather than you yourself. I suggest that to bolster your self-esteem you repeat daily: \"Every day, in every way, I'm getting better and better at being a clever and articulate actor\". Soon you will notice that other people will see these qualities in you and remark upon them. I find that Ralph Fiennes keeps beating me to the good roles. Oh, my. It is a great mistake to measure our progress or situation against another person's, no matter how admired. The Commandment about 'covetousness' wisely addresses this serious weakness in human nature, which leads to unhappiness and discontent (in both oneself and in one's fans) if not kept under control. Do you think these problems have anything to do with my horrible childhood and the rootlessness people talk about? Or was it the short pants I was forced to wear? Help me, Dr. KJ!! If, when you interact with any given group, you have feelings of being an outsider or rejected, this does not necessarily reflect the reality of the situation. If part of your sense of your identity includes a natural status of being an outsider, then the feeling will automatically arise any time you are in contact with new acquaintances. This originally may have arisen because of the difficulties you had in attempting to assimilate into any of the new surroundings in which you often found yourself. You must not accept this as a natural or inherent quality of your personality or identity, however. The self-esteem exercises cited above may help with this impression, but any trouble of this kind is a form of self-delusion. It should not be attributed to any past experiences (which cannot be changed), but rather must be dealt with by recognizing the fallacy of the idea itself. This, in turn, will aid you in freeing yourself of these unwelcome feelings, and give you the ability to assess any situation rationally.. To help you see the biases you have been applying to your perceptions of reality, you might try, initially, to consult the perceptions of others. I, for instance, can inform you that there is a large population of admirers who would crawl on their knees to Moscow for the mere touch of your nether lip. Your great charm, talents, and self-effacing manner will always assure your acceptance into all but the most biased of groups (usually due to the jealousy engendered by your being so clever and articulate and gorgeous and sexy ... and .. Oh!, Ohhh! (**** a crash and sounds of a struggle ****) (Dr. KJ has been disbarred...)"}, {"response": 1546, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (18:53)", "body": "LOL KJ!! Again, you rise to meet the challenge. Is Ann Landers retiring soon? You gotta apply for that job or Dr. Laura Schlesinger's. Yes, the picture is from 1919, as Alexander (Colin) is unburdening himself to Dr. Freud. And we know we don't need Sigmund, when we got you. ;-)"}, {"response": 1547, "author": "wolf", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (19:13)", "body": "there really are a lot of us gemini's huh? the more the merrier, i'd say and we'd never get bored!! thank you for honoring me with your party and i'm proud to be in the company of all these twins!!!!!!"}, {"response": 1548, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (20:53)", "body": "Oh geez!! I missed a whole load of birthdays. Shame on me for not checking the topic sooner! :-( So, to Marcia and Heide and Lizza and KJArt and Wolf...most wonder belated birthdays to all of you! ;-) I'll make sure to keep checking this topic in the future. Bad Nan!"}, {"response": 1549, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (20:58)", "body": "That should be \"wonderful\" NOT \"wonder\"...OY!"}, {"response": 1550, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jun 10, 2000 (00:46)", "body": "Welcome back dear, and thanks for your good wishes. I somehow came to be keeper of the Birthday list as well as all of the Keepsake ones (you should check some of those! We got pretty naughty...*grin*)"}, {"response": 1551, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Jun 10, 2000 (09:25)", "body": "Wolf, I'm sorry I missed wishing you a happy birthday. Hope you had a day worth howling about. I'm not a Gemini, KJ; but I am another air sign, Aquarius. My birthday is in January. Congratulations on you're becoming a woman of wealth Tracy. If you're not quite wealthy yet, congrats on the promotion."}, {"response": 1552, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Jun 10, 2000 (17:50)", "body": "Sorry about the confusion, Cheryl. I meant Cathey but neglected to type in her name attached to the inquiry. Dumb! ** hits side of head ** Cathey, you and Lucie have been bragging about a Gemini connection. So drop the other shoe, already! ... Marcia, have either of them fessed up yet? The suspense is killing me! ;-) KJ"}, {"response": 1553, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Jun 11, 2000 (18:30)", "body": "Marcia, have either of them fessed up yet? Marcia mine is the day before yours."}, {"response": 1554, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Sun, Jun 11, 2000 (22:13)", "body": "KJ, my day has been and gone - 30 May; but I am still a Gemini ;-)"}, {"response": 1555, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 12, 2000 (09:29)", "body": "To Lucie and Cathey Hope your birthdays were very happy!!"}, {"response": 1556, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 12, 2000 (10:03)", "body": "Lucie and Cathey, you two have the same birthdate! Welcome geminis! Happy Belated Birthday!"}, {"response": 1557, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Jun 12, 2000 (15:07)", "body": "Late Again . . . Warm birthday wishes to Lucie and Cathey Karen, you are hilarious! And KJ loved your analysis! Thought I'd offer a lurid Freudian perspective: I have many fears walking the streets of the city in broad daylight without wearing really ugly, ugly clothes that I pick up at the local Oxfam store and some bizarre rose-colored glasses that belonged to my sister when she was 13. Clearly I desire to ride y--, I mean, clearly you desire to ride your horse. You are afraid of the lurid sexual impulses beating in your, er, broad, chest, and so wish to appear ugly, scholarly, and pure (hence the fetish attachment to your sister's rose-colored! glasses). This is nothing but a form of defensive identification resulting from your extreme displaced hostility towards your characterization, Mr. Darcy, who you have come to loathe as bad , because he symbolically embodies your actual id . I do not see any evidence of an incestuous attraction towards your sister however: That would be sick! (AND,is better left to the fantasy realm of film . . .as opposed to the real world of fan site psychoanalysts). I suggest you gratify yourself and your fans by stealing your Darcy clothes back from that costume museum and erecting . . .in Chinese Astrology, I am a Horse. . .the role, yes, I mean the role, once more . Ridin' a horse through the fields of England wouldn't hurt either! And then, every once and a while, I have a strange desire to smell coffee, but that passes quickly. People seem to want me to make more of my talents, but I can't. I find that Ralph Fiennes keeps beating me to the good roles. Do you think these problems have anything to do with my horrible childhood and the rootlessness people talk about? Or was it the short pants I was forced to wear? Help me. . . Nothing has to do with your horrible childhood, but rather the extreme repression of your unconscious sexual impulses which began in childhood and continues with each psychotic, witty, sardonic, and clever character role you insist on playing. You will never play really well, until you discover the latent meaning of your uncontrollable desire to smell coffee. The fact that you feel beaten by Ralph Fiennes (my oh my, what a giveaway!) would suggest that the coffee is really just symbolic of your longing to be recognized as your true id, the sex-God, Mr. Darcy. . . ... who smelled of horses, and carried a very spiffy riding crop, with fullblown phallic potential. . . some boots . . . I'm sorry, I seem to have forgotten what I was saying. Hmmm, oh yes, your revealing choice of the words \"rootlessness\" and \"short pants\" is a further indication that unless you bring Mr.Darcy into consciousness, free of all superego constraints, you will continue to defend against your sex-God impulses through an infantile expression of yourself in the form of mast**batory characters, whom you claim to desire to play. BUT, your sense of \"rootlessness\" clearly illustrates that such avoidance is really just a self-imposed emasculation of your true sex-God nature, as a defense against the sort of castration anxiety arising, arising yes. . .horsey, play horesy? whoresy?...where was I? Oh yes, arising from the fact that all men hate Mr.Darcy, and all women would kill to make him morning coffee before he wanders off in those tight breeches, riding crop in hand, to find his true horse."}, {"response": 1558, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Jun 12, 2000 (16:08)", "body": "WHOOPS X 1,000!!! KJ can you forgive me? I go away for a few days and miss all the fun, including your birthday. To DROOL'S FIRST LADY OF ART, BELATED GREETINGS. Hope you had a fabulous time befitting your artistic talents. Maybe ODB let you sketch him for real.......! Thanks to Marcia, Heide et al for your special wishes too. Lucie and Cathey, belated greetings to fellow geminians."}, {"response": 1559, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 12, 2000 (16:35)", "body": "LOL, Sadie! Congratulations to Gi, Portugal beat England 3-2! Tineke for Belgium s win and myself for Italy! EURO Cup so far has been a lot of fun. :-)"}, {"response": 1560, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Jun 12, 2000 (16:53)", "body": "Moon, I thought I'd e-mail you about this... so as not to offend anyone else ;-)"}, {"response": 1561, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 12, 2000 (17:39)", "body": "Sadie...\"you should publish\". your extreme displaced hostility towards your characterization, Mr. Darcy, who you have come to loathe as bad , because he symbolically embodies your actual id . You might have something there ;-) ~~~~~ Moon, if your're going to the Euro Cup finals, I hope you bring a helmet. I don't want to see you being carried off on CNN."}, {"response": 1562, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Jun 12, 2000 (17:54)", "body": "Lucie and Cathey, hope you each had a wonderful birthday. How apropos, to dual birthday wish to Geminis. Have a great year, each of you. Sadie, sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. Then again, sometimes not."}, {"response": 1563, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Jun 12, 2000 (18:01)", "body": "Sadie: Re: Lurid Freudian Perpective -- Lurid is right! But exactly *whose* id are you examining here?? **Heehee** (Lizza) Maybe ODB let you sketch him for real.......! Mmmmmm. I can dream, can't I? Cathey and Lucie: Better Belated than never. hAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DA BOATAYUZ"}, {"response": 1564, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 12, 2000 (18:01)", "body": "Moon, if your're going to the Euro Cup finals, I hope you bring a helmet. I don't want to see you being carried off on CNN. Thanks for your concern, Evelyn. I make it a rule to avoid large gatherings. I will see the final in Umbria. It will be at our hotel in Todi, on a hill, overlooking a beautiful sunset, with a wonderfully cool breeze and D.O.C. grappa. The owners' son (v. handsome, BTW), sets a giant screen by the pool, some of his friends arrive from Rome and we all have a jolly good time. We did this 2 years ago for the World Cup too. Of course, if Mr. & Mrs. Firth showed up, I would have a v. hard time concentrating on the game. ;-)"}, {"response": 1565, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Jun 12, 2000 (18:07)", "body": "Thanks to everyone for the birthday greetings, they are much appreciated."}, {"response": 1566, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (05:03)", "body": "I have just read that Jerry Hall is to take over from Katheleen Turner, when he run in The Graduate finishes in July, I didn't know Jerry Hall acted!!"}, {"response": 1567, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (07:44)", "body": "She doesn't. Just shows how \"serious\" a production that is. ;-)"}, {"response": 1568, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (07:52)", "body": "(KJ)Cathey and Lucie: Better Belated than never. Ditt ! (Moon) I will see the final in Umbria. It will be at our hotel in Todi(...) That sounds lovely :-)"}, {"response": 1569, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (07:52)", "body": "Interesting interview with Istvan Szabo in IndieWire. Says Sunshine was originally written to be a miniseries on German TV and then was rewritten as a shorter English-language feature film: http://www.indiewire.com/film/interviews/int_Szabo_Istvan_000612.html"}, {"response": 1570, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (09:12)", "body": "Thanks Karen....Glad they didn't make\" Sunshine\" a German mini-series ...hard enough to see it now. Besides, I doubt RF would have appeared on German television . Interesting to see that he's referring to \"Jennifer Ehle, \"The Real Thing\"...\" dropping the P&P connection."}, {"response": 1571, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (09:30)", "body": "Moon, about tomorrow night, I want you to know that no matter what the outcome is, I'll still talk to you! LOL! GO BELGIUM!!! BTW, I add my congrats to Portugal. The game Portugal-England was the best game of the Euro Cup so far."}, {"response": 1572, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (11:30)", "body": "Thank you Tineke... Those guys did us proud. I only saw a little of the first part of the Belgium-Sweden game, because I was working on Saturday, and missed the best parts."}, {"response": 1573, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (12:49)", "body": "Moon, about tomorrow night, I want you to know that no matter what the outcome is, I'll still talk to you! LOL, Tineke! I will remember it is only a game. ;-) Forza Italia!"}, {"response": 1574, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (13:25)", "body": "(Evelyn) Interesting to see that he's referring to \"Jennifer Ehle, \"The Real Thing\"...\" dropping the P&P connection. Yes, she's moved on and achieved more; Lizzie will always be a signature role for her, but from now on she'll be referred to as \"Tony-winner Jennifer Ehle.\" (Until the Oscar, of course.;-) If somebody we know wants to divest himself of association with a certain other signature role . . .then find a role that is at least its equal, as JE has done. And it doesn't happen by haunting the margins.:-("}, {"response": 1575, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (13:29)", "body": "then find a role that is at least its equal, as JE has done. And it doesn't happen by haunting the margins.:-( oooooweeeee!!"}, {"response": 1576, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (14:40)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1577, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (14:42)", "body": "That lei is legal tender from the USA treasury for our periptetic Moon."}, {"response": 1578, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (14:44)", "body": "HAUOLI NA HANAU, MOON"}, {"response": 1579, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (14:45)", "body": "Just a little reminder....Tomorrow we deck the Moon!"}, {"response": 1580, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (15:04)", "body": "....then find a role that is at least its equal, as JE has done. And it doesn't happen by haunting the margins.:-( Or...godferbid..another TV role. Unless, of course,if it's a series...now there's a thought...\"Cracker\" or \"Tutti Frutti\"... and then he could be like Robbie Coltrane!! Good character actor does work in TV, films and stage. Hey, that's a goal to shoot for...;-)"}, {"response": 1581, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (15:07)", "body": "(KJ) hAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DA BOATAYUZ You from Brooklyn? Watsamattaforyou? :-D Let me add my belated birthday greetings, Cathey and Lucie. Have we missed anyone else? Alexander's session with Dr. Freud was too funny, Karen. Loved your response, KJ. Would also add this Rx: cross Upper Street at least daily."}, {"response": 1582, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (16:04)", "body": "Thanks for the birthday wishes everyone. Makes me feel special all over again :-)"}, {"response": 1583, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (19:44)", "body": "Oh, I'm very, very late. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Lucie! HAPPY BIRTHDAY Cathey! Hope your birthdays were lovely. Sadie, you had me rolling... The fact that you feel beaten by Ralph Fiennes (my oh my, what a giveaway!) would suggest that the coffee is really just symbolic of your longing to be recognized as your true id, the sex-God, Mr. Darcy. . . This opens up so many possibilities for analyses of all of Colin's characters (and so many could have used professional help). Can you just imagine Mr. Darcy himself on the couch? Reclining? Horizontal? Hmm, better not go there or at least take myself over to Darcy Drool."}, {"response": 1584, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (20:26)", "body": "Steadman and Spall with their OBEs. Doesn't she look good? :)"}, {"response": 1585, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (20:45)", "body": "(KJ) hAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DA BOATAYUZ (Eileen) -- You from Brooklyn? Watsamattaforyou? :-D No, but I'm working on it with this dialog coach ... ;-D KJ"}, {"response": 1586, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (22:39)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1587, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (00:36)", "body": "Karen, you make dazzling postings that leave my html and pic-finding skills in the dust! Found it v. scary that fellow droolers suddenly turned from serious pursuit of virtual lusting to discuss sports:Watsamattaforyou? Just bloody kidding. :-D Moon, your trip does sound divine! (Heide)Can you just imagine Mr. Darcy himself on the couch? Reclining? Horizontal? Hmm, better not go there or at least take myself over to Darcy Drool. Oh Heide, you're giving me ideas! We need more people over at Darcy Drool too. *Hint,hint* It's been far too quiet for my id . (You're v. perceptive KJ, my id interrupts even the most serious analysis! :-D ) Marcia, when do I get a lei? Ah c'mon, do I have to wait 'til my b-day? BTW,\"Haunting the Margins\" is just begging to be a fan-fic title! So go to it, all you authors who have been lazing about, depriving us of more drool experiences."}, {"response": 1588, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (01:17)", "body": "Pssst, Moon I'm bussing it to Umbria (alone!). I'll be waiting for you, so be quick about it. [Several days later]See you, right about..."}, {"response": 1589, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (03:08)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Moon Also belated happy birthdays to Lucie and Cathey. Also belated congratulations on her pay-raise to Tracy. What class are you now, Tracy? :-)"}, {"response": 1590, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (07:52)", "body": "Good morning, Moon. Care to join me in a little birthday shower?"}, {"response": 1591, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (08:04)", "body": "Good morning, Karen, may I inquire as to whom I will be showering with? ;-) LOL, Sadie! Of course, we can not expect a lower middle class chap to show up in an Alpha. I hope he fixes that bus soon. The game will be starting shortly. ;-) Thanks, Mark! (We still do not know your birthday) Marcia, you know I love to start the day with a lei. It is quite beautiful, thank you! Now, back to the shower..."}, {"response": 1592, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (08:13)", "body": "HAPPY B IRTHDAY MOON!!!! The referee: What am I doing here? I should have watched it on a big screen in Umbria. Hmm...perhaps that's what I'll do for the final. Ti ne ke"}, {"response": 1593, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (08:15)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1594, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (08:28)", "body": "(Moon) may I inquire as to whom I will be showering with? ;-) Pish-tosh! Does it really matter? Oh, well, here's a hint: Click here and we'll sing *this* in the shower (hope this works) If not, I've got another post-shower clue. ;-)"}, {"response": 1595, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (08:34)", "body": "Oh, Moon, the opportunity of a lifetime (if you know what I mean): Janeane Garofalo...will segue to the project after starring in the indie feature \"The Search for John Gissing\" for writer-director Mike Binder (\"Indian Summer\"), scheduled to go before cameras July 1 in London."}, {"response": 1596, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (08:47)", "body": "Thanks, Tineke! He is the cutest referee (a bit overdressed, though, 'Wardrobe to the rescue!') ;-))) may I inquire as to whom I will be showering with? ;-) (Karen), Pish-tosh! Does it really matter? Well... yeah! Have not been able to sing in the shower yet, but I hope to find either, CF, JN, DL or JP. I would be scared to take one with RE. ;-)"}, {"response": 1597, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (08:50)", "body": "\"The Search for John Gissing\" for writer-director Mike Binder (\"Indian Summer\"), scheduled to go before cameras July 1 in London. Oh, Moon, the opportunity of a lifetime (if you know what I mean): I do indeed! Will get plans started. :-D"}, {"response": 1598, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (08:56)", "body": "That shower was sooo good"}, {"response": 1599, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (09:14)", "body": "Thanks for last night, mi cara gnocchi! Can I not tempt you into the shower?"}, {"response": 1600, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (09:29)", "body": "Jude, darling! You must go back to being a blond if you want to keep taking showers together. ;-) Now who are you jumping on my bed? Alcohol units 10 v.v.bad and I still have the bottle of Dom Perignon!"}, {"response": 1601, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (10:17)", "body": "BUON COMPLEANO, MOON For lolling around South Beach...or poolside at the Hotel Todi... I'm partial to one piece suits"}, {"response": 1602, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (10:18)", "body": "Who? You can feign hangover, but I shall not forget last night, mi bellisima orecchiette... Or is your DH hovering nearby? In any event, I shall be waiting for you in the shower"}, {"response": 1603, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (10:25)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOON! Have you dumped Rupie for Jude? How sad! Last I checked, Rupie was donning his chains and looking forward to another meeting in a revolving door. Cheers. *clink clink* Have a great day!"}, {"response": 1604, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (10:29)", "body": "Ahh, here's Rupie (BTW, Karen, what's next, 'mi bellisima ziti'? :-D). Ooh, goody, saying the rosary will give you something to do in the shower, Moon."}, {"response": 1605, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (10:34)", "body": "FELICE COMPLEANNO, CARA LUNA!! Or, as they say in my son's fave book as a toddler: \"Happy Birthday, Moon!\" BUT--with so many perfectly good Playmaker snappies floating around, I can't figure out why anyone would want you to take a \"doccia\" with these other guys!;-)"}, {"response": 1606, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (10:37)", "body": "In case the game isn't all that entertaining... Dumped him? Heavens, no. He has set aside today to be with his favorite little tortellini"}, {"response": 1607, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (10:39)", "body": "Hey, that's hand play!! LOL"}, {"response": 1608, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (10:40)", "body": "with so many perfectly good Playmaker snappies floating around The only one I have is *not* postable here. Besides, Moon absolutely hates that movie. (I saw much to admire!) And will take donations of *all* Playmaker snappies floating around. ;-)"}, {"response": 1609, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (10:47)", "body": "And Moon, just be glad the man in the shower doesn't answer to the name \"Lester\"! Hey Jude, don't be afraid . . . Tracy, amidst all this Birthday drunkenness over the last week, I forgot to congradulate you on your ascent: Way to go!"}, {"response": 1610, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (10:47)", "body": "And will take donations of *all* Playmaker snappies floating around. ;-) Does she want 'em on the rocks or straight up? ;-D"}, {"response": 1611, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (10:50)", "body": "Karen baaaby, won't you please post that Firthodelic for us? Show us how a real shower is done, baaaby!"}, {"response": 1612, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (10:56)", "body": "Ladies, Rupi is waiting in the shower, but I am scared to go in there with him. Something to do with chains. When the h... is Colin going to rescue me? Is he still in Wardrobe? Grazie, Mari! You are quite right my dear. ;-D Thanks, Evelyn! I always say, \"don't leave home without them\" (servants that is ;-) How did you know? Now if only we could get that model in the bathing suit to take a shower with Rupi while I wait in bed for ODB?! ;-) Karen, those soccer babies are hysterical!"}, {"response": 1613, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (10:59)", "body": "Eileen), Does she want 'em on the rocks or straight up? ;-D Sunny side up, please! :-D"}, {"response": 1614, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (11:00)", "body": "I am being dragged to the shower... later... hmm..."}, {"response": 1615, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (11:01)", "body": "Now, if I could only my little conchiglie would join me, the day would be perfecto... *put some shoulder into it, Tommy*"}, {"response": 1616, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (11:11)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1617, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (11:12)", "body": "Don't try to pretend that you prefer that that that...cornuto...to me, mi cara capellini"}, {"response": 1618, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (11:41)", "body": "It's pretty hard to be Birthday List keeper when I only know some of them, but here goes for that belated and * stringing the blossoms on kite string today because you ladies are gonna get that high*... Sadie, Cathey, Lucie, and all those lurking who have had birthdays and I did not know it, my best ones to you - FLOWN IN FRESH ! Braided Pikake"}, {"response": 1619, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (11:42)", "body": "*sigh* I did arrange them side by side.....but....*sigh*"}, {"response": 1620, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (11:48)", "body": "I'm impressed that you can post them! Thanks, I feel much more ... relaxed. Psst, Check drool board for important profile alert."}, {"response": 1621, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (11:58)", "body": "which is \"drool board'??? hunting feverishly...."}, {"response": 1622, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (12:03)", "body": "*Hawaiian hugs* come with those leis from me and CF to place them on you and bestow the kiss, of course! Only the best for the best ladies on Earth"}, {"response": 1623, "author": "wolf", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (12:37)", "body": "this is great!! love the use of the pix, you ladies are soooo creative!"}, {"response": 1624, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (13:10)", "body": "(Moon) Now if only we could get that model in the bathing suit to take a shower with Rupi while I wait in bed for ODB?! ;-) It appears to be very crowded right now... Will call you when some space frees up ;-)"}, {"response": 1625, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (14:32)", "body": "Wow, there's Colin and Meg and Milos and John and Yoko . . .;-) All we are SAAAAAY-ing . . . is give peace a chance . . .:-)"}, {"response": 1626, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (14:47)", "body": "That was some shower! Rupi is tanning by the pool. Karen, is it so very bad to prefer the cornuto to him? The bed does appear to be crowded, I have sent the servants by the pool. ;-) half time Italy 1 Belgium O"}, {"response": 1627, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (15:20)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1628, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (15:26)", "body": "Let me just clarify a point..I didn't get my promotion for my computing skills! *trying again*"}, {"response": 1629, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (15:31)", "body": "Have arranged for a few refreshments to be served in your honor: and to help it all go down... plus you get to keep the champagne bucket. Thought you might like it. ;-)"}, {"response": 1630, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (15:32)", "body": "Ahhh! Success. Many thanks to all for their best wishes on my advancement and hope you enjoyed the virtual beers ..have just spent last three days on v boring software testing course followed by v harrowing exam (the revision for which was not helped by the emotional turmoil of the footie on Monday)..can I go back to being a pleb please? Mark......do we really want to stir up that hornet's nest again?? I'll settle for lower, lower middle (not that I'm sitting on the fence at all);-D"}, {"response": 1631, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (15:33)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1632, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (15:44)", "body": "Happy Birthday Moon. I hope you have marvellous day."}, {"response": 1633, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (15:45)", "body": "Rupe is sending these along. Says that they do better than chains and will show you later...privately I picked these necklaces out for you, as nothing at BVLGARI struck my fancy this year:"}, {"response": 1634, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (15:55)", "body": "Well Moon, didn't we just give you a nice birthday present? *sulk sulk* Well played, Italy! *sulk sulk*"}, {"response": 1635, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (16:12)", "body": "Thanks, Tineke! How about some champagne? Karen, you know my taste! I adore pearls and that Bulgari necklace will be on my neck tonight, thank you! Tracy, what a beautiful card, thank you! I bet you have a fun job. I am having a marvelous day, Cathey, and it is only just beginning. :-)"}, {"response": 1636, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (16:35)", "body": "(Karen, speaking for Rupie) Says that they do better than chains and will show you later...privately Hee hee! *imagine pic of Geoffrey in all his tuxedoed splendor here* Birthday greetings from your husband's favorite cuckold!"}, {"response": 1637, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (17:04)", "body": "I'm going to swing by and pick you up for dinner, mi cara farfalle. Nothing fancy, but be sure to wear that little bauble I gave you last night..."}, {"response": 1638, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (17:08)", "body": "*hee hee*"}, {"response": 1639, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (17:12)", "body": "Goodness, that bauble has Titanic written all over it! I wonder if Joaquin Pheonix is in second class? I think I am going to have to ask Madonna how she managed to rid herself of Rupi. LOL, Eileen! I am so happy Geoffrey finally made it! Portami via Geoffrey!"}, {"response": 1640, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (18:15)", "body": "Could we possibly have a party for Moon without Geoffrey's rendition of \"Happy Birthday to You\": (thanks to Murph's animated gif)"}, {"response": 1641, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (18:36)", "body": "MOON'S BIRTHDAY IS HERE!! With all these men hanging around and up to my ankles in drool, I'm feeling rather catty right now... BUT ... Cats have rather sensitive nervous systems, you know, and can get excessively excited at important events... When there is a party in the offing ... ...With lots of goodies to be had... ...pussycats, especially big ones, tend to get OVEREXCITED , particularly when welcoming guests to a birthday bash... [...and I DO mean bash!!!...] , but it's all in a good cause... ...We're just trying to wish Moon -- ;-) KJ"}, {"response": 1642, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (19:39)", "body": "Happy Birthday moon, may it be the best one ever."}, {"response": 1643, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (22:01)", "body": "Karen, you know how much Geoffrey means to me, thank you! It has been a great party. Yummy food, myself included today: gnocchi, capellini... I have lost count. ;-) Wonderful champagne, *hic* (I do not know how Bridget does it), *hic* v.v.b. Beautiful gifts, and heartfelt wishes, thank you! Lucie, I have a feeling it is going to be a great year, thank you! KJ, that pussycat has given me quite a work out, and I am wearing a gown!!! LOL! Thank you, Geminis Rock!"}, {"response": 1644, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (22:06)", "body": "Evelyn and I decided that who needs birthday cake when you can have: La Terza Gamba Enjoy!!"}, {"response": 1645, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (22:16)", "body": "You two!!! LOL! Love it! Mr. Darcy did start it all. Grazie! Quella terza gamba e bellissima! Note to Karen: Rupi and I had a big fight, it is over! Got that, over! How about some more champagne? *hic*"}, {"response": 1646, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (22:37)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1647, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (23:00)", "body": "Do not be sad, Karen, you know how much I admire DL. ;-) Have some more champagne before I finish the bottle. *hic*"}, {"response": 1648, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Thu, Jun 15, 2000 (03:38)", "body": "From The Times Mendes in warning on lure of glamour BY LAURA PEEK THE director who brought a naked Nicole Kidman to the London stage has criticised the trend for glamorous Hollywood stars to tread the boards in Britain. Sam Mendes said that the theatre was in danger of being \"held hostage by the lure of glamour\", and he cautioned directors against relying on such sensational publicity stunts. Mr Mendes, who brought Miss Kidman to the Donmar Warehouse last year for a performance in The Blue Room described as theatrical Viagra, was speaking after the announcement that Jerry Hall was to replace Kathleen Turner in The Graduate at the Gielgud Theatre."}, {"response": 1649, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Thu, Jun 15, 2000 (03:39)", "body": "But he said he did not have that in mind at the time. \"My comments were solely about ensuring that British theatre is not held hostage by the lure of glamour every time it opens its doors.\" Mr Mendes told the Covent Garden Community Association that he had been inundated with offers from Hollywood stars after the success of The Blue Room, for which Miss Kidman was paid \ufffd250 a week. \"Brad Pitt, along with others, offered. But the problem is that theatre must not only be an event. We can put every show on the front page of newspapers, but what happens then? \"The majority of nights at the theatre tend to be a bit disappointing, but when it works it stays with you for a lifetime. This is why we do what we do, because you can't reach up in the video shop and pull the play down.\" The success of The Blue Room not only brought calls from Hollywood actors, it also brought Mr Mendes to the attention of Steven Spielberg who offered him the chance to direct American Beauty. The film was a box office hit and won five Oscars, including one for Mr Mendes. Miss Hall, better known for her modelling and marriage than her acting ability, beat competition from Hollywood stars including Melanie Griffith, Sharon Stone and Farrah Fawcett to win the Mrs Robinson role in The Graduate. But Mr Mendes said last night that he was not criticising The Graduate when he spoke on Tuesday. \"I never once mentioned Jerry Hall.\""}, {"response": 1650, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Jun 15, 2000 (05:11)", "body": "(Tineke) Mr Mendes told the Covent Garden Community Association that he had been inundated with offers from Hollywood stars after the success of The Blue Room, for which Miss Kidman was paid \ufffd250 a week. When Stephen Dillane won the Variety Club Award for TRT, he thanked the Donmar for paying him the same salary that they paid Nicole Kidman. It got a big laugh."}, {"response": 1651, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 15, 2000 (08:58)", "body": "(Moon)Quella terza gamba e bellissima! Long Live La Terza Gamba ;-)) Karen...your best ever...have an idea this belongs on Darcy Drool ~~~~~ Miss Hall, better known for her modelling and marriage than her acting ability, beat competition from Hollywood stars including Melanie Griffith, Sharon Stone and Farrah Fawcett to win the Mrs Robinson role in The Graduate Melanie Griffith...ROTF, ha, ha, ha,...they'll have to teach her how to read first."}, {"response": 1652, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun 15, 2000 (12:57)", "body": "Sam Mendes said that the theatre was in danger of being \"held hostage by the lure of glamour\", and he cautioned directors against relying on such sensational publicity stunts. That is ironic coming from him. He is planning on having Nicole and Tom together in the future, doing Shakespeare. Plus he did start it with NK in The Blue Room."}, {"response": 1653, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 15, 2000 (15:27)", "body": "The last part I definitely agree with [;-)] but the rumor about Tom and Nicole turned out to be *just* that - a rumor and I think Cat on a Hot Tin Roof was the play???"}, {"response": 1654, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 15, 2000 (16:01)", "body": "From Theatre Net: ...... Bernadette Peters will make her West End debut next summer in Gypsy, which Sam Mendes has been approached to direct. This guy has more offers than RF!! I guess Bernadette Peters feels she's the next Ethel Merman....I just saw her in Annie Get Your Gun ...which was also rumored to go to the West End."}, {"response": 1655, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 15, 2000 (16:54)", "body": "(not my usual thing...but I nearly fell off my chair when I saw the cover of last Friday's ES magazine...) For all you Euro 2000 people, I've posted a pic of Keith Allen on #61. There used to be sports figure drool topic, but it seems to have evaporated. I'll take it down in a couple of days. ;-)"}, {"response": 1656, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Jun 15, 2000 (18:41)", "body": "Boo hoo! I could not get away to post on your birthday, Moon. You know I wish you a wonderful birthday! Looks like you were properly feted. I haven't stopped laughing yet. After all that excess, I figured what you needed was a good cup of coffee so I was going to give you this coffeemaker.. but then since it is your birthday, maybe I'll be nice and lend you my very own coffeemaker.. It's always hot and steamy when he makes it."}, {"response": 1657, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun 15, 2000 (18:49)", "body": "Thank you, Heide! I admit I did feel like Bridget this morning v.v.b. but you know me and champagne. Colin does make one frothy cap... hmm..."}, {"response": 1658, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Jun 15, 2000 (20:45)", "body": "I received this card today from my sister who is visiting in Australia This is the year to celebrate the \"furniture\" birthday. When your chest falls into your drawers."}, {"response": 1659, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 15, 2000 (21:32)", "body": "The power of a Tony Award... The JE website has had 3,000 hits since Tony Sunday!!"}, {"response": 1660, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (01:06)", "body": "Congrats Italy, the first country to be certain of going to the quarterfinals. All we need is a draw against Turkey and we'll be in the next round as well. Ti ne ke"}, {"response": 1661, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (08:29)", "body": "Thank you, Tineke! We did get lucky, I hope the luck continues. Good luck with Turkey."}, {"response": 1662, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (08:33)", "body": "I bet Colin is thrilled....I'm rooting for Italy, cause that's his part-time-country."}, {"response": 1663, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (08:39)", "body": "Evelyn repeat after me, Forza Italia! :-)"}, {"response": 1664, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (09:49)", "body": "Italy wasn't just lucky, Italy played very well. We could played for another 100 years, we still wouldn't have made a goal. Italy's defense was just too strong. Evelyn, England's in the tournament as well, you know. Why not root for them?"}, {"response": 1665, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (10:23)", "body": "I will!!"}, {"response": 1666, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (13:41)", "body": "Moon, I'm impardonably late for your birthday :-( I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry... I guess there's only one thing I can do - have Figo play in Italy next year. Happy Belated Birthday, Moon!"}, {"response": 1667, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (13:57)", "body": "(Tineke)Evelyn, England's in the tournament as well, you know. Why not root for them? (Ann)I will!! Pardone moi.....but it's not my fault;-)...I only know what people tell me on this board and you told me England lost to Portugal. (Moon)Evelyn repeat after me, Forza Italia! :-) La Terza Gamba Sorry I can't get that out of my head ;-)"}, {"response": 1668, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (13:58)", "body": "(Evelyn) Melanie Griffith...ROTF, ha, ha, ha,...they'll have to teach her how to read first. Pffftttt! Actually, I heard she didn't get the part because the audience would be too distracted by the size of her lips, which are bigger than her bosom. Meeeooowww! Hiss! Hiss!"}, {"response": 1669, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (14:08)", "body": "Couple of ways to go on this one: (a la Donna) which ones? (me) Why? Did she have her implants removed? Let me out of this litterbox"}, {"response": 1670, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (14:14)", "body": "(Karen) (a la Donna) which ones? Uppers ;-P (or shall I say ;-B?) (me) Why? Did she have her implants removed? Naah. Though have heard of major west-coast silicone shortage--seems it occurred after Cher, Dolly Parton and Melanie went to see their plastic surgeons all on the same day."}, {"response": 1671, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (14:35)", "body": "(Evelyn) Melanie Griffith...ROTF, ha, ha, ha,...they'll have to teach her how to read first. (Eileen) Pffftttt! Actually, I heard she didn't get the part because the audience would be too distracted by the size of her lips, which are bigger than her bosom. Meeeooowww! Hiss! Hiss! (Karen)Why? Did she have her implants removed? *chuckle* Now I know I'm in the right virtual discussion! Can't stand her! What is a wild woman to do when little girls with big implants keep giving the Female Soul a bum wrap (hmmm? was that a Freudian slip?) I'm just ahowlin' at the moon! *big premordial sound*"}, {"response": 1672, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (15:42)", "body": "I'm just ahowlin' at the moon! I hear you. ;-) Thanks, Gi! I accept Figo graciously. Did you know that in Italian when one says sei figo, you are figo, it means you are hot/happening/cool/right on! So you see, sono figa . :-D Yes, Tineke, we are very happy with the way Italy is playing. Evelyn the EURO is played like a tournament. They have to play each team in the section to gather the sufficient points to advance. So far the games have been fun!"}, {"response": 1673, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (16:17)", "body": "Winstone and Mendes team up in West End Screen actor Ray Winstone has turned down several lucrative film offers to appear in a \ufffd300-a-week theatre job at the Donmar Warehouse in September. The reason? The man directing the play is Oscar-winner Sam Mendes. Mendes believes Nick Whitby's To The Green Fields Beyond, is one of the best plays he has ever read. Winstone, whose recent movies include Nil By Mouth, The War Zone and Love, Honour and Obey, has never appeared in the West End before, although he has been in plays at the National and the Royal Court."}, {"response": 1674, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (16:27)", "body": "I tried to buy the play this morning...not published yet..but based on the out-of-print novel To the Green Fields Beyond: the story of 6th Australian Division Cavalry Commandos by Shawn Hamilton O'Leary Would have been a good one for ODB."}, {"response": 1675, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (18:21)", "body": "Dame Julie Andrews is on The Arts Programme with Sheridan Morley, Radio 2 10.30pm next Friday, 23rd June, same day as RV goes on general release."}, {"response": 1676, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Jun 17, 2000 (04:37)", "body": "The Queen's Birthday Honours List is announced today: The list appears very populist this year with many awards going to those in the entertainment field including Sam Mendes who has been awarded the CBE and Michael Caine who has been awarded a knighthood. Arise Sir Michael! For article see: http://www.the-times.co.uk/news/pages/Times/frontpage.html?1032133"}, {"response": 1677, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Jun 17, 2000 (06:21)", "body": "(Moon)Did you know that in Italian when one says sei figo, you are figo, it means you are hot/happening/cool/right on! So you see, sono figa. :-D Non lo sapevo... And neither probably does he. Someone must tell him. And yes, you *are*:-)"}, {"response": 1678, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Jun 17, 2000 (06:24)", "body": "Sir Michael Caine is going to find it difficult to raise class issues again ;-)"}, {"response": 1679, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Jun 17, 2000 (09:48)", "body": "I have been remiss in missing sending you timely birthday felicitations Moon. Please accept belated wishes for a happy birthday and the best possible year. Have you yet recovered from your birthday excertions? Colin Firth, Jude Law, Rupert Everett, fine food, excellent wine, and you got leied too! I was just wondering after your shower with RE; did he sing this line to you -- \"You taught a new kind of love to me.\" I'm sorry, I just couldn't resist. Congratulations on your team winning."}, {"response": 1680, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 17, 2000 (11:07)", "body": "Thank you, Cheryl! I am still in the party spirit. hard not to be after my big bash. did he sing this line to you -- \"You taught a new kind of love to me.\" Nice of you to ask. After I set him straight ( blushing ), I am sure he will be dating others, so we might not see him again. ;-)"}, {"response": 1681, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 17, 2000 (12:19)", "body": "Sam Mendes who has been awarded the CBE Beeeg year for Sam...Oscar, Tony for a Donmar play and a CBE. Does he just add CBE after his surname or does one call him , Hiz Honor?"}, {"response": 1682, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Jun 18, 2000 (05:28)", "body": "AnnW, MarkG, and others rooting for England in the Euro 2000 tournament: congratulations on your win. As my DH puts it, England seems to be responsible for two of the three more exciting games so far :-)"}, {"response": 1683, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jun 18, 2000 (08:20)", "body": "Thankyou Gi, I am so ashamed of our so-called Supporters though, thoug of course, they aren't supporters! and spoil the good name of the real supporters."}, {"response": 1684, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jun 18, 2000 (15:50)", "body": "If England ends up in second place of their group, they will play against Italy in the quarterfinals. And it looks as if it will happen. That will be a direct confrontation because the loser goes home. Colin will have a tough time with that one."}, {"response": 1685, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jun 19, 2000 (08:31)", "body": "I see Jennifer is in the new Who's Who (2001) along with Cate Blanchett & Joseph Feinnes etc. Is Colin already in it?"}, {"response": 1686, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jun 19, 2000 (08:32)", "body": "according to today's Electronic Telegraph."}, {"response": 1687, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 19, 2000 (10:11)", "body": "(AnnW) I see Jennifer is in the new Who's Who (2001) along with Cate Blanchett & Joseph Feinnes etc. Is Colin already in it? only marginally ;-)"}, {"response": 1688, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Mon, Jun 19, 2000 (13:07)", "body": "re: Response 1652 of 1687: Moon Dreams (Moon) * Thu, Jun 15, 2000 (12:57) * 5 lines Sam Mendes said that the theatre was in danger of being \"held hostage by the lure of glamour\", and he cautioned directors against relying on such sensational publicity stunts. That is ironic coming from him. He is planning on having Nicole and Tom together in the future, doing Shakespeare. Plus he did start it with NK in The Blue Room. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ NO, HE ISN'T. Nor is he bringing Tom and Nicole to do \"Cat on a Hot Tin Roof\". This was some hack's idea of dream casting, but not Sam's. He had to call Cruise and Kidman and apologize profusely, promising that the idea (which he does not see as having any casting merit anyway) did NOT originate with the Donmar staff. This is first hand information from well up in the Donmar organization. I would also point out that that Nicole was not the first example of Hollywood star casting in the West End (e.g. Dustin Hoffman as Shylock springs to mind). She just happens to have better glutes than any of her predecessors."}, {"response": 1689, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 19, 2000 (13:14)", "body": "#1652 was corrected already in #1653."}, {"response": 1690, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 19, 2000 (16:51)", "body": "I'm bringing this over from #129 ... Ralph Fiennes is taking a lot of flak for his \"Coriolanus\"...there's a piece in the Telegraph today poking fun at him, and telling him to read his own reviews (he has said that he is indifferent to praise or blame)and lighten up. However in The Times John Peter says: Ralph Fiennes gives an intense, but uncharismatice performance as Coriolanus....Ralph Fiennes gives Coriolanus a 'huge emotional charge' They hardly make fun of him, though they do say the whole production is weak. One must admire RF for taking on such an ambitious project. He's going on to New York in August to play it at the Brooklyn Academy of Music and to Tokyo after that.He doesn't have to play the Almeida for a fraction of his usual sticker price.He does it because he's a dedicated actor. While IMO he's not the heart-throb that ODB is...he certainly has my respect."}, {"response": 1691, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (02:41)", "body": "Evelyn, you are so bitter about Colin these days... Since he probably won't, what can *we* do to cheer you up?"}, {"response": 1692, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (08:53)", "body": "And just wait for Londinium to open. ;-) I think Evelyn just wants her DB on Broadway. :-)"}, {"response": 1693, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (08:59)", "body": "(Evelyn)While IMO he's not the heart-throb that ODB is...he certainly has my respect. I can understand your frustration. I guess CF's life is taking priority over his career. Maybe that's understandable though. He's been acting for a long, long time and perhaps it doesn't hold the same attraction for him any longer. I'm just speculating here. I think he's a better actor than RF. But lately, I think he holds back, somehow, in the roles he plays. It's frustrating in that way too, because I know he's capable of brilliance. Although, I gather from those of you who saw him at the Donmar that he was brilliant there. Still, he has very good reviews for Relative Values, which I'm looking forward to seeing."}, {"response": 1694, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (09:00)", "body": "Response 1689 of 1692: Karen (KarenR) * Mon, Jun 19, 2000 (13:14) * 1 lines #1652 was corrected already in #1653. Thank you so much for that note, Karen."}, {"response": 1695, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (09:31)", "body": "Dearest, loveliest, Evelyn! (BTW Never mind the silly nonsense caption smeared on this snappie...or the blonde in the bed.) I am getting my ass in gear as we speak --- just for you!"}, {"response": 1696, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (09:39)", "body": "(Gi)Evelyn, you are so bitter about Colin these days... Since he probably won't, what can *we* do to cheer you up? (Moon)I think Evelyn just wants her DB on Broadway. :-) I hate to see ODB wasting his talents on second rate stuff. Which is what he's doing in these films.I'm reconciled to the fact that he is a TV actor , who occasionally makes forays into films as a supporting actor and stage.And I agree with Sadie that Colin is a better actor (not just better looking!)than RF. I'm not bitter at Colin, Gi...just disappointed . I am bitter, however, at the British public who don't support his films. He has such a little chance of getting a good starring role. On the positive side our hopes hinge on BJD:-(("}, {"response": 1697, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (09:44)", "body": "I am getting my ass in gear as we speak --- just for you Oh Sadie!!!ROTFLOL. Thank you...:-)) How I wish. I know I'm a hard task-master....ask my sons!"}, {"response": 1698, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (11:28)", "body": "(Sadie) I am getting my ass in gear as we speak --- just for you Sadie, I am LOL! Too damn funny, girl. From your, er, lips, to God's ear.;-) Evelyn . . .I feel your pain.:-("}, {"response": 1699, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (11:33)", "body": "Thank you so much for that note, Karen. Yes, Karen, thank you. And I mean that sincerely...no, pretentiously...er, condescendingly and provincially... ;-P Love your post, Sadie! For Evelyn and other Sunshine fans, here's Newsweek's review: 'Ralph Fienes plays three roles in this epic about a Hungarian-Jewish family. Fiennes grows tiresome, but this bitter tale of failed assimilation and history's double-crosses leaves a haunting aftertaste.' David Ansen gives it three stars (out of five). In other reviews, Kelsey Grammer's Macbeth was trashed--said 'Macbeth has so many unconvincing personalities, he needs a shrink--and an acting coach.' Ouch! Apropos (sort of) to a recent discussion about Jerry Hall's casting in The Graduate despite her short acting resume: 'Nudes in the News' Jerry Hall, 43, is set to pick up--and then take off--the towel for Kathleen Turner when she exits the London staging of 'The Graduate' on July 29. Perhaps gearing up for the role in regional theater, Roseanne, 47, also plans to get naked. She's dropped 75 pounds, courtesy of a stomach stapling. \"I can't confirm Playboy because I'm also talking to Penthouse and all three of us are haggling over price and retouching rights.\" No doubt the mags are holding out for more money. Gaaahhh!"}, {"response": 1700, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (12:03)", "body": "(Eileen)\"Fiennes grows tiresome, but this bitter tale of failed assimilation and history's double-crosses leaves a haunting aftertaste.\" Thanks Eileen....Like I've said...it's not a popcorn film for the masses.No 3 hour epic ever purports to be...Mostly the reviews from the mainstream press have been good (and far better than anyone expected..hey, you should read the reviews after the Toronto FF...sounds like a different film). Opens Friday nationwide in major cities. I'm flying down to Dallas on Saturday to see it."}, {"response": 1701, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (22:10)", "body": "Glad CF's declaration cheered you up, Evelyn! (Eileen)Kelsey Grammer's Macbeth was trashed--said 'Macbeth has so many unconvincing personalities, he needs a shrink--and an acting coach.' Ouch! Ouch is right! Poor Kelsey Grammer. Them that can't become mean critics! KG reminds me of a younger Orson Welles. There is something so charasmatic and well, likeable, about him --- and the voice. Would love to see him play Macbeth (as OW also did). V. embarrassed to admit, still have not seen Sunshine. Am a little Fienned-out. Gabriel Byrne, now that's another story! And of course, CF is seen far too little. I am catching Euro 2000 fever. Got hair cut today, and somehow ended up in pub to catch disappointing (for me)ending to Romania-England Game. Thought of those of you who inspired me! I have no clue about the rules of the game, but sure do like the close-ups!...Boyfriend was puzzled by my sudden interest."}, {"response": 1702, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (22:37)", "body": "(Sadie) I have no clue about the rules of the game, but sure do like the close-ups!... Boyfriend was puzzled by my sudden interest. LOL!"}, {"response": 1703, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (23:43)", "body": "BBC Press Release about Fall Season: The BBC will be playing it for laughs in the autumn ratings war. And leading the assault is none other than Victor Meldrew in a new series of One Foot In the Grave. The crabby old character - who is known to say \"I do not believe it\" rather a lot - is back with his long suffering wife Margaret, played by Annette Crosbie, and their former next door neighbours, alias Angus Deayton and Janine Duvitski. BBC comedy chiefs have spent three years urging writer David Renwick to conjure up more adventures for accident prone, tetchy Victor, played by award-winning Richard Wilson. A senior BBC comedy source said: \"David, like many great writers is something of a perfectionist. He wanted to be sure he had the right material. \"We are naturally thrilled that Victor is back. The character is a legend, synonymous with people of a certain age who are sick to death of being downtrodden. The cast gels so well, they just carry on where they left off.\" The BBC has pulled off another comedy coup in partnering actress Zoe Wanamaker - once Adam Faith's sidekick in Love Hurts - with award winning star Robert Lindsay who can also be seen ruling the waves as an officer in Horatio Hornblower. Lindsay, 50, also last seen playing Fagin in Alan Bleasdale's version of Oliver Twist, started his sitcom career as a gadabout RAF lad in Get Some In over 25 years ago. New York born Zoe, 51, the daughter of the late Royal Shakespearian star Sam Wanamaker, was herself a revered stage actress before she partnered Faith in the long-running Love Hurts as his girlfriend Tessa Piggot. The pair will be seen in the new comedy tale My Family with Lindsay playing a moderately successful dentist and family man beginning to feel the frustrations of life in middle age. Gregor Fisher is meanwhile forsaking his Rab C Nesbitt vest to portray Scottish country GP Hector Robertson in the new sitcom Brotherly Love, alongside former Lovejoy favourite Caroline Langrishe. He has to fight off his architect brother Frank (James Fleet) to win her affection in the family village of Invercorrie. Caroline Aherne and Craig Cash return in the award-winning The Royle Family and Kiss Me Kate, starring Caroline Quentin and Chris Langham , Bill Nighy and Amanda Holden will also be back on screen. Black comedy will be provided in a new burst of verbal venom from Steve Coogan and Henry Normal's production company Baby Cow. They have produced Beautiful Love, which has been written and stars Julia Davis and Rob Brydon (Bob Martin) in a series in which they play six very different dysfunctional couples. On the drama front, viewers will be tuning in to the comedy drama The Sins, starring Pete Postlethwaite, Geraldine James and Frank Finlay, which has been written by William Ivory, the creator of Common as Muck. Postlethwaite plays an ex getaway driver struggling to find his place in an unforgiving world after four years in jail. Love in a Cold Cimate, Nancy Mitford's sparkling comedy drama of manners, has been adapted by Deborah Moggach to follow the fortunes of three upper class girls whose lives are dedicated to the pursuit of love. The \ufffd3 million production is being filmed in France and England during the summer months and stars Alan Bates, Sheila Gish, Celia Imrie, Frances Barber and John Wood. The girls - Polly, Fanny and Linda - are played by newcomers Elizabeth Dermot Walsh, Rosamund Pike and Megan Dodds. Down to Earth, a kind of millennium Good Life stars Pauline Quirke and Warren Clarke as a husband and wife trying to escape the rat race with their brood of children and get a fresh start in Devon. Other People's Children starring Lesley Manville, Serena Gordon, Denis Lawson and Emma Fielding takes a close look at parenting from the step mother and step father's point of view in this adaptation of Joanna Trollope's best-seller. The Internet comes under scrutiny in dot com, a new drama from Tony Garnett's World Productions, taking a look at a group approaching their 30s working on an internet start-up company. The cast includes Claudia Harrison, Poppy Miller and ex Casualty idol William Gaminara. Among drama favourites returning are Casualty, Holby City, Silent Witness and The Scarlet Pimpernel with Richard E Grant. Former Casualty star Claire Goose makes her comeback in the new crime drama thriller Waking the Dead with Trevor Eve, Sue Johnston and Holly Aird. Sexual liberation in 1959 gets an airing with Take a Girl Like You which has been adapted by Andrew Davies from Kingsley Amis's wickedly funny novel and stars Rupert Graves, Sienna Guillory, Robert Daws, and Emma Chambers. The two big eco documentary series bound to grab attention are The State of the Planet with Sir David Attenborough, taking a definitive look at Earth and how the non-Green society is endangering our environment, and the Jurassic beneath the waves study Secrets of the Sea Dragons. Most interest, though, is sure to be devoted to the mammoth 16 part \ufffd6 million History 20"}, {"response": 1704, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (03:26)", "body": "I feel sorry for England. I know how you're feeling, Ann. But Portugal! Wow! What a team. It was very clever of the coach to let the best players have a rest and give the opportunity to the other players. And even the B-team beat Germany 3-0! You've got a luxury problem here, Gi, too many good players;-)"}, {"response": 1705, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (04:50)", "body": "Thank you, Tineke. I am very happy for our players, now they'll all get good contracts :-) I'm sorry for Belgium, and also for England (this for my English friends' sake) and for Denmark (I like Peter Schmeichel who is goal-keeper for Sporting) but everyone I like cannot win... We're going to have a tough game against Turkey, but I'm still hoping to meet Italy at the final :-)"}, {"response": 1706, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (08:28)", "body": "I second all your sentiments, Gi. I really thought Italy would face England in the quarter-finals, was surprised at the outcome yesterday. But it was such a good game! but I'm still hoping to meet Italy at the final :-) As you know, so am I. :-D Germany has to start from the beginning and build a new team, starting with their goalie."}, {"response": 1707, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (10:08)", "body": "Thank you, Karen for the BBC fall schedule executive Peter Salmon commented: \"It is a very strong line-up I have to AGREE with him. It does sound varied and scintillating. ~~~~~~ You see, I'm reforming...[Thank you Sadie.] I'm actually getting excited about TV sit-coms, and docu-dramas. Getting psyched-up for the day they announce that ODB will have his own weekly series...I will cheer....I promise. *crossing heart...with no winkies* Will take positive attitude at any ****that comes along."}, {"response": 1708, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (10:13)", "body": "I really thought Italy would face England in the quarter-finals, was surprised at the outcome yesterday. But it was such a good game! I know v. little about soccer....but I do know it's never a good game when yyou lose."}, {"response": 1709, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (10:43)", "body": "From This is London: Mel's vendetta against England by Neil Norman Perhaps it's because he's an honorary Australian. Or maybe it's just that he is a Hollywood film star, but the small but perfectly formed Mel Gibson seems to have it in for the English in a big way. Not content with allying himself with the hairy-kneed porridge-munchers in a ludicrous travesty of British history with Braveheart, Mad Mel is now having another bash at the English with his historical epic, The Patriot, in which Gibson stars as Benjamin Martin, a colonial militiaman in the American War of Independence whose guerrilla exploits against the Redcoats in the swamps of the Carolinas earned him the soubriquet the Swamp Fox. Judging by the reaction so far to the film, which opens in the US on 28 June, the English are not only in for a thorough pasting from Mel and his band of motley guerrillas but also a comprehensive character assassination. To a man, the dastardly English are depicted as heartless toffs and machiavels, war criminals and child-killers. As Jason Isaacs, who plays the British baddie, Col William Tavington, remarked recently: \"I'm Satan in this film. I'm a nasty, evil British officer and Mel comes after me like a warrior possessed.\" But possessed of what, exactly? Certainly not intelligent objectivity and partiality. What with traducing the historical facts (as far as we know them) into the colour of money and anti-English sentiment for Braveheart, Gibson's latest venture looks increasingly as if he has an agenda above and beyond the $25 million paycheck he allegedly received for The Patriot. It's a long way and a lot of dollars in the bank since Gallipoli, in which Gibson played an Australian athlete who joined the Anzacs in the First World War only to be sent to certain death by - you guessed it - incompetent English officers. It is entirely possible that Gibson, who was born in Peerskill, New York and did not arrive in Australia until the age of 12, has bought into the Australian legacy of English-hating - an atavistic resentment against the policy of transportation of convicts; then again, Gibson, who is a devout Catholic, possibly subscribes to a headily romantic view of Celtic republicanism that finds merit in the perennial resistance of the underdog nations (Scotland, Ireland, Cornwall) against their merciless oppressor, England. Or maybe he is just getting his own back against English critics who have failed to take him seriously enough. Then again, to pursue an anti-English agenda in Hollywood is a crowd-pleasing tactic and a cheap way of earning the plaudits (and bucks) of the home team. As every Hollywood casting agent knows, the devil speaks with an English accent. The fact that he didn't actually direct The Patriot (as he did Braveheart) matters not a jot; his involvement legitimises the enterprise and indicates an end rsement of the film's warped sentiments. Once director Roland Emmerich got involved as director (formerly of Godzilla and all points SFX blockbuster) it was clear that historical accuracy was never going be high on the agenda. With Gibson on board the primary aim for the movie was big box-office success. Therefore, it was necessary to rewrite the \"hero\" - the real-life Francis Marion, a thoroughly unpleasant dude who was, basically, a terrorist - to a level of palatability that is more appropriate for the wholesome Mr Gibson. A devout traditional Catholic with seven children by his wife Robyn Moore to prove it, Gibson's inclination is towards the more reactionary political sentiment. To wit, he has pronounced against abortion, has said he would encourage his own children to take up weapons in self-defence and believes that the Fabian Society is a cabal of world leaders intent on taking over the global economy. The man appears confused. Now we find him whitewashing the character of Francis Marion who, according to a recent article in the Daily Express, had a reputation as a racist who hunted Indians for sport and regularly raped his female slaves. According to Christopher Hibbert, a British expert on the American Revolution, Marion \"was a wily and elusive character, very active in the persecution of Cherokee Indians and not at all the sort of chap who should be celebrated as a hero. ... The truth is that people like Marion committed atrocities as bad if not worse than those perpetrated by the British.\" Given his penchant for conspiracy theories (he even appeared in a film of that title as a paranoid taxi driver), Gibson may not be the most reliable ambassador for the \"special relationship\" that purportedly exists between England and America. But as to why he seems to have such a chip on his shoulder about the English, I am at a loss. Perhaps when you've had as many demons of your own as Gibson - including a heavy alcohol habit - one feels the need to demonise some exterior source - to exorcise your demon into another vessel, so to speak. It seems as if the English just happened to be passing at "}, {"response": 1710, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (12:11)", "body": "It is entirely possible that Gibson, who was born in Peerskill, New York One, that should be Peekskill and two, I thought it was Poughkeepsie (two lovely towns in the Catskills). Newsweek didn't care for this movie, BTW. Said it had too many agendas to fill, that it seemed to be writted more by a big H'wood studio than a screenwriter, and that it was a cross between SPR (same writer) and several other movies. In other words, same ol' same ol', with extra gore on the side (something about a cannonball connecting with a head). Ugh. I'll pass."}, {"response": 1711, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (12:25)", "body": "Thanks, Mari, for the article. Have been reading others similar. But now they really appear to be going after Mel...personally. *lifting one eyebrow, if I could* Then again, to pursue an anti-English agenda in Hollywood is a crowd-pleasing tactic Is this a new genre...like slashers, rom-coms, gross-out teen flicks? Wasn't aware of that. all very odd since Mel's production company (Icon Entertainment) operates out of London."}, {"response": 1712, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (13:06)", "body": "I liked the previews v. much. Historical fiction with a twist, so what? Gibson's inclination is towards the more reactionary political sentiment. To wit, he has pronounced against abortion, has said he would encourage his own children to take up weapons in self-defence and believes that the Fabian Society is a cabal of world leaders intent on taking over the global economy. The man appears confused. Another one of Blair's luuvies, I see."}, {"response": 1713, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (13:21)", "body": "I know v. little about soccer....but I do know it's never a good game when yyou lose. hey, Paul... I mean Evelyn, It is only a game. ;-))))"}, {"response": 1714, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (13:41)", "body": "(Mari, quoting) It seems as if the English just happened to be passing at the time. That's probably it in a nutshell."}, {"response": 1715, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (13:47)", "body": "Paul..I mean, evelyn *Shouting out the window* \"Would you stop that f******....\" *Arms flailing*...... (Moon)hey, Paul... I mean Evelyn, It is only a game. ;-)))) That's what Sarah said ;-))"}, {"response": 1716, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (14:25)", "body": "Very disappointed to learn that Mel Gibson is such a redneck. One more reason to be proud of ODB, who said he'd be disappointed if his son became a soldier. But why would MG pick a rapist and racist as his historical figure to base a film on? Could he not find a less repulsive figure? Such distortions amount to propaganda, and without even the honesty of Birth of a Nation (which is a hateful film). He must be laughing at us Americans all the way to the bank."}, {"response": 1717, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (14:36)", "body": "(Moon)hey, Paul... I mean Evelyn, It is only a game. ;-)))) That's what Sarah said ;-)) Score one for Evelyn! ;-)"}, {"response": 1718, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (03:44)", "body": "I know v. little about soccer....but I do know it's never a good game when yyou lose. hey, Paul... I mean Evelyn, It is only a game. ;-)))) LOL! That's how we feel about it. After we lost to Turkey, the commentator was standing in front of some Belgian football fans saying \"and behind me I have some disappointed football fans\", he turned his head and noticed that said fans were singing and juming up and down. Commentator to fans \"uhm...we lost, you know\". Belgian fans: \"well,they'll do better next time\" and proceeded singing and partying;-) But in fact...we were very disappointed. We had not expected to lose against Turkey since they hadn't been playing very well till then. Some people were already preparing for the quarter final Belgium- Portugal.... It's not to be:-( I am now rooting for Portugal and Italy - for Portugal because they've been playing so well and for Italy because I like their shirts;-)"}, {"response": 1719, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (08:17)", "body": "for Italy because I like their shirts;-) LOL! La moda italiana. :-) This EURO Cup has been so much fun, a definite contrast to the last one. The fans reflect this too. We always want our team to win but we appreciate the beauty of a fun well played-out game. And if there are lots of goals, better. This weekend I should be starting my suitcases but it looks like I will be watching the games. Keeping fingers crossed."}, {"response": 1720, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (09:33)", "body": "From Playbill News : The annual summer Gala Benefit at the Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor, Long Island, will this year be hosted by Hamptons habitues Julie Andrews, Alec Baldwin and Chevy Chase. The event will take place July 8, beginning at 6:30 PM, on Long Wharf in Sag Harbor. As usual, there will be a silent auction and a live \"fantasy\" auction, the latter officiated by Andrews, Baldwin and Chase. Among the items on the block: \"Sparkle Plenty\" diamond pave earrings from Harry Winston Jewelers; vacations in Ireland, Jamaica and the CuisinArt Spa on Anguilla; and Super Bowl tickets. Tickets for the gala, which will also feature cocktails and a sit-down dinner, are available at $250. For information, call (631) 725-0818. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Super Bowl Tickets??How about tickets to RV! C'mon Julie plug your film...we need a distrib, and one is bound to be hanging-out in the Hampton's."}, {"response": 1721, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (18:47)", "body": "For historical inaccuracy in the movies the recent WWII submarine thriller, U-571, certainly fits the bill. In that movie a band of intrepid Americans seize an Enigma machine from a German U-boat. That never happened. The British captured Enigma before the United States even entered the war. The bottom line is the bottom line. An English film with English actors would not have made the same amount of money worldwide. That is the perception, at any rate."}, {"response": 1722, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (22:31)", "body": "Thought this was kind of cute, especially example #2 ;-) THE SCOTSMAN: LOSING WEIGHT THE CELEBRITY WAY A sure sign that a star has made it is that they hire their own chef - not to prepare elaborate feasts but to keep them in trim. In the acting profession, beauty and physique are bankable assets which need to be looked after. \"A lot of actors are terrified of becoming fat or having high cholesterol levels,\" says Barry Rey, of Wood Hall Catering. \"Diets tend to come and go, and as location caterers we tend to be on the leading edge of whatever fad is fashionable. The women tend to be watching their figures, while the men are concerned with their cholesterol. That's where their personal chef, dietitian or nutritionist comes in.\" The Bridget Jones Diet Renee Zellweger who is to play the leading role in the forthcoming Bridget Jones movie, is feeding up to fit into what she calls Bridget's \"fat jeans\". Pizza, cheesecake and Guinness are what her character would term very bad. The Raging Bull diet To bulk up for his role as the boxer gone to seed in Raging Bull, Robert De Niro (top left) simply went on holiday to Italy and ate pasta until he reached the necessary weight. Protein Diet This is the hot diet in Hollywood. The central idea is that people can eat as much boiled or grilled chicken as they want and nothing else. Apparently, the weight just falls off, although no sensible GP would think of recommending such a badly balanced diet. Not popular with vegetarians. No Carbohydrates Diet Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox are said to be fans of this regime. The title is pretty self-explanatory, so no bread or pasta but almost anything else goes."}, {"response": 1723, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (08:13)", "body": "It looks like I'll just miss seeing the final in Italy, unlike Moon. I'm leaving for Italy July 4th. I can't wait:-)"}, {"response": 1724, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (10:03)", "body": "Great review for SUNSHINE in today's Philadelphia Inquirer 3.5 stars out of 4. Sweeping 20th-century saga has Ralph Fiennes in 3 roles By Steven Rea INQUIRER MOVIE CRITIC It's a Ralph Fiennes festival! In Sunshine, Istvan Szabo's epic tale of a Hungarian Jewish family - spanning the downfall of a monarchy, two world wars and the Communist revolution - the English actor gets to play three roles, of three generations in the Sonnenschein clan: Ignatz, a scholarly and ambitious lawyer; his son, Adam, an Olympic fencing champion; and his son, Ivan (whose narration runs through the film's three hours), a concentration-camp survivor who becomes a Communist official bent on exacting revenge against his country's Nazi sympathizers. It's an ambitious, sweeping saga, but by focusing on the one family - and by having the key roles performed by the same man - Sunshine succeeds in showing the tumult of the 20th century from a deeply personal perspective. This is a story of filial identity, of engaged intellects buffeted by the senseless rage of antisemitism, of failed assimilation and, ultimately, of survival. Szabo, the Oscar-winning director (Mephisto, Colonel Redl) who wrote the screenplay with Israel Horovitz, manages to convey the intimate struggles of a close-knit Jewish family, the secret passions of lovers, the tragic mistakes of brothers and sisters, father and son, mother and daughter. And how fate - and war, and politics and religion - shapes the course of one's life. In addition to the obvious symbolic continuity supplied by Fiennes, Szabo casts JENNIFER EHLE as Ignatz's beautiful red-headed cousin, Valerie, and Rosemary Harris, Ehle's real-life mother, to play the same character in later years. THE TWO ACTRESSES ARE EQUALLY SPECTACULAR. Indeed, although Sunshine succumbs, here and there, to somewhat corny narrative convention, the cast is outstanding: James Frain, as Ignatz's idealist brother, radiates brooding intensity; Rachel Weisz, as Adam's brother's wife, secretly and desperately in love with the champion swordsman, is dark and destructively alluring; and even William Hurt, as a Communist investigator in the film's final section, shows a restraint, and regret, that is affecting. Miriam Margolyes, as the fiercely proud Sonnenschein matriarch, Rose, and David de Keyser, portraying her husband, Emmanuelle, provide linchpin performances, and Deborah Kara Unger turns up as a steely, but sultry Communist comrade who falls into a doomed affair with Ivan. Sunshine takes its title from the name Sonnenschein, and the herbal tonic Taste of Sunshine - a shimmering elixir that brings the family great wealth. Its recipe, scrawled in a black notebook, becomes a symbol not only of inheritance, but also of loss, as the name Sonnenschein is changed to the non-Jewish Sors, and as the book itself is hidden away, forgotten and ultimately destroyed. It's a powerful symbol, in a powerful film. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Steven Rea's e-mail address is srea@phillynews.com ***1/2"}, {"response": 1725, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (11:20)", "body": "Hey Evelyn! Sunshine is playing at 3 theaters in the area. According to the ad last week, it was only listed to be at one. It's on two screens at my place. Here's Michael Wilmingston's review from the Tribune (3-1/2 stars): When a celebrated moviemaker sets out to make his magnum opus - which is obviously the intention of Istvan Szabo in \"Sunshine\" - he runs the risk of seeming a pretentious overreacher. I hope that's not the fate of Szabo over \"Sunshine,\" an incredibly ambitious film and one of the most highly accomplished of the year. \"Sunshine,\" which lasts three hours and follows five generations of a family called Sonnenschein (\"Sunshine\" in German), is a film that sets out to be nothing less than the great national epic of Hungary in the 20th century. But it's also a deeply personal work. The Sonnenscheins, who make their fortune with a soft drink called Sunshine, are a family much like Szabo's own upper-middle-class Jewish forebears - who went through a similar rise and decline. The movie opens in the 19th century, starting with the provincial tavern owner Aaron Sonnenschein (Balazs Hantos), who invented Sunshine's recipe, and continues to the 1960s. It focuses mostly on three generations: the children first born into wealth, during the latter period of the Austro-Hungarian Empire; the next generation, which came of age after World War I, under a regime increasingly cozy with Hitler; and the post-WWII generation, who were adults under communism. Along the way, the younger Sonnenscheins assimilate and change their name (to \"Sors\"), while the family business collapses, after the original Sunshine formula vanishes. There are two constant threads through all three acts. One is the presence of star Ralph Fiennes - who plays, in succession, imperial judge Ignatz Sonnenschein; then Ignatz's son, charismatic Olympic fencing champion Adam Sors; and then Adam's son, embittered communist policeman Ivan. There is another crucial thread: the continuing character of Valerie Sonnenschein, (a.k.a. Sors), first Ignatz's cousin (and adopted sister), and later Ignatz's wife, Adam's mother and Ivan's grandmother. Valerie, an idealistic photographer and loving matriarch, is played by two actresses: Jennifer Ehle in her younger years and Ehle's actress mother, Rosemary Harris, in later life. The loveliest and most inspiring character in \"Sunshine,\" Valerie is our only human link between all the events. Thematic threads weave through, too. \"Sunshine\" is about anti-Semitism, the scourge that the Sonnenscheins endure through each political change. Even when they try to assimilate, changing their name and religion (to Roman Catholicism), bigotry in some form, from street beatings to the Holocaust to waves of Stalinist anti-Semitism, keeps recurring - never more horrifyingly than when we see Adam, a national hero (based on an actual Hungarian fencing champion), beaten and hosed to death in a camp, before his young son Ivan's eyes. Szabo has been Hungary's preeminent director since the '60s, progressing from warm, experimental films like 1966's \"Father\" to his Oscar-winning 1981 breakthrough \"Mephisto\" to his underrated 1991 English language debut film, \"Meeting Venus.\" Szabo met his great constant colleague, cinematographer Lajos Koltai, in 1979 on \"Confidence,\" and \"Sunshine\" marks the peak of their collaboration to date. It is a ravishingly shot film, a succession of extraordinarily beautiful or evocative period images that richly summon up the major phases of Hungarian history. The blissful, naive isolation of the first rich Sonnenscheins - with sad-eyed patriarch Emmanuel (David de Keyser) and volatile mother Rose (Miriam Margolyes at her most Dickensian), providing a temporary haven for young Ignatz, Valerie and Ignatz' socialist doctor brother Gustave (played as a young man by James Frain and later by John Neville) - gives way to the combats and struggles, under the Horthy regime, of peerless swordfighter Adam. And that increasingly fascist milieu leads straight to the Holocaust and, after World War II, to the brutalities of the communist government. Szabo, who spent most of his career under Marxist governments, has never before shown one with such scathing criticism and scorn. What Szabo wants to show - and often does brilliantly - is that each regime collapses in turn into tyranny and bigotry while most of the Sonnenscheins (like the Finzi-Continis in Vittorio De Sica's 1971 film) procrastinate or delude themselves. When \"Sunshine\" goes wrong, it is simply because it tries to do too much, too fast. The movie is three hours long, and I think it would have been better at six, perhaps in two parts. Because of that scope and breadth, Fiennes has been unjustly criticized as the great glowering stone face, dourly serious to the end. Yet Fiennes plays all the roles with deep understanding, burning intensity and rich contrast, if not quite enough compensating lightness or irony. The mother-daughter team of Harris and Ehle are "}, {"response": 1726, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (11:26)", "body": "Here's the Boston Globe's review (2-1/2 stars): A few dim spots don't diminish 'Sunshine' Boston Globe Published: 6/23/2000 By Jay Carr, Boston Globe Few filmmakers have so consistently brought to historical subjects the beauty and craftsmanship that Istvan Szabo has over a long, distinguished career. ''Sunshine,'' his most ambitious film yet, is a heartfelt and handsomely wrought three-hour saga of a Hungarian Jewish family over three generations, covering more than a century. It's neatly divided into three acts signified by three ruling regimes - monarchial, fascist, and communist - all multiplying the family's woes. Yet some of the tragedies endured by the Sonnenschein family are brought on by the repeated desire of its more conservative members to put an end to their outsider status and become assimilated into the establishment. This is in large part a vain hope, but the family keeps regenerating its mistaken urge to belong, once the family establishes itself comfortably in a beautifully burnished turn of the century world on the strength of a patent medicine. The elixir's formula is borne to Budapest by Emmanuel, sewn into the lining of his coat when he leaves his village. But Emmanuel passes on a desire to be respectable, and it keeps costing his family. This is where Ralph Fiennes comes in. His contribution would in the hands of other actors be called a tour de force. But showiness is antithetical to Fiennes. He plays Emmanuel's son, grandson, and great-grandson with fire, but it's interiorized, except when it erupts in a passionate sex scene, which happens once in each character's life. Emmanuel's son, Ignatz, becomes a lawyer and judge, but at the cost of his identity. He changes his name from Sonnenschein (German for Sunshine) to Sors (Hungarian for destiny). He also converts to Catholicism. It works so far as his career goes. He gets his judgeship and even an audience with Emperor Franz Josef as he goes off to World War I, but his personal life crumbles. Jennifer Ehle's Valerie, a free spirit who is his cousin and was raised as his sister when her own father died, is passionately drawn to him. She acts on her passion. He responds, and they marry, despite the misgivings of his parents. But when Ignatz makes his deal, she denounces him as a sellout, comparing him unfavorably to his social reformer firebrand brother, Gustave. In the next generation, Fiennes turns up as Ignatz's son, Adam, who becomes a champion fencer, but finds his advancement blocked and must make the same decision as his father as Hungary cozies up to the Nazis. So, too, does Adam's son, Ivan, also played by Fiennes. In contrast to Adam's fiery elegance, Ivan is a grim ideologue, driven by guilt at having survived World War II when his father didn't and determined to revenge himself on fascists as a communist witch-hunter. Until, of course, he, too, finds politics blowing up in his face. Each man in each generation is guilty of moral or emotional betrayal, and Fiennes impressively dimensionalizes all of them. Such dimension is needed because while Szabo's partly autobiographical chronicle has breadth, it can't always be said to have equivalent depth. As the years pile up, its schematic nature becomes ever more apparent and the characters threaten to grow emblematic. One big reason the last part, depicting Ivan's struggle to replenish his soul by making contact with his roots, doesn't evaporate is a pair of outstanding performances by William Hurt and Rosemary Harris. Ehle's mother in real life, the invaluable Harris plays Ehle's character, Valerie, in old age. Her serenity and magisterial spirit buoy the film no end. So does Hurt's performance as a damaged man, but a worthy one, who begins as Ivan's superior and finds himself on the wrong end of a purge. In a film climate starved for substance, I wish I could be more enthusiastic about Szabo's latest film. It's rich and committed. It's studded with juicy performances. Its themes matter. Even the sex scenes are urgent, especially the ones involving Ivan and Deborah Kara Unger, whose status as the wife of another Party member makes her a highly risky proposition, which possibly contributes to their abandon. In short, there's much to admire here, yet one can't help harboring reservations stemming from the scanting of character development. The film sometimes hyperventilates in an effort to put it there, and the characters sometimes speak in comic-strip balloons, clumsily illustrating the historic significance of what we're seeing. The Sonnenscheins pay a heavy price to learn that you've got to be yourself, and ''Sunshine'' sometimes brings a heavy hand to their story. Still, ''Sunshine'' is a cinematic journey worth taking, even if it does stumble."}, {"response": 1727, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (11:26)", "body": "Great reviews for the ladies and \"Sunshine\" at The San Francisco Chronicle and Seattle(?) Times. I have to say that his film seems to have received much better reviews in the US than in the UK, apart from The Telegraph which praised Jennifer and wanted to start a competition in her name!"}, {"response": 1728, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (11:31)", "body": "And here's the Boston Herald's review (3 stars) `Sunshine' is dark fable, murkily told Movie review/by James Verniere Friday, June 23, 2000 \"Sunshine\" Rated R. At the Nickelodeon and Kendall Square Cinemas. Istvan Szabo's novelistic drama ``Sunshine'' is a conspicuously dark fable about a shattered dream of European assimilation. Charting a Jewish-Hungarian family's calamitous destiny in 20th century Europe, this three-hour English-language film was co-written by Hungarian Szabo and American playwright Israel Horovitz and features Ralph Fiennes in three roles and a fine supporting cast, including John Hurt. If the protagonists, the misguided, internally divisive members of the eponymous Sonnenschein clan (sonnenschein means ``sunshine'' in German), aren't the equals of the house of Atreus in terms of classical tragedy, it's not a fatal flaw. The story starts with a bang, literally, and an evil omen when a Sonnenschein elder blows himself to smithereens in a village in the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the mid-19th century. He had been pursuing the family business, distilling a popular alcoholic tonic dubbed ``A Taste of Sunshine.'' But the dead man's son Emmanuelle (David de Keyser) prospers in Budapest, thanks to the family's secret recipe, a rather plodding metaphor, and his brilliant, ambitious son Ignatz (Ralph Fiennes) is named a judge around the turn of the century. Although he is asked to change his name to something less Jewish if he wishes to rise in his profession, Ignatz remains steadfast in his admiration for Emperor Franz Joseph, whom he meets, and the emperor's vision of a more tolerant Empire. Against his parents' wishes, Ignatz has also married his virtual sister Valerie (Jennifer Ehle), a free-thinking, free-spirited cousin and photographer raised by Ignatz's parents. Part Cassandra, part Circe, Valerie may also have had an affair with Ignatz' hotheaded brother Gustave (James Frain), a physician and political extremist fighting for the rights of the poor. The patterns set into motion - brother against brother, brothers sleeping with each other's wives, catastrophic political affiliations - repeat themselves in the second half, with the Sonnenschein family tormented by the Nazis and then by the Communists. You may find yourself watching these events, including a grotesque murder at the hands of Nazis, thinking the Sonnenschein family is cursed, but not sure by what. Ignatz's son Adam (Fiennes), a dashing, gold medal-winning fencer at the 1936 Olympics, is given a chance to elude fate when he's asked to coach a fencing team in America. But a mix of hubris, stupidity and tradition holds him fast to his nominal Hungarian homeland, even after he and his family hear the news of the Nazi laws against the Jews on the radio in one unforgettable scene. After World War II, Adam's son Ivan (also Fiennes) dedicates himself to the Communist cause, only to be tormented by the party's deadly Stalinist machinations. Szabo (``Mephisto,'' ``Colonel Redl,'' ``Hanussen'') is an able storyteller and filmmaker, and ``Sunshine'' can be favorably compared to Bernardo Bertolucci's epic ``1900'' (1977) and Luchino Visconti's ``The Leopard'' (1963). But Fiennes' performances are uneven and opaque (he's turning into Laurence Harvey). And just as Ignatz fails to heed his father's advice to ``take nothing on trust; see everything,'' Szabo fails to grasp his story's meaning. ``Mephisto'' (1981) is a more satisfying variation on similar themes chiefly because of the bravura per-formance by Klaus Maria Brandauer as its actor-hero. In addition to Fiennes in three roles, ``Sunshine'' features Ehle's mother, Rosemary Harris, as the elder Valerie. She's the voice of matriarchal wisdom in the film's reconciliatory closing scenes. But it's hard to know what to make of Valerie's dedication to photographing ``what is beautiful in life.'' The photographs of death camp victims taken by a Nazi collaborator are far more enlightening than Valerie's pretty pictures. Her aesthetic sounds like an intellectual death sentence."}, {"response": 1729, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (11:32)", "body": "We're suckers for schmaltzy epics. ;-)"}, {"response": 1730, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (11:41)", "body": "*evelyn on her knees* There is a God!! Thank you Mari and Karen.Looks like a winner....not for everybody, I repeat.It is R-rated:\"sexuality, violence, torture, language and nudity\". No kidding. Don't go expecting Jane Austen.And three hours of Rafe can be \"off-putting\" too. ~~~~~~~~ Chicago Tribune:The movie is three hours long, and I think it would have been better at six, perhaps in two parts. Whaaat??Hey...last year at this time we were trying to find a distributor for three!! At the risk of being unpopular, I am thrilled for Rafe too...he needed a winner.He keeps slogging away at these artistic films that get panned."}, {"response": 1731, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (11:42)", "body": "Oh!"}, {"response": 1732, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (11:44)", "body": "we're suckers for schmaltzy epics Oh, again."}, {"response": 1733, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (11:48)", "body": "My Paramount rep called and said Paramount doubled the cities for release."}, {"response": 1734, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (12:02)", "body": "Where else it it playing Evelyn, we have had San Francisco, Chicago, Seattle, Philadelphia, Boston, Dallas (forgot to mention that there is a very good review there as well), Washington (not so good), anywhere else?"}, {"response": 1735, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (12:03)", "body": "Evelyn, you really must check out the San Franciso Chronicle, it is really excellent for JE."}, {"response": 1736, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (13:04)", "body": "San Francisco Chronicle http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2000/06/23/DD3813.DTL&type=movies ~~~~~~ \"JE the sunshine in SUNSHINE.....\" I'm gonna send this guy a bunch of roses :-) WOW, what a year for her....Paramount picked a good week. Me Myself and Irene and Chicken Run (good reviews here)are the only competition. Don't know where else it's playing besides the cities you mentioned.. Dallas (forgot to mention that there is a very good review there as well This reviewer is a big P&P fan, don't forget.He gave MLSF a good one too. Likes both of them. Playing in 3 theatres in the SF too."}, {"response": 1737, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (15:47)", "body": "Also in Detroit. Not a good review for the film or Rafe, but I liked this part: The firewall is the fine performance by Ehle, star of the \"Masterpiece Theatre\" version of \"Pride and Prejudice,\" and her mother, Rosemary Harris, who plays Valerie as the decades roll on."}, {"response": 1738, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (16:03)", "body": "Good one (4 out of 5 stars) in the Arizona Republic (so I guess Phoenix, Tucson and environs) http://azcentral.com/rep/movies/articles/0623sunshine23.html Also playing in San Diego. Review is so-so, but good for the ladies."}, {"response": 1739, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (16:28)", "body": "Evelyn, you owe this guy flowers too.:-) From the Portland, Oregonian: Sunshine' illumines family's walk into darkness Friday, June 23, 2000 Grade: A- Cast and crew: Ralph Fiennes, Rosemary Harris, Jennifer Ehle, William Hurt, Miriam Margolyes, Rachel Weisz, Deborah Unger, David De Keyser; directed by Istvan Szabo Rated: R for language, nudity, sexual content, violence; mature teens only Running time: 174 minutes The lowdown: A truly epic film, deserving of every bit of its nearly three-hour running length. Fiennes plays three generations of Hungarian Jews who struggle to fit into society even if they must deny themselves and their gifts to do so. The sprawl of history is on display, but so is human lust, regret and vindictiveness. Plus it's beautiful to watch: a real sleeper and a treat. By Shawn Levy of The Oregonian staff Sonnenschein means \"sunshine\" in German, but for the Sonnenschein family of Budapest, Hungary, there seems hardly ever to be a cloudless day. The Sonnenscheins have the mixed fortune of being clever, prosperous, talented and comely people of Jewish descent in Eastern Europe during the 20th century, a place and time in which virtually all their good traits are likely to evoke fear, suspicion, jealousy and genocidal mania in those around them. \"Sunshine,\" which tells the story of four generations of the Sonnenscheins, is one of those rare films that not only merits its three-hour running time but demands it: Not only does \"Sunshine\" depict the travails of one star-crossed family, it also encapsulates a full history of modern Hungary and, indeed, Europe. The film is a tour de force for Istvan Szabo, who directed and co-wrote with Israel Horowitz, and for Ralph Fiennes, who extends his string of solid performances in period films by playing three scions of the Sonnenschein family: Ignatz, the nebbishy judge who dearly loves Emperor Franz Josef; Adam, the haughty fencing champion imprisoned in the Holocaust; and Ivan, the rabidly anti-fascist policeman who joins the 1956 anti-Soviet uprising in a startling turn of heart. That said, the film is so filled with riches that it seems a bit unfair to single out Szabo and Fiennes, no matter how outstanding their work. Two actresses, for instance, play the role of Valerie Sonnenschein, cousin and wife to Ignatz, mother to Adam, grandmother to Ivan. She alone spans all the generations of the story, and it's Szabo's great inspiration and fortune to have Jennifer Ehle play her as a spirited lass and Ehle's real-life mother, the great Rosemary Harris, portray the character later in life. There are fine turns by William Hurt as a communist policeman with a wise and forgiving heart and Miriam Margolyes and David De Keyser as the founding mother and father of the Sonnenschein dynasty -- hardly a role isn't well-played. tIn spots, the film sags, but it reawakens through Szabo's continual return to the central theme of masking, hiding and assimilating: Whether it's Ignatz's decision to change the family name to Sors (Hungarian for 'fate'), Adam's donning of the protective mask of the amateur swordsman, or Ivan's attempt to avenge the family's suffering through the guise of officialdom, the Sonnenscheins are haunted by the need to seem other than what they truly are. And the viewer, too, is haunted by this vital, sprawling and intelligent story. ******* Also playing in Minneapolis, MN. Bad review, and the writer's name is Colin--for shame!;-)"}, {"response": 1740, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (17:30)", "body": "Thanks Mari...interesting what different reviewers focus on...I rather go with: The story of a century. Arizona Republic issues the warning that I posted on Virtual Views. \"This film is not for everyone...\" ~~~~~~ June has been a lucky month for Jennifer:-)"}, {"response": 1741, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (21:35)", "body": "v. long and complimentary article about Gary Sinise in The Times. His One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest will be at the Barbican from July 27 to August 5. I've seen it and it's very, very good. Amy Morton, who played Nan/Lina in 3DOR, does Nurse Ratched. http://www.the-times.co.uk/news/pages/tim/2000/06/24/timmetmfl02001.html"}, {"response": 1742, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (22:04)", "body": "Jennifer Ehle made Entertainment Weekly's \"It List--The 100 most creative people in entertainment.\" This is the June 30/July 7 issue. They have her listed as \"It Brit.\" Gorgeous full-page photo. Copy: Age: 30 Why her: Best known in the U.S. for playing Elizabeth Bennet in A&E's Pride & Prejudice, Ehle was genuinely stunning in Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing--which won her a Tony against formidable competition (like her mom, stage legend Rosemary Harris). Work Ritual: Diet Coke and a shower. Worst Career Moment: In a production of Crimes of the Heart, \"I walked onstage with my skirt tucked into my knickers, and just felt this draft. It was like a big signpost: This is a comedy.\" Dream Collaborator: Meryl Streep. \"Me and every other actress in Equity. She should just do a mass crowd scene, put us all in it, and make us happy.\" Dream Project: Cat On A Hot Tin Roof Influential Movie: \"Xanadu--I just wanted pastel leg warmers and roller skates.\" Next: She's currently on screen with Ralph Fiennes in Sunshine."}, {"response": 1743, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jun 24, 2000 (01:29)", "body": "Interesting that her dream project is COAHTR, as is was rumoured a couple of years ago in the Baz B (Daily Mail) column that she was to take the lead in a Peter Hall? production."}, {"response": 1744, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Jun 24, 2000 (04:35)", "body": "(Tineke)I am now rooting for Portugal and Italy - for Portugal because they've been playing so well and for Italy because I like their shirts;-) ROTFLOL! That's one hell of a reason to root for a team :-) German and English kids in Albufeira all go around in Portuguese shirts with 7 FIGO written on them... I hope you have a great time in Italy, Moon and Tineke. I envy you :-)"}, {"response": 1745, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 24, 2000 (07:55)", "body": "Thanks, Gi! BTW, I hope you have a great #1 wedding anniversary. Tineke, email me and let me know where you will be. Influential Movie: \"Xanadu--I just wanted pastel leg warmers and roller skates.\" Huh? LOL! Congratulations on the reviews, Evelyn!"}, {"response": 1746, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Jun 24, 2000 (10:06)", "body": "Boy, when you're hot, you're sssmmmmmokin'! Jennifer Ehle is also featured in a full-page article in this weekend's Parade magazine (Sunday newspaper supplement included with major papers throughout the U.S.) Sorry, I'm in a real rush here and won't have time to post it until tomorrow night at the earliest, but maybe someone else will. Moon, you'll be happy to know that David Leveaux also made the EW \"It 100 List\" as did Sandy Powell, the costume designer who won the Oscar for SIL."}, {"response": 1747, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 24, 2000 (11:40)", "body": "Moon, you'll be happy to know that David Leveaux also made the EW \"It 100 List\" Of course! But is there a picture? :-D"}, {"response": 1748, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jun 24, 2000 (13:35)", "body": "Jennifer & her mother are also in the Weekend magazine of the Daily Mai here, large article and lots of photos and a great one of Rosemary and young Jennifer, one we have not seen before and RH looks very young indeed and it is uncanny how alike they are. Aishling is sening it to Evelyn, and if it is okay with you Karen I will scan it and send it to you, perhaps you could put it up here."}, {"response": 1749, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 24, 2000 (16:27)", "body": "Here is the picture that Ann's husband scanned in:"}, {"response": 1750, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 24, 2000 (21:34)", "body": "Entertainment Weekly June 30-July 7th The It List... The 100 most creative people in entertainment IT BRIT"}, {"response": 1751, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Jun 25, 2000 (07:51)", "body": "ODDS and Ends for sure... Our favorite Lisa Zane (Femme Fatale) in the news, see 4th paragraph. This from NY Post: FOR now, 21-year-old Australian actor Heath Ledger can get around town without a posse and without being set upon by eager fans. He should enjoy the moment, because by the time Independence Day has passed, he will have lost his own independence. Ledger is about to become a huge star, this year's Leo DiCaprio, thanks to his performance as the son of fellow Aussie Mel Gibson in Sony's about-to-open \"The Patriot,\" the movie everyone thinks will be this summer's blockbuster. I saw it the other night, and it is terribly good. It's long, for sure, but I don't think the many old fans of the dashing Gibson - and the many new fans Ledger is going to attract - will complain. Ledger comes across as a very sensible, down-home kind of young man. But he seems to already know his way around Hollywood. When he arrived there, wet behind the ears some three years ago, he was \"adopted\" by the smarter of the Brat Pack. Within a very few months, for example, Liza Zane (sister of \"Titanic\" star Billy) had dumped her boyfriend, and she and young Heath became an item. Then the breaks started coming. He made \"10 Things I Hate About You\" (an adaptation of Shakespeare's \"The Taming of the Shrew\") and was deluged with offers to do more teen-oriented movies. He held out, living on noodles and water, going back to Australia for a few roles and, finally, being offered \"The Patriot.\" He says Gibson taught him a lot, and that they had fun on the set talking in Down Under slang, which is incomprehensible even to those who've seen \"Crocodile Dundee\" a dozen times. Next up, he stars in \"A Knight's Tale,\" which has Ledger dashing around in armor and jousting with superior forces. If it smacks of Gibson in \"Braveheart\" and the other current Aussie sensation, Russell Crowe, in \"Gladiator,\" so be it. Heath was just one of the crowd at Henri Bendel's benefit performance of \"The Donkey Show\" (a disco version of \"Midsummer Night's Dream\") the other evening. Fellow guests Monica Lewinsky and Lisa Ling got far more attention, but that won't be the case next week."}, {"response": 1752, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun 25, 2000 (11:50)", "body": "JE is featured in a full page interview and pic in this Sunday's \"Parade\" magazine. Ann, you'll like the pic ...\"creamy-dreamy-Ehle\".The above one is artistic Vanity Fair does lots of those. Also full page in July's \"Interview\" magazine. What with this weekend's spread in the Daily Mail magazine.... Looks like she's; Flavor of the Month\"!!"}, {"response": 1753, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jun 25, 2000 (11:56)", "body": "Evelyn, what did you think of Sunshine, I am dying to know!! Aishling is going to send you the Weekend Magazine article, it's a lovely interview with RH, brought tears to our eyes."}, {"response": 1754, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun 25, 2000 (14:33)", "body": "SUNSHINE is a haunting film. The film made an impact on me long after I left the cinema.On the plane trip home, I couldn\ufffdt read....I kept thinking about the characters and the incidents that molded their lives. It\ufffds the story of the century and a romance with Hungary. This film could only have been made by a European director and I\ufffdm glad Istvan Szabo had the guts to undertake it; his good fortune was to find the flawless cast. RF just blew me away....sorry folks, no one else on the planet could have played these three roles. I don\ufffdt know how he can be ignored for an Oscar nomination...but he probably will. The film is chock full of symbolism which I haven\ufffdt deciphered yet. (KJ needed here!). Lavish costumes and Budapest interiors, sweeping sountrack. I thought every detail had been attended to, til I spoke to Karen who pointed out some flaws in Jewish culture. .Three hours long, but it should have been four with an intermission. Sadly , the film has some holes, due to drastic editing. Jennifer was superb..just like the reviewer said..\ufffdthe sunshine in Sunshine\ufffd.William Hurt also delivered a tremendous performance.The director was lucky to get her and Mum. And Jennifer was lucky she met him at a party in London for Glen Close. One never knows where the next break is gonna come from."}, {"response": 1755, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jun 25, 2000 (16:31)", "body": "Thanks for your review Evelyn, but you didn't say anything about RH, I thought she was wonderful at the end, she had a wonderful rapport with RF's character (sorry name escapes me)and the scene where she collapses whilst they are looking for the recipe was so moving, imo. My only complaint would be that the film lagged a bit at times, particularly all those fencing scenes and towards the end. Also, the \"joy\" really did go out of the film once Jennifer morphed into her Mum, she really does light up the screen. Also some scenes at the end where quite unnecessary imo."}, {"response": 1756, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jun 25, 2000 (16:32)", "body": "or at least one particular scene, but Aishling and I had to \"chuckle\" to ourselves, say no more."}, {"response": 1757, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jun 25, 2000 (17:28)", "body": "Karen, I would love to hear you opinion of RF's performance, has your opinion improved upon acquaintance!"}, {"response": 1758, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun 25, 2000 (21:56)", "body": "RH's performance was excellent...but IMO RH as Valerie was the thread that held the family together....picked up the pieces of broken china. Jennifer had less screen time, but more actual acting time.Jennifer dominated the first third of the film. RH's lines were short, philosophical. by the time she came on the scene, Adam's life was developing and Valerie sort of stood around. I LOVED the fencing scene.Almost a ballet...in the sumptuous surroundings,with the tittillating undercurrents of love. I was not offended by the sex scenes. Lust and power are the themes of the film....in all forms.The film never lagged for me...I was in awe of the story of this century in Hungary.And inserting the newsreels gave it more of a documentary feeling...so one had the feeling that *perhaps* this did occur after all."}, {"response": 1759, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun 25, 2000 (22:21)", "body": "PARADE Magazine 6/25/00 Interview copy: http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/Alley/4820/ehle_int/parade.html"}, {"response": 1760, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (01:31)", "body": "I was not offended by the sex scenes -, nor was I, it was just that one scene in particular seemed a near impossibility, hee hee."}, {"response": 1761, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (12:22)", "body": "Evelyn, I like this Parade pic much better."}, {"response": 1762, "author": "susanne", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (12:27)", "body": "Overall, the sex scenes were disappointing, I was expecting some really hot stuff. :-)) Just kidding ladies. But after all the talk about them, they were actually a lot tamer than I thought they would be. I think there was some serious editing for our virtuous American sensibilities. Oh please, pass me the smelling salts. Sex against a tree, oh my. :-))"}, {"response": 1763, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (12:31)", "body": "but it was a physical impossibility, wasn't it!"}, {"response": 1764, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (12:37)", "body": "Evelyn, I like this Parade pic much better I do too....but I find it's a 'generational call'....the v. v. young prefer the Entertainment Weekly pic....they say it's \"cool\".LOL ~~~~~~~~ From Playbill: FANYS \"Friends of NY Theatre Award\" presented yesterday. To:BEST PLAY of the season: Noel Coward's\"Waiting in the Wings\"(bodes well for RV ) BEST LEADING ACTRESS: Rosemary Harris....(Yeay!!Jennifer was not in competition...but Judi Dench from Amy's View from last year was....!) TRT lost out to Kiss Me Kate in Best Revival Reporter commented: \"The since-shuttered Wings had two wins -- the top play award and Outstanding Actress in a Play for Rosemary Harris. Harris, not competing against her daughter, The Real Thing's Jennifer Ehle, recalled a scene from The Royal Family where the mother of Gwen tells her daughter, anxious to leave the theatre profession, that she must stay on because one day she will be the very best of the family of actors and \"I will be so happy.\" The gracious Harris was obviously happy to be honored herself after losing the Tony Award to her child. \" and Sarah Woodward from TRT also lost out on Best Supporting.."}, {"response": 1765, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (15:55)", "body": "Evelyn, I was on Broadway Saturday. well not me personally, but took my daughter to see Footloose, it was great! Saw the Barrymore (really wanted to get the discount Real thing Tix, but it's definitely not a show for kids. SO.. Am going back next month with mom and gonna see The Real Thing!!!) Spent weekend in NYC with Beck's SHE LOVED TIMES SQUARE!! Don't think she's ever seen so many people (strange ones too like one guy with wings;)!) Ended up in middle of gay pride parade (5th ave) (lots of fun) we were doing the touristy things, Empire state building, Statue of Liberty (nice sunburn, btw). We stayed CPW up by Columbia University, (I drove into NYC) Parked car in garage overnight and had a wonderful time. (Next time guys, eat at Langans on W. 47th and Broadway. It's amazing, and the staff is wonderful!!!)"}, {"response": 1766, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (16:31)", "body": "(Laura)Am going back next month with mom and gonna see The Real Thing!!!) Watch your email...I've sent you a ticket discount offer from the Producers. Wait for Jennifer after the show...stage door to left of main entrance.She likes to meet her fans.(But don't take a pic).Have fun:-))"}, {"response": 1767, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (17:21)", "body": "Good showing for Sunshine over the weekend. The film took in about $350,000 on just 58 screens, making it the #18 film in the country. Average per screen was a v.v. good $6,000."}, {"response": 1768, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (18:09)", "body": "Rebecca got the autographs of all the \"male\" stars of Footloose! We're going to see nsync next month (nah, she's not spoiled;)). Okay, mommy, got all the autographs of the male footloose cast;) I was gonna head over to W.47th to see JE come out of theatre, but Beck's and I were tired and Times Square was a zoo (as usual). Got email, Thank you Very very very very much!!!"}, {"response": 1769, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (07:26)", "body": "Seems like you had a lovely time in NYC, Laura,great! :-)"}, {"response": 1770, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (07:45)", "body": "It's great to see JE getting so much recognition. I guess I'm not v.v.young anymore, I don't pass the \"cool\" test. Like Gi and Evelyn, I prefer the Parade photograph. Say, for Americans out there (of a certain age), doesn't toddler JE remind you of Tabitha in that shot? I know this is changing the subject, but I made a joke the other day to the bank teller after she asked me for my phone code. I said, \"shouldn't we have the cone of silence for this?\" She didn't understand the reference! She was too young! I grow old, I grow old I shall wear the bottom of my trousers rolled."}, {"response": 1771, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (08:05)", "body": "Sadie, if you're old, then so am I. And I'm only 21;-) I'm with Ann, Gi and Sadie, I'm not too fond of the Entertaiment Weekly pic. Moon, my sister saw Del Piero and another Italian player in Antwerp last week. Apparently the Italian team is staying in Antwerp during the tournament. According to my sister they looked very macho, shimmering black hair (all that gel), cell phone,..."}, {"response": 1772, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (08:12)", "body": "According to my sister they looked very macho, shimmering black hair (all that gel), cell phone,... Must keep in touch with la mamma, macho or not. ;-)"}, {"response": 1773, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (12:09)", "body": "Today is William's (WER's) Birthday, in case anyone wondered..."}, {"response": 1774, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (15:59)", "body": "(Sadie) \"shouldn't we have the cone of silence for this?\" LOL, Sadie! Someone made a \"cone of silence\" reference at work the other day and several of us had a good laugh. Then I looked over and noticed one of my younger colleagues looking very perplexed, obviously not getting the joke. Sigh, I've officially joined the older generation ;-)."}, {"response": 1775, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (16:02)", "body": "What's the \"cone of silence\"? I've led a sheltered life."}, {"response": 1776, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (20:56)", "body": "OK - here's an explanation of the infamous \"cone of silence,\" but it's one of those gags where you sort of \"had to be there.\" It was a running gag on the old Get Smart series with Don Adams playing secret agent Maxwell Smart. Whenever agent Smart and the Chief had to discuss a secret, they would sit at a desk and this big plastic bubble would be lowered from the ceiling, the cone of silence, where the 2 could discuss top secrets. Of course once inside, neither one could hear the other and they had to shout. A very Monty Pythonesque, silly running gag."}, {"response": 1777, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (21:20)", "body": "Whenever agent Smart and the Chief had to discuss a secret, they would sit at a desk and this big plastic bubble would be lowered from the ceiling, Oh...you mean like the Inner Board on Spring;-)"}, {"response": 1778, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (09:19)", "body": "Great explanation of the cone of silence's highly technical functioning, Donna. Now that I am thirty (gulp) I know it will only get worse --- saying things that no one understands because they're too young. And I just got used to saying things that no one understands because they're too old! As mentioned on other boards, I'm goin'camping. Leaving today. Am wondering: how hard can it be in the woods, when I've survived big American cities on long weekends? We'll be there for two weeks, as boyfriend has determined it's not real camping unless you stay long enough for your cooler to run out of food. Sure hope he knows as much about this scene as he claims! I'm a city girl. Will miss the wildness of you all at Drool."}, {"response": 1779, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (09:25)", "body": "Try to enjoy yourself, Sadie! I am not the camping type either, I feel for you. I am also not the lost in the woods, amist the bears, cabin girl either.;-) Wishing everyone a lovely summer, I am off to Italy tomorrow. Happy Birthday to all the summer firthettes. Arrivederci!"}, {"response": 1780, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (09:26)", "body": "Have fun, Sadie. Make sure boyfriend gets all bitten up by flying or crawly things, then find closest motel with swimming pool/ bar and enjoy your wilderness experience. ;-)"}, {"response": 1781, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (09:42)", "body": "Sadie & Moon...we'll miss you both:-( Hurry back, Moon so we can do AZ....we've been saying that for three years! And who knows...upon your return we might have news of an exhilarating Colin-project.( Ever Hopeful )"}, {"response": 1782, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (09:44)", "body": "Have a great and fruitful time, Moon. Will be eagerly anticipating stories of your adventures."}, {"response": 1783, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (09:52)", "body": "Have fun in the wilderness, Sadie. Why don't you watch the Blair Witch Project before you leave?;-) unless you stay long enough for your cooler to run out of food I'm going camping as well, but we're not bringing a cooler. There's no room for it on our bikes;-) And Moon, I wish I could be more specific about my trip, but now it seems we won't be able to leave on July 4th after all. You know, we may even end up in England instead;-) Have fun!"}, {"response": 1784, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (10:27)", "body": "Sadie, have a great time Camping it up!;-) We're doing Yosemite in a few weeks, but definitely *not* roughing it. To me, the outdoors is something I have to go through to get from my house to my car.;-) ;-) Moon--Arrivederci, Luna! Spero che vi divertiate!"}, {"response": 1785, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (12:34)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1786, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (12:35)", "body": "Psssst! I heard Tineke passed her exams with honours. Good for you!!"}, {"response": 1787, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (16:53)", "body": "Sadie, what can I say? I hope you come back unscathed ;-) Moon, have fun in Italy. I've just watched the Portugal vs France game, and am feeling very low; I hope Italy is more fortunate. Auguri!"}, {"response": 1788, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (18:10)", "body": "Sadie, my idea of going camping is visiting the park. Beware of the flies, mosquitoes, and gnats. I hope you come back unscathed. Moon, may you and your family have a lovely time in Italy."}, {"response": 1789, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (18:42)", "body": "I'm sure I missed you both, Moon and Sadie. Have fun, stay safe and come on back. Congratulations Tineke on a successful academic year. Are you continuing with your studies? Have fun on your bike trip. And Mari's leaving for Yosemite soon. Driving out? I always wanted to see the USA in my Chevrolet. Sheesh, I'm spending my vacation next week at home painting and it won't be art, folks."}, {"response": 1790, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (19:40)", "body": "Yeah, Tineke!!! (we don't remember what happened two years ago right???) Just one other thing, are you making the money in the basement at university? Because if you are, send some my way;)) Have a wonderful trip and CONGRATULATIONS!!!"}, {"response": 1791, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (20:43)", "body": "INTERVIEW Magazine: July 2000 Interview: http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/Alley/4820/ehle_int/interview.html"}, {"response": 1792, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Jun 29, 2000 (18:53)", "body": "Nice pic. She should have worn that dress to the Tonys."}, {"response": 1793, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 29, 2000 (19:34)", "body": "I liked the Tony dress more. Don't like pattern evening clothes.IMO"}, {"response": 1794, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jun 29, 2000 (19:47)", "body": "I agree with you, evelyn. THAT dress would've been too um, loud??? :)"}, {"response": 1795, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 29, 2000 (21:42)", "body": "How about this dress? Better? INTERVIEW Mag July issue Mari...what designer did you say this was?"}, {"response": 1796, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Jun 30, 2000 (00:16)", "body": "I may be a little late with this, but what the heck ;-). Gi, let me congratulate you to such a brilliant football team - I was so sad when they lost to France. For me they are the winners of Euro 2000. And not only because they are the best looking team (Nuno! Vitor! Joao!) in their darkred/green trikots. ;-) Now my heart is with Italy (Moon, are you happy?). I liked the match between Netherlands/Italy because the players of the opposite teams were so friendly together."}, {"response": 1797, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Fri, Jun 30, 2000 (01:18)", "body": "The blue coat is by Louis Vuitton, the pattern evening dress is by Versace. Moon, are you happy? I'm sure she is. I must confess I had to laugh quite a few times during the match last night. I couldn't believe the Dutch missed 5 penalties out of 6!"}, {"response": 1798, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Jun 30, 2000 (06:34)", "body": "(Tineke) I couldn't believe the Dutch missed 5 penalties out of 6! Especially after Kluivert had been brilliant in the game against Yugoslavia. BTW, do belgians have the same mixed feelings about the dutch as we have towards the spaniards? ;-) (Renata)Gi, let me congratulate you to such a brilliant football team - I was so sad when they lost to France. For me they are the winners of Euro 2000. And not only because they are the best looking team (Nuno! Vitor! Joao!) in their darkred/green trikots. ;-) Thank you, my dear My personal favourite is Luis Figo, but I admit the only ugly one is Dimas, and I could help him there ;-) I was very disapointed when they lost. They *are* a good bunch and played beautifully. Calling a penalty was cruel at that stage, when the move was apparently only instinctive."}, {"response": 1799, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 30, 2000 (08:22)", "body": "EW online has put the It List up, but only about 20 of the people profiled. No Jennifer. http://www.ew.com/ew/feature/0,1917,219,itlist2000.html"}, {"response": 1800, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 30, 2000 (08:52)", "body": "(Karen)EW online has put the It List up, but only about 20 of the people profiled. No Jennifer. I complained...though I hated to since they gave her such a good review in Sunshine. \"The classy cast includes James Frain, Rachel Weisz, and William Hurt. And none is classier than recent Tony Award winner Jennifer Ehle as free thinking Valerie Sonnenschein, the story's bright center. Another bright detail the luminous Ehle's glowing mother, Rosemary Harris. Grade: B+\" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Is England out of the running for the Euro Cup? Then I'm cheering for Italy...ODB's other home."}, {"response": 1801, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Fri, Jun 30, 2000 (10:07)", "body": "BTW, do belgians have the same mixed feelings about the dutch as we have towards the spaniards? ;-) LOL!! YES!! We have a love-hate relationship with the Dutch. We've got lots of Dutch friends, we get along very well, but when it comes to sport, we don't want the Dutch to win. There was a survey in Belgium, they asked who should win Euro 2000. About 75% replied it didn't matter as long is it's not Holland. Acutally, I think most people wanted Portugal to win. Of the 4 teams that made it to the semis, Portugal is the only team that has both feet on the ground, that didn't announce for the entire world that they would win. The Dutch tend to be rather arrogant at times and we don't like that. And then there's Kluivert.....let's not start about him. He's lucky he's such a good football player or he'd be in prison. Most Dutch realise that so he's not that popular, but I think all the goals he made makes up for it. Isn't it funny how all these neighbouring countries feel about each other?"}, {"response": 1802, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jun 30, 2000 (17:03)", "body": "Tine, I'm surprised that you'd actually be yakking it up about Kluivert, when I did during the World Cup, Lise knocked me down to size! Now what about the blonde (UGH, I forgot his name!! plays for Arsenal during reg season???) Had a crush on him. Found out he doesn't fly, strange bird;)"}, {"response": 1803, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jun 30, 2000 (17:05)", "body": "oh and Kluivert SHOULD be in prison (rape, vehicular homicide... It's never ending, but he is a BRiLLIANT player)"}, {"response": 1804, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sat, Jul  1, 2000 (02:52)", "body": "You mean Dennis Bergkamp? He's probably not going to be there for the World Cup in Japan, unless he takes the boat."}, {"response": 1805, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Jul  1, 2000 (06:57)", "body": "YES!! Dennis Bergkamp!!! (wow, can you say adorable!!!) He's a great striker (when he's not gunshy;)) (they do serve strong drinks on airplanes;) (has he ever thought of therapy for his unbelievable fear of flying? or read Erica Jong's book??? ;)) Tine, I miss you:("}, {"response": 1806, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Jul  1, 2000 (17:28)", "body": "I had no idea about Kluivert. I can never look at him in the same way again, of course."}, {"response": 1807, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Jul  1, 2000 (22:20)", "body": "Yep, Kluivert was charged with Rape and killed a friend while driving drunk. Nice guy, eh?"}, {"response": 1808, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, Jul  3, 2000 (12:58)", "body": "I feel sorry for Italy. I couldn't believe it, those Frenchies scored in the very last seconds!! The Italians were all up, ready to start partying, thinking they'd won and then.... I believe Dennis Bergkamp will stop playing now anyway."}, {"response": 1809, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Jul  3, 2000 (15:50)", "body": "To all the Americans on this list have a great Independence Day. To everyone else -- have a really good Tuesday. To the Europeans -- enjoy the Euro Cup."}, {"response": 1810, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jul  3, 2000 (16:30)", "body": "Oh NO! Is he retiring? (geez, he's the same age as me!!!) Oh well, there's always Michael Owen;) Or David Beckham (Okay, shoot me now;)) But Owen, (he's a hottie;))"}, {"response": 1811, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Jul  3, 2000 (19:43)", "body": "LOL, A streaker at Wimbleton? What was it David Niven said when they had one at the Academey Awards something about a fool displaying his inadequacies."}, {"response": 1812, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Jul  4, 2000 (00:14)", "body": "To the Europeans -- enjoy the Euro Cup. I tried to but it wasn't too easy. All the teams I hoped to win didn't. And now Italy - is there a more cruel way to win the second place in any championship? (And I know a certain team which would only be too happy to have gained a second. ;-) )"}, {"response": 1813, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Jul  4, 2000 (03:12)", "body": "(Renate)(And I know a certain team which would only be too happy to have gained a second. ;-) ) Oh well... Portugal has at least the consolation of having lost only to the champion team ;-) Happy 4th of July to the US ladies :-)"}, {"response": 1814, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Jul  4, 2000 (14:07)", "body": "Marcia, Guardian of the lists, what birthdays should we celebrate in July?"}, {"response": 1815, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Jul  4, 2000 (19:06)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1816, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jul  6, 2000 (08:35)", "body": "CarrieG, what happened to your web site? I seem to have lost it in cyber-world. The old url sends me to the new one, but the new one is black and void."}, {"response": 1817, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul  6, 2000 (08:46)", "body": "Had no idea Sunshine was doing as well at the boxoffice as this! For the week ending Sunday, July 2, Sunshine was in 18th place. Thus far (122 days in release), it has grossed nearly $2 million and is currently playing on 76 screens with a per screen average of $4,117. For the kind of places Sunshine is playing, it's probably packing them in."}, {"response": 1818, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul  6, 2000 (09:04)", "body": "(Karen)Had no idea Sunshine was doing as well at the boxoffice as this! For the week ending Sunday,July 2, Sunshine was in 18th place :-))))*Happy* *Happy* What a season for \"The Divine Miz E\"."}, {"response": 1819, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul  6, 2000 (20:01)", "body": "US TV Alert - CNN will be reshowing \"Millennium: A Thousand Years of History\" on Sunday July 9th at 10pm EDT. Jennifer Ehle narrated part Episode 1, the 11th Century."}, {"response": 1820, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul  9, 2000 (10:23)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY WINTER!!! or would you rather have this?"}, {"response": 1821, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Jul  9, 2000 (11:36)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Winter!!!"}, {"response": 1822, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul  9, 2000 (11:39)", "body": "Im not as good as Karen ...but my best wishes are the same.... Look who joins me.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WINTER Love, Mr. Knightly"}, {"response": 1823, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sun, Jul  9, 2000 (12:58)", "body": "Happy Birthday Winter."}, {"response": 1824, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul  9, 2000 (13:43)", "body": "Pardon the interruption... US Television Alert: LONGITUDE, the 4 hour production, with Michael Gambon & Jeremy Irons will be shown on A&E tonight 8 PM to 12 midnight Eastern Time."}, {"response": 1825, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Jul  9, 2000 (20:16)", "body": "Happy birthday Winter."}, {"response": 1826, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul  9, 2000 (21:11)", "body": "Midway through Longitude: In the wet, frilly white shirt contest: Michael Gambon - 0 Colin Firth - 10 (really a 15, but I'll confine myself to a 10pt scale)"}, {"response": 1827, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jul  9, 2000 (21:14)", "body": "HAUOLI NA HANAU, JENN! dendrobium orchids and roses"}, {"response": 1828, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Jul 10, 2000 (01:49)", "body": "Dearest winter, It's still 11:45 p.m. in L.A. so technically it's not too late to wish you a happy day. I hope you had lots of fun today!"}, {"response": 1829, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Jul 10, 2000 (02:36)", "body": "Late as usual but... here's looking at you, kid!;-) Happy belated birthday, Winter!"}, {"response": 1830, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jul 10, 2000 (06:01)", "body": "WINTER, Happy belated birthday!"}, {"response": 1831, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 10, 2000 (11:08)", "body": "(Karen)Midway through \"Longitude\"...Michael Gambon - 0 Colin Firth - 10 (really a 15, but I'll confine myself to a 10pt scale) I lasted through the four hours of \"Longitude\"....not a compelling plot. Forgot what a brilliant actor Jeremy Irons really is.Why don't we see him any more?This is the director that did Brideshead??? Michael Gambon....you said it succinctly Karen.....\"0\". Ian Hart was better IMO. Short glimpses of Caroline Bingley& Lady Catherine de Bourgh. With all those white wigs, missed Stephen Fry."}, {"response": 1832, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, Jul 10, 2000 (11:17)", "body": "(Evelyn) Forgot what a brilliant actor Jeremy Irons really is.Why don't we see him any more? Hmmm, did he disappear before or after doing Lolita? :-)"}, {"response": 1833, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 10, 2000 (12:20)", "body": "(Evelyn) Michael Gambon....you said it succinctly Karen.....\"0\". This was in the \"wet shirt\" competition only. MG was fine, as was Jeremy Irons, although I question whether his parallel story was even necessary. Hardly recognized that Sam West (in powdered wiggie) played the Reverend Maskelyne. You did see the other Blackadder alum? Tim McInnerny (also of NH fame) as another loonie inventor, like Stephen Fry."}, {"response": 1834, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jul 10, 2000 (12:23)", "body": "I have Chronicles of Narnia on tape. (old BBC version) Sam West plays Prince Caspian. Haven't watched tape yet, but hear that there are a bunch of famous British actors/actresses in it. Will keep log;) Didn't see Longitude (as it really didn't grab me, and don't have cable;))"}, {"response": 1835, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Jul 10, 2000 (12:39)", "body": "Moon, how nice to see you haven't lost touch! :-)"}, {"response": 1836, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jul 10, 2000 (14:32)", "body": "Happy belated birthday, Winter! Kudos to all who made it throught Longitude. I made it 10 minutes (began watching well into the program, after Sex and the City was over. Now you know how my taste in TV programming runs)."}, {"response": 1837, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Jul 10, 2000 (14:47)", "body": "My dear Winter, belated birthday best wishes. Am saving up the Crunchie bars for your next visit:-D"}, {"response": 1838, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Mon, Jul 10, 2000 (16:12)", "body": "Happy Birthday Winter. Sorry I'm late. I was off line over the weekend. I hope you had a wonderful day."}, {"response": 1839, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Jul 10, 2000 (17:34)", "body": "Winter: Sorry I missed it, but I'm not allowed online on summer Sundays (Library's closed) :-( . I desperately tried anyway -- \"happy birthday, winter!!! -- but I guess you didn't hear me from there. So now that I'm back online, I'll reiterate: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WINTER!! [ur ... belatedly ... sorry] Hope it was happy. KJ"}, {"response": 1840, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Tue, Jul 11, 2000 (12:24)", "body": "Overall, I liked Longitude, although I also questioned the need for the parallel story. I also questioned why A&E chose to show this in one massive 4-hr. block -- made it hard for even devoted viewers to get through it. After awhile I began amusing myself noticing how many of the actors were former co-stars of JE's -- Sam West, Bill Nighy, Ian Hart, Stephen Fry, Anna Chancellor, Barbara Leigh-Hunt... Happy belated birthday, Winter. And good to hear from you Moon -- hope you're enjoying your trip."}, {"response": 1841, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jul 11, 2000 (18:18)", "body": "Gi, how's the coast near Lisbon in November? Anything to recommend it? (This is a serious question!) Thanks in anticipation."}, {"response": 1842, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 11, 2000 (23:04)", "body": "Just FYI, thought this stuff was fun: This is indeed how D.J.Barton defines the Boffin:\" In the UK, any member of the scientific community is referred to as a 'boffin' by the tabloid press. According to them, every boffin wears a white coat, glasses, carries a clipboard and talks incomprehensible rubbish. They may be right.\" While, Sir Robert Watson-Watt's definition of a Boffin is: \" A researcher of high scientific competence who has learned that a device of great technical elegance, capable of a remarkable performance in the hands of a picked crew, is not necessarily a good weapon of war. He is the instrument for building into the design provisions which depends on close analysis of the vehicle is to operate, and above all things, the competence of those who are to operate, maintain and repair it.\" (Quoted by R. Hanbury Brown in his very interesting book \"Boffin\", Adam Hilger ed.) But although these definitions seem to have been used during the Second World War, one can find a mention of the name Boffin, in Charles Dickens book, \"Our mutual friend\". Did Dickens invent the word \"Boffin\"? Nothing is less sure as the Boffins were, following Cliff Baughen, a well known family of confectioners and bakers in Oxford in the end of the last century. Finally, please note that this page should not be mistaken for the Boffin Limited's Homepage! (couldn't get that page http://www.boffin.com to respond right now)"}, {"response": 1843, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 12, 2000 (08:26)", "body": "Would \"boffin\" in reference to a scientist be equivalent to actors being called \"luvies\" by the tabloids? BTW would appreciate translation of that Brit-speak from anyone.Is it considered a pejorative term by an actor? Or is it just slang?(Would one use it in polite conversation?)"}, {"response": 1844, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Jul 12, 2000 (10:08)", "body": "(Arami)Gi, how's the coast near Lisbon in November? Anything to recommend it? (This is a serious question!) Thanks in anticipation. This is the Atlantic... Therefore you will probably find it cold, with big waves, and if the weather is good, very beautiful. Good to look at, impossible to swim in (but if you're a surfer, it's another story...) :-)"}, {"response": 1845, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Jul 12, 2000 (12:50)", "body": "Evelyn I'll try to explain the term 'luvie'[luvvie or luvvy]and its use by the British press.I think the term was derived from actors effusive greeting of each other.I've always associated it with the older generation of actors,a lot are probably now dead,but I don't think they found it derogatory.Today it seems to be used as almost an insult or to poke fun at the acting profession.I must stress this is only my opinion CF,in an old interview,had this to say about actors and acting.This may explain it better. 'The trouble is we become a little precious.We're spoiled because we're permitted to operate outside normal conventions.We hug and kiss-just to say hello..We cherish the notion that one day we'll write or direct and prove we're not simply a luv.I am no exception'."}, {"response": 1846, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Jul 12, 2000 (13:37)", "body": "This is the Atlantic... cold, with big waves, ...very beautiful. Good to look at, impossible to swim in... Thanks, Gi: that sorts out the ocean... Anything to recommend the dry land?:-) What could one do in Estoril for a week around November? Would it be easy to get to Lisbon by car and is parking reasonable there? (I'm asking on behalf of MDH who is scouring the map of Europe in search of ideas for a brief but interesting break...)"}, {"response": 1847, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 12, 2000 (15:04)", "body": "Things being as slow as they are... ;-)"}, {"response": 1848, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jul 12, 2000 (15:14)", "body": "LOL, THAT IS THE FUNNIEST thing I have seen in a long time, but whose bday? Evelyn??? Donna? I'm at a loss!!!"}, {"response": 1849, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Jul 12, 2000 (17:36)", "body": "(Laura) I'm at a loss!!! Me too!"}, {"response": 1850, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Jul 12, 2000 (22:40)", "body": "Have not been here for a few days but Happy birthday Moon."}, {"response": 1851, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (10:00)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Heavy Evie!!! ; I've got my cake, where's yours?"}, {"response": 1852, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (10:23)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1853, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (10:37)", "body": "Poor Annie...he squished her eyes out...oops, forgot, she has no eyes. ROTFLOL, Karen! Now, let's see about this birthday gal. *sigh* When is that Firth fella going to fly over my head and get his butt on Broadway? I've been holdin' up this #*&^% torch for ages, just to light the way. C'mon, Colin, my friend Evelyn is waiting! The crowds are already lining up. Can't you see your name here? My friend Evelyn can. C'mon over, Colin. That's a good lad. As another one of my close friends used to sing, if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere... So get your a** over here, pal, and make my friend Evelyn happy. I'm not gettin' any younger. Oof, my shoulder's killin' me! And didja ever try standin' here wit sandals on in the middle of winter? Da*n, this crown's makin' my head itch..."}, {"response": 1854, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (10:51)", "body": "(Eileen) As another one of my close friends used to sing, if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere... Didn't realize that you and Frank and/or Liza were like this *holding up two fingers* But should've guessed you NJ-ites would be. LOL!!"}, {"response": 1855, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (10:55)", "body": "Er, it's not me, sweetie, it's Lady Liberty :-P"}, {"response": 1856, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (10:56)", "body": "Happy Happy Happy Birthday, Evelyn!!! What a wonderful day to celebrate too!!!"}, {"response": 1857, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (11:06)", "body": "Hmm, what does that card say? *squint* Dear Evelyn, I've been told you have a particular fondness for Chardonnay. Please accept this gift in honor of your birthday. It comes with particular appreciation for all you've done as a faithful fan--especially your efforts to rile up the British people to show more support for my films. Fondly, Clin Fith X PS. Thank you for your kind advice about my wardrobe and your tips on crossing Upper Street."}, {"response": 1858, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (11:40)", "body": "Birthday greetings from London, Evelyn! So glad I stopped by on your day. Had a lovely meeting with Mark at the Tate Modern today. Will be off to Italy tomorrow so you won't be hearing from me for a while. Have a wonderful summer, see you in late August."}, {"response": 1859, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (11:48)", "body": "Hey ..you guys....gettin' my grannie glasses on....(over the contacts that is...).Thank you for remembering...Karen..you outdid yourself with Annie... Eileen...you are right...what a gift that would be to see ODB's lovely a** on B'way. Kathy Gifford 'n me! I'll sit in the first row with my new CF tee shirt and sip Chardonnay!!! ....especially your efforts to rile up the British people to show more support for my films. Films...nevah!! Only the \"telly\"....;-)) Heavie Evie off to the Chardonnay!!"}, {"response": 1860, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (12:20)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1861, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (12:32)", "body": "\"Pardon? Marguerite, stop coughing and speak up. I can't hear you over that incessant violin music. Thank you, mon cherie, that's better. Yes, darling, I am aware not many people like Camille, but Evelyn does and it's her birthday. Happy birthday, dearest Evelyn! With love from Armaaaaah"}, {"response": 1862, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (12:33)", "body": "Happy Birthday Evelyn"}, {"response": 1863, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (13:27)", "body": "LOL, oh these are too funny!"}, {"response": 1864, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (14:47)", "body": "my goodness! I'm gone for a few days and look what lovely birthday wishes I find waiting for me here! Thank you so much, to all of you!!!!!!! I will save my 'presents' on disk! and happy Birthday Evelyn!!!! May you have a great day and a great year! We couldn't have a better time here without you!"}, {"response": 1865, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (15:04)", "body": "Happy Birthday Evelyn. Have a good one!"}, {"response": 1866, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (15:28)", "body": "Thank you dear friends for you refined felicitations....Moon,Laura,Judy, Tracy and Dame Winter. ~~~~~~~~ As for the rest of you (and you know who you are)... better watch out...you have birthdays too...and I'm taking notes.... *winkie*, *winkie*"}, {"response": 1867, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (15:38)", "body": "HAUOLI NA HANAU, EVELYN DEAR This is the only picture of your favorite multiple-strings-of-Pikake lei that I could find. It is the most lovely scent from little ivory flowers - Jessamine. Hope you have a lovely day!"}, {"response": 1868, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (15:44)", "body": "Mahalo,Marcia dear. Pikake is my fave....I'm getting the sweet scent thousands of miles away.. ......every girl should get \"leid\" on her birthday."}, {"response": 1869, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (16:04)", "body": "BUCK'S FIZZ ALL AROUND - Let's celebrate these birthday gals!"}, {"response": 1870, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (16:10)", "body": "Just want you to know that I share birthdays with.... Bob Crane 1928 Waterbury, CT Cheech Marin 1946 Los Angeles, CA Fatboy Slim 1963 Bromley, England Harrison Ford 1942 Chicago, IL Patrick Stewart 1940 Mirfield, England Robert Forster 1941 Rochester, NY and.... Professor Sir Ghillean Prance, director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Pretty classy, uh? Don't know about Fatboy Slim....sounds like a rapstar."}, {"response": 1871, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (16:13)", "body": "Any truth to the rumor, Colin, that you've fired your agent and are signing with the Heavie Evie Agency and she has lined up some Oscar-calibre scripts?"}, {"response": 1872, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (16:16)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1873, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (16:18)", "body": "Happy Birthday Evelyn. I hope you are having (have had) a wonderful day. Cheers!!"}, {"response": 1874, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (16:19)", "body": "(Karen)Any truth to the rumor, Colin, that you've fired your agent and are signing with the Heavie Evie Agency and she has lined up some Oscar-calibre scripts? No, No. That's later.... Tony Scripts. Think Broadway ~~~~~~~~ Thank you Donna, and your friend Henry. Buck's Fizz is right up there with Chardonnay. BTW can't wait to hear from Ann W. who has spoken to both Stephen and Jennifer on Broadway!!"}, {"response": 1875, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (16:21)", "body": "Happy Birthday Evelyn! May you have good reasons to fly all over the world ;-) ...good reasons to drink to ;-) ...good reasons to take a dive in the Pond ;-) \"Evelyn, this is cold, come along and warm it up!"}, {"response": 1876, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (17:48)", "body": "Thanks Gi... I welcome the chance to share a good bottle of wine (even Tesco's isn't bad)with friends, I fly anywhere at the drop of a hat....even for a CF/JE film!!As for that fella' goin for a swim....anytime:-)"}, {"response": 1877, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (17:58)", "body": "Ooh, here's Fatboy himself here to share his destiny (or at least a ciggy) with birthday-mate Evelyn Happy Birthday! Coming from all over the solar system to wish you a happy one -"}, {"response": 1878, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (20:32)", "body": "Heide...thanks for the pin-up of Fatboy....my soul-mate...Hey...notice the white laces on the black trainers!! Think I'll pick Patrick Stewart instead:-)"}, {"response": 1879, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (21:48)", "body": "Evelyn -- I've been digging around for an appropriate birthday greeting, but I haven't dug up anything yet. Why don't you stick with my assistant digger while I pursue other channels?....KJ"}, {"response": 1880, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (22:53)", "body": "Certain insects are inquiring... Why, it's Evelyn's Birthday! So the birds do it too... Not to mention amphibians... And even nondescript dots do it... We're all celebrating, so bring on the party! Oh, and by the way... Happy Birthday, Evelyn! (if a bit late) ;-) KJ"}, {"response": 1881, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (23:03)", "body": "A riot, KJ!! \"use fewer candles\" LOL! Reminds me of this one:"}, {"response": 1882, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jul 14, 2000 (07:01)", "body": "Hey, I'm late! So sorry I missed the party....but I do have card for the birthday girl. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EVELYN"}, {"response": 1883, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Jul 14, 2000 (09:48)", "body": "Oh dear, sorry I missed your party, Evelyn -- Happy Belated Birthday, hope you had a great one:-)"}, {"response": 1884, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 14, 2000 (10:49)", "body": "Thank you everyone...Karen, KJ, Susan, Murph...did I forget anyone??? Confucius says: To enjoy birthdays....Best Count Backwards ;-)"}, {"response": 1885, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 14, 2000 (10:57)", "body": "Request: Murph, apropos of the darling B'day card...I never really disliked Lord Wessex....and for sure the Wessex in your story in the New World. We have several newbies who would appreciate reading it...is it still somewhere on your website? If not could you give it a command performance, puhleeze?"}, {"response": 1886, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jul 14, 2000 (10:59)", "body": "I am so sorry to have missed your Birthday party Evelyn, I logged on quickly yesterday but missed this topic, ran out of time. Please accept my apologies and accept my sincere belated Happy Birthday wishes, speak to you on Sunday. Hope you had a lovely day. BTW Jennifer was charming but I had to chase after Stephen! (Have a cute story too)"}, {"response": 1887, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jul 14, 2000 (16:25)", "body": "Gee, Evelyn, thanks for the plug. If you are counting backwards, think of me, who will be 68 in a month!!!!! I guarantee you will all love this Lord Wessex! Thanks to the Three Deer at Firth.com, the story is still hanging around. It is in several parts, but begins here: http://www.firth.com/html/newworld.html"}, {"response": 1888, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Jul 14, 2000 (16:34)", "body": "Murph as a newbie I have to confess to having been around since last xmas in the depths of lurkdom,here on drool but also on your wonderful website.I loved your follow on story -justice has been served to LordWessex at last!"}, {"response": 1889, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Jul 15, 2000 (11:31)", "body": "Evelyn, I missed it -- but you didn't. Hope you had a great birthday. Have a wonderful year."}, {"response": 1890, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jul 15, 2000 (13:32)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1891, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Jul 16, 2000 (07:33)", "body": "Arami, there's lots of things to see and do between Estoril and Lisbon. There are also trains to take you from one to the other. Driving in Portugal is on the right side of the road, and parking in Lisbon is pretty chaotic, although there are parking garages and parking meters. Darlene was here last November and she liked it well enough that she came back in February :-) Of course, she and her S.O. told us what their interests were so we sent them in the right directions, we'd be pleased to do the same for you, and of course have some time together if you like. Why don't you e-mail me?"}, {"response": 1892, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 16, 2000 (12:05)", "body": "From the July 13 Scotsman: EVELYN WAUGH REVISITED by Aidan Smith Remember Brideshead Revisited? The big house, the teddy bears, the divine decadence of it all? Channel 4 rather hopes you do, especially for the elegant satire of Evelyn Waugh, which is why we're all gathered in the summer drizzle outside a hotel in East Lothian, at the foot of the Lammermuir Hills, watching Leslie Phillips stomp around the grounds in a green tweed suit. The 17th-century Johnstounburn House, near Humbie, boasts a lush croquet lawn and some fine yew hedges, but compared to Castle Howard, which stood in for Marchmain in Brideshead, it's just a shed at the bottom of the garden. Television doesn't make them like Brideshead any more - they take too long and cost too much. Sword Of Honour, by today's standards, is still a biggie, with its pounds 6 million-plus budget and a cast of hundreds, but it capture a different Waugh: he had given up hanging out with all those gay young blades and gone to war. And Waugh really is the key. In fact, looking at Phillips today, he could be playing Waugh in his later years, when the great man of letters adopted the role of a cantankerous Tory squire and affected an ear trumpet. The nation's favourite old smoothie, Phillips, is cast in the role of Gervase Crouchback, father of the hero and Waugh's alter ego, Guy Crouchback. It's a small part, and the veteran actor insists he only gets these show-stealing cameos because everyone else of his generation has gone \"up there\", as he signals skywards with his shooting stick. Phillips is just passing though, but for the Scots writer William Boyd, who has penned the screenplay for this saga of battle and bungle, Sword Of Honour is a labour of love. \"I'm a mild Waugh obsessive,\" he admits. And Boyd, who previously scripted his literary idol's Scoop, has taken time out from writing his latest novel at his retreat in France to see his adaptation come to life. \"I taught him at university and I've read every word he's written. Sword Of Honour is the best British novel to come out of the Second World War and it's also Waugh's most autobiographical.\" A trilogy, the books have been boiled down to two, two-hour chunks of primetime; the producers are TalkBack, and Boyd was brought in by his friend Mel Smith, one of its founders. \"It's been my dream job - one of those great, serendipitous challenges.\" Crouchback is played by Daniel Craig, whose piercing blue eyes left their mark on Our Friends In The North. At first Craig turned down the role, telling Scots director Bill Anderson to go and find someone posh. \"Daniel had never played posh before but that's why I wanted him, to cast against type and try to find Crouchback's soul,\" explains Anderson. Twenty-one years ago, the Brideshead dramatisation was massively popular, despite its lazy pace and woozy scenes of homosexuality, neither of which are usually uppermost among the expectations of couch potatoes when they tune in to ITV. But why do Waugh now? Anderson says Sword Of Honour is much more gritty. \"There's no swanning around in gondolas in Venice, swooning over young men with teddy bears,\" he asserts, in the manner of the oil-rig roustabout he used to be. Producer Gillian McNeill, who completes the Scottish triumvirate which is bringing the epic to the small screen, adds: \"It's a love story, and as far as I know they haven't gone out of fashion.\" In the books, Crouchback's war shadows that of his creator, through the shambolic evacuation of Crete and on to a liaison with Tito's partisans in Yugoslavia. Waugh himself trained as a Marine on Arran, and the island - which he re-named Mugg - features in the dramatisation. But the television version cranks up Crouchback's doomed romance with society beauty Virginia Troy. According to Boyd, Troy is a typical Waugh woman. Following the collapse of his first marriage to Evelyn Gardiner after just four months, Waugh's mood darkened. He wrote the tragicomedy about adultery, A Handful Of Dust, and converted to Catholicism. Boyd believes he \"re-invented\" Gardiner in all his subsequent fiction. \"At the time he wrote Sword Of Honour, Waugh had re-married to Laura Herbert who was having child after child, but in all his later novels there's a certain kind of woman - beautiful, brittle, sophisticated, and yet sort of cruel - and I've always thought there were modelled on Evelyn. They're siren seductresses who lure and torment the heroes.\" After his own disastrous marriage, the hero of Sword of Honour is a disappointed man. Crouchback needs a sense of purpose, and finds it in the crusade against tyranny. \"Waugh often created alter egos which weren't much like him - tall, good-looking, aristocratic - and Crouchback is all of these things,\" says Boyd. But while they had similar wars, they differed as soldiers. Crouchback is modest and diligent while Waugh was an appalling officer. Boyd explains: \"Sir Fitzroy Maclean (the war hero and diplomat, reputed to be the inspiration for James B"}, {"response": 1893, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Jul 16, 2000 (19:57)", "body": "Fun quiz in the Guardian on Brit actors being the bad guys in US films. Picture of Mr. Rickman. http://www.filmunlimited.co.uk/quiz/questions/0,5952,343447,00.html And this fun page - mood matchers. We could adapt this to Colin. I think I might for my web page. Anyone up for some good \"mood\" ideas? http://www.filmunlimited.co.uk/moodmatcher/"}, {"response": 1894, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Jul 16, 2000 (20:00)", "body": "Crouchback is played by Daniel Craig, whose piercing blue eyes left their mark on Our Friends In The North. At first Craig turned down the role, telling Scots director Bill Anderson to go and find someone posh. \"Daniel had never played posh before but that's why I wanted him, to cast against type and try to find Crouchback's soul,\" explains Anderson. ********** Yikes, Karen, another one of my fav actors. Great news."}, {"response": 1895, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Jul 16, 2000 (23:37)", "body": "Sorry I miss your birthday Evelyn. Haven't been around for a few days. I hope you had a rip roaring good one."}, {"response": 1896, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 17, 2000 (10:53)", "body": "Thank you Lucie ,Cheryl and Ann for the birthday greetings....... am still recovering....all that Chardonnay, you know;-))"}, {"response": 1897, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Jul 17, 2000 (12:41)", "body": "Have discovered Evelyn's whereabouts! Happy belated birthday! And to Winter as well! Camping was, well, campy."}, {"response": 1898, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Jul 17, 2000 (14:44)", "body": "(SadieR)Camping was, well, campy. I trust you didn't come across any Blair witches though ;-)"}, {"response": 1899, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Jul 17, 2000 (16:02)", "body": "(SadieR)Camping was, well, campy. Was it the full sleeping bag under the stars, impossible-to-erect tent and insects in your food bit? You haven't lived until you've found half an earwig in your beans!"}, {"response": 1900, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Jul 17, 2000 (16:12)", "body": "Maybe it was spending all night in a canoe on the lake while the bears were ripping your tent to shreds and eating all of your food? I hope not."}, {"response": 1901, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Jul 17, 2000 (16:22)", "body": "At least that's one good thing to say about England.. no bears roaming about ripping tents up and generally making a nuisance of themselves. Seriously, was thinking perhaps of going camping in a week or so but am now decided, am chicken and will therefore probably book myself into nice country cottage for extended mini-break. Probably going to the Peak District (Derbyshire - Darcy country) and may get a chance to take a trip to Lyme Park (Pemberley). Hmmm... have had thought maybe people not interested in travel plans. Maybe people fast asleep...shhhh! Would account for lack of activity tonight."}, {"response": 1902, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Jul 17, 2000 (16:38)", "body": "Since I know that you, Tracy, are of course the real Bridget Jones. You are going to be strolling about in your lovely empire frock and pelisse. Have fun."}, {"response": 1903, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Mon, Jul 17, 2000 (18:39)", "body": "I would love to hear about your travels, Tracy!"}, {"response": 1904, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Jul 17, 2000 (19:08)", "body": "[Thanks, Gi - I will.]"}, {"response": 1905, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Jul 18, 2000 (00:11)", "body": "Thanks for asking about my trip, very kind! DD Nothing ontoward happened on camping trip (aside from usual insect harrassment). That's just it --- nothing happened! Am thinking of composing something on BJD board about it, but first must compose myself! Tracy, your trip sounds wonderful. May I suggest: FORGET CAMPING, the great thing about Europe is that there are lots and lots of people TO TALK TO, and their answers are more interesting than insects'."}, {"response": 1906, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Jul 18, 2000 (16:03)", "body": "Tracy I think you were spying on me,I fell asleep in the chair last night at 9.30! Your trip to the Peak District sounds great but I have one reservation-'Are the shades of Pemberley to be thus polluted?'Couldn't resist,sorry! is this your first visit to Lyme or is it one of many? Sadie hurry up with your composition for the BJD board,its been very quiet on there it needs pepping up"}, {"response": 1907, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 18, 2000 (16:11)", "body": "'Are the shades of Pemberley to be thus polluted?' Who here hasn't used that phrase in her best Lady C condescending tone? But now that I look at it, what the !@#$ does it mean? How can one pollute shades? Is there some other meaning for \"shades\" not covered in my Random House Unabridgeted [;-)] dictionary? If not, maybe I shall go pollute the Pemberley board with my question. ;-) (happy thoughts, indeed)"}, {"response": 1908, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Jul 18, 2000 (16:52)", "body": "Okay guilty as charged unoriginality is my middle name."}, {"response": 1909, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jul 18, 2000 (17:02)", "body": "Evelyn, I see \"Sunshine\" is at #14 in the US Box Office, not bad for a film with little publicity and only playing at 122 theatres."}, {"response": 1910, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (01:13)", "body": "Hi dears, am finally able to check in with you all, from lovely Lake Tahoe. I see we have some campers here, or potential campers. Before Tahoe, we spent three days in Yosemite Nat'l Park--gorgeous. I didn't see any bears but I did spot some bear tracks. That was enough for me--I was off that trail and outta there quicker than you can say \"None of these park rangers look even remotely like Joe Prince.\";-) Gave new meaning to the expression *not a happy camper.*;-) Ann, I'd love to hear more about your NY adventure and meeting JE and SD. You're right, Sunshine is doing well and they've increased the number of theaters--playing in 10 in the LA area (don't hit me, Evelyn, but is it too soon to start the Oscar talk for JE?:) I just saw in the local paper that it's up here in Reno too. Speaking of traveling . . .I see there may be cause for a Toronto trip? As luck would have it, I think I'm scheduled for jury duty in early September; I guess I'll have to do what most fine, upstanding, law-abiding citizens here do--lie like hell to get out of it.;-) A very happy belated birthday to Winter and to Evelyn! Don't know if this has been posted, but I just read that Jennifer is being considered for the role of the Queen Mum in a TV film. Talk soon, thinking of you all . . ."}, {"response": 1911, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (09:45)", "body": "Nice to see you checking in with us, Mari. Any celeb sightings, like Yogi? ;-)"}, {"response": 1912, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (11:14)", "body": "Hi Mari...thanks for thinking of us...we miss you ole buddie:-( Re: JE in Queen Mum TV Film Godferbid....I'd rather see her in a going-nowhere-Brit movie. The rest of the DM article said: \"The idea, which looks certain to attract controversy, is being developed by Carlton Television, and scripts are being written by Nigel Williams, who adapted Michael Dibdin's novel Dirty Tricks. The news will be a blow to Prince Edward's company Ardent, which has twice announced plans to make a drama about the Queen Mother but has so far failed to produce one. The Prince is said to have faced opposition and obstruction from the Queen Mother. \" That rumor has been around for years...Like the Tony Blair one, IMO ITV just puts that out there to bring attenion to the project. (Mari)Sunshine is doing well and they've increased the number of theaters--playing in 10 in the LA area (don't hit me, Evelyn, but is it too soon to start the Oscar talk for JE?:) LOL...Me?...I was ecstatic when she got the Tony nomination.I play the tape almost daily...what a thrill. Oscar nom? Actually, the NY times reviewer humorously said JE and RH would be competing and RF would compete with himself..(plays 3 roles!) Anyway....it's been a hell-uv-a ride."}, {"response": 1913, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (11:24)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SILVIE..."}, {"response": 1914, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (12:32)", "body": "Happy Birthday Silvie! Have a wonderful day!"}, {"response": 1915, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (16:02)", "body": "Hi Silvie Hope you have a marvellous birthday with lots of Firthful moments."}, {"response": 1916, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (16:44)", "body": "Many Happy Returns, Sylvie!"}, {"response": 1917, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (16:49)", "body": "Sylvia"}, {"response": 1918, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (16:57)", "body": "(Judy) 'Are the shades of Pemberley to be thus polluted?'Couldn't resist,sorry! is this your first visit to Lyme or is it one of many? Could it be that you cast nasturtiums on my good character - would that I should sully the pristine environs of Pemberley? Wot me, nevah! ;-D Seriously (with no offence taken) it will (hopefully if I can find a place to stay) be my first time at Lyme Park. I've heard so much about it, I believe Winter you or JenK were singing it's praises to me earlier on in the year - so if I can make it I will. Cheryl, I'm just going to have to run up a frock or two aren't I (;-D) in manner of top seamstress!"}, {"response": 1919, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (17:21)", "body": "Have a great birthday Sylvie Is it me or are there a lot of birthday girls around here?"}, {"response": 1920, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (17:30)", "body": "Tracy try and make it to Lyme if you can its a great place even without its P&P connections-not intending to be sacrilegious.I'm sure they can clean up after you've left!!After once again insulting you,a peace offering-if you need any info about Lyme opening times or prices I can help."}, {"response": 1921, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (17:37)", "body": "Gi and Heide (and anyone else) - Check out topic 6. I've posted the pics of Mel. :-)"}, {"response": 1922, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (17:40)", "body": "Karen I think I must be stalking you-I've just been there and now you're here."}, {"response": 1923, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (17:46)", "body": "I'm interested in Lyme Park info too, gang.It's at the top of my wish list \"someday\".Tracy, sleuth -out accomodations...that sounds ideal. Instead of the marathon trip from London return in a day by train."}, {"response": 1924, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (22:27)", "body": "Rob Reiner\ufffds legendary rock mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap is staging a UK come-back tour. The spoof story of spandex-clad heavy rock band Spinal Tap, infamous for such \"classics\" as Big Bottom, Bitch School and Stonehenge, will get a theatrical re-release in October through independent UK distributor Optimum Releasing. Optimum has struck a joint-venture pact with US studio MGM and France\ufffds Studiocanal for the release, which will link with MGM and Studiocanal\ufffds previously-announced US re-release in September. The UK partnership includes distribution of a special edition video and DVD. \"We are sharing costs; we are sharing the upside and the downside,\" said Optimum chief Will Clarke. Optimum is opening the 1983 film, which spawned tie-in albums such as Break Like The Wind, on 25 prints. Clarke plans to capitalise on the start of the university term. \"It\ufffds an absolutely massive cult classic,\" Clarke said. \"It seems to be getting more and more notoriety.\" Optimum has enjoyed considerable success with re-releases such as the current outing for A Bout De Souffle (Breathless). Jean-Luc Godard\ufffds 1959 film reaped $34,191 from five screens on its second weekend of release, bringing its cumulative total to more than $100,000. The re-release mirrors Optimum\ufffds success with The Third Man last year when it went up against Star Wars: Episode One - The Phantom Menace during the summer. The 1949 British noir finished its run with $400,000. ~~~~~~~~~ Wonder if they're considering a re-release of SLOW? Do you think they even had 25 prints of it? How about a special edition DVD? It too could be a \"cult\" classic!! ;-)"}, {"response": 1925, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jul 20, 2000 (02:57)", "body": "(KarenR)Gi and Heide (and anyone else) - Check out topic 6. I've posted the pics of Mel. :-) Thanks, Karen :-)"}, {"response": 1926, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Thu, Jul 20, 2000 (17:08)", "body": "I hope you had a wonderful birthday, Silvie. Have a great year."}, {"response": 1927, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 20, 2000 (17:14)", "body": "\"Speed the Plow\"a David Mamet play with Neil Morrisey has posted that it will close early on Aug.19. It opened June 29th.And had been booking til Sept. 9th. ~~~~ Brendan Fraser told Variety that he has been approached to play Brick in cat on Hot Tin Roof in the West End next spring. His co-star will probably be Frances O'Conner (Mansfield Pk), his co-star in the new film \"Bedazzled\". [That's the role JE wants to play...\"Don't do it Jennifer with Brendan\".]"}, {"response": 1928, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Jul 20, 2000 (18:27)", "body": "Sorry I missed Silvie's birthday. Is she still here? If so, hope you had a happy one. (Karen) How can one pollute shades? maybe I shall go pollute the Pemberley board with my question. ;-) If you don't find it there, you won't find it anywhere but RWL anyway. (Mari) am finally able to check in with you all, from lovely Lake Tahoe. Of course! Was wondering where you were. \"None of these park rangers look even remotely like Joe Prince.\";-) LOL and I suppose no little tree frogs either."}, {"response": 1929, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Thu, Jul 20, 2000 (19:13)", "body": "On the upside there may well be no one with multiple personality disorder who looks like Lisa Zane."}, {"response": 1930, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jul 20, 2000 (20:44)", "body": "Gi - sorry, apparently we can't make Portugal this time. DH can't fit his dates etc - so we'll have to postpone the visit to another time. And I so want to see Lisboa!"}, {"response": 1931, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Jul 21, 2000 (02:36)", "body": "Late as usual. Happy belated birthday, Silvie!"}, {"response": 1932, "author": "july", "date": "Fri, Jul 21, 2000 (09:13)", "body": "Hi all, thnx for your b/day wishes - I was away and could not write on that day. I have replied individually to some but was unable to get through to Tracy - Thnx Sadie and Tracy and all for making it so particular -"}, {"response": 1933, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 21, 2000 (10:56)", "body": "(Arami)And I so want to see Lisboa! Not to be missed...I recommend it to everyone who visits Europe. Something for everyone..absolutely charming people and divine wine. ~~~~~ July? Is that you Silvie? Why the new nom de plume ;-)"}, {"response": 1934, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 21, 2000 (11:11)", "body": "JE On A&E This Sunday A&E will re-show Breakfast with the Arts interview with Jennifer. It shows from 9 to 11AM Eastern time. Pl. check your local listing for this show. this show was taped prior to Jennifer winning the Tony. The interview with host Elliott Forrest is only 30 minutes long."}, {"response": 1935, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Jul 22, 2000 (16:54)", "body": "(Arami)Gi - sorry, apparently we can't make Portugal this time. DH can't fit his dates etc - so we'll have to postpone the visit to another time. And I so want to see Lisboa! Now that you've thought of it, I'm sure I can expect your visit sooner or later :-) (Evelyn)Not to be missed...I recommend it to everyone who visits Europe. Something for everyone..absolutely charming people and divine wine. I'm happy and proud that you think so, Evelyn :-) July? Is that you Silvie? Why the new nom de plume ;-) Yes... I was puzzled too..."}, {"response": 1936, "author": "july", "date": "Sat, Jul 22, 2000 (17:17)", "body": "July - it's just easier to remember my password LOL!"}, {"response": 1937, "author": "july", "date": "Sat, Jul 22, 2000 (17:41)", "body": "Ann W - I sent you a msg privately and it got returned. Could you write me off list pls? Thnx :-)"}, {"response": 1938, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (07:48)", "body": "While drool has been quite I've been re-reading old posts,I'm up to 1997 and its made me curious about how long some of you have been publically drooling, I've only had internet access since last xmas (& lurked for 6 months) otherwise I would have been here sooner.Also it made me wonder what happened to previous frequent droolers who seem to just suddenly disappear. I did read something that made me really laugh and that I had not heard of before which was that CF wasmentioned in relation to My Fair Lady production for 2000.Is this the one with Martine Mc whatever in and if so what a relief he didn't do it!"}, {"response": 1939, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (08:01)", "body": "That's an ambitious project, Judy. I delurked toward the end of 1997, I think. I'm surprised (and pleased) at how many of the real originals still post. I imagine the others just lost interest which is why it's so imperative to keep getting new blood (heheh) like you to keep the salivation going. made me really laugh and that I had not heard of before which was that CF wasmentioned in relation to My Fair Lady Honey, that sets me rolling too. To be fair, it's not the thought of him doing Pygmalion that's funny. I just can't imagine Colin singing \"How to Handle a Woman\" from the Lerner/Loewe version (or was it Rodgers & Hammerstein?-sorry). I don't know what the 2000 production was."}, {"response": 1940, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (09:04)", "body": "Re-reading old posts! Oh my! They are a hoot (as I've recently gone back over the Bridget stuff looking for links to online interviews for the Bucket page) and have actually LOL'd many times. Judy, a couple of old Colin topics were wiped out by an overly ambitious new host (who shall remain nameless) who was trying to be technically clever. ;-) Was the old right/left discussion and list still there? Let's see, I delurked sometime in '97 and, as Nan can testify, I was chomping at the bit to have my share of the conversation, but there were technical problems and the system wasn't accepting new people's posts. With enough prompting (read: nagging) by certain newbies, the problem got fixed and we got onboard and haven't stopped."}, {"response": 1941, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (09:13)", "body": "(Karen)Re-reading old posts! Oh my! They are a hoot I wish someone would wipe mine out! (Judy)Also it made me wonder what happened to previous frequent droolers who seem to just suddenly disappear. They're still there... lurking. I get emails from some .All still devoted Colin fans. But trust me, mention Spring Reunion and they come outta the woodwork!!"}, {"response": 1942, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (09:54)", "body": "Couldn't resist. Funny article in the NY Daily News : Wanna-Be Sopranos Mob N.J. Thousands turned away in TV show shot Fuhgeddaboudit! The streets around Harrison High School in Harrison, N.J., were mobbed with mob look-alikes yesterday morning, after an open casting call for HBO's hit series \"The Sopranos\" shut the door on opportunity early, the turnout overwhelming expectations and the local cops' capabilities. All morning, wanna-be Sopranos inched along the New Jersey Turnpike and Interstate 280 toward their hoped-for 15 minutes of TV fame. By 10 a.m., so many hopefuls had arrived that Harrison cops called for reinforcements. Read the rest here: http://www.nydailynews.com/2000-07-23/News_and_Views/Beyond_the_City/a-74202.asp"}, {"response": 1943, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (10:46)", "body": "(Heidi)That's an ambitious project.well you never get anywhere without ambition-Colin take note.. As far as I'm aware My Fair Lady 2000 is still in rehearsal & features a British soap star turned singeras ED and she is not someone I would like to see CF work with. Karen I hope the right/left discussion is what my dirty mind thinks it is,but alas I've not come across ityet but I've only just read your debut so it must be upcoming. I've read about everbody's hopes for ATA & its subsequent disappointment-oh dear somethings never change Another subject is his slim body & whether to workoutor not,still topical today-ah well some things never change II"}, {"response": 1944, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (11:35)", "body": "Yes, we do tend to rehash certain subjects (or beat them to death) ;-)"}, {"response": 1945, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (14:35)", "body": "(Judy)...British soap star turned singeras ED and she is not someone I would like to see CF work with Ditto, ditto, ditto...mind you I don't think anyone could actually work with Martine McCutcheon (or whatever-it-is) on stage since her ego seems to take up most of the room! (Heide) I just can't imagine Colin singing \"How to Handle a Woman\" That's an interesting thought...I haven't seen him do anything particularly musical as yet (Ok there was the TEP 'Bananas' episode and the strange David Bowie-esque rendition of some Tudor ditty in SIL ...as I say nothing particularly musical ;-D) are there any serious musical Colin moments that I don't know about?"}, {"response": 1946, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (23:28)", "body": "Late again but Happy Birthday Sylvie"}, {"response": 1947, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Jul 24, 2000 (04:03)", "body": "(Karen)Re-reading old posts! Oh my! They are a hoot (Evelyn)I wish someone would wipe mine out! Can be done but I hope not ;-)"}, {"response": 1948, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Jul 24, 2000 (14:13)", "body": "Tracy I managed to get hold of that brochure if you need it, but not to worry if you don't it wasn't out of my way."}, {"response": 1949, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jul 24, 2000 (15:15)", "body": "Wanna-Be Sopranos Mob N.J. Thanks for this, Karen. *sigh* I'm so homesick, I can scream! Hey Murph, were you inching along in the traffic on the Stickle Bridge? ;-) (Tracy) are there any serious musical Colin moments that I don't know about? Yes, we have no bah-nah-nahs, er...no. No serious on-screen musical moments that I'm aware of. And if there are, I'm sure I'll be promptly corrected."}, {"response": 1950, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jul 24, 2000 (15:27)", "body": "Hey, Eileen, you and I should have been in on that Sopranos casting call. Sigh, we coulda been condendahs.;-) Speaking of Sopranos, here's a CF connection. Did anyone see the rerun last night? It was the episode where Christopher serves as a script consultant to Jon Favreau for a wiseguy film he's making. One scene is filmed in the offices of UTA, and the secretary mentions David DeCamillo (CF's U.S. agent) several times. I suppose he represents people associated with the show. (And would it kill them to work in a story arc about Tony's visiting English cousin Anthony who controls all the East End rackets?;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 1951, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Jul 24, 2000 (23:05)", "body": "You know, it depends on how he sings \"How to Handle a Woman\" --- it has real Drool promise. Yeah, I know, a one-track mind. It's all Heide's fault, she's posting Drooly stuff on the Darcy Drool Board, and I just can't get a grip. ...I'd settle for a handle :-() BTW, isn't that song originally from Camelot? And wouldn't CF look sexy with a Fedora and some cotton balls? --- for his cheeks, a la Brando. Oh Judy, what will you say, I've gone and mentioned balls and cheeks again!"}, {"response": 1952, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 24, 2000 (23:13)", "body": "Correctamundo!! It's from Camelot. Heide must be thinking of \"Why Can't a Woman Be More Like a Man.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 1953, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Jul 25, 2000 (00:15)", "body": "BUT LET A WOMAN IN YOUR LIFE! Karen, I need your posting saavy for some musical notes."}, {"response": 1954, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Jul 25, 2000 (12:10)", "body": "Sadie balls & cheeks-you know me so well.While you'restuffing cotton balls in his cheeks I'll concentrate onthe real things,ball in cheeks so to speak.Its like a taste test really-small & firm or plump & juicy-mmmm have to go mmm its rude to mmm talk with um mouth full!"}, {"response": 1955, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jul 25, 2000 (15:21)", "body": "(Mari) Hey, Eileen, you and I should have been in on that Sopranos casting call. Sigh, we coulda been condendahs.;-) Not me sweetie, I cut my big hair years ago and don't even use hairspray any more. Nails are short, too. But I do know a few things about the Meadowlands and those landfills around exit 15...;-D"}, {"response": 1956, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Jul 25, 2000 (15:52)", "body": "Thanks Judy, have replied to you privately."}, {"response": 1957, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (00:00)", "body": "(Eileen) Not me sweetie, I cut my big hair years ago and don't even use hairspray any more. Nails are short, too. But I do know a few things about the Meadowlands and those landfills around exit 15 LOL! Remind me never to cross you! (First Marky Blue, and now Eileen and Mari. Hmmm, I begin to wonder what is the REAL nature of Drool operations? Yet another highly respectable front? But if drooling activities are the front, then, oh my, I must be missing out on something really naughty???)"}, {"response": 1958, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (00:01)", "body": "And Tracy T and Judy having secret communications...it's all adding up."}, {"response": 1959, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (07:44)", "body": "From Reuters/Variety today: Stoppard's Broadway 'Love' Affair Tom Stoppard, who won an Academy Award for co-writing \"Shakespeare in Love,\" is bringing his play \"The Invention of Love\" to Broadway in March. The Lincoln Center Theater production will be staged as a limited engagement at an as-yet-unannounced venue, said Andre Bishop, the center\"s artistic director. After its success with \"Shakespeare in Love,\" which Stoppard co-wrote with Marc Norman, Miramax Films took particular interest in the scribe\"s theater projects, including a partnership with the producers of the current Broadway revival of \"The Real Thing.\" As for Miramax's participating in the \"Invention\" production, Bishop said: \"My phone has not rung. We are a nonprofit organization.\" Bishop said that casting had not yet begun for the New York production. Rehearsals are scheduled to start in early January. First staged in London in 1997, \"The Invention of Love\" received its U.S. debut last January at San Francisco\"s American Conservatory Theater, with James Cromwell and Jason Butler Harner playing the Engli h poet A.E. Housman at different points in his life. \"Invention\" explores Housman's unrequited love for Moses John Jackson, an athlete and Cambridge classmate, and looks at how Housman\"s passion propelled him to write some of his greatest poetry. Housman is best known for his collection of poems \"A Shropshire Lad.\" Jack O\"Brien will direct the Stoppard play on Broadway, with costume and set design by Bob Crowley. The three creatives last teamed at Lincoln Center in 1994 for the playwright\"s \"Hapgood.\" Ben Brantley reviewed the San Francisco production in the New York Times, writing that the play \"ranks with Mr. Stoppard\"s finest work.\" In other words, the Tony Awards category for play of the year could actually be of significant interest next May. Already announced for the 2000-01 Broadway season are such new works as Neil Simon\"s \"The Dinner Party,\" Charles Busch\"s \"The Tale of the Allergist\"s Wife\" and Sandra Ryan Heyward\"s \"Tallulah.\" To be expected are David Auburn\"s \"Proof,\" transferring from the Manha tan Theater Club to Broadway in the fall, and the current London hit \"Stones in His Pockets,\" by Marie Jones, which a consortium of producers is in negotiations to bring to New York next spring. ~~~~~~~ Limited engagement...March...Rehearsals in January Good, v. good \"Invention\" explores Housman's unrequited love for Moses John Jackson Not good. :-("}, {"response": 1960, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (07:57)", "body": "(Karen) \"Invention\" explores Housman's unrequited love for Moses John Jackson Not good. :-( LOL. Did anyone read or see an interview that Stoppard gave, in which he said he had no idea of their relationship/attraction until he started doing research? It was a surprise to him. I'm not sure if the above is a figment of my imagination, or whether my recollection is accurate."}, {"response": 1961, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (08:03)", "body": "*hee hee* especially after RV...press would be dredging up Another Country and Apartment Zero and coming up with a whole new lifestyle for our little antique hunter! ;-)"}, {"response": 1962, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (09:48)", "body": "Antique hunter? Do tell more Karen. I hadn't heard this. Wouldn't it be great if ODB snagged such a terrific role on Broadway!!! Does anyone know how old Houseman is supposed to be in this play. I confess ignorance about his life. Thanks for finding this news Karen!"}, {"response": 1963, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (10:42)", "body": "(Sadie)Wouldn't it be great if ODB snagged such a terrific role on Broadway!!! Shhhhhh. Don't mention the B-word on #134, Sadie....they'll lynch you... Everybody likes things the way they are over there... ;-) But this is safe territory...thankgod. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thanks Karen...interesting note. I have that Tom Stoppard interview on tape, but must check it out.Wonder if it would have a British cast since it's not coming over from the West End.Tom Stoppard...Lincoln Center..mucho high profile. In time for Tony cut-off early May. I wish. *on knees*"}, {"response": 1964, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (10:49)", "body": "No, it's not coming over from the West End, but the characters are English, so either they get TRTs or have Americans do the accents. About that antiquing hobby, Sadie, I'm not the best one for quoting chapter and verse of past interviews. I'll leave it to another to fill in the missing pieces..."}, {"response": 1965, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (10:59)", "body": "Playbill online announced the same...and.. \"The Invention of Love has as its central character 19th-century English poet A.E. Housman (1859-1936). Stoppard's story begins with Housman, old and infirm, dreaming he is dead and being ferried across the river Styx by the mythical boatman Charon. Houseman is best known for his collection of poems titled \"A Shropshire Lad.\" Through his work, according to Invention of Love production notes, he expressed his lifelong unrequited passion for a fellow student at Oxford, Moses Jackson. .....Paxton Whitehead will play Houseman at the Court Theatre in Chicago this fall, while the Huntington Theatre Company of Boston will produce the drama next spring.\" ~~~~~~~~~~ Two possibilities for roles here...though the Houseman role sounds more like an Anthony Hopkins...or Jeremy Irons?"}, {"response": 1966, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (11:22)", "body": "As long as ODB is not in danger of being told he's too old again (as was the case in SIL)."}, {"response": 1967, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (12:54)", "body": "Invention Of Love played Philadelphia about a year or so ago (after the San Francisco run). Stoppard was here at the time, very involved with the production. Unfortunately, my recollection is that the principal actors were considerably younger than someone we may have in mind.;-) Like mid to late '20s. They'll get Jude Law.:-( Will see if I can dig up some of the old Philly Inquirer stories/reviews."}, {"response": 1968, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (13:22)", "body": "That's disappointing to hear, Mari. But maybe Stoppard will smarten up, and realize how perfect CF would be (and how youthful he looks since he's been working out)."}, {"response": 1969, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (21:24)", "body": "(Eileen) I cut my big hair years ago Me too! (E) and don't even use hairspray any more Check. (E) Nails are short, too. Er . . .hmmm. Hey, at least give me credit for having divested myself of all plastic slipcover holdings (with the exception of your E-Z Wipe monitor cover which I will nevah give up!;-) I checked the Inquirer site. IOL played more recently than I thought, February of this year. Several articles on the run are lsited in their archives, but they charge for them. If anyone is interested, search on www.phillylife.com"}, {"response": 1970, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (08:08)", "body": "Bag it, Mari. Karen doesn't want him to do it...Three gay roles is enough! Afraid he'll be type- casted...in competition with Rupe;-) And hey..we forgot Ned...he was sorta AC/DC. Four roles...Agggggg"}, {"response": 1971, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (08:21)", "body": "Yes, and what I want truly matters in the grand scheme of things. ;-)"}, {"response": 1972, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (16:23)", "body": "Judy, I received all the Derbyshire/Lyme Park info today and have been leafing through planning a trip (hopefully) for a couple of weeks time. Thank-you once again for your kind words."}, {"response": 1973, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (17:25)", "body": "Tracy,glad you received it okay,had visions of it not fitting thro' letter box.I tried to e-mail you to warn you but system was poorly."}, {"response": 1974, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (18:28)", "body": "Ned...he was sorta AC/DC Wot???"}, {"response": 1975, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (19:49)", "body": "She means Walker"}, {"response": 1976, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (20:39)", "body": "Well, I never. I don't even recall any discussion of Ned's sorta AC/DC qualities. How did they allegedly manifest itself?"}, {"response": 1977, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (22:34)", "body": "Nan uses the term \"sexual fluency\" as I recall to describe Walker and then there's that entire thread about Walker being in love with Pip...or had you forgotten? ;-)"}, {"response": 1978, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (10:39)", "body": "(Karen)She means Walker (Karen)Nan uses the term \"sexual fluency\" as I recall to describe Walker and then there's that entire thread about Walker being in love with Pip... Pip: \"Except I am no longer willing to bear the brunt of your meaness. Walker: I'm sorry, I... Pip: You know, it's not as if I don't know where it's coming from, it's not as if I don't know you've always heen basically in love with me...that's been obvious for so many years that... Walker: oh Jesus, Jesus...\" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Not that I'm asking for \"chapter and verse\", but I didn't know that ODB had been writing a play.Can anyone elaborate on that.... Good sign that FP has resuscitated.Keeps his name out there."}, {"response": 1979, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (11:29)", "body": "(Evelyn) Keeps his name out there. Well, there's out there and then there's out there . It is a long time until BJD hits the US, though. The best we can hope for in the meantime is that Londinium becomes a sleeper hit, 'cause Starz may not reach that many households. Hey--ya never know!"}, {"response": 1980, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (13:56)", "body": "OK, so Pip is trying to thwart Walker. But I sensed no sexual ambiguity in Colin's acting."}, {"response": 1981, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (17:21)", "body": "But I sensed no sexual ambiguity in Colin's acting. It's in the dialogue... Nan asks him...\" Were you in love with him? He answers:\"Oh,who knows... He's such a dunce, I envied him.\" Nan......\"Yes\"(Smiles) \"Yes\"."}, {"response": 1982, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (18:51)", "body": "It's in the dialogue... But it wasn't in Colin, really..."}, {"response": 1983, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (20:09)", "body": "It's in the dialogue... But it wasn't in Colin, really.. Pfffft"}, {"response": 1984, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (23:30)", "body": "It's possible you might see a familiar face in the audience...as he did hang out with Kevin Anderson when he was here ;-) A revival that still delivers shock therapy One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Barbican, London EC2 THE novelist Ken Kesey wrote One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest at the psychedelic-pink dawning of the 1960s, and in 1975 Milos Forman turned it into a celluloid elegy for that period. In between came Dale Wasserman's play: a didactic melodrama that, nevertheless, left this long-retired hippy itching to frolic through the city yelling \"make love not war\" and giving flowers to passing pigs. That reaction says much for Chicago's Steppenwolf Company, which in 1998 brought a pretty flat revival of The Man Who Came to Dinner to the Barbican. Its present import, though superficially no more enterprising, should remind the troupe's fans that it was once famous for \"rock 'n' roll theatre\". The old energy and commitment are back, yet skill and guile have not been lost. Whatever your objections to its anti-establishment propaganda, Terry Kinney's production is utterly gripping. The setting is a psychiatric ward in a state hospital that all too obviously represents American society in microcosm. Eccentricity is treated with what used to be called \"repressive tolerance\", primarily \"democratic\" group therapy that is actually rigidly controlled. But when genuine danger looms in the form of a questioning, rebellious patient called McMurphy - well, then Big Nurse and her system fall back on rejigging the rules, with punishment, shock treatment and, finally, lobotomy. As a study of clinical practice in 1965, it is surely far-fetched, and, as a piece of political analysis, it is positively paranoid. The State, it suggests, will commit mind-murder rather than accept change. Moreover, Tim Sampson has to act doubly hard to ensure that we believe in the most sentimentally conceived victim of institutionalised might: a native American who has retreated into aphasia in hopeless protest at the humiliation of the father with whom he silently communes. Yet Steppenwolf bring a drab-looking ward abundantly to life, stuttering mother's boy, troubled bisexual and all. And with Gary Sinise as a jokily formidable McMurphy and Amy Morton as a Big Nurse who maintains absolute power with a quiet voice, a perfect hairdo and a terrifying serenity, the conflict at the centre is packed with menace and tension. Altogether, an exhilarating evening. BENEDICT NIGHTINGALE Note: Tim Sampson is the son of Will Sampson, who played Chief in the movie. Amy Morton played Nan/Lina in 3DOR."}, {"response": 1985, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (11:20)", "body": "(Mari) Invention Of Love played Philadelphia about a year or so ago...my recollection is that the principal actors were considerably younger than someone we may have in mind.;-) Like mid to late '20s. They'll get Jude Law.:-( I love Jude Law. Besides, it would seem, CF never does work outside the UK anymore. It's probably also my rotten luck never to be destined to see CF on Broadway ever. So -- I definitly would not complain were it to be Jude Law in the role."}, {"response": 1986, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (13:06)", "body": "Vera posted this link at the FOFs. Recognize anyone there? It is too funny! http://www.winternet.com/~mikelr/flame1.html"}, {"response": 1987, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (13:59)", "body": "Flame Warriors indeed....what a hoot, Murph. a lotta people come to mind.....but not moi, of course;-) My fave: 'Netiquette Nazi'....you can count on every board having one;-))"}, {"response": 1988, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (14:28)", "body": "Yes great fun Murph.I looked for myself,tried 'newbie'but I can't see myself 'crying in a corner',liked the sound of 'blowhard & grunter' but they weren't what Iexpected them to be so on that basis I must come under heading 'Strumpet'(although I don't look like that!)I thought it best to point the finger at myself before somebody else does! Now go on everybody own up which one is your alter ego?"}, {"response": 1989, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (17:56)", "body": "Well, I confess to a leetle bit of the Strumpet meself. I fantasize about being the Kung-Fu Master, but suspect I'm actually closer to Loopy. I kinda like what Netiquette Nazi is wearing though. Now put that in a CF film, and you've really got an interesting scene to censor! .... They didn't have an Exclamation Point Warrior!"}, {"response": 1990, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (18:12)", "body": "Sadie are you sure you're only a 'leetle bit of strumpet' you did come to mind when I read it."}, {"response": 1991, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (01:59)", "body": "LOL Judy. Strumpet is a relative term. Around my relatives I'm less of a strumpet, and in the wilds of the city, well..."}, {"response": 1992, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (02:47)", "body": "(Sadie)Around my relatives I'm less of a strumpet-I understand that feeling,at 34 my mum & dad still makeme feel like a kid,can you believe I don't swear,don't talk about sex plus if they talk about me to anyone I 'm referred to as shy & quiet-talk about leading a double life.Now just what do you get up to in the wilds of the city,I'm always on the lookout for new ideas!"}, {"response": 1993, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (03:04)", "body": "Ah, 34, I didn't realize we were so close in age! Well, in the wilds of the city are many interesting species. Much better than camping! I might as well confess that the boyfriend and I split up after our camping trip. So now I am a complete Singleton. I know Bridget was unhappy with this status, but after a month of crying I am beginning to enjoy being single. But I cannot say more, as this is a public board."}, {"response": 1994, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (03:13)", "body": "Not to worry (about posting message 2x at Fanfic)Judy. You've no doubt noticed how much trouble I've been having lately just logging in. Especially when some one posts some real old-fashioned drool fic!"}, {"response": 1995, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (03:13)", "body": "Yes Sadie I'm still I mananged to get lost in the droolfor a while.I'm sorry to hear about your split with your boyfriend he obviously didn't deserve YOU."}, {"response": 1996, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (03:15)", "body": "That's what he said! But somehow I think he meant no compliment!"}, {"response": 1997, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (03:17)", "body": "Well I definitely do mean it as a compliment plus it gives you more time to drool so his loss is our gain isn't?"}, {"response": 1998, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (03:18)", "body": "Heehee. V.kind, and now I have more time to drool without pretending to be doing something else, anyway. Speaking of which, did you check out Darcy Drool tonight yet? If not, you gotta!"}, {"response": 1999, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (03:25)", "body": "I think I just have but I'm not sure I've not recovered from fanfic yet1 drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 128, "subject": "Fan Fiction", "response_count": 671, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 1997 (08:33)", "body": "Topic 173 of 194 [austen]: Fan fiction (was New P&P scenes) Response 144 of 154: Lola (breezin) * Tue, Feb 18, 1997 (19:39) * 9 lines For What It's Firth: A Moment's Acting The director shouted again, \"Everyone to your places, please!\" Colin gracefully deposited himself on the sofa at \"Pemberley.\" Make-up staffers hovered several moments, rifling his hair and powdering his jaw with sensitive fingers; to both he gave a warm smile as they backed away, sighing. \"Now Colin, what we want here is the look of love, if you know what I mean.\" Just to raise a little cain and ire in a semi-somnolent crew, Colin narrowed his eyes in mock ignorance and drawled, \"I'm not sure what you mean. Aren't there as many looks of love as there are men and women on the planet?\" Make-up staffers giggled but the director shot them an evil look. \"Naturally, Colin, we haven't all day to discuss the permutations of very conceivable amorous gaze between a man and a woman. I referred to the look of a completely targetted-love object - in this case Elizabeth Bennet - that you love with every inch of your being and now heedlessly show at this piano scene. Do I make myself clear?!?\" \"Oh,\" drawled Colin, \"You mean something like this...\" And he lay back in pashah-like ease, crossed his legs, and languidly opened the windows to his inner soul's feelings, directing the melting tenderness right towards Miss Ehl. As she gripped the back of the piano to stop from swaying, she muttered \"Not here, Colin!\" as other females in the vicinity felt their collective temperatures rise and insides writhe. As unobtrusively as he'd begun, Colin shut down the warmth and returned to normal, smi ing modestly. \"Would that be it?\" The director, knowing when he was outmaneuvered, called a break and stomped off the set. Sue Birtwistle merely lit the tenth cigarette of the morning and dragged on it fiercely, attempting to focus on her script..."}, {"response": 2, "author": "kate", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 1997 (09:48)", "body": "I just copied this from an old interview with CF. \"I thought to myself: 'This is where he wants to go across the room and punch someone. This is where he wants to kiss her. This is where he wants sex with her right now.' I'd imagine a man doing it all, and then not doing any of it. That's all I did.\" Any ideas about which he wanted to do when?"}, {"response": 3, "author": "Amy", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 1997 (10:34)", "body": "There's a thread about this somewhere, Kate. I'll do a quick search for it."}, {"response": 4, "author": "Amy", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 1997 (10:40)", "body": "Kate, I searched on the word \"erection\" in this conference and, after a slap on the hand from Surfwatch, was returned this list: Topic 15, Response 75: By Anne3 (Anne3) on Mon, Jan 27, 1997 (18:37) Line 7: suggested that Darcy probably had an erection. During another, when Topic 15, Response 76: By sharon (sld) on Mon, Jan 27, 1997 (18:58) Line 6: \"Darcy probably had an erection.'......... Well, he was sitting with Topic 15, Response 77: By Inko (Inko) on Mon, Jan 27, 1997 (20:08) Line 3: this smell down there?\" And the erection - I vote for the bathroom scene Topic 15, Response 79: By Margaret Howard (Meggin) on Mon, Jan 27, 1997 (22:58) Line 4: ]...has an erection... Topic 15, Response 82: By Cheryl Sneed (Cheryl) on Tue, Jan 28, 1997 (01:59) Line 9: Erection...so many options, so many...I'll go for when he is listening to Topic 15, Response 83: By Amy (Amy) on Tue, Jan 28, 1997 (06:34) Line 1: ] Erection...so many options, so many...I'll go for when he is listening Topic 15, Response 86: By Cheryl Sneed (Cheryl) on Tue, Jan 28, 1997 (16:03) Line 6: Well, ok...seems I need to find another erection scene...it is no hard You can do a text search of any conference by hitting the search button on the front page of each conference."}, {"response": 5, "author": "Ann2", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 1997 (11:03)", "body": "languidly opened the windows to his inner soul's feelings, directing the melting tenderness // and so on LOL, LOLA ;-))"}, {"response": 6, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 1997 (16:08)", "body": "Gosh, Amy, an \"erection search\"...brings all kinds of interpretations to mind...;-) LOL!"}, {"response": 7, "author": "Amy", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 1997 (16:20)", "body": "Well, the key to effective searches is coming up with the optimum keyword."}, {"response": 8, "author": "Kali", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 1997 (16:22)", "body": "Holy f*****g cow. ARRRRGGGGGHHHHHHH!"}, {"response": 9, "author": "Kali", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 1997 (16:23)", "body": "Yo, Aim?! Chat?"}, {"response": 10, "author": "Inko", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 1997 (17:57)", "body": "All of above re: searches -- ROTFLOL . Especially Kali's comment!!;-)"}, {"response": 11, "author": "Inko", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 1997 (19:14)", "body": "Some Smouldering and Clothing Advice A double-decker bus is parked in the parking lot of a rather dilapidated North London school yard. It's being used as the catering bus for the cast and crew of \"Fever Pitch\" . 12:30 p.m. Lunch time. Colin Firth and Mark Strong enter the bus, collect their meals, and sit together at a small table for two. \"I need your advice, Colin. I just heard that I've got the part of Knightley in the BBC's \"Emma\" . Have you read the book? \"Yes, after finishing P&P and after ploughing through Nostromo, I decided to read all of Austen's novels. I needed some light relief!\" \"Well, since you had such success with Darcy, how do you think I should play Knightley?\" \"Hmmm, it never hurts to have him smoulder.\" Colin gives an example for Mark's benefit, but the resulting smoulder is actually caught by the four women at the next table who, their mouths agape, completely ignore the food in front of them. \"I'm not sure I can smoulder as well as that, but I'll practice it between now and June!\" \"Oh, and one other piece of advice. Have them cut your breeches a bit fuller than they did mine!\" \"Why - isn't a tight fit just right for the Regency period?\" \"Ummm, yes it is. But, believe me, have them a bit fuller unless you want to have a special thread on the Internet devoted to how you dress -- if you catch my meaning!\" \"Thanks for the advice, Colin!\""}, {"response": 12, "author": "Amy", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 1997 (19:24)", "body": "Cute, Inko. Not too far from the truth, probably. I must believe someone did direct him to act in a way that he would not have done if left to interpret it himself."}, {"response": 13, "author": "kate", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 1997 (22:18)", "body": "Amy, Amy thank you for those links. I was laughing so much I had tears running down my face. I think the best suggestion was when Mr Collins ran up saying \"Hurry, he's hard upon my heels\"."}, {"response": 14, "author": "Kali", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 1997 (22:48)", "body": "Oooooh, bad, kate, BAD!!!!"}, {"response": 15, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 1997 (02:07)", "body": "Inko: But, believe me, have them a bit fuller unless you want to have a special thread on the Internet devoted to how you dress -- if you catch my meaning!\" Oh Inko! You're bad, bad, bad! I love it! ;-)"}, {"response": 16, "author": "Ann2", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 1997 (15:08)", "body": "Anything at all connected to breeches, loose or tight, suits him and me fine! Thanks for chance to LOL ,Inko."}, {"response": 17, "author": "Karen", "date": "Fri, Feb 21, 1997 (00:53)", "body": "Lola - I just loved the thoughts of JE (no, not here) and SB (lighting her tenth cigarette). Inko - ROTFLOL! Between the puns and the other comments, I think I'm blushing (and this is quite a feat for me)."}, {"response": 18, "author": "summit", "date": "Fri, Feb 21, 1997 (08:45)", "body": "Guests \"Livia, cara mia, leave the vacuuming for a minute and tell me what you think of this new script. My agent said it was sent from the States in batches to his private email address; probably some hacker female fan, but sounds interesting.\" Livia sighed, turned off both vacuums that she could easily steer with both hands at once (having been an excellent driver in Rome), and with a Gina Lollabrigida swing of her hips sauntered to his side. But seeing the title and the massive printout script, she retrieved some more coffee from their new espresso machine before settling down in his lap. Gently pushing to one side her hair whose waterfall obstructed his view (and tenderly nuzzling her nape in the process), God's-gift-to-women enjoyed briefly the sensation of her seating before focusing acutely on the stapled mass before them, titled THE LIFE AND LOVES OF GAUGUIN. \"It's amateur stuff, but it's got the things I look for in a project: eccentric rogue male, art, temperamental type repressed until later in life, exotic location, male bonding, passionate women, and just enough intellectualism to please the critics and my parents. Besides, I've never been to Tahiti and the place is supposed to be fabulously relaxing. I think this flat has been too confining lately. Of course, you can come visit me during the shoot between your course terms, but the main thing is to g t another project going right away, don't you think?\" Livia turned troubled eyes his way: \"But caro, you would be so very far away, and your costar may be too attractive, I mean attracted to you. How can we solve that little worry of mine?\" She kissed him lightly on the chin where his razor missed. Ever appreciative of these little attentions from her, he smiled into her eyes warmly. \"I am sure no one will ever take your place in my affections, my dear. Doesn't the ring prove it?\" Suddenly the doorbell rang. Irritated, he went to answer the door, sure it was the neighbor complaining again about the Verdi operas played at midnight in their flat to drown out more personal sounds going through the thin walls. To his surprise, several obviously American women stood before him, in varying degrees of smiles and smitten looks. One of the bolder ones stepped forward and said, \"Excuse us, Mr. Firth, but we were just on our way to a conference this Spring when we thought we'd drop by and introduce ourselves. We're t e writers who co-authored a script sent you recently about Gauguin.\" \"Yes!\" piped up another, \"all about his life and loves!\" Agog at the audacity and numbers before him, but mindful of his actual liking of the script, the actor opened the door wider and invited them in, to the horror of his fiancee... to be continued?"}, {"response": 19, "author": "Amy", "date": "Fri, Feb 21, 1997 (08:49)", "body": "Oh, Wendy, please please please let it be an adaptation of the Moon and Sixpence."}, {"response": 20, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Fri, Feb 21, 1997 (11:03)", "body": "Wendy: to be continued? Oh yes, Wendy, do continue...do we get to have our way with him? Huh? Huh?"}, {"response": 21, "author": "Mari", "date": "Fri, Feb 21, 1997 (13:34)", "body": "Oh, Wendy, Wendy...what can I say? You have incorporated the vacuums into the story so well. Your artistry continues to amaze me!"}, {"response": 22, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Sat, Feb 22, 1997 (16:10)", "body": "Wendy, you are a wonder!This is the funniest yet!"}, {"response": 23, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sat, Feb 22, 1997 (17:40)", "body": "This is my maiden effort at fan fiction, so please be gentle with me. Actually, my own personal fantasy would earn a rating close to the end of the alphabet -- I sincerely hope this one doesn't offend. It's especially for Cassandra and Kali: Emma, in pure contentment, rested her head against Mr. Knightley\ufffds broad shoulder, their hands intertwined. The wedding was over \ufffd blissful event!! -- and they were on their way to Donwell. Emma had been reluctant to leave her father, even for one night, but John and Isabella were with him, and Mr. Knightley had insisted. This, of all nights, was theirs, he had said. Mrs. George Knightley \ufffd Emma Woodhouse Knightley. Emma\ufffds head still swam with the deliciousness of her new name. She would never grow tired of hearing herself called such! \"We are almost there, Mrs. Knightley,\" she heard her husband say, almost as if he was reading her thoughts. She was instantly reminded of his earlier comment to Mrs. Elton that only Mrs. Knightley would arrange things at Donwell. She was now that very person, she thought,joyfully, as she saw Donwell appear in front of their carriage. Once there, they spent many hours exploring the Abbey, as Knightley now had much more to share with her regarding its administration. They also found some secluded places where they could steal quick kisses and profess their deep devotion to each other. Emma could not believe it had taken her so long to see how very much she loved this man. Thus, the day passed quickly enough, and that night Emma sat brushing out her hair while Knightley, somewhat impatiently, waited for her. She had been pleasantly surprised by his room: it was so masculine, and his scent was everywhere. Yet there was suddenly a queasy feeling in the pit of her stomach which made her very uncomfortable, and she wondered if she was quite well. \"Come here, Emma,\" Knightley said softly from behind her. She paused momentarily, then put down her brush and went to her husband, but not without some trepidation. He could see this and, cupping her chin in his hand, he looked directly into her eyes. \"Have I ever hurt you, Emma?\" he asked seriously. \"No, never,\" she answered with the same solemnity. \"And I shall not now. Trust in me, Emma dearest.\" \"I do, Mr. Knightley,\" she said. And she did\ufffd ________________________________________________________ Emma gradually became aware that the morning sun was streaming in upon her, and she stretched luxuriously, slowly realizing who and where she was. She had never before felt so perfectly satisfied. Soft kisses fell on her forehead, temple, and cheek, and she gently remonstrated, \"George, it\ufffds daylight!\" \"Shhhh,\" he murmured affectionately. \"Be quiet, Emma. Sometimes you talk entirely too much.\" She obeyed, and soon was glad she had. ________________________________________________________ Later that morning, Emma again sat to arrange her hair and Mr. Knightley stood just behind her, watching her admiringly. \"Today we return to Hartfield,\" he said. Emma\ufffds eyes met his in the mirror. \"Mr. Knightley,\" she began uncertainly, \"I am sure that I shall never be able to \ufffd that is to say, I cannot \ufffd not in my father\ufffds house!\" she finished in a rush. He moved forward and rested his head on hers. \"You can, Emma, and you shall, and your enjoyment will be the same,\" he said gently, but forcefully. \"You are my own Emma now \ufffd my wife!\" Emma scarcely registered the trip to Hartfield, so engrossed was she in her dilemma. She was unaware that Mr. Knightley occasionally looked over at her with a knowing smile. No matter how she considered their situation, she could envision no satisfactory resolution, and she was still uncertain when they arrived at Hartfield. Her father fussed over her as if she\ufffdd been gone for weeks, and for once, she let him. He insisted she come in quickly, sit in front of the fire, and wrap a blanket about her legs Soon, conversation with her family and the joy of being in her own dear home combined to give her some peace, and she momentarily forgot what had worried her so. However, as the day wore on, she became aware of an unnamed agitation which made her restless and almost irritable. Whenever she caught Mr. Knightley\ufffds eye or knew that he was looking at her, she felt a sharp, delicious thrill, and when he touched her arm, the small of her back, or her hair, a ragged jolt coursed her entire frame. She had neve been affected by him in quite this way before, and she wasn\ufffdt sure she was entirely comfortable with it. The evening passed with dinner and conversation, and soon it was time to retire. Mr. Knightley stood and offered her his arm. \"Come, Emma.\" She rose almost against her will, feeling unable to do anything else. She half expected her father, or John or Isabella, to object, but of course none of them did, and she and Mr. Knightley climbed the stairs to their chamber. Once behind closed doors, Mr. Knightley quickly turned and embraced her, and Emma, to her surprise, clasped him to her almost desper"}, {"response": 24, "author": "summit", "date": "Sat, Feb 22, 1997 (17:52)", "body": "Nicely done, Susan (and within our rating system, I think!) :-)"}, {"response": 25, "author": "elder", "date": "Sat, Feb 22, 1997 (17:56)", "body": "Oohh! Give us all some air!! Too good, Susan, but then this is the DROOL conference, isn't it?"}, {"response": 26, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 1997 (00:00)", "body": "Ahhh, Susan, so satisfying....I feel like a cat who's been in the cream.:-)"}, {"response": 27, "author": "Kali", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 1997 (03:04)", "body": "Oh, Susan! Thank you! You weren't kidding when you stated that Mr. Knightley made more appearances in your fantasy life than any other Austen male - this story is obviously the product of much thought! My favorite lines: \"Come, Emma.\" (I know, my mind's in the gutter!) \"...I will take that and more!\" (Do it NOW!!!) He sure knows what he's doing...way to go! ;}"}, {"response": 28, "author": "Kali", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 1997 (03:07)", "body": "Oh, and Susan...if you ever commit the X-rated version to computer, will you e-mail it my way? ;)"}, {"response": 29, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 1997 (09:03)", "body": "Susan, I've never liked Knightley so much as in your version. (Have you done a P&P wedding night? I know all of us have in our minds!!!)"}, {"response": 30, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 1997 (09:05)", "body": "Oh, and can you put my name right after Kali's?"}, {"response": 31, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 1997 (12:05)", "body": "Thanks for all the approbation! I may do an Elizabeth and Darcy wedding night sometime, but as you can see, it's Mr. Knightley who's always done it for me, until CF lit up the screen as Darcy. I also like Mr. Rochester a great deal and can't wait to see CH's portrayal. That just may inspire a story..."}, {"response": 32, "author": "Amy", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 1997 (12:07)", "body": "] I also like Mr. Rochester a great deal and can't wait to see CH's portrayal. That just may inspire a story... __ I've a feeling that may inspire a great many things."}, {"response": 33, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 1997 (13:38)", "body": "OOOOOOOOOOH SUSAN!!!!! WHAT A STORY!!! Keep indulging us! May I voice my admiration for \"Be quiet, Emma-you talk too much\" \"COme Emma! and \"YOu are NOw mine-My Wife\" and especially \"have I ever hurt you\". OOH Baby!!! The hair brushing thing I also liked and the kiss, where he bends her backwards-very Rhett Butler. WONDERFUL!!!! I hope you won't hate me, But I thought OF Jeremy Knightley."}, {"response": 34, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 1997 (01:46)", "body": "mmmmmmMMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmm :-)"}, {"response": 35, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 1997 (01:49)", "body": "mmmmmmMMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmm :-)"}, {"response": 36, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 1997 (01:51)", "body": "and mmmmmmMMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmm again! :-)"}, {"response": 37, "author": "Kali", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 1997 (03:44)", "body": "Alrighty then...! ;)"}, {"response": 38, "author": "summit", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 1997 (08:47)", "body": "Lisa's done a bit of drooling about a Darcy/Lizzy wedding night at the Austen conference next door, if you want another such fiction to read."}, {"response": 39, "author": "Amy", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 1997 (09:31)", "body": "And here it is. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 173 of 199 [austen]: Fan fiction (was New P&P scenes) Response 199 of 202: Lisa (lisaC) * Sun, Feb 23, 1997 (14:45) * 22 lines \"Elizabeth, is evrything all right?\" \"Yes. I'll be out shortly\" she replied. Darcy was sitting on the edge of the bed and began removing his jacket, tie and unfastening the buttons of his shirt. He got up, walked towards the window and stared outside. His mind and body were all in a flutter. \"Am I dreaming?\" he wondered. \"Did tonight actually happen?\" He hadn't heard her approach and was startled by the touch of her hand on his shoulder. He reached out, placed his hand on hers and turned to face her. In all his dreams he never imagined her to look as beautiful as she did. Her eyes were sparkling and her dark brown curly hair was flowing down to her shoulders. He got up, took a few strands and began twirling it around his fingers. He loved its soft, souple feel. He stared longingly into her eyes. His body was hungry for hers. He placed his hand to the nape of her neck and brought her body closer to his. He could feel and hear her breathing increase. He then lowered his lips until they met hers, brushing small, little kisses, one after one, until each grew into longer, deeper, more passionate responses. Slowly their lips parted but he continued to explore her. Gently, he pushed her head back and traced up and down the outline of her neck with his fingers; his lips soon followed suit. He could feel the heat eminate from her body. Neither said a word. Both were totally consumed by their desire, their passion, their longing for each other. He caressed the roundness of her shoulders and tenderly eliminated the only obstacle standing in his way of pure ecstasy. Her gown fell to the floor. There she stood. The most beautiful, breathtaking vision he had ever seen. As his eyes looked up and down the splendours of her body she began, with her trembling, nervous hands to unfasten the buttons of his shirt. He couldn't wait any longer. With a force that startled and excited her, he ripped his shirt open, flung it off his body, and in as hurried a ma ner, removed the breeches from the lower half of his being. She reached out to touch his chest. She felt his muscles rippling when her fingers tenderly toyled with his small patch of hair. He then lifted her up in his arms and carried her over to the canopied-king-sized bed. Gently he layed her down. \"I love you so much Elizabeth. I don't want to frighten or hurt you\" he said lovingly. She looked directly into his eyes and answered:\" I love you too Fitzwilliam, and I know that you would never do anything to intentionally harm me, but I can't stand it anymore. I want you so much. Make love to me now!\" Mr. Darcy faithfully obeyed his wife's wishes. The pleasure that both felt from this wonderful, magical experience is too difficult to explain so I therefore will not attempt to try."}, {"response": 40, "author": "mich", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 1997 (12:26)", "body": "Lisa, Susan & Wendy, WOW, I'm quite at a loss for words. My mind must be somewhere else ;-) WELL DONE! & THANK YOU!"}, {"response": 41, "author": "kimmer", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 1997 (09:36)", "body": "Susan, I have just finished reading your Emma/Knightly story. How wonderful! When will your first novel be published? You mentioned that you like Rochester. I do too I have wondered about Jane and Rochester's wedding night....what with his blindness and crippled hand. I am sure you could write a wonderful version. I always imagine Timothy Dalton as Rochester."}, {"response": 42, "author": "Susan", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 1997 (23:31)", "body": "Thanks, Kim -- it was fun!! I am intrigued by Jane and Rochester; maybe one of these days I'll work on a story about them, perhaps after the new version comes out in September. I'm not sure Rochester really needed his sight , if you know what I mean. I liked the playful banter Charlotte Bronte let them have at the end of the book, and they sounded to me like they were off to a great start."}, {"response": 43, "author": "Kali", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 1997 (00:34)", "body": "The post-fire Rochester was certainly less grating to me...and I'm sure his sappiness wore off as soon as his sight was recovered (too many \"oh Janet!\"'s in that novel for my taste)...give us more, Susan! My personal preference is Knightley/Emma, but Jane and Rochester would make a charming piece of pornography in its own right...;)"}, {"response": 44, "author": "summit", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 1997 (20:36)", "body": "Erotica is a more charmingly refined term, I think, for love stories read or penned by \"ladies of refinement\" (as even a regency rake like Wickham would I hope still call us)... And since regency smouldering under tousled locks and sweltering attire in P&P2 is what brought most of us together in the first place, at the Drool and Austen conferences, here's another shot of the Darcy couple: http://www.grin.net/~meluchie/firthlist/nz_pp.htm"}, {"response": 45, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 1997 (03:05)", "body": "EMMA: DEJA-VU Part 3 Emma could not remember a time when she had slept so little and yet so well. How perfectly satisfied and content she felt this morning, compared to the previous day's anxiety! Her head resting against Mr Knightley's pillow-like chest, she smiled at his peaceful, eloquent slumber. \"How handsome he looks,\" she sighed. \"almost like a little boy-so young as he looked.\" Turning on her side, Emma playfully brushed a stray piece of grass from Mr Knightely's dark, lustrous hair; indeed, this was the only visible eminder of their night of passion. Instantly, Emma replayed over and over in her mind every treasured word and look, the tantalizing feel of his skin against her's. Smiling, she traced an intricate design a long his face, finally bestowing a tender kiss on his lips. To her great amusement and surprise, Mr Knightley opened his eyes. \"Good morning,\" she said sweetly. \"I think it would be safer to say good afternoon,\" he replied huskily. \"And never have I been awakened in such a delightful way, or by such a charming lady.\" Emma blushed deeply at his words. Ever so gently, Mr Knightley grasped her face between his hands. His eyes burned her forehead. Brushing Emma's hair from her face, his mouth insistently found her own. Emma clung to him breathlessly, as much out of necessity for never had she felt so dizzy by his embrace. \"My Dearest, beloved Emma. Are you hungry?\" Knightley muttered passionately against her ear. Momentarily confused by his words, Emma finally answered: \"No-not particularly. Have our clothes dried yet?\" \"I don't think so. It will probably take another hour or two at the most.\" Meeting her gaze, Mr Knightley smirked bewitchingly. \"Really-a whole hour. What can we possibly do here for a whole hour?\" The brilliancy of her countenance and her hazel eyes was such that Mr Knightley could no longer prolong the suspense. Slowly running his hand along her cheek, he clasped Emma to him. ************************************************************************** Three hours later, Mr KNightey sat before his former dressing table, buttoning his white shirt. Emma was not helping matters much. For every button he succeeded in fastening, she undid two. \"My Darling! I wish I could stay with you all day, but Mrs Jennings must be wondering where we are. And it doesn't help that you must look so fetching in my clothes. You should always wear my clothes.\" \"Mr KNightley-how I wish we could always stay at Donwell. I've never seen such a perfectly, delightful place.\" \"Emma dearest-do you mean that? You know what that would entail-leaving your father.\" \"I know-but perhaps Father could be persuaded. Besides, I think there might be an even more important reason for our removal to Donwell...\" Her eyes shining brightly, Emma met Mr Knightley's anxious gaze. \"Emma-my dearest, beloved Emma! You don't mean...My Darling! You shouldn't be on your feet.\" Effortlessly, Mr Knightley swept Emma up into his arms, protectively shouldering her head against his chest. Carrying her once again to the bed, he covered her face and hands with kisses. \"My Dearest, sweetest Emma. Why didn't you tell me? Are you quite certain you are alright?\" \"I wanted to be completely certain,\" she replied calmly. And, I am more than well. I don't think I have ever been more content and happy.\" The perfect happiness of the moment was too swiftly interrupted by an insistent knock at the door. Hesitantly, Mrs Jennings entered. \"Sir. Ma'am. I do not wish to disturb you, but Mrs Martin is desperate to see you-Mr Knightley. Her husband has taken a turn for the worse and is in need of Mr Perry.\""}, {"response": 46, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 1997 (06:19)", "body": "Oh, Cassandra, what a way to start the morning. I love it!"}, {"response": 47, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 1997 (07:37)", "body": "that IS nice"}, {"response": 48, "author": "Susan", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 1997 (07:50)", "body": "For every button he succeeded in fastening, she undid two. You are wicked , Cassandra, and we love you the more for it! GREAT story!"}, {"response": 49, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 1997 (08:24)", "body": "Cassandra, have I missed parts I and II?"}, {"response": 50, "author": "Donna", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 1997 (08:54)", "body": "Wonderful!Wonderful!"}, {"response": 51, "author": "Mari", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 1997 (11:21)", "body": "I hope to have this performance often repeated, Cassandra...."}, {"response": 52, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 1997 (12:57)", "body": "Cindy: Cassandra, have I missed parts I and II? You can find them at the Derbyshire Writer's Guild, linked on the front page at Austen..."}, {"response": 53, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 1997 (17:06)", "body": "Thanks Guys! I must admit that EMMA-Deja-vu is my personal favorite and the easiest one to write!"}, {"response": 54, "author": "Ann2", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 1997 (18:48)", "body": "Ah, that was delightful, Cassandra is more to come?...You are determined to do it I hope ;-)"}, {"response": 55, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 1997 (22:38)", "body": "OK, I found Deja Vu. I believe I might be revisiting that one (or maybe it'll just seem like it?)"}, {"response": 56, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 1997 (16:31)", "body": "Ann2: I certainly intend to finish the story. More twists and turns, among other things, to come. This is so much fun compared the usual dreary, dry papers I have to write. One question: I wasn't sure whether I should re-post it over at Topic 201, or not. Any thoughts?"}, {"response": 57, "author": "Amy", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 1997 (16:53)", "body": "Cass, we're just feeling our way around this issue, but I think put it over there if it's not R rated and if it does not involve actor fantasies."}, {"response": 58, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 1997 (15:34)", "body": "The following story is R rated near the end (and it is not really about Mr. & Mrs. G, just keep reading)) Thanks to Myretta, Rebecca, Caroline and Cheryl for early reviewing. Picture comes from the Regency fashion page: http://locutus.ucr.edu/~cathy/reg3.html Mrs. Gardiner's Gift Part 1. February 1814--Morning Mrs. Gardiner contemplated the gown in La Belle Assemblie. It was similar to what she had in mind. With a little imagination, more buttons, less trim, and removal of the collar, it should work just fine. At the dressmakers, she showed the picture to the seamstress and explained the changes that she wanted. \"But, madam, this is a dinner dress,\" the seamstress was confused by Mrs. Gardiner's instructions. \"It is intended for a very private dinner,\" she replied. Her fifteenth wedding anniversary was soon, and she had planned a very special evening--the children were to spend the night with her parents, the perfect dinner was in the works, and all that was needed was the \"proper\" attire for the evening. She found some ice blue silk that would be just the thing for herself. Her eyes also caught site of a ruby red silk that she thought Lizzie might like. \"Do you have Mrs. Darcy's measurements?\" she asked the seamstress, who had helped provide her nieces trousseau and was now regularly patronized by Mrs. Darcy and Mrs. Bingley. \"Yes, ma'am.\" \"Then make a second gown for my niece,\" Mrs. Gardiner placed her order. A week later the gowns were ready. Mrs. Gardiner stood in front of a full length mirror. She had removed the gown from the box and was holding it front of her as she looked in the mirror. Yes, she thought, the gown would do very well, very well indeed. She sent the second gown to Pemberley, with a short note thanking her for the delightful visit the Gardiner's had enjoyed last Christmas."}, {"response": 59, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 1997 (15:35)", "body": "Part 2. Mrs. Gardiner stood before the mirror. She actually felt herself blushing at the image before. She felt quite giddy with anticipation--almost as if were her wedding night all over again. \"Stop that\" she told her image, \"You are married woman of six and thirty, a mother of four children, not some blushing bride.\" She wanted tonight to be special. Her dear Edward had been so occupied with business matters since returning from Christmas at Pemberley that they barely saw one another. Hopefully, tonight would change all that. Cook had prepared a dinner which included such delicacies as oysters, asparagus, peaches and champagne. A table for two had been set up in her dressing room. She heard a door open and close. Edward was in the sitting room. She took one last glance in mirror. She removed the cap from her head and let her fall down. She took a deep breath and headed toward the door. She went into the sitting room with high hopes. It had quite a while since she had the pleasure of seducing her husband. Mr. Gardiner watched as his wife came into the room. He was stunned, he was thrilled. \"Emily, you look beautiful, more beautiful than the day we met,\" he told her. He pulled out the chair for her to be seated. Thus was the beginning to an evening was very memorable to both participants."}, {"response": 60, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 1997 (15:36)", "body": "Part 3. At Pemberley, a week later. Darcy entered Elizabeth's bedroom through the connecting door. All he was wearing was his red and gold robe. He spied her sitting at the vanity brushing her hair. When she saw his reflection in the mirror, she rose and went to greet him in the usual manner. Darcy felt his mouth go dry as he got a good look at Elizabeth's new night shift. It was of ruby red silk, with a high neck and long sleeves. It should have been one of the discreet night shifts he had seen but it was not. There something decidedly provocative about the gown. True, the silk did cling to her body in a most becoming manner. But his rational mind thought it over, and decided it must be the buttons. For the gown was buttoned from the feet up to the throat and the sleeves had buttons from wrist to elbow. It was a night shift that issued a challenge and he was just the man to accept it. It looked to be a very interesting evening. \"Is that a new gown, my dear?\" he asked, knowing is was, but really thinking if he should start at the neck and work his way down. \"Yes, do you like it?\" Or maybe he should start at the bottom and work his way up. He grinned at that possibility. \"I like it very much, indeed, but where did it come from?\" Or maybe he should open a few at the top, a few at the bottom, and a few in-between. \"My aunt sent if from London.\" The sleeves first, yes, he would start with sleeves. \"Now I know why your uncle is such a happy man.\" Had Darcy but known it, Mr. Gardiner had spent the last week with a spring in his step. He was often heard humming and one clerk related that he even heard Mr. Gardiner whistling--whistling in the workplace!"}, {"response": 61, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 1997 (15:37)", "body": "Part 3. At Pemberley, a week later. Darcy entered Elizabeth's bedroom through the connecting door. All he was wearing was his red and gold robe. He spied her sitting at the vanity brushing her hair. When she saw his reflection in the mirror, she rose and went to greet him in the usual manner. Darcy felt his mouth go dry as he got a good look at Elizabeth's new night shift. It was of ruby red silk, with a high neck and long sleeves. It should have been one of the discreet night shifts he had seen but it was not. There something decidedly provocative about the gown. True, the silk did cling to her body in a most becoming manner. But his rational mind thought it over, and decided it must be the buttons. For the gown was buttoned from the feet up to the throat and the sleeves had buttons from wrist to elbow. It was a night shift that issued a challenge and he was just the man to accept it. It looked to be a very interesting evening. \"Is that a new gown, my dear?\" he asked, knowing is was, but really thinking if he should start at the neck and work his way down. \"Yes, do you like it?\" Or maybe he should start at the bottom and work his way up. He grinned at that possibility. \"I like it very much, indeed, but where did it come from?\" Or maybe he should open a few at the top, a few at the bottom, and a few in-between. \"My aunt sent if from London.\" The sleeves first, yes, he would start with sleeves. \"Now I know why your uncle is such a happy man.\" Had Darcy but known it, Mr. Gardiner had spent the last week with a spring in his step. He was often heard humming and one clerk related that he even heard Mr. Gardiner whistling--whistling in the workplace!"}, {"response": 62, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 1997 (15:38)", "body": "(Sorry about the double post) Part 4. Darcy brought Elizabeth's left hand up to his mouth and kissed the palm. He opened the first button at the wrist and kissed the wrist, then the next button was opened and followed by a kiss, and so on until he reached the final button. Every once in while his tongue would dart and touch her flesh--but in a random fashion, so Elizabeth waited with much anticipation for it to come again. \"So you think my uncle is happy because my sends me a new nightdress?\" Elizabeth asked as Darcy began to repeat the process with the right sleeve. \"Well, this kind of night dress shows she has imagination,\" the wrist button was opened, \"passion,\" the second button was opened. \"Any man lucky enough to find a woman with both these qualities (as I have) is bound to be happy.\" \"Do you think my aunt and uncle did what we are doing now?\" Elizabeth asked, getting a somewhat confusing image in her head. \"Well, I have always found your uncle to be an intelligent man,\" he had about three quarters of the buttons undone. \"It is hard to imagine...\" she broke off her thoughts as Darcy opened the final button at the elbow. \"Elizabeth, they have four children--who did not spring up from a cabbage patch,\" he kissed her forehead, the tip of her nose, her lips (long and slow), the pulse beating rapidly at the base of her throat...... \"I know, it is just that...are you going open all the buttons in this fashion?\" she asked as Darcy repeated the method that work so well on the sleeves on the top button of the gown. \"Perhaps,\" he smiled, his dimple appearing (Elizabeth began to think rational thought was beyond her), \"or perhaps not. There are other ways,\" he said, running his thumb down the unopened buttons, only stopping when he could reach no further. Elizabeth gave a small breathless gasp. \"Other ways?\" she inquired hopefully."}, {"response": 63, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 1997 (15:39)", "body": "Part 5. Darcy picked Elizabeth up in his arms and carried her over to the bed. After carefully settling her upon it he removed his robe. Elizabeth stared with delight at the sight before. He never failed to invigorate her senses. Elizabeth began to feel acutely overdressed. She would have removed the gown then and there, but his hand stilled her. \"My dear, we have all night, \" as he lay down beside her. \"Now as to other ways...we could try it this way,\" his fingers run up and down the buttons, stopping randomly to open one here and then there, hi near the neck, low near the thighs. \"William, this is most enjoyable, but could you not go a little faster, please.\" \"Faster would not nearly so enjoyable,\" Darcy said as he released another button and bent to kiss the skin exposed. \"If you do not hurry, I shall have to take matters into my own hands.\" \"Will you, madam?\" he asked some more buttons came open \"and what matters would you like to take into your hands?\" Elizabeth felt herself blushing, but decided to see if she could rise to the challenge. She slowly ran her silk encased leg over his. Catching him off guard, she pressed her advantage and rolled on top of him. He watched as she opened the remaining buttons and shrugged off the night dress. \"Now I believe we are evenly matched--at least in regards to dress.\" \"Dearest, loveliest Elizabeth, I have long thought we were well matched.\" He kissed her deeply. Passionately. ********************************************************************* \"Remind me to send your Aunt my thanks in the morning,\" Darcy mumbled before drifting off to sleep."}, {"response": 64, "author": "Inko", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 1997 (16:40)", "body": "Very good Carolyn, and LOL - especially the very last line!! Always knew Mrs. G. had good taste, and Lizzie and Darcy were well matched to make the most of it!;-)"}, {"response": 65, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 1997 (17:53)", "body": "*sigh*"}, {"response": 66, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 1997 (19:52)", "body": "It was a night shift that issued a challenge and he was just the man to accept it Is it getting hot in here or is it just me? (Sorry about the double post) I'm not---I was going to read it twice anyway! Now, where can I get some ruby red silk and lots and lots and lots of buttons !"}, {"response": 67, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 1997 (20:27)", "body": "whew! you can tell that spring is just around the corner..."}, {"response": 68, "author": "Susan", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 1997 (22:19)", "body": "and what matters would you like to take into your hands?\" OHHH, DARCY!! Thanks, Carolyn, for a very enjoyable read!"}, {"response": 69, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 1997 (22:55)", "body": "I think each installment could have been double-posted. (kind of like all those buttons!) yeah, that's nice"}, {"response": 70, "author": "Becks", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 1997 (23:10)", "body": "Oh my Carolyn....."}, {"response": 71, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 1997 (23:46)", "body": "This is certainly fiction, though not my own from Madame Bovary (yes, I was inspired to read it because of Flo Bear of Sesame Street fame) watching the opera in Rouen \"...His love, she thought, must be inexhaustible, since he could pour it out in such great quantities on the crowd. Her resolution not to be taken in by the display of false sentiment was swept away by the impact of the singer's eloquence; the fiction that he was embodying drew her to his real life, and she tried to imagine what it was like--that glamorous, fabulous, marvelous life that she, too, might have lived had chance so willed it. They might have met! They might have loved! ...A mad idea seized her: he was gazing at her now! She was sure of it! She longed to rush into his arms...\" I think it goes to show that we'd have another member here at drool, if"}, {"response": 72, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 1997 (16:17)", "body": "Mistakes mistakes mistakes, Ughhhhhh! Part 1: She sent the second gown to Pemberley, with a short note thanking her niece for the delightful visit the Gardiner's had enjoyed last Christmas. Part 2: She removed the cap from her head and let her hair fall down. Part 4: \"So you think my uncle is happy because my aunt sends me a new nightdress?\" Elizabeth asked as Darcy began to repeat the process with the right sleeve."}, {"response": 73, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 1997 (16:58)", "body": "Never noticed the mistakes, Carolyn!Just the buttons!"}, {"response": 74, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 1997 (19:44)", "body": "WONDERFUL, Carolyn!!!! Keep indulging us!"}, {"response": 75, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 1997 (12:05)", "body": "...Her resolution not to be taken in by the display of false sentiment was swept away by the impact of the singer's eloquence; the fiction that he was embodying drew her to his real life, and she tried to imagine what it was like--that glamorous, fabulous, marvelous life that she, too, might have lived had chance so willed it. They might have met! They might have loved! ...A mad idea seized her: he was gazing at her now! She was sure of it! She longed to rush into his arms...\" Can't help to think of our most fervent droolers sisters on the Firth and Northam topic"}, {"response": 76, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 1997 (12:07)", "body": "all in good humour,"}, {"response": 77, "author": "elder", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 1997 (16:16)", "body": "\"by the impact of the singer's eloquence; the fiction that he was embodying drew her to his real life, ...A mad idea seized her: he was gazing at her now! She was sure of it!...\" A marvelous passage to be reading just as I am listening to Roberta Flack sing \"Killing Me Softly With His Song.\" Ahhh."}, {"response": 78, "author": "Ann2", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 1997 (16:38)", "body": "Let me see, Carolyn, did he start to unbutton left or right sleeve first? I am excessively attentive to those matters of dressing and undressing. What droolery you offer. Why can't I see your pic re:75 Johanne? I would so wish to..."}, {"response": 79, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 1997 (01:32)", "body": "Ann, so now we're paying attention to the direction of his undressing as well?"}, {"response": 80, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 1997 (07:10)", "body": "]Let me see, Carolyn, did he start to unbutton left or right sleeve first? I am excessively attentive to those matters of dressing and undressing? Ann2: Darcy brought Elizabeth's left hand up to his mouth and kissed the palm. He opened the first button at the wrist and kissed the wrist, then the next button was opened and followed by a kiss, and so on until he reached the final button. Left sleeve first, then right, then to the rest ;-) ]so now we're paying attention to the direction of his undressing as well? This is not necessary, since all he is wearing is his robe, and once that comes off it is the direction of your thoughts that you need to pay attention to. ;-)"}, {"response": 81, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 1997 (09:52)", "body": "(shocked) Carolyn! ;-p"}, {"response": 82, "author": "Ann2", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 1997 (15:38)", "body": "I should think we pay attention to absolutely everything about him, what he does and how he dresses, the way he moves, upstairs in particular...,the look in his eyes, the tone of his voice and a certain something... And appart from that the improvement of his mind by extensive reading...(such books as Men are from Mars women are from Venus) and by being properly humbled by dearest Lizzy. And I was trying a pun Carolyn..maybe not so good...and a daggy hint as well."}, {"response": 83, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 1997 (16:17)", "body": "Ann, you did great! as always!And you have just given me a great idea for a story- thanks!"}, {"response": 84, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 1997 (16:25)", "body": "]And I was trying a pun Carolyn..maybe not so good...and a daggy hint as well. Ann2, it probably was a good pun, but I was reading at 7 am and still half asleep so I might have taken your comments too literally. ]!And you have just given me a great idea for a story- thanks! Caroline, I can hardly wait."}, {"response": 85, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 1997 (19:29)", "body": "EMMA: DEJA-VU PART 4 Under the most unusual and stressful circumstances, Emma found herself for the very first time in the Martin farmhouse. Mr KNightley had insisted that she return to Hartfield, deeply concerned for her safety and especially the welfare of their unborn child. However, in this case, Emma persisted and won, declaring that she wished to be of service to the Martins and Harriet. As mistress of Donwell, it was her duty and obligation. Faced with such a sweet and ardent appeal, Mr Knightley relented. Indeed, thes days he found that he could not deny her anything. It was not sheer benevolence alone which drew Emma to the Martin farmhouse, this very evening. She had long wondered how much of Mr Knightley's praise and enthusiasm for Robert and Harriet Martin's home was just hyperbole, a testament to his kind and generous disposition. Once again, however, Emma had to admit that his judgment was sound. Although the farmhouse could never be called fashionable or elegant, it had a warmth and palatable dignity, negating the cracked floors and smokey chimney. As Emma sat at the kitchen table, little Johnny's brown moppet head resting on her shoulder, she could not help delighting in the delicious aromas emanating from the wood-stove. Harriet Smith Martin's touches were everywhere, from the delicate, lace curtains hanging above the window to the brightley coloured wildflowers, set so betwichingly in the centre of the table. Furthermore, old Mrs Martin and Elizabeth could not have been more attentive or kind to Mrs Knightley. As deeply distressed as they all wer over Robert Martin's fever, the two women still found time to inquire after Mr Woodhouse's health, profusely thanking her for her service. Emma herself noted that their manners were as fine, if not superior, to the grandest of ladies. Sensing Mr Knightley's eyes on her, Emma looked up and met his gaze. Instantly, she knew that he was reading her thoughts and a blush of pleasure went to her cheeks. \"How much I love and need him,\" she thought. \"Poor Harriet-What she must be suffering! I could not live if anything happened to Mr Knightley.\" Around the same time, Mr Perry came out, along with a weary Harriet Martin. Mr Knightley was the first to speak. \"Well Perry, I am certain the ladies have suffered enough. How is he?\" \"Ladies-I am happy to report that he will be fine. He is a very lucky man. I have seen lesser men succumb under such a fever. This is the sickly season and all. Still, he is a strong man and his fever finally broke, thanks in no large part to Mrs Martin and her continuous application of cold compresses. She is quite the nurse.\" \"Thank-you Mr Perry. Thank-you for everything. Mrs Goddard always said that cold compresses were the best remedy. We are indeed indebted to you. And Mr and Mr Knightley too. We are most grateful for all of your service and kindness.\" Silently, Harriet gently kissed Emma's hands. For once, Emma was rendered speechless. ***************************************************************************** Moments later, Emma found herself safely ensconced in Mr Knightely's carriage, his arms wrapped tightly around her. Gently, he stroked her hair. Exhausted, Emma soon found herself falling asleep against her husband's shoulder, lulled by the motion of the carriage. Within an hour, they arrived at Hartfield. Silently, Mr Knightley lifted Emma out of the carriage and carried her upstairs, placing his wife before the fire. \"My Darling-are you cold?\" he asked, lifting Emma's hand to his lips. \"A little,\" she replied softly. Immediately, he took off his coat and wrapped it about Emma's shoulders. Tenderly, he cradled her against his chest, placing his head against her own. \"Dearest Emma-do you know how very proud of you I am. You could not have been more compassionate to the Martins.\" After a while, he added: \"Emma, were you in earnest, earlier? Do you still wish to remove to Donwell? As you know, it is immaterial to me where we live. You made me the happiest of men, consenting to be my wife.\" \"Indeed, I was Mr Knightley,\" she replied strongly. \"As much as I hate the thought of giving Father pain, I believe it is time that we had our own house, our own privacy.\" \"Well, as you are determined, we will both speak to him when I return from London.\" \"London? Oh yes. You have some business to discuss with John. I completely forgot,\" she replied, lowering her face. Lifting Emma's chin to meet his face, Mr Knightley answered: Dearest, I wish I could take you with me, but it will only be of a few days' duration. I promise. Smirking bewitchingly, he further stated: \"There is one obvious benefit of a separation of which I can think: the pleasure to be derived by all when I return.\" Kitty's thick, irish accent broke the delicious silence of the room. \"Mrs Knightley-will you be needing any help undressing?\" Commanding Emma to her feet by the ardent look in his eyes, Mr Knightley pressed her against him and lifted her to the awaiting bed. "}, {"response": 86, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 1997 (21:50)", "body": ""}, {"response": 87, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 1997 (07:03)", "body": "Thanks Cassandra for the nice story this morning."}, {"response": 88, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 1997 (17:25)", "body": "OK something for the weekend. Below is the how I originally wanted Summer Picnic to end. See http://www.spring.com/~anneh/derby/carolyn5.html if you haven't already read the story. I was unhappy with ending, which is very contrived, because I was really trying for PG 13, honest I was. Hope you like the this version! Since it is R-rated I could take things a little further. Darcy set Elizabeth down. Both were dripping water all over the floor. The damp fabric of of their clothes clung to their bodies. The footman, bringing up the restorative brandy, and the maid carrying the towels caught site of their Master and Mistress. Both were quite shocked with what they saw. The footman dropped his tray. The clang of metal, the shattering of fine crystal, and the smell of alcohol invaded the entry, startling everyone. Mrs. Reynolds, hurrying from below stairs ran smack into the maid, who had come to a standstill, gaping in a most unseemly fashion at Mr. Darcy. Mrs. Reynolds snapped \"Whatever are you doing\", she grabbed the towels, \"get below stairs, and tell Jessup to send someone up to clean this mess, now \" she added with an emphasis that finally broke through the girl's stupor. The maid turned and ran. Darcy accepted the towel Mrs. Reynolds gave him, and gently placed it around Elizabeth's shoulders, before accepting a second towel for himself. He glared at the footman, who was looking rather like a landed carp,staring wide-eyed and his jaw opening and closing but with no sound coming out. Darcy was not amused. \"Jakes, you will the remains from our picnic by the old oak tree, not far from the pond. Retreive it.\" \"Now, sir?\" Darcy's command had finally penetrated into the footman's brain. \"Can you think of a better time?\" Darcy replied. \"Master Fitzwilliam, whatever are you thinking? It is not fit for man or beast out there!\" Mrs. Reynolds protested. \"The rain will do him more good than harm\". A large clap of thunder seemed to shake the room. \"Oh very well, he can go as soon as the weather has cleared.\" As soon as the glass was cleared away Mrs. Reynolds shooed Darcy & Elizabeth upstairs, \"I had them lay a nice fire in your rooms, you need to get out of those wet clothes, before you catch cold.\" \"I think that is highly unlikely\" Darcy mumbled. Darcy followed Elizabeth up the stairs, wondering why he thought the rain would have any effect on the footman, when obviously it had no effect on him. Instead of going to his room, he followed Elizabeth into hers. He sat down before the fireplace and began to remove his boots. \"These are utterly ruined,\" he sighed, when he noticed Elizabeth staring at him. \"What is it, my dear?\" he asked. \"I was just thinking that is a great pity you cannot always go about attired in such fashion,\" she stated, removing her own wet kid slippers. \"May I return the compliment, madam.\" Darcy grinned at her, removing his wet shirt, \"However, I fear there will too much broken crockery about the place.\" \"Whatever do you mean, sir?\" Lizzy asked, her mouth going dry at the sight before her. \"Take a look in the mirror,\" he suggested as he removed his socks. Elizabeth followed his advice, \"Oh, my\" she blushed, for what had been a perfectly respectable dress this morning, now revealed....everything. The thin cotton of her gown and petticoat had been no match for the pouring rain and were now transparent. Darcy came up behind her, and began to undo the buttons on the back of gown, \"Do you see the impracticality of this attire?\" he asked as he pushed the gown off her shoulders. Lizzy turned into his embrace, \"I see now that it would be impossible for either of us to go about in this rainment. What with footman dropping trays at the sight of me and maids coming to a standstill at the sight of you, the house would be a complete mess inside of a week.\" Her gown fell to the floor, though with a little help from Darcy. \"It is a pity, though, for you look quite like a statue of goddess come to life\" Darcy complimented her as he began to undo the buttons on her chemise. \"Really, which one?\" Elizabeth asked as she put arms around his neck to pull him close. Darcy kissed her forhead, murmering \"Artemis....no\", he kisssed the tip of her nose \"Aphrodite...maybe\", he pulled one of her curls, which now tumbled in wild disarray down her back, \"Oh, yes....Medusa\" he said softly as his lips found hers. Her chemise fell open. Elizabeth, when she recovered her wits, pushed herself away from Darcy. \"Medusa, sir, be careful that I do not you turn you to stone, then,\" Darcy, who had taken advantage of the distance between them to see that the chemise joined the sodden gown on the floor, replied \"But, my dear, you already have,\" as he pulled her tightly against him. His hands roamed her backside, and soon the petticoat was on the floor, also. Elizabeth slowly let her fingers descend from his shoulders, down his chest (where she paused for a moment, when her ring got snagged in the hair on his chest) past his stomach, and she b"}, {"response": 89, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 1997 (18:47)", "body": "EMMA: DEJA-VU PART 5 Three days later, Emma went to Randalls for her weekly tea with Mrs Weston. Emma loved nothing more than to visit her former governess. Next to Mr Knightley and her father, Mrs Weston was the dearest person in the world to her. This very afternoon, however, an unwelcome intrusion in the usual familiarity and intimacy of these occasions was one Mrs Elton. As Emma sat opposite her, calmly sipping her tea, she could not help recollecting with some degree of pleasure that this was the first time she had seen rs Elton socially in many months. Mr and Mrs Elton were hardly frequent callers at Hartfield or even Donwell. In fact, Mrs Elton had just returned from another extended trip to Bath, visiting her \"very particular\" friend, Mrs Partridge. In between ravenous bites of her sandwich, the lady was endeavouring to relate, to Emma and Mrs Weston, the intimate details of her latest excursion. \"Why Mrs Knightley-you look so pale! Doesn't she look pale, Mrs Weston? You really should consider going to Bath. The waters and air would do wonders for you. You should see Mr E-quite the changed man. His few grey hairs have simply gone away!\" \"Mrs Elton, I have no inclination to visit Bath,\" Emma quitely protested. \"There is no place in the world more conducive to my health and spirits than Highbury.\" \"The collosal nerve of that woman! Emma silently remarked. \"Grey hairs indeed. I am in no doubt as to how he got them.\" \"You'll never guess whom we saw in Bath,\" Mrs Elton continued, interrupting Emma's reverie. Before any of the ladies could reply, she smugly uttered: \"Mr and Mrs Frank Churchill! Dear Jane was always a favorite of mine, so sweet and charming. And such lady-like manners. That's such a rare quality these days,\" she added, gazing intently at Emma. They say he simply adores and spoils her. And her jewels....\" \"Yes, we had a letter from Frank just the other day, concerning their trip to Bath and London,\" Mrs Weston interjected uncomfortably. \"Mr Weston and I both hope that they will be able to visit Randalls soon.\" \"Yes-that would be lovely. Oh Mrs Knightley,\" she continued with greater enthusiasm, \"you do not know what a shock I had on my last evening in Bath..\" \"I am sure I can't imagine,\" Emma replied sharply. Still Mrs Elton persisted. \"Mrs Partridge, the lady whom I always reside with on my trips to Bath, introduced me to the most charming creature-a Lady Hollingsworth. Apparently, she spent her girlhood in Highbury. Mrs Partridge and I simply raved about her. And such beauty-flawless, ivory skin and the true crystal-blue eyes. Now that I think about it-she ressembled your little friend. What was her name? Oh yes-Miss Smith! Anyways, she expressed a great interest in you. \"I am confidant I have never met the woman. You must be mistaken, Mrs Elton.\" \"Now, that I think about it-you would have been too young. From what I understand, she was quite a favorite with Knightley's at one time. She entreated me to convey her sincere good wishes for your marriage\" A red-faced Mrs Weston immediately sprung to her feet. \"Oh my-look at the time. And Mr Weston shall be home soon.\" \"Indeed. And I was never one to wear out my welcome. As my friends always say, I am the soul of tact. It would not do for Mr E to come home and find me elsewhere. For he is simply lost without me! Please excuse me ladies and give my best wishes to Mr Weston. Good evening Mrs Weston...Mrs Knightley\" Moments after Mrs Elton departed, Emma remained blankly staring at her empty tea cup, her head spinning. \"Vulgar, insufferable woman! What did she mean? This is all so strange.\" Lifting her head, Emma's anxiety increased as Mrs Weston busied herself with the china, deliberately avoiding her gaze. \"Tell me! Emma cried, her voice filled with terror. Tell me the truth! About what was Mrs Elton speaking? Who is this woman?\" \"Emma dear-I am as mystified as you..\" \"I charge you to tell me at this moment. I cannot bear this silence a moment longer.\" \"Emma dear-if I had known what Mrs Elton planned to say, I would never have permitted her to remain in this house!\" To be utterly honest, Emma had never seen Mrs Weston so enraged. After a few uncomfortable minutes, Mrs Weston gently sat down beside Emma. Warming Emma's trembling hands, she finally decided to speak again: \"When I first came to Highbury, I do recall that Mr Knightley was engaged to a local girl, a very pretty and high-spirited young lady named Annabel Edwards. Her father was the curate here. I was not privy to the entire story, but I do know that the engagement was broken off almost as soon as it was made. The young lady left for London to reside with her aunt. I be ieve there were many objections to the match as Miss Edwards possessed neither fortune or connection. A mutual aquaintance informed me, a long time later, that she had managed to marry a member of the House of Lords. Although I never met the lady, I often heard her beauty and poise praised.\" \"And, he was in love with he"}, {"response": 90, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 1997 (22:48)", "body": "Carolyn---love this! We need an R-rated Derbyshire Writers' Guild! Darcy came up behind her, and began to undo the buttons on the back of gown Oh, goody! More buttons!;-) I just want to know if you really been turned to stone Oh me, oh my! Cassandra, really enjoy the plot and you have nailed that nasty Mrs. E! I hope you plan for something terrible to happen to her---like getting bit by a 'puppy' and dying from rabies (although noone will notice that she's foaming at the mouth!) Gosh---I'm in a mean mood!;-)"}, {"response": 91, "author": "Becker", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 1997 (14:58)", "body": "I typed out a huge response here, then lost it because I didn't have one of my closing symbols. ARRGGHHH! In short, Cass, this thread didn't come up as new on my computer, so I'm glad you mentioned it in chat -- I was really missing out! Carolyn, you have captured Lizzy's and Darcy's easy bantering very well. Great story and innuendo! Cass, *SIGH* for Mr. Knightley. Your Mrs. Elton is spot on. Love Emma's comment about how he got his grey hair! I also really like this Knightley-with- a-past angle, but don't keep us waiting too long for the sequel! Meggin, I definitely agree we need a drool Writer's Guild. Powers that be, can we do this?"}, {"response": 92, "author": "valen", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 1997 (08:36)", "body": "Are you sure you ladies don't read Romance, too? ;-) I'd classify just about everything here as well within the genre. The range is broad, from \"sweet\" (hardly a hand touching or chaste kiss) to \"sensual\" (including it all, sweethearts). The writing here is Capital, Capital!!!"}, {"response": 93, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 1997 (11:46)", "body": "]Are you sure you ladies don't read Romance, too? ;-) Valen, I have been reading romances since 9th grade. I guess it shows."}, {"response": 94, "author": "Susan", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 1997 (21:50)", "body": "Only Nora Roberts, Valen -- she's the best I've run across."}, {"response": 95, "author": "Mari", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (13:21)", "body": "Ooh, Susan, ditto; love Nora Roberts!"}, {"response": 96, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (13:26)", "body": "ELIZABETH AND DARCY(The reunion scene uncensored and uncut) This is especially dedicated to Cheryl. Mr Darcy carried Elizabeth into the bedroom and gently laid her against the pillows. Lizzy's body quivered with breathless anticipation for never had she wanted him more. With tantalizing slowness, Darcy loosened the curls at the back of her neck, setting them tumbling down in incandescent waves about her shoulders. \"Beautiful,\" he murmured passionately, lifting a dark, silken curl to his lips. Mr Darcy next turned his attention to her fine eyes, tracing an intricate pattern with his lips, from her eyelashes to the tip of her nose and the hollow of her cheekbones. In particular, Darcy lingered at the base of her neck. Playfully blowing against her shoulders, he insistently tugged at her nightgown. \"Sir, may I in turn be of assistance to you,\" Lizzy archly said. Ripping open his white shirt, Lizzy's fingernails played across the tangled web of his chest. Suddenly, her expression grew alarmed as she eyed a disturbing discolouration at the tip of Mr Darcy's right shoulder blade. \"Fitzwilliam darling-what happened?\" \"Dearest, pray do not be alarmed. I fell from my horse on the way to Lambton the other day. The roads were unusually slippery. The town doctor assured me that it is nothing. A sight scratch is all.\" Refusing to be quieted by his protests, Lizzy jumped to her feet and grabbed the water basin and a cloth. With painstaking care, she let the water flow and ripple down his chest, gently pressing the cloth against his wound. \"I am certain the Doctor had much steadier hands than mine.\" \"I don't know. I have never found anything to complain about!\" Feigning shock, Lizzy tumbled the remaining contents of the water basin over Mr Darcy's head. As she turned, Darcy retaliated by catching the strap securing her nightgown. With a playful tug, he dramatically let the robe fall to the floor. \"Dearest, loveliest Elizabeth. You take my breath away,\" he murmured, hungrily eyeing the silken curves of her body. Grasping Lizzy to him, Mr Darcy brushed his lips against her own, gradually becoming more insistent and ardent. Elizabeth arched her back, rolling her hips to meet his. \"Don't stop. Don't ever stop,\" she breathlessly uttered. Pressing Lizzy even more firmly against his body, Mr Darcy decidedly lowered her to the bed."}, {"response": 97, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (14:57)", "body": "Cheryl, looks like someone beat me to the sponge bath scene.;-) Cassandra, that was lovely. Simply lovely. Susan: I have read everything NR has written."}, {"response": 98, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (15:00)", "body": "Oh my, oh my! I find myself suddenly flush! Perhaps I need a basin of water.... Thank you dearest girl! ;-)"}, {"response": 99, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (15:11)", "body": "Is it hot in here? or is it just me!"}, {"response": 100, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (17:00)", "body": "Practice Session Darcy was just outside the doorway of the drawing room, spying on his wife through the partially open doorway. He leaned against the door, his arms folded and listened to Elizabeth play the piano. A dreamy smile seem to light his face. If Elizabeth had seen it she would have been unable to play, but since he was hidden from her view she continued to play. The music seem to be flowing well, when suddenly a discordant note was heard. The music stopped. \"Oh, the devil,\" Elizabeth spoke to herself, \"why will you not play the right notes?\" she asked her fingers rhetorically. She started to play again. The music seem to flow out of the instrument--Darcy thought it sounded wonderful. \"Oh, bother,\" Elizabeth let out an exasperated sigh. She had hit the wrong notes again. She heard a soft laugh from the doorway. \"Who is there?\" she called. Darcy entered the room, \"You know I cannot resist hearing you play.\" \"Believe me, my playing is very resistible today.\" \"True, the music is not as melodious as it could be,\" Elizabeth frowned at Darcy, \" You , however, are always irresistible.\" He sat down beside her on the piano bench, pick up her hand and brought it to his lips. \"Always irresistible,\" he murmured as he turned over hand to kiss the inner wrist, the palm, and each finger, one at time, slowly, lingering at each site. Elizabeth found it hard to breathe steadily. \"Sir, how am I ever to practice with only one hand?\" she asked. Darcy looked into her eyes, \"By no means should either hand go unemployed\". He reached for other hand--then he gave it a quick tug and she was in his arms, her fingers running up and down his back--just the way he liked. \"Elizabeth, you know that you will never play really well unless you practice ,\" he smiled at her, his dimple peaking out. \"Well, as my sister Mary was always wont to tell us.....Practice makes perfect,\" she replied, quite happy to abandon the piano for other pleasures. Their embrace grew more enthusiastic, so much so that they crashed into the piano keyboard. Sheet music went flying. The jarring sounds emitting from the piano brought them out of their revelry. Darcy lost his balance and fell off the piano bench. Elizabeth tried to hold back her laughter but could not. \"You have no sympathy for your poor husband should he fall and break his head.\" \"But, sir, it is not your head that suffered the injury,\" she reminded him. \"Perhaps since you already in the vicinity you would not mind retrieving the music, please.\" \"I take it that you like having me at your feet,\" Darcy said as gathered the sheet music. \"I like it very much, indeed.\" Darcy handed Elizabeth the music sheets. After placing it on the stand, she reached down and offered her hand to her husband. Darcy was for a moment tempted to pull her off the bench (and into his arms) but he resisted the temptation. He accepted her offered hand (not that he really needed it) and gingerly resumed his seat beside Elizabeth on the piano bench. She could feel warmth of Darcy's body next to hers. Elizabeth arranged the music sheets in proper order, then she resumed her interrupted practice. She found herself playing the piece with no difficulty--every finger that seemed to go wrong before now found the right note. Elizabeth looked at Darcy and smiled, \"You appear to have brought me good luck. I shall quit now while a successful rendition of this piece rings in my ears.\" She paused a moment. \"I believe that there was another instrument that you thought I needed to practice and since it is an instrument on which I should truly like to become proficient, perhaps I should begin practice immediately.\" Her hand brushed his thigh as she leaned closer to him. Darcy caught her in his arms. \"Elizabeth, not here. If events transpire as they previously did, this instrument shall be damaged beyond repair.\" \"That would be a great pity,\" Elizabeth said as Darcy rose from the piano bench and offered his hand in assistance. Darcy did not release her hand but instead placed it on his arm and escorted her from the room. They left the room at a sedate pace, which quickly picked up speed, until there was a final headlong rush for their bedroom. Soon the practice session had begun and never had Elizabeth practiced so diligently."}, {"response": 101, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (17:14)", "body": "Hmmmm.....Speaking as a piano teacher I can confirm that practice does indeed make perfect, and I should not mind practicing with Darcy...on any instrument he should wish...;-)"}, {"response": 102, "author": "Inko", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (17:44)", "body": "Whew!! It's warm in here - think I'll stay around a while. I Like it!!"}, {"response": 103, "author": "Kali", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (18:57)", "body": "Oh my."}, {"response": 104, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (21:55)", "body": "]They left the room at a sedate pace, which quickly picked up speed, until there was a final headlong rush for their bedroom I like the visual image of this part, but help me out a little---was he wearing his tan riding breeches? and boots? and could his shirt please be wet or at least unbuttoned at the neck? ;)"}, {"response": 105, "author": "elder", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (21:57)", "body": "Meggin -- it sounds to me like you need very little help imagining this. ;-)"}, {"response": 106, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (22:02)", "body": "I just want confirmation, I guess.......:-)"}, {"response": 107, "author": "Susan", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (23:44)", "body": "Cass, definitely worth waiting for! I am all aflutter over Mr. Knightley's past, though! Please be kind and fill me in soon! Carolyn, a whole new way to look at the word \"instrument...\" So very GLAD it wasn't damaged!"}, {"response": 108, "author": "Kali", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 1997 (00:34)", "body": "Made me jealous just thinking about it, Susan...;) So Meggin, do the boots stay on the whole time?"}, {"response": 109, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 1997 (00:42)", "body": "details, Kali, details"}, {"response": 110, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 1997 (09:51)", "body": ""}, {"response": 111, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 1997 (12:20)", "body": "In other news, Caroline was rendered speechless by the day's fan fiction..."}, {"response": 112, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 1997 (13:28)", "body": ""}, {"response": 113, "author": "Mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 1997 (13:40)", "body": "Double Whew!"}, {"response": 114, "author": "Kali", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 1997 (14:03)", "body": "Heh heh heh!"}, {"response": 115, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 1997 (14:57)", "body": "]So Meggin, do the boots stay on the whole time? No, just the first time! ;-)"}, {"response": 116, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 1997 (15:37)", "body": "]So Meggin, do the boots stay on the whole time? No, just the first time! ;-) Oh boy, the ideas I am getting from the discussion. Boots on the first time, hmmmm. Can I work on that idea and get back to you?"}, {"response": 117, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 1997 (15:52)", "body": "\"These boots are made for walking, among other things!\" IT'S A SAUNA IN HERE!!!!!!"}, {"response": 118, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 1997 (22:03)", "body": "Cheryl#111 Cheryl, you are a RATBAG!;-)"}, {"response": 119, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 1997 (22:16)", "body": "]Oh boy, the ideas I am getting from the discussion. Boots on the first time, hmmmm. Can I work on that idea and get back to you? Please do!!!!!"}, {"response": 120, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 1997 (23:43)", "body": "Caroline: Cheryl, you are a RATBAG!;-) Oh dear, that doesn't sound very good...;-)"}, {"response": 121, "author": "Opus", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 1997 (01:07)", "body": "This is the first time I have read this thread and I must say that, boy is it hot in here. I especially love the lizzy and darcy stories, the buttons, the instrument, etc... Thanks for bringing these scenes to life, I wish I could write this well. Great bits of fiction ladies. :)"}, {"response": 122, "author": "sld", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 1997 (19:53)", "body": "WOW! I just found this thread by accident - I usually go straight for the Colin Drool. What a find!"}, {"response": 123, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 1997 (10:42)", "body": "Ch(E)ryl, dear, (I) have a huNch that we Feel and Perceive the world in in similar ways.Ratbag is always a compliment, even if back-handed!;-)"}, {"response": 124, "author": "Dina", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 1997 (17:45)", "body": "At least she didn't call you a dag."}, {"response": 125, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 1997 (00:21)", "body": "Caroline: Ratbag is always a compliment, even if back-handed!;-) Ok, if you say so...silly of me not to realize it...;-p"}, {"response": 126, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 1997 (10:00)", "body": "Love, always, Cheryl."}, {"response": 127, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 1997 (14:24)", "body": "Caroline: *samooch*"}, {"response": 128, "author": "Kali", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 1997 (22:17)", "body": "Oh my. I meant the boot comment in all innocence, you know..."}, {"response": 129, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 1997 (00:49)", "body": "Kali: Oh my. I meant the boot comment in all innocence, you know... Yeah, sure you did, uh huh...;-p"}, {"response": 130, "author": "Kali", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 1997 (03:17)", "body": "Can you blame me? ;)"}, {"response": 131, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 1997 (08:00)", "body": "Kali: Can you blame me? ;) No, no, not at all...it is an interesting scene to imagine...;-)"}, {"response": 132, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 1997 (02:00)", "body": "Boot scene, much more interesting than Burt Reynold squishing vaseline in them"}, {"response": 133, "author": "Opus", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 1997 (22:26)", "body": "Cassandra, I was just wondering of you were going to write any more of Elizabeth and Darcy, the Sequel. I loved it. I absolutely loved all the other stries as well please keeep writing everyone."}, {"response": 134, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (18:32)", "body": "Suzanne-Thank-you. That's very kind. I think I will continue Darcy and Elizabeth, with the planned ball for Georgiana. I've got some new ideas."}, {"response": 135, "author": "Opus", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (19:14)", "body": "I am very happy to hear that Cassandra, please hurry, I have read everything in Derbyshire writers guild as well as the stories from the link on the bottom of the page am going through withdrawl because I have no more to read. The stories in the Guild have really brought Lizzy and Darcy to life for me, they are wonderful."}, {"response": 136, "author": "Yeago", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (13:33)", "body": "Thanks Cassandra! My husband was ribbing me last night about all the pages I've already printed!!:-)"}, {"response": 137, "author": "Genette", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (22:36)", "body": ""}, {"response": 138, "author": "Inko", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (23:05)", "body": "Oh Genette, so beautiful and yet so sad at the end."}, {"response": 139, "author": "Susan", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (23:12)", "body": "Genette, I bow to the master -- you really had me going there!"}, {"response": 140, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (23:33)", "body": "I LOVE it, Genette! I always figured Darcy had tortured dreams!!!!!"}, {"response": 141, "author": "Opus", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (00:05)", "body": "Genette you really know how to kill a girl, please don't leave our poor Darcy struggling so. You must continue. It is a wonderful bit of fiction though, I am in awe of your writing and imaginative skills."}, {"response": 142, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (01:56)", "body": "genette! darling! where have you been all this time?! please keep writing, this is truly marvelous drool material..."}, {"response": 143, "author": "Mari", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (10:11)", "body": "More, please, Genette. (beg, grovel, etc....)"}, {"response": 144, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (11:21)", "body": "Bowing to a true master Genette, pulse racing, shortness of breath and then POW! You really got me!"}, {"response": 145, "author": "Vivsy", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (12:13)", "body": "Genette, your are too generous to trifle with me!! More, More. I was ready to hit a cold shower, and now I want to cry. Brilliant."}, {"response": 146, "author": "Yeago", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (12:39)", "body": "Genette, that was great. poor Darcy, crying on his pillow!"}, {"response": 147, "author": "Linda409", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (13:22)", "body": "WOW !!!! More, Genette, more! Please!"}, {"response": 148, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (15:19)", "body": "Nicely done! I still want an R-rated Derbyshire Writers' Guild---please!"}, {"response": 149, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (15:45)", "body": "here here! we want R-rated fanfic! and \"don't nobody say\" they never thought of P&P2 fanfic with a little more 'umph' to it! ;-)"}, {"response": 150, "author": "Amy", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (16:00)", "body": "Is there anything wrong with just reading it in here?"}, {"response": 151, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Mon, Aug 18, 1997 (07:10)", "body": "Just a little something to rechristen the drool fic. The following is the missing baaaaaathhhhh scene from Darcy's Mad Dash (which I know some of you have read already). Hope you enjoy it (again). Darcy thought condolences were in order for the innkeeper, but instead spoke of the needs most necessary to his comfort, \"Bates, I require a room, a bath, and a meal. Also, my servants require a meal and a place to clean up. \"Got stuck up on the road, did you, Sir? Turns into a right proper mess every time it rains, it does,\" Mr. Bates confided as he showed Darcy to his room. \"This be me best room. I will have the boots bring up the water and the missus will prepare a nice hot meal for you.\" Presently, a servant arrived to fill the tub. It was shiny new copper tub, obviously the muddy road brought many profitable travelers to Mr. Bates establishment. The boots filled the bath, caught the coin Darcy tossed him and left Darcy to himself. Darcy disrobed. His boots came off first, their shiny black polish hidden underneath the mud. He shrugged out of his green jacket, thinking \"I shall have to get rid of this coat, for some unseen complication always seems to arise whenever I wear it.\" He untied his cravat and unwound it from around his throat, exposing unsullied flesh. Quickly he unbutton his striped waistcoat and removed it. He pulled his fine linen shirt over his head. Outside the door, a serving girl gasped at the sight before in the keyhole. Sitting down in chair, he pulled off his stockings, wondering how the mud got between his toes. Darcy stood up and removed his breeches, throwing them on top of the muddy pile that lay on the floor. The serving girl could feel her pulse race as she viewed his calves, his thighs, his.....Darcy entered the bath and slid into water that was chest high.......Damn, thought the serving girl as she removed herself from a kneeling posi ion if front the door. She resumed her chores, for who knew when the gentleman would leave his bath. Darcy was entirely unaware that his disrobing had been observed. The water felt good and he relaxed in its warmth. Master Bates had provided soap and a washing cloth, which the boots had placed on a table next to the tub. After lathering the cloth he began to wash. His mind wandered to thoughts of Elizabeth bathing. As a gentleman he knew he should nip such thoughts in the bud, but as a man--as a man in love--he could not. His imagination took control. Darcy could see Elizabeth sitting in a tub. Her hair would be piled upon her head, but ringlets would fall onto the nape of her neck. He would brush them aside with his hand before taking a cloth, scented with lavender soap, and gently running it over her neck and across her shoulders before moving it down the curve of her back. From there he would move around to the front, gently rubbing her stomach before moving up to gently caress her ... Darcy slipped lower in the tub completely immersing his face and head. When he came up he began to lather his hair. As Darcy rinsed his hair, his wretched imagination took over again. This time he was in the tub and Elizabeth was bathing him. In his mind he could see her...she would come into his room as was bathing. It would be dark, with only the light from the fireplace in the room. She would stand before the tub, holding the soap and cloth in silent inquiry. He would lean back and with a barely perceptible nod from himself, she would begin to run the cloth across his chest. Her gown would dampen from the w ter, exposing his eyes to hidden delights. Somewhere along the way she would drop her cloth and it would be just her fingers moving across his chest, down his ribcage, the fingers would fan out as the slid lower across waist and then lower still ... Darcy sat up in the tub, for soap had gotten into his eyes. After rubbing his eye on a dry towel, he sat back in the tub. He began to think of any mundane matter that he could. Still, he had to spend an extra twenty minutes in the bath waiting for the water to cool before he left the tub."}, {"response": 152, "author": "Nan", "date": "Mon, Aug 18, 1997 (13:01)", "body": "Carolyn-- Oh my !! I think I could grow to like this place. :-.)"}, {"response": 153, "author": "Fitzy", "date": "Mon, Aug 18, 1997 (13:20)", "body": "Wow!... Should I try and go ahead with my version of the wedding night, then?..."}, {"response": 154, "author": "Vivsy", "date": "Mon, Aug 18, 1997 (23:24)", "body": "Carolyn, thanks much!!! I have really missed this place. p.s. My computer screen is fogging over from my heavy breathing."}, {"response": 155, "author": "sld", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 1997 (22:06)", "body": "LOL!!! I was just reading some of the old Spring post from the beginning of the year - talk about blast from the past! This thread was pretty classic, and I hop it will be again."}, {"response": 156, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 1997 (19:29)", "body": ""}, {"response": 157, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 1997 (19:32)", "body": ""}, {"response": 158, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 1997 (19:35)", "body": ""}, {"response": 159, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 1997 (19:42)", "body": ""}, {"response": 160, "author": "SylviaH", "date": "Fri, Aug 29, 1997 (04:17)", "body": "Dear Lisa, thanks for posting your stories here. I sincerely hope that they will revive this place. Unfortunately I'm not a writer, so the only thing I can do is to enjoy all these stories and say \"thank you\" to everybody."}, {"response": 161, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Aug 29, 1997 (07:28)", "body": "Lisa (and this is addressed to anyone as well) do you write children's stories? We're looking for some for http://www.childrenstory.com , especially interactive stories narrated by the author, a professional reader or a child."}, {"response": 162, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Fri, Aug 29, 1997 (08:41)", "body": "Terry, I've never thought about wrting children's stories. Truth be told, after reading The Experiment and Darcy Diary, I'm surprised you asking me about children's stories. I find it rather funny. I am by no means a professional writer. I've been writing stories for the Guild for sheer amusement. I enjoy it more than studying accounting, that's for sure! Every time I think about my chosen career, I get depressed. What the hell was I thinking? I prefer writing over anything but have little faith in my ability to become successful at it. I'll check out your site and maybe I'll give it a try as well. P.S. Tell me if I'm going over the limits with my stories because if I am I will resume sending the remaining installments by e-mail."}, {"response": 163, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Aug 29, 1997 (08:47)", "body": "You're doing great, please keep posting! I'm not the one to ask anyway, Nan's the hostess here."}, {"response": 164, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Fri, Aug 29, 1997 (13:53)", "body": "Well then, if Nan's the hostess, I have nothing to worry about!"}, {"response": 165, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Aug 29, 1997 (17:44)", "body": "if Nan's the hostess, I have nothing to worry about! LOL!... Great stuff, Lisa, keep it coming - a great diversion for red-blooded, healthy people like us!;-)"}, {"response": 166, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 1997 (16:46)", "body": "Lisa, LOL!!!! \"stick in my pocket,\" \"could almost tell his religion,\" etc., etc., etc. This is too funny!"}, {"response": 167, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 1997 (20:57)", "body": ""}, {"response": 168, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 1997 (09:59)", "body": "Well ladies...as you can see, Lisa has posted the next scorching installment of \"The Darcy Diary\". I did see it first and felt that, since we are all adults, it was something you'd all want to read. Who am I to deprive you of a little thrill!;-.) However, I believe she has established the level for the Fan Fic in this Conference. These are somewhat delicate subjects and I feel that, in the future, we should try to stick within the boundaries Lisa's story has created...not that there are many! ;-.p I think that no one can complain that this is unnecessarily resrictive. It's important that everyone feel free to let their imaginations go--that is the larger part of why we moved to the Spring in the first place. But I also urge you to remember that this is a public board. You're all big girls, use your own judgment. :-.)"}, {"response": 169, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 1997 (11:07)", "body": "Lisa... we are all waiting with abated breath..."}, {"response": 170, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 1997 (18:33)", "body": "Thanks Arami, hopefully by Monday the last part will be ready for your prying eyes."}, {"response": 171, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 1997 (19:01)", "body": "Prying eyes!!! Thanks a bunch, Lisa... You make me look like an old pervo... but I'm glad you're prepared to feed my morbid curiosity...;-)"}, {"response": 172, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 1997 (19:19)", "body": "Well said, Nan. Keep 'em coming Lisa."}, {"response": 173, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 1997 (18:11)", "body": "Arami, if you're an old pervo for reading it..... I'm afraid to ask what that makes me for writing it?"}, {"response": 174, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 1997 (18:26)", "body": "Lisa, be quiet and keep writing ;-)..."}, {"response": 175, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 1997 (18:56)", "body": "ARAMI: Lisa, be quiet and keep writing ;-)... LMAO!! :-.D Thanks pal...that was my one good laugh in an otherwise miserable day ;-.)"}, {"response": 176, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 1997 (13:01)", "body": ""}, {"response": 177, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 1997 (18:54)", "body": "Why is it so quiet here? Are you all waiting for me?...:-) Well, all right, I'll stick my neck out. Do you want me to nit-pick first? This piece contains anachronisms and historically it would not be realistic, i.e. an elegant Regency couple like Lizzy and Darcy would behave somewhat less wantonly, and even though they might enjoy their sex life nearly as much, there would be less emphasis on such raw physicality. So full marks for (im;-))pure erotic escapism, but I find it hard to associate it with Darc and Lizzy of Jane Austen's era. Apart from that, it was rather well written. It reminded me of some late Victorian literary erotica of better quality. Lisa, if it's all your own creation, you've got it, girl; but even if you did use a model, you've done it quite skilfully. My other reservations aside, I REALLY enjoyed it."}, {"response": 178, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 1997 (13:39)", "body": "Lisa, are you sulking?... :-) I've forgotten to mention that I also liked the gentle and stylish humour underpinning the whole narrative. See you in four days - I do hope you're gonna talk to me by then?"}, {"response": 179, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 1997 (19:58)", "body": "I am so upset right now that I feel like smashing my computer screen. I wish I had never posted these damned stories because I never thought that by doing so, and by e-mailing them, I would be considered as a \"peddler of pornography\". I was just having a little fun in writing a different aspect to a D&L story, that's all. It seemed pretty harmless to me, mostly a lot of innuendo and double talk until the last two installments in particular. So, since some people believe I am the next Hugh Hefner, I have asked Nan to take them down from the board. As for your comments, Arami, I'll admit I was upset after reading them, I never thought you'd be so nitpicky but I don't really care anymore. It's not a problem that I should be upset over. Everyone has a right to their opinions. I have had to deal with greater things in my life and this is just a temporary nuisance that I will get over."}, {"response": 180, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 1997 (20:36)", "body": "Just for your information...at Lisa's request, we have removed both \"The Experiment\" and \"Darcy's Diary\". She felt more comfortable sending her stories through email rather than leave them posted here."}, {"response": 181, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 1997 (21:36)", "body": "Lisa, I've just returned from a few days away. As I said before, I personally enjoy your stories and still think you have a future as an author, even if you find it dificult to receive expressions of opinion in a positive way. I'm so sorry that you've taken my comments so badly. I've genuinely hoped you might find readers' comments helpful and constructive. Apparently not so. I suppose it was presumptious of me to try and guide you in such an over-familiar manner. I simply felt rather enthusiastic - alas, I am ot known for my diplomacy... So, please, accept my unreserved apologies."}, {"response": 182, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Wed, Sep 17, 1997 (23:17)", "body": "Dear Arami, There's no need to apologize. When I posted last week I was responding to two different things. I received an e-mail that upset me tremendously because it suggested that what I was peddling pornography. I really don't feel like getting into it because I am totally over it and don't want to relive that unpleasantness anymore. ( I tend to get angry and then a little while later I get over things. I don't hold grudges very long, which I suppose is a good way to deal with stress). But I was fuming at the time, in fact I could see the steam spurting from my ears, and then I read your comments and I guess I just went over the edge and snapped. I'm sorry for responding rudly to you and taking my frustrations out on you. Criticism is something I have to learn to accept. As hard as it may be for me, I realize how important it is. Once again, I'm sorry."}, {"response": 183, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 1997 (20:54)", "body": "I hope you don't let that one thing stop you from freely expressing yourself again, I for one really enjoyed your posts and hope your unbounded enthusiasm returns. I think you'll find most people receptive."}, {"response": 184, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 1997 (13:17)", "body": "I wish to endorse Terry's wise words. Lisa, so, as I understand, you've received one critical e-mail, apparently from a silly prude who has obviously never seen/read real pornography in his/her life and is too scared to post a message publicly? IS THAT ALL? And you let such a minor squeak to upset you and withdraw what IMHO is one of the finer pieces of rich, tantalizing erotic fantasy I've ever come across in my whole life??? DEAR LISA!!!... I do hope you will reconsider your decision to deprive your fr ends and admirers of the sheer pleasure of your talent just because someone doesn't seem to approve... But the hosts approve - isn't that enough?"}, {"response": 185, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 1997 (19:09)", "body": "Hear hear."}, {"response": 186, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 1997 (22:36)", "body": "Thanks Arami and Terry for making me feel better but I think I feel more comfortable if my stories remain \"secluded\". I was having misgivings about leaving them posted here before I received that e-mail for a few reasons: Anyone could read them, including impressionable children,(I don't want to be accused of warping anyone's mind) and secondly I was somewhat embarrassed. Never in my life have I written anything like that. NEVER!! I'm supposed to be a good Catholic girl for Heaven's sakes! What would people think of me? (One person thought I was a pornographer, need I say more?) Also, I guess I got worried at the realization that all I wrote about was sex. Over 40 pages and all it dealt with was sex! Good Lord! I've read Jackie Collins and Danielle Steele novels, not very recently mind you, but I can't recall 40 pages of their books exclusively devoted to sex. They have tidbits here and there but they don't write to the extent that I did! I think it kind of freaked me out a bit! I think it's very obvious that I had too much free time on my hands this summer and no boyfriend to help me occupy it. I had to entertain myself and this was my chosen method. It's a little worrisome! Mind you, I had a lot of fun writing both stories! Maybe that was the whole point? I have been thinking about writing a third story called \"The Exchange\" where Darcy and Lizzy read each others diaries, but I haven't had time to come up with anything yet. My classes started again and it's a pretty heavy load, so my writing time is limited. I have a feeling I won't begin it or any other story until December when my exams are over. You don't know how much the thought of that depresses me!"}, {"response": 187, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Sep 20, 1997 (15:22)", "body": "Lisa, I'm glad and relieved that you're prepared at least to reconsider. Being a good Catholic girl is neither here nor there - take it from another (not so good?) Catholic girl :-) - there was nothing depraved in your erotic fantasy, even if it was a little too physical. Next time try adding more on the subject of emotions, that will help to balance it out. And of course, your studies are a priority! Stay in touch."}, {"response": 188, "author": "Genette", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 1997 (22:54)", "body": "In response #137 above I (long ago) posted a story called Somewhere in a Dream. I enjoyed writing it and indulged in sharing it here with people with whom I share similar tastes/interests. But I did not intend for it to be available to ANYONE on the Internet. I understand that I was naive in supposing this to be a private area, but imagine my surprise when I ran a basic search on my name on Alta Vista and found link 10 popping me right into that story! I come here to mention this disturbing fact and s e Lisa's concerns. Now I feel even worse. Whoever is in charge: Can you please remove #137? I would appreciate that very much."}, {"response": 189, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Oct 26, 1997 (20:30)", "body": "No problem Genette--we'll remove it sometime on Monday."}, {"response": 190, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 1997 (00:06)", "body": "THE FIRST TIME The wedding dinner passed by quickly, though not as quickly as the newly wedded couple would have liked. Bingley's staff prepared a meal that was not only a beautiful presentation, but delicious as well. Darcy and Lizzie's held hands under the table, as they drew strength from each other during the celebration of their marriage. Lizzie tried to eat but her anticipation of the night ahead, as well as the touch of his hand on hers made the thought of food impossible. Every time she looked up her eyes met his and the passion exchanged in even the briefest glance was enough to make her tingle from head to toe. The remembrance of the feelings awakened by his kisses earlier today compounded her inability to eat. After the meal was finished Darcy gave Bingley the message that they were going to their chambers. Bingley had arranged for t eir belongings to be moved to the third floor of the house. The third floor was private and separate from the other bedchambers and afforded them a nice view of the lake. Darcy was given a key, which locked the entrance to the stairway to the third floor. They would be completely secluded from all other visitors. The room had been prepared for their arrival all afternoon. \"Thank you Charles. Thank you for everything.\" Returning to Elizabeth's side, he took her hand in his and made his way to her parents. As soon as Lizzie reached her father, Jane knew it was time for her part to begin. She yawned, and made her excuses to everyone that it was time to nurse Andrew, and then she would be retiring. \"It has been a very long and exciting day for everyone\" said she, \"and I think we should all retire, do you not agree Charles?\" \"Indeed I do, darling. In fact I believe I shall go with you right now.\" Charles approached Darcy and smiling conspiratorially, shook his hand and congratulated him on his choice of wife. \"Congratulations one last time Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, I hope we shall see you sometime tomorrow. However, if you choose to remain secluded, no one shall bother you or even be concerned. The baptism is set for two o'clock, we will see you then, for sure.\" Lizzie kissed Jane good night and gave Charles a big hug and kiss to show her appreciation for all that her sister and her husband had done for them. Then Lizzie said goodnight to her parents and sisters, including a special goodnight for her newest sister, Georgiana. Taking Darcy's hand they quitted the room without looking back, and ascended the stairs. Darcy's eyes never left her face, his desire for her evident in his eyes and in the way he smiled at her. Lizzie was too embarrassed to look at him that way yet, although she felt the same and the looks he gave her sent shivers up her spine. The realization of where they were going and the anticipation of all the feelings aroused by his nearness, made Lizzie apprehensive and shy. As they reached the second landing he rew her into his arms and lifted her chin up as his gaze held hers, \"We are alone right now. May I kiss you Mrs. Darcy? \" \"Yes, you may, but I warn you, I may not let you stop kissing me and we may not make it to our room if you do it now, Sir.\" \"Then I shall wait until I am sure we will not be interrupted, so if we do not make it to our bed, we will not have any apologies to make.\" They made their way down the hallway to the private entrance to their bedchamber. Darcy unlocked the door and re-locked it after they stepped inside the small stairwell, where they would make their way up the stairs. They did not pass more than three stairs before he pulled her to him and kissed her tenderly. At the first touch of his lips on hers, she stiffened with the shock of all that was follow. He noticed her reaction as he took his mouth from hers, kissing her cheek, he continued raggedly, \" I lov you . . .\" His mouth moving to her neck, \"Oh, . . . Elizabeth.\" Moving to her ear, he nibbled on her earlobe. \"Please, do not be frightened of me . . .\" Returning to her mouth, \"I will not hurt you . . .\" His lips brushed hers again. \" . . .You do know that, do you not?\" \"I know William . . .\" as his mouth moved to her jaw, \" . . . and I love you so completely . . .\" She was responding to his ardor. \" . . .I am sure all will be well once we are alone.\" She was beginning to feel flushed . . .\" . . . It is more the unknown that frightens me.\" His mouth surrounded her lips, taking away all her fears. His mouth caressed hers in a slow, insistent kiss that steadily increased in pressure, forcing Elizabeth's lips to part beneath his and setting off tremors of passion inside her that began to crash with stunning force. With a soft moan of pleasure and need, her hands moved up his back as she gave herself over to his kiss, allowing him part her lips, yielding to the probing of his tongue, then welcoming it with mindless desire. His fingers wove through the hair at the nape of her neck as he began loosening the pins that held her hair, allowing her curls to fall around her face. He allo"}, {"response": 191, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 1997 (16:37)", "body": "OH, WHAT A NIGHT, LATE DECEMBER BACK IN 18...!!! Brilliant, my dear!! So glad you decided to rise to the occasion and from what I've read we are not to be disappointed. ;-) Good thing that room of their was \"quite secluded...with a view of the lake\" Can you imagine stuff like that going on with your mother and father and extended family around?? How much time do you suppose they spent looking at the view outside their window? ;-) ...she stiffened with the shock of what was to follow. Is that all that stiffened?? \"It is the unknown that frightens me.\" Is she looking for a formal introduction by a third party? I should hope not! Get to know it, my dear, you'll like it! he smiled lasciviously and allowed it to fall into the front of her dress... The old fishing for pearls trick!! wink, wink ...noticing the obvious bulge in the front of his pants. Pray, which side was it on???? BTW, what are his pants still doing on???? I bet he's just hating himself for buying that dress!! Buttons do seem to be the bane of their existence. So did they make it to the baptism?? NOT!! ;-)) Thanks so much for the excellent read...I can't wait to reread it...slowly...at home. :-)"}, {"response": 192, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 1997 (00:50)", "body": "Well, they are the Godparents, so they will have to leave their cocoon for the baptism.I thought maybe since the baptism was not until 2pm, they would delay leaving until Monday. I can sense Lizzie's embarrassment at everyone knowing what they have been doing all night. I really enjoy writing these, I just hate ending them."}, {"response": 193, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 1997 (02:02)", "body": "Stefanie, dear, don't end them...continue! We don't have your imagination and ingenuity to guide us through your creative juices. Let them flow (this IS drool after all) and we will gladly bathe in their rejuvinating freshness. Your story was truly lovely and tender, and ....well, I'm barely able to get my fingers to type I am so rubbery from your passion. May we beg for more?! Thank you from someone who has been there. May we all continue to experience such wonders through your genius."}, {"response": 194, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 1997 (14:30)", "body": "Thanks, Stefanie, for sharing your very enjoyable fantasy with us. What I find interesting is that I had used similar phrases to some of Stefanie's and others in my own earlier (as yet unpublished) draft and I found certain scenes in DWG eerily similar to mine! If I ever decide to post my own vision, people will think I'm only reprocessing previous stories and it bothers me a bit... However, to be reasonable, there is quite a bunch of us here, all writing about basically the same two people, so no wonde we end with similarities. I mean, after all there's only so much those two can be doing during their wedding night..."}, {"response": 195, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 1997 (14:33)", "body": "...After the second read Even better to luxuriate in your sensuous scenes!! My, how Lizzy takes to her new activity like a duck to water!! Well, she is the athletic sort. :-) And how brilliant of Darcy to guide her along...so she wouldn't be frightened...a master in the art of seduction. Oh my, where are men like that??"}, {"response": 196, "author": "Claudia", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 1997 (17:01)", "body": "KarenR:Good thing that room of their was \"quite secluded...with a view of the lake\" Can you imagine stuff like that going on with your mother and father and extended family around?? Karen, you mean like this?: From DWG, \"A Christmas with the Bennets, Part 5\": (Mrs. B re: Darcy) \"Lizzy, I could hear his distress,\" Mrs. Bennet sharply said. \"I believe he was writhing in agony and I heard him pray to our dear God several times.\" (After 5 years of marriage, E doesn't need D to guide her along anymore!!) Stefanie:I thought maybe since the baptism was not until 2pm, they would delay leaving until Monday. I can sense Lizzie's embarrassment at everyone knowing what they have been doing all night. My thoughts exactly. I thought it was a great move that you had Charles and Jane pretend they were tired, too, and suggest that everyone retire. Kind of makes it a little less obvious that E and D are off doing it. And I could see not leaving till Monday. After all, they've been \"up\" all night, plus the night before, and perhaps D was a bit naive in thinking they'd be up for a 3 hour journey on Sunday afternoon. Shoot, after not being able to touch for a few hours, they need at least another 12 in be ."}, {"response": 197, "author": "Claudia", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 1997 (17:06)", "body": "Hey! Computer! Don't cut me off! As I was saying, before being so rudely interrupted: Shoot, after not being able to touch for a few hours, they need at least another 12 in bed."}, {"response": 198, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 1997 (17:24)", "body": "Thanks for the story, Stefanie. And since I'm not the creative type myself, please, everyone who is, post some more!"}, {"response": 199, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 1997 (17:39)", "body": "(Karen) Can you imagine stuff like that going on with your mother and father and extended family around?? (Claudia) Karen, you mean like this? From DWG, \"A Christmas with the Bennets, Part 5\": (Mrs. B re: Darcy) \"Lizzy, I could hear his distress,\" Mrs. Bennet sharply said. \"I believe he was writhing in agony and I heard him pray to our dear God several times.\" Oh God, oh God...precisely!! ;-D And since the Christmas story is Heide's, she is apparently thinking along the same lines....."}, {"response": 200, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 1997 (20:52)", "body": "How do I find the stories or submot one. I sent one E-mail to Ann but she didn't think it was appropriate{Sp} for Fan Fic."}, {"response": 201, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 1997 (21:42)", "body": "Stef, how cunning you are. You write these deceptively innocent stories for the DWG, just slightly verging on the risque, and then you let it all hang out for us here. Thanks. What a riot. So glad you have an outlet so you can share these fantasies. So glad I finally found this place."}, {"response": 202, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 1997 (21:44)", "body": "Lucie, this is the right place to post your stories--if you have a questions about it, feel free to email me at nan@www.spring.com"}, {"response": 203, "author": "StefanieB", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 1997 (15:05)", "body": "Thank you everyone for your wonderful comments, I am writing today. Couldn't sleep, and this opening line kept going through my head: As the veil of sleep lifted allowing conscious thought to return, a smile filled his face as he recalled the pleasurable events of the night before . . . Isn't that a great opening line? So will try to get the creative juices (& others) flowing. Stef."}, {"response": 204, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 1997 (18:13)", "body": "I wish there were some way for me to nourish you other than through your eyes. You do so much to nourish us in many ways I cannot mention...but we are sustained with that amazing opening line. Your eager fans await....."}, {"response": 205, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 1997 (22:06)", "body": "Darcy entered the bed chamber to find it empty, he thought that he had given her sufficient time but not seeing her he started to move to the large chair before the hearth when he saw her. She had gone to the large window on the far side of the room and pulled aside the drape she stood there dressed in white her long dark hair spreading across her shoulders and down her back, standing there with the moonlight pouring in around her she seemed to glow. He had to pause for a moment to catch his breath at the sight of her before walking across the room to her and folding her in his arms. Brushing aside her hair he kissed her on the temple and then down her face and across her shoulders, when he felt her start to tremble he turned her to face him and asked her if she was afraid of him. She replied that she did not fear him only what she knew nothing of. Kissing her gently her promised that her would not hurt her, and continued to kiss her with ever increasing ardor , when she answered with an ardor to match his he whispered her name again and again kissing her on her lips her throat and down her shoulders where he moved his hand and dropped her gown and robe to the floor with a single motion and picking her up carried her to the waiting bed while she kissed his face, ear and neck with soft butterfly kisses making him moan aloud. Depositing her on the bed he dropped his gown to the floor and joined her kissing her again and again while she whispered \"William, William\" Moving his lips down to the valley between her breasts he felt her tremble. Elizabeth could not understand what was happening to her body and her senses never had she felt like this, what made her nipples rise and harden when he touched them it was such a delicious feeling, when he took first one and then the other in his mouth to suckle them she was at first startled but only wanted more as he moved his hands down her legs to touch forbidden places making her moan over and over again in pleasure. He moved atop her but when she cried out softly as he entered her stopped and kissed and caressed her opening her mouth with his own and searching searching he felt her respond with an ardor that made him feel that he must love her now and when he felt her move her hips up to him he knew that she too was ready. Suddenly Elizabeth felt as if she was soaring higher and higher up, up, up, she could not understand what was happening to her, she only knew that she did not want it to stop and the only thing she wanted was this man undulating atop her she felt herself wrap around him tightly and suddenly her entire being seemed to explode in ecstasy, as she tried to wrap around him and draw him as deeply into her as possible, and somewhere in the the distance she heard someone crying out his name as he called out hers Then she was floating down, down like a feather on a spring breeze and she started to cry. \"Elizabeth, Elizabeth My dearest love why do you weep, have I hurt you\" cried Darcy \"No, my love but I seemed to have ruined everthing \" \"But you were incredibly wonderful why should you think you have ruined anything\" he replied \"But I shake and quiver and can't seem to control my tremblings I have never done this in my life\" she cried softly. \"Darcy laughed and kissed her saying \"If you will notice my love I tremble also, this is what the release of such passion does to the body, I had thought you to be a passionate woman but in my wildest dreams I could not have thought such a well of passion has been sleeping behind those beautiful eyes waiting for me to release it, you are my darling the most satisfying and exciting partner there ever was and you are mine now forever and all this is for me.\" Turning her head she kissed his chest saying \"Oh William I love you shamelessly\" Kissing her with renewed ardor he whispered \"always love me thus never stop loving me as you do now.\" \"I can only love you more never less\" she assured him matching his ardor and Darcy and Elizabeth knew that their wedding night had just begun."}, {"response": 206, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 1997 (23:58)", "body": "Lucie~ Lovely and gentle--I'm glad you posted it. Would you mind using some more commas in the next one? I had to read certain things a couple of times before I understood what you meant. Thanks for the post ;-)"}, {"response": 207, "author": "StefanieB", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 1997 (00:17)", "body": "very nice."}, {"response": 208, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 1997 (02:28)", "body": "Lucie, thank you for a lovely evening contemplating your story. Please write more for us to enjoy."}, {"response": 209, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 1997 (15:56)", "body": "(Nan) Would you mind using some more commas in the next one? I had to read certain things a couple of times before I understood what you meant. Is that what you like, Nan? Punctuation?? ;-) Stephanie You haven't forgotten that you titillated us with the message story!! I know I just can't wait to hear about Elizabeth kneading those muscles until..."}, {"response": 210, "author": "StefanieB", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 1997 (17:49)", "body": "I have not forgotten. I e-mailed the \"massage, him to her first, then a few days later, her to him,\" to a couple of people, and have not heard back from one of them. It is not really a stand alone story, so I thought I would incorporate it into the Concessions storyline, but there are a few other issues to be dealt with first. I 'm working on the story. It's hard to get them out of bed, they seem to like being in each others arms, and you know it gets quite graphic . . . Stef"}, {"response": 211, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 1997 (22:25)", "body": "Stef, I don't know how difficult (was going to say Hard) it is for you to concentrate on anything else, but I am pacing in front of the computer and reloading drool/34/new waiting for more Concessions. There are lots of us waiting for you to download so we may inhale!"}, {"response": 212, "author": "Falcon1", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 1997 (01:37)", "body": "I agree with MarciaH, StepanieB...Quit reading us and start writing!!! We're ready for the morning after, or later on, if you will. Please continue!!!"}, {"response": 213, "author": "StefanieB", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 1997 (01:59)", "body": "YES Ma'am. I shall be flying to Minnesota on Wed and will write all the way, hopefully to post from there. Sorry to keep you all hanging!"}, {"response": 214, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 1997 (09:48)", "body": "Is that what you like, Nan? Punctuation?? ;-) (Karen) LOL! My biggest laugh of the week (well, day, anyway)! Note the commas, Nan.:-)"}, {"response": 215, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 1997 (11:30)", "body": "(Karen) Is that what you like, Nan? Punctuation?? ;-) (Bethan) LOL! My biggest laugh of the week (well, day, anyway)! Note the commas, Nan.:-) Yes , I love punctuation ! Exclamation points , question marks , and quotation marks ALL excite me ! I do , however , hold a special place in my heart for commas . Comma comma , down doobie doo down down..."}, {"response": 216, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 1997 (14:55)", "body": "This is a message to Nan, I'll try to think about the comma's if I can, that is if I write some fanfic in the future, or an essay about the miniature, of MY most wonderful man!!! ,?;:,,,,,,!!!;.,:!!)-((;;;;???!!!"}, {"response": 217, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 1997 (15:36)", "body": "Stefanie: Don't let these rabid (I was going to say something else) females coerce you. Marcia, if hitting Reload and pacing in front of the computer screen elicits nothing, this is when you're supposed to nudge and/or poke that husband of yours...and you've said he's extremely obliging!! ;-) Re: Punctuation Since Nan needs it and gots to have it...I will make this one-time offer to Topic 34 authors who neglect their punctuation. (And, you know, you shouldn't neglect your punctuation.) In a former life, I used to be a proofreader/copy editor....so I do know where those nasty little marks go as well as such absurdities as subject/verb agreement, etc. If anyone would like me to do any cleanup editing, all you have to do is e-mail it to me (Word or WP works for me). I wouldn't want anyone not to be able to u derstand your stories due to lack of punctuation!! One last thing, don't expect miracle turnaround from me (that's the downside)/ Doobie, doobie, doo....."}, {"response": 218, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 1997 (17:18)", "body": "PUNCTUATION Since Nan needs it and gots to have it... OhgeezpeopleIjustwanttobeabletoreadthestories"}, {"response": 219, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 1997 (18:10)", "body": "(Stef)It's hard to get them out of bed, they seem to like being in each others arms, and you know it gets quite graphic . . . Oooooh, can't wait... (Nan)Comma comma, down doobie doo down down... LOL!!! So you like Neil Sedaka? Not quite your generation, surely ;-)? ,?;:,,,,,,!!!;.,:!!)-((;;;;???!!! And Tineke has sent all her punctuation marks ahead of the story - all we need to do is to insert (if you pardon the expression...) in appropriate places..."}, {"response": 220, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 1997 (18:39)", "body": "Karen: this is when you're supposed to nudge and/or poke that husband of yours...and you've said he's extremely obliging!! ;-) Indeed he is, and I do that...but even my good husband (great lover that he is) needs time to reload. ;) And, Nan, I appreciate the need to breathe when I read, and that is why the comma was invented. However, should push come to shove, download your (any author intended) story and I'LL put the commas in! By the way, No need to get them out of bed. I am just wondering how she made love all night after the first time took her virginity. Remembering back...it wasn't all that comfortable! I didn't get into marathons till I healed!"}, {"response": 221, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 1997 (21:03)", "body": "I must be old. I don't remember being that sore. I do, however, remember feeling bow-legged and that everyone would know what I had done just by looking at me (Of course I engaged in premarital sex, so there is some guilt there). I asked several people, as I like to be accurate about some things, and almost everyone denied it being that bad, no one admitted to Nan's expectations(CoF) of bleeding, most said they remembered some uncomfortable feelings, but now attribute that to guilt also. In a previous sto y, they actually did not complete the act the first time, because it was too painful for her, and Darcy comforted her. Those who read it felt it was unrealistic, that most guys would not do that. So for this story I let them complete the act the first time. I figure he's pretty gentle with her, but maybe she would be. Of course that (not doing it) gave me several things to work with, like her guilt at not being able to please him, while he thought it was ok, and that she actually did very well even though it was not completed ,and his anticipation of the act. But, as I say, others thought it unrealistic. I could always go back and take it out. Of course the second attempt she initiated because the remembrance of the pain left her and all she could think of was the pleasure. She actually got her massage because he watched her walk across the room and she was sore, and walked funny, eh Nan? So shall I rewrite it or go on with the show????"}, {"response": 222, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 1997 (21:05)", "body": "I must be old. I don't remember being that sore. I do, however, remember feeling bow-legged and that everyone would know what I had done just by looking at me (Of course I engaged in premarital sex, so there is some guilt there). I asked several people, as I like to be accurate about some things, and almost everyone denied it being that bad, no one admitted to Nan's expectations(CoF) of bleeding, most said they remembered some uncomfortable feelings, but now attribute that to guilt also. In a previous sto y, they actually did not complete the act the first time, because it was too painful for her, and Darcy comforted her. Those who read it felt it was unrealistic, that most guys would not do that. So for this story I let them complete the act the first time. I figure he's pretty gentle with her, but maybe she would be(too sore). Of course that (not doing it) gave me several things to work with, like her feelings of guilt at not being able to please him; while he thought it was ok, and that she actually did very well even though it was not completed ,and his anticipation of the act. But, as I say, others thought it unrealistic. I could always go back and take it out. Of course the second attempt she initiated because the remembrance of the pain left her and all she could think of was the pleasure. She actually got her massage because he watched her walk across the room and she was sore, and walked funny, eh Nan? So shall I rewrite it or go on with the show???? Nan: is my punctuation ok? I tend to put too many comma's in and the checker underlines and marks them, telling me to remove them."}, {"response": 223, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 1997 (01:15)", "body": "My wedding night was in 1959, so I believe I'm older than you are. It is an occupational hazard to put 1990's guys' behavior into a 1790 gentleman. I do NOT believe he would have gone on, and surely he was aware that virgins are not always sex-ready. That being said, don't remove or rewrite anything! Your stories are always in character and well thought through. I love them and wouldn't have you change a thing. It just crossed my mind that she might have been a bit uncomfortable - I, at this far rem ve, would be ready not to surface for weeks? months? at least days!!! =) And, not only did I feel bowlegged with the same inner thoughts as you had, but as I walked down the aisle in my white gown I felt like the star at a fertility rite and *everyone* there knew what we were going to do next! But, even the most prudish of the bunch was there because of the same thing!!! Write on as your thoughts lead you. We await your muse."}, {"response": 224, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 1997 (15:18)", "body": "(Marcia) ...are not always sex-ready Pardon moi, is that like \"cable-ready\"!!"}, {"response": 225, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 1997 (20:58)", "body": "Karen (Marcia) ...are not always sex-ready Pardon moi, is that like \"cable-ready\"!! Um Hmmmm...Sorta like that. If the orifice isn't large enough it needs gentle stretching - or reeming in the case of Cable! A little persuasion can ease almost anything into a small opening, given enough time. And our Darcy is the sort of man who has waited patiently and persistently for this young lady to find the goodness in him. He would be the kindest and most persuasive of lovers. I fell down the first time I saw him!!!"}, {"response": 226, "author": "StefanieB", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 1997 (21:05)", "body": "I have taken your advice to heart, Marcia; it helps, cause then I can get them out of the bed!!! Worked on it on the plane til my battery died, am now in Superior, Wisconsin and will work on it some more tonight. Hopefully will be able to share some in the next couple days."}, {"response": 227, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 1997 (10:07)", "body": "I posted this in Pemberley's Fan Fiction but wanted to change three paragraphs, I doubt this is even R-rated but one can never be sure. I have to put this on two postings. Sorry. Hope you enjoy. RAIN The summer had been long and hot. Drought was unheard of in this part of the country yet it had not rained for nearly three weeks. The thick stone walls of Pemberley retained some coolness but the days were beginning to be uncomfortable in the great house. This was Elizabeth Darcy's first summer at her new home, her first year as a married woman. Much of the past months had been spent hosting friends and family from the south. Now August had come, the Darcys were alone again. Even her sister Georgiana had left to go to Surrey to visit cousins. Her husband, Fitzwilliam Darcy looked pensively out the window searching for a cloud. His wife knew he was concerned about the lack of rain. \"It's the late summer crops I worry about, Elizabeth,\" he was explaining. \"Next month would be ideal if it were dry, but it is too early and the farmers are watching their oats and barley shrivel up. If they have a bad year it will be hard on everyone, both on the estate and in the town. It has not rained since...\" \"Since July 23,\" Elizabeth said with a smile. Her husband turned to look at her, also with a smile on his face. July 23 was the day his wife had told him they were to have a child in the new year. \"I am glad the sun has shone so considerately to celebrate our happy news,\" Darcy said. \"I wish it would recall that rain can be considerate also.\" Elizabeth rose to join Darcy at the window. She knew he was overjoyed that they were to have a child. She only wished he did not now treat her as if she were breakable or perhaps he felt uncomfortable with her maternal state. Either way, he had not touched her since the last day it rained. \"Does it not look like a cloud is forming behind that peak in the west?\" Elizabeth tried to be helpful. \"Yes, they form and then they turn into nothing.\" Elizabeth smiled ruefully. That described her husband's ardor exactly. She knew she could ignite his passion for her but it always turned into nothing. He was afraid he would hurt her or hurt the baby. She tried to assure him that could not happen but he was not able to get over the odd feeling that his child was somehow observing the whole act. \"Well, my dear, I have some business with Mr. Greene. He thinks I may want to lease the south pasture for farming but who would want to farm during this drought.\" Darcy put on his waistcoat in preparation for seeing his steward. \"Sometimes in this heat I wish I could dress like a farmer and not have to wear so many clothes,\" he muttered, kissed his wife's forehead and left the house. Elizabeth sighed and turned towards the stairs. She fingered an old silver locket she had meant to show her husband. It contained a few thin strands of her fine baby hair. She had packed it when she married to bring with her to her new home but had never thought about it again until she had learned about her own baby. After three weeks of searching through her trunks, she had finally found it and now she had forgotten to show it to Darcy. She decided a long cool bath would revive her tired spirits. ******* Elizabeth soaked peacefully in her tub for one half hour. She drowsily ran her fingers across her swollen breasts wishing her husband was nearby to complete those caresses. She was suddenly awakened from her reverie by a low rumbling sound. Could that be thunder? She called for her maid who bustled in with a robe. \"Marguerite, does it look like rain?\" she asked excitedly. \"Yes, madame, it has gotten darker.\" Elizabeth hurried to the window and looked out. \"It is darker. But it is certainly just as hot. Marguerite, I will wear my old white muslin. It is the most comfortable thing I have in this heat. And don't bother with my corset. I will put it back on when I dress for dinner. Oh, and bring me that old silver locket.\" As Elizabeth dressed she felt an electricity in the air. The skies indeed looked darker. The idea of rain animated her and she longed to rush outside to see if she could feel a drop or two of blessed water from the skies. Another sound of low rumbling could be heard. Foregoing her bonnet, Elizabeth bounced down the stairs and skipped out the front door. She turned left toward the tree-covered lane by the stream. A soft breeze had picked up. She closed her eyes and sniffed at the air. It was indeed going to rain! continue next post *****"}, {"response": 228, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 1997 (10:17)", "body": "Part 2 of Rain As she climbed the stairs on the path towards the trees Elizabeth felt a drop, then two on her bare arm. Another sound of thunder pealed but she felt no fear. She waited for the skies to open wide upon her. The drops increased in speed, first coming down fat and lazy, then harder and more insistent. Quickly, Elizabeth felt her skin soak up the moisture and then run off down her face and arms and through her gown. How cool, how sensual and carefree the rain made her feel. She twirled around and around with her arms outstretched. \"Lizzy!\" Her husband's voice brought her back to her surroundings. She blinked through her wet eyelashes at her husband running toward her from the path. \"Get out from the rain, Lizzy. Are you deranged?\" he angrily asked. He took her elbow and guided her under some trees. The rain was still coming down, but more gently and the leaves protected them somewhat. Elizabeth laughed. \"Is this not a wonderful thing, my love? Your farmer's crops are saved. Smell the air, it smells like heaven! Oh, I never thought an English girl could welcome the rain over sun. I feel like dancing!\" Her husband smiled in spite of himself, though he shook his head. She was indeed a sight. Her gown and chemise were soaked through and clinging to her every curve. Her skin showed through at some points where the rain had made the thin material quite transparent. \"Oh, my dear,\" Elizabeth cried, \"I want to show you something.\" She reached into her pocket to pull out her locket but stopped. \"My hands are wet, let me dry them on you.\" Darcy looked down as his wife unbuttoned his waistcoat. \"Oh, this is wet too,\" she murmured as she unbuttoned his vest. Finally, she found some dry patches on his linen shirt and she wiped her hands across his chest. Knowing full well what effect she was having on her husband, she reached back into her pocket and pulled out her locket and dried that across his shirt as well. \"Lizzy,\" Darcy breathed. \"Here, I found this at Longbourn and brought it with me. Look, is not that sweet? It is my hair as a baby's.\" She gleefully held the locket up to his face. \"Lizzy,\" Darcy began again. \"What do you say?\" \"Lizzy, it is very sweet.\" He clasped her wrist and brought her hand with the locket to his lips for a kiss. He looked down at her for a long moment and then pulled her to him for an even longer kiss. As his lips roamed her mouth, ear, and neck he slid one hand down her back and then across to her slightly swollen belly. Elizabeth sighed as she felt his ardor rise. Sorry ladies, I could not resist. When they finally broke apart, Elizabeth looked mischievously up at him. \"You know I miss you very much.\" \"And I miss you. If you'll let me, I'll show you how much as soon as we get back into the house.\" \"I am afraid we will have to steal back. Mrs. Reynolds will not let us into the house like this. She will want to have us hung on the washing line to dry first.\" \"Then let us steal into our own house and go directly upstairs. I want my wife back.\" \"She's never gone away,\" Elizabeth whispered. They walked hand in hand back to the house in the gentle rain. THE END And here I stop. If anyone would like to go with this and supply more graphic details, they are very welcome to it. I'm sure I would love to read it. I just can't quite step across that invisible line to write it."}, {"response": 229, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 1997 (12:28)", "body": "Oh Heide I think you could continue on very well, indeed. But I could never continue your story. Thank you for this. Very nice."}, {"response": 230, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 1997 (15:33)", "body": "(Marcia) ...are not always sex-ready (Karen) Pardon moi, is that like \"cable-ready\"!! (Marcia) Um Hmmmm...Sorta like that. If the orifice isn't large enough it needs gentle stretching - or reeming in the case of Cable! A little persuasion can ease almost anything into a small opening, given enough time. Marcia...I was just being a smart ass (or myself as the case may be). Of course, it does depend on how many mils the cable is in circumference?? And you know how those cable connectors have male and female ends!! This is getting a little lewd.... But what am I worried about...this is the right place for lewd!!"}, {"response": 231, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 1997 (17:13)", "body": "LET IT POUR Heide, I'm sitting here with hard copy of both versions of your story (PG and PG-13). They are both lovely. I wish you would continue since you have a lovely way of describing the love they feel for each other. It doesn't have to be \"graphic\" as in something bad...step up to that line and say, \"I can do it!!\" But you don't have to if you don't want to. Thank you for this lovely piece of writing...as is."}, {"response": 232, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 1997 (17:15)", "body": "WHERE'S WALDO? I think Nan got frightened away by a big bad COMMA!! What do you think?"}, {"response": 233, "author": "Claudia", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 1997 (17:24)", "body": "Stefanie: Of course that (not doing it) gave me several things to work with, like her feelings of guilt at not being able to please him; while he thought it was ok, and that she actually did very well even though it was not completed Getting past the soreness part, I always wondered, did Lizzy suffer from any guilt at first in taking such pleasure from her \"marital duties\"? In some of the stories it was implied that her mother hadn't given her a very good impression of this aspect of married life and, although I'm not a (an?) historian by any means,I get the feeling that it wasn't considered \"lady-like\" to take enjoyment in it. What Lizzy must have thought when the physical sensations were quite different from what she expected. Bu then perhaps many women didn't enjoy it, at least at first, as they married more for economic reasons than for love (which seemed to be sort of a new idea in Lizzy's time!)"}, {"response": 234, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 1997 (17:44)", "body": "I get the feeling that it wasn't considered \"lady-like\" to take enjoyment in it That attitude became norm only a little later, in the Victorian era. Nan got frightened away by a big bad COMMA! It worries me, too."}, {"response": 235, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 1997 (17:47)", "body": "I think Nan got frightened away by a big bad COMMA!! What do you think? Oh, I'm here all the time, dear. Goof on me all you want about the commas, but I don't frighten easily ;-) I haven't posted because I really had nothing to contribute to the orifice conversation."}, {"response": 236, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 1997 (20:44)", "body": "Nan Thanks for the adviceabout the commas, I start going too fast and forget proper puncuation. Will try to do better lucie"}, {"response": 237, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 1997 (20:44)", "body": "Nan Thanks for the advice about the commas, I start going too fast and forget proper puncuation. Will try to do better. lucie"}, {"response": 238, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 1997 (21:53)", "body": "(Karen) Yes, those little cable connectors do indeed have male and female fittings and they have to be (gasp!) screwed (gasp!) into eachother to make a good connection. Sorry all you esthetes out there for using \"orifice\" but it was all I could think of that wasn't vulgar. Over here we use \"puka\" (pronounced POO-ka) for any hole of any sort. Next time I will use puka! And, didn't we have this Victorian vs Hanoverian mores a while ago, Arami? You are right, these were NOT Victorians. In fact, I read last night that the ladies (?) in France at this time of P&P dampened the muslin on their bodices to make them stick to their skin and become more transparent!"}, {"response": 239, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 1997 (22:00)", "body": "(Nan): I haven't posted because I really had nothing to contribute to the orifice conversation. Were you waiting for an opening, Dear?"}, {"response": 240, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 1997 (23:51)", "body": "I haven't posted because I really had nothing to contribute to the orifice conversation. Marcia has stolen the best punchline again, LOL! Seriously (?), Nan, I had no share in the orifices either, and tried to join your singing instead, also in vain :-( - and I'm still curious about the tune!"}, {"response": 241, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 1997 (08:39)", "body": "(Lucie) Thanks for the adviceabout the commas, I start going too fast and forget proper puncuation. Can't damn you for your enthusiasm... ;-) (Marcia) Sorry all you esthetes out there for using \"orifice\" but it was all I could think of that wasn't vulgar. Over here we use \"puka\" (pronounced POO-ka) for any hole of any sort. Next time I will use puka! Too funny! LOL! I just love that word...I'll never stop using it now ;-) BTW, the word \"orifice\" doesn't offend me at all (come to think of it, there are very few words that do ;-p). However, I had nothing interesting to say, that's all. (Nan): I haven't posted because I really had nothing to contribute to the orifice conversation. (Marcia) Were you waiting for an opening, Dear? LOL! Brava, Marcia! ;-D (Arami) Marcia has stolen the best punchline again, LOL! Yeah, that was a good one ;-D Seriously (?), Nan, I had no share in the orifices either, and tried to join your singing instead, also in vain :-( - and I'm still curious about the tune! Sorry, didn't mean to ignore you. Lately, I've been spending the larger part of my time scanning (and airbrushing) Colin for the groovy Advent Calendar. I'm having a grand old time, but it leaves less time for posting. So, you said: LOL!!! So you like Neil Sedaka? Not quite your generation, surely ;-)? I don't have any particular love for Neil Sedaka, just campy music from the 60's and 70's (especially \"one hit wonders\"). And, no, he's not exactly my generation--I suppose that would be 80's, but I don't really love that music. Though, Duran Duran was too cool when I was a teenager ;-p"}, {"response": 242, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 1997 (15:34)", "body": "Thank goodness you're back, Nan. I was going to blame Tineke for overpunctuating you!! ;-D Over here we use \"puka\" (pronounced POO-ka) for any hole of any sort. Next time I will use puka! Oh dear, I have some puka beads or shells or some jewelry made out of puka somethings...what a translation!! In fact, I read last night that the ladies (?) in France at this time of P&P dampened the muslin on their bodices to make them stick to their skin and become more transparent! Well, JE certainly didn't have to do that!! Her's had been pushed out of the muslin by a Wonder Bra!! (Nan) I haven't posted because I really had nothing to contribute to the orifice conversation. (Marcia) Were you waiting for an opening, Dear? Truly the best line, Marcia...snicker, snicker, chortle, chortle (I have to be quiet...I'm in the office). Getting back to my original comment about being \"cable ready,\" I would have thought that there were lots of places for that discussion to go...like: Is that why men are into \"laying cable...\""}, {"response": 243, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 1997 (16:42)", "body": "Sorry, didn't mean to ignore you. Don't worry m'dear, I'm used to it... And I'm STILL curious... I don't have any particular love for Neil Sedaka Poor old Neil! But isn't Comma comma, down doobie doo down down straight from the opening (ooops...;-)) of his ditty \"Breaking Up Is Hard To Do\"? the groovy Advent Calendar I still can't view it in its glory - seems I can't activate the MSIE hidden in my computer without subscribing online..."}, {"response": 244, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 1997 (16:57)", "body": "Puka Shell necklaces are always good accessories over here - the puka in this case forms naturally in the shells as they get polished in the sea by the sand then wash up to be collected, sized and strung. They are often soooo tiny it takes lots of them to make a necklace. It's a cottage industry here. And, we have plastic knock-offs from China now appearing at a store near you... Yeah, I thought about all of the things men like to do involving laying long skinny things into small openings, lubricating same to get it to go in easier... Have you ever watched a Chemist putting a rubber hose onto a glass tube?! That operation will enable fluids to be emitted into the glass vessel...from the rubber latex tube...and they often lubricate the glass tube by running it gently into their mouths....! What is this topic, anyway...?"}, {"response": 245, "author": "pamb", "date": "Sun, Dec 14, 1997 (09:12)", "body": "hi, my name is pam and i'm a p&p2 fanatic....i stumbled across your group and and RoP a few months ago and have truly loved the info and fan fiction. i guess i was looking for \"more\" after watching p&p again. its such a lovely story and turned me on to other austen pieces. i have read the tennant and bader books, and although they were o.k. left me blah....the fiction on RoP is wonderful, but looking for something with a little more...spice....with the sizzle between e & d how could you not want more... s this fiction posted anywhere like RoP? i liked the story posted here, but i am not able to load anything prior to the last 7 days hope no one minds my jumping in..... merry christmas!!!"}, {"response": 246, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Dec 14, 1997 (16:19)", "body": "Hi, Pam! If you're after spice, you may be lucky here - first, why can't you load the whole of this board? Might be long, but worth it... Secondly, our incomparable Lisa might take pity on you and email you her double helping of a real spicy sauce... strictly for gourmets only ;-)... (you can tell I'm a fan, even if it's not quite the right flavour in a way...;-))"}, {"response": 247, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Dec 14, 1997 (19:21)", "body": "LISA !!! Please Email me your stories! I grovel nicely and am very appreciative of your writing. Pleeeeeeeeeeease send them to: marci@aloha.net Thank you Very much."}, {"response": 248, "author": "StefanieB", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 1997 (00:06)", "body": "MarciaH I have e-mailed you at the address that commes up when I click on your name, and the one you gave me (above) both came back undeliverable, with \"fatal error,\" per the net. Subj: Returned mail: Cannot send message within 3 days Date: 97-12-14 16:02:59 EST From: MAILER-DAEMON@AOL.com (Mail Delivery Subsystem) To: MHatter869@AOL.com The original message was received at Thu, 11 Dec 1997 11:19:17 -0500 (EST) from root@localhost ----- The following addresses had permanent fatal errors ----- MarciaH@hawaii-16.u.aloha.net ----- Transcript of session follows ----- MarciaH@hawaii-16.u.aloha.net... Deferred: Connection timed out with hawaii-16.u.aloha.net. Message could not be delivered for 3 days Message will be deleted from queue ----- Original message follows ----- Tell me what you would like I am more than happy to copy- just the sexy ones, or the whole damn movie if you want to watch 5 hrs of Nostromo. And the question was to you. You drool so delectably (sp?) over our love. I know when I post something about the teacup you shall always respond!! Copies of anything you want! Stef HELP!! Stef"}, {"response": 249, "author": "StefanieB", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 1997 (00:37)", "body": "OK ladies, now for the real message: I am posting Part 2 of The First Time.\" though I spoze I'll have to give it a new title. MarciaH I have incorp. your idea in this, hope you all like it. We get back to good sex in a few . . .all comments, good and bad, welcome. Also I can't print here in Wisconsin, so I'm reading from the screen. Sometimes I find this is disjointed when I print it out and wonder how I missed it. Here it is: Part 2 As the veil of sleep lifted allowing conscious thought to return, a smile filled his face as he recalled the pleasurable events of the night before. Stretching his body its full length, he was happier than he could ever recall and it was all because Elizabeth loved him loved him more than he could have ever asked for. He reached his arms out to her, wanting to hold her close to his heart, to tell her how happy she had made him. \"Hmmm . . . Elizabeth?\" The realization of her not being in his arms brought im fully awake and an emptiness to his soul. \"Elizabeth?\" His eyes quickly searched the room, for a few seconds not recognizing where he was, and where was she. He could not have dreamt it. He looked down at his nakedness for some evidence of the pleasure they had shared. If I had been alone I would have my nightshirt on; no . . . she must be here. It had not been a dream, he had tasted her, loved her completely, that he was certain of. Moving to her side of their bed, he could smell her soft scen on her pillow; his eyes searched the room for some evidence of her presence. Her dress was not where it had been placed as they undressed each other, nor was his clothing. A smile crossed his face as he recalled the pleasures . . . replaced by confusion as panic began to overtake him. \"ELIZABETH . . .ELIZABETH?\" \"Yes, William?\" as she appeared from the stairwell, wearing only his silk dress shirt, which came to her knee's, looking as beautiful ever. \"What is the matter, darling? You look upset,\" as she crossed the room to him. \"No, no I uh . . .just did not know where you were,\" smiling at her, he beckoned her to him, \"come here, I miss you. I want you.\" As she reached his outstretched arms he eagerly embraced her, pulling her close to his heart. Kissing his face and smiling coyly, \"Did you miss me?\" \"Why did you not wake me? I ah . . . uhm . . . , I woke up and . . . I wanted you to be here.\" Then lowering his eyes, \"For a moment I thought perhaps it had all been a dream; everything, your love, our wedding, last night. Yet I knew I could not have . . .it could not be a dream,\" he leaned to her and kissed her softly, stroking her cheek with the back of his hand, \"I love you, Elizabeth. Where did you go?\" Lizzie teased him, \"I . . .uh . . .I . . . am deeply offended . . .Sir,\" as she put on her best pouting face. \"Pray, what could I have done to offend you,\" as he drew back from her,\" I have barely awoken, and only told you how much I love you and want you. Surely this is not offensive?\" \"Nay, Sir,\" she responded indignantly, \"I believe your words were I thought I dreamt everything, your love, our wedding, and last night. If I provide you with no more satisfaction than your dreams, then perhaps you should continue with your dreams and I shall find a lover who pleases me as much as you, though I do not imagine one who gives me as much pleasure shall be easily located.\" She kissed his face and neck, her eyes watching his response to her teazing. \"Elizabeth Darcy, you know that was not my meaning,\" his brow furrowing. \"I only . . . \" he paused, before finishing, \"I am not yet accustomed to your acceptance of me . . . or my love.\" His hand cupped her chin so he could look upon her face,\" When I awoke and you were not next to me, I called out to you; your dress was not here, my clothes gone . . .I did not mean to cause you distress. I love you, is that an offense?\" His eyes searched her face for reassurance. He was so humble she could not help but love him, smiling, \"No. It is not; I know you love me, and I love you, that is no longer a dream for either of us, my darling.\" \"Do not imagine this to be a dream, my love, I shall refresh your memory.\" With that, she pushed him back on the bed and kissed him passionately, sliding her tongue into his mouth, moaning softly as his hands moved up and down her back, caressing her body. \"Oh, William,\" her mouth moving to his ear, \" . . . love me . . .\" Sliding down his body, her tongue gently caressing his neck. His face was rough from his beard growth, chafing the soft skin of her face. She touched his face with her hands, and smilin , \"I love you, Fitzwilliam Darcy, I shall not leave you, of that you may be assured.\" She returned to her seduction, her mouth moving over his neck and chest. \"I went to unlock the downstairs door, and rang for some breakfast\" . . . her mouth moving to his nipple where she suckled him . . .\"and for a bath for us . . .\" returning to his mouth, her tongue teasing, searching . . .\"It is almost eleven, we have not much time.\" "}, {"response": 250, "author": "StefanieB", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 1997 (00:40)", "body": "This last part would not fit, so I had to send it separately. \"I am sure you have. Until Friday then,\" as he leaned to her and kissed her cheek then hugged her. He returned to Lizzie's side, reclaiming her hand and they finished saying their good byes. Moment's later Hanson entered the dining room announcing, \"Your carriage awaits, Mr. and Mrs. Darcy.\" Darcy bade his final farewell to Charles, hugging him and thanking him once more for all his help; kissing Jane on the cheek and repeating his thanks to her. Darcy escorted Elizabeth out to the carriage and aware of her concerns regarding her ability to walk, he lifted her into the carriage and then climbed in beside her, closing the door behind him, as he signaled his driver to leave. On the rear-facing seat was a large basket of bread, a bottle of wine and a selection of fruit, with a note \"Wishing you as much happiness as we have,\" Charles and Jane. He smiled and gathered Elizabeth into his arms, \"we are finally alone.\" 2B continued."}, {"response": 251, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 1997 (01:03)", "body": "StefanieB: marci@aloha.net is my Email address. I don't think these work here. I *need* the entire movie. Do you also have a all-drool copy of your own which you could also copy? I will crawl over fresh jagged lava for them and reimburse you for whatever costs you incur. I just don't want to be an inconvenience as your time is better spent writing....speaking of which....Off to read your latest. You're the absolute Best!!! (BTW, fresh Jagged Lava is full of glassay particles which flay you an your hiking boots in no time flat!)"}, {"response": 252, "author": "StefanieB", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 1997 (01:23)", "body": "Will try again, Marci@aloha.net. I can make the whole Nostromo movie for you, not a problem. Which drool do you want? Just the P&P or other movies as well?"}, {"response": 253, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 1997 (02:47)", "body": "I am overwhelmed by your story, and humbled that you chose to incorporate my bit of reality in it. Now.......Get to the REALLY good stuff. Marathons are authorized from now on till you grow tired of us, the man, and the subject! (Nevah!)Be specific =) I will Email you about video drool. One can never have too much - I'm having trouble getting enough! I'm sure they should start the top of the drool conference with the subtitle - \"...for women who have *Permanently* lost their sanity....\""}, {"response": 254, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 1997 (17:57)", "body": "Stef Just gave your story a quick eyeballing (I've printed it off) and it looks mighty interesting!! Can't wait to savor each and every word. BTW, I saw the bit about \"the walk\"!! Too funny. Karen Regarding Titles: \"The First Day\" (too trite), \"Time to Go Home, but the Party's Not Over!!\" Maybe I'll have some better ideas tonight...after I read the story!"}, {"response": 255, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 1997 (18:05)", "body": "Some VERY talented ladies here! You could all out-sequel Emma Tennant anyday. How about it? The continuing story of Darcy and Lizzie...(ardour unabated of course!)"}, {"response": 256, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 1997 (18:46)", "body": "Hey, that looks interesting - gonna read it in a minute... only - am I missing something? where's Part 1 supposed to be? Just remind me, please!"}, {"response": 257, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 1997 (19:45)", "body": "Arami: It's further up the file! Response 190"}, {"response": 258, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Dec 16, 1997 (14:34)", "body": "Oh, yes, of course... But wasn't the title something different?"}, {"response": 259, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 1997 (00:45)", "body": "Part 1 is also the First Time, before that is published in RoP under Concessions (rated G) & Darcy's Bad Judgement."}, {"response": 260, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 1997 (15:12)", "body": ""}, {"response": 261, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 1997 (15:14)", "body": ""}, {"response": 262, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 1997 (18:51)", "body": "a less enlightened, 90's kind of Darcy You mean 1890's? What on earth are they doing there? And are you sure that the half-drunken oaf in breeches who rushes in and practically rapes his bride (and still keeps his breeches on) is really that delicate (Jane Austen's own description!), enlightened, proud aristocrat Mr Darcy? An interesting view, but it doesn't convince me. Sorry."}, {"response": 263, "author": "Suzanne1", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 1997 (23:37)", "body": "I have to agree with Arami, although it is well written it seemed alomost violent, what I have heard described as a bodice buster. (Novels where men rape the women they love). I'm afraid that this portrays both Darcy and Lizzie in a rather negative light. A valient effort but not to my taste. By all means Lorie keep writing, you can't please everyone, I suppose."}, {"response": 264, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 1997 (01:14)", "body": "(Lorie) OK, you all have finally done it and inspired me to start writing my own version of that infamous wedding night. Mine will perhaps not be to everyone's taste, having a less enlightened, 90's kind of Darcy (and Lizzie, for that matter). But it's another image of the two of them, and I thought I'd share it here. Lorie, I really wish you\ufffdd checked with me before posting this story. Now I have the distasteful task of telling you, on a public board, that I have to remove it. I\ufffdm sorry...it\ufffds simply out of my comfort level. We try to provide an environment in which everyone may creatively fantasize about Darcy, while keeping content restrictions to a minimum. I\ufffdm all for risque (even a little raunch), but what amounts to rape is not my idea of a sensual fantasy. I\ufffdm sorry to impose my beliefs upon everyone else, but s long as I am responsible for this conference, that\ufffds the way it\ufffds going to be. When the first of the \ufffdsexy stories\ufffd popped up several months ago, I posted a message about the importance of remembering that this is a public board. While it feels like a small, drooly community, anyone can access it--your kids, your friends, your Aunt Tillie, your mother. I should have reposted that warning as soon as new stories started to appear. So I do accept part of the blame, for having not seen it coming. Here, again, is a copy of that post: Well ladies...as you can see, Lisa has posted the next scorching installment of \"The Darcy Diary\". I did see it first and felt that, since we are all adults, it was something you'd all want to read. Who am I to deprive you of a little thrill!;-.) However, I believe she has established the level for the Fan Fic in this Conference. These are somewhat delicate subjects and I feel that, in the future, we should try to stick within the boundaries Lisa's story has created...not that there are many! ;-.p I think that no one can complain that this is unnecessarily restrictive. It's important that everyone feel free to let their imaginations go--that is the larger part of why we moved to the Spring in the first place. But I also urge you to remember that this is a public board. You're all big girls, use your own judgment. :-.) Just so you have a point of reference, Lisa's stories (mentioned above) were very similar in content to Stefanie's current work. Please, if any of you have doubts about anything you want to post, email it to me first."}, {"response": 265, "author": "Kate", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 1997 (08:14)", "body": "Sorry Lori, but I agree with the other posts. This was a bit too much. and thanks Nan for taking it down."}, {"response": 266, "author": "Leslie11918", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 1997 (17:21)", "body": "Hi Lisa, I discovered Republic of Pemberly and the Spring about a month ago and have read every story. I would love to read any stories that have not been posted! Please send them if you will to Leslie1918@aol.com They will be happily accepted. Happy Holidays! Leslie"}, {"response": 267, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Fri, Dec 19, 1997 (10:48)", "body": "Wow. I'm very sorry that my attempt at fiction offended the Spring's community standards so flagrantly. I apologize to those who read and were offended, disgusted, etc. But just to clarify some questions from readers, and my own bad grammar in my post, I meant that I was presenting an un-enlightened, non-1990's-lover Darcy. I honestly don't know enough about 18th and 19th century sexual behaviors to be writing from a knowledgeable point of view, but when I read some of the other posts here, the couple seemed very modern. My own thoughts obviously have a dark turn, and I wondered how frightened Lizzie would be about that \"first time\" and how frightening a man like Darcy could be when his passions were let loose. And no, I probably wasn't thinking much about Jane Austen's rather sexless Mr. D, I think I was imaging CF, who doesn't look delicate or all that restrained (to me). But again, I do apologize for not knowing enough to ask before posting and for imposing my story on everyone!"}, {"response": 268, "author": "Suzanne1", "date": "Sat, Dec 20, 1997 (17:30)", "body": "LorieS-I think the initial reaction most had was that we could not imagine our beloved Darcy as such a brute. Beyond that though your thoghts on Lizzie being frightened were right, I would imagine he to be very nervous on their wedding night. Others have dealt with this fear in their stories and made Darcy help her over it in a much more tender, understanding way. By making Darcy almost violent you have offended the enlightened 90's sensibilities that most of us possess, I believe. I don't believe tha most women now a days would accept that behavior from a lover, and such behavior in my opinion would regarded as abusive. Don't be afraid to write more stories but just lighten it up a little. Use your imagination and let your fantasies come to life on the page when writing, I wouldn't recommend writing something that you wouldn't want to happen to you. I hope my earlier comment did not hurt your feelings in any way. Keep on writing :)"}, {"response": 269, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Dec 20, 1997 (18:43)", "body": "Lorie - I'm so glad to see we haven't scared you away! Now, to give you some help, historically, people in the 18th and early 19th centuries were much more enlightened and knowledgeable sexually than it is commonly believed. I was astonished to learn that medical and marriage handbooks were commonly accessible to everyone in homes which could afford a library (though one must remember that the level of the knowledge was relatively lower, of course). It is, therefore, quite possible, that Lizzie had some i ea of what to expect. Society men were not brutes. The legacy of the 18th century was the finesse of seduction and lovemaking generally. I cannot imagine Darcy acting in any other way, regardless of how (in)experienced he could be. Somehow during the 19th century there was a strong religious backlash against what was seen as loose morals of previous generations (hinted at by Jane Austen in the character of Wickham, for example) and the result was that 20-30 years after the end of Regency it became imprope to imagine that a woman might enjoy sex. Concurrently, the so-called middle classes emerged and with them something called bourgeois morality, often meaning double standards, men's insistence on their superiority, women's struggle to achieve better recognition in public as well as domestic life, etc. But not all men were thugs, of course. In short, \"your\" Mr Darcy behaved like one would imagine an insensitive, selfish, seriously disturbed, psychotic and rather unloving bourgeois man of 1890's... So you s e, it pays to do some research first. And now, back to the drawing board, girl :-)!"}, {"response": 270, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Dec 20, 1997 (22:58)", "body": "Darcy eased hiswife off his shoulder and raised himself up on his elboe to better see her. This was the fourth day of their marriage and for the first time hw would be away from her, he felt a pang at this. These three days had been heaven, just the two of them as he showed her the house and they strolled the grounds as she admired the gardens and the house. He was somewhat surprised at her quick grasp of the problems of running such an establishment and her rapport with the servants. But he seemed to recall Andre DeaLassle telling him something about her running Longbourn since she was 15 years old, watching her handle her duties these three days he could well believe it. The servants seemed to have fallen under her spell except for the housekeeper, Mrs Wilson and his ohh so correct butler, but he was sure that Mr Aston at least would soon come around when he realized her capablities. Mrs Wilson he was sure would take longer as she still thought that it was his duty to marry his cousin Anne. His Aunt had through the years filled her head with this nonsense and it would take some time to remove it, but he was sure that when she saw how happy they were and what an efficient wife Elizabeth was she would change her mind. He smiled as he brushed a stray curl away from Lizzie's face and reaching down lifted the blankets to admire his sleeping wife's body, the soft white mound of her breasts with the delicious brown topping made him feel a need for her that was almost irresistable but he knew that she needed some sleep as she had not had a great deal last night. They had read together in the libray and lost track of time until the clock struck eleven and he exclaimed that they must go to bed as he had to be at his solicitor's office early on the morrow. She had closed her book and with a mischeivous grin told him that he had better get to sleep at once if that were the case, to which he replied that no matter what the hour of his appointment he still had time for his wife and the charms she brought to his bed each night and day. He laid back on the bed with a satisfied grin remembering that he had missed at least two hours of sleep the night before after they had retired to the bed chamber. Slipping quietly out of the bed he went to his dressing room and asked to have his bath readied, and in the meantime he would recheck the papers he had to take to his solicator. when his bath was almost ready he decided to take one last look at his sleeping wife and returned to the bed chamber to do so, only to find the bed empty. Walking into her dressing room he saw her just stepping out of her tub and asking her maid for a towel. Sending the maid away with a wave of his hand and a finger to his mouth for silence he took the towel to her and wraopping it around her snugly said,\"So this is why my bath has taken so long you have take the hot first. Elizabeth turned to him with a giggle saying \"Please sir do not beat me I will not do it again.\" \"You may do it as much as you like if I am allowed to do maid service when you are done,\" and kissed her ardently letting the towel drop and running his hand down her warm wet body pressing her closer and closer as she returned his kisses. Picking her up he carried her to the large soft rug before the fireplace abd her down on it divesting himself of his robe as he joined her. \"I thought you had no time this morning, she said with another cheekiy grin. \"I will make time,\"he grinned back at her kissing her and moving his hand to her breasts to feel the nipples rise and harden at his touch, he loved the feel of them, and moved his mouth to them slowly and sensuasly down her throat . \"Sir the bed is but a few steps\" she whispered while kissing his ear. \"Too far,\" he said softly, why do you think I had this rug put here\" as his hand worked their magic on her and she began to moan, \"William, William, I love you, I need you, I need you. Still he kissed and carressed her until she begged \"please, please William\" opening her mouth with his own he reached his tongue in searching and exploring her mouth as he entered her and she welcomed him as she always did and he felt himself grow and harden even more within her until it was almost painful. She always did this for him and her whispered her name over and over again as he took her. They reached a climax as they always did at the same moment with such a crescendo that it left both of them totaly spent."}, {"response": 271, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Dec 22, 1997 (20:40)", "body": "I finished this in a rush because a note came of that I had an ICQ from my son I will finish the rest of it later even though I don't have the ability to make the words flow as Stef. does."}, {"response": 272, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Mon, Dec 22, 1997 (23:20)", "body": "Lucie, I thought it was very nice. I like to read most anything that is sweet and loving. Tough I imagine Darcy has a big time temper, & I would like to write a story about their first major fight, but I can't think of anything really major to fight about that has not been written. Someone already wrote one about her lying to him about Wickham & Lydia. I have started a story on RoP called the Summer Masquerade Ball, though when I re-posted it it came out as the \"Simmer Masquerade Ball\" which is also appropriate, I guess. If any one has any ideas, let me know. I just kind of go inside them and feel what I think they are feeling. I told Marcia that in the next episode of the dance, I had them make eye contact, and Lizzie got angry. My tendency is to rush things, so I've changed my mind and there will be some more intrigue before they actually come to term . It's fun . . . now if I could just make si=ome money at it!!!"}, {"response": 273, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Mon, Dec 22, 1997 (23:21)", "body": "Lucie, I thought it was very nice. I like to read most anything that is sweet and loving. Though I imagine Darcy has a big time temper, & I would like to write a story about their first major fight, but I can't think of anything really major to fight about that has not been written. Someone already wrote one about her lying to him about Wickham & Lydia. I have started a story on RoP called the Summer Masquerade Ball, though when I re-posted it it came out as the \"Simmer Masquerade Ball\" which is also appropriate, I guess. If any one has any ideas, let me know. I just kind of go inside them and feel what I think they are feeling. I told Marcia that in the next episode of the dance, I had them make eye contact, and Lizzie got angry. My tendency is to rush things, so I've changed my mind and there will be some more intrigue before they actually come to term . It's fun . . . now if I could just make si=ome money at it!!!"}, {"response": 274, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Mon, Dec 22, 1997 (23:22)", "body": "If I could type!"}, {"response": 275, "author": "PAMMIB", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 1997 (00:10)", "body": "Arami, Thanks for the info. This is the first chance I have been able to log in in over a week....Holidays are tooooo hectic. I think I have a problem at home, since I have webtv...sure the memory is tiny. I was able to see pull all the posts from my internet connection at work. There is alot of talent here....just what I was looking for! Thanks again...Have a great holiday. Would anyone be willing to email me some of there fiction? Plan on being lazy this weekend..If so, would you email anything to me at berpa03@cai.com. Webtv has its limitations and I can receive better at my work connection. HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE!! Pam"}, {"response": 276, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 1997 (17:14)", "body": "Stef, blame it on the machine! It should know what you wanted to say. I did! Besides, before Samuel Johnson wrote everything down as to the \"proper\" way to spell things in the form of a dictionary, one could spell things any way they chose as long as they were underst=oodf and I ho=p4e this makes you feel less clujfmusy. =)"}, {"response": 277, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 1997 (20:10)", "body": "(Pam)Arami, Thanks for the info. Pam, it's awfully decent of you to acknowledge my goodwill and generosity...;-) Next time I'll have to charge for my lectures, I can't afford to squander my hard earned knowledge like that! Merry Christmas, scribes!"}, {"response": 278, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 1997 (20:45)", "body": "Arami, are you the one with the knowledge about the Regency time period? (sounds like I'm asking for one of Sybil's personalities to come out!) I would like to find out more about the way thing were done. I tried to look at Pemberley, but could not find anything, or don't know what I'm looking for. For my Summer Masquerade Ball (on RoP), I would like to be accurate about some things, but I don't know where to find them. Would you e-mail me? my e-mail address is mhatter869@aol.com. It's really simple stuff, I think. Thanks Stef"}, {"response": 279, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 1997 (20:51)", "body": "MarciaH Thanx, you are such a hoot!!!! I would not be able to write if it weren't for all those squiggly red and green lines under all my misspelled words and incorrect grammar, yet sometimes the grammar check gives me the weirdest choices, for words, some I have never heard of. The problem is I type faster than I look I guess and I don't always watch the screen & think I'm hitting the right keys!! Traffic was awful tonight coming home from work, all I could think of was I want to write, I have to get to my computer, it drives me crazy!"}, {"response": 280, "author": "Kate", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 1997 (23:49)", "body": "Stefanie Have you looked at the \"Jane Austen's Life and Times\" page at Pemberley - it has heaps of stuff about how people behaved etc etc. And if you post a message there, some of the regulars might be able to help you with your queries."}, {"response": 281, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 1997 (23:56)", "body": "Brain is more efficient than fingers. Works ahead while fingers lag behind. That's why I invested in Eudora with Spell check. I like to dash off notes and send them immediately. The trouble is at the other end all of the gremlins reassembling the bits and bytes rearrange them so as to look misspelled! That IS the reason, isn't it!? To the creative talent who's life blood this is, may the visions of sugarplumb come wrapped around Darcy and Lizzie in new and wondrous forms. Mele Kalikimaka, all!"}, {"response": 282, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Dec 24, 1997 (00:22)", "body": "LUCIE Many thanks for the commas, m\ufffddear...was much easier this time ;-) Now you can all pick on me again. I\ufffdm in the mood for it at present, though I can\ufffdt vouch for my attitude tomorrow ;-p WELCOME Hi Pam, glad you found us. Always room for the Firth-addicted ;-) AN EMAIL...FROM ARAMI?!...Pfffft! ;-D (Stefanie) For my Summer Masquerade Ball (on RoP), I would like to be accurate about some things, but I don't know where to find them. Would you e-mail me? Stef, since Arami is a little email-shy, maybe you should just post your questions here and everyone can chime in (or just Arami if that suits the two of you). (Stefanie)The problem is I type faster than I look I guess and I don't always watch the screen & think I'm hitting the right keys!! LOL! That\ufffds okay, we knew what you meant. My grandmother says, \ufffdSometimes I just wanna talk so fast, I can\ufffdt stop thinking\ufffd. :-D"}, {"response": 283, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Dec 24, 1997 (00:59)", "body": "I forget that I can't go back and correct my mistakes of which I had quite a few. I want to wish every one Happy Holidays. I don't know what I would do without all of you sometimes. When you spend hours with people who are termanily ill even though it't only a day or two a week I really need these sites. God Bless You Everyone."}, {"response": 284, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Dec 24, 1997 (01:03)", "body": "I read my last story and ohh the mistakes I forget to check. I want to wish all of you a Happy Holiday. Does anyone know what Colin is doing after The Secret Laughter Of Women?"}, {"response": 285, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Dec 24, 1997 (01:04)", "body": "I forget that I can't go back and correct my mistakes of which I had quite a few. I want to wish every one Happy Holidays. I don't know what I would do without all of you sometimes. When you spend hours with people who are termanily ill even though it't only a day or two a week I really need these sites. God Bless You Everyone."}, {"response": 286, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Dec 27, 1997 (19:31)", "body": "(Stefanie)Arami, are you the one with the knowledge about the Regency time period? Yes, to a degree... but obviously not the only one, and the level of my knowledge is not by any means ultimate... (Nan)AN EMAIL...FROM ARAMI?!...Pfffft! ;-D... Arami is a little email-shy... I fear it's true... There are VERY few people indeed who could boast having ever penetrated the mystic aura surrounding the Arami puzzle...(could - but probably won't...;-))"}, {"response": 287, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Dec 28, 1997 (00:10)", "body": "(Arami) I fear it's true... There are VERY few people indeed who could boast having ever penetrated the mystic aura surrounding the Arami puzzle...(could - but probably won't...;-)) Not I ;-p"}, {"response": 288, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Dec 28, 1997 (15:46)", "body": "...No, no - simply because there's not much to boast about...;-D"}, {"response": 289, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 1998 (16:08)", "body": "Please check RoP's Fan Fiction at DWG. StephanieB has just posted a most intriguing episode in The Summer Masquerade Ball. It is *very* good!"}, {"response": 290, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 1998 (16:24)", "body": "It is *very* good! I am flattered! Thank you. :-)"}, {"response": 291, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 1998 (18:13)", "body": "Without consulting me on matters of Regency etiquette? I am mortified! ;-)"}, {"response": 292, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 1998 (21:15)", "body": "Indeed, I did, I looked to a higher source, someone with infinite knowledge (and access to research and willing to work cheap!!!!) Thanks anyway, my researcher knows how much appreciation flows from my heart."}, {"response": 293, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 1998 (21:16)", "body": "Ofcourse I should ask one of your personalities; \"Is it okay? Did my researcher do a good job, or did I not say anything that required the infinite talents of you . . .or my research assistant???"}, {"response": 294, "author": "Vie", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (01:36)", "body": "To Stephanie\ufffd: Hi\ufffd! My name is Sylvie. I live in the french-speaking province of Qu\ufffdbec, in Canada. Since last autumn, I regularly visit The Republic of Pemberley. Being a bit shy (worse, I think, then Georgianna says of herself\ufffd!) and my English being not very fluent, I prevented myself from telling my profond admiration toward the profusion of creativity I have found on this Jane Austen's web site. So, quite discretely, I wander around, in Pemberley and now in Fan Fiction 34, hiding myself behind a virtual bush, watchin the comings of the adventures of Darcy and Lizzie, or sharing the enthusiasm of the ladies from the chat for these characters. (Be assured that when the bushes move in Pemberley, it's really the wind\ufffd!). I have literally devoured \ufffd\ufffdConcessions\ufffd\ufffd, \ufffd\ufffdDarcy's Bad Judment\ufffd\ufffd, and \ufffd\ufffdThe First Time\ufffd\ufffd (this last story having me discovered this present web site). I've just finished reading \ufffd\ufffdThe Summer Masquerade Ball-B1\ufffd\ufffd, a sequel I am waiting for with great expectation, hard to conceal. This is why, in spite of my timidity, I wish to brake my silence. I LOVE this story. The fact that you have chosen to add french dialogues is for me quite a pleasant surprise\ufffd: simply delicious\ufffd! I am touched... After many months learning English with my dictionary in order to keep up with the stories, reading french lines in your text is great. Since I have received so much from you through your texts, I would like to offer something back. Very humbly, could I offer you my discret help for your french dialogues\ufffd? It might not be very important since most people read in English. But since Lizzie speaks a good french, I would be mostly delighted to give a hand... A sworned admirer, Sylvie."}, {"response": 295, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (02:37)", "body": "Sylvie, thank you very much. I appreciate your comments. Did I say something incorrectly, I must have to have brought you out. I would surely like any and all help I can get, my French is not very good at all. I did have some help with it, but obviously not enough. My e-mail address is: mhatter869@aol.com write me!"}, {"response": 296, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 1998 (00:27)", "body": "HELLO SYLVIE (Sylvie) My name is Sylvie. I live in the french-speaking province of Qu\ufffdbec, in Canada. Former home of the Nordiques! ;-) Welcome... Since last autumn, I regularly visit The Republic of Pemberley. Being a bit shy (worse, I think, then Georgianna says of herself !) and my English being not very fluent Have no fear, Sylvie, your English is excellent. I am linguistically challenged, so I\ufffdm always impressed by those who can actually communicate in more than one language at a time.:-)"}, {"response": 297, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 1998 (20:26)", "body": "Having had just a little bit too much time off from work over the holidays, I found myself at the computer more than might be considered healthy. Perhaps that explains the story below. Hope you like. A BRIEF INTERLUDE After a rather fierce and rapid bout of lovemaking which brought him great pleasure but little sustained satisfaction, Darcy ventured to try again with his wife. Elizabeth accepted him quite readily but this time Darcy endeavored to prolong the act. As he was beginning to pick up speed, he suddenly slacked off and almost withdrew. A game of words came into his head and he decided to see if his wife was up to the challenge. He smiled down at her as he moved slowly and deliberately and watched her closed eyes and slightly open mouth and heard her gentle sighs. It was time to begin. \"I believe we must have some conversation, Mrs. Darcy. A very little will suffice.\" Elizabeth's eyes fluttered open in surprise. She opened her mouth to speak but her husband quickly covered it with his own for a long, slow kiss. Breaking off, he saw that she had resumed her lazy smile but she pressed her legs tighter against his back. Darcy resumed his game. \"You should say something about...\" he knew one word that might describe what they were doing but decided on something more polite. \"...our lovemaking.\" Again, Elizabeth opened her eyes and he was pleased to see their amused expression. \"I might remark on the number of...\" Darcy was not sure what to say here. Elizabeth laughed and looked at him inquisitively. A wicked gleam was in her eyes so her husband decided to chance it. \"... times you received satisfaction.\" Elizabeth laughed again and arched up to him, rocking with him for sometime. \"You talk by rule then when you make love?\" Elizabeth asked slyly as she lay back down on the bed. \"Yes, sometimes it is best. Then we may enjoy the advantage of saying as little as possible.\" \"Do you consult your own feelings in this case or seek to gratify mine?\" Elizabeth laughed as she asked this, knowing all the different meanings this comment could imply. Her husband was bewitched by her throaty laugh and began to pick up speed again. \"Both, I imagine,\" he said hoarsely. Elizabeth kissed him as she sought to slow him down again. She was deriving great pleasure from this game and wished to prolong it. He hung suspended over her as she attempted to hold him still. Nipping her bottom lip lightly with his teeth, he slowly withdrew and then began again. \"We each have an unsocial, taciturn disposition, unwilling to perform unless we expect to do something that will amaze the whole room.\" Darcy breathed. \"Lizzy, I can not stand it.\" \"Sshh. We must finish. You were not entirely accurate in your last lines but I will let it pass. I know how well you like to perform,\" she teased him. \"Now it is my turn. Ummm, 'tis no very striking resemblance of your own character, I am sure.\" Darcy was ready to stop this game. He rolled over onto his back bringing his wife up on top of him. Elizabeth giggled as she pulled the covers around her. \"This is very strange. What do you expect me to do?\" \"Let me show you.\" Darcy put his hands on her hips, guiding her up and down. She soon caught the rhythm and proved herself quite adept at matching her husband's motion. As she leaned over him, he caught first one breast, then the other in his mouth and continued rocking more vigorously until Elizabeth began to shudder uncontrollably. A very lazy smile passed over Darcy's face as his wife lay gasping into his shoulder. \"Lizzy, it is time to finish the game,\" he whispered. She rolled over onto her back and watched him maneuver himself over her again. \"Very well, but let me start.\" \"As you wish,\" Darcy said as he moved her legs higher onto his back and began slowly again. Elizabeth gave him a lingering kiss and then proceeded. \"Allow me to congratulate you, sir. Such superior...\" she paused, thinking what to say, and then remembered her husband's term. \"... lovemaking is rarely to be seen. I'm sure you'll own your fair partner is well worthy of you. I hope to have this pleasure often repeated, especially when a certain desirable event takes place.\" She whispered to him. \"I believe it has already taken place.\" \"To you perhaps but I have not had my turn yet. Pray continue.\" \"What congratulations will then flow in,\" she said, barely able to contain her laughter. \"Lizzy.\" Darcy was moving faster and deeper with each thrust. \"Nay, nay,\" Elizabeth gasped. \"I'll not detain you one moment longer from your bewitching partner.\" The bed shook as Darcy slammed his hands against the headboard and gave a great shudder and groan. He slowly sank back down to the bed and lay gasping. After giving him some moments to regain his composure, his wife slid over him and kissed him sweetly. \"A pleasure, sir,\" she said. \"Capital, capital.\" Darcy kissed his wife's ear. \"I believe we must play this game again sometime.\" \"With pleasure, sir. I know how well you like to perform though n"}, {"response": 298, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 1998 (22:20)", "body": "WOW!! THAT WAS HOT, BUT PRAY TELL DOES IT MEET WITH THE NEW FORMAT???? ;-D Great story!! you should be off work more often!!"}, {"response": 299, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 1998 (22:55)", "body": "BUT PRAY TELL DOES IT MEET WITH THE NEW FORMAT???? ;-D As long as it's about fictional characters it does."}, {"response": 300, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 1998 (23:01)", "body": "Brava! That is one sensual story. So wonderfully passionate. I hope you come up with more interludes like this. Wow! Such fiery passion between the Darcy sheets. I love it! I want more!"}, {"response": 301, "author": "Vie", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 1998 (23:43)", "body": "Hi Nan, Thank you for your kindness and for reassuring me, but I can't take credit for my first message. My husband translated my french words in english, for I was then too nervous. However, this one is an authentic mine, a Sylvie's trademark, if you wish! I have read my first book in english a little more than a year ago (it was P&P!), and today I have another motive to rejoice in the result of this, because it gives me the opportunity to answer you by myself (one hand on the keyboard, the other on the dictio nary). By the way, effectively, Quebec City was the former home of the Nordiques, but personally I always had a preference for the Canadiens de Montr\ufffdal! : ) Read you around! Heidi, I will come back to you. I can't express my delight right now. I am not fast enough with my dictionnary!"}, {"response": 302, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 1998 (23:50)", "body": "BUT PRAY TELL DOES IT MEET WITH THE NEW FORMAT???? ;-D It was a joke!! I loved the story S;-)"}, {"response": 303, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Tue, Jan  6, 1998 (01:06)", "body": "(Heide) A game of words came into his head and he decided to see if his wife was up to the challenge. Wow! I love this story! Pray continue to write more, such superior writing is rarely to be seen."}, {"response": 304, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jan  6, 1998 (10:12)", "body": "AHHHHH!!!!!! This was wonderful. Great game should try it sometime:)"}, {"response": 305, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Jan  6, 1998 (11:31)", "body": "However, this one is an authentic mine, a Sylvie's trademark, if you wish! Sylvie, dear--your English is still excellent...and a million times better than my French... I have read my first book in english a little more than a year ago (it was P&P!), Good choice ;-) and today I have another motive to rejoice in the result of this, because it gives me the opportunity to answer you by myself (one hand on the keyboard, the other on the dictionary). Keep going, we love your enthusiasm ;-) By the way, effectively, Quebec City was the former home of the Nordiques, but personally I always had a preference for the Canadiens de Montr\ufffdal! : ) Ah...a Habs fan! This does not surprise me. I imagine that they are the team of choice for most people in Quebec. :-) BUT PRAY TELL DOES IT MEET WITH THE NEW FORMAT???? ;-D It was a joke!! Yes, I know it was...better to be safe than sorry, hence my reply ;-)"}, {"response": 306, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan  6, 1998 (17:52)", "body": "\"What congratulations will then flow in,\" she said, barely able to contain her laughter. Well said!!! My feelings exactly...of course, I can't say the obvious ;-) buit this was an absolute riot! ROFLMAO!!! Bravo, Heide. Format?? Schmormat."}, {"response": 307, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jan  6, 1998 (18:25)", "body": "Thanks, Heide, I also enjoyed it. Great fun!"}, {"response": 308, "author": "Claudia", "date": "Tue, Jan  6, 1998 (18:26)", "body": "Heide:I found myself at the computer more than might be considered healthy. Actually, the way that story got the heart rate going, I'd say it'd qualify as a good aerobic work-out. \"What congratulations will then flow in,\" LOL! Perfect timing!"}, {"response": 309, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jan  7, 1998 (09:21)", "body": "I liked how he suspended himself over her. I would by no means suspend any pleasure of yours. How perfectly fitting!!!"}, {"response": 310, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 1998 (15:43)", "body": "Arami Can an Earl bypass his older son and pass the title to te second son if the firstborn divorces his wife and marries his mistress causing a huge scandal in Regency England. I have to know so that I can finish a story. The older is a gambler and spends all of his time shootin, riding to the hounds and playing card and other gambling games. Thank you muchly"}, {"response": 311, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 1998 (16:18)", "body": "Sounds like Bonnie Prince Charlie. Did you happen to watch The Madness of King George recently, Lucie?"}, {"response": 312, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 1998 (17:54)", "body": "Anyone check the rules of Primogeneture lately?"}, {"response": 313, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 1998 (17:54)", "body": "Anyone check the rules of Primogeneture lately? The first-born inherits all. Period!!"}, {"response": 314, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 1998 (18:41)", "body": "Lucie, Marcia and All, And there you have me! Primogeniture seems a simple answer - but in case of something really scandalous I think the first-born could be disinherited."}, {"response": 315, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 1998 (19:58)", "body": "Thank you all of you I shall plunge on and take my chances."}, {"response": 316, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 1998 (21:10)", "body": "I think Primogeneture comes straight from the Old Testament, and no matter how evil the eldest child, it is God's Will for your family. It was not an easy thing to evade. There are Biblical examples and God makes them pay for the transgression of His laws."}, {"response": 317, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 1998 (21:54)", "body": "I thank you for your comments to my little story. It was a hell of a lot of fun to do and I confess, I have difficulty watching their dance at Netherfield without a smirk. Slap me. LUCIE Could we be talking about a future story about someone whose last name begins with an F? Shall have to wait and see."}, {"response": 318, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 1998 (09:46)", "body": "Heidi I'm the same way when I watched that scene. I think Austen really intended your version, but the impropriety of it all would have been too scandalous."}, {"response": 319, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 1998 (16:26)", "body": "I am worried about Sylvie. I have enjoyed her comments and now we have not heard from her in a few days. Could she be affected by the electrical blackouts caused by the ice storm in the north this past week? How terrible to be deprived of your CF videos! I suppose it's not too great to be deprived of heat too. Let us know when you return that you are alright, Sylvie."}, {"response": 320, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 1998 (10:52)", "body": "I am worried about Sylvie Heide~ Caroline (who is also in Canada) saw your message, but she appears to be having posting troubles--probably because of the ice storms. She asked me to tell you that though \"the situation in Quebec is indeed serious, Canadians are a very tough bunch, and are used to their horrible winters. Sylvie is probably not at home, but safe and warm somewhere where she cannot get on-line.I have no doubt we shall hear from her in a couple of days.\" Just to ease your mind, m'dear ;-)"}, {"response": 321, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 1998 (15:17)", "body": "LisaC posted at RoP ramble yesterday that she is in Montreal, Quebec and without electricity. She has moved into an hotel in the meanwhile (also without heat, but warmer nonetheless). She is video-less and computer-less besides. I amgine they all are. She assurd us she will be ok."}, {"response": 322, "author": "Falcon1", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 1998 (17:13)", "body": "Where is everyone? I miss your great stories...I can't wait for StephanieB to move Summer Masquerade over here..It is really great!!!"}, {"response": 323, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 1998 (08:04)", "body": "Susan, I was thinking the same exact thing:)"}, {"response": 324, "author": "almasy", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 1998 (15:07)", "body": "Ladies: I am new to the Drool section, but I have enjoyed these versions of Fan Fiction as much as I have, the more sedate, R of P writings. Lisa, if I might have copies of your writing pursuit, I would appreciate it. You can e-mail me at mlinnehan@mail.lawnet.fordham.edu. I look forward to reading your stories. The wealth of talent exhibited at both locations is awe inspiring. Anyone else who has a good tale for e-mail only, please send it along. Ciao for now, and thank you again for providing so much enjoyment (it makes coming to work a lot more enjoyable). Moira"}, {"response": 325, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 1998 (19:20)", "body": "This is very wierd! I posted a reply to Susan on 1/21, and it is not there! Where did it go?? I could send the SMB here as well, but if you are looking for racier stuff there asin't none . . .yet!!! They have only dasnced one dance! Let them get to the picnic, perhaps??? Besides I'm not sure it would meet the guidelines, have to run it by Nan first!!!"}, {"response": 326, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 1998 (07:47)", "body": "Oh, Stefanie, I think after they take the masks off; he dressed to kill and she in that wonderful red dress. I can't see her wearing it that long. Besides they want each other and its not like they don't know each other. He has already proposed once! I think you could do something to pacify us:)"}, {"response": 327, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 1998 (13:04)", "body": "The Spring Fan Fiction is to further our understanding of the characters in JA's books. In writing this Fiction I understood the main aim is to keep the people in them totally in Character as JA created them. I find the encouragement of story-writing of the type you are suggesting totally repugnant and it does not belong here or anywhere else where Jane Austen is being honored."}, {"response": 328, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 1998 (15:19)", "body": "I think I'll jump right in on this one. Why not? Nothing much else seems to be going on around here and my fingers could use a little workout (no, actually, what I'm sitting on does). Anyway, the issue of JA characters is quite fascinating to me, particularly since the most popular view of Darcy is one of being a monk (although not of the very realistic Father Albertus type in the Advocate). Austen likely read Tom Jones and she most definitely read the \"romance\" novels of Radcliffe and others. The ex ent of her worldly knowledge, who knows (although I am very suspicious when someone like her sister destroys most of her correspondence--that always leads me to believe that there is something there). I prefer a more \"flesh and blood\" Darcy personally. When I read accounts that about 10% of the female population of London were prostitutes in the mid-1800s (although they may have labeled any indigent woman that in those days and then transported her downunder for the theft of a pie), I wonder whether we have ignored the realities of the day and set these characters up on too high a pedestal. In my story at the other Fan Fic, I am being very noncommital about some things that have yet to be presented. But having read the above, you may think twice. Now, everybody say \"I'm sorry\" and remember your smiley faces!! :-)"}, {"response": 329, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 1998 (15:52)", "body": "Marcia I am so shocked that you would feel this way considering what Stefanie has written before. Which is not geared toward JA style of writing. this is fanfic meaning fiction you can write anything you want. as long as it is keeping within Nan's guidance. You should have read Heidi little ditto, would've turned you red in the face:)"}, {"response": 330, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 1998 (19:24)", "body": "Correct me if I'm wrong (now, there's a wide opening for you!!!), but in Stefanie's stories THEY WERE MARRIED !!!"}, {"response": 331, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 1998 (19:30)", "body": "Lest you think I have more than one personality, I like a good juicy, lusty story as much as the next person, but if the characters are not married as in SMB. they will not do IT. I lived Heide's story - *Very* much! And the others, but what you are asking Stefanie to write is out of character. Sorry!!!"}, {"response": 332, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 1998 (19:31)", "body": "Huge Freudian there....I LOVED Heide's story...."}, {"response": 333, "author": "Falcon1", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 1998 (20:23)", "body": "Hi Steph!! I'm just glad that you're still here...Summer Masquerade is great..I know it's not ready for here..yet..but still I hope.... Lucie...what happened in the library? We have just missed you guys..Don't think because we don't post a lot, we don't look for you every day!!!"}, {"response": 334, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 1998 (22:09)", "body": "Can someone help me? Why are the CF threads in my \"forgotten\" zone? Every time I want to read a message all 333 posts show up. It takes forever to load. What am I doing wrong? It was great when just the \"new\" messages showed up, but ever since my nine day power outage I've had problems. Can someone tell me what I'm doing wrong? Thanks in advance, Lisa"}, {"response": 335, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 1998 (22:24)", "body": "My turn! I saw the posts, and answered on like 1/21, and it vanished into thin air. Then more appeared and so I answered again. Then e-mails arrived about the subject. I appreciate all the support that I am and have been receiving from everyone (well, most everyone, anyway). I do not think That Darcy and Elizabeth are ready for that step. I don't think that I put them on a too high pedestal, but . . .I think I express their feelings adequately in what I allow them to think about the feelings they have for each other. I am not in a mood to rush them into sex. I find once I do that, it is difficult to get them out of bed! I asked Marcia to post her opinion because, I value her opinion. She is lustier than most of us, usually, but I agree with her. They are not ready. PS I loved Heide's story, it was absolutely wonderful, I wish I had thought of it!!! StefanieB Lisa, don't you have to add \"new\" to the end??"}, {"response": 336, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 24, 1998 (10:40)", "body": "CALM DOWN EVERYBODY!!!! Each and every author has the right to decide on his or her characters' morals. Since we can't send Jane an e-mail, there is no correct answer. It is quite true that all (?) of the stories here that have portrayed the sexual relationship of Elizabeth and Darcy were set AFTER they were married, but I seem to recall some fairly heavy petting scenes here and at DWG that occurred underwater, under trees and in other outdoor locations!! ;-) Given the high regard we have for these characters (they were ult mately in love not lust), I am perfectly satisfied (OK, bad choice of words) with their waiting until the wedding night. :-("}, {"response": 337, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Jan 24, 1998 (12:33)", "body": "They were in love AND in lust. One doesn't preclude the other. But people in those times were more inclined to observe the established code of behaviour. Awaiting the custom of the wedding night was a special kind of a thrill in itself. Sometimes I wonder whether the modern people of today can fully appreciate it."}, {"response": 338, "author": "BallDude", "date": "Sat, Jan 24, 1998 (14:34)", "body": "hello"}, {"response": 339, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jan 24, 1998 (15:02)", "body": "Whew! So am I, and thank you for your thoughtful comments. Hi, Bill! Welcome. Tell us about yourself..."}, {"response": 340, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 24, 1998 (19:31)", "body": "I too am having problems with the CF threads. Esp. #68. And It's not even in the\" forgotten bin.\" Haven't seen a posting since Tuesday. Terry can you help? Thanks"}, {"response": 341, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Jan 24, 1998 (19:45)", "body": "Hi, Bill! Do join us! Meanwhile excuse me whilst I continue. the custom of the wedding night was a special kind of a thrill in itself. ...and the whole courting tradition... a lot of P&P viewers say, for example, that the Darcy - Lizzy dance scene is particularly erotic... Colin has discussed portraying \"repressed sexuality\" - but he didn't mean \"tortured\"! He meant that although Darcy and Lizzy in the end longed to fall into each other's arms and so on, they simply had to follow an established course and they did it without resentment, out of courtesy and respect for each other and for the manners... It is all part of the delicious fri son of the build-up and anticipation, a mystery, a ritual... men in those times (that is, not only or predominantly women) willingly read and wrote poetry, admired nature, appreciated art... we are talking of different attitudes, different values."}, {"response": 342, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Jan 24, 1998 (21:30)", "body": "I will post the other verion of this story later I cant't be so specific in P&P Fan Fiction. I have always thought that Darcy would be a great lover. I can't believe that at twenty eight he hadn't had a mistress or two considering that that was the norm at the time. I think Elizabeth would want to be very careful not to give the impression that she was at all like Lydia and take the chance of losing his love , and people would be watching to see if she would be as wanton as her sister. I laughed when I read in an interview with C.F when he said the the characters did a lot of flirting and were horny as hell but nobody got laid."}, {"response": 343, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Jan 25, 1998 (11:38)", "body": "I have always thought that Darcy would be a great lover. I can't believe that at twenty eight he hadn't had a mistress or two considering that that was the norm at the time. In my view it is debatable whether just having mistresses makes one a great lover... except, perhaps, that Darcy was fastidious and when he chose to do something, he aimed to do it well...;-)"}, {"response": 344, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sun, Jan 25, 1998 (11:58)", "body": "Probably had good aim too!!"}, {"response": 345, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Jan 25, 1998 (18:00)", "body": "Wouldn't you just love to check it out!"}, {"response": 346, "author": "StefanieB", "date": "Sun, Jan 25, 1998 (20:55)", "body": "Indeed!!!! What a shot!!"}, {"response": 347, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 1998 (15:43)", "body": "..and much the athlete!! Fencing (touche) and swimming, among other talents! ;-)"}, {"response": 348, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 1998 (15:52)", "body": "don't forget Jock eying either, ha!!!! He is quite the horseman:)"}, {"response": 349, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 1998 (11:08)", "body": "UH-OH!! THE GHOST IS BACK... Something most peculiar is happening with Yapp. I didn't even see all these posts until today because they didn't show up on my \"new\" page as they should have. Come to think of it, I should probably check the other boards to see if they're having the same problem. Hmmm... \"Forgotten\" Topics (Lisa) Why are the CF threads in my \"forgotten\" zone? Every time I want to read a message all 333 posts show up. It takes forever to load. What am I doing wrong? It was great when just the \"new\" messages showed up, but ever since my nine day power outage I've had problems. Can someone tell me what I'm doing wrong? I don't think it's you Leese, we all seem to be having the same type of problem. If you are seeing topics on your \"forgotten\" page just highlight them and hit the \"remember\" button at the top of the page. Though I don't think that's the problem...there is clearly some Count Almasy software thing happening here. Just so that you don't have to load the entire topic every time you come in, you could come in through the back door. For example, the keepsake board would be: http://www.spring.com/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/53/new Just replace the topic number when you want to go to the new messages on another board. Weird!! :-( (Stef) I saw the posts, and answered on like 1/21, and it vanished into thin air. Then more appeared and so I answered again. Ohh, CACA!! :-( Well, I guess things were just getting too exciting for yapp to handle...I'll track down Terry and Dave and see if they can figure it out."}, {"response": 350, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 1998 (12:30)", "body": "Thanks Nan. I did what you said and it worked. For a week after my power outage I thought you guys had disappeared into the Twilight Zone. Finally I decided to check out the forgotten area, and low and behold... there you were! Glad you're back where yoo belong... in the main list."}, {"response": 351, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 1998 (12:30)", "body": "I just tried to get Topic 68 on /since-7 and it came up with an internal server error message."}, {"response": 352, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 1998 (21:46)", "body": "Try again, this is intermittent and will not be the end of the world!"}, {"response": 353, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Jan 28, 1998 (17:22)", "body": "I've tried again and still got the same result - i.e. no go. There are other people complaining of similar difficulties on other boards. No one can be sure anymore which boards are still in use."}, {"response": 354, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Jan 28, 1998 (17:23)", "body": "In addition I've just noticed that my last but one post emigrated back to the future again..."}, {"response": 355, "author": "Vie", "date": "Wed, Jan 28, 1998 (21:50)", "body": "After 22 days in the Dark Ages, FINALLY, BACK TO CIVILIZATION ! For those of you who had expressed concern about my well-being, I want to thank you. My husband and I are well (especially now !). It was hard and stressful, but we managed well, without loosing our good humour. Hopefully we will be back to our normal selves in a few days (psychologically and emotionally).Fortunately, we have not forgotten how works a computer, what was an object of great anguish during the crisis ! It is good to be able to come back, you were terribly missed."}, {"response": 356, "author": "Falcon1", "date": "Wed, Jan 28, 1998 (22:33)", "body": "Glad you are back..it is no fun watching tv in the dark..we learned that lesson from Hurricaine Fran in NC..Isn't computer withdrawal awful????"}, {"response": 357, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 1998 (15:35)", "body": "Nice to have you back with us, Sylvie. Jump right in."}, {"response": 358, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 1998 (15:35)", "body": "I'm going to post this on all the boards since I know that many of you are having a problem with \"new\" posts... Sorry for dropping out if sight for a while--I've been remarkably busy this last couple of weeks. Hopefully, that is about to change for a while ;-) Anyone who had my office email may delete it from their address books as this is my last day at work (YAY!!) and that address will be disabled by the end of the day. I can now be reached at nan@ntr.net. You should use that one until Terry has a chance to change to the forwarding address on my Spring email (nan@www.spring.com) I'll catch up later people...sorry."}, {"response": 359, "author": "Kate", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 1998 (17:51)", "body": "I'm going to post this in several places. Bookserve is going to get Bridget Jones' Diary for us. It will be US$10.18. It will take about two weeks to arrive, but they need a rough idea of how many to order. If you are interested, could you please email me and let me know how many copies you would want. Thanks."}, {"response": 360, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Sat, Jan 31, 1998 (17:24)", "body": "Isn't computer withdrawal awful???? (Susan) Definitely, yes! as this is my last day at work (YAY!!) How come, Nan? Have you won the Lottery/Sweepstake or whatever? Nice to have you back!"}, {"response": 361, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 1998 (12:06)", "body": "POLTERGEIST (Arami) I just tried to get Topic 68 on /since-7 and it came up with an internal server error message. Well, at least that\ufffds a fairly normal error. I get that one all the time. Anything else happening when you\ufffdre searching for new messages? (Terry) Try again, this is intermittent and will not be the end of the world! Oh, but honey it is when you just have to drool! ;-) (Arami) I've tried again and still got the same result - i.e. no go. There are other people complaining of similar difficulties on other boards. No one can be sure anymore which boards are still in use. Yes...that\ufffds been a problem for me the last few weeks--I\ufffdve had to go directly into the topic to see the new messages. But it seems okay now..well, for the moment anyway. BACK FROM SIBERIA (Sylvie) After 22 days in the Dark Ages, FINALLY, BACK TO CIVILIZATION ! Sylvie! Glad you\ufffdre okay ;-) Fortunately, we have not forgotten how works a computer, what was an object of great anguish during the crisis ! Oh, I know that feeling of withdrawal. I start to get a facial tick ;-p THE WORK THING (Nan) as this is my last day at work (YAY!!) (Bethan) How come, Nan? Have you won the Lottery/Sweepstake or whatever? Oy, I should be so lucky! No, nothing as wonderful as that, dear...just got tired of slamming my head against a wall. Time to take a little break and look forward to better things ;-)"}, {"response": 362, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 1998 (07:19)", "body": "(Arami) I just tried to get Topic 68 on /since-7 and it came up with an internal server error message. Well, at least that\ufffds a fairly normal error. I get that one all the time. Anything else happening when you\ufffdre searching for new messages? Just a suggestion, although the \"new\" seems to be working again. If Arami's post is accurate, the problem may be that what you should have put was /since/-7 rather than /since-7 . The missing slash will make a difference."}, {"response": 363, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 1998 (14:09)", "body": "You're right, my mistake. That's because I usually use /new. Thanks."}, {"response": 364, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 1998 (20:54)", "body": "I\"M SO MAD!!!!! i just spent the last 40 mins. writing a new fanfic, i hit the submit reposnse button, and then i get an invalid command or message. IT's completely lost, unssaved, and it was my first fanfic in more than a year! AGH!"}, {"response": 365, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 1998 (21:31)", "body": "Ok, i couldn't let it go.. i wrote it again from memory, but i hope you like it. Not one new fanfic in almost a month! Well, here's something to get you all started. ANYONE is free to finish this\ufffd Just continue the thread as you please\ufffd ******************* It was an unusually quiet morning in the Longbourne household. Lizzy observed this as she wandered about the first floor, searching for someone with whom she could share this splendid morning. Unfortunately, the house was still, and no one but she, Cook and Hil were awake. The latter two were busy with morning duties, and could not be spared to converse on topics such as the beauty of the dawn sky, or the brisk air outdoors. Aside from the clattering of pots and pans, and the chopping of potatoes and vege ables in the kitchen, not a sound was heard. Usually, Mrs. Bennet's rantings and shrillings would be heard even at this hour, but perhaps the good fortune of having one daughter married and two engaged left granted Bennet some comfort for her long-suffering nerves, and therefore giving her a more peaceful sleep. Thus, Lizzy was to content herself for the next hour or two in solitude. Ever since her engagement to Darcy was announced, she found it more and more difficult to sleep through the night and awaken just a half hour before breakfast, as she usually did. Knowing that Darcy (along with her sister's fiancee) was to make his daily visit to the Longbourne household after the morning meal, Lizzy anticipated his arrival as early as the sun would rise. \"Thinking of him will not bring him here any earlier than usua ' thought Lizzy, as she sat down to embroider a few handkerchiefs. \"I cannot be so foolish, but yet, I cannot help it.\" Indeed, this was the case. Upon hearing her beloved renew his vows to her, Lizzy became quite attached to the man she once thought of as the \"last man in the world she could ever marry.\" For the past week, she began to feel that her day would not begin until her Fitzwilliam came to visit. As she finished the last stitch on a handkerchief, Lizzy heard a knock at the door. \"Do not bother yourself, Hil. I shall see who it is\" said Lizzy, as she crossed paths with the distracted woman, who had enough to do at such an early hour. Lizzy opened the door, and to her surprise, found Darcy, quiet red in the face, standing on the front porch. Darcy was equally surprised, and after a moment, recollected himself and smilingly whispered, \"Forgive me, Miss Bennet. I realize this is such an early hour. But I could not sleep, and I had this incredible feeling that you too would somehow be awake as well.\" \"Indeed I am sir, but what if I were not?\" said Lizzy, with a mischevious grin on upon her lips. \"I was prepared to find a servant upon your door, and would inquire as to when the family might be awake\" explained Darcy. \"It would have at least given me the knowledge of how many hours I might wait until we could meet.\" \"The family will be asleep for another hour or hour and a half. We could meet now, if you like.\" Replied Lizzy, half-jokingly, half seriously. Her seriousness took over, as she looked into her lover's eyes for some sign of comprehension. \"Then, quick! Fetch your cloak and come with me!\" whispered Darcy, who cherished the more than good fortune he encountered this morning. Lizzy soon disappeared, and reappeared in the foyer with her long brown cloak. Darcy instantly took her hand, covered it with quick kisses, and ran off with his beloved toward the woods\ufffd"}, {"response": 366, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 1998 (07:13)", "body": "Jennifer, you would be much safer writing in your word processor and then cutting and pasting it here. Much less chance of losing. it."}, {"response": 367, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 1998 (12:31)", "body": "Jennifer: Interesting start. Why won't you be finishing it?? Although this scenario you set up could be fun as an interactive exercise. It would likely be pretty outrageous. What say you, ladies??"}, {"response": 368, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 1998 (18:19)", "body": "You're right, Jennifer, it's been too dry this past month. I was thrilled to see a new story but I was disappointed you didn't finish it. I'd be tempted to give it a tackle because you start out so beautifully and leave a lot open to possibility. One stipulation I would keep for myself though, no sex before marriage for them, but I'd let them come awfully close. However, it's your story so finish it if you can. If I don't see this finished in a couple of days though, I might add a segment."}, {"response": 369, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 1998 (18:20)", "body": "Any other takers to the story?"}, {"response": 370, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 1998 (18:21)", "body": "You're right, Jennifer, it's been too dry this past month. I was thrilled to see a new story but I was disappointed you didn't finish it. I'd be tempted to give it a tackle because you start out so beautifully and leave a lot open to possibility. One stipulation I would keep for myself though, no sex before marriage for them, but I'd let them come awfully close. However, it's your story so finish it if you can. If I don't see this finished in a couple of days though, I might add a segment."}, {"response": 371, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 1998 (20:53)", "body": "i know, i know... but i can't! this was the only thing that came to mind, and it sort of came out while i was in the middle of writing my master's thesis (which SHOULD take priority). it was just a sudden burst of creativity after having spent too long writing about post-colonial discourse theory (blah!) i INSIST! SOMEONE please take over! i really don't mind. the story is now communal property and anyone is free to do as they please with it. hope someone comes up with something-- i know i can't!"}, {"response": 372, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 1998 (16:23)", "body": "Methinks, me sees a bramble bush in those woods, which catches on Lizzy's flimsy muslin frock.....rrrrrrip.....tearrrrrrr. Oh, my what fun ensues!"}, {"response": 373, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 1998 (17:17)", "body": "She's wearing a less flimsy petticoat underneath. Now what ;-)?"}, {"response": 374, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 1998 (17:59)", "body": "Darcy is going to have to remove an article of clothing to put around her so that she can maintain some semblance of decency. (You getting all this, Heide?)"}, {"response": 375, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 1998 (19:25)", "body": "Now, which article would that be? His hat could cover one of her breasts, I suppose... but his waistcoat or even tailcoat would leave her lower parts exposed... (is that petticoat still in place, or also shredded now?)... Shirt? Okay, but leave his collar in place - in those times a gentleman's bare neck was a no-no... or is it perhaps time for him to remove his breeches yet? Um, don't forget he's wearing no underpants (they weren't in normal use yet)..."}, {"response": 376, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 1998 (00:46)", "body": "Please see Response #365 from Winter (Jennifer) for the beginning of this story. Thanks, Jennifer for your great intro. Sorry Karen and Arami. Try as I might, I couldn't get your wonderful, skin exposing ideas into my story but you guys can give it your own shot. By the way, it's late as I write this so I can't be held responsible. \"Where are we going?\" Lizzy asked laughingly. \"Slow down, sir.\" Darcy's pace had slowed to a fast walk but his long stride was leaving her a few steps behind. He stopped and reached out his hand to her again. As their fingers met, he clasped his tightly over hers and pulled her along behind him. \"I want to show you something, something I'll wager you have never seen before,\" Darcy said smiling broadly at her. He looked like a little boy eager to show off a new trick or pet to a sister. Elizabeth hung onto him for dear life as they hurried along the path toward Bandeymere Lake. \"My dear, I have lived her all my life. I can not imagine there is anything here I have not...\" She gasped as she beheld the vista before her. The sun had risen just a half hour ago and its rays were sparkling in the frosty air across the bare treetops. The sky was a pink and gold which was reflected back in the water in the same shimmering hues. Three pairs of geese were crossing the far side of the lake, leaving a silver wake behind them. A heron rose from some reeds along the shore and spread its ide wings low across the water, just seeming to touch the surface but never getting that close. Darcy dropped his walking stick, gloves and hat into the grass. \"I rode by here this morning and knew I had to hurry to Longbourn to show you these colors if I could. There's a fine mist in the air that's just between dew and frost and seems to enhance everything. You can feel it in your hair and on your face and hands.\" Elizabeth removed her bonnet and dropped it beside his paraphernalia on the ground. He stood behind her as she gazed over the familiar landscape. \"I have never seen it look this lovely\", she sighed. \"And I have seen it almost every day. It must be love that makes it look so beautiful.\" \"It must be love,\" Darcy's voice whispered very closely behind her. Without thinking, she leaned back into him and felt his arms close around her clasping her to him. Lizzy knew that at any moment he would release her. Seconds ticked and still he held onto her. She could hear his breathing close behind her and then felt the warmth of a kiss on her ear. Lizzy closed her eyes and arched her neck feeling his mouth move down her ear and linger for a moment at her earlobe, nipping it just a bit. She knew it was time to step away but as his mouth travelled along her neck she sighed softly and felt his light touch at her waist become stronger and one hand begin to slide n rth, stopping just below her ribs. A thumb persisted upwards though, stroking the soft swell of her breasts. This was intolerable to Elizabeth, not for the reason that it was unseemly to be caressed in public by a man not yet her husband but for the reason that she longed for even more. She swayed within his embrace, moving her head to the side so she would leave even more expanse of neck for him to kiss. His right hand was sliding across her abdomen while the left hand was caressing the exposed skin above her breasts, the fingers sometimes sliding between them down into her gown. No words had yet passed between them but as his mouth moved along her jaw and cheek, she realized she was making soft gasps with every breath and his breathing was loud and ragged. It was time to stop now, wasn't it? His fingers were getting extremely close to parts of her body she was even embarrassed to touch and still she wanted more. Elizabeth turned within Darcy's arms to look at him and saw dismay cross his face. She knew he was returning to his senses but before he could completely recover, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him with reckless passion. His lips opened against hers as she moved her fingers through his hair, toying with his curls. She pressed her body tightly against his, leaving enough room to accommodate his hand which continued to roam across her stomach and waist and, to her even greater pleasure, tan alizingly across her breasts. As his head moved down to trace her collarbone with his mouth, Lizzy's lips roamed across his cheek and ear. She stopped to whisper to him. \"I am hungry for you.\" \"Have you not yet had breakfast?\" Darcy murmured with a smile in his voice. \"No,\" she laughed, \"but I think I shall have it now.\" And she pulled his hand to her lips and drew his little finger into her mouth. Elizabeth woke with a start. She was perspiring and breathing heavily. Her nightdress was askew, the neck opened wide with one shoulder completely exposed. She pulled the bedcovers around her as she sat up, shivering violently, and recalled her dream. She was shaken by the clarity of her recollection. Could she really be so wanton? Surely she would never a"}, {"response": 377, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 1998 (10:35)", "body": "heide! this is excellent!!!!! i'm putting this in my personal archives of favorite fanfic.... thanks for finishing it! happy valentine's day everyone! love, jenn"}, {"response": 378, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 1998 (16:26)", "body": "#%&*%!!! Bad girl!! You really had me going. Heide that was wonderful...so what if you didn't take our critical plot points into consideration! You are forgiven. Oh wait, it is six o'clock a.m. and there is someone at the door...I must go see who it is..."}, {"response": 379, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 1998 (17:03)", "body": "Beautifully written, Heide!"}, {"response": 380, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 1998 (17:44)", "body": "Acquitted yourself extremely well."}, {"response": 381, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 1998 (18:46)", "body": "Heide, Heide, Heide, you've done it again"}, {"response": 382, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 1998 (22:30)", "body": "Well, Karen, did you have a nice visit this morning? Or was it all just a dream. Thank you ladies. I hope you began the story with Jennifer's post first to get the full effect of the end of the story (at least I hope it is effective). I"}, {"response": 383, "author": "Vie", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 1998 (22:41)", "body": "What a glorious morning! Perhaps I should get up more early in the morning from now on. Thank you Heide and Winter! I am always astonished by the high quality of the writing and the beautiful creativity that I found here. A delight forever so irresitible! My husband on reading it, exclaim in shock: What! It was just a dream? (Where's the rest of it !!! ) A disappoint tone in is voice, well, I can't say that I did not felt the same lump in my throat when I discovered it myself. It seem to me Heide that you are becoming an expert in the art of teasing, as much as Lizzie! ; ) A Happy Valentine to everyone!"}, {"response": 384, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 1998 (15:47)", "body": "Thank you, Sylvie. Your English is so good, I forget that it's not your natural language. I feel just a little bit funny knowing that you're husband is helping you translate. I hope he doesn't think we're all a bunch of wanton, hyper-sexed lunatics. Anyway, I'm glad you're back."}, {"response": 385, "author": "Vie", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 1998 (21:48)", "body": "Heide. In fact, I asked my husband to read your text because I wanted to have a male point of view on the description of that \"special\" part of life of my favorites heros! What does a man think of those fantasies, is it different from us? I have notice that men do not write sensual encounter between Lizzie and Darcy (none that I am aware of), and that puzzles me a little! So I had to ask to relieve my curiosity. Suprisingly, he told me that had he to describe an encounter like the one in your story, e woud have used similarly words. It seems that we do not differ that much in are views (and appreciation) on sensual fantasy after all, gender does not appear to count much in the balance. But be assured, my husband is very happy for me since I have discovered this site ( my ladies's site as I like to call it !) because he knows that I enjoyed myself every time I come. My answer is a little bit long and perhaps not too clear, I hope you will forgive me for it. I am not yet familiar with the ways of chatting and less with expressing myself clearly in only a few words in English. I know what I want to say in French but turning my ideas in English with the words I already know is not always easy. That is why I have long text, but I will learn, I will learn to do better! Thank you again for sharing your literary talents with us."}, {"response": 386, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 1998 (14:06)", "body": "My Apologies In my haste to comment on the story, I neglected Jennifer's most important contribution--the story setup. Excellent! Feel free to toss out any others that come to mind because sometimes we all go dry when it comes to ideas. Well, Karen, did you have a nice visit this morning? Or was it all just a dream. Must have been a short in the electrical when the doorbell rang that early. Think I need to make a phone call--but it won't be about fixing the doorbell! Sylvie Thanks for sharing your husband's perspective. I would have never guessed that men's sexual fantasy bore any resemblance to women's. Although, there have been male romance writers who write under female pseudonyms--but doesn't that only prove they know what we like to think about but not that they themselves have those thoughts?????"}, {"response": 387, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 1998 (20:05)", "body": "he knows that I enjoyed myself every time I come. My answer is a little bit long and perhaps not too clear... On the contrary, Sylvie, it seems very clear to me...;-)"}, {"response": 388, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 1998 (09:26)", "body": "I had lunch with Jenn on Friday, she came up to Boston to visit the SO and she said she hoped someone would finish the story; I believe Heide's name came up during the lunch and Heide were your ears burning, btw on Friday?????"}, {"response": 389, "author": "Falcon1", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 1998 (10:36)", "body": "Has anyone heard from StephanieB lately? It has been ages since she posted any of Summer Masquerade Ball or Concessions.....I hope she's ok."}, {"response": 390, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 1998 (15:37)", "body": "Look in the Film Discussion."}, {"response": 391, "author": "Vie2", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 1998 (15:21)", "body": "Thank you Arami!"}, {"response": 392, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Mar 21, 1998 (21:06)", "body": "It's been almost a month, ladies. Any new ideas? Jennifer, I'd love one of your intros again. Hmmm, how about this? A comparative study of Charlotte and Mr. Collins' first night of wedded bliss; Jane and Bingley's; and Lizzy and Darcy's. Compare and contrast. How are they similar? How are they different? Too much like homework? Oh, but what fun."}, {"response": 393, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Mar 21, 1998 (22:03)", "body": "Heide, as a matter of fact a story has been brewing in my mind for the last few weeks now. unfortunately, I have to get this thesis written and turned in, so it could be another week. I don't know... it's not P&P related, but definitely a spin off of a literary classic. Let me give you a 'teaser': Remember the children's classic story \"The Secret Garden'? I was planning on writing a 'prequel' about the romance between Archibald Craven and what's her name (Anyway, Colin's parents). I was inspired after I saw the 1992 version on television 2 weeks ago, and I thought what neat idea to find out how these two met, and what their courtship might've been like. Anyway, I'm also willing to give this idea over to someone, if you're itching to get it done. I more into coming up with story ideas than writing t em anyway. Comments? feedback? post them here. (i'm already swamped with school related email as it is)"}, {"response": 394, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Mar 24, 1998 (08:38)", "body": "Lilias is her name Jen.:)"}, {"response": 395, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Mar 25, 1998 (00:29)", "body": "YES! Thank you, Laura! I don't have my copy with me here in L.A.. One of these days, I'm gonna have to rummage through my parents' garage for my old books before they donate them all to the salvation army without my consent(they've been known to this often, which really annoys me). (Wasn't this a \"brady bunch\" episode?) I really don't know when I'm gonna start this. Hopefully, this weekend if I get the chance. I also might come up with a P&P2 storyline, and again, I'll leave it to anyone to finsh."}, {"response": 396, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Mar 25, 1998 (02:56)", "body": "(Winter) (Wasn't this a \"brady bunch\" episode?) Yep, but in that case it was Marcia's diary. Child of the 70's...what can I say? ;-)"}, {"response": 397, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Wed, Mar 25, 1998 (06:11)", "body": "Winter, there's a very good adult sequel (well, I certainly enjoyed it) to The Secret Garden, called Misselthwaite by Susan Moody (Coronet Books). But it is very sad. Everyone dies....Colin's father, Dickon, Richard (son of Mary and Colin), Colin.....only Mary survives."}, {"response": 398, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Mar 25, 1998 (09:57)", "body": "Sounds God-awful depressing!!!! Just last week they had the CF Secret Garden on, but I must admit I like the one with John Lynch and Dame Maggie Smith much better."}, {"response": 399, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Mar 25, 1998 (20:59)", "body": "Just last week they had the CF Secret Garden on, but I must admit I like the one with John Lynch and Dame Maggie Smith much better. Ooo.. I saw that one. I was really uncomfortable watching it. The actress who played Mary had this awful tendency to try an English accent, but would soon garble it with what sounded like her native Southern accent. I endured it, though, just to see Colin. So boyish and fresh-faced! The Maggie Smith version will be on TV again this Sunday. If you have Cinemax2, check your local listings. It's on here at around 5 in the afternoon. AGH! I want to see more fanfic! How about someone whipping up a short \"morning after\" (P&P) story? ;-)We always like those...."}, {"response": 400, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Mar 26, 1998 (08:58)", "body": "Go to it, jen;)"}, {"response": 401, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Mar 31, 1998 (11:18)", "body": "I'm posting this at all the most frequently used topics, so forgive my redundance but it has to be done... By the end of this week, the domain name for Spring will be changed to spring. net (instead of the current, spring.com) please change your bookmarks after the change takes place."}, {"response": 402, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Apr  7, 1998 (23:05)", "body": "Where is Stephani? I would like to see the rest of her story."}, {"response": 403, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Apr  9, 1998 (23:43)", "body": "A Morning Refreshment Slowly Elizabeth Darcy woke up. The heavy curtains were closed tightly but she could still see a few rays of sunshine escaping into the room. Finally the March rains had stopped and perhaps today she could go for a walk on the grounds of Pemberley. She turned to greet her husband but found he had already left the bed and indeed, was not even in the room. Not knowing what time it could be, Elizabeth jumped from the bed and flew into the dressing room. She stopped short when she saw her husband sitting in the tub attended to his bath by his manservant. Horrified to be seen in her thin nightdress without even a robe covering her, Elizabeth turned to hurry back to her bedroom. Her husband's voice stopped her but she could not look at either man. \"Stay Elizabeth. Weston, you may go. I will call you when you are needed.\" \"Very good, sir.\" Only when she heard the door close could Elizabeth turn back to her husband but she kept her eyes cast down and wore a sheepish grin. \"I thought it was very late when I did not find you still in bed, sir.\" \"And you came running in here to find me or to find your robe?\" \"Indeed, I had no thought for anything but to get dressed before the servants start to call me a lay-abed.\" Elizabeth raised her eyes to the ceiling. \"As it is they have not seen either of us in the dining room before nine o'clock and when I found you gone I thought it must be at least as late as that.\" \"And now if Weston does not hold his tongue, the servants will call you reckless for you look like a wild thing running through the rooms with your hair undone and nothing covering you.\" Elizabeth gazed at a picture on the wall as if she had never seen it before. \"Well, I have more covering me than you do,\" she murmured. \"I would not be so sure,\" Darcy said smiling for his wife was standing before a window. She could not know how the sun behind her made her gown quite translucent. Stealing a look at his face for one moment, Elizabeth quickly looked away and turned back to her door. \"I will find my robe if I do not please you this morning.\" \"Nay, wife, you please me very much. And since you have made me chase Weston away, I need someone to help me with my bath.\" Elizabeth bit her bottom lip as she stared down at her bare feet. She knew her husband was grinning quite impertinently at her but she dared not look at him. She had been Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy for three months now but intimate hours with her husband had been spent in the dark or at least under the covers. Now he was sitting in a tub, most likely quite naked, barely six feet away. What was she to do? to be continued"}, {"response": 404, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Apr  9, 1998 (23:45)", "body": "continued from above \"Elizabeth,\" Darcy said softly. Slowly, Elizabeth raised her eyes to his face. \"Here,\" he said holding out a cloth. \"Come and wash my back.\" She hesitated but still kept her gaze locked on his eyes for she could not look anywhere else. \"Well, come. I can not reach it.\" Darcy tried not to laugh at his wife's flustered expression. Elizabeth heaved a great sigh and walked rapidly to her husband's side. She snatched the cloth roughly from his hand and moved to the back of the tub. Trying very hard not to look at anything but the back of Darcy's head, she plunged the cloth into the water and began swiping at his back. \"Elizabeth, the soap.\" Darcy said, stifling another laugh. \"Where is it?\" she asked. \"Oh, I must have dropped it in the water. Will you help me find it.\" \"What?\" \"Never mind,\" he said handing the newly found soap to her. Elizabeth worked up some lather into the cloth and began vigorously rubbing her husband's back. Darcy winced as she worked the cloth into his skin, chafing and scraping his back with her fingernails. \"Ouch! Must you be so rough?\" \"A clean body, a pure soul, my mother always said,\" Elizabeth puffed as she energetically worked. She stood back and admired the shade of red his back was turning. \"There, I am finished.\" \"Elizabeth, will you lather my hair?\" \"Surely you can do that yourself.\" \"I am not accustomed to it,\" he replied plaintively. Looking about the room, Elizabeth spied a jug with fresh water in it and without warning, poured some onto Darcy's head. Her husband coughed as water came into his mouth. Sighing, Elizabeth plunged the cloth back into the water and worked more soap into it. She attacked his head with renewed vigor. Using all ten fingernails, she worked the lather with both hands through his curls, giving the side of his head an energetic slap every now and then. \"What made you decide to take a bath this morning, Mr. Darcy?\" Elizabeth spoke in sharp bursts as she massaged and scratched and pummeled her poor husband's scalp. \"The sunshine made me feel quite stimulated. Ouch, Elizabeth, not so hard! The hair does come out, you know.\" \"I am feeling quite stimulated myself.\" Elizabeth had to smile in spite of herself. \"Perhaps you would like me to help you with your bath next.\" Elizabeth promptly poured the rest of the water in the jug over Darcy's head. She felt some small regret as she saw the soapy water get into her husband's eyes. He squeezed them tightly shut but it was too late. \"Damn,\" Darcy shouted out. \"Oh, my dear, I am sorry.\" Elizabeth did feel contrite as she searched for some toweling. She handed a piece to her husband and he wiped at his eyes. After much rubbing, Darcy was finally able to look up at his wife with reddened eyes. She looked quite boldly back at him, her embarrassment at finding her husband half submerged in a tub seemingly quite over. Darcy decided to test this new found boldness. He began to stand. Elizabeth quickly turned her back and searched for something to keep her from looking at her husband. \"Umm, my dear, it's getting quite chilly in here. I believe I had...\" Her husband had taken hold of her arm to keep her from leaving. She still would not turn around but he pulled her closer and closer to him. Suddenly she felt the edge of the tub and before she knew it, she was being pulled in with a great splash. Elizabeth let out a small shriek as she felt the water soak into her night dress. She still would not look at Darcy who had not stood after all but was still sitting in the tub, with his wife now on top of him. \"Fitzwilliam, look what you've done!\" Elizabeth wailed. \"There is water everywhere and....\" Elizabeth began to laugh as she found her husband's face wearing an innocent expression. \"...and I am soaking wet.\" Darcy gave his wife her favorite smile, his teeth showing and dimples digging creases into his cheeks. She could not help herself but to trace those dimples with her finger and touch the one in his chin too. And then he kissed her. Several long, hard kisses later, Darcy smiled lazily at his wife. \"You know, my dear. A bath works much better if you take off your night dress.\" ****** Weston paced outside his master's bedroom waiting to be called. He jumped slightly when Mrs. Reynolds came up behind him and spoke. \"What are you doing out here? And where is the master?\" \"Taking a bath,\" Weston said woefully. \"It is almost ten o'clock in the morning. And the mistress has not come downstairs either. I wonder where she might be.\" \"I believe she is taking a bath as well.\" \"How can that be? I know there is but one...\" Comprehension dawned on Mrs. Reynolds' kind face. \"Oh, I see. Come, Weston, I believe it will be awhile before you are called. Let me give you a nice cup of tea while you wait.\" THE END"}, {"response": 405, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Apr  9, 1998 (23:48)", "body": "A Morning Refreshment Slowly Elizabeth Darcy woke up. The heavy curtains were closed tightly but she could still see a few rays of sunshine escaping into the room. Finally the March rains had stopped and perhaps today she could go for a walk on the grounds of Pemberley. She turned to greet her husband but found he had already left the bed and indeed, was not even in the room. Not knowing what time it could be, Elizabeth jumped from the bed and flew into the dressing room. She stopped short when she saw her husband sitting in the tub attended to his bath by his manservant. Horrified to be seen in her thin nightdress without even a robe covering her, Elizabeth turned to hurry back to her bedroom. Her husband's voice stopped her but she could not look at either man. \"Stay Elizabeth. Weston, you may go. I will call you when you are needed.\" \"Very good, sir.\" Only when she heard the door close could Elizabeth turn back to her husband but she kept her eyes cast down and wore a sheepish grin. \"I thought it was very late when I did not find you still in bed, sir.\" \"And you came running in here to find me or to find your robe?\" \"Indeed, I had no thought for anything but to get dressed before the servants start to call me a lay-abed.\" Elizabeth raised her eyes to the ceiling. \"As it is they have not seen either of us in the dining room before nine o'clock and when I found you gone I thought it must be at least as late as that.\" \"And now if Weston does not hold his tongue, the servants will call you reckless for you look like a wild thing running through the rooms with your hair undone and nothing covering you.\" Elizabeth gazed at a picture on the wall as if she had never seen it before. \"Well, I have more covering me than you do,\" she murmured. \"I would not be so sure,\" Darcy said smiling for his wife was standing before a window. She could not know how the sun behind her made her gown quite translucent. Stealing a look at his face for one moment, Elizabeth quickly looked away and turned back to her door. \"I will find my robe if I do not please you this morning.\" \"Nay, wife, you please me very much. And since you have made me chase Weston away, I need someone to help me with my bath.\" Elizabeth bit her bottom lip as she stared down at her bare feet. She knew her husband was grinning quite impertinently at her but she dared not look at him. She had been Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy for three months now but intimate hours with her husband had been spent in the dark or at least under the covers. Now he was sitting in a tub, most likely quite naked, barely six feet away. What was she to do? to be continued"}, {"response": 406, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Apr  9, 1998 (23:52)", "body": "Oops, sorry for the double post :-r"}, {"response": 407, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Apr  9, 1998 (23:53)", "body": "YAHOO!!! New fanfic! This was a true delight, Heide! And you know, we are never displeased with the idea of Darcy, water and of course, encountering Lizzy. Well done! Pray, continue... this can't be the end, for how will they ever get dried and dressed!? ;-)"}, {"response": 408, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 10, 1998 (11:48)", "body": "Another wonderful and tantalizing scene, Heide. You are indeed a master(?)/mistress of all things involving bedrooms/bathrooms. Ah, what other rooms in the house shall you conquer? I agree with Jennifer above, surely there must be more!! BTW, with writing like that I don't think any of us would mind a triple posting!"}, {"response": 409, "author": "LouM", "date": "Fri, Apr 10, 1998 (13:00)", "body": "Wow Heide...just read this and some of your previous stories! Those translucent gowns seem to be popping up all over the place lately for yesterday I had the same thought! :) ******** Hi Everybody... Just got around to perusing fanfic over here, and yesterday while I was home with a sick child I decided start a new story for the fanfic board over at RoP. I kind of got a little carried away with one part and before I knew it the story was definitely not \"G\" rating material....If you would all like, I will post that part of it here instead. I believe from reading some of the other stories here it fits right in. ;-) Lou"}, {"response": 410, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Apr 10, 1998 (19:43)", "body": "Thanks ladies for your kind comments. I have a feeling there was a small flood in the room before they were done. Lou, stories for adults are always welcome here. There's been little activity on the boards this past week, so I hope to see your story soon to liven things up. Not G-rated? Better and better."}, {"response": 411, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Apr 10, 1998 (22:58)", "body": "This was fun Heide how long before the go below stairs Lou I hope to see your story here soon I know how great yours alway are"}, {"response": 412, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Apr 11, 1998 (10:06)", "body": "hee hee heide, hmmm.... Helena and Darcy in the tub, now I could do that one!"}, {"response": 413, "author": "LouM", "date": "Sun, Apr 12, 1998 (22:54)", "body": "Darcy sat atop his best horse, on a hill overlooking the grounds of Pemberley. He heaved a sigh of satisfaction, for this was by far the most agreeable time in his life. His steward rode up behind him, and glanced at the view as well. \"This is going to be a most profitable year, sir. If I may say, your marriage has greatly improved the outlook of the tenants and servants. Their enthusiasm has grown throughout the year, and this promises to be one of the most abundant harvests ever.\" \"Yes, Mr. Rawlings. I believe your observations are correct. My marriage has improved many an outlook, including my own.\" Darcy smiled with pleasure as he thought of his wife. Within less than a year she had elicited admiration and esteem as the mistress of the estate. He could not have asked for more from her, for her easy manner and lively countenance had endeared her to their community. Prudently speaking, what she had not brought to the marriage financially, she had brought spiritually, and that would always be treasure enough for Darcy. Financially, Darcy was sitting on top of the world, emotionally things were not very much different. He had everything he had always wanted, practically everything that is. He made his way back to the house, and was walking through the halls when he encountered Georgiana. \"Dear sister!\" He exclaimed and gave her a quick kiss on the forehead. \"What do you do this fine day?\" Georgiana giggled at her brother\ufffds enthusiasm. It did her heart good to see him so consistently happy these days. \"Let me see.\" She paused to think back on the day. \"Well...I have practiced my scales, worked on some embroidery, strolled the gardens, and...oh, yes...Elizabeth and I went to the village and visited with some of the tenants.\" \"A very fulfilling day.\" Darcy concluded. \"Yes, it was, brother. I wish you had seen the happiness that follows Elizabeth wherever she goes. She is so very genuine. It is my hope to endeavor to follow in her path.\" Georgiana said in admiration of her new sister. \"Georgiana, I am reminded of Elizabeth\ufffds excellence, every morning when I awaken and see her lovely smile\", he acknowledged. \"Pray, tell me...where is my wife?\" \"She is in your chambers, dressing for supper.\" Georgiana replied. Darcy made no move to comment, for his thoughts would have only made his dear sweet sister blush. \"I will see you at supper, Georgiana\" was all he said, and he took off up the stairs to his rooms. He opened the door and quietly slipped into the bedchamber. He did not want to disturb his wife, if she were resting, for it was a bit early to begin dressing for supper. What he saw made him gasp as he beheld the figure, clothed only in a loose fitting night gown as she sat on a chaise, looking out the window. The night gown had fallen low on her back, exposing her shoulders, and the light from the window shown through the rest of it as to make it quite transparent. He stood transfixed on the sight, and inaudibly moaned, \"Mercy.\" He smiled as his mind whirled in expectation. Elizabeth turned around to see his fine figure standing and watching her. He flushed a little when he saw her eyes on him as well. \"I saw you come into the house\" she whispered to him. \"You have been laying in wait of me then?\" he managed to say. Her mouth formed into a tiny smile, \"you may say that.\" He sighed, \"Then madam, you have me where you want me.\" He walked over to her present position and her hands reached up to begin the tedious task of working over every button and knot his clothing possessed. He assisted her a little, but he found his hands to have a mind of their own as they caressed her back and moved their way to the back of her neck, then down again. His mouth moved along the side of her face in the form of kisses and found her lips. She continued to work on his attire, and after a few minutes was successful in helping him discard every ast piece. She gave him a little shove and he willingly fell back onto the bed, and she advanced on him, in the most feminine of ways. His breathing increased with every torturous moment, as she bent over to place kisses next to his ear, then he heard her make a small gasp. He moaned as she pleasured him, swaying his body to the motion of hers. Within minutes she brought him to the brink of ecstasy, then before he knew it she left his person and laid back onto the pillow, her hands around his neck as she pulled im to her. He saw her gasp again as he pushed forward, and she moved her hands down to rest on each of his arms, and then she tightened her grip on them, urging him on. He bent over to kiss every inch of her face as he watched her smile tighten, then relax again. He closed his eyes and gave in to his own unmitigated desire. As she had done to him moments before, he abruptly ceased his motion and tugged on the night gown, moving it up and slipping it off of her. He was satisfied with the feel of skin on skin, and continued his passionate movements as she reached up and held the back of h"}, {"response": 414, "author": "LouM", "date": "Sun, Apr 12, 1998 (22:56)", "body": "\"Do we have to go down to supper?\" she whispered. \"No\" he said, his face locked in a weary smile. \"But I am a bit hungry.\" Elizabeth giggled at Darcy\ufffds confession. \"You are always hungry afterwards. I should instruct the servants to leave some food on a tray for you in the sitting area from now on. That way you will not have to leave me to satisfy your other appetite.\" \"That is a very good idea...I wonder why I never thought of it?\" he laughed as he turned onto his back and pulled her over to lay against him. Elizabeth sighed and ventured to ask him something that had been on her mind for some time. \"Fitzwilliam...have I improved?\" He stared up at the ceiling trying to comprehend her meaning. \"Improved, my love?\" \"Yes.\" She rolled over and propped herself up on her elbow to look him in the face. \"As a lover...since the first time we were ever intimate?\" She took him quite by surprise with her question, and for a moment he wondered if it was some kind of marital test. She was in the habit of allowing her conversation to take a forward turn after they had laid in intimacy. To own the truth, it was one of the things Darcy looked forward to after their lovemaking. He took the diplomatic course and replied, \"you have always excited me with your seductions, Elizabeth. Our passion has grown better and better, although that first time will always remain...\" he tried to think of a paramount word, \"...unparalleled in my mind.\" She settled back down and cuddled him, smiling to herself in complete satisfaction at his answer. \"Well?\" he asked a little indignant of her silence. She turned her eyes towards him, \"well what?\" \"I should be happy to hear your answer to the same question.\" She giggled, for she rarely ever got away with her inquiries, without her husband demanding the same courtesy from her. \"I believe your talents in the art have improved with practice Mr. Darcy.\" He did not have to see the teasing look in her eyes to know she was bordering on insolence. He rolled over and pinned her down with his body. \"I was mistaken Mrs. Darcy...I had not realized you wanted to see art!\" he jested. \"Allow me to show you art in motion.\" He reached between her legs and tenderly moved them apart, working his body back into a union with hers, and she allowed him the advantage. Before he was satisfied, he brought her to fulfillment which had until then existed only in her fantasies. When they finally made it to their dressing rooms to wash and dress, Elizabeth was in a state of utter enervation, and Darcy was enraptured and extremely famished. Supper was served at the appropriate time, and Elizabeth greeted Georgiana in the dining room. \"Where is Fitzwilliam?\" Georgiana inquired. \"He is still getting ready.\" Elizabeth said briefly, and the two sisters exchanged a quick glance, but Elizabeth looked away not wanting to forfeit too many secrets. Darcy burst into the dining room with a new found enthusiasm, greeted his sister, then looked at his wife with the warmest look of adoration. \"I am absolutely famished!\" he exclaimed. \"What is for supper, dear?\" \"Ham and macaroni pye.\" Elizabeth stated and Darcy unfolded his cloth in eager anticipation. They sat at the dining table and Elizabeth daintily ate her meal, as she watched her husband attack his with the zeal of a man who had not eaten in days. She stole a glance over at Georgiana, who was watching her brother\ufffds progress with his plate. He looked up, knife and fork suspended over his food, and noticed his sister\ufffds stares. He flushed in embarrassment at the thought of her discovering that lovemaking bestowed on him a hearty appetite. He soon dismissed the thought as impossible and went back o his meal with unmatched fervor."}, {"response": 415, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Apr 13, 1998 (07:58)", "body": "Wonderful Lou!!! This is ART in itself:)"}, {"response": 416, "author": "Layla", "date": "Mon, Apr 13, 1998 (16:46)", "body": "I'm very impressed with both of the stories I read today (Lou's and Heide's). I've never visited here before (too many cyber-vices already!) and didn't know quite what to expect, but I must say, I have spent a very enjoyable few minutes just now. You should both be best-selling authors. I shall look for your books soon at the booksellers!"}, {"response": 417, "author": "Falcon1", "date": "Tue, Apr 14, 1998 (09:37)", "body": "Is StephanieB ok? Does she have time to finish Summer Masquerade yet? Let her know we miss her!!!"}, {"response": 418, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 14, 1998 (13:52)", "body": "Yes, StephanieB is OK. She has posted a couple of messages here at Drool lately to say what is going on. She has been very busy at her new job and is entertaining Marcia. SMB has kind of been put on the back burner."}, {"response": 419, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Tue, Apr 14, 1998 (22:59)", "body": "Hi everyone! Two things. The first is this is the hospital that I worked for for 20 years, and went thru so much turmoil with during Christmas. Thought you'd be interested to know I was right about its future. Second, see ROP for a new chapter of SMB, if anyone still cares! La Habra ails over hospital loss HEALTH : Residents, employees and officials lament the closure of the city's only acute-care facility. April 10, 1998 By ERIC CARPENTER The Orange County Register LA HABRA \ufffd The owner of Friendly Hills, MedPartners Inc. of Birmingham, Ala., announced Wednesday that the 25-year-old medical center will shut its doors May 15 because of sagging profits. City residents will have to look for hospital care, including emergency care, at out-of-town facilities such as Brea Community Hospital and St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton. The closure also threatens community programs such as Meals on Wheels and signals the end of hospital-sponsored health screenings. Moreover, the development is a blow to a city struggling to rebound from the flight of numerous businesses over the past decade. MedPartners has hired Santa Barbara-based Tenet Healthcare Corp. to provide hospital services to the 116,000 Friendly Hills health-plan members. They will be referred to Whittier Hospital Medical Center and Placentia Linda Community Hospital. Tenet will spend $15 million to upgrade the Whittier hospital to handle the increase. Outpatient clinics and MRI and radiology units surrounding the 250-bed Friendly Hills hospital will remain open. About 500 Friendly Hills employees will be laid off, said Joyce Hawthorne, spokeswoman for MedPartners. A \"significant number\" of those employees, however, may be hired at the Whittier hospital, said Brandon Edwards, spokesman for Tenet. Friendly Hills and its employees had become part of the fabric of La Habra. Doctors served on community boards. The hospital sponsored 5K races and summer picnics. Indeed, the hospital itself helped define the growing city. It opened as La Habra Community Hospital in May 1974. Residents eager to have emergency care in their city raised $75,000 for construction. A Meals on Wheels program began in 1974 and has delivered about 600,000 meals since. A hospital dietitian prepares the meals in the hospital kitchen and provides two meals a day to 60 needy residents. \"It's been the ideal partnership,\" Kind said. \"They're going to be hard to replace. Family Medical Group purchased the hospital in 1988. An obstetrics unit was added in 1989 and, for the first time since the city's 1925 incorporation, babies were born at a hospital within city limits. MedPartners assumed control of the hospital in May 1996. In February, the obstetrics unit was closed because, officials said, it wasn't making a profit. Officials considered refurbishing the hospital, but decided it would be too expensive. \"We only had it for 25 years. It is a surprise to lose a young hospital,\" Mayor Dorothy Rush said. Rush said that though she's sure residents can still receive \"the very best medical care,\" she knows that a city losing its only hospital may worry some people. La Habra will not be the only city without an acute-care hospital \ufffd eight of the county's 31 cities don't have one. La Habra, with 54,000 residents, however, will be one of the three largest cities without a hospital. The other two \ufffd Lake Forest and Laguna Niguel \ufffd have major regional medical centers less than a mile away in neighboring cities. The nearest major medical center to La Habra, St. Jude, is about three miles away. The Fire Department already transports about 30 percent of residents in need of emergency care to hospitals outside the city, Bankston said. The department was working Thursday to determine where emergency patients will be taken when Friendly Hills closes. In some cases, \"it will add seconds in getting (patients) to the hospital and that's always a concern,\" Bankston said. The city is eager to work with any company interested in bringing hospital care back to La Habra. \"We're willing to work with them by providing demographics and statistics to show that not only is there a need, but they can come to La Habra and be profitable,\" Bankston said. Hospital employees were told earlier this week that the medical center would close. \"It's really sad,\" said Elizabeth Potter, who has worked at the hospital 16 years. \"A lot of us have worked together a long time. We're like a family.\" #1 newspaper in Orange County, California Copyright 1998 The Orange County Register"}, {"response": 420, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Apr 15, 1998 (14:23)", "body": "Sad news, Stephanie. Sagging profits indeed. Are we talking of people's health care or an amusement arcade? How is it affecting you, your job?"}, {"response": 421, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Thu, Apr 16, 1998 (09:34)", "body": "I left there 6 weeks ago and started a new management position in one of the hospitals that will be receiving FH patients. I am the Director of the Emergency Dept. and am in the process of hiring some of my best nurses from FH. BTW, FH posted a 36.2 million profit in 1997. It is a very complicated issue that is causing the hospital to close. If a medical practice mgmt company has a hospital, they know the rules of what can and cannot be done in the office, ie, surgery, etc. But if they don't have a hospital they can bend the rules and then if a patient has a bad outcome, they say, \"Oh, we didn't know you couldn't do that in the office.\" There is a lot of anger from the staff towards the owners of the hospital."}, {"response": 422, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Apr 16, 1998 (18:52)", "body": "There are certain areas of human activity which should not rely on monetary profits: health and education are prime examples. We cannot consider ourselves civilized if these things are in decline. Unfortunately, it seems we will be entering the 21st century with 19th c. values still firmly in place in quite a number of countries in the so called Western world on both sides of the Pond. I am the Director of the Emergency Dept. Just the right person to have around when the droolers start swooning! ;-)"}, {"response": 423, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Apr 20, 1998 (18:31)", "body": "I've been busy with eight guests, 4 children fron 2 to 10 for the past ten days so I am really glad to catch up here and see the two new stories fron Lou and Heidi Congrats, Stephanie"}, {"response": 424, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Apr 21, 1998 (19:49)", "body": "Lou, as I've been catching up, I realize I haven't responded to your story yet though I enjoyed it my first day back in fantasy land. Lizzy is a coy little vixen isn't she. But I think Darcy is more than able to handle her. I hope you contribute more. This board can lie dormant for weeks."}, {"response": 425, "author": "JennieC", "date": "Fri, Apr 24, 1998 (00:36)", "body": "Hello, I have been working my way through all 424 posts (it has taken some time) and this is my first comment. I would like to add my complete praise to all the authors who have contributed. These stories are great, in a different way to the ones at what was the Derbyshire Writers Guild. I am in awe of people who have such creativity :). Congrats, and please write some more soon!"}, {"response": 426, "author": "almasy", "date": "Tue, Jun  2, 1998 (13:29)", "body": "Where has everyone gone? In the words of the song, \"Is anybody there? Does anybody care....\" I so look forward to the writings her, and I suppose I am being selfish, but I do miss all the great stories. so, come out, come out, wherever you are!!!! Moira"}, {"response": 427, "author": "lena", "date": "Tue, Jun  2, 1998 (15:37)", "body": "] Where has everyone gone? In the words of the song, \"Is anybody there? Does anybody care....\" I so look forward to the writings her, and I suppose I am being selfish, but I do miss all the great stories. so, come out, come out, wherever you are!!!! My thoughts exactly."}, {"response": 428, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Jun  2, 1998 (21:11)", "body": "Thanks for activating this board again. I've been trying to think of a story but have come up dry. Anybody else? A piece of fan fiction, though we didn't write it...has anyone read The Diary of Henry Fitzwilliam Darcy? I confess I bought it and am reading it now. It's actually the best published sequel/prequel I've ever read (which isn't saying much). I've not gotten too far yet but of course I've peeked ahead and it does go past Darcy and Elizabeth's marriage which piques my interest. One little spoiler for those who may read this book - Darcy lost his virginity at age 17. What is that spinning sound I hear?"}, {"response": 429, "author": "MelindaCS", "date": "Tue, Jun  2, 1998 (22:50)", "body": "has anyone read The Diary of Henry Fitzwilliam Darcy? No, but I'd like to ... Who wrote it? I'm dying to know."}, {"response": 430, "author": "lena", "date": "Wed, Jun  3, 1998 (05:39)", "body": "]...has anyone read The Diary of Henry Fitzwilliam Darcy? I guess the only thought that has been able to remain in my mind ever since I read your post is \"Where can I get it?\" \"Where can I get it?\" \"Where can I get it?\"\"Where can I get it?\"\"Where can I get it?\"..."}, {"response": 431, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Jun  3, 1998 (21:55)", "body": "Let me try to oblige you, Helena, and anyone else interested. I did try Bookserve at ROP and perhaps that is an option to compare prices though I did not find it there. On Ellen's FirthFaqs you can find an e-mail address for Jane Austen Books in Chicago. JABooks@aol.com The owner does not have a web site but she will take orders by e-mail. The Diary of Henry Fitzwilliam is by Marjorie Fasnam, ISBN 0-9660778-5-7. The cost is steep, $29.95 with $4.75 shipping for the first item. It is well written but I think some of our writers could have done just as well but that's a commendation to them not a condemnation of the book. Fasnam's Darcy fantasies are perhaps what many of us may imagine of the man and that makes it fascinating to me."}, {"response": 432, "author": "lena", "date": "Thu, Jun  4, 1998 (03:25)", "body": "Thanks a lot Heide! I'm going to give it a try. Have you read anyother sequels/prequesls to P&P? I mean aside from those wonderful stories posted here and the ones posted at ROP. If so, which ones? And what did you think of them? I'm thinking about acquiring some but I really can't make up my mind as to which one."}, {"response": 433, "author": "lena", "date": "Thu, Jun  4, 1998 (03:25)", "body": "Thanks a lot Heide! I'm going to give it a try. Have you read anyother sequels/prequesls to P&P? I mean aside from those wonderful stories posted here and the ones posted at ROP. If so, which ones? And what did you think of them? I'm thinking about acquiring some but I really can't make up my mind as to which ones."}, {"response": 434, "author": "lg", "date": "Thu, Jun  4, 1998 (19:16)", "body": "I've been dithering about delurking to post this (since the board hasn't been very active)--please forgive me if it's too far off-topic. In the couple of years that I've had net access, I've become a hopeless addict of two streams of fanfic. Obviously, one of these is the fic devoted to Austen and her characters (esp. Lizzy & Darcy); the other is that fic dedicated to the characters portrayed in the tv series: \"Lois & Clark\" (Dean Cain's Clark Kent is fairly drool-able, too). There is an informal series being constructed by L&C fanfic-writers at the moment, called the \"Soulmates Chronicles\", based on the premise that the souls of Clark Kent and Lois Lane have been intertwined throughout time and \"show up\", together, in all time periods. Of course, the persona occupied by the soul of Clark Kent would have some kind of do-gooding alter-ego with a secret identity, sans superpowers. Bringing this back into the near realms of on-topic... one of these Soulmates Chronicles is set in Regency London--with an alarmingly Wickham-esque Alexander Luther (heh) as the bad guy. Some of you Austen-addicted fic-readers and writers may enjoy this (almost) crossover very much indeed, as I did. The story is available at: First Impressions Enjoy! [I've always considered that Lizzy and Lois have a great many traits in common, anyway.]"}, {"response": 435, "author": "lg", "date": "Thu, Jun  4, 1998 (19:19)", "body": "Erk, sorry. Some hubris attached to my self-view of linking ability--and it's misplaced, obviously! That URL should be: http://www.znet.com/~volterra/fanfic/lcpp.html Ta."}, {"response": 436, "author": "Falcon1", "date": "Thu, Jun  4, 1998 (21:13)", "body": "What a wonderful story!!! Thank you for the link!!! Heide..I ordered the Diary of Henry Fitzwilliam Darcy today..can't wait to get it..The lady at JABooks@aol.com was a little surprised..This book is suddenly VERY popular...I tried to explain it to her ;-) Thank you for letting us know ..I hope it gets here soon."}, {"response": 437, "author": "natrad", "date": "Sat, Jun  6, 1998 (03:46)", "body": "Hey, it is soooo good to see people writing here again! God knows how many times I've gone back to Stephanie B's Concessions fan fic...too many, I suppose! It would be great to have some new fiction posted! Hey, lg! I was a huuuuggggggeeeee L&C fan, for the first few seasons at least! Clark was my man - I didn't really do the whole Superman thing, though...I just adored those specs too much! Yeah, I think Lizzy and Lois share the same independent streak...nice to know someone else thinks so! Thanks for the link, by the way, I'm off there now to check it out! Maybe if I feel inpired, I may actually write something of value on this board...anything to excite the lively imaginations of the writers on this board. Hey - who's for Ann2 writing her own little D&L wedding night here? I AM~! I think she'd do a superb job - all she needs is LOTS of encouragement! Maybe as an addition to Perfectly Amiable??? What do you say, Ann?"}, {"response": 438, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Jun  6, 1998 (09:41)", "body": "Ann2 is a fine writer (one of my favorites at Pemberley) so I'd love to see anything she had to say on the subject. BTW, have you read her Heartfelt Delight ? It's very sensual and not at all explicit. Quite wonderful!"}, {"response": 439, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jun  6, 1998 (10:25)", "body": "A STUDY OF CONTRASTS \"My maiden, must I wake you with a kiss, my lovely sleeping beauty?\" Charlotte tried to regulate her breathing so her husband would think she was asleep but he seemed intent on disturbing her peace. It was rare he was so persistent but she supposed attending the weddings of her two closest friends, Jane and Elizabeth Bennet, no, that was wrong, Jane Bingley and Elizabeth Darcy, had raised the amour of William Collins. His sing-song voice only confirmed her suspicion. \"Come my little Guinevere. King Arthur wants to show you his shiny singing sword.\" When she felt a pen prodding her backside, she knew she could feign sleep no longer. And of course that pen was not a writing instrument, but, as William Collins would put it, \"the instrument of blissful marital accord\". Rolling onto her back, Charlotee adjusted her nightcap and hitched up her night dress. \"Yes, my Lord,\" Charlotte knew her lines by heart. \"Your lady is ready to receive her lord. Please be gentle with me.\" Wiping the perspiration already forming on his brow, her husband began to lower himself to begin \"the union of sin and ecstasy\". ****** \"I say, Jane, you look jolly fine this evening,\" Charles Bingley said to his bride from across the room. His wife looked demurely up to her new husband as she smoothed the bed linens covering her up to her neck. \"I don't think I've ever seen you looking so beautiful as you do tonight,\" he continued. \"Except of course for this morning and this afternoon.\" Charles continued to stand in the doorway gazing at the fair vision that was his wife. Jane murmured something but he could not quite hear. He looked around the room, and finding a chair, sat in it to contemplate the beauty that was before him. Several minutes passed as he sat with a pleasant smile on his face though his eyes looked hopefully at Jane. The poor girl could barely look at her husband and instead, fingered the gold ring on her left hand. \"Well, yes,\" Charles cleared his throat. \"No one can say that I don't have the most beautiful wife in Hertfordshire. Or even the south of England, why I'll venture to say even the whole of England.\" Several more minutes passed. \"Hmm, well, yes,\" Charles began again. He stood up and gave a huge yawn, raised his right arm above his head and stretched it to the ceiling. \"My, I am tired. Are you tired, my dear?\" Jane was not sure if she should say yes or no. If she demurred, he might think she was not ready for their wedding night. If she agreed, he might think she only wanted to go to sleep. She paused for several seconds, deciding on her answer. Finally, \"I am tired, dear, but not too tired.\" Charles nodded his head as if he understood. \"Well, I believe it is time we... er, I, er... well, it is time to go to bed.\" Receiving no answer from Jane, Charles nodded. \"Yes. Well, I believe I shall just go over to the bed and then blow out the candle. I don't want to blow it out here for it may be too dark and I might not find the bed. I mean, I'll find the bed, but I might stumble. I mean, if I stumble, I might fall on you and hurt you.\" Jane merely nodded her hand. Charles again cleared his throat and walked to the side of the bed, opposite to Jane. Smiling broadly at her, he removed his robe. Jane watched him from the corner of her eye. Standing by the side of the bed, Charles pulled down his side of the covers and proceeded to slide in. \"Dear,\" Jane spoke sharply. \"Yes, dear?\" \"The candle.\" \"Oh, what a sieve I have for a brain. But of course.\" Charles obligingly blew out the candle. The newlyweds lay side by side in the dark for some silent moments. Charles yawned again and stretched his arms over his head and then lowered then, his right arm then conveniently resting on top of Jane's head. \"Hm, well, yes, I suppose I might kiss you. Would you mind, dear?\" Charles asked pleasantly. \"Not at all, my dear,\" Jane murmured. \"If I can find your pretty face,\" Charles chuckled. \"It is quite dark in here.\" He found her lips with little trouble and gave her a chaste kiss. \"There, that was easy.\" He raised himself upon his elbow and slowly, slowly slid his hand across Jane's waist. \"Would you mind if I did that again, my dear?\" \"Not at all, dear.\" The next kiss was a bit longer. Jane touched his arm in a timid embrace encouraging Charles to try for a third kiss, this time without even asking. \"There that was nice,\" Charles said laying back down again. \"Very nice indeed. I don't know if I've ever had a nicer kiss. I mean, I haven't kissed that many girls, and only your kisses have been very nice, my dear. These were nicer than even during our courtship, if I am not mistaken. Though those were very nice as well.\" \"Yes, these kisses were very nice,\" Jane quietly agreed. \"Of course I could kiss you all night. But then you may be tired. If you like, we could go to sleep now.\" Jane bolted upright in bed. \"What?\" she screeched. \"Go to sleep now? Are you daft? I have been waiting for this night my whole life. My whole l"}, {"response": 440, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jun  6, 1998 (10:38)", "body": "continued from above Elizabeth was wakened by a hand sliding slowly over her hip and down across her belly. Oh dear, was he back again? She felt a whiskered chin resting on her shoulder and lips pressing against her ear. She stayed silent, hoping he would go away. She opened her eyes and saw the grey dawn filtering through the curtains. Didn't her husband ever sleep? She quickly shut her eyes again as Darcy spoke to her. \"Elizabeth. Elizabeth, my love,\" he whispered in her ear between kisses. The wedding night between Elizabeth and her new husband was not quite what she had imagined. Frankly, she was rather shocked by the whole thing. There had been many kisses during their courtship. Sweet, gentle pecks on the cheek and lips and sometimes longer, more ardent kisses caressing her neck and mouth. Those she had enjoyed mightily and thought perhaps the wedding night would be quite similar. But the urgency of her husband's needs quite frightened her and though he tried to be gentle, she was s artled by the pain and stiffened herself to try to resist his violation. It was over none too soon and she was relieved after some silent moments when he suggested he return to his own room to sleep. She regretted the note of wounded pride in his good night when she too quickly assented to his leaving but was also too preoccupied by the cramping in her lower stomach to give it much further thought. After he left, Elizabeth consoled herself by rubbing her stomach until the cramping subsided. Suddenly aware of something wet trickling down her leg, she jumped out of bed, afraid of finding a pool of blood in the bed. She lit a candle and examined the bedsheets but found only a small speck of blood on the sheets and a little more on her night dress. Not knowing what was coming down her leg, but relieved it was not blood, she returned to bed but moved over to the other side where it was not so wet. She lay in bed a bit contemplating the day's events that had started out so promising. What had happened? Surely she was not so different from other women and never had she heard a complaining word from wives about their husband's night time habits. Perhaps now that she had joined the sorority of married women, she would learn more about adapting. Her poor Darcy had sounded so unhappy. Elizabeth would have to think of a way to make this up to him. She finally fell asleep only to awaken several hours ater. Now Darcy had slid his hand into the front of her night dress, smoothly drifting it down to cup one breast and slowly circling his thumb around the nipple. His tongue was tracing the folds of her ear as his bristled cheek rubbed hers not unpleasantly. Elizabeth found herself leaning back into him. Encouraged, Darcy slid the straps of her filmy night dress down and began kissing and nipping at her neck and bared shoulders. This was most pleasant and Elizabeth seemed to be moving towards him without any hought or care. She raised her arm behind her and ran her fingers dreamily through his hair as his lips, tongue and teeth teased her onto her back. \"My, I never knew a woman to sleep so soundly,\" Darcy murmured, lowering his mouth down, down to her breast. \"And you've studied many sleeping women?\" Elizabeth purred, then gasped as he slid her gown completely over her breasts and took his mouth to the center of each one, nipping and pulling each nipple taut. She arched her back and put one hand to her mouth, gnawing at her knuckle while her other ran through his hair, down his neck, across his back. She didn't want him to stop but she needed desperately to kiss him so she slid her body down lower under him until their mouths met. As they kissed, she hoped he would never stop but she felt his hand moving down her hips, her legs and then begin pulling her night dress up over her knees and higher. She involuntarily stiffened. Elizabeth knew any repulsion of him would hurt her beloved husband deeply but she dreaded that shooting pain again. Darcy paused for a moment and looked at his wife. He smiled so gently at her that tears came to her eyes and she knew she would give him anything but he moved his hands back and resumed his caresses above her waist. Now her body was moving of its own accord. Her leg raised itself, with no help from its mistress, and her foot slid down her husband's side and then back up again. Her hands rubbed across his body, inside his nightshirt, teasing at the hair on his chest, fingers even resting lightly on his nipples. Her mouth was moving across his collarbone, sometimes raising itself to his neck, chin and mouth, but roaming up and down, with its tongue and teeth flicking and nibbling at very tender spots savoring the delicacies to be found. Side by side they lay, examining and teasing each other. His hands slid under her night dress again but instead of moving away, she pressed closer to Darcy as his hands roamed over her backside and up and down her spine. She tried to move even closer and surely knew what she "}, {"response": 441, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jun  6, 1998 (10:43)", "body": "continued from above \"Thank you, my dear,\" Mr. Collins grinned at his wife as he popped out and laid back on the bed. \"Your lord's sword has wielded its mighty strength once again.\" Charlotte rolled back onto her side, away from her perspiring husband. \"Your lady most obediently obliges her lord.\" ***** \"Jane,\" Charles panted as he rolled off his bride, \"I say that was a jolly good show.\" \"Yes, my dear,\" Jane demurely replied. \"I hope I did not disappoint.\" \"Impossible, my dear,\" Charles grinned. \"And tomorrow night, perhaps we may try again.\" \"Practice makes perfect, my dear,\" Jane said and kissed him lightly before turning away to sleep. ***** Darcy and Elizabeth lay silently in each other's arms, softly kissing each other. The room was getting lighter and Elizabeth was able to examine every facet of her husband's countenance. He looked most pleased. Hereturned her thoughts. \"You look most pleased, my darling. I hope the surprise of the wedding night has worn off.\" Elizabeth laughed huskily. \"I believe every night will hold surprises for us both. At least I hope so. For instance, I had no idea, you could taste so delicious.\" She lightly ran her tongue along the side of his neck. \"And so salty too.\" Darcy tightened his hold on her. \"If you continue that, Lizzy, I believe we may discover more surprises this morning.\" His wife raised herself onto her arms, disregarding the bed sheets sliding down over her bare arms. \"Is that a promise?' Her husband pulled her back onto him. \"Let's try again and see.\" THE END Now I shall see if I can manage to log off without double posting again. If I do, I am apologizing in advance."}, {"response": 442, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Sat, Jun  6, 1998 (11:44)", "body": "Hmm, A Study of Contrasts, or A Tale of 3 Bedrooms. Heide, that was magnificent! Although I can't help but feel sorry for poor Charlotte. It's a case of \"She made her own bed, now she must laid(?) in it\""}, {"response": 443, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun  6, 1998 (23:46)", "body": "Heide, so happy you are back! Wow a triple hoop!!!"}, {"response": 444, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Jun  7, 1998 (19:23)", "body": "Oh Heide, that was lovely. Thanks so much for sharing. I'm warm all over :-) I'm glad people are posting here again. Can't tell you how many times I've checked in here lately, to find #34 sad and lonely."}, {"response": 445, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Jun  7, 1998 (20:47)", "body": "Heide, I'm rolling over Mr. Collins and his sword! :-D"}, {"response": 446, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sun, Jun  7, 1998 (21:56)", "body": "Great story Heide. I enjoyed the three different perspectives. Wish I were inspired to write, but I am not. Saved it for Marcia and will forward it to her when she gets wherever she is going."}, {"response": 447, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun  8, 1998 (07:54)", "body": "(Stefanie B), Wish I were inspired to write, but I am not. Stefanie, what can we do to inspire you to write? Do you refer also to SMB? I am grieved indeed!"}, {"response": 448, "author": "almasy", "date": "Tue, Jun  9, 1998 (09:34)", "body": "Heide, Thanks ever so - it is good to have this board up and running again! As always, a good read. Thanks again"}, {"response": 449, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  9, 1998 (11:07)", "body": "\"Come my little Guinevere, King Arthur wants to show you his shiny singing sword.\" My, you are generous, Heide. But I agree, it just wouldn't sound as good if he said \"my Swiss army knife.\" ;-) Jane bolted upright in bed. \"What?\" she screeched. \"Go to sleep now? Are you daft? I've been waiting for this night my whole life. My whole life. \" Great description. Once again, Jane is the most normal person in the story. Totally healthy outlook on everthing. Sounds like they had a *romping* good time. Tally Ho!! And then there's Darcy and Elizabeth. It may have taken a bit, but once they got going, ahhhhhhhhhhh......... Loved it, Heide. You always have a fresh and interesting perspective and very humourous as well. Keep it coming. To paraphrase your Darcy's penultimate words: I believe we may discover more surprises...later this week!!"}, {"response": 450, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Jun  9, 1998 (21:03)", "body": "Thanks to all of the above for your positive comments. I hope I entertained more than I offended. I like your title, Emma. Triple hoop, Moon? Kind of like a 3-ring circus, I guess. (Karen) To paraphrase your Darcy's penultimate words: I believe we may discover more surprises...later this week!! Oh??? May we depend on it? I agree with Jana and Moira, this board has been sad and lonely. I'd love to see more action... and I do mean more action."}, {"response": 451, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 10, 1998 (09:50)", "body": "(Heide) Triple hoop, Moon? Kind of like a 3-ring circus, I guess. It is open to the imagination, take it one at a time! (Heidi)Oh??? May we depend on it? I agree with Jana and Moira, this board has been sad and lonely. I'd love to see more action... and I do mean more action. My thoughts exactly!"}, {"response": 452, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 10, 1998 (13:21)", "body": "Here's the beginning of a story I've been sitting on for some time. It is not an Elizabeth-Darcy story as we usually see here, but instead a detour from Laura's Second Chances story at Pemberley. As most of you know, I am a staunch Darcyist and, when Laura set him up in Ireland with a beautiful American named Helena Johnstone, who was also Miss Louisiana and Miss Congeniality, I was inspired to write this. If you haven't read Second Chances, I urge you to do so not only because I have in luded references to events in that story but also because it's a great story and I know you will enjoy it. Here's the link: http://www.pemberley.com/derby/laura6.htm Just a couple of other things: Darcy's name is Darcy Fitzwilliam. Also, I have not attempted to portray Helena's accent since it would not be what you would expect (i.e., Scarlett O'Hara southern). Thanks, Laura, for creating Helena and finally telling me to post this. Hope you like this. :-) Green Shoe Diaries The Morning After Surely her internal clock would eventually get itself in sync, but not this morning. Helena was still waking at odd hours, only to stare at the clock's face for a quarter of an hour and then to fall back asleep. This morning, however, she had more than a clock's face to stare at. Why had she done that, she thought to herself. She knew better. This could go absolutely nowhere. Regardless of what had occurred last night, Darcy loved Elizabeth. She knew it and he knew it. Her mind raced with ideas of how to treat what happened, what to say to Darcy and how to act when he awoke. Of course, there was the tried and true, never fails, \"we both had too much to drink\" gambit, where one or both claimed not to remember anything. There would be some embarrassment and a few apologies for that which could not be remembered, but it was easy and a proven method. Or she could scare Darcy away by reminding him of promises he had not really made but could be implied. That usually work d on the commitment-phobic types. Or she could be mad at him for playing his pain for all it was worth. Or she could chalk it up to being in a foreign country. People often did things in foreign countries that they would never do at home for fear of being found out or running into the other person again. Turning on her side and gazing at the sleeping body next to her, Helena had to admit to herself that she didn't really feel any of those things. What she did feel was that it happened and there should be no regrets and no excuses. It was emotionally right at that time. It was just not going to happen again. Groping around in the dim predawn light, while taking great care not to disturb her sleeping partner, Helena felt around for something to put on. After several contorting moves, she had her T-shirt in hand. Pleased to have recovered something, she tried to remember the order in which her clothing had been removed so that she could find the rest of the items. Slipping the T-shirt over her head, she started to roll out of the bed, only to be caught by Darcy's hand. \"Where are you going?\" he mumbled with half-closed eyes. \"To my own bed.\" \"Why? Are you having trouble sleeping here--with me?\" he said while rubbing his eyes. \"I think...no that's not right...I know I'd better go,\" Helena said as she stood up and pulled on the lower edge of the short T-shirt. \"Come here...just for a minute,\" Darcy said, indicating the side of the bed which she had just vacated. \"Sit down...just for a minute. Tell me what's going on in that fine mind of yours. I can see the wheels spinning and I can hear the gears grinding.\" \"Don't you think that you can get me to do anything by flashing those big sad brown eyes at me now! I've had my shots and am now immune! The warning had its intended effect as Darcy held both his hands up in front of him in mock protest. Helena then obliged him by sitting down even though she knew it was a bad move. That attraction she felt for him last night was not over. In fact, it had become even more than she had imagined. The manual, if there was such a thing, would have required a safe distan e to be established between them. Occupying the same bed would not be considered \"a safe distance.\" \"Darcy, what I'm thinking about shouldn't come as any great surprise to you. Last night was last night and that's that.\" \"I see. Well, at least I'm gratified to know that we can admit it happened and not pretend either it didn't or that we were both too drunk to remember. Do you think what happened was the same as me chatting you up in some bar?\" As Helena acknowledged the silliness of that view, Darcy continued. \"Thank you for the vote of confidence. I came back to Ireland because I couldn't bear being on the same land mass as her. She has let me down tremendously, and I don't know if I could forgive her or if I want to forgive her for that matter. \"You can't throw away a three-year relationship like that. You love each other truly and deeply and must be together.\" \"Maybe that type"}, {"response": 453, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 10, 1998 (14:30)", "body": "!@#$ I hate those dropped letters. Is there a better place to post this? It definitely can't be on BOI."}, {"response": 454, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Jun 10, 1998 (18:19)", "body": "Is there a better place to post this? It definitely can't be on BOI. You're right--it can't be. Don't worry about the letters, dear--we all know the software eats them..."}, {"response": 455, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Jun 10, 1998 (21:47)", "body": "The 1998 Mr. Darcy in the flesh. So is this what he would look like under that damp white shirt? He had a wonderful body, not too heavily muscled but hard and lean. So glad you posted this but couldn't you have given Helena short legs instead of those beauty queen gams? Love this one though: \"Don't you worry, I wasn't going anywhere except maybe to do a little climbing on the twin peaks of Mount St. Helena; I would imagine the view from the top is quite breath-taking.\" You just couldn't resist. Thanks for the very satisfying before bedtime reading."}, {"response": 456, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Jun 11, 1998 (13:50)", "body": "Heidi Thanks for another great story. You got the three men down to perfection. I have been pc less for three weeks,( I told Myretta it was two but my husband pointed out that it took another week to get the disc from AT&T so that we could get on the internet. I was really glad to see that the authors have been busy. I have been working on one about Lizzie and Darcy having a fight and making up but have to give it a little more work."}, {"response": 457, "author": "natrad", "date": "Sat, Jun 13, 1998 (03:23)", "body": "Congrats, Heide...very satisfying fiction! Poor old Charlotte...that is certainly a scenario I wish never to be placed in! As for Ann2's Heartfelt Delight , Nan, it's my favourite of all the BoI fiction...I too love the understated sensuality and tension...really opens up a whole new side to Elizabeth and Darcy, but a realistic and imaginable one. Ann's most endearing quality as an author, I think, is her ability to explore all the facets of her characters, without taking them beyond those realistic boundaries. I love too that they are such complex characterisations...and of course (above all else, really!) tha Darcy is such a complete and utter sweetie! He's my kind of Darcy!"}, {"response": 458, "author": "natrad", "date": "Sat, Jun 13, 1998 (03:36)", "body": "I also wanted to say - StephanieB, where is SMB? I, like Moon, wish to see more... more ... MORE !! God, I'm a demanding little thig, aren't I? But it seems to be sooooo long since your last installment...put us out of our collective misery!"}, {"response": 459, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Jun 14, 1998 (19:14)", "body": "Karen, thanks for such a lovely interlude. My goodness, I'm warm all over ;-)."}, {"response": 460, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 17, 1998 (23:52)", "body": "Darcy held his hand up to hers. Helena assessed its size when fully outstretched--from its base to the end of his middle finger. Karen! This brings up an old subject! LOL You have done Helena very well indeed. Now we need Darcy and Elizabeth s night together after they make up, and that is a lot of making up too! What do you say?"}, {"response": 461, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jun 18, 1998 (09:12)", "body": "Well, Elizabeth and Darcy are in the process of reconciling."}, {"response": 462, "author": "amy", "date": "Thu, Jun 25, 1998 (19:50)", "body": "Under We Were By Joanna Posted on Tuesday, 23 June 1998, at 12:27 p.m. I've finished writing my last exam and I dread the result because I'm not all that sure if I passed. I needed to write something crazy, just like the mood I am in. Enjoy and don't feel offended. No offence was meant. This story is for Alice who supplied me with the first line and Ewa, who supplied me with the last one. Thank you. If they only knew I am wearing men's underwear thought Caroline Bingley walking across the ballroom of Netherfield Park. If he only knew I am wearing men's underwear, enjoyed she the knowledge. In her memories, she returned to yesterday's evening and to the conversation between her brother and Mr Darcy, she overheard. the previous evening She was just passing the library door when her brother's words caught her attention: \"Well, Darcy, I'm glad you confided in me. It seems a bit peculiar. Really no offence meant, I mean, it happens but\ufffd\" \"Bingley, I just can't help it. Manly women just appeal to me.\" \"I fully understand and you don't have to explain. I must say I sometimes feel this strange urge when I imagine a woman in men's underwear.\" \"You are reading in my mind, my friend.\" Replied Darcy. Caroline blushed and walked faster thinking: This is it. I need to make him understand that I wear men's underwear! She could not have heard the words Darcy spoke: \"Enough Bingley, that was jolly fun but what would happen if one of the servants heard us and took it for granted. I meant that we like\ufffd\" he burst out laughing. They've been talking about good old times, when they were at Eton and there was a female servant who turned out to be a disguised man. the day of the ball Caroline dismissed her maid. She needed to put on the underwear and wanted no one to know about it. It was supposed to be her secret weapon for catching Darcy but she wanted the world to think that Darcy had chosen her for his wife because of her grace, talents and accomplishments and not because of fet\ufffd of other reasons. She was already imagining the wedding night when she would show up in the best men's underwear, she would get in London. Of course, then she would no longer make such a show of herself b t she decided that having Darcy for a husband was worth this one single show for him, just one. However before she could implement this idea, she had to indicate to Darcy what her underwear preferences were and by that induce him to propose. Yet, men's underwear under a female dress was\ufffd was a bit difficult to wear. However, for a person so much determined to have Mr Darcy of Pemberley for a husband as Caroline, there were no too high hurdles to cross. Having coped with all the obstacles, she descended to the ground floor to greet the arriving guests. She was a bit disappointed with her role as hostess because it did not permit her to have Darcy all to herself as she wished. *************************** Having greeted the guests, she moved towards the ballroom where she was sure she would find Darcy in one corner or another. She noticed him standing in the far end of the room. If they only knew I am wearing men's underwear thought Caroline Bingley walking on. If he only knew I am wearing men's underwear. He shall know soon enough. concluded she, approaching Fitzwilliam Darcy. She had a tiny, silk handkerchief in her hand. Being just feet away from where Darcy stood she dropped it. Seeing it, Darcy bowed o pick it up. At that moment Caroline lifted her dress so that he could see she was wearing men's underwear. If it surprised Darcy, he did not show it, handing her the handkerchief back. She smiled thinking: He must have noticed. He is just too shy to show it. Oh, dear Pemberley and 10,000 pounds a year, you will be mine soon. Indeed, Darcy did notice what she was wearing under her dress. It was also obvious to him that she did it on purpose. She must have heard us yesterday. chuckled he when Caroline's attention was taken by some other guest. He excused himself and went away, wondering what more Caroline would do to catch him for a husband: She doesn't understand that nothing will ever induce me to marry her. He noticed Elizabeth Bennet talking to Charlotte Lucas. Elizabeth looks beautiful tonight. thought he. I need a dance w th her. thought he approaching both ladies ************************** Caroline watched him closely. It was unbelievable that Darcy was asking Eliza Bennet to dance. I always knew, she smoked cigars. That's why he asks her. She is manlier. I have to change, too. thought Caroline marching out of the room. THE END"}, {"response": 463, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Jun 26, 1998 (23:09)", "body": "Oh honey, I thought this was hilarious when I first read it at Bits of Ivory. I didn't post then because I find it a bit difficult to post with the new format there so let me tell you now, I think your sense of humour is great. A little warped, maybe,;-), but that's my favorite kind. So, will Caroline roll her own stogies next? Sorry, are you Amy or are you Joanna? Or both? Or neither?"}, {"response": 464, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Jun 30, 1998 (19:48)", "body": "I am happy indeed to see The Spring up and running"}, {"response": 465, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul  1, 1998 (13:12)", "body": "FYI: The Green Shoes Diary does continue. The remainder--at least those portions that have been written--are not explicit in any way. The last 2-3 paragraphs were just a little exercise on my part to see if I could write any of that. Anyway, I intend to resume distribution of this story by e-mail, as was done initially. Laura is bugging me for the rest. If you would like to receive it, please e-mail me at rosie45@hotmail.com. P.S. Sorry, Darlene, but after nearly 200 years Darcy could use a change of pace!! ;-)"}, {"response": 466, "author": "Bobby", "date": "Fri, Jul 10, 1998 (08:44)", "body": "I have just discovered this site and it is terrific. I have a few story ideas w/o the talent to do them justice- would anyone be interested in hearing them?? Thankd for all of the great entertainment"}, {"response": 467, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Jul 10, 1998 (13:17)", "body": "Yes, the rest of us here is a terrifically talented lot with no ideas at all (well, in the last few days at least), so it would work out just fine... ;-) Let's hear them!"}, {"response": 468, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Fri, Jul 10, 1998 (19:58)", "body": "Well, if anyone here is interested and doesn't visit there often, I posted a new chapter/part of \"Summer Masquerade Ball\" at whatever the new Pemberley is . . .Ivory(?)."}, {"response": 469, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Jul 10, 1998 (20:30)", "body": "Stef!! Where have you and Marcia been?! It's \"Bits of Ivory\"..."}, {"response": 470, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sat, Jul 11, 1998 (00:18)", "body": "I am here and keep Marcia up to date. She returns to Hilo tomorrow, but she'll be back very soon. I lurk every day!"}, {"response": 471, "author": "Bobby", "date": "Sat, Jul 11, 1998 (10:21)", "body": "Re: new ideas... What would be the best way to present them- they are full story ideas with a definate parts that only belong on this conference. Stephanie, thanks for the new post of SMB."}, {"response": 472, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Jul 13, 1998 (20:27)", "body": "Bobby, if you've got story ideas, throw them at me. I'm in the mood to write but have had little inspiration. And I especially like writing stories that only belong on this conference . (I promise I won't trash them up too much.) You can send them e-mail if you like, though I'm not sure if my e-mail address is working on this board."}, {"response": 473, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jul 14, 1998 (19:34)", "body": "Heide, why are you trying to monopolize those plot ideas :-)? If Bobby puts them on this board for all to see, then anyone could have a go. We could have a tremendous fun comparing various treatments of similar themes."}, {"response": 474, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Jul 14, 1998 (20:05)", "body": "And by the way, Bobby, I love to see fiction here written by anyone. ;-) I was hoping someone would step up to the plate to your offer. So please, send out your ideas for us all!"}, {"response": 475, "author": "Bobby", "date": "Tue, Jul 14, 1998 (23:05)", "body": "Okay, here goes... now I believe I have read all of the fanfic on this conference but please let me know if this is an old idea. Background...Their first extended separation. Some legit reason for Elizabeth not joining Darcy. Maybe it starts out short then gets extended. Several letters written. At first, very proper... could be read by anyone. As time progresses, a little less along the lines of perfect social etiquette. (They are honest people, as we all know). He is due to return. He is bringing a party with him. Bingley's sisters as Bingley and Jane are due (already there??? could add to the tension to see people obviously \"getting some\"). He rides ahead of the carriage. Lizzy goes for one of her infamous walks. As noted in one of the wonderful BoI stories ( uncertain of name), Elizabeth sees Darcy ride up... they are not as chaste as in the BoI version- besides, now they are married... it's allowed...so it's outside...I love nature. Trash this up as mu h as you want (I am counting on it)...but my only request is a scene when Darcy and Elizabeth return to Pemberley attempting to explain how the carriage got ahead of them- the sisters must be there to greet them... and something must be out of place- or missing to announce what they must of been doing... What do you think???"}, {"response": 476, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jul 16, 1998 (18:49)", "body": "And perhaps the party, having arrived at the house and discovered that the host - who has ridden ahead of them - hasn't yet arrived, cause the alarmed servants to run around the grounds, looking for him and the mistress?"}, {"response": 477, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jul 18, 1998 (08:01)", "body": "You've given us a lot to work with, Bobby. I'm going to break it up into 3 sections. I hope to see other ideas, but here's my Section 1 (no title): Darcy moved back into the slowly brightening bedroom as he slipped his arms into his riding coat. Elizabeth was still stretched out on the rumpled bed but instead of looking likethe purring cat she always resembled in bed, she looked more like the cat's prey -- nervous and anxious. \"Elizabeth,\" Darcy said in a low voice as he sat on the bed and took both her hands in his. \"It is past time to leave. The carriage will be waiting.\" His wife sat up and pressed each of his hands to her mouth. \"It is most cruel of you to leave before I can get dressed and send you off respectably downstairs like a good wife.\" Although his eyes flickered at Lizzy's use of the word \"cruel\", after nearly six months of marriage, Darcy knew she did not mean it. He decided to continue the banter for he was aware Elizabeth was upset at his hasty return to London. \"Perhaps you have not sent me off respectably, but no man could argue that you have not sent me off properly.\" He kissed her lips, still soft and swollen from a long night of kisses. Never before had Mr. and Mrs. Darcy been separated. They had only returned to Pemberley the month before and although their honeymoon was formally over by then, noone could dispute that their ill-concealed passion for each other had only increased in intensity. Now Fitzwilliam was called to London as the executor of the estate of an elderly cousin. The old lady had left a sizeable fortune, most of which was rumoured to be willed to her cats, but Darcy was required to administer to his cousin's wishes, o matter how bizarre the request. There was no question that Elizabeth would stay at Pemberley. Darcy's sister, Georgiana, had just arrived and he did not wish to leave her alone there or return her so soon to London. Elizabeth's Aunt and Uncle Gardiner were due to arrive for an extended stay next week so the ladies would not be alone for very long. In another week's time, Elizabeth's sister Jane and her husband, Charles Bingley, would be arriving as well. Darcy determined that his London visit should not take more than three weeks so all reason dictated that Elizabeth remain in Derbyshire. As Darcy stood up from the bed, Elizabeth clambered up with him and hurried to a chest of drawers. She pulled out one of her handkerchiefs and hurried back to him. \"Here,\" she said tucking the linen into his outer pocket. She changed her mind and opened his coat to tuck it into an inner pocket. \"Closer to your heart,\" she whispered coquettishly. Despite her brave appearance, though, Elizabeth was near tears and clung to his coat. Not unmoved himself, Darcy slid his arms around his wife and reached down to kiss her again. As her hands slid higher and higher past his shoulders, neck, jaw and into his hair, his hands slid lower and lower down her back, encircling her waist and then caressing the curves below. She pressed herself into him and soon could feel she had won a few minutes more with him. \"Lizzy,\" he whispered into her ear as he traced the folds with his mouth. \"We must stop. The carriage is waiting below.\" Elizabeth shook her head as she slid the outer garment off Darcy's shoulders and started undoing the buttons of his waistcoat. \"Just a few more minutes,\" she breathed. She knew if she could just get his cravat untied and find that spot where his neck met his shoulder and continued below to the hollow of his collarbone, he would be hers to play with for as long as she desired. Darcy seemed to have plans of his own. His hands had found their way under her nightdress making her own strategy difficult to accomplish though apparently unnecessary. As her insides seemed to liquify, he laid her back down across the bed sliding her gown higher and higher to her waist. Purring like a cat again, Elizabeth ran her bare legs down across her husband's clad ones and realized he still had on his boots as well. A shiver ran downher spine as a daring thought took hold. Sitting up as well as she could while Darcy was still on top of her, covering her neck with kisses, she pulled her gown over her head in one quick motion, and lay back down completely exposed before her fully clothed husband. \"Darling, the carriage is waiting,\" she murmured teasingly as he gazed at her. \"You must not keep the horses harnassed too long.\" Darcy grinned wickedly at his wife but decided not to toy with her unintentional double entendre - or was it unintentional. However, he unfastened the buttons on his breeches and released that impatient animal for the fourth time since retiring for the night. ******* ;-) Sorry, I'm a sick sucker for double meanings."}, {"response": 478, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sat, Jul 18, 1998 (10:11)", "body": "Very stimulating, Heide! Excellent, what a great way to wake up!"}, {"response": 479, "author": "Bobby", "date": "Sat, Jul 18, 1998 (13:34)", "body": "Aaahhh! I knew I left this idea in wonderful hands. What a beautiful set-up. They're not going to last the day much less 3 + weeks. No phone sex in those days....?letter sex?"}, {"response": 480, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jul 18, 1998 (16:04)", "body": "Does this qualify as letter sex? ;-) Section 2a: My dearest Elizabeth, My trip was long as usual, but not uncomfortable. Though every mile took me further away from you, I consoled myself with knowing that every mile closer to London took me nearer to concluding my business and returning to you. Your handkerchief brought me some consolation too and I breathed in your delicate lavender scent more than once on my journey. I will visit with the solicitors tomorrow to discuss Mrs. Poole's estate. Mr. Evans' reputation is that of an honest and cautious man of law. I can not imagine he would have allowed my cousin to leave her estate to those mangy animals. I trust all is well since I left. I think of you always. Give my love to Georgiana. Your husband, Fitzwilliam Darcy **** My dear husband, I received your letter today with great anticipation. Our first letter since our marriage. After allowing Georgiana to read it (you did not give me much news, dearest), I flew to my sitting room to compose my response for I relish every chance I have to sign my name Elizabeth Darcy. You will laugh at me, I know, and I was not going to expose myself but Georgiana has found me out so I suppose I must tell you. But since you use my handkerchief for almost the same purpose, I am not quite so embarrassed. Dearest, I dread some days getting out of bed and starting the day without you. This morning I was lollygagging again, commanding myself to throw off the covers but I would not obey. Georgiana knocked on the door and asked for entrance which I quickly granted. Darling, the look on h r face when she saw what was in bed with me! Your greatcoat has been my companion in bed since you left.** It gives me comfort to have your scent so near me. But I fear Georgiana thought there was a human form in it for a moment for her face went quite pale. I had to confess what I was doing and then her face went quite red. I am sorry, my darling, for flustering our dear Georgiana. I think she finds the idea of sharing beds exceedingly strange. My aunt and uncle come tomorrow with my young female cousins. Their presence in the house will occupy more of my time and I shall spend less and less time pining for you. Why soon, I should not miss you at all. Oh, my love, please hurry give all Mrs. Poole's money to those cats. I'm sure they shall spend it more wisely than their mistress ever did. And my darling, please write soon and tell me how much you love me. I have not heard you say it in six days and soon I shall forget that you ever did. Your loving wife, Elizabeth Elizabeth Darcy Elizabeth Bennet Darcy Which do you prefer, my sweet? **With apologies to Marjorie Fasnam from whose book, The Diary of Henry Fitzwilliam Darcy, this idea of the greatcoat was taken. *** My dearest, sweetest Mrs. Darcy, How can I resist your pleasing letter? But I must for how can you show even parts of this letter to Georgiana if I add such romantic adornments? Here, I will oblige you for one page but you can not show this first page to my sister. You have no idea how I long to be in that greatcoat you sleep with. Would you like me to wear it every night when I return? A vision of you wearing it comes to my head. That and nothing else underneath it. As you were the morning we parted. If you do that for me when I return, I promise I will never leave you again. Well, I can not promise that will never happen again in the fifty years ahead of us, but do it for me, nevertheless. I will think of something to do for you in payment. Are you blushin , my darling? I have been trying to write in very small, cramped letters but I am almost at the bottom of the page so room for one more flourish. I am bewitched by you. You are in my thoughts constantly. As I walk through the rooms of our house, I think I see you in every corner or hear your laugh in the hall. When you're lonely at night, sweet Lizzy, know that I am thinking of you at that very moment and you are not alone. Mrs. Poole has gone and done it. The whole estate is to go to those cats. Tell Georgiana our cousin has thirty-five of them living in the house. If she likes, I may bring a kitten back for her though Lord knows, there are kittens enough in the stables at Pemberley. It goes against all sound judgment to see such a fortune be used for such nonsense. I must work with my own solicitor to see if we can find a way to put the estate to better use. The laws are clear, Mr. Evans insists, but my own man is more wily. However, if this takes more time than the days I've allotted here in London, the whole situation may go to those felines and I will return contentedly to Pemberley. The Bingley sisters insist I dine with them this evening. I can not refuse their offer but the evening will be short, I promise. Give me regards to Aunt and Uncle Gardiner and the young ladies. I take comfort in knowing you will be amused while I am away. Don't forget me too quickly though, for I will be with you in two weeks. Your devoted husband, Fit"}, {"response": 481, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jul 18, 1998 (16:08)", "body": "Section 2b : Dearest Fitzwilliam, My darling, please write two letters. One for me and one for Georgiana. Then there will be no need for me to share your letters with her and you may write me as many adornments as you wish. Are you sharing my letters to you with anyone? The Bingley sisters, perhaps? No, I am not jealous. As a matter of fact, I was thinking you should invite them to come to Pemberley soon. Their brother will be here shortly and we may make a merry party of it. There, am I not a good wife? I am sorry to hear you are so distressed about your cousin's estate. Please do not be too disturbed about her largesse to her cats. They were most likely the only company she had in her declining years and we both know society is not too kind to unmarried women. Did we even invite her to our wedding? If you can find a way to distribute her estate to more needy ventures, please do so, but please, please, please do not stay more than one minute longer than you planned. My aunt and uncle and Lucy and Maria are very welcome company indeed. The boys are happily ensconced with their male cousins in Wessex so all the Gardiner children look forward to their summer in the country. I have taken Aunt Gardiner around the estate in the pony cart as promised. I was lost barely one mile from the house but pretended to know where I was and soon enough, saw the familiar grotto where you made love to me our second day back. Do you remember? I will never forget how you spread your coat on the stone floor, trying to pillow the fabric so it would not be so hard upon my back but I hardly felt it. Only you, I only felt you. Please hurry home. I am longing to wear your great coat. Your faithful and longing Mrs. Darcy, Elizabeth Oh, and Georgiana wants a kitten. *** My darling, This letter is only for you. I want to make love to you in the grotto again. I want to take you there in the dead of night with only the moon lighting the way. I want you to wear your nightdress, the one you wore on our first night. I want you to stand in the middle of the grotto and let me slide it over your shoulders, down around your breasts, slide it over your hips and down your legs to your feet. I want to kiss every inch of your lavender skin as I move down your body, tracing every curve and va ley with my mouth. Will you do that for me? I want you. Fitzwilliam P.S. Please send me another handkerchief. I've lost the fragrance of you. P.P.S. The Bingley sisters and Mr. Hurst will return to Pemberley with me next week. *** My darling, sweet boy, I miss you terribly. Jane and Charles are here. He comes to breakfast each morning, whistling, looking like the cat who got into the cream. She comes in, all rosy. I detect bruised lips. I am miserable there are people under my roof sharing in something I long for and can not have. I am selfish, selfish, selfish. My darling, if there are so many people staying here, how can I meet you at night in the grotto in my nightdress? Miss Bingley will surely sniff us out. While you may have lost the scent of me, she surely has not lost the scent of you. Oh, my dear, I am sorry if I sound peevish that the Bingley sisters are coming. I asked you to invite them. I just did not think they would come so soon. Just when I want to see you and only you, I must play hostess to two women I can not like. Do you still love me? Your pining Lizzy *** Darling, I am crazed for you. The papers are signed Two-thirds of Mrs. Poole's estate is going to charity, the other one-third will go to her cats which should keep them very well. I retain a very shrewd solicitor. I am beginning my journey to you tomorrow. Mrs. Hurst asked me to delay one more day so another trunk could be packed for them. I told her she could take all the time she needed to prepare for the journey, but I had business at home which required me there directly. The extra trunk must have packed itself then, for they will be ready to leave with me tomorrow. I will return most of the way on horseback but will attempt to play the solicitous host and stay with the carriage so this letter should find you before I do. Keep this in mind then, before I return. I dreamed of you last night. I dream of you often but never have I had a dream like this. You were naked, Lizzy, and sitting on me in such an interesting way. I have retained as many details as I can so we may try this when I return. It will not require any moonlit trips to the grotto. I only require y u and our bed to complete the scenario. Just tonight and tomorrow night and then I will be yours again. I love you, your Fitzwilliam P.S. I am bringing a kitten for Georgiana. *******"}, {"response": 482, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 18, 1998 (16:47)", "body": "\"Darling, the carriage is waiting,\" she murmured teasingly as he gazed at her. \"You must not keep the horses harnassed too long.\" LOL!! That's a great one! And then the *animal* had been let loose four times that night? Damn fine healthy sex life. I am miserable there are people under my roof sharing in something I long for and can not have. I am selfish, selfish, selfish. I am too, too, too! Miss Bingley will surely sniff us out. While you may have lost the scent of me, she surely has not lost the scent of you Great one!! I dreamed of you last night....You were naked, Lizzy, and sitting on me in such an interesting way. Have we seen this position in a number of classic films (The Advocate, WoF, FF)? Is that the *interesting* position? Yes, Heide, I do believe that this qualifies as letter sex. ;-) As always your stories are great."}, {"response": 483, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sat, Jul 18, 1998 (19:24)", "body": "Phew! hot mail tonight! Very nice . . ."}, {"response": 484, "author": "Bobby", "date": "Sun, Jul 19, 1998 (09:40)", "body": "Unbelievable- and they have not even been reunited yet!!! Way to go, Hot stuff."}, {"response": 485, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jul 19, 1998 (10:17)", "body": "(Bobby) but my only request is a scene when Darcy and Elizabeth return to Pemberley attempting to explain how the carriage got ahead of them- the sisters must be there to greet them... and something must be out of place- or missing to announce what they must of been doing... Help!! I'm stuck. Any suggestions for something that might be missing so everyone will know what they've been doing? By the way, thanks Bobby, for your plot idea. I like collaborating. I apologize for a minor gaffe in the story. I mention Darcy's cousin, Mrs. Poole, and then later have Lizzy mention that she is an unmarried woman. Well, let's just say she was a widow for a very long time."}, {"response": 486, "author": "Bobby", "date": "Sun, Jul 19, 1998 (15:33)", "body": "Re: obvious signs. How about a missing cravat, or buttons reattached all amiss, certainly hair out of place- and the expressions!!! A missing shoe?- could happen if the servants are heard as they try to \"reassemble\" - Miss Bingley should either, grow disgusted or flush at her the discovery of her imagination- \" Were they really doing ...that??? Oh., it should have been me!\" Maybe all of the married couples should adjourn to their rooms in haste... to get ready for dinner or rest or something, leaving C roline alone with her thoughts."}, {"response": 487, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 19, 1998 (16:07)", "body": "Would have to be something rather smallish, like the cravat. Missing breeches would be too obvious!! ;-D Although a waistcoat has possibilities. Elizabeth's dress might be a little smudged, grass stains..."}, {"response": 488, "author": "Falcon1", "date": "Sun, Jul 19, 1998 (17:42)", "body": "Imagine Carolin's face...grass stains on his knees, smudged elbows. Freshly cut grass pieces on the BACK of her gown ONLY, his vest buttoned up wrong, obviously in haste. A few pieces of grass in her hair, or a ribbon missing from her hair. Later, on a walk with everyone present, Caroline could find Elizabeth's lost hair ribbon, along with markings on the ground that someone had been there earlier. Tee-Hee. Blush blush. I know it sounds like I've been caught before but I really haven't. StephanieB doesn't this make you run to the computer to write more of SMB and end our suspense? Beg, beg, grovel grovel. ;-)"}, {"response": 489, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jul 19, 1998 (20:02)", "body": "Thanks for your ideas, ladies. I think I've managed to incorporate most. Final section (a): At the coach station in Loughborough, Darcy's horses were being rested and watered but Mr. Darcy himself could do nothing but pace. In one hour's time he could be at Pemberley if he left the carriage behind to make its own way. Why, if he rode very hard, he might be there in forty-five minutes. This was nonsense, stopping in Loughborough. It was probably more for the sake of Mr. Hurst who looked as if he had been watering himself thoroughly inside The Prince George. Darcy strode purposefully into the t vern. \"Hurst,\" he barked. \"I am riding ahead. Will you be so kind as to make sure the ladies are settled into the carriage? You should not be more than fifteen or twenty minutes behind me when you arrive at Pemberley.\" \"Wot!?\" Hurst looked startled. \"You're leaving now? Let me ride with you then.\" He stood up somewhat unsteadily. \"I think I need the fresh air. Something I ate.\" Darcy grimaced. He did not need Hurst to slow him down or stop him altogether when he fell off his horse. \"Someone should stay with the ladies, Hurst. Surely you should stay with your wife.\" \"No need, Darcy. The footmen can stay with them. I truly need some air. Besides, that mewling cat has scratched me twice. It won't stay in the box.\" Darcy followed Hurst out of the tavern trying to think of what code of honor Hurst followed to which he could appeal. Too late. Hurst was entering the inn to tell his wife he was leaving. Leaning in the doorway of the waiting room, Darcy could see that all hell was breaking loose. Boxes were being slammed on the table, bonnets were being thrown in the air. Louisa sounded like a fishwife berating her husband while Caroline picked up the bonnet she had thrown at her brother-in-law and slammed it on her head. \"Come, Louisa, the horses have had enough time to rest. We shall leave too.\" Darcy groaned inwardly. *** Elizabeth picked up her blue bonnet and carefully placed it over her head. She had taken special pains with her hair this morning, asking Marguerite to leave more of her neck exposed, the way her husband liked it. She was wearing her husband's favorite dress, and old white striped muslin she had worn for years before she even knew him but he liked her in it. A tingle of excitement coursed through her, knowing that perhaps she might come across him as she walked today. Better sense told her it was too arly to expect him, but perhaps he was riding hard towards her at this very moment. She slipped quickly out of the house, only telling a footman she was going for a walk. Today, she wanted no company. *** As elusively as he could, Darcy was leaving the carriage farther and farther behind him. Damnably, Hurst was keeping up. Well, Hurst's horse wouldn't be able to keep up this pace for long, not with that weight on him. Darcy urged his horse on a little faster. *** Elizabeth climbed the yellowed hill, dotted with buttercups. She swung her bonnet by its ribbons but quickly put it carefully back on when she remembered the hard work Marguerite had put into her hair. As she reached the crest of the hill, she turned round to view the magnificent landscape before her. The lake shone before her, the house on the other side still looking grand no matter the distance she had put between it. The road to the house meandered through the trees and around hills. As she looked f rther down, she thought she detected a cloud of dust stirred up by something moving. Something moving fast. The cloud turned into a horse and rider and then two. *** As Darcy entered the lands of his estate, he picked up speed for a mile but then slowed down. Hurst gratefully slowed to a trot beside him. \"What's your hurry, man?\" Hurst said as he wiped the perspiration from his face. \"One would think a banshee was chasing you.\" Darcy smiled, remembering the two banshees in the carriage behind them. But something more important was on his mind. He stopped his horse and looked around. There was a little used path that led to the water nearby. Elizabeth liked to walk near the lake and stream on the estate. If he followed that path, perhaps he might catch her by surprise. \"Hurst,\" Darcy said, turning to his companion. \"You will get to the house directly if you follow this road. I need to inspect something on this path which may delay me for some time. Will you excuse me?\" \"Oh ho! Not so eager to get back to your little bride after all, are you Darcy?\" Hurst chortled. \"The glow of the wedding starting to tarnish, eh? Well it happens to us all.\" Darcy tried not to let his distaste for the man show through as he grimly smiled and then turned his horse toward the narrow path. *** Elizabeth walked hurriedly towards the road. It was so far! If Darcy was truly one of the riders she saw, she must have missed him by now. Perhaps she should just continue home. She turned back toward the stream which led to the house. As she passed the wild cherry trees, the ground s"}, {"response": 490, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jul 19, 1998 (20:20)", "body": "b The carriage pulled into the courtyard where not only Mr. Hurst was waiting, but also Georgiana, the Gardiners and the Bingleys. Caroline looked for her host and hostess as she stepped down. \"Touring is so trying. I am quite exhausted,\" Miss Bingley complained as she straightened her silk travelling costume. \"Where is Mr. Darcy?\" \"We're wondering the same thing,\" Hurst said. \"I left him a half hour ago so he could inspect some thing by the road but he has not yet returned.\" Jane kissed the cheeks offered to her by her sisters and Bingley did the same. \"I am sorry my sister is not here to greet you,\" she said. \"She has not yet returned from her walk. We did not expect you quite so soon but are very glad to see you.\" \"Hmmph,\" Caroline snorted unpleasantly. \"Well, I hope there is at least something cool to drink in the house.\" Georgiana remembered her duties and tried to usher everyone inside, out of the heat. \"Oh my!\" Louisa suddenly exclaimed. She turned back into the carriage and pulled out a box. \"We have been keeping your brother's present for you.\" She gave the box to Georgiana who promptly pulled out a grey striped kitten. The Gardiner daughters gathered around to exclaim as Jane completed the hostessing duties by inviting everyone into the drawing room to wait for the master and mistress of Pemberley. One half hour later, neither had yet appeared. \"I am worried about Lizzy,\" Mrs. Gardiner whispered to Jane. \"She is not usually gone so long.\" \"I am worried too, Aunt. And what will Mr. Darcy say when he returns and she is not here?\" \"Perhaps we should send someone out to look for her. She may have fallen and hurt herself.\" \"You are right.\" Jane turned to Georgiana and whispered to her. Caroline looked peevish at all this whispering. \"You should never have left Mr. Darcy, brother,\" she scolded Mr. Hurst. \"Where can he be?\" \"I hope his horse has not thrown him,\" Louisa said. \"And he is lying in a ditch, too injured to move!\" Caroline jumped up. \"We must send someone out to look for him at once.\" Georgiana looked quite confused but Mr. Bingley jumped up to take control. \"I will tell Mrs. Reynolds directly to send out some servants to look for both Mr. and Mrs. Darcy. Georgiana, perhaps you can tell us where your sister walks most often. Hearst, come with me and tell the servants where you left Mr. Darcy.\" Uncle Gardiner looked thoughtful but chose not to tell anyone of his musings. *** Elizabeth leaned on her husband's chest as he sat against the tree, his lips against her neck. She sighed contentedly as she picked up his hands and kissed each finger. They laughed and murmured sweet nothings to each other and seemed to have no inclination to hurry back to the house. \"Your hair is full of petals,\" Darcy said as he picked another one off her fallen hair. \"They made a rather soft cushion. Perhaps we should have our mattress filled with them.\" \"Was this better than the grotto?\" Darcy teased Elizabeth contemplated this for a moment. \"It was not better. It certainly was not worse. It was different. I think we should try different things, do not you?\" \"Wholeheartedly. And I am busily thinking of other different things we should try.\" His wife turned around to playfully hit him but could not strike him, even in jest. She gazed long into his eyes, thinking how much she would like him to kiss her again and he seemed about to oblige when voices were heard. \"I tell you, the mistress walks closer to the water. We won't find her here.\" \"Yes, but the master may have taken this road, so that Mr. Hurst says.\" \"Ach, that man wouldn't know the right road from his arse. He sees everything double.\" Their laughter was heard getting fainter as Elizabeth and Darcy lay very still. She looked at him with frightened eyes until the men could be heard no more. \"They're looking for us!\" she whispered. \"How long have I been gone?\" She scrambled up and brushed the petals off her dress. \"Oh, Lord, it must be hours. What are they thinking?\" Darcy stood up and helped her brush herself off. \"Calm down, Elizabeth. We'll come back together. That will explain why you took longer than expected.\" \"I'm afraid my appearance will explain it only too well. I am missing four buttons on my gown!\", she wailed as she reached behind her to try to button herself up. \"And my hair! Oh, Fitzwilliam, my hair must be a sight.\" She frantically tried to pull up her hair with the remaining pins. Darcy examined the back of her gown, trying to see how best to disguise the missing buttons. Perhaps if he used this buttonhole for that remaining button and missed a few other buttonholes but put this button in that hole... It looked hopeless. \"There, that doesn't look so bad,\" Darcy lied. \"Are you sure?\" she asked hopefully. \"Well, perhaps you could wear my coat.\" Putting her hands on her hips, Elizabeth scolded. \"And what kind of explanation would we give for that? I just won't be able to turn around. You must stand behind me.\" Darcy thought that was best considering t"}, {"response": 491, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jul 19, 1998 (20:22)", "body": "c Looking out the window, Mr. Gardiner was the first to see their hosts appear. From their disheveled appearance, he knew his notion was right, and looked for a way to get them into the house upstairs before anyone else saw them. Too late. Caroline came up behind him and suddenly shrieked. \"Good God! They've been attacked by wild animals!\" She ran out of the house with the others in confusion behind her. The Darcys had been hoping to slip into the house from the back but the wide panorama that the view from the front of the house gave, meant they would have to hurry across the south lawn to get there. They were not quick enough. Their guests were all piling out of the door at once. Darcy positioned himself behind his wife and as dignified as they could, the couple moved to greet their party. \"Fitzwilliam, Fitzwilliam are you hurt?\" Caroline was crying. \"Of course not, Caroline,\" he snapped at her. \"I accidentally met Mrs. Darcy and we decided to walk home together. I am sorry your carriage got ahead of us.\" \"I hope you have not been waiting long,\" Elizabeth murmured. \"Not at all, not at all,\" Mr. Gardiner said, trying to herd everyone back into the house. His wife stole a stricken look at him as she turned. Jane could not raise her eyes to look at her sister but Bingley's smile was quite wide as he turned his wife back to the house. Georgiana, quite red, still managed to kiss her brother and whisper her thanks for the kitten as she hurried to follow the Bingleys. The Gardiner children were unaware of any mishap and ran after her. Mr. Hurst snorted and mumbled, \"M n pulled the wool over my eyes\" as he returned to the drawing room for the rest of his port. Louisa, quite pale, took her sister's arm into hers and guided her back into the house. \"Her hair, Louisa, her hair!\", Caroline could be heard exclaiming on the way back. Darcy looked at Elizabeth. She broke into a rueful smile but took his arm and returned with him to the house, pulling another cherry petal out of her hair. The End"}, {"response": 492, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 19, 1998 (20:41)", "body": "Bravo!! Excellent conclusion, Heide. Loved the ref to the banshees. How appropriate. So do you have anymore story ideas, Bobby?"}, {"response": 493, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sun, Jul 19, 1998 (22:30)", "body": "excellent, Heide!"}, {"response": 494, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (00:48)", "body": "Heide, can't tell you how much I enjoyed your story! (and Bobby, thanks for the inspiration). Caroline came up behind him and suddenly shrieked. \"Good God! They've been attacked by wild animals!\" LOL! You have a way with words, my dear :-)"}, {"response": 495, "author": "Falcon1", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (23:02)", "body": "Wonderful Heide. Arami, are you writing a version for us as well?"}, {"response": 496, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jul 21, 1998 (05:07)", "body": "I've enjoyed Bobby and Heide's combined effort - an intriguing idea very well executed, and, ssssslurp, yes, I do like a bit of a raunchy story... I don't think I could improve on it significantly... and I'm not going to submit anything which wouldn't measure up to it :-) But there is a small detail which I find difficult to accommodate - knowing Darcy's personality as well as we do... I mean, I don't say it would be beneath him (oh, yes, please ;-)) to make love al fresco, romantically, at leisure and in an appropriarte situation - like in that grotto during a walk in the park... But imagine - Darcy running to greet his wife by impaling her literally within seconds, without even so much as saying anything coherent... LOL! LOL and LOL again!"}, {"response": 497, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Jul 21, 1998 (18:51)", "body": "Thanks for all your comments, everyone. It wouldn't be any fun writing if no on read it. Bobby, this is your story too. I hope you found Part 3 close to your own rendering. Any anytime you have other ideas... lay 'em on out."}, {"response": 498, "author": "almasy", "date": "Wed, Jul 22, 1998 (10:57)", "body": "Heide, Excellent story, with just the right zest!! Bobby, thanks for the story line. Now, the two of you must move on to another chapter in the passionate life of the Darcys. Well done!"}, {"response": 499, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 22, 1998 (15:48)", "body": "Heide....I'm a newbie on #34....wow! what talent you guys have. Thanks a bunch....more..more!!"}, {"response": 500, "author": "Bobby", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (18:53)", "body": "Heide Fabulous, my husband arrives home tonight after some time away... he won't know what hit him... he may owe you a thank you note!!! This was a blast. I have one other idea- addressed many times in the past but... considering the passion Elizabeth and Darcy had during their courtship... and all the anguish leading up to it... and the fact that he is soooo sexy, I just have a hard time believing they only held hands and occasionally kissed passionately. I think they did more and more each time, possiblily struggling with their lack of control even discussing it and the associated guilt- responsibility etc. but like all addicts, swearing to resist neve works... In this instance, they seen to keep finding themselves in \"opportune situations\"... Of course Elizabeth worries that she is no better than Lydia...is she?, and fears Darcy will agree... maybe a day or two of misunderstood quiet reserve... then they find themselves alone. and they explore some more... by the way... I'm on the, he was not a virgin bandwagon. Oh the exploring yummmmmm. How far??? Let's take a vote. Thanks again Heide. Bobby"}, {"response": 501, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (08:03)", "body": "Well, that did take place. Times change, people don't:) I don't think anything is wrong with giving into your emotions, especially when engaged. She was his and would always be his."}, {"response": 502, "author": "MLouM", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (12:16)", "body": "YES! Finally I have been able to log on to Spring again! :-)) Heide...truly hilarious work! \"Her hair, Luisa!\" LOL! LOL! Caroline the Clueless! Hi Bobby... by the way... I'm on the, he was not a virgin bandwagon I completely agree. You can't tell me a man of eight and twenty in any era is truly an innocent! ;-I So...are you writing away Heide???"}, {"response": 503, "author": "Felicia", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (15:04)", "body": "After the Wedding..... Darcy was never so glad in his life that something was over as he was when he and Elizabeth gaily walked out of the Meryton Church. The wedding was certainly beautiful and joyous, but now, Elizabeth was his for the rest of their lives. Never again would he be forced to leave her side. The two couples, happy and laughing, climbed into the open carriages for the journey to Netherfield where they would each spend their wedding nights. He smiled broadly at the well-wishers as the horses pulled away. He caught Elizabeth's eye and their gazes locked. Darcy raised his hand to brush her cheek and slowly leaned forward to taste the sweetest honey that waited upon her lips. As long as he lived, Darcy thought he would never tire of kissing his wife. \ufffdHIS wife,' he thought and his mouth pressed more passionately against hers. Her lips opened and a soft sigh escaped, granting him further access to her sweetness. A bump in the road jostled the lovers out of their embrace. Elizabeth's glance moved to the driver and whip then back to her husband's passion-filled face. She blushed and, unable to meet his eyes any longer, wrenched her gaze from him to her lap. He drifted his fingers along her cheek, but did not force her to look at him. \ufffdIndeed,' thought he, \ufffdit is better this way. I could easily scandalize us both. Even touching her cheek tempts danger.' He reluctantly allowed his hand to drop to his lap and attempted to ease the mounting tension. \"Elizabeth, I had thought we would travel to Pemberley on the day after tomorrow. Does this suit you?\" \"Oh!\" she cried, startled from her fantasies. She guiltily raised her eyes to his face and found a knowing smile awaiting her. She flushed again and replied, \"That sounds wonderful. I cannot wait to see my new home again. Only this time, I will be able to walk about without trepidation. I wonder though,\" she teased, \"will I meet with such handsome scenery as before?\" His brow furrowed, \"To my knowledge, their have been no changes to the grounds.\" He looked blankly at her, but, upon seeing her teasing grin, he flushed. \"Oh,\" he replied under his breath, \"Elizabeth, I had no idea that you were on the grounds at the time. I was exhausted and hot from my journey--\" She smiled and silenced his words by gently laying a soft finger against his mouth. \"Hush, my love, I was not complaining. Merely speculating at the possibility of that meeting occurring again.\" The carriage pulled into the gates at Netherfield and halted at the door. The footman opened the door and moved to take Mrs. Darcy's hand to help her out. Her husband interrupted his move by saying, \"That will do. I will see to Mrs. Darcy.\" Elizabeth's heart raced at his possessiveness. A spark of electricity lept between their joined hands as he helped her from the carriage. Darcy nodded to Bingley as he and Jane pulled up behind him. \"Well, Darcy, how does it feel to be a married man?\" Bingley called while helping Jane from the carriage. Darcy looked at his bride lovingly and squeezed her hand, \"I find the married state to be quite agreeable.\" \"Come, then, we must toast to our happiness!\" Bingley led the group into the main salon and called for a servant. \"Jennings! Bring in the champagne!\" The man entered a short time later bearing a silver tray laden with a bottle and four glasses. Bingley poured the champagne and passed the glasses, his face a wreath of smiles. \"To Darcy and Elizabeth, myself and Jane, may we be the happiest couples that ever lived!\" Darcy replied, \"Here, here,\" and the glasses were clinked all around. The couples sat and chatted for some time about the ceremony and the length of the days leading up to it. At length, Bingley spoke, \"If you will excuse us, I would like to show Jane more of her new home.\" Darcy, recognizing the excuse for what it was--a chance to be alone-- immediately stood and replied, \"An excellent idea, Bingley. Would you mind if Elizabeth and I toured the grounds?\" \"Not at all, we will see you for dinner at six.\" The little party broke up and the couples each sought their own privacy. Darcy escorted Elizabeth through a side door. They walked, arm in arm, to a small grove of trees and he pulled her into his arms. \"Mr. Darcy!\" she cried, startled out of her reverie. \"What about the servants?\" \"Hang the servants,\" he swore, \"it has been too long since I've held you.\" She eagerly wrapped her arms around his neck and chided, \"It was only yesterday.\" \"Exactly so,\" he ground out, \"too long.\" His lips captured hers in a wild kiss. He gathered her closer; his hands roamed over her back, inflaming her senses, making her hungry for more. Of what that \ufffdmore' consisted, she was uncertain. She pressed closer still and felt her knees buckle as he trailed fiery kisses down her neck to her collar bone. His arms banded around her for support as he moved forward and crowded her against a tree. The bark pressed into her back; her heightened senses relished in the contrast between the sof"}, {"response": 504, "author": "Felicia", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (15:17)", "body": "(Author's note: After reading some of the stories here, I thought I might give it a try...Hope you enjoy!) After the Wedding.... Darcy was never so glad in his life that something was over as he was when he and Elizabeth gaily walked out of the Meryton Church. The wedding was certainly beautiful and joyous, but now, Elizabeth was his for the rest of their lives. Never again would he be forced to leave her side. The two couples, happy and laughing, climbed into the open carriages for the journey to Netherfield where they would each spend their wedding nights. He smiled broadly at the well-wishers as the horses pulled away. He caught Elizabeth's eye and their gazes locked. Darcy raised his hand to brush her cheek and slowly leaned forward to taste the sweetest honey that waited upon her lips. As long as he lived, Darcy thought he would never tire of kissing his wife. \ufffdHIS wife,' he thought and his mouth pressed more passionately against hers. Her lips opened and a soft sigh escaped, granting him further access to her sweetness. A bump in the road jostled the lovers out of their embrace. Elizabeth's glance moved to the driver and whip then back to her husband's passion-filled face. She blushed and, unable to meet his eyes any longer, wrenched her gaze from him to her lap. He drifted his fingers along her cheek, but did not force her to look at him. \ufffdIndeed,' thought he, \ufffdit is better this way. I could easily scandalize us both. Even touching her cheek tempts danger.' He reluctantly allowed his hand to drop to his lap and attempted to ease the mounting tension. \"Elizabeth, I had thought we would travel to Pemberley on the day after tomorrow. Does this suit you?\" \"Oh!\" she cried, startled from her fantasies. She guiltily raised her eyes to his face and found a knowing smile awaiting her. She flushed again and replied, \"That sounds wonderful. I cannot wait to see my new home again. Only this time, I will be able to walk about without trepidation. I wonder though,\" she teased, \"will I meet with such handsome scenery as before?\" His brow furrowed, \"To my knowledge, their have been no changes to the grounds.\" He looked blankly at her, but, upon seeing her teasing grin, he flushed. \"Oh,\" he replied under his breath, \"Elizabeth, I had no idea that you were on the grounds at the time. I was exhausted and hot from my journey--\" She smiled and silenced his words by gently laying a soft finger against his mouth. \"Hush, my love, I was not complaining. Merely speculating at the possibility of that meeting occurring again.\" The carriage pulled into the gates at Netherfield and halted at the door. The footman opened the door and moved to take Mrs. Darcy's hand to help her out. Her husband interrupted his move by saying, \"That will do. I will see to Mrs. Darcy.\" Elizabeth's heart raced at his possessiveness. A spark of electricity lept between their joined hands as he helped her from the carriage. Darcy nodded to Bingley as he and Jane pulled up behind him. \"Well, Darcy, how does it feel to be a married man?\" Bingley called while helping Jane from the carriage. Darcy looked at his bride lovingly and squeezed her hand, \"I find the married state to be quite agreeable.\" \"Come, then, we must toast to our happiness!\" Bingley led the group into the main salon and called for a servant. \"Jennings! Bring in the champagne!\" The man entered a short time later bearing a silver tray laden with a bottle and four glasses. Bingley poured the champagne and passed the glasses, his face a wreath of smiles. \"To Darcy and Elizabeth, myself and Jane, may we be the happiest couples that ever lived!\" Darcy replied, \"Here, here,\" and the glasses were clinked all around. The couples sat and chatted for some time about the ceremony and the length of the days leading up to it. At length, Bingley spoke, \"If you will excuse us, I would like to show Jane more of her new home.\" Darcy, recognizing the excuse for what it was--a chance to be alone-- immediately stood and replied, \"An excellent idea, Bingley. Would you mind if Elizabeth and I toured the grounds?\" \"Not at all, we will see you for dinner at six.\" The little party broke up and the couples each sought their own privacy. Darcy escorted Elizabeth through a side door. They walked, arm in arm, to a small grove of trees and he pulled her into his arms. \"Mr. Darcy!\" she cried, startled out of her reverie. \"What about the servants?\" \"Hang the servants,\" he swore, \"it has been too long since I've held you.\" She eagerly wrapped her arms around his neck and chided, \"It was only yesterday.\" \"Exactly so,\" he ground out, \"too long.\" His lips captured hers in a wild kiss. He gathered her closer; his hands roamed over her back, inflaming her senses, making her hungry for more. Of what that \ufffdmore' consisted, she was uncertain. She pressed closer still and felt her knees buckle as he trailed fiery kisses down her neck to her collar bone. His arms banded around her for support as he moved forward and crowded her agai"}, {"response": 505, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (18:01)", "body": "Felicia: That was just lovely and you've got my vote for continuing! Hmm..trees appear to be a popular item these days. Could it be the wood? ;-D"}, {"response": 506, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (20:15)", "body": "Thanks, Felicia..... \"we will finish this.\" Go Felicia, go!"}, {"response": 507, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (22:54)", "body": "She searched his chest for some break in his clothing, aching with the need to feel his skin. Whoa, Lizzy! To be in your wedding boots! Go to it. Thanks, Felicia. Very refreshing indeed. Any more apres-wedding scenes? \"Please don't misunderstand,\" he replied, his eyes filled with promise, \"we will finish this.\" Darcy did promise. (Bobby) by the way... I'm on the, he was not a virgin bandwagon. And I'm on that bandwagon too. Your story idea holds great promise. I especially like Lizzy wrestling with comparisons to Lydia. Feeling tapped out myself, I hope someone else is busily typing away."}, {"response": 508, "author": "natrad", "date": "Sat, Jul 25, 1998 (10:12)", "body": "Bravo Heide, Bobby & Felicia~! It has been some time since I have visited the site, and to be greeted by two wonderful new stories! Wow! I too agree that some aspiring author should explore the courtship of Elizabeth & Darcy ... but so fervently ? What is to be left for their wedding night, if this were the case?"}, {"response": 509, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Jul 25, 1998 (20:29)", "body": "Quite. Flights of fantasy fuelled with personal imaginings are all very well, but historically rather inaccurate. Either do what Helen Fielding's done and reinvent a modern Darcy, or bite your lips and be true to the period. Period.:-)"}, {"response": 510, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jul 26, 1998 (17:07)", "body": "(Nat) I too agree that some aspiring author should explore the courtship of Elizabeth & Darcy ... but so fervently? What is to be left for their wedding night, if this were the case? Oh, I think it can be done fervently (good choice, Nat) without taking them over the line. Of course, it depends on where that line is drawn.;-) Ann2 has done some very nice scenes in this vein. I think the envelope can be pushed just a bit further (after all, this is Drool) and still remain within the realm of propriety."}, {"response": 511, "author": "Falcon1", "date": "Wed, Jul 29, 1998 (13:19)", "body": "Why is it so inconceiveable that even with all their propriety and attention to what is \"correct\" behavior, that on a walk the day before they are married, less then 24 hours before they are married that they couldn't get overwhelmed and cross the line? I don't think it would be an intentional act, but an accident. They have been \"playing with fire.\" The guilt and the belief that eveyone could \"tell\" might be funny. Let them go for a walk before the last supper before they get married the next mornin . Then they have to eat dinner with the Bennetts and act as if nothing happened. Would it be so wrong? So evil???"}, {"response": 512, "author": "MLouM", "date": "Wed, Jul 29, 1998 (14:46)", "body": "]Let them go for a walk before the last supper before they get married the next morning. Then they have to eat dinner with the Bennetts and act as if nothing happened. Would it be so wrong? So evil??? I see nothing wrong with this? You're right Susan...this could be pretty darn funny! I've seen worse at some wedding rehearsal dinners! :-D"}, {"response": 513, "author": "Falcon1", "date": "Wed, Jul 29, 1998 (15:07)", "body": "Another good part about it would be that they both would want to go back to the woods instead of eat dinner, but would sooner die of shame before they would admit it to each other. I think there is a lot that could be done with it. Lou Can you write me a story? Please? beg...grovel...plead...."}, {"response": 514, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Jul 29, 1998 (18:42)", "body": "Mr Darcy acting like a besotted teenager? For one thing, he, a responsible, experienced, self-possessed gentleman, would not deprive his bride - and himself, for that matter - of the thrill and romance of the traditional first night... Boring? Maybe - but in keeping with the character!"}, {"response": 515, "author": "Falcon1", "date": "Wed, Jul 29, 1998 (20:09)", "body": "I knew Arami would jump all over this. I am not talking about a planned seduction. That WOULD be out of character. I do not believe EVERY single bride in Regency England was a virgin. That was the goal. I also don't think, from reading other regency romances, (which I know are certainly not expected to be canon either) that accidental or unplanned passion the night before the wedding would be totally uncharacteristic. I DO think bragging about it, telling anyone about it, or not being a little asham d of it WOULD be out of character. They knew it was unacceptable behavior, unlike now, with people living together and flaunting it. Being engaged at this time was the same as married as far as legal stuff. Once the marriage settlement was signed, people didn't back out. It is not as if he would dump her after he \"got\" her. We're not talking wanton sex. Just a kiss and hug that got away from them. That happens to the best of people. Good character and breeding also show when one knows when to blush and feel a touch of shame. Forgive me Arami?"}, {"response": 516, "author": "Bobby", "date": "Wed, Jul 29, 1998 (22:29)", "body": "I agree with the statement- that people don't really change all that much. What we read about the supposed moral of the time is simply what was recorded because of what was reported. There were no Masters & Johnson back then \"attempting\" scientific studies to set the record straight. Those not interested, didn't because they did have to and those who had a real passion and love experienced the same temptations and desires we all have had (hopefully still have) today- the struggle that is different is the social acceptance/pressure/ expectation. Everyon depicts them as having a very honest love- I just believe they were not as chaste as a few kisses... how many of you out there could resist that man standing in front of you????? Besides, there is so much love and passion in the slow discovery of another... one step at a time. ...I admit I am reflecting on old memories;) Just my thoughts Bobby"}, {"response": 517, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Jul 30, 1998 (01:08)", "body": "all I have to say is that fanfic is not called 'fanfic' for nothing.... people have every right to express their creativity, whether or not it's keeping in character, taking creative liscence, whatever.... and I very much doubt that there will be complaints once the story has been posted... It's a guilty pleasure I'm sure we all like to indulge in every once in a while!"}, {"response": 518, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jul 30, 1998 (14:11)", "body": "(Susan)I knew Arami would jump all over this... LOL!!! Forgive me Arami? As if you cared!!! ;-) Or anyone, for that matter!!! Well, all right - I agree that all is fair in love, war, and fiction... But personally I am not able to accept that Darcy would put his beloved and himself in that position - and particularly not if they both knew that they were to get married soon enough. In those times, the period of engagement and courtship (in that order!) was very short - weeks, up to a few months at most - which served to avoid prolonged mounting tension. It was much more thrilling for both the lovers to enter the bedchamber for the first time without a prior carnal knowledge of each other... And the question of virginity didn't even come into it! Attitudes towards virginity of brides were quite relaxed in the 18th and early 19th centuries. (Too often is that period confused with the prudery and moral strictness of Victorianism.) At least one marriage and sex advice book from around that time (yes, they did have them! and freely displayed in libraries) recommends that a woman should NOT be a virgin on her wedding night!!! as it might prove an embarrassing and messy obstacle for the husband... No, I am not talking about the pure mechanics of sex and mutual attraction. I am talking about the strength of characters and the simple fact that attitudes to controlling one's biological urges were viewed somewhat differently in that era. People, and especially men, vere very libidinous. It is therefore my view that Darcy's self-control in anticipation of the wedding night would also be a way of expressing his love and respect."}, {"response": 519, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 30, 1998 (16:25)", "body": "Good to see you posting, Winter. It's been a long time. We've missed you and Jana."}, {"response": 520, "author": "MLouM", "date": "Thu, Jul 30, 1998 (18:52)", "body": "ACK! The great 'Darcy acting as a besotted teenager' debate is in full swing! (Great line Arami!) *giggle* I think everyone is making good sense here, on many points. I had more of something else in mind. I really would not expect Darcy to 'overstep the bounds of propriety' on the night before his wedding. He's much too much of a stuffed shirt for that! But, since women were relatively unencumbered with such thoughts and deeds before they married (or so most men thought back then) and since Elizabeth is such a 'playful' woman...wouldn't it be fun to find out just how far she could pursuade Darcy? and hersel for that matter? Without spoiling any wedding night memories that is? After all, we know how Darcy pines for Elizabeth...and almost loses his composure in her company! I should like to write a story for you Susan...no groveling necessary at all ;-), but thanks for the confidence!"}, {"response": 521, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Jul 30, 1998 (20:29)", "body": "Evelyn: Good to see you posting, Winter. It's been a long time. why, thank you evelyn! Nice to be here... I lurk more often than post, since this damn computer is so slow in loading all the messages, and reloading them after I log in is sometimes not worth the hassle. BTW.. there's a cute scene in the published P&P fanfic, \"The Diary of Henry Fitzwilliam Darcy\"...Darcy's refers to himself as being \"besotted\" with Lizzy. I highly recommend reading it."}, {"response": 522, "author": "natrad", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (06:09)", "body": "Whoa ~ what have I started here?! Sorry if I trod on any toes, that wasn't my intention. When I said fervently , I was alluding to 'all the way' ... anything short of that would be perfect, as Ann2 does so extraordinarily well! (I agree with you there, Heide!) I'm sure we have all wished at some point for the ultimate play of passion between E&D prior to the marriage, but don't you think it would destroy something of your impression of the two?! It's like, for instance, say they bought out a new version of P&P2 with a wedding night scene ... you'd be thinking 'Woo-hoo!', but of course you'd then be disappointed because it would destroy your own illusion of the wedding night. The absence of one allows you to dream (and yearn) for such a scene to exist ... In much the same way, if I had known that E&D had 'done the deed' prior to the wedding night, it would eliminate some of the romance from their relationship, even though it is something I've often thought about. Everyone loves the thought of unbridled passion, do they not?! And in reality, they are only human, but I seem to have this strange tendency to put E&D on a pedestal (a passionate couple, yes, but a virtuous couple ...) I just have this romantic notion of wedding nights being the irst time, at least in reference to the period of the text. I wouldn't be expecting the same sort of restraint from a 1990s version of the two, like in Bridget Jone's Diary (thanks, Arami!) However, having said all the above, I would still welcome such a fanfic, and you are right, Winter, that is what the board is for ... a little dreaming, a lot of passion! That's my two cents for today :) No doubt it will cause another 'heated' debate, but I'd be content if someone would write a scene instead! That's really what I'm trying to arouse! Someone posting 'A Romp at Oakham Mount' (that name just oozes sexual innuendo!), or 'A Little Lovin' at Longbourn', in indignance to my response! Go ahead, my friends, I dare thee!:) Then we could all debate that instead!"}, {"response": 523, "author": "Falcon1", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (09:47)", "body": "How about this--Ann2's story is wonderful. Darcy and Lizzy still playing with fire, the long, slow walk back from Netherfield, where are Charles and Jane? Lizzy walked alone we know, so while Lizzy was gone Jane and Charles decided to look for her. Lizzy was gone a lot longer than expected. While they don't find Lizzy and Darcy, they start a little fire of their own. WHAT IF: After dinner that night, Jane comes to Lizzy's room with a confession: Lizzy, you won't believe what happened. We didn't me n for it to, but it did. Lizzy, it was wonderful. Don't believe what Mama says about \"marital duties.\" But she's shy and embarrassed as well. Now: Charles tells Darcy, too. Lizzy and Darcy go for a walk the next day, THE DAY BEFORE THEIR WEDDING. They don't know the other knows. Do they discuss it? What do they think? Does Ann2 write at the Spring? I haven't had time to go back through all the stories to look for her. I just wondered if she would write an \"after the wedding\" for here. I can hardly get into Spring, much less figure out how to use the \"search' function."}, {"response": 524, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (16:49)", "body": "Felicia \"Please don't misunderstand,\" he replied, his eyes filled with promise, \"we will finish this.\" You are planning to, aren't you? ;-D"}, {"response": 525, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (16:57)", "body": "(Nat) Whoa ~ what have I started here?! Sorry if I trod on any toes, that wasn't my intention. Oh, you haven't trodden on any toes, dear--we're just a vocal group ;-) Don't worry about it. (Susan) Does Ann2 write at the Spring? You can find Ann2's wonderful stories over at the Bits of Ivory Author's List at the Republic of Pemberley. All of her stories are terrific, but I think I like Heartfelt Delight the best...so sensual. Though her most recent, Perfectly Amiable is heating up as well :-)~~~"}, {"response": 526, "author": "Veronica", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (22:13)", "body": "Okay ladies. You have inspired me. I hope it suits. The day had been interminable. Tomorrow they would wed and yet today had seemed an eternity. Fitzwilliam Darcy had spent the morning with his valet, making sure his wedding clothes were in order and his trunks packed for the wedding trip to London and the return to Pemberley with his bride. His bride, meanwhile, was engaged in similar tasks: checking her gown, packing her trunk, and thinking nervously of the immense journey ahead of her. She longed to see her betrothed and yet, at this last moment, was nervous. Darcy and Bingley arrived in the mid-afternoon, early for the evening meal to which they had been invited. Mrs. Bennet had no intention of letting the gentlemen interfere with her complicated plans for the supper and the next day\ufffds wedding and, near hysteria, shooed her two eldest daughters out with instructions to keep their fianc\ufffds out of the house. Jane and Elizabeth were only too happy to oblige. Dressed for a walk, the Bennet sisters joined Darcy and Bingley and started out toward their accustomed destination. As usual, they began as a quartet and, as usual, soon became two duets. Jane and Bingley lagged behind, chatting and giggling as Darcy and Elizabeth strode forward, their natural energy enhanced by a good deal of apprehension. In the past few weeks, Elizabeth\ufffds initial shyness had evaporated as she learned the gentleness and kindness of the man she was to marry. She had begun to relax in his company and had been charmed by his grave courtesy and the hint of restrained passion that smouldered right behind his eyes. The first time Darcy kissed her, Elizabeth had understood what it was he was feeling and an answering flame and leapt to life within her. As their courtship progressed, she had often desired to feel his lips against hers and had, sometimes, been exceedingly importunate in her campaign to have the kiss repeated. She enjoyed the heat ignited by his kiss and longed to understand what would follow. But she knew he would care for her. He would not overstep the bounds of propriety and he would protect her. She felt safe with him. Today, as they walked toward Oakham Mount, both were acutely aware of what the next day would bring. Darcy felt the desire he had held in check mounting perilously. His arms ached to enfold Elizabeth and he dared not even look at her. Elizabeth\ufffds cheeks were flushed, as much from her thoughts as from the exercise. Suddenly, she was nervous about being so close to her bridegroom. What would tomorrow be like? Jane\ufffds voice rang out behind them, causing them stop and turn. \ufffdLizzy, Mr. Darcy. We are going to turn off here. I promised Mama that I would fetch some ribbon in Meryton.\ufffd Elizabeth hesitated a moment before answering. \ufffdVery well, Jane. We will meet you here in an hour.\ufffd She turned and, for the first time since leaving Longbourn, her eyes met Darcy\ufffds. He held her gaze for a long moment, looking intently into her clear, hazel eyes. She could not look away. Her breathing quickened and the colour flared in her cheeks. Without moving his gaze, Darcy took her hand and tucked it securely in the crook of his arm. She moved close to him and they continued their silent walk. As their walk continued, they seem to move closer to each other until, by necessity, Darcy\ufffds arm slid around Elizabeth\ufffds waist. She did not draw away, but leaned a little into his loose embrace and enjoyed the sensation of contact with his lean frame. The sun had gone behind a cloud and the air had cooled. They entered a thickly forested part of the walk and it seemed cooler still. Elizabeth shivered, and Darcy moved his arm up around her shoulder. She stopped walking and he quickly removed his arm. She turned to face him and shook her head. \ufffdPlease do not take it away.\ufffd Darcy looked puzzled for a moment and then, as Elizabeth laid her hands against his chest, understood. His hands came up to caress her shoulders and he looked deeply into her eyes. She returned a steadfast gaze that made his heart race. \ufffdElizabeth.\ufffd Her name was a whisper and then he leaned down and kissed her, so gently that it felt like a continuation of that whisper. She murmured his name and slipped her arms around him. Darcy\ufffds only choice was to draw her closer. His arms came around her and folded her to him. She leaned into his embrace with a grateful sigh and clung tightly to him. She tilted her head back and looked at him with a look that, at once, bespoke desire and hesitation. Darcy lowered his head and kissed her once again. Her lips were so sweet and her body so soft against him, that he did not end the kiss as he usually did, chastely and with regret. No, the thought echoed through his mind: tomorrow, she would be his wife . Instead, his arms tightened around her and he prolonged the kiss, parting his lips and teasing hers with his tongue until she opened her mouth beneath his. Darcy held her against him and kissed her until her senses were on fire. Elizabeth sigh"}, {"response": 527, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (22:40)", "body": "Ooh, we have another writer here. Veronica, excellent! Very inspirational and satisfying to all, I'm sure. I love your images but especially - Startled, Darcy reluctantly raised his head and looked for the source of the sound. Seeing nothing, he looked back at his bride-to-be, standing close to him with an expression of dazed happiness on her face.. Sound? What sound? And then... \ufffdOh! Mr. Darcy. Fitzwilliam\ufffd\ufffd Oh, bother, what is your name? Thanks, Veronica."}, {"response": 528, "author": "natrad", "date": "Sat, Aug  1, 1998 (04:35)", "body": "(Veronica) Elizabeth was dizzy with desire Dizzy Lizzy, eh?! I'm sorry, but this immediately came to mind as I read that line. LOL! Really wonderful stuff, Veronica ... I'm mightily impressed! That's the kind of thing I was alluding to ... I'm so glad you took on the challenge, as it profited well! (Nan) I think Heartfelt Delight is the best ... so sensual. Though her most recent, Perfectly Amiable, is heating up as well ... Couldn't agree more ... if only you could see the chest of drawers next to my bed ... it's absolutely chockers with printed out copies of her stories! I believe it is the epitome of obsession ... I frequently read the latest chapters of PA before I go to sleep at night ... they're too precious not to! I'd have to say that, overall, my favourite paragraph comes from (I think the story is) 'Properly Humbled', in which Darcy can not return to Pemberley because of the painful memories it would incite. He's contemplating the fact that he will never have the chance to show her around the grounds, play the piano for him, sit beside him at the table, share his bed, give birth to his children ... Wow... , that bit always gets me! :) To be thought of completing someone so entirely ... Ann2 has a rare gift when it comes to exploring the mysterious realms of the mind of Darcy, or at least the Darcy I'd love to be acquainted with! I have mentioned countless times on the BoI response page that she should post at Spring, but I'd have to admit that she really has no need to. Her stories are so exquisitely sensual, as you say, without anything needing to be expressed explicitly. Magician!"}, {"response": 529, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug  1, 1998 (08:51)", "body": "Darcy held her against him and kissed her until her senses were on fire. Elizabeth was dizzy with desire. Darcy had never kissed her like this and it was, she realized, what she had been longing for without knowing it. Ooh! Makes me all tingly just thinking about it. Great job, Veronica. Hope you contribute more of same and often! ;-)"}, {"response": 530, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Aug  1, 1998 (09:27)", "body": "Ohhhh, Veronica"}, {"response": 531, "author": "MLouM", "date": "Sat, Aug  1, 1998 (11:37)", "body": "Ooohhh, Ver-on-i-ca! I am aflutter! :) \ufffdElizabeth.\ufffd Her name was a whisper and then he leaned down and kissed her, so gently that it felt like a continuation of that whisper. *sigh* Lovely! Somewhere in the distance a twigged snapped. Startled, Darcy reluctantly raised his head and looked for the source of the sound. Wow! Why do I get a picture in my mind of a Stag standing in the forest with his Doe? It's Bambi parallelisms from when I was a kid, huh? ;-) But a great image, nonetheless. What a fine story. Perhaps you will write more, soon?"}, {"response": 532, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sat, Aug  1, 1998 (11:51)", "body": "(Nat) Ann2 has a rare gift when it comes to exploring the mysterious realms of the mind of Darcy, or at least the Darcy I'd love to be acquainted with! Aaah, you've hit it! Her Darcy is just what I imagine him to be--passionate, but level-headed, affectionate but respectful, playful but dignified. *sigh* I have mentioned countless times on the BoI response page that she should post at Spring, but I'd have to admit that she really has no need to. Of course I'd love to see Ann2 post at Spring, if she so chooses, but I understand her feelings about Pemberley and BoI. If I had her abilities, I would want to post my stories at BoI--a place where I know everyone and feel comfortable. Whatever she wants to do is okay with me :-) (Nat) Her stories are so exquisitely sensual, as you say, without anything needing to be expressed explicitly. Magician! Is she not terrific? I had the great pleasure of meeting Ann2 at the Cape this year and found her altogether delightful. Great sense of humor, humility and a glint of mischief :-)"}, {"response": 533, "author": "natrad", "date": "Sun, Aug  2, 1998 (03:27)", "body": "(Nan) If I had her abilities, I would want to post my stories at BoI--a place where I know everyone and feel comfortable. Couldn't agree more ... I really appreciate the atmosphere at the Republic, even with the current 'friction' due to the introduction of ModJane, etc ... It doesn't bother me too much, but I can understand the reasons for the to do ... I suppose some authors don't like their stories to be taken out of the context they know and love, into an 'alien' environment ... I know when I first posted, I so feared ridicule and rejection (although I have been a 'silent' member at RoP for over a year and a half) ... but I was so relieved and heartened to see that everyone's contribution is appreciated and acknowledged (yes, even little old me and my palty contributions!) I am admittedly hooked to it now, and am annoyed when I can't check the storyboard everyday! (Nan) Is she not terrific? I had the great pleasure of meeting Ann2 at the Cape this year and found her altogether delightful. Great sense of humor, humility and a glint of mischief :-) Lucky you! Unfortunately, being in Australia makes it quite difficult for me to make such trips, although I do hope to meet up with some of the European based members at the end of the year! The non-Austen-loving friend I am going with will not be too pleased, but I am determined to meet some of them! As for Ann2, she was one of the first I read, and remains my favourite. I esteem her writing so highly, that I can not imagine what it would be like to meet her. This must seem terribly ridiculous, but to me she has cult status! You can not begin to imagine my delight when I received commendation from her on my first story! To think that she had found my writing even a little amusing! I've got that post printed out somewhere also ... sigh ... what a fool! As for meetings, you Americans are so lucky as to live near so many other RoP and Drool members ... I think there is only one girl in my state at RoP, and her visits appear to be very rare! All the other Aussies who post live about 4000 kms away, so I'm doomed to fly solo! P.S. All hail the irreverent Queen Ann2!"}, {"response": 534, "author": "JennieC", "date": "Sun, Aug  2, 1998 (07:59)", "body": "Hi Nat, I'm pretty sure I'm the one other girl. My visits are not so very rare, I swear I lurk virtually every day, I just haven't had the inspiration (or more importantly, courage) to write anything. I am selfishly content to sit back and read all the wonderfully brilliant contributions from the other writers, including your work, (which I enjoyed thoroughly, esp. cos I knew all the references). I'm also envious of all the American members and their meetings! Anyway, I have said this here once before but I just want to say again, Thanks so much to all the writers for all the great stuff you write, here and at Pemberley and DWG. Please keep it up :) I love what you do."}, {"response": 535, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug  2, 1998 (11:06)", "body": "Hi everybody,....like Jennie, I'm just a lurker and always will be....have no writing talent. . All hail the irreverent Queen Ann2! Pl. tell me where in RoP does Ann reside (post). Must go there at once. BoI--a place where I know everyone and feel comfortable. Where is this Bol.....place??"}, {"response": 536, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  2, 1998 (11:12)", "body": "Evelyn Bits of Ivory is at http://www.pemberley.com/bin/webbbs/fanfic.cgi Under the title, you will see a pick for the \"Archive,\" where you can look up Ann2's current and past stories by \"Author Listing.\""}, {"response": 537, "author": "MLouM", "date": "Sun, Aug  2, 1998 (13:38)", "body": "Something I cut out of a story that was posted at RoP, for obvious reasons ;-) Darcy quietly opened the door and stepped into their rooms. There was a roaring fire in the fireplace and a delightful sitting area by it. The room itself was not elegant, but romantically rustic. Darcy smiled when he spied the champagne that his cousin had procured through the underground, and two glasses sitting on a table. He glanced around the room, but his wife was no where to be seen. Darcy assumed she was still in her dressing area, so he proceeded to open the champagne. Elizabeth was indeed still in her dressing room, staring at herself in the looking glass. Fixing her hair this way, then that way, letting it fall on her shoulders while making faces at herself. \"What a ridiculous creature I am!\" she whispered to herself. She wanted to look flawless for him. She had on the nightgown that her aunt had given her, and she was pleased with how she looked in it. Now if only her husband would be pleased. She reached for the door latch to the main bedchamber, then faltered and quickly took another look at herself in the glass. She heard the cork on the champagne pop and she jumped in the air and grabbed her chest in shock. She took a deep breath and tried to bring herself back to the composure she had possessed during the wedding ceremony. \"What must he think of me?\" she muttered to herself. \"He is waiting, and here I am still in my dressing room. You are just a little nervous, is all,\" she told her reflection. Elizabeth had always thought with her heart, she could not understand why now would be any different. Darcy removed his watch fob and placed it on a dresser, underneath the looking glass. He removed his coat, and waistcoat and threw them across a chair, then stared at himself in the glass. He had the same strange feeling in the pit of his stomach, the one he always had whenever he saw Elizabeth for the first time after a separation. He tried to clear the jumble that was in his head. He was not thinking anything in particular, visions simply flew in and out of his mind. He had always been a man who wa sensible in his thoughts. He had been taught to analyze a situation, then take the appropriate action. He realized that this philosophy was not befitting the moment. He was not sure what to remove next, so he procrastinated and stood there looking at his reflection. An image behind him caught his eye, and he stared at her reflection in the glass. She was standing still, staring at him and then he thought he saw her shiver. \"Fitzwilliam?\" she whispered timidly. Darcy took that as his cue to turn around and face her. He tried to think of something to say, but each time he began to speak, his mind told him it was not the right thing. He simply stood looking at her and his hands went numb from nervousness. She gazed back at him for some time, then she cast her glance away, unable to match his concentration any longer. Darcy realized that perhaps his own nervousness was matched by that of his new wife\ufffds. \"Would you care for a glass of champagne?\" \"Yes,\" she said with a tense smile. His hand shook a little as he poured two glasses, then picked them up and walked towards her, handing her one. She took a small sip, while nervously keeping her eyes on her husband, then placed the glass on a table. Darcy felt more awkward than he had ever felt in his life. He realized he must say something, for he did not want Elizabeth to think that his silence was any negative reflection on her. \"You are more beautiful than I have ever been able to imagine. I have never seen you look\ufffd\" his voice trailed off and he sighed lowering his eyes. He put his glass down on the table without touching its contents. Elizabeth took pity on his discomfiture. She smiled when she recognized the naivet\ufffd he possessed in matters of his heart. It was one of the things she loved about him, once she had learned to understand it. She took in a deep breath and found some calm and clarity to the moment. She reached up and lightly touched his cheek, letting her hand caress his face down to his chin. She moved closer to him and intoxicated all his senses."}, {"response": 538, "author": "MLouM", "date": "Sun, Aug  2, 1998 (13:40)", "body": "Darcy reached his hand out and cradled the side of Elizabeth\ufffds face in his palm, and she allowed herself to fall completely into his touch. Before he was conscious of his actions, he bent down and placed a tentative and gentle kiss on her lips. As he pulled back, his eyes fluttered open to see her beautiful face, her eyes still closed in anticipation of more. Resolution took over his senses, and he desired everything he had witnessed in his dreams of her. He wrapped his arms around her, his hands cares ing her back through the soft thin material of her nightgown. She willingly reached her arms around his neck and he could feel her pulling him towards her. \"Kiss me again,\" she commanded under her breath. Darcy\ufffds heart pounded with his desire for her, and with eagerness his hands moved to the sides of her face, as he kissed her as he had never done before. Elizabeth was entirely consumed by his fire, and she wanted his kisses more than she had wanted anything else in her entire life. After some time she tenderly pulled back from their impassioned embrace and opened her eyes. She took him completely by surprise and he opened his eyes in alarm, hoping he had not offended or hurt her. \"Elizabeth,\" he breathed. \"Have I\ufffdare you alright, my love?\" She smiled and silently nodded her head. Her hand reached up again to stroke his face, and he realized that the coarse growth of his beard had scraped against her soft, tender skin, reddening it. He gently touched her chin and bent down to place a soft kiss on it. He moaned a little, \"Forgive my eagerness\ufffdbut I cannot help wanting you, for I have desired you for so long.\" \"Fitzwilliam\ufffd\" she gasped. \"\ufffdI want to be your wife, your lover--to know what love\ufffds joy is. I want to give you everything, my husband--if you will show me.\" Darcy had not given much thought to Elizabeth\ufffds innocence before then, he had always looked on her as a spirit to match his own. His heart melted thinking of her selflessness to want to please him. With the pulsing of each moment he loved her and ached for her more. \"We shall show each other, my lovely wife, for I know not what it is to act as a husband should. Until now, I have only known the desires of a man, who longed for his woman from a distance.\" Elizabeth\ufffds hands reached up for his cravat, and his hands caressed hers as she anxiously worked on the knot. He assisted her with it and having untied it, he pulled it off and let it drop to the floor. Her stare was transfixed on his face as she undid the buttons of his shirt. She slipped her hand under it and ran her palm over the skin of his chest, eliciting a shiver and moan from his person. Almost at the very moment she undid the last button, Darcy discarded the shirt and bent again to gently kiss the nape of her neck. His fingers moved to the material of her nightgown and he slipped his hand underneath the sleeve and pushed it from her shoulder. He did the same with the other sleeve and the gown slipped to around the spread of her hips. He glanced at her revealed body and with the allure of a bee to the petals of a flower, his hand moved to caress her softness. She exhibited every sign f enjoyment at the deed and he ventured further, placing kisses under her chin and slowly moving down to the hollow between her breasts. A soft moan escaped her lips and her hands moved through his dark hair, urging him to continue. He gently pulled away and moved back to gaze into her eyes. He smiled his approval of her acceptance and he grasped her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing the palm of it as he whispered. \"You are so beautiful, your skin is so soft, so fair and perfect, the scent of it so sweet and ever tempting.\" She pulled her hand away and moved them to her hips and pushed the remnant of the nightgown to the floor. Her countenance was determined, and she had no desire to stop this diversion of which they were engaged. She had felt undeniable desire as their bodies pressed together. She moved the softness of her hand to the front of him and worked on the buttons which had not yet been undone. This time he assisted her intently and when each button had succumbed, he pushed the remnants of his clothes to the fl or. Neither of them had the courage to remove their eyes from the lock of the other\ufffds. He finally reached out and pulled her body over to his. Darcy had taken all of this play that he could possibly endure. He wrapped his arms around her and lifted Elizabeth onto the bed, moving himself over her body as she again caressed his face."}, {"response": 539, "author": "MLouM", "date": "Sun, Aug  2, 1998 (13:43)", "body": "By now Elizabeth was breathing rapidly and she voluntarily moved herself so he could come closer. A moment of fear overcame her as she tried to imagine what was to come. Darcy sensed her inhibition and he whispered words of compassion to her. \"Do not be afraid, Elizabeth. I love you so.\" Her fears slipped away as he spoke and she closed her eyes awaiting the first singe of pain and pleasure, that she had been told to expect. He could wait no longer and reached down to guide himself to her. He pushed a little, then waited as he felt her body tense. When she again relaxed, he moved forward until he felt resistance. He again waited, this time caressing her face with his hand. She smiled and raised herself towards him, and he moved his mouth over hers in a kiss and gave a commanding push Her mouth left his and she gasped as she gave herself to him. When he was convinced that he had caused her little anguish he began to move himself slowly, until he built up to a steady pulse. The pleasure he felt from her body was indescribable, and he continued his movements, not wanting to stop. Elizabeth too was completely enraptured by the sensations and emotions taking possession of her mind and body by the act of love. She was no longer afraid, but wanted more and more of his sensual attentions. She felt as if their souls had stirred and at that moment her body unsettled, leaving her panting for breath. She cried out as her body heaved and every sentiment that she had felt for the last year, good and bad, rose to the surface and poured out of her mind. Darcy was far too entranced in his passions to notice her outpouring. He let out a shudder and moan of blissful finality, and let his body rest atop Elizabeth\ufffds, with the support of an arm. He felt as if he could laugh and weep at the same instance, until he realized that Elizabeth\ufffds body was gently shaking beneath him. He abruptly opened his eyes to see tears streaming down his wife\ufffds cheeks. \"Elizabeth?\" he questioned, with genuine fear. She shook even harder, however through her tears her face illuminated in joy. \"My love, you have not caused me discomfort. I had no will but to pour out my feelings, as you have shown me how remarkable our love is.\" \"I do love you, Elizabeth,\" he smiled down at her. \"I love and cherish you, with every aspect of my being.\" He moved himself to her side and pulled her close, caressing her unrestricted locks and stopping to kiss her in comfort and in love. Thus was their first moments in intimacy, and they spent most of that night discovering the breadth of their love and desires for each other. Darcy\ufffds soul again inflamed and Elizabeth needed him as much as he did her. This time however, Elizabeth was not as reticent and she willingly gave herself to him, and celebrated in the pleasures he gave to her in return. The lovers finally drifted to sleep, their minds devoid of any of the strife they had known in their connection before their union, and their odies entwined comfortably in jubilant familiarity."}, {"response": 540, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug  2, 1998 (17:25)", "body": "I'm breathless.Thank you . Glad you decided to post that section for us."}, {"response": 541, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Aug  2, 1998 (19:52)", "body": "(Evelyn) Good to see you posting, Winter. It's been a long time. We've missed you and Jana. Thanks, for missing me Evelyn :-). I'm here once or twice a week lurking, but just havn't found time to post. I will try and do better because I miss all of you too! Winter, it was nice to see you! Lou and Veronica, goodness what a treat. Two fabulous stories waiting for me. I loved them both. Heart is definitely beating faster! I am also a closet fan of Ann2 at ROP, although I've never de-lurked there. Nat, I'm like you. I have copies of all her stuff that I read over and over!"}, {"response": 542, "author": "Felicia", "date": "Mon, Aug  3, 1998 (08:36)", "body": "The promised wedding night scene.....I hope you enjoy it! Elizabeth sat at the vanity in her dressing room and watched as her maid, Betty, gently pulled the pins from her mistress' hair. Elizabeth's glorious locks tumbled down her back as Betty reached for a brush to softly tame them. As the brush easily slid through her hair, the newest Mrs. Darcy thought back to the wedding dinner she and her husband shared with the Bingleys. It had been a quiet affair, neither couple doing more than push the elegant food around their plates. Elizabeth had wondered if her face would ever return to its normal shade. Every time her eyes met Darcy's--which was quite often indeed--the look he gave her forced her eyes down and her color up. She and Jane had retired to their rooms while the gentlemen remained downstairs to enjoy their after dinner port. Unbeknownst to the women, though, neither man took much pleasure in their normal activities. Each was consumed with his own thoughts regarding the night ahead. Only when Elizabeth's hair glistened like a silken waterfall did Betty put aside the brush. \"Do you wish to change, Mrs. Darcy?\" Elizabeth was startled from her reverie by the sound of her new name. \ufffdMrs. Darcy,' she thought. \ufffdI shall never tire of hearing that.' Aloud, she replied, \"No, Betty, I believe I shall stay in my wedding gown. It feels too wonderful--almost as if a dream. And I am afraid that if I take it off, I will awaken.\" Betty curtseyed and left the boudoir. Elizabeth rose and followed her maid to the bedroom which she would share with her husband. As the maid arranged her lady's dresses, Elizabeth glanced around, savoring the moment. Her eyes spied a gaily wrapped box on a corner table. \"Betty, what is this?\" she asked as she gingerly lifted the heavy, but beautifully carved wooden vessel. \"Oh, \ufffdtis a gift from Mr. Darcy, ma'am.\" She curtseyed again and left the room. Elizabeth eagerly untied the ribbon and lifted the lid of the box. The soft strains of Beethoven's Adagio sontenuto floated through the room. She closed her eyes as the delicate notes stirred her. Warm hands encircled her arms above the elbow just as an equally warm mouth kissed her bare collar bone. Elizabeth stirred from the bolt of pleasure that sizzled through her. \"Do you like it?\" Darcy softly murmured into her hair. She smiled at the double entendre as she breathed, \"Yes, my love, I do like it.\" He closed the lid and took the music box from her hands. After setting it back on the table, he reopened the lid. As the haunting melody began again, he pulled his wife into his arms and whispered, \"Dance with me.\" \"But, we cannot--\" she began to protest. He silenced her denial with his elegant lips. Darcy took her hand and pulled her into a lazy two step. She rested her cheek against his, her joy at simply being held by this man astonished her. Her surprise grew when she heard him hoarsely mutter, \"Closer.\" She complied by drifting a scant few inches nearer. Darcy, however, was not satisfied and crushed her to him. They continued to sway, their feet moving on their own accord. His mouth trailed a fiery path along the column of her neck. The hand at her back slowly rose until it tangled with her soft curls. He gently pulled her head back. She looked up at him through partly-shuttered eyes. His mouth descended to taste the sweetness of her lips. She opened to him at the gentlest prodding and he began to plunder her. A bolt of lightning jolted through her as his tongue met and caressed hers. All pretense of dancing faded as she buried her hands in his thick, dark hair and pressed his head closer. Her tongue fought a wild battle with his. Neither noticed that Beethoven's seductive melody had ended. Her hands drifted under his jacket, wanting, needing to touch him. She pushed at the heavy material which limited her access to his broad chest. He broke the contact with her lips and quickly shrugged off the cumbersome coat. He slipped behind her and brushed her hair off her neck. She moaned her disappointment at his mouth's defection, but her displeasure vanished as his hands moved to caress her breasts, inflaming her with sweet torture. Elizabeth leaned into his strength as his hands deftly roved over her body leaving aching need in their wake. She tried to turn back to him, but he forced her to remain. Darcy dropped butterfly kisses across her shoulders as his fingers reached the buttons at the back of her gown. He kissed each patch of rosy skin as it was revealed by the opening of every button. She swayed forward slightly, eyes closed, body rapt with attention to the passionate regard of Darcy's lips. When all the buttons had been opened, he slowly returned up the same path. This time, his lips were joined by his tongue. Cool air caught the damp trail he left and Elizabeth's eyes widened with sho k. He turned her in his arms and, his voice roughened by passion, urged, \"Touch me. Please, my love, touch me.\" She needed no further invitation. She ligh"}, {"response": 543, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Aug  3, 1998 (19:03)", "body": "Oh my! Two wedding night stories at once! This board is surely getting a workout, not to mention the Darcys' bed. Lizzy surely is no shrinking violet. Then again, who wouldn't be inspired. Thanks so much, Lou and Felicia, for keeping the fires going. There is plenty of room here for everyone's stories."}, {"response": 544, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  3, 1998 (19:17)", "body": "'This is what I've been yearning for,' she thought, her eyes widening in awe. She had not realized she had voiced her discovery until Darcy replied, \"It only gets better, my Elizabeth.\" Wow!! I can certainly believe it. That was not only hot, hot, hot, Felicia, and it had a lovely balance with the tender and loving side of Darcy that keeps us here. Thank you for completing your story."}, {"response": 545, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Aug  3, 1998 (23:35)", "body": ""}, {"response": 546, "author": "MLouM", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (13:50)", "body": ""}, {"response": 547, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (16:56)", "body": ""}, {"response": 548, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (18:00)", "body": ""}, {"response": 549, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (18:07)", "body": ""}, {"response": 550, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (18:31)", "body": ""}, {"response": 551, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (18:46)", "body": ""}, {"response": 552, "author": "MLouM", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (18:49)", "body": ""}, {"response": 553, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (18:50)", "body": ""}, {"response": 554, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (19:22)", "body": ""}, {"response": 555, "author": "Veronica", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (20:27)", "body": ""}, {"response": 556, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (20:43)", "body": ""}, {"response": 557, "author": "MLouM", "date": "Wed, Aug  5, 1998 (01:02)", "body": ""}, {"response": 558, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Wed, Aug  5, 1998 (10:23)", "body": "(Lou) BTW, Nan (Regency humping?) LOL...and boy did I need a good laugh. :-D Hee hee...I thought you'd like that ;-) I'm glad you have seemed to change your mind about removing the stories, honey. If you and Marcia would like, I can remove the other posts."}, {"response": 559, "author": "almasy", "date": "Wed, Aug  5, 1998 (12:53)", "body": "Ladies, ladies - please, let us stop the insanity!! I have been away for a bit also and was so pleased to find all the delicious, and well written stories. I actually had difficulty accessing them until today. Lou, I am so sorry for the distress you have suffered - your story was wonderful - and as Nan said how many ways can one describe \"Regency humping?\" (loved that description). I do hope you will not leave us, nor any of the other wonderful writers. I was wondering Nan, if you might e-mail me the whole story, I would love to read this section in context!! I hope everything can go back to normal and that we get more installments - the ones I read today certainly brightened up my day - and as a birthday approaches - any brightening comes in handy!!"}, {"response": 560, "author": "annakarin3", "date": "Wed, Aug  5, 1998 (14:10)", "body": "Does this show up??? anna-Karin"}, {"response": 561, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Aug  5, 1998 (14:37)", "body": "OH yes, Nan, Take my indictments off the Board. I do know when one creates from the whole cloth of one's own soul, it is like walking naked in the world to post it for people you do not know to laud or criticise. Lou has been the soul of kindness, and though I do not know Veronica's work as well as I know Lou's, I would like to extend the same to her. Thanks all for tolerating my less-than-cautious comments. This is the one place i have found which understands my obcession for a certain Darcy and his c eator, and I can never get too much of a Good Thing!!! Please continue to create, and I promise return to coutour checking and button collecting =)"}, {"response": 562, "author": "MLouM", "date": "Wed, Aug  5, 1998 (15:21)", "body": "Yes, Nan...I would be happy for you to wipe the slate clean :) Moira, if it is the whole story of which the part I posted here is what you would like e-mailed, I would be happy to do it. I had changed the whole of it since I posted the other parts at RoP some time ago. Just e-mail me and let me know if you can use an attachment and in what format (word, wordperfect, text file) you'd like it in. Thanks to all, Lou"}, {"response": 563, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Wed, Aug  5, 1998 (19:21)", "body": ""}, {"response": 564, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Wed, Aug  5, 1998 (19:26)", "body": "Okay, I removed all the posts...so anyone who replied, it's nothing personal ;-) On to happy things..."}, {"response": 565, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Wed, Aug  5, 1998 (20:18)", "body": "On to happy things... Oh! I think I could write that one..."}, {"response": 566, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  5, 1998 (21:40)", "body": "Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm What posts???? ;-D"}, {"response": 567, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Aug  5, 1998 (21:54)", "body": "Oh delicious!!! Thank you! I needed that! Whew...."}, {"response": 568, "author": "sofie", "date": "Thu, Aug  6, 1998 (00:00)", "body": "Hi I'm new to the boards. Started posting on #98 and have wandered my way down here. Had to mention how impressed I am at everyone's amicable resolution. I've been a fan of Lou's stories for a while at BoI and I'm very relieved to see that she is feeling better about things. Nan, you are very wise to get everyone back in the tub with Darcy. Although I could see it ending up in a water fight...but they are lots of fun, especially in August."}, {"response": 569, "author": "MLouM", "date": "Fri, Aug  7, 1998 (09:42)", "body": "Hi Sofie, Thanks for introducing yourself and for your well wishes. It's good to know you! :) Nan, a great pic to cool us all off...or heat us all up (whatever your preference)! All I can keep thinking is what a lucky camera person to have taken that clip (wish it had been me *grin* )"}, {"response": 570, "author": "natrad", "date": "Sat, Aug  8, 1998 (00:55)", "body": "Hey, what is this snappy thing I keep hearing about?! And how did you manage to get a hold of it, Nan?! You've been posting precious Darcy shots over at Darc Drool, haven't you?! Love the one at Netherfield after Jane's illness, the one with the pursed lips! ROTFLOL! Myretta, you get in there and ' write that one '! Happy thought, indeed! Congrats to our two wedding nighters above ... deep contented breath ... very good stuff ... sigh! Working your Mills & Boon talents overtime for our benefit, I see! Thank you very much!"}, {"response": 571, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sat, Aug  8, 1998 (10:44)", "body": "(Nat) Hey, what is this snappy thing I keep hearing about?! It's a little doohickey that allows you to capture still photos (on your computer) from a video source (VCR or camcorder). It's way too much fun\ufffd :-)"}, {"response": 572, "author": "natrad", "date": "Sat, Aug  8, 1998 (12:35)", "body": "(Nan) It's a little doohickey that allows you to capture still photos (on your computer) from a video source (VCR or camcorder). It's way too much fun\ufffd :-) I know the Japanese have this little gadget (have had it for years) that looks and works like a regular VCR, but when you freeze on a scene you like, you can make a colour photocopy of it?! My idea of heaven, Nan!"}, {"response": 573, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sun, Aug  9, 1998 (17:12)", "body": "Nat, have you seen Ann2 most recent installment of Perfectly Amiable over at RoP? You must go read it. Lovely, as ever. I can understand why she prefers to post them at Pemberley...the site is as elegant as her stories. If I had the ability to write Regency that well I'd want my work there, too. So, I won't bust her chops about not posting here ;-p And now, back to the drooling... Wouldja just look at the eyes on that man! ;-)~~~"}, {"response": 574, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sun, Aug  9, 1998 (17:12)", "body": "Out, damned italics!"}, {"response": 575, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug  9, 1998 (20:07)", "body": "Wouldja just look at the eyes on that man! ;-)~ N' his hands....long thin aristocratic fingers."}, {"response": 576, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sun, Aug  9, 1998 (21:41)", "body": "holding my keepsake!!! the Teacup, oooohhhh!!! whar memories that stirs. His soft lips touching me . . . ."}, {"response": 577, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sun, Aug  9, 1998 (22:06)", "body": "(Stef) holding my keepsake!!! the Teacup, oooohhhh!!! whar memories that stirs. His soft lips touching me . . . . Aaah! I was hoping you were hanging about :-) Don't you just love the expression on his face in that one?"}, {"response": 578, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Aug 10, 1998 (15:22)", "body": "the eyes on that man! ;-)~~~ Hot dark chocolate pools... Stef) holding my keepsake!!! the Teacup, oooohhhh!!! Wot? Where's mine, then? Where's his Ticker and Dangler, please, Nan? It's *time* for a flash! ;-P"}, {"response": 579, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Aug 10, 1998 (22:50)", "body": "A nice snappy of Him in his Academic Regalia clutching those notebooks in his strong and all encompassing hand... Please, it would be most worthy of posting. Keeptress of his Academic Books, Marcia"}, {"response": 580, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (00:47)", "body": "Okay, so Marcia wants the books... Sorry, honey...he's moving too quickly to catch a really good one. It's the best I could do. But hte one at the bottom doesn't stink ;-) And Arami wants the ticker and dangler...(a little more successful with this one) Personally, I think the lower right is the best shot of the, er...object in question. But would you look at the upper left? I love the position of his legs...and the dangerous dangler ain't lookin' bad either ;-p Caught it by accident--the Snappy delays a little so I'm never exactly sure what the final product will be."}, {"response": 581, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (00:49)", "body": "WHO is that man?"}, {"response": 582, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (00:54)", "body": "WHO is that man? It's that Colin Firth guy we all talk about so much. See what we mean? ;-)"}, {"response": 583, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (01:24)", "body": "Lord, he's pretty!"}, {"response": 584, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (08:03)", "body": "Do I smell a convert? ;-D"}, {"response": 585, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (08:05)", "body": "...although you will need to watch the first tape or so of P&P to get the other half of the equation. He's not *just* a pretty face!"}, {"response": 586, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (11:01)", "body": "All I can say is, I smell Englishmen on that guy, and I LUV Englishmen! Plus his . . . . eyes . . . look sexy in tights."}, {"response": 587, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (13:51)", "body": "Alleluia, another one has seen the light! Welcome to the fold, sister... (Although what you see is an Englishman in breeches and trousers respectively; not tights. Wanna know more? Stay around... :-)) Oooooh, Nan, and that ticker... and especially that dangler! Yes, yes, yes!!! (Oh, what the hell, snap the one coming down the stairs, you know... ;-D)"}, {"response": 588, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (15:17)", "body": "ha-ha!!! The only light I see is for Anthony. Can't we open a topic on him? Does one have to ask permission somewhere?"}, {"response": 589, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (15:24)", "body": "I love the position of his legs... Thighs, Nan, thighs....... You really outdid yourself with this gallery of pics. Have you thought of a suitable title? (And to change the subject...) You captured a pic of Jennifer without a petticoat.....can see legs through white dress. Lots of people over at RoP complain about that! (Bunch of whiners!)"}, {"response": 590, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (18:58)", "body": "a pic of Jennifer without a petticoat.....can see legs through white dress. Lots of people over at RoP complain about that! Why? Shows how much they know about late 18th - early 19th centuries. See-through muslin was very much in vouge among ladies. Some even sprayed the thin material with water to make it more transparent."}, {"response": 591, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (20:00)", "body": "Arami Some even sprayed the thin material with water to make it more transparent Cool. Thanks for the info...will pass it on."}, {"response": 592, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (20:47)", "body": ""}, {"response": 593, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (20:52)", "body": "(Riette)Lord, he's pretty! Ain't he, though? ;-)~~~ You must get a hold of Pride & Prejudice . After you've seen him (and heard that glorious voice), you come and tell us if he isn't the very yummiest of men ;-) (Arami) Oooooh, Nan, and that ticker... and especially that dangler! Yes, yes, yes!!! (Oh, what the hell, snap the one coming down the stairs, you know... ;-D) I do know, my naughty old pal :-D In fact, I know so well that I'd already Snapped it in preparation for this moment ;-) Damned near poked my eye out with that second one! ;-p (Riette) I see is for Anthony. Can't we open a topic on him? Does one have to ask permission somewhere? As long as the topic is droolable, it's okay by me, honey. I've started the topic for you...go take a looky...#108. (Evelyn) You really outdid yourself with this gallery of pics. Have you thought of a suitable title? Oh, I think that is best left to someone more clever than I. Renate, perhaps? She's the most gifted in that department :-.) (Evelyn) You captured a pic of Jennifer without a petticoat.....can see legs through white dress. Please, if I had legs like that I'd have hiked my skirt over my head to show them off ;-p Though those photos really don't do her legs justice. If I didn't like her so much, I'd hate her guts ;-D (Arami) Some even sprayed the thin material with water to make it more transparent. Tarts! ;-p"}, {"response": 594, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (21:26)", "body": "(Nan) Damned near poked my eye out with that second one! ;-p LOL!! But my dear, can you put it back on the other side where we know it belongs? ;-D"}, {"response": 595, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (22:53)", "body": "Oh, NAN!!! (.....sluuuuurp.....drool.......)I shall post this quickly before manage to inundate my laptop. Thank you for the memories....he never seems to become less enticing. Amazing. Do you think we have a new recruit for the contour checking brigade?!"}, {"response": 596, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (22:55)", "body": "Nan, yes those eyes look right into your soul . . .ahhhh the lucky woman who gets the look!! (drooling . . . .)"}, {"response": 597, "author": "riette", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (02:53)", "body": "Who cares about getting the look - what I'd like to get from this guy is a whole lot more than just a look! Thank you for the AH topic, Nan - I'll carry on drooling over the man there."}, {"response": 598, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (12:40)", "body": "Nan oh Nan! Stuffed shirt tail?.....I think NOT! Perhaps we should debate this. Why should a publicity-shy man fond of wearing unflattering (baggy) corduroy trousers, who seems genuinely embarrassed by being considered a sex symbol and does absolutely nothing to promote this image, and who didn't even seem to realise that Darcy is sexy, why should he suddenly start stuffing in his shirt tail for enhanced creative effect? And anyway. to create THAT effect, you'd need a heavy duty night shirt down to the ankles, not a lightweight linen shirt. :-) I rest my case. Further corroboration may be necessary, of course! I'll make an advance request of Nan. When MLSF comes out on video, how about some snappies of the scene when he runs in a knitted thities type swimsuit and jumps in the loch and (hopefully) emerges WET!!"}, {"response": 599, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (13:40)", "body": "(Bethan) I'll make an advance request of Nan. When MLSF comes out on video, how about some snappies of the scene when he runs in a knitted thities type swimsuit and jumps in the loch and (hopefully) emerges WET!! On this one, I wish they had stayed true to the book! ;-D"}, {"response": 600, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (14:29)", "body": "(Nan) Damned near poked my eye out with that second one! ;-p (Bethan) Stuffed shirt tail?.....I think NOT! So why did Crispin Bonham-Carter reportedly reveal that Colin had been jealous of the ample look in his (Crispin's) breeches? From these semi-jocular hints one is inclined to gather that there must have been some tongue-in-cheek contest for the most impressively presented breeches amongst the male cast in P&P... And that Colin won - whether by natural or artificial means... ;-) (Come, come, surely he isn't THAT shy... and compared to some other scenes, the ones in which he is wearing a travelling outfit s ow an extraordinarily shaped front flap in his nether garment. If it's not shirttails, it must be a purse full of coins... :-P) BTW, note the clever angle used in shooting the above snapped scene: both actors are the same height, and yet on this occasion Crispin purposefully appears smaller - just as JA actually described Bingley."}, {"response": 601, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (16:01)", "body": "Why should a publicity-shy man fond of wearing unflattering (baggy) corduroy trousers, who seems genuinely embarrassed by being considered a sex symbol and does absolutely nothing to promote this image, and who didn't even seem to realise that Darcy is sexy. What he wears in private life has nothing to do with what the director tells him to wear and do in a film.From what we read Andrew Davies and Simon Langton wantedMr. Darcy to be portrayed as sexy. Re: being a sex symbol:candid comment in this month's Premiere Magazine by Ben Affleck: \"I hate this whole reluctant sex-symbol thing. You see these dudes greased -up with baby oil, in their underwear, talking about how thy don't want to be a sex-symbol. That's a lot of bull-****\" I have never seen CF greased however...but lots of nice positions....:-) Not complaining."}, {"response": 602, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (18:14)", "body": "(Ben Affleck) \"I hate this whole reluctant sex-symbol thing. You see these dudes greased -up with baby oil, in their underwear, talking about how thy don't want to be a sex-symbol. That's a lot of bull-****\" Having just watched the A&E/BBC show on the real Full Monty guys that view meshes perfectly. Most of those guys said they loved being oogled and pawed by the women. It was most flattering and a guy's dream. Granted they are exhibitionists, but then again so are actors. ;-D (Evelyn) I have never seen CF greased however...but lots of nice positions....:-) Not complaining. Not complaining either, just hoping for a little greased Colin...one day???? ;-D"}, {"response": 603, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (19:27)", "body": "Acting is a kind of exhibitionism by proxy."}, {"response": 604, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (22:00)", "body": "(Arami) Some even sprayed the thin material with water to make it more transparent. Tarts! ;-p Lady Nan, damped gown--Carolyn, busily scribbling notes My snappy request would be just after he finishes putting out the candle he walks over and stands with his back to a mirror. If you can catch it, you get a front and back view in one!"}, {"response": 605, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Thu, Aug 13, 1998 (07:37)", "body": "(Carolyn) Lady Nan, damped gown--Carolyn, busily scribbling notes Hee hee...you must have pages and pages on that Lady Nan tart ;-p I'm waiting, missy...;-p (Carolyn) My snappy request would be just after he finishes putting out the candle he walks over and stands with his back to a mirror. If you can catch it, you get a front and back view in one! I just love it when someone asks for something I've already got. I like that scene too, Carolyn (though there aren't many that I don't like ;-p) so I was trying to catch it a few days ago. He's moving quickly so it's not a really good one, but I got a great candle shot. That little fsssssst noise it makes when he squashes the wick gets me excited ;-D"}, {"response": 606, "author": "natrad", "date": "Fri, Aug 14, 1998 (12:29)", "body": "My god - you lot! What's all this 'drool'? Riette - fancy not knowing Colin?! Shock horror! You're in desperate need of re-education, of which I'm sure you will get plenty of here! But I suppose knowing Mr. Calf is good enough ... he's a pretty close substitute! Nan - yep, read Chapter 2A of PA ... very nice, and I can't wait for the next .. hope she posts this weekend ...she's been pretty regular lately! But as she is approaching the wedding, I don't mind if she takes that little longer ... draw it out, mount that suspense, Ann2! So, anyone in the mood for fiction? I shouldn't really demand any, since I contribute none of my own! But I do support! I support!!:)"}, {"response": 607, "author": "natrad", "date": "Fri, Aug 14, 1998 (12:32)", "body": "Oh, and JennieCam - I know you're out there! Reply to my e-mail, girl! Was that you in the 'Snilda's' P&P, or not?! I really wanna know! BTW, JC - your Darcy wasn't bad either, although not exactly CF ... still, you could probably post a 'snappy' of him here too!"}, {"response": 608, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Aug 14, 1998 (16:42)", "body": "Wrong Anthony, Nat... :-) It's Hopkins - and as a matter of interest, our DB actually appeared on stage with him, too."}, {"response": 609, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Fri, Aug 14, 1998 (23:07)", "body": "Here...write this...;-.D"}, {"response": 610, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Aug 14, 1998 (23:41)", "body": "Okay, I'll take a sweaty Darcy anyday:) Perhaps, I think I will write about a sweaty Darcy and possibly a sweaty Elizabeth; and seeing that Heide isn't here, I will wait until she gets back!!! It will give me time to plot and plan, whether or not Pemberley has a nautilis:) Nat, I am so glad you enjoy Ann2's stories, have you never emailed her to tell her? I think she would appreciate it immensely. You can get her email off of the author's list on the BOI and DWG."}, {"response": 611, "author": "MLouM", "date": "Sat, Aug 15, 1998 (01:22)", "body": "LOL...Nan is Snappy Happy! Not to mention keeping us all happy! :) I personally like him sweaty and out of breath. Oh to hear the line \"I Shall!\" over and over again! Perhaps they will put that one on the little icon over at the RoP where you pet Darcy?"}, {"response": 612, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 15, 1998 (14:18)", "body": "(Nan) Here...write this...;-.D I think the sword is a phallic symbol. As was obviously the billiard cue !! And the walking stick in the 2nd proposal. I have news for you ,Mr. Darcy...You won't conquer this! :-.)"}, {"response": 613, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Aug 15, 1998 (20:55)", "body": "(Evelyn)I think the sword is a phallic symbol. I can buy this. As was obviously the billiard cue !! And this. And the walking stick in the 2nd proposal. But not that! A walking stick was an indispensable accessory of a gentleman's outfit in those times. Let's not go over the top... or else we could be endlessly looking for sexual symbolism in simple everyday gestures. ;-)"}, {"response": 614, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 15, 1998 (22:46)", "body": "Re: walking stick: indispensable accessory of a gentleman's outfit in those times. Let's not go over the top... I'm not really looking for symbolism under every rock...... but I stand by the theory that this \"indispensable accessory\" was symbolic of \"another accessory\"."}, {"response": 615, "author": "PattiD", "date": "Sat, Aug 15, 1998 (23:38)", "body": "Hi all! Been lurking for months---but this latest string of hot pictures and equally hot topics requires acknowledgement! Wow!--you all take my innocent mind places it would never go on its own, and I'm loving every minute of it! Thanks for brightening my day! (and nights.....)"}, {"response": 616, "author": "sofie", "date": "Sat, Aug 15, 1998 (23:54)", "body": "(Re: walking stick) I think if Evelyn wants his walking stick to symbolize his sexuality she has every right to do so. You go girl! How about his horse? Riding crop?"}, {"response": 617, "author": "PattiD", "date": "Sat, Aug 15, 1998 (23:57)", "body": "Hi all! Been lurking for months---but this latest string of hot pictures and equally hot topics requires acknowledgement! Wow!--you all take my innocent mind places it would never go on its own, and I'm loving every minute of it! Thanks for brightening my day! (and nights.....)"}, {"response": 618, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sun, Aug 16, 1998 (00:20)", "body": "Welcome, Patti :-) (Sofie) How about his horse? Riding crop? OY!"}, {"response": 619, "author": "natrad", "date": "Sun, Aug 16, 1998 (01:15)", "body": "Nat, I am so glad you enjoy Ann2's stories, have you never emailed her to tell her? I think she would appreciate it immensely. You can get her email off of the author's list on the BOI and DWG. Yep - I have ... but mostly I just leave a trail of saliva on the response board! Serves its purpose, I think! Riding crops? Fencing Sword? Walking Stick? Billiard Cue? Horse? LLOL! Ladies, ladies ... perhaps you should get a little list together. I'd like to contribute Pemberley itself (it's HUGE ... how gratifying is that to a male?) ... and those top hats?! They didn't make them that tall for no reason at all, I'm positive! JennieCam?!"}, {"response": 620, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Aug 16, 1998 (06:45)", "body": "Oh, all right, then. Who am I to deprive you of your little thrills... Let's go to it. Consider tea spoons (stirring in a cup?) and forks (stabbing food on a plate?) (As if it wasn't enough that men in those times quite purposefully wore nether garments leaving little to imagination... They didn't need any symbols, dear...)"}, {"response": 621, "author": "sofie", "date": "Sun, Aug 16, 1998 (10:10)", "body": "(Re:Pemberley and top hats) That's more like it! Although Arami's tea spoon reminds me of Mr. Collins. If Pemerley is symbolic of penis extension, what pray tell is the pond symolic of?"}, {"response": 622, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug 16, 1998 (13:25)", "body": "Hey.....you guys are making me sound like a pervert or something!!! There is a lot of symbolism in P&P....not all sexual albeit. I don't remember about the Pond ,but certainly the constant mentioning of \"eyes\",.... when Lizzie gazes at the picture at Pemberley,..... esp. when the carriage crosses the bridge going into the Pemberley grounds. I refer you to a book of critical analysis of Jane Austen novels written by an Austen scholar. Jane Austen by Tony Tanner ISBN 0-674-47174-1 Andrew Davies, of course, capitalized on a lot of sexual undercurrents and made them visible. And oh, BTW Mr. Tanner is a Bonafide Brit....a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. Didn't mean to start a confrontation. Hi Patti.... stay with us we have a lot of fun."}, {"response": 623, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sun, Aug 16, 1998 (14:13)", "body": "(Evelyn) Didn't mean to start a confrontation. No confrontation, honey--just having some fun speculating. Personally, I think that everything is related to sex, so you can't ask me ;-p Stef used to give us playful snippets of the teacup's thoughts...moist caressing and such. See? It's not only me ;-D"}, {"response": 624, "author": "MLouM", "date": "Sun, Aug 16, 1998 (18:06)", "body": "How about some fiction, everybody? A special thanks to SusanP, for some great ideas! ~Lou Seaside Rendezvous \"Dearest!,\" Fitzwilliam Darcy called out as he climbed the stairs with a letter in his hand. Elizabeth was walking down the hallway, and she stopped upon hearing her husband call out her name with such uncharacteristic enthusiasm for just another lazy summer\ufffds afternoon at Pemberley. \"Elizabeth!,\" he grinned as he met up with her. \"I have just had a letter from my uncle. He wishes for me to take care of some business for him, at Ramsgate!\" Elizabeth\ufffds eyes widened, and she teased her husband, \"That is very exciting, my dear\", and she patted him on the shoulder. Darcy drew his eyes into small slits, \"That is not amusing at all.\" He chuckled, \"But what I am ecstatic about is that we shall spend some time there, alone. My uncle has the most amazing house there, on a cliff, overlooking the sea. It is most times vacant, they only use it for holidays.\" Elizabeth\ufffds enthusiasm began to match that of her husband\ufffds. \"It sounds very romantic, Fitzwilliam.\" \"Yes, dearest, it is!,\" Darcy grinned. \"My aunt and uncle always thought it the most romantic spot they had ever been. My uncle use to tease Colonel Fitzwilliam, telling him that he was conceived there, just to watch Fitzwilliam blush. There are times when my uncle has a mischievous streak in him.\" Elizabeth could not help but laugh at Darcy and his stories, and his eagerness to wish to be alone with her, in a romantic seaside hideaway. \"When do we leave?\" \"Tomorrow,\" Darcy lifted her into the air, and spun her around playfully, then placed her back down quickly, before any of the servants caught him in his jubilation. \"Go and pack, my love.\" She nodded her head, and turned to go back to their bedchambers to do as he asked. She turned around, and watched him go back down the stairs with an distinct skip in his step, as he said the words, \"Tomorrow, tomorrow,\" to himself. ************** The Darcys arrived at Ramsgate a few days later. The trip had been long, hot, and exhausting, but the weather at Ramsgate was agreeably cool, and the sea air felt wonderful to Elizabeth\ufffds skin and senses. Their carriage pulled up to the cliff house around mid-day and when Elizabeth stepped out and looked at the house and its grounds, she was completely enraptured. She walked a little ways along the drive, until she could get a glimpse of the sea, and look down at the beach area below. It was rocky, with a small sandy patch, and the swell crashed upon the land and the craggy rocks which jetted up by the cliff, spraying salty foam high into the air. The cliff side was laden with mossy groundcover and wildflowers, which bloomed unendingly this time of year. Surrounding the house were old knotted trees, whose branches swept to the windward side of the cliff. Lupines spiraled up from around the house\ufffds footings, giving the landscape a blue-hued color, in compliment to the sea beyond. The house itself was built of natural stone, and sand mortar. Its windows looked marbleized and pitted from the constant pounding of wind and sand. The entire place was completely gothic, completely romantic, and almost imaginary. The house was staffed by a rather sparse compliment of servants. The less persons about the better, as far as Darcy was concerned. He took Elizabeth by the arm and led her into the house. The inside of the place was fanciful, with its parquet floors, whimsical wallpaper and eclectic furnishings. Elizabeth could not seem to control the amused smile on her face. \"This place is wonderful!\" she exclaimed. \"I knew you would like it, Elizabeth.\" Darcy greeted the housekeeper, and left Elizabeth momentarily to give his instructions to the staff for their stay there. He was explicit in his wishes to be left quite definitely alone, for the most part. The housekeeper smiled and nodded politely, for that was the usual instruction, when anyone came to stay there. When Darcy returned, he found Elizabeth gazing about, slowing turning round, to glimpse at everything within the room. \"What is the place called, Fitzwilliam?\" \"Leonhaus, which is actually the name of the site upon which it was built. It was Saxon by claim,\" he replied. \"Come with me, Elizabeth. There is more to be seen.\" Elizabeth took Darcy\ufffds outstretched hand, and followed him down a narrow hallway to the back part of the house. He opened a large wooden door, and they stepped into a room of fantastical proportions. \"This is the master chambers,\" Darcy announced, as Elizabeth gasped in wonder. It was spacious and serene, with a huge natural stone hearth on the inside wall. The outer perimeter was completely covered by the opalescent windows, affording a view of the sea. No one could see into the room from them, and all you could see out of them was ocean horizon. There was an inviting bed, with pillows mounded everywhere. Next to the windows was a chaise, and cushions all around on the floor in front of the hearth. Elizabeth co"}, {"response": 625, "author": "MLouM", "date": "Sun, Aug 16, 1998 (18:09)", "body": "Once their trunks were delivered and unpacked, the housekeeper told them that anytime they wished for supper, they should just ring down, otherwise they would not see her again. As soon as Darcy closed the door behind her, he let out a sigh. He shimmied out of his dress coat and kicked off his shoes, then laid back on the bed to stretch. \"Glorious!\" he moaned as he closed his eyes and relaxed in his new found freedom. He unfastened his neck cloth, balled it up and threw it in the direction of nowhere. Elizabeth came out of the dressing room, to see him flat on his back on the bed, his legs dangling over the edge, and his eyes closed. She walked over to the windows and unfastened the latch on one of them then pushed the lever, so the window opened. The sound of the swell came flooding into the room, and she breathed in the salty, misty air. She assumed by the way Darcy had discarded portions of his clothing, that they would be spending the rest of the day in the room. Perfectly content to go along with the plan, she reached up and began to discard the pins from her hair. When it was free, she ran her fingers through her hair and tossed it about. She sat down on the chaise by the windows and proceeded to take off her slippers and roll off her stockings. She was satisfied with her own freedom from accessories and stood up again to gaze out the window. She reached her arms high above her head and stretched out her body, while again deeply breathing the aromatic sea ai . She felt Darcy slip his arms around her waist from behind her and when she lowered her arms back down to her sides, he clasped his hands together. \"Do not stop there, my wife,\" he whispered as he kissed the side of her neck. \"I think a woman should never wear to much clothing, when she is by the sea.\" Elizabeth smiled as she allowed him to nibble her neck and run his hands through her hair. His hands wandered to her back and he fumbled with the buttons of her white frock. He had relaxed enough not to become too frustrated with the uncooperative buttons, and he was finally successful in unfastening every last one. Elizabeth heard herself speaking, but she had no idea why. \"I thought you had some business to take care of for your uncle?\" \"Shhh,\" he said as he helped her pull off the frock. \"Business, what business? I do not remember anything about any sort of business.\" \"You remember, dearest,\" she smiled, as he let his hands roam freely over her body. \"Shhh,\" he said again and she turned her around to face him. \"You are interfering with the sounds of the sea.\" \"Oh,\" she whispered, and said not a word more. It was not long until Darcy had discarded most of his own clothing and was only outfitted in his white cotton shirt. Elizabeth leaned back onto the chaise and grasped Darcy\ufffds shirt and tugged him closer to her. They made love on the chaise, in front of the windows, while listening to the surf crashing onto the rocks below. In the middle of their late afternoon frolic, Darcy leaned back, pulled off his white shirt, and pitched it into the center of the room. Elizabeth turned her head and watched it float down to the floor like a sea bird, until her husband moved back over her, demanding her undivided attention once more. Words were not necessary from that point on, and when Darcy was quite expended, he grasped Elizabeth\ufffds hand and helped her from the chaise. He led her to the bed and the lovers crawled underneath the covers. Darcy wrapped his arm around Elizabeth as she lay against him, and he fell into a contented repose. Elizabeth smiled and whispered, \"Leonhaus\", then she also drifted off to sleep, for the rest of that afternoon."}, {"response": 626, "author": "sofie", "date": "Sun, Aug 16, 1998 (20:11)", "body": "AAhhhh.... Thanks Lou! Nothing like a romantic getaway by the sea. Who needs walking sticks and tea spoons when you have the surf pounding against the shore."}, {"response": 627, "author": "PattiD", "date": "Sun, Aug 16, 1998 (22:15)", "body": "Mmmmmmmmm---enjoyable and relaxing. I'll bet we could think of lots of imaginative ways to use this setting. Actually, the pillows surrounding the hearth bring brings to mind fantasies of a northwoods weekend with my husband... Thanks Lou!"}, {"response": 628, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Mon, Aug 17, 1998 (00:04)", "body": "(Arami) They didn't need any symbols, dear...) Well, I need the symbols to get my cheap thrills ;-) Did someone mention a top hat? Mercy! That's a big one! ;-D Lou, so good to see you back, honey ;-) I particularly like this line: \"Elizabeth turned her head and watched it float down to the floor like a sea bird\"...gave me one of my visions ;-)"}, {"response": 629, "author": "sofie", "date": "Mon, Aug 17, 1998 (00:15)", "body": "OOoooo Nan, I can see the tip of his walking stick as well!"}, {"response": 630, "author": "JennieC", "date": "Mon, Aug 17, 1998 (07:45)", "body": "Nat - Bother bother bother. I just read your post from 15&16/8... Oh, and JennieCam - I know you're out there! Reply to my e-mail, girl! ...and that tells me you haven't got my reply. The problem was I tried to send it to the Curtin address the day I got your email, and got a response saying delivery had failed - something about quota being exceeded I think. I tried again today (evil computer has been down this week)and it still failed. I have sent a copy to the address you sent it from (G&Assoc etc) but you obviously haven't got that one. So I shall have to give you a very brief reply here, and hope you get the other one. If not, I shall ost more here or somewhere else later... Was that you in the 'Snilda's' P&P, or not?! I really wanna know! Yes, that was me! Perth is too darn small! I hope you enjoyed it, I'm dying to hear what you thought of it! BTW, JC - your Darcy wasn't bad either, although not exactly CF ... still, you could probably post a 'snappy' of him here too! Yeah, he wasn't bad was he? He was 20 (now 21), an ex-Swanbourner studying English at Curtin. He now does Arts at UWA (same as me) so I see him most days. He's a lovely guy, the entire school, including the principal who's ~65, was jealous of me. So that was exciting! Oh, and just another thing, please use the pseudonym JenC rather than JennieCam, the reason being I received a rather unnerving email concerning that name, I think perhaps from someone looking for a website that a woman has set up with live camera shots from her room (does anyone know what that is? I don't), so my name at Pemberley has been changed and I'm hoping I won't get anymore. Thanks. --- Sorry everyone else for using this board for this, but it couldn't be helped. Classic conversation here, Nan I think you're right, everything can be related to sex, so much is phallic in this world if you look at it like that. Very funny stuff, I love this board so much . Oh, and great story Lou - very gentle and very sweet. Anyone else got one up their sleeve? I want more..Pretty please!"}, {"response": 631, "author": "Bobby", "date": "Fri, Aug 21, 1998 (19:53)", "body": "Lou, Fabulous story- it I could hear the surf and feel the wind- Had a few other sensations as well-but we all know what they were... Bobby"}, {"response": 632, "author": "natrad", "date": "Sat, Aug 22, 1998 (00:55)", "body": "(JenC) ... something about quota being exceeded I think Yes, yes, yes ... I couldn't send e-mail for 4 weeks ... my account is screwed up! But hopefully I've rectified all that ... we'll see ... I'm dying to hear what you thought of it! The production was brilliant ... I only wish I had a program! I was very surprised at how well the text was adapted into play ... but what was the purpose of the players (the play in the streets of Meryton)? Was it just a diversion? You really made good use of the single stage at the Octagon theatre ... to have to use it for Longbourn, Netherfield, Rosings and outdoor scenes ... I was very impressed by the crew's ability to adapt the stage to each required setting. I thought it would have been a little freaky if there were two school productions of 'P&P' in Perth last year ... too much of a coincidence, I'm afraid! My friend's brother was a soldier, and Steph, knowing how much I loved P&P, offered me tickets! How truly bizarre that it should have been you in the lead! (not pointing out any theatrical deficiencies, or anything, merely alluding to the fact that the only other Pemberlian from W.A. has been 'Lizzy'!) And who was Mary?! I don't think I've ever heard 'Caro Mio Ben' (sp.) sung quite like that! I can't recall what you sang, but I presume you did voice at school ... as I recall, you were excellent! Are you in the Chorale at UWA? BTW, there's a repeat of Jane Austen's 'Presumption' docu on the ABC this week ... 1.30 pm on Sunday, I think ... thought you'd be interested! Well, I need the symbols to get my cheap thrills ;-) Did someone mention a top hat? Did indeed, Nan ... LOL! Trust you and your faithful camera! And how appropriate that that particular shot should be from the scenes at Ramsgate ... perhaps you and Lou should have collaborated, then she could have had accompanying snappys ..."}, {"response": 633, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Aug 22, 1998 (18:15)", "body": "(sofie) OOoooo Nan, I can see the tip of his walking stick as well! LOL! I just caught that. Don't know how I missed it. I was so busy looking for lengthy things that I forgot things with knobs ;-D (Nat) perhaps you and Lou should have collaborated, then she could have had accompanying snappys Now, there's an idea! I just love coming up with a little illustration to go along with a story. Lou, next time you need some visuals, you let me know, honey ;-)"}, {"response": 634, "author": "sofie", "date": "Sat, Aug 22, 1998 (19:49)", "body": "Lou might not need visuals, but I do. Illustrated fanfiction. Author and illustrator must colaborate."}, {"response": 635, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Aug 22, 1998 (20:06)", "body": "Or how about character (single -- Male) must collaborate with author:) then Lou wouldn't be writing many stories;-)"}, {"response": 636, "author": "MLouM", "date": "Sat, Aug 22, 1998 (21:27)", "body": "OH MY! I'm all for a little collaboration (that's enough to turn anyone into an author!) Nan...I like the illustrated story idea! Get that snappy ready! :-D BTW, did you change the collage on the main board? I like all those men in those little bubbles and dear CF gets three! But he deserves them! I was definitely ready for that change. Maybe we should work that walking stick into a story? Everyone seems to be fascinated with it. I have to admit I am too, its not every man that carries around something so long!"}, {"response": 637, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Aug 22, 1998 (21:36)", "body": ""}, {"response": 638, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Aug 22, 1998 (21:49)", "body": "(Lou) I like the illustrated story idea! Get that snappy ready! Oh good! I've collaborated with authors in the past, usually Carolyn. Haven't done anything with sticks, though...oooh, a challenge! :-) BTW, did you change the collage on the main board? I like all those men in those little bubbles and dear CF gets three! Yes, I changed it today. It was time. I was getting bored with the old one. Colin certainly deserves three as he is clearly the most popular topic here, bless his little cotton socks ;-) its not every man that carries around something so long! Nor something so handsomely designed ;-)"}, {"response": 639, "author": "sofie", "date": "Sun, Aug 23, 1998 (02:31)", "body": "Oh I hope you guys are at least half serious about this. The combination of Lou's fabulous writing and nan's happy snappies. I am all anticipation! One so handsomely designed deserves the very best."}, {"response": 640, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug 23, 1998 (11:58)", "body": "Re: new pic collage (: Nan) Colin certainly deserves three as he is clearly the most popular topic here, bless his little cotton socks ;-) ........and walking stick.....:-)"}, {"response": 641, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Aug 24, 1998 (22:17)", "body": "Lou, love you Ramsgate story, perhaps this visit will dispence with the ghost of Wickham and Georgiana's fiasco, though it played a large part in bringin Lizzie and Darcy together, didn't it. Is this to be continued?"}, {"response": 642, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Aug 24, 1998 (22:35)", "body": ""}, {"response": 643, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Aug 24, 1998 (22:42)", "body": "Ladies, the following is the latest from Lou. She asked me to add some pretty things and post it for her ;-) My dearest, loveliest Elizabeth, I sit here in my bedchambers on this the eve before our wedding day. My heart is full of love for you, and my anticipations for our union, are keenly felt. While we strolled around Longbourne today, you asked me about my past, and whether I have shared my life with many other women, before our meeting. I neglected to answer you, not because of the fear of hurting you, for I am a man of eight and twenty you know, but out of respect for all the ladies I have loved before. I make this confession to you now, for I am sure that Wickham will be only too happy to supply you with inaccurate details. I can only refute his testimony, by laying before you each and every liaison that I have ever been fortunate enough to entertain. It all began with a woman with the initial M. We met while I was attending the University and we were hopelessly in love. She was really the one to give me my ideas on what constitutes good regulation, and she gave me my start at being the most admired man at this conference. She was kind enough to let me go, for she knew one day I would meet you, and then there would be no other. She contented herself by writing the most wonderfully romantic stories about our courtship and the walks we took, so that no one else would have to wonder how we managed. I shall hold a special place in my heart for her always, and I am sure you would not deny me that. In the beginning there were others, too numerous to mention. They admired me, relished in the figure I cut on screen, and even posted numerous threads concerning my clothing, most specifically my trousers, which appears to be a reoccurring theme. Then there was Nan. Nan, oh Nan. How I shall never forget the night she and I spent sitting in the back of that phaeton. How I shall never forget all the time she devoted to managing this excellent conference, deleting overzealous posts, and adding photos of me with my various gentleman's accessories. There shall always be a place reserved in my heart also, for that little snappy thing she is so fond of. Then others came into my life, it seemed like a sort of commune of ladies, all wondering what I would be like in bed. When word of our engagement became public, these lovely ladies began to speculate about the glories of our wedding night. Some think that perhaps you shall not be comfortable in the presence of others the next day, and others think that I shall be gentlemanly and kind, and take pity on your innocence. Indeed I shall, my love, and if you wish it we shall take a little bit of every wedding night post in this conference and combine them into one glorious night of bliss. What can I say, but that I am all anticipation. Yes, my love, on further remembrances there have been many ladies of my acquaintance. Most of them enjoy seeing me sitting in the bath, but there are a few who think I look fine in clothing as well. Dearest, we have been honored by so many of them, placing us in various delightful situations which capture the imagination. They have the liveliest names for my accessories, ticklers and danglers I believe they fondly refer to them. One such lady has developed the most enchanting game for us to play one evening. I cannot wait to explain it to you, and you must promise to bone up on your Netherfield Ball scene dialog. My dearest Elizabeth, I hope you can forgive me all my dalliances. It simply could not be helped. Now in closing, I shall say how much I look forward to our times together. I shall stop dictating this missive to one of the aforementioned women, so that she may go back to penning something about us at the seaside. Elizabeth my love, so many breathless scenarios, so little time. I thank you for your understanding concerning my lady friends. Without them, I should have been just another BBC mini-series dandy. Yours faithfully, F. Darcy"}, {"response": 644, "author": "sofie", "date": "Mon, Aug 24, 1998 (23:30)", "body": "Nan and Lou....You ladies are THE BEST!! Without them, I should have been just another BBC mini-series dandy. ROTFLOL...You got that right sweet cakes! So let's get back to dallying with ticklers and danglers in bathtubs by the sea. Here's to all you wonderfully creative ladies who love tight britches on long lean thighs and smoldering looks on a handsome dimpled face. Now let's get back to the long and hard of it shall we?"}, {"response": 645, "author": "MLouM", "date": "Tue, Aug 25, 1998 (01:04)", "body": "LOL! LOL! Nan, I am ROTFLMAO! I probably shouldn't have taken that sinus pill before I saw this! I'm absolutely giddy! I think the BBC should have you do film editing for all their costume dramas! This was way too much fun! Thanks for doing such a bang up job! :-D"}, {"response": 646, "author": "JennieC", "date": "Tue, Aug 25, 1998 (05:17)", "body": "\"I cannot wait to explain it to you, and you must promise to bone up on your Netherfield Ball scene dialog.\" Dear oh dear, tell me you meant to say \"hone\"! Stunning typo sweety, just perfect! Great story ladies, very very funny! Thanks :)"}, {"response": 647, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 25, 1998 (09:20)", "body": "Very, very funny! Kudos to both of you! Loved the pics you chose, Nan, especially that *last* one. Signed, Lady with the initial K"}, {"response": 648, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Aug 25, 1998 (18:50)", "body": "I'm still trying to catch up on everything I've missed but this was too good to let slip by. Oh Lou, oh Nan, I thought I outgrew picture books but this was the best. They admired me, relished in the figure I cut on screen, and even posted numerous threads concerning my clothing, most specifically my trousers, which appears to be a reoccurring theme. Lizzy's expression here is priceless. Thanks."}, {"response": 649, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Aug 25, 1998 (19:12)", "body": "What a hoot! Pray, continue!!! And never mind, erm, \"bone up\" - what about \"tickler\"? Tickler??? Whatever must you be thinking of - it's \"ticker\", madams, as in \"tic-toc\", meaning, erm, a watch, of course..."}, {"response": 650, "author": "sofie", "date": "Tue, Aug 25, 1998 (20:59)", "body": "(Arami) Tickler??? Oh, you're such a stickler."}, {"response": 651, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Aug 25, 1998 (21:17)", "body": "(Sofie) Oh, you're such a stickler. Oh, you would be too if it was your keepsake ;-) I know that I get very upset when anyone slanders the humpy hat. However, in this instance, I think \"tickler\" was a typo. So sorry, Arami dear...though, \"tickler\" is appropriate ;-D"}, {"response": 652, "author": "sofie", "date": "Wed, Aug 26, 1998 (10:00)", "body": "(nan) Oh, you would be too if it was your keepsake) I had no idea. Arami, what can I say? Please forgive me for misunderstanding the nature of your relationship with Darcy's ticker. I just thought you were nit picking. I truly understand the depth of your emotions regarding said item."}, {"response": 653, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Aug 26, 1998 (15:37)", "body": "Exactly. It's simply unfathomable... But I will forgive you if you do penance by reciting the Ticker And Dangler Mini Essay word for word fifty five times from memory, without stumbling and sniggering. ;-)"}, {"response": 654, "author": "sofie", "date": "Wed, Aug 26, 1998 (17:14)", "body": "snigger, snigger...ooops. Sorry again. Has anyone ever claimed that rakish curl on his forhead?"}, {"response": 655, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Aug 26, 1998 (22:15)", "body": "(sofie) Has anyone ever claimed that rakish curl on his forhead? Sorry, honey :-( I'm afraid body parts are off limits (for obvious reasons)...just inanimate objects. Go to the Keepsake board to see who's got what and what's available. It's topic #53 ;-)"}, {"response": 656, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Aug 27, 1998 (08:52)", "body": "Heidi, Felicia and Lou what a treat! I am very happy to see that the summer heat pays off, WOW! Great picture book story Lou and Nan--this just gets better and better! Looking forward to much much more, I remain a faithful fan. Nan has anyone ever claimed his cap and gown? Swoosh, swoosh, how he walks!"}, {"response": 657, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 27, 1998 (16:07)", "body": "(sofie) Has anyone ever claimed that rakish curl on his forhead? (Nan) Sorry, honey :-( I'm afraid body parts are off limits (for obvious reasons) Sad, but true. But, from the posted pics from SiL, it looks like he's using that curl again! (slurp, slurp) ;-) Aren't all items up for repossession, Nan, if the previous Keeper has not resurfaced?"}, {"response": 658, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Fri, Aug 28, 1998 (00:26)", "body": "I have recently discussed MY keepsake . . .and how I feel as his lips touch the edge of me . . .the little teacup!!"}, {"response": 659, "author": "MLouM", "date": "Fri, Aug 28, 1998 (00:56)", "body": "Oh my gosh, I DID call it a tickLer! Thank god they're not french! My humblest apologies Arami! Gee, I never applied for a keepsake. Let's see, I wonder if his money clip is taken? Perhaps the ink well? I'm rushing to #34 to find out now! ;-)"}, {"response": 660, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Aug 29, 1998 (20:32)", "body": "As the Keeper of his Academic Notebooks I am pleased to tell you he consults them frequently asloving memories of his University days. He keeps the leather bidings soft and supple using fine leather waxes and rubbing with gentle hands. They are never allowed to become dampened by rain. He clutches them to his chest beneath his robe and protects them there. They are most devotedly being cared for by me when he is not using them. BTW, several months ago I suggested that since it seemed that most of the keepsakes had been abandoned, I had reclaimed them and locked them in my closet for safekeeping. Only the watch fob, tea cup, and mirror Keeptresses came forward to report on the state of preservation of their most precious items."}, {"response": 661, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Aug 29, 1998 (20:32)", "body": "As the Keeper of his Academic Notebooks I am pleased to tell you he consults them frequently as loving memories of his University days. He keeps the leather bidings soft and supple using fine leather waxes and rubbing with gentle hands. They are never allowed to become dampened by rain. He clutches them to his chest beneath his robe and protects them there. They are most devotedly being cared for by me when he is not using them. BTW, several months ago I suggested that since it seemed that most of the keepsakes had been abandoned, I had reclaimed them and locked them in my closet for safekeeping. Only the watch fob, tea cup, and mirror Keeptresses came forward to report on the state of preservation of their most precious items."}, {"response": 662, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Aug 29, 1998 (20:34)", "body": "A brand new 6.4 GB 266 MHz computer and it posts twice?! I have much to learn!!! Sorry."}, {"response": 663, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 29, 1998 (21:10)", "body": "......all wondering what I would be like in bed The accompanying picture of Lizzy with the candle is hilarious. She looks a little dubious about that wedding night.....:-) BTW if all the keepsake items have been spoken for....how about Lizzy's long gloves . May I have those? The one he tenderly takes at the Netherfield Ball. I'm on the way to #53....."}, {"response": 664, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (02:06)", "body": "Dearest Nan and Lou - I am LMAO! Your joint story was too funny for words. But Nan, when are you going to tell us what happened in the back of that phaeton?"}, {"response": 665, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (23:17)", "body": "Two stories from Lou ( the one aided by Nan's Snappy is priceless)...I am a fan for life. A way with words is the quickest way to get to me....ladies, you have it!!! Thank you!!!!"}, {"response": 666, "author": "natrad", "date": "Tue, Sep  1, 1998 (05:38)", "body": "What did I tell you about picture books?! What was that about '..tells a thousand words ...'? Do we have no new creations from Storyland?! Here's big news for all Aussies, if you haven't read the P&P adaptation board at RoP ... P&P2 is back on the ABC (FINALLY! After two loooooooooooonnnnnnnnng years of anxious waiting ... sure, the videos suffice, but nothing is more pleasurable than knowing it's happening then and there, and that people around the country are tuned in). When? Fridays, 9.30 pm, starting Sept 4th ... this Friday! Cancel all dates! Relinguish your social life! (I know I am!)"}, {"response": 667, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Sep  1, 1998 (19:30)", "body": "Oh, you lucky people...:-) UK only had a repeat of FF on TV recently..."}, {"response": 668, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Sep  5, 1998 (00:21)", "body": "I still lay claim to the decanter that he held in his hand while pouring wine for himself and Bingley after the Gardiners and Lizzie had left Pemberley that wonderful evening when she realized she loved him."}, {"response": 669, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Sep  5, 1998 (10:03)", "body": "To vote for Colin as one of the favorite classical British actors send your vote to, http://welcometo/Harlequinaid/ they have to have 50 votes to get him on the list so please send in your votes"}, {"response": 670, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Sep  5, 1998 (10:55)", "body": "I'm sorry I missed a dot in the above address it should be http://welcome.to/Harlequinaid/"}, {"response": 671, "author": "cam", "date": "Tue, Sep  8, 1998 (13:51)", "body": "Not part of the story: Hello everyone, I have been reading all your stories and comments on Darcy and Lizzy for a while (enjoying them a lot!), and thought I should give it a go as well. I was inspired by your discussions on \"do you think Darcy and Lizzy slept together before they married?\" I especially liked the comment ( I\ufffdm not sure who wrote it) that Lizzy may feel she is as bad as Lydia (though in this timeframe, nothing has happened to Lydia (yet)). I am not sure I am any good at writing stories (never really done this before, but I had o much fun writing this!) so I welcome your constructive comments. Lin PS Naturally, I know nothing of quotation marks, etc. I'll learn! The sleep of reason The fatigued sunbeams of the late afternoon persistently tried to find their way through the small openings of the heavy velvet curtains, in order to make a last attempt to lighten the dark bedroom. The sunbeams moved across the beautifully woven carpet, onto the wooden furniture and finally found their way to the large bed that was placed in the centre of the room. The bed was covered with a pile of creased sheets. Between the sheets, the sunbeams found Elizabeth\ufffds sleeping body and teasingly made her st r. Elizabeth slowly opened her eyes, trying to adjust to the yellowish light that suddenly seemed to fill the room. She saw the creased sheets and the unfamiliar colour of the wallpaper in the room. Her mind was not quite awake yet. The bed felt soft and warm and was, in a strange way, saturated by Darcy\ufffds scent. Though the bedlinen only covered parts of her body, she felt a comforting source of warmth around her. Suddenly she felt something move around her body and nuzzle against her back and neck. Startled she turned her head, only to find Fitzwilliam Darcy, fast asleep, curled up against and wrapped around her as close as he could possibly get. Now she was fully awake. The day before, she had excused herself from another tedious evening with Lady Catharine De Bourgh and her toady cousin, feigning a headache after her walk with Colonel Fitzwilliam. When her cousin, his wife Charlotte and Maria were gone, Elizabeth decided to reread the letters Jane had written to her since her being in Kent. Her peace, however, did not last. Suddenly, she was roused by the sound of the door-bell. Hoping the visitor was Colonel Fitzwilliam himself, she was utterly amazed and slightly di appointed when Darcy hurriedly entered the room. Agitatedly, he began inquiring after her health. He appeared very nervous. \"Miss Bennet, you must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you\" She had been astonished. In a way, she was flattered, knowing what great honor he bestowed upon her. However, never before he had indicated he felt this way about her. Then she remembered him asking her to dance at the Netherfield ball, but also the improper way he slighted her at the Meryton Assembly. She felt confused. She heard him say something about relieving his suffering and consenting to be his wife. His wife? Her confusion increased. He started talking about her family. Did he really say he was d grading himself by marrying her? She could not believe her ears. How dare he! Her confusion turned into anger. How could he even think she would be tempted to agree marrying him, when at the same time he told her in an unmistakable way she was not good enough for him? She had rejected him, casting all her anger at him. How could he have been so rude towards Wickham? How could he judge the depths of Jane\ufffds feelings for Bingley? Taking in her accusations, anger had risen inside him as well. The proposal ended in a fierce argument. Finally, he composed himself again. \"You have said quite enough, Madam.\" After he left, she allowed herself to fall down on the sofa, overcome by fatigue. The morning after, she went out for a morning walk, in order to calm her mind after a night dominated by a turmoil of thoughts. The trees rustled softly while she remembered the proposal and, moreover, their argument. Maybe she had been very rude to him. After all, she was the one who had allowed herself to be charmed by Wickham. She was the one who started the fight when Darcy proposed to her. She took a small path leading through dense shrubbery, that ended in a field covered by thousands of flowers. Th it perfume would soothe her thoughts. Suddenly, Darcy appeared in front of her. He handed her a letter. \"Would you do me the honor of reading this letter?\" And he was gone again. Elizabeth felt nothing but surprise. Why, after their argument, would he take the trouble of writing a letter? By now, she had reached the field. She sat down and admired the Darcy seal before she broke it. Slowly, she unfolded the letter and started reading. With every page she read, she felt more guilty. The letter started in a rather cold manner, but had a nice ending. Reading the letter, she came to understand his feelings. She read it again and made up her mind. She was going to apologize"}]}, {"num": 129, "subject": "Colin Firth (Part 7)", "response_count": 1971, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (14:45)", "body": "(Karen)What attracts you all to Joe Prince. So he's a nice guy who falls in love with a looney. What attracts you to that slob Paul Ashford?;-) At least the looney has a better voice than Ruth Gemell"}, {"response": 2, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (14:49)", "body": "Leather jacket ? Reddish hair? Or a cannon where it matters?!!"}, {"response": 3, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (14:50)", "body": "BTW Karen, thanks for setting up yet another Cf part for us droolies."}, {"response": 4, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (15:13)", "body": "(Ashworth Lizza) Or a cannon where it matters?!! *Heeheehee* (Evelyn) What attracts you to that slob Paul Ashford?;-) (Ashworth, for the picky). Hmm, thought-provoking question, Evelyn. JOE VS. PAUL *Let's get ready to ruuuuummmmmmbbllleeeee* JOE drives a clunky truck adorned with cute little animal cutouts. PAUL drives a girly compact car (a Nissan Cherry? ;-P). JOE loves to grocery shop, though he tends to get impatient after snogging. PAUL thinks only about Arsenal while shopping. JOE has adorable pets. PAUL has an adorable football lamp next to his bed. JOE looks great in a sweater. PAUL looks great in a leather coat. JOE looks dorky in his Ranger Rick uniform (hat, at least) PAUL's hair is mangy and he's frequently unshaven. JOE likes the great northwest. PAUL likes the great north bank. JOE has a loyal friend who cares about his well-being ('what do you know about this girl? How does she chew?'). PAUL has a loyal friend who cares about his well-being ('you need medical help'). JOE gets beaten up. PAUL gets pushed around by the crowd during a match. JOE seems to have on blue underwear when he shouldn't. PAUL wears cute red boxers adorned with cannons. JOE's great at vertical shagging. PAUL's...well, we don't know, do we? I say it's a dead heat. Who's got more?"}, {"response": 5, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (17:21)", "body": "Personally I really go for Richard Courtois -- he looked great in tights and out of them, plus he had a social consience in the Middle Ages. Yes, the Renaissance had gotten to Paris, but Richard had left Paris behind. I also am fascinated by Adrian LeDuc. Okay, so he's an Oedipus Wrecked repressed lunatic with a corpse in his apartment. Judging by my ex-boyfriends, I've always been attracted by mental illness in a man. So Adrian's nuts, no problem; however, he is gay. Well, we could be girlfriends -- we both love movies. Donovan Quick might be my sort. He does tilt at windmills, metaphorically speaking."}, {"response": 6, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (17:40)", "body": "LOL Eileen! Thanks for the info on DQ, Tracy! Disappointing and puzzling though. Why another six months delay? And then \"late summer\"...the graveyard period for scheduling, usually sport and repeats. Hmmmm!!!"}, {"response": 7, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (17:43)", "body": "Tracy, I meant to ask you, where did you get your SLOW info (\ufffd50 retail). Highfliers (Tel 0181-7422023), who are bringing out the video, said it would be available for rental (yes!) on March 6, but wouldn't retail until the end of the year, (Patience is a virtue!)"}, {"response": 8, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (17:59)", "body": "We certainly have to have patience being CF fans, SLOW, goodness knows how many years, MLSF, a year after the US, (and fingers still crossed) DQ 9 months after Australia, if we are lucky, (late summer, could mean early September, which is the beginning of the winter schedules), Londinium, this year next year sometime never, only TTOTS was within months of finishing and that was a 4min cameo, okay I'll end on an optimistic note RV if it is released on the 19th May, will be relatively! quick, but do I really want to see a gay DB!! (before anyone says I have seen DQ, I am thinking of behalf of other fans who have not)."}, {"response": 9, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (19:14)", "body": "(Lizza) Or a cannon where it matters?!! You are bad, v. bad. ;-) And Eileen...you *must* publish! ;-) I'm sure there are more comparisons. Will put my thinking cap on. (AnnW) I really want to see a gay DB!! (before anyone says I have seen DQ, I am thinking of behalf of other fans who have not). Was that a spoiler-type slip, Ann? *slap slap* Bethan, SLOW shoes up at Blackstar: http://www.blackstar.co.uk/video/item/7000000055030 And here's the video jacket from that site: That pricing is for the rental market; a retail price should be in the \ufffd13 range for you, I expect. (AnnW) I'll end on an optimistic note RV if it is released on the 19th May Things look as certain as I've ever seen. Besides, word I had is that they're taking it to Cannes. Doubt that means competition, but just for screening and lots of hoopla."}, {"response": 10, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (19:19)", "body": "And here's the long-awaited video cover for TTOTS. Surprise surprise...bet no one thought they'd use Colin to sell this one! ;-)"}, {"response": 11, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (19:43)", "body": "I may never watch it but once but I'll get the TOTS tape for the cover. No need to mention that SLOW will be as worn out as my Fever Pitch in no time. (Lizza) Or a cannon where it matters?!! That's worthy of Mae West, Lizza. Look like we need say no more about Paul Ashworth over Joe Prince though Eileen has plenty to say and in her inimitable style, as always. (Eileen) JOE's great at vertical shagging. PAUL's...well, we don't know, do we? No (darn it) but I can get woozy over that coffee cup kissing scene. And!! he did manage to impregnate Sarah. Okay, any fifteen year old can do that. (Cheryl) I also am fascinated by Adrian LeDuc. Okay, so he's an Oedipus Wrecked repressed lunatic with a corpse in his apartment. Snicker... Still he'd have breakfast on the table and your clothing laundered for you. Judging by my ex-boyfriends, I've always been attracted by mental illness in a man. And I by vulnerable, sensitive men. Hence Joe Prince's appeal."}, {"response": 12, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (20:07)", "body": "(Eileen) JOE's great at vertical shagging. PAUL's...well, we don't know, do we? (Heide)No (darn it) but I can get woozy over that coffee cup kissing scene. You ALL can have all the coffee and Ash...(what-ever-it-is)-cannon-shorts you want....I'll take Joe by the freezer and the vertical shag any day...besides, as Winter used to say: \"You could be sure he'd be there in the mornin'\" Paul might ,unless there's an early Arsenal game;-)"}, {"response": 13, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Feb 10, 2000 (07:35)", "body": "RV at Cannes? Good! I'm all for hoopla....movies need some hype. And By then perhaps Julie will have been to see the Queen to collect her Damedom! All good publicity.. BTW how gay is Peter? There's charming, well mannered, deep-voiced, Is he or isn't he, sort of Noel Coward suurrogate...that's ok by me! Or have you spotted a limp wrist? :-)"}, {"response": 14, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Feb 10, 2000 (07:39)", "body": "Keep on losing the Internet connection. Have to be short and snappy. Ann, if \"late summer\" for DQ is ealy Sept, that's a good scheduling time. It's just the month of August that's a no-hoper, Although I think \"Mrs Brown\" was shown on late August Bank Holiday and got an audience of 12 million."}, {"response": 15, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 10, 2000 (09:28)", "body": "Well, no sooner than I say that RV is a lock for May...grrr OK, RV's release has been pushed back to the beginning of June. That makes more sense, as the Cannes FF is May 10-21. However, they wouldn't confirm that as the reason, but said it was just a scheduling thing. Sure!!"}, {"response": 16, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb 10, 2000 (12:12)", "body": "Speaking of RV, here's something to cheer Ann up: Murph has just put up a new pic of Colin and Sophie Thompson. Go to her news page and scroll about a third of the way down. He's saying, \"Shhhh.\" ;-) Karen, is the June release for the UK? Good to hear about Cannes; CF will have to put his schmoozing cap back on, but it won't kill him.;-) Eileen, I loved your Joe/Paul comparison!"}, {"response": 17, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 10, 2000 (13:56)", "body": "Yes, the June release date for RV is for the UK."}, {"response": 18, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb 10, 2000 (15:04)", "body": "That really doesn't surprise me, still it means that the forthcoming films are now nicely spread out, Sunshine in April, MLSF in May and now RV in June. Bethan, going back to DQ, I am really surprised that the BBC haven't rushed to air DQ, it is a wonderful involving drama, that realy has you routing for the whole family and there is a to-die-for shot of Colin in the closing scene."}, {"response": 19, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Feb 10, 2000 (15:43)", "body": "Bethan - Re SLOW, yes I did get the info from Blackstar have since asked WH Smiths who could not give a release date (and hadn't even heard of it...heresy!)but reckon on a \"normal retail price\" so that'll be around about the \ufffd13-\ufffd15 mark like Karen says. \"CherylB - Personally I really go for Richard Courtois -- he looked great in tights and out of them\" I'm right with you there girlie, the \"stay in me\" (don't think I misheard - apologies if I did) scene is just wonderfully played and putting the \"social consience\" to one side for a moment you can give me a good dose of cockerel scene any day...no pun intended honest:-D Joe Vs Paul - great comparisons Eileen LOL! (For the picky (and at the risk of raising the car subject again) Paul drives a maroon Ford Escort!) Adrian LeDuc's definately odd - I just can't summon up any empathy for him I'm afraid and no matter how many times I see it (and I don't want to be drummed out of the droolies) I cannot see what all the noise is about Birkin (it must be the moustache I think, Simon Westward has a similar non-effect). Strangely that said I find Charlie Gould extremely droolable in a power-crazed, blinkered kind of way..who can forget the mine/ garotte experiences! Haven't we been here before?? Someone was asking a while back about a Nia Long quote re ODB, I have it here (from Empire Magazine Jan 2000): \"(SLOW) gave her the chance....to get hot and heavy with British heart-throb Colin Firth. \"He's great. There's something about him that's very innocent, childlike. I think he's shy.\" \" well thanks for your input Nia!"}, {"response": 20, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 10, 2000 (17:21)", "body": "LOL...everyone has a fave Colin role. I was about to say...no one likes Charlie Gould and along comes Tracy. At least we all agree on Mr D.!"}, {"response": 21, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Feb 10, 2000 (19:18)", "body": "no one likes Charlie Gould and along comes Tracy. At least we all agree on Mr D.! Heheheh. I kinda like Charlie myself - those sunbleached locks of hair, eh Tracy? Now is there anyone who will say they like Simon Westward?"}, {"response": 22, "author": "baine", "date": "Thu, Feb 10, 2000 (21:33)", "body": "(Heide) Now is there anyone who will say they like Simon Westward? Only as a comic role--the qualified Dutchman scene makes me realize how good ODB would have been as a Python if born a generation earlier. And in the book Simon is a fuller and actually more likeable character--too bad they didn't do more with him in the movie. I agree with you, Tracy, about Birkin's mustache--does nothing for him except make him look like Tommy Judd trying to look grownup. I like the film which makes the stache even more frustrating and perhaps explains why Natasha rejected him in the end."}, {"response": 23, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 10, 2000 (23:03)", "body": "Hmmm, I've always like Charlie in that dinner party scene toward the end when they try to thank Nostromo, but only Emilia know how to do it. Doncha just love how Colin looks in that waistcoast (no jacket) and isn't his shirt open at the top? Delish. Gotta think some more about Simon and whether there's anything to love about him. He does sit a horse awfully well at the beginning. And we both share an interest in books. ;-)"}, {"response": 24, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (03:50)", "body": "From Baz B in today's Daily Mail: A Dark time for Mr Darcy Colin Firth has signed up to work with the woman who helped make him a heart-throb. The actor, whose portrayal of the dangerously handsome Mr Darcy in P&P made him a household name, will collaborate with its award winning producer Sue Birtwhistle, on as new TW dama. No tight breeches or coy glimpses of bare shoulder in this one though. This time Firth will play author William Boyd's modern-day literary here, Lorimer Black, an insurance adjuster from his novel Armadillo. The story begins with Black arriving for a meeting in Central London and finding a hanged man. His day - and his life - soon begins to unravel in the most darkly comic way. Colin agreed to do this at a very early stage and it's pefect for him, Ms Birtwhislte told me. Boyd is adapting his tale for the screen with filming beginning in the summer. Firth and Birtwhistle initially met several years ago on Dutch Girls, which Boyd also wrote."}, {"response": 25, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (04:32)", "body": "in the most darkly comic way. So, he\ufffds STILL not retiring! And not \"leaving the country\" for good either! Wow, thanks for the great news Aishling, that does sound like Colin\ufffds stuff, I mean that Most Darkly Comic part. And with Sue B, that\ufffds a very good sign."}, {"response": 26, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (04:45)", "body": "Aishling -filming beginning in the summer Great news, well done Aishling and BB, and it still gives him time to do BJD, TM of B or even Flashman, or all three!!"}, {"response": 27, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (04:48)", "body": "(Karen)And we both share an interest in books. Re: Simon Westward. I admire his taste in literature too. Maybe I\ufffdm a pervert but I could never resist that terrible scene where says \"what about....this one\"! :-D Also, I love it how totally irresposible and hatable Colin manages to look like when Simon learns about the unwanted pregnancy."}, {"response": 28, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (06:56)", "body": "Well done, Aishling, that's very good news. (Ann)and it still gives him time to do BJD,TM of B or even Flashman, or all three!! You never give up hope, do you? Re: Simon Westward. I admire his taste in literature too. Maybe I\ufffdm a pervert but I could never resist that terrible scene where says \"what about....this one\"! :-D I have always wondered what \"this one \" could be! :)"}, {"response": 29, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (08:50)", "body": "Here's Aishling with a scoop! Woohoo, news at last. Biz has broken a few CF and JE projects, hasn't he? And he's always accurate. His day - and his life - soon begins to unravel in the most darkly comic way. Have to admit, I was glad to see the word 'comic' in this sentence. It's great to see Colin back with Susie (now, where's Andy?). (Karen) Yes, the June release date for RV is for the UK So there's no release date for the US, then (will be a big girl and go check your page . Interesting bit about Cannes. Doubt CF will be there, though. No Harvey. Unless, of course, C&L really got into the hobnobbing and goobersmooching when they were there last year. In which case, get out the dark glasses and pop open the orangina! Re: Simon Character aside, Simon's one of CF's better performances, IMO. He's very nuanced. Look at his face when Nan tells him it's her first time and she's waited for someone special. And you have to love him sitting crosslegged on the bed, pants off, shirt, undies and socks intact. Agree with Cymbeline about book Simon. A very different, fuller character (and short in stature, so CF would never do). I'd go for him, but Simon's got this little thing about Catholics.... (Nita) You [Ann] never give up hope, do you? Just ask Bethan about SLOW. She hung in there after most of us jumped ship on that one. Sometimes it pays to hope."}, {"response": 30, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (10:07)", "body": "Wow, Aishling!! This sounds v. good. Boyd (since his Dutch Girls days) has become quite a respected novelist, with that Brazzaville thing. Not a two-bitter at all. But this is for television again! :-( Here are some reviews from amazon.com: Lorimer Black may suffer from a serious sleep disorder and an obsession with the labyrinths of the British class system, but Armadillo's peculiar protagonist is the star insurance adjuster of London's Fortress Sure PLC, unaffectionately known as the Fort. At the very start of William Boyd's noir-ish seventh novel, however, things take a decided swerve for the worse. On a bleak January morning one of his cases has apparently chosen to kill himself rather than talk: \"Mr. Dupree was simultaneously the first dead person he had encountered in his life, his first suicide and his first hanged man and Lorimer found this congruence of firsts deceptively troubling.\" Soon our hero, who himself has a lot to hide, finds himself threatened by a dodgy type whose loss he has adjusted way down and embroiled with the beautiful married actress Flavia Malinverno. \"People who've lost something, they call on you to adjust it, make the loss less hard to bear? As if their lives are broken in some way and they call on you to fix it,\" Flavia dippily wonders. Lorimer also has his car torched and instantly goes from an object of affection to one of deep suspicion at the Fort. Then there is another case, the small matter of the rock star who may or may not be faking the Devil he says is sitting on his left shoulder. Needless to say, Lorimer is \"becoming fed up with this role of fall guy for other people's woes.\" Boyd adds a deep layer of psychological heft and a lighter level of humor to this thinking-person's thriller by exploring Lorimer's manifold personal and social fears. This is a man who desperately collects ancient helmets even though he knows they offer only \"the illusion of protection.\" Another of Armadillo's many pleasures: its dose of delicious argot. Should Lorimer \"oil\" the apparent perpetrator of the Fedora Palace arson before he's oiled himself? Or perhaps he just needs to \"put the frighteners\" on him. Boyd definitely puts the frighteners on his readers more than once in this cinematically seedy and dazzling literary display. --Kerry Fried From Booklist , September 1, 1998 As a loss adjuster, Lorimer Black represents the unstable element in the supposedly safe world of insurance, as he negotiates down arrangements already agreed to. And he's a star at what he does in his London office. Varying his appearance and dress ever so subtly to suit each situation, he gains the confidence that serves as his invisible armor, a parallel to his expensive avocation of collecting antique armor. But events begin to buffet him: a perplexing case raises the level of danger in his already dangerous business, an actress married to a jealous juggler increasingly occupies his thoughts and the lucid dreams of his sleep therapy, and an odd relationship upsets his well-ordered life. Boyd, a deft craftsman, continues to explore his frequent themes of identity, insecurity, and the fragility of life as he turns the examination of an intriguing vocation into a darkly comic tale full of substance as well as tips for the well-dressed gentleman. Michele Leber ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sounds delicious, though. Remember seeing the book on the shelves last March in London. Involved with a \"beautiful married actress\" Ooo wee!! I think we can rely on Sue B to know how to *package* Colin to his best advantage. ;-) (Elena) I love it how totally irresposible and hatable Colin manages to look like when Simon learns about the unwanted pregnancy. You're so right. Colin's looks are great in every scene. Love the frustration in the car too - the infamous \"oh, Nan, oh\" ;-) (Nita) I have always wondered what \"this one \" could be! :) Haven't we all. Join the club. ;-) (Eileen) goobersmooching What the heck is that? Only thing that come to mind is kissing peanuts or Jimmy Carter. RV seems tailormade for the Cannes crowd: the resurrection of Julie Andrews is sure to make a splash with all the paparazzi and you know they'll be entertained by Jeanne Tripplehorn and Billy B. Colin might attend. Livia probably would want to go again."}, {"response": 31, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (10:11)", "body": "Just another thought: Was there a picture with Baz's article?"}, {"response": 32, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (10:16)", "body": "Yes, just head shot, semi-smile"}, {"response": 33, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (10:34)", "body": "Did it look new?"}, {"response": 34, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (10:42)", "body": "Yes, I have not seen it before, am sending it to Murph."}, {"response": 35, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (10:45)", "body": "(Eileen) goobersmooching (Karen) What the heck is that? Only thing that come to mind is kissing peanuts or Jimmy Carter. Not to mention those little chocolate candies made by the Raisinette folks...it's a term, common in these parts, for sucking up to the big boys. (Karen) Sounds delicious, though. Sounds better and better after reading those reviews (thanks for posting). At last, a thriller! *Eileen does dance of joy* With comedic undertones, to boot! But this is for television again! :-( At least it spares us from wondering if it will be picked up by a distributor, which part of the world will get to see it on the big screen, etc. And BBC Scotland's not involved (don't they seem to be asleep at the DQ wheel?). Yes, just head shot, semi-smile Have we seen this one before, Aishling?"}, {"response": 36, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (10:47)", "body": "Never mind my last line."}, {"response": 37, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (10:48)", "body": "Thanks SO much, Ann and Aishling. Quick like a bunny I have the news and the Amazon link for the book plus a bit of the plot on my news page. News Page Murph As a person who loves thrillers, this looks like a winner. Now, sleuths, find out who is producing this, and whether it is TV or Film. I am assuming TV."}, {"response": 38, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (11:11)", "body": "Thanks for this news, Aishling! It's funny, but I had a premonition that we'd be reading about a new project today. Will consult the crystal ball to see if I can ascertain broadcast dates.;-) Baz's info is always reliable, and if Sue B. is involved, it's sure to be a winner. I'm very encouraged by those Amazon reviews (thanks, Karen). I also wasn't thrilled to see that it's TV, Karen, but it looks like the book received good reviews in the U.S. as well, so maybe there's a glimmer of hope that we'll see it here too. Ann, we'll look forward to seeing the new pic--thanks. Off to read tea leaves . . .;-)"}, {"response": 39, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (11:12)", "body": "Thanks Aishling for the scoop. Baz should be made an honorary Colin/Jennifer publicist. And Sue Colin's agent. Karen, I hope you are posting those reviews on The Bucket so we can read them again. Now I'll buy the book.Anybody have the ISBN number?"}, {"response": 40, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (11:16)", "body": "I also wasn't thrilled to see that it's TV, Why? His movies go no where, unless he's in a supporting role. I'd rather have good starring roles on TV. Besides, he doesn't have to promote them;-)"}, {"response": 41, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (11:36)", "body": "Wow! Aishling, Karen, Murph, thanks for the news, book info, etc. At last, a confirmed project for ODB -- and with Sue B., no less;-) ...and embroiled with the beautiful married actress Flavia Malinverno Anyone care to venture casting suggestions for this part? Sounds like she's dark and sultry and... Italian? ...a darkly comic tale full of substance as well as tips for the well-dressed gentleman. LOL! Colin could sure use these;-)"}, {"response": 42, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (11:39)", "body": "On my return from second chaffeuring run of the morn, I stopped at Borders and B&N--*hee hee* doing my suburban drive from one corner parking lot to the next--Armadillo probably won't be in anybody's stock, as it is scheduled to come out in paperback in April. There might be leftovers around, but what's the hurry. Will check if the library has it."}, {"response": 43, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (13:04)", "body": "Now this sounds like a good one (Thanks Aishling!) SB and William Boyd...an excellent combination. WB has an excellent reputation as a writer, and he's just directed (and wrote the screenplay for) his first movie \"The Trench\" which got v.good reviews. And could it could be a drama series, not a 2 hour film?"}, {"response": 44, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (13:11)", "body": "Have to post in installments! Bear with me! Like Ann, I still hope he'll do \"Maid of Buttermere\"...(it's a very strong serious dramatic role, and there are a few more months to fill in before the summer!) and BJD. No slacking! It's good to mix TV and film work. But quality TV attracts a lot of attention in the UK."}, {"response": 45, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (13:32)", "body": "Chicago Public Library isn't answering its phone. Forgot, is Honest Abe's Bday and are closed. :-( More info on Armadillo (betcha Evelyn knows a few of those!) Description from The Reader's Catalog Boyd's social satire centers around Lorimer Black, the scion of a gypsy clan who has transformed himself into a dashing and cultivated insurance adjuster. One day, instead of meeting with the business associate he expects, Lorimer is greeted by a hanged man. From then on the hapless hero is swept into a web of intrigue involving rock musicians, beautiful women, ominous job firings, and something called the Institute of Lucid Dreams From The Publisher One cold winter's morning, Lorimer Black -- insurance adjuster, young, good-looking, on the rise -- goes out on a perfectly ordinary business appointment, finds a hanged man and realizes that his life is about to be turned upside down. The elements at play: a beautiful actress glimpsed in a passing taxi . . . an odd new business associate whose hiring, firing and rehiring make little sense. . . a rock musician who is losing his mind -- and a web of fraud in which virtually everyone Lorimer Black knows has been caught and in which he finds himself increasingly entangled. Reviews From Charles Taylor (MAJOR SPOILERS) In the midst of the dully compelling puzzle that is William Boyd's Armadillo is a minor character named David Watts, a hugely successful rock singer. Someone has to tell Boyd's protagonist, an insurance adjuster named Lorimer Black, that Watts has named himself after a song by the Kinks. Hearing \"David Watts\" for the first time, Lorimer describes it as \"a song about someone who could do no wrong, someone who was revered and worshipped by his peers, someone who, to all intents and purposes, was perfect.\" Well, no.\"David Watts\" is a song about someone \"revered and worshipped by his peers,\" but it's sung by someone who will never be David Watts' peer. Ray Davies sings it in the voice of a self-described \"dull and simple lad,\" one whose heart is green as much from bile as from envy. What does William Boyd's mishearing of a 30-year-old rock song have to do with the rest of Armadillo? It sums up his imprecision. There are ample reasons why the singer who chooses to call himself David Watts would hear Ray Davies' song as being about hero worship. But there's nothing to indicate that Boyd himself knows it's about something more. This inability (unwillingness?) is indicative of the haze that hangs over the entire novel. Haze is different from ambiguity, which still implies some sureness of purpose, and which might suit the subject. Armadillo is a book about people who've taken pains to conceal their motives and identities. Many of its characters have abandoned their birth names as if they were unflattering clothes. Lorimer, whose real name is Milomre Blocj, has escaped his ethnic roots and reinvented himself as a young London professional of rarefied tastes. His business, trying to keep insurance companies from paying out the money they've promised, is a con game run with the protection of he law, but Lorimer does his best not to let its unsavory nature rub off on him. His genteel lifestyle is his armadillo's shell. Trouble is, what's beneath it isn't very compelling. Neither are the plot complications Boyd puts Lorimer through. We can see that the various pieces (the suicide Lorimer stumbles upon; the co-worker who takes a shine to him; the arson case Lorimer is investigating) will eventually fit together, and that keeps us reading. But you never feel like there's anything much at stake. Boyd's atmospheric vagueness can be exotically entertaining in his short fiction, as it was in his last collection, The Destiny of Nathalie X, but here he doesn't seem to be possessed by the subject or his story. Armadillo is like an exceptionally literate and halfhearted thriller. Boyd doesn't even seem to have fully taken in the current moment. Lorimer is the sort of self-absorbed materialistic protagonist you'd expect in a novel about acquisitive '80s yuppies. Like everything else about Armadillo, his purchased sophistication feels half-right and terribly, terribly vague. -- Salon From Michael Shelden Witty and exquisitely complicated. . .The tale combines a touch of Dickensian realistic comedy with a Kafkaesque sense of modern urban terror. -- The Baltimore Sun"}, {"response": 46, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (13:43)", "body": "Thanks Karen....I take it back...this sounds like it would be a better movie than anything else he's been in lately.Rock musicians, beautiful women.... au courant(sounding like Ben ;-)).The multi-plex crowd would go for it. Along way from Mr. Darcy"}, {"response": 47, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (16:16)", "body": "...and embroiled with the beautiful married actress Flavia Malinverno Anyone care to venture casting suggestions for this part? Sounds like she's dark and sultry and... Italian? ************** Susan: I have already begun to think on this, and I have a perfect choice. Did anyone see Sopranos last Sunday? If you did, you know EXACTLY who I am talking about, right? Her real name is Sofia Milos, and she was an absolutely gob smacking lady! I still don't know how Tony resisted her in the goddess's temple! I bet teaming her with Colin would get him past all those closed mouth kisses he prefers on screen. [I'm already ducking the missives] She was also Richard's Italian wife in Caroline In The City. Murph"}, {"response": 48, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (16:21)", "body": "(Murph) [I'm already ducking the missives] We don't do that here (well, not like other places). I know who you mean. Very Sophia Loren-like. Mama mia! BTW, did you notice the bit set in the Party City on Route 17 in Hasbrouck Hts?"}, {"response": 49, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (16:41)", "body": "(Murph) [I'm already ducking the missives] (Eileen)We don't do that here (well, not like other places). ~~~~~ OT True, Murph. You know us better than that. Which is why I only belong to Spring. What's more everyone is welcomed here...no one is vetted."}, {"response": 50, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (17:35)", "body": "Aishling and everyone elso...great scoop re Armadillo. Now I know what I'm doing tomorrow, hot footing it down the library to hand in Maid of Buttermere and get Armadillo out...that's always assuming there are no other Firthlettes in town! Will post a book report when I get through it! \"Evelyn- no one likes Charlie Gould and along comes Tracy. \" Gould isn't my absolute favourite, mind you with such a smorgesbord to select from I have great difficulty in deciding. No there's nothing for it I'll just have to sit through my collection again. What a chore ;-D"}, {"response": 51, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (20:45)", "body": "Eileen says: BTW, did you notice the bit set in the Party City on Route 17 in Hasbrouck Hts? ******** Was that where it was? I've never been in there, but have passed it many times. Used to go to the Crow's Nest nearby when it was owned by a friend of a friend. Murph I was only kidding about the missives. I know all here are gentle and kind. I hope this graphic works...\"I SHALL conquer this, I shall!\""}, {"response": 52, "author": "Maureen", "date": "Sat, Feb 12, 2000 (01:30)", "body": "Armadillo mmmmmmm, sounds like really good stuff. Now if my beloved ABC plays its cards right, we might just be one of the first to see it. Sorry to rub it in folks, I do not get much of a chance to brag but we have already seen DQ here and us convicts deserve a break every now and then. I have a confession to make, I watched A Circle of Friends's 3 times before I realised it was Colin playing SW (shame on me). Why doesn't she read the credits I hear you ask???? I did eventually when it kept bugging me trying to figure out where I had seen this guy before. It took me ages to come to terms with it being him in that role at all. I was quite disillusioned by him after my discovery, as he played a dirty old man type character. Hope I have not offeneded anyone. I had to watch P&P a number of times after COF to fall in love with him all over again. Not that I rely entirely on a fix of P&P to get the adrenalin going but it does help to soothe the way until the next dangling carrot comes along. As for Nostromo, I can safely say that I did recognise Colin in this role. Aired again on my beloved ABC, I thought Colin looked absolutely delectable and played a strong yet vulnerable character. However, the overall presentation of the series reminded me of a Clint Eatwood spagehetti western. Again hope I have not offended anyone!!!!!!"}, {"response": 53, "author": "Maureen", "date": "Sat, Feb 12, 2000 (01:34)", "body": "BTW Murph, love the picture it works just fine. Maybe you can conquer it with a hairdryer and the heat turned up to the highest level??????"}, {"response": 54, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Feb 12, 2000 (02:16)", "body": "I bet teaming her with Colin would get him past all those closed mouth kisses he prefers on screen. (Murph) Ah, so you've noticed (except, possibly in P&P!) There was a nice little interview with Ruth Gemmel in which she mentioned she was a bit nervous about the love scenes in FP, but it was easy about this to Colin because he was very sympathetic. She did mention that he didn't kiss \"properly\" and that her boyfriend was very relieved and said \"Oh, Mr Darcy's a crap kisser\". You can guess what the headline was!"}, {"response": 55, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Feb 12, 2000 (02:56)", "body": "It gets worse - just received a reply to my letter to BBC Scotland, from Sharon Dempsey - \"Thankyou for your letter.... We do not have a confirmed transmission date for this programme yet, but anticipate that it will be towards the end of this year.\" Why, why, why its been ready for ages. Just days ago Tracy was told the end of the summer."}, {"response": 56, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Feb 12, 2000 (03:11)", "body": "DQ....end of summer/September-ish/October...perhaps? What geniuinely puzzles me is the lack of a confirmed transmission date. It's been in the can since September, and by all accounts it's very good, it's produced by a BAFTA winning team, and it stars Colin Firth!! No reason to delay it. One thing I can predict...Colin will be 40 by the time it's shown! One good thing about the Armadillo project is that I'm sure SB will fight to protect Colin's best interests...somehow this hasn't happened in his recent projects !!"}, {"response": 57, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Feb 12, 2000 (04:07)", "body": "(Murph)I was quite disillusioned by him after my discovery, as he played a dirty old man type character. Hope I have not offeneded anyone This just goes to show what a great actor he is, he could fool even you. Well, maybe he should do some more dirty old man roles because he\ufffds so good at it!! One thing yet about Simon, he\ufffds disgusting but there\ufffds more to him than that. I also feel a little sorry for him. I think Colin gives away that Simon has a bad conscience and that Simon is aware of his own creepish character but can\ufffdt do anything about it. (Bethan)She did mention that he didn't kiss \"properly\" So what is that supposed to mean, \"not properly\"?! :) This seems to be typical of all the greatest screen lovers. Wasn\ufffdt Clark Gable reputed to be a lousy kisser too."}, {"response": 58, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Feb 12, 2000 (07:03)", "body": "I guess kising is very intimate, and if he's a shy (and married!) man he would definitely prefer the \"aim left of centre, mouth closed\" approach! :-)"}, {"response": 59, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Feb 12, 2000 (07:43)", "body": "(Murph)I was quite disillusioned by him after my discovery, as he played a dirty old man type character. Hope I have not offeneded anyone ********** Elena: I don't remember saying that, but then I don't remember saying a lot of things! To whom was I referring? Murph"}, {"response": 60, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Feb 12, 2000 (08:23)", "body": "re Elena's posting - Murph, I belive it was Maureen, not you, apologies if I am wrong."}, {"response": 61, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Feb 12, 2000 (09:03)", "body": "Maureen, you're welcome to crow all you like about DQ and this fantastic sounding new project if it plays on ABC first. Just remember, we'll be demanding the video. Shall we call him Lorie? Aishling, thanks so much for sniffing out the news for us. I love the Internet - there's always someone awake somewhere in the world. Karen, can always count on you to get us the details. I shall be a good girl and go to my library today as well. (Bethan) I guess kising is very intimate, and if he's a shy (and married!) man he would definitely prefer the \"aim left of centre, mouth closed\" approach! :-) I don't think he's that shy. Guess he's just being polite. Little does he know how much his female costars admire him and wouldn't mind a little less professionalism. )(Maureen on Nostromo) However, the overall presentation of the series reminded me of a Clint Eatwood spagehetti western. Again hope I have not offended anyone!!!!!! Oh heavens no. Thin skin won't work here at all. Besides, I agree with you on this one - it is like a spaghetti western right down to the music. But those Sergio Leone/Eastwood films are pretty good so I take it as a compliment to the production, warranted or not. (Karen) Charlie in that dinner party scene toward the end when they try to thank Nostromo, but only Emilia know how to do it. Doncha just love how Colin looks in that waistcoast (no jacket) and isn't his shirt open at the top? Delish. Ummm yes, Karen. Looking good. He's just a little bit drunk in this scene, I think, but not enough to miss what's happening between his wife and N. I'm afraid though that I can't think of one COF scene where I find him appealing, though I can always make up excuses for his actions. (Eileen) Re: Simon Westward. I admire his taste in literature too. Maybe I\ufffdm a pervert but I could never resist that terrible scene where says \"what about....this one\"! :-D (Nita) I have always wondered what \"this one \" could be! :) Nita, have you ever seen The Hour of the Pig? ;-)"}, {"response": 62, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 12, 2000 (09:04)", "body": "(Maureen) Sorry to rub it in folks, I do not get much of a chance to brag but we have already seen DQ here That's OK, we'll be seeing it shortly. I expect by the middle of the week. ;-) However, the overall presentation of the series reminded me of a Clint Eatwood spagehetti western How very apt! ;-) It was an Italian co-production, but I'd have to lay the blame on the supporting characters. So many of them look as though their dialogue had been dubbed and, of course, those pygmy horses. (Bethan quoting Ruth Gemmel) he didn't kiss \"properly\" Argh! Maybe that's why I focus on that shoulder-grinding action? Less-than-satisfactory liplocks. (Elena) Colin gives away that Simon has a bad conscience and that Simon is aware of his own creepish character but can\ufffdt do anything about it. I definitely agree with you, Elena. But I'm always defending Colin's characters. To me, he appears as though he'd really like to go on with Nan, but that responsibility to his family/estate won't let him. There is that one scene with his sister(?) when she's proposing \"suitable\" matches for him, where he looks disgusted and semi-rebellious. I think he would like to make his own choices, but feels he cannot."}, {"response": 63, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 12, 2000 (10:37)", "body": "it's produced by a BAFTA winning team, and it stars Colin Firth!! No reason to delay it. If UK shows it, the sooner we'll get it in the US.But telling our A&E, Bravo and PBS that it got rave review in Australia, will fall on deaf ears. Bethan, I'm sure there are enough copies of DQ floating around in the UK that you should be able to see it. ~~~~~~~ (Heide)I don't think he's that shy. Guess he's just being polite. Oh yeah? Didn't you see him with Catherine Zeta-Jones in \"Out of the Blue\" with the tongues going? Not exactly a chaste kiss."}, {"response": 64, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Feb 12, 2000 (14:49)", "body": "Just noticed that next week the BBC are airing the BBC Scotland drama \"Monarch of the Glen\" which is listed after DQ in the forthcoming productions on the BBC Scotland website. Obviously no problem with setting a transmission date here! I've got a suspicious mind, I know, but there has to be a reason for the delay in showing DQ...there's not even a provisional date. But I'm blowed if I can think why! Any Sherlocks out there?"}, {"response": 65, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Feb 12, 2000 (14:52)", "body": "Oh, and yes, Catherine Z-J, I quite forgot. Certainly no chaste kiss here! Bethan, I'm sure there are enough copies of DQ floating around in the UK that you should be able to see it. I'm sure now that I'll give in to the temptation, but I was holding out for the pleasure and anticipation of seeing it \"live\"!"}, {"response": 66, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Feb 12, 2000 (15:17)", "body": "I wonder if perhaps it is \"politically corret\", you know David & Goliath scenario, just a thought."}, {"response": 67, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Feb 12, 2000 (15:44)", "body": "(Murph)Elena: I don't remember saying that, but then I don't remember saying a lot of things! To whom was I referring? Sorry Murph, obviously I meant Maureen!! And sorry Maureen, didn\ufffdt mean to slight you. (Heide): (Eileen) Re: Simon Westward. I admire his taste in literature too. Maybe I\ufffdm a pervert but I could never resist that terrible scene where says \"what about....this one\"! :-D Heide, it really was not Eileen who thought she was a pervert, it was me!! :-D"}, {"response": 68, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Feb 12, 2000 (16:15)", "body": "Colin Firth with (as suggested) Sofia Milos. Does this mean CF will have to get a gladiator outfit? I could go for Charles Gould. He looks good on a horse, has the most wonderful sun lightened hair, and I thought CF looked good with a full beard. Gould is also a terrific character, idealistic, dynamic, but ultimately corrupted. Although Charles Gould is English, he does have some characteristics of an American archetype, which may explain why the American Holroyd is willing to invest money in Gould's enterprise. The archetype to which I refer is the man who starts with little or nothing becomes a powerful capitalist, but loses something of his basic humanity in his basic ascent. That could someone of any nationality, but it reminds of those Taylor Caldwell novels, and she was American. RE: Open mouth kissing with Catherine Zeta-Jones, maybe it was her tongue that pryed his lips apart, and he was to polite to pull away. I wouldn't blame CZ-T if that's what she did. Who can blame her?"}, {"response": 69, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Feb 12, 2000 (16:45)", "body": "(Elena) Heide, it really was not Eileen who thought she was a pervert, it was me!! :-D Thanks, Elena. Did I get it right this time? ;-) (CherylB) Although Charles Gould is English, he does have some characteristics of an American archetype, which may explain why the American Holroyd is willing to invest money in Gould's enterprise. Interesting. Though a product of English imperialism, I do think Charlie had good intentions at the start. Just needed that filthy euchre to realize his dreams. Reminds me of one scene when Holroyd and Gould first come to the silver mine and Holroyd grabs Charlie by his lapels. CG looks at him with this blank expression but promptly dusts off his jacket after he's released. You know he's thinking \"crass American\" but he knows where his money's coming from."}, {"response": 70, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Feb 12, 2000 (16:45)", "body": "(Heide)I don't think he's that shy. Guess he's just being polite. As a private person he may be shy but as an actor, NEVER. He\ufffds also a very polite person in private but as an actor he\ufffds only what is needed for the role. If he wasn\ufffdt kissing RuthG \"properly\" then it wasn\ufffdt needed in FP, and it really wasn\ufffdt, only RG was needing a proper kiss from him it seems (no wonder!). Anyway I\ufffdm sure he\ufffdd be quite ready to kiss one\ufffds head off if it was necessary for the part he\ufffds playing. (Heide)have you ever seen The Hour of the Pig? ;-) He wasn\ufffdt exactly shy there either."}, {"response": 71, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Sat, Feb 12, 2000 (16:49)", "body": "(Heide) Nita, have you ever seen The Hour of the Pig? ;-) Yes, but only once. Why?"}, {"response": 72, "author": "Maureen", "date": "Sat, Feb 12, 2000 (22:51)", "body": "Who cares whether he can kiss properly or not???? Just the lip to lip contact would be enough, which is an opportunity that I doubt, I would ever have the chance to experience. If the truth be known it is probably Ruth Gemmel who cannot kiss. Karen pygmey horses and dubbing thats excatly what Nostromo looked and sounded like. Well at least the parts Colin did not appear in. Heidi, no compliments to the Clint Eastwood spahetti westren makers, sorry. The dubbing in those movies was of a particularly poor quality. You could almost duck out to the loo after the characters move their lips and be back in time hear what they were saying. What did he appear in with Cathrine Zetta Jones???????"}, {"response": 73, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (03:53)", "body": "I think Ruth Gemmel's comment about not kissing \"properly\" just meant that for on-screen kissing he preferred the simulated kiss approach, ie closed lips etc, head slightly turned away, which most professional actors use, rather than the real thing which is generally inappropriate. Of his off-screen kissing abilities, I'm sure she's have no knowledge!"}, {"response": 74, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (03:56)", "body": "BTW, from what I remember of the article, RG seemed to like him a lot!"}, {"response": 75, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (04:52)", "body": "Evelyn - the ISBN for Armadillo is0-14-027944-x \"Elena - I\ufffdm sure he\ufffdd be quite ready to kiss one\ufffds head off if it was necessary for the part he\ufffds playing.\" LOL! You're quite right, unfortunately for us the majority of the parts ODB has played over the years have not called for excessive bouts of tonsil-hockey and in FP it's the comparisons in the two relationships that are the issue and not...shall we say the mechanics. That's not to say that I prefer it that way...I'm all for a bit of gratuitous bed/freezer/mine/cottage-floor-in-front-of-roaring-fire action myself ;-~~~~"}, {"response": 76, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (08:25)", "body": "(Maureen) What did he appear in with Cathrine Zeta Jones? A television drama called Out of the Blue. It wasn't particularly good, but it had that good line about the mouse. ;-) Anyone remember? About the poor-form kissing, let's take a closer look at Valmont's whirling and twirling scene with Meg. How did he perform there?"}, {"response": 77, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (11:20)", "body": "(Bethan)Of his off-screen kissing abilities, I'm sure she's have no knowledge! LOL!! The girl can only dream. BTW, from what I remember of the article, RG seemed to like him a lot! Don't they all? :-) Anyone know of any instance where a leading lady/costar did not care for him? Hmmm..... (Karen) About the poor-form kissing, let's take a closer look at Valmont's whirling and twirling scene with Meg. How did he perform there? Is there much kissing going on in that scene? I just remember little pecks. Perhaps his upraised shoulder is blocking the more passionate ones. (Heide) Nita, have you ever seen The Hour of the Pig? ;-) (Nita) Yes, but only once. Why? Goes back to our COF question...what sexual position was Simon showing to Nan? There are a variety of ones to choose from in HOTPIG. Alas, Richard shows poor form in the kissing scenes with Samira in this film. Much more energy with Maria. (Tracy) unfortunately for us the majority of the parts ODB has played over the years have not called for excessive bouts of tonsil-hockey Yes, 'tis unfortunate. Seems he did put a lot more work into those scenes in his earlier films. Inexperience? That's not to say that I prefer it that way...I'm all for a bit of gratuitous bed/freezer/mine/cottage-floor-in-front-of-roaring-fire action myself ;-~~~~ Amen!"}, {"response": 78, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (12:13)", "body": "(Tracy)That's not to say that I prefer it that way...I'm all for a bit of gratuitous bed/freezer/mine/cottage-floor-in-front-of-roaring-fire action myself ;-~~~~ . Hear, hear."}, {"response": 79, "author": "baine", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (13:22)", "body": "RE: Open mouth kissing with Catherine Zeta-Jones, maybe it was her tongue that pryed his lips apart, and he was to polite to pull away. I wouldn't blame CZ-T if that's what she did. Who can blame her? Am I stupidly ignorant and naive? (All right, not everyone has to agree so fast!) I thought these things were controlled by the director."}, {"response": 80, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (13:29)", "body": "This probably belongs on Darcy Drool board, but since we were talking about kissing....I was looking (Okay, drooling )at one of my favorite pics of P&P and\" me thinks\" I see Mr. Darcy's lips parting just a wee bit before they kiss. Waddaya think? (DVD courtesy of Meluchie)"}, {"response": 81, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (13:34)", "body": "LOL!! (IAN) I thought these things were controlled by the director. Mmmm, so maybe Colin needed to rehearse more with the director? Huh? just kidding I suppose if the actors only wanted to do closed-mouth, slightly-to-right/left-of-center kissing with lots of burrowing in the neck region, could a director say \"Cut!! I want to see some *real* action here. Get those mouths open. Get those tongue jousting. I want to see your tonsils.\" Don't know. Would hate to think that Colin's a lousy kisser, IRL or on screen. But on a fun note, do read today's Times review of The End of the Affair. I'd post some comments on 127 but am not in the mood for Rafe butt jokes right now. Maybe later. ;-)"}, {"response": 82, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (14:02)", "body": "Colin Firth has signed up Yippee, this is music to my ears. I go away from my computer for the weekend and look what happens! Think I'll go away more often ;-). Thanks for this news Aishling, its brightened my day, and I just know I'll be in a good mood now no matter what."}, {"response": 83, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (14:25)", "body": "Lovely Evelyn thank you for such a drooly pic. Wasn't this the \"supposed\" scene that had to be reshot time and time again to get right (too much tongue or not enough?) and gave away to crew etc an inkling of their affair? Thanks for your scoop too Aishling. Just been cheered by lovely a review for Valmont (\"film of the fortnight\") saying ODB more than gives John Malkovich a run for his money etc etc Probably written by a woman!"}, {"response": 84, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (14:44)", "body": "(Karen)Would hate to think that Colin's a lousy kisser, IRL or on screen. Hehe, THANK GOD Livia isn\ufffdt going to tell us the facts about his IRL abilities, I\ufffdm sure that such information would make us just *explode* with envy.(Just an innocent guess....;-)"}, {"response": 85, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (14:52)", "body": "Karen, I saw the Rafe review. O-uch! Made some of the Avengers reviews seem quite flattering! :-)"}, {"response": 86, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (14:58)", "body": "Still having posting problems...have to be short or lose the connection. Thoughts on \"Armadillo\"...SB said that Colin agreed to do this some time ago. I wonder if this means that all those other projects are just queueing up waiting for his signature! And on the subject of kissing, all those projects require some demonstrable action/expertise in this area! Scope for future study! :-) Wonder if \"Armadillo\" will be a mini-series...most thriller-type dramas adapted for television tend to be two-parters at least, not a 100 minute film."}, {"response": 87, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (17:24)", "body": "STOP PRESS******* Just watching Sam Mendes on \"South Bank Show\", he is being interviewed on a bare 3DOR set by Melvyn (Maid of Buttermere) Bragg. The bed etc is gone but the taps and sink unit is there and plenty of views of our favourite seats Ladies. Sadly it is TOO MUCH to expect ODB to walk casually by but it is so familiar a setting tyo see on TV for me that there is a palpable sense of anticipation!! Will keep you posted. :))"}, {"response": 88, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (17:40)", "body": "Some lovely shots of outside the Donmar showing 3DOR posters (but not up close) and then the foyer and the audience going up the stairs for a performance. Guess it must have been filmed towards the end of the run but midweek as the foyer is looking more empty than we would be used to!! Heady Stuff."}, {"response": 89, "author": "byebar", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (17:40)", "body": "HI All, I know some of you here and I have always had a very hard time trying to post. So I am giving it another shot. I was at the Amazon site to order Armadillo and there are 2 books. One is not due for release until April. The jacket of that one looked like it could be Colin. Not sure but it made me think it could be a companion book for the production. The URL http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/query/%28keyword%20%3D%20%22armadillo%22%29/book/bq=1/102-8696833-4703213 . I was wondering what you might think? Thanks Mickie Boylan"}, {"response": 90, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (17:45)", "body": "Mickie, thanks, but that is for the trade paperback which is coming out in April, as I reported a couple of days ago."}, {"response": 91, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (18:05)", "body": "Have finished watching the programme. Interview with Alan Cumming at the Donmar so guess it was filmed on the day that (Tracy? Cathey?) reported seeing AC come down with Colin after a matinee. Do we have a date for that? Loads more Foyer shots and also outside with a crowd bunched on the pavement. For a split second I thought they were going to be clustered around O DB, but no such luck. 3DOR of course did not feature (unlike the Blue Room) because it was not directed by Sam Mendes, interestingly enough the credits thanked another Firth \"Tim\"? \"Ian?\" any ideas? I think Maria should do a deal with producers of SBS to cut in some of her lovely shots of ODB and his dimples. Now THAT would be Oscar material!!"}, {"response": 92, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (18:05)", "body": "Boyd's social satire centers around Lorimer Black, the scion of a gypsy clan who has transformed himself into a dashing and cultivated insurance adjuster. One day, instead of meeting with the business associate he expects, Lorimer is greeted by a hanged man. From then on the hapless hero is swept into a web of intrigue involving rock musicians, beautiful women, ominous job firings, and something called the Institute of Lucid Dreams Yes, yes, but does he get to dance??? I am back from Spain and would like to thank Aishling for the scoop, Karen for all the reviews and everyone else for some good laughs. As far as favourite parts, I will go with Lord Wessex, loved the hair, the singing, the dancing, the kiss and he gets to ride. And, my man Geoffrey is tops as well. :-D"}, {"response": 93, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (18:14)", "body": "(Lizza)....Interview with Alan Cumming at the Donmar Thanks Lizza for the \"live\" report. But why Alan Cummings? \"Cabaret\" was a Donmar production. But , I believe, he played it only on Broadway...with Natasha R. Both got Tony's. What did they talk about?"}, {"response": 94, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (18:17)", "body": "Oh yes, meant to comment that I agree with you, Bethan. It would seem likely to be a two-parter. Most thrillers need that break for a cliffhanger to get people excited about them."}, {"response": 95, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (18:27)", "body": "Evelyn \"Cabaret\" was featured and N.T and A.C. were interviewed about it and clips shown from the Donmar production and Broadway , indeed \"The Blue Room\" featured in the same way. What I really want to know is .....did Melvyn Bragg and ODB get to have a discussion off camera about TMOB? Just off to check my video worked, it has been playing up lately so I am not hopeful :("}, {"response": 96, "author": "byebar", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (18:38)", "body": "Oh My goodness it went through. Eileen and Heide and Karen -I am so shocked that it went through. I did not think I could get through so please forgive that first post if it sounded too pushy. I don't know everyone here so I will introduce myself-(which I should have done from the beginning) My name is Mickie I teach 2nd grade upstate NY. I have a web site for Jonathan Firth but I like Colin Firth as well. I am in my late 40's and have enjoyed reading the posts here for years. I just had such a hard time posting. Every time I tried it was rejected so I was a lurk only person. I am still in shock that after all this time it took my post. Well I hope it will take this one too. Thanks and nice to finally be able to \"speak\" over here. Mickie"}, {"response": 97, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (19:15)", "body": "Congratulations, Mickie. Posting here is a breeze once you get started. I met Mickie in October at the Fever Pitch showing in Montclair, NJ. Would be oh so nice to have Colin on the cover of a book again but I wouldn't count on it. Heck, I'm pessimistic enough to not even feel confident this project is a go though everyone assures me Baz is never wrong. Well, there's always a first time! :-P Am reading the book anyway and it's quite good. (Lizza) Have finished watching the programme. Interview with Alan Cumming ... Loads more Foyer shots and also outside with a crowd bunched on the pavement. For a split second I thought they were going to be clustered around O DB, but no such luck. I feel so nostalgic already and it was just a month ago for you girls. What a great find for you, Lizza, to catch this programme. Have seen some photos recently of Sam Mendes since he's being touted for Best Director Oscar. Kind of reminds me of Paul McCartney when he was very young though not as cute as Paul. Something in the eyes. Welcome back Moon. And, my man Geoffrey is tops as well. :-D Ah, but can he kiss? ;-)"}, {"response": 98, "author": "baine", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (19:38)", "body": "(Moon)And, my man Geoffrey is tops as well. :-D Ah, but can he kiss? ;-) Apparently not since KST leaves him for that stick as soon as she gets a moment out of his sight. Maybe Santa suits don't do anything for her, or maybe there was greater significance to yes, we have no banahnahs than we realized. To return to my question about directors--since I've seen a pic of Milos in the bed with Colin and Meg and since Davies and Colin talked about when Colin was supposed to be thinking that Darcy was supposed to be having an erection, it seems not unlikely that directors would have something to say about the kissing mechanics. Just wondering. Maybe it's unfair to pin it all on the actors. And since we agree that ODB is one of the greatest and most professionally accomplished actors now working, it seems logical to assume that can hold his own in matters osculatory as well. As for the P&P pic, looks as though JE is at chin level. And I recall that the carriage ride was so bumpy they had trouble making contact."}, {"response": 99, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (19:48)", "body": "(Maureen)As for Nostromo [...] the overall presentation of the series reminded me of a Clint Eatwood spagehetti western. LOL! My sentiments exactly. When I saw poor Colin in a wide-brimmed hat riding one of those tiny skeletal ponies, his long legs dangling on both sides and nearly touching the ground, I started whistling \"The Good, The Bad And The Ugly\" theme and burst out laughing. It looked so farsical. (Bethan)She did mention that he didn't kiss \"properly\" (Elena)So what is that supposed to mean, \"not properly\"?! :) This seems to be typical of all the greatest screen lovers. Training for actors includes the correct technique of \"make-believe\" kissing, since obviously not every stage/screen partner is keen to do it \"properly\"... Apparently some male actors attempt \"proper\" kissing without their partners' approval and this is sometimes the cause of great rifts behind the scenes - even though it may look terrifically realistic in action. Colin chooses to behave with professional integrity - I wonder if that (among other things) could be why Nia Long said of him: \"I think he's shy...\" Also could he be employing the shoulder grinding action to deflect the attention from his lips? (Evelyn)Didn't you see him with Catherine Zeta-Jones in \"Out of the Blue\" with the tongues going?Not exactly a chaste kiss. When the script/director stipulates that something is clearly visible, there is no way around it. (Bethan)Just noticed that next week the BBC are airing the BBC Scotland drama \"Monarch of the Glen\" which is listed after DQ in the forthcoming productions on the BBC Scotland website. Obviously no problem with setting a transmission date here! Why don't we bombard the BBC with queries? (Evelyn)\" me thinks\" I see Mr. Darcy's lips parting just a wee bit before they kiss. Yes, but observe where her lips land after that: very low on his chin, missing his oral orifice altogether... He was sucking on her upper lip while she was engrossed in aiming for his lower one. A classic professional stage kiss and don't even try to allow any amount of clever publicity to force you into imagining anything else. Wasn't this the \"supposed\" scene that had to be reshot [...] and gave away to crew etc an inkling of their affair? See what I mean? ;-) (Lizza) lovely a review for Valmont (\"film of the fortnight\") saying ODB more than gives John Malkovich a run for his money etc etc Who, where? Lizza, and everyone, I beg of you yet again, please do remember to give your sources when quoting! Ta very muchly! :-) Firth \"Tim\"? \"Ian?\" any ideas? There's a playwright by the name of Tim Firth, I believe: no relation as far as is known. As far as favourite parts, I will go with Lord Wessex Have another look... ;-) http://www.geocities.com/threedeers/Wessex/Wessex.htm"}, {"response": 100, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (19:58)", "body": "Re: The Kiss He was sucking on her upper lip while she was engrossed in aiming for his lower one. That'll do in a pinch,I guess. *sigh* (Beats just the \"grinding shoulder\".)"}, {"response": 101, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (20:06)", "body": "maybe there was greater significance to yes, we have no banahnahs than we realized. LOL! So what was it, a bunch of keys or a crumpled hankie? Btw, a warm welcome to all newbies, including delurkers. Some people may have problems with posting as the way in is not always very obvious. One must register/log in as a poster, but once you overcome that hurdle, you become a fully fledged drooler-Firther/Firthian/Firthette/Firthist (choose your own rank) and everything else here is sheer joy (I think...;-p)."}, {"response": 102, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (20:09)", "body": "Mickie, welcome aboard! I know you'll like it here. Mickie is a terrific lady and a long-time friend. Check out her Jonathan site, which has JF's full blessing and that of his agent's. RE: the Nostromo ponies. That smallish breed of horse is indigenous to that area of South America, and so is technically accurate. But stupid-looking.;-) The P&P kiss--Colin said in an interview that the \"we couldn't get it right\" business was not true. \"A chaste matrimonial kiss,\" and no big deal according to him."}, {"response": 103, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (20:21)", "body": "That smallish breed of horse is indigenous to that area of South America, and so is technically accurate. But stupid-looking.;-) LOL - I can think of quite a few other things in life which are technically accurate and stupid looking... ;-) Colin said in an interview... Uh-oh... I adore that man, but can't always believe all he's saying... especially that he himself once said (in an interview ;-P) that his views may change fom day to day..."}, {"response": 104, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (20:55)", "body": "If there's one way to get Colin to have a look at the Internet, it'll be with Jonathan's encouragement and because of Mickie's JF site. Hopefully. Maybe."}, {"response": 105, "author": "Maureen", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (03:59)", "body": "That picture just sends tingles right up and down my spine. Thankyou for the picture Evelyn and thanks for the tingles CF and JE, well mainly CF."}, {"response": 106, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (07:10)", "body": "Welcome Mickie! I have visited your site on several occasions and congratulate you on having the bene placido of both Jon and his agent. Thanks for another look at Lord Wessex Arami, he still looks mighty fine to me. I was also struck with the ridiculous vision of Colin the fantastic horseman riding that small horse. He should have brought his own horse from England."}, {"response": 107, "author": "baine", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (08:15)", "body": "(Arami)It looked so farsical. If you mean the housemaster, kindly use his proper name. It looked so Mr. Farquharson."}, {"response": 108, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (09:25)", "body": "Welcome home, Moon! (Elena) Heide, it really was not Eileen who thought she was a pervert, it was me!! :-D Well...*this* time. (Tracy) excessive bouts of tonsil-hockey LOL--love that term. (Karen) About the poor-form kissing, let's take a closer look at Valmont's whirling and twirling scene with Meg. How did he perform there? Heide's right. There's not too much kissing in the whirly-twirly scene. However, there's a rather deep smooch when Tourvel returns to Paris and finds Valmont waiting for her. Not that I'm paying close attention to the kissing, mind you. (Heide) Alas, Richard shows poor form in the kissing scenes with Samira in this film I seem to recall a doozy between them during one of Courtois' dreams (just before Maria finds him having a 'good dream.' Again, not that I'm paying attention or anything ;-P How about my favorite 'taht' kiss in FF? There seems to be some action there (but don't know for sure as am not paying *any* attention). (Lizza) Wasn't this the \"supposed\" scene that had to be reshot time and time again to get right (too much tongue or not enough?) and gave away to crew etc an inkling of their affair? C'mon, everyone knows poor Jen couldn't keep a straight face when she saw that giant hat approaching (although it's alot smaller than the tall hat he wore in Camille, which resembles an inverted hot tub). All kidding aside, he does seem to keeps his mouth shut if given the option. Then he does the 'I'll move my head in the way' maneuver so you can't see (if you were paying attention, that is). Welcome, Mickie. It's nice to see you here. Pull up a chair and make yourself at home. Hope you're feeling well again."}, {"response": 109, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (10:31)", "body": "(Lizza)....Interview with Alan Cumming at the Donmar Thanks Lizza for the \"live\" report. But why Alan Cummings? \"Cabaret\" was a Donmar production. But , I believe, he played it only on Broadway...with Natasha R. Both got Tonys. Alan Cumming was in the original revival of \"Cabaret\" at the Donmar (1993/94). He was incredible then and when they moved to NYC in 1998. Jane Horrocks played Sally Bowles in the London production. I saw it in London in January 1994 and was knocked out. It took several years to effect the transfer, because Sam Mendes was not prepared to give up the club atmosphere he had created in exchange for a Broadway run. They had a hell of a time finding a suitable venue. Chris"}, {"response": 110, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (11:25)", "body": "Thank you Chris (luvy)....and what other London news do you have for us re: Colin. For all newbies: Chris is the Firth fan that we are indebted to for alerting us to 3 DOR in Jan. 99 before it was announced .Without her, we never wuld have been able to buy up all those tickets for March!!."}, {"response": 111, "author": "byebar", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (12:09)", "body": "(Karen)- Did Colin do his usual kissing style in SLOW? (Chris L)-Do you think that they will ever do 3DOR with a London cast in NYC? In case anyone is interested Some Jonathan Info. His latest projects: http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Theater/3782/news.html Also a new picture. Jonathan in a tux. You must scroll down the page. Thank you Meluchie. http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Theater/3782/madding1.html Thank you Murph for getting everything up so quickly. The picture was taken at the Northern T.V.awards. Does anyone know anything about these awards? Thanks Mickie"}, {"response": 112, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (12:09)", "body": "Evelyn: Thanks for the JE/CF smooching pictures. Just to prove that JE knows how to do it... Murph Mickie is one of my dearest internet friends. Glad you figured posting out, pal!"}, {"response": 113, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (12:15)", "body": "Trying again...on JE: Murph"}, {"response": 114, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (12:24)", "body": "Just a friendly reminder: We have other topics at Drool, such as: Odds & Ends - for TRT, Ehle items and other things http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/127/new Jonathan Firth http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/102/new Please check the main Drool board for already created topics. This one gets filled up so quickly. ;-)"}, {"response": 115, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (12:44)", "body": "(Karen) We have other topics at Drool, such as: Odds & Ends - for TRT, Ehle items and other things To include:Bridget (casting),Donmar Productions,& Donmar News, baseball, football, soccer...(Arsenal), cricket.... Question for the Drool gods:.....\" kissing\"too? :-D"}, {"response": 116, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (12:53)", "body": "What! Have you forgotten? Bridget is at #80. ;-)"}, {"response": 117, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (13:21)", "body": "Just in case you thought no one noticed, Karen, I like the new 'title' for Colin's picture on the main page. Very Valentine-ish. And musical, of course."}, {"response": 118, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (13:33)", "body": "thanks Chris and Murph for your news and pics."}, {"response": 119, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (14:30)", "body": "Lizza J - The date that Alan Cumming came down the stairs at the Donmar (after the matinee) was 20th January."}, {"response": 120, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (15:01)", "body": "Hi again.. don't know what happened there - fat finger syndrome I think. Just thought I'd up date you on Armadillo progress.. I'm about half way through the book having started it on Saturday evening..unputdownable as you can tell. I won't go giving the plot away but I will give you a few highlights which, assuming that they are included in the screenplay will delight us all I am sure. * There is kilt action in a true Scotsman stylee i.e. no knicks! * Black is something of a chameleon so lots of scope for different looks including I'm afraid to say probably in the IRL sad pants area. * Haven't come across LOL yet but there are light moments. * Ditto re \"action\", but I'm only half way through as I say and he hasn't really got to know Flavia yet! There is a girlfriend and a past lover in flashback - but nothing too juicy. There is a lot to Lorimer Black and so I think he will prove the perfect vehicle for DB as it will enable him to display the versatility we all know he is capable of. The story moves quite quickly too and I feel that it could be a winner provided that the screenplay stays true to the book."}, {"response": 121, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (15:49)", "body": "Mickie is the girl with him in that picture Paloma? Thanks Tracy, keep us posted on that kilt action. :-D"}, {"response": 122, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (17:16)", "body": "Welcome Mickie. As Arami noted you are able to choose your rank Firther/Firthian/Firthette/Firhist, although some people consider themseleves Firthfans. Personally, I'm a Sloberer, but I'm not completely uncouth, I do always post wearing a clean bib. (Figuratively speaking.) Will somebody please elucidate on what exactly are \"pygmy horses\"? I know that there are horses, ponies, and miniature horses. The last are really tiny, being slightly bigger than large dogs. No doubt only small children could ride them. So was CF galloping around on a pony in \"Nostromo\"? Cymbeline, you appear from your posts to be neither stupidly ignorant nor naive. I was being flippant in my statement about CZ-J forcing a bout of tongue wrestling upon CF, and his being too polite to fend her off. You wondered how much input the director has in the type of kiss between actors in a particular scene. That depends on the specific director. Many are very controlling, although some directors prefer to deal with actors as little as possible. They believe actors should know their jobs and do them with a minimum of coddling. Interestingly, some film directors who are very definite about what sort of kiss they want, aren't particularly interested in the emotion of the kiss, but rather the look of the scene. A screen kiss is very often dictated by the lighting and the camera angles. Dealing with actors is only a fraction of directing a film, and to some directors the least important part. The screen kiss of the classic American cinema was not so much a kiss as it was the suggestion of a kiss. The were several reasons for this, ranging from the Hollywood Production Code to the type of make-up used in film then. The kisses were so choreographed, big clinches, swooning gestures, and both parties lips chastely closed, but the actors faces were shot to best effect, none of the facial distortion involved in an actual kiss. However, they looked great, better than real life, which is exactly how they were supposed to look."}, {"response": 123, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (17:51)", "body": "choose your rank Firther/Firthian/Firthette/Firhist, although some people consider themseleves Firthfans Correction: we are all Firthfans, of course. Special ranks are extra and not compulsory. We were called Firthers by the Pemberley site people and Firthettes is a recent addition cultivated by Ben and Mark as I recall. Myself, I have always been a Firthist from the Department of Firthology. ;-)"}, {"response": 124, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (17:53)", "body": "(Cheryl) Will somebody please elucidate on what exactly are \"pygmy horses\"? That's just our *affectionate* term for the breed of horse that was used in Nostromo. They are actually Paso Finos (fine step). We make fun of them (although their authenticity cannot be disputed), but they are a noble breed. Unfortunately, Colin's legs are too long for these miniature horses and somebody should've figured that out. ;-) Read here: http://www.pasobeat.com/pasoinfo/history.html"}, {"response": 125, "author": "Maureen", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (05:20)", "body": "I watched DQ again today, I was paying particular attention to a kissing scene and I do not think he opened his mouth at all. Now this may sound really perverted but I had the remote on slow-mo, backwards, forwards but no sign of an open mouth. Now there could be a number of reasons for this; 1, techincal but if I explained this further I may give too much away. 2, Lack of chemistry between him and his co-star. 3, Her mouth practically covered half his face obscuring the view of his mouth, and 4, you might have to diregard all of the above as I think I saw what may have been drops of saliva, who it belonged to is any ones guess but we have a 50/50 chance of getting it right when trying to determine who it might belong to. Apologies too for an earlier posting where I mentioned some of the characters names in DQ. I recollect I wrote that there was a John but its Jim. Guess I fell victim to the heavy celtic accent. The word/term bollocks or (bowlorrrx) is prevalent throughout DQ, which reminded me a bit of FP."}, {"response": 126, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (09:29)", "body": "The Bucket now has its Armadillo page, with Aishling's scoop and the background info on the book. http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/dillo.html"}, {"response": 127, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (09:57)", "body": "(Tracy) Black is something of a chameleon so lots of scope for different looks including I'm afraid to say probably in the IRL sad pants area. Hee hee! Thanks for the info, Tracy, especially for not giving away the entire book. I believe many are reading it right now. My library has it but I haven't decided whether to read it now or wait until after Armadillo is broadcast (thereby avoiding what I have come to call 'ATA syndrome'). Armadillo's author (Wm. Boyd) is writing the screenplay. That's no guarantee that it will stay true to the book, but it's a step in the right direction. (Maureen) Her mouth practically covered half his face obscuring the view of his mouth Ye gods. What a mental picture that conjures."}, {"response": 128, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (10:52)", "body": "Great Armadillo page, Karen... Her mouth practically covered half his face obscuring the view of his mouth I think I saw what may have been drops of saliva, who it belonged to is any ones guess but we have a 50/50 chance of getting it right when trying to determine who it might belong to. Gross."}, {"response": 129, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (11:02)", "body": "To UK fans, don't forget Valmont is on BBC1 tonight, 11.50pm - 2am approx."}, {"response": 130, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (11:03)", "body": "and sorry, yes great page, Karen."}, {"response": 131, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (11:43)", "body": "Here's the link to the Nia Long interview in the Evening Standard that we couldn't find the other day. No mention of childish or childlike. So the Empire article would appear to be the only one. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/dynamic/hottx/film/top_film.html?in_review_id=226565"}, {"response": 132, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (12:02)", "body": "The only Colin news I have is in fact old news (thank goodness!). As UK surfers may know, there is a commercial address directory on the web that sources its information from the UK electoral rolls (among other public info). As a result it has every registered voter's home address in it, unless the person has pro-actively requested deletion from the database. Very, very scary stuff. CF's Hackney flat address is up there. And since I consider this site to be a horrendous and dangerous invasion of privacy, no, I won't post the URL here! As for the Donmar, there doesn't seem to be any activity on a 3DoR transfer. Honestly, since it's a 100% American play (author, setting, characters), I can't see Equity allowing a transfer with a British cast. They'd lose DM and CF. Chris"}, {"response": 133, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (12:18)", "body": "Chris, what are the Equity rules? A majority of the cast? A certain percentage? With three actors, a majority does mean that two must go. (of course, I would replace the one American and leave the two British cast members.) Surely however there must be exceptions for small productions."}, {"response": 134, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (12:55)", "body": "CF's Hackney flat address is up there. Chris, you are such a tease! Don't they forward mail to the new address in England? ;-) Well!!! Great Armadillo page, Karen. Loved all those covers. (Maureen) Her mouth practically covered half his face obscuring the view of his mouth (Eileen), Ye gods. What a mental picture that conjures. My thoughts exactly!"}, {"response": 135, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (13:38)", "body": "Chris - not that I was looking specifically you understand but I found the address too - but didn't want to be the first to admit it! For any other UK fans just a reminder that the Larries (Oliver Awards) are to be broadcast on BBC2 at 8 pm Sunday 20th..I'll be there cheering 3DOR on to victory...do I cheer in vain? Have now finished Armadillo! Sorry Moon No more kilt action I'm afraid! Am still not going to reveal the plot but I definately think this one could be a good move for ODB."}, {"response": 136, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (14:09)", "body": "CF's address (even former) and other very personal data fits my definition of TMI (too much information). Feel free to keep it to yourself. Karen, I read a big NYT spread last year about the number of British stage actors working in the US. Am trying in vain to recall the details, but I think it works on an exchange, not majority, basis."}, {"response": 137, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (14:46)", "body": "(Maureen)I watched DQ again today, I was paying particular attention to a kissing scene....Lack of chemistry between him and his co-star. Certainly no lack, on the contrary I think there\ufffds a very good chemistry between them. And I don\ufffdt see it really as a *kiss* in the usual sense but just as an act of mutual understanding and sympathy between the characters. CF's Hackney flat address is up there. So? Somebody else lives there now I suppose. The main thing is: his new home address isn\ufffdt and won\ufffdt be there, I hope."}, {"response": 138, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (15:14)", "body": "(Karen) Chris, what are the Equity rules? A majority of the cast? A certain percentage? With three actors, a majority does mean that two must go. (of course, I would replace the one American and leave the two British cast members.) Surely however there must be exceptions for small productions. US union rules are just like the UK. Everytime you want to bring in a non-union member it takes an act of god(dess). And of course you have to prove to the immigration folks that you aren't taking the bread out of the mouth of some starving actor (which you undoubtedly are). Case in point: the aggro around bringing the Almeida production of \"Iceman Cometh\" to Broadway. A substantial proportion of the cast had to be left home and replaced by US members. There are no hard and fast rules. There is a definite tit-for-tat attempted, but I don't believe there are any specific quotas. FWIW, there seem to be a lot more UK companies coming in this direction than the reverse, although a great many never see the lights of Broadway. They wind up as part of an \"international Arts Festival\" in Connecticut (Max Stafford-Clark's Out of Joint) or at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (the RSC). (Elena) CF's Hackney flat address is up there. So? Somebody else lives there now I suppose. The main thing is: his new home address isn\ufffdt and won\ufffdt be there, I hope. Oh please. Someone asked for \"news\" and I shared what I had. Let's not pretend that we are more interested in his shoe size than where he lives. On the other hand, his shoe size HAS gotten more analysis."}, {"response": 139, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (15:39)", "body": "So we had \"better act our shoe size , not our age\" tee hee :) Tracy, the Larries will be announced before they are televised so you will know whether to cheer or not!"}, {"response": 140, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (15:52)", "body": "On the other hand, his shoe size HAS gotten more analysis. Shoe fetishes are more common and with proper counseling are treatable. ;-) Thanks Chris for the theater info. So there are no hard and fast Equity rules and basic immigration law kicks in. It's the same in most countries if you try to work elsewhere. Have to prove no one else can do the job. That being the case, then there's no point in bringing the Donmar production back to the US. The entire production essentially consists of 3 actors, a director (not even Sam the Man) and a set design. If you had to replace the actors, then IMO it's not the Donmar's production really anymore. A big white, stark set with a staircase is not going to sell any tickets."}, {"response": 141, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (16:08)", "body": "(Luvvy)Oh please. Someone asked for \"news\" and I shared what I had. Let's not pretend that we are more interested in his shoe size than where he lives. Thanks for the \"news\" and also thanks for not posting the url here. Very interesting that this sort of a thing can happen. Suppose he actually lives in Hackney in that address?! Then it really is scary. I do not pretend one bit when I tell you that I don\ufffdt want to know where he lives and I hope that none of us does."}, {"response": 142, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (16:17)", "body": "(Chris)Someone asked for \"news\" and I shared what I had. I was the one who asked...and I thank you for giving us news, and for not posting the address on a public board CF, unfortunately, has some over zealous fans...trust me...I saw them in action last November.I would not wish to inflict them on ODB. ~~~~~~ Interesting stuff about bringing UK casts to B'way. But when the cast of Cabaret came , they replaced Jane Horrocks with Natasha Richardson...who I'm sure holds British citizenship even though she lives in Connecticut.Closer and Amy's view were all Brit casts. TRT is coming with the whole cast (alas I wish they would replace three supportings actors....)Of course, Jennifer has dual. (sorry this is OT...I know better.)"}, {"response": 143, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (17:49)", "body": "(Chris L) there is a commercial address directory on the web that sources its information from the UK electoral rolls (among other public info)... Very, very scary stuff. UK electoral registration rolls are open to public inspection in every town hall and public library."}, {"response": 144, "author": "ommin", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (20:43)", "body": "Yes indeed they are - its the same here in Australia. Everyone is listed in the electoral roll who lives in a certain area. I am sure as has already been said - the address can be omitted - I sincerely hope C.F. has now done that. Its far to scary as you say, there are some crazy people out there. Sean Connery used to live not far away from where my brother lives in Surrey and I believe he suffered some of that madness that occurs when you live in an ordinary street and an ordinary house not security controlled and that was back in the sixties when he was married to Diane Cilento."}, {"response": 145, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (21:38)", "body": "Calling all Firthettes... I am FINALLY going to London, for a much needed break. I'll be there from 29 MArch to 7 April, and wanted all your advice on nice places to visit, eat, walk, etc.. Am also trying to get together with people for lunch/tea/dinner, if anyone's in the area. Good to see you all in full Spring -action... I've missed you guys."}, {"response": 146, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb 16, 2000 (07:56)", "body": "Have a great Winter! I will not be there till Summer. (Karen), A big white, stark set with a staircase is not going to sell any tickets. ART seems to be selling out everywhere and that also has a a big white set with everyone fussing over a big white canvas. :-)"}, {"response": 147, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 16, 2000 (10:07)", "body": "(Winter)... and wanted all your advice on nice places to visit, eat, walk, etc.. Have a good time, Winter....Say hello to The Donmar ...and Starbucks in the lower level ;-) And oh, the Penne Pesto at the Luna Nuova isn't bad."}, {"response": 148, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Feb 16, 2000 (19:14)", "body": "Everyone: I received this e-mail today. Can anyone help this poor woman? I have no idea where to tell her to get CF in Italian. Murph ************************* please please please help me! I need film vhs about Colin in italian language!! I have \"Shakespeare in love\", \"un mese in campagna\"(a mouth in the country)and \"il paziente inglese\"(the english patient)only can you help me? my name is Roberta Rubegni, ciao ciao da Roma Italy my e-mail is: Roru72@freemail.it"}, {"response": 149, "author": "kolin", "date": "Wed, Feb 16, 2000 (19:22)", "body": "\"can you help me? my name is Roberta Rubegni, ciao ciao da Roma Italy \" Would be nice if we could ask Livia(bg)"}, {"response": 150, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 16, 2000 (19:53)", "body": "isn't she your penpal, Renate? ;-) Roberta with mucho amore por Colin and wanted to marry him."}, {"response": 151, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Feb 16, 2000 (21:08)", "body": "Winter, try exploring www.thisislondon.co.uk for replies to some of your questions."}, {"response": 152, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Feb 16, 2000 (21:17)", "body": "Maybe tell Roberta to consult the Roma electoral registration rolls?;-)"}, {"response": 153, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Feb 16, 2000 (21:26)", "body": "Gee, thanks, guys, for all your well-meaning suggestions!!!! If she is the one that wanted to marry CF, I'm not answering her note! Murph"}, {"response": 154, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Wed, Feb 16, 2000 (23:19)", "body": "(Murph) If she is the one that wanted to marry CF You mean I wasn't the only one who wanted to marry him!!! I'm all amazement ;-)"}, {"response": 155, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (07:09)", "body": "Cathey: I'd marry him too, if I wasn't old enough to be his mother. I don't think the age difference of 28 years would work. I really meant that the letter writer from Italy, did, I think, write some over-the-top-stuff to someone else around here. I'm sorry I forget who. Murph"}, {"response": 156, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (07:59)", "body": "Murph, I too think it is the same person who wrote that overtop wish for Colin. In Italian there must be Fever Pitch somewhere. I know it played there but I do not recall the title in Italian. (Mari), Maybe tell Roberta to consult the Roma electoral registration rolls?;-) ROTFLOL! Nothing is that easy in Rome."}, {"response": 157, "author": "baine", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (11:18)", "body": "(Murph) I'd marry him too, if I wasn't old enough to be his mother. I don't think the age difference of 28 years would work. Nonsense! Haven't you ever seen Harold and Maude? The real problem is the polygamy issue. How about we all become Mormons?"}, {"response": 158, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (14:55)", "body": "Where are you, Bethan? I miss your regular reports ;-) Winter (hope this is not too late): Little Venice is a nice walk when the weather is fine, and I vaguely remember that parts of Londinium where shot there. Can anyone help here? And don't forget your camera, the boats are very colourful. The underground was Warwick Avenue if I remember correctly (Bakerloo line?), next to Paddington. (Karen) isn't she your penpal, Renate? ;-) No, that was Gi ;-). But she actually contacted us via cf.com's guestbook. (Cathey) You mean I wasn't the only one who wanted to marry him!!! Oh, Cathey, don't write such things when I'm drinking my tea! It's now vaporized (expr?) all over the screen ....... ;-) Moon, I think the FP title is \"Febbre a 90\ufffd\" or something. Murph, as I recall she speaks almost no English, somebody who speaks Italian should talk to her. (Cymbeline) How about we all become Mormons? Oh goody. Rhymes with hormon(e)s. ;-P"}, {"response": 159, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (15:39)", "body": "Ann and all: I have your picture from Biz's article in the Daily Mail. It came today. Thanks! It is small and tough to make very clear, but it is a nice one, I think. Ann W's Picture Murph"}, {"response": 160, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (16:28)", "body": "Winter - I certainly hope the weather brightens up for you when you arrive. There have been freezing cold winds howling about the City of London over the last couple of days but very clear skies...all the better for getting a view from the London Eye which is the huge ferris wheel on the banks of the Thames. I've not been myself but it's fantastic apparently.. Just going back briefly on this address business. I agree with Chris that it is very, very scary to know that my own address, telephone number etc etc is there for all and sundry to see let alone anybody elses. You never know who is going to do what with that kind of information. You can have your details removed (under the Data Protection Act 1984) which I'm going to do and I hope that others (!) do the same. Anybody catch Valmont on Tuesday... well done BBC screening it in \"widescreen\" Hmmmm excellent choice...NOT. I don't know what they had done but for a vast percentage of the time the sides of the picture were missing (and I DO have a widescreen TV before anyone offers a \"smart\" suggestion) so you only got to see half DB, MT or ABs face. Still that aside it was great to see it again and I was quite encouraged to notethat it had been awarded **** out of 5 (perhaps opinions have changed over the years - I seem to recall that it was looked on unfavourably in the past)."}, {"response": 161, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (16:44)", "body": "Tracy, I also saw it, but encountered no problems. Ironically \"The Times\" (even naming my source, whatever next!!!:)) has a picture and article of Clive Wood today (\"London's Burning\" etc) who is currently starring as Valmont, touring production. Having seen ODB in the role so recently, I can't imagine that THIS Valmont could set hearts racing not worth peeling off all those undergarments for Ladies. (Apologies to Clive, he was an excellent Henry at the RSC some years ago) I'll stick to Colin's version of powder blue brocade. It is irritating that only John Malkovich's film role gets mentioned in comparison, but we are used to CF being left out by now."}, {"response": 162, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (16:55)", "body": "Lizza - I didn't get to see Valmont \"live\" and had someone tape it for me - they have Digital CableTV so perhaps something went awry here. Anyway it didn't really spoil the enjoyment - I could watch DB twirling about in his fancy embroidered duds and strangely metamorphosing hairstyles (punting scene animated fringe LOL!) forever. Pah John Malkovich ...horrid, horrid yeuuch! Clive Wood (can't place him) as Valmont....nobody could do the role justice surely."}, {"response": 163, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (17:05)", "body": "Lizza- have just found the Times pic of Clive Wood! DB has nothing, but NOTHING to worry about...It looks as if he's going for the ugly, old, letch Valmont in a Malkovitch stylee ;-D"}, {"response": 164, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (18:01)", "body": "(Murph)I'd marry him too, if I wasn't old enough to be his mother. It doesn't seem to worry \"Rafe\" Fiennes and Francesca Annis... (Cymbeline) How about we all become Mormons? Won't work. What if Colin is a RC now?"}, {"response": 165, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (19:13)", "body": "(Renate), I think the FP title is \"Febbre a 90\ufffd\" or something. as I recall she speaks almost no English, somebody who speaks Italian should talk to her. You are right about the title, Renate, I remember it now. If it is the same person who wrote that Christmas wish in Italian for Colin on Murph's site, she sounded very over the top. Murph, what a great picture, such a sultry look. BTW, you left Rupert Everett out of your 1960's page. He was born September 11, 1960. The day after ODB."}, {"response": 166, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Feb 18, 2000 (02:17)", "body": "Renate, Thanks for your kind words! I've lots to say, but am struggling with problems with my Internet connection. I can browse, but have difficulties posting. Watch this space!"}, {"response": 167, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Feb 18, 2000 (05:07)", "body": "I'll see if this works...or whether I lose the entire posting. :-( Random comments.. Tracy, I agree with you that \"Armadillo\" will be a very good project...and Eileen, I wouldn't have any reservations about reading the book...this won't be another ATA. CF's character, Lorimer/Milo, is on every page..the story follows him...and will, I'm sure, be in every frame of the film (or mini-series?) And with Sue Birtwistle at the helm, his best interests will be protected. I can see why SB says he's perfect for the role. There seem to be many similarities with DQ....successful but idealisic, caring man, ultimately at odds with the world in which he works, attractive to women but pursuing some seemingly unattainable romantic ideal. Also there are shades of John Hatfield (Maid of Buttermere), more flawed, but also pursuing some romantic/spiritual ideal. SPOILERS..he has to say \"I'm passionately in love with you\" (shades of Mr Darcy) and, by my reckoning, there are four kisses, two \"chaste\" and two decidedly unchaste (although it's the women who take the initiative!)' It will be interesting to see if he follows the text! BTW some great characters in \"Armadillo\"...I'd love to see Timothy Spall play Torquil. On Television re Movies. Now that the Oscar hype is again engulfing us, I'm personally rather fed up with the whole hoopla, self-promotion, awards, Hollywood glamour scene. There's a lot to be said for producing a quality product for TV transmission, which will probably be seen worldwide without any hype. But for some reason being a \"movie actor\" seems to carry more kudos. On kissing...quoting from memory (and, Arami, the source was a tabloid!) the gist of Ruth Gemmel's comments were...she was rather nervous about the love scenes, but said that it was very easy to talk to Colin about this because he was sympathetic and \"wasn't the kind of man who would find this funny\". She then said he had obviously had a lot of experience of on-screen kissing, and unlike in the theatre, he didn't kiss \"properly\" (ie he used the professional technique which actors are taught). She then said her boyfriend was very relieved about this. The theatre comment puzzles me!! What goes on in the theatre? IMHO I think he'll always go for the professional approach (on screen!) Finally, DQ. Karen, why did they show it at the Cork Festival? It obviously can be shown on the Big Screen even though it's filmed in Super16. The only reason I can think for delaying the transmission for 12 months is that perhaps they want to show it at other UK festivals (Edinburgh, London). Ironically, it sounds better than many Brit movies that do get a nationwide release. Do you still have any leads on this, Karen? It genuinely puzzles me... a 100 minute film can be fitted into the schedules at 2 weeks notice...there's a lot of flexibility. And most commissioned programmes have a transmission date assigned before completion. A year long delay is very \"unusual\", to say the least! Will try to post...fingers crossed!"}, {"response": 168, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Feb 18, 2000 (14:41)", "body": "(Bethan) I wouldn't have any reservations about reading the book...this won't be another ATA. One would hope so! Thanks, but I was speaking in general. When I see any standard length movie based on a book I've enjoyed, I'm usually a bit disappointed because dialogue and scenes I thought would be in were left out or the storyline was markedly altered. Not so with a miniseries, which has time to delve into a book's finer points. So I think I'll wait (and wait and wait, probably) to see Armadillo through 'fresh eyes.' Since you bring up the kissing thing again, I'll mention a snippet in this week's Newsweek about Leonardo DiCaprio: seems he suffers from bad kissing disease. Sharon Stone, his costar in The Quick and the Dead, was quoted as saying \"kissing him was like kissing my arm,\" or words to that effect. They had similar unflattering comments from several other female costars. Ruth's comments aside, let's hope we never anything like this written about ODB!"}, {"response": 169, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Feb 18, 2000 (17:38)", "body": "...you left Rupert Everett out of your 1960's page. He was born September 11, 1960. The day after ODB. Did anyone notice that Meg Tilly became 40 on Feb. 14 of this year? No wonder he was attracted -- she's a real Valentines girl!"}, {"response": 170, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Fri, Feb 18, 2000 (17:53)", "body": "Looks like 3DOR lucked out again chaps! So I shan't be bothering to watch! Bethan..\"BTW some great characters in \"Armadillo\"...I'd love to see Timothy Spall play Torquil\" I agree, there are some excellently drawn principles. Tim Spall could make a Torquil - but I think a better Lobby, what about John (Fast Show/ Cold Feet) Thompson for Oliver Rollo? John Thaw for Hogg? Hey lets just wheel all those sure fire BAFTA winners in there. Any room for David Jason..Dame Judi ;-) What I particularly like about Armadillo are the \"Book of Transformation\" and dream sequences which punctuate the book which offer stark contrast to \"reality\" and most of the comedic elements."}, {"response": 171, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Feb 18, 2000 (19:02)", "body": "unlike in the theatre, he didn't kiss \"properly\" Poppycock. The same technique applies in the theatre."}, {"response": 172, "author": "Maureen", "date": "Sat, Feb 19, 2000 (05:21)", "body": "Arami I have not heard the term Poppycock for years LOL, thankyou for bringing back some very fond and funny memories."}, {"response": 173, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 19, 2000 (09:45)", "body": "A great BIG THANKS to all those involved in \"Operation DQ & Donmar Lobby\". You know who you are.... Thunderous applause:*clap*, *clap*.Take a well-deserved bow :-)"}, {"response": 174, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 19, 2000 (09:47)", "body": "For those who haven't seen Colin's Lifeline appeal for the Bushmen of the Kalahari, the entire video can be seen at the Survival organization's website. It does require use of Real Media's G2 player, which you can download for free using a button on the site. I'll give you two urls: Survival webpage Or direct to the clip (if you have G2): Click to View Clip I'll put the links up at The Bucket shortly."}, {"response": 175, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 19, 2000 (09:54)", "body": "Note: on the index page, the video is under the first drop-down menu, entitled Campaign News. Viewed without frames, you can get right to the Lifeline page via this url: Lifeline page Sorry for the confusion."}, {"response": 176, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 19, 2000 (13:38)", "body": "I wonder if a certain \"Super Sleuth\" talked Survival Appeal into uploading Colin's infomercial....Hmmmmm?"}, {"response": 177, "author": "bamitchel", "date": "Sat, Feb 19, 2000 (19:23)", "body": "Mickie - you're here! I met Mickie in NY at a Firth gathering a couple of years ago. She's terrific, had me laughing the whole time. Posting to Spring - I've had the same problem, but I really think it's my PC memory or something because my server usually shuts down right in the middle of loading. But it worked tonight and I am so glad. Trying to catch up right now. Another friend told me about the Survival video being up. Just watched it. Thanks, Karen. Bye, Barbara"}, {"response": 178, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (16:05)", "body": "Despite my previous posting I decided to watch the Olivier Awards after all. There was a v short interview with SD & JE re TRT but I think somebody up there has definitely got it in for 3DOR..of all of the nominated plays it got the shortest mention of all!"}, {"response": 179, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (17:00)", "body": "Tracy -somebody up there has definitely got it in for 3DOR.., and yet there was quite a lot on \"Good\" and a short interview with Charles Dance and an excerpt from the play, it is too bad. OT I am afraid there weren't any shots of JE & SD in the audience Evelyn, just the short interview that Tracy mentioned."}, {"response": 180, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (18:28)", "body": "Tracy -somebody up there has definitely got it in for 3DOR.., and yet there was quite a lot on \"Good\" and a short interview with Charles Dance and an excerpt from the play, it is too bad Must admit I sort of watched it too, although I hate award ceremonies. Why all the fuss about \"Good\" and Charles Dance?. And barely a mention of 3DOR...very puzzling (although predictable, says she cynically). 3DOR certainly got better much, much reviews than the other new plays nominated (along with Lady in the Van)."}, {"response": 181, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (18:50)", "body": "Could it be that none of the stars of 3DOR were going to be at the Awards Show?"}, {"response": 182, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (20:01)", "body": "Karen, thanks for this scoop (Survival film). I bought and had Real Player Plus on my system, but it messed up my DVD player. I will try with the basic version. I can't miss watching this! Murph"}, {"response": 183, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (01:44)", "body": "Karen, but Charles Dance was not there, at the Awards, I mean, just him up on a big screen."}, {"response": 184, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (07:36)", "body": "Hmmm, I thought I'd read he was going to be a presenter. Shoots that theory! ;-)"}, {"response": 185, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (14:12)", "body": "I have a theory about this non-award! Call me a cynic if you like, but I notice from my 3DOR programmme that Carlton (an Independent TV company over here) appears to have an affiliation with the Donmar. I also note that it was the BBC Award for new drama...and the animosity between Auntie Beeb and ITV is well known! Aha.....elementary my dear Firthies...shame 3DOR has to suffer;-("}, {"response": 186, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (15:32)", "body": "Tracy, you may have a point there... ;-) (Btw, who says Stephen Dillane wasn't at the Awards? He was there and shook hands with Henry Goodman.)"}, {"response": 187, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (15:34)", "body": "No one said SD wasn't at the Awards, I was there and said Charles Dance was not at the Awards."}, {"response": 188, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (18:20)", "body": "Hi all: I'm reading Armadillo, and love it. You are introduced and led deeply into Lorimer Black's mind -- how he lives, what he dresses like, what he likes, what his family is like, why he cannot sleep. He is a marvelous fully realized character. The following is from his book of thoughts, which he calls the Book of Transfiguration. He is an avid armor collector. All these great unknown words led me to find some web sites and to do a page on armor. ************************* \"270. The Current Collection: a German black sallet; a burgonet (possibly French, somewhat corroded), and, my special favorite, a barbute, Italian, marred only by the absence of the rosette rivets, and so ringed with holes. It was the strange music of this lost vocabulary that drew me first to armor, to see what things these magical words actually described, to discover what was a pauldron, a couter, a vambrace and fauld, or tasser, poleyn and greave, beavor, solleret, gorget and besague. I derive a genuine thrill when Ivan says to me: \"I've an interesting basinet with letten flourens, and with, astonishingly, the original aventail\ufffdthough of course the vervelles are missing,\" and I know exactly\ufffdexactly\ufffdwhat he means. To own an armor, a suit entire, is an impossible fantasy (though I once bought a vambrace and couter of a child's armor, and a shaffron from a German horse armor), so I settle instead for armor of the head, of helms and helmets, developing a particular taste for visorless helmets, the sallets and kettle hats, basinets, casques, spangenhelms and morions, burgonets, barbutes and another dream, this\ufffdthe frogmouthed and great helms. - The Book of Transfiguration\" Ivan HAS to be played by Timothy Spall! Murph A quick OT, because I think we talked about it here. Four Feathers will star Jude Law in the old John Clements role of the man who gets the four feathers from his friends. It was on Teletext the other day. The \"Elizabeth\" director will be doing this."}, {"response": 189, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (20:29)", "body": "I'm reading \"Armadillo\" too, Murph. Actually, I'm more interested in Lucid Dreams, and the relationship to the story."}, {"response": 190, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (21:34)", "body": ""}, {"response": 191, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (21:35)", "body": "I've started a gallery of pictures from Donovan Quick. When finished you'll be able to click and move to the larger images as you've seen on Renate's or Elena's pages. Take a first look: Donovan Quick Gallery"}, {"response": 192, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (02:06)", "body": "Thanks Karen, they are great, but where is the cheeky grin and the two dear old ladies?"}, {"response": 193, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (07:28)", "body": "Isn't it the one on the far right in the second row? I also posted the full-size one on Topic 126."}, {"response": 194, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (07:57)", "body": "Thanks!"}, {"response": 195, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (08:38)", "body": "Great pictures, Karen. Can't wait for the larger versions. Thanks! Murph"}, {"response": 196, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (08:45)", "body": "Thanks, Murph, they're not great quality, but beggars can't be choosers. ;-) Just need to rotate an arrow gif and then I can start. Tracy asked: Anybody know the title of the music was playing when the freezer-fondling was going on in Femme Fatale? Anybody know? Maybe I'll try fast forwarding my tape to the end credits later."}, {"response": 197, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (08:47)", "body": "Looks great, Karen! That is just like me, always fast-forwarding to the next CF image. ;-D"}, {"response": 198, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (10:23)", "body": "Just realised that the BBC are showing \"Femme Fatale\" again tonight (he'll be pleased :-) )...part of a CF season? I'm wondering if there are quite a few people out there who are asking why we never see CF on screen. One of my work colleagues brought up the subject of TOTS (quite without prompting from me!) and said how much he'd enjoyed it...very true to the novella...but that his girlfriend was furious because she's a great CF fan and he was only in it for 5 minutes! Definitely the right time for screening DQ! Has anyone actually contacted the Head of Drama for BBC Scotland re this (Barbara McKissack). I just rang up general enquiries. BTW the conact name for BBC Worldwide (Americas) is Peter Phippen. There's a website at http://www.bbcworldwide.com Lots of jobs for CF in the paper! :-) The Refugee Council have advertised several adviser posts (\ufffd20,000 pa) in London, working with asylum seekers, especially orphaned children/young adolescents, of whom, sadly there are many. Thanks for the pics, Karen! BTW, does anyone know for sure that MLSF opens in May in the UK? Is it listed anywhere? (Doubting Thomas) Tracy, love your casting suggestions for \"Armadillo\"...Tim Spall for Lobby, I definitely agree. Do you think it will be a series? William Boyd usually writes single dram screenplays."}, {"response": 199, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (10:28)", "body": "Quick & Pannick Bus pics, brilliant. Esp. like the flashback ones and the ending shot. Those have the best subtle facial expressions that say so much . CF at his best, folks.IMO"}, {"response": 200, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (10:38)", "body": "Bethan, I too thought it might just possibly be a CF season, so I checked next Tuesday late, but no CF film this time, oh well, it would probably have have been Playmaker ! BTW I forgot to mention that I got a reply from BBC Information re DQ, and here is an excerpt from their reply \"Thankyou for your letter regarding DQ. I regret that I am unable to provide a date of transmission for the programme. Our future schedules are only confirmed two weeks in advance which means it is not possible to give details for programmes beyond this period.......\" So there we are but at least they no there are a few people very interested in DQ."}, {"response": 201, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (10:57)", "body": "CAMILLE REMINDER Camille will be shown on the Romance Classics channel tomorrow, February 23, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. I can't tell if it will be shown again in March, as that month's calendar is not yet available at the website."}, {"response": 202, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (15:17)", "body": "Back from Canada and the cold (and my pretty niece)it's a pleasure to read all the 200 plus posts (not counting other topics and email ;-)). Please bear with me if I comment on a few old ones. (Evelyn)Re: The Kiss He was sucking on her upper lip while she was engrossed in aiming for his lower one. That'll do in a pinch,I guess. *sigh* Shall I be the only one to say how different kisses can be great? Including closed lipped ones? The Kama Sutra also suggests kissing your partner's lower or upper lip (upper is best, it says). Most men are lousy kissers, IMHO, especially those that think all there is to kissing is sticking a big tongue in their partner's mouth, or getting her face full of blubber (sp?) (Arami)If there's one way to get Colin to have a look at the Internet, it'll be with Jonathan's encouragement and because of Mickie's JF site. Hopefully. Maybe. Not true. Livia told me they had already visited the Internet when I talked to her last year. Welcome, Mickey :-)"}, {"response": 203, "author": "kolin", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (16:40)", "body": "(GI)\"Not true. Livia told me they had already visited the Internet when I talked to her last year.\" Gi, I wasn't around here last year/ Would you mind telling all the newbies here when and where did you have a chance to talk to Livia and what did she have to say?Any detail would be welcome. Thanks"}, {"response": 204, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (17:06)", "body": "Vera, I talked to her in London, last March at the Donmar, after the show. She was outside with some friends and I told her how much I admired her husband, and that many fans had come from all over the world to watch him play that night; I mentioned we had a site on the web that was dedicated to him and where we chatted sometimes, and invited her/them to join us if she wished. She was very gracious, and said they had connected to the Internet once before and done some surfing, and that she would try it again. I don't remember all the details but I posted them at the time, so if you like, search for the March posts. We all posted our comments then."}, {"response": 205, "author": "kolin", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (17:22)", "body": "Thanks Gi Where were you in Canada?"}, {"response": 206, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (23:15)", "body": "The Donovan Quick gallery is open: Gallery"}, {"response": 207, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (23:48)", "body": "Karen, I've just visited the DQ gallery. It is wonderful. Thanks very much."}, {"response": 208, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (06:20)", "body": "(Vera)Where were you in Canada? In Toronto, and in Collingwood for the weekend. If I had planned this more carefully (and more in advance) I'd have called for you ladies living in the area to meet me for tea or something. As it was, I was Springless, but had my time quite full with my family. A week is so short!"}, {"response": 209, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (07:19)", "body": "Great job, Karen! Thank you!"}, {"response": 210, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (08:40)", "body": "Yes, great job with your DQ gallery, O Karen, Queen of Snappies. I see you included the rear view mirror view. No hair wranglers on this set, obviously :-(. CAMILLE REMINDER VCRs are at the ready. Bethan, I believe it's May 5th for MLSF in the UK. You're going to love it."}, {"response": 211, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (10:14)", "body": ""}, {"response": 212, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (10:15)", "body": ""}, {"response": 213, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (11:34)", "body": "From the London Theatre Guide Newsletter: 15 Years Ago: \" Anthony Hopkins and Colin Firth had just opened in Schnitzler's The Lonely Road at the Old Vic.\" Did anybody see it?"}, {"response": 214, "author": "ommin", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (19:56)", "body": "No to my everlasting regret - I lived near London then and often went to the theatre - I believe it was even played at a local theatre - The Yvonne Arnaud in Guildford - I do remember seeing Anthony Andrews. But apart from watching him play soccer in a charity match and watching a couple of his early t.v. shows I didn't realise who he was - although I always liked his acting ability. But I do vaguely remember a long lanky player with a particular run playing in the soccer match. Anne H"}, {"response": 215, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (20:28)", "body": "This Sunday's Mobile Masterpiece Theatre on PBS Turn of the Screw. Finally! I saw this posted on RoP."}, {"response": 216, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (06:09)", "body": "NEWSFLASH, Renee Zelwegger to play Bridget!!! see topic #80"}, {"response": 217, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (12:10)", "body": "(Moon) This Sunday's Mobile Masterpiece Theatre on PBS Turn of the Screw. Finally! Yes, Moon, TTOTS will be broadcast this Sunday at 9 p.m. It seems to be receiving favorable press (surprising, given how it was pretty much picked over by the British press, but that's happened before). TV Guide says \"Jodhi May shines...\""}, {"response": 218, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (12:14)", "body": "Having just posted that, I see in my NY Times a not-so-favorable review that is more in tune with the British reviews."}, {"response": 219, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (12:45)", "body": "I taped \"Camille\" yesterday on the Romance Channel...and viewed it last night...I take it all back....it's a lousy production,alright.Esp. the script. But he looks gorgeous.I guess I have a thing for Joe Prince and Armand...the kind of a guy that sticks by you \"in sickness and in health\"."}, {"response": 220, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (12:54)", "body": "Thanks Eileen...just read the NY times review...no mention of CF at all..but \"Jodhi May, as the poor governess, spends most of the 90 minutes looking furtive, suspicious and slightly demented, as well as scared of her own shadow.\" That slightly better than the London Times which said she spent the whole 90 minutes with \"mouth ajar\". Ouch.They don't recommend."}, {"response": 221, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (13:41)", "body": "I will add the few minutes Colin appears to my Camille tape. I can see Milos Forman casting him as Valmont after having viewed Camille. He does debauch\ufffd and sweet very well. He cetainly did get starring roles back then, on film and in the theatre. He probably thought he was on the road to major stardom until Dangerous Liasons sent him hiding in the woods of Canada. Now he does not get a mention in the NYT for TOTS and we are still debating whether he will play Mark Darcy."}, {"response": 222, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (14:25)", "body": "Come on! He still gets starring roles in the theatre and I am sure would get more if he could afford it. He may well be being offered starring roles on film. Okay, not Hollywood. Valmont saw to that and it was not his fault. But the Maid of Buttermere is obviously an offer whether he accepts or not. And on TV he is obviously considered very bankable. He is a British star and is a household name here, at least to television audiences. That may not make him millions but it is where he lives and chooses to base himself. He may never be Anthony Hopkins. But he is a niche player who is never out of work. Think if he did land a multimillion paycheck for a role, I suspect he would flee to the Umbrian Hills and never appear again."}, {"response": 223, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (14:32)", "body": "(Moon) Now he does not get a mention in the NYT for TOTS I'm OK with this--it was a lousy review, after all. Besides, his picture is there (the one we've all seen before, except they cropped the top of his head, puffy h**r and all)."}, {"response": 224, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (14:36)", "body": "3DOR was really a co-starring role, it was an ensemble cast. We hope he is offered a starring role in the theatre soon. Allison, it was just an observation, I agree with you. He is never out of work."}, {"response": 225, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (14:38)", "body": "I'm curious to know what you think of TTOTS."}, {"response": 226, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (15:03)", "body": "TTOTS seems a long time ago now, and excepting one bad review (the Times?) got uniformly very good reviews and 5 star ratings in the UK. I think reading the novella (which most critics had) does help. It's out on vodeo here soon as the \"acclaimed\" production!"}, {"response": 227, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (15:06)", "body": "(Bethan)I think reading the novella (which most critics had) does help. Probably. I side with the \"mouth ajar\" critics :-("}, {"response": 228, "author": "Xian", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (15:11)", "body": "Hi, ladies ;-) I can't wait to see ODB in The Turn of the Screw although he only has a few minutes of show. Here is local PBS' introdution of it: This adaptation of Henry James' gothic tale -- which many believe to be one of the all-time great ghost stories -- is a psychological portrait of a new governess who attempts to exorcise the ghosts menacing the two small children in her care. Colin Firth, Pam Ferris and Jodhi May star. -------- They do list DB's name first on the main cast (for his few precious moment in the film ;-))"}, {"response": 229, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (15:52)", "body": "Karen, thanks so much for the DQ gallery, I only now had some time to look it through and enjoy it. Great work. (Allison)Think if he did land a multimillion paycheck for a role, I suspect he would flee to the Umbrian Hills and never appear again. Agreed! That\ufffds what he would do I\ufffdm sure, and that\ufffds what I have secretly feared, as much as I\ufffdd enjoy seeing him in a major role in a major film."}, {"response": 230, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (20:53)", "body": "(Allison)Think if he did land a multimillion paycheck for a role, I suspect he would flee to the Umbrian Hills and never appear again. (Elena) Agreed! That\ufffds what he would do I\ufffdm sure, and that\ufffds what I have secretly feared, as much as I\ufffdd enjoy seeing him in a major role in a major film. Eek! That's a frightening thought, but it does sound reasonable. Therefore we must hope that ODB does lots more of that personally satisfying, but low paying stage work :-)."}, {"response": 231, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (02:24)", "body": "paycheck That should read paycheque of course! See what a bad influence you all are:-)"}, {"response": 232, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (02:45)", "body": "Mini newsflash! MLSF will be screened at the Bradford Film Festival on Wednesday 8 March at 8.15pm as part of \"Focus America\", sponsored by American Airlines, along with \"The Insider\", \"The Hurricanne\", Cradle will Rock\", \"Lake Placid\", \"Any given Sunday\" \"boys Don't Cry\" and \"Galaxy Quest\". Good company, I think! The bad news (and I'm no longer finding this funny)is that in the comprehensive programme, they manage to completely miss out CF's name. MLSF is listed as starring Rosemary Harris, Malcolm McDowell, Tcheky Karyo and Robert Norman. The opening blurb also says \"British talent is evident as always with Hugh Hudson as director of MLSF, rising star Emily Watson joining the stellar cast of \"Cradle will Rock\" and Alan Rickman in \"Galaxy Quest\". How come it's always his name? I actually read the credits for the other movies...no-one else is \"overlooked\". There are pics of Russell Crowe, Aln Rickman etc, but for MLSF there's a sweeping shot of a young boy on a beach, not the usual promotional shots which we've seen. The programme has gone out to half a million people, some of whom may be CF fans. I'm beginning to subscribe to a conspiracy theory!! Shall complain!"}, {"response": 233, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (02:55)", "body": "Firing my last indignant salvo.... Reading the blurb on MLSF they seem to be promoting it entirely on the David Puttnam/Hugh Hudson connection (which won't mean much to younger movie goers). It's as though \"Colin Firth in a starring role\" isn't worth a mention...and this is really what they should be stressing, not DP!! Puzzled as ever..."}, {"response": 234, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (03:01)", "body": "Please do complain, Bethan, this is too much."}, {"response": 235, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (03:42)", "body": "In more positive mode!.. This is a terrific festival held at the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television, and MLSF is in great company... \"special previews of acclaimed new films from the world's dominant film-making country\". All the Oscar-nominated films are here (\"Cider House Rules\" opens). Lord Puttnam hosts the opening night on March 3. I'm sure he'll promote MLSF!"}, {"response": 236, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (03:59)", "body": "Bethan, do you have a telephone number so that we can all complain at the disgraceful ommission of the star of the film, again. Hope this doesn't repeat when it opens for general release."}, {"response": 237, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (07:23)", "body": "Ann, on reflection (have simmered down now! :-)), I think it may be a genuine (but unfortunate) typographic error, as MEM and IJ are also omitted. But I'll ring up about it! Have to say that MLSF features very prominently in the programme...large accompanying photo (of the curling rink, not the beach) CF omission aside, I'm actually very pleased about this, and think it bodes well for the release of MLSF in the UK. It's been given a good slot...\"The Insider\" shows on Tuesday evening, then MLSF on Wed. evening, and \"Being John Malkovich\" on Thursday evening...no 1.00pm showings! I know this is a regional Film Festival, but they are showing some firtst-rate films, and i think it's a compliment to MLSF to see it included. Murph...do you want to include this in your News (for UK fans obviously). It's the first time MLSF has been screened in the UK. I think I've given all the details in my other postings. To recap, MLSF is being shown for the first time in the UK on Wednesday 8 March at 8.15pm at the Bradford Film Festival 2000 at the National Museum of Photography Film and Television, as part of \"Focus America\", bringing special previews of acclaimed new films from the US (\"The Insider\", \"Hurricane\", \"Being John Malkovich\" \"The Cider House Rules\" etc) BTW the date for MLSF is given as 2000 (1999 for all other movies). Has it been re-edited, again?"}, {"response": 238, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (07:53)", "body": "Fair enough Bethan, but I do think it would be a good idea for someone to point out the omission. Good for you."}, {"response": 239, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (09:14)", "body": "(Bethan) I think it may be a genuine (but unfortunate) typographic error, as MEM and IJ are also omitted. I agree--must be a mistake. I find it hard to believe the star's name would be omitted in the same country where his 5 minute cameo provided the entire promotional approach for a TV movie. *scratching my head* I'm also surprised to see Any Given Sunday on the list. The sheer irony of Lawrence Taylor's or Jim Brown's role would be lost on the audience. Well, you do get to see Al Pacino yell and scream alot... It is a wide variety of films, most of which did/are doing well either critically or in the BO (except Lake Placid), so you're right, Bethan, MLSF finds itself in good company."}, {"response": 240, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (09:14)", "body": "OT followup to the earlier discussion of transatlantic casting changes: (from What's On News http://www.whatson.com/wos/news/ ) Hit Plays do a Transatlantic Swap -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 25 February 2000 Stringent rules imposed by American Equity, the actor's union, have been bypassed in a deal that enables the West End hit The Real Thing to transfer to Broadway in March with its English cast in tact. Perhaps because it feels threatened by the worldwide reputation of English actors for excellence, American Equity has for many years blocked the wholesale transfer of London casts to Broadway. But in a conciliatory move this week, it has reached an agreement with UK Equity to allow The Real Thing to cross the Atlantic next month in exchange for Warren Leight's award-winning play Side Man, just opened at the Apollo, which consists of the entire Broadway cast, plus one new member of the cast, Jason Priestley, also an American, well known from the long-running soap, Beverly Hills 90210. One reason for the settlement was that both plays have exactly the same number of actors in the cast - seven - thus avoiding quota wrangles. Ron Kastner, the American producer of The Real Thing, admitted that American Equity are more intransigent on the subject of exchanges than British Equity. \"They simply don't want English actors to take roles that could go to Americans,\" he said. Top producer Cameron Mackintosh has had a number of clashes with American Equity, notably over the casting of Jonathan Pryce as the Eurasian pimp in his US production of Miss Saigon in 1990. When he threatened to cancel the whole thing, Equity relented and after finally opening in April 1991, it recouped its $10.9m investment in 39 weeks. Trevor Nunn also had a run-in with the union last year after they refused to allow the leading players in his award-winning revival of Oklahoma to transfer, insisting on an indigenous cast. For Jennifer Ehle and Stephen Dillane, the stars of The Real Thing, a high profile Broadway run is bound to open up other career opportunities. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------"}, {"response": 241, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (09:55)", "body": "(Eileen) Well, you do get to see Al Pacino yell and scream alot. Are you referring to Any Given Sunday or The Insider? Or doesn't it matter. ;-) Thanks, Chris. Equity's rules are quota-driven. Now, what 3 actor show is currently on or off-Broadway that could transfer to London? ;-)"}, {"response": 242, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (10:30)", "body": "MLSF is being shown for the first time in the UK on Wednesday 8 March at 8.15pm at the Bradford Film Festival 2000 at the National Museum of Photography Film and Television, Well that shoots down my theory of a big splashy Charity Benefit London Premiere.I have never heard of the Bradford FF...is that the museum on the South Bank in London? ~~~~ Thanks Chris.TRT for Sideman? I saw the latter on B'way. We got a better deal;-)"}, {"response": 243, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (10:31)", "body": "Don't deny us Brits Any Given Sunday because we won't get all the ironies; otherwise we might have to retaliate by making a film focusing on soccer and giving it incredibly limited release in the US (oh, no, done that already). Will America or Canada be more upset by \"Jason Priestley, also an American\"?"}, {"response": 244, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (10:50)", "body": "(Eileen) Well, you do get to see Al Pacino yell and scream alot. (Karen),Are you referring to Any Given Sunday or The Insider? Or doesn't it matter. ;-) Hard to tell with that Method actor. ;-) Thanks Chris!"}, {"response": 245, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (11:15)", "body": "(Karen) Now, what 3 actor show is currently on or off-Broadway that could transfer to London? ;-) Easy. Bash is already in London, and has gotten outstanding reviews. Wit, with Kathleen Chalfont, is going to London in April, I believe. I still say 3DOR ain't coming back to NYC, no matter who would be in the cast. It's played/is playing in cities across the country with local actors; nothing exclusive about it anymore. (Mark) Will America or Canada be more upset by \"Jason Priestley, also an American\"? Hee, hee. I think we Yanks definitely got the raw deal on that one, Mark, just as we get blamed for Jim Carrey (who I actually like, BTW). On the other hand, it *is* a rather loose border; maybe \"What's On Stage\" figures we all sound alike, so what's the diff?;-) And how come JP gets a US union card, when they count JE against the Brit quota? It's all smoke and mirrors, if you ask me;-)"}, {"response": 246, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (15:50)", "body": "Nobody chews scenery with quite the aplomb of Al Pacino. I never thought of Colin Firth as being a method actor, although he probably touched on the technique in some of his drama school classes. Stanislavsky never called it the Method; he called it the System. Lee Strasberg is responsible for the name \"Method\". When Stella Adler travelled to the then USSR to visit with Stanislavsky a few years before he died, she found that Stanislavsky didn't really approve of the changes Strasberg had made to the technique. Adler went back to New York and taught the real Stanislavsky method, er system. Many actors considered Adler a better drama coach than Strasberg. Then again, it is all relative."}, {"response": 247, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (16:28)", "body": "To All: Bethan, I'll get the news up now on MLSF. Thanks. Al Pacino, who I grant can chew up the scenery better than anyone else I know, is restrained (for him) in The Insider. I was pleasantly surprised at how his role and Russell's blended and worked so well together. Plummer is terrific too. I can't believe they left him off the Oscar noms. Murph"}, {"response": 248, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (20:01)", "body": "Hello everyone. This is actually my first time posting on this board. But I have VERY important CF info for those of you who live in the US. On your local PBS station, Master Piece Theatre will be showing \"The Turning of the Screw\" on this Sunday at 9pm (at least they are here in NY on channel 13). CF is one of the main characters. So check out your local listings for your PBS station! Good luck finding it, and happy viewing!!! ~Liz K"}, {"response": 249, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (20:59)", "body": "WELCOME LIZ Thank you for posting your news. We all are looking forward to viewing all of TTOTS. Some of us who were in London in mid -January got a peak at the tape....but CF only has a 4 minute appearance. But hey, that's two minutes more than The Secret Garden. Stick around, we love newbies on Drool."}, {"response": 250, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (11:07)", "body": "An FOFer found this yesterday: From The Independent: Rumours that Colin Firth, aka Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice and the object of Bridget's slavering affections, will play the love interest Mark Darcy remained unconfirmed yesterday. His agent said simply: \"I have no idea.\" Murph"}, {"response": 251, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (11:28)", "body": "(Murph) From The Independent: Rumours that Colin Firth, aka Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice and the object of Bridget's slavering affections, will play the love interest Mark Darcy remained unconfirmed yesterday. His agent said simply: \"I have no idea.\" Isn't that a hoot? Saw that posted over on the Bridget topic. Attention, Colin's agent: If you don't want to know what we think of you, don't read Topic 80. Welcome Liz! (Temporarily lost my Welcome gif but Karen's got a bunch.) Thanks for the news of TOTS. Keep on coming back if you want to know more about his other projects. Hope you keep posting too. I haven't decided which of my CF tapes I'll tag those four TOTS minutes onto. Perhaps I'll make up a special Cameo Tape and include those four minutes at the end of The Secret Garden. ;-) Let's see, what else can we include?"}, {"response": 252, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (11:30)", "body": "Thanks, Murph, Karen has already posted that on our BJD topic (#80). We've already roasted and toasted *hee hee* CF's agent. Welcome, Liz, from your neighbor in channel 13 country *waving to you from Jersey*"}, {"response": 253, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (14:24)", "body": "(Bethan) To recap, MLSF is being shown for the first time in the UK ................... as part of \"Focus America\", bringing special previews of acclaimed new films from the US Pardon me, MLSF and \"Focus AMERICA\"??? Obviously I missed something substantial. =8-o Has Scotland recently joined the US of A?"}, {"response": 254, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (15:15)", "body": "Evelyn, you asked where Bradford is. It is in West Yorkshire, about 7 miles from Leeds airport. Looks as though it mae be kind of close for someone. ;-)"}, {"response": 255, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (18:53)", "body": "Everyone: Sorry about posting the old news re BJD and CF's agent. I should have checked first. I'll hide over to #80 to see what is being said! Murph"}, {"response": 256, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (19:12)", "body": "Pardon me, MLSF and \"Focus AMERICA\"??? LOL! Renate, the sad truth is, American money funds the British talent... TEP, SIL - even P&P2 - can be easily claimed as American funded."}, {"response": 257, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (19:23)", "body": "Hey, I didn't mean sad as in tragic, OK? American co-production normally guarantees American release, so that's not sad. And in view of the common language (of sorts...;-)) it makes perfect sense. What is sad, however, is the fact that the UK film industry cannot seem to manage anything above \"small budget\"."}, {"response": 258, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (19:26)", "body": "(Bethan)Looks as though it may be kind of close for someone. ;-) Do you plan to go, Bethan? (Arami)TEP, SIL - even P&P2- can be easily claimed as American funded. But SIL was poached as being the British Film of 1999 by ...was it Evening Standard award? Pretty cheeky;-)"}, {"response": 259, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (19:32)", "body": "Well, there must be some balance preserved here... some compromise is obviously inevitable on occasions... ;-P"}, {"response": 260, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (23:12)", "body": "Thank you for the welcome everyone. *Wave back to you Eileen!* I had no idea that his part was to be so short. Oh well...I am actually recovering from having all 4 of my wisdom teeth pulled (I look like a chipmunk who got away with grapefruits rather than acorns)...any glimpse of CF will be a welcome sight on the road to recovery. :) Thank you again for the welcome."}, {"response": 261, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (10:07)", "body": "Grrr Have finished reading Armadillo. Another ambiguous ending, although this should be great. Lorimer is a man of 1000 faces and clothing styles. Colin is going to be delectable in this. Sort of reminds me of The Prisoner."}, {"response": 262, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (11:25)", "body": "New pic of Jess on Ulrike's page: http://hometown.aol.com/fitzwilliamdarcy/index.htm"}, {"response": 263, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (11:31)", "body": "Neat picture. Where is it from? Sort of looks like a cornfield behind him. He never wears that outfit in the movie to my recollection."}, {"response": 264, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (14:05)", "body": "Where is it from? From a German TV magazine, TV Spielfilm. And it is stampsize in print."}, {"response": 265, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (16:52)", "body": "Wow! Girls, if you were thinking about skipping this picture, don't. Delicious. That movie was good for something."}, {"response": 266, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (19:21)", "body": "Never ever skip anything to do with ODB."}, {"response": 267, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (20:00)", "body": "Counting the minutes for Colin's four-minute cameo ;-)"}, {"response": 268, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (20:22)", "body": "Firth is now on the http://www.spring.net webcam."}, {"response": 269, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (23:41)", "body": "Well...I saw it! I must say, despite the lack of...exposure (for lack of a better word)...that CF had, I thought it was a good old gothic tale of good and evil. But, as for CF, himself...what did you all make of the character? My mother and I thought that perhaps it was he (the master..aka CF) that was the evil one, and not the red headed man..whatever his name was..Peter Quint, was it? Anyway. I thought that CF's character was very fwd towards the girl...especially for an interview...But I do not believe that I have seen him smile so much in a period piece as I did in this one! My mother and I were oogling over him, and my father (who was watching it as well) was berating us for acting as such. He said \"Elizabeth! You are 22 y/o, and you are acting like a love-sick teenager!\" I replied, \"He's only the best actor and the most handsome to ever act!!! So what if I am love sick over him!??!!\" Anyway! :) enough of my rambling! what did you all think of it? either how he looked, acted or if you thought he was really the evil one, etc..."}, {"response": 270, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (23:56)", "body": "My TOTS Cliff's notes: The story focuses on Miss, played by Jodhi May. Miss, having heard that the governess union's dental plan now covers orthodontics, eagerly applies for a position in the household of The Master, played by Colin Firth. Firth, having more sense than the rest of us, leaves after 4 1/2 minutes. Having realized that she's failed the interview to appear on Who Wants To Marry An Irresponsible Millionaire, Miss nonetheless receives a lovely parting gift in the form of the home version of the game. Upon her arrival at The Master's country estate, she takes charge of his young niece and nephew. The children, caught in a dreadful 35-year time warp since their appearance in Mary Poppins, seem to be keeping mysterious secrets. Miss quickly assumes that they have been corrupted by the estate's former employees and subjected to unspeakable cruelties, like being forced to watch WWF Smackdown on Thursday nights. Quint, The Master's late valet, speaks not, but furtively and angrily peeks inside the home, perhaps looking for his agent. Tortured by apparitions and sadly lacking the fortitude of, say, Maria Von Trapp, Miss finally takes charge and decides to show the kids who's boss by issuing the ultimate disciplinary admonition, \"I'll wring your neck.\" The End"}, {"response": 271, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (02:25)", "body": "Miss finally takes charge and decides to show the kids who's boss by issuing the ultimate disciplinary admonition, \"I'll wring your neck.\" LOL, Mari! Your notes are a must for all students:-) BTW I have been experimenting with the UK's latest and most popular search engine *Ask Jeeves* http://www.ask.co.uk Yesterday I asked it an obscure question abour a little known medieval cleric and it came back with fabulously relevant hits. Today I asked *Who is Colin Firth?* and it could not tell me! What is going on????"}, {"response": 272, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (03:14)", "body": "Allison, Jeeves has answers to your question. It knows his bio, filmography, and can even direct you to some of Colin's webpages. Try again."}, {"response": 273, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (07:12)", "body": "The Master's late valet, speaks not, but furtively and angrily peeks inside the home, perhaps looking for his agent. ROTFLOL! Mari! I tapped and will watch it tonight. I will keep your review in mind."}, {"response": 274, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (08:02)", "body": "LOL Mari!! having heard that the governess union's dental plan now covers orthodontics If that was the case, why had they not started on Miles? ;-) I found his buck teeth more annoying than Jodhi's open-mouthed performance. Sorry, Liz, but I am more in Mari's camp on this one. I thought the production really lacked in the suspense department, among others. IMO Miss came off as a sicko (using the clinical term) and the whole thing was in her mind caused by some vague combination of sexual hysteria, compounded by her deeply religious upbringing. The children were not treacly sweet enough to suit me. I think the ones in the old movie \"The Innocents\" were far more creepy. Also, were you aware that Miss caused Flora to go mad? That was not explained. Miss ruined both children's lives. As to Master, he obviously didn't have the time to do wardrobe fittings. Ack, that collar. And the hair! Sorry, but that pouffy do wasn't at all flattering. Yes, he smiled alot."}, {"response": 275, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (08:22)", "body": "As to Master, he obviously didn't have the time to do wardrobe fittings. Ack, that collar. I remember commenting on his collar back when his TOTS picture was posted here. Why doesn't Colin tell them? The only answer is that he is not aware of it himself! He does not have a taylor on Saville Row. :-("}, {"response": 276, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (08:22)", "body": "...and there's still that wonderful voice!"}, {"response": 277, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (08:49)", "body": "BTW, Teletext has another mention of Relative Values, on a listing of upcoming films. Says to be released May 19, even though I'm told that's not the case anymore. Relative Values This star-packed film adaption of Noel Coward's play sees the return of Julie Andrews, ably supported by Colin Firth and Stephen Fry among others. The characteristic tippy-toed ennui of the stage play comes to the screen. Released May 19 tippy-toed ennui Eowww :-("}, {"response": 278, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (09:18)", "body": "LOL, Mari! (Allison) Today I asked *Who is Colin Firth?* and it could not tell me! What is going on???? Jeeves is really Colin's agent. (Karen) Ack, that collar. And the hair! Sorry, but that pouffy do wasn't at all flattering. I found the hair alot less distracting than those 'Lee Press On' sideburns. He was very charming, though. Our satellite-feed MPT isn't broadcast until tonight. I managed to sneak away and watch CF's 4 minutes on a spare TV, but skipped the rest. Am undecided about watching the whole thing tonight. Evelyn is right--Jodhi looks *ahem* somewhat less than attractive, shall we say?"}, {"response": 279, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (09:30)", "body": "(Eileen) Evelyn is right--Jodhi looks *ahem* somewhat less than attractive, shall we say? You mean you found Mrs. Grose's comment that the Master likes \"pretty young things\" unrealistic? Miss Jessel looked like the woman who played the crazy Mrs. Rochester in Jane Eyre over 15 years ago."}, {"response": 280, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (10:07)", "body": "(Karen) You mean you found Mrs. Grose's comment that the Master likes \"pretty young things\" unrealistic? Sorry, only saw the first 4 minutes."}, {"response": 281, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (10:21)", "body": "Mari: You have outdone yourself! May I add a short review of the first 4 minutes? \"Mr Firth, who played the Master very briefly, was apparently wardrobed in an outfit for a much larger actor left over from a road company of Wuthering Heights. His hair was done by Greg, of Greg's Hair Mania, Lodi, New Jersey. Mr. Greg, as he likes to be called, is hair stylist for The Sopranos.\" Seriously, it wasn't that good aside from his glorious voice, very boring actually. After the first 15 minutes or so, I switched to the 10th Kingdom for awhile which was kind of fun, and finally to a new book. The sound was great though! I'm asking Clive about that portrait you glimpsed when Miss first entered the house and climbed the stairs. CF really looked great in it. Murph Yes, Eileen, those stick on sideburns were unfortunate. They looked like temporary attachments. It gets me mad that the wardrobe and hair people didn't take better care of him."}, {"response": 282, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (10:24)", "body": "Karen and all: I just finished Armadillo too. It is an odd kind of book. Poor Lorimer Black reminded me, by the end, of Griffin Dunne in After Hours. One sort of nightmarish, puzzling meeting after another. The party at his boss's palatial home is the example that best fits my analogy. I liked it though, and it will be a great part for CF. He is the voice and the centerpiece of the whole book. There isn't a scene in it where he hasn't a role. Ambiguous ending too leaves a lot for thought....or a sequel? Murph And if you ever had kinky dreams about CF in armor, this is for you (LOL)"}, {"response": 283, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (10:39)", "body": "LOL Mari...I don't want anybody making fun of Camille after this one;-) BTW saw that Susie Clegg was the script supervisor...didn't she do same for P&P. \"You missed this time, Susie\" As to Master, he obviously didn't have the time to do wardrobe fittings. Ack, that collar. Hey they put all the money into renting the house....the tailor at Oxfam missed out on that coat too. The former owner had a broader back. Nicky Dear took lots of liberties from the book. Do you realize that Quint was supposed to resemble the master? Are you really gonna buy this tape, Karen.? The jacket isn't the same as the ad.You musta liked Quint, he's featured on the front...not Colin. Don't get me started on Jodhi May...not just mouth ajar, but permanent scowl too. Who wouldn't have gone mad in that place...even without the ghosts? Did anyone notice the first painting on the staircase wall ? Much resembled \"you know who\";-) Must agree with London and NY Times....\"skip it.\""}, {"response": 284, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (11:10)", "body": "(Murph) Master very briefly, was apparently wardrobed in an outfit for a much larger actor left over from a road company of Wuthering Heights....After the first 15 minutes or so, I switched to the 10th Kingdom Isn't that the show that NBC used to recycle costumes from Leprechauns? After Hours. One sort of nightmarish, puzzling meeting after another. The party at his boss's palatial home is the example Good analogy. My most eagerly awaited segment has to be THE KISS. Even though Flavia is the initiator, Colin cannot do his usual pathetic excuse for a kiss in this one. (Evelyn) Do you realize that Quint was supposed to resemble the master? Does it say that in the book? Can't remember, but it would make sense, although that red-headed mean-looking guy didn't look like the smiling sweetie at the beginning. ;-) (Evelyn) Are you really gonna buy this tape, Karen.? The jacket isn't the same as the ad. *rant rant* Those dummies! Those marketing dummies at PBS!! Can you believe those *marketing dummies* at PBS thought they could come up with a better cover!! Am livid. Having Colin on the cover was the only chance anyone would buy this video. *moderately calmed down, but still out of my mind* Well, could still buy the PAL version from blackstar.com just for the box. Is only 12.99 and shipping is free; about the same as if I bought the PBS version. ;-) (Evelyn) Did anyone notice the first painting on the staircase wall? They shot past it so quickly. But looked like a better portrait than of Fitzwiliam Darcy."}, {"response": 285, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (11:26)", "body": "I just had to copy this here. A comment from a guy at ROP who watched TTOTS. Amazing what people notice: \"My two biggest complaints here were that the \"ghosts\" were too, um, corporeal. The original story makes them completely ambiguous, IIRC. But as clever as the jumpcuts were, that ambiguity slipped a bit as the program went on. One scene in particular--the camera draws back to show the two governesses descending the staircase; a light throws the shadow of the \"ghost\" against the wall. Unavoidable, but the wrong effect--the other times we've seen the \"ghosts\", it's been directly from the POV of one of the characters. Here, the 3rd person POV of the camera implies the ghost is real."}, {"response": 286, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (12:13)", "body": "(Eileen) 'Lee Press On' sideburns. PFFT! (Good thing E-Z Wipe monitor cover is firmly in place this morning.;-) (Murph) His hair was done by Greg, of Greg's Hair Mania, Lodi, New Jersey. Mr. Greg, as he likes to be called, is hair stylist for The Sopranos.\" Too funny, Murph. Poor Mr. Greg is so accustomed to hearing \"Greggie, I needa litta maw height in da crown\" that he just caves I'm afraid.;-) Let us know what you find out about that delicious portrait. (Evelyn) Nicky Dear took lots of liberties from the book. Do you realize that Quint was supposed to resemble the master? Is that right? The guy last night was a cross between Red Buttons and Martin van Buren.;-) Is the book less ambiguous than this adaptation? Clearly, it pointed to Miss being the nutty one, yet she was able to describe people that she otherwise wouldn't have known the appearance of. And that housekeeper certainly didn't help things, adding fuel to the fire. Does the housekeeper realize she's nuts at the end, and if so, why did she leave Miles behind? And when Miles starts \"speaking\" to Quint at the very end, is he just trying to humor Miss, having realized that she's out of it? A belated welcome to Liz! Don't worry, honey, I'm sure there are others who liked the show. I'm actually going to give it a second chance tonight."}, {"response": 287, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (12:47)", "body": "(Mari) The guy last night was a cross between Red Buttons and Martin van Buren.;-) Ha! Or do you mean Nigel Hawthorne playing Martin Van Buren. I think everyone looked like Martin Van Buren at that time... even Colin! Is the book less ambiguous than this adaptation? Yes. Does the housekeeper realize she's nuts at the end, and if so, why did she leave Miles behind? Mrs. Grose should not be taken as an authority on anything. She's a good-hearted, although ignorant country woman (remember, she couldn't read). She was easily influenced and probably believed in ghosts herself. She took Flora away because Flora was driven insane. And when Miles starts \"speaking\" to Quint at the very end, is he just trying to humor Miss, having realized that she's out of it? Am going to have to rewind to hear what he says, but thought he was questioning rather than speaking to Quint, like \"is he there? do you see him\" In the book, Miss sees \"him\" but Miles asks her, \"is it Miss Jessel.\" He sees nothing."}, {"response": 288, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (13:27)", "body": "LOL!!! Thanks Mari and others for making an otherwise mundane Monday morning more bearable. I think Henry James is turning over in his grave\ufffd didn\ufffdt the host of MPT say something to the effect that some of his writings before this had been disasters\ufffdsomething about a play being laughed off the stage\ufffdcan\ufffdt quite recall. If he only knew\ufffdwhat they\ufffdve done to the screenplay adaptation of his book. The only interesting thing about this movie was the one shot of the lady ghost standing on the bank (looked like she was missing her eyes) and seeing how they could best cover up Jodhi May\ufffds bad skin."}, {"response": 289, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (13:36)", "body": "It seems to me that Colin was driven to this project by reading the book only... I can't believe he is happy with the result."}, {"response": 290, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (14:05)", "body": "Just before Christmas I was watching Richard & Judy (yes, very sad I know) when they were previewing the forthcoming Christmas Televisual Feast. They (or rather a journalist woman -name escapes me- but clearly a woman of taste) made a big hoohar about TOTS and specifically CFs performance, showed a clip ..basically most of ODBs performance and then rolled about on the floor it fits of hysteria at his wonderfully earnest line. \"Let me place my confidence in you!\" Cant think what they found so hilarious ;-D *tongue firmly lodged in cheek* (Eileen) 'Lee Press On' sideburns. He seemed to be trying his best to do an Elvis! Murph - And if you ever had kinky dreams about CF in armor, this is for you You can just imagine the puzzled look on Jupiter's face as this strange being bumbles about with the helmet firmly wedged ROTFLOL"}, {"response": 291, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (15:05)", "body": "Renate, thanks for the new photo of Jess ~ WOW!!"}, {"response": 292, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (15:22)", "body": "Am I the only one who thought TTOTS was okay? Plus the majority of the critics in the UK, plus a colleague at work who did his MA thesis on Henry James? He thought the adaptation mirrored the ambiguities of the book, and that it wasn't a ghost story but a study of sexual hysteria, with the relationship with Miles and infatuation with the Master being particularly relevant. He also commented on the ending...there's something significant about the actual direction in which the Governess is looking. I'll have to watch it again. And surely Jodhi May wasn't supposed to be beautiful? But if viewers found CF's performance funny...that really would be the worst thing for him, especially after all the quite unjustified hype. Viewers can be very fickle. I personally don't think he'll ever do another costume drama. I also think that he also would have expected DQ (completed in April) to be shown before TTOTS (completed in August and not intended originally for a Christmas slot) As it is, I think TTOTS may have been one cameo too many for him....after Darcy, viewers would expect to see him in a starring role. No more cameos, please...EVER!!!!"}, {"response": 293, "author": "byebar", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (15:41)", "body": "Well not much to add to the TOTS review except to agree on the Liberace big hair on Colin and those sideburns by Sally Hansen. I also hated way the director had him use the \"thin grin\" throughout his microwave performance. I think that gives him a weak look as though he has no lips. Good grief they had him in and out so fast I am surprised he wasn't conducting the interview during the opening credits. All I could hear in my head was the Darcy proposal in P&P- I could not even see this character. Too Deja Vu."}, {"response": 294, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (16:11)", "body": "Actually, Mickie, I have to disagree, I don't think he was at all like Darcy, too much smiling and although I didn't like the hair the sideburns or the clothes I thought he was fine in his portrayal of the Master, too bad about the rest of it. CF is the only actor I know who is so different in every part, he can look so different and if it weren't for his voice or his familiar gait, helf you wouldn't know it was him, I guess that is his problem he is too good for his own good, and people don't recognise him, unlike RF, or Rufus Sewell or KB or R. Everett and many many more who just play themselves. Apologies for any fans of the aforementioned, only my humble opinion."}, {"response": 295, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (16:21)", "body": "Everyone: The newest issue of Premiere (with Luscious Law on the cover) is dedicated to \"Screen Lust,\" and they have a page on the best, the worst, the kinkiest, etc. One of the categories is \"The Moment DVD Was Invented For.\" In it are listed moments like Gere bottomless in American Gigolo, Sharon Stone's flash in Basic Instinct. Why did I immediately think of Playmaker???? It's actually a neat page, running the gamit from Beauty and the Beast (Gene Wilder and sheep in \"Everything You Always Wanted..,\") to sexiest entrance in a film (Marlon Brando in \"Streetcar\" and Marilyn in \"Some Like It Hot.\") TEP outside the Christmas party won for \"Best Quickie,\" and Joan Allen and Jamie Sheridan for worst quickie in The Ice Storm. We could do a whole Firth Lust Thing on this: 1. Sexiest Entrance 2. The Funniest 3. In Praise of Older Women 4. Sexiest Scene That Didn't Involve Sex 5. Gourmet Sex 6. Best Kiss 7. Great Moments in Voyeurism 8. The Moment DVD Was Invented For Wanna Try? Murph"}, {"response": 296, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (16:55)", "body": "Hello and welcome Liz. Your mother also like Colin Firth, my mother has no idea who he is and couldn't possibly care less. The sideburns, well they weren't really correct to period. They should have been larger, great honking muttonchop whiskers. Sorry ladies, it was the fashion -- or lack thereof. The costuming for the entire cast overall was exceptionally good -- upholding the reputation for British television drama period costume design and research. The film was not comparable to \"The Innocents\"; I hadn't expected it to be. \"The Innocents\" is still one of the most frightening movies I have ever seen. It is a very intelligent and psychological horror film. However, I had hoped this new production of \"The Turn of the Screw\" would have been better, since I do like the Henry James novella so much. I'm going to duck for cover after making this statement. We should have never seen the Master at all. His presence should be implied, in essence his presence is emphasized by his absence. Spoken of, but never seen, if you will. We should still percieve his implied presence as acutely as if it were a physical presence. But should never see him. Aside from that gaff the script was very good, actually quite accurate to Henry James. And I have read the story. The real problem with this production was the direction. The director appears to have spent all the time working with the children. They and their scenes were the high points of this production. Flora and Miles were innocents, they give the impression of possibly being in the thrall of evil, yet they could simply be nothing more than spirited children. Innocent in the sense of lacking the experience and knowlege to comprehend the extent of the corruption the may carry. Again it is implication. That was something the production did right. What was wrong with it? The tone. The film lacked a sense of ambuguity, or of psychological complexity. The characterizations were off. Mrs. Grose was physically a formidable women, but she lacked strength of personality and that was wrong. The performance was one of hand-wringing. The housekeeper was unlettered, but she was a country woman who was certain what she knew, and she was tough. As for Miss -- yeee -- well where to I start. Wrong, wrong, wrong. The Miss's sexual hysteria is an important component of this story, but it should have been repressed. No High Victorian household would have employed a young woman for any appreciable length of time to be in charge of children, when she was just so -- flighty. She should have had the outward demeanor of being sensible and controlled, but inwardly seething with religious conviction and sexual repression. The strength of \"The Turn of the Screw\" is its dichotomy. We should never be sure if there are ghosts afoot, or if the governess's own obsessions are the evil in question. Or both. In short, it was an oversimplification of one the most stunningly, pschycologically complex stories ever written."}, {"response": 297, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (17:01)", "body": "I have to agree with AnnW, the Master did not remind me at all of Darcy. He was smiling way too much and trying to charm her. Darcy never tried to charm anybody. He never practiced enough. ;-) Bethan, as I recall, the reviews were very mixed in the UK on TTOTS and I have them up on The Bucket's page: http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/tots.html#Reviews Most of the early December ones were very much based on the publicity materials sent around. The others nearer to the broadcast date seem to have really seen the program. How else do you explain such dead-on critiques as: (Paul Hogart, The Times) Perhaps it was because Jodhi May as the Governess went through the film with her mouth ajar and was clearly bonkers, but the hairs on the back of my neck refused to stand up. Her anguish was plain. Was she really seeing ghosts? Were the children possessed? \"For heaven's sake, woman,\" I shouted at her, \"phone a friend!\" (Tom Howard, TimeOut) Sexual tension between the Governess and the Master is hinted at in the opening scene, yet this is then virtually ignored. Her increasingly unhinged behaviour seems absurdly melodramatic. The background to her character and the motivations for her behaviour are thin on the ground, and Jodhi May is not a good enough actress to suggest any. Ultimately, her blank bewilderment becomes increasingly irritating. (I won't do the ones about gaping jaws or cetaceans.) But there were quite a few positives, in their defense."}, {"response": 298, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (17:07)", "body": "I have to disagree, I don't think he was at all like Darcy, too much smiling and although I didn't like the hair the sideburns or the clothes I thought he was fine in his portrayal of the Master I agree with you, Ann. He's first and foremost character actor, who looks different in every role, and is often not recognised until the credits roll. Which is why he'll never be promoted as a Hollywood movie star a la the pretty boys Jude Law, Rupert Everett, Joe Fiennes etc. I can't say I liked his hair, but that sort of extravagant bouffant style was very much in style in the late Victorian era (check out photos of Disraeli and Prince Albert), and certainly would have been appropriate for a rich and irresponsible bachelor, charming but very superficial.(Nice smile at the end though!) It was costume drama but it wasn't romantic and he wasn't Darcy. I guess what irked me most about TTOTS was the way it was promoted in the media, expressly to boost viewing figures to gain ITV executives their annual bonus. CF was \"used\". He must have seen it as just a reasonably well-paid one day's work, to offset the fact that post-August he wouldn't be earning anything (or just enough to pay his taxi fare!) But unfortunately something in which he is incidental was given more publicity than, for example, his role in 3DOR. And the public's perception (at least those who don't have the Internet!) may be that he's not getting offers of leading roles. Right, I've had my say! Not too serious, I hope! :-)"}, {"response": 299, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (17:15)", "body": "(I won't do the ones about gaping jaws or cetaceans.) That was Paul Hoggart of the Times, again,...he shot it down twice! Most of the early December ones were very much based on the publicity materials sent around. The others nearer to the broadcast date seem to have really seen the program. No, all TV previews are based on seeing the complete programme, not just publicity material. Reviewers get advance showings. Enough, I'll bow out of the discussion!"}, {"response": 300, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (17:32)", "body": ".basically most of ODBs performance and then rolled about on the floor it fits of hysteria at his wonderfully earnest line. \"Let me place my confidence in you!\" Closer to a seduction...as some reviewer put it. Did master's interview a governess in that manner?He lunged for her hands...I bet considered groping in that era. He must have seen it as just a reasonably well-paid one day's work, to offset the fact that post-August he wouldn't be earning anything (or just enough to pay his taxi fare!) Half day's work he said in his interview , Bethan. He shouldn't take cameo roles like this...it weakens his CV. And Bethan, I have a soft spot in my heart for the TIMES who panned TOTS..aside from being the only UK newspaper that has a world-wide reputation...they gave SLOW a very good review, when all the others were pretty disparaging. Jodi May was a caricature. But the house and grounds were gorgeous. As some one on RoP said, Henry James should be read ( I read it twice)not filmed.(I have the same feeling about BJD) Have to agree with Cheryl, the master never should have been shown...but then who would have looked at TOTS on Boxing Day without CF.They exploited him."}, {"response": 301, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (17:49)", "body": "You're right Evelyn, they did exploit CF. He was used! The ignonomy of it. Seriously, he does deserve better. Well \"Donovan Quick\" was better. It was a terrific role, very dramatic -- which is his greatest strength. Possibly the best part he's had to demonstrate his ability as an actor since \"Apartment Zero\"."}, {"response": 302, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (18:06)", "body": "Well \"Donovan Quick\" was better. It was a terrific role, very dramatic -- which is his greatest strength. Possibly the best part he's had to demonstrate his ability as an actor since \"Apartment Zero\". Hooray for our side , Cheryl.Thanks to DQ, I will no longer have to say:\"He did his best work ten years ago\"."}, {"response": 303, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (18:19)", "body": "Did I start all these italics? Oops!! He shouldn't take cameo roles like this...it weakens his CV. Agree! They exploited him. Agree! (Hope he learns from this experience! Or his agent bins all offers of cameos!) It was a terrific role, very dramatic -- which is his greatest strength. Agree.... strong dramatic roles suit him. As some one on RoP said, Henry James should be read ( I read it twice)not filmed.(I have the same feeling about BJD) Rather reluctantly, I think I might agree with you about BJD. Sometimes, I'm very, very enthusiatic, and then I have my doubts."}, {"response": 304, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (18:35)", "body": "What I like about CF is that he is completely modest, if the story calls for him to look gorgeous(P&P & SLOW) then he can looked gorgeous but if he has to have pouffy hair then pouffy hair it is even if it does him no justice, if he has to look scruffy and like an unmade bed(FP) then so be it, scared and war weary (Tumbledown), heavy and bumptious (SIL) and so on, he cares not for his personal looks as he has said in many interviews his face can be improved or not depending on the role, sorry to go on but I have so much admiration for this man and he is so under-rated."}, {"response": 305, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (18:53)", "body": "The same scene between the Master and Miss was shown in The Innocents. Michael Redgrave played the Master. There was no sexual tension or seduction in that scene. He was as a reserved, disinterested type. Personally, I didn't like The Innocents. Deborah Kerr was much too old to be believable in that role. I replayed the ending and watched it again with closed captioning. Miles saw absolutely nothing. He even asked \"if it was Miss Jessel because Flora told him that the Miss had said she'd seen her.\" Then Miss says, \"Who is He?\" Then Miles starts yelling \"Quint, Where are you\" But the best part of the closed captioning is how they categorize the noises. It is Miss is \"panting\" and \"groaning\" and \"moaning.\" There are more sexual references in the closed captioning than by Jodhi."}, {"response": 306, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (19:05)", "body": "As much as I personally like \"The Innocents\", it was still a flaw in that film to show the Master. It still is one of the smartest scary films I've ever seen. But as Karen noted it does have its faults. Yes, Deborah Kerr would never see 40 again and was too old for the part of woman Henry James describes as being 20, but she played the role beautifully. Those are the only things I find fault with in \"The Innocents\": Kerr's age and actually seeing the Master. Overall, I felt that adaptation mantained the aura of ambuquity."}, {"response": 307, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (20:34)", "body": "Hey, I liked TOTS. Yeah, I know, there's always one. It's doubtful I'll watch again but for the first few minutes and I sure won't buy the video but it was beautiful to look at. Unfortunately can't say the same for dear Colin. He had one golden moment at the window, I thought, and that was that. I had a better time with the rest of the story. Having just finished reading it a few days before, I have no trouble saying that the Miss became mad as Miss Ferris had before her and the children were innocents - they saw no ghosts. But all is best to be left to your own interpretation. The program allowed the same interpretation but with a little more mercy than James's story."}, {"response": 308, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (07:27)", "body": "(Heide), I have no trouble saying that the Miss became mad as Miss Ferris had before her and the children were innocents - they saw no ghosts. But all is best to be left to your own interpretation. The program allowed the same interpretation but with a little more mercy than James's story. Agreed. Another script error was that we did not get to feel anything for the characters and that lessens the impact at the end. Unfortunately can't say the same for dear Colin. He had one golden moment at the window, I thought, and that was that. I found his performance rather awkward, as if he were unsure of it himself, those smiles? Even that part by the window were he goes and smells a flower was like, \"I am here by the window and the flowers are here, I should smell one.\" Not happy with this one. :-("}, {"response": 309, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (13:37)", "body": "(Bethan)it wasn't a ghost story but a study of sexual hysteria, with the relationship with Miles and infatuation with the Master being particularly relevant. I found it lacking, especially in the infatuation department. (CherylB)We should have never seen the Master at all. His presence should be implied... (KarenR)(Tom Howard, TimeOut) Sexual tension between the Governess and the Master is hinted at in the opening scene, yet this is then virtually ignored. (Not having read the story) I'm okay with the Master appearing in the beginning, and think we should have had flashbacks all through - Miss's fantasies, shall we say. (Heide)the children were innocents - they saw no ghosts They saw no ghosts, but were they innocents? Aren't we supposed to wonder about this. There's a scene where Miles appears as not innocent at all but aware of some power he has. Unfortunately, I think he was not convincing. (Moon)I found his performance rather awkward, as if he were unsure of it himself, those smiles? Perhaps Colin was, but the Mastwer wasn't. I think he laid the charm rather heavily (well, he didn't have very long to do it...). It would have put me off, but then I'm not a 20 year-old 19th century children's teacher."}, {"response": 310, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (13:41)", "body": "I had to spend this afternoon waiting for the Gas engineer to come to service our central heating...and so I thought I'd use the time to check up on a few things! 1. DQ (am still resisting the temptation to watch it! I hope to experience it \"live\") On the assumption that when it is shown on TV, it will receive some advance publicity, I phoned the BBC Drama Publicity Department (yes, they do have one!). Conversation went as follows: Could you tell me when DQ, produced by BBC Scotland, will be shown? Reply- How did you hear about it? Are you from the Press? No, I'm a member of the public. I read about it on the Internet. It's already been shown in Australia, so I was wondering whether we'd see it in the UK. Reply (annoyed) In Australia? How did that happen? Yes, it will be shown here, in the Summer. When in the Summer? Reply - June, July Make of this what you will. I wish I'd asked why they are not showing it now (just before the BAFTAs!) rather than the holiday period. 2. SLOW..... I rang my nice helpful independent video shop to ask about SLOW, and yes, they are getting it and they'll reserve a copy for me on Monday. But Blockbusters hadn't heard of it and said it wasn't listed. 3. BJD. I rang Working Title to ask when they were atarting filming , and was given the number of the BJD production office which is now in operation. When I rang the office, they couldn't/wouldn't give any info...just said that production was in the \"very early stage\". And then the Gas engineer arrived! Mixed bag of \"news\". But I'm looking forward to seeing SLOW again (which I genuinely liked!!). Particularly want to look at the so-called \"amateurish\" acting by the Nigerian cast...I thought that they were just as I remember from my days in Nigeria...their delivery and intonation is much more emphatic."}, {"response": 311, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (13:45)", "body": "(Bethan)so-called \"amateurish\" acting by the Nigerian cast... They were pretty good IMHO... And Evelyn said they were not Nigerian (but for the actress playing Nimi's mother)..."}, {"response": 312, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (13:47)", "body": "Good luck with the Gas engineer. Don't let him open holes in your walls ;-) I swear this is to be taken only in a BJD-like context"}, {"response": 313, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (13:49)", "body": "Re: Sniffing the flowers in TTOTS......they're white lilies, I think. The Governess is subsequently shown looking at the same flowers on the country estate, and then (by association - thinking of the Master?) has her first \"vision\" of Quint. One reviewer described the vision of Quint as \"representing the Master paying the wages of sin\". (I couldn't follow this one) Also, why did Miss Jessel commit suicide? Was she pregnant? Was that such a dreadful crime? Wouldn't her erstwhile employer have helped her?"}, {"response": 314, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (13:57)", "body": "(Bethan)Also, why did Miss Jessel commit suicide? Was she pregnant? Was that such a dreadful crime? Wouldn't her erstwhile employer have helped her? I don't think he would have. Getting pregnant while in his employment and taking care of two children? She would have been dismissed in disgrace, and even if Quint would have married her she would have had to go."}, {"response": 315, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (14:11)", "body": "(Gi) Unfortunately, I think he was not convincing. I didn't think the children in this version to be creepy enough. The ones in The Innocents were more phonily sweet and acted as though they had lots to hide. These didn't. I remember the other Flora did seem like she might have been possessed, and Miles was more charismatic and creepy. Bethan, busy day at the telephone. :-) Isn't BBC's reaction (where did you hear about it?) amazing! Did you try the Drama Department? (Bethan) the so-called \"amateurish\" acting by the Nigerian cast Only the mother is a Nigerian actress. The rest are British actors."}, {"response": 316, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (14:23)", "body": "At least your afternoon was productive, Bethan. Reply (annoyed) In Australia? How did that happen? This is the second time I've read that someone at the BBC was 'annoyed' because the film has been aired in Oz. Since BBC Scotland sold its international broadcast rights (correct, Karen?), how come 'big BBC' is annoyed? Anyone know? Or are these folks too far down the food chain to have an adequate understanding of the situation? Re: BJD--sounds like a reasonable answer, since they've only cast one part and they're moving at the speed of fossilization."}, {"response": 317, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (14:33)", "body": "Bethan - reply June,July these are nothing months, what a waste, I think I'd rather wait another couple of months and have it in the winter schedules, nobody is going to see it in June/July - but why aren't I surprised!"}, {"response": 318, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (14:40)", "body": "*slapping Ann's wrist* Since BBC Scotland sold its international broadcast rights (correct, Karen?), how come 'big BBC' is annoyed? Yes, broadcast rights are being sold on a country-by-country basis. And we've all received responses via email from BBC or BBC Scotland to the same effect: surprise that the show has already been shown in Australia and that BBC Worldwide (what they have to do with anything) was going to be checking into things. I'm going to make a call tomorrow to see what I can find out."}, {"response": 319, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (15:14)", "body": "ouch!!"}, {"response": 320, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (15:16)", "body": "Particularly want to look at the so-called \"amateurish\" acting by the Nigerian cast...I thought that they were just as I remember from my days in Nigeria...their delivery and intonation is much more emphatic. No one in this group said they were \"amateurish\".The portrayals were done v. well and should have been.... two are from the RSC .Sammy lives in Sussex. All are British actors, except for Nimis' mother..And I'm still bitter about the poor reception that the British public gave that film. So much for UK CF fans who do a lot of grandstanding and don't go to the Box Office."}, {"response": 321, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (15:24)", "body": "ouch!! Sorry, had a bad case of the Italics. Am walking around all slanted. ;-)"}, {"response": 322, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (15:26)", "body": "(Moon)where he goes and smells a flower was like, \"I am here by the window and the flowers are here, I should smell one.\" Very iffy I thought and to be honest the lines didn't help, they weren't great were they, that wonderful voice tried its best with the shoddy material but I thought (and I'm ducking under the duvet to avoid the stones being thrown) that at times the delivery was a little too deliberate. Perhaps he was dragging it out to get a bit more of an earner, they do say time is money:-D"}, {"response": 323, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (15:32)", "body": "I found it lacking, especially in the infatuation department. Not having read the story) I'm okay with the Master appearing in the beginning, and think we should have had flashbacks all through - Miss's fantasies, shall we say. (Gi) I thought the opening scene should have been shot at a much more leisurely pace, perhaps showing the gauche young girl entering the palatial house, waiting in an entrance hall, being taken by a servant to see the Master in a more formal setting , and then a longer conversation, with pauses, and finally the Master accompanying her back to the entrance hall, taking her hand and smiling...that's how I would have directed it! Also, if I had been the director, the minute CF appeared on set, I would have smacked his bottom and sent him home to change...well, at least back to the Wardrobe Dept! Change the frockcoat, the loose fitting collar and shirt, the floppy tie, the trousers...well fortunately (unfortunately?) we didn't really see them, but I'll bet they were baggy! :-) I don't think he is at all aware of how he looks (this is not a criticism!!)"}, {"response": 324, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (15:37)", "body": "Now Karen - don't you go blaming me for this slanty business. It was Ok when I looked at my posting honest (if you don't believe me check out Wordpad!) (Bethan) - SLOW..... I rang my nice helpful independent video shop I wish I had a pet independent vid shop near me. Nobody I've asked Woolies WHSmith Blockbuster OurPrice etc etc etc seem to ahve heard of it...I may as well have been speaking Tharg-ish if you had seen the gormless expressions I got in response"}, {"response": 325, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (15:39)", "body": "No one in this group said they were \"amateurish\".The portrayals were done v. well and should have been.... two are from the RSC .Sammy lives in Sussex. No, it wasn't comments from the group, it was from a couple of the hostile youthful \"reviewers\"...quite uncalled for, I thought. I liked the performances, and, as you say, they were all professional actors. Aryon Bakaye (?) received a BAFTA nomination a couple of years ago."}, {"response": 326, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (15:41)", "body": "..I don't think he is at all aware of how he looks (this is not a criticism!!) In the book Making of P&P ; \"Colin Firth had a genuine interest in getting the wardrobe for Darcy right, which was a tremendous help.\" They had all color coats for him.\"...half way through the filming he told me 'I think I would now like a black coat'...\" p.52"}, {"response": 327, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (15:43)", "body": "I didn't start the italics...but I'll close them now."}, {"response": 328, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (15:43)", "body": "I may as well have been speaking Tharg-ish if you had seen the gormless expressions I got in response I had to spell \"laughter\" for the assistant at Blockbusters! SLOW may not be easy to track down. If you have problems, ring Hiflighers, who are distributing the video. Phone 0181 7422023"}, {"response": 329, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (15:44)", "body": "There has to be an exception to every rule, and boy was P&P exceptional!!, and so was CF as was the entire cast, nothing has quite lived up to it since, but generally speaking I think Colin is not too aware of his appearance, if only he knew how good he looked in period costume, oh well."}, {"response": 330, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (15:47)", "body": "I will remember to close all my tags. I will remember to close all my tags. I will remember to close all my tags. I will remember to close all my tags. I will remember to close all my tags. You can tell I went to catholic school, can't you?"}, {"response": 331, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (15:49)", "body": "Bethan, good try at directing, but the script would be the first to be worked on IMO. Colin should really start to get a clue on wardrobe and give them some helpful hints such as: the shirt is too big for this jacket, the cut is all wrong on this coat etc."}, {"response": 332, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (15:50)", "body": "Well the costume designer in TOTS should have been sacked for letting him go on looking as if he were wearing someone else's clothes. IMO he was miscast, anyway, he can't do swarmy and that's what the director seems to have wanted.Greg Wise would have been better."}, {"response": 333, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (15:50)", "body": "\"(bethan) I had to spell \"laughter\" for the assistant at Blockbusters! \" ROTFLOL - I suppose they thought it was larf-ter.. in a 70's CarryOn stylee *grin* Oh the yoof of today, they weren't brung up and skuled like wot we wuz, guv'nor. Thanks for the 'phone number, I may have to use it as I think procurement of said item for me is going to be way beyond the capabilities of stores on Planet KentBackwater aka Sittingbourne. ;-("}, {"response": 334, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (15:53)", "body": "Thanks for the 'phone number, I may have to use it as I think procurement of said item for me is going to be way beyond the capabilities of stores on Planet KentBackwater aka Sittingbourne. ;-( Poor guys at Optimum, they won't even get their money back on the videos at this rate."}, {"response": 335, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (15:55)", "body": "\"Colin Firth had a genuine interest in getting the wardrobe for Darcy right, which was a tremendous help.\" Evelyn, I was posting at the same time. Interesting. I can not believe that he is still taking an eager interest in his wardrobe. And that goes for his wedding day as well. Otherwise, I must assume he needs glasses."}, {"response": 336, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (18:08)", "body": "Oh dear, all these italics, was it me? Poor guys at Optimum, they won't even get their money back on the videos at this rate. We are a nation of video renters. SLOW has an attractive cover and it should do well, provided it's available! ATA, believe it or not, is still going strong at our local Blockbusters! I think there could be some other light at the end of the tunnel for SLOW. I noticed the other day that the BBC were screening \"The James Gang\" which, along with SLOW, was part of the final slate of movies produced by Handmade Films. Like SLOW, it was part funded by the Arts Council and the BBC. It was picked up by Miramax (huh!), got a nationwide 200 print distribution (huh again!) and flopped totally (hah!). But any film with some funding from the BBC should be sreened at some point by the BBC and could reach an audience of several millions. (BTW I watched part of \"The James Gang\" and found it shallow and feckless...I guess Miramax thought it had yoof appeal!). I wish I had a pet independent vid shop near me. Nobody I've asked Woolies WHSmith Blockbuster OurPrice etc etc etc seem to heard of it. According to dim assistant at Blockbusters, they only get advance notice of mutiple copy-type videos, but if there are only one or two copies provided, the title isn't listed. SLOW may fall into this category."}, {"response": 337, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (19:40)", "body": "Like SLOW, it was part funded by the Arts Council and the BBC. Art council, yes.Like you I thought BBC had funded it too, but when I saw it at Mr. Young's Theatre,neither Karen or I saw any BBC credit.Nor was it listed in the production notes.Though I swore Missan said that Saturday night in Brixton that it was BBC who had first wanted Whitney Houston."}, {"response": 338, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (20:03)", "body": "Why when Colin was speaking did they keep the camera on her. It would have been much better if the had been on him. She just sat there with her mouth open for the most part. They showed very little of him. I love his voice but would like to have seen his expressions when he was talking."}, {"response": 339, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (06:46)", "body": "Hi All: Re TOTS: I asked Clive about the painting on the staircase, and here is his reply: ************************* I'm pretty certain the picture of Colin on the wall of the Bly staircase was a real oil-painting painted specially for the film, either by the Graphic Designer or by one of the people who specialise in such work. As it was there before we shot Colin's scene. I'd guess the artist used a photo as a model. If I can find out any solid facts about the portrait I'll let you know, of course. ************************* Clive has been chosen to be on one of the juries for the BAFTAs. It is a big honor and I am so proud of him. I'll have to ask how it works as opposed to the Oscars. Or can one of you tell me? Murph"}, {"response": 340, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (08:14)", "body": "(Murph) As it was there before we shot Colin's scene. I'd guess the artist used a photo as a model. Thanks for the insider info, Murph. To me, the portrait in TOTS is a dead ringer for the photo we've seen from P&P in which Darcy is standing on the steps, outside Pemberley I assume. Does anyone know which one I'm referring to? I recall it clearly as it was the first pic I saw of him in People mag the week after P&P aired here, when I was on a desperate hunt for anything about this man!;-) Nice news for Clive re the BAFTAs. It looks like the BAFTA noms were announced today, with American Beauty picking up a ton of them. If anyone can find the full list of noms, please post on 127. Thanks."}, {"response": 341, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (10:41)", "body": "Donovan Quick: For those who bought the rights to DQ, it was permissible after November 1999. Emails, letters or calls to HBO, WGBH, Bravo, and A&E would help as they are currently reviewing it. Make sure you tell them you wish you could see more Scottish productions, have no problems with the accent (think it's cute) and admire all the films coming out of that area. ;-)"}, {"response": 342, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (14:02)", "body": "(Evelyn)IMO he was miscast, anyway, he can't do swarmy and that's what the director seems to have wanted. What do you mean, he can't do ? Can he not do anything ? Heresy! ;-) (Moon)I must assume he needs glasses Yeah, rose-tinted ones. I'm glad he has some ;-b (Murph)I asked Clive about the painting on the staircase Does he think they would sell it? :-)"}, {"response": 343, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (14:03)", "body": "(Karen) Emails, letters or calls to HBO, WGBH, Bravo, and A&E would help as they are currently reviewing it. I wonder if they're referring to the American Film Market (which ends today), though I don't see DQ or any of CF's films listed on the schedule. (You'll like this, Karen: Binder is there with The Sex Monster--I guess he's trying to find a foreign distributor.) Interesting article in today's L.A. Times about a guy who has organized an auction for 15 films that haven't found a distributor. Sobering stat: of the 2,500 indie films made each year, only 50 get a distributor--anywhere. I'll post it at 127."}, {"response": 344, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (14:19)", "body": "Like you I thought BBC had funded it too, but when I saw it at Mr. Young's Theatre,neither Karen or I saw any BBC credit.Nor was it listed in the production notes.Though I swore Missan said that Saturday night in Brixton that it was BBC who had first wanted Whitney Houston. (Evelyn) Actually, in retrospect, I don't remember seeing the BBC listed in the credits either, although I wasn't specifically looking out for it at the time. Shame! So it looks as though SLOW will only be seen via video rentals/purchases. I'm hoping to persuade the owner of my nice little corner video shop to put a poster of SLOW up in one of the windows! The shop is a veritable treasure trove...not your conventional blockbusters only store. Donovan Quick: For those who bought the rights to DQ, it was permissible after November 1999. Thanks for checking Karen, but now I'm even more puzzled by the BBC's failure to screen DQ. Any time January-March would be fine, especially with the BATFAs in April. The Drama publicity person I spoke to said that DQ would be shown \"June, July\" but that it hadn't actually been scheduled as yet. June/July is a graveyard for creative programming...lots of sport, people on holiday, no-one really watches TV etc. And normally programmes are automatically scheduled on completion (or before completion) and shown within a few months. It's a very straightforward process, unlike movie distribution. Nothing adds up here!!! IMO he was miscast, anyway, he can't do swarmy and that's what the director seems to have wanted. (Evelyn) He's more ideal husband material....it's surpring how many times he's married, about to get married, or actually gets married (on screen, of course!) I can not believe that he is still taking an eager interest in his wardrobe. And that goes for his wedding day as well. Otherwise, I must assume he needs glasses. (Moon) LOL! Although didn't he say that Joe Fiennes was the lucky one because he got to wear \"dignified\" trousers and an open-necked shirt. Now if Wessex had been slightly less buttoned up, it would have been a different movie!"}, {"response": 345, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (14:21)", "body": "RE. the Scottish accent in DQ...didn't the mega successful \"Trainspotting\" have subtitles?"}, {"response": 346, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (14:44)", "body": "(Mari) I wonder if they're referring to the American Film Market No, they weren't selling it the AFM. Besides, they had told me a month ago that they'd contacted WGBH and A&E. Yeah, I saw Sex Monster listed for viewings. :-( It's also on the shelf at Blockbuster in case you want to see it again. (Bethan) RE. the Scottish accent in DQ...didn't the mega successful \"Trainspotting\" have subtitles? Only during one scene in a club. DQ is not going theatrical and to arthouses - it was a financial decision. Therefore, television is a whole different thing. They have to play to the masses, who think MLSF is hard to understand. Right, Evelyn? ;-) Correct me if I'm wrong, but Bravo and the Independent Film Channel might be the only ones who show subtitled films on cable. Trainspotting will be on Bravo this month for the first time. Not sure about other \"premium\" channels like Cinemax, TMC, etc. Bethan, maybe the next time you call BBC you can remind them of this article in today's Hollywood Reporter: LONDON -- The government has warned the BBC that it must make more original programming and show fewer repeats if it is to justify the annual \ufffd200 million ($324 million) in additional annual funding pledged last week (HR 2/22). Culture Secretary Chris Smith said Tuesday that BBC chiefs were told the practice of showing endless reruns of classic comedies and rebroadcasting recently aired shows must end and the pubcaster must instead invest in new programming for both its main channels. Smith said the improvements were expected in return for the pubcaster's 10% increase in annual funding, which is designed to boost the BBC's presence in the digital era. The new financial settlement will give the BBC about \ufffd2.4 billion ($3.6 billion) a year and is guaranteed until fiscal 2006-07. ~~~~ Tell them to stop sitting on the original programming they have already funded and to show it!! ;-)"}, {"response": 347, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (15:01)", "body": "(Bethan) RE. the Scottish accent in DQ...didn't the mega successful \"Trainspotting\" have subtitles? (Karen) Only during one scene in a club. I don't recall any, but will bow to Karen's memory. In any event, you might be interested to know that Ken Loach's films get subtitled here--at Ken's insistence."}, {"response": 348, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (15:48)", "body": "Bethan, did you tell whoever at the BBC Drama Department, that DQ was very well received by both the critics and fans in Australia. I agree I just don't understand the BBC not screening DQ, it is a sure-fired hit and would make many more CF fans in the UK, very hard to fathom their thinking."}, {"response": 349, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (16:33)", "body": "One scene was subtitled in Lock Stock & 2 Smoking Barrels, but all of Ratcatcher was. None of The Big Tease was subtitled, yet the audience laughed."}, {"response": 350, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (16:34)", "body": "A little piece of good fortune came my way this weekend, although when I relate the circumstances I'm sure that it will send shockwaves in the Firthdom about the perception of ODBs work. Always with an eye for a bargain I went into a store which is in the throes of closing down - [The chain (John Menzies)has recently been taken over by a larger one (WHSmith) and we already have a Smiths in town. Imagine my glee when I noticed that they were selling all CDs for \ufffd1 yes \ufffd1 and videos \ufffd3 ...baaaargain! Inspecting the CDs made me realise that all the good stuff had already been taken to the other store and the dross was left behinbd (with the coverless, caseless, broken residue of the good stuff) and so I assumed the same would be true of the videos..and it was but for one shining exception. There amongst the -1001 things to do with parsnips and Bobby Charlton on Hairstyling efforts was.......Nostromo. Seemingly in perfect condition, I opened the box..2 sealed cassettes part 1 & 2 present. Odd. Priced at \ufffd19-99 but selling for \ufffd3. I had half a mind to stop an assistant and demand it be taken to the other store and sold full price immediately *grin* but I didn't I profferred my 3 quid and gambolled away with my prize. Courage dear ones I'm sure it was an oversight - surely no-one could fail to see that they'd be turning up in droves to purchase this meisterwork ;-D"}, {"response": 351, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (16:43)", "body": "LOL! I am sure it was in the leftover/reduced bin mainly because of the BBC label on the box. You have hit \"silver.\""}, {"response": 352, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (16:57)", "body": "Karen -LOL! I am sure it was in the leftover/reduced bin mainly because of the BBC label on the box LOL also! You could well be right. Not that we have a downer on dear old Auntie at the moment noo,noo,noo,noo,noo *Scots accent* perish the thought!"}, {"response": 353, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (17:59)", "body": "(Evelyn)IMO he was miscast, anyway, he can't do swarmy and that's what the directorseems to have wanted. (Gi)What do you mean, he can't do? Can he not do anything? Heresy! ;-) (Bethan)..He's more ideal husband material Agree with Bethan. Even in SLOW when you know he's looking for a chick to have an affair with, he never comes across as a sleaze ball. Ya sorta' side with him.In SIL he was not swarmy..ambitious, yes. But one never disliked him. (Sorry to disappoint you kids, I've never believed he could do \"Heinz 57\". But what does best is unparalleled.) ~~~~~~~~~~ (Karen)Make sure you tell them you wish you could see more Scottish productions, have no problems with the accent (think it's cute) and admire all the films coming out of that area. ;-) OK, OK, for you and Colin...anything. But God forgive me for lieing"}, {"response": 354, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (18:42)", "body": "Bethan, did you tell whoever at the BBC Drama Department, that DQ was very well received by both the critics and fans in Australia. I agree I just don't understand the BBC not screening DQ, it is a sure-fired hit and would make many more CF fans in the UK, very hard to fathom their thinking. Ann, I'll ring back again in a couple of weeks and ask specifically why they're delaying until \"the summer\", when we're all watching Wimbledon or heading off for two weeks in Lanzarote! I agree it's a puzzler. I always thought that because of the track record of the director and screenwriter, DQ would have an excellent chance of a BAFTA (TV) nomination for Best Single Drama, if it was up to standard (which by all accounts it is!!) And that's what really puzzles me...the BAFTA run-in season (for movies and TV) is October thru' February. DQ has been in the can since September....all they had to do was show it!! (Like, tonight...there was absolutely nothing on the BEEB tonight! Is there ever?) It's a mystery! (Sorry to disappoint you kids, I've never believed he could do \"Heinz 57\". (Evelyn) Me neither! What was that Anthony Minghella word...\"uxorious\"? Seems more appropriate!"}, {"response": 355, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (18:52)", "body": "As for CF not being able to do swarmy, or was that smarmy? Well he can do a lowlife; let us not forget Ross in \"Playmaker\". And although well-born, the Vicomte de Valmont was pretty sleazy, in an upscale sort of way."}, {"response": 356, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (19:03)", "body": "And don't forget that Master of Sleeze, Simon Westward! Murph"}, {"response": 357, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (19:07)", "body": "Absolutely. He was a low form of life -- like cyanobacteria, better known as pond scum."}, {"response": 358, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (21:09)", "body": "Alan in Out Of The Blue was rather smarmy, as was CF's character in The Deep Blue Sea. And who could forget good ole Charlie Holroyd.;-) RE: the BBC's scheduling (or lack therof) of DQ. Maybe a stupid question (but hey, if I don't know, I ask;-)--would the average English viewer have any difficulty with the Glaswegian accent? Certainly, you'd have more occasion to be exposed to it than we in the U.S., but I was just wondering . . ."}, {"response": 359, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (21:19)", "body": "(Cheryl)As for CF not being able to do swarmy, or was that smarmy? Well he can do a lowlife; let us not forget Ross in \"Playmaker\". And although well-born, the Vicomte de Valmont was pretty sleazy,in an upscale sort of way. (Murph)...Master of Sleeze, Simon Westward! Yes, I know all those roles were supposedly smarmy (thank you Cheryl) in the script, but he never convinced me .He always played these characters in such a plausible way,that I commiserated with them.\"I felt their pain\";-) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (Bethan)What was that Anthony Minghella word...\"uxorious\"? I think it's \"unctuous\".(\"Uxorious\" has to do with being submissive to a wife!) Let's use that word...it sounds so erudite!Just like Mr. Minghella:-)"}, {"response": 360, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Thu, Mar  2, 2000 (08:04)", "body": "(Evelyn)he never comes across as a sleaze ball. Ya sorta' side with him.In SIL he was not swarmy..ambitious, yes. But one never disliked him. Don't you think that's because we are just a tiny little bit prejudiced in his favour?"}, {"response": 361, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Mar  2, 2000 (08:23)", "body": "Mari: would the average English viewer have any difficulty with the Glaswegian accent? Generally English viewers can handle all UK accents: bear in mind that sometimes scripts are written to ensure that local dialects aren't used to the extent that other UK viewers wouldn't follow them. Occasionally, an accent is used deliberately to confuse; a whole BBC series was based around the filthy Rab C Nesbitt, a comic character with a Scottish accent so impenetrable that some viewers would only catch about 20% of the words/sentences. And a recent ad I saw in Geordie was obviously pitched beyond the understanding of Southerners."}, {"response": 362, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Mar  2, 2000 (08:43)", "body": "(Nita) Don't you think that's because we are just a tiny little bit prejudiced in his favour? I agree, Nita. To the world at large (excepting us loyal Firthfans ;-P), Wessex was your requisite bad guy. I saw SiL in the theater several times and that's how he was perceived by those around me. I think that's why the US critics ignored him, too. I enjoyed the performance. Despite some familiar moments, it was \"fresh\" and of course there's my favorite line, \"now, pay attention, nursey...\""}, {"response": 363, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Mar  2, 2000 (15:29)", "body": "SIL had some classic moments - CF as Wessex ran the gamut of film styles, a bit of swash buckling (never was a swash so ably buckled or should that be buckle being swashed), musical -who can forget the exceptional vocal talent (strange warbling sound like David Bowie on horseback!)and even a bit of stapstick...moment after wedding when playbill blows into Wessex's face - all of which were played to great effect. Despite casting him obviously as \"the Baddie\" I believe that SIL was a better showcase than FP (which has its moments) for his comedic talents - what say you?"}, {"response": 364, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Mar  2, 2000 (15:58)", "body": "Interesting question, Tracy. SiL was a better showcase in terms of worldwide audience, that's for sure. I thought one of the funniest parts was when Viola starts to greet Wessex with the mustache still on, but the laughs were appropriately hers. It's hard to beat the scene in FP in which Paul sets the napkin on fire. He played it so perfectly!"}, {"response": 365, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Mar  2, 2000 (17:53)", "body": "SLOW on video in UK This month, SLOW is released on video for rental. (That's why to buy it now would cost over the odds at the moment: the price will go down in due course.) The fact was greeted in a number of magazines: I had a quick look through some of them and can report as follows: Total Film, April 2000 (btw, why are those magazines dated well over a month ahead of the actual sale time?): no review, the title is just listed among \"other releases\". Time Out (London weekly, current edition): A tiny pic of Matthew and Sammy on the wall accompanies a short so-so summary and the names of the stars. Empire, April 2000: again, a so-so rating due to script weaknesses - despite of the colourful community interest and beautiful scenery - however, \"Firth is charismatic (and Long believable)\". Radio Times (a radio and TV weekly owned by the BBC), current edition: the film gets the prominent top place on the \"Video\" page, the main headline: \"Love lessons: Emma Norman enjoys seeing Colin Firth in a romantic role\", a large photo of Matthew and Nimi smiling at each other in bed: three stars rating and the following encouraging conclusion: \"Firth leaves the rest of the cast at the starting gate in the acting stakes, but with such great vibrancy, colourful costumes and humour, it pays to overlook the film's shortcomings.\""}, {"response": 366, "author": "ommin", "date": "Thu, Mar  2, 2000 (18:40)", "body": "talking of accents. I once went out with a boy from Glasgow - I am from Surrey, Southern England it was disastrous, neither or I understood a word each one said! But then I got to know some others and gradually got used to the accent. As for Geordies, I worked in Immigration in Aust. and was one day at the counter - a man came in and asked something or other - I understood not a word. I called one of the others over who could speak various languages and when he came back to the inner office came over to me laughing himself silly. But your a pom, he said, the man came from Newcastle and you didn't understand him!!!!!!"}, {"response": 367, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar  2, 2000 (21:15)", "body": "(Mark) Generally English viewers can handle all UK accents: bear in mind that sometimes scripts are written to ensure that local dialects aren't used to the extent that other UK viewers wouldn't follow them. Thanks, Mark--that makes sense. Anne, I enjoyed your anecdotes also; reminds me of the saying about \"countries separated by a common language.\" :-)"}, {"response": 368, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Mar  3, 2000 (03:06)", "body": "Arami, thanks for scanning the SLOW video reviews. The \"Radio Times\" review is very heartening....obviously Emma Norman likes Colin (and why not?)! But I'm sure a lot of CF fans read the \"Radio Times\", more so than any of the other film and TV mags, and will be keen to see CF in a romantic role. (Blockbusters, take note!!) Re DQ and the accents...I agree with Mark. And also we are accustomed to seeing Glasgow-based drama on our screens. The Clyde accent can be difficult, but once you're tuned in, it's okay. SIL... I enjoyed the performance. Despite some familiar moments, it was \"fresh\" (Eileen) I saw SIL when it first came out, but have only recently acquired the video. And after \"studying\" the video, I really appreciated his performance...he makes the most of the material. Have to say that I'm also prejudiced in favour of Wessex. Okay, he was rather cash-strapped and regarded marriage as a business contract (which it was in those days). But he was understandably annoyed when his fiance started dallying with another man and was also anxious that she made a good impression on the all-powerful Queen of England. Otherwise he seemed enterprising (sound business interests in Virginia),wasn't entirely humourless \"Bless me, and I thought that was a horse\", didn't have a wife tucked away somewhere, and seemed genuinely perturbed at the end.. \"what is to be done?\". Even Viola seemed quite pragmatic about it all \"If not you, why not Wessex?\" If he hadn't drowned, I think they would have been quite happy together! Hardly an A-list Baddie!"}, {"response": 369, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar  3, 2000 (10:16)", "body": "If he hadn't drowned, I think they would have been quite happy together! Recalls Murph's sequel. Do you still have that one tucked away somewhere, Murph? ~~~~~~~~~~~ Re: Films with Glasgow accents...they are made obviously for UK audiences. I only watched DQ because of you-know-who.Otherwise, I steer clear of them like the plague."}, {"response": 370, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  3, 2000 (11:03)", "body": "Carrie must be starting up a new website. There's a pic on her main page of Colin I've never seen before. Anybody? http://www.firthfrenzy.com/"}, {"response": 371, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar  3, 2000 (11:17)", "body": "Karen, that's the photo from the infamous Tatler interview. September of '96, I think. RE: Wessex. He didn't actually drown, just in Will's imagination."}, {"response": 372, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Mar  3, 2000 (13:10)", "body": "Just a little snippet from the Baz Bamigboye column today,with the lack of Firth news at the moment, any little bit is welcome. \"Watch out for... Julie Andrews, who displays marvellous comic timing in the film of Noel Coward's Relative Values. That's the one about a title oaf (EA) who brings home a Hollywood starlet (JT) to meet mummy (Ms. Andrews), at the family pile. Director Eric Styles gives the film which opens in the summer, a glossy lustre and peppers it with Fifties songs. Sophie Thompson, Colin Firth and Stephen Fry are also spiffing. ....\" Hopefully we will get some news soon as to future projects."}, {"response": 373, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Fri, Mar  3, 2000 (15:35)", "body": "I think that CF can do very well at playing villains. Remember the baddy very often gets all the best lines. It's just that we, as his loyal fans, give his character the benefit of the doubt. He's not bad, he's just misunderstood. We may even entertain the fantasy of reforming the bad boy."}, {"response": 374, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar  3, 2000 (17:19)", "body": "There's a pic on her main page of Colin I've never seen before. Anybody? (mari) that's the photo from the infamous Tatler interview. September of '96, I think. You like that pic? Looks like something out of Madam Tussaud's ."}, {"response": 375, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Mar  3, 2000 (17:37)", "body": "The pic at Firthfrenzy: Oh, yes, the famous Byronic/Hamletic pose, with lots of make-up (\"Im a real queen about this\", surely you must remember?) and modelling some expensive garb. Lower down, one of the huge, brand new, shiny Gucci boots is showing the sole and I was the firth ever in the world of Firth frenzied to decipher the shoe size therefrom. It has been since confirmed, not least from nearly pressing one's face against his boots during the opening scene of Three Days of Rain at the Donmar... ;-D"}, {"response": 376, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Mar  3, 2000 (19:28)", "body": "Mari: Karen, that's the photo from the infamous Tatler interview. September of '96, I think. ********** People either love that one or hate it. There was discussion I remember about how hostile the interviewer was to CF. It must be up somewhere - perhaps on Meluchie's articles pages. I personaly liked the picture. It made him look, as Arami says, byronic and brooding -- so totally unlike the real man. I always want to put an Edna St. Vincent Millay sonnet next to it. Today, it would be Jude Law instead of Colin in a pose like that. Talk about press!! Law deserves it though, IMO. Murph"}, {"response": 377, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar  3, 2000 (19:54)", "body": "If I were a website editor, I would feature the pic of Colin on the beach in Santa Monica..the one barefoot,with the biiiiggg grin (Harper's?) right on the front page... With the caption..\"Hold on to your hat, you ain't seen nothin' yet....\""}, {"response": 378, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  3, 2000 (19:54)", "body": "The article is up on Meluchie's site, but the picture isn't there. http://members.xoom.com/firthfiles/articles/96TatlerUK09.html BTW, I don't think the interviewer was at all hostile. Harriet was in \"deep drool\" The woman was falling apart: He laughs, devastatingly. Odd. My legs appear to be turning to jelly."}, {"response": 379, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Mar  4, 2000 (03:18)", "body": "Director Eric Styles gives the film which opens in the summer, a glossy lustre and peppers it with Fifties songs. Sophie Thompson, Colin Firth and Stephen Fry are also spiffing. ....\" (Ann) RV is getting a reasonable amount of pre-publicity. I wonder what sort of release it will get? Selected nationwide perhaps? I've not seen any mentions of MLSF...from what I can make out this will be a strictly art house release. I had a final shot at getting some info about a release date fot DQ. Quite bizarre, really. I phoned the Drama dept of BBC Scotland. Was told initially that it had no transmission date as it was in post-production but we'd probably see it in the summer or \"sometime this year\" (thanks a bunch!). I asked \"why 'the summer' as this is normally the dumping ground for material that isn't very good.\" Reply: \"Oh, it's still being edited, so we don't know how good it is. I'm sure it will be good\". A-aargh!! I'm not an investigative reporter, or I suppose I should have gone for the jugular...\" You lie, madam!\" But why they can't set a date is beyond me. There has to be something more to this. David Blair, the director, has won two BAFTAs in the last three years in the Best Drama category. The closing date for this years BAFTAs (TV awards) is mid-April. DQ should be shown now. But surely the director, producer, the BBC itself, should be promoting it? Not me!"}, {"response": 380, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Mar  4, 2000 (03:20)", "body": "Sorry! Have I closed the italics?"}, {"response": 381, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Mar  4, 2000 (04:02)", "body": "Good try, Bethan, and why does it still need editing, if it can be shwon in Australia why not here?"}, {"response": 382, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar  4, 2000 (08:10)", "body": "(BBC stooge) Reply: \"Oh, it's still being edited, so we don't know how good it is. I'm sure it will be good\". (Bethan) I suppose I should have gone for the jugular...\" You lie, madam!\" The polite response should have been: \"Would you like me to send you the review from the Irish Times or those from the Australian papers, when it was broadcast there in January? Now give me somebody who knows their !@#$ from a hole in the ground! ;-) About RV, it looks like there will be huge publicity for this film. Julie Andrews is really being showcased and will be trotted out to appear everywhere. While the Teletext said it will be released in May, I've been told it's been pushed back to June because of Cannes."}, {"response": 383, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Mar  4, 2000 (10:52)", "body": "Evelyn asked if I still had my version of what happened to Wessex and Viola. I do, and you can start the tale here. It begins down toward the bottom of the page. There are several parts: Viola and Wessex In The New World Murph"}, {"response": 384, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar  4, 2000 (11:27)", "body": "Thanks Murph. It's a lovely story ,and I wish it were archived someplace."}, {"response": 385, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Mar  4, 2000 (13:18)", "body": "I like that picture too, Murph. He did come of a bit conceited in that interview. Did anyone else think so? And, he put his feet up on the table at the chintzy St. James. What was that about? the Lady in me was a bit put off"}, {"response": 386, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (04:30)", "body": "(Moon) He did come of a bit conceited in that interview. Did anyone else think so? I didn't think so...a lot was made about his demeanour, it is well documented - his hatred of being interviewed so perhaps he had had just one interview too many that day! It was probably all a reaction to the woman interviewing who seemed so be somewhat schizophrenic in her approach. She seemed to alter her stance from outright hostility to fawning in the extreme. If this was \"deep drool\" then what stage are we in then....drowned I think! Has anyone caught the wavfiles on firthfrenzy? There were a few I'd not heared before and one in particular which is taken from the A&E interview where he is talking about P&P he comes across as so amiable - a stark contrast to the \"posing, stuffy reserve\" portrayed by Tatler. (I would attempt a link here Karen-- but I'd probably end up attaching the entire web ;-D ..I know my limitations)."}, {"response": 387, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (04:42)", "body": "Heres the full Empire (April) write up on SLOW: \"Its the old Romeo and Juliet scenario - boy meets girl, they fall in love, but their families think it's an unsuitable match \ufffd but this time set in the South of France. Garden designer Nimi (Nia Long), a member of a claustrophobic Nigerian community falls for Colin Firth\ufffds British (and married) comic book writer. While It\ufffds hard to fault either of the leads \ufffd Firth is charismatic, Long is thoroughly believable \ufffd what\ufffds missing is chemistry, coherent plot and a reason to have shifted the action to such an unusual location. Not bad, just a bit dull. ** (Fair)\""}, {"response": 388, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (05:24)", "body": "DQ...The polite response should have been: \"Would you like me to send you the review from the Irish Times or those from the Australian papers, when it was broadcast there in January? Now give me somebody who knows their !@#$ from a hole in the ground! ;-) (Karen) Next time, I promise! All I want is a date!!! Just tell me September 2001 and I'll be happy! Seriously though, I just can't understand why \"no transmission date\" has been set and why they need to lie about it. Very \"iffy\". Programmes are always given a transmission date, normally within two or three momths of completion, For example, Channel 4's \"Anna Karenina\", completed January, is being shown in May. Normal procedure. All I can suggest is e-mailing the BBC at regular intervals...\"Show us DQ...made with tax payers'(ie our) money!! I'll stop going on about this (bo-o-ring, I know), but I thought that after the blips of MLSF and SLOW, DQ was one hundred percent, cast iron, foolproof,\"let's get it in to screen\". Perhaps they want to promote the video sales, by putting it to video first before screening?? (This has happened in one or two rare instances) Thanks Murph for your romantic sequel.... beats the original! About RV, it looks like there will be huge publicity for this film. Julie Andrews is really being showcased (Karen) Goody!! There are so many movies around that publicity and hype do matter! Moon) He did come of a bit conceited in that interview. Did anyone else think so? More tense and ill at ease, I think. There was some comment about him lighting up a cigarette and then becoming more relaxed. The power of nicotine (hopefully no longer needed)! This was the first article about CF that I'd ever seen. I remember it well, because we were on holiday in Dublin and browsing in the newsagents I spotted his name on the cover of the Tatler. Eureka! And the very next day I discovered the Internet. We were staying on the UCD campus and my sons went to a half day \"Fun on the Net\" course. I joined them at the end, and typed in \"Jane Austen\", and then, (greatly daring!!) \"Colin Firth\". And WOW! The man existed! :-)"}, {"response": 389, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (05:32)", "body": "Question...if Firth is \"charismatic\" and Long is \"thoroughly believable\" what chemistry is missing? And, as I've said before, there is a strong West African community in Marseilles and the Southern France seaports."}, {"response": 390, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (11:31)", "body": "if Firth is \"charismatic\" and Long is \"thoroughly believable\" what chemistry is missing? The one needed to make the reviewer's brain work, obviously."}, {"response": 391, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (12:13)", "body": "(Tracy)A&E interview where he is talking about P&P he comes across as so amiable - a stark contrast to the \"posing, stuffy reserve\" portrayed by Tatler. The Tatler interview was in Sept. 96 and the A&E TV interview was in Nov.'98. We all know that he changes his views often.Particularly about P&P."}, {"response": 392, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (15:22)", "body": "(Arami) The one needed to make the reviewer's brain work, obviously. LOL. I have yet to see the piece sp can't really pass comment..tomorrow is THE day it gets released over here to rent so perhaps, if I badger Blockbusters enough, by Christmas I may have seen it ;-)"}, {"response": 393, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (10:31)", "body": "(Bethan) Have to say that I'm also prejudiced in favour of Wessex/.../wasn't entirely humourless \"Bless me, and I thought that was a horse\", didn't have a wife tucked away somewhere, and seemed genuinely perturbed at the end.. \"what is to be done?\"/.../Hardly an A-list Baddie! (Cheryl) It's just that we, as his loyal fans, give his character the benefit of the doubt. He's not bad, he's just misunderstood. Have to agree with Cheryl here. We're prejudiced toward Wessex but to the audience-at-large, he was a) trying to kill the hero and b) taking Viola away from her true love--A-list baddie all the way, right or wrong. As was pointed out, Wessex did have some great lines. Unfortunately, 'bless me...' is so hard to hear the effect is diluted. There are plenty of other laughs, though. 'That dog!' Re: The Mystery of BBC and DQ--sounds to me as though the staffer Bethan spoke with was working with old information. Either that, or they're editing (dubbing) some of the dialogue?! (Tracy)A&E interview where he is talking about P&P he comes across as so amiable - a stark contrast to the \"posing, stuffy reserve\" portrayed by Tatler. (Evelyn) The Tatler interview was in Sept. 96 and the A&E TV interview was in Nov.'98. We all know that he changes his views often. Particularly about P&P. Very true. Colin was quite charming in the A&E interview (nose pulling aside). Two years after the fury, who wouldn't have developed a clearer perspective (and a consistent, pleasing answer to the inevitible question)? When I first read that Tatler article, I thought the author had an ax to grind. It was so different than the scads of other stuff written about him at the time, which was surely the objective."}, {"response": 394, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (17:30)", "body": "Just thought I'd let you know the Career Timeline site has a new DB pic and link to Dolores' TOTS page. Lots of bouffanty hair, Elvis sideburns and outsize suiting going on here and a shot of the portrait referred to in response 281 (Murph). If you can discount the apalling costumery there are some really nice smiley pix of the Master here (and unfortunately one or to of JM - who is displaying her full range of expressions here i.e. mouth closed and mouth open ;-D)"}, {"response": 395, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (17:42)", "body": "Someone should tell that webmaster how to spell \"Persuasion\"."}, {"response": 396, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (17:55)", "body": "SLOW is in Blockbusters - no problem. I like it! Lots of dialogue I missed first time round. CF and Nia both charming. Sammy very sweet and innocent. Supporting cast good. My second-time round impressions more favourable (and I enjoyed it the first time). Only problem...the video tape label came off and my VCR jammed and now, most annoyingly, won'tplay any tape. GRRRR!!"}, {"response": 397, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (20:40)", "body": "(Bethan)Lots of dialogue I missed first time round. I bet it didn't improve.(I've seen it 3 times) ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bethan, can we hope to get a report of the MLSF UK premiere at the Bradford FF tomorrow night?Since it's taking place in your own backyard? How lucky can you be!!"}, {"response": 398, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (20:48)", "body": "I've been meaning to ask, what was the name of the town where the family traveled to in East is East? The town where the father took the family to arrange his son's marriages? For some reason Bradford sounded familiar...and there was that sign. Bradistan or something like that?"}, {"response": 399, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (20:59)", "body": "My second-time round impressions more favourable (and I enjoyed it the first time). Only problem...the video tape label came off and my VCR jammed and now, most annoyingly, won'tplay any tape. GRRRR!! LOL, Bethan! To think how much you suffered for SLOW before you finally saw it, and now this! Exchange that tape!"}, {"response": 400, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (22:02)", "body": "Karen, I'd answer your qustion but East is East hasn;t come out here yet. GAAAH! Tracy, I've been trying to get a hold of you, but your email address doesn't seem to take the messages I send. Email me at jesperan@ucla.edu Thanks!"}, {"response": 401, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Mar  7, 2000 (04:33)", "body": "I confess I haven't seen East is East yet, but Bradford is almost certain to be the town you mention, as it has the highest percentage Asian population of any town in the UK."}, {"response": 402, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  7, 2000 (07:41)", "body": "The No. 1 boxoffice British movie of last year, sort of, and you haven't seen it? Bad! ;-) Thanks, I knew it sounded familiar."}, {"response": 403, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  7, 2000 (09:35)", "body": "Colin mention in an Independent article about the influence of actors, called \"Are Thespians the Rulers of the Modern World?\" Not worth reproducing in its entirety, but here's the paragraph (hardly worth doing): There are, presumably, a few bright actors, but, on the evidence of television chat shows, most of them are fearfully second-rate when required to talk without the help of a writer. According to a recent book, Fame: The Psychology of Stardom, by Glenn Wilson and Andy Evans, some of them are even so vulnerable that they fall victim to what is known as \"possession syndrome\". So Charlton Heston found that he became rather odd while playing the mad Captain Queeg in The Caine Mutiny. Daniel Day-Lewis confused the ghost and his real father in Hamlet. And ever since Fever Pitch, Colin Firth has been an avid Arsenal fan."}, {"response": 404, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Mar  7, 2000 (18:58)", "body": "There are, presumably, a few bright actors, Darn, I thought they were going to use Colin as an example of one of those few. Instead he gets branded as an Arsenal supporter which somehow seems to mean having a lesser IQ. Am amazed they didn't trot out the old Mr. Darcy connection but then Colin's never confused himself with a Regency buck. That's only for film reviewers and a fair number of tunnel vision fans. ;-)"}, {"response": 405, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (09:42)", "body": "MLSF Premieres tonight in UK All those phone calls to Miramax really paid off,Bethan. Buena Vista put it within your proximity. http://www.nmpft.org.uk/whatson/bradfilmfest/america/life.asp ~~~~~~~~ That Museum looks interesting too. Pity it's so for tourists. Wonder if they have any of CF productions in their holdings. The Museum for Film and TV in New York City has LE."}, {"response": 406, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (11:18)", "body": "(KarenR)And ever since Fever Pitch, Colin Firth has been an avid Arsenal fan. Wot? You tellin' me I missed my chance to go to the Donmar in full Arsenal regalia, as I meant to but thought better (worse) of? Gaaah!"}, {"response": 407, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (15:53)", "body": "(Bethan) SLOW is in Blockbusters - no problem. I like it! Me too..I couldn't believe it I went in and asked and .......the tape was handed over. *faint* I have to say that from the reviews and sundry other comments I was sure that I wouldn't like it. But I was glad to be proved wrong. I suppose the story was a little thin but it was positively obese in comparison with some of the other stuff that CF has done. There were some good scenes between Sammy and Matthew, the rapport here was wonderful, I particularly enjoyed the fact that Matthew was speaking to Sammy as an equal ..all lads together. Those scenes had some great lines: \"a bad sign, Clarks sandals - always followed by a father with a shotgun\" and \"rabbits\" (!?). Of course Colin was fab in it but then he always is, NL's performance was OK but her accent did wander a bit. The only sad thing is, I've got to hand it back tomorrow ;-("}, {"response": 408, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (16:50)", "body": "He's now an Arsenal fan. Everybody needs a hobby."}, {"response": 409, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (21:44)", "body": "Hey, gang, we're in the big time now: Colin was an answer on Jeopardy (U.S. game show) tonight. Clue was: Actor Colin, or a narrow body of water, something, something . . . The contestant (male) got it right--$500 and on a Daily Double, no less! (Tracy) I suppose the story was a little thin but it was positively obese in comparison . . . LOL! Tracy, I love how you turn a phrase."}, {"response": 410, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (22:25)", "body": "The contestant (male) got it right--$500 and on a Daily Double, no less! Now that's a new standard for greatness if I ever heard one... Being famous means... you're a Daily Double answer on Jeopardy! LOL! And why shouldn't he be?! ;-)"}, {"response": 411, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (22:50)", "body": "Tracy, ask your Blockbusters if you can buy a \"frequent renters\" ticket for SLOW? Let's hear some of your favorite scenes, lines, clothes, scalp shots, whatever. ;-) (Mari) Colin was an answer on Jeopardy (U.S. game show) tonight...$500 and on a Daily Double, no less! Grrr!! What was the name of the category? *Breech* that Geographical Gap?"}, {"response": 412, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (07:23)", "body": "Grrr!! What was the name of the category? *Breech* that Geographical Gap? LOL, Karen! I bet Colin prefers to be in the geographical category to the Austen one. ;-) (Tracy) I suppose the story was a little thin but it was positively obese in comparison . . . (Mari),LOL! Tracy, I love how you turn a phrase. Quite true, Tracy. We have been denied long enough! That is one reason I look forward to SLOW. :-)"}, {"response": 413, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (11:10)", "body": "I have just remembered! Anything from Bradford? Did no one go? Any news in the local papers?"}, {"response": 414, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (11:45)", "body": "Karen and All: Alberta from the FOF list sent this today. \"I have just arrived home after the seeing MLSF at the Bradford Film Festival, What a wonderful film. The Film festival really was fantastic, films from far and wide all shown in one city and a Northern city at that. Bradford is set among the Yorkshire Moors, a far cry from London. We battled a severe gale to get over the moors, but it was really worth the effort. Colin was wonderful and even my husband who is not a CF fan laughed all the way through it. Now for the video. Best wishes. Alberta.\" I wonder if they saw Stephen W in their scary trip over the moors? Murph"}, {"response": 415, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (11:49)", "body": "...Anything from Bradford? Did no one go? Any news in the local papers? I could not find a Bradford newspaper on line.Would Bradford have a Chamber of Commerce? I'm about to call American Airlines....they sponsored the FF;-)"}, {"response": 416, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (11:53)", "body": "Three Cheers for Alberta!Wonder how far she had to go to brave the gales over the moors. Now there's a fan...right up there with Susan! Pl ask her Murph, what the audience reaction was.I'm banking on UK on making this a big hit."}, {"response": 417, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (13:47)", "body": "I wonder if they saw Stephen W in their scary trip over the moors? Wrong moor, I think, Murph. SW was in the west country so it would have been Dartmoor or Exmoor. .(Evelyn)I'm banking on UK on making this a big hit. Don't hold your breath! I have not heard a word about it in the press. (Karen).I'm banking on UK on making this a big hit. The only paper I know anything about (I am an ignorant southerner, sorry Bethan;-))is the Yorkshire Post. I shall go and check if that is online."}, {"response": 418, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (13:49)", "body": "Ooops! What went wrong there? That should have been: Something from Karen about Bradford newspapers The only paper I know anything about (I am an ignorant southerner, sorry Bethan;-))is the Yorkshire Post. I shall go and check if that is online."}, {"response": 419, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (14:50)", "body": "Thanks Allison...see if you can find out anything of a review...we're all eager to hear. I have not heard a word about it in the press I have great faith in Lord Puttnam;-)"}, {"response": 420, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (15:12)", "body": "Just to add to Murph's report. More from our FoF on the scene: The theater was less than half full (BUT that may have been due to the weather--will ask). They handed out audience rating cards and of course she wrote \"wonderful\" all over it. The guy collecting them said that was the reaction from all the cards he had seen. (Evelyn) I have great faith in Lord Puttnam;-) I do too. The guy was over here giving interviews and promoting it as best he could. You have to support your own work; the squeaky hinge gets the grease these days."}, {"response": 421, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (15:14)", "body": "she wrote \"wonderful\" all over it Pfft! Unprepared ;-)"}, {"response": 422, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (15:41)", "body": "The Yorkshire Post is \"sort of\" online. Nothing about cultural activities or reviews. Have read interesting article about a liposuction malpractice case though! ;-)"}, {"response": 423, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (16:33)", "body": "Thanks Murph and Mari for relating MLSF report from Bradford FF.. Mari...pl.ask Alberta about the demographics of the audience.Impt. for young people to like this. They go to the movies in UK.Did they all laugh at the right places?"}, {"response": 424, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (17:48)", "body": "re MLSF at The Bradford Film Festival - Apparently Colin's name was hardly mentioned in the publicity just a small mention in the programme. RH was the main star. Hope this isn't how it is going to be when it goes on general release. BTW please remember that it was Bethan who alerted us to the fact that MLSF was showing at the Bradford F.F. in the first place and that not everyone is a free agent, thankyou Bethan for alerting us to the fact that MLSF was showing at the Festival and please let us know if you read any reviews from the Festival for MLSF."}, {"response": 425, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (19:05)", "body": "Apparently Colin's name was hardly mentioned in the publicity just a small mention in the programme. RH was the main star WOT?Is this the way it is going to be publicized in the UK? With Malcolm Mc Dowell probably getting second billing? Those of us who viewed it in the US clearly saw \"starring Colin Firth\" in the opening credits.(With an accompanying rush!)What's going on here? Are you just going to stand by and watch them publicize it that way? Steal the film right under him? Hang the reviews! Get moving on reversing that publicity."}, {"response": 426, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (20:05)", "body": "How do you suggest it be done, Evelyn?"}, {"response": 427, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (20:46)", "body": "Call Buena Vista International (they are the distributors) and ask them who is handling the MLSF publicity. Then talk to the Marketing director and tell them what you heard re: the cast billing of MLSF at the Bradford FF. (Of course, it is all hearsay, since we do not know anything concrete!)"}, {"response": 428, "author": "ommin", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (22:45)", "body": "David Puttnam is a minister in the Blair Government - Colin is not considered to be politically reliable!! Could be you know - but it is pretty stupid not to name him the star which he was. Also he is so popular with so many women in the U.K. that they would flock to see them. It'll be interesting to see what Buena Vista have to say."}, {"response": 429, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Mar 10, 2000 (01:26)", "body": "I believe Bethan has already been in touch with the Bradford Film Festival people and pointed out the error of their ways, we shall see. I"}, {"response": 430, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Mar 10, 2000 (02:38)", "body": "Okay, some facts about the FF and MLSF, as it's in my neck of the woods. One. CF, MM and IJ were were all omitted from the cast list in the main programme, which was sent out to all enqurers and also included free in the Yorkshire Post and Bradford Telegraph and Argus. I phoned up the FF Programme organisers to complain, and they said it was a typographic error..the cast list took up two lines and they'd \"lost\" one line. But it did mean that the casting of MLSF was de-emphasised, but promoted for most other movies. Two. The Pictureville at Bradford has a seating capacity of over 300 (unlike the two other venues used in the FF which only seat 100). If it was half full, this was a good turnout for a badly promoted film (I've been there with an audience of about 20!). It was a very cold and blustery evening, and mid-week. Three. I phoned yesterday to ask whether MLSF will be screened again at the Pictureville, and it will, when MLSF opens officially in May. I asked if it had a good audience reaction and was told \"Yes, very good indeed!\" Four. I wouldn't call opening at the Bradford FF a \"premiere\"...more a preview. The Pictureville is not the Curzon in London. The Curzon has the second largest seating capacity after the mega Odeon Leicester Square. It's currently showing \"Topsy Turvy\" and has shown \"Onegin\" and \"The Winslow BOy\". All of these were heavily promoted in the UK, especially \"Onegin\", and included talk show appearances by cast members, clips on TV, and interviews with directors, plus the usual magazine coverage. If MLSF's opening was put back to secure an opening at the Curzon, I would expect them to promote it. And David Puttnam really does promote! I can't see CF doing \"Parkinson\", but he'll *have* to do press interviews. Five. The main paper for Bradford is the Telegraph and Argus, which is sort of online, (search thru Yahoo). Six. The screening of MLSF was on the same night as an important Parents' Evening re my son's GCSE progress and A level choices (both landmark exams in the UK education system). My husbabd actually agreed that if we got away in time we'd go straight to Bradford as he didn't mind seeing MLSF with me (we usually try to catch a movie at the local FFs). But we didn't finish til well after eight, and even I couldn't justify going to see the second half of a film!! Sorry, for once, it seemed as though there was \"no problem\"! But we will go in May. Seven. Got a refund on SLOW as it janmed my VCR (Now thankfully working again) and have rented a copy from Blockbusters. Will post at 98 over the weekend, butthe more I see of SLOW the more I like it. I missed a lot at the screening. I like the performances and (would you believe!) most of the dialogue, especially between Nimi and her mother, and, surprisingly, Matthew and his wife."}, {"response": 431, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Mar 10, 2000 (03:53)", "body": "Thanks for all the above, Bethan."}, {"response": 432, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 10, 2000 (08:02)", "body": "Eight. Thank you, Bethan, for all the additional information. Shame that everything associated with the film's promotion got screwed up and that you weren't able to see it. (AnneH) Also he is so popular with so many women in the U.K. that they would flock to see them. Unfortunatley, that remains to be seen. Back to something Allison mentioned yesterday, was Master of the Moor really supposed to be set in the West Country? I assumed it was Yorkshire as well."}, {"response": 433, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 10, 2000 (08:30)", "body": "Also he is so popular with so many women in the U.K. that they would flock to see them. They sure didn't flock to see him in SLOW.....which bombed at the box office."}, {"response": 434, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 10, 2000 (08:51)", "body": ". I wouldn't call opening at the Bradford FF a \"premiere\"...more a preview. My dictionary says \"Premiere= First public performance\".(It does not mention Pictureville excluded). Preview would have been at Mr. Young's.....IMO"}, {"response": 435, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 10, 2000 (09:14)", "body": "Mention of Colin in the Guardian's section on World Book Day and an article on Britain's Top 50 Authors: But the most remarkable coup was by Jane Austen as the only classic writer to reach the top 10. She came eighth, ahead of Dick Francis, the world's bestselling horror writer Stephen King, Danielle Steele, Tolkien, Wilbur Smith and John Grisham. The poll was carried out at 4,000 bookshops and libraries, in schools and on the web. Its results were heavily slewed towards parental and children's book purchases and the book-buying tastes of young people. If only adult votes had been counted, Austen - helped by television adaptations including a shot of Colin Firth in wet, semi-transparent underclothes - would have come fourth."}, {"response": 436, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Mar 10, 2000 (11:04)", "body": "Back to something Allison mentioned yesterday, was Master of the Moor really supposed to be set in the West Country? I assumed it was Yorkshire as well. They (not Colin) had, what sounded to me like west counrty accents eg his wife and his old childhood friend (forgot his name, the one who roams on the moor)."}, {"response": 437, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar 10, 2000 (11:10)", "body": "Austen - helped by television adaptations including a shot of Colin Firth in wet, semi-transparent underclothes Aargh, here we go again. Thanks to all for the MLSF updates. What a shame about the billing. Too bad you couldn't get there, Bethan, since CF's so rarely in your backyard."}, {"response": 438, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 10, 2000 (11:10)", "body": "Naulls was the friend. Tried researching any clues from the story but got very nowhere. Couldn't find Vangmoor (even in a database of Dartmoor locations), anything to do with \"foin,\" Knamber, Whalby, etc. Only thing was Naulls family references in Grimsby. No Cornish names or place names."}, {"response": 439, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Mar 10, 2000 (12:27)", "body": "Thank you all for the reports. (Evelyn) I have great faith in Lord Puttnam;-) (Mari) I do too. The guy was over here giving interviews and promoting it as best he could. Why do I seem to recall him not doing that? At some point were we not complaining that, when he said he was giving up his career in the movies, he did not think of mentioning MLSF, and all everybody was connecting him with was Chariots of Fire? Mind you, it may be my memory failing. But where Colin is concerned, I almost believe in conspiracy theories."}, {"response": 440, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar 10, 2000 (14:01)", "body": "(Gi) Why do I seem to recall him not doing that? Hmm, that's what I was thinking also. I recall at least one article in which Puttnam went on (and on and on) about politics, with a teensy-weensie little mention of MLSF. (Gi) I almost believe in conspiracy theories Hee hee! Sideways reference to your *other* favorite movie star... ;-D"}, {"response": 441, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 10, 2000 (14:26)", "body": "Most of Puttnam's interviews talk about \"horrible Hollywood\" (get over it) and politics and education. Usually MLSF is tossed in as \"his last film.\" I think he likes to use the opportunity to promote this film to discuss *his* favorite topics."}, {"response": 442, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 10, 2000 (14:42)", "body": "Well, Puttnam did give some interviews to the papers here; a couple of them ran \"sidebars\" featuring him with the film's review. I also remember a brief one in Parade (nationwide Sunday newspaper supplement). He was also featured in a Roger Ebert column when the film screened at Cannes. True, they were often about his pet subjects, but at least the film's name was still getting out there. Ok, I give up, he's an opportunist.;-)"}, {"response": 443, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 10, 2000 (15:03)", "body": "One more thought on Puttnam: producers are not generally the ones expected to be out there beating the bushes for their films. That falls to the directors/stars.;-)"}, {"response": 444, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 10, 2000 (15:29)", "body": "Absolutely, it's not a producer's job. MEM and McDowell were the only ones to do any promoting here in the flesh or in print. Aside from Puttnam using this opportunity--his Last Hurrah--there was probably a little \"if you liked Chariots of Fire, give this a shot\" mentality given the Puttnam/Hudson pairing. And who didn't like Chariots of Fire?"}, {"response": 445, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Mar 10, 2000 (17:26)", "body": "Colin is not considered to be politically reliable!! Excuse me - utter nonsense. they said it was a typographic error..the cast list took up two lines and they'd \"lost\" one line Sack the stupid illiterate typist/printer/proofreader! seriously, the standard of printed media in this country makes me wanna weep. My dictionary says \"Premiere= First public performance\"... Preview would have been at Mr. Young's.....IMO And IMO, at Mr Young's it was a private screening; preview is an unofficial first public performance; and premiere is an official first public performance."}, {"response": 446, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Mar 10, 2000 (17:38)", "body": "On Box Office success....I think, with rare exceptions, the only movies that make it here are those that appeal to the 14-23 age group. Films are often much more successful through video rentals, Sky movie channels, and screenings on terrestial TV. And this sort of success is recognised..alomg with critical success. Box office returns aren't the only measure. BTW I noticed in the opening credits to SLOW that it's a BSkyB co-production. Does this mean it will be shown on Sky? I managed to watch SLOW again ( thank goodness we have a VCR upstairs!) before returning it tomorrow. Again, I have to say I really do like it very much. It's made for video watching (and re-winding!) and infact I appreciate it more on the small than Big screen. CF has never looked more handsome...it's so nice to see him with his natural colouring. The love scenes are played with great tenderness. And there are some lovely performances from all the cast. The women are great! Good photography as well. And now I understand all the dialogue, I like the screenplay. Am I the only one to enthuse about this? I hope everyone gets a chance to see it on video soon. One little thing I noticed...he wears a wedding ring in the opening scene, but never again."}, {"response": 447, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Mar 10, 2000 (18:34)", "body": "Karen (and all): Right next to the article on World Book day (and thanks for the tip) there is one on Rupert Brooke, and a new tell all book just discovered written by a former lover. It is interesting, and for those who have heard \"One Before Last,\" that pool is mentioned in the story! Does everyone know that CF did an audio tape in 1987 where he played Brooke? I have a link on my news page. NEWS Murph"}, {"response": 448, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Mar 10, 2000 (18:37)", "body": "The link does not seem to work, but if you follow Karen's, you will get to the Brooke article, or try the revised one below. Murph - again I typed the wrong URL. Here is the right one: News"}, {"response": 449, "author": "ommin", "date": "Fri, Mar 10, 2000 (19:58)", "body": "I am sorry to have to disagree with you - why I will not discuss on an open line. E-mail at ommin@icenet.com.au."}, {"response": 450, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Mar 11, 2000 (03:29)", "body": "(Bethan) Am I the only one to enthuse about this? Perhaps enthuse is not the word, but I did thoroughly enjoy SLOW. The photography is great and the setting, simply gorgeous - that house, the view...wonderful!! The other items on view weren't half bad either? I was a little surprised (as it has a 12 rating over here) that a single F word was kept in, not that I'm prudish or anything, but I suppose apart from that there was nothing else in the film to warrant a higher rating. I don't recall ever hearing the word in films I watched at the cinema when I was 12 and no I'm not that old! Necessary? Not totally, although it did illustrate Matt's frustration with the Nimi-Fola situation and struck a chord with Nimi's brother(?) who vehemently agreed with Matthew's \"f*** Fola!\" outburst. The colourful supporting cast were well drawn I thought and I had no problem with the dialogue. Rev Fola's mother - LOL! There was one scene between the two mothers which was so polite and deliberate but deep down you just knew that wanted nothing else than to slap the living daylights out of each other. Brilliant! I've just seen it the once ... I'm just going to have to rent it again, and agin most probably."}, {"response": 451, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Mar 11, 2000 (17:02)", "body": "ODB gets a brief mention on the Editors comment on the Letters page of this weeks Radio Times (11-17 Mar)..(that's two weeks running guys - steady). Blink and you'd miss it: \"For RT readers Pride and Prejudice (the Colin Firth wet shirt version) is the yardstick by which all dramas are measured.\" - and it goes on about another drama of no consequence. But hey, it was a mention!"}, {"response": 452, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Mar 12, 2000 (09:13)", "body": "Does this perhaps explain why DQ is to be shown in the \"summer months - from today's TIMES Culture TV pages about a series starting today:- \"Dirty Work. BBC1 9.30pm. The low ratings achieved last year by both Life Support and Jack of Hearts has increased the pressure on the drama departments of BBC Scotland and BBC Wales, already accused of only getting high-profile commissions because the corporation feels obliged to broadcast a quota of non-English work on BBC1. So this new Welsh series is a key test of Celtic credibility: if even a show starring Neil Pearson and written by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran flops, future series from the so-called \"national regions\" face the likelihood of being banished to the summer months. .....\""}, {"response": 453, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 12, 2000 (09:29)", "body": "future series from the so-called \"national regions\" face the likelihood of being banished to the summer months. .....\" Argh! To make all decisions on the basis on two programs' ratings? Puh-leez! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Speaking of BBC, here's its review of the SLOW video: Strapline: 'How to find the right man, at the right price' Writer Matthew Field (Colin Firth) retreats to the South of France where he's befriended by seven-year-old Sammy. Confusing the new arrival with his comic book hero Saracen, Sammy sets out to get Matthew partnered-up with his unmarried mother Nimi (Nia Long). Nimi isn't entirely unreceptive to the gruff Matthew but neither of them has reckoned to the desires of Nimi's Nigerian community that wish for her to marry the local priest. This sets the scene for some vague comic moments amongst some feather-light drama. Shot in stunning French locations with some beautiful costumes this film does have considerable charm. The young Sammy adds to the warm glow with an enthusiastic performance that won't cause tooth decay unlike some other child actors. The one niggling problem is Colin Firth who plays essentially a rather miserable old grump. Granted he's a good-looking grump but why the feisty Nimi should be drawn to him takes some persuading. This is a light and enjoyable confection that could do with a tighter scr pt but is nonetheless quite good. *** Best line: 'A Beautiful girl is like a banana leaf'"}, {"response": 454, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Mar 12, 2000 (10:14)", "body": "That review must have been written by a man. Hey, we feisty women are always drawn to good looking grumps . But I always wondered why Matthew was initially drawn to Nimi. That part of the story was unconvincing to me, unless he was just looking for a place to park his salami. With Lizzie, he saw someone intelligent and spunky. With Heloise, he saw someone gorgeous and talented. With Nimi, she wasn't shown in a particularly good scene when he first saw her. So I didn't see that initial attraction."}, {"response": 455, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Mar 12, 2000 (10:49)", "body": "So girls, was Matthew a miserable old(!) grump? Would it make a whit of difference? (Tracy) \"For RT readers Pride and Prejudice (the Colin Firth wet shirt version).. Bad, bad. ..is the yardstick by which all dramas are measured.\" Good, good. I'll never fault Radio Times for their promotion of P&P - love those photos they published - but this is always fodder for the Janeites when they grumble about this production. As if the whole thing was about that white shirt. I mean we did get to see him get out of the bathtub too. ;-)"}, {"response": 456, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 12, 2000 (10:52)", "body": "It probably started off as \"trying to get what you can't have.\""}, {"response": 457, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Mar 12, 2000 (10:55)", "body": "hmm, maybe I should try that :-)"}, {"response": 458, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 12, 2000 (10:58)", "body": "Your study materials should be old Doris Day movies. SLOW is nothing more than a rehash of that old classic Pillow Talk. ;-)"}, {"response": 459, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Mar 12, 2000 (13:19)", "body": "The one niggling problem is Colin Firth who plays essentially a rather miserable old grump. Granted he's a good-looking grump but why the feisty Nimi should be drawn to him takes some persuading. I cannot believe this!! \"Miserable old grump\"...excuse me, please, but are we watching the same video? One of Colin's major problems (and it is a problem) is that most reviews are written by men, who just can't/won't understand why he appeals to women! SLOW has really grown on me (I returned the video, reluctantly, yesterday). I liked it when I saw it in London but thought perhaps I wasn't looking at it critically enough. I mean, the Gurdian thought it was a \"mess\"! But the more I looked at it, the more I liked it. I love the scene when Matthew tells Nimi that he is frightened because he needs her (stammering, tears in his eyes...he does this so well) No \"miserable grump\" here! And the scene when Matt and Sami are playing at \"being men\" and Sami \"shoots\" Matthew and he falls backwards off the wall (just look at the look of pure delight on Sami's face!) The film has great charm, the dialogue is frequently amusing ( I liked Matt's line to Sami \"Stop looking like an Oxfam poster\", also the exhange when Matt asks Sami what his mother is like \"She likes you to keep your room tidy\" \"Oh, it's that bad is it\" \"And to wear a uniform\" \"Hmmm, that'll come later\". Anyway, at least the reviewer acknowledges that CF is good looking. To be honest, he is so outstandingly good looking in this, that he could be as miserable as sin and still be attractive! future series from the so-called \"national regions\" face the likelihood of being banished to the summer months. Reinforces my disbelief that the BBC were even thinking of showing DQ in the summer..it truly is the dumping ground for programming. So if Neil Pearson flops in the ratings, a film starring the actor voted the most popular on the history of the BBC, scripted by a BAFTA winner and directed by a two-time BAFTA winner, and already shown in Australia to good reviews will be shown in July, when everyone is on holiday or in the pub! The logic of this defeats me!!! There's a lot about DQ I don't understand...the BBC must know it's a surefire winner...why aren't they treating it as such? I'm almost subscribing to Gi's Conspiracy Theory (Bury this movie!!) :-)"}, {"response": 460, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Mar 12, 2000 (15:06)", "body": "Lottery movies: 9 hits, 121 misses Vanessa Thorpe and Antony Barnett examine why lottery-funded films have become a byword for mediocrity Film Unlimited Sunday March 12, 2000 The Observer It sounded promising. Colin Firth was on board. The screenplay had a glamorous location in the south of France and the central plot had all the right credentials, concerning, as it did, an imperilled and steamy love affair across the racial divide. But if you have not yet seen the feature film The Secret Laughter of Women , if you have not even heard of it, then you are not alone. Although the film won a lottery grant of just under \ufffd1m, its box-office takings last year came to only \ufffd2,832 in this country. The critics were not ecstatic either. A typical review in the British magazine Total Film commented: 'The fairytale relationship follows a disappointingly predictable trajectory, with Firth giving an anaemic performance in a poorly written role.' Government figures released to The Observer this weekend reveal that this unpleasant twist to the end of what should have been a lovely story is not an isolated incident. A lottery grant is starting to look more like a blight on a film's chances of audience popularity than a boost. Of around 130 feature films that have received backing since lottery money came on stream in 1996, only nine could be counted as any sort of success. Many have faltered at the final hurdle and are still awaiting distribution deals, others are permanently on hold. Perhaps the most painful figures to read, though, are the large sums that went into films that have won big cinema releases and which were far from enjoyable to watch: this year's critically panned Fanny and Elvis , for example, with a grant of more than \ufffd1m, or the upcoming Kevin Spacey film, Ordinary Decent Criminal , which also had a \ufffd1m grant. For many within the industry the sad roll call of silver screen turkeys is directly attributable to the cosy clique of producers and financiers who are in charge of handing out the grant money in Britain. They may well have been keen to support the constantly threatened, home grown production business with a windfall of lottery money, but in doing this, it sometimes seems large amounts have gone to projects on little more than the recommendation of a friend. Rupert Preston of the independent film distributor Metrodome sees lottery funding as a force for mediocrity, not excellence. He also thinks it is ultimately a business irrelevance. 'Good films, like our own Human Traffic , for example, tend to emerge anyway, without any lottery help. We did ask for a grant for that one but we were told, no, because it was all about nasty drugs.' Even the more obviously commercial bets, such as last spring's romantic comedy This Year's Love , can make it through without calling upon public funds. 'It is a scandal, to be frank. Many of the lottery-funded films don't even get a distributor,' says Preston. 'All this money is spent and then no one actually sees them, whether they are any good or not. A vast amount of money has been spent; I would say around \ufffd30m for each of the three big film franchises that were set up to hand out production cash, and then another \ufffd70m at least which has gone direct into production itself.' Most lottery money was granted through the film panel at the Arts Council, a now disbanded collection of appointed producers and film finance experts who inevitably had connections with several of the production deals that they funded. Colin Levanthal of Hal Productions, for example, was a member of the Arts Council panel and his film Mansfield Park , a joint BBC Films venture with US giant Miramax, was one of those to benefit. It received a \ufffd1m grant and, while it has been welcomed by some critics, it is hard to see why a commercial project with such big backers should receive public funds. Premila Hoon, the doyenne of British film finance, was also an Arts Council panelist at the time she was orchestrating the film investments made by Guinness Mahon. This company put money into two fairly successful recent projects, Wilde and Shooting Fish , which had also received big lottery grants. Both Leventhal and Hoon declared their financial interests at the time. The producer of the Oscar-nominated documentary film One Day in September , John Battsek, is critical of the funding structure. He believes it is helping from the wrong end. 'It is first-time, independent producers who have the hardest time breaking through. These are the people that would like to keep the British business going and who are prepared to risk money on a good script. The scripts themselves, to be honest, will always come through if they are good enough - although it might also be worth making grants to young screenwriters,' he said. Battsek, whose brother Daniel runs British distribution for Disney, believes the common complaint about distribution is a red herring. The wider deals, he argues, will come to the best movies. 'On the "}, {"response": 461, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Mar 12, 2000 (16:42)", "body": "Hmmm! Shame, just when I think SLOW has a chance, it gets kicked in the teeth again. And just when it's out on video release. And how typical that they have to pick a review calling CF's performance \"anaemic\"...which it emphatically wasn't. Why not pick \"charismatic\" or \"charming?\" The video cover quotes a favourable comment from \"Sight and Sound\" magazine, which is a serious movie magazine, and should outweigh the rather crass \"Total Film\". Also, from what I recall, (and I do read about movie distribution) most of the films listed above had a select nationwide release, which means that they would open in 40 plus cinemas, not 2. But quoting the Box Office figures don't help SLOW, or Colin for that matter, especially in a world where bankablity matters. Doesn't enhance his leading romantic man credentials. Anyway hardly anyone reads The Observer!"}, {"response": 462, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Mar 12, 2000 (17:48)", "body": "Speaking of BBC, here's its review of the SLOW video: Where and when exactly was it published (broadcast?), please?"}, {"response": 463, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Mar 12, 2000 (17:55)", "body": "miserable old grump Miserable Old Grump...what are they talking about? The character was dismissive on occasions but never a grump.. And even if he were a little out of sorts I put it down to the fact that the hair-wranglers were not doing their job properly ;-)! That performance was anaemic was it? Mmm, heaven knows what wonders the man could do with a few iron tablets in him then."}, {"response": 464, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 12, 2000 (17:59)", "body": "It was published here...exactly...although it's difficult to determine a date. My guess is March 8 or 2 ;-) http://www.bbc.co.uk/movies/stayingin/top5-video.shtml"}, {"response": 465, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 13, 2000 (13:36)", "body": "Not terribly keen that the Observer's reporter chose to make Colin the poster boy for loser Lottery-funded films. :-( its box-office takings last year came to only \ufffd2,832 That's gross? Argh, how could anything only take in that much if it played for several weeks in London and Peckham, then two weeks in Manchester and sort of one week in Bristol?"}, {"response": 466, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 13, 2000 (14:21)", "body": "its box-office takings last year came to only \ufffd2,832 It was a full house at the BFI on Friday and even the dumpy Ritzy on Saturday night had most of the seats taken. Ya think they factored in the 300UKP Spring paid to see it at Mr. Young's?"}, {"response": 467, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 13, 2000 (14:22)", "body": "Hardly, and they wouldn't count the London FF either."}, {"response": 468, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Mar 13, 2000 (16:59)", "body": "I'm very dubious about those figures...my maths isn't very strong, but with four/five screenings daily at each of those venues, that works out at an average of one person per screening. ABC Panton Street seats about 150 for each screen, and when I saw SLOW I certainly wasn't the only one there!!! I think SLOW and Colin are the whipping boys for the Lottery Fund inadequacies, and it makes for better reading if the facts are wrong! As a matter of interest, \"An Ideal Husband\" and \"Plunket and Macleane\" each took about \ufffd1million at the Box Office, mainly over 2 weeks, before being withdrawn. But they showed at 300 screens, which works out at about \ufffd1600 per screen per week. Not an impressive average. (\ufffd3000-ish in 2weeks) They also got big ads in the press, interviews with the leading actors in glossy magazines, trailers on Sky TV and (I presume) trailers in the theatres. Unfair to compare with SLOW, which got nothing!! BTW, the secret of major movie success....look like Matthew Field, speak like Matthew Field, dress like Matthew Field....but in a Universal backed Hollywood movie that automatically shows in multiplexes worldwide and gets vigorously promoted (ie Mark Darcy in BJD!) And, bite the bullet, and do just one chat show! Can't fail! :-)"}, {"response": 469, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (09:52)", "body": "(Ann) from today's TIMES Culture TV pages about a series starting today... So this new Welsh series is a key test of Celtic credibility: if even a show starring Neil Pearson and written by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran flops, future series from the so-called \"national regions\" face the likelihood of being banished to the summer months. .....\" Though according to what Bethan's been told, DQ has *already* been banished to the summer months--so much for the article's reference to 'future.' Perhaps if this series does well, DQ will be moved to a more amenable time? (Bethan) And how typical that they have to pick a review calling CF's performance \"anaemic\" Aargh, that was my reaction as well. But I suppose the author couldn't have pushed his point (movie was a waste of money) if he praised CF's performance. Ha! We know better. It is disappointing to read about the BO take, however, accurate or not. BTW, how did TTOTS fare in the ratings? The reviews were mixed; I'm wondering if the CF-focused advertising campaign made any difference."}, {"response": 470, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (09:55)", "body": "To All: I just checked the RV site, and there is less info there now than before, plus a new kind of boring look. Just the words. Nothing else to click on for more info. http://www.relative-values.com/ Murph"}, {"response": 471, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (10:00)", "body": "How bizarre! For about a week now, I was getting: Not Found The requested URL /rv.css was not found on this server. But I just tried to go there with IE and it went through. How very bizarre that Netscape hasn't been able to open it. See what you mean about just a title page. Could be soon."}, {"response": 472, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (10:36)", "body": "Karen: You are right. I just tried in Netscape too, and got your message. Bad web design on the part of the company doing it. Hope you are right about the \"soon\" part. Murph"}, {"response": 473, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (17:43)", "body": "It looks like they're in the process of overhauling the RV site. Here's a note I got from them today (and I wonder what the \"competition\" prizes will be;-) ****** The waiting is nearly over! The Official Relative Values website will be launched shortly. Features of the website will include: - In-depth information on the film, the story, cast and crew. - Trailer and Video Interviews with cast and crew. - The chance to get your own @relative-values.net email address. - A Relative Values Community area. - Competitions, News and lots, lots more. You will be among the first to be informed of the launch of the Relative Values website - we hope you enjoy visiting what we have created for you! Till the launch, The Relative Values design-team."}, {"response": 474, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (17:49)", "body": "I'll see your email and raise you one!! They wanted to know where I got my images and the trailer. Nah nah nah nah ;-)"}, {"response": 475, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (21:49)", "body": "You are one up on them, Karen. The chance to get your own @relative-values.net email address. How about: the-martini-set@relative-values.net"}, {"response": 476, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (18:25)", "body": "I didn't get one! I must be in RV limbo. Murph"}, {"response": 477, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (08:42)", "body": "Hoorah!! Videoflicks, a Canadian videoseller, will have Fever Pitch at a sell-through price ($29.99), beginning April 4. This is down from the $90 price it came out at last year and is NTSC. Does not say anything about DVD. Here's the site: http://www.videoflicks.com/VF2/9996/9996141.ihtml"}, {"response": 478, "author": "Ming", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (12:43)", "body": "Thank you very much, Karen. I found Hostages over that that site!!!"}, {"response": 479, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (13:10)", "body": "Thanks Karen and Ming, it was helpful for me too! Big grin."}, {"response": 480, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (14:18)", "body": "Thanks for the video flicks info on FP, Karen. Time to replace my conversion. Do you or anyone else know where to order the SLOW video? I know it's still high priced, but if split among enough people . . ."}, {"response": 481, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (14:24)", "body": "SLOW can be ordered from blackstar.co.uk or choicesdirect.co.uk. There's free shipping anywhere in the world for both."}, {"response": 482, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (15:13)", "body": "I've enthused a lot about SLOW...I guess it won't be available in the US, and so I would definitely say \"Go for it\" and order. It's made to watch on video....I appreciated it far more, and liked it more. CF is, IMHO, better looking in this than in anything he's done (though haven't seen DQ or MLSF). And, remembering our discussion, re kissing, he kisses his wife (CG) ve-r-y enthusiastically...heads for the chin as usual, and then actually changes direction... :-)"}, {"response": 483, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (17:51)", "body": "heads for the chin as usual, and then actually changes direction... :-) Ah, that's an improvement in his acting technique: makes you believe (and not just imagine) he actually does it... :-) As he's getting older, he's also more relaxed about these things."}, {"response": 484, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (17:34)", "body": "(Bethan) he kisses his wife (CG) ve-r-y enthusiastically I noticed that too...very encouraging this change of style :-)"}, {"response": 485, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (18:42)", "body": "Meaning perhaps that he may one day play an old lecher convincingly? ;-)"}, {"response": 486, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (18:55)", "body": "Meaning that he's definitely showing signs of loosening up in the osculation department ;-P I don't think he could ever play the old lech convincingly, marvellous actor though he is..far too handsome, you don't see many handsome lechers about these parts :-D"}, {"response": 487, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (22:48)", "body": "Romance Classics will show Camille again, Wednesday, March 22, at 5:30pm. *cough cough*"}, {"response": 488, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (07:59)", "body": "News? I'm afraid I'm a bit of a movie anorak, which means that I actually like reading what's on where type listings, epecially independent cinemas. Anyway, I spooted that SLOW will be screened again at the Ritzy Cinema in Coldharbour Lane EC2 (I'm sure you remember it well, Evelyn!) at 3.45pm this Sunday 19 March, followed by a Q&A session(presumably with the director/producer).(Phone 0171-737 2121) But it may be the last opportunity for anyone to see it on the Big Screen...interesting that they're re-screening it...to promote the video? If you've got a moment Murph, perhaps you could put it on your news page, just incase anyone is interested? Chance for a fairly intimate chat with the producer/to ask if it will be shown anywhere else? :-)"}, {"response": 489, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (09:03)", "body": "I wouldn't be adverse to seeing CF play a moderately young lecher now. Okay, so there aren't really any handsome lechers, this would be the movies -- not reality. About CF's improved film kissing technique, maybe coasting into 40 is making him more relaxed. You're as young as you feel. Maybe he feels younger now than he did 15 years ago. Since I don't get Romance Classics, I can't get choked up \"Camille\" being shown."}, {"response": 490, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (09:36)", "body": "coasting into 40 is making him more relaxed. You're as young as you feel. Well, I can only judge from personal experience... Hands up those who feel almost as young as you were 40 years ago - but not quite so silly! ;-)"}, {"response": 491, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (09:55)", "body": "(Arami) Hands up those who feel almost as young as you were 40 years ago - but not quite so silly!;-) Hey, Arami, 40 years ago I was still in my crib. But, I'm happy to report that I'm no longer incontinent, can now chew solid foods, and as this very note indicates . . .am still a *very* silly girl!;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 492, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (10:15)", "body": "LOL! (Or should that be no comment...? ;-P ;-))"}, {"response": 493, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (11:30)", "body": "Ritzy Cinema in Coldharbour Lane EC2 (I'm sure you remember it well, Evelyn!) at 3.45pm this Sunday 19 March, followed by a Q&A session(presumably with the director/producer) A Ritzy Experience is not to be missed esp with those two clowns! Awwww...wish I could make it;-)"}, {"response": 494, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (13:21)", "body": "If you've got a moment Murph, perhaps you could put it on your news page. (The SLOW screening) ******************** Thanks for the scoop, Bethan. It is on the page now. I pray this is OK to go here ---I also have the interview on my new BJD page where Fielding talks about Zellweger's casting. It is not as negative as the media made it sound. You can read it here: http://www.geocities.com/firthfan/jones/bjjones.html Murph Murph"}, {"response": 495, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (13:23)", "body": "Sorry - too many \"js\" in the URL. Here is the right one. http://www.geocities.com/firthfan/jones/bjones.html Murph"}, {"response": 496, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (13:49)", "body": "If you've got a moment Murph, perhaps you could put it on your news page. (The SLOW screening) ******************** Thanks for the scoop, Bethan. It is on the page now. Psst, Murph...tell 'em to bring paper for the loo"}, {"response": 497, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (14:25)", "body": "Murph, if you'll check the Bridget topic (#80), you'll see that the negative comments came from an online chat and were taken out of context. The link and all the other articles are posted there."}, {"response": 498, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (08:37)", "body": "The BBC has announced its spring/summer programming. No Donovan Quick mentioned. On the drama front, former Ballykissangel star Dervla Kirwan heads a strong ensemble cast in Hearts and Bones - the story of a group of friends from the Midlands who are trying to make lives for themselves in London. The investigative genre is given several new twists as Robert Lindsay, last seen as Fagin in ITV's Oliver Twist, stars as a lecturer with a double life in Hawk. Ex-EastEnder Patsy Palmer lights some family fireworks in McCready and Daughter, while Paul McGann stars as Fish, a civil rights lawyer trying to balance life and work. You can read the rest of the \"highlights\" at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/entertainment/newsid_683000/683763.stm"}, {"response": 499, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (14:30)", "body": "Thanks for this Karen! So it's not the summer (which is good in a way), but I shall defintely phone again about this. I've been told that we'd \"definitely\" see DQ in the summer, that it's \"still being edited\", and that they only have details of schedules about two weeks before transmission. Infact, the BBC schedules its programmes on a seasonal basis, and whilst they may not be able to give an exact date, they would normally be able to reliably indicate which season. DQ hasn't even been given an approximate scheduling...it's just listed as \"not scheduled\". I shall pursue this!! Seriously, I don't like being fobbed off with obvious lies!! I want to know why it has not been scheduled nearly six months after completion. Shall assert my rights as a tax payer (we pay for the BBC!)"}, {"response": 500, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (14:38)", "body": "nearly six months after completion More than."}, {"response": 501, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (15:16)", "body": "how can it not have been edited if it has already been shown on Australian TV. Go to it Bethan, we are with you in spirit!!"}, {"response": 502, "author": "ommin", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (19:07)", "body": "Not finished editing!! We saw the film in January and there was no way it needed editing (expect the Glaswegian accents!) If they mess it about they will ruin it. The BBC want their heads read. Please continue to complain - it was such a well made and well acted film I cannot believe they are holding up on this. Interesting the recent head of BBC Scotland has just become head of the ABC - I wonder if it had anything to do with us seeing DQ."}, {"response": 503, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (19:33)", "body": "I have emailed BBC Feedback twice already asking about it. The first time about a fortnight ago. No response. An acknowledgement, yes, but no reply. Next I think we should email all known UK showbiz gossip columnists with the bare facts."}, {"response": 504, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (06:38)", "body": "Well, I 've had a shot at getting info on DQ (and BJD see #80). I have to say that my job (or at least part of it) involves getting information, sometimes media related...and compared to everyone/thing else, CF is brickwall territory. Breaking into the Pentagon would be easier. I tried BBC Productions who first of all just gave me the General Information number (useful for fobbing off enquiries). I said that Information couldn't help me, and surely they had up to date info on their drama productions. Nope, they didn't, not on DQ anyway. She then gave me another number which turned out to be BBC radio (!) and then I got the number for BBC Scotland Drama. I asked about DQ's scheduling (didn't have to explain what DQ was) and was told it was listed as pre-transmission. Why hadn't they scheduled it \"oh they must be looking for a suitable slot for it\" (Absolute rubbish...it's just a one off programme...they can find slots for everything else apparently). I turned a bit bolshy then and said something about unnecessary delays and it looked as though it was being dumped. Reply \"there is nothing sinister about this\". Again asked if I was from the Press. Finally I tried BBC Drama (Publicity)...I asked about the scheduling of Donovan Quick. Obvious instant recognition. Curt response \"Mmm, it's moved to the Autumn\" \"Any date?\" \"No\". End of call. Not exactly customer friendly."}, {"response": 505, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (07:54)", "body": "Oh well, you tried Bethan. If it were Robson Green or John Thaw, it would be shown within weeks of being completed, oh well, I guess that's the fun of being a CF fan, we really have to wrok at it, but it's worth the wait in the end."}, {"response": 506, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (12:12)", "body": "In addition to Bethan's information, I've been told that it will definitely not be on during the next three months and that they are hoping it too will be slotted into the fall schedule. Working on a couple of other DQ-ish things. ;-)"}, {"response": 507, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (13:47)", "body": "At least autumn is the right time for quality drama - but what a ridiculously long wait! And why?"}, {"response": 508, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (14:05)", "body": "No one can answer the \"why\" question. But you're not going to get a lot out of BBC now. Didn't I just read a day or so ago that a reorg is in the works and pinks slips are going out? Can you really expect people waiting for word on their jobs to even care or be civil to you on the phone? Hardly."}, {"response": 509, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (14:21)", "body": "Bethan, British Telecom should recognise you, even if the BBC doesn't ;-) I know many have pondered over why we (Australia) got DQ and nobody else, but it really is a mystery. We usually get BBC programs, but well after they have aired in UK. If you change your mind about wanting a copy, I can help."}, {"response": 510, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (17:52)", "body": "No one can answer the \"why\" question It was rhetorical. :-) many have pondered over why we (Australia) got DQ and nobody else, but it really is a mystery. We usually get BBC programs, but well after they have aired in UK. Could it have been some monumental slip-up or some such thing?"}, {"response": 511, "author": "ommin", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (18:33)", "body": "Monumental slip up! Perhaps our new head of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (late of BBC Scotland) brought it out surriptiously for the joy of C.F. fans in Australia!!!!!"}, {"response": 512, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Mar 22, 2000 (15:34)", "body": "I like Ann's assertion. Perhaps the head of ABC, when he was at BBC Scotland viewed DQ as a project he for which he was very proud. Since DQ was getting such a runaround from the BBC; he felt that since he'd had a connection to the film, he'd now use his position at ABC to get it aired."}, {"response": 513, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Mar 22, 2000 (16:22)", "body": "The info below is from Pam of the FOF. She called CF's agent. This means, I think, that we have no idea right now what project he is going to do, including Armadillo. The End of April makes a May 1 start to the filming of BJD a little tight! - Murph ******************************* 3/22/00 - According to Colin's Agent: There are 3 projects being considered at the moment, but NO contracts are signed at this time. They do not expect to be able to announce anything until roughly the end of April. As to Armadillo, and the reports in the press, the reply was \"what is Armadillo? I've never heard of it !!\" and when I asked if the press were wrong about this, the answer was \"yes \", as....NO CONTRACTS ARE SIGNED."}, {"response": 514, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 22, 2000 (20:13)", "body": "What? No lucid dreaming, no man in armour, no swashbuckler? This is not to be borne! I thought Armadillo was an official announcement! What happened? :-( Thanks again, Murph."}, {"response": 515, "author": "Ming", "date": "Wed, Mar 22, 2000 (22:51)", "body": "All I want to say is that the first contract he should sign right now is with a new agent!"}, {"response": 516, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Mar 23, 2000 (02:03)", "body": "From what I recall about the report on \"Armadillo\" it said that Wiilliam Boyd was writing the screenplay at the moment. Baz B. is usually reliable. It could mean that Colin has agreed informally with Sue B. to do it (I mean, there was a report 2 years ago that HF was deloghted because CF had \"agreed\" to do MD. Having the actual contact on the table means there must be three projects with the completed scripts..and just the business side that needs tying up. I don't think CF's agency release info until he is actually on the set!"}, {"response": 517, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Mar 23, 2000 (03:06)", "body": "Perhaps CF is supersticious... Doesn't like to talk about things before they really happen - contracts signed, schedules agreed, ecc. I know I am like that."}, {"response": 518, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 23, 2000 (08:12)", "body": "Sorry, but it's not Colin's agent's job to announce his signing onto a new project and then naming it. That belongs to the company producing the project."}, {"response": 519, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar 23, 2000 (10:14)", "body": "(Karen) it's not Colin's agent's job to announce his signing onto a new project and then naming it. Very true. They're not going to give a caller info before a project is announced to the press. But I do think their info on timing is credible. So, if they say we're not going to hear of a project announcement for at least another month, I'd tend to believe it. And if that's the case, it does make for a tight BJD schedule, as Murph said."}, {"response": 520, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 23, 2000 (10:24)", "body": "\"until roughly the end of April.\" When on your calendar does \"roughly\" begin? ;-)"}, {"response": 521, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar 23, 2000 (10:59)", "body": "When on your calendar does \"roughly\" begin? ;-) Depends what kind of week I am having. ;-) it's not Colin's agent's job to announce his signing onto a new project and then naming it. That belongs to the company producing the project. True. But he can always be informative and say please contact the company for the details or confirmation. The agent benefits when an important role for one of his actors is announced because it very often leads to more roles. He could call another company and say Colin has been signed to do this film (name), which should do very well and he is interested in working on your future project (name), etc."}, {"response": 522, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Thu, Mar 23, 2000 (11:09)", "body": "It is not unheard of for contracts to get signed AFTER all the shooting is incomplete (see the South Bank Show profile of Ian McKellen). c"}, {"response": 523, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Thu, Mar 23, 2000 (11:10)", "body": "Sorry, let me try that again: It is not unheard of for contracts to get signed AFTER all the shooting is COMPLETE (see the South Bank Show profile of Ian McKellen)."}, {"response": 524, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Mar 23, 2000 (14:35)", "body": "In addition to Bethan's information, I've been told that it will definitely not be on during the next three months and that they are hoping it too will be slotted into the fall schedule.....Working on a couple of other DQ-ish things. ;-) (Karen) Sounds promising! Do let me know. I've given up on this (at least until October, when I shall return to the attack!} But several things puzzle me. Even at pre-production stage, the BBC must have known they had a good project on their hands...BAFTA winning team plus CF. Why didn't they automatically slot it into the Autumn 99 schedules? And what is all this problem about \"slotting it in\"! (\"hoping\" sounds very tentative). It's a 100 minute drama, for goodness sake, not a 20 episode version of \"War and Peace\"!! I've also wondered how it was shown (and why it was shown) at the Cork Film Festival. Was there a special print? Are they showing it at London and Edinburgh FFs? Have to say I'm very disappointed with the BBC over this. Keeping DQ on the backburner for 18 months is ridiculous. TOTS was made in August and scheduled almost immediately for a prime time slot on Boxing Day. Absolutely no problem. Keep on emailing, Arami! True. But he can always be informative and say please contact the company for the details or confirmation. The agent benefits when an important role for one of his actors is announced because it very often leads to more roles. He could call another company and say Colin has been signed to do this film (name), which should do very well and he is interested in working on your future project name), etc. (Moon) I do so agree, but this is Colin's agent we're talking about!! I think that information on CF's projects is always last minute (for some reason). But it's good that he's got three projects which he must consider worth doing. I'd also be pretty sure that \"Armadillo\" is a distinct possibility. It may just be at the \"chatting with friends\" stage, and SB and WB are both mates of CF. Saw WB on TV the other day..he's a very nice bloke. Very articulate and pleasant. Sometimes writers like to have an actor in mind when they work on a script. (Didn't Andrew Davies say that CF would be a marvellous MD...let's hope his screenplay prevails over RC's!) Finally, spotted a good (but brief) review of MLSF after its Bradford FF showing. Praised for its insight, warmth and humour, and as proof that the British film industry is isn't dead yet. Several of the bigger movies got less favourable reviews. Actually the British film industry is almost dead...a company set up by the Government to raise \ufffd150 million for film finance collapsed after 4 months, causing a lot of projects to grind to a standstill. If CF has three on the go, he'a a lucky bunny. (Sign for all three, Colin!)"}, {"response": 525, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Mar 23, 2000 (15:31)", "body": "Carrying on briefly in news reporter mode, but more on the the \"real\" world. There's been a lot in the press recently about refugees in the UK, and some distinctly hostile reporting ( \"send 'em \"home\") on occasions. The problems faced by most of the refugees are undoubtably real...they're not freeloaders...but apparently in some areas of London there is a growing hostility towards them. A volunteer aid worker has been beaten unconscious in South Hackney, and, increasingly, refugees are being threatened with violence."}, {"response": 526, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar 23, 2000 (16:15)", "body": "....Actually the British film industry is almost dead.... ...If CF has three on the go, he'a a lucky bunny.(Sign for all three, Colin!) I don't mean to rejoice in the demise of an industry , but this might mean that he'll do more stage work in the West End (which pays more than the Donmar) along with TV."}, {"response": 527, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Mar 23, 2000 (17:55)", "body": "Keep on emailing, Arami! I've still had no reply. I'm seriously considering giving the details to the \"gossip\" editors: Bethan, if you agree, could you help me with the relevant e-mail addresses? Baz? Who else? The might just feel like making enquiries or at leat public comments about this \"mystery\". There's been a lot in the press recently about refugees in the UK, and some distinctly hostile reporting Someone has been assaulted by a foreign beggar who was annoyed by a refusal to contribute... TV reporters have filmed organized gangs of cheats operating as beggars... Some other refugees have been caught selling contents of their comfortably equipped flats provided by local councils. There are also reports of groups and individuals specializing in smuggling illegal immigrants for money. These cases make headlines and there is an inevitable backlash. It must be a great worry for the Refugee Council and their volunteers."}, {"response": 528, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Mar 25, 2000 (20:19)", "body": "Not sure if this has ever been posted here. Thanks to Kay and to Carrie: From Big Issue, Sept '99, 8th anniversary issue. 8 of Colin's favorites: Album: 'Return of The Grevious Angel' - by Gram Parsons CF says: \"Emotional laxative for an Englishman\" Film: ' Goodfellas' CF: \"Banal characters made riveting, a real achievement\" Book: 'The Sound and The Fury' - by William Faulkner CF: \"The spell of this story is partly in the way it reveals itself so slowly. You start out totally confused and end up completely captivated by its beauty.\" Holiday: Loch Fyne in Scotland CF: \"It's impossible to get uptight there. Friendly people and fantastic Kippers\" Politician: CF: \"Nelson Mandella\" TV Show: 'The Larry Sanders Show' CF: \"Retort to anyone who thinks Americans lack irony\" Food: Moulakhie CF: \"It was cooked for me by a Palestinian friend. I don't know what it is but it's green and I can't get enough of it.\" Football Team: CF: \"Arsenal\""}, {"response": 529, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Mar 25, 2000 (23:20)", "body": "NEWSFLASH Colin is Mark Darcy! According to The Observer, CF is Mark and Hughie is Daniel. Will post the article at #80."}, {"response": 530, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Mar 26, 2000 (14:39)", "body": "(mari)Not sure if this has ever been posted here(...) From Big Issue, Sept '99, 8th anniversary issue. 8 of Colin's favorites I at least had never read it, great fun, must try some of those ;-) And thanks for the newsflash, it helped make my day! :-)"}, {"response": 531, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Mar 26, 2000 (17:21)", "body": "It made my week! 8-D"}, {"response": 532, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Mar 26, 2000 (18:29)", "body": "Is anyone planning to go anywhere near this place between June and the end of August? You may want to pop in to ogle Colin's Darcy pants. ;-) Period Costume from Film and Television at Paxton House Northumberland, Scottish Borders, Berwick-Upon-Tweed http://www.paxtonhouse.com 28 May 2000 - 28 Aug 2000 A stunning display of costume worn by Kate Winslet, Nicole Kidman, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Colin Firth and others in the most popular period films and television drama of the past decade. On display for the first time in the north."}, {"response": 533, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (00:21)", "body": "Bridget page is up at the Bucket: http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjd.html"}, {"response": 534, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (06:26)", "body": "Terrific page, Karen!! Murph"}, {"response": 535, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (08:28)", "body": "Thanks, Murph. Now, if we only had a little more info. ;-)"}, {"response": 536, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (11:11)", "body": "(Arami)Is anyone planning to go anywhere near this place between June and the end of August? You may want to pop in to ogle Colin's Darcy pants. ;-) Thanks Arami... Did I read it right? Is the exhibit called.....\"Hidden Assets\"? ;-)"}, {"response": 537, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (18:42)", "body": "I thought they were quite apparent."}, {"response": 538, "author": "Maureen", "date": "Tue, Mar 28, 2000 (04:49)", "body": "Hi all, does anyone know what has happened to topic 126??? It appears to be missing, or I need my eyes testing. Thanks for the info on BJ Karen, isn't is exciting that we will actually get to see him as a modern day Darcy???? Wish I lived in Notting Hill!!!!!"}, {"response": 539, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar 28, 2000 (12:18)", "body": "(Maureen)Hi all, does anyone know what has happened to topic 126??? It appears to be missing, or I need my eyes testing. As far as I know, it is still there, only no one has posted in it in the last few days."}, {"response": 540, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Mar 28, 2000 (19:19)", "body": "It's there, Maureen. Go to your address at the top of this screen and just change the number from 129 to 126. Hit Enter and then go post something there. I like to see a lot of action."}, {"response": 541, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 28, 2000 (22:33)", "body": "You might think this item from The Times has nothing to do with Colin. Think again. ;-) ANTHONY POWELL, acclaimed as one of the greatest English writers of the 20th century, died yesterday at his home in Somerset. He was 94. Powell wrote more than 20 novels, but his fame rested principally on his 12-volume sequence, A Dance to the Music of Time, published between 1951 and 1975. It told the story of an English aristocratic family from the First World War to the 1970s, centring on the character of the ruthlessly ambitious antihero, Kenneth Widmerpool. Powell's death removes the last link with a generation of writers born the decade before the First World War and sometimes referred to as the Brideshead Generation. [...] [about A Dance the Music of Time] With its witty covers by Mark Boxer it was a special work about a special world - the world where Bohemia met Society. But this was a real and richly comprehensive English world, full of soldiers and musicians, mad socialist peers and arts dealers, girls, girls and girls. The two Powells of which this universe spun were the narrator, Nick, a man of loves and sensibilities, and the other extreme of human character the utterly unselfconscious bully Widmerpool driven by the grotesque force of will but of all the characters the most wordly successful. ********* So, has everyone figured it out?"}, {"response": 542, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Wed, Mar 29, 2000 (00:43)", "body": "No. I'll come back tomorrow when I'm sure someone will be able to tell me. I'm not very good at thinking ;-)"}, {"response": 543, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Mar 29, 2000 (01:08)", "body": "So, has everyone figured it out? Not a clue, though I loved DTTMOT. Wildmerpool was one of literature's great creations but what has he or it to do with ODB?"}, {"response": 544, "author": "ommin", "date": "Wed, Mar 29, 2000 (04:59)", "body": "I watched that series, and thought it brilliant - but to do with Colin - no idea, I have pondered long and often during the day and have to admit to being flummoxed."}, {"response": 545, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 29, 2000 (07:20)", "body": "It would not have something to do with an old thing he did for television, would it?"}, {"response": 546, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Mar 29, 2000 (07:57)", "body": "The only link that I can see - in the Television version Stringer, I think it was, was played by Paul Rhys who was with CF in Tumbledown."}, {"response": 547, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Mar 29, 2000 (08:23)", "body": "Wasn't Anthony Powell at Eton with the spies Burgess and Maclean (sp?) on whom the main character in \"Another Country\" was based? You've really got us thinking!"}, {"response": 548, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 29, 2000 (08:25)", "body": "Yes, it's pretty obscure, but I don't think more so than your connection, Allison! *hee hee* Anthony Powell's name was actually posted here at Drool. I will go find the actual message and post it at 98. Old Eagle Eyes herself should know this one. ;-)"}, {"response": 549, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Wed, Mar 29, 2000 (09:32)", "body": "The only link that I can see - in the Television version Stringer, I think it was, was played by Paul Rhys who was with CF in Tumbledown It can't be that. Everybody and his dog was in the television production of DTTMOT! I'm sure I could come up with 3 names without breaking a sweat. That list would begin, of course, with Julian Wadham (TEP). Looking at the IMDB I also see Joanna David (P&P), Harriet Walter (HoTP), Carmen du Sautoy (LE), and Rupert Vansittart (P&P). But since that's not the answer, what is?? c"}, {"response": 550, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Wed, Mar 29, 2000 (09:33)", "body": ""}, {"response": 551, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Mar 29, 2000 (10:55)", "body": "Ah! But I did it without looking up IMDb:-) Karen, I now have to go away for almost two weeks not knowing for sure if CF will be MD or what is the CF link with Anthony Powell."}, {"response": 552, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 29, 2000 (11:04)", "body": "Ok, I've posted the link on #98."}, {"response": 553, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 29, 2000 (11:33)", "body": "Review of My Life So Far at the British Shadows on the Wall website. Not so hot. Only 2 stars. Reviewer cannot relate to that lifestyle or life. :-( http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/rcline/swmylife.htm However, great review of the Blackadder Back and Forth film (3-1/2 stars), which I've had linked from my Bucket site in case you hadn't seen. http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/rcline/swblabac.htm"}, {"response": 554, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 29, 2000 (11:54)", "body": "Review of My Life So Far at the British Shadows on the Wall website. Not so hot. Only 2 stars. Reviewer cannot relate to that lifestyle or life. Really? What a sad life he/she leads. I am sure they will have no problems relating to all that \"trailer trash\" the UK seems so keen on lately. ;-)"}, {"response": 555, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Mar 29, 2000 (12:55)", "body": "From me to the BBC: \"About a couple of weeks ago I emailed BBC Feedback asking about BBC Scotland feature film \"Donovan Quick\". I'd like to know when this film is going to be shown in the UK - since it has already had the world premiere on the Australian TV. I had a brief acknowledgement from you and a promise of a reply to follow soon, but I have not heard from you further.\" From info@bbc.co.uk to me on Wed, 29 Mar 2000: Dear Ms [NAME MISSPELLED!] \"Thank you for your e-mail regarding 'Donovan Quick'. Please accept our apologies for the delay in replying. We know our correspondents appreciate a quick response and we are sorry you have had to wait on this occasion. This drama was made in conjunction with Pandora Pictures who also have the distributing rights for the programme and that is why your friends have had the opportunity to view it. There are no plans to broadcast the programme within our current schedules. However, please be assured I have registered your interest. Thank you once again for taking the time to write. Regards Damian Whyte BBC Information"}, {"response": 556, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Mar 29, 2000 (13:43)", "body": "Thanks for trying Arami, about as helpful and informative as the reply I received, I just wish they would tell us WHY it is not scheduled to be shown in the near future!!+"}, {"response": 557, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar 29, 2000 (14:13)", "body": "This drama was made in conjunction with Pandora Pictures who also have the distributing rights for the programme But what about BBC rights.....if that was my tax money, I'd be hopping mad. Don't you have a representative\"congressman\"....have them call BBC for you...I guarantee you'll get an answer."}, {"response": 558, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Mar 29, 2000 (18:05)", "body": "The reply was obviously prepared (inexpertly) by an office junior using a standard reply form. Representatives of the people in UK (members of Parliament) would not consider such a complaint as particularly serious or important compared with other, more pressing matters. There are various other consumer/viewer/taxpayer bodies, associations, committees, which are more appropriate for such enquiries. I might perhaps continue this game for a little longer if I had nothing else to do, but as it is, I don't think this particular approach is worth the trouble."}, {"response": 559, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar 29, 2000 (20:35)", "body": "Representatives of the people in UK (members of Parliament) would not consider such a complaint as particularly serious or important compared with other, more pressing matters Ours have big staffs who sit around doing nothing...some of them interns who would be v. eager to give PBS (our BBC) a call.They like causes;-)"}, {"response": 560, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Mar 30, 2000 (12:44)", "body": "I'm pretty sure we'll see DQ in the Autumn (that's what BBC Drama Publicity told me). To be honest, that's the *only* time for good drama, especially the 9pm slot on Sunday. I'd much rather it was shown then and made an impact. Arami, you're very favoured to receive a reply to your email! I think I'll email the Beeb (again) and suggest that they show DQ on the 5th anniversary of the first showing of P&P. (Not a bad idea, actually!) Doesn't time fly!! I'm hoping that CF may lift his head above the parapet in the UK in April. If MLSF opens early May, it should be getting some promotion soon (and he's the one to do it!). BJD and MD would be an added PR bonus, plus RV in Cannes."}, {"response": 561, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Mar 30, 2000 (13:32)", "body": "Bethan, Perhaps they have had another look at DQ and realise that they have a \"hit\" on their hands and having delayed it for so long have now decided to air in the Autumn months which as you say are the best for good drama and I like your idea of suggesting they show it on the 5th Anniversay of P&P. (What an impact that series has had that people are still loving it and discussing it 5 years later)."}, {"response": 562, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Mar 30, 2000 (15:40)", "body": "But what about BBC rights.....if that was my tax money, I'd be hopping mad It is! Well It's my licence fee...and I am quietly seething in a very British stiff-upper-lippy kind of way! Bethan - I do agree, Autumn would be a better time for scheduling it especially that 9.00 Sunday slot! Has it really been five years! It just shows you how quality lasts!"}, {"response": 563, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Mar 30, 2000 (16:48)", "body": "Hi All: Go to #80 for some NEW news on BJD. Murph"}, {"response": 564, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Mar 30, 2000 (17:02)", "body": "Arami, you're very favoured to receive a reply to your email! I actually emailed them twice: the second time to the complaints dept! quietly seething in a very British stiff-upper-lippy kind of way Yes, most Brits aren't very good at banging their fists on the table... Has it really been five years! It just shows you how quality lasts! Yes, and still the one thing they remember best is that wet shirt and breeches... A few days ago I found another reference to Colin/Darcy's wet garments in a paper - we must accept now that this particular image has irreversibly become a yardstick of well deserved popularity every time there's a reference to TV costume drama."}, {"response": 565, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 30, 2000 (17:08)", "body": "The wet shirt and breeches have shown up quite a bit in articles about the BBC's forthcoming broadcast of Madame Bovary, i.e., the Frances O'Connor and Greg Wise outdoor romp."}, {"response": 566, "author": "ommin", "date": "Thu, Mar 30, 2000 (19:25)", "body": "Thats an interesting thought - re they have got a hit on their hands. I have talked to quite a few people re - D.Q. and have not yet heard an adverse criticism of it. Perhaps the BBC got a good report from our ABC!!"}, {"response": 567, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar 30, 2000 (19:28)", "body": "we must accept now that this particular image has irreversibly become a yardstick of well deserved popularity every time there's a reference to TV costume drama. P&P as a costume drama has become the epitome and yardstick to which every other one is compared. The Dallas Morning News in their TV reviews about forthcoming costume dramas (The Aristocrats, VF,Madame Bovary...)...invariably says: \"..don't expect this to be another Pride and Prejudice.\""}, {"response": 568, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (09:01)", "body": "(Bethan) I'm hoping that CF may lift his head above the parapet in the UK in April. Hee hee! It's been a long few months, hasn't it? I selfishly hope he's well-rested and ready to work, work, work for the rest of the year!"}, {"response": 569, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (19:01)", "body": "Hi: That photo I mentioned a week or so ago - the one the new FOF took of the P&P Darcy portrait? Well, I received and scanned it today. It is up here: http://www.geocities.com/firthfan/portrait.html Arrow down to the last two pictures. Murph"}, {"response": 570, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (20:14)", "body": "Thanks Murph...think Colin posed for it?Hardly resembles him. The crotch looks padded...."}, {"response": 571, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Apr  1, 2000 (04:17)", "body": "Kept an eye on the papers last week....no real news, but a few tidbits. Sam Mendez has turned down an offer to direct a mega million Dreamworks production, as he wants to work with his \"family\", the Donmar. Instead Dreamworks are investing in the Donmar theatre and in a new production company Donmar Films. Mendez' next production is \"Twelfth Night\", with a \"homegrown\" British cast. Also, a lot in the press about how the globalisation of the movies means that Brit actors are very unlikely to be cast in lead roles, even when the role is English, or Scottish. I'm really keeping my fingers crossed for MD and BJD (although I'm sure he's got it). I think, without being too cynical, that they may have brought HG in as \"insurance\" because CF doesn't have a big enough \"name\" for the global market or to head the billing. I wonder what CF's other projects are. Despite the delays over DQ, I still think there's a lot to be said for quality primetime TV. There are just far too many movies out there, and, (in the UK) too small an audience."}, {"response": 572, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr  1, 2000 (07:41)", "body": "Bethan, are you no longer reading #127. The Mendes info was posted there."}, {"response": 573, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Apr  1, 2000 (08:48)", "body": "Thanks, Murph, for showing us that portrait (and need I add that lovely fellow in the damp white shirt). I agree, Evelyn, the more I look at it, it looks less and less like Colin. Definitely not painted by Reynolds. ;-) I still think it would be fun to search out. It's not a bad idea to post Colin-related news here as well. Not everyone goes to 127. Keep digging up the news, Bethan, et al. One of these days it might actually be good."}, {"response": 574, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Apr  1, 2000 (10:49)", "body": "Thanks Murph! Imagine her surprise to see the portrait in a shop window?"}, {"response": 575, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Apr  1, 2000 (11:28)", "body": "The portrait of Darcy - the actual prop used in the BBC TV adaptation - was acquired by Sue Birtwistle at the end of the filming. So now the mystery has finally been unravelled. Contrary to various surmisings, Sue did not hang it over her own mantelpiece... but obviously gave it to Colin's mum."}, {"response": 576, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Apr  2, 2000 (03:13)", "body": "Article in the Sunday Telegraph...The BBC is to set up a new Film unit, so that the BBC can become a world player in making successful movies. The unit is to be headed by Alan Yentob, will have a large budget, and will harness the talents of Sam Mendes and Anthony Minghella. The Telegraph mentions that Alan Yentob is a friend of Richard Curtis and that he (AY, that is) will have full creative control. As Alan Yentob went to see CF in 3DOR, and CF has worked/is friendly with all the other names mentioned, maybe there will be something in it for him. In the next month or so, we'll have the chance to see CF in two movies in the UK, which hopefully will both get some publicity (absolutely crucial these days...unsung is unheard) and remind people that he has a movie career!! The BBC have apparently made two films recently, \"Mansfield Park\" which has not had good reviews, and \"Love Honour and Obey\" with Jude Law. I've seen a couple of reviews for \"Love Honour and Obey\" and they're absolute stinkers (SLOW looks good by comparison) but no doubt it will get a lot of promo and a national release. I'm coming to the conclusion that in the UK it's not the quality of the film that matters but the amount of publicity it and the \"stars\" receive. Some blowing of one's trumpet is a \"must\"!!!"}, {"response": 577, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Apr  2, 2000 (04:37)", "body": "The Telegraph also says that Alan Yentob will have authority over the BBC's drama and entertainment programme (and for the first time will have a seat on the BBC's Executive Committee, which gives him a direct say in running the BBC.) This means that DQ will be on his \"slate\". By all accounts he's a very likeable and accessible man (unlike some others in the BBC hierarchy), rather disorganised (wears odd socks and jumpers inside out!) It might be worthwhile emailing him (presumably ayentob@bbc.co.uk) to ask about DQ (UK and USA) and perhaps mention that you'd seen CF in 3DOR, were impressed by the performance and how pleasant he was etc, and it's about time we saw more of him on the BBC. The article mentioned collaboration with the US, so the US and other overseas markets are important. There may well be no response, but it can't do any harm. I just feel that UK drama is being hi-jacked by yob trailer-trash culture/Hello magazine \"celebrities\" at the moment!!"}, {"response": 578, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Apr  2, 2000 (07:27)", "body": "(Bethan)(wears odd socks and jumpers inside out!) That makes Colin look positively dandy by comparison ;-)"}, {"response": 579, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr  2, 2000 (08:40)", "body": "Sunday Times' article about the BBC reorg (to be announced tomorrow) has a pic of Lizzy and Darcy at the top. The Telegraph must have a scoop on the film unit, as the Times' mention of Yentob is more in keeping with what's been written for the past few weeks, i.e., being moved out of the day-to-day running, while he contemplates outside offers. ;-)"}, {"response": 580, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr  2, 2000 (10:58)", "body": "I'm coming to the conclusion that in the UK it's not the quality of the film that matters but the amount of publicity it and the \"stars\" receive. Not just the UK, Bethan,All Over!!No matter who is the star...he/she has to get out and plug it(at least go to the premiere;-)).Lots of good films never even get seen....ask SD...he's got several we've recently discovered.(He's another one who hides behind the \"privacy mask\".)"}, {"response": 581, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Apr  2, 2000 (14:04)", "body": "I'm coming to the conclusion that [...] it's not the quality of the film that matters but the amount of publicity it and the \"stars\" receive. Where have you been all your life, Sleeping Beauty??? ;-) ;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 582, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Apr  3, 2000 (08:01)", "body": "The New YorK Times today has this story on its front page. I have only excerpted part of it. I bet Colin is up in arms! See the last quoted paragraph - The Refugee Council's Nick Hardwick. - Murph ********************************** April 3, 2000 Britain Raises the Barriers High Against the Asylum Seekers By SARAH LYALL LONDON, April 2 _ In the latest effort by a West European government to stem the tide of immigrants flowing into the region, many of them from war-ravaged, post-Communist Eastern Europe, a sweeping law takes effect in Britain on Monday that aims to make the country far less attractive to asylum seekers. Last year, more than 70,000 people applied for asylum here, compared with about 5,000 just before the Berlin Wall fell in 1989. And with a backlog of more than 100,000 people and their families waiting to hear whether they qualify for asylum, the Labor government has been under intense pressure to act decisively, even to the point of including provisions in the new law that many of its members might well have criticized as draconian a decade ago. Under the law, asylum seekers will be given vouchers redeemable for goods worth about $58 per person per week, instead of cash welfare benefits. Instead of being able to settle where they want, asylum seekers with nowhere to go will be sent to one of 13 designated areas around Britain, some far away from refugee support networks. The government has also pledged to speed up the asylum process, and to close most avenues of appeal for rejected applicants. And it is imposing steep penalties, of about $3,300 per passenger, on drivers caught with foreign stowaways on their cargo trucks.... ....Although the Conservative opposition has continually attributed the increase to what it contends is a too-soft immigration policy, proposing that many illegal immigrants should be automatically detained and deported, refugee groups point out that the reality is far more complicated. \"The figures are higher than last year but so are the instances of human rights abuse, political persecution, internal conflict and turmoil raging around the world,\" Nick Hardwick, chairman of the Refugee Council, a London group that works on behalf of refugees, said recently. \"This period also contains a European war described as the greatest humanitarian disaster since the end of the Second World War by the NATO spokesman, Jamie Shea,\" he added, referring to last year's conflict over Kosovo. The full story is here: http://www.nytimes.com/library/world/europe/040300britain-immigrate.html"}, {"response": 583, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr  3, 2000 (08:50)", "body": "Hey...the Okies from Fenokies will take'em...we need people;-)"}, {"response": 584, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr  3, 2000 (16:30)", "body": "The BAFTA craft award shortlist was announced. I can understand why the costumers and hair stylists from TTOTS were not nominated. ;-)"}, {"response": 585, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Apr  3, 2000 (18:00)", "body": "Do you think it was the press-on sideburns which had the unfortunate look of being some kind of pair of matched millipedes? Or could it have been that ill-fitting frock coat, that no man of the Master's social class would have taken out of the tailor's shop?"}, {"response": 586, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr  3, 2000 (19:18)", "body": "Perhaps the costume designer was striving for the category: Best Designer for the \"One Size Fits all Costume\";-)"}, {"response": 587, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr  4, 2000 (10:19)", "body": "Since things have been pretty quiet, here's a publicity pic that I ran across just recently and it's for Fatal Woman (really, that's what is printed on it): Yummy though. ;-)"}, {"response": 588, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Apr  4, 2000 (16:52)", "body": "He looks a bit grey-green here."}, {"response": 589, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr  4, 2000 (18:03)", "body": "Don't ask me how I know this, but Playmaker will be on television in New Zealand on Thursday at 1.30 a.m. on TV2. Here's the description: Made-for-TV erotic thriller about a struggling actress (Jennifer Rubin) under the influence of her acting coach's (Colin Firth) bizarre training methods. Gets more interesting as it goes along. (1hr 50min)"}, {"response": 590, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Apr  4, 2000 (19:09)", "body": "That's a pretty pic. His chest does look a little mossy but the face is just fine. Don't ask me how I know this Why? Too embarrassing to admit typing PLAYMAKER in the Search box? Made-for-TV It was? Surely not for USA TV. Gets more interesting as it goes along. Oh yeah. I was hooked by the time she donned that lousy disguise.;-)"}, {"response": 591, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr  4, 2000 (20:04)", "body": "(Heide) I was hooked by the time she donned that lousy disguise.;-) That was a disguise? I thought she had been accosted by a crazed milliner.;-) Sorry, I like this flick. It's so bad that it's wonderful in a campy way, and CF does a good job despite the story's shortcomings. He gives great shower.;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 592, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Apr  5, 2000 (10:08)", "body": "Playmaker was made for tv. Cable TV (as no major studio would pick it up?) I thought it was better in the beginning, tanked towards the end. (but then again, I always watch it drunk!)"}, {"response": 593, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr  5, 2000 (12:09)", "body": "(Laura)(but then again, I always watch it drunk!) So it's you who has been in the Chat Room under a pseudonym;-) Actually, I thought Playmaker had been released as a film in the US ...limited, I am sure.I met the producers at the \"Wilde\" Premiere.... Did not mention...\"Oh, I've seen a previous production of yours....\";-)"}, {"response": 594, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr  5, 2000 (12:55)", "body": "(Mari) He gives great shower.;-) ;-) LOL! Wasn't it you who said Ross had \"nice auburn curls. Nice head hair too\"? (Evelyn) I met the producers at the \"Wilde\" Premiere.... Did they have paper bags over their heads? Did not mention... You didn't ask about stand-ins, stunt doubles (in the riveting mountain bike scene) and so forth? Shucks. P has its moments, though, doesn't it? ;-) I like it better than coughcoughCamille."}, {"response": 595, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr  5, 2000 (14:14)", "body": "(Eileen) LOL! Wasn't it you who said Ross had \"nice auburn curls. Nice head hair too\"? Yup. Busted again!;-)"}, {"response": 596, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Apr  5, 2000 (15:45)", "body": "On the topic of hair in \"Playmaker\", I'd describe the hair on his head as being auburn. As for the other curls in question, they were more of a chestnut color. Oh nuts -- I just couldn't resist the bad pun."}, {"response": 597, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Apr  5, 2000 (15:51)", "body": "ROTFLOL, Cheryl - methinks you've been watching this movie far too much ;-D"}, {"response": 598, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr  5, 2000 (15:52)", "body": "You didn't ask about stand-ins, stunt doubles (in the riveting mountain bike scene) and so forth? Shucks. Am I glad this crowd wasn't around at that time....you guys would have drawn up a set of questions and had me bring the P. discussion folder!!"}, {"response": 599, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  5, 2000 (16:30)", "body": "hee hee, at least it would prove to him that we aren't just fixated on Darcy. ;-)"}, {"response": 600, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Apr  5, 2000 (17:13)", "body": "(Evelyn)you guys would have drawn up a set of questions and had me bring the P. discussion folder!! You betcha!:-D"}, {"response": 601, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  6, 2000 (12:09)", "body": "From BBC News (5/4/00) Colin's on permament public display!! [btw, why didn't we know about this? would've been better than the Dome's exhibits!] [caption: Colin Firth set a standard for period drama heart=throbs] BBC magic moments showcased Morecambe and Wise: One of many classic BBC moments Doctor Who, Bill and Ben, Rowan Atkinson and Morecambe and Wise are among dozens of stars highlighted in a new exhibition from the BBC. The BBC Sight and Sound 1950-2000 takes visitors through 50 years of BBC radio and TV programmes and news events. It focuses around four specially-compiled films featuring many of the best-loved names and programmes in the corporation's history. The films also highlight some of the key news and sporting events covered by half a century of BBC News. Matthew Bannister, Director of Marketing and Communications, opened BBC Sight and Sound as part of BBC Experience - the permanent public display at Broadcasting House. He said: \"With such a wealth of outstanding material from the BBC's past and present archives, this is a great new BBC experience for every age and interest. \"As well as renowned comedy, drama, factual, sport and children's classics, visitors will recapture some of the most memorable events of the past 50 years, as recorded by the BBC.\" The four films - one for radio and three for television - are shown in four \"rooms\". Each room reflects different decades through the use of period television sets, radios and artefacts from each era. Other classic BBC programmes revisited by BBC Sight and Sound include comedy favourites Hancock's Half Hour from 1956 and Dad's Army, which started in 1968. From the 1980s and 1990s, Absolutely Fabulous, Blackadder and Goodness Gracious Me are highlighted. Recent memorable drama series selected for the exhibition include the 1995 adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. The 1966 World Cup is one of the jewels of the BBC's sporting back catalogue. While news events from the Queen's Coronation to the millennium celebrations are also featured. BBC Experience was opened by the Queen in 1997 and currently attracts more than 100,000 visitors a year. It was recently voted best small attraction of the Year by readers of top travel trade magazine, Group Travel Organiser. Consumer magazine Holiday Which? ranked it top in its group of indoor visitor attractions, awarding it four stars."}, {"response": 602, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr  6, 2000 (13:29)", "body": "... [btw, why didn't we know about this? would've been better than the Dome's exhibits!] It should be a Dome exhibit.The Best of Britain! LOL about BBC still touting P&P even after all these years and countless period dramas since....and yet it was not deemed worthy of a BAFTA.Shocking!"}, {"response": 603, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr  6, 2000 (14:00)", "body": "[caption: Colin Firth set a standard for period drama heart=throbs] (Karen) would've been better than the Dome's exhibits!] Mmmm . . .and that photo could have gone nicely with the \"things that have washed up on Britain's beaches\" display.;-)"}, {"response": 604, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Apr  6, 2000 (18:39)", "body": "Whoo! Definitely on the agenda for the next visit. that photo could have gone nicely with the \"things that have washed up on Britain's beaches\" display.;-) LOL, Mari. Would indeed look lovely next to the driftwood and old tyres."}, {"response": 605, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Apr  7, 2000 (08:56)", "body": "(Mari) \"things that have washed up on Britain's beaches\" display.;-) (Heide) Would indeed look lovely next to the driftwood and old tyres. ...and reels of MLSF, due to wash up in a few weeks. Am not surprised to see BBC exhibit featuring P&P2. On sale here in the US is \"50 Years of the BBC\" (or something to that effect) which features Darcy on the cover."}, {"response": 606, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Apr  7, 2000 (13:05)", "body": "Screen Daily has posted a likely list of Cannes films at their site. Official announcement is in another week or so. Relative Values is not there.:-( Do we know who is distributing RV in the U.S.?"}, {"response": 607, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr  7, 2000 (16:20)", "body": "Yeah, I read that too. Argh. Doesn't look like it's going to be there. Also read detaied article in either Variety or THR (actual paper paper) about all the submissions. Didn't see it listed there either. No one has picked up US distribution yet, and the company that has it hasn't decided whether to do it themselves or not. Waiting to see how it does in UK, which will be btw June 9th or 16th."}, {"response": 608, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Apr  7, 2000 (16:24)", "body": "If there are any Simon fans out there, I have new pages on COF - Mickie sent me a bunch of DVD captures. Thanks, Mick! http://www.geocities.com/firthfan/cof/cof1.html Murph"}, {"response": 609, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr  7, 2000 (17:09)", "body": "Oooh, DVD captures are wonderful. Thanks, Mickie and Murph."}, {"response": 610, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Apr  7, 2000 (18:04)", "body": "(Karen) No one has picked up US distribution yet, and the company that has it hasn't decided whether to do it themselves or not. Darn. I thought with Julie in the lead, this one would be a slam dunk. I don't know why but I thought for sure I'd be seeing a new CF film on the big screen this summer. Let's hope for a good reception in the UK. There's always Londinium, a sure thing for wide distribution if there ever was one.;-) Murph and Mickie, the COF captures are great! Thanks. But would it have killed you to superimpose my pic over Saffron's face in The Car scenes?;-)"}, {"response": 611, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Apr  7, 2000 (18:31)", "body": "Karen says re RV: No one has picked up US distribution yet, and the company that has it hasn't decided whether to do it themselves or not. Waiting to see how it does in UK, which will be btw June 9th or 16th. ******** I thought too that this would be pretty big, but not to even be sure it will be picked up here in the US? UGGHHHHH! Murph"}, {"response": 612, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr  7, 2000 (20:01)", "body": "Thanks Murph...how clear those DVD's are. The hotel is my fave....I know he has to be a cad...but why is it I don't dislike him?"}, {"response": 613, "author": "katemcq", "date": "Sat, Apr  8, 2000 (00:01)", "body": "I know that several months ago there was talk of Fever pitch being released in the US and that it ended up in New York, at least. Has it been released on video here yet? I keep on searching at my local, but to no avail. Help! Thanks - I know that the women (and men) here will have the answer to my question. I always enjoying lurking and reading the latest. KateMcQ"}, {"response": 614, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Apr  8, 2000 (04:01)", "body": "The films for the Cannes FF are announced on the 18th, but RV, to me, doesn't seem to be a typical FF candidate. Perhaps it will be shown out of competition, or at a special Charity preview. Although there's a lot of hype about Cannes, very few films shown there do anything at the Box Office. I think that RV will get a very select release in the UK. But I do expect to see some promotion, interviews with JA etc. I'm not being defeatist here, but any movie that isn't aimed at the 16-25, predomonantly male, market, has zero chance of box Office success. RV would do well on video, and extremely well if shown on terrestial TV. Mansfield Park, despite being promoted as raunchy, has bombed completely, and has been withdrawn after one week.(had poor reviews though)"}, {"response": 615, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Apr  8, 2000 (07:50)", "body": "Kate, you can order Fever Pitch in North American format (NTSC) from Videoflicks in Canada for $29.99 US dollars. Has anyone checked US sites yet for availabilty? No matter, Canada's close enough."}, {"response": 616, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr  8, 2000 (09:32)", "body": "(Bethan) Perhaps it will be shown out of competition, or at a special Charity preview Since I was told it was \"submitted,\" that would not mean a charity preview. But it never meant \"in competition,\" which I agree RV is not typical Cannes FF fare. Remember there are other categories for screening: Directors Fortnight and Un Certain Regard. Among the films tipped to be in the Miramax-Ethan Hawke Hamlet, Merchant-Ivory The Golden Bowl, and The House of Mirth. (Bethan) Although there's a lot of hype about Cannes, very few films shown there do anything at the Box Office. That's particularly true of the films \"in competition.\" Most are the epitome of \"art house\" films and you really have to seek them out. I just saw Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai, which was shown last year at Cannes. Re: Fever Pitch This release can't be sold by US sites; would be illegal. So you have to buy from Videoflicks or other Canadian sellers."}, {"response": 617, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Apr  8, 2000 (09:58)", "body": "I'm not being defeatist here, but any movie that isn't aimed at the 16-25, predomonantly male, market, has zero chance of box Office success. I keep telling you...that's the only group that Pays Money..like$$$..at the Box Office.The rest are \"renters\". If you were a producer would you risk your money on a film no one was gonna pay to see?Only Miramax does that...and makes it up with \"Deuce Bigalow.\" ~~~~~ Even without the sex and recycling Fanny Price and making her like Lizzie, or throwing in the slave trade to make it relevant, \"Mansfield Park\" , IMO was a dog. Further more I didn't even like the book.Poor Austen choice. Andrew Davies is writing the screen play to \"Northanger Abbey\".Good luck."}, {"response": 618, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sat, Apr  8, 2000 (21:15)", "body": "The more I read the more depressed I get re: quality film. In my opinion T.V. is the only way to go for people like Colin and of course Jane Austen, Charles Dickens etc. Eventually maybe the rest of the populace will return to the cinema but I doubt it. Not with video's and dvd's to be seen in the safety of ones home. It amazes me how well MLSF has done in Australia. Apparently it is still showing in two cinemas in Adelaide and was on for nine weeks here in Perth. Fever Pitch was in three cinemas, two of which were blockbuster ones. The other a main cinema in the centre of Perth. Perhaps it is safer here than in the U.K. to visit the cinema - also we have many more. A question for you in the U.K. is it the critics that damn a film, are they young and only give a good write up for their particular choice? Our main critics are well into middle age and films are considered for all ages and they are just in all genre of films, and I have yet to see one of Colin's films get less than 3 and one half sta s."}, {"response": 619, "author": "katemcq", "date": "Sat, Apr  8, 2000 (22:15)", "body": "Ladies - Thanks for the information. I don't understand the US distributors - there's definitely a market for the movie - albeit small. I'll try vieoflicks."}, {"response": 620, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr  8, 2000 (23:02)", "body": "Very long article in The Observer - all about Colin!!! Mentions BJD, DQ, MLSF and RV! Hoorah!! Some press for the poor boy. ;-) http://www.newsunlimited.co.uk/observer/life/story/0,3879,157249,00.html"}, {"response": 621, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr  8, 2000 (23:28)", "body": "Here's the article: True Romance Fame has come full circle for Colin Firth. He won the heart of very woman in the country as Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. Now he's set to play Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones's Diary. A case of art imitating art\ufffd but without the sideburns William Leith Sunday April 9, 2000 The Observer Colin Firth! Mr Darcy! You cannot mention one of these names without the other following immediately. Both have been changed immeasurably, in the public eye, by their relationship with the other. Before the Firth treatment, Mr Darcy was seen as a dour, mildly unpleasant, if misunderstood character in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Before he was Darcy, Colin Firth was a tall, well-built English actor with an expressive face and a string of smouldering, half-forgotten characters behind him. He'd been Robert Lawrence, the wounded Falklands veteran; he'd been Valmont in the Milos Forman film of the same name; he'd been a nutcase in a Ruth Rendell crime drama. And then, in 1994, he was cast as Mr Darcy. What was so special about Mr Darcy? Women loved him. For a great part of the BBC's version in the story, he hung around in the background, not saying much. Firth did a lot of his acting with his eyes. Other characters talked a great deal about him while he was absent. Unlike a lot of male heroes, he was a mystery. He was in no way a feminised wimp. Late in the day, burning with passion and unfulfilled sexual desire, he jumped off his horse into a pond and emerged, his shirt dripping. What people remember is those mutton-chop sideburns flying through the air. For the entire Bridget Jones generation, this was a superb antidote to the dull, whining, noncommittal New Man of the 90s - and he didn't drink lager and go on about football all the time. Since then, Firth has become part of the zeitgeist. He has entered the language. After Darcy, of course, he was playing a 90s football fan - the Nick Hornby character in Fever Pitch. Next, rumour has it, he will play Mark Darcy in the film version of Bridget Jones's Diary. The official status of the rumour, according to a spokesperson from Working Title, the film's production company, is 'unconfirmed'. Still, it's pretty exciting. Bridget has already interviewed a fictional version of Firth himself in the second Bridget Jones book, The Edge of Reason. In the world of Colin Firth, art is beginning to copy art. At the moment of Darcy, Firth, who was 34, was wondering how much time he had left as a romantic lead. Having accepted the part, he said, 'I don't know how much longer that sort of character will be available to me.' Afterwards, he was stunned at the way people identified him with the character. 'I felt as if I'd lost my whole personality,' he says. He tells me: 'It's been very strange, this idea of Mr Darcy appealing so much to women. Because obviously, as you can see, I don't carry that around with me. I'm not so Mr Darcy every day of my life. If people expect to see a saturnine, dark, smouldering tall aristocrat, they are going to be disappointed.' At rest, Firth's face is set in a sort of handsome grimace, he looks easily haunted. The mouth turns slightly down; the bones of the face cast shadows. But his expressions change with almost no effort; as an acting tool, this is a highly strung face. One slight touch on the happy pedal and he beams; an iota of misery and he glowers. 'I never saw myself as Mr Ugly, but I'm not that handsome,' he told me. 'I can sort of be made to look quite a lot better or quite a lot worse.' I first meet Colin Firth, now 39, on the set of Donovan Quick, a forthcoming BBC television film in which, as usual, he plays an intense, edgy fellow who hides behind a mask of English reticence. He is genial and welcoming, and speaks in that unusual, slightly old-fashioned voice which is perfect for costume drama. That's his actual voice. In person, Firth is not at all like Darcy. There is no sense of menace. Firth's character, obsessed with the tyranny of a national bus company, starts his own. Firth spends the day patiently approaching the bus, and entering the bus, and entering the bus, over and over. He takes instructions from the director, David Blair, with absolute humility. Before we meet again, I catch him several times on TV. He's prolific, having made more than 30 films, and you can often get a glimpse of him late at night, in a youthful guise. Sometimes he has a caddish moustache. Early Firth looked jittery and worried. The mature, smouldering Firth came later. Firth is very English; he plays people who hide their emotions. He often appears melancholic. Firth himself had an unhappy childhood. He once said: 'I'm very suspicious of people who romanticise their childhood.' Firth is married to Livia Guiggioli, an Italian documentary maker. Nick Hornby describes her as 'joke-perfect: PhD, beautiful in that sultry Italian way, funny and vivacious'. She is also, he says, 'very good for Firth, because she's absolutely not in any thra"}, {"response": 622, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (03:01)", "body": "Many, many thanks, Karen! Well spotted!! Am off to buy a copy of the Observer, to see if there are any pics. Sounds like a magazine article. Some new stuff there. So Livia is a documentary maker and has a PhD (and beautiful!) And his granfathers were ordained ministers. Have wondered about that. Missionaries were not always ordained. Love the comment about his old headmaster writing to his parents ...probably thought CF was a model student! Interesting cooment on RF as well...I've often wondered if Colin wanted those roles (who wouldn't?)"}, {"response": 623, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (07:04)", "body": "Thanks, Karen!! This story made my day. It\ufffds been such a long time since the last big interview. Btw ain\ufffdt it great that Colin loves Faulkner, I could\ufffdve bet on it. Funny though that all the old stuff about Darcy & the pond, Lawrence, Meg & grizzly bears, bad boy at school, Drama Centre etc. was again recycled but there was nothing about his latest success, 3DOR. rumour has it, he will play Mark Darcy in the film version of Bridget Jones's Diary. The official status of the rumour...is 'unconfirmed'. Aha! This means: he\ufffds IN!"}, {"response": 624, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (09:39)", "body": "Thanks, Karen. Such a great article. It really captures a lot of the personality of the man himself, and seems to be completely updated. One of the best I have read about him. A great find, and so needed right now. Perhaps (we hope) it is a prelude to the official news about Mark Darcy. xx Murph I have it on my pages now, if anyone misses it for some reason."}, {"response": 625, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (11:24)", "body": "Ohhh! Wonderful! Thank you, Karen, for finding this. I've also put it up the link on cf.com. Perhaps the best article about him ever, and for sure the longest. This author (can't believe it is a man) has studied his subject almost as thoroughly as any Firthologist around here, but obviously had better access to the sources ;-) PS: Meet you in Moscow."}, {"response": 626, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (12:01)", "body": "Sorry I posted in the wrong topic: Thank you Karen...what a super interview. Sad when he talks about Ralph Fiennes doing all the thing he wants to do. When I saw The End of the Affair, I could have wept thinking of Colin in that role. ~~~~~ Would someone pl. explain this to me...: \"Firth was taught the Laban theory of psychological types, and put through the paces of 'Russian emotional freedom and Jewish introspection'. He came to know the 'reality of the inner world'. ~~~~~ He likes opera..(Livia?) He sounds v. happy :-)"}, {"response": 627, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (13:25)", "body": "Did anyone catch Stephen Fry on Parkinson on Friday? RV was discussed, apparently JA has particular skills in \"farting\" as disclosed on air! Luckily given that vein of humour, SF declined to mention our DB.... luckily for us? Also read an article in current Radio Times on Jack Dee, he is 38 and spent an unhappy time at a comprehensive in Winchester. Just wondered if he and CF had come across each other before Londinium? Typically the article mentioned all JD' acting roles/recent projects, except the one I wanted to hear about!! Anyway the Observer has more than made up for that, thanks Karen for breaking the news. Had a scoop of my own today... blockbuster's single copy of SLOW was actually available to rent, it's normally out. So I am off to enjoy some Matthew close ups."}, {"response": 628, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (14:42)", "body": "Luxuriously long article. Loved it and that it provoked so many long time droolers to respond. We back a winner, even if he doesn't get those Ralph Fiennes parts. How many of us cringed at this from the author...\"Darcy appealing to the growing constituency of lonely thirty something women.: Ouch!! (Renate) Meet you in Moscow. I'll be there in kneepads. ;-) (Elena) but there was nothing about his latest success, 3DOR. Unless this was a veiled reference to it....\"Sometimes, he says, while acting on stage, he feels 'waves of loathing' emanating from the audience.\" LOL! Surely, not. (Lizza) RV was discussed, apparently JA has particular skills in \"farting\" as disclosed on air! Luckily given that vein of humour, SF declined to mention our DB.... luckily for us? Dear God, yes. Some things are better left unsaid. Not that it would make a whiff of difference. Any photos to the article, Bethan?"}, {"response": 629, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (14:59)", "body": "Blockbuster only has one copy?! Tut! My local has three copies...last time I checked, they were all out. Which is good news.:-) I'm very partial to Matthew. I just hope that when CF plays Mark Darcy (see, I'm no longer saying \"if\"), they'll let him appear with his natural coloring, and not dunk him in black. He looks years younger...and I like auburn! I've got the original Observer article....it's in the Magazine, a four page spread, with about ten pix of CF, most of which I'd seen before. But there are new shots. There's a large colour photo of CF and Sophie Thompson from RV, and a B&W shot of CF standing in front of scenery boards. There are also two photos next to each other, of CF with Meg Tilly, and with Livia. The Meg Tilly shot is the one in which she wears glasses and he looks like (IMHO) Kurt Russell. The Colin/Livia shot is the best I've seen of them together...he has his arm round her and they're both smiling. And I can't scan! But if these photos don't appear soon via some other more IT literate source, I'll have a go!! I think that male journalists produce better interviews with CF. He seems more at ease with them. I like the bit about his parents meeting when they were aged three and five. Real childhood sweethearts! And the comment that \"a lot of things hit me without me seeing them coming. Disappointments would take me by surprise\". He's had his fair share of ups and downs. And , reading the small print at the end, I'm glad to see that MLSF opens \"nationwide\"...May 12 though, not May 5!"}, {"response": 630, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (15:15)", "body": "Meant to add...copydates for newspaper colour mags are normally about 2 months before print date, so I guess he must have gone to LA immediately after 3DOR ended, and should be back in London now. Also, the interview seems to have been conducted in 2 stages...the first, when he was filming DQ about 12 months ago. The interview must be linked to the release of MLSF....my guess is that MLSF was originally scheduled for release last summer in the UK."}, {"response": 631, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (15:36)", "body": "This can't compete with the Observer article, but I post it nevertheless ;-) http://www.d.umn.edu/~molson2/mst3k/unitedse.html \"The United Servo Academy Men's Chorus Hymn\" from The Starfighters Music & Lyrics: Kevin Murphy Transcribed by Matthew Olson and Alana Olson [On the Satellite: A choir of uniformed Tom Servos stand in formation behind Tom, the director.] MIKE: Welcome, my friends. We are very fortunate to have with us today the United Servo Academy Men's Chorus, directed by the United Servo Academy Men's Choral Director, Vice Brigadier Sir Thomas Bullhead Servo, conducting them in the United Servo Academy Men's Chorus, um, Hymn. TOM: [to the chorus] Alright, eyes front, three and... CHORUS: Here's to the guys and gals who like to fly, Flying so high with some guy in the sky. Skyrockets in flight, Afternoon delight, Captain High at your ser--vice. TOM: Would you like to fly in my beautiful balloon? Take these broken wings and learn to fly me to the moon. Sail on silver bird, Have you ever heard that the bird is the word? CHORUS: In a big country Dreams say with you, \"Come along with me Lucille, In my merry Oldsmobile. We are kids for saving Earth, We are fans of Colin Firth. Off we go to yonder blue, We really move our tails for you. TOM: [Chorus \"ahhs\" harmony] 'Cross the wide Missouri! [music ends] MIKE: Ah! Ah, fantastic! Absolutely fantastic! That was the United Servo Academy Men's Chorus. And that sonorous tone you heard has to be due in large part to the fantastic conduc-- [chorus, under direction of Servo, begins singing \"Hinky Dinky Parlez Vous\"] What are you doing? What are you doing? Please Stop that music. Please, please do not, do not continue with this Vice Brigadier Sir Thomas Bullhead, I implore you, stop the music! Stop I say! Stop the music! Uh, Sylvester, can you get an engineer in here please, in Studio A? I apologize ladies and gentlemen. I want you out of my studio! Stop this music right now! Out, Out! Raus, Raus!"}, {"response": 632, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (15:36)", "body": "Thanks for the article, Karen! I'm going to start calling you \"Scoop\";-) Bethan, we'll anxiously await word of any new photos. I guess I'm being picky about this article but . . .they couldn't even get his place of birth right! Not even the right continent--sheesh! Spelled his wife's name wrong, too, and the dates on the Tilly relationship are not quite right. Speaking of which . . .the part about the Canada \"wilderness\" is waaaay exaggerated. Probably recycled from old stuff; CF seems to have a wicked sense of humor and I wouldn't be a bit surprised if he fed this \"living in the wilds\" stuff to some city slicker journalist way back when just to see if they'd be gullible enough to print it and they've been repeating it ever since. Lots of nice new quotes, though, but do they have to keep rehashing the school stuff? I *never* read this type of thing ad nauseum about other actors. Odd, as others have said, that there's no mention of 3DOR--but that would have been at odds with this writer's apparent agenda in presenting him as an actor who is limited in his ability to do anything but \"repressed Englishmen.\" Not sure Colin would agree with that; I sure wouldn't. Less versatile than Fiennes? No, no , no. Rafe has had the breaks and the opportunities--and to his credit, he's made the most of them. Not surprised to hear that he's longed for the Fiennes-type roles. Keep at it, Colin, it may happen for you yet. And he's studied The Method, Moon!;-) \"Sometimes, he says, while acting on stage, he feels 'waves of loathing' emanating from the audience.\" His perception is so sad--the truth is so much to the contrary. Well, I think I've learned moe about Wiles disease than I've ever wanted to know.;-) And Faulkner again? 'Fess up, Colin: that's a copy of \"Tuesdays With Morrie\" I see tucked under your arm.;-) Glad to hear he's been spending the past months with his boy. Now back to work, Colin!;-) Very interesting stuff--thanks again, Scoop.;-)"}, {"response": 633, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (15:40)", "body": ""}, {"response": 634, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (15:45)", "body": "Nice to see you back again, Lizza. Watch our darling Matthew a few times for me. (Renate) PS: Meet you in Moscow. *hee hee* I'll be taking a breather in Glasgow enroute to Moscow, looking for my little nutcase Donovan, if you please. (Evelyn) When I saw The End of the Affair, I could have wept thinking of Colin in that role. pass the Kleenex. At the Drama Centre, Fettes explains, 'there is an insistence on the Stanislavsky Method'. The approach, which is Russian, is based on using your inner demons to express the emotions of your character; you turn your own frustration into someone else's. Fettes explains that while this approach 'simply doesn't suit the Anglo-Saxon temperament in many, many cases', Firth 'responded to the training on every level, right from the early stages'. Think this pretty much *nails* the discussion of whether Colin is a \"Method\" actor. As it was pointed out, that terms (capitalized) usually refers to the Actors Studio technique associated with Lee Strasberg and others, but it was based on Stanislavky's methods of \"inside out acting.\" Here are the links to additional info on it, but can't find any mention of the Laban theory of pschological types. Will keep hunting. http://www.theatrgroup.com/Method/ Nice to see that Livia now has a profession. And we all snickered when one article referred to her as a \"producer.\" Am amazed however at all this space (emphasis) being given to his childhood and the overall characterization of its being \"unhappy.\" That's seems so unusually open. Hmmm BTW, there are tons of color photos with the magazine spread and Ann's DH has scanned in a page with the one we haven't seen yet. I'll put it up in a tad. I should be able to scan in the others tomorrow myself. :-)"}, {"response": 635, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (16:13)", "body": "I've put up the Colin and Sophie T pic on my Relative Values page: http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/rv2.html Hmmm, that \"campy\" definitely has me worried."}, {"response": 636, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (16:25)", "body": "Thanks, Karen! I will thank you everywhere you post this article. ;-) And he's studied The Method, Moon!;-) It is official! Mari, loved your comments, I see just like you. ;-) Can you imagine Colin going around the house singing Ridi Pagliaccio ?"}, {"response": 637, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (16:28)", "body": "Hmmm, that \"campy\" definitely has me worried. Yes, we will probably hate it. ;-) Then again, he may end up taking away some roles form Rupi. ;-) Thanks for the quick scan Ann and Karen."}, {"response": 638, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (16:39)", "body": "Thanks Scoop, Ann 'n James. Moxie looks glam...Peter looks 'different'...and the shirt collar doesn't fit again. ~~~~~~ My dictionary says: \"camp\"..[Oh No]...exaggerated effeminate mannerisms exhibited esp. by homosexuals. Exaggerated, affected, outrageously artificial, or out of date as to be considered amusing. Also...\"loose-limbed sensuality which was sometimes macho and sometimes ...\" We'll love Peter anyway...and we know IRL he\" isn't\"..So..who cares..."}, {"response": 639, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (17:17)", "body": "Adrian in AZ was slightly camp...reminded me at times of Felix Unger (The Odd Couple). But it's one of his best performances. In the brief clip I saw of RV, CF's voice was reassuringly deep....all three or four words!"}, {"response": 640, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (17:34)", "body": "I thought it was really refreshing to find an indepth article that for once didn't mention Jennifer in connection with Darcy, maybe the next one will spare us Meg in all her silver lame^ glory. (ouch!) Bethan, the one of him with Livia has been shown before. IMO I think it was just when he had given up smoking because his face appears much fuller. It was so much leaner and more boyish on stage. I agree it is most curious that 3DOR is not all mentioned, given its Olivier nom. At least we can all rest easy in our beds---------- the \"wave of hate etc\" was not emanating from any audiences we were in! Maybe hate and longing became confused in Walker's mind!!"}, {"response": 641, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 10, 2000 (08:39)", "body": ""}, {"response": 642, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Apr 10, 2000 (10:44)", "body": "Thanks a million for that article, Karen. At last, something new to dissect! ;-) (Moon) Mari, loved your comments, I see just like you. ;-) Me three. Refreshing as it was to read new material, I must admit it always irks me when some of the details are wrong. Then again, maybe everything else we've read is wrong and this is right (as was mentioned, the author had direct access to a rather credible source--ODB himself). Sooo, Livia's a documentary maker, then?! And did indeed finish the elusive PhD (perhaps accounting for that year in Umbria)!? And CF as MD is still an 'uncomfirmed rumour'?! (Karen) Am amazed however at all this space (emphasis) being given to his childhood and the overall characterization of its being \"unhappy.\" That's seems so unusually open. Hmmm You think (or are you being ironic)? Seems this is a recurring theme which dominates every one of his in-depth interviews. There was that piece early last year--can't remember where, but it was British--in which Colin discussed his St. Louis experience, how rough his classmates were compared to him and the 'swagger' he developed. (Lizza) maybe the next one will spare us Meg in all her silver lame^ glory. (ouch!) Hee hee! Welcome back dearie (you too, Renate). I remember this pic from another site. Fugly outfit! At least we can all rest easy in our beds---------- the \"wave of hate etc\" was not emanating from any audiences we were in! Yeah, what's up with that? Loathing, Colin? Hardly! (Evelyn) My dictionary says: \"camp\"..[Oh No]...exaggerated effeminate mannerisms exhibited esp. by homosexuals. Ohno, indeed! It's Jack from Will and Grace! Ahhhhhh! It'll be a scream to see CF play a part like this (*if* we get to see RV here in the US). Oh, well. Off to read some Graham Greene. ;-P"}, {"response": 643, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Apr 10, 2000 (13:25)", "body": "Bethan - I've got the original article too and have just been reading it again so that I will have something vaguley interesting to contribute. Here goes! I especially like the quote \"After Darcy...Christopher Fettes says (Fettes taught CF at The Drama Centre BTW..\"there was hardly a woman in England who wouldn't crawl on her knees to Moscow for a touch of his nether lip\"\" Obviously Mr Fettes underestimates the power of the man - methinks he is blissfully unaware of the cosmopolitan nature of the Firthbase and I am sure that if knees were not an option that we'd get there somehow ;-D"}, {"response": 644, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Apr 10, 2000 (16:13)", "body": "(Evelyn)We'll love Peter anyway...and we know IRL he\" isn't\".. Unfortunately, we do not know what he is or isn\ufffdt IRL, to be quite honest. Anyway, I don\ufffdt mind seeing him in a campy role, on the contrary, I\ufffdm very curious to see it. (Lizza)the \"wave of hate etc\" was not emanating from any audiences we were in! I think Colin is talking about Walker here and the negative feelings that Walker was supposed to stir, among other things. In other words, he is hoping to have made such an impact."}, {"response": 645, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Apr 10, 2000 (16:30)", "body": "(Karen) True Romance(Article) by William Leith ...(CF quote)'But the BBC wasn't going to allow nudity, so an alternative had to be found.' Thank goodness for that, or there would have been a small earthquake in the vacinity of Winchester from Miss Austen doing 360's in her grave. Nudity -- in \"Pride and Prejudice\"! How crass and obvious. Jane Austen wrote comedies of manners; she was an astute and ironic observer of social conventions. The whole idea of nudity is just so -- untoward. Some decorum, please. I don't even want to talk about the film version of \"Mansfield Park\". I enjoy the book greatly. Some Janeites consider it to be her finest novel. That is their take on the book. I found Christopher Fettes a bit disconcerting, from the tone of his comments I felt CF might be dead or dying. They sound like something from a eulogy. Okay, that is rather harsh. Revision: Fettes's comments come across like a speech from a testamonial dinner. All that's missing is the rubber chicken and the gold watch. Maybe he's pitching for a job as CF's publicist. So CF is something of a Method actor. What form of the System does the Drama Centre teach? Is the truncated form made famous by Lee Strasberg? Or the more fully developed Stanislavsky System taught by Stella Adler? Perhaps the Drama Centre offers its own take on Stanislavsky? (These are just rhetorical questions.) CF doesn't seem as fraught and intense as the general idea of a Method actor. Perhaps it's his Englishness. Has CF ever done Chekov? MLSF did have Chekovian qualities, but has he ever actually done Chekov? It would be interesting, as Stanislavsky originally started his methodology for application to the Chekov plays presented at the Moscow Art Theatre. I'm flummoxed by Nick Hornby's quote concerning Ms. Giuggioli, what does he mean that she's \"joke-perfect\"? It seems a very strange way to describe someone. Is it British slang? (Mari) Probably recycled from old stuff;...Lots of nice new quotes, though, but do they have to keep rehashing the school stuff? I *never* read this type of thing ad nauseum about other actors. It may be that CF doesn't like tallking about his life in detail. He may prefer to keep his private life private. (Part of his charm.) The journalist, William Leith, may well have had to write an article which was, more or less, a certain number of words and had to resort to padding the piece. Or the old information may have been his editor's idea. (Lizza) RV was discussed, apparently JA has particular skills in \"farting\" as disclosed on air! Luckily given that vein of humour, SF declined to mention our DB.... luckily for us? (Heide) Dear God, yes. Some things are better left unsaid. Not that it would make a whiff of difference. Snicker, snicker. Puns -- I love 'em."}, {"response": 646, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Apr 10, 2000 (17:55)", "body": "\"Joke-perfect\" means, I think, absolutely perfect, perfect beyond belief. (Karen) True Romance(Article) by William Leith ...(CF quote)'But the BBC wasn't going to allow nudity, so an alternative had to be found.' I'm not very sure about the BBC not allowing nudity. They seem to show little else but nudity at the moment (having just seen \"Madame Bovary. Most bizarre!) Andrew Davies was quoted as saying that he wanted Darcy to jump in naked, but that Colin Firth \"wasn't up for it\" (ie wouldn't do it). Sensible fellow...clothes on can be far more erotic than clothes off!"}, {"response": 647, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Mon, Apr 10, 2000 (18:54)", "body": "(bethan)I'm not very sure about the BBC not allowing nudity. They seem to show little else but nudity at the moment (having just seen \"Madame Bovary. Most bizarre!) Nudity in Madame Bovary is apropos to the story. Obviously Emma didn't like making love with her clothes on (as with the good but uptight doctor), thus her infidelity. Darcy diving into the lake was not even a part of Pride and Prejudice, so his doing so naked would have been merely salacious...and inappropriate . Personally, I find that scene more emotionally appealing than sexually so - more about Darcy's emotional suffering than his sexual deprivation (IMHO). I like Fettes' comment about Colin being a poet. Wonder if it's true."}, {"response": 648, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Apr 10, 2000 (19:23)", "body": "Andrew Davies was quoted as saying that he wanted Darcy to jump in naked, but that Colin Firth \"wasn't up for it\" (ie wouldn't do it). It wouldn't have been Colin Firth, but a stuntman doing it, anyway. *** An uplifting start to the chorus of the hymn of the Firth-faithful, (thanks for the find, Renate!): \"We are here to save the Earth we are fans of Colin Firth...\" Anyone care to contribute? ;-)"}, {"response": 649, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Apr 10, 2000 (19:27)", "body": "(Mari, Moon, Elaine, more or less) Me three. Refreshing as it was to read new material, I must admit it always irks me when some of the details are wrong. Hey, he gets points from me for getting Will's age right (I think). Thank God, your questions on the System were rhetorical, Cheryl. I'd hate to get into another one of those discussions where we all show off how very little we really know. Nice picture of Peter, I think.;-) Karen, thanks for finding this article so early."}, {"response": 650, "author": "Maureen", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (06:23)", "body": "Great article Karen, hope he does play Mark Darcy, I received BJsD Saturday and I love it."}, {"response": 651, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (07:03)", "body": "Ok, Variety is reporting it! ***** Tuesday April 11 3:18 AM ET Colin Firth may get lead entry in ``Diary'' By Adam Dawtrey LONDON (Variety) - Colin Firth is being lined up to play the romantic lead opposite Renee Zellweger in Working Title's film adaptation of ``Bridget Jones' Diary,'' with Hugh Grant as his rival. The casting of Firth, who played supporting roles in ''The English Patient'' and ``Shakespeare in Love,'' is peculiarly apt. His character, Mark Darcy, is based on Mr. Darcy from Jane Austen's ``Pride and Prejudice,'' whom Firth played in a BBC television adaptation. Firth's smoldering incarnation of Austen's hero obsessed the Bridget Jones character in Helen Fielding's original novel. The film, directed by Sharon Maguire, starts shooting May 1. Financing and distribution is split among Universal Pictures, Miramax Films and Canal Plus. Reuters/Variety"}, {"response": 652, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (08:13)", "body": "\"We are here to save the Earth we are fans of Colin Firth...\" Wasn't this heard on Mystery Science Theater 3000? (Maureen) I received BJsD Saturday and I love it. Make sure you get your hands on Edge of Reason as well. Even if it wasn't so funny, one has to love a book in which the words \"Colin Firth\" are used so frequently. Talk about free publicity!"}, {"response": 653, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (10:19)", "body": "Thanks Mari....is this pretty official?..I mean, can we start the party?"}, {"response": 654, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (11:52)", "body": "(Evelyn)\"Mansfield Park\" , IMO was a dog. Further more I didn't even like the book.Poor Austen choice. Andrew Davies is writing the screen play to \"Northanger Abbey\".Good luck. I didn\ufffdt like it either. These are my two least favourite JA books. (KarenR)He is an admirer of Ralph Fiennes, and would have loved Fiennes's part in The End of the Affair. 'He's got it covered,' says Firth. It could get quite exasperating, actually. He keeps eating up the things I'd like to do.' Well! We thought so and have been exasperated accordingly ;-) Firth studied Argentina, becoming fascinated with the place. He told one interviewer about how he saw tango as a metaphor for Argentina's political situation. Perhaps I should have danced on the sidewalk ;-) (Evelyn)He likes opera..(Livia?) Why Livia? Perhaps he liked opera first, and then Livia. He sounds v. happy :-) Does he? (Renate)\"The United Servo Academy Men's Chorus Hymn\" Renate, that was so funny, what *is* it all about? :-) (Moon)Can you imagine Colin going around the house singing Ridi Pagliaccio? Yes I can! Especially when he finds that Ralph had nicked another role he wanted. (Elena)Unfortunately, we do not know what he is or isn\ufffdt IRL, to be quite honest. So? You don't believe after Meg, Jennifer, Livia and little Will, he is definitely hetero? Skeptic lady, you! ;-) I think Colin is talking about Walker here and the negative feelings that Walker was supposed to stir, among other things. In other words, he is hoping to have made such an impact. I hope not, because he hasn't... I expect he was talking about some other play..."}, {"response": 655, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (12:36)", "body": "(Evelyn)...is this pretty official?..I mean, can we start the party? Break out the hats and noise-makers, I say:-) Don't think there's any turning back for him at this point. (KarenR)He is an admirer of Ralph Fiennes, and would have loved Fiennes's part in The End of the Affair. 'He's got it covered,' says Firth. It could get quite exasperating, actually. He keeps eating up the things I'd like to do.' (Gi) Well! We thought so and have been exasperated accordingly ;-) Sorry, but I refuse to blame Rafe for this state of affairs. If Colin really wants to start being in the running for these types of parts, he knows what he needs to do."}, {"response": 656, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (12:38)", "body": "Gaah, sorry for messing up the tags. I've gotten out of practice:-("}, {"response": 657, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (16:31)", "body": "You don't believe after Meg, Jennifer, Livia and little Will, he is definitely hetero? I\ufffdm not suggesting or believing that he is or isn\ufffdt, just idly pointing out the fact that we don\ufffdt really know anything about this or any other private things or feelings of his, we only know what we\ufffdre shown and told. He sounds v. happy :-) Does he? I also think he sounds v. balanced and sound. Only a very balanced and secure person would analyze his past the way he does, or talk in public about being exasperated because a colleague of his keeps eating up everything he\ufffdd like to do. It\ufffds an amazingly candid confession."}, {"response": 658, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (16:39)", "body": "darn"}, {"response": 659, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (17:52)", "body": "Only a very balanced and secure person would analyze his past the way he does, .. And on'n on'n on.... (Psst...you're almost 40...\"Get Over It\")"}, {"response": 660, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (17:56)", "body": "Forgot...IMHO ;-)"}, {"response": 661, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (18:11)", "body": "Agree with Susan. 'Tain't Rafe's fault Colin doesn't get those roles. Besides, I think this quote 'He's got it covered,' says Firth. It could get quite exasperating, actually. He keeps eating up the things I'd like to do.' was said with tongue firmly planted in cheek. Sounds to me like he knows just what he wants to do and is moving very securely into (sob) middle age."}, {"response": 662, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (18:33)", "body": "(Evelyn)He likes opera..(Livia?) Why Livia? This is the first time I've seen opera mentioned as one of his choices of music (though I'm not surprised as the chap is obviously very eclectic). I guess Evelyn wonders whether this may be Livia's influence. Well, we know absolutely nothing at all about Livia's likes. I expect he was talking about some other play... Possibly \"Chatsky\", his previous theatre work. The actors were praised, but the play was not very well received and he played an unsympathetic character. I also think he sounds v. balanced and sound. Only a very balanced and secure person would analyze his past the way he does, or talk in public about being exasperated because a colleague of his keeps eating up everything he\ufffdd like to do. It\ufffds an amazingly candid confession. On the other hand, maybe that's the effect he hoped to achieve: you (we) think he is what he appears to be: balanced, secure, philosophical, analytical, poking fun at himself... More at peace with himself and more confident... beginning to act mature. Less scatty perhaps (he used to be known for that). Or in other words, he has a better control of himself. But whether he really is so vastly different - I wouldn't know. Elena is right on this point. We only see what is shown to us. :-)"}, {"response": 663, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (18:35)", "body": "Oh, b.........!"}, {"response": 664, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (19:16)", "body": "I get an error message when I try to post at Topic 80, so excuse this for being in the wrong place. I thought you would like to read it. - Murph 4/12/00 - From Popcorn.com - Colin Firth Makes 'Diary' Date Mr Darcy to play Mark Darcy. Confused? Read on. In a bizarre case of art imitating art, Colin Firth is set to play the romantic lead in 'Bridget Jones' Diary'. The quirk is that Firth's character in the film, Mark Darcy, is based on Jane Austen's Mr Darcy - the character Firth himself played in 'Pride And Prejudice'. So post-modern. 'Bridget Jones' Diary' is set to begin production on May 1, with Firth starring alongside alongside Renee Zellweger (currently working on her - yikes! - English accent) and Hugh Grant. Grant will play Firth's love rival in the film, which has been adapted for the big screen by Grant's writing buddy Richard Curtis - the two previously collaborated on 'Four Weddings And A Funeral' and 'Notting Hill'."}, {"response": 665, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (21:29)", "body": "Thanks, Murph. Looks like Topic 80 went on tilt when we got to 2000 messages. Try the new Bridget topic # 131."}, {"response": 666, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (23:20)", "body": "From This is London (11/4/00) - has a mention of Colin and SD (BTW, for those interested in RF's Shakespearean productions, check out The Times and an article about Linus Roache) Stage fight for theatres by Alison Roberts London's theatrical chatterati have a big fortnight ahead of them. On Wednesday, the first-night crowd will traipse to the Gainsborough Studios in Shoreditch to witness an Almeida Theatre production of Richard II, starring Ralph Fiennes. (Handy tip: don't wear your Manolo Blahniks: it's very muddy and the Portakabin loos are distinctly unglamorous.) The following week, a revival of Peter Nichols's Passion Play opens at the Donmar Warehouse - and, yes, Sam Mendes will be there, fresh from Oscar triumph, if a little bored with shaking people's hands and pretending, poor boy, he's known them all his life. Still, anyone who's anyone in London's theatre world will fight for tickets to these two events, if only to rub shoulders with the other anyones, and thus prove that they're definitely a somebody. Between them, the Almeida and the Donmar have got London's fashionable theatrical set sewn up. This is largely because they're both quality venues, each of them with a track record of fine, accessible and innovative productions. And it's also because they're natural expansionists, run by determined directors (Mendes at the Donmar in Covent Garden; Jonathan Kent and Ian McDiarmid at the Almeida in Islington) intent on colonising the West End and beyond. Success is undeniably sexy. They are, however, quite different beasts. Should you wish, for example, you could divide them by average audience member. At the Almeida, the clientele is older and smarter. They might be celebrity academics or Left-leaning lawyers, arthouse types who'll eat, post-play, at one of those cosy little restaurants opposite the King's Head on Upper Street or head south to St Johns in Clerkenwell - the kind of people who can't quite bring themselves to throw out their old black polo neck. What they like about the Almeida is its intelligence, its casual - if somewhat uncomfortable - atmosphere and its proximity to their Islington town house. At the Donmar, meanwhile, the audience is much more student-like, a mixture of late twentysomething postgrads (who'll sit in a Soho coffee bar afterwards) and media-based culture vultures (who'll eat pretheatre dinner at The Ivy). They wear Levi's, liked the idea of Sam Mendes commissioning a musical from Alex James of Blur - sadly, it never materialised - and, rightly, worshipped Alan Cumming in Cabaret. Oddly, given these (admittedly broad-brush) audience profiles, the Almeida is the more artistically daring of the two venues. While the Donmar generally sticks to Anglo-American plays and musicals, the Almeida isn't afraid to stage an international repertoire. At the same time, both venues have big plans for the future - both are light on their feet and, thanks to long-term success, can afford to take the risks they might have baulked at before. If you can divide the two theatres by audience-member, you can equally divide them in terms of ambition. Fundamentally, both theatres want to run their own customised version of the National Theatre (that is, to stage more than one production at the same time, to run a mini-empire). They can do this by producing one show at headquarters and another couple at outposts in the West End. This isn't a case of simply transferring a successful play from original venue to West-End house - it means doing it all yourself, without the services of an intermediate producer. This way lies world domination. Can they both pull it off? First of all, they need to attract the box office-busting playwrights and actors who'll pay the rent, leaving respective artistic directors free to plot the next push into Lloyd Webber territory. Both venues have glamour on their side, though the Almeida is still the heavyweight in this respect, supported by the big guns of British theatre, including Diana Rigg, Harold Pinter, Michael Gambon (with whom McDiarmid, who's also an actor, recently starred in Tim Burton's spooky thriller Sleepy Hollow). The Islington duo can also count on their network of Hollywood friends: Fiennes, of course, Juliette Binoche (who adores the Almeida), Cate Blanchett, Liam Neeson, and Kevin Spacey, whose appearance in The Iceman Cometh proved how star-struck we really are. Spacey has since taken a place on the Old Vic's board. It's perhaps no coincidence that the Almeida will move there early next year while the Islington base undergoes minor refurbishment, adding a south London outpost to its existing network of venues. But Spacey, of course, is equally devoted to Sam Mendes. Together they made a movie, American Beauty, which won five Oscars. Mendes doesn't need to work at attracting Hollywood stars to his theatre (should he desire it), since they're lining up to work with him. And given the sensation caused by Nicole Kidman in The Blue Room, who can blame "}, {"response": 667, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (08:44)", "body": ""}, {"response": 668, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (08:46)", "body": "From The Scotsman (11/04/00): Sphagnum opus COMING shortly to a cinema near you, My Life So Far, starring Colin Firth, who is struggling to avoid being typecast as Mr Darcy. Having played him to acclaim in Pride and Prejudice, Firth is expected to sally forth to play Darcy's modern-day namesake in Bridget Jones's Diary. In his latest movie he is cast as a Scottish aristocrat who has invented some new uses for sphagnum moss, which must have had Hollywood's moguls drooling at the thought of mega box-office returns. Apparently, the aristo starts off nutty then smoulders, which must be difficult if there is a lot of moss involved. Sphagnum should not be confused with his elder brother Stirling, not to mention Moss Bros or Mossad."}, {"response": 669, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (10:44)", "body": "Is this Scottish humor? It sucks..."}, {"response": 670, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (12:43)", "body": "(SusanMC)Sorry, but I refuse to blame Rafe for this state of affairs. If Colin really wants to start being in the running for these types of parts, he knows what he needs to do. Not that I blame Rafe either (nor do I believe Colin does), but things may not be as easy as they seem..."}, {"response": 671, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (14:22)", "body": "Sphagnum should not be confused with his elder brother Stirling, not to mention Moss Bros or Mossad. (Evelyn), Is this Scottish humor? It sucks... I thought it was pretty funny, Evelyn. Strange, yes, but funny. I wonder if Colin wanted Rafe's part in the Avengers? ;-)"}, {"response": 672, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (17:47)", "body": "I am waiting for one of our theatre \"litterati\"...Arami, Cheryl, Chris(Luvvy) to pl. give us the scoop on the following from Sunday's Observer interview: \"Firth was taught the Laban theory of psychological types, and put through the paces of Russian emotional freedom and Jewish introspection. He came to know the 'reality of the inner world'....\" It could give us a good insight into his style of acting. Thank you."}, {"response": 673, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (12:16)", "body": "Rudolf Laban (1879-1958). Hungarian creator of movement training theory as applied to dance, acting, etc. The Russian/Jewish reference is to Stanislavski, I would assume. The two get paired based as they are on the exploration of \"the discovery and control of the actor's sensations, feelings and emotions\"."}, {"response": 674, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (17:52)", "body": "Chris has given us a good link to the discussion of Stanislavski's Method, as I recall. It's a rather elaborate and exhausting technique based on the actor attempting to \"become\" the person portrayed, to the point of living, thinking and feeling as if the actor were that other person. Colin's description of his experiences while (and after) playing Lawrence in Tumbledown made it obvious to me that The Method has had a profound influence on his approach. By his own admission, his efforts have on occasion caused him to suffer, sometimes more than he expected, which scared him. That's what he meant when he was quoted questioning himself: \"Is acting really worth it?\" I think that he has since revised the intensity of his personal input and attempted to put a sensible distance (yet without any discernible detriment) between his own emotions and those necessary for creating a convincing and satisfying (as opposed to merely satisfactory) illusion on stage or screen. (Stop me, someone, I could go on like this for ever... ;-))"}, {"response": 675, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (19:27)", "body": "We know you can, dear, but you've controlled yourself admirably :-)"}, {"response": 676, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (20:18)", "body": ":-P ;-)"}, {"response": 677, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (20:36)", "body": "From that This is London article you posted the other day, Karen... At the Donmar, meanwhile, the audience is much more student-like, a mixture of late twentysomething postgrads (who'll sit in a Soho coffee bar afterwards)... Whad'ya think, ladies. Better than the Lab-owning, Volvo-driving women of a certain age typecast?"}, {"response": 678, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (20:37)", "body": "(Arami)(Stop me, someone, I could go on like this for ever... ;-)) No, no, go on. I like to know about this stuff. Thank you Chris & Arami. And Karen who emailed some interesting sites on the Laban Method. Next time I see him on stage, I'll have a greater appreciation of his portrayal."}, {"response": 679, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Apr 14, 2000 (09:48)", "body": "(Evelyn)And Karen who emailed some interesting sites on the Laban Method. Are those un-postable, Karen? I'd be interested...:-)"}, {"response": 680, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 14, 2000 (10:38)", "body": "Sure, Gi, happy to provide here as well, but first a bit of info about the Drama Centre, where Colin was trained: Drama Centre London was founded in 1962 and it is of historical interest that in those turbulent years it was one of the very few examples of a successful student revolt. It represented a response to the creation of a National Theatre that was to make demands on the actor hitherto without precedent. It was and is a true example of conservatoire training since it made available to students in the UK a selection of the work of major innovators in theatre practice from both sides of the Atlantic. These include * The Moscow Arts Theatre * The Actors Studio of New York - Lee Strasberg * The H.B. Studio New York * German Expressionism - the work of Rudolf Laban and the traditions of the European Modern Dance * The work of Louis Jouvet at the Conservatoire de Paris For all this its character reflects the traditions of the English theatre and it bears in substance a striking resemblance to the approach of Joan Littlewood at Theatre Workshop. Here are some of the things I've found on Rudolf Laban: The description of a Ph.D research project entitled, \"Applications of Laban Movement Studies to Actor Training: Designing an experiential and theoretical course for training actors in physical awareness and expressivity.\" http://www.towson.edu/theatre/tcphd.html A Guide to Labanotation: http://www.rz.uni-frankfurt.de/~griesbec/LABANE.HTML The Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies - I liked the motto at the top \"move observe understand evolve: and the quote from Laban on the index page, \"We need an authentic symbol of the inner vision to effect contact...we need...to think in terms of movement.\" http://www.limsonline.org/index2.html There is also this place, which has lots of links: http://www.laban.org/ If I've left out any good ones, Evelyn, that were in my email, feel free to post them."}, {"response": 681, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Fri, Apr 14, 2000 (16:07)", "body": "HISTORIC ASPECTS OF MOTION AND SPACE Biography of Rudolph Laban RUDOLPH LABAN was born in 1879 in Bratislava, Hungary, which is now part of Czechoslovakia, (now the capital of the Sovak Republic). Even in his earliest years he was facsinated by observing people\ufffds movements. His desire to understand physical and mental effort led him on a long course of study, experiment and research. Architecture first attracted him, but did not hold his interest. He went to Paris, Berlin, Vienna and other centres of learning to seek further knowledge of the arts and sciences essential to the student of movement. He was led from the academic to the practical in search of indigenous and cultivated activity - to the American Indians , the natives of Africa, the peoples of the Near East, and the Chinese - in order to study at first hand their national habits and the manifestations of their power. Ballet naturally claimed his major attention and in time he became Director of Movement in the Berlin State Opera and one of Europe\ufffds most famous choreographers . Reacting against the artificiality of the theatre, however, he sought expression of his art and philosophy amongst the ordinary people, and all over Europe centres were established in his name for the craftsmen who came to seek advice on their own working problems and on the strains and stresses involved in their various occupations. In these centres they found the bodily awareness, understanding and relief in courses of movement that were provided especially to meet their needs. Unable to work under the Nazi regime, which looked upon his teachings of harmony and fulfilment through re-educating the sense of rhythm and movement as a threat to its own discordant philosophy, Laban and some of his pupils sought sanctuary in the U.K. Remarkable developments followed in that country, where previously very little awareness existed of the common basis which movement provides to both dance and work. During the war Laban turned to industry and established the Laban-Lawrence Industrial Rhythm, which comprised new approaches to selection, training, placing, investigation of working processes and assessing job capacities based on his researches into the natural rhythm of man\ufffds movement. This development was made in association with F. C. Lawrence, who as a management consultant included in his practice these new methodes which offered a vital contribution to the solution of the difficult problems that constantly arise in the management of men and women in industry. Early in this century, at the beginning of his career, Laban began to develop a system of movement notation for the purpose of his investigations which he called \"Kinetography\" (known as \"Labanotation\" in the U.S.A.) and published in 1928. This found world-wide recognition and is now practised in connection with a variety of human activities by scientists and artists alike. In 1959 the International Council of Kinetography Laban was founded by the leading experts from both western and eastern countries. Important in Laban\ufffds concepts and development of movement principles are his examinations of spatial relationships occuring in static and dynamic space-forms. He presented an introduction to his subjekt in his book Choreographie, which was published in 1926 in Germany but has been out of print for many years. During his later years he developed conciderably his studies of space harmony and left a manuscript on the subject called \"Choreutics\". This was published posthumously in 1964. In connection with investigations of human capacity in industry during the 1940's, Laban envolved the effort graph explained as a means of recording kinetic quality of performance (as opposed to spatial forms). In the further development of its use it has become an essential tool for recognising personality traits through observation and analysis of effort phrases in a person\ufffds movements. In the field of therapy the application of his effort analysis has produced remarkable results. Through his study of mind-body relationships and the psychological effects of certain movement patterns, he was able to achieve improvements in many emotionally disturbed people as was as in those with physical limitations. Significant of fast-growing interest in Laban\ufffds concepts was the forming in 1942 of the Laban Art Movement Guild, today flourishing association of international repute. After the war Laban devoted much of his energy and time to dance as an educational force. In 1946 Lisa Ullman, who had been his close associate for a number of years, founded the Art Movement Studio in Manchester, which became the trainingcentre for movement study and educational dance baced on Laban\ufffds concepts and findings. Laban lectured regularly at the Studio, at the same time visiting various universities and educational establishments as guest lecturer. He was also for many years co-director with Esme\ufffdChurch of the Northern Theatre School at Bradford and contributed to the traini"}, {"response": 682, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (14:00)", "body": "Brief mention in 5th paragraph. Indie drives soccer club documentary to goal By Adam Dawtrey LONDON (Variety) - The independent film company Icon Entertainment Intl. is backing a feature documentary about Manchester United, the world's richest soccer club. American sports documentary filmmaker Bob Potter is directing the movie, which follows England's most successful team through the current season, which runs from last August to May. The film is scheduled for world premiere in October in Manchester. Potter's company, Bombo Sports & Entertainment, will co-produce the film with Icon. It marks another attempt by the film industry to cash in on the huge global following for soccer, and for Manchester United in particular. `Best,'' Mary McGuckian's biographical film about the club's most famous past player, George Best, will be released in British theaters this summer. Working Title Films is preparing ``Busby's Babes,'' about the airplane crash that wiped out the exceptional Manchester United squad of the 1950s, and other versions of that same story are also in the works. Yet soccer has a vexed track record at the box office -- recent British films such as ``Fever Pitch'' and ``The Match'' died on their theatrical release. Such is the box office stigma attached to the game that FilmFour is changing the title of its upcoming Mark Herman comedy, ``Season Ticket,'' to avoid any soccer connotations. Nonetheless, Manchester United, the current European champions and the world's richest club, has a huge global fan base. It is also a club that stirs passionate aversion in supporters of rival teams. The documentary, provisionally titled ``Manchester United the Movie,'' will follow the team to the world club championships in Tokyo and Rio De Janeiro, as well as tracking its performance in the English and European competitions. Reuters/Variety"}, {"response": 683, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (14:18)", "body": "Yet soccer has a vexed track record at the box office -- recent British films such as ``Fever Pitch''and ``The Match'' died on their theatrical release. Oh....but I thought FP was not a film about soccer, but a romantic comedy about relationships and obsessions... ;-) *winkie* *winkie* small And it didn't die in the UK...but was poorly released in the US"}, {"response": 684, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (20:25)", "body": "Looks like E! Online expanded and updated its Firth file after the BJD announcement. We knew most of this, but check out his son's name *sigh of relief for those who may have thought it was Willy Tilly* ;-) Also, I didn't know about the Apt. Zero award. Colin Firth Birthdate: September 10, 1960 Birthplace: Grayshot, Hampshire, England Occupation: Actor Quote: \"I don't think a great many things are achieved by crudely exerting yourself upon them. Still, I'd love to do cartwheels and the fireworks and the pyrotechnics. I would love to dazzle. I just don't have a great capacity for it.\" --Harper's Bazaar, May 1996 Claim to Fame: Played Tommy Judd in Another Country (1984) Significant Other(s): Wife: Livia Giuggioli; born 1970; married June 21, 1997 Jennifer Ehle, actress; born 1970 Meg Tilly, actress; born 1960; together 1989-94 Family: Grandparents: missionaries; worked in India Father: David Firth, history teacher; born 1934; traveled to various locations to teach; became history lecturer at King Alfred's College, Winchester Mother: Shirley Firth, teacher; born 1936; lecturer on comparative literature at Open University Sister: Kate Firth, voice coach; born 1961 Brother: Jonathan Firth, actor; born April 6, 1967 Son: William Firth; born 1990; mother, Meg Tilly Awards: 1988: Seattle Film Festival: Best Actor, Apartment Zero 1989: Royal Television Society: Best Actor, Tumbledown 1998: Screen Actors Guild: Cast in a Theatrical Motion Picture, Shakespeare in Love\"; shared with cast mates Factoids: Had nomadic childhood, living in England, Nigeria and St. Louis, Missouri Education: The Drama Centre, London, England"}, {"response": 685, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (09:01)", "body": "Many thanks to Karen for the links and to CherylB for the text on Laban.It looks like a very complete system supported by a very complex annotation method. To me it's like the card game, bridge: I'm glad to know what it is about but would not dream of pursuing the subject in depth ;-)"}, {"response": 686, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (13:32)", "body": "Significant Other(s): Jennifer Ehle, actress; born 1970 Can't they forget her? Meg's relationship is different..several years and produced an off-spring. Poor Jennifer has to go around like \"the scarlet letter\" . Fergodsake they were only together for less than a year. I don't see other stars where they enumerate girl friends."}, {"response": 687, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (18:28)", "body": "(Evelyn) Fergodsake they were only together for less than a year. Hey, we were together for less than a minute and I'm telling everyone DB was my significant other. ;-) Thank God for those Donmar pictures. I'm scratching my head over this: Claim to Fame: Played Tommy Judd in Another Country (1984) They couldn't think of anything else? Neat find, Mari."}, {"response": 688, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (19:00)", "body": "(Evelyn)...And it didn't die in the UK...but was poorly released in the US It was barely released in the US. It would be more accurate to say that it played in a few theatres within the international boundaries of the United States. It had no American release to speak of, not at all. (Mari) ... (from Firth entry) Claim to Fame: Played Tommy Judd in Another Country (1984) (Heide) They couldn't think of anything else? Maybe it was a favorite film of one the compilers. I once read a review of \"Another Country\" in a video guide which described CF of then being \"at his most luscious.\""}, {"response": 689, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (19:34)", "body": "Well, for once Darcy wasn't mentioned (though that role is certainly his claim to fame - so far). Odd considering BJD."}, {"response": 690, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (19:49)", "body": "I don't see other stars where they enumerate girl friends. They have so very little on his personal life that they obviously tried to pad it up a bit. (Mari) ... (from Firth entry) Claim to Fame: Played Tommy Judd in Another Country (1984) (Heide) They couldn't think of anything else? Pathetic. Hey, we were together for less than a minute and I'm telling everyone DB was my significant other. ;-) LOL! Was? Was? ;-)"}, {"response": 691, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (22:18)", "body": "Ok, in comparing other actors' summaries on the E! Online listings, it seems there's a method to their madness. \"Claim To Fame\" appears to be the actor's first major film role, not the one for which he or she is best known. For example, Tom Cruise's \"Claim to Fame\" is \"Taps\" from '81, and Julia Roberts' is \"Mystic Pizza\" form '88. Also, I should have mentioned that in addition to the bio info I posted above, there are other links there for Colin; one is called \"Credits,\" which takes you to a semi-complete list of his film work (through MLSF). \"Video\" links you to the movie trailers for ATA, MLSF, SIL, and TEP. \"Goods\" links you to posters on sale for SIL and TEP. So all in all, it's a nice page. Just go to www.eonline.com and search on Colin Firth. Evelyn, I do agree that it's weird to list Jennifer, but there again, they've done it to all of them and some of the lists are, ahem, rather lengthy. You should see the list of Significant Others for Julia Roberts--guys are lined up like dominoes, going all the way back to Liam Neeson in '88.;-)"}, {"response": 692, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (11:31)", "body": "OK, checked at the Cannes sites and seached through the press release (which is in French) for Relative Values. Not there. So I think the June 9th opening should be the one."}, {"response": 693, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (16:36)", "body": "What about premieres? I should think there should definitely be something for both MLSF and RV in London.....fairly soon for MLSF, perhaps the end of April? They have so very little on his personal life that they obviously tried to pad it up a bit. (Arami) I've always wondered about the (anonymous) girlfriend who irritated him by watching too much television, and who took the television with her when she left (his own words!). Obviously a live-in relationship! Looks like E! Online expanded and updated its Firth file after the BJD announcement. We knew most of this, but check out his son's name *sigh of relief for those who may have thought it was Willy Tilly* ;-) (Mari) The start of each decade seems particularly significant in his biodata...1960, 1970, 1990.... what of 2000, I wonder?? William Firth sounds like a very solid sort of name!"}, {"response": 694, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (16:43)", "body": "Am perhaps being greedy, but I'd like to know about the other two projects CF was considering. He's got the whole of July thru' September free! BJD is a great project in terms of exposure....everyone will know about it and (hopefully) see it. But I was impressed with the potential of \"Maid of Buttermere\"...great leading (dramatic) role, and \"Armadillo\". Hope there's more to come. BTW what happened to Pat O'Connor's \"The Lion in Winter\"? An ideal role for CF (not Anthony Hopkins!)"}, {"response": 695, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (16:59)", "body": "(Bethan)I've always wondered about the (anonymous) girlfriend who irritated him by watching too much television, and who took the television with her when she left (his own words!). Obviously a live-in relationship! All we know for certain is that she wasn't an actress."}, {"response": 696, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (17:07)", "body": "(Bethan)I've always wondered about the (anonymous) girlfriend who irritated him by watching too much television That wasn't Jennifer ...she doesn't watch TV either.... Has a TV, though, ... enjoys \"Playstation\"...pays her license."}, {"response": 697, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (17:07)", "body": "(Arami) but I'd like to know about the other two projects CF was considering. You are putting far too much stock in what the person at the agency said. Armadillo seemed the most likely to be a \"real\" project and it was supposed to be done during the summer. Even though I absolutely *hate* the idea that The Prisoner is being made into a movie, No. 6 is a role for Colin."}, {"response": 698, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (17:08)", "body": "Sorry, that quote should've been attributed to Bethan."}, {"response": 699, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (17:42)", "body": "Evelyn or Karen, do you know who we should telephone regarding the Premiere for MLSF, then perhaps Bethan and I could try and find out a few details."}, {"response": 700, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (19:47)", "body": "the (anonymous) girlfriend who irritated him by watching too much television That wasn't Jennifer ... No, it wasn't. It wasn't an actress."}, {"response": 701, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (20:07)", "body": "(Ann)do you know who we should telephone regarding the Premiere for MLSF, then perhaps Bethan and I could try and find out a few details. Bethan going to a Premiere in London ?? You gotta be kidding.... Watch your email...."}, {"response": 702, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (10:35)", "body": "Newport Film Festival (6-11 June 2000) is taking volunteers. No other info at their web site www.newportfilmfestival.com at this time."}, {"response": 703, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (15:05)", "body": "You are putting far too much stock in what the person at the agency said. Armadillo seemed the most likely to be a \"real\" project and it was supposed to be done during the summer. (Karen) Oh I dunno, call me an optimist but I think that both \"Armadillo\" and \"Maid of Buttermere\" will eventually happen. We just seem to work to more unpredictable timescales in the UK...just look how long it's taken for BJD to be up and running...they were going to start shooting last summer. Postponements and blips are the norm. Both are ideal projects for CF, and good projects are ve-r-y thin on the ground for Brittish actors who like to work in the UK!! Just watch this space...:-)"}, {"response": 704, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (15:07)", "body": "British...I can spell, can't type!"}, {"response": 705, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (15:12)", "body": "(Bethan) Just watch this space...:-) For what? What do you know that you aren't telling us? ;-)"}, {"response": 706, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (15:35)", "body": "....and good projects are ve-r-y thin on the ground for Brittish actors who like to work in the UK Is that another limitation?..Does he have to work just in the UK?"}, {"response": 707, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (17:13)", "body": "(Evelyn)Does he have to work just in the UK? No, he doesn't have to -- it would seem that lately he prefers to do so."}, {"response": 708, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (17:40)", "body": "Just watch this space...:-) Yes, I've been watching this space - getting smaller and smaller. CF will be extremely pleased, his ears must be burning much less these days."}, {"response": 709, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (08:13)", "body": "From today's Hollywood Reporter (last paragraph): Lola Films U.K. on an Endeavor By Cathy Dunkley Endeavor has signed Lola Films U.K., Spanish producer Andres Vicente Gomez's (\"Belle Epoque\") London-based sales and production company, to represent the North American distribution rights to its first four English-language films and act as a general consultant for the company. Sergio Aguero, the Endeavor agent who specializes in international affairs and indie financing for the company, said the deal was indicative of the company's desire to grow its international division and called its business plan \"the most ambitious film program ever by a Spanish company.\" Lola Films U.K. was set up last May to produce bigger-budgeted, more commercial English-language films. Lola Films is Spain's leading independent production company. Endeavor will rep domestic distribution rights for Lola Films U.K.'s \"Girl From Rio,\" directed by Christopher Monger and starring Hugh Laurie; \"Off Key,\" the $10 million-budgeted parody of the three tenors to be directed by Spanish director Manuel Gomez Pereira and starring Joe Mantegna and Danny Aiello; \"The Dancer Upstairs,\" to be directed by John Malkovich and starring Spanish heartthrob Javier Bardem in an 800 million-peseta ($5 million) production based on a script by Nicholas Shakespeare; and \"Gaudi Afternoon,\" a 900 million-peseta ($5.6 million) comedy long in the works, with Susan Seidelman at the helm starring Judy Davis, Lili Taylor, Marcia Gay Harden and possibly Juliette Lewis. Other English-language films in the works include Carlos Saura's \"The Maid of Buttermere,\" a romantic period piece set in England at the turn of the 19th century, written by Raymond Khoury and starring Colin Firth."}, {"response": 710, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (08:33)", "body": "Now who will call his agent for a confirmation? ;-)))"}, {"response": 711, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (08:35)", "body": "Oh goodie, I love the sound of this movie. What does \"in the works\" mean Karne, has he signed do you think?"}, {"response": 712, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (08:36)", "body": "sorry about the spelling of your name, Karen, I am all excitement!"}, {"response": 713, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (09:06)", "body": "(Ann) What does \"in the works\" mean You won't be seeing it shortly. ;-)"}, {"response": 714, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (09:08)", "body": "Probably means that he's read the script and indicated an \"interest.\" Nothing more."}, {"response": 715, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (09:44)", "body": "I hope they don't pay him in \"pesetas\" ...he'll have to bring a duffel bag!"}, {"response": 716, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (10:13)", "body": ""}, {"response": 717, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (10:17)", "body": "(Evelyn)I hope they don't pay him in \"pesetas\" ...he'll have to bring a duffel bag! Hahaha :-( As long as they pay him, why should he care?"}, {"response": 718, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (12:39)", "body": "I'm agog at that line about The Maid! I took the page off, believing it would never happen. To me Armadillo has more of a chance - Sue Birdwhistle and all. Thanks again for the scoop, Karen. HAPPY Passover and Easter to all here. You are all the greatest! Murph"}, {"response": 719, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (13:02)", "body": "and to you too Murph, and all fellow droolers."}, {"response": 720, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (13:41)", "body": "There's a very good website for Lola films at http://www.lolafilms.com Check out Projectos y rodayes, Internationale and Email. The Hugh Laurie film \"Girl from Rio\" seems to have already been shot/or will shoot from November. There are contact emails for the London office....why not ask them if CF is indeed starring in MOB? If they get a few email enquiries, someone may strike lucky and get a response! And Lola films will know that there's some enthusiasm for the project. I think this is a terrific leading role...if I had to chose between Mark Darcy and John Hadley/Hope, I'd go for Hadley...but I hope to see both!"}, {"response": 721, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (14:20)", "body": "Bethan, the Lola site is also in English. BTW, Maid has been listed there since December 1999 as a future film in preproduction."}, {"response": 722, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (15:32)", "body": "(Murph) I took the page off, believing it would never happen. This is no more information than was available before. So let's not get too excited."}, {"response": 723, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (16:35)", "body": "Confirmation of CF's actual involvement in projects seems to happen about a week before filming starts! I think the signs are very positive for MOB, but, as with BJD, maybe a little patience will be required. :-)"}, {"response": 724, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (17:30)", "body": "(Bethan)if I had to chose between Mark Darcy and John Hadley/Hope, I'd go for Hadley...but I hope to see both! There's a better chance of your seeing MD (and he getting paid!). Lola Films??Might be a little problem in distribution.! I hope this is a television film (like DQ)...better chance of people seeing it. Ole!"}, {"response": 725, "author": "ommin", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (21:24)", "body": "happy easter to all. Lets hope its a good one, and the Maid of Buttermere will happen."}, {"response": 726, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (23:29)", "body": "From The Times: Lottery cash fails to lift British films MORE than 200 British films, including Mansfield Park, Love and Death on Long Island and Metroland, have been made with the help of National Lottery finance. But less than five per cent of these have been hits, an official analysis of UK box office returns suggests. One of the worst performers has been Stephen Poliakoff's Food of Love, released last October by Film Four Distributors. The film cost \ufffd2.1 million to make and had an \ufffd800,000 grant from the Arts Council. So far the film has taken \ufffd1,507 at the box office. ~~~~~~~ Phew!! *wiping forehead in relief*"}, {"response": 727, "author": "ommin", "date": "Fri, Apr 21, 2000 (07:51)", "body": "Yes, I agree, at least it wasn't Slow. I wonder why so many have failed. We havn't done so well in Oz. either. I suppose nothing about them appeals to the 18-25 male. And yet apparently MLSF is still showing in Adelaide and it was here in Perth for nine weeks with a good attendance. Its a mystery!"}, {"response": 728, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Fri, Apr 21, 2000 (10:09)", "body": "(Bethan) I think this is a terrific leading role...if I had to chose between Mark Darcy and John Hadley/Hope, I'd go for Hadley...but I hope to see both! Agreed. I love CF in really dramatic parts; I think that they allow him to display his greatest strengths as an actor. That's just my view though. Yet the chance to see him in both projects would be even better. More of CF in the movies is always a good thing."}, {"response": 729, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 22, 2000 (14:29)", "body": "Have reproduced the Observer article from April 9, 2000, complete with pics. It's a beaut. As Bethan said, there are a couple of new pictures aside from the one from Relative Values. I'd say that first one was shot when the reporter visited him on the set of Donovan Quick and we know how incredible he looked in that one. Haven't got a clue about the b&w serious pose though. Observer article"}, {"response": 730, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Apr 22, 2000 (16:28)", "body": "Agreed. I love CF in really dramatic parts; I think that they allow him to display his greatest strengths as an actor. Yep! Definitely! Thanks for reproducing the Observer article, Karen! I'm hoping there'll be something about MLSF in the monthly magazines and daily papers in the next two weeks (but why are all magazines all \"wrapped up\" these days...can't browse!) There was a preview of new films on Radio 5...they actually mentioned MLSF, gave it a good review...\"excellent performances from Robbie Norman, and from the cast of adults MEM, MMcD, RH and IJ\". But NO MENTION of CF!!! He is the lead, right, and it's a good performance, yes? Why do the reviewers keep on doing this? I honestly think it's irresponsible and prejudiced reporting. I remember one (tabloid, male) reviewer described CF's performance in SLOW as \"the most insipid peformance ever seen on screen\" and then made some crack about how without his wet shirt, \"Mr Darcy's\" attractiveness was nil. I don't see this kind of malicious \"reviewing\" in the US or Australia!"}, {"response": 731, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Apr 22, 2000 (17:02)", "body": "Whew!! Sorry, I'm still fanning myself. Those pictures are...well, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. He looks like an angel in the first one and that Darcy photo? Shows damp Mr. Darcy at his finest. Thank you, Karen, for lifting my spirits on this dreary Saturday."}, {"response": 732, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Apr 22, 2000 (17:14)", "body": "WOW That's some pic. Thank you Karen, Thank you Observer!! What a nice surprise from the Easter Bunny! Two of those pics are new. Livia's isn't...SIL premiere in NY?It's his premiere suit, anyway. What's with the 3/4 coat? Moda Italiana? Maybe he's been modeling for Gucci;-) I looked all over The Bucket for it. Are you going to post it there too?"}, {"response": 733, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Apr 22, 2000 (17:44)", "body": "Maybe our male reviewers resent his good looks!! Would explain their apparent reluctance to even mention His Name! Although I think that many male actors get a very bad press in the UK....Ken Branagh, Hugh Grant (pre-Notting Hill) and Rupert Everett (better press recently) have all been regularly savaged by the reviewers. One nice thing I heard on the radio (good source of info these days!) was part of an interview with Richard Curtis, in which he said that he thought that BJD was going to be even more successful than 4 Weddings and NH...said it had all the right ingredients and was delightfully entertaining. Something to look forward to!"}, {"response": 734, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Apr 22, 2000 (19:11)", "body": "Thanks for The Observer spread, Karen. The top pic is actually from another Observer article (by Andrew Billen) that ran in March '97, around Fever Pitch time. The black and white one with the longish jacket is yummy--looks to me like it may be from the same photo shoot as the Italian L'Uomo spread; I call it The Hard Day's Night photo shoot as it's all black and white and in some of the pics it looks like he's being chased down the street!;-) Do you know the one I mean? He looks very boyish in RV. The SIL premiere pic with Livia looks like a slightly different pose from one I've seen; very sweet pic of the two of them."}, {"response": 735, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Apr 22, 2000 (19:30)", "body": ".Ken Branagh, Hugh Grant (pre-Notting Hill) and Rupert Everett (better press recently)have all been regularly savaged by the reviewers. Add Rafe Fiennes and the High Fidelity director."}, {"response": 736, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 22, 2000 (19:41)", "body": "I bow to your vastly superior skills in photo identification, Mari. However, was said picture 13-1/4\" x 14-1/2\"? Mmmmmmm L'Uomo? Looks right. The SiL premiere one is a different pose. In some cases (DQ, TEP, wetshirt, and the Meg one), I didn't need to scan them, but the SiL one was slightly different from the one I had. Evelyn, I will put a link in from the Bucket. Have been working on some stuff."}, {"response": 737, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Apr 22, 2000 (19:53)", "body": "And Joe Fiennes, and Alan Rickman, and Stephen Fry, and Anthony Hopkins...well, the list could go on and on! I think a lot of British actors prefer the US because they don't receive needlessly destructive criticism and that's why they leave the UK. Several Brit actors won't do theatre any more because of the severity of the reviews. I actually hope that CF really succeeds in the US, maybe through BJD, and perhaps does some theatre over there if he can get a work permit. I'm sure he'd get a much warmer reception...it pains me to sound unpatriotic, but critics and the press in the UK really do seem to enjoy putting the boot in. Strangely enough, actresses get much more civilised tratment!"}, {"response": 738, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 22, 2000 (23:44)", "body": "From The Sunday Times: Greg Dyke really does intend that the BBC eschews classic adaptations and opts for the new. The self-styled queen of the bonnets, Sue Birtwistle, who made television dramas of Pride and Prejudice, Emma and Wives and Daughters, is to produce a drama based on William Boyd's novel Armadillo. Boyd himself will adapt his darkly comic contemporary book about London for the BBC. I hope Dyke gets to see it. He recently told me that his kids controlled the zapper in his house and were forever changing what dad was watching. Don't they know he's the director-general?"}, {"response": 739, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Apr 23, 2000 (02:58)", "body": "Ah! Thanks a million, Karen! How come you spot all the good news, and whenever I hear/see anything relating to CF, I always get so-o-o annoyed (he's been left out again, he's not appreciated, etcetera, etcetera.) In future, I shall close my eyes and ears, and check only The Bucket!!! Seriously, despite Colin's agent (\"Armadillo...never heard of it\"), it seems to be definitely on, and I'm sure that SB and WB will have been chatting to Colin. He's an Ideal Lovely Lorimer! And it is a strong dramatic role...very funny too. Can we hope for a series...or at least a 3-4 hour adaptation! Good for the Beeb! Happy Easter everyone...I've a busy few days ahead, and hope that everyone has a very nice break!"}, {"response": 740, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Apr 23, 2000 (07:13)", "body": "Thanks Karen, for the Observer treat. Great presentation, and the clearest RV picture I've seen so far. Here is another L'Uomo pic - the smoking one: Happy Easter! Murph"}, {"response": 741, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 23, 2000 (08:39)", "body": "Mari and Murph, I've been looking at the L'Uomo pics and I don't think the one in the Observer is from that shoot (backdrop, shirt, hair all different). Interestingly, most of the articles in the Life magazine identify the source of the photos, but Colin's article does not. (Bethan) He's an Ideal Lovely Lorimer! Agreed, this part is perfect for him and I'm positive that he has committed to appear in it for SB."}, {"response": 742, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Apr 23, 2000 (09:19)", "body": "(Bethan) Although I think that many male actors get a very bad press in the UK....Ken Branagh, Hugh Grant (pre-Notting Hill) and Rupert Everett...And Joe Fiennes, and Alan Rickman, and Stephen Fry, and Anthony Hopkins. So many of these names you mention have been in films with Colin. Does anyone else play the Degrees of Separation to Colin game when watching a film? As I was (barely) watching Dunston Checks In yesterday on TV and saw Rupert Everett make a fool of himself, I was also busily counting how many diverse performers have just a one degree separation from Colin...Jason Alexander, PeeWee Herman and Faye Dunaway to name just a few. Anyway, a fun way to spend time while watching a bad movie."}, {"response": 743, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr 23, 2000 (11:28)", "body": "Thanks Karen....I too think \"Armadillo\" will be a great role for him ..perfect casting. And I'm glad it's not another costume drama ..get outta that stuff, Colin nobody goes to see them! ~~~~~~ (Bethan) In future, I shall close my eyes and ears, and check only The Bucket!!! Good luck. She posts the stuff here and then I can't find it later;-) What happened to that NEW button you had, Karen? ~~~~ I too don't think the new pic is from L'Uomo.Sideburns longer in old one. Nor the first pic either.He looked younger in FP ones...hair curlier. New one more mature...yum:-)"}, {"response": 744, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 23, 2000 (12:27)", "body": "(Evelyn) then I can't find it later;-) What happened to that NEW button you had, Karen? What can't you find? Anyway, I've added the New button to the main page that links to a summary type page of additions, which is still a work in progress... Isn't everything?"}, {"response": 745, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr 23, 2000 (13:13)", "body": "Thank you ..I like the table of contents by projects,the \"New\" button on front page and the separate News Page. Now, I'm all set :-D"}, {"response": 746, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Apr 23, 2000 (18:02)", "body": "Mari ..Looks like E!Online expanded and updated its Firth file after the BJD announcemnet. It's times like this that I really miss Helen's FAQ. I went back to an old printout from maybe late 1998 and she had listed 2 more personal awards for CF not mentioned by E!Online, plus 19 awards for the productions he had been in. Had even mentioned & quoted the hymn in the host segment of \"Starfighter's\" as episode # 612, shown in 1994. (and that Stephan Dellane had played with Colin in 'Hostages\" and \"Widowing of Mrs. Holroyd\"!) What a resource that was! Wish there was a way to revive it! (did Helen go to London by any chance?)"}, {"response": 747, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (07:13)", "body": "Great job, Karen! I too don't think the new pic is from L'Uomo. I agree. I think it is a later picture. The one with Livia is from the LA SIL premiere. Looking forward to RV. Have they confirmed the opening date? Is Armadillo confirmed for CF? I love that picture, Murph, very sexy. :-) KJ), It's times like this that I really miss Helen's FAQ. She was my first source of CF info years ago. Helen, if you are reading, you did a great job. It is thanks to you that so many of us were able to search out his other films and become such afirthionados."}, {"response": 748, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (09:40)", "body": "Thanks for reproducing the Observer article, Karen. (Evelyn) Nor the first pic either.He looked younger in FP ones...hair curlier. I agree with Mari. This pic's [the first one] been around for awhile. I've definitely seen it before. It's from his brown phase. ;-) Is Armadillo confirmed for CF? No. (KJ)(Moon) It's times like this that I really miss Helen's FAQ. Wasn't it Ellen's FAQ?"}, {"response": 749, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (10:02)", "body": "Wasn't it Ellen's FAQ? Quite right, Eileen. We become so good at copy/paste, that we sometimes overlook major details. (Evelyn) Nor the first pic either.He looked younger in FP ones...hair curlier. (Eileen), I agree with Mari. This pic's [the first one] been around for awhile. I've definitely seen it before. It's from his brown phase. ;-) Wow! He had brown phase! I liked his open white-shirt phase best. ;-)"}, {"response": 750, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (11:40)", "body": "Sorry, we appear to be a little late. :-( FILM NOTES; Film Footy Fetish The Washington Post; Washington; Apr 14, 2000; Desson Howe MOVIES AND SOCCER are, let's face it, two of the greatest pastimes in life. All right, fine, in my life. So imagine my bliss--and hopefully yours--at the prospect of watching a film festival about soccer this weekend. I refer to the Footy Film Festival, a Sunday night (showtimes always at 7) series through May 14, which will be held at the two best soccer-watching bar havens in the Washington area: the Rock in Chinatown (717 Sixth St. NW) and Lucky Bar, just south of Dupont Circle (1221 Connecticut Ave. NW). Soccer aficionados congregate regularly at these bars--festooned with wall-to-wall video screens-- to watch live soccer from around the world. Footy kicks off this Sunday at Lucky Bar with 1997's \"Fever Pitch,\" an adaptation of Nick Hornby's other cult novel (you've heard of \"High Fidelity,\" I trust). In David Evans's English-made movie, yet to be released in the United States (for shame!), Paul (Colin Firth) is obsessed with his favorite soccer team, the London club of Arsenal. But when Paul meets Sarah (Ruth Gemmell) he discovers that, unlike soccer, relationships aren't played out in seasons. Also showing with the movie: \"Goal: The Story of the 1966 World Cup,\" a compilation of the highlights leading to England's ultimate World Cup victory. I don't think I'm giving anything away there. April 23 at 7 at the Rock, it's Mary Giese's \"When Saturday Comes\" (1997, 94 minutes), in which a working class lad (Sean Bean) from Sheffield, England, gets the chance to fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming a professional footballer. But he's beset by a cynical, unsupportive father (Pete Postlethwaite), hard-drinking friends and a lifetime of bad habits. The movie's shown with \"Gole! Story of the 1982 World Cup.\" (England didn't win that one.) The rest of the schedule: April 30 at the Rock: John Huston's \"A Minor Miracle\" (1982, 87 minutes), which stars Brazilian soccer star Pele in a sad tale about an orphanage threatened with closure. The movie is shown with \"The Boys From Brazil: Brazil World Cup teams 1930-1986.\" (Come to think of it, England didn't win that one either.) May 7 at Lucky Bar: Bill Forsyth's \"Gregory's Girl\" (1980, 88 minutes). In this Scottish charmer, teenage footballer Gregory (John Gordon Sinclair) loses his star position in the school soccer team, and his heart, to Dorothy (Dee Hepburn). He is demoted to goalie. The movie's shown with \"Argentina Campeones: The World Cup 1978.\" (Okay, fine, rub it in: England fell a bit short.) May 14 at the Rock: A cult classic! In John Huston's \"Victory\" (1982, 94 minutes), set in a POW camp inside Nazi Germany, the new camp commandant (Max Von Sydow) challenges Michael Caine's allied prisoners team to a soccer match. The captives see the game as an opportunity to hatch a daring escape plan. Team members for the Allies, include real soccer stars Pele, Bobby Moore and Osvaldo Ardiles. And keep your eyes peeled for Sylvester Stallone. Also shown: \"The World at Their Feet: The World Cup 1970, Mexico.\" (Um, you know.) A festival pass is $10, which includes snacks and admission to one or all movies. Only a limited number of passes will be available. Seating is first-come, first-served. For more information, check www.soccer-nation.com, which not only gives you festival times and film descriptions, but also provides a whole world of information about international and domestic soccer league and cup games. Calling busboys or bartenders at the Rock (202/ 842-7625) and Lucky Bar (202/331-3733) will only be useful for directions. ~~~~~~~~ Can you imagine watching Fever Pitch at a bar! Would be fun. :-)"}, {"response": 751, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (12:12)", "body": "Fever Pitch and Gregory s Girl together would be fun."}, {"response": 752, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (14:09)", "body": "KJ)(Moon) It's times like this that I really miss Helen's FAQ. (Eileen)Wasn't it Ellen's FAQ? Sorry, my memory for names has always been bad, but in the past few years, it's become atrocious ... Ellen Armstrong, of course. Thanks, Eileen. There is still a useful site with her name on it, but now consists mostly of links to other CF pages. I always just wondered how she got such widespread info. Rivaled your fantastic skills, Slouth Karen. Hey, how about a *Karen's FAQ?* (Kidding ... just keeping that thing updated must have taken enormous amounts of time!!!)"}, {"response": 753, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (15:12)", "body": "\"Karen's FAQ\" -Still its a very good thought, KJ!!"}, {"response": 754, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (15:13)", "body": "(Eileen) This pic's [the first one] been around for awhile. I've definitely seen it before. It's from his brown phase. ;-) I printed it down from the FoF Scrapbook last Sept. Meluchie lists it as from The Independent on Sunday but with no date. (The URL image name implies it's from the Observer, though) Brown-phase Colin It's source is labeled on the second page of the offscreen images collection: Offscreen Images, p.2"}, {"response": 755, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (15:40)", "body": "Are you sure you people didn't work for the CIA?? ;-) ~~~~~"}, {"response": 756, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (15:44)", "body": "Just to update you all, Ellen Armstrong is battling cancer at the moment, so keep her in your prayers. She took down FAQs when Colin had been quoted in a paper about the intrusions of fans - Something about someone even knowing where he lived, I think. Someone else refesh my memory here. Anyway, Ellen felt he would not have approved of her site, and so removed it, much to our sorrow. She still has a Faq page for Steven MacIntosh. Murph"}, {"response": 757, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (16:03)", "body": "CIA??;-) Noooo... Like Eileen, the image rang a bell. You people will only find out about it if I have the time [and consciousness] to: a) search my own files b) check to see things are still there c) compose a post and d) have access to an online computer. (obviously, today, I had all 4). ButIgottagetsomeworkdone. ;-) (Ann W)\"Karen's FAQ\" -Still it's a very good thought, KJ!! It may be a very good thought to you and me, but more importantly it would have to be a good one to Karen herself -- and I am NOT making a request; only selfishly expressing some wishful thinking which logically led to comparing their skills and usefulness! [Neck and neck, I think] **Heehee** KJ"}, {"response": 758, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (16:34)", "body": "I am so sorry to hear she is so seriously ill. She had done so much for Colin in her time. I'll think of her. Thank you for letting us know, Mary. Mary Murphy ... Ellen felt he would not have approved of her site, and so removed it, much to our sorrow. For the longest time, the site contained only the quote to which she was reacting (it still does...), but she later refurbished it with an excellent list of hotlinks to other sites: Ellen Armstrong's Colin Firth FAQ Colin.Firth.Com links to Ellen's FAQ on their own links page: Firth.com Links:"}, {"response": 759, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (22:18)", "body": "Have run across a really interesting (and funny) article from last March (pre-Oscars) about the making of SiL, going back to its inception and through its Julia Roberts phase. Perhaps some have already read it, but I don't recall it. The article mentions Colin during the first go around in casting for the lead and really reinforces who wrote it (the Norman vs. Stoppard thing). http://www.spring.net/karenr/articles/newsday31499.html"}, {"response": 760, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 25, 2000 (10:03)", "body": "I have never read this article.Wonder where it appeared originally? Thanks Sleuth. LOL at Joe Fiennes quote:\"Wonder who will see this movie\"? We all wondered the same thing before it opened...remember?"}, {"response": 761, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 25, 2000 (11:10)", "body": "It was in Newday on March 14, 1999. Ran across a writeup of Colin's appearance in Winchester on behalf of asylum-seekers in 1999. Not sure if it's been posted before. Since it is shorter, I'll put it up here, but here's the link: Asylum article Colin Firth highlights asylum-seekers' plight Colin Firth, the actor who played Mr Darcy, in the TV adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, was in Winchester on Saturday to highlight the plight of asylum-seekers. He took a high-profile role in Voices in a Strange Land, an event organised by the Winchester Action Group On Asylum Seekers, (WAGAS) at King Alfred's College. WAGAS has successfully campaigned for the release of 20 asylum-seekers from Winchester Prison. The Winchester actor became passionate about the subject seven months ago after reading an article in a national newspaper about a 19-year-old asylum-seeker who had fled torture in Nigeria. He was then held in a British detention centre where he alleges he was tortured by Group Four. Said Firth: \"It is disgusting that we have a gap in our system where this kind of thing is possible, where the authorities can do this with impunity,\" he said. \"These people are not all freeloaders. If you have an Iraqi dissident who's had the guts to get out of Iraq and come over here, does that sound like a sponging freeloader to you?\" The three-hour event was packed, with latecomers turned away. They were treated to poetry readings by Yugoslav writer Miroslav Jancic and former Nobel Prize nominee Esmail Kho'i, as well as dance from the Congo and Kurdistan, and singers from Somalia and Iraq. \"It is a drop in the ocean,\" said Firth, \"But we are just trying to raise awareness.\""}, {"response": 762, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 25, 2000 (14:14)", "body": ".....19-year-old asylum-seeker who had fled torture in Nigeria. He was then held in a British detention centre where he alleges he was tortured by Group Four. Who is \"Group Four\"? They sound violent..."}, {"response": 763, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Apr 25, 2000 (14:46)", "body": "Evelyn- Who is \"Group Four\"? They sound violent... Far from it Evelyn, they're a private security firm who used to be content with driving about in armoured trucks delivering cash to banks, more recently they've gone into the \"detention\" business over here in the UK and I believe are responsible for our first privately run prison. They are especially well know for their ineptitude..having lost (as in letting escape!!) a few potential inmates on the way to jail! I've not heard any torture allegations before..but that doesn't necessarily mean it didn't happen!"}, {"response": 764, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Apr 25, 2000 (17:26)", "body": "Is Armadillo confirmed for CF? (Eileen) No. Depends what you mean by \"confirmed\". If you mean \"confirmed\" as by his very cautious agent, then no , but Baz B. in the Daily Mail is always very accurate, and if he says that Colin has agreed, and SB wants him, I think it's a cert. And it is an ideal role for him....the narrative focuses entirely on him (so we'll see a lot of him!), it's funny, poignant and there's an abundance of interesting character parts....ideal for a TV series. IMHO, CF has got a very good trio of projects lined up....BJD which will be popular/entertaining multiplex fare and will be released worldwide, MOB will will give him the opportunity (long overdue) for a strong dramatic role ( the sort of role that normally goes to RF!) which could get critical attention and awards, and then \"Armadillo\", which will reach a huge TV audience, especially if it's advertised as re-uniting the P&P team of SB and CF. Thanks for the account of the Refugee event in Winchester, Karen. Wasn't it organised by Colin's mum?...I'm sure I read that somewhere!"}, {"response": 765, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr 26, 2000 (08:14)", "body": "As you can tell by my original response, I don't use the term 'confirmed' as it relates to the author of a gossip column (accurate or not). Of course, everyone is free to believe what they want. After Flashman (we were told TV Times was also very accurate), I've become skeptical about any of CF's projects until they are reported by parties more directly connected to the project. Once burned... Thanks for these articles, Karen. Too bad the Winchester Asylum article didn't mention what CF did--only that he took a high profile role. Hmmm--could he have read from the phone book? ;-D (Tracy) more recently they've gone into the \"detention\" business over here in the UK and I believe are responsible for our first privately run prison. Uh-oh, the trials and tribulations of privatization. If the allegations are true, perhaps Group Four staff were trained by the NYPD."}, {"response": 766, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 26, 2000 (09:56)", "body": "(Bethan)IMHO, CF has got a very good trio of projects lined up.... BJD,A,MOB... (Certainly more impressive than the last batch....TOTS, BL,RV, L.) I'm proud of you Bethan...on the strength of your optimism I've ordered MOB."}, {"response": 767, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Apr 26, 2000 (13:54)", "body": "As you can tell by my original response, I don't use the term 'confirmed' as it relates to the author of a gossip column (accurate or not). Of course, everyone is free to believe what they want. After Flashman (we were told TV Times was also very accurate), I've become skeptical about any of CF's projects until they are reported by parties more directly connected to the project. Once burned... (Eileen) I wouldn't describe Baz B. as a gossip columnist...he's a well respected journalist who writes about entertainment, and he normally gets his information straight from the horse's mouth. So if he quotes Sue Birtwistle, I'd be pretty sure he's spoken to her and it's an accurate report. I firmly believe CF will do \"Armadillo\"...no prospect of burning here! :-) Now, even \"Flashman\"....I'm not holding my breath over this, but the reports had to be more than just conjecture. There was definitely an ongoing \"Flashman\" project, although I read somewhere that it had been \"shelved\". The production company mentioned - Carlton - had produced \"Sharpe\", also 19th century military history, and the locations cited seemed feasible - Wales (Snowdonia often doubles for Afghanistan) and across Europe. Joanna Lumley would be great casting. It's obviously a hugely expensive project for television, and sometimes projects do take years to get off the ground! I'm stretching my optimism here, but it could still happen...2001? I'm proud of you Bethan...on the strength of your optimism I've ordered MOB. (Evelyn) Ah! Optimism is infectious! One reason I feel very hopeful about this, is that it's completely right for CF, and there are so few roles like this. And anyway MOB is a very good read, whatever the outcome! (Certainly more impressive than the last batch....TOTS, BL,RV, L.) What's BL? :-) I think \"Londinium\" was definitely a \"hey, I want to stay at home and put up some more shelves for Livia\" choice. But (perhaps?) it may be better than we think ...and I definitely want to see CF and the beautiful IJ falling for each other (compare MLSF!) RV will be lightweight, but I'm sure the cast will put a lot of gusto into the performances...it has to be very watchable!"}, {"response": 768, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr 26, 2000 (14:04)", "body": "(Bethan) I wouldn't describe Baz B. as a gossip columnist Then one of your fellow countrypersons did. I read that term here--I don't know Baz from a hole in the ground. Whatever, believe what you will. Different strokes for different folks."}, {"response": 769, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 26, 2000 (14:23)", "body": "(Bethan)What's BL? :-) 1.BL is my term for Blackadder. Have you seen it? 2 L: Putting up shelves for Livia should not be a criteria for a serious actor to select a project.And I have seen \"The Sex Monster\"...have you seen it? I have seen MLSF...and L. will not be MLSF...have you seen it? 3.RV will be good , but he will not have the billing stature as in the new projects. evelyn*who travels far and wide to see his films*...even the bad ones;-)"}, {"response": 770, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr 26, 2000 (14:43)", "body": "Any word on a London premiere for MLSF?"}, {"response": 771, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Apr 26, 2000 (15:49)", "body": "I've not read anything about MLSF...but I don't see the same range of papers that I used to see. The promotion (and premiere, if there is one) normally seems to occur a couple of weeks before the opening. So perhaps there may be some interviews/articles this weekend. Or maybe the Observer article was \"it\". 2 L: Putting up shelves for Livia should not be a criteria for a serious actor to select a project.And I have seen \"The Sex Monster\"...have you seen it? No..the title is rather offputting! But I did see a series (on BBC2) that Mike Binder directed (didn't write though), and liked it...\"American Gothic\". I'm joking about the shelves...I hope he really liked the script...but the chance to be home-based may have tipped the balance!"}, {"response": 772, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Apr 26, 2000 (18:37)", "body": "Been briefly in touch with Nan over Easter. She sends her love to all droolers. Hope you still remember Nan, oldtimers? For newbies, Nan is/was one of our hosts (moderators) and a ferocious drooler herself. She is nearing the end of an extremely tough computer technology course at the NYU, for which she has given up drooling for two years... Hopefully she'll be back among us later in the year."}, {"response": 773, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Apr 27, 2000 (15:02)", "body": "Does anyone know what's happening to MLSF in the UK? I received the May programme today for the Bradford NM of Film & Photography (where they held the Film Festival). No mention of any showing of MLSF, although I had been assured that it would show in May. So, showing initiative, I phoned the Curzon Mayfair (thought I'd ask about a premiere and confim the opening date) I was told that they \"had thought that they were getting MLSF\" but there's \"a question mark\" over it. It's not listed, and the Curzon are showing \"Sunshine\" and something else throughout May. Huh! I thought the Miramax spokesman said the reason they postponed the release of MLSF for nearly a year was to secure an opening at the Curzon Mayfair!!!! Thoroughly downhearted, I phoned two other independent cinemas in Leeds and Manchester, which normally get all the art house releases...and MLSF is not being shown in May or June. So what's happened?? If anyone can confirm it is opening on the 12th and where, I'd be eternally grateful! :-)This is one disappointment too far!!! Glad to hear news of Nan...I hope all's going well with the course!"}, {"response": 774, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 27, 2000 (15:27)", "body": "Has anybody called Miramax or Buena Vista Intl (the UK distributors)?"}, {"response": 775, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Apr 27, 2000 (16:09)", "body": "I'll give BVI a ring tomorrow.....:-) It was too late to contact them today. Hopefully, all will be resolved!"}, {"response": 776, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Apr 27, 2000 (18:10)", "body": "Sorry to hear about Ellen's illness, I hope she wins this fight. And glad to have news of Nan, please tell her, Arami, how happy we'll be to have her back :-)"}, {"response": 777, "author": "ommin", "date": "Thu, Apr 27, 2000 (21:00)", "body": "I cannot believe they have postponed MLSF yet again - it has been shown all over Asia and has been popular here in Australia - in fact I heard it was still showing in Adelaide. It is coming out on video here in a couple of weeks - it just does not make sense. I watched SLOW last night - I have converted my sister-in-law!!"}, {"response": 778, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Apr 27, 2000 (22:29)", "body": "According to popcorn.co.uk it is still scheduled to be released on the 12th May, fingers crossed."}, {"response": 779, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (05:41)", "body": "From the horse's mouth... I've just phoned BVI and asked about MLSF.(Better to find out than to jump to conclusions and get irritated, which is what I normally do!) It does open on May 12th, but it's London only and Scotland. I asked which cinemas and was told that \"one hasn't been booked yet (only one!!!)..check your local listings.\" I said I thought it was the Curzon (although I don't think it can be) and the reply was \"well, it may be\". I asked about a nationwide release....reply was \"no\" but \"after 2 or 3 weeks perhaps some rep theatres may be interested in booking it...it's up to them\". Now the good bit...I asked where it was opening in Scotland...reply \"everywhere\". Perhaps to a Londoner, Glasow and Edinburgh is \"everywhere\", but hopefully MLSF may get more exposure north of the border! There's no premiere, and no money budgeted for promotion. But I'm wondering if it may have an informal gala type/charity opening in Glasgow...it's a possibility, yes? Anyway, there you have it! Could be worse. But I'm surprised that BVI aren't trying for the rep theatres...perhaps there aren't enough prints!"}, {"response": 780, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (07:05)", "body": "Hi All: Mickie called Colin's agent yesterday, and was told that though he hadn't yet signed on the dotted line, Armadillo is still very much under consideration. Murph"}, {"response": 781, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (08:18)", "body": "Murph, as there isn't a script yet, Colin wouldn't have signed anything. However, Baz's info would likely still be accurate about Colin committing early on to the project. That's done without a formal contract and gets the higher-ups interested in a project, gets it funding, etc. Bethan, that's the crummiest news yet. (putting it nicely) What is going on? They don't even have the confidence to give this movie a decent opening. I'm... speechless... :-("}, {"response": 782, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (08:51)", "body": "so am I, looks as if I will be meeting up with Aishling again in London, seeing Sunshine tomorrow."}, {"response": 783, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (10:15)", "body": "(Bethan)...perhaps there aren't enough prints! How many did we think were doing the US tour? ;-)"}, {"response": 784, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (13:23)", "body": "There is an ad in today's Evening Standard to win free tickets to the premiere of MLSF to be held at the ABC Shaftesbury Avenue on Monday 2nd May!!! Phone 0901 111 0152 if you want to win a free ticket. \"CF in wet shirt will be attending\" !!!!!"}, {"response": 785, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (13:24)", "body": "That should be Tuesday 2nd May!!!"}, {"response": 786, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (14:45)", "body": "Wot! And just after I'd had that miserable conversation with BVI...\"no premiere, no promotion, no money, haven't booked a cinema, etcerea\" Well, that was totally accurate, wasn't it? And the ABC Shaftesbury Avenue...that's an excellent venue. In the heart of the West End and bigger than the Curzon, I believe. This can't compare with Allison's news, but the National Museum of Film and Photography in Bradford are showing a special screening of \"Lost Empires\" in TV heaven, a special theatre (seating about 40) for viewing archived TV drama. It's on June 15 and free. I'll check if it's the CF version...I don't think there's been any other adaptation."}, {"response": 787, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (14:48)", "body": "\"CF in a wet shirt!\" LOL! He should be in Mark Darcy mode though, as they'll just have started shooting BJD!"}, {"response": 788, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (15:50)", "body": "Wonderful news, Allison! So who has phoned and gotten their tickets? :-) Special screening of Lost Empires? My oh my. Must be an all-day event with a break for lunch/dinner. It runs... what... 6 hours??? There couldn't possibly be another version. Has to be Colin's."}, {"response": 789, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (15:51)", "body": "\"CF in wet shirt will be attending\" Is this your quotation Allison, or was this part of the Ad? LOL! I hope you go even if you do not win the tickets. It is worth it."}, {"response": 790, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (17:23)", "body": "Go to Empire Online. At the upper left is an ad for asking questions of Stephen Fry. When you click on it, this is what you will see (also a pic from Londinium. The next subject of Empire's Public Access interview - the one where you the readers get to ask the questions - is none other than the prince of the withering one-liner, Stephen Fry. Fry, the star of stage, small and big screen, raconteur, renaissance man and web head, has accepted the challenge to answer questions from Empire readers. So if you've ever wanted to know what he thinks of Hugh Laurie's Hollywood success, whether his most recent co-star, Julie Andrews, has any deep dark secrets or how he knows so much about the internet then this is your chance. The best questions will be put to the man himself when we interview him in a couple of weeks time and Fry's answers will feature in an upcoming issue of the magazine, as well as here at Empire Online. Send your questions to: empire@ecm.emap.com OK, ladies, this is where we will shine. Julie Andrews' deepest darkest secrets? Who cares! Moon, your prayers have been answered. Let's get this rolling... ;-)"}, {"response": 791, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (17:24)", "body": "Here's the url for Empire Online, but you need to send the questions to the email address above. http://www.empireonline.co.uk/"}, {"response": 792, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (17:35)", "body": "(Karen) Wonderful news, Allison! So who has phoned and gotten their tickets? :-) I'll be phoning as soon as I've stopped typing this! ;-D *fingers crossed*"}, {"response": 793, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (17:35)", "body": "(Karen) Wonderful news, Allison! So who has phoned and gotten their tickets? :-) I'll be phoning as soon as I've stopped typing this! ;-D *fingers crossed*"}, {"response": 794, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (17:38)", "body": "Arggghhhh! \"I'm sorry all lines are now closed\" ;-("}, {"response": 795, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (18:09)", "body": "Good for you Tracy, I am afraid I can't make the Premiere but if it is only playing in London,and who knows Bethan, even that may be wrong (incidentally I think it was disgraceful that BVI misinformed you so badly, obviously the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing), then I will certianly go to London to see it, in the first week just in case it disappears after the first week!!"}, {"response": 796, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (20:32)", "body": "Well - time for me to think about a trip to London again... :-)"}, {"response": 797, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (23:09)", "body": "\"I'm sorry all lines are now closed\" Are you sure you dialed the right code? ;-)"}, {"response": 798, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (23:51)", "body": "From the weekend Financial Times, \"Unmissable Events\" Tuesday, May 2 I do not pretend to be an oracular source of information on the novels of Jane Austen. However, I do not recall her having written many novels set in Bermuda. Nevertheless, her sailor brothers did make it over to this pleasant island; so what better, or sunnier, place to hold a Jane Austen summit? Today is the start of a week-long, mid-Atlantic meeting of US and UK Jane Austen fanatics. Indeed, if the heritage TV mob run out of Jane Austen novels in which to cast Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle, they might like to look at the life of Jane's brother, Charles, who married the governor of Bermuda's daughter. This should offer plenty of scope for smouldering glances beneath the swaying palms. UK Jane Austen Society, 01420-562469. Talking of Colin Firth, you might catch him at the premiere tonight of My Life So Far. It is the first film by David Putnam and Hugh Hudson since Chariots of Fire, and is a poignant period drama set in Scotland during the first world war. My Life So Far premiere, ABC Shaftesbury Avenue"}, {"response": 799, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Apr 29, 2000 (08:06)", "body": "(Arami) time for me to think about a trip to London again... :-) Yes, yes. Go, go. Colin at the premier? Even if he's in a dry shirt what an event! What possessed him to finally do something regarding this film, d'ye think? Good luck ladies. (Ann) (incidentally I think it was disgraceful that BVI misinformed you so badly, obviously the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing) Yes, and his agents, located in the brain that's in the tail we all sit on, don't know anything at all. I'm sorry but after reading Mary's report from Mickie, they're even easier targets than before. ;-) Thinking of my question for Mr. Fry that doesn't have anything (or very little) to do with Julie Andrews. Thanks, Karen, for the url."}, {"response": 800, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 29, 2000 (08:55)", "body": "(Heide) Thinking of my question for Mr. Fry that doesn't have anything (or very little) to do with Julie Andrews. Don't think we should ask, \"is Peter gay?\" Right? ;-)"}, {"response": 801, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Apr 29, 2000 (11:41)", "body": "(Karen), Moon, your prayers have been answered. Let's get this rolling... ;-) My prayers will be answered when Colin agrees to do this, not Stephen. We can not just ask him questions about Colin. I do not think Empire will use them. We could suggest to Empire to do the same with Colin--at the insistance of sooo many who basically ignored SF and wanted to know all about CF. ;-) Don't you think? :-D"}, {"response": 802, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Apr 29, 2000 (13:02)", "body": "I was in such a rush yesterday to give you news of the MLSF premier that I did not have time to fill in all the details (or read them). In the small print at the bottom of the ad it says \"The winners will be the first 50 enries drawn at random after the competition closes at 2.30pm today, Friday 28th April\". That is ridiculous! The Evening Standard is only available in most shops from 1pm, though it can be bought at central London tube stations before that. But Who would have got round to reading the back pages and have put in their call by 2.30pm. Typical. Tracey, I think you should phone them on Tuesday when they open again and complain and demand a ticket! I think I might send them an e-mail of complaint. About that wet shirt....it says: \"Colin Firth, Mary Elizabeth Mastroantonio, Malcom McDowell and David Puttnam amongst others will be attending this charity premier in aid of RADA."}, {"response": 803, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Apr 29, 2000 (14:58)", "body": "Have just got back from seeing \"Sunshine\" at The Curzon Mayfair, and there was a preview of MLSF, (he looks so cute in that knitted swimsuit!), which opens there on the 12th May. Incidentally so far the reviews have not been good for the film or Colin, Film Review gave it 2 stars out of 5 and said of Colin \"Firth has made a career ot of playing somewhat stoical, reserved young men, but the role of Edward stretches him beyond his limits\" what rot! Empire gave it 2 stars out of 5 and spoke of \"Firth being stilted\" or something like that. However, I will be going back to the Curzon in two weeks time whatever the critics say."}, {"response": 804, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Apr 29, 2000 (16:04)", "body": "I don't think somehow that the reviews for MLSF or CF are going to be good...I saw one in Total Film (2 stars) which said that the movie had been on the shelf for three years (not true,) that the young actors were unattractive (cruel), described it as a \"weary wallow in nostalgia\" and then picked on CF for special criticism. I just thought \"oh, stuff you\" (or something ruder!) I've no intention of paying any attention to the reviews. As I've commented before, British film \"reviewers\" seem to relish savaging British films and actors...which is probably why we barely have a film industry!"}, {"response": 805, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Apr 29, 2000 (16:22)", "body": "Ann, did you say that MLSF showing at the Curzon in two weeks? I'm confused....why did they tell me it wasn't showing there?!! Talk about being on the receiving end of wrong information! BTW I can think of quite a long list of roles in which CF isn't a \"stoical, reserved young man\"!!"}, {"response": 806, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Apr 29, 2000 (16:36)", "body": "Bethan, yes it opens there on the 12th May, there is a lovely poster outside the cinema, MLSF, \"Coming Soon\". A good area for Colin Firth & RF fans I would think, from what I saw today. (Ladies in Volvo's!)"}, {"response": 807, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 29, 2000 (17:27)", "body": "Oh you poor things! I think MLSF was better received here by most critics than yours. They are a pathetic lot. How are the reviews for The Last September, another similar film which just opened this past Friday? Anyone to crucify in that one? Having read a review of Hugh Hudson's \"I Dreamed of Africa,\" there appear to be many of the same criticisms (\"meandering pointlessly although beautifully shot\"). in aid of RADA. That is who you call for tickets!!"}, {"response": 808, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sat, Apr 29, 2000 (20:30)", "body": "Ann it is quite miserable what British reviewers do to films made there. It is beginning to look like filmmakers are afraid of showing any films there that are not in the 18-25 male venue. I am sure I would be. I will if the Telegraph, Guardian or Times trash it write to the reviewers and suggest they are lacking in finesse and education! Here in Australia it was well received as it was mostly by American reviewers who I sense do not pander to the young male element. Perhaps one day they will realise what they have done when they grow up!"}, {"response": 809, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Apr 30, 2000 (03:08)", "body": "These initial reviews are all in the monthly movie magazines which, to be honest, I wouldn't normally look at even if you gave me a copy. The reviews in the quality press may be more perceptive, but a lot depends on the individual reviewer. I like reading reviews (goodness knows why!) but a couple of years ago there seemed to be a major shakeout, and the Telegraph, Guardian and Times all replaced their \"older\" reviewers. There's been a marked sea change since then, and I find, almost invariably, that the films I think I'll like always get trashed. The Daily Mail (Chris Tookey!) is okay. The worst is Ann Bilson in the Sunday Telegraph. \"Mrs Dalloway\" with Vanessa Redgrave is a case in point...got poor reviews, no-one went to see it, but it was shown recently on TV and I thought it was beautiful...and so did quite a few of my colleaues at work. I think that in the UK, television is the better medium for more thoughtful, slower paced drama...audiences do tune in, and TV critics are much more supportive (and ver 25!)"}, {"response": 810, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Apr 30, 2000 (04:35)", "body": "Typical. Tracey, I think you should phone them on Tuesday when they open again and complain and demand a ticket! It's definately worth a try! 12th May is not so long to wait though - I think I can just about bear it! *teeth gritted* I would agree with all of the above comments re the reviewing tactics in our movie mags - I sometimes wonder whether they've actually seen some of the films they're pulling to bits. It seems as if only a certain type of British film ever gets the thumbs up - anything with a 'Ewan' in, and/or one which portrays 'real people' in the inner cities beating the s*** out of each other. Not typical Colin fare! Like Bethan, I'm waiting hopefully for sensible comments from the quality press to redress the balance. But IMHO the only opinions that count are those of my dear co-droolers who can always be relied upon to speak their minds - in a totally unbiased way of course ;-))"}, {"response": 811, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sun, Apr 30, 2000 (06:08)", "body": "Of course we are discerning, sane people! But honestly the reviewers in the U.K. do not seem able to see good acting if it's put in front of them and pointed out. It is so in the junior pages in the main newspapers here in Oz! The good reviewers liked MLSF and perhaps the only way is to point out to these juniors they have appointed that they have no discernment and are incapable of observing a good film when they see one, I too loved Mrs. Dalloway and thus should rely totally on us in regard to anyting to do with C.F. I have seen MLSF thought it was brilliant, his acting supurb but my D.H. did not see what I could see, the eyes, the lips, the expressions! But as for D.Q. he thought it was one of the best films he had seen in a long time. Interesting eh."}, {"response": 812, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Apr 30, 2000 (07:08)", "body": "My sister saw MLSF on video, said she didn't like it much (her husband did) and that \"CF again plays a loser\"... For what it's worth..."}, {"response": 813, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Apr 30, 2000 (09:19)", "body": "I agree that the newspaper reviews for MLSF will likely be much better and much more perceptive. I have to wonder if these film mag reviewers, no doubt geared to the youth market, have even seen the film, based on their comments. Edward is *not* a stoical reserved young man, the child actors are *not* unattractive, and the film is *not* a weary wallow in nostalgia--quite the contrary. Edward is a real paradox, an outgoing child-man who leaps before he looks, caught between his impulses and his adult responsibilities; there is real growth in his character by the end of the film, and CF gets it just right. I can't say enough for Robert Norman, who is absolutely convincing as Fraser--he has real talent. And to think that the film is just misty nostalgia really misses the point--there is a real poignancy and bite here as the characters, unbenownst to them, are coming to the end of an era; the incidents shown in the film are all illustrative of the larger encroachment of the outside world during this time period. Can you tell I love this film?;-) I'm very happy to hear they're having a premiere and are doing something to promote it."}, {"response": 814, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Apr 30, 2000 (09:54)", "body": "Of course the young reviewers do not like nostalgia in the UK. They want to get rid of the monarchy! MLSF deserves good reviews because it is a good film. The acting is also top notch. (Tracy), It seems as if only a certain type of British film ever gets the thumbs up - anything with a 'Ewan' in, and/or one which portrays 'real people' in the inner cities beating the s*** out of each other. I am so sick of those films! Refresh my memory please, what does RADA stand for?"}, {"response": 815, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 30, 2000 (10:38)", "body": "Royal Academy of Dramatic Art Telephone: 020-7636 7076 Couldn't find a number for their Friends of RADA"}, {"response": 816, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Apr 30, 2000 (10:52)", "body": "(Tracy), It seems as if only a certain type of British film ever gets the thumbs up - anything with a 'Ewan' in, and/or one which portrays 'real people' in the inner cities beating the s*** out of each other. Ah, then perhaps those reviewers will enjoy Armadillo. ;-) A bit of violence though perhaps not enough to suit. Certainly a gritty role and I hope we are lucky enough to see Colin play it. The kilt scene alone should attract comment. (Gi) My sister saw MLSF on video, said she didn't like it much (her husband did) and that \"CF again plays a loser\"... LOL! You know she'd get an argument here. ;-) This won't turn you off from judging yourself, I trust. Need I mention another kilt scene?"}, {"response": 817, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr 30, 2000 (14:39)", "body": "Wonderful to hear that there is going to be a premiere...(Thank you Harvey.) And RADA is a prestigious benefit. Should get lots of stars and good press. Who is going to the London Premiere from Drool?"}, {"response": 818, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, May  1, 2000 (03:47)", "body": "(Heide) This won't turn you off from judging yourself, I trust. Surely not! As long as I get to see it sometime..."}, {"response": 819, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, May  1, 2000 (09:42)", "body": "(Mari) I'm very happy to hear they're having a premiere and are doing something to promote it [MLSF]. Ditto. I was mystified by BVI's \"information\" (shades of the BBC's handling of DQ). Am sure CF was quite delighted to read that he'd be attending the premiere in a wet shirt. ;-P (Bethan) I don't think somehow that the reviews for MLSF or CF are going to be good... MLSF reviews weren't good in the US, but most were good for CF's performance in it (except the one which said he looked like Tim Robbins). Some reviews improved when the film was released on video. British film \"reviewers\" seem to relish savaging British films and actors Oh, yes. I still chuckle when I think about that flaming \"celluloid toilet paper\" commentary. (Evelyn) Wonderful to hear that there is going to be a premiere...(Thank you Harvey.) D'ya think the 'long arm of Harvey' is involved here? I was under the impression that Miramax handed everything over to BVI and that was that. However, considering Miramax now has a vested interest in BJD...hmmm."}, {"response": 820, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May  1, 2000 (10:42)", "body": "(Eileen) MLSF reviews weren't good in the US, but most were good for CF's performance in it Think back, Eileen, the film had great reviews here from most of the major city papers--NY Times, LA Times, Wall Street Journal, Boston Globe, Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert), Philadelphia Inquirer, Houston Chronicle, Hollywood Reporter, etc., and lots of the mid-size cities too. Trust me on this, I had over two dozen of 'em all lovingly packaged into that scrapbook which CF said he never received, and which I told him must have gone into that industrial strength shredder at his fan-friendly agent's office.:-( Oh, now I'm ticked off all over again.:-( (Heide) Ah, then perhaps those reviewers will enjoy Armadillo. ;-) . . .The kilt scene alone should attract comment. Personally, I'm all anticipation over the LSD/toss the TV scene.;-)"}, {"response": 821, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May  1, 2000 (11:54)", "body": "(Mari) Personally, I'm all anticipation over the LSD/toss the TV scene.;-) You're a baaad girl. I suspect it will be very dark."}, {"response": 822, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, May  1, 2000 (13:27)", "body": "(Mari) Think back, Eileen You're right, of course. I was thinking about Time and Entertainment Weekly. Those reviews were unfavorable and those publications have national circulations. The local, favorable reviews you mention were undoubtedly responsible for bringing in the audience since the film was afforded no publicity."}, {"response": 823, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, May  1, 2000 (13:46)", "body": "(Mari) Personally, I'm all anticipation over the LSD/toss the TV scene.;-) How about the scene when he's searching in the fridge for something to eat late at night? Potentially much more revealing! I suspect he'll wear pyjamas!"}, {"response": 824, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May  1, 2000 (14:43)", "body": "(Eileen) The local, favorable reviews you mention were undoubtedly responsible for bringing in the audience since the film was afforded no publicity. Agreed. Too bad the cast didn't pull a Patrick Stewart (will post on 127). Basically, he denounced the Ride Down Mt. Morgan producers after the curtain calls at the Saturday shows, for not promoting the play. (Bethan) How about the scene when he's searching in the fridge for something to eat late at night? Potentially much more revealing! I suspect he'll wear pyjamas! Yes, thereby scandalizing poor Berbuda! Poor, lucky Berbuda.;-) The second time I think he wears Stella's terry-cloth robe, which should be a sight. I finished the book over the weekend, and enjoyed it very much. I like Boyd's writing style--very descriptive, witty, and with vivid characters that pop off the page. With him adapting his own screenplay and Sue B. at the helm, this should be a terrific project. Am feeling just a bit concerned over the gel-haired look, though.;-)"}, {"response": 825, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May  1, 2000 (14:59)", "body": "I'm guessing that no one called Rada and offered to become a \"friend.\" OK, so is anyone going to *happen* to walk by the ABC Shaftesbury tomorrow evening and *happen* to have his/her camera in hand and *happen* to get a photo of...erm... anybody who might *happen* to show up for the premiere? ;-)"}, {"response": 826, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May  1, 2000 (17:38)", "body": "(Evelyn) Wonderful to hear that there is going to be a premiere...(Thank you Harvey.) (Eileen)D'ya think the 'long arm of Harvey' is involved here? I was under the impression that Miramax handed everything over to BVI and that was that. However, considering Miramax now has a vested interest in BJD...hmmm. I don't think BVI was deceiving Bethan....they might only be doing the distributing and Miramax the Premiere...like they did SIL."}, {"response": 827, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, May  1, 2000 (19:07)", "body": "is anyone going to *happen* to walk by the ABC Shaftesbury tomorrow evening and *happen* to have his/her camera in hand... Well, don't look at me! I'd love to do it (and I'm famous for my camera work ;-)), but the prospect of two-and-a-half hour train journey there and back for the sake of a few glimpses - or not, as the case may be, depending on the position of various barriers, bodyguards, the limo halting place and all the associated angles, and it also might rain... I'm afraid the Donmar experience made us all a little blas\ufffd..."}, {"response": 828, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May  1, 2000 (20:51)", "body": "(Arami) I'm afraid the Donmar experience made us all a little blas\ufffd... You are so right....those West End stage doors in the dark side alleys...in the cold and rain :-( Let's pray he keeps going back to the Donmar:-)"}, {"response": 829, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May  1, 2000 (22:27)", "body": "From Tuesday's Independent: `MY LIFE SO FAR' IS PUTTNAM'S FAREWELL TO FILM INDUSTRY DAVID PUTTNAM will bring down the curtain on an era in British film making with tonight's London premiere of My Life So Far. The opening of Lord Puttnam's last film will be attended by a celebrity audience, including a heavily pregnant Cherie Blair and the stars of the film, Colin Firth and Malcolm McDowell. The movie reunites Puttnam as producer with the director Hugh Hudson, the Oscar-winning team that made Chariots of Fire in 1981. Hudson said yesterday: \"David insists this is his last film. He is busy and content as a working peer. I feel very sad about it. David has been seminal to the British film industry over the last 25 years. He gave me, Alan Parker, Ridley Scott and Adrian Lyne our first films. So he can spot 'em. \"I will do my utmost to persuade him to change his mind, though I don't think I will succeed. Making this film with him was the most joyful working experience of my life. In Hollywood, now, you're just a product supplier. You don't have fun any more. But this was a very British film, and a very personal film for us.\" My Life So Far is the tale of a young boy's coming of age in an eccentric Scottish household in the 1920s. It reveals the comedy and poignancy under the surface of an entire family in crisis as established relationships are threatened by the arrival of an enchanting outsider. The spell of childhood is broken for 10-year-old Fraser Pettigrew when he is forced to look at this family, particularly his father, through newly adult eyes. The film's screenplay, by Simon Donald, is based on part of Sir Denis Forman's autobiography, Son of Adam. Sir Denis, who became head of Granada, approved the concept for the film. Filmed entirely on location in the west Highlands of Scotland, the film was financed by Miramax Films and the Scottish Arts Council National Lottery Fund."}, {"response": 830, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May  1, 2000 (23:25)", "body": "...and there's another mention of SLOW, the poster child of ill-placed public monies, in the Guardian...a not-so-subtle reminder for the new Film Council being launched today. \"Although the deluge of cash sparked a boom in filmmaking, the lottery will be more remembered for turkeys like Rancid Aluminium and The Secret Laughter of Women. \ufffd The Secret Laughter of Women, starring Colin Firth, cost \ufffd3.3m but took just \ufffd2,832 after getting a lottery of grant of just less than \ufffd1m.\""}, {"response": 831, "author": "ommin", "date": "Tue, May  2, 2000 (00:32)", "body": "How did they expect SLOW to make any money if they didn't show it anywhere - it wasn't that bad."}, {"response": 832, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, May  2, 2000 (02:06)", "body": "I am really cheesed off with the Guardian quoting SLOW as the all time turkey....and they always say \"starring Colin Firth\"! Grrrrr!!!! Do they say \"Rancid Aluminium\" starring Rhys Ivans (?) and Joe Fiennes. Bet they don't. Also Rancid Aluminium opened in 200 cinemas, SLOW in two, and I really wonder at the accuracy of those figures...on the day I saw it I'm sure the cinema was half full. And SLOW is a rather nice little film...beautiful cinematography, charming principals, and well acted by the supporting cast. And a little boy who is sweet and polite. One thing I can guarantee is that the new Film Council won't make movies like this (or MLSF) any more! Good for Cherie! (Didn't someone spot her in the audience of 3DOR?) Maybe there'll be photos of her in tomorrow's papers amd a mention for MLSF!"}, {"response": 833, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, May  2, 2000 (02:23)", "body": "Grrrr!! Again. To answer my own question...today's issue of the Guardian has just popped through the letterbox. Six turkeys are listed, but the only actor mentioned is \"Colin Firth\" ( although all the others starred well known actors.) And to drive their point home, there's a colour photo of CF and Nia Long (the bed picture) with a caption about it being the all time loser! Someone at the Guardian really has the knives out. I hope BJD makes millions!!!"}, {"response": 834, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, May  2, 2000 (02:54)", "body": "is anyone going to *happen* to walk by the ABC Shaftesbury tomorrow evening and *happen* to have his/her camera in hand... I am tantalisingly close tonight! I have a meeting in Covent Garden at around that time. I'll walk past the cinema on my way but I shall not be able to hang around. Great publicity that Cherie Blair will be there. The only problem is that the only photographs in the paper tomorrow will be of her not ODB."}, {"response": 835, "author": "ommin", "date": "Tue, May  2, 2000 (06:01)", "body": "Have tried to contact Guardian from Oz. No luck, I object strongly to their knocking down of Colin as a tall poppy - Secret Laughter of Women was not that bad - in fact I thoroughly enjoyed the film. Perhaps some of the U.K. ladies could send in a complaint using me too as someone who objects to an obviously biased criticism. I don't understand what is going on in the U.K. and why Colin Firth is a whipping boy. Must be jealousy."}, {"response": 836, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, May  2, 2000 (06:44)", "body": "I may email the letters page, although I'm very busy for the rest of today, and it would have to be succinct and witty ...and there are other points I'd like to make about the new policy for the Film Council. On a brighter note, RADA and Cherie Blair will make the MLSF premiere very high profile. Should be well attended by celebrities and those in the arts world. And the papers should pick up on it."}, {"response": 837, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, May  2, 2000 (07:30)", "body": "I can quite understand why CF keeps such a low profile in this country, I am dreading the Guardian review for MLSF. It also makes me so mad when Journalists distort the facts or fail to mention certain facts such as SLOW only being shown in a very limited number of cinemas and cities. I guess its best to ignore these people, at least we know the facts, unfortunately there is not much we CF fans can do, we are a very small number in the UK."}, {"response": 838, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May  2, 2000 (07:57)", "body": "Well, how do you like that? Colin goes to a premiere only once every year and a half or so, but each time he does, the wife of a head of state shows up! You pick your spots well, Colin!;-) Very nice send-off for the film with Mrs. Blair coming. Yes, I do recall that someone spotted her at 3DOR--she must be a Firth fan, which shows good taste. And didn't her father come to one of the protests that CF took part in? RE: the Guardian--granted, SLOW is not a great film, but there is nothing offensive about it, which I gather is not the case with some of the other films mentioned. It certainly doesn't deserve to be continuously singled out. For what it's worth, I am sending them an e-mail protesting their distortion of the facts and calling into question their racial motivation.:-("}, {"response": 839, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, May  2, 2000 (08:46)", "body": "(Allison) I'll walk past the cinema on my way but I shall not be able to hang around. No matter, so long as you keep your eyes peeled. Look for the brown suit--no, maybe he'll bring out the ensemble he wore at the SiL premiere (black, dark shirt, yellow tie). Looking forward to whatever details you can furnish, Allison. Thanks. (Mari) And didn't her father come to one of the protests that CF took part in? Was it the Sainsbury's shopping spree (aka toilet brush pic ;-)) or the chain wrap in front of Parliament? See, Ev, the steel trap's getting rusty!"}, {"response": 840, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, May  2, 2000 (10:41)", "body": "I guess its best to ignore these people, at least we know the facts, unfortunately there is not much we CF fans can do, we are a very small number in the UK. Actually, I think there are still a very large number of women who like him in the UK, but it's not easy to be a \"fan\" as such...he's not like a soap star and his work isn't always very accessible and of course, he's very private! Am supposed to be \"working at home\" but have drafted a mental email amd shall send it!"}, {"response": 841, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, May  2, 2000 (11:41)", "body": "Pushing the Guardian to one side and focusing on the positive!....Cherie's presence at the Premiere is really quite complimentary. Her baby is apparently due late May and I read somewhere that she's given up all public engagements. This must be a one-off."}, {"response": 842, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May  2, 2000 (17:30)", "body": "From Excite: Cherie in star turn at charity premiere Cherie Blair, with just weeks to go before the birth of her fourth child, has made a public appearance in London at the premiere of a British film featuring a Scottish family. A beaming and relaxed Mrs Blair mingled with Hollywood stars at the charity premiere of My Life So Far, at central London's ABC Shaftesbury Avenue cinema. She arrived with the film's director-producer team of Hugh Hudson and Lord Puttnam, whose collaboration on the project is their first since they made the 1981 Oscar-winning Chariots of Fire. Mrs Blair, dressed in a cream dress topped off with a matching wool frock coat, smiled at the waiting crowd and signed autographs before watching the premiere which is in aid of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. Colin Firth, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and Malcolm McDowell, who star in the film based on the autobiography of television executive Sir Denis Forman about a young boy's coming of age in an eccentric Scottish 1920s household, also attended. Neil and Glenys Kinnock plus model Luciana Morad, mother of Mick Jagger's child, and American actor Billy Zane were also among the guests. The film opens in the UK on May 12."}, {"response": 843, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May  2, 2000 (17:35)", "body": "Who were the Hollywood stars...aside from Billy Z? :-o Hmmm, maybe I should turn on the BBC or ITN news here."}, {"response": 844, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May  2, 2000 (21:29)", "body": "From The Times (pic was of Cherie and Puttnam: Puttnam's latest is for the whole family LORD PUTTNAM was accompanied last night by Cherie Blair, the wife of the Prime Minister, to the British charity premiere of My Life So Far, his latest film. The film reunites the director-producer team of Hugh Hudson and David Puttnam for the first time since they won the Best Picture Oscar for Chariots of Fire in 1981. It is based on the autobiography of Sir Denis Forman, the television executive, and is the tale of a young boy's coming of age in an eccentric Scottish household in the 1920s. Lord Puttnam, 59, said he was inspired by its message about the importance of families, \"which is not a popular subject these days\". He said: \"For anyone who has been in a relationship, it is very powerful.\" He added that it is not \"a Sound of Music celebration of the family\". While he expected it to be his last film, he said that he has \"never said never\". Among the celebrities who attended the premiere were Colin Firth, one of the film's leading actors, and Claudia Schiffer, the supermodel."}, {"response": 845, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (01:43)", "body": "From The Times (pic was of Cherie and Puttnam: Naturally, why would you photograph the star and the best looking man there :-("}, {"response": 846, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (02:42)", "body": "At least they mentioned him! End of the Invisible Man syndrome?"}, {"response": 847, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (04:44)", "body": "Sorry - was on holiday for a week and did not get through enough posts yesterday to find out about the premiere so I did not go along for a gawp. Cherie and Claudia are a couple of surprisingly A-list female celebs to be attending a somewhat low-key premiere, IMO. Bewitched by the leading man, I wonder? (remember Cherie loves BJD - I once posted a titbit about Cherie buttonholing HF to say how the book had been a major bedroom distraction)"}, {"response": 848, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (07:02)", "body": "(Mark), Cherie loves BJD - I once posted a titbit about Cherie buttonholing HF to say how the book had been a major bedroom distraction) Except for that one night. ;-)) You would have been our perfect rep./spy last night Mark. Thanks, Karen and Mari for such quick reporting! Is Billy Z a Hollywood Star? In any case, that FF matching and no picture? :-("}, {"response": 849, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (08:05)", "body": "'Fraid I have little to report. I went to the cinema just before 7pm. There were some camera men and a few (very few) fans waiting. Nobody famous or unfamous seemed to be going in and they were not expecting celebs for a while. I could not stay as had to get to a meeting. Will go and buy ES today and see if it has any more pictures. We may have to wait a few weeks for the ES magazine. These things are often shown there. Sorry no more exciting news."}, {"response": 850, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (08:12)", "body": "A friend told me that Cherie Blair and DP were on GMTV this morning at the Premiere, pictures of Colin & MMcD, Colin wore grey apparently and looked very happy, can't believe I missed it, sorry."}, {"response": 851, "author": "aishling", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (09:12)", "body": "I did see them on GMTV news. Reporter was talking to Cherie Blair and MMcD with Colin in the background talking to another reporter. MMcD was being very complimentary to CF, great British actor etc. and speaking loudly over his shoulder to where Colin stood. Colin then chipped in and laughing said \"Is Malcolm boring you with how it all started\". Right Ann, he was wearing a grey suit. I did set the video for the next news but news reader talked over a very short clip although they did manage a very nice close up of CF."}, {"response": 852, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (09:17)", "body": "Excellent! Thanks, Aishling. Anything notable about his appearance? Hair color? (It is rather early in the BJD shoot for anything definitive.) Thanks, Allison and Mark, for reporting in."}, {"response": 853, "author": "aishling", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (09:21)", "body": "I did mean to mention his hair. Looked natural colour but a bit longer than when we saw him in Jan."}, {"response": 854, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (09:28)", "body": "Ah! What time was the GMTV news? I actually recorded GMTV from about 7 to 8.! I looked at a bit and assumed there was nothing there. I shall have another look. The man from Sky is crawling over my equipment at the moment so I will not be able to view just yet!"}, {"response": 855, "author": "aishling", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (09:37)", "body": "7.30am. There was a much shorter report at 8.30 when I had set my video."}, {"response": 856, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (10:18)", "body": "Woohoo! News, news! It looks like a small reprieve from the Invisible Man Syndrome, Gi (but he's gonna have to get used to this when BJD publicity drive starts). Hmmm...has the grey LA premiere suit emigrated from the condo closet? Did he wear a black shirt? Thanks for your reports, ladies."}, {"response": 857, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (10:34)", "body": "The Grey Suit has seen several premieres....TEP,SIL in NY...where else? Aishling, could you see Livia? Was there a crowd In the lobby? Thanks Allison and Mark ..(I just knew Mark would have been there...)"}, {"response": 858, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (10:35)", "body": "(remember Cherie loves BJD - I once posted a titbit about Cherie buttonholing HF to say how the book had been a major bedroom distraction) } Obviously not too much of a distraction if she's due to deliver in a few weeks time... I still haven't seen MLSF. And if I recall, I don't think the Boston Globe gave it favorable reviews. I believe they called it mundane."}, {"response": 859, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (10:51)", "body": "I have it all on tape! 7.30 and 8.30. I have had a quick look and he seems to be wearing dark grey suit, darkish grey shirt and silver tie. Looking very smart. No sign of Livia but he was only shown being interviewed."}, {"response": 860, "author": "aishling", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (10:58)", "body": "There didn't seem to be many people in the lobby. I didn't see Livia. But it was a very short report."}, {"response": 861, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (11:36)", "body": "Thanks Aishling and Allison for the reports! (Allison)dark grey suit, darkish grey shirt and silver tie. Looking very smart. Mmmmm, the Regis Philbin monochromatic look--very elegant. Wouldn't mind seeing some snappies if someone can manage it.:-) I wonder if Billy Z. wore his hair for the occasion?;-) And how's this for a dubious claim to fame: \"Luciana Morad, mother of Mick Jagger's child.\" Gee, I thought Jerry Hall did all the premiere work in the family; she was at the Cannes shindig last year for MLSF/AMFAR. Oh, I get it now, she probably told Luciana that it was a good movie.;-) Sorry to be rude, but some of these people just make it so darn easy!;-) Laura, for shame, not seeing MLSF! The Boston Globe review was absolutely glowing--Jay Carr wrote it--Karen posted it here I believe. Trust me, I know 'em by heart.;-)"}, {"response": 862, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (11:54)", "body": "Thanks for the reports, ladies! Mark, good to see you back, hope your holiday was great. (Mari)Wouldn't mind seeing some snappies if someone can manage it.:-) Ditto here :-)"}, {"response": 863, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (12:10)", "body": "There was a report in the Daily Telegraph...big pic of Cherie and David Puttnam. Can't remember the exact wording, but it said that the stars of the film (CF etc)attended. You could sort of see a crowd of onlookers in the background, and I think the report said that Cherie chatted to the crowd. It's not mega publicity, but for a small British film it's pretty good! And I would think that many attending might be well known in the arts world (perhaps people like Sue Birtwistle?) but not the \"celebrities\" (soap stars, Posh Spice, Madonna etc) who get the press coverage. There was also quite a lot on the news about the plans for the new Film Council (thankfully no mention of SLOW!) They'll be supporting populist commercial films that draw the crowds in on Friday night, and not the sort of dramas that belong more to television. Well, good luck to them!"}, {"response": 864, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (12:54)", "body": "Also had to compete with another premiere of sorts. The Sex Pistols documentary (The Filth and the Fury) preemed at a theatre in Islington last night too. Probably not going to attract the same crowd. ;-D (Mari) Mmmmm, the Regis Philbin monochromatic look Thought I'd just read that Rege's look is actually Chris Tarrant's and is a program spec."}, {"response": 865, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (13:53)", "body": "Thanks for all your exciting and up to the minute reports Ladies, not quite the vanishing man--- yet!! Billy Zane, am I right in thinking he was in Femme Fatale and also his sister Lisa Zane? Or am I suffering from \"reading too much totally irrelevant gossip in the dentist's waiting room\" syndrome? Johnathan Firth is on the front of next week's Radio Times, I didn't recognise him. His hair seems much lighter. It is to publicise the Summer series/programmes on offer. I am afraid I didn't note what he is in, vainly looking for some DQ mention!! No prizes for guessing the outcome of that one."}, {"response": 866, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (13:58)", "body": "Naturally I meant Jonathan! Something about his appearance in FMTMC demolishing with \"one rapier\" thrust the \"only Colin Firth's younger brother syndrome.\" Or something akin to that (sorry Arami :)) You will have to go and check your local newsagents too!"}, {"response": 867, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (14:20)", "body": "Yes, Lizza, both Billy and Lisa Zane were in FF with Colin. Billy's claim to fame however is Titanic and the recent, and deservedly maligned, made-for-TV movie Cleopatra (Marc Anthony). ;-)"}, {"response": 868, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (14:23)", "body": "(Mari) I wonder if Billy Z. wore his hair for the occasion?;-) *snort* (Lizza) Billy Zane, am I right in thinking he was in Femme Fatale and also his sister Lisa Zane? 'course. Bet FF is listed on top of each of their resumes...(not!)"}, {"response": 869, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (14:27)", "body": "Yes, Lizza Billy and Colin were in FF. Thanks for your reports! I am not crazy about a grey suit with a silver tie, very bland. Then again, I do not like suits with black shirts either. I hope we will more news on this premiere, and photos, snappies, anything! Also had to compete with another premiere of sorts. The Sex Pistols documentary (The Filth and the Fury) preemed at a theatre in Islington last night too. Probably not going to attract the same crowd. ;-D I confess I would go to both. Saw them live in San Francisco, have spoken to John Lydon aka Johnny Rotten. They were bang-on! ;-D"}, {"response": 870, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (14:30)", "body": "I wonder if Billy Z. and CF and buds. (They *did* spend some quality time together in that FF wading pool.;-) You generally don't see BZ's name on the list of premiere regulars. Lisa Z. still acts, but I understand she has a pretty good singing career going, mostly club dates. Lizza, good to hear from you. Bethan, I think this is very good coverage. Except for the very biggest films, most premieres don't rate a mention in the mainstream press here. Seems like there was good coverage last evening. Very smart to have Cherie Blair there--all these mentions are good exposure for the film."}, {"response": 871, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (15:24)", "body": "Yes, I agree...premieres rarely rate a mention, so this is good coverage. May also be something in my fave magazines....OK and Hello! :-) Lizza, I'm sure DQ is a dead cert for the Autumn. I hope it heads the BBC drama line-up for Autumn. I had time over Easter to watch it properly...IMHO it's very good indeed...excellent ensemble acting. And I understood every word!"}, {"response": 872, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (15:52)", "body": "Well done Aishling and Alison! I bought the London ES this evening, sure that there would be something of note therein...but no..it's only THE London paper after all! Will scour around for the colour supplements this week and post if any pics appear! Anyway decent pix or not and ES excepted, all this publicity for MLSF can only be good for ODB..no more wandering about in the darkness...it's limelight time!!"}, {"response": 873, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (16:14)", "body": "Thanks for all the news everyone. Wish I lived in London, I had no previous engagements on Tuesday night and could have easily attended. I thought Lisa Zane was Billy's wife at the time of FF and that they are no longer together??? Although now \"sister\" has been mentioned, they do look similar."}, {"response": 874, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (17:05)", "body": "They are brother and sister."}, {"response": 875, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (18:18)", "body": "Lizza - why are you sorry about that Jonathan Firth remark? I don't get it... UK chums, please remind me when ES publishes its weekly magazine? Would you believe: I've had a copy of today's ES specially hunted for me - and all for nothing!!! Grrrrr!"}, {"response": 876, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (18:39)", "body": "This fun bit thanks to an FOF, Martine: From the news clip at the MLSF premiere: Malcolm McDowell and Colin standing right next to each other pretending to be answering different reporters at the same time. Colin laughing and enjoying himself immensely. Commentary: The film's two male stars Colin and Malcolm McDowell enjoy working together: Malcolm: 'Except for Colin Firth who's a bit of a ... oh, no sorry ... Colin butts in: 'Yes. Malcolm McDowell is very very difficult to work with ... (They \"see\" each other) M : 'Oh Colin ... C : 'Daarling, how are you? M : '...brilliant actor ... one of the greatest actors of the moment - Colin Firth. C : 'Is he boring you about how it all started out?' CUT ************ Murph Actor of the moment... LOL!"}, {"response": 877, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (18:41)", "body": "Mickie has the Radio Times Jon Firth cover at her web site: http://www.geocities.com/~byebar/radiot2.html Murph"}, {"response": 878, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (19:57)", "body": "Radio Times Jon Firth cover at her web site: Thanks Murph...but which one is JF...the one standing with the high cheek-bones and straight bangs on his face or the one squatting with the soccer ball? I don't see any remote resemblance in either one to Colin.Sorry."}, {"response": 879, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (20:32)", "body": "Thanks Murph! Evelyn Jon is standing. In the smaller picture he looks very much like Marco Van Basten, one of the greatest soccer players ever. His comment on stage acting was very funny. I hope it does not rub off on big brother. one of the greatest actors of the moment - Colin Firth. V. cute!"}, {"response": 880, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (23:26)", "body": "Nice reporting of the preview (I hope they got the charity funds they wanted.) Now to await the more wiespread reviews. I seemed to recall a mixed batch when MLSF first came out so went back for a quick reviews of the late July entries reporting MLSF reviews. 10 were strongly for. 7 Strongly against 3 had mixed feelings. So Don't be surprised if you see some awful ones in the UK. Seems you either \"get it\" or you don't."}, {"response": 881, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (02:34)", "body": "(Karen)the recent, and deservedly maligned, made-for-TV movie Cleopatra (Marc Anthony). ;-) With Penelope Cruz as Cleopatra, yes I saw it... Aaaarrgh! Terrible. Also saw Eyes Wide Shut on video this week... I confess mine were quite shut after about 1h45m... I saw nothing to warrant all the fuss. No story, do acting, no photography... The scenarios perhaps? :-("}, {"response": 882, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (02:36)", "body": "I tried to use the url from your post, Murph, and was \"forbidden entry\"... What was that about?"}, {"response": 883, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (07:56)", "body": "Leonor Varela (Brazilian I think) was Cleo."}, {"response": 884, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (10:53)", "body": "Gi: Try this: http://www.geocities.com/jonfirthfan/radiot2.html Murph"}, {"response": 885, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (12:07)", "body": "There's a small item on Colin in today's Daily Telegraph (in the Peterborough column) Interviewed at the premiere of \"My Life So Far\" Colin Firth had this to say about the first day of filming of \"Bridget Jones' Diary\": \"Day 1 : 12 stone (reportedly), no cigarettes, alcohol units 2, no arguments or hitches, filming going well (fingers crossed)\" 12 stone is 168 pounds, which I think is about 73 kg. He's still off the ciggies, but must have had a beer! I like the account of the premiere...you never see CF goofing around!"}, {"response": 886, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (12:13)", "body": "Sorry-o. Karen's beaten me to it, and I've posted at the wrong place anyway. BTW no pic."}, {"response": 887, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (12:19)", "body": "(KarenR)Leonor Varela (Brazilian I think) was Cleo. Oooops! Wrong actress. Thanks for the correction, Karen :-)"}, {"response": 888, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (13:49)", "body": "BTW no pic Good to know. I was going to ask before I went in search of the paper tomorrow."}, {"response": 889, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (14:43)", "body": "(Arami) UK chums, please remind me when ES publishes its weekly magazine There are two main mags Arami, 'Hot Tickets' guide to Films, Theatre, Arts etc.etc... is free with the Evening Standard on Thursdays and the glossy ES (I think that's what it's called) which comes out each Friday. Todays HT has nothing in it but as MLSF is released 12th May it's probably worth seeking out next weeks. I'll be grabbing my ES copy tomorrow evening and will post anything of note! Hope this helps."}, {"response": 890, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (14:56)", "body": "BTW have just accessed Liz's News & Updates page at http://hem.passagen.se/lmw/news.html Some nice snappies (courtesy Dolores) from SLOW there ...feast your eyes! Mmmmm :)~~~ Must rent that out...again, that guy at Blockbusters will be getting ideas!"}, {"response": 891, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (15:40)", "body": "Good to see a few mentions for CF and MLSF!! I'm quite hopeful about the publicity for RV as well...probably more so than MLSF. There'll be a premiere, and I think JA's first film in, what, ten years? will attract quite a lot of attention. Also it's distributed by Atlantic Alliance, who distributed \"Sunshine\" and, I think, did well...they got ten theatres in London, and ten independents nationwide. Plus advertising. I'm sure they'll do the same for RV...maybe another premiere for CF by the end of May? And maybe a showing at the Curzon again? Most Brit film get zero publicity (nothing at all for \"The Last September\" with Michael Gambon (I think Mari asked about this) which opens this week) so Colin's doing okay. Tracy, Matthew *is* a feast for the eyes...SLOW needed a few female reviewers!!"}, {"response": 892, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (17:33)", "body": "Arami, just a wicked reminder that I was doing my best to quote my source :} Tracy, thanks for SLOW tip.BTW I went into Virgin the other day to enquire about SLOW retail release, but they had no date as yet. Anyone else further on with that? Look forward to ES providing some scrumptious pics for us to feast our eyes on. I had an email from a friend today commenting on the fact CF was on TV and expecting I had seen it (I hadn't) do we know if the clips were on BBC as well as GMTV?"}, {"response": 893, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (19:06)", "body": "Thanks, Tracy. Hee-hee, Lizza: absolute accuracy is required only when quoting materials about ODB... :-)"}, {"response": 894, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (19:13)", "body": "(Bethan) 12 stone is 168 pounds, which I think is about 73 kg Yikes! He's a twig! Come on over to my house, honey, and I'll fatten you up. Seriously, that's a very good weight but I don't think another 5 or 6 pounds would hurt him a bit. I've posted at the wrong place anyway. I always come here first anyway. Please don't stop posting Colin stuff here too."}, {"response": 895, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, May  5, 2000 (02:40)", "body": "(Bethan) 12 stone is 168 pounds, which I think is about 73 kg (Heide)Yikes! He's a twig! Not really... He's not that much taller than my DH who weighs 68 kg at present :-)"}, {"response": 896, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (02:31)", "body": "At last! A Colin is featured in the Times Saturday magazine. I am rushing off for the weekend so will probably not have an opportunity to scan anything but I am sure others will be able to. It is by Jasper Rees(ce?)again. Interesting points: they are living in Barnsbury, a smart part of Islington (I drive through there at least twice a week), replying to whether they will have children Colin says \"it'll happen\",they spend July and August in Umbria with Will. The featured quote is \"I want to be well thought of. I want to be prosperous. I want to be respected. Lots of other stuff which I am afraid I don't have time to type. I am sure some one else in the UK will be able to!"}, {"response": 897, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (03:15)", "body": "Thanks, Allison, have a good weekend! UK ladies, you are warned :-)"}, {"response": 898, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (03:23)", "body": "Too late, Allison beat met to it. Have not seen it yet, my hubby just rang to tell me about the interview with masses and masses of photos so he says, will see it lunchtime. Will be pleased to scan it Karen. Apparently RV opens on the 23rd June. James says there are pictures he hasn't seen before. Will post more later. Good ole' Jasper."}, {"response": 899, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (04:13)", "body": "Allison has already alerted you all....he's on the front of the Times magazine, which was lying on the doormat this morning. I actually recognised the legs!! It's by Jasper Rees, who has interviewed him several times (must definitely be a buddy) and is very long, very perceptive...haven't had time to take it all in. One interesting story is how he and Livia went to see JE in TRT at the Donmar and found themselves sitting next to the Blairs. And he says that interviewers have focused too much on the so-called \"misery\" of his schooldays. He seems to spend a lot of time in LA with Will. Yes, please scan it, Ann....there's a lot to absorb! And the legs are great!"}, {"response": 900, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (04:15)", "body": "Is it accessible online....or perhaps the magazine content isn't available?"}, {"response": 901, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (04:27)", "body": "On MLSF ....\"It's been quite a while since I've seen MLSF in any of its forms. I was attached to it because I enjoyed making it so much and I don't understand why people (harvey?0 felt it had to be repeatedly corrected. I don't mind saying that it wasn't broke in the first place. Partly what it suffers from is the randomness of a true story, because that's what it is\" (Well said!) He apparently rents a house quite far out of LA when he sees Will and doesn't like the fear and insecurity of Hollywood...\"you're better out of it really\". Okay, over to you Ann....there's just too much in this article!"}, {"response": 902, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (06:30)", "body": "thanks for the Times tip, I don't usually buy it but as I live next door to the newsagent I'm nipping out now .....quite literally....Bye!"}, {"response": 903, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (07:03)", "body": "Ok chaps I'm back. I'm not promising anything spectacular here but here's one (hopefully) of the shots from the Times magazine! Hopefully if this works I'll post some more"}, {"response": 904, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (07:31)", "body": "If any kind soul would mail me a copy of the magazine I would be forever in your debt! I will gladly pay for mailing costs. Murph"}, {"response": 905, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (07:36)", "body": "Gorgeous treat in store Ladies. His photo is actually above the TIMES logo on the front page. Will reach millions that way!! What can I add that is new? he is mentioned as being \"scruffy\", not a fur trimmed parka in sight either! Also the problems he and Livia experienced prior to their wedding and being pursued by press at high speed thro' an underpass in Rome, which he likens to the Diana experience. Poor man. Sadly not much on the quality of his recent stage work, only a mention in brackets. And in the final paragraph he is said to have a \"wintry\" smile. Luckily we know DIFFERENT!!! And first hand. Jasper has obviously never been in the front row of the Donmar when ODB takes a curtain call. Thank you Ann for your scanning offer. Mine continues to be terminally ill. Go to it everyone."}, {"response": 906, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (07:58)", "body": "You may all have seen this already but another snippet was that ODB was recognised thro' his living room window while reading at home and the passer by said \"Look there's Colin Firth\". ODB then comments that incident could never have taken place in Hackney because awareness of P&P hadn't penetrated etc. Personally I would be straight off to buy some nets Colin!"}, {"response": 907, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (08:09)", "body": "Ann: Please do scan in any pictures we haven't seen; I'll post them. Tracy: Saw your test message on 61 and here. You can't post from your hard drive. Send pic to me and I'll post. they spend July and August in Umbria with Will. Someone had better keep her eyes open. \"I want to be well thought of. I want to be prosperous. I want to be respected. He wants it all. Sounds like he wants to be Ralph Fiennes. ;-) And he says that interviewers have focused too much on the so-called \"misery\" of his schooldays Didn't I just say this? ;-) Keep it coming, ladies. This is fantastic! Thank you all."}, {"response": 908, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (08:16)", "body": "Karen, James says it will be easier to scan the whole article, pictures and text, is that alright and Murph I shall be pleased to send you the hard copy."}, {"response": 909, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (08:29)", "body": "Tracy, I think his \"wintry\" smile is in response to Jasper's suggestion that if there's a sequel to BJD and they shoot the scene where Bridget interviews Colin Firth in Rome, then his brother Jonathan could play him. \"There's a thought\" he says with a wintry smile. Another tidbit...Jasper asks if he and Livia will be having children. He says \"it will happen\". \"You don't want to be too old\" I say. CF \"No, I know. There does seem to be very little in between. You finally reach adulthood and you go through a time of being too young for everything - I'm notthinking about acting here. 'Oh, you've got plenty of time, it's all infront of you, you'll find that out later in life.' And then suddenly on a dime, you're past it, you're not young any more. There does seem to be a missing middle bit\". Lots more like this...."}, {"response": 910, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (08:39)", "body": "How ever James wants to do it, Ann, is fine with me. then his brother Jonathan could play him. \"There's a thought\" he says with a wintry smile. Oooh, that doesn't sound good And then suddenly on a dime, you're past it, you're not young any more Melancholy kind of thought. Too old to play Shakespeare, too old to play other parts that he's wanted perhaps."}, {"response": 911, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (08:42)", "body": "Another interesting bit about his age - \"Agents have a way of reminding their clients of their age. Last year a fellow actor with whom he shares an agent told him about a casting he, too, would have espected to be up for. His agent told him it was for people in their twenties. Firth mentioned his actor friend was 35. \"You're 38\" the agent replied. \"Suddenly I realised that it wasn't a lot between us, but I was on the other side of a fairly important barrier as far as casting is concerned.\" says Firth. \"Then just to rub it in, my agent phoned me back about five minjutes later and said \"They've offered it to your brother (Jonathan- 6years younger)\". Wonder what role that was!"}, {"response": 912, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (08:59)", "body": "These tidbits are lovely, ladies, and most welcome since the Times Magazine has yet to be found online. Hope James didn't have any plans this Saturday. '-) (AnnW) James says there are pictures he hasn't seen before. What a love...even he is familiar with all of Colin's pics by now. (Bethan) he's on the front of the Times magazine, which was lying on the doormat this morning. I actually recognised the legs!! LOL!! Is he wearing fawn breeches? Good eye! As usual, Colin seems to be responding in his usual, wry, self effacing way. He sounds amused by the whole age thing. Healthy, happy and sound. Yeah!! Bring on more, please."}, {"response": 913, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (09:04)", "body": "Here's another snippet: On the CF's determination to \"wrong foot the audience to the extent that he sometimes even wrong-foots himself\"..... 'One of my theories is that he actually courts anonymity in a project: that given a choice between two scripts, he will go for the one that makes it easier to cross Upper Street unrecognised. He does admit to a \"tendency to withdraw\". After P&P, big-time American TV beckoned, but he chose to do Fever Pitch. \"There's a big part of this which is uncomplicated,\" he (CF) says. \"I want to be well thought of. I want to make moneyfrom this. I want to be prosperous. Iwant to be respected. Like everybody else I want to have jobs that are inspiring and enjoyable amnd fun. With something as extraordinary as P&P and as unexpected as a cult attached to a character you've played, it is so diffucult to understand what it was that you did that wa apparently effective. But then you don't want to be percieved to be trying to catch lightning in a bottle twice. So I think I probably did consciously go in all sorts of different directions.\" '"}, {"response": 914, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (09:04)", "body": "Bethan, how on earth did you recognise the legs, they are covered in a greenish ill-fitting baggy pair of trousers, rounded off with an old pair of trainers (sneekers?)."}, {"response": 915, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (09:09)", "body": "Cult? :-("}, {"response": 916, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (09:19)", "body": "Karen - I've had a very tentative stab at an impromptu web page at http://website.lineone.net/~turnip/ but if this doesn't work (and I'm sure I'll soon know about it) I'll send you the pics. BTW anyone else want a copy ofthe Times mag before I go out shopping?"}, {"response": 917, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (09:20)", "body": "Not that ill fitting Ann!!! They are combat style, Islington's urban chic? Also blue retro trainers. Go well with that parka! In the largest picture I thought he really looked a tad tired, around the eyes. That's where he differs from other \"hearthrobs\", no doubt they would have been calling in make-up to touch them up and cover any imperfections or dark circles. That's what I like about ODB, I am glad his kohl photoshoot days are over."}, {"response": 918, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (09:22)", "body": "Nice one Tracy, thanks for doing that."}, {"response": 919, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (09:30)", "body": "Tracy, I can only see two pics. The upper right and lower left. The other two have c:\\ addresses. You need to upload those. But I sure do like that sexy, hand behind the back of head one, on the lower left. That is such a fashion shot type. *not complaining*"}, {"response": 920, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (09:39)", "body": "Any better now??"}, {"response": 921, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (09:50)", "body": ""}, {"response": 922, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (09:51)", "body": "Yes, much better. *yum yum* Now that I see the cover of the magazine, it's mind-boggling. Definitely think Colin has woken up and smelled the coffee insofar as his career is concerned. *thank goodness* :-) and thank you, Tracy!!"}, {"response": 923, "author": "kolin", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (09:55)", "body": "Thank you all for all the snippets, this seems the best article we have seen in a long time. Can't wait for the whole thing. I can still see only two pictures Tracy. How do you get all four Karen? Vera"}, {"response": 924, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (10:00)", "body": "Glad I could help! Have managed to lay my hands (if only *sigh*) on two spare copies of THE MAG so if anyone wants a copy email me and it's first come first served! Must sign off now as am off out but will check back tomorrow"}, {"response": 925, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (10:01)", "body": "They are all there now. I have linked Tracy's page from The Bucket's What's New page and will reproduce the entire article when it is in my hot little hands. Try again, Vera, and hit Reload or Refresh as your cache memory thinks it already knows what is being displayed. Here's Tracy's page again: http://website.lineone.net/~turnip/"}, {"response": 926, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (10:06)", "body": "I could see all four photos! Thank you Tracy."}, {"response": 927, "author": "kolin", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (10:13)", "body": "Thank you Karen, I can see them all now. He is as gorgeous as ever."}, {"response": 928, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (10:16)", "body": "The Times also lists MLSF in its Metro section as one of next week's releases, so they should give it plenty of (favourable) cover. I am hoping that tomorrow's Independent or Telegraph might feature Colin in view of today and the earlier Observer article. Yeah Karen, he's certainly caffeine bound now!"}, {"response": 929, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (10:34)", "body": "Marvelous speed, Tracy. Thank you and all of you ladies who are pulling all these pieces together for us. Love the cover shot! (Karen) Cult? :-( Surely not us! ;-) Cults never struck me as having much of a sense of humor. anyway I took that statement as more of a recognition that he had done something right with that role. (Lizza) That's what I like about ODB, I am glad his kohl photoshoot days are over. LOL, Lizza. Now it's wrinkles and all and still so delicious."}, {"response": 930, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (10:35)", "body": "I SAW them too. Thanks Tracy, Ann , Jasper.... everybody.. Who said ...\"nothing ever happens on a weekend!!\""}, {"response": 931, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (10:41)", "body": "Bethan, how on earth did you recognise the legs, they are covered in a greenish ill-fitting baggy pair of trousers, rounded off with an old pair of trainers (sneekers?). (Ann) It's the way he's standing! And as Lizza says, I don't think the trousers aare all that ill-fitting! Well done Tracy...you've got the photos up very quickly. That's where he differs from other \"hearthrobs\", no doubt they would have been calling in make-up to touch them up and cover any imperfections or dark circles. That's what I like about ODB, I am glad his kohl photoshoot days are over. No touch ups here...or even make up. No vanity. Another quote \"There's an enormous cult of personal archaeology into our own misery now. They want to know where all the wounds lie. And increasingly I realise that I don't think all the explanations lie in unhappy things. Some of the explanations are not to be found at all, You are just as likely to be formed by the positive things, the peaceful things.....\" He also confirms that he and Helen acted out CF meets Bridget in Rome interview in \"The Edge of Reason\". \"Helen stuck the recorder on and went into Bridget and I did Mr Darcy, a rather serious actor who just wants to get on with the interview\". Must go do some gardening. Brilliant weather again for shooting BJD!!"}, {"response": 932, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (10:55)", "body": "Thanks everyone for the wonderful news and article quotes. This sounds like a wonderful interview, one of his best. And Tracy, many thanks for getting the pics up--great! Ann, how cute is it that your hubby knew which pics were new? LOL! Will look forward to reading the full article. The \"cult\" will have plenty to dissect.;-) Off to shave my head and burn incense.;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 933, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (11:17)", "body": "Wonderful news at last! (Karen, my prayers have been answered!) Thanks Tracy for those pix, is he wearing balck shoes with light coloured laces? they spend July and August in Umbria with Will. Someone had better keep her eyes open. I am happy to hear this and will be looking out. ;-)"}, {"response": 934, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (11:27)", "body": "Is Will roughly the age of your litte Indiana Jones, Moon?"}, {"response": 935, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (12:02)", "body": "My little Nicky turns 9 in July. They would be excellent playmates and Nicky could even teach Will some Italian, to his father's content. ;-) I also have an 11 year old so Will could have two playmates. (I wish!)"}, {"response": 936, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (12:11)", "body": "It could happen, Moon, remember one of your boys once played with Bette Midler's daughter."}, {"response": 937, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (12:36)", "body": "(Bethan)Jasper's suggestion that if there's a sequel to BJD and they shoot the scene where Bridget interviews Colin Firth in Rome, then his brother Jonathan could play him. \"There's a thought\" he says with a wintry smile. Wintry, was he? I'd have been arctic! Ann, as Evelyn would say, your husband is a prince :-) Tracy, good work! Love those pics (even though I hate trainers). Outlived Darcymania, has he? Little do they know!;-)"}, {"response": 938, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (13:36)", "body": "Hurrah! Newsnewsnews! Thank you Allison, Bethan, Ann and Lizza for your timely reporting. Special thanks to Tracy for the prezzie! *samooch* (Karen) Now that I see the cover of the magazine, it's mind-boggling. Definitely think Colin has woken up and smelled the coffee insofar as his career is concerned. *thank goodness* :-) I couldn't agree more. IMO signing on for BJD is evidence of this line of thinking. He's also more relaxed about revealing personal details such as in which part of Islington he lives, his plans for more kiddies, etc. they spend July and August in Umbria with Will. (Karen) Someone had better keep her eyes open. *hee hee* Our Moonsleuth is on top of things. Looking forward to more reports this year!"}, {"response": 939, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (14:18)", "body": "We are counting on you Moon for some Umbrian anecdotes!"}, {"response": 940, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (14:28)", "body": "Agree with your comments on his relaxed attitude Eileen. It's great he can admit to feeling that it's \"healthy\" for him to be doing Mark Darcy. Is it something to do with approaching 40 do you think? You will see there is quite a bit on the subject of age in the interview, don't want too many spoilers!"}, {"response": 941, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (15:39)", "body": "Murph, I've deleted your address from this very public board. email would be better."}, {"response": 942, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (16:17)", "body": "Thanks, Karen. I should have thought. I will send it via e-mail. Two pals, Gill from the UK and Rai from the USA, have sent me scans and the copy of the Times article. Enjoy. I am still looking forward to the hard copy, Ann. It's a keeper! http://www.geocities.com/firthfan/timesmag.html Murph"}, {"response": 943, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (17:08)", "body": "(Karen) Cult? :-( (Heide)Surely not us! ;-) Cults never struck me as having much of a sense of humor. Anyway I took that statement as more of a recognition that he had done something right with that role. Nope...it's a cult ...and I am happy to be counted amongst them;-) (Mari)Off to shave my head and burn incense.;-) ;-) And bring on the saffron robes;-)"}, {"response": 944, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (18:00)", "body": "Have reproduced the article from Ann and James' scans. Here you go: http://www.spring.net/karenr/articles/times060500.html"}, {"response": 945, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (19:05)", "body": "Thanks Murph, Karen, Tracy. Great Work! I really like this article, it\ufffds one of the very few good ones I\ufffdve read about him. Treats Colin normally, with no special attitude. And Colin responds to this by sounding very relaxed, even commenting the top private child question!! That\ufffds surprising. \"It\ufffdll happen\".....sounds almost like it was already happening. Candid looking pics too, carefully designed as candid of course but very well done. Colin is a Star again, almost feels strange."}, {"response": 946, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (19:36)", "body": "Another newish pic that most of us (outside the UK) haven't seen from the SLOW video back cover:"}, {"response": 947, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (20:41)", "body": "Hmmm... I am happy to see a great new interview and pics, of course... and yet there's something bugging me... Why is he worried about crossing a crowded street (what happened to the neutral face?) and at the same time pinpoints the area of his London residence to virtually a handful of streets...? He is very open about the fact that (apparently) he lives in a house the front room of which can be easily seen from the pavement (sidewalk) - and then almost naively ponders the \"oh, look, there's Colin Firth\" syndrome... he's private and yet sort of defiantly (flippantly?) challenging... teasing... as if inviting those paparazzi to take their positions outside yet again?"}, {"response": 948, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (22:58)", "body": "Nasty piece from Richard Brooks' Biteback column in The Sunday Times: David Puttnam's final movie, My Life So Far (not his life, but the childhood of the former Granada bigwig Sir Denis Forman), opens this week. I saw it in Cannes a year ago. It was then released in America, where it disappointed critics and audiences. [huh???] Puttnam has done a lot for the British film industry over the years, but he must also take his share of the blame for being one of the key figures in setting up the now discredited Arts Council film lottery. My Life So Far, directed by Hugh Hudson, was made with cash from the giant Miramax and lottery support from the Scottish Arts Council. Puttnam, I hasten to add, was no longer connected with the lottery when he got his film dosh. Yet I doubt very much if the new Film Council, which is taking over the distribution of lottery loot to film-makers, would give anything to My Life So Far. The movie is unlikely to be commercially successful nor does it fit the criteria for the New Cinema fund. Puttnam's old mate Alan Parker, the Film Council chairman, has rightly laid down much stricter guidelines. \"No money for movies which really are made for television,\" says Parker."}, {"response": 949, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (23:30)", "body": "From the Sunday Herald by Wendy Ide: An altogether more rewarding (and certainly less shrill) picture is Hugh Hudson's gentle coming-of-age drama My Life So Far. Set in the 1920s and narrated by 10-year-old Fraser Pettigrew, the film tells of a charmed childhood in an idyllic ancestral Scottish estate. Along with numerous brothers and sisters (including Kelly MacDonald battling against a very unflattering wig), Fraser shares his home with his beautiful mother (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio), his indomitable grandma (Rosemary Harris) and his charismatic, jazz-hating inventor father Edward (Colin Firth), the pioneer who discovered the many and varied uses for spagnum moss. Their lives are disrupted when Fraser's wealthy uncle (Malcolm McDowell) comes to stay, bringing with him an exotic stranger who captivates the entire family, particularly Fraser and his father. The film is based on a memoir by television executive Sir Dennis Forman and, perhaps because of this, has a tendency to be a little episodic - an inconclusive string of events rather than a linear story. However, it is an engaging enough picture, if rather twee, and could be recommended with impunity to mothers, grandmothers and elderly female relatives with delicate nerves."}, {"response": 950, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (03:17)", "body": "Thanks, Karen, for that wonderfull article. There are some very funny parts in it. I like that bit where HF followed him on the set of Fever Pitch!"}, {"response": 951, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (03:32)", "body": "I saw it in Cannes a year ago. It was then released in America, where it disappointed critics and audiences. I thought American audiences liked it and some of the reviews were very good, but that's the sort of inaccurate comment that kills success. Ditto, the sort of comments that are unfairly attached to SLOW. The movie is unlikely to be commercially successful nor does it fit the criteria for the New Cinema It's difficult to be commercially successful when the movie is only shown in one theatre in London! MLSF is going to have a very very mixed reception...love it, hate it.(Also opens the same week as \"Gladiator\" which will get all the raves) Infact \"mothers and grandmothers \" form about 40% of the population, but in movie making terms it's the 40% that's always ignored and no longer matter. MLSF is also, in British terms, unfashionable. It's not about low-life junkies, gang wars, it doesn't feature puerile humour or explicit sex. I'm also giving up on how you measure \"commercial success\"!...My 16 year old son went to see (peer group pressure) \"Kevin and Perry go large\" which has taken \ufffd2.5 million at the weekend, is dubbed a success and a sequel is already planned. He left in the middle and said it was boring and embarassingly stupid. But he'd already boosted the Box Office takings! I was also reading about the new version of \"Anna Karenina\"...we're again promised a very modern take on this- \"will offend purists\" \"deliberately perverse casting\"- which will include very explicit sex ecenes and full frontal nudity. Yippee!! I think it's difficult for someone like Colin...maybe that's why he's conscious about the age thing...he must have very little in common with twenty something film makers. Bur increasingly it's their agenda we're seeing. Maybe it's time the ignored 40% started fighting back! Enough of this ranting!!! I just hope CF goes on doing the sort of work he's doing...a good mix of theatre, quality TV and \"non-commercial\" film!! As do most good actors. Why is he worried about crossing a crowded street (what happened to the neutral face?) and at the same time pinpoints the area of his London residence to virtually a handful of streets...? He is very open about the fact that (apparently) he lives in a house the frontroom of which can be easily seen from the pavement (sidewalk) (Arami) Yes, that struck me too! Barnsbury is a very small area, and if he lives in a house that literally opens onto the pavement, he must live in one of those high early Victorian/Georgian terraces. But I don't think he'll be tabloid fodder any more...they don't go for boringly happily married men who practice good works!"}, {"response": 952, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (06:51)", "body": "one of those high early Victorian/Georgian terraces Some of those houses are really nice. The ground (is it called first in America?) floors can be quite high, sometimes built over a basement, but you can still take a peek into the front room. A net curtain would definitely be advisable. You may remember from a previous interview last year, just after he bought the house, that there is another reception room upstairs - which Colin described as \"the room where the music is\" (where he was hurt putting up the speakers). That points to a typical Georgian-early Victorian style of living accomodation. I don't think he'll be tabloid fodder any more...they don't go for boringly happily married men LOL, do you think he may have got married just to get them off his back? They go for scandalous gossip, though. Paul McGann is said to have been a victim of such maliciously generated gossip accusing him of leaving his wife to live with Catherine Zeta Jones after they (having worked together) have been spotted exchanging a friendly peck. The McGanns followed this up with an official complaint of harrassment. There is always a gossip-monger waiting to catch a \"celebrity\" put his or her foot wrong, whether inadvertently or for real. And what about mentally imbalanced, manic-obssessive stalkers? They tend to attempt stupid and sometimes criminal things - and that is most worrying."}, {"response": 953, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (08:17)", "body": "That's where he differs from other \"hearthrobs\", no doubt they would have been calling in make-up to touch them up and cover any imperfections or dark circles. That's what I like about ODB, I am glad his kohl photoshoot days are over. No touch ups here...or even make up. No vanity. I have to agree that slouched in his chair in scruffy attire indicative of this \"ordinary Joe\" lifestyle he looks gorgeous...and we all love him lack of vanity. But I wonder if a female (like, say Jennifer) were to appear uncoiffed, with disheveled hair , non-posh attire, no make-up leaning on on a table...if we would be as complimentary(a regular Josephine?)...nay even uncritical. Sexism lives! Of course, in actuality this never happened;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 954, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (08:40)", "body": "(Evelyn) But I wonder if a female (like, say Jennifer) were to appear uncoiffed, with disheveled hair , non-posh attire, no make-up leaning on on a table...if we would be as complimentary...nay even uncritical...Ofcourse, in actuality this never happened;-) ;-) Touche (imagine there's an accent). LOL, Evelyn, of course something like this never happened! But that's life in our sexist world. Gwynnie wears something totally hideous and inappropriate to the Golden Globes, the world comes down on her. Angelina Jolie decides she wants to look like Morticia Addams the Oscars, same thing. How many people remember that Mr. So & So didn't wear a tie? That's life. BTW, the Herald is a Scottish paper and if its critic thinks the movie is for boring old ladies, then what hope is there?"}, {"response": 955, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (08:51)", "body": "I, too, am surprised that they revealed his neighborhood. Maybe he didn't know the writer was going to put that in the article? It's not the tabloids that cause concern for a conservative-living guy such as him, it's the nut cases. Was also surprised at his answer to having a baby--could be one is already on the way, as I doubt he would have answered the way he did otherwise. (Bethan) MLSF is going to have a very very mixed reception...love it, hate it.(Also opens the same week as \"Gladiator\" which will get all the raves) It's interesting that a lot of the critics here who liked MLSF (NY and LA Times, Roger Ebert) have slammed Gladiator, and vice versa (People, EW). The comment about it disappointing critics and audiences here is innaccurate, as Bethan and Karen have said. My advice is resign youself to the fact that the reviews will be mixed, and just go out and have a good time watching the film!:-) BTW, I saw Gladiator last night--very mediocre--over-hyped, overwrought, and overlong. Also, Hugh Hudson's latest, I Dreamed Of Africa, just opened here as well and the reviews have been universally bad. Thank goodness the ones for MLSF were much better."}, {"response": 956, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (08:57)", "body": "I never thought anybody would think of making a \"Roman\" film nowadays... Does anyone still watch Ben Hur over the holidays? Guess it shows how wrong I can be... (And I'm a fan of Julius Caesar...)"}, {"response": 957, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (09:04)", "body": "(Mari) a lot of the critics here who liked MLSF (NY and LA Times, Roger Ebert) have slammed Gladiator No kidding!! Watched Roger go ballistic yesterday as Joyce Kulhawik (from Boston TV) pronounced Gladiator one of the year's best and stated that she expected it to receive numerous Oscar nominations. I think, out of camera range, the entire crew was holding Roger back. ;-)"}, {"response": 958, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (09:36)", "body": "Gladiator was my DHs must see film ever since he knew about it. Saw it opening day and he did not like it at all, he agrees with Ebert. Cheryl posted a fantastically funny review of it on the Russell Crowe topic. I invite everyone to read it. But I wonder if a female (like, say Jennifer) were to appear uncoiffed, with disheveled hair , non-posh attire, no make-up leaning on on a table...if we would be as complimentary(a regular Josephine?)...nay even uncritical. Sexism lives! Of course, in actuality this never happened;-) ;-) LOL, Evelyn! I may be alone here, but I do not like what he is wearing. I am not a fan of the Ordinary Joe (or Josephine) look and black sneakers (or worse shoes), with white laces is a total affectation. I remain consistent. I am glad he is finally smelling the coffee, as Karen has said. :-) CF is not known in Italy, and I was surprised to hear that they were chased by paparazzi in Rome. As far as I know, there are no pictures of them in Rome before their marriage. So where are those pictures?"}, {"response": 959, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (09:49)", "body": "The movie mags that slated MLSF all gave \"Gladiator\" a 5 stars rating... and Anne Billson of the Sunday Telegraph (whose reviews I dread reading) has picked it out as the main event of next week. But then reviews are very subjective, as we know!"}, {"response": 960, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (12:02)", "body": "I too saw Gladiator yesterday, and agree with Mari's assessment. Russell is great in the part, but the film disappointed me. I reviewed it for a few friends, Mari among them. I'll have to find that Crowe place at Spring. On CF's picturs and garb. There is probably a double standard as far as men and women's clothes are concerned, but I haven't seen him look as sexy as he does in that cover shot for a long time - legs long and lean and apart, trainers on feet, hand on face. I like the slightly weathered face in the closeups too. 40 was a great year for me, and it will be for him too. I guarantee it. Murph"}, {"response": 961, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (13:09)", "body": "(from the interview)...If he\ufffds Mark Darcy, he can\ufffdt be Colin Firth too. They could get his brother to play him, I suggest. \ufffdThere's a thought,\ufffd he says with a wintry smile. \ufffdOr you might have to change the character of the actor. Someone the Americans believe is a credible sex symbol.\ufffd Ridiculous! Doesn't he know ? ;-)"}, {"response": 962, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (15:34)", "body": "(Moon) I am glad he is finally smelling the coffee I just hope it isn't too late. I for one am not resigned to watch Colin move into roles usually associated with Robert Young yet! ;-) That last comment in the article was particularly painful: \"Or you might have to change the character of the actor. Someone the Americans believe is a credible sex symbol.\" This tells me that Colin has heard this quite a bit in Hollywood from agents, casting directors, whoever. The word in Hollywood is that Colin is not a sex symbol. All we can hope for is that BJD reverses that impression. That Colin will be viewed as not only a viable English leading man (to compete for roles with the only other two - HG and RF). This role can get him the recognition for being both a sexy leading man type and more importantly a fine actor on a par with that other guy. ;-)"}, {"response": 963, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (15:44)", "body": "Dear Fellow Defenders of the Firth, Like the swallows returning to San Juan Capistrano in the spring, I find myself with an instinctual need to return to Drool (of The Spring). I fear you may not remember me, or worse, do not want to remember me. I hope neither is the case, and that I may roost here from time to time. I left Drool early last year due to the fact that my migraines had worsened to the point that I could not take the glare of my PC's screen. The recent warmer weather has given me a reprieve of sorts, so here I am. Since I last posted, I have entered a second, deeper level of Firthaholism. Having dissected and memorized P&P2, and the more readily available movies (COF, TEP, SIL, etc.), I decided it was time to move into the realm of collector. I found an out of print video purveyor in the Midwest and have purchased AC (newly minted, fresh-faced Firth) and AITC (Am I crazy, or did I see that years ago on Masterpiece Theater?). I am working on obtaining WOF (this is my idea of heaven: POT and CF in the same movie) and a few others. I have also acquired FP (loved it and cannot get that La's song out of my mind-I fear I need to be deprogrammed), AZ (very unnerving: CF as Norman Bates), FF (see, I am loyal) and rented MLSF (wonderful film, but terribly expensive). Since I already have TD (thanks to the previous Drool film discussion) and V (courtesy of Encore) as well, I can now watch hours of ODB, and have my own CF film festival. The only problem is no one in my immediate circle gets it and I watch these films a one. Sound familiar? Having familiarized myself now with a larger portion of his body of work (and a larger portion of his body :)), I am reminded of a CF quote: \"We all need stories. They take us into what seems to be a completely foreign and alien universe and then at the end, we find it's not as foreign as we thought. We've opened up something new about ourselves. I love stories,\" he adds. \"Always have.\" I am currently re-reading (for a creative writing course I am taking this summer) Joseph Campbell's The Hero With a Thousand Faces, and realized that this is Colin the actor! It occurred to me that the stories/roles he selects (the hero/antihero: two sides of the same coin) are mythic in their appeal (no matter how obscure they may appear to others) as they reveal truths about one's self and the human condition. No wonder his movies are so satisfying to watch. Hollywood will never understand this, as it is driven by box office more than quality or creativity. Whoops, got a little too serious! Sorry-he stirs up all sorts of passion in me. As I told someone recently, I am absolutely over the moon that CF accepted the role of MD in BJD, and that he saw the humor in it. And those wonderful pictures of him accompanying the new article-is it my imagination or is his hair Darcy black (a new Clairol hair color?)again? Well, now that I have blathered on, let me add that I have missed you all and am thrilled there is so much news."}, {"response": 964, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (15:50)", "body": "Oops, was trying to say that I watch these films alone, not \"a one.\""}, {"response": 965, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (16:07)", "body": "Welcome back Lisa. Good to have you \"roosting\" here. A perch more friendly could not be found for any Firthfan. You have timed your migration perfectly, lots going on. What did you think of The Times interview yesterday?"}, {"response": 966, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (16:34)", "body": "\"When he has Will in the summer hols, they go to Umbria, ruling out those British films shot on location at the height of July and August.\" *************** Does this rule out Armadillo, do you think? And I never knew he lived in New Orleans as a child. Is that a missprint? Murph"}, {"response": 967, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (16:56)", "body": "Always good to seeing a returning swallow ;-) As ever, we are here. Hopefully, migraines won't take you away again. BTW, WOF shows up all the time on eBay and doesn't go for an arm and a leg anymore. Like you, Lisa, I too read something new and see if I think it's a Colin role. Some fit; some don't. Like Flashman...it didn't fit. Having read about 6 of the novels thus far because they are v. well done and entertaining for a history major (so far the one about the Indian Mutiny is the best IMO), I wouldn't want Colin to play the role for anything. Am going to read that Butterball book in the off chance that this project goes anywhere during months Colin has the time to work. ;-) Armadillo (by William Boyd) is a perfect fit. Lisa, go check that one out. I feel certain it will be made...once there is a script. I expect New Orleans is a misprint. BTW, does anyone know if Jasper Rees is American or went to school in the US? Several things popped out at me. First, he kept referring to Colin's sweater (not jumper). While there were the \"ou\" and \"s\" spellings, I've never seen The Times do American punctuation."}, {"response": 968, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (17:08)", "body": "(Moon) I was surprised to hear that they were chased by paparazzi in Rome. As far as I know, there are no pictures of them in Rome before their marriage. There was at least one published in England: they were snapped through the windscreen of Livia's tiny car, Livia wearing glasses, getting ready to drive, Colin struggling to fit his long legs under his chin (well, almost), both gloomy and pretending nothing was happening. Looks like an evening. I guess they were then followed by the same reporter trying to see where they were going (for a pasta and mineral water meal, apparently, and then back to her parents' home before 11 p.m.) - and to him it must have seemed like being chased by paparazzi. Fair enough: I would be very annoyed, too."}, {"response": 969, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (18:56)", "body": "cult : (L. cultus , care, adoration) 5.b) a usu. small circle of persons united by devotion or allegiance to an artistic or intellectual movement or figure. Seen Topic 112 lately??"}, {"response": 970, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (22:32)", "body": "The problem with dictionary definitions is that they rarely reflect current usage. Tell me where you've heard *cult* used recently to mean something other than extremists or loonies? ;-)"}, {"response": 971, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (23:23)", "body": "Well...Relative Values did make it to Cannes, except only for the film market. This little mention in Variety/Reuters: While the current market lineup may lack high-gloss, high-anticipation entries, there are still plenty of titles to fill acquisition execs' shopping lists. Among them are Franchise Pictures' ``Auggie Rose,'' starring Jeff Goldblum and Anne Heche; Lakeshore Intl.'s ``Delivering Milo,'' starring Bridget Fonda; Nu Image/Millennium Films' ``How to Kill Your Neighbor's Dog,'' starring Robin Wright Penn and Kenneth Branagh; and ``Anasazi Moon,'' starring Gary Oldman and Skeet Ulrich. Also on the docket are ``Luckytown,'' starring James Caan and Kirsten Dunst, from A-Plus Entertainment; IAC Film's ''Shiner,'' starring Michael Caine; and Overseas Filmgroup's ''Relative Values,'' starring Julie Andrews and Jeanne Tripplehorn."}, {"response": 972, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (02:56)", "body": "(Karen)Tell me where you've heard *cult* used recently to mean something other than extremists or loonies? The word cult is a perfectly neutral and often even a positive definition in Finnish, just meaning what KJ pointed out, small circle of persons united by devotion or allegiance to an artistic or intellectual movement or figure. I guess in America the word tends to be more negatively associated but I don\ufffdt think Colin used the word in the loonie sense :-) (Karen)That last comment in the article was particularly painful: \"Or you might have to change the character of the actor. Someone the Americans believe is a credible sex symbol.\" Funnily I understood this just as typical humour and irony of his. And I wonder if Colin would really want to be a \"credible sex symbol\" anyway."}, {"response": 973, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (07:18)", "body": "(Karen) Well...Relative Values did make it to Cannes, except only for the film market. That's ok, at least they're marketing it for the rest of the world. I'm sure it will be picked up (she says confidently). This is from the UK site Teletext: Relative Values This star-packed film adaption of Noel Coward's play sees the return of Julie Andrews, ably supported by Colin Firth and Stephen Fry among others. The characteristic tippy-toed ennui of the stage play comes to the screen. Released June 9"}, {"response": 974, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (07:40)", "body": "You're right, Elena, cult may not have the fanatical meaning in England as it typically does in the US, and someone from England would have to comment on that. However, I didn't read anything humorous into that last line. Colin may have been sarcastically reiterating what's been told to him."}, {"response": 975, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (08:16)", "body": "To agree with Elena ... although \"cult\" here can mean a loony quasi-religious group, it is more commonly used in the media for something that commands a devoted minority following, e.g. BBC2 recently ran a series of \"cult films\", which may well have included (I forget) The Rocky Horror Show, Planet of the Apes, Pulp Fiction etc. Withnail & I was recently voted Cult Film of the Century by (wait for it) readers of the Times Saturday Magazine. So I think it wasn't a rueful description, just accurate. If anybody wants my copy of the magazine, e-mail me your address. Otherwise it goes in the trash."}, {"response": 976, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (08:20)", "body": "You know what they say: \"If it walks like a cult and talks like a cult .....\" evelyn Charter Member Colin-Cult 1996"}, {"response": 977, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (09:23)", "body": "From an article on Kevin McKidd in the May 6 Express about Anna Karenina: The costume drama sex scene has become such a clich. We were determined not to be... I'm not sure. Tasteful?\" I nod. Wait. McKidd finally crumbles: \"What are people saying?\" I tell him that people are saying he's the new Colin Firth. The moan is immediate: \"Oh God. Look at me. I was out of work for six months last year. I worked as a bicycle courier. Hell, I had my agent beg me a role on an American mini-series called Leprechauns. There was rent to pay... Do I resemble Colin Firth in any way?\" Actually, no. Firth is an impeccably smooth and English presence; McKidd is rougher-grained. If Firth had played Vronsky he'd have been a dreamboat. McKidd makes him a compelling bastard who betrays himself in the very moment he betrays his beloved. One is RADA, the other is... radar.[...] This modern and relevant Anna Karenina may confound purists who like their classic novels semi-comatose, but the production will undoubtedly raise his profile. \"Really? Now that I'm the new Colin Firth? I'm not falling for that build-up. There are far more important things.\" Name one. \"Easy. I'll be a father in a few weeks' time. Mind you, a rave review is never anything to be casual about.\""}, {"response": 978, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (09:44)", "body": "\"Really? Now that I'm the new Colin Firth?\" LOL...I've seen Kevin McKidd...Colin doesn't have to worry...."}, {"response": 979, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (09:45)", "body": "Sorry"}, {"response": 980, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (12:45)", "body": "There is an article on Hugh Hudson in today's Evening Standard. I can't find it in the online version, so after supper I'll try and scan it to somebody - Karen?"}, {"response": 981, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (13:18)", "body": "I agree with Mark, who agrees with Elena. ... although \"cult\" here can mean a loony quasi-religious group, it is more commonly used in the media for something that commands a devoted minority following C'mon, Darcymania *is* a cult. You don't hear of too many children, pets, etc. named 'Courtois', do you? ;-D You're right about the MLSF reviews, Bethan. It's best not to pay any attention and see it yourself at least twice. You'll love it."}, {"response": 982, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (13:20)", "body": ""}, {"response": 983, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (13:36)", "body": "They must have just put it up, Allison. Thanks for the alert. So far, so good for Hudson -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My Life So Far Dir: Hugh Hudson. --------------------------------------------------------- by Jasper Rees Is Hugh Hudson on the comeback trail? He has two movies opening this month, one in America called I Dreamed of Africa, and one over here, which may as well be called I Dreamed of Scotland. In fact it's trading as My Life So Far, and is based on Son of Adam, Denis Forman's memoir of a Scottish childhood before the First World War. Like all Hudson's best films, it has tartan blood coursing through its veins. Remember those young chaps in their singlets in Chariots of Fire, jogging slow-mo through the surf to the synth of Vangelis? That was shot on the sands of St Andrews, although it was meant to be Broadstairs. And how about Greystoke? The bit with the female acrobats and dancers in monkey suits was filmed in Africa, but the bit with Ralph Richardson and Elgar at their hammiest was shot in Floors Castle in the Borders, near where, as a child, Hudson summered with an aunt. My Life So Far, a gentle child's eye view comedy, is set in a rambling house large enough for Colin Firth, as batty inventor Fraser Pettigrew, to shelter his innumerable brood of ginger kiddies. \"There's something about Scotland which is very very calming,\" Hudson states. \"Each film I've made there has worked. This film works, I think. I don't know if it will work in a financial sense. It's not the greatest measure of longevity. Chariots is a film which has lasted. Greystoke seems to have lasted. And I think this will. It's got a lot of joy in it.\" Which may be more than can be said for Hudson, whose two new films are a reminder that his career has not turned out quite as it might have done. They found the house at the top end of Loch Fyne, near the famous oyster emporium, where cast and crew ate often. \"It was too far away for everybody to come and annoy us,\" says Hudson. \"Money people. Obviously David came.\" David is Lord Puttnam, who got Hudson his first gig as a film director, after a long apprenticeship in documentaries, with Chariots of Fire. Somehow they never worked together again. Hudson went on to make Greystoke, where he discovered Christopher Lambert (\"God knows what's happened to him. Threw it away. It's easy to do that\") and famously used Glenn Close to mask Andie Macdowell's Southern drawl (\"it jolted her into doing something about her acting. She's not bad now. She's no longer, I think, a movie star but she did quite well.\") Puttnam, meanwhile, stayed in Scotland to make Local Hero with Bill Forsyth. I wonder whether there's a touch of the spurned wife in Hudson's little tirade against Forsyth, who he says tried to thwart My Life So Far's bid for Scottish funding. \"This film was up for Lottery money and Bill Forsyth was on the board and he tried to divert money away from it. He's a mean-spirited man, I discovered on this film. He hangs himself by his own rope, Mr Forsyth, saying stupid things, like he has a monopoly on the Scottish film industry. Scotland is a free country. Anyone can go and film there.\" On Chariots' wings, producer and director both went to America and came unstuck: Puttnam as studio head of Columbia, Hudson with the epic catastrophe Revolution. He didn't make another movie for eight years, although he still thinks Revolution was unjustly treated. \"I think it's my most daring film, I have to say. I think it's got a real quality about it. It's a very imperfect film. The script wasn't good enough, and I should have had longer to finish the film off. It could have been better structured. But it's a really unusual film. I was made a scapegoat. Unfairly, I would say. We begged Goldcrest to give us more time to make it more cohesive. We weren't allowed to.\" He'd love a shot at a director's cut. \"Not going to, though. If I make an enormous blockbuster film then I could.\" A propos, he lives in hope that one day someone will finance Nostromo, the adaptation of Joseph Conrad's novel that he wanted to direct after David Lean's death. (He thought the BBC version awful - even the BBC directors branded it an expensive flop). After Revolution, he threw himself into ads and party political broadcasts. The commercial he shot for BA, at the time the most expensive ever made, is his most bombastic work, with the Hudson signature of a brilliant musical soundtrack. Then there was \"Kinnock: The Movie\", plus its several sequels, which were derided by the Right-wing Press. \"Of course they would. Why wouldn't they? They were jealous. Thatcher was jealous. She wanted one of those films. They made a difference. They were attacked as meretricious and manipulative, but what is film-making anyway but that?\" Despite the thin white beard and Trotskyite specs, Hudson bears a passing resemblance to Denis Law. You'd never guess that he was born four years before the war."}, {"response": 984, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (13:55)", "body": "An FOF spotted a new RV trailer at Empire OnLine. They say it is an exclusive. Colin is in it, but the quality is poor on my computer. http://www.virtuetv.com/film/empiretrailers/comingsoon.html Murph"}, {"response": 985, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (14:05)", "body": "Psst, Jasper! Love your wonderful CF interviews, but it's time to brush up the accuracy a bit. 1. It was St. Louis, not New Orleans. 2. Edward Pettigrew, not Fraser. Fraser's the kid."}, {"response": 986, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (14:41)", "body": "Psst, psst Jasper ....thought you were Colin's mate! My Life So Far has been and gone without setting America on fire Difficult with 20 prints It augurs ill that My Life So Far was ready for release a year ago. Blame Miramax/BVI! Hugh Hudson sounds rather curmudgeonly (is that the word?) If Firth had played Vronsky he'd have been a dreamboat. Oh, too true! But alas , this we will never see. The trend now seems to deglamourise \"costume drama\", also to emphasise the sexually explicit. I'm not sure if this works though. Apparently, when \"Madame Bovary\" was shown here, it started with an audience of 3 million and this dropped to 2 million after the explicit encounter was shown. Either a large proportion were only watching it for the raunchy bit and then lost interest, or the more conservative \"costume drama\" audience didn't like the adaptation. Or a mix of the two! Directors don't seem to realise the difference between erotic (P&P was erotic) and so-called \"sexy\" (can be an audience turn off)."}, {"response": 987, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (14:52)", "body": "Thanks for the link to the updated RV trailer, Murph. I found the picture quality of this one to be better than the first, but the sound is not the greatest (couldn't understand most of CF's lines). Was that ODB with the ciggie 'tween his lips (unlit, perhaps ;-))? Ladies, there is no doubt in my mind--Peter's as you-know-what as a three dollar bill. Watch his mannerisms, the way he moves his hands. June 9th's just around the corner--lucky British Firthfans!"}, {"response": 988, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (14:58)", "body": "MLSF review from Popcorn--not too bad. It appears it's showing in one cinema already (might be Scotland). Good things very rarely come from films that have sat on shelves for several years gathering dust. The strange thing about the delay in releasing 'My Life So Far', though, is that there's nothing seriously wrong with it and the film's already been released in America. Robbie Norman makes a fantastic screen debut as the ten-year-old Fraser Pettigrew. Fraser's 1920s life has been nothing but idyllic thanks to the gorgeous Scottish estate where his parents - inventor Edward (Colin Firth) and loving mum Moira (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) - live and the hero-worship status he affords his father. Things change, however, when Fraser's uncle (Malcolm McDowell) comes to stay, bringing his much younger French fianc\ufffde (Irene Jacob) with him. Both Fraser and his father fall for Heloise, but while son tries to interpret his feelings by going to the attic and reading his late grandfather's secret stash of Victorian porn, father tries a more direct approach. In this insular world, it doesn't take a genius to guess Edward's feelings and slowly the family find themselves teetering on the brink of collapse. It's Norman's performance that prevents this film from becoming utterly mundane. The youngster's innocent questions about prostitution and fellatio (which he pronounces with a hard t) are stand-out moments in this memoir, based on the childhood memories of TV executive Denis Forman. Forgiving the fact that Firth and Mastrantonio can't decide if they're Scottish or not - and that McDowell doesn't even bother trying - 'My Life So Far' is essentially a gentle, slightly whimsical look at the dangers of outsiders intruding on family life in a picture-postcard land. review by Lisa Andrews"}, {"response": 989, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (16:04)", "body": "Forgiving the fact that Firth and Mastrantonio can't decide if they're Scottish or not - and that McDowell doesn't even bother trying There is something none of the other reviewers picked up on. ;-) Thanks, Murph! I still have a hard time understanding everyone but Julie and SF. Can not wait to see it. I hope it is still playing when I am in London in July."}, {"response": 990, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (16:32)", "body": "Forgiving the fact that Firth and Mastrantonio can't decide if they're Scottish or not - and that McDowell doesn't even bother trying - Are they talking about the Scottish accents? I thought they were authentic. Hey, I could understand them.I thought it was charming. Waddaya want accents like DQ? Definitely, not charming..."}, {"response": 991, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (18:09)", "body": "MLSF review from Popcorn--not too bad. It appears it's showing in one cinema already (might be Scotland). One cinema? I have a very suspicious mind but I can't help wondering if this is what the BVI rep meant by \"opening all over Scotland\". (Well, he got everything else wrong!) Good things very rarely come from films that have sat on shelves for several years gathering dust. The strange thing about the delay in releasing 'My Life So Far', though, is that there's nothing seriously wrong with it.... Very strange...almost deliberately trying to stack the cards against the film's success. Any film that's been on the shelf tends to get hostile reviews (if it was good, it would have been released etc) This film could easily have been released a year ago...especially if it's only being shown on two screens (hope I'm wrong about this!). The premiere was great news, and very high profile, and I think the quality press reviews may be kindly....but there's something that doesn't quite add up here. Suspicious mind at work!"}, {"response": 992, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (19:21)", "body": "Don't get me wrong...I think Jasper Rees produces better articles on CF than anyone, but... (Jasper Rees) ' at a certain point he will have to cross Upper Street at its most pell-mell. He doesn't seem to welcome the prospect.' (Arami) Why is he worried about crossing a crowded street (what happened to the neutral face?) and at the same time pinpoints the area of his London residence to virtually a handful of streets...? Arami, I think Jasper's weaknesses are beginning to show...Colin never declared that he was worried. I think the worry is in Jasper's imagination... (Jasper) ' Again I could be guessing. I've interviewed Firth more times than he probably cares to remember, and a frequent theme of the conversation is his disputatiousness.I posit some theory about him, and the next time we meet he (politely) remembers disagreeing with it when he read it'. Jasper is enamoured of \"positing\" and it really shows in his language, as he hedges when he's simply inventing what he wants to believe about Colin. (Jasper) I guess that Firth's fear of Upper Street in rush hour is based ... Firth says that, before the lights went down, he could just feel the eyes of the entire audience waiting for the two parties to acknowledge each other. You sense that he would happily have curled up and died. He hedges, and then proceeds to make bold expository statements as if these things were absolutely true ... and the reader tends to absolutely believe this. (Jasper) One of my theories is that he actually courts anonymity in a project; that given a choice between two scripts, he will go for the one that makes it easier to cross Upper Street unrecognised. Does this jibe with the Colin you met at the Donmar? Frightened of getting into a crowd, worried how to deal with someone who might recognize him? That his fear of becoming recognized is a genuine criterion in the projects he chooses ... That doesn't sound like the reports that you sent of him to us. Sometimes Jasper doesn't even bother to hedge ... (Jasper) One of the features of Firth's career is his restless determination to wrongfoot his audience (...whatever that means...) Is it a surety that CF is perverse for the sake of being perverse ...? So Jasper gets particularly smug when one of his shots is admitted to hit home: (Jasper) But he agrees with my hunch that interviewers have picked up this particular ball and run a bit too far with it... I'd rather hear it from the horse's mouth: (Colin) \"But then you don't want to be perceived to be trying to catch lightning in a bottle twice. So I think I probably did consciously go in all sorts of different directions.\" ...But that isn't being perverse. He's just as subject to peer pressure as the rest of us. ;-) I was so pleased to hear from CF's mouth about playing Mark Darcy: \"There's a certain inevitability about it,\" he says. \"I think it's healthy for me to do it.\" Oh Yesss, he's come to terms with it, the Dear Boy! But I resent another implication that slipped from Jasper, to whit: (Jasper)' If he's Mark Darcy, he can't be Colin Firth too. They could get his brother to play him, I suggest' What does he mean he couldn't ? If CF can be a Walker and then a Ned within a few minutes of one another, is it so beyond his powers to play both, with Fitzwilliam Darcy thrown in for good luck? Icy smile indeed! ~~~~~ (Karen)That last comment in the article was particularly painful: \"Or you might have to change the character of the actor. Someone the Americans believe is a credible sex symbol.\" (Elena) Funnily I understood this just as typical humour and irony of his. And I wonder if Colin would really want to be a \"credible sex symbol\" anyway. Oh, yes, Elena, I agree. He is being VERY sardonic here. I sometimes think he's toying with poor Jasper's head half the time, just to see if he'll bite... ...\"a credible sex symbol.\ufffd (Gi) Ridiculous! Doesn't he know? ;-) He knows. And he'll be whatever he d**n well chooses to be! As always! (**Heehee**) ... Otherwise, I thought the article was tremendously good... ;- ) KJ"}, {"response": 993, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (19:35)", "body": "Yikes! Someone..anyone...stop Mark before he puts that Times article into the trash. I don't need it but surely someone will claim it before it finds its final resting place in the bottom of Mark's dustbin. (I know you that was just an idle threat, Mark dear, in order to find a worthy recipient.) Cult? What cult? I'm no raving lunatic. ;-) Lisa! Welcome home, dear."}, {"response": 994, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (19:41)", "body": "Just saw your response, KJ. You picked out some interesting points. Frankly, I don't think it takes too many hunches or theories on our part to agree with you and conclude from the article that Colin is healthy, happy and sound. (I think I said that posts and posts ago so forgive the redundancy.)"}, {"response": 995, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (22:20)", "body": "Ah, but you said that from snippets were out and before the entire argument was spread before you. Congrats on your continuing perceptivity (is that a word?)! As a former science writer, I'm always on the lookout for hedges, though, so as not to take everything I read at face value. (Heheheh)"}, {"response": 996, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (01:49)", "body": "Thank you Lizza, Karen, and Heide for your warm words. They are appreciated. (Lizza) What did you think of The Times interview yesterday? I don\ufffdt know that I can add too much about the article. I think KJArt is dead on about how easily JR's take on CF might be perceived as reality, when in truth, Jasper is only speculating\ufffd. Maddening. Sort of like a negative spin doctor. Wonder how that made CF feel when he read the article? Sadly, he must be used to it by now. IMO, CF is very wise\ufffdhe refuses to get sucked into the vortex of egos and paranoia in Hollywood and is mature enough to stay on the periphery. This is a man who knows himself. BTW, does anyone know where this rented house outside of LA is located? I remember reading about Santa Monica a long time ago. Isn\ufffdt that part of greater LA or did I lose the $32,000 geography question? I also enjoyed his musings on middle age (since I am now there myself), and found them to be a little wistful. Maybe the parts for young men in there 20s are behind him, but imagine the vast riches of exploring more mature parts. He has only begun to scratch the service. Thank God he is not just another pretty (and neutral) face. And as for the cult following of P&P2, I hope that the Attack of the Killer Tomatoes (AOTKT) is not considered to be in the same league as P&P2! Colin supposes that it is the character Darcy who is the sex symbol. Little does he know that we, too, are way past that transference!\ufffd Okay, maybe I can drool over CF AND CF as Darcy. (Karen) Armadillo (by William Boyd) is a perfect fit. Lisa, go check that one out. I feel certain it will be made...once there is a script. I will check out Armadillo. In one of my former lives, I was an insurance broker. (KJArt) What does he mean he couldn't ? If CF can be a Walker and then a Ned within a few minutes of one another, is it so beyond his powers to play both, with Fitzwilliam Darcy thrown in for good luck? Exactly. Hello, he is an A-C-T-O-R! Why can\ufffdt he be MD, FD, and himself. Sheesh! Sounds to me like this journalist was stirring the pot a bit."}, {"response": 997, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (01:58)", "body": "Oops, meant to say, young men in \"their\" 20s. One of these days I will catch my erors before I hit \"submit.\" And make that \"surface\" instead of service. Maybe I need to go to bed."}, {"response": 998, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (03:58)", "body": "KJ; like your criticism of the interview, very accurate, IMO. Welcome back, Lisa!"}, {"response": 999, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (05:24)", "body": "The soundtrack (or parts of) to RV can be dowloaded at http://www.rpofilmmusic.com/relativevalues.html Lots of info about RV. The score was performed by the London Philamonic Orchestra and a specially commissioned jazz group. I don't have Real Player so I can't download...would be interested to hear any opinionn of the music, though."}, {"response": 1000, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (05:28)", "body": "Royal Philharmonic Orchestra....sorry, can't spell!"}, {"response": 1001, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (06:59)", "body": "Welcome back, Lisa! Good points, KJart! (Not)Frightened of getting into a crowd, worried how to deal with someone who might recognize him? That his fear of becoming recognized is a genuine criterion in the projects he chooses ... Anyone who wears black shoes with white laces has no fear of being recognized. ;-)"}, {"response": 1002, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (08:50)", "body": "Agree, good points, KJArt. Jasper does use words such as 'seems to' or 'appears'; you hit the nail on the head when you said 'the reader tends to believe...' . We've been doing the same thing as Jasper--projecting our own interpretations into CF's words (i.e., \"it'll happen\" might mean baby's already on the way). It's human nature to do this. Personally, I think Jasper used our comments over at the BJD topic to form his questions about MD. ;-) Regarding CF's revelation about where he lives: remember the spread in People Magazine last year? After reading that piece, if one didn't know better, one would think he lived in Umbria. There was no mention of London, period. I think CF knows exactly what he's doing when he reveals these personal details. Welcome back, Lisa. Glad you're feeling better."}, {"response": 1003, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (09:11)", "body": "I also agree with the points made by KJ....but it all makes for interesting reading! Now, I actually have some good news! Usually I'm predicting doom and gloom, but I rang up the National Museum for Photography, Film & TV in Bradford, and asked, yet again, if they had plans to show MLSF, and yes they are showing it, from June 2nd, for one week at least. So it is going nationwide, of a kind! Might be worthwhile checking out your nearest art house/independent cinema to ask about their June programming. Shall take my mother to see it! (Well, it's suitable for mothers and grandmothers and maiden aunts! :-) )"}, {"response": 1004, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (09:38)", "body": "(Bethan)Shall take my mother to see it! (Well, it's suitable for mothers and grandmothers and maiden aunts! :-) ) Actually, that is the focus audience for MLSF. They'll love it."}, {"response": 1005, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (11:12)", "body": "To UK fans, I have just heard that Malcolm McDowell will be on The Steve Wright in the Afternoon Show tomorrow, Wednesday, perhaps he will say something about MLSF."}, {"response": 1006, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (15:18)", "body": "(Colin, Re: HF's visit to the FP set): \"She then wrote up a Bridget Jones version of the visit to the set, which is very funny, but didn't echo my recollection, although Nick said it was very close to what had happened. She wrote a thing about having followed me inadvertently everywhere around the set until eventually I said, 'I am going to have to go on alone from here because it's the men's toilet.' I don't remember that. Nick says it's true.\" CF said \"wrote up\" ... was this then published in a column? Does anyone recollect seeing it?. I wonder if it would be retrievable. Probably dates from late '96 or early '97. Murph: I loved the rapidity with which you got the Times article up, but you really ought to give Jasper some credit, you know ... ;-)"}, {"response": 1007, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (15:38)", "body": "(KJ) CF said \"wrote up\" ... was this then published in a column? Does anyone recollect seeing it?. I wonder if it would be retrievable. Probably dates from late '96 or early '97. That would be from The Independent (as was the Rome interview) and they didn't archive their stories on line at that time. Hmmm, now have time to read all the messages from yesterday..."}, {"response": 1008, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (16:38)", "body": "About that Independent column (*the researcher in me kicks in*), it might not be all that difficult to find. HF would've written it right after she was on the set. Since FP only took a short time to make and I know there are people here who know the dates, it really take much to look up her weekly columns at a library on microfilm. Any takers? ;-) (Jasper Rees in ES) ...is set in a rambling house large enough for Colin Firth, as batty inventor Fraser Pettigrew My guess is that Jasper is trying to console Colin that he isn't that old. Wouldn't you agree, KJ? ;-) Doesn't it seem odd that Rees first writes for The Times and now the Evening Standard? Or are they part of the same media empire? (Rees) Is Hugh Hudson on the comeback trail? He has two movies opening this month, one in America called I Dreamed of Africa Trail closed; take a detour to Dogsville. (Eileen) Ladies, there is no doubt in my mind--Peter's as you-know-what as a three dollar bill. *hee hee* Do I know how to call'em or what!? And it is a different trailer than the one we saw before. Still poor quality streaming stuff. (Mari) It appears it's showing in one cinema already (might be Scotland). Why do you think that? Is it in the boxoffice Top 10 already? Just kidding, but have checked The Scotsman, which lists all the theaters there, and it's not there. (Lisa) Santa Monica...Isn\ufffdt that part of greater LA or did I lose the $32,000 geography question? Do you want to use a lifeline? I'll give you my friend's number, who lives in Santa Monica and thus outside the reach of the LA Unified School District. *enough of a hint* Santa Monica likes being a little renegade city and not LA. (Lisa) Colin supposes that it is the character Darcy who is the sex symbol. Little does he know that we, too, are way past that transference! Some are and a lot aren't. You'd be amazed at the Darcy worship that was in evidence in the Donmar lobby. Bethan, thanks for the link on the Relatives Values score. I haven't listened to any of it yet, but will do so as soon as I can. What an interesting find. Evelyn, are you ordering the CD yet? ;-) (Eileen) Personally, I think Jasper used our comments over at the BJD topic to form his questions about MD. ;-) LOL!! Who knows. Life is stranger than fiction."}, {"response": 1009, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (17:22)", "body": "Hello Lisa. I only know you from reading the old posts. Nice to be \"virtually\" introduced. Many thanks to Elena (great to see you back) and Mark for bringing some sanity to the discussion of the word \"cult\". As someone who as had a lifelong attraction to cult novels, cult films, and cult musicians; the word does not offend me. In some ways being a devotee of a cult of an artistic enterprise is comparable to being an elitist. Some people may be offended by that. Some may just think it shows good taste. Personally, I'm quirky and generally uninterested in the mainstream. In regard to the comment on the accents in MLSF not being sufficiently Scottish enough. The characters played by MEM and CF were upper-class and may well have been educated in England. Also, people of higher social classes tend not to have heavy regional accents. As for MM character, well he had been away in England for years, leading his own life and running his business. It would not have been unusual for him to sound English; and he, as well, belonged to a privileged class. The interview: overall quite good. I found the question as to wether CF and LG would have children rather rude. It is between the two of them, and really no one else's business, particularly the interviewer or especially us. I'm a fan, but CF does have the right not to have his private life become public domain."}, {"response": 1010, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (17:24)", "body": "(Karen)Bethan, thanks for the link on the Relatives Values score. I haven't listened to any of it yet, but will do so as soon as I can. What an interesting find. Evelyn, are you ordering the CD yet? ;-) Well, I'll try .But I suspect the trailers put on the best music in the score.And there isn't going to be a soundtrack CD.I vividly remember the MLSF trailer music. Beethoven, by the Birmingham Symphony, Simon Rattle , conducting and Satchmo.I haunted Virgin Records for months....it was never recorded. Given their foresight,it's a miracle that P&P was. And isn't it glorious!!"}, {"response": 1011, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (17:47)", "body": "A small step forward---- MLSF made it on to Film 2000 tonight!! Johnathan Ross just gave the storyline, mentioned CF and there were a few short clips. Including ODB in his swimming costume. Heady late night stuff, if like me you have never seen MLSF. No judgement was passed on the film but I guess JR considers it to have some merit or he wouldn't have featured it. A start at least! Sorry, for using \"I guess\" in that sentence, been spending too much time with Jasper lately, it's kinda rubbed off on me."}, {"response": 1012, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (17:50)", "body": "Looking forward to the MLSF score Evelyn, th day of listening comes ever nearer. Is anyone really sure of RV 's release date? Earlier on this topic 9th June was mentioned but the end of Times article gave 23rd June for release. Anyone put me right?"}, {"response": 1013, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (18:21)", "body": "The June 9th date has been posted at Teletext for ages. (Sorry, Mari.) I'd go with the 23rd, even though I was told it was also the date of some big football match (I think)."}, {"response": 1014, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (19:34)", "body": "(Lisa) BTW, does anyone know where this rented house outside of LA is located? I remember reading about Santa Monica a long time ago. Santa Monica...Isn\ufffdt that part of greater LA or did I lose the $32,000 geography question? (Karen) Do you want to use a lifeline? I'll give you my friend's number, who lives in Santa Monica and thus outside the reach of the LA Unified School District. *enough of a hint* Santa Monica likes being a little renegade city and not LA. Welcome back Lisa and very true, Karen ;-). Santa Monica is a self-incorporated city and definitely marches to its own drummer. But from a geographical perspective I can see why it would seem like S.M. is part of greater L.A. Santa Monica is completely surrounded by Los Angeles, is very densely populated and the only way you can really distinguish the fact that you're in S.M. and not L.A. is the different color on the city buses :-). Therefore I'm wondering about CF's comment that he lives \"outside of L.A.\" when he visits the area. I wouldn't consider S.M. to fit that description, but most of the places that I would consider outside LA are boring suburbs with identical tract houses. Somehow I find it hard to imagine that a London-lover would enjoy that! Hmmm, perhaps Malibu? I think that's where the Tilly/Calley's live and it's far enough from L.A. to be considered outside. It's a ritzy area, but the population is awfully sparse. It's great if you're an outdoors lover but not if you like any shops or restaurants closer than a 20 minute drive. I suppose I should stop myself before leaping to any more wild speculations. Wouldn't want to be classified with Mr. Rees ;-)."}, {"response": 1015, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (20:09)", "body": "(Karen) Why do you think that? Is it in the boxoffice Top 10 already? Not yet.;-) With the Popcorn review, it said it was showing at one theater, the Greenock Waterfront Cinema in . . .Greenock. Ring a bell with anyone? RE: Santa Monica. It took me an hour to drive from the ocean (borders SM on the west) to downtown L.A. in the infamous rush-hour traffic, so I could see where someone might think that it's far from L.A., even though distance-wise, it's not. I recall Colin being interviewed in Pasadena once--maybe that's it? Just me Jasper-ing away here . . .;-)"}, {"response": 1016, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (20:23)", "body": "(Mari) ...it said it was showing at one theater, the Greenock Waterfront Cinema in . . .Greenock. Ring a bell with anyone? No,...but it beats the Ritzy in Brixton. Pasadena is inland...wasn't that interview near the waterfront?"}, {"response": 1017, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (20:26)", "body": "(JR)Colin Firth, as batty inventor Fraser Pettigrew .. (Karen) My guess is that Jasper is trying to console Colin that he isn't that old. Wouldn't you agree, KJ? ;-) ... Ummmm. Interesting theory. But one feels it very possibly would have been a simple slip, although perhaps a Freudian one... ;-) (Lisa) Santa Monica...Isn\ufffdt that part of greater LA or did I lose the $32,000 geography question? (Karen) ... who lives in Santa Monica and thus outside the reach of the LA Unified School District. *enough of a hint* Santa Monica likes being a little renegade city and not LA. There are lots of little independently incorporated cities within and at the edges of L.A. (like beautiful downtown Burbank) Now certain regions (like Hollywood) act as if they are separate entities (well, they have different zip codes, don't they?) even though still officially within L.A. city limits. There has been a San Fernando Valley secession movement for many years (LAUSD being a big reason for it). Re: Colin's CA condo or apt. I have heard Malibu and I have heard Brentwood (which isn't outside L.A. proper), but I suspect nobody but his hairdresser knows for sure (and since it's sort of apparent he doesn't HAVE a hairdresser, that means no one ... and knowing him, he's probably moved anyway...)(not that I admit to \"knowing him\" *Heehee*) Go figure... ;-) (Karen) You'd be amazed at the Darcy worship that was in evidence in the Donmar lobby. I'm sure he's perfectly aware of it, has finally come to terms with it, and just philosophically absorbs the adoration in lieu of the character. I've had otherwise- perfectly- sane correspondants slip up and say 'Mr. Darcy' when they meant CF. They are, I suspect, like Bridget ...\"but Mr. Darcy couldn't POSSIBLY be an actor! ... and yet he IS an actor. ...So confusing...\" (forgive the paraphrasing)... But I suspect (hedging again) it's one reason why he apologizes for disappointing people all the time (because he's not Darcy) ;-) KJ"}, {"response": 1018, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (21:31)", "body": "(Evelyn) Pasadena is inland...wasn't that interview near the waterfront? I definitely remember one taking place a few years ago in Santa Monica at the 3rd Street Promenade. I have a copy of it tucked away somewhere. I wonder if Colin and the interviewer met up at the stegosauras ;-)? Come to think of it, maybe that's where the speculation about a possible Santa Monica address grew from. Was there also an interview in Pasadena, Mari?"}, {"response": 1019, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (22:07)", "body": "I think someone mentioned last year that he was STAYING in Pasadena (hotel or something; maybe for one of the premieres??) He might have been interviewed there."}, {"response": 1020, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (22:38)", "body": "(Jana2) different color on the city buses :-) Yeah! The Big Blue buses!! Took two to get to the Getty. Best deal in town. Greenock Waterfront Cinema In Greenock, in Inverclyde (home of Loch Eck); around where MLSF was filmed. Phone number 01475 732201 Can't see Colin in Pasadena...unless Livia likes wearing hats and little white gloves. ;-) How does Pacific Palisades strike you, Jana? (although I'm still pulling for SM, with all its antique shops)"}, {"response": 1021, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (03:15)", "body": "Karen: I'd go with the 23rd, even though I was told it was also the date of some big football match (I think). Nah, Euro 2000 final not till July 2. England might play in the QFs on the 24th or 25th, though. Karen: Doesn't it seem odd that Rees first writes for The Times and now the Evening Standard? Or are they part of the same media empire? No, but I think most magazines (including those with weekend newspapers) commission freelances for their main features."}, {"response": 1022, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (07:42)", "body": "I agree with Jana2 about SM. It is not considered outside the LA area. Malibu is a possibility or the canyon road where Neil Young lives. Who knows for sure where the Callys live? It could also be in Pasadena. There are some very beautiful homes there and the town has changed for the better. (Karen), Can't see Colin in Pasadena...unless Livia likes wearing hats and little white gloves. ;-) Doesn't Jana2 live in Pasadena? BTW, I love hats and long white gloves. ;-)"}, {"response": 1023, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (07:44)", "body": "Pacific Palisades would be my guess. Mark, looking forward to EURO 2000?"}, {"response": 1024, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (07:46)", "body": "Thanks, Mark. Seemed like I'd seen Jasper Rees' name in the paper too frequently to be a freelancer and just assumed (how appropriate) that he worked for one of them. (Mark) England might play in the QFs on the 24th or 25th, though. But that affects the weekend opening gross...not that MLSF would appeal to necesssarily the same audience as football... ;-)"}, {"response": 1025, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (09:40)", "body": "Yeah!! We're back!!! (Moon) Pasadena. There are some very beautiful homes there No disagreement on this. ;-)"}, {"response": 1026, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (09:52)", "body": "(KJ) I'm sure he's perfectly aware of it My comment that \"You'd be amazed at the Darcy worship that was in evidence in the Donmar lobby\" referred to Lisa's comment that: Colin supposes that it is the character Darcy who is the sex symbol. Little does he know that we, too, are way past that transference! I wasn't referring to anything Colin might be thinking. As I observed in the lobby and on these boards, not everyone has gotten past the Darcy thing. (is my writing that incomprehensible?"}, {"response": 1027, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (10:32)", "body": "I had an email from Rachel Weinstein yesterday in response to my congratulatory one to the Donmar for the 5 Tony Nominations for TRT. She said: \"Make sure and say 'Hi' to everybody....we have fingers crossed too.\""}, {"response": 1028, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (10:41)", "body": "Karen: England might play in the QFs on the 24th or 25th, though. But that affects the weekend opening gross Different audience as you say, and I don't hold out high hopes for a stunning opening gross ... even if England don't qualify. Scotland didn't reach the tournament, so that reduces any slight audience overlap further. Moon: Mark, looking forward to EURO 2000? I have a major relegation issue to contend with Sunday before I even start to think about international football, but I'd say your DH has little to worry about if Italy meet England. Sorry, I promise no more soccer talk."}, {"response": 1029, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (11:10)", "body": "Regarding the opening date for RV (not MLSF): I read June 9th at the Empire site at which the new trailer is available (see Murph's link). Suffice to say it'll open some time in June. (Jana2) I definitely remember one taking place a few years ago in Santa Monica at the 3rd Street Promenade I remember this one also. He was wearing flip-flop sandals and sent Livia off shopping (funny what sticks in one's memory, isn't it?). (Karen) As I observed in the lobby and on these boards, not everyone has gotten past the Darcy thing I wasn't in the Donmar lobby but from what I've read here and there, your observations are very much on target. ;-)"}, {"response": 1030, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (12:48)", "body": "Lisbeth has the account of the first meeting between \"Bridget\" and CF on the set of FP at: Bridget meets Darcy '96"}, {"response": 1031, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (13:15)", "body": "(KJ) I'm sure he's perfectly aware of it. (Karen)I wasn't referring to anything Colin might be thinking. \\...\\ (is my writing that incomprehensible? Ummmm. No. I was agreeing with your observation that: ... not everyone has gotten past the Darcy thing. And adding that I was sure CF ,too, knows very well that a lot of them haven't gotten over it . (It appears that it's my writing that is incomprehensible. Sorry) ;-) Karen: Doesn't it seem odd that Rees first writes for The Times and now the Evening Standard? Or are they part of the same media empire? (Mark) No, but I think most magazines (including those with weekend newspapers) commission freelances for their main features. Yes, I've seen Jasper do this before (Fever Pitch articles, I believe). The smart freelancer gets as long an interview and as many quotes on tape as he/she can, and then draws from that to write more than one article. These are offered to several markets.. As long as each article (usu. w. different quotes) is unique, the publications can have exclusive rights to it -- so they don't mind if they all came from the same encounter. Jasper is good at drawing a lot of material from his subjects, evidently, and has done this often. I suspect he uses all those conjectures to pad them all out to increase his output (*heheheheh*). No fool he. ;-D"}, {"response": 1032, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (13:23)", "body": "I had a dead armadillo in my backyard this morning, and I hope it's not an omen:-("}, {"response": 1033, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (13:33)", "body": "I read that as a dead armadillo in your mailbox!"}, {"response": 1034, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (13:45)", "body": "(Evie from Okie) I had a dead armadillo in my backyard this morning, and I hope it's not an omen:-( Quick! Throw some salt over your shoulder and knock on wood. Stay away from mirrors and ladders then all will be well again. ;-D"}, {"response": 1035, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (16:30)", "body": "20:19 Wednesday 10th May 2000 Puttnam announces retirement at film premiere Film producer David Puttnam has announced that his film My Life So Far will be his last. Lord Puttnam cited other commitments, not least his work for the Government at the premiere of the film in Glasgow for its Bafta Scotland screening. He said: \"I tried for a year after the General Election to juggle the jobs I'm doing with the Government work and it was just impossible. \"I found I was spending my time apologising for not being at things. \"But it wasn't pressure of work that made up my mind for me, it was the feeling of letting people down that decided it.\" Lord Puttnam, 59, sits on the Labour benches in the House of Lords and also sits on the Schools Standards Task Force. He has produced 34 films during a 30 year career in the industry, including five set in or filmed in Scotland."}, {"response": 1036, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (17:02)", "body": "Good find, KJ. ... must practise what to say to Mr. Darcy or rather Colin Firth as he is known. Tom says on no account mention Mr. Darcy but just chat like normal person not tedious fan. Was Bridget in the Donmar lobby?"}, {"response": 1037, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (18:09)", "body": "(Jana) Was there also an interview in Pasadena, Mari? Yes, it was a couple of years ago; they interviewed him at the hotel lounge--I think the Ritz-Carlton. Might have just been a convenient meeting place for the reporter; no indication CF was actually staying there. In fact, I'd imagine (ghost of Jasper here;-) that he wasn't or else they'd have done the interview in his room (KJART) I have heard Malibu and I have heard Brentwood (which isn't outside L.A. proper), but I suspect nobody but his hairdresser knows for sure (and since it's sort of apparent he doesn't HAVE a hairdresser, that means no one. KJ, you're not gonna believe this, but a couple of years ago, someone (Murph, I think it might have been you!) found a website for a hair salon in SM (I think) that listed its celeb customers, and CF was among them. RE: Brentwood--I've heard Meg had a house there while they also lived at the place in the wilderness.;-) Murph, do you recall the hair salon thing?"}, {"response": 1038, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (18:27)", "body": "Still on the subject of hair... :-) I have examined the MLSF London premiere TV snippets and, for the sake of accuracy, I think that CF's hair is almost exactly as it was in the Donmar. It may be a little longer - but not much - and he appears to have used some kind of dressing like hair gel: the locks falling over his forehead appear damp. Moreover, I find no evidence of any deliberate hair parting. Persons of nervous disposition are advised to leave or at least close their eyes now: it is just the balding crown shining through. (I make no apologies for stating the above, in the same way as CF makes no effort to hide it. To me as a true fan the state of his hair, apart from noting the obvious and natural fact, is of no consequence.)"}, {"response": 1039, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (18:41)", "body": "Hi CherylB, nice to \"meet\" you, too. Aren't you the lucky soul who was involved with the production of Valmont? I thought I had read old posts of yours before I originally came on board in 1998. Guess we have been like ships in the night, eh? To everyone else, many thanks for the welcome. (Karen) Some are and a lot aren't. You'd be amazed at the Darcy worship that was in evidence in the Donmar lobby. I am surprised. I would have thought enough time had lapsed (since the airing of P&P2) for Darcy delirium to have developed into full-fledged Firth fever. But these diseases are not linear, are they? And as I admitted, they also can occur concurrently. (Karen)Do you want to use a lifeline? I guess I should use my audience life line! Didn't know it was such a trick question. I must admit, I made a mental list of Santa Monica, the Desert, the Canyon, and Pasedena. Maybe I should ask for the 50-50 lifeline. :) (CherylB ) I found the question as to whether CF and LG would have children rather rude. It is between the two of them, and really no one else's business I agreee the press should keep its nose out of the family info, but ODB could have said \"pass\" again. Maybe CF thought these comments were off the record. His candor surprised me. First there was \"doing a Harvey;\" now we have \"pulling a Jasper.\" Too funny... Hey, whatever happened to Ben? Did he ever return?"}, {"response": 1040, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (19:14)", "body": "(Mari),Might have just been a convenient meeting place for the reporter; no indication CF was actually staying there. In fact, I'd imagine (ghost of Jasper here;-) that he wasn't or else they'd have done the interview in his room Or a convenient place because the house he rents is there. :-) Arami, we should really put a stop to these non-hairy thoughts! ;-) (Murph, I think it might have been you!) found a website for a hair salon in SM (I think) that listed its celeb customers, and CF was among them. Mari, you are amazing, you remembered that! Which salon was it? Lisa, Ben is living in London now and has not posted for a while."}, {"response": 1041, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (19:17)", "body": "(Arami) Persons of nervous disposition are advised to leave or at least close their eyes now: it is just the balding crown shining through. As long as ODB doesn\ufffdt resort to a comb-over or Ron Popeil\ufffds spray can of dye for bald spots, he\ufffdll always be my main man. (As TS would say: Colin, who loves ya, baby?) At least his career and appeal have not been based on hair alone. Does the name Hugh Grant ring a bell? (Oops, guess my opinion of Hughie is out of the closest.)"}, {"response": 1042, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (19:22)", "body": "we should really put a stop to these non-hairy thoughts! ;-) It doesn't really bother you, does it? ;-)"}, {"response": 1043, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (20:01)", "body": "It doesn't really bother you, does it? ;-) Carissima! Neanche per sogno. ;-) Do continue..."}, {"response": 1044, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (21:40)", "body": "James Christopher's mini-review of MLSF in The Times: Hugh Hudson's My Life So Far is a modest memoir about sexual awakening. It's as misty-eyed about 1920s Scotland as the musical Brigadoon. The screenplay by Simon Donald is based on Sir Denis Forman's childhood memoir, Son of Adam, about a chirpy adolescent, Fraser (Robert Norman), who grows up in a Highland pile to become (we're told at the end) a member on the board of English National Opera. How scintillating. It aspires to, but doesn't have that gristly adult(erous) chemistry that shocked an impressionable young boy into lonely middle-age in Joseph Losey's masterpiece, The Go-Between. In fact it's much more Upstairs Downstairs in its dinner-table squabbles and gossipy maids. The sultry love interest is Irene Jacob, who is engaged to the dastardly smoothie, Uncle Morris (Malcolm McDowell). Colin Firth is Fraser's crackpot father who invents all sorts of uses for moss, and who lusts secretly after Heloise. Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio is his jealous wife. It's all very twitchy, repressed and stilted. In oth r words, perfect for family outings."}, {"response": 1045, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (22:48)", "body": "I'm going to have to delurk and express my \"ROTFLOL\" over this thread re: ODB's LA digs... Too funny! BTW the interview WAS at the Pasadena Ritz Carlton. It's not unusual to do interviews here, because they use the hotel often for press junkets (the other one is the 4 Seasons in Beverly Hills) I have several guesses as to where ODB may reside-- Venice: Borders SaMo, yet is less pretentious. The 'Hackney' of the Westside set. Juliana Marguiles from ER lives there, as well as other low-key celebs The Valley (Jana! You may be neighbors!): It's accessible to Malibu and Brentwood, which allows less commute time to see his son. Silverlake/Loz Feliz: It's still in LA proper, but I'd say that even though CF says he lives outside of LA, he may not know where the borders begin/end. Heck- I've been here 10 years, almost, and still have no clue! West Hollywood: because it's MY neighborhood and it would be such fun to have him live here!"}, {"response": 1046, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (06:15)", "body": "KJ, you're not gonna believe this, but a couple of years ago, someone (Murph, I think it might have been you!) found a website for a hair salon in SM (I think) that listed its celeb customers, and CF was among them. RE: Brentwood--I've heard Meg had a house there while they also lived at the place in the wilderness.;-) ************ Mari, I DO remember it. I had forgotten. I did a search and found it. It was a couple of years ago. Good memory. At that Pasadena interview CF was dressed in shorts and sandals, as I recall, and Livia, who had been shopping, came by toward the end. Murph"}, {"response": 1047, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (07:56)", "body": "Thanks to FOF Francoise, for this update--the RV website is now open. Go to: www.relative-values.com Looks like they've done a superb job with this site! New CF pic, plus quotes, and seems like there's more to come."}, {"response": 1048, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (07:57)", "body": "RV London premiere info is there as well."}, {"response": 1049, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (08:12)", "body": "Neat! So much for \"they'll let me know ahead of time\" and that software spy thing. Argh, should've put up the quotes as they didn't bother to hold up their end."}, {"response": 1050, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (09:12)", "body": "Thanks, Mari! From Relative Values. He does look like his brother here."}, {"response": 1051, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (09:40)", "body": "From the Standard: My Life So Far (12) Colin Firth, Rosemary Harris, Irene Jacob, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio. Dir: Hugh Hudson. UK. 2000. 99mins. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- by Alexander Walker Read Alexander Walker on the latest films every Thursday in the Evening Standard David Puttnam's last production (so far) has been awaiting a release for two years or more. Hard to see why. Directed by Hugh Hudson, it's a satisfying essay in boyhood nostalgia in the 1920s, Scottish to be precise, Sir Denis Forman's to individualise it further. Seen through the eyes of precocious young Denis, aka Fraser for the purpose of the semi-fictional period coat of varnish, it's a portrait of privilege that would delight the Scottish Tory party. The Scottish Arts Council has forked out \ufffd1 million of National Lottery cash to make up the \ufffd5.12 million budget: a high-risk sum to recoup, but better value than most of the Lottery's misspent millions south of the border. Pubescent Fraser (Robert Norman) grows up with a feckless but idolised dad (Colin Firth) who harvests sphagnum moss and invents dotty planes and automobiles; a loving Mumsy (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio); a rakish, cosmopolitan millionaire uncle (Malcolm McDowell) with a French wife (Ir\ufffdne Jacob) half his age; and a bossy but gold-standard granny (Rosemary Harris). The lad's awakening coincides with his dad's infidelity, but no great harm is done save a scrap twixt uncle and dad on the carpet. Its charm would be suffocating were the acting not needle sharp and it's a treat for toffs and buffs alike to see kindly servants knowing their place, the gentry at dinner or ice curling, enough Fair Isle sweaters to make moths drunk, fly-casting taught to the beat of Beethoven's Fifth and sex safely and amusingly misinterpreted by the lad. Coming from an Irish Presbyterian family not unlike this, but considerably farther down the money ladder, I surrendered easily to the seductive picture of life as it once was (for some). Lord Puttnam's present patrons may be harder to persuade."}, {"response": 1052, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (09:46)", "body": "From the Financial Times today: In My Life so Far a perky international cast (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Irene Jacob, Tcheky Karyo, Rosemary Harris, Malcolm McDowell) adds needed lustre to Hugh Chariots of Fire Hudson's adaptation of Sir Denis Forman's boyhood memoir of life with eccentric dad (Colin Firth) in a Scottish castle. Thin but goodhearted. The jolly music will tell you are enjoying yourself whether you are or not. -Nigel Andrews"}, {"response": 1053, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (10:25)", "body": "Terrific RV website Mari, thanks.V. impressive. Congratulations Murph, your Appreciation Page is featured prominently in the links. ....from the Online Store... Signed items related to Relative Values and its stars Makes one think Colin might sell autographed items....hmmmmm. Hey.... a dollar here...a dollar there.... Interactive Chat....Let's request that they get Colin into the Chat Room:-)) definitely, a Favorite bookmark.... The CD soundtrack sounds like a \"go\":-) So, who's going to the premiere?"}, {"response": 1054, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (10:27)", "body": "Here's Barry Norman's review from Sky news : MY LIFE SO FAR My Life So Far is the last film produced by David - beg his pardon, Lord - Puttnam before he went off to do loftier things on behalf of the government's education programme. It was directed by Hugh Hudson, with whom Puttnam made the Oscar-winning Chariots Of Fire, and is based on the autobiography of Sir Denis Forman, director of the Royal Opera House. I mean, blimey, all the toffs connected with this film - you feel like tugging your forelock, don't you? What it all amounts to, however, is a nostalgic and gently entertaining tale of an unconventional childhood in the Scottish Highlands. The child, very well played by Robbie Norman - no relation of mine, incidentally - has an erratic father, Colin Firth, and a gorgeous mum, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio. All of these are threatened in some way by a possibly wicked uncle, Malcolm McDowell, and his introduction into their midst of his enchanting French fiancee, Irene Jacob. It's all very anecdotal and episodic and doesn't really amount to much. But it's rather charming and, not surprisingly given the cast, very well played."}, {"response": 1055, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (11:09)", "body": "IMO All the reviews hve been excellent. This film has all the ingredients and reviews to succeed in the UK.I shall be v. disappointed if it doesn't attract a large audience."}, {"response": 1056, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (11:44)", "body": "I shall be v. disappointed if it doesn't attract a large audience. But it is only showing in a few cinemas. I haven't been able to check completely but it seems that it is only showing in London at the Curzon in Mayfair, ABC Hampstead and the Odeon Kensington. They obviously figure that a film about the upper classes will only be watched by them!"}, {"response": 1057, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (12:18)", "body": "I think \"excellent\" might be stretching it a bit for these reviews. But not bad, if a bit dismissive and brief. Will be lots more to come (and hopefully more in-depth). Thanks for posting Peter, Moon. Definitely a Geoffrey Clifton look--maybe it's the tux.;-) And if this role is based somewhat on Coward himself, well, I suppose that answers the question on Peter's proclivities.;-) (Evelyn) Interactive Chat....Let's request that they get Colin into the Chat Room:-)) Hey, let's try! If it's sanctioned by the website/producers, he just might surprise us. Or not.;-)"}, {"response": 1058, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (12:26)", "body": "There's also a little piece in the Evening Standard's 'hot tickets' in addition to the (one star = good) review, with pic of CF & MEM, in the main paper (thanks Mari you saved me a job!)which goes as follows: 'MY LIFE SO FAR (12) Colin Firth....... Based on the childhood memories of former TV magnate Sir Denis Forman and set in the Twenties, Hugh Hudson's movie views an eccentric and talented family through the eyes of Forman's ten year-old alter ego who discovers the joys of jazz and the lesser ones of his grandfathers cigars. The household is a bit tense over the appearance of his uncle's beautiful French fiancee, yearned for by the boy, but alsoby his papa. It's cosy and anecdotal, the Scottish equivalent of many a French or Italian rites of passage nostalgia comedy.' who's set her sights on this mysterious pilot who drops from the sky on to their lawn."}, {"response": 1059, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (12:27)", "body": "Whoops forget the bit about the pilot.....Dur!"}, {"response": 1060, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (12:46)", "body": "it is only showing in London at the Curzon in Mayfair, ABC Hampstead and the Odeon Kensington. They obviously figure that a film about the upper classes will only be watched by them! I would not imagine the Trainspotting crowd rushing to see this. Those cinemas are exactly where this film should be playing, and I that goes for RV as well. Evelyn, I am happy to say it looks like the shirt fits! ;-) I am most meticulous about these matters. Colin in the Chat room!? A dream."}, {"response": 1061, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (13:19)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1062, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (13:58)", "body": "(Allison)it is only showing in London at the Curzon in Mayfair, ABC Hampstead and the Odeon Kensington. They obviously figure that a film about the upper classes will only be watched by them! (Moon)I would not imagine the Trainspotting crowd rushing to see this. Those cinemas are exactly where this film should be playing, and I that goes for RV as well. Ditto. Notice they kept it out of Leicester Sq. But the older crowd are the ones who keep screaming that\" they don't make films like they used to\"...well here it is, folks."}, {"response": 1063, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (14:00)", "body": "Trouble is in Mayfair, Hampstead and Kensington they go to live theatre..."}, {"response": 1064, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (14:18)", "body": "I think \"excellent\" might be stretching it a bit for these reviews. But not bad, if a bit dismissive and brief. Will be lots more to come (and hopefully more in-depth). (Mari) In the UK context, I think these are very good reviews for a British film....I'm quite relieved to read them! Reviews are often extremely dismissive and are rarely very long...except for the big opener. For example, if you want to read a bad review...how about these snippets from the Times, about other films reviewed along with MLSF. \"Snow Falling on Cedars\"....\"what doesn't move is the film itself. Puffed up with a sense of its own uimportance, it floats on hot blasts of artistic pretension..if you stuck a pin it it, it would burst.\" \"Best\" (Brit movie about famous footballer\" \"An arrant piece of mythmaking which backfires with all the grace of a bull passing wind. John Lynch's Best looks guilty of homicide.\" \"Hanging up\" (Diane Keaton et al) ....\"Nora Ephron's latest slush fest should be injected into a reinforced block a nd dumped into one of those unfathomable Pacific trenches that eluded Jacques Cousteau\" Ouch!! MLSF got off lightly by comparison. \"Perfect for family outings\" is high praise!! I think three theatres for MLSF is okay, especially as it's showing at the Curzon. I'm glad that Alexander Walker (Evening Standard) liked it...that review really matters. I think the Daily Mail will like it, the Telegraph and Express 50/50 and I'm not reading the Guardian, Independent or Times Metro (different reviewer from the Times!) BTW Irene Jacob is advertised on the front of Saturday's Times Metro...promoting MLSF? Londinium??!! (What's happening to Mike Binder's opus?) Great to see the RV website....I've got a good feelinng about RV. I think it could be a winner. And premiering in the Odeon Leicester Square is very good news indeed...that's where all the Bond movies etc premiere, the biggest single theatre in London, I think...2000 plus seats. This will be well promoted!!"}, {"response": 1065, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (15:28)", "body": "Don't think RV will be in the Bond category...but I think it will be a cute movie. Julie Andrews,& Alec Baldwin will promote it.And try and stop Stephen Fry from being on every talk show. But the same target audience as MLSF....the folks who go to the theatre."}, {"response": 1066, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (16:32)", "body": "(Moon Dreams) ...I love hats and long white gloves. ;-) \"Bella Luna\". I always suspected you as being a woman of elegance. You're no doubt a person of style who can pull off that look no matter where you are. (LisaJH) Hi CherylB, nice to \"meet\" you, too. Aren't you the lucky soul who was involved with the production of Valmont? I thought I had read old posts of yours before I originally came on board in 1998. Guess we have been like ships in the night, eh? Alas no, that was not I. That would have been CherylE, and I know her only from old posts, as well. She was also more astute and articulate than I. Her spelling was better, too. Regarding my statement: I found the question as to whether CF and LG would have children rather rude. It is between the two of them, and really no one else's business...(LisaJH) I agreee the press should keep its nose out of the family info, but ODB could have said \"pass\" again. Maybe CF thought these comments were off the record. His candor surprised me. You do have a point. My comment came off more sharply than intended. Also, my reaction was colored by feelings I have toward what some friends of mine are going through. Basically as a fan I don't want to be too prying. I don't mean that to sound judgemental about any other fan's behavior. I pretty much think that everyone posting on this board is respectful toward Mr. Firth. I just feel it's such a personal issue. You are, however, right; CF did choose to answer the question."}, {"response": 1067, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (16:48)", "body": "I found the old article set in Santa Monica. Here is the beginning of it. Will run now and look at RV. - Murph ***************************** By BART MILLS (Sunday Mail, 11/10/96) The shambling figure with a week's growth of beard and ginger hair in wild ringlets weanng sandals and non-descnpt T-shirts and jeans attracts no glances on the busy street in sunny Santa Monica, two blocks from the Pacific The olive-skinned woman with him turns some heads though as she glides away to go window shopping, while the beach bum who is Colin Firth behind those dark glasses, sits down at a pavement cafe and explains why Los Angeles is his uncomfortable second home. Sub]ect: Firth Article in Sunday Mail 10th November 1996 MR DARCY WHERE HAVE YOV BEEN? BART MILLS The shambling figure with a week's growth of beard and ginger hair in wild ringlets wearing sandals and non-descript T-shirts and jeans attracts no glances on the busy street in sunny Santa Monica, two blocks from the Pacific. The olive-skinned woman with him turns some heads though as she glides away to go window-shopping. While the beach bum who is Colin Firth behind those dark glasses sits down at a pavement cafe and explains why Los Angeles is his uncomfortable second home. Firth has dealt with Darcy fever by being elsewhere, doing otherwise. As he always has when faced with success, after Pride and Prejudice he sought to muffle the fanfare that greeted his most romantic portrayal His escape route into new personae was via Columbia and Tunisia to play tragic obsessives in two doom laden dramas. Nostromo and The English Patient. And he flew, every chance he had to LA. He's here not to seek roles in Hollywood action movies but to spend time with his six-year-old son Will. Long range fatherhood, encouraged by the boy's mother actress Meg Tilly, who lives there now, is a measure of Firth's maturity: he's here \"almost all of the time I'm not working\", he says. His relationship with 26 year old Livia Guiggioli, the Italian beauty accompanying him in Santa Monica is a measure of his continued boyishness: he's with her in Rome \"a lot.\" And when she is not studying for her doctorate in English literature at Rome University, she, in turn, is with Colin at his L150.000 flat in Hackney, ast London \"a lot\". Darcy fever never really hit home. By the time Pride and Prejudice was screened Firth was already well into filming The English Patient with Ralph Fiennes in Tunisia and completely oblivious of the nationwide fluttering of hearts in Britain. \"I had to take my mother's word for it, that people liked it. When your mother tells you something like that you take it with a grain of salt. Anyway you can't walk around feeling thrilled indefinitely about even the biggest success,\" he says \"Things get old. I've done four jobs since then. Let's be realistic. I dyed my hair and put on a costume. Darcy has been a sex symbol far nearly 200 years now without my help.\""}, {"response": 1068, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (16:50)", "body": "Please excuse the repeats in this Mills thing. I scanned it, and not too carfully either! Murph"}, {"response": 1069, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (16:57)", "body": "(Bethan) \"Best\" (Brit movie about famous footballer) \"An arrant piece of mythmaking which backfires with all the grace of a bull passing wind. ROTFLMAO! (Evelyn) Julie Andrews,& Alec Baldwin will promote it. It's not Alec, it's little brother Billy (though I suppose Alec could promote it if he wanted to)."}, {"response": 1070, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (17:04)", "body": "(Bethan) For example, if you want to read a bad review...how about these snippets from the Times, about other films reviewed along with MLSF. \"Snow Falling on Cedars\" and \"Hanging Up\" But those were huge bombs, especially SFOC (had gorgeous cinematography though). I saw that with Scott Hicks and Ethan Hawke in attendance, taking Q&A afterward. You've never seen such a large audience struggling to say complimentary thing. It so obviously sucked. MLSF got off lightly by comparison. \"Perfect for family outings\" is high praise!! Yes, we so frequently forget the nature of your reviewers. :-("}, {"response": 1071, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (17:37)", "body": "\"Bella Luna\" thanks you Cheryl. I have always said it is better to be overdressed than underdressed. And I am particular about the fit of a man's shirt when he is suited up. I'll take the Geoffrey look anyday over sandals, a non-descript T-shirt and jeans. ;-)"}, {"response": 1072, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (19:15)", "body": "Here's the BBC's review: My Life So Far Reviewed by Michael Thomson Director: Hugh Hudson Cast: Robbie Norman, Colin Firth, Rosemary Harris, Irene Jacob, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Malcolm McDowell, Tcheky Karyo Running-time: 96 mins Certificate: 12 Distributor: Buena Vista Release Date:12th May 2000 \"My Life So Far\" has the feel of a beginner's enterprise, not the work of established heavyweights Hugh Hudson (director) and David Puttnam (producer). Yet both chaps, once regarded as the very foundations - and saviours - of the British film industry (\"Chariots of Fire\" was theirs), haven't exactly been an overwhelming presence in recent years so perhaps they thought it best to creep back with a small, unpretentious project. This is, by the way, the first time they've worked together since Chariots. Like their famous film, \"My Life So Far\" has Puttnam's hallmarks of decency, morality and the independent spirit, and a love of a period long since gone. The film - set in the 20s - concerns a wee Scottish boy, Fraser (Robbie Norman), living a privileged, rural life, doted on by an eccentric inventor dad determined to make a go of moss-processing (Colin Firth) and his wise, patient mum (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio). The sensitive Fraser absorbs ideas and influences from all around him and so, after the arrival of his colourful, free-spirited uncle (Malcolm McDowell) and his gorgeous, exotic fiancee (Irene Jacob), he finally begins to grow up. After an embarrassing row involving his parents, Fraser realises that adulthood will be complex, less certain, but probably equally enjoyable. Despite the twin entertainments of a crisply judgemental Malcolm McDowell and an oddball Colin Firth, not to mention the cheerful curiosity of newcomer Robbie Norman, the picture is too lazy to exert much emotional pull, and the need for it to be reshaped is matched by a requirement for more fully-realised characters. A more surprising script would have also lent more weight. Still, \"My Life So Far\" is often jolly, amusing, charming and always good to look at. The Scottish Tourist Board will be somersaulting with delight. \ufffd"}, {"response": 1073, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (19:44)", "body": "Still hoping for The Maid of Buttermere, here is Bragg news from the British Press Association: Melvyn Bragg wins prize for novel inspired by father Lord Bragg today won a \ufffd10,000 literary prize for a novel inspired by his father and said: \"I wish he was here today.\" The broadcaster and writer took the W H Smith Literary Award 2000 for his acclaimed book The Soldier's Return. The novel tells the tale of a soldier who returns to Britain after the Second World War and his struggles to adjust to his experiences in a town which has changed little while he has been through traumatic experiences. Lord Bragg was presented with his prize by Arts Minister Alan Howarth at an award lunch in London. The shocked South Bank Show presenter said: \"Well, this wasn't in the script. I'm very surprised, I was surprised to even be on the shortlist. \"More than that I'm delighted. This book was triggered by the death of my father. Like millions in this country he spent six years of his young life abroad then came back to find a young child, in my case nearly seven, who had grown.\" Professor John Carey, chair of the judging panel, said: \"This restrained but compelling novel is both an intimate social documentary and a moving human story.\" Murph"}, {"response": 1074, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (19:49)", "body": "The novel tells the tale of a soldier who returns to Britain after the Second World War and his struggles to adjust to his experiences in a town which has changed little while he has been through traumatic experiences. Shades of AMITC....perfect for ODB.We'll take it:-)"}, {"response": 1075, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (20:05)", "body": "I agree, Evelyn, and thanks for the RV plug. I am honored, and told them so. They should see Karen's great pages too, and add them. I love your 50's look, Karen. I found an old interview with CF by Rees, scanned it, and have it on my site. After reading it a few years ago, I even wrote an T.S. Eliot parody poem about it. Here is the article URL: http://www.geocities.com/firthfan/independ.html Murph"}, {"response": 1076, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (20:07)", "body": "Long interview with David Puttnam as he \"struggles to promote his last ever movie\" http://www.independent.co.uk/enjoyment/Film/Interviews/puttnam120500.shtml Says this about the movie: With its rather charming mixture of old-fashioned narrative values and a slight water-wash of indefinable melancholy, it is classic Puttnam fare. It won't shake the world: no, it's far more likely to give it a jolly good hug. Haven't posted Anthony Quinn's review of the film yet"}, {"response": 1077, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (22:39)", "body": "Here's a two-and-a-half star review from something called The Wolf (no relation to my relations I assure you) at inside out film (a UK film site): GROWING up with a herd of brothers and sisters in a vast pile on the west coast of Scotland sounds wild and exciting. Judging by the way director Hugh Hudson and scriptwriter Simon Donald have tackled the early life of Sir Denis Forman, you wouldn't know it. Despite brave efforts by Colin Firth as the unpredictable inventor father, Malcolm McDowell as Uncle Maurice, and Rosemary Harris as the matriarchal grandmother, no-one feels comfortable. It is supposed to be eight-year-old Fraser's story, but seems to be a boy's eye view of adult behavior. Robert Norman, as Fraser, does not act like a child who has spent his whole life in the country. The Edwardian household, choking with servants, both indoor and out, revolves around the eccentric behaviour of Dad, whether he is blowing up bits of moor for his moss factory, or having Fraser launch a model airplane from the roof. What is missing is kiddies' fun. There are about seven of them and they never do anything together that doesn't involve a parent. You would expect that behind the green baize door a whole world of mischief, games and devilish plots exists, like a parallel universe. But no. Even their kilts are clean and their knees unscuffed. Other details are misplaced. It is only in movies that posh folk go shooting with their 12-bores broken under their arms. Fraser is seen fishing in the loch and returns with his rod in two parts, which means he would have untied the cast from the line, taken the rod to pieces, pocketed the reel, just to walk a few hundred yards home. Also, there is a grouse plucking scene in the kitchen, in which the cook and two scullery maids are tearing at the birds as if they have lost their minds. The only sniff of drama is when Dad makes a pass at Uncle Maurice's \"exotic child fianc\ufffde\", the 24-year-old Eloise (Irene Jacob - so far out of her depth she disappears). Nothing comes of it, except an absurd scene when Mumsy (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) gives him a tongue lashing a few months later in front of the children and assorted guests. One thing the upper classes are good at is not making a fuss in public. ~~~~~~~ Will go check if Wolf was so critical of, say, Gladiator? ;-)"}, {"response": 1078, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (23:05)", "body": "Murph, they have seen my pages and asked where I got my material, especially the trailer. ~~~~~~ The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw: The early life of the arts grandee Sir Denis Forman furnishes the material for My Life So Far, an amiable piece of whimsy about a young boy's magical, enchanted boyhood in 30s Scotland, directed by Hugh Hudson and co-produced by David Puttnam in the mould of the pre-Cool Britannia British film: gently charming, with a sense of period. Colin Firth plays Edward, an eccentric inventor idolised by his 10-year-old son Fraser (Robert Norman). With the semi-comprehending eyes of a child, he witnesses the tensions that arise when his Uncle Morris (Malcolm McDowell) brings home his beautiful young fianc\ufffde, Heloise (Ir\ufffdne Jacob). I found the movie's darker moments did not carry much conviction and Firth seemed a little too impassive, and maybe just a little too young in the role of the exotic paterfamilias. But Hudson's direction carries the film's fey and ingenuous qualities well, and the locations by Loch Fyne in the Highlands are a delight."}, {"response": 1079, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (03:53)", "body": "Just glanced through the \"reviews\" in the other papers. Jonathon Ross in the Mirror likes it! But I was wrong about the Daily Mail... Chris Tookey doesn't like it (2stars) and says that CF is miscast...that he is boring,stiff and patronising instead of entertaining and fun. (I thought that Edward was supposed to be severely flawed?) Matthew Bond in The Telegraph is very dismissive... says that it has no plot and is suitable only for a ten year old boy, no mention of the cast. Pity about the Telegraph because it's the worst review (very unperceptive and brief) and their readership is the potential MLSF audience. But apart from the Mail and Telegraph, I think the reviews are okay. BTW \"Wolf\" will like \"Gladiator\"..... \"Wolf\" is the name of one of the hosts of the TV show \"Gladiators!\""}, {"response": 1080, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (04:29)", "body": "Daily Mail's Christopher Tookey - two stars. Director Hugh Hudson and producer David Puttnam haven't had a hit since COF, almost 20 years ago. MLSF won't change that. It's a nostalgic account of the hugely privileged, mostly enviable but remarkably uneventful early life of the former Granada TV chief Sir Denis Forman. Shown on Sunday night television, it might pass muster for its attractive Scottish scenery and good performance by Robert Norman as the young Sir Dennis, here renamed Fraser, and MES as his mother. But Colin Firth is stiff, uneasy nd miscast as Forman's father. He is intended to be a lovable eccentric with a roving eye. Instead, he comes across as a prejudiced, patronising bore. This film passes the time amiably enough, but it lacks the insights or universality which made an arthouse hit of its obvious model, My Life As A Dog. Small pic of CF as Edward."}, {"response": 1081, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (07:07)", "body": "details are misplaced This is a major problem in films today. My husband always sees them too. Still, those reviews posted above missed the point. And because they are the papers that the MLSF audience read, it is terrible luck. :-("}, {"response": 1082, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (07:08)", "body": "Review from the Independent: \"Hugh Hudson's My Life So Far is one of those \"magic of childhood\" movies that tries to compensate for its shortage of drama by piling on the pictorial charm. Set during the 1920s, it concerns a 10year-old boy's getting of wisdom one summer on his family's beautiful estate in the Scottish Highlands, where his madcap father (CF) pioneers not-so-great inventions and becomes dizzily infatuated with another man's wife (IJ). A first-rate cast - MEM, KMcD and MMcD - provide a pleasant distraction as the film meanders through a minor crisis and then to a les-than-rousing conclusion. You won't be alone in wondering why the hell you bothered with it.\" ouch! I really think that on the whole MLSF was much better received in the US than here, and some reviews were very enthusiatic compared to the rather bland ones here, oh well."}, {"response": 1083, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (08:03)", "body": "At the BBC Online news, there's an item about Malcolm MacDowell and there are audio links (on left side), where he talks about MLSF: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/entertainment/newsid_743000/743880.stm"}, {"response": 1084, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (08:16)", "body": "According to the popcorn site, MLSF is playing at 17 cinemas nationwide. One additional in London area (Richmond), but rest are in Scotland: ABC Hampstead Location: London North Dominion, Edinburgh Location: Edinburgh Mayfair Curzon Location: London West End Odeon Glasgow The Quay Multiplex Location: Glasgow Odeon Kensington Location: London West End Odeon Kilmarnock Location: Kilmarnock Odeon Studio Richmond Location: London South UCI Kinnaird Park, Edinburgh Location: Edinburgh UCI Olympia Centre, East Kilbride Location: East Kilbride UGC Cinema Edinburgh Location: Edinburgh"}, {"response": 1085, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (10:38)", "body": "....MLSF is playing at 17 cinemas nationwide. That's v. encouraging.With the exception of the DM which is just plain mean, I think the reivews are better than expected. Some of the criticisms are on target: ...an absurd scene when Mumsy (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) gives him a tongue lashing a few months later in front of the children and assorted guests. One thing the upper classes are good at is not making a fuss in public. We all brought that up last summer. ~~~~~~~~ the film meanders through a minor crisis and then to a less-than-rousing conclusion. Waltzing in the rain would have been a better ending. ~~~~~ At least no one has brought up the fact of how old this film is. And MEM hasn't told us her newborn-then is now in kindergarten...sheech."}, {"response": 1086, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (11:23)", "body": "How does MLSF end in the UK release? In the US release it ends with the scene of Frasier swirling the milk in the brandy snifter and Edward's gorgeous face closing the door."}, {"response": 1087, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (12:31)", "body": "Browsing at the newstand...there's a mention of MLSF in this week's \"Hello\" (a pic of Cherie Blair at the premiere of \"Colin Firth's new movie\". And there's a good review of MLSF in the Financial Times (must be available online..?) All very positive comments. The FT is definitely the top person's newspaper (good penetration in Mayfair and Kensington!)!...and has the same circulation as the Telegraph. Also the Telegraph review is now online (sorry, have forgotten the link). It's not as bad as I thought, I suppose. Bad if you compare it with \"Gladiator\" which is \"brilliant\", but par for the course compared with the other reviews. \"Director HH needed bucketfuls of charm to make this lightweight piece work. He failed to find them. Instead we have a nice setting, potentially interesting characters,but no plot at all....a rites of passage story of a young boy smitten with his new auntie and his grandfather's collection of pornography. May be enough for a ten year old but not the rest of us\". Hmmm! But overall, MLSF has fared well...and it's had a good review from the FT and also the Daily Mirror's reviewer liked it (largest circulation tabloid!). Both ends of the spectrum."}, {"response": 1088, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (12:37)", "body": "Agree with Evelyn; aside from that ridiculous Wolf review (who gives a flying f*** if the fishing rod is in two pieces, I ask you), the reviews aren't bad. This isn't a perfect movie but all who frequent these hallowed halls of Drool should love it. ;-)"}, {"response": 1089, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (13:05)", "body": "The reviews I'm most interested in are from the people here. If anyone catches it this weekend, please report in with your thoughts. I love this film and never get tired of hearing or talking about it.:-)"}, {"response": 1090, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (13:25)", "body": "I am seeing it tomorrow Mari, will let you know what I think of it, can't wait."}, {"response": 1091, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (14:02)", "body": "(Donna)How does MLSF end in the UK release? In the US release it ends with the scene of Frasier swirling the milk in the brandy snifter and Edward's gorgeous face closing the door. I don't know what country you saw it in, Donna;-) In the US, when I saw it, Edward and Moira are waltzing in the rain in \"nightclothes attire\". In Australia, it was shown with Frasier going off to school and some remark from Edward about 'fellatio'....\"I wouldn't do that at school...\" I dunno...do you think they thought that would make it more appealing to the British? (Going off to boarding school, that is;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 1092, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (14:51)", "body": "(Evelyn) In the US, when I saw it, Edward and Moira are waltzing in the rain in \"nightclothes attire\". Really? They didn't show the end bit in Dallas (and any of the other states to which you had to travel in order to see it)? I remember the ending as Donna described (it came after the rain waltz). Same on the video I saw in January."}, {"response": 1093, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (16:34)", "body": "Sorry..apologies all around. I thought the rain-bit came at the Very End. Yeah...we got the kid and the cigar too. Not going away to school though."}, {"response": 1094, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (22:02)", "body": "The Times Metro section has a short blurb by Kathleen Wyatt that doesn't even mention Colin's name: FRASER PETTIGREW (Robert Norman) is a ten year-old who leads an idyllic life in the Scottish Highlands. Into the tranquil scenario intrudes money-minded Uncle Morris (Malcolm McDowell), and other distractions such as his mother (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio). Never riveting, but a charming film nonetheless. Then there's a long interview with Irene Jacob; here's some of it: A few bits of Hollywood fluff clogged her enviable early CV. But My Life so Far offers Ir\ufffdne Jacob a role worthy of her powers - and her sultry presence. Jerome Boyd Maunsell meets her in Paris Her latest film, My Life so Far, is something altogether different. It may boast an impressive cast, with Colin Firth, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, and ex-droog Malcolm McDowell. But the overall feel of the movie doesn't lay claims to great sophistication. Seen through the eyes of Fraser (Robbie Norman), a precocious ten-year-old boy, My Life so Far is a light-hearted family portrait set on an estate in the Scottish Highlands. Fraser relates his childhood in this idyllic setting, a life dominated by the pranks of his eccentric father (Firth), until reality arrives in the form of his hard-headed millionaire uncle (McDowell) and his French fianc\ufffde, Heloise (Jacob). It's not long, though, before the vivacious Heloise stirs up all kinds of trouble. Asked about her role in the film, Jacob's hazel-brown eyes widen mischievously: \"It was fun for me to find this part, because I've played a lot of tormented roles in the past. It was very spontaneous, despite the costumes and being a period film. I think it was a very unpretentious story, about this boy growing up and discovering his sensuality. It's wonderful that the film talks about that - at ten or 11 boys are already full of desire. It's not something that wakes up at 18. Now when I see young boys like my nephews I can see it bursting out, like spring, they want to know, to love, already they are sensitive to beauty.\" Jacob initially met the director Hugh Hudson to discuss a part in his planned adaptation of Joseph Conrad's Nostromo. The project never transpired, and the director famed for Chariots of Fire ended up making My Life so Far instead. The troubles he encountered with the failed big-budget adaptation go some way to explaining this film's charm and slightness. \"Hugh decided to do something simple, that he could relate to. He told us this film was an appetiser. It's not a big meal, just something which gives you a taste, enough to want more,\" says Jacob."}, {"response": 1095, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, May 13, 2000 (02:42)", "body": "There's a colour photo of CF though, after the review, and a small B&W one of CF and IJ in the article on IJ. Metro reviews are capsule reviews - no space. But MLSF gets 3 stars, which is good, as Metro is definitely aimed at a younger audience. I like the interview with IJ..she's currently doing theatre in paris...she sounds very nice and unpretentious. Has a 3 year relationship with a mysterious Englishman \"not an actor\"."}, {"response": 1096, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, May 13, 2000 (05:58)", "body": "The troubles he encountered with the failed big-budget adaptation go some way to explaining this film's charm and slightness. Failed big-budget? Meaning what, exactly? There weren't decent script and film editors available for that sort of money? They should've asked me! *** Here's something to brighten your weekend everywhere across the world... A present from Allison and Three Deers. (Well, only One Deer in fact: that's because the other Deers are having time off at the moment.) http://www.geocities.com/threedeers/gmtv/imagesgmtv.html"}, {"response": 1097, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, May 13, 2000 (07:03)", "body": "A full page feature on Sir Denis Forman in this week's \"Hampstead and Highgate Express\" (the Ham and High, as it is known, takes itself very seriously as the weekly local newspaper, it is widely read locally). Sir Denis is a local resident apparently. It's a long article which I am afraid I cannot type in full but the interesting bits are: \"My Life So Far could not have come from a better stable. Produced by David Puttnam, directed by Hugh Hudson of Chariots of Fire fame, it stars Colin Firth as Sir Denis's father, the Adam of the original title. For the Firth portrayal, Sir Denis has nothing but praise. \"He is my father to a T - the way he walked, the way he talked. I did send them some old hime movies, which I assume he saw, but it really is almost uncanny. A wonderful performance.\" BTW MLSF is showing at a cinema in Hampstead, so this is good publicity for it. Also the Ham And High has wide readership locally and as the area is stuffed with movers and shakers, that is good for CF's reputation too."}, {"response": 1098, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, May 13, 2000 (07:08)", "body": "To all moms and grandmoms and moms of feathered and four legged children too! UKer's, enjoy MLSF, and Maria, thanks for the pictures. Whatta smile the man has got. Murph P.S. I have the long legged look from The Times on my main page now, plus some quotes toward the bottom of the page."}, {"response": 1099, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 13, 2000 (07:46)", "body": "Love the captures from the premiere, Arami and Allison. Colin looks awfully good when he cleans up and puts on suit. Thanks, ladies. Interesting quotes and high priase for CF from Sir Denis. Was thinking that he had dissociated himself from the project because this is the first we've heard from him. Also thought the same for Hugh Hudson because he was noticeably absent during last year's promotion...obviously he was busy making another masterpiece like I Dreamed of Africa. ;-)"}, {"response": 1100, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, May 13, 2000 (08:40)", "body": "(Arami) Failed big-budget? Meaning what, exactly? They're referring to Hudson's Nostromo which, thankfully, never got off the ground. Admittedly, a very awkwardly written paragraph.;-) I absolutely love the captures from the premiere! He doesn't look uncomfortable at all, at least from these stills. Was it something in his manner which made you feel otherwise? He is gorgeous, oh my, I'm drooling here . . .;-) He is just as handsome and appealing offscreen as on (if not more so). Looking at these candids, and remembering the wonderful ones taken by Elena at 3DOR . . .mmmmmmm . . . need a bucket.;-) Many thanks for these, Arami and Allison. Well done, ladies. Nice quotes from Denis Forman, too."}, {"response": 1101, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, May 13, 2000 (08:57)", "body": "There is a long article in tomorrow's NY Times about the popularity of the new young Brit stars. Everyone is mentioned, including Daniel Craig, a favorite of mine, EXCEPT --- Clive Owen, Rufus Sewell, and, of course, CF, who is still unfairly ignored in this country. (There is an opening paragraph about the earlier bunches, including Ralph F and Kenny B.). I could post it tomorrow if anyone is interested. Murph Going to see Croupier today."}, {"response": 1102, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, May 13, 2000 (09:37)", "body": "Sorry about the OTs. I should have posted at 127. (Still getting used to getting around this great place.) Murph"}, {"response": 1103, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, May 13, 2000 (09:47)", "body": "Thanks Allison and Arami for the premiere pics...he looks better than Regis in the matching (grey?) shirt and tie... ~~~~~ How do you get the Sunday NY Times on Sat., Murph? ~~~~~ Eager to get first-hand reports of MLSF from our UKers."}, {"response": 1104, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, May 13, 2000 (10:16)", "body": "Thanks, Arami and Allison! I like his MD look, and am relieved that his hair is not parted in the middle. Happy to see that the shirt and jacket fit! Hooray! ;-) Happy Mother's to all the Firthettes."}, {"response": 1105, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, May 13, 2000 (10:16)", "body": "(Karen) Colin looks awfully good when he cleans up and puts on suit. He doesn't have to bother for me..."}, {"response": 1106, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 13, 2000 (11:11)", "body": "Didn't say it was necessary. Just a statement of fact. ;-)"}, {"response": 1107, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, May 13, 2000 (13:43)", "body": "(Mari) He doesn't look uncomfortable at all, at least from these stills. Was it something in his manner which made you feel otherwise? Sort of. Hard to put a finger on it, really, but it's the way he just doesn't go for \"Bbbbbhhhwah-ha-ha! Slap yer thigh!\" sort of merriment. Reserved. Watchful. You have seen him in the Donmar and he was exactly the same there."}, {"response": 1108, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 14, 2000 (00:25)", "body": "Review from The Scotsman on Sunday: Adapted from the 1990 autobiography of Sir Denis Forman and reuniting the Chariots Of Fire team of producer David Puttnam and director Hugh Hudson,My Life So Far (12) probably carries an unfair burden of expectations. It was filmed some three years ago and has become the subject of much speculation and delay, now emerging as a modest, unassuming portrait of a privileged Scottish childhood in the years between the two world wars. Beautiful scenery provides the visual allure and gentle nostalgia sets the tone as we follow the ebb and flow of family life on a vast country estate owned by young Fraser\ufffds grandfather and run by his eccentric inventor father Edward (Colin Firth). Isolated from the concerns of the wider world, the estate is an adventure playground in which the curious lad gains a wide-ranging education in everything from fly-fishing to the temptations of the flesh and the hypocrisies of the adult mind. Family gatherings, exotic guests, the annual curling championship and other rituals provide snapshots of a lost age. What little drama the film possesses comes in the form of Irene Jacob\ufffds Heloise, Fraser\ufffds new aunt and an object of forbidden desire for his smitten father. Although there is potential here for a childhood memoir in the manner of My Life As A Dog or Hope And Glory, My Life So Far has too genteel and fragmentary a narrative to merit a mention in the same breath. Always pleasant, it lacks those extremes of light and dark that distinguish a great drama from a merely decent one. ~~~~~ Note: the only review to mention curling I think. ;-)"}, {"response": 1109, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, May 14, 2000 (04:46)", "body": "Well, and you are going to hate me for this but I have seen MLSF, and although it is charming, the photography wonderful, the acting very good, and many wonderful slow-mo moments, I have to agree with many of the reviews and the one above and also with Barry Norman who said that it didn't amount to much. In fact Aishling and I had inteded to see it twice before we came home, in case we had missed something the first time around , but really we felt that there was not need so saw it only the once. It was a very hot sunny day in London yesterday and there were only about 10 of us in the cinema. There were some very amusing moments and the small audience laughed in all the right places but not enough happened. I felt it would have suited television better than the big screen but then we wouldn't have had the full benefit of those wonderful close-ups of CF. Sorry but I just feel it needed something more. Also I don't think anything happened in the hay-loft, I am sure Heloise would have been much more upset f it had. I would still love to own the video, if only to fast-forward and to slow-mo. Sorry to sound so negative and I am sure that any CF fan here will love it, but also I think the only reason to go to this film would be if you are a CF fan."}, {"response": 1110, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, May 14, 2000 (04:50)", "body": "BTW I though young Robert Norman was very good and I thought he played the scene at the dining table so well, he really couldn't understand why what he had said was so wrong \"what, why what's wrong!\" he says when his father tells himto go to his study."}, {"response": 1111, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, May 14, 2000 (04:50)", "body": "Well, and you are going to hate me for this but I have seen MLSF, and although it is charming, the photography wonderful, the acting very good, and many wonderful slow-mo moments, I have to agree with many of the reviews and the one above and also with Barry Norman who said that it didn't amount to much. In fact Aishling and I had inteded to see it twice before we came home, in case we had missed something the first time around , but really we felt that there was not need so saw it only the once. It was a very hot sunny day in London yesterday and there were only about 10 of us in the cinema. There were some very amusing moments and the small audience laughed in all the right places but not enough happened. I felt it would have suited television better than the big screen but then we wouldn't have had the full benefit of those wonderful close-ups of CF. Sorry but I just feel it needed something more. Also I don't think anything happened in the hay-loft, I am sure Heloise would have been much more upset f it had. I would still love to own the video, if only to fast-forward and to slow-mo. Sorry to sound so negative and I am sure that any CF fan here will love it, but also I think the only reason to go to this film would be if you are a CF fan."}, {"response": 1112, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, May 14, 2000 (07:48)", "body": "(Ann) Well, and you are going to hate me for this but I have seen MLSF No we're not! :-)"}, {"response": 1113, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 14, 2000 (08:54)", "body": "Ann, you know no one gets lambasted for their opinions here! ;-) If you and Aishling thought it was mediocre, that's fine. I will disagree that it was not better suited for television, at least not our television. To me, MLSF is representative of many period British films that look extraordinarily good, have wonderful acting, but don't have a lot going on. For me, they are \"slice of life\" portraits and very satisfying. Having Colin up on the screen for so much of the time is an even bigger plus."}, {"response": 1114, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, May 14, 2000 (09:01)", "body": "That's right. Your review isn't negative at all and I agree with you that the film is a lightweight. It still has its charms (and we know who they belong to). I do think it's worth seeing a second time simply because it often takes a second viewing for me to catch everything and with our DB, you don't want to miss a thing. IMO it's better than SLOW though they're both choppily edited which makes you wonder what you're missing. Glad you saw it ladies and hope to hear more."}, {"response": 1115, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May 14, 2000 (11:24)", "body": "Ann) Well, and you are going to hate me for this but I have seen MLSF ... (Donna)No we're not! :-) Speak for yourselve.;-);-)(Only kidding, of course) Seriously, I think we spoiled it for you. First of all , the film is three years old.And you've had to hear us talk about it for a year now...so it's old hat. The film is such an improvement on the book, that frankly I was elated.The book was a yawner of the first order.IMO the film is a charmer...but agree that one would not wish to see it except for Colin....but truly, isn't that the reason one sees any of his starring films? The films on their own merit are never riveting.The TV ones are, however. You didn't think he looked gorgeous in those outfits...the navy blue dinner suit ? LOL ...You must think I'm an obsessed nut to have flown down to Dallas to see it..."}, {"response": 1116, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, May 14, 2000 (15:53)", "body": "AnnW - I'm deeply envious that you got to see MLSF. I'm just going to have to have yet another night out in London town to see it, as it is unlikely that it will reach me here in deepest Kent ;-( Allison many thanks and ditto all the comments about the GMTV pics. He does scrub up well doesn't he? But I have to agree with Arami - I rather go for the unkempt look a la Donmar (ah memories, memories!) It is v. encouraging to read so much about MLSF (good or bad) I was quite surprised at the sheer volume of the stuff given that it's not a huge film..but I suppose the Hudson/Puttnam connection and (no doubt) publicity machine didn't do any harm!"}, {"response": 1117, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, May 14, 2000 (18:03)", "body": "I'll see MLSF in about a month, when it wends its way up north. I don't mind if not much happens....I quite like a gentle pace! Just caught the end of the oh so boring BAFTA awards ceremony....Sue Birtwistle's \"Wives and Daughters\" had quite a few nominations. Michael Gambon got Best Actor, so SB has an excellent track record for her productions...JE was Best Actress for P&P. If CF does \"Armadillo\" (and I'm sure he will), maybe it will be three in a row! Although I don't think that BAFTA like CF....what was the unofficial reason quoted for his not winning for Darcy?...\"that he just stood around and didn't do much\". Very unfair really!!! But I'd like to see him get something...I still think it was a shame he didn't get an Olivier nomination!"}, {"response": 1118, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May 14, 2000 (19:25)", "body": "Just caught the end of the oh so boring BAFTA awards ceremony. What???They ignored Jodi \"Mouth-Ajar\" May in TTOTS?. In fact....they ignored TTOTS,period? ;-) ~~~~~~ Michael Gambon got Best Actor Saw him recently in \"The Insider\"played a tobacco company executive...sporting an almost flawless Kentucky accent....barely southern."}, {"response": 1119, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, May 14, 2000 (19:45)", "body": "I imagine that CF may be like MG (in status) in his later years: modest, shy and respected. what was the unofficial reason quoted for his not winning for Darcy?...\"that he just stood around and didn't do much\". That reminds me of what he once said in an interview: (I quote from memory) \"I'd love to do cartwheels and dazzle, but I have no capacity for it...\""}, {"response": 1120, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (02:10)", "body": "(Tracy)I rather go for the unkempt look a la Donmar Okay you can have that version, I'll take the suit, I thought he looked fabulooous."}, {"response": 1121, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (02:11)", "body": "(Tracy)I rather go for the unkempt look a la Donmar Okay you can have that version, I'll take the suit. I thought he looked fabulooous."}, {"response": 1122, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (02:12)", "body": "Sorry about the double post. I think fabulooous is just the right word."}, {"response": 1123, "author": "aishling", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (03:33)", "body": "I go along with Ann's comments of MLSF. It was charming but not enough to tempt me to watch it a second time 45 minutes later at the prices we have to pay. It was very comical in parts and we laughed along with the other eight people in the cinema. I also don't think anything much happened in the hay loft. I think Heloise would have had far more to say than \"Don't you ever do that again\". I did enjoy the film and would see it a second time in a couple of weeks if it was released locally. No chance of that."}, {"response": 1124, "author": "ommin", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (05:35)", "body": "Its sad so few attend in U.K. it did so well in Aust. Nine weeks in Perth. I saw it twice and second, third time round on DVD really came to appreciate it. Don't give up in the U.K. it grows on you."}, {"response": 1125, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (07:02)", "body": "I'll take the suit, I thought he looked fabulooous. I am with you, Allison. :-) I really enjoyed MLSF. It is a CF treat and that big smile of his at the end is worth the ticket price. I can not imagine preferring SLOW to MLSF."}, {"response": 1126, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (08:24)", "body": "Ditto the suit. I can not imagine preferring SLOW to MLSF. Who said that? Surely, not anybody I know..."}, {"response": 1127, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (10:14)", "body": "Murph, that NYT article was about British actors who have taken Hollywood by storm. Although I also searched for mention of CF, I wasn't surprised at the omission. CF really hasn't taken H'wood by storm (yet?!). Though I don't think CF needs to clean up alot (as opposed to the likes of Tom 'won't you pleaasssee cut that skanky hair' Cruise), I agree with Karen and Allison, he does look fabulooous in a suit. I'm disappointed that you're disappointed in MLSF, Ann. It is a flawed film. Yet IMO it has more going on than Eyes Wide Shut (my eyes were wide shut during that yawner. And all that hype! ZZZZZZZ)."}, {"response": 1128, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (13:54)", "body": "Thanks for the pics, Allison and Arami. His smile is always so good to see."}, {"response": 1129, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (13:56)", "body": "A few tidbits in the papers.. Sam Mendes is to direct a new play at the Donmar , opening end of September, a poignant story of World War 1, focusing on a group of soldiers on the eve of battle. Good vehicle for CF if he's free! The Telegraph lists as one of its events of the week the start for the shooting of BJD (they must have been just rehearsing last week?). \"British cast - HG and CF - excellent\". Also there's another news item on RZ, and all the Cannes reports give her raves for \"Nurse Betty\". There's a lot of pre-shoot buzz about BJD, which is good. The same applied to \"Notting Hill\"...everyone knew about it."}, {"response": 1130, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (14:18)", "body": "I imagine that CF may be like MG (in status) in his later years: modest, shy and respected. (Arami) It's a good comparison. One thing that struck me about Michael Gambon is that in the week that he wins Best Actor for a major TV drama, he is also starring in a film \"The Last September\" that opened to minimal attention in one theatre, and the couple of reviews I saw barely mentioned him. I think that for certain actors (over 40!)and types of acting and types of drama, television is often (not always) the better medium....I'm looking forward to seeing CF in another quality 5 hour adaptation (hopefully!). Also the \"British\" film industry is changing rapidly. The new Film Commission say that they will only support movies which cast actors who are global in their appeal and can put bums on seats. For example in a new gangster movie (spare me, please!) set in Liverpool (can hardly wait), Samuel H Jackson will co-star with Robert Carlyle. I can see why they are doing it...you gotta make money...but a certain type of film will die. However, if talent is diverted into good television, I don't see any problem."}, {"response": 1131, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (15:04)", "body": "Ann and Aishling, thanks for your reports. Sorry you didn't enjoy the film more, but we can't all like the same things. I'd still like to hear what you thought of the cast, which I thought was uniformly good. (Bethan) The new Film Commission say that they will only support movies which cast actors who are global in their appeal and can put bums on seats. Maybe (hopefully) they will use the profitable films to subsidize production of the more discriminating fare. That's pretty much what happens here, where Scream 3 helps pay the freight for a SIL, and Godzilla pays for The Winslow Boy. And face it, it is a global marketplace; I know most U.S. films don't turn a profit until they are distributed overseas. RE: shooting on BJD. It's nice they've had the luxury of a two-week rehearsal; seems like they're trying to do it right. Hughie is in the U.S. this week, as I see him listed for some of the talk shows, to promote his new Woody Allen film. (God forbid WA would ever condescend to sell his own films!) ***** Is anyone here watching the Jesus miniseries? It's on-topic, since John The Baptist is being played by none other than our pal Clive from DQ--David O'Hara. Didn't recognize him at first under all that facial hair, and he's lost the Glaswegian accent (as well as his head at the end of Part 1;-) The show is well done, BTW, and I very much like Jeremy Sisto, a newcomer who is playing the title role."}, {"response": 1132, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (15:22)", "body": "Eileen, MLSF is a million, billion, trillion times better than EWS!! and actually I didn't say I didn't like MLSF, I just felt it lacked something, I know not what. The cast were uniformly excellent as Mari says, and again I was very impressed by RH. The scenery was stunning and makes me what to book a holiday in the Highlands, what a lovely location. I just felt it didn't go anywhere or amount to much but it was charming, the acting excellent but some things just didn't ring true, for instance I can't really believe that Moira? would really have created such a fuss in fronrt of all the staff, she would have done it privately and I really think Heloise behaved really oddly with the boy and with Edward, throwing moss all over the boy, I don't think so. Anyway minor details, I did love it and will buy the video and add it to my collection."}, {"response": 1133, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (16:42)", "body": "(Mari) God forbid WA would ever condescend to sell his own films! Ah, fooled you this time. Woody just did a whirlwind, nationwide promotional tour for the film; he took the film to three college campuses: Stanford, U of Chicago and can't remember if it was NYU or Harvard. Of course, he just might be looking for someone to replace Soon-Yi. ;-)"}, {"response": 1134, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (17:01)", "body": "(Ann)Anyway minor details, I did love it and will buy the video and add it to my collection. Whew....for a minute there I thought you didn't like it...and that you liked SLOW more.We all brought up those same details..and sadly so did the critics. Those coming -of-age films never have a real story...little vignettes in Fraser's life.But to see ODB in a starring role on a large screen is always an event....Moreover, one never knows when the next one will occur."}, {"response": 1135, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (17:09)", "body": "I can not imagine preferring SLOW to MLSF. Who said that? Surely, not anybody I know... Haven't seen MLSF yet, so can't make any comparison...but, although I'll be in a minority, I must confess to actually liking SLOW. And (to make matters worse!) I thought most of the dialogue was fine. I actually (and most unusually for me) watched the video with my DH. We lived in Nigeria for several years, and I thought he might enjoy it. And he did. Particularly the exchanges between the women,and some of the supporting performances (Nimi's mother), in addition to the main roles. Costumes and highlife music were a pleasant bonus. Call us odd! But there it is. :-)"}, {"response": 1136, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (18:45)", "body": "The option called Chat (even though it is just a message board) is operational at the Relative Values site. People have posted to ask whether Julie Andrews will be at the premiere (duh!) and when it will open in the US, Canada and Australia. The webmaster answered, saying they would attempt to find out within the next couple of days. http://community.relative-values.net/community/scripts/directory.pl"}, {"response": 1137, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (23:07)", "body": "A few news items From The Sunday Observer, an article about Irene Jacob: Her latest role in My Life So Far, starring Colin Firth and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, is definitely Jacob post-Kieslowski. In this amiable yet hardly substantive family drama set in the inter-war years, Jacob plays the elegant, spirited Gallic fiancee who sets pulses racing amid a mildly eccentric Scottish gentry family. 'I thought the character was very inspiring and liked the way she interacted very honestly with all the children,' she says. 'It reminded me of Au Revoir Les Enfants when I was the piano teacher and all the boys were inspired by me as the only woman in the place.' but then ends with: it's clear Jacob still hankers for those 'big, probing parts'. At 34 she is well respected, works around the world and is undoubtedly a directors' favourite. But she is unwilling to make the choices and calculations that would lead to greater fame. Post-Kieslowski, kudos counts, but having fun is important too. She likes to play with her image and confound audiences. 'If I choose a part, it's because I'm moved by it and I like the director. It's only for that reason now. I have to be curious about the part whether it's nice, not nice, mean, jealous, generous, aggressive. Who cares? If it moves me, I'll do it.' What in there explains Londinium? ;-) From The Scotsman on May 12: NORMAN'S CONQUEST BY GARETH MCLEAN Robert Norman doesn't want to talk about his new movie. It's not that he's a fickle film star, reluctant to speak to the press lest his personality overshadow his character's motivation. Rather he's a 14-year-old boy whose big-screen appearance in My Life So Far, which is released tomorrow, makes him ever-so-slightly embarrassed in that awkward, teenage kind of way. Not that it shows all that much. Sitting in his living-room discussing his co-stars - Colin Firth, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and Malcolm McDowell - and the film-making process, Norman has composure and maturity beyond his years, yet isn't a bit precocious. \"I knew the others were someone but I didn't recognise them, I didn't actually know who they were,\" he says. Last week's London premiere, it transpires, was one of Norman's favourite experiences so far. \"The best bit was driving up in the Mercedes with the blacked-out windows and the guy opening the door to the red carpet and all the press being there. That was so cool.\" Norman's down to earth attitude is the result of an otherwise normal life full of exams, sport and a happy family life. His candour about the hype surrounding the surreal world of the movies is refreshing. \"At the premiers, I met about 80 Lords. And Cherie Blair and her children. They were all bowing to me, which was a bit weird.\" Based on the autobiography of former Granada chairman Denis Forman, My Life So Far charts the lives of a family growing up on a post-World War One Highland estate. Firth and Mastrantonio play Edward and Moira, the unconventional parents of Norman's character, Fraser, and his older sister, Elspeth, played by Kelly MacDonald. Their pastoral idyll is thrown into disarray when suitors begin to approach Elspeth and Moira's brother Morris returns with his nubile wife, Heloise. Norman got the part after the casting director took an exhaustive look round schools in Edinburgh. Eventually, she turned up at George Watson's College. \"It was through drama club that we heard about it. We had a chat and she asked me to go along and audition, which I did, and it resulted in me getting the part.\" Screen tests and meetings with the director Hugh Hudson, who also directed Chariots of Fire and Greystoke - Legend of Tarzan, followed and it wasn't long before Norman and his family were ensconced by Loch Fyne waiting for filming to start. Once filming began, getting into the spirit of things meant hard work and more than a bit of mischief. \"There's a picnic scene we did - which isn't in the film now - of me on a raft and I kept accidentally-on-purpose falling into the water. I got in trouble for that because they only had a limited amount of kilts for me to wear,\" he guffaws. \"And kilts take ages to dry. Maybe that's why they cut the scene.\" Yet appearing in a film is not an experience he would like to repeat. \"It was great and the acting thing is glamorous, but I don't think I'd like to do it all the time.\" But now that the film is set to pass before the public eye, how does Norman feel about the inevitable interest? \"My friends have all been really cool about it. I don't get teased at school or anything like that. In a couple of weeks, everyone will forget about it and things will get back to normal.\" However, Norman maintains his brush with fame hasn't changed him. \"I think I'm a bit more confident. At the time, it didn't seem so special, though now I realise how lucky I was. Apart from that, I'm exactly the same.\" The best experience Norman has had as a result of filming My Life So Far was a sheer fluke which occurred the night after the Lo"}, {"response": 1138, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (02:29)", "body": "Well it was a first for me....the first time I have been the only person in a cinema! It was however a blisteringly hot Monday afternoon and in a country like hours you don't spend a precious sunny day sitting in a cinema. My DH flatly refused to go with me to our local cinema on Sunday - that was also a beautiful day! So off I went to the Curzon all alone. I am with Ann W. There was something unsatisfactory about the whole thing. One of the problems was that it was meant to be seen through the eyes of Fraser but that wasn't carried through cinematically. The editing had obviously been severe and meant the whole thing was disjointed rather than episodic. It was so obviously twee. All those rosy cheeked servants sitting around going ee and arghh or whatever the Scottish equivalent is. But ODB was to die for as usual. Loved the clothes."}, {"response": 1139, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (05:14)", "body": "(Bethan)The new Film Commission say that they will only support movies which cast actors who are global in their appeal and can put bums on seats. I can see why they are doing it...you gotta make money... I should think that movies that can make money by themselves would not need the Film Commission's support... (Ann)Anyway minor details, I did love it and will buy the video and add it to my collection. Will you let me know when you do (and SLOW too), please, Ann? ;-)I liked SLOW too, Bethan :-)"}, {"response": 1140, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (07:15)", "body": "Gi) I should think that movies that can make money by themselves would not need the Film Commission's support... Quite ;-)"}, {"response": 1141, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (07:23)", "body": "I have been thinking about MLSF and another thing that just didn't ring true was when Heloise told Fraser not to listen to his father, surely not, not in that day and age and I could quite understand Edward being annoyed at that. Gi, I will certainly let you know when I get the video."}, {"response": 1142, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (08:54)", "body": "I should think that movies that can make money by themselves would not need the Film Commission's support... Well, it's their tax money..and they obviously don't care. I'm just a wee-bit disappointed in the UKers so far missing the charm of MLSF. Maybe, I'm odd;-)"}, {"response": 1143, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (09:23)", "body": "I really thought it was charming Evelyn, but to be honest I like something with a beginning, a middle and an ending and actually I think I could have sat through Sunshine again rather than MLSF, it's just that I had seen everything the first time around because that's all it took, whereas something like Sunshine, and I don't mean because it was 3hours long, had much more to it and it was possible that one could have missed something the first trime around, I just didn't feel this with MLSF. Sorry. It was more like a pictorial diary, not really a story with a plot. Hope that makes sense."}, {"response": 1144, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (09:34)", "body": "I also think that perhaps for us in the UK we have been brought up on a diet of stories which take place in big houses with eccentric people and quaint servants. It really didn't have any extra dimension for me...sorry...again. On another note I managed a very quick peek at OK magazine on the stands. They seem to be putting stars into various categories with big glossy pictures. Colin came in the category of those who are still wowing them in spite of getting older. There is then a small picture of him in a goatee looking quite lined and tired so that it completely belied what they were saying. Grhhh."}, {"response": 1145, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (09:58)", "body": "Wasn't Saura supposedly going to be the director for Maid Of Buttermere? Looks like it may not happen any time soon. This is from AICN: - Carlos Saura will direct a biography of Luis Bunuel; BUNUEL AND THE KING'S SALOMON TABLE will look at some episodes in the life of the surrealist film-maker. And Gran Wyoming , comic star from Spain has been contacted to play Bunuel young while Francesco Rabal will play him older. Catherine Deneuve, who was in different movie from Don Luis (BELLE DE JOUR, TRISTANA) might also take part in this film that will be shot in Tol\ufffdde and Aragon from next October."}, {"response": 1146, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (13:23)", "body": "small picture of him in a goatee looking quite lined and tired Did it look like one of the pics from Londinium?"}, {"response": 1147, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (14:12)", "body": "Did it look like one of the pics from Londinium? Certainly nothing I had seen before. It did not look as if he was in character. It could have been during the SIL filming or perhaps Londinium. Do you think he grew his own whiskers for SIL? I would have bought the magazine but it was such an awful photograph that I didn't bother."}, {"response": 1148, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (14:51)", "body": "(Allison), I also think that perhaps for us in the UK we have been brought up on a diet of stories which take place in big houses with eccentric people and quaint servants. I subscribed to BBC/Amarica thinking this is what I was gping to get, instead they show all those riff-raff shows that are so popular in the UK. (Ann), It was more like a pictorial diary, not really a story with a plot. Do biographies really have a plot? It seems to me it accomplished its purpose quite well."}, {"response": 1149, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (14:53)", "body": "Typing quickly, excuse spelling."}, {"response": 1150, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (15:33)", "body": "(Moon) I subscribed to BBC/Amarica thinking this is what I was gping to get, instead they show all those riff-raff shows that are so popular in the UK. Oh dear, I've been bemoaning the fact that I can't get the channel. I'm not missing anything? Were you able to watch something like the Baftas?"}, {"response": 1151, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (16:54)", "body": "Do biographies really have a plot? If they don't, they should be given one when they are adapted fot the screen, as it makes things more interesting. If there's no plot, there's obviously nothing to tell - so why bother? In any case, MLSF seems to be just an episode from Forman's childhood and not a whole life - therefore not a biography. It's a sketchy story, a misty recollection of a few incidents: mildly amusing in places, but not very exciting. Perhaps it looked better on paper?"}, {"response": 1152, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (17:29)", "body": "If there's no plot, there's obviously nothing to tell - so why bother? There is a very long list of films in the history of Cinema that have no plot and are highly acclaimed. Resnais, Bunuel and most recently, Time Code. MLSF is much more terra/terra than those films and it worked for me. MLSF seems to be just an episode from Forman's childhood and not a whole life - therefore not a biography. True. It is a short story, a small part of his life. I am not sure how far the book it is based on gets to because I have not read it. (Donna), Were you able to watch something like the Baftas? No BAFTAS. You are not missing anything. I have e-mailed them several times requesting better types of programs which to me would be the ones that Allison had mentioned above, but to no avail."}, {"response": 1153, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (18:06)", "body": "films in the history of Cinema that have no plot and are highly acclaimed. Resnais, Bunuel But these films have a strong imagery content. The difference, in crude and simple terms, can be compared to the difference between traditional, \"realistic\" paintings and, say, impressionism. You may think there's no plot in the traditional sense, but in fact there is something going on. There must be. It all boils down to the quality of the contents and the ultimate impact."}, {"response": 1154, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (20:46)", "body": "...mildly amusing in places, but not very exciting. No one ever said it was exciting...or even mean't to be. But there was a lot of family warmth, bonding,and as Harvey said...\"forgiveness\"...it's an old-fashioned film that people keep saying they want to see. Perhaps it looked better on paper? If you mean the book...it was dreadfully boring. Thank God they were not faithful to it.Yes...there are lots of holes in this film...it isn't perfect.Perhaps due to editing or directing. But it's a film he can be proud of ....And as I've said many times, he can't afford to have another film tank. Wait til you see it,Arami...or have you?"}, {"response": 1155, "author": "EAGrace", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (21:00)", "body": "Hi, I'm new around here. Just noticed all the discussion about My Life So Far. I guess it's been messed around with a lot. I saw it last year, so I was surprised to learn there is a new big release date. I don't know what the latest version is like, but I have to be honest about the one that I saw. I was disappointed. It almost worked for me, and yet somehow didn't quite. Like others, I'm not sure I can put my finger on the reasons. I'm not bothered by lack of plot. I've loved many movies that were not dependent on plot. I plead 'muddled'--- the film, not me. I'm merely confused. But that's another story. . . I would say it was a film that couldn't decide about itself. In the version I saw, there was an element of darkness to the partially onstage/partially offstage encounter between the Colin Firth and Irene Jacob characters that didn't fit with an otherwise fond nostalgic tale from the point of view of the guy's son. I didn't think the implied rape was intentional, nor did I believe that that's what happened. But, my partner really thought it did. And I do believe there was enough ambiguity around the incident to support his interpretation. So, either the movie was muddled, or I was experiencing a weird flashback to the 1920s --- underlying attitudes embedded in the film's ideology, as much as the story setting! But that would be too creepy, so I'll settle for muddled. You know, I believe the version I saw would have been better if they'd dropped the pretence of a child's point-of-view altogether, and allowed the adults to play it as an emotionally and morally ambiguous piece. (Although I think they'd still need to make it clear that no rape occured.) With so many talented actors, what a shame to restrict the performances through an unfocused camera eye. How does the newest version compare to what I've described here? I'm curious, how does the film's 'coveting thy brother's wife' theme compare to the book?"}, {"response": 1156, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (22:19)", "body": "Welcome Elizabeth. Glad you joined in. Many of us saw MLSF last year as well, when it played here in the US. We discussed it on another topic (#121, which was setup just for spoiler discussions of MLSF). Also just FYI, there's nothing in the book about the father (Adam) lusting after any other woman; he has a very healthy relationship with his wife. So this is totally fabricated. Perhaps having read the book (*yawn*), I really appreciated the movie more. ;-) I too wasn't bothered by lack of plot. I thought it was charming and enjoyable. When I compare MLSF to other costume pieces I've seen recently, it comes out on top. Take Tea with Mussolini. Could you put together a bunch of more stereotypical people in a situation we've seen umpteen times before. Egad!! Worthless. MLSF wasn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination, had lots of holes due to many factors, but the performances were wonderful and I guess we don't see many kilts as you do. ;-)"}, {"response": 1157, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (22:54)", "body": "Welcome, Elizabeth! What you described is what the rest of us have seen. Are you in the U.S.? Anyway, I'm a big fan of this film. Just looking over some of the comments here, I have to add that I'm not a particulaly big fan of costume drama or period pieces. I like a lot of those \"dark underbelly of life\" films (maybe I should get BBC America, eh, Moon?;-) But MLSF totally drew me in, and not merely on charm. I was drawn to the parallel themes of Fraser growing up and losing his childlike innocence and the Pettigrews' world as they knew it coming to an end, in effect losing their innocence as well. Shots such as Edward's kite not getting off the ground juxtaposed with the Emporer Of The Sky's soaring plane, drove home the inevitable intrusion of the outside world, later evidenced further by Heloise's arrival. Just as Fraser would struggle in his march toward adulthood, the Pettigrews would struggle to leave their safe, insular emotional place but hopefully fashion more realistic adult relationships. The film is definitely not plot driven, but the anecdotes did a good job in revealing the characters. For example, I think of the scene where Fraser sees his mother gazing wistfully into the mirror, whispering in French and comparing herself to Heloise. She made my heart want to break. Well, enough outta me for now:-) To each her own."}, {"response": 1158, "author": "EAGrace", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (23:16)", "body": "Thanks for the welcomes. Help. How do I log off? I can't find it anywhere!"}, {"response": 1159, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (23:21)", "body": "You don't need to log off. When you close down your browser, you are off."}, {"response": 1160, "author": "EAGrace", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (23:42)", "body": "Thanks! I could have sworn that initiation rite included a logging-off ritual! It's an entirely different experience than merely reading responses. So many more buttons, and topics I've never seen before. . .I appreciated hearing about the book. It's surprising that they completely fabricated the father's obsession for his brother's wife. But you've probably discussed and reconciled this point long ago. Now that you mention it, I remember liking the parallel theme of innocence to experience. I'm north of the US Mari! And west of Scotland, although there are lots of kilts. :)"}, {"response": 1161, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (08:01)", "body": "Oh boy, I can see Evelyn shaking her head at this one. BTW, Overseas owns Relative Values. Certainly explains why it wants someone else to purchase the rights to distribute in the US (needs cash): Overseas crosses into negative A decrease in the sale of film and video materials pushed Overseas Film Group into the red Tuesday, as the indie film distributor posted a first-quarter net loss of about $104,000. The loss compares with a profit of $100,400 in first-quarter 1999. Revenue dropped to $6 million from $6.7 million a year earlier. The Los Angeles-based company, distributor of such films as \"Titus,\" \"A Map of the World\" and \"Waking Ned Devine,\" said the declines were partially offset by improved direct-to-video sales and an increase in service-fee revenue related to First Look Pictures theatrical releases."}, {"response": 1162, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (08:16)", "body": "I liked Tea w/ Mussolini"}, {"response": 1163, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (08:27)", "body": "(Laura)I liked Tea w/ Mussolini That's because you have yet to see MLSF ;-)"}, {"response": 1164, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (10:20)", "body": "(Karen)I can see Evelyn shaking her head at this one. BTW, Overseas owns Relative Values. Certainly explains why it wants someone else to purchase the rights to distribute in the US (needs cash): Wrong!Evelyn is on her knees (again) praying RV doesn't end up on a bank shelf. Maybe I should alert Imperial Bank that \"Overseas Film Group\" is coming... \"Make room on the shelf\"...they already have SLOW;-) But, hey,...I'm saving the hair- shirt for \"Londinium.\""}, {"response": 1165, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (11:06)", "body": "But, hey,...I'm saving the hair- shirt for \"Londinium.\" LOL! But that reminded me. All this talk by Jasper about Colin not filming in July and August is so much tosh. He filmed Londinium in London in August didn't he? But then it was probably too good a project to pass up;-)"}, {"response": 1166, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (11:27)", "body": "(Allison) He filmed Londinium in London in August didn't he? *tapping the ol' memory bank* I think he filmed Londinium and Blackadder in June-July and RV in August, on the Isle of Man. All this talk by Jasper about Colin not filming in July and August is so much tosh. Makes you wonder about the rest of the article's content, doesn't it? Not that things are untrue, but perhaps not *always* true. Agree with Moon about BBC America. I have it and never watch it. Nick at Nite is better ;-D As regards the 'plot vs. plotless' MLSF discussion--I may not be the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree, but *I* thought there was a plot. I've seen better films and I've seen far worse. I am truly surprised at the overall disappointment expressed by those who have just seen it. It sounds like those of us who saw it last year liked it better (I liked it the first time I saw it but liked it much more on second viewing). Oh, well, each to his own. Welcome, EAG (from EHG)!"}, {"response": 1167, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (11:27)", "body": "(Elizabeth) I'm north of the US Mari! And west of Scotland, although there are lots of kilts. :) Hmmm . . .unfurling ye olde atlas here . . . found you! Greenland, right?;-) (Evelyn) Maybe I should alert Imperial Bank that \"Overseas Film Group\" is coming... LOL! Oh, too funny, Evelyn. Sad, but funny.;-) I'll bet those sharpie distributors at the Cannes market will now try to get RV for, like, a buck ninety eight.;-) In real estate parlance, Overseas Film Group would be known as a \"motivated seller.\" MARSHWOOD HOUSE--Mrs. Clean lives here! *Bring your toothbrush* Not sure about the Londinium filming, Allison. I thought he had pretty much wrapped that up by the end of June/early July, but I could be mistaken. Does anyone recall? I'd love to hear that there's more flexibility in his work schedule.:-) (Karen) Take Tea with Mussolini. Could you put together a bunch of more stereotypical people in a situation we've seen umpteen times before. Egad!! Worthless. I thought it was even worse than worthless. Bunch of clueless, self-absorbed, incredibly naive ex-pats fiddling while Rome (and much of the rest of Europe) burned. Ugh."}, {"response": 1168, "author": "EAGrace", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (11:49)", "body": "Actually Mari, true confessions. I live in Canada. Lots of kilts. Lots of celtic music, that certain something found in the French sensibility . . . shame about our politicians. I liked Tea with Mussolini, although I agree that the 'English Abroad'or 'English Broads Abroad'theme wears a little thin after awhile. Maybe that's what really drove the fascist movement in Italy --- just kidding. Although the movie does reflect the historical. What I like about this film was Cher."}, {"response": 1169, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (17:12)", "body": "the 'English Abroad'or 'English Broads Abroad'theme wears a little thin after awhile. Maybe that's what really drove the fascist movement in Italy LOL! Welcome/Bienvenue EAG! While on the subject of the English in Italy, I saw \"Up at the Villa\" and liked it. Better than \"End of the Affair.\" I believe Londinium was filmed in June. In any case, Colin was in LA quite often last year because of SIL and probably saw a lot of Will, so he can be forgiven for filming RV in August."}, {"response": 1170, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (18:59)", "body": "Two more photos of Colin published recently: http://www.geocities.com/threedeers/Archives/tatok.html"}, {"response": 1171, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (19:55)", "body": "Thanks Arami. In the first one he looks like the guy in \"What me worry?\" Second one is yummmmy."}, {"response": 1172, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (22:46)", "body": "Thanks Arami. I use to say that I wasn't fond of goatie beards, but I've just changed my mind :-)"}, {"response": 1173, "author": "EAGrace", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (01:41)", "body": "You know, with the beard, Colin Firth kinda looks like a friend of mine --- although my friend is older. As explained on BJD board, I go by Liz. I'm not an idiot normally, but I lost track of which name I was entering for which purpose, and then was too tired to change what I ended up with yesterday. I hope this doesn't cause confusion if there are other Lizs, but it's too weird to keep staring at my initials."}, {"response": 1174, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (08:33)", "body": "Do we have any other Liz's? I don't think so. Thanks for the pictures. Am trying to decide if that second one was probably taken last summer when he did Londinium and that the facial hair was his, instead of paste-on:"}, {"response": 1175, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (08:48)", "body": "(LizG) I hope this doesn't cause confusion if there are other Lizs No. You are very welcome under your own name :-)"}, {"response": 1176, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (08:52)", "body": "(KarenR)Do we have any other Liz's? I don't think so. They have other aliases, I think. You are probably right, Karen, about the facial hair."}, {"response": 1177, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (10:06)", "body": "According to a fan who was there, the second picture was taken outside the Jongleurs in Battersea (South London) where Colin took part in a charity evening last year. The facial hair is definitely his. I have the picture too, thanks to a Firth/Rufus S. fan. I cleaned it up a bit."}, {"response": 1178, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (10:07)", "body": "oops again..."}, {"response": 1179, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (10:08)", "body": "From The Telegraph's article on Julie Andrews...nice to see Colin's name first in the list of co-stars, although we know that's not how it will be billed: This is rather a different look from the glossy one she reveals in her new film, Relative Values, based on the No\ufffdl Coward play. \"Being a woman and being my age now, these kind of parts don't come rushing past my nose every second. It was marvellous,\" she says. Starring alongside Colin Firth, Stephen Fry and Alec Baldwin, Andrews is cast strictly to type as the Countess of Marshwood; crying \"Oh, bother!\" and billowing around a country house in a selection of big frocks. \"Oh, my! How flattered can a lady get,\" she says at this, her fastidious English enunciation - how fleh-ta-d! - making her sound as if her throat is hosed down with rose water before each sentence. \"Being glamorous is a huge effort. It takes at least two hours to get really glammed up for a movie, it is not an easy thing for me to do. But, sometimes,\" she says, slapping her thigh appreciatively, \"it's just great to think that the old bod can still get it together.\""}, {"response": 1180, "author": "EAGrace", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (10:10)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1181, "author": "EAGrace", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (10:10)", "body": "oops, wrong box!"}, {"response": 1182, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (10:40)", "body": "Update on Overseas Filmgroup: Its situation has not yet advanced to that experienced by HandMade. According to business reports, OFG has received an infusion of capital (and new majority ownership) from an investment group (Rosemary Street Productions) and has commitments for new credit lines from Chase. Still doesn't mean they will release Relative Values here. Would still prefer someone to buy it off of them, rather than sinking more money into it."}, {"response": 1183, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (12:25)", "body": "(CherylB) Alas no, that was not I. That would have been CherylE, and I know her only from old posts, as well. She was also more astute and articulate than I. Her spelling was better, too. Sorry about the mix-up. Don\ufffdt sell yourself short, CherylB. Nice to \ufffdmeet\ufffd you, too. Have read the thread on MLSF with great interest. I really loved the film, and could easily overlook its imperfections. I enjoyed the leisurely, slice-of life feel of the MLSF, as well as the engaging quirkiness of some of the characters. Really liked the father-son \ufffdwoof-woofing\ufffd for some reason. Would I have enjoyed the movie as much if ODB had not played the lead? Perhaps not, although the rest of the cast was strong. Loved seeing that big CF smile and ODB nicely suited-up. Am v. depressed about the potential US distribution problems for RV. Surely we have not turned into such a nation of philistines that would not appreciate a bit of NC?"}, {"response": 1184, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (14:04)", "body": "(Karen)Update on Overseas Filmgroup: Its situation has not yet advanced to that experienced by HandMade. According to business reports, OFG has received an infusion of capital (and new majority ownership) from an investment group (Rosemary Street Productions) and has commitments for new credit lines from Chase. *getting off my knees*... \"Well, that worked....so far so good...\";-) But I would rather have Imperial Bank, I have contacts there;-) Anybody know Rosemary St. Productions?"}, {"response": 1185, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (15:26)", "body": "Whoof!! All this trouble over the UK's collective reaction to MLSF! It just shows to go you that it's all in the eye of the beholder. To those closest to the project (psychologically or professionally), it seemed a very enjoyable experience. What Sir Denis, the guy whose story was being told, had to say reflected his evident satisfaction, at least with some aspects of the final result: (Sir Denis Forman on ODB's Edward:) For the Firth portrayal, Sir Denis has nothing but praise. \"He is my father to a T - the way he walked, the way he talked. I did send them some old home movies, which I assume he saw, but it really is almost uncanny. A wonderful performance.\" He saw his father in it and also had nothing to say to the bends made in the tale to satisfy those who felt it necessary to invent some intense conflict source in order to spice up the story a bit. But even this amount of spice didn't seem to satisfy some plot afficionados ... ( Ann) Well, and you are going to hate me for this but I have seen MLSF ... (Donna)No we're not! :-) (Evelyn) Speak for yourselves.;-);-)(Only kidding, of course) ...Seriously, I think we spoiled it for you. First of all , the film is three years old. And you've had to hear us talk about it for a year now...so it's old hat. I think Evelyn has something here, but in more ways than one. Not only were you introduced to every little detail ahead of time (not only pre-revealed, but handily pre-explained [Viola! Instant Opinion...]), but as someone pointed out, you've had a plethora of films about big houses, kilts, quirky servants, and eccentric characters, etc. (I want to make an announcement at this point: The following is pure theorizing on my part and may be taken with a grain of salt for those inclined...) Just as a computer cache, having already accessed a site cannot, by itself, detect any change in it (It is sort of set to that first glance, i.e.: \"I've already seen this page so I won't bother to look again because I already know what's there..\"), I think some of the UK people are suffering from the same cache-like pre-set ... they feel they already seen this before, and needn't bother to look for anything especial, because they've already seen what's there -- the \"Been There, Done That\" - syndrome, I uess. Maybe they need to go back, hit their internal \"Reload\" button, and try to look at things through fresh eyes. ;-) (AnnW) ..actually I didn't say I didn't like MLSF, I just felt it lacked something, I know not what. When I saw it upon it's release, I came away with a reaction similar to Ann's too. I was touched and charmed, but felt a frustration at missing something ... Part of it was an awareness that a lot of the subtle details had gone right over my head because I hadn't understood the some of the dialogue at first, or caught some of the quick cuts, or the details within them. I knew I needed more watch time just to understand what was there. But to add to that feeling of missing things because they were slipping by me, was a deeper frustration: (Allison) I am with Ann W. There was something unsatisfactory about the whole thing. \\...\\ The editing had obviously been severe and meant the whole thing was disjointed rather than episodic. We already knew t at the movie had lost nearly 30 minutes of the original footage due to really brutal editing to make the thing \"move better\". It showed. ...And I felt cheated. (Irene Jacob): \"Hugh [Hudson] decided to do something simple, that he could relate to. He told us this film was an appetiser. It's not a big meal, just something which gives you a taste, enough to want more.\" That is it in a nutshell, for me. The trouble was IMO that we DID like it, were charmed by it, moved enough to be truly interested in these characters and what might happen to them in their various and several situations ...moved enough to want more. But no more was to be forthcoming. And I truly resented it. I didn't want it to be an appetiser -- I wanted at the least a brunch. Instead, I am only allowed to pick over the intriguing details of the story still remaining, but I can never know the answers to a lot of my questions. Consciously or unconsciously, I believe the audience and the critics all came away feeling more or less cheated. It all depended on their ability and willingness to forgive what was taken away, (Mari, LisaJH and I can forgive a lot \"apparently\";-D) and their level of appreciation of what was left, that determined their final judgment of it . That and pressing the \"Reload\" button. **Heehee**) 8-D KJ"}, {"response": 1186, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (17:00)", "body": "Hello Liz (EAGrace). You have impressed me in two comments you've posted. (Actually, the post in question is on the Odds and Ends board.) They are: 1. You can't spell very well and wish this board had spellcheck. Me too. 2. You really enjoyed \"The Advocate/Hour of the Pig\". That's one of my all time CF favorites. Another is \"Apartment Zero\", one of his best films, I think. I'm also developing a great appreciation for \"Donovan Quick\", a really good showcase for him as an actor. It is nice to meet you, virtually speaking."}, {"response": 1187, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 19, 2000 (08:24)", "body": "From Pandora's column/chest in The Independent on May 15: Absolutely anybody who is anybody is, apparently, off for a haircut in thecoming few days. Top people's coiffure (one is not allowed to say crimper), John Barrett, is making his annual pilgrimage from New York to London to shear the great and good ladies who lunch, and all for a good cause. Informed folk will know that Irish Johnney is such a whiz with the scissors that devotees will especially fly to his salon, overlooking Central Park, for the once over, deserting the much dischuffed Nicky Clarke. But for the next week, for a mere pounds 500, they can avoid the trip and have it done here. A special party tonight to mark his state visit is only the prelude to a stint of manic activity, which will raise funds for Rapt, the charity devoted to rehabilitating those in the stir who have problems with drink and drugs. Organised by Emma Soames and Amanda de Cadenet, the Knightsbridge bash will be attended by Alan Rickman, Colin Firth, Joley Richardson and, to continue the theatrical theme, former left-wing firebrand Vanessa Redgrave. It seems that getting involved in celebrity snipping turf wars is all that is left to a girl once the end of the Cold War has rather done away with her causes celebres."}, {"response": 1188, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May 19, 2000 (10:26)", "body": "From my morning newspaper column reviewing videos: VIEWERS CAN 'COME OF AGE'WATCHING \"MY LIFE SO FAR\" In today's weird, twisted world, a \"coming of age\" film has come to describe movies that include a teen's weird use of an apple pie. [For those who don't know..the teen in the movie shags an apple pie..] This genre actually includes some less raunchy , quality flicks that include last year's \"My Life So Far\". {Reviewer gives synopsis of story]. \"My Life So Far\" has some hilarious moments and is beautifully filmed in Argyll, Scotland. I strongly recommend it for parents with children 12 and older. ~~~~~ My bold,BTW. But it looks like this film has found a new target audience...a film for a family to watch together... and possibly could become a classic in that genre."}, {"response": 1189, "author": "EAGrace", "date": "Fri, May 19, 2000 (11:41)", "body": "Hi Cheryl B, thanks to you and everyone else for the welcome. In addition to spelling, I'm also terrible at remembering names of people and things --- I call it noun burnout. Apartment Zero is an old favourite of mine --- saw it back in the days when I'd say \"hey wasn't that the actor who was in ---? He looks so different in this other film\". I'm always impressed with actors who are chameleons. Favorite CF scenes in Apartment Zero: when CF character (you see, I've forgotten his name) is kneeling, hugging his mother. Really creepy, yet not Norman Batesish quite. The use of his hands really made it chilling somehow. And I love the final scene. Goulishly humourous. CF looks like he's really enjoying himself, relishing the madness. Scenes like that must be the most fun to do. I liked the tone of this film, and think its one of the more intelligently done thrillers. Had me on the edge of my seat without insulting my intellect (my complaint about Fatal Attraction, for example)."}, {"response": 1190, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 19, 2000 (14:28)", "body": "Liz, do save these comments for ou AZ film disc. which is slated for this autumn. I hope you join us. It is also one of my favourites. :-)"}, {"response": 1191, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 19, 2000 (22:56)", "body": "Uh oh... can only find MLSF playing at 3 theatres: Mayfair Curzon and two in Scotland (Edinburgh's Dominion and the Perth Playhouse) From 17 to 3?"}, {"response": 1192, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (01:52)", "body": "Oh, I am glad it is still playing at the Curzon, because I meant to say that there were some MLSF posters on sale there. At least its still playing somewhere!"}, {"response": 1193, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (03:33)", "body": "MLSF is just showing at 4.00pm and 6.30pm at the Curzon, no evening showing (not suitable for grown-ups?) It seems to have disappeared completely from London after one week. Am very, very disappointed by this. Infact, I don't want to express my thoughts. Too depressing. The reviews were okay, more than okay....oh, well. I'll see it in a couple of weeks and am looking forward to it. I'm not sure whether any other provincial cinemas in the UK will be showing it...maybe just Bradford because of the Film Festival? Strangely enough, I don't think box office success/failure matters particularly for a British actor or for CF. They can always move between live theatre,TV and film. Reasonably good critical reviews are a must. Excepting comedies, most British films \"flop\" at the box office, and it doesn't matter who's in them. For example Ewan McGregor's latest film \"Nora\", based on the life of James Joyce is showing in just one cinema in London.(it's not Star Wars!) But fortunately, CF is doing \"Bridget Jones\", which is guaranteed to be a nationwide hit. And \"Armadillo\"(must be!) which I think is perfect...exactly the right blend of contemporary drama/humour. And should be very successful. And DQ will also be a success...have no doubts about this. You win some, lose some. I don't know what will happen to \"Relative Values\" in the UK. Probably the same reception as MLSF, polite reviews, no-one goes to see it, will do well in video rentals (this is a most important market in the UK) and very well on TV if shown!! Thus ends my thought for the day!"}, {"response": 1194, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (04:00)", "body": "But it is so sad. As I said before it was on for 9 weeks in Perth, Australia (which is considered Philistine) and indeed was showing for some time longer in Adelaide - each major city showed it and was showing in major cinema chains in some cities. The audiences were good - when I went two times the cinema was more than half full. Once in an evening and once midday on a Sunday. Good films are not favoured! What have the Brits come too. But as you say video rentals and sales will do well. People stay at home I suppose because it is not always safe to go out. But the theatres seem to attract an audience - strange isn't it."}, {"response": 1195, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (04:12)", "body": "Meant to ask, Ann, what poster were they using for MLSF (there were several versions)? Thanks, Anne, for the above. Cheered me up!"}, {"response": 1196, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (08:46)", "body": "(Anne) The audiences were good - when I went two times the cinema was more than half full. Goes to show that Oceania always shows their good taste when a Firth production opens. Liz, let me add my welcome too. As Moon says, hang onto those AZ comments for our long-delayed film discussion but don't ever think that means you can't mention it here either. We LOVE discussing all aspects of his films - inside, outside, upside down. Favorite CF scenes in Apartment Zero: when CF character...is kneeling, hugging his mother. Really creepy, yet not Norman Batesish quite. The use of his hands really made it chilling somehow. Hands fluttering all over her. Good eye! And I love the final scene. Goulishly humourous. Now that is Norman Batesish. ;-) But of course the final final scene was Adrian coming out of his adult cinema and lighting up that cigarette ala James Dean. What Adrian has become should turn into a good discussion...one of these days. So Colin's going to get a hair cut? I want pictures. ;-) And I refuse to believe that Vanessa Redgrave's become redundant."}, {"response": 1197, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (17:57)", "body": "May I give you my thoughts for the day.... Strangely enough, I don't think box office success/failure matters particularly for a British actor or for CF Strange indeed...and I hope you are correct.... But producers do look at what an actor's bankability is at the box office. When CF says: \"I want to be well thought of. I want to make money from this. I want to be prosperous. I want to be respected...\"I wonder how he feels to have the starring films tank.Oh, he can always do TV, but he's not going to be v. prosperous or respected in that media alone.And time limitations prohibit his stage career except at the Donmar.Most West End theatres want a play to run more than just a few weeks. I am heartsick over this film...you might as well know it.This is quality stuff whether you think so or not. RV and BJD are not his films. He's in a supporting role, other people are carrying them. MLSF was his film.DQ And Armadillo are TV roles..sure they're bound to be stellar. But it's TV. Frankly, I think it's a disgrace that the British public let him down. You should feel depressed . I'm not sure whether any other provincial cinemas in the UK will be showing it...maybe just Bradford because of the Film Festival? Good luck....and I really mean it."}, {"response": 1198, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (19:03)", "body": "These boards are not working properly today!!! Internal server error shows on all internal links and one has to hit reload repeatedly to get through and not many visitors know that... I'm not even sure if I can post..."}, {"response": 1199, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (19:05)", "body": "I can - but only by hitting Reload repeatedly!"}, {"response": 1200, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (20:08)", "body": "I can - but only by hitting Reload repeatedly! Where there is a will, there is a way. ;-) I had the same problem."}, {"response": 1201, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, May 21, 2000 (03:05)", "body": "Testing"}, {"response": 1202, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, May 21, 2000 (03:56)", "body": "Evelyn, I actually agree with you, although I'm trying to convince myself otherwise. I don't understand what has happened to MLSF in London, but in my region it will show in Bradford and York, June 9-15, and I hope that it will reach other independent cinemas nationally. Bradford booked it because the audience response forms from the Festival screening were very favourable. I sometimes wonder if it would have been better if MLSF had been left in its original form, without all the subsequent edits. CF himself said that it his view it wasn't broke and didn't need fixing....\"what it suffers from is the randomness of true story, because that's what it is\" Those who liked it would have liked it more, and those who disliked it would have disliked it more. I doubt if the severe editing made any converts. As to Box office success for British films, well, in the UK that would make Harry Enfield the greatest actor who ever lived, and Michael Gambon a non-starter. And we are a TV nation...a lot of British films are now been made for direct transmission to SKY. Colin's got some good things coming up that will be seen by millions. And BJD will be a major boost internationally (and a romantic hero role!). Swings and roundabouts!"}, {"response": 1203, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, May 21, 2000 (04:38)", "body": "According to The Sunday Times Culture magazine, it's not even playing at The Curzon, Mayfair, they have \"Being John Malkovich\" listed, I would have hoped it would have lasted two weeks as Sunshine did. BTW Bethan, the poster is different from the American one which I have, thanks to Evelyn, it has a picture of Frazer superimposed in the centre of the poster with CF & MEM to one side, sitting together with his arm around her and scenery in the background, very nice."}, {"response": 1204, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, May 21, 2000 (05:01)", "body": "I don't know how I missed it...I glanced at the paper when I got up... but there's an extraordinary interview with Colin in today's Sunday Telegraph, in the Review section. Small picture on the front, huge pic inside. Too long to quote, but will do if it's not available online. But for once, he really shows emotion...the interviewer quotes some bad reviews of his performance in MLSF and he gets angry and reels off examples of critics who get their facts wrong... I just think \"Do. Your. F...ing. Homework\". The female interviewer doesn't find him all that attractive on screen (\"as the camp nephew in RV he looks suave and clean cut, but not drop dead gorgeous\").He asked to play the camp,wry, pithy role because he hadn't done it before. \"But in the flesh he looks everything the most smitten Darcymaniac could hope for ..and more. He appears a younger slimmer version of Mr Darcy and is all good natured charm\". All he seems to want is to be known as a good character actor. Comments on anarticle which says (re Mark Darcy role) \"Thank God, he's finally smelling the coffee\"..as though \"I should own up to the fact that this is all my life will ever amount to.\" Interviwer said that judging fom the reactions of anyone (female) who heard that I was going to interview CF, \"he still has their hearts\", but men said he was a prat. He sounds quite emotional ...obviously wants to defend MLSF..it's not bland stuff."}, {"response": 1205, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, May 21, 2000 (05:05)", "body": "Big full page article in the Sunday Telegraph review section. Fabulous photograph of Colin on that page and another smaller one on the front page of the review section. I am short of time today, so I shall try and scan the pictures though my scanner is playing up so may not succeed. Perhaps other UKers can go out and buy a few copies!"}, {"response": 1206, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, May 21, 2000 (05:06)", "body": "Oops Bethan we overlapped!"}, {"response": 1207, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, May 21, 2000 (05:07)", "body": "\"Being John Malkovich\" is showing in the evening. MLSF shows at the earlier times of 2.00 and 6.30. Judging from his reaction to some criticism in the Telegraph interview, he's already hurting over MLSF, and I guess (doing a Jasper Rees!) he'll be hurting more at the general response, or lack of it."}, {"response": 1208, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, May 21, 2000 (07:07)", "body": "Allison re Sunday Telegraph - \"Perhaps other UKers can go out and buy a few copies!\" I am always impressed when people can tell me what's in the papers before I even get to the newsagent - I really have no excuse as I live next door to one (other than it's Sunday and I've had a v.v.v. long lie-in)! Thanks for the info - I'll be hot footing it to the shop shortly so I'll pick up a copy ..or two...or........."}, {"response": 1209, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, May 21, 2000 (07:18)", "body": "BTW - Apparently (according to the Radio) today is the Feast Day of St. Colin Patron saint of.....?"}, {"response": 1210, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 21, 2000 (08:29)", "body": "Morning, ladies. Thanks for the tantalizing tidbits. We'd definitely like to read more of what appears to be a very strange interview and if there are extra copies..."}, {"response": 1211, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 21, 2000 (10:23)", "body": "If anyone wants to email me the article and/or scans, I can put it up at The Bucket, which isn't suffering from the Internal Server Error situation, and everyone will be able to read it. [Just go to the What's New button and down to articles]"}, {"response": 1212, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, May 21, 2000 (11:09)", "body": "Damn! I had various problems getting here today and just got the info about the Sunday Telegraph... DH is at the moment touring the region petrol stations hoping to find a copy, but it could be too late now... Why can't there be an early warning email system in operation among the UK Firthers on discovery of new material? As it happens, I don't have anyone to thank for it at the moment... am planning to rip off the modem and sell the computer... what's the bloody point...? ...Can you sense I'm seriously disappointed? :-("}, {"response": 1213, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 21, 2000 (12:12)", "body": "I am copying and posting today's messages over at the Temporary Drool Board, where you can read and comment. Please do not post here anymore today. It is way too difficult to manage. Here's the url for the board: http://www.insidetheweb.com/messageboard/mbs.cgi/mb49898 Also remember we have the Springfolks mailing list for messages and/or updates."}, {"response": 1214, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (03:16)", "body": "Monday today... Was busy all weekend so am late with comments, please forgive me. (Evelyn)For those who don't know..the teen in the movie shags an apple pie.. I gathered as much from the trailer... definitely put me off seeing the movie, although not off eating apple pie :-P (Anne Hale)But it is so sad. As I said before it was on for 9 weeks in Perth, Australia (which is considered Philistine) and indeed was showing for some time longer in Adelaide Hummm... Methinks there's good reasons for one to emigrate to Australia...;-) And now must go read the emergency board and, hopefully, the Bucket :-)"}, {"response": 1215, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (13:56)", "body": "Have just read the Sunday Telegraph article. Thanks Mari, Karen, Ann, et. al for supplying and posting so quickly. My first impression was, although there's new content, the author appears to have borrowed liberally from Jasper's recent article: born in Africa (?), Livia's a documentary maker, etc. Didn't the author do. her. effing. homework? ;-) I was glad to read CF's defense of MLSF--I was proud of his work in that film, too. IMO he was talking about Rafie in his reference to the unnamed character actor who's been taking leading man roles. As regards his parting comment \"but I took it to mean that I should just go back to being Mr Darcy all the time for ever, that I should just own up to the fact that this is all my life will ever amount to\"...wonder where he read that. I, for one, say bring on those stuttering masturbatory village pervert roles! ;-) Am glad to see this board up and running again. Hope I haven't spoken too soon. About to hit 'submit' button...here goes..."}, {"response": 1216, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (13:58)", "body": "(Eileen)IMO he was talking about Rafie in his reference to the unnamed character actor who's been taking leading man roles. I was thinking the same thing. It has got to be RF."}, {"response": 1217, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (14:51)", "body": "I didn't think of Ralph at all. I thought of John Cusack. Think of it: the nose and the greasy hair he mentions--describes JC to a tee in Being John Malkovich. I think of JC as much more of a character actor than RF, and he's certainly done a lot more of the \"odd and grotesque\" stuff than RF."}, {"response": 1218, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (14:56)", "body": "Are we back up? I hope so. I was glad to read CF's defense of MLSF--I was proud of his work in that film, too. (Eileen) I felt really sorry for him when I read this. Did anyone else react this way, or am I being super-sensitive on his behalf? I'm not sure why he gave this interview (to promote MLSF? RV? BJD?)...he must have given it within the last couple of days, after the reviews for MLSF came out. He looks absolutely gorgeous in the pic BTW...must be the Mark Darcy look! But the interviewer has done MLSF and Colin absolutely no favours here. She's picked on probably the worst critical comment made about him, and given the impression that the reviews for MLSF were all bad. She's also put him in the humiliating position of having to say \"well, I thought I was good\". What struck me here was that, in his defence, the poor chap wouldn't have been able to quote a single UK review that said he gave a good performance. When he *was* singled out, it was only for criticism. The end product of the Sunday Telegraph interview as a public relations exercise is pretty disastrous..... another 2million people will think that Colin was stiff and miscast, and gave a poor performance. Sorry to sound stroppy about this, but I can see why he would be happy if five people said he was a good actor. And to be in the frame for leading roles, you do need critical recognition!! Back to tittle tattle...has he only had two girlfriends or two named girlfriends? :-)"}, {"response": 1219, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (15:04)", "body": "(Bethan)Sorry to sound stroppy about this, but I can see why he would be happy if five people said he was a good actor. Shall we start counting to five? Evelyn, Karen, KJ, Bethan, Allison, AnnW, Winter, Esbee, Arami, Tracy, Tineke, CCherylB, AnneH, Marcia, Gi... Oops! What do you mean, I've exceeded my quota? ;-) You know I'd only started..."}, {"response": 1220, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (15:12)", "body": "(Bethan) I felt really sorry for him when I read this. I don't share your reaction. In the past Colin's been quite critical of his performances; it was refreshing to see him happy with this one. The end product of the Sunday Telegraph interview as a public relations exercise is pretty disastrous..... another 2million people will think that Colin was stiff and miscast, and gave a poor performance. Now, now, stop the gloom and doom. Let's have the optimist back. C'mon, where's all your exclamation points? ;-)"}, {"response": 1221, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (15:41)", "body": "I felt really sorry for him when I read this. Did anyone else react this way, or am I being super-sensitive on his behalf? I'm not sure why he gave this interview Oh, dear, oh, dear... ;-) the poor chap wouldn't have been able to quote a single UK review that said he gave a good performance. I think that most UK reviews praised all the cast, even though they didn't think much of the film as a whole. He was expressly (and undeservedly) criticized maybe in about two of them. another 2million people will think that Colin was stiff and miscast, and gave a poor performance. Assuming that Telegraph readers are all prats and unable to think for themselves... :-) has he only had two girlfriends or two named girlfriends? :-) The latter, I think. We know of at least one more: the one who took the TV set with her when she moved out and he didn't have TV at home for a long time as a result. :-)"}, {"response": 1222, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (16:06)", "body": "Time to talk coffee... No where, no ways did anyone imply that Colin should be playing Mr Darcy for until the end of time. Here's the exact comment from #922: Definitely think Colin has woken up and smelled the coffee insofar as his career is concerned. *thank goodness* :-) Then in #962, the following was added: I just hope it isn't too late. I for one am not resigned to watch Colin move into roles usually associated with Robert Young yet! ;-) That last comment in the article was particularly painful: \"Or you might have to change the character of the actor. Someone the Americans believe is a credible sex symbol.\" This tells me that Colin has heard this quite a bit in Hollywood from agents, casting directors, whoever. The word in Hollywood is that Colin is not a sex symbol. All we can hope for is that BJD reverses that impression. That Colin will be viewed as not only a viable English leading man (to compete for roles with the only other two - HG and RF). This role can get him the recognition for being both a sexy leading man type and more importantly a fine actor on a par with that other guy. ;-)"}, {"response": 1223, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (16:18)", "body": "Think it's RF too. Yes, the greasy hair goes with Cusack, but I can't see Colin in most of Cusack's roles (character though they may be). Am positive there's a greasy-haired Fiennes movie out there... ;-) Hmmm, hair looked pretty yucky in Onegin."}, {"response": 1224, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (16:45)", "body": "Received my Donmar magazine in the post today. Double page spread on Gala 3DOR evening. Only one pic of ODB chatting to two ladies (sans volvos!), two pics of DM and my thoughts on E.MG's lipstick, in the informal shot might lead us all to the conclusion that her Act 2 painted lips was no act of a Southern Belle at all! Karen I wish you could see it teehee!! Maybe someone else (Luvvie?) will scan them."}, {"response": 1225, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (16:49)", "body": "Karen, you don't think CF could have played Rob in High Fidelity? (Not to mention Will in About A Boy, which went to Hugh Grant)--yeah, keep \"haunting those margins\", Colin :-( :-( Besides, the quote as I'm reading it is *not* about coveting this other actor's roles (in which case I too might think it's RF). It's about other character actors who sometimes play leading man type roles but whose talent lies more in the offbeat. Liked your coffee talk, Karen . . .you're a regular Linda Richman.:-) Bethan, it's too bad he didn't retort that his Edward Pettigrew reviews here were good, though I'm not sure how much sway that holds in Britain. Good that RV is coming out soon; that's one advantage of having work released back-to-back. If they don't like one, they might like the other, and the public has a short memory."}, {"response": 1226, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (17:35)", "body": "Now, now, stop the gloom and doom. Let's have the optimist back. C'mon, where's all your exclamation points? ;-) (Eileen) S-o-rry!!!!!!!! I think I'm a thwarted PR type...I'd love to be sitting in on these interviews, shoving my oar in! Have you noticed he's grown half an inch...six foot, one and a half! Definitely think Colin has woken up and smelled the coffee insofar as his career is concerned. *thank goodness* :-) Now, does he lurk? Or have we \"smelling the coffee\" articles in abundance? He's still missed the point though. Mr Darcy isn't a life-time sentence....we just need the occasional alpha male who kisses the girl and doesn't lose out to a Fiennes brother. More Cary Grant, not Charles Laughton! Good that RV is coming out soon; that's one advantage of having work released back-to-back. If they don't like one, they might like the other, and the public has a short memory. Very true....not every one's a winner.And I don't think the public has any memory. RV might be ideal lightweight summer entertainment. And we've got DQ in the wings. it's too bad he didn't retort that his Edward Pettigrew reviews here were good, though I'm not sure how much sway that at holds in Britain. Normally a lot. British movies that open first in the US and get good reviews are usually marketed on the basis ...\"warmly received in the US\" etc....which then pre-disposes our critics to be favourable. Seems they, like,er,forgot."}, {"response": 1227, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (17:43)", "body": "Think it's RF too. Me three. Ever since End of the Affair, a role he wanted. I think RFs hair was greasy in S. List. When he mentioned the greasy hair pervert role, Mr. Collins came to mind! Flash into the future older CF gets Mr. Cs role in another remake. ;-) About the coffee, how could he have misunderstood?"}, {"response": 1228, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (17:48)", "body": "I hope CF was basing his desire for the role in \"The End of the Affair\" on the book, or even the old version of the film, and not the mess Neil Jordan made. I just caught it on video -- that movie was lousy. What's more, CF being in it wouldn't have made it a better film. It would have been the same rotten movie with a different good actor, that's all."}, {"response": 1229, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (18:32)", "body": "I agree with everything you've said, Cheryl. Now the role that Sean Penn had at \"Up at the Villa\", would have been great for Colin."}, {"response": 1230, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (19:14)", "body": "(Moon Dreams) I think RFs hair was greasy in S. List. Greasy and dirty as Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights :-)"}, {"response": 1231, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (23:17)", "body": "(Bethan) More Cary Grant, not Charles Laughton! Well put, Bethan! That would work for me. (Bethan) British movies that open first in the US and get good reviews are usually marketed on the basis ...\"warmly received in the US\" etc....which then pre-disposes our critics to be favourable. Seems they, like,er,forgot. I'm not surprised. They forgot to market it here, too--it seems they just absolutely gave up on it long before the reviews came out and then had no plan (or budget) in place to take any advantage of them. Very poor on Miramax's part. I'm glad CF didn't put his tail between his legs when the writer mentioned that one review. He should be proud of his work in this. He did seem pleased when people mentioned the film to him at the Donmar. ****** Looks like I'm in the minority, but I liked The End Of The Affair and thought Ralph and Julianne did a good job in it.:-)"}, {"response": 1232, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (08:19)", "body": "Thanks, Lizza, for the info about the Donmar magazine. I'm sure the picture will be scanned in by one of our Donmar darlings. Might take awhile to get to this side of the Atlantic though. (have no doubt that little pouty, bee-stung lips are her own) (Mari) you don't think CF could have played Rob in High Fidelity? Of course, he could but only if they kept it set in London. (Same re: About a Boy.) And he needs to work on his American accent with a professional. (Donna) Greasy and dirty as Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights :-) *hee hee* (Mari) He did seem pleased when people mentioned the film to him at the Donmar. What was he going to do? He does have manners and has shown himself to be courteous at all times. BTW, not having read TEOTA or seen the older version, I thought this was one was OK and made sense to me. So you're not alone. ;-)"}, {"response": 1233, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (08:29)", "body": "(Mari) Liked your coffee talk, Karen *hee hee* You mean cawfee tawk, right? ;-D I am all curiosity about the article containing that coffee-smelling remark Colin references in his interview. How come we've never seen it? Was it published in some third world country? If it wasn't a published article at all, but a reference to or excerpt from our discussion, it's too bad that he misinterpreted the remark. I think it's fair to say that none of us want Mr. Darcy forever. (Mari) it seems they just absolutely gave up on it [MLSF] long before the reviews came out Yup. Miramax put their eggs in the Ideal Husband basket. I thought MLSF was more interesting and entertaining (but I'm biased ;-))."}, {"response": 1234, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (10:05)", "body": "(Bethan) I felt really sorry for him when I read this. Did anyone else react this way, or am I being super-sensitive on his behalf? I felt this way too, Bethan. The comment from the unnamed former co-worker about \"totally transparent mock modesty\" and the quoting of the one negative criticism about his performance in MLSF seemed to me to be unfair and unnecessary. I mean, there are so many actors out there with totally overinflated egos who really deserve to be taken down a peg in this fashion, but Colin is not one of them."}, {"response": 1235, "author": "EAGrace", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (10:12)", "body": "Just back after the long weekend, and reading over the MLSF discussion. Very disappointing! (The events, not the discussion!) Despite my criticisms of the film, it was still a good film, and deserved a chance to be seen! I think there aren't enough independent film houses. The larger problem is the cultural invasion of Hollywood. Same in Canada -- not much pride in Canadian talent (unless Hollywood sanctions it first). But I had heard that Britain had an impressive media studies program in their schools, a la Noam Chompsky. So, greater mental resistance might be hoped for! Difficult though, when they yank a film before you can say popcorn. Oh dear, nothing as likely to strike up the political ire as a disappointed affectionado :-) Does anyone understand why some 'independent'films get as much backing as a regular formula film, and others get zilch? Just how independent ARE films like Being John Malkovich? And how does MLSF fit into this scenario? I read the Telegraph article. I'm annoyed. Ironic statement to make on Drool Board maybe, but, she totally focused on his portrayal of Darcy, mentioned some other films in passing, and for the most part, ignored his entire body of work. \"Shades of an angry Mr. Darcy here\" --- give me a break, and they say fans engage in projection! Sure doesn't help his career to have a 'journalist' imposing the identity on him. Sad to read him saying \"my type\" as though he is a 'type'. I've always thought that his acting defied being a 'type' and that's what makes him so interesting. The media/political cr*p in the business must be wearing him down. I really hope he gets to play MORE \"odd and grotesque stuff\" because he's good at it. Surely his career cannot honestly be reduced to a repetition of \"handsome hero\" roles! This is a long post, but I feel much better now!"}, {"response": 1236, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (10:43)", "body": "(Liz) I think there aren't enough independent film houses. Wasn't it the Odeon chain that committed to showing more art house films? Just how independent ARE films like Being John Malkovich? The one you mentioned WAS an indie. Had financial backing by Michael Stipe's production company and was then picked up by October Films, shown at the NYC FF and Venice. Just remember that Indie and Art House are not synonymous."}, {"response": 1237, "author": "EAGrace", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (11:04)", "body": "(Karen) Just remember that Indie and Art House are not synonymous. True, except to extent that they both often get ignored. But the whole behind- the-scenes of film-financing makes me dizzy with confusion. I'm a little suspicious of Odeon's commitment, because they're in it for $$ and I doubt art house films will ever bring big $$. We're worried here (where I live) about our local independent theatre being pushed out by the chains mega-theatres soon to be built right next to it. Kind of like the way big box bookstores have pushed out the little ones, only to have the public's range of available material greatly reduced in the long run. Well, not exactly like that, but there's a point in this fuzzy analogy somewhere."}, {"response": 1238, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (11:10)", "body": "Actually, we're having growth in art house theaters here. Big fantastic one (7 screens, I think) built by Landmark chain and another will be in a suburb later this year. They have shown smaller mainstream films like High Fidelity, but mainly films without big-time distributors. Even showed one from Phaedra!! Also heard that Redford's Sundance group is going to build here too."}, {"response": 1239, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (12:58)", "body": "(LizG)Surely his career cannot honestly be reduced to a repetition of \"handsome hero\" roles! In fact, haven't we been complaining of a dearth of such roles?"}, {"response": 1240, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (13:44)", "body": "(Susan)The comment from the unnamed former co-worker about \"totally transparent mock modesty\" and the quoting of the one negative criticism about his performance in MLSF seemed to me to be unfair and unnecessary Hi guys, I\ufffdve been a bit unwell and still am but of course I can\ufffdt keep off from Drool for too long :-) Just want to say that I don\ufffdt think there\ufffds really nothing to worry about in the style of that Telegraph interview. Only the existence of a big story like this about him conveys the essential message to the readers which is: here is an actor who is worth making a large article about. Most people won\ufffdt read it anyway but they see who it is about and see the gorgeous picture, and that\ufffds all in his favour (ah, that pic!!!). I personally like a bit biting style when it\ufffds not openly mean, it simply makes the subject person more plausible and interesting. Too much praise and sweetness is a much bigger turn-off."}, {"response": 1241, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (14:28)", "body": "Hurrah, at last a good UK review for MLSF and they have singled CF out for particular praise at http//:www.whsmith.co.uk go to entertainment, films and then what's showing, also a good review for Sunshine. \"Firth's expert protrayal...\" and \"Excepting Firth the performances are average at best particularly MMcD...\" Sorry to hear you have not been well Elena, hope you will soon feel better."}, {"response": 1242, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (14:30)", "body": "http://www.whsmith.co.uk"}, {"response": 1243, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (15:39)", "body": "Bethan - Now, does he lurk? Or have we \"smelling the coffee\" articles in abundance? I'm not a Firthian of longstanding but I've never seen any coffee references in any articles ..ever! Does he lurk?.....an interesting thought indeed. Elena - I\ufffdve been a bit unwell and still am but of course I can\ufffdt keep off from Drool It works wonders for an ailing body all this happy banter. Sorry to hear you're under the weather."}, {"response": 1244, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (16:57)", "body": "As regards his parting comment \"but I took it to mean that I should just go back to being Mr Darcy all the time for ever, that I should just own up to the fact that this is all my life will ever amount to\"...wonder where he read that. I, for one, say bring on those stuttering masturbatory village pervert roles! ;-) (Eileen) Reminds me that one of my favourite CF roles, despite the flaws in the script (aren't there always? :-))was in \"Master of the Moor\" where he lived in a village, was a lonely social misfit, strode over the moors in the rain, clad in anorak and baggy corduroy trousers, couldn't make love to women, retreated to subterranean caves, strangled his wife, and shot himself....and still managed to be terribly attractive. Stuttered slightly. Can only guess at the other aspect! :-)"}, {"response": 1245, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (19:45)", "body": "\"Master of the Moor\" where he lived in a village, was a lonely social misfit, strode over the moors in the rain, clad in anorak and baggy corduroy trousers, couldn't make love to women, retreated to subterranean caves, strangled his wife, and shot himself....and still managed to be terribly attractive. Heh heh. The guy can't win for losing. He could have played one of the hillbillies in Deliverance and still be attractive. ;-) Considering how nasty some of the articles we've read have been about otehr actors, I'm pleased with the Telegraph. And as Elena points out from her sickbed, it's publicity. Two major articles in one month. Amazing. (LizG)Surely his career cannot honestly be reduced to a repetition of \"handsome hero\" roles! (Gi) In fact, haven't we been complaining of a dearth of such roles? Yes because it's been so long since he's had such a role. Donovan Quick applies. Look at his roles would see how many of those heroic roles he's actually had. Sorry, he can't help the handsome. ;-) Will Armadillo be one? (Tracy) I'm not a Firthian of longstanding but I've never seen any coffee references in any articles ..ever! Does he lurk?.....an interesting thought indeed. IMO, more likely Helen has returned to lurking at BJD."}, {"response": 1246, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (20:03)", "body": "So what is the source of this coffee quote? And how did he know about it if it's not from a paper? Or is it? (I seem to have fallen asleep at some point... Familiarity and all that thing, you know... :-))"}, {"response": 1247, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (21:11)", "body": "(Arami), I seem to have fallen asleep at some point... How about a cup of that coffee? ;-) The source of the quote seems to be right here, Arami. Whether it was a PR person gathering news for him, or ODB lurking we do not know."}, {"response": 1248, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (22:05)", "body": "So what is the source of this coffee quote? And how did he know about it if it's not from a paper? Or is it? If you don't know, then it doesn't exist. Correct? ;-)"}, {"response": 1249, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (22:48)", "body": "From the Evening Standard's site, an article on Denis Forman from 5/22 (a definite read for all those who want to know about MLSF's origins): Forman: It's my life and I like it by Trevor Grove What exactly is a clear water worm? Sir Denis Forman leant forward in his red braces and raised a glittering eye. \"Now that,\" he said, \"is a really interesting question.\" Abandoning a lukewarm discussion of Scottish devolution, he took a pensive puff at his pipe. \"Around this time of year, all the water in the streams and rivers of Scotland is as clear as gin. It is exceedingly difficult to entice a trout because he can see everything. So, what you do is, you take a worm ...\" he began to explain. Sir Denis has been many things in his long life, among them director of the British Film Institute, deputy-chairman of the Royal Opera House and, most famously, chairman of Granada Television during its glory days. He is revered in the ratings-wary, accountancy-minded, post-Birtian broadcasting world as the man who presided over the creation of The Jewel in the Crown, World in Action and Coronation Street. Now he has notched up another singular achievement: his own boyhood has become the subject of a full-length feature film. Imagine being able to trot around the corner to your local cinema and watch yourself winningly depicted catching your first trout in a movie directed by Hugh Hudson, produced by David Puttnam and starring Colin Firth as your father. Sir Denis seems modestly delighted that with My Life So Far playing at the Hampstead ABC, only a few steps away from his garden flat, he can do just that. Well, not trot, exactly: he lost a leg at the battle of Monte Cassino in 1944, which ended his days as a tireless Scottish reeler. But he remains a remarkably hale-looking 82 and still goes loch fishing every year. He has been to see the film twice, applying a professional eye. He finds it \"highly agreeable\", graciously passing over the implausible fictional embellishments. My Life So Far is based on Sir Denis's funny, touching and evocative memoir of his childhood in the Dumfries countryside in the 1920s, when farms were still run on horsepower and before the scythe gave way to the combine harvester. The title of the book, published 10 years ago, was Son of Adam, and the author rather wishes the film-makers hadn't changed it. \"I think mine was better.\" Adam was the name of his father, the decent, God-fearing but deeply eccentric figure who became the focus of Denis's pubescent rebelliousness. The Rev Adam Forman, head boy of Loretto and later its chaplain, never shed his bracing, public-school attitude to manliness and godliness, even after he married and became the factor, or agent, on his mother-in-law's estate, Craigielands. When he wasn't holding Presbyterian discourse at the dinner table or herding his large family off to St Mary's United Free Church for their spiritual improvement, he was seeing to their physical cleanliness with year-round bathing in the loch, except when the ice was too thick. His small sons were intrigued to discover he kept a morsel of cotton wool \"about the size of a pea\" inside his foreskin for purposes of personal hygiene. It was in keeping that Adam's most notable achievement was the harvesting of quantities of sphagnum moss during the First World War, to be processed into field dressings for the wounded. He claimed its properties far exceeded those of cotton wool. For this unusual wartime initiative he was awarded the CBE. The smell of moss was not the only one to imprint itself on Denis's young memory. He and his five brothers and sisters (Denis, the chief mischiefmaker, was number four) were horribly perceptive in the olfactory department. The visiting seamstress smelt of exhaust fumes combined with \"the inside of a spaniel's ear and dead rat\". Marnie the housekeeper ponged of unwashed underparts and embrocation, with overtones from her wig of \"dead mouse blended with nutmeg\". Much of this comically perceptive writing is lost in the film, so we never properly encounter the highly strung cook, Mrs Henderson, who \"at times of great stress became hysterical, throwing her apron over her head and making noises like a railway engine taking in water\". \"But we were not a posh household, with liveried foot-men,\" Sir Denis insists. Passage through the green baize door was free and easy. His intimacy with the servants, his liking for working in the fields alongside the farm men at harvest time and the camaraderie of the great curling contests on the frozen loch form a key theme in the book, leading the little boy to think that \"perhaps I preferred the likes of them to the likes of us\". Even before he is sent away to boarding school he is kicking against the pricks of class and religion, spending furtive hours reading up the entry under \"Prostitution\" in the Encyclopaedia of Ethics. Wasn't it odd that those early seeds of rebellion should have led to a career spent entirely among the officer class, fr"}, {"response": 1250, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (07:19)", "body": "Colin - lurking HERE????????????????????????????????????? Well, hallloooooooooooo there, dear boy....we meet at last... ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-D *** Oh, btw, I've just read somewhere that Paul Lyon Maris (or is it Maris Lyon? I can never remember) was also the late Sir John Gielgud's agent. So there."}, {"response": 1251, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (07:27)", "body": "Paul Lyon Maris (or is it Maris Lyon? I can never remember) was also the late Sir John Gielgud's agent. So there. How old could he be? Sounds like retirement is in order. ;-)"}, {"response": 1252, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (08:23)", "body": "Now who thought that Julie Andrews didn't have a devoted following? This was posted at the RV site: Is there a press release available on the release yet?. Can you please give us some more information on the premiere. I know that there are fans out there that have already booked flights and hotels for these dates, are you 100% sure that it will be the 21st?. Do you have any info on Julie A. being present at the 21st?. Would you be so kind as top give us this info asap, so the rest us us can start booking flights etc. too. Thank you. Iris"}, {"response": 1253, "author": "Ming", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (10:07)", "body": "Colin - lurking HERE????????????????????????????????????? Very much doubt it. Livia, perhaps?"}, {"response": 1254, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (10:59)", "body": "Elena, i hope you get well soon :-)"}, {"response": 1255, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (13:34)", "body": "Do hope you are feeling somewhat better now Elena. Re running your favourite CF vid works wonders! Take care"}, {"response": 1256, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (06:34)", "body": "Thanks for all your good wishes Lizza, Gi and Ann :-) (Arami)Colin - lurking HERE????????????????????????????????????? (Ming)Very much doubt it. Livia, perhaps? I very much doubt it too, especially now that he\ufffds busy working and probably has other things to do than to visit fan sites. The coffee-smelling must be a coincidence of some kind. (Colin, please tell me I\ufffdm wrong!! ;-);-) If he really was interested in the thoughts of his fans enough to lurk here I think he would also be slightly more active in reading and answering his fan mail ;-). But I also think it would be very strange if he had NOT visited the Spring once or twice this year after 3DOR. (Karen)Now who thought that Julie Andrews didn't have a devoted following? Not me. The Sound Of Music was the first film I ever saw in a cinema and I watched it at least five or six times. I loved her voice. I still have the soundtrack somewhere, I think. Maybe I should book a flight too? :-D"}, {"response": 1257, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (14:59)", "body": "Hope you're feeling better, Elena! I got my latest copy of the ChoicesDirect catalogue today...the major supplier of videos for sale in the UK. Out of interest I just rang up to see if SLOW was going to be available soon. I expected the usual hesitation...\"sorry, can you repeat that for me so I can check it\" ...but I got an instant response \"Oh, we've been inundated with requests for this, but unfortunately we don't have a date\". So, there is a hidden army out there (we just don't always make it to the movies!)"}, {"response": 1258, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (15:51)", "body": "Hi Bethan I brought a PAL copy of SLOW from http://www.kvs.co.uk back in April. It was about 41 pound."}, {"response": 1259, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (19:10)", "body": "The coffee-smelling must be a coincidence of some kind. (Colin, please tell me I\ufffdm wrong!! ;-);-) Elena, I can see you are much better. :-) I have looked again at the whole quote and Colin actually mentions an article... Unfortunately I haven't got the time to get to the bottom of this at the moment... Unless Colin can be so kind and help? Please, Colin? Or even Livia will do... ;-)"}, {"response": 1260, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (23:10)", "body": "http://www.guardianunlimited.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4022031,00.html"}, {"response": 1261, "author": "ommin", "date": "Fri, May 26, 2000 (03:26)", "body": "Can someone in the U.K. complain that this man doesn't know what he's talking about. Jealous again I suppose. I loved Fever Pitch, so did my husband and for that matter my son. There's a wonderful book out there called \"The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis (Another name for it is \"Men without chests\" i.e. he warned that in the future in the U.K. due to the educational system, we would lack imagination, a sense of beauty using a description of a waterfall as an example. One man would see water pouring off a ledge a hundred feet above, another would see the lovliness of it all, the mist from the water, the greenery, the sound etc. I know this doesn't seem relevant but the very system he abhored was indeed brought into the British educational system. I am not saying the poetry has gone out of all Brits. of course it hasn't but it certainly has affected the reviewers and critics out there. Colin has certainly seen it and not just for himself. Sorry I have gone on. But I was angry with the idiocy of it al . They can't discern between good and bad, evil or good it seems to me. Anne despairing in Oz."}, {"response": 1262, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, May 26, 2000 (03:30)", "body": "Hmm...Thanks for the above article, Karen! I dipped into it, and dipped out again. It's so easy to criticise, so difficult to create. The British film industry isn't perfect, but our critics are like leaches, sucking out the life blood. Give me some old-fashioned, if misplaced, enthusiasm anyday!"}, {"response": 1263, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 26, 2000 (07:21)", "body": "This genre is also known as the Colin Firth movie. What is that about? CF is not that well known to be a genre of any kind! Why pick on him? Thanks for posting, Karen. Apart from the CF comments, I happen to agree with the reviewer. The film industry is in crisis. What ever happened to intelligent, witty dialog? Enough with the depressing-vulgar-shock films. Give me some old-fashioned, if misplaced, enthusiasm anyday! My thoughts exactly!"}, {"response": 1264, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Fri, May 26, 2000 (09:21)", "body": "I, too, agree that \"Fever Pitch\" does not belong in a list that includes \"Rancid Aluminium\" and \"Mad Cows\" (two of the most appalling movies I've had the misfortune to sit through). But the article is bang on target in most areas, and a damned funny read, too. I'm mean, really, have any of you ever watched \"Absolute Beginners\"? All of it? I haven't. I haven't been able to get past the first half hour. So don't take this as a critique of Colin Firth or Rufus Sewell or Joe Fiennes or Jude Law (all of whom get blasted indirectly). It is, imho however, a legitimate blast at the incredible amount of money that has been wasted by the current Brit film mess."}, {"response": 1265, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, May 26, 2000 (12:53)", "body": "Thanks for the url, Karen. V. funny article. I hated Absolute Beginners too. Interesting about the \"CF genre\". Ummm... Guess it's better to be talked about than not be talked about, right? :-)"}, {"response": 1266, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May 26, 2000 (13:22)", "body": "I have to agree with Chris--that article is hysterically funny. Yes, it's too bad that CF was mentioned but at least he didn't come off nearly as poorly as Jude Law and the rest of the Natural Nylon mafia.:-) Don't mean to pile on, but here's a similar article from today's Telegraph, which raises some questions I've always had about the disingenuousness of some of the British press concerning American films: British isn't always best Hollywood scores with a chiller but the All Saints' heist movie is a botched job, says David Gritten THE perception of Hollywood in large sections of our press is no longer merely amusing, or even irritating - it is now almost wilfully misleading. We constantly hear of British film talents \"selling out\" or being \"lost\" to Hollywood, as if this were some cultural kiss of death. Only this week, a broadsheet newspaper ran an article on the excellent English actor Adrian Lester's \"escape\" from Hollywood. To what, one wonders? Essentially, Hollywood is a massive factory, producing its share of disposable, unmemorable fare just to keep its assembly lines constantly moving. But in any given month it also offers a wide range of films more skilfully written, carefully considered and expertly executed than the cinematic output of any other country. So much for Hollywood, then, as a repository of all that is trash. This British perception is especially grotesque given our film industry's woeful current state: in percentage terms we produce more movie garbage than the US, with the savage twist that this garbage isn't even very popular here. All the Lottery money and grants in Britain, it seems, cannot change this. To judge by our films, Britain is a country overawed by violent minor-league gangsters, an island noisily off its communal face on lager every night. Two new films perfectly illustrate this schism. Stir of Echoes, from 20th Century Fox, is a workmanlike, unspectacular thriller with a supernatural theme. It will appear on few year-end best-film lists. Hollywood makes movies like this in its sleep, yet it's a creditable, satisfying piece of work. Kevin Bacon plays a telephone lineman living in blue-collar Chicago. His six-year-old son talks to ghosts, but Stir of Echoes is no Sixth Sense clone: this is Bacon's story. He agrees to be hypnotised by his flaky sister-in-law (Illeana Douglas) and finds to his horror that he is a \"receiver\", open to images and sensations from a supernatural world. He starts hallucinating about a slow-witted teenage girl who has mysteriously gone missing, and becomes increasingly withdrawn and obsessed as events progress towards a grisly climax. Sardonic and sympathetic by turns, Bacon gives his character his usual shrewd reading. But the real star here is writer-director David Koepp (The Lost World: Jurassic Park), who has painstakingly fashioned a script that is logical and intelligently thought out, and then filmed a story that never relaxes its grip. Stir of Echoes may not change your life, but nor is it an insult to the intelligence, or indeed a waste of money. Which brings us neatly to the British film Honest, featuring three members of the female pop group All Saints, and set in the Swinging London of 1968. Throughout the film, I recalled a recent rebuke by director Alan Parker, the new boss of the Film Council, that too many British films are rushed into production before their scripts are ready. One doubts if the script for this depressing, feeble film could ever be ready - it's surprising to see old comedy pros Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais among the writing credits. What's it about? One character conveniently tells us: \"Three girls from the East End who dress up like men and rob the rich? That's pretty intense, man!\" That gives you a whiff of the plot - and, I fear, the putrid dialogue. Yes, Natalie and Nicole Appleton and Melanie Blatt don men's suits and fake moustaches and beards to stage jewellery heists. In this guise, they alarmingly resemble the tiny pop star Prince. Natalie, the only All Saint with any acting aptitude, plays the sister who has a romance with a young American Rhodes scholar (Peter Facinelli, a puppyish junior Tom Cruise type). He works on an underground newspaper, and tries to write the sisters' story. His first paragraph: \"It's only a \ufffd2 cab ride from Carnaby Street to Bethnal Green, but it's another world.\" But why single out one line? Much of Honest is worthy of derisive sniggers. Characters constantly tell each other what they already know. \"We're in the middle of Mayfair,\" one sister confides to another. \"It's full of toffs and nobs.\" And poor Natalie has to say, \"Nothing's free in this world. Things have to be earned.\" An unlikely remark from a character making a living from theft. This fiasco was directed - if that's the word - by Dave Stewart, the less winning half of another pop group, the Eurythmics. Stewart may have a sure touch with three-minute pop videos, but a full-length feature film seems beyond him. A"}, {"response": 1267, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, May 27, 2000 (07:13)", "body": "I can't seem to find an RV Drool, so I am posting this here. It is from the official site mailing list. Release Information Midsummer Films are pleased to announce that Relative Values has been sold in the following territories:- Distributor - Global Media Distribution Inc. Territories - LATIN AMERICA (Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Dominican Republic, Ecudador, El Salvador, Guyana, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Urguay & Venezuela) & PUERTO RICO, PORTUGAL, TURKEY, GREECE, ESTONIA, LATVIA & LITHUANIA Distributor - Europa Filmes Territories - BRAZIL Distributor - Compagnia Distribuzione Europea Territories - ITALY, SAN MARINO & VATICAN CITY Distributor - WMS Film Consultants Territories - POLAND Distributor - Manga Territories - SPAIN & ANDORRA Distributor - Encore Media Group LLC Territories - USA Distributor - Alliance Atlantis Territories - UNITED KINGDOM, ISLE OF MAN, CHANNEL ISLANDS & GIBRALTAR"}, {"response": 1268, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, May 27, 2000 (07:55)", "body": "That article Karen posted would have been funnier if it weren't so damn boring. Ho hum, more clever writers sharpening their knives on the British film industry. (also Mari's post above.) The theory is made, let's contort as many facts as we can to support it. the big Hollywood adaptation of High Fidelity, starring John Cusack and completely junking any Hornby element False. Wake me up when someone dares to write an opposing viewpoint. Glad you posted it anyway, Karen, simply because DB was mentioned. As Gi says, Guess it's better to be talked about than not be talked about, right? :-) Thanks for posting the distribution info, Mary. Fingers crossed we can see this film by autumn."}, {"response": 1269, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, May 27, 2000 (07:56)", "body": "Naughty me..italics are fixed."}, {"response": 1270, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, May 27, 2000 (08:19)", "body": "Don't worry, from now on I'll only post boring stuff if it has Colin's name in it. Murph, thanks for the distribution info--though I have no idea who Encore Media Group is."}, {"response": 1271, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, May 27, 2000 (09:41)", "body": "Oops, sorry Mari. It's not your posting that I find boring. It's the repetitious theme the journalists keep harping on. Post as many articles as you like 'cause it stirs up conversation. There's no need for me to state my opinion again on why these writers continue beating this poor horse."}, {"response": 1272, "author": "EAGrace", "date": "Sat, May 27, 2000 (11:46)", "body": "I'm not disagreeing with the claim that the British film industry is in a crisis --- I'll take the word of fellow Droolers. I thought the Guardian article (response #1260) was incredibly cynical. Someone else has of course, already expressed a suitable summary --- I couldn't have said it better: \"It is such a spur to one's genius, such an opening for wit to have a dislike of that kind. One may be continually abusive without saying any[thing] just; but one cannot be always laughing at a man without now and then stumbling on something witty.\" With reference to the Telegraph article (response #1266)there are some wonderful American films, but the success of the formulaic in $$ terms is never proof in my mind that America is better at making films than anyone else. I saw Stir of Echoes and found it neither \"creditable\" nor \"satisfying\". I think the best American films can't be described as formula films. In relation to the debate of good film/bad film, is another important point that both writers ignore. We're not all Americans and each culture needs an opportunity to express itself in it's own terms, even if we make bad films while trying to do that. If the British film industry is in a crisis, surely the solution is to be more authentic, not less. Perhaps part of the problem is that British filmmakers are trying to be American filmmakers. The most they could ever hope to achieve then, is what David Gritten (response #1266) seems to suggest Britain should aspire to: A so-so British-pretending-to-be-American formula flick."}, {"response": 1273, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, May 27, 2000 (20:55)", "body": "Mari says: Murph, thanks for the distribution info--though I have no idea who Encore Media Group is. ******** We have an Encore cable station here. It shows older films usually. Perhaps it is the one distributing RV. I'll check and see if they have a web site. Murph"}, {"response": 1274, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, May 27, 2000 (21:00)", "body": "Yep: Here is the web site for Encore Media Group . Starz is once of theirs too. Murph"}, {"response": 1275, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, May 27, 2000 (21:54)", "body": "Thanks again, Murph. Don't mean to spread panic but . . .it sure sounds like \"straight-to-cable TV\" to me.:-( Really hope I'm wrong, but I don't see anything to indicate that Encore does theatrical releases."}, {"response": 1276, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, May 27, 2000 (22:26)", "body": "Aha! So this is where everyone is hanging out. Murph! Mari! Good to see you here, guys :-) Geez...I *have* been away too long. Now, before I comment on things I know nothing about I have to back up and read this topic :-/ Oh, and Mari...I'm sure you join me in wishing the Devils godspeed on their road to ruin. I can't find your email, so send me a note and we'll give them the double malocchio (nan@ntr.net)"}, {"response": 1277, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, May 28, 2000 (02:58)", "body": "Hi there Nan! Welcome! Couple of snippets from today's Telegraph which vaguely impinge on CF. BBC1 are going to turn a new novel about \"multicultural Britain\" into a \ufffd5million 6 part series. It's the first project approved under Alan Yentob's regime and will be one of the highlights of the BBC's programme schedule next year. Filming is to start later this year. They are busy looking for a scriptwriter, cast , director etc. On this basis, I would assume that if \"Armadillo\" has already been given the greenlight, has a producer and lead actor in place, and if it is being adapted by the author, then there's no reason why fiming shouldn't start very soon. The article also mentions that the BBC's last \"classic\" adaptation \"Gormenghast\" was a flop in terms of viewing figures. I think that the emphasis under the new BBC/Greg Dyke regime will definitely be on \"relevant\" contemporary drama. No more bonnets! Fortunately \"Armadillo\" *is* New Britain, but a more humane, humorous interpretation which cuts across the so-called socal divide! BTW...I hope the the new BBC wakes up and does something with DQ as a highlight for this year's drama.....it's socially relevant, multi-cultural, regional, unglamorous and very, very good! Also, there's an article about how the release of all the chickflicks has been delayed to coincide with Soccer Euro 2000 in the UK (3 weeks from the second week of June), to catch the honey-I'm bored-with-the game female audience. Mentions of movies starring Ben Affleck, Rupert Everett, Matthew Perry etc. No mention of RV (would not like to see it branded as a chickflick!) but it is certainly coming out during the alternative soccer season. Nor a blockbuster in sight."}, {"response": 1278, "author": "odessa", "date": "Sun, May 28, 2000 (14:15)", "body": "I found this place today and now have been reading these Firth-sections. Chats about if Firth can`t kiss and so on...this is so the right place for me! Because I live in Finland I haven`t seen many of his films (only P&P of course, Shakespeare in love and the English patient) and I was happily suprised that there was darcymania in UK."}, {"response": 1279, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, May 28, 2000 (15:17)", "body": "(t o)Because I live in Finland I haven`t seen many of his films (...) and I was happily suprised that there was darcymania in UK. Welcome t o! We are happy to count another drooler from Finland in our midst. (Mari)Don't worry, from now on I'll only post boring stuff if it has Colin's name in it. LOL! No offense to anybody, but this sounds like a worthy resolution :-P (Mary Murphy)... Relative Values has been sold in the following territories:- Distributor - Global Media Distribution Inc. Territories - ... PORTUGAL... Great! Thanks Murph. I hope to see this one at least :-)"}, {"response": 1280, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, May 29, 2000 (07:55)", "body": "(t o) I found this place today and now have been reading these Firth-sections. Chats about if Firth can`t kiss and so on...this is so the right place for me! Yes! It's always exciting when someone new finds their way here and takes teh first plunge by posting. Now and then we have some serious discussions but eventually we get around to talking about the really important issues. ;-) Kissing fits right in. Not quite what I had in mind since I personally prefer the left shoulder grinding method ala Fever Pitch. :-x0x0x0 Hoorah! Gi won't have to fly to London again to see a Colin film. Not that you'd mind."}, {"response": 1281, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 29, 2000 (08:35)", "body": "Welcome Odessa!"}, {"response": 1282, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, May 29, 2000 (08:38)", "body": "Just spotted what must be the first review of RV....and it's a good one! Was shopping for Soccer magazines (not for me!) and I noticed a new movie mag (June issue) \"Hotdog\" which is priced (initially, I think) at \ufffd1.50, which doesn't break the bank. There's an interesting rating system: 5 stars (equates with Goodfellas), 4 stars (Heat), 3 stars (Cape Fear), 2 stars (Analyse this), 1 star (New York, New York) and no stars (We're no angels). To show the relative ratings, no 5 stars, Woody Allen's \"Sweet and Lowdown\" gets 4 stars, \"Return to me\" (Minnie Driver, David Duchovny) gets no stars, and \"The Next Best thing\" (Madonna, RE) is relegated to \"also released\" and classed as \"one to take your walkman to\". \"The Ninth Gate\" (Johnny Depp) gets 3 stars as does the DVD of \"The Full Monty\". So it's quite severe rating. RV gets 3 stars. CF seems to have 2nd billing. PG certificate. Full review... \"Based on a Noel Coward stage play, RV is a very British \"comedy of manners\" that may be deeply unfashionable but benefits from perfect casting and great performances. Set in the fifties, it plays on the class culture clash between two Hollywood stars and an uptight aristocratic family, to create, as Coward would no doubt have put it, \" a positive feast of hilarity\". Balwin is superb as the bigscreen boozehound Don Lucas, Jule Andrews' cool calculating Countess is remarkable and Stephen Fry almost steals the show with his Jeeves-like butler. But it is Sophie Thompson's Moxie who blows them all away as the below stairs maid pretending to be the newly monied lady. It's no \"American Pie\", but if you like your comedy stylish, sophisticated and as dry as good Martini, then look no further\". As ever, no mention of CF, but I guess he's used to it, poor guy, from British reviewers. :-( But it's a good review....especially compared with the drubbing given to some of the other offerings. \"The Next Best Thing\" apparently opens the same week, and Buena Vista (who did absolutely nothing, and I mean nothing, for MLSF...not even a miserly arthouse distribution) are apparently spending a huge amount to promote it. All out talented webmistresses...please feel free to use the review...it's good to promote RV!"}, {"response": 1283, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, May 29, 2000 (08:51)", "body": "I found this place today and now have been reading these Firth-sections. Terve teeoo! Please post often and tell us more about what makes you Drool ;-) Encountering another Finn here (for the first time ever!) seems to coincide with the fact that P&P is having a rerun in the tv over here. It will probably give many people a fresh need to look for more information about you know who."}, {"response": 1284, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, May 29, 2000 (12:48)", "body": "Thanks for the RV review, Bethan. I have it up. Film sounds like fun. Welcome, Odessa, to the original \"firthamanic\" (and best) site on the planet. Murph Nan -- How lovely to see your name. Tell us how school has been."}, {"response": 1285, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 29, 2000 (17:28)", "body": "(Bethan), As ever, no mention of CF, but I guess he's used to it, poor guy, from British reviewers. :-( This is especially cruel because we know from his interview that he asked to play this part. I hope they were not making a statement by omiting his name as well as JS. Balwin as superb I have got to see. :-/ Keeping fingers crossed for the other reviews."}, {"response": 1286, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, May 29, 2000 (20:14)", "body": "I wrote this earlier today in response to a little dicussion on Burt Lancaster: I think the biggest difference between Burt and Colin is that Burt had the power to do mostly what he wanted to do thanks to his clout in Hollywood as one of the heads of a major independent company. Having said that, he also had the guts -- and that is the best way I can describe it -- all his acting life to choose roles that were \"heavyweight,\" and that challenged him as an actor. He did do some silly ones too, but he did them with Errol Flynn-like \ufffdlan. On of my biggest disappointments with CF's career is that he has chosen not only much lighter weight films since P&P, but also ones that are easy roles for an actor. I have not seen him on the stage, but having read comments on Caretaker, and on 3 DOR, it seems that is the place where he is most willing to take a chance. I have said before that IMO as Robert Lawrence he reached a pinnacle of daring and great acting that he has not scaled since. Donovan Quick comes the closest in recent years. I am following closely the career of Russell Crowe. I have compared him to Lancaster (physical daring and chance-taking), and I think my comparison has merit. His next film after he plays a Circus freak in Flora Plum may be \"A Brilliant Mind,\" the biography of John Nash, the brilliant Nobel Prize winner and schizophrenic. Nash was a man who roamed the Princeton campus in his bad years, dirty and disheveled, mumbling to himself. He is much improved now and teaching again, and his story is one that touches the heart. Colin could do this kind of thing too, I know he could. I wish I knew why he makes the choices he does. What does everyone think?"}, {"response": 1287, "author": "ommin", "date": "Mon, May 29, 2000 (21:39)", "body": "Trouble is Murph. I am not sure he is motivated too. I have a feeling he is happy just to be working - doing a good job of it, wipe his shoes on the door mat and leave and get on with his life, working with refugees etc. and avoiding publicity as much as possible."}, {"response": 1288, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (02:37)", "body": "Also, Murph, he must choose among the parts he is offered. He can apply to others, but maybe he is not given them."}, {"response": 1289, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (04:23)", "body": "He's just not in the \"Burt Lancaster/Russell Crowe\" league (in terms of clout). Hollywood doesn't seem to have knocked on his door, his movie performances receive very little recognition from most reviewers in the UK. I just don't think he's offered the parts he's capable of doing. He said somewhere that Darcy didn't open any doors for him...infact, I suspect some doors have closed. That's why he says he wants interesting roles and to be seen as a character actor!! \"Maid of Buttermere\" (although change the title please!) would stretch him, and \"Armadillo\" will give him a lot of screen time and the opportunity for a range of more subtle acting. But I honestly believe that it's very difficult for most British actors to fulfil their potential....that's why most of them give their best performances on stage (and radio!)."}, {"response": 1290, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (05:36)", "body": "RELATIVE VALUES PREMIERE UPDATE - Relative Values Premiere is on the 21st June, and is in aid of the NSPCC. Tickets are available by telephoning the NSPCC regional office 02075963700 for application form/Invitation. Ticets for Premiere only are \ufffd25. each"}, {"response": 1291, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (07:07)", "body": "http://www.classicfm.co.uk/pages/OutAbout/FreeTickets/relative.htm"}, {"response": 1292, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (07:13)", "body": "June 21st is his 3rd wedding anniversary. Will he attend? (Bethan), That's why he says he wants interesting roles and to be seen as a character actor!! That struck me as rather odd when I read it. Being cast as a character actor is not something many actors aspire to. Especially ambitious ones. (Murph), I have said before that IMO as Robert Lawrence he reached a pinnacle of daring and great acting that he has not scaled since. Donovan Quick comes the closest in recent years. Sadly, I do not agree on DQ. In Tumbledown, AZ and Valmont I saw his best acting skills. I also loved what he did in TEP, but that was a supporting role. Of course, we can not forget that his Mr. Darcy started this CF admiration. And because of it, HF has written his role into BJD, which may turn out to be his \"break-out\" film."}, {"response": 1293, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (07:19)", "body": "Moon. June21st is his 3rd wedding anniversay. Will he attend? I jolly well hope so, I have read somewhere that CF, JA & SF were to attend, as I have just posted my cheque!!"}, {"response": 1294, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (10:36)", "body": "(Murph)I think the biggest difference between Burt and Colin is that Burt had the power to do mostly what he wanted to do thanks to his clout in Hollywood as one of the heads of a major independent company. I can argue both sides of the fence here because, as a Colin fan, I want so much to see him in roles worthy of his ability. I want the rest of the world to catch on to our little secret (or do I? ;-p). I want to see him on the cover of People magazine and say, \"I knew him when...\" ;-p Well, maybe not People magazine, but you get the gist... On the other hand, I don't think he'd be happy as part of the Hollywood machine. He seems fairly content with his life. He earns a very respectable living doing something he loves and does well (how many people can say that?). He has enough fame to get the best seats in a theatre but not enough to prevent him from walking down the street or taking his son to a movie. It could certainly be the kind of roles he's offered, but most of the really good roles go to those who have \"star\" power. Of course, you can only be a \"star\" if you are willing to become a product and sacrifice your privacy. Perhaps the enormous success of P&P gave him a glimpse of what his life would be if his career really took off...and maybe he didn't like it. Anyway, I prefer to think of it as Colin's choice rather than a lack of interest on the part of casting directors ;-) I try to think of him in a sort of Michael Caine way. Sometimes he does movies because he needs money (and I would do the same--gotta eat ;-p) and sometimes he takes supporting roles in fine films where he gets to show his stuff and be proud. If it's okay with him, then it's okay with me. I'll watch anyway and I'm sure you will too ;-) BTW, we are doing a Virtual View of An Ideal Husband over at Pemberley and I was thinking Colin would have made an excellent Sir Chiltern, don't you think? No offense to Jeremy Northam, of course..."}, {"response": 1295, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (11:15)", "body": "http://www.classicfm.co.uk/pages/OutAbout/FreeTickets/relative.htm Hello everybody, just popping in from lurkdom. Sorry I posted that link without comment, but I did it from work, and just when I was about to write a word, everybody wanted to talk to me ;-)), and I just hit the submit button. So, this is something for our UK folks, a link to a page where you can get free tickets for private previews of RV on June 11, in London and elsewhere in the UK. They give June 23 as opening date."}, {"response": 1296, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (13:54)", "body": "(Nan) I'll watch anyway and I'm sure you will too ;-) You can bet on that! :-)"}, {"response": 1297, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (17:10)", "body": "Hi everybody...I am just back from NY and I only have one thing to say... I want Colin on Broadway SD is getting the biggest reception imaginable...At the end of TRT the audience went wild.After reading the depressing Telegraph interview, and having his two films tank (who cares if they buy SLOW, Bethan...Those turkeys stayed home and didn't support it in the theatres), Colin could use some good reviews and audience enthusiasm . The Brit audiences pale in comparison to Broadway. (And so does the compensation) He needs a project with critical and commercial success that catapults him to center court.A Tony would do it. A & DQ isn't going to do it in the US. And we all know no one goes to his films in the UK.Now they're even going back three years and picking on FP...I don't know why he doesn't defect. I sat in the NY theatre and so wished Colin was on that stage taking bows to the tumultuous response. He deserves it. I don't think he's so happy in his professional career...I think he's sadly resigned to the current state of affairs. But he wants more."}, {"response": 1298, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (17:19)", "body": "Hello and welcome Odessa. Murph, about that Burt Lancaster/Colin Firth comparision and the Burt Lancaster/Russell Crowe comparision. It is true Russell Crowe is currently an incredibly hot property. Regardless of what you think about \"Gladiator\", it is Crowe's movie and it is making him an international film star. The thing RC shares with CF is that is a fine actor, something which not all movie stars can claim. It should also be noted that it took Crowe years to get to this point. It was supposed to have happened for him about 1994/1995 due to the movies \"The Quick and the Dead\" and \"Virtuosity\". Both underperformed, and Crowe went back to Australia to work, later snagging roles in the \"LA Confidential\" and \"The Insider\". He has always been a critical favorite, and \"The Insider\" got him an Oscar nomination. So what are the differences between CF and RC? No one has really ever noted any problems in working with CF. By all accounts he is professional and personable. He does what he needs to do with a minimum of fuss. RC by contrast can be difficult. Directors have praised his work, but it can be an ordeal coping with him. By all accounts he can be an absoulute jerk, while at the same time being very generous and charming. Difficult, but worth it. The second difference is that men are more likely to have a better opinion of RC than they do CF. Lastly, and this is a biggie, RC plays the game. He is countlessly interviewed, photographed, and plugs away relentlessly at the publicity for his projects. I really don't fault CF for not doing that. I don't think he likes doing that sort of thing, nor is he comfortable with it. I think he feels himself successful. He has worked as an actor for almost twenty years, not having to augment his income with other jobs. Acting has afforded him the opportunity to support himself n financial comfort. I don't know that CF necessarily wants to be a film star, while I'm pretty sure RC very much does want it. Yes, either of them could play John Nash in \"A Brilliant Mind\". I don't, however, think CF has ever even been in consideration for the part. I hope RC gets the part, as the other name in contention is Tom Cruise. Don't get me wrong; Cruise is a good actor, but he's not in same league as Russell Crowe or Colin Firth. Either of them would be superb in the part, while Cruise would do a commendable job. Crowe is hot right now, so he probably gets it. \"A Brilliant Mind\" is also the kind of role that wins Oscars. So RC may well get his first American Academy Award as well. As for Colin Firth -- I would love to see him in something intense and dramatic. I think those are the parts in which he is his best."}, {"response": 1299, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (18:13)", "body": "while Cruise would do a commendable job. Crowe is hot right now, so he probably gets it. \"A Brilliant Mind\" is also the kind of role that wins Oscars. And that is why TC is going to fight all the way for this part. His MI2 just landed the #2 spot for all time high gross during the Memorial weekend. TC is just as hot now and it will be interesting to see who gets it. I don't know that CF necessarily wants to be a film star, He is happy as a character actor. That I do not understand."}, {"response": 1300, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (18:52)", "body": "Empire's review of RV by Patrick Peters (thanks to Martine for sharing). RELATIVE VALUES Such was the surefire nature of a Noel Coward play in the salad days of the \"talkies\" that his sophisticated comedies were snapped up for adaptation even before the first night's greasepaint had dried. However, Relative Values has taken nigh-on half a century to reach the screen, which tends to suggest that it's not on par with its peers. Those still scarred from Eric Styles's previous directorial outing, last year's Dreaming of Joseph Lees, could be forgiven for approaching this with trepidation. But, the opening segment, which establishes both the period and central characters Miranda's and Don's superstar credentials, is done with a brilliantined control that recalls the montage sequences that no selfrespecting 1930s movie was without. Natually things slow down once we reach Blighty, although the action is still taken at a decently farcical clip. Returning to the big screen for the first time since Tchin Tchin (1990), Julie Andrews remains as poised as ever. But she's spent so much time in the oh-so-clever angst-ridden chatfests of her husband, Blake Edwards, that she tends to deliver her lines like an LA luvvie. She banters effectively with man-about-town Colin Firth, but comes off second best to Sophie Thompson, who twitters beautifully as Moxie, the devoted domestic rendered distinctly uncomfortable by her sudden elevation to the peerage. With Stephen Fry and Edward Atterton contributing a second-division Jeeves and Wooster act, the film reaches its quotient of gentle smiles. But such is the precision and polish of the performances that it's obvious everyone is acting, instead of inhabiting their long-gone world. ANY GOOD? Rigidly adhering to the comedy of manners formula, this is inescapably a filmed play. Quips are tossed off and insults exchanged impeccably. But, with the cast performing like an amateur dramatic troupe, there's far more starch than sparkle on show. * * (fair)"}, {"response": 1301, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (19:02)", "body": "The second difference is that men are more likely to have a better opinion of RC than they do CF. Lastly, and this is a biggie, RC plays the game. He is countlessly interviewed, photographed, and plugs away relentlessly at the publicity for his projects. (Cheryl) I think that one of CF's problems in the UK is that most men don't like him, and as virtually all reviewers are male, the hostility spills over into dismissive reviews (which do have an impact). Men admire and prefer actors like Tom Cruise, Ewan McGregor, Robert Carlyle etc because they play macho roles. CF's other \"problem\", if you can call it that, is that he is just not a natural self promoter. I just hope that BJD is a huge success in the States, and he gets the opportunity to experience some genuine US enthusiasm! Although apparently Kathleen Turner has been receiving standing ovations every night...we just don't give them to homegrown actors slogging their guts out for \ufffd25 per performance (\ufffd200 divided by eight!)"}, {"response": 1302, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (19:04)", "body": "(Moon) And that is why TC is going to fight all the way for this part. His MI2 just landed the #2 spot for all time high gross during the Memorial weekend. TC is just as hot now and it will be interesting to see who gets it. Russell Crowe is ascendant right now, and his asking price is lower. Big advantage. Finally, he is, at the very least, twice the actor Tom Cruise will ever be. He (Colin Firth) is happy as a character actor. That I do not understand. I can understand it, to a point. He wants his life to be his own. I really don't think he has the stomach, or the personality to play the publicity game. I think he may well find it distasteful and dull. Acting is his job. It may well be a job he loves, but when he's done with a character, he's done with the project. He wants to move on to something else. As noted acting is his job, not hawking his wares."}, {"response": 1303, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (19:09)", "body": "But such is the precision and polish of the performances that it's obvious everyone is acting, instead of inhabiting their long-gone world. This is Noel Coward...it's not the real world, never was. However, Relative Values has taken nigh-on half a century to reach the screen, which tends to suggest that it's not on par with its peers. I read that the copyright to RV only became available in 1999, enaabling it to be freely adapted for screen. As CF would say \"Do. Your. F****** Homework.\" Those still scarred from Eric Styles's previous directorial outing, last year's Dreaming of Joseph Lees, could be forgiven for approaching this with trepidation. \"Joseph Lees\" actually got quite good reviews for direction/photography, and Samantha Morton got a Best Actress award for it... the screenplay was criticised, and the plot was rather bizarre."}, {"response": 1304, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (20:04)", "body": "Regarding Colin wanting to be a character actor - perhaps he views character actors as having more longevity in the business? And could this be an influence of working with the likes of Donald Pleasance, Lawrence Olivier, Peter O'Toole and Anthony Hopkins so early in his career? Could his problem with self-promotion be related to the fact that he had such great roles and reviews early on in his career? Was early success too easy, so that he didn't have to chase roles? He never learned how to play the game because he didn't need to? Lots of questions and speculations, no answers... Blah blah blah :-)"}, {"response": 1305, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (20:05)", "body": "He deserves it. I don't think he's so happy in his professional career...I think he's sadly resigned to the current state of affairs.But he wants more. I think he wants/needs more challenging roles and more critical recognitition. I always remember the camera panning onto him about 15 minutes after he hadn't won a BAFTA....you could see how disappointed he was. And I don't really believe he wants to \"haunt the margins\"!"}, {"response": 1306, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (20:09)", "body": "Agree with you about character actors, Donna...they have a very long shelf life! And it's true it is all speculation, but I quite enjoy it (even though I'm most probably wrong!):-)"}, {"response": 1307, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (20:41)", "body": "Meant to tell everyone that thanks to Martine, I have the RV poster on my news page. He is on it! http://www.geocities.com/firthfan/news2.html Thanks everyone for responding to the CF/RC/BL thing. All most interesting."}, {"response": 1308, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (22:34)", "body": "(Evelyn) Hi everybody...I am just back from NY and I only have one thing to say... I want Colin on Broadway SD is getting the biggest reception imaginable...At the end of TRT the audience went wild. And Colin certainly has the looks and talent to be a success on Broadway, not to mention that the US reviewers wouldn't be biased against him! Quite the opposite, I bet they would love his easy manner and droll sense of humor. He just needs a bit more theater experience under his belt and the right vehicle. And Rosie O'Donnell would go ga-ga over him! Gone would be Tom Cruise as her favorite cutie-patutie. I bet he could charm the panties right off her, with just a flash of his slight overbite and those gorgeous dimples :-) I think the thing that Stephen Dillane and Ralph Fiennes may have in common is their extensive stage work and cultivating relationships in the theater, working with respected companies or directors, repeatedly. So when a plum role comes up, they are immediately considered for the part. Colin stayed away from theater too long, so he has some catching up to do. I hate to be repetitive, but Evelyn is right. The audience loves SD. I suspect he is getting a standing-o daily at this point (I saw again on Sunday, a few days after E., and up went the audience to their feet). He has become the talk of the town, so all the Hollywood biggies are showing up in the audience. I am sure he and the rest of the cast are quite overwhelmed by the response. So I'm hoping that Colin's role in BJD, however small, will open the doors the way they were opened for Rupert Everett after My Best Friend's Wedding. And if it doesn't, I think he should go back to the theater and plug away. Ok, I'm done :-)"}, {"response": 1309, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (22:45)", "body": "From the Independent on Sunday (28 May 2000): IT WAS 12 YEARS AGO TODAY: FALKLANDS DRAMA 'TUMBLEDOWN' PROVOKES PUBLIC OUTRAGE BY CHARLOTTE EDWARDS Britain was still licking its Falklands War wounds when, this week in 1988, the BBC broadcast Tumbledown. Based on Scots Guard Robert Lawrence's account of the assault on Mount Tumbledown in June 1982, the film starred the then little-known Colin Firth as Lawrence, who had sustained serious injuries in the attack. Was Tumbledown based on fact or fiction? Before the film was screened, Captain James Stuart contested a scene which, he felt, clearly identified him as an officer who encourages desertion. Stuart won a legal battle for the sequence - which \"just did not happen\" - to be cut. Tumbledown's director, Richard Eyre, said the film deliberately rejected a \"balanced\" account of events, and was intended to be \"deeply political\" (Sunday Telegraph). But producer Richard Broke insisted: \"Tumbledown is not meant to be a documentary. . . It's a play acted by actors\" (Sunday Times). Government ministers worried that the film would question Britain's involvement in the Falklands conflict, despite assurance from the BBC that the content was \"absolutely non-political\" (Sunday Telegraph). Response to the drama - shown on 31 May - was mixed. Some viewers claimed its criticism of army officials was \"blatantly unpatriotic\" (Star) and \"an insult to the brave lads who fought for this country\" (Daily Mail). But others applauded Tumbledown for raising questions about the treatment of Falklands veterans. Former Scots Guard John Clark said: \"I am chuffed that at last the horrors of the war are coming out\" (Daily Mirror). There was little assessment of Tumbledown's merits as television. Colin Firth - later to set pulses racing as Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice - hardly got a look-in. But Mark Lawson commented that, were it not for the film's \"deliberate ambiguity\", the occasion would have been hailed as \"another night for British television to be proud of\" (Independent)."}, {"response": 1310, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (02:20)", "body": "(Nan)If it's okay with him, then it's okay with me. I'll watch anyway and I'm sure you will too ;-) Nan, I agree up to a point but I do wish he would appear in films that were of interest to my DH or friends. SIL and EP, fine, but SLOW, MLSF, Londinium, and also RV unless it gets some really good reviews - I am really getting fed up of going to the cinema by myself!"}, {"response": 1311, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (07:13)", "body": "Could his problem with self-promotion be related to the fact that he had such great roles and reviews early on in his career? Was early success too easy, so that he didn't have to chase roles? He never learned how to play the game because he didn't need to? You might have something there, Donna! (Bethan), I think he wants/needs more challenging roles and more critical recognitition. I always remember the camera panning onto him about 15 minutes after he hadn't won a BAFTA....you could see how disappointed he was. Charater actors only get challenging roles when they break out of being character actors. That is the point I was trying to make before. That is why I do not understand why he would say he is happy to be a character actor. (Donna), I think he should go back to the theater and plug away. I agree! I am interested in seeing what SD does after his big Broadway success."}, {"response": 1312, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (10:49)", "body": "(Donna) Colin stayed away from theater too long, so he has some catching up to do. Yes -- and he has more-or-less attributed this to his inability to do long runs. That, BTW, is something that's always puzzled me a bit -- I'm not sure what he considers a \"long run.\" In its Donmar run, TRT opened at the end of May and ran till August. Seems like that kind of run -- school vacation months --would fit nicely into his parenting schedule."}, {"response": 1313, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (11:00)", "body": "I meant to add -- it would fit nicely assuming he was able to have his son with him during that no-school period -- i.e. he wouldn't have to worry about the run preventing him from making visits to L.A."}, {"response": 1314, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (11:36)", "body": "I think he and Livia now take Will to Umbria for the Summer don't they? Either way I agree that stage work is an excellent way forward, and it will certainly be interesting, as Evelyn says, to see the impact TRT has on SD's career. I mean no one exactly remembers him for his Joanna Trollope adaptions do they?? It would be a great move for CF to be directed by Sam Mendes back at the Donmar."}, {"response": 1315, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (12:16)", "body": "That is why I do not understand why he would say he is happy to be a character actor. Consistency in his interviews is not one of ODB attributes. He tends to change with the wind."}, {"response": 1316, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (12:18)", "body": "VCR Alert \"Another Country\" will shown on the Sundance Channel this Saturday @ 7:30pm (EST), again on the 6th and 25th. http://www.sundancechannel.com/category/tin#screenings \"Camille\" will be shown on the Romance Classics Channel tomorrow @ 6pm (EST). http://romanceclassics.com/programming/index.html"}, {"response": 1317, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (12:22)", "body": "The Sundance Channel misdirected to me the wrong page ... just click on the Sundance Channel, then program guide, film finder, and feature film ... hope that works."}, {"response": 1318, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (12:39)", "body": "Evelyn, do I detect some disenchantment with ODB?"}, {"response": 1319, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (12:51)", "body": "(Gi)Evelyn, do I detect some disenchantment with ODB? No...after all these years, I know him too well. One time he says he's happy and the next he has an insurmountable list of \"I want to be...\" I don't think he means to be diliberately disingenuous, I don't think he has a clue"}, {"response": 1320, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (14:14)", "body": "Wonderful review for RV in this month's \"Film Review\" 4 stars out of 5 stars \"NC was a playwright, screenwriter, director and songwriter of genius. He wrote camp, bitchy, contrived, furiously-plotted little farces and comedies which more than stand the test of time. Even the most ambling third-rate, am-dram production of say, Private Lives, exudes a wit and verbal sophistication that comes straight from the words the great man put on the page. The plot is simple English Earl plans to marry Hollywood actress. He takes her to meet his family, while pursued by her ex-lover, chaos ensues. It would be so easy to put the success of adaptation of Coward's Fifties comedy of manners down to The Master himself; easy, but unfair. No the enjoyment to be had from RV (and that enjoyment is considerable) is due to the sympathetic adaption of the script, the \"sunhy day\" atmosphere of the country retreat setting, and terrific ensemble casting. It has been an age since JA graced the silver screen and she clearly relishes her typical Coward matriarch figure, but brings to her a warmth and yes, light sexiness that works wonderfully. JT makes me drool, frankly, and as Miranda Frayle, Hollywood superstar, she gives a knock-out self-mocking turn that might rank as her best screen work to date. WB also demonstrates an admirable ability to laugh at both himself and the cliches of his profession, while hinting at the humanity behind the stardom. In Coward's own role of Peter, COLIN FIRTH, sex symbol and TV icon, is cast against thoroughly against type - and clearly revels in it. Whether changing sly looks and pink gins, sneering at his family or conspiring with the maid, FIRTH IS A DELIGHT. The family butler is SF. He could do this in his sleep, but no one else could do it so well, so it's nice to have him on board. Everyone else chips in with bright, convincing, appropriate performances and the period detail is exquisite. As well as examing an older type of film making, RV evokes it. Simply done, charmingly played and clocking in at just under an hour and a half, it's an absolute pleasure. Jim Smith\""}, {"response": 1321, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (14:26)", "body": "Now *that's* the type of excellent review we want to see! Thanks Ann."}, {"response": 1322, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (15:34)", "body": "Thanks Ann. How happy and proud I feel for ODB. And looking forwards to seeing this film :-)"}, {"response": 1323, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (16:27)", "body": "Some positive news Ann, thank you. Here's to more of them. Renate, thanks to posting the site for preview tickets. Sadly I'm out of area but hope that someone will go on June 11th."}, {"response": 1324, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (16:36)", "body": "Now *that's* the type of excellent review we want to see! Yeah...'cept I don't like to see him viewed as \"Sex Symbol and TV icon\". And I wonder if he does...."}, {"response": 1325, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (16:53)", "body": "(Evelyn) I don't like to see him viewed as \"Sex Symbol and TV icon\". I guess he is, though... So why not accept and make the best of it? :-)"}, {"response": 1326, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (17:03)", "body": "Ah, that's what I like to see! This could be a winner...at least for those over 21! \"Film Review\" has a slightly more mature readership, I think. BTW..re. that rather churlish and incoherent \"Empire\" review....what on earth is an LA luvvie? I'll be seeing MLSF next week. Hopefully, RV will go on natiowide release. To see two CF movies in a month would border on a miracle!"}, {"response": 1327, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (18:28)", "body": "Re: Encore Media Group and Relative Values Yes, cable rights have been sold to Encore, but RV is NOT going straight to cable. Encore will have it AFTER the theatrical release. No US distrib yet; are still screening it for potential buyers."}, {"response": 1328, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (19:23)", "body": "Whew! Thanks, Karen. I couldn't fathom how this one would go straight to cable and am greatly relieved to hear they're shopping it for the big screen here. Will be even more greatly relieved when big screen buyer is found.;-) And speaking of RV . . .has anyone checked out the new poster on Murph's site? Bet the Ed Atterton fan club (if there is such a thing) is up in arms!;-)"}, {"response": 1329, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (19:29)", "body": "Sorry, more about the RV poster. Can anyone read the name of the publication in the lower right corner, from which they've pulled a great review quote?"}, {"response": 1330, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (19:43)", "body": "Looks like \"New Woman\" Here's the poster from Murph's site. Hope she doesn't mind. BTW, Atterton IS the guy who used to be with Salma Hayek."}, {"response": 1331, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (19:44)", "body": "Actually, shoulda pushed Billy Boy off poster. Is he the ugliest Baldwin or what? Can't keep track of them. ;-)"}, {"response": 1332, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (20:35)", "body": "(Evelyn) I don't like to see him viewed as \"Sex Symbol and TV icon\". (Gi)I guess he is, though... So why not accept and make the best of it? :-) IMO this dilutes his stature as a serious actor... Besides...I nevah accept what I don't approve of;-) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Actually, shoulda pushed Billy Boy off poster. Is he the ugliest Baldwin or what? Looks like he's on drugs.Cute of Colin though..."}, {"response": 1333, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (21:14)", "body": "Karen: Re the RV Poster: I don't mind at all. Martine sent it to me, and I reduced it in size. I'll ask her for the bigger file again to see if we can read the small print."}, {"response": 1334, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (04:20)", "body": "I have just recieved my application form for tickets to NC Relative Values Uk Charity Film Premiere in \"the company of Julia Andrews, Colin Firth (thank goodness), William Baldwin and Stephen Fry\". yippee"}, {"response": 1335, "author": "ommin", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (04:38)", "body": "Ann, enjoy and have a wonderful time - we will be with you in spirit if not in the flesh (sigh)! We await with anticipation all you experience."}, {"response": 1336, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (07:28)", "body": "Ann, you did a great job at the SIL premiere and we expect great things from RV. Thanks and have a ball! Love CF in the RV poster, but you all know how much I adore Geoffrey and it does come very close. :-)"}, {"response": 1337, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (10:31)", "body": "Ann, how wonderful that you'll be going to the premiere! Do you think you can ask CF whether they'll film any BJ scenes in Albufeira?0-)"}, {"response": 1338, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (12:17)", "body": "Here is that close up from the RV poster. It is New Woman Magazine."}, {"response": 1339, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (15:47)", "body": "Ann...you are really racking up the Premieres....SIL,SLOW...now RV. Proud of you.Sounds like a terrific show. As they say on Broadway \"Enjoy the ride\";-)"}, {"response": 1340, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (16:10)", "body": "Premiere in \"the company of Julia Andrews, Colin Firth WOW Ann! Just to imagine seeing Colin again in the flesh and having a chance to watch his movie in the same audience with him....wonderful. And if RV really is as good as is expected, it\ufffds going to be a great experience."}, {"response": 1341, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (16:19)", "body": "Thanks Elena, wish all my Reunion friends could be with me though."}, {"response": 1342, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (16:36)", "body": "Hi Ann Just want to add my \"have a great time\". Have to admit I'm a bit jealous ;-)"}, {"response": 1343, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (16:48)", "body": "It sounds as though it will be a marvellous evening, Ann. A night to remember! We might even catch a glimpse of you on GMTV. I think that there will be a lot of publicity for Dame Julie..and the rest of the cast, of course! I was very impressed by JA when she was interviewed after receiving her damedom from the Queen. A very gracious lady. I really like the RV poster, although it reminds me of \"there were six in the bed, and the little one said 'move over'\"......a tight squeeze! Colin looks very youthful. He and Ed Atterton look as though they could be cousins...some similarities in looks."}, {"response": 1344, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (19:43)", "body": "Yep, that says New Woman--that will be a good review to look for. Thanks, Karen and Murph. (Karen) Is he the ugliest Baldwin or what? Can't keep track of them. ;-) IMO, they're all the same Baldwin. No one has ever seen them in the same room at the same time.;-) Colorful poster, if a bit crowded; not sure if Peter is gay but he sure is uxurious.;-) Still feel bad for poor Ed, doesn't even get his name on the thing. Ann, so happy for you getting to go to the premiere! Very exciting--you're a great rep for Spring!"}, {"response": 1345, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (08:02)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1346, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (12:47)", "body": "Just seen another very good review for RV (4 stars), CF mentioned specifically..and very positive. Also long interview with JA, with interesting RV mentions. Pics of CF/JA in both. Am busy...will post later!"}, {"response": 1347, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (13:44)", "body": "A young Firth fan from Hong Kong found this Japanese actor book at a used book stall and sent us the scanned pictures. I have them on one page. It is slow loading, but worth it, I think. The beautiful final picture is the one the Three Deer had on their site earlier on. http://www.geocities.com/firthfan/cfyoung.html"}, {"response": 1348, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (15:17)", "body": "Is that a young Kenneth Branaugh in the pix with the girl? Who is the girl? Bethan look forward to seeing those pictures."}, {"response": 1349, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (15:43)", "body": "Moon: That's Natasha Richardson in AMITC with Branagh and CF. Murph"}, {"response": 1350, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (15:48)", "body": "But of course! Thanks, Murph."}, {"response": 1351, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (17:10)", "body": "Thanks Murph...I think that Hong Kong fan used to come to the chat room."}, {"response": 1352, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (02:44)", "body": "My DH woke me this morning with a cup of tea and the newspaper (nice man) and I blearily opened it to be confronted with two large photographs of Tony Blair next to our very own DB. Finding it difficult to focus so early, I feared that finally Colin had become a labour luvvie or had signed up to cool Brittania. However the story concerns plans by the BBC to make a film which follows the take over of the modernisers within the Labour party and the election of Tony Blair as leader. It finishes with the general election landslide. It says that that the role of Tony Blair has been linked with Colin. The star turn of Peter Mandelson they are talking of Kevin Spacey (where is the Beeb going to get that sort of money). Jeremy Irons is also being talked of for a role (I would have thought that he would be a much more credible Tony Blair - sorry). Lots more on this but too long to post. I'll pop over tot he Times website and see if it is there."}, {"response": 1353, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (03:08)", "body": "Andrew Pierce on new Labour theatre \ufffd Tony Blair may find his part in the drama played by Colin Firth, who won plaudits for his dashing Mr Darcy Photograph: SAMANTHA PEARCE / PA Labour drama to upstage Tories THE BBC is heading for a fresh row over alleged political bias after commissioning a television drama about the triumphant emergence of Tony Blair as Labour leader, to be shown in the run-up to the general election. The programme will dramatise the tensions among the modernisers during the two-year leadership of John Smith and will conclude with the election landslide of May 1997. Senior Tories predicted last night that the programme could trigger one of the biggest rows between the party and the BBC since the selection as Director-General of Greg Dyke, who gave \ufffd55,000 to new Labour. \"The programme will be monitored very closely,\" said one senior Tory last night. The programme, which has no agreed title, will be directed by Peter Kosminsky, one of Britain's most prominent film-makers. Last year Mr Kosminsky directed the award-winning Warriors, the powerful series about British peacekeeping operations in Bosnia. Neil Kinnock, Mr Smith and Mr Blair will all have starring roles in the drama-documentary, but artistic licence will be used in depicting their actions and their characters will be given different names. \"They will be easily identifiable,\" one BBC executive said last night. \"You will be able to tell Kinnock, Smith and Blair from a mile off.\" Colin Firth, who played the dashing Mr Darcy in the acclaimed BBC production of Pride and Prejudice, has been linked with the role of the new Labour leader. The Oscar-winning Jeremy Irons, who has impeccable Blairite credentials and has been to the Labour luvvie parties at Downing Street, has also been named in connection with the project. The star turn in the programme will be the character based on Peter Mandelson, the orchestrator-in-chief of Labour's modernisation. The name of Kevin Spacey, star of the Oscar-winning film American Beauty and an old hand on the London stage, was being touted around the BBC yesterday as the ideal candidate to play Mr Mandelson. The programme will be shown in prime time on BBC1 next year. The precise timing will be determined by the date of the general election. The extraordinary rise in importance in Labour Party politics of the pager, the spin doctor, and public relations advisers will be charted. But while the drama will give off the whiff of the corridors of power, it will unfold in true kitchen-sink style. The writers plan to tell the story of Labour's modernisation through the experiences of three friends who share a house and plot Labour's rebirth from the rubble of the 1983 election disaster. The Friends-style arrangement of apparatchiks at home is modelled directly on the Eighties living arrangements of Mr Mandelson, his ally Colin Byrne, who was a Labour Party press officer, and Mr Byrne's former partner, Julie Hall, who was Mr Kinnock's press secretary. The drama will use the different personalities to help to bring alive the rows within Labour over which direction the party should take, with re-creations of the strategic discussions on the minimum wage and income tax levels interspersed with high personal drama. The BBC research team is talking to people who worked for Labour between 1985 and 1997 to ensure that the script is as true to life as possible. Some of their targets, however, have already been written into the script. Philip Gould, the advertising millionaire who conducts Mr Blair's focus groups and persuaded Mr Kinnock to stop smoking in public, will be easy to spot. \"He will be projected as a shiny-suited adman who has the gift of the gab,\" the BBC source said. Some of the BBC's most informative sources include figures no longer constrained by the need to be discreet. One such is Derek Draper, who worked for Mr Mandelson, but fell from grace after becoming embroiled in the cash-for-access row involving paid lobbyists and ministers. The writers of the drama acknowledge that David Hare's play Absence of War has trodden similar territory, with its thinly veiled depiction of Mr Kinnock in the 1992 election. The new project will bring the story of Labour's modernisation bang up to date, but even though the drama will end happily for Labour this time, there are still risks. The detailed nature of Mr Hare's portrait of the Labour leadership led to the left-wing playwright being shunned by the party establishment. Mr Hare had been given unparalleled access to Mr Kinnock in the run-up to the general election. John Thaw played Mr Kinnock at the national theatre, but the Labour leadership was appalled by the result. Mr Kinnock was projected as a verbose Welshman, uncomfortable in the double-breasted suits that his advisers had ordered him to wear, a leader who no longer knew what he stood for. Mr Hare was banned from the 1997 Labour Party election bandwaggon by Alastair Campbell, Mr Blair's press secretary. The"}, {"response": 1354, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (03:10)", "body": "Sorry that was a bit of a double posting mess. Hope you can fathom it out."}, {"response": 1355, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (03:30)", "body": "wow!I hope this doesn't mean the postponement of Armadillo but thanks Allison."}, {"response": 1356, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (03:43)", "body": "For someone who has just woken up, you've been very quick off the mark, Allison! I saw the news item but had to read it several times to understand it! I thought that Colin had gone into politics! It all sounds very interesting. As far as I can understand, the BBC has commissioned a major drama about events leading up to the Labour victory in 1997, with characters based on Labour personalities, but not called the same name. ie there will be a dashing young Prime Minister designate, a Machiaveilian figure etc. CF is mooted to play the PM, Kevin Stacey his Machiaveili. The programme will be directed by Peter Kominsky, one of Britain's most prominent film makers who directed \"Warriors\" for the BBC. \"Warriors\" was very good (about the Bosnian conflict) and very serious. This implies that the new drama would not be a light-hearted affectionate satire, but have serious targets amd be very well written. All-in-all, it is guaranteed to be hugely contraversial in the UK (although not globally) to generate enormous interest/discussion (is the BBC biased etc), and to attract a large audience, especially if CF is \"Blair\". Could also attract some attention internationally. A thumbs up. Back to RV (am distracted by Blair Firth!)... New Woman gave RV 4 stars, its highest rating. It panned Madonna and RE's latest, also Minnie Driver and David Duchovny, but was all praise for RV. \"Great performances make RV a compelling comedy which will really crease you up.\" The role of Peter \"is played hysterically\" (ie he is hysterically funny not subject to hysteria!) by CF. Woman and Home had long interview with JA. She loved making RV. The cast became very close knit...bonded like a family. She became the \"mum\" figure (they used to call her \"mum\") and dispensed advice even when it wasn't needed. RV is described as \"charming\". JA and husband attended a special screening in LA. Review and interview have the same pic (heads only) of CF and JA together... the one where Colin is grinning. It's already up on the net."}, {"response": 1357, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (03:50)", "body": "The programme doen't have a title so far..how about the Blair Mandelson Project? I would think CF would be very keen to do it...it's in the same mould as \"Tumbledown\" and \"Hostages\"..playing real contemporay figures."}, {"response": 1358, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (04:01)", "body": "Me again.....this is all so-o-o interesting. \"The plan is to show it in the run up to the General Election\" This would be next year 2001, when? June? Makes it even more controversial, and politically significant."}, {"response": 1359, "author": "odessa", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (05:05)", "body": "I`m feeling sad: today will be the last episode of P&P and then- no more Darcy/CF ! Well, next time I have to record it and I have seen it 3 times already (but that`s not enough!). Now I just have to comfort myself by hanging in here :)"}, {"response": 1360, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (07:58)", "body": "Television, more television? Gaaa *shaking head* Well, at least I can console myself that this is probably just spin, using name names to generate some interest in the project. Come on, Kevin Spacey, Jeremy Irons and Colin! Same as they do for all Hollywood projects, using the name of whoever is the current hot properties. Might as well say that Matt Damon (has Tony Blair's ears) and Ben Affleck (Mandelson) are being considered for the roles. ;-)"}, {"response": 1361, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (08:01)", "body": "Here are the pics of Colin and Blair, accompanying the online article (are they the same as in print?):"}, {"response": 1362, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (08:19)", "body": "yes. What's wrong with TV Karen, at least we get to see it in reasonable time and we can always record it for our US friends.(DQ excepted)"}, {"response": 1363, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (10:56)", "body": "What's wrong with TV Karen, at least we get to see it in reasonable time and we can always record it for our US friends.(DQ excepted) I'm not Karen...but I hate to see him pidgeon-holed into UK television. I know we get to see him...but who else? Do we matter? Aren't we being a little selfish? Time to graduate, Colin...Take the theatre/film route"}, {"response": 1364, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (11:04)", "body": "As far as I can see, this is the full review from New Woman: Julie Andrews plays an aristocrat who's peeved when her son introduces a classy Hollywood actress (Jeanne Tripplehorn) as his fiancee. Turns out Jeanne's a sham from Stepney, and the sister of the maid. With the butler (Stephen Fry) , his nephew (played hysterically by Colin Firth) and Tripplehorn's ex (William Baldwin), Julie sets about exposing Jeanne as a working-class bint. Great performances make it a compelling comedy that will crease you up. ******** (Ann) What's wrong with TV a) Ralph Fiennes wouldn't do it. b) Ralph Fiennes wouldn't do it. c) Ralph Fiennes wouldn't do it. at least we get to see it in reasonable time If Colin were in better films, they wouldn't sit on the shelf so long looking for distributors. Hot properties get on the screen as fast as possible or are plugged way in advance for prime release season (December)."}, {"response": 1365, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (11:24)", "body": "I'm not Karen...but I hate to see him pidgeon-holed into UK television. Character actors get a lot of TV work. I agree with you, Allison, Jeremy Irons does seem like a better choice to play Blair. I can only think of Mrs. Blair insisting CF play her DH because like us she loves Mr. Darcy. ;-D I hope RV is still playing in in London when I visit in July."}, {"response": 1366, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (11:29)", "body": "I'm not Karen...but I hate to see him pidgeon-holed into UK television. Character actors get a lot of TV work. Not ones that do starring roles.And that's what I want him to do.. But I seem to be in the minority here...."}, {"response": 1367, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (11:36)", "body": "I think Moon was being facetious"}, {"response": 1368, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (12:08)", "body": "Which isn't quite the same thing as being a sea fish."}, {"response": 1369, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (13:30)", "body": "I think Moon was being facetious Sorry....hey Moon...you gotta put a *winkie* or I think you're serious. Oh...heck I don't care...he can always go on to be on \"The Eastenders\" or be Daffodil's co-star on \"Keeping Up Appearances\" or if he's lucky take over from Mr. Bean... and then they can see him nightly !!!"}, {"response": 1370, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (13:35)", "body": "Oh...heck I don't care...he can always go on to be on \"The Eastenders\" or be Daffodil's co-star on \"Keeping Up Appearances\" or if he's lucky take over from Mr. Bean... and then they can see him nightly!!! Evelyn, I think your winkie is missing. ;-)"}, {"response": 1371, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (13:57)", "body": "co-star on \"Keeping Up Appearances and next time he meets Karen \"oh no, it's that Bucket woman again!\";-)"}, {"response": 1372, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (14:24)", "body": "I'm calling it \"The Bouquet\" these days. ;-)"}, {"response": 1373, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (15:33)", "body": "I dunno, am I the only one who's really keen on the New Project? These politico-dramas are always done very well (it's ages since the BBC has done anything like this) are thought-provoking and have lots of teeth. They are not just mild bio-pics...there's an edge. And this will undoubtably get a huge amount lots of publicity and will be taken very seriously by the media. Eye of the storm stuff, not haunting the margins. And if CF, Kevin Spacey and Jeremy Irons (too world-weary looking for Blair) are involved it will be even more high profile (and should be sold world-wide). And the director is very well respected. I actually don't see anything wrong in mixing good TV, film and theatre. Ralph Fiennes appeared in a one hour drama about Marcel Proust on BBC2 a couple of months ago (so he does do TV!). CF's got BJD and RV up-coming, so his film profile is high. And compared with the Brit movies which are sucessfully hitting the multiplexes at the moment (puerile would be an understatement!) even \"Londinium\" may not be as bad as feared! Might surprise you yet! RV is being promoted by Classic FM ( a very popular UK radio statio, featuring classical music, 6 million listeners.) Ann, I don't think the Blair programme would upset plans for \"Armadillo\" ...there's lots of time ahead!"}, {"response": 1374, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (17:26)", "body": "Actually, Bethan, I am with you, a good mix of television, film and theatre and actually not counting TTOTS when was the last time he was on the TV, Nostromo? so he is hardly over doing the TV. I hope, however, that it does not affect Armadillo as I think it will be great for him to work with SB again."}, {"response": 1375, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (19:51)", "body": "I agree too, Bethan, on those political type series. The Politician's Wife garnered a BAFTA for Juliet Stevenson, didn't it? This seems like a heavy duty production, but I am a bit confused. Is this seen as a coup for Labour? Will they use it to help in their campaign? I'm not sure I think that is quite fair...but then I'm an old political activist, and nothing is fair in politics! Evelyn -- you are not alone in wishing every day that the man would get going and seek out one of those block buster projects - on screen or stage. Look at Gabriel Byrne - a wonderful screen actor now up for a Tony tomorrow for Moon For The Misbegotten, or at Clive Owen, who made people note his presence with Croupier, or at Russell Crowe, for heaven's sake, or the aforementioned RF. This is IMO, of course. Others seem to be satisfied with his character actor status. And maybe BJD will give him that big push he needs. Murph"}, {"response": 1376, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (04:29)", "body": "( Bethan)I dunno, am I the only one who's really keen on the New Project? No. I was quite happy with it too. (Murph)...I am a bit confused. Is this seen as a coup for Labour? Will they use it to help in their campaign? Most films about politics and politicians are not usually very favourable...I can't see Colin agreeing to play a faultless Blair, God's gift to Britain, besieged by old corrupt politicians but able to keep his purity through all the battles... Arrrgh!"}, {"response": 1377, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (06:58)", "body": "Most films about politics and politicians are not usually very favourable...I can't see Colin agreeing to play a faultless Blair, God's gift to Britain, besieged by old corrupt politicians but able to keep his purity through all the battles... Arrrgh! Agreed. One of the guys the writers/researchers are talking to is Derek Draper who was Mandelson's hennchman and then unceremoniuosly dumped. He is now well known for his dislike of his former boss...and for his knowledge of inside dealings in New Labour.. This will be \"warts and all\" and cutting edgse stuff, and could be political dynamite. \"The Politician's Wife\" was pure ficion, this will be fact as fiction...maybe nearer to \"To play the King\" (Ian Richardson as Francis Urquardt) which had several thinly veiled attacks on leading politicians. Playing Tony Blair in the run up to the election could be extremely challenging for CF, in more senses than one. This will be a programme that will be centre stage."}, {"response": 1378, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (06:59)", "body": "Sorry...done in haste! S-o-o many typos!"}, {"response": 1379, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (07:54)", "body": "The RV website now has a section of news items about the movie. They're mostly one liners so far and about Julie Andrews. Go here to check the list (need to pick up Tatler and Harpers & Queen for June): http://www.relative-values.com/news/summary.html One of interest was from Baz from March 3rd: \"Julie Andrews ... displays marvellous comic timing in the film of Noel Coward's Relative Values.\" \"Director Eric Styles gives the film, which opens in the summer, a glossy lustre ...\" \"Sophie Thompson, Colin Firth and Stephen Fry are also spiffing.\""}, {"response": 1380, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (07:59)", "body": "(TO)I`m feeling sad: today will be the last episode of P&P and then- no more Darcy/CF ! Oh no, I missed it! Totally forgot it but luckily I have the video. TO, I\ufffdm sure you know that you can order the two-pack video via the internet if you like. Haven\ufffdt seen it on sale anywhere in Finland. Try www.videoplusdirect.co.uk (Karen)Television, more television? Gaaa (Karen)a) Ralph Fiennes wouldn't do it. (Karen)If Colin were in better films Careerwise, I don\ufffdt see anything wrong with more TV work if it\ufffds as good as this Blair Project sounds to me. Ralph Fiennes wouldn\ufffdt do it because he\ufffds getting good roles in good movies all the time but as we know, Colin isn\ufffdt so it\ufffds great if he\ufffds getting them in the TV. Let\ufffds face it, Colin has to do what he\ufffds offered and his biggest international breakthrough so far was in the TV, not in films (yet). (Moon)Jeremy Irons does seem like a better choice to play Blair. But I do think there\ufffds something similar in Tony and Colin but I can\ufffdt say exactly what. It has happened to me a couple of times that TB\ufffds face in a paper has made me blink for a fraction of a second because I\ufffdve thought it\ufffds Colin!!"}, {"response": 1381, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (09:50)", "body": "The New Project Cool! Blair should be flattered as hell. And what great company. I agree, Elena, I think Colin and Blair aren't that far off and in 1997 Blair was what...44? 45? Catching up on the interesting comments on CF's career. I agree with most of what you said but one point that may not have been brought up is that the roles that Colin chooses may look a lot more interesting than what we end up seeing on the screen. Colin finds the complexity in each of his characters and usually manages to convey the many layers. Some of his films have turned into dogmenat but I'm sure he expected more from them. As far as being a character actor, I don't think that's his goal at this stage. I think his facetious nature is misinterpreted (again) by the interviewer. We know he wanted the Will Shakespeare part but became too old as the project dragged on. He took the next most interesting part and will continue looking for interesting parts whether they be star-making vehicles or 6th banana roles. It's our loss, I suppose, but I think he's very happy. That's not to say he's not dissappointed when the end result's not what he expected. I don't think Relative Values will be a hit. (OK, you can stop counting how many times I've been wrong before.) It was a chance for Colin to bring Noel Coward to the screen and you can bet he found something about the role that's different from what he's done before and I don't mean the hairdressing part. If he doesn't go to the premiere because it's on his anniversary, then he's a big wussy. Maybe that's why the date is now changed to June 23. '-) Ann, you're a doll to go to the premiere and bring us back a report. (Karen) Actually, shoulda pushed Billy Boy off poster. Is he the ugliest Baldwin or what? Pretty ugly but I think Stephen (the blonde one) is even uglier. (Mari) Still feel bad for poor Ed, doesn't even get his name on the thing. Sure, Mari. Let's see if we can wring out a few leftover tears after we're finished feeling bad for poor Colin when his name is omitted time after time. ;-) I hope BJD is a break-out role but I would so love to see him on stage. The Donmar and Same Mendes sounds like a wonderful combo for him. Forgive all this opining. It's all based purely on conjecture and gut reaction, as always. ;-) Thanks for the film channel updates, Marianne. I don't get either and am crying in my coffee that I can't see Camille. Donna, I'm with you on Colin changing Rosie's heart. He is indeed a \"cutey patootie\" as you so eloquently put it. ;-)"}, {"response": 1382, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (12:59)", "body": "I think the new project sounds promising, if it comes about. The disappointment you hear from these shores has to do, I think, with the fact that this show is unlikely to be broadcast outside the UK, and therefore does not raise his international profile as P&P did. Granted, it's a selfish position.;-) I think behind-the-scenes political stories are fascinating, but that they don't travel well outside their home countries. We've had a number of good TV dramas here, on FDR, JFK, Truman, and most recently an award-winner with Gary Sinise as George Wallace. I doubt it those were shown in many places abroad, if at all. TV does seem like the better venue for this type of topic; Primary Colors, a very good film, did poorly abroad, and underperformed in the U.S. as well."}, {"response": 1383, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (14:24)", "body": "(Mari)I think behind-the-scenes political stories are fascinating, but that they don't travel well outside their home countries Pssst... They don't do well in-country either....I never watch-em. They get poor ratings.Boorrrrring. Bad enough to have to put up with the antics of politicians, without having to hear about 'em for entertainment .At least in our country. But UK probably find politico's lives fascinating ."}, {"response": 1384, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (14:41)", "body": "Just a quick reminder to those in the UK. Channel 4 are screening CoF tonight at 9.30...time to set those VCRs!!"}, {"response": 1385, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (17:00)", "body": "The disappointment you hear from these shores has to do, I think, with the fact that this show is unlikely to be broadcast outside the UK, and therefore does not raise his international profile as P&P did Frankly, I don't care *what* the subject matter. It's television. Actors here graduate from television and only go back when they're no longer bankable on the big screen (e.g., the upcoming Geena Davis series). Kevin Spacey doing television in the UK? Puh-leez, he did his television here (the wonderful Mel Proffit); has graduated and is done for it. If Colin says he wants to be \"respected,\" then it has to be stage or screen and that never means little screen, unless of course he wants to be a Dick Van Dyke. ...and Proust? Come on. Fiennes hasn't done television for ages (except perhaps for lending his voice to animated features) and this was more in line with a contribution to art and literature, much in the same vein as his doing the two Shakespeare plays now and Onegin. This Blair thing is no more than a made-for-TV movie. \"Playing the King\"? I liked it, but who saw it? The Masterpiece Theatre crowd. Sorry if my view offends you all, but when I read in the trades that Universal Pictures is wooing Colin to star in huge quality production starring high calibre actors, then I'll get excited. An actor appearing in a TV movie barely gets a mention."}, {"response": 1386, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (17:27)", "body": "but if he isn't being offered \"huge quality productions starring high calibre actors\" ...... well"}, {"response": 1387, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (18:38)", "body": "very sad then, but he could do something about it. All I have to console myself is that (1) this TV movie hasn't even been written yet so no one has agreed to be in it and (2) BBC is probably just trying to create some buzz and can sit there smoking whatever, dreaming about its dream cast. Using those names guaranteed it got into the papers (wouldn't here). Doesn't mean anything."}, {"response": 1388, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (18:45)", "body": "Maybe the perception of TV and movie work is different in the US and UK. I think some of the best writing and performances are to be seen on British television, and not in British movies, which currently are mainly geared towards adolescent tastes. (And I like the pace of a five or six hour adaptation and I like politico-dramas!) British actors seem to move freely between big and small screen and theatre and radio. The likes of Ian Holm, Albert Finney, Michael Gambon have always done this and are still going strong in their sixties. I'd love to see CF in major international projects, which are seen by everyone worldwide, not just in the UK, and hopefully he will be offered them, but I have to say I like the projects he is getting involved in at the moment. Maybe we'll have to beg to differ on this! :-)"}, {"response": 1389, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (18:58)", "body": "Kevin Spacey doing television in the UK? Puh-leez, he did his television here (the wonderful Mel Proffit); has graduated and is done for it. ********* Karen: I had forgotten about Mel Proffit. What a role that was! Wasn't he in love with his sister too? Who played her? The only show I can think of on TV recently that might say actors do come back is George Clooney's try with Fail Safe. It was not a success, however. Bethan, you are right about British actors moving easily back and forth. Over here a big hurdle is moving successfully from television into film. Not too many make it. I think of my poor David Caruso (though he does have a pretty big part in Ryan/Crowe's Proof of Life) and Jimmy Smits."}, {"response": 1390, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (21:12)", "body": "I have to agree. I much prefer T.V. plays and I suppose because here in Australia we get a lot of BBC stuff on our ABC we are used to political plays such as to Play the King etc. Ian Richardson was magnificent. If it is ever made I have no doubt it will reach here! Maybe even first like Donovan Quick!"}, {"response": 1391, "author": "Ruperbear", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (21:33)", "body": "No comparison. Most British TV is far superior to Hollywood Productions IMO."}, {"response": 1392, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (21:51)", "body": "YIPEE....THEY WON!! THREE TONY'S....OUR GANG CLEANED-UP. Welcome to Broadway!! BEST REVIVAL TRT BEST ACTOR SD BEST ACTRESS JE Big Night......So take that, Olivier's!!"}, {"response": 1393, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (22:09)", "body": "Joan Severance. Fail Safe was an event and highly successful one from a critical standpoint. The actors it attracted (excepting one who shall remain nameless) and the director...it is the exception to the rule."}, {"response": 1394, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (22:12)", "body": "I want Colin on Broadway, so he can win a Tony too"}, {"response": 1395, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (23:58)", "body": "Wow Evelyn, break open the champagne!!! You must be just so thrilled, congratulations to them both and TRT. C'mon Colin, what a way to go!! Now he's smelled the coffee, we need to make sure it's a double expresso."}, {"response": 1396, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (00:08)", "body": "(Bethan)but I have to say I like the projects he is getting involved in at the moment. Maybe we'll have to beg to differ on this! How could you say that? This distinguished British actor , whom I consider the best in this generation has had his last TWO starring films tank. SLOW took in 2,000+ UKP!! And 300 of those were from Spring & FOF!! Embarassing. His current projects are stagnant and will get him no where except more stagnant televisions roles, and excuse me...\"supporting character roles.\" He isn't getting any younger and meanwhile the world is passing him by. He is watching all his peers get all the best roles and all the awards. I bet he feels like a million bucks."}, {"response": 1397, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (00:20)", "body": "I want Colin in this picture next year.... The Best of Broadway....Best Actor and Actress in a musical, Best Actor and Actress in a Play ...Both from THE REAL THING... JE & SD."}, {"response": 1398, "author": "ommin", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (05:53)", "body": "Evelyn it is not the material point. I do not believe he is interested. He works to live, to have a nice home, a happy marriage and to pursue what he believes in - in doing good where he can. I think we have to face the fact he will never be a 'star' in the Hollywood sense - I truly believe he is not interested. As long as he is true to himself, I believe he is satisfied. He is from a strong religious background and it shows. (IMHO) Of course living in Australia we do get his T.V. stuff and it is sad that it doesn't make it in the U.S. Unfortunately commercial t.v. is all important and where the BBC and ABC do well in U.K. and Australia it does not happen in the U.S. We need to educate the masses to watch the good rather than the crass. Please Evelyn do not be offended but that I truly believe is how it is."}, {"response": 1399, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (07:57)", "body": "We will never know what for certain he wants or if he is happy with his career. But the statements in the last three newspaper articles had undercurrents of melancholy and wistfulness, as if the boat had left him behind. He wants to be a respected actor. For that to happen, he has to make a commitment to stage or screen and prove his stuff. Sorry, but your television doesn't count for much in the grand scheme of things. Those are the things that must be faced."}, {"response": 1400, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (08:26)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1401, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (08:34)", "body": "...and as I meant to end my last post: We will agree to disagree. I like going *out* to the movies. Nothing can replace the experience of seeing performances on a big screen. The poor Empire review of Relative Values is online: http://www.empireonline.co.uk/reviews/review.asp?id=5912&ss=relative+values&sb=t&or=bf&c=&r=0&f=0&cp=1"}, {"response": 1402, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (09:26)", "body": "There is a review of MLSF in the Monday Canberra Times. Am assuming that it is now out on video in Australia (says \"available now\" by Roadshow). This would be PAL version if people wanted to purchase."}, {"response": 1403, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (11:06)", "body": "Have been away from the computer for awhile, but have finally caught up (with this topic, at least). Lots of interesting discussion...lots of differing viewpoints. First let me say congrats to all faithful fans of SD and JE--how proud you must be. I was pleasantly surprised at TRT's clean-up at the Tonys last night. Like Evelyn, I'd love, love, love to see CF on B'way earning like praise for his abilities (with or without awards--preferably with, of course). I've always maintained that Livia would love it here; besides, LA's only a five hour flight and a three hour time difference. ;-) Regarding the discussion about CF's career view: (Anne) I do not believe he is interested. He works to live, to have a nice home, a happy marriage and to pursue what he believes in - in doing good where he can. I think we have to face the fact he will never be a 'star' in the Hollywood sense - I truly believe he is not interested. I used to believe this, based on quotes I have read in the past. However, as Karen points out, this latest batch of remarks has shed new light on the subject. Sure, he's still ambivalent about being a star (i.e., it's clear he's not after stardom for stardom's sake), but his recent comments reveal (IMO) a more aggressive and less passive approach to his career. Regarding the latest rumored project: I agree with Karen here (never realized that Matt Damon and Tony Blair have similar ears :-P). I'll belive it when I see it, especially Kevin Spacey's involvement. Bethan has made a good point--TV roles are weighted differently in the UK than in the US. I'd much rather see CF in a film or theater role, but I'd be OK with TV as long as it was a high profile, high publicity project (albeit in the UK alone, not globally). I'm happy with anything he does as long as it's better than his performance in SLOW, which I found below his usual standard, and as long as he stays far away from the likes of Big Daddy (DH had this on over the weekend. Utter 'video toilet paper' but it made a ton of $$$). I hope RV finds a US distributor; I'm looking forward to seeing CF's performance and would love to see it on the big screen. Enjoy the premiere, Ann!"}, {"response": 1404, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (11:25)", "body": "I find the attitude that US standards of life and work are the benchmark by which all actors' lives and careers are to be measured to be provincial and condescending. And I am pretty sure that's how Colin Firth would view them too. The majority British actors have always moved among the multiple media with regularity. They go where the work is, they hone a variety of skills, and are better for it. If they want to do Hollywood films exclusively, they piss off for California (e.g. Tim Roth, Gary Oldman, Anthony Hopkins) and have done with it. An actor in Britain is considered successful if he/she is making a living at his/her chosen craft doing projects of which he/she is not ashamed. That means doing television, radio, concert narration, audiotape recording, theatre, and film. Apparently an actor in America is only considered to be successful if he has made financially successful films and the cover of People magazine. God forbid he should do television. But then since so much American television is total crap, he'd have a hard time being proud of such a job. And since intelligent American radio is a non-sequitur (NPR being the exception that proves the rule), there's no work there for an actor anyway. American theatre? Concerts? You know what? You are right. There isn't anything but films in this country."}, {"response": 1405, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (11:38)", "body": "I find the attitude that US standards of life and work are the benchmark by which all actors' lives and careers are to be measured to be provincial and condescending. Then you misread what I've said. Apparently, you only view the extreme ends of the continuum: People magazine covers and...whatever. There is more IMO. There are respected actors, talented and who haven't sold out for glitz, but who shrewdly do enough to have name recognition, which counts so much in casting decision. Movies are a business. My last words on the subject are that I'm not apologetic about my own culture and never attempt to hold it above anyone else's as superior. I have too much respect for all cultures to do so. and, btw, we try to stay away from personalizing comments when it might be interpreted as name-calling."}, {"response": 1406, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (11:41)", "body": "(Anne)We need to educate the masses to watch the good rather than the crass. Please Evelyn do not be offended but that I truly believe is how it is. Honey..I'm not offended, but I am stunned at your naivete. Please go back and read his latest interviews...esp. the pathetic one: \"I want to be respected...I want to be prosperous...I want to get good roles\". Obviously anyone who is happy in the present state of his career, would not be making this statement.Nor do I consider it crass for him to wish for these things. He is a normal human being who likes to be recognized for his endeavors.And who sees lesser talented people \"get the gravy\". When I sat in front of the TV last night and saw Kenneth Branngh introduced as \"the distinguished British actor\"...and thought that both he and SD were supporting actors to Colin in previous films.... both less talented than he...I could have cried."}, {"response": 1407, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (13:41)", "body": "KarenR said \"and, btw, we try to stay away from personalizing comments when it might be interpreted as name-calling\" Eh? \"personalizing\"?? \"name-calling\"??? I'm sorry, where did I do either? Unless your name is American Television, in which case I called you crap. For which I apologize, Ms. Television. The only person I mentioned was Colin Firth."}, {"response": 1408, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (14:39)", "body": "I'm inclined to say let's show some tolerance, especially as having met our kind and generous bucket host, I know her to be incredibly tolerant herself and a cultural oasis too!( put a lot of Brits to shame too). KJ's card said most of what I feel (given at 3dOR) about our group and without Karen's driving energy and generosity we wouldn't have half the OBD stuff we do. Personal enough? Oh dear must be a bad hair day :\ufffd)) Seriously let's do what we do here best , drooling. Someone put up a gorgeous picture of ODB and quick!! After 12 hours in an office I need dimples and big brown eyes (kohl rimmed or not!)."}, {"response": 1409, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (14:42)", "body": "I do not wish to be polemic, but I believe Karen was referring to: (luvvy), I find the attitude that US standards of life and work are the benchmark by which all actors' lives and careers are to be measured to be provincial and condescending. I happen to think that, in general, US TV is crap. I also think that BBC/America is crap."}, {"response": 1410, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (15:13)", "body": "Karen, if you're Ms. Television, and Milton Berle used to be Mr. Television, does that make you . . .hmmm, he's about 107, rich as Croesus, and badly in need of somebody to leave all that money to!;-) For those of us who read discontent into CF's recent remarks, there seems to be a disconnect between his professional choices and his aspirations. We look at the poor reception to some of his recent work and we see a guy who needs to change horses pretty quickly if indeed he wants respect, esteem, prosperity, the good roles, etc. We compare his achievements to those of his peers (and I think Evelyn nailed it in the statement about wanting to cry last night when seeing Branagh and Dillane), and we hate to see him settle for less, much less. Then to read him possibly signing on for more of the same, well, it's disappointing. Having said that, I do understand that some others may not see it the same way. As for crap, we all--every country represented here--has its strengths and weaknesses, just as every person has, but certainly there is more to admire in each other than not. It's been my pleasure to get to know Karen, and her attitudes are neither provincial nor condescending. But she sure will be rolling in it once Uncle Miltie croaks.;-);-)"}, {"response": 1411, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (15:45)", "body": "I think we're *all* Jasperizing at the moment! ;-D (As we, of course, have every right to do.) I'll jasperize enough to say that on the whole, I tend to agree with Chris. I was never happier for Colin than when I felt he had finally decided to stick with the \"home\" country. It has the disadvantage of its media industry not getting the support it deserves, but the advantage of at least being the source of a much greater variety of roles on offer and a potential audience for them. That is not to guarantee the roles will all be plums or that everyone working in the U.K. media are competant at what they do, but I think he increased his chances of getting the kinds of roles he wanted about 300% by deciding to stick with Britain. (Chris)so much American television is total crap, he'd have a hard time being proud of such a job. And since intelligent American radio is a non-sequitur (NPR being the exception that proves the rule), there's no work there for an actor anyway. American theatre? Concerts? You know what? You are right. There isn't anything but films in this country. And how many Americans genuinely appreciate and admire the craft of acting, even among their own? They are more likely to attune their approval on whether or not the guy is gorgeous and \"a real man\" and hope he is violent enough to get good box office so he can go play the same part again. all he wants is for people to think he is a good actor The people who will think he is a good actor are the people who appreciate the craft and respect it in all of its forms. He'll be more likely find his appreciative audience abroad than in the US."}, {"response": 1412, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (15:59)", "body": "We've never agreed on any of these points, but let's have tolerance for others' points of view and not resort to ridicule or other demeaning comments. OK, am up to Chapter Six in my \"Diplomatic and Gracious Hosting for Dummies\" book. ;-)"}, {"response": 1413, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (16:05)", "body": "(Lizza) Someone put up a gorgeous picture of ODB and quick!! After 12 hours in an office I need dimples and big brown eyes (kohl rimmed or not!). Your wish is my command. I have a new one, but am going to work on it now. Will put up later and am interested to hear where you all think it was taken. :-)"}, {"response": 1414, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (16:11)", "body": "As I'm prone to a particularly viriulent case of virtual foot in mouth disease, I'll offer my views on CF's career. Perhaps he had too easy when he started, and thus never had to really pursue quality work -- it came to him. Seriously, taken in overview his career in the 1980's was nothing short of charmed. The Drama Centre stages its one and only production of \"Hamlet\"; who should snag the celebrated role of the Dane but CF. Then it gets to be even more of a fairy tale, an agent is in the audience, and behold he gets cast in the lead of the West End hit \"Another Country\". Then he's cast as the second lead in the film version. There are also leading roles in the top quality films \"A Month in the Country\" and \"Apartment Zero\". Of course, there's \"Valmont\". Milos Forman's search for the vicomte was almost as epic as Selznick's for Scarlett O'Hara. Out of all the young actors who auditioned, quess who gets the part? Why, CF, of course. Also \"Tumbledown\" should be noted. Yes, it was done for television, but it ealt with an important and painful subject. CF also won an award for it. It would seem that in his twenties, CF could do no wrong. That all seems to have changed. Now he inhabits the \"real world\", as it were. The roles don't fall easily to him anymore. He sees his contemporaries surpassing him. Why? Perhaps it is because he never had to hone his survival skills as an actor since he never really was a struggling actor. I do think that, overall, he is a successful actor. He has supported himself well for almost twenty years on his income as an actor. Most working actors cannot say that. He also can be proud of most of the projects in which he has been involved. That's my two cents, anyway. I just could be all wet in my analysis."}, {"response": 1415, "author": "Ruperbear", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (17:49)", "body": "I applaud everything Luvvy said. She/he made a lot of sense."}, {"response": 1416, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (18:49)", "body": "Wading in here..I'm not sure where to start! Firstly, although it makes me look as though I'm operating in a different time zone, I've actually seen MLSF! It was a horrid rainy day, and I went with fairly low-keyed expectations, but I have to say that I really enjoyed it. I tend to go into hyper critical mode when watching anything of CF's , and so sometimes can't enjoy the experience. But I liked MLSF ...it has charm, and all the performances are very good. It was episodic, but I had no problem with this. I spoke to one of the Museum staff afterwards and said that that I was pleased that they were showing it. He said that they had great difficulty in getting hold of a print as the distributors couldn't care less about it. I feel sad for him about this...he deserves much better. I guess this is one of the reasons I'm keen on good TV work. It does reach its audience, and, in the UK certainly, is a respected medium. But I do accept that film is a much more accessible and high profile medium for the US. (at least he's doing BJD...I'm sure this will be a multi-million dollar smash...and he'll have to give interviews!) There was actually something on the radio today about the proposed New Labour drama. A BBC spokesman said that they were very excited about it...the script was going to be \"first-rate\" and \"very thought-provoking\" they were looking to put together the highest calibre cast possible. They didn't have a date for filming...maybe the end of the year, for transmission in Spring. I wouldn't rule out Kevin Stacey's involvement. I remember reading that when he was in Lodon doing \"The Iceman Cometh\" he was very friendly with Peter Mandelson (Mandelson moves in artistic circles). I'd rather see CF doing something like this (and the excellent \"Armadillo\") in addition to movies, which can be so unpredictable. And of course theatre. It would be very nice indeed to see him getting the respect and acclaim that JE and SD, deservedly, are getting. No more CF-wetshirt comments (there was actually one in the Times a couple of days ago...let it be, please!) Okay, back to Drool!"}, {"response": 1417, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (18:55)", "body": "Spacey, sorry!"}, {"response": 1418, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (19:41)", "body": "Lizza, while Karen is getting her picture ready, here is some Kohl-lined for you to gaze at and remember -- and it is from television -- how about that! Seriously, everyone has made good points in this discussion. I think those of us who have followed CF for some time are disappointed that his career has not taken off. For folk like me, being an accomplished actor in many media in the UK is not enough. I personally would love to see him get the international attention Russell Crowe is getting right now. We should remind ourselves that he is a star in England, and always will be. I just wish it had spread further aboard. When I still have to tell people who he is by mentioning SIL - \"you know Lord Wessex?\" That says something I'm not particularly glad to admit. But, many fine actors found their \"role\" at 40. He still has time -- and more than enough talent."}, {"response": 1419, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (19:43)", "body": "Sorry..."}, {"response": 1420, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (19:54)", "body": "(Mari) For those of us who read discontent into CF's recent remarks... An excellent way of putting that not all of us do read discontent into CF's recent remarks. And I doubledare you to call me naive, Evelyn. ;-) Actually, I think it makes me skeptical as hell because I scarcely believe anything I read in articles. It's all what the writer/editor chooses to tell us. Whew! Anyway, I don't think anyone is really too worked up over the percieved state of his career. There are other more weighty matters. Such as what's with the big hair MarkG reports Colin is sporting as Mark Darcy!? And Karen, what picture could you be finessing? Don't keep us in suspense too long, dear. I am so glad you saw MLSF, Bethan, and glad you told us here. I'd love to hear what charms you found in it. KJ, what is \"jasperizing\"? Sounds fascinating."}, {"response": 1421, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (19:56)", "body": "40 is a mystical number. Maybe we just have to wait for September 10th. ;-)"}, {"response": 1422, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (20:06)", "body": "Lookie Here"}, {"response": 1423, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (20:41)", "body": "(Heide)And I doubledare you to call me naive, Evelyn. ;-) Actually, I think it makes me skeptical as hell because I scarcely believe anything I read in articles. It's all what the writer/editor chooses to tell us. Sometimes I believe what are in quotations in an article .. but I scarcely believe what some people post on drool:-D"}, {"response": 1424, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (20:47)", "body": "Karen asks: Where was that picture taken? 1. At Prince Charles's party recently? The one where the Queen finally said a cool hello to Camilla? Whereever it was, he looks good. A little thicker around the neck. Is he lifting weights?"}, {"response": 1425, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (20:58)", "body": "YOWZA! Here's something on which we all can agree: that is one fine looking fellow! I have a feeling Moon will approve of this outfit.:-) I'll guess: the AMFAR benefit at Cannes"}, {"response": 1426, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (20:59)", "body": "Mmmmm, nice. But I wouldn't want to jasperize... (Heide) KJ, what is \"jasperizing\"? Sounds fascinating. Re: Rees Article in the Times glossy magazine, May 6: Response 922, KJArt, Mon May 8, Jasper is enamoured of \"positing\" and it really shows in his language, as he hedges when he's simply inventing what he wants to believe about Colin. Response 1002, Eileen, May 9, 2000 We've been doing the same thing as Jasper -- projecting our own interpretations into CF's words . \\...\\ It's human nature to do this. Response 1015 Mari, May 9 Just me Jasper-ing away here . . .;-) Response 1039, Lisa JH Wed, May 10 First there was \"doing a Harvey;\" now we have \"pulling a Jasper.\" Too funny... We turned the proper noun into a verb. It can take many forms; I was just trying out 'jasperize' as an alternate form of the verb, meaning \"to conjecture according to one's wont\" or as Eileen so succinctly put it ....\"projecting our own interpretations into CF's words\". Mary, now, knows exactly when she is \"pulling a Jasper\", and lets us know it... 1418, Mary Murphy, June 5 I personally would love to see him ... We should remind ourselves ... I just wish ... Tres honest, no?"}, {"response": 1427, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (22:02)", "body": "(KJArt) The people who will think he is a good actor are the people who appreciate the craft and respect it in all of its forms. He'll be more likely find his appreciative audience abroad than in the US. Oh, please don't tell this to a group of people who crossed an ocean twice to see him on the stage. That appreciative audience in his home country doesn't go to see the movies in which he stars. Either: A.) that is not an art form that they respect, or B) the roles he's taking don't turn them on. \"A\" would be a gross overstatement (of which I've seen a few here today) so that leaves B, which means they have the same opinion some of us do."}, {"response": 1428, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (22:21)", "body": "(Karen) I'm calling it \"The Bouquet\" these days. ;-) LOL! Now that's funny ;-) (Mari) Primary Colors, a very good film, did poorly abroad, and underperformed in the U.S. as well. (Evelyn) They don't do well in-country either....I never watch-em. They get poor ratings.Boorrrrring. I tend to agree that politics in film is a very hit or miss topic. However, if you haven't seen Primary Colors, then you should, Evelyn. As Mari said, it's a very good film. You should rent it, if only for Kathy Bates, who steals every scene she's in, chews it up and spits it back out. A woman after my own heart ;-p Evelyn) YIPEE....THEY WON!! Congratulations, honey! I'm as excited for you as Jennifer ;-) Since I already had my say about Colin's career (in a verbose post last week) I'll stay out of the current debate. ...except to say that Mari's Uncle Miltie comment had me rolling ;-D (Heide) Such as what's with the big hair MarkG reports Colin is sporting as Mark Darcy!? Now this is of major import ;-p Big hair, indeed!"}, {"response": 1429, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (22:25)", "body": "Test"}, {"response": 1430, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (22:25)", "body": "I swear I closed the tags, but okay...I'll close 'em again. I love Yapp. I love Yapp...c'mon, everybody...I love Yapp... ;-/"}, {"response": 1431, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (22:27)", "body": "That happened to me yesterday on 127. I KNEW I closed the bold, but..."}, {"response": 1432, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (22:36)", "body": "This is to keep your eyes busy while I continue to screw with tags... From Renate's archives ;-)"}, {"response": 1433, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (22:55)", "body": "(Mari) I'll guess: the AMFAR benefit at Cannes That was my guess too, but I couldn't get confirmation. Just checked my Cannes footage and seems right. A tag reminder: If you think you subsequently closed the tag, then you probably have. But if the offending *open* tag is still up on the screen, then it won't show. Leave the topic. Come back and go back one to see your *corrected* post. Oooooooooohhhhhhh, neat picture! Thanks for posting it, Nan."}, {"response": 1434, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (23:21)", "body": "Ooooooo! Delish!! Thanks, Nan (Mari) Oh, please don't tell this to a group of people who crossed an ocean twice to see him on the stage. Of course I consider all of us to be the exceptions that prove the rule. :-) That appreciative audience in his home country doesn't go to see the movies in which he stars. Either: A.) that is not an art form that they respect, or B) the roles he's taking don't turn them on. Don't forget: C) They didn't approve of the final form these projects took. And the majority of that is out of his hands. \"A\" would be a gross overstatement Seems to me someone was complaining of this just the other day...something about they usually wait for the video..... ;-) so that leaves B, which means they have the same opinion some of us do. All a matter of taste. You saw MLSF (the final product). Did you consider that an unworthy project for him to do? I didn't, in spite of the fact that the powers that be cut it to ribbons and refused to promote or distribute it. CF has to call them as he sees them, *before* they're made, and he's not clairvoyant. He's taking the chances that I recall someone here was complaining that the US media don't take (only their expression for that failure was a bit stronger ... :-D) and taking chances means courting failure every time.. He takes TV roles because TV is a respected medium where he takes them. He takes the types of roles he hasn't done before or with which he has not been associated before. \"It's just that I want to do interesting work,\" he says, with feeling.\\...\\ \"I actually asked to play that role because I felt it was something I hadn't done before.\" He takes the roles that are interesting to *him* ... not necessarily interesting to us. I haven't decided whether a stuttering masturbatory village pervert would appeal to me, but I don't deny him the privilege of aspiring to such a role...( he's the one who's got to play it!! ;-D)(Or should I say GETS to play it? **Heehee**) (CF) I'm not hugely ambitious in those directions [attention, power]. As much as the next person, I want to be approved of, but I'm not greedy for that stuff. It's not where life's blessings lie as far as I'm concerned. He's only been saying the same thing over and over for the last few years. When are we going to start *listening* to the man? OK, I'll get off the soap.box now. KJ, still running off at the keyboard... = 8-D"}, {"response": 1435, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (23:35)", "body": "When are we going to start *listening* to the man? Just like you can prove anything you want with numbers, you can do the same with words. Face it, no one is going to convince anybody of anything with this argument. There's absolutely no way to confirm his views on the state of his career, whether he is offered the kind of roles he wants or is content. His personal life is no concern of mine. I'd like to close with Bethan's words: I feel sad for him about this...he deserves much better. Amen"}, {"response": 1436, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (23:52)", "body": "(KJArt) Don't forget: C) They didn't approve of the final form these projects took. How could someone approve or disapprove of what they haven't seen? Now, in fairness to the movie-going public, no matter if it's the U.S., the U.K., or elsewhere, the distributors didn't exactly make it easy for people to see. (KJArt) You saw MLSF (the final product). Did you consider that an unworthy project for him to do? I didn't, in spite of the fact that the powers that be cut it to ribbons and refused to promote or distribute it. Hey, I liked it, remember? But it's not the stuff that appeals to the general public and until he does that (and BJD might be a great way), moviegoers will stay away and he won't get the parts that now routinely go to his peers. As for cutting it to ribbons, films that are working don't get edited for the hell of it. If someone thought it trite, meandering and episodic (criticisms leveled at it by those who didn't like it) then 120 minutes instead of 95 would have only brought 25 more minutes of trite, meandering and episodic. Hey, I can subtract!;-) As for *listening to him,* I could also cite quotes to support various points of view because he's inconsistent. I'll also get off my soapbox now. No hard feelings, anyone. At least we're all passionate enough to discuss it, though we may disagree."}, {"response": 1437, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (05:14)", "body": "And lest we forget.....CF is at this very moment playing the romantic lead in a movie which will be promoted (and extremely well promoted) as \"from the same team that brought you the hugely successful 4 Weddings and Notting Hill\". Both NH and 4W took over $300 million dollars worldwide. From what Mark has posted, it sounds like a 10 week shoot....this will be a major film worldwide! And perhaps we might even get a sequel!"}, {"response": 1438, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (06:43)", "body": "Bethan: I agree that BJD will be a major film. It seems to me, though, (Jasperizing, KJ!) that the downside will be that this will link him even closer in people's eyes as a Darcy, Mark or Fitzwilliam. Is that bad? I don't know. If you have your performance of Darcy to leave as a legacy, that ain't bad! But hasn't he said (somewhere) that he doesn't want to be remembered solely for that? Though I think recent interviews show that he has come to terms with the Darcy icon thing. A final comment -- Even with P&P, over here in the USA, not enough people saw it to make a national impact. It was on a cable channel, and only available to those who could get cable."}, {"response": 1439, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (06:56)", "body": "One downside about TV, which I hesitated to post. is that it can be equally unpredictable, at least as far as CF is concerned. For all UK-ers, I phoned up re. a scheduling date for DQ, as I thought they might have one by now. And was told, horror upon horrors, no date, tentatively 2001. I phoned another number to complain, and was told, \"no transmission date...it's down as having gone out in 1999. Maybe it was just shown in Scotland.\" Well, it sure wasn't!! They are looking into it for me, and will ring me back. I'm not a pessimist but I really have no more hopes for this...spring, summer, autumn, 2001, difficult to schedule, already gone out. Something has happened to this (it was based on a real-life Bus company...are they sueing?)...it's no go. The tragedy is that it's a very good drama, by a BAFTA winning team, and starring the \"most popular actor in 60 years of the BBC.\" Words fail me. Give the guy some good luck, puh-leese!"}, {"response": 1440, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (07:01)", "body": "PS. This is \ufffd1.25 million of British tax payer's money. We have the right to see it! If anyone has a spare moment, please write or email the BBC for a scheduling date for DQ (and not 2001!)"}, {"response": 1441, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (07:12)", "body": "Bethan, maybe they are trying to latch on to the CF publicity once BJD is out in 2001. YOWZA! Here's something on which we all can agree: that is one fine looking fellow! I have a feeling Moon will approve of this outfit.:-) What friends we have become! You know me well. I think he looks reat! Finally a tux the way I like, with the skinny 1960s bowtie. True connoiseur, bravo! Thank you Colin for listening! I do not think it was Cannes because they were in rehearsals for BJD. What about the opening of the Tate Modern Gallery?"}, {"response": 1442, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (07:49)", "body": "Cannes, last year, when MLSF played at the AmFAR benefit. and...BJD is what we are all hoping will change things. Sometimes I have nightmares thinking that Universal didn't want him for the role and that Working Title had to fight to get him accepted. Grrr Am glad it worked out and that it leads to better roles in better projects."}, {"response": 1443, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (08:06)", "body": "Bethan, maybe they are trying to latch on to the CF publicity once BJD is out in 2001. He doesn't need publicity, not for a BBC programme. Actually, I do believe we'll see it....sometime, okay, 2001. I just find it very frustrating not to get a straight answer. My job involves getting information...and I'm usually successful! For DQ, I've drawn a blank."}, {"response": 1444, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (08:43)", "body": "Cannes, last year, when MLSF played at the AmFAR benefit. This picture is a year old and we never happen to see it???"}, {"response": 1445, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (08:47)", "body": "ooh, I just thought of an idea. A game sort of what Francoise used to do on the CF List only with pictures. Post a pic and try to find out what movie it came from? this one is a giver;) Now you can't cheat and check the url either;)"}, {"response": 1446, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (08:56)", "body": "Bethan, I just can't believe this, I really thought we would finally see it aired this Autumn. What is going on Anna Karenina (sp?) was filmed after DQ,. same Director and has already been shown, why is it always CF projects? We had to wait ages for Nostromo but I think that was because it wasn't considered all that good for what it cost to make but this, (DQ) is good very good. When they say it has already been shown do you think they mean Australia!! I have an idea Bethan and other UK fans, you are right we should be allowed to see this drama, we have paid our license fees, I have tried writing to the Letters page at Ceefax (BBC) about DQ and the letter has not been shown, even though letters I have written in the past have, so I think we should all write to (Teletext - ITV) asking when we may expect to see the BBC drama DQ (starring CF) which was completed over a year ago and which has already been shown in Australia and asking if he has any information on DQ, etc and when we may expect to see it on our TV screens. Telextext being ITV may be more forthcoming and at the very least may show our letters. I shall write this week, Teletext letters are shown at the weekend, Ceefax letters are shown daily. Ceefax (BBC) email address box.ceefax@bbc.co.uk can't find Teletext email address, should be there Saturday, Teletext page 110 will show Letters page on Saturday, to write, however, here is the address: Letters, Teletext, PO Box 297, London SW6 1XT."}, {"response": 1447, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (09:44)", "body": "(Murph) ...that the downside will be that this will link him even closer in people's eyes as a Darcy, Mark or Fitzwilliam. Good point...I hadn't even thought of that. I was just so delighted that he accepted the role, mostly because it means (to me anyway) that he has a sense of humor about himself, Darcy and the whole P&P2 phenomenon. I find that very attractive and my good opinion of him was, again, reinforced. I just love when that happens ;-) (Murph)Is that bad? I don't know. If you have your performance of Darcy to leave as a legacy, that ain't bad! Well, to always be associated with one of the most excellent male characters in fiction doesn't suck, that's for sure ;-) With all the handsome, fine actors there are in the world I still cannot think of one who could have personified Darcy as well as Colin. Each time I watch it, I'm amazed at how closely he resembles the Darcy of my girlhood imagination, both physically and in mannerisms. But hasn't he said (somewhere) that he doesn't want to be remembered solely for that? To constantly be reminded of that one role must get old, I imagine. On the other hand, things like that can also open doors. Look at Patrick Stewart, who is a wonderful actor with amazing presence (and sexy as all get out, too ;-p). He can do Shakespeare until he's blue in the face, but he will always be Captain Picard. I've seen him interviewed about this same topic and, while he admits that he would prefer to do more \"important\" work, he is (I'm paraphrasing here) \"so grateful to Star Trek for giving me choices\". So, if Colin rides the P&P bandwagon (which he always seemed to want to avoid) by taking the BJD role and that opens other doors for him, then it simply can't be a negative thing. If it's really successful, he'll have the opportunity and, more importantly, the power to choose in which direction his career will go. Well, that's what I'm hoping for anyway :-/"}, {"response": 1448, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (10:24)", "body": "Jasper is enamoured of \"positing\" and it really shows in his language, as he hedges when he's simply inventing what he wants to believe about Colin. With all due respect, KJ, that's what you are doing too.... It's infectious;-) ~~~~~~ (Nan)I tend to agree that politics in film is a very hit or miss topic. However, if you haven't seen Primary Colors, then you should, Evelyn. As Mari said, it's a very good film Nan, I saw \"Primary Colors\" and read the book. Woof, woof.... a)I perfer to see John Travolta dancing, b)Emma Thompson's American(?) accent was affected c) It was still borrring. ~~~~~~ Sorry about DQ UKers.You seem to have TV problems. I don't think it will ever show in the US. (And count me OUT about writing to any station to cajole them into showing it either.) I want Colin on Broadway My gang got a Tony each...(she said *glowingly*)... poor Colin only has a Wet Shirt and no one seems to give a damn. So there!"}, {"response": 1449, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (10:49)", "body": "I have an idea Bethan and other UK fans, you are right we should be allowed to see this drama, we have paid our license fees,I have tried writing to the Letters page at Ceefax (BBC) about DQ and the letter has not been shown, even though letters I have written in the past have, so I think we should all write to (Teletext - ITV) asking when we may expect to see the BBC drama DQ Ann, I think any action on this would be a good idea! I'm feeling quite militant about this...although I have calmed down a bit (2001 was like a red rag to a bull to me...WOT!!WOT!!!!) The BBC isn't exactly awash with good drama at the moment! I'm sure we will see DQ sometime but confirmation would be reassuring! I tried three numbers...general enquiries ( reply: 2001), BBC Publicity drama/information (1999?) and BBC Scotland Drama department. All were very nice and helpful...just couldn't give me the information I wanted to hear! I would suggest ringing BBC Scotland (0141 338 2000) and asking for the Drama department. You're connected straightaway. They were very pleasant and actually rang me back. They made DQ, but have no responsibility at all for scheduling it. This is done by another department (who should all be sacked!) They noted my address and promised to send transmission details when available. I think it would be a good idea for anyone who is interested in seeing DQ on screen to ring BBC Scotland (Drama) and say you're looking forward very much to seeing DQ (and this year, 2000!) and please could they let you know when there's a date for transmission or perhaps when it has been sold to other territories. As I say, they're the creative people who actually made the programme and it's good to let them know there's interest in it. Programes not even made are being scheduled for 2001. Autumn 2000 makes sense! (Maybe 2001 is a computer error!) Go to it! Karen, do you still have your source of information for DQ? If it's really successful, he'll have the opportunity and, more importantly, the power to choose in which direction his career will go. (Nan) Power...that's the word. Being in control, rather than being controlled!"}, {"response": 1450, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (11:00)", "body": "So, if he's so *hot* in the UK, why are they putting his film on a shelf..?? This attitude seems to imply that's he's not so hot, maybe. That perhaps he's \"yesterday's news\"...and it doesn't make any dif when they show it. BBC is a straaaaaange entity.And this is what you want to chain him to?? \"Tis a mystery\""}, {"response": 1451, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (11:02)", "body": "(Mari)But it's not the stuff that appeals to the general public and until he does that (and BJD might be a great way), moviegoers will stay away and he won't get the parts that now routinely go to his peers. When he does that, though, others might stay away...American Pie, Bid Daddy, another Escape from Alcatraz, Armaggedon... starring Colin Firth? Yikes! BTW, I tried to watch Primary Colors almost two years ago and hated it. Not that it matters."}, {"response": 1452, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (11:09)", "body": "(Mari) he won't get the parts that now routinely go to his peers. (Gi) American Pie, Bid Daddy, another Escape from Alcatraz, Armaggedon... starring Colin Firth? Which of his peers starred in these movies? I think you all know, these are not the movies to which we are referring."}, {"response": 1453, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (11:13)", "body": "C'mon Gi...sometimes we make good movies. Not all of them are crap. Besides....those films only reflect the taste of the people who attend. ;-)"}, {"response": 1454, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (11:36)", "body": "(Evelyn) C'mon Gi...sometimes we make good movies. Not all of them are crap. I know, dear! American films are actually the ones I watch and enjoy most of the time. I only meant that the \"general public\"'s tastes are not necessarily what we *all* here would like to see Colin in, either. Anyway, perhaps, as in painting and most other arts, everything has already been said in cinema. You can have boy meets girl, cops and robbers, alien monsters, basic humour... How many different ways are there to tell the same half a dozen stories with a couple of cameras? So I don't know what to wish for Colin or what to expect of him. I don't mind re-watching P&P anyway :-)"}, {"response": 1455, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (12:17)", "body": "I did not like Primary Colors, either. If you want Kathy Bates try Misery. The male role in that film would have been great for Colin( could have brought his AZ strangeness out). if Colin rides the P&P bandwagon (which he always seemed to want to avoid) by taking the BJD role and that opens other doors for him, then it simply can't be a negative thing. If it's really successful, he'll have the opportunity and, more importantly, the power to choose in which direction his career will go. I agree, Nan! For once let P&P work for you. There were some people who thought he should not take the MD role because it would forever associate him to Darcy. I will not mention smelling the coffee. ;-)"}, {"response": 1456, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (13:22)", "body": "Pictures from the 3DOR gala and other Donmar mailings supplied by Evelyn: http://www.spring.net/karenr/general/donmar/galas.html"}, {"response": 1457, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (14:25)", "body": "Thanks, Karen! DLDLDLDLDL;-)))))))))"}, {"response": 1458, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (15:00)", "body": "STOP PRESS RE DQ ****************** Radio Times issued today states that location filming has just finished and it will be seen \"NEXT WINTER\" Not so long after all!! Thanks for all the lovely scrummy pics Murph, Nan et al Really appreciated."}, {"response": 1459, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (15:34)", "body": "On DQ -(Bethan) I think we should all write to Teletext - ITV Lizza J -Radio Times issued today states that location filming has just finished I'm with you on this one Bethan let's bombard them and the Radio Times too. That well-respected orifice , I mean oracle. JUST FINISHED indeed! How long ago was it shown in Oz? How long have we been aching to see this show? Do they really think they can pull the wool over our eyes in this way? Can I think up any more questions? Answers on a postcard please to Greg Dyke c/o BBC. It's all very straaaange ((c) Evelyn) Thanks BTW for the delish pix - back to some real drooling"}, {"response": 1460, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (15:39)", "body": "STOP PRESS RE DQ I DON'T BELIEVE IT, it sounds as if the right hand doesn't know what the left fhand is doing, AGAIN. Bethan just reported that it was not scheduled!! BTW Bethan you didn't say how many people were in the cinema for MLSF, or did you have an exclusive viewing like Allison?"}, {"response": 1461, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (15:43)", "body": "Lizza J it will be seen \"NEXT WINTER\" Not so long after all!! Ah but do they mean next winter in a normal type way i.e. at the end of this year or are they spouting 'BBC speak' where next winter could mean anything from the back end of 2001 to early 2002. Who knows! Donovan Quick - I'd have sooner have called it Donovan-bloody-Slothlike! (apologies to those who may have made a similar pun and for language which is not that strong for over here but may not travel well) Soapbox now safely descended from - I feel so much better"}, {"response": 1462, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (15:45)", "body": "(Gi)I don't mind re-watching P&P anyway :-) I'm telling ya'...it's part of my religion:-)"}, {"response": 1463, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (15:47)", "body": "Radio Times issued today states that location filming has just finished and it will be seen \"NEXT WINTER\" WOT! WOT! WOT, WOT, WOT!!!!!!! Well, I go to the bottom of the class, I really do! Didn't the same thing happen when I phoned up about MLSF and was told there was no premiere, it wasn't at the Curzon etc.. Is it me, or what? \"Location filming has just finished\" ? Pardon? Oh well, I won't quibble....I'm just happy to see a DATE! Perhaps I should phone the BBC and tell them! Thanks Lizza! You've beaten me hollow here! :-)"}, {"response": 1464, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (15:52)", "body": "Good scanning Karen... 3 DOR Gala in London netted 41,000 UKP Did you see David Leveaux , Moon? So how come you didn't post that TRT Gala in NY netted 96,000 UKP!! But Steven Speilberg gave $1. Million!!alone.......LOL."}, {"response": 1465, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (16:00)", "body": "Did you know a sloth can move so slowly fungus will actually grow on its fur. KJ, I use the word \"posit\". I also enjoy \"positing\", and my name is not, never has been, nor ever will be \"Jasper.\" Something ironic occured to me reading through all of these recent posts. (Mine included.) Why so much disparagement towards CF working in television? Wasn't it television which gave him his best known role to date -- Fitzwilliam Darcy."}, {"response": 1466, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (16:12)", "body": "(Cheryl)Why so much disparagement towards CF working in television? Wasn't it television which gave him his best known role to date -- Fitzwilliam Darcy. We are v. grateful to the BBC/A&E and mean no disparagement as a genre.. but some of us think it's time ODB graduate to bigger and better things. And IMHO it would be theatre which he does so well (having seen him five times on three separate crossings over the pond...same play!!!)"}, {"response": 1467, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (16:23)", "body": "Yes. I would love for him to theater in New York, either Broadway or Off-Broadway. I could actually go to see him on stage. Time really shouldn't be too much of a constraint for him. Actors that have recurring roles on American tv series, (22 episodes per year), very often do New York theater when their series take the annual production break. CF was also in two Oscar winning films. There's nothing wrong with being a supporting actor. Some of the best written parts are supporting roles. Besides the wonderful actor Robert Duvall has spent most of his career in supporting roles."}, {"response": 1468, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (16:34)", "body": "Bethan - Should I phone the BBC and tell them LOL, seriously Bethan I think you should."}, {"response": 1469, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (16:39)", "body": "Did I mention that the snippet on DQ (response to a RT reader's enquiry about CF) had a thumbnail snappy. They don't stint those BBC execs do they? Actually the reader who sent in the query is really Bethan!! Has to be ! But of course the question about what CF \"an RT favourite\" is doing now , was received in 1998. Good going Bethan. Slothlike enough for you Tracy! Send in those darling little queries about a special role to mark ODB's 50th NOW!! Be too late otherwise."}, {"response": 1470, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (17:43)", "body": "(Karen) Am glad it worked out and that it [BJD] leads to better roles in better projects. Amen and hal-lay-luuuu-ya, Sistah Karen. I'm to the point where I don't care about the medium in which he works--radio, TV, movies, theater, making shadow puppets on the wall... (CCheryl)Actors that have recurring roles on American tv series, (22 episodes per year), very often do New York theater when their series take the annual production break. I always chuckle a bit when I see who's being cycled into some of these long-running projects (who *didn't* play the role of Rizzo in Grease? Even Lucy Lawless did, for gawd's sake). It's such an obvious audience-grabbing, money-hungry strategy. Art, shmart! (Tracy) Donovan Quick - I'd have sooner have called it Donovan-bloody-Slothlike! LMAO! (Bethan) I'm just happy to see a DATE! Hate to burst your bubble, but 'next winter' isn't a date. It could mean (as Tracy pointed out) 2001, as you were told. (Lizza) Send in those darling little queries about a special role to mark ODB's 50th NOW!! Be too late otherwise. LMAO again! But the Beeb sure can't wait to air this political drama, which hasn't even been written yet. When there's an agenda, there's an agenda."}, {"response": 1471, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (17:45)", "body": "Too funny, Lizza! Will we still be around for ODBs 50th? (Evelyn), Did you see David Leveaux , Moon? Oui, oui, Madame! Tres beau. :-D"}, {"response": 1472, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (17:52)", "body": "(Evelyn) Nan, I saw \"Primary Colors\" and read the book...Woof, woof.... LOL! Don't mince words, honey...tell us how you really feel ;-p My opinion about Kathy Bates, stands. a)I perfer to see John Travolta dancing I quite agree ;-) (Gi) American Pie, Bid Daddy, another Escape from Alcatraz, Armaggedon... starring Colin Firth? (Karen) Which of his peers starred in these movies? I think you all know, these are not the movies to which we are referring. True. I'm thinking Jeremy Northam, rather than Ben Affleck. I'm not even thinking Hugh Grant (though it would be great if he were to have that choice, if he wanted it). BTW, I happen to love Escape from Alcatraz ;-p I have this weird fascination with prison films..."}, {"response": 1473, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (19:43)", "body": "(Tracy) Donovan-bloody-Slothlike! LOL! I always said you know how to turn a phrase, Tracy.:-) Keep agitating the Beeb, ladies. Can't hurt. a)I prefer to see John Travolta dancing See? Even the biggies get typecast. Colin can't shake off Darcy and John can't shake off Tony Manero. CF is a wet shirt, JT is a white suit.;-) RE my previous post on CF's career--Now, you all *know* I wasn't talking about the crapola. What I had in mind was: --When a deep pockets studio decides to buy a Nick Hornby novel for a major big screen adaptation, that they hand it to CF, not John Cusack (though he did a good job in HF) and not Hugh Grant (who has snared About A Boy). --That when CF wants to do an ensemble comedy with a funny American director, please God, let it be Woody Allen (as HG has just done, to good reviews) and not Mike Binder. --That when Madden or Minghella or Scorsese or Mann are casting their next lead, we get CF and not Nic Cage or Fiennes, or Jude Law, or Daniel Day Lewis or Russell Crowe. Ditto Neil Jordan. --When Sam Mendes/the Donmar is producing the next play that has Broadway potential, that CF gets it. I'd even happily settle for Sam's next movie gig.:-) I'll stop now, but that's the general idea.:-) These fellows get first crack at the good stuff because they've proven themselves *in lead roles* in films that did well with audiences--not all blockbusters, but good, popular, critically acclaimed films. It's a building process; each new role that CF takes should be geared toward laying the foundation."}, {"response": 1474, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (02:15)", "body": "Hate to burst your bubble, but 'next winter' isn't a date. It could mean (as Tracy pointed out) 2001, as you were told I cannot see how \"next winter\" could mean THIS winter. Surely they are referring to 2001! That is it. I shall write. To the Radio Times and to the BBC. I do not think that Ceefax and Teletext are much concerned. They only seem to print letters abut the current TV output."}, {"response": 1475, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (02:45)", "body": "I do not think Ceefax and Teletext are much concerned...., I Just thought Allison that if a letter was shown on C or T, it would shame and blame the BBC and would bring it to attention of other CF fans (not on the Internet) and perhaps the BBC might explain themselves if more people go in touch with them. Just a thought."}, {"response": 1476, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (07:48)", "body": "Do you not think that publicizing *another* CF project that is languishing on a shelf somewhere a bad idea?"}, {"response": 1477, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (08:04)", "body": "No, as Bethan said we TV License payers have a right to see it."}, {"response": 1478, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (08:07)", "body": "and it hurts me to say this but DQ is good, very good whereas SLOW, well wasn't."}, {"response": 1479, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (08:12)", "body": "I am in the minority here but I did not think DQ was very good. (and I do not mind ducking tomatoes, they are my favourite fruit.) ;-)"}, {"response": 1480, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (08:19)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1481, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (08:21)", "body": "Aside from the right to see it, I just meant that DQ would become additional fodder for the journalists, i.e., another project \"termed\" losers like MLSF, SLOW..."}, {"response": 1482, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (08:32)", "body": "I just meant that DQ would become additional fodder for the journalists, i.e., another project \"termed\" losers like MLSF, SLOW... Negative ammunition...just what they want and CF doesn't need. Think about this. I think DQ is the best thing he has done in ten years...even if I could not understand a lot of the Scottish accent...(but that is my problem.) UK journalists are pathological liars...for those of us who saw the Tony's on TV...reading about them in your papers...is pure fiction. Imagine if they get hold of something that is true!"}, {"response": 1483, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (09:11)", "body": "I find it hard to believe that they will hang on to DQ until 2001. It is not like cinama where they have to find a distributor. If they thought DQ was a turkey they would just show it during the summer. I have yet to see it (though if it really is scheduled for 2001 I may have to get hold of a copy) but I cannot believe it is not so bad that the BBC would not show it. Why would they wait? There are plenty of TV slots."}, {"response": 1484, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (09:15)", "body": "Run...don't walk...to your nearest Spring friend who has a copy...it is brilliant. (Though LOL...I'm afraid to build it up so much....look what happened to MLSF because I kept shooting my big mouth about it.);-)"}, {"response": 1485, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (09:22)", "body": "(Allison) but I cannot believe it is not so bad that the BBC would not show it. It is not bad at all; in fact,it is wonderful. Remember that little news item about the poor ratings for television shows produced by the regional companies. Might be that BBC is afraid that DQ will suffer the same fate since it comes from the *provinces*"}, {"response": 1486, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (10:15)", "body": "I find myself in a perpetual state of dumbfoundedness (clinically similar to flabbergastedness) about the BBC's treatment of DQ--initially, for failure to air it within a reasonable period after it was finished, now for reportedly postponing broadcast for another year. Why? Why? It is good--well written (hurrah!) and well acted. Evelyn has a point about MLSF. Many of us thought it was good and that it would be well received in Britain; we were wrong about its reception. Perhaps there's something condescending and provincial about the DQ story that we're missing on this side of the pond. ;-P Take Evelyn's advice, Allison."}, {"response": 1487, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (10:26)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1488, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (11:08)", "body": "Maybe they keep DQ for the Christmas program to push the quotes ;-))"}, {"response": 1489, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (11:16)", "body": "(Renate)Maybe they keep DQ for the Christmas program to push the quotes ;-)) Nah...They're gonna repeat TTOTS ;-)"}, {"response": 1490, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (16:34)", "body": "I have yet to see it (though if it really is scheduled for 2001 I may have to get hold of a copy) but I cannot believe it is not so bad that the BBC would not show it. Why would they wait? There are plenty of TV slots. (Allison) I've been fortunate to see a copy of DQ, courtesy of the intrepid Spring network. I can be perfectly objective about this, and say that it is indeed very good. On their last collaboration \"Taking over the asylum\", Donna Fairchild and David Blair won the Best Drama BAFTA, and this is from the same stable. I think it's part fable (the DQ theme) and part gritty reality, in keeping with the types of dramas that are popular at the moment. It's poignant, often humorous and features very good ensemble acting. As a bonus, CF is very handsome throughout, and we get a nice kiss thrown in for good measure at the end! Seriously though, this is not something the BBC should be sitting on. Whenever I've rung up about it, I've got the impression that there's something \"wrong\"...no-one is forthcoming. And the latest BBC statement (\"just finished filming\") is a lie! My theory is that there may have been some legal complications. There are soe parallels with real-life businesses (eg Stagecoach). A recent drama about the closure of the BBC picture library (better than it sounds ) starring Tim Spall, was delayed for nearly 2 years because of a libel action. I'm only guessing, but there must be something wrong behind the scenes...no problems with the actual quality. \"Next winter\" must be the winter that is approaching surely ...slack usage of language I admit, but it has to this year, or possibly Jan 2001. (When does winter end?). Christmas, New Year? Hopefully. But the whole business is definitely a mystery. Shades of Harvey and mis-information \"for the role of Edward Miramax chose CF fresh from the success of SIL\"!!! My final contribution (I promise!) to the Movie v. TV debate. I've a lot of sympathy with the pro-movie camp, and I do realise the international significance of movies, but there are times, maybe once or twice a year in the UK when a TV programme/drama can be a Major Event...something that everyone watches, talks about, rushes home to see etc. Something that really creates an impact. I think the best combination is a mix of high calibre TV and high profile movies...difficult, I know!"}, {"response": 1491, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (17:06)", "body": "I think the best combination is a mix of high calibre TV and high profile movies...difficult, I know BUT I want Colin on Broadway Frankly,I Don't Care if the British public runs over women and children to get home...empties the pubs...to look at him on TV. Because, they DO NOT support his films.They only watch him when it's FREE!! AND they don't have to go out in the rain...Settle down in front of the ole \"telly\" THEATRE is his only hope to get out of that millieu that he's chained to."}, {"response": 1492, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (18:03)", "body": "My absolutely final last comment (good debate though!) I'm with you 100% on the theatre, Evelyn, and I'm sure that after such a positive experience in the Donmar, he'll do more. A depressing number of well-known British actors have given up on theatre because of rough handling from our delightful sabre-toothed critics...Alan Rickman, Anthony Hopkins, Jeremy Irons, Ken Branagh have all retired hurt. But CF is okay, thankfully! BTW didn't someone ask him about Broadway and he mentioned problems with the Actors'Union? But don't the Donmar also have some sort of special agreement? There's talk apparently of a revival later this year of Edward Albee's \"Who's afraid of Virginia Woolf\". Would love to see the 40-ish CF in the Richard Burton role. JE as Martha..too young? Good role though. And Sam Mendes seems to have a few new projects lined up for the Donmar (don't know what, except for the World War 1 drama)). Won't say any more in defence of the \"telly\"! We'll beg to differ here! But (final, final, last-ever, ever remark on the subject!) increasingly \"success\" of movies in the UK is also measured by video rentals/purchases, cable screenings etc. We're just not going to the movies any more. Richard Branson sold his Virgin chain of theatres because they weren't profitable. Right, that's it! :-)"}, {"response": 1493, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (19:11)", "body": "(Mari)See? Even the biggies get typecast. Colin can't shake off Darcy and John can't shake off Tony Manero. CF is a wet shirt, JT is a white suit.;-) John was very good in Pulp Fiction. --When a deep pockets studio decides to buy a Nick Hornby novel for a major big screen adaptation, that they hand it to CF, not John Cusack (though he did a good job in HF) and not Hugh Grant (who has snared About A Boy). CF had Fever Pitch. Too bad. (Moon)I am in the minority here but I did not think DQ was very good. (and I do not mind ducking tomatoes, they are my favourite fruit.) ;-) Guess I'll join you, Moon. DQ is good, not *very* good. We can use those tomatoes to cook some pasta ;-) Sorry. Been working in E.R. all day..."}, {"response": 1494, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (19:38)", "body": "A Former FOF suggested this pairing. He looks lovely at both ages: Then and Now Murph"}, {"response": 1495, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (20:14)", "body": "Yum, I've always loved that photo on the right. Thanks, Mary. Like the young Colin too though I'll take the man over the boy anyday. Besides, the hair's just a little too big. Hope that's not his Mark Darcy look. ;-) That Donmar photo...well, I've seen better. He looks a bit wired. Now the one below of Colin as Walker..that's the Colin I adore. Great find of Colin in a tux. And the suit fits! Are you sure that's not Colin's head super-imposed on another man's body, Karen? Like Hugh Grant's? (Sorry, couldn't resist.) (Gi) Sorry. Been working in E.R. all day... Jeez, I've been reading \"sorries\" all over the place. Heaven forbid if anyone feels they have to apologize for going against the tide. Soak away those ER blues with more lovely Colin photos or throw P&P on the VCR again if the DH doesn't object. You know we don't take ourselves too seriously, my dear."}, {"response": 1496, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (22:14)", "body": "(Telegraph) TONY BLAIR yesterday suffered his biggest public relations fiasco since becoming Prime Minister when he was given a slow handclap and heckled by the massed ranks of the Women's Institute....The protest began mid-way through the Prime Minister's address to an audience of 10,000 at the WI conference at Wembley Arena, north London. As it gathered strength, Helen Carey, the chairman, appealed to members to give Mr Blair a polite hearing. Mr Blair, looking uneasy, dropped several sentences from his prepared speech, in which he called for a return to \"traditional British values\". At the end he appeared subdued as many WI members sat stony-faced, refusing to extend the customary applause. Maybe BBC can get Rik Mayall to play Blair?"}, {"response": 1497, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (08:32)", "body": "Maybe BBC can get Rik Mayall to play Blair? Too funny Karen...and I've got a similar event vid of Rik with Jennifer that has a ribald \"flashy\" ending ."}, {"response": 1498, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (08:39)", "body": "The July issue of Empire (at your news agents now) has the results of the online questions to Stephen Fry. Anybody care to thumb through it to see if there's anything on Relative Values or Londinium."}, {"response": 1499, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (10:22)", "body": "This was in an email from the Relative Values people: We know that there are many of you who will not be able to make it to the premiere - in which case the relative-values.com are planning to broadcast live on the night. BUT we need to hear from you so we can judge the popularity of this idea. Send an email to premiere@relative-values.com if you think this is a great idea and you would watch. So send them an email and tell them this is the greatest idea since sliced bread! I did."}, {"response": 1500, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (16:08)", "body": "I still say CF should be thankful he wasn't in Jordan's adaptation of \"The End of the Affair\". It blew. It was one of 1999's worst films with artistic intent. It missed. The Graham Greene novel is a terrific read, though. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he was basing his hope on the book and not the putrid NJ film. Personally, I don't really have a preference as to which medium CF works in, just so long as he keeps working."}, {"response": 1501, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (17:12)", "body": "premiere@relative-values.com Done!I told them to include interviews with the stars esp. CF. Maybe they'll do an interactive..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (cheryl) still say CF should be thankful he wasn't in Jordan's adaptation of \"The End of the Affair\". It blew. It was one of 1999's worst films with artistic intent. It missed. Do I detect a little \"IMO\" missing here?;-) The New York Times and I liked it"}, {"response": 1502, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (20:57)", "body": "(ShewhowantsColinonBroadway) Frankly,I Don't Care if the British public runs over women and children to get home...empties the pubs...to look at him on TV. Pffftttt! However, I have a feeling he'll be supported as long as he's playing a character with the name 'Darcy'. IMO. IMVHO. ;-P"}, {"response": 1503, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (22:49)", "body": "New article in The Independent done as part of the Relative Values publicity. Mentions RV and Bridget: There's no escaping Mr Darcy By Carol McDaid Colin Firth hates the whole 'Darcy business' but looks set to revive it by appearing as Mark Darcy, opposite Ren\ufffde Zellweger, in Bridget Jones's Diary. What's he playing at? At a sedate drinks party, I mention to a poised mother of two that I'm going to interview Colin Firth. \"Oh, God, that shirt, those trousers,\" she moans, sitting back into a bowl of assorted nuts. A friend says: \"Something deep in my soul is moved by the man.\" (Her wedding is soon.) Another friend e-mails a request: \"Will he sleep with me? But in Mr Darcy garb? I'd hate to get off with Nick Hornby.\" Poor Colin Firth. Will he ever be free of that shirt, those trousers? The \"pond scene\" of 1995's Pride and Prejudice (intense, sullen Mr Darcy douses his quietly scorching desire for Miss Bennet, then bumps into her) recently made it into Channel 4's Top 100 TV Moments, between Death on the Rock and the Gulf war. Firth, 40 in September, got rave reviews last year for Three Days of Rain at the Donmar; has appeared in A Month in the Country, The English Patient and Shakespeare in Love; played any number of aristocrats (\"I have never been inside a stately home in any other circumstances,\" he tells me) plus Nick Hornby (Fever Pitch). Yet in most minds \ufffd female ones anyway \ufffd he is still striding towards Pemberley, clutching a riding crop and half his clothes: damp, magnificent. We meet in a dark, panelled room in Soho House, the London media haunt that could easily double up for a spot of costume drama. Unlike Mr Darcy, Firth lopes in, tanned and casual, though the sideburns remain impressive. He is perfectly polite but has been doing interviews all day; the words \"under\" and \"duress\" hover in the gloom (outside the sky is bright blue), and the publicity woman is holding her watch like a stopwatch. Also, Arsenal are playing in the Uefa Cup on telly in a couple of hours, and Firth, I later discover, is going to watch the match round at a friend's house. I plan to avoid the D-word for at least 10 minutes. He is here to promote Relative Values, an adaptation of No\ufffdl Coward's play shot last August in an old nunnery on the Isle of Man. The comedy is needlessly hammed up, though Sophie Thompson is a revelation, and Firth, as the twinkling, camp Cowardy character, manages to sit around smoking, reading the paper and getting the best lines. He chased the part. \"I wanted to occupy that position,\" he says in that well-groomed voice, \"as a kind of impish commentator and schemer.\" The opposite of intense and sullen, in fact. His co-conspirator in the film is the long-lost, radiant Julie Andrews, as his aunt. \"She was fantastic,\" Firth says, possibly not for the first time today. \"She was a company leader in the traditional sense. She wanted people to be comfortable. If there was a birthday, she would celebrate it in style. There was this sense that we were working with a legend.\" Ten minutes are up. I will have to mention Mr Darcy. Not least because the next morning, Firth is to start filming Bridget Jones's Diary, in which he will play the \"v. eligible bachelor\" Mark Darcy, the Helen Fielding character inspired by the Jane Austen character as played by Colin Firth. \"I'd read the columns in The Independent,\" he says. \"There are certain things that I didn't identify with \ufffd weight and boyfriends \ufffd but I did think it was very funny and I think the script's very funny as well. I wouldn't be doing it if I didn't. And it's got a very good cast [notably Hugh Grant]. I wouldn't have done it just to be symmetrical about the Darcy thing.\" Unsurprisingly, he is not ecstatic about discussing the Darcy thing or, more sinister still, \"the Darcy business\". But somehow he cannot stop himself: \"I do feel that I am talking about something which I know nothing about,\" he explains, sinking further into his small, battered armchair. \"It honestly doesn't mean anything to me.\" And later: \"I don't have anything to do with anything I did six years ago. I don't know if you remember how you spent your summer of '94, but that's how I spent my summer of '94, and that's about it.\" He protests too much: the Darcy business is karmic; there is no escape. For her Bridget Jones sequel, The Edge of Reason, Helen Fielding \"interviewed\" Firth over lunch (he could always have said no). She pretended to be Bridget filing for The Independent; he pretended to be \"a rather serious actor\", a cross between himself and Mr Darcy, someone impatient to finish an interview. The resulting transcript is one of the best bits in the book. And now, to prepare for his current Darcy incarnation, Firth has tapped into the Austen original. \"I actually went to look at a bit of Pride and Prejudice for the first time in five years,\" he owns up; \"partly because of the Bridget Jones thing. I'm not playing Mr Darcy but I am aware there's a reference involved and I was just curi"}, {"response": 1504, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (00:04)", "body": "OK, article is up http://www.spring.net/karenr/articles/independent060900.html and a few paragraphs appear on the Bridget page I don't know if you remember how you spent your summer of '94, but that's how I spent my summer of '94, and that's about it.\" Don't take it personally, Evelyn ;-)"}, {"response": 1505, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (06:04)", "body": "We have today's \"Independent\" at work....my advice to all UK-ers..Go buy! Great half page photo of CF, looking, I imagine, as he will as MD. Hair not too big!"}, {"response": 1506, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (07:15)", "body": "What a great artcle, thanks, Karen! They finally got Livia's last name right! \"This,\" he says, hitting the inside of his elbow with the side of his hand, \"means, 'Let's get out of here'. No! That means, 'Up yours!' Hitting the palm of your hand on the side of your other hand means, 'Let's get out of here'. (He is allowed one mistake) ;-) Joaquin Phoenix is on the cover of one of the entertainment magazines (I think EW), and he looks fantastic."}, {"response": 1507, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (07:22)", "body": "Yippee, I have tickets for the RV Premiere on the 21st June, can't wait."}, {"response": 1508, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (08:23)", "body": "Apparently there is another big article on Colin in the Evening Standard magazine today. Two-page spread, photos, entitled Don't Call Me Darcy. Karen, thanks for the Independent article. Ann, congrats on the RV tickets!"}, {"response": 1509, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (08:46)", "body": "Great article ...At least he's not whining and we didn't have to hear about the traumatizing childhood.... \"I don't know if you remember how you spent your summer of '94, but that's how I spent my summer of '94, and that's about it.\" (Karen)Don't take it personally, Evelyn ;-) ......or the Jennifer saga. Thank you Colin ,Independent and Karen. This should rally pull 'em in to RV.....I can see them flocking now. ~~~~~ Thanks Moon for all the hand signal translations. Congrats Ann on the tickets!"}, {"response": 1510, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (09:24)", "body": "You should have a RV-filled weekend of material from the press junket. Here's something off the PA wire: Jeanne treasures British film-making experience Hollywood beauty Jeanne Tripplehorn has men falling at her feet in her latest period romp Relative Values - and confesses to loving every second of the experience. The feisty brunette, who tried to unlock cop Michael Douglas's mind in Basic Instinct, was also the object of desire for John Lynch in Sliding Doors and Hugh Grant in the Mafia yarn Mickey Blue Eyes. In the new screen version of Noel Coward's vision of upper crust Britain in the Fifties she is pursued by Edward Atterton - Salma Hayek's real-life [ex] boyfriend - and William Baldwin. She plays self-indulgent movie siren Miranda Frayle who gets herself engaged to Nigel, the Earl of Marshwood (Atterton) but is also coveted by her old flame Don Lucas (Baldwin). The glittering cast list includes Julie Andrews, making her screen comeback, Colin Firth, Stephen Fry and Stephanie Beacham. [WOT??] Jeanne, a 35-year-old bachelor girl from Tulsa, Oklohoma, says: \"I just gasped when I looked around me because of the quality of the actors involved. \"Though I have done a lot of stage work in America I really felt out of my depth to start with. Almost everyone apart from William and myself are used to dealing with this kind of so British material. \"The whole experience was absolutely fascinating and so different from working in Hollywood. I felt so popular as well being chased by Edward and William. What more could a girl ask for?\" The film, which was made on the Isle of Man, is being released in the UK on June 23. ********** \"Though I have done a lot of stage work in America... I don't think high school plays in Tulsa should count. ;-)"}, {"response": 1511, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (11:43)", "body": "Great article in the ES magazine. Fabulous pictures. Sadly no time to post more as am rushing out. Sorry!!! Will do so when I can unless someone else - Tracy, Mark, can get a copy."}, {"response": 1512, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (11:49)", "body": "LOL! Oh, you're gonna love this one! Here's Part 1 of the ES article; many many thanks to FoF Martine. ******* MR DARCY MAKES A COMEBACK After six years trying to live down his love-god status acquired in BBC's Pride and Prejudice, Colin Firth is playing another Darcy - in the new Bridget Jones film. Victoria Coren corners him in Soho. DON'T CALL ME DARCY Six years after P&P, Colin firth's love-god status rages on. Never mind that he plays a gay character in his new film Relative Values. Adoring female fans are more interested in his forthcoming role: the brooding love interest in Bridget Jones's Diary. Just don't mention the wet shirt, says Victoria Coren. On the internet, there is a countdown to Colin Firth's birthday. Like the millenium clocks last year, except with a little more salivating love, it currently reads, '93 DAYS TO COLIN'S BIRTHDAY!' We are also informed that he shares his birthday with Amy Irving, that Nastassja Kinski married on his bithday in 1984, and we go on to read everything that has ever been written about Colin Firth, said by Colin Firth or done near Colin Firth; links to a staggering number of other web pages called things things like 'Firth Frenzy!', and what Malcolm McDowell once said about Colin Firth in an interview (nothing terribly interesting). This is a site which is updated *daily*. Somebody out there really love this guy. It even includes, without irony, a quote from Firth a year ago: 'There is too much information out there. I don't think it is appropriate to be peering into what others are doing all the time.' But never mind that; it's only 93 days till his birthday! Can't wait to find out which underpants he wears on the day. On 10 September, Colin Firth will be 40. There is no sign that the internet clockposter is disappointed by this milestone. Firth's blueprint fan would be about 34, professional, middle class, still single (essentially, she would be Bridget Jones) and Firth's sexy authority will only increase as he turns a respectable 40. 'OK!' magazine has officially labelled him a 'SAGO' - Sexier As they Get Older - albeit in the slighly unflattering company of fellow SAGOs Linford Christie and Bono. Authority is crucial because his devoted fans are those who intentify him (of course) with Mr Darcy. Anyone - any *man* - who is baffled by the adoration danced on this fairly normal-looking English actor should remember that that Mr Darcy was more than just another costume drama heart-throb. He was an island of masculinity in a post-feminist world; a summary of everything yearned for by a certain sort of woman adrift among tearful, quichebaking men; a vision of dark, brooding, monosyllabic reserve on a big horse. A million hearts fluttered as he plunged, fully clad, into that infamous lake; and let a million teeth gnash when I tell you that Colin Firth volunteered to play that scene naked but the broadcaster wouldn't allow it. Complaints to the BBC at the usual White City address, please. Never mind the Queen Mother's birthday; they also rejected the offer of Colin Firth's bare rump! Fools, the lot of them, and fools with our money. Although it could be argued that the soaked clothes were even more seductive: Firth explains now, sensibly over a nice cup of tea in a Soho members' club, that, 'That the Darcy fantasy is the idea of the raw, pulsating animal qualities lurking underneath the stuffed-shirt qualities. Hence the interest in the wet shirt, which starts to reveal that which is imagined to be underneath.' Darcy's symbolic power is what guarantees Firth's continuing love-god status some six years later. Nobody minds that he's more usualy to be found playing someone gay (his first big break on satge in Another Country; his latest film Relative Values) or cuckolded (The English Patient, Shakespeare in Love) - or indeed that the Daily Mirror tried to scupper his 19th-century sex symbolism during Pride and Prejudice by publishing an unflattering photo of Colin arriving home with a new Hoover. Nobody cared. They just thought, 'Ooh, look at his muscles clenches around that Hoover.' Actually, for my money, Another Country provided Firth's sexiest roles by far (Guy Bennett on stage, then Tommy Judd in the film). Who wants an old-fashioned Strong Silent Darcy when they could have a handsome, vulnerable public schoolboy lost in aworld of sexual confusion? Well, just about everyone else, I suppose. Irresistible, heterosexual machismo is what the nation associates with Mr Firth; hence its delight when he finally confirmed as Mark Darcy in the new Bridget Jones film. Mark Darcy is the character inspired by Pride and Prejudice - his blueprint fan really *is* Bridget Jones. Bridget even went to interview him on set in Rome, disguised as author Helen Fielding, and followed him everywhere until he said: 'I'm going to have to go on alone from here; it's the men's toilet.' ------------------------------------ (... to be continued)"}, {"response": 1513, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (13:19)", "body": "Part 2 of 3, from ES: Firth's first project after Pride and Prejudice aired was Fever Pitch, in which (as Nick Hornby said) 'the man famous for smouldering in a wet white shirt was forced to wear lurid Arsenal boxer shorts and shout swear words out of windows'. 'It's a great irony ,' says Firth, who lives in Barnsbury and is the son teachers, 'that people characterised Fever Pitch as big stretch, asking if I had o do a lot of research to transform myself into this middle-class football fan from North London. I was even wearing some of my own old clothes in the film! Yet that was considered a bigger stretch than playing someone who lived 200 years ago and who was the richest man in England. As if it would come very naturally to me, by virtue of my birth, to play the owner of Pemberley in Derbyshire and ride around on a horse.' He acknowledges that class is a key determinant for any English actor's career. 'Actors are channelled into class categories very quickly. I'm lower middle class really, but I was identified immediately with the upper end of the system and I've benefited enormously from it. Even so, I've noticed critics give more credibility to the working-class end because they like things to \"have an edge\". And this seems to come from a lot of cosy middle-class people who'll run to the National Film Theatre to see a Tarantino film where everyone's brains get blown out and they use the n-word for black people. I'm getting a bit weary of the \"edge\" thing.' In terms of the watching public, Firth says, 'I think class has screwed us up quite badly, and we have a very confused take on our class archetypes. The upper classes are romanticised if we turn them into a fairy tale of the past, but otherwise loathed. There's a fascination with the world of champagne and white flannels and Brideshead, but very few examples where the upper class today is looked at with any romance.' The new film Relative Values, is one such champagne-and-romance vision; Firth plays the camp and witty nephew of the countess of Marchwood (Juile Andrews) in Noel Coward's drawing-room comedy. Thus he suspects that critics will not credit it with 'an edge', although it might be argued that actors are never happy: Michael Caine grumbled rather grudgingly at the Bafta awards that critics only respect posh actors never Cockney ones. Of this opposite view, Firth says, 'I'm not in Michael Caine's position so I can't judge, but I agree there's a stark contrast between England and Los Angeles. Americans make no distinction between English actors; they can't tell the difference between Michael Caine and Pirnce Charles. We're all Prince Charles to them.' When in Los Angeles, it's a relief to hear that Firth doesn't run around with the English set there (the Liz Hurleys, William Cashes and Henry Dent-Brocklehursts). He goes to LA specifically to visit his nine-year-old son Will, born of a romantic fews years living in the forests of British Columbia with a lot of grizzly bears and Meg Tilly. (Meg Tilly was his co-parent, of course. Not the bears. Obviously.) Firth is now married to Livia Guiggioli, an Italian film-maker described by Nick Hornby as 'joke-perfect: PhD, beautiful in that sultry Italian way, funny and vivacious.' Damn. Half the British nation is obsessed with his romantic status, and he told one interviewer that, 'We had the Diana experience leading up to the wedding in Rome' - by which I assume he meant that the paparazzi would not let up, rather than that his fianc\ufffde caught him whispering epithets down the phone to Camilla Parker Bowles. _________________________ (....to be continued)"}, {"response": 1514, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (13:22)", "body": "Part 3 of 3, from the sore-fingered Martine.;-) It's a cosmopolitan life: the boy whose parents travelled between India and Africa, and who went to school in Winchester and St Louis, Missouri, now has an Italian wife and a Canadian son who lives in America. He doesn't mind that his son won't grow up on the Highbury terraces in the rain because 'I'm not territorial-minded' and this is reflected in his politics. During our conversation I found myself in the slightly surreal position of chatting with 'Mr Darcy' about asylum seekers. 'Our perceptions of people shouldn't be based on where they're born, and compassion shouldn't stop with national borders. There's only about 98,000 people seeking asylum, which can be made to sound like a very big figure, but only in the way that a \"\ufffd150,000 flat\" can sound like so much when in London it's actually nothing. We're talking aboout a substantial football crowd in a country of 55 million.' And yet Colin Firth is so English, and so closely identified with Englishness on screen: the accent, the reserve and (possibly his strongest quality) the ability to be sardonic, a word which I believe does not translate into any other language. His Englishness seems unaffected by geography or family. I'm reminded of an old Jeremy Hardy stand-up routine, where Hardy talked about his adopted baby daughter who was not born in this country, and people asking him whether he thought her 'national traits' would come out later 'as if a baby born in England but brought up exclusively in Spain by Spanish parents would wake up one morning and say: \"Ooh, very mild today. Still best wear a cardigan\".' Hardy was being sarcastic, and I'm paraphrasing his words, yet it rings oddly true of Colin Firth. He's affectionate about his English roots: 'Beyond that famous English reserve lies incredible loyalty, and I cherish the English capacity for Friendship. Other places have more apparent accessibility, but after five years you've got no further than you did on the first exchange.' At the end of Another Country, Guy Bennett is asked what he misses most about England, the country he betrayed. All he can reply is 'the cricket'. Firth misses the cricket too, when he's away, but most of all he misses the comedy. 'Sometimes I come back and I've entirely missed a phenomenon - like Vic Reeves or Harry Enfield. This time round it was Ali G, which I then caught up on and thought was hilarious. The English in general are brilliant at laughing at themselves and their country, and there's nothing more pleasing in person - starting with yourself is the root of all humour. When I've been in comedies, I've tended to be the butt of the joke. In Shakespeare in Love [where he played Lord Wessex, the heroine's unloved fianc\ufffd] my function was to be the one guy who lacks poetry, romance and humour - all the things that the film celebrates. It's an important comic function, and having a sense of one's own ridiculousness is something that keeps me sane.' I assume his friends must have laughed when he was galloping around on Mr Darcy's horse? 'Oh, they laughed themselves to death. And they continue to. The contrasts to that character are quite extreme if you see me daily over breakfast.' Well, I'd be happy to give it a try. It remains to be seen how much Mr Darcy will be sent up in the character of Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones's Diary. Very much an actor, if an unusually clever and articulate one, Firth insists that, 'I have to forget his origins and play him as a character in his own right.' The day after our meeting is the first day of filming: 'It's a scene where I meet Bridget by the dustbins,' Lucky old Bridget. ---------------------------------------- END"}, {"response": 1515, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (14:31)", "body": "Thanks, Mari and martine, I enjoyed reading this very much."}, {"response": 1516, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (15:11)", "body": "Mari...you are a gem to bring this to your Drool friends...and thank Martine too.Thankfully, the author hasn't found Drool....but I feel they're closing in on us....anybody else get that feeling??? Today I called JE's agent to offer a PAL tape of all of JE's US interviews, I told her about all the SUNSHINE reviews...\"when will you have them on the website\", she wanted to know!! We might have to go undercover. Never mind the Queen Mother's birthday; they[BBC] also rejected the offer of Colin Firth's bare rump! Fools, the lot of them, and fools with our money. BIG sense of humor here....OK...along with DQ release...let's complain about rejecting the bare rump... LOL He's more adventurous than I thought...;-)"}, {"response": 1517, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (15:23)", "body": "Karen, wasn't the dustbin scene in \"The Edge of Reason\", perhaps they are using bits from both books."}, {"response": 1518, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (15:33)", "body": "I'm not going to list names because you know who you are, but I want to say thank you to all for researches and alerts, finding, typing, scanning, posting articles and pictures, scene of crime reports, and keeping up excellent (news-)webpages. You are doing great team work: the Firth-net at it's best ;-))"}, {"response": 1519, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (15:44)", "body": "Mari and Martine, I thank you for that very pleasant read. He was clearly in a better mood that day than in the previous article. But I always find it funny that the interviewers are drooling all over him as well. What a hoot! He is contagious, this Firth person ;-)"}, {"response": 1520, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (15:50)", "body": "Oh...and Karen...I forgot Karen! :-) You're a peach for The Independent article. I would never get to read them otherwise. Is it me, or was he sounding out of sorts?"}, {"response": 1521, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (16:22)", "body": "All the interviews (\"smelling the coffee\", the Independent and the ES) were given in the same location - Soho House. I'm wondering if they were done back to back, released at different times? Thanks for the ES interview, Mari and Martine, and for the Independent alert, Karen! Mark Darcy seems to be the role that the Fleet Street ladies are eagerly awaiting (aren't we all!). Very much an actor, if an unusually clever and articulate one That's quite an endorsement from Victoria Coren. She's a very smart ex-Oxbridge journalist...daughter of Alan Coren, a well known humorist, political commentator, editor of Punch magazine etc. From her, \"clever\" means \"clever\"! The huge photo in the Independent is very droolable. Have copy, can't scan."}, {"response": 1522, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (16:38)", "body": "On the internet, there is a countdown to Colin Firth's birthday. Like the millenium clocks last year, except with a little more salivating love, it currently reads, '93 DAYS TO COLIN'S BIRTHDAY!' What a hoot! Haven't found this site yet (and I don't think I'm gonna try.) Great articles, ladies. Thanks all! Wonderful to see so much publicity. Great fun to pick out all the misinformation. Grizzly bears indeed. (Karen re Relative Values) Stephanie Beacham. [WOT??] Maybe she's playing Lady Hayling? Or perhaps reprising her Dynasty role? Ann, can't wait to hear about the premiere. This is what, your third?"}, {"response": 1523, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (17:54)", "body": "From the ES Magazine Article: On the internet, there is a countdown to Colin Firth's birthday. Like the millenium clocks last year, except with a little more salivating love, it currently reads, '93 DAYS TO COLIN'S BIRTHDAY!' We are also informed that he shares his birthday with Amy Irving, that Nastassja Kinski married on his bithday in 1984, and we go on to read everything that has ever been written about Colin Firth, said by Colin Firth or done near Colin Firth; links to a staggering number of other web pages called things like 'Firth Frenzy!', and what Malcolm McDowell once said about Colin Firth in an interview (nothing terribly interesting). This is a site which is updated *daily*. Somebody out there really love this guy. It even includes, without irony, a quote from Firth a year ago: 'There is too much information out there. I don't think it is appropriate to be peering into what others are doing all the time.' But never mind that; it's only 93 days till his birthday! Can't wait to find out which underpants he wears on the day. ************************** Well, now that I'm a laughing stock to everyone who reads the Evening Standard in the UK, I am ready to bury my head in the sand, or fight back! Here I thought I was overseeing a fairly serious fan page, and it turns out I give this dame, Victoria Coren, visions of underwear and silliness. All I can do is hope and pray Colin does not read the article -- fat chance, I know. If I were Livia, I'd have great fun reading portions out loud to him. I have my response to Ms. Coren on the news page http://www.geocities.com/firthfan/news2.html Also, on a more pleasant note, the wonderful pictures are now up, again thanks to Martine: http://www.geocities.com/firthfan/indepen2.html"}, {"response": 1524, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (18:24)", "body": "Murph, I wouldn't take what Victoria Coren writes too seriously....this is how she always writes, tongue in cheek, sending everyone up.(As I said, her dad is/was the editor of \"Punch\") Nothing malicious intended. You have a first-rate (and serious) site, which is absolutely invaluable for pulling together all the latest news, and more, about Colin. I'm sure that a lot of ES readers are at this very moment searching for your site, and giving thanks!"}, {"response": 1525, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (18:44)", "body": "I've just re-read what Victoria Coren wrote, and I can see why you wouldn't like it, Murph. It's very flippant. Particularly the last bit. But that *is* her style of writing, and I hadn't realised how offensive it could sometimes appear to be."}, {"response": 1526, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (18:47)", "body": "(CF) The English in general are brilliant at laughing at themselves and their country, and there's nothing more pleasing in person - starting with yourself is the root of all humour. When I've been in comedies, I've tended to be the butt of the joke. \\...\\ It's an important comic function, and having a sense of one's own ridiculousness is something that keeps me sane.' Aww, c'mon Murph, we need you sane ... desperately!! She sounded like she was taking the sites collectively, and was not always referring to just yours. And you've got to admit, he's got some \"interesting\" admirers out there!! It all sounded like it was done in admiration, not malice. Let's take a cue from ODB and be brilliant at laughing at ourselves. We all need it! ;-D KJ"}, {"response": 1527, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (18:55)", "body": "(AnnW) Karen, wasn't the dustbin scene in \"The Edge of Reason\", perhaps they are using bits from both books. I don't think so. It was when he encountered her outside waiting for the dustbin to ring (for Tom's cellphone.) Daniel subsequently came by. Wasn't that in BJD1? (Gosh it's so easy to get confused once you've read both.)"}, {"response": 1528, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (18:55)", "body": "KJ: I am usually the first to find humor in something, but this time she just got to me. I will probably think things over and tone down my response, maybe even poke a little fun back at her. The pictures, as I said, are something else though. Thanks."}, {"response": 1529, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (20:19)", "body": "(Murph) Well, now that I'm a laughing stock to everyone who reads the Evening Standard in the UK, Oh, bite your tongue! I am ready to bury my head in the sand, or fight back! I vote for fight back...in one way or another ;-) I understand the feeling. You work arduously on a project and then someone you don't even know, who can't bother to do any real in-depth research, pokes fun at you. Actually, I felt that she was poking fun at all us Colin obsessives, and just mentioned items from your site to underscore it. Since the length of time remaining until Colin's birthday is such an issue to her, I think we should email a reminder of the countdown every day ;-p Well, maybe that's taking things a bit too far...but you know what I mean..."}, {"response": 1530, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (20:45)", "body": "Thanks, Nan, I do know! I have calmed down and figure that even if she doesn't, I know what all of us do to try to make the man more visible to the rest of the world (she forgets there are quite a few of us outside the UK, where his news is still sparse!). The birthday thing might be a bit much. I really used it because I found a neat java applet for it! I don't think I'll change anything, though. I'm a stubborn Irish Lady in this regard."}, {"response": 1531, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (20:53)", "body": "Murph, my sweet, don't get mad; get even. Since she apparently has you pegged as the \"blueprint fan, age 34, single, etc., etc., just like BJ\" . . .how about if Bridget answers her, sending a copy to Ms. Coren as well as the featues editor of the Standard? Sample entries could include: June 9, 8 a.m. Weight: none of your damn business; cigarettes: none; age: 67; mood: terrific! Internet friend in England advises that new article on Mr. Darcy is in Evening Standard. Can't wait to scan and put on web page. June 9, 10 a.m. Still 67. Friend has e-mailed article. V. v. confusing, as article is on Colin Firth, not Mr. Darcy. Chuckle over writer's account of CF Internet site with clock countdown to birthday, obviously designed by poor, obsessive, Bridget Jones-like person. June 9, 10:05 a.m. Age: still 67 and aging by the minute; cigarettes: none, but am ready to resume vile habit. Have read full article and have realized that Internet site referenced is mine! GAH! Writer has zeroed in on one bit of silliness (bloody clock) and ignored rest. Where is my lovingly-researched Shakespeare In Love page complete with description of the era's dress, the actors, the Globe Theatre? Where? Where?? Obsessive thoughts about Colin Firth and entire British public reading article and no longer wishing to speak to me: 1,627. June 9, 10:10 a.m. Obsessive thoughts about Colin Firth and entire British public reading article and no longer wishing to speak to me: 926 (making v.g. progress). Have realized that Colin Firth and entire British public have never spoken to me anyway, so what is bloody use in being upset. June 9, 10:20 a.m. Have decided to call Evening Standard and ask to speak to Ms. Coren. Will need to disguise voice so sound like 34-year old, hip, singleton Londoner instead of 67-year-old grandmother from New Jersey. Right. Not sure can pull this off, but decide if Renee Zellweger can do it, so can I. And so forth and so on. Of course, Ms. Coren won't be there to take \"Bridget's call\" so you can make gazillions of *69 calls to see if she rang back while you were out. You get the idea, Murph. They might even print it.;-)"}, {"response": 1532, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (21:15)", "body": "(Murph) I really used it because I found a neat java applet for it! I don't think I'll change anything, though. LOL! How well I know the feeling of finding a great toy and finding a place to use it ;-) I'm a stubborn Irish Lady in this regard. Good for you! Murph, my sweet, don't get mad; get even. Now that's what I want to hear ;-D Since she apparently has you pegged as the \"blueprint fan, age 34, single, etc., etc., just like BJ\" Well, she can just kiss my blueprint ;-p Oh, wait a minute...I *am* 34, single, etc., etc... Hmmm.... . . .how about if Bridget answers her, sending a copy to Ms. Coren as well as the featues editor of the Standard? Sample entries could include: LMAO!! Mari, that was priceless. Remind me to call you the next time I need to slap the crap out of someone ;-D"}, {"response": 1533, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (23:20)", "body": "Thanks, Mari (and Martine), for posting the article. (CF) I'm lower middle class really Huh? Had no idea your class structure was that severe? How many million dollars/pounds does he need to make in a year to move up? ;-) I hate to think where I'd fall. Gaah! (CF) Americans make no distinction between English actors; they can't tell the difference between Michael Caine and Pirnce Charles. We're all Prince Charles to them.' How did he know Mari about you saying, \"What's it all about, Alfie?\" to Prince Charles at the Albery (after you pawed him)? (AnnW) wasn't the dustbin scene in \"The Edge of Reason\", perhaps they are using bits from both books Absolutely, it was TEOR. Chapter 10 is entitled \"Mars and Venus in the Dustbin.\" That dustbin story was Fielding's stock example of a situation suggested by a friend of hers that she used. They might be using bits from the other book, but certainly not the plotline. Waiting for the dustbin to ring happens after they've broken up. Hysterical response, Mari. v.v.good."}, {"response": 1534, "author": "odessa", "date": "Sat, Jun 10, 2000 (05:39)", "body": "Great articles, thanks! \"...an unflattering photo of Colin arriving home with a new Hoover. Nobody cared. They just thought, 'Ooh, look at his muscles clenches around that Hoover.' \" Now there`s a photo that I would like to see :D"}, {"response": 1535, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Jun 10, 2000 (06:15)", "body": "Firth's blueprint fan would be about 34, professional, middle class, still single In the words of Janice from Friends \"Oh...MY...Gahd!\" You and me both Nan, now I know what is is to feel pigeonholed ;-D *Sob* for the first Friday in weeks didn't get the ES mag....still faint heart never won fair Firth-pic - I'm on the case and will see if I can procure one from my sources!"}, {"response": 1536, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Jun 10, 2000 (06:16)", "body": "Gah italics!"}, {"response": 1537, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Jun 10, 2000 (09:48)", "body": "(Evelyn) Do I detect a little \"IMO\" missing here?:-) The New York Times and I liked it. My opinions are never little. I'm such a pretentious twit. As opinions go, Film Comment, Sight and Sound, and I didn't like it. That's what makes film going, you find what you like."}, {"response": 1538, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 10, 2000 (12:11)", "body": "Thanks to all for this article! 'Sometimes I come back and I've entirely missed a phenomenon - like Vic Reeves or Harry Enfield. This time round it was Ali G, which I then caught up on and thought was hilarious. Does this mean he has a TV now? ;-) Why does he insist on saying he is lower middle class? Should I remind him of the frappe? ;-)))"}, {"response": 1539, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Jun 10, 2000 (16:50)", "body": "(Moon) Why does he insist on saying he is lower middle class? Should I remind him of the frappe? ;-))) You know he was talking about his origins, my dear. I'm sure all the Firths, Firths senior included, have climbed the economic ladder since. The frappe indicates that his lower-middle-classness has been contaminated, but genetically, he will probably still be true to his origins. Mari, you must publish that reply. Either that or slip the copyright to our hardworking Murph and then volunteer to daily send the Evening Standard an update in her name, since she's so busy with the regular business of updating that incredibly wonderful site of hers. (Nan -- You work arduously on a project and then someone you don't even know, who can't bother to do any real in-depth research, pokes fun at you. Actually, I felt that she was poking fun at all us Colin obsessives, and just mentioned items from your site to underscore it. I agree with you Nan, except in the idea of doing research. She was quoting stuff from too many other recent articles to be accused of that (even if they were innaccurate the first time. ;-)) And I wanted to ask Murph, did that \"Too much information\" come from your site? I thought it was still up on Ellen's, but I don't think I have seen it on yours. I got the impression that she first found you via the links on the margin of ?The Telegraph? article, followed quite a few more links from you and others and was so overwhelmed by the result, she felt impelled send up us \"Colin obsessives\" because of the sheer force of numbers and variety -- that really impressed her (as it should!). :-) KJ"}, {"response": 1540, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 10, 2000 (19:16)", "body": "...I'm lower middleclass really... (Moon) Why does he insist on saying he is lower middle class? Colin, honey, lower middle class people work more than seven months out of a year;-)"}, {"response": 1541, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Jun 11, 2000 (03:33)", "body": "On the internet, there is a countdown to Colin Firth's birthday. Murph, it may even not be your site.I found this a while ago. There are countdowns for every actor. http://www.fansites.com/countdown.cgi?1960,9,10,,,,Colin%20Firth%20Birthday (CF) I'm lower middle class really (Karen)Huh? Had no idea your class structure was that severe? How many million dollars/pounds does he need to make in a year to move up? (Evelyn)Colin, honey, lower middle class people work more than seven months out of a year;-) No offence, anyone, but this class thing has nothing to do with what his profession is or how much he earns."}, {"response": 1542, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jun 11, 2000 (06:05)", "body": "lower middle class If his grandparents were clergymen and his dad went to public school and Cambridge, and he's the first one in generations not to go to university, then he's as middle-middle as you can get. The trouble is that in the UK (not in the States...what class is Bruce Willis?) actors are very much pigeon-holed by their perceived \"class\" and accent. And as CF says, most available roles at the moment are \"cutting edge\", real, ordinary bloke-ish (or for ex-soap stars, or twenty-something \"relationships\" dramas or gangster movies).....not many good acting opportunities at the barrister-aristo-Noel Coward end. Helena B-C recently made the same point...that her perceived \"class\" counts against her in casting. As slight touch of re-invention perhaps?"}, {"response": 1543, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 11, 2000 (09:31)", "body": "Pardon me, but \"class\" originated with professions/economics. You had upper class (nobles), middle (the shopkeepers--people in trade) and the lower classes. That's history. However, if Colin is referring to how he behaves IRL, as opposed to what class his parents were in, that's another story. what class is Bruce Willis? Who knows, who cares. Also, a huge distinction in the US is that people can better themselves. They are not forever tied to family origins. most available roles at the moment are \"cutting edge\", real, ordinary bloke-ish and is that why actors like Malcolm McDowell, Alex Kingston, Jude Law (and his crowd) are all in those films? They all speak Received Pronunciation. I do agree about Helena B-C. She is making a concerted effort to change her image and to be recognized as more versatile (more than Shakespeare or E.M. Forster)."}, {"response": 1544, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun 11, 2000 (09:43)", "body": "(Gi)No offence, anyone, but this class thing has nothing to do with what his profession is or how much he earns (bethan).. and he's the first one in generations not to go to university, then he's as middle-middle as you can get. I don't want to belabor the point...(Bethan...he says lower middle class..not middle middle)...Gi no one said this has anything to do with his profession My Webster's dictionary says: lower class: a social class occupying a position below the middle class and having the lowest status in a society by virtue of a low material standard of living, social instability ,and a low level of personal ambition and aspiration esp. towards education Obviously, in different cultures, lower middle class has a different meaning."}, {"response": 1545, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun 11, 2000 (09:46)", "body": "sorry Obviously, in different cultures, lower middle class has a different meaning. That's my comment, not Danny Webster's."}, {"response": 1546, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 11, 2000 (11:04)", "body": "One little bit of clarification, when I said Upper Classes, I probably shouldn't have termed them nobility. More a case of \"not having to work for a living,\" instead one's land holdings (and investments) worked for you. Done with economic/social history."}, {"response": 1547, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jun 11, 2000 (13:04)", "body": "When Colin says his origins are lower middle class and as Bethan said, If his grandparents were clergymen and his dad went to public school and Cambridge, and he's the first one in generations not to go to university, then he's as middle-middle as you can get. That is the point. He was referring to his origins, not his current status."}, {"response": 1548, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sun, Jun 11, 2000 (13:26)", "body": "It is difficult for some Americans, such as myself, to grasp all the details of as class stratified a society as Great Britain."}, {"response": 1549, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 11, 2000 (13:26)", "body": "Gaah! This discussion is going round in circles."}, {"response": 1550, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Jun 11, 2000 (14:13)", "body": "Who knows, who cares. Also, a huge distinction in the US is that people can better themselves. They are not forever tied to family origins. Nor are they in the UK. Lots of interesting discussions recently in the UK press about this. The most interesting observation I read is that class is the way the British define social differences between themselves. We are actually amongst the most fluid societies in the world though I think this fluidity has lessened in the last 20 years due to the sad state of our education system which has become a political football - IMHO of course! IMO Colin's family are middle middle. All his social hangups come from his education. There is something very wrong with our present education system. That is absolutely my last word on the subject on this board anyway!!!"}, {"response": 1551, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Jun 11, 2000 (14:55)", "body": "Can we agree on this: Colin is a class of his own, whatever his origins? [No, I'm not trying to be clever, ..... ;.)) ]"}, {"response": 1552, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Jun 11, 2000 (15:10)", "body": "http://www.firth.com/renate/cfwarhol.gif (Nan, do you remember?)"}, {"response": 1553, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Jun 11, 2000 (15:22)", "body": "Ooops, I meant to post the pic, not the link: Would you believe it, I have forgotten how to do it! This was my first attempt at webdesign, the pic is from Nan: http://members.aol.com/rmmaier/cfwarhol.htm"}, {"response": 1554, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Jun 11, 2000 (15:25)", "body": "http://members.aol.com/rmmaier/index.htm"}, {"response": 1555, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Jun 11, 2000 (15:33)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1556, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Jun 11, 2000 (15:55)", "body": "Renate: Before getting teeth fixed. Great. Here he looks more like brother Jon."}, {"response": 1557, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Jun 11, 2000 (23:18)", "body": "(Renate) Nan, do you remember? Hell, yes :-D It was your first try with web design and my first with Photoshop. Then I became completely obsessed with my computer, quit my job, and went back to school...;-p Who knew this Colin thing would have such an impact, huh? I just liked the way he looked in his breeches ;-p You know, that picture is kind of cool. Wish I could remember how I did it."}, {"response": 1558, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Jun 12, 2000 (02:37)", "body": "(Nan) You know, that picture is kind of cool. I still like it very much myself: my fav Colin pic combined with those great colours. Wish you had the time again to play with photoshop - and Colin. ;-))"}, {"response": 1559, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 12, 2000 (08:24)", "body": "The MOB is still *officially* in preproduction: Spanish actress Ariadna Gil and Italy's Anna Galiena and Claudia Gerini have joined the cast of English-language comedy Off Key from Spanish production house Lolafilms. [...] The $9.8m film is one of four ambitious English-language pictures Lolafilms CEO Andres Vicente Gomez has in production right now. The others are: Susan Seidelman's Gaudi Afternoon, currently in post-production; The Dancer Upstairs, now shooting under debut director John Malkovich; and The Maid Of Buttermere, in pre-production."}, {"response": 1560, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Jun 12, 2000 (12:56)", "body": "Looking in my local Evening Paper tonight in \"quotes of the day\" section, there is a picture of Colin and the following quote \"Americans make no distinction between English actors. We are all Prince Charles to them.\" Actor Colin Firth, famous for mr. Darcy role. YEEEOUCH!!! Anyone know the article it is from? If it's part of the recent RV publicity? The quote is not acknowledged, so I am relying on droolers. have to dash back to work."}, {"response": 1561, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 12, 2000 (13:40)", "body": "Lizza, that quote was just in Friday's ES magazine."}, {"response": 1562, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Jun 12, 2000 (15:57)", "body": "Thanks Karen, must catch on Murph's."}, {"response": 1563, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jun 12, 2000 (16:22)", "body": "The MOB is still *officially* in preproduction: That's a very good role - great acting potential (and he gets to wear a white shirt, get wet and ride a horse!). Hope it's still very much on. A friend of mine has just spent a few days at Crummock Water (about 2 miles from Buttermere). She said it's very busy at the moment. I wonder, if it goes ahead, if they'll actually shoot it there (it's very popular in July-August and the summer is over by September, makes location work difficult). Perhaps Buttermere can be re-located to the Italian lakes?!"}, {"response": 1564, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 12, 2000 (16:31)", "body": "Perhaps Buttermere can be re-located to the Italian lakes?! That is my territory. Great idea!"}, {"response": 1565, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 12, 2000 (21:55)", "body": "The Victoria Coren article is now online at the This is London (Evening Std) site: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/dynamic/generic/bottom_review.html?in_review_id=289743&in_review_text_id=234635"}, {"response": 1566, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (09:26)", "body": "....'that people characterised Fever Pitch as a big stretch, asking if I had to do a lot of research to transform myself into this middle-class football fan from North London. I was even wearing some of my own old clothes in the film! I remember folks on Drool picking up on this...the leather jacket??...when we were discussing \"Fever Pitch\"..and some theatre literati amongst us assured us that never happened;-) Now we have it from the man himself..."}, {"response": 1567, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (10:54)", "body": "Now we have it from the man himself... Check out the vacuum cleaner photograph (okay I know none of you ever looks at paparazzi shots;-)). I am sure that is Paul Ashworth. Same clothes and hair and barber."}, {"response": 1568, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (13:15)", "body": "Anne R. read in a Spokane paper that Relative Values was shown at the Seattle Film Festival last weekend. You may recall that Colin won that Fest's Best Actor award in '88 for Apartment Zero. Wish that RV site would provide some Relevant data like this for a change, and preferably in advance!!:-("}, {"response": 1569, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (13:27)", "body": "Is that right? It isn't listed at the festival's website. Overseas is trying to sell it here. Wish that RV site would provide some Relevant data like this for a change, and preferably in advance!!:-( You tell'm, girl. There's supposed to be an online chat tomorrow, although absolutely no details are provided as to how or when."}, {"response": 1570, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (14:24)", "body": "Chiming in late as usual...thanks for posting the articles, ladies. Loved your comment, KJ: She [author Victoria what's-her-name] was quoting stuff from too many other recent articles to be accused of that [research](even if they were innaccurate the first time. ;-)) *sigh* Again we see evidence of how the press distorts things. She didn't do. her. effing. homework either, but wanted to impress readers with her internet savvy. I wish these authors wouldn't classify all CF's active fans as Darcy obsessives because we're not. We obsess about all his characters, though Darcy does hold a special place in our hearts. :-) As for the discussion about class: I appreciate the impact class has in different cultures. As for me, though, I'm *virtually brushing my fingers under my chin* A few comments about the Independent article: We meet in a dark, panelled room in Soho House, the London media haunt that could easily double up for a spot of costume drama. Unlike Mr Darcy, Firth lopes in, tanned Hope he hasn't already been to the Italian lakes, Moon. ;-) ...and casual, though the sideburns remain impressive. Note to Colin: if you want Mark Darcy to be \"unique,\" rather than Darcy II, lose the sideburns (she says, too late). ...He is perfectly polite but has been doing interviews all day; the words \"under\" and \"duress\" hover in the gloom (outside the sky is bright blue), and the publicity woman is holding her watch like a stopwatch. Where was that writer from Horse and Hound Magazine? Mark? ;-) Also, Arsenal are playing in the Uefa Cup on telly in a couple of hours, and Firth, I later discover, is going to watch the match round at a friend's house. Hope he wasn't interrupted by any aliens from the Planet Zarg."}, {"response": 1571, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (15:36)", "body": "*hitting head against wall* Can't believe I missed this listing from Saturday's Seattle Times (was definitely not on Sunday). Of course, it would have to be Relative Values! ;-) 9:15 p.m. - Sneak preview. Another of the festival's mystery films."}, {"response": 1572, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (16:52)", "body": "Gee, Karen, you'd better get those peepers checked. Can't believe you missed it, either. 8-P"}, {"response": 1573, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (20:02)", "body": "(Karen) 9:15 p.m. - Sneak preview. Another of the festival's mystery films. Well you *should* be contrite; that item was a dead giveaway.;-) Believe it or not, that was it: 9:15 p.m. The Egyptian: \"Relative Values.\" This romantic comedy/period piece (circa 1954) is based on the Noel Coward play and stars Julie Andrews, Edward Atterton, William Baldwin, Colin Firth and Jeanne Tripplehorn. ***** Thanks for the ES and Independent pics, Murph. Yum. I am *very* fond of the Mark Darcy look! Hollywood Video is having a sale through June--previously-viewed copies of MLSF are going for $7.99 U.S."}, {"response": 1574, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (20:58)", "body": "I *might* have whined: \"If you'd only let me know with a little warning... \", but, come to think of it, I'm not so sure I'd take the 2.5 hr. drive (each way) for a night showing ... Just as well I wasn't put to the test, possibly resulting in severe guilt feelings questioning the level of my faithfullness to ODB."}, {"response": 1575, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (08:26)", "body": "Nothing about Colin, but here are Iain Dale's comments about the proposed new Blair movie. I'm sure they are funnier to you ladies on the other side. ;-) So the BBC are making a political drama based around Tony Blair's rise to power. The casting should be interesting. I wonder if I might be so bold as to make the following suggestions. I think Simon Callow would do a brilliant Gordon Brown, while the role of Peter Mandelson is so obviously made for Dale Winton. Tony Blair is more difficult. Jerry Springer was my first thought - after all, he's all show and no substance too, but then I hit on Hugh Grant as they both have a somewhat hesitant style of speech, although Tony's oral problems cannot of course be compared to Hugh's - if you get my drift. Prescott would be done brilliantly by Bernard Manning, while Stephen Byers is ready-made for the bloke who plays Ashley on Coronation Street. The words 'lettuce', 'leaf' and 'limp' all come to mind. For obvious reasons, Robin Cook would have to play himself. Feel free to email me (iain.dale@politicos.co.uk) for further suggestions on this and also the casting for any future film on the current Tory Party. What a bl ckbuster that would be..."}, {"response": 1576, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (08:30)", "body": "Karen's pic accompanying the ES article are great....and don't forget to run your mouse over the \"Prince Charles\" picture.....hee, hee...almost missed it..."}, {"response": 1577, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (08:34)", "body": "Tony Blair is more difficult. Totally ignored CF. That is not good. I think Jeremy Irons should play him. I find lots os similarities between the two, much more so than CF. Maybe they could add a scene and have Bridget interview her luuvy Blair. ;-)"}, {"response": 1578, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (09:49)", "body": "I think the \"casting\" for the Blair drama is very tongue in cheek....half of those suggested aren't even actors! Isn't Bernard Manning deceased? Blazingly hot day here todaay...ideal for any outside location shots for BJD. Saw a photo of RZ on set with Jim Carrey...she was smoking a \"fag\" and looked plump-ish, wearing heavy overcoat. The weather reminds me of something. Ages ago you asked me, Ann, whether I watched MLSF in solitary splendour. It was a pretty miserable sort of day...raining, dull...and the film theatre (admittedly not big) was actually more or less full. Weaher does impact on audiences. BTW, I would be very grateful if anyone could give the alert when MLSF is out on video in the UK, as I definitely want to watch it again. I am not ringing up about this (or anything else!) as I think I give off bad vibes and never get good/accurate news! :-) :-( Finally, look forward to hearing about the RV premiere, Ann! I do so hope that RV isn't going to be another \"London only\" release. It's not going to be showing at our local Showcase or Warner (we're getting \"Next Best Thing\", \"Deception\", \"Chill Factor\" and Simon Says\". Thrills!!) This is not exactly a backwater (third largest city in UK, major university city, lagest rep theatre, home of Northern Opera and Ballet, etcetera) but it's a veritable CF desert! Finally, finally, to put Box Office figures in perspective, Minnie Driver and David Duchovny's \"Return to me\" opened in 250 theatres, took just over \ufffd200,000, in a week and Ewan McGregor's latest (200 theatres) took \ufffd100,000. Only a few movies really make it over here (lousy weather helps!)"}, {"response": 1579, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (09:56)", "body": "Oh dear! v.v. bad (shield your eyes, premiere-going ladies)...from The Scotsman, a short review of Relative Values: Relative Values (PG) Director: Eric Styles Starring: Julie Andrews, William Baldwin, Colin Firth Two-second summary: Limp adaptation of Noel Coward's Anglo-American culture clash comedy. Even if you are someone for whom the exact appeal of Julie Andrews has remained uncompellingly obscure, you may still feel some minor shiver of outrage that she has been persuaded once more into active service for this dog. That said, it's not as if she actually does any work. A profoundly unengaging Noel Coward adaptation, Relative Values is a country-house class farce set in the early 1950s. To the alarm of blue-bloodedly proper but nice with it Lady Something (Andrews), her son Nigel (Edward Atterton) has taken up with vulgar Hollywood movie starlet Miranda Frayle (Jeanne Tripplehorn). Colin Firth, looking about 70, lounges around the edges of scenes as the gay cousin who spouts one-liners in response to anything anyone says and Stephen Fry lends support in the Stephen Fry-butler role. Why did anyone think this was worth spending money, let alone time on?"}, {"response": 1580, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (10:03)", "body": "I think the \"casting\" for the Blair drama is very tongue in cheek Didn't I mention at the outset that it was supposed to be funny? We're wondering here whether the reference to Hugh Grant/Tony Blair \"oral problems\" is halting speech or the TB's halitosis mentioned in the Vanity Fair article??? MLSF is out on video in Australia. Surely it can be mailordered. Perhaps Cathey or AnneH could find out the details."}, {"response": 1581, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (10:39)", "body": "(Eileen) I wish these authors wouldn't classify all CF's active fans as Darcy obsessives because we're not. We obsess about all his characters, though Darcy does hold a special place in our hearts. :-) LOL! Very true... (Karen)Nothing about Colin, but here are Iain Dale's comments about the proposed new Blair movie. I'm sure they are funnier to you ladies on the other side. ;-) Very funny indeed :-)"}, {"response": 1582, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (10:49)", "body": "(Bethann) Blazingly hot day here todaay I don't believe it--what is it about 79F. Here it is 108F--try that for blazingly hot. (Karen)Colin Firth, looking about 70, lounges around the edges of scenes as the gay cousin who spouts one-liners in response to anything anyone says and Stephen Fry lends support in the Stephen Fry-butler role. Ouchhhh!"}, {"response": 1583, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (11:02)", "body": "Not new, but I get never tired to read Colin's praise ;-). Sorry if this has been posted before. --------- http://www.ams.ubc.ca/media/citr/discord/jun98/vphilter.html Newly on the shelves is one of the 1997 festival\ufffds most crowd-pleasing efforts, Fever Pitch. The story that many a Vancouver hockey fan could easily relate to centres on a 30-ish, laid-back teacher whose defining personality trait is his love for the game of soccer in general and, specifically, his devotion to the Arsenal team. As this is a time in history when Arsenal was not exactly a football powerhouse, he has learned to live with suffering. Into his life walks (primly erect) a female co-worker with whom he begins an \ufffdopposites-attract\ufffd relationship, despite her ignorance of and dislike for his life\ufffds passion. Following the true events of the 1988/89 English football season and intercut with flashbacks that give insight into the origins of a true fan, the film\ufffds romantic story mirrors Arsenal\ufffds rocky road to the championship. A successful romantic/sports comedy is hard to pull off; a delicate balance between the lovey-dovey and jock elements must be tempered with a good sense of humour about both. Though Fever Pitch does occasionally fall into the dumb-plot trap of pitting the uptight female who\ufffds looking to \ufffdnest\ufffd against the slobbish, easy-going sports nut who doesn\ufffdt want to be \ufffdtied down,\ufffd its willingness to poke fun at itself with an honest, self-depreciating wit gives it a likeability that most Hollywood pictures in this vein don\ufffdt have. It helps that, in place of the de rigour-in-the-USA Kevin Costner, we get the charming and affable Colin Firth. ---------- BTW, Fever Pitch will be in German TV next week, June 22."}, {"response": 1584, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (11:32)", "body": "Hmmm, somehow I don't think that the RV website will be posting that Scotsman review in their \"press coverage\" section.;-) Does anyone know if The Scotsman ever ran a review of MLSF? I recall checking there a few times and didn't see anything; was just wondering how it was reviewed in Scotland."}, {"response": 1585, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (12:44)", "body": "Yes, it did. v. lukewarm review; not scathing like this one. Go back to read here: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/129.1108"}, {"response": 1586, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (13:45)", "body": "(Iain Dale) Tony's oral problems cannot of course be compared to Hugh's (Karen) We're wondering here whether the reference to Hugh Grant/Tony Blair \"oral problems\" is halting speech or the TB's halitosis mentioned in the Vanity Fair article??? Hee hee! When one reads the words \"oral\" and \"Hugh Grant\" in the same sentence, it is undoubtedly a reference of divine nature. If you get my drift ;-) (nasty review) Colin Firth, looking about 70 Wonder if the author has seen any real 70-year olds lately..."}, {"response": 1587, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (13:53)", "body": "(nasty review) Colin Firth, looking about 70 I dunno...in this pic he almost looks like 17 or 27! ;-) Bring on those septugenarians. Yi-haaaa!!!"}, {"response": 1588, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (14:09)", "body": "I think someone needs their eyes testing...or do I detect a slight hint of malice? How to strangle a movie at birth. \"Looking 70\" probably means wearing a decent suit and polished shoes. I've found a couple of good movie sites....they may be familiar, but if not, try them out. http://www.filmworld.co.uk Completely UK focused...check out Coming Attractions for details of RV http://www.film.com US/UK Has Search facility Has a very perceptive review for MLSF (which vastly exceeds anything written about it in the UK...especially the last paragraph) http://www.film.com/film-review/1999/13097/23/default-review.html"}, {"response": 1589, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (14:11)", "body": "... Relative Values is a country-house class farce set in the early 1950s... I want a cognoscenti to tell me the difference between this \"English-country-house\" film about the life of the rich..servants,scenery etc. and MLSF.Which at least had Irene Jacob. Of course no one has seen it yet...so you can wait til then. (And I'm not even mentioning the class stuff ..so don't slap me with it. OK?"}, {"response": 1590, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (18:23)", "body": "Dame Julie Andrews is on The Arts Programme with Sheridan Morely Radio2 next Friday, 23rd June, at 10.30pm., same day as RV goes on general release."}, {"response": 1591, "author": "ommin", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (20:40)", "body": "It would be extremely difficult to find a copy of MLSF, I live somewhat in the sticks, and although I have rented MLSF and copied it - it is an extremely poor copy and wouldn't recommend it to any one - anti-copy I suppose, I intend to wait until the local video store sells it. If I ever find it on sale I will certainly let you know."}, {"response": 1592, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (23:12)", "body": "The Times Metro section had this: COMING SOON... Cuba Gooding Jnr and Skeet Ulrich in Chill Factor; Bette Midler and John Cleese in Isn't She Great and William Baldwin and Colin Firth in Relative Values."}, {"response": 1593, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jun 17, 2000 (04:16)", "body": "The Times Metro section had this: That's recognition of a kind...given that there seem to be about 10 movies opening next week, including Madonna's latest and Ben Affleck's. Metro is aimed at the twenty something reader (I guess) and normally highlights three movies. Obviously Julie Andrews is not cool enough for a mention!"}, {"response": 1594, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 17, 2000 (08:38)", "body": "There's a television news story from Wales about Relative Values up at the site that you can watch. It shows a number of clips from the movie: http://www.relative-values.com/multimedia/htvstory.html You'll laugh when you hear what they compare it to. ;-)"}, {"response": 1595, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 17, 2000 (12:07)", "body": "I can see clips from the film (can't wait to see Marshwood House;-) but audio is not clear. Pray tell...what is RV compared to?Don't tell me it My Life with a Dog that's what they compared MLSF to...."}, {"response": 1596, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Jun 18, 2000 (02:52)", "body": "Hm, quiet here these days. Guess it's a well-deserved break. A question to the collective memory: does anyone recall which paper/site published the labrador/volvo article, and where I can find it?"}, {"response": 1597, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 18, 2000 (08:45)", "body": "Wasn't it a short item in the Tatler which had spoken to the staff at the box office?"}, {"response": 1598, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 18, 2000 (09:49)", "body": "(From the RV website) Eric Styles, the director, has been answering questions. Here's one in which he mentions Colin: Q: How long did it take to bring Relative Values to the big-screen? What other projects are you working on? Do you have plans to work with any of the RV cast again? A: When I came on board the project it took about year to assemble the cast and for our Producer Chris to raise the finance. This is pretty quick as far as feature films go. I have a number of projects in developement with Chris, mostly written by our writing partner Catherine Linstrum, who wrote \"Dreaming of Joseph Lees\" - she is a wonderful writer and I looking forward to working with her again. I don't like to say too much about future projects until they're ready to go ito production. I really enjoyed working with the whole cast of Relative Values and would jump at the chance of working with any of them again. A lot of the actors demostrate a fabulous versatility in our film, Jeanne plays a really interesting fallable character, Colin experiments with the more usual exprectations for him as a strong leading man and Sophie steals the whole show for me - but again we were very lucky to be able to assemble a whole cast of hardworking generous actors - and that certainly makes my job a lot more fun."}, {"response": 1599, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jun 18, 2000 (10:45)", "body": "Julie Andrews is interviewed by Jonathon Ross about RV on Film2000 (Thursday) and Jeanne Tripplehorn is on Woman's Hour (Tuesday). There's also an ad for RV in today's Sunday Telegraph, on the editorial page, so it does catch the eye. Possibly other papers as well?"}, {"response": 1600, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jun 18, 2000 (11:16)", "body": "Yes, there is another ad. in The Sunday Times, with a quote from the Daily Mail."}, {"response": 1601, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jun 18, 2000 (11:18)", "body": "and I see that according to the ad. is is to go on general release, which is wonderful, it may reach the far far southeast!"}, {"response": 1602, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jun 18, 2000 (11:53)", "body": "The recent blurbs on RV intrigue me about Colin's character: \"Colin Firth, looking about 70, lounges around the edges of scenes as the gay cousin\" Colin experiments with the more usual exprectations for him as a strong leading man Yes, I think this may be a Colin we've never seen before. ;-) Can't wait for your report, Ann. Thanks to all for giving us the latest. And for the older stuff too. Loved the Fever Pitch write-up, Renate. Lucky you, getting to see it on TV. No matter how often I've viewed one of his films, I'll always tune in when it's broadcast on television."}, {"response": 1603, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun 18, 2000 (12:19)", "body": "Happy Father's Day, Colin...."}, {"response": 1604, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jun 19, 2000 (14:47)", "body": "I see that according to the ad. (RV) is to go on general release, which is wonderful, it may reach the far far southeast! Actually, Ann, it's \"nationwide release\" (as was SLOW and MLSF), which can literally mean one theatre in London and one eleswhere! I think RV will get quite a lot of favourable publicity, but a very select release. Nothing wrong with that. All we get at our local multiplexes are the latest Hollywood movies, and rather crass Brit comedies, which appeal to the usual multiplex crowd. One thing puzzles me...why hasn't RV secured a US release? Eric Styles' first movie \"Dreaming of Joseph Lees\" was actually released in the US before the UK. RV has a far more stellar cast, and JA must still have a lot of popular support in the US. She's an icon! Doesn't it even get a limited release? Lots of controversy here about apparent \"misrepresention\" in \"The Patriot\", the new historical movie about the War of Independence, starring Mel Gibson. I remember reading about it and thinking there might have been opportunities for CF in the English roles. (Army officers,uniform, horses etc) But apparently the English are portrayed very unsympathetically! Better to stick to Mark Darcy! Other tidbits...Sam Mendes has apparently turned down offers by Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt to play at the Donmar, which is very fashionable at the moment. Ralph Fiennes is taking a lot of flak for his \"Coriolanus\"...there's a piece in the Telegraph today poking fun at him, and telling him to read his own reviews (he has said that he is indifferent to praise or blame)and lighten up. Our press is not kind. Sometmes a low-ish (but not too low!) profile is best!"}, {"response": 1605, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jun 19, 2000 (14:51)", "body": "\"Misrepresentation\"...sorry, can't spell!"}, {"response": 1606, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 19, 2000 (15:04)", "body": "Dreaming of Joseph Lees opened in the US just a month before the UK. It barely played here. Not even sure if it got out of NY/LA. I saw it locally at a filmfest. It made NO money; its reviews were tepid. Samantha Morton was wonderful, the cinematography was interesting, but the story was stupid. Bethan, while you may not go to the Odds & Ends topic, some of the these items have already been mentioned there or belong there. I would email you, but apparently you don't answer or check it."}, {"response": 1607, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jun 19, 2000 (16:13)", "body": "Sorry, I must remember look at the Odds&Ends topic so that I don't repeat things. My personal e-mailing is, I admit, a mess...I have a family email address and two or three personal ones, and end up always being in a complete muddle. The address that I try to rememember to check is bethan54@yahoo.com"}, {"response": 1608, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jun 19, 2000 (17:24)", "body": "Not a very good review for RV at Popcorn UK, 2stars out of 5. oh dear, if only he would appear in a really big hit that has him as the leading man, another P&P but on the big screen."}, {"response": 1609, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 19, 2000 (17:39)", "body": "Thanks, AnnW. Had checked there earlier today with no results. Not good comments about Colin. :-( Here's the review by Simon Wardell (2/5 stars) In the wake of 'Wilde' and 'An Ideal Husband', an adaptation of Noel Coward - the latter-day standard bearer for Oscar's brand of sophisticated drawing-room comedy - probably seemed like a good idea. Unfortunately, no amount of witty repartee or star performances can disguise how dated the whole exercise feels. Set in an English country house in the 1950s, the film kicks off with family heir Nigel (Edward Atterton) announcing his engagement to Jeanne Tripplehorn's fading Hollywood star, Miranda. This causes a few problems for his mother (Julie Andrews), not only when she discovers that her maid Moxie (fine work from Sophie Thompson) is Miranda's long-lost sister but also with the subsequent arrival of the actress's besotted former lover, film idol Don Lucas (William Baldwin). A series of mightily predictable entanglements and misunderstandings ensue, all wrapped up in Coward's acid but airy prose. There are some nice touches by director Eric Styles, who previously made the little-seen 'Dreaming Of Joseph Lees' - the entrance of Lucas coincides with the appearance of an escalating number of Girl Guides outside the estate gates, while Miranda's American accent slips tellingly into Cockney during one confrontation. However, the travails of the landed gentry, even if they are represented by the venerable Miss Julie, do not make for absorbing viewing. And Andrews and Colin Firth, as her Coward-esque nephew, obviously take the whole exercise so lightly that it's asking a bit much for the audience to care either."}, {"response": 1610, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 19, 2000 (18:22)", "body": "Picking the NC was role was a risk for Colin as there is plenty of footage out there of NC. It was a risk, he took it. Now it is up to you AnnW to let us know how it really is when you see it at the premiere. We are in your hands. :-) Blockbuster Video has put their extra copies of MLSF on sale! I bought one for $10. I would like to thank my boys who nagged and insisted on my taking them to B to rent The Matrix. Synchronicity, yeah! I also rented 'Dreaming Of Joseph Lees' to check out Styles."}, {"response": 1611, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (01:32)", "body": "Moon, I shall like it whatever, but I shall try to be unbiased, anyway to quote someone I shall also be seeing \"The Real Thing\" and he looks even better in real life and looked so smart at the SIL Premiere. Will report tomorrow night if it is not too late."}, {"response": 1612, "author": "ommin", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (02:50)", "body": "A very good trailer of R.V. in the Independant Newspaper - United Kingdom. Go into enjoyment - then film. It last quite a long time and each of the seven Principal Players are in it."}, {"response": 1613, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (04:23)", "body": "And Andrews and Colin Firth, as her Coward-esque nephew, obviously take the whole exercise so lightly I thought that was how Coward was to be played....not he-a-v-y! all wrapped up in Coward's acid but airy prose. Sounds okay to me. Makes a change from expletive deleted. I'd just sit back and try to enjoy, Ann. It's certainly not going to appeal to everyone and it's very difficult to have a \"hit\" movie in the UK unless you appeal to that all-important 16-25 group.(They even write most of the reviews!) I think that actors in the UK just have to grit their teeth and plod on. Which is what they do. You can't please all of the people all of the time. BJD has all the ingredients for universal success though...and he is the leading man!"}, {"response": 1614, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (08:18)", "body": "The RV site has its recorded interviews with the cast up. You can see and hear Colin answer 4 questions: 1) Tell us about your role 2) What's it like working with Julie Andrews? 3) Where does Peter's humour stem from? 4) Why do people still want to make films of Noel Coward's plays Listen to the last one carefully. He uses the words \"witty, airy, and urbane\" to describe the dialogue and talks about how they are \"made to look easy but are not terribly easy\" [or something to that effect] Go here for the interviews: http://www.relative-values.com/multimedia/castcrew/cf.html"}, {"response": 1615, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (08:53)", "body": "Another uh-oh review of RV, this time from Screendaily, dated June 16, by Allan Hunter: A warm welcome for the big screen return of Julie Andrews is unlikely to translate into significant audience goodwill towards the creaky, time warp attractions of this 1950s Noel Coward adaptation. A flimsy romp through the hypocrisies of the post-War English class system, the basic material is badly dated and the workmanlike handling merely emphasises its plodding theatricality. UK distributor Momentum Pictures faces an uphill struggle to prevent this becoming another swift casualty of a merciless British market when it is released on June 23. Displaying a crisp comic talent, the ageless Andrews is every inch the star of the show as Felicity, the Countess Of Marshwood. Distressed by the news that her son is intent on an entirely unsuitable marriage to American movie queen Miranda Frayle (Tripplehorn), she prepares to welcome the couple to the family's vast estate in the English countryside. Matters are complicated by the sudden revelation that her loyal maid Moxie (Thompson) just happens to be Miranda's long lost sister. The plot thickens again with the arrival of Miranda's former lover Don Lucas (Baldwin), a boozy Hollywood star who still carries a torch. Beginning with a jaunty flourish and an energetic montage covering the Marshwood-Frayle romance, this soon settles into a much more mundane approach to the plot's mechanics and comic set pieces that makes little effort to render the material more accessible to a modern audience. Andrews may have the flair and experience to rise above it all but others are not so lucky with Fry offering an over familiar reading of the Cockney butler and Firth left simpering on the sidelines as the campy, mischievous nephew."}, {"response": 1616, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (09:10)", "body": "Film Unlimited (Guardian and Observer) also has the RV trailer link up [same as the one AnneH posted used by The Independent] This trailer from mymovies.net is better as is Flash-based vs. streaming video on Real Player. The link from Film Unlimited will give you a bigger picture, as is not constrained by frames: http://www.mymovies.net/movie_st/alliance/relative_values/mid/frdefault.htm"}, {"response": 1617, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (09:14)", "body": "Thanks Karen...the Q/A on the RV website is clever...Peter...\"the harmless mischief-maker.\" He uses the \"C\" word a lot.\"..the crisis is borne out of snobbery....preserving the class system\".\"Peter is the mocking-voice ...time for a social change\"...LOL I can see why the part appealed to the \"lefty\" side of him ;-) But sadly, IMO,I doubt it would appeal to a wide American audience. \"C\"-based plots are not v. compelling over here.But then, I am sure this was made solely for a British audience, and I'm sure they will respond."}, {"response": 1618, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (09:55)", "body": "simpering on the sidelines... Oh dear and I was so looking forward to this and now I have to sit with my good friend, who is not a CF fan but liked P&P, but then who didn't, to watch Colin \"simpering on the sidelines\" and to think he went after this part...oh hum. I think Colin is due for a \"hit\" let us hope it will be BJD."}, {"response": 1619, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (11:24)", "body": "Ann, enjoy yourself at the premiere tomorrow. Try not to let these early reviews rain on your parade: you're seeing Colin on the big screen AND as \"the real thing!\" We'll all be thinking of you and will look forward to your report, whether good, bad, or indifferent. (Bethan) One thing puzzles me...why hasn't RV secured a US release? That puzzles me too. I think Karen has said that Overseas Film Group were considering distributing it here themselves? I hope that's the reason, but I have my doubts. Frankly, bad reviews in the UK will not bode well for a theatrical release here. But, let's wait for the major reviews to come out. Plenty of time to panic later on.;-) Agree with you, Bethan, that The Patriot would not have been a good move; CF doesn't need to be portrayed as a one-dimensional \"baddie.\" I had been looking forward to seeing this one, and still will, but the more I read of it the less enthused I am. It seems it will be a black-and-white-no-gray-areas type of story. I had hoped for a more realistic, balanced view reflecting the complexities of the actual conflict."}, {"response": 1620, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (12:13)", "body": "Ann, don't panic!! Who is this Allen Something guy anyway? Having seen a brief clip of RV, I'm positive that SF does *not* have a Cockney accent, and having read the original Noel Coward play, Peter does not \"simper\" (nor do I think he's particularly \"campy\")...he's sardonic and quizzical..and he's also a successful businessman (well, he runs a successful travel agency...but, hey, he does work for his living!). Reviews are always a mixed bag. There have been some 4 star reviews ! So just go there and enjoy...I'm sure it will be a great evening! BTW..\"The Scotsman\" gave RV a bad review. I read the other day that it's under new management, and is severely alienating its traditional Jean Brodie type readership. It apparently published an article on the Royal Family, with a so-called website link, which led directly to a hard porn site. Can't see RV fitting in with this new regime!:-)"}, {"response": 1621, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (13:29)", "body": "(Mari) It seems it will be a black-and-white-no-gray-areas type of story. I had hoped for a more realistic, balanced view reflecting the complexities of the actual conflict. Better to remember the old \"Swamp Fox\" we saw on the Wonderful World of Disney as kiddies, many eons ago. ;-) BTW, you have read that the real Francis Marion was not the hero we saw on that show and that's why they changed his name in this film. Agree, we need to see what the major newspapers say about RV. Unfortunatley, I had that same feeling about it being \"dated\" when I read it and was hoping they had rewritten those bits. Where does \"dated\" end and \"atmospheric period piece\" start?"}, {"response": 1622, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (13:42)", "body": "Hoorah!! Finally a review I don't have to apologize for in advance. This is from the Shadows on the Wall website (Rich Cline), who gave it 3-1/2 stars. Not too shabby: Based on Noel Coward's play, Relative Values is sunny, cheeky and bright... just like a screwball comedy from the period in which it's set, the early 1950s. Complete with a cheesy, bouncy musical score! As it highlights a collision between starry Hollywood and stiff-upper-lip England, it makes fun of (and warmly affirms) the British class system. Felicity, the Countess of Marshwood (Andrews), is quietly worried when her son Nigel, the Earl (Atterton), falls for a glamorous movie starlet Miranda Frayle (Tripplehorn), who has recently broken up with her leading man Don (Baldwin). But the big problem is that, on the day Nigel is bringing Miranda home to meet Mummy, Felicity's maid (Thompson) confesses that she's actually Miranda's sister. So Felicity, a cynical cousin (Firth) and the unflappable family butler (Fry) concoct a scheme to salvage some dignity from the situation. And all is going according to plan until Don shows up at the gates ... along with platoons of giggling Girl Guides and, of course, the paparazzi. Dry, witty dialog trickles out delightfully from start to finish, as the cast relishes each word and nuance, eyes sparkling and teeth flashing. While it all feels stilted and starchy, it also gets very funny as the farce cranks up. Fry steals the show completely with a terrifically droll performance--as only he can pull off (over and over again!). And Thompson gives another clever, subtle comic turn. Since Styles (Dreaming of Joseph Lees) directs the film exactly like a '50s romantic farce, it's an intriguing reminder of just how much film comedy has evolved from simple and unassuming (like this) to sharp, gimmicky and outrageous (like, say, There's Something About Mary). The result is a bit odd--enjoyable and entertaining, inducing smiles and knowing chuckles more than outright laughter."}, {"response": 1623, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (13:50)", "body": "He's stirring again. Peter (Firth) and his aunt the Countess (Andrews) grin gleefully as things get more and more complicated at Marshwood.... Here's the review: http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/rcline/swrelval.htm"}, {"response": 1624, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (14:15)", "body": "Way to go, Karen. Obviously Rich Cline has better taste than Allen Hunter.;-) The reviews so far seem all over the board for this one; will be interesting to see what the coming days bring. Thanks too for the RV site CF interview links. (Karen) Where does \"dated\" end and \"atmospheric period piece\" start? It's a good question; even that positive review seems to feel this one creaks a bit. Yet something like P&P remains true to its period while managing to feel utterly timeless and like a breath of fresh air. (Karen) BTW, you have read that the real Francis Marion was not the hero we saw on that show and that's why they changed his name in this film. Yep, and I don't have a problem with them fictionalizing real people (though the studio was stupid to say it was in any way based on the Swamp Fox in the first place--they knew months ago about this guy's yucko nature). I just think there are more interesting aspects of the War that few filmmakers have delved into. For example, the real Swamp Fox spent most of his time fighting not the British, but other colonists who wanted to remain loyal to the Crown (a very common sentiment among the average folk). Wealthy landowners and merchants drove the revolution because they had the most to gain. I'd like to see someone make a film about that internal conflict instead of the good guys/bad guys routine that so many war films stoop to. (I liked Clooney's The Three Kings very much for being an exception in that respect.)"}, {"response": 1625, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (15:10)", "body": "Ann kindly sent me that article from Heat magazine, which showed Renee Zellweger on location. (actually, the bigger hook to the article was Jim Carrey visiting the set) Have put them up on a new Bucket page: http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjdloc.html (be grateful you don't have to look at me, Mari and Evelyn in front of all those places. *hee hee*)"}, {"response": 1626, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (16:49)", "body": "WOW Karen....your 'BJD On Location' page is fantastic....No kidding....all the Bridget haunts...you got 'em all.\"192\" folks, serves a superb lunch and the best Chardonnay in London. I think I took the Cafe Rouge picture..."}, {"response": 1627, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (18:05)", "body": "(Karen) Where does \"dated\" end and \"atmospheric period piece\" start? That sometimes is contingent to the particular reviewer. It's a judgement call. The best you can do is to find a critic/reviewer whose taste is closest to your own. (Mari) For example, the real Swamp Fox spent most of his time fighting not the British, but other colonists who wanted to remain loyal to the Crown (a very common sentiment among the average folk). It was approximately 2/3's of the population of the American Colonies that supported the British during the American Revolution. The objective of the film \"The Patriot\" is not explore American history, but to hopefully duplicate the success of \"Braveheart\" for Mel Gibson. \"Braveheart\" was a largely white-washed and historically inaccurate accout of William Wallace. The historical Wallace was far more complex and brutal than what came across in that by-the-numbers popcorn extraganza."}, {"response": 1628, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (18:11)", "body": "Karen, I love your latest \"drop\" in the Bucket!:-) Makes me want to hum the theme from MisterRogers: \"It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood. . . \" (You should send your BJD Bucket URLs to the publicity lady, seriously.) (Evelyn) \"192\" folks, serves a superb lunch and the best Chardonnay in London. I'll second that. Great food, reasonably priced, good service. What a fun day day we had. Starting to think \"reunion\" again . . .:-)"}, {"response": 1629, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (18:55)", "body": "Darn, I was hoping Ann would be able to report. Was it too late for you dear? \"Braveheart\" was a largely white-washed and historically inaccurate accout of William Wallace. Well that was kind of obvious wasn't it? Still and all, it had Mel \"The Midas Touch\" Gibson so he can pretty much do as he pleases. Besides, he's still kinda cute. ;-) Karen, my compliments too on the BJD page. It's fun to just look at or read."}, {"response": 1630, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (18:58)", "body": "Thanks, everybody, for the news, and Karen, your Bridget On Location is wonderful. Nice to hear Colin's voice once again. I don't care what the critics say, I love drawing room comedy, and so does Colin. You can tell from the snippets that he is having great fun. What was going on behind him in the one interview? I expected him to get up and strangle the person back there! Ann, have a great time tomorrow night. Can't wait for the report."}, {"response": 1631, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (22:45)", "body": "(Mari) Makes me want to hum the theme from MisterRogers: \"It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood. . . \" Don't laugh, but I almost called it Bridget's Neighborhood, but then I took off my cardigan ;-) Thank you, ladies. I've been planning it for a long time, just waiting for some fabulous pictures of frumpy woman coat to unveil. (Murph) What was going on behind him in the one interview? I expected him to get up and strangle the person back there! Think he was being heckled by Stephen Fry; it was all in good fun. Maybe we should check out the Stephen Fry interview to see if Colin was dancing around in the background or similar. ;-)"}, {"response": 1632, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (23:07)", "body": "Wow Karen, your BJD site is sure lookin'good! I too am thinking the BJD people should see this!"}, {"response": 1633, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (23:44)", "body": "Have posted v. long BBC press release about fall season's highlights on 127. No relevance to this topic unfortunately."}, {"response": 1634, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (10:46)", "body": "Geez, there's stuff on that BBC schedule that hasn't even been filmed yet--but already they've got slots for it. Would love to know the real reason DQ has apparently been buried. Pending lawsuits, you think? Cheryl, I just posted a rather prickly Evening Standard article on Mel and The Patriot on 127 that you might be interested in."}, {"response": 1635, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (10:52)", "body": "Pending lawsuits, you think? v. much doubt that. If it were the case, don't you think it would be big news? Besides, there have been jillions of movies, plays, books, etc., that have done the same thing. Notwithstanding the differences in our libel laws, I don't see how anyone (even Brian Souter) could sue or get an injunction against its broadcast."}, {"response": 1636, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (12:37)", "body": "I read your BBC Autumn schedule news, Karen, and felt sufficiently riled to have one last shot at getting information (I mean, we're getting another series of the absolutely appalling \"Scarlet Pimpernel\", and dramas as yet unfilmed have been slotted in. Words fail me!) Tried general info...they could give me nothing except \"has not been scheduled yet\". Absolutely no mention of 2001...where did that come from? Tried BBC Scotland again...Drama information. DQ is listed on the database (thanks!) but they have no schedule date confirmed.\"Maybe it's only going to be shown in Scotland\" Finally, tried the BBC general switchboard, and asked for scheduling information. Nearly got transferred back to the uselss general info, but I insisted on speaking to someone in the Department of Broadcast Strategy and Channel Management (yes, there is one!). Was put through, and asked about DQ's scheduling and complained about \"inconsistent\" information. The person I spoke to was, I thought, rather curt. She said she'd go and check. She returned in less than a minute and said that DQ \"had not been scheduled yet\". I asked if it was possible to give some indication of season (Spring 2005?), but she just repeated, abruptly, that DQ \"had not been scheduled\". Positive thought ...they're saving it for Christmas, and the Battle of the Schedules. Negative thoughts...well, I did think \"libel\"...but it's just not hard-hitting enough, more of a quixotic fable. But I give up completely and on this one...Information unobtainable! On a happier note, our regional arts magazine (quite a serious mag) gives RV a very good review (and ridicules \"The Next Best Thing\"). Says RV is \"great fun\" and \"transfers from stage to screen surprisingly well\" \"Marvellously performed by a classy cast who complement the material perfectly\". Special praise for Sophie Thompson, JA and CF \"cast against type as the campy nephew\". So he *is* \"campy\"!"}, {"response": 1637, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (16:47)", "body": "Ok, we know he was there! From Excite UK: Sound of music set Dame Julie cast at ease Wednesday 21 June 2000 Top News\ufffd Dame Julie Andrews put awe-struck co-stars of her latest movie at ease by bursting into one of her best known songs, screen colleague Stephen Fry has disclosed. The actor, at the UK premiere of their film Relative Values, said the cast members were terrified of approaching the movie legend when they first arrived on set. However, Dame Julie broke the tension with a rousing chorus of the theme tune from the Sound of Music which prompted spontaneous applause. Fry said: \"There was a bit of tension, not because she's a monster or anything but because mapped into our psyches - we'd seen Mary Poppins and the Sound of Music so many times. \"We were sitting on a sofa wondering what we should call her, whether it was Miss Andrews, Julie or just Jules. She'd looked out of the window and started singing 'the Hills are Alive with the Sound of Music' - everybody just burst into applause.\" The actor, at the screening in London's Odeon West End cinema, added: \"She seems quite embarrassed that so many people know her for the Sound of Music, but she doesn't realise the affection we have for it. It's etched into our childhoods.\" Dame Julie was also at the premiere for her first film in a decade. Explaining her long screen absence, she said: \"I've been working on Broadway and I've been working on television and doing all sorts of bits and pieces. It just took that long - let's hope it doesn't take that long again.\" The 64 year-old star revealed she was quite nervous herself when she first arrived on set but her co-stars relaxed her. She said: \"They felt like family within two hours. We laughed a lot and told endless stories and got on with each other so quickly.\" The film is based on the Noel Coward comedy about a well-to-do family whose lives are turned upside down by a marriage announcement. It also stars heart-throb actor Colin Firth, best known for his role as the dashing D'Arcy in the BBC drama Pride and Prejudice. He was also at the screening. The film opens nationwide on Friday."}, {"response": 1638, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (16:47)", "body": "There was an item on the 10pm Sky news about RV. Showed JA arriving at the Premiere, large crowds. Two clips from the movie, one with CF smiling next to JA. Interviews with JA and Eric Styles, the director. Also a shot inside the foyer, showing Stephen Fry talking to Edward Atterton, JA to one side talking to some other people. Commentator said that although the movie \"also starred Wiilliam Baldwin and Srephen Fry\" there was no doubt that the main attraction was JA. So wot about the Invisible Man then? We await your report, Ann!"}, {"response": 1639, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (17:19)", "body": "While we wait for the real thing, I thought you all would enjoy this darling page. It is all thanks to Jennie, an FOF and dollhouse person. She is at the premiere with the others tonight. http://www.geocities.com/firthfan/dolls.html"}, {"response": 1640, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (18:03)", "body": "(Murph) What was going on behind him in the one interview? I expected him to get up and strangle the person back there! It would be appreciated for those of us without audio to get an approximation of the answers to questions. V. curious."}, {"response": 1641, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (18:17)", "body": "Agree with KJ. Can someone transcribe please? Checking again on Ann. This time I got the date right. ;-)"}, {"response": 1642, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (18:20)", "body": "While we wait for word from Ann, here is a great review from the BBC: Director: Eric Styles Cast: Julie Andrews, William Baldwin, Edward Atterton, Sophie Thompson, Colin Firth, Stephen Fry Certificate: PG Opening Date: 23rd June 2000 Running Time: 89 mins No-one ever said that Julie Andrews didn't glow. Or didn't look utterly English. Even now, as she nudges 65, she seems - even when standing motionless - to have the jolliest kind of life going on inside her and to represent an England which barely exists any more. It is most fitting, then, that she is the comic cornerstone of No\ufffdl Coward's high-jinks frolic, a happy satire on English class set in the 50s. She is the Countess of Marshwood, a woman content with her status and class, but bright enough to see that social change is just over the hill. The Countess is mother to a decent idiot of a son (Edward Atterton), who has brought home a self-serving Hollywood film starlet (Jeanne Tripplehorn) who drools, if not over her fianc\ufffd, then certainly over the perks of his position. When the Countess's maid (Sophie Thompson) discovers she is the starlet's sister, the comedy of social mobility is about to explode. Which it does. Most amusingly indeed. Eric Styles (whose first film was \"Dreaming of Joseph Lees\") has kept Coward's play evenly balanced between satire and farce, and for every waspish line there is an outbreak of running around and door-slamming. Andrews savours every vowel as the kind of woman who appears to be nice even when being highly offensive, Colin Firth is increasingly hilarious as the cousin who has an objective view of the spiralling lunacy, Stephen Fry is predictably (but no less amusingly) cast as the urbane, intelligent butler, and Sophie Thompson has a grand old time feigning airs and graces. Fun in every frame."}, {"response": 1643, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (18:29)", "body": "The two clips that were shown on Sky were both funny...there's a lot going on...watch the facial expressions. The dialogue was new...not in the original."}, {"response": 1644, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (19:01)", "body": "MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT -,he was not at the Premiere, filming commmitments, filming running late, anyway according to JA when she was introduced she said that Colin had just popped his head in but had to return to filming. Everyone was so disappointed,we never saw him, I really think it is too bad, he could at least had come up to the stage and been introduced to the audience like the others. We kept waiting and waiting for his car to pull up but no sign so we had to go in the cinema and so I asked is Colin Firth suppossed to be here tonight and they said it looked likely that he would not be there as he was filming and it was running late. I ask you, how long has the Premiere been scheduled for and quite a few people had come quite a long way just to see Colin and it says quite clearly on the Invitation \"in the Company of CF etc\" I can't tell you how disappointed I was and still am, talk about the invivible man he certainly was invisible tonight. The members of the cast who did appear were JA, of course, S , Sophie Thompson, (the star of the film imo) and Edward Atterton. The film was fun but I am afraid I have to agree with the reviewer who said Colin Firth \"simpered on the sidelines\", he said very little which was not particularly witty and pulled silly faces, what a waste of his talents. He did not play \"camp\" very well but maybe that is a good thing. Can't wait for BJD and those smouldering looks once again, we didn't get one smouldering look unless you count the odd look he gave the William Baldwin character. What an anti-climax, the only good thing was meeting some new Firth friends. Am going to bed will write some more tomorrow but there really isn't much more!"}, {"response": 1645, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (20:29)", "body": "I have to agree with the reviewer who said Colin Firth \"simpered on the sidelines\", he said very little which was not particularly witty and pulled silly faces, what a waste of his talents. He did not play \"camp\" very well but maybe that is a good thing. Oh, Ann! How much more can we endure? He better be brilliant in BJD. Thank you for attending."}, {"response": 1646, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (20:51)", "body": "Ann...thank you for being our rep. You're a brave gal for going all that way...and in the morning I bet the film will seem better.At least they all had fun making it. He might just have had a few minutes before re-takes on BJD. Some actors don't like to get out of character between takes on the same day."}, {"response": 1647, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (21:18)", "body": "The Times review: In Coward's Relative Values Julie Andrews is every inch a star, says James Christopher Very superior mother Dear, darling Julie Andrews. To some she is the governess we never had. To others she is the nun whom Christopher Plummer had far too much. In Eric Styles's beautifully transposed version of Noel Coward's 1951 comedy, Relative Values, she blooms and blasts into the Mother Superior of leading ladies. The hair is slightly more orange than usual, the face is a blaze of freckles, and the bosom is far ampler than any of us would care to remember. As the doughty Countess of Marshwood, she is the picture of primness and poise. She has much to disapprove of, and a lot to reveal. Her dashing son, the Earl (Edward Atterton), has fallen for a Hollywood starlet. Worse, he's bringing her home to be his bride. We are never in any doubt about the seriousness of this country-house catastrophe. Jeanne Tripplehorn's pouting flake looks suspiciously older than Atterton's sixth-form earl. Her career is on the skids. Her famously sozzled former boyfriend (William Baldwin) arrives unannounced. Relatively speaking, she belongs downstairs - which is precisely where her long-forgotten and stunningly plain sister, Moxie (Sophie Thompson), has resided for 20 years. Social meltdown is on the cards. \"If ever a girl needed her bottom smacking, she did,\" squeals Thompson with a perfect Sidcup accent. How Styles managed to leap from his first film, Dreaming of Joseph Lees (a ghastly piece of Northern grit), to this champagne charmer defies gravitas. Characters who struggle for oxygen on stage here compete to steal whole scenes. Stephen Fry is spookily perfect as one of life's natural butlers. Colin Firth, as Coward's acid-stripping alter-ego, has a way with one-liners that's almost indecent. But there's no mistaking the star and chief manipulator of this frivolous classic. Andrews could use a lot more steel, and a little less twinkle, when sticking the knife into the luckless Tripplehorn. Perhaps she simply hates the sight of blood."}, {"response": 1648, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (21:33)", "body": "Colin Firth, as Coward's acid-stripping alter-ego, has a way with one-liners that's almost indecent. Oh, God, yes! Somebody stop that man! ;-) Surprisingly, he did not rave about Sophie's performance which everyone has said is the best."}, {"response": 1649, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (21:49)", "body": "Thanks, Ann, for reporting in after what was such a long and disappointing day. Perhaps, a little champagne beforehand or a glimpse of Mr. Invisible would've improved the evening. we didn't get one smouldering look unless you count the odd look he gave the William Baldwin character. I bet I know when this takes place. That scene *nailed* it for me. There was no doubt in my mind about Peter after that... ;-)"}, {"response": 1650, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (08:56)", "body": "A \"Champagne Charmer\"....that's good news from the Times. *sigh of relief*. I hope they use that quote in the adverts. On second viewing Ann, I bet you'll see the merits of the film. (Karen)I bet I know when this takes place. That scene *nailed* it for me. Karen, your sixth sense is scary;-)I well remember your diagnosis of Peter's character early in the game. When everyone else was disagreeing with you... Right Again!"}, {"response": 1651, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (09:49)", "body": "From the Evening Standard; Karen, note the \"confirmed bachelor\" line;-) Relative Values (PG) Julie Andrews, Alec Baldwin, Jeanne Tripplehorn. Dir: Eric Styles. UK. 2000. 89mins. A comedy after Gordon Brown's heart. Noel Coward's comedy, in fact, written in 1951, about class distinctions in Wodehouse country. Seems the Earl of Marshwood (Edward Atterton) has gone and fallen for a Hollywood star, Miranda Frayle (Jeanne Tripplehorne). Panic at crenellated Marshwood Hall: his mother the Countess (Dame Julie Andrews) calls for aspirin on a silver salver. Even worse news is that Moxie (Sophie Thompson), her ladyship's maid, is revealed as Miranda's long-lost sister and the star herself was born in Sidcup. Surfacing in the troubled waters of British cinema: Relative Values, with Colin Firth and Julie Andrews Social equality is creeping up on class distinction, and must be frustrated. But Moxie won't accept instant promotion to being \"secretary-companion\". The butler Crestwell (Stephen Fry) has the solution: pretend Moxie has come into a fortune - money is the great leveller. Enter the lovers, fresh from France (with Le Monde in hand to prove it). But in hot, ingenuous pursuit is Miranda's co-star and ex-squeeze: famous, sleazy, cigarette-dangling Hollywood hick Don Lucas (William Baldwin). The countess schemes to break the engagement; Peter (Colin Firth), her confidant and \"confirmed bachelor\", lends aid and comfort; Moxie dithers in terror at her impersonation of the ruling class; Miranda flounces, flaunts and further disqualifies herself for county membership by insisting on a pre-dinner Hollywood-style dip in the pool; Crestwell steadies the boat with poly-syllabic smoothness of tongue; and Girl Guides muster in the shrubbery to gawp at the screen idols. The film was shot on the Isle of Man, presumably for tax-break reasons, and surfaces in the troubled waters of current British cinema, among the Lottery-funded wrecks, like the prehistoric coelacanth. One is sorry to see Eric Styles, whose debut film Dreaming of Joseph Lees showed such freshness, resurrecting the snob entertainment of the 1950s. But this said, it's competent, lightly enjoyable (in a mildly contemptuous way) and appeals to contemporary xenophobia by looking down its aristocratic nose at the Yanks. Coward had an understandable hit with it in an era when people still knew (and kept to) their respective places and the matinee-going class could chuckle self-flat-teringly at the very notion of Hollywood marrying into Debrett's, while seeing the family crisis end in time for church (\"Everyone got change for the collection?\"), just a Bentley's ride down the lane, where a nice girl called Caroline, clearly \"one of us\", catches the jilted young earl's eye. Class rules OK (for now)."}, {"response": 1652, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (09:52)", "body": "Evelyn: I see dead people too! ;-) ***************** Teletext's review of RV (3 of 5 stars = good) by Doug Cooper At 64, Julie Andrews is still indisputably a star. Her screen presence remains undimmed and her immaculate sophistication and beauty is as radiant as ever. It's great to see her back on the silver screen again and a pity that she's not done more over the years. Her performance is a pleasure to watch, holding together this light-hearted romp from Noel Coward's play. As the matriarch, Lady Felicity, she registers a warm, motherly love to virtually all the characters around her - a calm centre while everyone else gets to cut loose and frolic energetically. Her son (Edward Atterton) has become engaged to the Hollywood movie siren Miranda Frayle (Jeanne Tripplehorn), but a spanner is thrown into the works when her ex-beau, film icon Bud Lucas (William Baldwin) arrives on the scene to win back her heart. Also on hand is Colin Firth, very amusingly playing against type as the family cousin, Peter, and Sophie Thompson, giving an impeccable comic performance as the family maid. Keeping in the background, but making sure that decorum is maintained at all times is Stephen Fry, first-rate as the head butler. Only Atterton, in fact, lets the side down with a slightly colourless and one-note turn as the impetuous son. It's sugary entertainment, amiable but disposable. But let's leave all that aside and just be grateful to the film for bringing back a genuine legend in Dame Julie. She reminds you of a Hollywood from a bygone era. More innocent, more glamorous and more glorious."}, {"response": 1653, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (09:58)", "body": "Capsule review from The Independent. 2 out of 5 stars Relative Values (PG) Director: Eric Styles Starring: Julie Andrews, Colin Firth, Stephen Fry It's rather curious that someone would want to film a No\ufffdl Coward play this way, in the kind of comforting production that TV used to do so well. It's a treat to see Julie Andrews back in the saddle, though a shame it's in this dated tale of a son bringing his bride-to-be home, only to discover she's the sister of the family maid. Silly premise, really. **"}, {"response": 1654, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (10:20)", "body": "(PG) Julie Andrews, Alec Baldwin, Jeanne Tripplehorn. Dir: Eric Styles. UK. 2000. 89mins. Mari: Actually, I noted that This is London has Alec in the credits! :-)"}, {"response": 1655, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (10:32)", "body": "ES: ...appeals to contemporary xenophobia by looking down its aristocratic nose at the Yanks. ROTF...I'm so stupid...that went over my head!! ( See,we're used to it, folks ) ~~~~ Thanks Reporters...they're not awful."}, {"response": 1656, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (10:33)", "body": "From the Northern Echo, review by Steve Pratt: Relative Values (PG) ** THIS adaptation of Noel Coward's comedy has a tendency to look too much like a filmed stage play but the top-notch cast and attractive locations ensure it's all jolly good fun in a TV drama sort of way. The cast do their utmost to invest the piece with the necessary wit and style led by Julie Andrews, making her return to the silver screen, as a countess whose joy at the news of her son's engagement is tempered when she discovers the identity of his fiancee. For the Earl of Marshwood (Atterton) has popped the question to quite unsuitable glamorous Hollywood actress Miranda Frayle (Tripplehorn) who's been getting romantic with her screen lover Don Lucas (Baldwin). Matters are complicated when the Countess's personal maid Moxie (Thompson) reveals she's actually Miranda's long-lost sister. Then add a camp nephew (Firth, relishing the chance to abandon his wet shirt Mr D'Arcy image in favour of limp-wristed bitching) and a sardonic butler (Fry at his most urbane). Put them all together for the weekend at a country estate and you have far too much plot and too many characters for a picture running a shade under an hour-and-a-half. Still, it's good to see Andrews again even if she doesn't burst into a chorus of \"The hills are alive\". Thompson is superb as the mousey maid forced to pretend to be a society woman while Tripplehorn and Baldwin seize the chance to gently send up tempermental Tinseltown types. ********** Also a bit in a Financial Times article that sarcastically critiques the summer movies in the form of a lecture: Well, class, there are just two more English-speaking movies this week and perhaps they're a little better. Relative Values, set in the 1950s, stars Julie Andrews, Colin Firth, William Baldwin, Jeanne Tripplehorn and Sophie Thompson in a film of the Noel Coward stage comedy. A lady with an ancestral pile wants to keep her son and heir from marrying a film star. Not great, but a certain polish?\" \"Oh no, sir. I couldn't agree less. For me, a mirthless mid-Atlantic mishmash.\" \"Ancestral piles, sir!\" \"Scary Poppins, sir!\" \"Sir, on the subject of eternal recurrence I didn't understand if all that jolly music and loud apricot colouring in the visuals were a parodic pastiche of film styles of the period or just their own form of naffness.\" \"You are cruel but possibly just. I must, however, commend the performance of Stephen Fry as the butler, an actor who knows how to use words like 'cognizance' and 'tinctured' and make them count in mixed vernacular company."}, {"response": 1657, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (11:44)", "body": "The Times has a quarter page ad for RV and also brief oneliners about each movie. You can appreciate how good a review is when you see other reviews. For RV, it's \"JA in a fabulous Coward\", for \"Chill Factor\" it's \"thrilling as frozen chips\", Deception (aka Reindeer Games) gets \"overplotted thriller\" and Next Best Thing gets \"feeble drama\" and a lousy review. RV is not the kind of movie that the Independent would like. The FT interview is too clever by half!"}, {"response": 1658, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (11:51)", "body": "Ann, I meant to say thanks for the report. Maybe the film will improve for you on a second viewing, or maybe it won't, but I do appreciate your candor, dear. So disappointing that CF didn't show up; I can imagine your frustration. Darn. (Karen)Actually, I noted that This is London has Alec in the credits! :-) Like I told ya before. . .they're all one Baldwin.;-) (Karen, quoting) Then add a camp nephew (Firth, relishing the chance to abandon his wet shirt Mr D'Arcy image in favour of limp-wristed bitching) \"Camp\" seems to be the watchword for this performance. My question: If P&P brought us the \"wet-shirted Darcy,\" does RV bring us the camp-shirted Peter?;-) (Evelyn)(See,we're used to it, folks) Hey Evelyn, if you lend me your star-spangled hairshirt, I'll let you borrow my red-white-and-blue \"Kick Me\" sign. ;-) Hee hee . . ."}, {"response": 1659, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (12:10)", "body": "Hey Evelyn, if you lend me your star-spangled hairshirt, I'll let you borrow my red-white-and-blue \"Kick Me\" sign. ;-) Hee hee . . . LOL! My question: If P&P brought us the \"wet-shirted Darcy,\" does RV bring us the camp-shirted Peter?;-) And they both fit! Thanks for the reviews, Karen and Mari. I just hope it will still be playing when I am in London."}, {"response": 1660, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (12:43)", "body": "(Mari) does RV bring us the camp-shirted Peter?;-) *reaching for my bottle of Glass Plus* LOL!! Since all the reviewers are commenting on the openly gay character Colin plays, it is very different from the play, as written and performed in the early 1950s. The character is not overtly gay. He doesn't prance around, limp-wristed or otherwise. We are viewing the playing through our present-day eyes, in which the character can be what was only hinted at in the '50s. In Act III, when Peter is talking to Don Lucas (and where I think that smouldering look might be), it seemed to be a private joke of Cowards that would sail over the heads of the 1950s audience. Don Lucas says something about \"how there's only one Pete to me\" [which is what Miranda and Don call each other] and Peter says \"I'm sure it's very charming of you to say so.\" Didn't I tell you guys that I would've cast Harvey Fierstein in the role? ;-)"}, {"response": 1661, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (12:43)", "body": "Ann, thanks for your report! I can appreciate that you would feel v.disappointed that Colin didn't show, but filming isn't always predictable. If they're filming to a tight schedule and if they had to finish a particular shoot in a particular booked location by a particular time, he'd have no option but to stay. Time is money, especially in Central London. I wonder if Livia had kitted herself out in her best frock, and then got a phone call from hubbie saying \"sorry,darling...!\" :-)"}, {"response": 1662, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (13:02)", "body": "Thanks to Anne R., 2 more capsule reviews, one good, one bad: From The Birmingham Post: Relative Values: Never mind the plot contrivances, look at the frocks. Julie Andrews makes a triumphant return as an aristocratic matriarch whose son wants to make an unsuitable match with an actress. Colin Firth, Sophie Thompson and Stephen Fry all help to bolster up this impeccably dressed adaptation of a Noel Coward play. From the Sunday Herald: The same [\"the film has a certain charm\"] cannot be said for Relative Values, a completely unmemorable adaptation of the play by Noel Coward. A well-preserved Julie Andrews gives a strong showing but there is little else to recommend this flabby picture save an unintentionally hilarious attempt by Colin Firth to be CAMP. ***** (CAPS mine;-)"}, {"response": 1663, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (13:29)", "body": "The Noel Coward Society's website: http://www.noelcoward.net/html/filmrelativevalues.html has a review from the webpage author; also mentions that Colin did attend the party afterward. (wonder if that is true) This is the first feature film of a No\ufffdl Coward script for over 50 years. The new Theatrical Companion to Coward (see separate offer!) tells us that the last major Coward film was Blithe Spirit in 1945. Since then there have been some remakes for television, but nothing like a major nationwide release. The event benefitted the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and Fashion Acts. Dame Julie Andrews (who plays Felicity, Countess of Marshwood), William Baldwin (Don Lucas), Stephen Fry (Crestwell) Colin Firth (The Honourable Peter Ingleton), Edward Atterton (Nigel, Earl of Marshwood), the Director Eric Styles and Producer Chris Milburn were were all at the film and the premiere party. The film is on nationwide release from the Friday 23rd June. The film's web site is www.relative-values.com. Review of the Film - an immediate reaction from the web author after viewing the film. Let me say at the outset that this is a wonderful and expertly crafted film. I watched it with an audience of some 50 people from the press, media and the general public. It was extremely well-received by all. The film is set in the 1950s and evokes much of the feel of that decade - even the film stock has the colour quality of films of the period. The performance of each member of the cast is superb! Julie Andrews is faultless as Felicity and exhibits the all-knowing assuredness that we hoped the upper classes might have possessed! As The Tatler puts it \"She is the witty, sensible but stylish matriarch, the Countess of Marshwood, faintly disapproving of her son and heir's imminent marriage to a Hollywood starlet. It is a magnificent piece of casting ..\" Colin Firth playing Felicity's nephew, Peter, is a wonderful foil for her in her more michievious moments in the film and is a genuinely funny character from start to finish. Sophie Thompson must plead guilty to almost stealing the film. Her performance, in what is a pivotal role in the plot, is comic acting at its finest with both pathos and humour. Stephen Fry, as his accent and demeanour switch when moving from upstairs to downstairs, is the trustworthy butler who wins respect by his understanding of his betters, their weaknesses and foibles and by his kindly but firm management of the staff - and his special relationship with Moxie. I must say a word for Alice played by Anwen Carlisle one of those essential character roles that lie at the heart of the best of British comedy films. From shots of her, 'out of control', dogwalking to an enraptured expression reserved for the stars of the silver screen she is wonderful! Jeanne Tripplehorn, William Baldwin and Edward Atterton as the love triangle, one working-class 'made-it', one laid back American 'has-it' and one up-tight aristocratic British 'got-it' - play off each other with great comedic skill and brilliance. For the Coward purists - the play is there - and at times the text is largely untouched. The exciting thing is that in enlarging the play, to make the film, nothing is lost and a lot has been gained. The underlying structure of the three act play is there but much has been added to give context and richness to the plot and the action. Essentially the film feels right, in period and is very Coward! Eric Styles has done a wonderful job in directing a comedic film of considerable weight within a limited budget, with, one has to say, excellent actors. This film should be the surprise hit of the year. It is a 'must see' film! ********** (he might have gone bit too OTT) ;-)"}, {"response": 1664, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (13:43)", "body": "You know, Mari, I prefer being called a \"camp follower\" than a cult member any day, but I fear we'd have to hang out at King's Cross ;-)"}, {"response": 1665, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (14:10)", "body": "LOL!! I'd follow that particular \"camp\" anywhere! Anybody with audio willing to transcribe the interviews?? Please?"}, {"response": 1666, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (14:27)", "body": "(Bethan), but filming isn't always predictable I am sorry to be cynical but I don't buy this reason. Don't forget it was his wedding anniversary. I do really hope it was not for that reason he cried off. It would not surprise me however. I think he is rather too good at putting his private life before his career which is all very fine but you can't expect to *drink the coffee* that way. And why should the rest of us worry when he doesn't? I am feeling for Ann on this. She should complain!! He has known about this premier for weeks. They could have let him go for the evening. I think it was an excuse."}, {"response": 1667, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (16:29)", "body": "They could have let him go for the evening. I think it was an excuse. Didn't RZ attend the premiere of \"Me , Myself and Irene\" last Friday day night in LA? ~~~~~~ I am feeling for Ann on this. She should complain!! Show 'em...ask for your money back;-)"}, {"response": 1668, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (16:31)", "body": "I'm afraid I tend to share that suspicion."}, {"response": 1669, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (16:46)", "body": "Thanks Ladies for your sympathy, it was a disappointment but I guess we will never know the true story. According to Liza' Timeline, Colin turned up at the cinema, after we had taken our seats, chatted to the reporters outside before returning to the BJD set and actually made it to the Party later. To think we paid 25pounds for the privilege of \"not\" seeing him,when we could have stayed by the barriers for nothing and seen him. (now then Ann!!) Oh hum."}, {"response": 1670, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (16:47)", "body": "The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw: Eric Styles made a distinctive debut with his first film, Dreaming of Joseph Lees, a gloomy, Hardyesque tragedy. Now he has exhumed No\ufffdl Coward's Relative Values, a brittle comedy which is not of the Master's first rank. In attempting to dissolve its theatrical boundaries, the adaptation smudges the clarity and unity of the stage settings and in any case ends up becalmed in the various rooms of \"Marshwood Hall\". There is much tinkling laughter and people in black tie saying lines like: \"Everything is quite, quite ghastly!\" Julie Andrews is a regal presence as the Countess of Marshwood - though her hair and deportment suggest modern California rather than pinched, 50s Britain. She resents her son's engagement to Miranda(Jeanne Tripplehorn), an American movie star being pursued by another Yank, Billy Baldwin. It's the kind of accomplished cast that would pack them in at, say, London's Theatre Royal, Haymarket. But on the screen everything looks too creaky - including the reactionary view that Brits and Americans should know their respective stations in life. That said, there is a droll turn from Stephen Fry as the butler and an outstandingly funny, sympathetic performance from Sophie Thompson as Moxie the maid. ******************** And then Imogen Tilden's from Film Unlimited: A relative success Although its theatrical origins are all too evident, this is a light and witty adaption, says Imogen Tilden It is almost 50 years since Coward wrote his play, but Eric Styles is the first to bring it to the cinema screen. This is no coincidence. Coward, the master of mannered comedy is one of the stage's undisputed greats, but directors have shied away from transposing his sparkling, stylised and theatrical prose to film. Last year, the centenary of his birth, eight Coward adaptations were reported to be in production; this is the first to see the light of day. Eric Styles's directorial debut was the humourless and tragic Dreaming of Joseph Lees, and you could be forgiven for approaching his second film with caution. Styles has again teamed again with producer Christopher Milburn, but there the similarities end. Relative Values is a tightly paced and very funny film with barely a second wasted. Set in the early 50s in a postwar Britain still riddled with class snobbery, the plot is simple. The Earl of Marshwood becomes engaged to glamorous Hollywood actress Miranda Frayle (Jeanne Tripplehorn), and takes her home to meet mummy (Julie Andrews), who is less than happy about the prospect of an actress as the future Lady of the manor. When Moxie, Lady Marshwood's personal maid (Sophie Thompson) reveals the actress is in fact Moxie's sister who ran off to Hollywood 20 years previously, it becomes clear that the marriage cannot go ahead. Miranda is also being pursued by her on- and off-screen former lover, the rakish Don Lucas (William Baldwin), who has realised she is the only woman for him. Lady Marshwood, of course, knows what is really best for all concerned, and takes matters into her own hands. The opening montage of film-reel news and newspaper clippings establishes the characters, setting and mood very effectively, and it is with something of a clunk that we move to Marshwood House. But the pace soon picks up again, and an enjoyable story unfolds. The bright technicolour sets give a nostalgic 50s feel, and although the small budget is sometimes painfully evident - 'London airport' looks like something left over from Carry On Abroad - it seems small-minded to carp about it. There are some delightful touches and amusing moments, many provided by the American actors, William Baldwin and Jeanne Tripplehorn, who send themselves up particularly well. In fact the entire cast is impressive. Colin Firth does an extraordinary turn as Lady Marshwood's mischievous nephew, clearly enjoying himself enormously, Firth's role is reputed to have be on Coward: he just stops short of holding his wrist limply and lisping. Various comic understairs characters add to the familiar landscape of English farce (Stephen Fry does his best sub-Jeeves impression). It is Sophie Thompson (Emma's younger sister) who steals the show. As Moxie, Lady Marshwood's personal maid, hers is the pivotal role. She maintains the delicate balance between outright farce and Coward's subtle comedy of manners, while managing to convey a complex and anguish character. If, like me, you can't watch Julie Andrews on screen without expecting her to break into 'My favourite things', it will be a delicious shock to see her playing a character more akin to Lady Bracknell than Mary Poppins. Andrews is majestic and she glides through each scene with the hint of a smug smile on her lips, managing to get everyone dispatched \"in time for church\", and resisting the temptation to tip her character into broad caricature. But when all's said and done, this is a film of a play, and its theatrical origins give it at best the feel of a television drama. T"}, {"response": 1671, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (16:51)", "body": "Lisa's posted at her website (Timeline) that he arrived late and chatted to reporters outside the theatre, and then rushed back to finish some shots for BJD. And later attended a post-screening reception at the National Portrait Gallery. (Who is the source of all this information? :-)) Sounds as though he tried ....if he didn't want to go, there was no point in turning up late. Sounds more disorganised than anything else! :-)"}, {"response": 1672, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (16:56)", "body": "I'm afraid I tend to share that suspicion."}, {"response": 1673, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (16:56)", "body": "And Film Unlimited also has an interview with Julie Andrews to view and the transcript is provided here: http://www.filmunlimited.co.uk/Feature_Story/interview/0,5365,335262,00.html Or watch interview here: http://www.silicon.com/Guardian/guardian_julie_andrews.htm Sorry to hear the latest, Ann. You couldn't have known and it does sound like he really could not get out of work. BTW, Ev, Renee Z was not at any of the Me Myself and Irene stuff I don't think. Everything on TV had been recorded long ago. KJ: We will get Colin's answers transcribed. Have no fear. Just rather buried at present. ;-)"}, {"response": 1674, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (17:24)", "body": "(Karen)BTW, Ev, Renee Z was not at any of the Me Myself and Irene stuff I don't think. Everything on TV had been recorded long ago. I just saw her on ET the other night and they spoke about the premiere...so I thought....But if you say so, boss:-) Arami....your computer is stuck on the same posting ;-))"}, {"response": 1675, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (18:09)", "body": "The invisible man syndrome again - have just watched Film 2000 Interview with JA and film clips, no mention of CF and no clip, recorded Screentime on at the same time on ITV, of the cast of 7, six names mentioned guess who was missing! Oh well, I guess it is better to be ignored that be told you look \"70\". I shall be seeing RV again on Saturday in a better frame of mind, and feel sure I will like it more."}, {"response": 1676, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (18:22)", "body": "Yes, it's \"funny\" how they manage to miss his name...too much of a coincidence! Hope you're cheering up, Ann. Something must have seriously delayed him on the BJD set, otherwise there was absolutely no point in turning up late. On the name thing, RV is (miracle upon miracle!) showing in our local Showcase, and the ad just says \"Julie Andrews and Colin Firth\" in RV. You win some, lose some! BTW, on CF's movies...probably nothing will ever match the impact of P&P. Nowadays, I think it's an achievement for British actors just to appear regularly in reasonably okay stuff. Very few do!"}, {"response": 1677, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (18:52)", "body": "Thanks to everyone who posted articles and reviews from various and sundry sources. Another thank you to Mari for posting \"The Patriot\" article at Odds and Ends."}, {"response": 1678, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (19:10)", "body": "Arami....your computer is stuck on the same posting ;-)) I'm afraid I tend to share that suspicion... ;-)"}, {"response": 1679, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (20:09)", "body": "One of the women who attended the gala after the premiere has posted a great report at FOF. I have asked permission to put the whole on my site, and when she says OK, I will point all there. A brief summary: Colin arrived late, was dropped off in a Jag in front of the Odeon at the very last minute. Did not appear on stage as was said. I think it was at that point that he had to go do the BJD filming, because he came a bit late to the gala at the National Portrait Gallery. Livia was there, looking gorgeous, and Colin's mother, being very nice and attentive to people. Julie was also gracious and lovely to all. CF had a great time talking. At one point he and Rushdie were deep in conversation. They appeared to exchange addresses. Colin was fooling around too, grabbing some guy's coat and darting back to the group he was in, giggling like mad. It seems they knew one another and had a great laugh. His group left late, as the FOF was leaving."}, {"response": 1680, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (20:11)", "body": "Oh yes, and this is how he looked: His hair was great and he did have Darcyesque sideburns. He was wearing a dark blue suit, with a white shirt (or very pale blue) with a silvery tie. He was thinner again, but quite dazzling, all smiles and delight!"}, {"response": 1681, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (21:35)", "body": "Review from the Telegraph (had to pick up the last sentence of the previous review or it wouldn't make sense): But make no mistake - this is Midler's film and it's a pretty good one. So too is Relative Values, despite Julie Andrews being the least aristocratic English countess you can possibly imagine. Thirty-five years on from Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music, she still exudes a niceness that, if not at odds with No\ufffdl Coward's original satire about Britain's post-war class system, certainly undermines it. Put just about any other actress of the right vintage in the part of the Countess of Marshwood and you would have a very different film. Then again, I don't suppose the plot would make any more sense. Ah yes, the plot. A wonderful set of 1950s opening graphics quickly brings us up to date with the fact that the young Earl of Marshwood (son of the the widowed Countess) has rocked genteel society by becoming engaged to an American film actress, Miranda Frayle (Jeanne Tripplehorn). This, as far as his mother is concerned, is wearisome but livable-with - until she discovers that her son's fianc\ufffde is actually the sister of her devoted personal maid, Moxie (Sophie Thompson). Then it gets really complicated - not because that makes Miranda working-class but (and here I really begin to struggle), because her elevation to countess would humiliate her hard-working, ever-so-'umble sister. The solution, dreamt up by the Countess's ever-so-resourceful butler (an on-form Stephen Fry) is to pretend that Moxie has suddenly become a wealthy heiress and make her a house-guest rather than a servant. This, of course, doesn't make it all right, but I'll leave it to you to find out why. Frankly, this is one of those films that becomes less satisfactory the more you think about it. So I think the sensible thing is to stop thinking about it and just enjoy the view. Andrews remains an attractive presence on screen, and she receives diverting support from Colin Firth, whose unlikely performance as her CAMP, cravat-wearing nephew lies in that delicate area between beautifully understated and possibly not very good. Given that he is occasionally ill-served by Eric Styles's otherwise confident direction, I think we will incline toward the former."}, {"response": 1682, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (02:30)", "body": "Flier for RV found under the windscreen wiper of a car in my street: shows the film poster on one side, and 4 small pics + quotes + free-glass-of-wine-with-this-leaflet-at-Chez-Gerard offer on the back. Never seen a film ad under a windscreen wiper in this area before."}, {"response": 1683, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (03:32)", "body": "2/5 rating from Daily Mail Julie Andrews sails through the latest British costume comedy RV, like some stately galleon, but something should have been done about her outfits, which make her look like Margaret Dumont in the Marx Brothers pictures. RV is probably the most creakiest and snobbish of Noel Coward's social comedies and although the film is set less than 50 years ago, its characters seem to come from another planet. Can we really care whether the Earl of Marshwood is going to marry Hollywood star Miranda Frayle and thereby lower the tone of he aristocracy? Tripplehorn and William Baldwin, as her former boyfriend, can do little that's funny as a couple of caricature Hollywood actors. Colin Firth, hilariously miscast in the Noel Coward role, flounces around the edge of the plot with an entertaining impersonation of John Inman (Oh bliss! he gasps as some new disaster unfolds. 'Histrionics!'). This is a pretty awful performance, but I have a sneaking admiration for Firth's courage. I just hope he doesn't run into Peter Tatchell on a dark night. The best thing in the movie is Sophie Thompson, funny and sad as the frumpy sister who can expose Miranda as a fraud. RV is never less than amiable, but you end up wondering why director Eric Styles bothered to make the film. It looks like an old-fashioned stage play, insufficiently rewritten for the cinema. Small picture of CF and JA. He looks mischievious. Possibly a clip from the film. I'm looking forward to seeing the film this weekend."}, {"response": 1684, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (05:06)", "body": "Lisa's posted at her website (Timeline) that he arrived late and chatted to reporters outside the theatre, and then rushed back to finish some shots for BJD. And later attended a post-screening reception at the National Portrait Gallery All is forgiven. He was there with Livia and his mum. Ahhhh."}, {"response": 1685, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (08:06)", "body": "Never seen a film ad under a windscreen wiper in this area before. Wish they'd do that here...and a free glass of wine. What an idea! What a hideous review, Aishling. The Daily Mail person really has something stuck up his posterior. Margaret Dumont?! Colin flouncing? Is he a joke or what. (that isn't a question)"}, {"response": 1686, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (10:28)", "body": "From The Mirror: Best bet of this week's releases is Relative Values - an hour and a half of light-hearted, slightly dated but agreeable whimsy. It's England in the 1950s and the countess Felicity (Julie Andrews) is not too pleased that her son intends marrying American film star Miranda (Jeanne Tripplehorn). But her plans to avoid scandal by passing Miranda off as a rich spinster go awry when her future daughter-in-law turns out to be the sister of her maid Moxie (Sophie Thompson). So Miranda's arrival causes a stir both upstairs and downstairs. Adapted from a Noel Coward play, Relative Values is entertaining, well acted and funny. Sophie Thompson is outstanding as Moxie, and the rest of the film saunters along amiably. Still, it's hard to get worked up about the social stigma attached to an upper-class twit marrying a movie star and, although Relative Values is enjoyable, I wouldn't want to sit through it again."}, {"response": 1687, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (10:33)", "body": "Here's the Time Out review (thanks to FoF Martine). _____________________ Relative Values Director Eric Styles follows 'Dreaming of Joseph Lees' with another 1950s British setting and, more broadly, another depiction of the complications of romance and marriage. In this case, the marriage in question is that of the Earl of Marshwood (Edward Atterton), a young, highly eligible English gentleman expected to marry within his own class. His announcement, therefore, that he plans to wed Hollywood starlet Miranda Frayle (Jeanne Tripplehorn) is met with some consternation. His doting mother, the Countess (Julie Andrews), ia hastily advised by friends not to allow her little corner of England to be sullied; her persoanl maid Moxie (Sophie Thompson) reveals that she's Miranda long-lost sister and terrified lest their disparate personal circumstances be made plain; and the staffof Marshwood Hall are dizzy with excitement at the prospect of meeting a famous Hollywood actress. Near-hysteria builds further when hot on the heels of the happy couple comes Don Lucas ( William Bladwin), a big-shot actorand Miranda's former lover who wants her back. Based on Noel Coward's satire of the classist society of post-war Britain, Styles' film is undemanding, but possesses funny moments and contemporary relevance. The casting is appropriate: Thompson and Stephen Fry (as the droll, urbane butler) in particular demonstrate the precision and wit of Coward's language, Atterton has the requisite classic English looks and is afforded the funniest lines ('We just say riding in England, the horseback's taken for granted'), while Tripplehorn captures the capriciousness of a stereotypical Hollywood star. Unfortunately, however, the hidden depth of compassion of Coward's play only occasionally surfaces - it seems to have been lost in the effort to keep things light - and we're left with something of little substance, sporadically amusing, but fleeting and flimsy. Katy Wilkinson"}, {"response": 1688, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (10:34)", "body": "(Telegraph review) Andrews remains an attractive presence on screen, and she receives diverting support from Colin Firth, whose unlikely performance as her CAMP, cravat-wearing nephew lies in that delicate area between beautifully understated and possibly not very good. Given that he is occasionally ill-served by Eric Styles's otherwise confident direction, I think we will incline toward the former. (Mari, I assume the caps were yours). Uh-oh, I don't know if I like this. Sometimes CF is a little too understated for his own good (IMOIMOIMVHO). About half the critics loved the movie/his performance while the other half hated it and/or him. Talked about mixed reviews...don't think this bodes well for our ever seeing RV on the big screen here in the states :-( (Yet we liked MLSF better, so who knows.)"}, {"response": 1689, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (12:12)", "body": "Mixed but predictable...you almost know which reviewer is going to like it/him/dislike it/him. Apparently Alexander Walker of the ES (who liked MLSF very much) praises RV as \"Witty and clever\" whereas the Daily Express reviewer (who dismissed MLSF as a boring waste of space) doesn't even bother to review RV. The Daily Mail reviewer is the same one who said in no uncertain terms that CF was miscast as Edward in MLSF."}, {"response": 1690, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (12:23)", "body": "Was it Christopher Tookey, Bethan, only he gave CF a glowing review for Fever Pitch. Incidentally RV is playing at two cinemas in Brighton!!! and I forgot to mention that I recorded GMT yesterday morning just in case they had something on the Premiere, no Premiere news but a televsision advert for Relative Values, when was the last time I saw a television advet for a CF film probably SIL and they said there was no money for advertising and distribution, must have found some somewhere. Actually I have been thinking about the film and he is quite cute in it and obviously having a great time so what the heck. I am glad I am seeing it again tomorrow."}, {"response": 1691, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (15:45)", "body": "Just returned from a local evening showing of RV, just 12 of us in the cinema! I have to admit to enjoying it, end of week relaxation etc I can't remember a time when ODB 's dimples have been more pronounced, gorgeous! He's not John Inman. that's for sure and the part's too big to be considered as \"simpering on the sidelines\" etc I have to say that the cravat is as big a mistake as his TOTS suit, not v. authentic, but he got a lot of laughs from the audience. For me, it was pure pleasure just to focus on his expressions. His eyes were sparkling and his dimples in evidence, I can't say that i really took everything else in too much. What a shame, will have to go again, just to focus on the plot, now that's hardship for you. Sorry to hear about your experiences Ann. Hope you enjoy your experience more tomorrow. It has been quite a day...... This morning Helen Fielding mentioned Colin quite clearly before anyone else in her C4 interview and was delighted with what she had seen on set this week. Must dash to check out Karen's site and all the other goodies you put up. Thanks everyone for the links."}, {"response": 1692, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (16:26)", "body": "http://www.amazon.co.uk have the soundtrack to \"Relative values\" available at \ufffd11.99...music and dialogue from the movie. Congrats on being so quick off the mark, Lizza! RV is showing in one cinema here, but the biggest and best. Hope to go Sunday, or mid-week latest! I slammed a tape in when the RV item came up on SkyNews, so have a few megaseconds of CF to study. Looks young and cute. No cravat. Light grey suit, waistcoat, white shirt and grey tie, Tres elegant. Is smirking, but I've no problem with that! Re. the reviews. Compared with the US, our reviewers are generally less enthusiastic, less generous and can be very cutting. 2 stars is very okay (1 star/no star is common) If you want b-a-d reviews you should read some of the comments on Madonna and Rupert. And Donald Sutherland in the West End theatre!"}, {"response": 1693, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (21:45)", "body": "Here's the full [bad] review from The Independent: YOU CAN practically smell the mildew on Relative Values, a stiff adaptation of a Noel Coward play that sets Hollywood and high society on a collision course. It centres upon an inappropriate love match: a titled twit falls for a leading American actress and announces their engagement, much to the chagrin of his mother Lady Marshwood (Julie Andrews) and her maid Moxie (Sophie Thompson), who unbeknown to all is the estranged sister of the Hollywood star. Meanwhile, Lady Marshwood's raffish nephew (Colin Firth) and butler (Stephen Fry) orchestrate a plot to foil the nuptials and direct the \"jumped-up colonial floozy\" back into the arms of her leading man (William Baldwin). That the piece is dated wouldn't matter so much if there were some pizzazz in the writing and staging, but director Eric Styles and writers Paul Rattigan and Michael Walker haven't provided the oil to stop it creaking. I can't imagine Coward's original exactly popped like champagne, but on film it's about as enticing as flat Lucozade. Left high and dry by the adapters, the cast flail madly, retreating into mannerism or, in Colin Firth's case, cutting a faintly ridiculous dash as the gay blade. The one person who emerges from it all with dignity intact is Andrews; she manages to waltz through the drawing-room twitter with something very like aplomb."}, {"response": 1694, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (21:54)", "body": "Also, an interview with Sophie Thompson from The Birmingham Post, where she mentions Colin from Tumbledown time. INTERVIEW: SOPHIE, AN ACTOR IN WAITING: STAR OF RELATIVE VALUES SOPHIE THOMPSON, SISTER OF EMMA, TELLS ALISON JONES OF WEIGHTIER THINGS ON HER MIND. 23-Jun-2000 Sophie Thompson has been considering her career options lately. The lulls between jobs that are part of most actors' careers have prompted her to consider what else she could turn her creative talents to. 'I'm quite good at gluing things and cutting up,' proffered the devoted mum of three year old Ernie. 'In my darkest hours I do wonder what else I could do rather than sitting around waiting for other people to give me work.' 'My husband and sister both write but I don't have that kind of natural urge. I don't believe the saying that everyone has a book in them, I reckon I've only got a pamphlet.' For the moment Sophie, who is married to actor Richard Lumsden, has weightier matters on her mind, namely that she is six-and-a-half months pregnant with their second child. It will be the latest addition to a theatrical family dynasty that could soon rival the Redgraves. Apart from Ernie, Sophie's big sister Emma Thompson and her partner Greg Wise are the proud parents of baby Gaia. Proud grandmother Phyllida Law lives in the same street as her two daughters and is conveniently on call for baby-sitting duties. 'I'm getting quite big now. I'm over the morning sickness but I'm feeling a bit slow and lumpen,' admitted Sophie, who is 37. 'Ernie's getting quite excited. He rather likes the idea of having someone to show off to.' If the blooming mother-to-be feels the need to refresh her memory about what her toes look like, she can slip along to the cinema where, thanks to the time lapse that occurs between the making and release of a film , she is her usual trim self in Relative Values. Adapted from Noel Coward's play, it is a rather strained comedy of manners about an aristocratic family who are mortified by the scion of the estate's plan to marry a movie star. Adding to the potential for public scandal is the revelation by her Ladyship's personal maid Moxie (Sophie Thompson) that the actress (Jeanne Tripplehorn) is in fact her estranged sister. Though they are ill-served by the script, there is some sterling work from Sophie, Stephen Fry as the butler and Colin Firth as a camp cousin, attempting to wring laughs from the situation. 'What I found lovely about the part was I actually got the chance to work with everyone,' said Sophie. 'Very often in movies you never actually meet some of your co-stars. 'For example I knew Colin because I shot a small scene for a brilliant film he did about the Falklands called Tumbledown. I met him on set but I had never acted opposite him. 'Stephen Fry was in Footlights at Cambridge with my sister Emma. I used to hand him his outfits and props backstage when they appeared at the Edinburgh Festival.' Relative Values does enjoy a certain curiosity value in that it boasts a rare screen appearance by Julie Andrews, who is in stately form as the blue blooded matriarch. 'She is just amazing,' enthused Sophie. 'She is the most professional person you are ever likely to work with. She was practically born in a trunk so she has got incredible stamina and poise. 'She doesn't play the grande dame at all. It was the same with Meryl Streep who I worked with on Dancing at Lughnasa. At first you feel like you already know them but you get over that quite fast. Then you just feel like you are working with someone brilliant.' The newly Damed Julie is clearly conscious of the reputation that precedes her. While gazing at the view from the window of the stately home where they were filming she broke the ice by bursting into a quick chorus of 'the hills are alive'. 'We practically wept with laughter when she did it,' recalled Sophie. 'She is very comfy with all of that and she has still got a cracking voice, even though I know she has had trouble with it.' American actor William Baldwin rounded out the cast as Jeanne's jilted movie star ex. 'They settled in quite nicely once they had got their computers set up and could start sending e-mails. 'I think they were the most home sick and I really felt for them. Billy flew a couple of times because his wife was having a baby and Jeanne's chap came over.' The role of Moxie is a rare lead for Sophie, who usually specialises in scene stealing character parts. She was hilarious as the second bride in Four Weddings and a Funeral who memorably enjoyed a mid-reception bonk with her husband, unaware that Hugh Grant was cringing in a cupboard nearby. And she was particularly touching as the twittering spinster who was crushed by a careless remark from Gwyneth Paltrow in Emma. Her ability to transform herself for each role means that, unlike her sister, she can take part in hugely successful projects yet retain a degree of anonymity. 'I've never wanted people to stop me in the street. I would love i"}, {"response": 1695, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Jun 24, 2000 (05:06)", "body": "A couple more reviews: Excerpt from this week\ufffds GAT magazine: (On The Next Best Thing) The scene at the graveside of a gay friend who has succumbed to AIDs is truly appalling in its schmaltziness and even the intervention of two of the most evil queens this side of Sleeping beauty cannot save the enterprise from being a dud\ufffd. Talking of queens, everybody\ufffds favourite Mr Darcy, Colin Firth , gets a bit camp himself in Relative Values, the big screen reworking of N\ufffdel Coward\ufffds play. Julie Andrews is the upper class mum whose son decides to marry a very unsuitable Hollywood actress (Jeanne Tripplehorn). Just hoe unsuitable becomes apparent when she turns up at the family\ufffds country seat with her ex-lover and fellow film star (William Baldwin) in tow. Lots of skeletons in different closets come out, mostly revealed by the maid (Sophie Thompson) and everybody has a jolly good time screaming and shouting. Firth bitches it up a storm as the Countess\ufffds nephew and Stephen Fry does a nice job as the butler in this rather old fashioned but charming comedy. ************************************************ From Metro 23/6/2000 Real Lack Of Class \ufffd Fiona Morrow There are grande-dames and period costumes from both Britain and America this week, as Julie Andrews and Bette Midler play matriarchs, albeit from different sides of the track. Andrews is predictably, unremarkably okay as the upper-crust Countess of Marshwood in Eric Styles\ufffd version of Noel Coward\ufffds Relative values, a flabby production that functions largely as an exercise in comic mistiming. The examination of class and manners may be ever pertinent, but Styles does nothing to bring things up to date. Edward Atherton plays Andrews\ufffd son, determined to marry a Hollywood star (Jeanne Tripplehorn) whose pedigree turns out to be even deeper below stairs than everyone imagined. Credit goes to Stephen Fry's kindly, super-articulate butler, the deliciously camp Colin Firth and the game Sophie Thompson for trying to inject life into the proceedings though the same can\ufffdt be said for William Baldwin, as Tripplehorn\ufffds real love, who kills every scene he\ufffds in. ***** Not the greatest reviews ever, but at least CF comes off relatively unscathed!"}, {"response": 1696, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jun 24, 2000 (05:40)", "body": "RV is showing in 4 theatres (all major cities) in the NE and NW, so there's no way it can feature in the box office Top Ten! I'm just pleased it has been released......believe me that's a major achievement for an \"English\" film without obvious \"yoof\" appeal. Even JA's iconic status doesn't seem to count for much with some reviewers. \"The Sound of..what?\" \"Mary Who?\" The examination of class and manners may be ever pertinent, but Styles does nothing to bring things up to date. Why should he? This is a 1950s period comedy, not a socially-relevant docu-drama set in Docklands in the new millenium. The \"Independent\"..hmmm. I seem to recall that it was the Independent reviewer who praised Ben Elton (screenwriter of \"Maybe Baby\", which has done well at the Box Office) for \"skillfully blending jokes on masturbation, dog shit and lesbianism\". I was eating at the time I read this...quite put me off! Tastes obviously differ!"}, {"response": 1697, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Jun 24, 2000 (06:51)", "body": "I'm really looking forward to seeing RV, though it will take some time until it gets here. There may be some bad reviews, but the majority of reviewers obviously enjoyed it. BTW, my twinwave email address doesn't work today (?). If necessary please use threedeers@yahoo.com, thanks."}, {"response": 1698, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Jun 24, 2000 (07:23)", "body": "Thanks all for the RV reviews, good and bad. Someone found a link to an official Londinium Site. I think this is new. Same pictures Karen has: http://sunlightproductions.com/Londinium/stills.html"}, {"response": 1699, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Jun 24, 2000 (07:31)", "body": "From the interview with Sophie Thompson: Her ability to transform herself for each role means that, unlike her sister, she can take part in hugely successful projects yet retain a degree of anonymity. 'I've never wanted people to stop me in the street. I would love it if you could look completely different when acting but you never quite do. 'It is very pleasing to think your face can do different things, however, it would be nice to be able to put it down and walk away from it like a musician can with an instrument. As an actor once people recognise you they develop expectations because of the parts you've played ' Sounds familiar... :-)"}, {"response": 1700, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 24, 2000 (07:40)", "body": "Thank you ladies for posting all those reviews. I am looking forward to seeing Colin camp it up. I hope it will still be playing in July."}, {"response": 1701, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 24, 2000 (08:33)", "body": "According to a list I pulled last night, RV is playing at 80 theaters in the UK, probably not enough to make a dent in the box office charts. If anyone is curious, I can post it. Thanks, Tracy, for the new reviews. Am wondering how some people can write that Colin is underplaying the role and some how he is having great fun CAMPING it up."}, {"response": 1702, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 24, 2000 (08:52)", "body": "Interview with Colin at Film Unlimited today: Firth goes forth With a non-romantic role in Noel Coward's Relative Values, followed by Bridget Jones' Diary, Colin Firth is playing against his \"dashing\" screen persona Steve Rose Saturday June 24, 2000 He's still best known as TV heart-throb Mr Darcy in the BBC's 1995 dramatisation of Pride And Prejudice, but Colin Firth's cinema work has been equally impressive. From his debut with Rupert Everett in Another Country, he's developed into a reliable character actor in features such as The English Patient and Shakespeare In Love (he also plays Shakespeare himself in the Millennium Dome's Blackadder film), mixing in more contemporary films such as Nick Hornby's Fever Pitch. In the current Noel Coward adaptation, Relative Values, he plays the foppish cousin of lady of the manor Julie Andrews. Was the prospect of working with Julie Andrews daunting? There's no question she has legendary status. But she was a wonderful team leader in an old-fashioned sort of way. You know, rallying the troops and keeping spirits high, reminding us to keep our backs straight. The film addresses Anglo-American tensions and differences. Were there any on set? It's funny, I do find that American actors tend to be irrationally in awe of English actors and the whole English tradition. And we envy American actors for their ease in front of the camera. I think, certainly in the press, there's a sort of self-loathing for our own cinema at the moment, but that's not how it's perceived abroad. The Americans all perceive us to be highly trained and to have this theatrical discipline, some sort of substance which they lack, which I don't think is really true to be honest. So generally there's no tension. If anything, there's a tremendous mutual respect, probably slightly baseless. You're in the middle of Bridget Jones' Diary. Is it refreshing not to be doing a costume drama? Everything's a costume drama really. It's all an artificial world you're creating, and in some ways it feels far more artificial trying to re-create the present day. It's very odd, you get bogged down in far more difficult detail when you do modern stuff than when you're doing period. If you're playing Mr Darcy [in Pride And Prejudice] you just say he'd wear one of those sorts of frocks and it would probably be blue, whereas with the modern stuff you really get caught up in some tricky decisions - what kind of trainers would he wear, etc. The audience knows what the reference points are. You, Colin Firth, actually feature as Bridget Jones' fantasy in the book. Does that make things complicated? No, thankfully they've dispensed with all references to me in the film. You did actually meet Helen Fielding, though, didn't you? Yes, the interview she does in the second book, I was part of the contrivance. It was a sort of performed conversation we had, which was very funny. I don't know how conscious she was, but she sort of went into \"Bridget\" mode, which was rather different from her. Does that mean you had to go into Colin mode? Well I did a bit. I tried to be a bit more serious, and less patient. There are also rumours that you're going to play Tony Blair. This often happens: I read what I'm going to do in the papers, but no one's told me about it. Did you entertain the prospect for a while? Well, it depends, it's very hard for those things to work when they are so contemporary. It's better to wait 10 years or so to get a perspective on it, but by that time I'll be old enough to do the Enoch Powell story or something."}, {"response": 1703, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 24, 2000 (08:59)", "body": "BTW, Film Unlimited summarizes the ratings of RV as follows: The Times (9/10) Evening Standard (6/10) Daily Mail (4/10) Mirror (8/10) Daily Telegraph (8/10) Guardian (6/10) Independent (5/10)"}, {"response": 1704, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sat, Jun 24, 2000 (12:20)", "body": "You, Colin Firth, actually feature as Bridget Jones' fantasy in the book. Does that make things complicated? No, thankfully they've dispensed with all references to me in the film. Darn! Leaving that stuff in would make the film much funnier."}, {"response": 1705, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 24, 2000 (13:07)", "body": "This is especially for us non-UKers, who may not realize how sarcastic that last remark of Colin's was because we don't know about Enoch Powell. Here's a news article from 1998, when he died: Mr Powell was one of the most controversial British politicians of his generation and a powerful orator. His opposition to black immigration thrust him into the headlines in the late nineteen-sixties. In one of his most famous and controversial speeches he warned that unchecked immigration could lead to violence in British cities, and that rivers of blood would flow as a result. In the national outcry that followed, the Conservative Party leader Edward Heath denounced Mr Powell as a racist and sacked him from the shadow cabinet."}, {"response": 1706, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jun 24, 2000 (14:17)", "body": "Ladies, I have seen RV for the second time and in a better frame of mind and I have to say \"it improves upon acquaintance\". Colin seems to be having a great time so what the heck and today the audience responded to all his one-liners. So please disregard my previous comments, I think you will all enjoy it, it is fun. Aishling enjoyed it and it seemed so did the 40-50 audience. My only complaint and that of several others, was the the background music was too loud and one missed one or two of the one-liners, which was a shame. Yes it was fun."}, {"response": 1707, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jun 24, 2000 (14:57)", "body": "That's really good news, Ann! I'm looking forward to seeing it! According to a list I pulled last night, RV is playing at 80 theaters in the UK, probably not enough to make a dent in the box office charts. (Karen) Must be showing at far more venues in the south, than way up north! IMHO it doesn't really matter whether it shows in the charts or not (needs about 200 theatres to do this), but what's important is that it has registered as a movie. It featured on the national news, and there have been lots of interviews and articles. So many films just come and go (sadly, MLSF was one), and the names just don't make any impact. Next week, we get \"Chicken Run\" and the week after, \"Mission Impossible 2\"....there's such a rapid turnover that most films are instantly forgotten. Thanks for the Film Unlimited interview, Karen! He makes (as always) some good points. I don't give up on the Man who would be PM (aka Tony Blair) project though...CF said same thing about Mark Darcy. His comment about \"perspective\" is valid though, but if it's a satirical drama, it has to be contemporary. A lot depends on the screenplay. Our political scene is really hotting up, and the script could be very controversial!"}, {"response": 1708, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 24, 2000 (16:46)", "body": "Great to hear that you've seen RV in a new light and that you and Aishling both enjoyed it. Must be showing at far more venues in the south, than way up north! You can check out the locations here and sort them out if you can. Seems to be a true UK listing, as has Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland included. http://www.spring.net/karenr/cinemalstings.txt"}, {"response": 1709, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jun 24, 2000 (16:51)", "body": "Agree, Susan. I hope that doesn't mean the Pride & Prejudice references will also be removed. The abridged audiotape I have of BJD virtually wiped out all P&P/Colin Firth references, showing that it's possible to do it though highly undesirable IMO. ;-) There are also rumours that you're going to play Tony Blair. This often happens: I read what I'm going to do in the papers, but no one's told me about it. LOL! Sound familiar? Suspiciously like what he was saying before he was cast as Mark. Nice find, Karen."}, {"response": 1710, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 24, 2000 (21:33)", "body": "Well, Cosmo trashed RV. Gave it one star in the Sunday Times: Golly gosh! A No\ufffdl Coward country-house \"comedy\" of manners, in which the master pokes fun at the English class system. It's all about this ghastly American movie star called Miranda Frayle (Jeanne Tripplehorn) who is planning to marry Nigel, the Earl of Marshwood (Edward Atterton). When everyone at the Marshwood estate hears the news about the earl and his \"jumped-up colonial floozy\", they get into a frightful tizzy \ufffd despite all their talk about the barriers of class being irrelevant. But when the long-serving and ever-faithful maidservant, Moxie (Sophie Thompson), tells her mistress, the Dowager Countess of Marshwood (Julie Andrews), that Miranda is her long-lost sister, a comic conspiracy against the engaged couple starts to unfold. This trite piece of snooty, leftover whimsy has the clipped rat-tat-tat dialogue of vintage Coward, but not one really witty line or memorable character. With Stephen Fry as the Jeeves-like butler, and Colin Firth as the wise-cracking fop who simpers and smirks on the sidelines, it has a kind of formulaic fatuousness you find in \"classy\" Brit comedies. CL"}, {"response": 1711, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 24, 2000 (21:50)", "body": "Thank you Karen and everybody for the reviews of RV.Glad they're mentioning Colin in the comments. I will enjoy it too when we see it...TV or screen..makes not difference.Though for me it will probably be video.No chance of Noel Coward making it to mid-America. Never mind, if it doesn't get a theatrical release, we'll get it faster on video;-) Glad RV was better the second time around, Ann. (See, you should have given MLSF a second try:-) Sorry, I just had to get that one in ;-)"}, {"response": 1712, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jun 25, 2000 (03:43)", "body": "Well, I'm off to see RV today with my mother (she enjoyed MLSF!). I don't think it will appeal to my DH and/or sons. and even if my mother doesn't enjoy it, she won't complain! There'a a smashing pic of CF at the RV Premiere (or possibly reception)at http://www.noelcoward.net/home.html Must be in MD mode as he's hot from the set. Plus an account of the Premiere....Ann, you'll find this interesting, if you haven't already seen it. One thing that strikes me is that the Noel Coward webmaster, who must be a very keen and knowledgeable fan, gives RV an excellent review, whereas several of our newspaper reviewers complain about \"lack of social relevance\" (yawn!) and how this version of RV has ignored Coward's biting satire and just concentrated on the \"fun\" element. Call me dim, but I never thought NC was a biting saririst..I thought he wrote primarily to entertain."}, {"response": 1713, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sun, Jun 25, 2000 (04:11)", "body": "Yes so did I. I have seen most of the plays by Noel Coward and am convinced they were written for entertainment value only. He certainly did not try to educate that wasn't his idea. Just to entertain. I am looking forward to this with some anticipation if it ever reaches Oz."}, {"response": 1714, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Jun 25, 2000 (04:20)", "body": "Thank goodness for the multiplex! Looking at my local paper and the list referred to by Karen, it appears that RV is showing in all the major venues around me so this time I'll get to see one of his films while it's actually on general release ;-D Unfortunately the cinema in my home town is of the 1.5 screen variety (the half being barely larger than my lounge at home) and so with \"bigger\" films out at the moment it's unlikely RV will show in the short term..if at all! Anyway am now in preparation mode for the screening, goosebumps at the ready -check, sticky tape (for repair purposes in case I ROLTLMAO) - check, photographic memory to aid report back to Spring - check."}, {"response": 1715, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 25, 2000 (08:27)", "body": "WOW!!! Thanks, Bethan, for finding this. Does he ever look fabulous! And nothing to criticize from the \"collar contingent\" ;-) Of course, Mark Darcy would dress impeccably (except when wearing Christmas presents)."}, {"response": 1716, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Jun 25, 2000 (08:58)", "body": "(Karen, quoting)With a non-romantic role in Noel Coward's Relative Values, followed by Bridget Jones' Diary, Colin Firth is playing against his \"dashing\" screen persona Wot? Not dashing as Mark Darcy? Is he gonna keep the dreadful sweater all through the movie then? ;-) with the modern stuff you really get caught up in some tricky decisions - what kind of trainers would he wear, etc. Trainers? Please let him *not* make the decisions here!;-) No, thankfully they've dispensed with all references to me in the film. Oh no! :-( Does that mean you had to go into Colin mode? Well I did a bit. I tried to be a bit more serious, and less patient. :-) We all know how patient he really is, and are grateful for it... by that time I'll be old enough to do the Enoch Powell story or something. Is this the notorious Fear of Forty?;-) Karen, as a non-UKer, thanks for explaining about Enoch Powell. And Bethan, for the noelcoward.net link."}, {"response": 1717, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 25, 2000 (09:35)", "body": "Check out the short trailer at the BBC site. It seems to be of better quality and especially check out Colin's little dipsy move in shaking hands with Billy Baldwin. *running screaming from the room* http://www.bbc.co.uk/movies/whatson/relative_values.shtml"}, {"response": 1718, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jun 25, 2000 (09:57)", "body": "Thanks, Bethan and Karen. Lovely,MD! And he is finally wearing a white shirt! (Gi), Trainers? Please let him *not* make the decisions here!;-) LOL! We know him too well. ;-)"}, {"response": 1719, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun 25, 2000 (11:38)", "body": "And nothing to criticize from the \"collar contingent\" ;-) I approve. At least it's not black ..and a tie! Must have been in honor of Noel Coward. (karen)...Colin's little dipsy move in shaking hands with Billy Baldwin. *running screaming from the room* LMAO. Oh Karen, I'm running right behind you. For sure we won't have to set up a topic \"Peter Drool\" He could not have picked a role further from Mr. Darcy:-( However, he could be the next pin-up boy for a gay magazine....now there's a target audience we hadn't thought of...."}, {"response": 1720, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Jun 25, 2000 (12:54)", "body": "Haven't we? But he has been acknowledged as a (minor?) gay icon for long enough. I'm sure it has been mentioned here before. Meanwhile I have the UK Sunday Express before me. Two pieces with Colin... A not so good review of RV (though in a \"Best of the rest\" column) and an intrusive gossipy piece (that will make the tongues wag again! ;-D) with a new pose from an old series of ODB and Wife resplendent in evening garb. She's in a red dress (with black pattern, so it's not Baftas, but very similar). Small and bad quality, might not scan well. Anyone going to copy them here or must I...? (My scanner is dodgy.) ;-)"}, {"response": 1721, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun 25, 2000 (13:56)", "body": "(Arami)But he has been acknowledged as a (minor?) gay icon for long enough. I'm sure it has been mentioned here before. I never heard that before...I was only joking... (Arami)....an intrusive gossipy piece (that will make the tongues wag again! ;- Don't leave us hanging, Arami. Pray tell what is the gossipy piece ."}, {"response": 1722, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Jun 25, 2000 (14:35)", "body": "I never heard that before... You don't know/don't remember the \"kiss of the burly stagehand\" episode??? Seems I'll have to type the story etc. next. Patience..."}, {"response": 1723, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Jun 25, 2000 (17:42)", "body": "Sunday Express (UK), June 25, 2000 \"Soundtrack\" By Henry Fitzherbert and James O'Brien [a showbiz gossip page] Birth of a new Firth? Colin Firth's gorgeous Italian wife Livia Guiggioli [*] told us of her yearning for a baby at the premiere of Relative Values, the Noel Coward adaptation in which Firth, as an exceedingly camp aristocrat, looks incapable of fathering anything. \"I'm desperately trying to become pregnant,\" explained documentary-maker Livia, who married Firth three years ago after meeting on the set of the BBC's Nostromo, where she was a production assistant [**]. \"I'd love nothing better than to have a baby with Colin and he'd love that, too. He's a natural with kids. It would also be a diversion for him from work.\" Firth, meanwhile, who has a son from his marriage [***] to actress Meg Tilly, was struck by deja vu at the party in London's National Portrait Gallery. Referring to his role in the Bridget Jones movie, he said: \"I've spent the past three days doing exactly that - standing around in an art gallery, sipping fake wine and talking platitudes.\" [end] =================================================== [*] sic! [**] sic!! [***] sic!!! (my comments - A., always trying to do my f...ing research.)"}, {"response": 1724, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jun 25, 2000 (19:13)", "body": "Thanks, Arami! Colin in that tux with the skinny bowtie we have seen before, the hair gives it away too. Karen thought it was taken at Cannes last year. Do you still think so Karen? \"I'm desperately trying to become pregnant,\" Why would she say this to a gossip reporter? This is very private and Italians are very superstitious, it doesn't sound right. It would also be a diversion for him from work.\" Wot? Sick of his guitar playing already? ;-)"}, {"response": 1725, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Jun 25, 2000 (20:12)", "body": "Must have been something they slipped in her drink...;-) It all sounds very suspiciously un-Firthy to me. Quite likely one of those things which get passed round the social circles with bits added or distorted, and are best politely ignored - though perhaps not wholly dismissed... And why should she talk about \"desperately trying to become pregnant\" to a couple of young male upstarts at a publicity bash? Unless she's rather more cosmopolitan than Italian and not so superstitious... and perhaps she knows them well from somewhere else. But even so, it still doesn't sound right somehow... \"Desperately trying...\" hm... Doesn't that suggest images of a certain nature, too...? ;-D"}, {"response": 1726, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 25, 2000 (21:32)", "body": "Why do I find it hard to believe that Livia discussed this with two tabloid reporters??? BTW, that IS the same tux as in Cannes, but Livia's dress I recall being different. Will have to check the tape again. But his hair is the same. ;-)"}, {"response": 1727, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun 25, 2000 (22:08)", "body": "Thanks for the pic, Arami.She looks gorgeous. IMO the reporters' comments are sick. Trash.I'd be ashamed to attach my name to that copy. ~~~~~~~~~ You don't know/don't remember the \"kiss of the burly stagehand\" episode??? Missed it somehow....(you can put it up on Springfolk if you think it's more apropos there)"}, {"response": 1728, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (01:36)", "body": "I join the chorus, and say it doesn't ring true. Heavens, what kind of paper is that?! This is just a taste of what happens if somebody gets into that tabloid/paparazzi hell. To all webmistresses: please, don't put this \"news\" up, or it will confirm this breed of ********* [expletive for journalists] that this is the kind of articles we want to read. Hope I don't sound too theatrical"}, {"response": 1729, "author": "aishling", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (03:36)", "body": "As Ann said, I really enjoyed RV. The film is light and airy and a bit of nonsense but moved long quickly enough. I loved the way Colin portrayed his character. He was very mischievious and stirred up the other characters whenever the opportunity arose. As we have all witnessed before, his facial expressions reveal a lot and his gestures are great. I found his campness hilarious and not over the top. As the man himself said, he wanted that part and it looked like he had a terrific time. The other 50 or so people in the cinema laughed along with him. He was dressed very smartly throughout the film with only one casual outfit which would have looked better had he not been sporting a polka-dot kerchief. He was smoking in a few scenes. Lots of smiles but I can only recall one hint of a toothy one. ST was excellent as was SF. The sound in the cinema was very loud and there are noisy scenes as well, so we couldn't actually hear all the one liners. I shall go and watch it again at my local cinema."}, {"response": 1730, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (06:22)", "body": "I saw part of a Colin Firth / Rupert Everett movie last night, they must have in their 20s when this was made and they were boys at a well to do private school. Does anyone know the movie I'm referring to?"}, {"response": 1731, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (06:57)", "body": "Another Country?"}, {"response": 1732, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (07:04)", "body": "I have the picture Bethan found and the article on the gala by the FOF (with her kind permission) here: http://www.geocities.com/firthfan/values/rvreviews.html That gossip thing is so poorly done, and full of inaccuracies. I too wonder if Livia really said all that to those reporters. Maybe they overheard her speaking to someone else."}, {"response": 1733, "author": "carrieg", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (08:05)", "body": "Colin Firth did say in a recent interview (in response to a question of he and Livia having children ) \"It'll happnen\" Unless that was a fabrication as well. I do wonder at the report of seeing CF and Livia at the premiere when I have heard that he was nowhere to be seen.(Just mentioned by JA)"}, {"response": 1734, "author": "carrieg", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (08:30)", "body": "Sorry , I missed the page at An Appreciation...Very nice to be able to read this. I really doubt that she would have mentioned it at all.( Livia re trying to have a baby) The topic and the comments credited to her sound like the sound very much like some of the sleazier gossip 'publications' here in the USA. It may be that they picked up on the 'It'll happen .' comment that was in one of the recent publications from the UK. Cannot remember offhand which one."}, {"response": 1735, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (12:41)", "body": "(Arami)It all sounds very suspiciously un-Firthy to me. Same here. That thing about \"standing around in an art gallery, sipping fake wine and talking platitudes\" is too rude, don't you think?"}, {"response": 1736, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (19:16)", "body": "Colin Firth did say in a recent interview (in response to a question of he and Livia having children ) \"It'll happnen\" Yes - that comment made me think that they may have been experiencing some delays/difficulties in that area, but why would they talk about it publicly? Except, of course, we don't really know how talkative Livia really is... That thing about \"standing around in an art gallery, sipping fake wine and talking platitudes\" is too rude, don't you think? Ummm... it's a kind of thing Colin would say and not realize it may be taken as rude. He sometimes talks incoherently... E.g. the short interview snippets on Relative Values website... sorry, but they made me cringe... :-( (But I'm still mad about the boy, nevertheless...) Talking about RV - I must confess that I've just seen it...I've seen it... But please, don't ask any questions yet - I'm still thinking... :-( No, it's not Colin, he's all right - as gay men go... - but the film generally seems rather weak. It's basically a jolly little romp made for Julie. Not the best of Coward's plays, imo, and the director wasn't clever enough to improve it. A great pity."}, {"response": 1737, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (19:41)", "body": "\"standing around in an art gallery, sipping fake wine and talking platitudes\" I assumed that he was talking about filming a scene, not real life. But since I haven't seen/read RV or BJD, I may have assumed wrong :-)"}, {"response": 1738, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (21:46)", "body": "(Murph) Maybe they overheard her speaking to someone else. My thoughts exactly. (Arami) Ummm... it's a kind of thing Colin would say and not realize it may be taken as rude. Agreed. Flippant and wry . . .and sort of funny actually.:-) So, Arami, I take it that RV is *not an artistic achievement,* IYHO?;-) Love the premiere pic, Bethan--good find."}, {"response": 1739, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (02:19)", "body": "(Murph) Maybe they overheard her speaking to someone else. Perhaps talking to a heavily pregnant Sophie Thompson?"}, {"response": 1740, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (05:58)", "body": "First of all, I saw RV at the weekend, in a modern 20 screen mulltiplex, about 60 to 70 in the audience (small theatre, almost full). I was actually quite laid back about it all, thinking \"Hey, it's just a movie, and there are going to be others coming along\" instead of \"when is he going to give that Oscar winning performance in a lead role.\" I also reminded myself that he is an actor who obviously wants/needs to do different things, even though I do prefer him in the serious, restrained dramatic roles! So, in this very positive frame of mind, I saw...and enjoyed it. It's good gentle fun, in a rather old-fashioned sort of way (nothing wrong with that). It moves along at a good pace, and the cast, especially ST, SF and CF, are obviously enjoying themselves. I thought the audience liked it...people stayed on throughout the credits! CF wasn't overly camp...more facetious..and certainly wasn't John Inman-ish. The screenplay isn't the same as the original, obviously, but quite a lot of the dialogue is preserved intact. Would definitely have no appeal to anyone who likes the Adam Sadler (?). Jim Carrey, more outrageous Ben Elton stuff, which a lot of reviewers admire. (Murph) Maybe they overheard her speaking to someone else. Perhaps talking to a heavily pregnant Sophie Thompson? (Allison) This was a rather nasty tabloid piece. The juxtaposition of the comments about CF playing a character who looked \"incapable of fathering anything\", the fact that that they've been married 3 years, and that L \"desperately\" wants a baby is, I'm sure, deliberate. CF's comment on just having filmed something similar sounds genuine to me and may be correct reporting. As to Livia's \"alleged\" remarks, I think Allison's observation may be correct..perhaps the reporters are embellishing on an overheard private comment. It could also be expected that C & L may now be trying for a family, and our intrusive press are going to pick up on this...if they can't report that a couple are splitting up, they have to find some other marital issue to write about. And the tabloids have the power to damage people and cause pain."}, {"response": 1741, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (06:49)", "body": "(Mari) I take it that RV is *not an artistic achievement,* IYHO?;-) It depends. Compared with SLOW, it is certainly much more artistic - but on the other hand, SLOW is much more cinematic, if you see what I mean. As a frustrated (I prefer this description to \"failed\"...;-)) filmmaker myself, I prefer my films more filmic, so to speak. (Bethan) It's good gentle fun, in a rather old-fashioned sort of way (nothing wrong with that). It moves along at a good pace, and the cast, especially ST, SF and CF, are obviously enjoying themselves. Yes, my impressions were very similar. But I thought it was too static and confined - more like a filmed theatrical performance - and lacked cinematic vision. The directing was routine and uninspired, the camera work was rather indifferent, the lighting was amateurish in places (e.g. in one scene Colin's face kept disappearing in the shadow of Wm. Baldwin's head!). Admittedly, there were some brilliant and funny touches (e.g. a repeated sight of a lone figure dragged across the screen by dogs on an early morning walk - a classic!), but much too few and far between. I appreciate they had financial problems (again!) but I still think it could have been a much better film."}, {"response": 1742, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (07:30)", "body": "Review for RV at Variety.com, says Colin was miscast and looked uncomfortable."}, {"response": 1743, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (07:48)", "body": "IMHO he wasn't and didn't! I've read the same about him in MLSF and SLOW. I think he's typecast, not miscast. People expect to see him in a certain kind of role (the reserved, brooding, very serious type). If he does something different (grins, fools around) he's \"miscast\". But I can half see where they're coming from (to quote a phrase). The first time I saw him singing \"Yes we have no bananas\" in TEP I had to look away because I was embarrassed for him. It took time for me to get used to this scene!"}, {"response": 1744, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (07:52)", "body": "(Arami), But I thought it was too static and confined - more like a filmed theatrical performance - and lacked cinematic vision. That is a basic problem when you turn a play into a film. Can you think of any play that turned really filmic when filmed? The directing was routine and uninspired, the camera work was rather indifferent, the lighting was amateurish in places (e.g. in one scene Colin's face kept disappearing in the shadow of Wm. Baldwin's head!). I thought I was the only one who picked up on these things. ;-) That thing about \"standing around in an art gallery, sipping fake wine and talking platitudes\" is too rude, don't you think? Ummm... it's a kind of thing Colin would say and not realize it may be taken as rude. Agreed! But I do not think he talked platitudes with Salman Rushdie. ;-)"}, {"response": 1745, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (08:32)", "body": "Here's the link to the Variety review: http://www.variety.com/body.asp?HbkId=13094960&CatId=REV&ReviewID=1117787469 (review) By trying to create a full-scale comedy of confusion, they're hampered at every turn by the fact that Coward's play is almost plotless, relying on the felicities of its dialogue, rather than physical farce, for effect. Plotless? While motivated by class issues, it's not much different than \"Lady for a Day,\" which was remade into \"Pocketful of Miracles.\" (Moon) Can you think of any play that turned really filmic when filmed? Aside from musicals? ;-) Actually, lots. Think of all the great playwrights from Tennessee Williams to Arthur Miller, etc. Their plays have all been adapted with great success."}, {"response": 1746, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (10:12)", "body": "Here's The Observer's review. Not much better than most, but at least he blames it on the director.;-) Relative Values Peter Preston Sunday June 25, 2000 I say, old man... wizard idea. Why not film No\ufffdl Coward's Relative Values 46 years late in the Isle of Man, so we get all our tax breaks and stuff? Then we could afford a couple of lesser Hollywood luminaries (say, Jeanne Tripplehorn and the stunningly non-charismatic William Baldwin) to pretend to be the brightest lights of their day. And Stephen Fry to do his sub-Jeeves butler bit. And... and Julie Andrews as the Countess of Marshwood. Bound to be a smash, what? Well no, because this wizened saga of the British class system is too long ago and far away from any modern experience; because Coward's control of plot and characters is hopelessly diffused among the mugging and smirking; and because Eric Styles, on this showing, can't direct actors for toffee. Colin Firth is camply impaled as Peter, fount of sardonic witticisms. Sophie Thompson's Moxie, the upwardly mobile maid, twitters desperately. It's all jolly embarrassing, especially for an increasingly formidable Dame Julie, the only human reference point around. I kept hoping she'd burst into song."}, {"response": 1747, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (11:21)", "body": "Re. the Observer review....very sarcastic and oh, so \"clever\". I don't appreciate this kind of review. No wonder Brit movies just die. The earlier reviews were much better!!"}, {"response": 1748, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (11:54)", "body": "Time for Colin to take a different tack? A bold stroke of some sort, though I'm not sure what it would be. BJD seems like a good move and will get lots of attention, but beyond that . . . The last really good reviews Colin has had were for 3DOR. MLSF, SLOW, and now RV are just not the type of thing that the critics and general public are going for these days. That's three strikes in a row. I'm not suggesting he pander to the lowest common denominator, but I think it's time to concentrate *strictly* on projects with more \"edge,\" to employ an overused term. 3DOR had it in spades and that worked out wonderfully for him. DQ had it to an extent, but God knows why they're sitting on it. Just rambling here . . . any thoughts?"}, {"response": 1749, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (12:12)", "body": "(Mari) Just rambling here . . . any thoughts? Mari, you're right about the \"edge.\" I think he went againt \"typecast\" in his Wessex role too, and I thought he was marvelous. I'm still a bit stymied as to why that role didn't lead to some meatier parts. Ramble ramble :-) Time for a \"heavy\" role. I don't believe in the miscast thing for him, as I think he has the talent to pull off a variety of characters. Other actors don't have that range. But then, I liked his greasy Michael in Playmaker :-) I think he needs to search out the meaty roles, where he can be unattractive, unlikable. I'm with Evelyn (hee hee) and would love to see him gain a wider reputation on the stage. And if he can't get the roles he wants, then I suggest he leave England and go where he can get them. Hey, it worked for Clint Eastwood :-)"}, {"response": 1750, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (13:26)", "body": "(Moon) Can you think of any play that turned really filmic when filmed? (Karen),Aside from musicals? ;-) Ca va sans dire. Actually, lots. Think of all the great playwrights from Tennessee Williams to Arthur Miller, etc. Their plays have all been adapted with great success. You left out IMO, Karen. ;-) My opinion tends to the opposite view. One thing is for a play to be adapted to film and become a success another thing is for a play to become really filmic once it becomes a film."}, {"response": 1751, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (13:28)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1752, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (13:29)", "body": "Sorry about the double post. Italics have been closed."}, {"response": 1753, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (13:43)", "body": "The Guardian gives RV 2 stars, which may not sound great, but they're very picky and don't even bother to rate a lot of films. \"Gladiator\" and \"Sweet and Lowdown\" get 3stars, \"Next best thing\" 1 star. The only 4 stars is \"Boys don't Cry.\" Running the gauntlet of our reviewers is not a pleasant experience! I think most of them are more interested in how they write (the bon mot, the devastating critique) than what they write! Interesting article in the Guardian about how the UK rates only 30th in terms of importance for movie distribution...a \"backwater\" where there's not much interest in going to the movies and non-mainstream films don't stand a chance. True! (And our critics don't help!) Success in the US is all-important (half the world's market) for film-makers and actors! As to what CF should do next...that's a really difficult one (and might get us back to that TV versus Movie debate!)"}, {"response": 1754, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (14:01)", "body": "(Mari) MLSF, SLOW, and now RV are just not the type of thing that the critics and general public are going for these days. Sorry, but I think we're missing the point here...:-) IMO, if these films had been made REALLY WELL, then everyone would have gone for them, too. It's the quality of the finish that counts. It's not enough for a film to be oddly enigmatic, vaguely nostalgic or raising a mere titter when the screen next door shows movies full of roar, thrill, amazement and belly laughter. When is Londinium due to open? Maybe that one will be better..."}, {"response": 1755, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (14:42)", "body": "(Bethan)The Guardian gives RV 2 stars, which may not sound great, but they're very picky and don't even bother to rate a lot of films. \"Gladiator\" and \"Sweet and Lowdown\" get 3stars,\"Next best thing\" 1 star. The only 4 stars is \"Boys don't Cry.\" WHEN did we ever think that we'd be rejoicing that one of ODB's films got a 2 star instead of a 1!!!This is a distinguished British actor,fergodsake. Well...you know what I think...so I won't rant on... BUT..the point of my posting is... I don't hear of anyone asking for a Keepsake of RV *winkie,winkie*"}, {"response": 1756, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (15:34)", "body": "(Moon) You left out IMO, Karen. ;-) Quite right, dear. Ca va sans dire. ;-) (Mari) MLSF, SLOW, and now RV are just not the type of thing that the critics and general public are going for these days. (Arami)IMO, if these films had been made REALLY WELL, then everyone would have gone for them, too. It's the quality of the finish that counts. While there is substantial evidence to support Mari's assertion these days, I really have to agree with Arami [did I type that??? ;-)] The final product is the most important thing. While Noel Coward may not be the In thing to bring to the screen now, if it had been done very well, then it might have been the first in a mad scramble to do more copycat productions. Somebody has to be first. Even if no one goes to a film, the critics remember a well-made film and the makers are upped in their esteem. (Evelyn) I don't hear of anyone asking for a Keepsake of RV *winkie,winkie* A ha!! I know this is against the rules, but I'll take the limp wrist. You know how us straight girls love a challenge. ;-)"}, {"response": 1757, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (16:34)", "body": "(Arami) But I thought it was too static and confined - more like a filmed theatrical performance - and lacked cinematic vision. (Moon) That is a basic problem when you turn a play into a film. Can you think of any play that turned really filmic when filmed? (Karen) Aside from musicals? ;-) \"Breaker Morant\" has a wonderful sense of cinema. It was originally a play, and most definitely not a musical, even though Edward Woodward does sing a song in it. (Donna DL) I think he went againt \"typecast\" in his Wessex role too, and I thought he was marvelous. I'm still a bit stymied as to why that role didn't lead to some meatier parts. My quess is because he seems loathe to travel any great distance to work in films. Most of his recent work has been done someplace in the UK, with the exception of SLOW. That was filmed in the south of France, not all that far from England when you check the map. Since he seems determined not to go very far afield to work, television may well be the best metier for him at present time. Although, theater would seem preferable."}, {"response": 1758, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (16:58)", "body": "IMO, if these films had been made REALLY WELL, then everyone would have gone for them, too. (Arami) So what British movies are made REALLY WELL these days? I can't think of one, off-hand, recently. Or Hollywood movies (of the type that he would be considered for)? I think you're too hard on him! I don't see an abundance of great projects! And although I'm advocating some TV work (the prestige dramas) most TV drama is unwatchable. Theatre seems to provide good choices though."}, {"response": 1759, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (17:03)", "body": "And on 2 star ratings...the Guardian gave \"The Winslow Boy\" one star. I tell you, our critics aren't generous! I must be a bit uncritical, because I've liked MLSF, SLOW and RV."}, {"response": 1760, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (18:19)", "body": "Mari, in response to your comments: Time to give Harvey W., John Madden, Sam Mendes and Anthony M. a call to remind them that he is available for major roles in major films. He has so many contacts and knows the major players from working in big films over the last few years, he should pick up the phone - if he hasn't already. Once again, BAHHH to his agent! We have no idea what kind of work he is being offered. So far, outside of BJD, which is a kind of satire on himself, it ain't much. Though maybe this is exactly the way he wants it, always working, comfortable as far as money is concerned, ready to start a family. He has never burned with ambition."}, {"response": 1761, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (19:24)", "body": "He has never burned with ambition. That's it in a nutshell.. (Bethan) I must be a bit uncritical, because I've liked MLSF, SLOW and RV. I will too probably. You all have dragged me down to your mediocrity.I no longer have high standards for ODB...Like you...I will rave about any piece of crap he throws our way.Whether it tanks or not...Just don't let him mention wanting anything better in an interview....(which we can't believe anyway, cause it comes from the press ;-)"}, {"response": 1762, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (19:48)", "body": "(Bethan) I think you're too hard on him! Not at all. No doubt all movies start as very ambitious projects. No one purposefully produces mediocrity. But I suppose real quality filmmakers are now priced well above the budget of an average British film."}, {"response": 1763, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (21:13)", "body": "(Arami) When is Londinium due to open? Maybe that one will be better... . . .than a poke in the eye?;-) RE Peter Keepsakes: Evelyn, I want his Campshirt, his yellow cravat, his Judy Garland record collection, and his autographed photo of Montgomery Clift.;-) Interesting comments from everyone. I agree with Murph; no burning ambition there. The problem, though, with being satisfied existing as just comfortable and safe and employed in the acting field is that it wreaks havoc with your reputation and prospects. Honestly, you don't think some of these reviews are humiliating for him? And hardly a springboard to better things, let alone treading water to keep place where he is! Certainly every actor has his/her share of failures, and I agree no one starts out to produce mediocity. But by confining himself largely to certain genres, coupled with his obvious reluctance to leave the vicinity for work, he is dramatically narrowing his sphere of possibilities. I still think he needs to shake things up; maybe something commercial like BJD will help. Bethan, I agree that there aren't a lot of great projects around--but those that are invariably go to the bigger names. Just thinking aloud here--would it be so terrible to take on even more commercial ventures? Something to get his name out there, raise his profile, and which could pave the way for consideration in the better roles. He has nothing to lose--can't be worse, or more embarrassing, for him than the string he's got going. I keep thinking of something John Cusack said recently: \"I do one for 'them' then two for me.\" Also, he'd be able to pocket some good money which would enable him to afford to do theater more often."}, {"response": 1764, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (08:52)", "body": "It's a great pity, but he cannot possibly support his current lifestyle (i.e. seeing his son) on what he would make doing only theatre. Nobody can unless they have major \"family\" money. He would have to supplement it with television (and we've already had that conversation), radio, and the occasional crap film (e.g. \"The Shadow\" co-starring Ian McKellen) or bad film (\"Up at the Villa\" co-starring Derek Jacobi). He's clearly not inclined to go that way."}, {"response": 1765, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (08:54)", "body": "According to The Sun today, Colin's has lost\" 2stone to play the romantic hereo in his new film BJD\". Will get the Sun and post the whole article later."}, {"response": 1766, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (09:06)", "body": "2 stone! That's 28 pounds. Perhaps he's 28 pounds lighter than last year? What are we getting - a frail Mark Darcy? :-("}, {"response": 1767, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (09:16)", "body": "How much tome did he have between signing for the MD role and starting the film to lose 2 stone? It is a fact that men lose more weight than women on the same diet, but that is v. hard to believe. I hope The Sun gives out his diet secrets. ;-)"}, {"response": 1768, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (09:28)", "body": "Am guess that no one will be commenting about his jowls in this one or whether the costume was padded. ;-)"}, {"response": 1769, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (09:34)", "body": "Karen your news pics on the BJD page are really \"cool\". Is that really a pic of Snowhill? Who is the babe? ( See, am already exclusively focusing on next film...v.v.g. )"}, {"response": 1770, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (09:40)", "body": "Yes, that's Snowhill and I imagine that's just a local kid frolicking in the fake snow."}, {"response": 1771, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (09:58)", "body": "(Luvvy) He would have to supplement it with television (and we've already had that conversation), radio, and the occasional crap film (e.g. \"The Shadow\" co-starring Ian McKellen) or bad film (\"Up at the Villa\" co-starring Derek Jacobi). He's clearly not inclined to go that way. But he's already doing some bad films. Might as well do one that he'll be well-paid for. And not every commercial film is crap or bad; many I've seen recently compare favorably with much of the stuff on his CV. (Evelyn)(See, am already exclusively focusing on next film...v.v.g.) Er . . .that would be Londinium.:-( Oh, alright, I'll be good too: RV was the #11 film in the UK last weekend, bringing in about 88,000 pounds on 81 screens."}, {"response": 1772, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (10:25)", "body": "Have posted Sun article about Colin's weight loss at Bucket's Bridget page; has pictures. Not to worry."}, {"response": 1773, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (12:25)", "body": "Glad that we've moved on to the new topic of non-porky Colin! (Are those your pics or the Sun's, Karen?) Porky Colin looks cute to me, but he obviously has slimmed down a little (not 2 stone though). Has he been to the gym, cut out the beer and pasta, been jogging in California/Umbria? Can I just throw in another comment on CF's current output? I've trotted along to both MLSF and RV (with my mother in tow!), enjoyed them both (as I think did the other folk in the audience), and that's it. I'd definitely like to see them again on video. I don't feel there's anything to get upset about. And Chris has a point...we have a host of good actors, but opportunities for british actors to excel on film seem limited. Michael Gambon gave an interew recently...said he'd completed roles(some cameos) in 6 movies over the last year or two...one very good, two so-so, three \"crap\". Also, if actors paid attention to their reviews, especially film reviews, they'd never have the confidence to act again. Ken Branagh, for example, has had some horrendous reviews. And I noticed a review in today's Guardian for Helen Mirren in the new production at the Donmar. Very good review, all praise for HM, but only 3 stars, not even Recommended (4 stars) and certainly not 5 stars, Muted enthusiasm, as ever! I'm fairly sure that DQ will surface over Christmas on the BBC. The new DG of the BBC was on the receiving end of a recent phone in on Radio 4...some quite hostile questions and criticism of the abysmal drama output. He blamed lack of cash. DQ was relatively cheap to make (just over \ufffd1million)...I'm sure they'll use it to shore up the Xmas schedules. BJD is getting a terrific about of pre-release publicity (as did \"Notting Hill\"...we were reading about it from day 1)which is a good sign! And this is one movie that will make an impact in the US...I appreciate that most (all) of CF's recent work seems limited to the rather unenthusiatic UK market. The paperback of The Edge of Reason has shot to the top of the book charts in the UK, selling nearly 50,000 copies last week. Good free publicity for CF's bald patch!"}, {"response": 1774, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (12:54)", "body": "Bethan, you know I was MLSF's biggest booster; I think at this point in his career, he does need to take into consideration what the public wants to see. I have, however, come to realize just how severe your critics can be; one star for Winslow Boy? Shocking. Ok, enough beating that horse.;-) (Bethan)Good free publicity for CF's bald patch! You mean the part that's been loved off?:-) Agree, the BJD publicity people are really doing their job. Even over here, where the books have been bestsellers, but not the type of phenomena they were in the UK, you'd have to be living in a cave not to have heard of this project. There's another piece in this week's People mag (more of the RZ weight thing, but hey, it's news for people who aren't following this as closely as we). More . . . but will take it over to 131."}, {"response": 1775, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (14:32)", "body": "(Bethan)Can I just throw in another comment on CF's current output? I've trotted along to both MLSFand RV (with my mother in tow!), enjoyed them both (as I think did the other folk in the audience), and that's it. I'd definitely like to see them again on video. I don't feel there's anything to get upset about. Bethan...I am not upset. Moreover, you have not convinced me either that his \"current output\" is worthy of his talent.Period. ~~~~~~~ (Bethan)Michael Gambon gave an interview recently...said he'd completed roles(some cameos) in 6 movies over the last year or two...one very good, two so-so, three \"crap\". Somehow I had something better in mind for Colin besides taking after Michael Gambon...(talk about porky...) ~~~~~~~~ As I said, I am focusing on his new films....unless anyone wants to bring this topic up again...."}, {"response": 1776, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (15:35)", "body": "(Arami) You don't know/don't remember the \"kiss of the burly stagehand\" episode??? ( Evelyn) Missed it somehow.... Sunday Independent Date: 97-01-19 A MAN OF MANY PARTS by Jasper Rees: \"Though he's been a pin-up to both genders (William Boyd, whose 'Dutch Girls' gave Firth his first television lead, once told me how a burly crew member suppressed his feelings till the end of the shoot and then planted a huge kiss on the vulnerable hero's lips), it was Darcy that made Firth sexy.\" (Mari) MLSF, SLOW, and now RV are just not the type of thing that the critics and general public are going for these days. That's three strikes in a row. .... (Mari) RV was the #11 film in the UK last weekend, bringing in about 88,000 pounds on 81 screens. Does that make RV a strike, a foul ball, or a base hit??? ;-) (Evelyn) Moreover, you have not convinced me either that his \"current output\" is worthy of his talent. Period. Depending on one's taste [and IMHO], the script hasn't been written yet that is worthy of his talent. Period. And I doubt it ever will... Even P&P had its flaws ... (Mari) But he's already doing some bad films. (Evelyn) Somehow I had something better in mind for Colin ... As I'm sure each of us does ... and for each of us it's probably something entirely different ... until then I will have to settle for ODB within what he has done, and like Bethan I find there is something to enjoy in most everything. Still, there just ain't no pleasin' some folks ... **Heehee** ;-) KJ"}, {"response": 1777, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (16:15)", "body": "HEY, CAN'T YOU ALL JUST STOP MOANING AND ENJOY THE MAN? :-) Here's a RV review from www.virgin.net site. The last paragraph sums it all very neatly. http://www.virgin.net/cinema/whatson/index.html Relative Values (PG) Starring: Julie Andrews , Stephen Fry Director: Eric Styles Full cast list: IMDB Made: 2000 After a routine throat operation caused almost irreparable damage to her vocal chords, Julie Andrews returns to the big screen in an old-fashioned farce, based on the No\ufffdl Coward play of the same name. Directed by Eric Styles (Dreaming of Joseph Lees), Relative Values was filmed on the Isle of Man with a sturdy British cast (Colin Firth, Sophie Thompson, Stephen Fry) playing second fiddle to a pair of brash American interlopers (Jeanne Tripplehorn, William Baldwin). The narrative follows similar lines, with the unflappable Countess of Marshwood (Andrews) utilising all her feminine wiles to stop her son (Edward Atterton) from marrying glamorous Hollywood starlet Miranda Frayle (Tripplehorn). It transpires that Miranda and Moxie (Thompson), the Countess'devoted personal maid, are sisters. And things don't get any less complicated when Miranda's hell-raising boyfriend (Baldwin) turns up out of the blue with an engagement ring in one hand and a bottle of Jack Daniels in the other. Styles can't make Coward's creaky characters breathe on film, but Firth and Fry play their supporting roles with \ufffdlan, while Julie never puts a foot wrong. by Neil Smith"}, {"response": 1778, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (17:11)", "body": "What a virtuous crowd... bring on the halos,*hee*,*hee*"}, {"response": 1779, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (17:15)", "body": "(KJ) Does that make RV a strike, a foul ball, or a base hit??? ;-) I'd call it a bunt.;-) Ahem, I didn't post those numbers because I thought they were anything to write home about. That's about $1,700 U.S. per screen, which would be considered very low here for an opening weekend when interest and media attention is presumably the highest."}, {"response": 1780, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (17:32)", "body": "Ah, but it isn't opening here . :-) Although I certainly do hope it will, eventually. How many movies are on release in the UK at any given time? (Arami) The last paragraph sums it all very neatly. So it does, so it does ..."}, {"response": 1781, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (17:35)", "body": "Forget the crowd - it's that yet another slap on the wrist for Styles - and a pat on Colin's back - which matters. Want some more? From Sunday Express, 25 June 2000 Best Of The Rest Relative Values ** [two stars - dodgy] One of the oddest casts is assembled for this adaptation of Noel Coward's comedy of manners exploring the contrast between brash, classless America and the English aristocracy. Who could imagine the graceful julie Andrews sharing a screen with William Baldwin, that lightweight B-movie actor people hire when they a) can't afford a decent Hollywood star, and b) can't afford any of the other Baldwins. [...] So far so eccentric, but some of the casting is inappropriate. Colin Firth, totem of brooding manhood, is the Countess's camp, effete nephew, eyes bulging from sockets whenever a well-scrubbed young buck hoves into view. [...] With so many characters the main problem is inevitable - who is the movie about? [...] The other problem is the dated look and feel of the film [...] And rather than reach an energetic climax, the story peters out unsatisfactorily. The project required more imagination. (** Dodgy. Review by Henry Fitzherbert) ---------------------------- The Sun. June 21, 2000 Sun Woman Lorraine Kelly - Real Views From A Real Woman * Who could forget the sight of Colin Firth as Mr Darcy in P&P, striding out of that lake with his hair all tangled and his wet breeches clinging to his thighs. Phew! Well, that image has all but disappeared from my mind after seeing Colin as an extremely camp young fop in the new julie Andrews movie Relative Values. Colin plays Julie's nephew and is camper than Rupert Everett in My Best Friend's Wedding. But he's still the best thing in the film. ================================================ I don't see why Colin is \"inappropriately cast\", but I can understand that some people may have problems accepting it. In both the above pieces the last sentences say it all. AND NOW... TA-RAAAAAAAA! How does he do it - the secret is out! Colin is actively fighting the flab! From Daily Express, June 13, 2000 Section: Life [...] In the first of our exclusive three-part series, fitness trainer CORNEL CHIN - whose clients include Colin Firth and Leonardo Di Caprio - and BBC nutritionist Fiona Hunter show you how to shape up for a holiday to remember. [A piece about diet follows. Overleaf:] Work out for the perfect holiday body - CORNEL CHIN, personal trainer responsible for Leonardo Di Caprio's fabulous figure in the film The Beach, and currently training Colin Firth, shows you how to get in shape for the sun [followed by advice on exercises]"}, {"response": 1782, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (17:36)", "body": "(Mari) That's about $1,700 U.S. per screen, which would be considered very low here for an opening weekend Time to do the analysis... Actually, RV did very well and just missed getting into the Top 10 by $12,000. It did better on a per screen basis than Nos. 7-10, one of which (the ridiculously renamed Reindeer Games or Deception) was an opener that weekend as well, but all played on many more screens (il.e., more than 129). RV's per screen average was on a par with that megahit Maybe Baby (now in it's 5th week) and The Next Best Thing (it ain't). ;-) Why so many people went to see that Madonna/Rupert Everett thing (or nearly any of those other loser flicks in the Top 10) is beyond me! So many of those are substandard crap (new category) and were severely trounced in the B.O. here."}, {"response": 1783, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (17:39)", "body": "A personal trainer now... ooo la la! He's getting lean and mean and real fighting machine."}, {"response": 1784, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (18:18)", "body": "A personal trainer, how gauche. He has gone Hollywood, make of that what you will."}, {"response": 1785, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (18:18)", "body": "A personal trainer, how gauche. He has gone Hollywood, make of that what you will."}, {"response": 1786, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (18:57)", "body": "Gauche? Gosh... Honestly, chaps, whatever that guy does, he can never win with you any more. Well, I'm sorry, but his purpose in life is not necessarily to please everyone at all times. I am determined to like him, come what may. Meanwhile, perhaps we should open a moans topic? Sling a bit of mud on Colin board? ;-P"}, {"response": 1787, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (18:58)", "body": "Omigod. You mean we're going to get pecs? What does this all mean? A revival of the Superman series? How about a remake of Streetcar Named Desire? Fearing the over 40 flab? It's been awhile since I've seen a smidgen of extra flesh on the man. Interesting that he wants to stay in fighting trim."}, {"response": 1788, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (19:03)", "body": "I'm in agreement, Arami. He pleases me no matter what and it appears to me he does things which please him. If it's true he has a trainer, the better for him and the better for us. He's not ready yet to content himself with being a character actor."}, {"response": 1789, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (19:43)", "body": "That trainer is just a fitness coach and obviously Colin finds it easier to follow a set regime in order to lose excess weight. I don't think for one moment he's going to acquire pecs."}, {"response": 1790, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (20:12)", "body": "I don't think for one moment he's going to acquire pecs. From an article on how this guy worked with Leonardo for The Beach: Well, it may be fantasy for most of us but one supremely fortunate Bromley resident had the job of actually pushing and prodding Leonardo DiCaprio into shape. One of Cornel's clients was Andrew Macdonald, part of the trio of film makers responsible for cult hits Trainspotting, Shallow Grave and A Life Less Ordinary. Andrew told Cornel he was making a film version of Alex Garland's book, The Beach, and he was hoping to get Leonardo DiCaprio to play the lead role. ...Just before Christmas last year, Cornel had a call \"It was Andrew\" he said. \"He told me the cast had been out in Thailand, and now they needed a personal trainer to shape them up... to give them a lean and sinewy look especially for the film.\" \"I told him I'd love to. And so on January 4 this year, I flew out there.\" Cornel had just 16 days to whip the cast into shape. But Leo always looks so toned anyway, surely he wasn't far from the right look? \"Leo was in pretty good shape, he plays a lot of sport. But to get the lean look the role required, we had to do a lot of aerobic exercise with him, and weight resistance exercise\" Said Cornel. ******** I don't know about you, ladies, but I'm hoping there's a towel scene. ;-)"}, {"response": 1791, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (20:23)", "body": "but I'm hoping there's a towel scene. ;-) You nailed it...that's the one. Arami, we're not slinging mud at ODB...we just wish better roles for him...there is a slight diff;-)"}, {"response": 1792, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (20:39)", "body": "Mari says:and his autographed photo of Montgomery Clift.;-) ********* Peter has one too? I bet mine is older. http://www.geocities.com/firthfan/movies.html#clift We are all so frustrated with the poor man. I agree that he must be suffering through some of these RV reviews. He is quite proud after all, plus being extra intelligent, tall, with two wonderful dimples and a great suprasternal notch!! Who needs pecs?"}, {"response": 1793, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (22:06)", "body": "Perhaps this will count for something: James Christopher picks his favourite five from the current crop of films on release 1. Relative Values Eric Styles revamps Coward's 1951 country house charmer to accommodate its vintage star Julie Andrews as a prim Countess who must extract her son from a ghastly Hollywood marriage. With Stephen Fry, Colin Firth, and Sophie Thompson. 2. Gladiator 3. Gangster No. 1 4. Sweet and Lowdown 5. Not One Less ******** Maybe Colin's going after the Peter Lawford role in Ocean's 11 ;-)"}, {"response": 1794, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jun 29, 2000 (06:27)", "body": "(Murph)He has never burned with ambition. (Evelyn)That's it in a nutshell.. More likely, his ambition has been curbed as years have gone by... (Evelyn)You all have dragged me down to your mediocrity I'd resent that if I took you seriously ;-) (Mari)one star for Winslow Boy? Shocking I thought it was a reasonably good film that lacked something. (Arami) Gauche? Gosh... Honestly, chaps, whatever that guy does, he can never win with you any more. So it seems..."}, {"response": 1795, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 29, 2000 (07:39)", "body": "(Arami) Gauche? Gosh... Honestly, chaps, whatever that guy does, he can never win with you any more. I don't know why anybody is assuming this was at his initiative. Often, it is required for a part (as in the above snippet for The Beach). The personal trainer may have been engaged by the studio for all we know."}, {"response": 1796, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun 29, 2000 (07:41)", "body": "(Karen) Maybe Colin's going after the Peter Lawford role in Ocean's 11 ;-) I read the other day that Scorsese wants Hugh Grant for the role. No kidding. Murph, I forgot that you really do have a Monty Clift autograph! Nice; Peter would approve;-) (I *still* want his Campshirt.)"}, {"response": 1797, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 29, 2000 (07:45)", "body": "*scowl*"}, {"response": 1798, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun 29, 2000 (11:08)", "body": "Hmmm . . . maybe I've mixed O-11 up with the Rat Pack film. I think that's the one Marty's doing whenever he can assemble what he calls his dream cast. Oh, just hand the reins over to Mike Binder and he can cast Christopher Lawford.;-) Arami, I like your idea of a \"moaning board\"--especially given all this delicious info on sprouting pecs!:-)"}, {"response": 1799, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jun 29, 2000 (16:02)", "body": "(Mari)Arami, I like your idea of a \"moaning board\"--especially given all this delicious info on sprouting pecs!:-) Especially since everybody's grown so serious about ODB :-( Where's good-natured Drool gone to? No more drowning in chocolate-brown puddles - no, it is all career strategies nowadays! IMO, the man ought to consult a feng-shui specialist and correct something missing in the Career, Fame and Prosperity areas of his home(s) :-)"}, {"response": 1800, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jun 29, 2000 (16:54)", "body": "(Mari)Arami, I like your idea of a \"moaning board\"--especially given all this delicious info on sprouting pecs!:-) Mari, I think I like your idea of moaning... ;-)"}, {"response": 1801, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Jun 29, 2000 (17:08)", "body": "(Mari)Arami, I like your idea of a \"moaning board\"--especially given all this delicious info on sprouting pecs!:-) (Gi)Especially since everybody's grown so serious about ODB :-( Where's good-natured Drool gone to? No more drowning in chocolate-brown puddles - no, it is all career strategies nowadays! IMO, the man ought to consult a feng-shui specialist and correct something missing in the Career, Fame and Prosperity areas of his home(s) :-) **Heehee** As Richard Finch would exclaim: \"Brilliant! Absolutely F*****g Brilliant!! (to your left breast!) ;-D (Arami)Mari, I think I like your idea of moaning... ;-) Yeh, especially since there's more than one kind of moaning .... ;-)"}, {"response": 1802, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jun 29, 2000 (18:21)", "body": "From the Sun comment quoted recently. Cheap newsprint. Bad scan. Nice pic. Seems familiar - have we seen it before?"}, {"response": 1803, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Jun 29, 2000 (18:51)", "body": "(Gi) Where's good-natured Drool gone to? No more drowning in chocolate-brown puddles - no, it is all career strategies nowadays! At least we're heading in the right direction...from debates on the state of his career to debates on the state of his body. ;-) Didn't mean to start a pecs controversy, btw. Just having fun as usual."}, {"response": 1804, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 29, 2000 (19:47)", "body": "**Eureka** Why don't you start a Colin- Body- Board...then everybody will be happ-happy.:-D Just having fun as usual;-)"}, {"response": 1805, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jun 29, 2000 (20:01)", "body": "His body is a tool of his trade and talking about it should be done here, on this board!"}, {"response": 1806, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Thu, Jun 29, 2000 (20:25)", "body": "(Heide) Didn't mean to start a pecs controversy, btw. Just having fun as usual. Oh my, now here's a topic I can dive into ;-). Pecs, pecs, pecs.... happy thought indeed. Actually I've always thought ODB had a nicely defined chest in its natural state (i.e. without pumpitude), but I have always longed for just a bit more definition and size in the upper arms. Dare I hope that Mr. Chin will engineer some biceps for Mark Darcy? Not that we'll be able to see them under that black robe, mind you ;-). There - how's that for drooling?"}, {"response": 1807, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Jun 30, 2000 (06:24)", "body": "Jana, forget not the towel-clad oration ;-) KJ, pl. explain the left breast thing :-)"}, {"response": 1808, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jun 30, 2000 (15:31)", "body": "I don't think MD disrobes...:-( I quite like those skinny arms....shows a pleasing lack of vanity! I suspect that the trainer may be part of getting into character...playing a rich, successful lawyer in a Hollywood movie, well, almost Hollywood. And he gets the girl from that well-established romantic lead, HG! Glad that the Times critic rated RV as number 1. There was a little snippet in a magazine that someone was reading at work (Prima? Best?) Article on trendy florist shops in London. There's apparently one in Islington whose customers include \"Colin Firth, buying flowers for his wife\". Nice man! (Doesn't really need a trainer!)"}, {"response": 1809, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Jun 30, 2000 (17:16)", "body": "(Gi) KJ, pl. explain the left breast thing :-) Bridget noticed that Richard rarely addressed her to her face but rather spoke to her breasts. When he finally praised her as a f******g genius, I think she said something like \"I always wanted to be a genius, but thought it would never happen to me ... or my left breast...\" 8-D"}, {"response": 1810, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 30, 2000 (17:19)", "body": "Heard from a reliable JE UK male fan on the Ehle List.... \"Incidentally, for all you Firth fans, he is busy recording a TV drama to be broadcast next year on BBC in which he play a rather \"foppish\" character by all accounts. \" Didn't give his source...and not knowing what\"foppish \"is,can't tell if it's Milo or Donovan....But it does sound like a BBC drama is imminent.Happy Days! After all...winter isn't too far off:-))"}, {"response": 1811, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Jun 30, 2000 (17:51)", "body": "I quite like those skinny arms....shows a pleasing lack of vanity! Yes, yes! Leave him be. I wouldn't have any objection whatsoever to being wrapped in those skinny arms. (as it happens, I have another, somewhat similar, but not quite the same pair at my disposal...;-)) and not knowing what\"foppish \"is Sort of dandyish; affectedly elegant or fashionable. Or - a bit of a prat... ;-)"}, {"response": 1812, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Jun 30, 2000 (18:46)", "body": "Here's a gloomy pose from the Jongleurs photocall. And no, he's not wearing an earring."}, {"response": 1813, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Jul  1, 2000 (03:28)", "body": "Hello,after lurking for many months I have finally plucked up courage to join in.Its great to be amongst fellow Firth admirers! There are a few pictures of the RV premiere in this weeks Now mag including one of our slimline Colin and Livia. I hope this works as I am using my sons Dreamcast!"}, {"response": 1814, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jul  1, 2000 (03:41)", "body": "Hi Judith or is it Judy, welcome to our merry band, I shall go out immediately and but a copy of Now mag, thanks for the tip."}, {"response": 1815, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jul  1, 2000 (03:48)", "body": "Welcome Judy! I hope that now you've joined in, you'll stay with us! Thanks for the \"Now\" news. \"Incidentally, for all you Firth fans, he is busy recording a TV drama to be broadcast next year on BBC in which he play a rather \"foppish\" character by all accounts. \" Ah, thanks Evelyn! Definitely sounds like \"Armadillo\". Milo is good looking, dresses well, is concerned about his appearance, keeps his flat tidy (does his own hoovering!), doesn't drink much...all of which could be construed as \"foppish\" (as opposed to laddish!) I'm very keen on \"Armadillo\"....first class TV work does make an impact, and I don't think it closes avenues in film work..it is possible to move between the two. Will be driving within 30 miles of Snowshill today!"}, {"response": 1816, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Jul  1, 2000 (06:28)", "body": "Judy, welcome to Firthdom I hope you'll enjoy your stay! Thanks for the 'Now' tip ....off to newsagents now!"}, {"response": 1817, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul  1, 2000 (07:57)", "body": "Judy! Glad you came out of lurkdom and jumped in. Thanks for the news about the magazine. Have you gone to see RV? I was thinking if all you ladies who have seen it want to discuss it, our \"current Firth spoiler\" topic http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/126/new might be nice to start something up at. (Bethan) all of which could be construed as \"foppish\" (as opposed to laddish!) Hmmm, foppish automatically brings to mind The Scarlet Pimpernell, but if you're contrasting it like that to \"laddish,\" yes, then maybe it does refer to Milo's fastidiousness. Otherwise, I was going to say Evelyn's source probably mistook this Firth for baby bro Firth who was going to reprise his role as a fairy. ;-D"}, {"response": 1818, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Jul  1, 2000 (08:48)", "body": "Hello Judy. Please happily drool away."}, {"response": 1819, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul  1, 2000 (08:52)", "body": "Looks like MLSF is playing in Dublin. Not a good review by Michael Dwyer in the Irish Times: The feature film career of Hugh Hudson, the director of the Oscar-winning Chariots of Fire, has been in decline ever since he made the folly that was Revolution. That downward spiral continues with the plodding and anodyne My Life So Far, which is so belatedly arrived that Hudson's subsequent movie, I Dreamed of Africa, has already opened in the US. My Life So Far is drawn from the memoirs of the distinguished British television executive, Sir Denis Forman, and deals with his boyhood experiences on the family's Scottish Highlands estate in the 1920s. The pivotal character if the freckled-faced Fraser Pettigrew (Robert Norman), a precocious 10-year-old and one of six children in the family of an impetuous inventor, Edward (Colin Firth) and his patient wife, Moira (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio). The estate is owned by her widowed mother (Rosemary Harris). Malcolm McDowell plays the boy's millionaire uncle who has designs on the estate, with Irene Jacob as his young French fiancee who becomes the object of Edward's unwelcome attention. Meanwhile, young Fraser conducts his own sexual education, poring over his late grandfather's secret library of mild erotica. Despite having assembled a more than capable cast - although Firth seems distinctly ill-at-ease - director Hudson never allows them to develop beyond the level of stock characters, and he surrounds them with an array of folksy Scottish working-class stereotypes. This flaccid film is further undermined by a surfeit of voiceover and a twee mood of forced jollity and phoney nostalgia."}, {"response": 1820, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Jul  1, 2000 (12:35)", "body": "Oh, all right, then. :-)"}, {"response": 1821, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul  1, 2000 (12:54)", "body": "She gets prettier every year, and he looks younger ..... Thanks Arami."}, {"response": 1822, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jul  1, 2000 (15:17)", "body": "Classy looking couple...very elegant. Thanks! Love the photo of Firth disheveled a bit earlier also. Ah, those curls. Glad to see you here, Judy. Now that you made it, I hope you keep coming back. It's quite habit forming but as a long time lurker, you already know that. ;-)"}, {"response": 1823, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Jul  1, 2000 (16:29)", "body": "Thanks to all for the warm welcome,its great to be here at last. I'm definitely a Judy,Judith reminds me too much of irate school teachers.I hope to be around for a long time as I can't see my already long term firth fixationabating At the risk of being thrown out before I've even got started I have to confess to not having seen RV yet I know I'm letting the side down but I will try and seeiit as soon as I can."}, {"response": 1824, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Jul  1, 2000 (16:33)", "body": "sorry,my first mistake,of no doubt many.That should read fixation abating."}, {"response": 1825, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Jul  1, 2000 (17:28)", "body": "Welcome Judy! What a nice way to de-lurk, with a piece of news as a present for all of us :-) KJ, thanks :-)"}, {"response": 1826, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Jul  1, 2000 (18:13)", "body": "Hello, Judy! Coming clean, eh? Finally coming out of hiding? Well, dive right in and Welcome!"}, {"response": 1827, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Jul  1, 2000 (18:20)", "body": "I would like to add my welcome too, Judy."}, {"response": 1828, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Jul  1, 2000 (19:11)", "body": "Thanks, Judy, for dropping the hint about Now. My hubby has graciously got it for me so I could show it to the rest of the Firth-thirsty world (try saying that with your teeth out!). ;-)"}, {"response": 1829, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Jul  2, 2000 (15:29)", "body": "Am now coming down from having seen Relative Values today.. I enjoyed it but why shouldn't I, OBD graces the screen? That obvious bias aside, it was amusing, though whether I'd have bothered tracking it down had CF not been in it is questionable.. no it's not - I know I wouldn't have! Trying to get to see it was the first hurdle. Boyed by the fact that it was showing all over the place last week I looked at the listings yesterday expecting to see a huge choice of venue but I was wrong, oh so sadly mistaken. In the whole of Kent it is showing at 3 cinemas. Two of which are miles away and and one had it showing only at 1pm on weekdays (???) so I opted for the nearest which had it on for a limited period i.e. yesterday and today at midday! So I found myself in a small auditorium totally on my own, feeling extremely sorry not only for myself but for ODB too. Oh that it should come to this! Eventually the door opened and others came in but I think I take the prize for being in the smallest audience at a public showing i.e. FIVE ......unless, that is you know different. ODB was fab, that goes without saying, I read somewhere (I don't think it was on these hallowed boards) that he looked uncomfortable, I can't say I agree with that. But, it was ST who stole the show of course - I loved her performance at the dinner table, SF was under-used I thought, JA was just JA, excellent as usual and WB was just plain awful, possesses a face I could cheerfully slap and acted as wooden as an extremely wooden thing! I don't think RV deserves all of the bad reviews it has received. Its horses for courses at the end of the day, the audience I was in obviously appreciated the writing of Noel Coward - a few of us, myself and the two women behind me, were obviously there for Colin..as every look, every \"hmmm\", knowing \"ahh\" and witty reposte was greeted by giggles. Who can forget \"I've heard the fleet's in...I'd hate to disappoint!\" To sum the experience up, not huge belly laughs but a damn good giggle."}, {"response": 1830, "author": "kolin", "date": "Sun, Jul  2, 2000 (16:07)", "body": "Tracy :(I take the prize for being in the smallest audience at a public showing i.e. FIVE......unless, that is you know different.) Tracy, I know the feeling. There were 8 of us for Fever Pitch in the audience and not many more for My Life so Far. Oh, how I would love to see a Colin starring role movie in a full house!"}, {"response": 1831, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul  2, 2000 (16:33)", "body": "(Vera) Oh, how I would love to see a Colin starring role movie in a full house! It's my dream too.Some day, Vera...some day. I haven't given up. First time, in Dallas, cinema was half full...about 100.!I saw MLSF the second time with a friend, and we were the only ones.I clearly love the film...but I felt sad."}, {"response": 1832, "author": "Fran", "date": "Sun, Jul  2, 2000 (18:23)", "body": "Hello everyone! I saw Shakespeare in Love with a full house and folks waiting in line outside! Feel better now?"}, {"response": 1833, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sun, Jul  2, 2000 (21:07)", "body": "Well can top that English Patient with just five. I was amazed. Having one all the awards."}, {"response": 1834, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Jul  2, 2000 (21:27)", "body": "(Tracy) WB was just plain awful, possesses a face I could cheerfully slap a damn good giggle Hee hee"}, {"response": 1835, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul  2, 2000 (23:11)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1836, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul  2, 2000 (23:12)", "body": "(Vera) Oh, how I would love to see a Colin starring role movie in a full house! (Fran) I saw Shakespeare in Love with a full house and folks waiting in line outside! Feel better now? Unfortunately, SiL isn't a \"Colin starring movie.\" We're going to have to wait until he steals the thunder from Hughie in Bridget. *fingers crossed*"}, {"response": 1837, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul  3, 2000 (09:12)", "body": "Here's Total Film's 2 star review of RV: The Earl of Marshwood (Atterton) is returning to his family stately home with a new fiancee. Arrangements, however, are plunged into confusion with the discovery that the loyal maid of his mother (Andrews) is the sister of the prospective bride... Based on Noel Coward's highly successful play, this adaptation struggles to conceal its theatrical origins. As a comedy of manners, Relative Values provides a smattering of laughs, with the wittiest of Coward's lines going to Stephen Fry's suave butler. Unfortunately, the direction of Eric Styles (Dreaming Of Joseph Lees) is prosaic and the performances variable in quality. A more adventurous approach to the source material would surely have paid greater dividends. Tom Dawson"}, {"response": 1838, "author": "july", "date": "Mon, Jul  3, 2000 (09:21)", "body": "Coming out of lurkdom to ask: wasn't RV initially meant for the TV screens?"}, {"response": 1839, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Jul  3, 2000 (15:23)", "body": "Welcome, Silvie - and welcome to all newbies and lurkers alike. Unfortunately, the direction of Eric Styles (Dreaming Of Joseph Lees) is prosaic Pedestrian is the better description. He was lucky that the actors were at least experieced and some very gifted."}, {"response": 1840, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Jul  3, 2000 (17:03)", "body": "Hoping to see RV this coming weekend but after reading about the lack of audience I think I am being over optimistic in expecting it to be still showing.I'm not having much luck with his most recent films-SLOW was only shown for a week in my area and I couldn't get to see it and MLSF was a no show!"}, {"response": 1841, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  4, 2000 (11:55)", "body": "The RV situation isn't too dire. While it had a net loss of 18 screens over last week, it is opening up in new venues. I've put up a new listing here of where RV is currently playing: http://www.spring.net/karenr/cinemas630.txt Haven't seen this past weekend's box office figures yets, but it wouldn't have bettered its ranking with the loss of screens. A film needs to be on at least 150 screens in order to make the top 10."}, {"response": 1842, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Tue, Jul  4, 2000 (16:06)", "body": "Welcome Silvie. Nice to see you come out from Lurkdom; although that's where I spend most of my time too ;-) I don't know a lot about the origins of RV, but I have always thought it was for the screen. Maybe TV would have been a better option ???"}, {"response": 1843, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jul  5, 2000 (12:32)", "body": "Thanks for posting the RV venues, Karen. I thought it had disappeared, but it seems to be a North/South divide. And what about Wales? :-) When I saw RV there actually was a good turnout, at least three quarters full, although it was a small theatre. But what I noticed was that all the crowds milling round the multiplex (except the RV crowd!) seemed to be teenagers, or certainly no more than student age. Ditto, local Blockbusters. They'll all be swarming to see Mission Impossible 2 and Tom Cruise this week. However BJD will pull them in (but only, I'm beginning to realise, because it's from the makers of the \"hugely successful NH and 4 Weddings and a Funeral\" (forget the book!)"}, {"response": 1844, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Jul  5, 2000 (18:15)", "body": "Hello and welcome Silvie."}, {"response": 1845, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul  5, 2000 (21:37)", "body": "New publicity pic taken at the RV premiere:"}, {"response": 1846, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Jul  6, 2000 (01:18)", "body": "Thanks karen, its a wonderful way to start the day- with a new picture."}, {"response": 1847, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jul  6, 2000 (01:35)", "body": "That's really nice, thanks Karen."}, {"response": 1848, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jul  6, 2000 (07:16)", "body": "I really like it when he dresses well :-) Thanks Karen."}, {"response": 1849, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jul  6, 2000 (13:32)", "body": "Incidentally, for all you Firth fans, he is busy recording a TV drama to be broadcast next year on BBC in which he play a rather \"foppish\" character by all accounts. \" Meant to add, re. Evelyn's insider information....I'm sure this must be true. If the BBC are shooting \"Armadillo\", which needs quite a lot of London location work, the summer months are crucial, especially for early morning shoots. Perhaps that's why he needs a trainer...to keep him fit for an arduous filming schedule! And I should imagine that MD and Lorimer are two characters who could look alike...no beards/long hair necessary, so he could even film in tandem. BTW, I searched on Sue Birtwhistle and found a quote from her that I hadn't seen before. She said that she asked CF to do P&P but \"he said he wasn't interested because it was girlie stuff\". (This was when he hadn't read the script (or novel)!) He was sent the script anyway, read and liked it, but still, as we know, said \"no\" because he didn't think he was right for the part, until SB finally persuaded him. All thanks to SB for being so tenacious!!! :-)"}, {"response": 1850, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jul  6, 2000 (15:06)", "body": "For those who don't go to BJD board, here's Colin on the set of BJD in London:"}, {"response": 1851, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Jul  6, 2000 (16:13)", "body": "He's obviously morphing into Tony Blair mode."}, {"response": 1852, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jul  6, 2000 (16:16)", "body": "( Renate ) He's obviously morphing into Tony Blair mode. ROTFLMAO! He looks gorgeous... IMHO..."}, {"response": 1853, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Fri, Jul  7, 2000 (12:30)", "body": "More pix of ODB, this time in tonights ES magazine in the Party section. It's a variation on one we've seen before from the RV premiere. There's also a little bit beside the photo: \" An Apology ES would like to take this opportunity to apologise unreservedly to all Colin Firth fans for printing this picture of him with his stunning wife Livia. We accept that it is insensitive and likely to cause untold heartache. Letters of protest to the usual address.\" Apology accepted, just!"}, {"response": 1854, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Fri, Jul  7, 2000 (12:45)", "body": "Argghh! Trying again"}, {"response": 1855, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jul  7, 2000 (13:27)", "body": "Thanks, Tracy. We'd gladly accept the apology if they'd promise to spell her f***ing name right! Aargh!"}, {"response": 1856, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jul  7, 2000 (13:31)", "body": "LOL--My thoughts exactly, Eileen! Thanks for the latest pics to Tracy, Arami, Ann, & Karen!"}, {"response": 1857, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul  7, 2000 (13:49)", "body": "Quite the jokesters, aren't they, at the ES? Yes, we can't abide to see pics of his beautiful wife. What a bunch of jealous jerks! (probably think we sit at home in Regency dress with industrial-strength Wonder bras waiting for Mr. Darcy to ring the bell.) Thanks for posting the pics, Tracy. Tried lightening up the Empire pic but I'm pretty pathetic at this stuff. Am sure Murph can do better."}, {"response": 1858, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jul  7, 2000 (16:38)", "body": "From Anne R: This seems to be the latest word on Armadillo, from the Friday, June 23 edition of Broadcast magazine. No mention of Colin yet: Birtwhistle to bring Boyd novel to BBC. The BBC is developing a two-part adaption of William Boyd's Armadillo, to be produced by veteran drama executive Sue Birtwhistle, writes Tabitha Cole. The BBC is understood to have banded together with drama heads from US network A&E to co-fund the development of a screenplay penned by Boyd himself. Birtwhistle, the producer behind the BBC's award winning Pride and Prejudice and Wives and Daughters, is believed to have played a central role in negotiating the deal. It is not known whether the TV version of Armadillo, which is still in the early stages of development, is being lined up for BBC 1 or 2. Boyd, an acclaimed British author and critic has written extensively for the screen since the mid-1980s. He made his directorial debut last year, with a film of his book The Trench. Karen: I'm afraid even my trusty Photoshop can't do much with THAT picture! Just for fun, and a bunch of \"one degree of Colin\" people, Southeby's and Amazon is holding an on-line auction of the puppets from The Spitting Image TV show. They are a riot. Sthephen Fry is there, and Joanne Lumley and Elvis, and Olivier and a funny Oliver Reed, and a host of others. Beyond my means, of course. Spitting Image Puppets"}, {"response": 1859, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Fri, Jul  7, 2000 (16:48)", "body": "According to that font of all knowledge ...my mum, CF and JE were on the national news at lunchtime yesterday..anybody catch it? It appears that there have been studies done by boffins in the States about what it is that attracts people to certain faces and they used CF and JE as examples! Any old excuse to get His face on the box has my vote ..even if they Do have to rake up all the P&P stuff -AGAIN! Re Empire pic, the original in the mag is very distorted and dark - and doesn't look very professionally done. (Eileen) We'd gladly accept the apology if they'd promise to spell her f***ing name right! LOL! Exactly how many different permutations are the going to try before they hit the right one. (Karen) probably think we sit at home in Regency dress with industrial-strength Wonder bras *sheepishly removing Empire-line frock now* ;-D"}, {"response": 1860, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Jul  7, 2000 (17:09)", "body": "Tracy your mum wasn't wrong.BBC News 24 showed a clip from P&P to illustrate a report on love and romance being controlled by the head and not the heart after all [according to some medical report about the brain] The clip was of Darcy and Elizabeth at Longbourn after his return to Netherfield.The report went on to say that D & E epitomise romance for most people. It's great that P&P sticks in peoples minds after this length of time."}, {"response": 1861, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul  7, 2000 (17:23)", "body": "(Tracy) *sheepishly removing Empire-line frock now* ;-D Ha!! So is basis for this comment. Hmmm, thought only valid jealousy point was fact that she is wearing horizontally striped dress and does not look like 3-ton pickup truck. ;-)"}, {"response": 1862, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jul  7, 2000 (17:23)", "body": "It is not known whether the TV version of Armadillo, which is still in the early stages of development, is being lined up for BBC 1 or 2. Oh well, bang goes my theory that they're shooting now...although sometimes projects move on surprisingly quickly...and this is in most respects \"old\" news. The BBC is developing a two-part adaption Now that is new news! I was hoping that it wouldn't just be the equivalent of a BBC film (90 minutes or so) but thought that it didn't perhaps lend itself to a six-parter series like P&P. Two parts is normally about 3 1/2 hours ( \"Madame Bovary\" type adaptation). And you'll see it in the States! Thanks for the pic (dark & light version!) Tracy and Karen! Thought MD was wearing a towel in the fight scene! Must be a different version! According to that font of all knowledge ...my mum, CF and JE were on the national news at lunchtime yesterday..anybody catch it? It appears that there have been studies done by boffins in the States about what it is that attracts people to certain faces and they used CF and JE as examples! Don't know if it was the same item, but Darcy and Lizzie were on BBC news 24 in the evening...as examples of falling overwhelmingly in love, and the way the brain reacts to love."}, {"response": 1863, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul  7, 2000 (17:30)", "body": "Murph, thanks for passing on news re: Armadillo. Ask AnneR if alright (don't have her new email address) or send it to me. The BBC is developing a two-part adaption (bethan) Now that is new news! The confirmation, that is. Had to be. Most effective format for thriller types. Must build some suspense. And you'll see it in the States! Hoorah!!!"}, {"response": 1864, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Jul  7, 2000 (18:07)", "body": "Great news about Armadillo but are the BBC to be trusted after their handling of DQ? Any news of a release date for Londinium? Any news of video release for SLOW? RV no longer showing in my area-another one bites the dust!"}, {"response": 1865, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jul  7, 2000 (20:28)", "body": "YEAH!!!!! Use it, Karen, it is from a non Firth friend. ENGLEWOOD, Colo., July 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Robert Leighton, president of Starz Encore Entertainment, today announced STARZ! Pictures' latest lineup of original movies through the end of 2000. The slate includes such unique films as a legendary Academy Award(TM) winning actress' feature directorial debut, an epic fact-based drama about saving Kenya's lions and an English comedy of manners adapted from Noel Coward's 1951 play. \"STARZ! Pictures has once again assembled an impressive group of star-packed and unique original movies,\" said Leighton. \"This diverse and powerful lineup demonstrates our strategy to complement our first-run Hollywood films with a selection of superb original movies. This collection of films is just a sample of the top-notch material and stellar talent that STARZ! Pictures will deliver in the future.\" October: STARZ! Pictures presents the never-before-seen comedy \"Relative Values,\" starring Academy Award(R) winning actress Julie Andrews (\"Mary Poppins\"). Co-produced with Overseas Filmgroup, \"Relative Values\" is based on the 1951 Noel Coward play. The film, directed by Eric Styles (\"Dreaming of Joseph Lees\"), is a comedy about class versus classlessness. Set in the 1950's, \"Relative Values\" is the tale of Hollywood star Miranda Frayle (Jeanne Tripplehorn -- \"Basic Instinct\") who becomes engaged to snobby aristocrat Nigel, the Earl of Marshwood (Edward Atterton - \"Man In The Iron Mask\") while aboard a yacht in France. The couple's wedding plans upset Nigel's mum, Felicity, the Countess of Marshwood (Andrews) and Don Lucas (William Baldwin -- \"Virus\"), a dashing but high strung screen idol, who happens to be Miranda's former lover. When Moxie (Sophie Thompson -- \"Emma\"), Felicity's longtime maid announces that Miranda is her despised sister who left England for Hollywood 20 years ago, Felicity, with the help of her nephew (Colin Firth -Shakespeare in Love\") and her butler (Stephen Fry -- \"A Civil Action\"), sets about an ingenious image change for Moxie -- just in time for Miranda and Nigel's arrival in London. This year marks the 100th anniversary of playwright, screenwriter, novelist, director, producer, actor and composer Sir Noel Coward's birth. On the stage at the age of 12, Coward went on to become one of the most creative and controversial figures in British theatre."}, {"response": 1866, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Jul  8, 2000 (03:09)", "body": "Murph it's great that RV is going to be shown in the US.I've not got over my disappointment at having missed RV,I was hoping to go tonight but it has already been pulled in my local area, maybe I should fly over in October[in my dreams] Spotted a small clip in Heat mag,although not directly CF related I thought it was interesting in view of CF agent bashing I've read on older posts. 'whats's up with talent agency ICM?Recent months have seen Catherine Zeta Jones,Eddie Murphy,Meg Ryan and Russell Crowe quit the agency.Now Dustin Hoffman and hot young thing Leelee Sobieski have followed them.'"}, {"response": 1867, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jul  8, 2000 (05:26)", "body": "Judy, I don't know if this helps but RV is still playing in London, according to the Times Metro section, as Odeons Kensington, Swiss Cottage, & West End and the ABC Hampstead."}, {"response": 1868, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul  8, 2000 (08:16)", "body": "(Judy) Any news of video release for SLOW? The video has been available for rental since March 6. The price hasn't come down yet to purchase however. Here's a listing of all the cinemas where RV is playing this week. As I feared it lost huge numbers, probably because of MI:2 coming in and taking over all the screens. However, don't despair. It seems to be moving around to new towns, as well as staying in London. http://www.spring.net/karenr/cinemas707.txt Thanks for the direct-to-cable news on RV, Murph. Will book time over at sister, who has every channel under the sun. ;-)"}, {"response": 1869, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Jul  8, 2000 (10:09)", "body": "Ann & Karen thanks for the info regarding RV,however its still not showing in my area. I'm waiting to buy SLOW as I don't use a video rental shop- I'd rather buy."}, {"response": 1870, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Jul  8, 2000 (10:55)", "body": "(Karen) Hmmm, thought only valid jealousy point was fact that she is wearing horizontally striped dress and does not look like 3-ton pickup truck. ;-) Actually, she looks like my Aunt Martha. Well, she looks like my aunt did when Aunt Martha was about thirty. Tracy, 'fess up. I know you are the real Bridget Jones. You have a closetful of empire style dresses. I do have a question for you Tracy. What is a boffin? Is anything like a nerd, twit, or dork?"}, {"response": 1871, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul  8, 2000 (11:25)", "body": "Great News Today:Thanks everybody. Three Cheers for Starz Cable. No commercials either:-)) Happy, Happy that A&E getting involved in \"Armadillo\"...(unfortunately commercials:-( ODB is moving out:-))"}, {"response": 1872, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul  8, 2000 (15:15)", "body": "What is a boffin? Does it not mean scientist or technical expert, as stated in the dictionary? (Evelyn) Happy that A&E getting involved in \"Armadillo\"... (unfortunately commercials:-( A&E sells videos too and knows better than most that will sell even better if Colin features prominently on cover (unlike stupid marketing folk at PBS who put Peter Quint on US video cover of TTOTS) ;-)"}, {"response": 1873, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sun, Jul  9, 2000 (00:19)", "body": "A boffin. Its a World War 2 term for sometimes daffy scientists who thought up all sorts of schemes to defeat the Germans. One was a wheel with fireworks attached to each spoke which extended just behond the rim. If you have ever seen in in Dads' Army you will know what I mean. The inventor of the Dam Buster Bomb was called a boffin. My friend worked with them and has some hilarious tales to tell of nutty inventions."}, {"response": 1874, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sun, Jul  9, 2000 (12:59)", "body": "Thank you Anne and Karen."}, {"response": 1875, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul  9, 2000 (23:50)", "body": "Didn't want to make a big deal, as you can't really do anything with the info yet, but Londinium will be screened at Toronto. Don't have a date. Won't be available until late August. Have put up all there is at The Bucket site. http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/london.html"}, {"response": 1876, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jul 10, 2000 (05:58)", "body": "Hello ladies! Writing from London, will be catching RV, RF as Richard II and VR in The Tempest. Keeping quite busy and at least it is not raining today. Cheers!"}, {"response": 1877, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 10, 2000 (10:59)", "body": "Thank you for thinking of us Moon. We await your reports. Miss ya' :-(("}, {"response": 1878, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 10, 2000 (11:08)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1879, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Mon, Jul 10, 2000 (12:06)", "body": "Tee hee! I'm afraid I subscribed to STARZ! today. Having RV in the future put me over the edge."}, {"response": 1880, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jul 10, 2000 (12:45)", "body": "(Judith) BBC News 24 showed a clip from P&P to illustrate a report on love and romance being controlled by the head and not the heart after all LMAO! This is news? Agree with Tracy, any excuse to have ODB's pic on the telly will do. The BBC is understood to have banded together with drama heads from US network A&E Better and better. This has CF written all over it. Bethan, why don't you try ringing his agent? We haven't heard 'Armadillo? What is Armadillo?' in awhile. October: STARZ! Pictures presents the never-before-seen comedy \"Relative Values,\" Oh, woe is me, I no longer get Starz :..( *major pity party ensues* Karen, will need to tap your distribution enterprise once again. (Karen) Londinium will be screened at Toronto. Glad to read this is still the plan."}, {"response": 1881, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 10, 2000 (13:55)", "body": "(Karen) Londinium will be screened at Toronto. This is great news indeed. Toronto IFF isn't Cannes, but it is the major market for films in North America.It's not a competition like Cannes, but is covered by all the major industry newspapers who review the films. Thanks Karen. Londinium and BJD.....Things are looking up:-)) *singing 'Happy Days are Here Again'*"}, {"response": 1882, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Jul 10, 2000 (14:36)", "body": "Cheryl -Tracy, 'fess up. ...... boffins Ok, Ok ..I confess, I am the REAL Bridget Jones. 34 ish, single, professional from the Home Counties - trouble is I've let myself go a bit of late (all that Milk Tray I s'pose) and need to lose many, many pounds! Y'know it's getting hard to squeeze myself into those frocks so have sent them off to Wellington in manner of trendy philanthropist. Hakuna Matata! My grateful thanks to those who stepped into the breach on the boffin question, especially Ann whose daffy scientist was exactly what I had in mind."}, {"response": 1883, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Jul 10, 2000 (14:51)", "body": "Tracy (all that Milk Tray I s'pose) HEY! Don't you bring Milk Tray into this! ;-D THanks for the info, Karen. At the moment, I'm close enough to Toronto that a trip up there in early August would've been ideal. But, if it's late August, then I guess I'm out of luck, eh? Have just come back from Mall of America in Minneapolis. All I can say is, \"I made it out of there barely alive!\" Hope your trip is going better, Moon."}, {"response": 1884, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Jul 10, 2000 (15:53)", "body": "Help, LMAO can you explain to a new recruit,please. Eileen,Tracy,any excuse to have ODB's pic on the tellywill do .I know another way - show DQ! karen Londinium will be screened in Toronto Phew-relief-I was beginning to think it had been forgotton."}, {"response": 1885, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jul 10, 2000 (17:30)", "body": "Thanks for keeping us in touch with all the news, Karen! I noticed that, according to IMDB, the cimematography for \"Londinium\" was done by the same person who did \"Mrs Dalloway\"...which I thought was very classy. The look of a movie *does* matter...and they had great weather for the shoot (we actually had a summer last year!)and chose some excellent locations. See, I'm an optimist. (It has to be better than some of the crass Brit movies currently being successful. And, I am reliably informed, Jack Dee is very much an \"in\" comedian with the 16-19 year olds who flock to the movies in the UK) Judy...if you're interested in buying SLOW, check for availability with mailorder VideoPlus Direct (01733 232800). I was told that they would be getting it, but no date yet. And I should think that MLSF will be out on rental in a couple of months. I'm really pleased to hear that CF is going to be available in the North America again...September \"Londinium\", October RV (and you can videotape it!) and February BJD...not bad! I also think that if \"Armadillo\" is a 2 parter (and I would guess for BBC2), and if they start shooting soon, there's no reason to delay showing it. \"Madam Bovary\" was shown within a few months of completion (and shown first in the US). I'm just hoping that this spate of incredible delays on CF projects (2 to 3 years for nearly everything!) is over!!"}, {"response": 1886, "author": "kolin", "date": "Mon, Jul 10, 2000 (17:55)", "body": "The Toronto Film Festival runs from September 7-16 http://www.bell.ca/filmfest/2000/index.asp The official list of films shown will come out only August 22, but passes and coupons go on sale in July. Tickets for single films go on sale only September 6th."}, {"response": 1887, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Jul 10, 2000 (18:56)", "body": "I have a new pic on my RV page from a Julie A fan - the one who sent me stuff from the Isle of Man. Her friend took it, and they were disappointed not to catch his face, but I like the feel of the picture - all anticipation. http://www.geocities.com/firthfan/values/values.html"}, {"response": 1888, "author": "kolin", "date": "Mon, Jul 10, 2000 (19:07)", "body": "If you are thinking of coming to Toronto for the Film Festival here is some information from the Festival website: Special rates on Air Canada Air Canada, the official airline of the Toronto International Film Festival, offers special rates to the Festival from Air Canada gates in North America and around the world (some conditions apply). Call your travel agent or Air Canada at 1-800-361-7585 or (514) 393-9494. Please ask that the Festival Event Number CV500910 be entered in the Tour Code box of your ticket regardless of the fare urchased. Hotel reservations Special hotel rates are available through the Festival's Guest Relations Office. If you require information or reservations, please call Festival Guest Relations at (416) 934-3210 or fax us at (416) 966-1329, and ask for PYO Hotel rates. Due to the volume of inquiries please allow at least two weeks to process your requests. All hotel requests are subject to availability."}, {"response": 1889, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 10, 2000 (20:21)", "body": "Re: Londinium I'm getting some confusing and conflicting information now. I wonder if they \"can't\" confirm the information because the TIFF hasn't (a) made all its decisions and (b) released its final list of films. Oh well, if it turns out to be true, then you read it here first. If not, then, go rent The Best of Binder at Blockbuster. ;-)"}, {"response": 1890, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Jul 11, 2000 (02:49)", "body": "I do like the pic, Murph, you're right about the atmosphere :-) I suppose that's the same Audi that drove ODB to location the first evening of MarkG's investigation?"}, {"response": 1891, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Jul 11, 2000 (08:57)", "body": "Nope. In fact, the Audi at the BJD shoot (silver) was later (perhaps) found to be RZ's car, as it always seems to be driven by the ex-bouncer who appears to be RZ's regular personal driver."}, {"response": 1892, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Jul 11, 2000 (12:03)", "body": "Oh well... Hope he doesn't drive a Fiat Uno...;-)"}, {"response": 1893, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Jul 11, 2000 (12:34)", "body": "Bethan,thanks for the phone number unfortunately they had never heard of it and didn't have it listed even under rental videos,although she had heard of CFand did have a few titles under his name. I think I had better renew my membership with Blockbusters. Murph, I liked the photo-he looks good from any angle!"}, {"response": 1894, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jul 11, 2000 (14:36)", "body": "Oh, sorry for that..... perhaps it depends on who you speak to. The salesperson I spoke to said that they'd had a lot of enquiries for SLOW and it would be available at some date, but they didn't know when. I think SLOW can be bought from blackstar videos , but it's priced at \ufffd60 plus! Best wait (or rent from Blockbusters!)"}, {"response": 1895, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jul 11, 2000 (14:43)", "body": "http://www.blackstar.co.uk Search under Secret Laughter of Women It's \ufffd66.99! But will come down eventually to normal price range."}, {"response": 1896, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Jul 11, 2000 (14:49)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1897, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jul 11, 2000 (14:50)", "body": "Sorry, this is in dribs and drabs...but I never realised how informative a site blackstar is. Gives cinema listings as well. RV is still showing on about 20 screens, and, surprisingly, MLSF is still showing in Stirling (a very nice (large) arts cinema...we went there one holiday) and Dublin."}, {"response": 1898, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Jul 11, 2000 (14:57)", "body": "Bethan, thanks for the extra info on SLOW.The girl I spoke to did sound pretty useless!"}, {"response": 1899, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Jul 11, 2000 (15:02)", "body": "Judy, Ann..........Re SLOW, Blackstar have it for \ufffd66-99, bensonsworld.co.uk for \ufffd59.35 (WOW what a saving!!). Bensons say \"If you can't wait, we can often source ex-rental, or rental copies that have never been used, at a much more reasonable price (usually around \ufffd30). Please contact us with your specific requirements I don't know how reputable they are having never used them (I got their name from my ISPs shopping page - they were given three stars by Lineone - likewise Blackstar). NOT that I've been shopping around at all :-P"}, {"response": 1900, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Jul 11, 2000 (15:07)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1901, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Jul 11, 2000 (15:15)", "body": "Sorry I keep pressing the wrong button. Tracy, NOT that I've been shopping around at all-you need to at those prices-NOT that I'm a skinflint or anything. Bethan,you're right about Blackstar,I've just had a nosey around and they're v.informative."}, {"response": 1902, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Jul 11, 2000 (15:36)", "body": "Whilst scouring the various vid sites I've spotted the artwork to 'The Advocate'..what I want to know is what the Sam Hill is that supposed to be on the cover? I suppose it vaguely resembles ODB but since when did Maria wear a -strappy chemisey thing ?? See what I mean..(probably not if my PC skills are anything to go by, if the pic is not here check out amazon.com, search for The Advocate and you'll see what I'm looking at) Many apologies if this has been covered before in the dim and distant past of Ye Olde Droole Boarde."}, {"response": 1903, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 11, 2000 (16:01)", "body": "(Tracy) I've spotted the artwork to 'The Advocate' You're so generous to call it \"artwork,\" although I know you mean it in a graphics sense. Yes, us poor souls over here have had to abide with this thoroughly ridiculous cover as well as the missing minutes from the real film. Runners up in the same category of \"whothehelldesignedorisonthecover\" category is Playmaker and Dutch Girls."}, {"response": 1904, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Tue, Jul 11, 2000 (16:03)", "body": "I purchased SLoW from an on line store a few months ago for \ufffd41 (free postage). I can't find the link at the moment but if anyone is interested, mail me privately and I will pass it on when I can."}, {"response": 1905, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 11, 2000 (16:04)", "body": "And the answer to \"what the Sam Hill\" is on the Advocate's cover... Looks to me like those people who were cavorting around naked for the human hunt in Courtois' dream. Doesn't the guy remind you of the sicko son?"}, {"response": 1906, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Jul 11, 2000 (16:44)", "body": "Ah well any excuse to watch it again."}, {"response": 1907, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Jul 11, 2000 (17:08)", "body": "\"Playmaker's\" cover is a hoot. Seriously, in the \"what the Sam Hill\" category -- those people bear no resemblance at all to CF and that horrible actress Jennifer Rubin."}, {"response": 1908, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 11, 2000 (17:50)", "body": "We could play the game: What question would you ask Colin if you saw him in person? (Keep it clean;-) Cheryl you just posted your question.... \"Did you pose for the Playmaker video cover?\" Mine: Was that your high school picture that was featured in the 3 DOR program?"}, {"response": 1909, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jul 11, 2000 (18:13)", "body": "... Who the heck is Sam Hill?... 8-O"}, {"response": 1910, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Jul 11, 2000 (18:15)", "body": "(Karen) \"whothehelldesignedorisonthecover\" category is Playmaker and Dutch Girls. Included in this category is Femme Fatale's cover...the disembodied blue head. At least it's Colin's head. (Evelyn) What question would you ask Colin if you saw him in person? Ooh, good game, Evie. I'd ask if he's in disguise when he wears his pink-tinted glasses. (Or were they blue?) Glad for the news about Londinium. Won't get too excited yet as per instructions but I'm checking flights anyway. Wouldn't worry too much about availability for film tickets. Don't think a Mike Binder/Mariel Hemingway flick will be boffo at the box office. Meredith, good idea about Starz. Hope you got it when they had free installation. I'll be calling my cable company up soon too. Should be plenty of VCRs ready to roll."}, {"response": 1911, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Jul 11, 2000 (22:36)", "body": "Luckily, I've got a friend who sees STARZ (**Heehee**), and he's promised to roll the tape come October. (He's got a dish and digital, too. Gee!) Aren't I lucky? ;-)"}, {"response": 1912, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Tue, Jul 11, 2000 (23:27)", "body": "The on-ine store selling SLOW for 41 UKP is KVS - www.kvs.co.uk. No, I haven't ordered it yet. With Cdn dollars almost as worthless as Mexican pesos and the cost of conversion, I will wait a bit. Hopefully the price will come down. I hope Londinium will be shown at the Toronto FF - am looking forward to meeting all you droolies. Toronto is much less expensive than London and a nice city to visit in the fall."}, {"response": 1913, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Jul 12, 2000 (19:23)", "body": "LOL..was hoping you'd turn up Lynda. If not, I was going to torment you via e-mail. Don't worry, we won't be camping on your doorstep if things do work out fortuitously but will be counting on your GWN expertise. Scour those Toronto papers for us!"}, {"response": 1914, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (15:26)", "body": "(Karen) \"whothehelldesignedorisonthecover\" category is Playmaker and Dutch Girls. Ooh *shaking head with a pained expression* that Dutch Girls cover....it is a bit of a worry isn't it? Assuming the guy clutching the tulip & wearing the tartan scarf is supposed to be Neil - why has he metamorphosed into Jim Dale? And not quite on the same subject but almost, why is OBD's face obscured by Kathy Bates' chin on the 'Hostages' cover? Come to think of it ...why is she on it at all considering she occupied about 0.0001% of screentime?( Yeah, yeah I know the answer..big name, blah, blah..but you can't blame me for whingeing can you? Anyway I have to keep the \"Whingeing Pom\" stereotype going for all our Aussie cousins!) ;-D"}, {"response": 1915, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (15:34)", "body": "Whoops hadn't finished. On the subject of the blurry 'Empire' pic, I emailed them thusly: \"Am puzzled by the picture accompanying the Bridget Jones blurb on p 43 of Aug 2000 issue. What is it of? My money is on a wrestling match between Colin Firth & Hugh Grant but perhaps you can enlighten me or better still the picture!!\" And got the following reply from Emma Cochrane: \"Your guess is right, it's one of those long lens jobs, hence the fuzzy edges.\" Inspired! *huge helpings of sarcasm* So there you have it, confirmation that it is CF and HG (rather than MarkG wrestling with his fanbase) and that Empire obviously employ quality photographers for their scoops ;-/"}, {"response": 1916, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (16:03)", "body": "Good for you Tracy! Inspired indeed :-)"}, {"response": 1917, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (16:04)", "body": "Tracy great detective work with the empire pic-nevermind a whingeing pom you're one smart lady. Now tell us why its CF who's down and not HG?"}, {"response": 1918, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (16:06)", "body": "*hee hee* Good going, Tracy! Turning into a real Go-Getter, a whinging one albeit, but a go-getter nevertheless. Long lens stuff reminds me...I've got some of those to develop for Gi and Heide. ;-) Think mine will be clearer *she says with no clue*"}, {"response": 1919, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (16:19)", "body": "July - great detective work Just doing my duty Karen - Think mine will be clearer Ooh, I think that anything you do will make the Empire snapper's photographic excellence (NOT) pale into insignificance (even with no clue)! For we droolers are a band of resourceful, go-getting, top techie types willing (oh so very willing) to turn our hands to anything *grin* ;-)~~"}, {"response": 1920, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (16:31)", "body": "(KarenR)Long lens stuff reminds me...I've got some of those to develop for Gi and Heide. ;-) I can't remember... Now I'm very curious :-)"}, {"response": 1921, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (16:50)", "body": "Judy -Now tell us why its CF who's down and not HG? Beats me. Well, at least CFs face is to the camera rather than HGs. Although I think I know whose bum I'd prefer to look at. Sorry, lowering the tone again. ;-D"}, {"response": 1922, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (17:21)", "body": "I long for a clearer picture of that scuffle. Thanks, Tracy, for your work. Karen, I look forward to seeing your \"clearer\" view. I now have a page on my web site for original art work by Colin fans, and our own KJ has sent in her lovely graphite on paper offering. Thanks, KJ. Anyone else have something to send in? I tell how on my news page. http://www.geocities.com/firthfan/art/artwork.html"}, {"response": 1923, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (18:03)", "body": "My clearer view isn't of that picture, Murph. Totally different stuff and not even Colin. ;-O"}, {"response": 1924, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (18:09)", "body": "Enterprising lassie, Tracy. Thanks for the confirmation. Yes, why does our DB look like he getting the tar beaten out of him again. While we know he gets the girl, I wouldn't mind him being on the winning side of a tussle for a change. Gi, my guess is that Karen's got some close-ups for us of those love patches that have been rubbed off his scalp. ;-) Tell me I'm wrong, please."}, {"response": 1925, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (18:10)", "body": "not even Colin. ;-O Goodie, that was quick, Karen."}, {"response": 1926, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (18:57)", "body": "the Empire snapper's photographic excellence (NOT) One less for the eBay (or is it eBuy?) auction."}, {"response": 1927, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Jul 14, 2000 (01:50)", "body": "(KarenR)not even Colin. ;-O Curiouser and curiouser... :-)"}, {"response": 1928, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Jul 14, 2000 (12:57)", "body": "Not even Colin;-O, Come on karen spill the beans,I can't stand the suspense. Tracy,don't apologize for lowering the tone,you can talk about his bum all day for me.If they did have to knock him down couldn't he just have been wearing a MD towel-you know lay down legs splayed wide!"}, {"response": 1929, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Jul 14, 2000 (13:14)", "body": "Decorum, woman!"}, {"response": 1930, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Jul 14, 2000 (13:22)", "body": "(Besides, what you would possibly see from that angle, isn't particularly pretty, even on CF. Interesting, maybe - but definitely not pretty.) ;-)"}, {"response": 1931, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 14, 2000 (14:19)", "body": "(Judy)Come on karen spill the beans, I can't stand the suspense. shush! Mel's the word (Arami) Besides, what you would possibly see from that angle, isn't particularly pretty, even on CF. Your source, please."}, {"response": 1932, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Jul 14, 2000 (14:55)", "body": "(Karen),Your source,please.Yes come on Arami the balls are in your court now! (karen),shush!Mel's the word-is that supposed to help,thats made it even worse-I can't think under pressure"}, {"response": 1933, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jul 14, 2000 (15:04)", "body": "(Judy) Yes come on Arami the balls are in your court now! Atta girl, Judy, that's the spirit."}, {"response": 1934, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 14, 2000 (15:58)", "body": "(Judy) I can't think under pressure On the contrary, as evidenced by the response above. OK, the pics I have are of Mel Gibson, the scourge of Liverpool. ;-)"}, {"response": 1935, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jul 14, 2000 (17:37)", "body": "Decorum, woman! I think that now he 's in the habit of taking mum and mama-in-law to screenings, decorum is all you're ever going to get. Although there's always the the kilt in \"Armadillo\"! My clearer view Talking of \"clearer views\" nothing can ever beat a certain scene in \"Playmaker\", a high resolution 14\" TV screen and a sharp pair of eyes! :-) Lots of stuff in the papers about the role of the Englishman in current Hollywood movies....from butler to baddie. An English accent is now seen as \"evil\"! I'm wondering if Mark Darcy is just about the only portrayal of the Englishman as a decent bloke/mildly \"heroic\" type that we're likely to see this side of the Millenium. Even Brit movies are all about sadistic gangsters or pathetic, bumbling nerds...not a hero in sight! Yes, why does our DB look like he getting the tar beaten out of him again. While we know he gets the girl, I wouldn't mind him being on the winning side of a tussle for a change. Yes! Agreed. Can't he win for once? He's always getting beaten by men who are shorter than him. And why are MD and DC brawling? I hope the Richard Curtis version keeps the P&P parallels....Andrew Davies had said that in *his* screenplay, he emphasised the similarities with P&P. I'd like to see MD as the slightly detached noble saviour of BJ's family (you see, an English hero)...fat chance!"}, {"response": 1936, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Jul 14, 2000 (17:58)", "body": "Did someone mention a kilt-ah the possibilities! Bethan,I envy you your control.How can you write about CF in a kilt and that P scene and still manage to write sensibly afterwards.Did you take a cold shower between passages? (Karen)the scourge of Liverpool-the wonderful world of publicity-thats enough to get my fellow mancuniansto see it."}, {"response": 1937, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Jul 14, 2000 (19:19)", "body": "(Karen)Your source,please. LOL! (judy) the balls are in your court now! LMAO! I wish! Alas, the balls are still firmly attached as before and completely out of reach...;-D I'm afraid there's only one player now... and she's not among us... ;-P (Bethan) nothing can ever beat a certain scene in \"Playmaker\", a high resolution 14\" TV screen and a sharp pair of eyes! :-) LOL! I still think it's an optical illusion. The angle is all wrong ;-P"}, {"response": 1938, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jul 15, 2000 (07:03)", "body": "LOL! I still think it's an optical illusion. The angle is all wrong ;-P Looked all right to me. To quote a well known phrase...\"No acting required in that department at least\" :-) So, what angle were you expecting....obtuse, acute? In the interests of scientific dicovery and impartial evaluation, I once viewed selected parts of the tape on our larger screen TV, and I can tell you that size does matter! 14\" (the TV screen, that is) high resolution produces a much sharper image. No optical illusion, definitely TRT!"}, {"response": 1939, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jul 15, 2000 (07:06)", "body": "Sorry, potential Freudian slip....\"discovery\" of course!"}, {"response": 1940, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jul 15, 2000 (08:07)", "body": "I have never seen TRT in P myself. But, as with Santa Claus, I continue to believe in the possibility. ;-) Oh, to get hold of that Bridget Jones screenplay. Oh Markeee!"}, {"response": 1941, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sat, Jul 15, 2000 (09:39)", "body": "(Bethan) And why are MD and DC brawling? It has to do with two magic words used liberally within the film industry: \"based\" and \"on\". I hope the Richard Curtis version keeps the P&P parallels....Andrew Davies had said that in *his* screenplay, he emphasised the similarities with P&P. Don't know about this. RC has perfected his winning (read: moneymaking) formula, has he not? Wonder what *he* would have done with P&P...;-P (Heide) Oh, to get hold of that Bridget Jones screenplay Now, there's an idea. Oh Markeee Indeed!"}, {"response": 1942, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jul 15, 2000 (12:14)", "body": "There was a news item today on the radio about Tony Blair's current run of \"bad luck\". The commentator said that there were choppy waters ahead for him as the BBC were going ahead with their planned drama about the rise to political power of a young charismatic leader, which would be shown before the next General Electiion and would be directed by Peter Kosminsky. A source said that the material was expected to be very controversial, revealing and thought-provoking. I still think that this will be an excellent project to get involved in...as centre stage as you can get! They are talking about a Spring Election...May latest."}, {"response": 1943, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Jul 15, 2000 (12:42)", "body": "the BBC were going ahead with their planned drama about the rise to political power of a young charismatic leader... the material was expected to be very controversial, revealing and thought-provoking. If Colin does get involved I shall hope for the best - but I shall also be very, very uneasy... The last time he was in a \"very controversial, revealing and thought-provoking drama\", the political row was so loud as to drown almost completely the excellence of the production and the outstanding acting... Remember Tumbledown? :-("}, {"response": 1944, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sat, Jul 15, 2000 (13:35)", "body": "I'm back!! Survived 'holiday'! Will have more to say about this soon. Returned to civilization to find it all gone bonkers, and ball courts and TRT scenarios! Colin Firth board is now place for Darcy Drool? And Darcy Drool Board is for? . . . v.v. confusing but very interesting! Darcy Drool Board must, according to my Drool Man uel 2000, always exceed the limits of other boards in terms of its Droolability:"}, {"response": 1945, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sat, Jul 15, 2000 (13:40)", "body": "The United League of Sensible Women's International Declaration on Drooling Sports and other related activities, governing the spirit and letter of all operations at SPRING DROOL* (*SPRING DROOL:Geneva-type international structure for the peaceful exchange of information pertaining to all Drooling sports, negotiations, and related activities, inclusive of all persons of the female persuasion, either lurked or delurked (and, additionally,sympathetic men)regardless of race, creed, or color, etc.., in accordance with the United League of Sensible Women, the political body which it serves.) Formed secretly in 1945,in recognition of a felt need the United League of Sensible Women (and sympathetic men) was mandated to steer all activities and energies of their country of origin towards a much more gratifying exchange between nations, \"to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms pertaining to said Drooling activites,and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, as a means to lasting peace, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.\" Other Notable Events in Development of the United League of Sensible Women: 1960s: John Lennon and Yoko Ono become most public advocates of League mandate. 1990s: Advent of world wide web means that Drool exchanges are no longer hand-written or restricted to primitive type of email exchange. 1995: Colin Firth is recognized by the United League of Sensible Women as the primary locus of Drool activity; Spring Drool is formed shortly thereafter. ARTICLE 1 All Droolers are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of sister/sympathetic-brotherhood. ARTICLE 31 Colin Firth is, and shall remain, the primary locus of all Drooling sports, negotiations, and related activities, either with regard to his entire being, or simply various, er, aspects of his being. ARTICLE 32 The Colin Firth/Darcy Drool Board must always exceed the limits of other boards in terms of its Droolability. In the unlikely event that another board exceeds the Colin Firth/Darcy Drool Board in terms of its Droolability, all members are required to set this serious matter to rights by posting messages on the Colin Firth/Darcy Drool Board which rank more highly on the droolability scale. Snappies are also highly desirable. Should this adjustment not occur, then the United League of Sensible Women (and sympathetic men) will be forced to plead with and heckle, (but never threaten) all fan-fic authors to post on said board, until a satisfactory higher level of droolability has been obtained."}, {"response": 1946, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Jul 15, 2000 (15:15)", "body": "(Arami)very,very uneasy...I agree.I would love him to be in topical,hard hitting drama but I have a feeling he would do more for Tony Blair than a comparison with TB could ever do for him.I can see the headlines now 'Darcy for PM' although that may regain a few of those lost WI votes.Yes it could definitely become another Tumbledown lost in a political quagmire. Sadie hope you enjoyed your holiday.I'm not sure if we've 'met' or whether I delurked while you were away.I am very interested in your drooling sports (Arami I would like to apologize in advance for my 2nd loss of decorum)and would like to join up for any ball games. Here we go,here we go,here we go..."}, {"response": 1947, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sat, Jul 15, 2000 (15:25)", "body": "Judy, Judy, Judy . . . sorry, could not resist! No, we have not met officially. OFFICIALLY: WELCOME Have enjoyed reading your funny posts while catching up since \"holiday\", such as it was!"}, {"response": 1948, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jul 15, 2000 (16:39)", "body": "Thank you, Sadie, for your Spring Declaration. By God, you've got it! Darcy Drool is for Darcy drooling and Colin Firth is...guess what? for Colin drooling! I was wondering if you'd made it back from the wilds and am glad to see you've returned unharmed, unbowed and irrepressible as ever. ;-) the material was expected to be very controversial, revealing and thought-provoking. Well, our boy was never one to shy away from a controversial topic. Think this is not one of those projects he's doing to support that jetsetting lifestyle. ;-)"}, {"response": 1949, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 15, 2000 (16:54)", "body": "Welcome back, Sadie. I see that trip to the wilderness has not dulled your appareciation for the \"cultured\" world of Drool. ;-) BTW, Colin's done the kilt thing before... lest you forget those adorable legs striding along in MLSF. NOTE: We are getting v.v. close to message 1999, which will be the last in this topic. So whoever is around then, please shut off the lights, lock the door and leave a note for everyone to join us at 133 (which I think should be next)."}, {"response": 1950, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Jul 15, 2000 (17:44)", "body": "\"He was pleased to be wearing a kilt again after so many years and surprised, as he always was, by the transformation it wrought on him. He almost didn't recognize himself... \"You've got to have the right arse for a kilt,\" said Oliver Rollo, throwing his cigarette end into the fire. \"That's essential.\" Lorimer could have sworn, inwardly, that at the mention to word \"arse\" a sudden coolness seemed to spread across his buttocks. \"Och aye, he's a true Scot,\" Potts said, standing behind him, the pleated hem of his kilt held high in her hands. \"he's nae wearing knickers.\" -- Armadillo, Chapter 8"}, {"response": 1951, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sat, Jul 15, 2000 (21:14)", "body": "Thanks for such nice welcome back, Karen and Heide. Was as warm as the long shower I savoured as soon as I got home! I have discovered v. good reasons why we have formed ourselves as CIVILIZATIONS!!! Have missed this place soooooo much. Glad you like my declaration. For what else do we live but to commit sophistry in the service of Drool! (Heide)Thank you, Sadie, for your Spring Declaration. By God, you've got it! Darcy Drool is for Darcy drooling and Colin Firth is...guess what? for Colin drooling! Sounds bloody fantastic to me! Although...oh, I see, Mr. Darcy is not really Mr. Firth. Hmmm. That's going to get v. confusing."}, {"response": 1952, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 15, 2000 (21:26)", "body": "Such a great passage from Armadillo, Murph....but you know the camera won't be shooting from behind. :-o (Sadie) oh, I see, Mr. Darcy is not really Mr. Firth. Hmmm. That's going to get v. confusing. Just remember these immortal words from Bridget: \"Then we had a long discussion about the comparative merits of Mr Darcy and Mark Darcy, both agreeing that Mr Darcy was more attractive because he was ruder but that being imaginary was a disadvantage that could not be overlooked.\" As most of us can testify, there's no substitute for the Firth in the Flesh."}, {"response": 1953, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 15, 2000 (21:59)", "body": "Does this sound familiar: [from The Sunday Times] Sean Bean is gambling on a blockbusting new Lord of the Rings trilogy. Could it prove the touch of magic his career deserves, asks GARTH PEARCE Sean Bean has always been a risk-taker. He's been in a Bond film and a Harrison Ford hit but, to the public, he's TV's Sharpe. He could be aiming for Hollywood, but he's allowed himself to be anchored down by television and small-budget movies so he can remain living in Britain. It's a constant tightrope walk, from which he's toppled more than once as the years have taken him from twentysomething sex symbol to a thrice-married 41-year-old father of three daughters. But nothing quite sums up his bumpy career path more than his latest role as Boromir in the $300m epic trilogy based on The Lord of the Rings. [...] [Alex] Kingston, of course, has done with the slender international success of Moll Flanders something Bean has so far failed to do with his strong portfolio: use it as a springboard for solid Hollywood recognition. She has been enjoying rich pickings as Dr Elizabeth Corday in ER. Bean, on the other hand, has nearly made it several times.... It does not seem to bother him. \"The Hollywood life has never really appealed,\" he says. \"I do not go to too many dos or premieres. It seems such a palaver, you know. I could be doing other things. I went to the premiere for Ronin at the Venice Film Festival. It was an extraordinary experience, but then it's back to the hotel room and you think, 'What was all that about?' \"Whichever accent Bean uses on screen - Irish, Geordie, clipped English, Essex - away from it, he delivers in broad, no-nonsense Sheffield steel. It's straight, call-a-spade-a-shovel stuff. \"I can do accents, no problem,\" he says. \"I don't know what anyone makes of them, though, particularly in America. It is difficult for some people to accept you unless you're playing a decent guy with a decent accent. I'm doing Boromir in RP [received pronunciation], and he's a bit of a hero, so that might make a difference.\" [...] \"My twenties were full of excitement, my thirties were all about consolidating, and now I have to look at things in a new light. Before Essex Boys and The Lord of the Rings, the stuff I was offered was not good and I suddenly realised I had to be careful.\""}, {"response": 1954, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Jul 16, 2000 (02:56)", "body": "(Karen)Colin's done the kilt thing before-aagh MLSF never reached me in the back of beyond. Murph,loved that quote\"the pleated hem of his kilt held high in her hands,\"he's nae wearing knickers.\" Colin has to do Armadillo!Seriously though when I firstread Armadillo I thought it had Colin's name written all over it. Karen,I can see why the article about SB rang a bell but I was green with envy when I read about him beingin Lord Of The Rings I always wanted CF to be Aragorn."}, {"response": 1955, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Jul 16, 2000 (05:54)", "body": "Sadie, back with a BANG I see - loved your Drooling Sports declaration. Obviously the holiday did not stifle your drooling capabilities. Judy - would like to join up for any ball games. Here we go,here we go,here we go. Would like to suggest season ticket to same ;-D On Armadillo, I agree whole-heartedly -when it was first mooted (all those months back) that there was a vague link-ette with CF and I rushed out to WH Smiths to buy a copy just in case, on reading just the first few chapters I decided it had to be done ..and he was definitely the man to do it. (Mind you, did exactly the same with MoB - anybody know the score there??) Karen - Such a great passage from Armadillo, Murph....but you know the camera won't be shooting from behind. :-o Say it ain't so! But you're probably so right, more's the pity :-(. We shall have to console ourselves by superimposing the image of Courtois/Talbert, in their respective bathrooms, at that point in the piece. *he-he-he*"}, {"response": 1956, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Jul 16, 2000 (07:17)", "body": "(Tracy)rushed out to WH Smiths to buy a copy just in case-SNAP That season ticket is a must buy.I've also took your advice about superimposing images and the effect is cheeky!"}, {"response": 1957, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Jul 16, 2000 (07:50)", "body": "(KarenR) OK, the pics I have are of Mel Gibson, the scourge of Liverpool. ;-) Ooooh! I can't wait :-) (Bethan) Even Brit movies are all about sadistic gangsters or pathetic, bumbling nerds...not a hero in sight! Aren't you forgetting one? The greatest hero of them all? A hint: his name is Bond... James Bond... (Judy) would like to join up for any ball games. Here we go,here we go,here we go. (Tracy)Would like to suggest season ticket to same ;-D Wow! And I was recently complaining of too much seriousness in these boards... :-D"}, {"response": 1958, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 16, 2000 (11:54)", "body": "Why isn't there a snappy/capture of Edward in his kilt? *hands on hips, tapping toes* Have found a rather long article about another television project William Boyd appears to be very busy with now. Will post on 127, as doesn't mention CF or Armadillo. Would give anything to see the steam coming out from your ears, Bethan! ;-)"}, {"response": 1959, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Jul 16, 2000 (13:31)", "body": "(Karen)As most of us can testify, there's no substitute for the Firth in the Flesh LOL Karen, and I love that quote too. I have not had the pleasure of Firth in the Flesh (the Flesh of Firth?; who's on Firth, whot's on second, wake up and smell the coffee...Firth Base) but Bridget has a point. Must look for MD out there!!! \"Och aye, he's a true Scot,\" LOL Murph. Also, have been meaning to tell you that I've enjoyed your site. (Karen)Colin's done the kilt thing before (Judy)- never reached me in the back of beyond. Judy, try lifting it from the front! (Tracy)Sadie, back with a BANG I see I always enjoy a good --- one of those things you mentioned and wrote in upper case letters...Sliding straight to the gutter :-) Judy - would like to join up for any ball games. Here we go,here we go,here we go. (Tracy)Would like to suggest season ticket to same ;-D *snort* Ah, of bums and bangs and balls and Bonds, and Colins and Kilts and Games. Drool monitor is screeching. Steam and smoke. Where is my fan? You realize, we're getting sooooo good at lowering the moral tone (yippie) and raising the drool bar, that it's going to be mighty HARD to top it. Quick, somebody send in those missing minutes from The Advocate. Or maybe just a snappie from Playmaker...yes, any excuse. (Gi) Wow! And I was recently complaining of too much seriousness in these boards LOL. I can safely assure you madam, that I am rarely serious. (Meant to sound impressively Darcyish, whilst he stands and lifts his kilt to moon...sorry, I am all run away with my feelings. Moon, this must be a happy thought for you, though, no?) Dearest, loveliest Evelyn, where are you? So sorry I missed your B-day! Hope it was a terrific one. Sean Bean? Do not know him at all. Is he good-looking? Sure does echo CF's sentiments!"}, {"response": 1960, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sun, Jul 16, 2000 (14:46)", "body": "(Bethan) Even Brit movies are all about sadistic gangsters or pathetic, bumbling nerds...not a hero in sight! (Gi) Aren't you forgetting one? The greatest hero of them all? A hint: his name is Bond... James Bond... Do you know what junk bonds are? Any James Bond movies in which Sean Connery does not star. I enjoyed the article on Sean Bean. Lately he's been in television commercials for AccuView contact lenses; at least, in the United States. It's nice to see that you've returned from your excursion into the wilds Sadie. I'm also certian that all the woodland creatures, large and small, are grateful you and your boyfriend are no longer there to terrorize them. Just kidding."}, {"response": 1961, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Jul 16, 2000 (15:08)", "body": "(Sadie)try lifting it from the front-I always do as I'm told but if you don't mind I'll do it one-handed I'll need the other one free...its a hard job but someone'sgot to do it! Sean Bean is not good looking unless you like ugly! He did play a baddie in one of the Bond films but I don't know which one."}, {"response": 1962, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Jul 16, 2000 (15:42)", "body": "(CherylB) Do you know what junk bonds are? Any James Bond movies in which Sean Connery does not star. I beg to disagree ;-) All Bond movies are junk, notwithstanding Sean Connery. On the other hand, they are pretty entertaining when you just need a rest for your little grey cells. Also, a hero is a hero, irrespective of what junk movie he is in. And I love Pierce Brosnan :-)"}, {"response": 1963, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Jul 16, 2000 (15:55)", "body": "Judy, Sean Bean was in Goldeneye and I agree - not a patch on CF in the looks stakes but then I don't go particularly for blonds. Other things you may have caught him in (don't know if they were shown elsewhere other than the UK) was the series Sharpe and the 1992 TV adaptation of Lady Chatterly's Lover - he was Mellors. He was also in that other footie movie that took a nose dive 'When Saturday Comes'. (Judy) try lifting it from the front-I always do as I'm told but if you don't mind I'll do it one-handed I'll need the other one free...its a hard job but someone's got to do it! Pffttt! *spraying coffee all over the monitor* Glad to see that tone is well and truly lowered..hurrah!"}, {"response": 1964, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Jul 16, 2000 (16:33)", "body": "I beg your pardon but I don't subscribe to the United League of Sensible Women. I've always been a maniac and a loner. However, I shall have to declare a keen interest in ball games. Secondly, when I come here for my periodical relief from my daily tribulations, the last thing I expect to hit me in the eyes is the name of some male person in the acting profession other than ODB. So please refrain from overtly declaring your admiration for Beans, Connerys, Brosnans and other such likes around here - and if it's absolutely, but absolutely crucial to the discussion to mention these names, at least write them in very small letters . Thank you. And now I'd like to reserve my place in the queue (line) for the kilt."}, {"response": 1965, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Jul 16, 2000 (16:36)", "body": "Oops, come and relief should be in bold, but I'm lagging behind with my html. ;-)"}, {"response": 1966, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Jul 17, 2000 (06:25)", "body": "Arami, be content that Brosnan didn't hit you in big bold red CAPITAL letters... My html is not too bad yet ;-)"}, {"response": 1967, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Jul 17, 2000 (12:36)", "body": "(CherylB)Do you know what junk bonds are? Any James Bond movies in which Sean Connery does not star. Here,here...well...Gi, I see your point about Brosnan...so many Bonds, so little time for international intrigues. Maniacal Arami Alert! Must make it DIRECTLY about CF :-) Imagine: \"My name is Bond. Colin Bond.\" Or maybe: \"Look out, it's Mr.Bean tripping down the stairs.Darcy Bean. Oh my God, he's knocked Colin Bond directly into Firth Connery, who promptly beats the tar out of him, even though he's taller. But wait, who is that woman with a film camera in one hand, and a maniacal expression on her face. Good God, with one swift jump cut,and a terribly determined splice, she's landed them all in a rerun of Three's Company, or was that a quick parallel action sequence in Rescued By Rover? Just teasing Arami, I deeply respect a woman who chooses to be in A League of Her Own."}, {"response": 1968, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 17, 2000 (12:46)", "body": "Wassup? No ball game today?"}, {"response": 1969, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Jul 17, 2000 (13:07)", "body": "(Evelyn) Wassup? No ball game today? Not to worry its nearly time for lick-off oops sorry kick-off!"}, {"response": 1970, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Jul 17, 2000 (16:18)", "body": "Sadie, don't even get me started on my diatribe against Colin Firth playing James Bond. Grrr. Arami, I don't want to sleep with Sean Bean, I just think him a good actor. I liked the interview with him for several reasons; one of which was comparing what he had to say about being a fortyish actor who chooses to live and work in England to what Colin Firth had to say about it."}, {"response": 1971, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Jul 17, 2000 (19:04)", "body": "that woman with a film camera in one hand, and a maniacal expression on her face Sadie, have you been spying on me in Covent Garden? ;-) (CherylB)I don't want to sleep with Sean Bean Are you absolutely certain? ;-)"}]}, {"num": 13, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 130, "subject": "Fan Fiction (cont. Topic 128)", "response_count": 667, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (21:35)", "body": "Okay, I'll be first! Isn't the \"on foot\" scene the one that Simon Langton wrote: \"has an erection\"in the margin? ROTF Evelyn!"}, {"response": 2, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Wed, Feb 16, 2000 (10:36)", "body": "Okay, I'll be second! Isn't the \"on foot\" scene the one that Simon Langton wrote: \"has an erection\"in the margin? ROTF Evelyn! Might be one among many situations where this \"stage-direction\" fits...LOL,"}, {"response": 3, "author": "gailw", "date": "Wed, Feb 16, 2000 (12:50)", "body": "I personally thought the scene where Darcy is just out of the bath and watching Lizzy play with the dog would be much more fitting for that 'stage direction.'"}, {"response": 4, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (02:37)", "body": "I personally thought the scene where Darcy is just out of the bath and watching Lizzy play with the dog would be much more fitting for that 'stage direction.' That particular scene may have been even more so, since he has a perfect view of her ankles and calves, enough to drive any Regency gentleman to lustful distraction!!;-D"}, {"response": 5, "author": "gailw", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (17:05)", "body": "Hanne, you made a comment on one of the chapters of my story 'Wedding Singer' on DWG that it was steamy and I could take it to the gate or drool. Obviously I know what drool is but I am not familiar with the gate. What is that? BTW, I may rewrite that chapter here but it won't be until after I've finished the story. Thanks for your nice comments."}, {"response": 6, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (19:11)", "body": "Gail, Hanne might have meant that if your story was very steamy, you might want to check it with Karen or me before posting. We try to keep a liberal policy here but have to check some of the more vivid sexual descriptions or language at \"the gate\" due to the fact that this is not a private board. All inquiries can be sent to nomdedrool@yahoo.com"}, {"response": 7, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Fri, Feb 18, 2000 (03:40)", "body": "Gail, Hanne might have meant that if your story was very steamy, you might want to check it with Karen or me before posting. In fact I think that we talk past each other here...I don't think that a bit of enhancement would make it steamier than what has been presented here before arhm ... the request... What I meant was The Gate, A Writing Community where you indicate the rating (PG17) and if it's language(L), violence(V) or adult(A) descriptions that set the rating. Another site for Dwiggies, one that Dawn ao created at http://www.insidetheweb.com/mbs.cgi/mb752769 I guess that many of the visitors there may be the same as here, and yet.... That was my reason for suggesting it!!"}, {"response": 8, "author": "Teg", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (07:25)", "body": "Sorry it's taken me so long. I've been incredibly busy with night classes and rehearsals for the new show. Thanks for the promptings, Hanne! :) Parallels \ufeff Chapter Three \ufffdPlease tell me I didn\ufffdt hear you correctly.\ufffd Elizabeth met his gaze steadily. \ufffdYour daughter is pregnant.\ufffd Will stared at her. \ufffdKathleen.\ufffd he said tonelessly, then looked away and paced the length of the room. At the window he turned back to face his wife. \ufffdBut she\ufffds not much more than a child!\ufffd \ufffdShe\ufffds sixteen, Will.\ufffd She\ufffds just a baby! He shook his head, anger beginning to bubble to the surface. \ufffdWho is he? Who the hell did this to her?!\ufffd Elizabeth crossed the room to take his hands and attempt to bring some calm to his wounded feelings. \ufffdTake a deep breath and settle down, Will.\ufffd \ufffdSettle down!? You tell me my baby girl is going to have a baby of her own and you expectme to stay calm?!\ufffd He walked away from her again and prowled the room, muttering under his breath. \ufffdWill, this is going to get us nowhere.\ufffd Elizabeth saw him come to a stop in the middle of the room and look at her. \ufffdWe have to talk about this rationally.... before you speak with Kathleen.\ufffd He continued to stare at her, jaw clenched, his lips forming a thin, straight line. \ufffdWho... is.... he?\ufffd he said slowly and quietly. Elizabeth sighed. \ufffdJason Whitaker.\ufffd The angry expression left Will\ufffds face to be replaced by one of puzzlement. \ufffdI don\ufffdt recognize that name.\ufffd \ufffdNeither did I. Rebecca, however, did.\ufffd Will straightened up and rolled his shoulders back. \ufffdI want to see him here, in this house, tomorrow.\ufffd he stated flatly. \ufffdWill \ufffd.\ufffd Elizabeth began. \ufffdTomorrow, Elizabeth!\ufffd Will stood firm. Elizabeth let out an exasperated sigh. \ufffdIt\ufffds not so simple as that. You can\ufffdt dictate terms here, Will. Besides, he won\ufffdt be back home until next weekend.\ufffd \ufffdBack home?\ufffd Will repeated. \ufffdWhat do you mean? Where is he?\ufffd \ufffdEdinburgh, at university\ufffd Will\ufffds eyes widened. \ufffdUniversity! Just how old is this.... man?\ufffd His tone grew angrier and his voice rose in volume. \ufffdAnd how dare he lay a finger on .... she\ufffds just a child! I\ufffdll kill him! I swear to God I\ufffdll kill him!!\ufffd \ufffdFitzwilliam Darcy!\ufffd Elizabeth\ufffds voice sliced through the haze of his anger. \ufffdDon\ufffdt you dare lay all the blame at that boy\ufffds feet! I know you think of Kathleen as your sweet, innocent little girl. She\ufffds had you wrapped around her little finger for years! But you have to face the fact that if she\ufffds old enough to play the game, she\ufffds old enough to take the blame.\ufffd Her voice softened as she added, \ufffdShe\ufffds scared Will, and I well remember how that feels.\ufffd Her husband stared at her, his anger warring with the old guilt which rose from the depths of his conscience. \ufffdThat was different. You were older.\ufffd he said defensively. \ufffdDon\ufffdt be foolish. Single and pregnant.... it doesn\ufffdt matter how old you are. It\ufffds just as frightening.\ufffd Elizabeth narrowed her eyes as she watched him. \ufffdShe\ufffds also scared of your reaction.\ufffd Will let out his breath explosively. \ufffdAnd well she should be! Or at least this Jason what\ufffds-his-name should be! Elizabeth, I now have an even greater respect for your father. If he felt so much as half the outrage that I feel right now, I\ufffdm amazed that he didn\ufffdt pound me into the pavement that night outside the hospital!\ufffd Elizabeth watched him pace the room once more. \ufffdKathleen is in her room. She doesn\ufffdt want to see you without me being there, too.\ufffd \ufffdWhat does she think I\ufffdll do?\ufffd he said with a frown. When his wife merely looked at him patiently, his anger faded into the background, allowing the hurt to surface. \ufffdI need time to absorb this first.\ufffd he quietly said. Elizabeth nodded. She turned to the door and paused with her fingers on the handle. \ufffdShe needs all of our love and support, Will.\ufffd His eyes were filled with sadness as he met hers. \ufffdDid you think I would offer her any less?\ufffd \ufffdNo.\ufffd Lowering her eyes, Elizabeth opened the door and left the room. *** Rebecca shook her head as she offered another tissue to her sister. \ufffdHow could you have been so stupid, Kath? I mean, we all had the same sex ed classes! Weren\ufffdt you paying attention?\ufffd Kathleen wiped her nose with the tissue. \ufffdOf course I paid attention.\ufffd \ufffdSo you just forgot that little bit about using birth control, then.\ufffd Rebecca said sarcastically. \ufffdWhy are you giving me so much grief? Mum didn\ufffdt harp on at me as much as you are!\ufffd her sister snapped. Rebecca rolled her eyes. \ufffdAs if Mum and Dad are ones to criticize! Of course she wouldn\ufffdt go on at you about your inability to use your brain.\ufffd She looked at Kathleen for a moment. \ufffdWhat are you going to do, Kath? Are you going to keep it?\ufffd Kathleen nodded her head. \ufffdThat\ufffds about all I know right now. Jason hasn\ufffdt told his parents yet.\ufffd \ufffdWell, you\ufffdd better hope that Dad isn\ufffdt the one to break the news to them, then.\ufffd Kathleen turned a horrified gaze on her sister. \ufffdHe wouldn\ufffdt do that, would he? Oh, no!\ufffd Rebecca sat down on the bed opposite Kathleen. \ufffdWho knows? He\ufffds going to have a fit about this, Kath. You know how he\ufffds been about Anna"}, {"response": 9, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (07:46)", "body": "Will\ufffds shoulders rose and fell, then he turned to face her. They stood facing one another for several seconds, until Will held out his arms and pulled her into his embrace. He stroked her hair as he closed his eyes. You\ufffdll always be my little girl. *sigh* Beautiful, Teg!"}, {"response": 10, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (07:59)", "body": ""}, {"response": 11, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (08:06)", "body": ""}, {"response": 12, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (17:00)", "body": "*sigh* Beautiful, Teg! *sniff* Ain't that the truth!"}, {"response": 13, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (15:36)", "body": "well, while we wait for Teg's next heart-wrenching installment.... here's a bit of silliness- Enjoy. :-) Arabella's Conception, or; Lizzy Gets Stuck. \"Papa?\" Darcy looked up from his correspondence to see his eldest son standing at the doorway of his office, shifting from foot to foot and studying the floor. \"Yes son? What is it?\" he inquired. Thomas hung his head and mumbled something in to his jacket collar. Darcy sighed. \"Take your chin off of your chest and speak clearly, please.\" \"It's Mama.\" Well, he understood that clearly enough, however the lad seemed unwilling to add anything else to the message. Striving for patience, Darcy drummed his fingers on his thigh and inquired, \"Yes, what about your mother? Does she require my assistance in some manner?\" \"Yes sir.\" Thomas answered, speaking toward the floor again. \"Where is she?\" Darcy asked rising, realizing he hadn't seen his wife since breakfast that morning. Thomas drew a deep breath, then confessed. \"She's stuck.\" \"Stuck?\" Darcy drew to a halt in surprise, and Thomas looked up at his father with twitching lips and a hint of laughter lurking in his eyes. Really, Darcy thought, the lad found amusement in the oddest things. But still, if Thomas thought Elizabeth's predicament to be amusing, then it wasn't likely to be serious. \"Ahem,\" Darcy cleared his throat, and eyed his offspring. \"Stuck where, precisely?\" \"In the tree.\" Thomas nearly had to run to keep up with his father's long strides as they headed toward the grove of trees where he had left his mother and younger brother some minutes ago. He was quite enjoying his father's mumblings regarding foolish women and wives in particular. Unfortunately he could not understand it all, for the mumblings were being uttered in Latin, a language adopted by his father whenever he was obliged to say something aloud that he did not want his children or wife to understand. Mama said it was Papa's way of relieving his spleen, without resorting to curses. However, Thomas felt it only fair to remind his father, \"Mr. Corbett is teaching me Latin this year Papa.\" Daringly, he clucked his tongue with disapproval, then gave his father, what his mother called 'his Darcy Look', over the bridge of his nose. Darcy looked startled for a moment then broke into a wide grin. He reached over and riffled his hand through his son's hair and asked, \"Which grove is it?\" Thomas pointed toward a group of trees near the northern pasture and the two continued on companionably. As they drew near, Darcy heard his youngest son's clear voice calling out, \"The minister's cat is a ridiculous cat.\" \"The minister's cat is a rambunctious cat.\" His wife replied. \"The minister's cat is a suspicious cat.\" Jack went on to the next letter in the game, as Darcy and Thomas arrived at the tree. His serious young face clearly showed his relief at his father's appearance. \"The minister's cat is a sanctimonious cat.\" Elizabeth replied, from somewhere in the leafy boughs above them. \"Then he must belong to Mr. Collins.\" Darcy announced. This caused his sons to fall about in fits of laugher and Elizabeth muttered a shriek of surprise. The foliage around her shook and Fitzwilliam worried that she would lose her grip on the limb upon which she was perched. \"Mr. Darcy?\" \"Yes, Mrs. Darcy?\" he inquired, gazing upward. \"I appear to be stuck Sir, and require assistance.\" \"So I was informed by our oldest son.\" \"Well?\" Lizzy asked expectantly. \"Well, what, my dear?\" Darcy asked hiding his amusement. Although he could not see her, he had no problem visualizing Elizabeth rolling her eyes in exasperation. \"Would you please climb to my aid?\" \"Elizabeth, I have not attempted to scale a tree in twenty years at least. Could not one of the lads climb up?\" \"No!\" Elizabeth cried out urgently. \"It is best that you, and you alone, are the one who rescues me.\" Darcy raised an eyebrow at this, then with a sigh decided that if he ever wished to see his wife again, he had best go up the tree after her. He paused a moment to remove his coat and hat, then after a slight hesitation, he braced himself against the trunk of the tree. \"Pull.\" He instructed, sticking out his booted foot toward his son. Thomas eagerly grabbed hold of the boot and pulled with all his might. The tight boot gave suddenly, and Thomas went tumbling to the ground. The process was repeated with the other boot and Darcy turned to eye the nearest limb. \"Elizabeth, how on earth did you get up there?\" The nearest limb was far to high for her to have reached without assistance. \"We helped, Papa!\" Jack answered for his mother. \"We cupped our hands like this and lifted her foot. Do you want us to help lift you too?\" Darcy eyed the eager lad, while the sound of muffled laughter waffled down from Elizabeth's perch. \"Hmm, I think not.\" He managed to get out, without betraying his amusement, \"Thank you just the same.\" He clasped the lowest branch, and with a slight grunt, pulled himself upward, and began to climb. He hadn't "}, {"response": 14, "author": "gailw", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (15:50)", "body": "Very cute Esbee! I wonder - would that really work? Hmmmm....."}, {"response": 15, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (16:38)", "body": "....would that really work? Hmmmm.. It did for them.....and we're the beneficiaries. Delightful story, Esbee.Very creative.Who said we were running out of ways for L&D to go at it ;-)"}, {"response": 16, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (16:49)", "body": "(Evelyn) Who said we were running out of ways for L&D to go at it lol! Nevah!! Actually Marcia (my editor extraordinaire) deserves partial credit for the idea... she suggested I get them out of doors and while we were brainstorming trees kept coming up. so.. I decided to put them up a tree. ;-) glad it was enjoyed-"}, {"response": 17, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (20:02)", "body": "Hello everyone. I have VERY important CF info for those of you who live in the US. On your local PBS station, Master Piece Theatre will be showing \"The Turning of the Screw\" on this Sunday at 9pm (at least they are here in NY on channel 13). CF is one of the main characters. So check out your local listings for your PBS station! Good luck finding it, and happy viewing!!! ~Liz K"}, {"response": 18, "author": "Teg", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (06:58)", "body": "Cute Esbee! I loved it! Parallels Chapter Four \ufffdThere he is!\ufffd The taunting voices echoed across the schoolyard. Aaron ignored them. He always ignored them. Briskly walking across the open space, he had nearly made it to the entry doors when a hand grabbed his shoulder and spun him around. \ufffdWhere are you going so fast?\ufffd The speaker was a good six inches taller than Aaron, and very unhappy not to receive an answer to his question. \ufffdI was talking to you, Yank.\ufffd Aaron shot him a look that said precisely what his opinion was of this bully. The other boys gathered around the bigger one as if they could gain strength from his mere proximity. They were blocking the entryway now, and Aaron had no choice but to stop and face them. \ufffdOutta my way.\ufffd The bigger boy laughed. \ufffdMake me.\ufffd The doors were suddenly pushed open from the inside and shoved into the bully\ufffds back. \ufffdNo blocking the entrance, please,\ufffd said Mr. Evans as he eyed the group closely. Aaron took advantage of the opportunity and slipped past the teacher and into the school. The other boys slouched away. Mr. Evans followed Aaron to his locker. \ufffdHow often do they try that?\ufffd Aaron didn\ufffdt look up as he replied. \ufffdOften enough. I can handle them.\ufffd He tossed his backpack into the locker and pulled out his books for the first class. The teacher watched him for a moment and then turned to leave. \ufffdJust keep your eyes open, lad.\ufffd He walked slowly back down the hall to exit the building. Aaron slammed the door shut on his locker and spun the lock. Tucking the books under his arm he made his way to the stairs and took them two at a time up to the next floor and his first class. The day was like any other, boring. Aaron dutifully attended his classes. He\ufffdd learned his lesson early on that his uncle would not tolerate his skipping school. Although he couldn\ufffdt care less what Uncle Will said, there really wasn\ufffdt anything else to do anyway. The town was boring, the kids were boring, making even school more interesting for him. As the last class was let out, Aaron shuffled down the hallway to his locker, grabbed his things and headed out to the carpark to meet his cousins for the trip back home. Out of the corner of his eye he caught sight of the group of boys that made up the local gang. Aaron snorted in disgust. They call themselves a gang! Ha! They wouldn\ufffdt last five minutes back home. Home. Aaron still clung to the belief that his stay in England was just temporary, and that any day now his mother would announce that it was time to return to New York. He angrily kicked at a rock in his path as he thought about how much he hated being in England, at Pemberley... with his uncle, aunt and cousins. There was nothing to do, no baseball, no hockey, only soccer and that incredibly boring cricket! Well, he conceded, the horses are kind of interesting. That\ufffds something I never tried at home. Aaron looked up when he heard someone calling to his cousin Rich. \ufffdWe\ufffdre going for a game of footie in the gym. Are you coming?\ufffd Aaron saw his cousin confer briefly with Rebecca, then toss his bag into the car and set off after his friend with an excited smile on his face. Glancing at his watch, Aaron frowned. They were going to be late getting home if Kathleen didn\ufffdt arrive soon. He glanced around at the parked cars and back toward the school building. Then he spotted Kathleen walking on the south side of the building on her way to the car. He was about to climb into the car to wait when he heard Rebecca\ufffds voice. \ufffdOh, no.\ufffd Glancing quickly at her, Aaron saw that her gaze was fixed on her sister\ufffds progress across the yard. His eyes narrowed as he caught sight of Kathleen surrounded by the group of boys who called themselves a gang. Dropping his backpack Aaron set off at a run in their direction, Rebecca\ufffds voice ringing in his ears as she called for him to come back. The voices reached him from several strides away. Aaron\ufffds temper flared as he heard the names the boys were using. He could see Kathleen was near tears, her books clutched tightly to her chest as she tried to shove her way past the group. The bullies jostled her right and left, bumping her until she stumbled and nearly fell. All the while they were calling her \ufffdtart\ufffd and \ufffdslut\ufffd and a whole slew of other titles reserved for the very low class. The flames of Aaron\ufffds anger were fanned higher. He grabbed the shoulder of the first boy he reached and spun him around. Slamming a fist into the lad\ufffds face, Aaron turned to tackle the next one. He\ufffdd taken out three of them before the first punch landed in Aaron\ufffds midsection. He doubled over and another fist came down on the back of his head. He could hear Kathleen yelling, and he struggled against the bodies trying to hold him down. From somewhere in the back of his mind he could suddenly hear his father\ufffds voice...... It\ufffds an inner strength, Aaron. That\ufffds what makes the difference between doing your best and just doing. He gritted his teeth and reached deep down inside of himself for that stre"}, {"response": 19, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (18:01)", "body": "SB! Loved it! Reminded me of that old childhood song... Lizzy and Darcy sitting in a tree. #-^-@-%-I-N-G! Ok, not excatly like that song. *sigh* Teg! \ufffdOh, I\ufffdve got to go Ben. He\ufffds woken up. Ring me tomorrow when you get back?\ufffd I remember the anguish I went through trying to figure out who was 'he'!"}, {"response": 20, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (20:36)", "body": "\"Oh, I\ufffdve got to go Ben. He\ufffds woken up. Ring me tomorrow when you get back?\ufffd (Danielle) I remember the anguish I went through trying to figure out who was 'he'! me too, Danielle. :) Teg - wonderful as always! Looking forward to more-"}, {"response": 21, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (20:37)", "body": "Ack! tags -sorry!"}, {"response": 22, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (09:47)", "body": "So Esbee, this would be the conception scene for Child # ? Funny and clever."}, {"response": 23, "author": "gailw", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (17:12)", "body": "We were chatting a short time ago about CF's 'stage directions' for P&P2. As I watched it again (for the 25th time, yes I keep count), I looked for all the places where the stage direction could have applied and it led to this little bit of silliness. The Stage Direction - Part One Scene I - Lucas Lodge \ufffdAllow me to present this young lady to you as a very desirable partner.\ufffd Thank you Sir Lucas. Very desirable, yes indeed she is. Oh No! Breathe deeply...calm down. \ufffdI would be very happy if you would do me the honor of dancing with me Miss Bennet.\ufffd Luckily I\ufffdm wearing these dark trousers tonight and not those tight breeches. Maybe no one will notice my predicament. What? She won\ufffdt dance with me? Well that fixed one problem anyway. Phew! Look at her. Her eyes are so beautiful. See how they sparkle when she smiles. Oh No! Why does this keep happening to me? I haven\ufffdt had this problem since I was a teenager. \ufffdI believe I can guess your thoughts at this moment.\ufffd Phew! Thank you Miss Bingley. You would be amazed at how you have helped me! I better sit down before it happens again. Scene II - The Grounds at Netherfield Park \ufffdMiss Bennet!\ufffd Oh No! Not again! \ufffdI came to inquire after my sister.\ufffd She is so beautiful. Her windblown hair looks like she just rolled out of bed. I wish it were my bed. Her face is flushed becomingly and her fine eyes are bright from the exercise. You are a vision of loveliness, Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Look at the way her curls bounce on the back of her neck. The back view is just as enticing as the front. I\ufffdm glad I\ufffdm wearing this greatcoat! Scene III - The Netherfield Breakfast Room \ufffdI\ufffdm afraid she is quite unwell.\ufffd Bingley is inviting her to stay! I\ufffdll get to see her beautiful face and lovely form all the time! Oh No! However will I control myself? I\ufffdd better stand behind this chair before someone notices. Scene IV - The Netherfield Billiard Room What is that vision before me? She is enchanting in the candlelight. Her skin glows and her eyes sparkle. Look at how that dress shows off the swell of her beautiful breasts. How I\ufffdd like to run my fingers around that neckline. Mmmmmm. Oh No! She is leaving. Concentrate on hitting the ball. That\ufffds it. Phew! Now if I can just control myself for the rest of this night. Scene V - Darcy\ufffds Dressing Room at Netherfield Whew, that bath water was warm. The cool air from that window feels so good. Let me get closer. There\ufffds Miss Bennet! Oh No! Look at her playing with that dog. She is so lively and playful. The perfect companion for my bed. How I long to have her there! Why am I having these thoughts? Yes, she is beautiful and I lust after her but this is indecent. I can never marry her and I shouldn\ufffdt be thinking like this. She is pure and innocent and doesn\ufffdt deserve this. I have to get these thoughts out of my mind. I am an honorable man. I am an honorable man. I am an honorable man. To be continued"}, {"response": 24, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (17:25)", "body": "LOL Keep going,Gail...with your \"Oh No, Not Again\" vignettes...you have a few more episodes to go.And when it comes to the wedding scene....well, it's pretty obvious:-)"}, {"response": 25, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (11:51)", "body": "Heide - this is baby number 3 (of 5 ...there were only four, then i realized i called Annabella, Arabella half of the time -oops. Can you say 'blond writer'?) ;-) Gail - LOL! i love it, what a hoot. post more!!!"}, {"response": 26, "author": "gailw", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (16:04)", "body": "The Stage Direction - Part Two Scene VI \ufffd The Netherfield Drawing Room \ufffdWould you care to take a turn around the room with me Miss Bennet? It is so refreshing.\ufffd Look at her! She looks so much better in orange than Miss Bingley! Join them? And miss this view? I think not. Walking certainly does show off her fine figure! Oh No! The blush on her beautiful face is so becoming. \ufffdA man without fault?\ufffd If I didn\ufffdt have my legs crossed she would see one very big fault indeed. No, I\ufffdm not bragging \ufffd I was referring to the fact that I cannot keep my mind out of the gutter! \ufffdEvery disposition has a tendency to some particular evil.\ufffd Yes, I have to admit that I do have a particular evil hounding me at this moment. \ufffdYours is a propensity to hate everybody!\ufffd Oh, if she only knew! Scene VII \ufffd The Netherfield Ball She looks exquisite tonight \ufffd the ribbons and flowers in her hair \ufffd that beautiful ivory dress that shows off her assets quite nicely. Look at how her curls bounce as she dances. Oh No! Thankfully I\ufffdm wearing these dark breeches. I hope my affliction isn\ufffdt obvious! Breathe deep. Calm down. \ufffdWhy, I had not...I thank you, yes.\ufffd She\ufffds going to dance with me! Miss Elizabeth Bennet is going to dance with me! She is standing across from me \ufffd I can stare at her loveliness all I want! Oh No! Please Miss Bennet, keep your eyes on my face! The touch of her hand, the smell of her perfume, the feel of her brushing past me! Oh Miss Bennet, what you do to me! Luckily she is looking at my face. Yes, keep talking please \ufffd don\ufffdt look down! \ufffdAllow me to say that your fair partner does not disgrace you and I hope to have this pleasure often repeated when a certain desirable event takes place.\ufffd Desirable event? What does he mean? Phew! Thank you Sir Lucas, you\ufffdve been more helpful than you\ufffdll ever know! Scene VIII \ufffd Hunsford Parsonage, first visit by Darcy, joined by Col. Fitzwilliam Look at her smiling and laughing with my cousin. Her eyes haven\ufffdt lost any of their sparkle in those months we\ufffdve been apart. Oh No! I thought I had gotten over this! The minute I am in her presence my body loses all control! Keep legs crossed. Keep talking, Mr. Collins \ufffd that should help my dilemma! It\ufffds no use \ufffd I can\ufffdt listen to that man. I have to speak to her. Miss Bennet, please don\ufffdt notice the bulge in my pants! Oh dear. I cannot stand in front of her any longer. Mr. Collins \ufffd please speak to me again! (I swear in this scene in P&P2 when Darcy walks away from Lizzy, CF was following the stage direction! Watch and judge for yourself! I watched it over and over again myself!) Scene IX \ufffd Rosings Park Her playing and singing are wonderful. Listening to her gives me great pleasure. Pleasure? Oh No! I can\ufffdt sit here and listen to my aunt. At least the pianoforte will hide my distress. She is always so beautiful in the candlelight. Move over Colonel \ufffd you\ufffdre much too close for comfort! My comfort that is! That dress is so becoming \ufffd so low in front. What a view from this position! \ufffdWe neither of us perform to strangers.\ufffd I\ufffdm so grateful you cannot see my performance right now! Scene X \ufffd Hunsford Parsonage, second visit by Darcy \ufffdYou find me all alone this morning.\ufffd Darn. Hee, hee, hee. I think this is the longest polite conversation she and I have ever had! Her smile lights up the room. \ufffdI think it is possible for a woman to be settled too near her family.\ufffd Oh yes! Say you\ufffdll settle with me at Pemberley! Share my life and my bed! Oh No! Keep those legs crossed! I better get out of here before she notices and calls the constable! But how shall I ever stand up without her noticing? Yes, that\ufffds it, my hat - hold it in front of my pants. That will do the trick. \ufffdGood day Miss Bennet.\ufffd I have to marry that woman before I go out of my mind! Scene XI \ufffd Pemberley Gardens \ufffdMiss Bennet!\ufffd \ufffdMr. Darcy!\ufffd Oh No! Oh, I love her! As hard as I\ufffdve tried, I could never forget her! Do I have a chance Miss Bennet? Please say I do! I never will if she notices the state I am in. How fortunate that I am so informally attired \ufffd at least my shirttails hide my condition! But I am so informally attired! I have to get out of here - quickly! Scene XII \ufffd Pemberley Music Room She is the epitome of loveliness! Her voice is so sweet and pure. Look at how her breasts swell up with the high notes! Oh No! Quick \ufffd cross those legs! She looks at me with love in her eyes \ufffd I can scarce believe it! Maybe I do have a chance after all. Please relieve my suffering Miss Elizabeth Bennet! Please consent to be my wife! Do I dare hope? Do I dare stand up ever again? Epilogue \ufffdElizabeth, you do not know what you do to me,\ufffd he murmurs as he kisses her neck. \ufffdDearest Fitzwilliam, do you mean this?\ufffd Lizzy asks as she lightly runs her fingers over the bulge in the front of her new husband\ufffds trousers. \ufffdIs this what I do to you?\ufffd \ufffdYes,\ufffd he groans. \ufffdFrom the first moments of our acquaintance you have had this effect on me! But at least now I am able to find relief for my suffering!\ufffd Darcy takes his wife\ufffds ha"}, {"response": 27, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (17:02)", "body": "lol Gail! are you not going to continue this \" Darcy takes his wife\ufffds hand and leads her to their bedchamber where his suffering is relieved over and over again. \"? ...you know how much we delight in reading all the ways that Lizzy finds to relieve Darcy's suffering. ;-)"}, {"response": 28, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (19:31)", "body": "\ufffdA man without fault?\ufffd If I didn\ufffdt have my legs crossed she would see one very big fault indeed. No, I\ufffdm not bragging \ufffd I was referring to the fact that I cannot keep my mind out of the gutter! \ufffdEvery disposition has a tendency to some particular evil.\ufffd Yes, I have to admit that I do have a particular evil hounding me at this moment. \ufffdYours is a propensity to hate everybody!\ufffd Oh, if she only knew! LMAO Gail! ...I\ufffdm wearing these dark trousers... Now I know why Darcy mostly wore black... And he looked sooooooo good! (SBR) ...you know how much we delight in reading all the ways that Lizzy finds to relieve Darcy's suffering. ;-) *slurp* INDEED!"}, {"response": 29, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (19:51)", "body": "We neither of us perform to strangers.\ufffd I\ufffdm so grateful you cannot see my performance right now! ROTFLOL Oh Gail, don't think I can ever look at those scenes again without wondering about \"Oh No\". Esp the ones where he has his legs crossed. This was a gem.Thanks."}, {"response": 30, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (20:43)", "body": "Applause!! Gail, I haven't laughed this hard since....well, it's been a while. You were inspired and like Evelyn, this will be in my head the next time I watch these scenes. Oh dear. I cannot stand in front of her any longer. Mr. Collins - please speak to me again! (I swear in this scene in P&P2 when Darcy walks away from Lizzy, CF was following the stage direction! Watch and judge for yourself! I watched it over and over again myself!) And what a perfect excuse to watch this scene again. I always noticed he did wear a rather \"pained\" expression. Now we know why."}, {"response": 31, "author": "icappleg", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (11:52)", "body": "Okay, I'm back (somewhat) and moving right along. Been a while since I posted. The other chapters are at http://home.hiwaay.net/~icappleg/Darcy/darcy.html for those that want a blast from the past. Actually, I needed one to pick up where I left off! Chapter 33 of \"Having Nothing, Nothing Can He Lose\" coming up next!"}, {"response": 32, "author": "icappleg", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (11:53)", "body": "Having Nothing, Nothing Can He Lose, Chapter 33 After a miserably fitful night, Darcy bathed himself, dressed, and went for a walk. Everyone else had arisen by the time he got back. And Elizabeth looked so pale. Darcy caught her eye from across the room, and made a slight motion toward the empty library. Elizabeth nodded, and they both subtly slipped away. Elizabeth wrapped her arms around Darcy's waist and sagged against him. Darcy rested his cheek on the top of her head; lightly rubbed her back. \"I don't feel well at all.\" Elizabeth buried her face against Darcy's chest. \"I'd like to just stay here, right now as we are, and just have everyone else forget we're here.\" Not remembering much from the night before, Elizabeth wondered if Darcy had gotten any sleep. \"Are you well?\" Elizabeth whispered. Darcy didn't want to answer her. Frankly, he was annoyed and disgusted -- at her family. A simple graveside service had been planned, but apparently no service could be planned simple enough for the Bennetts to handle with decorum. Upon inquiring of the servants, Darcy learned that Mrs. Bennett would not be at the funeral, as she was still in the throes of swooning and hysterics at Longbourne -- and still demanding complete, constant attention from her husband and anyone else with the misfortune to be nearby. It was questionable whether even Mr. Bennett would show up, and this galled Darcy even more. Mr. Bennett had indulged his wife's and his daughters' silliness, and indeed had the nerve to even be amused by it, that his wife and daughters had run roughshod over too many people for too long -- and now, just to indulge his wife's silliness, he was not going to be there for the daughter who needed him. Even Lydia Wickham, whom Darcy had not seen since their arrival, seemed determined to keep to her rooms. Just as he did at Pemberley when he told Elizabeth of the tragedy, Darcy decided to stick with the facts. He told her he was tired. Then he changed the subject. \"Have you seen Mrs. Bingley this morning?\" \"Yes.\" Elizabeth put her hand in Darcy's coat pocket and pulled out his handkerchief. She looked up at him through her tears. Not knowing what else to say, she played with the handkerchief. \"Jane is not well at all,\" was all Elizabeth could manage. \"I did speak to Bingley, ask him about arrangements for Mrs. Bingley considering her . . . well, her physical condition. It is difficult for her to move, and it the service might be too distressing for her. Bingley has arranged, and Mrs. Bingley has agreed, to stay in her room, at the window overlooking the gravesite, and attend that way.\" Elizabeth disengaged herself from Darcy, dabbing her eyes. \"Good. That's good.\" \"Well, yes. I think it would be most helpful to have someone with her, other than the servants. Bingley and I were hoping you would consent to staying with your sister.\" Elizabeth nodded and turned away. She took a few steps toward the door, then turned back. Standing on her tiptoes, she put her hand behind Darcy's neck to pull his head down, and gave him a light kiss on the lips. Then she was gone, on her way upstairs to her sister. Darcy stood alone in the library for a few minutes. He heard Mr. Bennett's arrival and glanced at the wall clock. Fifteen minutes. Darcy glanced into the sitting room. Only one person not accounted for -- Darcy gritted his teeth, headed upstairs to Lydia Wickham's chambers."}, {"response": 33, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (13:19)", "body": "Irene, this is So Sad! However, I am very eager to read what Darcy will say to Lydia. Post more soon!"}, {"response": 34, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (19:51)", "body": "(SBR) Irene, this is So Sad! However, I am very eager to read what Darcy will say to Lydia. Perhaps it might be another scene like the one at Pemberley... maybe, Darcy will have to drag her down the steps... kicking and screaming! hee hee. Whatever it will be, I'm sure Irene has something incredible in store for us."}, {"response": 35, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (13:23)", "body": "(Evelyn)[I] don't think I can ever look at those scenes again Neither can I, and I will love them the more!!! These last posts are indeed a roller coaster of emotions to return to. (I have just been in London where I saw CF as Shakespeare in \"Blackadder, Back and Forth\" truly funny!!!! Blackadder socks Shakespeare in the eye on behalf of all the youngsters who have suffered reading Shakespeare, hmmm! CF was as always a handsome sight for sore eyes!) Delightful reading, be it funny or sad!! Hilarious, Gail! Esbee, delicious, so we have still one left ... nice prospect!!! Irene....this is so sad, unbearable even, and Darcy is such a pillar of strength!! Seeing to everybody else's needs before his own!!!! Teg, you know what I think of \"Parallels\" .... great story!!!"}, {"response": 36, "author": "gailw", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (05:44)", "body": "Have any of you read the new P&P sequel 'The Bar Sinister'? I saw it advertised on the Colin Firth Drool page a few days ago and ordered it. It arrived yesterday and so far it is great fun! I managed, in spite of many family interruptions (whadya mean you want supper? OK, OK I'll drive you to the party. Yes dear, I do realize we are home alone. Mmmm, that's nice dear, but can I just finish this chapter?), I did manage to read the first 75 pages (out of 467) and love it. It starts with a hilarious chapter about Lydia going to Longbourn (without her new husband) for Lizzy and Jane's wedding and she takes it upon herself to explain the wedding night particulars to her innocent sisters. When I read this section on page 9 I knew I was hooked: Copulation as recreation would have bumfuzzled Mrs. Bennet, for although her mother thought of Lydia as the daughter most truly after her own heart, she did not share Lydia's concupiscence. (Lydia knew that their mother had to have consummated relations with their father, but was it not for the undeniable existence of herself and four sisters, she would have argued that possibility to the death.) Lydia sought amorous congress just as studiously as her mother avoided it. And whatever Wickham's drawback as a provider, he was a prolific and masterful lover. As it happened, Lydia knew this as fact because he told her so emphatically and often. snicker, snicker The book goes into very satisfying detail on Darcy and Lizzy's sex life and enumerates Darcy's premarital experiences. I'm not sure if the rest of the book will provide as much entertainment, but the first several chapters have made it worth the price for me. According to the back of the book, there is supposed to be childbirth, scandal and tragedy so I am hopeful the fun will continue. Well I must be off to read some more but wanted to share this with the only people I know who might possibly be as enamored of this book as I am."}, {"response": 37, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (11:22)", "body": "I haven't ordered The Bar Sinister yet, Gail, but I think I will. None of us are going into this expecting great literature but this sounds like a fun story in the vein of The Diary of Henry Fitzwiliam Darcy. Wouldn't it be great to be able to make a living from writing Austen sequels?"}, {"response": 38, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (17:35)", "body": "I only glanced through The Bar Sinister,(well, more than glanced I was delivering Ann W. copy and I read it on the plane to London), but I thought some of the stories on our own FF were just as good."}, {"response": 39, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (02:54)", "body": "\"The Bar Sinister\"???? Who is it written by?? What is the story line, I mean being a sequel I know the main characters??"}, {"response": 40, "author": "lg", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (05:18)", "body": "Hanne, Bar Sinister is by a Linda Berdoll. Here is a link to the book on Amazon.com: Bar Sinister This is the short synopsis on that page: \"The Bar Sinister is a witty furthering of the story of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice through the Napoleonic Wars. Although historically accurate and true to her characters, this book is not, however, prim. Therefore, reader discretion is advised.\" (I've ordered a copy, but since I'm a little poor at the moment, and the exchange rate isn't so good, I opted for surface mail -- which probably means my copy's currently paddling its way across the Pacific in a kayak!) Coincidentally, though, I picked up a modern (not-quite-)sequel the other day, called Pride, Prejudice and Jasmin Field (linked to Amazon.co.uk). It's by Melissa Nathan and it's a bit Bridget-Jones-esque. I found it really funny, and worth a quick read! Magazine columnist Jasmin Field has landed a role in a one-off charitry performance of \"Pride and Prejudice\", directed by Oscar winner Harry Noble; obnoxious, egotistical and handsome."}, {"response": 41, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (08:08)", "body": "The Bar Sinister is now available from Amazon? She must be doing well now. Have no worries, Leanne, nothing really goes \"surface\" anymore. It will come in the same amount of time as \"airmail.\" ;-) Another really fun one is Lions and Liquorice by Kate Fenton. I noticed a used copy available for A$6.50 in NSW on the abebooks website. Here's the info: Dee Why Books , 17 Howard Avenue , Sydney , NSW , Australia , 2099 Phone +61 02 99720227 , Email smidyb@ihug.com.au http://deewhybooks.com.au/"}, {"response": 42, "author": "Frenchy", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (19:23)", "body": "Hi all, my first attempt - spent all afternoon reading Irene's take on Darcy & Lizzy - fun stuff - compounded with Playmaker & The Advocate last night I guess you have a pretty good(bad) idea about me already . LOL! Hope to post here every now and then but don't expect miracles. Had fun with some of you back in January at the Donmar - hope to repeat this experience again"}, {"response": 43, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (20:15)", "body": "Welcome Sylvia! I guess you have a pretty good(bad) idea about me already... We all have it bad! hee hee! Sounds like an interesting read Gail. I'll have to give it a whirl!"}, {"response": 44, "author": "lg", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (21:14)", "body": "Thanks, Karen, I've had a copy of Lions and Liquorice for a while now. You're right, it is a fun read! And, thanks for the encourgement on surface mail! I order a lot of books from o/s -- both from the US and the UK, and I know how to wait! Amazon's \"surface mail\" takes about six weeks to get to me. Which is usually fine, except when it's something like Lois McMaster Bujold's A Civil Campaign , for which I sprung for the extra to get it here within a week! (and this is completely off topic! <grin>) Welcome Sylvia! Happy reading! Ladies, you *know* how to get this board back on topic... write!! ( please? )"}, {"response": 45, "author": "icappleg", "date": "Tue, Mar  7, 2000 (11:20)", "body": "Having Nothing, Nothing Can He Lose, Chapter 34 The burial basically flew past Darcy. He spent the time staring at the ground, glancing up at Elizabeth and Jane, and maintaining his iron grip on Lydia Wickham's arm. In her chambers, Lydia Wickham actually had the nerve to tell Darcy she wasn't going to the funeral service. Darcy thought otherwise. Although Darcy never hit a woman, and never would, he had implied to Mrs. Wickham that he would throw her out the window if she didn't come with him. She would attend the funeral, he told her: whether she chose to walk or fly was up to her. Lydia chose to walk. Darcy had positioned her in the front, next to Bingley, directly in front of the grave. Every once in a while, Lydia would try to casually maneuver herself to the back of the group, or at least hide behind Darcy so that she didn't have quite a graphic view of the hole in the ground; wasn't so uncomfortably close to the tiny casket. Darcy would have none of it and held her in place. At the final \"amen\" after the casket was lowered into the ground and buried, Darcy abruptly let her go and walked away without a word. As far back as he could remember, Darcy would occasionally get the sudden urge to get by himself and just hide. From what, he did not know. He would simply get through the situation at hand, then get to his chambers as soon as possible and curl up under a blanket in the dark. Many times, when he knew he had to go out again, the urge had not passed, and Darcy would steel himself -- force himself to do what he had to do. Actually, Darcy was secretly afraid that if he didn't force himself out when he felt this way, one day he would go into \"hide mode\" and never come out. Today, though, that possibility didn't seem so bad. On the way to his room, Darcy stopped and peeked in at Elizabeth and Jane. They were both still sitting by the window as they had been for several hours now. Darcy slipped away and closed himself in his room. Taking off everything except his shirt and pants, Darcy stretched out on the bed. A short time later, Mr. Bingley took over sitting with Jane, and Elizabeth took dinner in her and Darcy's quarters. Neither said much; neither had anything to say. After dinner, Darcy built up the fire for the night and they both went to bed. Elizabeth fell into a fitful sleep, tossing and turning, occasionally kicking Darcy. Darcy didn't think he would be able to sleep at all, and considered getting up and finding something to do, but eventually he slipped into a light doze. As the clock downstairs struck one-thirty in the morning, Elizabeth kicked Darcy yet again, and then rolled away. Suddenly finding himself fully awake, Darcy rubbed his eyes and squinted to adjust to the light pouring into the room from every direction. He sat for a few minutes, considered laying back down, but decided instead to get up and dress. Adjusting his shirt cuffs and draping his cravat over his shoulders, Darcy crossed the room and looked over at Elizabeth. She had fallen into a dead sleep. *** That's good. I'll not wake her, even if she misses breakfast. We'll order up brunch or something. *** And then Darcy turned to the mantle, looked at the clock. It was not quite two o'clock. In the middle of the night. Darcy felt fine until he noticed that his pocket watch said the same thing. Darcy's stomach sank, then churned, as he glanced around the fully-lit room. Lit so brightly that the colors seemed to bounce out at him. Darcy could feel the hair standing up on his arms as he lunged at the bed, as he grabbed his wife. \"Elizabeth!\" No response. Darcy shook her, called out to her trying to wake her, each syllable of her name emphasized as if it were a separate word: \"E-liz-a-beth!\" \"Hmmmmmm . . . . mmmmmmm?\" She buried her head into his shoulder, draped an arm so that it hung limp down his back. \"You must wake up.\" Despair started to gnaw at Darcy as Elizabeth mumbled something indistinguishable, snorted, then went completely limp in his arms, oblivious. Darcy tried and tried in vain to wake her, periodically glancing around the room in the hopes that there were candles lit and he had just missed them, to glance at the fire to make sure it really wasn't dying, to stare out the window at the starless dark night outside. He almost jumped out of his skin when he heard the limp bundle he was holding start to snore. Darcy put Elizabeth down, choking back blind panic. Not knowing what else to do, he opened the door to their chambers, stepped out into the hallway. The hallway was illuminated with the glaring light also. Except by now Darcy had grown accustomed to the brightness. At the end of the hall, Darcy froze. It was Jane. She had her back to him, was facing the source of the light. Darcy cautiously stepped forward until he was next to Jane. Then his legs gave out; he fell to his knees. In front of them was a beaming pillar, floating a few inches above the floor. It turned, and turned into a little girl, in an opalescent g"}, {"response": 46, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Mar  7, 2000 (11:56)", "body": "OHhhhhhhhh Irene.Jane will be alright now, she know he daughter is happy and wants them to be so."}, {"response": 47, "author": "icappleg", "date": "Tue, Mar  7, 2000 (12:28)", "body": "LOL -- yeah, I thought I'd posted enough depressing stuff. No point in dragging everyone down -- forever (snicker)"}, {"response": 48, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Tue, Mar  7, 2000 (13:02)", "body": "Thank you, Leanne. (Karen) I have read Lions and Liquorice, I agree very funny , love their bantering!! Awesome, Irene!!! But glad the sadness has come to a \"happy\" end!!"}, {"response": 49, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Tue, Mar  7, 2000 (13:03)", "body": "And welcome Sylvia!! Good to see you here too;-DD"}, {"response": 50, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Mar  7, 2000 (16:30)", "body": "Irene! i'm so glad you posted another chapter! :) When the light first appeared in the Darcy's bed chamber, at first i thought there was a fire- (just in case the Bingly's hadnt suffered enough ;P) but that was so sweet with Baby Lizzy. Maybe Darcy will be alittle more open to believing in the afterlife now, eh? :) Excellent as always - looking forward to more SOON! -EsBee"}, {"response": 51, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Tue, Mar  7, 2000 (19:57)", "body": "IRENE!!!!!!!!!! I am all astonishment! What a gripping and spellbinding chapter! Glad Jane is going to be fine. Loved the Lydia walking or flying bit! And nearly jumped out of my skin at baby Lizzy saying that she is happy. EsBee, I thought Netherfield might be ablaze as well, but I am SOOOOOOOOOOO glad it wasn't. And since Darcy may now believe in the hereafter, what will he do with this bit of inspiration? Only Irene knows...."}, {"response": 52, "author": "gailw", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (09:07)", "body": "Intriguing Irene, as always. I too thought fire and was relieved when it wasn't. Maybe Darcy's revelation makes him a bit more open emotionally? Can't wait to read more. I just finished The Bar Sinister and I LOVED IT!! The sex stuff kinda waned as the story went along (just like in real life I suppose) but the story remained interesting and there were lots of surprises and funny bits along the way. (An especially funny part with Mr. Collins trying to participate in the hunt. He ends up being the one to get the fox but I won't spoil the surprise by telling you how he does it!) The editing was very annoying - missing words, added words, places called by the wrong name - not what you'd expect from a professionally published book. But that did not take away from my enjoyment. I highly recommend it. I have read most of the P&P sequels but I liked this one the best, I think because it was so long (I was able to read the others in a couple hours - this one took several spread out over 4 days) and because the sex stuff was pretty steamy. Probably R rated by DWG standards. Darcy as husband is just as I always imagined he'd be - loving, generous, protective and VERY sexy (and large, but not too large - you'll have to read the book to understand that one). And there was never a dull moment. Darcy and Lizzy went through more things in the six or so years the book covers than 100 people go through in a lifetime. I liked it so much as soon as I finished I went back to page 1 and started reading it again!"}, {"response": 53, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (09:22)", "body": "Gail, what a promo for a book! Sounds wonderful... definately on my list of books to buy. I've never read any of the P&P sequels- But as i'm going on vacation for 3 weeks (starting tomorrow -Yahoo!) i'll need something like the Bar Sinister to keep me from feeling to FanFic deprived. :-) btw- it's available in the UK, right?"}, {"response": 54, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (10:02)", "body": "No, it wasn't a bookstore book. Had to be ordered from small-time publisher. If you're going to be in England, try to get Lions and Liquorice or Pride, Prejudice and Jasmin Fields, neither of which is available in the US."}, {"response": 55, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (10:11)", "body": "Thanks Karen, those are both on my list. :-) Do you, (or Gail,) have the publisher info for The Bar Sinister?"}, {"response": 56, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (10:23)", "body": "I think Gail posted that it was now available from amazon, but you can order directly here: http://www.thebarsinister.com/ (just checked and the \"purchase here\" option doesn't seem to go anywhere). Amazon's price is $18.50, but I thought it was $18 directly from the author. if you buy through amazon, use the link below! ;-)"}, {"response": 57, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (10:46)", "body": "Thanks! if you buy through amazon, use the link below! But of course!! :-)"}, {"response": 58, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (19:00)", "body": "Thanks Gail! Of course, I'm going to order from the link below!"}, {"response": 59, "author": "gailw", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (10:44)", "body": "I found a link to buy it from the Colin Firth drool page. It was US$15 plus $3 or $4 shipping in US."}, {"response": 60, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (18:23)", "body": "The link is on http://www.firth.com - and it's not a drool page, it's a fan site if you please, thank you very much. :-)"}, {"response": 61, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (20:33)", "body": "The link was also posted about 5 messages above. and in case anyone isn't sure, you are currently in Drool"}, {"response": 62, "author": "gailw", "date": "Fri, Mar 10, 2000 (10:25)", "body": "Whoops, sorry. If you go into Spring.net and then into Drool, it lists a bunch of sites including the Colin Firth fan site so I just assumed these were all \"drool\" sites. Excuse my ignorance!"}, {"response": 63, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Mar 10, 2000 (17:12)", "body": "Don't worry - it is very closely associated, of course... :-)"}, {"response": 64, "author": "Teg", "date": "Sun, Mar 12, 2000 (06:44)", "body": "Sorry about the delay. Haven't had much time to be online lately. Parallels Chapter Five \ufffdBen?\ufffd Anna called down the stairs. \ufffdBen, are you still here?\ufffd \ufffdYes!\ufffd Her brother stuck his head out of the doorway to the music room. \ufffdBut not for long. I want to make it back home before dinner.\ufffd \ufffdOh, good,\ufffd Anna said as she came bounding down the staircase. \ufffdI need to ask you a favour.\ufffd Ben raised an eyebrow. \ufffdOkay, what is it this time?\ufffd \"Can I get a lift home with you next weekend? I don\ufffdt want to drive if I don\ufffdt have to.\ufffd At his hesitant expression Anna quickly added, \ufffdThere\ufffds no need to change any plans of yours. Just let me know when you\ufffdre leaving and I\ufffdll be ready. Please? You know how much I hate driving in the winter.\ufffd Ben nodded his head. \ufffdSure. But I\ufffdm not planning on leaving Cambridge until Sunday at the earliest.\ufffd \ufffdThat\ufffds fine. Thanks, Ben!\ufffd She smiled and scooted back upstairs. On her way to her room she found Rich and Aaron in the one of the window alcoves. Aaron had his arm inside a very large vase, fishing around the bottom for something. \ufffdWhat on earth are you two doing?\ufffd Rich looked up guiltily, but Aaron continued with his search. \ufffdRich dropped something in here. I\ufffdm trying to get it.\ufffd Aaron replied absently. Anna looked puzzled. \ufffdWhy don\ufffdt you just tip it upside down and let it fall out?\ufffd The boys looked at one another. Rich shook his head. \ufffdCan\ufffdt do that.\ufffd \ufffdWhy not?\ufffd She looked from one to the other. Impatiently, Anna reached out for the vase. \ufffdLet me do it.\ufffd \ufffdNo!\ufffd they cried. Anna stared at her brother. \ufffdAlright, Rich. What did you put in there?\ufffd \ufffdA can of Coke.\ufffd Rich said quietly. Eyes wide in disbelief, she said slowly, \ufffdAnd it\ufffds open, isn\ufffdt it?\ufffd The boys nodded. \ufffdOh, Rich! What a stupid \ufffd why would you do such an idiotic thing?\ufffd \ufffdWe wanted to see if we could get it out without spilling it.\ufffd Anna rolled her eyes and slapped her brother on the arm. \ufffdYou great pillock! Two days away from school and you\ufffdre that bored already? You\ufffdd better get that can out of there before Mum or Dad catch you like this.\ufffd She started to walk away. \ufffdAnna!\ufffd Rich called. \ufffdAren\ufffdt you going to help us?\ufffd \ufffdNo way! I\ufffdm not having any part of it. You can cut your own throats.\ufffd She didn\ufffdt look back. Rich looked at Aaron, still with his arm in the vase. \ufffdCan you reach it yet?\ufffd Aaron shook his head, still concentrating on stretching his arm as far as he could. \ufffdRich? Aaron? Are you boys up there?\ufffd Will\ufffds voice floated up to them. Rich stared at his cousin in horror. \ufffdYes, Dad.\ufffd he called, hoping his father wouldn\ufffdt come up looking for them. \ufffdWell get your skates on! I thought you wanted to go down to the stables with Rebecca? She\ufffds leaving in a few minutes.\ufffd \ufffdBe right there!\ufffd Rich waved frantically at Aaron to hurry up, but try as he might, the other boy could not reach the can. He shook his head and withdrew his arm. \ufffdIt\ufffds no good. Let\ufffds just leave it until we come back. Maybe we can figure something out then.\ufffd Rich agreed and the two of them raced to the stairs to see who could make it to the front door first. *** Elizabeth had bustled about all week, getting the house ready for the holidays, finishing her shopping for gifts, and stocking up the pantry for Ben\ufffds extended stay. There never seemed to be enough food around when he was at Pemberley, no matter how much she managed to put away. As the week progressed she completed the unfinished projects on her desk so that she could enjoy some time off with the family. Will also worked hard to make sure he had no outstanding business that would interfere with their time together. Georgiana had approached her brother about becoming more involved in her late husband\ufffds company. It was time that she took an interest, she told him, and Will had agreed. He was very happy to hear her request. Immediately, he had telephoned Richard to begin sending him the information that Georgiana would require to familiarize herself with the company\ufffds operations. Then he arranged with his solicitor in Leeds to draft up the papers allowing his sister privileges to take over some of the areas he was currently overseeing. That would give her a starting point, and she could take on more as she felt comfortable. Early in the new year he would sit down with her to go over everything in fine detail. Will gathered up the papers on his desk and stacked them into a neat pile. It was nearly time for tea, and he had one call to make to Ben while he was sure to catch him at home. *** \ufffdMmmm. You are so nice and warm.\ufffd Brenda snuggled herself closer, wrapping her arms around Ben\ufffds waist. \ufffdI wish I could stay here all night.\ufffd \ufffdSo do I.\ufffd Ben kissed the top of her head. Brenda raised her face to meet his lips with hers. They were still hot from their passionate activities moments before. She ran her tongue along his cheek until she could whisper in his ear, \ufffdWe might have time for a little more before I have to leave.\ufffd Ben\ufffds growl was throaty as he rolled Brenda onto her back and pressed himself down on her. Her lips"}, {"response": 65, "author": "KarinB", "date": "Sun, Mar 12, 2000 (07:08)", "body": "Well, I bet Will realised he phoned at a bad time! He would recognise that preoccupied state of mind, I suppose. Made me blush though; I felt as if I was snooping about with that telephone call and all! Highly entertaining!"}, {"response": 66, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sun, Mar 12, 2000 (08:56)", "body": "Elizabeth pulled the sides of her blouse together hurriedly... Will was trying not to laugh, himself. The look on Elizabeth\ufffds face was priceless. He glanced over toward the doorway to see the young couple smiling at each other. ROTF! You are so cruel, Teg! I'm wondering how many times, over the years, L&D were 'interrupted' by one of their children! hee hee!"}, {"response": 67, "author": "gailw", "date": "Mon, Mar 13, 2000 (08:00)", "body": "Kids do always seem to know when the worst (or should I say best?) time is to interrupt and that doesn't improve as they get older. Take it from someone with 2 teenagers - Teg's story is quite realistic on that score!"}, {"response": 68, "author": "Teg", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (16:06)", "body": "Ahhh... one more week and the show will be done. Then I shall have more online time. :) Parallels Chapter Six Whoever said that holidays were relaxing didn\ufffdt have to spend them with eight kids! Elizabeth sighed as she put down her book yet again. Although most of her children were old enough not to require her attention to every detail of their day, her youngest seemed determined to involve her in each activity he planned. Either that or she was to be his unwitting pawn in the practical jokes that Rich and Aaron had suddenly become fond of pulling. What had she found to date? Cats in the shower, Rebecca\ufffds spurs on her chair at dinner, and the unfortunate maid who had tried to empty a flower vase of its mysterious contents and ended up with a mess to clean up instead. Elizabeth had hauled both boys upstairs to repair the damage and apologize to the poor woman. Thank goodness my older ones have more sense than to get into such mischief! She saw Will pass the open door and called out to him. He stuck his head around the door. \ufffdAre we going for that ride soon?\ufffd Will had suggested that they get out of the house, taking a couple of the horses out instead of driving like they usually did. They still kept a few horses at Pemberley, although the show horses were boarded at a training facility. \ufffdJust give me a few more minutes, dear,\ufffd he replied. \ufffdI was looking for Ben. Have you seen him?\ufffd Elizabeth shook her head and Will disappeared to further his search. He heard his son\ufffds voice from behind the closed door of the study as he made his way down the hallway. Will pushed the door open to see Ben at the desk, speaking to someone on the phone. He stood there for a moment, thinking Ben would notice him. \ufffdMy Mum and sisters made dinner, so it was really good. My Mum is an excellent cook. I wish you could come to dinner some time when she makes it. It\ufffds not often enough for me.\ufffd Will smiled at this praise of his wife\ufffds abilities. He\ufffdd always had the same high opinion of her skills. \ufffdAnd I missed you terribly this past week, too. It\ufffds still one more before I return to Cambridge.\ufffd Will grinned and backed out of the room, realizing that this was not a conversation to be overhearing. The door clicked softly and Ben looked over his shoulder. \ufffdNo, there\ufffds no-one here. I thought I heard the door, but... Where was I?\ufffd \ufffdYou were telling me how much you miss me, and want me, and can\ufffdt wait to fall into my arms again!\ufffd Brenda teased. \ufffdThat\ufffds right. It will be too long anyway,\ufffd he complained. \ufffdNot necessarily,\ufffd Brenda purred. \ufffdWe\ufffdre going to visit some family on the other side of Manchester tomorrow. We\ufffdll be there for a few days. I can probably manage to escape for an afternoon by myself....\ufffd She paused. \ufffdIf you\ufffdre interested?\ufffd Ben smiled eagerly. \ufffdWhen and where?\ufffd \ufffdTuesday? I\ufffdll find a place and ring you when I get there. How\ufffds that sound?\ufffd \ufffdPerfect. Don\ufffdt eat any lunch. We can have a meal together. Just be sure to pick somewhere that has a good restaurant!\ufffd Brenda laughed. \ufffdI hardly need reminding about that, Ben! Oh, I can\ufffdt wait to see you again.\ufffd \ufffdBrenda, I\ufffdve been going crazy the last week without you. I\ufffdm here and you\ufffdre in Cambridge with \ufffd.\ufffd \ufffdBen,\ufffd she interrupted. \ufffdI thought we were in agreement on this. You know where I stand. You were the one who chased me, remember? I told you why I wouldn\ufffdt go out with you, yet you pursued me until I said yes. Don\ufffdt push me now until I\ufffdm ready to move ahead.\ufffd \ufffdI\ufffdm not pushing.\ufffd Ben frowned as he tapped his fingers on the desktop. \ufffdI\ufffdm just reminding you of how I feel. I will not give up. I love you and I want you, Brenda. I won\ufffdt let anyone get in my way.\ufffd \ufffdBen,\ufffd she sighed, \ufffdyou know it\ufffds more complicated than that. I don\ufffdt want to see anyone hurt.\ufffd She waited for him to respond, but there was only silence. \ufffdI\ufffdll see you on Tuesday, then?\ufffd \ufffdOf course.\ufffd \ufffdI\ufffdll ring you around eleven. Ben?\ufffd She paused. \ufffdYou trust me, don\ufffdt you?\ufffd \ufffdYes, I trust you. Do you believe that I won\ufffdt give up?\ufffd \ufffdOh, yes! I know you well enough by now. I never said there was no hope, just that it would have to take time.\ufffd Ben smiled. \ufffdUntil Tuesday, then. Goodbye, Brenda.\ufffd \ufffdTa ra, love.\ufffd He hung up the phone and sat back in the chair, staring at the wall in front of him. Tuesday wasn\ufffdt that far off, and he figured that seeing her then would tide him over until he returned to Cambridge. Then they could meet every day at lunch, like they had been doing for the last month. Ben never thought he\ufffdd see the day that he would be glad to be leaving Pemberley and his family behind him, but this overwhelming power that Brenda held over him made him itch to see her whenever, and however he could. He got up from the chair and left the room. In the hallway, he was surprised to see his father leaning against the opposite wall. \ufffdI was waiting for you. I thought you\ufffdd seen me come in, but I suppose not. Anyway,\ufffd Will went on, oblivious to the look of consternation on his son\ufffds face, \ufffdI wondered if you would take Rebecca\ufffds car into to"}, {"response": 69, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (23:38)", "body": "*sniff* This part... Will drew her face up to meet her gaze. \ufffdI said how, not who.\ufffd He didn\ufffdt need to say anymore. His eyes said the rest. ... always gets me! Actually, the whole thing makes me weepy. Thanks Teg!"}, {"response": 70, "author": "Teg", "date": "Fri, Mar 24, 2000 (16:40)", "body": "Gee, it's so quiet around here lately..... Parallels Chapter Seven \ufffdI\ufffdm going out.\ufffd Rebecca stood at the bottom of the stairs with her riding hat in hand. Elizabeth was too tired to argue. She had spent the last few days helping her youngest daughter deal with her grief, while postponing her own. Her husband had said very little, but she knew that he was keeping more in than he let on. \ufffdGo on with you, then. Just make sure you\ufffdre back in time for dinner.\ufffd Rebecca looked at her mother, exasperated. \ufffdIt\ufffds New Year\ufffds Eve, Mum! There\ufffds a party at my friend Dan\ufffds place after we ride.\ufffd \ufffdOh, yes.\ufffd Elizabeth waved a hand impatiently at her. \ufffdOf course. Have a nice time, Rebecca.\ufffd Rebecca shook her head and left the house. Elizabeth retreated to the library to hopefully find some quiet time. Anna and Ben were in there, however. \ufffdDon\ufffdt you two have some party to go to as well?\ufffd Anna smiled at her mother. \ufffdWe do, actually. I was trying to convince Ben to come along. He\ufffds being a stick-in-the-mud.\ufffd \ufffdGo with your sister, Ben.\ufffd Elizabeth saw him about to object. \ufffdI\ufffdm sure there will be a pretty girl or two that will catch your eye.\ufffd Ben relented, but unwillingly. \ufffdAlright, but are you sure you wouldn\ufffdt rather I stay home? You and Dad could use a break, and I could keep Kathleen company.\ufffd Elizabeth shook her head. \ufffdNo. Kathleen is asleep, and your father will likely be turning in soon, too. He wasn\ufffdt feeling well earlier.\ufffd Ben and Anna exchanged glances. \ufffdMum?\ufffd Anna asked tentatively. \ufffdIs Dad okay?\ufffd \ufffdWhat do you mean?\ufffd Elizabeth looked at them, perplexed. \ufffdYou\ufffdre not keeping anything from us, are you? Dad isn\ufffdt ... he\ufffds not.....\ufffd Their mother almost laughed at the worried expressions on the faces of her eldest children. \ufffdDon\ufffdt be daft, you two. There\ufffds nothing wrong with your father.\ufffd She smiled as she recalled his playfulness only that morning. \ufffdNothing wrong at all.\ufffd Physically, anyway. We still have some sorting out to do emotionally, though. \ufffdWell, if you\ufffdre sure,\ufffd Ben said reluctantly. \ufffdI\ufffdm sure. Off you go.\ufffd Elizabeth smiled at them. Anna grabbed her brother\ufffds arm. \ufffdCome on, then. You have to drive, remember?\ufffd She hauled him from the room. The party that they were attending wasn\ufffdt far from home. Some friends of Anna\ufffds, who had also been away at university for the last year and a half, were hosting the event. By the time Ben and his sister arrived there were already at least twenty cars there. \ufffdI\ufffdm sure you\ufffdll know a few people, Ben. They\ufffdre pretty much all from school. It hasn\ufffdt been all that long since you left.\ufffd Anna scooted into the house and proceeded to search out several friends she hadn\ufffdt seen in a while. Ben stood just inside the door for a moment, then spotted someone he recognized. He spent a good hour in conversation with the young man, who had also been dragged unwillingly to the party by his girlfriend. Then the two of them set out to find a drink and the food. Along the way, several young ladies tried to catch Ben\ufffds attention. He noticed their attempts, but ignored them. His companion was amused at his popularity, and only wished he could attract as much attention simply by walking through a room. The rest of the evening Ben spent primarily observing others. He saw Anna every once in a while, and even took note of the crowd of young men that followed her for a good part of the night. He made sure that he always knew her whereabouts after that. Since she knew she wasn\ufffdt driving home, Anna was quite liberal with her acceptance of the drinks offered to her by her admirers. Ben knew that their father would be appalled to see how much his daughter could put away in the form of alcoholic beverages when the mood suited her. At one point he noticed Anna slip into the kitchen with Perry and, when it was apparent that they wouldn\ufffdt be coming out again any time soon, Ben made his way over to the kitchen door. He pushed it open carefully, not attempting to conceal himself, but he was unsure of what he might find on the other side. Anna\ufffds back was to him. She was sitting on the island counter, Perry standing between her knees, his hands freely roaming over her back. Ben frowned. Neither of them had noticed his entrance, so engaged were they in exploring each other\ufffds mouths. When Perry\ufffds fingers began to pull Anna\ufffds blouse from where it was neatly tucked into her skirt, Ben gritted his teeth. He started to step forward but Perry suddenly shifted his attention to nibbling behind Anna\ufffds ear and finally caught sight of her incensed brother. He blinked. One glance at the expression in Ben\ufffds eyes convinced the younger man to step back from his near conquest. Anna opened her eyes. \ufffdWhat is it?\ufffd she asked in bewilderment. Perry shook his head. \ufffdAnna, this isn\ufffdt the place,\ufffd he said quickly, not wishing to draw her attention to Ben. He knew Anna well enough to know what sort of scene would ensue if she realized that her brother had scuttled this little tryst. \ufffdOh, come on now,\ufffd Anna murmured, wrapping her arms around his nec"}, {"response": 71, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sun, Mar 26, 2000 (09:49)", "body": "\ufffdI came to tell you that lunch is ready.\ufffd Their daughter rubbed at her temple with a pained expression on her face. \ufffdDo you know how much noise you were making?\ufffd Will looked away, biting his lip in an effort not to laugh. Elizabeth smiled patiently. ROTF! Another interruption! thanks Teg, it seems you're the only one making noise around here..."}, {"response": 72, "author": "gailw", "date": "Tue, Mar 28, 2000 (07:37)", "body": "Hello? Hello? Anybody home? Thanks Teg for another enjoyable chapter."}, {"response": 73, "author": "Teka", "date": "Tue, Mar 28, 2000 (18:24)", "body": "Teg! I'm glad you posted another good chapter! I\ufffdm looking forward to more soon!!! Thanks"}, {"response": 74, "author": "Teg", "date": "Thu, Mar 30, 2000 (06:51)", "body": "Parallels Chapter Eight With Georgiana and Aaron\ufffds return from Chelmsford the house was a bit more full, but no less sombre. Georgiana took the news about Kathleen very badly. She had become so close to her niece during these last difficult months that she felt terribly guilty about not being there for Kathleen at such a devastating time. Even Aaron seemed to be very much affected. Elizabeth thought it was perhaps because it reminded him of his father\ufffds death, a pain he was only recently beginning to deal with. School would resume in a few days. Elizabeth hoped that Kathleen would be up to returning, but had no qualms about keeping her home for another week if that was what she needed. So, on a bleak and gray day Elizabeth watched as her two eldest children drove off on their way back to university. She turned back to the house, stood facing the imposing front of the stone structure, and decided to go for a walk. From the car Anna could see their mother wander away toward the open expanse of lawn below the house. She watched until the trees beside the road finally obscured the view, then she settled back in the seat for the long ride. When they reached the motorway it was only to discover that it was very congested with heavy traffic so soon after New Year\ufffds. Ben manoeuvred the car through each roundabout with a precision borne of experience. \ufffdYou\ufffdve driven this route for the last four years, haven\ufffdt you Ben?\ufffd Anna asked as she stared out the window at a passing car. \ufffdMmm.\ufffd Ben replied absently. Anna turned to look at her brother. He seemed very distracted lately. It wasn\ufffdt because of what happened with Kathleen, she knew that. And even at the New Year\ufffds Eve party they had gone to, he had been very distant, hardly speaking to any of the girls who were trying to attract his attention. Could he be concerned about Dad? she thought, then dismissed the idea. Their mother had assured them that all was well there and he had certainly looked much better by the time she and Ben had been ready to leave. Then Anna looked at Ben in sudden understanding. \ufffdI don\ufffdt believe it!\ufffd \ufffdWhat?\ufffd he said, glancing briefly in her direction. \ufffdOh, you\ufffdve been caught,\ufffd she grinned. \ufffdYou\ufffdve finally been caught!\ufffd Ben steadfastly kept his eyes on the road ahead. \ufffdI don\ufffdt know what you\ufffdre talking about.\ufffd Smugly, Anna asked, \ufffdWho is she?\ufffd When Ben said nothing, she laughed. \ufffdOh, come on. You can\ufffdt keep it a secret forever. If I figured it out, so will everyone else eventually.\ufffd She shook her head, amused. \ufffdBen Darcy, ladies\ufffd man, finally falls in love. Mr. I\ufffdm-not-going-to-get-tied-down-until-I\ufffdve-finished-having-fun is parading around with a sappy look on his face!\ufffd \ufffdI do not look sappy.\ufffd Ben grumbled. Anna laughed again. \ufffdAlright, not sappy. But you do seem very preoccupied lately. There\ufffds a lady on your mind and you can\ufffdt deny it. Who is she?\ufffd Sighing in resignation Ben said, \ufffdHer name is Brenda.\ufffd \ufffdBrenda.\ufffd Anna gave the name some thought. \ufffdYou haven\ufffdt mentioned her before. So, when do you bring her home to meet the folks?\ufffd Ben looked a little uncomfortable with that suggestion. \ufffdI\ufffdm not ready for that, yet. And don\ufffdt you go mentioning her to Mum and Dad, either!\ufffd \ufffdOkay.\ufffd Anna watched him in puzzlement. \ufffdIs there some reason you don\ufffdt want them to know?\ufffd \ufffdI didn\ufffdt say I don\ufffdt want them to know. I\ufffdm just not ready to have them meet her, yet.\ufffd He paused before going on. \ufffdI think Mum may have a problem with the situation.\ufffd \ufffdBen, Mum will have a problem with any girl who\ufffds set her sights on her baby boy!\ufffd Seeing her brother\ufffds serious expression, Anna changed her tone. \ufffdYou know that both of our parents will love her if you do. What is it you\ufffdre not telling me?\ufffd \ufffdAnna,\ufffd Ben looked in his sister\ufffds direction as they stopped at a traffic light. \ufffdI\ufffdd like you to meet Brenda first. I know you\ufffdll like her. Then you\ufffdll know what I mean about Mum\ufffds reaction.\ufffd \ufffdBen, you\ufffdre making this sound more ominous than I think it warrants, but I\ufffdd love to meet her. Can we get together next week sometime?\ufffd Ben nodded. \ufffdSure. I\ufffdll check with Brenda, but I\ufffdm sure that Wednesday will be fine. We\ufffdre supposed to be going to dinner that night anyway. How\ufffds that day for you?\ufffd Anna agreed. By the time they reached her flat, and Ben had dropped her off, they had worked out the details of where they would meet. Ben waved goodbye to her and continued on his way back to Cambridge. He didn\ufffdt return to his own flat straight away. Instead, he took an exit on the other end of the city and drove through the town until he pulled up to a large two-storey house in a well-to-do neighbourhood. Hopping out of the car, Ben jogged up the flagstone path to the front door. The door opened in answer to the bell and Brenda stood in the opening. She gave him a huge smile and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling his face down for a kiss. \ufffdI missed you,\ufffd she said in a low voice when they moved apart. \ufffdWould you like to come in?\ufffd Ben peered around the half-open door. \ufffdYou must be alone.\ufffd \ufffdYe"}, {"response": 75, "author": "gailw", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (07:41)", "body": "Thanks Teg. At least someone is still alive around here! Poor Darcy - it's tough getting old!"}, {"response": 76, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (10:37)", "body": "Well, i just arrived home yesterday, and this is the first site i've visited- Teg! all those wonderful posts to read... thank you! Cant wait for more. :) Now to catch up on the last 3 weeks of drool at the other topics! EsBee"}, {"response": 77, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Tue, Apr  4, 2000 (18:51)", "body": "Ben is getting it on with Brenda... Can Will get it up for Lizzy? hahahahahahaha! I know she's ready! or will there be more interruptions? No more tragedies for the Darcy's, Teg... PLEASE?????"}, {"response": 78, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Wed, Apr  5, 2000 (04:44)", "body": "Dani-i-i!!"}, {"response": 79, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Wed, Apr  5, 2000 (18:04)", "body": "Hanne!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 80, "author": "Teg", "date": "Thu, Apr  6, 2000 (17:57)", "body": "I'm using this message as a test because last night I couldn't post anything here. :("}, {"response": 81, "author": "Teg", "date": "Thu, Apr  6, 2000 (17:58)", "body": "Aha! It worked! Daniiiii!!!! Hannnnnne!!!!! Like you two think I'm going to change anything that drastically???? hehehe Next chapter coming up right after I do my tags and stuff....."}, {"response": 82, "author": "Teg", "date": "Thu, Apr  6, 2000 (18:39)", "body": "Parallels Chapter Nine \ufffdWell?\ufffd Rebecca made a face. \ufffdNot yet.\ufffd As Dan frowned at her, she made an attempt at defending herself. \ufffdI just haven\ufffdt found the right moment, yet.\ufffd She went back to brushing her horse. \ufffdYou\ufffdre just spineless,\ufffd Dan said as he tightened the girth on his saddle. \ufffdWhy don\ufffdt you forget about your Dad and ask your Mum instead? She sounds easier to convince than him.\ufffd Rebecca laughed lightly. \ufffdYou sure don\ufffdt know my Mum! Anyway, it\ufffds easier for me to talk to Dad than to her.\ufffd She tossed the brush back into her tack box and reached for the saddle. \ufffdSpineless, like I said.\ufffd Dan smiled at her. \ufffdIf you don\ufffdt do it soon, I\ufffdll come over and tell them myself.\ufffd \ufffdYou wouldn\ufffdt!\ufffd Rebecca stared at him, then smiled when she realized he was teasing her. \ufffdOkay, okay. I promise. This weekend.\ufffd They both finished tacking up their horses and headed into the arena. A tough hour of training and all four were hot, sweaty and tired. When the horses were finally cooled down, cleaned up and put away, Dan and Rebecca headed into town for a drink before going home. Despite the cold January evening they both ordered cool drinks. Sipping on hers, Rebecca listened to Dan\ufffds stories from last year\ufffds summer in Europe. \ufffdStop, Dan,\ufffd she said finally. \ufffdYou\ufffdre making me impatient to go!\ufffd \ufffdThat was my idea,\ufffd he said with a grin. \ufffdSo you\ufffdll go home, find your Dad and make him say yes!\ufffd \ufffdYes!\ufffd she said laughingly. \ufffdActually, it\ufffds my sister\ufffds birthday this weekend, so everyone will be home and in a good mood. I suppose I\ufffdd better just go to it.\ufffd They finished up their drinks and parted company. Rebecca glanced at the clock on the car radio and noted that it was unlikely that her father would still be up. When she got home, she simply went up to her room to shower, then climbed into bed, planning to catch him first thing in the morning. There was a crowd at the breakfast table the next morning, as Anna and Ben had come home the night before. Everyone wished Anna a happy birthday, her twentieth, and Elizabeth reminded them all about the special dinner celebration that evening. With most of them finished their meals, Rebecca stayed behind, waiting for an opportunity to speak with her father. When her mother finally left and only the two of them remained in the room, Rebecca opened her mouth to speak. \ufffdDad, I wanted to ask you something.\ufffd Will scrutinized her over the rim of his coffee cup. \ufffdAnd that would be?\ufffd She took a deep breath. \ufffdI was hoping you would give me permission to go to Europe for the summer shows.\ufffd He raised an eyebrow. Rebecca looked down at her fingers, playing with the edge of the tablecloth. \ufffdI would also,\ufffd she began slowly, then rushed out the rest of her sentence, \ufffdlike to stay in Europe for the winter circuit.\ufffd She glanced up cautiously to see the reaction. Will sat watching her silently. He glanced down, and carefully placed his cup back on the saucer. Then his eyes met his daughter\ufffds once more. \ufffdI thought as much.\ufffd \ufffdYou what?\ufffd Rebecca was staring at him, mouth open. Will smiled. \ufffdYour life is horses, Rebecca. You\ufffdll be finished with school this term, and I didn\ufffdt see any indication of you wanting to study anything else.\ufffd He chuckled. \ufffdYou are a lot like your grandmother. My mother. She was the horsewoman. Not that I remember much myself. She had the opportunities to go on, but she married your grandfather and decided to stop there, although there were always horses here at Pemberley. You should have the chance if it\ufffds what you want. I only stipulate two conditions.\ufffd Rebecca was still having difficulty believing what she was hearing. \ufffdTwo conditions?\ufffd \ufffdYes. First, that you sit you\ufffdre A-levels, and you pass every one of them!\ufffd \ufffdBut I won\ufffdt need them if I\ufffdm going to keep riding,\ufffd she observed. \ufffdOh, yes you will,\ufffd Will stated flatly. \ufffdYou can\ufffdt ride your whole life. You will need something to fall back on if your first option doesn\ufffdt work out. You have the opportunity and the means to pass the A-levels now and you are going to do it. No pass, no Europe. Is that clear?\ufffd \ufffdYes,\ufffd she said meekly. \ufffdThe second condition is that you work hard. I expect to see you improve over the time you spend there. You\ufffdll have one year to train, gain experience and decide if it\ufffds really what you want to spend your life doing.\ufffd He paused, waiting for her to comment. \ufffdBut I already know it\ufffds what I want to do!\ufffd \ufffdYou might change your mind after you\ufffdve been in the thick of it. And if you do, then you\ufffdll need to consider what other careers might interest you.\ufffd Will watched her as she digested what he\ufffdd said. After a few moments, Rebecca looked up at him. \ufffdThanks, Dad. I was so worried that you\ufffdd say no. I guess I should go talk to Mum, now.\ufffd Will shook his head. \ufffdI\ufffdll speak with her. We\ufffdve actually had this conversation a few times already. I was just wondering when you\ufffdd get around to asking me.\ufffd He frowned slightly as a sudden thought occurred to him. \ufffdRebecca, how many of you are going from your stable?\ufffd \ufffdSix. Heather, Jim, Randy,"}, {"response": 83, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Apr  6, 2000 (20:09)", "body": "Marvelous as always Teg! :) Loved Darcy tormenting Ben - what a hoot. (And just what he deserves after teasing his parents all those years!) Eagerly awaiting more! EsBee"}, {"response": 84, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Apr  7, 2000 (20:41)", "body": "The beginning of this story you've seen before - it's the infamous carriage ride. :-) Go ahead, read it again. And then find out what happened next. It's rather long, so settle back, grab your diet coke (or whatever your addicted to) and enjoy. Thanks Marcia for editing- *SMACK* you're the best! One winter morning approximately a year after her marriage to the very handsome and rather dashing Fitzwilliam Darcy, Elizabeth passed the time by taking a stroll through Pemberley's extensive grounds. Not long after observing that all she lacked to make the morning complete was the presence of her husband, she spotted him making his way toward her on his magnificent stallion. Elizabeth sighed audibly as he approached her, appreciating his fine figure. 'No one sits a horse so well as that man.' She thought, then sighed again. So distracted was she by the sight of his thighs stretched across the back of his stallion, that he was almost upon her before she realized a distressed look marred his handsome features. \"Fitzwilliam, whatever is the matter?\" she inquired, reaching up to lay a hand upon his thigh. \"I've received a letter from Georgiana with distressing news in it.\" He replied, reaching into this pocket to pull out the post. He handed it to Elizabeth to read while he dismounted. Convinced that something ill had befallen Georgiana, Elizabeth hastened to read the letter, whilst Darcy began pacing back and forth beside her. Scanning the post for some tragic news, Lizzy was completely puzzled by the time she reached the end. Hesitant, she questioned her husband, \"Is this not just a cheerful letter, informing us of the wonderful time she had at a dinner party given by Jane and Charles?\" \"Major Monroe, Elizabeth! Read the part about Major Monroe!\" Elizabeth returned to the letter and located the portion that had so upset her husband. Major Monroe was very attentive to me all evening. I must admit I was pleased with his attentions, and am eager for both you and Elizabeth to make his acquaintance. \"That is what has you so green around the gills? Her eagerness for us to meet Major Monroe?\" Elizabeth asked in astonishment. \"Green around the gills?\" Darcy said puzzled. \"Elizabeth, this is no time for you to begin speaking like a sailor. Some... Major, has designs on my baby sister! We must leave for town at once!\" Elizabeth valiantly controlled her desire to laugh, knowing that her husband was very much in earnest, and managed a supportive: \"Of course my love, we will leave this afternoon.\" Satisfied that his wife understood the danger facing Georgiana, Darcy quickly lifted Elizabeth up on his horse, then swung into the saddle behind her. He gathered Elizabeth closely to him with one hand and held the reins with the other. For her part, Lizzy snuggled in closely, appreciating the feel of his firm thigh under her legs. The wind began to pick up as they made their way back toward the house, and Elizabeth was grateful for husband's warm body, particularly his broad back and shoulders, which blocked a great deal of the chilling wind. Feeling her shiver slightly, Darcy hugged her tighter to him, and leaned down to press a kiss to her hair. Realizing that her hands and arms would be warmer if they were closer to his body, Elizabeth undid the front buttons of her husband's coat and wrapped her arms about him. Immediately feeling his delicious warmth she reached up to press a kiss on his neck, just above his perfectly starched, white cravat. \"Better?\" he asked distractedly, his mind on the situation in London. \"Yes, thank you.\" Elizabeth was torn between amusement and annoyance. They had only been married a year, surely the novelty of having her in his arms had not worn off to this degree. Determine to deter his thoughts from Georgiana, whom Elizabeth was certain was fine, and bring them back to herself, she once again reached up and kissed his neck. Only this time she did not let go. Rather, she drew a bit of his skin into her mouth and began to suckle, successfully drawing her husband's attention back to the present. \"Elizabeth,\" he admonished, \"let go love, you will mark me.\" Thinking that wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing, Lizzy sucked harder. It was now Darcy who was torn between amusement and annoyance. Amusement won out, and he decided to tease her. \"I can produce any number of witnesses that will testify that you promised to love, honor and OBEY me, Elizabeth. If you do not choose to honor your word, as your husband I will be forced to teach you to do so, and you will find yourself making the rest of this trip in a wholly unpleasant position.\" Shocked Lizzy drew back to stare at her husband. Seeing the twinkle in his eye, she smiled seductively and moved to return to his delectable neck. Before she reached it however, she found herself being picked up, flipped over, and re-positioned to lay draped over his thighs. From her new position she had an excellent view of his impeccable black boot, the stirrup and the snow cove"}, {"response": 85, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Apr  7, 2000 (20:55)", "body": "Tempest in a Townhouse, Part II: \"Fitzwilliam?\" Both Darcy and the Colonel looked up, rose to their feet and in perfect unison responded, \"Yes?\" Elizabeth blushed, and walked over to take her husband's hand, indicating which Fitzwilliam she had been referring to. Before they could sit down, the Colonel inquired; \"where is Georgiana?\" \"She decided to retire early, as she was quite tired.\" Lizzy explained. \"Ah\ufffd\" he replied, setting back down in to his chair and pulling out a pipe. He lifted his eyebrows and motioned his pipe in Elizabeth's direction, silently inquiring if she minded the habit. She smiled and shook her head, indicating it was fine with her. Watching him light it, she decided that the first time he pulled out his pipe to smoke when Her Fitzwilliam was not in the room, she would respond with a \"Thank you, don't mind if I do.\" And take the pipe from him to try a puff for herself. Lizzy was distracted from her scandalous thoughts by her husband's voice asking suspiciously, \"You took Georgiana shopping today, didn't you?\" Elizabeth looked at her husband in surprise, then turned to see his cousin squirming in his chair. \"God's teeth! Richard, I thought we had decided enough was enough.\" Darcy growled, getting to his feet and beginning to pace back and forth in front of the mantle. Elizabeth looked at her husband in astonishment. Seeing her confused look, Richard explained; \"That's why she's gone up to bed early.\" \"Because you took her shopping?\" Elizabeth asked, more confused than ever. \"Yes. You see\ufffd\" \"You spoil her!\" Darcy interrupted. \"Me?\" Col. Fitzwilliam replied in a tone of outrage, \"You're the one who buys her sheet music by the pound and a new pianoforte every year!\" \"Come now, every year?\" Darcy asked sarcastically. \"Well, certainly at least every other!\" the Colonel replied indignantly. Since Darcy couldn't refute this he decided to hurry over that point. \"At least music is edifying. Those novels you buy her are pure claptrap! No educational or redeeming value at all!\" \"Their redeeming value is that Georgiana likes them!\" Elizabeth watched her husband and cousin with amusement, fairly certain that they had forgotten her presence in the room. Their verbal battle rather reminded her of the skirmishes that her parents used to get into, before her mother had taken to proclaiming her nerves were being ill-used by such events. \"You two are like a couple of old hens.\" She announced, fighting back laughter. The couple of old hens turned and glared at her. \"I beg your pardon.\" Darcy said stiffly, somewhat mortified at having behaved so abominably in the presence of his wife. His cousin was one of the few people on earth with whom he freely voiced his opinion, and he and Fitzwilliam frequently involved themselves in lively debates. Particularly in regards to Georgiana's education and upbringing, as both were certain they alone knew what was best for her. Col. Fitzwilliam recovered his good humor quickly and laughingly agreed with Elizabeth. \"Darcy and I do forget ourselves on occasion when we are in private. Pray forgive me for behaving so boorishly.\" Elizabeth assured him that she was not offended in anyway, then inquired of her husband, \"Whatever is wrong with Georgiana reading novels?\" \"It is not a novel here or there that I am opposed to,\" Darcy replied, looking rather indignant. \"But rather the sheer number of them that she consumes on a regular bases. If she wants to spend her time reading she should study the classics.\" \"Such as Greek tragedies and Latin text?\" Elizabeth wondered aloud. \"Actually, I was referring to the English classics,\" Darcy replied. \"We have been blessed with many great writers; Milton, Johnson, Chaucer\ufffd\" \"Shakespeare,\" added the Colonel, who then wiggled his eyebrows at Darcy. \"Speaking of Shakespeare,\" Elizabeth began hoping distract Darcy from adding a comment to the disgruntled look he shot his cousin, \"Georgiana was telling me something about his being a friend of your ancestor.\" \"Or ancestoress\ufffd\" murmured the Colonel, then immediately got up and studied a painting on the far side of the room, when his cousin glared at him. \"However, perhaps Georgiana should familiarize herself with certain Latin and Greek texts.\" Darcy added, wanting to draw Elizabeth' attention from the Bard. \"Ah, such as Catullus?\" put in Elizabeth, innocently; causing Col. Fitzwilliam to inhale a large quantity of smoke. Darcy scowled at his coughing cousin a moment, before turning his gaze to his wife. \"And what do you know of Catullus?\" he inquired. Elizabeth blushed slightly, darted a glance at Col. Fitzwilliam, whom seemed to be recovered from his coughing fit and had returned to studying the painting with a great deal of interest; then glanced back to her husband. He raised an inquiring brow, and she smiled and said; \"Then let amorous kisses dwell On our lips, begin and tell A Thousand and a Hundred score A Hundred, and a Thousand more.\" Darcy lifted his wife's hand to his lips and kissed i"}, {"response": 86, "author": "Teg", "date": "Sat, Apr  8, 2000 (06:20)", "body": "Oh LOLOLOL!!! Poor Georgiana! What a shock to the young lady's system! *grin* Esbee, that was positively priceless!!"}, {"response": 87, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Apr  8, 2000 (09:33)", "body": "Esbee! You have a mini-series going here! I loved it when Darcy said GO! How will E explain? Continue soon please."}, {"response": 88, "author": "KarinB", "date": "Sat, Apr  8, 2000 (17:55)", "body": "Oh, what a shock for poor dear Georgiana!! It will take some time for her before she can see her brother and sister-in-law again without getting this picture in her head! Hilarious! And Teg, I love your story! Brenda mistaking Will for Ben... Yeah, got his revenge for some of the embarrassing moments over the years!"}, {"response": 89, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (14:31)", "body": "Teg, I forgot about Brenda mistaking Darcy for Ben! LOL! Revenge was sweet this time around! EsBee! Sticky Buns and marriage proposals? Will the Regency ever recover from this scandal? ROTF!"}, {"response": 90, "author": "gailw", "date": "Mon, Apr 10, 2000 (09:24)", "body": "Loved it Esbee! Hope there's more - don't leave us hanging with G and Major Monroe. Loved the sticky buns, references to Lord Wessex (yes he does look like Darcy, doesn't he?), and G walking in on D&E. Fun, fun, fun! IRENE - WHERE ARE YOU???????"}, {"response": 91, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (02:38)", "body": "Ooh, how nice!! The stories seem now to pour in.....hmmmm....almost, still missing Irene's, though... Missed your stories Esbee, nice to see them back,...nice bathing scene...mmmmm...!! Teg: Of course I remember the story line...and the agony of not knowing, but it doesn't help when I'm reading the story here!! ..and of course I don't expect you to change anything...much;-))"}, {"response": 92, "author": "Teg", "date": "Fri, Apr 14, 2000 (06:14)", "body": "Almost forgot where I left off.... okay, I did forget! ;) Parallels Chapter Ten Several pairs of eyes met across the width of the dining table, their owners not daring to say a word. The silence at either end of the table was deafening, and none of the observers could understand what had happened to suddenly turn Will and Elizabeth into wordless combatants. Rich glanced from one parent to the other. He met Aaron\ufffds gaze across from him and nodded. In a crisp, steady voice he addressed his father. \ufffdDad, may Aaron and I go into Manchester to the pictures, tomorrow?\ufffd Will\ufffds gaze swept past his wife\ufffds end of the table to come to rest on his son. \ufffdHow do you propose to get there?\ufffd \ufffdI\ufffdm not taking you,\ufffd Rebecca stated flatly. \ufffdI have plans tomorrow that don\ufffdt put me anywhere near Manchester.\ufffd \ufffdThen I suppose I\ufffdll drive you,\ufffd Will said. \ufffdIs it a picture I might enjoy? I may stay to see it, if it appeals to me, too.\ufffd \ufffdOh, sure!\ufffd Rich enthused. \ufffdIt\ufffds a great action flick, Dad. You\ufffdll love it!\ufffd \ufffdLots of blood and gore and death!\ufffd Aaron added with a huge grin. \ufffdTerrific!\ufffd Will saw and ignored the glare that Elizabeth was sending his way. She didn\ufffdt want him out of her sight until after Monday\ufffds appointment, and he knew it. He smiled at the two boys. \ufffdThen I\ufffdm definitely staying to see it with you!\ufffd He caught her gaze briefly and saw she was furious with him, but that didn\ufffdt stop him from smiling smugly in her direction. He was quite aware of how juvenile that was, but he had no intention of spending the next two days under Elizabeth\ufffds thumb. Will also had no intention of listening to her harangue him later, so after dinner he offered to help Kathleen with a particularly difficult school assignment with which she had been having trouble. This left Elizabeth to the company of Georgiana, who must have borne the brunt of her frustration, for his sister came to his study looking for him later in the evening. Kathleen had just finished the main body of her paper, and was quite pleased with it so far, when Georgiana knocked on the door. \ufffdWill, have you got a minute?\ufffd She smiled at her niece, but looked at her brother insistently. Kathleen retrieved her disk from the computer. \ufffdI can finish the rest without any help, now. Thanks, Dad.\ufffd Georgiana closed the door following Kathleen\ufffds exit. She crossed the room to sit in the chair that the girl had just vacated. \ufffdAlright, Will. What childish game are you two playing now?\ufffd A wan smile appeared on his face. \ufffdI\ufffdll admit to being childish.\ufffd His sister rolled her eyes. \ufffdSo, Elizabeth has a legitimate complaint?\ufffd \ufffdShe has a legitimate concern,\ufffd he corrected. \ufffdBut one she has blown out of proportion.\ufffd Will tapped his fingers on the desktop. Meeting Georgiana\ufffds gaze, he said, \ufffdIt\ufffds nothing you need to worry about. It will all be sorted in a couple of days.\ufffd \ufffdA couple of days?\ufffd Georgiana looked sceptical. \ufffdOh, I see. This is all one-sided, is it? Elizabeth doesn\ufffdt want you to take the boys to Manchester tomorrow for some reason, and you are doing it anyway for spite.\ufffd She shook her head, dismayed. \ufffdI hope you know what you\ufffdre doing, Will.\ufffd With that, she got up and left the study. Will contemplated picking out a book to read, so that he could stay in this room, but he negated that idea, and instead, went upstairs to their room. The week had been rather busy and he was more tired than he would like to admit, even to himself. He settled himself under the blankets, pulled the book that he always left on the night table toward him, and flipped through the pages to find a suitably dull passage to put him to sleep. Will never heard Elizabeth enter the room, didn\ufffdt see her turn off the light, nor felt her remove his book from his fingers and crawl under the blankets to snuggle up to him. He did, however, wrap an arm around her, and in his sleep he murmured her name. *** \ufffdThen, it\ufffds what you suspected?\ufffd Dr. Walker looked very seriously at his patient. \ufffdSo far, every test has shown that it is not atherosclerosis. Nor did they reveal any other arterial blockages. From the information that you gave me, namely when these attacks occurred and your symptoms, plus the stress test that was performed last week, this has confirmed my original suspicions.\ufffd \ufffdAnd just what are those suspicions?\ufffd Elizabeth asked impatiently. \ufffdLet me explain more fully,\ufffd the doctor said as he leaned across the desk\ufffds surface. \ufffdThe walls of the arteries are surrounded by muscle fibres. Rapid contraction of these muscle fibres causes a sudden narrowing, or spasm, of the arteries.\ufffd He used his hand to demonstrate by first splaying his fingers, then closing them to make a fist. \ufffdWhen the coronary arteries experience a spasm, it reduces blood flow to the heart muscle and causes angina. This particular form of angina, resulting from a coronary artery spasm, is called \"variant\" angina or Prinzmetal's angina. Typically, Prinzmetal's angina occurs at rest, usually in the early morning hours, which ties in with the information you origin"}, {"response": 93, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Fri, Apr 14, 2000 (07:46)", "body": "She's a clever girl,...our Anna. Of course with her parents we'd expect her to be....and...Teg, what a wonderful closure to this chapter...*sigh*"}, {"response": 94, "author": "gailw", "date": "Fri, Apr 14, 2000 (12:14)", "body": "So sweet and romantic! Thanks Teg."}, {"response": 95, "author": "KarinB", "date": "Fri, Apr 14, 2000 (12:26)", "body": "*swoon* You know, sometimes less is more! This was wonderful, sensual... Not that I don't like the steamier parts, I do!, but this was really nice."}, {"response": 96, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Apr 14, 2000 (13:36)", "body": "*sigh* simply romantic Teg. I loved it."}, {"response": 97, "author": "Sharla", "date": "Sat, Apr 15, 2000 (10:05)", "body": "Teg, I'm sticking my head out of the closet (eventually the rest of my body will follow *grin*) to tell you how much I love this story! Brilliant... ;)"}, {"response": 98, "author": "Teg", "date": "Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (08:33)", "body": "Parallels Chapter Eleven The phone\ufffds ringing continued long enough for Elizabeth to conclude that no-one else was going to answer it. She put down her paintbrush and picked up the phone. \ufffdLizzy?\ufffd Jane sounded surprised. \ufffdI didn\ufffdt expect you to answer. What are you doing?\ufffd Elizabeth looked at the brush resting on the edge of the paint can. \ufffdPainting a chair.\ufffd \ufffdYou were what?\ufffd Jane asked. Elizabeth could almost see her shaking her head in disbelief. \ufffdYou heard correctly, Jane,\ufffd her sister laughed. \ufffdWhat\ufffds up? Did you or Charles forget something here on the weekend?\ufffd \ufffdNot this time,\ufffd Jane replied. \ufffdI need to talk to you. Could you and Will come for dinner on Wednesday?\ufffd That caught Elizabeth\ufffds attention. \ufffdI\ufffdm sure we can,\ufffd she said, sitting down. \ufffdYou sound serious, Jane. Is something wrong?\ufffd \ufffdIt\ufffds just some information that Charles recently received. We need to discuss it with you and Will.\ufffd With her own husband\ufffds condition prominent in her thoughts, Elizabeth enquired, \ufffdCharles isn\ufffdt ill, is he? You\ufffdre both alright?\ufffd \ufffdOh, nothing like that, Lizzy. You know I\ufffdd tell you right away if that were the case,\ufffd Jane assured her. Her sister felt a twinge of guilt. \ufffdThank goodness. Wednesday will be fine, then. We\ufffdll see you around six?\ufffd \ufffdPerfect. I\ufffdll let you get back to your painting, Lizzy,\ufffd Jane chuckled. \ufffdI wouldn\ufffdt want you to lose the motivation.\ufffd They said their goodbyes, and Elizabeth returned to her task. A few hours later she heard the sounds of the children returning from school. Already, Rebecca was calling her name. Elizabeth poked her head out into the hallway. \ufffdI\ufffdm in here.\ufffd Rebecca was speaking before she even entered the room. \ufffdI forgot to tell you this morning, but then Kathleen said she wanted to come, too.\ufffd \ufffdWhat are you talking about, Rebecca?\ufffd Elizabeth patiently asked her daughter. \ufffdWe\ufffdre going to Dan\ufffds for our tea. He asked me yesterday, and Kathleen asked if she could go with me. Is that alright, Mum?\ufffd Dan, again, Elizabeth thought. \ufffdThat\ufffds fine, but you mustn\ufffdt be late. It\ufffds a school night. Do either of you have homework?\ufffd Kathleen, standing in the doorway, shook her head. Rebecca said, \ufffdI did mine at school on my free period. We won\ufffdt be late. Thanks, Mum!\ufffd Both girls raced out the front door before Elizabeth could say another word. With Will and Georgiana at the solicitor\ufffds going over more papers, that would leave her and the boys alone for their tea. Elizabeth set about cleaning up her workspace and put away the paint cans. Then she went upstairs to get cleaned up herself. Aaron and Rich were already into the food before she appeared in the dining room. Elizabeth shook her head. Ben\ufffds appetite as a teenager was something to behold, but having two such voracious appetites in the house at once was something else! Rich looked up guiltily when he saw her enter. \ufffdSorry, Mum. We were hungry.\ufffd Elizabeth waved off his apology and sat down. \ufffdRich, you\ufffdve met your sister\ufffds friend, Dan, haven\ufffdt you?\ufffd Rich nodded as his mouth was full. \ufffdWhat can you tell me about him?\ufffd Rich reached for his glass of milk and took a large gulp. \ufffdHe\ufffds one of the grooms at the stable.\ufffd Elizabeth suppressed the urge to sigh. \ufffdThat much I know, dear. Do you know anything else about him?\ufffd Rich shrugged his shoulders disinterestedly. \ufffdHe\ufffds a nice chap. He\ufffds got a really nice car! I think he bought it with the money he earned last year in Europe. Well, I think that\ufffds what he said.\ufffd \ufffdOh, Dan went to Europe last year, too?\ufffd Elizabeth tried to sound casual. \ufffdYep.\ufffd Elizabeth cringed slightly at her son\ufffds use of that word. She knew he\ufffdd picked it up from Aaron, along with a few others she wasn\ufffdt very fond of. \ufffdActually,\ufffd Rich continued, \ufffdI think he\ufffds been over a few times.\ufffd \ufffdA few times?\ufffd Elizabeth asked, her curiosity piqued a bit more. \ufffdHow old is he?\ufffd Rich looked up thoughtfully. \ufffdOh, he\ufffds got to be at least twenty-one!\ufffd he said in a tone which indicated he thought that was very old indeed. Elizabeth thought it best to drop the subject at that point. Rebecca would be the one to answer the rest of her questions, and Elizabeth planned to ask them as soon as possible. *** \ufffdRebecca?\ufffd Elizabeth\ufffds middle daughter paused on her way past the music room door. Popping her head into the room, she smiled. \ufffdYes, Mum?\ufffd \ufffdWould you come in here, please. I\ufffdd like to speak with you for a few minutes.\ufffd \ufffdWell,\ufffd Rebecca began and stopped. She looked behind her quickly, then back at her mother. \ufffdOkay.\ufffd As she entered the room, Elizabeth asked her to close the door. Rebecca complied and took a seat on the sofa beside her mother. \ufffdI\ufffdll come straight to the point,\ufffd Elizabeth said, \ufffdbefore your father does. What is going on between you and Dan?\ufffd Rebecca stared at her mother in silence. Then she smiled. \ufffdThere\ufffds nothing going on, Mum. We\ufffdre just friends.\ufffd \ufffdJust friends.\ufffd Elizabeth pursed her lips thoughtfully. \ufffdIs this your opinion, or Dan\ufffds?\ufffd \ufffdBoth.\ufffd Rebecca frowned. \ufffdMum, he\ufffds twenty-five. Besides, he\ufffds not interested in me that way.\ufffd \ufffdOh, really. And "}, {"response": 99, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (09:33)", "body": "So it's pay back time, barging in on intimate moments. The difference being that this ended in hostility,....but you'll make it right eventually, I know!!! The scene when the Bingleys learn about William's condition is soooo well-written!! Powerful chapter, Teg."}, {"response": 100, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (01:35)", "body": "Hmmm!! A bit quiet and for so long!!!! So instead I have to suffer dividing my time between This Year's Love and the Secret Laughter Of Women. You don't know how I have suffered!! Hopefully, Teg is on the point of relieving my suffering!!!! I dare not hope for Irene or Gail or EsBee or Danielle or any of the other contributors...yet .....I'm an addict, and I need my ddt (daily drool, thankyou)"}, {"response": 101, "author": "gailw", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (07:30)", "body": "Hellooooooooooooooooooooooo! Glad you're around Hanne or this house would certainly be empty. Lately I've been tossing a story idea around in my mind. We'll see if it develops into anything over the weekend. Irene WHERE ARE YOU? You have left us hanging for too long!! EsBee I hope you are going to add onto your story - what's up with Georgie? We're dying to know!!"}, {"response": 102, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (13:51)", "body": "Now you're here, Gail, what happened to the Wedding Singer???? On DWG! You never finished it.... As my mom always says, check before you speak and I just did ...you must have done it while I was away...hmmm *crawling back in my hole* BUT should you decide on a little enhancement...I don't think we'll object...*looking over the sea of nodding heads*.....too much (*_*)"}, {"response": 103, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (13:52)", "body": "...*looking over the sea of nodding heads* If you think it's because they're falling asleep, it's time to wake them....!!!"}, {"response": 104, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Sat, Apr 29, 2000 (07:41)", "body": "From another list I'm on,. Just to show you the difference between men and women! HER STORY: He was in an odd mood when I got to the bar, I thought it might have been because I was a bit late but he didn't say anything much about it. The conversation was quite slow going so I thought we should go off somewhere more intimate so we could talk more privately. So we went to this restaurant and he's STILL acting a bit funny and I'm trying to cheer him up and start to wonder whether it's me or something else. I ask him, and he says no. But you know I'm not really sure. So anyway, in the cab back to his house, I say that I love him and he just puts his arm around me. I don't know what the hell this means, because you know he doesn't say it back or anything. We finally get back to his place and I'm wondering if he's going to dump me! So I try to ask him about it but he just switches on the TV. Reluctantly, I say I'm going to go to sleep. Then, after about 10 minutes, he joins me and we have sex. But, he still seemed really distracted, so afterwards I just wanted to leave. I dunno, I just don't know what he thinks anymore. I mean, do you think he's met someone else? HIS STORY: Lousy day at work. Tired. Got laid, though."}, {"response": 105, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Apr 29, 2000 (08:10)", "body": "Funny story, Hanne. Moral is women think too much and men not enough. ;-) Or....women think with their hearts and men with their... well, you get the picture."}, {"response": 106, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Sat, Apr 29, 2000 (10:20)", "body": "Uhmmmmm, that was what I though!!!!"}, {"response": 107, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Apr 29, 2000 (11:05)", "body": "women think with their hearts and men with their... ...brains."}, {"response": 108, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Sat, Apr 29, 2000 (12:20)", "body": "women think with their hearts and men with their... ...brains. LOL Then they have got a completely different anatomy from human beings! Is that why they have a name for their...brains...to be on familiar terms with their most important organ, the one which makes all the decisions?,-DDD"}, {"response": 109, "author": "gailw", "date": "Sat, Apr 29, 2000 (19:09)", "body": "You got that right Hanne! OK enough male bashing! How about a nice sexy story. Anyone? Anyone? Hmmmmm. I wonder what body part that came from?"}, {"response": 110, "author": "Teka", "date": "Sat, Apr 29, 2000 (21:32)", "body": "Gail, Please!!! Post \"The Wedding Singer\". I would love to read the version here."}, {"response": 111, "author": "Teg", "date": "Sun, Apr 30, 2000 (08:23)", "body": "Ahhh... it's been so long! I hope this is where I left off! *snort* Liked that little snippet, Hanne. And it's sooooo true! We ladies do think far too much! I wonder what it's like to be so base in one's outlook on life? ;) Parallels Chapter Twelve \ufffdHe wouldn\ufffdt deny a thing, Elizabeth.\ufffd Will leaned his head against his hand as he held the phone to his ear. \ufffdAnd she was there, too. Bold as brass, in his flat.\ufffd \ufffdWhat did he say, Will?\ufffd \ufffdHe said I didn\ufffdt understand, then he refused to discuss the situation.\ufffd Will sighed. \ufffdHe also said he loves her.\ufffd \ufffdOh, Will.\ufffd Elizabeth\ufffds voice was heavy with emotion. \ufffdWe\ufffdre not going to lose him over this, are we?\ufffd Her husband grimaced as he remembered his parting remark to their son. \ufffdI hope not.\ufffd \ufffdWhere are you now?\ufffd \ufffdI took a room in a Bed and Breakfast around the corner from Ben\ufffds flat. I\ufffdll go back tomorrow and see if he\ufffds more willing to talk.\ufffd If he even lets me in the door, Will thought grimly. \ufffdI\ufffdll call you after I\ufffdve seen him tomorrow, my dear.\ufffd \ufffdWill, you have to make him see reason. He can\ufffdt be in love with her. She lives with another man!\ufffd Will could hear the sobs that his wife was trying to hold back. \ufffdElizabeth, please don\ufffdt upset yourself. I\ufffdll deal with him in the morning. I promise you won\ufffdt lose him, Liz.\ufffd But I can\ufffdt make that promise for myself. \ufffdI know you\ufffdll do everything you can, Will,\ufffd Elizabeth said in a stronger voice. \ufffdGoodnight.\ufffd \ufffdGoodnight, Liz.\ufffd Will put the phone down and lay back on the bed. Thanks, Elizabeth. You just gave me some ammunition for tomorrow. Ben has always been more afraid of your disapproval than mine. *** Brenda came through the door on a tide of angry emotion. She let the door slip out of her hold and it closed with a loud thunk. \ufffdBrenda? Is that you?\ufffd came a woman\ufffds voice from the front room. \ufffdYes,\ufffd she called, adding under her breath, \ufffdIt\ufffds just me.\ufffd \ufffdI didn\ufffdt expect you back so early.\ufffd The other woman appeared in the front entry. She was around twenty with short blonde hair and a freckled face. She noticed Brenda\ufffds troubled expression. \ufffdWhat happened? Did you and Ben have a row?\ufffd \ufffdOh, yes, did we ever!\ufffd Brenda whipped her shoes off. \ufffdAfter he finished arguing with his father!\ufffd She peered through the house to the window that looked out on the back garden. \ufffdWhere are the kids?\ufffd \ufffdSarah is playing in her room and Kevin went to Jared\ufffds house. He\ufffdll be back soon.\ufffd Brenda went into the front room and threw herself into a chair. \ufffdOh, Andrea, what a mess!\ufffd Andrea sat down on the sofa and flicked the television off. \ufffdTell me all about it.\ufffd \ufffdBen\ufffds father showed up at the flat, all of a sudden. He was livid! He had found out about Ben and I seeing each other, but he was under the impression that I was married! He thought Ben was having an affair with a married woman!\ufffd \ufffdBut Ben set him straight on that, right?\ufffd \ufffdNo!\ufffd Brenda huffed. \ufffdHe practically told him to mind his own business. His father said Ben isn\ufffdt welcome at home until he comes to his senses. Then he stormed out of the flat. I could have strangled Ben for letting him go without telling him the truth.\ufffd \ufffdIs that what you argued about?\ufffd Brenda threw her hands in the air. \ufffdI can\ufffdt believe he would be so stubborn! That he would deliberately let his parents believe that I am some cheap whore corrupting their little boy, just because he is too proud to let his father know what is really happening. Ben would rather let his father find out his mistake on his own and then have to apologize!\ufffd Andrea looked puzzled. \ufffdI don\ufffdt quite follow you on this. First of all, why would Ben\ufffds father even think you are married?\ufffd \ufffdI don\ufffdt know, but Ben has never told them about me. I can only imagine what a shock it must have been for his parents to find out.\ufffd \ufffdEspecially in light of what they\ufffdre thinking the situation is.\ufffd Andrea was silent for a few minutes, her mind formulating an idea. \ufffdBrenda, what if you talked to his parents yourself? You could straighten everything out.\ufffd Brenda put a hand to her forehead. \ufffdI don\ufffdt know. I thought of that, too, but I\ufffdm not even sure they\ufffdd want to see me, let alone listen to anything I have to say.\ufffd She sighed and looked at her friend. \ufffdI suppose it\ufffds worth a try.\ufffd The front door slammed. \ufffdMUM?\ufffd \ufffdLater tonight,\ufffd Brenda whispered, then called out over her shoulder, \ufffdI\ufffdm in here, Kevin.\ufffd A nine-year-old boy ambled into the room and stationed himself at Brenda\ufffds elbow. \ufffdI\ufffdm starved, Mum. What\ufffds for tea?\ufffd Brenda tousled her son\ufffds hair. \ufffdHow about you get your sister and all four of us go to the chippy?\ufffd \ufffdYeah!\ufffd Kevin\ufffds face lit up and he raced from the room. His feet could be heard pounding up the stairs. \ufffdHave you said anything about Ben to your parents, yet? Or Ian\ufffds?\ufffd Andrea enquired. \ufffdIf you haven\ufffdt, I don\ufffdt think you should be quite so hard on Ben for keeping it to himself.\ufffd \ufffdI told my parents at Christmas that I was seeing someone. I didn\ufffdt elaborate.\ufffd Brenda looked away. \ufffdIan\ufffds parents are another matter. I\ufffdm not sure how they will react to the news. After "}, {"response": 112, "author": "Teg", "date": "Sun, Apr 30, 2000 (08:51)", "body": "Hah! And sooner than you thought, too! :) Parallels Chapter Thirteen Brenda picked up her belongings and left the office. It had been a lousy day at work, and her mind had kept wandering from the task at hand, puzzling over Ben\ufffds whereabouts. Even her supervisor had noticed her preoccupation. Brenda sighed as his words of reprimand echoed in her head. It had been four days since her argument with Ben at his flat. Although she felt terrible about some of the things she\ufffdd said, Brenda knew that he had to settle his differences with his parents before she could allow Ben back into her arms. That was going to be the hardest part of all. She didn\ufffdt want to be the cause of any estrangement between him and his family. Ben needed his family, and Brenda wanted to make sure he realized it. So, she\ufffdd come to a decision that afternoon. Brenda picked her way along the sidewalk to the bus stop and waited with the crowd just beginning to assemble. The bus arrived, and the people arranged themselves in an ordered line to get on. Once seated, Brenda merely stared out of the window, her mind still very far away. Her stop appeared. She got out and pasted a smile on her face as the school building came within sight. Kevin and Sarah would be waiting for her just inside the wall of the schoolyard. Brenda rounded the corner and halted in her tracks. \ufffdBen!\ufffd she cried in surprise. Ben was holding Sarah with one arm while he kicked a football back and forth with Kevin. He glanced up at Brenda and grinned. \ufffdHi there.\ufffd His tone was nonchalant, as if nothing unusual had happened only three days ago. As if he hadn\ufffdt disappeared in the intervening time. As if she had no reason to be angry with him! Brenda finally found her voice. \ufffdWhat are you doing here?\ufffd Ben used his most charming smile and aimed it at her. \ufffdI missed you and the kids. I thought perhaps I could take you three out tonight.\ufffd \ufffdAll right!\ufffd Kevin cried excitedly. Brenda felt her blood boil. How dare you, Ben! How dare you come back here and try to ignore everything that\ufffds happened? And to use my children to get to me!! \ufffdHave you spoken with your father, yet?\ufffd she asked in a tightly controlled voice. Ben\ufffds smile faltered for a moment, but he recovered quickly. \ufffdNo, I\ufffdve been away.\ufffd \ufffdMummy, can Ben stay for tea with us?\ufffd Sarah\ufffds wide-eyed expression made any refusal heartbreaking. But Brenda had made her decision earlier. \ufffdNot today, sweetheart.\ufffd She met Ben\ufffds gaze with a hardened one of her own. \ufffdHe has to finish up something with his father before he can come to our house.\ufffd Ever again, she added silently. Ben\ufffds smile faded. He looked as if he couldn\ufffdt believe what she\ufffdd just said. \ufffdAw, Mum!\ufffd Kevin whined, kicking at a stone on the ground. \ufffdBut he was going to take us out tonight!\ufffd He looked up at Ben. \ufffdCouldn\ufffdt you come over after you talk to your father?\ufffd Ben tried to smile at the boy reassuringly, but he felt far from assured himself. His entire plan was falling apart before his eyes. \ufffdI guess it won\ufffdt be tonight, Kevin,\ufffd he said, eyes never leaving Brenda\ufffds face. \ufffdIt will take more than a telephone call to work things out with my Dad.\ufffd Kevin grumbled and complained while his mother and Ben continued to eye one another cautiously. Finally Brenda moved to take Sarah from Ben\ufffds arms. \ufffdWe must be off now, so that I can get these two their tea.\ufffd Ben relinquished his hold on the little girl. Brenda felt a pain in her heart at the hurt expression on his face. \ufffdCould I call you tonight?\ufffd he asked faintly. For a moment she wasn\ufffdt sure what the answer should be. Then, dipping her head, Brenda nodded. She gathered her children to her and left the schoolyard, not daring to look back at the lone figure who stood watching them go. Several hours later, the children had been put to bed and still the phone had not rung. Brenda sat next to the stubbornly silent thing and stared at it. Why did I say he could call? He\ufffds only going to try to break down my defences. She went to the kitchen to make herself a cup of tea. She couldn\ufffdt help recalling the picture of Ben and the kids in the schoolyard that afternoon. He had looked so relaxed with them, so natural. He\ufffdd certainly come a long way since first meeting Kevin. Brenda chuckled at that memory. Ben had expected an angry, brooding boy. His own cousin had recently lost his father, and Ben\ufffds experience with Aaron\ufffds hostility had caused him to anticipate the same in her son. But Kevin had surprised him by taking to Ben almost instantly. So much so, in fact, that Ben was hard pressed to find time alone with Brenda. Kevin was constantly crying for his attention. Brenda sighed as she stirred her tea. Her son\ufffds attachment to Ben was a troubling item for her. Although she was pleased to see how well they got along, she was nonetheless apprehensive about Kevin getting hurt in the current crossfire. And even Sarah was already firmly devoted to Ben. They both missed their own father, but Ben was more than just a substitute for Ian. Ben had made them all"}, {"response": 113, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, May  2, 2000 (11:25)", "body": "Teg, thanks for posting more! Ben can be such an idiot (like most men i know...) oops, i'm slipping back into the male bashing, arent i? :-) for those wondering, yes -there is more to my story. i just have to finish writing it. :-) Unfortuanatley i'm a SLOW writer ...but i'll try to hurry it along. In the meantime, somebody else (Irene, Danille, Gail, anybody) post something!!!! Thanks again Teg! What would we do without your regular posts???"}, {"response": 114, "author": "Teg", "date": "Tue, May  2, 2000 (17:18)", "body": "Gee, if you call those regular..... Maybe some more fibre is called for. ;)"}, {"response": 115, "author": "Teg", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (20:57)", "body": "Okay, I couldn't post this last night for some reason. I kept getting an error message.. something about an invalid command. So, I hope it works tonight! Parallels Chapter Fourteen It was time. Brenda was tired of waiting around, unable to do anything, merely fielding repeated enquiries from Ben\ufffds father to no advantage for herself. The children were at a neighbour\ufffds, so there was no better time to place a call to Pemberley. \ufffdMr. Darcy, please.\ufffd Brenda waited, tapping her foot on the kitchen floor. \ufffdMr. Darcy? It\ufffds Brenda. I think it\ufffds time we had a talk.\ufffd She listened. \ufffdNo, here in Cambridge. At my place. I want you to know everything, no more misunderstandings between us.\ufffd Again she listened to the voice that sounded so much like one she sorely missed. \ufffdGreat. I\ufffdll see you tomorrow, then.\ufffd As she thoughtfully replaced the receiver, Brenda let out her breath and then turned her attention to making her children\ufffds tea. She spent the following morning going over her house with a fine tooth comb, making sure there was nothing out of place. After all, the Darcys were accustomed to impeccable surroundings, maintained by an efficient staff. Brenda had no desire to give them cause to find fault with her situation. By noon, she was satisfied that all that could be done had been done. There was nothing left to do but wait. The bell rang promptly at three o\ufffdclock. Brenda showed her guests into the front room and when they were seated, asked if they would like any refreshments. \ufffdYes, please, \ufffd Will began. Elizabeth shot him a look. \ufffdNo, thank you,\ufffd she said pointedly. Brenda paused, glancing at Will to see if he really did want something. He nodded and smiled slightly. \ufffdTea? Or could I get you something else?\ufffd \ufffdTea would be fine.\ufffd Will turned to his wife when Brenda was safely out of the room. \ufffdElizabeth, you promised to at least hear her out before rejecting her as unworthy of our son. I expect you to live up to that promise.\ufffd Elizabeth did not appear contrite in any way. She was determined not to like this young woman. Watching Brenda as she rejoined them, Elizabeth took in the appearance of her son\ufffds girlfriend. Brenda was not what one could consider beautiful, nor even pretty for that matter. She had a rather plain face, and did not appear to use much in the way of makeup to accentuate the attractive aspects. Her hair was straight and shoulder length, the light brown locks currently tied behind her head and held in place with a clip. This was not the woman Elizabeth had expected to see. She was not a polished, primping prima donna, nor was she a dolled up fancy piece. Brenda was a plain looking, plain speaking woman who looked younger than her thirty years. Not for the first time did Elizabeth wonder what her son saw in this woman. As Brenda fussed with the tea things, Elizabeth noted an absence of jewellery, most notably any rings, and sighed imperceptibly. Will accepted the cup with a smile, and Brenda settled into the chair opposite them. \ufffdI thought it was time we met,\ufffd she said nervously. \ufffdI think you deserve some sort of explanation for what has been going on.\ufffd Elizabeth\ufffds lips set in a thin line, but she left it to her husband to carry the conversation from here. It was Will who had insisted that they accept Brenda\ufffds invitation, after all. She would much rather have preferred to dislike the woman from a distance. \ufffdI suppose I should start at the beginning,\ufffd Brenda was saying. \ufffdYou know that I was married. My husband died about a year ago. Actually one year ago next week. It was a factory accident. Anyway, that left me suddenly alone with two small children to support. Although the compensation package and the insurance money was considerable...... this house is paid for, and my children have trust funds set up in their own names..... I still had to find myself a job for our day to day needs. I had few qualifications, but still managed to land myself a position with an investment firm downtown. It\ufffds nothing impressive, but it pays the bills. That\ufffds where I met Ben.\ufffd Elizabeth had been studying a photo of a smiling, attractive young man on a nearby shelf. This, she assumed, was Brenda\ufffds late husband. Her attention was drawn back at the mention of her son\ufffds name. \ufffdBen had approached my employer regarding research for an assignment he was doing. I was appointed to assist him by pulling any records he might require. We worked together for a couple of weeks. Ben was charming and polite, and he often asked me out for lunch, but I always declined. I wasn\ufffdt ready to start dating yet, and thought he was far too young for me anyway. Besides, I had my children to consider. They were still trying to deal with their father\ufffds absence, and I didn\ufffdt need them becoming attached to a man who wouldn\ufffdt be around very long, for I was sure that once Ben realized what the package included, he wouldn\ufffdt be as eager to get involved with me. So, I kept him at bay.\ufffd \ufffdFor two weeks.\ufffd Elizabeth couldn\ufffdt stop the words from escaping. Will "}, {"response": 116, "author": "gailw", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (08:05)", "body": "Thanks Teg for continuing your wonderful story (and keeping pressure off the rest of us). I do have a story in my head but unfortunately no time to get it out!"}, {"response": 117, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (13:44)", "body": "(Gail)(and keeping pressure off the rest of us). But....but.....but I don't see that, why is that, why should that be.... you can't hide behind Teg, tsk tsk!! Teg....Anna really is a bad girl,... how did that happen, don't give me \"equal rights\", neither of her parents has ever been promiscuous, except Darcy in the parking lot at Jane's and Charles' wedding, and that was only because he was out of his mind!! Keep it up and make her see what she's doing to herself;-))"}, {"response": 118, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (20:23)", "body": "(Hanne) except Darcy in the parking lot at Jane's and Charles' wedding, and that was only because he was out of his mind!! ROTF Hanne! I remember that hot moment as clearly as if it was me that Darcy was... well, anyway... Bad, Bad Anna! Thanks a bunch Teg! I've been away far too long... You've kept this place hot and steamy and i'm all appreciative to read so much in two nights! Umm... as far as having a story... I have several. However, they are all in my head and i haven't had the time to write them down. Not even a jot or two. *sigh* Irene! Gail! Esbee! Save us! Parallels is nearing the end!!!"}, {"response": 119, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, May  5, 2000 (11:44)", "body": "Yikes! Anna needs to get smacked up side of the head! (maybe it would knock some sence into her) Thanks Teg, Cant wait for the reconcilation between Ben and his parents!! Since nobody else seems to have anything close to ready, i'll try to get mine done this weekend... *warning* dont hold your breathe :-)"}, {"response": 120, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (10:47)", "body": "uuuuuuwwwwwwwp *holding breath Esbee!*"}, {"response": 121, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (12:35)", "body": "Well, Dani, now that you have some air (oxygen) under pressure as nourishment for your brain, you could think out/up some story.....I mean you don't have to use your hands for that, they are free to type;-DDD!!!"}, {"response": 122, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (12:57)", "body": "Hanne, all I really need are a dictaphone and someone to decipher my cluttered and confused ideas and post them. Since I don't have those luxuries, I'll do my best to get something down soon... *i'm still holding my breath, Esbee!*"}, {"response": 123, "author": "icappleg", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (22:25)", "body": "Hey, there! I just wanted to thank everybody for the e-mails asking about the next chapters of \"Having Nothing, Nothing Can He Lose.\" Unfortunately, I've just been very ill lately. I've told the folks who have e-mailed that I have an outline for the rest of the story, though, that I can leave behind so a friend of mine (I thought about my sister, but then changed my mind) can finish the story for me if necessary. So hopefully we can move forward soon. Thank goodness I have the previous chapters on a web site, so my friend won't have a terrible time catching up. . . Again, thanks for the mails . . . although I've been slow in responding."}, {"response": 124, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (01:51)", "body": "Oh dear, Irene. I hope you feel much better soon. Don't let us pressure you about the story - just concentrate on getting well!"}, {"response": 125, "author": "gailw", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (09:51)", "body": "Oh dear, Irene. I hope you feel much better soon. Don't let us pressure you about the story - just concentrate on getting well! Ditto Irene. Hope you are feeling better. We do miss you. Hanne - you are anxious for any of us to write a story - how about you?"}, {"response": 126, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (10:53)", "body": "Irene, while we would love more of your story, we would much rather have you recovered and feeling well. *hugs* Umm, Danielle.... you'd better let out that breath and take another big gulp of air. :-) I did work on my story this weekend, but to be honest, it still needs alot of work. (Understatement of the year) So somebody else Please relieve our suffering and post some good drool."}, {"response": 127, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (13:11)", "body": "*whistling*"}, {"response": 128, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (18:04)", "body": "Irene! Glad you were able to stop in just to say Hi! I hope you'll soon be feeling like your old self again... We miss you. *ppppphhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwww* Esbee, I was turning BLUE !!! And Gail... Hanne - you are anxious for any of us to write a story - how about you? YOU ARE WASTING YOUR BREATH!!!"}, {"response": 129, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (02:12)", "body": "And Gail... Hanne - you are anxious for any of us to write a story - how about you? YOU ARE WASTING YOUR BREATH!!! LOL I couldn't have put it better myself!!!;-) And hey, I have given you some titbits (using the British spelling) on special occasions like Christmas and Easter and...and...so on!!!"}, {"response": 130, "author": "Teg", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (20:17)", "body": "Here I am again. Like a dirty sock, I keep turning up. ;) Parallels Chapter Fifteen 3:52 am. Ben rolled over onto his back and laid an arm across his eyes. At this rate he would never get any sleep! For hours he had lain in bed, unable to shut off his thoughts, his feelings. Seeing his sister\ufffds frivolous attitude toward sex and relationships had driven the point deep. He was not proud of his actions where Brenda was concerned. She deserved far better, he reflected, than the spoiled rich brat that he had shown himself to be. That was why he\ufffdd stayed away from her for so long. On one hand, he wished she had come looking for him, but he realized that was just his ego talking. Women were always looking for Ben. Brenda was the only woman he was looking for. And oh how he missed her! Kevin and Sarah were not far behind in his estimation, either. Ben adored those two children, and only the knowledge that he could cause them further pain by showing up on Brenda\ufffds doorstep kept him away. I\ufffdve ruined everything. *** \ufffdHere you are! I thought we were going to the park for some football?\ufffd Rich sat down on the grass beside his cousin. Aaron tossed another stone into the water and watched it hit the surface with a resounding \ufffdplunk\ufffd. \ufffdSorry. I forgot.\ufffd \ufffdOh.\ufffd Aaron\ufffds head came up and he looked Rich square in the eyes. \ufffdWe\ufffdre going back to New York.\ufffd \ufffdWho is?\ufffd Rich was hoping it wasn\ufffdt what he thought. \ufffdMy Mom and me.\ufffd Aaron resumed his tossing of stones into the pond. \ufffdShe told me this morning.\ufffd \ufffdWhen are you leaving?\ufffd Rich asked quietly. Flinging his stone as far as possible, Aaron replied, \ufffdJuly. After school\ufffds out.\ufffd Rich rummaged around in the grass for some stones of his own. \ufffdIs it final? I mean, do you think she might change her mind?\ufffd \ufffdNo, it\ufffds final. Once Mom makes up her mind, that\ufffds it. We\ufffdre going.\ufffd The two boys were silent for a while, tossing their small missiles into the water. Finally Rich turned to face the other boy. \ufffdI have an idea!\ufffd His face reflected his enthusiasm for the plan. \ufffdYou won\ufffdt get her to change her mind, Rich.\ufffd Aaron shook his head dismally. \ufffdI didn\ufffdt mean that. But perhaps my Dad will let me go with you, for the summer at least. Before school starts again!\ufffd The idea was sounding better to him now that he\ufffdd said it aloud. \ufffdThen you can teach me some more about baseball and hockey and stuff!\ufffd Aaron\ufffds face lit up. \ufffdYeah, that sounds great! I can show you all the great places in New York. You won\ufffdt believe the stuff to do!\ufffd \ufffdRight, then. Let\ufffds go find my Dad and ask him right now.\ufffd Rich scrambled to his feet. Aaron followed suit and they raced each other across the grass to the front steps of the house. Flinging open the front doors, they pounded through the lower hallway to come to a skidding halt outside the door to Will\ufffds study. \ufffdI\ufffdm not supposed to bother him when he\ufffds working, but I don\ufffdt think he\ufffdll mind.\ufffd Rich smiled at his cousin. \ufffdThis is important, after all.\ufffd Will was on the telephone when his son pushed open the door and peered in. Looking over his shoulder, Will frowned slightly, then returned his attention to the call. After a few moments, accompanied by an impatient shuffling of feet from the two boys, Will finished his conversation and swivelled his chair around to face his son. \ufffdYes?\ufffd he asked simply. \ufffdDad, I had a great idea, and you just have to say yes!\ufffd Rich said as he approached his father. \ufffdI do?\ufffd Will narrowed his gaze. \ufffdAnd this idea would be.....?\ufffd \ufffdI could go with Aunt Janna and Aaron when they go back to America. Just to help Aunt Janna get things sorted, mind. I\ufffdm sure she could use some help since the house has been closed up for almost a year.\ufffd Will did not look convinced. \ufffdRich, would you mind starting that again? Only, this time, give me a plausible reason for you going.\ufffd \ufffdUm.\ufffd Rich glanced at Aaron, then back at his father. \ufffdI\ufffdd like to spend the summer with Aaron, Dad. There\ufffds all kinds of things to see and do in New York, and I promise not to be any trouble for Aunt Janna while I\ufffdm there..... please?\ufffd Will\ufffds gaze was thoughtful. Rebecca will be in Europe, Ben is nowhere to be found, Georgiana and Aaron off for America, and if Rich goes with them that will leave Anna and Kathleen at home. This house is emptying quickly! \ufffdI\ufffdll need to discuss this with your mother and your aunt, Rich.\ufffd The boy\ufffds smile beamed. \ufffdThanks, Dad!\ufffd he cried. In his eyes it was as good as settled. He would be going to New York! Will watched the two boys race from the room. He shook his head in amusement. They are as thick as thieves, now. Who could have predicted that after the wretched beginning last summer? He turned his attention back to the tasks on his desk. *** \ufffdKathleen?\ufffd She looked up at the sound of her mother\ufffds voice. \ufffdYes, Mum?\ufffd Elizabeth sat down on the bench next to her youngest daughter. She glanced at the book in Kathleen\ufffds hands. \ufffdIt\ufffds a lovely day to be reading in the garden.\ufffd Kathleen frowned in puzzlement. Elizabeth gazed around them at the blooming flowers and smell"}, {"response": 131, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (03:22)", "body": "Aaaaaaarg, Teg,...with all the tender talk between E&D, you leave us with this frustration!! What is it with him???? He hasn't got a clue about the heartache he causes!!"}, {"response": 132, "author": "gailw", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (16:59)", "body": "OK, I finally got this story out of my brain and onto my PC. Well part of it anyway. It's a short story (2 or 3 parts only) and it's about a subject of which I never grow tired. If you are sick of D&E wedding night stories don't bother reading any further. Not very original but I just like writing about the sex! Surrender, Part I Darcy sat on a sofa in front of the roaring fireplace, legs stretched towards its warmth, an empty wineglass in the fingertips of his right hand. He was casually dressed in black woolen trousers with the sleeves of his fine lawn shirt rolled up to his elbows. He had earlier discarded his confining neckcloth and opened the top buttons of his shirt in an effort to breathe, which was becoming more difficult by the minute in his anticipation for what was to come. His steadfast gaze into the flames did not reflect his thoughts, which were tender and wistful. In his mind\ufffds eye he could see his beloved as she stood radiantly beside him earlier that day, her eyes shining as she looked up at him through tears of joy. Her dark tresses were hidden by a pristine white bonnet save for a few unruly curls peeking out from the edges. He had longed to twirl them in his fingers but that would have been most inappropriate given the setting. Her small gloved hands clutched a modest bouquet of winter roses and greenery, hich released an intoxicating aroma that he could still smell in his imagination. Her voice as she spoke her vows was soft but steady while his own had quavered with the realization that all of his dreams had finally come true. For this was the day his dearest Elizabeth had become his wife. His countenance settled into a frown as he recalled what had transpired after the wedding breakfast. The ride from Longbourn to London had seemed interminable. They had been awkward with each other and tongue-tied. While this was not a new experience for Darcy, he was surprised at his bride\ufffds reticence. She had never before in his presence been at a loss for words. He remembered her at Rosings, professing that her courage always rose to any occasion but perhaps the emotionally charged nature of the day had been, for once, more than her pluck could cope with. It discomfited him a bit that Elizabeth had been dauntless at the church in front of their families and friends but quiet and uneasy when alone with him. Their tension turned into exhaustion and both dozed off and on during the trip. Elizabeth did not appear any less anxious upon reaching the townhouse and scarcely touched her dinner. Conversation was stilted and he couldn\ufffdt wait to leave the table behind. He then left Elizabeth to her maid an set himself in their bedchamber to await her, quickly downing a glass of wine to quiet his own nerves which had grown with her apprehension. It had been a long difficult struggle to reach this point. He had loved and longed for her for more than a year, frequently despairing that she was lost to him forever. His joy at their reconciliation and her acceptance of his hand had been great. Their engagement passed blissfully with the blossoming of their love and the ever increasing certainty that their marriage would be the envy of the world, for surely no two people were ever more suitably matched than they. Their stolen kisses warmed his blood as she eagerly responded to his advances, fueling his passion to such a degree that his dreams of her became shockingly explicit. Fortunately their engagement came to an end before he lost control in her presence. Now tonight he could finally show her the depth of his love and passion. He hoped he wouldn\ufffdt disappoint. The well-oiled hinges moved silently as the great oak door opened into the bedchamber. Elizabeth stood at the entrance and observed her husband in his reverie. The frown on his face disconcerted her and added to her anxiety. The trembling she had worked so hard to calm came rushing back in full force. She could not move or speak and clung onto the door frame for dear life. Her shaking became so violent that her teeth chattered which startled Darcy out of his deep contemplation of the fire. He looked up and was immediately mesmerized by the vision before him. Elizabeth\ufffds sleeveless white silk nightgown seductively hugged her womanly curves, which were exposed by her widely flung arms. Her loosened hair beautifully framed her porcelain skin, wide eyes and ruby lips and tumbled wildly over her shoulders and down her back. Darcy sat stunned for several minutes reveling in the sight before him, not comprehending that his bride was glued to the door in fright. \ufffdElizabeth\ufffd,\ufffd he murmured softly, unable to say more. When he finally realized she would not come to him, he roused himself and went to take her hands. He had to pry them off the doorway and felt her intense quaking as she looked up at him with large frightened eyes. \ufffdElizabeth, dearest,\ufffd he began, \ufffdare you ill?\ufffd \ufffdN-n-n-no,\ufffd she stammered, \ufffdj-j-j-just n-n-n-nervous.\ufffd Darcy gently led her to a chair and pull"}, {"response": 133, "author": "Teg", "date": "Sun, May 14, 2000 (05:35)", "body": "But you stopped there!!! AAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH! Gail, how could you do that to us????? ;)"}, {"response": 134, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Sun, May 14, 2000 (11:49)", "body": "I second that!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH ..... She was drowning in unfamiliar and overwhelming sensations but she didn\ufffdt want to come up for air. She let herself float on a wave of desire until she became caught in Darcy\ufffds whirlpool of passion. Wonderful, these two sentences make way for a really....ahm.....heated next part!!! Aren't you supposed to relive your life when drowning???;-))LOL. That would be awkward!!"}, {"response": 135, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (20:38)", "body": "Teg!!!!!!! Get on with it! Get Ben back to Pemberley and fis this mess! How long has it been? Months since he's seen his parents or Brenda? ARGH!!! Darcy\ufffds whirlpool... Gail, you left me hanging and I can't help but think of the 'laundry' that is piling up! Sad, I know... Now, get to it! So that I can start thinking more on the lines of a jacuzzi or just something hot and steamy!!"}, {"response": 136, "author": "gailw", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (08:38)", "body": "Surrender, Part II Elizabeth pulled back slightly, looking at Darcy in wonder and desire. Wrapping her hands around his neck she brazenly kissed him firmly on the mouth. Her boldness greatly pleased her new husband. Pulling his mouth away from hers, Darcy spoke huskily, \ufffdLizzy, I must have you now.\ufffd Picking her up in his arms, he carried her to the bed and laid her down gently on the soft coverlet. Climbing up next to her, he pulled her into his embrace, partially covering her body with his. Breath quickening, Elizabeth ran her fingers through his hair. Darcy pressed his lower body tightly against her and pulled her nightgown down freeing her breasts. Panting heavily he lowered his mouth to one aroused nipple, teasing it with his tongue while he caressed her other breast with his fingers. Elizabeth closed her eyes and gritted her teeth. NO!!! I will not listen to my mother\ufffds voice now!! She willed her mouth to stop grinding and her eyes to open. Her interest was caught by Darcy\ufffds actions, effectively stopping her mother\ufffds voice from ringing in her ears. She purred at the delicious sensations his attentions were affecting. Of their own accord, her hips began to rock, repeatedly pushing against the hardness contained in Darcy\ufffds trousers. She moaned softly as she continued to play with his curls, completely enraptured by these new ways of expressing love. Elizabeth\ufffds movements, sounds and the soft velvety texture of her skin combined to drive Darcy wild. His body stiffened suddenly and he gave one firm push into Elizabeth\ufffds nether region causing his body to release, spilling his seed wastefully into his pants. A strangled sob escaped his throat as he laid his head on her chest desperately attempting to catch his breath and calm his pounding heart. It wasn\ufffdt what he had intended to do, but after months of longing for his woman he had surrendered to his lust and lost all control. \ufffdLizzy,\ufffd he whispered shakily, \ufffdLizzy, I love you.\ufffd Having no comprehension of Darcy\ufffds rapture, Elizabeth was surprised by the sudden cessation of activity. The look on Darcy\ufffds face a moment before had been one of pain and she hoped she hadn\ufffdt hurt him in some way. Now he was a mass of quivering, heaving flesh lying heavily on top of her. He spoke so softly she had to strain to hear his endearments. \ufffdIs something wrong my love?\ufffd she queried. \ufffdNo, no, I am well. Elizabeth, I\ufffdm going to go change. I\ufffdll join you in a few minutes. Please relax sweetheart.\ufffd To Elizabeth\ufffds astonishment, Darcy leapt out of bed and headed toward his dressing room, pausing to add, \ufffdPlease remove your nightgown my dear.\ufffd The door closed behind him. How could he leave me now? And like this? Elizabeth wondered. She had been primed to accept her husband totally and now he had abandoned her. How could he? She laid back against the pillows, puzzled as to why he had left her alone so suddenly and wondering what would happen when he came back. Evidently there was more to come as he had asked her to remove her gown. She did and then slipped between the cool sheets. Other than bathing, Elizabeth had never spent any time without her clothes and her nakedness made her feel wanton. When she imagined her husband returning to find her thus she blushed a deep red. Unsure as to how to greet Darcy\ufffds return, Elizabeth experimented with different positions. Sitting up with the covers pooled at her waist, her breast covered by her cascading hair a la Lady Godiva. No\ufffdmore seductive than she was comfortable with at this point in her marriage. Laying flat on her back, covers pulled tightly up to her chin. No\ufffdtoo stiff and uncomfortable. Not inviting enough. Elizabeth recalled in younger days glimpsing various animals around Longbourn in the process of procreation. The male had always entered the female from behind. Perhaps on her hands and knees then? On top of the bed or under the covers? She blushed even redder. No\ufffdmuch too brazen. And she really wasn\ufffdt sure that human sexual contact was conducted in any way resembling animals. Better to not chance making a mistake. Her husband expected to be innocent but she was loathe to appear totally na\ufffdve. She finally settled on sitting with her arms around her knees, modestly covered but with bare shoulders peeking thr ugh her tresses. Comfortable, inviting and not too shameless. Now what was keeping her husband? To be continued"}, {"response": 137, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (13:41)", "body": "Uuuuuuuh, how could you??? Tease!! \ufffdIs something wrong my love?\ufffd she queried. She really doesn't have a clue, does she?? Elizabeth's contemplations are so hilarious... so sweet! Good that she chose the demure position!! Comfortable, inviting and not too shameless"}, {"response": 138, "author": "Teg", "date": "Fri, May 19, 2000 (05:20)", "body": "Oh yes, indeed! On her hands and knees, LOL!! Ahhh.... poor Darcy. Nothing quite so battering to the ego as to lose control at that stage. ;) Danielle! Okay, I know I've been remiss... I must correct that this weekend."}, {"response": 139, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Fri, May 19, 2000 (08:22)", "body": "Arh well Teg, no harm done, since our innocent heroine doesn't know any better, and now there's another chance for Gail to stir our feelings!!!LOL!"}, {"response": 140, "author": "Teg", "date": "Sun, May 21, 2000 (08:20)", "body": "Parallels Chapter Sixteen \ufffdI\ufffdd love to bring Rich along with us!\ufffd Georgiana exclaimed. \ufffdThere\ufffds no want of things to do in New York, and it will be easier on the both of them this way, I think. I was really dreading our departure day, but if Rich comes with us it won\ufffdt be so difficult. I mean, Aaron won\ufffdt be so difficult!\ufffd Elizabeth gave a small laugh. \ufffdWell, don\ufffdt expect me to envy you! Two thirteen-year-old boys! Thanks for the vacation Georgiana.\ufffd \ufffdIf you\ufffdre going to put it that way....\ufffd Georgiana smiled at her sister-in-law. \ufffdI think you could use a break after the last year, anyhow. I don\ufffdt know how you and Will have managed to hold onto your sanity with everything that\ufffds happened.\ufffd Elizabeth shook her head. \ufffdI don\ufffdt know either, Georgie. We\ufffdd better get things worked out with Ben soon. I\ufffdm not sure how much longer I can let Will keep up this pace. He is adamant about not giving up anything until Ben is ready to join him.\ufffd \ufffdOh, that\ufffds not good,\ufffd Georgiana said, eyes wide. \ufffdIt can\ufffdt possibly be good for him. Let me help you show him the error of his ways.\ufffd \ufffdOh, he\ufffdd love that!\ufffd Elizabeth chuckled. \ufffdYou may be forty-one, Georgiana, but to Will you\ufffdre still his little sister.\ufffd \ufffdI assure you, Elizabeth, I do have some means left at my disposal. My brother can be putty in my hands with the right approach.\ufffd Elizabeth laughed. \ufffdNow, that I\ufffdd like to see!\ufffd Georgiana grinned as well. \ufffdThen let\ufffds go find him.\ufffd They left the morning room in search of Will, and found him outside with a book under a tree. He looked up at the approach of his wife and sister. Seeing the determined expressions on their faces, Will\ufffds own changed to one of foreboding. \ufffdLadies,\ufffd he said cautiously. \ufffdBrother dear,\ufffd Georgiana practically sang as she plopped herself down next to him. \ufffdAbout my taking Rich with us to New York. If I do this enormous favour for you, what do I get in return?\ufffd \ufffdWhat do you get in return? What do you mean, you\ufffdre doing me a favour?\ufffd Will was looking extremely puzzled. \ufffdI thought Rich was going with you to keep Aaron occupied so that you could get things done?\ufffd \ufffdOh please, Will!\ufffd Georgiana laughed. \ufffdI know you only agreed so that you and Elizabeth could spend more time alone in the summer. With only Anna and Kathleen here you should be able to manage that quite easily.\ufffd \ufffdWhat?\ufffd Will spluttered. \ufffdSo,\ufffd she continued, blithely ignoring his protestations. \ufffdI expect you to put aside some of that work you have your nose buried in, stop neglecting your wife so terribly, and spend some quality time romancing her. Or have you forgotten how to do that?\ufffd \ufffdExcuse me?\ufffd Will glared at his wife. \ufffdYou put her up to this, didn\ufffdt you?\ufffd Elizabeth looked at him in wide-eyed innocence. \ufffdI think you both could use a nice vacation somewhere,\ufffd Georgiana was saying. \ufffdAnna could take care of things here, and you and Elizabeth can plan a trip to someplace exotic. Just think! Warm tropical nights under the palms.... Oh, it would be just like Tahiti!\ufffd Her eyes narrowed and she peered at her brother slyly. \ufffdYou remember Tahiti, don\ufffdt you?\ufffd Will\ufffds face reddened. \ufffdYou\ufffdve been working far too hard, Will. All of this stress with the kids isn\ufffdt good for you either.\ufffd Georgiana winked at Elizabeth. \ufffdWhy don\ufffdt you just take some advice from your little sister and spend a couple of weeks away from here on a romantic holiday with your wife?\ufffd Will appeared to be considering her suggestion. He glanced up at his wife. \ufffdElizabeth?\ufffd She smiled. \ufffdI like the idea.\ufffd \ufffdIt\ufffds not really a good time right now, though.\ufffd Will frowned slightly. \ufffdNot until we get this mess with Ben out of the way.\ufffd \ufffdWe can still make plans,\ufffd Elizabeth pointed out. \ufffdYou need the time away, Will.\ufffd \ufffdYou can\ufffdt wait forever for Ben,\ufffd Georgiana added. \ufffdYou have to look after yourselves first. When was the last time you took a vacation, Will?\ufffd \ufffdOkay, I admit it\ufffds been a while,\ufffd he relented. \ufffdAnd I intend to see this thing with our son resolved before the end of next week!\ufffd Will suddenly smiled. \ufffdTahiti sure sounds tempting.\ufffd He looked up at Elizabeth again. \ufffdGo ahead and see about making arrangements. I\ufffdll organize my schedule around whatever dates you choose.\ufffd Georgiana stood up. She grinned at her sister-in-law. Elizabeth bent down to give her husband a kiss. \ufffdThank you, Will. This will be a well-deserved holiday, and one I\ufffdll make sure you never forget!\ufffd As the ladies returned to the house, Elizabeth whispered, \ufffdI see you haven\ufffdt lost your touch, Georgiana. Thank you.\ufffd *** Anna put her glass down and checked her watch. It\ufffds too late to start driving home now. Not that she was particularly bothered by that fact. Although curious to see what her brother had in mind in confronting their parents, she was equally eager to avoid any subsequent fallout, as there was sure to be a plentiful supply of it! I\ufffdll just call and tell Mum I\ufffdm not coming home this weekend. Satisfied with her decision, Anna stretched her legs out across the length of the sofa and picked up the phone. \ufffdHello, Mum?\ufffd \ufffdAnna, hav"}, {"response": 141, "author": "gailw", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (12:41)", "body": "Surrender, Part III Darcy slowly unbuttoned his shirt, lost in contemplation of his recent behavior. Though abashed by his lack of self-control, he was inclined to forgive himself. After all, it had been many years since he had lain with a woman (his obsession with privacy overshadowed physical desire once out of his teenage years) and he had greatly desired this woman who was now his wife for more than a year. He thought of her soft skin and womanly curves and renewed stirring in his loins caused him to hasten his movements. He rapidly finished undressing, washed away the stickiness and donned his silk robe, his mind filled with reflections of his beautiful wife now laying in his bed. ******** As he opened the door to the bedchamber, the vision before him caused him to catch his breath. Elizabeth sat, arms encircling her knees where her head rested, her eyes closed in dreamy rumination. Earlier Darcy had been surprised and delighted when he saw her hair loose for the first time. He had not realized it was so long and curly. Now his fingers itched to lose themselves in it luxuriousness and he wanted to bury his face in its fragrance. The sound from his throat alerted Elizabeth that she was no longer alone and as she looked up at him, a luminous smile spread across her face. At that sight, Darcy strode quickly to her, shucked his robe and so swiftly slid under the covers that Elizabeth caught only a suggestion of naked skin. However once in the bed, he pulled her into his arms, hot flesh pressing hot flesh. \ufffdElizabeth you are so lovely, so soft,\ufffd he murmured. \ufffdI love you darling. I want you.\ufffd Once again fully aroused, he pushed her flat onto her back and gently caressed her from stomach to thigh. Elizabeth shivered with the sensations and closed her eyes in bliss, her previous dismay at his departure now completely forgot. Darcy\ufffds fingers played magically on her most intimate spots and she parted her legs to welcome his further exploration. Darcy was gratified by her reaction to his ministrations. Judging her ready to receive him, he placed himself between her thighs and slowly began to push inside. \ufffdI love you sweetheart. Your skin is so silky and warm. You are so beautiful. I love you so much, Lizzy\ufffd.my Lizzy. He caught her mouth in his and plunged his tongue in at the same time that he pushed forcefully against her maidenhead. As her mouth opened to permit his entry, her body surrendered to his insistent thrust and a groan of pain escaped her throat. The barrier removed, Darcy pushed in as far as he could do and stilled his motion, waiting for her to recover from the initial assault before he resumed his attack. He pulled his tongue from her mouth and gently kissed her lips, cheeks, nose, brow. \ufffdLizzy, you are so warm and tight. You feel so very good, my love, so good. Lizzy my wife, you are mine. You belong to me.\ufffd His soft murmurs caused Elizabeth\ufffds blood to heat and unconsciously began to move against him. Her pain and di comfort gave way to the most pleasurable feelings she had ever experienced. \ufffdFitzwilliam, I love you,\ufffd she whispered. \ufffdAre you all right my love?\ufffd Darcy asked as he responded to her motion with his own. \ufffdDoes it still hurt?\ufffd \ufffdNo, no love,\ufffd she breathed, \ufffdit\ufffds\ufffdit\ufffds\ufffdlovely.\ufffd Darcy slowly, deliberately, rhythmically thrust into her as he planted little kisses all over her face. \ufffdSo good Lizzy. So warm, so soft, so tight. Lizzy my love, you feel so good. I love you Lizzy. I love you. I love you.\ufffd Elizabeth felt her body respond to his with a tightening and a delicious building of tension. Wanting him closer, deeper, she wrapped her legs around his waist. The sensations he was causing were so exquisite she couldn\ufffdt help softly moaning in delight. Now she knew what the term \ufffdwedded bliss\ufffd really meant. She opened her eyes and caught her husband watching her. Running her fingers through the damp curls on his forehead, she kissed his cheek and looked deeply into his eyes. \ufffdI love you Fitzwilliam.\ufffd As the tension built to a dizzying height, Elizabeth wrapped her arms around Darcy\ufffds neck and pulled his mouth down to hers. A release so sudden and strong caused her whole body to quiver in ecstasy as she felt her innermost place grab onto her husband and pull him in deeper. Her moans became louder and her eyes closed in rapture. Darcy felt her contractions and her reaction caused his control to give way. As she pulled him tighter, he buried his head in her neck and pressed harder until he could hold off no longer. Exploding into her he cried, \ufffdOh G-d Lizzy, Lizzy.\ufffd She continued to hold tightly onto him as she felt his throbbing within her. When he was finally spent, he collapsed onto her, panting heavily. Elizabeth loosened the grip of her legs and Darcy rolled off, gathering her into his arms and kissing her hair and forehead. \ufffdMy beautiful darling wife. How I love you.\ufffd Elizabeth snuggled happily into his arms, exhilarated by the fulfillment she had experienced. \ufffdHusband, I never imagined,\ufffd she"}, {"response": 142, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (14:20)", "body": "\ufffdWould now be all right?\ufffd *chuckle* so typical of Lizzy, and so sweet. We have waited for so long and now....we were indeed rewarded, thank you, Gail,...lovely...*sigh*... delightful...*sigh*....delectable.....*sigh*"}, {"response": 143, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (18:54)", "body": "Teg! I like it when your stories wrap up... I feel all warm and cozy. Do you have something in store for us in the next chapter or so? Ben and Brenda have to make up, don't they? *hint, hint* L&D have to get to Tahiti, don't they? No pressure though, I'm sure you'll think of something... hee hee! Gail! Gail! Gail!!! \ufffdI never imagined it would be so wonderful. I thought I would lie back and allow you to take me. I never realized that I would be a participant and that it would be so lovely!\ufffd Lovely? Not the words that came to my mouth as I read this, but then I have been known to utter a few gutteral... well, never mind! Anyway... thanks Gail!"}, {"response": 144, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, May 26, 2000 (01:43)", "body": "This just gets better every time Teg. Great goiong Gail"}, {"response": 145, "author": "gailw", "date": "Fri, May 26, 2000 (13:41)", "body": "I have had some requests to redo my Wedding Singer story here. At first I was reluctant to do so, been there done that, but as time has elapsed I find it more difficult to resist the temptation to \"fix\" some things in the original version that I'm not happy with. I also had a different ending in mind that may play better to the more open-minded readers here. And who can resist the urge to spice things up a bit? And frankly I don't have the time to develop a new story idea right now so this one would be easier to do. And Teg has given us a fine example of how a rewrite can work. There, I've talked myself into it. OK, here goes: The Wedding Singer The inspiration for this story comes from the Adam Sandler/Drew Barrymore movie. While I have taken some ideas from it and used a few scenes (which I will give credit for), overall this story is quite different from the movie. Prologue Spring 1993 Lizzy and Jane were enjoying their spring break in Daytona Beach, Florida. Lizzy, age 19, was a freshman and Jane, age 21, a junior at Hertfordshire College in upstate New York, both in the education program. Jane planned on becoming a kindergarten teacher and Lizzy wished to become a high school guidance counselor. Their vocation stemmed from their father's example. Mr. Bennet was a tenured professor at the college. \"Tonight is our last night of fun, Jane, before we go back to the grind,\" said Lizzy. \"Let's go to that club down the street and do some serious dancing.\" \"Sounds good to me, little sister,\" agreed Jane. The girls dressed in their tightest jeans, shimmering tank tops and dance shoes (sandals, sexy but with low heels - both girls were athletes and concerned about injury). Simple but effective in turning quite a few heads in their direction. The nightclub, crowded with college students, was very noisy and smoky. Lizzy and Jane pushed their way to the bar and ordered virgin Bloody Marys. They were soon asked to dance and enjoyed the next several hours moving to the music of the rock band with various partners. Around 11 p.m. Lizzy was approached by a tall, handsome man conservatively dressed in Dockers and a white shirt with a button down collar and rolled up sleeves. He was enchanted by the curvy, curly-haired woman in the sparkling red top that moved so sensuously to the music. She eyed his neat appearance, athletic build, dark hair and smoldering eyes appreciatively and agreed to dance with enthusiasm. As it was too loud to talk, they just started dancing and found they enjoyed each other's movements. Each thought the other was the best partner they had ever had the pleasure of dancing with. They stayed together through several fast dances and then the band played a slow song. The handsome stranger took Lizzy in his arms and she felt incredibly content, like she belonged there, and she pulled closer to him. The feel of her body moving with his and the sweet smell of her hair intoxicated him. It felt like she was made to fit in his arms. He played with the hair that tumbled down her back and turning his face to hers, he gently kissed her lips. Before realizing what she was doing, Lizzy kissed him back, wrapping her arms around his neck. It was delightful. Abruptly Lizzy came to her senses and looked up at him in surprise. Seeing the passionate look in his eyes, she turned and left him on the dance floor, gaping at her. Lizzy spotted Jane and motioned for her to exit the club. \"Lizzy, what's the matter?\" asked Jane when they got outside. \"Some very handsome man just made a move on me and I panicked,\" said Lizzy, shaking her head ruefully. \"Although I enjoyed dancing with him, I didn't want him to think I put out.\" \"What did he do to you?\" \"Nothing really, just a kiss. And a fairly chaste one at that, but I returned it most willingly. What must he think of me? He was really a gentleman and I overreacted.\" Lizzy sighed with memory of the feel of his sweet lips against hers. \"I'll never see him again so it's of little matter.\" \"Didn't he ask for your phone number?\" asked Jane. \"No, we didn't even exchange names. It was too loud to converse so we just enjoyed the dancing. He was quite good. Nice body and he moved very well indeed. Slow dancing with him was heavenly. The way he looked at me made me melt.\" 'It sounds like you should have stayed longer and found out more about him. Why did you run away?\" \"I don't know. Now I wish I hadn't but it's too late. I guess I was embarrassed that I returned his kiss so willingly. He probably has a girlfriend back home anyway. Someone that gorgeous has to be taken. It's after midnight so let's just go back to the hotel and forget about it.\" But Lizzy knew that she would always cherish the memory of the handsome stranger. To Be Continued.."}, {"response": 146, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Fri, May 26, 2000 (17:08)", "body": "Yessssssssss *unlady-like gesture*.........ooooohh I'm looking forward to it, thank you, Gail! *hopping in my seat*"}, {"response": 147, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Fri, May 26, 2000 (23:11)", "body": "YAHOOO!!!!!!!! Glad you're bringing it over here Gail! Can't wait to see what you've got up your sleeve!"}, {"response": 148, "author": "gailw", "date": "Sat, May 27, 2000 (17:41)", "body": "The Wedding Singer Chapter 1 June 1997 The Bennet sisters were practicing their act in the garage. While their father enjoyed hearing his daughters sing, he insisted on peace and quiet in his home and relegated them outside. The girls had been performing together for more than three years and were quite proficient. Four of the sisters sang with Jane accompanying on keyboard and Kitty and Lydia on guitar. Lizzy was the emcee and lead singer, only playing her acoustic guitar during an occasional solo number. Mary played the drums and would like to sing with the others, but she couldn't hold a tune and threw off their 4-part harmony. She sang all the songs anyway but, as she didn't have a microphone, fortunately no one could hear her. The band was called The Bennet Sisters (how original) and had become very popular in Meryton and the surrounding area. They often played at dances at the local schools and lately had landed several gigs at weddings and other large parties, which were financially lucrative. They liked to play current pop songs by artists such as Backstreet Boys, Paula Cole, and Jewel, with some oldies thrown in. For weddings and anniversary parties, they included several classic romantic songs. The girls\ufffd trademark was their jeweled-toned attire, each with her own personal hue. Lizzy favored ruby, Jane sapphire, Mary amethyst, Kitty amber and Lydia emerald. The style of apparel varied with the gig; it could be tee shirts with white shorts for a summer outdoor party, tank tops and blue jeans for a school dance or slinky cocktail dresses for an elegant wedding, each girl always wearing her signature color. In appearance the Bennet sisters portrayed the full array of gene combinations of their parents. Lizzy and Lydia were rather short (at 5\ufffd3\ufffd and 5\ufffd2\ufffd respectively) and voluptuous like their mother, but their coloring and abundant curls favored their once dark-haired father (now a distinguished steel gray which was cut very short disguising its curliness). Lizzy\ufffds eyes were brown and Lydia\ufffds blue. Lizzy\ufffds athletic endeavors kept her curves firm where Lydia\ufffds more indolent lifestyle made her softer and rounder. Jane, Mary and Kitty had inherited their father\ufffds leanness and height, with Jane the tallest at 5\ufffd10\ufffd and Mary and Kitty both at 5\ufffd8\ufffd. Jane\ufffds straight golden blonde hair and blue eyes came from her mother. Kitty also had blue eyes but with sandy colored, wavy hair. Mary had brown eyes and her hair was a shade lighter than Lizzy\ufffds but perfectly straight like Jane\ufffds. All the girls wore their hair very long, except Mary whose chin length pageboy was more becoming to her rather thin face. Jane taught kindergarten at the Meryton elementary school. Lizzy had just received her Master\ufffds degree in guidance counseling and had applied for a job at various area schools. She was also a substitute teacher at Longbourn Regional High School where Lydia was finishing her junior year. Jane and Lizzy shared an apartment in Meryton. Mary and Kitty were in undergraduate programs at Hertfordshire College, having recently completed their junior and freshman years respectively. The daughters received free tuition at the college because of Mr. Bennet's position, which was quite fortunate for the parents of the five girls. The income from the band was used to fund room and board (all the girls had elected to experience dorm life during college even though their home was only 15 miles away), books and spending money. Because of their success, they had built up a healthy bank account for the benefit of the younger sisters and planned to disband the group at the end of the summer. Jane and Lizzy had lost interest i performing as a group some time ago but agreed to stay until all of their financial goals were met. Mrs. Bennet served as the band's manager. She made sure the girls practiced and updated their repertoire with the latest songs. She marketed the group and booked the performances. While it was a challenge balancing five busy calendars, it was easier now that Jane and Lizzy were no longer competing in organized sports. \"Girls, girls,\" sang Mrs. Bennet, interrupting the practice session. \"I have just received a most advantageous booking for you. A Mr. Darcy has requested your services at a 'Sweet 16' party for his younger sister. They live in Lambton and Mr. Darcy is very wealthy. His parents were killed in a plane crash six years ago and he is raising his sister alone even though he appears to be a young man himself. I guess it's easier when you have several servants to help. Just think girls, this will throw you in the path of other rich families for bookings! And maybe you'll find rich husbands, too! \"The sister's name is Georgiana and she goes to a private, all-girls school called Netherfield. I understand that she heard you sing at the wedding of one of her friend's older sisters and liked you very much. She requested that her brother hire you for this party. Apparently Mr. Darcy cannot deny his little sister "}, {"response": 149, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sun, May 28, 2000 (11:33)", "body": "Oh, that was so sweet! And I can feel the electricity crackling between L&D already! Thanks again Gail!"}, {"response": 150, "author": "sarah19", "date": "Mon, May 29, 2000 (01:48)", "body": "Hi I've been lurking around for awhile reading your wonderful stories. I am hooked. I believe the stories here and at BOI are superior to some of the published material out there. I am eagerly awaiting to read the rest of The Wedding Singer and Having Nothing He can Lose (PLEASE write more). I wish i was as talented a writer as y'all are."}, {"response": 151, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 29, 2000 (08:34)", "body": "Welcome Sarah! There is also a FF drool archive you should check out. Can someone add the link?"}, {"response": 152, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Mon, May 29, 2000 (12:26)", "body": "....please. I need it too. Spring cleaning (no pun intended ;-))"}, {"response": 153, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Mon, May 29, 2000 (12:29)", "body": "...and of course...how negligent of me... welcome Sarah!! Sit back and enjoy!!"}, {"response": 154, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, May 29, 2000 (15:31)", "body": "Leanne has archived three years of stories for our reading pleasure at: DroolFic Index"}, {"response": 155, "author": "sarah19", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (01:33)", "body": "Thank you very much for the link. These are very impressive stories. KUDOS!! What has happened to Irene? I would love to read the rest of her story. It took me an hour to read it and when I got to the \"end\", it wasn't finished. AHHHH!!!"}, {"response": 156, "author": "gailw", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (12:59)", "body": "The Wedding Singer Chapter 3 The party ended quickly as parents arrived to take their children home. Lizzy and her sisters were busy taking apart their equipment when William approached. Lizzy pulled him aside and began apologizing profusely for Lydia's behavior. \"Do not trouble yourself, Elizabeth,\" he began, \"my experience with my own sister has taught me that teenagers are not so easily controlled. You handled the situation and there was no harm done.\" \"Thank you for your understanding.\" \"Not at all. Georgiana was tired and has already gone to bed but I know she was very happy with your music, as was I.\" \"I hope she enjoyed herself. I didn't see her dance once.\" William sighed deeply. \"She claimed to have a good time but I saw little evidence of it. Things did not work out as I had hoped.\" Lizzy compassionately laid a hand on his arm. William felt an electric shock at her touch. He wanted to get to know her better and didn't want her to leave so soon. In an uncharacteristically bold move, he asked her to stay for a drink. \"I would be happy to drive you home later.\" \"I don't drink much, especially this late at night, but I'd love a bowl of ice cream! Let me tell my sisters to go on without me.\" The staff was just beginning to lug the electronic equipment out to the van as Lizzy spoke to Jane. William saw the tall cool blond look at him questioningly, then smile at Lizzy and leave the room with the rest of her sisters. ********** Darcy began rummaging through the freezers in the huge kitchen looking for ice cream. When he finally found the correct repository, he offered Lizzy her choice of several flavors. \"This is better than Baskin Robbins,\" laughed Lizzy. She chose chocolate chip cookie dough. William filled two bowls with generous servings of the icy treat. He then led Lizzy to a room with several easy chairs and sofas. Some allowed viewing of a wide screen TV housed within an enormous entertainment center containing various audio and video equipment, while others faced a huge fireplace. Throw pillows and blankets were strewn about on the furniture making it look comfortable and inviting. The walls were covered in rich wood paneling and the floor in a deep pile carpet. The warm, casual room was much to Lizzy's liking and she said so to William. \"Yes, Georgie and I spend most of our time in this room. It's the least formal room in the house and we can be totally at ease here.\" He motioned Lizzy to sit on one of the smaller sofas. She relaxed at one end, curling her legs up under her. William spread a blanket over her and lowered himself beside her. They sat in a comfortable silence, eating their ice cream until William asked Lizzy to tell him about herself. Putting her bowl down on a nearby table, Lizzy began her life history. She told William what it was like growing up with 4 sisters and a frivolous mother, how she was her father's favorite and how his study was a refuge for both of them from the rest of the family. She and Jane have always been very close and they share an apartment. She is interested in psychology and loves working with teenagers so she hopes to become a high school guidance counselor now that she has her Master's degree. But nothing has helped her learn to deal with Lydia and she worries a great deal about her youngest sister. Her parents seem to have given up and let her run wild so Lizzy tries to keep a close watch on her, but Lydia does not appreciate the attention. Lizzy talked for over an hour about herself and told William everything there was to know about Elizabeth Bennet except for one important fact - she is engaged to be married. While Lizzy talked (and talked and talked), William sat fascinated by her. Her life was so different from his and he listened attentively while at the same time assessing her. He thought her very lovely as her eyes sparkled when she spoke. He could hear the love and concern in her voice when she mentioned her family and her passion for her chosen career. Her long curly hair begged to be touched and her lips invited him to taste their sweetness. He longed to take her in his arms, to hold her, caress her, kiss her, but instead he said, \"It is getting late. I should take you home.\" \"Yes, it is late. Thank you for dessert. But I've spent all this time telling you about me and you haven't been able to get a word in edgewise. That's not fair, you know. I have learned very little about you.\" \"Then I propose we remedy the situation and spend some time together tomorrow. Do you like to horseback ride?\" \"I adore it. My best friend Charlotte's family owns a farm and I spent many happy hours there as a child. It was Charlotte's responsibility to groom the horses and muck the stables and I helped her in return for the privilege of riding whenever I chose. Charlotte and I spent many summer roaming the area on horseback.\" \"Then riding it is. I'll pick you up around 11:00?\" \"Sounds wonderful.\" William drove Lizzy home in his Jaguar. Always the perfect gentleman"}, {"response": 157, "author": "sarah19", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (13:49)", "body": "Awesome!!! Can't wait until the next installment. I love that they are both engaged to someone else; it adds conflict that I'm happily waiting to be resolved. But Lizzy and Darcy will end up together? Won't they? They better!!!"}, {"response": 158, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (21:05)", "body": "Cute Lizzy/Darcy twist, Gail. Thanks. Don't leave us hanging too long;-)"}, {"response": 159, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (10:32)", "body": "Welcome Sarah! Gail, I always hated that last part, but love the little inward comments from both L&D!"}, {"response": 160, "author": "gailw", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (14:19)", "body": "The Wedding Singer Chapter 5 After the movie, Charles and Jane returned to his home. He had inherited the stately Tudor mansion from his father when he died the year before, along with $200 million. His two older sisters were each left a like amount of money and some valuable pieces of jewelry. His mother had died when he was a teenager and his sisters had tended to baby him. They were once very close but lately all were busy with their own lives. Charles was not an idle millionaire. He had started his own business after graduating from college five years ago and was now a successful entrepreneur in his own right. He was hardworking and his cheerful, amiable demeanor made him very popular with both his clients and employees. Jane was surprised when she discovered that Charles was so wealthy. It wasn\ufffdt until their fourth date when they rented a video and went back to his house to watch it. Prior to that she figured he had some money as he drove a BMW convertible and took her to very nice restaurants, but she had believed him merely moderately well off due his business. She was stunned when they drove up to the mansion and even more so when she overheard a conversation where it was mentioned that his net worth was over $500 million. Jane would have expected someone so rich to be a snob and look down on people, but Charles treated everyone with dignity and respect. The money meant much less to him than the satisfaction he drew from building a business from nothing but his own ideas and sweat into a very successful enterprise. When Jane remarked on his lack of pretension, he merely replied that it was all relative. His friend Billy was worth at least 10 times more than Charles and he was just a \ufffdregular guy\ufffd. Charles\ufffd theory was that growing up wealthy led you to take it for granted and therefore you paid less attention to it. His parents had been strict and raised him with good values and that was a much more important legacy than the money. This attitude helped Jane to be not so intimidated by his status. Charles and Jane met at a wedding. A friend of his from school had married a friend of hers from school. He was immediately attracted to the angelic golden-haired woman and, after getting to know her better, found her heart was just as beautiful as her countenance. Charles was falling hard. They had only been dating a little over two months but already he felt closer to her than he had to any other woman. Charles had dated a lot but nothing had ever felt like this. \ufffdWhat should we do tonight sweetie?\ufffd Jane asked. He loved her affectionate manner and pulled her into his arms appreciatively. \ufffdLet\ufffds stay in for dinner. I\ufffdve asked Mrs. Brown to arrange something simple. Then we can just hang out. Do you want to go by the apartment later and see what Lizzy and George are up to?\ufffd Charles was very fond of all of Jane\ufffds family, but especially Elizabeth. She was fun to spend time with and even though he knew Jane wasn\ufffdt fond of George, Charles thought he was always good for a few laughs. \ufffdI\ufffdd like that. You\ufffdre so good to me.\ufffd Jane wrapped her arms around Charles\ufffd neck and kissed him. \ufffdWhat time is dinner?\ufffd \ufffdOh not for an hour or so,\ufffd he replied, nuzzling her ear. He liked that Jane was only a couple inches shorter and he could easily reach all her best parts from any position. \ufffdMmmmmm\ufffdwhat should we do in the meantime?\ufffd \ufffdI have a couple ideas.\ufffd Charles grabbed Jane\ufffds hand and pulled her up the stairs and into his bedroom. Before the door closed behind them, Charles already had his hands under Jane\ufffds blouse and was fumbling with her bra. \ufffdDarn thing,\ufffd he muttered, \ufffddon\ufffdt know why you wear it anyway.\ufffd Jane giggled and reached back to help him out. Charles pulled her blouse off over her head and flung the offending undergarment across the room. Although Jane was slender, she had ample breasts and Charles loved to feel them against his chest. He held her close and kissed her passionately. \ufffdOh Jane, you\ufffdre so very beautiful,\ufffd he murmured. He began moving towards the bed, pushing Jane backwards as he continued kissing her. Reaching his goal, he laid her down and quickly pulled off the rest of her clothes and then his own. Soon he was in his very favorite place to be \ufffd inside the tight, warm confines of his beautiful girlfriend. \ufffdJane, I love you,\ufffd he breathed in her ear. \ufffdOh Charles,\ufffd she sighed happily, \ufffdI love you too.\ufffd ********** Lizzy found herself alone in the back of a limousine headed toward home. Apparently Caroline was not expected until Sunday, but had shown up a day early to surprise William. Lizzy bristled at the memory of how William introduced her as the band singer from Georgiana's birthday party and explained her presence at the house as her coming to receive payment for the job. There was no mention of horseback riding or befriending Georgiana. Then William couldn't wait to shuffle her off. Guess he really was just looking for a friend for his sister and nothing more. As she was leaving, he did try to apol"}, {"response": 161, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (18:01)", "body": "George was glad she had calmed down. Even though Julie took good care of him, he found it more and more difficult to resist Lizzy. She was always dressed in those tight jeans and she sure looked good in them. He loved Julie but having an excuse to have another woman was pretty exciting. But he had to be careful or he'd blow his whole plan. GAH! GAAAAAH!! GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!! I changed my mind Gail, I hate THIS last part!"}, {"response": 162, "author": "gailw", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (17:11)", "body": "The Wedding Singer Chapter 6 A couple days later, Lizzy pulled her old but reliable brown Volvo to a stop in front of the Darcy mansion. She and Georgiana had a shopping trip planned. Mrs. Reynolds was waiting to meet her at the front door, having been alerted by the guard. Not for the first time, Lizzy wondered at the level of security at the estate. Lambton was such a sleepy town, it hardly seemed warranted. \"Welcome back Miss Bennet,\" said the housekeeper. \"Miss Georgiana will be with you in a few minutes, but Mr. William asked if I would show you to his office first.\" Lizzy could only nod her head in agreement. She had not planned on meeting William and was a little nervous. Why should I be so nervous? He's a friend, nothing more. William responded to Mrs. Reynolds' knock and Lizzy entered his office. He stood to greet her and walked over to close the door after motioning her to the sofa. He came to sit beside her and looked at her earnestly. \"Elizabeth, I once again want to apologize for my behavior the other day. It was unpardonable and I can only hope that your kindness will allow you to forgive me.\" \"I forgive you William, but we were both at fault. Neither of us was open with the other about our personal situations and that led to some awkwardness. But now everything is out in the open and I share your desire to continue our friendship.\" William was visibly relieved. \"Thank you. For my own sake as well as Georgie's. I have enjoyed our conversations and would like them to continue. I understand you and my sister are going shopping today.\" \"Yes, Georgiana said she had a special event coming up and wanted some help picking out a dress.\" \"It is my wedding.\" \"Oh. I might wonder then why she didn't ask Caroline to help her. She appeared quite well dressed.\" \"Unfortunately Georgie and Caroline are not the best of friends. Caroline would like to be closer to Georgie but my sister is resistant. You see, Georgiana thinks I could do much better than Caroline. She doesn't believe Caroline really loves me.\" \"And what do you think?\" After all, she was a friend and friends can ask these questions. \"I think Caroline loves me as much as I do her. She has money of her own so I know she's not marrying me only because I'm wealthy. Is it an all-encompassing, deep passionate love? No, but I think we were meant to be together. We are of the same social class and we have both been very lonely. Marriage meets both of our needs - hers for a suitable companion and mine for a family and children.\" \"It sounds rather cold William. I'm not surprised at Georgiana's reaction. You are too young to have to 'settle'.\" He shrugged. \"I have had to be responsible for a great many things since my parents died and have matured far beyond my years. It's just that I am tired of being alone. I am ready for a family. Caroline is a good person and I think we will be relatively happy together. I am in the fortunate position with my business that I can work from home and thus can be very involved in raising our children. Caroline will be able to keep her career, which makes her happy. I think it will work out for everyone. Georgiana will come to see that in time.\" Lizzy was not about to give William any advice. It wasn't what she herself would want from a marriage but she hardly knew him. If they were going to be friends she would have to accept William's decision. \"So what does Caroline do?\" she asked to change the subject to one less personal. \"She is the editor of Fashion World magazine. It's a very demanding job but she loves the glamour and excitement. She is in her element at a fashion show and adores having access to the very latest designs.\" \"I've never heard of that magazine, but then again high fashion has never been my thing.\" She motioned deprecatingly at her typical outfit of jeans and a tee shirt. \"I'm sure she could help Georgiana select a much nicer outfit I could.\" \"Georgiana's taste runs more towards the Gap than Versace. I think Georgie made the right choice of shopping partner.\" He said, smiling. Lizzy laughed. She was starting to feel more comfortable with William now that they had cleared the air. Evidently he was also for he surprised her with his next question. \"So when are you getting married?\" \"Actually we just set the date recently. We're getting married September 6th. George, my fianc\ufffd, has a very demanding job as a stockbroker on Wall Street so I'm left to make all the arrangements myself. I have a lot to do but I'm looking forward to it.\" \"Well I have recently completed making wedding arrangements myself so I would be happy to help you.\" \"But you are getting married in less than two weeks. What will your wife say?\" \"Caroline's job keeps her in New York much of the week but since school is out for the summer, I want to stay here with Georgie. Caroline will be here weekends and in the fall I'll start spending more time at our penthouse in the city. So you see, I have plenty of time to help you. We aren't even taking a"}, {"response": 163, "author": "gailw", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (17:13)", "body": "Just wanted to let you know that this will be the last chapter for a few days. I am running away. No husband, no kids, no work, no laundry, no cooking, first class airline tickets....... Too bad it's only for 5 days!"}, {"response": 164, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sat, Jun 10, 2000 (07:48)", "body": "have fun Gail! and I liked this latest chapter! Why don't I remember Georgie and Lizzy having this conversation in your DWG version? anyway, hurry back, but have fun! Teg!!! where's Parallel's??"}, {"response": 165, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Sat, Jun 10, 2000 (12:47)", "body": "*drumming fingers*...yeah!! Where is it???? Thanks, Gail, I hope you'll enjoy your little sojourn in \"freedom\"...we'll make it last until you return! So if Teg or anybody else amongst our talented authors will tide us over( too thick , too much butter), I'm sure the rest off us will be much obliged!!!;-))"}, {"response": 166, "author": "Sharla", "date": "Thu, Jun 15, 2000 (00:36)", "body": "Teg!!! where's Parallel's?? Good question, Danielle... Teg? *tapping screen* Ohh, Teg... ;)))))"}, {"response": 167, "author": "Sharla", "date": "Thu, Jun 15, 2000 (00:45)", "body": "By the way, has anyone heard from Irene? *a bit worried*"}, {"response": 168, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Thu, Jun 15, 2000 (18:35)", "body": "Sharla, Irene posted a while back to say she was not feeling up to par... I've emailed her a few times too! Nothing cheers up someone more than knowing someone else out in this big ol' world cares about them... email her!"}, {"response": 169, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Thu, Jun 15, 2000 (18:36)", "body": "ARGH! I hope this gets rid of MY italics this time!"}, {"response": 170, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Thu, Jun 15, 2000 (18:37)", "body": "YES! hee hee!"}, {"response": 171, "author": "Sharla", "date": "Thu, Jun 15, 2000 (21:24)", "body": "Thanks, Danielle, I'll do that."}, {"response": 172, "author": "gailw", "date": "Mon, Jun 19, 2000 (16:05)", "body": "Sorry for the delay in posting. Yes I've been back from my trip for a week but haven't been able to find the time to write. I'll try to do better the next couple of weeks before my next vacation. The Wedding Singer Chapter 7 \"Lizzy, hurry up. We are late. What's taking you so long?\" Jane cried to her sister. \"I'm coming, I'm coming!\" Lizzy shoved on her new green heels and hurried out to the kitchen. \"OK, I'm ready. Let's go.\" The girls went out to Lizzy's car. Since Charles had to be at the wedding early, they decided it would make more sense for Jane to ride with Lizzy. Then Charles could take her home if Lizzy decided not to stay. \"OK, where do we go?\" Lizzy asked Jane, who had the directions. Before too long it became apparent to Lizzy they were headed towards William's house. Her suspicion was confirmed when Jane told her to turn off the main road onto the gated driveway. Recognizing her car, the guard waved the girls through without checking their invitation. \"Jane, do you remember this place? We are going to William Darcy's house.\" \"What? Charles told me his sister is engaged to his best friend Billy but he never mentioned the last name. I can't imagine William ever allowing anyone to call him Billy. Maybe Billy is also friends with William and he offered his home for the wedding.\" Lizzy knew it couldn't be so. After all, William was getting married today too. She had a funny feeling in her stomach. \"Jane, what is Charles' sister's name?\" \"Caroline.\" \"Oh no. Jane, Caroline is marrying William. William introduced me to Caroline but didn't say her last name. I had no idea she was Charles' sister. I don't know how Billy fits into this, but William is marrying Caroline today.\" Lizzy had no desire to see William get married to Caroline but she had promised Jane so she was stuck. She could feel a very bad headache coming on. When they reached the end of the driveway they were directed into a parking area arranged for the wedding guests. Then ushers led them down a path towards the lake. Rows of white wooden chairs festooned with flowers had been set out for the guests. The gazebo was completely covered with white roses, lilies, baby's breath and white satin ribbons and a minister stood at the entrance speaking quietly with William. Even though Lizzy and Jane selected seats in the last row, she had an unobstructed view of William. Boy he looks good in a tux! It seemed the wedding was late getting started but no one appeared concerned. Lizzy remembered William's comments about the time it takes women to get ready and figured he was speaking from experience with Caroline. It could be a long wait. Just then Georgiana turned around from her seat in the front row and spied Lizzy. \"Lizzy!\" she called and waved. William caught his sister's yell and turned around in surprise. Lizzy stood up and waved to both of them sheepishly. What is Elizabeth doing here? Wow does she look great in that dress! William thought. Stop it - you're at your own wedding, you idiot! Stop ogling the guests! Well just one guest, but she is a vision! That color certainly becomes her. Several minutes passed and still the bride did not appear. William paced and kept checking his watch while looking towards the house. After a half-hour he sat down beside his sister and they spoke privately with their heads together. It was another few minutes before Charles came out and motioned to William to join him in the gazebo. A conference took place between the minister, Charles, William and Rick, the best man and William's cousin. Suddenly, William broke away and strode quickly toward the house, clearly angry and upset. Georgiana jumped up and ran after him. Whispered speculations arose from the guests. As the buzz reached a fever pitch, Lizzy and Jane just looked at each other in wonder. Rick shook hands with the minister then exited the gazebo and stood in front of the assembly. Silence came over the crowd immediately. \"I apologize to everyone but it appears there will be no wedding today. William wishes to thank you all for coming and hopes you haven't been too inconvenienced.\" Without another w rd he took off towards the house, closely followed by Charles, while excited chatter filled the air. Charles spied Jane on his way and grabbed her arm saying, \"You and Lizzy, come with me.\" They moved toward the mansion as the other guests began to leave. Once inside, Jane asked Charles what happened. \"I was waiting for Caroline to come out her room. It was getting later and later and I knew Billy would be upset. I kept knocking on the door and Louisa, my other sister (he added for Lizzy's benefit) and matron-of-honor, just kept telling me to wait a minute. I was afraid something was wrong but they wouldn't let me in. Finally Louisa came out and said Caroline had changed her mind and was gone. I asked what she meant by gone. She said Caroline was almost ready to make her appearance when she suddenly tore off her wedding dress and changed into another outfit."}, {"response": 173, "author": "gailw", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (07:44)", "body": "Hey, why did my post come up all in italics?"}, {"response": 174, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (13:46)", "body": "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahh, that was nice...I thought that you had gone away for a longer time than planned. It's been so quiet here, and soon everybody will be away on holiday...well, I will at least!! In two weeks' time I'm off to \"our\" island! Nice to see you back!!"}, {"response": 175, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (13:48)", "body": "Btw only \"to be continued\" was in italics on my screen!!"}, {"response": 176, "author": "gailw", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (08:28)", "body": "Hmm, that's strange. Both my PC at home and at work show my entire post in italics. How does that happen? I'll never understand this technical stuff! Yes it sure is quiet around here. Teg - WHERE ARE YOU??? I'm away again the first week of July and again the last week - yeah summer!!!"}, {"response": 177, "author": "Teg", "date": "Sat, Jun 24, 2000 (18:16)", "body": "Okay, okay!! Here I am! :) Hanne pestered me on icq so here's one (and soon to be two) to keep you lot sated. Heh! (I should know better. 'Droolers' are never sated.) :p Chapter Seventeen Ben waited in his car just down the street from Brenda\ufffds house. From here he could see the front door. There was a car parked in the driveway, and he knew it was her father-in-law\ufffds. Most Sundays Ian\ufffds parents came to take their grandchildren to church, while Brenda would alternate between accompanying them, and going to the service in the church around the corner. Ben hoped that this was the Sunday she wouldn\ufffdt be going with them. It had been late when he had left Pemberley, and far too late to be calling on Brenda when he had finally pulled into the city. He had used that time on the motorway to collect his thoughts, determine a course of action, and marvel at how his mother had commanded him to go. In between all of those thoughts, the image of his father laying back in his chair, gripped with pain, kept intruding. Ben had never felt so terrified in his life. Afraid that his father was dying before his eyes, all of his selfish thoughts had fled. He knew he couldn\ufffdt go to New York. There was no way that he would leave his father now. A sudden opening of the door drew Ben\ufffds attention to the front of Brenda\ufffds house. A man and woman appeared, taking the stone path toward the parked car. Kevin ran out of the house and made it to the car first, pulling open the door and hopping into the backseat. Then Brenda was there, Sarah holding her hand. Brenda walked her daughter to the car and settled her into the seat beside her brother. Ben held his breath, waiting to see if she was going to join her children in the back of the car. Brenda stood up and pushed the door closed. The car began to back out of the driveway, the two children waving to their mother. Brenda smiled and waved back until the car was out of sight, then the smile faded from her lips. Head downcast, she picked her way back along the walk to the front door. Ben waited until the door had closed before he made his move. *** Brenda gathered up the coffee cups and took them to the kitchen. As she put the cream away in the refrigerator, her eyes caught the calendar fixed to the door with a couple of magnets. Two dates of significance sprang to mind. Tuesday will be one year since Ian died and tomorrow will be eight weeks since I last spoke with Ben. \ufffdOh, stop it!\ufffd she said, irritated with herself. \ufffdJust stop it!\ufffd Closing the door a little more forcefully than necessary, she leaned her back against it and lowered her head to stare at her feet. Brenda stood like that for several minutes, until the persistent knock at the front door brought her back to the present. \ufffdOh who could that be?\ufffd she grumbled. \ufffdIt\ufffds Sunday morning for goodness sake!\ufffd Shaking her head, Brenda pulled open the door. At first she saw nothing, and frowned, thinking someone was playing tricks. Then she looked down. \ufffdBen!\ufffd He was on his knees, head bowed. Without looking up, he said, \ufffdI\ufffdm so sorry, Brenda. I was thinking only of myself. I hurt you, Kevin and Sarah, and it was inexcusable. Is it too late to beg you to forgive me? Please say it\ufffds not too late.\ufffd Brenda stared at the top of his head. Ben had never raised his eyes to meet hers, he continued to focus on her feet. \ufffdBen,\ufffd she said again. \ufffdOh, come in the house!\ufffd He scrambled to his feet and followed her through the door and into the front room. Taking a seat on the sofa facing her favourite chair, Ben wasted no time repeating his earlier apology. \ufffdI love you so much, Brenda, but I handled everything so badly. You were so right in telling me that I needed to grow up. I hope that I have. It\ufffds certain that my feelings haven\ufffdt changed, and perhaps have grown stronger in light of what I fear I\ufffdve lost.\ufffd He met her eyes for the first time, trying to read what was reflected in their depths. \ufffdI should never have brought Kevin and Sarah into our dispute. I love your children as much as I love you, and hate myself for hurting them.\ufffd Brenda was silent for several minutes. Ben grew anxious as he restrained himself from pressuring her to reply. Finally she took a breath and spoke. \ufffdI must admit that when you used my children to try and work your way back into my life I was more than angry. You had promised me in the beginning that nothing like that would ever happen, that my children would never become pawns on your gameboard. I could forgive you just about anything, but.....\ufffd She bit her lip, searching for the right words. \ufffdBoth Kevin and Sarah have been heartbroken at your absence. Kevin more than his sister, and he has been quite difficult to live with.\ufffd Once again Brenda paused, her gaze flitting about the room, unwilling to meet Ben\ufffds eyes. \ufffdThis Tuesday will mark one year since Ian died. When they came and told me he\ufffdd been killed in an accident at the factory, I thought my life was over. The only thing that kept me going was knowing that my two childre"}, {"response": 178, "author": "gailw", "date": "Sat, Jun 24, 2000 (18:41)", "body": "Hey Teg! Welcome back and thanks for the nice long post. Hooray for Ben! Here's some more to keep the fans happy: The Wedding Singer Chapter 9 After a restless night, Lizzy rose early feeling not at all refreshed. In an attempt to wake up, she took a brisk walk, which helped somewhat, and relied on caffeine to do the rest. Jane entered the kitchen and found her sister sipping coffee, staring off into space. \"Good morning dear sister!\" Jane was altogether too bright and cheerful for Lizzy's mood. Lizzy looked up with bleary eyes and noticed her sister was wearing the same clothes she had on the night before. \"Are you just getting home? And why are you so danged cheerful?\" \"Oh Lizzy, I have wonderful news!\" Jane dropped into the chair opposite Lizzy and smiled broadly. \"Charles asked me to marry him last night!\" Lizzy jumped up and grabbed her sister in a bear hug. \"Jane, congratulations! I am so happy for you! Tell me everything!\" This news revived Lizzy more effectively than did exercise or artificial stimulants. She poured Jane a cup of coffee and sat back down to hear the details. \"He is so wonderful Lizzy! I am so happy! When I drove Charles home last night, we didn't speak the whole way but he kept looking at me in a funny manner. I must have asked him a dozen times what was wrong but he just shook his head and didn't say anything. I finally gave up, thinking he was just still upset about Caroline. When we got to his house he led me to the family room, sat me on the couch and knelt in front of me. He took my hands in his and said that he realized today, meaning yesterday of course, how much he needed me. He said it meant a lot that I was there for him and that my kindness helped him get through the pain and embarrassment of what happened. He said I gave him hope and made him feel much better. He said he wanted me to always be there to share the good times with him and to help him through the bad. He said he loves me more than life itself and asked me to be his wife. Oh Lizzy, I was so surprised and happy! Of course I said yes and then I attacked him! He carried me to his room and w made love all night long!\" \"You SLEPT with him?\" Lizzy couldn't believe her sister. \"Of course Lizzy. It wasn't the first time. We've been intimate since our 5th or 6th date. Why are you so shocked? Haven't you and George been...\" \"NO, OF COURSE NOT!!\" Lizzy shouted. Forcing herself to calm down she added, \"I'm waiting until I'm married. Mama always drilled that into our heads didn't she?\" \"Lizzy, you never listened to Mother on anything! Why this? Do you really feel that strongly about it? Are you still a virgin? I must say I am surprised, in this day and age! I certainly don't sleep around but Charles was not the first. I love Charles too dearly and desire him too greatly to deny ourselves this pleasure.\" Jane had a note of defensiveness in her voice. Lizzy was suddenly embarrassed. \"Jane, I am not passing judgment on you. If this is what is right for you, then I have no wish to make you uncomfortable about it. I was just surprised, that's all. You're right, I never did take too much of what Mama said to heart. I had a bad experience with a boy in high school and I think that is what caused me to believe I should wait until marriage. Anyway, enough about me, congratulations to you and Charles. I know you will be very happy together. Have you set a date yet?\" \"No, we didn't want to interfere with your wedding plans so we're going to wait until spring. We thought we'd announce our engagement at dinner today and then discuss possible dates with Mother and Dad.\" Their plans for the day included Sunday dinner with their family after visiting their grandfather. \"Are you going to tell Papa this morning?\" Lizzy inquired. \"Yes, which means Dad will get the news before the rest of the family as he is coming with us. In fact, I better go take a shower and get ready. He and Charles will be here in less than a half-hour.\" ********** Lizzy and Jane thought Papa hadn't looked very well today. Papa had requested some private time with their father so they went for a walk and discussed it. \"Do you thing there is something wrong with him?\" Jane asked, concerned. Charles held her hand in sympathy for her distress. He wanted to show his support as she had for him the day before. \"I don't know. I wonder what he wanted to discuss so secretly with Dad. It's giving me a bad feeling.\" Lizzy replied. \"I'm sure he'll be fine,\" assured Charles. \"After all the man is 80 years old. He's entitled to a bad day now and then.\" \"Maybe you're right.\" Jane wanted to believe Charles but couldn't help feeling uneasy. \"At least we were able to bring him some cheer with our good news.\" She tightened her grip on Charles' hand and smiled at him. Lizzy remained thoughtful as they walked back to the car. ********** Sunday dinner was a hectic affair at the Bennet house. Not only were the seven members of the family always in attendance, but there were usually several m"}, {"response": 179, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Sun, Jun 25, 2000 (06:44)", "body": "Hehe...it worked...yippeeee, thank you, Teg!"}, {"response": 180, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sun, Jun 25, 2000 (22:44)", "body": "Gail!!! Teg!!! Thank you! Thank you!! Thank you!!! Ben got back with Brenda! William found his Lizzy in red! Yes! I seem to remember Esbee promising us a story... hmm? See you Wednesday night, Teg!"}, {"response": 181, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (06:21)", "body": "NO NEED TO WHISPER, DANI!! SO DO I!! *envious glare*"}, {"response": 182, "author": "icappleg", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (10:17)", "body": "Hello, everyone! I just wanted to drop a note thanking everyone for their e-mails and posts of concern. I've had some hard decisions to make in the last few weeks, and I've basically decided not to continue with all the drugs, etc. However, there is a clinical drug study starting in the fall that I might be a part of. My doctor in Birmingham wants me to do it . . . The upshot is that we first knew something was wrong when I started going through menopause at 17. Finally, only a few years ago, a specialist in Birmingham (I'm in Huntsville, AL) found out the problem. They did a genetic study and found that I've got genetic problems that have given me a pretty destructive endocrine system. Destructive, that is, to other organs like the liver and heart, etc. We've tried to get things under control for about three years now, and that puts us where we are now. With the problem I have, I'm not expected to live to be old (I'm 32 now). We were stretching things out to 45 or 50 with aggressive treatment, but by not continuing, we don't know what is going to happen, or when. But you know how it goes. It's a guessing game, and the doctor is guessing. Let's just say I haven't dived into my 401K account yet . . . BUT, I wanted to thank everyone at Drool for their concern. Especially the person who sent me the e-card of CF (there was no return e-mail address). Irene"}, {"response": 183, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (12:08)", "body": "Irene, my prayers are with you. Have you tried a holistic doctor? There is a book called, \"My Beautiful Life, How Macrobiotics brought me from Cancer to Radiant Health\", by Milenka Dobic. She was in the fourth stage of cancer with just months left to live and it is amazing what changing her diet was able to do."}, {"response": 184, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (12:37)", "body": "Very sorry to hear of your problems, Irene. My wishes and hopes are that something will be found to be effective for you. Good luck."}, {"response": 185, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (14:24)", "body": "Yessssss, what a treat, two fictional works to enjoy all in the same day! Thanks Teg and Gail. Irene, I've enjoyed you through your writing so much. I'm very sorry to hear of your illness. Please take care of yourself. It sounds like you are. I'm sure you're getting tired of people's medical advice, but I do have some information to share. I hope you don't mind this from a stranger? I'm healthy, but I live with the possibility of being declared \"terminal\" (I'm just turned thirty), and if that were ever to happen, I would contact Carolyn Myss (the author of Anatomy of Healing) who is a medical intuitive and can diagnose illness and treatment along the lines of Edgar Cayce. I understand that she lives in Chicago. I have pretty much walked away from the medical model of healing, myself, towards a more holistic and spiritual approach. As others on the board have said, my prayers are with you."}, {"response": 186, "author": "gailw", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (15:03)", "body": "Irene, with today's good news on the gene mapping project, we can only hope that something will be discovered in the next few years to extend your life expectancy. I cannot imagine what you are going through but I admire your courage in sharing something so personal with us. I add my thoughts and prayers to everyone else's."}, {"response": 187, "author": "icappleg", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (16:45)", "body": "Folks, Thanks so much for the thoughts and prayers. I appreciate them very much. I will also be looking into the alternatives suggested in the posts. HOWEVER, Chapter 35 of \"Having Nothing, Nothing Can He Lose\" is available, and will be posted next. But it's been a long, long time, and for those who need a refresher of the story line, the whole thing is at http://home.hiwaay.net/~icappleg/Darcy/darcy.html (Does three in one day mean SadieR is going to flip out?) Irene"}, {"response": 188, "author": "icappleg", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (16:49)", "body": "Having Nothing, Nothing Can He Lose, Chapter 35 Darcy stared at the clouds overhead, flat on his back in the middle of the road. It was just too much. First, the funeral. Then the night after the funeral . . . he still wasn't sure he saw what he thought he did, although there was no explanation he could give himself. Then Mrs. Wickham . . . although she kept to her room most of the time, whenever he saw her, he felt an angry chill overtake him, and he knew it showed fully on his face. He couldn't even bring himself to speak to her, although she instinctively shied away from him and didn't attempt a conversation with him either. Then three weeks of being in the same house with Mrs. Bennett. Mrs. Bennett, the morning after the funeral, apparently decided she wasn't getting enough attention from Mr. Bennett and the servants, so she took up residence at Netherfield, \"to take care of my poor, dear Jane,\" as she put it. In actuality, she spent all her time making unreasonable demands of the staff, monopolizing everybody's attention, and constantly trying to flatter Darcy by making constant references to his wealth. Annoyed, Darcy ignored her as much as he could. But this morning, he just had to get away. He couldn't handle any more. And now the damn horse had thrown him. The horse, having a deep personality conflict with its rider, seemed to bide its time until its master's attention lapsed. Then it bucked forward forcefully, ejecting its burden without ceremony. *** We must get away from here. As soon as possible. Now. *** Darcy raised his head, and met the horse's eyes. The horse regarded him coolly. *** Maybe not now. *** Darcy let his head drop back to the ground. *** In a few minutes. But soon. *** Elizabeth met Darcy as she saw him coming across the field, walking in front of his horse holding the reins. As usual, Darcy didn't have much to say, which bothered Elizabeth to no end, but she was determined to be patient with him. It was difficult; she needed him for support, especially with Mrs. Bennett around, but he just shut down on her as he always did. Probably another result of Mrs. Bennett's company. When Elizabeth wordlessly reached out to take Darcy's hand, he stopped. \"Elizabeth . . .\" He didn't know how to broach the subject. But Elizabeth somehow knew what he was thinking. She felt the same way. Instead of torturing him by making him express his feelings, she gave his hand a squeeze and stared walking again. \"You know, Will,\" Elizabeth interrupted. \"Jane and Charles are doing much better, very well indeed, considering the circumstances. And they have mother to take care of them . . .\" Elizabeth almost choked, trying to say the words about her mother seriously. But she pressed on. \"I think -- if it's convenient -- I'd like to leave for Pemberley.\" Darcy followed next to his wife silently. Glancing over, she found his expression unreadable. \"And it must be really difficult to handle all of Pemberley's business through the post as you have been all the time we've been here,\" Elizabeth rambled on. \"I know Jane and Charles will agree that you have business at Pemberley, and . . .\" she ran out of reasons why they should leave. And she still hadn't gotten to the truth. Darcy stopped and looked down at her. \"Aaaaaand?\" Darcy stretched out the word, as if he were adding a comma at the end of Elizabeth's last sentence in place of the period. \"And,\" Elizabeth sighed. \"I fear my mother is severely taxing my sanity.\" \"Really?\" Darcy raised his eyebrow. \"Such a pleasant woman! Are you entirely positive?\" Elizabeth didn't look amused. \"Very well,\" he continued. \"We shall leave tomorrow, if possible.\" As they reached the house, however, a hysterical servant who had apparently been waiting at the door for the Darcys to return, ran toward them frantically. She was waving a piece of paper. \"Mrs. Darcy,\" the servant panted as she reached them. \"I was changing the linen in Mrs. Wickham's room, and I found this, and oh! I didn't know what to do . . . I didn't want to upset the Bingleys, and Mrs. Bennett . . . I just didn't know what else to do.\" Darcy took the paper from the servant and scanned its contents as the servant caught her breath. When he finished reading, he crumbled the paper in his fist and tipped his head back, staring at the sky. \"Will, what is it? What is it?\" Elizabeth was so startled and concerned she forgot that she called her husband \"Will\" in front of the servant. Darcy blew out a deep breath. \"It seems, Mrs. Darcy, that Mrs. Wickham is feeling remorse for the events of three weeks ago, and decided last night to depart from our company. To travel to London, alone, in the hopes that her husband has his business affairs in order, and that she might rejoin him.\""}, {"response": 189, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (19:36)", "body": "Oh Irene, thank you for sharing with us. As always my prayers are with you. And I'm glad to see this story back! You've brought me a little sunshine, I wish I could do so for you..."}, {"response": 190, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (06:31)", "body": "Thank you for sharing! I'm thinking of you! I'm glad that my CF card cheered you up a bit! It was not that I chose to be anonymous, but I suppose it just came out that way!! This is the first time I have had that experience!!"}, {"response": 191, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (07:18)", "body": "I have a lousy memory, Irene. The title I mentioned was Anatomy of the Spirit. Three postings! I'm on the other side of flipped!!! Or as Bridget might say, v.v.flipped, board's activity is bloody brilliant! :-) Now all that is needed is a snappie of you-know-who!"}, {"response": 192, "author": "icappleg", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (09:37)", "body": "Actually, in this Sunday's paper (in the U.S.) there was a feature on Jennifer Ehle . . . did you know she is an American? Let's hear it for the Americans!"}, {"response": 193, "author": "gailw", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (11:06)", "body": "Yahoo Americans!!! Thanks Irene for another chapter of your always interesting story. We have missed it greatly. Which paper was the feature about JE in? I live in New England but if it was in Parade, we get that with the Boston Globe. I did not know that she is an American. Of course we can't take credit for CF but we can love him anyway!"}, {"response": 194, "author": "icappleg", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (14:27)", "body": "Having Nothing, Nothing Can He Lose, Chapter 36 The ladies sat in the parlor near the library, sans Mrs. Bennett who had hysterically taken to her bed upon hearing of Lydia's unexpected departure. Jane, Elizabeth, and Mrs. Gardiner first tried to amuse themselves by reading aloud, but they knew they couldn't keep their minds on the book, and they were only fooling themselves to continue. So Jane held the book on her greatly expanded belly, but wasn't paying any attention to it. She stared out the window into the night. Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner were making pillows, but every time they thought they heard a noise, they both made mistakes. It would all have to be taken out and done over anyway. Finally, they heard the library door jerk open, and all three ladies shot out of their chairs. Sewing and books fell to the floor, unnoticed. Darcy strode out, firmly closing the door behind him, and went outside. The three ladies stared at each other, shocked but terribly curious. Without a word, Elizabeth went outside to find Darcy. She couldn't find him. She stopped outside the door and looked around, but could not see him anywhere. Squaring her shoulders against the darkness, she was about to head away from the house, when she heard Darcy say her name. She spun around, and then saw him. He had his back against the side of the house, leaning against it, smoking. She knew that was a bad sign. Darcy hardly ever smoked, unless he was terribly upset or terribly bored. Both were very rare. But one look at his face told her that Darcy certainly wasn't bored: he had the same look of disgust, affront, and insult he had given her as she rejected his first proposal at Rosings so long ago. Elizabeth joined Darcy against the wall, and waited until he snuffed out the small cigar and threw it on the grass. \"Want to tell me about it?\" Elizabeth asked calmly but firmly. \"No.\" \"Tell me about it anyway.\" Darcy glanced at his wife, then glanced away. It was getting cold outside, but Elizabeth was obviously determined not to leave until she got what she wanted. \"Your father and your uncle Gardiner were of a mind simply to send word to London confirming your sister's safe arrival, and that she is reunited with her husband. Bingley agreed. I alone had the contrary opinion. I believed -- believe -- that someone should go to London at once. Me, if necessary.\" Elizabeth pondered the information. \"But, she has such a head start, no one will be able to overtake her. And once she is there . . .\" \"Once she is there,\" Darcy interrupted coldly. \"She will look for her husband and not find him. She will have nowhere to go. No friends. No prospects. Nothing.\" Elizabeth hoped Darcy was only forecasting doom for Lydia because of his bad feelings toward her. But . . . he said it with entirely too much certainty, and not enough conjecture. \"And how do you know this?\" Elizabeth asked as a chill overtook her. Darcy took off his heavy overcoat and wordlessly handed it to his wife. She wasn't about to argue; she took it. He waited until she had wrapped herself in the much-too-large coat, and then he turned to her. \"I know that because I have contacts in London who would occasionally send me word of Mr. Wickham. In time, he gambled and swindled his way out of . . .\" Darcy stopped. There was no need to be so blunt with Elizabeth. He paused and started over. \"In time, Mr. Wickham put his business affairs in order, and left the country. To Scotland.\" Darcy paused. \"With another woman.\" When Darcy heard Elizabeth suck in her breath sharply in shock, he regretted mentioning Mr. Wickham's infidelity. \"When?\" Elizabeth finally croaked. \"Wickham left the country about three months ago. As Mrs. Wickham was taken care of, and with her parents, I had no reason to impart what I knew. Until now. Now your father and uncle are angry with me for withholding the information, and Bingley is shocked insensible.\" \"What are we going to do?\" Elizabeth sounded far away. He knew she was about to cry. \"I'm sorry, Elizabeth . . . your father and uncle have forbidden me to get involved. They are going to London, leaving immediately. Your father in particular believes this to be a 'family matter' -- and he does not consider me to be family.\" She started to cry. He knew it. And he knew he wouldn't be able to stand it. \"It just never stops, does it?\" Elizabeth sobbed. Darcy reached into his pocket and handed Elizabeth a handkerchief, which she used to dab her eyes. \"Lydia insists on making a mockery of us, all of us, because of her own selfish determination. And now . . . and now, she's arriving in London destitute without knowing it, and I'm so angry . . . and hurt . . . but I don't want her to . . .\" She couldn't continue. Darcy knew it was time to take charge. \"Look,\" he took Elizabeth by the shoulders and pointed her to the entrance to Netherfield as a carriage sped through the gate. \"That is your father and Mr. Gardiner. They will find her. They know we are going back to Pemberley,"}, {"response": 195, "author": "icappleg", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (17:32)", "body": "Chapters 37 and 38 are at the following site: http://home.hiwaay.net/~icappleg/Darcy/nchl/nchl.html Chapter 37 is a pretty intense chapter, and 38 may not meet the . . . ummmm . . . standards of the board. I'm not sure if it does. I don't think it's THAT bad. But that's why I haven't posted it. You can skip these chapters and still be able to follow what happens next, however."}, {"response": 196, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (01:30)", "body": "You can skip these chapters and still be able to follow what happens next, however Nevah!!!"}, {"response": 197, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (06:36)", "body": "*skip*???? Have you ever met a drooler who skipped any of your chapters??;-)) They are delightful!!"}, {"response": 198, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (09:01)", "body": "I'm just heading off for vacation. (Boyfriend wants me to try camping --- I told him I prefer to commune with shopping districts in big cities, but I'll give it a try.) What a nice treat before leaving. We leave in an hour, if boyfriend stops asking, \"hey where's the--\". . .More to read. What are men to fictional men and drool? Skip? Skip? I do not skip! I flip, Sadie I am. All the best to everyone. Talk to you when I get back. :-)"}, {"response": 199, "author": "gailw", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (15:05)", "body": "Wow Irene! 3 chapters in one day - I'm in heaven! Have fun Sadie. My husband got me to go camping very reluctantly over 20 years ago when we first met. Now we go all the time and I love it."}, {"response": 200, "author": "Teg", "date": "Thu, Jun 29, 2000 (22:15)", "body": "Ladies.... :) Irene, my thoughts and prayers are with you as well. How could any illness resist the force of our combined energies? :) Danielle and I are off to Chicago tomorrow, so here's a chapter to keep you somewhat sated until I can return and finish it off. You know, there's only a couple of them left! Chapter Eighteen To the first time observer, the approach to Pemberley was breathtaking. The immense stone structure rose up from the green expanse of lawn, thrusting its way into the bright blue sky. Trees lined the laneway leading to the house, the dark foliage a stark contrast against the gray stone of the gates separating the private park from the more publicly accessible property of the estate. \ufffdOh, Ben. It\ufffds so beautiful!\ufffd Brenda didn\ufffdt know where to look first as the car swept through the front gates. The wide lawn drew the eye up toward the lake, then across to the gardens that bordered the west side of the house, finally taking in the towering design of the residence itself. Ben felt an unfamiliar rush of pleasure course through his veins with Brenda\ufffds words. Many of his friends had voiced similar praise upon first viewing Pemberley, but somehow it was very different coming from the woman he loved. A flash of colour on the lawn transformed itself into the figures of Aaron and Rich as the two boys raced alongside the drive ahead of Ben\ufffds car. \ufffdHey, Ben!\ufffd they yelled, waving as the vehicle passed by on its way to the carpark beside the house. Kevin opened his sleepy eyes as they came to a halt, immediately sitting up to peer out the window at the strange surroundings. \ufffdAre we here?\ufffd His eyes opened wider when he spotted the other two boys approaching the car. Aaron and Rich skidded to a stop just short of the open driver\ufffds door. \ufffdBen!\ufffd panted Rich. \ufffdIt\ufffds about time you got here.\ufffd \ufffdWhat?\ufffd \ufffdMum\ufffds been expecting you all afternoon. Dad said you wouldn\ufffdt be coming, but Mum \ufffd.\ufffd Ben was shaking his head. \ufffdSlow down, Rich.\ufffd He pulled open the rear door to let Kevin emerge. \ufffdKevin, this is my brother, Rich, and my cousin, Aaron.\ufffd \ufffdHi Kevin.\ufffd Aaron remembered his manners. \ufffdHi,\ufffd Kevin shyly replied. \ufffdAnd,\ufffd Ben continued, waving a hand across the roof of the car, \ufffdthis is Brenda.\ufffd Rich nodded in her direction. \ufffdHi Brenda. Ben, can we take Kevin down to the lake with us?\ufffd \ufffdNot yet, Rich. Just wait until he\ufffds had a chance to come in the house and meet our sisters. Then I\ufffdm sure you three can go and find some amusement away from the girls.\ufffd Disappointed, Rich grudgingly agreed and the two cousins led the way to the main doors. Brenda lifted her still sleeping daughter from the back seat and passed her to Ben. Together, they followed the boys into the house. The first thing on Ben\ufffds mind was to see how his father was. He had been somewhat reassured that nothing was seriously wrong by the fact that Rich and Aaron hadn\ufffdt said anything. Still, if his parents had kept Will\ufffds condition quiet so far, there was every possibility that they may have continued to do that. Stepping into the front hall felt a little strange, since his absence from home had been so prolonged. The memory of the scene in the library the previous evening did nothing to help settle Ben\ufffds apprehension, either. Sarah shifted in his arms as her eyes opened and she gave a great yawn. Brenda was gazing about in awe. She stepped closer to Ben at the sound of a door opening further down the hall. \ufffdThey\ufffdre here!\ufffd they heard Rich call out. \ufffdEveryone must be in the music room,\ufffd Ben said quietly, taking Brenda\ufffds hand and leading her toward that room. Kevin and the other boys were already making themselves comfortable when Ben brought Brenda to the open doorway. Everyone\ufffds eyes were turned toward him. \ufffdHi.\ufffd he said. His eyes travelled over the faces arrayed around the room, coming to rest on his father\ufffds. Will appeared no different than Ben was accustomed to seeing him, and he sighed a little in relief. \ufffdCome in, come in,\ufffd his mother was saying. \ufffdBen, introduce Brenda to everyone.\ufffd Ben smiled broadly and stepped into the room, bringing the woman at his side forward with him. \ufffdI\ufffdd like you all to meet Brenda, the woman I am trying to convince to marry me.\ufffd *** Will put his book down on the night table and looked across the room at his wife. \ufffdI think Ben caught Brenda by surprise with that remark.\ufffd \ufffdI know he did.\ufffd Elizabeth paused in brushing her hair. \ufffdI\ufffdm sure she was well aware of his intentions long ago, but didn\ufffdt expect him to tell the whole family like he did. He really put her on the spot when he said that.\ufffd Will grinned. \ufffdHe sure did.\ufffd Elizabeth crossed the room and climbed into bed next to her husband. \ufffdYou approve of what he did!\ufffd \ufffdI do indeed!\ufffd \ufffdWill!\ufffd She frowned slightly. \ufffdHe\ufffds putting pressure on her, and making sure she feels it all the more by having to justify herself to all of his family as to why she won\ufffdt say yes to him. It\ufffds not fair!\ufffd Shaking his head, Will chuckled softly. \ufffdThat\ufffds true enough. And I wish him the best of luck in attain"}, {"response": 201, "author": "KarinB", "date": "Fri, Jun 30, 2000 (11:17)", "body": "Sated?!?! Panting, I would say! Teg, you are the best! Just sorry to see \"The End\" coming!"}, {"response": 202, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Fri, Jun 30, 2000 (16:27)", "body": "Just sorry to see \"The End\" coming! Me too, unless there is a new story starting. Just a hint Teg ;-)"}, {"response": 203, "author": "gailw", "date": "Sat, Jul  1, 2000 (07:20)", "body": "Giving him a warning look, Brenda sighed, resigned that the meat wasn\ufffdt going to be the only thing grilled that night. Loved this line Teg! And L & D - WOW!!! Still panting.... Well I'm away too this morning for a week in New York (upstate - actually not too far from the setting of my story). In the meantime, here's a couple chapters to hold you over. The Wedding Singer Chapter 11 Surprisingly enough, the 4th of July weekend was a popular time for weddings. The Bennet Sisters had been booked months in advance for both Saturday and Sunday and had been forced to turn down several other opportunities. After visiting Mr. Gardiner Saturday morning, Charles dropped Jane and Lizzy off at their apartment to prepare for the band's 4:00 engagement and he headed over to visit William and Rick. It was a hot summer afternoon and the three of them lounged in beach chairs by the lake. Now completely recovered from his hangover, William mustered up the courage to ask the other two just how much of a spectacle he had made of himself the previous evening. He could not remember anything between mid-afternoon and waking up on the town common feeling terribly sick. Rick and Charles were both laughing at the recollection of the uncharacteristic behavior of their normally taciturn friend. \"At least you are a happy drunk cousin and we did not have to break up any fights or bail you out of jail!\" But William hid his head in his hands in mortification when Rick related his interaction with Elizabeth. I shall have to apologize to her. What an a - - I made of myself! \"What I should dearly like to know, Billy my friend,\" Charles continued, \"is where that comment about George's frequent absences came from. You don't even know George. Surely Lizzy hasn't confided in you about her fianc\ufffd's habits. She barely acknowledges her concerns to Jane.\" \"I must confess, Chuckie,\" William responded, \"I received my perception from Georgiana. Elizabeth has been so kind as to spend quite a bit of time with her lately. My dear sister, shy though she is, seems to have an unending curiosity about Miss Bennet and has been most indefatigable in obtaining information from her. Georgie never discusses her own part in their conversations but is quite eager to impart everything that Elizabeth relates, including the fact that George's absences have become more frequent. Georgie knows that I would never reveal Elizabeth's confidences, at least not consciously. I do hope that she doesn't blame my sister for my indiscretion. I would hate to jeopardize their relationship. It's been very good for Georgie.\" \"Lizzy would probably suspect me before Georgiana. She knows Jane tells me everything,\" Charles reasoned. \"Truthfully William, I don't think that Lizzy was disturbed because it was you saying those things, but rather because of the reality behind your words. Jane confided that Lizzy was most upset when George was not to be here this weekend. I don't understand it myself. I want to spend every possible minute with my fianc\ufffde. Jane has never been overly fond of George and his behavior these last two weeks has made my normally tranquil angel quite agitated. She feels that George has deserted Lizzy in her time of need.\" \"Time of need?\" questioned William. \"Of what are you referring?\" Charles explained, \"Mrs. Bennet's father is terminally ill with cancer. He has known for several months but did not tell his family until recently and now the end is near. Lizzy and Jane are very attached to their grandfather and this is a difficult time for them. They have taken to visiting him every day, even though he lives close to an hour's drive away. It's been exhausting both emotionally and physically. I think that is another reason why Lizzy reacted as she did to your comments. She would normally laugh off such remarks.\" \"Then I am doubly ashamed of my behavior. I am surprised though, that Elizabeth didn't share this news with Georgiana.\" \"Lizzy is closest of all the girls to her grandfather. It has probably been difficult for her to speak of it. In George's defense, she has not even told him yet. But Jane offers him no such justification. She says that if he had been around when he should, he would have known.\" \"I have to side with your admirable fianc\ufffde Charles. Although I don't remember saying it the first time, I will repeat that if Elizabeth was my girlfriend, I would rarely leave her side.\" After a few moments of silent contemplation, William asked Charles, \"Elizabeth sang a song last night, I believe it's called 'Oh, What a Night!', but she had changed some of the words. Do you know what the significance of the song is?\" Charles laughed. \"It seems that Lizzy and Jane went to Daytona Beach on spring break back in 1993 when Lizzy was only a freshman. I understand she danced most of one night with a handsome stranger and hasn't been able to get him out of her mind since. Jane says she holds him up as her ideal man even though she didn't even get his name. I guess he kissed her"}, {"response": 204, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Sat, Jul  1, 2000 (15:20)", "body": "Thank you Gail and Teg,... what a lovely heated scene!! Now, usually I push you in order to post, but for once I'd like you to stall and for pure selfish reasons as I am a selfish being and have been all my life!;-) I'm leaving for 4 weeks to spend them on \"my\" island! I wish you all a happy holiday!!"}, {"response": 205, "author": "gailw", "date": "Tue, Jul 11, 2000 (15:16)", "body": "Well.....I got back from vacation and eagerly signed in here and what do I find? Nothing! Where is everyone? Is the world on vacation?"}, {"response": 206, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Tue, Jul 11, 2000 (16:05)", "body": "I'm here patiently waiting for the writers Gail. I'm a reader, not a writer ;-)"}, {"response": 207, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Jul 11, 2000 (16:33)", "body": "Ditto!"}, {"response": 208, "author": "niekie1", "date": "Wed, Jul 12, 2000 (05:22)", "body": "Ditto!!"}, {"response": 209, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Jul 14, 2000 (16:24)", "body": "Ditto that Ditto!!"}, {"response": 210, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Jul 15, 2000 (15:17)", "body": ""}, {"response": 211, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Jul 15, 2000 (15:20)", "body": "Hello I don't want to rush you but I've got nothing to read."}, {"response": 212, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sun, Jul 16, 2000 (11:52)", "body": "Irene! excellent post... okay, one question - which Miss Bennet is coming to stay at Pemberley? and yes, one comment - Let Lydia go! If they bring her back or if Darcy goes to get her, she will continue to be a problem... let her go! I know it's cruel, but... Teg! Teg! Teg! Teg! I do love your story but I swear I never get enough of your L&D! I don't care how old they are... how many kids they have... NEVAH! Gail! Now we're getting to the good stuff! L&D in each other's company every day is a good thing... Oh and I still get all teary-eyed when they all visit Mr. Gardiner! Thank you all!!!"}, {"response": 213, "author": "gailw", "date": "Mon, Jul 17, 2000 (07:35)", "body": "Hello. Sorry I don't have time to post right now. Just back from vacation, gonig away again on Friday for another week and really busy at work. Things should be better in August. Thanks for your interest, it's the only thing that keeps me going with this."}, {"response": 214, "author": "icappleg", "date": "Mon, Jul 17, 2000 (10:30)", "body": "It's going to be Mary Bennett (the \"Miss Bennett\" I refer to in the story). And, also, the plan is to write Lydia out. I won't tell *how*, though!"}, {"response": 215, "author": "icappleg", "date": "Mon, Jul 17, 2000 (11:21)", "body": "I do not remember the last chapters I actually posted, so I'm posting (re-posting?) the last two . . . as a springboard for the others coming up. Thirty-Seven Darcy laid in his chambers, in bed next to Elizabeth. Believing that everything was going to be well with Lydia, and glad to be leaving soon, Elizabeth slept peacefully. Darcy stared wide-eyed at the ceiling, not moving, not wanting to wake his wife. Darcy's eyes misted, and he dashed the forming tears away, ashamed of himself. No one knew how much Mr. Bennett's angry words in the library earlier had unnerved him, how they played over and over relentlessly in his head. \"Well, I tell you, Darcy, this is a family matter . . . and the family will handle it. She is my daughter and I had every right to know all concerning her, including this business with Wickham . . . as Darcy drifted in and out of consciousness, fragments of Mr. Bennett's speech echoed. \"You have no loyalty . . . certainly not to your family. And now you offer to go to London? I think not, Sir! Your attitude toward my daughter Lydia these past weeks has been insufferable; I wonder that she did not run away before now . . .\" Sleep overtook Darcy. *** I just . . . I didn't know what else to do . . . *** was Darcy's last thought. ***** \"Father!\" Seven-year-old Will ran into the house, the door slamming shut behind him. Not finding Mr. Darcy, Will ran into the library. \"Look at this progress report of my lessons!\" Mr. Darcy turned from the desk. \"Was that you slamming the door down there?\" Will's enthusiasm evaporated. \"Well, yes, Sir, I'm sorry. I was just excited, wanted you to see this.\" He placed the report on the desk and backed away a few steps. Mr. Darcy quickly looked it over, pushed it aside with an \"Uh-huh.\" Will had been hoping for a different reaction from his father -- Will was hoping that for once, he had actually made his father proud of him. \"Ummmmmm . . . Father. Did you see those marks in Latin?\" For a few seconds, Mr. Darcy didn't respond. Then he turned around to Will. \"This is the best you can do?\" He slapped the card down on his desk, turning back to his papers. Will didn't say anything. He suddenly felt very tired, very old. \"You're busy, Father, let me take this out of your way,\" Will took the card from the desk, then remembered. \"I forgot, my instructor requested that you sign this.\" \"I'm not signing that.\" \"Oh, it doesn't mean you like my progress or anything. It just means that you saw it.\" Mr. Darcy bolted from his chair, toppling it over backwards. His hand lashed out at the papers on the desk, sending them flying. \"Well who the hell does that instructor think he is? Does he think he can push me around? I'll sign what I want to, where I want to, when I'm g------ good and ready!\" Mr. Darcy's voice raised to a scream; Will flinched as his father grabbed the report out of his hand. \"No one is the boss of me, you hear!\" Mr. Darcy strode across the room, and stuffed the report into an empty water pitcher on the side table. \"No one is telling me what to do. Your instructor especially. He's not going push me around like some snot-nosed kid, like the bunch of mothers' mistakes he claims to be teaching!\" Will snapped. \"Very well!\" Will yelled. \"You don't have to sign it; you don't have to sign anything.\" He strode over to the table. \"I'm sorry I even came to show it to you.\" Mr. Darcy blocked Will's way, towering over him. \"No, you son-of-a-b----!\" Mr. Darcy's hands went to his waist, balled up into fists. \"I have it, it is not yours; I'll keep it, throw it away, I'll do whatever I want with it!\" Will dodged around Mr. Darcy, grabbed the pitcher that contained the report, and charged into the hallway. \"Lovely!\" Will screamed as he ran up the stairs. \"You think you can take my things, well I can just as easily take yours! This is now mine!\" Will kicked the door to his room open, but before he could get in, he felt himself suddenly flung back into the hallway, spun around so that he was facing Mr. Darcy. Mr. Darcy seized the pitcher. Will refused to let go, holding on with surprising tenacity for a young child. They struggled in the hallway, in a vicious tug-of-war over the pitcher, tearing each other apart with the insults and accusations they screamed at each other as they fought. As a last ditch effort, Mr. Darcy let go of the pitcher with one hand, balled up his fist, and started slamming it into Will's forearm, leaving red marks and the start of bruises. Still, Will didn't budge, wouldn't let go. Mr. Darcy suddenly released the pitcher, and Will stumbled backward into the wall, clutching the pitcher to his chest. \"Fine!\" Mr. Darcy screamed. \"Fine! You bloody well want it?\" Mr. Darcy charged behind him into another bedroom, instantly returning with the a heavy porcelain bowl that goes under the pitcher. \"You might as well take this too!\" And as he shrieked the words at Will, he hurled the bowl as hard as he could at Will's head. Will darted the few inches to his room, s"}, {"response": 216, "author": "gailw", "date": "Tue, Jul 18, 2000 (07:24)", "body": "Oh Irene (rapidly fans face) !!! What a way to start off the day!"}, {"response": 217, "author": "KarinB", "date": "Tue, Jul 18, 2000 (16:24)", "body": "What a way to start off the day! For us or for the Darcys? ;-p"}, {"response": 218, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Jul 25, 2000 (00:32)", "body": "I'm enjoying this story so much Irene! Thanks!"}, {"response": 219, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (10:54)", "body": "*crawling out from under my rock* This story is just wonderful Irene, I cant wait for more! I always enjoy your writing :-)"}, {"response": 220, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (11:25)", "body": "Oh no! I was so hoping you were going to post something SB Robinson! What a tease it was to see your name listed beside the fan fic message board!"}, {"response": 221, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (16:28)", "body": "Okay folks, back again, now start posting;-))) Looking forward to all the accumulated chapters and short stories!! Btw Dani, you have been travelling a lot these past 4 months. Haven't you got anything cooking?? Pleaseeeeeeeeee!!"}, {"response": 222, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (21:22)", "body": "Esbee! Like Sadie, I am soooooooooooo disappointed you didn't post anything! Hanne! Welcome back! And yes, I've been traveling a lot lately, but you know how that in-bin keeps piling up... I have some ideas, but nothing that makes sense right now... it shall be a while. BTW Hanne, I'm sure you had time on your 4 week holiday to come up with some drool? Perhaps now, I have a bargaining chip... *evil smirk* mwahahahahaha! Gail seems to be taking a vacation every other week... Irene, we need you! Where the heck is Teg? TEG!!!"}, {"response": 223, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (21:41)", "body": "AHEM... just posted of bit of rambling nonsence over at 112 (Darcy Drool) - not a story but if you ever wondered what happened between Lizzy and Darcy in the carriage after leaving Longbourn on their wedding day you might want to check it out. :-)"}, {"response": 224, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (09:42)", "body": "BTW Hanne, I'm sure you had time on your 4 week holiday to come up with some drool? Well, you know it takes practice, and I have none whereas you have polished and practised;-)).....!!! I'm reconciled to waiting though!! Some. Esbee,....ending the snippet in that manner is hardly fair...may I suggest that you end it here! *nodding her head off* Yes??? Pleaseeeeeeee!"}, {"response": 225, "author": "gailw", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (17:56)", "body": "Yes I have been on vacation again but now I'm back and no further holidays in sight (sob, sob). However, unlike some people on extended vacation (read Hanne here), I have been working on a NEW story. Yes, I know, I'm in the middle of The Wedding Singer but I've been bored with it lately. So I'll be posting some of one or the other in a day or two - after I do the mounds and mounds of laundry piled up from the family camping trip. Yes Esbee - you owe us more of Tempest in a Townhouse. We are waiting........................ (twiddles thumbs)................"}, {"response": 226, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (18:51)", "body": "oops.... i was kinda hoping nobody would remember me promising that... it's still being worked on, i ah, kinda got side tracked working on Kitty's story which is turning out to be fairly amusing. :-) but, er... dont expect anything to soon. (good grief! i'm beginning to sound like a politician *shudder*) Esbee ;-)"}, {"response": 227, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (19:00)", "body": "Except that politicians produce more sexy scenes, and they don't write a word! ;-)"}, {"response": 228, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (20:03)", "body": "LOL Sadie! only because it needs to be a 'hushed-up business' and exaggerated over time and TV! ok Esbee... i'm going over to 112 right now!"}, {"response": 229, "author": "Katharine", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (02:07)", "body": "I have lurked here for many months now and have always thoroughly enjoyed the stories...so considering there seems to be a draught of sorts around here as the usual authors/authoresses are on vacation, etc,. I thought I would post a little something I wrote. Hopefully, this will quench all of your fiction thirsts for the time being. I am not as talented as the regulars, but I figured that this is atleast something, hehe. ;-) Anyhow, here goes. Fitzwilliam Darcy took another deep breath as he stared at the closed door just inches from his face. He was trying, yet again, to inhale confidence and exhale his nervousness...and although he knew he could not shake the anxiety that had plagued him since supper had ended, he could not help but inhale again -- this time so deeply that it made his head spin and eyes momentarily blurry. \"Go on, Darcy,\" he silently told himself, \"you are a man of the world, a married man, now...go and act like one.\" But his feet would not move. Despite this inner voice trying to raise his confidence, he knew that it was only human to have fear of the unknown...and what took place in the marriage bed was almost as unknown to him as it was to his bride, Elizabeth. Indeed, he knew the mechanics of the act; his father had talked with him about marital relations when Fitzwilliam was a young man, right before his tour of the Continent. It was expected and not frowned upon, the old Mr. Darcy had said, for a young man of consequence to experience this act while on this trip around Europe. However, it was most certainly not a requirement for young men to come home still inexperienced. Fitzwilliam Darcy had no desire to learn the lesson of physical love from just any woman. He was a romantic at heart and believed this level of intimacy should only take place between a man and his wife. And so, on the eve of his own wedding, Darcy was physically innocent, eager yet apprehensive to experience this union with his wife, Eliza eth. After one more breath was inhaled and shakily exhaled, Fitzwilliam Darcy raised a hand to lightly knock on the door connecting his dressing room to Elizabeth's bed chamber. A whisper-soft \"hello\" encouraged his entrance. Elizabeth stood in the center of the room, her spine straight as a board, her eyes wide and her hands nervously clasped in front of her. An almost imperceptible smile graced her full lips as her new husband entered her room. Fitzwilliam noticed fear mixed with love in her expression and could only return her sentiments with a gaze of his own. He them turned to his eyes to his wife's form, delighting in being able to admire her openly. Her thin, soft gown flowed elegantly over her soft body. The lace-trimmed neckline dipped rather low, exposing the tops of her breasts. There were no sleeves, and the material pooled at her feet in a graceful pile of cotton and subtle trimming. Fitzwilliam smiled at the sight of the tips of her silken slippers beneath the folds of ner nightdress. His eyes then moved back up to hers, and he sighed audibly. \"You are more lovely than anything I have ever...I am completely...That is to say...Mrs. Darcy, I have no words to...\" He broke off and shook his head at his lack of composure as a blush spread across his face. Elizabeth mustered all the courage inside of her (which was not much, at this point) to finally say, \"Words, my good husband, are not necessary. If you will only show me how to love you,teach me to be loved back...\" Her voice faltered as she, too, felt her cheeks flush bright pink at the audacity of her words and the realization that she was almost as excited as she was nervous. \"Only if you will teach me, as well, my darling...\" Darcy murmured. Comprehension dawned in Elizabeth's eyes, and she could not help smiling luminously at her husband...her handsome, brave , kindhearted husband who had...saved himself for her, for this very night. \"Oh William, I love you so very much.\" He needed no more encouragement, and slowly advanced towards his bride. His warm hands aquainted themselves with the silken skin of her arms, his thumbs caressing the insides of her elbows while his other fingers stroked her forearms in an up and down motion. Elizabeth's breath became incresingly more shallow as his light touch continued, and she unconsciously raised her arms to bury her fingers in his hair. She toyed lovingly with the short wisps at the base of his neck, massaging his skin in a circular motion. Darcy moaned softly and rested his forehead against Elizabeth's. \"Would you mind if...that is to say that I would like...May I kiss you, Mrs. Darcy?\" Her eys closed in response and she had barely begun to feel his sweet, warm breath on her moist lips before their mouths touched. Darcy lightly kissed Elizabeth's upper lip all the way across before taking it entirely in betwen his. He ran his tongue lightly over her lip and then began alternating soft nibbles with strokes of his tongue. Elizabeth instinctively caught Darcy's lower lip in he"}, {"response": 230, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (02:58)", "body": "So glad you delurked Katherine. Welcome! And what a great way to introduce yourself. I'm still wiping the steam off my screen. Feel free to reintroduce yourself tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day...."}, {"response": 231, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (03:03)", "body": "Hello Katharine well you certainly got rid of those draughts & hotted the place up.It's a wonderful, beautiful story I was hooked from the moment I read of Darcy's hesitancy,swoony by the time of the first kiss(WOW)and hot and bothered by the end(WOW WOW) All I can say is more,more.Well done and welcome."}, {"response": 232, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (03:05)", "body": "Good Morning Sadie or are you now taking a cold shower?"}, {"response": 233, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (03:06)", "body": "Hello Katharine well you certainly got rid of those draughts & hotted the place up.It's a wonderful, beautiful story I was hooked from the moment I read of Darcy's hesitancy,swoony by the time of the first kiss(WOW)and hot and bothered by the end(WOW WOW) All I can say is more,more.Well done and welcome."}, {"response": 234, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (03:07)", "body": "Judy, I'm going over to Odds & Ends again, if you're still around?"}, {"response": 235, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (03:08)", "body": "I'm not sure how that happened blame it on my hormones I seem to be flustered for some reason."}, {"response": 236, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (03:55)", "body": "Katharine, what a great story - lovely bedtime reading ;-). Thanks for sharing and I'm glad you delurked."}, {"response": 237, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (13:42)", "body": "Welcome Katharine, and thank you for the heat-up!!*wiping brow and monitor*"}, {"response": 238, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (14:13)", "body": "Aren't you glad you delurked, Katharine? We are. Fan fic always welcome here and you brought in a new twist...the wedding night from Darcy's POV. Thank God he had such a willing partner. Can you imagine if his bride was Cousin Anne? ;-)"}, {"response": 239, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (15:23)", "body": "Katharine! That was wonderful!!! I'm so very pleased you delurked :-) and what a sweet, steamy story -just the kind we like! *grin* Hope you've been bitten by the writing bug, and will post often (Heide) Thank God he had such a willing partner. Can you imagine if his bride was Cousin Anne? *virtual heaving* Bite your tongue girl! Yeck! *shudder* After that not-so-lovely image, i need to go back and reread Katharine's post ;-) btw Heide, when are You going to favor us with another story? You havent posted anything in ages!!"}, {"response": 240, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (16:09)", "body": "Esbee! I saw, I read, I panted, and I hated the fact that you did not finish the closed carriage story... but then again, that is for this board. FINISH IT! QUICKLY! Welcome, welcome, welcome Kathrine E! A delicious wedding night story! (Sadie) So glad you delurked Katherine. Welcome! And what a great way to introduce yourself. I'm still wiping the steam off my screen. Feel free to reintroduce yourself tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day.... ROTFLMAO! My thought sexactly! (Esbee) btw Heide, when are You going to favor us with another story? You havent posted anything in ages!! Oh yes! please do!"}, {"response": 241, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (16:12)", "body": "Oh dear! I meant, 'my thoughts exactly'! hee hee Is Dr. Freud taking appointments today? I need help! Immediately..."}, {"response": 242, "author": "Katharine", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (18:17)", "body": "Thank you all for your kind welcomes!!! I'm so pleased that you liked the story. I will post little odds and ends from time to time...nothing in my head right now but then tomorrow is another day. ;-) And I encourage everyone else to post...Esbee, Heide, Irene, Teg, Danielle...everyone! I am going through fanfic withdrawal."}, {"response": 243, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (00:24)", "body": "Yes Esbee, please finish the closed carriage encounter! (You see, it was all my plot to lure you writers back here!) This condition on the board (not counting the brief respite so generously offered by de-lurking Katherine) is the real meaning of DRY SEASON. (Heide)Can you imagine if his bride was Cousin Anne? Actually, what immediately popped into my head was a wedding night scene between Mr. Collins and Anne.... a sort of P&P Bizarro World. (Danielle) Oh dear! I meant, 'my thoughts exactly'! I don't know, I think we ought to enter \"sexactly\" as official Drool vocabulary."}, {"response": 244, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (01:50)", "body": "My thought sexactly! ROTFLOL, what the heart is full of.......!!! Like SadieR I think it's a refreshing new word in our drool vocabulary!!"}, {"response": 245, "author": "lg", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (05:20)", "body": "(Heide) Can you imagine if his bride was Cousin Anne? ;-) Oh! Heide! <snicker> Welcome Katharine! Just so you know, most of the stories posted here are collected and stored in an archive (which, for a change, is up-to-date!). It just makes it a little easier for new readers to drool through :) the collected fic. If you have no objection, I will post your story there too. But before I do, do you have a preferred title (and a short description) for your tale? Feel free to e-mail me privately, or post your answer here. Esbee, would you like your closed carriage vignette archived, too? Ta Leanne"}, {"response": 246, "author": "gailw", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (08:43)", "body": "I saw, I read, I panted, and I hated the fact that you did not finish the closed carriage story... Ditto Esbee - beautiful story - how about more? I had never been on Darcy drool before and enjoyed reading all the comments there. I will have to check it out more often. Thanks for pointing the way. Thanks and a very enthusiastic welcome Katharine! Lovely story - D & E wedding night stories are my favorite. Ditto on sexactly - what an appropriate word for this site!"}, {"response": 247, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (12:20)", "body": "Leanne, you dont have to archived the 'closed carriage vignette' * grin * it was just a bit of foolishness -thanks for the offer though, and ALL your hard as our Archiving Queen! * hugs * Gail, i'm so glad you found Darcy Drool enjoyable :-) He is so Very Drool Worthy ;-) Slurp! sexactly.... * snicker *"}, {"response": 248, "author": "Katharine", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (20:10)", "body": "I was just re-reading some of my favorites from the archive, and after finishing Bobby's Challenge (so excellently done by Heide), it got me thinking...maybe some of the non-authors here with juicy or especially creative ideas could give suggestions for story lines/vignettes. It might pull more lurkers out of the woodwork or re-inspire others. Anyhow, just as suggestion...so for any too shy to write, inspire us!!! ;-)"}, {"response": 249, "author": "gailw", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (21:16)", "body": "OK, here is the beginning of my new story. It appears at this point that this will be a fairly long story and it will take a while to get to the \"good stuff\" so I hope you will bear with me. Maybe by the time I have finished this one I will be ready to return to the rewrite of The Wedding Singer. And now.....drum roll..... What Matters Most Chapter 1 Liz Bennet drove her lime green Volkswagen Beetle along the private road to her grandmother\ufffds estate. After a mile or so an immense white-shingled structure came into view, standing out in stark contrast to the surrounding verdant lawns, dark pine trees and royal blue ocean. Liz maneuvered her car halfway around the circular driveway, stopping under the portico at the front door. Leaving her keys with the valet, she dashed eagerly to the entry in happy anticipation of seeing her favorite relative. Before she got to the door, it was opened by Clara, the long-time housekeeper, smiling in delight at the guest. \ufffdYour grandmother will be so pleased to see you Miss Lizzy,\ufffd she said. \ufffdShe\ufffds been waiting impatiently all morning.\ufffd She instructed Liz to meet her grandmother in the sunroom where lunch would be served in a few minutes. Liz thanked Clara and skipped along the lengthy hallway to the rear of the mansion, the way as familiar to her as her own home. Sleepovers at Grammy\ufffds were a common treat when she was younger and she had used her visits to explore every inch of the grand old manor, including the vast attic with its antique treasures. The walls of glass in the large cheery sunroom afforded an incredible view of the rugged Maine coastline. White caps formed as the surf pounded the rocky shore, mesmerizing Mary Bennet as she enjoyed the scene she never tired of. A slight noise behind her diverted her attention away from the windows and she whirled around to see her youngest grandchild standing in the doorway. \ufffdLizzy, my darling girl,\ufffd she gushed, \ufffdhow happy I am that you were able to have lunch with your poor old grandmother today. I know it\ufffds difficult for you to find the time now that you are a working girl, but at least you\ufffdre in the neighborhood now and not 200 miles away at school.\ufffd The petite woman with short snow-white curly hair smiled affectionately up at her taller granddaughter with long dark curly hair. \ufffdHave you grown again my dear?\ufffd Liz laughed at her grandmother\ufffds question. It was one she had heard at every visit as long as she could remember. At an even five feet, Mary\ufffds grandchildren passed her in height before they were teenagers and, at five foot six, Liz was a veritable giant to the older woman. \ufffdI can\ufffdt help it if you\ufffdre a shrimp Grammy,\ufffd Liz joked. \ufffdI stopped growing many years ago so maybe you\ufffdre starting to shrink!\ufffd Mary slapped her granddaughter\ufffds arm good-naturedly. She enjoyed this teasing banter with her youngest grandchild. Liz\ufffds elder siblings, Jane and Robert Jr., were entirely too serious in the older woman\ufffds opinion. Liz was full of laughter and fun, just as Mary had been as a young woman, and indeed still was much of the time. At 75 years old, she was hardly ancient and enjoyed excellent health and a fine group of friends to share her many interests. Her family lived nearby and visited her frequently. The only sadness in her life was the sudden and unexpected death of her beloved husband three years before from a heart attack. In spite of her busy schedule she still missed Leo terribly. But longevity ran in the Bennet family and she was determined to live out her remaining years with as much activity and enjoyment as possible. Liz enveloped her grandmother in a bear hug. \ufffdI do so love you Grammy,\ufffd she said. \ufffdI\ufffdm happy to be a college graduate now and home with my dear family. I never want to leave Maine again, except maybe for vacations. And by the way, thank you again for my graduation present. I love that little car!\ufffd Mary Bennet smiled. \ufffdI knew you would the minute I laid eyes on it. It had your name all over it. And I wanted to make sure you had reliable transportation so you didn\ufffdt have any excuse not to visit me.\ufffd \ufffdI\ufffdd walk here if I had to Grammy,\ufffd Liz laughed, \ufffdeven if it is 3 miles. It wouldn\ufffdt be the first time!\ufffd \ufffdNo, I seem to remember finding you on my doorstep a few times when you were a teenager and had a row with your mother. You could be a trying child but thank God you\ufffdve grown out of that!\ufffd Liz grinned sheepishly. \ufffdI wouldn\ufffdt relive those years for anything. I like being 23 years old, out of school and supporting myself. Did I tell you I found an apartment? I\ufffdm going to be living in Bar Harbor with Charlotte.\ufffd Charlotte Lucas was Liz\ufffds long-time best friend. \ufffdIt\ufffds a nice place and within walking distance to work. It\ufffds half of a two-family home and we have two bedrooms, two baths and a huge kitchen, which is a bit ironic because we\ufffdre both disasters in the kitchen!\ufffd The women were interrupted by Clara bringing lunch. They sat down to partake of shrimp salad and iced tea and silently munched for a few minutes be"}, {"response": 250, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (21:57)", "body": "Gail - you have releaved our suffering! :-) I assume Brian is going to smarten up, right? he slid a huge emerald cut diamond on her finger *sigh* that happens to be my very own 'dream ring' ...excellent choice Brian not that i have Any room to speak.... but, you must promise to post regularly my dear. :-) (Katharine) maybe some of the non-authors here with juicy or especially creative ideas could give suggestions for story lines/vignettes good idea! i'm always looking for new places for Lizzy and Darcy to er- 'go to it' :-) All suggestions welcome!"}, {"response": 251, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (16:22)", "body": "Can't wait for Liz to ditch Brian in favor of Will. Really glad you are posting again Gail! (Katharine)maybe some of the non-authors here with juicy or especially creative ideas could give suggestions for story lines/vignettes (Esbee)good idea! i'm always looking for new places for Lizzy and Darcy to er- 'go to it' :-) All suggestions welcome! What a great idea, Katherine. SO easy to conjure, so difficult to say it well... I think more should be written about their first visit to Longbourne. Lots of tension already, and maybe Lizzy would be a little uncomfortable in her parents' home? Also, a great location for a lover's spat, as Darcy is likely to slip up under all the various, er, pressures."}, {"response": 252, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (20:33)", "body": "Excellent idea, Katherine! And Sadie... why don't you write up your idea? Lots of tension, pent-up frustration, unquenchable desire, etc. etc. etc.... Hmmm? A lover's spat? But where to make-out? er, make-up? How about in the barn... inspring all the other animals to procreate. hee hee! Sick I know, but that's my opinion."}, {"response": 253, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (20:34)", "body": "Oops! Gail, I too, cannot wait until Liz wises up and kicks Brian to the curb for a REAL man!"}, {"response": 254, "author": "gailw", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (15:15)", "body": "What Matters Most Chapter 2 Liz impatiently blew a strand of hair out of her eyes as she lugged the last box up the front stairs into her new apartment. \ufffdThere,\ufffd she said to Charlotte with satisfaction, \ufffdthat does it. All moved in. Now we can start to unpack and organize everything.\ufffd She flopped down on the living room floor and looked up at the pile of boxes. \ufffdWhere do we begin?\ufffd Charlotte sat down beside her and sighed heavily, \ufffdIt will take us weeks but at least we can do most of it a little at a time. The main thing we need to be concerned about right now is the kitchen. Why did we ever invite Brian and Bill and your parents to dinner on Sunday? That gives us only 4 days to prepare.\ufffd \ufffdNone of them will care about how organized we are. My main concern is cooking an edible meal! What should we have?\ufffd \ufffdLet\ufffds keep it simple. Lobster, corn on the cob and salad. I think even we can manage that. All we have to do is boil water, melt butter and cut up vegetables.\ufffd Liz nodded in agreement. \ufffdAnd I\ufffdll beg Mabel to make us up a batch of her tiramisu. That way if we do manage to mess up the meal at least we\ufffdll have such an elegant dessert that everyone will forget what came before!\ufffd The doorbell rang startling the two women. \ufffdWho could that be?\ufffd asked Charlotte. \ufffdWere you expecting anyone?\ufffd \ufffdNot me.\ufffd Liz opened the door to find Brian standing there. \ufffdHi sweetie. Are you here to help us now that all the heavy lifting is done?\ufffd Brian looked around critically. \ufffdI just thought I\ufffdd pop over to see how you were doing. So this is the new place.\ufffd \ufffdYes, isn\ufffdt it great?\ufffd Liz asked enthusiastically, ignoring Brian\ufffds look of distaste. She grabbed his arm and dragged him around the apartment. \ufffdLook at all the windows. It is so light and airy in the daytime. We get a beautiful ocean breeze. Aren\ufffdt the rooms are huge? And look at my bathroom \ufffd isn\ufffdt it nice?\ufffd Liz raved on and on while Brian followed her stone-faced with no comment. They finished the tour in her room and she sat on the edge of the unmade bed. \ufffdWell what do you think?\ufffd Brian stood uncomfortably looking down at her. \ufffdI suppose it\ufffds all right. I still don\ufffdt understand why you feel like you have to do this Liz. You could have moved into my parents\ufffd house until we marry if your parents didn\ufffdt want you to stay at home.\ufffd Liz pouted prettily. \ufffdI could have stayed there but I wanted a little bit of independence before we get married. It\ufffds probably the only chance I\ufffdll have in my whole life to live on my own. I\ufffdm surprised you don\ufffdt want to do the same.\ufffd \ufffdWhy should I? I\ufffdm too busy to keep up an apartment on my own and I\ufffdd abhor having a roommate. Sharing a dorm room in college was bad enough. I never had any privacy.\ufffd \ufffdWell Charlotte and I have been best friends for ages and I know we will have a ball together. Besides,\ufffd she teased, \ufffdhow are you going to stand having a wife if you don\ufffdt want a roommate?\ufffd \ufffdCome on Liz, that\ufffds different and you know it. Why do you always have to be so flip about things? If you took getting married seriously you\ufffdd be spending your time planning our wedding and looking for a new house for us. Instead you\ufffdre wasting time with this stupid apartment and your little job.\ufffd Liz reddened with anger. \ufffdIf that\ufffds how you feel then maybe we shouldn\ufffdt get married at all. I want my \ufffdstupid\ufffd apartment and \ufffdlittle\ufffd job and if you can\ufffdt understand that then you can go to hell!\ufffd She stood up and started to walk away when Brian grabbed her arm contritely. \ufffdLiz, I\ufffdm sorry. I didn\ufffdt mean it like it sounded. Sometimes I just feel that you aren\ufffdt serious about our life together. Am I the only one that cares about our future?\ufffd Her anger was gone as quickly as it had flared up. \ufffdYou know that\ufffds not true Brian. Of course I care. But it\ufffds a year away and in the meantime I want to do this. I\ufffdm giving you the whole rest of my life. Can\ufffdt you give me just this one year to do something for myself?\ufffd She put her arms around his neck and looked up at him beseechingly. Brian knew well when to push and when to back off. He had learned the fine art of negotiation over many years of careful observation of his father\ufffds business dealings. He\ufffdd back off for now but in the end he would win and Liz would bend to his wishes. \ufffdOK honey,\ufffd he said smiling, \ufffdI\ufffdll give you that. It\ufffds late and I should go home and get some sleep, I have a busy day tomorrow. Are you working tomorrow?\ufffd \ufffdNo. I arranged for today and tomorrow off when I took the job so I would have time to move. And Friday is the holiday so I\ufffdm not going back until Monday.\ufffd \ufffdSo I\ufffdll see you Friday night then?\ufffd Liz nodded in agreement. \ufffdShould I pick you up or do you want to meet me there?\ufffd \ufffdI\ufffdll meet you at the marina. It\ufffds out of your way to come here first. Come on, I\ufffdll walk you out.\ufffd Liz escorted Brian to the door where he kissed her cheek and went out into the night. Liz sighed and leaned against the door thinking about her grandmother\ufffds words. Is this the man I want to wake up next to for the next 50 years? I hope so. *****"}, {"response": 255, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (15:17)", "body": "(Danielle) Hmmm? A lover's spat? But where to make-out? er, make-up? I cant believe you guys! I just finished a bit in which Lizzy and Darcy have their first (real) fight and then makeup!! :-) it's actually in the middle of my Kitty story, but i had just decided last night that it could stand on its own, and that i would go ahead and post it... it should be going out to Marcia tonight for editing! :-) (So heads up Marcia!!) check back in a couple of days and you can read all the juicy details. ;-) btw- if you dont usually check out the Darcy Drool board, you might want to pop over and visit for a minute... Xian has posted the most delicious picture of Darcy.... *sigh*"}, {"response": 256, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (21:20)", "body": "Well, I knew that Brian was a loser! Thanks for another great post Gail. Looking forward to tomorrow *hint, hint* Can't wait for the spat & makeup Esbee! Oh, maybe down the road, Danielle. Thanks for the encouragement. But don't say it too loudly. I'm not ready to join the harrassed writers, much easier to remain a demanding reader. :-)"}, {"response": 257, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (21:21)", "body": "PS, thanks for drool tip, Esbee. Am heading straight over to Darcy drool!"}, {"response": 258, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (15:05)", "body": "lots of hugs and kisses to Marcia my wonderful editor!!! The Fight by Esbee Darcy rode through the clearing, scanning to the left and right calling out his wife's name. Elizabeth had left the breakfast table that morning - in what could only be called a snit - and he hadn't seen her since. He was at somewhat of a loss as to what to do. Her general habit was not to pout in the woods surrounding Pemberley, yet here she had reportedly walked. And the fact that she had not returned to house for luncheon was definitely cause for concern. His anger with his father-in-law was growing with every moment of Elizabeth's disappearance. The gall of the man, to merely announce in a letter that Catherine would be joining the Darcy household for an unspecified length of time. He and Elizabeth were newly married. They should not be expected to entertain houseguests so soon. Even his own sister chiefly spent her time in London, under the watchful eye of Col. Fitzwilliam, and their Aunt and Uncle Matlock. His wife had disagreed with his opinion. \"Elizabeth!\" he called again, more urgently this time. Surely she had not walked this distance. \"I am over here Sir.\" Darcy swung his head around to see Elizabeth sitting beside a large tree, her bonnet on the ground beside her, a small bunch of wild flowers in her lap. Relief washed through him, followed quickly by annoyance. He had not expected this behavior from his wife. \"Come.\" He held out his hand from atop the horse. \"You have missed luncheon, but we will have tea together and discuss this. Come.\" He repeated. \"I can not come to you Mr. Darcy.\" Lizzy's frustration with her husband and herself was evident in her voice. Darcy frowned, \"and why, pray tell, is that?\" \"I have damaged my ankle.\" The words were barely out of Lizzy's mouth before Fitzwilliam swung down from his mount, and all but ran to her side. \"Dearest, you should have told me immediately.\" He exclaimed as he flicked up the hem of her skirt. \"Right or left?\" he continued even as he gently lifted the right one. \"That one.\" Lizzy mumbled, and drew in her breath as he carefully worked the boot off. As he examined it, she studied his features. \"It is not badly twisted,\" she assured him, seeing his drawn face. \"A little rest and it will be as good as new.\" His eyes rose to meet hers and with a small smile she reached out a hand and gently cupped his cheek. \"Truly Fitzwilliam, I am not greatly injured.\" He searched her eyes a moment before nodding. \"Come along then, and we'll return to the house.\" He reached down to help her rise. \"It is so peaceful here, can we not stay a few more moments?\" Lizzy inquired. Darcy hesitated, and then lowered himself to the ground, sitting across from her, legs stretched out until they were nearly touching her discarded bonnet. Carefully he lifted her bootless foot into his lap. \"I should be taking better care of you.\" \"I'm a grown woman Fitzwilliam, and perfectly capable of taking care of myself.\" Lizzy retorted with some amusement. \"Apparently not.\" Darcy lifted the foot and pressed a light kiss to the ankle. He smiled when Elizabeth rolled her eyes. They sat there a moment in a companionable silence. Each unwilling to begin the conversation they were avoiding. Darcy returned his attention to the foot in his lap. \"You have pretty toes.\" He ran his finger across them, then along the bottom of her foot. Elizabeth giggled and he glanced back up at her. \"Ticklish?\" he asked. \"Very.\" She agreed, then gasped in shock as his hand shot under her skirt, and his fingers attacked the back of her knee. \"How about here?\" \"Darcy!\" she squealed and tried to roll away from him. \"Stop it, that tickles!\" He abandoned her knee and leaned back with a laugh. \"What's so funny?\" Lizzy grumbled, gathering back up the flowers that had scattered during her attempted escape. \"You are.\" Darcy explained with a chuckle. \"You just called me Darcy, like we were old school chums or something.\" The smile on his face as he sat there in his riding clothes, hat still angled perfectly on his head, leaning back on his elbows lifted Lizzy's spirits considerably. \"I believe I would have enjoyed being one of your school fellows.\" She informed readily, \"And I am quite certain I should have made you a much better roommate at Cambridge than did George Wickham.\" She lifted an eyebrow and nudged his ribs with her big toe. Darcy nearly swallowed his tongue at the sudden image of Elizabeth readying herself for bed in his college dormitory room. \"Do you not agree?\" \"Most readily.\" He assured her. They sat in companionable silence once again, until Elizabeth spoke. \"You did not kiss me this morning.\" Darcy looked at her with some astonishment; \"I did not have to opportunity to do so. You left the breakfast table before\ufffd\" \"I meant earlier,\" Lizzy broke in, unwilling to discuss her behavior at breakfast that morning quite yet. \"When you left for your morning ride. You left without kissing me goodbye.\" She studied the flowers she gathered in"}, {"response": 259, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (17:15)", "body": "Not bad, SB."}, {"response": 260, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (19:18)", "body": "LOL... such praise."}, {"response": 261, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (22:13)", "body": "Gail! Gail! Gail! Please tell me that Will Darcy will be there this weekend at the Darcy compound! Lizzy will get a good 'look' at him and toss Brian to the curb before the engagement party! Okay, okay, it's YOUR story. I'll understand if you don't do it MY way... hee hee! (Sadie) I'm not ready to join the harrassed writers, much easier to remain a demanding reader. :-) LOL! I hear ya! Esbee, I didn't even have time to respond to you August 2nd comment! Way to go, Marcia! The Blue Chip companies should be so lucky to have an editor such as you! Esbee, darling, you do not disappoint! You paint a good picture too! \"Help me,\" Lizzy struggled to release the buttons along the back of her dress, wanting desperately to feel the sensual pleasure of having his chest pressed closely against her own. Sexactly! I nearly strangled on my own drool! Let it NEVAH be said that a married Lizzy held a grudge for very long! Thank you! Oh and that picture of Darcy/CF... *siiiiiiiiiiiigh*"}, {"response": 262, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (23:14)", "body": "Ah, My Dearc EsBee, it is YOU who create. I just tuck in the ends and make it all tidy and presentable. It is MY pleasure, Dear!!! Love this one!"}, {"response": 263, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (23:16)", "body": "(...gotta take the Saran wrap off the new computer keyboard. It makes me type worse than usual!)"}, {"response": 264, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (03:09)", "body": "Esbee,she says clearing her throat & wiping her brow, congratulations another hot story.I need to cool off before the next one but don't make it too long ladies please ;-)"}, {"response": 265, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (03:29)", "body": "This is what I received the other day and I thought it very apropos to to share it with you ladies;-)), sexactly!!! This is Elizabeth and Darcy in Brave New World, using code names!! One night when his charge was at full capacity, Micro Farad decided to use a cute little coil to discharge himself. He picked up Millie Amp and took her for a ride on his megacycle. They rode around the sine wave and into the magnetic field next to the flowing current. Micro Farad was attracted by Millie's characteristic curve. Soon her fields fully excited, he laid her on the ground potential, raised her frequency, lowered her resistance, pulled out his high voltage probe and began to short circuit her shunt. Fully excited Millie said, \"Ohm, ohm, give me mho.\" With his tube at maximum output and her coil vibrating from the current flow, her shunt and Micro's capacity were rapidly discharging. They flux and flux all night and tried various connections and hook-ups, until his bar magnet had lost all it's strength and could no longer generate enough voltage to sustain the collapsing field. With his battery fully discharged, Micro was unable to oscillate, so they ended up reversing polarity and blowing each other's fuses..."}, {"response": 266, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (05:56)", "body": "Hmmmm....Esbee, read above and it's not only in the future fuses are blown!! Thank you for this ..... subtle way of convincing Darcy!! LOL,...*fanning vigorously*"}, {"response": 267, "author": "KarinB", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (07:53)", "body": "subtle way of convincing Darcy!! Ooooohhhhhh! So that is why she did it!?!! I had no thought in that direction, I must admit. It was just convenient to discuss the matter, after being \"friends\" again... *blushing* I must be naive ;-) Or overinterested in drooling, more probably! But maybe you just meant the ancle, Hanne? \"Arts and allurements...\""}, {"response": 268, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (08:33)", "body": "Ladies, ladies, you keep this place alive . Esbee's past, Gail's present and Hanne's future...all in (my) one day's reading pleasure. Thanks to all."}, {"response": 269, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (14:35)", "body": "One night when his charge was at full capacity, Micro Farad decided to use a cute little coil to discharge himself... Soon her fields fully excited, he laid her on the ground potential, raised her frequency, lowered her resistance, pulled out his high voltage probe and began to short circuit her shunt. Fully excited Millie said, \"Ohm, ohm, give me mho.\" With his tube at maximum output and her coil vibrating from the current flow... Hanne, that was hilarious! Keep 'em coming! pun intended! hee hee!"}, {"response": 270, "author": "gailw", "date": "Sun, Aug  6, 2000 (12:44)", "body": "Esbee - lovely (and very hot) as usual. Hanne - thanks for the contribution - hilarious! What Matters Most Chapter 3 Liz was relieved of her suitcase immediately upon her entrance to the Darcy mansion. \ufffdMay I show you to your room Miss Bennet?\ufffd the butler asked politely. \ufffdNo, thank you Peter. I\ufffdll join the party now. Brian can show me later.\ufffd \ufffdVery good miss. They are all out in the pool area. Do you remember the way or shall I show you?\ufffd \ufffdI\ufffdm all set. Thanks again.\ufffd Liz walked outside, straight into the late afternoon sun. Momentarily blinded, she slid on her sunglasses and beheld a vision. Coming out of the pool, dripping wet and incredibly handsome, was a tall dark-haired Adonis. Liz couldn\ufffdt help but stare as she felt her heartbeat quicken. \ufffdLiz, Liz,\ufffd she heard a voice say somewhere in the distance. Shaking her head to lift the fog, she found Brian next to her. \ufffdLiz, are you all right?\ufffd \ufffdOh, hi sweetie. The sun dazed me for a moment.\ufffd Brian looked her up and down. She was wearing a long flowing dark purple flower-print skirt with a short-sleeved lavender sweater, a matching cardigan flung over her shoulders. Her long hair was gathered in a low, loose ponytail tied with a violet ribbon. \ufffdAre you changing before dinner?\ufffd he asked. \ufffdI wasn\ufffdt planning on it. I just put this on after work. Why?\ufffd \ufffdWell you could have worn something a little more sophisticated. You look like a little girl.\ufffd Liz made a rueful face at him. \ufffdI thought tonight was casual. I brought a black cocktail dress for the party tomorrow night but I don\ufffdt have anything else with me except jeans and shorts. Should I take my hair down?\ufffd \ufffdThat would help somewhat. Liz, you should have asked me if you didn\ufffdt know what to wear. Remind me to take you shopping to buy you some decent clothes.\ufffd Liz was terribly embarrassed. She seemed to always do the wrong thing as far as Brian was concerned. Would she never get it right? \ufffdCome and meet the family,\ufffd Brian said as he took her arm. ******************* Will pulled himself out of the pool and spied a dark-haired young woman coming out of the house. He watched as she put on sunglasses and then stood as if she were a deer caught in headlights. That must be Liz, he thought as Brian walked over to her. It surprised him that she wasn\ufffdt Brian\ufffds usual type \ufffd model perfect, plastic looking, too much make-up. She looked like a real flesh and blood person, natural, sweet. Not too bad. He pulled on a tee shirt and waited for Brian to bring her over to meet him. It took a while as there were several relatives in attendance and Will knew Brian would not introduce him until he had no other choice but to do so. It amused Will that his younger brother was so embarrassed by him. It was just Brian\ufffds personality and some day he would get over it. Finally Brian brought Liz his way. \ufffdAnd this is my brother Will. Will, this is Liz.\ufffd The god is my future brother-in-law? Wow! She had let her hair down and taken off her sunglasses. \ufffdSo this is the elusive William Darcy,\ufffd she said smiling at him. Will had thought her somewhat pretty before, but when she smiled at him it lit up her entire face and her eyes sparkled. Beautiful, he thought as he took her offered hand and kissed it gallantly. \ufffdIt is a pleasure to finally meet you Liz.\ufffd \ufffdOK that\ufffds everyone Liz. Let\ufffds go get something to drink.\ufffd Brian couldn\ufffdt wait to get away from his brother. \ufffdNo Brian, you go ahead. I\ufffdd like to talk to Liz for a bit and get to know her. Maybe you could bring her something?\ufffd He didn\ufffdt take his eyes off of her as he spoke to his brother. Liz met his gaze and replied, \ufffdYes Brian, I\ufffdd like an iced tea please.\ufffd Brian hailed a waitress to bring Liz her drink and then he took off into the house. Well she could spend time talking to Will if she wanted but he\ufffdd be damned if he was going to. Will offered Liz a chair and sat down beside her. \ufffdSo you must know by now that my brother considers me the black sheep of the family.\ufffd \ufffdNo, I\ufffdve never heard him say anything bad about you Will. He just doesn\ufffdt talk about you at all.\ufffd She smiled that smile again and Will\ufffds heart starting doing jumping jacks in his chest. \ufffdI understand you are a police officer.\ufffd \ufffdActually I am a detective with the Hancock County Sheriff\ufffds Department.\ufffd Her eyes are so beautiful. \ufffdThat sounds like an interesting job.\ufffd Can I sound any more gauche? God he\ufffds gorgeous! \ufffdUm, yeah, I like it.\ufffd What\ufffds wrong with me? I can\ufffdt think straight. How I\ufffdd love to kiss those lush lips and bury my fingers in her silken hair. Liz couldn\ufffdt think of an answer and just continued to stare at Will. He didn\ufffdt notice as all he could do was stare back. When Mrs. Darcy came outside with her husband a few minutes later she immediately noticed Will and Liz entranced with each other. \ufffdLook at that,\ufffd she said poking her husband\ufffds arm. \ufffdWhat did I tell you? I knew they\ufffdd be perfect for each other!\ufffd \ufffdAnnie, what are you saying? She is engaged to Brian.\ufffd \ufffdBut that\ufffds a mistake that she\ufffdll fix. Soon I think, if what I\ufffdm seei"}, {"response": 271, "author": "KarinB", "date": "Sun, Aug  6, 2000 (15:57)", "body": "Momentarily blinded, she slid on her sunglasses and beheld a vision. Coming out of the pool, dripping wet and incredibly handsome, was a tall dark-haired Adonis. Liz couldn\ufffdt help but stare Slipping on my own drooling dribble! I don't think it was the sun that blinded her!! This is promising. ;-)"}, {"response": 272, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sun, Aug  6, 2000 (19:27)", "body": "okay... MY DREAM CAME TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU, GAIL! THANK YOU FOR THE ' add several superlatives here ' VISION! This was a wonderful way to put me in a mood for the work week! Thanks again."}, {"response": 273, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (10:56)", "body": "Simply Wonderful Gail! Loved the way he emerged from the pool, *sigh* and George and Annie still so in love is So Sweet :-) more soon? Hanne! ROTFLOL! too funny! btw- thanks for all the kinds words regarding The Fight. Glad you guys liked it. :-) Any more topic suggestions?"}, {"response": 274, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (12:33)", "body": "...Dani has suggested the stables, ....what about the pond,...the surroundings have been used,.......the hayloft,....the green house!!;-DD"}, {"response": 275, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (13:22)", "body": "trying to stop the italics and make the font bigger ....and I almost forgot ..Gail I really enjoy What Matters Most,...Mrs Darcy is right Lizzy will realize what a snob Brian is.... \ufffdWell you could have worn something a little more sophisticated. You look like a little girl.\ufffd Indeed, tsk tsk!!"}, {"response": 276, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (15:26)", "body": "Oh my, what a treat to come back to! All this drooling! Esbee, I do love a good fight and makeup scene! And in the woods of Pemberley, no less. Just proves what I always have suspected. Elizabeth is really a wood Nymph, and Darcy cannot resist her because he's such an elemental male. Anima and Animus meeting, clashing, and mating. Bravo! Micro Farad, indeed! Hanne, what a hoot! The staring contest between Will and Liz was interrupted by dinner. Will spent the rest of the evening observing Brian and Liz together. While they seemed content in each other\ufffds company, he could detect no burning love, no passion between them....That night Will dreamt he was married to Liz. She came to his bed with love in her eyes and a smile on her lips. He took her in his arms and kissed that sweet mouth with a passion that rocked him to his toes. She slowly removed her clothes and his eyes feasted on her loveliness. He stroked her soft skin and she moaned, begging him to make love to her. So go to it man! Never mind Brian. He's got \"needs humbling\" written all over him anyway. This is just excellent, Gail! Can't wait for more words to drool by you authors!"}, {"response": 277, "author": "gailw", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (15:18)", "body": "Thanks for all your nice comments. I'm having a lot of fun writing this story. What Matters Most Chapter 4 At 6 a.m. the next morning, Liz was taking her morning run along the beach when she spied someone jogging towards her. As the person came closer, she realized it was Will. She slowed down, admiring his form as he neared. \ufffdGood morning,\ufffd she said. \ufffdGood morning. May I run with you?\ufffd Even in shorts and tank top with her hair in a ponytail, Will thought she looked beautiful. He had already run his usual five miles but a little more wouldn\ufffdt hurt, especially with Liz for company. \ufffdOf course but I don\ufffdt want to hold you up. You look as though you\ufffdre quite the athlete.\ufffd Oooooh those thighs! \ufffdI have to keep in shape for the job but you don\ufffdt look so bad yourself.\ufffd Actually you look quite spectacular! \ufffdThanks. I used to run track in high school. I haven\ufffdt competed since then but I do try to run every day.\ufffd \ufffdThen I\ufffdm sure you won\ufffdt hold me up.\ufffd They jogged in comfortable silence for a couple of miles then slowed to a brisk walk so they could cool down and talk on the way back to the house. \ufffdSo tell me, what do you see in that ugly brother of mine?\ufffd Will asked with a teasing smile. Liz giggled and Will thought it was the cutest sound he had ever heard. \ufffdYou\ufffdre so mean! Brian is quite nice looking. But what really attracted me to him is his maturity and determination. He knows what he wants out of life and won\ufffdt let anything get in his way.\ufffd \ufffdBut isn\ufffdt that too predictable? What about excitement, adventure, passion?\ufffd Liz frowned. \ufffdPassion is overrated. It burns brightly but briefly and then you\ufffdre left with nothing but ashes.\ufffd \ufffdAh, it sounds like the lady has been burned,\ufffd Will quipped. A pained look crossed Liz\ufffds face and Will instantly regretted his teasing. \ufffdI\ufffdm sorry. I didn\ufffdt mean to dredge up bad memories.\ufffd \ufffdNo, it\ufffds OK,\ufffd she said softly, \ufffdit was a long time ago.\ufffd She smiled at Will and continued, \ufffdBrian has a nice life planned for us and I find that very comforting.\ufffd How dull that sounds! But I will not interfere. I will not! \ufffdLiz, my brother is a good man. I know he will be very successful in life. My father is quite impressed with how well he is doing in the business after only a month. Before long he\ufffdll be running the whole empire and Dad can retire. I think they both would like that to happen.\ufffd \ufffdWhat about you? Have you never had the desire to run the empire?\ufffd \ufffdNo, I\ufffdm a much simpler man. I watched Dad deal with the headaches and stress and it has never appealed to me. I wanted to work with people, to make a difference in a more personal way.\ufffd He ducked his head, embarrassed. \ufffdI guess that sounds pretty corny.\ufffd \ufffdNot at all. My father did the same thing. He chose to be a teacher rather than take over my grandfather\ufffds business, and he\ufffds very good at it. My family never suffered from his choice. We\ufffdve been able to see much of this beautiful country during the summers and we are all very close. I couldn\ufffdt imagine a better childhood than I had. I hope I\ufffdm half as successful with my own children.\ufffd \ufffdYou\ufffdll be a wonderful mother,\ufffd Will said softly. He pictures in his mind Liz with a couple of small children on her lap, their tiny hands clasping her neck, kissing her cheeks, while she smiles that incredible smile. He walks in on this pretty scene and they all look to him with delight. \ufffdDaddy,\ufffd the kids say excitedly and run to hug his knees. Liz stand to greet him and they kiss, sweetly but with the promise of passion to be fulfilled later. Will signed and shook the image out of his head. That\ufffds Brian\ufffds life, not mine. Stop daydreaming Will! \ufffdI know your father,\ufffd he said, in an attempt to make conversation and get these futile thoughts out of his head. \ufffdI had a case involving a teenager at Ellsworth High School who was in one of your father\ufffds classes. He helped me handle the boy effectively. He\ufffds a great guy. The kids all seem to like and respect him. He mentioned that your mother also teaches there but I never had the pleasure of meeting her.\ufffd \ufffdThank you, he is a great guy. And my mother is terrific too. They have made a difference in the lives of so many teenagers and are the very best parents.\ufffd \ufffdI understand that your sister is also a teacher.\ufffd \ufffdYes, dear Jane. She is the sweet one in the family. She loves little children and teaches first grade.\ufffd \ufffdNow I would have thought you were the sweet one.\ufffd Liz uttered that delightful giggle. \ufffdNo, Robby\ufffds the responsible one, Jane\ufffds the sweet one and I\ufffdm the brat!\ufffd \ufffdNo! I refuse to believe it!\ufffd \ufffdI was a handful as a child. Willful, spoiled. My mother and I had huge rows when I was a teenager and I\ufffdd run away from home every other week, always ending up at my grandmother\ufffds house. She\ufffdd listen kindly, then straighten me out and call Dad to pick me up. Funny how she could say the same things as my mother but it never bothered me coming from her. But luckily I grew out of that and now Mom and I are the best of friends. It shames me to remember how awful I was but my paren"}, {"response": 278, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (17:37)", "body": "Oooooh those thighs! *sigh* yes they are lovely arent they? *big grin* wonderful Gail! i'm so glad that Will and Liz have spent a little quality time together, maybe they'll take a run together every morning.... cant wait for more :-)"}, {"response": 279, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (17:57)", "body": "(Esbee) wonderful Gail! i'm so glad that Will and Liz have spent a little quality time together, maybe they'll take a run together every morning.... cant wait for more :-) Ditto! However, I thought Esbee was going to say 'maybe they'll run away together... I know, it's just my vivid imagination! and another dream of mine... hint, hint!"}, {"response": 280, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (18:10)", "body": "Oh yes, they should definitely run away together! Ah the benefits of \"broken message board\". Thanks for another great chapter Gail. The thighs have it!"}, {"response": 281, "author": "gailw", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (19:39)", "body": "What Matters Most Chapter 5 Liz examined her image in the mirror. I hope Brian approves. She thought she looked pretty good in the short slinky black sheath. Silvery hose and black heels completed the ensemble. She left her hair loose and flowing in a mass of soft curls over her shoulders and halfway down her back. There was a soft tap on the door and the object of her thoughts entered. \ufffdWhat do you think?\ufffd she asked hopefully, twirling around for his inspection. \ufffdCan\ufffdt you do something with that hair?\ufffd he asked, not noticing how her face fell. \ufffdDon\ufffdt you think it\ufffds time you got it cut? You\ufffdre 23 years old, not 16. Let me get Georgie and maybe she can do something.\ufffd He walked out of the room, not bothering to close the door. Tears stung Liz\ufffds eyes and all of the pleasurable anticipation of the evening to come fled. Am I never going to be good enough for him? I try so hard. Just then she heard a whistle from the doorway. She turned to see Will leaning against the doorframe, eyeing her appreciatively. \ufffdWow Liz, you look fantastic,\ufffd he said. Will felt his heart squeeze in his chest at her loveliness. How he wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her. He clung to the door to prevent his hands from reaching for her. \ufffdThank you,\ufffd Liz replied, her tears disappearing. \ufffdI\ufffdm glad someone approves.\ufffd That damn Brian. \ufffdHow could anyone not approve? You are simply beautiful.\ufffd He felt hands shoving at him as Georgiana attempted to push her way past her eldest brother. \ufffdExcuse me bro, hair emergency.\ufffd Will shrugged his shoulders and left the room. ***** A little while later, Georgiana and Liz appeared in the living room where the rest of the family had gathered in anticipation of the engagement party. Liz\ufffds hair was now piled upon her head with several loose tendrils swirling around her neck. \ufffdLiz, you look lovely,\ufffd said Mrs. Darcy as others murmured in assent. \ufffdDoesn\ufffdt she Will?\ufffd Startled, Will looked at his mother. \ufffdUm, yes mother, lovely.\ufffd What\ufffds that all about? Brian hurried to his fianc\ufffde\ufffds side, took her hand and kissed it. \ufffdLiz you look beautiful,\ufffd he said loudly to make sure everyone heard. Well, better anyway. Thanks to Georgie. Liz blushed prettily. \ufffdThank you Brian,\ufffd she said softly. Maybe the party wouldn\ufffdt be so bad after all. ***** Hors d\ufffdoeuvres and cocktails flowed freely as the party was in full swing. White lights twinkled on the potted trees both indoors and on the patio. Live music from a five-piece ensemble wafted softly in the air. Will spied Brian deep in conversation with Robby Bennet while Liz conversed with her parents, Jane and Karen. They laughed at some private joke and Will delighted in the sparkle in Liz\ufffds eyes. Noticing Mary Bennet seated by the patio door alone he made his way over to her. \ufffdGood evening Mrs. Bennet,\ufffd he began, \ufffdI don\ufffdt know if you remember me...\ufffd She interrupted before he could introduce himself. \ufffdOf course I do William Darcy. Even though you no longer frequent the country club, I would know George and Annie\ufffds boy anywhere. Come sit with me for a minute. Charles left me to fetch me a drink but he must have gotten sidetracked.\ufffd \ufffdCould I get something for you?\ufffd Will asked politely. \ufffdNo dear, I\ufffdm just fine. I\ufffdd much prefer to keep the company of a handsome young man.\ufffd She winked at him and he laughed as he sat down beside her. \ufffdNow William, I heard your parents boasting about you earlier. It seems you are some big shot detective. Were they telling the truth or exaggerating your accomplishments, as we family members are wont to do?\ufffd Will was delighted by the older woman\ufffds candor and the sparkle in her eye as she spoke. Just like her granddaughter! He continued in her light manner. \ufffdWell ma\ufffdam, I don\ufffdt like to brag, but I have had some success in solving cases and bringing in the bad guys. I find it very rewarding.\ufffd Mary patted his hand. \ufffdAnd I\ufffdm sure you are much too modest for your own good. I\ufffdm inclined to believe your parents then.\ufffd She smiled at the nice young man and noticed that his glance kept returning to her youngest granddaughter. \ufffdPretty girl my Lizzy, don\ufffdt you think?\ufffd Will started, surprised. He had not realized he was so obvious. \ufffdUm, yes, she is lovely. Brian is a lucky man.\ufffd Mary leaned closer to him conspiratorially. \ufffdTell me William, what do you think of this engagement? I know Brian is very ambitious but do you think he\ufffds a good match for my lively granddaughter? He seems a bit dull for my taste. Now you on the other hand, would be a good complement to her personality.\ufffd Will blushed redder than he ever thought possible. Could she read his mind? \ufffdUm, I don\ufffdt know Mrs. Bennet. It\ufffds not my place to say. They seem to be happy together and I wish them well.\ufffd He crossed his fingers with his little white lie. \ufffdI would never tell Lizzy this but I hope she comes to her senses before this wedding actually takes place. I\ufffdd hate to see her make a big mistake. My Lizzy is a special girl and I want to see her happy. I know I can count on your discretion William.\ufffd \ufffdOf cour"}, {"response": 282, "author": "gailw", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (17:57)", "body": "OK here's two chapters in two days. Don't expect it to happen again! What Matters Most Chapter 6 On Sunday morning Liz found Will sitting on the beach. \ufffdHave you already taken your run?\ufffd she asked. \ufffdNo, I was waiting for you and I\ufffdm glad to see you so early. I thought you might sleep in this morning and I\ufffdd be here for hours.\ufffd He stood up, brushing the sand off of his shorts. \ufffdWhat did you think of the party?\ufffd \ufffdIt was lovely. Your parents certainly know how to entertain.\ufffd They began to jog comfortably together along the water\ufffds edge. \ufffdYou looked lovely last night Liz. I liked what Georgie did to your hair.\ufffd Very sexy. Will\ufffds fingers had itched to pull it down all evening. \ufffdYou have beautiful hair.\ufffd \ufffdThank you Will. Your brother thinks I should cut it. He says I\ufffdm too old to have long hair.\ufffd \ufffdAnd what do you think?\ufffd \ufffdI don\ufffdt know. I like my hair long but maybe he\ufffds right. And I do want to please him.\ufffd \ufffdLiz, don\ufffdt change yourself for anyone, even Brian. If you want your hair long, keep it long. If he loves you, he won\ufffdt care about it. When you really love someone, you love them regardless of how they wear their hair or what they wear or if they get tattoos or gain weight. None of that changes who you are inside.\ufffd Liz thought about his words as they increased their pace making further conversation difficult. Brian had become quite a nag lately. He seemed to not like anything about her \ufffd her job, apartment, clothes, hair. Maybe he really didn\ufffdt love her. Maybe she was just the convenient choice to fulfill his master plan. But he was steady, responsible. Isn\ufffdt that important? Is it enough? ***** After running for two miles, Will and Liz slowed down for the return trip. They removed sneakers and socks and waded in the cool ocean water as they walked. \ufffdWill, we talked about my job yesterday so now I want to know about yours. What exactly does a detective with the county sheriff\ufffds office do?\ufffd \ufffdI work on cases that overlap town boundaries or that we are called in for assistance. Most of the towns in the county are so small that they often need extra manpower. We also work with the park rangers. As you know, Acadia National Park takes up a good part of Mt. Desert Island. The rangers do not have the authority to make arrests so they call our office when problems arise. Usually it\ufffds someone staying at one of the campgrounds getting drunk and starting a fight or something stupid like that. Fortunately, I don\ufffdt normally get called into those situations. But at any point in time, our office has over a hundred outstanding warrants and several open cases ranging from burglaries to murder.\ufffd \ufffdIt sounds like it can be dangerous.\ufffd \ufffdIt can be but usually it\ufffds much more mundane than exciting. There is a lot of paperwork and time spent in court. But I find the work rewarding and there are enough interesting cases to keep me going\ufffd.. \ufffdLiz, I must change the subject and apologize for my earlier words. It is none of my business what goes on between you and Brian and it has been bothering me that I said anything to you. It\ufffds just that I\ufffdve seen too many women of my acquaintance lose themselves to men. They change their personalities to conform to what they think the man wants, but that never works out. Usually the man leaves because the woman has changed from the one he was attracted to. The best relationships I have seen are those where both partners are individuals who enjoy their differences. That keeps the spark in a relationship. It\ufffds pretty boring to me to be with a woman who echoes everything I say.\ufffd \ufffdPlease don\ufffdt apologize Will. You are right. Brian has been very critical of me lately and frankly I\ufffdm getting tired of it.\ufffd Liz stopped short and stared at Will in horror. \ufffdWhat am I saying? You are his brother! Please don\ufffdt tell him what I said!\ufffd Will took her arm gently. \ufffdYou can confide in me Liz. I would never break your confidence. I\ufffdm glad you felt comfortable enough with me to speak your mind.\ufffd She looked up at him earnestly. \ufffdNo, it\ufffds not right. I should be speaking to Brian, not to you. I\ufffdve just been feeling confused and unsure lately. Perhaps we rushed into this engagement too quickly.\ufffd Will\ufffds heart stopped as she looked at him with those big brown eyes. His brain shut off and hormones took over as his fingers caressed her cheek. He lowered his mouth to hers and gently caught her lips in a soft kiss. He tasted a combination of salt from the exercise and an exquisite sweetness. He felt rather than heard her sigh as she surrendered to him and parted her mouth to accept more of him. He deepened the kiss and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tightly to him. She was so near he could feel her heart thudding against his chest. \ufffdOh Liz,\ufffd he murmured as he pulled back slightly to look at her. Her eyes were closed and her breath came in short puffs. \ufffdLiz,\ufffd he repeated, diving back into the sweetness of her lips. After a seeming eternity enveloped in the snugness of his arms, Liz suddenly realized what she was doing and pul"}, {"response": 283, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (18:05)", "body": "*sigh* ...Gail, i'm so glad to see they're finally getting a clue :-) and Will daydreaming was to cute looking forward to more -Esbee"}, {"response": 284, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Wed, Aug 16, 2000 (14:01)", "body": "Oh Gail! What a great welcome back for me! Thank you! His brain shut off and hormones took over as his fingers caressed her cheek. He lowered his mouth to hers and gently caught her lips in a soft kiss. He tasted a combination of salt from the exercise and an exquisite sweetness. He felt rather than heard her sigh as she surrendered to him and parted her mouth to accept more of him. He deepened the kiss and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tightly to him. She was so near he could feel her heart thudding against his chest. \ufffdOh Liz,\ufffd he murmured as he pulled back slightly to look at her. Her eyes were closed and her breath came in short puffs. \ufffdLiz,\ufffd he repeated, diving back into the sweetness of her lips. *slurp* Whoooooooooa Nelly! *wiping drool* What was she going to do about Brian? What should she do about Will? Get rid of the fool, bring on the drool! what else? (Esbee) looking forward to more... DITTO!"}, {"response": 285, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Wed, Aug 16, 2000 (16:20)", "body": "(Esbee) looking forward to more... So am I !!!!"}, {"response": 286, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug 16, 2000 (17:21)", "body": "I'll forth that! What a treat, Gail. (Danielle)Get rid of the fool, bring on the drool! what else? LOL Danielle! A very fine line of poetic prose!"}, {"response": 287, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Thu, Aug 17, 2000 (18:42)", "body": "Sadie... I'm on a roll! hee hee! Um Gail... I know you said not to expect two posts in a day, but... I could use a pick me up before I go to bed. PLEASE????"}, {"response": 288, "author": "gailw", "date": "Sun, Aug 20, 2000 (17:46)", "body": "What Matters Most Chapter 7 \ufffdGood morning Liz.\ufffd Brian\ufffds voice came through the telephone as Liz stretched. It was a week later and Liz was uncharacteristically still in bed at 9:00 on this fine Sunday morning. \ufffdHello Brian,\ufffd she replied coolly. \ufffdIs something wrong? Are you coming with me today?\ufffd Brian and Liz had planned to take some of Brian\ufffds friends out on the yacht and later have dinner with them at the country club. \ufffdI think not.\ufffd \ufffdLiz, what is going on? We made plans and now you are backing out. What is wrong?\ufffd \ufffdI\ufffdm surprised you have to ask after last night.\ufffd The previous evening they had dined with some of Brian\ufffds friends at the country club after he had played in a tennis tournament. Liz was sick, sick, sick of Brian\ufffds friends and sick, sick, sick of the country club. \ufffdWhat about last night? I thought we had a good time.\ufffd \ufffdMaybe you did, but I did not. Brian, I do not appreciate it when you belittle me in front of your friends.\ufffd \ufffdI don\ufffdt understand what this is all about, Liz. If I offended you in some way why didn\ufffdt you say so last night? I have no clue what you are talking about.\ufffd Must be PMS. \ufffdYou made fun of me and my job to your friends once again and I am tired of it. I love my job and I don\ufffdt care anymore if you think it is beneath me. I don\ufffdt care to discuss it and I don\ufffdt care to see you today.\ufffd \ufffdFine, I\ufffdll just tell them you are ill. I\ufffdll call you later in the week. Goodbye Liz.\ufffd Brian angrily hung up the phone. Liz was becoming very unmanageable lately. He wondered if he had made a mistake getting engaged to her. She had always been controllable and he had felt he could mold her into the wife he wanted. Now he wasn\ufffdt so sure. It\ufffds been ever since we left college and she got that job and apartment. It must be Charlotte\ufffds influence. I knew it was a mistake letting Liz move in with her. Well it would serve Liz right if I dump her. Then she\ufffdd be sorry that she let the good life slip through her fingers. Maybe spending the day alone will make her see reason. I won\ufffdt call her until later in the week and then she\ufffdll be all apologetic. Satisfied with this thought, Brian swallowed the last of his coffee and went to meet his friends. ***** Later that day Liz was tooling around Mt. Desert Island in her lime green Beetle. Suddenly she saw a flashing blue light in her rearview mirror. She quickly pulled the car over to the side of the road. To her dismay the blue light pulled in behind her but was quickly doused. She noticed the car was unmarked and the person who got out was not wearing a uniform. She rolled down her window and said, \ufffdDo you always make it a habit of scaring poor defenseless women out of their wits?\ufffd Will laughed. \ufffdWhy should you be scared if you weren\ufffdt speeding?\ufffd She made a face at him. \ufffdYou\ufffdre not even a patrol officer. Do you have the right to pull anyone over?\ufffd \ufffdOf course, if I see someone breaking the law. Fortunately, you were not.\ufffd \ufffdWell I think this is an abuse of power, Mr. Detective.\ufffd \ufffdYou\ufffdre right but when I saw you drive by I took advantage of my position to catch up with you. Cool car, by the way.\ufffd \ufffdThanks. My grandmother gave it to me as a graduation present. Your brother is embarrassed by it. He can\ufffdt understand why she didn\ufffdt give me a Porsche or BMW.\ufffd \ufffdI\ufffdm not surprised. But what do you think of it?\ufffd \ufffdI love this car. It\ufffds fun to drive and I adore the color.\ufffd \ufffdIt suits you.\ufffd \ufffdThat\ufffds what my grandmother says. That\ufffds why she bought it.\ufffd \ufffdShe\ufffds a pretty neat lady. I spoke with her at the party last week.\ufffd \ufffdWhat are you doing right now Will?\ufffd \ufffdI just got off of work and was headed home when I saw you.\ufffd \ufffdWell I\ufffdm on my way to my grandmother\ufffds house for tea. Care to join me?\ufffd What on earth am I doing? He must think I\ufffdm crazy! If Will was surprised by the invitation, he did not show it. \ufffdSure, sounds like fun. Let\ufffds stop at the convenience store up ahead. I\ufffdll leave my car there and you can chauffeur me in your cool wheels.\ufffd Liz giggled that giggle that Will loved. \ufffdOK, let\ufffds go.\ufffd ***** \ufffdBrian, I\ufffdd like you to meet my baby sister Abby.\ufffd Brian turned expecting a shy gawky teenager. His mouth dropped open when he beheld the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on. Standing before him was an angel with chin-length perfectly straight blonde hair, a slightly long patrician nose, cherry-tinted full lips and startling blue-green eyes. This gorgeous face topped a body that would stop traffic. Long legs accentuated by a mini-skirt and high-heels led up to slim hips, a tiny waist and the most luscious breasts that money could buy encased in a skin-tight sweater. Mouth dry, Brian attempted to speak to this vision. \ufffdH-H-Hello Ab-b-by, I\ufffdm B-B-Brian,\ufffd he stuttered. She put her soft white hand into his and said in a breathy voice, \ufffdBrian, it\ufffds so nice to finally meet you. Mark has talked about you for years.\ufffd Her heels made her almost as tall as Brian and she looked straight into his deep blue eyes. \ufffdThank you for letting me tag along today. Your boat is beautiful.\ufffd Brian struggl"}, {"response": 289, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Aug 21, 2000 (09:53)", "body": "Why am I thinking about having babies with Will Darcy? LOL - so many comments spring to mind.... ;-) i just love the way their families are working behind the scenes to get them together Great chapter Gail"}, {"response": 290, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Mon, Aug 21, 2000 (11:49)", "body": "Why am I thinking about having babies with Will Darcy? LOL - so many comments spring to mind.... ;-) Well, you're on your way.....Esbee;-)) (Gail)Oooooh they are getting hot...good. Now we need somethnig more substantial!!! Give Brian a mirror, and he will live happily ever after!"}, {"response": 291, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Aug 21, 2000 (15:28)", "body": "Why am I thinking about having babies with Will Darcy? (Esbee) LOL - so many comments spring to mind.... ;-) Sexactly! (sorry, couldn't resist) Brian's gonna cheat, I can tell. Are he and Lizzy even sleeping together? I hope not. But it is about that time that Lizzy and Will did. *not-so-subtle hint* More soon Gail, pleeeeeeeease. Ya canna leave us danglin, gerl!"}, {"response": 292, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Mon, Aug 21, 2000 (17:48)", "body": "(Esbee) i just love the way their families are working behind the scenes to get them together. (Sadie)Sexactly! (sorry, couldn't resist) HEE HEE! L&D must've gotten everything straight between them with the kiss and all... did I miss that chapter? Anyway... Gail, when Will pulled Lizzy over, I just knew your were going to have him do a strip/cavity search right there on the deserted mountain highway! once again, that's my own fantasy and not part of any story... *sigh*"}, {"response": 293, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Tue, Aug 22, 2000 (05:04)", "body": "Btw Teg, you do have some unfinished business, so how about rounding up your characters and get on with Parallels!! ....Uhm, please!!"}, {"response": 294, "author": "gailw", "date": "Tue, Aug 22, 2000 (09:37)", "body": "(Dani) Anyway... Gail, when Will pulled Lizzy over, I just knew your were going to have him do a strip/cavity search right there on the deserted mountain highway! once again, that's my own fantasy and not part of any story... *sigh* Shoot - I wish I had thought of that! I'll have another chapter tomorrow. Good stuff is coming, I promise, but not quite yet. Please be patient."}, {"response": 295, "author": "bamitchell", "date": "Tue, Aug 22, 2000 (15:52)", "body": "Gail - trying very hard to be patient here. Great story. Believe it or not, I've just recently discovered this topic and am enjoying it immensely. I usually stay in lurkdom at the Colin Firth topics and web pages. Thanks to all you talented ladies for providing such wonderful diversions to my very routine days. Barbara"}, {"response": 296, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Tue, Aug 22, 2000 (18:27)", "body": "Welcome, welcome Barbara! We all welcome diversions... perhaps you may favor us with a story? Regardless, we welcome you!"}, {"response": 297, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Aug 22, 2000 (20:47)", "body": "Welcome Barbara. LOL Danielle, maybe you ought to write some! (Don't worry Barbara, she always asks you at least once to write some fanfic;-D) Of course, if you are so inclined, I'll be right there to join in the pressure."}, {"response": 298, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Aug 22, 2000 (21:48)", "body": "Hello Barbara and Welcome!! we love newbies here :-) (Danielle) perhaps you may favor us with a story? Yes, yes ...please do. We'd love for you to share any stories or story ideas you may have. meanwhile, i think Sadie should write a story for us -and Danielle!! you havent posted one forever!!!"}, {"response": 299, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Aug 22, 2000 (23:51)", "body": "I will write a story, Esbee, if you will be my editor. -D (One good cornering deserves another!) However, work schedule is still mad, so I'll probably not start one until October. But be warned, if I do write one, it will be v. naughty!"}, {"response": 300, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (09:43)", "body": "LOL!!! cant wait ;-)"}, {"response": 301, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (13:18)", "body": "I've not checked in here for a few days so its nice tosee it's busy. Love the story Gail can't wait for the next installment- with some serious snogging please:-) Welcome Barbara please de-lurk elsewhere as well. Sadie can't wait for your story the naughtier the better for me. Plenty of tongue action as well please ladies :-D"}, {"response": 302, "author": "gailw", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (14:07)", "body": "I'm sorry, but we're still not at the \"good\" stuff yet. It's coming - I promise you. Just a few more chapters. I've been reading a lot of Nora Roberts lately to help me get in the mood to write some really torrid stuff. What Matters Most Chapter 8 \ufffdLiz Bennet speaking, may I help you?\ufffd Liz answered her phone at work on Wednesday. \ufffdHi Lizzy, how are you?\ufffd \ufffdJane, hi, I\ufffdm great. What\ufffds up?\ufffd \ufffdI called to see if you\ufffdre free tonight. Karen and I are having dinner and hoped you could join us. Charles and Rob are going to their monthly audit committee meeting at the club and we thought we\ufffdd have a nice girls\ufffd night in.\ufffd \ufffdSounds great. At your house or Karen\ufffds?\ufffd \ufffdAt Karen\ufffds, around 7:00. She didn\ufffdt want to leave the kids at bedtime. We\ufffdll tuck the little guys in and then have a nice relaxing dinner and gabfest.\ufffd \ufffdI\ufffdll be there. I have something I need to discuss with you guys and this is the perfect opportunity.\ufffd \ufffdLizzy honey, is there something wrong?\ufffd \ufffdI don\ufffdt want to get into this now Jane, but I am having some doubts about marrying Brian. I\ufffdm hoping for some advice from my big sister and sister-in-law.\ufffd \ufffdYou know you can always count on Karen and I for advice. OK, I\ufffdll bring the wine. Since Karen can\ufffdt drink any there will be plenty to loosen up your tongue!\ufffd Liz giggled. \ufffdJane, I love you. But remember it is a work night and I can\ufffdt get drunk.\ufffd \ufffdI\ufffdll keep you in line my love. Get back to work. See you tonight.\ufffd \ufffdBye.\ufffd ******* \ufffdThose babies are so adorable,\ufffd Jane sighed wistfully after helping Karen and Liz put her three-year old and 18-month old nephews to bed. \ufffdOh Jane, no luck yet on the baby front?\ufffd Karen asked, guiltily patting her 5-month pregnant belly. Jane got a gleam in her eye. \ufffdWell\ufffd..actually\ufffd..I went to the doctor\ufffds today and\ufffd..\ufffd Liz let out a whoop and grabbed Jane into a bear hug. \ufffdOhmigod! Jane, you\ufffdre pregnant!\ufffd Jane smiled broadly as Karen got in on the hugging. \ufffdYes I am, almost 2 months along and everything is fine!\ufffd \ufffdHow did Charles react to the news?\ufffd Karen asked. \ufffdHe\ufffds thrilled. He\ufffds trying to convince me not to go back to school in the fall but I think I\ufffdll go crazy hanging around the house just waiting. I\ufffdd rather keep myself busy until the baby\ufffds born and then I\ufffdll stay at home. \ufffd \ufffdThen you\ufffdll have plenty to keep you busy!\ufffd Karen said with a grin at Liz. \ufffdWhile you will be dealing with three under the age of four,\ufffd Liz replied. \ufffdI don\ufffdt know how you do it.\ufffd \ufffdIt\ufffds not so bad when you have a house full of help. I feel sorry for anyone in my position that doesn\ufffdt have a housekeeper and a cook. If I had to clean and cook poor Rob would be starving in a pigsty! Anyway, the first one is the toughest so Jane will have plenty to do. And you know me, I\ufffdll be there to give Jane so much advice she\ufffdll be kicking me out of the house!\ufffd \ufffdSpeaking of advice,\ufffd Jane interjected, \ufffdLizzy, it\ufffds your turn now. Spill your guts to your dear loving sisters.\ufffd The women sat down at the dining room table to enjoy a meal with their conversation. Liz noticed she was the only one with wine in her glass. It was going to be a long night. After avoiding the prodding stares of her sister and sister-in-law as long as she could by slowly chewing her food, Liz finally gave into their tacit urging for dirt. \ufffdWell\ufffd..this is my problem. You see, I\ufffdm not sure I want to marry Brian. But how do I know for sure? Could it just be pre-wedding jitters?\ufffd \ufffdWhat\ufffds brought on your doubts honey?\ufffd Jane asked with evident concern. \ufffdThings seemed to be going so well a couple weeks ago at the engagement party.\ufffd \ufffdActually I was starting to have second thoughts even then. Things have just been different since we left college. There we were both focused on classes and studying and we had the common objective of graduating with honors. Now that we\ufffdre home and beginning the rest of lives, I\ufffdm finding that our goals no longer seem compatible. While we both want marriage and children in our futures, I also want to pursue my accounting career and would like a husband that encourages me. Brian is acting like his career is the only one that matters and my role is to cater to him. Although I want to support him, I refuse to give up my own aspirations. This is the 21st century ladies. Am I so wrong?\ufffd \ufffdMaybe Brian is trying to support you sweetie,\ufffd Jane began. \ufffdMaybe he just doesn\ufffdt realize how important your job is to you and he\ufffds thinks his way will make your life easier.\ufffd \ufffdJane, you always try to see the best in everyone. I love you for that. But no, we\ufffdve discussed this several times and he seems to think that my most important role in life is to be his wife and that my \ufffdlittle job\ufffd, as he calls it, is just a fling until we\ufffdre married. I just can\ufffdt get him to see my side. Frankly, I don\ufffdt think he wants to.\ufffd \ufffdWell I know that Charles would love for me to stop working and stay home. But in our case, it\ufffds because he works at home and wants my company. He does know I love teaching and wouldn\ufffdt dare belittle it. I guess I can see why you\ufffdre bothered by B"}, {"response": 303, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (14:47)", "body": "I knew it! What a ratface he is! I hope Will and Elizabeth discover this so that they suffer no guilt over being together. Thanks Gail. Please post more soon, 'cause I want the satisfaction of seeing Brian get dumped almost as much as seeing Will h---. (That pom was for you, Danielle)"}, {"response": 304, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (14:47)", "body": "Thanks Gail I enjoyed that ,loved the girl talk.At last she's seen the light. How she can say 'Will Darcy kissed me' without buckling at the knees I don't know,she obviously needs another reminder of a real kiss by a real man instead of that scumbag Brian,hint,hint."}, {"response": 305, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (17:49)", "body": "Whew - ratface is right. Yeck, what a jerk. Cant wait for Lizzy to dump him!! I've been reading a lot of Nora Roberts lately to help me get in the mood to write some really torrid stuff. mmmm... she is good isnt she? :-) Have you read her series on Eve and Roarke which she writes under the name of J.D. Robb? Totally steamy - and her discription of Roarke is, well, lets just say with a pair of contacts CF could play him perfectly in a movie. :-) *sigh*"}, {"response": 306, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (17:51)", "body": "*Sighing with you* Which parts of him sexactly, Esbee?"}, {"response": 307, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (18:04)", "body": "LOL Sadie! But this is drool, darling, you could've spelled out 'humped'! hee hee! I'm all excited Gail! I never read Nora Roberts or JD Robb - but I do have a gift certificate from amazon.com that's waiting to be spent! when i get back tonight, I'll use it through Drool! Ah yes, more delicious steamy reading for me!!!!!"}, {"response": 308, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (18:18)", "body": "Nora Roberts, JD Robb, burned in brain. Danielle, you lucky lucky woman! I forgot to acknowledge your contributions to drool along with Judy and Tracy (see Odds&Ends to see what little demure me means!)"}, {"response": 309, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (18:20)", "body": "Lucky because of your gift certificate! Enough sex talk. Must eat to avert total brain shutdown."}, {"response": 310, "author": "gailw", "date": "Thu, Aug 24, 2000 (06:02)", "body": "Esbee - hadn't read any of the JD Robb stuff - will have to check that out. Thanks for the tip. Sadie - what is Odds&Ends?"}, {"response": 311, "author": "gailw", "date": "Thu, Aug 24, 2000 (09:13)", "body": "I know you're all waiting for this so I'll be kind and not keep you in suspense any longer. No, before you get all excited, it's not the sexy stuff. That you still have to wait for. Let's keep that anticipation building! What Matters Most Chapter 9 It was Saturday evening when Liz\ufffds phone rang. \ufffdHello?\ufffd \ufffdHi Liz, I\ufffdm running a little late. I\ufffdll be there to pick you up in a half hour.\ufffd \ufffdThat\ufffds fine Brian. If you\ufffdd like I could take my own car and meet you at the club to save time.\ufffd \ufffdNo. I will pick you up. How would it look for you to arrive in that gawd-awful green thing to the most elegant ball in the club\ufffds history? It would embarrass my parents and they have poured their hearts, souls and money into making this the best charity ball ever.\ufffd \ufffdFine,\ufffd Liz sighed. She knew it was Brian who would be embarrassed, not his parents. \ufffdI\ufffdll see you in a half hour.\ufffd She hung up the phone and thought, It will have to be tonight. I cannot take any more of this. Sorry Brian, but after tonight you are history. ******* Liz sulked as she looked out the window of Brian\ufffds black Porsche. It didn\ufffdt matter that she was breaking up with him; he still should have said she looked nice. But he hadn\ufffdt said anything. She supposed she should be thankful he didn\ufffdt criticize. Maybe he didn\ufffdt care anymore either. Liz convinced herself that Brian would be just as relieved as she to no longer be engaged. She played with her engagement ring thoughtfully. The diamond was big and the setting was lovely but it wasn\ufffdt what she would have chosen for herself. Of course Brian hadn\ufffdt consulted her when making his selection. It was presented to her with the expectation that she would accept it and love it. Just like the rest of Brian\ufffds plans. She would not miss the ring. Or the plans. A feeling of freedom washed over her and her mood brightened considerably. Until Brian spoke. \ufffdLiz, we are sitting with some very important people tonight. I don\ufffdt want them thinking I cannot provide for my intended so do not speak about your job. Tell them about the wedding arrangements and the plans for building our new house.\ufffd Furious, Liz turned to him. \ufffdI do not need you to tell me what to talk about. I will say whatever I darn well please. Isn\ufffdt it enough that you tell me how to dress and how I am going to live without telling me what to say?\ufffd Brian remained cool in the face of her anger. \ufffdIf I could trust you to do the right thing, I wouldn\ufffdt have to tell you. It\ufffds bad enough that your parents have to show up at these things without you causing me further embarrassment.\ufffd That was it. She was going to do this now before she exploded. \ufffdBrian pull the car over right here, right now.\ufffd Surprised by her vehement tone, Brian complied Liz pulled the engagement ring off her finger and laid it carefully on the dashboard. \ufffdBrian, I cannot continue like this. I thought you loved me but lately all you do is find fault with me. You have changed since we\ufffdve come home from school. You are no longer the man I thought I loved and I no longer wish to be engaged to you.\ufffd Brian looked at her in anger. \ufffdHow dare you?\ufffd he asked. \ufffdHow dare you break up with me? I handed you the world on a silver platter. Do you think you will be happy being an accountant for G-d sake? Look at what your brother and sister have. Don\ufffdt you want to be like them? They\ufffdve come so far from the life your parents imposed upon you.\ufffd Liz sighed heavily. \ufffdBrian, you never understood me or my family. My parents are wonderful loving people who gave my brother and sister and I a terrific childhood. I have never needed money to make me happy. If I did, I could just go to my grandmother and she\ufffdd give me anything I wanted. I was attracted to the security you were offering me not the money you were going to make. But I can\ufffdt accept it on your terms. I\ufffdve come to realize I want to make my own way in the world and not just hang onto your coattails.\ufffd \ufffdFine. You\ufffdve made your decision and now you can suffer for it. Don\ufffdt expect me to come crawling back when you\ufffdve discovered what you threw away.\ufffd Brian put the ring into his coat pocket, pulled the car back onto the road and drove in resentful silence. Soon they came to the magnificent stone entrance to the country club. He stopped the car at the front entry as a doorman came over to open Liz\ufffds door. She motioned him away. \ufffdGet out,\ufffd Brian hissed. \ufffdAren\ufffdt you coming in?\ufffd \ufffdNot right now. I\ufffdm sure your family can make room for you at their table. I\ufffdll thank you not to sit with my family. I may be back later but right now I just want to drive around.\ufffd Liz was afraid that he would get into an accident driving in anger. \ufffdBrian, please. Let\ufffds talk about this.\ufffd \ufffdThere\ufffds nothing left to say. You\ufffdve made your choice. Liz, I\ufffdm not going to do anything stupid if that\ufffds what you\ufffdre afraid of. You\ufffdre not worth it. Just go away and leave me alone.\ufffd \ufffdI\ufffdm sorry Brian,\ufffd Liz said softly as she opened the door. \ufffdI never intended it would end this way.\ufffd \ufffdIt doesn\ufffdt matter,\ufffd he said coldly and too"}, {"response": 312, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Aug 24, 2000 (11:10)", "body": "Ahh.... Will to the rescue. Gee, wonder what will happen once he gets Lizzy home? (hint, hint, hint) and Mr and Mrs Darcy are still so in love and it's so sweet *sigh* thanks for another great chapter Gail :-)"}, {"response": 313, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Thu, Aug 24, 2000 (22:23)", "body": "Stay with her all night if you have to... ROTFLMAO! I've been upset with my mother for years with her interference, yet I'm loving Darcy's Mom! funny, ain't it? I'm loving this, Gail! DO go on?"}, {"response": 314, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Aug 24, 2000 (22:45)", "body": "Well, this is heating up! Can't wait for Elizabeth to show Will her etchings. Alas Danielle, if only my mother would find me a Will, I'd happily follow her advice for once. BTW Gail, I meant the Odds & Ends Board"}, {"response": 315, "author": "gailw", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (07:39)", "body": "Sadie - what is the Odds&Ends board? Where might one find that?"}, {"response": 316, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (07:46)", "body": "It is number 136 in our current conference list of topics http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/136/new"}, {"response": 317, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (14:39)", "body": "Sorry Gail! Karen has explained it better than I did. You should come and check out all the other Colin Firth related boards, too. #134, Colin Firth, Part 8 has been very busy lately. And so has Bridget Jones Diary #131. I never remember the numbers, I just always go to the drool conference (the link is at the bottom of this page, in case you've not used it before)and visit each board in turn. If you're logged on, you can also see a master list of the most messages posted to the various boards at Spring. (Clearly some of us spend way too much time here!)"}, {"response": 318, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (14:39)", "body": "oops, that should read \"most recent messages\""}, {"response": 319, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (14:51)", "body": "Gail it would be great if you joined in on the other boards but please don't let it delay the next steamy installment:-).Be careful when reading Sadie's posts, they really should carry a warning :-)"}, {"response": 320, "author": "sarah19", "date": "Sat, Aug 26, 2000 (01:15)", "body": "I'm off to school tomorrow. I will have access to a computer put in a lab therefore I doubt I'll be able to read the wonderful drool. I don't want an \"innocent\" passerby catching a glimpse(tee hee). Anyway, keep churning out the stories so that I can read them when I come home. Have a great day. I'll miss this place. Sarah"}, {"response": 321, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sat, Aug 26, 2000 (09:59)", "body": "(Sarah19)\"innocent\" passerby Is there such a thing? hee hee! Anyway, we'll miss you sarah. drop in anytime! hit the books running and never look back, learn all you can and then spread the joy..."}, {"response": 322, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sat, Aug 26, 2000 (14:04)", "body": "All the best Sarah! Meanwhile we'll do all we can to spread the drool (especially when Danielle posts that new story she promised)-D Don't listen to Judy (anyone); my posts are extremely discrete and tasteful. It's Judy who would see a message like this and make something crude out of the word \"tasteful\"; she'd say something about CF's dimples, and then, make sure you understand she's not talking about his smile. Why, I even hear she's sketching kilts these days... -D"}, {"response": 323, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sat, Aug 26, 2000 (14:37)", "body": "(Sadie) (especially when Danielle posts that new story she promised)-D It'll be a long wait then... However, Sadie, I'm sure you have some more ideas or fantasies that are just waiting for you to type them up... Come on, give it a try? Drool is therapy!"}, {"response": 324, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Aug 26, 2000 (16:15)", "body": "Listen to Danielle, Sadie,' Drool is therapy'-it might stop your imagination running away with you so much discreet and tasteful LOL ,if you think that's an accurate description of your posts then your story is going to be hot stuff & will probably need censoring for my delicate eyes. (BTW I'm finding that sketch quite hard ,its dark under there afterall) Gail please please I need the next installment."}, {"response": 325, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Aug 27, 2000 (00:41)", "body": "LOL! Therapy eh? Then I must be approaching a high level of self-awareness by now. Well Danielle, it was worth a try :-) Now Judy, your eyes have not been delicate since, well, since you began working on hard sketches... I want to add my howl, Gail. I know I'm really close to a personal breakthrough --- just one more therapy session, Doc."}, {"response": 326, "author": "gailw", "date": "Sun, Aug 27, 2000 (09:59)", "body": "Sadie&Karen - thanks for the tips on other Drool boards. I had never really browsed around here. So I checked them out and WoW! What a lot of stuff going on! Definitely have to read Possession and can't wait to see BJD with ODB. I think he'll be great as Mark Darcy. Anyway, I'll try not to let my browsing get in the way of my writing. Here's another installment of WMM. What Matters Most Chapter 10 Liz was silent on the ride home. Will wished he could say something to comfort her but did not know how to begin. When they reached her apartment, Will quickly exited the car to open her door. \ufffdThank you Will,\ufffd she said, \ufffdbut you can leave now. I don\ufffdt need a baby sitter.\ufffd In spite of her protest he led her to the door. \ufffdI don\ufffdt consider myself baby sitting. I\ufffdm just a friend making sure you are all right.\ufffd And hoping to become more than just a friend. \ufffdMay I come in and have a cup of tea? Or are you going straight to bed?\ufffd Liz took out her key and opened the door. \ufffdPlease come in. I would enjoy the company.\ufffd After Liz shrugged out of his coat and draped it on the back of a chair, they went to the kitchen and Liz put the kettle on the stove. \ufffdI\ufffdll be back in a minute. I need to get these clothes off. Make yourself at home.\ufffd While he would have preferred to help Liz, Will stayed in the kitchen making himself comfortable and idly browsed through the magazines and other mail that had been left on the table. He came across a sales slip for a new mountain bike with Liz\ufffds name on the top. Hmmm\ufffd\ufffdmaybe this is something I can make use of. Liz returned shortly dressed in baggy running shorts and an oversized T-shirt. She had washed off her make-up but hadn\ufffdt taken the flowers out of her hair. While this made her look much younger, Will could discern her soft womanly curves under the loose clothing and his pulse quickened. Trying to appear nonchalant, he slouched down in the chair. \ufffdYou look relaxed,\ufffd Liz commented as she reached in the cupboard for tea bags and cups. She noticed that Will had removed his tie, unbuttoned the top and cuff buttons of his shirt and rolled up his sleeves. \ufffdYou do too,\ufffd he replied, then added in a concerned tone, \ufffdAre you OK Liz?\ufffd She poured hot water over the tea bags and brought the cups to the table before answering. \ufffdI am perfectly fine now. I was the one who broke up with Brian so why should I care if he brought another woman to the ball? Yes, it shocked me at first, but I thought it over as I was changing and I realized that it reflects much worse on him than it does on me. He, the one who always was concerned over appearances, is the one making a fool of himself. I\ufffdm sorry to speak badly about your brother but I think you understand.\ufffd \ufffdDon\ufffdt apologize Liz, please. I love my brother but he can be a real jerk and this time he has outdone himself. I admire the way you are handling it. I have to tell you that when I met you I was surprised that Brian was engaged to a woman like you.\ufffd \ufffdLike me? Whatever do you mean?\ufffd Choosing his words carefully, Will tried to explain. \ufffdBrian has always been attracted to the more, um how should I say this? To the more glamorous type. You are very different from any woman he has been with before.\ufffd Liz smiled and responded teasingly, \ufffdSo I am not glamorous, huh?\ufffd Will grimaced. \ufffdI knew you\ufffdd take it the wrong way no matter how I put it. Liz, you are a beautiful woman.\ufffd He was pleased when she blushed prettily. Modesty became her very well. \ufffdBut you are the down-to-earth type. No fuss and bother. You don\ufffdt make a big deal about clothes and appearance, which I know has been a criticism of Brian\ufffds. He usually goes for the high-fashion model type. I had always found his girlfriends had more style than substance so I was thrilled to see that when it came to selecting a wife, he had used better judgment. However, though he chose well, he then put considerable effort into trying to change you. That I did not understand.\ufffd \ufffdWell it appears that he has now gone back to his previous ways. The woman he brought tonight was certainly model perfect and very beautiful.\ufffd Liz felt a gnawing in her stomach. It certainly wasn\ufffdt jealousy, but more like a feeling of inadequacy that Brian certainly knew how to bring out in her. Will could read her change of expression. He was very angry with Brian for his careless treatment of this lovely woman. \ufffdBut she is probably empty-headed. Liz, you did the right thing. Brian was not right for you. You must realize that now.\ufffd Funny how Will always made her feel better about herself. She smiled at him and took his hand. \ufffdI do realize it Will. Thank you for making me feel better.\ufffd Feeling her soft dainty hand in his and looking into her big brown eyes caused Will\ufffds heart to melt into a puddle on the floor. He knew it was too soon to make a move but he had to have this woman in his life. He wanted to marry her, love her, make a home with her. Careful Will, don\ufffdt scare her away. He finished his tea and rose from the chair. \ufffdI should let you get to b"}, {"response": 327, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sun, Aug 27, 2000 (13:06)", "body": "bided his time... Yeah, I'm sure he did! *siiiiiigh* Thanks Gail! I'm hoping that in the next chapter Lizzy will be 'ready to move beyond friendship to something more'."}, {"response": 328, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Aug 27, 2000 (14:49)", "body": "Thanks Gail! How sweet and endearing of him to take the trouble and discover she likes biking (and how detective-like). Can't wait for the next chapter 'cause she's had plenty of time. *Hint, hint*"}, {"response": 329, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Aug 27, 2000 (16:50)", "body": "Gail you really know how to leave us wanting more. Wonderful that they both like riding *smirk*"}, {"response": 330, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (09:50)", "body": "(Judy) Wonderful that they both like riding *smirk* *hee hee* but what can she mean? what on earth can she mean? ;-) this is progressing very nicely Gail, i eagerly await the next chapter"}, {"response": 331, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Tue, Aug 29, 2000 (04:46)", "body": "(Judy) Wonderful that they both like riding *smirk* *hee hee* but what can she mean? what on earth can she mean? ;-) ROTFLOL, indeed!!...and there must be something in it for you too, Esbee! Oh, Gail, it was so nice to return to this (chapters 7,8,9) after my Austen weekend in Copenhagen!"}, {"response": 332, "author": "gailw", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (15:28)", "body": "Well we're off for the long weekend but I did want to leave you with just a tease. What Matters Most Chapter 11 \ufffdGood morning, Liz Bennet speaking.\ufffd \ufffdGood morning Liz Bennet, this is Will Darcy speaking.\ufffd He could hear the smile in her voice. \ufffdHi Will, how are you today?\ufffd \ufffdI\ufffdm very well thank you. I\ufffdm calling about this weekend. I have to work on Sunday until 3:00 but I have Monday off for Labor Day. I was wondering if you would come to a friend\ufffds cookout with me on Sunday.\ufffd This was the first time Will had invited Liz somewhere with other people present. \ufffdThat sounds like fun Will. Who is the friend?\ufffd \ufffdIt\ufffds Marty and his wife Angie. I think I\ufffdve mentioned them to you.\ufffd \ufffdOh yes, Marty works with you. Will there be other people there as well?\ufffd \ufffdI believe they\ufffdve invited a few other guys from the department with their spouses and girlfriends.\ufffd Liz couldn\ufffdt resist asking the question that his statement begged. \ufffdAnd since I\ufffdm not a spouse, would that make me a girlfriend?\ufffd Will\ufffds heart leapt to his throat. Could this be the opening he had been waiting for? \ufffdWell, we have been spending a lot of time together lately Liz. Would introducing you as my girlfriend be a problem?\ufffd Liz did not hesitate. \ufffdNo, I don\ufffdt think so.\ufffd \ufffdOK then, girlfriend,\ufffd he said lightly. After a pause, he added in a more serious tone, \ufffdLiz, I would really like to move our relationship beyond friendship and maybe this is a start. But this isn\ufffdt something we should be discussing on the phone. Please just think about it and we\ufffdll talk later, OK?\ufffd Liz felt a little fluttering of something in her stomach. Nerves maybe? She wasn\ufffdt sure. \ufffdOK, we\ufffdll discuss it.\ufffd \ufffdOK, good. Um\ufffd one other thing. On Monday, well, I don\ufffdt know if you\ufffdd want to do this but, well, my family is going out to dinner as a sort of good-bye thing for Georgie before she goes off to college. Um\ufffd.I\ufffdd really like you to come. Brian will be there and probably with a date\ufffd.. so I wasn\ufffdt sure if you\ufffdd go for it. But I would really like you to come. Do you want to think about it and let me know?\ufffd Liz was not at all sure she was ready to face Brian again, or the rest of his family for that matter, but she did not want to disappoint Will. But there was no time to think it through right then. \ufffdWill, I have to go out to an appointment in a few minutes. What time do you get off of work today?\ufffd \ufffdMy shift ends at 3:00 but I was planning on staying for a couple extra hours to do some paperwork. I\ufffdll probably be done around 5:00 or 6:00.\ufffd \ufffdThen why don\ufffdt you come over for supper? Say 7:00? Then we can talk about all of this.\ufffd \ufffdThat sounds great. I\ufffdll see you then. Have a good day.\ufffd \ufffdYou too. Bye.\ufffd ***** \ufffdDarn it Liz, why did you have to invite Will over on a night when I have plans to go out? You know I want to check him out. You\ufffdve been spending so much time with him lately.\ufffd \ufffdI\ufffdm sorry Charlotte, it was an impulse. We\ufffdll do it again soon and you can ask Bill. Our cooking has improved so much I think we should start showing it off!\ufffd \ufffdHmmph, well I suppose,\ufffd she conceded. \ufffdHow about this weekend?\ufffd \ufffdSorry Char, we already have plans. Let\ufffds compare calendars tomorrow and we\ufffdll come up with a date.\ufffd \ufffdI think I liked it better when you were with Brian \ufffd you didn\ufffdt go out half so much and could do things with me. And you were engaged to the guy where Will is just a so-called friend.\ufffd \ufffdCharlotte! I never knew you were the jealous type! Besides, you\ufffdre with Bill 90% of the time anyway, so look who\ufffds talking. I do have a little secret though.\ufffd \ufffdWhat girl? Spill the beans now!\ufffd \ufffdI think Will and I are moving beyond friendship. We\ufffdre going to his friend\ufffds cookout this weekend and Will asked if he could introduce me as his girlfriend.\ufffd \ufffdWell, well, well. He\ufffds bringing you around to his friends for inspection. This is a good sign Liz my dear. But are you ready for this? It\ufffds been less than a month since you dumped Brian.\ufffd Liz smiled dreamily. \ufffdYes, I am ready. I like Will a lot. He is kind and sweet and ever so handsome. I didn\ufffdt think I\ufffdd want to get into another relationship so soon but Will has won me over.\ufffd \ufffdThen you definitely have to get this man over here soon so I can check him out. If you had let me meet Brian earlier I could have saved you a lot of heartache. My instincts about men are much better than yours girl so don\ufffdt go getting too deep with Will before I have the chance to get to know him.\ufffd \ufffdOK Charlotte, I\ufffdll get him here for your inspection soon.\ufffd Liz laughed at her dear friend but knew she was not too far off the mark. Charlotte had not liked Brian from the moment she met him. There wasn\ufffdt any specific reason, she just had a bad feeling about him. Rightly so, as it turned out. Liz thought she should have paid more attention to Charlotte\ufffds intuition. \ufffdGood. Well I gotta run. See ya!\ufffd With that, Charlotte was gone and Liz went back to her dinner preparations. ***** Will sat back and contentedly patted his stomach. \ufffdLiz that was delicious. Whoever said you couldn\ufffdt cook?\ufffd She smiled at him, "}, {"response": 333, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (15:44)", "body": "Wow, how come nobody has ever thanked me like that for my cooking?:-) 'Her heart melted at his forlorn expression' *sigh* mine too Thanks Gail hope you have a good weekend but its going to be a long one for me now things are hotting up for them. up back"}, {"response": 334, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (20:09)", "body": "Liz\ufffds brain stopped functioning as delicious sensations ran through her body. Well, SHE wasn't the only one! I stopped breathing... and am now wiping the drool off the keyboard! Whew! Thanks Gail for that 'uplifting' chapter! (Judy) Wow, how come nobody has ever thanked me like that for my cooking?:-) *sigh* Me too, Judy... me too! If so, I would be a whiz by now!"}, {"response": 335, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (21:04)", "body": "The feel of hard muscle under her fingers caused her pulse to quicken. Excuuuze me, where were her hands? ;-)"}, {"response": 336, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (02:49)", "body": "He's gorgeous AND he stacks the dishwasher without being asked. Sometimes being cautious is overrated. She should just jump him! I would. BTW, the countertop lift was v. sexy! Thanks for the tease Gail! You keep the board sizzling."}, {"response": 337, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (04:10)", "body": "The feel of hard muscle under her fingers caused her pulse to quicken. Excuuuze me, where were her hands? ;-) My thoughts sexactly,...hehehe Sexcellent chapter, Gail;-)~~~~~~~~ *heatwaves* and we don't even have an indian summer!!;-)"}, {"response": 338, "author": "KarinB", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (10:06)", "body": "The feel of hard muscle under her fingers caused her pulse to quicken. Excuuuze me, where were her hands? Ladies, ladies, there are other attractive areas on a man's body. I for one appreciate a well-built torso! ;-p"}, {"response": 339, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (14:48)", "body": "Karen, look what you've started! ROTF! I guess we won't find out until Gail returns from her long weekend... *sigh* Who's next? Sadie, are you writing anything?"}, {"response": 340, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (15:08)", "body": "(Hanne)Sexcellent chapter, Gail LOL! Another Droolism! Sexcellent!! (Danielle)Who's next? Sadie, are you writing anything? Not at the moment, but maybe in October I'll begin something. And you? *broad hint* Pleeeeeeease, someone post something for the weekend! Just a leetle some'ting."}, {"response": 341, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (15:34)", "body": "He got it out & stuck it up!"}, {"response": 342, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (15:58)", "body": "That was bigger than I expected!"}, {"response": 343, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (15:59)", "body": "I didn't mention its size!"}, {"response": 344, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (16:01)", "body": "I was referring to your posting of course! *shocked innocent reaction*"}, {"response": 345, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (16:02)", "body": "ha pull the other one its got balls on"}, {"response": 346, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (16:05)", "body": "Judy, are we talking Crying Game again?"}, {"response": 347, "author": "Teg", "date": "Sat, Sep  2, 2000 (07:49)", "body": "Hola! I've been absent from here for a whole month!!! What a proliferation in my absence. Hi to everyone I hadn't met, yet! Gail... my, oh my! Danielle, you haven't changed a bit! LOL!! But maybe you can talk Gail into adding one of those 'beer drenching' scenes. ;) And as for 'Parallels'... can anyone tell me where I left off? *grin*"}, {"response": 348, "author": "lg", "date": "Sat, Sep  2, 2000 (08:09)", "body": "Ooo, Oooh <waves frantically> I can, Teg! The last part of Parallels you posted was Chapter 18 , which ends: \"Wait a minute!\" he called after them. \"What party? When?\" More please! :)"}, {"response": 349, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sat, Sep  2, 2000 (19:18)", "body": "Judy? Sadie? Of what are you speaking? I'm all interested! TEG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where have you been? Leanne, thanks for pointing the way... Teg, get thee to enchancing 19!"}, {"response": 350, "author": "Teg", "date": "Sat, Sep  2, 2000 (21:21)", "body": "Thank you Leanne! Here goes.... Chapter Nineteen \ufffdThis is one big celebration!\ufffd Robert Bingley gazed around him appreciatively. \ufffdThere must be more than a hundred people here!\ufffd Ben grinned. \ufffdWell over a hundred. That\ufffds actually kind of modest considering it\ufffds a combined affair to celebrate Rebecca\ufffds departure for Europe, Aunt Janna leaving for New York, and...\ufffd \ufffdAnd you receiving your degree!\ufffd Robert finished. \ufffdYes, I suppose it is kind of small at that.\ufffd He winked at his cousin and returned his attention to the people filling the room. \ufffdOh my \ufffd! Ben, look over there. That woman in the loud dress.\ufffd Ben looked in the direction Robert was indicating. \ufffdWhat about her?\ufffd \ufffdThat\ufffds Aunt Lydia, isn\ufffdt it?\ufffd Ben groaned. \ufffdOh, you\ufffdre right! I know my Mum invited everyone in the family, but I didn\ufffdt really think she meant everyone. \ufffd They were both silent for a few minutes as they watched Lydia float about the room from man to man. Robert shook his head. \ufffdOh, man, that is sad,\ufffd he said. \ufffdHow can she do that?\ufffd \ufffdNever mind how she can do it!\ufffd Ben grimaced. \ufffdThe real question is how she manages to find willing men? I mean, just look at her!\ufffd Robert looked away instead. \ufffdThanks, but I\ufffdd like to retain my appetite for dinner.\ufffd Ben stared at his companion for a moment, then chuckled. \ufffdThat\ufffds a bit cruel, Rob.\ufffd \ufffdI beg to differ,\ufffd Rob argued. \ufffdI hate to see any woman prowling around like that, but it\ufffds really pathetic at her age.\ufffd \ufffdYeah, you\ufffdre right,\ufffd Ben muttered, but his aunt was no longer uppermost in his thoughts. \ufffdOh, don\ufffdt look!\ufffd Robert turned to face the wall. \ufffdShe\ufffds coming over here.\ufffd \ufffdToo late,\ufffd whispered Ben. \ufffdOh, boys!\ufffd Lydia crooned. \ufffdBoys, I just had to come over and say hello to my favourite nephews.\ufffd The ones with the money! thought Ben disgustedly. He noted the too-bright lipstick and the garish eye makeup on the woman chattering away in his face, all the while trying not to blink at the smoke wafting into his eyes from the cigarette she was waving around inattentively. \ufffdOh, you two look just like your fathers!\ufffd she continued, oblivious to the disinterested expressions on the faces of her nephews. \ufffdSuch handsome boys, and very popular too, I dare say. You must have plenty of friends here.\ufffd She looked enquiringly at them. The eyes of both young men opened in horrified comprehension of her aim in asking that question. \ufffdYes,\ufffd replied Robert quickly. \ufffdAnd if you\ufffdll excuse me, I see someone I\ufffdve been meaning to speak with about something rather important.\ufffd He cast a not-too-apologetic look at Ben and began to sidle away. \ufffdWell, of course, if you must,\ufffd Lydia pouted. \ufffdI\ufffdll look for you later, then.\ufffd Ben glared at his cousin as he made his escape. Turning back to his aunt, Ben attempted to hide his grimace of distaste at her appearance. Her tight fitting dress was far too young for her, the skirt too short and the neckline too low. Combined with her atrociously applied makeup, she presented a pathetic sight indeed. The wild times of her youth had taken their toll on her, and Lydia looked much older than her forty-two years. That only made her current choice of attire all the more inappropriate. Lydia moved closer to Ben and took his arm, leading him across the floor toward the other side of the room. \ufffdYou must introduce me to some of these people, Ben. I know hardly anyone here, and there are so many! Oh, I know all of the family of course, although you children have all grown up so! I barely recognize most of you!\ufffd She waved her hand to their left. \ufffdTell me, who is that stunning young woman over there, in the red dress?\ufffd Ben was startled to realize she was referring to his sister. \ufffdThat\ufffds Anna.\ufffd \ufffdOh. That\ufffds Anna!\ufffd Lydia smiled cattily and narrowed her eyes as she appraised her niece\ufffds figure. \ufffdWell, she certainly knows how to dress to attract attention. I dare say, I must have a word with her later. I\ufffdd like to know where she picked up that little number.\ufffd She put the cigarette to her lips, drew heavily on it, and exhaled the smoke into Ben\ufffds face as she turned back to him. \ufffdYou simply must introduce me to that gentleman over there.\ufffd The only man in the direction she was pointing was a friend of Rebecca\ufffds. Ben frowned, trying to see past the lingering haze to determine if there was indeed someone else standing with Dan. \ufffdThat young man in the blue suit,\ufffd Lydia supplied helpfully. Ben shook his head. \ufffdI\ufffdm afraid you have me at a loss there,\ufffd he lied. \ufffdI believe he\ufffds one of Rebecca\ufffds friends. Perhaps you could ask her to introduce you?\ufffd He sighed in relief as his aunt nodded her thanks, then set off to find Rebecca, a predatory little smile on her face. Ben shivered in revulsion as he watched her stalk her prey. \ufffdCold?\ufffd Smiling, Ben looked at Brenda who had quietly slipped up behind him. \ufffdNo, I\ufffdm not cold. At least, not now that you\ufffdre here.\ufffd He grinned. \ufffdNaughty boy,\ufffd Brenda grinned back. \ufffdI came to see if you\ufffdd dance with me.\ufffd \ufffdMy pleasure!\ufffd Ben took her arm and guided her through the room to the dance floor on the ot"}, {"response": 351, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Sat, Sep  2, 2000 (21:36)", "body": "Teg!!! Another great chapter... cant wait for the next one, it's great to have you back! :-)"}, {"response": 352, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sat, Sep  2, 2000 (23:29)", "body": "Yeah! Teg is back! \ufffdOh. That\ufffds Anna!\ufffd Lydia smiled cattily and narrowed her eyes as she appraised her niece\ufffds figure. \ufffdWell, she certainly knows how to dress to attract attention...She put the cigarette to her lips, drew heavily on it, and exhaled the smoke into Ben\ufffds face as she turned back to him. LMAO She's seems a bit like Blanche du Bois, except on steroids. \ufffdDo you mean the lady over there with the feather boa that matches her shoes?\ufffd ROTF"}, {"response": 353, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sat, Sep  2, 2000 (23:51)", "body": "(Danielle)Judy? Sadie? Of what are you speaking? I'm all interested! Just remember you asked... Hmmm, it should be funny to try to explain this. I'll give you my version, Judy will have to give her yours. I pleaded for someone to post a little something to last the weekend. Then Judy posted:\"He got it out & stuck it up!\" At first I had no idea what she was talking about. Then I guessed that she was meeting my request for someone to post \"a leetle some'ting\". So then I posted a double entendre. Then Judy called me on it with her next comment. So I feinted and parried by exclaiming my shocked innocence at her thinking such a thing. Whereupon, Judy called me on it (you see how relentless she is in conversation) by making a reference to my pulling her leg. But now I was extremely puzzled. Because she was now refering to some other leg, which had balls attached...I had no idea what/who she meant. But I thought, ok, she was originally talking about her leg, so she must be talking about her other leg. Speculation: But that would mean that Judy is a living example of The Crying Game, which, frankly i not as interesting as her being a one-handed typer (*ducking*) but you must admit, it would explain her fixation on kilts (I have no idea what I mean by this so don't ask). As you may have noticed, she hasn't yet answered my question..."}, {"response": 354, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Sep  3, 2000 (05:21)", "body": "Teg thank you for that I thought it was going to be a long weekend without any story so you've cheered me up!There seems to be more readers than writers around here & I include myself in the first group so its good that you are back. This leads the rest of us to occupying ourselves while we are waiting hence the Sadie & Judy routine. What I'm trying to say is that the more stories are posted the less likely Sadie is to get me in trouble *duck* Judy's version Just remember Sadie isn't the shocked innocent she professes to be... Yes my'he got it out & stuck it up'was my reply to Sadies request for 'a leetle some'ting' because thats my fave part in any story. My 'its got balls on' was a play on 'its got bells on' because I didn't believe her shocked innocent reactionand I do tend to talk about balls a lot(some people say I talk a load of balls but thats another story) Ignore Sadies 'I had no idea what/who she meant':-) she understands perfectly afterall she is a Bollock Sister (yet another story) No I didn't answer her because she knows by now I was going down on my server (ask Sadie Its another one of her bizarre sex acts-bodes well for her story) Sadie I've been trying to get hold of a copy of The Crying Game ever since you started involving me in it (hubby says I've seen it but with all these referencesI don't know how I could have possibly forgot it :-D ) As for one handed typer & fixation on kilts you now exactly what you mean & you know exactly what effect it has on me. DIY DOGGIE"}, {"response": 355, "author": "KarinB", "date": "Sun, Sep  3, 2000 (10:37)", "body": "Oh Teg, soooooo HAPPY to see you back! I have re-read your other writing while I was waiting - very nice indeed, but it is always nicer to have something \"fresh from the computer\"!"}, {"response": 356, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (04:51)", "body": "Oh Judy, ROTFLMAO! I've moved over to Darcy Drool Board with my reply. So Danielle, I hope you're not sorry for asking... you might consider this sufficient motivation to get posting fanfic, eh?"}, {"response": 357, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (14:30)", "body": "ROTF! Judy and Sadie, as I said on the other board 'You two are too much!' (Sadie) So Danielle, I hope you're not sorry for asking... you might consider this sufficient motivation to get posting fanfic, eh? Sorry dear, I'm still waiting on you! Teg, welcome back! If there's one thing Lydia can do for Anna is to show her the error of her ways! Smart guy that Ben, eh?"}, {"response": 358, "author": "gailw", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (18:55)", "body": "I'm back. Glad you liked my little tease. More to follow on Wednesday. Teg, welcome back. It was great to have another chapter and loved the Lydia scene! Esbee, thanks for the info about JD Robb. I bought the first two in the series and read them over the weekend. That Roarke - WOW!!!!! Richer than God, incredibly handsome, enormously sexy, unbelievably romantic - just like ODB. I spent a LOT of time drooling over these books. Can't wait to pick up the rest."}, {"response": 359, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (00:32)", "body": "Yeah! Gail's back. What do you mean, not until Wednesday. Wednesday!! Whine.... Ok, I'll stop whining if you remind me: whose Roarke? What's the title? Cannot allow potential drooley man to slip through my grasp. LOL Danielle, glad you are amused. Don't you think you should return the favour of some wild story to read (although make sure yours has Darcy in it beyond references to bells. \"Swingtime\" maybe? Is an old Rogers & Astaire flick she adds innocently)"}, {"response": 360, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (02:54)", "body": "Good to see you again, Teg. A sly move on Ben's part,...showing Anna how she might end if she doesn't mend her ways!! .....and now....*drumming fingers, biting nails* how does it all end!*smirk* I hope you had a good, productive long weekend, Gail!!!,-))"}, {"response": 361, "author": "gailw", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (07:55)", "body": "Sadie, JD Robb (a pen name for Nora Roberts) has a series of books that take place in the 2050's. I didn't think I'd like the futuristic aspect but it's been kinda interesting. Anyway these are murder mysteries set in New York City and the main character is Eve Dallas, a NYPD lieutenant. She meets and falls in love with Roarke (no first name) and he is HOT, HOT, HOT. The first book in hte series is called \"Naked in Death\" and the others (there's 10 or so altogether) are all called Something in Death. Like other Nora Roberts stories these have some hot, steamy sex as well as an interesting story. These are a little gruesome but nowhere near as explicit as Patricia Cornwell or Tami Hoag. And don't whine. My kids will tell you I do not tolerate whining. Keep it up and you'll go to your room...oops...I mean I won't post the next chapter. So there! No, I promise it will be there tomorrow. I do have to work you know."}, {"response": 362, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (11:59)", "body": "Gail - I'm so glad you're enjoying the J.D.Robb books! Would not Colin be the Perfect person to play Roarke in a movie? *SIGH* You think Roarke is HOT now - just wait till he suggestes to Eve they should start a family ;-0~~~~ [ - i wont tell you which book that happens in, you'll just have to keep reading *evil grin*] he just keeps getting better and better *shiver* Sadie, i recommend you check them out, it's a great series."}, {"response": 363, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (13:40)", "body": "Gail & Teg I must add my whine to Sadie's,more please& soon :-) Gail JD Robb,everytime I drool someone mentions more books ,at this rate I wont have time to drool:-) BTW has NR written for Mills & Boons? (Sadie) Cannot allow potential drooley man to slip through my grasp.*dirty snigger* I know why its slippy"}, {"response": 364, "author": "gailw", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (15:28)", "body": "Esbee, yes CF would be a PERFECT Roarke. *double sigh* I just went on Amazon.com and bought all the rest of the series. Should have them in a couple of days. Can't wait to read them all - especially the part about baby making."}, {"response": 365, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (21:25)", "body": "Gail did you order the new one too? it's supposed to come out next week - Judgement in Death is the name i think while you're waiting for them to come in the mail, why dont you keep busy writing? :-) *hint hint*"}, {"response": 366, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (02:36)", "body": "*smirk* I went to www.whsmithonline.co.uk to have a look for the series and they have a lot now the problem is to choose. Any recommendations where to start, ladies????"}, {"response": 367, "author": "gailw", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (07:35)", "body": "Hanne, this is the order they were published in. You definitely should read Naked in Death first as this is where Eve and Roarke meet. Naked in Death Glory in Death Immortal in Death Rapture in Death Ceremony in Death Vengeance in Death Holiday in Death Conspiracy in Death Loyalty in Death Witness in Death Judgment in Death No Esbee, I did not order the last one as I didn't want to hold up the order. Since I have 8 others to read first, I figured I have time to pick that one up once it's released. And I'm busily writing. I have about 5 more chapters written waiting for editing. I like to noodle on them for several days and make sure I've got things the way I want them in light of where I'm going with the story. But I will have a chapter ready later today. I don't work on Wednesdays but I've got to go grocery shopping and take the cat to the vet before I can write. Stay tuned....."}, {"response": 368, "author": "gailw", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (11:32)", "body": "OK, here it is... What Matters Most Chapter 12 Since Marty and Angie lived in Ellsworth close to the county sheriff\ufffds office, Liz agreed to meet Will at work at the end of his shift. Liz pulled her car into the lot and parked in a space marked for visitors. At the front desk she gave her name to the motherly-looking receptionist and asked for Will. \ufffdI\ufffdm afraid he\ufffds out on a call right now dearie. However he did just radio in that he is on his way back and asked me to have you wait in his office. Let me show you the way.\ufffd She led Liz to a small windowless office. Left alone, Liz looked around with interest. As she would have expected, Will kept his office neat and organized. There were a few papers scattered on his desk as if he had left in a hurry but they were the only things out of place. She walked around the confined space examining the pictures and framed citations on the wall and picked up a family photograph up from the bookcase. The five Darcys were on one of their boats, hair blowing in the wind and laughing. Liz ran a fingernail over Will\ufffds face and lean body, wishing for him in person. As if her thoughts were heard, Will appeared at the door. \ufffdI\ufffdm sorry I\ufffdm late. I hope you haven\ufffdt been waiting long.\ufffd He delighted at how her face lit up when she saw him. Liz put the picture back in its place and smiled at Will. \ufffdI\ufffdve only been here a few minutes. I hope you don\ufffdt mind me snooping around.\ufffd \ufffdNot at all. It\ufffds not much, but then again I don\ufffdt spend much time here.\ufffd \ufffdI like seeing where you work. It shows me another piece of who you are.\ufffd She looked him over, noticing that his blazer, slacks and tie were nice but certainly not custom made. Brian, she knew, would not be caught dead in similar attire. \ufffdIs that how you normally dress for work?\ufffd \ufffdYes, county detectives are plain clothes. Since I\ufffdm usually out dealing with the public, I strive to look presentable but not too formal. Liz, I try to live a simple life in keeping with my profession and most people here have no idea who my family is. It would be difficult to be just \ufffdone of the guys\ufffd if they did. That kind of acceptance is very important in this job where you rely so much on your partners. So I live modestly and shop for my clothes where they shop. I reserve my Italian shoes and tuxedo for family affairs.\ufffd \ufffdWell I think you look very handsome, Detective Darcy.\ufffd Liz moved closer and ran her hands down his arms. \ufffdNow since I am your girlfriend, don\ufffdt I get a kiss?\ufffd \ufffdOh, I do like having you for a girlfriend,\ufffd Will murmured as he pulled her to him and kissed her lightly on the lips. \ufffdThis is so much nicer than just being friends.\ufffd Reluctantly he broke away as he added, \ufffdLet me get changed and then we\ufffdll be on our way.\ufffd Will returned in a few minutes wearing khakis and a polo shirt and carrying a covered bowl and a bag. To Liz\ufffds questioning look her replied, \ufffdJust a salad and some wine. My mother taught me never to go anywhere empty-handed.\ufffd He handed Liz the bag and taking her free hand, he escorted her out, stopping to say goodbye to the receptionist. Liz noticed the older woman wink at Will and she grinned. No woman alive can resist his charms. I\ufffdm so glad he\ufffds mine. \ufffdHow about we take your car?\ufffd he asked as they approached her Beetle. \ufffdI\ufffdd love to drive this.\ufffd \ufffdSure sweetie.\ufffd Liz handed him the keys, squeezing his hand warmly as she did. Will was pleased with her endearments and easy affection. Yes indeed, having Liz for a girlfriend was a wonderful thing. Liz fiddled with the radio while Will drove. \ufffdThis is the first time I\ufffdve been a passenger in this car,\ufffd she said. \ufffdIt\ufffds different but I think I like it.\ufffd Not finding any music that suited her mood, she turned the radio off and sat back in her seat to enjoy the ride. \ufffdYou said not many people know about your family. I guess that means I should watch what I say at this cookout.\ufffd \ufffdIt\ufffds not that big a deal. I do talk about my family, I just don\ufffdt talk about yachts and country clubs and stuff like that. I might tell them I went to a party with my folks but I don\ufffdt mention it was a formal ball at a fancy club where I wore a tuxedo. Most of these guys have no idea who the Darcys are so it has never occurred to them to question and I don\ufffdt offer up any unnecessary information.\ufffd \ufffdYou say most. Does that mean some of them do know?\ufffd \ufffdReally only Marty and Angie. We\ufffdre pretty close and don\ufffdt have any secrets.\ufffd \ufffdI understand. Well I should fit in just fine with my schoolteacher parents.\ufffd \ufffdA lot of these guys grew up in the area so they may know your parents.\ufffd Reaching the neat split-level and finding the driveway full, Will parked the car on a side street. Liz took his hand as they walked towards the house, carrying their bundles. \ufffdJust stay close to me OK?\ufffd she asked. \ufffdI\ufffdm shy with new people.\ufffd Will was surprised and pressed her hand comfortingly. He didn\ufffdt think she\ufffdd be the bashful type. \ufffdDon\ufffdt worry honey, these are nice folks and they\ufffdll make you feel at home. And I promise I\ufffdll stay right by your s"}, {"response": 369, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (12:20)", "body": "What a sweet chapter! *sigh* things are progressing nicely Gail, and i loved when Will took Liz outside to cuddle for awhile in private. Very Romantic. And his friends are great - that last scene was wonderful. As always -cant wait for more!!"}, {"response": 370, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (13:45)", "body": "This chapter was well worth the wait Gail. Will is sooooo sweet and sexy. Love the possessive arm around her, and second Esbee's feelings about their moment outside. And he remembered what she was wearing! So she must be about ready to jump him, right? Am too old to be sent to my room, but threat of no drooling material causes me to cease! Thanks to both you and Esbee about info concerning J.D. Robb series. Sounds like a trip to the bookstore is in order. Judy, you know me too well!"}, {"response": 371, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (15:13)", "body": "Thank you Gail ,...first one already ordered..... Nice and easy chapter. I concur with the above mentioned, a sexy and cuddly atmosphere you've created here,...building up slowly, are we?? Can't wait!!"}, {"response": 372, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (16:20)", "body": "Thanks Gail,he really knows how to treat a lady unlikethat creep Brian.It really is increasing the anticipation for Liz as well as for me:-)"}, {"response": 373, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (18:26)", "body": "Thanks fo rthe list Gail. I'm going to get them all! (Judy) Thanks Gail,he really knows how to treat a lady unlikethat creep Brian.It really is increasing the anticipation for Liz as well as for me:-) I'm drooling just thinking about it!"}, {"response": 374, "author": "Teg", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (19:10)", "body": "No the answer he was hoping for!!! I should say not! Get that woman's head examined! ;) Okay, I promised not to keep you waiting as long.... Parallels Chapter Twenty \ufffdWhat did you say to her?\ufffd Brenda pulled Ben over to her while her eyes sought out Anna\ufffds retreating figure. \ufffdMaybe too much?\ufffd Ben looked at her regretfully. \ufffdI should go and apologise.\ufffd \ufffdNo,\ufffd Brenda said quietly, her hand resting on his arm. \ufffdI\ufffdll go talk to her.\ufffd A little searching and Brenda found Anna just outside the front doors of the building, leaning against the wall. Her head was bowed, and the faint sound of sniffling reached Brenda\ufffds ears. \ufffdAnna?\ufffd she said softly. \ufffdWould you like to talk?\ufffd The younger woman simply nodded her head. Brenda put a hand on her shoulder and steered her away from the openness of the main entrance to a more private location near the gardens. As soon as they were seated on a bench Anna began to sob. She clung to Brenda, much to the other woman\ufffds surprise. When at last she had regained some control, Anna released her hold on her friend and sat back on the bench. She continued to sniffle, and Brenda handed her a tissue. \ufffdNow, tell me,\ufffd Brenda said. \ufffdDid Ben say something to upset you like this?\ufffd Anna shook her head dismally. \ufffdI\ufffdm just so confused,\ufffd she whispered. \ufffdOne minute I\ufffdm on the top of the world, I think I\ufffdm happy and enjoying life.... the next, I\ufffdm wondering what I\ufffdm doing. Ben hates me, and I\ufffdm not too sure how I feel about myself either.\ufffd \ufffdBen doesn\ufffdt hate you.\ufffd Brenda pushed Anna\ufffds hair behind her ear in order to see her face better. \ufffdHe\ufffds very concerned about you. He doesn\ufffdt want to see you get hurt, or worse. What is it you\ufffdre looking for, Anna?\ufffd The younger woman\ufffds shoulders rose with a heavy sigh. \ufffdI don\ufffdt know. I thought I was trying to be like Ben.\ufffd She looked up suddenly, horrified at the connotations of her statement. \ufffdI didn\ufffdt mean that! Oh, I\ufffdm sorry, Brenda!\ufffd Smiling, Brenda patted her arm. \ufffdAnna, I\ufffdm not blind to the fact that Ben has been, and continues to be, popular with the ladies. He\ufffds a very good looking man, and just the fact that he comes from such a wealthy family is enough to bring the women to him. Not that I\ufffdm downplaying any of his delightful qualities, but the money aspect certainly has played a big role in his popularity. And yours, too, I would imagine.\ufffd She frowned and turned to squarely face Anna. \ufffdAre you sure that your admirers are there because they appreciate you ? Or is it something else that attracts them?\ufffd Anna sniffled. She couldn\ufffdt meet her companion\ufffds eyes. Although Brenda had left it unsaid, Anna knew what she meant. She fingered the folds in her skirt. \ufffdI\ufffdve messed things up pretty badly, haven\ufffdt I?\ufffd With a small sigh, Brenda smiled faintly. \ufffdYou\ufffdre young and you\ufffdve made some mistakes. Don\ufffdt let that affect the rest of your life, unless you mean to learn from them.\ufffd Anna thought about what had passed between her brother and herself only a few moments ago. \ufffdBen said I was like Aunt Lydia. Brenda, I don\ufffdt want to end up like her! I don\ufffdt want to be an embarrassment to my entire family. I couldn\ufffdt bear the thought of hurting my parents like that.\ufffd \ufffdThen you won\ufffdt turn out like your aunt,\ufffd Brenda said firmly. \ufffdShe doesn\ufffdt care about what people think of her, nor how her family is hurt by her actions. That is the key, Anna. As long as you care, you\ufffdre on the right track.\ufffd They sat quietly for some minutes, while Anna sorted out her thoughts. \ufffdAre you ready to go back inside?\ufffd Brenda finally ventured. \ufffdI think so, yes.\ufffd Anna stood up, smoothed her dress and straightened her shoulders. \ufffdI\ufffdm ready.\ufffd When they re-entered the hall, Anna\ufffds followers immediately began to reassemble around her. Brenda, however, was determined not to leave her friend\ufffds side. She guided Anna through the room to join Ben. There was an awkward silence between the two at first, but then Anna looked apologetically at her brother. \ufffdBen, I\ufffdm sorry.\ufffd He glanced from Anna to Brenda, then settled his gaze on his sister again. \ufffdI\ufffdm sorry, too. I\ufffdm sorry I had to be so cruel about it, but I don\ufffdt want to see you throw away your life, Anna. And I have to admit that Dad was prominent in my concerns as well. If anything happened to him as a result of your indiscretions coming to light, there would be a lot more people hurt. Our family is very precious to me, as I\ufffdve come to realize very well of late.\ufffd \ufffdYou know I didn\ufffdt really mean that remark about Dad, right Ben? I couldn\ufffdt bear to hurt him in any way.\ufffd Anna took his hand and squeezed it. \ufffdThank you for caring, Ben. I was just too full of myself to really comprehend what you were saying.\ufffd Brenda gave a relieved smile. \ufffdHow about some coffee, Anna? I think you could use a cup.\ufffd \ufffdOh, yes!\ufffd she agreed. *** Three Years Later \ufffdOh, Dad! I can\ufffdt thank you enough!\ufffd Rebecca hugged him fiercely. \ufffdYou have no idea what a difference this is going to make for me in competition.\ufffd Will grinned at his daughter. \ufffdWell, I had no idea how excited you would get over the m"}, {"response": 375, "author": "KarinB", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (04:20)", "body": "So sweet! What a good example they make for their children. But it must have been really embarrassing at times! I mean, being a teenager and rush into a room to find you PARENTS engaged in a passionate embrace! *shudder!!* But as I now am 'older' myself (well, at least not teenager any more!), I realise you still are the same person inside as you were as a teenager, just more experienced and less insecure (hopefully!). I am divided between looking forward to the Epilogue and dreading seeing the end of this story!"}, {"response": 376, "author": "gailw", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (08:30)", "body": "Ahhhhhh, so lovely Teg! How about a sequel on that trip to Spain? I hope all this anticipation for Will & Liz in WMM doesn't lead to a big disappointment. I've already written the 'big' scene but better go back and rework some more. You guys have me nervous! But there's a couple more boring chapters to go through first. Will post this weekend. Stay tuned........."}, {"response": 377, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (12:10)", "body": "Simply Wonderful Teg! And i loved the ending, with them cuddling together and discussing Spain. (Gail) How about a sequel on that trip to Spain? Excellent idea!!!! This was Really wonderful to read, espically since i came straight here from DWG, and reading Adiue - *sigh* Nothing like having your heart ripped out first thing in the morning. it was so sweet the way he crawled in a held her at the end, but it was SO SAD!!!"}, {"response": 378, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (13:14)", "body": "Thanks Teg but I can't believe we're nearly at the end & have to agree about that hot Spanish sequel more,more :-) Gail don't want to make you nervous but you must accept some of the blame;-) afterall you've been building the story up so well to that 'big' scene you've mentioned,its bound to get us all going.Can't wait for the weekend. Esbee I hope you're still thinking about that thrust story you've half-promised us over on Darcy drool *hint,hint*"}, {"response": 379, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (14:56)", "body": "I really enjoyed this chapter Teg. Like Esbee, I came directly from DWG --- I will pretend Adieu never happened! Too heartbreaking! I agree with Judy Gail. You've been building us up so nicely all along. Don't be nervous, it'll be great. Looking forward to the weekend. Yes, Esbee, I like the sound of that, please post soon!"}, {"response": 380, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (17:02)", "body": "you still are the same person inside as you were as a teenager, just more experienced and less insecure (hopefully!). I've heard this version recently: Older people are young people who have been around for a bit longer..."}, {"response": 381, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (18:59)", "body": "(Sadie)I really enjoyed this chapter Teg. Like Esbee, I came directly from DWG --- I will pretend Adieu never happened! Too heartbreaking! I'm pretending as well! But very happy to see the lovebirds necking away in the library! Teg, I know you don't want to write another sequel... but aren't there some secluded/exclusive beaches in Spain? Gail, you'll do us proud! i just know it!"}, {"response": 382, "author": "Teg", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (20:25)", "body": "I know nothing about Spain! I've never been anywhere near it! LOL!! Dani, you want to keep me from the other story I'm writing, or what? (heh!) Since there seems to be an influx from DWG, does that mean I need not think about posting 'Adieu' here? I thought I'd pop it in here after I finish up 'Parallels' just for completion's sake. Not that it has any 'drool factor' in it....."}, {"response": 383, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (02:59)", "body": "I'm so glad Anna saw the light, all the clues dropped on the way have been gathered ...... almost!! Oh, Dani, believe me there are beautiful beaches and narrow streets with lots of romantic atmosphere along with secluded places for....erhm...close encounters!! Spain/Barcelona would be a beautiful background to an interlude of drool-worthy nature!! So, go to it, Teg,... your immaginative powers will take you there!!;-))"}, {"response": 384, "author": "lg", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (03:43)", "body": "No, Teg... I think you should post Adieu here, too! I think there are some droolers who don't frequent the PG-fic boards at DWG and BoI! I don't want to be the dissenting voice :) ... but I'd rather have the new story than a short Spanish holiday tacked into Parallels !! And... Gail, take your time, your story is wonderful, and although we all clamour for the \"drool-y\" bits, a good satisfying story built around those bits is even better! Thanks, ladies!!"}, {"response": 385, "author": "KarinB", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (04:48)", "body": "... but I'd rather have the new story than a short Spanish holiday tacked into Parallels!! Who said we couldn't have both?! (hint, hint!)"}, {"response": 386, "author": "gailw", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (07:36)", "body": "(Karen)Who said we couldn't have both?! (hint, hint!) Boy the people around here are so demanding!! Glad to have you taking some of the heat off of me Teg! But I couldn't bring myself to read 'Adieu'. I skimmed it quickly, got a feel for what it was about but just could not do it. Funny I don't have any problems reading about any other P&P character dying in any other story but I just cannot handle it happening to Lizzy or Darcy."}, {"response": 387, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (10:15)", "body": "No, no, no Teg! I do want you to finish your new story! I just love your writing! But I will be very sad... again, to see the ending of this marvelous epic. And Leanne, Teg's newest story is not about Jane Austen at all, but it's very good so far!"}, {"response": 388, "author": "Teg", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (06:51)", "body": "Suddenly quiet here.... ;) Epilogue-Eleven years later..... Brenda scanned the faces on the lawn, looking for her husband\ufffds. She did a mental inventory as she searched, tallying up the children. Kevin, Sarah, William, Trisha. That took care of her own. She saw Anna\ufffds two boys, Cory and Rhys, as they raced after William. Robert Bingley\ufffds little one, Ivy, was toddling around on the grass, her mother following with arms outstretched ready to catch her. Brenda chuckled at the site. It had been a good number of years since any of her children had been that age. Charles was standing with his daughter, Beth, who looked nearly ready to burst at eight months pregnant with twins. Jane was close by, speaking with Georgiana. Brenda frowned. She still couldn\ufffdt see Ben, but Rich and Aaron were just passing by her. \ufffdRich, have you seen your brother?\ufffd \ufffdNo,\ufffd Rich shook his head. \ufffdDidn\ufffdt he come back with you?\ufffd \ufffdNo. I suppose I\ufffdll go take a look in the house.\ufffd Brenda left the two young men, skirting along the edge of the cedars bordering the walkway. \ufffdBrenda!\ufffd called a voice. She stopped and turned. Rebecca came hurrying up to her. \ufffdBrenda, I didn\ufffdt have time earlier, since I was late in arriving. I wanted to introduce you to Jurgen.\ufffd She gestured to the man standing a few paces away to come forward. Smiling, Brenda extended her hand. \ufffdPleased to finally meet you, Jurgen. Rebecca\ufffds parents told us so many nice things about you.\ufffd As he took her hand firmly, Brenda sized up her sister-in-law\ufffds fianc\ufffd and was satisfied with what she saw. Will and Elizabeth had met him the previous summer, when Rebecca was in Germany. Shortly after their visit, Jurgen had proposed. Unfortunately, their competition schedule hadn\ufffdt allowed Jurgen time to come to Pemberley in the intervening time, although Rebecca had managed a few trips. \ufffdRebecca has a wonderful family,\ufffd Jurgen said in a thick but pleasant accent. \ufffdI am very pleased to have been accepted into it so readily.\ufffd They spoke for a few more minutes before Brenda excused herself to continue her search for Ben. She was waylaid once more, by Kathleen this time. \ufffdI can\ufffdt stop long, Kath. I\ufffdm looking for Ben. You haven\ufffdt seen him, have you?\ufffd she explained. \ufffdNot recently.\ufffd Kathleen looked over her shoulder. \ufffdThere\ufffds Anna. She might know where he is.\ufffd \ufffdThanks.\ufffd Brenda sidestepped a rosebush and ended up at Anna\ufffds elbow. \ufffdHi!\ufffd She nodded at Anna\ufffds husband. \ufffdHi, Sean.\ufffd Anna smiled. \ufffdHi. The gardens are beautiful, Brenda.\ufffd \ufffdOh, thank you. Did you happen to notice your brother about? I can\ufffdt seem to find him.\ufffd Anna frowned. \ufffdNow that you mention it, I don\ufffdt recall seeing him since we came back here, either.\ufffd At the concerned look on Brenda\ufffds face, she added, \ufffdDon\ufffdt worry. I think I know where he is. Would you like me to find him and bring him home?\ufffd \ufffdWould you? I know I\ufffdm just a worry wart, but he\ufffds been under a lot of pressure for a while. I\ufffdd feel better if he was here with everyone else.\ufffd \ufffdIt\ufffds no trouble.\ufffd Anna put her cup down on a nearby table. \ufffdI\ufffdll go now.\ufffd Kathleen joined Brenda as her sister walked away. \ufffdI noticed you met Jurgen.\ufffd \ufffdOh, yes.\ufffd Brenda turned to face her. \ufffdHe seems like a nice man. He\ufffds been very attentive to Rebecca this afternoon.\ufffd \ufffdYes, he is that.\ufffd Brenda tilted her head to the side as she regarded the younger woman. \ufffdAnd when are you going to find yourself a young man of your own?\ufffd Kathleen laughed. \ufffdThat\ufffds a very good imitation of Grandmama! She still asks me that every time I go to see her.\ufffd \ufffdThat\ufffds because you are the only one of her granddaughters not yet married!\ufffd Brenda leaned closer. \ufffdSarah might displace you soon, though, if your grandmother ever realizes that she\ufffds twenty, now.\ufffd \ufffdOh, the poor girl! Well, Grandmama\ufffds tactics will not induce me to find a husband any sooner than my snail\ufffds pace will allow. I hope Sarah manages to avoid being subjected to her attention, though.\ufffd Kathleen sighed. \ufffdIt\ufffds not easy to listen to that every time.\ufffd \ufffdI imagine it isn\ufffdt.\ufffd But Brenda\ufffds mind had wandered from the conversation as she caught a glimpse of Anna leaving the gardens, walking briskly in a direction away from the house. *** \ufffdBen.\ufffd The voice was soft, barely heard above the whispering of the leaves rustling in the warm spring breeze. \ufffdAnna,\ufffd he replied just as quietly, his eyes never wavering from the words in front of him. His sister knelt down on the grass beside him. \ufffdEveryone is back at the house. I knew you\ufffdd still be here. Will you come with me now?\ufffd \ufffdIn a few minutes. Just give me a few more minutes.\ufffd Anna watched his face closely. Ben had been a rock for the rest of them this past year. Seeing him so vulnerable at this moment was tearing at her heart. \ufffdDid you realize the significance of this place?\ufffd He didn\ufffdt wait for her reply, didn\ufffdt look to see her shake her head. \ufffdThis is where they first loved one another, where I was conceived.\ufffd Ben finally turned his head to meet his sister\ufffds eyes. \ufffdYou, too.\ufffd \ufffdHow do you know that?\ufffd Anna\ufffds eyes were round and tear-fill"}, {"response": 389, "author": "Teg", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (06:53)", "body": "Well, look at that.. too early in the morning for me, obviously. I forgot to identify the danged post as 'Parallels' hee hee!"}, {"response": 390, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (07:49)", "body": "A woman\ufffds soft laughter filtered through the branches of the trees as a shadowy form raced along the grass to the top of the hill. Another laugh, this one deeper, came from the direction of the brook. The shadow on the hill extended a hand, beckoning. A second shadowy form joined the first. The two figures appeared to blend into one another. \ufffdI\ufffdll love you forever,\ufffd whispered the leaves. *sigh* How wonderful...you really have a knack for writing beautiful, emotionally serene scenes!! An now you trilogy is at an end....so sad!! But there'll be more some day??? Yes!!!???"}, {"response": 391, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (07:52)", "body": "Or were there 5 sections? Some short interludes, though!!"}, {"response": 392, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (09:33)", "body": "It's very hard to type while crying! Teg, that was beautiful... Thank you!"}, {"response": 393, "author": "KarinB", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (11:20)", "body": "Yes, really beautiful... And now, when I have read \"Adieu\" I understand the short interval between their deaths. I didn't first grasp the time frame when I read \"Parallels\" on DWG before. Now when I read about Elizabeth and Will meeting Jurgen just last summer, and now they are both gone it breaks my heart! He couldn't live without her, could he? So sad... but logical."}, {"response": 394, "author": "gailw", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (11:23)", "body": "Oh Teg.....sob....sob....sob....that was beautiful! What Matters Most Chapter 13 \ufffdNow where is it we\ufffdre going?\ufffd Liz asked Will on the phone late the following morning. \ufffdWe\ufffdre taking Brian\ufffds boat down to Rockland. It will take about an hour. There is a marina there with an excellent restaurant.\ufffd Will could hear Liz\ufffds nerves buzzing through the phone line. \ufffdIs it fancy? What should I wear?\ufffd \ufffdWhy are you so anxious honey? It\ufffds just dinner with my family.\ufffd Will spoke calmly hoping to ease Liz\ufffds tension. \ufffdYou know why Will,\ufffd she spoke impatiently. \ufffdWhat are you doing?\ufffd \ufffdRight now?\ufffd \ufffdYes, right now.\ufffd \ufffdNothing except talking to you. I just got back from my run and was going to take a shower. Why?\ufffd \ufffdCan you please come over? Bring what you\ufffdre wearing tonight with you and we can leave from here. You can help me pick out what to wear. Please? I need you here.\ufffd \ufffdYou need me?\ufffd \ufffdDesperately.\ufffd \ufffdThen I\ufffdll be over as soon as I get dressed. Calm down honey, it will be fine.\ufffd \ufffdJust get over here.\ufffd \ufffdOn my way.\ufffd ***** Liz grabbed the hangars out of Will\ufffds hand and hung his clothes in the hall closet before throwing her arms around his waist. \ufffdThank you for coming. I\ufffdm going out of my mind.\ufffd Will liked the feeling of being needed and hugged Liz tightly. \ufffdIt\ufffds OK sweetheart. I promise you, it will be OK.\ufffd \ufffdI know, I know it will be. I don\ufffdt know why I\ufffdm so nervous. I\ufffdm not usually like this. I just want it to go well. I want your family to see that this is how things are supposed to be.\ufffd Liz broke the embrace and led Will into the kitchen where she poured two glasses of iced tea. \ufffdI believe my parents already know that. My mother calls me everyday and asks me about you. She wants every little detail of what we\ufffdve been doing and how our relationship is progressing. I try to tell her nicely that it\ufffds none of her business but she can be so persistent! That woman sure can wear a guy down.\ufffd \ufffdWell that\ufffds good I guess,\ufffd Liz said placing the drinks on the table and sitting down beside Will. \ufffdBut they haven\ufffdt seen us together yet. I think that might take some time for them to get used to. Is Brian bringing that woman, do you know?\ufffd \ufffdYes, he is. Her name is Abby Washington. Her brother Mark went to high school and college with Brian. Do you know him?\ufffd \ufffdI think I may have met him once or twice. The name sounds familiar but I can\ufffdt place him. He must not have gone to BC for graduate school.\ufffd \ufffdI don\ufffdt know. His family lives in Atlanta but he has an aunt in Northeast Harbor that he visits almost every summer. Abby is his younger sister and it just so happens she goes to Wellesley. She\ufffdll be a senior this year and she\ufffds offered to take Georgie under her wing. Given the circumstances, I\ufffdm not too thrilled about that idea.\ufffd \ufffdGeorgiana has a good head on her shoulders honey. I don\ufffdt think she\ufffdll be easily swayed by Abby or anyone else. Besides, this Abby may be a nice person. We can\ufffdt judge her by Brian\ufffds actions.\ufffd Will caressed Liz\ufffds cheek tenderly. \ufffdYou\ufffdre a good person Liz. Anyone else would want to scratch her eyes out.\ufffd Liz took his hand and kissed his palm, sending quivers up his spine. \ufffdI\ufffdm happy Will and it\ufffds easy to forgive when all\ufffds right in the world. My life is wonderful right now. I love my job, I love being back in Maine with my family and I love being with you.\ufffd \ufffdUm, Liz, can I ask you a question?\ufffd Will embraced her again so he wouldn\ufffdt have to look into her eyes. Liz felt his unease. \ufffdOf course sweetie, you can ask me anything.\ufffd \ufffdYou might say it\ufffds none of my business. And I\ufffdm not sure I really want to know the answer \ufffd but I guess I need to know.\ufffd \ufffdOK honey, spit it out.\ufffd \ufffdDid you and Brian ever\ufffd..?\ufffd Will hesitated. Liz knew what he meant. \ufffdNo.\ufffd \ufffdNo?\ufffd \ufffdHoney, Brian and I were more friends than anything else. I had just come off of a bad relationship so I was very comfortable with the way things were. Brian was affectionate in a friendly sort of way but we didn\ufffdt even kiss, never mind make love.\ufffd Relief washed over Will like the incoming tide. Brian, you are a fool. Thank G-d, you\ufffdre a fool! He pulled back taking Liz\ufffds hands in his. \ufffdI have to say I am glad of it Liz. It could be very uncomfortable for all of us if you and he had been intimate.\ufffd \ufffdOther than a little awkwardness, would it have made a difference to you?\ufffd Liz was curious to know. \ufffdWould it have affected my loving you? No, certainly not. But I am happy that you won\ufffdt be able to make a comparison between me and my brother!\ufffd \ufffdAfraid, big guy?\ufffd Liz asked with a smirk. \ufffdNever,\ufffd he laughed, pulling Liz back into his arms. \ufffdI\ufffdd just hate for Brian to be embarrassed.\ufffd \ufffdSure you would,\ufffd Liz replied smiling. She gave Will a big kiss and ran her fingers through his hair. \ufffdNow come upstairs with me,\ufffd she said suggestively and paused as Will looked at her wide-eyed, \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd.and help me pick out something to wear.\ufffd Will groaned good-naturedly. \ufffdYou\ufffdre killing me woman.\ufffd ***** They chose the black dress that Liz had worn at the engagement party. Well, actually Will chose it and tickle"}, {"response": 395, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (13:32)", "body": "Ok Teg, I will forgive you for killing them off because that was a very romantic last chapter! -D I'm glad Brian apologized at least. I think it would be poetic justice though, if sometime soon Liz accidentally dumped cold porridge all over his head and expensive suit. The Darcys are such a sweet couple --- it's easy to see where Will got his learning! Can't wait for the next chapter!"}, {"response": 396, "author": "Teg", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (16:03)", "body": "Maybe Liz could be provided with a container or two of special chilled pudding instead of porridge? Now, wherever did I get an idea like that????"}, {"response": 397, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (19:14)", "body": "Gail, you tease! ARGH! I was salivating over here and you slammed the door on my big toe! Teg... *tsk, tsk* No pudding, unless it's a drool story with whipped cream on top!"}, {"response": 398, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (14:01)", "body": "Trying to catch up after a few days to find to very different stories . Teg that was wonderful but sad ,I was filling up reading it,I loved the way you ended it,they cannot beseparated any more & they live on in too many minds to be forgotten. Gail,I needed that to help ease the sorrow.You're stillmaking us wait for the coupling but Liz telling of her love certainly lets you off the hook:-) More More Teg no time to rest we need your new story now!"}, {"response": 399, "author": "charlotte01", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (14:14)", "body": "Hi Everyone I just wanted to tell you about my experience in Whitby!.We were just by luck staying in a cottage at the bottom of the 199 steps, so when Tuesday morning came I was amazed by the site of cameras postioned on my doorstep & actors parding in front of me. I leaned out my window to be waved at with a glint in his by Jeremy Northam!!. He is a star in every sense of the word and had the crew in stiches with his dancing on the 199 steps!. At one point Jenniffer nearly fell down the very slippy steps, the perfect Northam came to her assistance (what a man). But Jennifer could not look him in the eyr due to his comedy antics!! I have photos galore & more stories !"}, {"response": 400, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (14:26)", "body": "Charlotte, glad to see you found your way here. Am reposting your comments above to Topic 137, where all our Possession discussion is taking place. If you have no way to post your pics, I'd be happy to oblige."}, {"response": 401, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (14:29)", "body": "Use this url for your Possession posts and lots of people will be eager to comment: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/137/new"}, {"response": 402, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (15:30)", "body": "I hope the silence is a sign that you're all busy writing-) Please!"}, {"response": 403, "author": "KarinB", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (03:34)", "body": "I hope the silence is a sign that you're all busy writing Well, as a matter of fact: Yes! Not sure if it is good enough for you, though! I mean, with all these talanted writers around... Not to mention the demanding readers!"}, {"response": 404, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (03:38)", "body": "Great Karin,can't wait to read it.Don't worry we'll love it.Now to live up to my demanding reader role Hurry up-D"}, {"response": 405, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (15:58)", "body": "Yes Karin, I seriously need a fix. So glad to hear you will be posting something! Hurry, hurry, hurry. Pleassssssssse! Don't worry, Judy's right."}, {"response": 406, "author": "KarinB", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (18:50)", "body": "No offence to any of the other Austen characters, of course! But there can only be one dream prince in a story such as this! And one dream princess! But I have a suspicion Emma Knightley could challenge Elizabeth Darcy to that post! (hint!) I suppose Colonel Fitzwilliam must have been promoted to something else than Colonel by now, but since I don\ufffdt know anything about military rank, I refrain from calling him anything else than Colonel. And I am not sure if it is at all possible that this kind of conversations could take place in the early 19th century, but since it is all in my imagination, I suppose it can pass! And remember, it is before the Victorian era! Further, I would like to apologise for the unpleasant role I have given to Mr Hurst. But that kind of men do exist, I\ufffdm afraid. And excuse my prepositions! It is hard to be an alien! Be kind! An Unusual Marriage Part 1 Revelations The dinner-party hosted by the Darcys, married now since seven years, was well underway. The men had retired to the study for brandy and cigars, while the ladies went to the parlour to continue their conversation after the successful dinner. The men, apart from the obvious Mr Darcy, were his good friend and now brother, Mr Charles Bingley, married to Jane Bennet, his favourite cousin Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, still single, but not without some knowledge of the fair sex, his other cousin Edward Fitzwilliam, the elder brother of Richard, married to Sophia, Mr Hurst, married to Bingley\ufffds sister Louisa, and Mr Stephen Cunningham, the closest neighbour to Pemberley, who was newly married to a gentlewoman of good family from Devon. After some comments about the uncommonly good sport this season, the crops, the unusually mild weather and the upcoming harvest, the topic of conversation turned to how their marital bliss had changed from something eventful and fulfilling when first married, to something fast done with and of a routine nature. Darcy listened with increasing surprise, but, of course, showed nothing on the outside. \" Less eventful??! Shorter time!? Turned away at the door?? Dragged in, more likely! Wistfully he recollected this morning\ufffds interlude\ufffd No, definitely not less eventful than the lovemaking with his new wife had been early in their marriage\ufffd Not that making love to his wife had ever been eventless! His mind drifted on to the afternoon, less than an hour before their guests were due to arrive\ufffd ******* They had gone over the last preparations of the dinner arrangements. There had been a tension between them all day that could not be set free; there was no time for side-tracking, but the practical considerations had to be settled. Finally they were finished with the details and Mrs Reynolds was dismissed. Elizabeth was also about to leave the study to change when Darcy reached out and caught her arm. Their eyes locked and they were instantly drawn to each other. There was no time for this, but the urge was too strong. There was no need, nor time, for a big build-up, they just had to find some realise for their desire. Darcy leaned forward and caught Elizabeth\ufffds lips in a fervent kiss that deepened as he hungrily explored her mouth. \"Oh Elizabeth! I want you \ufffd\" he groaned against her lips. His hands went from her arms to her breasts, caressing them through the fabric of the dress, feeling her nipples harden under his fingers. \"Oh Liz, you are so beautiful, so sensual\ufffd\" Elizabeth had stopped listening and grasped his neck, drawing him closer while tilting her hips against his growing erection, then letting her hands roam over his back and further down and front as she hurriedly unbuttoned his breeches. Darcy was already fully aroused and gasped as Elizabeth took hold of him and eagerly stroked him. \"Now, Will! I cannot wait until tonight, it won\ufffdt do.\" He averted her skirts, backed her against the wall and swiftly entered her. \"Ohhhh, Will\ufffd OOOOoooooohhhh! Yes, yes!! Ohhhhh!\" His amazing, beautiful, wife almost momentarily came apart in his arms and for a moment he allowed himself the pleasure of simply having his engorged manhood almost painfully squeezed by her forceful waves of orgasm that nearly threatened to push him out of her. He then joined her with his own release, pumping her full of his very essence. ******* \"Dear cousin, something tells me you are not paying attention to your guests\ufffd conversation and , which is even more disturbing, that you haven\ufffdt got a clue what we are talking about and , which is the worst of it all, that your mind is somewhere else, thinking of something totally improper!\" Richard Fitzwilliam secretly said to his host, with a teasing smile, but inside feeling a slight stab of envy. \"He really hasn\ufffdt got a clue, has he? Lucky bastard!\" Darcy blushed slightly, feeling caught, but simply smiled at his cousin, raising a quizzical eyebrow asked: \"Which of all these accusations do you want me to rebut first?\" \"Well, since I am a gentleman, I do not want any answers to the last two \"acc"}, {"response": 407, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (19:29)", "body": "Lovely and very amusing too. That's exactly what I would hope for Darcy and Elizabeth, a happy marriage in all respects. Please continue Karin!"}, {"response": 408, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (20:09)", "body": "To be continued...? surely you jest Karin! Of course we want More!!! loved the Col's fumbling about at the end, while Darcy is amused. and what, pray tell, have the ladies been discussing while this conversation was going on? please post again soon!"}, {"response": 409, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (10:06)", "body": "I don't get a chance to post as often as I should to thank the authors who are entertaining us but I can not let slip by a chance to thank a new author. It takes a lot of courage to post a story for the first time so I thank you, Karin for your darling story. It was hilarious watching Darcy get more and more amazed hearing how the other 3/4 of the world manage their married lives. once or twice each week?! He must have meant each day!... \"When I could stay? My own room?\"... \"Invited? Elizabeth practically drags me to our bed!\".. And then he can bear it no longer \"You call that lucky?!\" Darcy choked out. So nice to see our dear boy has been rewarded with a woman with such lively spirit. No need to apologize for Mr. Hurst's behavior. \"I hide from her, sometimes, or pretend to be drunk.\" or asleep (hehehe). We don't expect him to be a particularly sensitive man. Good story and please continue this or start a new one."}, {"response": 410, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (11:59)", "body": "I'm a sucker for any story about Lizzie and Darcy...no matter how many ...they're still my faves. Thanks Karin."}, {"response": 411, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (12:46)", "body": "Karin B! To be continued? Shall I get my rope? \"You ask her, then?\" Mr Hurst blurted out. \"When I had been married three months, there was no asking, I just took what I wanted. Now, when I don\ufffdt want it any more, the hag pursues me since she wants a child. Barren, she is. A dry twig. No offence, Bingley, but I think she is infertile. I hide from her, sometimes, or pretend to be drunk.\" ROTLMAOAPIMP! Now that was cruel! hahahahahahaha hee hee hee hahahahahahaha! but funny! Loved the stories from the 'unsatisfied' gentlmen! And our dear, dear Darcy getting more than he bargained for... YES! Karin B, please say that I'll see some more 'An Unusual Marriage' before long?"}, {"response": 412, "author": "gailw", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (07:42)", "body": "Thanks Karin. Very sexy and fun story. We all love to have new writers around here. Especially those of us who are a bit behind on their own stories.... whistles nonchalantly, hands in pockets. (Esbee) pray tell, have the ladies been discussing while this conversation was going on? Would definitely be amusing to see what the ladies think of the same subject! Would Lizzy be as surprised as Darcy was? Would it have an affect on her behavior towards her husband?"}, {"response": 413, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (11:45)", "body": "*joining Gail's nonchalant whistling* Karin any plans for another chapter? (pretty please!)"}, {"response": 414, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (13:43)", "body": "ROTFLOL, now ladies, get you hands out of your pockets and type! You may whistle as an accompaniment, but be careful with the choice of melody!!! .....erhmmm please!! Interesting story, Karin, very interesting,...I, too, am curious as to what the ladies will reveal and how!!!So put on you typing boots....please!!!"}, {"response": 415, "author": "KarinB", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (14:19)", "body": "The typing gloves (boots?!) are on! Just be a little patient, please! And THANK YOU so much for all your praise! As Heide said, it takes a lot to dare to post a story... Now I can't see way I was so nervous! So, there will be a part 1 continued (with the ladies' version of revelations), and then (I think) 2 more parts."}, {"response": 416, "author": "sarah19", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (14:23)", "body": "Just dropped by to get a break from the tediousness of studying and doing art projects. glad to see Parallels was completed in my absence. Wonderful story. I am patiently waiting for the next installments of The Wedding Singer and He had nothing to lose. please please please give us some more. Sarah"}, {"response": 417, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (14:58)", "body": "(Karin) there will be a part 1 continued (with the ladies' version of revelations), and then (I think) 2 more parts. YIPPEE!! *doing happy dance* (Hanne) You may whistle as an accompaniment, but be careful with the choice of melody!!! LOL - yes indeed. maybe a few of you will recall what happend when i couldnt get 'Rule Britanna' out of my head."}, {"response": 418, "author": "icappleg", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (15:52)", "body": "Going to get started on \"Having Nothing, Nothing Can He Lose\" again. I'll let you know as it progresses. My last trip to Birmingham was August 9. The doctor and I had apparently been thinking the same thing for a while, and at that appointment we agreed. There is no treatment, we've been experimenting with drugs, but the blood panels remain the same. So we made a conscious decision to quit, and August 9 was the last day I took any of those drugs. Anyway, this is the first time I've checked the drool board, or even been on-line, for quite a while. Just wanted to let you know I'm still here (in spirit, anyway). I was passed an interesting web address. It's a \"Wu Name Finder\" at http://www.recordstore.com/cgi-bin/wuname/wuname.pl My name comes out to \"Bellowing Rap Machine\" which is a lot more accurate than you can guess. Fitzwilliam Darcy comes out to \"Half-Cut Skeleton\" and Elizabeth Bennett comes out to \"Saber-Toothed Portillo.\" (Don't know what a \"portillo\" is . . .) Irene"}, {"response": 419, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (16:17)", "body": "Irene, i've been wondering about you and how you've been feeling. Glad to see you back at drool for a visit. thanks for the update. You've been in my thoughts and prayers these last few months *Big Hug* LOL at the Wu Name Finder, and looking forward to seeing more of your story :-) EsBee"}, {"response": 420, "author": "allmi", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (20:42)", "body": "I've enjoyed lurking here: am just dropping in to a)register and b) thank you all. . . . Wu name: \"homicidal terrahawk\". . . .sounds much more combative than I. . . May fortune smile on you all."}, {"response": 421, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (22:32)", "body": "Wu name: Bastard, BASTARD HarbourMastah er, uh, hmm, um... WHA...?! Anyway Irene, glad to hear from you. Drugs may not be your solution... but, prayer helps. And mine are with you, always. Karin B, I never thought about what the ladies might have to say on that particular subject and I HEREBY HEARTILY AGREE with our drool women that this should be included! I'm so excited!"}, {"response": 422, "author": "Teca", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (23:52)", "body": "Irene, I'm very glad to hear from you. You are always in my prayers. Gail, Teg, S B Robinson,Karin B ( hope I don't miss anybory!!! ) I enjoy all the good stories that you've been posting. Thank you!!!"}, {"response": 423, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Sep 19, 2000 (00:04)", "body": "allmi! Hello and Welcome to Drool :-) and Teca, i dont believe we've met before, so hello to you as well! I dont suppose either of you happens to have been bitten by the writing bug?"}, {"response": 424, "author": "Teca", "date": "Tue, Sep 19, 2000 (00:15)", "body": "Sorry S B Robinson, I have never been bitten by the writing \"in portuguese\" bug (I'm from Brazil), It's very hard write this lines to me."}, {"response": 425, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Sep 19, 2000 (01:21)", "body": "Ooh Karin, I like your plans --- and such an excellent suggestion Esbee. Can't wait to hear what the ladies have to say! So good to hear from you Irene! You're in my prayers. Wu Name finder's a hoot. Greetings Sarah and Teca! Welcome Allmi, glad you delurked! So, what are Madam Authoresses whistling, hmmmm? I agree with Hanne. Here's a tune: whistle while you work. Drool, more drool. Pleeeeeeeeease!!!"}, {"response": 426, "author": "gailw", "date": "Tue, Sep 19, 2000 (09:25)", "body": "Irene, it's great to hear from you. I have been thinking a lot about you lately and my prayers are with you as well. And I echo the sentiments expressed by the others. My Wu name is Erratic Assassin! Scary! I guess I should be writing murder mysteries instead of fanfic! I apologize to everyone for not posting anything recently. I have been working on the next bit but I haven't been happy with it so I keep rewriting. Also I've been sidetracked by the Olympics. I've been glued to the telly instead of the PC. Hmmmm, that may explain why I'm whistling the Australian National Anthem (even though I'm American). But I hope to have something ready later this week. And I have more of the story written so once I get by this immediate hurdle, I should be back on a more regular schedule of posting."}, {"response": 427, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Tue, Sep 19, 2000 (10:20)", "body": "*hugs* from me too, Irene. I have been thinking of you!!... and now I'm looking forward to seeing the continuation of \"Having......\" LOL...would you believe, I'm Cybernetic Tiger!!!! *deep bow*Pleased to meet you Allmi and other delurkers!!"}, {"response": 428, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Sep 19, 2000 (12:25)", "body": "Welcome Allmi! Hello to Teca & Irene,we've not 'met' I'm sorry I'm a couple of days late Karin ,well done on a wonderful story,knew Lizzy would be a goer! Can't wait for the next bit (Sadie) Wu finder's a hoot? and aren't you forgetting to tell us something or would you prefer I made it up for you?-D Mine of course is Excitable Misunderstood Genius,I'm surprised I've not told you all that before-D (Sadie)Here's a tune : whistle while you work. LMAO wicked!"}, {"response": 429, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Sep 19, 2000 (14:28)", "body": "Irene - it's good to hear from you, I had been wondering how you were. Wu-Finder...LOL! Of course mine suits me to a tee...(??!!), allow me to introduce myself..Ol' Mucky Terrahawk at your service. Can't wait for the ladies' viewpoint *biting what's left of my nails*"}, {"response": 430, "author": "allmi", "date": "Tue, Sep 19, 2000 (20:42)", "body": "Hi. Sorry to let you know that most of what I write is not really sharable at this point. Trying to work out a rather icky period, so mostly rant and rave on paper. (except when I write comments on other people's papers, where I say things like \"are you sure you meant this word?\" ) I'll see what I can do, but am not promising anything but avid reading!"}, {"response": 431, "author": "KarinB", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (15:29)", "body": "Thank you EsBee for your suggestion! I didn\ufffdt think about writing the ladies\ufffd version until you mentioned it. Enjoy! (By the way: My Wu-Name is 'Inebriated Assistant'. I chose to interpret \ufffdinebriated\ufffd as \ufffdheady\ufffd as in perfume, or wine (see below!) and not \ufffdintoxicated\ufffd as in drunk!) An Unusual Marriage Part 1 Continued Revelations Meanwhile in the parlour \"So ladies, please, can I offer you some more of the wine? I know I shouldn\ufffdt say so myself, but I really enjoy this Chianti. So rich and full! It is my favourite, and Fitzwilliam always makes sure it is in stock in the cellar, even though he has to import it especially from Italy. We found it on our honeymoon, you see,\" Elizabeth said. Jane Bingley smiled serenely, while thinking, Dear Elizabeth, you really have found a man who loves you. To even think of these small things; a favourite wine\ufffd Caroline Bingley smirked. \"He offers you wine, does he? I would have expected more! And I wouldn\ufffdt think it very fashionable to have a preference for mere wine. Liqueur, like that lovely, sweet \ufffdParfait Amour\ufffd is more to my liking. But then, I always had a feeling you are not used to the more sophisticated fashions from the continent. Simple wine is suitable, I suppose, to dull the senses.\" Not that that would be necessary for me if I had Mr Darcy in my bed chamber! No, certainly not! I think I could put up with it nicely! Maybe he is getting tired of her, finally? I mean, she has had two children and just think how her body must have decayed! Elizabeth kept her temper and only her momentarily clenched jaw gave something away. \"Oh Miss Bingley, then you really must taste this wine again! It does not dull you senses; it intensifies them. The taste is so rich, so consummate, almost erotic! Oh, excuse me, you wouldn\ufffdt know anything about that feeling, would you? I mean it perfectly compliments the other aspects of our marriage, which are not permissible to talk about around unmarried women as yourself, Miss Bingley. Please forgive me.\" Well, that should silence her! Caroline Bingley could not answer this without appearing immoral, but just had to bite back her comment. Georgiana Darcy had trouble checking her laughter. \"Well, Elizabeth dear, although I am also an unmarried woman, I do think I have some idea of what you are talking about! After having seen my dear brother come alive after marrying you, I have had ample opportunities to encounter some of those sentiments you so eloquently insinuate!\" Elizabeth blushed ever so slightly and sent a warm smile to her dear sister-in-law. There had been many times when she had had to introduce her young and innocent sister-in-law into some delicate parts of married life. It had been highly revealing for the young women who had lived a secluded life without any remembrance of her parents together and without a mother\ufffds guidance. Now, after almost seven years with Mr and Mrs Darcy, there was nothing more that would surprise her, or at least she thought so. She remembered the numerous times she had walked into a room without knocking or waiting for an answer. What she had found had embarrassed her earlier, but now she simply congratulated them for their obvious bliss. Even though she had no personal experience, she knew enough to see how unusual this was in a marriage. She simply prayed for the same kind of luck, but knew it was unique and not to be expected. \"Mrs Darcy, forgive me for asking,\" Laura Cunningham said. \"I am just recently married, and I am afraid I don\ufffdt understand the connection between a tasty wine and married life. You must explain that to me, I am afraid.\" Her innocent and bewildered look touched Elizabeth. \"Dear Mrs Cunningham, there are as many aspects of marriage as there are stars in the sky! Please, don\ufffdt judge these first months of you life together as how everything will be further on. Just remember to allow your husband to know what you like when it comes to intimate relations and you will be rewarded, I am sure. I believe all men appreciate a wife who is interested in sharing the marital bed. Your husband is a very good man, I am sure, and will do everything in his power to make you happy.\" \"Do you really think so? He seems so concentrated on himself\ufffd So anxious\ufffd, nervous\ufffd, excited\ufffd It is as if I am just there for him , if you see my meaning,\" Laura Cunningham said. \"Well of course,\" Louisa Hurst exclaimed. \"I have never heard of such nonsense! \ufffdTell him what you like when it comes to intimate relations\ufffd! Talk about that , that \ufffd unmentionable! Never! And there is nothing to like about it! It is just to be endured, nothing else! Thankfully they get less interested when they get older.\" \"Do they?!\" Elizabeth asked, horrified. \"Not necessarily, I hope. It is no law of nature, is it?\" \"Ha! That scared you, didn\ufffdt it?\" Sophia Fitzwilliam laughed. \"I think it all depends on those involved. And from what I have seen, and heard, there is no risk for that in your case.\" \"But I agree with Lousia, at least in pa"}, {"response": 432, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (17:35)", "body": "Now that I've got your attention.... Spring needs money in order to operate. There are many different kinds of expenses we incur at Spring. Some are one-time only and others are ongoing. Right now, we are raising money to pay for the very specialized software (Yapp) that makes these discussion boards very unique. We need a larger license to accommodate all the people who visit these boards, whether they post or not. If you are a lurker and visit here and just read, you are still creating a \"hit,\" and the license we have is not sufficient for the number of visitors we get on a daily basis. When we exceed the license limit, the conference boards shut down automatically until Yapp determines that a new day has started. To keep Spring alive, we need to raise $1,000. In the past, a handful of people have kept Spring afloat. Many of our Drool supporters in the UK have taken advantage of get-togethers with US friends in order to pass along cash contributions. So for this fund-raising effort, I have put out the call for everyone to do what they can. For those in the US, payment can be made by check or by an electronic transfer via the PayPal system. In the UK, we will have a person who can accept your payments (by cheque or bank draft) and see to it that the monies reach us. For those of you in other countries, please email me. No addresses will be posted on these boards. Please email me for details."}, {"response": 433, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (21:45)", "body": "More wine, Lizzy? heh heh heh! Loved it Karin! and the look that darcy gave her... what does it mean? 'Upstairs... NOW!!!'? LOL!"}, {"response": 434, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (23:05)", "body": "(Karin) Thank you EsBee for your suggestion! I didn\ufffdt think about writing the ladies\ufffd version until you mentioned it. You're welcome :-) always glad to be of service... and this was very entertaining! I mean it perfectly compliments the other aspects of our marriage, which are not permissible to talk about around unmarried women as yourself, Miss Bingley. Please forgive me.\" LOL! read this and had a great visual of Lizzy doing \"neener, neener, neener\" to Caroline looking forward to more"}, {"response": 435, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (23:15)", "body": "Hello all, I am new to this topic, although not new to Drool. I have a contribution to make of a different sort, and I hope you will indulge me, as my story is a bit of a departure from the normal sumptuous fare served up here. :-) Several months ago I started to wonder what would happen to Bridget Jones after she and Mark Darcy moved to California. I had even mentioned on the BJD board that I would attempt to write a brief story about this scenario. After several false starts, I abandoned the story, until last week. The piece is far from brief -- it ended up being nine pages long, so I will divide it into three parts. I am also waiting to hear back from my \"British technical consultant\" on parts II and III, so I may have to wait a few a few days to post the rest. As I am terrible at HTML, I am unable to include the requisite italics. I shall conquer this\ufffd some day! :-) I hope you enjoy the story; I had great fun writing it. Bridget in LaLa Land Part I of III Malibu, California Wednesday September 13 Weightless, as amount meaningless in American pounds and ounces, alcohol units 6, cigarettes 2 (illegal in State of California anyway), calories 2,100 (excellent, though mostly consumed at dinner). Had Kafkaesque first day in California. Depending on what Kafkaesque means. Woke up in giant white bed and reached over for Mark, who was no longer next to me. Instead was note on bed that said: To the keeper of my heart, Must go to office for all day meeting with the Mexicans. Didn't have the heart to wake you, as you looked quite worn out from jet lag and last night's \"reunion.\" Have booked you day of relaxation and pampering at a day spa in the Hotel Beverly. Your surprise escort will arrive promptly at 10:30. Make certain to return home by 8:00 tonight for magical moonlight dinner by the sea. What a marvelous, thoughtful boyfriend! Mmmmm, last night's shag was delicious. Mmmmm. But who could be surprise escort? Don't know anyone in LA\ufffd. Could it be Shazzer or Jude come over to surprise me? Princess Margaret? Una Alconbury? Colin Firth? After all, am well-connected woman of the world with many friends\ufffd. Oh God, clock say's it is nearly 10:00 now; must pop into shower, or never will be ready in time. Gaaah! What does one wear to a Beverly Hills day spa? Settled on white floaty dress and strappy shoes. Hair is mad riot again; hope I can get a trim today\ufffd. Arrrrgh, cannot find purse that matches strappy shoes\ufffd.Dumped contents of suitcase on bedroom floor\ufffd. Doorbell rings promptly at 10:30, and there is Tom in pink ten-gallon hat, rhinestone-studded shirt and velvet bolo tie, dressed like a cross between Roy Rogers and Dame Edna. \"Howww-deee Bridget,\" yodelled Tom in manner of Minnie Pearl, as he gave me a big bear hug. \"Are you ready to mosey on down to Ro -- dee -- oh Drive?\" \"Tom, what in the name of arse are you doing in Malibu dressed like a rhinestone lounge lizard? Please tell me you've just come from a fancy dress party and are not going to venture out in public dressed like that! It's Ro -- day -- oh Drive, you silly cowboy.\" \"Lovely to see you again, too, Bridge. Aren't you going to invite me in to see chez D'arcy or should I say la Casa Blanca grande de Darcy?\" \"Only if you take off that ridiculous hat and shirt. Come in, and I'll give you one of Mark's shirts to wear.\" Tom slowly took in the massive white walls and tall ceilings, the white oversized upholstered furniture, the white Berber rugs, and the minimalist decor. \"Bridge, the inside of this place looks just like his digs in Holland Park. Did John and Yoko decorate both residences?\" \"I know, but it is very clean and open here, with a lovely view of the ocean.\" Hmmmm, never made the John and Yoko connection before. Both Mark and John Lennon had Japanese wives. Hmmmm\ufffd. \" Er, here, put this shirt on. Seriously now, what are you doing in Malibu?\" \"That's SoCal to you, if you don't mind,\" said Tom, whilst putting on one of Mark's white work shirts. \"My cousin Agnes and her life partner just bought a bungalow in West Hollywood, so I drove down from the Bay Area to check it out and surprise you. Last week I rang up Mark to find out when to meet up with you both, and he made arrangements for you and me to go to this chi-chi new day spa in Beverly Hills. Such a considerate man with that tight small bottom. I want Mark to be MY boyfriend, too!\" \"Never you mind his tight small bottom; Mark is a one woman sort of man,\" I said, as we walked outside. \"Tom, is that a car or an ocean going vessel?\" There in Mark Darcy's drive was blue convertible the length of Albert Hall. \"That car, Bridget, my love, is a historical automobile: a 1979 Cadillac El Dorado in pristine condition. Get in. Here in California, you are what you drive,\" said Tom a bit huffily, as we sped toward Beverly Hills. \"Well, I hope you don't have to moor it anywhere for safe harbour,\" I said hoity toitily as I donned sunglasses and tied a scarf about head in manner of Jackie O. Mmmmm, love the lovel"}, {"response": 436, "author": "gailw", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (07:55)", "body": "Karin, loved the women's point of view. Lizzy has a very progressive outlook for her time but hey, it works! There is nothing sexier than true love which the Darcys certainly have. LisaJH, cute story. Welcome to fanfic. You'll find the readers here very demanding! Now how about more details on that \"reunion\"?"}, {"response": 437, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (11:56)", "body": "Lisa! Welcome to FanFic!! i just loved the beginning of MD's letter - To the keeper of my heart, *SIGH* he's So Sweet! and so many laughs... Tom in pink ten-gallon hat, rhinestone-studded shirt and velvet bolo tie, dressed like a cross between Roy Rogers and Dame Edna. ROTFLOL And Tom's car, TOO Funny! a historical automobile: a 1979 Cadillac El Dorado in pristine condition... Here in California, you are what you drive,\" Hmmm... as Californian maybe i should be slightly concerned about what my car is saying about me... perhaps best not to consider to carefully... :-) Such a considerate man with that tight small bottom. I want Mark to be MY boyfriend, too!\" You said it Tom!!! ;-) More soon Lisa, i hope!"}, {"response": 438, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (12:39)", "body": "WOW! Two postings! Two Darcys, I am all aflutter! Thank you Karin and Lisa. Karin, these ladies are much wilder than the gentlemen in conversation! LOL! V. true to life! Cannot wait for the next installment where the full meaning of Darcy's look becomes apparent. I vote for racier! I will live up to 'demanding' label and pronounce: MORE DROOL SOON! Lisa, is bloody fantastic! So many funny lines. It truly is \"the altered state\". Felt a bit overwhelmed -- even as professional, world-class dieter. LOL! and I settled in for a blissful experience until Helga began to pummel my flesh and grind chunks of oily rock salt into my bottom, in manner of KGB interrogating dissenter in gulag. LMAO!"}, {"response": 439, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (13:38)", "body": "So sweet and really no less than we would have expected from Elizabeth. I truly enjoyed the way she took down Caroline,.....hohoho...not even gloating too much!! And she has taught Georgiana a thing or two about relationships, too;-))) Not only that wives have certain liberties that sisters don't;-))!! ROTFLOL, Lisa, very good!! \"Welcome to Nature's Door. My name is Petal,\" ... \"Yes, that's right, and my name is Stamen,\" said Tom, in his best public school voice. Hilarious and promising;-DDD ...I vote with Gail on the spicy deal,..."}, {"response": 440, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (13:44)", "body": "Lisa & Karin *applause, applause* Speaking as one of the demanding (and echoing Sadie) - more drooly goings-on please!"}, {"response": 441, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (14:02)", "body": "Well done to both Karin & Lisa,I hope this spurs our other writers on.I'll have to join the Sadie & Tracy 'demanding' club (What about your name Sadie?)"}, {"response": 442, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (14:51)", "body": "LOL! That's the second time you've asked!"}, {"response": 443, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (14:58)", "body": "And the second time you've not answered"}, {"response": 444, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:01)", "body": "Didnt Sadie promise us a piece of fanfic in Oct??? :-D i am all anticipation!"}, {"response": 445, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:06)", "body": "NO, no, I said I'd start writing something in October! Backing into corner, looking frantically around as suddenly discovering I am about to cross over to other world of harrassed writer. Tear in space getting bigger. Help!"}, {"response": 446, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:14)", "body": "(Sadie) NO, no, I said I'd start writing something in October! OK - one month reprival - and then full time harrassment begins. :-)"}, {"response": 447, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:16)", "body": "LOL Esbee! Remember who promised to be my editor! -D"}, {"response": 448, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:16)", "body": "Yes Sadie hurry up-D"}, {"response": 449, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:20)", "body": "I did not leap into tear in space yet! -D"}, {"response": 450, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:23)", "body": "LOL You did (or I pushed you)"}, {"response": 451, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:24)", "body": "Judddddddddyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy"}, {"response": 452, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:27)", "body": "LMAO being lost in space doesn't relieve you of your promise to write us something."}, {"response": 453, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:37)", "body": "Judy: Zoltok nvn ah tu Sadie ump ta space. The one who is called \"Erratic Genius with Sexy Legs\""}, {"response": 454, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:40)", "body": "LOL genius,it takes one to know one, but sexy legs? is this true ,I'm soooo jealous!"}, {"response": 455, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:44)", "body": "I must not decided on my own appearance....when are you gonna write that Wedding Night scene, Judy? *sadistic smile*"}, {"response": 456, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:46)", "body": "don't you mean *sadiestic smile* table turner!"}, {"response": 457, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:49)", "body": "LOL!"}, {"response": 458, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (17:34)", "body": "Thank you, ladies of FanFic, for your warm welcome and encouragement. Part III of the story is probably the most Drool-worthy, but you can judge for yourself in a few days\ufffd. Uh-oh, a demanding crowd, eh? I am afraid that any attempts by me at serious erotica would read like a bad bodice-ripper: lots of heaving and sighing, etc. :-P I have decided to throw caution to the wind and post part II now. Accordingly, if some of my Britspeak is a bit off, it is due to my impatience, and is not the fault of my trusted technical consultant. KarenR kindly came to my rescue and helped me with the italics for the rest of the story. Thanks, Karen. Bridget in LaLa Land Part II of III \"Time to turn over,\" barked Helga in manner of Gestapo. Sat up, turned over, and tried to place towel on front of person, in futile attempt at semblance of modesty. Helga proceeded to pummel and grind front of legs and arms in same manner as before. \"There!\" said Helga with a final slap of my thigh. \"Now go to the shower stall over there, and spray off the salt and oil. Then you will have your lunch. I will return later for your mud mask and facial.\" Caught glimpse of self in large mirror on wall and saw that body was now color of vine -- ripened tomato: so much for glow in salt glow rub. Mmmmmm, shower left skin baby-bottom smooth, however. Whilst tying belt on robe, a plumpish Mexican woman brought in bowl of guacamole and plate of cucumber slices and placed them on small round table in the corner. Lunch! Amazing how torture can stir the appetite. \"Thank you,\" I purred, as I sat down at the round table. \"De nada, Signora,\" said the Mexican woman as she left the room. Took rather large dip of guacamole with cucumber slice and popped entire thing in mouth. Gaaah! Nearly gagged, as guacamole tasted v. odd -- both earthy and chalky. Authentic guacamole must be acquired taste. Tried another slice of cucumber with slightly less guacamole. Arrrrgh, no better! Mexican woman returned with plate of chicken breast and steamed vegetables, with horrified look on face as she saw me eating the guacamole. \"Dios mia, Se\ufffdora, that is not your lunch! That is your facial! Here is your lunch,\" said the Mexican woman as she placed the plate of chicken before me. OhmyGod\ufffd.. \"What exactly did I just eat?\" \"Se\ufffdora, you just ate a mixture of green clay, fullers earth, shea butter, jojoba oil, and water. The cucumber slices were for your eyes. Would you like a glass of mineral water to get rid of the taste?\" Really, really wanted bottle of chardonnay at this point, but did not wish to give appearance of Betty Ford Center candidate. \"Ah, yes. Thank you very much,\" I said, in manner of the Queen delivering annual Christmas Message. Entire facial debacle had put me off lunch\ufffdand guacamole. Helga soon returned with large vat of mud, which she stirred with vigor of construction worker. Next to massage table now were two huge rolls of Clingfilm and foil. \"It is time for your moor mud body mask and wrap. It would appear you already had your facial,\" said Helga with a smirk, as she again patted the massage table for emphasis. \"No towel, this time.\" After I hopped onto message table, Helga applied thick layer of moor mud to body in manner of plasterer on DIY television programme. Felt like combination of giant chocolate bar and human offering. Thereafter, Helga tore off long sheets of Clingfilm and foil, and wrapped entire body -- including arms and legs -- first in layer of Clingfilm, then with final layer of foil. Now resembled giant jacketed potato or burrito. Mercifully, head and face were left exposed, so would not suffocate, but also could not move to scratch nose, which now itched uncontrollably. \"You must stay like this for 20 minutes,\" ordered Helga, as she left the room. \"As if I had a choice in matter,\" I muttered under my breath. Tried very hard not to think about itchy nose, and thought about bottle of chardonnay again, then Mark. Mmmmmm\ufffd..cannot wait to see him again, with my new, lovely skin\ufffd..All of sudden, entire body began to itch and sting\ufffdreally began to panic\ufffd. \"Get. Me. Outta. Here. Now!\" I yelled, in manner of Joe Pesci. \"Ach, what is wrong? It is not time yet,\" snapped Helga, whilst entering massage room. Suddenly felt in urgent need of top-notch human rights barrister. \"I do not care whether or not it is time; my skin is on fire and is itching like mad! Unwrap. Me. Now.\" \"Naja, you must be allergic to moor mud,\" said Helga, as she unwrapped the layers of foil and Clingfilm. \"Wash off the mud in the shower right away.\" Washed off moor mud in shower. Body now one giant rash. Applied aloe vera gel and witch hazel mixture to skin, which Helga assured me would soon relieve itching and stinging\ufffd. Then applied natural self-tanner in attempt to mask giant rash. Got dressed thereafter, and put on hideous mustard-coloured smock to prepare for haircut and color. Was then led into busy, rather large salon, with long row of stylists' chairs. \"Hello, you are Bridget"}, {"response": 459, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (18:14)", "body": "Oops, I had meant to say in my note to you that \"you can judge for yourselves.\" It drives me nuts when I see these errors after I have posted...."}, {"response": 460, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (20:00)", "body": "LisaJH! Welcome, daaaaaahling! your BJD is v. good! (Gail) Now how about more details on that \"reunion\"? Indeed! (esbee) Didnt Sadie promise us a piece of fanfic in Oct??? ROTF! Excellent memory! Sadie, we will begin counting down from October 1... A halloween masquerade ball would be a nice event for a seduction... what say you?"}, {"response": 461, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Sep 22, 2000 (08:19)", "body": "ROTFLOL Lisa! Really, really wanted bottle of chardonnay at this point, but did not wish to give appearance of Betty Ford Center candidate Now resembled giant jacketed potato or burrito Suddenly felt in urgent need of top-notch human rights barrister....Body now one giant rash Poor Bridget, this could only happen to her! with normal hair -- like Mark Darcy LOL! I see you read the BJD board faithfully! OhmyGodpleaseno. Not here. Not with hair done up in foil chewing gum wrappers, body one giant rash dressed in hideous smock and plastic cape, and face without trace of make-up. Slowly looked up from magazine, and against all odds there was Mr Darcy standing before me -- tall, lean, smoldery, and newly shorn. Why? why? Is just not fair! What is bloody point of going to spa if boyfriend is going to sneak in while she is all rash and fake tan and aluminium?"}, {"response": 462, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Sep 22, 2000 (10:48)", "body": "LOL! I see you read the BJD board faithfully!LOL! Not since a few months ago when I was participating a little. Dropped out this summer as had major dental work in manner of Marathon Man.....ugh. Hope to participate more often now, but track record is not promising....:-) What is bloody point of going to spa if boyfriend is going to sneak in while she is all rash and fake tan and aluminium? Ah, but Sadie, it is not Mark Darcy...it is Mr Darcy."}, {"response": 463, "author": "Teg", "date": "Fri, Sep 22, 2000 (11:14)", "body": "Wu name... Hmmm... my real name translated into 'Jive Talkin' Choirboy' With my maiden name instead: 'Big Wicker Ventriloquist' My online name is just Teg and no last name, so I guess I'll have to pick one of the above..... :) Great stuff ladies! I've been away from the board since I last posted, so there was quite a bit to catch up on! Keep it up (er.. no pun intended) :)"}, {"response": 464, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Sep 22, 2000 (12:00)", "body": "Ah, but Sadie, it is not Mark Darcy...it is Mr Darcy. Ah Ha! That was my first thought... CF was in LA visiting Will and just happened to be there getting hair done! LOL! excellent Lisa can not wait to read part III Sadie - am eagerly awaiting your story for editing :-D"}, {"response": 465, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Fri, Sep 22, 2000 (12:49)", "body": "Lisa.....loved your Bridget in La-La Land story.....am waiting with baited breath for next installment. Will our hero be the pretend Mark Darcy or the real Colin Firth ???? If he is CF, how about another \"mock\" interview ? Maybe, Livia sits in on the interview and has to deflect BJ's probing questons re marital life and getting to wake up every morning next to our darling boy...sigh ..... Keep it up, ( pun IS intended, snigger, snigger )"}, {"response": 466, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Sep 22, 2000 (14:17)", "body": "*loud Mrs.Bennet scream* the real Mr. Darcy!!!!! And with a haircut! But if he's in LA and Mark Darcy is in LA, and Bridget is in LA....what type of shirt is he wearing?.... Two Mr. Darcys in one story! And both of them real! V.confusing. I like the idea of another interview, indeed I do!"}, {"response": 467, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Fri, Sep 22, 2000 (19:22)", "body": "And with a haircut! But if he's in LA and Mark Darcy is in LA, and Bridget is in LA....what type of shirt is he wearing?.... ROTFLMAOAPIMP! Love the lovely imagery there!"}, {"response": 468, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Sep 23, 2000 (10:16)", "body": "Welcome Allmi, Teca. So many stories, ladies. You're going to keep Leanne very busy. (That's okay, she loves it, don't you dear.) Lisa, love your BDJ story. Only she could eat her facial. Irene, I hope you keep checking in here regularly. We want to know how you're doing and hope that this board is a little bit therapeutic."}, {"response": 469, "author": "lg", "date": "Sat, Sep 23, 2000 (18:20)", "body": "(Heide) Welcome Allmi, Teca. So many stories, ladies. You're going to keep Leanne very busy. (That's okay, she loves it, don't you dear.) Yes. <big grin> But I should stop endlessly sitting in front of the Olympics (do I know anything about trap shooting?? NO!) and upload all these lovely new story parts!!"}, {"response": 470, "author": "allmi", "date": "Sat, Sep 23, 2000 (23:10)", "body": "Lisa, loved the facial (was given a tube of something green and clay-like that reminds me of guac, but fortunately haven't eaten it yet *knock on wood*)"}, {"response": 471, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Sun, Sep 24, 2000 (02:54)", "body": "ROTFLOL, Lisa! eating her facial,....only Bridget Jones would do that,...but hey, beauty comes from within, doesn't it??"}, {"response": 472, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 24, 2000 (10:07)", "body": "Here is Bethanne's story that was posted in two installments at 112: MR DARCY DINES AT LONGBOURN Part 1 The dinning room door closed behind Mrs Bennet, with a quiet click, as Darcy leaned back in his chair and let out a deep sigh of relief. He reached for his wine glass and took a deep, satisfying draught of the cool liquid to ease the pain of his dry, parched throat. He exhaled deeply, his first breath, seemingly in over an hour. He had just sat through a four course meal at the Bennet house, and he felt as if he had been holding his breath for most of the preceding hour. In a way, he was glad that he and Lizzie were seated at opposite ends of table, as he didn't trust himself to get through the meal without slobbering all over himself or knocking over his glass if she had been seated beside him. It was all he could do to keep his countenance, as he watched her bite into a ripe, succulent strawberry earlier over dessert. It took a mammoth effort of will not to groan out loud as he saw her beautiful, rosy red lips stained even redder by the succulent juice of the strawberry. When her tongue snaked out to catch a drop of juice that would have slid down her chin, the tightness in his breeches turned into an actual physical pain. He had to force his brain away from the tempting, tantalising vision in his head, of her mouth opening slowly for him, as he fed her a strawberry from a bowl, balanced precariously on top of a tangle of rumpled red, silk sheets as they lay in his bed at Pemberley.... With intense willpower, he had forced himself to concentrate on what Mrs Bennet, to his left, was saying, but he remained intensely conscious of Elizabeth's presence across the table. Her appetite didn't seem any better than his had been through out the meal. She seemed to push her food around her plate just as listlessly as he did. Was her stomach tied up in the horrible knots that his was? Did she also feel that she would choke if she tried to force even the smallest morsel of food down her throat ? With an almost angry glare, he looked up at her as he clenched and unclenched his fists under the table. But at that moment, Mrs Bennet arose, bidding the ladies to join her in the drawing room for coffee and leave the gentlemen to their brandy and cigars. His back was to the door that Lizzie left through, but he could sense and feel the exact moment that she passed behind his chair. He closed his eyes and caught just the faintest whisper of silk on silk and a delicate, tantalizing scent of roses. He felt momentarily lightheaded and hung onto the back of his chair for support. He was very grateful that the dim candlelight of the dining room did not reveal his heaving chest and sweat slicked brow, so he sat back down and let his breathing slowly return to normal. For the next 30 minutes Darcy listened with half a mind to Mr Bennett and Sir William Lucas discuss the upcoming autumn harvest. He had little time for Sir William, but he found himself enjoying Mr Bennet's subtle, dry wit. In spite of his earlier disapproval for the way Mr Bennet seemed to let his younger daughters run wild, he could see and appreciate where Lizzie got her own way with words. A tiny smile played about his mouth, as he remembered all their verbal battles over the past year. Even though she continually ran rings around him, he treasured every single second of them. As grateful as he was, for this time to compose his overheated thoughts and body, he was the first one out of his seat, when Mr Bennet suggested they all join the ladies in the drawing room for coffee. Part 2 Mr Bennet stood back and let his guests precede him into the hallway, as they filed slowly out of the dinning room. He was quite taken aback to receive a blinding smile from Mr Darcy as he passed by. \"Odd fellow\" thought Mr Bennet. Darcy had not spoken much over dinner, in fact, he seemed rather distant and distracted throughout the entire meal. Mr Bennet remembered hearing Darcy spoken of as a proud, disagreeable sort, but Mr Bennet really couldn't see why. Mr Bennet respected people who didn't rattle on needlessly, and he liked the fact Darcy only seemed to speak when he felt that he had something of interest something to say. He tried to remember something his wife had told him once, of Darcy insulting his beloved daughter Lizzie at a dance in Meryton, but he couldn't quite remember what it was. Anyway, to judge by the flushed sparkle in Lizzie's eyes as she danced with Mr Darcy, the following week at Netherfield, she didn't appear to hold it against him. Mr Darcy took a deep breath and walked on into the Bennet's gracious hall way. The other gentlemen moved into Mr Bennet's study momentarily, to look at some first edition folios newly arrived from London. He, however, headed for the drawing room, drawn there irresistibly, as if by some invisible magnet. He looked up as he walked and his heart stopped, as he saw Elizabeth sitting in the drawing room with a look of utter boredom on h"}, {"response": 473, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Sun, Sep 24, 2000 (13:55)", "body": "Thanx Karen"}, {"response": 474, "author": "gailw", "date": "Mon, Sep 25, 2000 (10:14)", "body": "Whew!! That was HOT Bethanne!! Are we going to see more? Love to hear D & L's reactions during whist. Just returned from marriage fest 2000. My husband and I have celebrated our anniversary with 2 other couples every year since our first anniversary 18 years ago. It has grown from a simple dinner out to a full 3-day weekend extravaganza. This year was in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and we had a blast. Copious amounts of champagne were consumed. Now am back and guess what? I have another chapter of WMM for you! This is the part that was giving me so much trouble so I hope you like it. I promise more to follow soon. What Matters Most Chapter 15 \ufffdHi sweetie.\ufffd Liz was snuggled in bed with the portable phone to her ear. \ufffdHi. Are you in bed?\ufffd Will was calling on his break. \ufffdYes, but I wasn\ufffdt asleep, just reading. I knew you were going to call. I hate it when you work nights and I can\ufffdt see you.\ufffd \ufffdI know, me too. But we did get to have lunch together yesterday. That was nice.\ufffd \ufffdUmmm. What did you do today?\ufffd \ufffdI went to visit my folks to say good-bye. They\ufffdre off to Boston tomorrow to see Brian and Georgie and then they\ufffdll be going on to New York on Monday.\ufffd \ufffdWhen will you see them again?\ufffd \ufffdI\ufffdm not sure. They probably won\ufffdt come back here until next spring so I may take a few days off this winter and visit them in Florida. I just don\ufffdt know right now.\ufffd \ufffdYou know what?\ufffd \ufffdWhat?\ufffd \ufffdI love you Will. I think about you all the time.\ufffd \ufffdYeah? That\ufffds nice to hear. Same here.\ufffd \ufffdWhat days are you off this week?\ufffd \ufffdFriday and Saturday. Any plans?\ufffd \ufffdNo, except I want to see you badly. I miss you so much.\ufffd \ufffdThen why don\ufffdt you come to my place for dinner on Friday night? Come right from work. I miss you too.\ufffd \ufffdWow, I finally get to see your place. I\ufffdll be there by 5:30.\ufffd \ufffdGreat. Now tell me,\ufffd Liz heard a hint of mischief creeping into Will\ufffds voice, \ufffdwhat are you wearing?\ufffd \ufffdWill! How shocking!\ufffd \ufffdOh come on, Liz, give a poor lonely working guy something to keep him going. What do you have on?\ufffd \ufffdJust an old baggy oversized T-shirt. Not very exciting.\ufffd Picturing her in bed had Will\ufffds pulse racing. \ufffdThat\ufffds your opinion.\ufffd Will sighed deeply. \ufffdI wish I was with you Liz. Go to sleep now. I love you.\ufffd \ufffdI love you too. See you Friday.\ufffd \ufffdSweet dreams.\ufffd ***** Liz saw Will\ufffds truck in the parking lot and was relieved. She thought she had gotten the directions wrong. This was the first time she had gone to Will\ufffds place and was expecting to see a square, nondescript apartment complex. Instead she was in an area of attractive townhouses, meticulously landscaped. After parking her car next to Will\ufffds, she found number 6 and rang the doorbell, butterflies playing in her stomach. She had big plans for tonight and hoped everything would go well. In a matter of seconds, Will had pulled her inside and was kissing her. \ufffdG-d I missed you Liz,\ufffd he said huskily when they came up for breath. \ufffdAre you hungry? Dinner is almost ready.\ufffd \ufffdIt smells wonderful. But can I get the grand tour first? Then I\ufffdll help you.\ufffd \ufffdNo, I don\ufffdt want your help. You\ufffdve been working hard all day and should relax. Why don\ufffdt you show yourself around while I finish up. Just come back to the kitchen when you\ufffdre done. It\ufffds right through that door. I recommend you start downstairs and work your way up.\ufffd Will pointed in the direction of a staircase and left Liz alone. Will\ufffds townhouse was modern and spacious. The first floor held a large office, a guest room with bath and a storage area. The main floor contained the living room with a formal dining area and a good-sized kitchen with breakfast nook. French doors led to a private patio. The top floor was completely taken up by a massive bedroom and huge bathroom, both with vaulted ceilings and skylights. There were fireplaces in the living room and master bedroom. All of the walls were painted off-white with natural oak trim and the floors were hardwood with scattered area rugs. Wooden blinds covered the windows but there were no curtains. The furnishings were simple, functional and of excellent quality. Built-in shelves in the living room, bedrooms and office held dozens of books. But other than a handful of family photos there were few personal items on display. It was just what it appeared \ufffd the residence of a well-to-do bachelor who spent little time there. Liz made her way back to the kitchen where Will was tasting something from a pot on the stove. She picked up one of two glasses of wine on the counter and sat on a stool to watch Will at work. \ufffdYour house is lovely Will, but it needs a woman\ufffds touch to make it more homey.\ufffd Will laughed. \ufffdThat\ufffds just what my mother says. But it meets my needs for right now.\ufffd Liz played with the stem of her wineglass. \ufffdYou always referred to your place as an apartment but you own this, don\ufffdt you?\ufffd Nonchalantly, he responded, \ufffdCaught me. I let people think I\ufffdm renting and making payments on my truck. No one needs to know that I paid cash for both. It\ufffds just another way I try to fit in. I have trust"}, {"response": 475, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Sep 25, 2000 (10:23)", "body": "Bridget in Lala Land Part III of III \"Hello, Colin,\" I managed to stammer, in attempt to compose self. \"What brings you here?\" I said, in voice one octave higher than normal. \"I've just had my hair cut.\" Mmmmm, and a fine haircut it is, too. Mmmmm\ufffd.\"No, er, I mean, what brings you to Southern California?\" Cannot believe am attempting to have normal conversation with Colin Firth in surreal day spa/salon setting\ufffd. \"Ah. I'm visiting my son, who lives with his mother in Los Angeles. Yourself?\" said Mr. Darcy, in manner of \"On foot?\" in the BBC's Pride and Prejudice. \"Er, I've just moved to Malibu to be with my boyfriend and to further my career as a freelance writer.\" Arrrgh, that last bit sounded pretentious. \"I don't suppose you'd be willing to sit for another interview?\" Cannot believe I had the nerve to ask him for another interview\ufffd. \"Um, well, interviews usually have to be arranged through my publicist first,\" said Mr. Darcy, with look of abject horror on his face, as he repeatedly rubbed the back of his neck. \"Tell you what. Ring him up tomorrow, tell him we've spoken, and I'll see what I can do,\" he said, whilst handing me a business card. \"Best of luck to you, Bridget. I hope you enjoy your time in the States,\" said Mr. Darcy, as he shook my hand, quickly turned round and loped toward the door. Mmmmm. Never noticed before how much Mr. Darcy and Mark look alike from behind\ufffd. Must find Tom and tell him about seeing Colin Firth and possible interview! Except that Raoul has returned to check on hair. Bloody hairdresser\ufffd. \"Perfect!\" pronounced Raoul, after untwisting single foil wrapper. Thereafter, he shampooed, then cut and styled hair in manner of Rene Russo in Thomas Crown Affair. Haircut was brilliant, although copper coloured highlights much redder and brighter than expected. Raoul assured me colour would fade in a few days. Wonder what Mark will think. \"Bridge, is that you?\" said Tom from behind. Got up from stylist's chair, turned round, and Tom and I gasped simultaneously. Tom had been transformed into English version of Ricky Martin, with hair spiked and highlighted and skin a lovely golden-brown colour. \"Bridget! Or should I say Catherine Banning? It will be one hot night at the Darcy love shack tonight!\" said Tom encouragingly. \"Oh, do you really think so?\" I purred. \"You are perfection, Tom; all the California boys will chase you, now.\" Tom put convertible top up, as neither of us wanted to muss our hair. Told Tom about bizarre day spa experience and freakish chance encounter with Mr. Darcy. Whilst heading back to Malibu, Tom sang Love Shack, in manner of B-52s, and I applied makeup to face. Due to new hair colour, own makeup and lipstick shades now all wrong. Must now buy $400 worth of Bobbi Brown and Lorac makeup tomorrow. \"I got me a car as big as a whale and we're headin' on down to the love shack,\" sang Tom, whilst bobbing head up and down. Began to light up fag, when Tom yelled, \"Bridget! Not in the car!\" \"Tom, since when can I not smoke in your car?\" I hissed. Began to feel like nicotine pariah, as the only two places could legally smoke in State of California were at Mark's house and in car. \"Since I packed it in, Bridge. Sorry. I'd be socially ostracized if my car smelled like cigarettes. Besides, it would also kill the resale value of the HMS Tom,\" said Tom, rather apologetically. \"Oh for heaven's sake!\" I cried, as I dropped packet of Silk Cut and lighter back into purse. \"Cheer up, Bridge, I'll have you home in a flash,\" said Tom, as he pulled into Mark's private drive. \"There you are,\" Tom said, as he parked the car, reached over, and gave me kiss on cheek. \"Aren't you coming in?\" I asked, whilst opening the car door. \"Ah, no. I am meeting up with Peter, the valet, at the Skybar. Tell Mark I will bring his shirt back tomorrow -- freshly laundered, of course.\" As Tom pulled out of Mark's drive, I let myself in front door. God, am totally knackered. Still not over jet lag, and today's events didn't help. Threw handbag onto nearby chair in living room\ufffd. \"Bridget, darling, all rested up?\" said Mark as he entered living room, wearing black jeans and jumper. Upon seeing me, he stopped dead in his tracks. His eyes then widened, he looked me up and down, and said, \"Oh my God.\" I knew it -- Mark hates my hair. He once told me he loved me because I wasn't lacquered over like all the other girls he knew\ufffd. Have spent only one day in America and come home looking like J.R. Ewing's ex-wife. Didn't know whether to laugh, cry, or make mad search for large hat\ufffd. Was also angry with self that it mattered Mark like new hair. No self-respecting feminist would give matter second thought\ufffd. \"Bridge, are you in a trance again?\" said Mark, as he came over and wrapped his arms round my waist. \"Your red hair is really, really sexy,\" he whispered, as he began to stroke my hair. \"Er, really? Actually, it's copper coloured highlights.\" I said, voice quivering, as I tried to suppress impending flood of tears. \"Y"}, {"response": 476, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Sep 25, 2000 (12:04)", "body": "Mmmmm...... Gail, that was a delicious chapter and well worth the wait. Eagerly anticipating the next post :-) Lisa - ROTFLOL over Colin's horror at prospect of second interview - and Larry Hagman showing up to interupt shag... too funny. Cant wait for more!"}, {"response": 477, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 25, 2000 (12:43)", "body": "Thanks, Gail! I see your anniversary trip served as inspiration. ;-) Lisa! Or should I say Bridget? LOL, all the way! and Colin Firth. Funny how he glided right over that one. ;-)) We want more (in desperate search of chardonnay and Silk Cut mode), please!"}, {"response": 478, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (01:39)", "body": "Thanks Gail, your Darcy is so wonderfully romantic, and sensitive, with just a hint of a possessive and commanding manner. V. sexy. BTW congrats on your anniversary! It sounds like an amazing celebration --- what a wonderful ritual! Moving to an ear, he whispered, \ufffdI\ufffdm going to love you all night. I\ufffdm going to love you until you beg me to stop. I\ufffdm going to drive you crazy. I\ufffdm going to make you wild.\ufffd oo-ah! He sure drove me wild! Oh Lisa, so many gems, LMAO! Loved the \"on foot\" reference! And your Mark Darcy is adorably well --- MarkDarcylike! I think you should continue this, despite \"the end\" you've stuck there --- I want more! Mmmmm. Never noticed before how much Mr. Darcy and Mark look alike from behind LOL! Due to new hair colour, own makeup and lipstick shades now all wrong. Must now buy $400 worth of Bobbi Brown and Lorac makeup tomorrow Isn't that a bitch when that happens! Began to feel like nicotine pariah, as the only two places could legally smoke in State of California were at Mark's house and in car. LMAO, is it really that bad!?! I hope both of you talented writers post again v. soon!"}, {"response": 479, "author": "gailw", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (08:38)", "body": "Ok, making up for lost time here. What Matters Most Chapter 16 Chests heaving, they lay side by side and looked at each other in wonder. \ufffdLiz\ufffd.,\ufffd Will choked, unable to express all the feelings swarming inside of him. Unable to even think straight. Liz was a bit more articulate. \ufffdWill, that was wonderful. I have never felt that way before in my whole entire life.\ufffd Will pulled her into his arms and held on tight. \ufffdLiz\ufffd.Liz\ufffd. shit.\ufffd Shaking his head impatiently to clear the fog, he managed to get out, \ufffdLiz, I love you.\ufffd \ufffdI love you too.\ufffd She snuggled contentedly in his arms. \ufffdI don\ufffdt know what I was so afraid of. I knew I could trust you so I don\ufffdt know why I held back for so long. I\ufffdm sorry for the pain I\ufffdve caused you.\ufffd In between planting kisses on her hair, Will protested, \ufffdNo honey, you didn\ufffdt cause me pain. That was all my own doing.\ufffd Liz yawned and closed her eyes. \ufffdI love you Will. Hold me all night.\ufffd \ufffdYes, my love,\ufffd he replied, stroking her hair gently until she fell asleep in his arms. He watched his love sleeping peacefully for a long time until he too went under. ***** Streaks of sunlight filtered through the cracks of the wooden blinds in the windows of Will\ufffds bedroom. He woke to an ache in his left arm and found it covered with masses of dark curls. Smiling at the memory of the night before, he eased his arm free and pulled back the bedclothes to gaze at Liz\ufffds naked body. Desire rising, he cupped a breast and played until its nipple stiffened. Liz groaned and opened her eyes sleepily. Fists of need slammed into his chest causing Will\ufffds body to harden to steel. After quickly donning protection, he rolled on top of her and slid inside, kissing her drowsy mouth. Suddenly wide-awake and wanting, Liz grasped Will\ufffds hair and wrapped her legs around his waist, drawing him closer. This wasn\ufffdt the slow sweet lovemaking of the previous night, but hot mindless lust. Liz raked her fingernails down Will\ufffds back and cupped her hands over his buttocks, grabbing, insisting. He rode her hard and wild. Will latched onto Liz\ufffds hair, pulling her head back to run his teeth along her throat. She quivered with excitement and desire. Wanting more, she pulled his mouth to hers and kissed him with a fervor she never thought was possible. Breaking away, she nibbled the stubble on his chin and scratched her face against his cheek, relishing in the rough textures. The tastes, smells and sensations made her feel alive in a way she had never been before. Nearing the edge, she cried out his name before tumbling over. Her responsiveness, her demands and finally her shudders wound around Will until he was caught up in her net of passion. The resulting release was explosive, leaving him dizzy and drained. He dropped onto her heaving chest, holding his weight by his arms so as not to crush her, and kept himself firmly lodged within her lush confines. \ufffdGood morning love,\ufffd he whispered as he kissed her soft swollen lips tenderly. \ufffdAhh, yes it is,\ufffd she sighed. \ufffdI love you, my own William James Darcy. You are an amazing man.\ufffd Little fingers of hunger played with his gut causing him to stiffen inside of her yet again. \ufffdShall I show you my dearest Elizabeth Anne Bennet, just how amazing I can be?\ufffd He lunged with a slow lazy stride and the corners of Liz\ufffds mouth curved up in a well-satisfied smile. \ufffdPlease do.\ufffd It was indeed a lovely morning. ***** When they finally rose to feed their starving bodies, it was afternoon. Completely and utterly sated, they still could not resist constantly touching, stroking, kissing each other. They prepared omelets, toast and coffee together, purposely bumping into each other in Will\ufffds spacious kitchen. Liz set the table in the breakfast nook while Will dished out their culinary creations. After filling their stomachs, they sat looking at each other, grinning foolishly. \ufffdIf any of our friends could see us now they would think we\ufffdve flipped,\ufffd Will commented, enjoying the sight of his petite girlfriend wrapped in his too-large robe. \ufffdI am stupid in love with you Lizzy babe.\ufffd Liz took his hand and kissed each of his fingers. \ufffdIf this is stupid, I don\ufffdt ever want to be intelligent. I love you Will.\ufffd Will grabbed Liz\ufffds other hand and returned the favor. \ufffdHow could anyone ever say you weren\ufffdt good in bed? That guy was a first-class idiot.\ufffd Liz\ufffds hurt expression had Will immediately regretting his careless comment. \ufffdI\ufffdm sorry honey. I truly am stupid. Please, I didn\ufffdt mean to bring up bad memories.\ufffd He pulled Liz onto his lap and stroked her hair lovingly. \ufffdI love you baby. You\ufffdre everything to me.\ufffd \ufffdIt\ufffds OK, Will. I suppose I should tell you the story. It might help you to understand me better. And why I ended up with your brother.\ufffd \ufffdYou don\ufffdt owe me explanations Liz. If you want to share your past with me, I\ufffdd love to learn more about you, but please don\ufffdt feel obligated. I don\ufffdt want you to hurt.\ufffd Liz kissed each of his cheeks softly and brushed an errant curl off his forehead. \ufffdI can\ufffdt hurt when I have your a"}, {"response": 480, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (13:06)", "body": "Great story Gail...that was some weekend you must have had ! Lisa, that was hysterical. I am soooooooooo ready for the CF/BJ interview. Due to the Los Angeles habit of driving everywhere and the whole culture of the LA freeways.....I'm fuly expecting you to work in an \"on foot\" utterance for real. Maybe BJ suggests they go for a walk and Colin, looking horrified, replies........Take it away Lisa........"}, {"response": 481, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (13:20)", "body": "Whow, what a weekend to cause these...exorbitantly delectable, sexcellent chapters, Gail....the screen here was quite steamed up!! ROTFLOL Lisa, can't wait for the next section. Trust JR to interrupt at a crusial moment ;-))!!"}, {"response": 482, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (13:53)", "body": "(Hanne)exorbitantly delectable, sexcellent chapters LOL Hanne, Sexactly! Doing the 'Tracy-all-unnecessary dance'."}, {"response": 483, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (16:08)", "body": "oh wow Gail it was worth the wait,he's some lover!!"}, {"response": 484, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (17:25)", "body": "Lisa great job - you've captured Bridget to a tee! Gail, that was fantastic *fanning self profusely* Sadie - Doing the 'Tracy-all-unnecessary dance' This I gotta see :-D"}, {"response": 485, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (09:14)", "body": "(Tracy)This I gotta see :-D Ah, so you're paying attention! But the dance moves are all yours. (Except I left out decking bit, since no woman in CF's bum's spot...alas no CF's bum spot either) BTW, how are studies going? Judy and I have your spot reserved on the cardboard (in gutter);-)"}, {"response": 486, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (13:59)", "body": "Gail, I especially enjoyed the \"Pleasure Me Darcy\" (grownup version of Tickle Me Elmo :-)) episode. Yum. Ladies, thanks for your kind comments regarding my BJD entry. I must admit that I am flattered and horrified that you want more, as it took me three months to come up with this story. I will give it a shot, but I am making no guarantees\ufffd. I know I broke some of HF rules (like mentioning BJ's hair color, etc.), but that is what is fun about writing FanFic -- there are no rules here. Anyway, thanks again."}, {"response": 487, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (14:05)", "body": "Sadie, Thanks for keeping my place in the gutter. Studies? Nice of you to ask Sadie, .... er badly is probably the best way to describe it. Am supposed to be putting together a website for my final assessment and revising for the exam but keep getting distracted with all this fantastic fanfic action. Methinks I shall have to ration my drooling - no more unnecessariness for me for a while, ha! like I can be that strict with myself ;-( the dance moves are all yours You are so right now how does it go again: Left two-three, drool two-three, right two-three, crash two-three, puddle! And of course for the \"Bum-spot\" variation: Left two-three, glare two-three, deck two-three, run quickly away two-three! (Just in case we're hauled over the coals for straying from topic) - Once all the hard work is over and my brain has recovered from the strain I'll see if I can summon up the courage to do a little fanfic of my own (only if you and Judy 'do the business also'...dare ya! cardboard dry"}, {"response": 488, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (14:07)", "body": "Oops clearly brain has seized up entirely..cardboard dry, where did that come from? Hmmm *thinks* interesting name of a cocktail for us guttersnipes!"}, {"response": 489, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (14:40)", "body": "Lisa...way to go, girl on some more Bridget in LA LA Land. We all loved it and are waiting with baited breath for more....so go to it !! PS Please don't make us wait another 3 months !! Tracy, I have no idea what these dance moves refer to, but they were hysterical reading anyway. Does \"bum spot\" refer to a visit sombody paid to the Pemberley location ? I seem to remember a very funny story at Drool, some time ago, of a visitor to Lyme Park, jealously guarding the P&P lake from the prying eyes of other tourists. It was a hilarious read. Was that you ?"}, {"response": 490, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (14:54)", "body": "Bethanne - Possibly I went in August and was most miffed to find some...WOMAN...sat in the sacred spot, much as I wanted to push her into the murky depths, I didn't, contrary to the hilariously embelished account from Sadie (it was you Sadie wasn't it?) in the manner of tabloid journalist. Have now reputation as crazed Firth fan stalking would be Lyme visitors, thanks a bundle ;-D"}, {"response": 491, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (15:06)", "body": "(Tracy) Have now reputation as crazed Firth fan stalking would be Lyme visitors, thanks a bundle ;-D LOL!! We all have our crosses to bear. ;-D"}, {"response": 492, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (15:11)", "body": "*my arms have been twisted to do this* Contributions received as of 27 September. Thank you all very much."}, {"response": 493, "author": "Roos", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (17:39)", "body": "Lisa, just wanted to say I loved Bridget in Lalaland. I was sorry when I finished The edge of reason (for the second time) but now I can read Bridget some more. I hope you will post new things soon."}, {"response": 494, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (19:25)", "body": "Karen, thanks for posting Bethanne's chapters here! (Esbee) Lisa - ROTFLOL over Colin's horror at prospect of second interview - and Larry Hagman showing up to interupt shag... too funny. Ditto! Lisa, I really hope you do more chapters, since HF has decided to go another route with her stories... (Gail) Fists of need slammed into his chest causing Will\ufffds body to harden to steel. After quickly donning protection, he rolled on top of her and slid inside, kissing her drowsy mouth. Suddenly wide-awake and wanting, Liz grasped Will\ufffds hair and wrapped her legs around his waist, drawing him closer. This wasn\ufffdt the slow sweet lovemaking of the previous night, but hot mindless lust. Liz raked her fingernails down Will\ufffds back and cupped her hands over his buttocks, grabbing, insisting. He rode her hard and wild. Will latched onto Liz\ufffds hair, pulling her head back to run his teeth along her throat. She quivered with excitement and desire. Wanting more, she pulled his mouth to hers and kissed him with a fervor she never thought was possible. Breaking away, she nibbled the stubble on his chin and scratched her face against his cheek, relishing in the rough textures. The tastes, smells and sensations made her feel alive in a way she had never been before. Nearing the edge, she cried out his name before tumbling over. Her responsiveness, her demands and finally her shudders wound around Will until he was caught up in her net of passion. The resulting release was explosive, leaving him dizzy and drained. Well, wipe my mouth and tuck me in! Goodnight nurse! Oh Gaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiil! That was PARTICULARLY droolworthy! (Hanne) ...exorbitantly delectable, sexcellent chapters... yup, yup! *slurp* What a marvelous midweek surpise!"}, {"response": 495, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (00:25)", "body": "Wow Tracy, so that WAS you at Lyme Park ? Don't feel guilty at feeling possesive over LP. If I went there, I would probabLy be arrested, for setting up my tent and squatting there permanantly. When you were there, was the meadow our hero walks across, ablaze with the beautiful yellow flowers that we see in the movie ? The English countryside is so gorgeous in the movie, I'd love to know is it that spectacular in reality or is it just good cinematography ? This really belongs at #112 doesn't it, so feel free to reply there, ok ?"}, {"response": 496, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (14:19)", "body": "(Tracy)You are so right now how does it go again: Left two-three, drool two-three, right two-three, crash two-three, puddle! And of course for the \"Bum-spot\" variation: Left two-three, glare two-three, deck two-three, run quickly away two-three! LMAO! Here's to such fine choreography. *lifts her glass of cardboard dry* (LOL!) Sorry to hear studies are distracting you from drooling! Now that you've said so, it's been recorded that you will write fanfic. Will give Judy someone else to hound besides me! And yes, it was me who blew the whistle on Lyme infamy! *snorts at self* BTW, plenty of room left on cardboard, and plenty of cardboard dry on the rocks. :-D"}, {"response": 497, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (14:20)", "body": "That last was to all other fanfic droolers."}, {"response": 498, "author": "gailw", "date": "Sun, Oct  1, 2000 (08:09)", "body": "OK, the Olympics are just about over and life can get back to normal! Well a nice thought but now things are crazy at work and I'm losing my Wednesdays off until the end of the year. And I'm going away next weekend with my mom so this will probably be the last chapter for a couple of weeks. I hope you enjoy it. What Matters Most Chapter 17 Early on most mornings, people gather at the top of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park to be the first ones in the United States to glimpse the sun as it rises and to get a certificate attesting to that fact. In the summer there could be a couple hundred people or more but when the tourist season ends, the number dwindles down to a trickle. While Liz had witnessed the event first hand many times, Will never had the desire to drag himself out of his comfortable soft bed just to see the sun rise. After all, it happened every day. A few weeks later, Liz and Will sat on the porch of Liz\ufffds apartment arguing good-naturedly about it. \ufffdYou\ufffdre so lazy,\ufffd she sniped. \ufffdWhat\ufffds the big deal?\ufffd he replied, purposely trying to provoke her. \ufffdWho cares?\ufffd \ufffdBut it\ufffds so beautiful. The sky turns from black to gray and then soft colors appear and then everyone gets excited when that first slice of yellow emerges over the ocean. Then, before you know it, there\ufffds a big yellow ball rising in the sky.\ufffd Will was charmed by her description. She took joy in the simplest of things and it was one of the reasons he loved her. \ufffdOK, you do make it sound somewhat appealing.\ufffd \ufffdThen you\ufffdll come with me?\ufffd He groaned in jest. \ufffdGet up before the crack of dawn just to see the crack of dawn?\ufffd Oh, come on. It\ufffds October and the sun doesn\ufffdt rise until nearly 7:00. You have to get up earlier than that when you go to work.\ufffd \ufffdOK, OK, if you insist. When do I have to submit to this torture?\ufffd \ufffdSunday morning. Since you\ufffdre off Sunday and Monday next week, you\ufffdll have a day to recover from the ordeal.\ufffd \ufffdIf I do this for you, you have to do something for me,\ufffd he wheedled. \ufffdWhat\ufffds that?\ufffd Liz asked even though she already knew the answer. \ufffdYou have to stay with me Saturday night and wake me up with a kiss. \ufffdDeal.\ufffd ***** The alarm went off at 5:50 a.m. Will groaned and snuggled further under the covers. Liz wiped the sleep from her eyes and tugged the blankets off of Will. \ufffdHey, stop that!\ufffd he protested, curling up in a ball. \ufffdIt\ufffds cold.\ufffd \ufffdUn uh, it\ufffds time to get up.\ufffd Liz admired Will\ufffds naked backside and began to run her fingers down his spine. She followed her fingers with kisses up his back to his neck. Will rolled over and caught her mouth in a kiss. \ufffdOK, I am up.\ufffd Liz eyed his now evident arousal. \ufffdSo I see.\ufffd She moved on top of him and slowly pulled him inside of her, watching the desire darken his eyes. \ufffdI promised to wake you with a kiss but this seems so much more effective.\ufffd She began riding him steadily, enjoying her position of power. \ufffdOh yes, good choice,\ufffd Will moaned and pulled her down to him. He captured a nipple between his teeth and played with his tongue until he heard Liz gasp. He rolled over, taking her with him, until their positions were reversed. \ufffdNow you are mine,\ufffd he whispered. \ufffdAll mine.\ufffd When he felt her stiffen in anticipation of release, Will stilled his movement. \ufffdNot yet. Wait.\ufffd He remained buried deeply inside her body and tenderly kissed her cheeks, eyes, nose, lips. \ufffdOh G-d Will, I can\ufffdt hold off much longer,\ufffd she whimpered. \ufffdPlease Will, let me go now.\ufffd Will felt his control slip a notch with her entreaty. \ufffdOK baby, let\ufffds go together.\ufffd He thrust into her now, hard and fast. Liz let go and he felt her gripping him wildly. One more push and he followed her over the edge. ***** They arrived at the top of Cadillac Mt. with 15 minutes to spare. After parking the car Will impatiently pulled Liz along by the hand to join a knot of people waiting for the first glimpse of the sun. \ufffdBoy for someone who didn\ufffdt even want to come, you are sure in a hurry.\ufffd \ufffdWell I\ufffdm here so I don\ufffdt want to miss it.\ufffd Just then a rocket shot up into the air and exploded into a shimmering gold spray. The crowd buzzed with surprise and delight at the unexpected display. \ufffdLook at that Will,\ufffd Liz chattered excitedly as another rocket went off in a colorful flower pattern. \ufffdI\ufffdve never seen fireworks up here before. I wonder what the occasion is. This is so cool!\ufffd Will tightened an arm around Liz\ufffds waist. \ufffdThat\ufffds just how I feel when I make love to you,\ufffd he murmured into her ear when loud bombs echoed bright bursts of white light. Liz giggled and offered up a swift kiss, quickly turning her gaze back to the sky so as not to miss anything. The short but spectacular display ended with several rockets exploding into heart shapes, timed to overlap each other as they spanned the sky. \ufffdHow lovely.\ufffd Liz remarked and joined in spontaneous applause that had broken out from the crowd. As the residual puffs of smoke cleared, the first rays of light were visible over the horizon. The sky brightened and the foliage on the mountainside b"}, {"response": 499, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Mon, Oct  2, 2000 (19:40)", "body": "Now THAT was sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet! *sigh* Thank Gail! Have fun in all your doings..."}, {"response": 500, "author": "Teg", "date": "Tue, Oct  3, 2000 (06:24)", "body": "OOooh... mmmmmm... first thing in the morning before I go to work, too. ;)"}, {"response": 501, "author": "gailw", "date": "Tue, Oct  3, 2000 (07:51)", "body": "OK Esbee. I have finished all 11 JD Robb books and even read the short story about Eve and Roarke in the 'Silent Night' anthology. Where the heck is the baby-making scene? Did I misunderstand you or are you leading me astray? Regardless, I enjoyed the books immensely. The merger of two of my favorite genres - mystery and romance - plus the incredibly sexy Roarke. Where does one get a man like that? He instigated periods of major drooling. Now if we could only get ODB cast as Roarke in a movie - aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh."}, {"response": 502, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Oct  3, 2000 (09:25)", "body": "V.nice, Gail. I look forward to the next chapter."}, {"response": 503, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Tue, Oct  3, 2000 (12:19)", "body": "What a delicious chapter and soooooooooo romantic,...*sigh* 11 books,....sheeeeeeesh I'd have to pick out a couple then,...which would you recommend, Gail!! I have to buy them on the net since they are impossible to get here. Well, not exactly impossible, but it's a difference between 48 hours (5 days delivered) ordered on the net, or 6 weeks if I ordered them in a Danish bookshop!!!"}, {"response": 504, "author": "gailw", "date": "Tue, Oct  3, 2000 (15:34)", "body": "Hanne, I would recommend the first one in the series 'Naked in Death' as it is where Eve and Roarke meet and it's quite steamy. He asks her to marry him in the second book 'Glory in Death' and the third 'Immortal in Death' starts while they are on their honeymoon. The relationships Eve has with Roarke and other people plus her self-discovery (she was an abused child and long-buried memories come back sporatically) build from book to book so you may get confused if you read them out of order. Having said that, the books I liked the best besides the first one were 'Vengeance in Death' because it gets into Roarke's past and 'Witness in Death'. I wouldn't recommend this series unless you like murder mysteries as the romance, while incredibly steamy (and quite inventive), is definitely secondary to the mystery. I realize this discussion is a bit off-topic but I'll defend it by saying that Roarke is an incredible character and I personally view these stories as fanfic with ODB as Roarke. These stories also inspired pieces of the love scenes in my own fanfic. How's that for justification?"}, {"response": 505, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Wed, Oct  4, 2000 (03:02)", "body": "Thanks Gail,...I can definitely see ODB in Roarke....I guessed as much about the child abuse. I do like mysteries however they are wrapped, even in Bar Sinister there's a mystery, as life is full of them;-))"}, {"response": 506, "author": "Teg", "date": "Wed, Oct  4, 2000 (17:02)", "body": "Okay! I promised I'd post this here.... a little snippet that belongs in the timeline of the last part of Parallels . As I did at DWG, I warn you that it is intensely emotional (although upon my rereading, I don't find it as tough to get through as I did when I wrote it! ;) ) so read at your own risk. :) Adieu The incessant sound of sirens was no longer a distraction. He\ufffdd been there too long to notice anymore. Seemingly hours had passed as he waited, unknowing. At every approach of a swishing white coat he had raised a hopeful and, at the same time, fearful gaze but no-one had come for him. Each successive enquiry he had ventured resulted in the same answer; he must wait for the attending physician for information. Any other circumstance would have found him barging into an office or lab to demand immediate answers, but this situation was beyond his control, beyond his ability to deal with rationally. \ufffdDad?\ufffd Ben was shocked at the dazed look in his father\ufffds eyes as he raised them to stare vaguely in his direction. Ben sat down quickly in the vacant chair beside Will. \ufffdWhat happened? How is she? What\ufffds going on, Dad?\ufffd \ufffdI don\ufffdt know.\ufffd The words forced their way through a tightened throat and past lips that quivered with emotion. Ben placed an arm around his father\ufffds shoulders and lowered his head. \ufffdBrenda said something about a fall. Did she hit her head on something?\ufffd \ufffdNo.\ufffd Will drew a deep breath and assumed a detached air. \ufffdNo, she didn\ufffdt fall. At least, that wasn\ufffdt the problem. She just complained of a sudden headache and wanted to lay down for a while. Before she made it to the top of the stairs she\ufffdd fainted... collapsed. Thank God I was with her or she would have ended up at the bottom of the staircase.\ufffd He paused to draw another steadying breath. \ufffdShe didn\ufffdt wake up, though, not even in the ambulance all the way here. I kept talking to her, calling her. I begged her to wake up, but nothing!\ufffd Will looked into his son\ufffds eyes, his own bright with moisture. \ufffdThey took her away, into there.\ufffd He swept an arm toward the big set of double doors opposite their seats. \ufffdWouldn\ufffdt let me go with her. I\ufffdve seen no-one! They won\ufffdt tell me a thing! Nobody has \ufffd!\ufffd \ufffdDad,\ufffd Ben interjected in an effort to calm him. \ufffdI\ufffdll see what I can find out.\ufffd \ufffdThey won\ufffdt tell you anything!\ufffd Ben crossed to the nurses\ufffd station and commanded the attention of the lone attendant. \ufffdMy mother was brought in a while ago, Elizabeth Darcy. I want to know the names of the doctors attending her and I want to know what is going on. Now.\ufffd He quelled the rote reply on the lips of the nurse before the first word was uttered. \ufffdNow!\ufffd \ufffdYes sir,\ufffd she said, backing away a pace and then hurrying through the doors that led to the examining rooms. In a few minutes she had returned and beckoned to Ben where he had rejoined his father. Ben came forward quickly. \ufffdYou and your father may come through.\ufffd Will had stood when the nurse had called to Ben. Now he crossed the remaining distance in three strides and followed on the nurse\ufffds heels as she led the way along the bright white corridor. Ben was close behind, glancing side to side as they passed open doorways on either side. The stinging scent of disinfectant, the clatter and ching of medical implements emanating from unknown locations set his nerves on edge. Will came to an abrupt halt, the nurse holding a curtain aside for him to enter one of the rooms. Cautiously, he moved forward. The sight that greeted him offered nothing in the way of reassurance. Several people, evidently doctors, were in consultation on one side of the room. However, Will\ufffds eyes were instantly drawn to the bed where the beloved figure of his wife lay, still and silent, only the gentle rise and fall of her chest indicating life. Swallowing a growing lump in his throat, Will approached the bed and stood beside it, gazing down into Elizabeth\ufffds face. Relaxed as in sleep, he could almost believe there was nothing amiss, except for the steady hum of equipment that surrounded her. Ben caught the attention of the doctors and they joined him, speaking in quiet voices. \ufffdWhat\ufffds wrong with her?\ufffd Ben bluntly asked. \ufffdWould you prefer to discuss this in one of the private rooms?\ufffd asked the doctor who had introduced himself as DiLeone. \ufffdNo, I wouldn\ufffdt. I think my father has waited long enough. Dad?\ufffd Ben frowned as Will didn\ufffdt appear to hear him. \ufffdDad?\ufffd he called a little louder. \ufffdMr. Darcy?\ufffd One of the other doctors had moved to Will\ufffds side and touched his elbow. Will tore his gaze away from his wife\ufffds form and looked enquiringly at the assembled medical experts. \ufffdI\ufffdm sorry,\ufffd began DiLeone. \ufffdThe news is not good. Your wife has developed a tumour behind her left eye. It was an extremely rapid growing tumour, perhaps developing over merely weeks, but it has already grown too large.\ufffd \ufffdWhat do you mean, too large?\ufffd Ben stared at him in shock, his mind refusing to accept what was likely to come next. \ufffdIt has already put too much pressure on the brain. At "}, {"response": 507, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Thu, Oct  5, 2000 (03:09)", "body": "*sob*.....but you have changed the end, haven't you??? Not that it matters,..it's still very beautiful!! As I said when it was posted on DWG,..this is a fantastic epilogue to your sequels."}, {"response": 508, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Thu, Oct  5, 2000 (04:59)", "body": "Sorry, I got them mixed up,...it was the end of Parallels that was the ultmate declaration of love..... and this is not an epilogue I know ....now. It's and iterlogue;-)!!;-)) I guess I was too caught up in it,.....*wiping eyes,....again*"}, {"response": 509, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Thu, Oct  5, 2000 (19:00)", "body": "Sorry Teg, but I couldn't read it again... I don't want to be sad!"}, {"response": 510, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Oct  6, 2000 (09:10)", "body": "Teg, that was so sad. You really have a way with words."}, {"response": 511, "author": "KarinB", "date": "Sun, Oct  8, 2000 (08:46)", "body": ""}, {"response": 512, "author": "KarinB", "date": "Sun, Oct  8, 2000 (08:58)", "body": "D-rn! Obviously I missed to close the tag! Will this fix it?"}, {"response": 513, "author": "KarinB", "date": "Sun, Oct  8, 2000 (09:02)", "body": "Yes! Fixed it! A new try: An Unusual Marriage Part 2 Confirmations When the men entered the parlour, Mr and Mrs Darcy\ufffds eyes met and time stopped for both of them. The uninhibited erotic look in Darys\ufffds eyes when he looked at her made Elizabeth blush and gasp. He let his eyes caress her form unrestrained. What now?! He can not do that here ! Not being used to that look in company of others, and hardly being used to that look at all, she was almost at a loss. She was seldom as clearheaded as this when her passionate lover emitted these emotions. The heat of his ardent feelings was almost palpable. Unable to fully control her response, her breathing and eyes betrayed her. Colonel Fitzwilliam saw Elisabeth\ufffds part of the heated exchange and was thrilled, amused and unintentionally aroused. Well, well, well! I think there will be some interesting exchanges this evening! Especially after they have got rid of the rest of us! Darcy, you lucky man! But I suppose you deserve it! And can match her passion\ufffd All the women saw Darcy\ufffds look and no one doubted a word of what Elizabeth had said about his ardour and their mutual interests in their marriage. Oh my god! If a man would ever look at me like that! , they collectively swooned. Well, maybe not Georgiana. After all, he was her brother\ufffd But it added further understanding to some of the scenes she had witnessed over the years. Elizabeth struggled to compose herself and raised an eyebrow to her husband questioningly. Darcy merely gave her a wicked smile and turned off the heat somewhat, but not before again letting his gaze caress her body. She is so exquisite! Oh, if we were alone! I want to taste those lips\ufffd While Elizabeth was unable to greet her guests back to the parlour due to her preoccupation, her gentle sister Jane noticed the lack of concentration. She was intuitively aware of the reason for it, deemed it probable her sister would not regain control over her mind just yet and took over the obligation. \"Welcome back, gentlemen! Would you care for some coffee? We were just about to ring the bell.\" Mr Hurst declined the coffee and sat down by himself with a glass of whisky offered by an obliging footman. Her sister\ufffds words forced Elizabeth back to the present and she managed to compose herself. \"Yes, welcome back! I take it you have been able to entertain yourselves without us?\" Colonel Fitzwilliam laughed heartily. \"Yes, madam, I believe our discourse was highly entertaining. And highly enlightening for certain individuals of the party!\" Elizabeth again turned her gaze to her husband. He returned her gaze with a confirming subtle smile and a silent promise of more \"enlightening\" later. Elizabeth again blushed, embarrassed but at the same time thrilled at the anticipation his looks evoked. Whatever is Richard talking about? What can they possibly have discussed in there?! Nothing like what we discussed, surely? \"Please do tell, Cousin Richard,\" Georgiana said, with a teasing smile. \"Could it have something to do with the differences between men and women, pray?\" Darcy\ufffds reveries about his wife\ufffds enticing form were immediately abandoned. What!? What would she know about that? He stared at his little sister. Richard Fitzwilliam coughed with surprise. \"Georgiana! Have you eavesdropped!? That is exactly what we discussed.\" Georgiana laughed. \"We just happened to discuss the same thing, you see. I think it was highly enlightening for certain individuals of our party too.\" Her eyes twinkled mischievously. \"Is that so? Pray tell us, what did you discuss? The differences between men and women when it comes to flower arrangements?\" the Colonel teased. \"Well, not exactly. And some of us,\" here she gave a wink at Elizabeth, \"claimed there are fewer differences between men and women than we think. But other members of the party objected to that.\" \"Let\ufffds hear! Mrs Darcy, do you think men have the same talent as women for flower arrangements?\" The Colonel turned to Elizabeth. \"Who ever said we discussed flower arrangements ?\" Elizabeth laughed. \"No sir, our minds were much more pleasantly occupied. We discussed something much more stimulating, I dare say!\" \"Oh, such as\ufffd?\" Darcy sensed his wife hinted at something alluring, as he recognised the twinkle in her eyes and her slightly curled lips. \"Do you really want me to reveal that here ? I would think it more appropriate to wait for later.\" Elizabeth challenged his look with lurking ardour in her eyes. \"Maybe he could better wait, but what about the rest of us?\" Charles Bingley cried. \"Unless you tell us now, we will be kept uninformed.\" \"Oh, I am sure your wife is eager to inform you when you retire to your chambers tonight,\" Elizabeth answered him, but rested her eyes on her sister. All the men looked with interest at Jane Bingley, who turned crimson. Sophia Fitzwilliam rescued her, by saying, \"Each of you gentlemen may hear, and experience !, some interesting things this evening. Well, maybe not you, Richard dear,\" she said"}, {"response": 514, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Oct  8, 2000 (13:44)", "body": "I don\ufffdt want it to be indecent...I want it to be graceful, I'm sure you'll find that delicate balance. I await with pleasure your next installment, Karin."}, {"response": 515, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Sun, Oct  8, 2000 (20:06)", "body": "Wow, that was just amazing, Holy Cow......I'm burning up in here....Jeez, somenody open up a window and let some air in....YIKES !!!!!! I totally understand your tastefulness dilema, but pleeeeeeeeeezzzzzzz don't make us wait too long for the next installment. That was just great !! Git' writing girl !!"}, {"response": 516, "author": "Teg", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (07:43)", "body": "Darcy could unnoticed sit down on a sofa far away from Elizabeth, cross his legs and think about Aunt Catherine de Bourgh ROTF!! I love it! What a blend of heat and humour. :) Sound almost like one of those marriage retreats, but just imagining a group of Regency couples having a conversation on such topics!! hee hee!! Now as for the breeches.. just a passing thought. Is it any wonder, with the gentleman's wardrobe, that anyone could be in doubt of a man's interest in a lady when in her company? ;)"}, {"response": 517, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (08:25)", "body": "*splutter* coffee all over!! Darcy merely gave her a wicked smile and turned off the heat somewhat, but not before long again letting his gaze.... While Elizabeth was unable to greet her guests back to the parlour due to her preoccupation.... Hilarious, Karin!! More and yesterday rather than today;-DD!! Indeed, Teg, as we see in several scenes of P&P there is no doubt that occurrence of any change will be spotted immediately;-DDD"}, {"response": 518, "author": "gailw", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (10:40)", "body": "Delightful Karin - thanks!!"}, {"response": 519, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (11:26)", "body": "Karin, You've got a big audience out here awaiting more on Darcy and Lizzie.Thanks :-))"}, {"response": 520, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (14:00)", "body": "Yeah Teg, you have a point about the tight breeches of the day overtly displaying ..ahem.. a gentlemans's interest in a lady, but look at how loose and baggy a lot of Darcy's breeches are in P&P ? The wedding breeches and the ones he wears prior to jumping in the lake, are very puffy in front. Then again he does wear unrevealing black a lot........ Hmmmmmmmmm ??????????? God, I can't believe I just answered that question as if I was in n exam.....Darcy's breeches 101 !!!!!!!"}, {"response": 521, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (14:33)", "body": "Karin, what fun! Look forward to the next installment. Will try to be patient. :-) (Bethanne)God, I can't believe I just answered that question as if I was in an exam.....Darcy's breeches 101 !!!!!!! Sounds like one of the symptoms of Firthaholism to me, Bethanne. ;-)"}, {"response": 522, "author": "Teg", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (17:24)", "body": "Darcy 101... yeah! But there could be another reason Darcy's breeches are puffier and more roomy in front. He might need the extra space occasionally.... more space than, say, Bingley? *Ooh, bad Teg.....* *no Bingley slurs intended, either. ;)*"}, {"response": 523, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (23:56)", "body": "Ok Lisa, if it IS an exam in rampant Firthaholism, do I get an A++ ? Teg, no need to feel bad about insulting Bingley........its just that we all know Darcy to be much more of a man than Bingley could ever hope to be. I mean, this IS the Darcy Drool, isn't it ? How many websites are there dedicated Mr Bingley, for goodness sake ?"}, {"response": 524, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (21:06)", "body": "Oh KarinB, there was too much good stuff in this last chapter for me to pick out any favorites! All that heat... *siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh* (Bethanne) Teg, no need to feel bad about insulting Bingley........its just that we all know Darcy to be much more of a man than Bingley could ever hope to be. I mean, this IS the Darcy Drool, isn't it ? How many websites are there dedicated Mr Bingley, for goodness sake ? ROTF! Truer words were never spoken..."}, {"response": 525, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (18:39)", "body": "How many websites are there dedicated Mr Bingley, for goodness sake ? Ha ha! The judge decides in favor of Mr. Darcy. Case closed."}, {"response": 526, "author": "gailw", "date": "Sun, Oct 15, 2000 (14:34)", "body": "Here, finally, is another chapter. What Matters Most Chapter 18 Liz and Will spent the next several days happily spreading their good news. The families on both sides were thrilled. Mrs. Bennet insisted that Will come for Thanksgiving dinner since his family was away and he agreed to try to get the day off from work. With a month\ufffds notice and his seniority, he thought he could arrange it. Charlotte and Bill threw a celebration dinner for the couple, which included drinking copious amounts of champagne. Marty and Angie also insisted on throwing a congratulatory dinner for the couple. At the first opportunity (when Will and Marty had the same night off), the newly engaged couple drove to their friends\ufffd home to partake in the celebration. \ufffdYou know, this is the first time we\ufffdre spending time alone with Marty and Angie. Usually when we visit they have a house full of people,\ufffd Liz commented as they walked up to the front door. Angie, with baby Amanda on her hip, opened the door and greeted them cheerfully. \ufffdCongratulations you two! I\ufffdm so happy for you! Come on in. Marty will be with us in a minute. He\ufffds putting Susie to bed for me so I could finish feeding this one. Here, sit down. I\ufffdm going to put Amanda to bed now and then I\ufffdll be yours for the rest of the evening. Well at least until one of these monsters wakes up!\ufffd Angie breezed out of the room leaving Will and Liz stunned in the aftermath of a whirlwind. \ufffdWhew! She makes me tired just listening to her!\ufffd Will laughed as he pulled Liz down onto the sofa next to him. \ufffdI guess having a couple of kids keeps you pretty busy,\ufffd Liz responded. Will leaned over to kiss her. \ufffdWe\ufffdll find out ourselves one day, I hope. How many kids do you think we should have?\ufffd Liz pondered seriously. \ufffdI\ufffdd like at least two I think. Maybe more. We\ufffdll see after I\ufffdve birthed two babies if I want to do it again! But I would like a couple of years with you all to myself first.\ufffd \ufffdThat\ufffds a deal I can live with. We\ufffdll spend a lot of time practicing the conception part so when the time comes, we\ufffdll know just what to do.\ufffd Liz poked him hard with her elbow just as Marty came into the room. \ufffdFighting already you two?\ufffd he asked, grinning broadly. \ufffdCan\ufffdt even wait until after the wedding?\ufffd He offered drinks and as he went to fill their orders, Angie called out from the dining room,\ufffd Come on guys. Let\ufffds eat while we can.\ufffd Again there was champagne but this time it was consumed sparingly. Angie was nursing after all and Will and Liz couldn\ufffdt face another hangover like they had the last time. But the conversation was lively and the friends enjoyed each other\ufffds company. At ten o\ufffdclock, Amanda woke for her next feeding and Will and Liz decided it was time to go home. Marty said his good-byes and went to change the baby while Angie tarried a minute with her guests. \ufffdI really am happy for you both,\ufffd she said smiling and gave Liz a hug. She then turned to Will and laid a hand on his cheek. \ufffdI know you\ufffdll be a great husband honey.\ufffd She kissed him and a private look passed between them that caused Liz to feel a little flutter of jealousy. Don\ufffdt be ridiculous! she scolded herself. It\ufffds obvious that Marty and Angie adore each other. Still she couldn\ufffdt help but wonder at Will and Angie\ufffds relationship. But as soon as the door closed behind them, Will pulled her into his arms and gave her a big kiss. \ufffdThat was fun babe. I hope you had a good time.\ufffd \ufffdI did. I like Marty and Angie more every time we\ufffdre with them.\ufffd \ufffdI\ufffdm glad honey. Marty is my best friend and Angie is very special to me.\ufffd As she settled into the car, Liz felt that green-eyed monster make another appearance. \ufffdOh, really? How special?\ufffd Will heard the tension in her voice and reached over to squeeze her hand. \ufffdCertainly not as special as you, my sweet Liz. But I guess I should tell you the whole story about Angie and Marty and me. It\ufffds bound to come out at some point.\ufffd \ufffdWell now you have me very curious,\ufffd Liz said a little nervously. \ufffdWhat kind of sordid past do you have?\ufffd Will laughed. \ufffdIt\ufffds not that big a deal honey. The summer between my junior and senior years of high school, I met Angie. We hit it off and dated that whole summer. I really liked her a lot and thought she felt the same about me.\ufffd So far there was nothing in this story to relieve Liz\ufffds jealousy and her stomach began to churn. \ufffdAnd just how far did this relationship go?\ufffd \ufffdFortunately not as far as I would have liked. I tried to get in her pants a number of times, but Angie was a good girl and wouldn\ufffdt let me past second base.\ufffd That eased Liz\ufffds stomach a little bit. \ufffdWell I\ufffdm glad to hear that. It would make me feel awkward around her if you guys had slept together. Knowing you wanted to is bad enough. How does Marty feel about all of this?\ufffd \ufffdLet me finish the story. I went back to Andover for my senior year thinking I was madly in love. Angie had promised to write to me and I couldn\ufffdt wait to show her letters off to my dorm mates.\ufffd \ufffdWill, how could you?\ufffd \ufffdHey, teenage boys aren\ufffdt ver"}, {"response": 527, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 19, 2000 (12:54)", "body": "Avert your eyes: Fundraising Notice Ahead We've done very well, ladies, so a big Thank You for being so generous. As a housekeeping detail, I have personally contacted every person who made a donation. If you haven't gotten a thank you from me, then I haven't received it. Please let me know."}, {"response": 528, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sun, Oct 22, 2000 (01:14)", "body": "I've been gone for more than a WEEK and I only have ONE post to read????????? Shame! Shame on all of you... *sniff* I could... just... CRY! *waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!* Thank you, Gail. At least you care..."}, {"response": 529, "author": "gailw", "date": "Sun, Oct 22, 2000 (16:44)", "body": "Yeah - where is everyone? I was gonna try to post another chapter today but since no one appears to be around to read it, I guess I'll wait until next week. Anyway, you're welcome Dani."}, {"response": 530, "author": "Teca", "date": "Sun, Oct 22, 2000 (18:22)", "body": "Gail, It's very quite here lately, but please, don't leave us!!! I love your history. I'm stil waiting the end of \"The Wedding Singer\". Thank you!!!"}, {"response": 531, "author": "lg", "date": "Sun, Oct 22, 2000 (19:57)", "body": "Awwww, Gail, please don't make us wait...! Your phone sex scene was wonderful -- and I've been waiting to see whether you tip more angst into the mix before we get our 'happily-ever-after'!! ( <hanging head and scuffing the carpet with a toe> I meant to post last week how much I've enjoyed your last couple of chapters -- but they've rearranged some of the firewall security at work and I can no longer post from there. And, since I seem to be living there these days... <sigh> ) Please post, soon??"}, {"response": 532, "author": "gailw", "date": "Mon, Oct 23, 2000 (07:37)", "body": ""}, {"response": 533, "author": "gailw", "date": "Mon, Oct 23, 2000 (07:37)", "body": ""}, {"response": 534, "author": "gailw", "date": "Mon, Oct 23, 2000 (07:43)", "body": "Whoops - sorry about that - I hit something wrong. It's difficult to post during the week (that darn work keeps getting in the way) but I'll see what I can do. There is definitely more angst to follow. Can't make it too easy for our hero and heroine. But it will unfold in due time."}, {"response": 535, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Mon, Oct 23, 2000 (14:01)", "body": "I concur with Dani,...full of eager anticipation did I tune in after a week's holiday in Portugal,..and...only one instalment (thank you Gail, heated as always. You could bring down fuel consumption here),...tsk tsk tsk!! Luckily I had brought some \"material\" along for the ride..."}, {"response": 536, "author": "gailw", "date": "Sun, Oct 29, 2000 (14:19)", "body": "What Matters Most Chapter 19 The Loop Road is a 27-mile one-way boulevard that runs through Acadia National Park. It gets very congested in summer with cars in one lane and bicyclists, motorcyclists, roller bladers and pedestrians taking up the other. Motorists can rent or purchase an audio tape from the ranger station and listen to information about the park and its natural attractions. On a week day in early November, Liz and Will found themselves virtually alone as they meandered along on their bicycles. \ufffdThanks for taking the day off to spend with me Liz,\ufffd Will said as they rode side-by-side. \ufffdI wanted to. I hate it when you have to work both weekend days and we can\ufffdt spend any time together. This is a pretty slow time at work right now and Andy told me to use up all my vacation between now and the end of the year. After that we\ufffdll be really busy with preparing year-end closings and tax returns. And then the tourist season will start up again. So I should enjoy the peace and quiet in the office while I can.\ufffd \ufffdPerhaps we could both take a few days off and go somewhere. What do you think?\ufffd \ufffdI think that would be lovely. Where should we go? Some place warm?\ufffd \ufffdActually I was thinking we might go to our ranch in Montana. It won\ufffdt be warmer but it\ufffds a pretty time of year to visit. The aspens will be all in yellow and there will be snow on the mountain peaks. I would like to show it to you and introduce you to my father\ufffds parents. They are retired now and spend most of the year at the ranch. I seriously considered moving there a couple years ago but then realized I couldn\ufffdt leave here. I\ufffdm very thankful about that now because of you. The ranch is my second most favorite place in the world though.\ufffd \ufffdThen I would love to see it and meet your grandparents. Let me know when you can get the time off and I\ufffdll tell Andy. It will have to be after Thanksgiving though. We have to be here for that. You already promised my mother you were coming for dinner.\ufffd \ufffdOf course. I wouldn\ufffdt miss it.\ufffd \ufffdOh Will, here\ufffds Thunder Hole. Let\ufffds stop.\ufffd Author\ufffds note: Thunder Hole is a natural rock formation on the shore of Acadia. When the incoming tide is just the right height and comes in with just the right force, the water hits the rocks in such a way that it sprays up like a geyser and roars loudly. However, conditions have to be perfect otherwise it\ufffds more like Trickle Hole. I managed to hit it right one time and it was pretty impressive. Unfortunately the tide was going out so there was no water in Thunder Hole. Liz and Will sat on the rocks for a few minutes, sharing a drink from Will\ufffds water bottle. Liz pulled some stale bread out of her backpack and they amused themselves by throwing it to the seagulls who tried to catch the crumbs in mid air. A little while later they stopped their bikes again when Liz begged Will to take a short hike with her. \ufffdI can\ufffdt believe you have never climbed the Beehive Trail. Have you done Precipice?\ufffd \ufffdNo Liz, what\ufffds Precipice?\ufffd \ufffdIt\ufffds a similar type trail on another mountain but it\ufffds quite a bit longer. We\ufffdll have to do that another day when we have more time. Beehive is only a mile and we can go up and back in an hour. You have lived here all your life and don\ufffdt know the best parts of the island.\ufffd \ufffdYou have to remember that I was away at school most of the time. We were only here in the summer and stayed away from the tourist areas. And once I started working, I never had time for exploration. In a way I\ufffdm glad because now you can show me everything I\ufffdve missed.\ufffd Smiling, Liz took his hand and led him up the trail. It turned steep very quickly and they came to some metal rungs hammered into the side of the mountain. \ufffdOK, the trail goes this way,\ufffd Liz said as she began to climb. Will stayed close behind admiring the view. Not of the mountains, but of Liz\ufffds backside. Hikers going down have the right of way on the narrow trail and a passing group had Will and Liz pressed up close to a rocky ledge. Then they climbed more ladders and were soon at the top of the small domed mountain. Though Beehive is not very high in elevation, it overlooks Sand Beach and the view is spectacular. Will and Liz decided to have their picnic in this picturesque spot. After they ate Liz had to go to the bathroom and found some shrubbery to hide behind. When she was finished she looked up and there was Will watching her. Startled, she screamed and he laughed. \ufffdWill! I\ufffdm going to kill you! You scared me half to death!\ufffd \ufffdI\ufffdm sorry,\ufffd he said not very sincerely. \ufffdI just couldn\ufffdt pass up the opportunity of seeing you with your pants down. A delightful sight I must say.\ufffd \ufffdYou are incorrigible! What am I going to do with you?\ufffd \ufffdHow about this?\ufffd Will asked, taking her into his arms and kissing her. It was impossible to be mad at him when such lovely sensations were flowing through her body. Will pulled her down to the ground and pressed up against her. Liz could feel his hardness through two layers of denim. She gently rocked her hips ag"}, {"response": 537, "author": "Teca", "date": "Sun, Oct 29, 2000 (16:34)", "body": "I loved this Chapter!!! This is getting better and better. Thank you for not leaving us alone!;)"}, {"response": 538, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Oct 30, 2000 (15:15)", "body": "Yeaa, another chapter! Thanks, Gail ;-)."}, {"response": 539, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Tue, Oct 31, 2000 (06:59)", "body": "Indeed,....*turning on the fan* thank you, Gail!! Don't miss any opportunity of enjoying yourself and entertaining us;-))"}, {"response": 540, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Tue, Oct 31, 2000 (14:19)", "body": "Thank you Gail. Looking forward to the next chapter \"whew\". BTW, I know this is very late, but thank you for telling us about Eve & Roarke. I've read all now except Judgement (can't find a copy in Australia at the moment)."}, {"response": 541, "author": "gailw", "date": "Tue, Oct 31, 2000 (17:20)", "body": "Cathey, you're quite welcome although I can't take all the credit as Esbee got me started. And I'm very glad she did. Roarke has fueled many, many pleasant dreams! Not quite as many as ODB, but almost."}, {"response": 542, "author": "lg", "date": "Wed, Nov  1, 2000 (02:19)", "body": "(Cathey) I've read all now except Judgement (can't find a copy in Australia at the moment). This is just a shameless plug for my favourite bookseller <shameless grin> ... Cathey, Pulp Fiction (Science Fiction, Fastasy, Crime and Mystery specialists!) in Brisbane has it. I was in there on my way home from work, just now... and Judgment in Death is on the new releases stand! They do mail order, too! If you want to try them, the number is 07 3236 2750 and their postal address is: Pulp Fiction, GPO Box 297, BRISBANE QLD 4001. Good luck! -- Thanks Gail for the new chapter! Lovely!"}, {"response": 543, "author": "lg", "date": "Wed, Nov  1, 2000 (02:23)", "body": "D'oh! I always remember something I was going to write as soon as I hit that 'submit' button! Getting Judgment in Death from Pulp Fiction (or another Australian bookshop) rather than an online bookseller gets around all the money lost from the Aus dollar being worth less than nothing at the moment, too!!"}, {"response": 544, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Wed, Nov  1, 2000 (14:16)", "body": "Thanks for this info Leanne. I'm not far from Brisbane (northern NSW), I might pop up there to do some shopping ;-)"}, {"response": 545, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Nov  1, 2000 (15:15)", "body": "Gail, thanks for the latest chapter on Liz and Will. I am afraid that my attempts to write a sequel to \"Bridget in Lala Land\" have been forestalled due to the demise of my hard drive last week (I now back everything up on a daily basis) and a bad spell of migraines, the latter which does strange things to my motor skills and ability to write. I have an idea for \"The Interview,\" but need to take my time. I hope it will be worth the wait."}, {"response": 546, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (02:56)", "body": "Don't worry, Lisa . As you must have gathered by now,...we are a patient lot(-_-)... I'm sure it will meet our sexpectations;-))"}, {"response": 547, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sun, Nov  5, 2000 (12:47)", "body": "A little 'splendor in the grass'! Thanks Gail! \ufffdCome on,\ufffd Liz laughed. \ufffdIt\ufffds getting late and it will be dark before we get back to the truck if we don\ufffdt hurry. I suggest we finish this discussion at home in bed.\ufffd I'm finding it hard to be good on this Sunday afternoon! But a girl can dream, can't she? *sigh* (Hanne) I'm sure it will meet our sexpectations;-)) Sexactly!"}, {"response": 548, "author": "BetsyD", "date": "Thu, Nov  9, 2000 (23:40)", "body": "*tap* *tap* *tap* uhhhh..... anyone out there? Getting so needy for some interesting reading material that I've decided to delurk. So helllooooooooooooooo out there....."}, {"response": 549, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Fri, Nov 10, 2000 (00:44)", "body": "I've been checking every day just in case someone has had time to write but no luck. Nice to see you Betsy, even if its just to say hello."}, {"response": 550, "author": "gailw", "date": "Fri, Nov 10, 2000 (07:49)", "body": "Yep, purty durn quiet 'round heah."}, {"response": 551, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Fri, Nov 10, 2000 (09:08)", "body": "I couldn't've put it bettah myself!!"}, {"response": 552, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Fri, Nov 10, 2000 (09:08)", "body": "I couldn't've put it better myself!!"}, {"response": 553, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Fri, Nov 10, 2000 (09:09)", "body": "Hehehe double trouble!!"}, {"response": 554, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Fri, Nov 10, 2000 (10:07)", "body": "I've been in a dry spell myself, but I can still beg some of our other authors... Wasn't Sadie supposed to have something written in October? or was it Judy? Nope, I'm almost sure it was Sadie! Oh... Sadie... where are you?"}, {"response": 555, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sat, Nov 11, 2000 (17:46)", "body": "Hi Danielle, Bethanne, Heide...I'm just popping in to say hello. I haven't been able to be involved at drool lately. It is nice to be missed Danielle! (*Mental note to self, do not make promises* -))It was me who promised a story but I'm afraid it's on hold until further notice! *ducking* Anyway, this is a very belated thanks for your recent posting Gail. I'm sorry I wasn't around to express my appreciation at the time. Hope all is going well."}, {"response": 556, "author": "sarah19", "date": "Sat, Nov 11, 2000 (18:01)", "body": "Hi everyone, I'm finally done with school, at least this quarter. Gotta go back in two weeks. I'm patiently waiting for more installments of old stories as well as fresh material. It's good to be home. Sarah"}, {"response": 557, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Nov 11, 2000 (18:28)", "body": "A WARM welcome to Betsy. Glad you de-lurked. Enjoy your mini-break Sarah. Hope you'll be entertained by the accommodating writers while you're home. I'm very happy to see Sadie's post. Hope that means you'll be able to come back more often. You've been missed. Maybe Judy will be encouraged to pop back in now too."}, {"response": 558, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 12, 2000 (08:35)", "body": "BETSY! Nice to see you've finally delurked. :-) Come on, authors, your appreciative public is waiting with baited breath to read a new installment. And they won't give up. Prepare for some heart-tugging begging and moaning. ;-D"}, {"response": 559, "author": "gailw", "date": "Sun, Nov 12, 2000 (09:01)", "body": "What Matters Most Chapter 20 \ufffdAnd then I found poor Lizzy, still tied up and fast asleep with wet pants!\ufffd Everyone laughed as Emily Bennet finished yet another story about how her two eldest children used to pick on baby Liz. This particular event occurred when Robby and Jane tired of cops and robbers and went to play outside, totally forgetting about their five-year old \ufffdprisoner\ufffd. \ufffdThat\ufffds not even the worst of it,\ufffd Liz chimed in. \ufffdOnce they hung me upside down and let the dog lick my face!\ufffd Will squeezed her hand sympathetically under the table but laughed right along with the Bennet family. They were gathered for Thanksgiving dinner and Will was getting an earful on the early days of the wild and rowdy Bennet children. While happy, his own childhood had been much more staid. He and Brian had their share of fights but rarely played together. And Georgianna was so much younger than her brothers, she was coddled instead of tortured. \ufffdNo wonder I was such a brat!\ufffd Liz continued. \ufffdWho wouldn\ufffdt be with such tormentors as Robby and Jane!\ufffd But she looked fondly at her brother and sister. They had all come out of it none the worse for wear and now were as close as adult siblings could be. Karen heaved her heavy body out of the chair. \ufffdI need to walk around. After that meal I feel like I\ufffdm going to burst, in more ways than one.\ufffd Rob jumped up quickly to assist her. \ufffdAre you all right honey?\ufffd he asked with concern. Karen was a week late with their third child and Rob was edgy. Even though they had been through this twice before, it didn\ufffdt get any easier. Karen smiled and kissed his cheek. \ufffdI\ufffdm fine Rob. I don\ufffdt think it\ufffds going to happen today. I just want to check on the kids. Come with me.\ufffd They walked out of the room hand in hand to check on their napping children. Jane, her own belly now softly rounded in her fifth month of pregnancy, took Charles\ufffd hand as he beamed at her. \ufffdJust think, at this time next year I\ufffdll have two more great-grandbabies,\ufffd Mary Bennet said, smiling at the intimate exchange between Jane and Charles. \ufffdAnd my dear Lizzy will be married. Have you two set a wedding date?\ufffd \ufffdWe\ufffdre thinking about August,\ufffd Liz replied. \ufffdWe want something simple and preferable outdoors. No country club Grammy,\ufffd she added with a look at her grandmother. \ufffdYou talked Karen and Jane into that, but it\ufffds not for us.\ufffd \ufffdI didn\ufffdt have to do too much convincing as I recall,\ufffd Mary retorted, \ufffdbut I have something much different in mind for you my dear.\ufffd \ufffdMother,\ufffd Bob Bennet began with a warning in his voice, \ufffdyou agreed not to interfere.\ufffd \ufffdMy grandmother loves weddings and has managed to wheedle control of any and all weddings involving a Bennet,\ufffd Liz explained to Will. \ufffdWe\ufffdd love to have your help Grammy, but it\ufffds going to be our way.\ufffd \ufffdWell if you\ufffdd just listen to me, maybe you\ufffdll be surprised,\ufffd Mary said huffily, putting a hurt look on her face. She knew the way to her granddaughter\ufffds heart. Sure enough, Liz jumped out of her chair and kissed her grandmother on the cheek. \ufffdI\ufffdm sorry Grammy. Please tell us your ideas.\ufffd Pretending to be mollified, Mary continued as Liz sat down, \ufffdI suspected that the two of you would want something casual and I\ufffdve been giving it a lot of thought. How about having the wedding at my house? Now before you say anything, let me tell you what I have in mind. We\ufffdll have the ceremony out on the back lawn. It will be lovely with the ocean in the background and baskets of flowers everywhere. After the ceremony, we\ufffdll have a big barbecue. Guests can use the pool and we can have volleyball and other games if you wish. They can bring their children too and I\ufffdll hire a bunch of teenagers to tend them. That way no one has to worry about getting a babysitter.\ufffd Mary sat back, satisfied with herself. Liz and Will looked at each other and smiled. \ufffdGrammy, that sounds perfect.\ufffd \ufffdMary, you\ufffdve outdone yourself,\ufffd added Emily. \ufffdI think that sounds wonderful. Just one question \ufffd what if it rains?\ufffd \ufffdIt won\ufffdt,\ufffd Mary said firmly. \ufffdBut just in case, I was thinking we could have a picnic in the ballroom. We can still barbecue under the covered section of the patio and bring the food inside. We\ufffdll have potted trees and flowers around the room and picnic tables. I think it will be fine if you don\ufffdt have too many guests.\ufffd \ufffdWe don\ufffdt want a lot of people anyway,\ufffd Liz said. \ufffdJust family and some friends. I think we\ufffdll be well under 100 people.\ufffd \ufffdThen that will work. And there\ufffds plenty of room in the house for the kids to run around. We can have other types of games like a scavenger hunt or we could set up a casino where you win prizes instead of cash.\ufffd You could see the wheels turning in Mary\ufffds creative mind. \ufffdIt will be such fun!\ufffd \ufffdGrammy, I love you,\ufffd Liz said affectionately. Mary smiled at her youngest grandchild and rose from the table. \ufffdOK, we\ufffdll plan later. Now let\ufffds clear up this mess!\ufffd ******** Later that afternoon while Bob, Robby and Charles watched football, Jane and Karen took naps and Emily and Mary played with t"}, {"response": 560, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sun, Nov 12, 2000 (21:26)", "body": "Snaking his hand into her panties, he found her warm and wet. \ufffdUmmm, I\ufffdm not the only one who is insatiable.\ufffd He rubbed her sensitive bud with his thumb and plunged two moistened fingers deep inside. O-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-M-Y! *fanning and needing a cigarette* Thanks Gail! *whew!* Thanks... \ufffdMy pleasure and I\ufffdll expect pay back later,\ufffd Will replied, grinning. Well????????? Where is it? I know I ask too much, but hey, you put it out there! Grammy wants full control doesn't she? She'd better hope their house not built too close to the mansion, she might hear some things that'll make her lose control!"}, {"response": 561, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Mon, Nov 13, 2000 (03:09)", "body": "\ufffdMy pleasure and I\ufffdll expect pay back later,\ufffd Hmmmmmmm,...lovely!! Can't wait;-))It has been very dry in here fore some time!!(-_-) (Danielle)She'd better hope their house not built too close to the mansion, she might hear some things that'll make her lose control! I doubt that very much, I think she knows her Liz. Coming from the same stock Liz might have inherited something from Grammy!"}, {"response": 562, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Nov 13, 2000 (14:55)", "body": "Wow, another hot chapter Gail! I'm bothered! Can't wait for the payback time!"}, {"response": 563, "author": "sarah19", "date": "Mon, Nov 13, 2000 (18:18)", "body": "Teg, I have just read \"parallels\" for the first time. It is amazing. I loved it. \"Adieu\" was so emotional that I teared up. I can't wait until your next stroy. Keep them coming. I wish I had the talent to write my own. Sarah"}, {"response": 564, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Mon, Nov 13, 2000 (18:44)", "body": "Sadie! I'm sorry your story is on hold... maybe something around Christmas?"}, {"response": 565, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Tue, Nov 14, 2000 (03:18)", "body": "*nodding vigorously* Pretty please!!! Christmas present ;-D !!!!... yayay"}, {"response": 566, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Nov 14, 2000 (15:52)", "body": "LOL! Tell my boss to stop overworking me so that I have time to write! It's been one thing after another."}, {"response": 567, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Tue, Nov 14, 2000 (19:09)", "body": "Pray Sadie, what's your boss' name? Height? Hair color? and what time, exactly, does he/she get to work on most days? I'm thinking cement shoes..."}, {"response": 568, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Nov 16, 2000 (04:08)", "body": "LMAO Danielle. It's an intriguing idea. In the meantime, we need some fanfic SOMEONE!!"}, {"response": 569, "author": "Teg", "date": "Sun, Nov 19, 2000 (06:24)", "body": "Thanks, Sarah! :) But don't think you can't write anything, yourself. You never know until you try! Dani, I thought for a minute you had something else in mind to distract Sadie's boss... all those questions about height, hair colour, etc. ;) Well, what else did you expect me to think??? This is a drool site, after all!!! Oh, now I have had an idea....."}, {"response": 570, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Sun, Nov 19, 2000 (06:44)", "body": "(Dani)I'm thinking cement shoes Oh, I misread it substituting the th with an s. Yippie,...wonderful, Teg! I wish SOMEONE (read: Dani) would be so easily inspired;-DDD"}, {"response": 571, "author": "Teg", "date": "Sun, Nov 19, 2000 (08:35)", "body": "I won't say this is my last 'extra bit' from Parallels, because who knows what ideas I may come up with in the future. The whole trilogy is an obsession with me, my characters an integral part of my own being. Anyway, I did add a bit to this since posting it at DWG. Enjoy! :) Letting Go The house was still. The clock at the bedside read two twenty-three. Throwing the coverlet back, Will swung his legs to the floor and wriggled his feet into the slippers that lay there. His dressing gown lay across the foot of the bed and he carefully slipped it on before padding across the room to open the door, peering out into the darkened hallway. Not a sound broke the silence but the steady tick-ticking of the clock near the top of the huge staircase. His eyes were inexorably drawn to the stairs, a twinge of painful memory brushing against his weakening resistance. The darkness of the hall was no impediment as Will made his way down its length toward the gallery. Slow, measured steps carried him past various doorways, pausing before each as more memories intruded upon his thoughts. Elizabeth and William, as he was called then.... the first time he\ufffdd seen them together. The snow was falling gently around them, the little boy covered head to toe in the white stuff. His mother\ufffds face was red from the cold, or was that embarrassment? Never had he seen anything so beautiful in his life! This woman who had rent his heart years before, when he had tasted perfect happiness and then had it torn from him. To see her again was an exquisite torture, but one that he had thought himself prepared for, knowing she would be there. Was it the pain of past memories or the delight in a renewed opportunity that stung him hardest? He heard not a word she had said and, when she turned away, heading back to the house with the little boy in tow, for the first time he realized that his heart had returned... whole, intact.... tied irrevocably to this woman. Will sighed and moved on. Anna.... fresh scrubbed and in a pretty pink sundress, her hair tidily arranged in a French braid. Not fifteen minutes later her mother leading her by the hand back into the house and marching her upstairs to the bath, a trail of mud leading back to the scene of the crime. \ufffdWhy did I ever think that a dress would deter you from following your brother down to the pond to catch frogs?\ufffd lamented Elizabeth in a voice that echoed in the open foyer. Even after all those years he could still hear her voice in the corridor as she had scolded their daughter all the way to the bath. Will continued down the hallway, no change in his pace. The memories didn\ufffdt surprise him. He had been reliving them for the last few months, since he first awoke in the middle of the night and began making these forays to the gallery. At first they were quite painful to accept but, as time wore on, he preferred to recall these pleasant and amusing snippets of his life to spending a lonely night staring at the ceiling of his bedroom, aching for the part of him that was no longer there. Each night brought new memories, he had yet to recall the same one twice. Will had even begun to look forward to these clandestine excursions every night for they at least afforded him the opportunity to be with his Liz once more, even if it was only in his mind. He glanced to either side of the hall, the two bedroom doors ajar. It had been several years since either had been occupied but he could still see his daughters as they had giggled and made faces at each other across the width of the corridor. \ufffdBack to bed, girls.\ufffd The hint of amusement around Elizabeth\ufffds mouth belied the stern tone she was trying to effect. Two sets of wide brown eyes gazed apologetically back at their mother, more sorry for being caught than for being out of bed at this hour of the night. \ufffdSpoilsport,\ufffd Will grumbled behind her. \ufffdShhh!\ufffd Elizabeth countered, grimly eyeing the collection of stuffed bears and assorted animals that littered the hallway, mute testimony to the battle recently waged. \ufffdHaven\ufffdt you encouraged enough rebellion for one night?\ufffd Leaning against one of the doorframes, Will stared into the inky blackness of the vacant room, seeing in his mind\ufffds eye the tiny form tucked under the blankets raise herself up on one elbow and whisper a soft \ufffdDaddy?\ufffd He sighed and turned in the direction of the gallery once more. After countless nights repeating this ritual, he knew exactly how many steps would be taken before he reached his destination. As he passed the windows that looked out onto the front lawn, the moonlight streaming through the glass created illusions before Will\ufffds eyes. She was laughing at him. Eyes sparkling, she beckoned him forward with one slim arm slightly raised. Before he had taken two steps toward her, Elizabeth giggled and spun herself in a circle, her skirt swirling out and around her shapely legs. He stopped and blinked, shaking his head to dispel the lingering image, then walked the final stretch of corridor to"}, {"response": 572, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Nov 19, 2000 (10:10)", "body": "That was sad but beautiful Teg.I don't know how you manage to write about their death as it brings a lump to my throat just reading it.His memories were so poignant. Gail,I've enjoyed catching up on your story as well! To all writers out there more please & soon"}, {"response": 573, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sun, Nov 19, 2000 (11:56)", "body": "Ohhhhhhhhhh Teg! *shakes head and wipes tears from eyes* I didn't need to see this today! Darn it! And you made me read it again, just to see what you added... Blast! Beautiful as always! (Teg) Dani, I thought for a minute you had something else in mind to distract Sadie's boss... all those questions about height, hair colour, etc. ;) Well, what else did you expect me to think??? This is a drool site, after all!!! LOL! I'll be more careful next time! And no Hanne, I haven't had any inspriation in quite a while..."}, {"response": 574, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Sun, Nov 19, 2000 (13:01)", "body": "Wonderful Teg,....*sniff*....A lesson in how to use your arts and allurements to make us read this sad story once again, but it was definitely worth it...beautiful additions!!!"}, {"response": 575, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Nov 19, 2000 (22:52)", "body": "Oh Teg, this is so beautiful and sad *wipes tears*.... Now, when are you going to write the death scenes for all their children? -D"}, {"response": 576, "author": "gailw", "date": "Mon, Nov 20, 2000 (08:14)", "body": "AAAAAhhhhhhhhhh........so beautiful Teg. Will and Elizabeth have found heaven in more ways than one. While I could not bring myself to read the Lizzy death scene, this one was easier. Maybe because she was already gone and Will was ready to go and be with her again. Still sad, but yet hopeful. (Sadie) Now when are you going to write the death scenes for all their children? Please no!! I can't take any more sadness!!"}, {"response": 577, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Wed, Nov 22, 2000 (19:48)", "body": "(Sadie) Now when are you going to write the death scenes for all their children? (Gail) Please no!! I can't take any more sadness!! I'm with you on that score, Gail!"}, {"response": 578, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Thu, Nov 23, 2000 (09:30)", "body": "Oh dear, I left the italics on! Happy Thanksgiving! Perhaps someone will have the opportunity to write something for Drool during the long weekend...?"}, {"response": 579, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Nov 23, 2000 (12:22)", "body": "(DanielleL)Perhaps someone will have the opportunity to write something for Drool during the long weekend...? I second that-)"}, {"response": 580, "author": "Teg", "date": "Fri, Nov 24, 2000 (06:17)", "body": "Yes, you have a long weekend, Danielle! Go to it! ;)"}, {"response": 581, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Nov 24, 2000 (10:05)", "body": "Not to interrupt the creative flow or anything but has anyone heard from Irene? Was wondering how she's doing."}, {"response": 582, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Fri, Nov 24, 2000 (19:37)", "body": "(Teg) Yes, you have a long weekend, Danielle! Go to it! ;) Sorry Teg, no can do. now will to do it. major deadline at work in less than 2 weeks! Heide, I heard from Irene just two days ago! She said she was doing fine, although she had just left the hospital. She even said she would drop us a line sometime soon..."}, {"response": 583, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Nov 25, 2000 (07:57)", "body": "Thanks, Danielle. Glad to hear she'll pay us a visit soon."}, {"response": 584, "author": "sarah19", "date": "Mon, Nov 27, 2000 (01:23)", "body": "I'm off to school tomorrow. I expect to have some drool waiting for me after \"hours\" of studying. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Sarah"}, {"response": 585, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 28, 2000 (23:35)", "body": "A couple of articles in The Times today that our writers and readers might be interested in reading. I'll link to the first and give you the second. Comic novelist Wendy Holden, nominated for this year\ufffds Bad Sex in Fiction award, comes clean about her motivation http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,43081,00.html And the second: Good sex writing is hard Rowan Pelling isn\ufffdt surprised \ufffd good sex writing is hard ABOUT five years ago Chatto & Windus commissioned a series of erotic novellas from various well-known writers. When the first manuscripts turned up on the editor\ufffds desk there was consternation. They were full of sex, but not one of them was sexy. This story confirms something I have long suspected: erotic writing is the trickiest form of literature that a writer can attempt. If a writer falls short of the G-spot they earn the derision of their peers and a Bad Sex Award from the Literary Review. When an author does succeed in creating a lubricious scenario, the plaudits pass them by in favour of the big book of ideas. Sex is by nature parochial \ufffd the biggest orgy takes up less room than the smallest battle. So it\ufffds about time we acknowledged the quiet heroism of writers who evoke small monsoons in the groin area of their readers. Hitherto their only reward has been stained bed sheets and the odd stalker. The best-known names in the English language sex canon fall short of erotic greatness: John Clelland and Henry Miller never leave you with time to relax. D.H. Lawrence is superior to these brethren, but still doesn\ufffdt know where to stop: even the humble catkin becomes a pulsating vulva. The best sex writing, like the best sex, punctuates the main action, and leaves you wanting more. My favourite fiction from The Erotic Review describes sex but is not necessarily about sex; instead, sexual preference is used to illuminate character. Good erotic writing shares many of the characteristics of good comic writing. In both mediums the build- up of tension and exquisite pleasure of relief is the central motive; in both, you have to be audacious. Good comedians and eroticists are trespassers who go as close to the boundaries as they dare. And both mediums demand a straight face. A good erotic writer delivers a sex scene with the same deadpan authority that Paul Merton delivers a punch-line. The reader, or audience, decides to be seduced. In recent fiction several sex scenes have the kind of kinetic impact I\ufffdm talking about. Tim Binding\ufffds In the Kingdom of the Air contains explicit descriptions of a purely physical affair. The protagonist\ufffds calm descriptions of every permutation of adulterous sex are disturbingly erotic (even the author\ufffds wife was reportedly shocked). Similarly, in Birdsong, Sebastian Faulks\ufffds juxtaposition of a love affair with a soldier\ufffds experience of trench warfare serves to intensify the horrors of war; sincerity is the key to describing both experiences. But it\ufffds hard to get it right all the time. When Faulks wrote his next novel, Charlotte Gray, he wrote a sex scene in which the hero \ufffdslumps down gasping on top of her, breaking into tiny dying fragments\ufffd. It won that year\ufffds Bad Sex Award. If only there were a Good Sex Award \ufffd Faulks could be the first holder of both accolades. Rowan Pelling is the editor of The Erotic Review, which has just published its first compilation of sex writing, The Erotic Review Bedside Companion (Headline) http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,43183,00.html"}, {"response": 586, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 29, 2000 (07:56)", "body": "So it\ufffds about time we acknowledged the quiet heroism of writers who evoke small monsoons in the groin area of their readers. ROTFLOL! Thanks, Karen!"}, {"response": 587, "author": "gailw", "date": "Wed, Nov 29, 2000 (08:33)", "body": "Karen, thanks, that was quite illuminating! Good sex writing is hard Was that intended as a pun, I wonder? As one who has struggled mightily in the attempt to write erotic prose, I can only agree that it is indeed very difficult. I have found that Nora Roberts does it very well. especially in the JD Robb series. And lately I have been reading my way through all of Amanda Quick's novels. This is Jayne Krentz's penname on a series of Regency & Medeval romances which I am finding quite fun to read. While she uses the basic premise (with one or two exceptions) of a virginal heroine who is an Original (doesn't quite follow the \"norms\" of society) and a rather jaded, dark and reluctant hero, the plotlines are cute and the sex is steamy. I haven't read any other works by Krentz so I don't know if she carries this over into more modern day stories. Does anyone else have any favourites they would like to share? I'm always looking for inspiration for my own attempts at writing here at Drool!"}, {"response": 588, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 29, 2000 (11:28)", "body": "Thanks Karen...a skill indeed. Like the part that writng about sex isn't always sexy. How true!"}, {"response": 589, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Wed, Nov 29, 2000 (14:14)", "body": ". Good erotic writing shares many of the characteristics of good comic writing. In both mediums the build- up of tension and exquisite pleasure of relief is the central motive; in both, you have to be audacious. The good parts are also the ones between the lines! Here we get the best of both;-))!!! Good comedians and eroticists are trespassers who go as close to the boundaries as they dare. And both mediums demand a straight face. The opposite is sooo toe-curling and embarrasing. Thank you, Karen, for giving us these articles!!"}, {"response": 590, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Nov 29, 2000 (18:00)", "body": "The good parts are also the ones between the lines! Here we get the best of both;-))!!! Between the lines and between the legs. ;-)"}, {"response": 591, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Thu, Nov 30, 2000 (08:56)", "body": "I have found that Nora Roberts does it very well. especially in the JD Robb series. And lately I have been reading my way through all of Amanda Quick's novels. LOL! I am so glad I have found a fellow reader."}, {"response": 592, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 30, 2000 (09:06)", "body": "FYI: slash goes in other direction to close a tag done"}, {"response": 593, "author": "Teg", "date": "Sat, Dec  2, 2000 (06:36)", "body": "Thanks for that article, Karen. Much like a pat on the back for us, here. ;) It is definitely true about struggling over the composition of those scenes. Mind you, it must be equally difficult to write the 'Bad Sex' scenes with the intent of being really bad! LOL!! Oddly enough, and you're not likely to believe this (*grin*), I don't read that sort of stuff and never had, until pointed in the direction of this locale, and encouraged to try my hand at it (no pun intended!). I still don't seek out the books. I merely read here. As for the Bad Sex in Fiction awards... I have to admit that the winner was definitely worth a repeat read! British author Sean Thomas is the winner of Britain's dreaded Bad Sex in Fiction Award 2000. He won for the following passage in his novel Kissing England, where a female character's diminutive body is compared to several brands of portable cassette players: \"It is time, time ... Now. Yes. She is so small and compact and yet she has all the necessary features ... Shall I compare thee to a Sony Walkman, thou art more compact and more -- She is his own Toshiba, his dinky little JVC, his sweet Aiwa ... Aiwa, aiwa aiwa aiwa aiwa aiwa aiwa aiwa aiwa aiwa aiwaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh ...\""}, {"response": 594, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec  2, 2000 (08:12)", "body": "Couldn't be more deserving IMHO. ;-)"}, {"response": 595, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Sat, Dec  2, 2000 (13:39)", "body": "Still LOLling"}, {"response": 596, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec  2, 2000 (15:46)", "body": "Terry has posted a message on Topic #100..Spring Pledge Drive. Message #81. Spring is now accepting donations via Pay Pal. http://www.spring.net/paypal Great news for the overseas folks who were unable to donate in Sept./Oct."}, {"response": 597, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sat, Dec  2, 2000 (18:37)", "body": "Thanks Karen! It is very hard to write about sex! \"It is time, time ... Now. Yes. She is so small and compact and yet she has all the necessary features ... Shall I compare thee to a Sony Walkman, thou art more compact and more -- She is his own Toshiba, his dinky little JVC, his sweet Aiwa ... Aiwa, aiwa aiwa aiwa aiwa aiwa aiwa aiwa aiwa aiwa aiwaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh ...\" ROTFLMAO! Oh that is bad! That is so terrible bad! LOL! Thanks Teg!"}, {"response": 598, "author": "gailw", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (07:40)", "body": "I wonder what those \"necessary features\" are."}, {"response": 599, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Tue, Dec  5, 2000 (18:25)", "body": "Elizabeth Elliot\ufffds Sexcapades! I know this is basically a P&P board, but I've been long in promising this story\ufffd I've chosen a character that, in my opinion, is not tormented enough and that is Elizabeth Elliot of Persuasion. Most of these stories really happened! Let's just say I have some interesting friends and family members\ufffd Prologue As we all know, the young lady was vain enough to believe that she could get any man she wanted. For her beauty was beyond compare! Although she could, indeed, get any man she wanted, her problem was keeping them. Her paramours quickly tired of the standard missionary mode of sexual pleasure and the constant cries of \ufffdDon\ufffdt muss my hair! My makeup!\ufffd When the \ufffdgentlemen\ufffd apprised her of these grievances, she dismissed each one of them and moved onto the next; only to receive, within a few dates, the same complaints. To her mortification, she had no one to turn to. No mother to receive guidance, no sisters she deigned to favor with a smile, and no real friends to commiserate with. But alas, from out of nowhere came a peculiar divorcee (scandalized for her many indiscretions and run out of town by her husband), in the form of Mrs. Amanda Clay, the daughter of her father\ufffds solicitor. They became fast friends, to some other\ufffds dismay. But now, Elizabeth Elliot had a confidant, a cohort, an accomplice! Their quiet whisperings, covert looks, and secret smiles did much to alarm her sister Anne and their dearest friend, Mrs. Russell. But no one would dare speak up, as Elizabeth had quite a temper. They would keep a close eye and ear to the door, and wait and see how far this friendship would go\ufffd *** Sexcapade #1 \"Have you seen 9 \ufffd Weeks?\" \"The movie?\" Mrs. Clay nodded. \"No. Never.\" \"Well, I\ufffdve done\ufffd um, I\ufffdve never done this before, but I always wanted to\ufffd\" *** There was no way that one bath would get rid of this! She cringed at the thought that maybe some of it might need to be cut out of her hair! And everything was going so perfect too! He had wanted to make her dinner, he said\ufffd He was so sweet and loveable, a big ol\ufffd teddy bear! He had grilled some steaks and ribs and ears of corn and potatoes; he had even tossed a salad. Although this was too much food in Elizabeth\ufffds mind, she did not care, because her big strong strapping young man would finish it off and sweep her into the bedroom. Dinner was delightful! He went into the kitchen for more wine, however, within a few moments, he called her to him and shyly apologized for forgetting to make the apple pie! He opened the refrigerator to show her the ingredients and an idea sprang in her head. Before Frank Churchill knew it, she was smearing the apple filling across her naked flesh! He was ecstatic! At first, he lavished whip cream on her breasts and labia, then honey\ufffd Unfortunately, in his overzealousness, he began to imagine her as the unprepared dessert and started in on using the other ingredients. He cracked eggs on her, dusted her with brown sugar, then dumped flour all over her! It was a squishy, sticky mess! In the end, he licked off more of himself than of her\ufffd Elizabeth looked to the mirror at the mess that was her and when she pounded her fist on her bed, dust flew everywhere! *** No more big men for her! Their appetites were oppressive! When her friend queried her about it, she only declared an aversion to apple pie and swore never to eat it again! Elizabeth Elliot rolled her eyes in the mirror as the stylist tried to do something with her hair\ufffd To be continued\ufffd"}, {"response": 600, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Wed, Dec  6, 2000 (05:28)", "body": "It was a squishy, sticky mess! In the end, he licked off more of himself than of her! *roaring* Hilarious, Dani, thank you for a morning of complete break down!!;-)"}, {"response": 601, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Wed, Dec  6, 2000 (05:35)", "body": "....and the title, Louisa, the title, another droolism. ROTFLOL!"}, {"response": 602, "author": "Teg", "date": "Wed, Dec  6, 2000 (06:00)", "body": "Hee hee! Dani, I know you told us some hilarious stories in Chicago but your preface about these episodes really happening... hooey!! Puts a new spin on it! Oh dear.. just reminded me that I'm baking this weekend. ... but NO pies!! :D"}, {"response": 603, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Wed, Dec  6, 2000 (17:48)", "body": "Elizabeth Elliot\ufffds Sexcapades! Sexcapade #2 *** \"I\ufffdve heard stories\ufffd\" Mrs. Clay began. \"That there are more ways to a man\ufffds heart than through his stomach\ufffd\" Elizabeth was all ears. \"Do tell?!\" \"Well, there was this one time that I\ufffd er, that a friend of mine had\ufffd\" *** Elizabeth sat in her car, a few blocks away from her rendezvous, in near hysterics! The plan was a good one - she would sneak into his 1 st floor apartment window and pretend to be an attacker. He loved aggressive women! She had pulled up in the parking lot and crept into the bushes by his window; he always liked fresh air, so he kept it open. Stealthily she pushed it up far enough so that she could thrust herself through. Since she heard noises from within, she figured that he had caught onto her game and was playing along with it. She heard \ufffdOh please?! Oh God, please?!\ufffd spew from his mouth, as though he was afraid. All was dark as she slipped inside the frame; she maneuvered around the chair that was placed in front of the window, although she had bumped into a table or something. A lengthy courtship of 1 1/2 weeks had acquainted her with his bedroom. The voice was raised again in agony, \ufffdOh GOD No! Give it to me ba y\ufffd RIGHT NOW!\ufffd Her eyesight had nearly adjusted to the darkness, she crossed to the bed to see a figure sitting astride it, writhing and bouncing! Eager for her own desires, Elizabeth grabbed at the figure and a shriek of alarm resounded in the night! A female shriek of alarm\ufffd Who knew George Wickham was married?! *** She would kill him later! Of that she was confident! But for now, Elizabeth Elliot had no man and there were plenty of parties to attend during the long summer months\ufffd She fibbed to her friend and said they had great sex, but they just didn\ufffdt run around in the same circles. To be continued\ufffd"}, {"response": 604, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Wed, Dec  6, 2000 (17:50)", "body": "That tag slipped, it's supposed to say ...\ufffdOh GOD No! Give it to me baby\ufffd RIGHT NOW!\ufffd Drat!"}, {"response": 605, "author": "Teg", "date": "Wed, Dec  6, 2000 (19:02)", "body": "I'm sure the three people involved used stronger language than 'Drat!' LOL!! No, no! That wasn't Lydia, was it???? hahahahahahaha!! I don't know who screamed louder!"}, {"response": 606, "author": "gailw", "date": "Thu, Dec  7, 2000 (08:28)", "body": "Loving these tidbits Dani. Can't wait for more! Getting some very interesting ideas!"}, {"response": 607, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Thu, Dec  7, 2000 (12:32)", "body": "*chuckle* again,...awwwwwwww poor Elizabeth.....NOT! Not even Wickham does she deserve....!! I love these titbits too. I knew that there was something afoot;-))More, more and soon, please! I hope your ideas develop fast, Gail...I mean we still wait for the continuation of The Wedding Singer and of course WMM!!"}, {"response": 608, "author": "gailw", "date": "Thu, Dec  7, 2000 (14:59)", "body": "Sorry - no time to write between a major project at work and getting ready for the holidays. But I am taking Christmas week off and will finish writing WMM. I don't think I'm going to write any more on The Wedding Singer. I'll just let the version on DWG stand as is."}, {"response": 609, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Thu, Dec  7, 2000 (17:51)", "body": "Elizabeth Elliot\ufffds Sexcapades! Sexcapade #3 *** Oh, he\ufffds going to be a big star one day!\" Mrs. Clay gushed. \"You had better make him fall in love with you fast\ufffd\" she implied. \"But how do I do that?\" \"Well\ufffd *** He had chosen her to be his date for the premier to the newest release! And she was so excited! Excited, because they had never met, but he had heard all about her and decided to ring her up, he said\ufffd She accepted, of course! His name had been bandied about the news as the newest up-and-coming attraction in the theatre. She had worn a simple, yet elegant Vera Wang gown in the palest of purple, making her look the princess! He was debonair and attentive throughout the course of the evening. So when he invited to hot tub at his place in Bel Air, she was delighted. Of course, she had packed no swimwear, so this entendre would be au natural! Prior to making love, he had asked her what was her best side and she advised him that she particularly liked the right side of her face. Gushing, she assumed, that he thought she might be good enough to be in the movies! In the middle of making love, she cried out that she was nearing one of he multiple orgasms, and he yelled \ufffdDid you get all that, Chris?!\ufffd She was heartbroken and appalled and embarrassed! Elizabeth had run through the house, dripping wet, holding her clothes across her chest to cover her nakedness! People, she knew not who, were laughing as she streaked (literally) out the door! Who knew that John Willoughby was a porn star and that she was making her debut?! *** She called her lawyers after her tearful bout and they assured her that all would be well\ufffd Elizabeth Elliot had not shown her face for a few days, praying that the papers had not got wind of it. It was not considered newsworthy by even such as the likes of the Enquirer\ufffd She had declared revenge! However, she fabricated to her friend that he was simply \ufffdall talk and no show!\ufffd To be continued\ufffd"}, {"response": 610, "author": "gailw", "date": "Fri, Dec  8, 2000 (07:39)", "body": "Dani, surely that cannot be a true story....can it? Is there any significance to the different colours you use in these vignettes?"}, {"response": 611, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Fri, Dec  8, 2000 (17:45)", "body": "Elizabeth Elliot's Sexcapades! Sexcapade #4 *** \"Have you any sexy lingerie?\" asked Mrs. Clay. \"I have some elegant nighties, if that's what you mean,\" offered Elizabeth. \"Let's see them.\" She opened her special drawer, pulled a few out and passed them along to her friend. \"These will not do at all!\" Elizabeth pouted. \"Yes, they are exquisite, but they lack... the basest, I mean, the basic arousal factors. I'll take you shopping tomorrow and we can pick up a few things...\" *** Her evening was a complete disaster! Wearing a thong was a bit risqu\u00e9, but a leather one, all day, was excruciating! Oh, Robert Ferrars was aroused; he had secret fantasies of being whipped like a puppy and made to obey like the bad little boy that he is... So she had worn a dominatrix get-up to get them in the mood... And those nipple clips...! Who knew that they were for him as an object of torture?! But his wide-eyed anticipation and whimperings made her go on with their little role-playing. However, with every movement, the pain became more piercing! His disappointment, when she could not even raise the cat-o-nine-tails against his bare ass, was quite evident and he turned back into the arrogant prick that he is and tossed her, unceremoniously, out the door. Around midnight, Elizabeth practically crawled through the front door. It hurt to move that mu h! Whenever, IF ever, she reached her room, she was going to toss this apparatus in the trash! *** Although a few weeks had passed, Elizabeth Elliot was still smarting from the friction scars in her nether regions; she was game for another try. She had lied about the whole incident when questioned by her friend, but feigned insouciance at her rapidly changing beau. To be continued..."}, {"response": 612, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Fri, Dec  8, 2000 (17:49)", "body": "All true stories, Gail! Seriously! Perhaps the gentlemen's situations/responses don't apply, but these stories are all true! The colors don't mean that much, just to separate the conversations between EE and Mrs. Clay in blue, while the red is how the evening went."}, {"response": 613, "author": "Teg", "date": "Fri, Dec  8, 2000 (20:45)", "body": "Ah, I still cringe when thinking that these things really happened to people! What a sheltered life I've led!! Oh, I miscounted at first, but I think the next chapter is my fave. ;)"}, {"response": 614, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Dec  9, 2000 (10:53)", "body": "Oh these stories are amusing, Danielle. I'm enjoying each one. But what do you mean they're all true? Are you changing the names to protect the innocent? ;-) Either way, I do like your choice of words - However, she fabricated to her friend that he was simply \ufffdall talk and no show!\ufffd I wonder if you have a sexcapade for Mr. Collins."}, {"response": 615, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sat, Dec  9, 2000 (11:43)", "body": "Um, Teg... I changed the order. So you'll just have to wait for your favorite. Heide, I'm glad you're enjoying these. No Mr. Collins, sorry, he was replaced by Elton, but if I think of any more, I will certainly try to abuse him... er, use him. This next one is one of my favorites and every time I think of it or see her, I can't help but smile... Elizabeth Elliot's Sexcapades! Sexcapade #5 *** \"He asked me to fly out to London to see him!\" Elizabeth cheered. \"Really?!\" Mrs. Clay returned gleefully. \"I have to run and pack!\" She ran up the stairs. \"He's paying for the ticket and my flight leaves in less than 3 hours!\" Her friend yelled after her. \"I have a special little something for you to take with you! I'll just run home and get it...\" *** Elizabeth dabbed at her swollen eyes. The flight from L.A. to New York's LaGuardia was uneventful, but at least she had someone to talk to. Unfortunately, the flight from N.Y. to London was only 30% filled and dreadfully boring! She fiddled around with the contents in her makeup bag - the little gift she received from her friend rolled precariously across her 48-color eye shadow case. She had received explicit instruction on the use of the gift and now that it was in her sights, she felt extremely horny and impatient to find true pleasure... She grabbed the gift and ran into the bathroom! Any number of stewards and stewardesses that had passed the toilet had heard the moans and groans from within... One of them knocked and asked 'Is everything all right in there?' She quickly paused in her activity and calmed herself before answering 'Yes!' A few minutes later, she exited from the bathroom looking flushed yet satisfied. She stum led to her seat and for the rest of the flight remained tranquil, although her white knuckled grip on the armrest during turbulence may have given her away... Hours later, she walked through the airport in a slow breezy stroll, just so as not to cause any untoward behavior for herself. She stood in the International Line biding her time as they checked passports, etc. Then it was her turn through the detectors... A buzzer went off. 'Madam could you come back, please?' She blushed 'Sure!' She went through the detector once more and the buzzer went off again! She took off her jewelry the 3 rd time - same result. The 4 th time, she removed her gold belt and shoes. The 5 th time through, she had nothing else to remove. They pulled her over to a corner and waved a metal detecting wand - it beeped repeatedly when it came near her... pelvic area. 'Madam... are you...?' 'Absolutely not!' she wailed. Too embarrassed to admit that she was transporting Ben-Wa Balls... in her vagina, they scorted her to the Office and called Interpol. She was trapped in Heathrow Airport's Security Office and might possible be thrown in jail for concealing a weapon or terrorism! And poor, Henry Crawford thought he had been stood up and never called her again... *** The summer was nearly over now... Elizabeth Elliot had had just about enough from the men she knew! When her friend picked her up at LAX and asked her what happened, she merely sniffed that she felt queasy, probably something she consumed on the plane, and returned home... To be coninued..."}, {"response": 616, "author": "Teg", "date": "Sat, Dec  9, 2000 (15:12)", "body": "Oh, sure! Tease me by changing the order! LOL!! Maybe you've put it last now? I can't even imagine the complete and utter embarrassment at the Interpol office. And, of course, upon disclosure of the truth, Elizabeth would be free to go while the officers vainly tried to stop from falling on the floor with laughter!!"}, {"response": 617, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Sat, Dec  9, 2000 (16:36)", "body": "*guffaw* ROTFLOLTIME...it is another Arabian Nights;-)) Jolly good, Dani...I have waited patiently and you have given, thank you!!!! Tease me by changing the order! I don't care in which order they come as long as they do!!"}, {"response": 618, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sun, Dec 10, 2000 (19:49)", "body": "okay... here ya go, Teg! Elizabeth Elliot's Sexcapades! Sexcapade #6 *** \"What are you wearing tonight?\" asked Mrs. Clay. Elizabeth glanced in her closet. \"I'm not sure...\" \"Have you ever tried...\" *** Elizabeth banged her head on the steering wheel! Why did she ever agree to go out with the stupidest man alive?! He had been chasing her for months now... he even liked her new haircut! So she agreed to go out with him. They drove in his expensive to car to Rodeo Drive for dinner and she agreed to go to his apartment for a nightcap. All was going well, when he suggested to a little foreplay of the peculiar kind. Fool that she was, she agreed to it. She lay on the bed in all her nakedness (except her stilettos) and he rubbed her down with oils. He was all thumbs, but it felt so good to have his hands all over her body that she ignored his clumsiness. Then he asked her to stand as he wrapped her in cellophane. She had heard of the game and complied with his wishes; eager to know how it would come out in the end. He was dizzy as he ran around her body with the industrial strength wrap. After he had used the whole roll, he fell exha sted onto the bed. 'What now?' she asked. 'I don't know,' he said. 'I never heard the end of the story...' She frowned and rolled her eyes. 'Okay, then unwrap me.' He looked around but could not find the seam, he tugged and pulled, but it only got tighter. 'Cut me out of this!' 'With what?' he inquired. 'Don't you have a knife, scissors?!' 'I just moved in here yesterday, my stuff hasn't come yet.' She screamed at him! When she had done, he threw her purse around her neck, gave her one of his raincoats and watched her bounce down the steps... Thank goodness she had left the top down on her car! She managed to toss herself into the front seat... There was a pair of nail clippers in her purse, but how was she ever to reach it? *** Elizabeth Elliot could not go swimming for a few days; she could not even entertain! That Saran Wrap had bruised her skin tremendously as she wriggled herself out of it. She made a household rule that there shall never be any leftovers! To be continued..."}, {"response": 619, "author": "Teg", "date": "Mon, Dec 11, 2000 (06:30)", "body": "ROTF!! Thanks, Dani!! I just love that image of her snipping the Saran Wrap with nail clippers! LOL!! Even better, trying to get those nail clippers out of the purse with her teeth and manipulating them with her lips to actually start snipping! Bouncing down the steps! Hahahahaha! Are you sure he wasn't Mr. Collins? ;)"}, {"response": 620, "author": "gailw", "date": "Mon, Dec 11, 2000 (08:13)", "body": "She made a household rule that there shall never be any leftovers! Too funny Dani!! I still find it difficult to believe these are true!! I have also led a sheltered life I guess. Or else my friends have just been too embarrassed to tell all?"}, {"response": 621, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Mon, Dec 11, 2000 (12:29)", "body": "*ROARING* Dani, these snippets are priceless,...I have walked around with a grin on my face all morning!! Vivid imagination, Teg...but then I knew that;-D Elizabeth as a roll mob;....we do that in PE with toilet paper though!!;-) *bwahahahah*"}, {"response": 622, "author": "icappleg", "date": "Mon, Dec 11, 2000 (17:12)", "body": "Ahem . . . two new chapters to \"Having Nothing, Nothing Can He Lose\" are out there. I'll also post them to this group. BUT, having been gone so long, a refresher of the plot may be in order . . . The story up to this point, and including the new chapters, is at: http://home.hiwaay.net/~icappleg/Darcy/nchl/nchl.html Also, thanks for keeping me in your thoughts. I appreciate it! Irene"}, {"response": 623, "author": "icappleg", "date": "Mon, Dec 11, 2000 (17:13)", "body": "Having Nothing, Nothing Can He Lose Chapter 39 Pemberley. Darcy, as always, was staring out the carriage window as the first glorious view of the house and gardens sprang from behind a gentle curve, accosting all who would pass through unaffected. But the scene had long lost its effect on Darcy; the magic and beauty of the lands were lost on him, as he made mental notes to discuss with the gardener. Elizabeth clamped her hand over her mouth, suppressing a snort of laughter, as she watched Mary's reaction to the splendor. Her eyes got bigger, and yet bigger as they approached Pemberley -- and Lizzy wondered that Mary's eyes didn't completely drop out of her head altogether. \"Oh, my,\" Mary stammered. She glanced over at Elizabeth, her jaw hanging open. \"Oh, my,\" was all Mary could utter again. The carriage pulled up to the house, and Darcy sprang out. Suddenly remembering his manners, he turned and assisted Mary and Elizabeth out of the carriage. It had been a peaceful trip; on their arrival, Darcy was not dragged down with exhaustion and headache as he had been on his trip to Pemberley with Mrs. Wickham. Mary, indeed, was Darcy's favorite Bennett sister, save Elizabeth, although Darcy never said or did anything to indicate the favoritism. Stepping out of the carriage, Mary was overwhelmed by Pemberley while a sinking despair almost caused her to weep with grief. Being rather plain, she knew she could not compete with her other sisters in wit, beauty, or talent. Instinctively, she had turned inward, scorning the sparkle of her sisters, while longing to be graceful and free. The ugly, ignored child, longing for once -- just once -- to feel . . . she didn't know. And now there was Pemberley, towering over her in ridicule for her homeliness, her dullness, her complete lack of any grace or beauty a palace such as Pemberley demanded. Staring at the pavement, blinking back tears, Mary concentrated on Darcy's voice as he started issuing orders and strode away, practically glued to someone who appeared to be a combination between a valet and an executive secretary. Elizabeth threaded her arm through Mary's, noticing that Mary looked ill. \"We shall settle you inside directly,\" Elizabeth said, steering her toward the house. \"You suddenly look very ill . . .\" \"Oh, no, I am well,\" Mary replied, pulling herself together and straightening her back. \"Such an ostentatious display of worldly wealth, however . . .\" Elizabeth unconsciously released Mary's arm and adjusted her hat as the rest of Mary's impromptu sermon went unheeded."}, {"response": 624, "author": "icappleg", "date": "Mon, Dec 11, 2000 (17:14)", "body": "Having Nothing, Nothing Can He Lose, Chapter 40 Darcy rushed into his dressing room, tossed the mail on top of a bureau, and pulled off his coat. He stood, scrunching his forehead with his fingers, his mind tearing through the huge list of orders he needed to issue. Finally, he shrugged, giving up. He didn't miss anything; he never did. Taking up the mail, he crossed over into the bedroom, and sat on the edge of the bed. Flipping through the large stack of mail, he groaned inwardly as he noticed three addressed from London. One was addressed from an investigator; the others had obviously come from his mother, dated several weeks apart. *** I don't want to know. I'm tired. *** Darcy pushed the two envelopes away, but sat staring at them. *** I really don't want to know. *** He picked up the letters. He read the investigator's report first. Mrs. Wickham, indeed, had arrived at London only to find herself completely unprepared and alone. After making a few inquiries, she was devastated over her dear husband's abandonment and proceeded to wander the streets, stunned. Finally coming to herself and gathering her small resources, she bought a few meager rations, and went to her old associates and creditors, begging fruitlessly for assistance. As darkness fell, her last hope for shelter -- the debtor's prison -- also turned her away. Desperate and tired, she turned into the doorway of a small chapel next to the prison. Darcy skimmed over the remaining details. The central point was that the investigator saw that Mrs. Wickham had been taken in by the Church, and so did not make himself known nor offer aid as Darcy had instructed him to, should Mrs. Wickham find herself completely desolate. Darcy wasn't pleased, but after rereading the report several times and mentally picturing the area of London, Darcy satisfied himself that Mrs. Wickham may be uncomfortable, but was not in harm's way; plus, she could hypothetically be found by anyone determined to find her. If such a seeker had access to skilled investigative services . . . Darcy folded the report and turned it in his hands . . . if such a seeker had the extensive resources to cover London with the needed investigators . . . Darcy put the report away, as Mr. Bennett's angry words resonated through his head once more: \"You have no loyalty . . . certainly not to your family. And now you offer to go to London? I think not, Sir! Your attitude toward my daughter Lydia these past weeks has been insufferable; I wonder that she did not run away before now . . .\" Darcy returned to the bed and sat on the edge, his head in his hands, plans spinning through his head. *** First, to send this to Mr. Bennett . . . then, to . . . *** His mind went blank. *** I'm just so -- tired. Any assistance from me is clearly unwanted. I just . . . give up. *** Darcy's shoulders sagged. He could rush in, take things over, get things done, but to what end? More resentment and castigation from Mr. Bennett, while the expectations of him are raised crisis after crisis? Laying back on the bed, Darcy put an arm over his face, covering his eyes. He heard shuffling and could faintly hear Elizabeth talking to her maid in her bedroom. Darcy thought it was strange. He thought surely the afternoon would be spent with Miss Bennett talking about . . . well, whatever it was that ladies found to talk about. *** Perhaps Miss Bennett is tired. Tired . . . *** That reminded Darcy. He sat up, took his mother's letters in hand, and opened the one dated most recently. It was a brief missive, to let Darcy know that Mrs. Wickham was under her ministry's care, receiving her personal attention, and that the relationship between herself and Mr. Darcy would not be disclosed. He broke the seal on the first letter, which was dated before Mrs. Wickham's disappearance, and instantly surmised that it was a response to his letter written to her the night of his and Elizabeth's arrival at Netherfield. My Dear Will, the letter began. I am dreadfully sorry to hear of poor Mr. and Mrs. Bingley's loss. My heart truly reaches out to them, as I feel the loss of my own children -- though the fault in that case is entirely my own. The Church of England does indeed teach that Revelation, chapter 21, from which Mr. Bingley read, is to be taken literally. That is, at Christ's return, everything will be made right and all sorrows will be passed. I cling to that hope personally, or the grief of having abandoned my family as well as the grief I see each day in ministry, would be more than I could bear. I could not impose my beliefs unto another, however; for it is for each person to make his own peace with God, as I suspect Mr. Bingley was trying to do in the wake of losing small Elizabeth. And, in a way, as you were trying to do in writing to me. There are no simple answers, no pat cliches that answer the string of trouble known as life. I think for you to have answered Mr. Bingley's queries honestly, as you did, was the best course though"}, {"response": 625, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Mon, Dec 11, 2000 (17:57)", "body": "Ack, Irene! Glad to see you again! thank for posting! Here's another sexcapade... Elizabeth Elliot's Sexcapades! Sexcapade #7 *** \"He's a man among men! Tall, dark, handsome, mysterious...\" \"What does he do?\" asked Mrs. Clay. \"Well... right now, he's a Captain in the Navy, but he has a large trust fund...\" \"So, when he decides to settle down...?\" \"I'm going to be rich!\" Mrs. Clay nodded. \"Have you slept with him yet?\" \"No,\" she whined. \"I haven't even been to his apartment yet...\" \"Do you know his address?\" Elizabeth nodded. \"Well, then! One night I... um, I was thinking that you could...\" *** Elizabeth sobbed in her pillows until she had no more tears to spend! Of all the embarrassing escapades, this was possibly the worst! He had called on Monday to ask her out on Friday... She was all giddy! That man would look good on her arms for the remainder of the summer! Unfortunately, he had called on Thursday to cancel; he said that he had some family business to take care of. She sulked, she pouted, she whined, but only to herself. To him, she only said 'Okay'... because she had a plan. The irony of the situation was quite delicious! She would wear John Thorpe's raincoat to her new conquest's house. She had buzzed up on the outside intercom to his place and a surprised voice let her in. So terribly eager was she that she could not wait for the elevator, she took the stairs and ran up them joyfully! She knocked on the door; he looked through the peephole and opened the door. To her shock and his surprise, it was not Captain Tilney that greeted her at the door! She stood immobile; arms flung wide open as the coat hung vicariously from her right hand. Only until he wiped the drool from his chin did she realize she had been standing in front of a total stranger with nothing on but a blush! The Captain, who had just walked off the elevator, did nothing but laugh... She pounded the pillow in frustration... Why, oh why, did the General have to show up on this night?! *** Elizabeth Elliot refused the Captain's calls; she also refused the General's repeated invites! She kept a low profile for a few weeks or so. However, when asked by her friend, she only admitted to interrupting a family dinner and that the General was more... attentive than his son was. To be continued..."}, {"response": 626, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Mon, Dec 11, 2000 (18:19)", "body": "Now I can respond to Irene's chapters... Poor Darcy! I wonder how Mr. Bennet will react once he receives the investigation report? Will he apologize? Or will he seek Darcy out again when Lydia does something else stupid? What is Mary's problem? The former Mrs. Darcy is laying it on thick, isn't she? But then... who could blame her for wanting to be back in her children's lives? *sigh* Our dear boy has so much to think about!"}, {"response": 627, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Tue, Dec 12, 2000 (03:51)", "body": "Irene, great to have you back!! ODB is knee-deep in difficult issues,.....will he ever learn to share! Mrs Darcy sr is right he has to work this out for himself first, and then perhaps...... Please go on, Irene!!"}, {"response": 628, "author": "gailw", "date": "Tue, Dec 12, 2000 (09:10)", "body": "How wonderful - 2 chapters from Irene and another Sexcapade! I am in raptures! So nice to hear from you Irene. I hope this means you are feeling at least a little bit well. We have waited eagerly for more of your intriguing story."}, {"response": 629, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Tue, Dec 12, 2000 (17:47)", "body": ""}, {"response": 630, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Tue, Dec 12, 2000 (18:45)", "body": "Elizabeth Elliot's Sexcapades! Sexcapade #8 \"I'm trying a different tactic.\" \"And that is...?\" Mrs. Clay questioned. \"I want a nice young man that wants to make me his wife...\" \"So you chose HIM?\" \"Yes!\" she defended. \"He's sweet, has a little pocket money, not much, but enough and he's inexperienced.\" \"Is he gay?\" \"No! Um, I don't know. I'm not sure.\" \"Why don't you know? Hasn't he even tried anything with you yet?\" \"No,\" she sulked. \"Okay, so he might be a virgin, but I think you'd want to make sure he's on the straight and narrow... right?\" \"Right...\" \"Well, let me tell you about something I've tried... *cough* I've read about...\" *** Elizabeth Elliot looked good in red, however, not when it covered her face, neck, and arms in a crimson blush! The memory, only a few moments old, was still agonizing to recount... Her father had gone off to Acapulco for some sun and fun and her spinster sister had gone to stay with their other sister. The house was hers and hers alone for the night! She had promised him a night that he would never forget... She had the cook prepare a scrumptious meal full of aphrodisiac foods along with a smooth bottle of Chianti. They ate, they talked, they necked, and before they got carried away, she had pushed him off and ran upstairs to change into something more... comfortable. From the top of the winding stairs, she beckoned him sweetly. He had calmly, or as calmly as he could muster, walked up the first set, then as he turned on the landing to go up to the second set - he froze. The sight rocked him to his very core! His dream woman was standing naked at the top of the stairs with a... strap-on... male appendage! A moment after regaining the ability of his tongue, he shrieked to the high heavens and ran screaming from the house. She heard him exclaiming as he ran down the street 'Hail Mary! Virgin Mother of Jesus Christ! SAVE ME?!?!' Philip Elton took his vows for priesthood the next morning! *** In the middle of night, she could still hear his pleas! Elizabeth, herself, was quite shaken by the incident and made a solemn vow that she would never be in the same room with another man again! She would be a nun... yeah, that's right... a NUN! That lasted about two weeks when it was obvious to everyone that she had 'ants in her pants and she needed to dance!' To be continued..."}, {"response": 631, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (17:50)", "body": "Elizabeth Elliot's Sexcapades! Sexcapade #9 *** \"I like this man!\" exclaimed Mrs. Clay. \"He's exactly what I need... um, what I think you need!\" \"He is very charming...\" \"And attentive,\" she reminded. \"And he's handsome, well-dressed, has money, smells good, and his breath is always fresh... er, he's exactly what you need.\" \"And, he's a friend of Daddy's,\" Elizabeth smiled dreamily. \"Maybe, this one will work out... Otherwise, I might give up.\" \"Let's not even think of that! Anyway, I have a few suggestions for your first night together...\" *** Elizabeth, with her head between her legs, answered all the questions the police officer posed to her... The searing pain in her nether regions had nearly faded, but she had blocked that out a few minutes after she drove her car through the front door of an unsuspecting couple's home! This was to be her 3 rd date with William Elliot (no relation)! He would cook his specialty for her; they would lounge in front of a roaring fire and sip wine and talk and make love! But she would go the ends of the earth to please him! Taking the advice from her friend about his always having fresh breath and possibly a little tongu-play, she made a stop at a local drug store to pick up a few breathmints. She had never tried these ones, but they were in a pretty package and she was in a hurry. At a stoplight, she opened the package, and inserted one... The next thing you know, she felt a blinding rage that spread from her seat to her hea . Her foot had pressed hard on the accelerator and she sped through the neighborhood! As she waited on her family to pick her up from the wreckage, she read the infamous breathmints package - it said 'ALTOIDS. Curiously Strong... and never to be inserted into the vagina!' *** Elizabeth Elliot when questioned by her family, gushed that she felt like she was having some sort of attack and that she would check in with her OB/GYN the next day... *** Epilogue Elizabeth Elliot had learned from her mistakes and there would be some immediate changes in her life! One - she would never take advice from Mrs. Clay again! And Two - from this moment on, she did not need to please a man, they would please her! Nevertheless, in the words of Jane Austen, ' It would be well for the eldest sister if she were equally satisfied with her situation, for a change is not very probable there. She had soon the mortification of seeing Mr. Elliot withdraw, and no one of proper condition has since presented himself to raise even the unfounded hopes which sunk with him. ' THE END! Unless some of you have some more... stories for me...?"}, {"response": 632, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (19:59)", "body": "Someone pointed out to me that Secapade #6 (Saran wrap) had no villian... It was supposed to have John Thorpe's name in there somewhere! ARGH! Heide/Karen/Leanne, could you be a doll(s), when you place this in the archives, and replace 'She screamed at him!'with 'She screamed at John Thorpe!' near the end of the act? or should I repost? I'm most obliged..."}, {"response": 633, "author": "lg", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (21:37)", "body": "(Dani) Heide/Karen/Leanne, could you be a doll(s), when you place this in the archives, and replace 'She screamed at him!'with 'She screamed at John Thorpe!' near the end of the act? Will do! <seated half-bow> (Dani) or should I repost? No, no need! Thoroughly enjoying these, BTW!!"}, {"response": 634, "author": "gailw", "date": "Thu, Dec 14, 2000 (08:50)", "body": "(Dani) Unless some of you have some more... stories for me...? Oh my, I don't think so. My life has been positively chaste compared to these stories!!"}, {"response": 635, "author": "Teanna", "date": "Thu, Dec 14, 2000 (15:42)", "body": "*delurking* Um, hi! I thought I should finally delurk here, after a looong time of, eh, reading and blushing (happy blushing, I mean). Some of you know (well, know of) me from DWG and the Gate, but now that I've finally dared to post something a bit more... rated... at the Gate, I thought I should jump in here and say it was all our great stories that made me start writing, eh, stuff. - Tea"}, {"response": 636, "author": "Teanna", "date": "Thu, Dec 14, 2000 (16:56)", "body": "Sorry, YOUR great stories, of course!"}, {"response": 637, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Thu, Dec 14, 2000 (18:48)", "body": "Thanks bunches, Leanne! *smooch!* Welcome Tea! Welcome, welcome! Feel free to put YOUR stories here too! (Gail) My life has been positively chaste compared to these stories!! Um... I beg to differ. you did a fine job with your stories, especially 'what matters most'. there must have been some practical application, somewhere...?"}, {"response": 638, "author": "gailw", "date": "Fri, Dec 15, 2000 (08:34)", "body": "(Dani)there must have been some practical application, somewhere...? Well, I have been married for many years so I can claim some experience. No offense intended to my dear husband, but I also have a vivid imagination! However, in comparison, even my wild & crazy younger days were quite tame next to those of your friends and acquaintances (and perhaps yourself as well?)who inspired these stories."}, {"response": 639, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Fri, Dec 15, 2000 (17:57)", "body": "...(Gail) No offense intended to my dear husband, but I also have a vivid imagination! LOL! Don't we all? (Gail) However, in comparison, even my wild & crazy younger days were quite tame next to those of your friends and acquaintances (and perhaps yourself as well?)who inspired these stories. Although I might not be ashamed to claim a wild & crazy younger day, I cannot. Unfortunately, I was the 'inhibited one'. In my old age, I am much wiser due to my friends and family's follies, so IF I have tried any of these things I could only hope for a better result..."}, {"response": 640, "author": "gailw", "date": "Mon, Dec 18, 2000 (08:01)", "body": "OK sure, Dani. So that's your story and you're sticking to it."}, {"response": 641, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Mon, Dec 18, 2000 (18:11)", "body": "I am."}, {"response": 642, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (03:59)", "body": "*smirk*"}, {"response": 643, "author": "sarah19", "date": "Thu, Dec 21, 2000 (12:08)", "body": "(teanna)Some of you know (well, know of) me from DWG and the Gate. What is the Gate and what is it's web address? I'm very curious."}, {"response": 644, "author": "Teg", "date": "Thu, Dec 21, 2000 (18:28)", "body": "Here's the Gate's address, Sarah: http://www.insidetheweb.com/mbs.cgi/mb752769 It's an alternative site for stories/chapters, some of which are above the DWG recommended rating of PG. It's not confined to Austen, either. Lots of good reading there. :)"}, {"response": 645, "author": "sarah19", "date": "Thu, Dec 21, 2000 (18:37)", "body": "Thanks Teg!"}, {"response": 646, "author": "ilovedarcy", "date": "Sat, Dec 30, 2000 (11:30)", "body": "Hello, hello! A belated Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Joyous Kwanza and etc. to all...and, while I'm at it, an early HAPPY 2001!!! Since there have been no posts for awhile, and since there is a huge blizzard going on outside my home rendering me unable to leave it, I thought a post-Christmas interlude might be welcome. :) Maybe this will inspire the regulars...(hint*hint) THE COLDNESS OF WINTER All was dark and fairly quiet at Pemberley Estate, save for the discreet bustling of a few members of the staff as late-night duties were carried out...but they would be finished, soon enough. Taking away, also, from the stillness of the grand house, was the master and new mistress as they talked in the library. The healthy fire had been kindled right after dinner, and though it was almost eleven thirty, it still crackled invitingly in the grate. Fitzwilliam Darcy and his bride sat on a studded leather couch in a comfortable sort of mesh: Darcy slightly reclining in the corner of the couch nearest to the fire and Elizabeth nestled in between his outstretched legs, her head on his chest, his arms around her slender waist, their fingers intertwined or her hands resting on his arms while his palms rested on her stomach. This position had become a favorite with the newlyweds in the short first weeks of their marriage. It afforded each comfort and the pleasure of being close. It was only the sixteenth day of the Darcy's married lives, and yet sitting thus had already led to many a session of fervent and tender lovemaking. William Darcy's moist lips found their way to his lady's white neck, and Elizabeth sighed contentedly. The curve where her neck met her delicate collarbone, where her lavender scent seemed to linger the strongest, was one of her husband's favorite places to kiss. The skin was so soft, so warm, and the arch of her delicate neck was ever so tempting. He wet his lips once more and breathed words of love against Elizabeth's skin. His warm breath against her moist neck sent a shiver through her, and she cuddled closer to her husband. \"My darling, see the snow fall...\" he kissed her shoulder twice, slowly \"...how beautiful it is, and how the sight of it is enhanced by having you in my arms...\" he lightly sucked the side of her throat, softly kissing and licking her sweet flesh \"...you taste so good, you are so soft...\" five more kisses behind her ear \"...I love you. I love you so much...\" Elizabeth moaned lightly, and William was instantly aroused at this evidence of his beloved's gratification. He continued to drag his lips up and down her neck and shoulders ashe felt Elizabeth begin to softly undulate against his body. She felt his strong arms tighten around her hips as she moved up and down against his erection. She freed her fingers from his, longing to participate more actively in this delightful game of seduction. She reached up behind her and stroked her husband's soft hair, paying special attention to his scalp and the nape of his neck where her nimble and adept fingers stroked him. She kneaded his flesh lovingly as he deepened his kisses on her throat. She let out a long moan of pleasure and moved her hands lower. His arms needed special attention. Elizabeth caressed his muscled upper arms with adoration, and William began to warm her belly with strokes of his opened palms. His hands wandered without haste over her waist and perfectly curved hips. Elizabeth's breath quickened as her husband touched her thighs, first the top and then the inside. She wished her dress and undergarments off, so as to feel flesh on flesh...but that would come soon enough, she thought to herself. She raised herself up just enough to reciprocate her husband's touch. She boldly ventured to stroke his lean, hard thighs and his pelvic bone. She felt him tighten up slightly in anticipation of where she would touch him next, and although Elizabeth originally had wanted to tease him, she admitted to herself that she could not take much more either, and her fingers found his hard manhood. She stroked him up and down with purpose, and William ran his hands up over her breasts, circling her nipples through her dinner dress. \"Williammmm,\" Elizabeth groaned, \"don't stop. Don't stop, my love. Mmmm...\" Darcy was so inflamed by her womanly cries of pleasure that he placed his hands around Elizabeth's waist and turned her around so she was facing him. \"I want you,\" he murmured in deep, rich tones that made Elizabeth close her eyes in need. His mouth descended on hers passionately, and their tongues danced together with an urgency so heady that neither could stand it anymore. Darcy had his waistcoat and shirt off in a matter of seconds, and he helped Elizabeth with the buttons of her dress without removing his mouth from hers. They moaned and breathed heavily against each others' lips. \"Damn these buttons, Elizabeth...I want you now, I need to see you.\" Darcy, in a state of madness and lust, ripped Elizabeth's dress of her body. She tore"}, {"response": 647, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Sat, Dec 30, 2000 (12:25)", "body": "*fanning vigorously* What a nice anniversary present!! Thank you, Katharine!! HAPPY NEW YEAR"}, {"response": 648, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec 30, 2000 (12:52)", "body": "At last...a real Lizzie & Darcy story. Worth the wait.(I read it twice!) ...they glanced at the snow swirling around their home, aware of the coldness of winter and the warmth of their companionship and mutual adoration. What a lovely way for the newly-weds to spend a winter evening...and I bet there was a full moon outside:-)) Thanks Katherine."}, {"response": 649, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (01:43)", "body": "Oooh, thanks Katherine! What a lovely way to get warm on a cold winter night :-)."}, {"response": 650, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (09:19)", "body": "Love the stories set in the library. Thank you, Katherine, this was a marvelous read. While not hoping more snow for you (says she who is miserable with her own snow), I hope we see more stories from you. Brava!!"}, {"response": 651, "author": "ilovedarcy", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (11:03)", "body": "Ahh, thank you all so much for your kind responses!!! And Karen! I am sorry you aren't happy with your snow. For your sake, I hope it melts right away. I love snow and think it's beautiful, but at the same time, I am feeling cabin fever start to creep in. ;-) Happy New Year's Eve to all!"}, {"response": 652, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (11:18)", "body": "Love the stories set in the library. LOL. Even though they didn't \"read\" a lot;-) I hope we see more stories from you. Brava!! I second that! Katherine...go to it...:-))"}, {"response": 653, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (14:27)", "body": "Lovely Katherine. I hope we see more stories from you. Brava!! Count me in too."}, {"response": 654, "author": "sarah19", "date": "Mon, Jan  1, 2001 (04:22)", "body": "Wonderful story katherine, thank you.... Karen - {says she who is miserable with her own snow} HOw can you hate snow! :) It's snowing/sleeting here in Baton Rouge for the first time in 13 years. I'm loving it. Send your unwanted snow to me please. Sorry, i dont know how to do the italics thing. Help, please. Happy New Year!!! sarah"}, {"response": 655, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan  1, 2001 (08:43)", "body": "HOw can you hate snow! :) When it's a novelty, then it's nice, but when you've had snow nearly every single day for a month and have had to shovel not only your sidewalk, but the alley behind your garage and sweep your steep, full-story stairs...then it gets very tiresome and unwanted. Come and get it. I won't even try to get my car out of the alley now. ;-)"}, {"response": 656, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan  1, 2001 (12:13)", "body": "(Sarah) Sorry, i dont know how to do the italics thing. Help, please. Pssst...if you're nice to Karen, Drool host, she'll show you...and you can practice on #61 when no one is looking. Great fun:-) You can have my snow too, Sarah. Big Bore!"}, {"response": 657, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Mon, Jan  1, 2001 (13:45)", "body": "Having had any snow this winter,...I can't even remember the bother...All I have is a pretty, idyllic picture of snowflakes floating, whirling and settling;-))"}, {"response": 658, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan  1, 2001 (14:07)", "body": "The best and easiest place to learn how to do italics and the rest is at Ann's HTML tutorial: http://www.austen.com/tutorial/index.html"}, {"response": 659, "author": "sarah19", "date": "Mon, Jan  1, 2001 (14:31)", "body": "The best and easiest place to learn how to do italics and the rest is at Ann's HTML tutorial: Thanks for the help!!! Send your snow Evelyn and Karen. I'll gladly accept it."}, {"response": 660, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Mon, Jan  1, 2001 (18:50)", "body": "Katharine! Like Hanne... *fanning myself vigorously!* Whew! That surely warmed me up! Happy New Year to All!"}, {"response": 661, "author": "gailw", "date": "Tue, Jan  2, 2001 (08:11)", "body": "Happy New Year to All! Haven't had time to stop in since before the holidays and was very pleased to find Katharine's contribution. Thanks! It took some of the sting out of being back at work after a nice vacation."}, {"response": 662, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Sat, Jan 13, 2001 (06:39)", "body": "Helloh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh *wincing at the echo* Anybody here????? And I don't even have a joke I can pin on the P&P(Darcy/Elizabeth) plot!!;-("}, {"response": 663, "author": "ilovedarcy", "date": "Mon, Jan 15, 2001 (12:36)", "body": "Yes, Hanne! I agree wholeheartedly with you. For the longest time, I have come to check on the drool board, and there have been no new messages. Where is everyone??? *desperately in need of a story*"}, {"response": 664, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 15, 2001 (13:00)", "body": "Katherine....you let me down:-( I saw your name on the Drool message roster and ran up here in search of *your* story. C'mon now...give us another one.Pleeeze?"}, {"response": 665, "author": "gailw", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (09:12)", "body": "Wow, sure is quiet here!"}, {"response": 666, "author": "Echo", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (18:47)", "body": "Bliss. ;-)"}, {"response": 667, "author": "Teanna", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (19:55)", "body": "Dani, don't you have enough new material for another Sexcapade? Someone? Anyone? drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 131, "subject": "Bridget Jones's Diary - the ongoing saga (Part 2)", "response_count": 1940, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Apr  3, 2000 (12:32)", "body": "Wow we already reached the threshold???? (I like the ongoing saga;) v.v. BJ!"}, {"response": 2, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr  3, 2000 (12:45)", "body": "No, but we were getting close (1999 is the max), so you can go back to old one. ;-)"}, {"response": 3, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Apr  3, 2000 (14:57)", "body": "Eh, I like the new one;) BTW, Laura Zigman has new book out, Dating Big Bird. Just came out;)"}, {"response": 4, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Apr  3, 2000 (15:00)", "body": "Ah, here is some write-ups on it. It will be released April 11, 2000 Ellen Franck wants nothing more than to have a baby of her own. Already well into her thirties, she is beginning to fear that her \"gumball machine\" of eggs is getting low and that her time is running out. Unmarried and working in a fast-paced fashion-industry job, Ellen is dating Malcolm, an emotionally closed-off man who is so scarred by the death of his young son that he doesn't want any more children. Thus begins Ellen's search for a solution to her dilemma and the question she ultimately faces: Is she ready to have a baby by herself? Ellen's desire for a child is only fueled by the fact that she is surrounded by people having babies, including her boss, Karen, and her sister, Lynn. Lynn's first child, Nicole, is the ideal child in Ellen's eyes, and she spends every moment she can with Nicole, whom she has nicknamed \"the Pickle.\" Ellen's closest single friend, Amy, wants a child as much as Ellen does, and they spend most of their time together commiserating about their dead-end relationships and envying eople with children. Kristine Huntley From Kirkus Reviews A year-in-the-life of a single, Manhattan career woman intent on making babies before her ovarian ``gum-ball machine'' dispenses its last egg: a tale that makes for laughs and touching momentsif little insight. Thirty-five-year-old Ellen Franck lives the New York dream. The marketing genius behind a prestigious fashion designer, she rubs shoulders with the rich and famous, has a great apartment and a hectic social lifebut no baby. Career dedication left Ellen little time to ponder procreation... read more Book Description At thirty-five, Ellen Franck has a life many people dream about--a glamorous fashion industry job, an apartment in Greenwich Village, good friends--and yet Ellen is restless. Two years ago, the sight of her newborn niece, Nicole, (a.k.a. \"The Pickle\") made her realize what she was missing: a child of her own. But there's one problem. Malcolm, the man she loves, is too scarred by the long-ago death of his young son to ever consider fatherhood again."}, {"response": 5, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr  3, 2000 (16:14)", "body": "Since we're talking Laura Zigman, do you recognize her? Old Cow? New Cow? ;-)"}, {"response": 6, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Apr  4, 2000 (06:57)", "body": "Yep, but now she's Dating Big Bird!"}, {"response": 7, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Apr  4, 2000 (17:02)", "body": "Why does that cow have five teats?"}, {"response": 8, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Apr  5, 2000 (07:39)", "body": "(Arami)Why does that cow have five teats? Why not? (in cartoons, anything is possible!)"}, {"response": 9, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Wed, Apr  5, 2000 (16:10)", "body": "I came across this in the \"Sydney Telegraph\" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SINGLE LIFE IS \"SELFISH\" London: The Princess Royal has accused the single life of the so-called \"Bridget Jones generation\" of being \"plain selfish\". In an interview with The Times newspaper the Princess also said life was becoming in increasingly isolating. The life of the singleton was captured by the fictional character Bridget Jones in the best-selling book by British author Helen Fielding. But the Princess said the decision of single people to maximise their independence by living alone was \"no good\". \"Life in general nowadays is more and more isolating\" she said. \"It could mean just plain selfish\"."}, {"response": 10, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  5, 2000 (16:32)", "body": "Gaah! Do you think she has read the book?"}, {"response": 11, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr  5, 2000 (16:38)", "body": "The Royals are addicted to reading, plus she has a daughter who sports a pierced tongue. ;-)"}, {"response": 12, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Apr  5, 2000 (17:18)", "body": "London: The Princess Royal has accused the single life of the so-called \"Bridget Jones generation\" of being \"plain selfish\". Well, not everyone *must* produce heirs to the crown..."}, {"response": 13, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr  8, 2000 (23:23)", "body": "Here's the article: True Romance Fame has come full circle for Colin Firth. He won the heart of very woman in the country as Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. Now he's set to play Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones's Diary. A case of art imitating art\ufffd but without the sideburns William Leith Sunday April 9, 2000 The Observer Colin Firth! Mr Darcy! You cannot mention one of these names without the other following immediately. Both have been changed immeasurably, in the public eye, by their relationship with the other. Before the Firth treatment, Mr Darcy was seen as a dour, mildly unpleasant, if misunderstood character in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Before he was Darcy, Colin Firth was a tall, well-built English actor with an expressive face and a string of smouldering, half-forgotten characters behind him. He'd been Robert Lawrence, the wounded Falklands veteran; he'd been Valmont in the Milos Forman film of the same name; he'd been a nutcase in a Ruth Rendell crime drama. And then, in 1994, he was cast as Mr Darcy. What was so special about Mr Darcy? Women loved him. For a great part of the BBC's version in the story, he hung around in the background, not saying much. Firth did a lot of his acting with his eyes. Other characters talked a great deal about him while he was absent. Unlike a lot of male heroes, he was a mystery. He was in no way a feminised wimp. Late in the day, burning with passion and unfulfilled sexual desire, he jumped off his horse into a pond and emerged, his shirt dripping. What people remember is those mutton-chop sideburns flying through the air. For the entire Bridget Jones generation, this was a superb antidote to the dull, whining, noncommittal New Man of the 90s - and he didn't drink lager and go on about football all the time. Since then, Firth has become part of the zeitgeist. He has entered the language. After Darcy, of course, he was playing a 90s football fan - the Nick Hornby character in Fever Pitch. Next, rumour has it, he will play Mark Darcy in the film version of Bridget Jones's Diary. The official status of the rumour, according to a spokesperson from Working Title, the film's production company, is 'unconfirmed'. Still, it's pretty exciting. Bridget has already interviewed a fictional version of Firth himself in the second Bridget Jones book, The Edge of Reason. In the world of Colin Firth, art is beginning to copy art. At the moment of Darcy, Firth, who was 34, was wondering how much time he had left as a romantic lead. Having accepted the part, he said, 'I don't know how much longer that sort of character will be available to me.' Afterwards, he was stunned at the way people identified him with the character. 'I felt as if I'd lost my whole personality,' he says. He tells me: 'It's been very strange, this idea of Mr Darcy appealing so much to women. Because obviously, as you can see, I don't carry that around with me. I'm not so Mr Darcy every day of my life. If people expect to see a saturnine, dark, smouldering tall aristocrat, they are going to be disappointed.' At rest, Firth's face is set in a sort of handsome grimace, he looks easily haunted. The mouth turns slightly down; the bones of the face cast shadows. But his expressions change with almost no effort; as an acting tool, this is a highly strung face. One slight touch on the happy pedal and he beams; an iota of misery and he glowers. 'I never saw myself as Mr Ugly, but I'm not that handsome,' he told me. 'I can sort of be made to look quite a lot better or quite a lot worse.' I first meet Colin Firth, now 39, on the set of Donovan Quick, a forthcoming BBC television film in which, as usual, he plays an intense, edgy fellow who hides behind a mask of English reticence. He is genial and welcoming, and speaks in that unusual, slightly old-fashioned voice which is perfect for costume drama. That's his actual voice. In person, Firth is not at all like Darcy. There is no sense of menace. Firth's character, obsessed with the tyranny of a national bus company, starts his own. Firth spends the day patiently approaching the bus, and entering the bus, and entering the bus, over and over. He takes instructions from the director, David Blair, with absolute humility. Before we meet again, I catch him several times on TV. He's prolific, having made more than 30 films, and you can often get a glimpse of him late at night, in a youthful guise. Sometimes he has a caddish moustache. Early Firth looked jittery and worried. The mature, smouldering Firth came later. Firth is very English; he plays people who hide their emotions. He often appears melancholic. Firth himself had an unhappy childhood. He once said: 'I'm very suspicious of people who romanticise their childhood.' Firth is married to Livia Guiggioli, an Italian documentary maker. Nick Hornby describes her as 'joke-perfect: PhD, beautiful in that sultry Italian way, funny and vivacious'. She is also, he says, 'very good for Firth, because she's absolutely not in any thra"}, {"response": 14, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (03:51)", "body": "According to that, My Life So Far hasn't even opened in the UK yet?? Wasn't that filmed something like 4 years ago now??"}, {"response": 15, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (06:28)", "body": "I find that odd about _My Life So Far_ not being released in the UK. We saw it last fall (in the US) in an art house, of course. Not a multiplex."}, {"response": 16, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (11:16)", "body": "See HE will play Mark Darcy. ;)"}, {"response": 17, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (11:40)", "body": "Thanks, Karen, for that article. It does ODB justice. If only there were more jurnalists like this."}, {"response": 18, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (11:50)", "body": "Thank you Karen...what a super interview. Sad when he talks about Ralph Fiennes doing all the thing he wants to do. When I saw The End of the Affair, I could have wept thinking of Colin in that role. ~~~~~ Would someone pl. explain this to me...: \"Firth was taught the Laban theory of psychological types, and put through the paces of 'Russian emotional freedom and Jewish introspection'. He came to know the 'reality of the inner world'."}, {"response": 19, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (11:54)", "body": "Was suddenly interrupted.... Livia is a documentary maker now? He likes opera?(Livia's influence, no doubt.) He sounds happy...:-)"}, {"response": 20, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (13:31)", "body": "Also in the Observer, an article on \"High Fidelity\" and how successful it has been, using Chicago instead of N.London etc Quotes fron NH and a mention about FP not being true to the book etc Is HF actually released all over the US yet? Anyone seen it, i would love to know what you thought."}, {"response": 21, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (13:45)", "body": "RE: High Fidelity It has definitely gotten wide release here, to critical acclaim. Having never read the book, I can't comment on faithfulness, etc. I think it is very well done. Of course, I'm a big fan of John Cusack. Soundtrack was excellent too, although I'm a bit older than the crowd in the movie . Definitely not an anguished thirtysomething anymore :-) I have to admit, I turned to my DH (who also liked it) and said--Gee, this is just a male version of Bridget Jones. Sort of pathetic, whining slob...but sweet in his way."}, {"response": 22, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (16:01)", "body": "Lizza go to Odds & Ends for our thoughts on HF. Thank you!!! Karen! Great article. Most of it we already new but the little new stuff was great. Loved your questions, Evelyn. They do need explaining. I will look for Livia s name on any Italian documentary I see. We get RAI TV. The official status of the rumour, according to a spokesperson from Working Title, the film's production company, is 'unconfirmed'. Why are they playing this game? What is the &*()(&%$$## big deal? Make the bloody announcement! Colin should really insist that they do it. Afterall, HG has been confirmed. MD is the co-lead role. Why would he want to wait until the whole cast is announce and therefore diminishing the importance of his co-starring role? Make the call Colin, have them announce it. Of course, there is the possibility that he wanted to meet with RZ in LA first. But he has had plenty of time now."}, {"response": 23, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (16:05)", "body": "Thanks for the article Karen. It was great to read. I wish he had of been in \"the End of the Affair\" - then I would have enjoyed it more."}, {"response": 24, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (16:11)", "body": "Getting a bit riled, are we, Moon? ;-) Hugh hasn't been confirmed as yet either. All the articles have said the contracts haven't been finalized. I'd bet they're arguing with Colin about doing a wet scene. He's insisting that \"splashing water on his face\" is all he'll do anymore. ;-) (Cathey) then I would have enjoyed it more. You and me both. Besides, would've been more \"believable\" with Colin. So hard to worked up to a drooly, lusty froth with the Rafeman."}, {"response": 25, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (16:37)", "body": "Getting a bit riled, are we, Moon? ;-) Hugh hasn't been confirmed as yet either. We have had more a confirmation from Hugh, Karen. You know that. ;-)"}, {"response": 26, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (16:45)", "body": "I will look for Livia s name on any Italian documentary I see. .. But the article didn't specify \"Italian\"...maybe she's freelance and does English docs too.Smart girl..hey, they could use two salaries."}, {"response": 27, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Apr 10, 2000 (11:06)", "body": "(Karen) Hugh hasn't been confirmed as yet either. All the articles have said the contracts haven't been finalized. (Moon) We have had more a confirmation from Hugh, Karen. You know that. ;-) Naw, Karen's right, Moon. Confirmation from Working Title is different than publicity plants and quotes saying how he'd 'like to play the cad.' Facts are facts. Just look at that tripe about HF removing herself in a tiff over RZ's casting. Read it in enough publications and it takes on an air of truth. BTW, 'Armadillo' was never confirmed either... (Karen) I'd bet they're arguing with Colin about doing a wet scene. He's insisting that \"splashing water on his face\" is all he'll do anymore. ;-) Good point! I can hear him now--\"no pond, I beg you, NO POND!\""}, {"response": 28, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Apr 10, 2000 (16:39)", "body": "(Eileen) Good point! I can hear him now--\"no pond, I beg you, NO POND!\" Precisely, why he be responsible for the risk of some poor stuntman contracting Wile's Disease?"}, {"response": 29, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Apr 10, 2000 (19:34)", "body": "hey, they could use two salaries. Only they ain't getting any salaries, of course: just fees, honoraria and royalties. ;-)"}, {"response": 30, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (06:37)", "body": "Well, the news is coming out of rather a surprising source this AM. This is from iwon.com's Entertainment section. Their news is normally from CBS and Reuters, and they normally only report \"big\" news. This seems to be from Variety. Perhaps this latest article isn't even news to you all. If not, my apologies. I'm not sure if this link will work (just go to iwon.com and poke around Entertainment News : http://www.iwon.com/home/entertainment/entertain_article/0,2084,27073|movie|04-11-2000::06:50|reuters,00.html It's probably just rehashing the other papers. (I'm trying not to get *too* excited). The story: Colin Firth May Get Lead Entry in 'Diary' April 11, 2000 3:50 am EST By Adam Dawtrey LONDON (Variety) - Colin Firth is being lined up to play the romantic lead opposite Renee Zellweger in Working Title's film adaptation of \"Bridget Jones' Diary,\" with Hugh Grant as his rival. The casting of Firth, who played supporting roles in \"The English Patient\" and \"Shakespeare in Love,\" is peculiarly apt. His character, Mark Darcy, is based on Mr. Darcy from Jane Austen's \"Pride and Prejudice,\" whom Firth played in a BBC television adaptation. Firth's smoldering incarnation of Austen's hero obsessed the Bridget Jones character in Helen Fielding's original novel. The film, directed by Sharon Maguire, starts shooting May 1. Financing and distribution is split among Universal Pictures, Miramax Films and Canal Plus."}, {"response": 31, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (07:21)", "body": "He will be Mark Darcy!"}, {"response": 32, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (07:28)", "body": "Meredith, I think you can go ahead and get excited.;-) Didn't realize you already had it here--sorry for the repeat on 129. I like the \"romantic lead\" part. But wasn't Hughie the \"romantic lead\" a few days ago?;-) I think the hold-up on \"official\" announcements is financial. With HG on board, they need more than $8 million for this, if they want to have anything left over to pay the caterers.;-) WT will fork it over, no problem, and if CF is smart, he is driving a hard bargain. The tie-in to MD and P&P will make good publicity down the road. They need him."}, {"response": 33, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (07:34)", "body": "(Mari)With HG on board, they need more than $8 million for this, if they want to have anything left over to pay the caterers. ROF,LOL I hope CF *is* driving a hard bargain, and is not hiding his light under a bushel! Perhaps this will be his breakout commercial role!? Are there enough P&P fans who will \"get\" it, and make a difference in box office?"}, {"response": 34, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (07:52)", "body": "Hoorah!!! Finally his name as a top mention in Variety, instead of third or fourth paragraph. Thanks Meredith and Mari."}, {"response": 35, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (08:26)", "body": "Thanks for the article, Meredith and Mari (yes, Laura, we know, we know, but we'd rather hear about it from Working Title :-P). We can add the phrase \"lined up\" to the list under \"mooted.\" Mari and Karen are right, I'm sure the delay is contractual: salary, wet shirt scenes, billing, who gets the bigger bathroom, etc. CF's agent's got to be good for something besides saying \"I really don't know.\" (Meredith) Perhaps this will be his breakout commercial role!? ...again! Colin's had more 'breakouts' than a teenager. Are there enough P&P fans who will \"get\" it, and make a difference in box office? Sure, if we each see it at least 10 times (just like we did for SiL, MLSF, etc.). At least it appears no airfare will be necessary for this one!"}, {"response": 36, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (08:34)", "body": "Meredith) Are there enough P&P fans who will \"get\" it, and make a difference in box office? Working Title (Universal) and Miramax will go after the mainstream viewing public over age 30, i.e., not teenage boys. They will not be going after the Masterpiece Theatre crowd."}, {"response": 37, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (10:24)", "body": "Just went to AOL.com to pick up some mail and the piece Meredith and Mari posted is listed in the entertainment headlines. How nice it is to see the words \"Colin Firth\" under the heading \"Top Entertainment Stories\"!"}, {"response": 38, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (10:31)", "body": "Time for Bubbly( Hope it works...if not...you get the general idea..."}, {"response": 39, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (10:39)", "body": "Still think it's unofficial (note use of words \"might\" and \"maybe\") but here's to you, Ev. *hic* There's only 19 days 'til May 1st."}, {"response": 40, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (12:00)", "body": "Bubbly didn't work for me... But here is my contribution:"}, {"response": 41, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (12:20)", "body": "The following was posted at austen.com by Valerie: Ok, so here's what I heard today as I was eating an alpine strawberry yogurt this lunchtime while simultaniously swatting up for my Irish Politics tutorial and listening to the Lunchtime Social on Radio One. The guy doing the showbiz news played a clip form an interview with Richard Curtis in which he explained why 'Kate' (I wasn't listening properly at that moment so he could have been talking about either Kate Winslet or Cate Blanchett) wasn't available to play Briget because of prior filming commitments. What did grab my attention however was the fact that Colin Firth is now confirmed for the role of Mark Darcy."}, {"response": 42, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (14:36)", "body": "Well this is all sounding very positive. BTW, TNT/Roughcut is now reporting it as well as Popcorn, but they've probably just picked up the Variety story. I called Working Title in L.A., and they said to call the London office so I did but they're closed (darn these pesky time zone differences;-). (Eileen) Colin's had more 'breakouts' than a teenager. Pfft! *Spritzing Glass Plus on my E-Z Wipe monitor cover* Too funny, Eileen. (Eileen) CF's agent's got to be good for something besides saying \"I really don't know.\" Observer reporter: \"Was Colin born in England?\" Agent: \"I really don't know.\" Observer: \"Was he born in Africa, then?\" Agent: \"I really don't know.\" Observer: How do you spell Giuggioli?\" Agent: \"I REALLY don't know.\""}, {"response": 43, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (17:27)", "body": "Rumor has it that final contract negotiations are hung up on two points: a line of dialogue (\"your parents, they are well?\" and Helen Fielding's insistence on being his dresser. ;-)"}, {"response": 44, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (17:46)", "body": "I think it's time for Moon's Ten Reasons Why.... 3. Harvey is saying \"This time you must attend the premiere\";-)"}, {"response": 45, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (18:00)", "body": "Helen Fielding's insistence on being his dresser. ;-) I wouldn't laugh at it. Wasn't it her offer to play BJ which caused some consternation before?"}, {"response": 46, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (20:23)", "body": "(Karen) final contract negotiations are hung up on two points: a line of dialogue (\"your parents, they are well?\" and Helen Fielding's insistence on being his dresser. ;-) (Evelyn) 3. Harvey is saying \"This time you must attend the premiere\";-) Hee, hee. Hey, I'll play: 4. Renee is insisting on ending the film with \"you had me at 'hello'.\" 5. The coveted part of Geoffrey Alconbury is already taken. 6. He's coaching Will's Little League team this spring. 7. Mike Binder has come in with a competing offer. 8. He's afraid Hugh will out-act him. 9. He doesn't look good in diamond-patterned sweaters or bumble-bee socks. 10. He's detected \"waves of loathing\" emanating form the Working Title make-up girl. 11. He's committed to doing Jerry Springer: \"My school teachers were all fascist, hermaphrodite, cross-dressing aliens and That's Why I'm Still So Traumatized Boo-Hoo.\""}, {"response": 47, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (22:12)", "body": "1. Wants to be begged some more. :-D 2. Insists on wearing Walker's green sweater to the party at her parents' house. (Something to do with hate or pride... ). ;-) Just checking in to great news!! Could not make the celebration before because my son had to have surgery on his leg. The bone was not healing properly and they had to re-set it. Ouch! It went well, he is home. Loved your #11 Mari. And Karen that line about her parents being well, and Eileen the breakouts, all had me LOL! Now we want a comment from HF. She must be happy about this."}, {"response": 48, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 11, 2000 (22:15)", "body": "11. He's committed to doing Jerry Springer: \"My school teachers were all fascist, hermaphrodite, cross-dressing aliens and That's Why I'm Still So Traumatized Boo-Hoo.\" ROTF!! 12. He's trying to find a role in movie for \"Ingrid.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 49, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (06:17)", "body": "This snippet from Mr. Showbiz is obviously just a rehash, but it's nice to see so much \"press.\" http://mrshowbiz.go.com/news/Todays_Stories/411/castingcall041100.html"}, {"response": 50, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (06:35)", "body": "At last! This news was long overdue!! Now I can sleep well again. 2. Insists on wearing Walker's green sweater to the party at her parents' house. (Something to do with hate or pride... ). ;-) LOL!"}, {"response": 51, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (07:29)", "body": "Here's Meredith's Mr. Showbiz thing: Although Bridget Jones won't be played by a British actress (Texan Renee Zellweger nabbed the role to much outcry), she will have two Brits to choose between as her love interests. Hugh Grant has already signed on to the film version of Helen Fielding's smash novel; now Colin Firth, the presumptuous Lord Wessex in Shakespeare in Love, is being courted to join the cast as Mark Darcy. Fielding has said she based the character on \ufffd surprise, surprise \ufffd that of the proud Mr. Darcy of Pride and Prejudice, a part Firth played in a 1995 British television miniseries of the acclaimed Jane Austen novel. Richard Curtis is writing the script for the film version. He directed Grant in Notting Hill, which Curtis also wrote, and scripted Blackadder Back and Forth, which starred Firth as William Shakespeare. Filming gets underway May 1. ~~~~~~~~~ which starred Firth as William Shakespeare Obviously the writer has never seen Blackadder Back and Forth. ;-)"}, {"response": 52, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (07:52)", "body": "Entertainment Weekly's News Summary (4/11/00) says this, but remember they all got it from the same Reuters newswire: Colin Firth (''Shakespeare in Love'') will play love interest Mark Darcy in ''Bridget Jones's Diary.''"}, {"response": 53, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (09:37)", "body": "Well it seems definite. But then again, WE ALWAYS knew he'd play Mark Darcy! Great casting job! :)"}, {"response": 54, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (09:47)", "body": "Only 18 more days until May 1st (sometime between now and then, Working Title, Universal, Miramax, all the king's horses and all the king's men are going to have to make some sort of official announcement). Loved your top ten-plus reasons, ladies. Especially liked #4, 7 and 8 (as if!), Mari. Speaking of Binder, I was checking my satellite TV's pay-per-view selection (looking for MLSF--one can hope) and what do I find? The Sex Monster. Gaah!"}, {"response": 55, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (10:53)", "body": "I was checking my satellite TV's pay-per-view selection (looking for MLSF--one can hope) and what do I find? The Sex Monster. Gaah! A little respect here for Max Binder, please.We'll all probably traipse up to Toronto or wherever to see his latest!! ~~~~ Love all the reasons...Mari, the \"traumatized childhood on Jerry Springer\" takes the cake... And the Green Sweater....!!Maybe even insisting on the Blue Parka..."}, {"response": 56, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (11:00)", "body": "Glad I found you! Thanks, Mari, for pointing me in the right direction. Rai, a fellow FOF, sent me the scan of the Variety article. It is here: http://www.geocities.com/firthfan/jones/bjones2.html All this great news thanks to the sleuths. Mari, I hope you try London Working TItle again. Murph"}, {"response": 57, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (11:16)", "body": "(Murph) Mari, I hope you try London Working TItle again. Your wish is my command, oh Murphela. Looks like it's a done deal, ladies! Just got off the phone with their PR lady, no confirmation yet, but \"there will be a press release on it, probably tomorrow.\""}, {"response": 58, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (11:17)", "body": "This from Empire On Line: Bridget Jones' Mr Right 12/04/2000 With Hugh Grant already in place as one of Renee Zellweger\ufffds love interests in the forthcoming screen adaptation of Bridget Jones\ufffd Diary, it seems the film\ufffds producers are courting Colin Firth for the other key romantic role of Mark Darcy. The author of the bestselling novel, Helen Fielding, claims that the inspiration for the Mark Darcy character came from\ufffdsurprise, surprise\ufffdMr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, a role that Firth played in the 1995 BBC adaptation of the Jane Austen novel. The movie will reteam Firth with writer Richard Curtis who penned Blackadder Back and Forth, a short film based on the BBC TV series and shown at the Millennium Dome, in which the actor played William Shakespeare. Shooting on Bridget Jones\ufffd Diary is due to begin on May 1 in London with Sharon Maguire directing. Murph"}, {"response": 59, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (11:19)", "body": "Looks like it's a done deal, ladies! Just got off the phone with their PR lady, no confirmation yet, but \"there will be a press release on it, probably tomorrow.\" ************ YEAHHHH! Murph"}, {"response": 60, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (12:19)", "body": "(Evelyn) A little respect here for Max Binder, please.We'll all probably traipse up to Toronto or wherever to see his latest!! With all due respect, Ev, have you seen the Sex Monster? :-D I like to think of it as Mike's 'learning curve.' Also don't think anyone here would be traipsing to Toronto to see Mike. I prefer that tall, cute guy with the goatee. (Mari) no confirmation yet, but \"there will be a press release on it, probably tomorrow.\" Hallelujah. Let the games (and the inevitible Darcy comparisons) begin!"}, {"response": 61, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (13:05)", "body": "Yippee!!!! it seems the film\ufffds producers are courting Colin Firth for the other key romantic role of Mark Darcy. There is only one key romantic role as far as I know and that\ufffds MD. They can\ufffdt change that fact whatever they are planning for Hugh/Daniel. And we know that Colin\ufffds got all it takes to make Hughie look like a pitiful creep in comparison. It\ufffds going to be a big boost for his career, whatever happens."}, {"response": 62, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (13:28)", "body": "Mari-Looks like it's a done deal, ladies! Just got off the phone with their PR lady, no confirmation yet, but \"there will be a press release on it, probably tomorrow.\" Ooooh! Thanks for checking Mari! I am all astonishment! That would mean sometime in the next 20 hours, or so!!! You would think that if nothing else, depending on scheduling of course, one could just go \"hang out\" in Kensington/Notting Hill, etc. and SEE who was in the blasted movie :-) Have we heard anything about supporting roles (especially Pam Jones! what a trip she is)? Meredith--who just picked up BJ:EOR at the library!"}, {"response": 63, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (13:46)", "body": "Meredith, if you're interested in reading the columns that formed the basis for TEOR *before* reading the book, go over to the Bucket site. I've added a section for that. Makes for an interesting comparison and shows how much work went into improving them for the book. http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjdcols.html P.S. Always remember to run your mousey over images. You never know what they might do or say. ;-)"}, {"response": 64, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (13:50)", "body": "Thanks, Karen. I popped over there this AM, and was most impressed, but didn't have time to delve deeper. I love the layout (everchanging) of your spiral bound BJD page, BTW."}, {"response": 65, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (14:14)", "body": "Can not wait for the press release, thanks everyone! Mari, after the official announcement, please call WT again and ask about the rest of the cast. I have a feeling Minnie Driver is after one of the parts. Thanks, Karen the the BJD addition. I never did get to read them all. :-)"}, {"response": 66, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (15:46)", "body": "Ev, have you seen the Sex Monster?... Yeah....baaaad.But I have great hopes for Londinium... *Ever-Hopeful Evie* ;-) ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thanks Mari...(who is getting in training for Miramax;-) ~~~~~~~ Karen, new additions to BJ Page look great....can't wait..."}, {"response": 67, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (16:36)", "body": "Thanks, dearies. Some of you know *what* I have been waiting to unveil. Hopefully...tomorrow if all goes as we've been led to believe."}, {"response": 68, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (17:20)", "body": "I hope you're right and that all does go well tomorrow. It's just that I've been let down so much concerning CF in the past year; i.e., \"Flashman\", \"The Maid of Buttermere\", and \"Armadillo\". It's just hard for me to get my hopes up. At this point I'm so skeptical I probably won't believe his being cast until \"Bridget Jones Diary\" goes into production. Sorry to be so depressing. I'll work on thinking positively. I hope you have good news to present on your BJD page Karen. Good luck."}, {"response": 69, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (18:06)", "body": "CherylB It's just hard for me to get my hopes up. At this point I'm so skeptical I probably won't believe his being cast until \"Bridget Jones Diary\" goes into production Know exactly what you mean Cheryl..I'm not holding my breath...... Meredith - one could just go \"hang out\" in Kensington/Notting Hill, etc. and SEE who was in the blasted movie .....I can't think of a better way to while away my (extended) lunch hours (days - don't tell the BossMan) this May! Chardonnay & Milk Tray anyone?"}, {"response": 70, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (21:23)", "body": "The Telegraph confirms it in Thursday's edition. Anne R spotted it tonight. I have it here: http://www.geocities.com/firthfan/jones/bjones2.html YEAAAAA! Murph"}, {"response": 71, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (21:47)", "body": "Chardonnay & Milk Tray anyone? I'm there with you in spirit, Tracy! Along with Crunchie, Flake, Smarties, etc... ;-)"}, {"response": 72, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (22:12)", "body": "Fabulous!! Here's the url to the Telegraph article itself and the text: (Notice the budget has more than doubled.) http://www.telegraph.co.uk:80/et?ac=000576481449931&rtmo=pblSpIpe&atmo=YYYYYYYp&pg=/et/00/4/13/njones13.html Bridget Jones's dates make even her creator jealous By Nigel Reynolds, Arts Correspondent COLIN FIRTH and Hugh Grant, two of Britain's biggest screen pin-ups, are to play the men in the life of Bridget Jones, the neurotic thirty-something career girl, in the film version of Bridget Jones's diary. Helen Fielding, the book's author, said yesterday that she was consumed with jealousy that her screen alter-ego would have affairs with the actors. The film will be the biggest project shot on the streets of London since Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts made Notting Hill and turned the streets of W11 into a film lot. Filming Bridget Jones, with a budget up to \ufffd12 million, will begin in a few weeks' time in streets in west London and in a studio outside the capital. A spokesman for the British producers, Working Title Films, who also made Notting Hill, would not disclose whether Notting Hill, Bridget Jones territory, would be used again. He said: \"We are saying nothing because we don't want to cause too much excitement.\" Firth set the female half of Britain on fire as the smouldering Darcy in the last BBC version of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. In the new film, he will play Mark Darcy, a top-notch lawyer famous for his diamond-patterned golf sweaters and Bridget's most enduring but elusive love. Grant, who played a wistful fop in Four Weddings and a Funeral, will be Daniel Cleaver, Bridget's witty boss and bad boy with whom she has an on-off passion. It is perhaps a minor miracle that Grant has agreed to star in the film. In one diary entry there is a long chunk about his moment of madness in Hollywood. Bridget records her boss holding forth on the subject: \"How does a man with a girlfriend with looks like Elizabeth Hurley have a blow-job from a prostitute on a public highway and get away with it?\" Fielding said of the two male stars yesterday: \"I must admit to jealously violent thoughts towards Bridget since the announcement that she will be canoodling with both of them. It reminds me of the year that Bridget got 13 Valentine cards and I received one which I had strong reason to believe was from the paper boy.\" She said Grant was \"hilariously wicked as well as sexy, charming and delicious\". Fielding's Mark Darcy was based on Firth's television appearance. She said: \"Mark Darcy is the nearest I came in the book to writing a character with a real-life human being in mind, i.e. Colin Firth as Mr Darcy. So I'm completely thrilled he's agreed to do the part.\" She said he had all the \"suppressed emotion and raw pulsating passion\" the character needed. Bridget herself, jinxed in love and obsessed by her cigarette, alcohol and calorie consumption, is to be played by 29-year-old Texan comic actress Renee Zellwegger. Fielding, who worked on early drafts of the script, was reported to have left the project because she objected to the casting of Zellwegger. Now she says she is dying to make an anonymous appearance in the film. \"I'm keen on the idea of turning up on set in enormous sunglasses and a gold lam\ufffd turban shrieking 'It should have been me!' and having to be led away and given a trinket.\""}, {"response": 73, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (22:30)", "body": "and we're dancin' in the aisles and breaking out the bubbly!! Yippeee!!!"}, {"response": 74, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (23:57)", "body": "WAHOO!!! *DOING THE HAPPY DANCE* I never doubted it! (ok...maybe once or twice. But then we all cant be Laura) ;-) *hee hee* EsBee (who is deleriously happy)"}, {"response": 75, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (00:02)", "body": "Webpage is updated. Our own Emma helped on this one; made it look just so perfect. :-)"}, {"response": 76, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (01:33)", "body": "Yippee!!! All we have to do now is sit back and wait for it to be released. And it will be such a box office success they will decide to use the same cast to make the sequel - Edge of Reason - with Colin Firth playing himself AND Mark Darcy."}, {"response": 77, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (02:05)", "body": "Great news to wake up to, to quote Cathey Yippee!!!"}, {"response": 78, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (02:20)", "body": "YES!!! Finally.....GREAT NEWS!! This is going to be a good one...and the budget has shot up! Love Helen's comments! \"It should have been me\" LOL!"}, {"response": 79, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (02:58)", "body": "Hooray! Very good news. And to think we cast the part over two years ago! The trouble is that my expectations are now so high for the film that I can only be disappointed when it comes out!"}, {"response": 80, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (03:50)", "body": "Mark, good to have you here again! This is good news indeed. Now no one will have an excuse to say \"Colin who\"?"}, {"response": 81, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (05:55)", "body": "At last, we can relax a bit . I have a feeling you all stayed up all night to get the scoop :-) But on to the rest of the cast...!"}, {"response": 82, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (05:59)", "body": "Oh, happy day! Here's the announcement in Variety: Thursday April 13 2:04 AM ET Grant, Firth locked in ``Jones Diary'' By Adam Dawtrey LONDON (Variety) - After weeks of speculation, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth have been confirmed to co-star in ``Bridget Jones' Diary,'' alongside Renee Zellweger. Firth, who played supporting roles in ''The English Patient'' and ``Shakespeare in Love, was cast to play the romantic lead opposite Zellweger, with Grant (''Notting Hill'') portraying his rival. Zellweger is perhaps best known as Tom Cruise's love interest in the 1996 hit ``Jerry Maguire.'' ``Diary,'' produced by Working Title Films and directed by rookie Sharon Maguire, starts shooting later this month, financed by Universal Pictures and Canal Plus."}, {"response": 83, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (06:52)", "body": "So can I say it? Please??? I TOLD YOU SO!!!! :) I never had any doubts, the role was made for him, only HE could do it!!!"}, {"response": 84, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (06:59)", "body": "Oh Happy Day!!! Thank you all for the news! This is it ladies. How will Colin handle the fame? As Gi said, everyone will know him now. At least we will be able to say that we were here first. ;-) (I will not brag, but this was my casting call last year) :-D"}, {"response": 85, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (08:19)", "body": "Wonderful, perfect! Back home again to such great news. Will try and buy up all the newspapers tomorrow!"}, {"response": 86, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (08:28)", "body": "...diamond patterned sweater and bumblebee socks...Mmmmm!"}, {"response": 87, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (08:33)", "body": "Nice to see you back, Mark. Probably couldn't stand our whining, crying and overall infantile behavior. ;-) (KJ, you can come back now too!) (Moon) How will Colin handle the fame? He has a great role model - Hughie - of how NOT to behave."}, {"response": 88, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (09:44)", "body": "Yabba-dabba-doo!! To see the name Firth among the top 3 headlines on Yahoo Entertainment *twice* in one week is more excitement than my heart can stand. Now I just hope Colin doesn't use his big BJD paycheck to take another year-long sabbatical a la after SiL;-)"}, {"response": 89, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (10:03)", "body": "HG on the View show NOW !!!! Maybe a BJ mention?"}, {"response": 90, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (10:36)", "body": "Just a rerun from his Mickey Blues Eyes promotion. Thanks for the heads-up, Donna."}, {"response": 91, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (11:41)", "body": "Thanks to everybody for the news. Good to hear from Mark again..thought you had abandoned us:-( Welcome back Allison. Thank you Laura and Moon for always keeping our spirits up. You were right ALL the TIME..(and told us so;-)) ~~~~~~~ Esp. like the new budget.More $$for Colin, I hope.Think they talked Harvey into kicking in some more? Saw Hugh on \"The View\" this AM....Thanks Donna...hope I never have to see Colin on that show...dreadful esp. when Barbara Walters isn't there. Hugh looked uncomfortable.(He ought to take lessons from RF who was terrific on the same show) ~~~~~~~~~~~~ **The Bucket** has a terrific shot of \"The Barrister\"!!Don't miss it.. Great job Karen and Emma."}, {"response": 92, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (16:49)", "body": "Do we know who is (was) writing this? I know Richard Curtis is the most recent scribe, but I have read several accounts (or maybe they are all the same one) that Andrew Davies was on board at some point. Inquiring minds..."}, {"response": 93, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (17:00)", "body": "The official word is \"with a script from, Helen Fielding, Andrew Curtis and Richard Curtis.\""}, {"response": 94, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (17:27)", "body": "Karen, I know you meant Andrew Davies. Don't feel bad; in the press release, they have it as Andrew \"Davis.\" Oi. Well, at least they got that Frith guy right.;-);-) The press release is on Murph's page."}, {"response": 95, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (17:34)", "body": "I have the press release as well, but didn't bother to reproduce it as it really doesn't say any more. Liked the last line though: \"Universal Pictures is a part of Universal Studios, which is a unit of The Seagram Company, Ltd., a global entertainment and - appropriately for Bridget - beverage company."}, {"response": 96, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (19:32)", "body": "\"That Firth guy\" LOL I'm sorry, I should know this, but being a relative newbie--which one is Murph's page? Many thanks!"}, {"response": 97, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (19:34)", "body": "Please disregard-I found it (Murph's page)."}, {"response": 98, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (19:51)", "body": "(Karen) \"Universal Pictures is a part of Universal Studios, which is a unit of The Seagram Company, Ltd., a global entertainment and - appropriately for Bridget - beverage company. I know, I loved it! Somebody had a sense of humor. Too bad none of the reports used it; I hate seeing wit go to waste.;-) Have just spent some time looking at the BJD pages at your Bucket, Karen. Terrific, clever design and layout--*you* should be doing the PR for this one, kid. Heck, for all of them.;-) *Love the boots.*"}, {"response": 99, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (20:16)", "body": "Well this topic's run the gamut of emotions for some time now It's gonna be thrilling to see him in such a high focus project. Thanks to all our eagle-eyed sleuths, we should have news to feast on regularly. Loved our DB (dear barrister) on your page, Karen. Thank God you didn't put a white wig on him, K & E."}, {"response": 100, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (20:20)", "body": "Shucks, my face of many emotions didn't come through but methinks we'll see enough changes in the coming months...enough to keep this roller coaster topic going for quite awhile."}, {"response": 101, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (20:52)", "body": "Murph ..thrilling to see the scanned hard-copy headlines from Variety... \"Working Title Pens Firth into Diary\" in BIG letters.Not hidden in the bowels of an article. ~~~~~~~~ Karen....\"Singleton's Celebration Essentials\"...a hoot.... Did ya' save the box of the Jaffa Cakes I brought you in November in wait for this event? Silk Cuts, Milk Tray and Chardonnay...what else would a girl want? v.v.g. girls."}, {"response": 102, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (22:22)", "body": ""}, {"response": 103, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (22:24)", "body": "(Mari) Somebody had a sense of humor. Too bad none of the reports used it; I hate seeing wit go to waste.;-) See, if you wade through the boilerplate, you hit gold. Amazing, you never see stuff like that in a PR. Thanks, Mari. Am having a ball with this one. Hey, Heide, the wig is their but it's more brownish. You didn't think Colin sprouted a new head of hair, did you? ;-) (maybe Gi's been working on him) ;-)"}, {"response": 104, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (23:21)", "body": "I'm not sure how many more announcements (regurgitations) people want to read, but at least the FilmUnlimited people added \"content\": Grant and Firth to star in Bridget Jones adaptation Thursday April 13, 2000 Ending weeks of speculation, British actors Hugh Grant and Colin Firth have been confirmed to co-star in the forthcoming adaptation of Bridget Jones' Diary, alongside American actress Renee Zellweger, who will play the eponymous sad singleton. Firth, who played supporting roles in The English Patient and Shakespeare in Love, will play Mark Darcy, the romantic lead opposite Zellweger, with Grant the good for nothing Daniel, who beds our heroine, and unceremoniously dumps her for someone thinner and blonder. Firth's casting is a case of life imitating art, and its irony will not be lost of the millions of Bridget Jones fans, who will know that Colin Firth's portrayal of Mr Darcy in the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, fuels numerous fantasies for Bridget Jones. Zellweger is perhaps best known as Tom Cruise's love interest in the 1996 hit Jerry Maguire. Diary, produced by Working Title Films and helmed by first time director Sharon Maguire, starts shooting later this month, financed by Universal Pictures and Canal Plus."}, {"response": 105, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Apr 13, 2000 (23:24)", "body": "Gee...with Firth's track record for being in Oscar winning films..."}, {"response": 106, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Apr 14, 2000 (03:21)", "body": "Have just been out and perused a few papers. Can find nothing! Even Baz B in the Mail says nothing about BJD. I did not look in the Daily Express, another likely source. Will try and check later. Maybe the Sunday papers will have more?? They could not have much less."}, {"response": 107, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Apr 14, 2000 (07:20)", "body": "Great job, Karen, loved the pix! The Miami Herald reported it all yesterday. This is the film that will brake CF to the masses. Are we ready?"}, {"response": 108, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Apr 14, 2000 (08:27)", "body": "I somehow think that CF will still remain anonymous even after this \"breakout\" role. It's his will, right? He doesn't go for that pomp & circumstance, he'll play a role, downplay it as, \"the script was perfect, the cast is amazing, and hey, it's Bridget? I mean, I know her personally...\" ;)"}, {"response": 109, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 14, 2000 (08:32)", "body": "(Allison) Have just been out and perused a few papers. Can find nothing! Probably too concerned with Sir Anthony. Here is Empire's article (nothing new): http://www.empireonline.co.uk/news/news.asp?2229 Love mistakes. This is from CNN: Firth, who played the arrogantly possessive Lord Essex in \"Shakespeare in Love,\" is to play the romantic lead opposite Zellweger. Grant, the bumbling, blue-eyed bookseller in \"Notting Hill,\" is to portray his rival."}, {"response": 110, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Apr 14, 2000 (09:57)", "body": "(Karen)...the good for nothing Daniel, who beds our heroine, and unceremoniously dumps her for someone thinner and blonder. Yeah... I wonder whom they'll find that's thinner and blonder than Zellweger ;-)"}, {"response": 111, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Apr 14, 2000 (10:01)", "body": "Now that we can all breath a sigh of relief that Colin has been cast as MD, how about some specualtion as to the rest of the cast. I think I have had an inspired thought, how about Joan Collins for Bridget's Mum, any thoughts anyone?"}, {"response": 112, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Apr 14, 2000 (10:05)", "body": "It's finally official. Hurrah! Hurrah! Despite my well-documented mixed feelings about his casting, it is *very* exciting to see Mr. Invisible Man's name in the headlines. I was away from the computer all day yesterday and watched ET and AH in hopes of a mention, to no avail. Apparently it's more important that American audiences learn about the rumored Ted Turner-Bo Derek liaison. It's nice to see the film's budget increase but IMO most of that's gotta be going to Hugh. He doesn't work cheap. Speaking of the budget, I've heard that a team is already hard at work on an aggressive BJD marketing campaign in manner of Godzilla and Phantom Menace. Here's a sneak peek at a few of their preliminary ideas. 1. Dolls. BJ doll will come packaged in a flat with a removable hole in wall (in anticipation of EOR sequel). Doll will come dressed in micro-mini. A variety of outfits available for additional purchase will include black coctail dress with kitten-heel shoes and bunny girl costume. Accessories include tiny packs of Silk Cut, boxes of Milk Tray and telephone with 1471 feature. Handsome MD doll comes dressed in (what else?) fugly diamond-patterned sweater and bumblebee socks. Additional outfits include barrister costume and wig (see Bucket for specs). DC doll comes with leash (attached to Elizabeth Hurley), very long arms (for feeling up BJ) and TV set accessory (for watching cricket). Julio doll looks amazingly like a certain Drool-frequenter's husband. 2. Seagram's Vintners, heretofore an unknown subsidiary of the conglomerate, announces its new BJ Chardonnay. 1996 was a *very* good year. 3. BBC/A&E will re-release their 'BJ Edition' of the P&P2 video. The boxed set will feature the original five-plus hour running time but will consist of repeated shots of Mr. Darcy diving into the lake and walking to Pemberley in his wet shirt. 4. Barnes & Noble, Borders and Amazon.com will stock 'Pam Jones's Guide to Motherhood', ghost-written by Dr. Laura. The book will analyze and expand on Pam's seminal tips ('don't say what, say pardon' and having one's colors done). The front cover will feature the Hakuna Matata family crest (once again, in anticipation of EOR sequel). 5. Weight Watchers will announce their 'BJ Diet Plan', aimed toward men and women who don't need to lose weight but think they do. Watch for TV ads featuring Fergie proclaiming \"last year I lost 70 pounds...and gained 71!\""}, {"response": 113, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Apr 14, 2000 (12:55)", "body": "LOL, Eileen! (Gi), Yeah... I wonder whom they'll find that's thinner and blonder than Zellweger ;-) Gwyneth Paltrow of course!"}, {"response": 114, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, Apr 14, 2000 (13:41)", "body": "...And Gwenneth Paltrow is v. tall, as well."}, {"response": 115, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Apr 14, 2000 (13:48)", "body": "Um, I'm thinner and now blonder.... just a thought;)"}, {"response": 116, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Apr 14, 2000 (14:07)", "body": "(Ann) I think I have had an inspired thought, how about Joan Collins for Bridget's Mum, any thoughts anyone? Hmm, I don't know, Ann. Saw Joan on ET last night (part of a riveting *cough* story about George Hamilton breaking up with Danielle Steele). IMO she's too glam. Has definitley been nipped and tucked--looks like a 30 year-old. Don't know about Joan's range, either--seems to be at her best mud wrestling with Linda Evans."}, {"response": 117, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, Apr 14, 2000 (14:48)", "body": "Argh! Have we heard _anything_ about supporting roles? Now that the biggest agony is over ;-)"}, {"response": 118, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, Apr 14, 2000 (15:07)", "body": "Can someone help a fashionably impaired member: just what _is_ a \"kitten heel\" shoe?"}, {"response": 119, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Apr 14, 2000 (15:11)", "body": "How about Tom Hollander for her gay friend \"Tom\"? maybe he is not very well known in the US but he was in Bedrooms & Hallways with JE and was very funny."}, {"response": 120, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Apr 14, 2000 (17:08)", "body": "Nothing in the Express, either, chaps. Hey, Karen, that wig should be lighter: British lawyers' wigs are made of white (grey) horses' hair. :-) As for the increase in budget: when they finalized with Hugh, along came Colin and asked for the same amount... I hope!"}, {"response": 121, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 14, 2000 (17:49)", "body": "(Eileen) The boxed set will feature the original five-plus hour running time but will consist of repeated shots of Mr. Darcy diving into the lake and walking to Pemberley in his wet shirt. They are years too late with this one; most already have this, albeit homemade. ;-) Don't know about Joan's range, either--seems to be at her best mud wrestling with Linda Evans. LOL!! You are in rare form. Agree Joan is too glam. Can't picture her overloaded with carrier bags (from nondesigner shops) and wearing Country Casuals (????) Needs to be closer to that Hyacinth person, but not exactly. (Meredith) Have we heard _anything_ about supporting roles? Have asked a couple of times when info would be announced. So far, nothing. Wonder if they will get back to me before filming is completed. ;-) And that kitten-heel thing has been asked several times.... Didn't Mark answer it before? Plenty of actresses taller and blonder than Renee Zellweger. Uma and Cameron come to mind. I like Tom Hollander for Gay Tom. In the two things I've seen him in, he does go OTT quite a bit. But I'm sure he can dial it back. that wig should be lighter: British lawyers' wigs are made of white (grey) horses' hair. :-) bitch bitch bitch ;-) Now something to ogle at - the real Telegraph article that confirmed the casting. Please note the pictures: position and size. I will link this to my BJD page but take a looksie: http://www.spring.net/karenr/cfimages/bjd/tel413.jpg"}, {"response": 122, "author": "Sylvana", "date": "Fri, Apr 14, 2000 (18:16)", "body": "LOL, Eileen. Can't wait to get dolls of my very own, but will not share the MD doll with my daughter. Mine, all mine. It seems that each of us realizes that the announcement that CF has finally agreed to play MD is REALLY TRUE, when (s)he reads it in their own favorite \"official\" publication. My realization came this morning during the ride to work when I heard the short blurb on radio station PST's \"Entertainment Buzz\" (a relatively small central NJ station). It was more the way it was said, than what was said. Although it was merely a 3 sentence capsulization of the Variety story, when she said (parapharasing) \"Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, and Renee Zellweger are set to star in the upcoming film version of BJD...Colin Firth will play the romantic lead opposite RZ..\" So matter of factly, as if everyone knows who CF is. And hearing it said out loud, it really became official in my mind, no longer speculation, rumor, or wish. Fortunately, I was driving alone along a desolate back road, so no one could hear me cheering YES! YES! YES!"}, {"response": 123, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Apr 14, 2000 (19:41)", "body": "bitch bitch bitch ;-) ???"}, {"response": 124, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Apr 15, 2000 (07:04)", "body": "I haven't been online for couple of days ...it appears all that Ommming has worked (though we secretly knew this would HAVE to be the right decision anything else would have been treachery)personally I'm glad it's all sorted as my fingers have almost fallen off through being crossed so long! All we have to do now is see whether our other suggestions come to fruition! This news is so great...I'm as happy as an extremely happy thing that has just taken a happy supplement ;-D *big cheesy grin here*"}, {"response": 125, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Apr 15, 2000 (13:33)", "body": "Nice to see you back, Mark. Probably couldn't stand our whining, crying and overall infantile behavior. ;-) (KJ, you can come back now too!) Yes, nice to see you back , Mark. I'm back at last too. I would have joined in the overall celebration with y'all, but I only found out about the \"officialness\" of it last night. Not that I was surprised, mind you -- it was only as expected. Just a great sense of satisfaction that all the drooly kittens were now purring pretty much uniformly, and that all the previous hissy-fits over this particular subject have been forgotten (for the time being, anyway). I'm beginning to feel like Eileen ... I must leave in order for anything of import to occur. :-D I just got out of hospital yesterday afternoon, and despite my weakened state, headed to the Library for the last 20 minutes of its open time to get caught up. I've been dining on water, Dextrose and Potassium salts through my arm for the past 5 days. I would suggest that my bile duct get blocked more frequently if that is what it takes for this sort of news to break, but to be honest, I'm too much of a coward for that -- my pain threshhold is a tad too low for me to truly desire to repeat that particular experience. I'm just going to have to figure out some other excuse to be away next time. Knowing how often the Library computers go offline, being incommunicado shouldn't be that difficult. Still, **Heehee** and all that. Very shakily delighted, believe me. And as Smug Laura never ceases to remind us: I told you so TOO! ;-) P.S.: Do not let me put you off your usual game: all that whining, crying and overall infantile behavior is often my only source of daily entertainment. ;-) KJ"}, {"response": 126, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Apr 15, 2000 (14:15)", "body": "Great to have you back, KJ, take care."}, {"response": 127, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Apr 15, 2000 (15:34)", "body": "Sorry if this has been posted/discussed before: http://www.ew.com/ew/daily/0,2514,2700,whybridgetjonesdeserves.html Crossing That Bridget Why Bridget Jones deserves a smack. Rebecca Ascher-Walsh says the self-absorbed diarist gives being a woman a bad name I admit that I was one of the two people who didn't love ''Bridget Jones's Diary.'' That wasn't safe to cop to when Helen Fielding's ode to the single girl was first published and heralded as the defining voice of modern womanhood. Saying aloud that this obsessive, compulsive, neurotic protagonist would be better off spending her time in a Dieters Anonymous meeting than regaling the reader with her daily calorie intake might have seemed, I thought, mean spirited. But now, with Fielding's follow-up, ''Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason,'' I'm coming out of the closet. Because this time around, Jones (and Fielding) have pushed ME beyond the edge of reason. In her first incarnation, Jones, I will say, did have a winning spazziness about her; while she could never quite get her act together, she was a likable working woman doing the best she could in the face of life's ridiculous circumstances. Now, however, under Fielding's best-selling pen, Jones has metamorphosed into the kind of woman that makes you ashamed to be one: totally dependent on men, undone by the smallest affront, and unable to travel somewhere without getting herself thrown into jail (if that weren't enough, Jones then tells the readers that jail in a third world country represents a good weight loss opportunity). Jones has been compared to Jane Austen's heroines, but there is a crucial difference: In Austen's day, a woman was dependent on a man, and even so, the author's heroines fought mightily against that truth. Fielding, on the other hand, has presented us with a character incapable of doing anything succinctly except counting calories -- and that, as far as I'm concerned, is no heroine. What Jones needs isn't a good snog -- it's a good smack. The critic's name is no surprise for Bridget's friends: Rebecca. She may be using Karen's portrait out-takea as disguise, and pretend to be a senior writer for Entertainment Weekly, but she can't fool me . ;-)"}, {"response": 128, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Apr 15, 2000 (15:36)", "body": "out-take s ! I meant"}, {"response": 129, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 15, 2000 (16:02)", "body": "Let's see how to use my jellyfisher-like skills in response... (1) and heralded as the defining voice of modern womanhood. By whom? Was only supposed to be a funny novel. (2) I'm coming out of the closet. Really? The where is the notice that Entertainment Weekly, a publication of Time Inc, has mandated that all its writers pan HF's books? I'm betting that one of Time's publishing arms tried to sign Helen and she went with a competitor. Hate to think what it will say about the movie... (3) I will say, did have a winning spazziness about her Oooh!!! Literacy strikes again!! \"Spazziness\" I haven't used that word since I was, like, 11 years old. (4) a character incapable of doing anything Rebecca here probably didn't read to the end, where Bridget's work contributions are recognized and she's rewarded appropriately. Gaaa!! These Time people are ridiculous."}, {"response": 130, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 15, 2000 (16:03)", "body": "Glad to see you back, KJ. Sounds like you've had an awful time. Now back to our regularly scheduling whining. ;-)"}, {"response": 131, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (09:35)", "body": "A note from FoF pal Rai (which she deliciously titled \"Irony Deficiency\"--snicker, snicker;-) From THE DAILY TELEGRAPH(LONDON) April 15, 2000, Saturday SECTION: Pg. 21 HEADLINE: Saturday Premiere: BYLINE: By Nigel Reynolds IT IS sad, but it is no longer possible for celebs to make jokes. Helen Fielding, author of Bridget Jones's Diary, is seething at a silly report that she opposed the casting of Renee Zellwegger as Bridget in the coming film version. On a recent book signing tour in the States she was asked about the casting. \"I quipped that I was very insulted that no one has asked me to play the part.\" That soon became the headline \"Author throws hissy fit at lack of consultation\". Fielding tells me: \"One should know better than to be ironic.\""}, {"response": 132, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (10:45)", "body": "Fielding tells me: \"One should know better than to be ironic.\" At least she didn't add \"...in the United States.\" Come back to drool, dear, where irony is (almost always) understood. ;-) Thanks for posting the review, Renate, but sheesh, must all books written by single modern women about single modern women represent us all? Get a sense of humor! On the other hand, a sense of humor about reviews is also necessary. Shall work on that. KJ, take care of yourself. Watch that bile duct."}, {"response": 133, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (11:04)", "body": "(Heide) At least she didn't add \"...in the United States.\" She wouldn't need to. It was the British press that put two and two together and came up with five. ;-)"}, {"response": 134, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (13:25)", "body": "(Renate)Excerpt from \"Crossing That Bridget\" by Rebecca Ascher-Walsh \"I admit that I was one of the two people who didn't love 'Bridget Jones's Diary'.\" I'm the other one. Before I put on my virtual asbestos suit and get into my virtual shark cage, I have something to say in my defense. To paraphrase and edit Voltaire, \"I disagree with everything Bridget Jones stands for, but I will defend all of your rights to read and enjoy her.\" KJ you're back! Sorry to hear about your bile duct trouble. Hope that you are feeling much better. Casting suggestions on Bridget's mother. How about Joanna Lumley, Mel Martin, or Linda Thorson?"}, {"response": 135, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (13:39)", "body": "I think the woman who'd be a brilliant BJ's mom is the woman who played the mom on ABFAB, she's clueless, but sweet. Just like BJ's mom."}, {"response": 136, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (13:50)", "body": "For BJ's mum: Brenda Blethyn would get my vote. One only has to recall her Mari character (love that name;-) in Little Voice to see that she'd be perfect!;-)"}, {"response": 137, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (14:29)", "body": "...Telegraph article that confirmed the casting. Thanks for scanning that article , Karen. (Love to see hard copy even if I can't read the print!!)"}, {"response": 138, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (16:20)", "body": "Cheryl-I admit that BJD made me laugh, but OH, she made me cringe, as well. She is one character which I would go out of my way NOT to meet, hang out with, etc. Totally pathetic, along with her friends... I will, however, be the first one at the movie theatre door when it opens ."}, {"response": 139, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (16:56)", "body": "Stay well, KJ. I was sorry to hear about your troubles. I finally bought the book at $12.50!!! So DH could not object. I am still hiding out to read it. ;-) I know Brenda Blethyn always over-acts and that might just fit for Bs mom, but I can not tolerate her voice and I will already have to tolerate RZ voice which is just as horrible. I can not imagine a good British accent coming from her, but I will give her the benefit of the doubt. What abiout Vanessa Redgrave for her mom? She can do anything!"}, {"response": 140, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (17:37)", "body": "Thanks all for your good wishes. Still noodle-kneed but cheerful. My biggest setback was that I had intended to use that hospital - stay week to do the taxes but wasn't released until the 14th. Good thing I don't make enough to make the process complicated ... it'll be out by Monday ... I hope ... and they will owe me! (Moon) I finally bought the book at $12.50!!! So DH could not object. I am still hiding out to read it. ;-) I was pleased to see that the Library system had ordered mucho copies of EOR, but they all still seem to be \"in processing\" ... so I still twiddle my thumbs with impatience with the book \"on hold\". Thanks, Karen, for the copies of the old columns. I had always had trouble getting them, so I appreciate the favor deeply."}, {"response": 141, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (17:50)", "body": "Moon, I'm with you with Brenda Blethyn, he voice is annoying!!! I kept cringing in Secrets and Lies! Vanessa Redgrave???? I don't think so."}, {"response": 142, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (18:25)", "body": "Moon, I'm with you with Brenda Blethyn, her voice is annoying!! Yes, it is...very annoying...as in Secrets and Lies and Little Voice. But she looks right (when she's not dressing trashy) and could act like the suburban wife on the run, who is concerned about lumps in her gravy. I'm sure she can do a voice appropriate to the role."}, {"response": 143, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (18:58)", "body": "Hmmm . . .could sooner see Lynn Redgrave than Vanessa. Still prefer Brenda B.--and isn't Mrs. Jones *supposed to be* annoying?;-) That's the point."}, {"response": 144, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (19:47)", "body": "For Gay-Tom how about James Dreyfus who played Martin (also gay), Hugh Grant's bookstore assistant in Notting Hill. For Bridget's mom how about Patricia Routledge who plays Hyacinth on \"Keeping up Appearances\"."}, {"response": 145, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (23:14)", "body": "How about the actress who plays Daisy on Keeping Up Appearances."}, {"response": 146, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (23:33)", "body": "Someone who really IS apparently up for the part of Pam Jones. From The Independent (17 April 2000). It's a very long article so I'll excerpt, but here's the link: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/People/Profiles/2000-04/lost170400.shtml The art of getting lost by Deborah Ross Penelope Wilton claims that she took to the stage 'because I'm so uninteresting. I wanted to disappear into other people.' From childhood on there was never any doubt about what she would choose as a career. But how did she manage to become one of our finest actresses? Having just that morning heard the brilliant news that the great soap Crossroads might be coming back, I arrive to meet the actress Penelope Wilton in a state of enormous excitement. \"Get your CV in now, girl,\" I tell her. \"Before Maggie Smith beats you to it!\" \"I will, I will,\" she exclaims. \"Forget all that gloomy, boring old Chekhov rubbish. You could be the Meg Mortimer of the new millennium, dispatching Benny to mend the shower head in chalet 13.\" \"Was Benny the one in the wheelchair?\" she asks. \"Penelope,\" I gasp. \"I'm surprised at you. That was Sandy!\" \"Oh.\" I'm not sure Penelope knows her Crossroads as well as her Chekhov, frankly. Still, I think I've brought her round, which is marvellous. I love Crossroads. I love Penelope Wilton. I've always had a thing about her. I could watch her in anything. I could watch her recite the menu from Pizza Hut. Yes, OK, it's a crush, if you like. But I'm not into any of that lesbian stuff! Sorry, but it's just not natural, is it? I mean, if it was, God would have created Martina and Eve, wouldn't he? Still, she is my absolute favourite actress. She's never showy. She never seems to hit a false note. Her performances just always seem to be so watchably true, somehow. She was even wholly believable as the put-upon wife in the otherwise rather limp TV sitcom, Ever Decreasing Circles. Even though she's done Rattigan and Osborne and Bennett and Ayckbourn and Pinter and everything, it was this that got her known. She thought it funny. \"While it was on, my sister and I were going around Budgens, where everyone recognised me. `Oh, Penelope,' said my sister, `they've obviously all seen your Raynevskaya!''' [...] We meet at the Kensington Hotel, around the corner from where she lives with her second husband, the actor Ian Holm. (I am quite a fan of Mr Holm, too, actually. I wonder, would he be up for Adam Chance?) She is very pretty, with long dark hair and a marvellously expressive face. She says \"my mother used to say to me she could tell what I was watching on telly, just by watching my face\". [...] She's not sure what's coming after The Seagull. She is up for the part of Bridget Jones's mother in the film adaptation of the book, \"although I haven't heard anything yet.\" ~~~~~~~ If the name doesn't ring a bell, pop in your tape of The Deep Blue Sea. She was our suicidal Hester. Here's the roles project page from The Deep Blue Sea, but most of the snappies don't show her face. Wonder why? ;-) http://members.tripod.com/~firthpage/rolespage/dbs.html"}, {"response": 147, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Apr 16, 2000 (23:45)", "body": "I just checked, and I'm glad to see that the casting of RZ vs. CF doesn't violate my 12-year rule (that is: if the leading lady is 12 years or more younger than the leading man, I won't see the film). He is going on 40 she turns 31 a week from Tuesday, so they're only 9 years apart in age. :)"}, {"response": 148, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (01:29)", "body": "For Gay-Tom how about James Dreyfus who played Martin (also gay), Hugh Grant's bookstore assistant in Notting Hill. Yes!!!! I absolutely agree. He was my choice too. Thought he was so good."}, {"response": 149, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (02:16)", "body": "Penelope Wilton would be an inspired choice! She can do both serious drama and comedy. Brenda Blethyn...absolutely not, just too irritating. James Dreyfus...another yes, definitely! Isn't RZ the same age as Livia? I saw the news item in the Telegaph...very prominent, and the photos were all in colour (the only colour photos, apart from the front page!)"}, {"response": 150, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (03:13)", "body": "Brenda Blethyn / Penelope Wilton / June Whitfield (AbFab) are all the standard mother-figures in British TV, so would all be fine (if a bit predictable) for Mrs Jones. You could throw Patricia Routledge (Hyacinth), Lynda Bellingham (Oxo) and a couple of others into that mix too. James Dreyfus must be close to a cert for Tom owing to his monopolisation of camp characters with this particular in-crowd. (Maybe casting him would be a bit unimaginative, even?). I wonder if Timothy Spall could act young enough to get a crack at Vile Richard in the same vein? I can't figure out what sort of actresses will get Sharon & Jude, the two other main roles not yet cast. It could be perm any two from Rachel Weisz, Julia Ormond, Minnie Driver, Catherine McCormack (maybe even HBC or JE); but again I hope the casting people think a little deeper. Maybe another American? Isn't the thinner-and-blonder-than-BJ person the sex-goddess who only appears naked on Daniel's roof? I don't think I'm pencilling in Gwynnie or Cameron! \"Kitten-heel\": low, tapering heel, normally on a fairly dressy shoe. Always happy to reiterate definitions for newbies, but bear in mind I've got these fashion things completely wrong before! :-)"}, {"response": 151, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (08:32)", "body": "I found two DBS pics that show at least a bit of Penelope Wilton (Hester): Murph"}, {"response": 152, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (08:34)", "body": "The only problem with Penelope Wilton could be one of commitments... As it says in the article, she's appearing in The Seagull and, from a theatre website, it runs through May 13. That may or may not be an issue. (Mark) I don't think I'm pencilling in Gwynnie or Cameron! She's also described as a \"giantess.\" This is definitely a cameo-type appearance a la Alec Baldwin in Notting Hill. Could be a major star/celebrity. Actually, think it would be funnier to have Liz Hurley (hair dyed blonde, of course) in that part. She has the rep for showing up people and could pull off one line. ;-) I doubt Jude and Sharon will be big name actresses; they can't upstage Renee. Besides, WT doesn't have the budget for those other names."}, {"response": 153, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (08:36)", "body": "Thanks, Murph. The Independent article now has a picture of Penelope (albeit bad)."}, {"response": 154, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (12:03)", "body": "Like the Liz Hurley idea, Karen - I had been wondering whether the part of Rebecca would overtax her acting skills (being observed at parties & in taxis mostly). Your idea is better. I expect the UK will know the actresses for Sharon & Jude - bear in mind director Sharon Maguire will want to have someone wonderful to represent herself! And won't they get more screen time than either HG or CF (subject to a big re-write)?"}, {"response": 155, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (13:03)", "body": "Karen or Anyone: Does anyone want to update the BJD page at IMdb? I would, but I'm not very good at it. Now that we have definite information, an update there would be helpful. Thanks. Murph"}, {"response": 156, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (14:48)", "body": "(Mark) I had been wondering whether the part of Rebecca would overtax her acting skills (being observed at parties & in taxis mostly). Ah, but that's second book material. Rebecca barely makes an appearance in the first book. She's mentioned and then does a bit where she acts hurt because \"big television star Bridget\" doesn't RSVP to her party (as invite is under her doormat. Another thought, since the Nordic giantess is supposed to be American, wonderful opportunity for one of those hugely talented and v. tall Victoria Secret models to break into the biz. What are their names again? ;-)"}, {"response": 157, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (15:03)", "body": "Here's something interesting to check out. It is described as: Meet Caroline. Snoop around her flat, email her, then send her flowers David Teather on Freeserve's new interactive online soap: www.onlinecaroline.com She's 27, a travel writer, has a fashionable pad in west London, likes a drop or two of vodka and wants to be your friend. Meet Caroline, the Bridget Jonesesque star of a new 24-part drama made for the internet and coming to a PC near you. Online Caroline is the first original programming of its kind to appear on Freeserve, Britain's biggest internet service provider, and tells the story of our eponymous heroine and her increasingly menacing boyfriend. The story, making a self-conscious nod to the milieu, is told through a simulated webcam set up in Caroline's fictional flat. The article url: http://www.guardianunlimited.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4008734,00.html"}, {"response": 158, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (15:05)", "body": "It seems many of the Victoria's Secret models tend to be European. Stephanie Seymour is American, but she has brown hair. Although not really a VS model, how about Claudia Schiffer? As she is now seeming to concentrate on having a career in films."}, {"response": 159, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (15:09)", "body": "Oops, I forgot about Rebecca Romijn-Stamos; used to be in Victoria's Secret catalogues, now turns up on tv sitcoms. She is both blond and American."}, {"response": 160, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (16:08)", "body": "I submitted the casting info to the IMDb, but I have no idea if I did it correctly or if it will be accepted. We'll see if it appears next week. Once the title is there, then maybe I can figure out how to add the other known credits. Way too hard for me and I did read the instructions...sort of."}, {"response": 161, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (16:15)", "body": "MarkG - Brenda Blethyn / Penelope Wilton / June Whitfield (AbFab) are all the standard mother-figures in British TV...... You could throw Patricia Routledge (Hyacinth)......into that mix too. Talking of \"Keeping up Appearances\" ladies here - my suggestion as someone for Mrs. Jones (completely from left field) would be Josephine Tewson (she was also in \"Clarence\", a few of the \"Two Ronnies\" sketches and \"Shelley\") she has been around for ages and I think she could play the maddening Mrs J to a tee!"}, {"response": 162, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (16:16)", "body": "Ooh, ooh, ooh ....have just thought of someone who'd be brilliantly mad! Julie Walters (Educating Rita, Dinnerladies etc etc etc)!"}, {"response": 163, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (16:30)", "body": "Tracy - Julie Walters would be great. Karen - Re IMDB: I can never figure out exactly how to do it. I was surprised that they didn't even have the title up there yet. Thanks for the effort. Here are pics of some of the Moms mentioned already: Murph"}, {"response": 164, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (16:55)", "body": ""}, {"response": 165, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (17:01)", "body": "(Tracy)...thought of someone who'd be brilliantly mad! Julie Walters (Educating Rita, Dinnerladies etc etc etc)! She is a wonderful actress. I've always enjoyed her work. As suggestions are running riot, how about Carol Cleveland from Monty Python? If she's still around."}, {"response": 166, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (17:04)", "body": ""}, {"response": 167, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (17:08)", "body": "Murph, have submitted more info. The emails are flying fast and furious as my data keep getting rejected and I must correct some syntax error or another. I suppose if I just read the instructions... naw ;-)"}, {"response": 168, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (18:57)", "body": "Murph, have submitted more info. The emails are flying fast and furious as my data keep getting rejected and I must correct some syntax error or another. I suppose if I just read the instructions... naw ;-) ] LOL, oh, Karen... ;)"}, {"response": 169, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (03:35)", "body": "TracyT: have just thought of someone who'd be brilliantly mad! Julie Walters Perfect!"}, {"response": 170, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (07:54)", "body": "LOVED Julie Walters in Educating Rita!!!! What about Brenda Fricker?"}, {"response": 171, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (08:15)", "body": "How timely! From the Hollywood Reporter: British actor James Dreyfus and Lindsay Lohan have been cast in \"Bette,\" Bette Midler's series for CBS from Columbia TriStar Television. In the story, which revolves around Midler's character -- a larger-than-life diva -- Dreyfus will play her musical accompanist. Lohan will portray Midler's daughter....Dreyfus played Hugh Grant's book shop co-worker in \"Notting Hill.\" He has starred in BBC series such as \"The Thin Blue Line\" co-starring Rowan Atkinson."}, {"response": 172, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (10:09)", "body": "As a tot my oldest boy used to play with her daughter at a park in Beverly Hills. Bette used to bury her in the sand up to her neck in the tot lot as if she were at the beach (nothing I would ever do with my boy). We always had a fun time with them. She is v. funny!"}, {"response": 173, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (10:38)", "body": "James Dreyfus is hysterical! Loved him in \"The Thin Blue Line\", didn't realize that was him in \"Notting Hill\"!"}, {"response": 174, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (09:40)", "body": "On the \"Hollywood Power List\" Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner are #94. The Co-chairmen of Working Title are the Brit producers with global view, releasing big flicks..\"Notting Hill\" through Universal...... \"Had to share $40. Million Nic Cage-Penelope Cruz WW II romance 'Captain Corelli's Mandolin' and Bridget Jones's Diary with Miramax in order to get John Madden to direct 'Mandolin'.\" [Ran out of cashola? John Madden's sticker price must really have gone up...]"}, {"response": 175, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (10:03)", "body": "(Evelyn) John Madden's sticker price must really have gone up...] Either that, or he has sold his soul to the devi--oops, I mean Harvey Weinstein. ;-)"}, {"response": 176, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Tue, Apr 25, 2000 (14:28)", "body": "Since you were discussing IMDB earlier, I have a question. Does the information actually come from interested parties, like ourselves. I notice that BJD does indeed have a page with a bit of information. Is that as a result of your input? I notice-ahem-only one star's name mentioned so far, which leads me to believe input from here is NOT used. But, the names of the writers are there..."}, {"response": 177, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Apr 25, 2000 (14:57)", "body": "I noticed that too... I'd been looking regularly there for any hints as to casting but it is only since you know who has been confirmed that a BJD page has actually appeared. Even RZ isn't mentioned! Perhaps we should all submit additions to the page so they'll get the message that there is another male lead and update it!"}, {"response": 178, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 25, 2000 (16:56)", "body": "I submitted most of the details (actors, writers, producers, director, location, film co, etc.) a week or so ago, including having HF and Sharon Maguire) added to the database. Then they had the title wrong (Bridget Jones' Diary), so I submitted corrections and emailed a human being, who supposedly coordinates new submissions. The title has been corrected, but I don't know why only one actor shows up. I've resubmitted Colin and RZ and all their characters' names. I see that Lisbeth got her site listed as a Miscellaneous link, but mine has not gone it. Grrrr!! Also, one producer is missing."}, {"response": 179, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Apr 25, 2000 (17:17)", "body": "Today is RZ birthday, she is 31. A taurus with a virgo is a good match!"}, {"response": 180, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Apr 25, 2000 (17:18)", "body": "Karen, fight for that link! It should be there."}, {"response": 181, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Apr 25, 2000 (17:31)", "body": "Any news of the other roles (Jude, Shazzer, Bridget's Mum etc) ? They'll be starting shooting in four days tim so they must know!!! Perhaps the only way to find out is to go walkabout in Notting Hill!"}, {"response": 182, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 25, 2000 (17:41)", "body": "I expect they'll start with studio work until the weather has less chance of rain. Then, Tracy, you can hit the streets during your lunch hour or even after work... I can tell you from experience...nothing goes on too early, except in the makeup vans."}, {"response": 183, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 25, 2000 (20:20)", "body": ""}, {"response": 184, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 25, 2000 (20:22)", "body": "Attention Angelenos and all CPFoHF: BARNES & NOBLE CELEBRATES THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LOS ANGELES TIMES FESTIVAL OF BOOKS Barnes & Noble, Inc....announced it will host a series of readings on the UCLA Campus, Hilgard and Sunset Boulevard, on the Barnes & Noble stage from 10:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. Saturday, April 29th, and from 10:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. Sunday, April 30th. This year's lineup features authors Sherman Alexie, Giocanda Belli, Julia Cameron, Mark Danielewski, Joie Davidow, Chitra Divakaruni, Maria Escadon, Helen Fielding, Aleksandar Hemon, Ha Jin, Chang-rae Lee, Edna O'Brien, Michael Palin, Francine Prose, Rachel Resnick, Elissa Schappel, Cybill Shepherd, Nicholas Sparks and Ilan Stavans. [yadda yadda lots of pr crap] The schedule of author readings is as follows: Saturday, April 29th: 10:00a.m. Frank McCourt makes a special appearance at the Inverted Pyramid at Franz Hall to sign copies of his internationally acclaimed bestsellers, Angela Ashes and 'Tis. 11:00a.m. Michael Palin 12:00Noon Cybill Shepherd 1:00p.m. In Las Mamis: Favorite Latino Authors 2:00p.m. Sherman Alexie 3:00p.m. Chang-Rae Lee 4:00p.m. Helen Fielding has captivated readers all over the globe with her bestseller, Bridget Jones Diary. Join Ms. Fielding as she reads from the sequel, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, a wildly entertaining account of the life of Bridget Jones, a single girl on a seemingly doomed quest for self-improvement. Sunday, April 30th: 10:00a.m. Mark Danielewski 1:00a.m. Ha Jin 12:00Noon Nicholas Sparks 1:00p.m. Edna O'Brien 2:00p.m. Chitra Divakaruni 3:00p.m. Julia Cameron 4:00p.m. Francine Prose, Rachel Resnick, and Aleksandar Hemon"}, {"response": 185, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr 26, 2000 (12:42)", "body": "There's an article on Penelope Wilton in today's Standard. Just mentions that she's still waiting to hear if she got the role of BJ's mum. Is it just me, or does it seem that they've been jerking people around horrendously long throughout this casting process? I rented One True Thing the other evening--hadn't seen it since it played in theaters. RZ is so good in this, and shows a tremendous range. I highly recommend the film if you're looking for a good rent. Anyway, there's a scene in which she and her mother (Meryl Streep) are discussing a book. It's . . . Pride & Prejudice.:-)"}, {"response": 186, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Apr 26, 2000 (16:17)", "body": "AHA! You know where I'll be this weekend! Will make sure I bring the right resume this time(and not my facialist's)."}, {"response": 187, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 26, 2000 (18:02)", "body": "Harumpf.... I just got word that HF was on the Donny & Marie show today. They showed a pic of RZ but no mention of the other cast members...whoever they may be."}, {"response": 188, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Apr 27, 2000 (14:16)", "body": "winter - AHA! You know where I'll be this weekend! Will make sure I bring the right resume this time(and not my facialist's). That still makes me chuckle when I think about it! Best of Luck! Karen - Then, Tracy, you can hit the streets during your lunch hour or even after work * grin* Familiarizing myself with those pages of the A to Z as I type!"}, {"response": 189, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Apr 27, 2000 (15:25)", "body": "We expect you to be our on location reporter, Tracy! Winter, you know we expect a full report. Now, what can we do to get a BJD cast list? Karen?"}, {"response": 190, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 27, 2000 (15:33)", "body": "(Tracy) Familiarizing myself with those pages of the A to Z as I type! Very simple. We've got Notting Hill down pat. Just hang out on Kensington Park Road between Blenheim Crescent and Elgin Crescent. They will at some point *have* to shoot there, although Mark Darcy wouldn't be there. :-("}, {"response": 191, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Apr 27, 2000 (16:11)", "body": "But if MD is not there... who cares? ;-)"}, {"response": 192, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 27, 2000 (16:22)", "body": "Most of Mark's scenes are indoors or at surburban homes (Alconbury's, cocktail party, Jones's house, etc.) If they are true to the book, there are really two possibilities. Bridget runs into Mark when she's trying to an interview Mark's client (who she doesn't know is Mark's client) and they meet in a shop. Don't know if they would really bother doing that on location, but technically that would be in the City around the law courts. But wouldn't have to be. The other is Mark's house in Holland Park. Most is interior, except the backyard dance scene."}, {"response": 193, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 27, 2000 (22:44)", "body": "Just for you, Meredith, this is from an article in today's Times about some BBC television show: If the guys on Castaway really were survivalists - thrown from a BBC boat and forced to swim to Taransay with their belongings strapped to their heads - then fair enough. But given the helicopters, specially built accommodation pods and fortnightly supply-boat laden with post and Jaffa Cakes, it's never intended to be Ray Mears Builds A Village. See if your grocery store carries the LU line (those biscuits with the deep chocolate on top, Little Schoolboys or something like that) and their Pims (orange ones) are just like Jaffa Cakes (actually better)."}, {"response": 194, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (07:06)", "body": "HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Helen Fielding, who is adapting her bestselling novel ``Bridget Jones's Diary'' for Miramax and Working Title, has signed for representation with Creative Artists Agency. The firm will represent her in all areas except publishing. Her publishing agent is Gillon Aitken at U.K.-based Aitken & Stone. CAA will share representation for her in the U.K. with Peters, Fraser & Dunlop."}, {"response": 195, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (07:19)", "body": "The firm will represent her in all areas except publishing. Is she going into acting too? ;-) She sure is represented . MD will problably find himself with a wet-shirt scene somewhere in London. It is just a feeling I have. Davis might have added that to the script."}, {"response": 196, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (08:21)", "body": "(Moon) Is she going into acting too? ;-) The lecture circuit? Scripts? Television appearances? Commercials for Cadbury? ;-)"}, {"response": 197, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (11:10)", "body": "My guess is that HF is going for magazine articles and perhaps another newspaper column. Maybe a screenplay."}, {"response": 198, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (15:37)", "body": "My guess is that HF is going for magazine articles and perhaps another newspaper column. Maybe a screenplay. That is non-literary but BJD is??? Major semantics here."}, {"response": 199, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (15:52)", "body": "(Mari) perhaps another newspaper column Truly doubt this one. The stress was much too much for her to crank that out. Will be watching out for her on Hollywood Squares, sitting just to Whoopi's right. ;-)"}, {"response": 200, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (16:03)", "body": "How about a sequel...Bridget and Mark (plus assorted visiting buddies and family) in the States?. Readers' comments about \"The Edge of Reason\" at amazon.com are very enthusiastic (\"want more\")...far more so than at amazon.co.uk! She's very good at observing the minutiae of social behaviour...could be lots of new material in the US!"}, {"response": 201, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (19:30)", "body": "As I'm learning on the job, writers need just as much rep. as actors."}, {"response": 202, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (19:32)", "body": "oops!! a little too quick with the 'submit' button there.... Anyway, yes, the writers do not send their material directly to the studios. It's the agents that hunt out the best studios for their script, set up mtgs. with development co's., fight for their clients should things have to be rewritten etc..."}, {"response": 203, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (23:24)", "body": "A little bad press for Hugh's cinema persona... Wonder what the Archbishop is going to say about Daniel Cleaver? *hee hee* From The Times [Laura, read the whole thing, ;-)] Films must show more married love, says bishop AN ANGLICAN archbishop has attacked the way that sex is portrayed in the entertainment industry, singling out the \"floppy\" heroism of Hugh Grant for particular criticism. The Archbishop of Wales, Dr Rowan Williams, said that Grant's \"clumsy courtship\" of Julia Roberts in the hit film Notting Hill should not be held up as a romantic ideal. Addressing the Governing Body of the Church in Wales, he said that a better ideal would be the film's portrayal of Grant's married friends, two prosperous young lawyers, where the woman is paralysed and unable to have children. \"Yet every word and gesture they come out with is full of absolute mutual joy - far more erotic, I'd say,\" he said. Adding to his comments last night, Dr Williams, who is the Bishop of Monmouth and one of the favourites to be the next Archbishop of Canterbury, emerged as an unlikely fan of the American television show The Simpsons. He said that it was \"a positive example to children\" and \"has a strong sense of family values\". In his speech he called for the possibility of deep, erotic love within marriage to be emphasised in sex education lessons in schools. He said that too many people thought of sex merely as entertainment and missed its deeper meaning. However, he singled out the Canadian novelist Robertson Davies, A.S. Byatt's book Possession, and John Bayley's Iris: A Memoir of Iris Murdoch as examples of modern literature that should be studied by people interested in sex, marriage and the art of love. Dr Williams said: \"Forget the floppy hero and his neurotic film star beloved.\" He said that sex was about more than \"entertainment and individual gratification\", adding: \"It's not just about information and the technicalities of sex, but that we look at some of the great imaginative relationships with sex in literature, drama and film.\" Last night he added: \"The mysterious and the risky in married relationships is not always something that is brought to the fore in our imaginative thinking. \"People think of the excitement as bed-hopping and of marriage as boring. One of the books that brought this all home to me was John Bayley's memoir of Iris Murdoch. I found it very moving, particularly as I read it when my own mother was dying of Alzheimer's. It is about a patient, selfless profoundly sexual relationship which has that mystery and depth to it.\" Dr Williams, 49, who is married with two children, said of The Simpsons: \"It is very moral because the good people always win in the end. \"A lot of people attack the show but I think it is very sophisticated and has an amusing slant on modern society. It is a light-hearted look at life and is surreal but there are good, strong Christian morals there too.\" He said that he sits down to watch it with his wife Jane, daughter Rhiannon, 12 and son Pip, 4, and even has his own Simpsons' T-shirt. \"You need a sense of humour in this job,\" Dr Williams said, adding that his other favourite TV show was the Channel 4 clerical comedy Father Ted. \"I think I appreciate the humour even more because I'm an archbishop,\" he said."}, {"response": 204, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Apr 29, 2000 (13:37)", "body": "Surfing around today, I came across this nice review of BJ the Edge of Reason. http://www.dispatch.com/news/newsfea00/apr00/251830.html"}, {"response": 205, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Apr 30, 2000 (03:00)", "body": "(winter) As I'm learning on the job, writers need just as much rep. as actors. Ooooh, this piqued my interest. Working where, dear? (Are you still at the same email address, BTW? Sorry to post this on-line, but I was sure whether or not the .edu one was still current.) (Karen)4:00p.m. Helen Fielding has captivated readers all over the globe with her bestseller, Bridget Jones Diary. Join Ms. Fielding as she reads from the sequel, Bridget Jones, Edge of Reason... Darn, I didn't see this until Saturday night so I missed the reading. Did you go, winter? HF would probably repeat a lot of the sound bites we heard at the signing, but she delivers them in such a charming way it would have been fun to see her again."}, {"response": 206, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Apr 30, 2000 (08:52)", "body": "From the May 8 People magazine: Overheard: Renee Zellweger, while getting coiffed in a Beverly Hills salon, moaning to a chum about having to put on 15 lbs. to play a flab-obsessed singleton in the film Bridget Jones's Diary. The actress joshed that she should make the movie studio spring for a slimming spa visit once the film wraps."}, {"response": 207, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 30, 2000 (08:58)", "body": "Reading those quality magazines again, huh? ;-D Just think, if Calista Flockart had been cast, she would've had to put on a whole other person."}, {"response": 208, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Apr 30, 2000 (09:37)", "body": "Huge article on RZ in The Mail on Sunday magazine, not mention of CF or HG or the rest of the cast."}, {"response": 209, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 30, 2000 (09:43)", "body": "So what was in it? Anything interesting about becoming Bridget, preparation for the role??????"}, {"response": 210, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Apr 30, 2000 (09:51)", "body": "(Katren) Reading those quality magazines again, huh? ;-D Hey, it's a tough job, but somebody's gotta do it.;-) Just remember, if it weren't for People, we'd have no idea what Flick and Flock look like.;-) 15 lbs., eh? For me, that would be a couple of bad weekends. Piece of cake.;-) Ann, let's hear more about that Mail article on RZ. If no mention of the cast, my guess is that it was done prior to the announcements."}, {"response": 211, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Apr 30, 2000 (09:52)", "body": "Meant to type \"Karen\" bien sur.;-)"}, {"response": 212, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Apr 30, 2000 (12:15)", "body": "The article is basically just about Renee growing up in Texas, in a town called \"Katy\", her school life, her first childhood sweetheart, how she enjoyed being a Cheerleader, that sort of thing and that she is the antithesis of Bridget Jones. A little bit about being the girlfriend of JC, oh and there is one interesting fact and that is that she will earn a reported 3million pounds to play Bridget. (that and HG's fee could make a nasty dent in the whole budget)"}, {"response": 213, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Sun, Apr 30, 2000 (20:09)", "body": "3 million Pounds?!? Isn't that about 4.5 million dollars!?! That's a lot of money for her. I guess her price tag has really gone up! Well, for that dough, she'd better be good!"}, {"response": 214, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, May  1, 2000 (03:51)", "body": "Watched One True Thing this weekend. I guess with a little make-up they can make RZ look a few years older, and if she's putting on weight, she'll be alright ;-) I liked her act, a kind of controled anger and despair."}, {"response": 215, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, May  1, 2000 (14:03)", "body": "Wasn't the original budget \ufffd5million, and then it jumped to \ufffd12million when Hughie came on board (since the mega success of 4 Weddings and NH he ain't cheap) Does that leave just \ufffd2million to make the movie, and pay the rest of the cast and crew? BTW, it's a lovely day....marvellous weather for the first day's shoot of BJD!"}, {"response": 216, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, May  1, 2000 (14:25)", "body": "How do yo make \ufffd2million pounds left Bethlan, \ufffd12 million less RV's fee leaves \ufffd9million and if HG is getting the saqmesay, that leaves \ufffd6million for the rest!! which is reasonable, hope my maths is right."}, {"response": 217, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, May  1, 2000 (15:27)", "body": "I think HG may be getting a lot more than RZ. According to one of those league tables we seem to be inundated with in the press...who earns the most, the richest 500 etc, HG is now in the $1O million bracket per movie. I don't think there's any equity in salaries...it's all down to who has a proven track record of pulling the crowds in! I remember reading that for 4 weddings HG was paid \ufffd50,000 as he was unknown then, and his co-star AM got \ufffd1million. He's overtaken her now!"}, {"response": 218, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, May  2, 2000 (02:47)", "body": "I also read that for Notting Hill HG was paid only \ufffd600,000 compared with Julia Robert's \ufffd14m (or somesuch vast number). That was a reflection to how low his stock had fallen at the time. What a difference one film makes!"}, {"response": 219, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, May  2, 2000 (08:54)", "body": "(Bethan) it's all down to who has a proven track record of pulling the crowds in! That's what it's all about, dearie. (Allison) compared with Julia Robert's JR's up to what--eight or ten--films which have raked in more than $100 million, including the likes of Stepmom and Runaway Bride. She's golden."}, {"response": 220, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May  2, 2000 (10:43)", "body": "From Entertainment Weekly Online (thanks to Sylvia): Hugh and Cry The latest on the ''Bridget Jones'' casting controversy. Hugh Grant defends the choice of American Renee Zellweger as Britain's favorite single gal by Sandra P. Angulo Renee Zellweger tried on her brand-new English accent Monday, when rehearsals started for the London-set romantic comedy ''Bridget Jones's Diary.'' Let's hope Zellweger's dialogue-coached accent is smoother than the response to her being cast. When the Texas-native landed the lead role in February, many Brits were upset that a Yank had beat out top English candidates Kate Winslet (who supposedly got sick of waiting for an offer and decided to star in the period drama ''Therese Raquin''), Helena Bonham Carter, and Emily Watson to play the quintessential London Singleton. '' Yet another British role falls prey to U.S. star power,'' wrote Empire Magazine. For her part, Fielding left the Universal-Miramax coproduction in March and has had little to say about the casting of the 29-year-old (sic) Zellweger: ''I've never met Renee, but I'm told she's very funny and learning to speak English with an English rather than Texas accent.'' Not the greatest of endorsements. But Zellweger's ''Bridget'' costar Hugh Grant has taken on the tough new role of her gallant defender. ''I've met Renee a couple of times, and she is bang-on,'' Grant told EW Online last weekend while promoting the upcoming Woody Allen film. ''She's very funny, and she's been living in England a long time now, mastering the accent. It'll be a triumph. I know it will.'' Not all of the casting decisions caused such a stir for the $8 million project. Grant, 39, says at least one star was perfect for the part: Colin Firth (''Shakespeare in Love\"), who plays one of Jones' prospective love interests, Mark Darcy. Apparently Fielding so loved the 39-year-old's portrayal of Mr. Darcy in the BBC's 1995 miniseries ''Pride and Prejudice'' that she named the ''Jones'' character after his role. In the book's recently released sequel, ''Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason,'' Firth even factors into the plot, when Bridget tries desperately to interview him about ''Pride.'' ''She only asks him about getting his shirt wet in the swimming scene,'' Grant recalls. And what does Grant think of his own role? ''Well, I play a bastard,'' he says. ''It's all very appropriate.''"}, {"response": 221, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, May  2, 2000 (10:52)", "body": "only 8million dollars now, is that about \ufffd6million pounds?"}, {"response": 222, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May  2, 2000 (10:54)", "body": "Thanks, Mari. What else is Hugh going to say, except that she's bang on. ;-) More hair-pulling going on about Film Four's upcoming lineup of films starring Americans. Yes, it's boxoffice. Major effort to ensure universality of the films. Insular casting is out. ''She only asks him about getting his shirt wet in the swimming scene,'' Could there be an article about Colin that DOESN'T mention the wet shirt? Oh well, that should help things in the US. I expect that will be featured extensively in the premovie buildup. Shots of Wessex won't do it. ;-)"}, {"response": 223, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May  2, 2000 (10:55)", "body": "Some where in between, Ann."}, {"response": 224, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May  2, 2000 (12:24)", "body": "Ann, they got her age wrong, so there's no reason to think the budget info is correct. (Whatever happened to good old-fashioned fact checking?;-) I do think that the $4.5 million for RZ is overstated. I read yesterday that Ashley Judd is getting $4 million for her next role, and she has two back-to-back blockbusters behind her in starring roles (and the box office is what drives the salaries). Can't imagine RZ is getting anywhere near that . . .but who knows. Good to hear that they started rehearsals yesterday, right on time. (Karen) Could there be an article about Colin that DOESN'T mention the wet shirt? Oh well, that should help things in the US. I expect that will be featured extensively in the premovie buildup. Shots of Wessex won't do it. ;-) Absolutely right. Well, he must have made peace with it or he wouldn't have signed on."}, {"response": 225, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May  2, 2000 (14:29)", "body": "Was that HG giving free press to ODB? Thanks Mari for posting. RZ turned 31 in April. The British press as Allison has stated is known for not checking all their facts. I am still not convinced about her British accent. I do not think her salary is as high as they have printed but I do wonder how much they paid Colin to do this. Does anyone know? Will somebody please get in touch with the production company regarding the rest of the cast?"}, {"response": 226, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May  2, 2000 (15:10)", "body": "Moon, EW is a U.S. website; let it be duly noted that we are just as capable as anyone else of screwing up the facts.;-) ;-) I couldn't even venture a guess as to CF's salary; I just hope it's not so high that he'll feel he won't have to work again this year.;-) But high enough that he can afford to do more theater!:-)"}, {"response": 227, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May  2, 2000 (16:46)", "body": "Moon, EW is a U.S. website; let it be duly noted that we are just as capable as anyone else of screwing up the facts.;-) ;-) That's one big press party! ;-)"}, {"response": 228, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (08:10)", "body": "Film Unlimited has picked up the story: http://www.filmunlimited.co.uk/News_Story/Exclusive/0,4029,216765,00.html Grant defends beleaguered Bridget Jones star Wednesday May 3, 2000 Fellow actors in the forthcoming adaptation of Helen Fielding's ubiquitous Bridget Jones' Diary have moved to defuse bad feeling surrounding the casting of American starlet Ren\ufffde Zellweger as the eponymous British heroine. The British press have been sniffy about the casting, citing Kate Winslet, Helena Bonham-Carter and Emily Watson as actresses who ought to have been preferred for the role. Zellweger has courted further resentment with her high-handed approach to the project, which included, according to reports, refusing to test for the film, on the assumption that she was celebrated enough to be offered the part unseen. Fielding - who has distanced herself from the film - registered only lukewarm enthusiasm for its star, saying \"I've never met Ren\ufffde, but I'm told she's very funny and learning to speak English with an English rather than Texas accent.\" But Zellweger's co-star Hugh Grant leapt to her defence between the covers of Entertainment Weekly this week. \"I've met Ren\ufffde a couple of times, and she is bang-on,\" says Grant, demonstrating his mastery of street slang. \"She's very funny, and she's been living in England a long time now, mastering the accent. It'll be a triumph. I know it will.\" ~~~~~~~ In the EW magazine, huh?"}, {"response": 229, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (08:49)", "body": "Now we must remember to use bang-on more often. ;-) I hope somebody will ask CF a few questions about playing MD. And how he feels about being in the sequel as both MD and CF. Why does it not occur to anyone to ask?"}, {"response": 230, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (14:11)", "body": "A Brit fan at the FOFs who watched the news coverage of the MLSF premiere says Colin's hair was a bit longer than usual, and seemed to be parted in the middle. The Mark Darcy look perhaps??? Murph"}, {"response": 231, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (14:30)", "body": "Maybe they are trying to make him look less like the Mr. Darcy we all know and love because at some point they will use the P&P2 tape on the show?"}, {"response": 232, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (15:15)", "body": "(Murph) Colin's hair was a bit longer than usual, and seemed to be parted in the middle. The Mark Darcy look perhaps??? Sounds more like the Alfalfa look.;-) When his hair is longish, it does tend to flop a bit at the crown--hopefully, that's what she was referring to. Since they're still in rehearsals, I think he may have one haircut left in him before shooting begins.;-) I hope.:-) While I'm here, I don't believe for a minute that anonymous \"report\" from the Guardian in which they said RZ refused to audition. No way. This is a big break for her, and she knows it. And with all those other better-known actresses in the running, there is no way that the producers would have gone for her sight unseen."}, {"response": 233, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (15:32)", "body": "Doesn't RZ have a big movie opening later this year in which she co-stars with Jim Carrey? I'm hoping that her star is in the ascendency, so that by the time BJD opens, she'll be hot property...rather like the take-off to Gwyneth Paltrow's career. I wonder what the poster for the movie will look like. All three or just RZ. CF sounds as though he has another haircut left! I hope they leave his hair au naturel in colour ...he looks younger and there'll be a contrast with the naturally dark HG!"}, {"response": 234, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (17:09)", "body": "The big movie is Me, Myself and Irene directed by that piggy director Neil LaBute and thankfully not written by him. (Bethan) I hope they leave his hair au naturel in colour Noooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!! It must be darkened a la Fitzwilliam Darcy. I'd call Hugh's light brown although most usually call it floppy. Is that a generally recognized color?"}, {"response": 235, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (17:26)", "body": "Colin's hair was a bit longer than usual, and seemed to be parted in the middle In the middle? Meaning on top, perhaps? More like de-parted, then... Oh, dear."}, {"response": 236, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (17:59)", "body": "I've liked Neil LaBute's work in film and theater, but then as my mother is wont to say to me as she rolls her eyes, \"I don't know about you.\" Okay, so I'm quirky. I won't see the \"...Irene\" film, though. It stars the putrid Jim Carrey."}, {"response": 237, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (19:03)", "body": "Sorry about the mixup, as Mari told me a short while ago, the Neil LaBute movie with RZ is Nurse Betty, which will be at Cannes. *gag*"}, {"response": 238, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (19:20)", "body": "(Murph) Colin's hair was a bit longer than usual, and seemed to be parted in the middle. (Arami) In the middle? Meaning on top, perhaps? More like de-parted, then... Oh, dear. Snort! Fielding - who has distanced herself from the film - registered only lukewarm enthusiasm for its star, saying \"I've never met Ren\ufffde, but I'm told she's very funny and learning to speak English with an English rather than Texas accent.\" The press does persist in trying to stir up trouble. That quote can't be right either. It sounds as if HF is hinting that RZ is learning a second language."}, {"response": 239, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (20:35)", "body": "It sounds as if HF is hinting that RZ is learning a second language. Weell hooney, she just maaght be. ;-)"}, {"response": 240, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (07:09)", "body": "Way to go, Colin! From Popcorn: Colin Firth Is No Luvvie 'Bridget Jones' star reckons everyone's overreacting about his co-star Ren\ufffde Zellweger. Colin Firth is about to play another Mr Darcy this time in the big screen adaptation of 'Bridget Jones' Diary', but the actor tells Popcorn that all the fuss about casting an American actress as Bridget is ridiculous. 'Jerry Maguire' star Ren\ufffde Zellweger was cast in the lead role, causing furore among 'Bridget Jones' purists, who thought it should have gone to a British actress. Firth is having none of it, though. As far as he's concerned he thinks \"it's wonderful\" and believes we shouldn't \"be territorial at all as it defeats the entire purpose of acting\". He stands by the casting of Zellweger and points out that \"if we all played only that which we are, all films would be made about a bunch of luvvies, sitting in green rooms gossiping about their agents and billing\". Well said that man!"}, {"response": 241, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (07:49)", "body": "LOL! Colin said precisely the right thing. Attack the attackers, instead of trying to defend the attackee."}, {"response": 242, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (08:46)", "body": "From The Telegraph (4 May): INTERVIEWED at the premiere of A Life So Far, Colin Firth had this to say about the first day of filming Bridget Jones's Diary: \"Day 1: 12 stone (reportedly), no cigarettes, alcohol units 2, no arguments or hitches, filming going well (fingers crossed).\""}, {"response": 243, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (09:25)", "body": "Colin Firth had this to say about the first day of filming Bridget Jones's Diary... LOL! He's getting good at this press stuff;-) I think it's the Farrelly Bros. (of Something About Mary fame) who are behind Me Myself and Irene. It was filmed locally (in R.I.) last summer and the Boston papers are already running little blurbs about it."}, {"response": 244, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (09:37)", "body": "Hmmm, maybe Helen is writing his soundbites now. ;-) And \"A Life So Far\" is how it was written."}, {"response": 245, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (09:38)", "body": "believes we shouldn't \"be territorial at all And that goes for the asylum seekers as well. ;-) \"Day 1: 12 stone (reportedly), no cigarettes, alcohol units 2, no arguments or hitches, filming going well (fingers crossed).\" vvg Mr. Darcy! He weighs 12 stone... and that would be? Thanks, Mari and Karen!"}, {"response": 246, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (09:53)", "body": "168 = 12 stone"}, {"response": 247, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (10:08)", "body": "168 lbs for a man his height is very little. He must be v. thin now."}, {"response": 248, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (11:02)", "body": "I love this man's sense of humor. He has such a quick mind. Thanks, Karen. Murph"}, {"response": 249, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (11:24)", "body": "A winner Karen and Mari. And thank you Colin for being on our side.Clever and more importantly, gracious."}, {"response": 250, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (14:03)", "body": "Love the BJD-style quote, Karen. He *is* a rail, Moon. Seems like they're trotting out the guys to diffuse the RZ thing. Smart."}, {"response": 251, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (14:06)", "body": "What about the rest of the cast? Who can get that info? Murph? Karen?"}, {"response": 252, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (14:16)", "body": "The picture with the popcorn article is one of Geoffrey Clifton. Not new. Wish I did have an inside look at the cast. It must be somewhere out there. Maybe at Working Title? Murph"}, {"response": 253, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (14:18)", "body": "(Mari) Seems like they're trotting out the guys to diffuse the RZ thing. That was what the first line of the Guardian article said: \"Fellow actors in the forthcoming adaptation of Helen Fielding's ubiquitous Bridget Jones's Diary have moved to defuse bad feeling surrounding the casting of American starlet [harumph] Renee Zellweger as the eponymous British heroine. Then the article only mentioned Hughie. Been wondering when the *other* actor would show up...and show up indeed. :-)"}, {"response": 254, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (15:22)", "body": "What about the rest of the cast? Who can get that info? Murph? Karen? I've got the phone number for the BJD production office. I've rung them before. If you want, I'll give them a ring and ask about the casting...it can't be confidential, surely? The only thing is that I seem to have a v. poor track record when it comes to getting correct information. Although if I ask \"who is playing Bridget's mum?\" they can't say \"dunno\" \"undecided\" \"wait until the movie comes out\"..can they? Nice to see a few CF quotes!"}, {"response": 255, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (15:32)", "body": "Go to is Bethan and best of luck and thanks."}, {"response": 256, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (16:12)", "body": "\"if we all played only that which we are, all films would be made about a bunch of luvvies, sitting in green rooms gossiping about their agents and billing\". He does think about things - not just a carpenter ;-)"}, {"response": 257, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (17:48)", "body": "*hee hee* but we really wouldn't mind if he were ;-)"}, {"response": 258, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (17:57)", "body": "The brain is an added bonus! :-)"}, {"response": 259, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, May  5, 2000 (02:43)", "body": "(Bethan)The brain is an added bonus! :-) OK, I know you're joking..."}, {"response": 260, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (23:50)", "body": "The upcomingmovies site has a February 2, 2001 date for release in the US. Says it was announced on May 2nd. Am checking into it. ;-) http://www.upcomingmovies.com/bridgetjonesdiary.html"}, {"response": 261, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (08:21)", "body": "Thanks Karen for keeping us up on the latest developments re: BJ. BTW, Bethan, what did the production crew tell you on Friday re: the supporting BJD cast? Did you get to telephone as planned?"}, {"response": 262, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (08:33)", "body": "Thanks, Scoop, for the BJD info.;-) Dates will change a million times before it's released, but it's good to know the general timeframe they're shooting for."}, {"response": 263, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (09:39)", "body": "I agree with you Mari. Thanks Karen, and keep trying to get the cast list from them. :-)"}, {"response": 264, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (10:00)", "body": "Evelyn, yes, I did phone on Friday. But, I'm afraid, predictably, got no information! I phoned the production office and asked about the supporting cast. The girl I spoke to said that all information was handled by their PR agency, and she couldn't tell me anything. Not even the cast (who presumably are on set by now...it's hardly \"top secret\"!) She gave me the number of the agency and a contact name. I rang but only got a voice mail. The PR agency BTW is Freud Communications. It's run by Matthew Freud (grandson of Sigmund) who is the brother-in-law of Richard Curtis and handled the PR for \"Notting Hill\". Which may explain the early emphasis on and \"leaks\" about Hughie!"}, {"response": 265, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (11:03)", "body": "Thanks for trying, bethan The PR agency BTW is Freud Communications. It's run by Matthew Freud (grandson of Sigmund) who is the brother-in-law of Richard Curtis and handled the PR for \"Notting Hill\". The whole thing sounds incestuous...."}, {"response": 266, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (13:11)", "body": "(Evelyn)The whole thing sounds incestuous.... LOL!"}, {"response": 267, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (19:39)", "body": "I've been reading the posts, have been very busy at work and nursing broken heart, however, I am totally excited about BJD especially now that CF is aboard. One thing I kept meaning to mention, but kept forgetting is that if you look on the BJD books Gil Hornby praises it... Could only be NH's sister who is married to another writer (WHAT is his name???) Still haven't seen High Fidelity (for personal reasons, turns out I really am the Laura;))"}, {"response": 268, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (02:51)", "body": "Laura, have a and my sympathy to help you with your broken heart."}, {"response": 269, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (08:22)", "body": "The PR agency BTW is Freud Communications. It's run by Matthew Freud (grandson of Sigmund) who is the brother-in-law of Richard Curtis and handled the PR for \"Notting Hill\". The whole thing sounds incestuous.... And better yet, guess who was a script editor on 4 Weddings.. and Notting Hill ? Emma Freud, wife of RC, sister of MF."}, {"response": 270, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (08:50)", "body": "Here is an article on a woman that some of us early on thought would be a great BJ. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/et?ac=000772005502828&rtmo=qXdMetb9&atmo=qXdMetb9&pg=/et/00/5/8/tlomb08.html It's a fairly long article so I won't repost it. But it's about Louise Lombard."}, {"response": 271, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (08:52)", "body": "(Bethan)The PR agency BTW is Freud Communications. It's run by Matthew Freud (grandson of Sigmund) who is the brother-in-law of Richard Curtis and handled the PR for \"Notting Hill\". (Mark) And better yet, guess who was a script editor on 4 Weddings.. and Notting Hill? Emma Freud, wife of RC, sister of MF. Oooohhhhhhh. 'Nuff said that Hughie will continue to draw the limelight on this one (as if his global recognition factor wasn't enough). LOL about the Freud connection, though. Thanks for the 'upcoming films' link, Karen."}, {"response": 272, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (09:48)", "body": "(Laura)....some of us early on thought would be a great BJ. Louise Lombard??? Who is us , Laura?"}, {"response": 273, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (09:55)", "body": "This is from the very beginning. I believe Kate thought she'd be a good BJ. She is beautiful. I know another Brit thought she'd be good too, but for the life of me, I can't remember. :)"}, {"response": 274, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (10:56)", "body": "Louise Lombard??? Who is us, Laura? I admit it; I thought she'd be good. Sorry, Evelyn, I know she's a bit thin and intense, but her voice is just right. I didn't know she'd dropped out to go to Uni though. But I want to continue to express my whole-hearted supported for RZ. I don't even believe there was a \"storm of criticism from the British\" about her casting. Maybe two articles that wondered whether all British contenders had been rejected, max. (And an HF comment that you could read anything you liked into)."}, {"response": 275, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (12:06)", "body": "(Mark)I don't even believe there was a \"storm of criticism from the British\" about her casting Are you kidding, Mark? Where were you that day when it was announced? Not only the press. This board was outraged . \"Only a British actress, could play Bridget who is the prototype of all Brit singletons... \"A Texan, playing a Brit?\"?? Trust me. Go back and read the postings."}, {"response": 276, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (13:21)", "body": "(Evelyn) This board was outraged. Not all of us ;-P"}, {"response": 277, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (14:15)", "body": "I wasn't outraged. Surprised, yes. But I think RZ will be good (still trying to picture her with Brit accent, tho;)) Oh, and that whole online Caroline thing STUPID!!!"}, {"response": 278, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (00:07)", "body": "This PR wire also came out today, although except for the last bit (attention: Evelyn) nothing is new about CCM or BJD. The co-financing/distribution deals were announced months ago, weren't they? PR NEWSWIRE: Universal Pictures and STUDIOCANAL to Co-Finance Working Title's 'Captain Corelli's Mandolin' and 'Bridget Jones Diary' with Miramax Films Universal Pictures and STUDIOCANAL have announced plans to enter into a co-production deal with Miramax Films on two films currently in production with Working Title: \"Captain Corelli's Mandolin\" and \"Bridget Jones Diary.\" Working Title developed these films in association with Universal Pictures and STUDIOCANAL. Universal Pictures will distribute \"Captain Corelli's Mandolin\" in the U.S. and Canada with Universal and STUDIOCANAL splitting international territories. Miramax will distribute the film in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. On \"Bridget Jones Diary,\" Miramax will handle domestic distribution with Universal and STUDIOCANAL splitting all foreign territories. Working Title's \"Captain Corelli's Mandolin\" stars Academy Award(R) winner Nicolas Cage and Penelope Cruz for director John Madden in an adaptation of Louis de Bernieres classic novel about a stirring romance set on a Greek island during World War II. The film is scheduled to begin production this May. \"Bridget Jones Diary,\" based on the best-selling novel by Helen Fielding about a single woman coping with life in her 30's, is scheduled to begin production in June with Renee Zellweger, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth. Last year, Universal Pictures and STUDIOCANAL formed a 50/50 joint venture in association with Working Title Films, the London based production company, to co-fund the development, production and operational costs of Working Title's future slate. Under terms of the deal, Working Title Films will be distributed in the U.S. and Canada by Universal Pictures. Theatrical, video and television distribution outside of the U.S. and Canada will be shared by Universal and STUDIOCANAL, consistent with their respective strategic goals. [imagine lots of boilerplate corporate junk here] Miramax Films and Universal Pictures have a successful co-production relationship, which includes Best Picture Oscar(R) winner \"Shakespeare In Love.\" The two companies will be working together on co-producing the upcoming films \"The Real Thing,\" \"In The Cut,\" \"Her Leading Man and \"Cinderella Man.\""}, {"response": 279, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (04:01)", "body": "(Karen)The two companies will be working together on co-producing the upcoming films \"The Real Thing\"... Evelyn, you must be happy! Five Tony nominations and going on to a film. Glad you saw it first hand :-)"}, {"response": 280, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (07:04)", "body": "Bridget Jones Diary,\" based on the best-selling novel by Helen Fielding about a single woman coping with life in her 30's, is scheduled to begin production in June So now it is June. Maybe the will still be filming in July when I am there. ;-)"}, {"response": 281, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (07:57)", "body": "Gi, thank you for the flower. Heart is slowly (and I mean slowly) mending. Trip to Ireland for daughter's 10th bday should do the trick:) Do want to see High Fidelity; perhaps in Ireland?"}, {"response": 282, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (08:51)", "body": "Hugh must have had a day off, as this states he was in Frankfurt yesterday: Intermedia also said Monday that English actor Hugh Grant will join the company's supervisory board. Grant told a Frankfurt press conference Monday the company had \"an exciting business plan.\""}, {"response": 283, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (09:21)", "body": "Karen)The two companies will be working together on co-producing the upcoming films \"The Real Thing\"... (Gi)Evelyn, you must be happy! Five Tony nominations and going on to a film. Glad you saw it first hand :-) I am delirious about the Tony nomination....but.... I have no illusions about Jennifer being cast in the film; she is still not a bankable film star and there will be stiff competition for that role with popular movie stars.Remember, Julie Andrews did not get the screen role in My Fair Lady. It went to Audrey Hepburn and they dubbed her singing voice."}, {"response": 284, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (09:27)", "body": "Quite right. Role will probably go to Nicole Kidman."}, {"response": 285, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (09:34)", "body": "(Karen) Quite right. Role will probably go to Nicole Kidman. AAAAGHHHH"}, {"response": 286, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (09:36)", "body": "LOL. No, they'll give the role to an American actress who fakes a good Brit accent;)"}, {"response": 287, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (09:40)", "body": "but who on earth could eclipse Stepehen, he has made Henry his own and although I am sure someone like NK will get the role I will always think of Annie & Henry in terms of JE & SD. Can't see it working as a film either."}, {"response": 288, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (09:43)", "body": "just as I can't imagine another Lizzie & Darcy (CF & JE)"}, {"response": 289, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (09:47)", "body": "Re: TRT (Ann)Can't see it working as a film either. Tom Stoppard will re-write it for screen adaptation. BBC is the only one who gets away with on- screen plays.Our TV has done a few...the recent \"Failsafe\"was play-like...excellent too.And PBS occasionally. But don't know of any theatrical releases that have made it. Let's face it, theatre is not a big draw in the US....it's v. regional. And considered elitist."}, {"response": 290, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (10:01)", "body": "(Laura) No, they'll give the role to an American actress who fakes a good Brit accent;) And that's Jennifer Ehle!:-)"}, {"response": 291, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (10:12)", "body": "And that's Jennifer Ehle!:-) ] DUH, me!!!! :) Bellissimo, Bella! (is that Umbrian?) ;)"}, {"response": 292, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (14:25)", "body": "It should be Molto bene, bella. Or even brava, bella. It would work in the Umbrian dialect and Italian as well. I am sure someone like NK will get the role Ann, by NK do you mean Nicholas Cage?"}, {"response": 293, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (14:41)", "body": "NK = Nicole Kidman;)"}, {"response": 294, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (16:00)", "body": "that's it but now you come to mention it, perhaps NK could play Henry, or perhaps not!"}, {"response": 295, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (10:23)", "body": "June issue of \"Movieline\"has cute pic of RZ and a short article: \"Renee Z.has caused a stir by getting cast as the hilarious, brilliantly daffy British girl in a movie adaptation of HF's huge best -seller BJD.Why has RZ casting gotten so many people's panties in a bunch? Because she's one of the few Americans in the veddy British production......One English TV and film producer explained it this way:'Imagine if they cast a Brit girl as the star in a movie version of \"Ally Mc Beal'. That's how big Bridget Jones is in our country' Oh , please. There's been a long tradition of Brits stealing primo American roles , dating back to the late 30's when Brit beauty Vivien Leigh landed the plum part of a Southern belle Scarlett O Hara in GWTW.Anyway, Z. reportedly so wowed the moviemakers that she slipped the role right out of the clutches of such Brit worthies as Kate Winslet, Helea BC, and Kate Beckinsale.\" ~~~~~~~ Didn't know there were other Americans involved... Poor Renee...the whole country is laying in wait for her...the press will savage her for sure. There seems to be various accounts of how she got the role. Sure glad Working Title is a Brit company.And in the last analysis the UK is a very small market.No one seems to go to the movies there anyway."}, {"response": 296, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (11:16)", "body": "(Evelyn) There seems to be various accounts of how she got the role. And how. Spinning up more controversy, aren't they? This is the first time I've seen Kate B's name mentioned, though (IMO RZ's a better choice). No one seems to go to the movies there anyway *hee hee*"}, {"response": 297, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (12:15)", "body": "No one seems to go to the movies there anyway. Must be the sky high prices!! 8 to 10 quid for a ticket after 5 pm! AN I thought Denmark was expensive!"}, {"response": 298, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (12:19)", "body": "D ;-)"}, {"response": 299, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (12:40)", "body": "Lisbeth has the account of the first meeting between \"Bridget\" and CF on the set of FP at: Bridget meets Darcy '96"}, {"response": 300, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (12:53)", "body": "Thanks, KJ. LOL! This one's even funnier than the Rome interview, IMO."}, {"response": 301, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (13:38)", "body": "Thanks, KJ! RZ fits Bridget physically, and she does have a very expressive face. I just do not like her voice and am holding out to see how well she does a British accent. Any news on the rest of the cast?"}, {"response": 302, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (13:53)", "body": "Thanks for the link, KJ. Loved the line 'Colin Firth, as he's known.' V.v. funny interview."}, {"response": 303, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (15:39)", "body": "The Observer? No, I don't think so. ;-)"}, {"response": 304, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (18:46)", "body": "(Evelyn quoting Movieline) One English TV and film producer explained it this way:'Imagine if they cast a Brit girl as the star in a movie version of \"Ally Mc Beal'. Ok, I'm imagining it, and there'd be a huge collective yawn. Nobody here cares about that stuff. Nobody. In fact, we like it when people come here and do well. (Movieline) Anyway, Z. reportedly so wowed the moviemakers that she slipped the role right out of the clutches of such Brit worthies as Kate Winslet, Helena BC, and Kate Beckinsale.\" Well, last I heard, Kate Beckinsale just nabbed a plumb role in Pearl Harbor, playing an American. Helena's last screen role shown here was Fight Club, playing an American. Kate Winslet was in that movie about a ship hitting an iceberg and sinking . . . playing an American. Geez, we just had Sam Neill and Thandie Newton playing Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemmings! I think I feel a letter to Movieline coming on; maybe they'll pass the word along to *get over it.*"}, {"response": 305, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (19:23)", "body": "(Movieline) Anyway, Z. reportedly so wowed the moviemakers that she slipped the role right out of the clutches of such Brit worthies as Kate Winslet, Helena BC, and Kate Beckinsale.\" At least we know she auditioned for the part. She must have done something right. Her accent made them hire someone to work on it right away. Remember back to her casting announcement followed by she is working on the accent."}, {"response": 306, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (02:11)", "body": "Ok, I'm imagining it, and there'd be a huge collective yawn. Nobody here cares about that stuff. Nobody. And do you think most people in the UK care either? It is just our sloppy press. I think we probably read too many newspapers in the UK. When I was at school .. long long ago .. it was said we read more newspapers per head of population than any other country on earth. I suspect it has not changed much. It means journalists here pick up on anything to fill up those acres of newsprint."}, {"response": 307, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (07:01)", "body": "Thanks for your perspective, Allison. Here's more on that Cleaver guy, from Empire: Exclusive: Hugh's Hidden Talent 11/05/2000 Who\ufffdd have thought Hugh Grant would be a bundle of nerves over Bridget Jones? During a recent New York visit to talk about his role in Woody Allen\ufffds Small Time Crooks, Grant departed from the initial subject to confess his fears of facing the first read-through for Bridget Jones\ufffd Diary and reveal that he is working on his own screenplay. \ufffdIt\ufffds always terrifying, and it\ufffds pathetic,\ufffd he admitted of the rehearsals. \ufffdI don\ufffdt think you get used to it. Sitting around with everyone thinking, is the script going to work? And then \ufffdcome on, Hugh, you\ufffdre the one who\ufffds being paid all this money,\ufffd and it\ufffds not particularly funny, and it\ufffds just dreadful.\ufffd Grant sang praise for his old Notting Hill mucker Richard Curtis, who is co-writing the script with Bridget author Helen Fielding. \ufffdHe\ufffds done a particularly good job of it. It should work,\ufffd Grant said. \ufffdI\ufffdm just hoping that someone else will be really, really bad, because that relaxes you.\ufffd He defended the casting of American Renee Zellweger: \ufffdI gather her accent is triumphant already, actually.\ufffd In a departure from his other Curtis-penned roles, Grant gets to be the bad boy. \ufffdShe\ufffds in love with her boss, who\ufffds attractive but a bastard,\ufffd the actor says. \ufffdAt the end of the film, she finds out that this other guy, who seemed to be a bit of a nerd, is in fact the man of her dreams.\ufffd In related cad news, Grant remains attached to the role of Will in Nick Hornby\ufffds About A Boy. \ufffdIt\ufffds in play, yeah,\ufffd he confirmed. \ufffdWe\ufffdre just trying to get the script right and talking to various directors. It\ufffds a great book; it would be a great role.\ufffd He\ufffds also working on his own screenplay, which was \ufffdcoming along swimmingly\ufffd until he became distracted by other projects. He swears he\ufffdll get back to it soon, as \ufffdit was looking quite promising.\ufffd The plot is secret, as Grant is \ufffdparanoid about it being stolen,\ufffd but he does disclose that \ufffda lot of it takes place in France [during] the hot drought summer of 1976.\ufffd That was the year, Grant notes, that the British public had to share baths or forego them altogether. Perhaps he\ufffdll clean up nicely."}, {"response": 308, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (09:24)", "body": "A friend sent to me an interesting interview with Richard Curtis done to promote the movie Notting Hill. It included this: \"Four Weddings was originally called Four Weddings And A Honeymoon, and in my imagination was going to finish off with a very silly sequence a bit like 10 - it was going to be her honeymoon, and him following her on her honeymoon. My friend Helen Fielding [author of Bridget Jones' Diary] told me it was time I grew up and tried to get some profundity in my work, so we put in a funeral instead.\" ~~~~~~ Profundity? *hee hee* She must have been following her own advice when she had Mark Darcy going off with Rebecca for no apparent reason in the weekly columns. You can read the entire interview here: http://www.bbcamerica.com/spotlight/king_of_comedy/index.html"}, {"response": 309, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (10:32)", "body": "Thanks Allison..you restored my faith in the British public. Actually, I really don't care about the Bridget role... .....At the end of the film, she finds out that this other guy, who seemed to be a bit of a nerd, is in fact the man of her dreams. .....it's that nerdie guy I want to succeed. And he never lets us down."}, {"response": 310, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, May 11, 2000 (13:25)", "body": "Grant said. \ufffdI\ufffdm just hoping that someone else will be really, really bad, because that relaxes you.\ufffd Well, it won't be You-know-who :-)"}, {"response": 311, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (08:49)", "body": "From Press Association: Actress goes undercover to prepare for Bridget role American actress Renee Zellweger has revealed how she has prepared for her role as British heroine Bridget Jones - by working incognito for the book's publisher in London. The 31-year-old star told how she adopted the alias Bridget Cavendish and followed the example of Helen Fielding's fictional character by finding a job in the offices of Picador. Zellweger, who found fame starring alongside Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire, is set to play the lovelorn career woman in a movie version of Bridget Jones's Diary. Speaking after a screening of her latest film, Nurse Betty, at the Cannes Film Festival, she said she had moved to London to ensure her Bridget was as British as the original. \"I've been working with it for almost two-and-a-half months and living in London for two months, and I've got a job at a publishing firm,\" she said. \"I've been working as Bridget Cavendish. I've rather enjoyed that actually, it's the first time I've used my college degree.\" She added: \"Bridget will be absolutely British. I love the character and I love the book and I'm very excited about it. I'm trying to familiarise myself with the culture. I feel a very strong responsibility to make sure she's as truly British as I can make her.\" But asked if she could demonstrate her British accent, she replied bashfully: \"It might be a bit premature.\" After the press conference, the actress revealed she had been working for Picador the publishers of the two Bridget Jones novels, for \"a few weeks\" but had since left the job. Zellweger, who is dating Hollywood funnyman Jim Carrey, is rumoured to be starring alongside Brits Hugh Grant and Colin Firth in the Bridget Jones film. The movie is one of 23 entered in competition for the feted Palme d'Or."}, {"response": 312, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (08:58)", "body": "Zellweger, who is dating Hollywood funnyman Jim Carrey, is rumoured to be starring alongside Brits Hugh Grant and Colin Firth in the Bridget Jones film. The movie is one of 23 entered in competition for the feted Palme d'Or. Um, that sentence makes absolutely no sense???? Rumored???"}, {"response": 313, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (09:44)", "body": "It must be Nurse Betty that's entered for the Palme D'Or. Way to go, Renee! I like the undercover stuff, if it's believable. Were Picador in on it, I wonder, or did she land the job and then rely on her unknown-ness?"}, {"response": 314, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (09:46)", "body": "Way to go, Renee! I like the undercover stuff, if it's believable. Were Picador in on it, I wonder, or did she land the job and then rely on her unknown-ness? Wonder if she used her \"British\" accent:) How could she go undercover with THAT voice???"}, {"response": 315, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (10:04)", "body": "No, no, this is incorrect: Zellweger...is rumoured to be starring alongside Brits Hugh Grant and Colin Firth in the Bridget Jones film. It's been official for a couple of weeks."}, {"response": 316, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (10:27)", "body": "Interesting article, Karen. Mark, I'd imagine Picador and/or Working Title greased the wheels for her undercover work. Seems like she's working hard at it, and is saying all the right things--and she should, as BJD is a big break for her. She's got the Carrey film coming out shortly, but that will be a typical JC vehicle with her in the \"girlfriend\" role, and Nurse Betty, I presume, is indie-type fare. BJD is the first in which she is the main star in a commercial film. Let us know if you come across any Nurse Betty reviews, or any photos of RZ from Cannes, as that will show us her BJD \"look.\""}, {"response": 317, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (10:42)", "body": "(Laura)Wonder if she used her \"British\" accent:) How could she go undercover with THAT voice??? You're tough, Laura;-) She's giving it the ole' school try."}, {"response": 318, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (10:47)", "body": "Great review for Nurse Betty and for Renee. LaBute's \"Nurse Betty\" delights Cannes audience By Lee Yanowitch CANNES, France (Reuters) - While Cannes festival-goers were still digesting the orgiastic 17th century banquets of the opening film \"Vatel,\" independent U.S. director Neil LaBute has exhilarated the audience with his comic Golden Palm entry \"Nurse Betty\". Betty Sizemore, played by Renee Zellweger, is a good-hearted small-town waitress who dreams of her true love -- David Ravell, the doctor in the corny soap opera \"A Reason to Love\" that she watches every day. After witnessing her pig of a husband's murder in a drug deal gone bad, Betty begins to live in the dream reality of her soap opera fantasy. No longer Betty the waitress, she becomes Nurse Betty. \"People have a desire to remove themselves from the difficulties of their own lives. The stories in soap operas are often so outlandish, that it's cathartic,\" LaBute told a press conference. But as she sets off for Hollywood to find her dream doctor, she is pursued by the drug dealers who killed her husband. As Betty begins making contact with her beloved Ravell and the hitmen close in, life begins to imitate art and LaBute's film finds a perfect balance between comedy and violence. \"What was interesting about the subject was the chance to make a comment on how U.S. society deals with the media, how they create stars, how people become so engaged in these shows and the characters, and how easily we can cross over,\" LaBute explained. It is unusual for a comedy to be chosen for the competition. The last comic film to take the coveted Golden Palm award was Quentin Tarantino's \"Pulp Fiction\" in 1994. Zellweger delivers a charming and finely tuned performance as the infatuated, dreamy Betty in a cast that includes Morgan Freeman as the hit man and Chris Rock as his impulsive and angry sidekick who himself becomes entranced by a character in the series. \"There was a kindness, a sweetness and an on-screen chemistry about Renee. You can't manufacture that, it's innate. She was a pleasure to film,\" LaBute said. Throughout the press conference, Zellweger giggled and chatted nervously, giving stream-of- consciousness replies to the questions she was asked. \"I haven't seen a soap opera since I was in 7th grade and me and my friends would get together and watch \"All my children\",\" she said. \"My role in \"Nurse Betty\" was really about being honest with telling the story and believing the things that Betty believed in.\""}, {"response": 319, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (10:59)", "body": "There are lots of pics from Cannes with Renee. She looks like she always does, though fuller in the face (must be those extra 15 lbs;-) Decidedly non-glam. I've read she's very shy and doesn't like doing the press thing. Seems like the BJD sales job will fall mostly to Hughie; good thing he's on board.;-)"}, {"response": 320, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (19:30)", "body": "This report from Cannes was posted at Ain't It Cool News; see last paragraph--sounds hopeful: Another actress who will blow the socks off people is Renee Zellwegger in NURSE BETTY. This is the new film from Neil LaBute, who up til now has demonstrated a great skill with misogynism and emotional brutality. Boy, has he taken a backflip here. NURSE BETTY is the v. cool story of a Kansas waitress who is addicted to a soap called \"A Reason to Live\". She's secretly infatuated with the lead doctor in the show, played by the very well-cast smoothie Greg Kinnear. Unfortunately her real-life husband, Aaron Eckhart (sp?), is a low life car dealing scumball who has ripped off some stolen merchandise. Two hitmen (Morgan Freeman and Chris Rock) brutally murder him in the house, and Betty (who is in the kitchen but goes unnoticed by the killers) is so fucked up by the slaying that she slips into a mental fugue-state and convinces herself that she's a character in the soap. Needless to say, chaos ensues. She ends up in L.A. and in a serious of exquisitely designed circumstances ends up in Kinnear's world. I don't want to say too much because this a film that really deserves to be discovered by audiences. If you haven't worked it out already, I LOVED this movie, and the European crowd absolutely lapped it up... much cheering & applause etc.. The film is solely reliant on Zellwegger, who I have never been that enraptured with until now even though I thought she was very appealling in Jerry Maguire. There has been a fair bit of backlash against her being cast as a Brit in BRIDGET JONES DIARY over a lot of very good English actresses, but having seen NURSE BETTY I don't think there's going to be a problem. I should also point out that Morgan Freeman is again terrific in a very different role. Look out for this movie because I think it's going to be a bit of a sleeper hit."}, {"response": 321, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (19:50)", "body": "Pictures of Renee and costars at Cannes:"}, {"response": 322, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (22:10)", "body": "More complete article on Undercover Renee at The Times: The office secret of Bridget Jones BY ALEX O'CONNELL THE secret of an office's unusually classy \"work experience girl\" was revealed yesterday. She was a Hollywood actress working undercover to prepare for the part of the English heroine Bridget Jones. Ren\ufffde Zellweger, 31, spent 2\ufffd weeks before Easter as a \"dogsbody\" in the London offices of a publisher before filming for Bridget Jones' Diary. Some of the older men in the office took quite a shine to the new girl, offering her advice on how to get into the books industry. Unknown to them, the temporary employee - known in the office as Bridget Cavendish - was already quite successful in her own right. The actress's personal driver would take her to work for 9.30am and collect her at 5.30pm every day. For lunch, she was whisked away to expensive restaurants where she would eat hearty meals in order to put on weight to play Helen Fielding's caloriecounting character. The carefully planned ruse was almost exposed when it fell to her to get a cake for a colleague's leaving party. She arrived back at the office with \ufffd100-worth of hand-made tarts from a Soho patisserie. The actress, a Texan, starred alongside Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire, but has been trying to acquire the right English accent. \"I'm trying to familiarise myself with the culture,\" she said yesterday in Cannes. In the book, Bridget Jones is a publicist. \"I feel a very strong responsibility to make sure she's as truly British as I can make her.\" She tried to copy the inflections of Camilla Elworthy, the head of publicity at Picador, the only person in the office in on the secret. Ms Elworthy said: \"Nobody knew. We often have people doing work experience, so that was the story. No one missed her at lunchtime because work experience girls don't usually go out for lunch with people who work here.\" Lucy Henson, head of publicity at Pan, who shared the same open-plan office, said: \"I kept thinking, she sounds exactly like Camilla, despite being American. It kept throwing me. She was prettier and had nicer clothes than most work experience people but I didn't really think about it.\" In the book, Bridget wears skirts which graze her bottom and layers of mascara. But Zellweger, who was a waitress in a topless bar before she made it in films, and is dating the American actor Jim Carrey, opted for casual clothes and no make-up. \"She was making an effort to dress down,\" said Ms Elworthy. She made cups of coffee, photocopied, answered the telephone and rang literary agents with word of new publications. Ms Elworthy added: \"Imagine how it felt to get a Hollywood actress to do your photocopying.\""}, {"response": 323, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, May 13, 2000 (02:46)", "body": "The RZ article is on the front page, with a huge colour pic....couldn't be more prominent. It's very good, and positive, publicity for her....I think a lot of people will like her for this (not that anyone disliked her before!!)"}, {"response": 324, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sat, May 13, 2000 (05:36)", "body": "The actress's personal driver would take her to work for 9.30am and collect her at 5.30pm every day. For lunch, she was whisked away to expensive restaurants where she would eat hearty meals in order to put on weight to play Helen Fielding's caloriecounting character. The carefully planned ruse was almost exposed when it fell to her to get a cake for a colleague's leaving party. She arrived back at the office with \ufffd100-worth of hand-made tarts from a Soho patisserie. \"I'm trying to familiarise myself with the culture,\" she said yesterday in Cannes. In the book, Bridget Jones is a publicist. \"I feel a very strong responsibility to make sure she's as truly British as I can make her.\" Puh-leeze. Am I the only one turned off by this? Renee, if you want to familiarize yourself with the culture, why don't you get your bony ass on some public transport to work, eat a working class hearty lunch, and buy an ordinary working class dessert? But Zellweger, who was a waitress in a topless bar before she made it in films Puh-leeze. And now only chauffered cars, 5-star restaurants, and oh-so-chic patisserie will do. Yeech. This is a particular turn-off for me, especially when \"our boys\" are so much more down-to-earth. Sorry, it's early morning here, maybe I'll feel different after I'm fully awake :-)"}, {"response": 325, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, May 13, 2000 (07:06)", "body": "\"our boys\" are so much more down-to-earth. Which boy(s) did you have in mind?"}, {"response": 326, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, May 13, 2000 (08:25)", "body": "The carefully planned ruse was almost exposed when it fell to her to get a cake for a colleague's leaving party. She arrived back at the office with \ufffd100-worth of hand-made tarts from a Soho patisserie. Sounds pretty Bridget-esque to me."}, {"response": 327, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, May 13, 2000 (08:56)", "body": "Sounds pretty Bridget-esque to me. I was thinking the same thing!!!! :)"}, {"response": 328, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sat, May 13, 2000 (12:04)", "body": "I remember when Robert DeNiro had to pack on the pounds, he did it by downing milkshakes and burgers. Maybe I have Patrick Stewart on the brain, poor pampered baby. It sounds like he might have to eat crow in his battle with the producers. I don't know if anyone read the article that mentioned how he walked out of his own premiere party at Sardi's because he didn't like the crudities being served. LOL. So another article about a star being driven to her job and rushed off to expensive restaurants at lunch, etc., etc., and we're supposed to be impressed, just leaves me colder than a witches xxxx :-) \"Our boys\" - I was referencing Colin and Stephen. Seems like the more talented, the less pretentious. Meow. :-)"}, {"response": 329, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 13, 2000 (12:11)", "body": "Think you had one too many x's! ;-) Hadn't heard about those Patrick Stewart complaints; just his rant on stage. What a prima donna! Doubt that RZ is really like that, but they probably feared she would get lost in the big city. ;-)"}, {"response": 330, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sat, May 13, 2000 (12:15)", "body": "The article went on to say how he never even went into the room where the press was. He and his group just walked out. Arther Miller was reported as upset that Patrick walked out too. So I guess there has been tension on that stage for quite some time, and probably over more than just publicity. And sorry to all if my earlier posts sounded edgy (hey, I was!) :-)"}, {"response": 331, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, May 13, 2000 (14:44)", "body": "Perhaps RZ is getting some practice in for the scene where she's whisked up to Grafton Underwood in Mark Darcy's chauffeur driven car! I like the sound of RZ though...and the buying of the cakes episode does sound Bridget-esque. As for star behaviour, long may Colin remain resolutely unglamorous and in the real world!"}, {"response": 332, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, May 14, 2000 (16:35)", "body": "From the 14 May 2000 edition of The Daily Spectacle: Once again a sea of controversy swirls around the casting of the movie Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary. In a surprising turn of events, erstwhile supermodel Ru Paul will play the cameo role of Daniel Cleaver\ufffds rooftop bronzed giantess girlfriend. Rene Zellweger, whose casting as Bridget Jones also wasn\ufffdt well received by many loyal fans of the book, has rallied to Mr. Paul\ufffds defense: \ufffd I don\ufffdt know what the fuss is about. Why can\ufffdt a black American drag queen play the role of a bronzed American hetero female? A strategically placed towel here, a discreet camera shot there, and no one will be the wiser. Besides, the casting of Mr. Paul adds a whole new Crying Game dimension to the relationship between Daniel Cleaver and the giantess.\ufffd The other cast members could not be reached for comment, but one source close to the production overheard Hugh Grant stammering \ufffdRu who?\ufffd ********************************** In all seriousness, I want to wish everyone a happy Mothers Day. I am in awe of your collective ability to get the scoop on all things Firth and BJD. CF should sign you (all) up to be his PR team and agent(s). I honestly do not know how you do it, but am grateful for your energy and perseverance. Lisa, mother to an elderly orange tabby (a.k.a. a ginger tom). PS: I hope the above parody did not offend anyone. It was written with great affection. As you may know by now, I like to play around with words and situations and have a bit of fun."}, {"response": 333, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, May 14, 2000 (18:50)", "body": "LOL!!! Poor Hughie;) Lisa, that is just too funny! Actually, thought it was real casting there for a minute!!! (Mr. Paul, hahahahahaha;))"}, {"response": 334, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 14, 2000 (21:45)", "body": "v. clever and funny, Lisa. You never know who reads these boards...it could still happen. Let's cross our fingers. ;-)"}, {"response": 335, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 14, 2000 (22:09)", "body": "btw, Hughie will be on TV this week promoting the Woody Allen movie. I see him listed on Wednesday for the Today show and then Letterman, probably others."}, {"response": 336, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (07:07)", "body": "supermodel Ru Paul will play the cameo role of Daniel Cleaver\ufffds rooftop bronzed giantess girlfriend. Lisa, I was just about to... LOL! A scary thought! (I have met RU in Miami and all I can say is UGLY!)"}, {"response": 337, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (09:18)", "body": "Omigod!! He even looks like a pig!! That's Neil LaBute with RZ on the red carpet:"}, {"response": 338, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (10:02)", "body": "Oh, give it up already, Karen. I know you slept with this pic under your pillow last night.;-) ;-) Another rave for RZ and Nurse Betty in Variety. Film is due out the end of this year. Great timing for BJD; RZ will be on a critical high just as BJD is ready to debut. BTW, Piggy LaB didn't write this one; just directed. Lisa, I enjoyed your parody; I love satire, and I loath taking anything too seriously, so please do more! Nice to have you here.:-)"}, {"response": 339, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (10:23)", "body": "(Moon)I have met RU in Miami and all I can say is UGLY! Perhaps--but he does \"clean up nicely,\" as my dad used to say (though not in reference to Ru, of course!). :) Check him out at http://www.rupaul.net/ (One of these days I will get the hang of HTML and my links will work.) I see that he spells his name RuPaul, not Ru Paul. So would that be his first name? Moon, did you meet him in or out of drag? Wasn't he in a print ad for Rockport shoes dressed in a man's suit and very much out of drag? I must say that prefer his feminine side."}, {"response": 340, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (10:24)", "body": "Dear god--the world must be ending. My link worked!"}, {"response": 341, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (10:27)", "body": "meant to say...\"I prefer his feminine side.\""}, {"response": 342, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (10:32)", "body": "Lisa, I met la Ru at a party and very much in drag. I have not seen any of NLB films, so I will take your word ladies. Nurse Betty does seem to be getting good reviews, so maybe, he has changed? ;-)"}, {"response": 343, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (10:33)", "body": "...talk about cleaning up...Renee's saying \"you haven't showered since last year, have you?\" I wasn't as turned off by the article about Renee's undercover assignment as you, Donna. It's not clear if the pampering (the driver, lunches, etc.) was her idea (if so--I'm with you). However, I am puzzled by this: Lucy Henson, head of publicity at Pan, who shared the same open-plan office, said: \"I kept thinking, she sounds exactly like Camilla, despite being American. I would think the point of the exercise was to pass her off as British, not an American with a British accent. ???? V. funny parody, Lisa. If you hadn't noted that it was indeed a parody, I think you would have gotten a few bites. ;-)"}, {"response": 344, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (11:24)", "body": "(Mari) Piggy LaB didn't write this one; just directed. Yes, I know, and that makes a difference. However, he is writing/rewriting the s/p for Possession. That picture has convinced me. While \"In the Company of Men\" was promoted as a dark comedy and satire, Piggy here meant it to get back at women. That boy did NOT have one date in high school. He had a painful adolescence."}, {"response": 345, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (12:46)", "body": "From USA Today: Also making the scene at Cannes: Renee Zellweger came to the seaside resort for the world premiere of Nurse Betty. She arrived from London, where she has been besieged by what she calls a \"cruel\" press, occasioned by her playing the very British title character opposite Hugh Grant in the movie version of the best-selling novel Bridget Jones's Diary . Zellweger has been living in London since February, trying to become a quintessential Brit. For research she worked incognito in a publishing firm, answering phones and filing. \"It's essential,\" she said. \"Part of my job was to scour the periodicals and papers to find anything that might pertain to books my company represents. In doing so, I'd find something about (the movie) Bridget Jones, and it's horrifying. You try not to pay attention to that stuff and not let it make you sad at worst.\" Steady Jim Carrey couldn't make it to Cannes. \"I'm working in England, and he's back in America and taking his daughter to school (today), and I go back and start shooting Tuesday. It was not feasible, even though the south of France would be a great place to be.\""}, {"response": 346, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (13:32)", "body": "In doing so, I'd find something about (the movie) Bridget Jones, and it's horrifying. You try not to pay attention to that stuff and not let it make you sad at worst.\" Give'em the finga', Renee...."}, {"response": 347, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (13:34)", "body": "(Eileen) It's not clear if the pampering (the driver, lunches, etc.) was her idea (if so--I'm with you). LOL, must be the nature of the beast. If you want another giggle, I found the article that talks about Patrick Stewart walking out of Maxim's (not Sardi's, as stated earlier). Incidentally, it must be infuriating for Patrick because right across from his theater where he is appearing in \"The Ride...\", \"Waiting in the Wings\" has the very kind of advertisements hanging from the marquee that he has been requesting. He has to stare at that every day he goes to the theater, sort of like pouring salt in an open wound. (Incidentally, we have since learned that he gave up his usual salary for a % of profits, so there is much more to this story than meets the eye (reported on topic 132), or that we'll ever know.) FOOD FOR THOUGHT IN PAT ATTACK ALL the talk at Sardi's yesterday during the Tony Awards breakfast was about the nominated \"The Ride Down Mt. Morgan\" and the ongoing row over the hissy fit its star, Patrick Stewart, threw a couple of weeks ago. You'll recall that Stewart, in an almost unprecedented act, used his curtain call to blast his producers for not getting behind the Arthur Miller play. The Shubert Organization has complained to Actors Equity about that attack. Anyway, some Broadway insiders were claiming that what set the shiny-domed star off was something as mundane as the nibbles that were served at the Maxim's restaurant party on opening night. According to these insiders, Stewart arrived at Maxim's and demanded to know what kind of hors d'oeuvres were on offer. Told it was basically crudit\ufffds and dip, he supposedly said he'd been promised something more substantial, gathered up his entourage and stormed off to dinner elsewhere. Granted, Stewart would have been hungry after his brilliant and exhausting performance, but he never set foot upstairs at the restaurant where some 30 reporters and columnists were waiting to talk to him and provide some free publicity. Playwright Miller was upstairs preparing to schmooze the press, but he, too, departed in a huff when told his star had bailed on the evening, according to the gossip at Sardi's. If this is what caused Stewart's onstage tirade, it just proves that creative types need kid-glove handling."}, {"response": 348, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (17:37)", "body": "I have just heard the most amazing thing on late night radio2, and that is that Eric Sykes (comedian) has a part in the forthcoming film Bridget Jones Diary, Bethan, Allison, Tracy, who on earth could ES be playing, surely not Bridget's Dad, wouldn't you say he was too old!!"}, {"response": 349, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (18:04)", "body": "What about the crazy uncle??? Wonder who is playing Julio???"}, {"response": 350, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (18:09)", "body": "Eric Sykes is a wonderful comedian, and his has done a great deal of television and recently stage work, but he must be in his 80's and is very deaf, its an idea Laura, very interesting. Eric Syke was in a sitcom with Hattie Jacques and they have both appeared in \"The Carry-on\" films."}, {"response": 351, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (18:25)", "body": "He'll be the octogenarian who parachutes into a sewage ditch. Bridget covers that one. What crazy uncle?"}, {"response": 352, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (18:54)", "body": "Una's and whatsisname?"}, {"response": 353, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (21:07)", "body": "From today's Empire--variation on what we've seen, with some new quotes: Actress Renee Zellweger has been hiding out in a London publishing company to research her role for the forthcoming Bridget Jones adaptation. \"I'm actually deep into it right now,\" said the 30 year-old actress. \"I've been working on it for almost two-and-a-half months, and I've been working in London for almost two. I got a job at a publisher and I've been working as Bridget Cavendish, actually. I really enjoyed that. It was the first time I ever actually used my college degree. It's been pretty extrordinary and something I've been living with every day.\" The film, which goes into production on Tuesday, sees Zellweger play the eponymous career gal, whose fictitious diary (created by Helen Fielding) was originally serialised in The Independent newspaper prior to becoming a best-seller. Zellweger promised to play the character as \"absolutely British\", assuaging some fears that the much-loved thirtysomething would be Americanised: \"I'm trying to familiarise myself with the references, and the culture, and obviously the langauge, but I feel a very strong responsibility to be sure she's as truly British as I can make her. I think what makes the line of culture more ambiguous is that she's experiencing situations that are universally challenging. In America, all women who've ever pursued a career can relate to it. I think that that's what so beautiful about that character: her experiences and how honestly written they are by Helen Fielding.\" Zellweger, who will next be seen alongside her boyfriend Jim Carrey in the Farrelly brother's schizophrenic comedy Me, Myself and Irene, was in Cannes with Neil LaBute's Palme D'Or contender Nurse Betty. Again in the title role, Zellweger plays a traumatised soap opera fan who heads to LA, convinced she was once engaged to the suave doctor character (played by Greg Kinnear) from her favourite programme, 'A Reason to Love.' Cannes correspondent: James Mottram"}, {"response": 354, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (22:19)", "body": "LaBute may look like a pig (to some of you) but his film In the Company of Men was absolutely brilliant, novel, incisive and wonderfully iconoclastic.. I hope Nurse Betty wins La Palme d'Or."}, {"response": 355, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (06:53)", "body": "In the Company of Men was absolutely brilliant, novel, incisive and wonderfully iconoclastic.. I hope Nurse Betty wins La Palme d'Or. You HAVE to be a guy. I got sick watching that movie, that I had to shut it off in the first 20 minutes!!!"}, {"response": 356, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (07:45)", "body": ""}, {"response": 357, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (07:48)", "body": "From Mr. Showbiz: Zellweger Packs on Pounds CANNES \ufffd Now that she's gaining weight for her role as Bridget Jones in the movie version of Bridget Jones' Diary, Ren\ufffde Zellweger pats her already-round tummy and says, \"I can't wait for the \ufffd rumors to start [that I'm pregnant].\" The reason behind that potential rumor, boyfriend Jim Carrey, is nowhere in sight: He's on daughter duty back home; she's prepping for her role as the British Bridget by working in England. Zellweger was on top of the world \ufffd or at least of the Cannes Film Festival \ufffd last weekend when the blackly comic Nurse Betty world premiered, but she relates that the British press has been less than kind to a Texan snagging the plum role in Bridget. \"I thought I'd walk around with a cutout of Emma Thompson [playing the first lady in Primary Colors] in this hand and Michael Caine with his Oscar [for playing an American in Cider House Rules] in this hand,\" she says. Zellweger moved to London in February to steep herself in all things British. Besides going incognito at a publishing house, she's become a big fan of Snickers candy bars. \"I've already put on 10 pounds,\" she notes. \"I've stopped exercising and going to the gym, and I see someone I call the 'Fat Doctor.'\""}, {"response": 358, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (08:27)", "body": "Hey, I need to see her fat doctor!!! The more I read about RZ, the more I'm thrilled to have her as BJ. I think she's gonna do a bang up job!! She's trying to get into the spirit which is inspiring! Go Renee!!!!"}, {"response": 359, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (08:45)", "body": "From CNN: Popular favorite: Zellwegger in 'Nurse Betty' Another comedy, independent U.S. director Neil LaBute's hysterical \"Nurse Betty,\" starring Renee Zellweger and Morgan Freeman, is emerging as a popular favorite. Zellweger plays a small-town waitress who, upon the brutal murder of her pig of a husband, enters into an altered state in which the soap opera she watches each day becomes her reality. She sets off to Los Angeles to find her true love, the soap opera character Dr. Ravell. The least successful of this group of films is \"O Brother, Where Art Thou,\" a Depression-era farce by fest veterans Joel and Ethan Coen, which is loosely based on Homer's Odyssey. The slapstick humor falls flat and the story stands on little besides a few amusing but superficial details, like one character's obsession with a brand of brilliantine he combs through his hair."}, {"response": 360, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (09:22)", "body": "Saw Renee on AH last night--those 10 pounds really show. I hope they don't make BJ too heavy. IMO part of the character's charm was that, despite her weight loss obsession, she didn't really need to lose weight (my interpretation). Bzzzzzzzzzzzzz *swat* Rats. Missed that annoying cyberpest again!"}, {"response": 361, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (11:55)", "body": "I saw a glimpse of Renee on ET last night...didn't look chunky to me... (hey, I wish...)Good reviews of \"Nurse Betty\" couldn't come at a better time for BJD.But in the last analysis...US market won't care ..we're not hung-up on accents.(Michael Caine's was baaaad in \"Cider House Rules\"...they still gave him the Oscar.)"}, {"response": 362, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (19:55)", "body": "I thought this review in particular might persuade Karen and Laura to give Neil LaB another chance.:-) Nurse Betty Starring Ren\ufffde Zellweger, Greg Kinnear, and Chris Rock; directed by Neil LaBute Neil LaBute didn't write his latest feature film (John C. Richards and James Flamberg did), and when we consider how tunnel-visioned both In the Company of Men and Your Friends and Neighbors were, that immediately seems a healthy and liberating thing. And so it is. But the longer one watches Nurse Betty, the more the picture seems like essential LaBute \ufffd a study in obsessiveness and solipsism, but newly informed with a nutty generosity and an openness to the possibility of other points of view in the world. Ren\ufffde Zellweger plays a waitress in a Southwest diner who's consumed with a TV soap set in a hospital and totally smitten with its main character, Dr. David Ravell (Greg Kinnear). She's not the show's only rabid fan, but she has a better reason than most for preferring fantasy to reality. Her car-salesman husband, Del (LaBute regular Aaron Eckhart), is the male chauvinist pig of all time \ufffd and when he's bloodily offed in their kitchen for stiffing some drug dealers, Betty's reaction is bliss. Not out of cruelty. The shock has simply catapulted her straight into the alternate reality she's always yearned for. Leaving the sheriff (Pruitt Taylor Vince) and the local newshound (Crispin Glover) to clean up the mess, she gets into a Buick borrowed from Del's lot and drives to Los Angeles and a \"reunion\" with her fianc\ufffd \"David.\" Little does she know that the hitmen \ufffd played by Morgan Freeman and Chris Rock \ufffd are hot on her trail. The car she's driving probably contains the missing dope. But more importantly, Freem n's senior hitman, like Lee Marvin's in The Killers, has formed an obsession of his own \ufffd with Betty as an exemplar of style and grace \ufffd much to the exasperation of his partner. Not to mince words, this is a terrific movie, with Freeman's best role and richest performance since Seven and a magical starmaking turn by Zellweger (who of course should be a star already on the strength of The Whole Wide World and Jerry Maguire). The fascination, the comedic quotient, and the illusion/reality ante are upped exponentially when Betty comes face to face with \"David,\" his fellow soap actors, and producer (Allison Janney), and wins a shot at joining the show. They take her for a gifted, ambitious starlet on the make, whereas she's just being Nurse Betty. (And in the course of doing so, avenging her entire gender for In the Company of Men.) --Richard T. Jameson"}, {"response": 363, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (20:50)", "body": "Sounds to me like perhaps RZ is over-qualified for BJD;-)"}, {"response": 364, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (21:20)", "body": "Nurse Betty, I grant you :), sounds really interesting and the cast list is quite impressive. HOWEVER, the movies that NLB writes and directs is a direct insult to women! He uses us as pawns, then wonders why we spit in his face (well, I don't know if anyone has, but I would if given the chance and if I wasn't afraid of spitting in someone's face, BUT you get the point;)) In the Company of Men was like getting teeth pulled, it was painful. And I know men who thought that movie was exactly what needed to be told. It was painful from a woman's perspective."}, {"response": 365, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (22:28)", "body": "(And in the course of doing so, avenging her entire gender for In the Company of Men.) That might be reason...but we shall see. BTW, that picture nailed it for me. Think about it...the first thing the guy writes... Dark comedy, satire, my ass. There was such a palpable undercurrent of meanness in it. Sorry, but that's my view and you all have yours. Shall we let it rest."}, {"response": 366, "author": "EAGrace", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (22:37)", "body": "Ok, I'm new here, but the LaBute controversy is far too interesting to pass up. I'm renting In the Company of Men asap. If it's misogynist, I too would find \"absolutely brilliant, novel\" hard to swallow (and, therefore, may spit). I don't think LaBute's physical appearance is relevant though. Actually, BJD is funny, but not exactly progressive either. Some of us thirtysomething women have lives . . .and as much as I love Austen and think Darcy is sexy, my whole life does not revolve around longing for Prince Charming to show up, in any guise. Especially since I'm sure he doesn't exist! It's the institution of romance that makes women pawns. Well, I hope I'm not offending anyone --- I really enjoy the postings here and that's why I've logged in."}, {"response": 367, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (08:36)", "body": "WELCOME EAG ...glad you're hitting more than CF's board. We often discuss him on other boards too..so best to hit #127 too. I don't think LaBute's physical appearance is relevant though. When you've been around a while, you'll realize that we joke around on physical attributes...never mean't to be ruthless."}, {"response": 368, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (08:43)", "body": "From The Observer (14 May) THE STAR OF THE SEASON: RENEE ZELLWEGER Renee Zellweger had a slow start in movies but with a starring role in the Farrelly Brothers' Me, Myself & Irene, everything's going fine now. The film is a safe bet for the biggest comedy of the summer. And she's going out with her co-star Jim Carrey. But until recently people seemed to have trouble remembering who she was. First, there's her name. Agents used to tell her to change it. 'I think it's great. I mean, Schwarzenegger what's that? How are you going to complain about Zellweger?' And then there's the fact that although people sort of recognise her, they often think she's singer-songwriter turned actress Jewel. Or Chasing Amy star Joey Lauren Adams. Jerry Maguire almost changed all that, when she was chosen to play Tom Cruise's love interest in the 1996 hit. 'She's a Billy Wilder-style heroine. She cries when she could be laughing, and laughs when she could be crying,' said director Cameron Crowe. Yet it has taken her four years to make another hit movie. But with the title role in Neil LaBute's Nurse Betty coming up later in the year, followed by Bridget Jones which should be a hit if her English accent holds up the 31-year-old from Katy, Texas, seems to have it made. Not that she is too carried away. In her own assessment: 'I'm the dork that got lucky.' ~~~~~~~~~ It seems the press is determined to uncover every detail of RZ brief stint at Picador. From The Daily Telegraph: JIM Carrey's girlfriend, Renee Zellweger - the Hollywood actress who infiltrated Picador's publicity department posing as a work experience girl in order to prepare for her role as Bridget Jones - came close to blowing her cover on a couple of occasions. The colossal bunch of roses which arrived for her on her first day at work - just as she was trying hardest to be inconspicuous - didn't help. \"I had to pretend they were for me,\" says Camilla Elworthy, a real Picador publicist"}, {"response": 369, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (11:06)", "body": "(Evelyn) I saw a glimpse of Renee on ET last night...didn't look chunky to me... When you compare her 'in person' to how she looked in the film clip, she was much fuller in the face. IMO. :-) It's terrific to read such positive RZ reviews! She's a promising actress. Evelyn's right, the accent won't matter to us here in the states. Wish they'd get off the %*&^ accent, already."}, {"response": 370, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (11:12)", "body": ". Wish they'd get off the %*&^ accent, already. I can understand how you all feel but you have to understand that in the UK accents are important, like it or not. They are much less important now but still people are often judged by the way they speak. So in a film which is supposed to be a slice of British life, BJ's accent is not unimportant."}, {"response": 371, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (11:13)", "body": "Ooops too many importants!!!"}, {"response": 372, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (11:33)", "body": "'Nuff said about accents. Am resigned that most BJ-related press will focus on whether Renee gets the aaahs and ooohs right, not the character. Forgive me, Allison, am feeling argumentative today--just call me you-know-who ;-)..."}, {"response": 373, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (12:32)", "body": "(Allison)...in the UK accents are important, like it or not We find that laughable in the US, Allison.....(no offense). But we are such a melting pot here tht everyone is taken as an individual. I know it all goes back to the ole public/state school education. But is the younger generaton (you know,the ones who go to films) still hung up on that?"}, {"response": 374, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (14:05)", "body": "But is the younger generaton (you know,the ones who go to films) still hung up on that? Probably not which accent she has as long as it is recognisably British. But then the success of this film will not depend on the UK audience!"}, {"response": 375, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (14:22)", "body": "(Allison) But then the success of this film will not depend on the UK audience! Bingo!! :-)"}, {"response": 376, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (15:07)", "body": "But then the success of this film will not depend on the UK audience! What \"audience?\" ;-)I don't believe one exists...."}, {"response": 377, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (15:45)", "body": "What \"audience?\" ;-)I don't believe one exists.... Well let's see.... Gladiators took $24m this last weekend. In the UK it took \ufffd3.5m or if my maths is right, $5.25m. Our population is probably less than a quarter of yours. So that sounds not too far out in proportion. And that was in a week when we were having very hot sunny weather and everybody is outside just in case it rains from tomorrow until Christmas."}, {"response": 378, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (17:32)", "body": "I know...I know....but I want them to support Colin's films ...I don't care about ours."}, {"response": 379, "author": "EAGrace", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (01:20)", "body": "I realize this has nothing to do with BJD (which I am rereading), but it did come up yesterday. (Colin) In the Company of Men was absolutely brilliant, novel, incisive and wonderfully iconoclastic.. I hope Nurse Betty wins La Palme d'Or. (Laura McCarthy) You HAVE to be a guy. I got sick watching that movie, that I had to shut it off in the first 20 minutes!!! Wow, I just watched In the Company of Men. So here are my two cents (that would be four cents, Canadian). Character Brad: misogynist, and likely a sociopath; Director Neil: cool and clinical, but not a misogynist. Howard: an average bitter guy who gets unjustly squelched by the Brads of the world. Brad-wannabe who pulls down pants in office: a surrogate Christine whose existence is some evidence that LaBute is no misogynist and that Brad is a sociopath who hates everyone equally (women, other races, corporate buddies)and enjoys doing something to show it. Christine: the least culpable person in the triangle, but not faultless. Greatest challenge for me: those first 20 minutes. Felt sick in the pit of my stomach and started to get angry. Most embarrassing self-realization: first wave of tension dissolved when it looked like Brad's \"interesting twist\" was real--- falling in love with Christine. Greatest reasons I admire this film: disappointed my expectations; elicited squirming; plot kept evolving and expanding its focus; scathing examination of corporate culture (I found it to be fairly accurate); those invisible father figures at the very top causing grown men to quake and obsess over reports due; those two moments of emotional intensity between Christine and Howard during the confession scenes; the deconstruction of some cherished men's myths by the end of the film. Reasons for pessimism: good-girl Christine only sleeps with men she loves (there it is again!); oh sooo familiar assumption of Howard's that if he loves a woman she has to love him back or he's been victimized somehow. (Read: every woman is any man's for the taking.) Still, I liked the murkiness surrounding Howard's decency and I empathized with his resentment over Christine falling for Brad. I've never understood women who like bastards either. Reason for Optimism: that men are examining their lives this intelligently. Lingering Questions: Was the shot of Christine crying too emotionally removed? Did the very last scene work? O.k. please call me LizG --- I go by Liz, and the G should make me distinguishable from other Lizs. I'm only Elizabeth when I obediently fill out forms which demand my real name (like signing up yesterday)or my mother is annoyed with me :)"}, {"response": 380, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (05:38)", "body": "(Liz)I've never understood women who like bastards either. GUILTY!!! There is nothing to understand, they come off as nice, sensitive, sweet; it's not until you're further in the relationship that do you realize they are bastards. To turn this into a BJ moment: Bridget's hormones were working overtime when she was flirting with Daniel. He was necessarily someone she wanted or needed, but the thrill of conquering, is what was exciting. He was also a bastard to her."}, {"response": 381, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (05:41)", "body": "I meant to write wasn't, see shouldn't do this before going to work!"}, {"response": 382, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (07:06)", "body": "Welcome LizG! Stick around :-) (LauraMM)There is nothing to understand, they come off as nice, sensitive, sweet; it's not until you're further in the relationship that do you realize they are bastards You have it absolutely righ. You wouldn't believe how long it took me to realize this fact."}, {"response": 383, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (07:28)", "body": "You know I think we've all been with men who aren't exactly the \"one\" for us. It's a learning experience, however, to be devil's advocate, some women can be just as \"bastardy\" as men. This is coming from a woman who was in relationship with bastard who beat her for 10 years. (self-respect gets trampled, and they destroy you emotionally. The woman (or man) doesn't see it, but the people around do. One thing also is (coming from experience) you think that no one else could possibly want to have a relationship with you, so one stays in the abusive relationship.) Self-confidence is a big part in getting away."}, {"response": 384, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (08:56)", "body": "Laura, yours seems to have been a horrible experience. I'm glad you got out. I hope all goes right for you in the next one."}, {"response": 385, "author": "EAGrace", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (09:52)", "body": "You must be an incredibly strong person Laura, to have got out. Speaking from my own experience, what I regret are the times that I waited too long to trust my gut. But I've been fortunate, no bastards. And I recognize now how lucky I was --- I was 19! Just rereading Bridget's New Year's Resolutions:\". . .instead form relationships based on mature assessment of character\". Considering how young many of us are when we get seriously involved for the first time, this is asking a lot. Have I whined about the institution of romance yet? If only we could accept the hormones for what they are, and not invest more in people who don't deserve it!"}, {"response": 386, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (10:01)", "body": "In Jeannie Williams column in USA Today from the opening of Woody Allen's new movie: On Sunday, he'll begin work on Bridget Jones's Diary, from the Brit best seller, starring Renee Zellweger. \" We've got a brilliant script by Richard Curtis, who did Notting Hill and Four Weddings. Renee turns out to be lovely, more English than the English.\" Grant, as in Crooks, will play a \"bahstahd again.\" It sounds so much nicer the way he says it : \"New thing for the new millennium - bahstahds only.\""}, {"response": 387, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (11:22)", "body": "(Mari) Lisa, I enjoyed your parody; I love satire, and I loath taking anything too seriously, so please do more! Nice to have you here.:-) Sorry I am so late in responding; the big M (for migraine) struck again, which delays my ability to post. Thank you, Mari (and everyone else who posted), for your positive feedback on the parody. I never know when these ideas are going to pop into my head, but if and when they do again, I will share them. These days life seems to be imitating art (more so than the other way around). Actually, I have been amusing myself with speculation about what happens to BJ after she moves to California. Perhaps BJ will write the ultimate self-help book, which becomes a best seller in the States and lands her frequent guest appearances on Oprah. Perhaps our heroine will become Colin Cowie\ufffds assistant on his television show on the Style Network\ufffdthink of the potential for disaster there. Then there\ufffds the knock-off of Rachel Ashwell\ufffds Shabby Chic for perpetual dieters: Chubby Chic\ufffd I am afraid I could go on and on\ufffd"}, {"response": 388, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (17:30)", "body": "As I've stated before, I've admired Neil LaBute's work in film and theater. The charge of his misogynistic viewpoint is neither novel nor unique. I think in may be unfair. Granted, if you really don't like his work, delving for sub-text and nuance isn't really warranted. However, to me the label \"misogynist\" doesn't really hold water. In the film \"Your Friends and Neighbors\" both men and women were viewed through an equally jaundiced eye. As for \"The Company of Men\", things like that really do happen in the world. LaBute's films are, in fact, comedies, albeit ones that cause discomfort to the audience. That is their genius. They are brilliantly dark comedies, deeply, disharmoniously funny, and keenly observed, much like the writing of Balzac. Lisa, it is just too...too...wierd and wonderful the idea of casting RuPaul in BJD. It is absolutely perfect! Of course, it probably won't happen, but that my dear is beyond high concept. As for RuPaul's looks -- hey, he looks better in a dress than I do. Then again, after having just seen \"Gladiator\", Russell Crowe looks better in a dress than I do. Sorry, that was a tunic. Well, it still depresses me to no end."}, {"response": 389, "author": "EAGrace", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (17:57)", "body": "Ooh now, I like Oprah. Sacred Ground :-) Must not spend big Canadian May 24 weekend on Drool boards. Must do gardening and read Al Purdy poetry instead. Must talk to significant other who is looking rather cross last two days since his s.o.'s Drool initiation and loss of virtual virginity . . . Must bill clients for work done. Must DO work for clients FIRST so can bill them instead of spending time on Drool boards."}, {"response": 390, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (18:44)", "body": "Lisa, it is just too...too...wierd and wonderful the idea of casting RuPaul in BJD I agree... it would have been better, however, to keep RuPaul's role a secret-- until the film is released. That way-- you get the \"Crying Game\" effect-- lots of people, who otherwise wouldn't be interested, flock to the theatres to see what all the to-do is about."}, {"response": 391, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (20:17)", "body": "(Karen) Grant, as in Crooks, will play a \"bahstahd again.\" Must be his word for the day. Yesterday on the Today show, Hughie said he was getting ready to start filming BJD, about a woman who falls in love with two men, \"one a nice guy, the other a bastard. I play the bastard.\" ****** They're getting good P.R. mileage out of \"Bridget Cavendish.\" This was in today's New York Post: FIELD WORK RENEE Zellwegger really prepped for her role in the upcoming \"Bridget Jones Diary.\" The actress, who's engaged to Jim Carrey, spent two weeks as an intern at Macmillan books in London, which published the novel. (In the book, \"Bridget\" works in the press office of a publishing house for a spell.) She mailed out books, filed reviews, made coffee, checked review lists, answered the phone and made photocopies. No one at the office knew who she was, even though she called herself \"Bridget\" and put Carrey's picture on her desk."}, {"response": 392, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 19, 2000 (07:11)", "body": "one at the office knew who she was, even though she called herself \"Bridget\" and put Carrey's picture on her desk. LOL! Very hard to believe."}, {"response": 393, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May 19, 2000 (10:06)", "body": "one at the office knew who she was, even though she called herself \"Bridget\" and putCarrey's picture on her desk. LOL! Very hard to believe. True....now if she would have put Mr. Darcy's pic on her desk....awriiight!"}, {"response": 394, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, May 19, 2000 (14:38)", "body": "(CheyrlB) Lisa, it is just too...too...weird and wonderful the idea of casting RuPaul in BJD (Winter) I agree... it would have been better, however, to keep RuPaul's role a secret-- until the film is released. That way-- you get the \"Crying Game\" effect-- lots of people, who otherwise wouldn't be interested, flock to the theatres to see what all the to-do is about. LOL. Touch\ufffd, Winter! Am working on a BJD-esque piece. Should I post it here or at Fan Fic? Drool hosts (Doyennes of Drool), what say you? Sadly, there is little erotica involved. A favor: is there someone from the UK who would kindly help me \ufffdfact check\ufffd a few things first? If so, please send an e-mail to botanica3@aol.com.... Thanks."}, {"response": 395, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 19, 2000 (15:03)", "body": "This was posted at RoP. Any Pemberlian fans of BJD living in London, UK, who are eagerly awaiting the release of the film version, can catch a behind-the-scenes preview in Bedale Street (in London's Borough Market), where location filming of BJD is taking place this week. They've built a set with fake shop fronts, false railway stations, and everything... No sightings of Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth or Hugh Grant, yet ;-) Where are our London spies? ;-)"}, {"response": 396, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 19, 2000 (15:19)", "body": ""}, {"response": 397, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 19, 2000 (15:21)", "body": "Here we go:"}, {"response": 398, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 19, 2000 (18:11)", "body": "From The Guardian (19 May 2000): THERE AIN'T NOTHING LIKE A DAME by Shane Watson Heard the one about Renee Zellweger and the work experience? Zellweger, the unlucky actress who has landed the part of Bridget Jones in the forthcoming film (unlucky because she's a Texan playing a national treasure, so everyone has the knives out for her), recently spent a couple of weeks working undercover in the offices of Picador. Nobody recognised her, nor even suspected something rum was afoot, despite the fact that the 'dogsbody' in publicity received a ton of roses on her first day, had a picture of Jim Carrey next to her desk (her boyfriend) and, when asked to pop out and get a cake for a colleague's leaving do, came back with pounds 100 worth of handmade tarts. Now, you can take this one of several ways. First, you can marvel that a pretty girl like Renee who starred opposite Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire, has featured prominently in magazines such as Vanity Fair and was recently filmed in flushed state when Carrey received his Academy Award [Attn: fact checker] could pass unnoticed among young metropolitans. (Surely a bit of a blow for their finger-on-the-pulse rating?) You could ponder the fate of 'work experience' in offices all over the country, most of whom are invisible to their employees until someone wants a cappuccino or a cake for a leaving do. Alternatively, you might ask yourself whatever happened to star presence if the Renee sparkle could go undetected. Fans might claim a victory for a flawless performance, but we know better: you could have put a full beard and a plastic paunch on Elizabeth Taylor, at the same stage of her career, and she'd have been kissed to death before she got past reception. Then again, perhaps the most provoking thought arising from the Zellweger Undercover Experiment is that one about no one being anyone unless you already know who they are. Put Gwyneth Paltrow in overall and hairnet, and stick her on giblets bagging, and you'd be pushed to tell the difference between her and Margi Clarke. This theory was recently put to the test at the opening party for Tate Modern. Unusually, for high-profile dos, there was no VIP area, no red rope, no escort of men with mikes and so none of the Swat team muscle flexing ('Go! Point! Go!') that attends celebrities in public. VIPs were forced to mingle, alone, among the crowd, with the result that hardly anyone noticed them. This is not, in the end, very satisfactory. It leaves everyone feeling insecure the celebs anxious about being gripped by some crazed fan or, worse, not being recognised at all; the non-celebs in a twitter of rubber-necking and misidentification. (Is it Mick? No, he's too small, it must be a jockey.) Much better to take the Donatella approach and treat everyone above the level of Neil Morrissey like The Pink Panther, section them off under close guard and spotlights, and let the other guests gawp until they've had their fill. Making like a star is three-quarters of being a star and the rest is down to genes. Madonna's recent behaviour, eating apples in the street and washing down BMWs in garage forecourts, has been the final nail in the coffin of old-fashioned celebrity mystique. The fact that she is quite happy to be seen eating at the Sanderson when everyone else is there, too, including ex-stars of EastEnders, is a sign that it is pretty much over for the dazzling, untouchable star. As a rule, it's a mistake for people we are doing our best to worship to get down off their pedestals and walk among us, not because they reveal how short, bad-skinned and inarticulate they are, but because the chances are they haven't got IT. In these star-saturated times, there are barely any with the power to take your breath away. Oodles with looks, bodies and even talent, but not good old star quality, that fire and attitude that makes it impossible to take your eyes off them. Which brings us back to Liz, who this week received from the Queen the insignia of a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. One part violet eyes, one part 'erotic vagrancy' (an accusation once levelled at her by the Vatican), one part lust for life and diamonds and some of our attention. She was never much of an actress and she wouldn't have been seen dead doing the photocopying in the name of research. But of course she wouldn't at all have seen the point of Bridget Jones, either."}, {"response": 399, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (07:45)", "body": "From Teletext, Part 1 of 2: A Texan Bridget Jones? By\ufffdVictor Olliver in Cannes The press conference for American director Neil LaBute's movie, Nurse Betty, gave an opportunity to meet the little known actress Renee Zellweger. Her films include Jerry Maguire and One True Thing and now she is preparing to play fictional Brit Bridget Jones. Author Helen Fielding's Jones is a 30-something loser in love, with a sharp tongue. Zellweger is pure Doris Day. Are the two compatible? Zellweger, 31, is so genuinely sweet-natured that it's hard to see how she will tackle the worldly, scabrous, disappointed Bridget Jones. The actress says: \"Bridget Jones is absolutely British and I'm Texan with Swiss-Norwegian parents, but I shall be British too. \"I've been working in a London publisher's for two months under the alias of Bridget Cavendish. I'm truly familiarising myself with the Brits.\" Fielding was aghast when she learned Texas star Renee Zellweger was cast as her British heroine. Zellweger is gracious about it: \"I have not yet mastered the English accent, so I can't demonstrate how English I can be, but Bridget Jones is brilliantly written. \"I certainly was surprised to be cast in the movie.\" So was Helena Bonham Carter who looked hot for the part but was dismissed rudely as \"too cold\"."}, {"response": 400, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (07:48)", "body": "Part 2 of 2: Too sweet to be sour? Zellweger has upped her profile by dating American comic actor Jim Carrey since 1999. In Nurse Betty she plays a waitress who dotes on a TV soap star. When her husband is murdered, Betty slips into fantasy mode and goes to LA to meet her idol. The movie is cleverly modelled on TV soaps in general and is very funny - an unlikely contender for the Cannes Palme d'Or. Zellweger says she started watching TV soaps again to help her research the role. She adds: \"I stopped watching them at 12. I always associate them with sick days off school. The characters end up having a lobotomy, and if you miss a show, you suddenly see they're on their ninth husband.\" LaBute adds: \"My mother was a great TV soap fan and she turned me on to them.\" The director's other films are Your Friends & Neighbours and In The Company Of Men. He has a comic, misanthropic vision of humanity. He says: \"There's no more sex and violence in Nurse Betty than in soaps. People get connected to soap characters and forget the actors. \"That's why actors are called by their characters' names in the street. Soaps are a staple of Western cultural life and I'm fascinated by that.\" Of his star, LaBute jokes: \"We set out to get her, I was prepared to embark on a cloning process. You can't manufacture her kind of natural kindness and sweetness, which is essential to her part in the movie.\" Zellweger performs brilliantly in the film, but is she good enough an actress to bury the honey for the sharp tang of Bridget Jones? We shall see."}, {"response": 401, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (09:01)", "body": "Looks like the idea that Helen abhors the idea of Renee playing Bridget has now become firmly entrenched. Interesting to watch how a misunderstanding becomes a fact. (Moon) location filming of BJD is taking place this week. They've built a set with fake shop fronts, false railway stations, and everything... No sightings of Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth or Hugh Grant, yet ;-) Hmmm, I've lent my Bridget book to a friend so I can't check this but there are very few exterior scenes with Mark in the book. I can only think of Uma's Tarts and Vicars party and his parents' anniversary party. Maybe when Bridget runs into him in his barrister's robes? Other than that, I wouldn't expect to see Mark shooting outdoors but maybe someone can list more. Then again, if Andrew Davies' hand is in here somewhere perhaps he's written a scene for Mark where he falls into the Thames and emerges with his white shirt dripping wet and clinging to every muscle and sinew. ;-)"}, {"response": 402, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (16:39)", "body": "(Heide) if Andrew Davies' hand is in here somewhere perhaps he's written a scene for Mark where he falls into the Thames and emerges with his white shirt dripping wet and clinging to every muscle and sinew. ;-) LOL! Somebody send this to Working Title. Script needs a rewrite. ;-)"}, {"response": 403, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (18:05)", "body": "but is she good enough an actress to bury the honey for the sharp tang of Bridget Jones? We shall see. They're sharpening the knives;-) Aren't these people actors? If you are shy IRL does it mean you can't play an extrovert?If you're nice ...like in Doris Day...you can only play nice roles? Puhleeeze."}, {"response": 404, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, May 21, 2000 (12:37)", "body": "Am going to attempt to post something I wrote yesterday. Hope you enjoy it--I never know if this stuff will tank or succeed.... Saturday 20 May 128 lbs. (in my dreams, but am v. tall), alcohol units 0 (v.g., but still v. early), calories 3,060 (of which 2,080 calories attributed to two packets of Pepperidge Farm Mint Milano cookies/ biscuits), attempts to access Drool boards 23, internal server error messages 23, Daniel Cleaver sightings on telly 2, Faulkner books read cover-to-cover 1, impure thoughts about Mr. Darcy 37 Gaaaaa! Could not access Drool boards today due to internal server errors. Why? Why? Must seek alternative means of amusement and information. Turn on telly and Daniel Cleaver is on CNN talking about his new Woody Allen movie. More talk about Daniel being a \"bahstahd,\" and how Woody thought Daniel would be perfect playing a man everyone thinks is charming and cultured but in actual fact IS a \"bahstahd.\" Hurrah! Woody Allen may be deviant husband and father (and deviant husband/father), but is astute judge of character. Turn channel on telly and see Daniel Cleaver again--this time in film clip with Tracey Ullman, the latter who is practicing vocabulary words beginning with the letter \"a.\" V. funny bit. Turn telly off and decide to expand mind in manner of Mr. Darcy. Recently read Mr. Darcy favors W. Faulkner's work. Haven't read Faulkner since teenage girlhood-don't remember fancying him much. Decide to read The Sound and the Fury due to Mr. Darcy's recommendation (in magazine article) and also due to fact that I am worldly literary whiz-woman. Chapter 1: Pick the book up Set the book down Pick the book up Set the book down Packet of Mint Milanos moves toward my mouth Packet of Mint Milanos moves away from my mouth Pick the book up Set the book down Aaargh! TSATF is unintelligible and giving me tension headache. Cannot read more than three pages without stopping for a Mint Milano. At this rate will need to eat two packets per chapter\ufffd. Quentin is referred to as \"he\" and \"she:\" v. confusing. Perhaps edition of book was poorly edited\ufffdor Quentin is hermaphrodite or transsexual. Am proud of intuitive scholarly prowess. Chapter 2: Why are there so many run-on sentences? Why? Why? Poor Mr. Faulkner in need of in-house style manual or grammar check. Have read 1/3 of second chapter and must take break. Book is still not making much sense. Will nip out to buy more Mint Milanos and latest People Magazine. Much later: Book is bloody brilliant. Am literary genius-figured out the secret to reading TSATF: read the last chapter first, the penultimate chapter thereafter, and so on, until one finishes the first chapter last! Must read all great works of literature in this manner from now on. Would love to discuss this concept w. Mr. Darcy. Sunday 21 May Hurrah! Drool boards are semi-functioning again. Won't have to read another Faulkner book for at least 25 more years\ufffd."}, {"response": 405, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, May 21, 2000 (14:32)", "body": "LOL! *clap, *clap... Lisa you are tempting me with those Milano cookies. Now, we want the truth. Did you enjoy the book? ;-)"}, {"response": 406, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, May 21, 2000 (15:43)", "body": "Too bad your audience is so small, Lisa, while the boards are malfunctioning. Loved your advice on how to get through Faulkner or Faulkener as Mr. Darcy spelled it in Fever Pitch. v.v.g."}, {"response": 407, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (04:06)", "body": "(Mari)No one at the office knew who she was, even though she called herself \"Bridget\" and put Carrey's picture on her desk. (Moon)LOL! Very hard to believe. Actually, if all this is true (Carrey's pic, limos at lunchtime, flowers, ecc) she was begging to be found out. Probably was but everybody was too polite and british to denounce her. Loved your prose, LisaJH. Helen can look to you for the sequel :-D Sorry to post this on this topic, but I've just read the Telegraph's article on The Bucket, and Colin's comment on smelling the coffee, and was really sad. He really didn't get it, poor boy! And we do so wish the coffee tastes great for him, wherever he drinks it..."}, {"response": 408, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (04:12)", "body": "Excellent, Lisa, sorry I mean v.g. Plenty of scope for complete confusion with Daniel Cleaver on TV, let alone Mr Darcy in Fever Pitch, Heide. Excellent. Karen, thanks for the map. Will stroll down to Bedale St at lunch-time and see what gives. Intriguing to see RZ parlaying a repeatedly-confirmed two-and-a-half weeks of publishing experience into a two-month job. Good resum\ufffd skills."}, {"response": 409, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (11:37)", "body": "Wow, I made it in!!! Only took TWO days!!! Glad to see it's up and running! Lisa, that was brilliant!!! (I've been eating Double Chocolate Milano cookies all weekend!)"}, {"response": 410, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (11:43)", "body": "Hoorah Lisa! Am also fugitive from Faulkner. Will try new, scientifically proved method to read...someday when no other books on face on earth. Wonder if regular Milanos or...better yet...Orleans will do? Must test. Thanks for the laugh. Waiting for next installment. ;-)"}, {"response": 411, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (11:47)", "body": "Here's someone who definitely won't be in the movie (from the Independent on Sunday), even though she was married to Tim Bevan: Despite the family name, [Joely] Richardson couldn't even get meetings for Elizabeth, nor The English Patient, nor the recently cast Bridget Jones. Surely this must have been difficult to stomach? \"Maybe it's because I've done different things, people are not quite sure who I am,\" reasons Richardson. \"Yes I've fought a lot of preconceptions, but then every actor can tell that story.\" ~~~~~~~ BTW, she was always my choice for Maud in Possession. So there!!"}, {"response": 412, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (12:55)", "body": "Glad you all enjoyed the piece. I see that when I copied and pasted the text from Word to Drool, the dashes turned into hyphens, thus rendering MY writing unintelligible. :) (Moon) Now, we want the truth. Did you enjoy the book? ;-) As for enjoying Faulkner and TSATF, I am afraid it took me more than a month to get through it--had to renew the library book twice! I did read it front to back, btw. :) Don't think I will be heading back to the \"F\" section of the stacks any time soon.... (Heide) or Faulkener as Mr. Darcy spelled it in Fever Pitch. He did? ! Wow, that one went right by me! Will have to watch FP again."}, {"response": 413, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (13:02)", "body": "Lisa! Laugh, I thought I'd die! v.v.g!!! KJ"}, {"response": 414, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (13:20)", "body": "(Lisa) Hurrah! Woody Allen may be deviant husband and father (and deviant husband/father), but is astute judge of character. Why are there so many run-on sentences? Why? Why? Poor Mr. Faulkner in need of in-house style manual or grammar check. ROTFLMAO! Brilliant stuff, Lisa! Please do more when the mood strikes. BTW, I get depressed thinking of Daniel Cleaver working with Woody Allen while Mr. Darcy works with Mike Binder.:-( ********* I see Nurse Betty won a prize at Cannes for Best Screenplay. There is a nice article on Renee Z. in the new issue of Biography magazine (George Clooney on cover). Very complimentary commments from those who've worked with her, i.e., she's so *not* glam Hollywood, no ego or star b.s., etc."}, {"response": 415, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (13:37)", "body": "Thanks for the tip Karen - my train crosses London Bridge and I get a view of Borough Market every morning/evening...Hmmm can I think of an excuse for an extended lunch break...maybe can get colleagues addicted to vegetables or similar by subtley dropping okra, mange-tout and losso rosso into conversation in manner of deranged veg-freak - can then trot off to marked to satisfy cravings. Hurrah! ;-D Bravo Lisa you are indeed literary whiz-woman!"}, {"response": 416, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (14:23)", "body": "V.v.g. Lisa! I particularly enjoyed this Woody Allen may be deviant husband and father (and deviant husband/father) . I get depressed thinking of Daniel Cleaver working with Woody Allen while Mr. Darcy works with Mike Binder.:-( *sniffle* (Gi) Actually, if all this is true (Carrey's pic, limos at lunchtime, flowers, ecc) she was begging to be found out Don't believe anything you read in the NY Post. It's owned by Rupert Murdoch. 'Nuff said."}, {"response": 417, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (14:58)", "body": "(KarenR)(Joely Richardson) was always my choice for Maud in Possession I'd never heard of her but she looks alright for Maud... Yes, I've started reading it :-)"}, {"response": 418, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (15:47)", "body": "KarenR)(Joely Richardson) was always my choice for Maud in Possession (Gi)I'd never heard of her but she looks alright for Maud... Yes, I've started reading it :-) Isn't she Vanessa Redgrave's daughter and Natasha Richardson's sister? When I find the time (after my exams), I'll pick up Possession again."}, {"response": 419, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (15:52)", "body": "(Mari) I get depressed thinking of Daniel Cleaver working with Woody Allen while Mr. Darcy works with Mike Binder.:-( Sun came out a little while ago (finally)... just read this...ducked behind a cloud. :-( BTW, The Sex Monster can now be purchased as a PVT at Blockbuster for $9.99. Actually they should pay you to watch it. (Mari) Nurse Betty won a prize at Cannes for Best Screenplay From IndieWire: awarded the Best Screenplay award to John C. Richards and James Flamberg for their work on Neil Labute's \"Nurse Betty,\" the first of his films which he did not write. Was the jury trying to tell him something? Sorry, had to... ;-)"}, {"response": 420, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (16:14)", "body": "the dashes turned into hyphens Yes, Yapp is v.basic. Two hyphens must be used (as in ye olde typewriter days) or *space dash space*"}, {"response": 421, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (17:42)", "body": "(Tineke) Isn't she Vanessa Redgrave's daughter and Natasha Richardson's sister? Yes and yes, Joley Richardson is both of those, as well as being the daughter of the late director Tony Richardson. Pepperidge Farm Milano Cookies -- personally, I go for the Orange Milano Cookies."}, {"response": 422, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (17:44)", "body": "(Mari) Nurse Betty won a prize at Cannes for Best Screenplay Bodes well for RV! And HG seems to be well and truly back in favour. Boosts potential interest in BJD. Has Mike Binder directed/written anything that's good? Is \"The Sex Monster\" (title...yeuch!!) a one-off horror, or par for the course. I saw his name (and MH's) connected with a recent more A-list movie...can't remember what."}, {"response": 423, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (17:57)", "body": "Bjork won best actress at Cannes. I always liked her, loved her band the Sugarcubes. She would be perfect as one of Bridget's friends."}, {"response": 424, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (23:40)", "body": "Since we've been on the topic of Mr. Darcy's alternate spelling of Faulkner, here's an interesting bit of trivia (also on topic since I just read it in the same Biography mag as the RZ story;-) The family name was Falkner--no u. Seems WF was heartbroken when his childhood sweetheart married someone else, so he decided to enlist in the Air Force (WWI). Uncle Sam rejected him because he was \"too frail and small\", so WF managed to get papers forged identifying himself as William Faulkner of Middlesex, England--and joined the RAF! When he returned to the states after the war, he kept the new spelling. (Bethan) Has Mike Binder directed/written anything that's good? Is \"The Sex Monster\" (title...yeuch!!) a one-off horror, or par for the course. I saw his name (and MH's) connected with a recent more A-list movie...can't remember what. The only other work I've seen of his was a TV series called American Gothic (Gary Cole as a creepy Southern sheriff). It was a good show; I read somewhere that he directed some of the episodes. The new film you're referring to is The Contender, in which he only acts. Good cast, including Joan Allen, Jeff Bridges, Gary Oldman. So, I suppose we'll have to give him a chance.;-) But TSM is, frankly, awful. It's not even sexy. Very sophomoric \"humor\"--no real wit at all. Looks like it was done very low budget, which isn't a bad thing in and of itself, but I hope he is more imaginative in presenting London than he did L.A. in TSM--his scenic shots consisted of repeated footage of manicured lawns that appeared to have been filmed from somebody's moving car window. Karen, have you heard any more from the Londinium folks?"}, {"response": 425, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (08:22)", "body": "Nope"}, {"response": 426, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (08:49)", "body": "(Bethan) And HG seems to be well and truly back in favour. Boosts potential interest in BJD. True, however...I sent Evelyn that 'Newsmakers' page from last week's Newsweek mag with the JE-RH story. Also reported was Elizabeth Hurley's quest to stop smoking. Included was a pic of her with a pacifier/binky/dummy [insert slang term of your choice] in her mouth. Too funny. The story's been reported everywhere over the past few weeks, with all the old HG oral fixation jokes back in full."}, {"response": 427, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (09:12)", "body": "Went down to Bedale St yesterday lunch-time. No sign of any filming or false shop-fronts at all."}, {"response": 428, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (09:13)", "body": "Bjork? UGH! Her winey voice, her barely able to speak English? I don't think so. I remember seeing the Sugarcubes on Saturday Night Live in the early '80s, UGH!!! NO, NO, NO!! Sorry, Moon:("}, {"response": 429, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (09:46)", "body": "Thanks, Mark, for checking. Probably was done last week."}, {"response": 430, "author": "EAGrace", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (10:48)", "body": "Excerpt from bloody brilliant posting: Saturday 20 May 128 lbs. (in my dreams, but am v. tall), alcohol units 0 (v.g., but still v. early), calories 3,060 (of which 2,080 calories attributed to two packets of Pepperidge Farm Mint Milano cookies/ biscuits), attempts to access Drool boards 23, internal server error messages 23, Daniel Cleaver sightings on telly 2, Faulkner books read cover-to-cover 1, impure thoughts about Mr. Darcy 37 Successful attempts to be worldly literary whiz-woman 1:1 (excellent) LOL Enjoyed this v.v. much! And did not gain weight while reading it --- from beginning to end."}, {"response": 431, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (13:05)", "body": "(EileenG)...Elizabeth Hurley's quest to stop smoking... Too funny. The story's been reported everywhere over the past few weeks, with all the old HG oral fixation jokes back in full. I can picture that! :-D"}, {"response": 432, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (16:41)", "body": "...and now Reuters reports: Hugh Grant and Liz Hurley, one of Britain's most glamorous celebrity couples, announced Tuesday they are putting their 13-year-old romance on hold. \"Hugh and Elizabeth have decided to temporarily split up. It is a mutual and amicable decision. I don't know the reasons,\" a spokeswoman for the pair and their film company told Reuters. \"They are continuing to run Simian Films together and would like to stress there are no third parties involved.\" [Hmmm, perhaps except that billionaire guy she's been keeping company with lately?]"}, {"response": 433, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (16:43)", "body": "Yahoo news (reliable source?) says that HG and Liz H have announced that they are splitting up. Gossip of the day!"}, {"response": 434, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (16:44)", "body": "Huh! Beat me to it! :-)"}, {"response": 435, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (16:52)", "body": "Well... it's late by you :-)"}, {"response": 436, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (17:08)", "body": "An interesting posting from deja.com about the filming of BJD: 5/16: Opposite where I work they're filming \"Bridget Jones' Diary\", with Hugh Grant and others. They'll be there for about 10 days. Hugh Grant himself starts filming Wednesday evening and will be there a lot. It's all happening in London Bridge, near the Globe pub, off Borough High Street (and near the Market, and near Fish! restaurant). Just thought I'd let you know in case there are any ULL fans of these two. My local pub this lunchtime was unbearable... luvvies and autograph hunters everywhere."}, {"response": 437, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (17:13)", "body": "Beat me to it (two), just heard it on the 11o'clock news, hope it wasn't something Bridget said!"}, {"response": 438, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (03:25)", "body": "Wednesday, May 24 Weight 9st 2, Calories 2,080, Cigarettes 10, Newspapers bought to check news 10 (plus free copy of London Metro) 6pm. Astonishing news in paper today about Daniel Cleaver splitting up from beautiful long-term model actress girlfriend Elizabeth Hurley. Cannot stop self from believing that may have been cause of rift in happy semi-marriage relationship. Raced home after work to check for messages from Daniel Cleaver. None. Humph! Possibly telephone not working. However also possibly he is keeping low profile to avoid door-stepping paparazzi identifying new secret love (am not yet sure if wish to be new secret love, or indeed any kind of love \ufffd have just remembered former secret love was Divine Brown, yuck, yuck). If am invited by Daniel Cleaver to country house weekend, must remember to ensure long-lens photographers snap Daniel Cleaver dragging mattress into other room (as with EH after LA incident, yuck, yuck), to ensure appropriate distancing. 9pm. Mr Darcy just called and did not once mention Daniel Cleaver. Obviously though is checking whether am alone still. May now be femme fatale in manner of lady toying with affections of two beaux \ufffd yet still unsure if either of them romantically interested in self at all. Obviously telephone working after all, though. Humph!"}, {"response": 439, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (07:00)", "body": "LOL! Mark. You've become her alter ego. Perhaps Bridget is \"third party\" not involved in split, so conspicuously mentioned by spokesperson? Cleaver was seen dining on a mystery woman's elbow at a London hotel in March. Didn't mention mystery woman being whisked away in limousine in manner of underling from publishing house."}, {"response": 440, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (07:05)", "body": "LOL Mark!"}, {"response": 441, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (07:06)", "body": "LOL, Mark! Have you had some time to check out the film location? Looking forward to today's Championship's League final game."}, {"response": 442, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (07:53)", "body": "Well I'm amazed. Monday: nothing. Today: a bona-fide film location. Not much happening yet; just a dozen Pinewood trucks, a few scaffolding structures, some heavy-duty lighting, a couple of small cameras and one disgruntled paparazzo standing on a street-corner. But someone's definitely going to be shooting something soon."}, {"response": 443, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (08:05)", "body": "But someone's definitely going to be shooting something soon. Soon? Naw, setup takes forever. Probably going to be shooting late at night if starting now."}, {"response": 444, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (10:15)", "body": "Tsk, tsk, tsk. Are we so cynical, so mean-spirited, so utterly devoid of human feeling that we'd poke fun at Hugh and Liz's misfortune? You betcha!:-) Very funny stuff, Mark. And you've got the location scouted out, too? You are *the man.* Loved the pacifier photo, Tineke. There were some good ones here a couple of weeks ago of Liz courtside at the NY Knicks game, wearing a \"Porn Star In Training\" t-shirt, and being squired by that old fart gazillionaire she's been with. Am glad to hear that Simian Films will survive the break-up, though, meaning that the creative juices that gave us Extreme Measures and Mickey Blue Eyes will be permitted to keep flowing.;-) Ok, I'm done now.;-)"}, {"response": 445, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (10:51)", "body": "not me though... Please be on lookout for man on left; also goes by name of Daniel Cleaver. Might check parked automobiles in vicinity for woman on right; might have bit part in movie. ;-)"}, {"response": 446, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (11:07)", "body": "(Karen)Might check parked automobiles in vicinity for woman on right; might have bit part in movie. ;-) Maybe blonde giantess on rooftop will be differently cast and replaced by black big-mouthed woman... Mark, loved your post. BJ. is . sporing. a. new. literary. gender :-) Tineke, great pic :-)"}, {"response": 447, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (11:11)", "body": "Karen! ROFLMAO! I almost blacked out from laughing so hard! Looks like Daniel is need of Mark Darcy's legal expertise. Mark--v.v. funny \"entry.\" Daniel will be in need of BJ's self-help books....."}, {"response": 448, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (11:17)", "body": "Arrgghhh---meant to \"say\" Daniel is IN need of Mark Darcy's legal expertise...."}, {"response": 449, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (11:39)", "body": "Oh, Karen, too cruel and too funny! *Wiping tears from eyes* BTW, according to the Evening Standard, the man on the left was spotted returning to his homestead at 4:30 a.m. this morning, after a full night of BJD shooting. Probably the location Mark came across. Gi, I like your creative casting suggestion for the rooftop giantess.;-)"}, {"response": 450, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (14:14)", "body": "Mark: Could you tell what/where the scene was to be set? (Let's see, Daniel Cleaver and Bridget at night... couple of possibilities from the book...) Lisa: No need to correct your spelling. We can figure it out...and we all do it as we type so fast. Right?"}, {"response": 451, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (14:26)", "body": "Been lurking here today and had to delurk. I really love Bridget Jones as a character. I see her in me. Want to explain why, in best Bridget style I can do. Please tell me what you think. V.v. scary how funny others are at this! Here goes: Wednesday May 24, 2000 6:30 a.m. Woke up suddenly before piercing alarm went off. Jumped out of bed and reset for 6:55 a.m. 6:54 a.m. Friend Amy called. Asked me if I still wanted to go for early morning powerwalk, like yesterday, even though raining and thundering. I said no, secretly glad that she was one to break down first. Went back to bed confident that I could not be blamed for weather destroying my best fitness intentions. 8:20 a.m. Oh no, did not hear alarm. Why? Why? Cannot possibly get to work on time! Throw on ugly plaid robe and run downstairs. Boyfriend wearing superior smile, as if he knew all along that me and Amy's plan to powerwalk between 7 a.m. --- 7:45 every day would only last one day. Explain to him about weather earlier. He looks sceptical as thunderstorm has miraculously cleared and is nice sunny day. Has already let out cat on HIS early morning fitness program! 8:50 a.m. Have decided to take morning off, so can go to acupuncturist appointment at 10 a.m. v. peacefully. Check my email from home; boss has still not replied. Nothing to work on anyway until boss replies! What is point of going into work until boss unties my hands (job-wise)? Sit down at computer after boyfriend leaves to read over site just found on Bridget Jones. 9:10 a.m. Started herbs acupuncturist gave me. Should have started earlier. Will cook extra high and only for half hour to be done on time. 9:40 a.m. So peaceful reading Drool Boards. Just five more minutes. Lots of time to get ready. Will jump in shower, but not wash hair. That will cut time by 5 minutes. 9:55 a.m. Sh*t. Meant to stop reading Drool Boards 10 minutes ago! Must jump in shower now! 9:56 a.m. Laundry crisis! Underwear I washed last night is still damp! Hung to dry at 1 a.m. --- why not dry? how long does little flimsy material take! 10:05 a.m. Used blowdryer to blowdry underwear. Blowdryer stalled! Will not start! Have wrecked v. expensive blowdryer on underwear! 10:06 a.m. Forgot must leave money for grocer! Where is envelope? Where is tape?Cannot find tape! 10:10 a.m. Could not find scotch tape, or masking tape. Found duck tape! Worked like a charm. Am brilliant improviser under challenging circumstances beyond my control.... Where are keys? 10:15 a.m. Where did my keys go? Where! Where? Must call acupuncturist and explain will be late. Keys not in jeans from yesterdays powerwalk which I threw back with rest of dirty laundry. Where is phone? Where is phone? It's not on cradle! 10:25 a.m. Pull into acupuncturist's parking lot in a great tear, totally stressed, so can pay lots of money for peaceful and relaxing holistic experience. 12:00 p.m. Just got back from acupuncturist. Says my tongue isn't so \"damp\". I wonder if damp underwear will cause setback? Chinese medicine is v.v. confusing. Spent too long talking to acupuncturist. Must hurry and get lunch and go to work. Although do have one hour, and boss still not answered email...Will take time and visit favorite web sites, like Bridget Jones site. Has started to thunder again. Scary lightning! Eerie Wuthering Heights-type self-realization (the Merle Oberon version, never read book version): I am Bridget Jones!"}, {"response": 452, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (14:34)", "body": "You are Bridget, very funny, good to meet you Bridget, sorry Sadie!"}, {"response": 453, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (14:48)", "body": "Hmmmm... we've been invaded by Bridgets! Female and male!!! :) Great going guys, you are too awesome. Can I make Bridget into Vampire as I love Buffy and Angel (they rock!) AND I think she and Angel are soul mates. Or should I say Bridge and Spike (in manner of british vamp, Mr. Darcy?) :)"}, {"response": 454, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (16:16)", "body": "(LauraMM)Hmmmm... we've been invaded by Bridgets! Female and male!!! :) So it appears...Welcome, Sadie, what a good way to de-lurk :-) If we go on like this, will we still be able to tell ourselves apart? ;-)"}, {"response": 455, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (17:26)", "body": "LOL!! Sadie, you are true Bridget-type woman. Welcome and hope you enjoy all the Drool boards, when have time and boss not pestering you to work. Would spend more time here, but most make excellent gourmet meal. ;-) Laura, NO BUFFY!!! If Buffy in any form shows up here, you know what I'll do."}, {"response": 456, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (20:49)", "body": "Karen, you just don't know good television when you see it? :) I mean Spike alone is worth the price of admission!!! (and hunky Angel, is easy on the eyes;))"}, {"response": 457, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (02:57)", "body": "Sorry, I don't know what scenes they would have been shooting last night. As at lunch-time the most advanced \"set\" seemed to be a very high platform outside a building (anybody remember any fire-escape scenes?). I saw no false shop-fronts etc, although of course they still had hours even before HG barged past his door-steppers, mumbling that he was going to work (rather than to the Liz Taylor benefit). As it rained all evening and night, I was wondering if they would postpone shooting. Today is brighter, I will have another look either at lunchtime or late afternoon. I am not planning to check parked cars for the big-mouthed lady, as I do not want to appear with a row of numbers across my chest! Good stuff, Sadie, tough day at the acupuncturist. Laura, I do think a Bridget/Buffy melange could be just too confusing."}, {"response": 458, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (07:29)", "body": "Hey Bridget seems to only come out at night??? :)"}, {"response": 459, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (08:31)", "body": "Thanks for the wonderful welcome all. There's no place like home! I'm at work. Boss is still ignoring me. Why? Why? Suspect he is a corporate sadist, or one brilliant military strategist, wearing me down through email attrition. He sends off one email usually to my three. I love Buffy. Would love Bridget as Buffy. Problem is, I think vampires are v. v. sexy. Daniel as vampire? Oh no, Mr. Dar --- I mean Mark Darcy is one with dark good looks and magnetic stare. Hmmm."}, {"response": 460, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (08:49)", "body": "Sorry, but this is a Buffy-free zone. Laura, if you want to do any Buffy writing, it would be better at the Dwiggie board and I see now you've started something up at VV."}, {"response": 461, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (09:10)", "body": "There already is a topic with only 2 messages: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/tv/46"}, {"response": 462, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (10:36)", "body": ""}, {"response": 463, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (11:06)", "body": "Hello, Sadie, nice to meet a fellow Bridgetarian! :-) V. good Bridget diary entry."}, {"response": 464, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (12:32)", "body": ""}, {"response": 465, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (14:08)", "body": "Hello, Sadie! The list of Bridgets keeps growing. ;-) Laura, Karen was nice enough to link the Buffy topic. Why don't you take it over?"}, {"response": 466, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (15:30)", "body": "I didn't check the link. She said there was only two posts. Besides, censoring? Isn't that a bit gestapoish? It was just a joke? Jeez.... Bridget would've laughed it off. Oh but then again, Bridget wouldn't know how to delete a post she just posted, and most likely it would've went to Parliament."}, {"response": 467, "author": "Ruperbear", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (18:25)", "body": "Why is there censorship on a public board, I ask?"}, {"response": 468, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (18:39)", "body": "Rupert, I can talk to you about it on another conference - your choice."}, {"response": 469, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (18:47)", "body": "This public board has hosts. If someone else would like to take over host duties, be my guest."}, {"response": 470, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (18:51)", "body": "Not I, my dear."}, {"response": 471, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (18:57)", "body": "Censoring? Pshaw...There's a topic on this board for every subject. How many hints do you need? I am not planning to check parked cars for the big-mouthed lady, as I do not want to appear with a row of numbers across my chest! And your wife may not be as understanding as Elizabeth Hurley. LOL, Mark and thanks for volunteering as our roving reporter again."}, {"response": 472, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (19:47)", "body": "And maybe Elizabeth Hurley chose to appear understanding because she's not a wife? ;-)"}, {"response": 473, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (19:49)", "body": "very wise oabservation!"}, {"response": 474, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (20:37)", "body": "How many hints do you need? How daft! My goodness, I make a joke, and it's like WW3!!! Lighten up, people. Seriously..."}, {"response": 475, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (20:51)", "body": "If they had anhilated Irish people perhaps it would not be as funny??? Just a thought"}, {"response": 476, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (23:27)", "body": "Shall we move on. This is the place we have a good time discussing Bridget and wherever that sometimes leads us. :-)"}, {"response": 477, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (23:38)", "body": "Is it back to fun and games wondering about this lady who has created so much of a puzzlement for CF followers? We did not get off Helen Fielding and her creations did we? Musta been just a temporary madness which sweeps the vulnerabel from time to time...*grin* Shall we begin???"}, {"response": 478, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Fri, May 26, 2000 (01:36)", "body": "Is anyone guessing when BJD will premiere in London? I will be in the UK late March early April - is it too much to hope for?!?!?"}, {"response": 479, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, May 26, 2000 (02:29)", "body": "Is anyone guessing when BJD will premiere in London? Or if it will premiere in the US first? I rather hope it will. The Brit critics will be sharpening their knives. If it has a favourable reception that may soften their reaction."}, {"response": 480, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, May 26, 2000 (02:56)", "body": "Report from the set I hung around for an hour in th eevening and was rewarded with: Shooting about to start in a mock-up Greek Restaurant called ___SPERS (Whispers? Caspers? maybe Jaspers?). The whole outside of the \"restaurant\" screened off by black screens hung on scaffolding to form a little enclave occupied by hangers-on and actors not in the restaurant. Ten minutes after I arrived, a group of probable extras disembark from a coach and make their way into the restaurant; five minutes go by before a Lexus rolls up to deliver HG - wearing black jeans, and a bluish bulky jacket; hair all over the place - more than floppy. He ambles around the scaffolding into the enclave and through the restaurant door. Five minutes later, a gleaming Audi delivers CF, looking very tall and smart in a dark blue pinstripe suit. Sideburns slightly longer than your average human-rights lawyer, hair slightly bigger. About ten minutes later, two guys emerge from the restaurant dressed exactly the same as HG and CF and with similarities of stature and haircut, and they sat down in two of three chairs marked Renee Zellweger and Director. I eventually figured these were guys used to set up shots etc. I had to assume that stunt doubles could not be needed in this film; but then at one point the CF-alike changed from the suit jacket into a more padded jacket, and I noticed he had elbow-pads on over his shirt. So maybe there are stunts. I'm not sure if RZ was delivered fifteen minutes after CF - a blonde got out of a car and was escorted round the back of the screened scaffolding where I didn't think one could get in - I was not close enough for identification. Not much really happened - from time to time HG or CF would emerge from the restaurant; HG looked round as if for his car before embracing the woman occupying the director's chair (who could not have been Sharon Maguire as she was doing nothing); CF would just stand within the screens, jostling for space with the camera filming through the window and all the runners and extras etc. Shortly before I left a woman starts shouting out \"Quiet please\" in the street; a hopeless request given the situation, which included a quartet of noisy drinkers outside the pub opposite, the occasional motorbike or set cars, a few tourists or locals wandering around, and most seriously trains from London Bridge station going across the bridges overhead; there can never have been a moment when the street was completely quiet, and few when it was not very loud indeed. You could really see the slow pace of everything; but very fascinating to be one of so few location-gawpers."}, {"response": 481, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, May 26, 2000 (03:13)", "body": "Oh, thanks very much Mark! A fascinating report. One thing I expect to see in the film version of BJD is that the continuity of the book will have changed. In the book, the first half is mostly Daniel, the second half is mostly Mark. But to maintain some sort of dramatic tension, I think there will have to be more overlap....possibly more on-screen interaction between BJ, DC and MD. The scene in the restaurant sounds like a new scene! From the various shots of HG following the hugely publicised break up with Liz Hurley, his hair is very long, very floppy... very appropriate for the cad? Or if it will premiere in the US first? I rather hope it will. The Brit critics will be sharpening their knives. If it has a favourable reception that may soften their reaction. There's nothing our critics enjoy more than failure...or promoting failure. I hope BJD opens in the States and makes millions!"}, {"response": 482, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, May 26, 2000 (06:45)", "body": "Thanks for the report Mark, the only thing that worrie me is your comment that his hair is \"bigger\", not too big I hope, a la Turn of the Screw which was awful."}, {"response": 483, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, May 26, 2000 (06:49)", "body": "If they had anhilated Irish people perhaps it would not be as funny??? Just a thought ] Hmmm, and I thought the Irish were annihilated, must've been that false Irish history I learned in my past. (You know coming from Boston and all...) and the joke was about Buffy! Now to get back to Bridget, or something thereof. Has anyone read \"The Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing\"? Asking because, of course they make a comparison to BJ AND I noticed that the Diary of Tiffany Trott is out in the US Bookstores. (I sent Karen a link to the Telegraph series that pre-dated BJ) It wasn't as good, but had some quirky moments. Just wondering if anyone did a comparison of the genre (seems to be an influx of 30-something singletons (or 20-something singletons) writing about ditzy women."}, {"response": 484, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 26, 2000 (07:35)", "body": "A big kiss to you, Mark! You are indeed our best spy/rep in the UK! I am hoping CF does not get beaten-up again. But why else would the double have pads in his jacket? At least we know MD gets the girl in the end. ;-) Thank you again, and keep up the good work. Of course, what we really want is for you to become good friends with Colin while on the set. ;-) (Laura), and I thought the Irish were annihilated, must've been that false Irish history The snakes were annihilated from Ireland, not the Irish. ;-)"}, {"response": 485, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, May 26, 2000 (07:45)", "body": "The snakes were annihilated from Ireland, not the Irish. ;-) LOL!!! Good one;) Mark, I forgot to say good report. Wondering if they are including a scene where Mark somehow punches out Daniel in the restaurant? Who knows:)"}, {"response": 486, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, May 26, 2000 (07:56)", "body": "Thanks Mark, wonderful report! It\ufffds great to have our own man right there to see it all really happening. (Laura)Has anyone read \"The Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing\"? I read about half of it and got so bored that for a moment I considered throwing it into the fireplace. Hubby saw it under my bed yesterday and asked if it\ufffds any good and should he read it. I said: \"no, it\ufffds shit\". (He started to read it anyway and tells me it\ufffds okay!) I don\ufffdt think it has much in common with BJD and the biggest problem is that it totally lacks HF\ufffds great humour and irony."}, {"response": 487, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 26, 2000 (08:27)", "body": "Ooooweeee!! A report from the set!! Terrific, Mark. Thank you. I think your assessment of the dress-alikes might be spot-on. Stand-ins (used for all the boring bits) wouldn't put on padding. A brawl between the two because of previous history with MD's ex, perhaps? Hair big? Eowww, whatsamatta with these people? Did you get the number for the CF lookalike? ;-)"}, {"response": 488, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 26, 2000 (08:33)", "body": "One more thing, Mark...if you drop by again, try talking to some of the crew to find out who else is in the movie. They know. ;-)"}, {"response": 489, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, May 26, 2000 (09:44)", "body": "Great report, Mark, thanks! So Hughie gets a Lexus and Colin \"only\" an Audi? This is not to be borne;-)"}, {"response": 490, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May 26, 2000 (10:28)", "body": "You've all heard of a Renaissance man? Mark is . . .Reconnaisance man!:-) Excellent reporting, Mark. I have a question about this part: \"Sideburns slightly longer than your average human-rights lawyer, hair slightly bigger.\" Do you mean hair slightly bigger than normal for CF or hair slightly bigger than average human rights lawyer? (Am hoping you say the latter.;-) The really good news here is that we know for sure there is at least one extra MD scene (and hopefully, more) beyond what's in the book. (Susan) So Hughie gets a Lexus and Colin \"only\" an Audi? This is not to be borne;-) My thoughts exactly, Susan!:-)"}, {"response": 491, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, May 26, 2000 (10:59)", "body": "How can you possibly learn about baseball if you are lurking around movie sets, Mark?! Wonderful stuff. If it hadn't been you who was there, I'd be insanely jealous. Imagine, two CF's in one stroke! Talk about some people having all the luck..."}, {"response": 492, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, May 26, 2000 (11:02)", "body": "The Audi looked quite nice actually. :-) The hair was bigger (I seem to be getting away with this term) than P&P, but smaller than FP. If I met a lawyer with hair like that, I would be surprised, but not stunned. The lookalikes did not look alike except for their clothes and hairstyles (and even there it was just about . I am as unlikely to talk to any of the crew about the rest of the cast as I am to befriend Colin (too diffident, too afraid of being told to clear off). Anyway, I'm not going back today as it's raining heavily and it may all be finished after the Bank Holiday Weekend. Sorry, but I think I got lucky already!"}, {"response": 493, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, May 26, 2000 (12:39)", "body": "Heh, Mark our rain finally hit your shores!!! (downpours!)"}, {"response": 494, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, May 26, 2000 (13:06)", "body": "Thank you thank you thank you Mark! Loved your report. Wish I'd been there (still hoping for some Mark Darcy scenes in Albufeira) (MarkG)I am as unlikely to talk to any of the crew about the rest of the cast as I am to befriend Colin (too diffident, too afraid of being told to clear off). Of course you know by now that Colin would never tell you to clear off :-)"}, {"response": 495, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Fri, May 26, 2000 (13:12)", "body": "Mark well done - fantastic report..you are indeed the man on the spot! most seriously trains from London Bridge station going across the bridges I'm afraid that is the nearest I got and to think I was holding up the proceedings below! I noticed this evening that there were still lighting trucks about the place but as it is chucking it down I resisted the temptation to get out at London Bridge and go for a shufti."}, {"response": 496, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, May 26, 2000 (14:24)", "body": "Mark! You do us proud! V.G. work... That hair description still scares me... (bigger than P&P/smaller than FP). You know how the camera puts 10 more pounds on the actors once we see them onscreen--- imagine his hair (Barbara Bush-- watch out!)."}, {"response": 497, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, May 26, 2000 (15:38)", "body": "How big is big hair? (Strange how we always latch on to hair issues, bald patches etc.) The photos in the Sunday Telegraph must have been taken at the time of the interview (ie last week), especially the one in the blue shirt. Hair definitely looks less big than Darcy to me! Not that I'm disputing Mark's excellent eye witness account! :-) Can't imagine Hughie and Colin needing stunt men. The only sort of punch-up I can imagine would be straight out of \"The Edge of Reason\" (\"Daniel started trying to get up and Mark rushed over to help him up. \"Sorry about that\" he said again politely...\") No splintering glass windows or broken chairs. What disastrous weather for outside location work! Hope it improves. Mike Binder was very lucky when he shot \"Londinium\" last year...we had over a month of brilliantly sunny weather. Even if he just pointed the camera and held it still, London should look magnificent. (You see, there's already one redeeming feature!) Fingers crossed for BJD!"}, {"response": 498, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, May 26, 2000 (16:12)", "body": "Can't imagine Hughie and Colin needing stunt men. Are you sure it's stunt men and not \"doubles?\" You know, to save HG and CF time from having their backs filmed, etc.."}, {"response": 499, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, May 27, 2000 (08:09)", "body": "Funny. The first thing I latched onto was Colin's hair too. My thanks to you also, Mark, for your detailed account. Bethan, your theory that more scenes may be written in to show Mark and Daniel together sounds good. Aren't we all for more Darcy scenes. (Winter) Are you sure it's stunt men and not \"doubles?\" You know, to save HG and CF time from having their backs filmed, etc.. Think Mark said he noticed padding in their jackets (to cushion the blows?)."}, {"response": 500, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, May 27, 2000 (16:40)", "body": "From The Houston Chronicle (thanks to Rai): May 23, 2000 Dear Diary... Or, a talk with Bridget Jones' alter ego By PAMELA MITCHELL Copyright 2000 Houston Chronicle Wednesday 8 March 129 lbs. (in college anyway), alcohol units 3 (after 7 p.m. and with co-workers, so OK), calories 3,458 (n.v.g., someone evil brought several dozen Krispy Kremes into office). 10:15 p.m. Hurrah! Was assigned Helen Fielding interview today. Actually, begged for it after seeing copy of new Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason on editor's desk. Loved Bridget Jones's Diary. In 1995, former BBC producer Helen Fielding was working at the British newspaper The Independent when an editor approached her to create an ongoing column based on her life. \"I didn't want to do that,\" Fielding says. \"It's very embarrassing and exposing. So I said I'd been playing with this comical character named Bridget, this sort of optimistic girl with big ideas that always go wrong.\" Her alter ego Bridget Jones was a success, landing her a book deal the following year. Bridget Jones's Diary, which borrows plot points from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, went on to win the 1997 British Book of the Year Award. The book hit shelves here in May 1998, and American readers finally met the self-absorbed, thirtysomething British career woman they'd heard so much about. Bridget's daily tally of chardonnay, cigarettes and calories consumed won fans, as did her obsession with fad diets and finding Mr. Right. Some readers related to her blurry-brained antics -- such as her struggle to find a runless and lint-free pair of pantyhose in the morning and her on-the-job bumblings at a British TV show -- while others identified with her optimism toward life and love. \"There are so many images pushed at women and so many ideas of what you're supposed to be,\" says fortysomething Fielding. \"I think there's too much of this superwoman, this woman with a bottom like two billiard balls. There's no real celebration of just being a person. You like your friends not for being something out of an advert. We hate people like that, those swingy-hair people who are as hard as nails and not nice to anybody. \"I think readers like Bridget just because she's being human and vulnerable and funny and warm.\" Whatever the attraction, the world loved her. Bridget Jones's Diary has sold more than 4 million copies. Thursday 9 March 129 lbs. (still going with college weight), alcohol units 0 (v.g.), calories 1,235 (v.v.g., must make up for earlier Krispy Kreme moment of weakness). 11:45 p.m. Finished! Breezed through The Edge of Reason. Laughed out loud. Made plenty of notes. Will impress Helen Fielding with clever questions and insights at interview. The sequel (Viking, $24.95) -- released here Feb. 28 and currently No. 22 on the New York Times best-seller list -- borrows this time from Austen's Persuasion and picks up where the original diary left off, with Bridget happily attached to new boyfriend Mark Darcy. The blissful state doesn't last, of course, thanks to our heroine's complete lack of communication skills and a sinister rival (of the swingy-hair variety) named Rebecca. Bridget spends the remainder of the novel on a path back to coupledom with Darcy. Her adventures along the way include a disastrous remodeling of her flat, a drunken Christmas card episode, an inept interview with actor Colin Firth and a stay in a Thailand prison. Bridget's best Singleton pals Jude, Shazzer and Tom are back, as is her Smug Married friend Magda. \"I was very self-conscious writing this. The first one was written so unself-consciously. To write a sequel when you know so many people are going to read it, it was very intimidating. \"In the end, I got it done the way anything by a journalist gets done, on deadline.\" Well, her version of the deadline anyway. Fielding finished the book 77 weeks after it was due and four weeks before publication. \"Everything turned out fine. I'll never believe a deadline again from a publisher.\" Friday 10 March 129 lbs. (the delusion continues), alcohol units 4 and calories 2,250 (v.g. considering happy-hour outing). 12:50 p.m. On way to interview, dropped tape recorder getting out of elevator, lost battery. Had to go back for replacement. Am running v. late. Oooh, is that a run in hose? 1:15 p.m. Found author, apologized profusely for being late. Shared disasters, showed her run. Fielding very gracious, obviously sees fellow Bridget in self. Midnight. Must sleep. Will wake early to write up excellent interview, even though day off and editor gave no deadline. V. professional. Fielding sees a little bit of Bridget in every woman she meets. \"We had an air hostess recently that we thought was Bridget Jones,\" she recalls. \"She was just so funny. She started doing her safety lessons and then she started laughing and she just couldn't stop. Then she came down the aisle to put my computer up in the overhead and then while she's going back to her chair, she remembered she had to do that with "}, {"response": 501, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, May 27, 2000 (18:03)", "body": "Mark, excellent work! Many thanks for your man-about-town reporting and eye for detail, not to mention your brave, hair-based obversations. :-) I agree with Bethan and Heide, the more MD scenes, the better..."}, {"response": 502, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, May 28, 2000 (09:02)", "body": "Old news but People Magazine has a little snippet on Renee Zellweger and her internship at Picador. Nothing new, no mention of co-stars but I like the publicity. Same issue a whole article on that tragic breakup of Hugh and Elizabeth. One mention of BJD - \"Grant, meanwhile, returned from the May 16 New York City premiere of Woody Allen's Small Time Crooks, in which he costars, to begin work on the London set of Bridget Jones's Diary. Sources on the set say Grant appeared relaxed and engaged.\" Then a quote from Baz Bamigboye but again, no mention of co-stars."}, {"response": 503, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, May 29, 2000 (10:35)", "body": "How exciting to have been on location, Mark. You are THE MAN. Wouldn't you consider just another teeny visit? Pleeeeease. (Lisa JH)Many thanks for your man-about-town reporting and eye for detail, not to mention your brave, hair-based obversations. :-) V. worried about the hair. Mark, you DID say it wasn't like FP? Can't picture MD with too wild hair (maybe a little wild, just enough to be dashing, like a Cary Grant or Gregory Peck moment. You know, when the tousled hair falls over the brow during a moment of great exertion). But bigger than P&P? Now you see, here is a v. serious and important reporterish reason to go back and spy on CF at film location! We need a hair update! (I mean it :-)) (Mark) Sideburns slightly longer than your average human-rights lawyer That is encouraging. CF looks sooooo good in sideburns. (Heide)Bethan, your theory that more scenes may be written in to show Mark and Daniel together sounds good. Aren't we all for more Darcy scenes. I would like to add my vote to more scenes involving MD. That is my only severe intellectual criticism of the novel's thematic development. It needs more of the MD theme: MD in a bathtub, MD on a Rooftop chaise lounge. . .other opinions?What is the point of eating KD while watching BJD without more MD? Mari, thanks for posting v. funny article by fellow Bridgetette. Should that be Bridgette? Don't want to sound like a household appliance (And of course, Bridgeters for manly Bridget types) . . .Bridgettes and Bridgeters of the World Unite!"}, {"response": 504, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 29, 2000 (17:33)", "body": "How about Bridgeteers? It will be fun to discuss the scene in the restaurant between DC and MD, when the film comes out."}, {"response": 505, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (02:42)", "body": "I've finished reading Possession. A good and interesting book, with several points to meditate on. Not my favourite book ever, though, I'm afraid, Laura :-)"}, {"response": 506, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (06:51)", "body": "I was trying to make a mouse face and I deleted myself! I agree Moon, 'bridgeteers' is better. So much more. . . distinguished! B R I...D G E...T E E R S pretend there are musical notes here @:-}"}, {"response": 507, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (14:44)", "body": "(Gi) I've finished reading Possession. A good and interesting book, with several points to meditate on. Not my favourite book ever, though, I'm afraid, Laura :-) Not one of my very favorites, but the last bit had me crying my eyes out probably more than any book ever has."}, {"response": 508, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (16:11)", "body": "(Winter) Not one of my very favorites, but the last bit had me crying my eyes out probably more than any book ever has I've just borrowed the book from the library but haven't started it yet. Thanks for the tip Winter, I'll make sure I have plenty of tissues on hand."}, {"response": 509, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (18:15)", "body": "Very interesting, if gossipy, sort of article. Sounds like the film set is a happy one--can't underestimate the importance of that! Thanks to Anne who is happy to share. ****** Scottish Daily Record Friday, May 26, 2000 Would the real Bridget Jones please stand up?; IDENTITY CRISIS: Is author Helen Fielding the real-life role modelfor her neurotic, man- hungry character? ROZ PATERSON BEST-SELLING author Helen Fielding's life seems like the blueprint for the chain- smoking, Chardonnay-swilling, navel-gazing, single character she created for Bridget Jones's Diary. But there is one big difference - Fielding is even more neurotic than the fictional character that brought her fame and fortune. She shuns fans who identify with her work and has gone to desperate measures to escape the spectre of man-hunting Bridget. Fielding has even severed links with the star-studded movie of her Diary - and, in the process, ditched one of her best friends. Others who know the writer believe that her paranoia forced her to flee from a comfortable life in trendy Notting Hill in London for a more reclusive existence in California. An insider said: \"Sometimes it's hard to tell whether Bridget Jones is Helen Fielding or vice versa.\" Whoever she is, the writer won't be appearing on the set of the new film, which is being shot in London amid a flurry of paparazzi interest, thanks to recent events in the life of one of its stars--Hugh Grant. According to one source, the atmosphere on set is \"tremendous\". She said: \"Everyone involved, Colin Firth, Hugh, Richard Curtis, know they are involved in something really special and they are really excited about it.\" Fielding is flying into London this weekend, but she has no plans to visit the set - or her former confidant and the film's director, Sharon Maguire. Those involved in the film say this is not surprising, considering Helen's acrimonious exit from the film. Sharon was immortalised as Shazza in the Diary, but her friendship with Fielding was strained to the limit by the author's attitude to the film. An insider said: \"Helen chose to walk out when things didn't go her way. Sharon chose to stay and finish the job. It's Helen's attitude that's affected the friendship.\" Friends were already concerned about Fielding after one report suggested she fled the UK after a stalker posted a bullet through her letterbox. She also said she had received a number of threatening phone calls at her Notting Hill flat and, in the wake of Jill Dando's murder, decided to leave for California. But although she abandoned Britain, Fielding was still supposed to be involved in the film. She began writing the script, but sources say she wouldn't - or couldn't - write it convincingly. Fielding said: \"I had some initial involvement with the script, but authors traditionally turn into monsters when they turn their books into films, so I thought I should retire gracefully.\" Her \"graceful\" departure came only after she'd held up production. She worked on the script adaptation for more than a year before she conceded she was unable to transfer the character of Bridget, defined by a hatred of \"smug marrieds\" and her eccentric mother's match-making, to the screen. It was hardly surprising that the creator of the original, man-hungry single girl should turn to an old flame for help. Richard Curtis, who wrote the script for Four Weddings And A Funeral, is a friend and former lover from Oxford and was happy to help her. The couple's relationship began after Curtis saw Fielding playing Marlene Dietrich in a play, but it ended when he traded her in for TV presenter Emma Freud. Fielding had harboured hopes of marrying the award-winning script-writer and, since they split, she has remained very much a singleton. But, although he didn't manage to \"save\" her from the single life, Curtis, assisted by Andrew Davies, did save the script - and slapped in a happy ending. But the script wasn't the only problem. Fielding was also frustrated that the film company would not allow her to cast an unknown Brit in the lead role. Largely due to Fielding's resistance, Bridget Jones went without a star for two years. Helena Bonham Carter, Kate Winslet and Cate Blanchett had all been in the frame for the lead role, but they became fed up waiting for Curtis and Fielding to make decision. Fielding said: \"I keep seeing girls I think would be perfect for the role. \"My favourite was a girl in the gym who was sitting on a machine reading a magazine and not exercising at all. I nearly walked up and offered her the part.\" Such lack of professionalism - some even said arrogance - set alarm bells ringing at production company Working Title. Studio bosses decided they could not blow their pounds 12million budget on the author's whim. Instead, they went for the bankable American, 30-year-old Renee Zellwegger. Renee, girlfriend of Jim Carrey, was delighted to be cast in the quintessentially English role. She busied herself preparing her accent by working, inc"}, {"response": 510, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (18:27)", "body": "Thanks, Mari! Some interesting observations."}, {"response": 511, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (19:53)", "body": "Hmm, it seems like HF is getting the standard \"let's put the boot in\" treatment. Fielding's second Diary - Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason - took almost three years to write and even some of her biggest fans admit it is a weak follow-up. Unfair, untrue. Don't know about other fans, but it's grown on me...I quite often dip into it, and some parts are very, very funny...and perceptive. My only initial complaint was that several chapters were familiar because of the Telegraph columns. An insider said: \"Helen chose to walk out when things didn't go her way. Sharon chose to stay and finish the job. It's Helen's attitude that's affected the friendship.\" Friends were already concerned about Fielding after one report suggested she fled the UK after a stalker posted a bullet through her letterbox. She also said she had received a number of threatening phone calls at her Notting Hill flat and, in the wake of Jill Dando's murder, decided to leave for California. Some serious claims here. Hope they're not true."}, {"response": 512, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (03:32)", "body": "From this week's HEAT magazine:- \"casting is now complete on one of 2001's most anticipated films, BJD.....Heat profiles the cast fmembers\" Some I know, some I don't know, some I am not sure about, see what you all think:_ \"Shazzer - Sally Phillips - Channel 4 comedy Smack the Pony\" - don't know her at all \"Jude - Shirley Henderson - was recently in Michael Wintebottom's flic Wonderland\" - dont't know her either \"Tom - James Callis - was seen recently in TV's Sex Chips & Rockn'Roll\" (good series) but played straight man Wolf \"Mum - Gemma Jones - Mum to Emma Thompson in S&S\", well I do know of her but is she right for MUM \"Dad - Jim Broadbent - recently in Topsy-Turvy\", him I definitely know and think quite a good choice \"Una - Celia Imrie - TV's Dinnerladies\", okay I guess. Not all that impressed, what do others think? This is what they wrote about Colin, \"Darcy - Colin Firth. Mark Darcy is the man Bridget's mum sets her up with. Luckily, true love survives the initial horror of his diamond-patterned V-neck sweater. CF melted hearts playing Mr. D. in BBC TV's P&P. But his starring role in the movie FP failed to catapult him to global success\" Typical!!"}, {"response": 513, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (07:21)", "body": "Thanks, Ann. Have been waiting for the cast. I can only recall her mum and dad as actors, they are not how I pictured them in my mind. I was hoping other big name actors would take those smaller roles; Minnie D. and Joan Cusack, they have done it recently. Unless they seriously change MDs looks in order to HG look great, I think CF will knock them of their feet."}, {"response": 514, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (08:11)", "body": "Thanks, Ann. Like Gemma Jones (also in The Winslow Boy more recently); Jim Broadbent does have a much higher profile now, sort of, in the US. Didn't name Julio? (we're still pulling for Antonio)"}, {"response": 515, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (10:34)", "body": "Ann, thanks for that scoop. I know sally Phillips from STP on channel 4 and think she would do an excelllent job as Shazzer, Has played some similar characters in sketches already!"}, {"response": 516, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (10:50)", "body": "Am adding additional info to the Bucket page, but here they are, from left to right, Sally Phillips, Shirley Henderson, James Callis, Gemma Jones, Jim Broadbent, and Celia Imrie:"}, {"response": 517, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (10:51)", "body": "btw, both Sally Phillips and James Callis have fan pages and both had mentions of rumors, etc., of their being cast in the movie from a couple of weeks ago."}, {"response": 518, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (11:44)", "body": "Quick work Karen! great to have names for faces! Mark , belated congrats on your BJD report. It looks wonderful on Murph's pages too. we are relying on you and hope this is not a one off. My cousin lived near there and had her car filmed for Notting Hill, they phoned her up and asked her to move it but she was out at work so it got included in the scenes. I announced my interest in her \"sleuthing\" for BJD or maybe staying in the car this time!! Sadly she has just moved out of the area, an offer too good to refuse I think, but hardly good timing/helpful for coincidental CF spotting."}, {"response": 519, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (11:55)", "body": "Great work Ann & Karen. A big thumbs-up for Celia Imrie, an excellent comic actress IMO - always in the Victoria Wood shows and often in other very funny stuff. I cannot claim to have seen any of the above at the set, but I am so bad at recognising faces that it may not mean anything."}, {"response": 520, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (12:05)", "body": "I must be permitted a little chuckle re celia. She has recently been seen in the reruns of \"Bergerac\", very different image from her Victoria wood ones! I think she will be great in the part,"}, {"response": 521, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (12:30)", "body": "Thanks Ann for the scoop and Karen for the follow-up. I liked Gemma Jones in The Winslow Boy. Great actress..I bet she can do ditzy.Like the idea of Brit nationals for supporting roles...it diffuses the shock-waves of the one Yank. Remember the ones in Notting Hill...they were fabulous."}, {"response": 522, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (13:56)", "body": "Well done Ann! You've got what we've been waiting for. And a very quick follow-up, Karen! I think Sally Phillips is an inpired choice. She's a very talented (and pretty) comedy actress. \"Smack the Pony\" is very, very well done. She's won a couple of awards recently, and is hugely popular with young males in the UK, who will flock to see BJD! Jim Broadbent and Celia Imrie are both excellent casting. I saw James Callis in a recent BBC drama series...again, I think he'll do well. The only one I'm not sure about is Gemma Jones, because I tend to think of her in more serious roles. They've not gone for the usual suspects...I think it's good to mix in a few unknowns. Probably couldn't afford Minnie Driver!"}, {"response": 523, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (17:06)", "body": "I wonder who is playing Perpetua (one of my favourites!) and Magda. Lots of scope for expert cameos."}, {"response": 524, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (19:12)", "body": "(Bethan) I wonder who is playing Perpetua (one of my favourites!) Yars, yars, yars . . . mine too! :-) Looks like a super cast to me--thanks for the pics, Karen, and Ann, for the news. I like Jim Broadbent and Gemma Jones; I think Gemma can pull off Mrs. J. nicely i.e., not play it *too* annoying. It's a fine line.;-) Am really getting (getting??) excited about this film! And I must say, whoever is managing the publicity is doing a great job; it seems every few days I see some sort of reference to the film in magazines, newspapers, etc. Yesterday, I went into a local bookstore and in addition to Edge Of Reason still being there, they had a fresh supply of the original BJD with a sign under it \"Staff Recommends!\" When I mentioned it to the cashier, she said lots of people were asking for the original since they'd heard there'd be a movie about it! So, the word is definitely out."}, {"response": 525, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (20:19)", "body": "I saw Celia Imrie in a really strange Mystery. If I recall, she played a spinster sister. Very strange. Didn't realize she was comic;) Cast so far looks good, let's see how it goes."}, {"response": 526, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (20:41)", "body": "Karen you cast page is terrific.... http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjdcast.html I'm impressed with their acting credentials."}, {"response": 527, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (22:30)", "body": "On April 1st, The Times had an article about the Smack the Pony girls and one of them (Doon MacKichan) said, \"We want to do a film to prove that British women are great fun and that perhaps they didn't need to cast an American as Bridget Jones, or in Sliding Doors,\" she says, passionately. \"There are so many talented British actresses and I get so bloody sick of seeing those jobs going to Americans.\""}, {"response": 528, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (09:16)", "body": "I'm late joining in, but thanks for all the interesting stuff you guys find. Such a bizarre bit about HF, hey Mari? Hope she's safe. And I hope she's reconciled to RZ as Bridget. And thanks for the great info on the rest of the cast Ann and Karen. I have to confess, I don't know any of the names except for Gemma Jones (great last-name casting!). When I read BJD, I kept seeing Saunders (of French and Saunders) as Bridget's mother -- just the way she says 'darling'. Now I can't get her out of my head."}, {"response": 529, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (09:29)", "body": "Unless they seriously change MDs looks in order to HG look great, I think CF will knock them of their feet. Ah Moon, CF can knock me off my feet anytime! (That would mean I'd be horizontal, no?) And no matter what happens to their hair, CF will always look better than HG in my eyes! HG a heartthrob? I should as soon say his pants are all zipped. I am too cruel ... v.sorry, I seem to be confusing novels and alter egos today!"}, {"response": 530, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (10:02)", "body": "We already know the names, but this was released today: Brits on board for Bridget Jones movie Rumblings over American starlet Renee Zellweger being handed the role of Bridget Jones in a new movie version of Helen Fielding's best-selling novel have subsided now True Brits have been called into action. The makers of the movie, Working Title - who created Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill, have gone for a home-grown line-up to accompany Jim Carrey's blonde girlfriend on her perplexing journey. Senior sources at the actors union Equity expressed dismay that Renee had been cast in the role of the weight obsessed, lovelorn heroine to appease Americans backers. She spent three weeks researching the role at a publishing house but expressed her quiet amazement at being offered the job. She said: \"It's a dream opportunity and I'm genuinely sorry if I have put any noses out of joint.\" Now, apart from dashing co-star Hugh Grant being cast as Daniel Cleaver, her mumbling object of desire, the cream of stage and screen are also in the line-up. Darcy is literally back as Darcy, in this case Mark Darcy. Colin Firth, late of Pride and Prejudice, will play the not so sparky lad Bridget's mum sets her up with. Sally Phillips from the Channel 4 comedy series Smack the Pony plays her best friend Shazzer and Gemma Jones and Jim Broadbent are in pole position as her parents. Also on board the project are Scottish starlet Shirley Henderson as her high-flying pal Jude, Celia Imrie as her posh neighbour and James Callis, recently seen in Sex, Chips and Rock 'n' Roll as her gay, bitchy male chum. A source on the movie said: \"We suffered a lot of flak, especially from casting agents and producers, over our choice of lead lady but there were certain financial considerations and Renee is just excellent.\""}, {"response": 531, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (10:04)", "body": "Jennifer Saunders is too young;) Joanna Lumley I think would've been great! (I LOVE Patsy;)) I'm still baffled by the Celia Imrie casting. She plays crazy well;)(I think she was in Ruth Rendell's \"A Dark Adapted Eye\" with HBC.)"}, {"response": 532, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (12:50)", "body": "Yes, Karen, great page. Thanks. Shirley Henderson was good as the main \"three little maids\" in Topsy Turvy. I recognize her from her picture."}, {"response": 533, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (12:52)", "body": "apart from dashing co-star Hugh Grant being cast as Daniel Cleaver.... Colin Firth, late of Pride and Prejudice, will play the not so sparky lad Bridget's mum sets her up with. Nit-picking again...\"dashing co-star\"... \"not so sparky lad\"....who writes this stuff?"}, {"response": 534, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (14:23)", "body": "I'm genuinely sorry if I have put any noses out of joint.\" Another expression we can toss about. ;-) Thanks, Karen! The page looks great too. They seem to be still casting this film. It looks like they will film all the DC and MD parts first, get them out of the way for their other film commitments? Ah Moon, CF can knock me off my feet anytime! You have good taste, Sadie."}, {"response": 535, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (14:26)", "body": "(Murph) Shirley Henderson was good as the main \"three little maids\" in Topsy Turvy. I recognize her from her picture. You recognized her? Knocked me off my feet. (Bethan) \"not so sparky lad\"....who writes this stuff? Didn't like that? Actually, I thought it was kind of funny. \"Not so sparky\" will be one of his *character* roles, as we know CF gives off sparks aplenty IRL. ;-) What did bug me was this continual reference to the female actors as \"starlets\"!! Renee Zellweger is 30 years old and has been numerous significant films, with AA talk. And Shirley Henderson is a starlet? She's 34 years old. Is the writer insinuating these actresses slept with someone for their roles? Or is this writer subtly slighting all but English actresses? Please note that Gemma Jones, Sally Phillips and Celia Imrie were not so maligned. Sheesh!"}, {"response": 536, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (15:30)", "body": "..... perhaps they didn't need to cast an American as Bridget Jones, or in Sliding Doors,\" she says,passionately. \"There are so many talented British actresses and I get so bloody sick of seeing those jobs going to Americans. How come she doesn't get so sick watching British actresses taking American roles...Maybe if they supported their own films......oh never mind. Bwaaaah"}, {"response": 537, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (17:57)", "body": "(Karen) What did bug me was this continual reference to the female actors as \"starlets\"!! Renee Zellweger is 30 years old and has been numerous significant films, with AA talk. Exactly. (31 actually). According to this, her claim to fame is being \"Jim Carrey's blond girlfriend.\" Good grief. It seems like RZ is taking the high road (those good Southern manners at work:-) I feel sorry for her and am wondering if she's sorry she ever heard of Bridget Jones. If it were me, I think my confidence would be shaken, my performance undermined, and my sentiment would be to take the next plane home. Good thing I'm a brain surgeon and not a starlet.;-)"}, {"response": 538, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (18:02)", "body": "(Mari) am wondering if she's sorry she ever heard of Bridget Jones Nah. She gets to kiss Colin and take home a big paycheck :-)"}, {"response": 539, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (19:04)", "body": "Donna, she could be making a much bigger paycheck elsewhere, with none of the grief. As for kissing Colin . . .well she could come with us to the Donmar next time.:-)"}, {"response": 540, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (19:36)", "body": "One of the film sites is listing February 1, 2001 as the release date for BJD (and yes, I'm aware of how these dates are subject to change.)"}, {"response": 541, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (02:51)", "body": "Report from the set II No CF sightings this time, but ... those bored when I crashed the book launch, do not read on... Shooting when I arrived was a scene of Bridget serenading someone from the street. It appeared she had hired a guy with an electronic keyboard, and stood beside him dancing and singing a song I had never heard before, which sounded like it might be called \"You are the one\" or similar. It was not a very good tune or song, IMO, and not likely to match the hits from 4WAAF or NH, though obviously a special new scene (maybe a Bridget fantasy?). RZ had long, blonde hair, and was wearing a black dress and tights, with pink high heels, and brandishing a red rose. Fascinating re-write. The other scene filmed afterwards was a shot of Daniel in his light-blue classic convertible Mercedes picking Bridget up from her home to take her away. He honks the horn, she comes out and drops a bag in the back of the car, gets in, they kiss and away they go. HG similar to last week, RZ with a headscarf and big smile. Anyway, the good part is by the time they started shooting the second scene, I was standing around near the extras, gathered to make up the street that HG & RZ drive down. I was taken for another extra and given a particular bit of street to walk down, so if I make the final cut, I could be in the film. I reached roughly the same position when the car went past in all 3 rehearsals and 6 takes, so I shall be looking out for myself come Feb or whenever! Not that the stardom is going to my head, or anything. We were told it was Saturday morning, so I guess this was the ill-fated mini-break which Bridget booked, when Daniel ordered beers and watched cricket on TV."}, {"response": 542, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (03:43)", "body": "Not that the stardom is going to my head, or anything. LOL! An extra on BJD....your talents are being recognised, Mark! We'll look out for you! Thanks for another fascinating update. Although I must admit that first scene has me worried! I hope it's a Bridget fantasy (presumably serenading Daniel, ye-euch!) and not a Real Life Situation. One thing that gives me the occasional twinge of doubt is the massive 5 week \"re-write\" of the script by Richard Curtis (and which brought HG enthusiastically on board!). Andrew Davies wrote the original screenplay and his scripts are usually regarded as letter perfect. He's been writing for 25 years...brilliant adaptations (P&P, Wives and Daughters, Moll Flanders), and several original award winning screenplays and drama series. I remember reading that he'd spent a lot of time with HF visiting her old haunts to get the flavour of BJD. IMHO, he's a much better writer than RC, who can be rather twee. I just get these occasional fleeting visions of NH meets TEP meets SIL. You know the sort of thing.... Hugh Grant plays the dashing, handsome but flawed hero with whom BJ falls overwhelmingly in l-urve. Several passionate liaisons follow, taking up huge wads of screen-time. Colin Firth pops up every now and then as stodgily dependable lawyer favoured by Bridget's mum and Una Alconbury. Finally, BJ realises, sadly, that lovable cad Daniel has a huge commitment problem and will never lead her up the aisle. Reluctantly settles for boring Mark Darcy who has been hovering in the wings. Has passionately tearful parting from Daniel.\"I may be married/whatever to MD but I will always be a widow to him.\" Closing shot of MD clad in unbecoming bomber jacket (clothes to make supporting actor look fat) pecking BJ tentatively on cheek, final closing shot of a brooding sorrowful Daniel gazing into the middle distance. Disgruntled cinema audience departs. \"Well, if it had been me, I'd have stuck to that nice Hugh Grant...\" I'm 100% sure I'm wrong about this!:-) (but I'd love to see the original screenplay!)"}, {"response": 543, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (04:32)", "body": "(MarkG) I was taken for another extra Of course years from now we will see this story re-enacted on A&E's Biography series. The story of a cheeky young lad trying to break into the ranks of super stardom. He boldly inserts himself into BJD's film set, and is later spotted by the head of Miramax at a private screening of the film. \"Who is that man?\" shouts HW. \"He's perfect. I've been searching for 'that look' for my next upcoming project with Steven Spielberg. Get him for me!\" Of course, the rest is history. MarkG went on to become one of Britain's hottest property :-)"}, {"response": 544, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (07:05)", "body": "He boldly inserts himself into BJD's film set, and is later spotted by the head of Miramax at a private screening of the film. That's brilliant! Are you giving Mark ideas, Donna? He has already crashed one party. ;-))) Thank you, Mark! We will be looking out for you. Today an extra, tomorrow... a friend to CF. ;-) So that set is supposed to be the front of her apartment? Is it the same as where the last scene took place? I thought they were supposed to film in Notting Hill. I too think Bridget singing has got to be a fantasy. It is a stretch. Is that a slow Frank Sinatra type song or more like Bette Midler? Disgruntled cinema audience departs. \"Well, if it had been me, I'd have stuck to that nice Hugh Grant...\" Too funny, Bethan. I guess only time will tell."}, {"response": 545, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (07:38)", "body": "Mark!! You are incredible!! Party Crashing skills: A+ Reporting skills: A+ and now acting skills. Bravo! (did I use enough exclamation points?) Agree, does look like taking off for minibreak from hell scene. But that serenading thing? Wot on earth? Yes, must be fantasy scene. If that set is supposed to be the NH neighborhood where Bridget lives, then she couldn't be seranding Daniel. He doesn't live there. Or is an all-encompassing bunch of different places? Not that the stardom is going to my head, or anything. Am off to enter you at IMDb cast listing for movie, as they have finally put Colin and Renee's names in (and took my ordering scenario *ha ha*) He's been writing for 25 years...brilliant adaptations They are not aiming for the BBC drama or PBS crowd on this one. What has Andrew Davies written that has grossed over a hundred million?"}, {"response": 546, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (08:16)", "body": "What has Andrew Davies written that has grossed over a hundred million? Don't forget he also wrote COF which has not made $100m I don't think but has I believe done well for a small film. I saw a copy of the video on sale about 2 years ago and on the cover was a sticker saying that it had made \ufffd35m so far not bad!"}, {"response": 547, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (08:25)", "body": "I haven't forgotten about CoF, but Universal Pictures/Working Title is unlikely to be aiming for a \"nice, warm-hearted, family film\" destined for the art house crowd. They are going for another Notting Hill that will play the megaplexes."}, {"response": 548, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (08:33)", "body": "Hmmm, after that little item in the Sunday Times, showing Liz and Hughie together attending a wedding in the country, Neal Travis from the NY Post reports: HUGH & LIZ: TOGETHER \ufffdAGAIN' SOME gullible New York and London columnists were making a big deal last week over the \"breakup\" of Hugh Grant and Elizabeth Hurley, but those of us who've been around the track a few times just smiled. As I have often written, Hugh and Liz delight in tugging the media chain. So I won't make too much of this scoop: that the glamorous couple, after some recent quiet days in the English countryside, are together again and planning a big wedding, children and the whole nine yards. My sources say they've decided it's time to stop kidding around about their 12-year affair. Neither is getting any younger, and both feel a sense of mortality now that Hugh's mother is gravely ill with cancer. \"They will shortly get officially engaged and will have a formal wedding next year,\" says one intimate. \"They will retain their joint production company, and are looking to do a major romantic comedy together.\" The sources say the couple had a heart-to-heart talk during their country escape and agreed each had to change. Hugh has promised to stop his serial flirting, and Liz has pledged to free up time for them to be together. Anyway, that's what I'm being told now, and I tend to believe it. At the risk of sounding unromantic, the sum of Grant and Hurley as a screen couple is far greater and more valuable than the parts. And they can laugh their pretty heads off about the dance on which they have led us all - and on which they may still be leading us."}, {"response": 549, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (10:52)", "body": "Anyway, the good part is by the time they started shooting the second scene, I was standing around near the extras, gathered to make up the street that HG & RZ drive down. I was taken for another extra and given a particular bit of street to walk down, so if I make the final cut, I could be in the film. I reached roughly the same position when the car went past in all 3 rehearsals and 6 takes, so I shall be looking out for myself come Feb or whenever! How exciting! Hope you remember us little people Mark! (Especially those of us who pleeeaded with you to return and meet your destiny! Well ok, so I asked you to go spy on CF's hair, but still . . .) BTW, if it's not too nosy, how will we distinguish you from the other extras walking down the street? :-) Hugh Grant plays the dashing, handsome but flawed hero with whom BJ falls overwhelmingly in l-urve. Several passionate liaisons follow, taking up huge wads of screen-time. Colin Firth pops up every now and then as stodgily dependable lawyer favoured by Bridget's mum and Una Alconbury. Finally, BJ realises, sadly, that lovable cad Daniel has a huge commitment problem and will never lead her up the aisle. Reluctantly settles for boring Mark Darcy who has been hovering in the wings. Has passionately tearful parting from Daniel.\"I may be married/whatever to MD but I will always be a widow to him.\" LOL! But this is no fantasy, this is a nightmare! I really DO NOT like Hugh Grant all that much. Does he exude virility? Can he sit a horse so well? Look so stunning in a tall top-hat? Say \"Whot\"? Finish an entire sentence without stumbling? Act? (And these are ranked in order of importance of course!) Hey, I think I win the prize for most exclamation points in a single response!"}, {"response": 550, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (11:16)", "body": "And to think we knew him when he was Recon Man.:-) Mark, great report--what fun! Hope your scene makes it into the film. Am amazed that they actually shot 2 scenes while you were there. We always hear how film-making is such a drawn-out affair; sounds like Sharon M. is really moving things right along. Did you catch a glimpse of her BTW? (Bethan)I just get these occasional fleeting visions of NH meets TEP meets SIL. LOL, me too! That's alright, best to confront these fears head-on.;-)"}, {"response": 551, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (11:32)", "body": "Mari, I think my brain cells are failing. What does NH stand for?"}, {"response": 552, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (11:35)", "body": "BTW Karen, thanks for digging up that article on HG and EH. They sound kinda bizarre, hey? Sad about his mother."}, {"response": 553, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (11:46)", "body": "Mark...May I have your autograph....? Have pic of him at the Luna Nuova that I'm saving for ebay! ~~~~~~ ....Re: Andrew Davies He's been writing for 25 years...brilliant adaptations They are not aiming for the BBC drama or PBS crowd on this one. What has Andrew Davies written that has grossed over a hundred million? Ditto. AD writes warm, fuzzy well..but comedy? Uh,uh....I'll go with Richard Curtis..More au courant."}, {"response": 554, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (12:30)", "body": "Hi, Sadie . . . NH = Notting Hill (written and produced by the same people bringing us BJD)."}, {"response": 555, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (13:01)", "body": "Disgruntled cinema audience departs. \"Well, if it had been me, I'd have stuck to that nice Hugh Grant...\" The more I think of this scenario the more highly unlikely it would appear. They are making a \"Cinderella Gets Prince Charming,\" who for half of the film is still in toad-mode. If the audience walks out thinking positively about Daniel Cleaver, then they've failed miserably and created a total downer movie - hardly one that stands a chance of attracting the date crowd. Besides, if they had changed the script that much, Helen Fielding must have been served with a gag order. (Sadie) how will we distinguish you from the other extras walking down the street? :-) Some of us mere mortals have met our roving reporter and burgeoning star. However, I can safely say he will be the most handsome one on screen at the time. And, unless he has done something radical, he will NOT have long, floppy hair."}, {"response": 556, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (15:13)", "body": "Besides, if they had changed the script that much, Helen Fielding must have been served with a gag order. You haven't heard? She was banished to LA. ;-)"}, {"response": 557, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (15:50)", "body": "Mark: As good if not better than your first report. Please give a brief description of yourself so we can be sure to spot you. I really can't wait for this film, but I guess I will have to! 2001! At my age, they better get it out to the US sooner than that!"}, {"response": 558, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (07:30)", "body": "Karen Some of us mere mortals have met our roving reporter and burgeoning star. However, I can safely say he will be the most handsome one on screen at the time. And, unless he has done something radical, he will NOT have long, floppy hair Mark what a star! And to think Winter, JenK and I actually ate with you once! D You'll have your own drool board next ;-D I had thought they were only filming there for a week or so (perhaps the weather has delayed proceedings) but I noticed the catering trucks and lighting rigs were still in evidence last night (Friday) - perhaps I will get to have a mosey down there after all. Though whether I can be as brazen as MarkG is debatable - come to think of it, from my memory of the book ...short, tubby types don't feature heavily (*groan*) in the story line so it's only right that the balance is redressed with outsized extras.....hello Ms Director I'm here!"}, {"response": 559, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (11:01)", "body": "..but I noticed the catering trucks and lighting rigs were still in evidence last night.(Friday) - perhaps I will get to have a mosey down there after all. Excuse the personal question, Tracy...but how can you stand it? I mean...just go and take a quick look-see;-)"}, {"response": 560, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (15:51)", "body": "Evelyn - phew what a relief I was afraid of what you were going to ask for a minute! Like I say - I only get small glimpses from the train as I pass over the area on my way home from work and by then it's been too difficult to stop ...let's just admit it I am a poor excuse for a Bridgeteer/ Firthian/ whatever - I've failed dismally! If they're still filming there next week, I'll definitely try to get there - with camera if I can possibly manage it!....(have covered self with enough vagueness -just in case)"}, {"response": 561, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (22:52)", "body": "Big article on RZ in The Sunday Times (any pics in the actual paper, ladies?): When Ren\ufffde Zellweger was cast as Bridget Jones, few thought her suitable for the job. But after two weeks of undercover research, she's already got into her stride, says GARTH PEARCE Going by the book Ren\ufffde Zellweger is thinking the unthinkable for an emerging star: she no longer wants to be recognised. The Hollywood-based actress hopes to be ignored as she lives and works in London, tackling her new role as Bridget Jones in a film version of the fictional diary of a thirtysomething English publisher, riddled with insecurities about men, weight and work. In practical terms, that means out go the party frocks and on goes 15lb in weight. As Zellweger is American, beautiful and successful, this could prove more difficult than she imagines. But then landing the part of Bridget was always going to be a challenge. The character is already so ingrained in the public consciousness as an emblem of our times, her habits and neuroses both mocked and mimicked in print and on screen, that any film adaptation would inevitably provoke contention. Everyone, it seemed, had their own idea of the best way to do it and, more significantly, who should take the title role. There were plenty of British screen actresses with the right image and experience to tackle the part - Kate Winslet, Kate Beckinsale and Helena Bonham Carter among them. So when the producer Eric Fellner announced that the part had gone to a little-known Texan actress, whose only notable role to date had been in the quintessentially American film Jerry Maguire, the response was one of shock and dismay. It was all very well for Fellner to praise Zellweger for having \"the passion the character needed\", but how could an American do justice to the role? Why sacrifice the essence of the book on the altar of global marketability? Even Helen Fielding, the author of the book and a driving force behind the film, announced that she had \"retired gracefully\" from involvement with the script as a result of the casting, adding: \"I am very surprised that nobody asked my opinion.\" Well, with shooting now under way, the real shock is that Ren\ufffde Zellweger is as British, and as Bridget, as they come. In the past few weeks she has undergone radical rehearsals for the part that have seen her completely alter her identity. \"It is a beautiful book, an extraordinary character, and the role has been such a gift for me,\" she says, delivering a perfect English accent. \"I have had dialect classes every day since February. More important, I am thinking English and speaking with an English accent. It has meant a complete cultural change, from whistling Spice Girls songs at the weekends to understanding all about the appeal and reference of Harvey Nicks.\" More significantly still, she and Fellner came up with a plan to integrate her so successfully into the London publishing scene that nobody could question her Bridget credentials again. When we met, Zellweger had just spent 2\ufffd weeks working incognito in the lion's den - Picador publishing, which has sold 1.5m copies of Bridget Jones's Diary so far. In a bid to counter the bad publicity and prepare his star, Fellner persuaded David Macmillan, co-director of Picador's owners, Macmillan, to give the actress a job. She was assigned to the head of publicity, Camilla Elworthy, the only person let in on the secret, with a cover story that she was Bridget Cavendish, a young woman seeking work experience in publishing. Turning up at 9.30 sharp each morning at the office in Eccleston Place, London, just around the corner from where hundreds of journalists work for the 70 or so magazines at IPC publishing, Zellweger played the part so perfectly that nobody guessed her true identity. Even when she confronted the media head-on at the launch party of A Question of Bruno, a collection of short stories by Aleksandar Hemon, plus a presentation at Waterstone's, nobody suspected the ruse. In the process, Zellweger completely won over the doubters at Picador: \"Everyone found her friendly, charming and hard-working,\" says Elworthy. \"All sections of the business came into contact with her during the 2\ufffd weeks, without ever realising who she was. She even ran the office one day I was out of the country. There was no trace of an American accent and, having got to know her, we can all imagine she will make a perfect Bridget Jones. She was so good that one of our directors was about to offer her a full-time job.\" In truth, Zellweger is such a charmer, she could probably talk herself into any kind of job. She's blonde and pretty, and, with her new intensive eating plan now complete, she does not look, like so many other pinched American actresses, as if she needs feeding up with croissants. \"I have been learning a lot about this character and a lot about myself, too,\" she says. \"But I really needed to be removed from the subculture of Los Angeles to help understand her.\" It's not hard to s"}, {"response": 562, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (04:30)", "body": "(Mari)As for kissing Colin ...well she could come with us to the Donmar next time.:-) Why, Mari, did you get to kiss Colin? :-o (MarkG) I shall be looking out for myself come Feb or whenever! ...as shall be all of us! :-D Good work, Mark! (Bethan)I just get these occasional fleeting visions of NH meets TEP meets SIL. You know the sort of thing.... Creepy, creepy... I do hope you're wrong and Karen right about this. (Karen)Colin Firth, in a nice casting twist, is the gallant Mark Darcy Wonder what he means, a casting twist. Doesn't he know the part was designed for Colin?"}, {"response": 563, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (10:19)", "body": "So the Sunday Times is continuing all this nice publicity. I can't wait for the quotes from Renee telling us what a joy Colin is to work with. It's obligatory from his female co-stars, isn't it? Written in his contract or something. Mark - our intrepid reporter. We are your number one fans. And remember that three times is the charm. Next time they'll give you a line to speak. (Bethan) Finally, BJ realises, sadly, that lovable cad Daniel has a huge commitment problem and will never lead her up the aisle. Reluctantly settles for boring Mark Darcy who has been hovering in the wings. Has passionately tearful parting from Daniel.\"I may be married/whatever to MD but I will always be a widow to him.\" Closing shot of MD clad in unbecoming bomber jacket (clothes to make supporting actor look fat) pecking BJ tentatively on cheek, final closing shot of a brooding sorrowful Daniel gazing into the middle distance. Disgruntled cinema audience departs. \"Well, if it had been me, I'd have stuck to that nice Hugh Grant...\" Huge LOL, Bethan. While we know this will never happen, we do, don't we? , I can appreciate where the gallows humor is coming from. The script can only include additional scenes with Mark . No additional scenes with Daniel are allowed unless Mark is punching him out...like a gentleman, of course."}, {"response": 564, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (13:05)", "body": "(Gi) Why, Mari, did you get to kiss Colin? :-o Sorry, but I *never* kiss and tell.:-) Nice article from the Times, Karen, thanks. Sounds like RZ's accent passed muster with this writer as well as the Picador people, so that shouldn't be a concern. Too bad they keep repeating Helen Fielding's woefully out-of-context remarks. What she said, of course, is that she was surprised that no one asked her (to play the part)--all very tongue in cheek, but I guess the humor was lost."}, {"response": 565, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (21:56)", "body": "YIPEE.....THEY WON.... Welcome to Broadway!!!Our Gang cleaned -up! THREE TONY'S BEST REVIVAL THE REAL THING BEST ACTOR IN A PLAY STEPHEN DILLANE BEST ACTRESS IN A PLAY JENNIFER EHLE So take that Olivier's!!"}, {"response": 566, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (03:31)", "body": "Moon: Is that a slow Frank Sinatra type song or more like Bette Midler? Neither, really - maybe serenading gives the wrong impression. It was more of a pop song than a croon - just trying to remember it again makes me shudder ... it was not good. Karen: If that set is supposed to be the NH neighborhood where Bridget lives, then she couldn't be serenading Daniel. He doesn't live there. Or is it an all-encompassing bunch of different places? The latter. On one side of the street are a Greek restaurant (Kalispera), and shops called Frangipani and Pritchard's Fine Wines (all fake, I now believe), and on the other a pub (not fake) an unmarked doorway and Dial-a-lift minicabs (fake), and I think they use bits of this \"set\" for all different locations. e.g. Bridget serenaded the top floor of the pub (!), and came out of her flat at the unmarked doorway beside it. Sadie: how will we distinguish you from the other extras walking down the street? Call me superstitious, but I'll let you know after it's been edited and I can't be cut out by film co lurkers! :-) Mari: they actually shot 2 scenes while you were there. That really surprised me too, but I think I was just lucky to catch the last take of the serenading scene, before the eternity that it took to shoot a 10-second car shot. I failed to identify Sharon Maguire, as none of the women in the area I thought she would be in seemed to fit the bill - but I don't know much about shooting movies... TracyT: if they're still filming next week... a security guy told a couple of onlookers that there were 8 more weeks of shooting after a short break, but he didn't know whether it would all still be in the same place - but then the same guy had told these girls that HG would arrive at the set in four hours time, about ten minutes before the scene with HG in it actually began. Mari: Too bad they keep repeating Helen Fielding's woefully out-of-context remarks. I completely agree. Isn't it horrific to see her odd quote mutating into a bitchier comment report by report."}, {"response": 567, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (03:32)", "body": "Arrggh Hopefully closing italics."}, {"response": 568, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (08:02)", "body": "It was more of a pop song than a croon A ha!! As I suspected...the \"Say A Little Prayer\" touch. Did the passersby join in song? ;-)"}, {"response": 569, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (09:37)", "body": "From www.thisislondon.co.uk How did Renee become Bridget? by Neil Norman Renee Zellweger: Texan, tiny and attached to Jim Carrey. It doesn't get much crazier. Renee Zellweger with her version of Colin Forth - Jim Carrey"}, {"response": 570, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (09:40)", "body": "Grr, I can't post the rest of the article. Here's the URL: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/dynamic/hottx/top_review.html?in_review_id=288014&in_review_text_id=233150"}, {"response": 571, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (11:49)", "body": "I am Soooooo envious. Are you using Zoom Binoculars, Mark? You are neglecting your cricket for us - we are most grateful - and more than a little envious. Mahalo!"}, {"response": 572, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (16:48)", "body": "Re: Neil Norman article. Wish journalists would stop being so condescending about RZ. I think she has Bridget's sweetness, and sweet face. Did American journalists gripe this much when VL landed Scarlett? Hope it's o.k. if I post more Bridgetesque stuff,I'm in a silly mood. (Please let me know, Karen, if it's not appropriate here, and I'll stop after this. :-D ) June 5 2000 13:2349 Am distracted by Drool board and must say something. Must get dictionary. June 5 2000 15:23:49 Destroyed baked potatoes (singular: no 'e', plural: 'e'. Would make brilliant American politician!) Am beginning to suspect Mark G might be real-life Mark D. And is movie star too! Boyfriend just got home. Is dressed like Seinfeld again. Must seriously reconsider options. Wrote Boss 'dear Boss' letter. Am now looking for new job, but spending all my time on drool boards. V. confusing! Ooh, 'nother photo of CF... Excellent... ACK, Ack."}, {"response": 573, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (16:59)", "body": "LOL...pl. Karen...don't tell her to stop. \"You should publish\"....3 DOR, Act I"}, {"response": 574, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (17:14)", "body": "After such praise, I'm seeing stars and dollar signs! Maybe could lead to movie? You know, Mark G cast as Mark G. Would be 'inevitable'. Then I could move to L.A. Then for novel sequel (as in literary form, not extent of originality), I could interview him, and cast his younger brother to play him in movie sequel. Whot say you Mark? Wanna be in a home movie... Oops, v.v. sorry. Am already turning into sleazy couch-casting mover-and-shaker type. Need humble pie. Just checked. Humble pie is burnt."}, {"response": 575, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (19:41)", "body": "You're on topic, as far as I can see. On the RZ front, there was a segment on her on Access Hollywood. She will be on the cover of the July Vanity Fair (on newsstands June 13). Journalist who interviewed her talked about how much she ate at lunch, how much flak she had been getting from the British press and how it had gotten to her. Lots of images from the photoshoot. Wonder if the article will show her co-stars (especially the *other* one) ;-)"}, {"response": 576, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (20:25)", "body": "(Karen)Wonder if the article will show her co-stars (especially the *other* one) ;-) Ummmm....hope so. May have to buy Vanity Fair for first time."}, {"response": 577, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (09:04)", "body": "More tidbits from the Vanity Fair article on Renee at one of the NY Post's gossip columns: The \"Jerry Maguire\" star has now moved onto \"Bridget Jones's Diary.\" The movie, based on the best-selling book, demanded that the 5-foot-5, 106-pound Zellweger eat like an Alsatian. To pack on a whopping 12 pounds, she quit working out and now starts her day with a cheese omelette and sausage. That's followed by a mid-morning chocolate milk shake. Lunch is a large pizza, salad with extra dressing and cheesecake. At dinner, she scarfs a whole roasted chicken, mashed potatoes with butter, a pint of Guinness and cr\ufffdme caramel. Her little bedtime snack: fruit pie and ice cream \"I think I'm the only actress in Hollywood who has weight-gain powder on her kitchen counter,\" Zellweger tells inteviewer Ned Zemen. The rest (including a cute pic of RZ and JC) is at: http://www.nydailynews.com/today/News_and_Views/Daily_Dish/a-68993.asp"}, {"response": 578, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (10:41)", "body": "I'm feeling very serious today. How is it that RZ, at 5'5 is considered tiny? Granted she's no blonde Amazon on a rooftop, but, from the sound of that previous article, you'd think she was 4'5. 5'5 is a nice height. (Besides, studies show that taller men usually partner up with shorter women.) Rant, rant, whine, whine, I'll say no more."}, {"response": 579, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (10:41)", "body": "Thanks Karen..Glad that BJD is getting so much mention in the US press. I can assure HF and others that this pre-publicity would not be happening if Bridget was an un-known British star."}, {"response": 580, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (10:59)", "body": "I'm very thankful for RZ. Say a little prayer, every day! :-) Without her (and with KW or H B-C), BJD would have been just another all-Brit romantic comedy which might have taken \ufffd2million max at the box office. I think they've got the casting just right (a very good mix)."}, {"response": 581, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (10:59)", "body": "Geez, I'm 5'6/5'7 weigh 125lbs and am considered anorexic!!!! We just can't win!"}, {"response": 582, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (11:02)", "body": "(Karen)To pack on a whopping 12 pounds, she quit working out and now starts her day with a cheese omelette and sausage. That's followed by a mid-morning chocolate milk shake. Lunch is a large pizza, salad with extra dressing and cheesecake. At dinner, she scarfs a whole roasted chicken, mashed potatoes with butter, a pint of Guinness and cr\ufffdme caramel. Her little bedtime snack: fruit pie and ice cream I don't think I'd need all that to put on weight :-("}, {"response": 583, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (11:08)", "body": "(LauraMM)Geez, I'm 5'6/5'7 weigh 125lbs and am considered anorexic!!!! We just can't win! You sound perfect to me :-)Now if I could lose 8 pounds in the right places ;-)"}, {"response": 584, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (11:22)", "body": "Report III: Film set gone. :-("}, {"response": 585, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (11:24)", "body": "(MarkG)Report III: Film set gone. :-( Now could it materialize in Albufeira? :-)"}, {"response": 586, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (11:44)", "body": "Now could it materialize in Albufeira? :-) There must be a film commission for Portugal. Why don't you ring them up or some regional entity for the Algarve... Your luck, they will probably film Meditterranean scenes if any in the Isle of Man. Thanks for reporting in, Mark."}, {"response": 587, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (15:54)", "body": "(MarkG)Report III: Film set gone. :-( I know....v. dischuffed having psyched myself to have a peek. Never mind I daresay our spies will be out and about...this may be the 'short break' security guy was talking about. They may be back! In meantime will (in the words of Shaw Taylor) \"keep 'em peeled \""}, {"response": 588, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (15:59)", "body": "Mark, your reports grow ever more daring, you'll be a CF \"bodydouble\" at this rate. Full marks (that's v v v good) Sadie, LOL! Too too funny. Thanks everyone for your info and articles, much appreciated."}, {"response": 589, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (16:04)", "body": "(Sadie R) How is it that RZ, at 5'5 is considered tiny? I'm 5'5\", and I feel like one of the Seven Dwarfs. Sneezy, if anyone's interested."}, {"response": 590, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (16:29)", "body": "(Sadie R) How is it that RZ, at 5'5 is considered tiny? What the heck does that make me, I'm 5'3\".....one of the 7 Dwarves little cousins - Dinky?"}, {"response": 591, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (16:51)", "body": "OK so we are vertically challenged around here (me v v much included) But we have other assets."}, {"response": 592, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (17:08)", "body": "It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't work among the Amazon women. The two female co-workers I have the most contact with are both 5'10\"."}, {"response": 593, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (17:27)", "body": "(Lizza J) OK so we are vertically challenged around here (me v v much included) But we have other assets. Unfortunately, some of us are both vertically challenged and flat chested :-("}, {"response": 594, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (17:55)", "body": "...starts her day with a cheese omelette and sausage. That's followed by a mid-morning chocolate milk shake. Lunch is a large pizza, salad with extra dressing and cheesecake. At dinner, she scarfs a whole roasted chicken, mashed potatoes with butter, a pint of Guinness and cr\ufffdme caramel. Her little bedtime snack: fruit pie and ice cream Jayzuz! 12 pounds, Renee, not 22! How does she fit it all? Large pizza? Whole chicken? She'd better take it easy or she'll be looking like Liz Taylor during the Senator Warner years. Aww, c'mon everyone, we're all tall, blonde and gorgeous. This virtual stuff has to be good for somethin' ;-D"}, {"response": 595, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (20:44)", "body": "But if she's 106lbs and gains 12 thats 118, that is not big at all. In fact for 5'5 that's underweight. I'm considered underweight for my height (and have hard time putting it on, perhaps I should follow in RZ's shoes!) Frappes for lunch! (Milkshakes for the rest of you;))"}, {"response": 596, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (00:20)", "body": "Mark G, hope I didn't offend with my silly posts, but if I did, I'm truly sorry. (Tracy T)What the heck does that make me, I'm 5'3\".....one of the 7 Dwarves little cousins - Dinky? LSSLOL! (LSS= Loud sudden snort) v. funny. (Lizza J) OK so we are vertically challenged around here (me v v much included) But we have other assets. And big spirits, so we've got that goin' for us. (Cheryl)It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't work among the Amazon women ALSSLOL! Time to take that Warrior Woman training. Just remember though, the bigger the woman ... the bigger the woman! Run! (Donna DL) Unfortunately, some of us are both vertically challenged and flat chested But what are rocks to mountains of men? Seriously though, breasts are just heavy globs of fat with a few mammory ducts meandering around inside, and it all steadily descends towards your knees as you --- gee, I don't think this is working as a collective cheer-up. I know that I'm getting depressed. Sorry! I'm liking your virtual suggestion, Eileen. Have a frappe for me will ya Laura? I'll be standing on my head to fight gravity. :-)"}, {"response": 597, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (03:24)", "body": "Offend me, Sadie? Only if offend is the new definition of the word \"delight\". I'm just keeping quiet, hoping for more comparisons between MarkG and MarkD. Only those who have met me (sadly too many here) can know how truly disparate people with the same first name can be. Assuming my brother (older) rejects the chance to play me in my life-story, I shall have to work out whether I'm smelling the coffee enough to take it on."}, {"response": 598, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (07:13)", "body": "I shall have to work out whether I'm smelling the coffee enough to take it on. LOL, Mark! At this point I think we are working on smelling the frappe. ;-D"}, {"response": 599, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (07:18)", "body": "(Moon)LOL, Mark! At this point I think we are working on smelling the frappe. ;-D Okay, coffee frappes for everyone! Mark, you can have mocha;)"}, {"response": 600, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (07:52)", "body": "(Mark) Assuming my brother (older) rejects the chance to play me in my life-story, I shall have to work out whether I'm smelling the coffee enough to take it on. LOL! Mark, if you would only cross Upper Street in broad daylight you would not have such worries. Oh well, I'm sure we can get Jude Law to play you. (Moon) smelling the frappe *hee hee* Is far better than drinking it."}, {"response": 601, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (10:30)", "body": "(Mark) Assuming my brother (older) rejects the chance to play me in my life-story Before your brother is given the chance to play you, we must review his resume. Has he any... Experience with costume drama? Experience with fairy wings/bright blue eyes? Sort of a passing resemblence? If the answers are 'no', I'm afraid he's out of luck."}, {"response": 602, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (14:48)", "body": "Could someone please check the latest issue of Heat magazine. Apparently there is a mention about the movie."}, {"response": 603, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (17:44)", "body": "Hi Karen, I have the latest Heat magazines, 3-9th June, with the cast of BJD which I reported a way back and the one beginning 10-16th June with just has a small snippet about RZ eating snickers and drinking milk shakes to put weight on, that is all."}, {"response": 604, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (20:10)", "body": "Was the following from the first article that you reported? Stereotypically gay Tom is bitchy, gossipy and supportive in the way that only gay friends can be. He has a pretentious boyfriend called Jerome. James Callis played long-haired Wolf in TV's Sex, Chips and Rock 'n' Roll."}, {"response": 605, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (20:18)", "body": "Only if offend is the new definition of the word \"delight\". *sigh of relief* Only those who have met me (sadly too many here) can know how truly disparate people with the same first name can be. Mark D: nice enough to travel to Portugal to help Bridget. Mark G: nice enough to travel to movie set to report to Bridgettes/Bridgeteers. \"I must speak as I find.\" :-) (Moon) At this point I think we are working on smelling the frappe. LOL! (Eileen)Experience with fairy wings/bright blue eyes? Wot?"}, {"response": 606, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (20:43)", "body": "(Karen) Stereotypically gay Tom is bitchy, gossipy and supportive in the way that only gay friends can be. Interesting quote, Karen. I didn't think Tom was bitchy, or so easily reduced to a stereotype. And what does the person mean by the way only gay friends can be ? \"Why was [s/]he to be the judge!\""}, {"response": 607, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (01:42)", "body": "Hi Karen, yes that was from the Heat magazine (2-9th June) that broke the news about the cast and is one of the cast profiles."}, {"response": 608, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (07:40)", "body": "Thanks for double-checking, Ann. Hate to miss anything REALLY important! ;-)"}, {"response": 609, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (15:09)", "body": "(MarkG) \"I shall have to work out whether I'm smelling the coffee enough to take it on. Don't forget Mark, before you even think about the whole coffee/frappe/ mocha sniffing scenario, you must be in possession of: A) A Henry! B) an ancient beaten-up Nissan and C) a parka with the pocket hanging off! Then you can attack Upper Street with head held high and caffeine smelling abilities rejuvenated!"}, {"response": 610, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (17:43)", "body": "From uk press association. Note 6th paragraph.;-) British actress Joanne Whalley has beaten off US stars to land the role of the former First Lady of America Jackie Kennedy. The 35-year-old star has signed up to do a four-hour mini series Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis: A Life, which is being filmed this summer. The actress, who rose to fame in award-winning BBC drama Edge Of Darkness, made a splash in the US when she took the title role in the Gone With The Wind sequel Scarlett. Formerly married to Hollywood hunk Val Kilmer, Whalley's screen roles have been scaled down over the past few years, although she appeared with Bill Murray in The Man Who Knew Too Little. The series is being screened in the US in November. A Brit landing such a prime American role mirrors the casting of US actress Renee Zellweger in the British film Bridget Jones's Diary. The Jackie series follows Jackie's childhood, her marriage to John F. Kennedy who went on to become US president, her time as First Lady, her career as a book editor and the last years of her life."}, {"response": 611, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (18:31)", "body": "Who comes up with this stuff? *shaking head*"}, {"response": 612, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (21:04)", "body": "From July's \"Movieline\" The veddy British 'Bridget Jones's Diary' didn't seem veddy British when Renee Zellweger was cast in the lead role, but it's looking a bit more British now that super Brits Colin Firth (Darcy from A&E's \"Pride and Prejudice\") and Hugh Grant have been cast as the gents who vie for her affections"}, {"response": 613, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (21:20)", "body": "It took a little while for the RZ-BJ story to break over here in the provin--er, States. Now it seems to be popping up all over. I like that Movieline mentions ODB before HG (as it should be ;-))."}, {"response": 614, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (21:38)", "body": "(Eileen) I like that Movieline mentions ODB before HG (as it should be ;-)). Exactamundo! (and he's listed second at the IMDB)*she takes small bow* ;-)"}, {"response": 615, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (09:48)", "body": "Eileen) I like that Movieline mentions ODB before HG (as it should be ;-)). Exactamundo! (and he's listed second at the IMDB)*she takes small bow* ;-) These guys aren't making this up....think this is how the press agent is putting it out? MD part being expanded??:-))"}, {"response": 616, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 10, 2000 (19:16)", "body": "Lookie here! Mark's reports from the set are now on the Renee Zellweger site: http://www.townecryernews.com/bridget/bridget.html (on the set 1 and 2)"}, {"response": 617, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Jun 11, 2000 (15:59)", "body": "Karen and all: Wanted you all to know that I had nothing to do with Mark's reports getting there. Karen alerted me to this yesterday, and I have written to their web guy telling him to please remove them. Here again is the danger of having someone do you a nice turn on the web. You really have no control over what happens. Mark, I apologize, and will keep after this person."}, {"response": 618, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Jun 12, 2000 (04:06)", "body": "So will I become a writer or an actor? Hmmm.... No apology needed, Murph, clearly not your fault and I don't mind, especially while they don't name me. Don't start any wars on my behalf. Well spotted, Karen. The RZ people must have been sad I didn't say more about her and less about me!"}, {"response": 619, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Jun 12, 2000 (15:24)", "body": "Why not be both Mark? A sort of post-modern Woody Allen, but not like Woody Allen... More like Mark D. :-) Yes, well, I know, Mark D is brilliant social justice lawyer...and Mark D is fictional character, not real. NOT REAL...But, you could be brilliant writer/actor (who stays far away from mast**batory characters, and sticks with romantic costume drama leads) yet is nevah-the-less terribly, terribly concerned with social justice issues, and makes clever paper-chain thingys at protests."}, {"response": 620, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (09:21)", "body": "Another castmember From The Hollywood Reporter (June 9-11, 2000): Embeth Davidtz (\"Mansfield Park\") has signed to star opposite Thora Birch in the indie thriller \"The Hole\" for director Nick Hamm. She has also landed a role in Miramax's \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" for director Sharon Maguire.[...] \"Bridget,\" starring Hugh Grant and Renee Zellweger, is based on Helen Fielding's best-selling novel about a thirtysomething single woman living in London. Davidtz plays Grant's girlfriend. ************** While Davidtz is American (although grew up in South Africa), she's only 5'8\" so she could hardly be considered a \"blonde giantess.\" Doncha think she's better suited to be Natasha, especially given her role as Mary Crawford? Wonder if they just got the \"Grant\" part wrong...."}, {"response": 621, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (10:45)", "body": "Perhaps, Embeth is Rebecca????"}, {"response": 622, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (11:06)", "body": "Another fine signing, IMO. Embeth Davidtz (what a peculiar name for a girl born Gretta Milano to choose) was good in Mansfield Park - and also convinced me she was English. I bet the report is right, and that a thorough re-scripting will portray Daniel as cheating on his girlfriend to sleep with Bridget. If the report's quite wrong about the role, then there's Rebecca, Natasha, Magda, or the annoying Sloane girl in Bridget's office (Henrietta?, no, begins with P...) or Patchouli."}, {"response": 623, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (11:09)", "body": "Perpetua!"}, {"response": 624, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (11:37)", "body": "(what a peculiar name for a girl born Gretta Milano to choose) Think that might be an IMDB error, as it is also her character's name in the 1998 movie Fallen. None of her fanpages mentions a name change. Also seems to be another mixup (such poor proofreading) involving her place of birth. Is Indiana, but then moved to Trenton, NJ, and onto S. Africa. However, one site listed it as India! This one appears to have the most complete and accurate info: http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Lot/6742/bio.html"}, {"response": 625, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (11:44)", "body": "Just checked Vanity Fair with RZ on the cover. There's no pic of Colin in it, I'm afraid."}, {"response": 626, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (11:54)", "body": "Speaking for the NJ contingent here, we will be glad to claim Embeth--unless of course Indana or India comes forward.;-) I have the Vanity Fair article here and am skimming for anything interesting. The interview was clearly done before filming started, not surprising given the production lead time required of magazines. Given that Me, Myself & Irene opens here this month, there's a surprising amount on BJD. Finally, some accuracy for Helen Fielding: article calls the reports of her opposition to RZ's casting \"erroneous\" and says \"It turns out the 40-ish Fielding, a jaunty sort, has said she was outraged that she herself hadn't been cast in the lead, opposite Hugh Grant and Colin Firth.\""}, {"response": 627, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (12:15)", "body": "More from Vanity Fair: RZ is working with the same dialogue coach as Gwynnie used for SIL, Barbara Berkery, who encourages RZ \"to stay in accent as the filming of BJD looms.\" Part of the interview was done at Picador, while RZ worked there. Part of the job is scanning the newspapers for articles about Picador books (publisher of BJD). \"Several tabloids are spread across her desk. The irony is thick, in that these publications are ardently covering her. 'Yeah, it's weird,' she says, flicking through pages which have been chockablock with rubbish, including one report that she had rented 'clown strippers' for Jim Carrey, or that she has a wedding ring or that she's preganant or that she's a 'Texan comic.' That last jab, which she finds particularly bemusing, stems from the British media's predictably whiny backlash against the hiring of an American--a Texan, no less--to play the effete Bridget Jones.\""}, {"response": 628, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (12:45)", "body": "Embeth resembles Liz Hurley. I always thought LH would end up with a part in BJD. Maybe HG did not want her. Thanks Mari, for that bit from VF. It is v. hard to believe that no one knew who she was."}, {"response": 629, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (13:09)", "body": "RZ is scheduled to be on Entertainment Tonight, er, tonight.;-) I'd imagine it will be all Me Myself & Irene press junket stuff."}, {"response": 630, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (13:40)", "body": "Mari, have you got the NY magazine review yet, sorry to keep on."}, {"response": 631, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (14:01)", "body": "sorry, wrong topic, should have been 127."}, {"response": 632, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (14:48)", "body": "(Sadie)yet is nevah-the-less terribly, terribly concerned with social justice issues, and makes clever paper-chain thingys at protests. LOL! I always thought LH would end up with a part in BJD. Maybe HG did not want her. Yeah. Besides 'blonde giantess' would lose some impact if she was sporting a pacifier in her mouth. Part of the [VF] interview was done at Picador, while RZ worked there. It's stuff like this that makes me wonder about Renee's 'undercover' stint at Picador. What entry-level go-fer gets interviewed on the job, unnoticed? Or is the VF article's author on staff at Picador?"}, {"response": 633, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (15:17)", "body": "What entry-level go-fer gets interviewed on the job, unnoticed? I always wondered about that comment that she had a bunch of job offers at Picador. It is tough finding competent people to xerox and open mail these days. ;-)"}, {"response": 634, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (15:26)", "body": "(Eileen)Yeah. Besides 'blonde giantess' would lose some impact if she was sporting a pacifier in her mouth. LOL right back at you! Thanks for the ET tip Mari: when you're hot, you're hot! Thanks for the info on Embeth, Karen. I really liked her in Mansfield Park, and I'd like to see more of her work. (Moon)Embeth resembles Liz Hurley. Embeth has the type of brown eyes I always imagined Elizabeth Bennet would have; it will be interesting to see which character in BJD she does play --- can't picture her as the blonde Giantess. I think she'd make a great Magda. Too old to be Patchouli though --- need an annoyingly thin Ali M type, but twenty-something. Barring Magda, bet Embeth would covet Perpetua, (I would) although I keep thinking Perpetua is a big, big woman physically. What was the description of her, anyone remember? Personally, I'd be too bored playing Natasha, and rejected by MD too! I'm thinking: not fun."}, {"response": 635, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (20:34)", "body": "Forgot this earlier: \"Bridget Jones\" is mentioned on the cover of Vanity Fair as part of the RZ article, and the BJD film is in the writer's lead sentence. When the time comes, this film will get *lots* of attention. Was also mentioned on ET tonight. Now *here's* an interesting tidbit from the VF article: RZ's \"amiable\" London driver's name is . . .Mark. Hmmm, has someone on this board been less than forthcoming on *all* the details of reel life?;-) ;-) Seems he's one part bouncer too, as he playfully threatens the writer when yet another Carrey question is raised. \"Have you ever tried to walk with no legs?\" This is over lunch, where the dialogue coach \"exaggeratingly mouths silly linguistic phrases--'I dahhnced awwwll night,' 'browwwn caaahhr'--because, evidently, British and American people use different facial muscles when speaking.\" RE: working undercover: \"She is under the impression that, apart from one or two insiders, no one here knows her real identity--which, given the hothouse nature of publishing offices, seems overly optimistic.\" \"The novel's publisher, by the way, was Picador. And so, Zellweger finds herself sitting here, in her little cubicle, cutting out, highlighting, and copying every single Bridget-related article. Then again, she is not without recourse. \"Crap!\" she scrawls above each tabloid report. \"Absolute crap!\" Her \"boss,\" head of publicity Camilla Elworthy, has been indulgent. \"She hasn't yelled at me because I think she's too smart to put anything like a real author's well-being into my hands,\" says Zellweger/Cavendish. \"I was an English major and I love it. Went to a staff meeting yesterday and they were deciding where to 'slot' each book.\" Did she say anything at the meeeting? \"Yeah,\" she replies. \" 'Does anybody want coffee?' What else could I say? 'Cream and sugar?'\" On the need to gain weight for BJD: \"It should be noted that the fictional Bridget Jones is not fat--in fact, she's described as \"slender\"--but Zellweger is nevertheless \"porking up\" in order to conform to the character's jaundiced self-image.\" RZ says: \"To be self-deprecating but have no reason to be self-deprecating (about the weight) --I would think that would be annoying to watch for two hours. You'd go, 'Stop talking about her chubby thighs!'. It would be ridiculous, and even unlikable, as a character.\""}, {"response": 636, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (20:38)", "body": "(Mari) --\" .. the British media's predictably whiny backlash against the hiring of an American--a Texan, no less--to play the effete Bridget Jones.\" effete?!?! Really?? (Sadie) -- Barring Magda, bet Embeth would covet Perpetua, (I would) although I keep thinking Perpetua is a big, big woman physically. What was the description of her, anyone remember? She was described as never having to go on a diet (because she was socially well-fixed) and had a \"bulbous bottom\", if my memory hasn't failed me altogether."}, {"response": 637, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (01:43)", "body": "UK droolers - Eric Sykes is on Steve Wright in the afternoon today (Radio 2), perhaps he will talk about his role in BJD, I am dying to know who he is going to play."}, {"response": 638, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (02:48)", "body": "In this week's Heat magazine, 17-23rd June, \"Jim visits Renee on Bridget set\", caption \"Carrey's heart warmed at the sight of Renee with Tesco carrier and frumpy coat\". \"RZ didn't look entirely overjoyed when she was snapped in King's Cross on the set of her new movie, the long-awaited adaptation of BJD. Perhaps she was fed up listening to co-star HG moaning about his split from LH. At least she had a visit from her current beau, JC, to cheer her up. Zellweger, who starred opposit TC in JM, was filmed in the middle of a specially-created wintry scene for the4 movie, which also stars Colin Firth. Zellweger has been eating like a horsein order to pile on the pounds for her role as the weight-obsessed book publisher. During a recent magazine cover shoot she ate her way through a large portion of garlic bread, pasta, ice cream and a glass of beer.\" She does look a bit frumpy but I can see that she could easily go from the \"Ugly duckling to th beautiful swan\"."}, {"response": 639, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (02:49)", "body": "Mean't to say can't see Mark in the crowd, damn.perhaps next week."}, {"response": 640, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (03:02)", "body": "Mari: Mark. Hmmm, has someone on this board been less than forthcoming on *all* the details of reel life?;-) ;-) Seems he's one part bouncer too... LOL, Mari; surely people who have met me know that I am neither amiable nor physically awe-inspiring; but any more revelations like that and I'll break your legs. :-) There's just a lot of Marks around: me, the driver, Mark Darcy... Eileen: It's stuff like this that makes me wonder about Renee's 'undercover' stint at Picador. What entry-level go-fer gets interviewed on the job, unnoticed? I completely agree. The whole thing has the whiff of week-old mackerel. KJArt: Perpetua had a \"bulbous bottom\" Someone else may be \"porking up\". Note to self: always check with Karen before believing the IMDB. Some people do. their. f******. homework."}, {"response": 641, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (07:43)", "body": "Ann, can you scan in the pic from Heat? Frumpy coat? Bridget? (Mark) but any more revelations like that and I'll break your legs. :-) Think someone has spent some time in US, more specifically, the East Coast. (will wait for Eileen or Mari's more phonetic spelling of above)"}, {"response": 642, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (08:07)", "body": "(will wait for Eileen or Mari's more phonetic spelling of above) I was just going to say that! LOL!"}, {"response": 643, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (08:11)", "body": "For Mark, who may want to get in more screen time and be with La Lips: Wannabe With Angelina? It's the dream encounter of many a fevered fan's mind - the chance to appear on screen with Angelina Jolie. And now that dream could come true, if you can persuade the lovely people at Casting Collective that you're the diplomatic type. [Absolutely!!] The British-based casting company is looking for extras to appear as 'international diplomats' in the production of Tomb Raider, currently filming in the UK. Those in with the best chance of sharing screen space with La Jolie need to be in possession of some smart clobber. People of all nationalities are welcome to apply, but the company is particularly looking for Japanese businessmen to take part. [might have to work on that] If you think you meet the criteria, fax, e-mail or send photographs and contact details as soon as possible marked for the attention of Rosie, to: The Casting Collective 5&6 Olympic House 317-321 Latimer Road London W10 6RA Fax: 020 8962 0333 email: enquiries@castingcollective.co.uk"}, {"response": 644, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (08:21)", "body": "Karen, there are 3 pictures of RZ with the article, one quite big one, I will ask James if he can scan it and send to you but we have not been very successful so far. I could always send you the article and photos. In one photo she is smoking heavily and it looks as if it is snowing."}, {"response": 645, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (08:55)", "body": "Those in with the best chance of sharing screen space with La Jolie need to be in possession of some smart clobber. As in 'I can brake both your legs'. ;-)"}, {"response": 646, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (09:52)", "body": "LOL! Mark: you can drive cars, you can break legs, you can walk down streets! What more need a diplomat be able to do? Yes, Perpetua's bulbous bottom! Well, if they can pad up Michelle Pfeiffer for Cat Woman, they can make serious bulb for Embeth. (Hmmm, didn't intend all that alliteration and ASSonance)"}, {"response": 647, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (10:13)", "body": "(Mark) but any more revelations like that and I'll break your legs. :-) Ok, I hadda 'nuff outta youse guys awready! ROTF, Mark! If the Recon Man/Hollywood extra/Japanese businessman/driver slash enforcer to the stars gig doesn't work out, my cousin Guido can use you in his, ah, collections business. Have you ever worked with cement? Had the urge to craft shoes? Repeat after me: FUGGEDABOUDIT (Drop the r's, and change the t's to d's except for the last one.) Ladies and gentleman, I give you . . .Markie Blue Eyes.:-)"}, {"response": 648, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (10:15)", "body": "Hmm...in NYC, we'd say \"I breaka you face.\" Never mind the legs. ;-D If Renee goes on to need a full-time bouncer, the actor who played Big Pussy in the Sopranos might fit the bill. Since his character went to sleep with the fishes last season, he could use the work until the next Mickey Blue Eyes comes along. I missed the ET story on Renee last night, but caught a glimpse of her just at the end. She's been very successful at porking up. Her face looks quite full."}, {"response": 649, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (10:23)", "body": "Ladies and gentleman, I give you . . .Markie Blue Eyes.:-) LMAO....I'm gonna tell;-)"}, {"response": 650, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (10:57)", "body": "*sudden snort lol * Mari, you could be charge for dialogue coaching: you know, advertise in the English tradepapers. Nevah know you might get to, er, train!"}, {"response": 651, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (10:58)", "body": "PS, you could also help me write coherent English sentences. I'm getting trigger-happy. Omit the 'be'."}, {"response": 652, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (11:05)", "body": "write coherent English sentences Depends on where you live. Lots of people 'round here use extra *be's* in their sentences, as in \"I be going...\" ;-)"}, {"response": 653, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (15:59)", "body": "Mark..There's just a lot of Marks around: me, the driver, Mark Darcy... That's what comes of having such a common name ;-D \"Ooh Hello Mr Kettle I'm Ms Pot....you want to break my what? Wait a mo me ol' china an' oil jus' dance aroun' me 'andbag in me white stillettos\" [big apologies to those not conversant with the whole Sharon/Tracy Essex-Girl references] Karen -Depends on where you live Lots of people 'round here use extra *be's... And over here too! Wur am vrum we be tawking lyke thas m'dear. 'Ow be 'ee me luvver? (translation from West Country dialect to my present Home Counties accent ..Where I am from we tend to talk like this my dear. How are you old bean? ) Not quite New Joisey - but I thought I'd try and redress the balance! Do you reckon they might need someone in the part of first yokel for a \"mini--break\" scene??"}, {"response": 654, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (21:04)", "body": "BTW, found an interesting quote of Helen Fielding's from an old article in the Electronic Telegraph, 7 Nov., 1997: 'Occasionally, Helen admits to a temptation to claim that she is Bridget. \"I'm afraid it has all gone to my head and I have become an embarrassing show-off: She has only played her for real once, when interviewing Colin Firth, and says she found the experience liberating. '\"I could ask all sorts of questions I'd never have dared to if I'd been me, like whether being called Colin was a disadvantage and whether, instead of his Italian fiance, {now wife} he shouldn't be going out with someone who was English and more his own age.\" 'It is precisely this kind of straight talking which has made Bridget more famous than her creator but Helen insists she has only been jealous once -- last year, when Bridget was sent 13 Valentine cards while she only got one. \"Otherwise, I am incredibly grateful to her.\"'"}, {"response": 655, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (22:11)", "body": "What is it with Bridget (HF) and Valentines day. Get over it, it is all commercialized. If he loves you everyday is Valentines day! *hic* ;-)"}, {"response": 656, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Jun 15, 2000 (06:50)", "body": "RZ on Today, today... Coming up! Turn on your TV..."}, {"response": 657, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (09:40)", "body": "From Popcorn (6/16) Jim Carrey Defends Girlfriend You couldn't accuse Jim Carrey of disloyalty, at least not when it comes to his celebrity girlfriend Ren\ufffde Zellweger. She's currently over in Britain filming 'Bridget Jones' Diary' and her beau tells Popcorn that she is going to be \"brilliant\". The Texan-born actress faced a lot of criticism when she was cast in the 'ever-so' British part but has thrown herself wholeheartedly into the process of becoming English. Carrey says she's been doing \"a lot of research\", which as far as we are aware involves perfecting the accent, eating junk food and working in an office. Despite all that, Carrey says \"she's having a blast and she's done a great job too\". There may be a teensy-weensy touch of bias in his words but he maintains that despite the \"flak\" she got for taking the role, \"people have got to have some faith in her because she'll do you proud.\" And while he may be proud of his woman, Carrey isn't too happy about the locations, saying, \"She's lived there [London] far too long as far as I'm concerned.\" So much so that he travelled over to visit her on set recently. Click to hear Jim Carrey's comments in full: http://www.popcorn.co.uk/multimedia/audio/news/realaudio/jim_carrey1.ram"}, {"response": 658, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (10:31)", "body": "A mission for Moon: we count on you to translate, please. ------- Star maschili del film tratto dal bestseller di Helen Fielding: Hugh Grant e Colin Firth Bridget Jones sposa Hollywood di TERESA SERRAO ROMA - Lei, Helen Fielding, autrice forse suo malgrado di uno dei bestseller della fine anni Novanta dedicato alle ultratrentenni single, in carriera e un po' depresse, aveva un uomo nei suoi sogni. Era proprio lui il Mark Darcy del Diario di Bridget Jones, l'attore britannico Colin Firth, amatissimo protagonista di una fiction della Bbc, adattamento di Orgoglio e Pregiudizio di Jane Austen. Ora, quasi per incanto, Colin sar\ufffd davvero Mark, eroe della ragazza Bridget, nella versione cinematografica del libro che si appresta a diventare una commedia sul fil rouge di Quattro matrimoni e un funerale e Notting Hill. E a rinforzare l'evento, la notizia che l'altra star del film, a interpretare Daniel Cleaver, sar\ufffd il simbolo dei movie del genere sentimentale, l'altro britannico doc Hugh Grant. Le riprese partiranno quest'estate a Londra e il team sar\ufffd proprio quello di Notting Hill. A rompere il \"made in Britain\" la protagonista femminile, Ren\ufffde Zellweger, texana, star di Jerry Maguire. Nelle due commedie sopracitate Grant non era stato soltanto uno dei protagonisti, ma aveva lavorato insieme all'aiuto sceneggiatore Richard Curtis. E cos\ufffd si suppone sar\ufffd anche per questo film. La maggior parte delle scene del Diario di Bridget Jones saranno girate proprio a Notting Hill. L'accordo principale preso con l'autrice del bestseller \ufffd infatti che il film non venga in alcun modo americanizzato. Come dire, passi per la protagonista texana, ma \ufffd l'unica eccezione. Quanto alle colorite espressioni del libro pare che avranno la stessa voce della Fielding, forse preoccupata degli accenti di Hollywood. (26 marzo 2000) ---------- Pic of Colin and RZ each. Link to the Roles Page project, too. http://us.f5.mail.yahoo.com/ym/login?.rand=8qjtqp2jja0a4"}, {"response": 659, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (10:47)", "body": "BTW, I *know* Moon has already read it. ;-) Here's the link to the actual article: http://www.repubblica.it/online/spettacoli/bridget/bridget/bridget.html"}, {"response": 660, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (14:21)", "body": "The Texan-born actress faced a lot of criticism when she was cast in the 'ever-so' British part Vanity Fair refers to this as : Bridgetgate ;-) ~~~~~ What a drag...the Republica website doesn't even mention his Italian heritage or that he's married to Livia Giggoli;-) Write and tell'em, Moon."}, {"response": 661, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (14:30)", "body": "his Italian heritage His? Sorry, but that's too upper class for him to acknowledge. ;-) Where's Markie Blue Eyes? Working hard on the set? Wonder if he'll get higher billing than Colin. ;-)"}, {"response": 662, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (14:39)", "body": "His Italian heritage? Did I miss something? I thought he was as English as steak and kidney pie. (And that isn't kidney beans, is it? Feeling queasy.) :-D"}, {"response": 663, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (15:33)", "body": "But he really, really wants to be Italian. :-) The article is basically a repeat of what has been written in English. It stresses the fact that HF always had CF in mind for the role of MD (because of P&P), and that he got it. The usual thing about RZ being a Texan BJ and the misgivings. And the return of HG with RC. They did not mention the fact that CF is married to an Italian, but I feel very strongly that it is one of the reasons the article was written. CF is not known in Italy, and I feel a PR person is behind this."}, {"response": 664, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (16:32)", "body": "(Sadie) I thought he was as English as steak and kidney pie. (And that isn't kidney beans, is it? Feeling queasy.) :-D Gee...don't want you to get sick or anything...but didn't he mention in an interview last year that some family member had traced his lineage and ther is is Italian and Portuguese heritage in his background.... I know, I know...we can't believe what journalists write. The author probably made it up...;-)"}, {"response": 665, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Jun 17, 2000 (06:27)", "body": "I'm sure no Portuguese journalist would leave that out ;-)There's never a mention of Sam Mendes here that doesn't say \"of Portuguese descent\"..."}, {"response": 666, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sat, Jun 17, 2000 (07:41)", "body": "Oops, I wasn't too clear here. When I meant that I felt queasy, it was at the thought of eating steak and KIDNEY pie, because I'm wimpy about organ meat (no offense to people who do). And if CF has Italian heritage, that would be great --- but, if it were a strong heritage, wouldn't he dress better? :-D *imagining CF in well-cut suit, sitting in a piazza, sigh*"}, {"response": 667, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Jun 17, 2000 (08:18)", "body": "KIDNEY pie, is beans, not real kidneys. Kidney beans;)"}, {"response": 668, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Jun 17, 2000 (10:07)", "body": "So Mark, are you going to leap at the chance to play a diplomat as background for Angelina Jolie and her lips? Will Jolie be using an English accent for playing Lara Croft? The Tomb Raider is supposed to be a Brit. Intially, she was named Laura Cruise, but that was deemed as sounding \"too American.\" Then the name Lara Croft was suggested and the rest is history. How can anybody eat kidneys? Shudder. I mean when you know what it is they do."}, {"response": 669, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 17, 2000 (14:15)", "body": "E!online had to report on the RZ pigout stuff too, which starts out with the great lines: \"Don't walk away Renee, you still have a Ring-Ding left. We're glad to see not every actress in Hollywood is on the Calista Flockhart dryer-lint diet...\" You can read it here: http://www.eonline.com/Gossip/Soup/"}, {"response": 670, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 17, 2000 (14:27)", "body": "and with all this discussion about accents... thought this final paragraph from The Observer's review of \"Return to Me\" was particularly nice to see: Oh, and one more interesting thing. Minnie Driver is English, but plays Americans time and again in a flawless accent. Joely Richardson here does the same. Samantha Morton and Emily Watson both have their Hollywood outings this year. Meanwhile, Gwyneth Paltrow does English English to the manner born and Renee Zellweger is Bridget Jones. We may not have noticed it and we may not understand why, but Britain, for actresses, is already the fifty-first state."}, {"response": 671, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jun 17, 2000 (17:22)", "body": "Jeez, I hope Renee doesn't overdo it piling on the pounds. To my way of thinking, Bridget's just a little squishy, not obese. But then, it's probably the journalists who are expanding the truth... (Evelyn) I know, I know...we can't believe what journalists write. The author probably made it up...;-) There are so many insider jokes around here, that one went right over my head. ;-) (Laura) KIDNEY pie, is beans, not real kidneys. Kidney beans;) Hmmm, well maybe in Boston, Laura. Like that last Observer paragraph too, Karen. Maybe it will put the controversy to rest once and for all. Holding my breath."}, {"response": 672, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 17, 2000 (19:37)", "body": "http://www.pierecipe.com/az/SteakandKidneyPieII.asp http://www.thefoodweb.com/Recipes/steak_and_kidney_pie.htm http://www.cdkitchen.com/rfr/data/920311583.html Maybe in Beantown, everything has beans in it? ;-)"}, {"response": 673, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Jun 18, 2000 (13:31)", "body": "O.k.! Got it: beans in Boston, ox, beef or lamb across the ocean. Thanks Heide and Karen, for clearing up one of my cross-cultural confusions. The recipes look v. tasty. I fear tofu would lack something as a substitute? Tofu-de-beasts roaming everywhere here! True confessions of a lazy vegitarian: secret passion for lamb, but hardly anyone eats it around here. Is strickly a MacDonald's and KFC culture. But Bridget is universal. I read somewhere (from link on this board)that RZ is intentionally gaining more weight to 'legitimize' Bridget's weight obsession. Not sure how I feel about this. After all, if she's only \"a little squishy\" (I'm with you Heide), makes a v. strong point about how we torture ourselves because self-perception is skewed, and the ideal so unrealistic. That's the insecurity I relate to! Of course, a v. heavy self-condemning Bridget also makes an equally valid point."}, {"response": 674, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 18, 2000 (17:19)", "body": "Here's a link to the interview where he says he is \"Dutch, Portuguese, Italian\" It was done during the promotional junket for SiL: UNDERSTANDING SHAKESPEARE I don't think we have a reserve on understanding Shakespeare. Quite the contrary, actually. I think the Americans have just as much authority to represent him as the English do. I think it's very healthy to see Shakespeare in the hands of another nation. We've really fossilized [Shakespeare] or in great danger of doing so. [His time] was in 1592 or so. Many of the people that went to see his plays ended up here [in America]. You are the descendants of the people going to see Shakespeare's plays. My family is Dutch, Portuguese, Italian -- I may not have a descendant who ever saw a Shakespeare play and yet [the English] still have the sense of, \"He's ours, he belongs here.\" I think it's been damaged. I get lectures on the way to do Shakespeare and a lot of that is very arch, very pompous nd it doesn't let it live at all. I think there's an argument to the English putting Shakespeare away for a few years and then just coming back to it. Read full article here: http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Theater/5640/interviews/shakespeare/firth.html"}, {"response": 675, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun 18, 2000 (19:58)", "body": "... My family is Dutch, Portuguese, Italian .... Thanks Mari (who knew where he had said that)...and Karen who found it. Around here ya' gotta give 'chapter and verse' ;-) Now Gi you can tell the Portuguese journalists that they can add ODB, along with Sam Mendes, to the list of Portuguese heritage....;-)"}, {"response": 676, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Jun 19, 2000 (03:34)", "body": "Unfortunately, Evelyn, I'm sure they'll ask \"Colin who?\" :-("}, {"response": 677, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Jun 19, 2000 (13:23)", "body": "Yes, thanks for that link! I hadn't seen that particular paragraph before, although I recognized other parts from the interview. (Evelyn) Around here ya' gotta give 'chapter and verse' ;-) I wasn't doubting your info, Evelyn. I was just surprised and curious. Sounds like CF has an interesting family history."}, {"response": 678, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jun 19, 2000 (14:18)", "body": "There's an interesting article about RZ at http://us.imdb.com/NewFeatures/reneez Mentions starring with CF (not HG!)"}, {"response": 679, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jun 19, 2000 (14:21)", "body": "Try again! http://us.imdb.com/NewsFeatures/reneez"}, {"response": 680, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (22:20)", "body": "(Bethan) Mentions starring with CF (not HG!) Yeah! URRRAH! Go Colin! Kick it. Kick it in the net...and he's down, HG has fallen over his...v. sorry, CF is actor, actor...MD in sweaty jersey...MD with sexy bruise on cheek...Yes it's the Drool zone, where Sadie gets all confused about soccer, CF-Darcy, and being a Bridgeteer."}, {"response": 681, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (22:39)", "body": "MD in sweaty jersey...MD with sexy bruise on cheek... Have always preferred MD striding around room in barrister mode, only clad in towel, but can get into this as well..."}, {"response": 682, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (22:45)", "body": "He could compromise for us, and play \"indoor rugby\"."}, {"response": 683, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (10:29)", "body": "Empire has posted *exclusive* pics from the BJD shoot. Unfortunately, two are of Hugh Grant arriving on set and the other is Salman Rushdie (I kid you not). Here's the news blurb and go to the link for the pics: Exclusive Pictures From Bridget Jones Set Finding the location of the Bridget Jones' Diary crew currently shooting in London wasn't a particularly difficult task for Empire Online - the signs saying BJD LOC kind of gave the game away. Both Renee Zellweger and Hugh Grant were on set today, filming in a building in central London belonging to the HRH The Queen. Staff in the building have been asked not to approach the actors - 'they're very busy' one office worker was told. Although the crew were keeping tight-lipped about which scenes were being filmed, Empire Online did spot someone in the crowd who hasn't been on any official cast list - Salman Rushdie. Whether he happened to be there on business or as a cast member is anyone's guess. Working Title weren't available to comment at the time of writing this story, but we'll keep you up-to-date if we hear anything. Click on the links below to see our exclusive pictures from the set. Go here: http://www.empireonline.co.uk/news/news.asp?2320"}, {"response": 684, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (10:44)", "body": ""}, {"response": 685, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (11:15)", "body": "No further clue where this \"building in Central London\" is specifically? Doesn't sound like Kings Cross (an area I wasn't planning to go loitering in, in hopes of finding the set - it's a little too \"divine\", I hear, in that part of town) - I await Karen's usual map-provision service."}, {"response": 686, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (11:34)", "body": "divine, huh? *hee hee* Thought Horse & Hounds would've gotten the scoop as its Ace Reporter rubbed shoulders with Rushdie at TEOR launch party. Am guessing that the cameo will show Rushdie visiting his publishers. Will check to see if Rushdie is with Picador/Macmillan or maybe he is just a Bridget fan? I await Karen's usual map-provision service. Oh my...the pressure... ;-)"}, {"response": 687, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (11:40)", "body": "Write to Empire Editor, boss, and tell her we want pics of ODB...never mind wats-hiz-name. I await Karen's usual map-provision service. ROTF. Mark, she has several assignments from me too...."}, {"response": 688, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (13:45)", "body": "Thanks for the pics and news, Karen, very interesting as usual."}, {"response": 689, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (14:20)", "body": "(MarkG on Kings Cross) it's a little too \"divine\", I hear, in that part of town I had the misfortune to be working there last week...er I mean...mmm. (Dash it, the secret of my recent career success is out ;-P). Seriously, the area (Pentonville Road at any rate) is not to put too fine a point on it..NASTY.. lots of unsavoury characters hanging around peddling various...er wares! Very Divine. It is so bad there that colleagues (male and female)leave the office in groups rather than walk alone to Kings Cross Station itself! Mark don't go there! *showing my palm to your face in a Jerry Springer stylee*"}, {"response": 690, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (14:39)", "body": "Maybe Salman Rushdie is a guest at the glittering literati party attended by Bridget (and Perpetua, Mark D and Daniel). A sort of in-joke...he'd be instantly recognisable. More so than Julian Barnes."}, {"response": 691, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (15:55)", "body": "Mark!!! Go read your email. Have sent you coordinates. ;-)"}, {"response": 692, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 21, 2000 (15:56)", "body": "and Bethan, don't think it would be the party, as the location is an office building and they are using the *office sets*"}, {"response": 693, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (02:29)", "body": "I await Karen's usual map-provision service. Oh my...the pressure... ;-) But how she responds! I shall try and have a look after work, but if it's a building, it's probably a closed set (oh, see how I bandy these technical terms around these days) Will check to see if Rushdie is with Picador/Macmillan or maybe he is just a Bridget fan? I'm sure he has made comments published before that Bridget is a very funny & very important character in English fiction, or similar... Tracy, hope it wasn't one of those \"promotions\" that means you get to work in Kings Cross every other week. The life of a working girl..."}, {"response": 694, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (08:50)", "body": "Netscape's news has an interview with RZ that was done for Entertainment Tonight, snippets of which were shown last night on TV. It's about Me, Myself and Irene, Jim Carrey, etc.: http://etonline.netscape.com/etonline/interviews/reneezellweger/irene_reneezellweger_int.html but if it's a building, it's probably a closed set didn't it say something about shooting outside as well? ;-) Good luck, Mark. Hope to see your report tomorrow from the set."}, {"response": 695, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (10:42)", "body": "Exclusive: Salman's 'Bridget' Cameo 22/06/2000 Salman Rushdie has nabbed himself a role in the film of Bridget Jones's Diary. However the Satanic Verses author, who Empire Online pictured on the set of Bridget (click here for the pictures), will be spared having to stretch his acting skills. 'He plays himself,' the film's publicist told us, 'in a scene set at a literary party.' Fans of the book won't be surprised to see Rushdie linked with the film, given that the paperback version of Bridget Jones's diary featured a positive quote from Salman on the cover reading, 'Even Men will Laugh.' In the meantime, filming continues apace in central London - click on the links below for today's pictures of Renee Zellweger on the set."}, {"response": 696, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (10:45)", "body": "From the Telegraph's Peterborough column (6/21/00): TWO of Britain's foremost writers and self-publicists - Salman Rushdie and Jeffrey Archer - have pulled off a coup: they are to appear, playing themselves, as extras in the forthcoming film of Bridget Jones's Diary."}, {"response": 697, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (10:48)", "body": "'in a scene set at a literary party.' You called it, Bethan! Where's that from, Mari, as it refers to new pictures?"}, {"response": 698, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (10:51)", "body": "Never mind. I see it is Empire again! signed, Emily Litella"}, {"response": 699, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (10:58)", "body": "If it's the party in the book, then Colin would be there. Where are the pictures of him????? Maybe tomorrow. ;-)"}, {"response": 700, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (11:50)", "body": "Wow, great scoop on Rushdie. Thanks to you Karen, for first noting it, and you Mari,for finding that exclusive. I have a nosy question. Is there still a price on his head? (TracyT)I had the misfortune to be working there last week...er I mean...mmm. (Dash it, the secret of my recent career success is out ;-P). Lol! \"The Secret of My Success\" eh? (MarkG on Kings Cross) it's a little too \"divine\", I hear, in that part of town. But a rising celebrity, diplomat and, well, wise guy (I know nothing really, so just keep the cement to yourself) has got to do what he's got to do."}, {"response": 701, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (12:49)", "body": "Ha! Told ya, literati party it is! Maybe (if we are to be be true to the text!) Bridget asks Salman where the toilets are. It'll be a nice moment, whatever it is."}, {"response": 702, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (15:35)", "body": "Is there still a price on his head? Nope, not anymore. But this doesn't mean that he's safe now, he'll never be truly safe."}, {"response": 703, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (02:48)", "body": "Report from the Set III Very boring this time. I found the set as instructed (thanks KR), building in St James with huge \"Pemberley Press\" banner outside (haw, haw). I watched from across the street mainly, but was treated with suspicion and hostility by self-important young whippersnappers with mobile phones, and film-truck drivers. No CF and I don't believe he was there for this (understandable at Bridget's office), but early on RZ popped out looking very bubbly, not very fat, black skirt, black boots. Her driver (of the Lexus), who I recognised from my last visit (must be Mark the ex-bouncer) gave her some gum and told her presumably that someone had rung (JC?) as she leapt on the mobile phone and started to dial before being interrupted to go back in to the set. Ten minutes later, HG (dark suit, could it have been velvety?, no tie) wandered out with a character actor other Brits would recognise (older chap, bowtie, dodgy eye?). For no apparent reason they crossed the street, a security guard in tow, had a quick look in an auction-house window, and then pottered back to the set. The only other star sighting was when HG came out to the Audi to pick up a script copy. Other happenings: cardboard cut-out prop of life-size ugly man on motorcycle advertising his bike book; at some points a few extras (men in suits, women, security guards) were delivered, as was pizza, camera equipment, yadda, yadda... Bizarre sightings, nothing to do with film: man in neat skirt walking past (caused RZ's driver to exchange a few words with me, mostly \"is that a dress?\"), two men in top hat and tails (but it was Ascot Ladies' Day 30 miles away). V dull."}, {"response": 704, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (07:57)", "body": "Mark, thank you again! You should definitely be invited to the wrap party. Karen? I will be in London the second week in July, would love to congratulate you in person. :-)"}, {"response": 705, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (08:18)", "body": "Mark!! Always a pleasure reading your accounts even though THE man wasn't there. Don't you just love those young whippersnappers who are usually dressed for mountain climbing or moving furniture? Even better are the ones with headsets, mobiles and walkie-talkies! You know that they are important as are plugged into to White House Communications Room. For these shoots, are there lots of vans parked along the streets? Could you tell if there were dressing room trailers (or caravans) nearby? Have there been crowds of other people watching or was it just you and the truck drivers? ;-)"}, {"response": 706, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (08:37)", "body": "Karen: Could you tell if there were dressing room trailers (or caravans) nearby? Have there been crowds of other people watching or was it just you and the truck drivers? ;-) Some vans were parked, but the street wasn't blocked off and there could not have been room for dressing-room trailers - I think the idea is that costume changes happen somewhere else and actors are driven or brought in a bus to the set (which is in a busy area). Though, mind you, one of the trucks was clearly a wardrobe lorry, but I didn't see it being used except as shelter from a shower. Since the major activity is waiting, the pub next door was brought into play, but I decided not to try and go in, having aroused so much suspicion already. The chief whippersnapper asked me sarcastically if they were \"doing it according to plan\" and one of the truck-drivers asked if I was doing a survey and had a look at the paper in my hand. He then twice told me it was all very boring, so I think any other watchers would have been bored/warned off by so much attitude."}, {"response": 707, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (08:57)", "body": "Ahhh, quite different. Can now see why they shoot so many things here. Signs go up and there's no parking for blocks. The film companies take over the streets, and businesses/residents have to fend for themselves. Doesn't matter if it's a residential area of the heart of the city. Same thing. Some time the street is blocked off (depending on what they are shooting), but most often is not. He then twice told me it was all very boring, so I think any other watchers would have been bored/warned off by so much attitude. They usually don't care about onlookers, unless they are causing a disturbance or getting too close. Can remember during one outdoor scene with Minnie Driver, where one pedestrian herder had to move the crowd (in manner similar to sheepdog) over as were in Minnie's line of sight and could be distracting. Was v. useless endeavor. So what was going on in the pub?"}, {"response": 708, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (09:23)", "body": "They usually don't care about onlookers They were much more relaxed at London Bridge, although one idiot truculently refused to let the herders stop him walking around in shot: \"this is a public street\". This time I was surprised by the lack of onlookers, so have put it down to the hostility (though it could have been general boredom or sporadic rain that had driven them away). So what was going on in the pub? Just drinking, though there could have been some catering in there too. I originally thought it was local office workers drinking, but it then seemed that everyone at the pub had a connection with the film-set. And there were two guards outside it. Judging from the photos, filming started on the other side of the street in the building with scaffolding on, which belongs to the Crown Estate, and has now moved across to the one they're in now."}, {"response": 709, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (09:49)", "body": "From today's Telegraph: The shock of the Hugh THE boys and girls at Broadview, a financial services company on King Street, near St James's Square, were in their best suits yesterday, hoping for a glimpse of Renee Zellweger or Hugh Grant. They were filming Bridget Jones's Diary, avoiding the admiring glances of the M&A advisers, whose offices had been turned into a film set for the day. \"We've bought a little piece of Hollywood to London,\" says Victor Basta, head of European operations, proudly. I'm sure he'll be first in the queue when the film opens, eagerly trying to spot his paperclips on screen."}, {"response": 710, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (10:43)", "body": "(Mark) with huge \"Pemberley Press\" banner outside (haw, haw). Haw, haw, indeed! Thanks for braving the bore and the attitude to bring us your report, Mark. \"We've bought a little piece of Hollywood to London,\" says Victor Basta, head of European operations, proudly. I'm sure he'll be first in the queue when the film opens, eagerly trying to spot his paperclips on screen. *snort* (she says sarcastically despite doing the same thing whenever the Sopranos is aired)."}, {"response": 711, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (11:58)", "body": "Mark ...you are indispensible...no kidding. (XXX OOO)"}, {"response": 712, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (17:46)", "body": "Mark -- Thank you so much for taking the time and trouble to observe and then report thereof. It is appreciated muchly!! XX**MmmmWWWaaah!**XX :-D"}, {"response": 713, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (18:39)", "body": "The Popcorn site has an article today about Colin and Bridget: Firth Accentuates The Positive Colin Firth has been defending the honour of his 'Bridget Jones' Diary' co-star Renee Zellweger. Again. Richard Curtis's adaptation of Helen Fielding's novel is currently shooting in London, and Firth calls Zellweger \"a gem to work with. She's generous, friendly, professional and sounds like she comes from North London.\" The 'Me, Myself And Irene' star's accent has, of course, been the subject of much discussion, and Firth admits that Zellweger's pitch-perfect English accent is causing him some consternation. \"I've never heard a peep of the [natural] Texan accent out of her yet,\" Firth says, \"so I've got to know her as thisperson who comes from down the road. \"And it's actually a little bit confusing sometimes,\" he adds, \"'cos there's a great incongruity when she tells you something about her childhood in Texas. She says something like 'Dad lassoing mustangs and taking me to the rodeo.' And you think, 'What, in Croydon?'\" 'Bridget Jones' Diary' will be released next year."}, {"response": 714, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (20:45)", "body": "Colin Firth has been defending the honour of his 'Bridget Jones' Diary' co-star Renee Zellweger. Again. As Paola would say: \"He's a real English gentleman\".... I know Mum is proud of him..I am. Way to go...."}, {"response": 715, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (21:53)", "body": "Great story, Karen, thanks. He *is* a real gentleman and a sweetheart. Love the rodeo anecdote; guess she's staying in accent offscreen. USA Today has a big story on Renee today. Colin mentioned. The usual weight gain, British press is angry, and working at Picador stuff. New bits: producer Eric Fellner on why she was chosen for BJ: \"She was the best person. It's horribly boring, but it's a simple fact. She grasps the role by the throat and runs with it. And she gets to kiss great guys\"--namely co-stars Hugh Grant and Colin Firth. She likes London, and mentions Jim Carrey coming to visit. \"I go rollerblading in London when my boyfriend comes out. It's a beautiful and romantic city and a lot of fun when he's there. When he's not, it's all work.\" Also, Entertainment Weekly has its \"It List--the 100 most creative people in entertainment\" out in the new issue--and Jennifer Ehle is on it! More on 127. There's also a section on \"getting it and losing it--RZ is under the \"Who's Getting It Back\" section with this: \"Divorcing herself from The Bachelor, she shines in Nurse Betty and should be a singular singleton in Bridget Jones' Diary.\""}, {"response": 716, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Jun 24, 2000 (05:30)", "body": "(Mark)..with a character actor other Brits would recognise (older chap, bowtie, dodgy eye?). Could it be Paul Brooke (he who played Capt Mitchell in Nostromo)? And no Mark, I don't expect to be back \"on the streets\" of Kings Cross on a regular basis ;-) Great report, you could take this mallarkey up full time!"}, {"response": 717, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 24, 2000 (07:48)", "body": "Thanks for the Popcorn, Karen! Sounds like RZ is nailing it. So Colin abd Renee are talking horses. I bet he has told her where to go for some riding not far from London. Thoughts of Colin on a horse, again, (*sigh*)."}, {"response": 718, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jun 24, 2000 (14:32)", "body": "\"The Edge of Reason\" came out in paperback this week, and according to the papers has sold 20,000 copies in the first week, second only to Harry Potter. It did very well in hardback, so it's good to know there's still a market out there! I like TEOR (it deserved better reviews in the UK)...good basis for BJ:The Movie 2! Great reporting, Mark! Thanks!"}, {"response": 719, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 24, 2000 (17:33)", "body": "Quite the gadfly... From the Telegraph's Peterborough column today: Salman Rushdie enjoyed his cameo in the new film version of Bridget Jones's Diary: \"I had great fun doing it,\" he says, at a party in aid of Camden's Roundhouse. \"I even wrote a couple of lines for myself, though I don't know whether they'll use them. The most fun was doing my first on-screen kiss.\" Who was the lucky lady? \"Actually it was Hugh Grant,\" he says, blushing. A kiss on the mouth? \"Yes.\" History will relate whether the reason behind Grant's break-up with Liz Hurley has been revealed."}, {"response": 720, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Jun 25, 2000 (02:56)", "body": "Hi all, sorry to have been silent for so long. I've been really busy at work and it's all I can do to read all your interesting posts, let alone respond. Mark, thanks for all the great detective work. I've really been enjoying your \"on the set\" posts! I went and saw \"Me, Myself and Irene\" yesterday. It was the first time I'd seen RZ in something since she got the role of BJ so I paid extra attention to her. She's very charming and likable but there wasn't much about this performance that you would remember a few minutes after the movie was over. I don't think that was necessarily Renee's fault. I've seen her in other movies where she made a more indelible impression, it's just that this role was one any young, attractive actress could have played. It's Jim Carrey's film all the way. One other thing I noticed, RZ is very thin - much more than I remembered. She wore a pair of capri pants and a top that showed part of her tummy for almost the entire film (they were on the run from bad guys so had no clothes to change into) and she must be under 100 pounds. It's a good thing that she gained some weight to play Bridget. Someone as thin as RZ playing BJ obsessing about losing weight wouldn't be funny, it would be pathological!"}, {"response": 721, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Jun 25, 2000 (08:29)", "body": "(KarenR)History will relate whether the reason behind Grant's break-up with Liz Hurley has been revealed. Shouldn't they wait for the sequel movie to go into this kind of stuff? ;-)"}, {"response": 722, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 25, 2000 (08:35)", "body": "Unfortunately, all those shots of her on the set done by Empire make her now look like a real porker. I'm sure that can't be the case. (btw, Ebert's review of the movie was entitled, \"There's Something Awful About Irene\") ;-)"}, {"response": 723, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (02:23)", "body": "Interesting article, with BJD mention, and almost everybody else but CF. No, Mark isn't listed either ;-)) http://www.thisislondon.com/dynamic/hottx/top_review.html?in_review_id=293108&in_review_text_id=237764 (if that link doesn't work try this: http://www.thisislondon.com/ then \"London call for Hollywood elite\" in the theatre section."}, {"response": 724, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (04:20)", "body": "RZ has not looked that porky from the glimpses I have had. I liked the gentle way she explained that she had had to put on some weight, otherwise the obsessing would appear ridiculous. I thought she managed not to gloat about not really having anything to worry about. Maybe I'll have to go and dig out my roller-blades and try and figure out how they work again in Kensington Gardens. Either that or go looking for mustangs to lasso in Croydon. Otherwise I shall wait for my Chicago expert to spot the next location. Everybody has been v polite about the last dull set report and it is much appreciated. Moon, if you want to say hello when you're here, e-mail me."}, {"response": 725, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (04:21)", "body": "Whoops! That should be small not struck out ... heading for HTML remedial"}, {"response": 726, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (07:43)", "body": "(Mark) RZ has not looked that porky from the glimpses I have had. This I can believe. More likely, Empire picked the most unflattering pictures it could to post. Besides, that coat was intended to make her look that way."}, {"response": 727, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (08:34)", "body": "Markie Blue Eyes, fuggedabout da rollerblades; time to dig out those snowshoes. Thanks to Anne R.: The Express Monday, June 26, 2000 That's snow business as Snowshill turns v. white for Bridget Jones movie THERE'S snow business like show business and just to prove it, film-makers have turned a Cotswold village into a winter wonderland. In fact, you could be forgiven for thinking that Christmas has come early to Snowshill (yes, really) in Gloucestershire. For it has been transformed into a snow-white hideaway for the filming of the movie based on Helen Fielding's best-seller, Bridget Jones's Diary. So while residents of the village on the outskirts of Cheltenham bask in mid-summer temperatures and look forward to the beginning of Wimbledon fortnight, stars including Hugh Grant, Colin Firth and Rene Zellweger, who plays the title role, will be wrapped up against the \"cold\". Yesterday must have seemed extremely odd for churchgoers as they made their way to to the parish church of St Barnabas in the village centre. As they strolled, dressed in shirt sleeves and summer dresses, they could be forgiven for being a little confused to see the churchyard covered in artificial snow ready for filming which begins tomorrow. The movie features a year in the life of neurotic 30-something Bridget, as she keeps a diary of her obsessions over her weight and her love life. In her notes she even comments on her attempts to cut back on cigarettes and alcohol with phrases like v. good. Most of it is filmed in London, but location managers chose the picturesque Cotswold village as the setting for Bridget's parents' home--where she escapes the stresses and pace of London life for a Christmas break. And so to conjure up a traditional White Christmas scene, film-makers insisted that more than 12 tonnes of fake snow be dumped in the village to add authenticity. Specialist firm Snow Business, based in Nailsworth, Glos, made the fake flakes from cellulose, and spent three days creating the wintry scene. The \"snow\" was ferried to the valley in 350 blocks and 50 drums, and was spread over two acres of the set over the weekend. The rest of the Christmas scene will created after location filming has finished using computer wizardry to make the set even more believable. Grant, who recently split from model Liz Hurley, plays Daniel Cleaver, and rising star Rene Zellweger won the part of Bridget. The film - which was co-written by Richard Curtis - also stars Pride and Prejudice actor Colin Firth as Mark Darcy. The actors will spend tomorrow filming in the beautiful valley before Snow Business gather up every flake from the set and return the village to mid-summer. And the makers have made every effort to produce the right kind of snow. Yesterday Snow Business boss David Crownshaw said: \"It is special English snow. It is made of cellulose to produce large, wet snowflakes, but very lightweight. \"We only covered about two acres. The valley beyond will be done on the computer. \"It took three or four days to lay and it will take the same time to pick up again. \"Some people enjoy it and some people find it inconvenient. There is always someone who moans.\" Bridget Jones's Diary is due to be released on February 1, 2001. The film will recount a year in the life of a woman publisher. During the year she gains 74lb, loses 72lb, smokes 5,000 cigarettes and has an affair she later regrets.All in all, it's simply blizzard."}, {"response": 728, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (08:45)", "body": "Ah... you beat me to that one, Mari. Was about to post it and tell Mark to get in his car! ;-)"}, {"response": 729, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (11:48)", "body": "Somewhat frustrating, as I was in the Cotswolds 2 weeks ago, and am in Somerset early next week ... probably still too far away to drop in - maybe the baton passes to Lizza? :-) Reminds me though, in my second report from London Bridge I omitted to mention that there were signs of snow left in street corners etc (and it hasn't snowed for about 20 months in central London). Also forgot that on returning to London Bridge I noticed that a staircase marked \"Station\" or \"TO TRAINS\" that I had thought was authentic had disappeared, so I presume there's a station scene in the script too."}, {"response": 730, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (12:27)", "body": "(Mari)Bridget Jones's Diary is due to be released on February 1, 2001. A date already! Wow! :-)"}, {"response": 731, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (13:14)", "body": "Winter scene?? Like New Year's Day, perhaps, infamous Turkey Curry Buffet Day! Really, some should get out there to check on Mark's sweater and socks or to see him \"slipping, lithe as a whippersnapper, across the lawn and in through the French windows,\" to nab Julio on Christmas Day. (although description of him \"sweating and with shirt unbuttoned\" does not jive with snow IMNSH experience)"}, {"response": 732, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (18:27)", "body": "Now that I think about this... what is Hugh doing at this location? Daniel Cleaver never goes to Bridget's parents' home, Una/Geoffrey's or anyplace around there. Moreover, Bridget and Daniel do not see each other in the winter. Oh my *shaking head* what have they done with the story???? Now, am v. worried."}, {"response": 733, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (19:55)", "body": "I beg to differ about DC seeing BJ in winter, they do. Valentine's Day is in winter. They work together (obviously in the winter months too). So I can see how DC can be in a winter scene with BJ. :-)"}, {"response": 734, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (21:26)", "body": "Bizarre sightings, nothing to do with film: man in neat skirt walking past (caused RZ's driver to exchange a few words with me, mostly \"is that a dress?\"), two men in top hat and tails (but it was Ascot Ladies' Day 30 miles away). V dull. ************ Only in London (or maybe in New York) a man in a skirt and two men in top hats and tails could be glimpsed in the same area at the same time. I love \"Is that a dress?\" Thanks, Mark, once again. I'll refrain from putting it on the web site after that last blatant steal of your earlier copy by a Renee fanatic. Rai pointed to a few links to the town in the Cotswolds where it snowed in June: http://www.discoverthecotswolds.net/html/core/local_area.htm"}, {"response": 735, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jun 26, 2000 (22:47)", "body": "(Karen) Oh my *shaking head* what have they done with the story???? Now, am v. worried. Don't panic--yet.;-) Maybe this writer was merely regurgitating the major cast list without any real knowledge of who would be in these particular Christmas scenes at the Joneses'."}, {"response": 736, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (08:35)", "body": "Thanks for update on S.R. Tineke. Colin Firth has been defending the honour of his 'Bridget Jones' Diary' co-star Renee Zellweger. Again. What a sweetie! Am thinking he should donate to, you know, one of those banks, Could help raise male gene pool to highly mate-able. (Am picky.) (Moon) Thoughts of Colin on a horse, again, (*sigh*). Sighing with you! (KarenR)History will relate whether the reason behind Grant's break-up with Liz Hurley has been revealed. (Gi)Shouldn't they wait for the sequel movie to go into this kind of stuff? ;-) LOL! (Renate)Interesting article, with BJD mention, and almost everybody else but CF. No, Mark isn't listed either ;-)) Ah well, some things never change. The best go unrecognized. :-) (Mark)Everybody has been v polite about the last dull set report and it is much appreciated. Dull? Nevahhh! (Karen)Like New Year's Day, perhaps, infamous Turkey Curry Buffet Day!...Oh my *shaking head* what have they done with the story???? Now, am v. worried. Hmmm, it could be the Valentine's Day thingy, as Laura suggested. Maybe they wrote Daniel into the scene to add dramatic tension! Or maybe HG had nothing better to do but follow other cast members around, as is now Singleton! Let's hope Mari's right, and the report is misleading! It's so stressfull waiting for our baby to be born isn't it?!! Thanks for info on BJD,softcover,Bethan. I will actually buy a copy now. (Am cheapscape, read hardcover from library.) Not sure that we've met before,Jana. If not, welcome back. If so,well, now you know I have a lousy memory! V.relieved to hear that you're off the streets, TracyT! *chuckle* Well, I have just finished running 'round like maniac, in time to run around on vacation. Will go camping. V.v.natural! See you all (virtually speaking) in a couple of weeks!!"}, {"response": 737, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (08:48)", "body": "Have a good time, Karen, come back strengthend and refreshed, and don't forget the postcard!"}, {"response": 738, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (08:49)", "body": "Sorry, should have said Sadie, the menopause has a lot to answer for."}, {"response": 739, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (09:02)", "body": "Was wondering where I was going, Ann. ;-) While Bridge and Daniel were in flirtation mode for V-Day: (a) none of it happened at the parents' place, (b) Bridget didn't even know Daniel had sent a card until days later, (c) first real date/shag didn't take place until end of Feb and then Mr. Screwing Around with Her Head returns and nothing happens on the dating front until April 29 (a snowless time, I believe). ;-) Choose to believe reporter looked at press release, saw names of cast members and ran with it, as Mari suggested. Another example of not doing one's f*****g homework. ;-)"}, {"response": 740, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (09:07)", "body": "Here's a semi-related item about the proposed building of Thameslink 2000 (something to do with railroads) from the Financial Times today: Residents and businesses around Borough High Street, which would see listed buildings destroyed as part of the extension work, are also campaigning against the plans. Simon Hughes, the local MP, said: \"This is not the best route for Thameslink. The project would be too big a price to pay for one of London's oldest living jewels.\" Harvey Edgington, liaison officer at the London Film Commission, said: \"It's ironic that just when this area starts buzzing with the Tate gallery, Vinopolis and the Globe theatre, this threat from Railtrack looms up.\" The area has had a long-standing appeal to film-makers. Scenes from Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels were filmed next to the old Borough market. Several scenes from the film adaptation of Bridget Jones' Diary have also just been shot in the area. Local authorities estimate that Southwark could lose hundreds of thousands of pounds in filming fees and crew catering if the Railtrack plans get the go-ahead. Christian McWilliams, a freelance film location manager who worked on the Merchant Ivory production of Howard's End, which was partly filmed in the area, said locals were making several thousands of pounds a day from film-makers. \"This is one of the few unspoiled places of London where a film crew can just walk in. It would be a great loss if it disappeared,\" said Mr Edgington. Bill Neilly, film liaison officer for Southwark, said: \"The Borough has a unique character, it's a typical proletarian area that has not changed for years.\" The Borough's market, which has been on the site since 1218, has been almost deserted by traders who have learnt of the project. \"All that to increase trains from two to six a minute. I don't think its worth it,\" said Andrew McCulloch, a barman at the Wheatsheaf pub opposite the market."}, {"response": 741, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (13:42)", "body": "I have just noticed that according to IMDb, Honor Blackman is in the cast of BJD. Now who is she playing? Perhaps Mrs Darcy?"}, {"response": 742, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (13:51)", "body": "From This Is London. Hmmm . . .definitely Christmas (as opposed to, say, I dunno, Valentine's Day;-) ;-) Big chill greets the Ms Jones's by Ed Harris The scene is a classic English picture postcard. Quaint sandstone cottages stand around a village green and church, warm sun beating down on the rolling valley from a blue June sky - and children frolicking in a thick blanket of snow. Big chill greets the Ms Jones's This is not another quirk of the English climate - this is Hollywood doing the Cotswolds, and Bridget Jones has arrived. For three days the chocolate-box village of Snowshill in Gloucestershire has been the location for a winter shoot on the film version of the bestselling book, Bridget Jones's Diary. The buzz is considerable. The film is, after all, from the team that made Notting Hill, and the village is very excited. It will star Hugh Grant, and he was rumoured to be dropping in on Snowshill for the shoot. All day yesterday and the day before a small army was busily transforming the village. Sheets of fake snow were laid around the churchyard and a giant snow machine blasted authentic-looking flakes on to rooftops and trees. Festive wreaths, tinsel and baubles were hung on doors and windows of many of the cottages. Some homes even have plastic Father Christmas statues in their gardens. Meanwhile, tourists and locals wander around in shorts and shirt sleeves. The impact on the village, with a population of around 100, is considerable, and the effect on this quiet valley is surreal. The residents love it. \"They went to 40 villages before they chose this one,\" said Pete Wilkes, an electrician whose home overlooks the steep slope of the churchyard. \"Everyone I have spoken to is thrilled. Some of the locals have taken part as extras. This is the Cotswolds and you won't find anywhere better than this.\" This may be the biggest event in Snowshill since the only village shop closed 12 years ago, but it may be that the village's starring role turns out to be a blink-and-you'll-miss-it one. The film makers are shooting just three scenes. Stars have so far been conspicuous by their absence. Grant, who is expected in the village for shooting today, plays Daniel Cleaver, Bridget's boss, with whom she has an on-off passion. (To quote from her diary, \"Yessssss! Daniel Cleaver wants my phone number. Am marvellous. Am Irresistible Sex Goddess. Hurrah!\") Bridget, a Chardonnay swilling, chain smoking, calorie-counting neurotic, is on her way to her parents' house for a Christmas party. It is her arrival that is being filmed in Snowshill. Bridget is played by the Texan actress Renee Zellweger, best known for starring opposite Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire. But her part was being played yesterday by a stunt driver. (My note: anyone heard from Mark G. today??;-) Ms Zellweger's absence was not a great loss to everyone. There are still pockets of England, apparently, which resist the Bridget Jones phenomenon. \"The Diary of Bridget who?\" asks a middle-aged woman studying a sign on the church notice board warning that filming was taking place. However, Dolly Maude, 28, who lives with her husband Chris and their two children in a home overlooking Barnabas Church, said: \"Chris is quite keen on what's-her-name, Renee, so he is quite excited.\" The village was snowed in last winter, so their children, 10-month-old Nell and Billy, three, were prepared for the fake version. \"I don't know when anything this exciting last happened here,\" said Mrs Maude. The film, which also stars Colin Firth as the smouldering Darcy, is due to be released next February. It could do for Snowshill what Shakespeare did for Warwickshire. Imagine the signs as you enter Gloucestershire: Welcome to Bridget Jones Country."}, {"response": 743, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (14:17)", "body": "THE smouldering Darcy?"}, {"response": 744, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (15:51)", "body": "Honor Blackman? Pussy Galore? Wooowooo Maybe she's the pilot for the parachuting senior? (think about it) Mrs. Darcy? I don't think so. More like Grandma Jones. But her part was being played yesterday by a stunt driver. (My note: anyone heard from Mark G. today??;-) *Snort!* ;-)"}, {"response": 745, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (16:48)", "body": "It will star Hugh Grant, and he was rumoured to be dropping in on Snowshill for the shoot. Only rumoured...unless they're re-writing the book. Another Christmas scene?"}, {"response": 746, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (19:48)", "body": "Perhaps they shag in the snow at end of Feb. in Cotswolds? Or is that Devon?"}, {"response": 747, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (09:38)", "body": "Popcorn had the following from 27 June: Helen Fielding Defends Zellweger It seems that everyone's been coming to the defence of 'Bridget Jones' Diary' star Renee Zellweger recently. First it was co-star Colin Firth, then it was boyfriend Jim Carrey. Now it's the novelist herself, Helen Fielding. Speaking to Popcorn, Fielding says she met Zellweger on the film's set recently and thought she was \"extremely nice and very sweet. There's no trace of an American accent.\" Fielding also downplayed rumours that she wasn't happy with 'Notting Hill' writer Richard Curtis's script, noting, \"You have to let a movie be a thing in itself. It's based on the book but it's a separate thing.\" The novelist says she enjoyed seeing her characters being brought to 'life' on set and says she \"had a great time there. It was really fun being there and very interesting for me seeing the whole thing coming to life with real actors.\" 'Bridget Jones' Diary' will open in the UK next year. ********** Did she wear the gold lame outfit?"}, {"response": 748, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (09:47)", "body": "HF\"\"You have to let a movie be a thing in itself. It's based on the book but it's a separate thing.\" \"..based on the book.....separate thing....\" Lukewarm enthusiasm, IMO. But kudos for trying to diffuse rumors."}, {"response": 749, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (10:29)", "body": "From The Sun: Pride and Prejudice actor Colin Firth shed two stone for his new film role\ufffdso he could look better than rival Hugh Grant. Colin plays Mark Darcy in the film version of best-selling book Bridget Jones's Diary. In the movie he fights Hugh for the affections of Bridget, played by Jerry Maguire star Ren\ufffde Zellwegger. A film source told me: \"Colin obviously figured he needed to lose some weight to look more the part of the romantic lead. \"He looks fantastic and I'm sure he'll have all the ladies rooting for him in the film.\" Bridget author Helen Fielding has clearly been impressed by Colin's new look - I hear the two have a lunch date next week. Nothing too fattening now, Colin! Article and pics posted here: http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjd.html"}, {"response": 750, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (12:55)", "body": "Don't shoot me down, but I think he may have overdone it, don't you think he looks a bit hollow-cheeked, poor Colin, he can't win."}, {"response": 751, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (13:00)", "body": "I think he looks marvelous! And he has a nice tan too (hope Hugh gets the lovely pasty look). He's probably only slightly thinner than when we saw him in January. You know what a camera can do and how his face has photographed rather jowly. Is probably existing only on coffee nowadays. ;-)"}, {"response": 752, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (13:04)", "body": "Oh I don't know, Ann, that \"slim line Colin\" looks pretty amazing to me. He kills me; every time I get a teensy bit upset with him, he has to go and do something gorgeous.;-) ;-) Thanks for the story and pic, Ann, and Karen for adding to the BJD \"Bouquet.\" :-) That Porky Colin pic on the left looks to me like it's from the BAFTAS, three years ago. If they said he lost 28 pounds since wrapping SIL, then I'd *almost* believe it, but otherwise he had absolutely no weight to lose. Remember how thin he was at the Donmar, just in January? Maybe they're confusing CF and RZ.;-)"}, {"response": 753, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (13:09)", "body": "Yes, the left pic does look like the Baftas (bigger bowtie and hair) - not often he dresses up in tux - but his face is thinner than our pics from January (am quietly drooling here over Evelyn's masterpiece)"}, {"response": 754, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (13:57)", "body": "(Mari)He kills me; every time I get a teensy bit upset with him, he has to go and do something gorgeous.;-) LOL Mari, my feelings exactly. \"All is forgiven, Colin....it's OK if you do all those crappy films...\":-)"}, {"response": 755, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (14:29)", "body": "(Mari) He kills me; every time I get a teensy bit upset with him, he has to go and do something gorgeous.;-) ... (Evelyn) LOL Mari, my feelings exactly. \"All is forgiven, Colin....it's OK if you do all those crappy films...\":-) Glad to hear it, guys [and SO relieved ...]. Now engrave that on your eyeballs as a reminder for the next time ... ;-D KJ"}, {"response": 756, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (15:04)", "body": "KJ...is there a new rule on Drool that says one must read all the posts? I don't;-D"}, {"response": 757, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (16:19)", "body": "(Karen)(am quietly drooling here over Evelyn's masterpiece) Is the masterpiece available for others to drool over (quietly or otherwise!!)? Thanks for the photos in the BJD bucket Karen. I can't believe any normal woman would choose Hugh over Colin [regardless of where he is on the scales;-)]"}, {"response": 758, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (17:09)", "body": "\"Porky\" or \"slim-line\", I don't care... Let's have more of him! :-)"}, {"response": 759, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Jun 28, 2000 (20:53)", "body": "(Evelyn) KJ...is there a new rule on Drool that says one must read all the posts? B-b-but I have to read all the posts to find out which ones to avoid ... All v. v. confusing .... ;-) KJ"}, {"response": 760, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 29, 2000 (23:13)", "body": "When is Mark getting back from Gloucestershire? Hmmm, will be indepth report in manner of Times Insight Team ;-)"}, {"response": 761, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Jun 30, 2000 (02:29)", "body": "Sorry to disillusion you, but there is no report due. You forget that the locations I have attended have been ten minutes walk away and halfway home from work, making them easy to get to. Although I am driving west tonight, I shall be turning away as soon as I touch Gloucestershire (where I expect they've finished already). I may actually disappear for longer soon, as all my routes into these boards are apparently being cut off one by one, by my IT department, I suspect. Time to shell out for a home computer?"}, {"response": 762, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Jun 30, 2000 (06:25)", "body": "(MarkG)Time to shell out for a home computer? Whatever it takes. We'd be devastated to lose you, Mark :-("}, {"response": 763, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 30, 2000 (08:06)", "body": "What about via a link in an email message or one of those places on the net that give you hard-drive space in which to store things? One of Freedrive's features is storage of bookmarks/favorites. Can't say it any better than Gi: \"we'd be devastated to lose you.\" :-("}, {"response": 764, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 30, 2000 (09:04)", "body": "(Mark)...as all my routes into these boards are apparently being cut off one by one, by my IT department What??There will be insurrection in the colonies.... (Have an Internet cafe close-by?I know of one in Bloomsbury;-) Have a good weekend Mark."}, {"response": 765, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Jul  1, 2000 (07:11)", "body": "(Gi on ODB) \"Porky\" or \"slim-line\", I don't care... Let's have more of him! :-) (and on MarkG) We'd be devastated to lose you, Mark :-( And so say all of us!!"}, {"response": 766, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Jul  1, 2000 (17:25)", "body": "You might try writing a letter to yourself, containing the URL's you want to bookmark. (dating it in the subject window is usually a good idea). Then: 1. save it to \"draft\" 2. call it up from draft and send it. It will arrive in your inbox with the URLs as hotlinks. If at a later date you want to revise or add URLs: 1. call it up from draft and change contents and date. 2. save new copy to draft and delete old therefrom. 3. call up the new one from draft and send to yourself. I don't know if this will get around your IT dept. or not, but it's worth a try. P.S.: This is a good way to store any URLs you want to have at your fingertips in hotlink form."}, {"response": 767, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Jul  1, 2000 (19:16)", "body": "All the links in my saved drafts are \"live\" without the need to send them, so check before posting needlessly."}, {"response": 768, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Jul  2, 2000 (01:55)", "body": "Mail programs can be very different, Arami, Netscape Messenger which you use has this feature, but other programs have not."}, {"response": 769, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Jul  2, 2000 (07:38)", "body": "A thousand apologies - what I meant was - check before SENDING a message TO YOURSELF in case the links are live in the saved draft... Sorry for the inadvertently curt tone! I was a little tired and worded the POST incorrectly. (Oh, the subtleties of the netiquette... Oh, woe is me.)"}, {"response": 770, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, Jul  2, 2000 (09:05)", "body": "Mark, please do shell out for a home computer, if you can. It's worth the investment (and the hassle). We'd hate to lose our BJ \"lifeline!\" (hi everyone! ....am writing from KarenR's place, as am visiting for the long weekend. Chicago is lovely, and I've already raided the Michigan Ave. shops within the first 20 mins of being here. BJ woudl be proud.)"}, {"response": 771, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Jul  4, 2000 (02:50)", "body": "(winter) hi everyone! ....am writing from KarenR's place Wow, Kommander Karen and winter on the town. Watch out Chicago :-)! I hope you guys are having a great time. Wish I was there! Mark, please don't leave us :-). Take the plunge, buy a home computer and foil the cyber police once and for all. My DH insisted we get a computer at home and I didn't think we'd ever use it but ahem, here I sit well into the wee hours."}, {"response": 772, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Jul  4, 2000 (03:17)", "body": "Karen and winter, hope you've been having fun on this long weekend :-)"}, {"response": 773, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  4, 2000 (08:29)", "body": "Winter is back at school already. She only got to see a bit of Chicago, but will be back. Had a good time."}, {"response": 774, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Jul  4, 2000 (10:48)", "body": "Sorry to interrupt but just spotted in this weeks TV Times a small article on BJD with three small set shots- one of a gorgeous CF!"}, {"response": 775, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  4, 2000 (11:45)", "body": "Judy, no need to apologize. News about Bridget is never an interruption! ;-) Are the pictures different from the ones we've seen? Can you tell what is going on? To the newsagents, ladies!! Get those scanners revved up."}, {"response": 776, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Jul  4, 2000 (12:35)", "body": "Karen,had to dash off before without posting more detail but better late than never. The photos are of CF,RZ & HG.Colin is wearing a navy suit,paper in hand,and grinning.HG is also wearing a suit plus sun glasses,there are a couple of other people in the picture.The one of RZ is the familiar onewith case & Tesco bag. Here's the article London was sweltering-but the script called for arcticconditions.So the team adapting bestseller BJD for thebig screen shipped in tons of fake snow and transformed London's St Pancras into a winter wonderland.The fake chill provides a cool contrast to the two hot male stars. British heart-throbs CF & HG star alongside US actress RZ in the tale of a Brit woman & her experiences on the battlefield of thirtysomething singledom. Until the films release next year C & H fans will have to console themselves with these snapshots from the set of the British comedy,written by RC,responsible for NH & FW&F. Ironically,Colin,famous for playing D in the BBC,s adaptation of P&P,plays Darcy,a character author HF named after the hero of JA's classic.Hugh,meanwhile, drops the bumbling bear act and plays a cad,DC,the rival love interest to Firth's Darcy. Author HF has had to watch Renee canoodling with both of them-but that's not why she's jealous.Renee had to put on weight for the role,and the poor girl's been forced to go on a diet of Guinness,hamburgers and cakes.tough life,eh...? Glad to see plenty of mentions of Colin for a change!"}, {"response": 777, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Jul  5, 2000 (02:42)", "body": "Thanks for the tips, folks. It's actually not that I can't save/bookmark favourites, but that certain http addresses (whether from favourites, typed in or hotlinked), instantly generate an error. And I'm guessing it's those that I use most. I am determined not to be consigned to oblivion! As Gi says, whatever it takes."}, {"response": 778, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Jul  5, 2000 (04:11)", "body": "From today's Times Diary : Salman Rushdie has expressed his delight at playing a cameo in the forthcoming film of Bridget Jones's Diary , although he says he has only a \"few lines\". I trust he saw all the script. In one scene the Bridget character (played by Renee Zellweger) is about to make a speech and feels she might be aided by a recreational drug: \"I could swear I saw Saaalman doling out the cocaine,\" says the fictional Bridget. \"I could do with a bit of a livener for my speech.\""}, {"response": 779, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul  5, 2000 (10:59)", "body": "Thanks, Judy, for posting the article. All these descriptions of scenes/shots from the movie have convinced me...it will only be loosely based on the book (*hee hee* much like Valmont). Bridget contemplating taking ccocain to enhance her speech-making abilities at the star-studded literary party? A fight between a padded-up Mark and Daniel? Bridget serenading Daniel? Winter train station scene at which Mark and Daniel are present? A role for a 70+ year old Honor Blackman? Must have missed those bits in the books. ;-) Nice to see you've outwitted your IT police today, Mark. :-)"}, {"response": 780, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jul  5, 2000 (12:15)", "body": "\"Loosely based\"....you said it, Karen! Thanks for the TV Times tip, Judy...the photos are small but terrific. So much so that instead of my usual browse but don't buy, I forked out 69p. As Judy says, CF has a huge grin on his face and looks very lawyer-ly in a dark blue suit. Shortisn hair (a la Donmar). As usual, I can't scan, but will send my copy to anyone who can! Also a photo of HG, who looks rather a creep (no contest!) and a somewhat plumptious RZ."}, {"response": 781, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Jul  5, 2000 (12:32)", "body": "I'll try scanning tonight. Unless someone else beats me to it... in which case, good luck and hurry up, as my scanner is still dodgy ;-)"}, {"response": 782, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jul  5, 2000 (12:32)", "body": "(Karen) All these descriptions of scenes/shots from the movie have convinced me...it will only be loosely based on the book My thoughts exactly. IMO you were right on target with your comments way back when HG was cast as Daniel. Remember? Something about the role of DC taking more significant proportions? (Karen) A fight between a padded-up Mark and Daniel? In IOR Mark punches Daniel but that can hardly qualify as a fight. And it's from the second book...though HF responsed to a question during the CNN (I think?) chat that very little from IOR was to be included in the film, it seems there's more than just Magda shouting 'on the potty', e.g., Mark meeting Bridget by the dustbins. I'm fine with the film being somewhat loosely based on the book as long as they leave the MD character intact and the script does not include this famous RC line: \"I'm just a girl standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.\" *barf* Thanks for taking the time to type that article, Judy. LMAO over the description of HG as 'British heart-throb'. Prefer the 'bumbling bear' term, myself. Indeed, it is v.v. refreshing to see CF mentioned on par with HG (without the words 'Pride' or 'Prejudice' squeezed in somehow)."}, {"response": 783, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul  5, 2000 (12:45)", "body": "Arami: Ann's DH is doing the scanning now, so hopefully will be up shortly. From the image I've already seen, looks pretty cute. (Eileen) Mark punches Daniel but that can hardly qualify as a fight. And it's from the second book Quite right, near the end. But in this movie, Mark apparently hits the dirt. *boo hiss* ;-) P&P was mentioned"}, {"response": 784, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jul  5, 2000 (13:00)", "body": "I second what Bethan has said \"no contest\", CF looks really cute, the is one to keep, however, I think his hair is a little curlier that the Donmar but not unruly, and what a lovely grin. This is the best photo I have seen of CF in a long time, so huggable, if only it were bigger, not sure how it will scan,as it is not that clear in the hard copy, especially without my glasses. Yum!"}, {"response": 785, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jul  5, 2000 (13:01)", "body": "the=this"}, {"response": 786, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jul  5, 2000 (13:01)", "body": "A belated welcome to Judy! I'm all for anything that brings us more Mark Darcy. But, have you noticed that all the publicity thus far has focused on the romantic triangle of BJ/CD/MD? Nothing on Shaz/Jude/Tom. I don't think that's an accident.;-)"}, {"response": 787, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jul  5, 2000 (13:13)", "body": "(Karen) P&P was mentioned Duh. Of course. Must go unpack the contacts. Am looking forward to this new CF photo. Thanks in advance for your speed, Ann, James and Karen."}, {"response": 788, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul  5, 2000 (13:20)", "body": "(Mari) But, have you noticed that all the publicity thus far has focused on the romantic triangle of BJ/CD/MD? Nothing on Shaz/Jude/Tom. I don't think that's an accident.;-) Eileen said, that with other pair of lenses she unpacked (those labelled \"trick lenses\"), she saw hordes of Shirley Henderson fans lining the streets to catch glimpses of fav movie star. ;-)"}, {"response": 789, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jul  5, 2000 (13:33)", "body": "(Karen) she saw hordes of Shirley Henderson fans lining the streets to catch glimpses of fav movie star. ;-) HA! And you mocked me when I said who cares re: casting of the pals. Curtis knows what sells: ROMANCE."}, {"response": 790, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jul  5, 2000 (14:55)", "body": "Am looking forward to this new CF photo I think, heavens be praised, we're finally going to get Mr Darcy on the Big Screen. (Hollywood, please take note....this is the guy you should be chasing and showering with $1million offers, not Vinny Jones!) BTW, eagle-eyed spotting, CF is carrying a copy of The Guardian (I recognise the banner colours) For himself, or himself as MD? Although he does the Guardian crossword, doesn't he?"}, {"response": 791, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Jul  5, 2000 (16:15)", "body": "Glad you said loosely based- I was beginning to think I had read a different book. I know Colin was worried about not being good lookingenough to play the original Darcy [he proved himself wrong] and it seems he thinks the same about Darcy Mk2.In my eyes Colin has always been better looking than HG and these photos prove it.CF looks handsome and relaxed,HG just looks rough! Bethan,you mentioned VJ,I can't believe the publicity this guy's getting at the moment.He's on the front cover of Radio Times with a large interview inside. I would love to know what CF makes of it all or any 'real' actor for that matter."}, {"response": 792, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul  5, 2000 (16:37)", "body": "(Mari) HA! And you mocked me when I said who cares re: casting of the pals. Curtis knows what sells: ROMANCE. Phoarrr!!! Everyone knows BJD is a romance. Singleton woman in search of her Mr. Right. If want to see movie about three woman friends, will pick up latest Ryan-Hawn-Keaton slop by Nora and Delia Ephron. ;-) (Bethan) I think, heavens be praised, we're finally going to get Mr Darcy on the Big Screen. Thought you didn't want that? ;-)"}, {"response": 793, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul  5, 2000 (16:40)", "body": "About the VJ thing, I believe that's only going on in your press. Will be interesting to see how BJ is publicized here: which clips will Entertainment Tonight and Access Hollywood use. They always talk to everyone when they go to shoot a film in progress, but they usually only show clips of the biggies."}, {"response": 794, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul  5, 2000 (17:21)", "body": "Do you know who is doing the music. Have been listening to Notting Hill soundtrack....terrific..(esp. Elvis Costello's \"She\"). Trevor Jones produced the music...is he one of the Notting Hill Crowd? (Bethan) I think, heavens be praised, we're finally going to get Mr Darcy on the Big Screen. (Karen)Thought you didn't want that? ;-) Gee...when I had that on my \"wish list\" last week, I wuz flamed...."}, {"response": 795, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Jul  5, 2000 (19:37)", "body": "Thanks for all the news, Judith, and welcome from a sometimes poster. Saw Maria's quick version of the CF picture at Three Deer, but want MORE views! He looks delicious. As to the Guardian he is holding, I know from my friend Clive the sound man, as Bethan has noted, that Colin does the Guardian crosswords each day. Art imitates truth. Anybody willing to part with a scan for my news page? I'd be very grateful. Murph"}, {"response": 796, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul  5, 2000 (19:55)", "body": "Have put up the picture at the Bucket's page: http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjd.html The other shots of Hugh and Renee are on the location page. Will have to have the paper in hand in order to do any better. Sorry. :-("}, {"response": 797, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul  6, 2000 (09:13)", "body": "I understand Arami has scanned the TV Times pic and it's larger and clearer. Planning on posting it? Let's not deprive the ever-faithful. :-)"}, {"response": 798, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jul  6, 2000 (15:02)", "body": "It's larger but hardly clearer, I'm afraid."}, {"response": 799, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul  6, 2000 (15:09)", "body": "Ahhh, the mysterious mechanics of scanners. Looks good though. And Murph has received a scan and put it on her Bridget pages http://www.geocities.com/firthfan/jones/bjones.html I've been working with Ann's DH's latest and will have all 3 pics up and replaced later."}, {"response": 800, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Jul  6, 2000 (16:27)", "body": "He's looking great! Now mag has an article on RZ,CF has his usual co-starmention but thats all.There's nothing new just a rehash of previous BJD articles and her relationship with JC.There is one large photo of RZ & two smaller ones - RZ with JC and RZ in Jerry Maguire."}, {"response": 801, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul  6, 2000 (16:31)", "body": "Whew!....Killer smile. Same suit as he wore to the premiere? Thanks everybody for lookin' fer us :-)"}, {"response": 802, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Jul  6, 2000 (17:37)", "body": "Hiya, nice to see some new pix. I don't know whether anyone else has spotted a piece in August 2000 edition of Empire Magazine? It's a piece concerning the top 20 films in production and lists BJD at no8, theres a very poor picture of a scuffle...and I think I recognize the face of ODB plus possibly the backside of HG.. could be wrong though what do you think??"}, {"response": 803, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Jul  6, 2000 (17:41)", "body": "On second thoughts it's difficult to make anything out from that! Perhaps somebody else out there can do a better job?"}, {"response": 804, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Jul  6, 2000 (20:19)", "body": "That looks like Colin to me, Tracy. What a funny thought to see these two rolling around like this. The film really is changed from the book, as Karen has noted, since my memory puts this scene in EOR."}, {"response": 805, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Jul  7, 2000 (16:49)", "body": "Tracy,it does look like him,in fact it reminds me of the scene in FP where he's rolling around on the floor. I also thought that this scene was in EOR ,however I thought it was MD who punched DC."}, {"response": 806, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Fri, Jul  7, 2000 (16:53)", "body": "Judy, it certainly seems as if they are indeed taking references from EOR which is good news since MD features more (if memory serves)than in BJD itself..hurrah!"}, {"response": 807, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Jul  7, 2000 (17:13)", "body": "Tracy, I think I've found my excuse for another re-read,all in the name of research of course."}, {"response": 808, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Fri, Jul  7, 2000 (17:22)", "body": "Judy, research absolutely it's only proper that we should get our facts right and do our \"f*****g homework\" ;-D Now where did I leave those books?"}, {"response": 809, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul  7, 2000 (17:26)", "body": "Yes, I too am going to do a reread of TEOR, as there is not a knockdown fight in first book. From what I remember, Mark punches Daniel (who drops up to Bridget's flat) toward the end of book. This was probably the scene that was being filmed when Mark (our onsite reporter) was there."}, {"response": 810, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Jul  7, 2000 (17:43)", "body": "Wasn't it HF who said that no part of EOR was to be included in the film-there must have been quite a drastic re-write after she left the scene to include this skirmish and I presume other scenes from EOR. My only worry if they have incorporated EOR is have they left enough for a sequel or am I jumping the gun."}, {"response": 811, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Jul  8, 2000 (06:39)", "body": "I have that scuffle on my BJD page. Scroll down to the bottom. http://www.geocities.com/firthfan/jones/bjones.html"}, {"response": 812, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (09:20)", "body": "Not really new inof, but this was in The Mirror: ANOTHER ACT FROM ARCHER AFTER Salman \"Showbiz\" Rushdie's cameo in the film version of Bridget Jones's Diary, we have news of another author who, bafflingly, has been asked to play himself in a fleeting appearance in the movie. Disgraced Jeffrey Archer pops up during a book-launch scene in the \ufffd20 million movie. Bridget, played by Renee Zellweger, for some reason gets over-excited on spotting the two famous authors at the launch party. Little Jeff is very keen to tell us all about his first big-screen outing: \"I really enjoyed it.\" Rushdie snogs Hugh Grant in the film. Does Archer get to kiss Hugh, too? \"Those are your words, not mine.\" Now, now, Jeff. It's too late to go all shy on us."}, {"response": 813, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (13:12)", "body": "Karen it doesn't matter if its not new-its all publicityAlthough CF had better watch his back with all these celebs trying to get in on the act he might end up with only 5th billing! It seems the press pick up on any thing to mention BJD,Now mag has a small snippet about LH visiting theset to give HG a home-made packed lunch-again I don't think thats new info."}, {"response": 814, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (18:16)", "body": "Although CF had better watch his back with all these celebs trying to get in on the act he might end up with only 5th billing! LOL, too true, Judy. Our well mannered, faithful, easygoing Colin needs a little controversy in his life to at least get him ahead of Salman.;-) Do I see a Divine moment? (Horrors!)"}, {"response": 815, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (18:27)", "body": "(Disgraced Jeffrey Archer pops up during a book-launch scene in the \ufffd20 million movie) Could someone please help out a poor, uneducated 'Merican? Who is Jeffrey Archer and why is he disgraced? TIA"}, {"response": 816, "author": "ommin", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (20:18)", "body": "Jeffrey Archer is a thriller writer and sometime politician friend of Margaret Thatcher. He disgraced himself mainly by telling lies about himself and various other things which I can't quite remember at the moment. I am sure our U.K. friends are more up to date on his shortcomings."}, {"response": 817, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Jul 14, 2000 (03:06)", "body": "Jeffrey is a much more interesting character than is likely to feature in any of his rather two-dimensional, but very popular, novels. Having made a fortune from his books, he became a Conservative politician, on the strength of the money and a glamorous CV, which included claims about his attendance at Oxford University and a student athletic career that turned out not to be supported by research. Somehow shrugging this off, he became disgraced (for the first time) after the revelation that he had paid a prostitute two thousand pounds (an amount of money now sometimes known as an Archer) in cash at Victoria Station not to reveal some apparent lies about his affair with her. In the trial (the sympathetic judge famously referred to Jeffrey's wife Mary as \"this fragrant lady\") he was acquitted of whatever they had managed to charge him with. His next disgrace came when he was accused of insider-dealing - another trial led to another acquittal, with his story accepted that just because someone had sent him a fax advising him to buy shares which he happened to have bought later that day didn't mean that he had read the fax. Now lately, his soaring campaign to be elected London Mayor was ended when a friend of his revealed that Jeffrey had persuaded him to provide a false alibi for one of the evenings of significance in the original prostitute trial. The subsequent charge of perverting the course of justice saw him suspended from the Conservative party for 5 years, and we are still awaiting another trial. Meanwhile his books continue to sell like wildfire. Tracy, I am intrigued by the confirmation about the long-lens picture; if the fight scene happened the day I attended (elbow-pads etc), I can't see how anyone long-lensed the set, which was completely blacked off from the outside. Or could \"long-lens\" be used to mean someone on the set just firing off their own picture?"}, {"response": 818, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 14, 2000 (07:51)", "body": "Either or, it would account for the darkness of the picture as (1) couldn't use a flash or (2) it was far enough away to render the flash useless."}, {"response": 819, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 14, 2000 (07:53)", "body": "And thanks, Mark, for the detailed account of Mr. Archer. I remember seeing the headlines of his campaign for mayor and subsequent withdrawal, but didn't read any of the details."}, {"response": 820, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 14, 2000 (08:15)", "body": "The Sun is reporting that RZ is officially engaged to marry Jim Carrey and is wearing a \ufffd40,000 engagement ring. Article here: http://www.the-sun.co.uk/bizarre/"}, {"response": 821, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Jul 14, 2000 (08:39)", "body": "Mark, the Jeffrey Archer story reads like a novel... Do you think he'll write it? ;-)"}, {"response": 822, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 14, 2000 (14:55)", "body": "I've uploaded a scan of the supporting cast article that was in Heat magazine: http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjdcast.html They used that ugly sneering Jongleurs pic for Colin. Now that I see the whole thing, interesting that one cast member is missing. :-o"}, {"response": 823, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jul 14, 2000 (15:10)", "body": "My, my, yes. Guess Heat figures HG doesn't need their publicity."}, {"response": 824, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Jul 22, 2000 (10:20)", "body": "While its quiet on here I just give you some trivial info.I was talking to my sister about CF and Darcy (original one that is)and mentioned him playing MD 'who's MD?'aagh couldn't believe it,turns out she's never read BJD.Of course I rushed home to get my copy for her.I consider it my duty as a drooler to spread the word & promote the book & film.That's my good deed for the day. Hope you don't mind me boring you with my personal life."}, {"response": 825, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Jul 22, 2000 (12:33)", "body": "This is something that I was emailed to me. It may be of interest to some of you in a Bridget-wise way. The importance of keeping up a front On the reality of single life Shane Watson Friday July 21, 2000 It seems that people who live together as couples - well the women at any rate - continue to be fascinated by the living arrangements of the single population - female, that is. India Knight's much discussed book My Life on a Plate dwells on the agonies of envy experienced by the married woman (living in a house resembling a toy repository after a visit from a family of beavers) when she visits her unmarried girlfriends who live in airy flats filled with white sofas. Because uncluttered, expensive rooms equal sexy, A1 kind of people, married females are unhealthily preoccupied with the loft-style existences of their single peers. I know of at least one woman who has left her husband and sprawling family home purely so she can live the one-bedroom-sheepskin-draped existence, devote her bathroom shelves to chunky glass products, and generally elevate herself in the eyes of her neighbours from average woman to cool-chick-with-world-at-her-feet. All this is terrific for the single female, who knows that while the married world is convinced she clips home with armfuls of white flowers and curls up under a cashmere throw before bathing by candlelight, her domestic arrangements probably have more in common with male medical students. This image of environments as they might be were they not compromised by men's things (speakers like Tardises, trophy cups, sports bags, wavy CD holders), dotted with petites cafetieres and giant pillows, is a fantasy dreamt up by girly stylists. There undoubtedly are people who live in an ice cream ad, but these are generally record producers and never, ever single females, who tend to lurch from loo paper crisis to moth infestation and never remember to light the smelly candles. Single women have simply learnt, to the letter, the mise en scene that they must present to the world. Like those raids in prohibition-era movies, when the gaming tables are flipped to hide the booze and chips, so the single girl's bachelor pad can be instantly transformed from sluttish tip to fragrant room of one's own, should the single police come calling. We know that the effortlessly fabulous environment is crucial to maintaining the facade of a measured lifestyle choice. Bottles of valium, toenail clippings, empty pizza boxes: these are things you found lying around the flats of single girls in the 80s, back before we got our act together and realised that front is everything in the battle over who is having the better time. Them or Us. The difference now is if you're having Them round you take all the crap and stuff it under your white piqu? duvet. You cannot afford to give them the ammo. Next thing you know it'll be: \"I wonder if she even bothers to wash these days, poor thing.\" Thanks to the likes of India Knight, the scales have tipped in favour of singles over the past couple of years and the Smug Marrieds, of Bridget Jones' experience, have been forced to concede ground to those still able to sleep around and fritter away their cash. But now it looks like we may have been rumbled, and those nights of self-indulgent pampering exposed as long, lonely vigils empty of human contact. This potentially disastrous setback to singles' propaganda comes in the form of a CD featuring the sounds of household activities designed to simulate the presence of a live-in partner, including tracks such as Fry a Roast Beef in the Pan, A Bath Sounds Perfect and A Hastily Ironed Shirt. The compilation's German creator has not shied away from making this a truly authentic home-sharing experience \"for those who have everything - except a life-partner\", but I can honestly say that there's only one track guaranteed to make the eyes brim on a home-alone night and that's The Fridge is Finally Full Again. Nonetheless, Alone No More is a big hit (4,900 copies sold thus far) so I propose to produce an equivalent for the younger female British Single Market (Bernd Klosterfelde is a fiftysomething divorcee). This will feature The Fridge is Finally Full Again ... of Bottles, Honey, Something Tells Me You've Lost Weight (club mix), and for those of us who haven't surrendered yet, tracks to play while on the phone to attached persons such as Background Party Noises A) mixed company B) all male; Are You Ready Babe the Table's Booked featuring the voice of Russell Crowe; and Hello I'm the Man Who's Come to Sort Out Your Pension Plan, which is one for the hardest marrieds to deceive, your parents."}, {"response": 826, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (06:18)", "body": "Judy, I did a similar thing for a friend. She had actually read BJD, but had not seen (or read) P&P2! Horrors! When I was trying to explain the whole CF playing MD -isn't that great thing, and the P&P references (and my obsession), her eyes glazed over. I immediately loaned her my P&P tapes (have the DVD now, so it's OK), and explained she must watch the series, THEN re-read BJD. She hasn't watched the tapes yet, so I don't know how it will work out."}, {"response": 827, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (07:34)", "body": "Meredith,I was shocked to find she hadn't read BJD but am flabbergasted to hear that someone had not read/seen P&P!Where has she been and surely she must have read P&P at school?Keep us posted on whatshe thinks please. I have some good and bad news regarding the family BJD front,last night at a family bbq,my sister was engrossed in BJD,now for bad news my sister-in-law wanted to know why she was being so ignorant,turns out she's never even heard of the book let alone readit,now who's ignorant.So she is my next convert,am going to be without my copy for a while!"}, {"response": 828, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (09:13)", "body": "Sorry, I have a worse story. Loaned my P&P (from television) tapes to older sister, who eventually returned them unwatched. Said she couldn't get \"into\" it. Then, when I was raving about BJD and the book was finally published here, she went out and bought it. Not sure if she finished it, but was not very enthusiastic. But then again, we have very different tastes. She thought Return to Me was \"great\"; I thought it was a joke. Younger sister returned BJD to me; smiled and said, it was good. Not v. enthusiastic either. IMO think has to do with having read and loved P&P. It is not required reading here BTW. Older sister was all excited about seeing the Count of Monte Cristo on TV because had read and liked the book and is usually not much of a Masterpiece Theatre (or Bravo) type person. However, all the librarians I lent BJD to have loved it!! :-)"}, {"response": 829, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (12:15)", "body": "Never mind Karen they do say that you can't choose your family so we won't hold you responsible, at leastmy sister seems to be responding to treatment.As for my sister-in-law I don't hold out much hope for her asshe's not over- bright at the best of times-but that'smy brothers problem not mine. My sister is a rarity in England anyway-a 40 year old cinema goer! I forgot about it not being required reading in other countries-shame."}, {"response": 830, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (12:16)", "body": "Any idea why once I post my words join together?"}, {"response": 831, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (14:45)", "body": "Where has she been and surely she must have read P&P at school? It was the set book for O-level English when I took the exams so I doubt whether there can be many thirty-somethings out there (in England at any rate) who haven't had the pleasure. Have to admit something terrible (which I am putting right as of now BTW) - I haven't re-read P&P since I was at school and .....dare I say this...I didn't enjoy it much the first time round *duck*. Is it safe to come out? Am I de-drooled now? In my defence I would say that this lack of enjoyment probably had to do with the way we studied it rather than the content which of course \"improves of further acquaintance\", so I am resolved to read it this week and I know I will enjoy it this time."}, {"response": 832, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (14:47)", "body": "Whoops pressed submit too soon.. was going to say, maybe we could pressurise all world education boards to make BJD and P&P required reading and so achieve world domination. Ha-ha-ha! **evil chuckle**"}, {"response": 833, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (15:13)", "body": "(Tracy) I haven't re-read P&P since I was at school. That was some admission,do you feel better getting it off your chest?I think you'll have to make up for itwith extra drool!Now of course I'm a perfect P & P drooler-read it at school at 13(can still remember the lesson like it was yesterday)went to a bookshop on way home from school & bought a copy which I still have,yellowed/dog-eared and sellotaped. My own confession would be that I only read BJD when I heard about the CF & P&P connection. BJD & P&P required reading-ah your method of atonement,you've won me over."}, {"response": 834, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (15:20)", "body": "(Judy) -I think you'll have to make up for it with extra drool! Oh dear - what a hardship, I'm just going to have to watch all those Col-films as penance....drool-city here I come. My own confession would be that I only read BJD when I heard about the CF & P&P connection A heinous crime indeed - I sentence you to watching BJD untold times at the cinema when it comes out. Just as long as you don't go out and buy yellow diamond patterned sweaters for the same reason!!"}, {"response": 835, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (15:30)", "body": "Tracy I think all droolers should wear diamond patterned jumpers as a uniform so that we would all recognize one another out and about-a sign of our secret society-or maybe just a towel? I hereby promise to see BJD as many times as possibleproviding it stays released longer than one week."}, {"response": 836, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (15:45)", "body": "Judy, I'll wear a towel only if it's a very large one or provided MD is still in it!"}, {"response": 837, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (15:54)", "body": "If MD's still in the towel then I'm whipping it off so at least keep your knickers on."}, {"response": 838, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (15:59)", "body": "Judy- LOL! (It does not 'bare' thinking about - believe me). It seems like it's the Jude and Trace show tonight! So given your confession about BJD, do you think you would have read it if there were not the connection? Is it your kind of thing...not exactly LOTR!"}, {"response": 839, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (16:08)", "body": "Who's following who here?Yep its just you and me! and no its not my usual thing although I would like to think that I would have read it after all the publicity just out of curiosity.I am definitely a big JA fan and have read all her books,finished & unfinished,many times and also anything about her life & times. BTW what does LOTR mean?,"}, {"response": 840, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (16:09)", "body": "Lord of the Rings sorry this abbreviating thing is a difficult habit to shake!"}, {"response": 841, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (16:13)", "body": "Thanks ,sleep tight.don't let the bed bugs bite and sweet filthy firthy dreams."}, {"response": 842, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 24, 2000 (07:39)", "body": "Sorry, Gi, it appears that Albufeira may have been written out of the movie, as Julio is now Julian... [Murph has info from one of the production co's websites] Renee Zellweger ('Jerry Maguire', 'Me, Myself & Irene') plays Bridget Jones, the London girl who is looking for love. She watches in horror as her mother, in mid-life crisis, leaves her father to live with Shopping Channel presenter Julian. Meanwhile her friends Jude, Sharon and Tom provide her with entertainingly hopeless advice as she embarks on an affair with her boss, sexy publisher Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant). Bridget's unsuccessful attempts to control her chaotic life and to develop inner poise are charted by her hilarious diary entries, as are her disastrous first few meetings with the snooty Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). Gradually though, Bridget has the chance to get what she really wants - true love. The question is - will she blow it?"}, {"response": 843, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 24, 2000 (10:45)", "body": "...as are her disastrous first few meetings with the snooty Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). Oh , he is gonna go into the Mr. Darcy mode ....no wonder he viewed P&P again. Sure beats the \"nerdy\" mode I thought they would feature MD as. Can't wait....Thanks K."}, {"response": 844, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 24, 2000 (14:34)", "body": "Have thought of other problems, given up synopsis... Wonder what they've done to the book if Julio/Julian hasn't bilked all the friends of family out of their life savings. How will Mark Darcy save the day? Will we or won't we have Mark Darcy slinking amongst the hedges, hot and sweating at Christmas dinner, before whisking Bridget off to nice holiday hotel for nookie-nookie? I suppose Mum could've overdone it on the Shopping Channel and put whole family in debt with vast quantities of useless, time-savings and bargain merchandise. ;-)"}, {"response": 845, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jul 24, 2000 (14:51)", "body": "(Evelyn) Oh , he is gonna go into the Mr. Darcy mode Was there ever any doubt? After all, CF's been sporting those sideburns ;-P I am all curiosity about this script. Given what we've heard so far (thanks, sleuths!) it's v.v. different than the book(s). Tsk...I was looking forward to the Tarts and Vicars party. But as long as BJ doesn't bring MD a painting of a goat playing the violin, all will be well. Hmm, youngest sis still has my copies of BJD and EOR. Will get 'em back this weekend when she visits. Thanks for the reminder!"}, {"response": 846, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jul 24, 2000 (15:50)", "body": "(Karen) I suppose Mum could've overdone it on the Shopping Channel and put whole family in debt with vast quantities of useless, time-savings and bargain merchandise. ;-) I think you're onto something there, Karen. During the climactic scene, Julian threatens Mark with a Ginsu knife; fortunately for MD, the blade strikes his trouser pocket, where it is blocked by the 3-carat Diamante ring that MD wanted to present to Bridget. BJ sidles up to MD and asks, \"Is that cubic zirconia in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?\" Using Andrew Davies' detailed stage directions, MD acknowledges that he is indeed happy to see her and they set off for the nookie nookie weekend. The police arrive to haul off Julian, who is subsequently sentenced to 100+ hours of community service during which he must rid the area's households of Fashions By Ivana and More From the Joan Rivers Jewelry Collection.;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 847, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 24, 2000 (17:25)", "body": "LMAO...Oh Mari...Too Funny.....Welcome back...We needed you...."}, {"response": 848, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Jul 24, 2000 (18:14)", "body": "The info Karen mentioned is from LittleBird Films, a co-producer of BJD. Here is their web site: http://www.littlebird.ie/littleb.htm And Mari, did we miss you at all the various Firth places around here! Welcome back from the Joisey Shore!! (I'm off to Cape May tomorrow - in the pours of rain)"}, {"response": 849, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jul 24, 2000 (19:11)", "body": "Thanks, ladies. It's nice to be back in such pleasant company. Murph, we didn't do Joisey shore--this was our wild, wild west trip to Nevada & Californy. Had a super time. Enjoy Cape May--one of my fave Jersey towns. All those beautiful Victorian homes, great restaurants and quirky shops--you'll have a great time, rain or shine. Thaks for the Little Bird website link; it's interesting to note that Andrew Davies isn't listed there on the BJD screenplay credits. I wonder if it's just an oversight. Also noticed that they produced Croupier (nice article and pic on Clive Owen in EW from a couple of weeks ago, BTW)."}, {"response": 850, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 24, 2000 (19:23)", "body": "LOL! Of course, it had to be a cubic zirconia climax!! But if I see one smidgen of Joan Rivers or hear her voice, I reserve the right to pelt the screen with Victoria Principal's Principal Difference (or whatever it's called) or the beauty cream hawked by Ernest Borgnine's wife (she used him as a test case). (Mari) it's interesting to note that Andrew Davies isn't listed there on the BJD screenplay credits. I wonderif it's just an oversight. Probably because had major falling out with Richard Curtis, who kept insisting on keeping the line about \"taking love heroin.\" (top of my list for worst line in NH)"}, {"response": 851, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Jul 25, 2000 (00:28)", "body": "LMAO Mari! So glad you are back. (Eileen) Tsk...I was looking forward to the Tarts and Vicars party So was I! How will they humiliate her instead? (Evelyn) Oh , he is gonna go into the Mr. Darcy mode (Eileen) Was there ever any doubt? After all, CF's been sporting those sideburns *sigh* Do you think sideburns function like \"love-handles\"? You know, something to hang onto during, er, intense moments? I reserve the right to pelt the screen with Victoria Principal's Principal Difference ROTFLOL, this is too funny Karen!"}, {"response": 852, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Jul 25, 2000 (11:00)", "body": "Wot, no Albufeira? No Julio? I wonder how else they will change the story. Of course, while Albufeira means something to the English (many do come there for their holidays) it means nothing to the US public. Is this why? I feel frustrated, however, and aprehensive as well (it started with the fight, and now this) :-( Thanks for letting me know, anyway, Karen..."}, {"response": 853, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Jul 25, 2000 (12:23)", "body": "I've just come over from 127 to cool down only to find Sadie at it again with sideburns as love handles but I have to agree- you could use them like velcro so where to put the othersides;- 1 palm of hands-to keep a grip for a quick snog 2 in your cleavage if big enough(no good for me then) 3 for that extra special Colin Clamping your inner thighs... now for those people who call a handle a knob*crash*"}, {"response": 854, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Jul 25, 2000 (12:28)", "body": "Sorry for that temporary aberration but SADIE led me astray what I wanted to say was that Jerry Maguire is showing on C4 this Sunday and as I've not yet seen our Bridget in action this is a must see for me."}, {"response": 855, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jul 25, 2000 (15:15)", "body": "Definetly watch JM, Judy. Renee and Cuba are the best parts of the movie. As for the sideburns, Sadie, I don't think Darcy (definely not Fitzwilliam, doubt Mark, too) keeps them long enough to grab. Now Mr. Hurst, his sideburns were long... eeewwwwwww ..."}, {"response": 856, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (00:12)", "body": "Oh Judy, it's all Heide's fault, as I've explained on Some other board (I forget which). She got me going! Which is how hosting a board ought to go, eh? You see, it's that wonderful principle of the universe. What drool goes around, comes around! Aren't we beautiful beings *Mystical drool experience, not unlike the raptures experienced by St. Theresa after watching the Parish priest all day.* Sorry, evil demon has control of the keyboard. Blasphemy.... Velcro, I knew it was a brilliant invention. knob? *crash, thump* Ouch. (Eileen)As for the sideburns, Sadie, I don't think Darcy (definely not Fitzwilliam, doubt Mark, too) keeps them long enough to grab. Now Mr. Hurst, his sideburns were long...eeewwwwwww... eeewwwwwww is right! He's only one step up from Collins! But, you know, you have to give a girl credit for knowing what to do with short hairs.... Judy, we are going to get each other tossed out of DRool!"}, {"response": 857, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (10:16)", "body": "(Gi) Of course, while Albufeira means something to the English (many do come there for their holidays) it means nothing to the US public. Is this why? Oh Gi, I will be so disappointed if they do not include some shots of Portugal. Is main way I get to travel these days! It would be much better if they altered the story to have Bridget go to Portugal and discover MD's good deeds there. Could have very romantic scenes in manner of Shirley Valentine, but on the Atlantic (Albufeira is on the Atlantic, I hope?) and without any thoughts of \"where's me tea?\""}, {"response": 858, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (11:28)", "body": "(Sadie) It would be much better if they altered the story to have Bridget go to Portugal and discover MD's good deeds there. Well, I can do without RZ in Albufeira, but I would love to see Colin there ;-)"}, {"response": 859, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (11:56)", "body": "Yes, but if RZ is there, CF would be there filming all that much longer!"}, {"response": 860, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (13:05)", "body": "Sadie tossed out or OFF now don't get me started."}, {"response": 861, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (13:46)", "body": "(Gi) Well, I can do without RZ in Albufeira, but I would love to see Colin there ;-) I understand there are some great hotels. ;-) Speaking of filming longer, I wonder if they're done. July's almost over."}, {"response": 862, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (13:53)", "body": "I've been wondering the same thing Eileen,everything seems to be quiet on the filming front,HG has been playing golf in Scotland not that it means filming is over of course just thought I'd mention it."}, {"response": 863, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (14:26)", "body": "Anybody checked The Bucket's new On Location with BJD's layout lately? http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjdloc.html Very creative....boss.Like the film strip and camera... I can spot a theme gal when I see one;-)"}, {"response": 864, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (14:27)", "body": "HG is on the front cover of my fave(!) magazine, \"Hello\", at an Elton John bash, in the company of none other than his estranged housemate, Liz Hurley (wearing a tiara!). Huggie is tanned and still has long floppy hair, a la Daniel Cleaver. I would guess they've finished by now though...it's over 10 weeks since the beginning of the shoot. I'm not sure what we're going to see...the Richard Curtis \"version\" of BJD?... Loveable cute sexy Daniel versus the \"snooty\" Mark? The Portugal episode was the part of the story which allowed us to see MD as the chivalrous male (and the most obvious parallel with P&P). I remain deeply suspicious of the fact that Huggie decided to come on board after RC's 8 week major re-write of the screenplay!!!"}, {"response": 865, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (14:50)", "body": "My guess is that the most basic plot lines will remain unchanged--BJ misjudges Darcy who eventually proves himself a hero and they ultimately fall in love; DC is the potential spoiler. Otherwise, millions of BJD fans will be horribly disappointed and so would the box office. It's how they get there, though, that has me stumped. RC can be so formulaic. If HG utters a phrase that even remotely resembles 'whoopsie daisies', I'm outta there! Seriously, we know a few things--the DC character seems to figure more prominently in the story (though on this point we could have been easily misled by all the Hugh-focused publicity); there's a substantial fight between MD and DC; the actors playing the Tom, Jude and Shazzer characters weren't happy about their screen time, and...what else?"}, {"response": 866, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (14:59)", "body": "(Eileen)the actors playing the Tom,Jude and Shazzar characters weren't happy about their screen time-I'venot heard about that can you tell me more. I'm also worried about all the HG publicity and the RC re-write I think it's definitely going to be a HG vehicle."}, {"response": 867, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (16:21)", "body": "Oh no! Why? Why? What will be bloody point if is HG vehicle? Do these people not know what real red-blooded BJD fans want? Maybe DC is in more scenes but not for very many minutes each time? They could build up the dramatic tension with MD that way, and that would mean that HG has to be around more in filming. I am v. disappointed to hear that Tom, Jude and Shazzar screentime has been cut down. ARRGH, that RC is nothing but trouble. (The man, not the Church.)"}, {"response": 868, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (16:32)", "body": "(Bethan) I remain deeply suspicious of the fact that Huggie decided to come on board after RC's 8 week major re-write of the screenplay!!! Let's not go too nuts here... Nobody but nobody with half a brain would alter the fundamental story underlying the whole thing. If RC were fool enough to mess with the Darcy character, he'd be as vilified as Patricia Rozema was by the press and audiences. Hughie is merely a name that the international press can use to sell papers."}, {"response": 869, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (17:20)", "body": "Eileen -If HG utters a phrase that even remotely resembles 'whoopsie daisies', I'm outta there! That's something that has worried me ever since I first saw NH and I know I'm being pedantic here but I'm in that kind of mood. Who says Whoopsie Daisies? Not even 'little girls in ringlets' in my experience, 'Whoopsie Daisy' singular perhaps. Let's have a little realism RC. Signed Ms Angry-&-Frustrated-at-lack-of-BJD-News ;-D"}, {"response": 870, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (17:34)", "body": "The \"Whoopsie Daisies/little girls with blonde ringlets\" is No. 2 on my list of lame-o dialogue in NH. It follows the \"love heroin\" line and precedes, \"how far is it in yards?\""}, {"response": 871, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (17:57)", "body": "I purposely missed NH because HG is in it and after reading these snippets of dialogue I'm glad however whether this bodes well for BJD I'm not sure-only timewill tell.I only watched Four Weddings to see what all the fuss was about,It made for easy viewing but it is not a film I could watch time after time.I'm not particularly struck with HG for his acting or his looks and was quite disappointed when he was cast but maybe he will be better as a creep than a heart-throbObviously they've had trouble with the script with HF AD & then RC on board.It will be interesting to see how such a blatant womans book is adapted by a man.I suppose that's sexist and perhaps a little bit naive since RC is a very successful scriptwriter."}, {"response": 872, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (21:18)", "body": "(Sadie) RC is nothing but trouble. (The man, not the Church.) LOL, Sadie! (Karen) The \"Whoopsie Daisies/little girls with blonde ringlets\" is No. 2 on my list of lame-o dialogue in NH. It follows the \"love heroin\" line and precedes, \"how far is it in yards?\" Wait a minute, wait a minute, I've got one. Here we go: \"I'm just a girl. Standing in front of a boy. Asking him to love her.\" LAME! Still, I do think RC knows what he's doing. He's got a solid track record in making commerical hits, and we all want CF in a commercial hit, right? Daniel *does* have a much bigger part than MD in the book, so we shouldn't be surprised when we see lots of him in the film. And, face it, Hugh doesn't do thankless little supporting roles (and more power to him for having managed his career in such a way that he doesn't have to). They won't fool with the basic story structure, though, and MD will still be the hero. How that translates into a win for CF's career remains to be seen."}, {"response": 873, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (22:47)", "body": "Everyone has different tastes in movies, but I can somewhat tolerate the \"I'm just a girl et al.\" and the violin-playing goat thing. Judy, just to clarify, NH is a very enjoyable movie. I will fast forward through my make-me-gag lines and Emma Chambers, but will rewind that final press conference scene numerous times. Puts a huge smile on my face. There are loads of cute and clever lines that are difficult to explain out of context, like \"Down boy\" \"well...\" or anything Tim McInerney mumbles under his breath or the classic, \"if I employ a wet rag, would I have to pay it as much as you?\" or \"You never get anyone in Wings of the Dove saying 'inform the Pentagon we need Black Star cover.'\" I love the running gag about putting problems in the correct perspective and the commentary about celebrity and the role of the public/press. Nothing beats that scene of Hugh opening the blue door for sheer impact. Come on, who didn't laugh at \"those carrots, they've been murdered\"? or when Hugh utters the line about \"getting her quickly back on the street in a nonprostitute sense\" (quite the sense of humor)? There's even one shot of Hugh at the di ner table where he's all smiles that's simply irresistable (WHOA!! Incoming tomatoes!!) Do rent it. There are some bad lines, grant, but the movie overall is very enjoyable. Besides, how can any movie miss that has Bill Withers' Ain't No Sunshine? (she says, being a proud owner of the original LP)"}, {"response": 874, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (02:00)", "body": "I was just at the video store tonight, had my hand on NH, but couldn't do it! Was all unsettled. Then couldn't decide on anything! Got out The Advocate again instead. Then after I walked out of there, I thought, I really ought to stretch myself and give Hughy another chance. Like Judy, I missed NH purposely to avoid HG. But you're softening me up Karen. Now if you can tell me that he actually utters a complete sentence at least once, I may just see NH before the snow flies again (real snow, not movie snow) :-) (Tracy)Signed Ms Angry-&-Frustrated-at-lack-of-BJD-News LOL! And v. much how I'm feeling. Will the baby have all its toesies? Yes, will fundamentally be a baby, but will it be a beautiful baby? Cannot stand the waiting! How many months left of film's gestation?"}, {"response": 875, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (02:05)", "body": "(EileenG)I understand there are some great hotels. ;-) There certainly are ;-) (judy)HG has been playing golf in Scotland There are also some great golf courses near Albufeira, as Mark can tell you ;-) (Karen)NH is a very enjoyable movie Well... Julia Roberts is very good in it..."}, {"response": 876, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (02:06)", "body": "(Karen)If RC were fool enough to mess with the Darcy character, he'd be as vilified as Patricia Rozema was by the press and audiences. Sorry, I know this is slightly off topic, and I suppose this would put me in bad books at 'that other site', but I adore Patricia Rozema's films, including MP; I think she's bloody brilliant. (OOps, is one long run-on sentence --- but at least I finished it.)"}, {"response": 877, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (08:04)", "body": "(Karen) Besides, how can any movie miss that has Bill Withers' Ain't No Sunshine? Don't forget Elvis Costello's \"She\". I hope Trevor Jones does the soundtrack for BJD."}, {"response": 878, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (08:14)", "body": "From Film Unlimited today: The makers of the film of Bridget Jones' Diary held a mid-shoot party to erase any doubts about Texan Renee Zellweger's British accent. Ten minutes of the film were shown at the Zeta Club in Park Lane and greeted with cheers from the cast and crew. It is understood morale was low due to rumours that co-star Hugh Grant wanted to quit the film because he thought Renee would be implausible as the 30-something singleton."}, {"response": 879, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (12:08)", "body": "Hmmm, not sure what to make of the above report from, ahem, FU.;-) My inclination is to say it's mostly bull. Colin praised her accent, saying he couldn't tell the difference; would HG really be hearing something different? And HG walk out on his pal Richard Curtis? Oh, I don't think so. Some segments of the media seem to be gunning for this film, which is a shame. It remains to be seen whether the above is repeated ad nauseam in other publications (remember the HF brouhaha which was totally twisted and took on a life of its own with each repeat), and whether Working Title will be trotting out \"the guys\" again to diffuse."}, {"response": 880, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (12:42)", "body": "Thought the same. Rumors? Really? Haven't seen them even intimated elsewhere and no one else has picked up on this story yet. WT probably sent HG off golfing.... ;-) [HG] thought Renee would be implausible as the 30-something singleton. I still think HG is implausible as a leading man. :-p"}, {"response": 881, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (12:58)", "body": "(Karen) Let's not go too nuts here... Just a little harmless speculation to pass the time, that's all. (Mari) I'm just a girl...LAME Oh, yes. *barfing sounds ensue* Sorry, Karen, can't stomach that one. Best line in NH: \"I'm sure you all have di*ks the size of peanuts...\" (Mari) Still, I do think RC knows what he's doing. He's got a solid track record in making commerical hits Yes, formulaic commercial hits. He does have a talent for zippy one-liners, though. If he's made BJD as fresh and funny as 4W&AF (one of my faves), then I'll gladly take back every negative thing I've said about him. Judy, I can't recall precisely where I read about Jude, Shazzer and Tom's roles (either here or at Karen's Bucket). It was a small piece containing comments from the actors playing them. As for that bit from FU, I agree with Mari."}, {"response": 882, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (13:29)", "body": "(Eileen) as fresh and funny as 4W&AF (one of my faves) But how can you tolerate Andie McDowell? *barfing sound ensues from this end* ;-)"}, {"response": 883, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (13:59)", "body": "I'm glad you all seem to be taking it well just leave me to slip into hysteria *scream* HE thinks SHE is implausible (I agree with Karen on that matter) and half way through filming. He's a bigger creep than I thought.He's probably takenthe huff-obviously Colin's out-acted him & RZ told himthat CF is the better kisser!Yes am feeling better now, HG is having a silly tantrum."}, {"response": 884, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (14:15)", "body": "Don't scream, Judy, it probably isn't even true. Don't believe everything you read (typically cynical advice dispensed from this ex-New Yorker). Y'know, I liked 4W so much that Andie didn't bother me--same way you feel about that fiddlin' goat scene in NH, Karen ;-P"}, {"response": 885, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (15:26)", "body": "(Judy, the Bletchley graduate) He's probably taken the huff-obviously Colin's out-acted him & RZ told him that CF is the better kisser! This is could only be the correct translation."}, {"response": 886, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (16:08)", "body": "I thought there were reports in the early stages of BJD that quoted both Colin and Hugh saying Renee was going to be great and that her accent was fine. I feel sorry for the girl; she (or at least her voice) is going to be under the press microscope when the movie is released. My 2 cents on NH - one of my favourite parts was Spike deciding which T-shirt to wear to impress his lady friend."}, {"response": 887, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (22:03)", "body": "Well Eileen and Karen, I hope you are both recovered from your barfing incidents earlier today? If not, then just focus on MD wearing a towel --- you know, a sort of guided meditation on the road to health. (Karen)I still think HG is implausible as a leading man. O.k., I did try a guided meditation on this, but it didn't work! Kept seeing certain scenes from The Advocate instead, which I watched early this morning! As others have said, I'm sure the HG desire to quit the film is only a rumour...Unless of course he's been reading this board regularly and is beginning to realize how little we all hope he appears in the film! :-)"}, {"response": 888, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (02:14)", "body": "I say: Let HG leave the film, re-shoot his scenes with a new actor (who was that one-take extra?), and search out the team spirit. But would he really threaten to leave the film after weeks of shooting?"}, {"response": 889, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (02:31)", "body": "Ah ha Mark maybe you've already replaced him-you've been quite for a while now.I think you're just trying to break it to us gently."}, {"response": 890, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (17:51)", "body": "Its very quiet tonight has everybody re-lurked? I'm still doing my bit to promote BJD-my dad's now reading it!"}, {"response": 891, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (18:13)", "body": "I've been doing a bit of quiet promoting of my own i.e. getting all friends to read it so that I'll have someone to go and critique the film with when it eventually comes out. Maybe will avoid embarrassment of going to see RV on my own and only another 5 strangers in the place!"}, {"response": 892, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (18:14)", "body": "Did we ever discover who Honor Blackman is playing BTW?"}, {"response": 893, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (18:34)", "body": "I think you're v.brave going by yourself but at least you saw it.By the time my hubby was going to take meit wasn't showing.I can't see me going to see BJD with my dad tho' so if hubby doesn't take me I'm definitely going on my lonesome. I'm quite surprised at how many people haven't either read it or haven't even heard of it,Where have they been?"}, {"response": 894, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (18:53)", "body": "(Sadie) As others have said, I'm sure the HG desire to quit the film is only a rumour...Unless of course he's been reading this board regularly and is beginning to realize how little we all hope he appears in the film! :-) Speak for yourself! :-)"}, {"response": 895, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (04:25)", "body": "I could never drool about HG, but think he is very good in that comedy stuff he does, and as far as I know also in talk shows. I saw him in a talkshow on German tv and really liked him, was even impressed. [tomatoe: *splash*] He was funny, relaxed and absolutedly in charge. - I believe he's too much of a professional [*splash* *splash*] to only consider to walk out of a film, and I would rather believe that the reported comment on RZ was a misinterpreted joke. As we all now, tongue-in-cheek doesn't translate well out of context. Also have to give my 2c re Notting Hill: the script was very thin and implausible re Anna's part, but when I just took it as a fairy tale I enjoyed it a lot. The actors were better than the script, and 50% of the fun for me was that London equivalent of the village pervert played by Rhys Ifans. Note to self: wonder who else auditioned for that part? ......erm, just realize this is not the HG board, what was I going to say? Oh, yes. Just face it: ODB is rather shy, and is not a natural on the talkshow circuit, and will never be, so it is great for BJD that there's HG on board, and I guess RZ will be good at promotion, too. Another HG film, and where's ODB? Never mind - those who have eyes will see...... PS: what's the exact meaning of \"waffle\"? It's not in my dictionary."}, {"response": 896, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (07:59)", "body": "(Renate) 50% of the fun for me was that London equivalent of the village pervert played by Rhys Ifans. Ah, then, you'll want to see an upcoming movie with Keanu and RI called The Replacements. Saw the trailer the other day and RI was dancing around and appearing to do something rather intimate with a flagpole. Looks like same character, but hair was shorter. ;-)"}, {"response": 897, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (09:22)", "body": "Well I'll be seeing NH next week its on pay per view so I'll splash out \ufffd2.95 just for the pleasure, yuk HG Renate by waffle I mean long-winded, using more words than necessary."}, {"response": 898, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (11:54)", "body": "(Sadie) Albufeira is on the Atlantic, I hope? Yes, my atlas indicates Portugal as having only an Atlantic Coastline; being blocked from the Mediterranean as it is by Spain. (Sadie) Oh no! Why? Why? What will be bloody point if is HG vehicle? Do these people not know what real red-blooded BJD fans want? They don't care, as this movie is not being made for BJD fans. It is being made to appeal to the same audience which enjoyed \"Four Weddings and a Funeral\" and \"Notting Hill\". Do you think that people who make mainstream movies, or sometimes just movies, care about books. A case in point is Patricia Rozema's \"Mansfield Park\". Phooey. I thought it blew chunks. That is much less eloquently phrased than the Janeites would put it. However, that is very much their position, on which I wholeheartedly agree. My point is the makers of MP didn't care about people who love Jane Austen's novels -- so why should the makers of BJD even remotely care about the readers of that book. (Mari) Wait a minute, wait a minute, I've got one. Here we go: \"I'm just a girl. Standing in front of a boy. Asking him to love her.\" LAME! On paper yes, but Julia Roberts can sell it, and does. I'm no fan of hers, in fact, I call her the Dread Julia Roberts. She just rubs me the wrong way, but to be fair, she isn't a bad actress. Yes, there are many better actressess, and Roberts is never better than her material. What she has in abundance is star quality. It is old fashioned star quality, at that, like the movie stars of the 1940's. No other film actor, star or non-star, of her generation has that old time crowd appeal."}, {"response": 899, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (13:18)", "body": "(Karen)(Renate) 50% of the fun for me was that London equivalent of the village pervert played by Rhys Ifans. Ah, then, you'll want to see an upcoming movie with Keanu and RI called The Replacements. Yes, The Replacements looks like great fun. Another trailer shows Rhys doing something in the football locker room, looks like pulling at his nipples, but I might have misinterpreted it. :-) Did anyone see Dancing at Lughnasa? Rhys played the heartthrob Gerry Evans in that movie, very appealing, so it took a while for me to believe that it was the same actor in NH. (FYI, Stephen Dillane originated the hearthrob role on the London stage.) So I guess he is capitalizing on his geeky NH role. (Cheryl)Roberts is never better than her material. Agree. I have nothing against Julia, I just don't happen to like most of the movies she's in. And while we're on the BJD topic... Was JE ever discussed or under consideration for the BJ role?"}, {"response": 900, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (13:36)", "body": "Renate, they'll have to save some tomatoes for me too, because I agree with everything you wrote.:-) Hugh *is* good at comedy, and he *is* a wonderful talk show guest; he is on U.S. shows regularly whenever he has a film to promote, and the audiences love him. Comes off as appealing and always ready with amusing anecdotes. (Renate) Just face it: ODB is rather shy, and is not a natural on the talkshow circuit, and will never be, so it is great for BJD that there's HG on board, and I guess RZ will be good at promotion, too. Yes, this is not CF's \"thing\" (though I dearly wish it would become so). RZ--to tell you the truth, I can't ever recall her being on a talk show here, though she has done the type of brief, entertainment show \"sound bites\" that CF has done here. I think she is much more like ODB than Hugh--sort of shy and unassuming, not glib or quick with a snappy one-liner. She will probably (reluctantly) do the talk shows for BJD, though, since it is her film. They do need Hugh to help sell this, and he will come through. Cheryl, I agree with you re: Julia Roberts and star quality. NH is not, IMO, a great film, but with her in it, it works, even the lamest of lines. At the risk of being cliche, she literally lights up the screen whenever she is on. That's why audiences the world over flock to her films, why those films make tons of money, and why they pay her the big bucks. She's worth every penny of it."}, {"response": 901, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (14:11)", "body": "(Donna) Was JE ever discussed or under consideration for the BJ role? Someone asked HF that at a booksigning and she said: \"Yes, she was considered. But decided she was not suitable for the role\". Read: she doesn't have star-wattage. And I agree, it needed a bankable star.Though I think RZ resembles JE in looks. Same age,blonde, little round- baby-face,curvy ..."}, {"response": 902, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (18:37)", "body": "(Judy)I'm quite surprised at how many people haven't either read it or haven't even heard of it,Where have they been? I'm surprised too. Whenever I've mentioned the upcoming movie, most people have not heard of the book. But this is N.A. (KJArt)Speak for yourself! :-) I stand corrected. A certain number of us who have been posting lately have expressed concern over HG getting more film time than CF. But you're right, even in jest I should speak only for myself. :-) And on that note... (Cheryl)Yes, my atlas indicates Portugal as having only an Atlantic Coastline; being blocked from the Mediterranean as it is by Spain. Ouch! I was actually refering to the possibility of its being on the coast as opposed to inland . Couldn't remember from BJD, and a map lists more than one place in Portugal as beginning with 'Albufeira' as part of its name. But I assumed the stand-alone Albufeira was meant, and now you have confirmed it."}, {"response": 903, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (18:39)", "body": "(Cheryl) A case in point is Patricia Rozema's \"Mansfield Park\". Phooey. I thought it blew chunks. That is much less eloquently phrased than the Janeites would put it. However, that is very much their position, on which I wholeheartedly agree. My point is the makers of MP didn't care about people who love Jane Austen's novels. I disagree with you about this. The first time I watched it, I felt upset, as I lean towards a purist position on Austen's works. But I thought it was worth examining my upset, so I went to see MP for a second time, and took extensive notes (for a review I never got around to writing). In comparing the novel with the adaptation, I found that Rozema had still maintained Fanny as the moral center of the story, and I thought Rozema's shift from adultery to slavery as the main ethical issue to be highly acceptable. I also find her premise intriguing: that wealth built on injustice will tear apart the moral fabric of a family. And I liked her contrast between characters capable of redemption and characters who are not. Oh Christ, I'm having flashbacks of school debates. But, as I said in a previous message, I admire Rozema's filmmaking."}, {"response": 904, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (18:58)", "body": "I attended the premiere of MP at the Odeon last November. Part of the British FF offerings...Patricia Rozema was there (as was Harvey).The audience laughed as the credits rolled to the tune of some African composition and when she came on the stage she was booed. To which she declared :\"This was Patricia Rozema's MP NOT JA's.\" More boos....louder this time."}, {"response": 905, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (02:20)", "body": "Oh well, one good boo session and you know you're doing something right as an artist. Made myself watch NH tonight. Had no choice, as P&P2 was rented, and it was four minutes to closing time. (Still have not seen those extra minutes!!) Have to give HG more credit than I thought I would; he did finish an entire sentence, and more than once! He said \"umm\" a lot though. Still, I enjoyed NH. It did have funny one-liners. I would have liked the HG character to be a little less wimpy, but perhaps there really are people that good, kind, gentle, and forgiving? (Nobody I know.) But I thought the film had some moments that lifted it above run-of-the-mill fluff. But I still want MD screen-time, and hope that DC role has not been expanded at expense of MD. Yes I know, I know, MD is not in the book that much. But he's still the romantic interest. *Arggh* Is there nothing I could take for my present relief?! When? When will this speculating be confirmed or denied?"}, {"response": 906, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (04:35)", "body": "(Sadie) even in jest I should speak only for myself :-) that's okay you can speak for me on this one. BTW whats N.A. I've searched my brains only to find I've lent them out. Evelyn I was interested to hear about the boos.As a JA fan I was put off seeing MP but I really should be more open minded about seeing her work in all its forms so I'll put it on my must see list which is getting longer everytime I drool. Talking of my must see list my diary for this week is JM tonight & NH in the week.So I'll be able to give better views on RZ & HG, well RZ anyway (only speaking for myself of course & perhaps Sadie) Because I've never seen RZ's work before I've not been able to give my opinion as to her suitability as BJ.The 'problem'of her being an American in an Englishrole has never bothered me.I'm ashamed of the Eng press(not a new emotion) in stirring it up,I think she'sgot a difficult enough job being BJ without the press constantly harping on about her accent,the more self conscious you are,the less self confident you become & the more mistakes you make. (Sadie)Is there nothing I could take for my present relief?-A glass of wine;-shall I get you one?-You are very ill.' No I refuse to believe that MD is given little screen time-how could they he is the hero after all!"}, {"response": 907, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (19:25)", "body": "Another mystery solved. Honor B. as . . .Jenny? From the Sunday London Times; thanks to Francoise for spotting. ******** A singleton before her time, Honor Blackman, 73 going on 30, is perfect for the new Bridget Jones film, finds Jackie Rowley The point of Honor before Bridget At 73, most of us are ready to slow down, to step out of the spotlight, to sidle away. Not Honor Blackman. This month she spent seven days filming a guest spot in Bridget Jones's Diary; she tours with her one-woman show (Dishonorable Ladies); there's a forthcoming Anouilh play; a television series and so on - into the future. It's 36 years since she drawled \"my name is Pussy Galore\" and a husky, Hollywood icon was born. Today she still tops the Bond girl polls. But contemplating that as she sits on her cream sofa in her elegant, sunny top-floor London flat, she frowns. \"Actually, I hate to be referred to as a 'Bond girl'.\" She rolls that word \"Bond\" around, drawing it out. \"What does it mean? I wasn't a bimbo. It was a very good character. She didn't fall flat on her back when she clapped eyes on him . . . she turned out to be quite a moral person.\" That devastating voice invites no argument, although despite the glamorous aura Honor Blackman is not intimidating. She's good fun - bubbling underneath our conversation is a wry and ironic wit. Anyway, she's done all right out of Pussy Galore. It was the part, together with the equally lethal Cathy Gale in The Avengers, which made her. In their day, each character caused a stir. She smiles now, remembering promotional tours as the outrageously named Pussy in America: \"There were quite a few interviewers who just wouldn't say it at all.\" But at this year's Bafta awards, where she collected a gong for The Avengers, Honor Blackman made a point of mentioning how delighted she was that she had been the first actress to portray such women in a \"strong-willed and positive\" fashion. The Avengers burst on post-war Britain when women knew their place in entertainment. They were either wives or temptresses. But Cathy Gale was neither - or both. She was \"intellectually equal to John Steed and sometimes a little ahead\" and she did judo and wore black leather. Born on August 22, 1926, Honor Blackman was brought up in Chiswick, west London. It was tough emotionally and physically. \"I suppose my parents did love each other but my father was so difficult. He was a disciplinarian and ferocious. My poor mother wasn't a fighter, so she was knocked flat - and I think that's part of what's made me.\" It was her father who taught her selfdefence - she learnt to box aged five. Very close to her short, dreamy, older brother, she got into fights on his behalf. \"There were two occasions when I knocked boys out. Other kids understood that you don't mess with Ken Blackman because he's got a sister!\" She began acting at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in the 1940s. \"Everyone thinks I was in the Rank Charm School for starlets. I wasn't. I'd done my training.\" She likes to \"keep her hand in\" with movies. She plays Penny, a family friend, in Bridget Jones's Diary. So how was it? Too canny to criticise fellow actors, she is effusive about Ren\ufffde Zellweger, who is playing Bridget. \"She's terrific. Her English accent is very good and she's a lovely person - totally unspoilt. She embarrassed the hell out of me by saying that she must have my autograph for her boyfriend - you know her boyfriend, [pause], Jim Carrey?\" With her own rather chequered history, she enters into the spirit of Bridget Jones. Two marriages - one at 20 and a second in her thirties to the actor Maurice Kaufman - both ended in divorce. \"Bridget is great - but if women spend their time worrying about what she's worrying about, it's a nightmare. That's no fun, drinking so much and being sick in the lavatory.\" The whole problem for Bridget is men. Honor Blackman has scarcely had the same difficulties - \"I was proposed to so often\". But, she, too has struggled with lasting relationships. She worries about how women approach men and sex today. \"They don't get proposed to, they just go to bed. It's an entirely different world. The trouble is that women have this enormous freedom to sleep with whoever they wish and yet they are still tainted with this 'some day my prince will come on a white charger'.\" Would she marry again? \"I haven't made a success of marriage. My prince didn't really come, did he? I like the freedom and independence of being alone. I know an awful lot of people don't like it, but it's my passion to live alone.\" Not very Bridget Jones. Yet this is a woman who was often ahead of her time and is thoroughly in tune with today's career girls. Her single status, work focus, relationships damaged by career, success and her money, plus the independence - all make her 73 going on thirtysomething. She's cheerfully confiding about having lovers although - unlike Bridget - she keeps the juicy details discreetly quiet, and she is quite matter of fa"}, {"response": 908, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (22:27)", "body": "Thanks, Mari, for posting. So she's Penny Husbands-Bosworth, the one Bridget's father brings to the Tarts and Vicars party, who was also not informed about the cancellation in theme."}, {"response": 909, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (00:41)", "body": "(Judy)BTW whats N.A. I've searched my brains only to find I've lent them out. I'm using too many abbreviations lately. I meant North America. (Judy)Talking of my must see list my diary for this week is JM tonight & NH in the week.So I'll be able to give better views on RZ & HG, well RZ anyway (only speaking for myself of course & perhaps Sadie) I too am finding myself with longer lists, just to keep up! By now you've seen JM, what did you think? I believe I will actually fork out $$ to see the new Jim Carrey movie co-starring RZ. Thanks for that article, Mari. Honor Blackman sounds like a pretty cool 73-year old. And Yea! it means the Tarts & Vicars party must be in the script!"}, {"response": 910, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (13:15)", "body": "North America it would have to be something simple she says feeling foolish. Yes I've seen JM now.Well if I hadn't wanted to see RZ I would never have lasted I found it long and slow (mmm like the sound of that)I won't say too much about the film because I'll get kicked over to movies! I enjoyed RZ's performance but I would have liked to see more of her.I especially liked her interaction withher sister & I can see that translating to her relationship with the girls in BJD. She is pretty,but not too pretty and I can see her as a 'normal,everyday' woman who doesn't always look her best.I'm not sure she needs to put too much weight on,she is thin but at times looked quite muscular and she has a rather plump looking face anyway(this is rich coming from me).I've never had anybody fixed in my mind as an ideal BJ so it is easier for me to imagine her in the role than for somebody who already had someone in mind. Now to more seriarse matters the TARTS and vicars party-I think I've missed an opportunity here as an extra,anyone else-eh Sadie?.. ducking & diving :-D"}, {"response": 911, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (13:29)", "body": "(Judy)Well if I hadn't wanted to see RZ I would never have lasted I found it long and slow (mmm like the sound of that) LOL! I can believe it! Now to more seriarse matters the TARTS and vicars party-I think I've missed an opportunity here as an extra,anyone else-eh Sadie?.. ducking & diving :-D No need to duck. I've always had a strong interest in theology. she is thin but at times looked quite muscular and she has a rather plump looking face anyway(this is rich coming from me). I really find her face endearing. I think she has the right sweetness for BJ. Other than that, like you, I haven't a strong picture in my mind. Another film to add to your list: One True Thing . I think RZ was excellent in this. Have others seen it? I'm sure it's already been discussed here, so sorry if I'm simply being boringly repetitious."}, {"response": 912, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (13:36)", "body": "(Sadie)I really find her face endearing.me too I loved all the different expressions and the way her emotions showed but I don't want her to look too fat. One True Thing yes I've added it to my list and I do want to see more of her work I found it fascinating watching her & trying to see her as BJ,not my usual way of watching a film."}, {"response": 913, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (13:52)", "body": "I agree. Normally only good-looking men get that much concentration from me."}, {"response": 914, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (14:02)", "body": "Know what you mean I don't know why I bother about RZ or HG when I won't be able to take my eyes off CFthe only problem being I won't know what's going on inthe rest of the film especially if they've altered the book that much.I'll just have to watch it again & again & again."}, {"response": 915, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (14:11)", "body": "Oh, what a trial that would be. Imagine, when DVDs become available over the net (legally), we'll be able to edit our copies of different films into one long Firth Frenzy."}, {"response": 916, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (14:12)", "body": "And my point was, we won't need to bother with silly inconsequential things like plots. But my concentration was elsewhere..."}, {"response": 917, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (14:57)", "body": "Yes I've tried to do that with videos,Colin at the Baftas,arriving at Premieres,Lifeline etc.but sometimesI've had to tape so quick they're all on different tapes.Waiting for the BJD premiere to tape(next morning of course)I really think I should try & make it to that one in person though oh what a thought- better be nice to hubby for a while."}, {"response": 918, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (19:21)", "body": "Sadie, sorry about the misuderstanding concerning the coastline of Portugal. As William Burroughs noted, \"Language is a virus.\" I took your phrasing of \"the Atlantic Coast\" to infer that Portugal had more than one coast. My mistake, I shall give myself a virtual kick now. If Rozema chose to make a statement on the subject of slavery through the metier of deconstructing Jane Austen's work; she would have been better served by writing an original work, suggested by Austen. She also most emphatically should not have called it \"Mansfield Park\". I am now going to return to the cheap seats and boo Rozema with the Janeites, but I tend to be cranky."}, {"response": 919, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (21:00)", "body": "Judy, I'd echo Sadie's recommendation to put One True Thing at the top of your \"must rent\" list. It's a wonderful story, so well written and acted, and will give you an even better sense of RZ's range than JM. She more than holds her own with Streep and Hurt (though they too are v. good); it's really RZ's film. Karen, thanks for the reminder of who Jenny is--couldn't place it when I posted the HB article. So glad that Tarts & Vicars made it into the script!"}, {"response": 920, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (22:35)", "body": "From a profile of Julian Barnes in the Guardian: Literature's Mister Cool by Nicholas Wroe Saturday July 29, 2000 There is a scene in Bridget Jones's Diary when Bridget unexpectedly finds herself standing in front of Julian Barnes at a literary party. Ms Jones, paralysed by Barnes's intimidating reputation for cool intelligence and languid wit, is struck dumb. The agonising silence is eventually broken when, to her own horror, she blurts out, \"Do you know where the toilets are?\" The resulting \"faint smile that hovered over his thin-but-attractive lips\" ensured her humiliation was made complete. The scene has been included in the film version of the diary which is currently in production in London. Although lots of real writers were gathered together by the producers to act as up-market extras, it was thought Barnes wasn't quite recognisable enough to a cinema-going audience to justify Bridget's level of mortification. So while Barnes stands around holding a glass of warm white wine and muttering \"rhubarb\", Salman Rushdie was parachuted in to precipitate the social catastrophe. When Barnes tells this story, he goes through the motions of huffing and puffing at the lack of respect shown to him and the cavalier attitude to the text adopted by superficial film-makers. But far from complaining that he is not famous enough, in reality one senses that Barnes feels he has more than enough fame, meaning in this case celebrity, already. He might be adamant that he is not an autobiographical writer, but when the narrator of his novel Flaubert's Parrot at one point asks, \"Why does the writing make us chase the writer? Why aren't the books enough?\" there is little doubt that he speaks for Barnes. ********* You can read the rest if you want here: http://www.guardianunlimited.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4045327,00.html"}, {"response": 921, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (13:02)", "body": "This woman looks way too good for her age!! (IMO the medical profession has intervened)"}, {"response": 922, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (13:03)", "body": "Harumpf! Why didn't it show up? Oh well, this is Honor Blackman:"}, {"response": 923, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (13:51)", "body": "(Cheryl)Sadie, sorry about the misuderstanding concerning the coastline of Portugal. Thanks. 'Nuff said. :-) I am now going to return to the cheap seats and boo Rozema with the Janeites, but I tend to be cranky. Fair enough. You boo, I'll cheer. How boring it would be if we all made the same sound! Ms Jones, paralysed by Barnes's intimidating reputation for cool intelligence and languid wit, is struck dumb. The agonising silence is eventually broken when, to her own horror, she blurts out, \"Do you know where the toilets are?\" LMAO, thanks for including this Karen, it's one of my fave Bridget moments. I'm glad to hear this scene is included in the film. Should be fun to see Rushdie too, and Barnes sounds like quite a character in his own right."}, {"response": 924, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (14:37)", "body": "(Karen) (IMO the medical profession has intervened) She does look good (after all, she could look like Joan Rivers--have you seen her lately? I swear her ears have moved to the back of her head). Don't remember too much about Penny Husbands-Bosworth. Will have to refresh my memory, now that I have my books back :-)"}, {"response": 925, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (14:51)", "body": "Eileen, I was actually about to say that she *does* look like Joan Rivers. Are we sure HB isn't selling costume jewelry on QVC?;-)"}, {"response": 926, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (15:04)", "body": "LOL! You ladies are bad, although Joan Rivers must be a case study in Plastics 101 for what NOT to do (in Glamour parlance: a Fashion Don't). Sheesh! Her eyes are at a 45 degree angle from her nose these days! Now that other shot of HB was a fashion thingie. Here she is at the television Baftas a few months ago, when all the Avenger women were honored:"}, {"response": 927, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (15:15)", "body": "Gulp. She does look like Joan Rivers. Or rather, Joan Rivers looks like her! Just think of how many operations it took JR to begin to approach this woman's beauty. But I still think HB has got \"good bones\" to her face, whereas JR has got good placement of silicone. What angle would you place HB's eyes at. I'm guessing one face-lift?"}, {"response": 928, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (15:38)", "body": "It doesn't matter how many facelifts she's had she still looks better than me!(that tribute at the baftas was embarrassing & wasn't JL's name put forward to play opposite CF in something or other?) Eileen glad to hear you've got your books back,mine are still doing the rounds & its frustrating when you want to re-check scenes when you get new info on the cast. Karen liked the Honored missed it first time round:-)"}, {"response": 929, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (16:14)", "body": "It doesn't matter how many facelifts she's had she still looks better than me! LOL! You and me both. I really don't think she's had that many though, unlike Joan Rivers. I didn't see the tribute, so please tell more, and whose JL?"}, {"response": 930, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (16:26)", "body": "The tribute was to the different women playing opposite 'John Steed' I just found them too gushing in praise of each other.JL=Joanna Lumley-she played Purdy in the Avengers.In the past few years she's become more famous for Patsy in a Brit sit-com called Absolutely Fabulous(which I've got on Tv at the moment strangely enough) In an article In TV Times mag she was mentioned for a role in Flashman"}, {"response": 931, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (16:28)", "body": "BTW the reason I mentioned her is because she's the one in the pic with HB"}, {"response": 932, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (16:40)", "body": "Yes, now that you've told me, I can see that it's Joanna Lumley. As I have only seen her a few times, I keep getting her confused with Saunders of French & Saunders (I clearly do not have a good memory for faces). I suppose at the Tribute they didn't want to sound the least bit critical of each other as the press would have picked it up and run wild with it? But I hate gushing moments all the same! (Well, gushing over CF is fine, as long as it's accompanied by some honest drooling.)"}, {"response": 933, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (08:31)", "body": "I don't watch QVC but Joan was making the talk show rounds last week to defend herself in her latest scandal (suspended from her NY radio show for saying the s-word). Not only is her face *ahem* taught (as is HB's) but her eyebrows are fixed in an arch, giving her face a permanent surprised look. Her eyes probably don't close when she sleeps. She's on my list of cosmetic surgery disasters along with Michael Jackson (have you heard his theme song? \"If I Only Had a Nose\"), Cher, Dolly Parton, Melanie Griffith, that society dame known as 'the lioness' (Jocelyn Wildenstein??? something like that)...I could go on and on... Getting back to the topic at hand ;-), the character of PH-B was kind of primpy, wasn't she?"}, {"response": 934, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (08:42)", "body": "(Eileen) the character of PH-B was kind of primpy, wasn't she? Wots primpy? Have skimmed through and found only two refs to PH-B. First, she's the \"asbestos widow.\" Her husband died of leukemia. Her appearance on television to discuss asbetos sparks the who can program their VCR bit. The only time she ever appears is at the T&V party and is wearing bunny ears, a bustier, etc. I'm guessing they've made more changes here."}, {"response": 935, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (11:15)", "body": "From memory, PH-B is also mentioned in passing occasionally by Bridget's mum, mainly in a keeping-up-with-the-Joneses (no pun intended) way in the first book, and then in a possible-affair-with-your-father way in the second book. I don't think the film we see will be much like the book in terms of narrative at all, frankly. I hope that the re-write gives us effectively a third book to enjoy (although with the P&P theme retained) by being very different, but I worry that the spirit may be lost - especially if HG gets a happy ending (or just endless screen time - at the expense of CF - as I am beginning to suspect)."}, {"response": 936, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (11:39)", "body": "(Mark)I don't think the film we see will be much like the book in terms of narrative at all, frankly. That's my concern...it's Bridget's thoughts and perspectives that are hilarious:her diary. Not the story & antics....which could get a little 'Jim Carreyish'... Unless they do a lot of voice-overs... But I have great faith in Richard Curtis...aft viewing NH several times...I still find hidden humorous lines."}, {"response": 937, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (12:40)", "body": "(Mark)especially if HG gets a happy ending...I'll thank you not to use such language:-) I nearly fell off my chair when I read that & had to re-read your post a few times to make sure I hadn't read it wrong. What on earth put such dreadful thoughts in your mindyou've voiced the ultimate nightmare scenario for me! I'm supposed to be watching NH tonight for research purposes but I don't think I'll be able to watch it objectively now!Oh Mark what have you done to me I think I better go & hit the bottle:-D"}, {"response": 938, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (14:42)", "body": "Yoohoo, Markie...they're back!! Filming location for August 7th: \"As a resident of a London flat on the below-named street of Shad Thames, a notice was slipped under my door (as well as the doors of everyone else in the building, and probably other nearby buildings as well) which was a Notice of Intended Filming from BJD Productions Limited, and signed Adam Richards, Location Manger (for and on behalf of Working Title Films). This is not the first notice I'd received, as there was a simliar one in May, but it didn't affect me and I soon forgot it. From this latest notice, I will quote the relevant paragraph here: 'As you may well be aware, back in May, we filmes a couple of scenes for this film in The Cantina Restaurant and also in Shad Thames. Unfortunately, after we had finished filming and as the film was being developed, the film tock was ruined and so, we would like to come back to film the scenes again on Monday 7th August 2000. As before, we would start by filming in The Cantina Restaurant between approcimately 5.00pm and 10.00pm and then move outside into Shad Thames and finished at about 3.00am in the morning. The exterior scene involves Bridget getting into a taxi after having a meal at The Cantina, with Daniel, her boss. The taxi then moves off up the street and then has to stop to let some people cross the road. As the taxi stops, Daniel, played by Hugh Grant, then takes this opportunity to get into the taxi with Bridget where a conversation between the two of them ensues.' \"Following this paragraph is an explanation of the lighting that will be used and that people whose windows face into the street may request black material to cover their windows, and a promise to keep the noise levels down. \"So, that's it. Not much of a scoop- some film stock lost, some reshooting, and the whereabouts of Hugh Grant at the referenced time and date - but I thought I'd pass it along.\""}, {"response": 939, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (15:03)", "body": "Hey Super Sleuth...what a scoop!! So they're still at it.. Now where is Shad Thames street? I guess none of ODB's film stock was lost.I bet he flew the coop to Italy."}, {"response": 940, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (15:10)", "body": "Mark! Isn't that the scene you were in? The thought of all your hard work having fallen into some Kodak dustbin has me rather upset!;-) Neat scoop, Scoop.;-) Makes sense that they'd do re-shoots now. RZ's next film, Nurse Betty, will be showing at the Edinburgh Film Festival (I think next week), so I'd imagine she'd been planning to be back in the UK anyway."}, {"response": 941, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (15:18)", "body": "(Mark) I hope that the re-write gives us effectively a third book to enjoy Now there's a positive way to look at it. (Evelyn) Unless they do a lot of voice-overs... They probably will, with occasional shots of BJ writing. (Evelyn) I bet he flew the coop to Italy. Yup, I have that feeling too. Unless they're waaaay behind schedule and shooting hasn't finished, though it sounds like it has ('cept for some ruined film stock here and there). Thanks for the news, Karen."}, {"response": 942, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (15:22)", "body": "Yes, that's the same location...by the London Borough Market. Is that the same scene where our Roving Reporter-cum-Actor-on-the-Brink-of-Stardom played such an integral role? Remember to wear the same outfit and walk up to 2nd Asst Director (who is in charge of extras) and say, casually, \"I know where to go from last time...\" ;-)"}, {"response": 943, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (16:39)", "body": "Karen your detective work is impressive and very much appreciated.Can we take it that this is the end of filming? (Evelyn) I bet he flew the coop to Italy.I hope he has because the sooner his hols are over the sooner he can start Armadillo,talking of which did I see it on the back of a mag HG was holding in NH? Another thought on the ruined film I think its more likely HG's acting ruined it than any other reason. sorry to HG fans out there."}, {"response": 944, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (17:18)", "body": "ruined film stock hmmm, perhaps, is of Jane nodding head in slo-mo to beat of music. v. charming. Should keep it in movie for future trivia experts. ;-) (Judy) Can we take it that this is the end of filming? I know nothing more than what's written, but given when they started, should be about done. (Judy) did I see it on the back of a mag HG was holding in NH? A mag? He is reading Captain Correlli's Mandolin in the final scene. Up on the roof, he's reading a mag, something like \"Booksellers\" I think. Will freeze frame and squint at TV screen later. ;-)"}, {"response": 945, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (17:36)", "body": "Karen it was the scene with Booksellers and underneath it looked like the figure with cardboard box over his head."}, {"response": 946, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (18:27)", "body": "(Eileen) Joan (Rivers)...Shes on my list of cosmetic surgery disasters along with Michael Jackson (have you heard his theme song? \"If I Only Had a Nose\"), Cher, Dolly Parton, Melanie Griffith, that society dame known as 'the lioness' (Jocelyn Wildenstein??? something like that)...I could go on and on... I think that Pamela Anderson Lee, or whatever she's calling herself this week, is deserving of being on the list of Plastic Surgery Disaters, as well. She looks like a walking cartoon. (Apologies to Jessica Rabbit in \"Who Framed Roger Rabbit\".) My Mom says that back in the sixties there was this famous picture of Honor Blackman and a teenage Prince Charles with the caption of \"Pussy and the Prince\". Apparently, \"Pussy\" was the name of her character in the movie \"Goldfinger\", which out about the time the photo was taken."}, {"response": 947, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (19:04)", "body": "(Eileen and Cheryl) cosmetic surgery disasters Burt Reynolds joined that club too. I can't even look at him now."}, {"response": 948, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (21:59)", "body": "I have to second Judy's remark, Karen. Impressive detective work. Mark G, so nice to hear from you again. Have you been away starring in more roles, haunting the margins, launching your writing career, or breaking legs? :-) Have missed a \"Man about the House\"! I fear your fears about script are true, but they would not really dare force happy ending with HG, surely. I like your way of looking at it as more Bridget chronicles. Let's hope your faith in Richard Curtis is deserved, Evelyn. Will hold breath until film release. (o.k., so clearly I can't do that, but will not eat chocolate until film release, a sort of sacrifice to the Gods of film.) BTW there is no Michael Jackson, only Janet Jackson and Janet Jackson in drag."}, {"response": 949, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (22:53)", "body": "From the Sunday Express (yes, a tabloid): HAD PEANUT BUTTER SARNIES AND PIZZA. NOW CAN BE BRIDGET Renee Zellweger is counting calories. Like Bridget Jones, the fictional thirtysomething who is on a permanent quest for self-improvement, Rene conscientiously notes her calorific intake. The difference is, the unfeasibly small actress is trying to gain weight - wolfing down large quantities of peanut butter sandwiches and pizza, heresy for an actress who has spent the past seven years in diet-obsessed California. \"I'm really trying. Mark [her burly driver-minder] brings me sandwiches, McDonald's breakfasts and multi-vit, multi-fat, protein bodybuilder shakes. I've put on more than 15lb and I'm very proud. I'm down to three pairs of sweatpants and four T-shirts that still fit. Everything else is in boxes ready to be shipped home.\" Besides bingeing, Bridget's quirky English ways have proved rather alien to the 31-year-old Texan actress (her casting didn't go without protestation, with the likes of Helena Bonham Carter and Kate Winslet overlooked for the role). \"I've learned so much about a culture that I hadn't been exposed to and it's helped me learn about who I am,\" says Rene, who won fame as Tom Cruise's girlfriend in Jerry Maguire. To ease herself into the role, Rene has been renting a flat in Kensington, shopping at Harvey Nichols and humming Spice Girls tunes. \"I needed to get away from the Los Angeles subculture to understand Bridget,\" she says. Co-stars Hugh Grant, Colin Firth and Jim Broadbent have been helping her research - as did working undercover as a temp in a publishing company. \"British women are less hard on each other and less judgmental than Americans,\" observes Rene. \"I suppose it's because they're not judged as harshly themselves. When it was somebody's birthday, everybody had a piece of cake. In Los Angeles, nobody would have eaten it.\" Despite the cultural chasm, Rene could identify with some of Bridget's emotions. \"What woman over 30 isn't concerned about men, body image, work and relationships? I understand what it means to love and fail at it and what it means to contemplate being alone. I've spent evenings alone eating a bag of chips in front of the TV.\" But not any more. Rene's evenings are spent with her boyfriend Jim Carrey, whom she met on the set of the forthcoming comedy Me, Myself And Irene. She insists, though, that nothing happened between them while filming was still in progress. \"In a lot of respects I'm an old-fashioned girl and I'm not interested in having flings on movie sets when I'm supposed to be working,\" she says. \"Jim and I became friends and we laughed a lot together. After filming was over we spoke a couple of times on the telephone and I realised I missed him. It was a very innocent, old-fashioned way of getting to know a person.\" Carrey has been a frequent visitor to the Bridget Jones set at Shepperton Studios and Rene has run up huge bills calling him in America. It's not just Carrey, though, who is racking up the charges. She also regularly rings her dog, Dylan, at home in California. \"I have a speaker phone and I'm told she wags her tail and goes looking around the house for me,\" says Rene. It's nearly lunchtime and Rene faces the prospect of another round of pizza and peanut butter sandwiches. One wonders if it is necessary, given there is no mention in the book that Bridget is overweight. \"It's a character choice,\" says Rene. \"She is self-deprecating, probably with no reason, but it would be silly if she was talking about her chubby thighs if they weren't.\" But filming here has been a welcome break from the Californian fixation with image. \"The scrutiny can be hurtful and unjustifiable, so it's been good for me to come to London and find out that a doughnut doesn't do a thing and 20 doughnuts don't do a thing. You have to eat 20 doughnuts a day for five weeks before you get results.\" ********** *hee hee* A scientific breakthrough"}, {"response": 950, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (03:04)", "body": "Evelyn, your post #936 says my thoughts precisely. Judy, sorry I scared you with the idea of HG getting a happy ending. Make that one in which his cahracter doesn't die. :-) This Shad Thames location is a different one from the previous spot. Think Tower Bridge instead of London Bridge (though they are easily confused - check with the Arizona corporation who paid for the old London Bridge to be shipped over and were disappointed to find it had no towers). I shall try to get along and see what gives. It sounds like a different scene from \"my\" one - *praying that the film stock that was damaged wasn't too extensive*. Great investigative work, O sleuth of sleuths! Quite a good article from the Sunday Express. Hands up which other Brits read RZ's line about \" I've spent evenings alone eating a bag of chips in front of the TV. \" and just nodded, without realising that \"chips\" has to be translated? Cultural as well as linguistic difference, maybe, a bit like that birthday cake anecdote. Hey, weird, why is everybody, like, eating it?"}, {"response": 951, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (04:09)", "body": "Very enjoyable reading today. Thanks for the news, Karen. :-)"}, {"response": 952, "author": "Maureen", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (05:41)", "body": "what is this all about please"}, {"response": 953, "author": "Maureen", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (05:44)", "body": ""}, {"response": 954, "author": "Maureen", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (05:50)", "body": "Have made to many mistakes its been ages since I have used the PC and even now I am is a cyber Cafe in London so too much going on around and I am not used to Apple Macs. Went and saw Notting Hill some weeks back but rained the whole time I was there. I did not see any action either, was V dissapointed as it was the only day I could get away from the job. Am flying home day after next I have been here nearly two months working and v, home sick. Have kept my eyes pealed for CF in the burbs but never so lucky."}, {"response": 955, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (09:47)", "body": "(Mark) This Shad Thames location is a different one from the previous spot. Ooops, must blame other laminated foldout map without noteworthy tourist details. Was on other side of river, near bridge ergo same location. Also was late and eyes don't work so well at that hour. ;-) \"I've spent evenings alone eating a bag of chips in front of the TV.\" Are you sooo subtlely telling us that RZ hasn't quite settled into her English ways? Perhaps she was referring to what we would call French fries from a takeaway or from McDonald's. What however are peanut butter sarnies? Merely a sandwich?"}, {"response": 956, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (10:57)", "body": "(Karen) Perhaps she was referring to what we would call French fries from a takeaway or from McDonald's. Well, I believe \"chips\" is the English term for what Americans would call french fries, whereas what we would call potato chips, the English call \"crisps.\" I think she meant potato chips (the bag reference). Yes, sarnies are sandwiches. Glad she qualified the cake comment by saying she was talking about LA (and even there, the tiny slice called Hollyweird;-) Just read a report that says we're the fattest people on earth--*somebody* here is scarfing down the cake and chips, big time!"}, {"response": 957, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (11:21)", "body": "Yes, do know difference between chips and crisps, although what does one call the container for French fries (she says whilst dropping blueberry crumbcake on keyboard). Ah well, she should have said crisps... ;-)"}, {"response": 958, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (11:51)", "body": "You can get French fries in a bag (or in newspaper, or both) so the statement reads OK both ways. And the British version is even more of a comfort-foodfest than the American one (unless you get a reeeeeally big bag of crisps, I suppose). It's just I reckon she was talking about crisps, not French fries (as I understood it at first). Enough potatoes already."}, {"response": 959, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (12:07)", "body": "Is the Shad Thames location in Hoxton, Mark? From This Is London, see 4th paragraph. Hoxton, the new Hollywood by Tim Cooper Lights, camera, action! Film makers are turning Hoxton into the new Notting Hill. Already the epicentre of London's ultra-hip fashion scene, the tiny area in east London is rapidly being colonised by film crews eager to cash in on its trendy status. Yesterday, as Minnie Driver shot a new Disney-backed movie in Hoxton Square, you could not move for film crews, with two other units simultaneously at work within sight of its cameras. On one side, in a caf\ufffd on the square, a TV crew was busy making a drama called Men Only, while on the other side, in a nightclub, a pop video was being shot for a new R&B single. And, in the centre of the square, Miss Driver and co-star Mary McCormack were being put through their paces by director Mel Smith in the $10 million action-comedy High Heels And Lowlifes. Next week, as soon as Minnie and Mel move out, it's the turn of Notting Hill star Hugh Grant to move in for location scenes for his Bridget Jones movie with Renee Zellweger - final proof that this little corner of N1 really is the new W11. Not that London-born Miss Driver was aware of just how trendy it is. Her main home is in Los Angeles although she keeps the flat in Chelsea that she took when she went to drama school here. \"I had no idea Hoxton had become so fashionable,\" she said. \"I once went out with a guy in Old Street but I don't remember the area being very exciting at the time. I've always been a south-west London chick myself.\" With its derelict warehouses being turned into loft conversions faster than you can say \"oblong glasses\", and coffee shops and clubs competing with website design companies, graphic designers and videomakers for each new lease, Hoxton is fast becoming London's answer to New York's TriBeCa district. The fashion world has already discovered it and the film makers are following suit. Only last week makers of a low-budget Britflick called Daddy, starring former pop idol Luke Goss, were confronted there by location scouts for Mel Smith's picture and officials from The Film Office, which licenses locations for film makers on behalf of local authorities. Emma Plimmer, their agent responsible for Hackney, Islington and Tower Hamlets, says: \"It's the most popular area in London for film makers at the moment. We've got feature films, TV dramas, pop videos and commercials all going on. People come because it's trendy and it's an up-and-coming area.\" She added: \"Three months ago I sat down in Hoxton Square to discuss High Heels and Lowlifes with the production team and we decided that Hackney needs a little boost. I was hoping this film would do for Hackney, and Hoxton in particular, what the film Notting Hill did for west London. Film makers like it because it's pretty here, aesthetically pleasing and easy for film crews to park their vehicles.\" That was certainly proved as Minnie and Mary spent the whole of yesterday unhindered by onlookers - apart from a drunk punk who wandered towards the camera to ask if he could be in the film. In it, Miss Driver plays a hard-up nurse and Miss McCormack her best friend, a struggling American actress, who accidentally overhears plans for a heist and devises a crazy plan to blackmail the gang, becoming armed robbers themselves in a get-rich-quick scheme full of comic pitfalls. \"It's like a contemporary version of one of those classic Sixties caper movies,\" said Smith, who directed Bean - The Movie, one of Britain's most successful films of all time. \"We chose Hoxton not because it's trendy but because it's rough and arty and a bit like New York. And that will give the film the contemporary flavour we are looking for.\" For Miss Driver and Miss McCormack, one of the big attractions was a pair of strong and funny starring roles for women, written by Kim Fuller, writer of Spiceworld - The Movie and the S Club 7 TV series. \"It's so rare that you get to be funny in a leading role with another woman,\" said Minnie, while Mary added: \"Usually, as an actress, you just get to say: 'Hello!' and 'I love you' and 'I'll stand by you no matter what' - I must have said that 50 times!\" Offstage, the pair have been mirroring their roles as best friends by turning up at social events together, including an introduction to the Queen at the Coronation Cup last week. \"I'd met her before when I was a kid of seven, because my dad used to play polo,\" said Miss Driver, whose co-star was rather more impressed. \"It was surreal,\" she laughed. \"I'm from New Jersey and my dad sold cars ... I felt like Julia Roberts!\""}, {"response": 960, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (13:43)", "body": "(Mari) Is the Shad Thames location in Hoxton, Mark? On behalf of Mark...have checked map and Hoxton (as the article says is N1), which is North. Is situated between Islington (on NW) and Shoreditch (on SE). Shad Thames is on other side of river (the south bank); couldn't possibly hazard a guess as to the postal code there. ;-) Hmmm, French fries, all slathered in ketchup, in a greasy bag - takes me back to grammar school and walking home past hot dog joints. The ultimate comfort food."}, {"response": 961, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (14:11)", "body": "This is the picture of RZ that was with the Express article: Didn't she say something in a previous article about filling out a bra for the first time... ;-)"}, {"response": 962, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (14:16)", "body": "I'll say! She doesn't look bad but looks v. different from baseline. Hope those 15# come off as easily as they went on (doubt it)--wonder if that'll make as many headlines (again, doubt it)."}, {"response": 963, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (14:16)", "body": "Yes she's definitely developed a fuller figure.How come when I put weight on it goes straight for my hips?"}, {"response": 964, "author": "ganswins", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (14:25)", "body": ""}, {"response": 965, "author": "ganswins", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (14:36)", "body": ""}, {"response": 966, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (15:42)", "body": "Hmmm... when I had chips in Dublin they were slathered in vinegar and salt (yumm) but smelled terrible in the garbage the next morning! (phew!!) She says as she has potato chips all over desk, keyboard and rug!"}, {"response": 967, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (16:06)", "body": "Next week, as soon as Minnie and Mel move out, it's the turn of Notting Hill star Hugh Grant to move in for location scenes for his Bridget Jones movie with Renee Zellweger - final proof that this little corner of N1 really is the new W11. Are they still filming...or is this an old article? Hugh Grant...\"his\" Bridget Jones movie. Eeech! Have to say that HG mentions seem to outnumber CF's. I do hope he's not going to be a surrogate Fiennes brother! The \"sexy\" charming adulterer as opposed to the \"dull\" stolid decent type? I saw RZ in \"Jerry Maguire\"...she looked pleasantly rounded. Why all this emphasis on putting on weigh?.(BTW Not a flattering photo of RZ!) BJ's \"fatness\" was mostly in the mind...8 stone 12 isn't exactly Weightwatchers territory!"}, {"response": 968, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (16:21)", "body": "(Bethan) I saw RZ in \"Jerry Maguire\"...she looked pleasantly rounded.You're politer than me I thought she looked muscular.I agree I don't think she needed to put on too much weight & in that photo she looks bigger than I thought BJ needed to be. Its bad enough having to mention HG(am still recovering from NH last night)but did you have to bring up the Fiennes brothers-double yuk;-)"}, {"response": 969, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (18:19)", "body": "(Mari)Just read a report that says we're the fattest people on earth--*somebody* here is scarfing down the cake and chips, big time! LOL Mari! I wonder too, if they arrive at the average weight with the Hollyweird crowd factored in? Isn't there a rule in statistics which says you ought to discount \"outliers\"? Or is that \"outliars?\" Imagine what fat average is without them. V. embarassing, especially since I do my share of scarfing (especially in front of screen while drooling!) Make note, must get new bag of chips (crisps) and some cake in manner of RZ. (Bethan) Eeech! Have to say that HG mentions seem to outnumber CF's. Am having a bad dream, and will soon wake up. Wait, I smell coffee!"}, {"response": 970, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (19:47)", "body": "(Sadie) I wonder too, if they arrive at the average weight with the Hollyweird crowd factored in? Isn't there a rule in statistics which says you ought to discount \"outliers\"? Or is that \"outliars?\" LOL! Very punny, Sadie. Just think: Cameron Diaz and Calista Flockhart are all that stands between us and title of \"most gargantuan people in galaxy.;-) Bethan, that article is dated today, so I assume it's new. RE: Weight and RZ--I think she got much thinner after Jerry Maguire. If you see her in One True Thing, she was very, very thin, ditto for Me, Myself & Irene. I think her bod looks nice in the new pic--I should be so \"fat!\";-) Lemme see, what was regimen again? 20 doughnuts/day for 20 days? 8 stone 12 of chips? 12 ladies and 7 gentlemen?;-) (Judy) Its bad enough having to mention HG(am still recovering from NH last night) Hee hee, Judy, you're incorrigible! Now, tell the truth, don't you feel just a tiny bit sorry for the man, now that Liz H. has decided to provide us all with entirely Too Much Information about their former, er, relationship (or lack thereof)? ;-)"}, {"response": 971, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (20:07)", "body": "Listen, o world, HG is crap in bed, crap in general and crap in all particulars... Liz - getting her own back? ..."}, {"response": 972, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (20:51)", "body": "Yes, Jerry Maguire was made over 4 years ago, long before a two-digit weight limit was established for actresses."}, {"response": 973, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (07:27)", "body": "Renee is in Saturday's Times, according to yesterday's Times newspaper, \"Renee on her most unlikeliest role\"."}, {"response": 974, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (07:31)", "body": "O.k. I'm down to my last day of drooling for awhile, as I start moving process tomorrow and am disconnected. :-( I am completely in dark about all that Liz is saying about HG. But sounds v. unkind, low-down and generally smutty. Will someone please post it NOW?! (Mari)Cameron Diaz and Calista Flockhart are all that stands between us and title of \"most gargantuan people in galaxy.;-) LMAO Mari! How noble of them! I bet my cats eat more food during course of year than either of them do. Doh, where'd that cute little donut get to? Is time I ate breakfast. LOL Karen! Two-digit weight limit is proof that can be 99lb weakling and yet huge success. No bullies kicking sand in their eyes! Judy, did you post somewhere a more indepth comment on NH? I am v.v.curious to know what you thought!"}, {"response": 975, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (07:45)", "body": "Thanks for the advance notice, Ann. Hopefully, we'll see it online; otherwise, it will be Monday for me. Sadie: why don't you join in on the FP discussion on 98?"}, {"response": 976, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (10:08)", "body": "(Bethan) BJ's \"fatness\" was mostly in the mind...8 stone 12 isn't exactly Weightwatchers territory! Yes, that's what we've been saying. Didn't Renee say the producers or other powers-that-be thought the repeated references to the size of her thighs would wear a bit thin if they were, in fact, thin? I guess they've interpreted the book differently (and would bet my lunch that there's a long list of additional differences to follow) or they're just being PC--perhaps want to avoid any body image controversies. Who knows. Judy, I also thought she was muscular in JM. The pic Karen posted shows she got thinner since. (Mari) Lemme see, what was regimen again? 20 doughnuts/day for 20 days? 8 stone 12 of chips? 12 ladies and 7 gentlemen?;-) LOL! Too many ladies..."}, {"response": 977, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (12:25)", "body": "(Mari)Now,tell the truth,don't you feel just a tiny bit sorry for the man, Oh come on its the best news I've heard all week.'less than adequate' thought it was a polite critique of his acting ability at first but when I realised it was Liz talking about his sexual prowess I cracked up,the mans got nothing going for him. If I'd heard it earlier it would have given me something to laugh at during NH. No Sadie I haven't given an in depth slaughter of NH yet I'm still receiving treatment from my doctor for it. (Arami) Listen,o world,HG is crap in bed,crap in general and crap in all particulars...there is nothing more to say!"}, {"response": 978, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (12:45)", "body": "Karen, thanks for the skinny (pic) on Renee from MM&I, but I thought you of all people would have posted the pic with her and Jim *and* the cow!;-) Ann, we'll look forward to seeing the Times article, thanks for the heads-up. Just a little something from a few weeks back: Zellweger Refusing To Drop English Accent - Even In Time Off Bridget Jones's Diary (2001) star Renee Zellweger is so smitten with her role as the English PR girl - she's refusing to revert back to her native Texan even in her spare time. Zellweger, who's being coached by Barbara Berkeley, the voice-guru who perfected Gwyneth Paltrow's speech for Sliding Doors (1998), never drops her middle-class British tones, even in the canteen. The film's spokesperson Stacy Mann explains, \"Whenever I see her she's speaking in the English accent. It's extremely convincing - and it fooled the publishers where she did two week's undercover work experience. Renee's got the same voice coach as Gwyneth Paltrow. She's on set at all times, listening to everything Renee says. And if necessary they take time out to do voice exercises. They stretch different facial muscles to get the accent.\""}, {"response": 979, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (13:49)", "body": "There's a large new pic of RZ from the BJD set in the new issue of People (new Mr. & Mrs. Pitt on cover). Wearing tight pink short-sleeved sweater and a black and white fur skirt, black stockings and boots. Says something about her showing off her new curves on the London set after 15 lb. weight gain. She looks very voluptuous.:-)"}, {"response": 980, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (14:00)", "body": "(Mari) She looks very voluptuous.:-) but sounds tarty?"}, {"response": 981, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (14:01)", "body": "Oh dear its going to be one of those nights!"}, {"response": 982, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (15:03)", "body": "(Judy) but sounds tarty? Welllll . . .it's not exactly what my dear mother used to call \"a classic look.\" ;-) Just checked and they now have it up online. Go to: http://people.aol.com/people/000814/photo/photo2.html"}, {"response": 983, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (15:12)", "body": "Yes,well,erm I don't quite know what to say about that! quite a contrast to that photo Karen posted earlier.MD's certainly going to have his hands full there.Maybe fat will be fashionable again in which case I'm stopping my diet right now. Thanks for finding it Mari"}, {"response": 984, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (15:36)", "body": "*banging head against wall* have just wasted $2.99 Had no idea People had its pics online! Oh well, in the mag, it isn't so pink. But WHO decided Bridget dressed so horribly? I haven't seen one outfit that looked decent. And those thigh-hi boots all the time! (we won't say anything about that skirt) Incredible thing is that all throughout the book, her mother keeps nagging at her about the dull, boring, neutral clothing she wears and how she needs to brighten things up. Mother must be suggesting she shop for clothes at a clown shop. Thanks, Mari, for finding it."}, {"response": 985, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (15:38)", "body": "Does that mean you won't be rushing out to copy her style Karen?"}, {"response": 986, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (15:42)", "body": "I haven't got her legs or chest. ;-) (and my poor feet couldn't handle those high-heel boots anymore)"}, {"response": 987, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (15:46)", "body": "and the black bra under the pink jumper, a definite no-no. imo. Poor Bridget, what are they doing to her."}, {"response": 988, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (15:58)", "body": "Yikes! who dressed that woman? ..wonder what stuffed animal had to die for the skirt to be possible? *sniff* poor little thing..."}, {"response": 989, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (16:06)", "body": "What's even worse is that on the same page, they've got Bridget on half the page and the other half shows Jerry Hall (1/4 page shot) as Mrs. Robinson in lacy bra and slip and very bony and a street shot (other 1/4 page) of Matt Lauer and his MODEL wife Annette Roque, whose shadow is fatter than her. With those stick people next to her, RZ looks like a Titan woman, and a poorly dressed one as well."}, {"response": 990, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (16:10)", "body": "I've just been looking at the few on set shots we've seen of her & they do seem to be dressing her a tad tattily,lets hope they're not hoping for best costume. Had a few worries this week about BJD 1 HG for being well himself 2 RC's script for NH not boding well for BJD 3 BJ being fatter than I imagined and now BJ's clothing being like nothing I could have possibly imagined."}, {"response": 991, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (19:07)", "body": "Looks like A LOT more than 15 pounds to me. Is she v. short? I didn't think so... I don't envy her getting it off, but then, there's probably a personal trainer waiting for her at the end (in her contract)."}, {"response": 992, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (23:15)", "body": "Judy! Armadillo is being advertised on the back of that magazine HG is reading in NH. What eyes! (she has a good shot at spotting Nessie)"}, {"response": 993, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (02:22)", "body": "I am afraid thats a sign of looking everywhere exceptat HG*snort* definitely the redeeming feature of the film!"}, {"response": 994, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (03:40)", "body": "RZ, as Ann mentioned, is feaured in the Sunday Times magazine supplement, looking very svelte, slim and glamorous. Quite unlike the pink T shirt/see thru' bra BJ look! A tad over-plumptious IMHO, and as to the dress sense.....it's kinder not to comment! Obviously DC and MD are both attracted by big breaths, to quote with a lisp. The Times article is mostly RZ and her burgeoning career, but there are some BJ bits. \"Shooting will continue to the end of the month\". So they must be shooting until the end of August (from the beginning of May). Is this a longer than normal shoot, or average for a bigger budget movie? \"work alongside a strong British cast, which includes Hugh Grant as Bridget's office lover and Colin Firth as her potential lover\" \"Potential\"? Huh! (Dictionary definition = existing but not in action, latent) A latent lover? Wot, no towel scene! BTW, I have a theory that they shot all the MD scenes first (phone in bin, fight, etcetera, etcetera (hopefully!) in order to release CF for his non-latent lover starring role in \"Maid of Buttermere\" which is being \"filmed this year\" and therefore has to be shot before the late autumn mists and murk descend on the lakes. We're off to the Lake District in a couple of weeks, so any confimation would be gratefully received!! Am quite prepared to rubberneck, if only I knew where and when :-)"}, {"response": 995, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (04:41)", "body": "(Bethan)A latent lover & wot no towel scene- this is getting worse by the day,my worst fears are coming true its a B-grade disaster movie 'The Gargantuan BJ Never Finds True Love' 'Is this a longer than normal shoot,or average for a bigger budget movie?' No its all the re-shoots needed when HG 's on board!! 'big breaths' LoL Bethan drooling does make you lisp more Has RZ got fatter as the shoot has gone on & if so does that mean they are trying to show her fluctuating weight in the film? MOB or Armadillo? how's he going to do both?"}, {"response": 996, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (06:55)", "body": "I've just been out for my copy of The Times and the difference between the RZ & the BJ look is marked,she looks bony on the front cover.I think they must be kidding us about 15lbs-that accounts for her boobs alone! I don't remember Gina McKee being mentioned as BJ, considering my hubby kept getting her confused with HG the other night in NH its a good job she wasn't chosen"}, {"response": 997, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (07:32)", "body": "Jeez,and here I thought Renee looked adorable! Perfectly squishy, perfectly Bridget. I'm quite pleased. Funny how those 15 lbs all seem to be above the waist. I'm not that lucky."}, {"response": 998, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (12:00)", "body": "(SBRobinson) ..wonder what stuffed animal had to die for the skirt to be possible? *sniff* poor little thing... It's even worse than that, the stuffed animal sacrificed was covered in the pelts of the plentiful, but vicious acrylic. The acrylic is, of course, a small animal and it takes many to cover a large stuffed animal. Although small, it is a pity that all those acrylics, compounded by the demise of a large stuffed animal, had to die for that skirt."}, {"response": 999, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (10:09)", "body": "(Judy) I think they must be kidding us about 15lbs-that accounts for her boobs alone! (Heide) Funny how those 15 lbs all seem to be above the waist Indeed! Not that the black bra calls more attention to 'em or anything... (article) Colin Firth as her potential lover Shhhh! They don't want to give away the plot *snicker*"}, {"response": 1000, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (10:51)", "body": "That skirt looks like it's cut from the same cloth as the vests Sonny Bono used to wear in the '60s. I Got You Babe meets Carnaby Street.;-) Anyway, I can understand the horror over the wardrobe and general frumpiness, but I look at it this way: if the film was about a gorgeously dressed, svelte gal who regularly consults her 3 best friends for advice, and whose biggest fashion decision was Manolo Blahnik vs. Jimmy Choo . . .it would be Sex In The City, not Bridget Jones. I actually like the fact that BJ is a bit pudgy and seems to be lacking fashion sense--and *still* has 1.5 gorgeous guys in pursuit of her.;-) I think Richard Curtis may be onto something here; this may really strike a cord with the many women who are sick and tired of having some unnatural, unattainable idea of beauty shoved down our throats, and face it, the target audience for this film is women--not the 18-year-old guys who go to see Coyote Ugly;-). I wouldn't worry about the \"potential lover\" phrase; these publications don't know any more about the plot that we do, and probably a lot less."}, {"response": 1001, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (14:03)", "body": "Mari you made some great points 'strike a cord' there's so much publicity over ultra thin women in mags & films being a cause of anorexia that BJ as a normal 'one of us' women is a good selling point for the film,as you said \"the target audience for this film is women\" '1.5' gorgeous guys I know of one but whose the .5?;-)You're too kind to him or have you already forgotten he's less than adequate in the maleness rating stakes"}, {"response": 1002, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (17:09)", "body": "I've heard he's moving back in with her... He may be inadequate as a male, but he's still tops as a publicity stuntman."}, {"response": 1003, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (17:19)", "body": "Yes one of the papers had pictures of him moving clothes back into their home-maybe he's begged for another chance to prove himself now that Colin's told him how to do it properly."}, {"response": 1004, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (02:49)", "body": "Report from the Set IV Virtually nothing to report from Shad Thames - everything while I was there was being shot inside the restaurant, which was completely blacked out by screens over all windows. Extras waited at outside restaurant tables, and the occasional \"Quiet please\" was isued from inside. Eventually RZ and HG emerged for 15 minutes sitting outside. They sat as far apart as humanly possible, RZ chatting with friends, HG largely alone but occasionally talking to a stagehand for a while. Costume: HG in a suit this time, dark blue, pinstripe (a little subtler than CF's last time, but not much); RZ in another surprising fashion statement, matching shiny black halter-neck top and skirt to the knee. Possibly the scruffy sneakers were just for walking outside, which she did in a very clumsy way (those extra pounds, perhaps). She is quite small, so in real-life does not show the weight gain like in the photos; I guess the celluloid will restore the cellulite. She looked very pretty, and still seemed the giggly optimist who it is hard to conceive as the more introspective BJ. That's acting though, I suppose."}, {"response": 1005, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (03:47)", "body": "Mark, you did it again! Great report, thanks. I guess the celluloid will restore the cellulite ROTFLOL!"}, {"response": 1006, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (10:17)", "body": "Thanks Mark ..RZ in another surprising fashion statement, matching shiny black halter-neck top and skirt to the knee. Getting worse....ug.Maybe she's en route to a costume party."}, {"response": 1007, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (10:38)", "body": "(RR) They sat as far apart as humanly possible, RZ chatting with friends, HG largely alone Ooooo!!! It's going to be mighty difficult to fake \"chemistry\" if she's ticked off about his criticisms of her (that is, if they're true). But on the positive side, maybe then the press' attention will be focused where it should: on RZ and CF! RZ in another surprising fashion statement, matching shiny black halter-neck top and skirt to the knee What's surprising about this one? Sounds pretty normal if you ask me or was that what you meant, i.e., not another outfit from RB&BB (Ringling Bros & Barnum and Bailey)? Thanks, Mark, for taking the time and stopping by? Have you been scoping out Hoxton yet? ;-)"}, {"response": 1008, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (12:04)", "body": "Thanks for coming through for us once again, Mark! Aside from the suit, how did HG look? I'm looking for an honest assessment, though in deference to Judy and Arami words such as \"haggard,\" \"unkempt,\" and \"pathetic\" wouldn't be altogether unwelcome in this neighborhood.;-)"}, {"response": 1009, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (12:23)", "body": "Hoxton's a bit out of my way ... unless we have a definite date for filming ... HG looked fairly normal to me, maybe just a little careworn. 2 girls were passing by at one point, and one burst into fits of laughter on recognising him, with the other suppressing the laughter until they were past - he pretended not to notice."}, {"response": 1010, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (12:50)", "body": "Great report Mark. RZ's obviously a great judge of character in not talking to HG,I like her even more now;-) 'maybe just a little careworn.' ah come on Mark you don't have to be so polite I can take the truth,I won't laugh I promise."}, {"response": 1011, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (14:17)", "body": "(Mark) 2 girls were passing by at one point, and one burst into fits of laughter on recognising him, with the other suppressing the laughter until they were past - he pretended not to notice. *snort* Poor Hughie, he can't catch a break. Glad to hear RZ looks better in person that the photos. Thanks for your reporting, Mark."}, {"response": 1012, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (14:52)", "body": "(Mark) 2 girls were passing by at one point, and one burst into fits of laughter on recognising him, with the other suppressing the laughter until they were past - he pretended not to notice. So you couldn't recognize who Liz Hurley was with?"}, {"response": 1013, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (15:35)", "body": "Thanks for another report Mark. V. interesting that RZ and HG sat so far apart. I still have not read any of the gossipy news articles about him. Will have to dig up stuff online. Although he's not my fave person, I am beginning to feel sorry for him. He may have brought the previous humiliation on himself (when arrested in L.A.) but I don't like to see anybody humiliated. (Cannot help it, I feel for the underdog, even if he is a hound dog!) So what did he do this time that was so terrible? I missed the news when it broke because I was packing, and I still have not caught up, because I've been unpacking!"}, {"response": 1014, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (15:42)", "body": "So what did he do this time that was so terrible? Weeelll, not that I like gossiping, but.... Liz told the American magazine Jane that HG was not Mr Excitment in bed. She is now denying she ever said that, but the magazine is standing behind its story and has the interview on tape."}, {"response": 1015, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (16:01)", "body": "(Sadie)Hound dog-you're too kind just a dog will suffice. Karen I read in one of the papers over here that Liz intends to sue (usual course of action in these circumstances) and that there is no tape,but don't believe a Brit paper"}, {"response": 1016, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (16:06)", "body": "Oh well, if we publicly humilated every man who was not exciting in bed... I hesitated about just 'dog' 'cause I did not want to be unfair to dogs, but did not wish to malign wolves either."}, {"response": 1017, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (16:21)", "body": "According to the upcoming movies site, the movie's release date has been changed to April 13, 2001 - \"away from the crowded Valentine's season into April.\" Let's see, move a romantic comedy away from Valentine's Day... right."}, {"response": 1018, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (16:28)", "body": "Noooooooooo! Cannot take two more months of waiting. And I gave up chocolate too! And it makes no sense! What does this say about their confidence in it as an appealing romance?"}, {"response": 1019, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (16:31)", "body": "Aagh they're not real,it would have been a great excuse to go to the pictures. Double aagh now we've got to wait even longer to see it."}, {"response": 1020, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (16:35)", "body": "What does this say about their confidence in it as an appealing romance? Nothing of the kind. All it says to me is: they're behind schedule. period."}, {"response": 1021, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (16:36)", "body": "The stars in their courses (well, at least the people behind them)conspire against us!"}, {"response": 1022, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (16:39)", "body": "Oops, we crossed posts Karen, and now mine makes no sense. I was adding to Judy's comment. But as usual, you are being v. levelheaded. But why not just say that they are behind schedule, instead of comment about Valentine's Day? As an excuse, it is a poor one."}, {"response": 1023, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (16:46)", "body": "I'm losing track of where I'm up to,it's flowing tonightIf they're behind schedule its because of HUGH,I knowI know I'm like a broken record but a girls got to stick to her beliefs"}, {"response": 1024, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (17:06)", "body": "LOL Judy, the more you detest HG, the less I do. Soon my heart will be as light as a feather. ;-) (But you're probably right *she says conspiratorially, while entertaining the idea of a good HG bash session*)"}, {"response": 1025, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (17:11)", "body": "LOL Sadie you mean- 'the more you detest HG,the lessI do.It was you standing up for him that set me off again;-) & now you tell me its all pretend,oh & I had my fists raised ;-)"}, {"response": 1026, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (17:17)", "body": "LOL Judy. I wasn't standing up for him though. Just feeling a little sorry for him. He's still not my type! Well, once again I have to get going! We should try out chat next time. I haven't yet and I'm curious to test it out."}, {"response": 1027, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (17:22)", "body": "If thats chat on Colinfirth.com I can't get in!"}, {"response": 1028, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (17:28)", "body": "(Mari)...not the 18-year-old guys who go to see Coyote Ugly;-). I doubt if any 18-year-old males would be interested in it as it is a PG-13 rated movie. Translation: no chance of seeing models \"in the flesh\" as it were. So why would 18-year-olds bother with it when no bimbos get naked. (Sadie) I hesitated about just 'dog' 'cause I did not want to be unfair to dogs, but did not wish to malign wolves either. What are your views concerning coyotes and dingos? My guess is that you wouldn't want to be unfair to them as well. I have on occasion liked Hugh Grant; it just depends on which particular film. He's much better in some than others."}, {"response": 1029, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (07:43)", "body": "I think that moving the release date from February 2 to April is a real blessing and a vote of confidence in the film. Oscar noms are announced late January, and it would have been buried with the February date, as people scramble to see the nominated films and performances and all the media focus is on the nominees. Plus, the nominated stuff tends to get the \"expanded screens\" treatment, meaning that it's tougher to book theaters at that time. So, while I hate to wait any longer for BJD, I really do think it's for the best."}, {"response": 1030, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (11:19)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1031, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (12:11)", "body": "Hmmm, I hadn't thought of that Mari! Thanks, a v. good point and I feel cheered up by it. BTW, when does the summer blockbuster season start to gear up? Will this be a good positioning to catch early filmgoer enthusiasm, do you think? You know, after the blahs of winter are past."}, {"response": 1032, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (13:12)", "body": "BJD release date pushed back to April--here we go, ladies. *sigh* Suppose I can wait 2 more months for washboard/six pack abs. You're right, Karen, they are behind schedule (hardly surprising with first-time director). Mari, your points are well taken also. I read somewhere that studios dump their losers in January releases--Feb. is closer to Jan. than April! BTW, Karen, did the site specify a US release date?"}, {"response": 1033, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (13:26)", "body": "His first posting of a release date did say US. The change doesn't say specifically, but I'd be shocked if this movie didn't open in the US first or virtually simultaneously with the UK. Even Notting Hill premiered in the US (May 13) before it opened in the UK (May 21), although it didn't open here until the following week. I would expect something fairly similar. Unfortunately, the Valentine Day's line is being fed by someone associated with WT. It does violate my rule-of-thumb about official explanations. Doesn't have to be accurate, only plausible. Really, Mari, they should've consulted you. Your hopes and aspirations for the change in release date are far more plausible. ;-)"}, {"response": 1034, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (13:40)", "body": "(Karen) Even Notting Hill premiered in the US (May 13) before it opened in the UK (May 21), although it didn't open here until the following week. I would expect something fairly similar. Okey dokey! *resetting countdown calendar*"}, {"response": 1035, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (13:59)", "body": "Ah Mari the voice of reason,beginning to calm down again after nasty shock of release delay. Okay spoke too soon (Eileen)hardly surprising with first-time director.yikes I'd forgotten about that,ah well maybe she'll do a Mendes Feeling better again,learning to cheer myself up with positive thoughts."}, {"response": 1036, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (18:30)", "body": "Since it's a bit slow here, I thought I'd post the full Times article. It's long, but I didn't have the URL (not sure if the article appeared online). Thanks to Rai. The Times (London) August 5, 2000, Saturday SECTION: Features HEADLINE: Starring roles, 3(vg) Renee Zellweger was not the obvious choice to play neurotic singleton Bridget Jones - for a start she's American, she's as thin as a rake, and she's landed a Hollywood leading man of her own. And with three major film roles in the offing, there's absolutely nothing for her to get angst-ridden about Renee Zellweger, deep into her role as the very-English-indeed Bridget Jones, has been immersing herself in all things British. There's the accent to master, of course - and judging by a brief demonstration she's doing rather well on that front - and the fact that Bridget likes a drink or two and a diet that is not exactly Rosemary Conley. To these ends, Renee has taken to supping a daily pint of Guinness and munching slices of pizza and chocolate bars - purely for the sake of authenticity, you understand - rather than sticking to her usual salads and Evian, and has intentionally piled on 15lb as a result. Furthermore, before filming started she had also been working in a \"normal\" nine-to-five job at a publishers and soaking up pop culture in the evenings, in particular vegging out in front of the telly for research purposes. \"Yep, I'd come home at the same time every day, like people with normal jobs. I'd get back, you know, tired, and click on the TV, and there were the soaps,\" she says. \"What's that one on at 6pm about the football team? I watched that one a lot. Dream something it's called. I really got into that one...\" The thought of Texan-born Renee devouring a pizza, unwrapping a KitKat and knocking back a glass of stout while tuning into EastEnders, Coronation Street and Dream Team (I think that's the one she's referring to), is somehow rather odd.But then, some would say that the choice of Ms Zellweger to play the thirtysomething, angst-ridden, eternally single and searching for Mr Right, Ms Jones is a little strange, too. A fact that she is very well aware of herself. Take today, for instance, when we meet in one of Cannes' most fashionable hotels, where Renee has been visiting the film festival. She's on a brief break from filming Bridget to promote one of two new movies, Nurse Betty (released next month), a comedy in which she is very good indeed. Talk of Bridget Jones's Diary produces a slightly defensive reaction. \"I've been working very, very hard on the accent. I've been taking dialect classes since February and I'm pleased with the way it's going. But I know it has to be perfect, especially for you guys.\" Ah yes, us guys, the English. And in particular the ones who felt that maybe someone like, say, Kate Winslet or Gina McKee might have been a more appropriate home-grown choice for the part. Even Helen Fielding - and after all, it is her book - was apparently somewhat bemused by the choice, backing off from the script (\"retired gracefully\"was the phrase) after the casting was announced, and adding later: \"I am very surprised that nobody asked my opinion.\" So perhaps it's hardly surprising that this usually polite and affable young woman gets a bit prickly when asked about Bridget. \"It's been tough, dealing with all the things that are printed about me,\" she admits. \"I mean, I can understand some of the negative reaction, but there are so many films where British actors are playing Americans and vice versa. I'm an actor and this is a great role and actually I'm thrilled to death to have the chance to live and work in London because I love the city.\" She has a point. And at least this time around - unlike with say, High Fidelity, where Nick Hornby's quintessentially English novel was transplanted to Chicago - the filmmakers have kept Bridget in London. And Bridget is, says Renee, a woman whose fears and anxieties strike a chord from Los Angeles to Luton. \"With this character there are links that we have as women. All the women who have read this book - and it doesn't matter where they are from - can really relate to her and what she is going through, whether that period is in the future or they have already been through it or they are living it now. \"There's that self-deprecation that a lot of women tend to have about trying to aspire to achieve certain things in terms of successful careers, in terms of finding love and in meeting the sort of paragon that the media presents to us as 'the right partner'. I guess that's what's so lovely about her, about Bridget, is her honesty and how she's so earnestly trying to find happiness. And we can all relate to that...\" Certainly, no one could fault Zellweger on her preparation. She has been living in London since February, almost three months before filming began (shooting will continue until the end of the month). \"I feel a strong responsibility to work hard at it,\" she says. So presumably by the tim"}, {"response": 1037, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (08:45)", "body": "and, of course, Bridget Jones, which is eagerly awaited on both sides of the Atlantic. Eagerly? Says who? BTW, did you know there's only 245 days left until April 13th? ;-) Thanks for sharing, Mari. It sounds as though RZ has a good handle on the BJ character. However, if I read this bit of cr*p one more time: Even Helen Fielding - and after all, it is her book - was apparently somewhat bemused by the choice... *rolling my eyes*"}, {"response": 1038, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (08:52)", "body": "Thanks, Mari, for posting the entire article. Writer must have spent months with RZ as talked with her at Cannes and a now (engagement thing). Liked this: After months of pizzas, Guinness, trips to Harvey Nicks and nights in front of the telly, she may well prove the detractors wrong. My question: Are Bridget's clothes indicative of what is sold at Harvey Nicks? ;-)"}, {"response": 1039, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (13:25)", "body": "(Eileen)Eagerly? Says who? BTW did you know there's only 245 days left until April 13th? ;-) LOL I like the way your mind works.That happens to be hubby's b/day-an ideal present don't you think;-) (Karen) My question: Are Bridget's clothes indicative of what is sold at Harvey Nicks? ;-) That doesn't say much for H/Nicks then,but it made me think its always mentioned in Ab Fab & they do dress strange/vulgar in that so maybe yes;-) never been myself though so don't know!"}, {"response": 1040, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (15:51)", "body": "That doesn't say much for H/Nicks HN is like Bloomingdale's in NY.Smaller.V.posh. Female apparel only. Carries cutting edge of fashion.Harrods is on the next block.Other designer shops are nearby in Knightsbridge. Ask Emma, she knows 'em all;-)"}, {"response": 1041, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (16:05)", "body": "(Evelyn) Carries cutting edge of fashion.Doesn't mean its any good though;-) My home town is getting Harvey Nicks,in so many years hence,so I'll be a fashion plate like our Bridget,I've already got the black bra!"}, {"response": 1042, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 12, 2000 (09:56)", "body": "(Evelyn) Carries cutting edge of fashion. (Judy) Doesn't mean its any good though;-) Just goes to show, you can put together hideous outfits from even the best of stores ;-)"}, {"response": 1043, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (02:22)", "body": "I really hope for RZ's sake, as well as CF's, that BJD is a huge smashing hit. I guess only the release of the film will silence all the speculation about her accent. Thanks for posting entire article, Mari. I'd forgotten about the small part in Reality Bytes."}, {"response": 1044, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (08:14)", "body": "I guess only the release of the film will silence all the speculation about her accent. I pray they release it in the US first. The accent knives are being sharpened in the UK press as we speak. You'll see...."}, {"response": 1045, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (08:42)", "body": "(Evelyn) The accent knives are being sharpened in theUK press as we speak.You'll see.... I think it's worse than that I think the reviews are already written."}, {"response": 1046, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (16:13)", "body": "Apparently, according to the Times, HG's next role will be in \"Two weeks of love\", a romantic comedy about an undistiguished tennis player who suddenly manages to win Wimbledon. Sounds like an absolutely dreadful premise! Makes me wonder just how many good scripts HG has got lined up. And maybe he was keener to be involved in BJD than we were led to imagine. No re-writes in his favour necessary? I posted at #134 about (OT) George Clooney being offered (and turning down) the lead in Nick Hornby's \"About a boy\". I wonder if HG is still doing this?"}, {"response": 1047, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (17:30)", "body": "Weren't both of these posted already at 136?"}, {"response": 1048, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (17:52)", "body": "Sorry!"}, {"response": 1049, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (17:55)", "body": "Just wanted to let you know that, if no one commented, it wasn't for lack of interest...just that we had already discussed elsewhere. See what you're missing by not reading 136?"}, {"response": 1050, "author": "sarah19", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (00:32)", "body": "I was wondering if y'all could answer a question. I posted this at RoP but was never answered. I read somewhere that the British edition of Edge of Reason is different from the U.S. edition. It seems the US edited some parts. I noticed on Amazon.com that the British edition is longer. Has anyone read both editions? I have the US version and want to know if it's worth reading the other version. Are important/funny parts edited? Thanks...sorry if this is confusing b/c of my repeated use of version/edition. Sarah"}, {"response": 1051, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (06:10)", "body": "Hi, Sarah! I don't think it's edited (as abridged), but some British references (i.e., jumper, stone, fag, etc...) is Americanized. The reason why the British version is longer is typeface, they used different font. I hope that answers your questions."}, {"response": 1052, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (08:07)", "body": "Welcome Sarah! The British edition is still available, but in paperback now. And it should be pretty much as Laura explained, although I did read (I think) there was a change involving the Princess Di funeral thing."}, {"response": 1053, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (13:20)", "body": "There were also references to Donald Trump and the TV show 'ER' in place of their British counterparts."}, {"response": 1054, "author": "sarah19", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (14:40)", "body": "Thank you everyone. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything. :) I was very upset when I learned the release date moved from APril to February. What's going on? Is post-production taken longer than usual or was Feb. a bad time to release? I thought it was a good idea to release it around Valentine's Day so all the \"singletons\" could rejoice with BJ."}, {"response": 1055, "author": "sarah19", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (14:41)", "body": "WHOOPS!!! I meant February to April not vice versa."}, {"response": 1056, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (14:45)", "body": "You know now that I think of it, I didn't read the American version. I had it (accidentally ordered via cell phone!!! V. Bridget thing to do, eh?), but gave it to friend who fell in love with book (she's 16!)."}, {"response": 1057, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (15:26)", "body": "Evelyn: HN is .... female apparel only. Hmph. I have decided to return my Harvey Nicks' tie & trousers."}, {"response": 1058, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (15:41)", "body": "Here we go, from an online interview with Helen Fielding: Question: Is there any difference between the UK edition of the new book and the one released in the U.S.? Helen Fielding: A few differences. The U.K. edition had a section about Princess Diana and I think they took it out in America because it highlighted the fact that the book was 77 weeks late. Most of it is the same. There are only a few details that changed. And weirdly, in the first book, they did not change the word fags for cigarettes. This caused some confusion. Sarah, if you want to read more, go to my Bridget page and you'll find links to other interviews and the actual articles that were published on The Telegraph. http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjd.html"}, {"response": 1059, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (15:56)", "body": "Evelyn: HN is .... female apparel only. (Mark)Hmph. I have decided to return my Harvey Nicks' tie & trousers. They have a Ambisextrous Dept ;-D Will not tell DW"}, {"response": 1060, "author": "sarah19", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (22:38)", "body": "Thanks for the link. Great BJD page, Karen. KUDOS!!! I'm getting really excited now. Can't wait until April 13. Colin!!! Thought I'd share this tidbit: I lent BJD and EOR to a friend and now she is just as obsessed. Her screen saver has her favorite lines scrolling across the computer. \"Fantasies about Mark Darcy/Colin Firth/Prince William bursting in saying, 'In the name of God and England release my future wife.':constant.\" ...also the one about cubes of frozen urine falling on the roof. :)"}, {"response": 1061, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 16, 2000 (12:20)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1062, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 16, 2000 (12:21)", "body": "Looks as though Mark's career as a location reporter is over. Word has reached me that Heat magazine (15 Aug) said that filming finished last week. Renee shot her final scene at the Piccadilly tube station wearing a winter coat.[again??] Then there was a wrap party for cast and crew at the Naval and Military Club where they were entertained by an Elvis impersonator. If anyone can pick up this issue, let me know the precise wording and if there is more..."}, {"response": 1063, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Aug 16, 2000 (12:47)", "body": "(Karen) wearing a winter coat.[again??] Maybe it was the only thing that still fits.;-) Welcome, Sarah!"}, {"response": 1064, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Aug 16, 2000 (12:53)", "body": "Sorry Karen I can't help you til tomorrow,I sent hubby out but local newsagent shut (for god's sake its only 6.40 in the evening bloody useless b*******-his words not mine) part of the problem was that he did insist on going on foot & isn't amused by his wasted journey *snort*"}, {"response": 1065, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Aug 16, 2000 (14:14)", "body": "Karen, from this week's Heat:- (19th-25th Aug) \"Bridget Jones shot. RZ finished filming BJD last week - shooting the final scene at Piccadilly tube station wearing a winter jumper. (not coat - my words). The crew enjoyed a wrap party at the Naval and Military Club where they were entertained by an Elvis impersonator.\" (That's all, folks)."}, {"response": 1066, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 16, 2000 (14:37)", "body": "Thanks, Ann. Does anyone know if Colin moonlights as an Elvis impersonator? ;-D (Judy) he did insist on going on foot & isn't amused by his wasted journey *snort* but, apparently, you were! *snort* ;-)"}, {"response": 1067, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 16, 2000 (14:38)", "body": "Thanks Ann & Karen...That was a long shoot....it's gotta be a winner or RC would keep doing retakes. Poor Renee...now she's gotta take all that blubber off ;-("}, {"response": 1068, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Aug 16, 2000 (14:53)", "body": "(Evelyn) Poor Renee...now she's gotta take all that blubber off ;-( Colin Loses Weight . . .Renee Finds It!;-) I hope he gave her Cornel's business card.:-) Nurse Betty should have its premiere in about 3 weeks, so we'll get a look . . . maybe she can drop a stone by then."}, {"response": 1069, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Aug 16, 2000 (14:56)", "body": "(Evelyn) Poor Renee...now she's gotta take all that blubber off ;-( I'm sure Colin can recommend someone to help in that regard. Jeez, if Cornel thought CF was flabby as Darcy, what will he say about Renee? ;-) (Karen) Does anyone know if Colin moonlights as an Elvis impersonator? Gawd forbid! =8-O (Am now going straight to hell for insulting The King on the anniversary of his death.)"}, {"response": 1070, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 16, 2000 (15:06)", "body": "Blubber! Sheesh! You'd think that she'd put on enough to last her through a winter's hibernation. OK, what fat farm is she going to? The one in Baja? Canyon Ranch?"}, {"response": 1071, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Aug 16, 2000 (15:13)", "body": "(Karen) OK, what fat farm is she going to? Do you think there are any 2 for 1 offers on only I could do with going with her."}, {"response": 1072, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Aug 16, 2000 (15:22)", "body": "Hi. Slightly OT, but I thought I'd share: ************************************** (From MrShowbiz) 8/16/00 Clooney Too Hot for Hornby? Is George \"I'm not as good as Mel\" Clooney getting too big for his britches? If you believe the British press, it seems that the star who faced monster swells of water in The Perfect Storm is fighting a swollen head. According to a London Daily Express interview with hipster author Nick Hornby, Clooney rejected the chance to star in a film based on Hornby's latest novel because he's too attractive to successfully play a single guy desperate for love. Hornby, whose High Fidelity book was the basis for the recent John Cusack flick of the same name, apparently told the paper that Clooney was offered the lead in the movie adaptation of his About a Boy. The former ER hunk supposedly told Hornby no, adding, \"You would need someone more average-looking.\" If we know our Clooney like we think we do, this is a bloody lie. The same man who once told People magazine he didn't want to be their \"Sexiest Man Alive\" cover meat could hardly have gotten so conceited overnight. Or could he? The actor's reps could neither confirm nor deny whether he'd been in talks for About a Boy. Hugh Grant had previously been considered for the role of 36-year-old Will Lightfoot, a lying man-child who tells women he's a dad in order to get dates. Since the book's characters are British, Grant would have been a preferable choice for Hornby fans \ufffd although High Fidelity was Americanized for theater audiences with some degree of success."}, {"response": 1073, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Aug 16, 2000 (15:27)", "body": "Yeah, this story's making the rounds."}, {"response": 1074, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Aug 17, 2000 (07:54)", "body": "Did High Fidelity ever open in England and was it successful? (she says who STILL hasn't seen it.) However, have new beau reading and LOVING it. What can I tell you, she (me) has good taste in authors. To tie this in with BJ, don't think I could get him to read that one.... :)"}, {"response": 1075, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Aug 18, 2000 (02:11)", "body": "(Laura)To tie this in with BJ, don't think I could get him to read that one.... :) V. sad Laura! What is point of dating if boyfriend will not read BJD, in manner of sensitive new age guy? (Hmmm, ex-boyfriend read and liked Bridget because he did not realize that he was actually Daniel.) Cancel that thought Laura. What do Singletons like me know anyway. Am world's worse judge of men, in manner of Bridget before MD."}, {"response": 1076, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Aug 18, 2000 (05:59)", "body": "Oh Sadie, how v. wrong you are. New beau is now ex-beau (how do I do it?). I'm glad to say that this one was not my problem, his issues (didn't even know he had issues, go figure) proved to problematic for him (i.e., he decided that he preferred to be alone and watch life pass him by (be a bystander), guilt of being divorced (Catholic guilt at its best). Right now, I'm thinking a Daniel Cleaver is probably way to go. Will be singleton (with child) forever. In manner of Bridget, tonight is 192 with v. bad chardonnay (I'll go for the merlot) and talking about how all men have v. bad issues. I seem to recall even MD had issues.... (normal relationship or normal guy is definite oxy-moron.) Sorry bad evening. Swollen eyes. Can barely read what wrote!"}, {"response": 1077, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Aug 18, 2000 (07:41)", "body": "Ephraim Hardcastle - today's Daily Mail Cast and crew are relieved that the much troubled filming of BJD is complete. Director Sharon Maguire was a surprise choice. A newcomer to feature films, she had previously directed only two documentaries and commercials, including a campaign for the Irish Tourist Board. But conveniently, Miss Maguire is a close friend of author Helen Fielding and the inspiration for the boyfriend-obsessed Shazza character upon which Bridget's best friend is based."}, {"response": 1078, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 18, 2000 (08:43)", "body": "Thanks, Aishling. \"much troubled filming\"? hmmm. Must be referring to (a) how long it took to bring this to screen, (b) the Fielding flack over RZ, (c) HG's alleged disgruntlement, and now (d) the problem with the film stock. the inspiration for the boyfriend-obsessed Shazza character upon which Bridget's best friend is based. Of course, this is totally wrong, as Shaz was NOT boyfriend-obsessed. That was Jude. Wonder if first statement then is similarly wrong. ;-) BTW, have just seen \"Wonderland,\" in which Shirley Henderson (Jude) is one of the principal actors. Initially, I thought (based on looks) she was more suited to be Shaz. Could visualize her in full rant mode. But her voice is Jude's. It could definitely be termed \"sheep-like.\" BTW2, go see Wonderland. Is fabulous."}, {"response": 1079, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 18, 2000 (10:19)", "body": "(Aishling) Director Sharon Maguire was a surprise choice. Depressing undertones to this remark from cast and crew who usually can assess a good director.And what clout did Helen Fielding have to select a director when she had none for the cast?Would feel better if whole thing would have been under RC's aegis...at least he has a track record."}, {"response": 1080, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Aug 18, 2000 (11:50)", "body": "Yes, it is a bit depressing and points the finger squarely at the director. Frankly, I never bought that \"the dog ate my film\" story; 3+ months is a long time for a film like this to be shooting. Maybe much more re-shooting has been going on than we'd thought. I still think Curtis can pull it off and maybe he even oversaw the reshoots; he'll bring in a sharp editor and make it work."}, {"response": 1081, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Aug 18, 2000 (13:46)", "body": "Well I'm really glad I dropped in this evening all this talk of ex-boyfriends & much troubled filming is enough to send me on a choc'n'wine binge (goody!) Sadie you've still to meet your MD Laura I am sorry it didn't work out I've never been happy with the first-time director thing so lets hope RC can rescue it I don't won't Colin involved in a high-profile flop."}, {"response": 1082, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Aug 18, 2000 (15:16)", "body": "Depressing undertones to this remark from cast and crew who usually can assess a good director.And what clout did Helen Fielding have to select a director when she had none for the cast?Would feel better if whole thing would have been under RC's aegis...at least he has a track record. I've also wondered about the choice of Sharon Maguiure.. why go for a debut director? Working Title got John Madden for Captain Corelli. But the producers of BJD...Eric Fellmer and Tim Bevan...have a superb track record - Captain Corelli, NH, Elizabeth, High Fidelity, Borrowers, Oh Brother where art thou, 4 Weddings, Fargo - the list is endless. Can't believe that they'd just give a multimillion dollar movie to someone because she is HF's best mate. HF sold the rights...she has no clout. The crew seem experienced. The cinematography (always important) is by Stuart Dryberg (?) who (apparently) did The Piano, Lone Star, Portrait of a Lady, and more recently Analyze This and Runaway Bride. And the First Assistant Director has worked on some successful projects...East is East, for example. Talented cast and crew, and screenwriter...has to be successful! But I don't like the Daily Mail comment or its tone. But, then again, so much reporting is inaccurate, biased...HF is permanently (mis)cast as the grouch who didn't approve of RZ. And didn't CF say the first day of filming was hitch-free! BTW the shoot for NH was a long one...about three months."}, {"response": 1083, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Aug 18, 2000 (15:17)", "body": "oh sorry! Did I close the italics? Looks like not.. :-("}, {"response": 1084, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Aug 18, 2000 (15:29)", "body": "(Bethan)BTW the shoot for NH was a long one...about three months-they shouldn't have bothered at all IMO.As for HG is he always involved in these overlong shoots-perhaps something to do with the fact that hecan't act."}, {"response": 1085, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 18, 2000 (17:14)", "body": "(Mari) I still think Curtis can pull it off and maybe he even oversaw the reshoots; he'll bring in a sharp editor and make it work. As a screenwriter, does he have that perogative?Isn't that up to the producers?"}, {"response": 1086, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Aug 18, 2000 (18:25)", "body": "There's a new pic of Renee (as Renee, with JC;-) in the 8/28 issue of People looking surprisingly svelte. It's in their Startracks section which is generally right up to date. Must have been taken earlier this week. Doesn't appear to be on the website. Cover is the baby boomers--Madonna & Guy, Michael & CZJ, David & Iman. (Evelyn) Isn't that up to the producers? Ooops! You're absolutely right, Evelyn. Don't know why I keep thinking that RC is on the production team as well. Bethan, you're right, WT certainly has a v.impressive record, and you can add one of my faves, Dead Man Walking (Sarandon & Penn) to the mix. They haven't had a dog yet that I'm aware of, so BJD should be in good hands. It occurs to me that this carping in the press always has a decidedly sexist tone, with HF, RZ, and now Sharon as the heavies. It's an awfully tough business, with jealous parties having been known to plant negative \"spin\" in the press. This is likely just more of the same. Ok, am calmer now and have achieved inner poise.;-)"}, {"response": 1087, "author": "ommin", "date": "Fri, Aug 18, 2000 (21:46)", "body": "Not to worry - April is a long time away. All will be forgotten and hopefully the U.S. will see the film first."}, {"response": 1088, "author": "3wbob", "date": "Sat, Aug 19, 2000 (20:31)", "body": "HELLO there iam bob i live in Auburndale Fl iam 46 w\\m 182 pounds but iam allso 6 feet tall i ride a H-D WITH A SIDECAR & I HAVE A V-W TRIKE TOO I HAVE JUST GOT THROU WITH IT & LOOKING FORWARD TO RIDING IT I FALL& HEART MY SHOULDER SO IAM IN THS V-A FOR A WEEK NOW NEEDLES TO SAY MY LAPTOP SURE COMES IN HANDY FOR STUFF LIKE THIS 0 WELL IF U WANT TO U CAN INTOUCH WITH ME @ 3wbob@prodigy.net or if u r with ICQ my # is 3wbob62597903 ok ok will be looking forward to hearing for you 3wbob:)"}, {"response": 1089, "author": "3wbob", "date": "Sat, Aug 19, 2000 (20:40)", "body": "well!!"}, {"response": 1090, "author": "3wbob", "date": "Sat, Aug 19, 2000 (20:41)", "body": "well"}, {"response": 1091, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 19, 2000 (22:09)", "body": "Article about Hoxton in the Sunday Times. Only brief mention of BJD filming in this paragraph: To entertain the Hoxton Set, as this trendy crowd has been dubbed, one-off bars, restaurants, boutiques, galleries and nightclubs, with the emphasis on cool, have mushroomed. Now everyone seems to want a slice of the action - including Hollywood. At the beginning of the month, Hoxton resembled a studio back-lot. The nightclub 333 played host to the filming of an R&B video. Down the road, at a strip joint called Browns, a television crew filmed scenes for a new drama, Men Only. On Hoxton Square itself, Minnie Driver was put through her paces by Mel Smith, who is directing her in a new action-comedy film called High Heels and Lowlifes, which also filmed scenes at 333. It was impossible to move on the square for catering vans, trailers and thick black electrical cable. Then, 10 days ago, it was the turn of Hugh Grant and Renee Zellweger, who were shooting scenes for the Bridget Jones movie. Next month, the BBC begins filming a documentary about the East End art scene. http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2000/08/20/stistlstl02011.html"}, {"response": 1092, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Aug 20, 2000 (00:25)", "body": "Hi Bob!!!"}, {"response": 1093, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Aug 20, 2000 (01:22)", "body": "(Judy)I've never been happy with the first-time director thing so lets hope RC can rescue it I don't won't Colin involved in a high-profile flop. Judy, I'd join you in the binging if I hadn't given up chocolate as an offering to the Film Gods for sake of BJD. On other hand, there is nothing to stop me from drinking a great deal. And LOL! it's all HG's fault really! (Bethan) Can't believe that they'd just give a multimillion dollar movie to someone because she is HF's best mate. HF sold the rights...she has no clout. A v. good point, Bethan, lets hope. Is wuld ne gof nif it wers so. Sorry to hear about ex-boyfriend, Laura."}, {"response": 1094, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Aug 20, 2000 (08:07)", "body": "(Bethan)why go for a debut director? Forgive my ignorance, but wasn't it a first time for Sam Mendes as well?"}, {"response": 1095, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Aug 20, 2000 (08:09)", "body": "You don't want a Daniel Cleaver, Laura, you've had too many of those. Keep heart!"}, {"response": 1096, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Aug 20, 2000 (13:39)", "body": "Bob, your email is bogus. To bad! This is not the place for that..."}, {"response": 1097, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Aug 21, 2000 (12:52)", "body": "Just thought you gals would like to know that on cover of Time Magazine there is story about Sex and the City, and women who prefer to stay single rather than get married. They do refer to Melissa Bank's novel and Helen Fielding's BJD series...."}, {"response": 1098, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Aug 21, 2000 (15:38)", "body": "(Laura) on cover of Time Magazine there is story about Sex and the City, and women who prefer to stay single rather than get married. Well, being singleton has its advantages, but I could be talked into considering the possibility of coupledom if they develop cloning in the near future. Let me see, whose hair strand should I secretly snip for its DNA? So many men, but I can only think of half a dozen in all of my acquaintance...(vicarious relationships through virtual fansites do count here)"}, {"response": 1099, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Aug 21, 2000 (15:38)", "body": "(Laura) on cover of Time Magazine there is story about Sex and the City, and women who prefer to stay single rather than get married. Well, being singleton has its advantages, but I could be talked into considering the possibility of coupledom if they develop cloning in the near future. Let me see, whose hair strand should I secretly snip for its DNA? So many men, but I can only think of half a dozen in all of my acquaintance...(vicarious relationships through virtual fansites do count here)"}, {"response": 1100, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Aug 21, 2000 (15:40)", "body": "You even cloned your post! such a singleton thing to do!"}, {"response": 1101, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Aug 21, 2000 (16:31)", "body": "OH MY GOD! How did that happen? Must be a sign to be patient ;-P"}, {"response": 1102, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Aug 22, 2000 (15:00)", "body": "Has anyone seen this site (Karen, there's a link to your BJD pages)? http://www.portowebbo.co.uk/nottinghilltv/BRIDGET.htm It's a Notting Hill newspaper...says that the shoot was 10 and a half weeks. Didn't they have rehearsals at first? Shoot started mid-May? Still makes it over-run."}, {"response": 1103, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 22, 2000 (15:52)", "body": "Yes. They wrote their article based on my pages and used my pic of Cafe Rouge, which I photographed myself."}, {"response": 1104, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Aug 22, 2000 (20:50)", "body": "Well, obviously a site with good taste: used Karen's pic and site link, have v. nice photo of CF, and mention his name before HG's. Classy all round!"}, {"response": 1105, "author": "ommin", "date": "Tue, Aug 22, 2000 (21:31)", "body": "You can say that again!"}, {"response": 1106, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (08:28)", "body": "Absolutely, good to see they have their priorities in the right order ;-) Zellweger was a waitress in a topless bar... Really? I didn't know that. She'd get better tips now ;-) Writers and self-publicists Salman Rushdie and Jeffrey Archer also appear in the film playing themselves. 'Self-publicists' LOL! Karen, didn't all those pictures come from your page?"}, {"response": 1107, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (08:54)", "body": "Yes, but I can't claim ownership to the others. ;-) says that the shoot was 10 and a half weeks. The summary page was put up on August 3rd."}, {"response": 1108, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (12:26)", "body": "I think it's an ugly page with a hideous yellow background. And they had some nerve using your Cafe Rouge pic without your permission."}, {"response": 1109, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (12:39)", "body": "(Evelyn)I think it's an ugly page with a hideous yellow background. Agree. Didn't feel like I wanted to go beyond the opening page."}, {"response": 1110, "author": "sarah19", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (15:08)", "body": "I seem to be having trouble with people answering my posts at RoP. Hmmpphh!! Has anyone read the other Bridget Jones type books such as: 'Love:A User's Guide', 'Getting Over It', 'Watermelon', 'Girl's Guide to HUnting and Fishing Are these books any good? Your response is greatly appreciated. Sarah"}, {"response": 1111, "author": "sarah19", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (15:10)", "body": "i agree with everyone else by saying Karen's page is far more superior to that thrown together page. (patas)Agree. Didn't feel like I wanted to go beyond the opening page. I didn't go past the opening page either."}, {"response": 1112, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (16:42)", "body": "Thanks, ladies, but that place is not a Bridget site and there aren't any pages beyond that. It merely is a recap of news-to-date, and I think they did a good job summarizing the relevant parts of all the stories."}, {"response": 1113, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (17:55)", "body": "Sarah, i read the first 1/2 of Watermelon - it didnt interest me enough to finish it. Although i have a couple friends who really injoyed it. Havent read the others, sorry. :-) -Esbee oh, and there is a new one, just released this month i think, that is also a wanna be BJD, called Lucy Somebody is getting married. Havent read that yet, either."}, {"response": 1114, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (17:59)", "body": "Wasn't that a TV series shown awhile back?"}, {"response": 1115, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Aug 24, 2000 (00:52)", "body": "(Sarah19)'Love:A User's Guide', 'Getting Over It', 'Watermelon', 'Girl's Guide to HUnting and Fishing Sarah, sorry I can't help you - haven't read any of these books, don't even know anyone who did. ;-)"}, {"response": 1116, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Aug 24, 2000 (12:21)", "body": "Heard they were BJD knock-offs, so I haven't read them either. 'Girl's Guide' has been on various bestseller lists in the US for awhile, though."}, {"response": 1117, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 24, 2000 (22:04)", "body": "Article in the Guardian (8/25) about Lewis Taylor. Here's the relevant part: If the guitar-heavy, synthesised soul of Lewis II only appeals to his small yet fanatical cult following, there is always his soundtrack work to pay the bills. So far, he has provided songs for Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer's Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) and Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels; this year cinema audiences will hear Taylor's voice on a reworked version of Todd Rundgren's I Saw the Light, for the forthcoming adaptation of Bridget Jones's Diary. He even gets to croon New York, New York - \"a horrible song,\" he winces - in a new British gangster movie starring Ian Hart called Strictly Sinatra. You can read the complete article here: http://www.guardianunlimited.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4054900,00.html"}, {"response": 1118, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 24, 2000 (22:13)", "body": "Click to listen to the Todd Rundgren version: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/clipserve/B0000032WL001001/026-1239541-3475662 It will be *perfect* :-)"}, {"response": 1119, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 24, 2000 (22:30)", "body": "It doesn't appear to work from outside the site. You can copy the above url and go to it and that will work or try clicking on this link to Tower, which seems to work OK: http://www.towerrecords.com/ra/hurlPNM.exe?/towerlink/~m-450351/1577525912000a01.ra"}, {"response": 1120, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Aug 24, 2000 (23:01)", "body": "(Sarah19)'Love:A User's Guide', 'Getting Over It', 'Watermelon', 'Girl's Guide to HUnting and Fishing Sorry Sarah, I'm not much help either. I've been meaning to read 'Girl's Guide to Hunting and Fishing'. I saw an indepth interview with the author. She sounded cool to me. Apparently, it was her first novel! She worked at some other job by day and wrote by night. I understand it's quite different than BJD, and I didn't get the impression that it was a deliberate copycat effort, although it's interesting to see a whole genre spring up around being a thirty-something Singleton. (Hmmm, so I've got that goin' for me at least.) As I said though, I don't think it's like BJD; it's not wickedly funny or even trying to be that. That was my impression, anyway. Hope that's some help."}, {"response": 1121, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (00:40)", "body": "(Sadie) although it's interesting to see a whole genre spring up around being a thirty-something Singleton So you think it has. spored. a. confessional. gender?"}, {"response": 1122, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (03:24)", "body": "Can't swear, but I think this Todd Rundgren \"I saw the light\" is the song I saw RZ singing up at a window from the street. Not up to much, IMHO. Both \"Watermelon\" and \"Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married\" (which was an eight-part TV drama here in the UK a few months ago) are by Marian Keyes, and quite entertaining. The book shops here are awash with a whole flood of yellow- and pink-covered search-for-love books, half of them by Irish authoresses, chronicling the ditzy struggles of new-urban trendy girls - This is the. gender. spored. by BJD (I quite like it personally). As for confessionals, I was reading yesterday about a slim volume called \"100 ways to scare off a man\" or similar, already released in the US, in which the two LA authoresses claim to have unwittingly achieved all 100 in their personal experience. Originally a pamphlet which they shared with their friends, they were persuaded to get it published and it has taken off. Sounds like a laugh."}, {"response": 1123, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (08:32)", "body": "(Renate) So you think it has. spored. a. confessional. gender? LOL! BTW, what's your favorite color? ;-) Agree, Karen, 'I Saw the Light' will be *perfect*! Thanks for providing the link--it's one of those songs I knew that I knew yet I couldn't put my finger on it. (Mark) Can't swear, but I think this Todd Rundgren \"I saw the light\" is the song I saw RZ singing up at a window from the street. Not up to much, IMHO. Well, this takes some of the air out of my balloon--as long as she's singing to Mark, not Daniel, it'll be brilliant. ;-)"}, {"response": 1124, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (08:42)", "body": "Well, this takes some of the air out of my balloon--as long as she's singing to Mark, not Daniel, it'll be brilliant. ;-) Thought the exact same thing when I read MarkG's post above. Any connection with Daniel would be sooooo wrong. Just look at the lyrics: It was late last night, I was feeling something wasn't right, There was not another soul in sight, Only you, only you So we walked along, though I knew there was something wrong And the feeling hit me oh so strong about you Then you gazed up at me and the answer was plain to see, 'Cause I saw the light in your eyes Though we had our fling, I just never would suspect a thing 'Til that little bell began to ring in my head, in my head But I tried to run, though I knew it wouldn't help me none, 'Cause I couldn't ever love no one, or so I said But my feelings for you were just something I never knew 'Til I saw the light in your eyes But I love you best, It's not something that I say in jest (ha ha) 'Cause you're different, girl, from all the rest in my eyes And I ran out before, but I won't do it anymore Can't you see the light in my eyes"}, {"response": 1125, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (08:49)", "body": "(Karen) Any connection with Daniel would be sooooo wrong. Indeed. And singing up at a window beats the he*l out of 'I'm just a girl...' crap."}, {"response": 1126, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (12:37)", "body": "Small snippet in Daily Express,although the info in it is probably already known. Helen Fielding Favourite word: Singleton Why:It is replacing the derogative and outdated word \"spinster\" with its ridiculous connotations of shelves,spinning wheels,rejection and failure which have nothing to do with the lives of modern single woman.everyone thinks I invented it in Bridget Jones Diary,whereas in fact it was PG Wodehouse."}, {"response": 1127, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (15:02)", "body": "And singing up at a window beats the he*l out of 'I'm just a girl...' crap. LOL Eileen! Yes Gi, I do think it has spawned a new --- blue, my favourite color is blue of course! I don't think our dear Bridget should be confused with something that's always been around; I'm thinking most recently of that aweful book about The Rules (how to catch a man), and all the endless COSMO articles I grew up reading telling me what new ways I could entice, capture etc..As though finding happiness with a man was all my responsibility, and none of his! To me, Bridget is just too basically honest a soul, too endearingly and sincerely seeking to be categorized like that, even though Fielding does a good job showing how that social climate keeps our Bridget a little neurotic. (You can tell I am v. fond of her!) O.K. so she's massively insecure, but I can relate to the shakey feeling of being alone in a world of coupledom. Fielding really manages to capture the ironies of being of a generation with more freedom than any other generation of women have seen, and yet not really knowing what do to with it, or how to it love into it. There's just a growing number of us searching, trying to figure that out, so it's only natural that published stories would follow. Hmmmm, am beginning to make Fielding sound like an existentialist, sorry!"}, {"response": 1128, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (15:04)", "body": "hmmm, that should read \"how to find love in it\". System is making words disappear... Could be divine hint?"}, {"response": 1129, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (21:25)", "body": "RZ interview in Saturday s Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/et?ac=001533513654540&rtmo=V6Dw8qJK&atmo=YYYYYYYp&pg=/et/00/8/26/tlrene26.html This is the role that will turn her into another Julia Roberts? What about ODB? No mention of him. According to this article they are still filming."}, {"response": 1130, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 26, 2000 (08:59)", "body": "I'd guess the interview was done awhile ago. Mari pointed out that picture from People, where RZ is walking along the beach in California with JC. We should see quite a bit of her in the press as Nurse Betty opens after Labor Day."}, {"response": 1131, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Aug 26, 2000 (11:04)", "body": "Thanks for the links, Karen and Moon. And for your comments, Mark, which were very elucidating.:-)"}, {"response": 1132, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Aug 27, 2000 (07:07)", "body": "There's another interview with RZ in The Observer's Life mag.Its much of the same with no mention of ODB.HG obviously gets his usual mention as they refer to it as \"effectively,the third instalment of a trilogy, made by the same gang\". I'm unable to direct you to it as my browser won't let me in."}, {"response": 1133, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 27, 2000 (08:23)", "body": "Here's the article: http://www.observer.co.uk/life/story/0,6903,359655,00.html Definitely think there's a pattern here. Every two weeks... ;-)"}, {"response": 1134, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Aug 27, 2000 (08:28)", "body": "LOL, yes which one's next? (thanks for finding it Karen my browser's useless for things like that)"}, {"response": 1135, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 27, 2000 (08:31)", "body": "Here's a good part: When it was announced in February that the role of the very British Bridget Jones would be going to an American, the newspapers had a field day. 'As Bridget approaches 40, she is to be played by a pert-breasted nymphet barely out of her teens,' said The Times. 'Of all the clunking, Hollywood idiocy. The only funny thing about Bridget Jones is that she's not young and perfect,' piled on The Evening Standard. 'Casting her as a young and perfect thing is like remaking The Elephant Man with Jude Law.' According to Jonathan Cavendish, producer of the film, the decision to go with Zellweger was not taken lightly. It was a two-year search to find the right actress. And though they met the obvious candidates ('all the people you'd expect us to look at'), it was Zellweger who knocked them out. 'The problem with something that is so defined in terms of people's perception as the character of Bridget Jones is that we had a very clear idea of who we were looking for,' he explains. 'They had to be the person. When Ren\ufffde walked into the room, Sharon [Maguire, the director] and I looked at one another and said, \"This is Bridget.\"' It makes marketing sense, too. Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill scored massively overseas courtesy of their American stars, Andie MacDowell and Julia Roberts. Bridget Jones is, effectively, the third instalment of a trilogy, made by the same gang (Richard Curtis, Hugh Grant, et al). Helen Fielding - who now lives in LA - has given Zellweger her blessing. As executive producer (not to mention a big mate of Curtis and Maguire's), she had a consultant role in casting ('She was kept very closely informed all the time,' says Cavendish). Fielding and Zellweger get on well (the author turned up on-set to hobnob recently). When Fielding appeared to criticise the project at a book function, Zellweger interpreted the comments as a joke. 'They ah sked her about this American girl, this actress being cast, and she said she was just upset that they hadn't ah sked her ,' says Zellweger, all Liza Dolittle again. 'Not that they hadn't ah sked her about casting, but that they hadn't ah sked her if she'd play Bridget Jones. That's what she meant.' 'Helen's been nothing but entirely supportive,' Cavendish asserts. [...] Next spring, when she comes back to do publicity, the British public will get their chance to determine whether she's pulled it off. 'We'll see, I guess, won't we?' she chuckles. 'If I'm lynched and hanging off Tower Bridge, we'll see...'"}, {"response": 1136, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 27, 2000 (08:33)", "body": "(Judy) LOL, yes which one's next? *looking into Madame Eileen's crystal ball* The Independent ;-)"}, {"response": 1137, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Aug 27, 2000 (14:40)", "body": "(Karen, quoting RZ)'Not that they hadn't ah sked her about casting, but that they hadn't ah sked her if she'd play Bridget Jones. That's what she meant.' I'm glad someone finally cleared that up :-)"}, {"response": 1138, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Aug 27, 2000 (14:55)", "body": "Thanks Judy and Karen for this next article. Regarding HF comments, some rumours really die hard! Hope this one is laid to rest."}, {"response": 1139, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (10:08)", "body": "Karen, thought I heard you choking on this line: [from the article] Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill scored massively overseas courtesy of their American stars, Andie MacDowell and Julia Roberts. Yeah, we all ponied up to see 4W because of Andie. *snort*"}, {"response": 1140, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (15:11)", "body": "(Eileen) Yeah, we all ponied up to see 4W because of Andie. *snort* Isn't that a riot? Almost as funny as the part that speculated that what's held RZ back is her supposedly \"unpronounceable\" surname (geez, what would they say about *mine*?). BTW, Renee will be on David Letterman's show on Tuesday, September 5."}, {"response": 1141, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (17:43)", "body": "Article in the Express about that adorable split-up couple (Hugh and Liz) on holiday on Sardinia. Says: Hugh, star of the film Notting Hill, appeared to have been working out since the \"separation,\" his slender frame looking well toned. Now, I ask you, people, does this look well-toned? Can read rest of sordid details, with no mention of Bridget or CF here if want: http://www.lineone.net/express/00/08/28/news/n0320-d.html"}, {"response": 1142, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (22:08)", "body": "(Karen) Hugh, star of the film Notting Hill, appeared to have been working out since the \"separation,\" Getting in shape to convince us he can credibly play a Wimbledon winner? (Karen)Now, I ask you, people, does this look well-toned? Welllll, I'm not a particular Hugh fan but there does seem to be some pectoral definition going on there. Can't tell whether or not he's sporting six pack abs though ;-)."}, {"response": 1143, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (22:16)", "body": "(Jana2) there does seem to be some pectoral definition going on there You are looking at the person on the left, aren't you? ;-)"}, {"response": 1144, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Aug 29, 2000 (07:53)", "body": "I thought Elizabeth Hurley looked fairly defined;)"}, {"response": 1145, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Aug 29, 2000 (10:39)", "body": "(LauraMM)I thought Elizabeth Hurley looked fairly defined;) No doubt about *that*..."}, {"response": 1146, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug 29, 2000 (12:09)", "body": "Its as I've always thought, people with fat thighs shouldn't wear white pants. BTW how tall is he-he looks a short arse on this one short & dumpy."}, {"response": 1147, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Aug 29, 2000 (12:21)", "body": "Lookin' at the faces--*squint*--don't think those two are HG and EH. However, the fellow does look 'in trim'. ;-)"}, {"response": 1148, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (01:51)", "body": "Hm ... when Hugh and Liz have split up, why are they together on holiday? (I read Hugh comment somewhere that all this split-up business was a spoof) Not that this woman looks a lot like Liz, and the man could be anybody. But what is Tom Selleck doing in this picture? There's a report on Whatsonstage that the Caretake is revived, with Michael Gambon and Rupert Graves (forgot the third name). Donald Pleasence is mentioned but guess who is not. http://www.whatsonstage.com/"}, {"response": 1149, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (08:56)", "body": "Teletext has an item from the UK press junket for Nurse Betty: In addition, the busy actress has had to work on mastering an English accent. \"But it's a great part, I'm having a ball. I love the character and I love the book. I'm actually deep into it.\" She's reading the book now? Well, I suppose you wouldn't want to get confused over how things are portrayed in the book and what's in the script she had to work from. So what does the new boyfriend make of her fuller Bridget Jones figure? \"He wasn't grossed out, he's actually just fine with it.\" *hee hee* Sounds like JC is pretty normal. ;-)"}, {"response": 1150, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (14:07)", "body": "(Karen) She's reading the book now? The quote sounds a little dated to me, perhaps from the time NB screened in Cannes (??)."}, {"response": 1151, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (19:33)", "body": "Oh, no! Cornel will be wild(e);-) From the imdb: Dicaprio Increases Presence Leonardo DiCaprio has stunned the Italian public with his new image... a stomach big enough to brand him a new Brando. Leonardo - currently filming his new movie in Italy - proved to onlookers that he may have sank his teeth into a few too many plates of pasta while enjoying sights such as the Colisseum in Rome. Leo is starring in the new Martin Scorsese movie Gangs of New York, The (2001) about Italian immigrants travelling to America and getting caught up in violent riots. ******* Tsk,tsk . . . all that hard work. . .gone like so many fusilli;-) What won't these guys do for their art.;-) BTW, I rented The Beach tonight to check out Cornel's work on Leo: v.v.g. pecs; arms (not bad, making good progress); legs (best to wear long trousers);-)"}, {"response": 1152, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (20:26)", "body": "LOL Karen! Did she think JC would say, ooh gross, their huge! (Mari)Oh, no! Cornel will be wild(e) LOL Mari! And outbrandoing Brando, no less! Does anyone remember that Chris Elliot skit, where he imitated Brando? He danced around the floor, occasionally uttering \"Bananas\" as he circled around, well, bananas. Somehow, this Leonardo article made me think of that."}, {"response": 1153, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (22:18)", "body": "Ack! This I gotta see."}, {"response": 1154, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (22:34)", "body": "I think it was on Dave Letterman Karen. Was years ago now, but it stayed with me."}, {"response": 1155, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (09:34)", "body": "From This is London. Projecting a March release for BJD in UK. Cannot believe One True Thing went straight to video there. The Tex factor by Marianne Gray Had things been slightly different, Ren\ufffde Zellweger might have been writing this interview instead of me. If she'd stuck to her original career choice of journalism, that is. But after taking an obligatory acting class for her literature degree, hey presto! - suddenly acting became her new career choice. Now she's acting's 'everything to everyone'. This week she's a psychotic nurse in the very dark comedy Nurse Betty, and in three weeks she's the girl on the run with Jim Carrey in another gross-out comedy from the Farrelly brothers (of Dumb And Dumber and There's Something About Mary fame) called Me, Myself & Irene. Then, due out next spring, she's the absolutely British Bridget Jones in that much-vaunted diary movie of Helen Fielding's bestseller, with Colin Firth and Hugh Grant as the gents who vie for her affections. As Betty in Nurse Betty, directed by Neil LaBute, the man behind controversial comedies In The Company Of Men and Your Friends And Neighbors, she plays Betty Sizemore, a soap opera-addicted Kansas waitress. Traumatised by the murder of her heartless husband (Aaron Eckhart), she begins to believe she's a nurse and the ex-fiancee of a doctor (Greg Kinnear) in her favourite soap. LaBute, who saw her as the loyal secretary who thawed Tom Cruise's heart in Jerry Maguire, knew she had to be Betty. 'I told them I didn't know what she meant in box office terms, but I wanted her,' he says. 'There were no qualms about that for me. There was no reading. It was just, \"Can we get her?\"' 'Betty's not a role people would normally see me right for,' says Zellweger, in her Southern-fried Texan drawl. 'The film is about a woman accidentally living her dreams. She's delusional and from being a generous dreamer she falls into a state called \"dissociative fugue\", which is something that can happen to protect the conscious mind after experiencing an unmanageable emotional trauma. It allows the person to continue to function by taking on a new identity and also wipes out their recollection of their past. 'I'm not a soap fan like Betty. In fact I didn't watch television beyond the seventh grade. I didn't seek out soap fans for my research although I have to admit to watching Days Of Our Lives while shooting and loving it. Nurse Betty, however, is no soap opera. Nor is it a Doris Day-ish kind of comedy.' And neither is her next film, Me, Myself & Irene with her off-screen love Carrey playing a schizophrenic Rhode Island cop who has to escort the felonious Irene Waters (Zellweger) across state lines to answer her warrant. (Apparently Carrey and Zellweger had met at a friend's dinner a couple of years ago and not clicked, but during the shooting of the film Carrey, according to Peter Farrelly, fell in love with her. However, Zellweger's trepidation against on-set relationships meant they had to wait till after they'd wrapped.) 'This is a very different comedy, the sort where you have to be honest with the character and the comedy takes care of itself,' explains Zellweger. 'And then, of course, there's good taste, there's bad taste and there's Farrelly taste. You can't imagine some of the stuff these guys came up with. I still can't believe it. My dad's not going to believe this. In fact my dad can't see this movie!' Seeing her in Cannes earlier this year, if she hadn't been there in an official capacity to promote Nurse Betty, Zellweger could have been just another petite (she's 5ft 5in tall), sparky blonde with a ponytail who swigs her mineral water from the bottle and has a laugh that projects across the room. For a small, slim, innocent looking girl, Zellweger's got one helluva chuckle. But then she's earned it. She is, after all, only 31 and since her first film, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (made with another now A-list actor, Matthew McConaughey, when they were both at the University Of Texas), she has had plenty to laugh about. She says she still has the scars from the chainsaw, although nowadays her scars are more likely to be caused by Hollywood agents flinging scripts at her. The Zellweger story starts some time before Jerry Maguire. 'I never took acting classes,' she says in her girly voice. 'I just went along to auditions until somebody said OK and eventually the walk-on roles became a few words. Then suddenly I was cast in Jerry Maguire. That came like a bolt from the blue. I mean, really, I'm a dork. The idea that a dork was in a Tom Cruise movie is hysterical! 'I got a call saying, \"You should go and meet this guy Cameron Crowe [director of Jerry Maguire] who's directing a big movie.\" I went along, had a really good time with Cameron in Los Angeles, then headed straight home to Austin, Texas, thinking the role of Dorothy was a little outta my league... Then I got another call to go back to read with Tom. I had to keep my hysterics "}, {"response": 1156, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (13:37)", "body": "Thanks for the article, Mari. It points out (as others have) that Neil and Aaron are tighter than George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg. (The story goes that until Bridget Jones she refused to accept jobs where she couldn't take her dog, which might explain her choices.) OK, that explains her choices..."}, {"response": 1157, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (13:59)", "body": "(Mari)Nurse Betty opens Fri 1 Sep, Me, Myself & Irene opens Fri 22 Sep, Bridget Jones's Diary is due for release in Mar 2001 Astonishing. Me Myself & Irene has been in the theaters here forever, nobody even heard of Nurse Betty yet, and I wonder what'll happen to BJD..."}, {"response": 1158, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (14:05)", "body": "((Mari)The story goes that until Bridget Jones she refused to accept jobs where she couldn't take her dog, which might explain her choices.) (Eileen)OK, that explains her choices... My kind of girl ;-)"}, {"response": 1159, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Sep  2, 2000 (12:11)", "body": "In general, it seems most UK critics like Nurse Betty and RZ. Here's the Teletext review, which I'm posting because of the HG comment at the end. I think somebody needs to take him out back of the woodshed.;-) Review by Victor Olliver Here's your chance to size-up the Zellweger woman who's playing Bridget Jones in the movie of the Helen Fielding creation. Terribly sweet, seemingly untouched by life, she's the antithesis of bitter and twisted Jones. But, meanwhile, what of Nurse Betty? Cannes loved it and awarded a prize for the script. Cannes loved LaBute, who's a literary film-maker with a sharp line against misogyny (see his In The Company Of Men). And Cannes loved Zellweger, who gave cutie-pie interviews - and she's going out with Jim Carrey. Stellar comedy couple! She plays waitress Betty, who's obsessed with TV soap character Dr David Ravell (Kinnear). When he says on the box \"I know there's someone special out there for me\" her heart strings twang as she serves up the muffins and espresso. But it's not until she witnesses a violent killing in the diner at the hands of two hitmen (Freeman and Rock) that she pops off into shock and succumbs to fantasy. She drives off to meet her TV hero - with the two killers in hot pursuit. There's so much that's good here it's hard to know where to begin. Freeman and Rock make a wonderful double act, dreaming up wildly comic fantasies about Betty, while sundry bit players such as a Latina called Rosa, deliver many funny oneliner volleys. It all works largely because of the screen presence of Zellweger, who imbues the light satire (mainly of soaps) with naturalistic feeling and unworked compassion. It's a must-see film - and she'll make a great Bridget Jones (despite what her co-star Hugh Grant reportedly thinks). 31/08/00"}, {"response": 1160, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Sep  2, 2000 (12:40)", "body": "Thanks for the article Mari,I for one don't care what HG thinks but I think its going to be another of these stories (along with the HF one) being trotted out every time BJD is mentioned.I've not seen much about NB,the film getting all the attention seems to be Snatch,its on the radio,billboards etc.However, yesterdays Daily Mail gave it 2 stars,its verdict being'Skilful comedy is less of a joke than it thinks' The RT doesn't mention it & TV times gives it 3 stars and says of RZ 'Zellweger just shines as the simple girl chasing her fictitious dream,confounding everyonewith her combination of naivete and innocence. I've not seen ant of the weekend papers though so hopefully/naively there might be more in them.I would like this to be a success for RZ over here to give an extra boost to BJD."}, {"response": 1161, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Sep  2, 2000 (14:36)", "body": "re Teletext review - \"bitter and twisted Jones\"? Sheesh, suppose that's a typically male viewpoint on singleton women. Nice to see this positive publicity on RZ in the UK which can only help. This film's gonna sink or swim with Renee's appeal. Besides, would hate to see her hanging from Tower Bridge."}, {"response": 1162, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Sep  2, 2000 (19:11)", "body": "From a review on http://www.virgin.net/movies/whatson/ \"Zellweger just simpers feebly: if she's this wet as Bridget Jones the diary will be waterlogged.\""}, {"response": 1163, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Sep  2, 2000 (21:44)", "body": "Uh oh, Arami. Looks like the folks at virgin.net have already written their BJD review. The BBC was much much kinder--one of the nicest reviews I've seen anywhere: Splicing together an American road trip and an American story about succeeding is to risk wringing any remaining life out of both genres. Weak films which take to the road are generally reduced to on-the-road encounters of forced eccentricity, while most American films which are pumped out week after week contain a central character who wins through, a reality perfectly clear from scene one. Yet Neil LaBute - rightly praised for \"In the Company of Men\" (1997) and \"Your Friends & Neighbors\" (1998) - is hardly your average American director. Having created splendid roles for men in both films, he now turns his attention to Ren\ufffde Zellweger - who successfully cut her creative teeth on \"Jerry Maguire\" (1996) - and presents her with a rich, tasty role which depends on her ability to swing from tearful soul-searching through frivolity and charm to girlish exuberance. Zellweger grabs the chance and so turns \"Nurse Betty\" into her best film to date. She is required to pack her character with all kinds of nuance and ever misses a beat. This is also true of LaBute himself who brings a variety of intriguing, different, even eccentric details to a scene without once removing it from the realms of reality. The reality here is that Betty, an obsessive fan of a particular TV soap, is so traumatised after witnessing her husband's scalp being removed by criminals that she wishes for the handsome soap doctor to become hers. Even when she is in the thick of the TV studio in Los Angeles, she still earnestly believes that the soap world is real. LaBute ensures that the two worlds cross imaginatively and that other actors - even when not on screen all the time - have full roles too. Morgan Freeman is particularly amusing as a low-key, warm-hearted killer who starts lusting after Betty, but it is Zellweger - perfect as the innocent waiting to be mauled by life - who makes you realise that another star, and great actor, has been born."}, {"response": 1164, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Sep  3, 2000 (00:24)", "body": "(Mari)I think somebody needs to take him out back of the woodshed.;-) LOL! and thanks for posting both the Teletext and BBC reviews. (Judy)I for one don't care what HG thinks but I think its going to be another of these stories (along with the HF one) being trotted out every time BJD is mentioned. Ditto on HG, and agree, the stories get tiresome but persist. (Heide commenting on Teletext review)\"bitter and twisted Jones\"? Sheesh, suppose that's a typically male viewpoint on singleton women. I can't imagine where he got this idea though. It's so bizarre! I can only conclude he's never read the book himself, and maybe he found out about the story by playing \"broken telephone\" in a pub while on a bender?"}, {"response": 1165, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep  3, 2000 (11:41)", "body": "Thanks Mari for the BBC review...that and The Times are the only ones that carry any credibility IMO. Re: virgin.net review..... Who are these people, anyway? Related to the airlines??"}, {"response": 1166, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep  3, 2000 (11:53)", "body": "CONGRATULATIONS KAREN Yahoo has your BJD Page listed and before that ugly one with the yellow background ;-) http://dir.yahoo.com/Entertainment/Movies_and_Film/Titles/Comedy/Bridget_Jones_s_Diary/ Way to go!!"}, {"response": 1167, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Sep  3, 2000 (15:01)", "body": "RZ has got almost universally good reviews for her performance, sometimes better than the film review itself.. Check out the Guardian site http://www.filmunlimited.co.uk for the reviews....\"RZ emerges as a very accomplished performer and comedian\" Even the venomous Anne Billson of the Sunday Telegraph likes her and urges people who doubt that she'll be a good BJ, to go see it. Th critics like her, which will go a long way to ensuring the success of BJD. It's important for the the male critics in the movie mags give a good rating and to give RZ rave reviews,(forget what they say about HG and CF) then the multiplex crowd will go, and see CF as a handsome romantic lead, at long, long last !"}, {"response": 1168, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Sep  3, 2000 (18:53)", "body": "Congrats on the Yahoo placement, Karen! I've told you before, they should hire you for the official site. So glad that RZ is gaining critical credibility in the UK. That can only help the reception for BJD. When I saw that her best work (One True Thing) only showed on video in the UK, I started to understand some of the initial skepticism. Nurse Betty doesn't open here until Friday, but I expect the reviews will be good here as well, where LaBute is a critical darling and RZ is well-regarded. Bethan, I can't find the Anne Billson review--is it available online?"}, {"response": 1169, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Sep  3, 2000 (18:58)", "body": "Re: virgin.net review..... Who are these people, anyway? Related to the airlines?? Used to be. Richard Branson (Virgin boss) has just sold the Virgin ISP business to a cable telecom company."}, {"response": 1170, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  3, 2000 (19:46)", "body": "Congrats on the Yahoo placement More to do with the alphabet than any other factor. ;-) I'm sure they put Nurse Betty off until after Labor Day, as it is traditionally a very low turnout weekend. *polishing up my BBQ for tomorrow* ;-D All the reviews I've seen have pretty much liked RZ's performance, although Chris Rock's appears to be the standout of the movie. Apparently, AE does his usual and customary turn as a despicable one. Wonder if he's involved in the one scene of gratuitous violence (?) mentioned. Probably."}, {"response": 1171, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (05:08)", "body": "Congradulations on your page being listed Karen! (Bethan)Th critics like her, which will go a long way to ensuring the success of BJD (Mari)So glad that RZ is gaining critical credibility in the UK. Just wanted to add my gladness too. Thank you for posting the review link Bethan."}, {"response": 1172, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (05:56)", "body": "Pardon if this has been posted already, but RZ is scheduled to be on Rosie O'Donnell's show this Friday, Sep 8th. (And a reminder, she's on Letterman on the 5th.)"}, {"response": 1173, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (07:37)", "body": "Can always use reminders, Donna. Didn't know about Rosie. Probably on the early morning shows too, as will be in NY."}, {"response": 1174, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (14:07)", "body": "Probably on the early morning shows too, as will be in NY. Thanks Donna & Karen...RZ is a great at film publicity , she and HG will do the same for BJD I'm sure."}, {"response": 1175, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (09:14)", "body": "I just saw RZ on Good Morning America...she's looking pretty svelte. I'd say she's lost her 2 stones (she was wearing black!!). after they finished discussing Nurse Betty...Matt Lauer (host) zeroed in to BJD...\"I expected to see you waddling in...\"She described her regimen for gaining weight..then he said I heard the British press went after an American for portraying BJ.. did that bother you? She was v. cool about the answer.. said she understood their feelings after being over there ...small market and lots of British actresses etc.It seems to me he also made a remark about how odd that is since so many British actors get parts over here...the tone was pseudo-hostile anybody else get that feeling. So early in the game, this seems to be part of the publicity.Not good.But it was bound to happen."}, {"response": 1176, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (12:21)", "body": "Barry Norman in this weeks RT has some decent thingsto say about RZ in his review of NB RZ a pleasingly round-faced actress from Texas,is theunexpected & possibly controversial choice to star in the screen version of BJD.The controversy arises because Ms Jones is,of course,quintessentially EnglishBut,on the evidence of NB & assuming she can get theaccent right ,I think Zellweger will do it very well.Theroles are quite different,but Betty & Bridget share similar romantic yearnings & mild ditziness.... ....Good as the others are,it is very much Zellwegers film & she comes across with just the kind of warmth & appeal that we would hope for from BJ."}, {"response": 1177, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (13:43)", "body": "(Barry Norman) she comes across with just the kind of warmth & appeal that we would hope for from BJ. Isn't that exactly what we've been saying from the beginning? ;-D"}, {"response": 1178, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (14:01)", "body": "(Karen) Isn't that exactly what we've been saying from the beginning? Yup. I didn't see the Today Show, Evelyn (had GMA on). Sorry I missed it."}, {"response": 1179, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (15:06)", "body": "(Eileen)I didn't see the Today Show, Evelyn (had GMA on). Oops...I mean't Today Show. RZ is scheduled to be on Letterman tonight , and Rosie on Friday (thanks Donna). Keep watching GMA, I bet she's on it this week too.I know her voice irritates Moon ( I don't like MT's!), but I find it endearing..."}, {"response": 1180, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (15:38)", "body": "E! will have a \"Behind the Scenes\" show for Nurse Betty on these days/times (all Eastern): Sat Sep 9 02:00P Sun Sep 10 03:00A Mon Sep 11 03:30A Fri Sep 15 08:00A Fri Sep 15 06:00P"}, {"response": 1181, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (19:43)", "body": "Both DH and I saw the interview with Matt Lauer on \"Today\". I didn't think the questions or answers were hostile. What struck both of us was a decidedly clipped accent, which Renee didn't have before. We LOL, because we knew where it came from! Perhaps a few more weeks in the States, and she'll lose it..."}, {"response": 1182, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (22:36)", "body": "Article on RZ in Scotland on Sunday (3 September) by Garth Pearce. Lots of same old, same old stuff rehashed, but liked the lead-in: The secret diary of Renee Zellweger Cigarettes: none (v.good); Alcohol: 12 units (bad); Weight gain 15lbs (aargh!); Love interest: Jim Carrey (aargh!); Career: Jerry Maguire to Bridget Jones's Diary; Prospects: Excellent. Here's a paragraph about the casting: \"Hugh Grant plays Bridget\ufffds office lover, Daniel Cleaver; Colin Firth, in a nice casting twist, is the gallant Mark Darcy and supportive friend Sharon is Sally Phillips, first noticed as the acerbic receptionist in I\ufffdm Alan Partridge and then co-host of comedy series Smack The Pony. With Gemma Jones playing her mother, Pam, rediscovering her sex life at 60 and Jim Broadbent as the long-suffering father, Colin, there were a few cultural shock waves during filming. But Zellweger insists that her nerve held.\" Also says at end that the movie opens early next year... Is very long, so here's the link: http://www.arts.scotsman.com/cfm/film/headlines_specific.cfm?rankuniqueid=101"}, {"response": 1183, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (07:49)", "body": "Colin Firth, in a nice casting twist, How could CF be a nice casting twist when HF practically screams his name out in the book? Where do these people live? Thanks, Karen!"}, {"response": 1184, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (07:55)", "body": "Possibly because Garth is only familiar with Colin's work as a masturbatory village pervert. ;-D"}, {"response": 1185, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (08:56)", "body": "(Meredith) What struck both of us was a decidedly clipped accent, which Renee didn't have before. Sounds as though Renee had an easier time losing the weight than losing the accent. Lucky her! Will try to get hubby to see Nurse Betty this weekend. He usually brands anything I want to see as a 'chick flick' (what can I say, he can actually sit through a Steven Segal movie without vomiting)."}, {"response": 1186, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (09:06)", "body": "Saw RZ last night on Letterman. She looked slim to me. Was wearing *black* and side of slacks had vertical black stripe (satiny), possibly more helpful illusion. Her upper arms however looked a tad flabby but not fat. I didn't notice anything about her accent. BTW, she only mentioned BJD once and that she'd been living in England for 7 months. Letterman is NOT noted as being a serious interviewer, just silly."}, {"response": 1187, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (09:23)", "body": "Renee was just interviewed on a show called Homepage (on NBC). Looks like it was taped from the Nurse Betty junket. On BJD: gained 17 pounds, a \"character decision\" made by her and Sharon Maguire. Said it reflects BJ's drinking and eating habits, which she uses to comfort herself. There will be an article in this Sunday's New York Times on her. The clips I've seen of Nurse Betty look really good--will try to see it this weekend. Anyone here seen it yet? U.S. reviews are starting to come in and are mostly raves. Working Title got her cheap! LOL!"}, {"response": 1188, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (10:27)", "body": "Just got back from seeing Nurse Betty - most timely: You get the impression that this film was more an offbeat comedy in the making that somehow became a really sweet (almost uplifting) film because of Ren\ufffde Zellweger's qualities. Eileen, tell your hubby that there is more than one helping of utterly brutal violence. This seems quite out of place in the film, except that it provides some excuse for the peculiar post-traumatic stress condition into which Betty lapses, which is of course the hinge of the plot. Aaron Eckhart is a sadly short-lived swine, but some excellent characters are created by RZ, Chris Rock and the phenomenal Morgan Freeman. Betty's survival in her new character from her first meeting with her screen idol Dr Drake Ramore, oops I mean David Ravell (yes, not hard to see where the plot idea came from, Friends -lovers) is deftly scripted, and allows RZ full scope to offer up her perky vulnerability. I enjoyed it, and felt that if it wasn't for MF, you would have to say that RZ carried the whole film. Greg Kinnear for instance plays his actor character quite as cardboard as his actor's screen role (and where did they get the idea for a heartthrob doctor acted by a George, ER -lovers?). The sentimentality is sometimes over-ladled (bad for Eileen's hubby) and the plot is a bit glib at the end of the day, all of which will mean that this will not act (in the UK at least) as a film to prep the public for RZ as BJD - about 30 people watched the 1pm sitting at the most central of its ten London venues today - and I think it's only showing for two weeks."}, {"response": 1189, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (18:04)", "body": "(Moon)How could CF be a nice casting twist when HF practically screams his name out in the book? CF could have refused and then what? But he accepted and there's your nice casting twist, no?"}, {"response": 1190, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (21:31)", "body": "Thanks for the NB review, Mark. I look forward to seeing it."}, {"response": 1191, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (07:56)", "body": "CF could have refused and then what? But he accepted and there's your nice casting twist, no? (Shaking head), you are quite right. Thanks, Mark! Will try for this weekend too."}, {"response": 1192, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (07:31)", "body": "Time to complain to Harper's--outrageous. From Excite UK: 'Bridget Jones' too fat for fashion mag\ufffd Renee Zellweger, the star of the film version of Bridget Jones' Diary, has been dropped as next month's Harper's Bazaar magazine cover girl because she is overweight. Zellweger pounds put on because she plays a weight-obsessed character in the film of the Helen Fielding book . The 31-year-old American actress is now back in the US after spending almost a year in London filming 'Bridget' with Hugh Grant. She had to put on weight for the role - a feat she said she accomplished by wolfing down peanut butter sandwiches and pizzas. The New York Daily News reports that the new look has proved too much for the fashion magazine's editors, who dropped her after the expensive cover shots had been taken. Her agent told the newspaper: \"The reason why Renee is not on the October cover of Harper's Bazaar is because (editor) Kate Betts and her staff felt that the weight gain, which was for a movie role, was not the image Harper's wanted to present to the public - an actress 10 pounds overweight. \""}, {"response": 1193, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (07:45)", "body": "Oooh, I have a feeling this one is going to take off!"}, {"response": 1194, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (08:06)", "body": "Here's the NY Daily News article: http://www.nydailynews.com/today/News_and_Views/Daily_Dish/a-79239.asp Pic taken Wednesday at the Nurse Betty premiere. Note upper arm ;-D"}, {"response": 1195, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (08:18)", "body": "Thanks for the link and pic, Karen. Good for her agent for exposing their piggery (new word;-) to the media. Would love to see Rosie bring this up on today's interview--is Rosie live or taped in advance? Must dash to work--will need someone to fill me in! It's Weightgate!;-)"}, {"response": 1196, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (08:33)", "body": "Kenny Tynan's review in the LA Times: \"Nurse Betty\" is a masquerade that doesn\ufffdt work. A noticeably sour fairy tale that mixes violence and cynicism with once-upon-a-time qualities, it was never fated to be \"Snow White.\" But having Neil LaBute as the director has made the worst of the situation. As demonstrated by \"Your Friends & Neighbors\" and \"In the Company of Men,\" pictures LaBute has written and directed, this filmmaker has an ice-cold sensibility that divides its bemused contempt between the characters he creates and the audiences who have to spend time with them. \"Nurse Betty\" marks the first time LaBute has taken on a script he didn\ufffdt write himself but, in a perverse tribute to the auteur theory of directorial authorship, his frigid fingerprints can be found all over it. Given that the film includes bloody shootouts and a graphic scalping, \"Nurse Betty\ufffds\" John C. Richards and James Flamberg script (which managed to win a prize at Cannes) always had designs on being as edgy as it is fantastical. But with the addition of a director whose sensibility does not connect with all aspects of the material, who has to be dragged more or less kicking and screaming toward the film\ufffds minimal needs for warmth and humanity, \"Nurse Betty\" seems more like a charade than it should. Though it manages to be involving and even amusing in fits and starts, its warped, disconnected sensibility makes for an oddly distant piece of work. For rest: http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/review_betty000908.htm"}, {"response": 1197, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (09:05)", "body": "From CNN today: Renee Zellweger takes on Betty, now Bridget By Donna Freydkin NEW YORK (CNN) -- For Renee Zellweger, thin most definitely is not in. The actress, an elfin woman with a big pouf of blonde hair untidily pulled away from her round face, is doing her best to pack on the pounds. But if pigging out looks this good, the diet industry is in serious trouble. \"Trust me, this is just a really good dress,\" she sighs. Actually, it's not. The frock in question is, in fact, a snug wraparound black creation, hugging Zellweger's petite frame. Gallingly enough, the months of gluttony haven't left their mark. And not too many of us can pity an actress who, in the name of high art, has to stuff herself full of pasta, chocolate and junk food. So why the great weight debate? Zellweger, 31, was most recently in London shooting \"Bridget Jones' Diary,\" a film based on the massively popular tale of one neurotic Londoner's quest for thinness, confidence and true love. And to stay true to her character, whose weight fluctuates throughout the novel, Zellweger had to plump up. \"I was very successful until we started to do night shoots,\" she said. \"They just leave you so fatigued and with absolutely no appetite and I was repulsed at the thought of those obligatory Snickers bars.\" But for now, Zellweger's days of forced feedings and faux Brit accents are over. ... http://www.cnn.com/2000/SHOWBIZ/Movies/09/07/renee.zellweger/index.html CNN's lead-in to the NB review: Writer-director Neil LaBute's latest picture, \"Nurse Betty,\" is an intentional change of pace, although not the complete 180 degree turn that press releases are trumpeting. First-time screenwriters John C. Richards and Flamberg have created a comedy about identity and self-delusion that contains enough brutal, distastefully intimidating moments to keep LaBute's morbid cult happy."}, {"response": 1198, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (09:08)", "body": "New York Times loves it..... 'Nurse Betty': Fragile: Handle With Dreams' ...\". This whimsical rose-colored fairy tale with tragic undercurrents suggests a contemporary \"Wizard of Oz\" for grown-ups. It is easily the finest American comedy since David O. Russell's \"Flirting With Disaster,\" another road movie that never ran out of poignantly funny surprises. \" \"None of it would work if Ms. Zellweger's Betty weren't such a perfectly blended mixture of sweetness, innocence and stubborn determination tinged with a streak of petulance. Utterly likable but never saccharine, flighty but not dumb, Betty is a contemporary grown-up Dorothy Gale skipping down the yellow brick highway to meet the wonderful wizard.\" \"Nurse Betty\" is as much a triumph for Mr. LaBute as it is for its cast, because its success is so dependent on its sustaining a precarious balance between humor and pathos, realism and fantasy. Compared with his vicious examinations of yuppie sexual cruelty, \"In the Company of Men\" and \"Your Friends and Neighbors,\" which went for the jugular, \"Nurse Betty\" is almost warm and fuzzy. Yet the director gives the film enough of a misanthropic edge to hold sentimentality at bay.\" [Hey...Renee's sticker price just went up...Working title got a bargain!] \"\"Nurse Betty\" is as much a triumph for Mr. LaBute as it is for its cast, because its success is so dependent on its sustaining a precarious balance between humor and pathos, realism and fantasy. Compared with his vicious examinations of yuppie sexual cruelty, \"In the Company of Men\" and \"Your Friends and Neighbors,\" which went for the jugular, \"Nurse Betty\" is almost warm and fuzzy. Yet the director gives the film enough of a misanthropic edge to hold sentimentality at bay.\" [Let's hope ole Neil keeps the warmth in Possession too.] Entire review.... http://www.nytimes.com/2000/09/08/arts/08BETT.html?fl0907"}, {"response": 1199, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (09:18)", "body": "Holden (NYT) is the first reviewer who had anything good to say about the violent murder scene. He must be a card-carrying member of LaBute morbid cult. ;-D \"The brilliant and terrifying murder sequence at the beginning of the film establishes its deliberately bipolar mood and lays out its vision of modern America as a land of colliding, television-fed dreams of romance and upward mobility.\""}, {"response": 1200, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (09:28)", "body": "La Bute sounds like a creep. It seems that the reviewers are concentrating more on him than the film itself. It must be great for his ego. How on earth did he manage to snag Possession? He is not worthy. Karen I saw RZ on Letterman and thought her thighs were big. I get Harpers B. and their attitude is unacceptable. I hope they get flooded with letters. I will send one. Thanks for the articles."}, {"response": 1201, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (09:32)", "body": "(Karen), Holden (NYT) is the first reviewer who had anything good to say about the violent murder scene. He must be a card-carrying member of LaBute morbid cult. ;-D And he also knew her last name, Dorothy Gale! This is one weird dude."}, {"response": 1202, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (09:44)", "body": "(Moon) It seems that the reviewers are concentrating more on him than the film itself I have only excerpted the parts that dealt with him...in fairness. Ebert gave it 3 stars and our other paper gave it a v.g. review, without focusing unduly on LaBute's trademark vision."}, {"response": 1203, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (09:53)", "body": "My Okla. paper says; \"Make Believe or Not, 'Nurse Betty' a Winner' ...\"but it's Zellwegger's mixture of wide-eyed innocence and lovable moxy in the role of a modern-day Dorothy tht makes it all work. with fantasy on a collision course with brutal reality, one roots for her make-believe, fugue-state romance to come true\"...\" [Sounds like some good ingredients here to make BJ work] \"..If the dull summer season's got you down, 'Nurse Betty' has the cure\". Hey....I hope BJD gets as good reviews. This one won Best Sceenplay at this year's Cannes FF."}, {"response": 1204, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (10:23)", "body": "Jay Carr gives it 3.5 out of 4 stars. I snipped out the plot points. Time magazine, Entertainment Weekly, and People give it raves. Philly Inquirer didn't like it. Wall Street Journal liked RZ, but not the film. Best to plunk down your bucks and see for yourself. 'Nurse' is welcome relief By Jay Carr Boston Globe Published: 09/08/2000 Neil LaBute's ''Nurse Betty'' is just what the new season needs to momentarily outrun the soon-to-be-unleashed flow of fabricated plastic. I'm not sure if it's a dark light comedy or a light dark comedy. Either way, it's lively, edgy, full of zigs and zags, juicy performances, and offbeat fun. It'll pop the careers of Renee Zellweger, Chris Rock, and Greg Kinnear up a notch or two. The only reason it won't do the same for Morgan Freeman is that he's already at the top of the A-list. After the limited delights of his misogynistic ''In the Company of Men'' and misanthropic ''Your Friends & Neighbors,'' it's also something of a breakout film for LaBute, too. Working for the first time with a script by somebody else (John C. Richards, James Flamburg) has opened him up. ''Nurse Betty'' is never going to be confused with ''Mary Poppins,'' but as of now, it's LaBute's crowd pleaser. Zellweger's Betty is Dorothy hurtling out of Kansas in ''The Wizard of Oz.'' She's Mia Farrow escaping an unbearable life in ''The Purple Rose of Cairo'' by slipping her moorings and taking refuge in illusion. The hit men, inevitably, will recall the ones of ''Pulp Fiction.'' And Betty's skewed odyssey detonates memories of ''Desperately Seeking Susan.'' You won't have enough fingers and toes to count the film references in ''Nurse Betty,'' but it doesn't just rip off its sources; it regenerates them with bright inventiveness, putting its own distinct spin on the characters, especially Freeman's cool old pro and Rock's hotheaded protege. Amusingly, the more trigger-happy Rock gets as they pursue Betty, the more courtly Freeman becomes. Convinced that she's essentially innocent (she is), he finds a protective instinct surfacing on Betty's behalf. He's the charmer in the film, although Zellweger's confused but softly persistent Betty keeps you wanting to see things work out for her. One of her funniest detours occurs when she actually meets Kinnear's George, who's as insecure off the set as he is suavely commanding in front of the cameras. When she addresses him as his doctor character, he assumes she's an actress launching a brilliant improvisation in hopes of getting on the show. Another reason the soap-opera element works as well as it does is the wry, dry producer played by Allison Janney. It must be said that the film's bullet-strewn ending doesn't live up to the level of the kicky inventiveness that precedes it. Still, if you're in the cinematic doldrums, take two hours of ''Nurse Betty,'' and you won't have to call a doctor in the morning. ******"}, {"response": 1205, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (10:42)", "body": "Fascinating to see these reviews after the film. Although LA Times and NY Times are poles apart, I found myself nodding at both. Overall, I think I have to agree most with WSJ: liked RZ, but not the film , which augurs better for BJD than Possession. I will be very interested to hear what others think when they have seen it. Re NLB, you do get the impression that the director has stamped himself all over this film, something I've never really thought before. Obviously I missed most of the filmic references - I've already mentioned the sitcom references I spotted, and the Dorothy Gale tribute was made clear; more educated film buffs, please educate me when you get the chance..."}, {"response": 1206, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (12:22)", "body": "Here is my local paper Miami Herald: 'Nurse' eventually comes to worse By Rene Rodriguez Nurse Betty is a cracked romantic comedy, with an emphasis on cracked. The movie has the structure of classic farce, and it's mostly sweet and tender, except when it turns bloody. Like a scene where one of the characters gets scalped. With a kitchen knife. In semi-closeup. Notting Hill, it's not. This is director Neil LaBute's third film, and it's the first one he didn't write. His other two, In the Company of Men and Your Friends & Neighbors, were cruel, psychologically violent films about the battle of the sexes. They were small, personal movies, brimming over with satirical bile, and they cut uncomfortably deep. Nurse Betty is a much bigger, frothier movie: LaBute says he decided to direct it precisely because no one would expect him to, and he was right. Because it's LaBute, the movie still has an edge. It's just not personal at all, and thus much less interesting. The script, by John C. Richards and James Flamberg, won the Best Screenplay award at the Cannes Film Festival, where genre-busting concoctions are often celebrated, whether or not they hold together (Wild at Heart and Barton Fink were also big winners there). And Nurse Betty, while certainly bizarre, does not hold together. The movie stars Ren\ufffde Zellweger as Betty, a Kansas waitress stuck in a bad marriage to a shady car salesman (Aaron Eckhart). As a way of escape, Betty loses herself in her beloved soap A Reason To Love, a General Hospital clone about the hunky Dr. David Ravell (Greg Kinnear) and the women in his life. Then a traumatic experience sends Betty into a fugue state, making her believe she's one of Dr. Ravell's ex-flames from the TV show. To her friends' befuddlement, Betty packs her things and sets out for Los Angeles to win back the good doctor, unaware she's being followed by a pair of hit men (Morgan Freeman and Chris Rock) out to reclaim a stash of drugs hidden in the trunk of her car. The premise sounds wobbly, and it plays even worse. Nurse Betty looks wonderful -- the movie's beautiful widescreen images are by cinematographer Jean Yves Escoffier, who shot Good Will Hunting -- and there isn't a single weak link in the cast. Zellweger, an immensely likable actress, earns your sympathy without ever tugging at your sleeve. She's like a plainer, more attainable Julia Roberts, and the entire movie is built around your desire to see Betty attain personal happiness: Her smile alone is reward enough. Freeman and Rock strike some sparks as the bickering murderers, and Kinnear is terrific as the vain soap star, whose shallowness runs formidably deep. There is also a nice turn by Allison Janney as the soap opera's unforgiving producer. Her blunt, carnivorous demeanor isn't just funny; it also feels perfectly right. The problem with Nurse Betty lies in its script, which can't overcome its incongruities. It feels like three movies stitched together. The film has some fine individual scenes: Its depiction of the TV soap industry, with its petty personalities and breathless overacting, is particularly good. But the movie lacks a cohesive tone. It feels concocted, artificial; LaBute can't sell the fantasy. Betty's inability to snap out of her stupor is as annoying to the viewer as it is to the other characters, because it doesn't make any sense. At times, you just want to shake her. And the sudden shifts in tone are jarring. You can picture LaBute behind the camera, saying, \"This is where we'll sock it to 'em!\" Well, he socks it to us, all right. It's a weird little movie, with references to The Wizard of Oz bumping up against gory shootouts. But at least you can't accuse LaBute of selling out. Nurse Betty doesn't work, but it's certainly different. That alone has to count for something, right?"}, {"response": 1207, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (12:24)", "body": "Here is the picture that goes with it."}, {"response": 1208, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (15:08)", "body": "More distinction for RZ: she's made People mag's 10-worst dressed list. I thought they might have seen the BJD get-ups, but no, judging from the pics, she's earned this all on her own.;-)"}, {"response": 1209, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (15:39)", "body": "Meant to mention this..(seen in the newsagents, not bought!)..one of our more rubbishy tabloids had an article on HG and BJD. He is quoted as saying that he went to a \"fat farm\" (ie health clinic) in Thailand, and lost 40 (!)pounds weight (nearly 3 stone). He also worked out in a gym for 6 months. There's a pic of him, obviously in Daniel mode, in a white suit, very tanned. Also quoted as saying that he loves his new look, and likes to study himself in the mirror. Also a mention of BJD abd Salman Rushdie's cameo appearance, in the Times. All publicity is good publicity!"}, {"response": 1210, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (21:22)", "body": "The only Wizard of Oz things I noticed were: (1) as she's lying in bed at her friend's house after the massacre, there's a mobile hanging in front of her face with a rainbow (as in \"Somewhere Over the Rainbow...\"), (2) the Kansas sign (\"You're not in Kansas anymore\" and Morgan Freeman's big speech to her at the end (it was always in her heart, yadda yadda yadda); thought she was going to click her heels three times. No sign of ruby slippers at the Bland Canyon, but the dress was dead ringer for Dorothy's. ;-D Didn't see any flying monkeys either. Overall, I thought the movie was a hoot. I do agree that LaBute didn't have resort to such an ugly violent scene at the beginning to make his point that Betty is traumatized. Also, I found Chris Rock's performance and character the worst of the bunch. He was totally one-note not funny. Most of Morgan Freeman's dialogue went over the audience's head; it was too smart, which begs the believability of the two characters' relationship. RZ was excellent."}, {"response": 1211, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (21:23)", "body": "BTW, thought they really hit you over the head with her Doris Day-ability. \"Que sera sera...\""}, {"response": 1212, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (02:12)", "body": "Thank you Mari, Karen, Evelyn, and Moon for posting all those film reviews. I'm very curious to see Nurse Betty, not only because of RZ, but because opinions vary so much about the film, and I find images that harken back to other films add a great deal if the referencing is done well. It's not playing in my area yet, though. I probably won't get to see it until this discussion is history!"}, {"response": 1213, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (10:26)", "body": "I found myself laughing at times all by myself and not laughing at all when the audience did! It was not as funny as I expected. I give it two stars. I liked the Dorothy references as well as Doris Day. RZ is cute but I have a problem with her. All those faces she makes and her voice. I will keep an open mind for BJ. Doris day in all her wonderfully silly roles was still a woman and looked like a woman. RZ looks like a little girl. BJ is a woman. I hope she can rise to the occasion. Do not like Aaron physically. He is lucky to be a friend of La Bute. Enjoyed the part in Rome. BTW, filmed where HF interviewed CF and you can even see the Pantheon (my favourite place in Rome), where Colin took Helen."}, {"response": 1214, "author": "susanne", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (14:40)", "body": "On the Rosie O'Donnell show, RZ mentioned how she was not good at dialects. I just hope she is not going to mangle the British one too much. BJ seems so British which is so much more than just what comes out of her mouth. It's all in the attitude and I hope Renee is up to the challenge. She's an immensely likable actress so I will keep an open mind."}, {"response": 1215, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (07:43)", "body": "Thanks Sue. I take it then that no mention was made of BJD on Rosie? Ah well, soon enough. Hugh Grant having to lose 40 pounds sounds as absurd as Colin's Darcy being compared to a porker. Trashy tabloid notwithstanding, I will believe the part that says Hugh likes to look at himelf in the mirror. ;-)"}, {"response": 1216, "author": "susanne", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (09:58)", "body": "RZ and Rosie did talk a bit about BJD. I think it started with RZ saying she had trouble gaining weight for BJ due to the British cuisine. She said no problem with a Texas diet of biscuits and gravy and tamales. I say throw in some chicken-fried steak and she could gain a stone in a week. :-)) Renee asked the audience who read BJD. There was a little show of hands which we did not see. Both she and Rosie both loved the book. I hope Rosie will book some (or shall I say a special someone)of the actors from BJD come promotion time. Rosie invited Renee back when her next project opens. Renee said as far as she knows BJD will be out in the Spring, that was the last that she heard. The conversation then moved on to Nurse Betty."}, {"response": 1217, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (10:59)", "body": "From today's New York Times. Lots on BJD. CF mentioned. There's a new Bridget pic also. Will post the URL; you might have to register (it's free) ******* Ren\ufffde Zellweger: A Character Actress Trapped in an Ing\ufffdnue's Body By DANA KENNEDY Ren\ufffde Zellweger plays the title role in Neil LaBute's black comedy \"Nurse Betty,\" which opened Friday. She also stars in \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" opening next spring. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Alex Bailey/Miramax Films Ren\ufffde Zellweger plays a chronically dissatisfied woman in \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" opening next spring. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ OS ANGELES -- Ren\ufffde Zellweger, from a distance, has all the trappings of a rising Hollywood starlet: the blond hair, the thin frame, the bee-stung lips, the colorful but homespun childhood in Texas, no formal acting training and a boyfriend who gets $20 million per picture. So when she arrives in a big black SUV with her dog at her favorite coffee shop on Sunset Boulevard and suggests a late-morning hike, it might seem as if this outdoorsy scene has been as strategically scripted as a movie montage. But it takes only a two-hour trek through Runyon Park to discover that Ms. Zellweger, though best known for playing Tom Cruise's girlfriend in her breakthrough role in \"Jerry Maguire\" in 1996 and, more recently, Jim Carrey's girlfriend in this summer's \"Me, Myself and Irene,\" is not simply another actress who has succeeded by perfecting the art of playing herself. It turns out that Ms. Zellweger, who is leaving the girlfriend parts behind with starring roles in two new movies, Neil LaBute's black comedy \"Nurse Betty\" and an adaptation of Helen Fielding's best-selling novel \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" is actually a character actress trapped in the body of an ing\ufffdnue. This revelation has nothing to do with the fact that Ms. Zellweger has shown up in sweats, running shoes, no makeup; talks to anyone she meets; and blithely hikes straight up the steep hills in the searing lateAugust sun without so much as a sip of water or a drop of sunscreen on her lily-white skin. It doesn't come just from anything she says, either, though she is warm and chatty, especially when talking about something other than herself. Rather, it comes from what Ms. Zellweger does not say, which is considerable, and how strikingly different she is from the characters she plays in \"Nurse Betty,\" which opened Friday, or \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" arriving in spring. \"Both of them seemed a little scary to do,\" Ms. Zellweger says. \"And that was the appeal. They were both a really complicated challenge.\" In \"Nurse Betty,\" Ms. Zellweger plays a na\ufffdve small-town wife who is traumatized after witnessing her husband's murder and becomes fixated on traveling to Los Angeles to find the handsome doctor she watches on her favorite soap opera. As Bridget Jones, she is the neurotic 30-something \"singleton\" who drinks and smokes too much while obsessing about how to land a man. It is not inconceivable that Ms. Zellweger, 31, could have drawn on her own life to play both roles. Her character in \"Nurse Betty\" develops a real-life psychological disorder called a disassociative fugue, which usually surfaces after a trauma or life-changing event and causes a person to flee. Ms. Zellweger researched the condition and consulted a psychologist who specializes in treating the disorder before she tackled the role. \"It's mystical almost,\" she says of the illness. \"It's unbelievably bizarre, but learning about it was half the fun of the job.\" Ms. Zellweger experienced a different kind of shock in 1995 when, after a few minor roles in small, Texas-based independent films, in B-movies like \"The Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre\" and in the critically acclaimed but little-seen love story \"The Whole Wide World,\" she was chosen to play opposite Tom Cruise in \"Jerry Maguire.\" The film went on to make $240 million and made Ms. Zellweger a star. Up until then, her life had been remarkably parochial. She grew up in Katy, Tex. (pop. 12,500), just outside Houston, with a Swiss father and Norwegian mother who immigrated to Texas after their marriage. Ms. Zellweger graduated from the University of Texas and began her acting career in the Austin area with a beef commercial. Yet by all accounts, far from going into any fugue state, Ms. Zellweger remained exactly the same after \"Jerry Maguire.\" She has just moved into a new $1.5 million home in Nichols Canyon in the trendy Hollywood Hills and has been involved with Mr. Carrey since they made \"Irene\" last summer, but her most constant companion is still her 12-year-old collie-retriever mix, Dylan. \"There's very little that's worth everything to me,\" she says calmly. \"I love my job, I love what I do. I couldn't ask for a better life. But I'd be O.K. if this all went away and I had to do something else, too.\" Those who have read \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" know that such sanguine"}, {"response": 1218, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (11:08)", "body": "Here's the URL for the BJD pic and article. http://www.nytimes.com/2000/09/10/arts/10KENN.html"}, {"response": 1219, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (11:16)", "body": "Thanks, Mari. Nice that Working Title is giving out publicity stills already."}, {"response": 1220, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (11:28)", "body": "Thanks, Mari! Now if we could only have a look at Mark Darcy. :-D"}, {"response": 1221, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (11:34)", "body": "Another little item from 9/6 Jeannette Walls' Delivers the Scoop column: Renee Zellweger couldn\ufffdt be persuaded that she had, indeed, lost the weight she had packed on to play the lead in \ufffdBridget Jones\ufffds Diary.\ufffd When a group of journalists tried to convince her otherwise, Zellweger turned around and pointed to her backside and declared, \ufffdThis is still very, very big.\ufffd"}, {"response": 1222, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (09:32)", "body": "The \"Too Fat for Harper's Cover\" story at the Guardian: http://www.filmunlimited.co.uk/News_Story/Exclusive/0,4029,367142,00.html"}, {"response": 1223, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (10:44)", "body": "I saw Nurse Betty, and absolutely loved it. Everything about this film worked for me. The performances are stellar--Renee Zellweger and Morgan Freeman are nothing short of superb and will well deserve any end-of-year accolades they may get. Just to comment on what others have noted: the violence against Del was not out of line, IMO. We not only need to believe in Betty's trauma, but in Charlie's (the Freeman character) as well, and the manner of Del's demise sets this up. Roger Ebert really hit the nail on the head in his review, in which he states that these are parallel characters. Also really enjoyed Greg Kinnear, alternately playing the faux sincerity of Ravell and the actorly self-absorption of McCord. The writing is excellent--it's not designed to be a ha-ha funny film, but a wise, witty, and sometimes poignant take on any number of things, not the least of which is our fascination with celebrity. I have some observatons on LaBute's direction, but I'll take them to the Possession board at some point. Nurse Betty was the #2 film at the U.S. box office this weekend, and was especially strong in drawing over-35 women (bodes well for BJD)."}, {"response": 1224, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (10:55)", "body": "(Mari) Nurse Betty was the #2 film at the U.S. box office this weekend It played on only half the number of screens as The Watcher did, so if you extrapolate, it could've been #1. ;-D Roger Ebert really hit the nail on the head But did Roeper ever hate it. (Don't get me wrong, I did like it overall and agree on many points, but not all.)"}, {"response": 1225, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (11:10)", "body": "(Sue) On the Rosie O'Donnell show, RZ mentioned how she was not good at dialects. I saw this too--but my interpretation was not that she couldn't do them, but that she needed help. Renee referenced the coaching she received for the specific Brooklyn accent required for her role in A Price Above Rubies. I wouldn't worry, Sue. As the NYT article (thanks for posting, Mari) mentions, Renee and Sharon Maguire would be 'so busted' if the accent wasn't perfect. Otherwise, I thought Renee came across as shy and warm on the Rosie show. There was no mention of her BJD co-stars--perfectly understandable since she was there promoting NB. (NYT Article)Truly becoming Bridget, which means being blunt, impolitic, gossipy, envious, needy and a little too obvious about everything, must have been like acquiring the traits of an alien. Huh? Dana doesn't make BJ sound very appealing. IMO (s)he left something out. (Mari) it's not designed to be a ha-ha funny film Too bad that's how it's being promoted. Nurse Betty was the #2 film at the U.S. box office this weekend, and was especially strong in drawing over-35 women (bodes well for BJD). Indeed!"}, {"response": 1226, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (13:50)", "body": "ARGH! Just saw this in The Mirror--a good news/bad news sort of item: THE DIARY : I'M BIGGER THAN HUGH, CRIES COLIN A BATTLE of the breeches is brewing on the Bridget Jones movie. Insiders tell me that Colin Firth was most distressed to learn that Hugh Grant was likely to be billed above him on the posters. A source said: \"Colin's character is much bigger than Hugh's in the film so he has every right to be upset.\" Padded doublets at dawn, I reckon."}, {"response": 1227, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (14:14)", "body": "Thanks for all the articles .I'm glad NB is doing well but as per usual its not showing in my area, yet I hope.So to make up for it I forced,& I mean forced myself to watch a HG film(The Englishman etc etc) all can say is never again,I'm sorry but I can't take to his portrayal of an Englishman,IMO its the same in every film. Mari definitely a good news/bad news article.I thoughtit was about weight at first-oops.Surely the billing would have been sorted out before filming?(admit to being totally ignorant on these matters) But the thought that he's got a much bigger part fills me with delight,thats if we can believe what the Mirror says!"}, {"response": 1228, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (14:23)", "body": "(nameless insider) \"Colin's character is much bigger than Hugh's in the film so he has every right to be upset.\" Am happy to hear that MD's part is bigger if can be believed. More important we always knew, but whether he had as much screen time was questionable."}, {"response": 1229, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (15:16)", "body": "(Judy) I thought it was about weight at first-oops. LOL, Judy! Hey, the way some of these press reports have been describing CF's and HG's weight losses, I'm visualizing a pair of zygotes fighting over our Bridget.;-) (Judy) Surely the billing would have been sorted out before filming? I would think so, too. It would seem like a contractual matter at the time the actor first signs on, but I honestly don't know. Anyone know how that works? Am clinging to the report that the role is substantial, screen-time wise! (Eileen) Too bad that's how it's being promoted. Yes, you make a good point. Sometimes there seems to be a real disconnect between how studios promote their films and what the films actually are about. I think it's the \"let's try to get the biggest crowds in for opening weekend\" mentality. Anyone going to see Nurse B expecting to see the typical road movie complete with bad guys with hearts of gold will be surprised to say the least."}, {"response": 1230, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (15:25)", "body": "I'M BIGGER THAN HUGH, CRIES COLIN Of course you are, Colin dear ;-) Will be interested to see if this turns into another 'HF's mad about RZ's casting' or 'HG thinks RZ stinks' debacle. Let's see how many other places it turns up."}, {"response": 1231, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (01:13)", "body": "Well, we all know CF is bigger than HG in so many ways --- as you've already pointed out Karen. But I just doubt CF would say something like that! LOL Judy! Regarding HG in The Englishman etc. Talk about your stuttering village masturbatory character! (Not that I mean to give the sport a bum wrap or anything!) Glad you were able to get your system working Sister B Judy! (Mari)Hey, the way some of these press reports have been describing CF's and HG's weight losses, I'm visualizing a pair of zygotes fighting over our Bridget.;-) LMAO. Guess I better tuck those danishes away..."}, {"response": 1232, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (08:48)", "body": "RZ will be on The View, Wednesday, Sept 13 and the Tonight Show on Thursday, Sept 14."}, {"response": 1233, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (08:58)", "body": "(nameless insider) \"Colin's character is much bigger than Hugh's in the film so he has every right to be upset.\" (Karen), Am happy to hear that MD's part is bigger if can be believed. More important we always knew, but whether he had as much screen time was questionable. (Sadie), But I just doubt CF would say something like that! Listen Colin, HG, the Movie Star, is more famous than you are. You should not care who gets the public to the movie theatres. What is most important is who will they go back for the second time to see. And, I hope to never hear you say that you are happy as a character actor. They never get top billing. As much as Colin deserves the part because he is MD and it was written for him, he should consider himself very lucky to have landed the part. In Hollywood, that was not a given."}, {"response": 1234, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (10:24)", "body": "TTOTS starring CF and JM....;-)"}, {"response": 1235, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (11:03)", "body": "FYI, I've just noticed that Smack the Pony, which stars Sally Phillips (Shaz), is on Bravo. There are two half hour episodes on weekly on Fridays at 8:00 pm ET. The website says that this week's are Episode 3 and 4, so they must have started broadcasting the series last week. Will be good opportunity to see what she can do."}, {"response": 1236, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (11:54)", "body": "TTOTS starring CF and JM....;-) That of course, is your pet peeve, Evelyn, British TV. ;-)"}, {"response": 1237, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (13:27)", "body": "TTOTS starring CF and JM....;-) (Moon)That of course, is your pet peeve, Evelyn, British TV. ;-) Moi?;-)) (I was just reinforcing what someone said about screen time has nothing to do with billing ;-) And I am resolved that he is principally a TV actor. Albeit, an excellent one:-))*smiley,*smiley...*happy, *happy*"}, {"response": 1238, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (18:33)", "body": "Does \"smack the pony\" have some slang meaning? Or is it just a nonsense title meant to get a laugh?"}, {"response": 1239, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 13, 2000 (10:53)", "body": "Renee's brief appearance (about 7 minutes) on The View was mainly about Jim Carrey, with some NB thrown in for good measure. Two mentions of Bridget and all weight-related. First, she was asked about the Harper's cover. Said she didn't know reason but was disappointed after doing the hard work of a photo shoot. Then, the thinnest person on the couch (Ling) asked--with huge twinkle in hers--if it was fun to eat as much as you want and how long did it take, etc. RZ said it took about 2-3 weeks to put on the weight. Her peak weight was 17 pounds, but it fluctuated between 10-15 during maintenance which was constant. Said it was fun for about 2 days. Oh yes, per usual, she was wearing all black. Slacks and a long-sleeved top (to cover those upper arms). She looked normal weight, although not by H'wood standards. They showed a pic of her taken at the same time as this one, but was even less flattering:"}, {"response": 1240, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 13, 2000 (10:59)", "body": "She cut her hair.Looked pretty square in that \"one-size -fits-all\"outfit."}, {"response": 1241, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 13, 2000 (12:50)", "body": "As this was initially reported here: Apology for Liz Hurley Liz Hurley has received an apology from the US magazine which last month published an article in which she had allegedly described former boyfriend Hugh Grant as \"less than adequate\" in bed. New York-based magazine Jane, conducted an interview with Ms Hurley entitling the piece \"Down and Dirty with Elizabeth Hurley\". Hugh and Liz were together for 13 years, and in a complaint to the magazine she insisted she would never say anything derogatory about her former boyfriend as she still \"truly loved him\". In a letter to the magazine Ms Hurley said: \"I never at any time said anything disparaging about my sex life with Hugh Grant. \"I never referred to it as 'less than adequate' and never said that I don't miss sex with him.\" Initially the magazine claimed to have the interview on tape but in this month's edition printed a full apology to Ms Hurley. It claimed that a professional transcription of the interview had revealed no reference to Hugh's performance in bed. [ed. note: and an \"unprofessional transcription\" did??] The apology reads: \"The tape recording itself of the reporter's interview contains no derogatory statements by Ms Hurley about Mr Grant or her relationship with him, including no reference by Ms Hurley to her sex with Mr Grant being inadequate. \"Jane magazine apologizes to Ms Hurley for any distress our article may have caused.\" A spokesman for the star says she is delighted that the situation had been resolved amicably."}, {"response": 1242, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Sep 13, 2000 (12:57)", "body": "I prefer to believe it the first time round :-) RZ is getting more publicity this time in TV Times,to promote Me.Myself...BJD only gets brief mention,CF none but the good news is HG isn't mentioned either-D"}, {"response": 1243, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Wed, Sep 13, 2000 (21:44)", "body": "Hi People....just a quickie word about Colin being \" upset \" at Hugh Grant getting top billing over him in the BJ Diaries. Please consider the source of this story...its a Fleet Street tabloid and, you wouldn't believe the crap they come up with. Do we have any English Firthians out there who will agree with me on this this ? I'm sure we do. Anyway, I am Irish and I am very familiar with the kind of rubbish the English tabloids can come up with. So don't take this report at face value. I would place as much credence in this story, as I would in something I read in the National Enquirer here in the States. Colin himself, has gone on the record talking about how the tabloids make up stuff about him, all the time. Didn't he talk in an interview, about the tabloids inventing a crush he was supposed to have on some actress who he has never even met ? Besides doesn't a Hugh Grant/Colin Firth ego catfight seem totally out of character for a man who is so famously modest and down to earth ? Anyway, I think its all just a load of cobblers if you ask me ! ( That's \" rubbish \" for all you uninitiated Yanks out there ) See ya Beth."}, {"response": 1244, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Wed, Sep 13, 2000 (21:44)", "body": "Hi People....just a quickie word about Colin being \" upset \" at Hugh Grant getting top billing over him in the BJ Diaries. Please consider the source of this story...its a Fleet Street tabloid and, you wouldn't believe the crap they come up with. Do we have any English Firthians out there who will agree with me on this this ? I'm sure we do. Anyway, I am Irish and I am very familiar with the kind of rubbish the English tabloids can come up with. So don't take this report at face value. I would place as much credence in this story, as I would in something I read in the National Enquirer here in the States. Colin himself, has gone on the record talking about how the tabloids make up stuff about him, all the time. Didn't he talk in an interview, about the tabloids inventing a crush he was supposed to have on some actress who he has never even met ? Besides doesn't a Hugh Grant/Colin Firth ego catfight seem totally out of character for a man who is so famously modest and down to earth ? Anyway, I think its all just a load of cobblers if you ask me ! ( That's \" rubbish \" for all you uninitiated Yanks out there ) See ya Beth."}, {"response": 1245, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Wed, Sep 13, 2000 (22:51)", "body": "OOps..scuse the double post !!"}, {"response": 1246, "author": "ommin", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (04:33)", "body": "Yup Bethanne have to agree with you. Being an Ex-Pat Brit living in Aust. and know the British Tabloids only too well."}, {"response": 1247, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (07:37)", "body": "I kind off like the fighting spirit of wanting top-billing and will believe it. At least if it were set alphabetically, and it is done on occasion, he would be first. :-)"}, {"response": 1248, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (09:44)", "body": "(Moon)I kind off like the fighting spirit of wanting top-billing and will believe it. \"You mean I trained for this new body and you're giving me third billing? No way\""}, {"response": 1249, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (10:21)", "body": "I read an article a while ago about billing--said it was part of an actor's contract and was determined up front when he/she signs on to do the film. Billing includes placement of the actor's name in the ads and specifies the font size. I'm with Bethanne (welcome, by the way), IMO the story's cobblers (or as we say where I come from, it's a crock of sh**). ;-)"}, {"response": 1250, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (15:06)", "body": "From the 'Nothing New But I'm Sharing It Anyway' file... From the MSN home page: E! Online exclusive: Q&A With Renee Zellweger On crazy nurses, hefty Brits and dating the world's most famous funnyman by H.W. Fowler Ren\ufffde Zellweger has gone pretty far for a little gal from li'l ol' Katy, Texas. Since beating out much bigger names for the romantic lead opposite Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire some five years back, she's gone head-to-head with Meryl Streep (One True Thing), to London for most of this year to star in the controversial film version of Helen Fielding's bestseller Bridget Jones' Diary and straight into Jim Carrey's heart. /.../ Q: Guess that made playing chubby, self-defeating Bridget Jones seem like a return to normalcy. Congratulations, by the way, on not looking fat. A: It's a good dress, honey. [Laughs.] Yeah, it's a real good dress. Q: How much weight did you have to put on to play Bridget? A: It fluctuated, of course, depending on whether we were at a point in the script where she'd taken a little bit off. I'd go down 10, but then I was up 15. Luckily, we shot a lot at night, which always leaves you with a voracious appetite. All you can really do is rest during the day. Q: Besides eating too much and exhausting yourself, you've had to cope with seven months of people being pissed off at you for playing such a totally English heroine. They've been saying you'll never get the accent right, that the role should've gone to Kate Winslet or Helena Bonham Carter or Emily Watson, that Helen Fielding hates the very idea of an American playing her creation. How trying has all that been? A: I feel very lucky to be part of something that meant a lot to young women--to a lot of people. Plus, I had to do research, because Bridget works for a publishing company with Picador Books, which published the book over there. I was in the publicity department for a couple of weeks, where my job was to go through the newspapers and magazines every day for reviews and articles about their books. I had to clip out anything that pertained to Bridget Jones the movie, too. I'd have to go through all these things about how upset the author was that they'd cast this unknown American actress that nobody likes. There was loads of it; I was like, Okay, that's a nice one, guess I'll clip it out. I do understand that attitude, but I've met many more people who are familiar with my work and pleased that I'm playing her--but that doesn't make for very interesting stories in the newspapers, does it? /.../ *** Blah, blah, same old same old. At least BJD is getting almost equal time with NB on RZ's NB publicity tour."}, {"response": 1251, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (15:09)", "body": "Having suffered the so called news stories from our tabloids for more years than I care to admit, I agree with Bethanne (Hi, BTW) and am inclined to take reports this \"fight\" with a whole ton of salt!"}, {"response": 1252, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (19:29)", "body": "Someone - doesn't really matter whether it was Colin or HG or the agent's secretary - has probably been overheard just chatting somewhere, probably just casually discussing the contract negotiations, as people do, but for the gossip page it had to be embellished. Easy."}, {"response": 1253, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (11:18)", "body": "(Tracy)Having suffered the so called news stories from our tabloids for more years than I care to admit Not to mention that totally fabricated story about a certain Firthette at Lyme. ;-)"}, {"response": 1254, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (11:41)", "body": "(Tracy)Having suffered the so called news stories from our tabloids for more years than I care to admit But they are v. popular in England, far more than tabloids in the US. And say what you will, Tracy...they wouldn't be in business if so many people didn't buy them. I see folks queueing up at the newsagents for the newest \"Hello\";-)"}, {"response": 1255, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (16:45)", "body": "THE DIARY : I'M BIGGER THAN HUGH, CRIES COLIN Think that's a direct quote? Waaah... LOL! A source said: \"Colin's character is much bigger than Hugh's in the film Notice it say's his \"character\" is much bigger, not his screen time. Doesn't that mean his character is more important than Daniel's? May not mean he's got more screen time. 'Course IMO the whole thing's a crock of sh** (thanks, Eileen) so it's all irrelevant anyway. But interesting publicity!"}, {"response": 1256, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (00:06)", "body": "Hmm.... just got back from seeing Nurse Betty. -The theater was packed, and audience laughed a great deal. I enjoyed it (well... most of it. hard to enjoy a scalping scene) and though it was clever, if slightly odd. Just as the movie was starting, my friend seated next to me, leaned over and whisphered \"did you know she's going to be in that Diary movie with that guy you like?\" LOL - No! Really? ;-) *hee hee*"}, {"response": 1257, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (04:46)", "body": "Evelyn on tabloids - they are v. popular in England, far more than tabloids in the US......they wouldn't be in business if so many people didn't buy them. I see folks queueing up at the newsagents for the newest \"Hello\";-) All true of course..and I'd be a hypocrite if I said I'd never bought one (only in the interests of Firth research and on the rarest of occasions, promise ;-D) and perpetuated the whole business. Let's face it we do have a great time at their expense, what would we talk about? (for talk about read pull apart and generally vent a lot of spleen assassinating the character of the journalist)."}, {"response": 1258, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (08:15)", "body": "Am getting used to the bag I wear over my head when I have to purchase one of those papers"}, {"response": 1259, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (09:36)", "body": "I have every faith that you only purchase the tabloids in the pursuit of CF research, Tracy. I would like to thank you for your bravery."}, {"response": 1260, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (13:18)", "body": "Kinda funny, from The Telegraph today: JANET JACKSON needs taking down a peg. When she learnt that Ren\ufffde Zellweger - the unassuming star of the forthcoming film version of Bridget Jones's Diary - was to present the MTV Video Music Awards, she threw a paddy. \"Who is she? She's nobody!\" the ageing warbler declared, according to OK! magazine. \"I'm Janet Jackson. I don't even like her boyfriend, Jim Carrey. He's a fool.\" Charming. [columnist's comment, not mine]"}, {"response": 1261, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (17:24)", "body": "LOL Karen. I still say Janet is really Michael butched up."}, {"response": 1262, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (22:44)", "body": "At the risk of spreading even more tabloid swill (my motto: if they print it, I'll spread it;-), I offer the following, from the Daily Mail. Many thanks to Jennie for spotting: \". . . it says about Davies \"In addition, he wrote much of the screenplay for the film of The Diary of Bridget Jones, but bowed out before the end of the project after 'artistic differences' with the director. 'I was brought in, rather sweetly, to increase the Darcy quotient' says Davies 'Not to put more sex in; it was more about the structure. 'Helen (Fielding, the book's author) had already done two quite good drafts' he says in a rather tepid tribute. 'I was delighted to get a crack at it. I had met Helen once before, so insisted - as a condition of my doing it - that I had at least one night out with her doing Bridget Jonesy things; drinking lots of chardonnary and eating lots of food.'\""}, {"response": 1263, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (22:48)", "body": "From the Sunday Times (9/16/00) Author dumps Bridget Jones THE creator of Bridget Jones is taking a break from her fictional heroine, writes Adam Nathan. Helen Fielding has told friends that she has had enough of Bridget, the angst-ridden singleton who has made her rich and famous. The news is likely to cause trauma to the millions of Bridget Jones fans awaiting another book chronicling her mishap-filled love life and social neuroses. On numerous websites and bulletin boards devoted to Bridget Jones, talk has been of little else. \"Oh please, pleeeeease. I have also devoured the first two (several times over), and need more. Helen, if you read this: more please, 'coz we love Bridget,\" reads one message. However, a spokesman for Fielding's literary agent, Gillon Aitken, said she was sure that any book Fielding wrote next would be \"equally fulfilling\". The author Jilly Cooper, a friend of Fielding, said her decision to drop Bridget Jones was \"very brave and probably a very wise move\". She added: \"Hemingway said 'Stop when you are going good' and she's been going brilliantly. Bridget launched her, but she has so many imitators now, the market is flooded with distraught women tearing their hair out.\" The feckless Bridget, who started life in a newspaper column in 1995, went on to become a global phenomenon, with Fielding's book, Bridget Jones' Diary, selling 4m copies in 30 countries. A film of the book, starring Renee Zellweger, an American actress, as the eponymous heroine, comes out next year. http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2000/09/17/stinwenws01015.html"}, {"response": 1264, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (22:50)", "body": "(Davies) 'I was brought in, rather sweetly, to increase the Darcy quotient' says Davies Yeah!!! (Davies) 'Not to put more sex in boo hiss Thanks for spreading the smut, Mari. ;-D"}, {"response": 1265, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (00:16)", "body": "Spread it as thick as you can, Mari. Especially when you find articles with the words \"Darcy\" and \"sex\" together. BTW, I find it hard to believe Davies wouldn't sexy it up a little, just by increasing the Darcy quotient. -D"}, {"response": 1266, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (10:18)", "body": "(Mari), (my motto: if they print it, I'll spread it;-) LOL! I find it hard to believe Davies wouldn't sexy it up a little, just by increasing the Darcy quotient. Words of wisdom, Sadie!"}, {"response": 1267, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (10:18)", "body": "I do like that increased Darcy quotient too. Hope he cubed it. (It's fun to pick and choose what I want to believe and to hell with all the rest.) Thanks for posting. Don't blame Helen for getting tired of BJ. Agree there are too many imitators and you know what happens then... singleton backlash - bring on the smug marrieds. Anyone know who came first - Helen or Candace Bushnell (Sex and the City)? Saw an article on Bushnell in a recent Vogue. She was supposed to write an article on what it was like to sleep with a Brit male. Well, I'm sure there are enough women who post here who could tell us that for free. ;-) But gaah, she really thinks she's one hot tamale."}, {"response": 1268, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (00:23)", "body": "(Heide)It's fun to pick and choose what I want to believe and to hell with all the rest LOL! She was supposed to write an article on what it was like to sleep with a Brit male. Well, I'm sure there are enough women who post here who could tell us that for free. ;-) LMAO! But they have yet to kiss and tell. (Not even Liz Hurley, which is just as well, 'cause I don't really want to know about HG.)"}, {"response": 1269, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (17:36)", "body": "Now that I've got your attention.... Spring needs money in order to operate. There are many different kinds of expenses we incur at Spring. Some are one-time only and others are ongoing. Right now, we are raising money to pay for the very specialized software (Yapp) that makes these discussion boards very unique. We need a larger license to accommodate all the people who visit these boards, whether they post or not. If you are a lurker and visit here and just read, you are still creating a \"hit,\" and the license we have is not sufficient for the number of visitors we get on a daily basis. When we exceed the license limit, the conference boards shut down automatically until Yapp determines that a new day has started. To keep Spring alive, we need to raise $1,000. In the past, a handful of people have kept Spring afloat. Many of our Drool supporters in the UK have taken advantage of get-togethers with US friends in order to pass along cash contributions. So for this fund-raising effort, I have put out the call for everyone to do what they can. For those in the US, payment can be made by check or by an electronic transfer via the PayPal system. In the UK, we will have a person who can accept your payments (by cheque or bank draft) and see to it that the monies reach us. For those of you in other countries, please email me. No addresses will be posted on these boards. Please email me for details."}, {"response": 1270, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (23:58)", "body": "Karen already has my contribution! Please do not let Spring dry up! Whatever you can do will be enormously appreciated!"}, {"response": 1271, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (23:59)", "body": "LisaJH has written \"Bridget in LaLa Land.\" She posted Part I of the story on Topic 130. For those of you who don't read that topic, here is link that will take you directly to the beginning of her story: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/131.435"}, {"response": 1272, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Sep 23, 2000 (10:22)", "body": "Lisa's story is so Bridget-ey, I could have been reading Helen herself. Kudos!"}, {"response": 1273, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 23, 2000 (13:43)", "body": "We saw Nurse Betty last night at Leicester Sq....sell out audience...not an empty seat in the house.....LOL 100 total...72inch screen...No kidding... We liked RZ...and Neil too. Can't say much for AE...."}, {"response": 1274, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Sat, Sep 23, 2000 (14:49)", "body": "Dunno about ya'll, but I would like Nurse Betty to be a huge hit and to really increae RZ's starpower. The bigger star she is, the more media coverage there will be, here in the States, when the BJ Diaries comes out next April. I mean, CF and HG are huge stars in the UK and their presence alone, virtually guarantees it of being a huge hit. However, that is not the case here in the States and, it may need a \"star\" of the Julia Roberts variety, to \"sell\" the movie and guarantee the kind of media frenzy, that will ensure people will want to go and see it in droves. I know WE are all dying to see it, but an English film about a screwed-up 30 something, isn't going to appeal to everyone....unless they get a little push from nonstop Access Hollywood, Good Morning America, Tonight show etc etc etc coverage. Anybody else agree or am I being too pessimistic here ?"}, {"response": 1275, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Sep 24, 2000 (02:47)", "body": "(Bethanne) Anybody else agree or am I being too pessimistic here ? No, you're probably right. Renee Z. has done a lot of v.g. work but has not yet shown that she can open a film. Good publicity for Nurse Betty certainly can't hurt BJD's cause. Hopefully they will also be able to use the fact that it's the same production team as \"Notting Hill\" and \"Four Weddings...\" to whip up enthusiasm for those as yet uninitiated to BJD, but who enjoyed these other two films. We saw Nurse Betty this weekend also. I liked it and thought the script was clever although I agree with Evelyn that AE was sure hard to like. Of course he was playing a horrid, bigoted red-neck character but it was hard to imagine him as a serious college professor type. For the sake of Posession, I hope he's a really good actor ;-). RZ was quite likeable in the film, although I didn't think that she got to exhibit a lot of range. I liked her work better in Jerry McGuire and even better in One True Thing."}, {"response": 1276, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 24, 2000 (09:43)", "body": "I still think the skill that NLB exhibited in collating the parallel plots so seamlessly in NB will bode Possession well. This is the first NLB film that I have ever seen and I was impressed. IMO NB is a noir comedy in the same genre as American Beauty .Even the violent scenes at the beginning were not ot be taken seriously.Whole thing was a clever spoof to me.Not many people can pull that kind of film off. [Hate British comupter keyboards....hateful!]"}, {"response": 1277, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Sep 24, 2000 (18:15)", "body": "Evelyn, I think you should become a citizen! You spend more time over there lately (hate American computer keyborads!):)"}, {"response": 1278, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Sep 25, 2000 (10:33)", "body": "(Jana) Good publicity for Nurse Betty certainly can't hurt BJD's cause. It's already started--BJD was consistently mentioned in the course of RZ's NB publicity. Buzzzzzzzzzzz.... Am still working on seeing NB. Went to movies last Sat. Gave hubby synopsis of NB's story and he looked at me as if I had two heads (have to admit, plot is kind of bizarre) so saw Almost Famous instead. Will see NB sans hubby. (Bethanne) CF and HG are huge stars in the UK Huh. Though UK saw CF as somewhat obscure TV actor ;-P"}, {"response": 1279, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Mon, Sep 25, 2000 (14:18)", "body": "Eileen, goodnes gracious, noooooooooo !! The UK considering CF as an obscure TV actor......O the horror !!! He has become a cultural icon over there and just a few months ago, was voted the all time favourite TV personality by BBC viewers, against some very stiff competition. I know the things he has done since P&P haven't exactly set the world on fire and his refusal to have his personal life plastered all over the tabloids ( a la Hugh Grant/Liz Hurley ) doesn't get him tons of media coverage. However, the mind blowing success of the P&P movie in the UK and, the place that the book has in the hearts of English people, has guaranteed him a permanant place in the very psyche of the English identity. If you don't believe me, go to Karen's articles page here at Spring and, read the Guardian/Observer interview from April 9, 2000. That explains perfectly what I am talking about. There is also another article in ES Magazine from June 9 and the very first line is: \"SIX YEARS AFTER PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, COLIN FIRTH'S LOVE-GOD STATUS RAGES ON\" I rest my case.....phew....sorry if I was ranting, but I had to defend our beloved's honour."}, {"response": 1280, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep 25, 2000 (15:25)", "body": "(Evelyn) I still think the skill that NLB exhibited in collating the parallel plots so seamlessly in NB will bode Possession well My thoughts exactly, Evelyn. Plus the parallel plots in both films have to do with obsession! All will be fine.:-) (Eileen) BJD was consistently mentioned in the course of RZ's NB publicity. Yes, very much so. My fave was when RZ was on Jay Leno's show a couple of weeks back. They spent the whole time talking about BJD (which got a decent smattering of applause from the audience), then *finally* Jay says \"oh yeah, you've got this great new film out, NB. Let's roll the clip.\" LOL! Bethanne, that BBC fave actor poll was more like 3 or 4 years ago. In the latest, P&P barely made the top 100, which was a topic of discussion here a few weeks back. The public, no matter what country, is very fickle, IMO."}, {"response": 1281, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 25, 2000 (17:12)", "body": "...and they don't go see his movies. Have started reading Fielding's Cause Celeb. v. unusual book. Chapters alternate between London (nearly Bridget) and a refugee camp in Africa. The London part comes before she goes to Africa and explains why she went. Love of her life is a Daniel prototype, but worse. Not sure if met the Mr Darcy character yet. Rosie has many of the same insecurities as Bridge and problems with her pantyhose as well. But her mother appears sane. ;-D"}, {"response": 1282, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (01:21)", "body": "Oops, was that fav BBC charracters poll really 3/4 years ago ? Anyway, wasn't the most recent one ( where P&P hardly rated a mention ) done by the British Film Institute. Wouldn't their choices be far more artsey and highbrow than a Jane Austen bodice-ripper ? Believe me, the UK Colin love-fest never really died out. It's not as rabid as it was 5 years ago, but it won't take much to kick it into high gear again, next April. Just look at all the feaures of CF in all the major UK newspapers this past spring and summer. He has nothing major to promote and he still merits full page colour spreads in The Times, The Guardian, The Independent, The Telegraph etc etc. Our darling boy is still 'da bomb. Rejoice !"}, {"response": 1283, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (02:40)", "body": "Karen, let me know what you think of Cause Celeb when you finish. I think I felt it was a little disjointed. I guess I was wanting another Bridget, so when the Bridgety bits were overwhelmed by the Africa bits I was disappointed. But then the main story-line became quite poignant, which was probably the whole point. But I still finished it thinking \"not in the same class as BJD\". I always thought if I got a chace to ask a question at a book-reading I would say \"Are you Rosie Richardson?\" as a change from the \"Are you Bridget Jones?\" brigade that HF hates."}, {"response": 1284, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (04:21)", "body": "Believe me, the UK Colin love-fest never really died out. I agree with you here, Bethane. Colin's very unusual (but he can get away with it)...in an age of overhyped self-promotion in which most \"stars\" literally live their lives through \"Hello\" magazine and Breakfast TV, he's a very private individual, strictly non-tabloid material....must be the only actor who's never given a television interview. But all the major quality papers gave him ample space for RV/MLSF, even TOTS. The interest is there..and BJD will get a lot of promotion in the UK. RZ has had a very sympathetic press which bodes well for the movie. Okay, you might say people don't rush to his movies (all one or two theatres!)...but outside of London, movie going is almost entirely dominated by the under 21, largely male, age group. Just look at the current UK Box Office Top Ten!! Videos and TV are a different matter (FP did much better in video rentals than it did at the Box Office) Re, Cause Celeb. I should imagine that HF will return to the standard novel (as opposed to short sentence diary entries) format for her next book."}, {"response": 1285, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (04:33)", "body": "I rest my case.....phew....sorry if I was ranting, but I had to defend our beloved's honour. OH Yeah!!How about going to see his movies (\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd!) instead of waiting til they come out on the telly. Sorry....UK fans...Outside of a very few ...most of the ranting and raging fandom is strictly rhetorical.When I see a queue outside of a cinema for his films,(I'll even take a few hundred people inside) then I'll believe you ...til then... Poppycock..is that what you say??? We'd say....a lot of Hot Air!"}, {"response": 1286, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (07:35)", "body": "(Bethanne) Just look at all the feaures of CF in all the major UK newspapers this past spring and summer. He has nothing major to promote and he still merits full page colour spreads Actually, that's not true. All that publicity was done expressly for My Life So Far and Relative Values. True they were not *major* as it turned out in the UK, but they were all he had. (Mark) I think I felt it was a little disjointed. A little? ;-D I know exactly how you felt about the intrusion of the Africa bits. When she walked (nay, ran) out on Oliver, it didn't go back to Africa for one chapter. Thumbed a bit ahead and could see Africa going on and on for pages and pages. Was not thrilled. Wanted to know what happened the next day. Am far more caught up in \"So You Want to Be a Masochist\" relationship of Rosie and Oliver. But I realize that the Africa segment will be the more important. Just haven't reached that point yet. (Bethan) but outside of London, movie going is almost entirely dominated by the under 21, largely male, age group. Chicken and egg theories abound."}, {"response": 1287, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (14:17)", "body": "Jeez, what has started here ? Is CF a star or not ? Do people go and see his movies or not ? I thought WE were supposed to be his fans. Bethan/Lizabeth54 ( what do I call you ?) thank you for your support. I lose all respect for any public figure whenver I see them plastered on Hello Magazine covers. It's so gushing and phoney. I still pay $6.00 for it every week though, so so much for my principles. Evelyn.... Didn't people go and see The English Patient and Shakespeare in Love in droves ? Yes I know he wasn't the \"star\" but don't foget, an actor is only as successful as the parts he is offered. CF wanted the leads in SIL and The End of the Affair but they went to the Fiennes Brothers instead. He may never get offered a part as wonderful as Mr Darcy again and, I think we should all just get used to the fact. Is Cause Celeb available here in the States ?"}, {"response": 1288, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (14:18)", "body": "Whoopsie daisies, have lured Bethanne into age-old debate about CF's popularity in his homeland. (Bethanne) He has become a cultural icon over there...the UK Colin love-fest never really died out Hmm. You sure it's a UK Colin love-fest? Or is it a UK Darcy love-fest? (Evelyn) OH Yeah!!How about going to see his movies (\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd!) instead of waiting til they come out on the telly. Wait and see, Evie, when Colin plays Darcy in BJD they'll be queue-ing in droves. Even the 21-year old males. ;-)"}, {"response": 1289, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (14:35)", "body": "Eileen....... Colin-love fest vs Darcy love fest, I'm sorry, but whats the difference ? To quote BJ....CF is Mr Darcy, Mr Darcy is CF...v confusing. I was THERE when P&P was first broadcast by the BBC. I'm not a convert from the American A&E broadcast the following January. I was also over on the other side of the pond, when it was re-ran ( to much hysteria ) in 1997. So I had a ringside seat to all the UK pandemonium and it is still vividly impressed on my mind."}, {"response": 1290, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (14:40)", "body": "(Bethanne) I thought WE were supposed to be his fans. Eowww! How to answer that one without resurrecting the age-old argument over Colin's career choice. Suffice to say, Bethanne, we are definitely his fans, concerned enough over him to yak about him on a daily basis. Some are content with his career; others are not. Let one thing be understood, no one here has ever advocated a wish that he become a posterboy for tabloid publications. We respect his private life and don't discuss it here. I don't know where you got that idea. However, being a supporting cast member even in AA-winning films doesn't make some of us happy when we know he is more talented than the leads. Parts are offered, but many actors actively pursue choice parts, really go after them. Instead, he's been in a string of very so-so (to be kind) projects. Fans can have different opinions. No one is a lesser fan because they have a different POV and express their own aspirations for CF's career. Quite a few of us have crossed the Atlantic to see Colin on stage--twice. If that's not a fan, I don't know what is."}, {"response": 1291, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (14:43)", "body": "(Bethanne) Colin-love fest vs Darcy love fest, I'm sorry, but whats the difference ? To quote BJ....CF is Mr Darcy, Mr Darcy is CF...v confusing. To also quote BJ: \"Then we had a long discussion about the comparative merits of Mr Darcy and Mark Darcy, both agreeing that Mr Darcy was more attractive because he was ruder but that being imaginary was a disadvantage that could not be overlooked.\""}, {"response": 1292, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (14:50)", "body": "Q.What happens when both Mark Darcy and Mr. Darcy are imaginary? ;-) A. We have FF."}, {"response": 1293, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (14:55)", "body": "Yikes, how did I manage to ruffle so many feathers ? Karen, I never suggested for one moment YOU were not a dedicated fan, Good Lord, no ! I was merely responding to an earlier post about nobody wanting go to see his movies and his stardom or lack of it in the UK. It was certainly not directed at you. Re the Hello magazine/tabloids thing, I'm truely baffled by your response. I too, have no desire to see him become a tabloid poster boy. The fact that he keeps his private life under wraps, is precisely why I respect him as a person as well as drooling over him as an actor. I think I'll shut up now.....cue slinking off into corner in tortured, rejected Mr Darcy mode."}, {"response": 1294, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (14:57)", "body": "(Bethanne) To quote BJ....CF is Mr Darcy, Mr Darcy is CF... 'Nuff said. AAA (apologies all around, to use an Evelyn-ism) for starting this thread. *smacking self on wrists* And now back to our regularly scheduled topic..."}, {"response": 1295, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (15:01)", "body": "I think we should all just scoot on over to Topic #112 and jump into the lake. Coming everybody ?"}, {"response": 1296, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (15:04)", "body": "Fully clothed, I might add....you never know who we might bump into !"}, {"response": 1297, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (15:26)", "body": "(Bethanne) Yikes, how did I manage to ruffle so many feathers? You didn't ruffle any feathers. But we've discussed this on and on for ages. Sorry, if my response gave the impression I (personally) was offended. I was not. I was just trying to clarify that we all have different degrees of fandom and no one here equates tabloid covers with being a successful and well-recognized actor, one who is recognized for the level of his craft. The fact remains that while there was media frenzy and public adoration for his Mr Darcy, the public in England does not support his movies...if it means physically going to the cinema. We're all hoping that being in BJD gets him the recognition he needs to get good, solid roles in films."}, {"response": 1298, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (15:48)", "body": "Yup, I'd love to see the plum, juicy roles flood in after the BJD's...but don't hold your breath. If they didn't flood in after P&P, I don't think they will now, especially as he is on the wrong side of 40 and he is by his own admission, a \"character actor\" . We can hope though. I wonder if Mr Darcy typecasting, affected the roles he was offered post P&P and will BJD just add to the problem. Maybe in the minds of casting directors, they feel he can only ever be one person in the mind of the public, so they are reluctant to give him the parts that can make or break a film. I hope not."}, {"response": 1299, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (18:36)", "body": "(Eileen) Gave hubby synopsis of NB's story and he looked at me as if I had two heads (have to admit, plot is kind of bizarre) so saw Almost Famous instead. Will see NB sans hubby. I saw NB with my DH and a (male) friend of his, and they LOVED it (which is good, since DH is already resigned to seeing BJD heh heh). Actually, in a way, I kept thinking of it as a \"guy\" film. I have no idea why--perhaps the little \"problem\" experienced by Betty's husband early on? Maybe because I saw it with 2 guys who really liked it. BTW, DH said about RZ \"she's a cutie\"--v. out of character for him. Speaking of NB, is there a place on Spring to \"drool\" over Greg Kinnear? ohmigod"}, {"response": 1300, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (07:04)", "body": "(Bethanne)Yup, I'd love to see the plum, juicy roles flood in after the BJD's...but don't hold your breath. If they didn't flood in after P&P, I don't think they will now, especially as he is on the wrong side of 40 and he is by his own admission, a \"character actor\" . We can hope though. You confuse me, Bethanne;-) Actually, you should have stayed in the UK...they could use you here as a fan...one more to have seen MLSF& SLOW . I didn't start this discussion, BTW...but it always surfaces when we have a new person.I personally think he will get better parts after BJD."}, {"response": 1301, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (08:24)", "body": "No, I think it has something to do with the position of the moon. ;-D"}, {"response": 1302, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (08:53)", "body": "(Evelyn), I personally think he will get better parts after BJD. (Karen), No, I think it has something to do with the position of the moon. ;-D I will be most happy to oblige. ;-D"}, {"response": 1303, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (14:27)", "body": "Sorry, Evelyn....didn't mean to confuse you. What I meant by \"plum, juicy roles not flooding in after P&P\" were that the starring roles in major productions like The English Patient, Shakespeare in Love, The End Of the Affair etc etc all went to other actors, while CF did low budget, quirky stuff like Fever Pitch. I'm not knocking him here, I just hate to see him only have supporting roles in these blockbusters. As for the wrong side of 40 and the character actor bits, I'm just quoting CF himself in an interview he gave, where he brought up the age thing and he told a funny story of losing out on a role to his own brother, of all people, coz he looked a lot younger. Anyway, he is by ar the sexiest 40 year old on the planet, if you ask me. I would LOVE to see him in major movies and I really, really hope BJD is the answer. Maybe, a gripping courtroom drama as Hollywood is bowled over by his portrayl of Mark Darcy, top barrister. I can just see him now, pacing back and forth in a gorgeous dark suit, or rising indignantly to his feet thundering \" Your Honour, I object ! \" or intently questioning a witness, overpowering her with the force of his, ahem, intellect as he reduces her to a wet, soggy puddle of drool.....Ooops, sorry, that's really us, isn't it ? O well, I can dream can't I ?"}, {"response": 1304, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (15:10)", "body": "*my arms have been twisted to do this* Contributions received as of 27 September. Thank you all very much."}, {"response": 1305, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (16:15)", "body": "Finally got around to seeing NB. Thought RZ was wonderful--made a far-fetched role completely believable. Agree with others who make the comparison of NB to Possession insofar as obsession theme. Eerily similar. Am more convinced than ever that RZ will be the perfect Bridget. V.v.g. P.S. Teacher, my check's in the mail and my dog ate my homework. ;-)"}, {"response": 1306, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (17:11)", "body": "And you will be getting mine too."}, {"response": 1307, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (17:21)", "body": "Oh yes, I know. Have a number of pledges. Will give the amount (in total) collected to date, when Evelyn turns over her local collections next week. It's important to know how we doing relative to goal. BTW, I'm putting names up there in a way so that they are not picked up by any search engines and am not putting up last names and such. If you want to remain anonymous, just let me know. As has been said before, give what you are comfortable giving."}, {"response": 1308, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (20:48)", "body": "Dane Bowers to sing for Bridget Jones Dane Bowers and American R&B singer Faith Evans are to join forces for the soundtrack to the film adaptation of Bridget Jones's Diary. The ex-Another Level star told Worldpop he also plans to write the track with the True Steppers. Faith Evans is best known as the female voice on Puff Daddy's I'll Be Missing You, a tribute to her estranged husband Notorious B.I.G. Bridget Jones's Diary, starring Renee Zellweger, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth, is due to be released in the UK next year."}, {"response": 1309, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (23:43)", "body": "thanks, Mari. I think this link will take you to the source story at worldpop.com (one of those framed places): http://www.worldpop.com/home/cif.cfm?dir=news&url=news_story.cfm\u00b6m=newsid=1765 Here's what he said: \"Speaking to worldpop at the recent Disney Channel Kids Awards, Bowers said he plans to team up with True Steppers to write the track. 'We're doing a song with Faith Evans, so that will be cool - me and Faith Evans singing, and I'm going to write it with True Steppers,' he said."}, {"response": 1310, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (07:57)", "body": "Should we trust anyone that marries a person called Notorious B.I.G.? Not too promising IMO. Do they think she is hip? Todd Rundgren, now there is a true star!"}, {"response": 1311, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 29, 2000 (16:15)", "body": "From the 9/28 Evening Standard: How to have a well-dressed Vespa Some scooter riders may have the retro crash helmet, the designer shades and the hand-stitched boots - but is their Vespa wearing the right clothes? Members of London's growing army of scooter commuters now have the chance to buy some of the best turned-out machines in town, including one with Argyll- inspired bodywork designed by fashion guru Jasper Conran. He is one of eight celebrities who have submitted designs for machines to be sold in an Art Vespa auction being held at Sotheby's in London on Tuesday in aid of the drugs charity Action on Addiction. [...] For the girl about town, however, there can be only one choice - the Bridget Jones scooter designed by writer Helen Fielding. It incorporates essential devices such as a CD player for \"blasting out Eagles' hits to create pleasing illusion of roaring along desert highway\"; \"box for small selection of Milk Tray chocolates\"; \"very large handbag holder\" and \"plug-in hair tongs to repair damage done by ludicrous helmet\". [...] The celebrity-designed scooters will be on show at Sotheby's in New Bond Street from today until the day of the auction. Complete article here: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/dynamic/lifestyle/bottom_review.html?in_review_id=320969&in_review_text_id=264216 ~~~~~~~ Pretty funny that HF is participating in this, given the Cause Celeb book."}, {"response": 1312, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Sep 30, 2000 (03:11)", "body": "Hi everyone! I am still here but I have had a frantic 3 months and now I am having posting difficulties. Bear with me I am going to post in short chunks."}, {"response": 1313, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Sep 30, 2000 (03:13)", "body": "There is an article in our local paper about Crispin Bonham Carter who has just finished filming BJD in which he plays BJ's clanger-dropping office chum, Greg."}, {"response": 1314, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Sep 30, 2000 (03:18)", "body": "He says KZ's english accent is \"pretty good\". Why do I get such bad vibes about this film? Sorry this is so brief. Will try and get the article to Evelyn in London so that she might be able to tell you about it at greater length. Am having to use IE/AOL rather than netscape at the moment and posting is a nightmare."}, {"response": 1315, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Sep 30, 2000 (07:54)", "body": "Crispin? What a happy reunion. Clanger-dropping office chum. Hmmm, not ringing a bell but no matter. Thanks, Allison."}, {"response": 1316, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 30, 2000 (08:17)", "body": "Welcome back, Allison, and with news. Lovely! Greg?? Who is Greg?? And what's a clanger, other than a thing that...erm...clangs? And what's it doing in an office? (Heide) Crispin? What a happy reunion. These people are shameless. ;-D Hoorah! Note: The newest version of IE works here, although can't speak to the AOL part. :-("}, {"response": 1317, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep 30, 2000 (12:25)", "body": "Maybe he plays her sexist boss? The mystery continues. Hello again, Allison! Loved the Vespa idea. In Italy this summer we kept singing a hit tune about going around in a Vespa."}, {"response": 1318, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Sep 30, 2000 (15:47)", "body": "Karen, loved the piece about HF's Vespa ala BJ. Finally know a little more about BJ's taste in music (aside from the fact that she plays classical or jazz music in background to impress people). Am taking notes for possible future reference for FanFic. A visit to the Hotel California, perhaps? :-) Allison, what interesting news about CBC. My mind is running wild at the possibility of other cast members from P&P2 appearing in cameos.... Does anyone know if HF has a cameo? Oooooh, I hope there are no bad vibes surrounding BJD. Want ODB to score big time with BJD. Hope springs eternal...or is that Spring hopes eternal? :-)"}, {"response": 1319, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Sep 30, 2000 (18:00)", "body": "(Karen) Greg?? Who is Greg?? And what's a clanger, other than a thing that...erm...clangs? And what's it doing in an office? Wasn't there a Greg amongst MD's friends or was that a Giles (must read books again to check). 'Drop a clanger' is yet another of our obscure English sayings - it means saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. Something which I suffer from, always saying things like ' isn't Fred ugly' when either a) Fred is standing behing you or b) turns out to be going out with the person you're talking to - whoops! *clang, clang* Why it's a clanger and not anthing else I haven't the foggiest idea but I hope that helps,"}, {"response": 1320, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Oct  1, 2000 (09:13)", "body": "(Gail) Hope springs eternal...or is that Spring hopes eternal? :-) LOL! (Tracy) 'Drop a clanger' is yet another of our obscure English sayings - it means saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. Great! Now we know he's a bit of a boob (sound familiar?). Could not find a Greg while quickly scanning BJD. Perhaps in EOR? I can't find my book!"}, {"response": 1321, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct  1, 2000 (09:22)", "body": "Thanks, Tracy, for the translation. This board is soooooo educational. ;-) (Heide) Now we know he's a bit of a boob Certainly not a Bingley!? Wonder if he'll do a lot of dopey grins."}, {"response": 1322, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Sun, Oct  1, 2000 (15:39)", "body": "There is no Greg ... gaah, wasn't the (multi-best-sellng) book good enough for these d*** scriptwriters? Karen, bet HF wouldn't particularly like being reminded about her views about celebs from CC, now that suddenly and unexpectedly she is one.:-) (Lisa - credit where it's due) Hope springs eternal...or is that Spring hopes eternal? Too funny - and has got me thinking: anybody want to guess what the tag-line for the film will be? you know, the line on the poster usually under the title . For NB, the tag-line used in England was \"She needs to see a doctor\" which I thought was pretty humorous, but I noticed in the US they were using something else. Dane Bowers and TrueSteppers? Oh lord, judging from their latest effort with Posh Spice aka Victoria Beckham, the soundtrack is not going to kick much bottom. So far, we've got two good leads (out of three), a great source material, and some decent publicity. As for the rest: a first-time director, low-profile support cast, lame-looking soundtrack, fearful costuming, production difficulties, arguments over billing, accent criticism, uncertain release date, mix-and-match screenplay, unfaithful public. It may be all down to one walk-by extra to pull this thing out of the bag!"}, {"response": 1323, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct  1, 2000 (22:59)", "body": "(Lisa) My mind is running wild at the possibility of other cast members from P&P2 appearing in cameos.... Yes, doesn't it. Julia Sawalha might make a nice Patchouli. Keep your eyes peeled for HF in glitter caftan, sunglasses and cigarette on long holder. Am not clever enough for those movie taglines. Will have to leave to brilliant minds in H'wood. So far, we've got two good leads (out of three), a great source material, and some decent publicity. (Mark) As for the rest: a first-time director, low-profile support cast, lame-looking soundtrack, fearful costuming, production difficulties, arguments over billing, accent criticism, uncertain release date, mix-and-match screenplay, unfaithful public. Don't sugar-coat it, Mark. We can take it straight. So what do you really think? ;-D It may be all down to one walk-by extra to pull this thing out of the bag! We have great confidence in you. Better not end up on big cutting room floor. Will be v. disappointed. Have finished CC. If you thought MD in towel striding in barrister mode was good, ladies, this one's got dueling men in towels. Mmmmmmm (page 302-cannot forget) ;-D Seriously though, it had structural problems. Would've been better laid out in normal linear fashion, rather than annoying back and forth. IMO, it should've had the main storyline be Africa, with her returning to London and her history and what led her to Africa be revealed in flashback. But what do I know."}, {"response": 1324, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct  1, 2000 (23:18)", "body": "The Independent on Sunday has an article about Honor Blackman. Said \"She's been in six series of the television comedy The Upper Hand and has a cameo role in the film of Bridget Jones's Diary.\" Cameo. Tarts & Vicars Party is my guess. Why isn't it Honour? ;-)"}, {"response": 1325, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct  2, 2000 (07:35)", "body": "LOL, Mark! Now, who are the two good leads are we referring to? ;-) I like the three leads. I think HG will make a good DC. Lisa, glad to hear you are condidering another BJ segment. The Eagles? I can think of much better to play as road music. I might fall asleep listening to them."}, {"response": 1326, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct  2, 2000 (09:41)", "body": "(Lisa) Hope springs eternal...or is that Spring hopes eternal? :-) (Heide) LOL! LOL indeed! Think this should be our motto. Definitely. (Mark) There is no Greg ... gaah, wasn't the (multi-best-sellng) book good enough for these d*** scriptwriters? Considering which scriptwriter left his imprint all over this, IMO we should consider ourselves lucky that Greg isn't a tall, lanky Welshman who answers the door in his underwear. It's nice to hear from you, Allison. Interesting news about Crispin."}, {"response": 1327, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct  2, 2000 (10:35)", "body": "Mark, Judi Dench nabbed the Oscar with only 8 minutes of screentime, so there is every reason to hope that the BJD extra can make a similar impression. It's not the quantity, it's the quality. ;-) Film tagline will probably be something punny, with a reference to the girl with the write stuff.;-)"}, {"response": 1328, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Oct  2, 2000 (13:50)", "body": "(Mark) There is no Greg ... gaah, wasn't the (multi-best-sellng) book good enough for these d*** scriptwriters? Maybe they are taking their cue from the writers of P&P1\ufffdlet's hope not\ufffd. As for the rest: a first-time director, low-profile support cast, lame-looking soundtrack, fearful costuming, production difficulties, arguments over billing, accent criticism, uncertain release date, mix-and-match screenplay, unfaithful public. Mark, time to pull out the Power of Positive Thinking book from your self-help bookshelf. You know the one -- it is next to your volume on How to Break into Show Business. ;-)"}, {"response": 1329, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Oct  3, 2000 (06:56)", "body": "Yes, have cheered up a bit in the face of optimism above. And even Rhys Ifans was quite funny in NH, IMO. Mari: the girl with the write stuff. Good work ... or \"looking for Mr Write\"?"}, {"response": 1330, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Oct  3, 2000 (09:16)", "body": "Dane Bowers and TrueSteppers? Oh lord, judging from their latest effort with Posh Spice aka Victoria Beckham, the soundtrack is not going to kick much bottom. (Mark) Hopefully it's only one song which we won't have to listen to... (quote)\"we're doing *a* song...\". Not the entire soundtrack (ghastly thought!). Greg? Why do we need a \"Greg\"? What was wrong with Simon from Marketing?!!"}, {"response": 1331, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Oct  3, 2000 (12:48)", "body": "(Mark) And even Rhys Ifans was quite funny in NH, IMO. Indeed. He made the movie, IMO. However, I want BJD to be unique, not formulaic rehash of RC's other hits."}, {"response": 1332, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Oct  3, 2000 (17:11)", "body": "Get a load of this--good for Helen! From Excite: Bridget Jones beats cybersquatter The author of the best-selling Bridget Jones's Diary has the right to use the internet web address www.bridgetjones.com, a United Nations panel has ruled. Helen Fielding, a British writer who now lives in Los Angeles, brought the case to get the domain name from the man who had registered it, Anthony Corbett, of Plantation, Florida. Fielding had success around the world with the fictional diary of Bridget Jones, a self-obsessed thirtysomething Londoner in search of Mr Right. The follow-up, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, appeared earlier this year. In her submission to the World Intellectual Property Organisation in Switzerland, Fielding said she had contacted Corbett to ask him to hand over the web address. He told her he was planning to use it as a site for fans of the books. \"I've been creating Bridget Jones for over five years now, and have put hours and hours and years and years into making her who she is, and carefully guarding the unique atmosphere around her, not least by registering various trade mark rights. \"She is very precious to me. I've been doing a lot of work building her website and trying to make it really funny and true to her,\" said Fielding in a letter to Corbett. She suggested he might use another address, such as bridgetjonesfans. Later Corbett contacted her and offered to sell the site to her for \ufffd10,000. He did not respond to WIPO's letter advising him of the case and asking him to respond to Fielding's claims. Arbitrator Frederick Abbott ordered the transfer of the web address to Fielding. He ruled that the use of a trademark name for a fan site could be a legitimate use of a domain name, but in this case Corbett had owned the name for two years without posting anything on the internet."}, {"response": 1333, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct  3, 2000 (22:06)", "body": "(HF) I've been doing a lot of work building her website and trying to make it really funny and true to her Has probably got as far as deciding on the background color... ;-D Phoar!! Next thing you know, she'll want me take down the chocolate croissant and the chardonnary bottle as her intellectual property."}, {"response": 1334, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Oct  3, 2000 (22:22)", "body": "Has probably got as far as deciding on the background color... ;-D No kidding... I think I actually remember seeing a news report about this guy. He makes a living creating domain names, and holding the sites \"hostage\" until their rightful owners give up and pay the fee to have their dot com names given to them. HF certainly is one of the few to fight this out till the end. Good for her."}, {"response": 1335, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Oct  4, 2000 (05:16)", "body": "There are a lot of people trying this out. I think even our own Terry has dabbled a little. Someone register bridgetjonesfans.com quick and try selling it to Corbett for ten Gs :-) Of course, HF is trying to save her own ten Gs to offer to Karen for the right to borrow her \"BJD - the film\" page for the new official site."}, {"response": 1336, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct  4, 2000 (10:22)", "body": "(Karen), Has probably got as far as deciding on the background color... ;-D LOL! Right, and we put them together just to celebrate DBs birthday. ;-) Phoar!! Next thing you know, she'll want me take down the chocolate croissant and the chardonnary bottle as her intellectual property. (Mark), Of course, HF is trying to save her own ten Gs to offer to Karen for the right to borrow her \"BJD - the film\" page for the new official site. A happy thought indeed! If HF wants this, she will probably be writing more BJ in the future. Of course she may have plans to charge a fee. Karen, you should leave a message for her. She has probably checked what you have done."}, {"response": 1337, "author": "nini", "date": "Wed, Oct  4, 2000 (10:49)", "body": "i wanted to see the trialors of blue films"}, {"response": 1338, "author": "nini", "date": "Wed, Oct  4, 2000 (10:49)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1339, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Oct  4, 2000 (13:06)", "body": "(Mark), Of course, HF is trying to save her own ten Gs to offer to Karen for the right to borrow her \"BJD - the film\" page for the new official site. LOL! HF should hire Karen to design her BJD site, complete with a link to Darcy Drool, a midi file of the P&P2 soundtrack, and a RealPlayer clip looping the P&P2 Darcy wet shirt scene. :-)"}, {"response": 1340, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct  4, 2000 (23:10)", "body": "In an article about Jeffrey Archer, he mentions his cameo bit for BJD. Not much new: Though he would not go into details of what his availability might be, Lord Archer said: \"My agent is dealing with four script offers. [ed note: hmmm, Colin's only says 3] Yes, I would like to be in a film, possibly in America. I have actually already been in one. Salman Rushdie and I appeared in a cocktail party scene for the upcoming Bridget Jones movie. It took two days and I didn't speak. I now really want a speaking part. I enjoy acting intensely. And I concentrate on it fully. I am literally not thinking about anything else at the moment.\" http://www.independent.co.uk/enjoyment/Film/News/2000-10/actor051000.shtml"}, {"response": 1341, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct  5, 2000 (23:27)", "body": "Rather trashy story in The Express about Honor Blackman. Can't make heads or tails of this beginning bit, unless it is a broad generalization... BRIDGET JONES may have struck a chord with a generation of thirtysomething women but as far as Honor Blackman is concerned she's nothing short of \"stupid\". The glamorous ex-Avengers star raises one elegant eyebrow at the shenanigans of the fictional dysfunctional woman, whose diary, currently being filmed, she is starring in. \"This character seems to have every kind of trauma,\" she pronounces with husky exasperation. \"All this bulimia is completely foreign to me. She keeps promising she won't spend all her time with her head down the lav and I say 'Pur-lease'. But there's a description of her character at the end - again, no relationship to the book. \"Financially, she need never work again but took the role in Bridget Jones because the script was \"such fun\". \"I play a friend of Bridget's mother, who has had her ovaries out and it's sent her mad. She's at every party with a glass in her hand.\" http://www.lineone.net/express/00/10/06/features/f0100splash-d.html"}, {"response": 1342, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  6, 2000 (00:06)", "body": "Also have some new location pics will try to post tomorrow. Looks to be in a shopping arcade with a connector tunnel leading to the Liverpool Street Underground station. No sign of CF or HG. Bridget approaches two homeless people sitting on the floor and \"there's a bit with a dog\" ;-D (Don't believe that was in the book either) Am waiting for the sender to provide additional details."}, {"response": 1343, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Oct  6, 2000 (03:02)", "body": "Still cannot paste !!?? So - re Bulimia - what is going on? Bridget with bulimia. That is a travesty of the character surely? I did not expect them to keep to the same situations as in the book but to have her suffering from bulimia is to change her character fundamentally. The only thing *wrong* with the Bridget of the book was that she was 30ish and not married. Otherwise she was a sane person dealing with society's expectations of her. Re Jeffrey Archer. I'm fascinated by that quote, Karen. That he does not think of anything else when he is *acting*. The man is a complete fantasist. Sorry if this is v off topic, particularly for those of you outside the UK who have not followed Archer's antics over the years."}, {"response": 1344, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Oct  6, 2000 (03:23)", "body": "Bulimia?! Excuse moi.... This is a serious medical condition. Bridget overindulges on the chocolates and Chardonay. Not exactly the same thing. Sounds like Honor Blackman has had one too many (staying in character?). I hope so...otherwise, is this the movie of the book? The only serious acting Jeffrey Archer will do in the near future will be in court. But the Archer connection will help the movie...all publicity is good publicity!"}, {"response": 1345, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  6, 2000 (08:14)", "body": "I read Honor Blackman's comments as a broad generalization about younger women today who are obsessed about their weight and go to those extremes. Doubt Honor has actually read the books or the entire script. Besides, it was from The Express so it cannot be relied upon. ;-D"}, {"response": 1346, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  6, 2000 (09:42)", "body": "Does this look familiar?"}, {"response": 1347, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct  6, 2000 (14:39)", "body": "(Allison)Still cannot paste !!?? OK, Allison...you're 'on' for a lesson at the internet cafe down the street from my hotel next time...I also do a quickie HTML for posting images....:-)) ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Re: BJD location pic...could be Liverpool St... it received a major renovation recently.Floor looks familiar. ...and #8 & 9 track does too.Was just there last week.It's not Victoria, Waterloo, Paddington or Euston."}, {"response": 1348, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  6, 2000 (16:02)", "body": "Yes, there is a tunnel that says Liverpool Street Underground. So this is the actual train station? OK, have put the pics up at the Bridget site http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjdloc.html"}, {"response": 1349, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  6, 2000 (16:28)", "body": "here's one that I didn't use on the page because that's not Renee, but her stand-in, but it shows the entrance to the tube station:"}, {"response": 1350, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct  6, 2000 (16:32)", "body": "Looking vvg, Karen! (Off to see Dancer in the Dark)"}, {"response": 1351, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct  6, 2000 (16:41)", "body": "Liverpool Street Underground. So this is the actual train station? Yup. That's the main rotunda.Tracks are along the north side of the rotunda, ticket agents are on opposite side.Shops are along the balcony,on the sides and in a mall leading from the street. Good pics Karen...."}, {"response": 1352, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sat, Oct  7, 2000 (03:53)", "body": "Used to travel on it all the time in the 1960's lol I know the areas so well - I hope the film turns out okay."}, {"response": 1353, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct  7, 2000 (07:42)", "body": "Bingo!! Here's the description of the action. Somehow it just doesn't have the same panache as when Mark reports: The photos were taken during filming in Liverpool Street station. The scenes involved Renee whilst she is wearing the black coat. She walks towards the homeless people and stops to give them some money and carries on walking. Behind her there are some girls laughing in a Christmas themed shot. The shot of Renee with the dog was taken during a break and we felt it was a good shot to get. I could be wrong but according to the clapper board the film is titled 'Lonely Hearts'"}, {"response": 1354, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct  7, 2000 (10:49)", "body": "I could be wrong but according to the clapper board the film is titled 'Lonely Hearts' Maybe that is the title of the song Renee breaks into before taking the train. ;-) Could she be taking singing lessons from Bjork? ;-D (Or are they afraid of mob scenes if it read BJD?)"}, {"response": 1355, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Sat, Oct  7, 2000 (11:09)", "body": "according to the clapper board the film is titled 'Lonely Hearts' Maybe now the film has changed so much (characters, scenes, songs, bulimia), HF has withdrawn the rights to the title, and it's going to be just production-line-Curtis. You KNOW they'll write out that Darcy character (no relevance to witty modern urbanites in farce situation, har, har, har) if that happens. *Peering through his fingers in fear* BTW, Liverpool Street concourse v familiar, and thanks for the flattery Karen"}, {"response": 1356, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Oct  7, 2000 (17:25)", "body": "(Mark) *Peering through his fingers in fear* Be afraid, Mark. Be *very* afraid.;-) Interesting pics, Karen. Thanks much. I agree with your assessment of Hono(u)r's remarks. Boy, would love to get our hands on this script!"}, {"response": 1357, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Oct  7, 2000 (23:01)", "body": "(Mark) Maybe now the film has changed so much (characters, scenes, songs, bulimia), HF has withdrawn the rights to the title, and it's going to be just production-line-Curtis. I can see it now: Daniel calls Bridget \"duckface,\" and Andie MacDowell is wheeled out at the end. Humph\ufffd. Now it's my turn to pull out \"The Power of Positive Thinking.\""}, {"response": 1358, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Oct  8, 2000 (15:19)", "body": "When NH came out, the screenplay was published a good two weeks before the movie hit the screens (all part of the promotion campaign.....\"I picked this up in the bookshop and wept with laughter/spilt my sides/screamed etc). It included photos and all the scenes that didn't make it to the final edit. Will they do the same for \"Lonely hearts\"? Time will tell. I guess there'll be a movie website, well in advance of the release date. Bridget gives money to the homeless and loves dogs? Is this the Bridget we love and know? And why is she always at the railway station...I thought she drove to Grafton Underwood!"}, {"response": 1359, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct  8, 2000 (22:25)", "body": "Another mention of Crispin Bonham Carter being in Bridget from the Independent on Sunday: Taking a Gamble on the Family Name: Bridget Jones to Gogol - Crispin Bonham Carter is on the Move By Louise Jury ...Similarly, by a stroke of good fortune, filming the big-budget Bridget Jones movie provided some useful background information for Bonham Carter's other ongoing project - directing a fringe production of the play Gamblers by the Russian dramatist Gogol. \"There's this big literary party scene in Bridget Jones and I found myself standing next to Salman Rushdie (who was playing himself) for two days. It turns out he knows a lot about Russian literature and he thinks that Gogol is the greatest Russian writer so we talked about him a lot,\" says Bonham Carter. \"I'm hoping he will come and see the play.\""}, {"response": 1360, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (09:19)", "body": "(Karen) Bridget approaches two homeless people sitting on the floor The closest the book came to this was 'dole youths'. Thanks for the pics, K. Re: the second one--note the tallish gentleman, clad in black leather coat, watching the action (to the left of RZ stand-in)? Hmmm. Mark, is that you? ;-) (Post-oopherectomy Honor) All this bulimia is completely foreign to me. I'll say, since you don't know the difference between a serious psycho-medical condition and weight-consciousness. Gaah, this is how rumors start!"}, {"response": 1361, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (11:23)", "body": ".... filming the big-budget Bridget Jones movie.... Love to see that....at last, ODB in a Big One!"}, {"response": 1362, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (20:01)", "body": "Too bad most of that \"big budget\" is going for Hughie's salary. ;-)"}, {"response": 1363, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (02:45)", "body": "Eileen: the tallish gentleman, clad in black leather coat, watching the action (to the left of RZ stand-in)? Hmmm. Mark, is that you? ;-) Tchoh ... the fellow clearly lacks my charisma. (I would have been round the other side, desperately trying to get in shot...)"}, {"response": 1364, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (02:49)", "body": "Besides, our dear MarkG is fair-haired :-)"}, {"response": 1365, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (07:31)", "body": "I don't think I am - unless I was particularly grey the night you saw me, Gi :-)"}, {"response": 1366, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (07:54)", "body": "It must have been your brilliant aura, Mark. :-D"}, {"response": 1367, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (13:55)", "body": "Sorry, Mark. You are lighter than the man in leather though, or is it my Alzheimer again?"}, {"response": 1368, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (21:58)", "body": "Interesting article in The Observer about how all the new fiction gets optioned for film, but that 97% are never made into movies. Will excerpt: In the last few years, there have been a lot of high-profile successes, adaptations like Trainspotting and High Fidelity. Inevitably, this starts some kind of trend, and so lots of novels are being snapped up, often even before being published. It's certainly a primary source of inspiration for film-makers, especially British ones.' In America, he explains, writers can often make a very good living churning out film scripts purely on spec, then hawking them around Hollywood with a good chance of getting a development deal. This doesn't tend to happen over here, and so the industry inevitably looks instead towards that most primary area of storytelling: books. 'If a book sells well,' says FilmFour's Jim Wilson, currently adapting both Sebastian Faulks's Charlotte Gray and Giles Fodon's The Last King Of Scotland, 'then it has a ready-made audience, which is naturally appealing for us. Everyone who read The Beach, for example, went to see the film. I think the profile alone of Bridget Jones will keep this trend in place for some time.' Despite the fact that it's not released in cinemas for the better part of a year, hype for the film version of Helen Fielding's The Diary Of Bridget Jones is already colossal. Ren\ufffde Zellweger may well have recently appeared in Neil LaBute's Nurse Betty and the Farrelly Brothers' Me, Myself & Irene, but the only questions British journalists wish to pose to her concern the fictional character she is about to bring to 70mm life. [...] 'Basically, we are always on the lookout for good stories,' says Wilson. 'And ideally, we're looking for something that really sticks out and marks it as a true original.' He swings around in his office chair and points to a poster of the new FilmFour-funded Lars Von Trier film, Dancer In The Dark. 'And often, I must say, that's not particularly easy. Look at something like Being John Malkovich (by US screenwriter Charlie Kaufman). I very much doubt screenplays with that kind of scope and depth exist in this country. And if they do, I haven't seen them. The UK has always been far stronger in its original fiction than screenwriting, which is why we do scour for new talent in books. But every time I read what I consider to be an excellent novel, I wish with all my heart it was already in screenplay form, because, believe me, that's when the hard work begins.' Which brings us to the cloud behind the silver lining - my own book's adaptation possibilities. During my research, I learnt a sobering statistic: 97 per cent of all books optioned within the UK will never make it to the screen. With mathematics like these, England are far more likely to win the World Cup than Sidewalking is to reach Leicester Square. [...] http://www.observer.co.uk/screen/story/0,6903,378893,00.html"}, {"response": 1369, "author": "odessa", "date": "Sun, Oct 15, 2000 (14:07)", "body": "I`m going to ask a stupid question: is there 3rd Bridget book (or is it even coming)??? *I want more*"}, {"response": 1370, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Oct 15, 2000 (15:06)", "body": "There is no third BJD planned by HF. We can only hope she gets so much mail after the film comes out that her publisher will make her an offer too hard (or too stupid), to refuse. :-)"}, {"response": 1371, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Oct 16, 2000 (04:36)", "body": "What Jane Austen book would she model hers on, then, do you think? Emma?"}, {"response": 1372, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 16, 2000 (07:48)", "body": "Maybe! Bridget finally has MD, so she decides that every singleton she knows should be coupled too. She starts out trying to fix Daniel up (good for sequel to have HG), but ends up introducing him to a woman that MD also finds attractive and all sort of problems arrise when the rest of her friends get involve. Am thinking Scotland Yard, James Bond, Europe..."}, {"response": 1373, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Oct 16, 2000 (17:52)", "body": "Or she starts setting up Shazzer with all the WRONG men;) Friends of MD's??? Of course, Shazzer is in love with Nigel or whatever the hell his name is, but Bridget doesn't think he's \"good\" enough for her... Then MD asks Shazzer to dance .... Hmmmm... I see it now;)"}, {"response": 1374, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 19, 2000 (12:53)", "body": "Avert your eyes: Fundraising Notice Ahead We've done very well, ladies, so a big Thank You for being so generous. As a housekeeping detail, I have personally contacted every person who made a donation. If you haven't gotten a thank you from me, then I haven't received it. Please let me know."}, {"response": 1375, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Thu, Oct 19, 2000 (18:35)", "body": "V. cute eyeballs! Quite in keeping with the \"season\"."}, {"response": 1376, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Oct 21, 2000 (10:47)", "body": "From the Calgary Herald (thanks to Fran). First of many complimentary remarks about CF, no doubt.:-) I like this gal more and more--CF *and* Paul McC--she has impeccable taste!:-) Bet on it: Zellweger's nice After taking a beating in the press, actress says there are worse things to be called Jamie Portman, Calgary Herald Nurse Betty opens Friday in Calgary theatres. Renee Zellweger skips into the interview room saying she needs to lose some weight now that she's finished shooting Bridget Jones's Diary in London. If you tell her she looks just fine, she doesn't really believe you. \"This is still very, very big,\" she says cheerfully, turning away from reporters to display her rear end. She contends the dark, striped slacks she's wearing conceal the poundage she had to gain in order to portray the plump heroine of Helen Fielding's best-selling comic novel. \"They're good pants, aren't they?\" There are elements of ingenuousness and puppy-dog friendliness here -- a sense that with this unpretentious 31-year-old with the peaches-and-cream complexion and casually knotted ponytail, what you see is what you get. She's here to talk about another movie -- the black comedy, Nurse Betty, in which she plays a small-town waitress and soap opera addict whose fantasies blur with reality -- but she's also overflowing with goodwill towards the world. Even towards those nasty members of the British media who went into instant attack mode at the news that she -- a Texas gal -- would be portraying the quintessentially English Bridget Jones on the big screen. \"Isn't it funny?\" she asks sweetly. \"Ironically, it came on the heels of an Englishman winning the Academy Award for playing an American,\" she says, referring to Michael Caine's Oscar for The Cider House Rules. \"Sometimes it feels that there was a hurtful intention in some of the articles,\" she pouts, but then turns forgiving. \"You know, I understood it, especially after having been in England where you could see that the market is much, much smaller. You could see that the opportunities for these very many, very talented English actresses are smaller as well. And besides, the character of Bridget in particular is representative of a new generation of British working women who are facing new challenges and the the new opportunities that are arising. So yes, I could see why they would think a Brit might better play that role.\" And she was surprised when she beat out the likes of Kate Winslet, Helena Bonham Carter and Emily Watson for the role. \"But I was really glad and excited as well, because I also responded to the book and think Bridget is a beautifully written character. So it turned out to be a wonderful challenge and a real gift too.\" There was the added bonus of her male co-stars. \"Hugh Grant and Colin Firth -- not a bad day at the office!\" she says happily. \"I made a couple of really good friends.\" The only real downer, apart from the media, was that Britain's stringent animal quarantine laws barred her from bringing her dog Dylan along. She doesn't say whether she also pined for boyfriend Jim Carrey, with whom she starred in Me, Myself and Irene. Furthermore, Zellweger can be coy when she wants to be. Asked when she's getting her ring, she delivers an enigmatic smile and response: \"Just rumours.\" \"She's so darn nice,\" comments one veteran journalist just before Zellweger bubbles into the room. Zellweger herself muses that reporters have been asking about her niceness all weekend, and have also been asking whether she's getting tired of hearing about it. She figures the \"nice\" tag has stuck to her because of her performance as Tom Cruise's girlfriend in Jerry Maguire and not because of her roles as a victim in Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation or as a prostitute in Deceiver, but she's not complaining. \"I guess people could say worse things.\" Still, you would never mistake her for a bubblehead. For example, she did some serious research into the psychology of the title character in Nurse Betty, controversial filmmaker Neil LaBute's bizarre new comedy opening Friday. Betty Sizemore is a good-hearted waitress with an obsessive passion for a soap opera, A Reason to Love, and an even greater passion for the character of intrepid surgeon Dr. David Ravell (Greg Kinnear). When this TV fabrication gazes at the moon and announces that \"I know there's someone special out there for me,\" she figures he's talking about her. Unfortunately, Betty has an odious husband (Aaron Eckhart) who's also crooked. He ends up being eliminated by two hit men (Morgan Freeman and Chris Rock) -- and she is a hidden witness to the murder. The event traumatizes Betty and she assumes the character of Nurse Betty and sets off for Los Angeles to reunite with the love of her life, Dr. Ravell, with the two killers in hot pursuit. Zellweger, an alumnus of the University of Texas, has a thing about research. She loves it. In the case of Nurse Betty, she interviewed psychologists and psychiatrists"}, {"response": 1377, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sun, Oct 22, 2000 (23:40)", "body": "Long article on Renee in our local Sunday Newspaper - was going to put some up but not mention of Colin or anyone else in the picture and nothing new was written up - almost the same as the above. She is certainly getting publicity if mentioned in our local Sunday rag. So at least BJD will be coming to Oz. Something at least."}, {"response": 1378, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (19:36)", "body": "RZ is on Letterman tonight. Probably a re-run."}, {"response": 1379, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Sun, Oct 29, 2000 (15:17)", "body": "From OK! magazine: Royle Family star Caroline Aherne says she was asked to play Bridget Jones in the big-screen version of the Helen Fielding novel. She was approached by Richard Curtis, who had written the screenplay for Bridget Jones's Diary , but said: \"I'm far too common for it.\" News to me. Royle Family is British TV, as is her other role (Mrs Merton). Would have been very different from RZ, who also appears in the same magazine (the classy stuff I read!), sporting a new do - straightened bob - at the VH1 awards."}, {"response": 1380, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Oct 29, 2000 (15:29)", "body": "Anyone seen the \"take off\" of CA in the spoof \"Royal Family,\" done by Alistair McGowan and friends? Very funny. very common!! Actually the CA character is \"Camilla\". I thought it was a hoot. CA has found it difficult to remain sober at these award ceremonies in the past. Perhaps that's what prompted the BJ connection. Ouch, pass the chardonnay please."}, {"response": 1381, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 29, 2000 (15:45)", "body": "CAROLINE AHERNE Our Bridget???? Puhleeze....."}, {"response": 1382, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Oct 29, 2000 (17:40)", "body": "Sounds like a tall story....OK style! And would she really say \"no\". Definitely not BJ, too downmarket. Can see RZ and CF making a good couple... but CA and CF,abolutely not!"}, {"response": 1383, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Oct 30, 2000 (02:26)", "body": "I actually dare to think she would have been quite good... more the \"drunken haze\" Bridget than the \"sweetly single\" one - great picture, Evelyn, a typical shot of CA. ...EXCEPT for the reason identified by Bethan and by Caroline herself: not posh enough. But you remember how we used to say about all the names floated: Wrong nationality Wrong age Wrong weight?"}, {"response": 1384, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 30, 2000 (10:44)", "body": "(Mark) great picture, Evelyn, a typical shot of CA. Thanks...I found a better one in color...a bit risque. Didn't dare post it while the boss is away...she'd kill me ;-)"}, {"response": 1385, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct 30, 2000 (12:24)", "body": "(Evelyn) Our Bridget???? Puhleeze..... Well, she does look as though she wouldn't have to stretch for the 'oof falling over' scenes. In addition to the other points already raised, I add: Would RC have casting control? I doubt it. And CA is unknown here in the US, where the all the buckets of box office money are found."}, {"response": 1386, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 30, 2000 (20:02)", "body": "Wot you mean by risque? ;-D Actually, I think CA looks right...even a bit like HF herself with that pose. But I have to agree with the others that \"being offered the role\" seems a bit farfetched. Maybe she read for it? ;-D"}, {"response": 1387, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 31, 2000 (14:09)", "body": "Sloane Street, SW1 Wednesday 25 October 2000 Last night, Consuelo Castiglioni, the Milanese designer, and Joseph Ettedgui, celebrated the opening of their store, Marni, above the latter's own Joe's Caf\ufffd. The kitchen had the night off, however, and the champagne, gorgeous crispy-duck pancakes, and Brie and sesame fritters were by Tabletalk. Model Lisa B talked about her role as Hugh Grant\ufffds girlfriend, the eponymous heroine's nemesis, in Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary.... I think we have our Suki, blonde giantess, on roof: http://www.sports.com/tips/swimsuit/models/johnfisher/australia2000/lisa/"}, {"response": 1388, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 31, 2000 (15:53)", "body": "Hey...she's gorgeous alright..and with the dark hair in the pic she looks like Hughie's former squeeze."}, {"response": 1389, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 31, 2000 (16:43)", "body": "Vg find, Karen! Those bathing suit pix are so Pamela Anderson."}, {"response": 1390, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Nov  1, 2000 (03:02)", "body": "Blonde giantess indeed ... unless there's more deviation from the book and she gets a full role in some way."}, {"response": 1391, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov  1, 2000 (07:48)", "body": "Did you click on the url? She's blonde in the swimsuit pix. The brunette picture with the blurb was from the event she attended."}, {"response": 1392, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Wed, Nov  1, 2000 (19:46)", "body": "(Karen) I think we have our Suki, blonde giantess, on roof: Wow, good casting. Stumbling upon that in one's boyfriend's apartment would make anyone intimidated ;-)."}, {"response": 1393, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov  1, 2000 (21:22)", "body": "If you click on those pictures, they get bigger and bigger and bigger! v. intimidating. ;-D"}, {"response": 1394, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (02:25)", "body": "Oh my! And what happened to Evelyn's CA picture (at #1381)? That'll surprise people who pick up this thread later."}, {"response": 1395, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (08:02)", "body": "How funny! Apparently, they've switched the images."}, {"response": 1396, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (08:47)", "body": "#1381???Creepy. Who switched the pics??"}, {"response": 1397, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (10:02)", "body": "I suppose the switch was done in whichever site you got the pic from, Evelyn."}, {"response": 1398, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Nov 14, 2000 (03:48)", "body": "Probably everone knows about this site (there's a link to Karen's site) http://www.bridgetjones.co.uk"}, {"response": 1399, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 22, 2000 (22:22)", "body": "A news item about the woman who did stunts for RZ at This is London. Here's the last bit: Coming to a cinema near you next spring is Bridget Jones's Diary, in which Biernat does the stunts for the eponymous heroine played by Ren\ufffde Zellweger. In one scene she stumbles drunkenly out of a taxi, trips and falls flat on her face. Some us have been known to do this after drinking a few doubles, but Dani Biernat can do it completely sober. To perfection. Again and again. And without so much as a damn or blast. Full article here: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk:80/dynamic/lifestyle/top_review.html?in_review_id=337446&in_review_text_id=280565"}, {"response": 1400, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Thu, Nov 23, 2000 (09:28)", "body": "Cool! This Dani Biernat seems an interesting sort, I'll have to watch for her name... Thanks Karen! Any news about BJD is good news!"}, {"response": 1401, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov 23, 2000 (13:34)", "body": "Thanks Karen...and three cheers for Working Title who is keeping BJD in the news.( Wonder who insures her..)"}, {"response": 1402, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Nov 24, 2000 (16:05)", "body": "More cast info (using google.com search engine, which I thoroughly recommend) James Faulkner plays Uncle Geoffrey (British character actor, recently played Lenin on stage) John Leguizamo (Tybalt in Leo deCaprio's \"Romeo and Juliet) Nora Dunn (Us conedienne, stand-up routines, was in \"Three Kings\". Who are JF and ND playing? Magda and Jeremy? Perpetua and Richard Finch? Also if you check http://www.pearlanddean.com/films and search for BJD, you'll find a details of cast etc and a breakdown of anticipated audience by age ...26% 15-24, 25% 25-34, 18% 35-44, 31% 45 plus. A very mature audience! 65% female, educated"}, {"response": 1403, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Nov 24, 2000 (17:57)", "body": "Hi Bethan, Thanks for the above. Is this a US or UK Film site, only it gives the release date for BJD as 30th March, 2001, and not 13th April, as we previously thought. Coincidentally Possession is also listed as having a release date of the 30th March, 2001, US or UK? or both?"}, {"response": 1404, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 24, 2000 (18:37)", "body": "Bethan, I can see where the James Faulkner info came from, but are you sure about Nora Dunn and John Leguizamo?? The Pearl and Dean site is a UK advertising firm. Did you read the description for Possession? Ack!"}, {"response": 1405, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Nov 25, 2000 (02:27)", "body": "John Leguizamo??? Don't tell me this is the guy Bridget's mum gets involved with..."}, {"response": 1406, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Nov 25, 2000 (08:05)", "body": "Interesting demos - I'm surprised the lowest percent anticipated is in the 35-44 age group."}, {"response": 1407, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 25, 2000 (08:16)", "body": "Remember those are UK demos. That group does telly and videos. ;-)"}, {"response": 1408, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Nov 25, 2000 (11:38)", "body": "Karen, the site for the info on BJD is http://www.tribute.ca Just search on BJD. Cast list given. It's a movie site...quite a good one, but there are some innaccuracies. MLSF stars \"the late Malcolm McDowell\"!! Interesting star bio of CF..."}, {"response": 1409, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 25, 2000 (12:15)", "body": "Yes, I did eventually find that info at the Canadian site. But frankly, I don't trust any of the information there. Seems all messed up and there's no other confirmation or article from which quoted as with James Faulkner. If you look at the IMDB, they've updated the cast info and included Crispin BC as Greg and changed Embeth Davidtz to Natasha. But you have to wonder if someone lurking here or at the Bucket decided to submit it."}, {"response": 1410, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Nov 25, 2000 (17:48)", "body": "The site's not bad. Interesting how they ranked his career between Another Country and P&P. Thought this was funny though -\" In June of 1997, he married Livia Giuggioli and the two presently live in Vancouver.\" LOL! Think someone's trying to throw us off his track? It'll never work. ;-)"}, {"response": 1411, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Nov 25, 2000 (17:50)", "body": "Btw, meant the Tribute site if anyone wants to read it his bio."}, {"response": 1412, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Mon, Nov 27, 2000 (07:49)", "body": "Looks like that site lifted the synopsis of BJD from www.upcomingsmovies.com. I remember seeing that paragraph on the dust jacket."}, {"response": 1413, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Nov 28, 2000 (04:18)", "body": "Tittle tattle from the tabloids. HG has bought a new \ufffd2miliion house, just four doors away from the house he co-owns with Liz Hurley. He was paid (allegedly) \ufffd4million for BJD (twice as much as RZ?)!"}, {"response": 1414, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov 28, 2000 (07:18)", "body": "He was paid (allegedly) \ufffd4million for BJD (twice as much as RZ?)! Which makes one wonder what CF was paid."}, {"response": 1415, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Nov 28, 2000 (11:06)", "body": "(Bethan) He was paid (allegedly) \ufffd4million for BJD (twice as much as RZ?)! (Moon)Which makes one wonder what CF was paid. Who cares? As long as he was in it ;-)"}, {"response": 1416, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 30, 2000 (08:38)", "body": "The Hollywood Reporter's Martin Grove has a column, in which he spoke to Working Title's Eric Fellner, primarily about Billy Elliot and then went on to future projects, like... At that point in our conversation, as I asked about \ufffdBridget Jones,\ufffd Fellner suddenly disappeared from the cellular radar. Moments later he called back, explaining he was on a mobile phone and, \ufffdWe just passed Buckingham Palace and their scanners obviously knocked us out.\ufffd As for \ufffdBridget,\ufffd Fellner said, the film \ufffdis also coming sometime in the spring next year. It was a huge international best seller. Renee Zellweger, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth star in it (and Sharon Maguire is directing). Richard Curtis is involved in writing the screenplay, whom we\ufffdve had enormous success with on \ufffdNotting Hill\ufffd and \ufffdFour Weddings and a Funeral.\ufffd So we\ufffdre very excited about that. It\ufffds financed by Universal and Canal, but again on this one, Miramax are involved. They\ufffdre distributing it domestically and Universal internationally.\ufffd Fellner puts \ufffdBridget\ufffds\ufffd budget at \ufffdabout $20 million,\ufffd making it one of WT\ufffds midrange productions in terms of cost \ufffdby Hollywood standards.\ufffd Earlier in the article there's this quote:\ufffdWe\ufffdve got \ufffdBridget Jones\ufffd Diary\ufffd with Renee Zellweger (opening domestically next April through Miramax)...\" I am assuming the parenthetical comment is supplied by Martin Grove since very few of us speak with parentheses. ;-)"}, {"response": 1417, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 30, 2000 (08:39)", "body": "Here's the url: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/columnists/grove/index.asp Was so excited that Fellner actually named Colin as starring in the film!"}, {"response": 1418, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 30, 2000 (22:57)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1419, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 30, 2000 (22:57)", "body": "This is London has an article about Sally Phillips, who will be Shaz. Mentions Colin specifically... Her part as a Sloaney dog trainer in the film Notting Hill was cut (although it is on the DVD version) because, as Emma Freud tactfully put it, she was 'too funny'. Now, though, there's no chance of her ending up on the editing floor. She has a cameo role in the salsa movie Born Romantic, which closed the London Film Festival, and she has spent the summer filming Bridget Jones's Diary with Hugh Grant and Colin Firth. She's also about to start filming Terry Gilliam's The Man Who Killed Don Quixote with Johnny Depp. Lucky Sally. 'I hope I've done something worth watching,' she says of her performance as Shazzer, Bridget's best friend. 'There's a possibility that I won't be properly lit throughout the whole film.' The camera crew took bets on whether she would 'hit the mark', she explains. 'You have to run a certain distance and stop at a clearly marked point because that's where you're lit from. Most actors find this rudimentary, but they put me in clogs and I was absolutely hopeless. If I'm not lit, it won't be the lighting person's fault.' To say that Sally is self-deprecating is an understatement. She seems hell-bent on running herself down, dismissing her comic talents as 'bad acting' and her looks as 'weird'. She is lumpen, boss-eyed, unfit, lazy - by her account. It's very Bridget Jones, she agrees. 'Jones is a woman who wishes she was epic but is banal. It's such an everyman thing to want to break out of the mundane into something truly spectacular. It strikes me that you only ever do anything like that by mistake; like when you accidentally fall off a cliff and it's caught on camera.' Ninety per cent of her humour is by accident, not design, she insists. Take the time when she and Colin Firth (who plays Bridget's potential lover, Mark Darcy) got chatting. 'He said: \"Shall we sit in your trailer? Do you have a table in there?\" I didn't, because my trailer was really small. He had a huge trailer almost as big as Kansas and said: \"Well, let's retire to mine.\" So we went and had this incredibly erudite - on his side - conversation about theatre. When I came out of his trailer I was flustered because I could see the other \"friends\" [from the film] peeping out from behind a tree, pointing and whispering. I said: \"Thanks for having me in your trailer.\" I realised it was a double entendre, but it was too late because it was out of my mouth. Do you say: \"Oh, I didn't mean that\", or do you just sort of wink and sashay as if to say, \"I'm the kind of girl who makes those kinds of comments\"? So I did just that, really deceitfully.' The Bridget Jones-esque encounters continued when she first met Hugh Grant (who plays Bridget's office boyfriend, Daniel Cleaver). 'The first time I saw him I accidentally screamed. I'd never fancied him or been at all interested in him, really, it was just a real surprise. I said: \"Sorry, I didn't expect you to be there,\" which was ridiculous because I'd just been introduced. It is weird, this transition from seeing a big head on the cinema screen to a small head, if you are as literal as me.' Phillips' comments about Ren\ufffde Zellweger, who plays Bridget, are also vintage Jones. Zellweger was 'winning'; so intelligent ('she would spout sociology and anthropology and current theories of evolution') but, 'most impressive of all', she hardly wore any make-up. 'I had it on with a trowel - I don't mean I went to bed with a trowel. She just had a bit of lip stain and still looked great at four in the morning. She'd put on so much weight for the role and looked just about my size.' Here's the whole thing: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk:80/dynamic/lifestyle/top_review.html?in_review_id=340206&in_review_text_id=283393"}, {"response": 1420, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Dec  1, 2000 (03:45)", "body": "Well, let's retire to mine. Sally Phillips is very attractive...and funny (she recently featured in a \"most fanciable female\" poll in a Uk magazine). Also, has a first class degree from Oxford University in Italian, which means that she's very very bright! Caught a glimpse of HG on \"Filmnight\" or whatever it's called. Still seemed to be in floppy haired Daniel mode. Should imagine that his role as Daniel will be very like his role in the new Woody Allen film, just opening here (lukewarm reviews) BJD is getting the drip drip treatment....constant reminders of its existence. Which is good. 99% of the population are usually only aware of the one big picture per week...everything else falls by the wayside."}, {"response": 1421, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Dec  1, 2000 (07:52)", "body": "Thanks, Karen! Bethan the Woody Allen film is vvfunny. I highly recommend it. Also, has a first class degree from Oxford University in Italian, which means that she's very very bright! Maybe she was giving Colin extra Italian lessons. ;-) But, it is a dream to be invited into his trailer, so Hollywood."}, {"response": 1422, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Dec  1, 2000 (08:08)", "body": "Cute article, Karen, thanks. Heathen that I am, was v.v.happy to hear that Colin had a BIG trailer. Though, of course, am now obsessing over probability that Hughie had one the size of Alaska.;-) BTW, the Bravo channel here has been showing episodes of Smack The Pony on Friday nights, 8:30 p.m. I especially enjoy their \"dating service\" videos of romantic hopefuls. Agree with Moon: Small Time Crooks is *very* funny, but then again I think almost anything Woody is funny and Tracey Ullmann is a fave of mine. Does anyone here watch her HBO show, \"Tracey Takes On.\" Some really inspired stuff there! Speaking of HBO comedy shows, imagine my surprise the other night when one of the HBO channels was showing its One Night Stand program, this time a half-hour of stand-up comedy from . . .Mike Binder. No kidding. Taped at the Old Vic (?) Theater in Chicago. Show was several years old."}, {"response": 1423, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  1, 2000 (08:29)", "body": "Lately, there seem to be an abundance of stories about Colin involving trailers... Agree about Small Time Crooks. It was v.funny in the old Woody Allen way, and Tracey Ullmann made the movie. Loved those interviews at the cookie factory. Mari: and how was his stand-up routine?"}, {"response": 1424, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Dec  1, 2000 (11:26)", "body": "I thought the whole cast was great. Loved that final coctail party and that line about digesting the toothpick, brilliant old Woody there. Lately, there seem to be an abundance of stories about Colin involving trailers... Really? I hope someone does get the courage to ask about Armadillo. This may still be a go. Remember, we did not find out about his playing MD in BJD till the very end."}, {"response": 1425, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Dec  1, 2000 (11:27)", "body": "Yes, Mari. Is Mike funny, does he pull it off, are they basic babe jokes?"}, {"response": 1426, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  1, 2000 (11:47)", "body": "Lately, there seem to be an abundance of stories about Colin involving trailers... (Moon) Really? Yes, really! Don't you remember the Donna F story about 'having just come out of CF's trailer'? ;-)"}, {"response": 1427, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Dec  1, 2000 (12:44)", "body": "DF 'left CF in bed in his trailer', right? Hee hee! I'm with Mari, I was also happy to read that CF had a big trailer (though am also sure it looked like a VW Beetle next to Hughie's). Grr, since he merits such star treatment (rightfully so ;-)), why doesn't he get more... you know where I'm going with this!"}, {"response": 1428, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Dec  1, 2000 (12:59)", "body": "(Karen), Lately, there seem to be an abundance of stories about Colin involving trailers... (Moon) Really? Yes, really! Don't you remember the Donna F story about 'having just come out of CF's trailer'? ;-) That is just two Karen. You scared me, I thought I missed something big. ;-)"}, {"response": 1429, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Dec  1, 2000 (13:14)", "body": "Mike's show--mildly amusing. He does have a likable persona and the audience seemed to enjoy him. Then again, they may have been very drunk.;-) No babe jokes, Moon, and the material is very clean by HBO standards. Apparently he had just gotten married so a lot of it was about making the transition from single to married life. No ball and chain type jokes. In fact, his stuff is very self-deprecating. Some cute bits about wedding gift registries--\"wait a minute--you mean to tell me that people actually asked what we wanted and we told them . . . china?\" That type thing. More smile-inducing than laugh out loud funny, IMO. He ain't no Dennis Miller, that's fersure. But not bad."}, {"response": 1430, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec  1, 2000 (17:40)", "body": "(Moon)I hope someone does get the courage to ask about Armadillo. This may still be a go. Remember,we did not find out about his playing MD in BJD till the very end. Put it to bed , Moon. I called agent one day...he said \"NOOOOOO\"."}, {"response": 1431, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  1, 2000 (17:42)", "body": "(Moon) That is just two Karen. You scared me, I thought I missed something big. ;-) The *others* I keep private."}, {"response": 1432, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Dec  2, 2000 (11:10)", "body": "(Evelyn), I called agent one day...he said \"NOOOOOO\". That strong a no? Something nasty must have happened there. Thanks for calling, Evelyn. The *others* I keep private. What? And I thought you were my friend. ;-)"}, {"response": 1433, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec  2, 2000 (11:31)", "body": "Evelyn), I called agent one day...he said \"NOOOOOO\". (Moon)That strong a no? Something nasty must have happened there. Probably annoyed that I called. That office doesn't have the most courteous personnel."}, {"response": 1434, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Dec  2, 2000 (12:43)", "body": "but if they are not now filming until January, then he didn't drop out because of his commitment to Conspiracy, as you say Moon something must have happened between the time Mari first telephoned A& E and the second time. I am really enjoying the book too, oh well."}, {"response": 1435, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Dec  2, 2000 (15:24)", "body": "Since they always shoot out of sequence, it's possible that they are already filming, but that Catherine's scenes won't be filmed until January when she is available. The Flavia role is not that big (at least in the book). In any event, it's clear that they were very late getting started--perhaps much later than CF anticipated-- and that filming will continue well into January--a much longer time commitment that Colin wants to make at this time of year, IMO. I still have a feeling he backed out for personal/calendar reasons. BTW, not sure this has been reported, but when asked at the most recent Italian reading (in which Elizabeth McGovern read and CF was in the audience) if he had any plans beyond Conspiracy, he said no."}, {"response": 1436, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sat, Dec  2, 2000 (18:48)", "body": "But didn't Sue Birtwistle say that he had agreed to work in A.? She must be tearing her hair out now. There's probably something else behind this. And if he really started backing out of potentially interesting projects because he wants longer holidays at Christmas, then there's suddenly something very wrong with the man's professionalism."}, {"response": 1437, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Dec  3, 2000 (03:02)", "body": "(Echo)if he really started backing out of potentially interesting projects because he wants longer holidays at Christmas, then there's suddenly something very wrong with the man's professionalism. Thank you Echo, now I don't have to say it :-)"}, {"response": 1438, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Dec  3, 2000 (04:43)", "body": "I think we'ew all making assumptions here. He worked thru' the winter last year on 3DOR, and there'll always be a break for Xmas in a shoot. And I don't think he would ever tell anyone what he was doing next, even if he knows. My theory, plain and simple, is that he may have decided that it's not a good idea to go back to doing a Brit TV mini-series. He's just done BJD (Big trailer too!) Would Hugh Grant do a Brit TV series (He's doing \"The Persuaders\" next with Nic Cage), Ralph Fiennes, Joe Fiennes, Rupert Everett, Jeremy Northam...will they do one? I know I've argued in favour of TV, but I can see the drawbacks. All actors with a long shelf life stick mainly to films/theatre. I also think CF may have outgrown the role of young innocent abroad (Lorimer), especially after playing Mark Darcy (successful rich lawyer, probably late thirties/forty) And if you have a ratings flop on TV, work dries up. There's an Andrew Davies scripted seies of \"Take a Girl like you\", based on the Kingsley Amis book, on the BBC at the moment. To be frank, I thought this was a better book than \"Armadillo\". But the TV version doesn't really work...some of the characters seem like caricatures. Armadillo\" could turn out like this. Also shooting in the winter isn't very good...the outside shots will be dreary. Antonio Banderas has just signed up for the lead in a new film (Fu Manchu) to be made by Lola Films. maybe there'll be news about the project which I'm-the-only one-who-likes!! :-) BTW Catherine who? Not Zeta Jones?"}, {"response": 1439, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sun, Dec  3, 2000 (09:55)", "body": "CF may have outgrown the role of young innocent abroad Yes, that's probably it. He said provisionally he'd do it and then had a closer look."}, {"response": 1440, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Dec  3, 2000 (10:38)", "body": "(Echo ) if he really started backing out of potentially interesting projects because he wants longer holidays at Christmas, then there's suddenly something very wrong with the man's professionalism. (Gi) Thank you Echo, now I don't have to say it :-) You mistake my meaning, ladies. Far from casting aspersions on his professionalism, I was trying to give him credit for possibly putting his personal and family life first! It is all speculation, of course, but IMO it's likely that he has made commitments to his son (who, let's remember, lives several thousands of miles away--and I'll refrain from commenting on what I think of *that* situation;-). To me, this is a far more \"professional\" reason for backing out of a project than, oh, something better came along. Also, he had plenty of time to \"take a closer look\" at this project and the script so IMO it's unlikely he'd decide at the 11th hour, this isn't for me. But . . .your guess is as good as mine.:-) Bethan, \"Catherine\" is Catherine McCormick (sp?) who has been cast as Flavia. I think this was mentioned on another board, Odds & Ends maybe, and that she would begin filming her Armadillo scenes in January after wrapping up another current project."}, {"response": 1441, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec  3, 2000 (11:28)", "body": "Yes, additional cast for Armadillo was posted at 136 since Colin is no longer associated with it."}, {"response": 1442, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec  3, 2000 (12:06)", "body": "Must agree with Bethan and Mari...unfair to malign ODB for not taking a TV mini series role.He has never given any indication of being unprofessional ..in fact directors and co-stars on both sides of the pond have said the opposite."}, {"response": 1443, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sun, Dec  3, 2000 (19:56)", "body": "No one is maligning anyone or accusing anyone of actually being unprofessional. One is simply putting forward various views for consideration. It doesn't mean that they are hostile just because different angles and takes are pondered."}, {"response": 1444, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (05:05)", "body": "Or, one was disagreeing from someone else's view because of the way one could read the attitude as suggested..."}, {"response": 1445, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (07:50)", "body": "(Mari), Also, he had plenty of time to \"take a closer look\" at this project and the script so IMO it's unlikely he'd decide at the 11th hour, this isn't for me. The material point is that he had more than a closer look at this project. He was working with Boyd on the script, Baz posted the news and even Sue B obliged with a comment. Something definitely went awry here. When an actor works so closely on a project, and every actor knows that the dates for each project are never set in stone, and then does not end up working on it, something went wrong. My take is that Sue could not get the approval from the (other) producers and Colin was cut out. We know that neither Colin or his agent would let Baz print the info unless they were under the impression that he would do it. Baz is a professional and believe it he checks his facts."}, {"response": 1446, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (10:48)", "body": "But Moon, every major player's contract has a \"sell by\" date in it, i.e., project needs to wrap up by such and such date or else the actor can withdraw. This protects actors from just this type of situation where pre-production has gone on for eons and late-starts would otherwise ruin any subsequent obligations they may have. They can't tie up an actor forever. BTW, they are *just* getting started today (see Karen's note at Odds and Ends). This will run into February, I'd imagine. Besides, who would have fired CF? Not the Beeb, they are more than lucky to have him. Certainly not A&E--he and Ehle are their poster kids, the stars of their highest rated show ever, and I'm sure they would have loved to promote the \"return of Darcy to A&E.\" And they're the only network to have ever snared him for a sit-down interview, so the relationship must be decent, plus they were enthusiastic about him when we spoke on the phone. I don't know of any other producer involved."}, {"response": 1447, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (10:55)", "body": "BTW, they are *just*getting started today (see Karen's note at Odds and Ends) Let's take this to #136 to Odds & Ends where it belongs. Since I was the one who started this by telling you that I had called the agent. (Oh miserable day!)"}, {"response": 1448, "author": "Echo", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (14:24)", "body": "(Moon)He was working with Boyd on the script It could be a disagreement over the script. Btw, it's about CF's career, not \"odds and ends\"..."}, {"response": 1449, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (15:06)", "body": "Well, it's not BJD. And we're discussing Armadillo in Odds 'n Ends. See today's announcement from THR."}, {"response": 1450, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (15:16)", "body": "IMHO he may want to do something different... he's \"done\" the naive lover role. He wanted to do Peter in RV, he obviously wants to to play the Nazi politician in \"Conspiracy\". Also, although the William Boyd/Sue Birtwhistle connection gives (in our eyes) \"Armadillo\" a lift, it's not the main BBC drama offering for next year. The BBC are doing a \ufffd10 million adaptation of Conan Doyle's \"The Lost World\" ...shooting in New Zealand from January , and a 4 part adaptation (by Andrew Davies, again) of Trollope's \"The Way we live now\" about a ruthless Victorian businessman, which starts shooting at the end of the year. And there's the Tony Blair project!! Don't forget that.:-) I'm not conjecturing (heaven forbid!) that CF would be offered these projects...just saying that there are other projects in development and that he might prefer to play an intrepid explorer or business tycoon. He wanted to do Nostromo because of the guns and horses...men see things differently! Also, BJD must open doors surely? Or will it just fuel HG's career? There was something in one of the papers about HG \"who has just played BJ's lover\" (Yee-u-ch!)being in \"great demand\" in Hollywood. I thought Mark Darcy was the star role, says she sourly!"}, {"response": 1451, "author": "Echo", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (16:53)", "body": "(Bethan) He wanted to do Nostromo because of the guns and horses...men see things differently! LOL! There are men - and there are men who are actors... There are subtle differences and even subtler considerations... However, the bottom line is this: there are actors who fiercely resist - and actors who are resigned to - being typecast."}, {"response": 1452, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (23:08)", "body": "Btw, it's about CF's career, not \"odds and ends\"... We talk about Colin in Odds and Ends as well. If you don't care to read that topic, that's your choice."}, {"response": 1453, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, Dec  5, 2000 (13:55)", "body": "Oh, honestly... One might think it's a \"we and you, us and them\" kind of private party here."}, {"response": 1454, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec  5, 2000 (14:58)", "body": "Huh??"}, {"response": 1455, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, Dec  5, 2000 (17:39)", "body": "Uhm."}, {"response": 1456, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Dec  6, 2000 (08:44)", "body": "Bethan, so there is a big BJD trailer? Have you seen it? What does it show? I can't wait to see it. (anyone else read Candace Bushnell? I really can't stand her.)"}, {"response": 1457, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  6, 2000 (09:06)", "body": "New picture of Bridget at Dark Horizons:"}, {"response": 1458, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec  6, 2000 (10:59)", "body": "Thanks, Karen. Reminds me of Helen Fielding's line when she was interviewed by Katie Couric. When asked about casting BJ, she mentioned having seen a woman at the hotel gym, sitting on a bike and reading a magazine, not pedaling. \"I said to myself, 'That's her!'\""}, {"response": 1459, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Dec  6, 2000 (14:13)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1460, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Dec  6, 2000 (14:35)", "body": "Jeez, could Dark Horizons find a less flattering pic of Renee? Looks like she's pedaling this time, Mari ;-) Was wondering how long it would take for the OT police to raid this topic (like we don't know who Echo is? Honestly...)."}, {"response": 1461, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (08:01)", "body": "From Empire: Carrey And Zellweger Split After a year as a couple, Jim Carrey and Ren\ufffde Zellweger have ended their relationship. Carrey, currently riding high at the box office with his star turn as The Grinch, and Zellweger, who will soon be seen trying out her English accent in Bridget Jones Diary, met on the set of Me, Myself and Irene and had been together ever since. Zellweger's publicist said \"As of a couple weeks ago, Jim Carrey and Ren\ufffde Zellweger are no longer in a relationship.\" Carrey's representative commented \"It's a private matter.\" Speculation about the cause for the split has centred around twice-divorced Carrey's supposed enthusiasm about marrying Zellweger, and her reluctance. Zellweger's publicist commented that the couple wanted different things from the relationship."}, {"response": 1462, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (08:18)", "body": "Big article on Miramax & Harvey leading off Variety's page, with the following mention: While next year's film landscape remains riddled with questions, Miramax already is placing its bets on several high-profile pics, among them \"Bridget Jones' Diary,\" \"Captain Corelli's Mandolin\" (a co-venture with Universal), and \"Gangs,\" which could be ready by year-end. Dimension, meanwhile, is readying a \"Scary Movie\" sequel as well as Antonio Banderas starrer \"Spy Kids.\" Full article here: http://www.variety.com/body.asp?HbkId=4440326&subcat=-1&ArticleId=1117790435"}, {"response": 1463, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (10:58)", "body": "Speculation about the cause for the split has centred around twice-divorced Carrey's supposed enthusiasm about marrying Zellweger, and her reluctance. Zellweger's publicist commented that the couple wanted different things from the relationship. Gee, I thought it might have been the opposite, i.e., that she got wind that there wasn't going to be a ring under the Christmas tree. But, maybe with two failures behind him, she's a bit nervous. Would like to see them work it out; thought they made a nice couple. When JC isn't \"on,\" he comes across as a very thoughtful and unassuming person. One thing's for damn sure: after yesterday's ruling, we ain't gonna get Tipper for the premiere.:-("}, {"response": 1464, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (11:41)", "body": "that she got wind that there wasn't going to be a ring under the Christmas tree. She already had a ring...JC went to London during the BJD shoot and proposed at The Ivy...don't you remember?"}, {"response": 1465, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (11:49)", "body": "Look who just mastered the Art of Italics! ;-)"}, {"response": 1466, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (12:08)", "body": "Look who just mastered the Art of Italics! ;-) I had a good teacher.:-) No stopping me now; am ready to move on to bolding and small fonts. Pics still scare me.;-)"}, {"response": 1467, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (16:52)", "body": "Mmmmm and this looks to be the front end of the other fight scene: Rest are Bridge and friends and a *cuddly* one. You might want to close your eyes. ;-) Bridge and Shazz Warning! Time to close eyes:"}, {"response": 1468, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (16:54)", "body": "Brava, Mari! Next stop FX. :-)"}, {"response": 1469, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (16:58)", "body": "Thank you for that treat, Karen! No need to close the eyes. Unless you think that B ends up with Daniel. Colin in that pinstriped suit looks perfectly mafioso. Nice cufflinks though. Is that supposed to be the padded suit?"}, {"response": 1470, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (17:07)", "body": "Whaddaya looking at cufflinks for? Love the turtleneck sweater. Can you imagine people not wanting to know who he is based on that photo?! (Moon) Unless you think that B ends up with Daniel. HG is going to be the one promoting the film, so most will think he's the one and only."}, {"response": 1471, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (17:49)", "body": "Thanks for those pics, Karen! mmmmmmmm, CF is still the handsomest man!"}, {"response": 1472, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (17:54)", "body": "Yessss ....the turtle neck one is it, folks. (Glad they didn't let him pick the black tee shirt;-) And she is an adorable Bridget."}, {"response": 1473, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (18:25)", "body": "mmmmmmmmm and mmmmmmmm, love the first photo, must go to bed, sweet dreams and thanks Karen. Where did you get these from, they are lovely, can't wait for this film and must own the video. (I am so glad he looks this good, was very worried as he has looked so thin and hollowed cheeked recently .)"}, {"response": 1474, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (19:14)", "body": "(Karen), Love the turtleneck sweater. I prefer the old pic in the red turtle neck sweater. Whaddaya looking at cufflinks for? I am married to a fastidious dresser and I am trained to look at these things. ;-)"}, {"response": 1475, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (22:20)", "body": "Two words for that turtleneck pic: Multi-Orgasmic! Thanks, Karen--these are major YUMS. And this is the best we've seen BJ (but is that Bridge and Shazz havin' a toke? Shocking . . .;-)"}, {"response": 1476, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (22:44)", "body": "Doesn't look like a Fine Cut to me. Guess the film won't be PG ;-)"}, {"response": 1477, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Dec 14, 2000 (02:22)", "body": "CF's pinstripe is indeed the one that the \"lookalike\" had padded."}, {"response": 1478, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec 14, 2000 (07:24)", "body": "(but is that Bridge and Shazz havin' a toke? Shocking . . .;-) And, why did Andrew Davis write that in? Mark Darcy would not approve. ;-)"}, {"response": 1479, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Dec 14, 2000 (15:56)", "body": "Wonderful pic of CF & RZ (and the others too), thanks Karen. I hope working closely with CF didn't make RZ look at JC in a different way ;-)"}, {"response": 1480, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Dec 14, 2000 (16:42)", "body": "Wow Karen, what a treat! But hey spill the beans, where did they come from? Agree about that pic (henceforth to be known as \"the turtle-neck\") - it certainly does the business for me ;-P~~~~"}, {"response": 1481, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Dec 14, 2000 (16:50)", "body": "He looks so protective towards Bridget, don't you think? BTW according to Movies.com news update (12.12.00) BJD's release date has been brought forward to the 6th April, instead of the 13th April, which I personally think is a good move, Good Friday is surely not a good date to release a film."}, {"response": 1482, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 14, 2000 (17:01)", "body": "(Ann) He looks so protective towards Bridget, don't you think? I'm wondering if that's from near the end of the film, presuming the plot kind of follows the book. I've been examining or scrutinizing all the pics, and RZ is also wearing a turtleneck, the same one she's wearing around the train station shots (St Pancras-outside) and Liverpool Street (interior). Maybe she's gone home for Christmas, which would explain her hanging about at train stations. MD is also casually dressed, which never occurs in the book, except when he's skulking in the shrubbery and going to capture Julio or Julian. That pose is a couple together, and that only happens at the end. Cute pic of Bridge sliding down the pole in the fire station. \"And now, back to the station.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 1483, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Dec 15, 2000 (02:14)", "body": "Gi: I hope working closely with CF didn't make RZ look at JC in a different way ;-) We can now be sure that in the stoy of RZ's life, Hugh Grant will play Jim Carrey, but who will be played by Colin Firth? ;-) Seriously (well, semi-seriously) could RZ's new Suddenly Single status help the publicity for the film? - oh dear, I just realised this is entirely callous about poor Ren\ufffde's feelings. Sorry. I did hear that \"the last straw\" in the relationship was a phone call of inordinate length that took place between JC and his most recent ex (Lauren Holly?)"}, {"response": 1484, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Dec 15, 2000 (08:10)", "body": "(MarkG)I did hear that \"the last straw\" in the relationship was a phone call of inordinate length that took place between JC and his most recent ex (Lauren Holly?) Exes can be troublesome indeed...Did you hear it through the grapevine? ;-)"}, {"response": 1485, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 15, 2000 (11:37)", "body": "..\"..last straw\" in the relationship was a phone call of inordinate length that took place between JC and his most recent ex (Gi)Exes can be troublesome indeed.. Isn't there a child in that relationship too? Ug...exes+children=Big Time Baggage"}, {"response": 1486, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Dec 15, 2000 (11:55)", "body": "(Evelyn) Isn't there a child in that relationship too? I think he has a child with his first wife. The conversation was with his second, Lauren Holly, no children. I remember seeing an interview with Lauren when they were still together. She said she would sometime have to say to Jim, \"Stop making those faces!\" Renee can do better. :-)"}, {"response": 1487, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 15, 2000 (14:36)", "body": "I think he has a child with his first wife. The conversation was with his second, Lauren Holly, TWO exes and a child...!! Renee can do better. :-) No kidding :-)"}, {"response": 1488, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 15, 2000 (14:37)", "body": "italics closed sorry"}, {"response": 1489, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 17, 2000 (14:54)", "body": "Via the List (many thanks) raves from a test screening at Aint It Cool News : http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com/display.cgi?id=7721 Earlier this year, across the pond in England, an uproar arose over the casting of a Yank, Renee Zellweger, as Bridget Jones; the much-beloved titular character of two best selling, and veddy British, novels. Once again, it appeared, not only was Hollywood plotting to do a great disservice to another fine piece of literature, they were also setting out to Americanize that which is so quintessentially British. Even when successful with such a gambit (HIGH FIDELITY springs immediately to mind,) why can't our brethren in Blighty, having suffered through the indignity of Mel Gibson kicking their ruthlessly, colonial-minded bums every other year, be extended the courtesy of not having to endure the sullying a national treasure? Allow me to reassure Prime Minister Tony Blair that this is one film that won't require the condemnation of the British Parliament. Under the direction of first-time helmer Sharon Maguire, and adapted by Richard Curtis of NOTTING HILL and FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL fame, BRIDGET JONES' DIARY is a throwback to the freewheeling '60's work of Richard Lester; rapidly-paced, gentle in tone, but with an acerbic wit lurking underneath. What's more, having seen our chain-smoking, weight-battling heroine essayed so confidently by Ms. Zellweger, I'm absolutely clueless as to who else could nail the role so triumphantly. We're first introduced to Bridget as she reluctantly attends a party thrown at her parents' house. Her apprehension, it turns out, stems less from the prospect of spending time with her unconditionally adoring father (Jim Broadbent,) than to navigating the matchmaker tendencies of her overbearing mother (Gemma Jones,) who can't fathom why her over-thirty daughter is still single. It turns out Mrs. Jones is keen to re-introduce Bridget to Mark Darcy, a childhood acquaintance who is now a distinguished barrister. All goes disastrously, of course, sending poor Bridget home to drink herself into a stupor while emoting to depressing pop ballads (reaching a hysterical peak as Zellweger belts out \"All By Myself\" to her telephone from which, we ascertain, no suitors have called for some time.) Determined not to wallow in her misery, however, a voracious Bridget goes on the prowl, donning sheer blouses complimented by skirts so short as to bring into doubt their very existence; all in a rather desperate attempt to draw the wandering eye of her ladykiller boss, Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant,) who runs the publishing house at which Bridget toils thanklessly as a publicist. It isn't long before Daniel and Bridget begin shacking up regularly, briefly setting her world aright for before her mother drops the bombshell that she's engaging in an affair with the flamboyant host of a popular Home-Shopping program, sending Bridget's father spiraling into a pit of depression. It's also at this point that the aforementioned Mark Darcy professes his genuine affection for Bridget, a doubly-troubling dilemma since he is also a longtime rival of Daniel's. This is even further complicated by Mark's impending engagement to Natasha (Embeth Davidtz,) who, in her polished and proper manner, is the very antithesis of Bridg t. And on Bridget veers, from one calamity to another, seeking only a man who will love her just as she is -- socially awkward, slightly pudgy, but of a kind heart -- while keeping watch over her increasingly melancholy father, who, as he heartbreakingly confides, \"just doesn't work\" without her mother. It's a wonder how Sharon Maguire, with whom I am entirely unfamiliar, moves so assuredly from one uproarious set-piece to another. So deft is her touch, I often forgot I was watching a work-in-progress, even when confronted with grainy digital footage. Comedies, in particular, are not supposed to work this well in test screenings. Most importantly, Maguire has clearly connected with her leading lady, eliciting a performance from Zellweger that is surely a career best. It's rare to see a relatively glamorous Hollywood actress go to such lengths to look so amazingly plain. It's one thing for Cameron Diaz to frizz up her hair, and forego make-up, but quite another for Zellweger to pack on some pounds, and, then, wear outfits which serve only to exacerbate her less than stellar shape. How, then, is Bridget so desirable that two men would vie for her affection? It's all about charm, a quality which Zellweger exudes effortlessly, lighting up the screen at any given moment with an adorable scrunch of her face, or he longing gaze of her deep blue eyes. If NURSE BETTY was the film that proved this girl's got chops, consider BRIDGET JONES' DIARY the movie where Zellweger, by virtue of a performance that should draw the empathy of women worldwide, became our generation's Kelly or Hepburn. With all of this praise (and not a word of it hyperbole) lavished on the star, I don't want t"}, {"response": 1490, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Dec 17, 2000 (15:18)", "body": "I am so pleased to read this, I had an awful feeling that it would backfire on him and that the 2 male leads would be completely overshadowed by Renee, but she and they sound great. Can't wait. Not bad reviews for the men from another man, either."}, {"response": 1491, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Dec 17, 2000 (15:29)", "body": "Thanks, Karen! Why would Clarence not think it is the right ending? Would he want her to end up with HG? and even though he's aided by what I'm told is a very funny novel, I still stand in awe of his continued success. So he has not read the novel? I want to hear from the women that have read them."}, {"response": 1492, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 17, 2000 (15:31)", "body": "Cynic that I am, if you read some of the Talkback section (most is trash, having nothing to do with the review), one or two people point out that the review was likely posted by someone associated with Miramax. I have to agree. The review was 10 million times better written than anything that would ever posted on that site. The lack of misspelled words, the use of big words (all spelled correctly) plus the use of punctuation, including hyphenated linked adjectives, are all flags to me that it was written by a pro. And equating Sharon Maguire to Richard Lester... LOL! But I'll take it anyway."}, {"response": 1493, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Dec 17, 2000 (16:12)", "body": "It's good to read something so positive..but I take your point about the source, Karen. Why would Clarence not think it is the right ending? Would he want her to end up with HG? That's the one really big doubt I've got about the Richard Curtis version (as opposed to the Andrew Davies version which highlighted the connection with P&P and the Darcy quotient). I can't see HG playing second fiddle...he'll be a sexy charming cad, whilst Mark Darcy will be an about-to-be-engaged (that wasn't in the book) snooty barrister. I doubt if MD will get to do his noble saving Bridget's mum act. So audience's loyalties may be with lovable bad boy Hugh. I say \"may \"!!"}, {"response": 1494, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Dec 17, 2000 (17:13)", "body": "Two things, firstly if Clarence is in the employ of Miramax they still must be pretty confident that this review is pretty close and secondly don't you think it is strange that they mention Bridget's Mum and Dad particularly and not the actresses who play Jude and Shazzer, they surely have more screen time than Mum & Dad, unless their parts has been built up. Still if all the reviews are like this in April, then my cup shall overflow."}, {"response": 1495, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec 17, 2000 (17:14)", "body": "I just read it at AICN. Sounds like this was written by a pro...LOL at the person who said in Talk Back that the review was written by Harvey Weinstein, or somewone at Universal. But he answered and said he has never yet cashed a check for Miramax! I too hope they don't tinker with the ending. This sounds like Renee's movie start to finish. performance from Zellweger that is surely a career best. Only one sentence about Colin...too much about Jim Broadbent!! \"He's[HG] nicely contrasted by Colin Firth, who starts off as a chilly, emotionless intellectual, but slowly melts when in the presence of Zellweger (especially in an uproarious dinner party scene where Bridget's culinary ineptitude forces some quick improvisation on his part.) \""}, {"response": 1496, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Dec 17, 2000 (17:18)", "body": "Oh, I just meant to say that I have watched MLSF again, and I can't get over how much more complete a film is seems this second time around, it can't just be the ending or the fact that it was on the small screen, but I really really enjoyed it and may put it on my Birthday List. That scene where Edward comes into their bedroom and sits down and touches Moira's arm and says \"I have been a child..\", is wonderful, the look on his face, he was really really sorry, and I am sure I missed it on the big screen. Also when Gamma is tucking into the trifle and \"hics\" and Fraser looks at her and she sticks her tongue out at him, too funny!!"}, {"response": 1497, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 17, 2000 (17:20)", "body": "(Ann) don't you think it is strange that they mention Bridget's Mum and Dad particularly and not the actresses who play Jude and Shazzer The mother,yes, but dad, no. Many people know who Jim Broadbent is, but wouldn't know Sally Phillips or Shirley Henderson if they Smacked a Pony in their face. ;-) I think they are playing up the substantial supporting cast. As to this review being how it might be perceived by a third party reviewer, I doubt it. This is hype, spin, creating buzz, etc. Even though Clarence said he wasn't in Harvey's employ, he really messed up. AICN regulars TRASH movies like this. They aren't at all interested in \"chick flicks.\" They are into comic books and sci-fi and hugely popular indie directors with cult followings."}, {"response": 1498, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Dec 17, 2000 (17:38)", "body": "Another review by Clarence Beaks (to get a feeling for how reliable he is) Last week, I attended a press screening of Conspiracy Theory, a film I had looked forward to seeing based on the teaming of two appealing stars, and, of course, the casting of Patrick Stewart as a villain. Well, what I got stuck with instead was another testament to the waning abilities of the once competent Richard Donner. This movie is an across the board botch job that is no doubt going to be added to the already mountainous scrap heap of summer disappointments. The sad thing is, Gibson might've given one of his better performances, but Donner jacks up the movie with the kind of pseudo-surrealist flashback scenes that you'd expect from an Oliver Stone film (which, I might add, is ironic because one of the only clever moments in the film is a scene in which Gibson's character lables Stone a dis-information crony for the establishment. 'If he was right about any of that stuff, he'd be way dead by now. (Pause.)Probably should be regardless.' Or something like that.) Stewart is fine, but relegated to the background too often for playing the villain, while Roberts turns in solid work. Just chalk this one up to Richard 'Radio Flyer' Donner, aplot-hole ridden script, and check out The Omen to remind yourself that this guy wasn't always a hack.\" [Review sent in by Clarence Beaks.]"}, {"response": 1499, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec 17, 2000 (19:50)", "body": "(Ann) but I really really enjoyed it[MLF] and may put it on my Birthday List. See?? I told you so:-D"}, {"response": 1500, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 17, 2000 (19:57)", "body": "OK, I've got the word (actually several paragraphs) on the ending to the movie. Totally different from the book. You want *spoilers*? ;-)"}, {"response": 1501, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Dec 17, 2000 (22:17)", "body": "C'mon Karen, SPILL IT! Maybe I'm naive, but I think that review is legit. First, \"Clarence\" has contributed before. Second, the studio hacks are too smart to sound too smart--if you catch my drift. I think they've gotten wise to the transparency of their efforts to plant positive reviews of their films and have therefore gotten more careful to dumb them down. It sounds great! Now let's hear the ending or I won't sleep tonight . . .;-)"}, {"response": 1502, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 17, 2000 (22:27)", "body": "BIG SPOILER BELOW I think what bothered me most was the seemingly endless rushing to and fro that, imo, marred the last half-hour of the otherwise charming NOTTING HILL. It starts with Bridget, who now realizes that Daniel is the cad, forcing her parents to rush to a Christmas Day party so that she may profess her love to Darcy (which comes at a most unfortunate moment, as Darcy's father announces his son's engagement to Natasha, to which Bridget rather humorously objects.) Then, after believing all is lost, Bridget rushes back home to collect her things for an impromptu trip to Paris with her eccentric group of friends, which suddenly goes awry when Darcy shows up unexpectedly to inform her that she alone has captured his heart. Bridget, of course, opts out of the trip, and decides to spend a romantic evening with Darcy. All's well that ends well, correct? Not quite. Once up in the apartment, Bridget tells Darcy to wait in the living room while she runs into her bedroom to surprise him by donning a pair of sexy panties. In the interim, Darcy pokes around the apartment, inadvertently stumbling across her diary, which immediately piques his interest. He flips through the pages and finds that a great deal of it is dedicated to slagging him off, which upsets him enough to head out into the cold, snowy evening. So, Bridget pops back out, sees that he is gone, runs to the window where she sees him heading away from her apartment, and quickly resolves to chase him down wearing only shoes, a blouse and her panties. Actually, this part drew huge laughs from the audience, but when she finally catches him exiting a store (it turns out he was only buying her a *new* diary,) I struggled mightily to suppress a groan. It was the only false moment in a truly hilarious film."}, {"response": 1503, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Dec 17, 2000 (23:06)", "body": "Ok, now I can sleep.;-) Thanks, Karen. This ending works for me; I think it's kinda cute and ironic, him buying her a new diary. As far as all the rushing to and fro in the last reel, well, that's textbook Richard Curtis. You have your inevitable misunderstandings, followed by too many people piling into a car, and lots of chasing about. I wonder what the audience reaction was like, and where this screening was held. In any event, I think it's very encouraging! It wouldn't hurt if all you good folks out there added to the comments at AICN. And sound enthusiastic!;-)"}, {"response": 1504, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 17, 2000 (23:20)", "body": "(Mari) It wouldn't hurt if all you good folks out there added to the comments at AICN. And sound enthusiastic!;-) You mean like this: What Women Want: MORE COLIN FIRTH!!! Do you think your message got through? ;-)"}, {"response": 1505, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Dec 18, 2000 (07:32)", "body": "That's the message, Karen! :-) Thanks for the spoilers. But I wonder if the film which seems to be still in the editing progress by the quality of the reel at the screening will remain. (it turns out he was only buying her a *new* diary,) Big hint to Helen. ;-)"}, {"response": 1506, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Dec 18, 2000 (08:36)", "body": "(it turns out he was only buying her a *new* diary,) (Moon)Big hint to Helen. ;-) Oh well... Could be. Otherwise, I'd much rather they had stuck to the book :-("}, {"response": 1507, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Dec 18, 2000 (08:37)", "body": "It must surely have an ending to parallel P&P, ie of lovely lingering close-up kiss a' la Lizzie & Darcy!"}, {"response": 1508, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec 18, 2000 (08:43)", "body": "Do you think your message got through? ;-) One must struggle to be heard above the din over there.;-) \"Subtle\" doesn't cut it.;-) So, is Beaks for real?"}, {"response": 1509, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Dec 18, 2000 (08:45)", "body": "and did he say what the audience reaction was like, throughout?"}, {"response": 1510, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec 18, 2000 (09:00)", "body": "I Love that ending..mobetta' than book ending. Can see MD buying new diary,and Bridget running down street. Yeah...vintage Richard Curtis..but it works every time. Give the audience what they want. I liked Notting Hill. Great role for Colin.Thanks Super Sleuth:-)"}, {"response": 1511, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 18, 2000 (09:07)", "body": "BTW, that was Mari's messsage title at AICN, not mine. Haven't heard back yet from beaks. Did ask him about Colin's screen time vs. Hugh's and about the other supporting cast members (the friends) who he didn't mention at all."}, {"response": 1512, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Dec 18, 2000 (10:23)", "body": "Karen, thanks for posting this review. The best thing I take out of it is that they don't seem to have monkeyed too much with the main thrust of the plot. Turkey curry buffet, short skirts to attract Daniel, MD transitioning from stiff to hunk, the disastrous dinner party...... thank goodness! Mari: So, is Beaks for real? Hmmm, Clarence Beaks ... Clarence Beaks ... isn't that the name of the Dukes' henchman in Trading Places ? - just checked IMDB - he was called Clarence Beeks. Coincidence or suspicious dirty-work connotation?"}, {"response": 1513, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 18, 2000 (10:34)", "body": "Coincidence or suspicious dirty-work connotation? Hmmm, all the regulars at AICN use character name pseudonyms. There's a John Robie (mmmmmmm), among others. Can't really remember much about Trading Places, but that's a possibility about Clarence. Ahem... not so legit. ;-)"}, {"response": 1514, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 18, 2000 (10:36)", "body": "Oh yes, and have asked Clarence about talented and hunky pedestrian walking in front of Mexican restaurant."}, {"response": 1515, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, Dec 18, 2000 (10:36)", "body": "(it turns out he was only buying her a *new* diary,) I think the writer got it wrong. Mark was buying himself a new *journal*. :-) (hint: Neddy)"}, {"response": 1516, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Dec 18, 2000 (11:10)", "body": "Ah, but Mark Darcy keeps a diary too! Remember this! (v.v.funny) Mark Darcy's Diary Bridget Jones' Diary is about to go supernova stateside: but what do men really feel about her? Welcome for the first time, to the boyfriend's view. By Michael Bywater Memo: essential make decision re Human Rights committee by 1 Jan. NB New computer system not yet working; speak to consultants. Memo: try get tickets Bayreuth next year \ufffd apply this week. Chambers curiously deserted. Telephones silent. Odd chill light in the courtyard. Calm before the storm; disputes fomenting over the Christmas season, catastrophes brewing, all doubtless good for business but rather resent a) end of SAS-style operation to retrieve B. Jones's mother from clutches of barking-mad Julio and b) equally successful attempt to insert self into clutches of B. Jones. Last few days in Hintlesham Hall great fun, but chocolates in bed, cigarette-ash all over bedclothes and endless giggling telephone calls to her friends (what kind name Shazza, for God's sake?) could become an irritant if indefinitely prolonged. Also notice odd glint eye when topic London comes up, e.g: Self: \"Must get back to London and get up to speed on the Carwardine case, serious miscarriage of justice, it'll go all the way to the House of\ufffd\" B. Jones: \"I think it's going to be great.\" Self: \"What?\" B. Jones: \"London. We can go for a walk in Holland Park.\" I know for a fact she would rather be dead than go for a walk in the park. Suspect it is playing-out of some minatory women's-magazine supplement: 100 Romantic Things For Winter Lovers or some such nonsense. But impossible to discuss this sort of thing, even after two hours passionate sex, e.g. last night. B. hopped out of huge bed, alarmingly energetic, thinking I'm asleep, starts doing Birdie Dance starkers in front of cheval glass, obviously v. happy. \"Those women's magazines get it all wrong,\" I said. B. turned round startled. \"What? What do you mean?\" \"I mean you're enchanting when you're just natural, ike this,\" I say. Instant gloom, peers at self in mirror, plucks at flesh, furrows brow. \"So what are you saying? You're saying I'm fat? You think I'm fat. Oh God I knew it, it was just a sympathy shag, I've made an utter fool of myself\", blah blah blah. End result: another two hours of quite uneccessary comforting and reassurrance. What is it about women? Wednesday 21 March Memo: collate tax papers for end financial year. Fix appointment with accountant. NB Deadline for Nelson appeal this coming Wednesday. Essential obtain his authority proceed. Odd phone call from B. in middle of conference with Tadenuma Corp. lawyers this morning. Told Derek say would call back. \"Can't, Mister Darcy. She said it's urgent, absolutely critical, you needed to know ow.\" Excused self, took call. B: \"You know how miserable I've been these last few weeks?\" Self: \"What? I thought you were happy.\" B: \"That's on the surface. Underneath I've been crying inside. Anyway, we can't see each other any more.\" Turns out to be my fault. Haven't said I love her enough, fall asleep after sex, had to cancel planned trip to cinema, went to Los Angeles at only 12 hours notice, didn't admire new black Joseph trousers (didn't notice new black Joseph trousers; all look more-or-less same, like barrister suits, anyway how many pairs black trousers woman need for God's sake?), assume that because think bottom fat, assume think bottom fat because bottom is fat, don't fancy her any more, worst thing man can do is stay with woman out of pity, life ruined, hope this lesson for my future, if want amily life with someone will have to be caring and encouraging, promote feeling security. Have to remind myself what love about B., e.g. funny, pretty, affectionate, fun in bed, childlike sense of fun in simple things etc. But where I fit in here? Sometimes seems like I am just extra in long-running sitcom: Bridget In The City. Next thing know, B. takes course, discovers true identity, takes lesbian lover, self written out of script. Is this basis long-term future for adult human beings? Saturday 27 April Dinner party from hell. Best one could have hoped for was quiet duty evening: Dr Hiromatsu & wife (big client), Geoffrey & Tristan from chambers, Judge Gregory (tiresome, querulous), etc. etc. yawn yawn. Told B. no need for her to come, would get in caterer, usual routine. Insisted coming, said was ashamed of her. Also insisted no caterers, would cook. Arrived at house 5.30 p.m. accompanied by Shazza and sleazy, cackling newspaper person, all drunk and carrying following supplies: Complete new outfit from Joseph. Other complete new outfit from Joseph. River Caf\ufffd cookbook, Ivy cookbook, Vietnamese cookbook. Wok. Electric noodle-maker. Battery-powered aquarium with life-like swimming fish. Sprig wilted coriander. Asked about food. B. said were planning on shopping locally, nothing in Soho suitable, light but tantalising Italo-oriental dinner. Pointed out it now 5.42 p.m., leaving it bit "}, {"response": 1517, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 18, 2000 (22:51)", "body": "The henchman has answered a few more questions: Q: How much screen time does Colin have v that other one A: Colin Firth..... I've yet to see the man give a bad performance, and he certainly didn't disappoint here. Colin gets plenty of screen time, constantly appearing at social functions with the icily condescending Natasha (including a book release party where Bridget, who only has to introduce Mr. Fitzherbert, embarrasses herself in front of the attendees, including a couple of well-known authors making some surprising cameos.) I would say Firth's screen time is nearly roughly equal to Grant's. Q: What about Shazz, Jude and Tom??? A: Bridget's friends..... while not at the fore, they are in a number of sharply-written scenes, and we quickly warm to them. I particularly enjoyed Tom, the singer of an 80's hit who has since quit his musical career, but all three provide solid laughs. They're also in the scene which, imo, is one of the film's highlights: Bridget's botched dinner party. Q: Does BJD suffer from a surfeit of annoying Curtis-isms? A. yes, this script does have its share, but the difference is the rougher language. The word \"f!@#\" is used quite freely, and the frank discussions of sex are more explicit than usual in his work. I'd say this is my favorite script of his, but I haven't seen FOUR WEDDINGS... in years. Anything else you want to know?"}, {"response": 1518, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (04:02)", "body": "Oh, I like the sound of it more and more, roll onApril. One question Karen, willm you ask him what the audience reaction was like and if they laughed at all the right places."}, {"response": 1519, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (07:33)", "body": "Thanks, Karen. Glad to know he shares the screen time with HG. I would like to know: 1) If MD does rescue BJ mom from Julio. 2)Why was he disapponted in the ending? How did he feel it should end? 3) Does RZ nail the accent? ;-)"}, {"response": 1520, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (08:20)", "body": "and was the chemistry good between Colin and Renee?"}, {"response": 1521, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (08:59)", "body": "Any \"real good\"[rumpy-pumpy] love scenes between MD and Bridget?"}, {"response": 1522, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (12:30)", "body": "Colin Firth..... I've yet to see the man give a bad performance, and he certainly didn't disappoint here. Colin gets plenty of screen time, There is a God!:-) Am liking this Harvey Beaks person more and more.;-) Karen, I'd echo Ann's question on audience reaction, and I'd like to know in which city this screening was held. Also, was it a test screening or an industry screening? The word \"f!@#\" is used quite freely, and the frank discussions of sex are more explicit than usual in his work Good, they haven't toned it down, though I'd like to see more than mere \"discussions\" of sex where MD is concerned.;-) Then again, I'm one of those people who thinks the upcoming Jon Firth film on Victoria & Albert sounds pretty darn good. I hope we get to see it here. *Give the people what they want!* Thanks, K!"}, {"response": 1523, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 20, 2000 (22:59)", "body": "(Mari) I'd like to know in which city this screening was held. Also, was it a test screening or an industry screening? Didn't his review say it was a test screening? I did ask him the LA/NYC question in my first message and didn't get an answer. Am working on follow-up, but he might get tired of this *badgering* ;-)"}, {"response": 1524, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Dec 21, 2000 (08:18)", "body": "(Karen) Didn't his review say it was a test screening? I did ask him the LA/NYC question in my first message and didn't get an answer. No, he didn't indicate the nature of the screening. Interesting that he ignored the venue question. You could try asking these again, maybe lob him a softball too, like, what's the approximate running time. Also, audience reaction."}, {"response": 1525, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Dec 21, 2000 (21:48)", "body": "(Moon) I would like to know: 1) If MD does rescue BJ mom from Julio. If I read the review aright, Moon, no. Simply because Julio doesn't enter into it or at least the character (possibly of that name) has changed identities pretty severly: \"... briefly setting her world aright /.../ before her mother drops the bombshell that she's engaging in an affair with the flamboyant host of a popular Home-Shopping program , sending Bridget's father spiraling into a pit of depression ... This removes her Mom's \"boyfriend\"'s foreign origin and the nature of his \"shadiness\". Whether he is still called Julio remains to be revealed."}, {"response": 1526, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 21, 2000 (22:26)", "body": "Remember, he was renamed Julian. That was from the producer's website."}, {"response": 1527, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Dec 22, 2000 (14:05)", "body": "I wonder how they kept the P&P parallel."}, {"response": 1528, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Dec 23, 2000 (08:03)", "body": "Whether he is still called Julio remains to be revealed. And I hope other plot twists remain concealed as well. Do we reeeeaally want to know so much 3-1/2 months before we get to see the film? Oh, ok, some do so go to it. ;-) It's been fun reading so far and I'm happy so many of our fears have been put to rest, thanks to Karen's resourcefulness. I'm still hoping for some surprises in April."}, {"response": 1529, "author": "hanna", "date": "Sat, Dec 23, 2000 (15:36)", "body": "BJD2 - Someone mentioned a hope for this. I second that. Would CF do it? Anyone else would ruin it. Does anyone know if a CF calendar is available? Maybe after BJD, there'll be one."}, {"response": 1530, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Dec 24, 2000 (02:49)", "body": "Karen, thanks for all the news from \"Mr. Beaks\". I hope he's more than just a plant and that his positive review turns out to be correct! V. encouraging that CF's time is equal to HG's :-)."}, {"response": 1531, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Dec 24, 2000 (11:15)", "body": "To Tineke, I have been to the IMDB and I see that BJD opens in Belgium on the 25th April. No date for the UK as yet."}, {"response": 1532, "author": "kitkat4089", "date": "Sun, Dec 24, 2000 (19:22)", "body": "There is an interview with Colin Firth in the Sunday London Times: http://www.sunday-times.co.uk . Scroll down to \"culture\" section, on right hand side of column, then click to go there. Scroll down a few more, and there you are. Cheers!"}, {"response": 1533, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 24, 2000 (21:23)", "body": "Thank you, Rhonda. If you'll check the general Colin Firth topic, #134, we've been discussing it there. Isn't the article wonderful, especially with the news of his next project? We'd love to hear your comments there. :-)"}, {"response": 1534, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 29, 2000 (12:00)", "body": "On the BJD location page, I've added v.v. large pics for each one. Never realized before that the BJ/DC one is when he's watching cricket most likely and can really see blood on DC's face. Our boy landed a few. ;-) http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjdloc.html"}, {"response": 1535, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Dec 29, 2000 (12:07)", "body": "Thanks Karen, they are great, boy am I looking forward to this film."}, {"response": 1536, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Dec 29, 2000 (15:54)", "body": "The Observer (abbreviated).. Whether you are a fan of Cervantes' original epic, or merely a fan of Firth, the acting in this allegory for a modern audience amkes it compelling viewing and extremely moving... This is a sentimental story for an unsentimental age, but the dialogue, the cast and the well chosen targets raise it far above expectations. The emotional points are subtly made and the story's simple portrait of personalities in a state of collapse is painfully effective."}, {"response": 1537, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Dec 30, 2000 (07:32)", "body": "February's Issue of Total Film mag has a two page trailer for BJD.There are 3 pics,which Karen has already shown us-BJ smoking,in the gym & the one with Colin.Although HG is in the cast list its CF that gets the mention in the article."}, {"response": 1538, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 30, 2000 (08:11)", "body": "Thanks, Judy, what does it say about Colin? The usual stuff?"}, {"response": 1539, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Dec 30, 2000 (09:20)", "body": "Nothing new but here's the article-: ...page-turner pics are hotter than ever-and BJD is just the latest. Even if you've never ventured inside HF's bestseller (and its sequel The Edge of Reason),you're probably aware of Miss Jones,the British answer to Ally McBealIts a simple pitch:single woman looking for love, eating,dieting and smoking too much,and worrying whateveryone thinks about her.And now,with hefty studio backing courtesy of Miramax and Universal,she's ready to hit multiplexes. There were always going to be obstacles:Jones purists were visibly frothing over the choice of lead actress .RZ? A Yank? What no KW?(She was offered the role but chose to pass)And director Sharon Maguire(on who the book's outspoken Shazza character is apparently based) had never helmed a movie before.And how could they pick anyone other than CF to play the object of Bridget's obsession, Mark Darcy? And..And.. Such concerns are forgotten now,as Jones slaps on some lippy and readies herself to meet the public.And Z has already earned Fielding's stamp of approval (\"She's very sweet,and has no trace of an American accent\") But then its hardly surprising:JC's other half piled on a few pounds & spent a fortnight as intern \"Bridget Cavendish\" in a London publishers office during spring to get a feel for the part. The scripts been through such talented hands as Richard Notting Hill Curtis,while filling out the role of lust object Mark Darcy is.. you guessed.. Colin \"That Mr Darcy From Out Of Pride And Prejudice\" FirthAnd with a huge,ready made audience of book lovers ready to judge the film,looks like the box office will be busy .."}, {"response": 1540, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 30, 2000 (09:57)", "body": "And how could they pick anyone other than CF to play the object of Bridget's obsession, Mark Darcy? while filling out the role of lust object Mark Darcy is.. you guessed.. Colin \"That Mr Darcy From Out Of Pride And Prejudice\" Firth YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!! YIPPEEEEEEEEEEE!!! Here's an article with exactly the right slant and knows WHAT'S important!! (and no mention of that other guy) Thanks so much, Judy, for typing it in. I'm sure the Feb issue won't hit our shores for some time."}, {"response": 1541, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Dec 30, 2000 (11:35)", "body": "And to think we battled the possibility of his not being cast in BJD once. We are so worthy and wise. It is a good thing the US producers caught on. Colin should be doing a whole new set of publicity shots soon. A happy thought!"}, {"response": 1542, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Dec 30, 2000 (14:59)", "body": "while filling out the role of lust object Mark Darcy is. One's mind reels while wondering what else he fills out. Forget the snow and ice. April is right around the corner."}, {"response": 1543, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 30, 2000 (15:03)", "body": "The 12/30 Irish Times had an article of all the \"must see\" movies for first six months of 2001. For BJD, it just gave a one-line synopsis and main cast.... but said it was opening March 30th! I think it's going to open in your area one week before the US."}, {"response": 1544, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Dec 30, 2000 (17:37)", "body": "I hope the Premiere is the week before!!"}, {"response": 1545, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (05:11)", "body": "Karen - Here's an article with exactly the right slant and knows WHAT'S important!! (and no mention of that other guy) Other guy?, IS there another guy? .......oh you mean Jim Broadbent, silly me!"}, {"response": 1546, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jan  1, 2001 (12:27)", "body": "Judy, thanks for that article. I hear the beat of the publicity drums starting up, and I like it! Congrats to our Karen, whose BJD pages are the LEAD story in today's Dark Horizons film site. Go to: http://www.darkhorizons.com/news.htm"}, {"response": 1547, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan  1, 2001 (15:18)", "body": "Nice plug for Colin, Karen.Did you write the copy;-) He lifted the pictures entirely."}, {"response": 1548, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan  2, 2001 (09:59)", "body": "And it's been picked up by Teletext today: See Bridget Jones on the net Fans of Bridget Jones's Diary can now view stills from the movie adaptation on the internet. Renee Zellweger (Jones) is seen standing with co-stars Colin Firth (Mark Darcy) and Hugh Grant (Daniel Cleaver). There are also shots of Salman Rushdie and venues of metropolitan life, such as Cafe Rouge. The site is at - www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjdloc.html"}, {"response": 1549, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan  2, 2001 (11:16)", "body": "And it's been picked up by Teletext today: Karen....You're famous!!We're bursting with pride!! ... venues of metropolitan life, such as Cafe Rouge And our pictures!"}, {"response": 1550, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Jan  2, 2001 (11:24)", "body": "Congrats to Karen! But how could this site not be recommended - it is SO good. Reading it again, I still marvel at the way that you have picked exactly the right quotes in my opinion from the book, Karen. ESPECIALLY my favourite about it being ridiculous to be called Mr Darcy and then stand snooty and aloof at a party. Will you be able to tell how much traffic a Teletext recommendation generates?"}, {"response": 1551, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan  2, 2001 (11:58)", "body": "The only counter I've put on my site is on the main Bridget page. Think I'll put another on the Location page too ...have to figure out how I did it first. Must be easier than programming a VCR. ;-)"}, {"response": 1552, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan  2, 2001 (16:16)", "body": "Congrats, Karen. You deserve it!"}, {"response": 1553, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Tue, Jan  2, 2001 (20:28)", "body": "Congratulations Karen! Very much deserved!"}, {"response": 1554, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan  2, 2001 (23:25)", "body": "From The Guardian's preview of FILMS 2001 by Akin Ohumu (Dec 31, 2000): There is the daring and box-office friendly casting of Texan Renee Zellweger as the eponymous Sloane Ranger in Bridget Jones's Diary (summer), counting the calories as well as the cost of getting involved with unsuitable Hoorays. Colin Firth and Hugh Grant provide the beefcake. ~~~~~ And when did Bridget turn into a Sloane Ranger???"}, {"response": 1555, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan  3, 2001 (09:29)", "body": "....in Bridget Jones's Diary (summer), ... Is April considered \"summer\" in UK?"}, {"response": 1556, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  3, 2001 (16:12)", "body": "Progress report: in the first 24 hrs since putting up a separate counter on the picture page, there were slightly over 200 hits. The main page has had nearly 400 more hits since yesterday. BTW, this is not huge in the Internet world, where some sites get tens of thousands of hits daily."}, {"response": 1557, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan  3, 2001 (16:39)", "body": "BTW, this is not huge in the Internet world, where some sites get tens of thousands of hits daily. Like, Gold Forum. ;-)"}, {"response": 1558, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan  3, 2001 (16:40)", "body": "If only you could trace origin. I think it is vvg."}, {"response": 1559, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  3, 2001 (16:52)", "body": "What is Gold Forum? Is it mainly pictures too and mainly of women? ;-)"}, {"response": 1560, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan  3, 2001 (17:21)", "body": "BTW, this is not huge in the Internet world, where some sites get tens of thousands of hits daily. I'm impressed.Just think, folks who never heard of ODB will be flabbergasted when they see the rest of his projects on The Bucket. The night of the Tony's when Jennifer won, her website got 2000 hits. \"Jennifer- who?\" The week after, 700-1000/day.Who says advertising doesn't pay."}, {"response": 1561, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jan  3, 2001 (20:51)", "body": "I think that's a nice uptick in hits, Karen, and it will build as the film gets closer, and more publicity starts among the general public. Speaking of which . . . sitting at the hairdresser's, I was thumbing through various mags and came across several mentions of BJD. Nothing we haven't heard already, but I think they're gearing up. RZ was on the cover of Jane mag, and had lots on the film and her \"training\" for it. Another (maybe InStyle?) had a chart of all the literary film adaptations for the coming year, and BJD (with CF's name) was included. Stuff like that. Renee will be on Jay Leno's show on Tuesday, and it's not a repeat. I would think she'd be beating the drums for Nurse Betty, as Oscar nom ballots are due in a couple of weeks, I think, but should be worth watching."}, {"response": 1562, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan  3, 2001 (21:18)", "body": "What is Gold Forum? Is it mainly pictures too and mainly of women? ;-) Nah, totally wrong. It is where the guys that invest in gold (bigtime), hang out to speculate about the bear market. The ones that were hoping for a Y2K disaster."}, {"response": 1563, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  3, 2001 (21:37)", "body": "*must get mind out of the gutter* ;-) Saw the Jane magazine, but as you said, Mari, nuthin' new in it. Yep, RZ would be campaigning with the Leno appearance for both an Oscar nom and a GG vote, unless they're already due in."}, {"response": 1564, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jan  4, 2001 (13:46)", "body": "Congratulations, Karen, it *is* a very good site :-) (Moon)If only you could trace origin. Can be done, in a way. Problem is, you get the domains and even the computer ID, but not its owner's name..."}, {"response": 1565, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Jan  4, 2001 (17:02)", "body": "Just picked up the February edition of Empire which features \"21 for 2001.....the year's hottest movies\" \"20 Bridget Jones' Diary Starring (note order ;-) RZ, CF, HG, SH and JB Director SM HF's smash hit book gets the movie treatment, with Z as the mildly neutotic, single, thirtysomething career girl ETA April/May. Whatever your opinion of HF's bestseller , there's no denying the 'single girl' phenomenon it sparked off (the sequel EoR has sold equally well, not to mention the slew of imitations). So there's an awful lot riding on the film version, especially given the decision to cast Texan-born Z as the neurotic, journal-writing singleton over homegrown beauties like KW, EW and HB-C. \" I understand the miffed aspect of that experience,\" Z says, \" that it is a smaller market so there are fewer opportunities for English girls. I felt very lucky, and what a gift, what an incredible journey as an actress to take!\" By all accounts, Z, whose much-publicised weight gain (a diet rich in pizza and Guinness, apparently) enabled her to look the part, gives the kind of performance which will silence her critics. And the casting of Firth as romantic interest MD is - given Bridget's obsession with a certain actor playing Mr darcy in the Beeb's P&P - positively inspired. So long as first-time director SM can resist the temptation to stray too far from the source material, it could be the ritish rom-com hit of 2001. If not , roll on Mad Cows: The Sequel...\" And not a word of the floppy one, he-he!"}, {"response": 1566, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Jan  4, 2001 (17:05)", "body": "\"ritish\" should of course be British (dur).. and also forgot to mention that the piece is accompanied by the same old pic of RZ in pyjamas."}, {"response": 1567, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan  4, 2001 (19:59)", "body": "Thanks, Tracy. The publicity ball is rolling. And the casting of Firth as romantic interest MD is - given Bridget's obsession with a certain actor playing Mr darcy in the Beeb's P&P - positively inspired. Absolutely! So why would he even heisitate to do MD in the first place? The part had been written for him. That will always be beyond me."}, {"response": 1568, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan  4, 2001 (22:55)", "body": "Thanks, Tracy. Love the slant that all your publications have with CF being highlighted. Doubt we'll get the same over here. :-(r The Times (James Christopher) has its \"must sees\" for 2001 and Bridget in bed is at the article's head, with this underneath: \"Angst in her pants: Renee Zellweger is Helen Fielding's neurotic heroine in Bridget Jones' Diary, out in May. Colin Firth plays the man she wishes was in her life\" Then this in the article: The queues for Bridget Jones\ufffd Diary (May), based on Helen Fielding\ufffds newspaper columns, will provide fascinating anthropological insights. Will there be squads of drunk, lonely, fat, thirtysomething, smoking alcoholics heading for the cinema? Of course there will. Ren\ufffde Zellweger as the neurotic Bridget is clever casting. But Colin Firth as Bridget\ufffds Mr Darcy (cf Pride and Prejudice) is a brilliant choice by director Sharon Maguire. ~~~~~~ Does James Christopher has the same anatomical deficiency as AA Gill?"}, {"response": 1569, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Jan  5, 2001 (11:16)", "body": "Inspired, brilliant casting - bah! Don't they know it was mandatory? Who would even *go* see the movie if they had a different actor? ;-)"}, {"response": 1570, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan  5, 2001 (11:57)", "body": "But Colin Firth as Bridget\ufffds Mr Darcy (cf Pride and Prejudice) is a brilliant choice by director Sharon Maguire. And here is another one. And he still hesitated to sign for MD. If I were to interview him, I would drive this point beyond the house. He may hate me afterwards, but it must be done. ;-)"}, {"response": 1571, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Jan  5, 2001 (15:07)", "body": "\"Angst in her pants: Renee Zellweger is Helen Fielding's neurotic heroine in Bridget Jones' Diary, out in May. Colin Firth plays the man she wishes was in her life\" Have posted full article on #134. http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,62-62377,00.html"}, {"response": 1572, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jan  5, 2001 (15:19)", "body": "Glad to see no mention of you know Hugh! Moon, the only reason I think he may have hesitated over this may be fear of the continuing Colin \"Mr Darcy\" Firth syndrome in the UK. At least one of the reviewers of DQ called him this. And another used \"Mr Darcy drives the buses\" as a header. No doubt we'll get \"Mr Darcy plays Hamlet\". No-one talks about Joe \"Shakespeare\" Fiennes. But i think, especially in the States, where, fingers crossed, BJD should be a great success, that Mark Darcy will allow him to move on."}, {"response": 1573, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Fri, Jan  5, 2001 (16:28)", "body": "There will no mention of Darcy in the States. Everytime my TV & Satellite Guide mentions him, it mentions The English Patient and Shakespeare in Love. That's it. Most Americans have not seen P&P."}, {"response": 1574, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan  5, 2001 (17:52)", "body": "(Lassie) Everytime my TV & Satellite Guide mentions him, it mentions The English Patient and Shakespeare in Love. That's it. In part that reflects the pro \"big screen\" bias here, the thinking being--\"he's been in two Oscar-winning films--what more is there to tell?\" And, with so very many TV channels here and the audience therefore so fragmented, it's rare for anyone to gain widespread notoriety from a one-off TV program, as compared to a regular weekly series. Whether Mr. Darcy is mentioned here (it always is in any interviews he has done here) will depend on what and how much of it is in the press kit; some critics crib that stuff almost verbatim. Also, the extent to which the P&P storyline is maintained in the film. I'd think it's too good of an in-joke (and I mean that in a positive way) to not be mentioned in the press kit, but who knows."}, {"response": 1575, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jan  6, 2001 (08:51)", "body": "(Evelyn) Just think, folks who never heard of ODB will be flabbergasted when they see the rest of his projects on The Bucket. Ain't that the truth. Karen's site is the first to have stills of the film. All those Hugh Grant fans will be flocking. Wait 'til they see our boy. ;-) (Bethan) Glad to see no mention of you know Hugh! Tee-hee (Mari) the extent to which the P&P storyline is maintained in the film. I'd think it's too good of an in-joke (and I mean that in a positive way) to not be mentioned in the press kit, but who knows. I agree. And what a perfect lead-in on all those US talk shows he's going to do. Perhaps the Darcy connection might even inspire A&E to air P&P again. So why would he even hesitate to do MD in the first place? Moon, I think that would be a great question to ask him. I'd love to know if his answer (if indeed he did hesitate) would be along the lines of my own reservations about him playing Mark - that if it flopped he'd be skewered for falling back on his Mr. Darcy role. So far BJD doesn't look like it has a limp bone in its body."}, {"response": 1576, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Jan  6, 2001 (09:31)", "body": "Another small article, this time in Film Review(The Essential 2001 Preview) The Nineties woman wins her own film... The best selling novel finally reaches the silver screen next year.Adapted from HF's novel by the team of Richard (Blackadder/Notting Hill/Four Weddings& a Funeral) Curtis & Andrew Davies,the TV writer responsible for top class adaptations of P&P & House of Cards as well as the sitcom Game On; all early indications suggest that Bridget Jones' filmed diary should be at least on a par with the page-turner. Jerry Maguire cutie RZ stars as the eponymous, put-upon,romantic heroine - and she will be adopting an English accent for the part.Unlike last years High Fidelity the novel's important London setting has been retained,and so the rest of the cast is rounded out by a filofax of familiar Brits,including Curtis' regular HG & former Bond Girl Honor Blackman. A nice conceptual joke at the heart of the film is the casting of CF as our heroine's love interest,MD. In the novel,Bridget is obsessed with the BBC TV version of P&P,& in particular its roguish anti-hero Darcy,played by ...CF. If all goes well,the movie has a ready prepared sequel in the novel's follow-up Bridget Jones The EdgeOf Reason. Ah well I suppose somebody had to mention HG-)"}, {"response": 1577, "author": "flasfh", "date": "Sat, Jan  6, 2001 (10:11)", "body": "i love it....:)"}, {"response": 1578, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jan  6, 2001 (12:13)", "body": "Heide), Moon, I think that would be a great question to ask him. I'd love to know if his answer (if indeed he did hesitate) would be along the lines of my own reservations about him playing Mark - that if it flopped he'd be skewered for falling back on his Mr. Darcy role. So far BJD doesn't look like it has a limp bone in its body. I am surprised at you having reservations about BJD. It was not only custom made for him but: The best selling novel finally reaches the silver screen next year.Adapted from HF's novel by the team of RichardBlackadder/Notting Hill/Four Weddings& a Funeral) Curtis & Andrew Davies,the TV writer responsible for top class adaptations of P&P & House of Cards as well as the sitcom Game On; all early indications suggest that Bridget Jones' filmed diary should be at least on a par with the page-turner. That is reason enough for him not to have hesitated. Definitely a question to ask him."}, {"response": 1579, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan  6, 2001 (12:14)", "body": "Thanks for the newest mention, Judy. At least Hughie is mentioned within the context of being only a RC \"regular\" and in the same breath as Honor Blackman, who is only doing a cameo. ;-) Like the fact that CF got two whole sentences. Tells me that these magazines believe his casting was crucial and HG's was...well...you know... as one of RC's regulars. ;-) As far as P&P goes, didn't Colin say that all references to himself had been taken out? My guess is that P&P has been excised from the script. I doubt Bridge, Shazz and Jude will sit around talking about the miniseries and they won't be huddled about the telly watching the wet shirt scene for its therapeutic value."}, {"response": 1580, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jan  6, 2001 (12:14)", "body": "closing italics sorry."}, {"response": 1581, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sat, Jan  6, 2001 (12:47)", "body": "... roguish anti-hero Darcy... Rougish? Anti-hero? Anyone going to defend Darcy on his (long neglected!) discussion board, then? :-)"}, {"response": 1582, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Jan  6, 2001 (13:42)", "body": "(Karen) As far as P&P goes, didn't Colin say that all references to himself had been taken out? My guess is that P&P has been excised from the script. Oh, it probably has. We were talking about whether it will be mentioned in the publicity materials, not the film. Although . . .who would have expected P&P, Darcy and CF's pic to show up in You've Got Mail?;-) I *still* think it would be funny if the gals were sitting around, scarfing chocolates, drinking Chardonnay, and watching a video of SIL, scene where Wessex kisses Viola and she smacks him, then Bridget says why the hell do all the good parts go to Americans?:-) Hee, hee . . . Thanks for the latest, Judy!"}, {"response": 1583, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jan  6, 2001 (17:05)", "body": "If all goes well,the movie has a ready prepared sequel in the novel's follow-up Bridget Jones The EdgeOf Reason. Aha! This may be wishful thinking, but I do so agree. I may be in the minority but I preferred TEOR to the original BJD. Lots of laugh out loud scenarios, and a whole new range of characters....Rebecca, Gary the builder, Giles, Wellington, even fat Nigel and Jed! I think there's more than enough material for a sequel, and I think sequels are a good thing! Didn't harm Mel Gibson's career! There seems to be a very positive buzz about BJD...I really don't think the knives will be out for the movie, or, for once, for CF. But I hope it opens first in the US (seems probable) and he *must* do talk shows in the US. No-one will expect him to be the smoulderingly sexy Mr Darcy, and if he turns out to be a rather shy, unassuming (but articulate!) Englishman, I'm sure everyone will find him perfectly charming. This is the ideal opportunity (and not a bad time age-wise) to make an impact in Hollywood. And he must realise by now, that small Brit films lead nowhere...we don't even see them. You need Hollywood backing, even for British based movies."}, {"response": 1584, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Jan  7, 2001 (02:17)", "body": "(Heide) Moon, I think that would be a great question to ask him. I'd love to know if his answer (if indeed he did hesitate) would be along the lines of my own reservations about him playing Mark - that if it flopped he'd be skewered for falling back on his Mr. Darcy role. I'm with Heide on this one. While I would have been extremely disapointed to see anyone else in the part of Mark Darcy, I was holding my breath to read the first press reports about it. The press can be so cruel with their comments. While those of us who are fans of CF and fans of Bridget know that CF's taking the part of Mark Darcy is a clever way to poke fun at himself and at Darcy mania, it could give a mean-spirited movie critic fodder to make scathing comments. I was worried we would see something like \"Colin Firth taking on the part of Mark Darcy is a transparent attempt to recapture his former popularity in P&P, etc., etc.\". But luckily, so far all the reporters seem to get the joke and we can sit back and anticipate CF's performance without worries :-)."}, {"response": 1585, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Jan  7, 2001 (09:41)", "body": "No doubt we'll get \"Mr Darcy plays Hamlet\". For some reason, I think if Jane Austen had written a play scene in P&P, Mr. Darcy would've read the \"Hamlet\" part. :-p Elizabeth would've been a wonderful Ophelia as well! Okay, off topic I know. All of you are wonderful at keeping us informed of this movie, I definitely can't wait to see it!!!"}, {"response": 1586, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sun, Jan  7, 2001 (11:25)", "body": "No doubt we'll get \"Mr Darcy plays Hamlet\". I've already seen \"Nazi Darcy\" with reference to Conspiracy."}, {"response": 1587, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Jan  7, 2001 (17:01)", "body": "Looks as if Empire are really doing their bit to keep that publicity ball rolling because as well as the piece in the magazine I mentioned earlier, there's also something on their website revealing \"stills from the film to keep you going in the meantime\". http://www.empireonline.co.uk/news/news.asp?story=2819 Professional Firthians have seen them all before (at least will have done if they have visited the Bucket) but who cares, it's nice to see them again...pity the turtleneck pic isn't amongst them ;-("}, {"response": 1588, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan  8, 2001 (08:30)", "body": "The other Bridget website had a small image of the movie poster:"}, {"response": 1589, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan  8, 2001 (08:32)", "body": "Now that I look more closely at it this might just be part of an ad campagin because it says 'coming soon' and doesn't have all the credits (director, etc) at the bottom."}, {"response": 1590, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan  8, 2001 (08:40)", "body": "Actually came from the Dutch UIP (Universal's intl distribution) site: http://www.uip-netherlands.nl/ where they also have several of the publicity stills, including the turtleneck...that is for all Professional Firthians. ;-)"}, {"response": 1591, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan  8, 2001 (09:01)", "body": "From the UIP Norway site (if anyone can translate): http://www.filmweb.no/uip/filmer/9708.html"}, {"response": 1592, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan  8, 2001 (10:57)", "body": "Cute, cute, poster....too bad Miramax is so far behind.Wonder if we'll get the same one.Nice to see ODB up there prominently....:-))) Tineke can do Dutch and Hanne is up there nr. Norway."}, {"response": 1593, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jan  8, 2001 (11:14)", "body": "That ad is adorable! And, your eye is drawn to Colin's name as it's right above her face.:-) Universal will do a good job on promotion. I wish they were distributing here instead of Mira-lax, who seems to only know how to sell when it's awards season. Can anyone read what the list of type says under the new year's resolutions? Good find, K."}, {"response": 1594, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan  8, 2001 (13:58)", "body": "*squinting eyes* I believe the second to the last says: Never work with Hugh Grant again.... but I could be wrong. ;-)"}, {"response": 1595, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan  9, 2001 (09:17)", "body": "From Jeannie Williams' column: Flashes: Will & Grace star Debra Messing is Cosmopolitan 's \"Fun, Fearless Female of the Year\" and is on the cover of its February issue. Messing will join eight other fearless awardees at a Jan. 29 lunch in New York: Drea de Matteo of The Sopranos; Heather Headley of Broadway's Aida; Julia Stiles, who lures Alec Baldwin in State and Main; Helen Fielding, author of Bridget Jones's Diary; MTV reporter Ananda Lewis; the timeless Bo Derek; Molly Sims, House of Style host; Colleen Fitzpatrick, better known as singer Vitamin C, and, naturally, a Survivor, Kelly Wiglesworth (who poses with a rat)."}, {"response": 1596, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan  9, 2001 (09:47)", "body": "From the Peoplenews site, model Lisa B is doing one of their diary things and she wrote this: \"this year got to spend time together at Shepperton Studios, where I was filming the part of Hugh Grant's girlfriend, Lara, in Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary...\""}, {"response": 1597, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan  9, 2001 (12:29)", "body": "From Ananova, not quite on topic, but liked the new slant at the end: Hollywood trio battle for film farce role Gwyneth Paltrow, Heather Graham and Renee Zellweger are battling to win the prize role in a Hollywood remake of When The Cat's Away. They want to follow in the footsteps of French beauty Garance Clavel, who starred in the original French farce about a lonely bachelor girl's novel adventures. The character is a make-up artist who gets a life while searching for her beloved pet. In the new \ufffd30 million version being plotted by Miramax insiders say the accent will be much more on humour and street life in New York in the Millennium. Though Austin Powers comedy star Graham was first pencilled in for the role, both Paltrow and Zellweger have forced their way into contention. Zellweger is soon to be seen in Bridget Jones's Diary. An insider told Ananova: \"Heather thought she had this wrapped up if Miramax got the deal but they are also very close to Gwyneth and see Renee as possibly the best female comedy star around. \"It's one of the strongest roles around for a girl. Renee saw off a lot of actresses to get the Jones film. So nobody is being ruled out.\" ~~~~~~ So now the spin is RZ fought off all the competition to get the role! ;-)"}, {"response": 1598, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan  9, 2001 (15:10)", "body": "So now the spin is RZ fought off all the competition to get the role! ;-) Right, and CF battled whether to play MD or not. (Did anyone say pet peeve?);-))"}, {"response": 1599, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan  9, 2001 (17:14)", "body": "Sounds as if Renee is turning things around:-)) Perhaps the UK journalists (and I use the term loosely!)won't go after her with such a sharp knife after all."}, {"response": 1600, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jan  9, 2001 (18:20)", "body": "\"Heather thought she had this wrapped up if Miramax got the deal but they are also very close to Gwyneth and see Renee as possibly the best female comedy star around. Good. If Mira-lax likes her maybe we'll see some decent promotion for BJ. Reminder for US viewers: RZ is on Jay Leno's show tonight."}, {"response": 1601, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan  9, 2001 (18:31)", "body": "fixing tag"}, {"response": 1602, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Jan 10, 2001 (10:02)", "body": "Long article in The SUn today about RZ (as this is Day 3 (Film 3) in \"Blockbuster movie week in the Sun\"). Pictures include RZ with JC, Bridget in pyjamas, 3 of RZ at school + one with HG. I will transcribe if I have time (I don't think the Sun is online)."}, {"response": 1603, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 10, 2001 (10:12)", "body": "Thanks, Mark. No need to transcribe. The Sun is online and the article is there: http://www.the-sun.co.uk/life/13292186 Strange, but it says the movies opens \"next month\"?????"}, {"response": 1604, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 10, 2001 (12:26)", "body": "She sure hasn't much changed since her high school days. Looks v. Texan."}, {"response": 1605, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 10, 2001 (17:07)", "body": "There's also a writeup on this year's films at the Daily Record today: Bridget Jones' Diary - April/May [pic of RZ sliding down pole] Stars: Renee Zellwegger, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant. Director: Sharon Maguire Long overdue movie version of Helen Fielding's novel stars American Zellwegger as the neurotic - and English - thirtysomething who put 'singleton' into common use. Zellwegger was so determined to get the accent correct, she spent weeks undercover working in a London publishing firm. Once she'd got the voice right, she refused to drop the accent, even on her days off. Co-star Colin Firth lost 28 pounds for his role in the movie, playing Mark Darcy, who competes with Hugh Grant's character for Bridget's affections. Star rating: 7"}, {"response": 1606, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan 10, 2001 (20:37)", "body": "Star rating: 7 Is this the official rating? It is too soon to be having press screenings. I think RZ looks very different now. Mari did you see her last night on Leno? Thanks for the tip, Mark."}, {"response": 1607, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jan 10, 2001 (21:24)", "body": "How mortifying to have your high school prom pictures show up in the press years later! Good thing I burned mine. Not that anyone has been clamoring for them . . .;-) Moon, she wasn't on Leno, after all; must have cancelled. Interesting show, though: Mickey Rourke finally sober and coherent, and Eddie Izzard dressed as a man!:-)"}, {"response": 1608, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 10, 2001 (22:56)", "body": "Star rating: 7 I have no idea what that's all about, but it's certainly not a rating of the movie itself. Probably what they assigned to the combo of RZ/HG/CF. Not exactly stacked with A-Listers. ;-) As a comparison, Cast Away got a 9 (Wilson brought them down from 10); Chocolat, with Johnny Depp billed first got an 8. Ooops, The Mexican with Julia and Brad got a 7. So goes my theory... :-( (Mari) Interesting show, though: Mickey Rourke finally sober and coherent Ugh! Couldn't look at him. *shivering* ugh!"}, {"response": 1609, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jan 11, 2001 (03:52)", "body": "(Karen, quoting)Co-star Colin Firth lost 28 pounds for his role in the movie Wonder where he had them ;-)"}, {"response": 1610, "author": "Echo", "date": "Thu, Jan 11, 2001 (09:43)", "body": "...and who's been counting?"}, {"response": 1611, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 11, 2001 (18:20)", "body": "From Francoise, Miramax has put up its little Bridget page under \"Coming Soon.\" The only pic--so far--is of RZ and our boy!! Hoorah! http://www.miramax.com/mm_front/owa/mp.entryPoint?action=0&midStr=1408"}, {"response": 1612, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 11, 2001 (18:26)", "body": "she finds herself caught between two men - a man who's too good to be true, Daniel Cleaver, played by Hugh Grant (Four Weddings And A Funeral, Notting Hill), and a man who's so wrong he could be right, Mark Darcy, played by Colin Firth (Shakespeare in Love, The English Patient). Hmmm, \"so wrong\" ??? Oh well, CF's credits are far more impressive."}, {"response": 1613, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jan 11, 2001 (18:33)", "body": "Well, it's about time; they finally did something right, though their site is pathetic next to yours, Karen.. Hmmm, \"so wrong\" ??? Oh well, CF's credits are far more impressive. Well, they do start off thinking they're wrong for each other. CF's films are certainly more impressive--BUT, Hugh's roles were starring ones, and that's why he's known the world over. Starring roles in good films carry more cache than small roles in very good ones."}, {"response": 1614, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 11, 2001 (18:41)", "body": "I know, I know...should've done lots of winkies. ;-)sssssss"}, {"response": 1615, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jan 11, 2001 (18:49)", "body": "I know you know.;-) I'm just glad I didn't put us all in italic-land again.;-) Is this the first time we've seen BJ's age (32) specified?"}, {"response": 1616, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 11, 2001 (20:24)", "body": "Hooray....pic of ODB featured over Hughie!!Best one of the lot so far IMO. Agree that Miramax should ask Karen to lay the web page out for them. ( IMO Miramax has the worst website of all the studios.)"}, {"response": 1617, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 11, 2001 (22:55)", "body": "pic of ODB featured over Hughie!!Best one of the lot so far IMO. It is such an outstanding pic...and I'm not very biased, really! ;-)"}, {"response": 1618, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan 12, 2001 (07:30)", "body": "pic of ODB featured over Hughie!!Best one of the lot so far IMO. Yeah, the one with Hughie is so awkward. Karen, when will the press kit be ready? There should be some new pictures out soon. Poor sappy Hugh. (He reminds me of a slobbering dog). He will never want to be in another film with Colin. ;-)"}, {"response": 1619, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 12, 2001 (17:18)", "body": "Spoke to my local Miramax rep. Tells me corporate told him BJD will open in the US early April.(No set date yet...too early) Limited release . NY, LA, Chicago, Dallas and he forgot the 5th city. Not mine obviously.( Boston ,Philly, San Fran? Which one is a first tier city?) So it looks like I'll be hitting the firiendly skies again to see it in Dallas. (ODB guy never makes things easy...grrrrr.) ~~~~~~~~ OT. Also tells me Chocolat opening in 2 more theatres here next week. Grrrrr, again."}, {"response": 1620, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jan 12, 2001 (17:44)", "body": "ooh, I hope Boston!!!"}, {"response": 1621, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 12, 2001 (17:58)", "body": "Limited release Are these people morons? Is this how a \"high profile\" film is released? (answers below, if you need them) ;-) This is truly stupid."}, {"response": 1622, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan 12, 2001 (19:50)", "body": "Don't panic; they're apparently \"platforming\" it, starting it off in a few cities before going wider in subsequent weeks. They did the same thing with TEP, SIL, and most others. It will get around; they didn't give up U.S. rights to Corelli just to see this one sit. I hope.;-)"}, {"response": 1623, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 12, 2001 (22:29)", "body": "Wrong, wrong, wrong. They should be positioning it as any other mainstream romantic comedy, like a What Women Want, a Notting Hill, any Julia Roberts film. Granted it won't open on 3,000 screens, but it should open on more than 1,000 nationwide. I'd bet you a dozen Dunken Donuts, that the other ones that are coming out in the spring and are aimed at women will be bigger releases, such as Animal Husbandry, etc. By doing the limited release in a 5-6 cities, they are making it appear like a all those other quirky little Brit imports (Saving Grace, Saving the Fish & Chip Shop, Saving the Old Mine, Saving the Lottery Ticket) that play in arthouses. I'm telling you Miramax only knows how to wage an Oscar campaign (regardless of the worthiness of the film). When it comes to the rest of the year, these people are...... Are 12 Prozac enough?"}, {"response": 1624, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jan 13, 2001 (09:48)", "body": "I am speechless."}, {"response": 1625, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 13, 2001 (12:17)", "body": "Listen folks....it's early yet to be despondent. And like Mari said TEP was released that way.I haven't gotten CTHD yet. Traffic was two weeks late. (I do think SIL hit the fan on Christmas Day nationwide.Even we got it then) All Brit films start out this way. Notting Hill had Julia Roberts. RZ isn't there yet. Hey...for all you folks who wanted an \"unknown\" British star for Bridget.....and had panic attacks over Renee & HG...you'd really be art-house-limited now... I remain optimistic for a sleeper blockbuster... I am not despondent."}, {"response": 1626, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jan 13, 2001 (14:11)", "body": "Is it 5 cities, and then 40, or 5 cities period? I actually thought that BJD already had mini-blockbuster status...it's had a lot of publicity, and the book is wellknown.. TEP in the early days was strictly arthouse. One thing that bothers me about the Miramax \"sleeper\" approach, is that BJD opens first in the US, and how it opens in the US will have an effect on the UK market. I realise that RZ isn't Julia Roberts, but her profile seems quite high at the moment, and at least enough to guarantee a reasonably wide release in the US? I thought that was one of the reasons the producers opted for her....to make the US market more accessible."}, {"response": 1627, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 13, 2001 (16:11)", "body": "(Mari) they [Miramorons] didn't give up U.S. rights to Corelli just to see this one sit. I hope.;-) They didn't have Corelli. They only had Madden, who Universal wanted to direct it after Roger Michell had his heart attack. (Bethan) I thought that was one of the reasons the producers opted for her....to make the US market more accessible. Absolutely. Evelyn, I think your local Miramoron rep has been fed a line. Granted, it may not play everywhere during the first week, but Bridget is not a TEP or SiL type movie."}, {"response": 1628, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 13, 2001 (16:36)", "body": "Evelyn, I think your local Miramoron rep has been fed a line. Granted, it may not play everywhere during the first week, but Bridget is not a TEP or SiL type movie. Oh..No one is saying 5 cities period...that's only the initial opening. First tier cities...then second and so forth.Sorry if I gave the wrong impression."}, {"response": 1629, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jan 14, 2001 (09:58)", "body": "Was just checking out Miralax's U.S. release schedule over the coming months. They have three England-based comedies due to debut within 6 weeks of each other, starting with Birthday Girl on February 23 (Nicole Kidman as a Russian mail order bride ordered up by Ben Chaplin); Blow Dry on March 6 (Save the town with a hairdressing contest; Alan Rickman, Rachel Griffiths); and BJD on April 6. The first 2 were pushed back from their original Fall '00 dates. Several other releases bunched in there as well in the winter/spring, then nothing scheduled for summer. I'd bet that some of these dates will move. Also, I can't recall any Miramax release that hasn't opened platform style in a few citites, before going wide. Even SIL opened in NY and LA 2 weeks before the nationwide Christmas opening; I remember going up to NY on my birthday to see it."}, {"response": 1630, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sun, Jan 14, 2001 (11:00)", "body": "Blow Dry... Save the town with a hairdressing contest Sounds gripping."}, {"response": 1631, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan 14, 2001 (12:01)", "body": "(M)Blow Dry... Save the town with a hairdressing contest (Arami)Sounds gripping. LOL. Maybe they'll change the title to \"Blow-Job\". Now that would bring them in....;-))"}, {"response": 1632, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jan 14, 2001 (14:16)", "body": "I actually caught a glimpse of location shooting for \"Blow Dry\" (not the best of titles!)...they were shooting outside the local law courts. I thought I saw Alan Rickman, but it may just have been a tall crew member! It's scripted by the guy who wrote \"The Full Monty\", so no doubt it will be hailed as the new FM, yawn, yawn. No mention of it recently, unlike BJD which gets good ongoing coverage. What strikes me...there are *so* many movies being made, it's very difficult to stand out from the crowd. I think BJD does have that essential higher profile."}, {"response": 1633, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sun, Jan 14, 2001 (16:28)", "body": "Blow Job A good alternative title which missed its turn with Brassed Off."}, {"response": 1634, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 14, 2001 (16:37)", "body": "(Mari) Blow Dry on March 6 (Save the town with a hairdressing contest...The first 2 were pushed back from their original Fall '00 dates. I'm sure the delay had to do with the megasuccess of The Big Tease, Craig Ferguson's mockumentary about a Scottish hairdresser who competes in a big international styling contest in LA which played last summer. Actually, it was pretty funny."}, {"response": 1635, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Jan 14, 2001 (18:52)", "body": "A special Anniversary today ... It was 5 years ago today that we in the US saw the first installment of P&P on the A&E network, thus beginning a serious addiction in many of us. So happy anniversary Mr. Darcy ! -- you don't look a day over 183!!"}, {"response": 1636, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Jan 14, 2001 (18:54)", "body": "Sorry"}, {"response": 1637, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jan 15, 2001 (01:56)", "body": "Thanks KJ, yummy. now roll on Mark Darcy."}, {"response": 1638, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Jan 15, 2001 (06:13)", "body": "Lovely KJ. Thank you for allowing us to be so deliciously reminded."}, {"response": 1639, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 15, 2001 (12:35)", "body": "Mr. Darcy is always a welcomed addition to our party. :-) I thought The Big Tease was funny. But enough to start a trend? Just one more proof as to how desperate movie studios are. At least it is not *based on a true story*. Is that supposed to validate a film? Give me the well written fiction story any time. :-D"}, {"response": 1640, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Jan 15, 2001 (13:58)", "body": "KJ, thanks for the party idea ;-)"}, {"response": 1641, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 16, 2001 (07:52)", "body": "GOLDEN SATELLITE AWARDS Best Actress in a Comedy Renee Zellweger - NURSE BETTY (USA Films) Best Comedy:"}, {"response": 1642, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 16, 2001 (07:54)", "body": "Best Comedy: NURSE BETTY (Ok Mark?) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Good omen for BJD that Renee is being acknowledged for her comedic talent."}, {"response": 1643, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jan 16, 2001 (11:06)", "body": "(Evelyn)Good omen for BJD that Renee is being acknowledged for her comedic talent. Agreed, she was brilliant in Nurse B, and had excellent reviews. It would be great if she nabbed the Golden Globe this Sunday; nationally televised show, gets lots of press attention. Let's see who she's up against: --Juliet Binoche (Chocolat) Sadly, I'd have to say she'll take it. Miramax has probably schmoozed these GG people to within an inch of their lives. I like JB, but this role doesn't have the heft to deserve a win, IMO. --Tracey Ullmann (Small Time Crooks) She'd be my second choice after Renee. Her Frenchy had me on the floor. --Brenda Blethyn (Saving Grace) I like Brenda and she was very good in this, but the film was just so-so, IMO. --Sandra Bullock (Miss Congeniality) Haven't seen it, but it looks silly."}, {"response": 1644, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Jan 16, 2001 (15:39)", "body": "Saw the trailer for \"Miss Congeniality\". OH MY! Ouch"}, {"response": 1645, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jan 16, 2001 (16:13)", "body": "Good for Rene...and good for BJD if she's on a winning streak. I hope she gets an Oscar nod. Excellent timing and, indirectly, promotion for BJD."}, {"response": 1646, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Jan 16, 2001 (20:06)", "body": "Miss Congeniality was not THAT bad. I was actually entertained. SB is just playing up the same quirkiness she had in \"While you were Sleeping.\" I take her charm over Meg Ryan's any day."}, {"response": 1647, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Wed, Jan 17, 2001 (13:04)", "body": "I have to agree with Winter regarding \"Miss Congeniality\" ... Sandra Bullock's and Benjamine Bratt's sparring scenes are quite funny. OT: I also read your comments on Pemberley about CTHD ... my brother wailed that it's a romance! you didn't tell me it was a romance!!! And the reason I've actually come out of lurkdom ... I found this on the online version of the Mirror ... Last Gasp Edit for Bridget Movie JUST like her love life, the journey of Bridget Jones's Diary to the screen has not been a smooth one. We've heard that writer Richard Curtis has rushed the final version into the editing suite for some last-minute slicing. He's cutting it fine because the movie, which stars Colin Firth and Hugh Grant, hits cinemas next month"}, {"response": 1648, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 17, 2001 (13:24)", "body": "...for some last-minute slicing. Ug....hope ODB doesn't get sliced:-(( ....which stars Colin Firth and Hugh Grant, hits cinemas next month Next Month??? Like the way Colin's name comes first:-))) Thanks Marianne.Come join us on #136. We have an ongoing spirited discussion of current films, awards ,movie stars, sports etc. Colin news is on #134."}, {"response": 1649, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jan 17, 2001 (13:51)", "body": "Better Richard Curtis should be slicing than Harvey Scissorhands.;-) I thought I was told here at one time that Curtis was \"only\" one of the writers? Maybe he's cutting the scene that Beaks didn't like at the end.;-) Maybe Curtis = Beaks!;-) Actually, if they're up to a final version already, they're in good shape, the \"next month\" comment notwithstanding. Has anyone been in touch with Universal (or whomever their affiliate is in England) about a release date?"}, {"response": 1650, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 17, 2001 (13:55)", "body": "Last Gasp Edit for Bridget Movie Gaaah! Like this is not the norm??? Puh-leez ;-) (Evelyn) Like the way Colin's name comes first:-))) *hee hee* And no mention of RZ. How funny. But, you know, here we won't even see ODB's name associated with the film, except in the ads. :-( (Marianne) you didn't tell me it was a romance!!! I try not to give away anything. ;-) The relevant part was I didn't think that aspect was any good. Go see House of Mirth if you want tragic romance...and Kleenex!"}, {"response": 1651, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Jan 17, 2001 (14:37)", "body": "Have to admit to only seeing Michael Caine with SB in that trailer. Sounds like it's better with SB/BB! Fingers crossed for that rushed editing. Wouldn't mind my own copy of all ODB's scenes and nothing else, as a little souvenir, perhaps we should place a bulk order. I can see it now \"BJD The Drool Cut\". But guess that like RV in our blockbuster , they would only have a single copy."}, {"response": 1652, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Jan 17, 2001 (16:30)", "body": "Hi Marianne! :-) Long time no talk! Jana2... you still out there? Karen Go see House of Mirth if you want tragic romance...and Kleenex! I've been tempted to see it. A few weeks ago, I was listening to the local NPR station, which adverstised House of Mirth. I kid you not, but this what I heard, \"Critics call 'House of Mirth' refreshingly devastating !\" LOL...either I'm out of touch with the English language, or critics are strapped to find adjectives!"}, {"response": 1653, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 17, 2001 (17:57)", "body": "(Lizza) \"BJD The Drool Cut\" I love it!! (but we know the all-important towel scene was in the second book, so back to the studios...additional footage required). (Marianne) refreshingly devastating I've been using \"rips your heart out\" myself. For another \"devastating\" one, although not so refreshing, try Dancer in the Dark with a carton of Kleenex. ;-)"}, {"response": 1654, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jan 17, 2001 (20:14)", "body": "(Lizza) \"BJD The Drool Cut\". Great idea, Lizza! I can add it onto my Darcy bits cut of P&P, thereby rendering a sort of Fitzwilliam continuum.:-) I wouldn't worry about the editing either; it's not unusual for that process to occur up until the 11th hour. Maybe they're Curtis-izing it, adding in the part where Bridget says to Mark, \"I'm just a girl with inner poise. Standing in front of a sooper-dooper top-notch lawyer boy. Asking him to love her. ;-) ******* From this month's Biography magazine: \"Helen Fielding's first novel (written \"BBJ,\" before Bridget Jones) is released this month here in the U.S. Cause Celeb skewers the world of celebrity fundraising.\""}, {"response": 1655, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (03:08)", "body": "Last Gasp Edit Don't cut my scene! Thanks, Evelyn, for crediting RZ with her Golden Satellite noms (whassat?)"}, {"response": 1656, "author": "aishling", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (03:31)", "body": "Don't cut my scene! LOL Mark"}, {"response": 1657, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (08:32)", "body": "I saw House of Mirth (as posted on odds and ends); I didn't cry. I didn't even bat an eyelash. (I found it completely implausible, to be exact); But then again, I am such a woman of the current times that I can't understand the whole social mores of that era. I prefer to think of myself more as a Bridget Jones Type, who'd rather play on Internet than work. Who'd rather be friends with daughter than actually do that whole parenting thing (which I must say is tiring, exhausting, and well causes me to wrinkle!); I prefer to have \"Friends w/benefits\" rather than actually saying I have a boyfriend. Because when \"friend w/benefits\" up and leaves, heart is not ripped out as if you had \"boyfriend\" and um, well you can always have more than one \"Friend w/ benefits\" but I don't recommend it, because then it gets too messy;) And I'd never do what Lily Bart does.... :)"}, {"response": 1658, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (09:18)", "body": "Laura, I think you will be quite alone in your opinion of HoM. (Mari), Maybe they're Curtis-izing it, adding in the part where Bridget says to Mark, \"I'm just a girl with inner poise. Standing in front of a sooper-dooper top-notch lawyer boy. Asking him to love her. ;-) ROTF! I too wonder about this last minute cut, as they say. But I would happily take the drool cuts and I think somebody (OD Bucket mistress) ;-) should sugeest it to their company. Sharon would understand. :-) In the current Vanity Fair, HF is asked about a fav. writer, she says Woodhouse. showing v.g. taste but they credit her not as the BJD writer but as the Cause Celeb writer. I found that rather odd, so thanks, Mari, for clearing that up. Mark, hang in there. Keeping fingers crossed. ;-)"}, {"response": 1659, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (09:22)", "body": "Evidently, there's an article in this week's Heat magazine. Anyone care to check? Re: Cause Celeb Wouldn't you just love HF's life. She's going to make more money without having to lift a finger or type another word. Bet she's scrounging through old packing boxes looking for her school essays. I see a collection of short stories being readied. ;-)"}, {"response": 1660, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (09:30)", "body": "And... I've spoken to UIP, which is releasing BJD in the UK, and they said it is \"confirmed\" that Bridget will open on April 13. (The March 30 date had been under discussion.)"}, {"response": 1661, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (09:56)", "body": "(Mark) ...for crediting RZ with her Golden Satellite noms (whassat?) Golden Satellite Awards:Comprised of 250 full time professional journalists from the US and abroad.They broke off from Golden Globes in 1996.They honor outstanding achievement in film, TV and multimedia. [Probably not a 'hot' one...but we take awards where we can get'em;-)]"}, {"response": 1662, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (09:56)", "body": "Thanks for that Karen. That will be the second week of school holidays here, so will get better audiences! And I'm strictly talking about those older volvo driving teachers rather than their students. If TH can \"sell out\" in Cast away for his first night then I have high hopes for this."}, {"response": 1663, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (10:02)", "body": "Bridget will open on April 13. In the UK, and when in the US? I am planning to be in the UK at the end of April/beginning of May. So it looks as if I will miss the premiere. :-( Will you be able to make it, Mark?"}, {"response": 1664, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (10:04)", "body": "Thanks for that Karen. That will be the second week of school holidays here, so will get better audiences! And I'm strictly talking about those older volvo driving teachers rather than their students. If TH can \"sell out\" in Cast away for his first night then I have high hopes for this."}, {"response": 1665, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (10:07)", "body": "whoops, sorry about that. Mark has had an official invite .....so I hear! We're counting on you! The fact that you are actually in it is coincidental."}, {"response": 1666, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (10:25)", "body": "April 13 is the date given by Miramax, but it isn't confirmed."}, {"response": 1667, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (11:25)", "body": "Laura, I think you will be quite alone in your opinion of HoM. ] Well I'm not an Edith Wharton fan. To say the least, if she were still alive, I'd tell her to lighten up! It's a horrible story. But I'm entitled to my opinion. I didn't like it."}, {"response": 1668, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (12:19)", "body": "It's a horrible story. But I'm entitled to my opinion. I didn't like it. I hesitate to join in a discussion of an American classic but the film was just a bit too depressing for my taste but Eric Stolz (spelling) was sooo cute. Not in a league with ODB but drool material nonetheless. Sorry to lower the tone and to be so OT on the BJD board."}, {"response": 1669, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (14:13)", "body": "April 13 - I'll be in the UK then, but probably in Wales. However, if there is a chance that Colin is going to be at the premier, I will hot foot it to London. It would suit me if they delayed it by about 10 days. I'm sure if I write them, they will take this into consideration ;-)"}, {"response": 1670, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (14:16)", "body": "Karen, I have the Heat magaqzine and nearly didn't bother to mention it as it focuses on HG and RZ, Colin is just given a mention and there are \"Exclusive Pictures\", but not the best one of all ie. ODB & RZ. At least Total Film had it last week. Anyway the most interesting thing from the article is this \"BJD - first pics from the movie......The film which finished shooting last August, has now reached the final stages of post-production, and is headed for a star-studded London premiere in March and then an April cinema release\" Karen, any ides how we can find out about the Premiere, did UIP mention it. I would guess it would be the week before the 13th and I would think it would be as big as SIL, I wonder if we will be able to get tickets!! Will type the whole Heat article if you like but I have read better. Also we have seen all the pictures before, they are all on your Bucket site."}, {"response": 1671, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (14:20)", "body": "(Cathey) I'm sure if I write them, they will take this into consideration ;-) Why didn't we think of that? ;-) Of course, Colin will be at the premiere. I'm sure Livia is sending his \"premiere\" suit off to the dry cleaners and buying something new for herself. The actual premiere will be before that date."}, {"response": 1672, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (15:11)", "body": "The actual premiere will be before that date. Premiere in the UK April 13th. When in the US? Also do we ignore what Heat Mag says about the March premiere?"}, {"response": 1673, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (15:35)", "body": "Moon April 13th, is the date it opens in the UK not the Premiere, weo don't have a date for the Premiere yet, Heat seems to be the most up to date regarding release date and Premiere."}, {"response": 1674, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (02:31)", "body": "Lizza: Mark has had an official invite .....so I hear! Wow! I wish I had heard that. Sadly not the case."}, {"response": 1675, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (03:34)", "body": "From Baz today: Watch out for RZ, CF and HG, who star in the movie version of BJD. Producer Eric Fellner has tested the picture with cinema audiences in Reading and New York and the results indicated a higher level of popularity than Four Weddings... and Notting Hill. It opens in April."}, {"response": 1676, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (04:25)", "body": "That's great, thanks Aishling."}, {"response": 1677, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (08:05)", "body": "Oh that's very, very good! I remember reading that NH got a 90% audience rating, and they were over the moon about it..and used this fact to create a buzz. Also if BJD has done well with both US and UK audiences, that's even better. Sometimes movies don't get the same sort of responses on both sides of the Atlantic."}, {"response": 1678, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (08:21)", "body": "Thanks, Aishling. I'd bet that this item was placed with Baz specifically to counter the \"Richard Curtis last minute edit job\" news from The Mirror two days ago."}, {"response": 1679, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (08:45)", "body": "This is going to be interesting. The Hollywood Reporter today has an item about a new film RZ will be starting to film on April 2 in Europe. How is she going to promote the movie? The junket will probably be way before and she'll have to fly back to appear on the TV shows and the premiere."}, {"response": 1680, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (10:12)", "body": "That is fabulous news, Aishling. Thanks! They are very smart to move quickly in countering the \"rush edit\" story with the facts. Working Title is really on the ball. I'm so glad it seems to be playing well on both sides of the pond."}, {"response": 1681, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (11:32)", "body": "Excellent news Aishling, thank you. I still think they will go with 13th April, big Easter film release that way."}, {"response": 1682, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jan 20, 2001 (08:27)", "body": "Baz's story of yesterday is confirmed in today's Daily Telegraph, hurrah for Reading and New York. It is good to get confirmation not that Baz isn't always accurate. It states that BJD will open simultaneously in the UK & US on the 13th April and that Working Titles are cock-a-hoop."}, {"response": 1683, "author": "susanne", "date": "Sat, Jan 20, 2001 (08:43)", "body": "This is from this week's Entertainment Weekly: Bridget Jones' Diary Renee Zellweger and Hugh Grant make a v. interesting pair ________________________________________________________________________________ Brits were not amused by the casting of BJD, the film adaption of Helen Fielding's smash 1998 novel about a \"Singleton\" working girl; the meaty role of the ever-dieting Londoner went to slim...Texan RZ. That the actress packed on the pounds and spent four weeks researching Jones' occupation in a U.K. publishing house helped quell some criticism. It didn't take long for director Sharon McGuire -who enticed Hugh Grant to play \"a delicious, completely sexy baddie\"-to realize she'd found her Bridget. \"She made me laugh immediately, and she had a fantastic innocence and goodness,\" Maaguire says. \"I came from the meeting and said,\"I'm afraid she's absolutely right.\" (April 13) --------- I'm not sure I understand the last quote. Right about what? No mention of Colin. Picture that says it is HG, but does not look like him to me, and RZ."}, {"response": 1684, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 20, 2001 (09:00)", "body": "\"I'm afraid she's absolutely right.\" She = RZ and Maguire is saying that RZ is absolutely right...for the role. At least, that's my interpretation. Thanks, Sue, for confirmation of how the movie will be publicized in the US. :-("}, {"response": 1685, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Jan 20, 2001 (09:36)", "body": "That's Hugh in the pic, Susanne, and it's a new one. He and BJ are on the sofa, her head in his lap, looks like she's reading a magazine. His hair is very long. And he looks wrinkled. And old. I don't see it online yet. Anyway, how about we all let Entertainment Weakly hear how we feel about leaving CF out? Their e-mail address is: ew_letters@ew.com You need to include your name, address, and daytime phone number. Ann, thanks for the Telegraph info; I'm feeling rather cock-a-hoop myself about this film!:-)"}, {"response": 1686, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 20, 2001 (09:53)", "body": "(Mari) how about we all let Entertainment Weakly hear how we feel about leaving CF out? Done. I assume the letters are liable to be published...are they? It states that BJD will open simultaneously in the UK & US on the 13th April Great timing...the Easter weekend movie!"}, {"response": 1687, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Jan 20, 2001 (10:23)", "body": "(Evelyn) I assume the letters are liable to be published...are they? They do publish a sampling of letters each week. BTW, the current edition in question is their guide to 2001 entertainment . . and they didn't totally blow it. See me on Odds & Ends.:-)"}, {"response": 1688, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Jan 20, 2001 (11:31)", "body": "How about some serious drool for Mark Darcy? Fill in the blank: I can't wait to see...(name a scene you hope they have included). For example, I can't wait to see Mark ask Bridget to dance. ODB asked in P&P and Playmaker but not enough other places. Oh, I can't wait (and I hope they got the angle right so we get to see him)."}, {"response": 1689, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Jan 20, 2001 (11:41)", "body": "(winter) Miss Congeniality was not THAT bad....SB is just playing up the same quirkiness she had in \"While you were Sleeping.\" I take her (Sandra Bullock's) charm over Meg Ryan's any day. \"Miss Congeniality\" is great fun, not a great movie, but fun. Bullock is delightful, as for Ryan, what charm? She is severely charm challenged, as well as being talent challenged. Ryan is a triple threat: no talent, no charm, and no looks."}, {"response": 1690, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 20, 2001 (12:03)", "body": "(Caribou) I can't wait to see Mark ask Bridget to dance Oooh, that's my fav from the first book. Outside, at the anniversary party, when he cuts in on the young whippersnapper. \"I'll take over, Simon.\" Hope it makes the movie. *chills*"}, {"response": 1691, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jan 20, 2001 (15:06)", "body": "Baz's story of yesterday is confirmed in today's Daily Telegraph, hurrah for Reading and New York. It is good to get confirmation not that Baz isn't always accurate. It states that BJD will open simultaneously in the UK & US on the 13th April and that Working Titles are cock-a-hoop. It's a prominent news item in their weekly \"show biz\" type column. Big pic oF RZ. Can't miss it. It says that BJD scored an audience rating of 90% for responses \"exellent\" to \"good\", which was \"considerably higher\" than NH or 4Weddings. As I mentioned, I remember reading about NH's terrific audience reponse...I think (to be very specific) it scored mid eighties, not ninety. who enticed Hugh Grant to play \"a delicious, completely sexy baddie\" This makes the nth time we've been told how sexy HG is! But I do think that in the States it will be promoted, initially, as a RZ/HG vehicle...they are both known quantities. Is a simultaneous release date good? I think \"yes\"."}, {"response": 1692, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jan 20, 2001 (16:49)", "body": "I meant to add that I think that Working Title will ensure that BJD gets off to a flying start, in the UK at least. They built up an excellent buzz about NH, so much so that it took \ufffd10million in the opening week. The point that BJD has a higher audience rating than either NH and 4W (the two biggest money-makers in British film) has already been picked up by the press and will be repeated. I think that promotion is all-important. We have to be told that a film is \"eagerly anticipated\" \"brilliant\" \"the event of the year\" etc, well before the movie hits the screens. Even if reviews are bad or so-so, success is then guaranteed, which is why Hollywood blockbusters with Big Names always do well."}, {"response": 1693, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Jan 21, 2001 (03:25)", "body": "(Mari)That's Hugh in the pic, Susanne, and it's a new one. He and BJ are on the sofa, her head in his lap, looks like she's reading a magazine. His hair is very long. And he looks wrinkled. And old. I don't see it online yet. Wow - seriously bad pic of HG. Oh well, at least he looks suitably slimy and Cleaver-ish :-). (winter) Hi Marianne! :-) Long time no talk! Jana2... you still out there? Yes, huff, puff, huff as I'm climbing up the stairs from the lurkdom basement. V. nice to see both of you posting this week! Miss you :-)."}, {"response": 1694, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 21, 2001 (08:41)", "body": "(Jana2) from the lurkdom basement Thought maybe your absence had something to do with the electricity crisis. :-("}, {"response": 1695, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Jan 21, 2001 (19:07)", "body": "(Karen) Thought maybe your absence had something to do with the electricity crisis. :-( So far so good. I have the good fortune to be served by a municipal utility that is not yet deregulated so there seems to be adequate supply for our area for the time being. California however is starting to resemble the emerging markets in which I generally work marketing power plants. It's all very odd. And now, how can I link this to BJD so as not to violate the board topic? How about this? Mark Darcy would be my favorite character to cuddle up with when the lights go out ;-)."}, {"response": 1696, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 21, 2001 (20:00)", "body": "Renee really IS Bridget!! I predict that will be your headlines tomorrow. She just won for Best Actress for her Nurse Betty and was in the bathroom at the time. Coincidentally, Hugh Grant was the presenter and he was announced as \"starring in the upcoming film BJD.\" RZ was adorable as she was hauled out of the ladies to pick up her award. ;-)"}, {"response": 1697, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, Jan 21, 2001 (21:27)", "body": "ROTFLOL!!!! I'm on West Coast time and so it hasn't been broadcast here yet. This is truly BJ behavior at its best (or Christine Lahti, depending on your preferred frame of reference)!!! Can't wait to see it. Hey Jana, thank god for DWP, eh? I've got the candles ready, though, just in case..."}, {"response": 1698, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 21, 2001 (22:17)", "body": "Yes, it was definitely a Christine Lahti moment. Here's from BBC online: Almost too late Zellweger almost missed her award because she was in the toilet when the name was announced. Her late entrance was a repeat of Christine Lahti's similar mishap, when she won for Chicago Hope in 1998. Presenter Hugh Grant had to fill in until Zellweger hurried from the back of the room, first in tears, then whooping with joy. \"A moment I'll never forget - a moment I almost didn't have,\" she said."}, {"response": 1699, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jan 21, 2001 (22:28)", "body": "Wasn't that a riot? I kept thinking, \"How very Bridget of you!\" Well done, Renee, and very well deserved!"}, {"response": 1700, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (02:44)", "body": "Way to go, Ren\ufffde! And clearly a staged publicity stunt to benefit BJD ;-) Everything is looking so good for our film that I demand the name of the pessimist who wrote the following downbeat analysis not four months ago: a first-time director, low-profile support cast, lame-looking soundtrack, fearful costuming, production difficulties, arguments over billing, accent criticism, uncertain release date, mix-and-match screenplay, unfaithful public."}, {"response": 1701, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (07:21)", "body": "Empire's account: Providing the evening\ufffds high-point was Renee Zellweger, who was lauded with best actress in a musical or comedy for her role in Nurse Betty. However, clearly still suffering from the ditziness of her character in Bridget Jones, Zellweger had chosen that exact moment for a trip to the little girls\ufffd room. \ufffdWhat?\ufffd Where is she?\ufffd She\ufffds disappeared,\ufffd stuttered an embarrassed Hugh Grant who was presenting the award, \ufffdRight, I see. She\ufffds in the bathroom.\ufffd Thankfully Zellweger made it back just in time and dashed to the stage in an embarassed fluster. \ufffdOh my God,\ufffd she blurted, \ufffdI had lipstick on my teeth.\ufffd"}, {"response": 1702, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (10:40)", "body": "An adorable Bridget moment indeed. I demand the name of the pessimist who wrote the following downbeat analysis not four months ago:... Mark...I think you better make that plural But we don't talk about that now....;-)"}, {"response": 1703, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (10:58)", "body": "Caught a glimpse of HG/Rz moment, wonderful. HG looked \"owlish\" in those glasses and RZ has shed all her weight it appears, looked fab. Why oh why do we Brits have to rely on channel 5 (our most downmarket) to provide anything like a reasonably full report. Come on Beeb, if you can do it online then do it on the screen."}, {"response": 1704, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (11:15)", "body": "Tina Brown (Talk Magazine) held her pre-GG party on Saturday at the Mondrian Hotel. A couple of people we know... HG talking to James Caan HF next to Alan Yentob"}, {"response": 1705, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (11:25)", "body": "Oh for a pic of ODB. He can \"out- debonair\" HG anytime. Thanks Karen for those."}, {"response": 1706, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (11:38)", "body": "C'mon, Colin, time to hop aboard the schmooze train! Thanks for the pics, Karen. A little info from Miramax: BJD is indeed opening nationwide on April 13, and it will be a \"wide release\", i.e., they're not platforming it. They couldn't tell me how many theaters that means. Press kit won't be available until about a month ahead of time. Did anyone watch the post-Globes interviews on the E! channel? RZ was peppered with questions about BJD. Jules Asner was absolutely gushing, oh it's my favorite book, I can't wait for the movie, when are we going to see it, tell us about your time in England, how did you gain/lose the weight for the part, yada, yada, yada. So, this win is good exposure for the film, and RZ might now have an outside shot at an Oscar nom."}, {"response": 1707, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (11:46)", "body": "(Mari) it will be a \"wide release\", i.e., they're not platforming it. So maybe they're not Mira-morons any more. ;-) (Mari) Jules Asner was absolutely gushing, oh it's my favorite book That cracked me up, as I was trying to picture Jules reading a book. I could more easily see Steve Kmetko going out with a woman first. ;-) Boy, did you stay up late!!"}, {"response": 1708, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (12:26)", "body": "The cameras hit on Harvey for a second ...laughing about George Clooney's crack about being Ashcroft's \"love child\". Nice to see HF and Alan Yentob partying!!She's really part of the Hollywood crowd now. RZ might now have an outside shot at an Oscar nom. She's got my vote...as well as Nurse Betty.Can't understand why they overlooked that film..."}, {"response": 1709, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (13:36)", "body": "Do tell about GC's joke! Guess it's a bit off topic, go on I dare you."}, {"response": 1710, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (13:46)", "body": "Do tell about GC's joke!..... That's all he said...no kidding. That's what he called himself...everyone roared...esp. Harvey."}, {"response": 1711, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (14:11)", "body": "Ashcroft is Bush's nominee for Attorney-General. Clooney is probably just trying to sully his name and sink his nomination with this Jesse Jackson-like quip. A little tit for tat. How I wish it were true! ;-)"}, {"response": 1712, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (14:38)", "body": "So maybe they're not Mira-morons any more. ;-) I'm not letting them off the hook yet.;-) *Will believe it when I see it.* That cracked me up, as I was trying to picture Jules reading a book. I could more easily see Steve Kmetko going out with a woman first. ;-) LOL! Maybe Jules is tired of coloring her books so she decided to finally read one.;-) You have to admit . . their hearts were in the right place! Clooney was so funny (not to mention gorgeous!). After the Ashcroft remark, he added, \"not that I'm trying to influence any upcoming vote, or anything.\" Lizza, the Senate has to vote on and approve (or reject) by a majority any Cabinet nominees. Ashcroft is a right winger whose nomination has come under considerable fire from Democrats, women's groups, minorities, gun-control advocates, and other sensible people in general.;-)."}, {"response": 1713, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (15:02)", "body": "...and other sensible people in general.;-). *whispering* Can I have equal time, please??;-)) *Oops..waiting to be shangaied to the Politics topic....*"}, {"response": 1714, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (15:24)", "body": "Oops, sorry, Evelyn--I can't seem to stop campaigning . . . but I'll learn how to fast.;-) (Get over it, already, Mari--your team lost.) Believe it or not, I'm now in the Prez's corner--it's to my advantage as a citizen that he do well. Hey even Martin Sheen wished him well last night; if Josiah Barlett is ok with it, so am I.:-) (Just bringing it full circle back to the topic, sort of.;-)"}, {"response": 1715, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (16:11)", "body": "Thank you, a dynamic trio to the rescue! Now I can go to bed with all explained and just about understood!"}, {"response": 1716, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (18:14)", "body": "And clearly a staged publicity stunt to benefit BJD ;-) It seemed staged to me too. I am swamped with the Italian invasion and missed the GG's. Had a tape recording and was able to see that bit before it ran out of time. :-( RZ looked great. Definitely my choice for best dressed. Did anyone notice the similar heavy black eyeliner look the actresses had? Noticed it first with Sarah J-Parker and then they all seem to have it. *whispering* Can I have equal time, please??;-)) LOL!"}, {"response": 1717, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (19:47)", "body": "(Moon) Did anyone notice the similar heavy black eyeliner look the actresses had? Who didn't? Cynthia Nixon (Sex and the City) had the heaviest application. She looked like a Darryl Hannah understudy for \"Blade Runner.\""}, {"response": 1718, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 23, 2001 (10:03)", "body": "And, if anyone caught in in E!'s pregame, Hugh was at the GGs with Tina Brown."}, {"response": 1719, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Jan 23, 2001 (11:09)", "body": "Is Tina related to Divine?"}, {"response": 1720, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jan 23, 2001 (11:30)", "body": "Good one, Mark. I didn't see any money changing hands, so I'd assume not.;-)"}, {"response": 1721, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 23, 2001 (23:53)", "body": "Amusing item at This Is London today. Starring??? ;-) American actress-singer Lisa B has sold her two-bedroom Victorian flat in Holland Park for \ufffd510,000 to move to the country. Soon to be starring opposite Hugh Grant in the film version of Bridget Jones' Diary, she has bought a Georgian house in Marlow, Buckinghamshire. \"Lisa seldom spends much time in one place as she's always jetting round the world to work and play,\" says a friend. \"She's now talking of importing a Romanian couple to act as her housekeeper and driver.\""}, {"response": 1722, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jan 25, 2001 (09:15)", "body": "Nice plug for the film in Dark Horizons today. Garth picks it as one of the films he's most looking forward to: Bridget Jones Diary: The acclaimed women's novel has a hell of a lot of fans out there, Zellweger has been pulling off great comedic performances lately, and with one of the best comedy writers in the business - Richard Curtis doing the script, at the very least it should be fun. Has the potential to be the biggest Brit film hit since \"Four Weddings...\" and \"Notting Hill\""}, {"response": 1723, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 25, 2001 (09:21)", "body": "Just read an item on AICN about Animal Husbandry (if that's still its title). It will open on March 30. This is going to make it tough going for BJD. How many screens will they reserve for 'chick flicks'? Think it may also be time for my alter ego to talkback on AICN, urging people to see Bridget instead as book was superior. ;-) Lynda Obst's new film ANIMAL HUSBANDRY is also set for March 30th. She has assembled quite a wonderful cast with Ashley Judd, Ellen Barkin, Marisa Tomei, Greg Kinnear and Hugh Jackman for this film about a woman getting to the bottom of what makes men tick by studying the aggressively womanizing Hugh Jackman. Wolverine, a womanizer? ALRIGHT, that sounds about right!"}, {"response": 1724, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 25, 2001 (09:42)", "body": "Seems that much more could've been made of it...from Liz Smith's column: TINA BROWN's escort to the Golden Globes last week was none other than the dashing Hugh Grant, who was dateless. Tabloids being what they are, I suppose much could be made of this pairing, but relax, Tina and Hugh split after the awards, leaving the actor free to charm actress Portia de Rossi and author Helen Fielding. \"Hugh is soooo devilish!\" cooed Miss Fielding, as the actor did his trademarked cocking the eyebrow, ducking the dead, swiping the floppy hair from his eyes. Everybody has his little ways, and Hugh's are quite effective. He was last seen leaving a party with Miss de Rossi, the night of the Globes."}, {"response": 1725, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jan 25, 2001 (09:58)", "body": "I'm a bit leery about Animal Husbandry being made into a movie.... I LOVED the book, but I just can't picture it;) and Ashley Judd??? (I thought she only did women in distress movies???)"}, {"response": 1726, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jan 25, 2001 (14:53)", "body": "Have caught up on hundreds of posts and am caught up in BJD-mania! Am thrilled to read all the positive buzz (if Clarence was a plant, he was an effective one). LOL about the Mira-laz/Miramorons/Harvey Scissorhands comments, Mari and Karen. A belated congrats to Karen for landing those scoop-pics. 'The Turtleneck' is to die for. Hurrah! As a founding member of the Doubting Thomas Club, am thrilled and relieved to find that the movie is following the book fairly closely (for a book-based movie, that is) and has not been reduced to a string of formulaic 'I'm-just-a-girl Richard Curtis-isms'. I was also one who questioned whether CF would take the role (ducking Moon's hurling meatballs ;-)) for reasons stated by Bethan: he'd never lose the Darcy label in the UK. That's clearly become a non-issue at this point. Hurrah! Also thought RZ's moment at the GG's was classic BJ. Were it not for Dickie rushing to the rescue, I would've though it was planned (with you-know-Hugh presenting, etc.). Agree with Lizza, my first impression was 'not a sign of residual BJ pounds in sight'. If RZ lands an Oscar nom for NZ, who could ask for better pre-BJ publicity? As Ann says, 'roll on April'!"}, {"response": 1727, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan 25, 2001 (17:14)", "body": "I was also one who questioned whether CF would take the role (ducking Moon's hurling meatballs ;-)) Meatballs? What is that? ;-) I prefer tomatoes. TYVM!"}, {"response": 1728, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 26, 2001 (08:56)", "body": "Not much, but another mention of Tina Brown's pre-GG party in George Christy's column in THR: Hugh Grant arrived fresh from London and apologized for being \"rude, I know, but I must find a corner to make a phone call,\" which he did on his cell phone. He praised \"Bridget Jones' Diary,\" a Miramax film co-starring Renee Zellweger based on Helen Fielding's best-seller. ...and I see Mari placed an item with Garth. ;-)"}, {"response": 1729, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan 26, 2001 (15:39)", "body": "Yes, I am yet another unpaid BJD PR consultant.;-)"}, {"response": 1730, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jan 26, 2001 (17:15)", "body": "I've been meaning to ask....what is HF doing in the States? Has she permanently re-located? Is she writing anything at the moment? And do you think there's a chance of some more episodes of the diary, especially if the movie does well. Questions, questions... Is BJD the Big Opener for April 13 in the US? Or is there any competition? BTW I don't think \"Animal Husbandry\" will pose any threat in the UK, as the book is completely unknown. And hopefully in the US there'll be enough in BJD that's dissimilar and perhaps there'll be more depth...I think BJD will be more than a \"Chick flick\""}, {"response": 1731, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 26, 2001 (17:26)", "body": "Where have you been, Bethan? HF lives in LA. That was reported ages ago. I don't think \"Animal Husbandry\" will pose any threat in the UK, as the book is completely unknown But it stars Ashley Judd, who turned Double Jeopardy--a truly so-so movie into a huge blockbuster; Hugh Jackman (Wolverine) and Greg Kinnear. They bring people in. That being said, they'll both be marketed as chick flicks or 'date movies.' They know boys aged 14 and over wouldn't be caught dead at them...without a date. ;-)"}, {"response": 1732, "author": "Echo", "date": "Fri, Jan 26, 2001 (19:08)", "body": "Bethan, HF moved to LA since someone - allegedly - stuck a gun cartridge through her letterbox in London. She must imagine things like that don't happen anywhere else. Hey, I once found an airgun pellet outside my window... ;-P ;-)"}, {"response": 1733, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, Jan 27, 2001 (04:56)", "body": "Filming the stars again Echo :-))"}, {"response": 1734, "author": "monkeymike00", "date": "Sat, Jan 27, 2001 (16:05)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1735, "author": "monkeymike00", "date": "Sat, Jan 27, 2001 (16:06)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1736, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jan 27, 2001 (17:37)", "body": "I have been thinking, I wonder if ther is a \"WOT\" moment in the forthcoming BJD, can't remember if there was one in the book or not."}, {"response": 1737, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Jan 27, 2001 (19:03)", "body": "I read (maybe here) that they recently changed the name of Animal Husbandry to something awful, generic, and plain vanilla, the name of which escapes me now, that's how forgettable it is. Since that's coming out 3/30, maybe that's why Miramax moved BJD back a week to the 13th--put some breathing room in there. The key to getting in the date crowd is TV advertising; the teens, especially the younger ones, don't read reviews or watch talk shows. They go to see whatever is hyped on MTV or Dawson's Creek.;-) Not sure that's BJ's audience anyway. Nothing much else interesting is coming out here on April 13. There's another Morgan Freeman does James Patterson's Alex Cross character, called Along Came A Spider. That franchise usually does respectably. Mark Wahlbeg has one coming out that day called Rock Star; I haven't heard a thing about it. The week before is one called \"Blow\" with Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz, about the cocaine trade, which I have heard some good things about. While I'm on the subject, is there a movie that Penelope Cruz isn't in? And how did she get starring roles in all these big time films all of a sudden? Seems like they created Woman On Top ( awful reviews here) expressly for her. Then she gets All The Pretty Horses, Blow, Corelli, and I know not what. Well, I'll say this for her, she's a hard worker and despite her limited English, she is not afraid to do the talk show circuit. I thought All About My Mother was over-rated. The Corelli trailer seems uninspired, but you can't always go by that; notice you don't hear Nic Cage speak in it, though he sings. I guess they're keeping his Italian accent under wraps for now.;-) Sorry, way off the subject. Ann, I don't recall any WOT moments, but there is that one where Mark is firing questions around about Julio and mum, along the lines of \"Wot has been done to recover her?\" And as Bridget says, \"I can tell you it was damn sexy.\" ;-) Roll on April is right!!"}, {"response": 1738, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan 28, 2001 (11:15)", "body": "is there a movie that Penelope Cruz isn't in? And how did she get starring roles in all these big time films all of a sudden? This is a mystery to me too! She overacted in Woman on Top, and what I have seen of Corelli she is the same there too. I agree with you, Mari, on All About my Mother, over-rated with major flaws."}, {"response": 1739, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Jan 28, 2001 (13:34)", "body": "I liked All About My Mother, and thought Penelope Cruz was pretty good (and pretty, too) in it. Haven't seen any of the others, though. Nurse Betty has just opened here, but I don't think I'll be able to see it this week."}, {"response": 1740, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Jan 28, 2001 (18:52)", "body": "(AnnW)I have been thinking, I wonder if there is a \"WOT\" moment in the forthcoming BJD, can't remember if there was one in the book or not. There were a lot of them for BJ: (Answ. her Mum's \"Oh, hello, darling, Guess wot?\" BJ: \"WOT?!\" MUM: \"Don't say 'wot' -- say 'pardon'!) But for Mark, the only one that comes to mind is right at the end of the book: BJ;...I did a bit...But...\" MD: \"But wot?\" BJ: \"Don't you mean, 'But, pardon'? MD: \"Right, Bridget Jones. -- I'm going to give you 'pardon'-for!\" A sort of quasi-'WOT' moment, right?... (**Hee hee**) KJ"}, {"response": 1741, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jan 29, 2001 (01:55)", "body": "Thanks KJ."}, {"response": 1742, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jan 29, 2001 (08:03)", "body": "Maybe someone out west can catch this and fill us in. Helen Fielding will be interviewed on the Today show this morning during the 8:30--9:00 time slot. I assume she's plugging Cause Celeb."}, {"response": 1743, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 29, 2001 (08:41)", "body": "Mari: have the Today show on and HF hasn't been on yet. Here's something...nice to see that RZ is mentioned in the same sentence as Julia in terms of desirability (also goes to the casting director/agent discussion): Reese lands prize role in Melissa Banks film Reese Witherspoon has pipped Minnie Driver to one of the prize movie roles of the year. She will star in Melissa Banks's The Girls' Guide To Hunting And Fishing. Competition for the part of the na\ufffdve but ambitious out-of-towner who struggles to make it in the cut-throat world of publishing in New York was red hot. Driver has been attempting to regain the stature she lost after securing an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Matt Damon's student sweetheart three years ago in Good Will Hunting. Witherspoon, who starred in American Psycho and Pleasantville, will act as producer as well as star. Banks's two stories from her book - The Worst Thing A Suburban Girl Can Imagine and My Old Man - are being combined and adapted into one comedy drama. An insider told Ananova: \"It's a strong role for any actress and the subject matter is in vogue with Julia Roberts and Renee Zellweger tying up so many of the good scripts sent to agents.\""}, {"response": 1744, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 29, 2001 (08:55)", "body": "OK, have now seen Helen. Yes, she was plugging Cause Celeb and was very polished and amusing (has her answers down pat). Very smartly, from a marketing sense, she said that Rosie and Bridget are the same and yet different. About BJD, a lot of the same: -RZ's accent is good, gained weight and worked at her publishers -flack re: an American playing a Brit (reverse of Vivien Leigh) -gave over work on script because authors are too close and Richard Curtis & Co. are good at what they do -has done well in test screenings in London and NY -they've done a great job"}, {"response": 1745, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Jan 29, 2001 (10:34)", "body": "From the Times fashion column (bit boring actually, and nearly OT but here goes): \"The actress Ren\ufffde Zellweger has done what Bridget Jones never quite managed - she shed all the excess weight she gained for the role of Britain's most famous singleton. Seated at the shows next to Anna Wintour, Editor of American Vogue , she flashed legs more sinewy than a greyhound. In fact, the heaviest-looking things about her were her lips...\" With a picture you couldn't identify her from..."}, {"response": 1746, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jan 29, 2001 (11:01)", "body": "Thanks, Karen, sounds like Helen did her usual great job. She always comes across as such a pleasant and engaging person, always says just the right thing in the right way. Sure, she anticipates what questions will be asked, but that's part of doing your homework and some of them can't even do that.;-) I hope she sells lots of books!:-)"}, {"response": 1747, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 29, 2001 (11:08)", "body": "She had her answers well-prepared. For the first, Matt Lauer asked how much of the book was based on her own experiences in Africa, and her answer began with \"most people think that BJD was my first book but this was... blah blah....yadda yadda and then the answer.\" The book is in hardback ($$$). I've got the UK paperback. Wonder if/when the screenrights will be purchased. It does seem even more ideal for a movie than BJ was. Will probably even star Kate Winslet! ;-)"}, {"response": 1748, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 29, 2001 (14:22)", "body": "Does she look very thin on TV?"}, {"response": 1749, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 30, 2001 (23:07)", "body": "Is this the beginning of Bridget Jones publicity in England? Check out The Telegraph, the Features section index, has a notice: http://www.telegraph.co.uk:80/et?ac=000576481449931&rtmo=rrrrrrrq&atmo=rrrrrrrq&pg=/etc/etchome.html Bridget Jones: The Inside Story Her life, her film, her future. Email your questions to the world's original singleton. Her answers, dictated to Helen Fielding, will appear here next month. The email address is: etletter@telegraph.co.uk ALSO, Feature has an article on Lisa Barbuscia. Maybe they are starting at the bottom of the cast listing. ;-) 'I studied Method acting for a year and that was great - it gives you the tools to get to certain places that you can't naturally go.' http://www.telegraph.co.uk:80/et?ac=000576481449931&rtmo=kCJJN3Yp&atmo=rrrrrrrq&pg=/et/01/1/31/tlisa31.html"}, {"response": 1750, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan 31, 2001 (09:37)", "body": "Thanks, Karen! Now what can we ask Bridget? ;-)"}, {"response": 1751, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jan 31, 2001 (12:51)", "body": "testing (sorry)"}, {"response": 1752, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jan 31, 2001 (13:18)", "body": "Ok, here's my letter to Bridget. Dear Bridget: Am major fan of yours and have cheered your successes and suffered through your disappointments. Never has my empathy been more heartfelt than today upon discovery that some cruel Telegraph editor (in manner of Richard Finch, or similar) has placed you on the same page with ill-informed diatribe against Hillary Clinton. Our former First Lady has apparently committed these heinous crimes against the citizenry: 1. Failed to properly organize White House Easter egg hunt. (This is a shortcoming that someone like you who has served robin's egg blue soup to dinner guests can surely forgive.) 2. Failed to decorate White House in manner acceptable to much-lauded, finger-on-the-Yankee-pulse expert on down-home Americana, Isaac Mizrahi. (Apparently, Hillary's mother never took her to have her colors done, thereby rendering her clueless in this arena.) Though not yet discovered by the Telegraph, I have it on good authority that, like you and me, Hillary had been known to roll her worn clothes into balls. Worse, said balls were then stashed under four-poster in Lincoln Bedroom. At taxpayer expense! Imagine! As Mr. Darcy would say, \"my faults by this calculation are heavy indeed.\" Speaking of Darcy, if you ever decide to toss aside Mark, could you possibly toss him my way?"}, {"response": 1753, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Jan 31, 2001 (14:56)", "body": "LOL! Wonderful Mari! Are you going to send it?"}, {"response": 1754, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 31, 2001 (16:16)", "body": "Ha! Was that what that article was about? Author was hooraying the return of Mamie? *rolling eyes* So have you submitted it?"}, {"response": 1755, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan 31, 2001 (19:34)", "body": "Sheesh, Mari! And I just asked my rinky-dink questions! LOL! Love Isaac BTW. ;-)"}, {"response": 1756, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jan 31, 2001 (19:41)", "body": "I haven't decided if I'll send it or not; I'd have to polish it up a bit more--and I completely forgot to add in the part about her shameful wearing of pantsuits (which Bridget and I would appreciate, having wrestled too damn many times with pantyhose, the crotch of which stops mid-thigh;-) Not to mention pain of staying with man whose idea of fidelity would rival Daniel Cleaver's.;-) Anyway . . .was pleasantly surprised to walk into Encore Books today and see large display for Edge Of Reason . . .Bridget is back . . .gazillion weeks on NY Times bestseller list . . .soon to be a major motion pictue . . that sort of thing. (Weirdly enough, Cause Celeb was sitting by its lonesome in the corner.)"}, {"response": 1757, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Feb  2, 2001 (06:59)", "body": "Bridget Jones: The Inside Story Her life, her film, her future. Aha! Her *future*. I hope she has one. I think that, assuming BJD does well, there's no reason why we couldn't have a sequel! And I wonder if Helen will give us the continuing story of Bridget and Mark (perhaps moved to the US!). Weren't some of the Daily Telegraph episodes about BJ and MD in LA? Anyway . . .was pleasantly surprised to walk into Encore Books today and see large display for Edge Of Reason . . .Bridget is back . TEOR sold very well in paperback in the UK....and with all the publicity for the movie, it should do even better in the States. Good publicity for CF as well!"}, {"response": 1758, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Feb  2, 2001 (08:17)", "body": "I sent Elliott Forrest of A&E's Breakfast With The Arts a note asking to have Colin on the show again when he's here to promote BJD. His reply is below. It couldn't hurt to have more of us write in. His e-mail address is: Elforrest@aol.com (Frankly, I'm still holding out hope for the Today Show or Leno, but we will take what we can get.;-) Does anyone have Oprah's e-mail? Every once in a while, she'll do a show on an upcoming film and its cast, and the BJD subject matter is right up her audience's alley! *********** Hi Mari, We'll see what we can do to get him. Elliott Forrest A&E"}, {"response": 1759, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Feb  2, 2001 (08:20)", "body": "Good publicity for CF as well! That's if anyone notices and doesn't just think this is some unknown young British writer. I don't think we can rely on CF to point this out to the US. We shall have to rely on NH, or perhaps HF, to do it for him."}, {"response": 1760, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Feb  2, 2001 (08:23)", "body": "Mari we are on line together! Re an A&E interview, could you add a note to Elliott Forrest asking him to ensure that, if they do get Colin for another interview, he makes sure his interviewee sits on his hands and leaves his nose alone:-)"}, {"response": 1761, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb  2, 2001 (08:48)", "body": "LOL! Aw, then the interview will lose all its charm. ;-)"}, {"response": 1762, "author": "Echo", "date": "Fri, Feb  2, 2001 (08:55)", "body": "if they do get Colin for another interview, he makes sure his interviewee sits on his hands and leaves his nose alone:-) Allison, you may as well ask him to keep his mouth shut. ;-)"}, {"response": 1763, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Feb  2, 2001 (09:55)", "body": "LOL to all the above! Thanks ladies! if they do get Colin for another interview, he makes sure his interviewee sits on his hands and leaves his nose alone:-) When I watched the interview, I nearly got up and smacked the screen! \"Don't do that, Colin.\" (Had similar feelings when watching my son play violin in the school orchestra and he fiddled with his music stand so much that it finally fell over). Brilliant letter, Mari!"}, {"response": 1764, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb  2, 2001 (10:10)", "body": "Elliot Forrest comes through.They're getting Jennifer this Spring for DFL. Charlie Rose would be a good one for CF too. I dunno know if he's ready for Letterman or Leno.I'm afraid he'd freeze up ."}, {"response": 1765, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Feb  2, 2001 (11:01)", "body": "I'd like to see him talk to Barry Norman (on Sky) in the UK, but I think I'd be rather nervous for him if he appeared on any of our chat shows....they're either very silly and frivolous, or pitched at the level of confident and polished entertainment. Barry Norman just asks sensible straightforward questions about the actual film. I agree with you Evelyn about Letterman and Leno.... I'd nominate Hugh Grant!"}, {"response": 1766, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb  2, 2001 (15:51)", "body": "Love the idea of e-mailing Oprah, Mari. Can you imagine Colin and Oprah? Plus, what a bonus for our dear Karen. Does anyone have her e-mail address?"}, {"response": 1767, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb  2, 2001 (17:21)", "body": "Here's the place to submit ideas for future shows: http://www.oprah.com/email/reach/email_reach_suggest.html I have submitted something today, emphasizing, among other things, the need to have Colin on (his casting being integral to the entire film) and requested to attend the taping too. But I think we should stagger our emails. We don't want it to look like an organized mass mailing. OK?"}, {"response": 1768, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb  2, 2001 (17:23)", "body": "(Bethan)I'd like to see him talk to Barry Norman (on Sky) in the UK, but I think I'd be rather nervous for him if he appeared on any of our chat shows.. Doesn't Mirella Folstrup have a show on BBC? Hey, she's a piece of work. She tackled Colin in the lobby of the FP premiere. Then there's that insipid couple on \"This Morning\". And that outrageous \"Late Lunch\" (Belch)"}, {"response": 1769, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Feb  2, 2001 (18:16)", "body": "Ok, you people in later time zones: Entertainment Tonight has on a First Look at BJD! Need I tell you who is *not* in it? They show two scenes; in one, BJ looks like she's pondering which pair of underwear to put on, going back and forth between sensible beige cottons vs. black & lacy, and in the second, she is wrestling on the floor with Hugh Know Who--seems like he's trying to remove the panties. She's wearing a slinky black dress, he a suit. BTW, they have replaced the CF & RZ pic on the Miramax website with a pic from the wrestling scene I just described. It went too quickly for me to get a tape in--and my son was playing his sax (very ill indeed!;-) so I couldn't really hear the dialogue, but I hope someone else can fill us in!"}, {"response": 1770, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Sat, Feb  3, 2001 (00:14)", "body": "After careful reviewing of the video, this is what I think appeared and was said: Bob Goen says: Golden Globe winner RZ has an underwear crisis in her new movie. Scene \ufffd Daniel & Bridget on the floor, his hands begin lifting her dress Daniel: These\ufffdare\ufffdfor me absolutely enormous pants. Bridget: mouths/gasps ??? Shit BG: An intimate moment between Renee and HG is haunted by a poor wardrobe decision in this exclusive 1st look at BJD, the much anticipated film adaptation of the best selling novel. Daniel: I\ufffdm sorry, I have to take another look. They\ufffdre to good to be true. Bridget: Noooo ... (and struggling to keep her dress down) Daniel: They\ufffdre nothing to be embarrassed about. I\ufffdm wearing something quite similar myself. Bridget: Noooo ... (giggling) BG: The diary is unlocked April 13th."}, {"response": 1771, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Feb  3, 2001 (03:35)", "body": "I think we'll all have to grit our teeth and accept that BJD will be promoted as an RZ/sexy Hugh movie, and the guy who actually gets the girl will provide the surprise ending! :-( Wonder who'll feature in photo coverage of the premiere? Odds on RZ arriving with HG, or RZ alone (the new singleton),or HG re-united with Liz Hurley! BTW I should think there's a pretty good chance that Prince Charles will attend the premiere in the UK, in aid of the Princes Trust."}, {"response": 1772, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sat, Feb  3, 2001 (06:25)", "body": "(bethan) I think we'll all have to grit our teeth and accept that BJD will be promoted as an RZ/sexy Hugh movie Tee hee, maybe not. A post from another list: \"Went to the movies tonight and in the lobby I saw for the first time a poster advertisement for BJD. You'll be glad to know that Colin's name comes before Hugh's on the advertisement. Unfortunately no picture of him, just Renee.\" Well, at least not a pic of HG either! :-)"}, {"response": 1773, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb  3, 2001 (08:23)", "body": "Thanks, Marianne, for the details and Mari for the heads-up even though I missed it A poster in the lobby...and with CF's name first? Was this in the US? Gaaah! I want one of those. Must be misprints. ;-)"}, {"response": 1774, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb  3, 2001 (09:29)", "body": "Was this in the US? Freetown, Massachusetts!!! NEW AWARD FOR RENEE: The American Film Marketing Association has added an awards show to its annual movie showcase. The group's honorees aat the ceremony Feb 22 will include arnold Schwarzennegger for is world wide box-office success, Renee Zellwegger for acting achievements in"}, {"response": 1775, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb  3, 2001 (09:33)", "body": "(CONTINUED) in NURSE BETTY....The ceremony will coincide with the group's 21st annual film market Feb-21-28 during which about 400 movies will be screened for distributors, producers and others in the industry.\" Way to go Renee!!! NB was my fave film this year!! ( I know, I have low-class taste...;-)"}, {"response": 1776, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Sat, Feb  3, 2001 (10:38)", "body": "I think Colin Firth is ahead of Hugh Grant simply because of the alphabetical order. RZ gets top billing because she is the title character."}, {"response": 1777, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Feb  3, 2001 (10:57)", "body": "Marianne, thanks for the transcript. Good work. I like the \"much anticipated film adaptation\" part. I'm sure they'll have more in the weeks ahead. I'm thinking it was probably a snippet from the trailer. *Commence game of trying to guess which films the trailer might be showing with.* And I used to laugh at the kids plunking down their 8 bucks just to see the Lord Of The Rings trailer!:-) And the poster is popping up? Wonder if it's the same one we've seen, but that one had CF's name third (though in highly visible position above RZ's head;-) Good excuse to haunt the cinemas this weekend, and perhaps carry out poster featuring beloved in manner of Nurse Betty/Greg Kinnear.:-) Karen, I like the idea of staggering the Oprah e-mails; will send something to them on Monday. Allison, I was LOL at your stage instructions; maybe I should also ask Elliott to do the interview himself instead of sending Kimberly/Timberly/Bimbo-ly? from last time. Remember the fit of giggles and the burying of head in lap? Well, I shouldn't be too hard on her; the poor woman was obviously besotted with him and, honestly, who could blame her? Bethan, you voiced my long-standing nightmare of Liz H. showing up at premiere, hogging spotlight from the more deserving!:-("}, {"response": 1778, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb  3, 2001 (12:59)", "body": "(Lassie)I think Colin Firth is ahead of Hugh Grant simply because of the alphabetical order. RZ gets top billing because she is the title character. \"Joy-killer\" ;-) (Mari) I like the idea of staggering the Oprah e-mails; will send something to them on Monday. I'll do Tuesday."}, {"response": 1779, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Feb  3, 2001 (13:39)", "body": "According to a UK website icshowbiz.com, \"Gabrielle's new single \"Out of Reach\" has been chosen as the theme tune to the new film BJD, due out in April\". You can get the whole story if you click on \"movie news\" and then scroll down the page."}, {"response": 1780, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb  3, 2001 (15:49)", "body": "Gift of the Gab Feb 2 2001 By Jessica Callan, Eva Simpson and Polly Graham, 3am, The Mirror She's been through her fair share of heartache and pain, so who better to provide the theme tune for the film version of Bridget Jones's Diary than Gabrielle? The pop diva's new single, Out Of Reach, has been chosen for the movie, which stars Renee Zellweger and is due out in April. Gabrielle tells us: \"I looked for the part of the book that spoke to me personally. It's where she's betrayed by the person she thinks is the man of her dreams when he cheats on her. Betrayal - I know about that!\" http://icshowbiz.ic24.com/emusic/dartistsa2z/50322/page.cfm?objectid=7504645&method=full"}, {"response": 1781, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb  3, 2001 (21:59)", "body": "From an article promoting The Claim in The Scotsman about Shirley Henderson, who plays Jude: Further evidence of her talent is on its way in three films due for release this year - as a Paris maid in Villa des Roses by the Belgian director Frank van Passell, a Wild West prostitute in The Claim by Winterbottom, and as a Chardonnay-swigging pal of Ren\ufffde Zellweger in Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary. She is currently working with Winterbottom again on 24-Hour Party People, a film about the heady days of the Manchester record label Factory, and wading through a mounting in-tray of scripts. \"It\ufffds nice but it\ufffds a bit weird,\" she says. \"You hardly have time to read some of the scripts. I don\ufffdt know how actors who are doing really well cope with it. They must have people to read for them, I suppose.\" [...] This is one reason why she prefers lighter roles, as in Topsy-Turvy, and more recently in Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary when she had \"fabulous fun\" with other members of the cast. The latter may prove to be her biggest box-office success - considering Helen Fielding\ufffds novel sold millions, the producers (Working Title Films) are the people who gave us Four Weddings And A Funeral, and Bridget\ufffds paramours are played by Colin Firth and Hugh Grant. Can read the rest here: http://www.arts.scotsman.com/cfm/film/headlines_specific.cfm?rankuniqueid=226"}, {"response": 1782, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb  3, 2001 (22:02)", "body": "Abstract of Wall St Journal's review of Cause Celeb: Helen Fielding's novel 'Cause Celeb' was published in 1994 before the worldwide success of 'Bridget Jones's Diary and tells the tale of another young woman attempting to cope with her job and love life. Rosie works for a publishing house and has a television personality for a boyfriend, but comes to question the glittering facade of her life. She goes to the fictional African country of Nambula and returns to London to organize a benefit concert with the celebrities she used to hang out with. Somewhat lacking the wit she gave Bridget, there is little of the humor of her later novels and the book falls rather flat. Note to self: check Friday's paper."}, {"response": 1783, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Feb  4, 2001 (04:10)", "body": "Gabrielle tells us: \"I looked for the part of the book that spoke to me personally. It's where she's betrayed by the person she thinks is the man of her dreams when he cheats on her. Betrayal - I know about that!\" Oh, hea-a-vy stuff. Hope the theme tune is more cheerful and bouncy! Somewhat lacking the wit she gave Bridget, there is little of the humor of her later novels and the book falls rather flat. I have a feeling that Helen may have to give Bridget another outing...it can be difficult to find another winning formula. \"It\ufffds nice but it\ufffds a bit weird,\" she says. \"You hardly have time to read some of the scripts. I don\ufffdt know how actors who are doing really well cope with it. They must have people to read for them, I suppose.\" . CF seems to be coping! :-( Can't help but compare these remarks with CF's recent comments about just wanting interesting work and being happy to \"haunt the margins\" whilst other actors take the gravy. Blame it on the \"oh, he's just a wet shirt\" syndrome? BTW thanks for all the responses to the \"wet shirt\" question over at #134...I agreed with all the opinions expressed, and very well expressed they were, too!"}, {"response": 1784, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sun, Feb  4, 2001 (06:41)", "body": "thanks for all the responses to the \"wet shirt\" question over at #134 Is #134 closing down, then? ;-)"}, {"response": 1785, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  5, 2001 (09:23)", "body": "You're going to hate this, but we have to take into consideration, HG was there... Popcorn has transcribed RZ's answer to a question from the Golden Globes' pressroom, following her winning the award, about working on BJD. If you click on the link at the end, you can see it with Real Player. The transcription is pretty close. Ren\ufffde Talks 'Diary' Ren\ufffde Zellweger is well aware how much press attention has surrounded her role as the star of 'Bridget Jones' Diary', and she tells Popcorn she's keeping her \"fingers crossed\" that British audiences will like her. Speaking at the Golden Globes ceremony, the actress says she was attracted by the role because she \"really wanted to try and see if I could do it. It was an amazing opportunity to do this complete transformation in this character. It was a gift, I never thought that they would think of me for that particular part.\" She goes on to say she's hoping audiences will like her performance, adding, \"If I'm not thrown from Tower Bridge in the spring, then we'll know.\" Zellweger got to work with Hugh Grant on the project, who she reveals was \"for many years my prototype male... right after Paul McCartney.\" 'Bridget Jones' Diary' is released in the UK on April 13. Click here to watch Ren\ufffde Zellweger talk about the movie. http://www.popcorn.co.uk/multimedia/video/realvideo/renee_zellweger.ram"}, {"response": 1786, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  5, 2001 (10:28)", "body": "Another placed item, with nothing new, in the Evening Standard from Feb 1. It's all about the weight gain: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/dynamic/hottx/top_review.html?in_review_id=356797&in_review_text_id=301523"}, {"response": 1787, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Feb  5, 2001 (11:20)", "body": "Just heard that Gabrielle's new single which is being used as the theme tune for BJD is to be released on Monday 9th April.- sorry forget what it is called."}, {"response": 1788, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb  5, 2001 (11:39)", "body": "\"Hugh Grant on the project, who she reveals was \"for many years my prototype male... right after Paul McCartney.\" I don't think P McC is so hot looking....I'm just as glad she didn't lump Colin in that.Obviously didn't see P&P.Thanks Karen."}, {"response": 1789, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  5, 2001 (12:02)", "body": "There's a pic of Bridget (and just Bridget) in Disney's annual report. Shows her at a doorway, wearing a white scarf on her head, sunglasses, a short denim jacket over a pink top and whitish bottom. She's carrying a large duffle bag. Will scan this in later, after I finish voting AGAINST Disney's entire Board of Directors and granting additional shares to be given to undeserving management and FOR the rationale shareholder's proposal. ;-)"}, {"response": 1790, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Feb  5, 2001 (12:24)", "body": "(Mari, re: Ent Tonight) I'm thinking it was probably a snippet from the trailer. All their 'First Looks' are. Sorry I missed it and sorry CF wasn't mentioned :-(. I had a feeling he'd be passed over in the US, a la SiL. Apropos to last week's discussion about CF possibly doing chat shows in the US, this is a likely clue that he won't be figuring prominently in the film's publicity...at least not at first. Will keep my eyes open for more sneak peeks on ET and clone Access H'wood (though they're on simultaneously where I live). (Karen) after I finish voting AGAINST Disney's entire Board of Directors and granting additional shares to be given to undeserving management Wot? Isn't there another small country Michael Eisner needs to buy? ;-)"}, {"response": 1791, "author": "Xian", "date": "Mon, Feb  5, 2001 (16:57)", "body": "Hi, there Just saw this, nothing's new though: BJD Pictures"}, {"response": 1792, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Feb  5, 2001 (18:14)", "body": "(Karen) There's a pic of Bridget (and just Bridget) in Disney's annual report. Shows her at a doorway, wearing a white scarf on her head, sunglasses, a short denim jacket over a pink top and whitish bottom. She's carrying a large duffle bag. Now how the heck did I miss this when I was reading through the report over the weekend? Guess I was too diverted checking out how Michael planned to put a positive spin on Go.com :-). Will have to go back and re-read the Miramax section to look for the truly important info!"}, {"response": 1793, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Feb  5, 2001 (18:20)", "body": "I'm late in catching up with all of you, but the reading was fun. On the subject of Colin Firth on US talk shows, Elliott Forrest is a classy guy, besides who could turn down the oppurtunity of an artsy breakfast. My favorite to interview CF would be Charlie Rose, because Rose really bothers to talk to his interviews. The problem is it's not a highly watched show. Lots of people watch Oprah, so a good oppurtunity for exposure. Do audience members still get ask questions on her show? There's also Rosie O'Donnell and Regis and whomever. I don't watch most talk shows. I learn about them from one of my co-workers. I catch \"Breakfast With the Arts\" and Charlie Rose on a semi-regular basis. If CF is on Oprah; I'll set the VCR. Mari, how old is your son and does he play the alto sax? Good luck to him in his musical endevours."}, {"response": 1794, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  5, 2001 (22:20)", "body": "(Jana2) Now how the heck did I miss this LOL! I didn't notice it at first either stuck way under the big one from Chocolat and that horse movie. Here's the pic from the Disney annual report: The caption is: Bridget Jones's Diary, based on the popular novel, will star Renee Zellweger and be released in spring 2001. Mark: was this one of the scenes you watched?"}, {"response": 1795, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (02:16)", "body": "How did you know, Karen? Yes, it is. This is my scene ... it MUST be in the film, oh it must ... hrmph, not that I care, of course ..."}, {"response": 1796, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (08:15)", "body": "*hee hee* Wild guess. Bridget's \"going-on-minibreak\" scene. Now we'll know precisely where to look for you, Mark. BTW, I've heard from other sources that a BJD teaser trailer (described in detail by Marianne) is actually showing in cinemas in the UK, and there is some sort of advert tie-in with Max Factor and Bridget in magazines (???). Time to go to a movie, people."}, {"response": 1797, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (09:56)", "body": "Thanks Karen... Renee looks pretty \"zoftic\"..!! OK Mark....get ready for the fan mail ;-)"}, {"response": 1798, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (09:59)", "body": "There's pic of RZ walking her dog in this week's People. She's wearing slacks and a baggy top, but looks v.v. thin. Item talks about her GG win and says she is starring in the upcoming movie BJD with...someone else. ;-)"}, {"response": 1799, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (15:15)", "body": "(Evelyn) Renee looks pretty \"zoftic\"..!! *heehee* It looks like she has a pair of really big.....sunglasses. =8-D"}, {"response": 1800, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (15:44)", "body": "BJD trailer is online! Go to: http://entertainment.msn.com/"}, {"response": 1801, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (16:26)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1802, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (16:35)", "body": "Haven't watched the trailer yet... but this looks to be the *Official* site. It has all the studios' logos and these days they can't get the right domain names. There's an option called Resolutions, which is ecards. One pic of Colin: Am working to get the others up as I type ;-)"}, {"response": 1803, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (16:42)", "body": "Yes, I've also just found this, sent myself a resolution message with this lovely pic - and received a text message (more film publicity) in which the following appears prominently: \"...caught between a man who's too good to be true (Hugh Grant - Four Weddings And A Funeral, Notting Hill) and a man who's so wrong he could be right (Colin Firth - Shakespeare in Love, An Ideal Husband). \" An Ideal Husband??? Who wrote this? Is that an official site??? So much for their professionalism and reliability... :-("}, {"response": 1804, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (16:43)", "body": "Oh, and the trailer doesn't play yet."}, {"response": 1805, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (16:54)", "body": "Grrr... 2 Bridgets, 2 Daniels and 1 Mark Darcy but at least Colin's name is in center, above the title, and before Hugh's on that intro page. (Probably the v. positive audience reactions from the test screenings, don't you think?) ;-) ...and very possibly the worst pic I've ever seen of him..."}, {"response": 1806, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (16:55)", "body": "Last didn't show up?"}, {"response": 1807, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (17:04)", "body": "Trailer worked for me"}, {"response": 1808, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (17:20)", "body": "The pic of our man? Haba haba"}, {"response": 1809, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (17:21)", "body": "Still no trailer for me.... MMmmmm, just loved that first Huge picture...what a handsome man he looks *ROTFLMAO*;-D"}, {"response": 1810, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (17:30)", "body": "You don't see much. A shot of RZ in a pink top, then it's mainly a still shot of HG with voiceover commenting on her apparel (with a line borrowed right out of Notting Hill - the one about taking another look). All you hear of RZ accent is 'no.'"}, {"response": 1811, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (17:39)", "body": "Thanks, Karen. Hopefully something a little more enlightening will follow. Popped in to check Miramax site, it hasn't been updated much other than to remove THAT Polo Neck pic and replace it with one RZ & HG ;-("}, {"response": 1812, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (17:46)", "body": "Trailer is cute ..Renee looking through her \"knicker\" collection LOL...so is sound track; is that the theme song? Thanks Karen and Renate for new Colin pic. Is that the suit he wore to the RV premiere?I still like the pic in the turtle/polo neck best. (Thanks Boss for making it the new Spring headliner.)"}, {"response": 1813, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (17:54)", "body": "Yeah, \"Hold on, I'm coming\" is a good one, although I can't place who is singing it in this version. The tie at the premiere had a pattern (diagonally checked)."}, {"response": 1814, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (17:54)", "body": "I agree Evelyn, I like the polo neck pic best, he looks as if he has lost a lot of wieight around his neck, another ill-fitting shirt!!"}, {"response": 1815, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (17:56)", "body": "The trailer also worked for me and I sent an email card to my son Rich, he won't be surprised he knows all about his Mum and Colin! hee hee"}, {"response": 1816, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (18:02)", "body": "Tracy MMmmmm, just loved that first Huge picture...what a handsome man he looks *ROTFLMAO*;-D LOL! Tracy, I've seen Robert Downey Jr. look better getting arrested.;-) Haven't been able to run the trailer yet, but it sounds like what they showed on ET last Friday. Can't be the full trailer; how long does it run? Echo, on the front screen it says SIL and TEP."}, {"response": 1817, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (18:03)", "body": "Oh, well, if Colin's not in it, I don't care if it works or not."}, {"response": 1818, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (18:05)", "body": "on the front screen it says SIL and TEP. You see? - not only sloppy but inconsistent as well!"}, {"response": 1819, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (18:10)", "body": "Thought the trailer was very cute, too. Seemed to be geared to us frightful Americans--with HG doing all the talking (and no CF featured). Has he ever looked more dreadful?! Obviously to provide even more contrast with _our_ pick for Mr. Right! I think RZ is going to be really great! She will make Bridget a lot more adorable than I found her (don't mind me-grumpy, smug married, 40 something ;-) Even my DH lavishes praise on her--calling her a \"cutie\" after seeing Nurse Betty. Not a phrase I have ever heard him use! I'm afraid I'm starting to get really excited and overwrought about this release. We'll be in NYC seeing Design for Living--may have to catch it in the Big Apple. How's that for true P&P inspired devotion?"}, {"response": 1820, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (18:13)", "body": "...found her in the _book_! Sorry!"}, {"response": 1821, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (19:01)", "body": "Thanks, Mari and Karen! I won't have time to check the trailer yet. :-((((( another ill-fitting shirt!! LOL! Don't get me started! Talk about a big hair day? ;-)"}, {"response": 1822, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (19:23)", "body": "Seemed to be geared to us frightful Americans- Why? We don't like homely men either.;-) Speaking of which, I amend my earlier statement: I've seen Huge himself look better getting arrested. (Surely some enterprising person here can do a side by side with the LAPD mugshot;-) (Moon)Talk about a big hair day? ;-) Gah, was thinking the same thing! (And that is *not* the hair he wore to the RV premiere. More side by side comparisons in order.;-)"}, {"response": 1823, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (19:54)", "body": "(Moon)Talk about a big hair day? ;-) That's the same hair as in the polo/turtle neck. The reason he looks so good in the latter is because it hides his crepey neck due to weight loss....Needs a little nip 'n tuck;-) 911- Giii iiii"}, {"response": 1824, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (19:57)", "body": "(Mari) Why? We don't like homely men either.;-) LOL! I've seen Huge himself look better getting arrested. (Surely some enterprising person here can do a side by side with the LAPD mugshot;-) Ya think? ;-) Don't know if they'll all fit across, but first the *important* side by sides:"}, {"response": 1825, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (20:00)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1826, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (21:04)", "body": "See? Hugh looks better at right. (But who is that guy in the middle?;-) My next request: we need to see the turtleneck pic next to the RV premiere pic. Also, Karen, did you take \"a little off the top\" of the new pic? Hair seems a bit bigger on the website. Or maybe it's the Tressy navigation system they're using.;-) Thanks!"}, {"response": 1827, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (23:20)", "body": "Turtleneck next to RV premiere... plus bonus shot of hair on pavement:"}, {"response": 1828, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (23:25)", "body": "Sorry, they didn't all fit across. Anyway, while this one may not be good for hair analysis, it should suffice for neck/collar examinations:"}, {"response": 1829, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb  7, 2001 (10:01)", "body": "Get that man a shirt that fits.I still think the blue dinner suit in MLSF was his best.(Do you mind bringing that one up, boss? ;-))[cheeky, uh?] Wonder when that turtle/polo pic was taken. Cheeks and chinny chin-chin are not as gaunt. LOL. Mari...sure you don't write for Leno?? Thanks Karen...who are a true technocrat."}, {"response": 1830, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb  7, 2001 (15:21)", "body": "Big thank you's to Karen and Mari (ROTF)! Get that man a shirt that fits. LOL, Evelyn! I see I have infected you too. ;-) You'd think his wife would help him with it. (But the again, she wears throngs with a gown);-)"}, {"response": 1831, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb  7, 2001 (15:24)", "body": "I loved that drop curl look from the premiere. I really thought that was his MD look at the time. (That's how I pictured Lorimer, when we still had that hope). That big hair makes him look older, not like himself."}, {"response": 1832, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  7, 2001 (16:03)", "body": "Have viewed the trailer on an DSL line and pic is even bigger. The credit order looks set to me and could've been something HG was unhappy about. Remember the rumblings? It goes RZ, CF and HG. That 'and HG' signifies that he's the biggest star name on the pic, but his part isn't big enough to justify going first. And no way, he would go second, except to Julia Roberts."}, {"response": 1833, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Wed, Feb  7, 2001 (16:50)", "body": "Quit the bellyaching... :-) Colin looks absolutely gorgeous!"}, {"response": 1834, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Feb  7, 2001 (17:10)", "body": "This is fun, from this week's HEAT magazine, I think Colin comes off best, what do you all think? \"The Sexiet Movies of 2001. There's a big love thing going on at the cinema this year, as Tinseltown's hottest stars team up to become some of the sexiest couplings ever seen on celluloid. By Charles Gant. BJD starring RZ, HG, & CF. I think we know the story... Yup: RZ plays the famous weight-obsessed thirtysomething singleton consumed wit finding Mr. Right. Hello Hugh. Floppy-fringed HG plays the seemingly dashing but actualy dastardly Daniel, Bridget's boss, who, after an e-mail flirtation, beds her. The dumps her. Goodbye Hugh, hello Colin. Yhe fact that CF's character MD shares his surname with Bridget's fave hero (from P&P) should have told her he was Mr. Right all along."}, {"response": 1835, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Feb  7, 2001 (17:17)", "body": "cont. Duh!What's more, you'd have thought that the Darcy-obsessed Bridget would have spotted Mark's resemblance to the dashing TV Mr. Darcy - played by CF. Colin and Hugh - that's plenty to choose from. Well, HG isn't exactly the living embodiment of \"Phwoar!\" and while CF has charm, he has no actual love scenes (Shame!, my words). This is a romantic comedy - with the emphasis on comedy. RAUNCH FACTOR 4.Released 13th April.\" There are 10 other films listed, The Mexican with Julia Roberts and Brad Pitt gets a 10 as does Original Sin with Antonio Bandaras and Angelina Jolie. Captain Corelli's Mandolin only gets a 5.Pearl Harbour an 8 and Moulin Rouge also 8. HEAT magazine seems to like BJD, this is the 2nd featur for BJD in a couple of weeks."}, {"response": 1836, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Feb  7, 2001 (17:43)", "body": "(Moon) That big hair makes him look older, not like himself. I'm with you, Moon. The tousled look is very youthful. Thanks for the side-by-sides, Karen. Seems like they were really going for a visual contrast between \"bad\" Daniel (sloppy hair and clothes) and \"good\" Mark (perfectly coiffed and neat as a pin). Why not just have them wear black or white hats?;-) (Ann) while CF has charm, he has no actual love scenes I am sorry to hear that.:-("}, {"response": 1837, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb  7, 2001 (17:47)", "body": "CF has charm, he has no actual love scenes Bummer:-( Given the choice...I'd take the love scenes."}, {"response": 1838, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  7, 2001 (17:56)", "body": "(Heat) while CF has charm, he has no actual love scenes ...but that shouldn't be a surprise, given how they've changed the story and his engagement to Natasha is being announced toward the end. There can't be the date where she's drying her hair and didn't hear the doorbell. Am really wondering how they're going to get across that he likes her. Lots of LOOKS??? ;-)"}, {"response": 1839, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb  7, 2001 (17:57)", "body": "RAUNCH FACTOR 4.Released 13th April.\" There are 10 other films listed, The Mexican with Julia Roberts and Brad Pitt gets a 10 as does Original Sin with Antonio Bandaras and Angelina Jolie. Captain Corelli's Mandolin only gets a 5.Pearl Harbour an 8 and Moulin Rouge also 8. Raunch Factor 4? No love scenes? What was the film rating? If The Mexican got a and Original Sin got a 10? What's more, you'd have thought that the Darcy-obsessed Bridget would have spotted Mark's resemblance to the dashing TV Mr. Darcy - played by CF. I thought there was no mention of P&P's Mr. Darcy? Or is this reviewer assuming that everyone that sees the film has read the book?"}, {"response": 1840, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Feb  7, 2001 (18:15)", "body": "Rauch Factor refers to the sexiness of the film and you wouldn't expect there to be any explicit sex scenes in a film that runs parallel to P&P. In P&P it was more what you don't see than what you do see, if you know what I mean. As Karen says it's all about LOOKS, as soon as I read that \"Colin Firth smoulders in BJD\", I shall be a happy girl."}, {"response": 1841, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb  7, 2001 (18:34)", "body": "Keeping fingers crossed for that LOOK. To me Raunch Factor has something to do vulgar jokes or scenes ala Jim Curry in Me, Myself & Irene etc. Raunch is not what I would first expect in BJD. What about the rating, Ann? Could BJD be a 4 to The Mexican and Original Sin a 10?"}, {"response": 1842, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  7, 2001 (22:32)", "body": "Being a numbers gal myself, I think, you're taking the ratings wrong. It has to do with the actors themselves. Julia Roberts + Brad Pitt = heat Angelina Jolie + Antonio Banderas = same thing (and if you've seen the trailer, as I have, it is one big closeup after another of her lips) However, RZ (baby sister 2) and HG (floppy 1) are low on the heat scale. Therefore, when you average in Colin's 10, you get a 4 overall. It's mathematics. ;-)"}, {"response": 1843, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Feb  7, 2001 (22:47)", "body": "Your newfangled math works for me, Karen.:-) I also wonder about the extent to which these \"ratings\" are based on first hand knowledge. Surely they haven't had press screenings for BJD yet. They mention Pearl Harbor; that won't be out until late May and I'm sure no one has actually seen it yet--they're still putting it together. Also, there was a review of The Mexican at Dark Horizons today and the person didn't mention anything remotely raunch-worthy. In fact, it seems Julia and Brad are apart for most of the film and when they're not, they're bickering. I've sent a note to the reviewer--will let you know if I get a response. (Karen) and his engagement to Natasha is being announced toward the end. There can't be the date where she's drying her hair and didn't hear the doorbell. Well, he could have the non-date, figure she's not interested and then hook back up with Natasha, right? Am really wondering how they're going to get across that he likes her. Lots of LOOKS??? ;-) In the new photo, doesn't it seem that he is sitting at a dais, looking up admiringly/amusingly at someone (BJ?) who is giving a speech/introducing someone? Haven't we read that she screws something up at a literary event? (BTW, Cheryl, sonny does play alto sax and is learning tenor as well; thanks for asking:-)"}, {"response": 1844, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Feb  8, 2001 (06:09)", "body": "More BJD promotion,this time a competition to win tickets for advance screening run by Diet Coke in association with Asda.The advertising stand has pic of BJ (holding diary looking upwards) with smaller ones but none of CF-(( However he does get mentioned in accompanying leaflet. The book that sold 4 million copies is now a movie starring RZ,CF & HG.The story centres on Bridget,a 30-something 'singleton',& her attempts to control a chaotic life & find true love-all charted by her hilarious diary entries. Bridget Jones Diary (v.important)facts 1 BJD started life in 1995 as a newspaper column(v.g.) 2 B's best friends are Tom,Jude & Shazzer.(fellow singletons unite) 3 CF plays the enigmatic MD,an old family friend (gorgeous) 4 HG plays B's rival love interest,her caddish boss DC (equally gorgeous) 5 B refers to her friends Magda & Jeremy as 'smug marrieds'.(v.bad) 6 Cotswold village Snowshil was transformed into the picturesque wintry setting for B's parents home (where singletons go for Christmas) 7 B is played by Texan RZ who spent months perfecting her English accent (marvellous) 8 She spent two & a half weeks working unrecognised at a London publishing house to prepare for the role (v.g.) 9 In 1996 R played TC's girlfriend in the movie JM (excellent) 10 Salmon Rushdie makes a cameo appearance leaving B speechless at a literary party.(how humiliating!) 11 Co-screenwriter RC was also responsible for Four Weddings & a Funeral & Notting Hill (v.g.) 12 Celia Imrie plays Una Alconbury-hostess of the infamous Una & Geoffrey Alconbury's New Year Turkey Curry Buffet.(yuk!) 13 B's mother is Pam. (insufferable meddler) 14 Her long-suffering father is Colin. (poor dad!) 15 Pam Jones has an affair with the orange-tanned Julian (why?why?) 16 B's dad,played by Jim Broadbent,has also starred in The Crying Game,Life is Sweet & Topsy Turvey (v.g.) 17 Sally Phillips,who has also appeared in Smack the Pony & Alan Partridge,plays Shazzer.(v.v.g.) 18 B appears in her bunny costume walking through Borough market. (how embarrassing!) 19 Ex-Avengers star Honor Blackman plays Penny-a friend of B's mother .(excellent) 20 St.Pancras station was covered in fake snow in the middle of summer for one scene (g)"}, {"response": 1845, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb  8, 2001 (07:22)", "body": "Thanks, Judy! I wonder if that bunny outfit is more Playboy than actual cute furry creature. Could only mean that the T & V party is on! Hooray! Your newfangled math works for me, Karen.:-) Works for me too. :-D"}, {"response": 1846, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  8, 2001 (08:37)", "body": "Excellent, Judy! So how many entries have you sent in? ;-) B appears in her bunny costume walking through Borough market. Gaah! Mark, you must have missed that day and I've been wringing my hands over whether this had been left out. Oh goodie!! Moon, the bunny costume should be Playboy-like because it was for the Tarts & Vicars party. Have book handy. Was described as \"a black lacy Marks and Spencer body, with stockings and suspenders, a French maid's-style apron which we made out of two hankies and a piece of ribbon, a bow-tie, and a cotton-wool rabbit's tail.\""}, {"response": 1847, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb  8, 2001 (09:18)", "body": "(Moon) Could only mean that the T & V party is on! Hooray! I second that emotion! Also agree with you about the fluffy hair (noticed it right away--hair wranglers at work, no doubt [hey, I saw DQ]). Don't think it makes him look hold, though. Think it makes him look like Mr. D. K, was ROTF when I saw your devine choice of Hugh pics. *guffaw* As Daniel, could he look any slimier? Well done, I say!"}, {"response": 1848, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb  8, 2001 (09:20)", "body": "Grr, that should be 'don't think it makes him look old ..."}, {"response": 1849, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb  8, 2001 (09:20)", "body": "(Moon), Could only mean that the T & V party is on! Hooray! (Karen), Moon, the bunny costume should be Playboy-like because it was for the Tarts & Vicars party. In you excitement, Karen, you missed mine! ;-D That is one scene I remember very well indeed!"}, {"response": 1850, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb  8, 2001 (09:22)", "body": "Closing Italics, sorry."}, {"response": 1851, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb  8, 2001 (11:30)", "body": "From Terry's stats:re: Spring hits \"'bridget jones diary' is the top search phrase.\" Congrats Karen....what's your total hits so far?"}, {"response": 1852, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  8, 2001 (13:41)", "body": "Somewhere over 27,000 last I looked. Speaking of which, I've redone the pictures as the Location page was getting too big. Therefore, Location has 'behind the scenes' stuff and is where I've put up the pic of RZ and HG on the couch from Entertainment Weekly. The Screening Room has all the publicity stills from the movie. There are a few mouse-over captions (ATTN: Mark), but if you think of anymore that seem appropriate, let me know. http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjdgal.html (Still may need some tweaking...Emma?)"}, {"response": 1853, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb  8, 2001 (14:55)", "body": "VV. good job (as always), Karen. I didn't get any mouse over captions :-( but here are a few suggestions: - Top human rights barrister - Notice the dry shirt - Ooh, isn't he gorgeous? [hmm, may be a bit OTT] - There are six pack abs under this shirt Don't worry, nobody will ever know you're a CF fan... trust me ;-)"}, {"response": 1854, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb  8, 2001 (16:49)", "body": "Oh I like the Screening Room. But how about posting the pic from the msn official site too."}, {"response": 1855, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  8, 2001 (22:11)", "body": "Maybe I should combine them: \"Top human rights barrister, with six-pack abs under his *dry* shirt.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 1856, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Feb  9, 2001 (02:51)", "body": "There are a few mouse-over captions (ATTN: Mark) LOL, many thanks, Karen. Just so as you know, Bridget comes out of that doorway, walks round DC's car, chucks her bag in the back and gets in. As the car starts to move (every single take!), a handsome stranger bloke in a suit walks past it on the driver's side. Me!"}, {"response": 1857, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb  9, 2001 (11:04)", "body": "(Mark) As the car starts to move (every single take!), a handsome stranger bloke in a suit walks past it on the driver's side. Can't wait to get that snappy blown -up for Karen's website...:-)) Just think how you'll impress your friends...it can be your '02 Christmas Card."}, {"response": 1858, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Feb  9, 2001 (11:16)", "body": "And your \"calling card\" so you can \"gatecrash\" some more parties/events in the name of CF research!"}, {"response": 1859, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb  9, 2001 (14:11)", "body": "I see a secret life developing, Mark. ;-)"}, {"response": 1860, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 10, 2001 (09:46)", "body": "Here's a copy of the movie poster that will be used in the US: You should be able to read the resolutions, which are probably the same used on the European one."}, {"response": 1861, "author": "susanne", "date": "Sat, Feb 10, 2001 (10:12)", "body": "From this week's EW magazine (in the Spring Movie preview section): When you think of Bridget Jones-a plumpish,single, thirthysomething Londoner who obssessively counts calories, cigerettes, and chardonnay-you don't think of Zwellweger, a slim, pretty, Texan. Neither did anyone else. Casting lagged for more than a year while Brit actresses, from Kate Winslet to Helena B-C, were considered. Zwellweger, however, nailed her meetng with first-time feature director Sharon Maguire, a friend of author Helen Fielding. The backlash from fans-the novel has sold more than 4 mil copiesworldwide-comes shortly thereafter. To convert the skeptics, RZ moved to London, packed on 15 pounds, toiled for a few weeks in a Bridget-type publishing job, and worked the accent. As Briget's rakish beau, HG \"gets to be fantastically\",Maquire says. \"That was fine because Hugh has a real smutty sense of humor.\" As for Zwellweger. costar Firth says she's v.v.g.:\"If there was some legislation that Texans can only play Texansand middle-class Brits can only play middle-class Brits,can you imagine how boring that would be?\" (April 13) Picture of Bridget sliding down a fire pole is included in the article."}, {"response": 1862, "author": "susanne", "date": "Sat, Feb 10, 2001 (10:15)", "body": "Sorry my fingers kept typing in the extra w in Zellweger. Where are the days of easy celebrity names (like Firth)?"}, {"response": 1863, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 10, 2001 (11:35)", "body": "Thanks Sue and Karen, for the latest BJ stuff.Wish the poster had featured the barrister. That was fine because Hugh has a real smutty sense of humor.\" Liz didn't think so;-)"}, {"response": 1864, "author": "susanne", "date": "Sun, Feb 11, 2001 (13:11)", "body": "The quote pertaining to Hugh Grant should have read \"gets to be fantastically rude\"."}, {"response": 1865, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 11, 2001 (13:45)", "body": "Thank you, Sue, for the EW article. I was having a \"fantastically\" good time filling in the missing word. \"Rude\" is such a letdown. ;-)"}, {"response": 1866, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Feb 11, 2001 (14:40)", "body": "I was having a \"fantastically\" good time filling in the missing word. \"Rude\" is such a letdown. ;-) Well, prude certainly does not come to mind. ;-)"}, {"response": 1867, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Feb 11, 2001 (14:58)", "body": "Thanks for typing in the article, Sue. Glad they included Colin this time, and with such a sensible quote.:-) I have the issue now; of the over 100 films opening n the Spring (hard to believe, eh?) BJD is one of about 20 or so that gets a nice spread (half-page). I think they should have included the guys (ok, guy;-) on the poster."}, {"response": 1868, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Feb 11, 2001 (15:49)", "body": "I just had a vision of CF and HG (only because he is a bigger name in the US), on the cover of GQ. The article includes and extensive interview and lots of sexy pictures taken by Herb Ritts. Maybe if we send this thought out to the Universe... :-D"}, {"response": 1869, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Feb 11, 2001 (16:20)", "body": "From today's Miami Herald's Book Section: Rosie trades big egos for true suffering Cause Celeb. BY CONNIE OGLE Anyone who makes it past the first 100 or so pages of this precursor to Bridget Jones's Diary will be rewarded -- sort of. Helen Fielding's first novel, published in England in 1994 and just released here, springs from a relatively clever idea and contains a few chuckles, an engaging splash of satire and a solid dose of effective drama. But getting there, well, that's far from a pleasant journey. An almost insufferable start buries Cause Celeb before Fielding can get it off the ground. With an uneven tone and unbearably tedious characters -- at least until one of them experiences complete transformation -- it's likely to send Bridget Jones devotees skulking back to their copies of Pride and Prejudice. Worse, because of its subject matter, this slight novel faces comparison to Catch-22 -- a tall order for the best of novelists. Fielding, who is genuinely funny and possibly brilliant in her Bridget Jones series, wasn't able to sustain true black comedy this early in her career. Rosie Richardson also will face inevitable comparison to Bridget, which is fitting since she is an earlier, less amusing but more soulful version. In her 20s, Rosie is a publicist (or ``puffette'') at a publishing company who ``wiggled around in short skirts, legs in sheer black tights crossing and uncrossing in meetings, then kept going on and on about people not being interested in my mind.'' She's enchanted with rakish Oliver Marchant, editor of a television arts program, who is successful, wealthy and, on every level, pretty much a jerk. They meet. They flirt. They have an affair. Then, on a work-related venture, Rosie travels to a relief camp in Africa that feeds refugees. Wham! She's a new woman. She quits her job and Oliver and returns to Africa to run a camp, where she undertakes a convoluted trip into a neighboring war zone and a throwaway romance with a doctor. But when she sees signs that another terrible famine is coming and realizes the camp will run out of food, she returns to London to organize a Bob Geldof-esque benefit with the help of a reluctant Oliver and his vapid network of stars. Cause Celeb springs to life once Rosie's plan is under way. Fielding, who obviously has done this type of relief work, deftly savages the multinational bureaucratic red tape that thwarts good intentions and throws in plenty of digs at stars who will donate their time to a worthy cause -- if they get the right publicity. Her navigation of especially tricky ground -- those inflated egos punctured wordlessly at the sight of real suffering -- is more skillful than you'd expect, given the babbling of her first chapters. In the desperate tragedy of thousands of dead and dying villagers Fielding finally finds her voice. But by that time, there's a good chance no one's listening."}, {"response": 1870, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb 12, 2001 (07:14)", "body": "Zellweger has sights on role in 'Oleander' LOS ANGELES (The Hollywood Reporter) --- Renee Zellweger is in negotiations to star opposite Michelle Pfeiffer in Warner Bros.' \"White Oleander\" for British helmer Peter Kosminsky. The project is targeted to start shooting this quarter. John Wells and Hunt Lowry will produce the project, which is based on Jane Finch's 1999 debut novel of the same name that tells the contemporary story of a woman (Pfeiffer) who murders a former lover and is imprisoned for life and how her daughter (Zellweger) must navigate a new reality through a series of Los Angeles foster homes. The daughter is eventually asked to falsify her testimony at a trial to free her mother. Mary Agnes Donoghue wrote the screenplay adaptation. Warner Bros., Time Warner Trade Publications and Warners-based Wells Prods. jointly ponied up $1 million to acquire film rights to the novel, which was published by Little, Brown & Co. (HR 5/7). Warner executive vp production Kevin McCormick is overseeing the project for the studio. Zellweger, repped by CAA and manager John Carrabino, earned a Golden Globe for her performance in USA Films' \"Nurse Betty.\" Zellweger is scheduled to segue after \"Oleander\" to Jeremy Leven's \"Lovers, Liars and Thieves\" with Robin Williams and Antonio Banderas for Victor and Grais Prods., Act III Prods. and Miramax Films. She will next be seen on screen in Miramax/Universal Pictures' \"Bridget Jones's Diary.\""}, {"response": 1871, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 12, 2001 (07:26)", "body": "Michelle is what, 42? Renee, 32? How will work? What about MD's daughter in Traffic? She was fanstastic."}, {"response": 1872, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 12, 2001 (08:18)", "body": "Thanks, Mari. (Moon) Michelle is what, 42? Renee, 32? How will work? The way it always does in Hollywood. ;-0"}, {"response": 1873, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 14, 2001 (08:34)", "body": "From Empire: Bridget Not Swoony For Clooney Bridget Jones has finished smoking her 7 daily cigarettes, her 15 scratchcards and pressing 1471 ten times - the film is finally finished. Writer Richard Curtis said \"It's been a long process but it is finally over...the discussions, the rewrites, the postproduction.\" He is excited about the finished product and said \"We are all very pleased with the final cut, it's everything we hoped it would turn out to be.\" But there's bad news for fans of George Clooney, who have heard the rumours that he was to appear in a dream sequence. Curtis explained \"I'm sorry for everyone hoping to catch a glimpse of George Clooney in a dreamy haze but that was never going to happen. He is a hunk, but we have our very own hunks in the film. Both Colin and Hugh are ample match.\" So how did the rumour get started? \"I don't know where that story came from but we never intended to put Ren\ufffde through that disappointment. George was never approached - that whole dream thing was just a dream, dreamt up by some outsider.\" However, there might be hope for the future, as Curtis added \"But then maybe it will happen in Bridget Jones 2! No, we have no intention of doing a follow up - at least not yet!\" ~~~~~~~~ He doesn't know where such a rumor started?? How about the Alec Baldwin cameo in NH, for example."}, {"response": 1874, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 14, 2001 (10:00)", "body": "The official website has been revamped (to make it cutsier) and there's another pic of Colin (no folds in evidence!!): http://entertainment.msn.com/bridget/default.asp Also check out Send Valentine, for Colin/Cupid with halo. Will put up in a bit."}, {"response": 1875, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 14, 2001 (10:06)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1876, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 14, 2001 (10:20)", "body": "If you do the Valentine of Mark Darcy, you can see Embeth Davidtz sitting next to him."}, {"response": 1877, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Feb 14, 2001 (12:36)", "body": "(Richard Curtis) He is a hunk, but we have our very own hunks in the film. Both Colin and Hugh are ample match.\" Much as I like reading the words 'Colin' and 'hunk' in the same sentence, methinks inclusion of the word 'Hugh' therein is a misprint. Love the lovely valentine! LMAO!"}, {"response": 1878, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Feb 14, 2001 (13:26)", "body": "Colin Cupid is sooo cute!:-) I bet they were going to use this in their ads when the film was originally slotted for February. From the gag me department: just got the March issue of Biography Magazine (same people who run A&E) and Huge is listed as their cover story for April. Well, let's still hope Elliott Forrest can come through."}, {"response": 1879, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb 14, 2001 (15:30)", "body": "Very cute, thanks, Karen!"}, {"response": 1880, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Feb 14, 2001 (17:57)", "body": "no folds in evidence They're all safe with their appointed Keeper. Biography Magazine (same people who run A&E) and Huge is listed as their cover story for April. Yuk. But maybe Colin is to follow?"}, {"response": 1881, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Feb 14, 2001 (22:25)", "body": "I like the Mark Darcy hair in the new cupic.:-) Looks much more like the real thing, nice 'n tousled. Moon, is that collar more satisfactory?;-) As much as I like George Clooney, I'm glad he stayed home (variation on \"too many ladies;-)"}, {"response": 1882, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Feb 15, 2001 (05:29)", "body": "Great Valentine Karen, thanks. have been hearing about the \"rejacketing\" of BJD, to be published in time for film release here in UK. RZ on cover in her \"jim-jams\" and the book will include 20 stills from the film. There is also going to be an audio release, (but not a straight reading of the book), I am afraid that my contact became a bit \"vague\" at this point, but I am not sure exactly what!! It's no good shrieking about whether it will contain ODB'S masterful tones at the top of your voice in a crowded wine bar, to someone who is not a CF fan. Hopefully we can resolve the mystery of this on soon . Meanwhile , back to the chardonnay, ho hum!"}, {"response": 1883, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb 15, 2001 (07:39)", "body": "Moon, is that collar more satisfactory?;-) The best I've seen so far, but not perfect, yet."}, {"response": 1884, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 15, 2001 (08:22)", "body": "\"rejacketing\" ... with RZ on the cover...and 20 stills? v. possible, but there should also be a published script, if NH is the example. Thanks, Lizza."}, {"response": 1885, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 15, 2001 (09:55)", "body": "http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0330487612/o/qid=982251736/sr=2-5/202-1589245-1563851 http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0141000198/qid=982251878/sr=1-20/ref=sc_b_20/102-8100265-2577704 Waterstone's also shows there will be new audiocassettes and CDs of the book with the film tie-in. Wonder if HF will do the reading? And another book: Comic Relief: Bridget Jones' Guide to Life (\ufffd2.50) Helen Fielding's \"Bridget Jones' Guide to Life\" is a humerous comment on the new Millennium, Bridget-style. This title is published in support of the BBC's Comic Relief appeal. ISBN:0330488570 Picador paperback Pages: 64pp. Published: 12 March 2001"}, {"response": 1886, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb 15, 2001 (14:25)", "body": "So we now have some new BJ to read. :-) Thanks, Karen!"}, {"response": 1887, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Feb 15, 2001 (14:31)", "body": "Wonderful , thanks Karen! Despite the fact there is a lot of publicity for Comic Relief on TV ( Delia Smith's recipes etc) plus the noses designed by Aardman animations and the chocolate bars for sale, I hate it that we have to wait until almost Comic Relief Day to purchase BJD's life! AAA ggh!"}, {"response": 1888, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Feb 16, 2001 (07:20)", "body": "From Dark Horizons: Bridget Jones' Diary: Ginger Spice herself Geri Halliwell has recorded a new version of the classic \"It's Raining Men\" for the film's soundtrack. George Michael is contributing a few songs too."}, {"response": 1889, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb 16, 2001 (08:38)", "body": "Big yuk! Not a fan of either and never heard of the singer doing the title track. I listen to college radio stations. This is a big downer for the music lover that I am. :-("}, {"response": 1890, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 16, 2001 (10:49)", "body": "You can hear It's Raining Men (by the Weather Girls) at amazon with the famous chorus: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/clipserve/B0000025X7001005/102-8100265-2577704 If this link doesn't work from here, go to the CD's page and click on the song: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000025X7/qid=982341889/sr=2-2/ref=sc_m_2/102-8100265-2577704"}, {"response": 1891, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 16, 2001 (11:13)", "body": "This takes me back to my disco days. ;-) Here's the whole song as a wav file (will take some time to load as is large): http://people.goplay.com/michelle96/rainin1.wav"}, {"response": 1892, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Feb 16, 2001 (11:30)", "body": "Far prefer \"The weather girls\" to GH but there you go, she's fashionable, \"Hello\" material, so it ensures maximum publicity. I wonder who she will \"fake\" an affair with this time in order to promote this particular single? Go on Hughie..... flop to it!"}, {"response": 1893, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Feb 16, 2001 (12:10)", "body": "(Karen) This takes me back to my disco days. ;-) I think it's from the early to mid-80's which was post-disco in Jersey ;-P. It's one of my all-time faves from my own Bridgetesque days--don't know about GH's version, though. It looks like everyone (even those somewhat past the peak of their careers) wants to be tied to this movie. Goody! *humming* gonna let myself get absolutely soaking weeeeeeet...."}, {"response": 1894, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 16, 2001 (21:28)", "body": "(Lizza) Far prefer \"The weather girls\" to GH This would be like having Britney Spears sing Jennifer Holliday's \"And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going\" from Dreamgirls. (Eileen) I think it's from the early to mid-80's which was post-disco in Jersey ;-P You know how backward we are in Middle America. ;-D"}, {"response": 1895, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sat, Feb 17, 2001 (02:45)", "body": "Thanks for the link to The Weather Girls, Karen. This song always makes me smile and I've been bouncing around in my chair listening as I read. Let's hope that even GH can't ruin this song. Either way, \"It's Raining Men\" suits Bridget well. BJD's soundtrack may be one to buy for the car ;-)."}, {"response": 1896, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 17, 2001 (09:52)", "body": "Jana: you can download that wav file to your hard drive, where it will play immediately. Doesn't it give you visions of all the kids dancing down the street in a la Fame?"}, {"response": 1897, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Feb 17, 2001 (10:42)", "body": "From today's Telegraph (thanks to Peggy for spotting): The Outlook is bright for Spring We are in for a bumper spring of home-grown cinema success. Friends have managed to sneak into very private screenings this week of two long-awaited British films, the adaptations of the best-selling books Captain Corelli's Mandolin & Bridget Jones's Diary. The friends are born-again cynics but pronounce that both - Captain Corelli starring Penelope Cruz & Nicholas Cage is out on May11 & Bridget Jones, with Renee Zellweger, Hugh Grant & Colin Firth, is released on April 13th -are astonishingly good. Bridget Jones, made by Working Title, which also featured Grant in 4 Weddings & Notting Hill, is especially refreshing. Though Bridget is a fashionable media-type -about-London, the film doesn't include one single shot of over-fashionable Notting Hill (ed: Huh?). Apparently there are even some laughs for men in what is going to be a film largely for female audiences."}, {"response": 1898, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Feb 17, 2001 (13:31)", "body": "Colin isn't the only published author in our midst.:-) Just opened the new issue of Entertainment Weekly (week of February 23), and Evelyn's letter is in there: \"Thanks for the info on Bridget Jones's Diary. I can't wait for it to open in April, but how about also featuring Colin Firth, the handsome British actor who plays Bridget's love interest, Mark Darcy?\" Waytago, Ev!"}, {"response": 1899, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Feb 17, 2001 (13:40)", "body": "Well done Evelyn! And I like the sound of \"born again cynics\" giving BJD a good rating...\"astonishingly good\" and \"is especially refreshing\" (ie better than CCM). Even allowing for hype, sounds promising. I'm sure Working Title will be hoping for/planning for a sequel. If there are plans for seven (!!) Harry Potter movies, then a BJD2 movie doesn't seem excessive."}, {"response": 1900, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 17, 2001 (14:28)", "body": "\"but how about also featuring Colin Firth,\" They must have gotten an onslaught of letters because they *did* feature him last week. Oh God...wait til my friends and relatives see this!!!"}, {"response": 1901, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 17, 2001 (14:52)", "body": "...and EW's editor replied...how? ;-)"}, {"response": 1902, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Feb 18, 2001 (10:55)", "body": "The March issue of Premiere magazine has a very flattering article on Working Title's Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner. Entitled \"The British Are Cunning--Their movies have made $1.6 billion worldwide. They're the toast of London and the envy of Hollywood. . . \" Several BJD mentions, in passing. Some interesting quotes: From Hugh Grant (who it seems was born knowing how to smell the coffee;-) \"They are energetic--not naive, not arty-farty, not up their own ass, 'Let's make a film that will please six people in Hampstead or the Upper East Side of New York. It's extraordinary to walk into a British film company on Oxford Street--trendy London architecture and all the female staff unbelievably beautiful--and it's run with complete L.A. efficiency, instead of it being a bunch of ex-BBC, very nice amateurs.\" Article calls WT \"a unique hybrid, a British independent backed by a Hollywood studio with global distribution clout.\" Talks about their plummy deal with Universal (which inherited them when Universal bought Polygram)--$150 million per year in financing, power to greenlight films under $25 million, and lots of creative autonomy. This is interesting: \"Thanks to Miramax's aggressive multipicture talent deals, archrival Harvey Weinstein has inserted himself into three of their upcoming movies: Correli, BJD, and 40 Days And 40 Nights. Watching Bevan and Weinstein maneuver around each other has become something of a spectator sport. Last fall, Weinstein tried to push Corelli into late-year release for Oscar consideration, but Bevan and Universal chairwoman Stacey Snider didn't want to rush the movie. Adds once source close to 40 Days, \"Thank God we had Tim to protect us every step of the way.\" Lots on their past successes, 4 Weddings, Notting Hill, Bean, Fargo, Dead Man Walking, O Brother, and about how people like Richard Curtis and the Coen brothers won't work with anyone else."}, {"response": 1903, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 18, 2001 (11:50)", "body": "Thanks, Mari. Speaking of magazines, the March Talk magazine had a 4+ page spread on Corelli. Am expecting similar if not better coverage for BJD in the April issue."}, {"response": 1904, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 18, 2001 (12:05)", "body": "More on the article: \"How have Bevan and Fellner come so far? Some say they've coasted on massive charm and remarkable luck.According to one wag, the classic WT movie is a contemporary incarnation of the ivy-trimmed Merchant-Ivory film, offering movie-goers wish-fulfillment fantasies worthy of Martha Stewart.\" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I don't think you'll catch them making \"arty-farty -old war-horses \" ;-)"}, {"response": 1905, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Feb 19, 2001 (08:56)", "body": "To UK Fans, Richard Curtis is on Steve Wright in the Afternoon, on BBC Radio2 on Friday, 23rd 2-5pm. Let's hope he says something about BJD."}, {"response": 1906, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 19, 2001 (22:58)", "body": "Article in the Financial Times (Feb 20, 2001) about Working Title: Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, the two film producers who run Working Title, were driving around Los Angeles a couple of weeks ago talking about their future. It looked like more of the same. \"In 20 years, we'll still be going round in the same old rental car,\" says Bevan, with his hands on a big imaginary steering wheel. \"Still going round trying to work out how to make some money from this thing.\" Fellner chimes in, adopting a wavering old man's voice and making his imaginary pitch to the next generation of Hollywood studio bosses: \"We were producers once, you know.\" They both laugh - and well they might. In the perishable world of British movie-making talent, they seem to have struck on an enduring formula for success. Working Title's films - from their first blockbuster, Four Weddings and a Funeral, via Bean, Notting Hill and Fargo to their recent hit, Billy Elliot - have grossed more than Dollars 1.6bn. The company's standing looks set to be illustrated this Sunday when the British movie business dresses up for the Baftas - London's equivalent of Los Angeles' Oscars. Working Title films - Billy Elliot, O Brother Where Art Thou? and High Fidelity among them - have secured 18 Bafta nominations. So, while the quaint picture of two pensioned-off producers pootling around LA looking for work is a frightening possibility for some British moviemakers, it does not look as though Bevan and Fellner are set to sink back into anonymity in Hollywood. \"There are 20 producing units in the world which Hollywood considers viable - we are one of them,\" says Bevan, who has spent the past few months focused on the forthcoming Captain Corelli's Mandolin, starring Nicolas Cage. Fellner, who has been concentrating on Bridget Jones' Diary, which stars Renee Zellweger, ups the boast: \"We are in the top 20. Or, let's say, the top 10.\" Bevan and Fellner are now thought to be eyeing new areas, specifically opportunities in TV music. They are not keen to talk about their plans, but it is not hard to speculate about where they are going when you think about where they come from. By a quirk of corporate fate, Working Title has long had a distribution deal with Universal, the Hollywood studio owned until last year by Seagram of Canada, and Canal Plus, the French television and movie business controlled by Vivendi. When Vivendi merged with Seagram in a Dollars 34bn deal last year, therefore, it was a merger of Working Title's patrons. In fact, Vivendi and Seagram had little other overlap of businesses. \"It was just a bizarre coincidence that the only place that these two huge organisations met was little old Working Title in London,\" says Fellner. The vision of Jean-Marie Messier, chief executive of the combined company Vivendi Universal, is to reach consumers via every kind of medium: TV, mobile phone, cinema screen and the next generation of portable devices. If the main prize of acquiring Seagram was getting hold of Universal Music, the next test for Messier's empire is developing content for the screen - small and large. Working Title, therefore, might well be expected to make a substantial move into television. The company already has a small TV arm, but working with Canal Plus there is a potential to bring Working Title's story-telling skills to small screen. Bevan and Fellner are also thought to be investigating opportunities to develop ancillary businesses spun out of Working Title's movie successes. One such area could be soundtracks; both men clambered into film from music videos. Fellner, the tall lanky one who sports something between a beard and a five o'clock shadow, went from studying theatre at Guildhall to making music videos with the likes of Ultravox to Kajagoogoo in the early 1980s. He made his first movie, Sid and Nancy, in 1985. Bevan, the chunkier one, who seems to support the mildly eccentric look of wearing his shirt sleeves buttoned down to his wrists and his sweater rolled up above the elbow, made his first movie in 1985. It was My Beautiful Launderette. They started working together in 1991. Although loquacious personalities who work in an ego-infested industry, they seem to enjoy operating together. In conversation, they cut each other up and finish each other's sentences, yet there does not seem to be any one-upmanship. When Bevan launches into his theories on content creation in the new media age, Fellner sits back on the sofa and chuckles: \"I think I'll leave him to it. I can see he's on a roll.\" By working together, they say, they get more done. They make the big decisions together - which movies to do, who to approach about casting and direction and so on - but then one or the other of them takes on the day-to-day responsibility for project management. \"You can only really concentrate on two projects a year - this way we do four,\" says Bevan. Their latest project is the film adaptation of About a Boy, the Nick Hornby book. While one of th"}, {"response": 1907, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 20, 2001 (07:34)", "body": "But they have found a successful formula - films which are neither big budget, nor student experiments; neither art-house nor mainstream action pictures. I couldn't agree more! I am curious how they will develop that music thing they want to do with TV. We'll see if they are genuises. ;-) Thanks, Karen, I enjoyed that."}, {"response": 1908, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 20, 2001 (08:08)", "body": "Don't you wonder if they alternate working with Huge or has one been assigned full-time duty? ;-D"}, {"response": 1909, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 20, 2001 (09:07)", "body": "That's a very good point because I do not see HG in \"About a Boy\" at all. He must truly be the biggest name they can push to the LA bigwigs from the UK."}, {"response": 1910, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 20, 2001 (09:24)", "body": "Working Title is one of the few production companies in the UK - perhaps the only one - to have a long line of successful movies behind them. In this business, successful means $$$$.A movie that isn't successful reflects on the cast and director. Only Kevin Costner gets away with that. Thanks Karen."}, {"response": 1911, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 20, 2001 (09:27)", "body": "From People News : Archer faces a cruel cut Peer\ufffds Bridget Jones cameo at risk Will Jeffrey Archer be dropped from the forthcoming Bridget Jones film? The rogue peer was set to appear in a cameo role, playing himself at a literary drinks party and jovially chatting to novelist Salman Rushdie. However, in the wake of his latest bout of bad press (being photographed on a South African beach with a mystery blonde, while his long-suffering wife Mary was under the impression that he was working on his latest novel) it looks as though this honour may be withdrawn. Sources at Working Title, the studio behind the adaptation of Helen Fielding\ufffds bestselling book, whisper that Lord Archer no longer has the kind of image that they wish to associate with the production - starring Renee Zellweger - and say that his part may well be axed. Working Title say: \ufffdWhen you shoot a film you invariably shoot much more footage than you will end up using. There is absolutely no guarantee that Archer will appear in the final cut.\ufffd If the scene is dropped, it seems unlikely that Jeffrey and Salman will ever jov ally chat again. ~~~~~~ And so goes Salman's scene... ;-D"}, {"response": 1912, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 20, 2001 (09:39)", "body": "I thought they already had the final cut? Haven't they been screening this film? Salman and Archer off are no big deal, IMO. Although those two womanizers have a lot in common with D. Clever. ;-)"}, {"response": 1913, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 20, 2001 (11:41)", "body": "Salman and Archer off are no big deal, Agree. Who cares? No one in the US would recognize them anyway. I wouldn't be surprised if this was contrived publicity from the beginning."}, {"response": 1914, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Feb 20, 2001 (16:24)", "body": "being photographed on a South African beach with a mystery blonde Okay, I know I am cheap, but where was this story UK droolers? I should keep up with the tabloids. I just like anything that ditches the \"fragrant\" Mary fallacy. Droolers outside the UK please ignore the foregoing. It is of no relevance, as you rightly say, to BJD."}, {"response": 1915, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Feb 21, 2001 (06:20)", "body": "Most of the tabloids on Monday carried this. Yesterday's Mirror featured a front-page expos\ufffd of the \"mystery woman\" revealing her to be a 51-year old twice-divorced mother of two. The best part of the story is that they say Mary Archer thought he was researching his next novel. They obviously speculated that the new woman was more fragrant."}, {"response": 1916, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 21, 2001 (10:19)", "body": "For your daily dose of Archer gossip from today's People News : (and, btw, am more than curious about *fragrant*) ;-D 'Wounded' Mary stands by Jeffrey Archer Kingdon 'held together by plastic surgery' Even though her husband was caught on camera as he strolled hand-in-hand on a Cape Town beach with his lover, Mary Archer appears to be standing by her man. Multimillionaire novelist and Tory politician Lord Archer hit the headlines when it was revealed that he had enjoyed a romantic break in Africa with trawlerman's daughter Nikki Kingdon. She returned to Britain on Monday to her \ufffd250,000 home in south-west London - Archer, 60, remained abroad ahead of his trial for perjury at the Old Bailey, apparently working on his next novel. But friends of the former Tory Party vice-chairman sharpened their knives for Kingdon, 51, and signalled that Lady Archer, 56, would stand by her husband. A friend of the Archers' told a UK newspaper: 'Kingdon is a social climber who's held together by plastic surgery. Unlike Mary, she has no natural beauty or intellect. It would take a lot more than her to end a marriage.' Another friend said it would take more than 'a passing fancy' with thrice-married Kingdon to split up a coup e married for 35 years. ~~~~~~ PeopleNews file on Archer says he lives in Rupert Brooke's old house in Grantchester, Cambridgeshire. A little tidbit for fans of CF's radioplay \"One Before the Last.\""}, {"response": 1917, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Feb 22, 2001 (07:57)", "body": "'Fragrant' refers to Jeffrey's first trial, in which he was accused of, er, perverting the course of justice, I think. He had given Monica Coghlan, a prostitute, a bag containing two thousand pounds at Victoria Station. She claimed it was payment for her services, he that it was blackmailed out of him because he did not want her pretending there had been any goings-on. After several days of testimony, Archer was acquitted by the jury, following an unbelievably one-sided summing-up, in which the judge reserved special praise for Mary Archer. \"This fragrant woman\", he felt, had been cruelly forced to testify about such ludicrous and offensive charges. A few years later, of course, Archer was convicted of perjury and deception. Other things Jeffrey has been accused of are: insider share dealing, plagiarism, lying about his athletics exploits at Oxford and persuading friends to lie to the police and in court."}, {"response": 1918, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 22, 2001 (09:50)", "body": "Thanks for the additional info, Mark, but why would the judge call her fragrant? Nothing 'smelly' attached to her? Oh well, a new pic of Mark Darcy for you all!! Love this serious pose. Wonder if this is after the fight (note stain on shirt...blood???)"}, {"response": 1919, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb 22, 2001 (10:28)", "body": "Oh, how cute is that?? I love it--thanks, Karen! Wonder if this is after the fight (note stain on shirt...blood???) Either that, or after an unfortunate run-in with a taco.;-)"}, {"response": 1920, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Feb 22, 2001 (13:06)", "body": "Lovely pic, thanks Karen :-)"}, {"response": 1921, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 22, 2001 (13:18)", "body": "There are seven other new ones that I've put up at the Screening Room page. However, the one above is the BEST!! http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjdgal.html"}, {"response": 1922, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Feb 22, 2001 (13:36)", "body": "However, the one above is the BEST!! LOVE it! Thanks Karen."}, {"response": 1923, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Feb 22, 2001 (14:32)", "body": "Love most of them... Thanks!"}, {"response": 1924, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb 22, 2001 (14:35)", "body": "Oh the poor baby, he looks so serious. Lovely pic, thanks Karen."}, {"response": 1925, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb 22, 2001 (15:57)", "body": "Great pix, Karen! He looks so much better with his shirt slightly open. :-) Will check the others now."}, {"response": 1926, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Thu, Feb 22, 2001 (17:37)", "body": "V. nice picture, Karen. Thank you--cheered my day right up. (Can hardly wait-am whipping myself into a BJD frenzy!)"}, {"response": 1927, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 22, 2001 (22:11)", "body": "Can see the froth dripping from your mouth. ;-D"}, {"response": 1928, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Feb 23, 2001 (03:47)", "body": "Lovely pictures, thanks Karen Report from Baz today: Bridget Jones: Here\ufffds one you must mark in your diary. There\ufffds a moment in the movie BJD where Colin Firth, as Mark Darcy if you please, tells RZ (as our anti-heroine) that he likes her just the way she is \ufffd she\ufffds not a perfect size ten, her hair\ufffds a disaster, she chain-smokes, likes a bevvy and can\ufffdt cook. The scene, like the film, has stayed with me because we are normally bombarded with the images of an idyllic woman who is desirable because she's x-ray thin and drop-dead gorgeous but, oh, so shallow. Real men like curves and personality. RZ\ufffds Bridget works because she\ufffds an everywoman figure (cue Chaka Khan belting out I\ufffdm Every Woman on the great soundtrack). It\ufffds worth noting that you forget in about 20 seconds RZ is Texan. Kate Winslet was going to do it, but became pregnant. HF\ufffds book was too girlie for me, but the movie, to my great surprise, works on many levels and blokes will get a kick out of it. HG plays Firth\ufffds love rival, a publisher who typifies the Great English Bastard. It\ufffds Grant\ufffds most successful role in several years, for we have long tired of his foppish wimp. The other good news is that BJD, opening in April, was made by first time feature director Sharon Maguire and she has a sure touch, though aided by a fine screenplay from Fielding, AD and RC Ms Maguire hails from Coventry and read English and drama at Aberystwyth University. The fictional Ms Jones attended Bangor University. As Ms Maguire travelled to Shepperton to complete fin-tuning the picture, she told me \ufffdIt always breaks the ice at parties when I\ufffdm with Oxbridge types and I brag: \ufffdI went to Aberystwyth!\ufffd\ufffd She believes the book tacked loneliness dressed up as a comic anecdote. \ufffdIt also has a truth about it,\ufffd she says. \ufffdThe producer kept saying \ufffdIt\ufffds a comedy, right? It\ufffds a comedy?\ufffd Yeah, yeah\ufffd, she quickly reassured him. Casting the three main leads \ufffd Z, G and F \ufffd pushed the budget from an independent film to something that had Universal Pictures and Miramax Films grabbing a chunk of the spoils from Britain\ufffds Working Title company. They all turned up the heat on Ms Maguire. \ufffdAmazingly, I was allowed to direct it, but with so many people putting their money in, everybody has had a piece of it\ufffd she says. \ufffdThey\ufffdve all got their ideas and you\ufffdve got to negotiate through them and that\ufffds really hard. In the post-production phase, there was a lot of input but I am still here\ufffd she said wearily. \ufffdSome directors get locked out of the cutting room. I know at times people tried to do that to me, but I stayed whether they wanted me to or not\ufffd. The movie\ufffds a triumph for her, and for Eric Fellner and Tim Bevan, the guys from Working Title who set it all up. What with Billy Elliott and Captain Corelli\ufffds Madolin, these two unsung heroes of British film are riding high. There is quite a large picture of Bridget singing with mike in one hand and fag in other. The caption is: Believable: Renee Zellweger is a brilliant Bridget Jones."}, {"response": 1929, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Feb 23, 2001 (04:57)", "body": "Thanks Aishling, great news but I do wish he has said something more about Colin!"}, {"response": 1930, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 23, 2001 (07:55)", "body": "Wow!! That's a great review, Aishling. Looks like I'm going to have to start my Reviews page (argh...more work)."}, {"response": 1931, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 23, 2001 (09:47)", "body": "Thanks Aishling for taking the time to type the article. Sounds like a winner for sure. Kudos for everybody.Unusual for Baz to write a review, isn't it?"}, {"response": 1932, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 23, 2001 (09:59)", "body": "I do hope this ISN'T how he really looks (or anywhere near this), especially as the BJD promo work is beginning!! (Remember, this is a mocked up photo) Hugh loses the fringe ... but sadly this isn't a real photo It is the end of an era. England's foremost floppy fringe is no more. According to numerous reports, Hugh Grant, the star of Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill, has taken the plunge and had his most readily identifiable characteristic removed. Sadly, a real photograph of his newly shorn hair - described by eyewitnesses as a 'longish crew cut' - wasn't available so, thanks to the wonders of technology, here is a rough idea. Grant's spokesmen at Simian Films (the production company he runs with his ex Liz Hurley) were so cagey about the alleged chop that they refused to return calls, leading to speculation that Hugh might not be overjoyed with his new look. Exactly what prompted this radical change of image is not known, but some suggest that it may be due to the influence of Hugh's new girlfriend, Ally McBeal-star Portia de Rossi."}, {"response": 1933, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Feb 23, 2001 (10:01)", "body": "Thanks Aishling. Now I'm even looking forward to HG's performance ;-)"}, {"response": 1934, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb 23, 2001 (11:21)", "body": "Thanks, Aishling! It's nice to see that he starts with CF. Probably die to all the e-mail he gets from us. (I know I'm guilty of writing to him on many occassions) ;-) Poor Hugh, if he has to cut his hair to please a girl. (!)"}, {"response": 1935, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Feb 23, 2001 (11:54)", "body": "Uh-oh, he better not be going after the same roles as another gent we know!"}, {"response": 1936, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 23, 2001 (12:30)", "body": "LOL, Donna! Those sideburns have got to gooooooooo But, really, is that (or similar) how they pictured Will, the main character in About a Boy??? Click to hear Chaka Khan singing I'm Every Woman. BTW, Whitney Houston sang it too in the Bodyguard. http://www.towerrecords.com/ra/hurlPNM.exe?/towerlink/~v-50351/0153038_0101_00_0002.ra http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/Delta/7733/real_audio/im_every_woman.ram"}, {"response": 1937, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Feb 23, 2001 (13:44)", "body": "There\ufffds a moment in the movie BJD where Colin Firth, as Mark Darcy if you please, tells RZ (as our anti-heroine) that he likes her just the way she is Ahhh . . .sort of like MisterRogers Neighborhood.;-) Wonderful article, thanks Aishling. And bless Baz! Word on this film couldn't be better--and April 13 can't come soon enough!:-) (cue Chaka Khan belting out I\ufffdm Every Woman on the great soundtrack). Glad to hear they're using at least one original artist, instead if the re-do's we've been hearing about (*still* smarting over the misappropriation of Todd Rundgren's \"I Saw The Light.\" Harumph;-) It\ufffds Grant\ufffds most successful role in several years, for we have long tired of his foppish wimp. I suppose we'll be wading through many column inches devoted to Hugh's new screen image as well as \"Hughie With(out) The Fringe On Top.\" ;-) Was just reading that Tina Brown is jetting over for the BAFTAS and is throwing a big pre-show soiree from Talk Mag that Hugh will attend. Between this and their hanging out at the GGs together, wanna bet which BJD guy gets the big Talk spread in the coming months?:-("}, {"response": 1938, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb 23, 2001 (14:31)", "body": "Mari, you are so right. But as Karen has said, the other one doesn't travel, or do the walk, or talk the talk. ;-) (*still* smarting over the misappropriation of Todd Rundgren's \"I Saw The Light.\" Harumph;-) That was one perfect song! I remember as a teenager going to Central Park on TR's birthday when he would always have a concert. They should have gotten him to produced the soundtrack!"}, {"response": 1939, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 23, 2001 (16:35)", "body": "Big music day. Here's a clip from that Gabrielle song 'Out of Reach' (sounds rather trite to me) http://212.162.58.4/asx/msn/outaudio.asx"}, {"response": 1940, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 23, 2001 (16:52)", "body": "Gabrielle's new single, 'Out of Reach', was chosen over exclusive tracks by Robbie Williams, Geri Halliwell, Texas, and Craig David as the lead track for the forthcoming movie 'Bridget Jone's Diary'. Based on the Helen Fielding bestseller and produced by the makers of 'Four Weddings and a Funeral' and 'Notting Hill', 'Bridget Jones's Diary'is set to be the biggest British film of the year. The film stars Renee Zellweger as the neurotic 30-something, Chardonnay-swigging, chain-smoking, hopelessly romantic Bridget, Hugh Grant as the dashingly sexy but dangerous love-rat Daniel Cleaver and Colin Firth enigmatic yet aloof family friend Mark Darcy. The supporting cast includes Jim Broadbent as Bridget's timid father; Gemma Jones as her over-bearing mother; Sally Phillips as fiery Shazza; Shirley Henderson as disillusioned Jude, James Callis as extrovert Tom, Embeth Davidtz as Bridget's nemesis Natasha, and the legendary Honor Blackman and Celia Imrie, both of whom cameo as Bridget's parents' hilarious friends. 'Out of Reach' is released in the UK on April 2nd, and 'Bridget Jones's Diary' will be released by United International Pictures across the UK and Ireland on Friday April 13th 2001. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 1313, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 132, "subject": "Stephen Dillane", "response_count": 769, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (09:25)", "body": "From Mitchell Fink's gossip column in the NY Daily News today: The Broadway opening of Tom Stoppard's play \"The Real Thing\" is set to welcome George Stephanopoulos and Bebe Neuwirth, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Toni Collette, Ivana Trump, Mira Sorvino, Gabriel Byrne, Heidi Klum and Liev Schreiber to the Barrymore Theater. The opening-night party is at Tavern on the Green. I guess this means I'm going to have a busy night. ~~~~~~~~~ Guess they didn't have room for Donna's name or her quivering lips. ;-)"}, {"response": 2, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (09:36)", "body": "And from the NY Post, a little blasphemy: Party central TOO much is happening tonight. While some culture vultures flock to the opening night of Tom Stoppard's \"The Real Thing\" at the Barrymore, Miramax's first-ever stage production, other high-minded types will gather at Lincoln Center for the doling out of the National Arts Awards to the likes of Uma Thurman [yadda yadda yadda....]"}, {"response": 3, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (10:58)", "body": "According to Playbill.com, the Outer Critics' Circle Award Nominations have been announced and TRT has 4 nominations, SD for Oustanding Actor in a Play, JE, Outstanding Featured Actress in a play, DL. Best Director and TRT for best Revival. Also JE's Mum, has been nominated in the Best Actress category. Is Best Featured Actress the same as Best Supporting Actress?"}, {"response": 4, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (11:16)", "body": "Yes, Best Featured appears to be the equivalent of \"Supporting\"; however, there must be something wrong. How can Rosemary Harris be nominated as Best Actress for Waiting in the Wings, when I'm told her part is very small? Perhaps, they got the info backwards and Jennifer is in the Best Actress category and mom is in Featured? That would make far more sense."}, {"response": 5, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (12:56)", "body": "On the Rosie Show Lauren Bacall said that the Waiting in the Wings cast was considered ensemble casting.... Thanks Ann for finding this.... The Outer Critics Awards are given by NY area critics for publications beyond Manhattan. They are the first to analyze the 1999-2000 season. They nominate shows that are still in previews. BTW Waiting in the Wings was nominated for Best Play. Winners will be announced May 1st and will be bestowed May 25 at a gala at Sardi's theatrical restaurant off Times Square. Thanks Karen for setting up this new topic.... And I'll be there then;-))"}, {"response": 6, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (15:00)", "body": "Is there a pic of Stephen Dillane, I'ven't a clue what he looks like!"}, {"response": 7, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (15:04)", "body": "Laura - here's a web site. http://fp.enter.net/~purrfect/dillane.htm"}, {"response": 8, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (15:16)", "body": "I should have added, go to the Dateline page for the latest pic of SD and JE that was in Talk magazine. http://fp.enter.net/~purrfect/dillane3.htm"}, {"response": 9, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (22:08)", "body": "Does anyone know if the TRT reviews will be in tomorrow's papers, in which case they'll be online shortly, or in Wednesday's? I guess what I'm really asking is should I put another pot of coffee on.;-) SD page looks terrific, Hot Lips, er . . . Donna.;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 10, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (22:17)", "body": "Am going to post one right now, from the AP Wire: Tom Stoppard's potent reminder of this thing called love NEW YORK (AP) _ As Cole Porter once wrote, \"What is this thing called love?\" It is a question that keeps coming back again and again to haunt the discombobulated characters in \"The Real Thing,\" Tom Stoppard's generous meditation on fidelity and faithlessness that remains as potent today as when the play first opened on Broadway in 1984. In fact, the current revival, which arrived Monday at the Ethel Barrymore Theater, seems even more vibrant, particularly under David Leveaux's careful, cinematic but not fussy direction. Stephen Dillane and the rest of a fine British cast from London's Donmar Warehouse mine Stoppard's brilliant wordplay with such intensity that \"The Real Thing\" feels freshly minted, spontaneous and not at all dated, as do so many dramas from the not-so-distant past. Dillane portrays a romantically challenged English playwright named Henry, a sardonic intellectual, too smart for his own good and a man who uses his intelligence to keep women at bay. It prevents him from making a commitment, not only, as the play opens, to his actress-wife, Charlotte, but to his lover, Annie. Annie, in turn, is cheating on husband Max, who is appearing with Charlotte in Henry's new comedy about adultery, \"House of Cards.\" Life and art get thoroughly mixed up _ and more than a bit messy _ in Stoppard's world of London artists. When Henry and Annie finally settle down together, strains begin to show. Annie becomes enamored of a young actor, forcing Henry to rethink what his relationship to her really means. Love, he learns, is more than lust and the banalities uttered in the beloved pop songs of his youth. It also makes him reexamine his life as a playwright, particularly when he has to learn how to come to terms with Annie's most persistent charity case _ a loutish leftist, who happens to be a terrible writer. And that, according to Henry, is the worst sin of all. Henry, originally played on Broadway by Jeremy Irons, is a marathon role. Dillane, a wiry guy with an ingratiating stage presence, goes the course without tiring. He's funny and charming, but he gets the pain behind the writer's glibness and cutting retorts, too. By the end of the play, Henry has grown, and so has Dillane's remarkable performance. Jennifer Ehle has less to work with as the socially committed Annie, yet she projects a passion that is not always suggested by the script. Sarah Woodward brings a tart, acerbic quality to the role of Henry's first wife, while Nigel Lindsay, as Max, perfectly captures a wronged mate's overwhelming self-pity. Even the smallest roles make impressions, particularly Oscar Pearce's flirtatious young actor and Charlotte Parry's portrait of Henry's practical and sexually precocious daughter. The production design is spare, almost bare bones, with a few tables, chairs and a record player suggesting Henry's living room. Yet the feeling of this revival is anything but minimal. Leveaux, who worked wonders with his Broadway reexaminations of \"Anna Christie\" and \"Electra,\" has done it again here. \"The Real Thing\" rates as real, adult entertainment, wise, witty and full of compassion for the foibles of the human heart."}, {"response": 11, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr 17, 2000 (23:34)", "body": "Glad I stayed up--the New York Times loves the play, SD and JE! (Thanks for the AP review, Karen--another winner.) `Real Thing': He's So Clever, So Glib ... So Vulnerable By BEN BRANTLEY Now here is a man you would surely love to have at your table at one of those insufferably self-important dinner parties. He speaks in sentences that might have been cut by a jeweler; he banishes conversational clich\ufffds by merely cocking an eyebrow, and he has somehow turned undergraduate self-consciousness into a highly evolved form of charm. What's more, when he describes himself as a romantic, you believe him, just as you believe that he suffers for it. That makes him easier to take when he seems a little, well, superior. There is much to be said for the aesthetic value of shadow in a bright presence. Such are the attributes of Henry, the playwright who wrote that West End hit \"House of Cards,\" or at least Henry as he is represented by Stephen Dillane, the immensely appealing center of the immensely appealing revival of Tom Stoppard's \"Real Thing,\" which opened last night at the Ethel Barrymore Theater. Under the accomplished direction of David Leveaux, who brought a very different kind of finesse to last season's \"Electra,\" this is a production that should lure those New Yorkers who say they rarely go to the theater because it's too juvenile or too vulgar or too ponderous, usually opting instead for yet another dinner party. And with the delectable Jennifer Ehle playing self-confident body to Mr. Dilane's self-questioning mind, the show has a sensual sparkle that was less evident in the fine Tony-winning New York incarnation of 1984 with Jeremy Irons and Glenn Close. \"The Real Thing\" -- an import from the Donmar Warehouse, the current epicenter of theatrical glamour in London (\"Cabaret,\" \"The Blue Room\") -- is a rare thing even in what has been an exceptionally strong season for straight plays on Broadway: an elegant comedy of infidelity filled with the sort of comebacks that people only wish they were capable of themselves. True, this 1982 play from the author of \"Jumpers\" and \"Arcadia\" is also always subverting itself, pointing out how some things, love among them, defy glib articulation. But, ah, how articulately it manages to say so. If its structural game-playing seems a tad too clever this time around and its second act weaker than its first, the fact remains that few comedies have ever managed to have it so successfully both ways. When \"The Real Thing\" first opened, it was greeted with the kind of exclamations that heralded Garbo's debut in talking pictures. \"Stoppard feels!\" was the delighted implication of most of the reviews, a sense that the most dizzyingly cerebral of British playwrights had at last led with his heart instead of his head. What gave the play an extra savory twist was the fact that it was about a dizzyingly cerebral playwright who confesses at one point that he just doesn't know how to \"write love.\" The title itself seemed a charming admission of the same defeat, using the sort of nonspecific noun that was anathema to its main character. Which isn't to say that Mr. Stoppard had forsaken his playful intellectualism or sure hand for form. \"The Real Thing\" begins with a sort of literary trompe l'oeil: a scene in which a husband confronts his wife with her presumed infidelity. This turns out to be a scene in a London play by Henry, performed by Charlotte (Sarah Woodward), an actress who is Henry's wife in real life, and Max (Nigel Lindsay), who is married to another actress, Annie (Ms. Ehle), with whom Henry is having an affair. The scene becomes a reference point for the rest of the evening, as two real-life marriages shatter, echoing and diverging from the play within the play. Other touchstones are provided by dialogue from such classic plays of passion as \"Miss Julie\" and \" 'Tis Pity She's a Whore.\" And Henry, determined to conquer love on the page, comes down with writer's block. Although Charlotte early on observes that the difference between dialogue onstage and in life is that life demands \"thinking time\" between epigrams, the characters are still remarkably quick on the uptake: Henry, especially, of course, but so are Charlotte and Henry's teenage daughter, Debbie (Charlotte Parry), and Charlotte herself. It is a testament to the arbitrariness of love that Henry and Charlotte seem to be more naturally matched than Henry and Annie, who while obviously intelligent is less deft with the mot juste. She is also unswervingly headstrong and gets involved politically with an imprisoned Scottish soldier (Joshua Henderson) and sexually with a younger actor (Oscar Pearce). The distress these events cause Henry lead him to lively disquisitions on the virtues and limitations of language, including an unforgettable speech with a cricket bat as a visual aid. Mr. Dillane's Henry delivers this moment pricelessly to Ms. Ehle's Annie. As he tries to explain why a leaden script written by Annie's incarcerated"}, {"response": 12, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (02:25)", "body": "Another good review for the play, SD & JE from VARIETY, here is a snipppet from it \"But most welcome of all are Stephen Dillane and Jennifer Ehle, two English actors who are making terrific Broadway debuts in DL's intentionally muted, intensely thoughtful production of Stoppard's brilliant dissection of various truths and illusions of love and romance.\""}, {"response": 13, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (04:19)", "body": "4stars for TRT at the New York Post, they loved it too."}, {"response": 14, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (04:28)", "body": "David Leaveux's \"superb production\" of TRT, says the NY Daily News Yippee"}, {"response": 15, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (07:05)", "body": "Here's the full New York Post review. Doesn't get much better than this!:-) A SPLENDID 'THING' By DONALD LYONS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE REAL THING 4 STARS At the Barrymore Theatre, 243 W. 47th St.; (212) 239-6200. 'THE Real Thing\" is the real thing - an exciting, hilarious and beautifully performed look at the terrain of art and heart. The Tom Stoppard play of 1984 received a fresh, brisk production at London's Donmar Warehouse this spring, and it is this show, with its cast intact, that has moved to Broadway's Barrymore Theatre. In the course of this teasingly tricky investigation of human relationships, we discover that the stage is and is not life. The look of the play's production is modern and abstract - the set and costumes by Vicki Mortimer suggest both the stage and reality. Director David Leveaux has thrust the action forward and made it more vivid than at the Donmar. As the play opens, architect Max (played by Nigel Lindsay in a solid, smugly comic job) is discovering what seems like adultery by his wife, Charlotte (Sarah Woodward in a debonair, droll vein.) This turns out to be a scene in a play, after which we're at home with Charlotte and her playwright husband, Henry (Stephen Dillane in a miraculous, masterful performance.) Henry slouches about their house in scruffy duds, playing Herman's Hermits and Procol Harum, working out his surprising destiny - which is largely connected to the young actress Annie, who is Max's real-life wife. Moments after they arrive, Annie expresses her passion for Henry - while Max and Charlotte are in the kitchen making crudites. Jennifer Ehle (seen here on TV in \"Pride and Prejudice\") plays Annie with a surprising sensuality and politically committed spirit. Gorgeous and fiery, Ehle is a thrill to watch. Two years later, Annie and Henry are still together. She's going up to Glasgow to do the Jacobean incest drama \" 'Tis Pity She's a Whore.\" He's being nasty about a script she's interested in, written by a self-styled political prisoner, Brodie, who Henry thinks is a horrible writer. On the train to Scotland, Annie meets the young actor Billy (Oscar Pierce), who plays her brother in \"Pity,\" and she warms to him, finding him ideal for the prisoner script. Henry, who has fixed up the script despite his objections, frets her absence. Eventually, Annie admits her attraction to Billy, but insists that this need not threaten the relationship she has with Henry. After a time, Henry accepts her point of view - after, among other things, talking to his 17-year-old daughter Debbie (a fine performance by Charlotte Parry). Dillane is hilarious and wrenchingly touching as the man who learns to blend his writing skills and his emotional life. Ehle achieves subtlety and sense as a woman who mixes art and life. This is an extraordinary presentation of a funny, smart play vibrating with contemporary concerns - art and life and sex and sacrifice and rock classics. It's the play in which Stoppard found the English - and, through the English, himself - approachable. And it's gorgeously performed by, above all, the witty and achingly vulnerable Dillane."}, {"response": 16, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (07:13)", "body": "Here's the NY Daily News review (tabloid--least important of the three dailies in terms of the arts) 'Real Thing' Is Back on B'way By Fintan O'Toole THE REAL THING. By Tom Stoppard. With Stephen Dillane, Jennifer Ehle, Nigel Lindsay, Sarah Woodward and others. Directed by David Leveaux. Designed by Vicki Mortimer. At the Ethel Barrymore. Tickets: (212) 239-6200. One of the intriguing things about theater is the way that plays sometimes say the exact opposite of what their author intended. This is what happens in David Leveaux' superb production of Tom Stoppard's \"The Real Thing.\" Of all the English playwrights who came to prominence in the 1960s, only two were so distinctive that their names came to sum up a whole style. If critics wanted to indicate clipped phrases and an air of menace, they called a play Pinteresque. If they wanted to indicate verbal wit and intellectual games, it was Stoppardian. Tom Stoppard's reputation for dashing repartee and dazzling ingenuity was well-earned. But it carried with it a feeling that the cleverness was just a fireworks display \ufffd colorful, entertaining, at times awesomely impressive, but without real emotion. \"The Real Thing,\" returning to Broadway for the first time since Glenn Close and Jeremy Irons played the leads in 1984, is meant to refute this notion. Its central character, Henry, is an English playwright rather like Stoppard himself: brilliant, witty, arrogant and intolerant of those he regards as stupid. The play is steeped in all things theatrical. The opening scene is an episode from Henry's latest play. One of the stars, Charlotte, is his wife. The other, Max, is the husband of the woman with whom Henry is having an affair. By the second half of \"The Real Thing,\" Henry is living with Max' ex-wife, Annie. Because she, too, is an actress, the dialogue and the action are saturated with theatrical references and in-jokes. But Henry, despite being an intellectual, turns out to be a passionate romantic. And through him, Stoppard wants us to know that he can write a play about that most basic of all emotions, love. The irony, though, is that \"The Real Thing\" remains stubbornly Stoppardian. There's less to all the stuff about love than meets the eye. What works is the verbal energy and the clever game-playing. This isn't the fault of the production; on the contrary, Stephen Dillane as Henry and Jennifer Ehle as Annie are a playwright's dream. Dillane strikes a skillful balance between Henry's arrogance, sarcasm and impatience on the one hand and his yearning for love on the other. Without softening the character too much, he makes us understand why Henry is attractive to women. Ehle, meanwhile, glows with life, intelligence and sensuality. Her Annie is both kind and dangerous, so open and compassionate that she seems doomed to break hearts. So if there's something abstract about the play, it's not because the actors fail to put flesh on Stoppard's ideas. Or because the web of loyalties and betrayals is not spun by a writer of extraordinary dexterity and invention. Maybe it's just that, like Henry, Stoppard finds it hard to \"write love\" without it coming out \"embarrassing \ufffd either childish or rude.\" And because he's far too dignified to write embarrassing lines, he prefers to write \"about\" love than to run the risk of sentimentality. The result may not be completely satisfying or convincing. But it does suggest that there are far worse things a playwright can be called than \"Stoppardian.\""}, {"response": 17, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (07:23)", "body": "Newsday Review below: More glowing words, and look at the last paragraph!! Rumor has it there was a pic in the Sunday Daily News. Does anyone have??? Stoppard's Searing Reality Gimmickry's dropped in a moving, literary dissection of love By Linda Winer. STAFF WRITER BROADWAY REVIEW THE REAL THING. By Tom Stoppard, directed by David Leveaux. With Stephen Dillane, Jennifer Ehle, Nigel Lindsay, Sarah Woodward, Charlotte Parry, Joshua Henderson, Oscar Pearce. Sets and costumes by Vicki Mortimer, lights by Mark Henderson and David Weiner. Barrymore Theatre, 47th Street west of Broadway. Seen at Friday's preview. THE SUCCESSFUL playwright in Tom Stoppard's \"The Real Thing\" insists that \"loving and being loved\" are \"unliterary\" conditions-\"happiness expressed in banality and lust.\" That this theory is being declared at the precise time Stoppard is defying it, of course, is just one daredevil profundity in one of the most gloriously articulate, least banal love stories that modern theater knows enough to cherish. At the end of the first major revival of his 1982 work, which opened at the Barrymore Theatre last night in David Leveaux' burning yet cool London production, we find ourselves fantasizing that Stoppard wrote his most personal and accessible play to counter tiresome accusations of brainy gimmickry: \"You want boulevard comedy?\" we imagine him snarling. \"You want aching heart? Well, watch this one.\" Without breaking a sweat, he turned around and gave the world a romantic serio-comedy that uses a dizzying Chinese box of literary devices to express devastating compassion for the most basic of elusive human emotions. The result, then and now, plays with reality and illusion with the unlikely grace of Noel Coward partying for keeps with Pirandello. The play-which Mike Nichols memorably directed on Broadway in 1984 with Jeremy Irons, Glenn Close, Christine Baranski, Peter Gallagher and a teen named Cynthia Nixon-remains a dazzling dissection of adultery, the theater, radical politics and other so-called real things. Where that version had a more lush American realism than the flintier British original with Roger Rees and Felicity Kendal, this new import has a strangely touching trust in our ability to be reached in deep places without stars to guide us to the box office. The trust should pay off. Leveaux, who directed Broadway's flammable Natasha Richardson-Liam Neeson \"Anna Chris- tie\" and the carnivorous Zoe Caldwell \"Electra,\" has a lean, clean, eerily transparent way with the most unruly feelings of lust, loyalty, love and independence. His expert actors-assembled at the same Donmar Warehouse that has sent us \"Cabaret,\" \"The Blue Room,\" \"Electra,\" \"True West\" and Sam Mendes -play ambivalence and passion with a self-effacing vibrancy that makes us lean into the action so as not to miss a nuance. Stephen Dillane plays playwright Henry, whose debonair view of adultery is Stoppard's opening scene. Henry cheats on his own actress wife, Charlotte (Sarah Woodward), with Annie (Jennifer Ehle), the wife of his own play's actor. By the time he must face the way he feels when new wife Annie may be cheating on him, Henry's intellectual contempt for the banalities of love and celebration of the power of words have been shredded into an unforgettable primal cry of helpless obsession. Is this raging possessiveness the real thing? Or, more likely, does the real thing include what Annie says about Henry needing \"to find the part of yourself where I am not important or you won't be worth loving?\" But dear, paradoxical Henry is an intellectual writer who perceives his own reality through the lyrics and rhythms of the sort of pop music that \"it's not OK\" for trendy people to worship-think Neil Sedaka and Herman's Hermits. Obviously, there is a simple dishrag of a soul somewhere deep inside all the high-flown and equally touching rhapsodies about the importance of words. Henry has contempt for the cliched writings of a political prisoner whom Annie has adopted, and insists-we trust with the voice of Stoppard himself-that \"Words are sacred...If you get the words in the right order, you can nudge the world a little.\" Dillane is a master of emotional underplaying as Henry, whose transformations are more believable than when the showier Irons had them about Close's wrongheadedly earthbound Annie. Ehle, in contrast, crinkles with the complexities of happiness and self-reliance. Sarah Woodward is all shrewd cookie, and its opposite, as Henry's first wife. Nigel Lindsay is both pathetic and honest as Annie's first husband. When he and Annie awkwardly hug one another's heads in the loving brutality of their breakup, we know Leveaux understands how banality can hurt. Vickie Mortimer's sets go back to the sliding panels and industrial chic of the original London production, when we were not quite so used to playwrights using pop songs as metaphors during scene changes. The production is the first Broadway venture of Miramax, producers of S"}, {"response": 18, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (07:29)", "body": "From Robert Osborne's column today (about the Tonys in general but check out the end): NEW YORK -- Previews begin tonight at the Helen Hayes on \"Dirty Blonde,\" the new comedy by Claudia Shea transferring to the Main Stem after an off-Broadway run that began in January at the New York Theatre Workshop. As fitting any play in which the late Mae West is part of the mix, its official opening night will be \"Mae Day,\" May 1, just ahead of the May 3 cutoff for Tony eligibility. Thus, \"Blonde\" could be, depending on its success with the Tony nominating committee, running for the prize in the best new play category alongside such other hopefuls as \"Copenhagen,\" \"The Green Bird,\" \"The Ride Down Mt. Morgan,\" \"Rose,\" \"Taller Than a Dwarf\" and, now that the Tony committee has decided they should be judged as new plays since they hadn't been presented on Broadway before, Sam Shepard's \"True West,\" written in 1980, and Noel Coward's \"Waiting in the Wings,\" written in 1960. The one to beat: Michael Frayn's \"Copenhagen,\" the most literate and inventive play of the season, like a juicy Agatha Christie mystery nd, though about the physics formulas that led to the atomic bomb, easily within the grasp of anyone willing to go to the theater and listen for a change. ... The least likely to make that nomination list: \"Rose\" and \"Waiting,\" both of which depend almost entirely on the voltage of their stars to make them worth watching, namely Olympia Dukakis in the former, and Lauren Bacall, Rosemary Harris, Simon Jones and a stageful of other pros in the latter. ... Most overrated new play of the season: the Arthur Miller drama with Patrick Stewart. One wonders why Miller, at this stage of his brilliant writing career, would have chosen to spend his time writing about characters and a situation as banal, uninvolving and tedious as the acreage his \"Mt. Morgan\" covers. ... Among the eligible candidates in the Tony category for best revival of a play, Eugene O'Neill's \"A Moon for the Misbegotten\" seemed the front-runner -- until Monday's opening of Tom Stoppard's \"The Real Thing\" at the Barrymore. It now moves to the forefront, along with \"The Lion King,\" as the ticket that should be on the top of anyone's list upon setting foot in Manhattan. It's unlikely that Stoppard's 1984 play has ever produced the sparks it's generating in its current incarnation, aided by David Leveaux's magnificent direction and the performances of a flawless all-British cast headed by Stephen Dillane and Jennifer Ehle. You're unlikely to find a better reason for going to the theater this season. Its only glitch: an ad campaign that makes \"Real\" look commonplace and colorless. It is quite the opposite."}, {"response": 19, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (07:32)", "body": "...and nothing in any of the gossip columns about the party. Probably couldn't get it in before the cutoff."}, {"response": 20, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (07:36)", "body": "Here's the full Variety review. Ho, hum, another rave,;-);-) The Real Thing By CHARLES ISHERWOOD, April 18, 2000 An Anita Waxman, Elizabeth Williams, Ron Kastner and Miramax Films presentation of the Donmar Warehouse production of a play by Tom Stoppard. Directed by David Leveaux. Absent a new Tom Stoppard play on Broadway \ufffd \ufffdThe Invention of Love,\ufffd anyone? \ufffd a revival of Stoppard\ufffds 1984 hit \ufffdThe Real Thing\ufffd is certainly welcome. Welcome, too, is the legit advent of Miramax Films, which joins the small cadre of Broadway\ufffds filmland angels with this revival imported from London\ufffds ever-hot Donmar Warehouse. But most welcome of all are Stephen Dillane and Jennifer Ehle, two English actors who are making terrific Broadway debuts in David Leveaux\ufffds intentionally muted, intensely thoughtful production of Stoppard\ufffds brilliant dissection of various truths and illusions of love and romance. Audiences who recall the starry, Tony-winning original Broadway production, with Jeremy Irons and Glenn Close, may be surprised \ufffd and even taken aback \ufffd at the cool, ruminative tone of Leveaux\ufffds production. It\ufffds built like a delicately balanced house of cards around the ineffably charismatic but extraordinarily subtle performance of Dillane as Henry, the playwright (and author of a play called \ufffdHouse of Cards,\ufffd of course) who departs one marriage to enter a blissful new one, only to have the romantic ideals that have defined all his emotional commitments called into question when his new marriage threatens to unravel. The chilly-chic sets of Vicki Mortimer recall her fine work on last season\ufffds \ufffdCloser,\ufffd a play about love and infidelity that makes a savage contemporary companion piece to Stoppard\ufffds. Her designs are dominated by moving panels of smoked glass that may be said to typify the production\ufffds aesthetic. The surface sheen of Stoppard\ufffds scintillating language is treated with casual respect here \ufffd it\ufffds not buffed to a high polish and served gleamingly over the footlights, as it is in most productions of the play. Here the emphasis is on the feelings that glow dimly beneath the surface of the words, the darting glances that add a question mark to a witticism, the pauses that speak more eloquently than even the eloquent Stoppard, particularly when they\ufffdre being sculpted by an actor equipped with the amazing instincts of Dillane. Set changes are effected onstage with a decided lack of emphasis on speed, allowing the last moments of a scene to linger briefly in the audience\ufffds mind. Leveaux\ufffds deliberate pacing takes a while to get used to, and indeed the pulse of the first act is dangerously low, but when the rewards of this slow-fuse staging arrive in the second act, they are ample. Stoppard\ufffds Henry is a serial romantic, the kind of highbrow guy who thinks pop songs can capture the essence of love in a way his own writing can\ufffdt, the \ufffdhappiness expressed in banality and lust.\ufffd He leaves his first wife Charlotte (Sarah Woodward) with nary a regret when he falls in love with Annie (Ehle), also an actress. At the end of the first act, when Annie not-so-playfully teases him about his lack of jealousy, Henry responds by admitting it\ufffds because he feels \ufffdsuperior\ufffd in his knowledge of loving and being loved. He relishes \ufffdthe insularity of passion ... the way it blurs the distinction between everyone who isn\ufffdt one\ufffds lover ... There\ufffds you and there\ufffds them.\ufffd Henry takes love, and its insularity, for granted \ufffd a telling detail of Mortimer\ufffds subtle costume designs is Henry\ufffds inveterately casual dress; he\ufffds always in his socks, even when others aren\ufffdt. It\ufffds a symbol of his cozy sureness of himself and of his love, the kind of presumption that can be mistaken \ufffd and is \ufffd for indifference and, yes, superiority. Henry lives in a world where words and emotions have cut-and-dried meanings \ufffd the play\ufffds great cricket-bat speech is a beautiful, funny paean to the power of linguistic precision \ufffd but he fails to see that he\ufffds alone there. Everyone else inhabits a less rarefied, more dimly lit place, the real world, where things cannot be defined quite as neatly as Henry might like, where love and commitment are loose and mutable things. Henry\ufffds gradual descent into this sadder sphere is the core of the play, and it\ufffds a moving progress to observe, thanks to Dillane\ufffds deeply humane performance. He duly conveys all the linguistic delights of Stoppard\ufffds writing, the moving ruminations on the pains and pleasures of love and of writing, but his performance has a strong, simple core of emotional truth, a softly shining tenderness, that makes his disillusioning a really heart-wrenching thing to watch. Dillane is wonderful with words, but just as wonderful without them: He is often most arresting when reacting, and the most wounding image in the play is simply the vision of Henry sitting in darkness, a hand on the phone on his lap, aching and defeated by the searing suspicion of Annie\ufffds infidelity. Ehle\ufffds performance as Annie is also intelligent, intensely felt and"}, {"response": 21, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (07:50)", "body": "From Variety by Charles Isherwood (4/18/00) Absent a new Tom Stoppard play on Broadway \ufffd \ufffdThe Invention of Love,\ufffd anyone? \ufffd a revival of Stoppard\ufffds 1984 hit \ufffdThe Real Thing\ufffd is certainly welcome. Welcome, too, is the legit advent of Miramax Films, which joins the small cadre of Broadway\ufffds filmland angels with this revival imported from London\ufffds ever-hot Donmar Warehouse. But most welcome of all are Stephen Dillane and Jennifer Ehle, two English actors who are making terrific Broadway debuts in David Leveaux\ufffds intentionally muted, intensely thoughtful production of Stoppard\ufffds brilliant dissection of various truths and illusions of love and romance. Audiences who recall the starry, Tony-winning original Broadway production, with Jeremy Irons and Glenn Close, may be surprised \ufffd and even taken aback \ufffd at the cool, ruminative tone of Leveaux\ufffds production. It\ufffds built like a delicately balanced house of cards around the ineffably charismatic but extraordinarily subtle performance of Dillane as Henry, the playwright (and author of a play called \ufffdHouse of Cards,\ufffd of course) who departs one marriage to enter a blissful new one, only to have the romantic ideals that have defined all his emotional commitments called into question when his new marriage threatens to unravel. The chilly-chic sets of Vicki Mortimer recall her fine work on last season\ufffds \ufffdCloser,\ufffd a play about love and infidelity that makes a savage contemporary companion piece to Stoppard\ufffds. Her designs are dominated by moving panels of smoked glass that may be said to typify the production\ufffds aesthetic. The surface sheen of Stoppard\ufffds scintillating language is treated with casual respect here \ufffd it\ufffds not buffed to a high polish and served gleamingly over the footlights, as it is in most productions of the play. Here the emphasis is on the feelings that glow dimly beneath the surface of the words, the darting glances that add a question mark to a witticism, the pauses that speak more eloquently than even the eloquent Stoppard, particularly when they\ufffdre being sculpted by an actor equipped with the amazing instincts of Dillane. Set changes are effected onstage with a decided lack of emphasis on speed, allowing the last moments of a scene to linger briefly in the audience\ufffds mind. Leveaux\ufffds deliberate pacing takes a while to get used to, and indeed the pulse of the first act is dangerously low, but when the rewards of this slow-fuse staging arrive in the second act, they are ample. Stoppard\ufffds Henry is a serial romantic, the kind of highbrow guy who thinks pop songs can capture the essence of love in a way his own writing can\ufffdt, the \ufffdhappiness expressed in banality and lust.\ufffd He leaves his first wife Charlotte (Sarah Woodward) with nary a regret when he falls in love with Annie (Ehle), also an actress. At the end of the first act, when Annie not-so-playfully teases him about his lack of jealousy, Henry responds by admitting it\ufffds because he feels \ufffdsuperior\ufffd in his knowledge of loving and being loved. He relishes \ufffdthe insularity of passion ... the way it blurs the distinction between everyone who isn\ufffdt one\ufffds lover ... There\ufffds you and there\ufffds them.\ufffd Henry takes love, and its insularity, for granted \ufffd a telling detail of Mortimer\ufffds subtle costume designs is Henry\ufffds inveterately casual dress; he\ufffds always in his socks, even when others aren\ufffdt. It\ufffds a symbol of his cozy sureness of himself and of his love, the kind of presumption that can be mistaken \ufffd and is \ufffd for indifference and, yes, superiority. Henry lives in a world where words and emotions have cut-and-dried meanings \ufffd the play\ufffds great cricket-bat speech is a beautiful, funny paean to the power of linguistic precision \ufffd but he fails to see that he\ufffds alone there. Everyone else inhabits a less rarefied, more dimly lit place, the real world, where things cannot be defined quite as neatly as Henry might like, where love and commitment are loose and mutable things. Henry\ufffds gradual descent into this sadder sphere is the core of the play, and it\ufffds a moving progress to observe, thanks to Dillane\ufffds deeply humane performance. He duly conveys all the linguistic delights of Stoppard\ufffds writing, the moving ruminations on the pains and pleasures of love and of writing, but his performance has a strong, simple core of emotional truth, a softly shining tenderness, that makes his disillusioning a really heart-wrenching thing to watch. Dillane is wonderful with words, but just as wonderful without them: He is often most arresting when reacting, and the most wounding image in the play is simply the vision of Henry sitting in darkness, a hand on the phone on his lap, aching and defeated by the searing suspicion of Annie\ufffds infidelity. Ehle\ufffds performance as Annie is also intelligent, intensely felt and finely shaded. This character can seem to be on the wrong side of the moral battlefield at times, particularly since Henry alone is possessed of Stoppard\ufffds soaring rhetorical gifts. Ehle, who at times bears an intriguing resemblance to M"}, {"response": 22, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (08:13)", "body": "BRING ON THE BUBBLY!!! Mimosas , anyone?? Our guys are taking NY by storm..... Thanks K, M, D. and Ann for all the reviews.... And did you notice, when they mention JE's outstanding performances, they bring up P&P. Hoorah!! evelyn(hic)"}, {"response": 23, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (08:19)", "body": "Evelyn, I like the Meryl Streep mention. \"That\" is going to get her noticed. From the Press Association: BROADWAY HAILS TWO MORE BRITISH STARS Another British import is the toast of Broadway with US critics hailing actors Jennifer Ehle and Stephen Dillane as new stars. The revival of Sir Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing has been taken to New York by the Donmar Warehouse, the London company that produced Nicole Kidman in The Blue Room. Stoppard's comedy with dramatic overtones first ran on Broadway 16 years ago with Jeremy Irons and Glenn Close in the leading roles."}, {"response": 24, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (08:20)", "body": "Regis Philbin was just raving about TRT on Regis & Kathie Lee, holding up the program, praising SD and JE (ok, he forgot her name, but looked it up in the program, then sort of mispronounced it, but hey, it's the thought that counts;-) Good ole Reege. The Wall Street Journal should have a review, but you have to pay for it online (how typical of the WSJ is *that*?) If no one gets it, I'll pick it up at work tomorrow. Evelyn, I'll take a mimosa, please, but hold the orange juice!;-)"}, {"response": 25, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (08:28)", "body": "Re: WSJ (I'll go see if it's still on my neighbor's doorstep.) ;-p"}, {"response": 26, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (08:47)", "body": "and to think I had any doubts Evelyn,I am ashamed but very pleased, it couldn't happen to a nicer couple.Can't wait to see it in July. I'll take a mimosa as well, Evelyn, Cheers. I particularly like the bit from the PA, thanks Karen."}, {"response": 27, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (10:33)", "body": "Thanks Mari, Karen and Donna for posting the reviews so quickly. Wow! The cast must be flying. Can an appearance on \"Rosie\" be far behind? ;-) The production is the first Broadway venture of Miramax, producers of Stoppard's \"Shakespeare in Love,\" and there are rumors of Gwyneth Paltrow or Julianne Moore taking over when the London cast ends its 20-week run. ...and, no doubt, starring in the movie version as well. Gaahh:-("}, {"response": 28, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (10:35)", "body": "From FOX-TV News : Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing By Roger Fiedman I've been to a lot of Broadway openings, but last night's premiere of The Real Thing was most memorable. Tom Stoppard's brilliant play, which first ran on Broadway in 1982 with Jeremy Irons, Glenn Close and Christine Baranski, is now the most impressive hit of the 1999-2000 season. This is a British production, presented on Broadway by Anita Waxman and Miramax Films. Miramax got involved because of Stoppard, who wrote Shakespeare in Love for them. As you know, everyone got Oscars on that deal. Come June 4, all involved will be receiving Tony Awards. The Real Thing is a comedy with dramatic overtones, set in London approximately 20 years ago. But even sticking with the original script, director David Laveaux has managed to make the story as contemporary and moving as ever. The real heroes though are the cast \ufffd all brought from London's Donmar Warehouse Theatre, the same company that gave us Nicole Kidman in The Blue Room last year. Without question the real star of The Real Thing is Stephen Dillane. Mostly unknown to American audiences, Dillane starred a couple of years ago in the little seen film Welcome to Sarajevo. As the conflicted, articulate, sardonic playwright Henry, Dillane turns in a starmaking performance that just crackles right through the house. Where Irons, who originated the role of Henry, was aloof and elegant, Dillane is so actively engaged in the material that the other actors seem pulled to him as if he were a magnet and they were metal. The other principals in the cast, Jennifer Ehle, Sarah Woodward and Nigel Lindsay are all impeccable. Ehle has the hard task of holding her own in scene after scene with Dillane, especially in lengthy, funny speeches. I think further viewings of this production will reveal that she is every bit as good as Dillane, but for right now, Broadway has a new star. The big question will be how to replace these British actors in August. That's when by contract American actors must take their roles. Producer Waxman told me she's already starting to consider some names. Expect the cr\ufffdme de la cr\ufffdme to be fighting for these parts \ufffd every major actor in the 35-to-45 range will want a chance at being part of The Real Thing. And here's a little trivia: Waxman, who's a dish with five adult children, bankrolled her first business with money she won on Hollywood Squares 27 years ago! She took home around $1500 \ufffd \"and no refrigerators or appliances.\" The rest is history. This season she has four plays running on the Great White Way."}, {"response": 29, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (10:43)", "body": "More from Fox News and Roger Friedman (with an \"r\") Sorry.;-) A New York Night of Stars The stars turned out Monday night, even though there was a steady rain falling and a real shortage of taxi cabs. At The Real Thing: actors Paul Rudd, Kyle Maclachlan, Philip Seymour Hoffman and John C. Reilly from the play True West; Frasier and Cheers star Bebe Neuwirth with her beau, former Clinton adviser George Stephanopolous; talk show host Charlie Rose, as well as Talk magazine editor Tina Brown and husband Harold Evans, who just won the first ever lifetime achievement award for British journalists in London. (Harry was the editor of the Sunday Times before he came to the U.S. in 1982 to start Conde Nast Traveler and be the editor-in-chief of Random House.) Also spotted at The Real Thing: Jerry Seinfeld and pregnant wife Jessica Sklar, who sat with Regis and Joy Philbin, Donald Trump and model Melania Knauss, serious Broadway actress Lynn Thigpen, Linda Fiorentino from Where the Money Is and Oscar-winner Marisa Tomei. It was pointed out to me that the Seinfelds looked incredibly unhappy all evening \ufffd I'm sure it was a combination of morning sickness and the foul weather."}, {"response": 30, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (11:21)", "body": "Thanx Mari, not wanting to tempt providence but I would say SD is a dead cert for Best Actor come June 4th, and fingers crossed for JE, DL & TRT. I can't imagaine any other actors in these parts, they have all made them their own."}, {"response": 31, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (11:34)", "body": "Ann, you forget the anti-British bias that occurs with the Tonys. It's going to take all of Harvey's legendary wing-twisting and hyping to overcome."}, {"response": 32, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (11:57)", "body": "Oh! Come on Harvey, get into shape! but then Jeremy Irons won the Tony in 1984."}, {"response": 33, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (15:06)", "body": ""}, {"response": 34, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (15:07)", "body": "A long time ago, and Jeremy Irons was was the only English actor in the cast. The rivalry and tit-for-tatediness (new word coined) has grown tremendously over the past few years. It may be way too much to hope for. British imports get ignored by the Tonys, and American imports get ignored by all the London awards organizations. There's somewhat of a balance."}, {"response": 35, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (17:00)", "body": "Thanks Mari for all the Fox news....Hey, I'm flying too. The big question will be how to replace these British actors in August. That's when by contract American actors must take their roles. Shucks, now everyone will understand Brodie ;-) I do not think JE qualifies as an American actress despite dual citizenship. Nor would she do it IMO with another cast. ... you forget the anti-British bias that occurs with the Tonys On the other hand SD has a good chance esp. since he was skipped over for a BAFTA! That might work in his favor;-) I still have no illusions for Jennifer...the reviews are enough. How proud Mum must be....she said in a recent interview that she glows when someone says:\"Oh, you're Jeniifer Ehle's mother\"....maternal pride. ~~~~~ (Ann)..and to think I had any doubts Evelyn,I am ashamed but very pleased I'll admit, I wuz scared too...called K. last night in a \"fit of nerves\"..."}, {"response": 36, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (17:09)", "body": "I wasn't going to tell them. ;-)"}, {"response": 37, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (17:14)", "body": "Evelyn, although I tend to agree with Karen and you about S & JE actually winning a Tony, I really think after these wonderful reviews that they will be nominated, hope someone goes to the Tony Awards, they are open to the public."}, {"response": 38, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (18:06)", "body": "Well, it's been an exciting day on 132! The cast must be over the moon about these reviews--very, very well-deserved. Pressure is off now; they can relax a bit and just enjoy the run. (Best of all, Ann, Evelyn, and Donna get to relax now, too.;-) I'm going to be optimistic and say that the play, SD, and JE will not only be nommed for Tonys--but will have a real shot at winning. I think the pissing contest (or as Karen euphemistically put it, tit-for-tatediness;-) between the British and American unions has eased somewhat and there seems to be a nice exchange of work going both ways across the pond. Secondly, Harvey will sell the hell out of this one, and you know how successful he is at awards time. He's got to be seething that his archrival, Spielberg/Dreamworks, got ahead of him in establishing a relationship with Sam Mendes and the Donmar, plus they won the Oscar to boot. He will come out swinging and, as far as JE is concerned, he won't hesitate to play the North Carolina card.;-) As far as who takes over after the 20-week run is up--it doesn't matter. The people who originated the roles will rightfully get the accolades and glory; extension of the run with another cast is just about money-making. Besides, Jennifer will be ready to move on--she will get tons of offers. Her parents must be so thrilled. Love that quote from RH, Evelyn; nice that they are together in one spot to enjoy this. Should be some more reviews in the days ahead. Typically, nearby cities also review major NY works, plus Time and EW will likely have something. Does anyone have the URL for the Outer Critics nominations? I want to look at the competition.;-) Thanks."}, {"response": 39, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (18:57)", "body": "The URL for the Outer Critics nominations are on the theatre.com website ; http://www.theatre.com/news/public/newsbrief.asp?newsid=7026 Am exhausted...I've had too much excitement for one day!"}, {"response": 40, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (20:38)", "body": "I never said SD or JE wouldn't get a nomination. Can't imagine that SD wouldn't. These work exchanges (actor for actor) gives you some idea that this is still a major issue. Hmmm, but that Lion King snub..."}, {"response": 41, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (21:33)", "body": "(Karen) A long time ago, and Jeremy Irons was was the only English actor in the cast. And he apparently approached the role very differently than SD, according to some of the reviews. How refreshing that SD was able to imprint Henry with his own stamp. It will be hard for the next actor to make Henry fresh (imprinting his own stamp), and it will be fun to speculate on who might be good for the role. But I can't even think about that now. :-) (Gwinnie is too young IMO for Annie.) SD is so darn likeable as Henry that maybe the Tony voters will warm up to him, more so than if he assumed the more urbane, less frumpled posture that Jeremy seemed to have adopted. (Forgive if I've read between the lines incorrectly.) (Ann) hope someone goes to the Tony Awards, they are open to the public Don't I get a rest? :-) I noticed that the Drama Desk Awards are announced on April 25th. Does anyone know about these? Is TRT eligible? Thanks everyone for the eagle eyes in spotting the news. It's nice to know we backed a winner, hee hee."}, {"response": 42, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (23:25)", "body": "Henry (Stephen Dillane in a miraculous, masterful performance.) These are all reviews to die for! Thank you all for posting! Those two better be cast in the film version or else! I am v. happy to have seen it. They do deserve all the praise. I will be in London in July, any suggestions as to what plays to see?"}, {"response": 43, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 18, 2000 (23:34)", "body": "(Moon) I will be in London in July, any suggestions as to what plays to see? As a matter of fact, yes. Our Steppenwolf Theater company is taking One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (which just opened here on Sunday) with Gary Sinise to London in July for a short run at the Barbican Center. Amy Morton (who played Nan/Lina in 3DOR here) is the nurse. I'm going to go see it in a couple of weeks."}, {"response": 44, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (01:21)", "body": "and Moon, I am going to see \"A Lady in a Van\" with Maggie Smith and written by Alan Bennet, next week, will let you know what I think of it and whether to recommend it to you."}, {"response": 45, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (04:39)", "body": "Donna. Don't I get a rest? ,Nope, hee hee"}, {"response": 46, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (07:13)", "body": "Thanks for the suggestions. More please!"}, {"response": 47, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (07:42)", "body": "We saw Lady in the Van in January. Very funny, but YDH might take a hike. ;-)"}, {"response": 48, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (08:07)", "body": "We saw Lady in the Van in January. Very funny, but YDH might take a hike. ;-) Really, why? ;-) I would do the matinee. Evenings are booked up."}, {"response": 49, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (08:08)", "body": "From the NY Daily News' gossip column: Putting a Stoppard to Rumor Don't worry about any ugly scenes between literary titans Tom Stoppard and Salman Rushdie. Contrary to London reports, Stoppard tells us he has never dated his friend Rushdie's current flame, model Padma Lakshmi. \"I don't even know her,\" Stoppard said at Monday's opening for the Broadway revival of his critically hailed play, \"The Real Thing.\" Stoppard is used to people poking around in his private life. \"The Real Thing\" deals with the tortured romance of a divorced playwright, Henry, and his actress lover, Annie. And it's hard not to look for parallels between Henry and his twice-divorced creator. Having romanced actress Felicity Kendal (who starred in the original West End production of the play) before she returned to her former husband, Stoppard has lately been linked with model Marie Helvin. Also at the opening were Jerry Seinfeld and Jessica Sklar (sitting next to Regis Philbin and wife Joy), Marisa Tomei, Paul Rudd, Liev Schreiber, Linda Fiorentino, Tina Brown and Harold Evans, Frederique van der Wal, Heidi Klum, Kyle MacLachlan and Desiree Gruber, John C. Riley, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Ron Eldard and Julianna Margulies, Moby, Toni Collette, Geoffrey Rush, Bebe Neuwirth and George Stephanopoulos, and Patrick Stewart."}, {"response": 50, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (09:00)", "body": "The JE Page has yesterday's TRT reviews posted. http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/Alley/4820/real_art.html Are you posting them too, Donna? Get over and make TRT Official Page webmaster link the SD page. ~~~~~~~~~~ \"Lady in the Van\" is a #10. We saw it in January (with Prince Charles and Camilla!). I hear it might transfer to B'way next season. ~~~~~~ Julianna Margulies is a v. good friend of Jennifer's from Paradise Road days. Once on GMA JM mentioned JE was staying at her NY flat.JM will star in a Lincoln Center play next season after she leaves ER."}, {"response": 51, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (14:06)", "body": "Review for TRT from Village Voice, the reviewer seems to be a bit of a misery, but he liked JE & SD so he can't be all bad, he didn't like the 1984 production of TRT. http://villagevoice.com/issues/0016/feingold.shtml"}, {"response": 52, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (14:08)", "body": "forgot to say the review is at the bottom of the page, but his comments at the beginning are worth reading, he sounds very cynical though."}, {"response": 53, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (15:17)", "body": "There are some snippets of reviews we haven't seen at the Real Thing on Broadway website, put all together they sound absolutely wonderful, every bit as good as the reviews last summer."}, {"response": 54, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (15:29)", "body": "TRT on B'way Official Website: http://www.therealthingbroadway.com/index.htm (They wasted no time getting the reviews up!) Is The Bergen Record yours, Eileen?"}, {"response": 55, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (16:17)", "body": "(Ann) Review for TRT from Village Voice, the reviewer seems to be a bit of a misery, but he liked JE & SD so he can't be all bad The reviewer sounds like a miserable sod. Poor baby, he was forced to see a lot of plays this week."}, {"response": 56, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (16:27)", "body": "Donna, there is a wonderful discussion about TRT going on at Virtual Views, I think you would enjoy it, Evelyn and I have already contributed."}, {"response": 57, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (16:49)", "body": "Where is Virtual Views?"}, {"response": 58, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (17:03)", "body": "Where is Virtual Views? Ignore, found it! Thanks."}, {"response": 59, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (17:51)", "body": "Where is Virtual Views? Ignore, found it! Thanks. Really ignore it...I opened up a Pandora's Box....! Didn't mean to;-)"}, {"response": 60, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (18:32)", "body": "LOL - too late! A and D to the rescue :-)"}, {"response": 61, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (21:14)", "body": "Another good review: The Wall Street Journal Wednesday April 19, 2000 Passion and Deceit Are Brilliantly Probed in 'The Real Thing' By Amy Gamerman In Tom Stoppard's \"The Real Thing,\" newly revived at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, Henry, a playwright, pulls out an old cricket bat to describe what he does for a living. The bat just looks like a wood club, but as Henry explains, it's actually several particularly chosen pieces of wood, \"cunningly put together\" to create a launchpad. If the bat is well made, it will smack balls into the air with speed and grace. \"What we're trying to do,\" says Henry (Stephen Dillane), \"is to write cricket bats, so that when we throw up an idea and give it a little knock, it might ... travel.\" Mr. Stoppard writes some of the best cricket bats in the business. Ideas travel first class in \"The Real Thing,\" floating on a play of words so sparkling and so effortless, you don't even see the bat - just the ball. (This is in contrast to Michael Frayn's \"Copenhagen,\" a play that concentrates your eye on the painstaking workmanship of the wooden club.) The ideas that Mr. Stoppard bats around in this 1982 play, staged by David Leveaux in a glossy import from London's Donmar Warehouse, concern true love - the real thing - and the ways people step all over each other to get it. It's also about writing plays, which for Mr. Stoppard is another form of love, and a very real one. Of course, realness is a highly loaded concept in Stoppard territory. He plays brilliantly with our sense of what's true and what's make-believe in the opening scene of \"The Real Thing,\" in which Max (Nigel Lindsay) confronts his wife, Charlotte (wryly played by Sarah Woodward), with the apparent proof of her infidelity. In the next scene, Charlotte staggers out of bed in a man's bathrobe to join Henry in the living room. We assume he's her lover. But it's really they who are married: Charlotte is an actress, and the domestic confrontation we've just witnessed is a scene from a play written by Henry (funny how that bathrobe morphs from sexy to frumpy the instant we realize that Charlotte is a respectable wife and mother). In fact, Henry is the one who's having an affair - with Annie (a radiant Jennifer Ehle), who happens to be the wife of his leading man, Max. They show up for brunch, Annie, who is also an actress, is so giddy with love and the secrecy of it that she seems high. Urging Henry to make a clean break of it, Ms. Ehle all but giggles as she delivers the line, \"It's only a couple of marriages and a child.\" \"The Real Thing\" traces intricate patterns of passion and deceit as Annie and Henry leave their spouses (and a teenage daughter in his case) to marry, only to find themselves wondering if their love is the real thing after all. The \"real\" scenes these people act out blur with the scenes that they act in: Mr. Stoppard throws snippets of Strindberg's \"Miss Julie\" and Ford's \"'Tis Pity She's a Whore\" into the mix, not to mention a clunky scene by a talentless jailhouse playwright who's a minor character in the play. The British cast negotiates this hall of mirrors with great agility, led by the edgy Mr. Dillane. His Henry is the smartest guy in the room, the one who's always quick with a comeback (both wives come to hate him for it). But this doesn't make him look better than everyone else - quite the opposite. Padding around the stage in his socks, Henry seems permanently scuffed around the edges. Words are his refuge. But with Mr. Stoppard at the typewriter, what a glorious refuge they make. And wouldn't you know it? He's given his playwright all the best lines."}, {"response": 62, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 19, 2000 (22:28)", "body": "(Ann) Evelyn and I have already contributed. So did I, several times actually. Took great restraint not to write, \"just how old are you and is your favorite TV show Touched by An Angel?\" Just call me Curiosity...or Ms. Stone ;-)"}, {"response": 63, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (07:31)", "body": "Review in today's Philadelphia Inquirer: A writer's conception of love collides with 'The Real Thing' By Clifford A. Ridley INQUIRER THEATER CRITIC NEW YORK - What a cracklingly good play is The Real Thing, and what a cracklingly good production David Leveaux has made of it! Tom Stoppard's 1982 exploration of love, of what happens when the abstraction meets the mixed-up genuine article, is dazzlingly witty, quietly moving and penetratingly sage. And Leveaux's staging at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, imported from London with its cast intact, perfectly captures both the play's brittle humor and its profoundly human ardor and attendant confusion. Stephen Dillane is Henry, the facile playwright who leaves his wife for Annie, an actress whose eventual fling with a young costar, Billy, precipitates the play's central argument. Annie (Jennifer Ehle) loves Henry, but his insistence that love be as neat as his plays (\"happiness is equilibrium\") drives her mad. Henry is in love with love, with the all-consuming nature of it, \"the insularity of passion.\" But to Annie, that's too simple, too suffocating. \"You have to find a part of yourself where I'm not important,\" she says, yet Henry can't do it. And so the lines are drawn, and though the conclusion may be deliberately ambiguous, getting there is an invigorating journey, including an eloquent defense of writerly precision and a meltingly tender scene between Henry and his teenage daughter. Dillane and Ehle are at once vibrantly alive and achingly vulnerable; and there are masterly supporting performances by Sarah Woodward, Nigel Lindsay, Charlotte Parry and Oscar Pearce. Leveaux's direction deftly balances the play's dual appeals to the heart and the mind; and Vicki Mortimer's set design, involving a series of gray, industrial-looking panels that rearrange themselves from scene to scene, creates a clean, efficient environment that contains the play without visual comment. A few scene changes seemed awkward at the preview I saw, a minor blemish on an otherwise flawless evening."}, {"response": 64, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (09:56)", "body": "I'm surprised more reviewers haven't commented on that scenery which I liked at the Donmar but hated at the Albery. They even brought over the Donmar staircase. Of course it's critical when at the end Annie ascends to the tune of \"I'm a Believer\"....but one reviewer remarked [LOL] that it reminded him of Pilgrims Progress..!"}, {"response": 65, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (10:12)", "body": "Let's be on the lookout for the NY Drama Desk Award Nominations to be announced on Tuesday April 25th and presented on May 14th."}, {"response": 66, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (10:19)", "body": "Let's hope I can actually post this. I've been unable to post anything for the past week. (Karen)So did I, several times actually Ah, now I get it...Rosetta! Duh! *slaps head* It is a very interesting discussion. If I hadn't been studying for my exams, I would have contributed as well. Now it seems they want to stop the discussion...oh well."}, {"response": 67, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (10:30)", "body": "No, just that one person, who persists in viewing the play as being about something that it is not, has given up. She thinks the play is about infidelity, which depresses her. Can you imagine what she would think about Wit, which is about cancer?"}, {"response": 68, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (10:35)", "body": "Oh so your \"R\", slap head twice, how did you know Tineke? Please add to the discussion Tineke, it is far from over. One person does not make a discussion."}, {"response": 69, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (10:44)", "body": "Somebody had to steer the lynch mob away from Evelyn. ;-)"}, {"response": 70, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (11:11)", "body": "Good for you, R, that's what friends are for."}, {"response": 71, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (12:52)", "body": "Thank you all...actually I can usually fend for myself...but this was a crowd. Fun though...I like spirited discussions. Am like Bill...accusations and vituperative remarks roll off me.... ~~~~~~~ Tony website which becomes active on May 3rd. http://www.tonys.org/ IMO TRT has a good chance of Best Revival Play.... Best Actor and Actress...I dunno....nationalism sometimes kicks in on these awards... Remember Lion King at BAFTA time;-) Still....reviews have been superb...can't complain."}, {"response": 72, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (14:14)", "body": "(Kaen) Just call me Curiosity...or Ms. Stone ;-) Karen this reminds me of the old Cheech & Chong routine, featuring the deceptively demure nun, Sister Rosetta Stone, attempting to call her class to order.;-) BTW, Jerseygirl has weighed in . . .;-) Moon, \"Wit\", which Karen mentioned, would be a great one to see, if it's still there in July. Last chance to catch Kathleen Chalfant, who originated the role Off-Broadway. She is magnificent. Read that Emma Thompson will be doing the role in an HBO production; nothing against ET, but I guess Kathleen is not a famous enough cancer victim.:-( Also highly recommend Lady In The Van, as others have. Maggie Smith is a delight. The Prince seemed to be enjoying it too before someone nearly mowed him down.;-)"}, {"response": 73, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (14:23)", "body": "I had a feeling you were Jersygirl, although they don't like aliases at RoP. I'm still slapping that little Holier-than-Thou poster around."}, {"response": 74, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (14:43)", "body": "I see they picked up their ball and left the playground. LOL Gee, I thought we were trying to discuss the play, the beauty of the words and performances. Who was it that kept turning it into a morality play? (And slap my head too, RS and JG, hee hee.)"}, {"response": 75, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (14:44)", "body": "My DH was once banished from VV. His first time out! (heehee)"}, {"response": 76, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (15:19)", "body": "(Donna) Who was it that kept turning it into a morality play? Exactly my thoughts! ;-D Sometimes I just get so sick and tired of that stuff. Had a bunch of comments in that vein with High Fidelity too. People just didn't get it. Oh well, had it gone on any further, we might have heard from Auntie Pasta. :-) My DH was once banished from VV. His first time out! (heehee) As well he should."}, {"response": 77, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 20, 2000 (23:43)", "body": "THE EXPRESS: TOLSTOY'S BATHTUB CLASSIC 20-Apr-2000 TELEVISION'S latest costume drama has yet another surprise for generations of schoolboys who once thumbed the classics in the desperate hope of finding a ripped bodice. Tolstoy's Anna Karenina, adapted for Channel 4, is to feature scenes which are bound to shock viewers. The four-part version of Tolstoy's story of adultery and heartache among the Russian aristocracy has been spiced up with full-frontal sex scenes which are only suggested in the 1875 novel. In one particularly raunchy episode viewers will see 30-year-old Helen McCrory, who plays Anna, and Kevin McKidd as the dashing Count Vronsky, frolic naked in a bath-tub. The scene leads to a sexual encounter with almost nothing left to the imagination. But the film makers claim that the scenes are necessary because they want the drama to have a \"contemporary\" feel. The adaptation comes just a fortnight after the BBC broadcast a new version of Flaubert's Madame Bovary, full of no-holds barred sex scenes. Last night McKidd - star of Trainspotting and Topsy-Turvy - defended the latest drama production. \"People watching have to believe that these two people are absolutely passionate about one another,\" he insisted. \"That's what we tried to achieve. There is extremity in all the emotions.\" Anna Karenina, which will be broadcast next month, now joins a catalogue of classics spiced up for TV and cinema to attract bigger audiences. A new film adaptation of Jane Austen's Mansfield Park, soon to be released in Britain, introduces a lesbian storyline certainly not evident in the original. Moll Flanders, which won large TV audiences, showed actress Alex Kingston having relations with more than a dozen men. She appeared to have her clothes off more often than on, while actor Colin Firth became a pin-up for a generation of women when he appeared in Austen's Pride and Prejudice dressed in wet breeches. But evidence emerged yesterday that the trend towards sex in period drama does not always sell TV classics. Although BBC2's controversial Madame Bovary attracted a respectable 3.5 million viewers for its first episode last week, the audience fell by almost a third once they had actually seen stars Greg Wise and Frances O'Connor without their clothes on. A BBC spokesman said the explicit nature of the Madame Bovary series was acceptable. \"The book was written 150 years ago. We are now broadcasting for a mature audience in the year 2000,\" he said. ~~~~~~~ In you're wondering why this is here, SD is playing Karenin."}, {"response": 78, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 22, 2000 (23:47)", "body": "Another article about Anna Karenina in The Sunday Times (under Culture, Television, \"From Russia with Lovemaking\") \"The sex scenes will grab the headlines, but Channel 4's Anna Karenina is not just a bodice-ripping bonanza, says Steve Grant\" No mention of SD, although a reference to JE and CF (our benchmarks for all costume pieces) ;-)"}, {"response": 79, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Apr 23, 2000 (08:03)", "body": "From today's New York Post--Neil Travis: Two-party system IT'S getting harder to find the real thing when you're invited to the after-party for movie and Broadway premieres. Take the big bash Miramax hosted at Tavern on the Green the other night for its new theatrical smash, \"The Real Thing.\" While the hoi polloi milled about at Warner LeRoy's restaurant, producer Anita Waxman called Elaine Kaufman and asked if she could fit in a few friends. Around 11 p.m. Anita, playwright Tom Stoppard, Rosemary Harris and a group of 50-odd pals arrived at the uptown saloon for their own celebration."}, {"response": 80, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Apr 23, 2000 (08:31)", "body": "Also from today's NY Post:- Stoppard Drama All Too \"Real\" by Clive Barnes \"As Broadway gears up for its customary who-wants-to-be-a- Milionaire fiesta known as the Tony Awards, the big question is whether a show is better the second time around. There are currently three second-timers on New York stages. Two are from Britain Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing and T.R & AL-W \"Jesus Christ Superstar. The Yankee entrant is Arthur Miller's \"The Ride Down Mt. Morgan\"....\" 5th paragraph down \"Wry and painfully charming, Dillane (give that man his Tony right now) embues the beleagured dramatist Henry with seemingly everything we've read about Stoppard himself\"... Clive Barnes certainly seems to like TRT, remember it was him who gave the play 4 out of 4. www.nypostonline.com/entertainment/28790.htm"}, {"response": 81, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Apr 23, 2000 (08:33)", "body": "http://www.nypostonline.com/entertainment/28790.htm"}, {"response": 82, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr 23, 2000 (11:40)", "body": "Clive Barnes is an old NY Times reviewer...Thanks Ann. Like that comment about SD \"Give that man the Tony right now\". And \"succulently sensual Ehle\"...how can that woman remain so down to earth with comments like that! ~~~ Thanks Mari...Harvey can sure throw a party.I bet it was in the Crystal Room of Tavern on the Green."}, {"response": 83, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (00:00)", "body": "An interesting change in the curtain call. All previous performances had the cast doing an ensemble curtain call. Sunday's performance went like this: 1. ensemble 2. 3 supporting actors first, then Nigel and Sarah, then JE, then SD 3. ensemble"}, {"response": 84, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (06:56)", "body": "I believe Saturday's curtain call went that way, as well."}, {"response": 85, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (07:43)", "body": "Meredith, are you going to let us know what you thought of TRT, audience reaction, how full was the theatre. We are pleased to hear all opinions."}, {"response": 86, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (09:43)", "body": "Well, we both loved it! Loved the staging and music. I'm not very articulate, though. We could definitely see it again, but alas, not much chance of that. I was surprised by how funny it was. Now I understand what all the fuss about SD is about! He was amazing. He did land on the floor in the \"cricket bat\" scene. JE was luminous as always and v. sexy. Not Lizzy at all :-) I think it was very well received by the audience. LOTS of buzz at intermission. Theatre was full, or very close. Perhaps a few absentees here and there. Very warm response, but not a SO at end (*we* were standing of course). On a personal note, we got to see JE up close and personal (twice-on her way in and out), but did not have intestinal fortitude to ask for autograph (in manner of stalkers). There was quite a little line of people waiting for her though. Including some \"grown ups\" who were P&P2 fans, who DID have the guts to ask for her autograph. She was facing away, so we couldn't hear what she said. She was off with her chums on the town. I was struck by how anonymous stage actors can be."}, {"response": 87, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (10:05)", "body": "It sounds like Jennifer is making the best of NYC after-hours. SD just keeps impressing."}, {"response": 88, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (10:17)", "body": "Thanks Donna and Meredith . Meredith I don't always get autographs either...When I met Jennifer in Oct. 97 I didn't ask for an autograph...didn't seem appropriate.When I've been at the Donmar on my own, I like to just stand back and \"drink\" him in.It's just being up close and personal that counts.Glad you enjoyed the weekend."}, {"response": 89, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (10:31)", "body": "Thankyou Meredith for your report, I am so glad you liked the play and the performances. Hope you don't mind but I have one other question (or two), if I remember you were to see WITW on the Friday, did you enjoy that play and also did you see any similarity between RH & JE in their acting technique."}, {"response": 90, "author": "susanne", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (10:52)", "body": "More nightlife for Jennifer and Stephen according to Mitchell Fink at the Daily News. Harvey Holding Brit Bash Don't be surprised if Harvey Weinstein starts affecting a British accent. The Miramax honcho is hosting a \"British Invasion\" party tomorrow at Serena for the British stars who appear his company's new and upcoming films. Jimi Mistry will be there from \"East Is East,\" along with Justin Kerrigan from \"Human Traffic,\" Emily Mortimer from \"Love's Labour's Lost\" and Claire Forlani from \"Boys and Girls.\" Expected also are the British cast members from the Tom Stoppard play, \"The Real Thing,\" which Miramax co-produced."}, {"response": 91, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (17:27)", "body": "(Moon)It sounds like Jennifer is making the best of NYC after-hours. \"Salsa-ing\" her way through NY hotspots!"}, {"response": 92, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (23:30)", "body": "Another Award Nomination for TRT from The Drama League for Most Distinguished Revival of a play, winners announced on the 5th May."}, {"response": 93, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr 25, 2000 (08:39)", "body": "There are some nice candid photos of the TRT cast at the opening night party at the Playbill site. Nice one of Jen and mum. Donna, where *does* SD find that shade of green?;-) Go to: http://www.playbill.com/cgi-bin/plb/news?cmd=list&selector=U.S ."}, {"response": 94, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr 25, 2000 (08:44)", "body": "Hmmm, not sure why that doesn't work. Try: http://www.playbill.com Then click on NEWS, then click on U.S. Theatre News. That should do it."}, {"response": 95, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, Apr 25, 2000 (08:51)", "body": "(Mari) where *does* SD find that shade of green?;-) Too bad he didn't wear the yummy aqua one! :-)"}, {"response": 96, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, Apr 25, 2000 (09:10)", "body": "Drama Desk Awards nominations: TRT garnered 2: Stephen for best actor, and the play for best revival"}, {"response": 97, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 25, 2000 (09:25)", "body": "Review from The Hollywood Reporter today: 'The Real Thing' (4/25/00) It isn't always true that a writer's most accessible work is also his best, but it is certainly the case with this 1982 play by Tom Stoppard, being given a sterling Broadway revival at the Ethel Barrymore by London's red-hot Donmar Warehouse, also responsible for such recent Broadway hits as \"Cabaret\" and \"The Blue Room.\" Staged impeccably and acted beautifully by the original British cast (given permission to perform here for a mere 20 weeks), this production is indeed \"The Real Thing.\" Stoppard's play, best remembered here for Mike Nichols' sterling 1984 production starring Jeremy Irons and Glenn Close, manages to pack in myriad themes and ideas with maximum efficiency and impact. It is a love story; an exploration of the artistic process, particularly writing; a playful exercise in the differences between reality and illusion; a celebration of the ineffable joys of pop culture; an examination of the endless struggle between intellect and emotion; and much, much more. Stephen Dillane and Jennifer Ehle, making their Broadway debuts, star in the central roles of Henry, an urbane, witty playwright, and Annie, a beautiful actress starring in his latest play. Henry and Annie, both married, are having an affair, a situation mirrored in a scene presented from Henry's latest work, aptly titled \"House of Cards.\" Soon, they discard their spouses and get together, only to have the past repeat itself a couple of years later when Annie has an affair with a younger co-star. Henry, who has always prided himself on his ability to manipulate life with a well-chosen phrase, suddenly discovers that emotions are not so easily controlled. This work by Stoppard, a playwright often prone to excessive manipulation himself, bears his usual trademarks, including droll, witty dialogue and theatrical tricks played on the audience to make them question their assumptions. But it is also grounded in an emotional reality that makes it very moving. This production, directed by David Leveaux, is far more low-key than Nichols' supremely polished version, but its understated quality makes it that much more affecting. There are moments that don't quite work -- Henry's howl of anguish at the revelation of Annie's infidelity is unconvincing -- but, by and large, the production mines the text's essential qualities. Dillane gives a charmingly rumpled performance, making Henry likable despite his affectations, and Ehle is thoroughly winning as the high-spirited Annie; both will no doubt be major candidates during the upcoming awards season. Nigel Lindsay and Sarah Woodward are excellent as the displaced spouses, and Charlotte Parry, Oscar Pearce and Joshua Henderson make the most of their relatively brief roles. It runs indefinitely. \ufffd Frank Scheck in New York"}, {"response": 98, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, Apr 25, 2000 (09:28)", "body": "2000 Drama Desk Nominees - TRT's competition and the major nominees OUTSTANDING NEW PLAY: Contact with the Enemy, by Frank Gilroy Copenhagen, by Michael Frayn Dinner with Friends, by Donald Margulies Dirty Blonde, by Claudia Shear Jitney, by August Wilson The Tale of the Allergist's Wife, by Charles Busch OUTSTANDING NEW MUSICAL: Contact James Joyce's The Dead Saturday Night Swing! The Wild Party (Manhattan Theatre Club) OUTSTANDING REVIVAL (PLAY): A Moon for the Misbegotten, by Eugene O'Neill The Price, by Arthur Miller The Real Thing, by Tom Stoppard True West, by Sam Shephard Uncle Vanya, by Anton Chekhov Waste by Harley Granville Barker OUTSTANDING REVIVAL (MUSICAL): Kiss Me, Kate The Music Man OUTSTANDING ACTOR (PLAY): Gabriel Byrne (A Moon for the Misbegotten) Kevin Chamberlin (Dirty Blonde) Stephen Dillane (The Real Thing) Derek Jacobi (Uncle Vanya) Philip Seymour Hoffman (True West) Paul Sparks (Coyote on a Fence) OUTSTANDING ACTRESS (PLAY): Sinead Cusack (Our Lady of Sligo) Eileen Heckart (The Waverly Gallery) Linda Lavin (The Tale of the Allergist's Wife) Claudia Shear (Dirty Blonde) Lynn Thigpen (Jar the Floor) Charlyne Woodard (In the Blood) OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTOR (PLAY): Matthew Arkin (Dinner with Friends) Roy Dotrice (A Moon for the Misbegotten) Joel Grey (Give Me Your Answer, Do!) Philip Seymour Hoffman (The Author's Voice) Brian Murray (Uncle Vanya) Harris Yulin (The Price) OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTRESS (PLAY): Jillian Armenante (The Cider House Rules, Part One: Here in St. Cloud) Marylouise Burke (Fuddy Meers) Seana Kofoed (An Experiment with an Air Pump) Chiara Mangiameli (The Time of the Cuckoo) Phyllis Newman (The Moment When) Amy Sedaris (The Country Club) OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR (PLAY): Michael Blakemore (Copenhagen) Thomas Hulce and Jane Jones (The Cider House Rules:Part One, Here in St. Cloud) James Lapine (Dirty Blonde) Marion McClinton (Jitney) Michael Mayer (Uncle Vanya) Daniel Sullivan (Dinner with Friends) OUTSTANDING SOLO PERFORMANCE: Olympia Dukakis (Rose) Spalding Gray (Morning, Noon and Night) Barry Humphries (Dame Edna: The Royal Tour) Mark Linn-Baker (Chesapeake) Mark Setlock (Fully Committed) Marc Wolf (Another American: Asking and Telling) SPECIAL AWARDS: Producer Alexander Cohen for Lifetime Achievement (posthumously) Barnard Hughes and Helen Stenborg for Shared Lifetime Achievement The ensemble of Jitney"}, {"response": 99, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr 25, 2000 (09:47)", "body": "Thanks for the list, Donna. I didn't realize the Drama Desk combined Broadway *and* Off-Broadway plays. That makes it a huge field, lots of competition. Nice news for TRT and SD; disappointed that JE didn't get something, but again it's a big field to draw from. Tonys focus on Broadway only I believe. I didn't think Uncle Vanya opened yet--did it?"}, {"response": 100, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Apr 25, 2000 (09:53)", "body": "Thanks, Mari! From Playbill here is a great picture: They all look so happy!"}, {"response": 101, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 25, 2000 (09:58)", "body": "Thanks everybody for reviews and Drama Desk Award Noms. Wish \"Annie\" was up there with \"Henry\":-( More nominations coming though. ~~~~~ Sinead Cusack (Mrs. Jeremy Irons, I think)is a formidable actress in this play. Wish I had time to see it. It played at the National. ~~~~~~~ JE is carbon copy of her Mum . Nice pic of the cast. Looks as if they really had a good time... Ya'better help SD pick out his shirts, Donna;-)"}, {"response": 102, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, Apr 25, 2000 (10:03)", "body": "(Moon Dreams) They all look so happy! Yes a very nice pic, I'm happy for them all. (I guess Brodie was tired of sporting dip on his face, and opted for a tux, hee hee.) \"JG\" - Uncle Vanya officially opens on the 30th."}, {"response": 103, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Tue, Apr 25, 2000 (14:20)", "body": "Ann-WITW on the Friday, did you enjoy that play and also did you see any similarity between RH & JE in their acting technique. This is fearfully off topic, but I will reply here, if that's OK. We enjoyed WITW very much. It was very funny-very much ensemble. Lots of laughs! Those old broads really have timing (if you'll excuse the expression--very affectionately meant). I was struck by Rosemary Harris' presence. You can tell she's very experienced on stage. (I also saw her arrive at theatre with baseball cap on her head--at least I think it was a cap like that-I was rather startled to see her on the street :-). In JE's case, I had no idea her voice was so low pitched, very deep. We weren't as close to the stage in TRT as we would have liked. I'm afraid I don't know enough about theatre to compare and contrast their styles. I'm of the \"I know what I like\" school, and I liked them both, in both plays."}, {"response": 104, "author": "Saskia", "date": "Tue, Apr 25, 2000 (16:16)", "body": "Hello to all. I can answer to of your queries. Yes, Sinead Cusack is married to Jeremy Irons. Yes as well, on the question of the Tonys. The Antoinette Perry Awards, which is the full name for the Tonys, are for Broadway productions. Off-Broadway shows are not open for consideration. According to the Tony by-laws \"True West\" will be eligible to nominated for Best New Play, as it as never been produced on Broadway before."}, {"response": 105, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Apr 25, 2000 (17:22)", "body": "Thank you, Saskia! Welcome to our party. :-)"}, {"response": 106, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 27, 2000 (09:51)", "body": "From Robert Osborne's column: Critic's choice: Drama Desk over Outer Circle NEW YORK -- Sally Ann Howes in \"James Joyce's The Dead,\" Philip Seymour Hoffman in \"True West,\" Eartha Kitt in \"The Wild Party,\" Barry Humphries in \"Dame Edna: The Royal Tour\" and a few others got grand news on Tuesday: Nominations in their individual categories from the Drama Desk for their outstanding work this season on Broadway, nominations none of them received a week ago when the Outer Critics Circle announced its own list of the best in New York theater. That's what makes horse racing, of course, a difference of opinion, but Howes, Hoffman, Kitt, et al. are too good, too award-worthy not to be singled out for mitt-pounding; so this list, to my eyes anyway, seems the much better one. (To be fair about it, Hoffman, along with his \"West\" co-star John C. Reilly, and Humphries each will receive special Critics Circle citations; none, however, were included in a competitive category.) What's astounding is that Reilly also was a no-show on the Drama Desk's nomination list. He came up with a big, fat zero wh le his teammate and pal Hoffman pulled two, count 'em, two Drama Desk acknowledgments, the first as best actor in a play for his \"West\" work, the second in the category of best featured actor in a play, the off-Broadway \"Author's Voices: Imagining Brad\" ... For the record: Unlike the Tony awards, the Drama Desk lumps together both Broadway and off-Broadway work; hopefully, one day soon, the Tonys will realize they're doing everyone a disservice by not doing the same, especially since those once-distinct lines between the two venues get fainter by the minute. The Outer Critics Circle, made up of writers on the N.Y. theater for out-of-town media, also honors both Broadway and off-Broadway but keeps separate the judging of work in those two areas. There are some true eyebrow lifters: Philip Bosco, who gives one of the year's really superb Broadway performances, failed to get nominated for his work in \"Copenhagen\" by either the DD or OCC. (Does this doom his chances of deserved Tony attention?). None of the many reliables currently cavorting in Noel Coward's \"Waiting in the Wings\" (including Lauren Bacall, Rosemary Harris, Rosemary Murphy and Simon Jones) were tapped by the DD; two of them, Harris and Jones, did manage to end up on the OCC list. Likewise, Harris' daughter Jennifer Ehle pulled an OCC nod for her dazzling work in the revival of \"The Real Thing\" but has been overlooked by the DD. David Suchet, Michael Sheen and Cindy Katz of \"Amadeus\" are in the same boat, liked by one group (the Outer Critics group), ignored by the other (the Drama Deskers). Ditto Laura Linney in \"Uncle Vanya,\" Blair Brown in \"The Dead,\" Michael Breese in \"Kiss Me Kate.\" Maybe the biggest surprise among all the omissions on the DD list, though, is Deborah Yates. s the musical's \"Contact's\" spectacular \"girl in yellow,\" Yates steals the show and received love-letter reviews but did not make the DD cut. Nor did Cherry Jones in \"A Moon for the Misbegotten,\" Michele Lee in \"Tale of the Allergist's Wife\" or Debra Monk in \"The Time of the Cuckoo\" ... Most sobering is the fact the generally bashed \"The Wild Party,\" produced off-Broadway by the Manhattan Theatre Club, led the DD nomination list with 13 nods; that other \"The Wild Party\" done on Broadway by the N.Y. Shakespeare Festival and also critically battered, pulled three. And it's as if the new Elton John-Tim Rice musical \"Aida\" never happened."}, {"response": 107, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 27, 2000 (10:00)", "body": "And it's as if the new Elton John-Tim Rice musical \"Aida\" never happened. Just my luck...that's the one I'm seeing !"}, {"response": 108, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 27, 2000 (10:17)", "body": "Isn't he implying that Aida deserved to have had some recognition from them?"}, {"response": 109, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Apr 27, 2000 (11:08)", "body": "I thought the music for Eldorado was disappointing unlike the Lion King. I will be curious to hear if you liked Aida, Evelyn."}, {"response": 110, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Apr 27, 2000 (15:38)", "body": "Another excellent review for TRT from curtainup.com albeit one or two quibbles."}, {"response": 111, "author": "JulieP", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (09:03)", "body": "I saw the play twice, once in London, and once in New York. I thought it was well-written, well acted and very witty, but I will stand by my initial impression that the underlying theme is incredibly depressing. It's nothing to do with the morality of adultery, but I don't think that glorifying serial adulterers is remotely amusing. I am definitely in the minority here, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it."}, {"response": 112, "author": "JulieP", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (09:03)", "body": "PS, Stephen Dillane was delicious!"}, {"response": 113, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (10:56)", "body": "Julie, you're absolutely right: you *are* in the minority here.;-)"}, {"response": 114, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (11:06)", "body": "But not about the delicious part. :-)"}, {"response": 115, "author": "JulieP", "date": "Fri, Apr 28, 2000 (12:44)", "body": "He IS, isn't he! Hee hee! :-)"}, {"response": 116, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Apr 29, 2000 (08:16)", "body": "We'll \"forgive\" Julie her \"minority\" opinion since she injected some drool into it. ;-)"}, {"response": 117, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sat, Apr 29, 2000 (20:58)", "body": "Found this quote in the London Times: \"It's great. It means that there is a real relationship with the audience and that is kind of thrilling.\" Actor Stephen Dillane, after the audience shouted \"Speak up!\" during a performance of his latest play, The Independent"}, {"response": 118, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 29, 2000 (23:10)", "body": "*hee hee* That happened opening night at the Albery and we were there."}, {"response": 119, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr 30, 2000 (14:41)", "body": "(Heide)We'll \"forgive\" Julie her \"minority\" opinion since she injected some drool into it. ;-) Nevah!"}, {"response": 120, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, May  1, 2000 (00:48)", "body": "Outer Circle Winners Announced :-( Best Actor - Derek Jacobi (Uncle Vanya's reviews are not good) Best Revival - A Moon for the Misbegotten All winners are at http://www5.playbill.com/cgi-bin/plb/news?cmd=show&type=news&code=+95326&selector=U.S ."}, {"response": 121, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, May  1, 2000 (00:56)", "body": "I forgot to mention, RH and JE can console each other, they were empty-handed too :-( Best Actress - Eileen Heckart Best Featured Actress - Frances Conroy"}, {"response": 122, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, May  1, 2000 (09:22)", "body": "I have read 4 reviews for UV, and they are not good for either DJ or UV, how on earth did he get nominated let alone win, and the Director was particulary singled out for criticism and he has bee nominated for both OCC & DDA. How could DJ have topped SD, fingers crossed for the TONY nominations on the 8th."}, {"response": 123, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May  1, 2000 (15:39)", "body": "Time Magazine (Richard Zoglin) has a small review of TRT today: In the first scene of this 1984 play, enjoying a somewhat premature Broadway revival, a man confronts his wife with evidence of her affair. In the second scene we learn that the two were acting in a play--yet something very similar is going on in their own lives. The nice thing about The Real Thing is that Stoppard's penchant for trickery doesn't register as mere virtuosity but is integral to his probing exploration of betrayal and trust among married couples. Stephen Dillane heads a flawless, starless cast that has brought over David Leveaux's sharp production from London's Donmar Warehouse and it's a winner. ~~~~~~~~ Can't believe it about Derek Jacobi. Read a review of UV yesterday. His performance was panned. Gaah!!"}, {"response": 124, "author": "susanne", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (11:05)", "body": "Flawless cast, yes, but starless cast-not in our eyes."}, {"response": 125, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (13:40)", "body": "Friends of NY Theatre Award nominations (FANYs) have been announced and Sarah Woodward has been nominated in the Outstanding Supporting Actress category and TRT Outstanding Revival of a Play. (nothing for JE or SD, quite an odd selection)."}, {"response": 126, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (13:52)", "body": "Sarah Woodward has been nominated in the Outstanding Supporting Actress category I'm glad she is getting some recognition, I thought she was an excellent Charlotte."}, {"response": 127, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (14:16)", "body": "but what about SD & JE, I am getting a little bit worried now about the TONY Nominations on Monday. How important are the FANYs?"}, {"response": 128, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (14:30)", "body": "Sorry David Leaveaux has been nominated as well."}, {"response": 129, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (14:51)", "body": "Here's the full list for the FANYs http://www5.playbill.com/cgi-bin/plb/news?cmd=show&type=news&code=+95404&selector=U.S . I noticed that the deadline for voting was March 30. Unfortunately, TRT premiered on March 29 to a lukewarm response from the Silver Fox audience. The cast had not reached its stride yet, nor had they made the subtle changes in pacing that seems to move along the play much better now for the American audience. So presumably not many people saw the production, and if they did, they didn't see the cast at their best :-( I don't know about the importance of these awards. Well at least, there doesn't seem to be a shoe-in for the Tony's, though I was hoping it would have been SD. FYI, Uncle Vanya was reviewed in the Wall Street Journal today. The play wasn't received well, but the reviewer thought that DJ was outstanding. He was not kind to the Americans in the cast (Laura Linney and David Patrick Kelly (he said he talked like a surfer dude)). Yes, and he too was critical of the director, saying that everyone seemed to be doing their own thing. If SD doesn't get a nod from the Tony's, it will really be a dirty rotten shame. It is odd that the director was nominated for the FANYs, and not SD. Fingers crossed!"}, {"response": 130, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (15:01)", "body": "You have a good point about the Silver Fox audience Donna, these are the people's awards I believe. I too have read many review for Vanya and for DJ and they have been bad for both and particularly the Director and leading lady. If that gets nominated I will be amazed. As you say how can the Director, and the play be nominated and not the leading actors, who have both received universally wonderful reviews. Fingers doubly crossed."}, {"response": 131, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (15:29)", "body": "I've never heard of these FANYS, and my thought is that they mean nothing. They are just fans who had $250 to plunk down for \"membership.\" RE the Outer Critics and DJ--maybe they are into honoring a \"body of work\" and not necessarily this specific performance. That always irks me; if they honored people when they deserved it, they wouldn't have to make anything up to them later on! Still feeling good about TONY prospects, but it is a more competitive field than I thought."}, {"response": 132, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (15:38)", "body": "It's interesting to note that Amy's View was eligible for a nomination this year but received none, was it nominated for a TONY last year and what about Judi Dench?"}, {"response": 133, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (17:08)", "body": "I never heard of the FANYs either. I agree with Donna...If voting was on March 30th and TRT premiered on the 29th, it means that the voters saw the play during it's preview performances when the cast was still trying to iron out the kinks. They have quite a mixed bag of nominees with last year's plays thrown in.Don't know how they could ignore Judi Dench, but nice that RH made the list. Tony judges are Broadway producers, directors, fellow actors...folks who are competent to judge peer talent...I hope..."}, {"response": 134, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (17:12)", "body": "(AnnW) how can the Director, and the play be nominated and not the leading actors Didn't we see something rather similar with 3DOR and the Oliviers? The play was nominated but none of the actors or the director for that matter? Wonder why the play was if the direction or the acting wasn't particularly notable."}, {"response": 135, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (17:22)", "body": "Quite!"}, {"response": 136, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May  3, 2000 (17:30)", "body": "Here's last year's winners. Ann, Judi did win. NEW YORK (CNN) -- The 1999 Tony Awards, for the 1998-99 Broadway season, were given out at Manhattan's Gershwin Theater Sunday evening. The winners were: Play: \"Side Man.\" Musical: \"Fosse.\" Revival-Play: \"Death of a Salesman.\" Revival-Musical: \"Annie Get Your Gun.\" Actor-Play: Brian Dennehy, \"Death of a Salesman.\" Actress-Play: Judi Dench, \"Amy's View.\" Featured Actor-Play: Frank Wood, \"Side Man.\" Featured Actress-Play: Elizabeth Franz, \"Death of a Salesman.\" Director-Play: Robert Falls, \"Death of a Salesman.\" Director-Musical: Matthew Bourne, \"Swan Lake.\""}, {"response": 137, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (08:55)", "body": "Apologies if this has already been posted but according to Curtainup.com Derek Jacobi has won again, this time for the Drama Desk Awards Oustanding Actor and Moon for the Misbeggoten? has again won Best Revival, is this a trend? Stephen's reviews were tons better!!"}, {"response": 138, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (10:46)", "body": "This should cheer us up! Good 'ol Liz Smith, bless her. From today's column. Great exposure--her column is very widely read, and syndicated in newspapers throughout the U.S. RIALTO RAVES: Four fabulous performances grace the stage at the Barrymore Theatre courtesy of Stephan Dillane, Jennifer Ehle, Nigel Lindsay and Sarah Woodward in Tom Stoppard's bitingly witty and wordy comedy \"The Real Thing.\" Outstanding is the only word for Dillane, who plays a writer not unlike Stoppard himself. Jennifer Ehle, a red-haired beauty - almost as ravishing as her mother, Rosemary Harris - is a knockout as wife and lover. Sarah Woodward is deliciously sardonic. Superbly directed by David Laveaux, this is yet another Donmar Warehouse production, intact from London, making Broadway sit up and take notice. The surprise of the evening? How young the audience was, and how heartily they appreciated the bittersweet humor wrapped in the irony that love is wonderful ... AND WHILE we have Broadway on the brain, there's a new Web site for theater mavens now. The world's most comprehensive coverage of live theater - 1,900 listings across the U.S. Just click on Broadway.com. Welcome to the theater, cyber-ites."}, {"response": 139, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (11:04)", "body": "Thanks Mari....Liz Smith is a gem... I have just spoken to the publicists of TRT and SD and JE are taping a Charlie Rose interview as we speak....to be televised probably next week. Let's all be alert on date. ALSO \"Breakfast with the Arts\"on A&E is still a strong possibility .Have had email from the producer and they are keen on having her on \"She's one of the major reasons why P&P was such a success with A&E\" . We all know the \"other major reason\"...but it's nice when Jennifer gets a little credit and not always \"the wet shirt\"."}, {"response": 140, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (11:17)", "body": "From today's Playbill.com BROADWAY PLAYS BASEBALL A few pre-season games under its belt, the Broadway Show Softball League officially plays ball May 4, with its special opening day event in Central Park. Among those expected to throw the ceremonial first pitch are The Real Thing's Stephen Dillane, Jennifer Ehle, NIgel Lindsay and Sarah Woodward, The Music Man's Rebecca Luker, Beauty and the Beast's Andrea McArdle, Kiss Me, Kate's Marin Mazzie and Taller Than a Dwarf's Matthew Broderick. The National Anthem will be performed by Annie Get Your Gun's Tom Wopat and a trio of singing cowboys. The Broadway Show League plays on the Hecksher Ball Fields in Central Park at 63rd Street and Central Park West. The day's events begin at 1 PM. The Show League has been playing since 1955. Dan Landon is its current commissioner. ~~~~~~~ Wonder what postion JE and SD will play?Think maybe Harve is in on this one? Oh well...they might not be getting the awards, but no one is asking Uncle Vanya to play baseball;-)"}, {"response": 141, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (13:30)", "body": "Great news re: the Charlie Rose interview, Evelyn! Those are usually nice and lengthy, 20--30 minutes. He's had Stoppard on a couple of times that I can recall. So glad she's doing this; A&E would be great, too. The baseball thing sounds like fun; maybe Uncle Vanya is umping.;-)"}, {"response": 142, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (13:55)", "body": "(Mari) maybe Uncle Vanya is umping.;-) Very likely. Umping usually requires overacting, especially when making bad calls. ;-) Can't wait to see the Charlie Rose show...which is... TONIGHT according to the website: http://www.pbs.org/charlierose/ Might be on second after the tribute to the Cardinal http://www.pbs.org/charlierose/show.html"}, {"response": 143, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (14:10)", "body": "A catholic and a couple of infidels. ;-) Thanks for the head-ups!"}, {"response": 144, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (14:24)", "body": "Thanks Karen.Will alert the troops.They're going on hot off the griddle...they taped it this morning."}, {"response": 145, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, May  5, 2000 (01:47)", "body": "I am really sorry everyone but apparently the Drama Desk Awards have not been made yet, according to Curtain Up the Award winners listed on their site were for The Outer Critic Circle Awards and not Drama Desk Awards as they said, they have posted an apology for the error. So Stephen still has a chance!! and so does TRT."}, {"response": 146, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May  5, 2000 (07:02)", "body": "Is it just me or was anybody else disappointed in SD & JE on Charlie Rose last night? What a hard time they had trying to articulate their thoughts! JE kept slumping on the table. What is wrong with sitting up straight? One of the worst interviews I have seen on Charlie Rose."}, {"response": 147, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, May  5, 2000 (07:25)", "body": "(Moon) Is it just me or was anybody else disappointed in SD & JE on Charlie Rose last night? Boo hoo, I didn't see it to know if I would be disappointed or not. :-( I will say that I used to like him as an interviewer, until I got to the point where I would be irritated with his habit of wanting to hear himself talk. Just MHO. I thought he would try too hard to prove to the audience and the interviewee that he was intelligent. I used to want to shout at the TV, \"just interview the guest, Charlie, don't try and impress us with how much you know!\" Yes, he is intelligent, well educated, and not bad to look at either. Charming and probably a wonderful dinner partner. But he interrupts the guest too often. But I digress, sorry, and this is not meant to start a thread on the merits of Charlie :-) Not sure if this happened during the SD and JE interview. Inquiring minds want to know. And how did they look (aside from the slumping) and could you tell what they were wearing? Bummed, bummed, bummed."}, {"response": 148, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  5, 2000 (07:37)", "body": "(Moon) Is it just me or was anybody else disappointed in SD & JE on Charlie Rose last night? Very much so. But we didn't see the whole thing. At the very beginning, when he's saying who is going to be on, they showed clips of SD and JE answering different questions very articulately and with no slumping. ;-) Why they edited it down to those pathetic questions, we'll never know. Think we should email the show and ask them to show the entire interview. Donna, I taped it for you. Evelyn and I thought you wouldn't be back in time. What bugs me about Charlie Rose (aside from his interruptions) is that while his guest is speaking he looks like he's asleep."}, {"response": 149, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, May  5, 2000 (07:51)", "body": "(Karen) Donna, I taped it for you. Evelyn and I thought you wouldn't be back in time. Mega HUGS and kisses!! (Yes, I got back late, and empty-handed...)"}, {"response": 150, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  5, 2000 (08:02)", "body": "No problemo. Check and see if your PBS station rebroadcasts CR during the day. One of mine shows it again at noon. It was on 3 stations last night; had no idea he was so popular. ;-)"}, {"response": 151, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May  5, 2000 (08:17)", "body": "(Donna), I will say that I used to like him as an interviewer, until I got to the point where I would be irritated with his habit of wanting to hear himself talk. He does do that and it is anoying, but last night he really let them talk but they just could not get it together. You will see for yourself. (Karen),What bugs me about Charlie Rose (aside from his interruptions) is that while his guest is speaking he looks like he's asleep. NY is the city that never sleeps. ;-) He does have druppy eyes, I do think he can fix that unless he goes for surgery."}, {"response": 152, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May  5, 2000 (08:21)", "body": "Well, I guess I'll be the dissenting voice here; I thought they did fine last night. They were attempting to address some very intriguing questions, such as: do the playwright's words foster the actor's emotional portrayal, or do the actors need to start from a place of emotion, and then let the words take them where they will. I'm not expressing it very well, but it was, thank God, not the usual talk show fare of \"Oooo, so what was it like working with (insert name of once-great but now-has-been actor).';--) I think we (and I include myself in this) are so accustomed to glib 5-second sound-bites spouted by over-rehearsed celebs that anything else comes off as awkward. Stephen was wearing a dark jacket and brown shirt; Jen had on a charcoal gray suit, hair redder than when I saw her a few weeks ago. Donna, I made a copy as well."}, {"response": 153, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  5, 2000 (08:37)", "body": "(Mari) They were attempting to address some very intriguing questions Seemed to me there was only one question and they beat it to death without imparting anything more substantial (i.e., when you cut through the crap) than \"it depends\" or \"we've tried it different ways\" or \"whatever works for you.\" ;-) Will go back and check as it was only 10 minutes. From the opening (teaser) clip, both SD and JE looked all put together. Think by the time that question was posed, they were fed up with Charlie and aching to get out, hence JE's somewhat disheveled appearance and the frustrated look of both."}, {"response": 154, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, May  5, 2000 (09:15)", "body": "(Mari) Donna, I made a copy as well. Mega HUGS all around K/E/M for thinking of me. Just as well, I would not have been able to watch. Our PBS station is having their fund drive this week and have preempted his show along with most of their programming. Disappointed to hear their interview was only 10 minutes. With two such intelligent and accomplished actors, and with a combined body of work that could be interesting topics of discussion, I bet they could really give riveting and entertaining interviews if asked the right questions. But thanks again, you have excited my anticipation! :-)"}, {"response": 155, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May  5, 2000 (09:16)", "body": "Well, I will also dissent with the Moon and Karen. Obviously they were addressing a difficult topic...as I heard it (at midnight here)...the amalgamating of the methodology of acting (emotions..impulse) and the word of the playwright.\"Cerebral\" as W. Buckley would call it.They weren't rehearsed and didn't have a script.I thought they were brilliant. Not entertainers...not David Letterman stuff. Not many ha, ha's here.Just two very serious actors trying to improve their craft and give the audience their money's worth. Both v. natural, not pretentious. Yes, she wasn't conscentrating on her looks.LOL...the best interview she has given yet.Does v. well , not shy when it comes to talking about her craft...facade comes on when talking about JE.and he has a smile that would melt your toe-nails. In the annals of CR interviews it won't be a #10, but for two unknowns who don't make a career of appearing on talk shows, I was proud of them. IMO"}, {"response": 156, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, May  5, 2000 (09:22)", "body": "(Evelyn) he has a smile that would melt your toe-nails Pant pant."}, {"response": 157, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  5, 2000 (09:29)", "body": "Dissent is fine. While I will agree that the CR show is different (i.e., the guests actually converse most times), I saw a frustration on their faces that said, \"how many times are you going ask that same question?\" or \"it's not that black and white?\" or \"or many different ways can I say this?\" Grrr Stripping away the high-falutin' methodology, that's what it all boiled down to, folks. Sorry. I would've rather heard a discussion like the teaser bit implied. Something more on the play, their interpretation of the characters, etc."}, {"response": 158, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May  5, 2000 (10:13)", "body": "I would like to read the book ...was it by Mamet...called \"True or False\"? I'm interested in methodology...ever since the a recent article in the Observer about CF's training...on Laban etc. You see?...different strokes....etc.;-)"}, {"response": 159, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May  5, 2000 (10:59)", "body": "thank God, not the usual talk show fare of \"Oooo, so what was it like working with (insert name of once-great but now-has-been actor).';--) I watch Charlie Rose very often and for years now. As much fun as I have doing Top 10 lists, I do not watch either Letterman or Leno, or regular TV for that matter. (Karen), Stripping away the high-falutin' methodology, that's what it all boiled down to, folks. Sorry. I would've rather heard a discussion like the teaser bit implied. Something more on the play, their interpretation of the characters, etc. I agree! They could have talked about what they pleased, yet they lingered endlessly on that unclear methodology. (Evelyn), Obviously they were addressing a difficult topic...as I heard it (at midnight here)...the amalgamating of the methodology of acting (emotions..impulse) and the word of the playwright.\" Please! That is their bread and butter, what else do they dedicate so much time too? SD had ONE interesting point when he said that the words somehow took different meanings as they changed to a bigger theatre."}, {"response": 160, "author": "susanne", "date": "Fri, May  5, 2000 (11:50)", "body": "My,my this is one tough crowd. I will put my vote in with Evelyn and Mari. They are both not used to doing publicity so I thought they did very well. I don't think either of them are extroverted, talkative people and both seemed at ease, hence the slouching. Just because they are actors does not mean it is so easy to articulate what they do. Instead of finding fault with Jennifer and Stephen, perhaps CR should have asked a wider range of questions. I do have to say that every time I have seen or read anything about SD, I like him more and more. He's dreamy, she's creamy. :-))"}, {"response": 161, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  5, 2000 (13:12)", "body": "While I may be critical, I do think what was aired was poor, and I'm not blaming SD and JE as CR's comments/questions were inane for the most part. He was totally unbriefed about Jennifer's background apparently. Stephen's final answer after going over and over the same territory finally said *something* and that was about how they had previously subordinated the words to the relationship they were trying to convey and, now, they had a better balance. But like I said, everything boiled down to that anyway. Not exactly an earth-shattering revelation. Oh well... In the opening segment (Jen's hair is neatly coiffed in that), they say: SD: But I like the fact that he inhabits a world in which his love is the most important thing and that's sort of hard to do in your own life (cute little smile beneath fingers covering mouth) JE: I think what's beautiful about it is that it's a sort of...it makes commitment and trust and the openess and some kind of sacrifice that it involves...it makes it sexy and romantic which I think is a difficult thing to do. BTW, I have emailed the show to ask if they would consider airing the entire interview. charlierose@pbs.org"}, {"response": 162, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, May  5, 2000 (14:36)", "body": "Contact and Copenhagen and have won the 2000 Drama League Awards for best musical and play, respectively. Kiss Me, Kate Won the prize for best revival. Boo hoo, another loss for TRT. Full story at: http://www5.playbill.com/cgi-bin/plb/news?cmd=show&type=news&code=+95496&selector=U.S ."}, {"response": 163, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May  5, 2000 (15:43)", "body": "(Karen)BTW, I have emailed the show to ask if they would consider airing the entire interview. Thank you. I also think CR cheated us out of \"Tom Stoppar's remarks about TRT\" which he said we would hear \"later\". Never happened. I doubt CR will do this. LOL... this is not only a controversial play...it's also a controversial interview ;-) Pause:...Now let's all go back to Oprah...."}, {"response": 164, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  5, 2000 (17:26)", "body": "I saw Tom Stoppard when he was on for SIL. Wonder when he talked about TRT? Did CR have TS on when the play opened? v. possible. You could check with the show to get a transcript, which are for sale, but you have to know the airdate."}, {"response": 165, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May  5, 2000 (17:36)", "body": "I saw Tom Stoppard up , close and personal last June when he addressed the Friends of the Donmar after a TRT performance.Very witty.I don't know if CR had him on, but he certainly mentioned his forthcoming clip... \"later on \". (I like the way SD pronounces his name...Stop pard We seem to go for the first syllable) Good idea, I'll inquire.Surely they must have someone who keeps an archive."}, {"response": 166, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (06:00)", "body": "Competition is hotting up for Best Actor Tony Nominations, as The New York Times says \"Tough Time for Nail Bitters\" ...Another category to watch is the best actor in a play, mainly because of the strength of the competition .... SD., Gabriel Byrne, Philip Seymour Hoffman, John C. Reilly, Philip Bosco, Michael Crumpsty, Sir Derek Jacobi and Patrick Stewart....\" and I have also seen Michael Sheen and David Suchet mentioned and only 5 names allowed. It seems to be nominated will be a great honour let alone winning!!"}, {"response": 167, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (06:12)", "body": "AAAAGH - did you read the smarmy review by John Simon? http://www.nymag.com/page.cfm?page_id=2948 He corrects grammar, but then doesn't get the dialogue right. Simon refers to the scene where Henry, as a child, was taken to a concert in Covent Garden. Yes, the written play refers to Callas, but the performance refers to Kiri Takaniwa (sorry if I misspelled, maybe Simon will correct me). You got THAT wrong John! Now, can we trust the rest of your review???"}, {"response": 168, "author": "susanne", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (08:51)", "body": "From today's Dallas Morning News : The Real Thing, Copenhagen and Rose also won acclaim and awards. This time, however, each is something really special. It's as if the Brits had sneaked in a single commando unit and won the war. Where was Paul Revere when we really needed him? The revival of The Real Thing, like so many other top-of-the-line London shows these days, originated at the tiny Donmar Warehouse. Its stars aren't nearly as imposing a pair of names as Jeremy Irons and Glenn Close, who played the leads when Tom Stoppard's comedy-drama debuted on Broadway in 1984. But Stephen Dillane and Jennifer Ehle make The Real Thing the smartest, sexiest play in New York. Mr. Dillane is known in this country, if anything, for the movie Welcome to Sarajevo. He also happens to be the premiere Hamlet of our time, as he proved in Sir Peter Hall's 1994 London production. The same qualities that made him a surpassing Prince of Denmark render him ideal for Mr. Stoppard's playwright-hero - mercurial intelligence, blistering intensity and stiletto wit. Ms. Ehle, the daughter of theatrical diva Rosemary Harris, is a star among the Jane Austen set, for whom tapes of her Elizabeth in the BBC's Pride and Prejudice are first-line collectibles. For The Real Thing, she has bobbed her hair and wears it auburn, making her look like a softer, sexier Gillian Anderson. The Real Thing was Mr. Stoppard's bid to be taken seriously as a writer about emotion, specifically romantic love. It's full of clever tricks - there are no fewer than three plays within the play and sometimes you can't tell whether you're in one of those or in the main plot - but something deeper as well. Mr. Dillane and Ms. Ehle make the bubblies in the Stoppard champagne fizzier, give the heat in his passion more sizzle. Under David Leveaux's direction, they make The Real Thing a show you could watch every night for a week and still hope you could nab another pair of tickets. Joan Marcus / DMN Philip Bosco (left), Blair Brown and Michael Cumpsty spar in Copenhagen. Copenhagen plays the same sort of role in Michael Frayn's career that The Real Thing did in Mr. Stoppard's. Mr. Frayn is a very prolific writer, turning out volumes of magazine stories and novels in addition to many plays. But in the public mind his name means only one thing - Noises Off, the funniest backstage farce of our time. Until now, that is. Although it engages in some Stoppardian ironies and shifts of time, Copenhagen is serious stuff. Its three characters were all real people. Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg were two of the greatest physicists of the 20th century. Their insights paved the way for nuclear energy and the atom bomb - which is what gives the play its force. Heisenberg (Michael Cumpsty) visits Bohr (Philip Bosco) and his wife, Margarethe (Blair Brown), in their Denmark home after his country, Germany, has invaded and occupied theirs. The Bohrs distrust this intrusion by an enemy who used to be like a son to them. What is his motive? And upon that question the whole play revolves. Copenhagen could easily seem like an intellectual exercise, ranging as it does from scientific and philosophical issues to world politics. But it keeps its issues clear and personalizes"}, {"response": 169, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (08:54)", "body": "Thanks for that Sue, what a wonderful review."}, {"response": 170, "author": "susanne", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (08:55)", "body": "Sorry as I was cutting and pasting, I hit the submit button by mistake. I was trying to delete the Copenhagen part. Anyway, if you want to read the whole article it is at http://dallasnews.com/entertainment/73988_BRITISH06.html"}, {"response": 171, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (08:56)", "body": "Very nice article, Sue. That writer knows the material and the actors, something we haven't seen in anybody else's writeup. Liked the info about Dillane's Hamlet being so acclaimed. No one here would know anything about it. Also, the mention about JE being a \"star among the JA set\"!! ;-)"}, {"response": 172, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (10:23)", "body": "Thanks Sue... I like this part too... Re: JE for whom tapes of her Elizabeth in the BBC's Pride and Prejudice are first-line collectibles. He must be the same reviewer who always says about any costume drama... \"...but don't expect a Pride and Prejudice\". P&P is his hallmark....."}, {"response": 173, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (11:59)", "body": "(Sue) Mr. Dillane and Ms. Ehle make the bubblies in the Stoppard champagne fizzier, give the heat in his passion more sizzle. Under David Leveaux's direction, they make The Real Thing a show you could watch every night for a week and still hope you could nab another pair of tickets. My sentiments exactly :-)"}, {"response": 174, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (15:04)", "body": "Re: the Charlie Rose interview (which I missed, unfortunately) -- didn't it air on the day Cardinal O'Connor died and/or include a segment about him? Perhaps the producers decided to cut down the JE/SD interview to accommodate the newsier O'Connor story. There's a big article in today's Boston Globe about Tony contenders and tipping (\"mooting\"?) TRT for best revival. Wasn't able to find the article on the Globe's web site, but among the glowing quotes are: \"...Stoppard is very much in the English tradition of playwriting, and the casually handsome Dillane and irreverently beautiful Ehle are excellent representatives of British acting styles.\" Also includes a large photo of JE (the one in the black dress)."}, {"response": 175, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (15:30)", "body": "I have finally been able to digest your great TRT discussions here and read the stunning reviews. I am, of course, still kicking myself for being too ill to join you at the Donmar last June AARRGH! But this is making up for it. Thanks everyone. Busy catching SD in the AK preview trailers. Anyone else seen them? Fingers crossed for tomorrow."}, {"response": 176, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (19:32)", "body": "There is an article on the Tony noms tomorrow and it looks like SD and JE should be nominated. It would be interested if JE and RH are competing against each other;) Here's the link:"}, {"response": 177, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (19:32)", "body": "Okay, here's the link;) http://cnn.com/2000/SHOWBIZ/Arts/05/07/tony.advancer.ap/index.html"}, {"response": 178, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (20:56)", "body": "Thanks Laura....I'm not banking on it... Not that JE doesn't deserve it,but I have little faith in the system."}, {"response": 179, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (07:21)", "body": "You can listen to the Tony noms being announced at: www.tonys.org The suspense is killing me!"}, {"response": 180, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (07:52)", "body": "At what time will they be announced?"}, {"response": 181, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (07:57)", "body": "The Tony nominations just came out. Unfortunatley my line got corrupted during the broadcast, so I didn't hear the IMPORTANT nominations (actor, actress). But so far, the TRT has been nominated for: Best Revival Director Featured Actress - Sarah Woodward"}, {"response": 182, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (08:04)", "body": "YES - both SD and JE got nominated!!! So did RH. Yippee!!!"}, {"response": 183, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (08:09)", "body": "Yipee Yipee 5 nominations, wonderful, they must all be thrilled, now I can relax. Where are you Evelyn , bring out the champagne!"}, {"response": 184, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (08:13)", "body": ""}, {"response": 185, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (08:15)", "body": "Here's the list of the major noms. GREAT NEWS. I want a mimosa and I want it now! Kate, Music Man, Wild Party Lead 2000 Tony Noms 08-MAY-2000 It's great to be a revival. Kiss Me, Kate leads the Tony Award nominations with 12 nods and The Music Man coming next with 9. An original musical, The Wild Party, made third with 7. Dirty Blonde garnered the most recognition for a play with 5 nominations. Several special awards will be granted this year with Dame Edna, Eileen Heckart (for Excellance in Theatre), Encores!, agent Sylvia Herscher and producer T. Edward Hambleton being honored. A list of nominations follows: Best New Play: Copenhagen by Michael Frayn Dirty Blonde by Claudia Shear The Ride Down Mt. Morgan by Arthur Miller True West by Sam Shepard Best New Musical: Contact James Joyce's The Dead Swing! The Wild Party Best Revival of a Musical: Kiss Me, Kate The Music Man Jesus Christ Superstar Tango Argentino Best Revival of a Play: Amadeus Moon for the Misbegotten The Real Thing The Price Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play: Gabriel Byrne, A Moon for the Misbegotten Stephen Dillane, The Real Thing Philip Seymour Hoffman, True West John C. Reilly, True West David Suchet, Amadeus Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play : Jane Atkinson, Rainmaker Jennifer Ehle, The Real Thing Rosemary Harris, Waiting in the Wings Cherry Jones, A Moon for the Misbegotten Claudia Shear, Dirty Blonde Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical : Craig Bierko, The Music Man Brian Stokes Mitchell, Kiss Me, Kate George Hearn, Putting It Together Mandy Patinkin, The Wild Party Christopher Walken, James Joyce's The Dead Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical: Toni Collette, The Wild Party Heather Headley, Aida Rebecca Luker, The Music Man Audra McDonald, Marie Christine Marin Mazzie, Kiss Me, Kate Best Direction Of A Play : Michael Blakemore, Copenhagen Peter Hall, Amadeus James Lapine, Dirty Blonde David Leveaux, The Real Thing Matthew Warchus, True West Best Direction Of A Musical : Michael Blakemore, Kiss Me, Kate Lynne Taylor Corbett, Swing! Susan Stroman, The Music Man Susan Stroman, Contact Playbill On-Line will publish a complete list of nominations momentarily. --By Robert Simonson and Christine Ehren"}, {"response": 186, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (08:16)", "body": "Evelyn, you really need to have more faith;)"}, {"response": 187, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (08:17)", "body": "Audra McDonald is a fave, I see her getting it for Marie Christine. JE and RH are up against each other, interesting;)"}, {"response": 188, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (08:19)", "body": "what do they mean Dirty Blonde garnared the most nominations for a play, TRT also had 5 nominations!"}, {"response": 189, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (08:22)", "body": "Bring on the bubbles!! Also from the Tonys website, interview with Rosie O'Donell Tonys.org: Will you have this year's nominees on your program? Rosie : Yes. In the week before the Tonys we'll have all the nominated musicals performing. The week before that we'll have as many of the nominated actors and actresses as we can. I'd say, get those VCRs ready!"}, {"response": 190, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (08:28)", "body": "Mimosas coming up!!! Yipee. Really didn't expect it, gang.This is the icing on the cake. Drama Desk awards can stuff them up their*** Now watch the newspapers about mother/daughter combo. Am off to send JE congrats on TRT Home Page.They're distributed to the cast daily. C'mon and join me.... http://www.therealthingbroadway.com/ click on Message to the Cast!! Thanks everybody....a two chardonnay day!"}, {"response": 191, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (08:31)", "body": "I noticed the Tonys website has some TRT pics that I haven't seen before. Just click on gallery and then TRT."}, {"response": 192, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (08:31)", "body": "Great news! I have never watched the Tony Awards before, this will be a first. When is it?"}, {"response": 193, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (08:31)", "body": "Forgot to say....Thank you Harvey....I know you're in there someway"}, {"response": 194, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (08:36)", "body": "They're on in June, Moon. Rosie O'Donnell is hosting. They almost stopped televising the Tony's a few years back because viewership was so low. However, they are fun. Last year, Carol Burnett and Julie Andrews came out singing! (JA got a BIG standing ovation.) Rosie is fun as well, she's a definite theatre lover."}, {"response": 195, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (08:41)", "body": "Thanks, Laura. I sent my congratulations, Evelyn."}, {"response": 196, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (08:52)", "body": "I tried to send a message as well, but I keep on getting an error message:-( I filled in all fields, I can't imagine what I might be doing wrong."}, {"response": 197, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (08:56)", "body": "The Tonys will be on June 4th."}, {"response": 198, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (09:40)", "body": "The message board is probably jammed, Tineke...keep trying!! Big night for the Donmar and Sam too. Plan to email Rachel.They must be ecstatic.Big year for the Donmar. Oscars and Tonys.... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (Laura)They almost stopped televising the Tony's a few years back because viewership was so low. Hey, those Tonly guys aren't so dumb, Laura...Mother/daughter competition helps heightens the show's publicity. (Cynical evelyn strikes again!) ~~~~~~ Thanks Moon...but there is a big contingent who has recognized her talent including the recent Telegraph article...\"Would someone pl. write a part for JE...\"This will help now. Also \"Sunshine\" opens on June 9th. Of course the downside is that she will go into hiding....just like you-know-who..."}, {"response": 199, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (09:58)", "body": "Evelyn, I demand you to stop being so cynical!!! NOW!!!! Have faith!!! She'll sit with her mum and dad, and when they announce the noms for Best Actress they'll show each other kissing and hugging;) Have faith!!! please????"}, {"response": 200, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (10:14)", "body": "We have lots of reasons to tape the show....someone we know is going ! I'll let her give details..... evelyn,....who is doing a \"one-man Macarena\""}, {"response": 201, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (10:22)", "body": "I was finally able to send a message. Now I fear I may have sent it three times. I kept on getting the same error message \"parameter is incorrect\". I went back, hit forward again and then it did get sent. Strange. What do you mean, Evelyn? one-man Macarena! *swinging arms*"}, {"response": 202, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (11:49)", "body": "In our jubilation, did you notice who and what didn't get nominated? Uncle Vanya. No Derek Jacobi. Just a single nod for the featured actress Amy Ryan and a nod for scenic design. In 1984, TRT was nominated in 7 categories, the same 5 plus scenic design and costume design. (Actually best play, not best revival). Anyhow, it won all 5 (actor - Jeremy Irons, actress - Glenn Close, featured actress - Christine Baranski, play - Stoppard, director - Mike Nichols). What a hoot if Stoppard gets it again. Oddly enough, that year TRT played along with A Moon for the Misbegotten and American Buffalo. Same as now."}, {"response": 203, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (11:59)", "body": "Sadly, the biggest competition is their nationality..... No way will 5 Tonys go to Brits. In 1984 TRT was an American production with Anglo-American cast. Can't believe Derek Jacobi was shut out."}, {"response": 204, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (12:24)", "body": "(Evelyn) Sadly, the biggest competition is their nationality..... No way will 5 Tonys go to Brits. Well, since TRT was already honored in '84, I don't think they'll honor it or the director again. But I think the actors have a real shot. Best Actor category is very competitive. I predict the two Yanks, Hoffman and Reilly (both superb actors, BTW) will cancel each other out, coming from the same play. Suchet is well-liked; Bryne's reviews were good, but not as immaculate as SD's. I say SD in a real horse race. Best Actress: Jennifer and Rosemary will tie--yes, you read it first here! The Tony people know how to put on a show;-) Sarah has a good shot as well--nice to see her nommed--she was very good also. TV audience this year will be big. Rosie is back, plus many people tune in for the musicals, and last year was slim pickings--this year, there are some very popular shows. (Kiss Me Kate is fun, saw it earlier this year--FYI for anyone coming to NY.) Gee . . .nothing for Patrick Stewart? What a surprise.;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 205, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (12:47)", "body": "(Mari)The Tony people know how to put on a show;- You are so right.... The wires already are touting... \"Mother and daughter battling it out for Best Actress\"... Good publicity for Jennifer. (Mum already has several Tonys....)"}, {"response": 206, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (14:00)", "body": "Nice pic of Jen and Rosemary, along with Tonys announcment: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/entertainment/newsid_741000/741153.stm"}, {"response": 207, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (14:23)", "body": "LOL flies don't light long on Paramount Classics...they just issued this press release... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tony Nominations Awarded to Rosemary Harris and Jennifer Ehle, Stars of Upcoming Film SUNSHINE NEW YORK, May 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Veteran stage and screen actress Rosemary Harris and her daughter, rising star Jennifer Ehle, were both honored with Tony nominations this morning in New York City. The two women will appear this summer along side Ralph Fiennes in Oscar-winning director Istvan Szabo's sweeping film SUNSHINE, scheduled for release from Paramount Classics on Friday, June 9th. Ms. Harris was nominated for her touching turn as an aging but regal stage actress in the Noel Coward play \"Waiting in the Wings,\" in which she stars with Lauren Bacall. Ms. Ehle has recently garnered impressive reviews for her Broadway debut in the Tom Stoppard play \"The Real Thing,\" in which she plays the mistress of a playwright (Stephen Dillane). The two appear in a compelling casting achievement in SUNSHINE. Ms. Harris plays the older version of her daughter's character. In this highly charged historical and romantic epic, Ms. Harris and Ms. Ehle star with Ralph Fiennes, Rachel Weisz, Deborah Kara Unger, Molly Parker and William Hurt. Mr. Fiennes plays the patriarch in three separate generations of the same extraordinary family. Through the lives, losses and loves of the Sonnenchein (\"Sunshine\") family, director Szabo creates powerful metaphor of the 20th century quest for personal identity and liberty. SUNSHINE is produced by Robert Lantos and Andras Hamori and was written by Istvan Szabo and Israel Horovitz from a story by Szabo. The Tony Awards take place on Sunday, June 4th, Ms. Harris and Ms. Ehle are currently available for interviews in New York City. For more information please contact In NY: Gwin von Ludwig - DDPR / 212/213-8277 In LA: Bob Meyerson - mPRm / 323/933-3399 SOURCE Paramount Classics ~~~~~~ Now that's timely PR!"}, {"response": 208, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May  8, 2000 (16:10)", "body": "True, Evelyn, and that is just the way the machine usually works. That is why we are always surprised/shocked/angered when it does not happen for Colin."}, {"response": 209, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (09:00)", "body": "From Robert Osborne's column for THR: Mother vs. daughter for best actress May 9 NEW YORK -- The most entertaining aspect of that Tony Award nomination list, announced Monday at Sardi's, is hands down the fact that a mother (Rosemary Harris in \"Waiting in the Wings\") and daughter (Jennifer Ehle in \"The Real Thing\") are competing for the same prize in the same category, best actress in a play. You can't get a better hook for armchair quarterbacking than that. It's also something that sets a precedent: It has never happened before in Tony history or, for that matter, in Oscar's 72-year past, either. The closest things in the Academy's history book to such a family matter are the two occasions when sisters competed for Oscars in the same year: Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine in 1941 and Vanessa Redgrave and Lynn Redgrave in 1966. ... The most confusing aspect of this year's Tony list is that so many productions that were lambasted by the critics ended up in the competition: e.g. the roundly lambasted revival of \"Jesus Christ Superstar,\" up for best revival of a musical, and George W lfe's generally panned \"The Wild Party,\" which pulled seven nominations, including best musical. ... There's undoubtedly cheering in some offices today since the 12 nominations for \"Kiss Me, Kate\" are certain to upgrade its boxoffice appeal (despite positive reviews, \"Kate\" has so far failed to take hold as a bona fide hit). The seven for \"Wild Party,\" six for \"Swing!,\" five for \"The Real Thing\" and three for \"Aida\" also may help upgrade their b.o. chances, although there'll be some red faces around the \"Aida\" camp since the highly touted, heavily promoted musical failed, even in a generally weak year, to manage a nom as best musical. (For the record, 15 of the group's nominations went to shows that already bit the dust: \"James Joyce's The Dead,\" \"Marie Christine,\" \"Wrong Mountain,\" \"The Rainmaker,\" \"The Price,\" \"Putting It Together\" and \"Tango Argentino.\") The nomination list will not please Patrick Stewart, Julie Taymor, Lauren Bacall, Olympia Dukakis, Woody Harrelson, Derek Jacobi, Roger Rees, Elaine May or Matthew Broderick, all of whom toiled without Tony recognition. If they deserved no better fate this time around, several did: Where were the names of actors Philip Bosco and Michael Cumpsty, both so fine in \"Copenhagen\"? And Sally Ann Howes, who did such magnificent work in \"The Dead\"? The nominees, by the way, were announced at the Sardi's gathering by Bebe Neuwirth and Kelsey Grammer."}, {"response": 210, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (09:41)", "body": "The thing about Broadway plays, is lately, they have all been panned. With the exception of a few notables. Aida was panned so badly during previews that it had to be revamped! Waiting in the Wings was crucified here in Boston. Kelsey Grammer will be here shortly for MacBeth (I'm hoping to get tix). I'm still planning on seeing The Real Thing this summer. It sounds wonderful!"}, {"response": 211, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (16:24)", "body": "I think JE & SD have won an Award, The World Theatre Awards, or is it a nomination, I am not sure, check out Playbill.com"}, {"response": 212, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (17:36)", "body": "You are right Ann, another award: WORLD THEATRE AWARD :The 2000 Theatre World Awards, which honor performers making their first big New York splash (including, but not limited to, Broadway debuts), have been announced: Stephen Dillane...TRT Jennifer Ehle ...TRT The Theatre World Awards will be presented May 23 at Studio 54. Attendance at the ceremony is by invitation only. ~~~~~~ Full list : http://www5.playbill.com/cgi-bin/plb/news?cmd=show&type=news&code=+95559&selector=U.S . ~~~~~~ Always good for the CV's. But I've never heard of half of them...."}, {"response": 213, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (17:47)", "body": "Hey, can we create our own award and then invite the recipients to our bash? Hmmm, mind thinking... pineapple, pineapple, pineapple On the menu...bananas."}, {"response": 214, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May  9, 2000 (17:57)", "body": "What kind of organization is Theatre World ? Sounds like a \"cult\" . ;-))"}, {"response": 215, "author": "susanne", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (10:09)", "body": "From Liz Smith's Column: TONY NOMINEES such as Gabriel Byrne, Toni Collette, Craig Bierko, Laura Benanti, Stephen Spinella, Blair Brown, Cherry Jones, et al., received fabulous congratulatory baskets courtesy of Taittinger champagne -- everything from velour robes to perfume, silk slippers, crystal paperweights, haircuts at the John Barrett Salon and more. Each basket is valued at about $2,000."}, {"response": 216, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (10:16)", "body": "I read in the Times today that from now on we should address Tom Stoppard as Sir Tom Stoppard."}, {"response": 217, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (10:28)", "body": "..received fabulous congratulatory baskets courtesy of Taittinger champagne -- everything from velour robes to perfume, silk slippers, crystalpaperweights, haircuts at the John Barrett Salon and more. Each basket is valued at about$2,000. I'd rather have the $$$$....but second, I'd take the bubbly instead. Thanks Sue.. ~~~~~~~ Had an email from Rachel yesterday in response to my congratulatory one to the Donmar. She said \"Hi\" to everybody.Will post this on 129 since only a few come here."}, {"response": 218, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, May 10, 2000 (11:04)", "body": "Tineke: I read in the Times today that from now on we should address Tom Stoppard as Sir Tom Stoppard. I think he was already Sir Tom, but has now been appointed by HRH to the Order of Merit."}, {"response": 219, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (12:21)", "body": "A slow day so I thought I'd post this pic of SD at the premiere party."}, {"response": 220, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (13:44)", "body": "That bilious green shirt , ug. (I couldn't sell that at a garage sale with provenance.)He is much handsomer than that pic esp. when he smiles.... They call that a widow's peak? Hmmmmmm."}, {"response": 221, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, May 14, 2000 (05:02)", "body": "For Donna, from today's Sunday Telegraph - they didn't like AK, no chemistry between AK & V, said HMCF made a creditable stab at the role but was not helped by having an unusually wooden Vronsky. ouch poor KMcK, but I am afraid I have to agree. Also said HMcC was matronly looking and that her AK was less glamourous than usual, however, \"But the acting honours belonged to two of the subsidiary roles: DH had an appropriately anguished intensity as Levin, while SD's Karenin was outstanding - a drawling dilletante, knocked utterely off balance by his wife's behaviour. Fingers crossed for TRT and SD at The Drama Desk Awards today. ."}, {"response": 222, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, May 14, 2000 (07:46)", "body": "I can't wait to see SD's Karenin. He is getting so good at putting his own stamp on each role. Thanks A!"}, {"response": 223, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, May 14, 2000 (11:17)", "body": "I can't understand what Anna sees in Vronsky, he has no fire, no passion, no romance, no fantasy, no imagination. A bored footloose and fancy-free Russian cavalry officer seducing a lady? I have once known a lovesick Russian lorry driver and he was a poet compared to KMcK. SD is v. good in this, though."}, {"response": 224, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May 14, 2000 (11:33)", "body": "Sounds like poor casting except for SD. LOL no wonder SD put on that pained expression when Charlie Rose asked him \"Was Anna Karenina[script] the same [as TRT]. Why did HMc leave SD for Kevin McK? I felt the same in Vanity Fair. And we all agreed in TEP....and even Lord Wessex had his moments;-)"}, {"response": 225, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May 14, 2000 (15:54)", "body": "I don't know if this has been posted before re: Tom Stoppard....er, I mean Sir Tom . Mark told us, he had received a new honour by the Queen...but here it is: From British Theatre News : \"ROYAL HONOUR FOR STOPPARD Playwright Tom Stoppard has been awarded the Order of Merit, the highest personal award that can be given by the Queen to those of exceptional distinction in the arts, sciences and other areas of learning. Only 24 people at any one time can hold the OM, which is in the personal gift of the Queen and does not require government approval. Other current theatrical holders of the honour are Sir John Gielgud and opera singer Dame Joan Sutherland.\""}, {"response": 226, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, May 14, 2000 (16:24)", "body": "I am posting an article from The Times (London), May 8th, 2000. This was printed the day the Tony announcements came out - and how prophetic this article was! This article has to do with Patrick Stewart's feud with his producers, and lists some background, including his possible panic over the good reviews that his rivals received. Of course, he ultimately never received a Tony nomination, but the 4 other actors mentioned in this article did. The author, Joanna Coles, did not mention David Suchet, who received the 5th nomination (presummably Patrick's slot). Enjoy, this is an interesting read. I highlighted some of the interesting parts, including the part about Ben Brantley of the NY Times, who gave TRT a rave review. Big money, the TV actor and President Barbie Forget the May Day rallies, the most heroic act of civil disobedience took place on Broadway last week when the British actor Patrick Stewart stunned his audience by suddenly reappearing on stage after his curtain call to badmouth his producers. Stewart - better known for his travails as Captain Jean-Luc Picard aboard the starship Enterprise - is starring in Arthur Miller's Ride Down Mount Morgan, but declared himself furious and depressed that the producers had failed to advertise the show as promised. Neither, he continued, had they erected favourable review quotes in the theatre's lobby. \"Arthur Miller and I have no confidence in our producer's commitment,\" he told an astonished audience. \"I know we have an extraordinary, provocative and vastly entertaining play. What is also needed is promotion and publicity. Arthur and I feel frustrated and helpless.\" The move is a first in Broadway history, and prompted several to claim that Stewart was absolutely crazy. \"There is no excuse for not picking up the phone and screaming at someone,\" snorts one Broadway stalwart. \"I was totally shocked,\" says Ron Kastner, producer of Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing and Sam Shepard's True West, both playing to full houses in neighbouring theatres. \"I also heard there was a secret vote among the cast as to whether they should complain and everyone voted No,\" he tells me. \"Patrick might have taken that as a hint.\" But the question mystifying everyone is why exactly Stewart, known in the business as a consummate pro, should take on his producers, the Shubert Organisation, which is one of theatreland's most powerful outfits. In addition, he's supposed to be a close friend of the company's chairman, Gerald Schoenfeld. Some point out that there's a financial stake involved. Stewart eschewed the normal salary in exchange for a share of the profits. (An example set by Kevin Spacey, who recently cleaned up after full houses for The Icemen Cometh.) But others suggest he may be panicked by the recent rash of great reviews for other actors, notably Gabriel Byrne, Stephen Dillane, Philip Seymour Hoffman and John C. Reilly, who may eclipse him for the all-important best actor Tony award - this year's nominations will be announced later today. The core of his argument also appears shaky. Shubert, which has replied to the attack by filing charges against the star with the actors' union, Equity, says it has spent $1 million marketing the show, which received mixed reviews. Broadway insiders also point out that Stewart was suspiciously lucky in that The New York Times - whose review is crucial - chose to assign the task to the paper's Off-Broadway critic. Bruce Weber found the play \"an intelligent and savage satire\". Ben Brantley, the paper's chief drama critic, who would normally review a new Broadway drama, had previously described the play as \"musty . . . Mr Miller has really brought nothing new to the table\". I track Stewart down to his dressing room, but Equity has got to him first, advising him to hold his peace at least until its hearing on Thursday is over. \"I'm afraid I can't say anything,\" he says, with a meaningful pause. \"I really can't say anything at all.\" I have come across Stewart's nemesis, the all-powerful Shoenfeld, only once, at a New York fundraiser for London's Royal Court Theatre. We both arrived early and, not quite catching his name, I asked him whether he was associated with any one theatre in the city. \"You could say that,\" he said, eyes twinkling. \"I own 17 of 'em.\""}, {"response": 227, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, May 14, 2000 (23:26)", "body": "Yippee!! Welcome to New York Stephen! The Drama Desk Awards have been announced. TRT was nominated in only 2 categories, but took both prizes: ACTOR (PLAY): Gabriel Byrne, A Moon for the Misbegotten Kevin Chamberlin, Dirty Blonde Stephen Dillane, The Real Thing Derek Jacobi, Uncle Vanya Philip Seymour Hoffman, True West Paul Sparks, Coyote on a Fence REVIVAL (PLAY): A Moon for the Misbegotten by Eugene O'Neill The Price by Arthur Miller The Real Thing by Tom Stoppard True West by Sam Shephard Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekhov Waste by Harley Granville Barker"}, {"response": 228, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, May 14, 2000 (23:28)", "body": "Full awards are at: http://www.broadway.com/stories.cfm?ssection=buzz&id=205&ssectionid=1 Thanks E for the wake-up call :-)"}, {"response": 229, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (02:21)", "body": "Great news Donna, and no more than he deserves, hope it augurs well for everyone next month. BTW was it televised and where you able to watch or video it?"}, {"response": 230, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (05:50)", "body": "Yes it was televised locally, but I could not watch or tape :-("}, {"response": 231, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (07:54)", "body": "Fantastic! Did you check out the \"Behind the Scenes\" news item? There's a pic of SD and it's labeled \"British hunk Stephen Dillane took home Outstanding Actor in a Play for TRT\" http://www.broadway.com/stories.cfm?ssection=buzz&id=207&ssectionid=1"}, {"response": 232, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (08:20)", "body": "Nice-goin Steverino.Cute pic too. Wish they hadn't cut off his head...looks like a pic I would take. Great week for Tom Stoppard...honored by the Queen, 5 Tony nominations and Drama Desk Award for TRT. Wow! Wish David Leveaux would have won.But only one category for director of a play and I guess Copenhagen is sweeping the boards. (Jennifer was not nominated on this one. Outer Critics Awards due on May 25th)"}, {"response": 233, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (09:52)", "body": "Super news, and very well deserved!"}, {"response": 234, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (10:34)", "body": "Go Steven! Looking good for that Tony."}, {"response": 235, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (14:49)", "body": "Time Magazine, May 22, p. 158: There's Nothing Like a Good Gene Pool Joan and Melissa Rivers may want to watch their backs. [what a hideous example!!] For years, they have owned the coveted mother-daughter spot on the red carpet at awards shows, but next month their pre-eminence will be challenged by two women of somewhat more refined talents. Last week Rosemary Harris and her daughter Jennifer Ehle were nominated for Tony awards in the category of Best Actress. Harris, a stage veteran who has won a Tony, was recognized for her role in Waiting in the Wings; Ehle, best known for playing Elizabeth Bennet in the 1995 television adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, got the nod for her Broadway debut in The Real Thing. This summer the two can be seen in the film Sunshine, also starring Ralph Fiennes, in which Harris plays the older version of Ehle's character, the most inspired casting since Joan and Melissa played themselves in the TV movie of their life story. Evelyn: Think you need to write Time a letter. Joan and Melissa Rivers being compared to these two. What a travesty!! Who is this imbecile?"}, {"response": 236, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (15:12)", "body": "Thanks Karen...didn't get my issue yet. Joan & Melissa ...puhleeeze. But the publicity is welcomed :-)"}, {"response": 237, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (15:18)", "body": "I'm so glad SD won! Here's another pic I found, with Michael Sheen. I don't know if you've seen this one before. No green shirt this time!"}, {"response": 238, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (15:41)", "body": "I didn't know SD's real name is Stephen Delaney. If this has been posted before, I apologise. Check out the Star Files at Broadway.com. Stephen Dillane Star File There's one about JE as well."}, {"response": 239, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (15:42)", "body": "Hmm, link didn't work! Second attempt: Star File"}, {"response": 240, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (15:50)", "body": "(Tineke) I didn't know SD's real name is Stephen Delaney. No apologies necessary! No, it wasn't posted. Actually he went from Delaney to Dillon to Dillane. One of his earlier theatre programs acknowledged this."}, {"response": 241, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (09:24)", "body": "All log in at 11.30 am (ET) tomorrow at www.tonys.org for live interviews at the Nominees Brunch. According to Playbill online, JE will be there. From Playbill: Tony Nominees To Bunch At Brunch: Annual Event At Sardi's, May 17 On May 8, Tony nominations for the 1999-2000 Broadway season were announced at Sardi's restaurant by Bebe Neuwith and Kelsey Grammer. Aside from peer recognition, increased esteem in the business, and the chance to win a Tony Award, a Tony nomination means...free food! Every year, the American Theatre Wing and the League of American Theatres and Producers, who co-produce the Tony Award, throw a brunch for the nominees at Sardi's theatrical restaurant. This year's lunchtime event -- which is as much a meet-and-greet for the stars and media as it is an occasion to dine -- takes place May 17, 11:30 AM in the restaurant's Eugenia Room. Tony nominees will receive their special certificates at the gathering. Among notables expected at the Brunch are Boyd Gaines, Jennifer Ehle, Craig Bierko, Blair Brown, Philip Seymour Hoffman, John C. Reilly, Claudia Shear, David Suchet and Karen Ziemba, according to Tony spokespersons at the Keith Sherman press office."}, {"response": 242, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (11:42)", "body": "I'm listening to the live interviews at Tony.org at the moment. JE, SD and RH have just been interviewed. The interviews were rather short, but interesting, even though the interviewer didn't know that much about the nominees (she said she thought this was RH's first Tony nominations whereas she's got several and actually won a Tony once). I believe the transcripts of all interviews will appear on the Tony website eventually. So I will not try to write down what's been said."}, {"response": 243, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (11:51)", "body": "Just listened to the Live Interviews of SD, JE and RH from Sardi's on Tony.com. Did anybody else hear it? They sounded uncomfortable.American actors came across as chattier...more relaxed.The interviewer didn't help. Laughed when she asked if this was RH's first Tony nomination.!!! Things are heating up for the Tony's. Click on to the Calendar on Tony website. Designer clothes, jewels from Harry Winston, Van Cleef...trying to mimic the Oscars, I guess.But Tony's is just B'way....and it's a big country.So it will never have a big audience. But arguably the highest award for theatre world-wide."}, {"response": 244, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (11:53)", "body": "(Tineke) even though the interviewer didn't know that much about the nominees Yes, the interviewer's knowledge was a bit on the short side. She also said that TRT got 7 nominations. Seemed like she knew more about the musicals than the plays. Did you hear the part where Claudia Shear was looking for \"that cute guy from TRT\"? LOL"}, {"response": 245, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (11:54)", "body": "I had to laugh when the interviewer said \"Claudia Shear is looking for the cute guy from The Real Thing\" heehee!"}, {"response": 246, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (11:55)", "body": "Jinx, Donna!"}, {"response": 247, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (11:56)", "body": "Hee hee, Claudia and the rest of us!"}, {"response": 248, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (12:00)", "body": "Good thing JE couldn't remember how she found out she was nominated. It saved her from a \"was that a cell phone call?\" question."}, {"response": 249, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (12:15)", "body": "Didn't you find the comment from SD interesting...how the play changes every night... the ambiguous ending....some night's you think Henry and Annie are going to make it and some you don't.Interesting comment. Ask him to elaborate on that one, Donna...next time you talk to him;-) Wonder what that depends on...the audience? How the actors feel about the characters that night? They're sure having a good time ."}, {"response": 250, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (12:28)", "body": "Did you catch Gabriel Byrne's comment about sometimes people in the first row think they're watching a baseball game, and \"getting away with it\"? I wonder what that was about? But I did like his comment about coming back to NY being like appreciating a girlfriend on the second go-round."}, {"response": 251, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (13:10)", "body": "(Evelyn) They sounded uncomfortable.American actors came across as chattier...more relaxed. Yeah, I thought the same thing. The Amercians really seemed to be having fun, the UKers treated it more as a chore than an opportunity to schmooze with the press. JE really sounded like she didn't want to be interviewed, or maybe she just didn't like the questions (me too!). SD sounded like he could slip into some \"disputatiousness\" if properly motivated. Hee hee, that's my new favorite word. I believe that was the first time I ever heard David Suchet's real voice. Sort of a bittersweet moment for him. I saw him in a restaurant recently, the waiters were fawning all over him. Cute in person. how the play changes every night You know, I was just rewatching the Charlie Rose interview. The scene from TRT that they show at the beginning of the clip is played fairly somber. I've seen it played lighter, which I prefer. I only saw it once where JE screams \"I'm behaving normally. It's you who's abnormal.\" Her actions/voice were a nice counterpoint to the words, it got a nice laugh. I wonder too how/when they decide to change the tone in the various scenes. Maybe it's like a jam session with musicians. One kind of takes off and the others follow :-) You know, it never crossed my little pea-brained mind that Henry and Annie wouldn't make it. But then, some of you have been down this path with me before, hopeless romantic that I am (or is that hapless romantic?). And the inquiring minds want to know - do ya think Claudia ever caught up with that cute guy!!!??? ROTFLMAO"}, {"response": 252, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (13:34)", "body": "(Donna)do ya think Claudia ever caught up with that cute guy!!!??? ROTFLMAO You can't get over that comment, can you? LOLLOL! When I heard it, I immediately thought of you. I knew you'd love it. how the play changes every night That was an interesting comment. The second time I saw TRT was a couple of months after I had first seen it. I had noticed a couple of changes but thought that was under David Leveaux' direction. One of the changes was that Annie no longer sat in the couch for the \"touch me\" scene. But then I read in the discussions that this changes every night. There was another interesting change of which I'd always wondered whether it came on the spur of the moment or not. I'm talking about one of the discussions between Henry and Annie. Annie's trying to say something but Henry keeps finishing her lines. Eventually she says \"For Christ's sake, will you stop finishing my sentences for me!\" The second time I saw the play, Henry cut her off. Annie: \"For Christ's sake, will you stop...\" Henry: \"finishing my/your(?) sentences!\" I thought this was incredibly funny. And now I know that it's SD improvising on the spot."}, {"response": 253, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (14:26)", "body": "Finally got a response from some unnamed individual at the Charlie Rose Show. Question: The opening clips of the May 4th show had Stephen Dillane and Jennifer Ehle answering questions about their characters from The Real Thing. Neither of those questions was included in the subsequently aired segment. Are there any plans to show a more complete interview? Many of my friends would be very interested in that interview, as we have seen the play in London and/or NY and have been discussing the play in our Internet forum. Answer: Karen, I just printed out your letter for Charlie. I also passed on your idea to one of our producers. I hope it helps, I personally like your idea, but don\ufffdt book the show. As always, thank you for watching as we try to bring the most interesting guests we can to the roundtable. Charlie Rose Viewer Services"}, {"response": 254, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (14:32)", "body": "(Karen) I personally like your idea, but don\ufffdt book the show. Well thanks for trying..."}, {"response": 255, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (14:48)", "body": "(Tineke) I had noticed a couple of changes but thought that was under David Leveaux' direction. I must share another funny incident. I have seen this play, read it, seen it, read it, etc. So I feel I know it pretty well. There is a moment in the second act just before Henry brings out the cricket bat where he says, \"it's interesting how many of the all time greats begin with B: Beethoven, the Big Bopper\" ... audience laughs. This one evening Stephen is reciting this line, but instead of saying \"Beethoven\" first, out of his mouth comes \"the Big Bopper.\" Well, I knew instantly that this was out of order, and you could tell from his eyes that he immediately caught his mistake, as it were, ruining his own punch line. But the audience laughed. Then he cocked his head to the side like a puppy, made a funny face, then continued with \"Beethoven.\" Well, the audience laughed a second time. He did it smooth as silk. There was no mistaking however that this was a boo-boo. Several weeks go by. I am seeing the play again, and don't you know it, they are now doing it the \"wrong way\", with Big Bopper first, because it drew 2 laughs instead of the usual 1. Strangely enough, the delivery wasn't nearly as funny as the first time when it was unintentional. No pause or funny cocking of the head. But the audience laughed twice. Ah, the magic of live theater!"}, {"response": 256, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (15:02)", "body": "Thanks Karen...good for them to know they could improve on their editing.If only that cardinal hadn't died that day..... JE really sounded like she didn't want to be interviewed, or maybe she just didn't like the questions (me too!) What...she couldn't answer...\"How did you hear of the award?\" Make it up, fergodsake.Instead, she says\"Hmm, I don't remember...\" Grrrrr. Well...she's on all by herself for the A&E interview taping on Friday for airing on Tony-Sunday \"Breakfast with the Arts\". I putting up the joss-sticks."}, {"response": 257, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Wed, May 17, 2000 (15:10)", "body": "...\"How did you hear of the award?\" The interviewer just wanted to know whether she heard it from the website first. That question didn't bother me much. How about this question? \"Your mum has been nominated as well. Will this cause trouble at home?\" ..As if!"}, {"response": 258, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (09:22)", "body": "To see pics of yesterday's brunch, go to http://www.broadway.com/stories.cfm?ssection=buzz&id=284&ssectionid=1"}, {"response": 259, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (09:43)", "body": "Since they like to do collages, thought I'd make viewing a little easier: Sort of a deer caught in the headlights look, don't you think?"}, {"response": 260, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (09:52)", "body": "Thanks Karen.The guy with RH is a fellow actor, not DH. JE&RH have the same \"ping-pong\"cheeks as the Telegraph once called them. Something tells me SD doesn't like to have his picture taken...."}, {"response": 261, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (10:02)", "body": "Yes, it's Ray Dotrice. I know he has an impressive CV, but my recollections of him are from the TV show Beauty and the Beast. ;-)"}, {"response": 262, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, May 18, 2000 (11:20)", "body": "(Karen) Sort of a deer caught in the headlights look, don't you think? He was thinking, \"please hurry up and take the damn picture before Claudia works her way over to this side of the room.\""}, {"response": 263, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Fri, May 19, 2000 (03:41)", "body": "I found another review at http://www.broadwaybeat.com If you go to http://www.broadwaybeat.com/tvindex.htm , you'll find three RealPlayer files. The first is Bebe Neuwirth and Kelsey Grammar announcing the Tony nominations. They show a short clip of each nominated play, musical, actors,... when making the announcement. BROADWAY SNAP-SHOT, 11 May 2000 by Russell Bouthiller"}, {"response": 264, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Fri, May 19, 2000 (03:43)", "body": "I couldn't post it all in one message, I had to cut it. Here's the review. THE REAL THING The American Theatre Wing's Tony nominations came out this week and, as expected, Britwright Tom Stoppard's THE REAL THING did quite well, receiving five nods including one for \"Best Revival of a Play.\" Among its fellow contestants in this catagory, this critically acclaimed Donmar Warehouse import pulled the most nominations, topping A MOON FOR THE MISBEGOTTEN's four, AMADEUS's two and THE PRICE's one. Jennifer Ehle enters into a five-person race for \"Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play,\" up against her own mother, Rosemary Harris, from Noel Coward's WAITING IN THE WINGS. Stephen Dillane earned recognition as \"Leading Actor,\" David Leveaux for \"Best Direction of a Play,\" and Sarah Woodward as \"Featured Actress.\" THE REAL THING is Stoppard's slick and refined look at love, marriage and other such romantic entanglements. Opening with a play-within-a-play, we see a young couple coming apart as the Husband discovers his Wife's infidelity. In the next scene we meet the true players and the true play. The opening sequence is, in fact, a scene from \"House of Cards,\" a play written by the often caustic Henry (Stephen Dillane). His actress wife, Charlotte (Sarah Woodward), portrayed the adulterous Wife. Their actor friend Max (Nigel Lindsay), the Husband, comes by their apartment with his wife, Annie (Jennifer Ehle), whereupon it is quickly established that Henry and Annie are having their own illicit affair. Is this art reflecting life or life reflecting art? These are among the many tribulations knocking about Henry's crisply intelligent mind. At one turn he is the long-suffering artiste, at another the dictatorial grammarian. He is not beneath being above it all. His confidence in his opinions is unfailing, especially in affairs of the heart and, of course, writing. There is but one emotion he seems to have evaded: guilt. It fazes him not to facilitate the break-up of not only Annie and Max's marriage but also his own. And, Debbie (Charlotte Parry), Henry and Charlotte's teen-aged daughter, barely enters into the equation. As Henry and Annie's relationship moves ahead, a tint of irony washes over the fabric of their love. The sharp-minded Henry slips into a muddle, eventually questioning the state of their affair. He seems caught between his view of the world and his place in it; his lofty ideals of love and the stinging realities of his present affair. Henry's view of pop music serves as an example of the way his mind operates. He cannot enjoy this style of music for what it is: simple and ordinary. He must regard it as possessing a greater profundity; otherwise, how could a mind as complex as his enjoy it. Henry's confidence is called into question when Annie, also an actress, ends up in another affair. With a determined vigor, she champions the cause of Brodie (Joshua Henderson), a political prisoner. Determined to get Brodie's voice heard, she convinces Henry to rewrite Brodie's pathetic drama (another play-with-a-play), as she intends to play a leading role in it. While on the road, Annie becomes involved with a handsome young actor, Billy (Oscar Pearce). Henry is miffed to discover his towering principles compromised by such a puerile infatuation. In the inevitable confrontation, Annie deftly appeals to Henry's intellectual superiority by pleading the younger man's vulnerable state. She hopes to let Billy down gently, confident that Henry will be there for her in the end. Theirs may well be the \"real thing\" after all. With all cast members making their Broadway debuts, the performances in Tom Stoppard's THE REAL THING have the vital precision necessary to bring both the comedic and tragic element into a tidy symbiosis. Under the direction of David Leveaux (whose production of last season's ELECTRA garnered well-deserved accolades), Dillane's Henry reaches the perfect balance between effete snobbery and misguided idealism. Even his disheveled hair and slovenly dress (sets and costumes ably designed by Vicki Mortimer) convey an above-it-all outlook. Jennifer Ehle, with her apple-cheek charm and hauntingly Meryl Streep-ish good looks, unearths Annie's grounded pragmatism as well as her fiery passions. Next to Henry she seems temperate, yet not so measured as to avoid her own acts of infidelity. Ehle, whom many of us enjoyed in the BBC production of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, makes this an auspicious debut on the New York stage. This Donmar Warehouse revival of THE REAL THING comes to Broadway's Ethel Barrymore Theatre after an honored run in London. Stephen Dillane earned the Evening Standard Award for his performance and Olivier Award nominations went to Dillane and Jennifer Ehle. The original Broadway production opened in January of 1984 at the Plymouth Theatre and won Tony Awards for Best Play, Leading Actor Jeremy Irons, Leading Actress Glenn Close, Featured Actress Christine Baranski and Director"}, {"response": 265, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 19, 2000 (07:20)", "body": "Thanks, Tineke! So glad I got to see TRT with you, you are quite the expert. SD was so good. Looking at those pictures of him on stage brings it all back."}, {"response": 266, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 19, 2000 (08:10)", "body": "Liked this guy's review."}, {"response": 267, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May 19, 2000 (10:03)", "body": "Liked this guy's review So did I . Love it when they mention JE in P&P.I bet she's surprised about how many US fans she has.(Including the producer of \"Breakfast...\") evelyn"}, {"response": 268, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May 19, 2000 (12:55)", "body": "Catching up with you all here. Thanks everyone for the new photos, reviews and reports. I keep thinking what a nice thing this is for JE and RH to be sharing together. What a special time for them. I picture them shopping Bloomies together for their Tony gowns! (Don't think it's an Oscar-type deal where the designers and jewelers come to you, but what do I know;-) I wonder if A&E will have Tiffany(?) Whatsis doing the JE interview as she did for CF. I keep remembering her burying her head in her hands midway through--ah, the poor woman was smitten, perfectly understandable. I guess that's why they pay Katie C. and Barbara W. the big bucks.:-)"}, {"response": 269, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 19, 2000 (14:42)", "body": "(Mari) Don't think it's an Oscar-type deal where the designers and jewelers come to you, but what do I know;-) Actually, I think I heard on TV the other day, that the purveyors of fine purveyables (like Harry Winston) are coming forward for the Tonys now... Getting more glam. Have written to Rosie to ask when SD and JE will be on. Specifically pointed out the tremendous following P&P has and that it's the benchmark for all costume dramas nowadays. Also, tossed in a hint about Colin and the unique casting for BJD. Must get these TV show people educated and interested!!"}, {"response": 270, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, May 19, 2000 (14:52)", "body": "Good for you Karen, what would we do without you. BTW I may be wrong but wasn't it The Rosie Show that JE was on just before Paradise Road was released. If so I remember her saying she would love to have JE's Mum on the Show."}, {"response": 271, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 19, 2000 (15:00)", "body": "Yes, Jennifer was on Rosie's show to promote Paradise Road. Evelyn lent me the tape for that short segement. The reason I wrote is that I've checked the TV listings for next week and she is starting to have some of the Broadway Tony stuff on, like Kiss Me Kate and Contact. Perhaps it will be the week after next when the actors from the nonmusical shows will appear."}, {"response": 272, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May 19, 2000 (16:00)", "body": "(Don't think it's an Oscar-type deal where the designers and jewelers come to you, but what do I know;-) bradway.com has an article that is following a Tony nominee through fittings for designers, & Harry Winston and Van Cleef jewels. You know NYC doesn't want Hollywood to have all the glam. Even Rudy is getting into the act: Gracie Mansion Lawn Party - New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani invites the Tony nominees and the rest of the theatre community to his residence for an afternoon celebration of the 1999-2000 season on Broadway and off. May 24, 2000 International Press Event - Sponsored by The Creative Coalition, this is an opportunity for the world's media to meet and interview the Tony nominees. ~~~~~~ I hope our guys make it til Aug 13. Read where \"Waiting in the Wings\" is closing on May 28; ahead of the June target date. I'm surprised it lasted this long. Noel Coward is not as popular here and this play is not one of his best. Glad I'm seeing it on the 26th. ~~~~~~ Thanks Karen.Let's see what the next two weeks bring. Too bad WITW is closing. An appearance on Rosie might have helped; though I doubt it. Dramas have a tough time on B'way. And those theatres are Big."}, {"response": 273, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sun, May 21, 2000 (09:27)", "body": "After hitting Refresh 26 times, I finally got in...phew! Here's another pic I like from the Nominees Brunch. (Tonys.org)"}, {"response": 274, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sun, May 21, 2000 (09:43)", "body": "I think Monday, when our admin people are back on the job, I'll talk to them about the problems we're having. That's persistence, Tineke!"}, {"response": 275, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sun, May 21, 2000 (10:06)", "body": "I just found out that Ordinary Decent Criminal was last week's Sneak Preview and I missed it! :-( Now I have to wait till June 26th for it to open. I watched the trailer (a different trailer than the one on your website, Donna) but it showed SD only once."}, {"response": 276, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, May 21, 2000 (10:53)", "body": "(dreuleur) That's persistence, Tineke! You can say that again! Unfortunately it's a rainy day here so I am forced to be indoors. Trouble here at drool and other PC woes. Re-boot time again :-( (Tineke) Now I have to wait till June 26th for it to open. Oooh, where? My toes are curling up just thinking about it! From reading the reviews, I thought this would be such a turkey that it would go straight to video in the US. For anyone reading this, MLSF reviews got RAVE reviews by comparison. The reviewers universally panned the ODC script, some are getting tired of Spacey. But Stephen got nice reviews. I think one of them said he was the only cop (he plays an Irish cop chasing Spacey) that had a 3-digit IQ. Hee hee. Actually SD got very little mention, most of the reviews spent all the space complaining about what a terrible movie it is. And in anticipation of seeing SD in Anna Karenina, I watched the Vivien Leigh version last night (fell asleep about half way through). From what I saw, I think this may be the most satisfying version I've seen to date. Ralph Richardson did a real nice job of Karenin, but actually the script allowed him to do more. It showed how Anna became bored with him. Other movies tend to gloss over their relationship, so you tend to not have sympathy for Anna when she strays. I can't wait to see how the new script treats their relationship. Gee, how can AK possibly stray from SD? One of the reviewers described the character Karenin as bad in bed... LOL Now, if this doesn't post... #@#@$@@!@@!##$$"}, {"response": 277, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sun, May 21, 2000 (12:40)", "body": "The public here seemed to like this film, Donna (BTW, here is Belgium). It got a sneak score of 8.1/10 which is very high! In case you wonder how the Sneak Preview here works; the idea is that you go the cinema, but you don't know in advance what film you'll be seeing. All you know is that it's an avant-premiere. I love the few minutes leading up to it, wondering what film it's going to be. If you don't like the film and leave the theatre before the first half hour, you get your money back. This is a student town, so most of the people in the theatre are students. After the film, you fill in a form about what you thought of the film. The results of this poll are always published on the web. So lots of people, when they can't decide what film they should see, check the sneak website and read the reviews there. Some films that were trashed by the newspapers and magazines may still get good reviews in the sneak and vica versa. The sneak results say more about whether a film is enjoyable or not than other reviews. A newspaper review is one person's opinion, whereas the Sneak Results are the votes of more than 300 people. And from what I can tell from the trailer, ODC looks pretty funny."}, {"response": 278, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, May 21, 2000 (14:45)", "body": "(Tineke) It got a sneak score of 8.1/10 which is very high! Well that is encouraging news! Belgium, eh? Gee, I would offer to meet you in June, but can't manage it :-) And it could be that the UK critics are just plain sick of the story, which is based on a real life crook. I remember reading that they were dissatisfied about how the movie seemed to glorify this thug (Spacey), etc. But the rest of us aren't familiar with his story, so maybe we can appreciate the movie as just an entertaining caper without getting involved in moral issues. I can't wait to hear your review!"}, {"response": 279, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (14:55)", "body": "The Q&A section of this month's Ritz Filmbill says Ordinary Decent Criminal will open in the U.S. \"soon.\" So, it has avoided direct to video!:-) Last month there were two separate questions on CF."}, {"response": 280, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (15:28)", "body": "Nice pic. of JE, SD, SW & RH at Sardi Tony Brunch, at Playbill.com"}, {"response": 281, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, May 22, 2000 (15:42)", "body": "Thanks Ann! BTW, have you sen this RH pic at Tonys.org? I think it's rather funny;-)"}, {"response": 282, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, May 23, 2000 (18:08)", "body": "Rosie O'Donnell will be highlighting these Broadway shows. Nothing said yet about non-musical guests. The schedule for the week of May 29 to June 2 runs as follows: May 29: a performance from Jesus Christ Superstar May 30: a performance from Aida May 31: a performance from Kiss Me, Kate June 1: a performance from Swing! June 2: a performance from The Music Man"}, {"response": 283, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (05:05)", "body": "Updated schedule for the Rosie show. Still no mention of non-musical actors as guests... Thursday, May 25: The Wild Party Friday, May 26: Contact Monday, May 29: Jesus Christ Superstar Tuesday, May 30: Aida Wednesday, May 31: Kiss Me, Kate Thursday, June 1: Swing! Friday, June 2: The Music Man"}, {"response": 284, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (06:33)", "body": "Check out http://www.broadway.com/nominee.cfm Like Playbill, they too give their opinion on what the chances of each nominee are. Stephen Dillane chances: Not bad. As the philadering husband in Tom Stoppard's keen relationship play, Dillane is sexy, charming and centered. But his laid-back manner may not be showy enough to snag the prize. (Byrne got : promising but competition is stiff. Reilly: pretty good)"}, {"response": 285, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (06:34)", "body": "Again, I had to cut the message! And it's not even long! Jennifer Ehle: chances: Strong. Ehle is the discovery of the season and Tony voters may want the chance to claim her as one of our own before Hollywood comes knocking. Rosemary Harris: chances: Despite strong competition from her own flesh and blood, Harris may just repeat her Tony win of 34 years ago Sarah Woodward: chances: Woodward is marvelous as the down-trotten ex-wife to Dillane. She plays the part for real, miles away from Christine Baranski (who originated the part in the original Broadway production). She could easily ride a wave of Real Thing wins. And finally, what they have to say about TRT's chances in the Best Revival category: For it: This production offers a fresh look at a piece that many skeptics thought was purely 1980s. There are genuine starmaking turns by Stephen Dillane and Jennifer Ehle to boot. Against it: The American production of Misbegotten may have an edge simply because its a homegrown hit. Doubtful, but possible"}, {"response": 286, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (07:03)", "body": "Wow, Tineke!! Those writeups on the odds are amazing. Hadn't thought they'd be that positive, especially for Jennifer. Shame Evelyn is offline, but she's in NY now, a mere stone's throw from the theater."}, {"response": 287, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (13:39)", "body": "Tineke - thanks for the info on the Tony nominees...very interesting on their predictions. Also quite an interesting comment about not liking Christine Baranski's Charlotte from 1984. Oh now I wish I really could see a video of that other cast in action. By the way, a few notes back you mentioned seeing another trailer for Ordinary Decent Criminal. Was that in the theater or online? Mari - I think I was with you a while back when you predicted that the 2 guys from True West would cancel each other out. Now it's getting to be pins and needles time. Fingers and toes crossed. And wonderful news about ODC coming to the Ritz. Hey, maybe we can invite Stephen to join us at the viewing? Let's see, he has Mondays off :-) Karen - I nearly s**t a brick when I saw the HG's mug shot on the other topic. Snicker. FYI, I was able to get someone to tape the Drama Desk Awards, so hopefully I can get some good snappies out of it. The viewer said SD gave his presenter a nice smacker when he went up for the award :-)"}, {"response": 288, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (14:10)", "body": "the 2 guys from True West would cancel each other out That usually happens, although I wonder if there would be some sympathy for Philip Seymour Hoffman because of his three movie performances last year that failed to even get nominated (Ripley, Magnolia or Flawless). He received outstanding reviews for all of them and not even a supporting actor nomination."}, {"response": 289, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (15:36)", "body": "For the Ordinary Decent Criminal trailer, go to http://www.cinebel.com/cgi/trailers.exe?nl Just scroll down, the films are ranked alphabetically. Even though the site is in Dutch, the trailers are in English with Dutch and French subtitles. There are three different qualities to choose from (\"Kwaliteit\" = quality); low, middle and high."}, {"response": 290, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (15:58)", "body": "Hi Tineke. Yeah, if you blink your eyes, you miss him. And I thought his hair was short in Welcome to Sarajevo and Deja Vu. I think his 'do is even shorter in this one. Thanks, it's a great site."}, {"response": 291, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (20:47)", "body": "OK, here's another pic of Stephen :-) I thought I recognized the brown shirt. This pic is of him at the Theatre World Awards held today at Studio 54. I think it is the same shirt he wore at the Drama League Awards, posted by Tineke, 237."}, {"response": 292, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (20:49)", "body": "Hmmm, I'll try one more time. If unsuccesful, try this link: http://www5.playbill.com/cgi-bin/plb/news?cmd=show&type=news&code=+95962&selector=U.S ."}, {"response": 293, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (20:56)", "body": "Got it!"}, {"response": 294, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (21:03)", "body": "Compare"}, {"response": 295, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (21:16)", "body": "Not to belabor the point... BUT ... isn't that the shirt worn in the Charlie Rose interview too? :-)"}, {"response": 296, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (22:16)", "body": "Could be. Was dark. Must be due to the weight restrictions on luggage. ;-)"}, {"response": 297, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (17:47)", "body": "Evelyn sends her regard to everyone! She had a nice chat with JE after the show, and I am sure she will fill in the details when she gets back online. But I am happy to report that her encounter with the warm, luminous and charming JE was most enjoyable. And she thought that the play was better than ever. She had an SD sighting after the show too, but did not talk to him as he sped away blending into the crowd. That's all from this roving reporter :-)"}, {"response": 298, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (17:58)", "body": "Excellent news! Have been meaning to call her up. What time do you think is the best to reach her at the hotel, Donna?"}, {"response": 299, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (18:05)", "body": "Hi - my guess would be about 11:00-11:30 NY time. The plays let out about 10:40, so unless she goes out partying, hee hee, she should be wide awake and back at the hotel by then."}, {"response": 300, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (19:00)", "body": "Hmmm, looks like Stephen's wardrobe is as vast as Colin's. '-) Looking forward to seeing Evelyn's report. Is someone we know going to the Tonys?"}, {"response": 301, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (19:14)", "body": "(Heidi) Hmmm, looks like Stephen's wardrobe is as vast as Colin's. '-) LOL. That big, eh? :-) (Heidi) Is someone we know going to the Tonys? Oui mademoiselle :-)"}, {"response": 302, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (20:26)", "body": "I'm so happy for Evelyn! Does anyone know when is she due back home?"}, {"response": 303, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (20:33)", "body": "She won't be home until Monday and on her computer until Tuesday (it's at the spa)."}, {"response": 304, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sat, May 27, 2000 (05:33)", "body": "Some curtain call news from Evelyn - she said that Stephen now comes out first during the curtain call, then the same pattern as befpre - ensemble, pairs, JE, SD. Also, TRT and Stephen were voted best revival and best actor in the Broadway.com poll. http://www.broadway.com/stories.cfm?id=300&ssection=buzz&ssectionid=1 Also, a kind lady was able to tape the Drama Desk Awards for me. I just watched it and there is a cute moment when the best actor awards were being announced. The presenter, Camryn Manheim (spelling?) from The Practice announced that she would like a kiss from the winner. When Steven Bogdosian announced \"Stephen Dillane,\" Camryn shouted, \"I'll take it!\" Well the show cut away to a brief clip from TRT. When the camera went back to the stage, SD and Camryn were in a lock lip. It was the kind of swooping, agressive kiss you might see John Wayne \"take\" from one of his leading ladies. One of those leaning, dipping types. Oh, very cute... SIGH :-)"}, {"response": 305, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (15:25)", "body": "I\ufffd m baaack...and so glad to be home on Drool.... Haven\ufffdt read through all the postings yet on this board, but wanted to say that the performance of TRT was the best I had ever seen (#6!). SD is awesome....Jennifer\ufffds performance was similar to the Albery\ufffds...perhaps more sensual and subtle.They are both obviously v. comfortable in their roles, and with each other (v.important). Some props have been changed, and some lines have been changed. No doubt to connect with the American audience.It worked! They completely overwhelmed the audience. I have never seen such a reception.At curtain call, the audience sprang to their feet like on cue.They are taking their bows differently...SD alone, whole cast, in two\ufffds and then JE and SD individually. Thunderous applause (including whistles and hoorays from the audience).It was thrilling...v. emotional for me, I must admit. I stayed later and got to see and talk to Jennifer. What a charmer....gracious, self-deprecating.... \ufffdYou are now and forever, the best Lizzie\ufffd She smiles...\ufffdIt was a great part\ufffd. I bet she told me four times...\ufffdThank you for coming\ufffd.... I told her \ufffdYour friends on the Internet send their greetings and congratulations.\ufffd JE \ufffdPlease thank them for the lovely roses...they are lovely...I have them on my dressing table.\ufffd[I had sent her a small arrangement of tiny peach roses from everybody]. So I\ufffdm telling you all....\ufffdJennifer sends her thanks\ufffd.... Also got to see Waiting in the Wings and told RH how much I admired Jennifer...She glowed...\ufffdYes, isn\ufffdt she wonderful\ufffd\ufffd, she said. What a bunch of genes...."}, {"response": 306, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (15:33)", "body": "Great to have you back, Evelyn, it sounds as if you had a wonderful time."}, {"response": 307, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (17:55)", "body": "Evelyn, welcome back! You've been missed. I am so happy that you of all people met JE! She is a dolly, isn't she? Nice that she tied your comments about her fans to the roses. Sweet of her and thoughtful of you. Mum sounds like a good sort, too. Hey the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Fingers crossed for Sunday. How was WITW? I'm sorry I missed the chance to go up and see it--got a bit complacent figuring it would go on for a bit more. But, 6 months is a good run for that play."}, {"response": 308, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (18:39)", "body": "Welcome back, Evelyn! It sounds like you had a fantastic time! So happy that TRT is getting the famous standing-ovation that they so well deserve. It is probably worth doing a play in NYC just for it. I bet they will miss it once they are back in the UK. One of these days, you are going to have to set up an interview with Jennifer for your web site. She could not ask for a nicer web-host. The flowers were your usual nice touch. Thank you for sharing them with us. Tell us about the other shows when you get a chance. :-D"}, {"response": 309, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (21:25)", "body": "I must reiterate Evelyn's comment about the response that TRT is getting from the audience. I think having SD stand there first at curtain call time really gets the audience pumped. I think that since the nominations (and the 2 Drama Desk Award wins), the audience comes in knowing they are in for a treat. Below is a Tony prediction from Broadway.com. They have not yet predicted the best actor/actress categories. REVIVAL OF A PLAY: Had True West been placed in this category, it might very well have been the winner. Amadeus and The Price flopped, and while A Moon for the Misbegotten was mostly well-received, it was up against the memory of a better \ufffd70s revival. Moon has a chance, but the spiffy new version of The Real Thing is the likely winner."}, {"response": 310, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (21:51)", "body": "(Moon)One of these days, you are going to have to set up an interview with Jennifer for your web site I'm working up the courage....it may take a while. The poor girl is having a hard time coping with all the hoop-la...left the Sardi's lunch early....RH said: \". She\ufffds a bit strung out at the moment became there\ufffds so much happening at once. \" Aside from the A&E interview this Sunday ,she has an interview coming in Newsday this Sunday and in Interview Mag next month.Plus the eight performances /week and rehearsals!"}, {"response": 311, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (21:57)", "body": "(Evelyn) The poor girl is having a hard time coping with all the hoop-la...left the Sardi's lunch early Yeah, one of them (SD or Sarah Woodward) said that the Olivier's is much more low-key, not all the parties (and neat gifts!). SD was quite overwhelmed at the Sardi's luncheon. These guys must be having the TIME OF THEIR LIFE!"}, {"response": 312, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (22:01)", "body": "one of them (SD or Sarah Woodward) said that the Olivier's is much more low-key, not all the parties Read: Dull. What can you say about an event that isn't even televised live ."}, {"response": 313, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (23:25)", "body": "Ben Brantley of the NY Times is on Charlie Rose right now. He said one of the surprises of this season was The Real Thing. He was not sure he wanted to see a revival, but he was quite pleasantly surprised. He also praised SD. And if he had one criticism, it would be that he is almost too likeable. But he thought his performance was brilliant. Then Charlie brought up the cricket bat scene. And they both gushed about how marvelous the writing in that scene is. His predictions: revival - he thinks TRT will win, he'd be happy (he'd prefer Moon for the Misbegotten) actor - he thinks SD, he'd be happy (he'd prefer Gabriel Byrne) actress - Claudia Shear recommendation to see - True West twice, Dirty Blonde"}, {"response": 314, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (10:21)", "body": "(Evelyn) Aside from the A&E interview this Sunday ,she has an interview coming in Newsday this Sunday and in Interview Mag next month.Plus the eight performances /week and rehearsals! Plus Sunshine opening in the U.S. next week (June 9, is it?). She's one busy girl;-) Welcome back, Evelyn! Loved your report and thrilled that you got to chat with JE. Were there many people waiting for her? As always, you are a sweetheart to send the flowers:-)"}, {"response": 315, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (11:55)", "body": "Wow Evelyn, just caught up with your trip. You must have been SOOOO ecstatic, and the flowers were such a typical touch from you. I love that moment on 3DOR video when Cf thanks you for the flowers that you and Karen organised, I am so pleased that you had so much time with Jennifer I wish we had it on film too, but I can imagine it. I need some chardonnay to toast you and your trip .......... Cheers!"}, {"response": 316, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (12:08)", "body": "Loved your report and thrilled that you got to chat with JE. Were there many people waiting for her No, just me and my friend NY is v. blase about stage actors...after we chatted..she just walked on towards 8th Ave. in the crowd carrying her Bloomingdale shopping bag!! ~~~~~ Best Actress Claudia Shear Yuck....pass the air sickness bag...."}, {"response": 317, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (12:21)", "body": "Just had a call from Donna who is on Broadway and attended the \"Stars in the Alley\" presentation ( a freebie that Broadway actors put on in Shubert's Alley.) RH and Jenn were there...she got good shots of Jennifer...but SD did not show. (Boo!) She'll give us a report tomorrow.\"Our Girl on Broadway\"!"}, {"response": 318, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (14:02)", "body": "Best Actress Claudia Shear Yuck....pass the air sickness bag Actually, I don't think Claudia Shear is that bad. She showed good judgement when she looked for the cute guy from TRT. If JE doesn't win and RH doesn't win either, I'd rather have CS win than Cherry Jones. But I'm hoping CS wins for Best Play and leaves the Best Actress Tony for someone else."}, {"response": 319, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (02:06)", "body": "Well I'm back from Stars in the Alley. Go to this site for a nice review of who was there: http://www.theatre.com/News/public/newsbrief.asp?newsid=7603 When I got there, they were passing out Playbills for this event. It showed the actors and shows that were scheduled to be highlighted, including our SD. Actors would introduce the musical acts. After a few numbers, JE came out. I was so nervous about trying to get some good pics, I can't even remember what she talked about. Some of the actors would talk about theater history or some other related topic. I don't think she introduced a performer. I'll post a pic later. As the show went on, I figured they would save SD for near the end. The bigger names came on near the end, with the exception of Eartha Kitt, who was an earlier performer. She did a song from The Wild Party, I can't say I'm \"wild\" about that music. Anyhow, I kept looking at my watch wondering, \"when is he coming on?\" It was getting late, and I knew these performers would have to do their 2pm matinee. Near the end, Rosemary Harris and Roger Rees came out and did several introductions of musical performers. Then, alas, the show came to an end :-( No SD. Some other announced performers did not show up as well. I think the show may have gone on too long (close to an hour and a half), that some of the performers just had to get to their own theaters to prepare for their own shows. It was originally supposed to be closer to an hour. The show featured some tributes to shows that were closing, including Cats. I could have done without that, thank you very much :-)"}, {"response": 320, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (02:23)", "body": "More Tony predictions from Broadway.com LEADING ACTOR IN A PLAY: David Suchet was marvelous in Amadeus, but was dismissed by the New York Times in a revival that failed. The True West men were terrific, but would have needed a joint nomination to win. Which leaves the highly praised Gabriel Byrne and Stephen Dillane. If the latter wins, which seems likely, he will be taking the prize for the same role for which Jeremy Irons earned it in 1984. LEADING ACTRESS IN A PLAY: I would have to eliminate Jayne Atkinson, as The Rainmaker is long gone (and Atkinson wasn\ufffdt at her best therein). Rosemary Harris was fabulous as usual in Waiting in the Wings, but the lightness of the role and play work against her. Cherry Jones lacked the sensuality and earthiness needed for A Moon for the Misbegotten, but received mostly raves anyway. Claudia Shear seems essential to Dirty Blonde, but also seems more gifted performance artist than great actress; still, she\ufffds appealing in a show she wrote and co-conceived, and could win, unless Rosemary Harris\ufffd daughter, Jennifer Ehle, takes the prize for the same Real Thing role that earned Glenn Close a Tony opposite Irons in \ufffd84."}, {"response": 321, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (04:01)", "body": "More from Broadway.com: pics from the Theater World Awards Mum Rosemary Harris and daughter Jennifer Ehle share a laugh."}, {"response": 322, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (04:03)", "body": "You're not in this pic, are you Donna?;-)"}, {"response": 323, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (04:17)", "body": "Thanks for the report Donna, and thanks very much for going and keeping us up to date, I am vey sorry that SD did not show, you must have been very disappointed."}, {"response": 324, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (09:24)", "body": "Nice pics and great report from the Alley. Shame SD didn't show up, but it sounds like the entertainment was mainly from the musicals. Giving my VCR a tuneup for the big weekend ahead. ;-) (am kicking myself that I didn't use a longer tape...)"}, {"response": 325, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (09:43)", "body": "Shocker!! From Robert Osborne's column today in THR: What? You don't believe a Tony can save a show? One needn't go back further than three years ago, when three new musicals (Kander & Ebb's \"Steel Pier,\" Cy Coleman's \"The Life\" and Maury Yeston's \"Titanic\") were all struggling to find an audience while their grosses fell lower and lower by the day. Then, \"Titanic\" was named the best musical of 1997 and immediately became a virtual sell-out (and is still touring) whereas those other two shows quickly expired. ... The new shows most needing such adrenaline at the moment include \"The Wild Party,\" \"The Green Bird,\" \"Swing!,\" \"The Ride Down Mt. Morgan\" and \"Saturday Night Fever.\" The best play currently on the boards here is also struggling: Tom Stoppard's \"The Real Thing\" is only pulling in about 60% of its capacity at the 1,072-seat Ethel Barrymore Theatre. That's a particularly sad commentary on today's playgoing taste, too, because \"Real\" is not only an engrossing play, but this production is superlative. Its two leads, Stephen Dellane and Jennifer Ehle, g ve a pair of the most electric performances seen on a Broadway stage in the past 10 years."}, {"response": 326, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (09:53)", "body": "Oh no, it better not close before I get to NY in July, perhaps things are beginning to pick up, Evelyn said last Saturday's matinee was sold out."}, {"response": 327, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (10:05)", "body": "I've often wondered how those capacity stats are calculated. Every time I've seen the show, it has been to a rather full house. So maybe a lot of the audience comes from the discount tickets, so maybe the less-than-full-price tickets somehow dilute the capacity stats...? So while the audience is full, the total \"take\" is down...? When I saw Waiting in the Wings, it was a full house and thunderous applause. Then a few days later they announced the closing due to poor advanced bookings. Tis a mystery."}, {"response": 328, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (10:18)", "body": "I have noticed that TRT's average ticket price is higher than other shows so although their capacity is down the gross is up. Please hang on in there and please evryone go and see this wonderful play, it would be such a shame if such a good play closed early. OT Have just read that The Lady in the Van (in London) is closing early, now that is a surprise I thougnt it would go on for ever and ever."}, {"response": 329, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (10:38)", "body": "It was due to Maggie Smith's commitments and they aren't going to replace her. Also read that they are making it into a movie and she will star. Said they wouldn't consider anyone else for the role."}, {"response": 330, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (12:13)", "body": "Below is an article from Playbill.com about the Stars in the Alley, including a blurb about what JE talked about (since I couldn't remember). I've added my \"Joan Rivers\" commentary in BOLD . Tony Nominees Kitt, Hoffman, Ziemba Strut Their Stuff For 2000 Stars in the Alley 31-MAY-2000 The 2000 Stars in the Alley, peppered generously with plugs for the upcoming Tony Awards, had more than a few of the 2000 nominees. Eartha Kitt, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Karen Ziemba, Laura Benanti, Cherry Jones and Jennifer Ehle were among the performers and presenters at the Stars event, held at 11:30 AM in Shubert Alley. Ziemba, who didn't dance a moment from Contact but did put in several appearances during the hour and a half event, opened the proceedings by welcoming the crowd to the thoroughfare between 44th and 45th street, \"Broadway's favorite footpath -- or carpath for some of those producers.\" By the way, no, I wasn't in that crowd picture, LOL. That showed the right side of the stage, I was in the crowd standing to the left. With setting the mood in mind, Orfeh and Janine Myers offered Saturday Night Fever's \"Nights on Broadway.\" They were followed by 1998 Tony nominee Tsidii Le Loka, Brian Kennedy and the Riverdance and Amanzi Singers with one of Riverdance's new Broadway tunes, \"Endless Journey.\" I thought that the woman (Tsidii) looked familiar, was she in The Lion King? Anyhow, she had a fabulous voice. Two-time 2000 Tony Award nominee Claudia Shear, spouting Mae West isms, introduced her next door neighbors, Swing!, whose Benanti sang her sexy duet with trombonist Steve Armour. So, it seems Ms. Shear has finally met \"that cute guy from TRT.\" LOL, I think they must have met at the Drama Desk Awards, if not before. Jennifer Ehle, the star of Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing, connected revivals like her play and long-established pieces by Anton Chekhov and Noel Coward with the new \"classics\": Les Miserables, Miss Saigon and The Phantom of the Opera. Jessica Boevers, currently Eponine, did \"On My Own,\" Luoyong Wang, the Engineer's \"American Dream\" and Howard McGillin, Broadway's Phantom, sang \"The Music of the Night.\" Jessica from Les Mis, tsk tsk. Can't they find people with better voices? Embarassing. Noting that it will be the last \"Stars in the Alley\" for the long-running show, Ziemba introduced Cats. Linda Balgord sang the signature tune, \"Memory.\" Speaking of bad voices. And to think SD was delayed because of these poor performances. No wonder Cats is closing. Meow. Hoffman and his stage partner and fellow Tony nominee, John C. Reilly, played up Broadway's reputation before Kitt took the stage. With her trademark purr and dressed in all black, she launched into The Wild Party's \"When It Ends.\" The tall guy (not the one with the beard) did a great purr when he introduced Eartha. They were standing outside watching the show. Most of the other actors stayed inside until it was time for them to announce, and then you didn't see them again. There were a few exceptions, people who \"worked the press\" (Bernadette Peters, Craig Bierko, Sharon Lawrence, even RH) Tony nominee Craig Bierko, clutching his Daily News \"like a real New Yorker,\" brought on his fellow castmates, The Hawkeye Four, who, he said, are always whispering the most obscene things to him before curtain call, and Rebecca Luker, whose voice he described as \"having someone pour God all over you from a pitcher.\" She and the four sang \"Lida Rose/Will I Ever Tell You.\" Craig is very good looking in person. And he is right about Rebecca, she may have had the sweetest voice there. A pink summer dress-clad Bernadette Peters introduced her show, Annie Get Your Gun, the first of three classic musical comedies to sing a number. Nicole Ruth Snelson and Andrew Palermo did the duet, \"Who Do You Love, I Hope.\" New Sally Bowles and former \"Ellen\" cast member Joely Fisher sang Cabaret's \"Maybe This Time.\" Another TV vet, \"NYPD Blues\" Sharon Lawrence, a new addition to Chicago, dueted with Charlotte D'Amboise on \"My Own Best Friend.\" Joely had a surprisingly nice voice. Not as powerful as some, though I am sure she could work on it. But a better voice than some of the other performers, and better than the actress that I saw play Sally last year (Mary McCormick). The Green Bird's Tony Award nominee Derek Smith brought on the last two musical revivals, Jesus Christ Superstar and Kiss Me, Kate. Glenn Carter in less than Christ-like flared jeans and leather, sang \"Gethsemane\" backed by two acoustic guitars. Tony nominated \"gangsters\" Lee Wilkof and Michael Mulheren did their only -- but unforgettable -- number in Kiss Me, Kate, \"Brush Up Your Shakespeare.\" Finally, Roger Rees and Rosemary Harris, neither native born but both describing the happiness of performing on Broadway, introduced the last shows of the event, Jekyll & Hyde, Footloose and Fosse. Andrea Rivette and Coleen Sexton sang Jekyll's \"In His Eyes.\" RH did express sadness that her show closed, and Roger led the crowd"}, {"response": 331, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (14:40)", "body": "Funny comments, Donna! Looking forward to seeing your pictures. If Lady in the Van closes what should I go see in London this July? I am disappointed."}, {"response": 332, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (15:23)", "body": "Thank you Donna for the \"on the scene\" comments and Tineke for the pics. Which leaves the highly praised Gabriel Byrne and Stephen Dillane. If the latter wins, which seems likely,.. I'm betting on SD. But surely they won't give it to two Brits.... ~~~~~ I too have seen capacity audience for TRT and so has everyone who has seen it. However, I also saw TRT posted on the \"Half-Price Ticket Booth\" every time I passed by.Dramas (esp British...with no \"stars\"...) have a hard \"go\" on B'way. Jeremy Irons was well-known when he played Henry. Copenhagen is doing well...but with an American cast.Amadeus closed early."}, {"response": 333, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (15:24)", "body": "From Reuters/Variety: Broadway's Tony awards revisit familiar ground NEW YORK (Reuters) - As Broadway's biggest night looms, the theme song for Sunday's 54th annual Tony awards might just as well be Johnny Mercer's \"I Remember You.\" Two shows each nearly half a century old led the nominations for Broadway's version of the Oscars, while a dance piece that uses canned renditions of a host of well-known tunes is poised to snatch the coveted best musical prize. This year's Tony awards, held at Radio City Music Hall and hosted by talk show host Rosie O'Donnell, has been mired in controversy nearly from the start, generating a measure of genuine suspense with virtually no shoo-ins. [deleting all the stuff on the musicals] On the drama side, experts say best play, the only other Tony which is seen as having the power to extend a show's life or even move it into the black, has come down to the cerebral British import \"Copenhagen\" and \"Dirty Blonde,\" a deftly executed confection about the late bombshell and screen siren, Mae West. The other nominees are Sam Shepard's 20-year-old \"True West,\" receiving its first Broadway production, and Arthur Miller's 10-year-old play \"The Ride Down Mt. Morgan.\" Tony voters do not consider either a \"new\" play, analysts said. Pressed to call what is seen as a horse race, most experts expected the prestige of Michael Frayne's \"Copenhagen,\" a drama about a 1941 meeting between two physicists in war-torn Europe, to prevail over the commercial appeal of Claudia Shear's sleeper \"Dirty Blonde,\" a small show that began off-Broadway. \"There's a moral imperative to vote for 'Copenhagen\" even though a lot of people are falling asleep at it,\" one observer said. The play has also been named best play by a raft of other theater groups. But a jolt of xenophobia could always give the comedy, by American Shear who also stars as West, an edge. Last year's winner, \"Side Man,\" was also the lone American entry. Shear could likely win a consolation best actress nod. But in one of the strongest categories she is up against beloved stage veteran Rosemary Harris for \"Waiting in the Wings.\" MOTHER AND DAUGHTER IN A TONY'S FIRST In a Tonys' first, Harris's daughter Jennifer Ehle is competing with her, nominated for the acclaimed revival of Tom Stoppard's \"The Real Thing,\" which most expect to win best revival of a play. Harris won a Tony a few years back, so voters may want to encourage newcomer Ehle. But most say Shear, having conceived, written and starred in \"Dirty Blonde,\" should win a Tony. [sorry, Evelyn, but this sounds like voters' mentality] Best actor in a play also had experts stumped, with film star Gabriel Byrne's turn in Eugene O'Neill's \"A Moon for the Misbegotten\" and Stephen Dillane's for \"The Real Thing\" emerging as the front-runners. Both actors made strong impressions in roles once associated with others: Jason Robards in \"Moon\" and Jeremy Irons in \"The Real Thing.\" Film actors Philip Seymour Hoffman and John C. Reilly of \"Magnolia,\" who swap roles as \"True West\"'s dueling brothers every three performances, are seen canceling each other out. [more musical stuff] Whatever the outcome, the $1.2 billion business of Broadway will emerge the winner, as millions tune in to the show on PBS from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. EST and CBS from 9 to 11 p.m. (A live Web cast will emanate from www.Tonys.org). Musical numbers performed on the show often boost a struggling show's fortunes, as with \"Smokey Joe's Cafe,\" a pedestrian revue that ran for years after its cast opened the awards show with \"On Broadway.\""}, {"response": 334, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (15:39)", "body": "There's a moral imperative to vote for 'Copenhagen\" even though a lot of people are falling asleep at it,.. No kidding...\"Copenhagen\"(Three people, Three chairs...[sole props} for almost Three hours) has to be seen at a matinee.Our drama students in the group couldn't take it after the first act... ~~~~~~ Shear, having conceived, written and starred in \"Dirty Blonde,\" should win a Tony. [sorry,Evelyn, but this sounds like voters' mentality] I know, I know...as RH said in the CNN interview...\"Neither of us expect to get the glass slipper...we're going as the two ugly sisters and plan to enjoy the ball\"....Me, I'm thrilled that Jennifer was nominated ."}, {"response": 335, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (16:01)", "body": "JE at Stars in the Alley."}, {"response": 336, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (16:07)", "body": "I can't see the pic, Donna."}, {"response": 337, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (16:12)", "body": "Donna: you can't post an image stored at eGroups/Onelist outside of that area. Gi and Marcia did some testing a while back."}, {"response": 338, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (16:41)", "body": "JE at Stars in the Alley - encore performance!"}, {"response": 339, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (18:09)", "body": "Look, what I ran across! The German poster for Firelight:"}, {"response": 340, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (18:19)", "body": "*** Sizzle *** I feel the heat :-)"}, {"response": 341, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (18:25)", "body": "I was probably one of the only ones that actually saw Firelight in a movie theatre. Film actors Philip Seymour Hoffman and John C. Reilly of \"Magnolia,\" who swap roles as \"True West\"'s dueling brothers every three performances, are seen canceling each other out. This is so pop! I bet Andy Warhol would have loved it."}, {"response": 342, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (21:13)", "body": "(Moon Dreams) I was probably one of the only ones that actually saw Firelight in a movie theatre. Oooh, that must have been a sight, seeing SD climb out of that lake in his birthday suit on the big screen :-) And back to TRT... Brodie seems to be doing something lately that I don't recall from earlier performances. I can hear him belching on stage during his scene. I guess he is making his character more repulsive. Something for you to look forward to, Ann :-)"}, {"response": 343, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (21:22)", "body": "I was probably one of the only ones that actually saw Firelight in a movie theatre. I am grrrreeen with envy.Think you can work a private showing at Mr. Young's next time we're in London, Karen? ~~~~~~ What a poster!!Who could pass that one up..."}, {"response": 344, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (22:14)", "body": "Donna, thanks for the great reports. Just three more days! Do you know where you're sitting? More importantly, what are you wearing?;-) RE: predictions and voter mentality. I read the other day that the complexion of the Tony voters has changed a bit recently, as they've cleared out the dead wood. Now, you must have produced a show within the past x number of years in order to vote. While that keeps it from being exclusively an old-boys network, it also means that a greater proporton of the voters are now \"road show\" producers. The article said that would favor shows such as Dirty Blonde and their performers as they'll \"travel better\" in the heartland than some others. Also, isn't Claudia Shear a rags to riches story, starting that show off, off, off Broadway until finally making it to the big time? You know how voters love a story like that. But hey, maybe they'll love a mother/daughter combo better.:-) It's all just speculation anyway. Don't mean to sound negative but I always have to go through this prior to awards shows so that when the people I want to see win actually do win, I feel pleasantly surprised. Mari-logic.;) Don't dissect it.;-) BTW, I just found out that one of the guys nominated for supporting actor in Dirty Blonde is from my area. Got his first stage role as a kid playing Huck Finn in our Parks & Recreation Service's production of Tom Sawyer. Name is Kevin Chamberlin."}, {"response": 345, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (00:01)", "body": "The NYT's predictions (or portions thereof): And while the theater aficionado will certainly pay closer attention than the layman, even a casual viewer can see the potential drama in races that pit mother against daughter (Rosemary Harris of \"Waiting in the Wings\" and Jennifer Ehle of \"The Real Thing\" for best actress in a play), \"brother\" versus \"brother\" (Philip Seymour Hoffman and John C. Reilly of \"True West\" for best actor in a play) and Susan Stroman against herself in two categories (best choreography and best direction of a musical, for \"Contact\" and \"The Music Man\"). In an informal poll of 20 producers, press agents, nominees and other Broadway eggheads, only a few sure things seem to emerge. One of the most contested categories will probably be best revival of a play, in which voters were evenly split between \"A Moon for the Misbegotten\" and \"The Real Thing.\" (The other two nominees, \"Amadeus,\" and \"The Price,\" registered nary a vote.) Here the voters are divided by a certain mild jingoism -- \"Moon\" is an American production, while \"Real Thing\" is a British import -- and a sense that a revival should involve something, well, dead. \" 'The Real Thing' is only 15 years old,\" said one agent, noting that he had a client in the 1984 Broadway production. \"O'Neill has that certain back-from-the-grave gravitas.\" Another voter added, \" 'Moon' seems the kind of thing Broadway should be doing.\" Still, several voters thought that \"Real Thing\" might have a slight edge by dint of an even more powerful phenomenon: O'Neill fatigue. In particular people mentioned last year's acclaimed four-hour production of \"The Iceman Cometh.\" \"People still remember 'Iceman,' and they remember it was loooong,\" a nonprofit producer said. \" 'The Real Thing' is contemporary and easier to sit through.\" Likewise the leading men in both of those productions, Gabriel Byrne in \"Moon\" and Stephen Dillane in \"Real Thing,\" look to be neck and neck for best actor. The dark horse in the race is Mr. Hoffman, the rising film actor whose well-received turn in \"True West\" has only gilded his reputation. The other two nominees are Mr. Reilly, another hot movie talent who alternates roles with Mr. Hoffman in \"West,\" and David Suchet, who played the gloomy Salieri in the closed revival of \"Amadeus.\" Who will win? Pushed to answer, a majority said that Mr. Dillane would carry the day, despite Mr. Byrne's name recognition from films. 'It's Wide Open' Leading actress in a play is an even tighter category, with five talented performers in the mix: Ms. Ehle, Ms. Harris, Ms. Shear, Cherry Jones (\"Moon\") and Jayne Atkinson (\"The Rainmaker\"). \"I have heard every option,\" one producer said. \"It's wide open.\" Handicapping this race is a process of elimination, voters say. Ms. Atkinson's show is long closed, so scratch her. Ms. Ehle is young; she'll have her day. (Just not this Sunday.) That leaves her mother, Ms. Harris, the older, sentimental choice; Ms. Jones, the Broadway insider choice; and Ms. Shear, the populist choice. While Ms. Jones has an edge in the informal tally, the race seems primed for an upset from Ms. Shear. A chatty, amiable sort, she has been active in interviews and pre-Tony promotional events. Voters also say that a nod for Ms. Shear here may be a way of acknowledging her other work on \"Dirty Blonde,\" which she also wrote; conceived with the show's director, James Lapine; and practically dragged to Broadway from a run downtown. \"It won't win best play,\" one voter said, \"but she could be given a nod here to say, 'Good work, come again.' \" She also has a potential bloc of votes behind her from the Shubert Organization, Broadway's largest theater owner and a principal producer of \"Dirty Blonde.\""}, {"response": 346, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (04:43)", "body": "(Mari) Do you know where you're sitting? More importantly, what are you wearing? With binoculars in tow, I'll be peering from the second mezzanine (three in total). What I will be wearing - more like what can I fit in!! Ah, the old trusted black silk dinner suit. I would have sprung for something a bit flashier and sexier, but alas, the bod would not cooperate :-)"}, {"response": 347, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (11:09)", "body": "According to Theatercom. JE & SD are among the actors and actresses to be interviewed in the first hour of the Awards on Sunday. Also USA today gives its predictions and who it would like to win on Sunday, Jennifer is favourite but they would like to see Cherry Jones win. No mention for Stephen incredibly, it is between the two True West actors, no mention for Gabriel Bryne? or DS. All this speculation but from reading all the predictions I have a horrible feeling that MFTM will sweep the board, best actor, best actress and best revival. Well whatever happens they have had tremendous success already and can be very proud."}, {"response": 348, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (11:31)", "body": "When did we ever think a year ago that TRT would be in competition for a Tony? Up from the bowels of Covent Garden to Radio City Music Hall.... Pretty heady stuff.... ~~~~~~ BTW...\"Breakfast with the Arts\" on A&E informed me that they will begin a half-hour earlier on Sunday 8:30AM Eastern Time.Wish SD was along. Elliot Fraser is the interviewer...that helps. Not that dummy that did Colin."}, {"response": 349, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (13:36)", "body": "Keep the faith, Ann. USA Today is not known for its arts reporting, especially when it comes to theater; it figures they would predict the middle-of-the-road choices and the American names which is all they seem to know. MFTM--big yawn. (Evelyn) Elliot Fraser is the interviewer...that helps. Not that dummy that did Colin. Good, they *should* roll out the top person for JE--she's the main force behind their biggest success. As for Timberly, Kimberly, whatever . . . the poor gal was completely smitten by CF, I tell you. Journalistic ability went out the window; reminded me of BJ interviewing him in Rome!:-)"}, {"response": 350, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (13:45)", "body": "Another prediction from The Dallas Morning News : REVIVAL/PLAY: should - TRT will - TRT ACTOR/PLAY: should - Hoffman and Reilly should have been nominated together and would have won will - SD ACTRESS/PLAY: should - JE will - Claudia Shear (Dirty Blonde) FEATURED ACTRESS/PLAY: should and will - Blair Brown (Copenhagan) DIRECTOR/PLAY: should and will - Michale Blakemore (Copenhagan) FYI, at the Drama Desk Awards, when SD gave his acceptance speech, he mentioned that when he first got to NY he had a chance to see both True West and A Moon for the Misbegotten. And he admired the performances in each of those plays. On the Charlie Rose show, Ben Brantley favored Moon for both actor and best play, in spite of mentioning that Gabriel Byrne has been criticized for doing a WC Fields imitation. Maybe we should get him and Claudia together :-)"}, {"response": 351, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (14:16)", "body": "Donna, you've probably seen this before, but I thought I'd post it anyway, just in case. At http://www.broadway.com/stories.cfm?ssection=buzz&id=211&ssectionid=5 there's a short video clip of SD talking about the possibility of a Tony Award win."}, {"response": 352, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (14:55)", "body": "Thanks Tineke. Doesn't he look good? :-) Yeah, Claudia must have met him that night. I thought she had won, but I just looked it up and it was Eileen Heckart who took home the prize for best actress."}, {"response": 353, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (15:04)", "body": "Another prediction this time from Playbill, with all these different prediction someone is going to get it right:- Best actress between RH & CS, Best Actor SD & GB !!"}, {"response": 354, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (16:05)", "body": "JE was just briefly interviewed on CNN's Showbiz Today. It is replayed in the wee hours of the morning (4am Eastern time). I didn't see the show on Wednesday, hopefully this is a new bit. She mentioned that her mum was excited because they could both go to the ball. It briefly showed the scene from TRT where she smacks SD with the script over the Miranda Jessop actress in the leopard pants. I nearly had a heart attack just now trying to set my VCR to tape it tonight. I kept getting \"error\" and I thought, NO, it can't break now!! But I figured it out, ate some chocolate, and now I feel much better :-)"}, {"response": 355, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (17:07)", "body": "(Mari) reminded me of BJ interviewing him in Rome!:-) LOL, Mari....I knew it rang a bell..... BTW the host's name is Elliot Forrest. The Dallas Morning News loved P&P...I'm not surprised they picked JE for Best Actress.They're the ones who keep saying when they review a new BBC production...\"...but don't expect P&P\"..It's the hallmark. During the TRT intermission, I overheard people commenting..\"who are they...?\", \"wonder what they've played in\"....I could have sold a few P&P tapes that night;-) Win or lose...it has given them a lot of exposure. Imagine CNN:-)"}, {"response": 356, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (17:13)", "body": "Back to CNN, Showbiz Today will interview the winners on Monday's show. 1. I'm running out of tapes 2. My nerves are frazzled 3. Must stay away from the chocolate"}, {"response": 357, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (17:43)", "body": "Monday is going to be such a anti climax, I think I prefer the \"before time\", there is still a chance and it is lovely to hear so much news about TRT, SD & JE. The next 10 weeks of the run will also be rather an anti climax after all that has hapopened in the first 10 weeks. (Fingers crossed that they continue)"}, {"response": 358, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (18:01)", "body": "JE at Stars in the Alley - fingers crossed that this time it works."}, {"response": 359, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (20:50)", "body": "More predictions posted at Theatre.com: (IMO, I don't think they should get away with hedging their bets.) The New York Times: BEST MUSICAL: Contact BEST PLAY: Copenhagen BEST MUSICAL REVIVAL: Kiss Me, Kate BEST PLAY REVIVAL: A Moon for the Misbegotten or The Real Thing BEST ACTOR IN A MUSICAL: Brian Stokes Mitchell for Kiss Me, Kate BEST LEAD ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL: Heather Headley in Aida BEST LEAD ACTOR IN A PLAY: Stephen Dillane in Real Thing BEST LEAD ACTRESS IN A PLAY: Claudia Shear in Dirty Blonde BEST FEATURED ACTOR IN A PLAY: Roy Dotrice in A Moon for the Misbegotten BEST FEATURED ACTRESS IN A PLAY: Blair Brown in Copenhagen The New York Post: BEST MUSICAL: Contact BEST PLAY: Copenhagen BEST MUSICAL REVIVAL: Kiss Me, Kate BEST PLAY REVIVAL: The Real Thing BEST ACTOR IN A MUSICAL: Brian Stokes Mitchell for Kiss Me, Kate BEST LEAD ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL: Heather Headley in Aida BEST LEAD ACTOR IN A PLAY: Stephen Dillane in Real Thing BEST LEAD ACTRESS IN A PLAY: Cherry Jones in A Moon for the Misbegotten BEST FEATURED ACTOR IN A PLAY: Kevin Chamberlin in Dirty Blonde BEST FEATURED ACTRESS IN A PLAY: Blair Brown in Copenhagen BEST FEATURED ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL: Deborah Yates in Contact BEST FEATURED ACTOR IN A Musical: Boyd Gaines in Contact Reuters: BEST MUSICAL: Contact BEST PLAY: Copenhagen BEST MUSICAL REVIVAL: Kiss Me, Kate BEST PLAY REVIVAL: The Real Thing BEST LEAD ACTOR IN A MUSICAL: Brian Stokes Mitchell in Kiss Me, Kate BEST LEAD ACTRESS IN A PLAY: Clauda Shear in Dirty Blonde BEST LEAD ACTOR IN A PLAY: Gabriel Byrne for A Moon for the Misbegotten or Stephen Dillane for The Real Thing BEST LEAD ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL: Heather Headley in Aida Theatre.com critic (This guy has hedged on so many of these, geesh.) Best New Musical: Contact Best Revival of a Musical: Kiss Me, Kate Best New Play: Copenhagen by Michael Frayn Best Revival of a Play: A Moon for the Misbegotten Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play: Gabriel Byrne, A Moon for the Misbegotten or Stephen Dillane, The Real Thing Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play: Cherry Jones, A Moon for the Misbegotten or Claudia Shear, Dirty Blonde Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play: Kevin Chamberlin, Dirty Blonde or Roy Dotrice, A Moon for the Misbegotten Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play: Blair Brown, Copenhagen Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical: Brian Stokes Mitchell, Kiss Me, Kate Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical: Marin Mazzie, Kiss Me, Kate or Heather Headley, Aida Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical: Boyd Gaines, Contact Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical: Deborah Yates, Contact or Eartha Kitt, The Wild Party"}, {"response": 360, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (21:17)", "body": "Broadway.com did a nice job of comparing predictions from the various newspapers. So if you can stand it, here is a summary, including the annoying hedges :-) Best Revival of a Play Broadway.com: The Real Thing The New York Times: Toss-up: Real Thing or Moon The New York Post: The Real Thing Time Out New York: A Moon for the Misbegotten USA Today: Toss-up: Real Thing or Moon Associated Press: A Moon for the Misbegotten Reuters: The Real Thing Back Stage: A Moon for the Misbegotten Show Business: The Real Thing Best Leading Actor in a Play Broadway.com: Stephen Dillane (The Real Thing) The New York Times: Dillane The New York Post: Dillane Time Out New York: Gabriel Byrne (A Moon for the Misbegotten) USA Today: Toss-up--Phillip Seymour Hoffman or John C. Reilly (True West) Associated Press: Byrne Reuters: Toss-up-- Byrne or Dillane Back Stage: Byrne Show Business: Dillane Best Leading Actress in a Play Broadway.com: Jennifer Ehle (The Real Thing) The New York Times: Cherry Jones (A Moon for the Misbegotten), with a possible Claudia Shear (Dirty Blonde)upset The New York Post: Jones Time Out New York: Jones USA Today: Ehle Associated Press: Jones Reuters: Shear Back Stage: Shear Show Business: Shear And slightly OT, but in the Broadway vein... Can anyone possibly explain why Kathleen Turner would want to do Tallulah? Seems like this will be her Mommy Dearest Waterloo :-)"}, {"response": 361, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (01:00)", "body": "Thanks for the pic, Donna. (Donna)But I figured it out, ate some chocolate, and now I feel much better :-) LOL Chocolate does that to a person. It's Murphy's Law that your VCR should break now. I warned my sister that her computer will crash on June 8th, she'll run out of ink and will misplace the spare ink cartridges and all copy centres will be closed;-) She's got to hand in her thesis June 9th. It's a pity I'm at Uni now, or else I could have seen JE on CNN. Or is CNN in Europe different from the CNN in US? And thanks for all the predictions. Now, what are your predictions? We all know who should win, but who do you think will win? Mine: Best Revival: Moon (I hope I'm wrong) Best Actor: SD (I've got a good feeling about this) Best Actress: I'm afraid Claudia Shear will run away with this one:-("}, {"response": 362, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (01:34)", "body": "BTW, you can listen to audio clips of the interviews at the Nominees Brunch at Tonys.org"}, {"response": 363, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (01:38)", "body": "hrmm..the Stephen Dillane interview doesn't seem to working. At least, I can't listen to it. Anyone else having problems with it?"}, {"response": 364, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (04:47)", "body": "My predictions are the same as yours Tineke. I feel the voters have to give something to Moon. Of course you realize, if the broadcast tomorrow night shows a clip from Moon, I will be listening intently for that WC Fields sound :-) And I just tried SD's audio, same problem as you. Listening again to JE's, it was a little distressing - not the schmoozy, enthusiastic, excited kind of interview that some of the others had. I wonder what her face looked like. Were her eyes smiling? If I remember, SD's was longer with more interesting responses. But I think he lacked sparkle too. I think they must have been quite overwhelmed at the Sardi's brouhaha. Not to mention uptight as it was on a Wednesday and they had to get back to the theater for the matinee. Did you notice who's interview is missing? Claudia's! Hmmm, c'mon guys, let's hear her repeat wanting to meet that cute guy!"}, {"response": 365, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (07:17)", "body": "Thanks for the picture Donna, 11 out of 10 for perserverance."}, {"response": 366, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (10:46)", "body": "Know this is OT , but thanks Ann for the interview today in NEWSDAY with Jennifer and mum. http://www.newsday.com/features/daily/fcve0604.htm Have to agree with everyone's predictions....but I think TRT will win revival."}, {"response": 367, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (11:12)", "body": "They recently spent an entire day together -- or at least near each other -- as they did back-to-back interviews at the Regency Hotel to promote the release of \"Sunshine.\" Sounds like junket time and now they have all the more reason to show Jennifer and Rosemary's bits, as opposed to only seeing Ralph's on the entertainment shows once the film starts rolling out. ...and a Colin mention (too funny)"}, {"response": 368, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (11:15)", "body": "Broadway.com calculated the odds from all the different media...in case you're a betting man... Best Revival Award TRT Six Moon Five TRT/Moon tie on one ~~~~~ Best actor in a Play SD Five Bryne Four Seymour One Reilly One SD/Bryne tie on one Seymour/Reilly tie on one ~~~~~~ Best actress in a Play JE Two Jones Four Shear Four Jones/Shear tie on one ~~~~~~"}, {"response": 369, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (11:22)", "body": "......and a Colin mention (too funny) \"I don't want to talk about that\" reply she makes to a question about romantic entanglements. She is no longer with Colin Firth, with whom she costarred in the 1996 television mini-series \"Pride and Prejudice,\" which aired on A&E. \" ~~~~~~~ Grrrr...they never let that one die...even after six years. I bet they got this from the Internet..but not from our website...we deleted that stuff a while ago."}, {"response": 370, "author": "susanne", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (13:43)", "body": "LOL, I have been eating a piece of chocolate while reading the posts from the last few days. I always eat it when I am nervous. I think I will prob. get sick and gain weight by Tony time. :-)) I'm glad the race seems wide open. Award shows are boring if the winner is a foregone conclusion and it is not the conclusion you want."}, {"response": 371, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (18:12)", "body": "Haven't had much time for \"drooling\"--got a job--darn! Jumping out of lurker mode with this. Hope this is not TOO off topic, but this was a cute article in our LOCAL paper, the Greensboro (NC) News & Record. Not sure if ALL the facts are quite straight, but I was thrilled to see it today. Winston-Salem is 30 minutes away from me. (Sorry, but don't know how to format, bold, etc.): Mother-Daughter to highlight Tonys Jennifer Ehle and Rosemary Harris, both with strong ties to the Triad, will compete against each other for best actress in a play. BY MARTHA WAGGONER The Associated Press Raleigh - The serendipity is a little overwhelming for actor Rosemary Harris. Both she and her daughter, Jennifer Ehle are nominated for a Tony as best actress in a play. The awards ceremony is Sunday in New York. The next day, a movie opens in which they not only star together, but portray the same character at different ages. And in May, Ehle received the Theatre World Award for \"best newcomer,\" an award Harris won in 1952. \"I don't know if anybody follows biorhythm charts any more, but if they do, I think they'd find our charts are running side by side at the moment,\" Harris, 72, said this week in a telephone interview. The Great Britain native is married to North Carolina author John Ehle (\"Journey of August King\"), and they make their home in Winston-Salem. Jennifer Ehle lived in Winston-Salem for the first 18 years of her life and attended the North Carolina School of the Arts, which her father helped found. Harris is nominated for her work in Noel Coward's \"Waiting in the Wings,\" which closed at the end of last month. Ehle 30, is nominated for her role in Tom Stoppard's \"The Real Thing.\" On Monday, their movie, \"Sunshine,\" which stars Ralph Fiennes and William Hurt, opens in the United States. The movie, set in director Istvan Szabo's native Hungary, is the story of the Sonnenschien (Sunshine) family's life during World II, the Holocaust and afterward. \"Again, it was fate, I suppose,\" Harris said of the mother-daughter casting. She and Fiennes had met at a fund-raiser where they read together from a book of sonnets. Szabo knew Ehle through a mutual friend. Harris, who won a best actress Tony in 1966 for \"The Lion in Winter,\" is more excited about Ehle's nomination than her own. The mother-daughter nomination is something she never envisioned. \"Actors have anxiety dreams about things going wrong,\" she said. \"I don't know what the opposite is, maybe a fantasy dream, but in this case, it's real.\""}, {"response": 372, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (20:54)", "body": "Thanks Meredith for sharing this with us...we've missed hearing from you. Some of the facts in the article are a little lop-sided, but the sentiment is there. Big day for North Carolina....Go Tar Heels!!"}, {"response": 373, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Jun  3, 2000 (23:44)", "body": "Thanks, Meredith, nice article. The Philly Inquirer's theater critic, Cliff Ridley, is a Tony voter and reveals his votes in today's paper. He voted for TRT almost across the board--best revival, Leveaux for director, Ehle for actress, Woodward for featured actress; but Suchet for actor. Alas, he doesn't predict that any of them will win.-("}, {"response": 374, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (04:34)", "body": "A nice excerpt from Ben Brantley in the NY Times today: Other productions played directly and appealingly with a self-conscious awareness of just what the theater achieves and how it does it. The sparkling Broadway revival of \"The Real Thing,\" Tom Stoppard's keen-witted tale of a playwright in love, makes the case that certain things (love, for example) defy articulation. Nonetheless, with the infinitely charming Stephen Dillane playing the playwright in this import from London, even groping in the dark acquires a glistening stylishness that is pure theater. Mr. Dillane's co-star, the radiant Jennifer Ehle, is, by the way, the daughter of an actress who gave another sublime study this season in stage-savvy artifice. p.s. Thanks for starting this topic Karen, this has been fun!"}, {"response": 375, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (04:40)", "body": "Have a great time today, Donna whatever the results enjoy it and we look forward to your report."}, {"response": 376, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (04:43)", "body": "I know I'm shameless, but here is another quote from a different article in today's NY Times: Tonight's segments will include this season's toasts of Broadway, like Heather Headley of \"Aida,\" Stephen Dillane and Jennifer Ehle of \"The Real Thing,\" and Philip Seymour Hoffman and John C. Reilly of \"True West.\" The article talks about the pre-show on PBS. Did anyone see the article of how San Francisco will not be airing the pre-show? Instead they will show a documentary on glass blowing."}, {"response": 377, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (05:13)", "body": "(Ann W) Have a great time today Thanks Ann. I am sure that I will feel your good vibes in the theater, and I will \"raise the roof\" whenever they announce our favorites. Anticipating a very sore voice come Monday morning... :-)"}, {"response": 378, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (07:34)", "body": "(Donna) Instead they will show a documentary on glass blowing. What on earth?! Would imagine there will be some flak generated, although not as much as the infamous Heidi Bowl. ;-) Have fun tonight, Donna. A&E's Breakfast with the Arts has just started; VCR is primed and ready for a workout today. (my pleasure) and if there's a need for other discussion topics, just yell'm out."}, {"response": 379, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (10:03)", "body": "Breakfast With the Arts interview went well.... Clips from P&P...clearly her favorite role. Clips from Sunshine....LOL , (AKA \"You Can't Kill RF\", interviewer) Clip from TRT. Elliot Forrest is a great host...makes all his guests feel relaxed. Doesn't play \"gotcha\". I hope Moon approves;-)"}, {"response": 380, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (10:31)", "body": "I also thought she did great on the A&E interview, Evelyn. Loved the part where Elliott mentions all these people who had been e-mailing him about having her on the show!:-) Interesting comment about liking the Barrymore space better than the Albury (though Donmar is probably still tops). Also, her comments on not being so wrapped up in the character on stage that you can't react to the audience. Sounds like she's really enjoyed the run. Glad they got CF in the P&P clip.:-) Donna, have a wonderful time tonight--we're looking forward to your first-hand report. Wonder if Stephen will break down and wear a tux--maybe with a lime green cummerbund?;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 381, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (10:35)", "body": "Breakfast With the Arts interview went well.... Her eyes were definitely smiling but she must be tired. Elliot had some trouble pulling answers out of her and I thought he asked good questions. Good clips though. Dillane pulled me in for just the few seconds I saw. Fingers crossed for tonight. Go Donna!"}, {"response": 382, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (13:49)", "body": "I hope Moon approves;-) Dear Evelyn, my VCR did not go off! I will watch tonight. (Did she sit up straight?) ;-) Donna, we are with you tonight. Keeping fingers crossed. My only prediction is SD as best actor. The others are too close to call."}, {"response": 383, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (14:13)", "body": "(Moon)Dear Evelyn, my VCR did not go off! I will watch tonight. Bummer....though I looked at your response with trepidation....;-) Well, I can tell you, Moon ,unconditionally....it wasn't the worst interview on Breakfast with the Arts that I have seen;-) (Moon)(Did she sit up straight?) ;-) NOOOO....LOL...she was doing real well...when she leaned her head on her elbow I shouted... \"Sit up ,Jennifer....Moon is looking\";-)"}, {"response": 384, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (14:29)", "body": "\"Sit up ,Jennifer....Moon is looking\";-) SUSLOL! (Sitting up straight)"}, {"response": 385, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (14:34)", "body": "I hope you have a great time at the Tonys, Donna. I can't wait to read your report. It seems I'll still be awake by the time the Tonys start, so I may as well watch it on-line."}, {"response": 386, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (14:40)", "body": "Find Stephen (I don't see a green shirt...);-) Find Jennifer..(I don't see flaming red hair);-) Only one I recognize is Rosie!!"}, {"response": 387, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (14:52)", "body": "I can't find Stephen either, but I think I found Jennifer. The fourth row (could be seen as third or even second row), fourth from the right."}, {"response": 388, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (15:33)", "body": "Go to it Donna! Awaiting your reports. Take it easy there Evelyn, thoughts are with you. Thanks everyone for all the interesting news, I have time only to read rather than reply, but it was a great idea to have this topic thanks Karen."}, {"response": 389, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (17:08)", "body": "Tineke, I think you may be right. But don't you think that Stephen is right next to Jennifer on her left. Almost looks like Harvey is standing right above the two of them. Would he be in the pic as a producer? Doubt it. Tried to blow it up, but it got way to blurry. Don't have the right tools here."}, {"response": 390, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (18:03)", "body": "Evelyn, when was this photo taken? That's definitely Radio City Music Hall. Karen, that looks more like Gabriel Byrne next to Jen. I think I found Stephen. Look waaaaay up top, I see a speck of lime green with its head tilted--I'm not kidding! The guy at lower left with the white suit is Brian Stokes Mitchell (lead actor, musical, Kiss Me Kate--he was great). Looks like Sarah Woodward in the row behind Jen but all the way on the other side, second from left. I feel like we need a team prayer here or something.;-) I lit 'em all a candle today. Of course, I'm the person who organized the Fever Pitch novena, so my track record isn't so hot. Maybe He thinks I ask for frivolous things.;-)"}, {"response": 391, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (20:31)", "body": "Yippeee!! TRT won for best play! That's a good start. I wish this Tony.org website would have cameras of what's happening inside, instead of all these backstage cams."}, {"response": 392, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (20:59)", "body": "Jennifer won!!!!!!"}, {"response": 393, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (21:01)", "body": "Isn't it exciting Tineke, are we mad being up at 3o'clock?4o'clock in the morning, if SD doesn't win I will be so sorry now especially with Jennifer winning."}, {"response": 394, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (21:14)", "body": "Stephen won too, a hat trick, I would love to see Donna's face, absolutely wonderful and no more than they deserved, I can go to bed happy. I am so pleased for you too Evelyn."}, {"response": 395, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (21:38)", "body": "I've been listening to the interviews at Tonys.org. This time the interviews were very good and long and interesting. They said some very nice things about SD. Oh, and I checked the Webcams, hit print screen about a million times and pasted it in photoshop. So I've got some backstage pics."}, {"response": 396, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (21:43)", "body": "YIPEE....THEY WON... THEY WON 3 TONY'S!!!!!HOOORAY!!! BEST REVIVAL BEST ACTOR BEST ACTRESS They cleaned up.....So take that Oliviers!!!"}, {"response": 397, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (21:55)", "body": "Isn't it great Evelyn, I am still up, too excited to go to sleep. How is your heart, mine is pumping. I hope you don't mind but I have to say a great night for the Brits, as well as 3 TRT Tonys, Roy Dotrice won and so did Michael Blackemore, Tim Rice and Elton John. Thankyou Broadway but mostly thanks for the 3 TRT Tonys."}, {"response": 398, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (22:04)", "body": "I just wish this guy would stop mispronouncing Ehle and Dillane! LOL"}, {"response": 399, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (22:09)", "body": "Hey, the guy just thanked the Jennifer Ehle fans! Evelyn, what did you do?"}, {"response": 400, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (22:09)", "body": "(Ann)I hope you don't mind but I have to say a great night for the Brits, Yes....it is a great night for the Brits...for Tom Stoppard. He worked his magic again. They got the same awards in 1982. Congratulations...Cool Britannia....Cool Donmar ( But it took Broadway to give them recognition!!)"}, {"response": 401, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (22:14)", "body": "BRILLIANT!!! The hotline between OK-Chgo was burning up!! Can't wait to hear Donna's report. She's probably still on the ceiling. Also can't wait to see those pics, Tineke."}, {"response": 402, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (22:14)", "body": "WWWHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's such an honor to be nominated--BUT IT'S BETTER TO WIN!!!!!!!!! They swept it--best revival, actor and actress--couldn't ask for much more than that! Jennifer looked beautiful, and played nice tribute to her parents in her speech, who were beaming with pride! She was sitting right in back of her parents, beautiful moment when they called her name and she grabbed her mom and kissed her. And Stephen looked soooo dapper and spoke so nicely! I'll bet they're scraping Donna off the ceiling at Radio City! LOL! (Ann) I hope you don't mind but I have to say a great night for the Brits, Yes it was, Ann, and good for the Brits--they deserved to win! (Michael Frayne sp? also won best play for Copenhagen.)"}, {"response": 403, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (22:17)", "body": "Think I'll include Ray Dotrice's acceptance speech on that compilation tape (says the Evil One);-)"}, {"response": 404, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (22:22)", "body": "Oh thanks so much for that Karen, I am so looking forward to seeing it, thalnks for all your hard work."}, {"response": 405, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (22:23)", "body": "Please do, oh evil one.:-) What a nice man . . ."}, {"response": 406, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (22:25)", "body": "Okay, here goes...Tineke-who-should-be-in-bed-but-what's-the-point-the-sun-is-rising-so-I-may-as-well-stay-up-Mini Backstage Report: The only thing you could see on-line of what was happening inside were the transscripts of everything that was being said, including the songs. This lead to some rather funny transcripts: \"it's darn hot, it's hot, man, it's darn hot, it's too darn hot, hot...it's hot\" I have no clue what musical or what show this is from. Perhaps you can enlighten me. Anyway, all the winners went to the press room afterwards, and there was a webcam there. Here's Jennifer talking to the press: Jennifer walked off that mini-stage to watch Stephen accept his award: Then Jennifer was interviewed for Tonys.org, followed by the SD interview. Also, I would like to thank my parents for giving me this computer, my sister for providing me with illegal photoshop software, Uni for giving me internet access,...;-)"}, {"response": 407, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (22:26)", "body": "Marei, what did Jennifer wear, not the black trouser suit, I hope (LOL) and what did Mum wear and was it a good Show?"}, {"response": 408, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (22:31)", "body": "LOL!! Tineke! You got better shots than were on TV. Good shots of Jenn's dress (back and front, although didn't fit her well...you knew there would be a critical comment from me) :-) \"Too Darn Hot\" is from Kiss Me Kate Wow, do I want to see Contact! That Simply Irresistable number was great! I can't believe you guys are still up."}, {"response": 409, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (22:43)", "body": "I'm not the only who's up. There are quite a few students in my street who got up early to study. Lemme see, I got more pics, you know. I'm sorry if they take too long to load."}, {"response": 410, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (22:43)", "body": "Thanks for the fireworks, Karen....and for putting up with all of us , and for setting up this board.... Tineke....what great pics....that's Jennifer squatting down in front of the TV. Ann...Jennifer had a white beaded dress...ahem, K. thought it was too big...I thought too small. She gave a cute acceptance speech...SD was in shock. Hey, the guy just thanked the Jennifer Ehle fans! Evelyn, what did you do? I dunno..I did email them earlier to thank them for carrying the Sardi's nomination brunch live online...and of course gave the JE fan Page URL."}, {"response": 411, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (22:44)", "body": "As you can see, Ann, it wasn't the black trouser interview suit, but a pastel (maybe pale green) slinky number with spaghetti staps, about calf-length. Sexy yet sophisticated. (I thought it fit fine;-) I didn't notice mum's dress, I was too busy screaming and jumping up and down, I'm afraid! Matthew Broderick gave out the best actress award, but before doing so, he talked about Jennifer and RH, saying it was the first time in Tony history that a mother-daughter combo had been nommed, and that the mother wanted the daughter to win, and vice versa. Harvey got himself onstage for the best play revivial award, but didn't get a chance to speak--haha! The NY producer, Anita Waxman, accepted, and thanked the Donmar and Sam Mendes. Great pics, Tineke, thanks!"}, {"response": 412, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (22:48)", "body": "Oh no...Jennifer isn't sitting up straight.... Moon will be so disappointed;-) Fabulous pics Tineke.What a coup!!! Aren't you gonna go to bed ?"}, {"response": 413, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (22:50)", "body": "I think I'll just stay up and start studying. I've got a very important exam tomorrow."}, {"response": 414, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (23:17)", "body": "From Broadway.com 10:14PM Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play: Stephen Dillane, The Real Thing Dillane commented on how great a night it has been for The Real Thing while Ehle watched with her Tony from backstage. Ehle was so excited she wanted to be comfortable for his acceptance speech \ufffd she squatted on the floor while she listened! 9:59PM Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play: Jennifer Ehle, The Real Thing Ehle beat out her mother, Rosemary Harris, who was nominated in the same category for her work in Waiting in the Wings. Matthew Broderick, who presented the award, noted that mother wanted daughter to win and daughter wanted mother to win. Ehle pulled an upset though, not an upset over her mother (who was not expected to win) but an upset over Cherry Jones and Claudia Shear \ufffd both of whom were critical favorites. In her acceptance speech an excited Ehle thanked Harris and her father by saying, \ufffdThank you to my beautiful parents for teaching me how to talk, walk, and read.\ufffd Backstage Ehle was in a celebrating mood. Someone gave her a glass of champagne and when she was told she needed to go to the press room, she replied, \ufffdCan I bring my champagne with"}, {"response": 415, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (23:34)", "body": "Here's MSNBC's story: http://www.msnbc.com/news/415693.asp#BODY"}, {"response": 416, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (23:45)", "body": "Nice pics from NY times"}, {"response": 417, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (00:01)", "body": "WOW everyone well done. Fabulous news just dashing to work!!!"}, {"response": 418, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (00:05)", "body": "from Playbill"}, {"response": 419, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (00:32)", "body": "more Playbill Stephen Dillane with presenter Kathy Lee Gifford."}, {"response": 420, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (00:48)", "body": "from Yahoo Kathly Lee Gifford boasting \"look Claudia!\";-)"}, {"response": 421, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (00:50)", "body": "want me to stop?"}, {"response": 422, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (00:52)", "body": "Last one....for now;-)"}, {"response": 423, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (01:50)", "body": "from Playbill I think this one was taken after she squatted on the floor to watch SD;-)"}, {"response": 424, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (02:32)", "body": "Great news! Great reporting! Hooray!!!! Tineke, fantastic work, now quit it, and get on with your revision. Don't fail that exam."}, {"response": 425, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (07:03)", "body": "Fantastic, I was cheering last night! pastel (maybe pale green) slinky number with spaghetti staps, about calf-length. Sexy yet sophisticated. (I thought it fit fine;-) I thought she could have done a lot better for her big night out. That dress looked wrinkled, she only wore earrings and her hair Louisa! Her mother looked chic and glamourous, too bad Jennifer did not pick any of that up from her. Yes, Evelyn, she really should sit up straight (not very lady like). SD should have worn a tux. I hate that mobster black on black look. Did anyone noticed what a dark mood Gabriel B was in after they announced JE as best actress. He knew at that point he had not won. My cutie patoutie award goes to Leveraux (sp) that close up on him was a knock-out. Any chance of getting a snappie or a picture of him posted?"}, {"response": 426, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (07:04)", "body": "And, thank you Tineke for staying up late with those reports and pictures. And you too Karen, for starting this topic."}, {"response": 427, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (07:16)", "body": "Did anyone notice if Tom Stoppard was there, also what did SW wear. I have to say I agree with Moon regarding Jennifer's dress, considering she has such a lovely figure the dress was completely shapeless, alright from the bust upwards. Who goes shopping with her?! Its a good thing she has such a lovely face and actually I like her hair, au naturel!!(sp) Still none of this must detract from the wonderful news of their winning the Tonys for great performances, very very well deserved.( Perhaps you should be her wardrobe adviser Moon.) Great to see the news on our Teletext and Ceefax, absolutely wonderful. What did everyone think of the Show overall, the reporter at The New York Daily News was not too impressed with Rosie."}, {"response": 428, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (07:28)", "body": "I have to disagree on the dress, I rather liked it. I prefer simple dresses."}, {"response": 429, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (07:29)", "body": "From Variety--just the key parts: Backstage at the Tony Awards NEW YORK (Variety) Newcomer Jennifer Ehle beat out veteran Rosemary Harris, her mother, for the actress award. ``I never viewed it as a competition and she didn't either. You can't in different theaters and different plays,'' said Ehle, who won for ``The Real Thing.'' Harris was nominated for ``Waiting in the Wings.'' As for what they said pre-show, ``We were just scrambling around getting ready. We didn't think either of us would win.'' As for what ran through her head as she went up the stairs to the Radio City Music Hall stage, ``I was thinking about not tripping and finding a toilet, it had been a two- and a half-hour wait.'' Her run in ``The Real Thing'' is supposed to come to an end Aug. 12, but not because of Actors' Equity rules for British actors. ``The Equity regulations don't apply to me, because I'm an American citizen.'' Ehle is a British resident and possesses a very British accent. Can she talk American? ``Yes,'' she answered in decidedly tough tones. Will all the Tonys help extend the run of Tom Stoppard's ``The Real Thing?'' ``Nothing planned,'' said Stephen Dillane, who won the actor Tony. He said the play has changed a bit since it traveled across the Atlantic. ``It demands that we be a little bit more outgoing. Maybe audiences here want a bit more razzmatazz than they did in England.'' Dillane denied the rumor that his body language in the role was based on Stoppard's."}, {"response": 430, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (08:04)", "body": "I have to disagree on the dress, I rather liked it. I prefer simple dresses. There is nothing wrong with a simple dress, Tineke, but it was a gala occasion. It was her big night and she should have risen to the occasion. ``The Equity regulations don't apply to me, because I'm an American citizen.'' It sounds like she might want to stay in NY. :-)"}, {"response": 431, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (08:10)", "body": "Fantastic captures, Tineke. Donna can even examine Jennifer's manicure from that one closeup. ;-) Her dress was OK, but didn't fit or suit her figure type IMO."}, {"response": 432, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (08:21)", "body": "From BBC: Meanwhile, Ehle and Dillane won best actress and actor for their parts in Tom Stoppard's play The Real Thing, which also won best play revival. Ehle - best known for appearing in the film This Year's Love and the BBC's Pride and Prejudice - beat her mother, Rosemary Harris to the award."}, {"response": 433, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (08:47)", "body": "More from Yahoo What camera do I look at?"}, {"response": 434, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (08:50)", "body": "God, what an amazing night! When TRT won the first award right off the bat, it seemed a lock that SD would win, but when JE won I was totally shocked -- thought the Brit factor would work against them. Thought Ray Dotrice's speech was fabulous and very apropos of the situation (re: Americans' willingness to applaud a good performance without envy -- nice smack at the Brit critics). Blakemore (?) and Frayn also made similar comments. How is all this playing in the UK? Or are the papers just focusing on the \"We won\" angle a la the Oscars? Re: Jennifer's dress -- remember, she wasn't expecting to win, so perhaps that's why she didn't go overboard. Personally I thought she looked fine. I loved that she stopped her interview to watch SD accept his award, and it was nice that she was sitting with Nigel Lindsay. I cracked up at the funny grimace she gave when Matthew Broderick announced her as \"Jennifer Ehle, the daughter\" -- looks like she wants them to give that a rest, already. (Did everyone see the Tony blurb/photos of JE and RH in yesterday's Parade mag?) This was the first Tonycast I've watched in years, and I thought Rosie and Nathan Lane were great and actually pretty funny in spots -- a few lame-o jokes, but not nearly as bad as at the Oscars. And they brought in the show on time, too."}, {"response": 435, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (09:23)", "body": "Great pictures Tineke, they certainly look very very happy, smiles all round. How is all this playing in the UK? Susan, it would have been too late to get into today's papers, except possibly The London Evening Standard but I am hoping there will be something in tomorrow's papers. When Judi Dench won last year there was masses about it and this year we have JE, SD, TS, TRT, EJ & TM. MB & RD, so I would hope there would be more that just something."}, {"response": 436, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (09:41)", "body": "You're right about the London Evening Standard, Ann. Go to http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/dynamic/hottx/top_review.html?in_review_id=288005&in_review_text_id=233133"}, {"response": 437, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (09:46)", "body": "More from BBC Tonys in pictures The Winners This is what Karen posted earlier"}, {"response": 438, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (11:02)", "body": "RE: Jennifer's attire--you people are brutal! LOL! She's a bit of a tomboy, isn't she? Not the princess type at all, but isn't that part of what we love about her? Her personality is reflected in her dress and in the vitality she brings to her performances. She had me absolutely hooked on P&P right from the opening moments with her expressive face and when she skipped and ran across those fields. I recall thinking, thank God, not another corset drama, but a real flesh and blood Lizzie! You see her physicality in TRT as well, e.g., sprawling across that sofa, \"Touch me.\" Yeeow! Ann, Tom Stoppard wasn't there. Agree with Susan, I thought the show was pretty good, as awards shows go. Loved all the dance numbers, real energy there, and I enjoyed all the behind the scenes stuff they showed in the first hour. I also thought Rosie and Nathan Lane did fine as hosts, especially when they tore into the National Rifle Assn. and its #1 henchman, Charleton Heston.:-)"}, {"response": 439, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (11:22)", "body": "(Mari)RE: Jennifer's attire--you people are brutal! LOL...I keep telling ya'...this is a tough crowd. Poor Renee got it and now poor Jennifer.She isn't a clothes horse... but is THE TOAST OF B\"WAY... Lots of dolls out there who want to trade places with her;-) I had an email from Donna who is resting....she liked her dress.I'll let her report the audience reaction. But didn't you LOL at Claudia Shearer who was primping up (in a gorgeous dress, Moon;-)as they were reading out the Best Actress...she had her foot in the aisle ready to go.... Instead...the self-deprecating gal....unpretentious, unaffected but a helluva actress got it. Paramount classics is dancing in the streets, I bet.(Sunshine comes out on Friday) I had an email from Rachel at the Donmar...they stayed up all night too...and are thrilled. Big Time on Earlham Street. Sam Mendes must be dizzy with excitement. An Oscar and his Donmar gets the Tony...he must be doing something right."}, {"response": 440, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (11:35)", "body": "Where do I begin? Thanks ladies for your warm send-off. I am baaack, tired, and overwhelmed with photos and articles to read :-) First an excerpt from Broadway.com: Another big winner was the Donmar Warehouse revival of Tom Stoppard\ufffds The Real Thing. \ufffdIt\ufffds a play about love that is not cynical and therefore is a courageous play,\ufffd said David Leveaux, the director of The Real Thing. The play\ufffds stars took home the two top acting awards, with co-stars Stephen Dillane and Jennifer Ehle (beating out mum Rosemary Harris) winning Best Actor and Actress respectively. Well I schlepped a couple of blocks from the Mariott Marquis to Radio City, in my high heels. You could tell who was going to the affair, their sequins gave them away! I met J. on the corner, feeling like a prostitute waiting for a john. (not really, a little humor) Anyhow, we had to be in the theater early, as they were closing the doors at 7:30. Everyone was milling about, and they gave out special Playbills that listed all the nominees. It is about 1/3 inch thick. The show actually started at 7:30, we had to rush to our seats. And no intermission, so it was 3.5 hours in the seat. They gave some special awards before the PBS broadcast began. With binoculars glued to my face, oh yes, I had a good view of our man. You probably could tell, but he was sitting next to David Suchet. I was impressed because SD's seat was probably the most visible in the house. Right in front of one of the stairs to the stage. Was that by design? :-) Nathan and Rosie told some pretty \"raunch\" material during the commercial breaks. Brutal, making fun of actor's toupees, sexual preferences, etc. Although I laugh just as much as the next person, I was uncomfortable hearing it. I guess this was \"insider\" material. When TRT won best revival, we uttered a sigh of relief. No shutout. Relaxation. When JE won, WOW. There was a noticable hush when her name was announced, I think it caught everyone by surprise. I thought she looked beautiful. Her hair was indeed toned down, the harsh red color stripped out. Her dress photographed well on the huge projection screen, a beautiful pale seafoam green. Her back looked lovely. It looked better in person than it appears in the still photographs. Then I was more tense than ever. What if SD didn't win? JE was a darkhorse, but it was SD's tour de force. When his name was announced, I let out a scream. But I had to contain myself so as not to lose focus on him through the binoculars. Oh, I wish you gals were with me. I needed a group to stand up and hoot and hollar! He looked stunned. I don't think he expected to win. Believe me, he was much more relaxed and verbal when he accepted the Drama Desk Award. Before his award was announced, during the commercial break some of his cast members came up to him to wish him luck (Sarah Woodward (Charlotte), Nigel (Max), Charlotte Parry (Debbie), David Leaveaux (director)). He also went back and said some words to RH. JE was backstage at this time doing the interviews. Neither SD or JE came back to their seats after the win. It was funny to see the \"seat warmers,\" the stand-ins who occupy the seats when the stars are not in them. Hey, a job I could do! :-) Big cheers from the audience for Karen Ziemba, apparently a favorite of the crowd and I understand a very nice woman. Big cheers for Aida. Big cheers for Kiss Me Kate. Big cheers for Eartha. And yes, I agree, Dotrice's acceptance speech was so sweet. No British backlash last night! I'm sure I'm leaving out a lot, but I need to roll back into bed. Maybe when I replay the broadcast I will remember some more details. It was a fun evening, the acoustics were wonderful. FYI, the only musical I saw was Kiss Me Kate, and it is a fabulous show. Do you recognize Brian Stokes Mitchell? He was the young doctor on that old show Trapper John, MD."}, {"response": 441, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (11:55)", "body": "Thank you Donna....honestly, I thought I heard your hoop 'n hollar when SD's name was called out.We were there with you...sweetie. I couldn't look alone...I was on the phone with Karen..What a night!! Then I went on line with Tineke...who I know did an all-nighter... I saw \"Aida\" and Heather Hadley deserved the Tony and the show was really quite good. I bet Elton John and Tim Rice told them to stuff it when the show didnt'even get a nomination for Best Musical. Do you recognize Brian Stokes Mitchell? I saw him last year in \"Ragtime\" and he should have gotten it then too... Thanks again for being our rep at the Tony's!And congratulations!!"}, {"response": 442, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (11:55)", "body": "Great report, Donna! Evelyn said she heard you scream when Stephen's name was announced. ;-) Someone at VV commented on JE's arm. Is there some kind of mark on it or is this a photographic illusion:"}, {"response": 443, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (12:01)", "body": "She was burned as a child, I believe. It was v. noticeable at the Donmar. Also it was pointed out to me, her right eye doesn't open as wide as her left...and neither does her mum's. BTW have you ever seen such a look of pure love and admiration as the look on RH's face when her little girl won? In slow mo' it is v. moving. Didn't you love it when Jennifer said\"What a welcome home...\" Must go read the Winston-Salem newspaper."}, {"response": 444, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (12:14)", "body": "Karen, I believe it is from an accident she had as a child, a burn or something, read it when P&P came out. She said then that she was very self conscious of it and always wore long sleeves and if you remember Lizzie did wear mainly long sleeved dresses, maybe they all were. Evelyn, I was up all night too, James thinks I am quite potty but he managed to sleep through it all!! Donna, thanks for your wonderful report, how I would have liked to scream if only once at The Oliviers. What did SW look like, could you see what she wore and was she with her partner/husband?"}, {"response": 445, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (12:21)", "body": "(Tineke) want me to stop? NO, don't stop! :-) OK, I shouldn't say this, but... Kathy Lee Gifford is not one of my favorites. Arrghh, that she should be photographed so many times with SD!"}, {"response": 446, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (12:23)", "body": "Mari, your comments \"re Jennifer's attire etc\", I couldn't agree with you more, you put it so well. Vitality is the word and she lights up the stage/screen somehow, I just loved her running in P&P and I don't know if you remember but at the Bafta Awards that was exactly how she ran off the stage."}, {"response": 447, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (13:33)", "body": "Arrghh, that she should be photographed so many times with SD LOL! She really clung to him, I couldn't help but think, first Claudia and now yet another admirer ;-) I've never heard of Kathy Lee Gifford though. Mari, I have to agree as well. When you read interviews, Jennifer does seem like a tomboy; climbing ropes, breaking swizzle-sticks. She uses arms and legs to explain things. I can't imagine other 'typical' stars squatting on the floor in their gala dresses. I think it's rather charming. And it shows that she cares about her co-stars."}, {"response": 448, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (13:40)", "body": "Donna, you asked for more! From Tonys.org Stephen speaking to Tonys.org With Michael Blakemore"}, {"response": 449, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (13:40)", "body": "(Donna) Kathy Lee Gifford is not one of my favorites. Arrghh, that she should be photographed so many times with SD! LOL! I was thinking the same thing: how the heck did she end up being chosen to give out this award? Too bad it isn't like the Oscars, where the recipients from the previous year hand out the award -- then you'd be guaranteed to see SD again next year;-) Sounds like you had an amazing evening, Donna. Thanks for the report. Speaking of screaming, when they announced JE's name I swear I could hear Evelyn from halfway across the country;-) Just wondering -- will these Tony wins have any effect on the casting of the film version of TRT, d'ya think? Or is it too much to hope that they'd cast JE and SD?"}, {"response": 450, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (14:28)", "body": "Thank you all for such great reading and viewing. Great pics Tineke and Donna's on the spot tales. WOW everyone. I only have time to read these days and not really post but so happy for TRT."}, {"response": 451, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (14:56)", "body": "What a great day here! Wonderful pictures too. Can someone find a picture of the director and post it? His close up at the Tony s knocked me off my seat. ;-D I hope Harvey will give the cast the opportunity to do the film. Didn't you love it when Jennifer said\"What a welcome home...\" I thought that was strange. Did she live here as an adult for a long period? She later made it a point to say she was an American. I wonder what is going on? Will she even want to return to England?"}, {"response": 452, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (16:05)", "body": "Moon, you wanted to see David Leveaux. Evelyn sent me a pic from the Donmar gala. Will be scanning it in very shortly."}, {"response": 453, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (16:36)", "body": "Thanks, Karen, and Evelyn. I will be waiting."}, {"response": 454, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (16:53)", "body": "I hope Harvey will give the cast the opportunity to do the film. Talking about the ole boy....when TRT received Best Reivival...did you see the smile on Harve's face? Ear to ear...(he's lost a little weight too). I think perhaps he knew about JE and SD awards. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ (evelyn)Didn't you love it when Jennifer said\"What a welcome home...\" (Moon)I thought that was strange. Did she live here as an adult for a long period? She later made it a point to say she was an American. I wonder what is going on? Will she even want to return to England? She was born in the US but educated on both sides of the pond.She considers herself British. I think she mean't\"land of my birth\".She could have \"dual\". But Actor's Equity considers her American...in the A&E interview she made a poit of saying that there had to be an arrangement to bring the other members of the cast over...\"but not me, I'm American\".First time I've heard her say that. No I don't think she will stay in the US...she was trained in London,..her home is London.Has a flat ...with her cat...in Islington!"}, {"response": 455, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (16:56)", "body": "And I think Nicole Kidman will play Annie in the film TRT. Maybe Tom Cruise will play Henry and then we could have an Eyes Wide Shut redux;-)"}, {"response": 456, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (17:21)", "body": "This is a good one....at the Tony Ball at the Marriott Marquis (Did you go Donna?)"}, {"response": 457, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (17:24)", "body": "The pic on the right is Eartha Kitt and Phil Seymour Hoffman from The Wild Party...who thought he was gonna win..hee, hee. Jenn and her mom have same eyes, cheeks and voice."}, {"response": 458, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (17:52)", "body": "Just watched the end of the Late news and they did the papers for tomorrow, I am sure I saw a pic. of Jennifer top of the front page of The Times, will check it out tomorrow. What a great day, night everyone."}, {"response": 459, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (18:03)", "body": "Hmmm, that looks like Ken Branagh to me with Eartha Kitt? I liked Jennifer's dress, I thought it just right for a young woman (Tony's is generally stuffier, but she was relaxed and beautiful). Didn't see SD win, turned to the Practice, however did like Nathan Lane and Rosie together. Really enjoyed the Contact dancing, reminiscent of Dirty Dancing. (Liked MB during the beginning of the announcing the noms for lead actress.) I hope Tineke is in bed sleeping;)"}, {"response": 460, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (19:39)", "body": "Here is the E. Telegraph coverage. I must agree with the opinion drawn form Contact. I found the dance number nothing new and rather boring. Swing on the other hand was fun. Broadway Britons steal show By Philip Delves Broughton Tony Awards Contact, Copenhagen win top Tonys - Theatre.com JENNIFER EHLE led the way for a night of triumph for Britain at the Tony Awards, Broadway's version of the Oscars. Best known for her appearance in the BBC production of Pride and Prejudice, she beat her mother, Rosemary Harris, to win the best actress award for her performance in the revival of Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing. The play, which transferred this year from London's Donmar Warehouse, also won the best revival accolade and the best actor award for Stephen Dillane. Accepting her award Ehle, 30, thanked her \"beautiful, beautiful\" mother, who was nominated for her role in Waiting in the Wings, for \"teaching me to walk and to talk and to read, otherwise I wouldn't be here at all\". Jennifer Ehle: beat her mother, Rosemary Harris, to win the best actress award The greatest applause was reserved for Michael Blakemore, 71, the Australian-born director, who scored an unprecedented double, winning best director awards for the musical, Kiss me Kate, and the play, Copenhagen. Copenhagen, a drama by Michael Frayn about a secret meeting between two physicists, also won the prize for best play, while Kiss me Kate swept the board with five Tonys, including best actor in a musical for Brian Stokes. Accepting his awards at Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, Blakemore, who was nominated in 1990 for direction prizes in both play and musical categories, said: \"All I can say is thank you America. And of course by America, I mean New York and by New York I mean Broadway.\" Of his double win he added: \"It's like having twins: you get it all over at once. I'm delighted and amazed - really a little stunned. If I'd known I was going to win two Tonys, I think I would have retired.\" Since leaving Australia as a young man to attend London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Blakemore has become a pillar of British theatre. He was taken on at the National Theatre by Lord Olivier, but left in 1982 after falling out with Olivier's successor, Peter Hall. Other British winners were Roy Dotrice, who won best featured actor for A Moon For The Misbegotten, while Sir Elton John and Sir Tim Rice were awarded the accolade for best original score for the Disney production of Aida, which won a total of four titles at the ceremony. It is understood that the pair were so piqued over the production's failure to win a nomination in the best musical category that they declined to attend the event. The main controversy of the night was over Contact, which won four titles including the award for best musical despite having no singing and little dialogue. Its nomination provoked one member of the nominating committee to resign and an outcry from musicians' unions. Barry Humphries, best known as Dame Edna Everage, was awarded a special Tony for Dame Edna: The Royal Tour. Humphries prompted one of the funniest moments during the three-hour ceremony. Presenting best costume winner Martin Pakledinaz, of Kiss me Kate with his prize, Humphries - as Dame Edna - gave him a kiss leaving the lipstick-smeared Pakledinaz so taken aback he struggled with his speech."}, {"response": 461, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (19:41)", "body": "This picture goes with it."}, {"response": 462, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (20:12)", "body": "Congratulations, girls. Feels like you won that award right along with Jennifer and Dillane. Even though the dress was not flattering, JE looked absolutely radiant. Glowing...I can feel the heat just from her photos. Dillane looked dashing, a bit nervous accepting his award. Or was he just wondering who the hell Kathy Lee is? I agree with Karen. I loved that Contact number \"Simply Irresistable\". Sizzle. The Oscars could learn something about dance numbers if they persist in doing them in their telecasts. Donna, did you get a good look at Jennifer's seatmate? Know who he is?"}, {"response": 463, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (20:30)", "body": "I didn't see the broadcast, nor have I watched my tape. Was Mr. Ehle in evidence in the audience? He had a couple of lovely ladies to root for...what a dilemma :-D"}, {"response": 464, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (20:31)", "body": "Donna, did you get a good look at Jennifer's seatmate? Know who he is? I think Donna is probably getting some zzzzz's...Jennifer was sitting next to Nigel Lindsay who plays Max from the cast, her ex in the play.He's married...I think Donna saw him & his family at the baseball game. I know, I know...Jennifer can't seem to get a date. She probably came with her folks.She says she's \"choosey\".:-D"}, {"response": 465, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (20:39)", "body": "From backstage and the Tonys Supper Ball:"}, {"response": 466, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (22:07)", "body": "(Evelyn) I think Donna is probably getting some zzzzz's Not yet, she cried woefully... Here's a funny excerpt from an article in The Times (London): The Real Thing's third award of the evening, for Best Revival, ensures a boost for the production which, despite excellent reviews, has not been playing to full houses. It's also another victory for the Donmar Warehouse, where the production and cast originated. \"I'm shaking,\" cried Anita Waxman, the co-producer, accepting the award. \"Tom and David, I don't know where you are. But Sam , it's a treat to be up here!\" Behind her, a Weinstein brother from fellow producers Miramax could be seen anxiously trying to manoeuvre himself into shot. Here's an accompanying picture. And how the heck do we describe Kathy Lee to the rest of the world? Now if Frank Gifford had his arms clinging around a babe, do you think she'd be having hissy fits? :-)"}, {"response": 467, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  5, 2000 (23:03)", "body": "a Weinstein brother This journalist is woefully ignorant if she couldn't put a first name on this Weinstein brother and it didn't look like he was trying to get into the shot. He stayed far at the outside, as you will see on the tape. Now that I know where Stephen sat, I've gone back through the tape. Man, oh man, do you know how many times they showed the woman right behind him?! That Marin Maizel person!! Looked like Stephen was slouching a lot; you could sort of make him out as people were climbing up on stage. Also you could see Jennifer acknowledging him on her way up and then you see part of his head as she passed."}, {"response": 468, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (09:53)", "body": "To Susan, who posted back a bit, there has been, I am glad to say quite a lot of media attention for The Tonys from Teletext & Ceefax, and the newspapers lots of coverage \"A Great Night for the Brits on Broadway\" etc, and quite a lot of pictures especially of SD & JE., and so there should be."}, {"response": 469, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (10:36)", "body": "Also you could see Jennifer acknowledging him on her way up and then you see part of his head as she passed. The finest hour was when he got it too....I was thrilled for her, butwas afraid the Gabriel Byrne would get it. Unusual for two leads from the same show to get it....except for Tom Stoppards magic.But as someone who has seen the play mny times said...JE and SD were a team...they can't be discussed separately Their excellence was due to the fact that they had such terrific \"synergy\". \"I think that they are an inseparable stage pair. SD shines this brilliantly because JE plays the opposite and vice versa.\" They are so natural on stage. I hope to see it again at the Theatre Museum Archives in London.They taped it last summer. And Lincoln Center Library was going to tape it for their archives last week.A classic."}, {"response": 470, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (10:40)", "body": "re: Gabriel Byrne One of the columnists remarked about his sour puss today. Can't remember which one it was. ;-)"}, {"response": 471, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (10:44)", "body": "re: Gabriel Byrne One of the columnists remarked about his sour puss today. Can't remember which one it was. ;-) Yeah....and he even had a nice tux, Moon ;-)"}, {"response": 472, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (10:47)", "body": "Apparently I have a reputation to uphold (or so Evelyn tells me *winkie*);-) So I'll post another pic. From www.mrshowbiz.go.com"}, {"response": 473, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (10:51)", "body": "Thanks for the pic. Tineke. Evelyn - \"synergy\", is that the same as \"chemistry\" Evelyn, in which case I wholeheartedly agree."}, {"response": 474, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (10:55)", "body": "Mother and Daughter: Friendly Competition Sitting side by side at the Tony Awards were two of the nominees for Best Leading Actress in a Play: Rosemary Harris of Noel Coward's Waiting in the Wings and Jennifer Ehle, who played Annie, the love of playwright Henry, in Stoppard's The Real Thing. Harris is Ehle's mother. As the Tony went to Ehle, mother and daughter threw arms around one another. Off-camera, the wise-cracking Nathan Lane, co-host for these Tonys with the equally clever Rosie O'Donnell, said that he'd heard about a new book coming out, Daughter, Dearest."}, {"response": 475, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (10:55)", "body": "Grr, I really can't post long messages in here! \"We didn't think either of us was going to win,\" Jennifer said later. \"We thought we'd just go and have a wonderful time of it, remember it, and it would never happen again. We'd go and have a lovely dinner with my dad\" \ufffd prolific North Carolina-based author John Ehle. \"I wasn't praying for myself,\" Harris said, sitting next to husband Ehle at the gala Tony Awards ball. \"I was praying for Jennifer. I thought Stephen Dillane might get it, and I didn't think lightning would strike twice, but it did.\" Up in the press room, high over the Music Hall, Ehle noted that she and her mother were both appearing, in a split role, in the upcoming Istvan Szabo film, Sunshine, whose story spans several generations. Then, she caught that the Best Actor award was going to Dillane and gasped, \"Oh my God!\" She crouched, clasping her knees, to hear him declare, \"It turned out to be a very good night for us.\""}, {"response": 476, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (11:09)", "body": "Thanks Tineke...you are indeed upholding your reputation as the best photo sleuth... Cute pic of both of them.. Up in the press room, high over the Music Hall,... Did you see the size of that room on tony.org?Huge...I bet they had over 100 journalists. I was reminded of \"Hostages\" when John Mc Carthy(CF) descended from the plane coming back to UK and Ciran Hines said: \"Welcome to the circus, John\" Donna said they never came back to their seats....went straight to \"the circus\""}, {"response": 477, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (11:46)", "body": "There's a videoclip of the Tonys from the BBC There's nothing about Stephen, but it does show JE being announced as winner and hugging her parents. I hope this link works Broadway's Biggest Night of the Year"}, {"response": 478, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (11:51)", "body": "and apparently it doesn't work! http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/775000/video/_778018_tombrook08_jun05_vi.ram"}, {"response": 479, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (12:02)", "body": "Stephen missing again, (known as the Colin Syndrome), great picure of Jennifer in the Daily Mail, luminuous, with tears in her eyes, \"Move over Mum, it's my turn for a Tony\" from Michael Coveney in NY, mentions all the Brit. winners but no SD, come on Michael you can do better than that, how could he forget SD, he was awesome! The Times not only covered it in the Main section, but also in Section 2 (the online version), different pictures and different article and this time a lot of SD, mentioned his reviews being the best of the season. Great coverage. I think they will ble a little better known now."}, {"response": 480, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (13:23)", "body": "Pictures from the TRT and 3DOR galas and other Donmar mailings supplied by Evelyn: http://www.spring.net/karenr/general/donmar/galas.html"}, {"response": 481, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (14:34)", "body": "re: Gabriel Byrne One of the columnists remarked about his sour puss today. Can't remember which one it was. ;-) (Evelyn), Yeah....and he even had a nice tux, Moon ;-) I noticed GBs sour puss the minute the announced Jennifer. At that point he knew it would go to SD. In fact SD winning was the only sure thing for me, as I had predicted the night before. :-) GB gets high marks for wearing the tux. He is NY savvy. Evelyn, did they tape 3DOR for the Theatre Museum Archives in London? I might go see it. :-) Thanks for the pictures, Tineke!"}, {"response": 482, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (14:36)", "body": "I will repeat myself, David Leveareux is v.v.good looking. And that is not even a good picture of him! What will he do next? Does anyone know?"}, {"response": 483, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (14:39)", "body": "I believe David is already in rehearsals for a play he is directing on Broadway in the fall, Desire Under the Elms."}, {"response": 484, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (14:51)", "body": "Thanks, Donna! Is he British? He has a french last name but that is not telling. Do you know who is in the play? What has he done before?"}, {"response": 485, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (14:54)", "body": "Hi Moon. Yes, I believe he is British. I don't know who is in the play, but I have read about it opening in October. I believe he directed Zoe Wannamaker in Elektra last year :-)"}, {"response": 486, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (14:59)", "body": "I just pulled out the Playbill. He also directed Liam Neeson and Natasha Richardson in Anna Christie. He has a lot of credits to his name, and is an associate director of the Donmar. He has directed at the RSC and RNT. Those Donmar boys, they grow em young, talented, and cute :-)"}, {"response": 487, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (15:06)", "body": "Young is right! How old is he? He certainly has an outstanding resume. Thanks again, Donna!"}, {"response": 488, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (15:48)", "body": "I give up on Reporters, you sometimes wonder if they know anything at all about what they are writing, for instance in The Independent today, nice picture of Jennifer and Michael Blakemore, with the caption underneath \"JE, left, won the Best Actress for her role in \"TRT\" by Michael Blackmore, right\". I ask you even someone who doesn't go to the theatre all that much knows TS wrote TRT, don't they !! (Also I wouldn't have thought it was necessary to put \"left\" and \"right\", I would have thought that that at least was obvious. First they miss SD out now they are giving credit to Michael Blakemore for TRT!! Still overall very good coverage of the Awards, mustn't complain."}, {"response": 489, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (16:02)", "body": "LOl...just had an email from the A&E producer.... \"Due to the overwhelming response, we will reshow the Jennifer Ehle Interview on Breakfast with the Arts on July 23\" Aw Moon....you'll be away :-( ~~~~ Honestly, guys I only wrote one thank you. ~~~~~~ Also I put in a plug for a reshowing of P&P (the cast get residuals!) and he said there is a new person in programing...I requested another Marathon P&P Sunday on Thanksgiving weekend...\"an A&E tradition\"(they've done it twice....so he could not confirm it. I shall find out who it is and we can bombard her/him."}, {"response": 490, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (17:08)", "body": "Slightly OT but very current mentions JE winning Best Actress for TRT - Good review for Sunshine and particularly for RH at http://www.newsday.com/ap/entertainment/ap253htm"}, {"response": 491, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (17:15)", "body": "The page seems to have disappeared but is really is still there, go to Entertainment and scroll down the headlines."}, {"response": 492, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (17:57)", "body": "Someone posted this at VV Another link to a video clip of the Tonys (even though it seems more like a combination of stills and video). This time Stephen is shown. Go to http://http://www.necn.com/ then entertainment"}, {"response": 493, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jun  6, 2000 (22:32)", "body": "Before I forget again, just wanted to say thanks to eveyone for this fun board-- Karen for starting it up and all of you for sharing in the excitement of these past weeks. (And we're keeping it going, right?) Moon, DL *is* kinda cute, but I didn't think the unmade bed was your type!:-) Ann, I'm so glad to hear that the awards have gotten lots of coverage in your press. The home crowd can be very, very proud of these folks. Donna, thanks for the first-hand account; believe me, you were the first person I thought of when they called SD's name! I also thought he was a bit stunned, but handled himself very nicely. BTW, that was his wife next to him, right? The lady in the Nimi-like head wrap. Suchet was sitting right in front of him, I believe. I have a feeling that Rosie will definitely have JE and SD on her show, as soon as it can be arranged. Has anyone been in touch with the show? If not, I'm sure I can find a number and inquire. Maybe Regis & Kathie Lee also. It will be interesting to see what JE and SD decide to do next--any thoughts? I think they've earned a nice break for themselves after this run is over. Between TRT and Summerfolk, JE has been on the stage for the better part of a year now, right? Maybe she'll want to do a film next; she should have lots of offers to weed through, and she should get some good ones. Very versatile, can do comedy, drama, the classics, period, contemporary. A happy dilemma!"}, {"response": 494, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (02:09)", "body": "I was also thinking it would be nice to continue this topic so that we can see where they both go from here but perhaps change it to SD & JE. I asgree it has been fun especially as the news about CF is slow at the moment."}, {"response": 495, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (02:36)", "body": "I forgot to say that according to The NY Daily News, the winning Shows have reported improved ticket sales since the Awards on Sunday and not before time as according to Theatercom TRT's capacity fell to under 50% for the week ended 4th June and their takings were well down on the previous week. From yesterday's NY Daily News \"The other Tony Winners, KMK and TRT and Copenhagen also have good news. Each reported that ticket sales had gone up dramatically, KMK & TRT doubled their business, C qauadrupled it.\" (Ann still keeping her fingers crossed that they don't close early)."}, {"response": 496, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (05:17)", "body": "(Mari) that was his wife next to him, right? He's not married. And we're keeping it going, right? I should hope so! We still have to drool over Anna Karenina :-) He's got 3 movies released in the UK that have yet to make it to our shores. AK, Ordinary Decent Criminal, and The Darkest Light. Get out your bibs ladies! I've been checking out AK. He is always wearing either a uniform, tails, or a very nice bathrobe (a la Darcy). Just like SIL, how can she leave Karenin for Vronsky (Wessex for Will)? By the way, Doug Henshall is in AK and he is very good. If you saw Angels and Insects, he was the odious brother in that one (shudder). But here, he plays the very likable Lenin."}, {"response": 497, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (05:17)", "body": "Close"}, {"response": 498, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (05:37)", "body": "Doug Henshall plays Levin (not Lenin). Geesh, I haven't had my morning coffee yet :-)"}, {"response": 499, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (07:20)", "body": "Moon, DL *is* kinda cute, but I didn't think the unmade bed was your type!:-) Mari, first impressions my dear, I thought he looked great at the Tonys. He was wearing a tux. :-D Now do not tease me with \"unmade bed\" and DL on the same sentence. ;-)))"}, {"response": 500, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (07:59)", "body": "No one is folding up this topic...and if other topics are desired, you only need to say. Some of us also saw Douglas Henshall in that classic This Year's Love. More recently I saw him in Orphans (liked him in that one); rent it if it comes out on video. Am looking forward to seeing AK; might even rent the other versions like you did Donna. Moon: you are v.v. bad ;-)"}, {"response": 501, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (08:56)", "body": "I contacted the Rosie show, but she only had Cherry Jones from \"Moon from the Misbegotten \"early on. \"See you at the Tony's\", she said to Cherry. Ha, ha...Cherry lost:-)She's never had any other drama stars on except Lauren Bacall. It will be interesting to see what JE and SD decide to do next-- any thoughts? JE maintains there is nothing in the pipeline.I hope she doesn't sew herself up for anything since \"Sunshine\" is coming out on Friday and the US reviews are good...for a certain type of academic audience. Still she is getting mention along with Mum. I hope she does another play...she's a natural for a Tennessee Williams female role.I read where Nicole Kidman was rumored for \"Cat on Hot... She is in the inviable position of having no responsibilites and doesn't need the money..."}, {"response": 502, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (14:23)", "body": "I wonder why Broadway.com claims that the reporter from Show Business Weekly had the most correct predictions. I found this column at Back Stage, and this woman guessed 17 out of 21 correct. She got Original Score, Featured Actor, Lighting Desing and Costume design wrong, but that's all. http://www.backstage.com/columns/centerstage/CSG20000601.asp"}, {"response": 503, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (05:09)", "body": "Great article and cute photo of RH & JE of 25 years ago in The New York Daily News at http://www.nydailynes.com/today/New_York_Now/Movies/a-69202.asp - The Sunshine promotion has started."}, {"response": 504, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (05:10)", "body": "sorry here it is again http://www.nydailynews.com/today/New_York_Now/Movies/a-69202.asp"}, {"response": 505, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (07:45)", "body": "That picture is soooo cute. They are certainly making the most out of the mother-daughter thing too. Wonder if some cable network will pick up The Chamomile Lawn now (notice they called it The Chamomile Lane in the article)."}, {"response": 506, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (08:40)", "body": "Wonder if some cable network will pick up The Chamomile Lawn now (notice they called it The Chamomile Lane in the article). It will have to be a late night cable...this is an adult movie. \"Chamomile\" is the American spelling.The British \"camomile\" stuck with the original french \"camemille\"."}, {"response": 507, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (08:58)", "body": "Thank you Karen for the Village Voice article...(we won't post that one;-) Thank God they're not all that way...like I said, this film isn't for everyone. Like the AP said:\"This film has intelligence and empathy to burn\". Most movie-goers don't go for either one...plus it's 3 hrs long... Bring a cush for your tusch."}, {"response": 508, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (09:17)", "body": "From Variety: TONYS UPS AWARENESS, STUDY SHOWS By ROBERT HOFLER The Tony Awards may have tanked in the national ratings on CBS, but their impact among potential theatergoers appears to have rearranged Broadway's current hit list. According to a study conducted by Audience Research Analysis, a visual and performing arts market research firm, the CBS and PBS broadcasts were especially effective at raising the national awareness of \"Contact,\" which received the Tony for best musical. George Wachtel, president of ARA, said that 47% of the survey's respondents had not even heard of the dance show prior to the telecast. Only 12% of respondents who watched at least some of the telecast remained in ignorance, naturally enough. 'Copenhagen' gains Similarly, lack of awareness for \"Copenhagen,\" the best play winner, and \"The Real Thing,\" winner of best revival of a play, decreased from 46% and 36%, respectively, to 34% and 24%. Pre-telecast, \"Kiss Me, Kate\" and \"Aida\" were virtually tied as the musical potential theatergoers most wanted to see. After the telecast, the Cole Porter show, which received the award for best revival of a musical, retained its No. 1 ranking, but \"Contact\" jumped from fourth position to second and \"Aida\" dropped to third, ahead of -- in descending order -- \"Swing,\" \"The Music Man,\" \"Jesus Christ Superstar\" and \"The Wild Party.\" 'Real Thing' moves up As for plays, \"Copenhagen\" jumped from fourth to first place on the most-wanted list while \"The Real Thing\" moved from sixth to second place. Post-telecast, they were followed by, in descending order, \"Moon for the Misbegotten,\" \"Dirty Blonde,\" \"True West,\" \"The Ride Down Mt. Morgan\" and \"Uncle Vanya.\" ARA conducted the survey of 975 respondents through the NYCtourist.com Web site."}, {"response": 509, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (09:23)", "body": "Evelyn do not feel bad about the Village Voice review. They do not like anything. (Sad case of troubled unhappy New Yawkers)"}, {"response": 510, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (12:00)", "body": "Thanks for the Daily News article, Ann. Nice and I love the old photo! Not so hot Sunshine review from Rex Reed in the New York Observer, but praise for JE. Just the parts pertaining to her (note he gives Rafe, ahem, short shrift;-): . . . The best way to get through it is to let it roll over you, sift through the morass and thrill to some wonderful performances. A stroke of casting genius has the delicate Jennifer Ehle, as the young, headstrong Valerie, replaced partway through the film by the elegant Rosemary Harris, Ms. Ehle\ufffds mother in real life, who plays Valerie in later years. Valie becomes the family\ufffds surviving matriarch, having endured so much pain and sacrifice. Oddly enough, it is Ralph Fiennes who disappoints. Instead of delivering a nuanced set of interpretations that delves into the inner depths of his three disparate characters, he plays them all the same way. Full frontal nudity, which he displays eagerly and often, may generate prurient interest, but only proves he\ufffds no babe magnet. . ."}, {"response": 511, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (13:08)", "body": "Very good reviews for Sunshine in Entertainment Weekly (B+) and New York Magazine, which has a large color photo of JE and Ralph from the wedding scene. Jennifer singled out for high praise in both!"}, {"response": 512, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (16:55)", "body": "Thanks everybody...I'll go hunt those reviews down for the website.... Interesting on the Tony impact....I was sure sold on \"Contact\"..sorry I went to see Annie get you Gun...I dunno about Copenhagen.... I read that Wild Party is closing on Sunday. Great about TRT going to second place....hey a Brit play with two unknown leads ...that's not bad. LOL...heard that Rosie gave out tickets to TRT yesterday on her show.... ...and I laughed when ATA played on a half price day in London... See...God is punishing me!"}, {"response": 513, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (17:28)", "body": "Mari, I can't find the reviews do you have a link and have you seen the James Berardinelli Review at the MRQE 3stars out of 4, very good for JE.too."}, {"response": 514, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (17:56)", "body": "Hi Ann, I saw the Entertaiment Weekly and the New York Mag reviews at the bookstore (I'm one of those browsers that the shop owners *just love*;-) I have a subscription to EW, but haven't gotten the new issue yet. Will pick up the New York mag tomorrow and post the review, as I don't think it's available online, but EW should be; they just probably haven't posted the new issue yet. The NY Observer is online at: www.nyobserver.com Scroll down the left to Rex Reed's column. The Sunshine review is 2nd, I believe. Yes, I saw the James B. review (with the link to his P&P review). What a huge P&P fan he is! It was nice to re-read that review."}, {"response": 515, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (18:05)", "body": "Here's the Entertainment Weekly review. Friday, June 9, 2000 SUNSHINE \ufffd\ufffd THIS MORTAL FOIL Family man Fiennes is a ''Sunshine'' superman Ralph Fiennes, Jennifer Ehle Rated R Multigenerational sagas are more comfortably the provenance of TV miniseries than of crammed feature films. But in Sunshine, the distinguished Hungarian filmmaker Istvan Szabo (''Mephisto'') distills complex issues of identity into three hours of dense 20th-century family drama that, while inevitably oversimplified, is never less than engrossing. Three generations of the Jewish Hungarian Sonnenschein family -- the name means sunshine -- rise and fall through the rise and fall of the Austro-Hungarian empire, Nazism, and communism. It is Szabo's most elegant touch, though, to cast one mournful-faced actor, Ralph Fiennes, as a Sonnenschein son of each era, weighing forfeitures (of family name, of religion) against personal and professional gains. The classy cast includes James Frain, Rachel Weisz, and William Hurt. And none is classier than recent Tony Award winner Jennifer Ehle as free thinking Valerie Sonnenschein, the story's bright center. Another fine detail: When Valerie ages, she's played by the luminous Ehle's own glowing mother, Rosemary Harris. \ufffd Grade: \ufffdB+ \ufffd -- Lisa Schwarzbaum"}, {"response": 516, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (18:34)", "body": "Thanks Mari, I guess when things are going well they go very well and to think she was out of work for 6 months. I have just found a very good review for Jennifer and her mum again not so good for RF and the film at Mr. Showbiz, here are the relevent bits:- \"It's chief virtue is the luminous work done by nascent screen star and Tony winner JE and her mother, actress RH.\" \"In the movie's first third, Szabo effectively delivers his thesis: Political regimes promise happiness, but commit heinous acts to achieve it. It's easily the best part of the film thanks mostly t o Ehle's commanding screen presence and Meryl Streep-like sensuality.\" I must say from what I have seen so far the reviews are better than the ones it recieved in the UK and very very good for JE & Mum. The best one for JE in the UK was the Telegraph."}, {"response": 517, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (20:38)", "body": "Entertainment Weekly Review of Sunshine: http://www.ew.com/ew/review/movie/0,1683,1350,00.html ~~~~~~ The NY Observer pans the film and RF, but complimentary of JE and RH. A stroke of casting genius has the delicate Jennifer Ehle, as the young, headstrong Valerie, replaced partway through the film by the elegant Rosemary Harris, Ms. Ehle\ufffds mother in real life, who plays Valerie in later years. Valie becomes the family\ufffds surviving matriarch, having endured so much pain and sacrifice. Oddly enough, it is Ralph Fiennes who disappoints. Looks like those girls are pulling a \"Rupert Everett\"....."}, {"response": 518, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (20:40)", "body": "Here's the link to Rex Reed's column at the NY Observer. Sunshine's review is below the one entitled \"The Bard's Cabaret Act. http://www.observer.com/pages/onthetown.htm"}, {"response": 519, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (20:46)", "body": "Mr Showbiz http://mrshowbiz.go.com/reviews/moviereviews/movies/Sunshine_2000.html In the movie's first third, Szab\ufffd effectively delivers his thesis: Political regimes promise happiness, but commit heinous acts to achieve it. It's easily the best part of the film, thanks mostly to Ehle's commanding screen presence and Meryl Streep-like sensuality..... As Sunshine crawls toward its inevitable end, its chief virtue is Harris playing the aged version of the character originated by her real-life daughter Ehle. The role of Valerie is schematic; her apolitical, humanist ways are intended to be the Sonnenschein family's only beacon of virtue. In that regard, Szab\ufffd's heavy moralism works all too well: The mother-daughter duo is Sunshine's only ray of light. And these people mostly like Nicolas Cage..."}, {"response": 520, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun  8, 2000 (21:04)", "body": "Would you rather we posted the links, rather than the full reviews here?"}, {"response": 521, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (06:36)", "body": "Good review from The New York Post, 3 out of 4 stars; once again great for JE. POWERFUL 'SUNSHINE' MORE THAN FIENNES By JONATHAN FOREMAN SUNSHINE Ralph Fiennes, Jennifer Ehle, William Hurt and Rosemary Harris are excellent in this flawed but powerful romantic family saga that takes three generations of an adultery-prone Hungarian Jewish family through a turbulent century. Running time: 180 minutes. Rated: R. At the Loews 72nd Street and the Union Square. \ufffdSUNSHINE, \" a three-hour saga from Istvan Szabo, the Oscar-winning Hungarian director of \"Mephisto\" and \"Colonel Redl,\" should really have been a miniseries - though its sex, nudity and one ghastly torture-murder scene would probably keep it off the networks. The compelling story of a Jewish family's rise and fall, with Ralph Fiennes playing three generations of the troubled Sonnenschein clan (Sunshine in German), it moves swiftly along through several wars and revolutions, buoyed by excellent performances from the ravishing Tony award-winner Jennifer Ehle, her real-life mother, Rosemary Harris, andMolly Parker and Rachel Weisz. It is often as powerful as it is elegantly shot. Unfortunately, Szabo tends to tell this rather predictable tale in an obvious yet uneven way. Some of the historical and personal episodes feel rushed, while others - especially those that take place in the Communist era - are dragged out too long. Still, if it is a story with familiar ironies (on New Year's Eve 1899, one character says, \"I predict that this will be a century of love, justice and tolerance\") it's only so because so many Jewish family narratives from Eastern Europe really do follow the same tragic arc. Name changes, conversion to Catholicism and enthusiastic participation in the postwar purge of Hungarian fascists are not enough to protect the Sonnenscheins. And though you are supposed to draw a conclusion about the futility of assimilation, the real lesson of \"Sunshine\" seems to be that the end of the liberal Habsburg monarchy was an unequivocal disaster for minorities like the Jews."}, {"response": 522, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (06:53)", "body": "From the New York Times; mixed/positive, good for the actors: Serving the Empire, One After Another After By A. O. SCOTT About half an hour into \"Sunshine,\" the first of three characters played by Ralph Fiennes raises a glass to toast the passage of time. \"Long live the 20th century!\" he cries, which is, when you think about it, a profoundly illogical thing to say. Not that he's entirely wrong: the century, or at least one Hungarian Jewish family's experience of it, from the twilight of empire to the fall of Communism, is the subject of Istvan Szabo's churning, sometimes clumsy, often thought-provoking -- and decidedly long -- film. It follows in the footsteps of movies like Visconti's \"Leopard\" and Bertolucci's \"1900,\" epics that aspired to match the sprawl and capaciousness of classic novels and to show, at once panoramically and intimately, the process of historical change. This is never an easy thing to do, and Mr. Szabo, working from a script he wrote with the American playwright Israel Horovitz, attempts it with minimal subtlety, priming his enormous canvas with big, cartoonish sketches. \"I predict this will be a century of love, justice and tolerance,\" Mr. Fiennes's character, a rising star of the Austro-Hungarian judicial system named Ignatz Sonnenschein, declares after his toast. You don't need to know much about the last hundred years -- just that they were characterized by an awful lot of hatred, injustice and intolerance -- to grasp the irony. But fortunately, and thanks largely to Mr. Fiennes, Jennifer Ehle and Rosemary Harris, the film pulls away from such obviousness and views the lethal unreason of the past hundred years with gravity, humor and, most remarkably, with something like sanity. The first third of the film, which sprints from Ignatz's 19th-century childhood to his death in 1930, doesn't have much time for nuance. Most of the action takes place at the Sonnenschein dinner table, which stoically endures being pounded and stormed away from during the passionate arguments that seem to erupt at every meal. Most of the tsoris is caused by the smoldering passion between Ignatz and his adopted sister Valerie (Ms. Ehle), who is really his cousin and who will eventually be his wife (and then, since Mr. Fiennes plays both their son and grandson, his mother and his grandmother). When they aren't provoking family fights, Ignatz and Valerie steal away for dreamy, heavy-breathing, soft-focus sex, followed by earnest pillow talk. \"When I'm lying in your arms, I feel like I've come home,\" Ignatz whispers. No kidding. The Sonnenschein household, overseen by plump, good-hearted parents who migrated to Budapest from the countryside and made a fortune selling an herbal elixir called Sunshine, is dominated by a quasi-incestuous love triangle involving Valerie, Ignatz and his younger brother Gustave. Their relationship is further complicated by political differences that erupt, all of a sudden, in a scene of speechifying melodrama shortly before the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand. Gustave is a socialist, his brother a steadfast believer in the empire's brand of liberal multiculturalism, while their sister turns out to be a budding Hungarian nationalist. This scene, and many others in the film, is both underdeveloped and overdone, as though Mr. Szabo, in his rush to interpret the history of Central Europe, couldn't be bothered to dramatize it. The sets are there -- the complacent bourgeois opulence of the Sonnenschein apartments, the haughty grandeur of Budapest's cafes and governmental palaces -- but he never slows down enough to capture the texture and rhythm of daily life. For all the shouting and panting, the Sonnenschein family story feels more like a collage of ideas, events and metaphors than something lived. But it must be said that the ideas are interesting, the metaphors occasionally inspired and some of the events unforgettably powerful. Just as history, properly understood, is more than just one darn thing after another, so \"Sunshine\" manages, as a whole, to transcend the crude melodrama of its individual scenes. The stagy political shouting match on the eve of World War I turns out to be the key to Mr. Szabo's understanding of the 20th century. He imagines socialism, nationalism and imperial liberalism as siblings, born out of an essentially decent, meliorist 19th-century impulse, and all vulnerable to horrifying moral corruption. Several of this Hungarian director's earlier films -- notably \"Mephisto\" (1981) and \"Colonel Redl\" (1985) -- dealt with the exemplary modern agonies, especially acute in Central Europe in the middle decades of the 20th century, of decent men driven to compromise with evil. \"Sunshine\" is a triptych of such stories, each one displaying Mr. Fiennes, with different facial hair and altered ideological coloration, caught in the pincers of history. Small compromises lead to big disasters: Ignatz, anxious to advance his career, changes the family name from Sonnenschein"}, {"response": 523, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (07:09)", "body": "Ok, I'm done for now.;-) V. good, from the LA Times; the Sunshine Girls once again impress.;-) Hungarian Upheaval, Family Entwined in 'Sunshine' By KEVIN THOMAS, Times Staff Writer \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdWith the monumental three-hour \"Sunshine,\" master director Istv\ufffdn Szab\ufffd relates the tragic and turbulent history of Hungary in the 20th century. The story is told through the Sonnenscheins, an assimilated Jewish family whose last survivor finally accepts the futility of trying to deny one\ufffds roots--especially when he realizes that that is all he has left. \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdIt is a superb period re-creation and boasts a formidable international cast acting in English but does not attain the high artistic level of Szab\ufffds great trilogy exploring the theme of self-deception, \"Mephisto, \"Colonel Redl\" and \"Hanussen.\" \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdSzab\ufffd and his co-writer, playwright Israel Horovitz, tend to match every upheaval in Hungarian life with tempestuous behavior on the part of the Sonnenscheins, particularly the three generations of scions played by Ralph Fiennes. The constant compounding of personal and political turmoil is soap operatic in effect, which makes you feel that \"Sunshine\" would play best as a TV miniseries. It is nevertheless absorbing and illuminating in regard to the eras its spans but is also pretty wearying by the time it starts winding down. However, those of us who are steadfast admirers of Szab\ufffd--and also suckers for traditional-style period epics--wouldn\ufffdt want to miss it. \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\"Sunshine,\" which is English for Sonnenschein, prophetically opens (in 1840) with an explosion in the herbal distillery of a rural tavern-keeper, killing him and his entire family except for his 12-year-old son, Emmanuel. The boy heads for Budapest with his father\ufffds secret recipe for his \"Sunshine\" herbal tonic, which will become the basis for the family fortune that affords the Sonnenscheins a palatial mansion. Their story begins in earnest with the dawn of the 20th century, at which time the sons of Emmanuel (David de Keyser) and Rosa (Miriam Margolyes), Ignatz (Ralph Fiennes) and Gustave (James Frain), have settled on careers in law and medicine, respectively. They have been raised with their orphaned cousin, Valerie (Jennifer Ehle), an aspiring photographer and free spirit who defiantly and successfully seduces Ignatz, whom she marries. \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdUnder the rule of Emperor Franz Joseph, Hungarian Jews were granted unprecedented opportunities and civil rights, and the dashing Ignatz rises fast through the ranks of jurisprudence but must change the family name (to Sors, pronounced Sorsh) if he is to go all the way to the top. He\ufffds so grateful to the emperor that he refuses to notice that the government is growing ever weaker and more corrupt, with the lower classes left in such dire straits that Gustave becomes a Communist in protest. \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdThe outbreak of World War I, the deaths of the emperor and his father on the very same day, and Valerie\ufffds disillusionment with him ensure an early grave for Ignatz. Hungary goes briefly Communist until taken over by Admiral Horthy\ufffds military regime, which ultimately collaborated with the Nazis. With the end of World War II, Hungary would endure Communist rule until 1989. \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdIt is unclear whether in the wake of World War I the Sunshine Tonic is still being manufactured, but in any event the Sonnenscheins continue living in style in the family mansion. Ignatz\ufffds son Adam, a dedicated assimilationist and superb fencer, leads Hungary to triumph at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, returning home a national hero and no more willing to see where the country is heading than his late father, Ignatz, was in his time. \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdOnly Adam\ufffds sister-in-law Greta (Rachel Weisz) sees that the family needs to emigrate before it\ufffds too late. Needless to say, Adam\ufffds heroic status will mean nothing once the deportations of Hungarian Jews commence. Valerie (Rosemary Harris, having taken over for Ehle, her real-life daughter) and Adam\ufffds son Ivan survive the Holocaust, with Ivan turning Stalinist inquisitor in his mood for vengeance but emerging a hero of the futile 1956 Hungarian uprising. Ivan, too, is seduced--by an aggressive apparatchik (Deborah Kara Unger). \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdWith his clenched intensity, Fiennes is well-cast as a series of single-minded, self-absorbed innocents who are pursued by women rather than pursuing them. The film is anchored by Ehle and Harris, equally luminous as Valerie, who possesses the strength and wisdom of a woman who always dared to be true to herself. Margolyes makes a put-upon, tradition-minded matriarch sympathetic because she can be amusing and common-sensical in her candor. \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdWilliam Hurt is commanding as a man who survives Auschwitz only to meet a worse fate at the hands of rabid Stalinists, and R\ufffddiger Vogler is an elegant and subtle Hungarian general. (Vogler in middle age recalls Melvyn Douglas at his most urbane, which is a long way from the hippie drifters Vogler played in Wim Wenders\ufffd early films.) Lajos Koltai\ufffds cinematograp"}, {"response": 524, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (07:19)", "body": "Great reviews, thanks Mari. Will you please post the NY Magazine review when you have it?"}, {"response": 525, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (08:24)", "body": "NY Times:Re: JE &RH (the two actresses might share an Oscar, just as Mr. Fiennes might have to compete against himself I predict an Oscar nomination for Rosemary Harris. Great week for those girls and ...is Paramount lucky or what? Thanks Mari. I think that sews it up. I would like to see Philly Inquirer and Chicago Trib when it gets there...but the majors are in now... What a ride!Phew!"}, {"response": 526, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (08:42)", "body": "Evelyn, there is still one more to come and it is another goodie for the ladies, RF and the film don't come off to well but her is what the NY Daily News says about JE & RH:- \"Sunshine lacks Shading\" ..\"The standout performances are by JE as Ignatz' sensual, stromg-willed wife, Valerie, and Ehle's real-life mother, RH, who takes over as Valerie for her later years, as the family's doting matriarch.\" As you say what a week, I think JE could walk on water at the moment and incidentaly have you noticed how often the words \"sensual and luminous\" appears in reviews for these two."}, {"response": 527, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (08:43)", "body": "\"too not to\""}, {"response": 528, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (08:44)", "body": "Evelyn, there is still one more to come and it is another goodie for the ladies, RF and the film don't come off to well but her is what the NY Daily News says about JE & RH:- \"Sunshine lacks Shading\" ..\"The standout performances are by JE as Ignatz' sensual, stromg-willed wife, Valerie, and Ehle's real-life mother, RH, who takes over as Valerie for her later years, as the family's doting matriarch.\" As you say what a week, I think JE could walk on water at the moment and incidentaly have you noticed how often the words \"sensual and luminous\" appears in reviews for these two."}, {"response": 529, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (13:39)", "body": "From theatre.com Fiennes, Ehle, Harris Play Across Generations in Sunshine, Opening June 9 NEW YORK \ufffd Three Tony Award winning Broadway stars -- Ralph Fiennes (Hamlet), Jennifer Ehle (The Real Thing) and Rosemary Harris A Delicate Balance) -\ufffd play the leads in Istvan Szabo\ufffds $25 million epic film drama, Sunshine, opening Friday, June 9."}, {"response": 530, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (13:39)", "body": "Running more than three hours, Sunshine spans four generations of a Jewish family and covers the entire 20th century that saw two world wars, the rise and fall of a monarchy, fascist dictatorships and the communist regime in Hungary. Set primarily in Budapest, the film traces the partilineage of the Sonnenschein family through grandfather, father and son, all of whom are played by Ralph Fiennes. The first is Ignatz, a judge who changes his Jewish name to advance his career. The second is his son, Adam, who converts to Catholicism to win a spot on the fencing team and dies in the Holocaust. The grandson is Ivan, who joins the Communist secret police to avenge his father\ufffds death. Mother-daughter actors Harris and Ehle both play Ignatz\ufffds wife Valerie. Originally called The Taste of Sunshine, the film is a huge saga about a Hungarian-Jewish clan locked in a camouflage battle with history. Along the way, the life of each man played by Fiennes is complicated by an illicit romance."}, {"response": 531, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (13:41)", "body": "Directed and written by Szabo (Academy Award winner for Mephisto and Colonel Redl), the film\ufffds screenplay was co-written by American playwright Israel Horowitz. \ufffdIt\ufffds a wonderful, wonderful film that opened at the Toronto Film Festival,\ufffd Harris told Theatre.com. \ufffdMy daughter Jennifer Ehle and I play the same role. She plays the first 40 years, and I play the next 40 years of the same part. Ralph Fiennes plays three parts. William Hurt is also in the film.\ufffd Harris and Ehle previously played across the generations in the 1992 British television drama \"The Chamomile Lawn.\" \"At the same time that Istvan was thinking about me for Valerie,\" Ehle told Newsday. \"He asked Ralph who should be the older Valerie. And he's alleged to have said, 'What about Rosemary Harris?' And they hadn't known we were mother and daughter.\" With music by Maurice Jarre, the stories in Sunshine parallel the experience of the Jewish middle-class in Central Europe from the decline and fall of the Habsburg Empire to the aftermath of the Hungarian revolution of 1956. It is both historical and artistic"}, {"response": 532, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (13:42)", "body": "\ufffdI\ufffdve always been selective of the films I take on,\ufffd Harris said. \ufffdFilm is the lazy way out of acting. It\ufffds not nearly as hard work as the stage. I also have a family. I have a daughter who I adore, and I never wanted to be just an actress. i wanted to be a mother first and an actress second. So I was always putting my family first. My husband, Johnny, is a writer. He was able to take a pad and pencil, and we would put Jennifer in our pockets and go off and do a project.\ufffd Likewise, Szabo has said in interviews that Sunshine centers on the family: \"It started in my mind with how in the whole of Middle Europe, not just Hungary, people's private lives have been influenced by history and politics. I wanted to tell the story of one family and how their whole life is deeply affected by the various movements in Europe. All human beings seek out a sense of comfort in their lives and in the last 150 years we have faced enormous challenges and difficulties which threaten our safety and that can lead to losing ourselves. So I wrote this story, showing how these supposedly different regimes -- be they an Empire, a republic or a foreign dictatorship -- have put individuals under pressure"}, {"response": 533, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (13:42)", "body": "\"All regimes promise happiness,\" Szabo continued, \"but dreadful things have happened in that name. Authority uses people. When it no longer needs them, it throws them away or destroys them. This enormous experience is only the experience of the 20th century. It is extraordinary that in one life, say that of my grandfather, a man could experience the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Nazi and the Communist Regime. Instead of showing one life through different ages, I thought it might be more profound to tell the story through three generations. I therefore created three characters - a grandfather, a father and a son - all at similar ages. I always knew that I wanted one actor to play the three parts, of Ignatz, Adam and Ivan and so I asked Ralph Fiennes to create these for me.\" Fiennes said he wanted to work with Szabo because he is a fan of Mephisto and Colonel Redl: \"The script works on so many levels. Not only is it a story of personal relationships across three generations, but it is set against a very specific historical and social background of Hungary from the turn of the century through until the 1960's. It is deeply humane without being sentimental. It is as rich as any great novel and it is all from Istvan Szabo who is an extraordinary human being.\""}, {"response": 534, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (13:43)", "body": "In the press packet, Fiennes describes Ignatz as \"a lawyer who wants to be accepted as a member of the establishment of Hungary. He is a middle class Jew who wants to be assimilated successfully; he wants to feel the safety of the Establishment and the legal system. The infrastructure of the Empire is what gives him his raison-d'etre, to the point of neglecting the woman he loves. By contrast, his son Adam is an Olympic athlete. \ufffdHe lives through his body, he's a championship top athletic fencer and his motivation is to succeed as an athlete,\ufffd Fiennes said. \ufffdHe too wants to be assimilated, but he's a physical man and has the linear vision of any sportsman. He is blind to social change, to the rise of Fascism, so in one sense he is quite limited. But in another he is the most romantic because he is a bit of a swashbuckler.\""}, {"response": 535, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (13:44)", "body": "Ivan, Adam's son and Igantz's grandson, may be the most complex. \"Ivan is the most crippled and wounded psychologically by seeing his father murdered in a concentration camp,\ufffd Fiennes said. \ufffdHe's the most conflicted; he has literally no roots. He comes out of the war with a kind of Messianic determination to fight for Communism and take revenge on the Fascists. It's only when he sees the corruption of the Communist Regime and recognizes it as the same mindless corruption as Totalitarianism that he is able to make a change. He does it in the most fundamental way, by changing back to his family name.\" Sunshine also stars Rachel Weisz (The Mummy, Chain Reaction), Deborah Kara Unger (The Hurricane, Crash), Molly Parker (Kissed, The Five Senses), James Frain (Elizabeth, Hilary & Jackie) and Academy Award winner William Hurt (Children of a Lesser God, Broadcast News). {:-)-:} I'm sorry about cutting up the article, but it won't post any other way:-("}, {"response": 536, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun  9, 2000 (14:54)", "body": "RH: \"\ufffdFilm is the lazy way out of acting. It\ufffds not nearly as hard work as the stage. Er...a...hm...maybe I don't want my friend on #129 to be on Broadway...;-)"}, {"response": 537, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jun 12, 2000 (13:33)", "body": "For Donna, a little snippet I noticed in today's Times, Section 2 \"SPOTTED: Stephen Dillane, who won best actor at the Tony awards, distributing buttons just before the ceremony began to fellow cast members of The Real Thing. On one side he had printed \"I lost\" on the other, \"I won\". Hedging his bets, but so sweet."}, {"response": 538, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, Jun 12, 2000 (14:30)", "body": "A cutie-patootie story, worthy of telling on the Rosie O'Donnell show. Now if she'd only book him! :-)"}, {"response": 539, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (11:41)", "body": "Donna, I read another cute Stephen tidbit in Variety. They said that Stephen was spotted in a New York street right after the Tonys making a post win phone call in a pay phone. He doesn't own a cell phone. Good for him!"}, {"response": 540, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (12:58)", "body": "Gosh, had I known that, I would have lent him mine :-)"}, {"response": 541, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jun 13, 2000 (19:15)", "body": "Ann, the newstand was out of NY Mag, so I'll need to look elsewhere."}, {"response": 542, "author": "susanne", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (09:07)", "body": "Tony Award magic From Variety: The Tony's four big winners responded nicely at the box office: \"Contact\" (up $16,357), \"Copenhagen\" (up $71,849), \"Kiss Me, Kate\" (up $66,542) and \"The Real Thing\" (up $74,694). \"Contact\" and \"Copenhagen\" had their best sessions ever, coming in at $602,884 and $346,742, respectively. Dame Edna's scene-stealing at the Tonys also did the trick. Her \"Royal Tour\" rose $62,076."}, {"response": 543, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (17:15)", "body": "Tom Stoppard is scheduled to be on Charlie Rose tonight!"}, {"response": 544, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (17:22)", "body": "Mary-Louise Parker will be in Desire Under the Elms, directed by David Leveaux."}, {"response": 545, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (17:26)", "body": "Thanks, Donna! I should make this a must see. Let me know if you read anything else on this play (or DL). I wonder if TS is a repeat on Charlie Rose. I remember he was on after SIL."}, {"response": 546, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (17:54)", "body": "Thanks Donna, please report if TS says anything about TRT and the Tonys."}, {"response": 547, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (18:18)", "body": "Thanks, Donna, I'll watch tonight. It should be very obvious if it's the SiL one."}, {"response": 548, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (19:24)", "body": "This from Playbill.com... More info on David Leveaux. Mary-Louise Parker To Be Found Under Roundabout's Elms This Fall 14-JUN-2000 Mary-Louise Parker, currently starring in Off-Broadway's Proof, will be joining the cast of Desire Under the Elms when it runs this fall at the American Airlines Theatre. Parker will stay with Proof at least until the end of July, she told Playbill On-Line (June 14). Spokespersons for the Roundabout at Boneau/Bryan-Brown could not confirm any casting on the production and did not anticipate any casting announcements until August. As reported earlier, director David Leveaux, who recently worked on the Broadway production of The Real Thing, will be helming the Roundabout Theatre Company (RTC) production of Eugene O'Neill's play at the American Airlines Theatre. This will be the third time Leveaux has directed an O'Neill play on Broadway (see below). Desire is scheduled to run at the American Airlines Theatre directly after the The Man Who Came to Dinner, which stars Nathan Lane. Dinner, RTC's first show at the reconstructed Selwyn house on West 42nd Street, should begin previews June 30. Leveaux's Broadway productions include two other O'Neill plays -- Anna Christie with Liam Neeson and Natasha Richardson (Tony Award for Best Revival) and A Moon for the Misbegotten (Tony nomination for Outstanding Direction), making Desire his third shot at directing O'Neill on Broadway. No other casting or production information was available on Desire at press time. For the Royal Shakespeare Company, Leveaux has directed 'Tis Pity She's a Whore and Romeo and Juliet. For the Royal National Theatre, Leveaux directed Strindberg's The Father. Since 1993, he has been artistic director of Theatre Project Tokyo, Japan, where other productions included Yukio Mishima's Modern Noh Plays, The Changeling, Hedda Gabler and Mishima's version of Jean Cocteau's Two Headed Eagle. Leveaux's opera credits include The Turn of the Screw for Scottish Opera; The Marriage of Figaro, and Richard Strauss's Salome at the English National Opera."}, {"response": 549, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (22:06)", "body": "I MUST MEET DL!!!Where have I benn??? Thanks, Donna!"}, {"response": 550, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (22:06)", "body": "I MUST MEET DL!!!Where have I been??? Thanks, Donna!"}, {"response": 551, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (22:08)", "body": "*hic*"}, {"response": 552, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (22:42)", "body": "The Stoppard interview is from 4/14/00. He says in the movie, the cricket bat will be a baseball bat. :-("}, {"response": 553, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (23:03)", "body": "An American TRT??? How could he? We are not so *provincial*! Bad call, ST."}, {"response": 554, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (23:13)", "body": "I hope he was joking about the bat :-( Anyhow, Tom mentioned that he thought TRT has fulfilled itself at the Barrymore Theatre. He thinks that technically, it plays better than in London. The Albery being a higher stage, and the Donmar being smaller. Charlie asked about if he saw a difference in the play given the different leads (Irons, Dillane, and Stoppard mentioned Rees who did it in London) and their approach to the role. Tom gave a politically correct answer, no. Though apparently critics and audiences don't agree :-) Too bad this was taped before TRT officially opened (taped 4/14, opened 4/17). He said he would have to see the opening, \"to support the boys and girls.\" Charlie also asked if he thought about what would have happened to Henry and Annie. Tom gave a funny answer, basically \"that's all folks.\" Basically that the play has to end somewhere."}, {"response": 555, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (23:21)", "body": "I would like to hear Tom's answers to the same questions today, after the rave reviews and the Tony wins. When he gave the interview, the production was still going through growing pains. Would he (or Harvey) reconsider the bat? Would he re-think how the play \"plays\" given Dillane's performance? Hmmm. I ponder. I balance a pineapple chunk on top of my carrot stick. Pass the buck's fizz, I need a stiff one."}, {"response": 556, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (23:25)", "body": "(Donna) Though apparently critics and audiences don't agree :-) Lest anyone get confused, those *be* my words, not Tom's :-)"}, {"response": 557, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 15, 2000 (07:42)", "body": "(Donna) I hope he was joking about the bat :-( Wouldn't he have to change some of that speech? Don't think that baseball bats are made of composite materials (layers); just one piece of wood. Very interesting that Stoppard did say that the American production was better than in London because of the theater. What happened to \"the play's the thing\"? ;-) Now, if he would only Charlie would show the entire interview with SD and JE... Come on, folks, email Charlie and show him that people want to see more of them."}, {"response": 558, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 15, 2000 (09:15)", "body": "He says in the movie, the cricket bat will be a baseball bat. A clue that it will also have an American cast. ~~~~~~~~ I enjoyed the interview...though it too was a bit convoluted. Charlie also asked if he thought about what would have happened to Henry and Annie. He also added that he likes an audience \"to have a choice or responses\". Wasn't it Stephen who said in an interview that some nights he thinks Annie and Henry will make it and some he doesn't!! What I thought he said that was interesting is that : [paraphrasing]If he were writing that play today, it would be less flashy and less rhetorical.Less witty...he thinks that sometimes actors are \"in the service of the writer\".(TRT was written in 1982). He admires writers that can write concise plots.He wrote TRT in response to critics who said TS didn't understand women...\"I'll show them\"... The part about being happy now because he has established his identity...\"he escaped from generality\".. He made it ..\"Who wants posthumous fame\", says Charlie.He had no formal education...left school at 18. He regrets not having had a university education... but has no hang-ups about it. ."}, {"response": 559, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (02:29)", "body": "I saw True West tonight. I was stunned, because I thought the performance of John C. Reilly was not remarkable (he portrayed the writer in this performance). Not a bad performance, but not of the caliber for being nominated as best actor. And I recently saw Derek Jacobi in Uncle Vanya, who wasn't nominated and I think turned in a much better performance. Maybe Reilly does better in the other part. Thank goodness Stephen won the Tony, much deserved I must say. Had it gone to one of the True West actors, I think it would have been based on popularity. Hoffman turned in a good performance (as the Schlitz drinking drunk), truly wonderful at some moments. But I thought it was over the top at times. Lots of yelling. That gets tiresome. I think the actors would have been better off sticking to one role and getting it down, rather than switching roles every 3 nights. Maybe True West is the \"in thing\" to see for the NY elite. Flavor of the month, so to speak. The audience gave the play a huge standing-o. It is a loud play, lots of angst. Well enough done, but overrated, IMO. Why do people equate yelling, shouting, and emoting anger as great acting? Rhetorical question. I wonder if other actors find that discouraging. Rhetorical question. Toni Collette and Matthew Broderick were in the audience (not together), I guess that's what happens when your play closes. Blah blah blah. Just bummed. There is no reason on earth as to why they have to change the cricket bat to a baseball bat. Can't Henry be a British playwright married to an American actress living in Manhattan? Can't he have a cricket bat stored in his closet? Yeah, baseball bats aren't sprung like a dance floor. Geesh, to take the very best moment of the play and change it for an American audience! Unnecessary."}, {"response": 560, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (07:53)", "body": "I wouldn't get too discouraged Donna because if TS is working on the script (which I'm sure he would be), then any changes should be just fine. He did change things on TRT from its previous incarnation for this run and is a big-time script doctor (i.e., SiL). So... no worries (although I do agree with you about the British playwright married to an American; easy accomodation)"}, {"response": 561, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (08:38)", "body": "I also agree. Why do people equate yelling, shouting, and emoting anger as great acting? One of my pet peeves."}, {"response": 562, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Jun 18, 2000 (06:16)", "body": "An excerpt from today's The New York Observer about the Tonys and Gabriel Byrne: At 7:30 on June 4, Gabriel Byrne stepped out of a black Town Car in front of Radio City Music Hall looking every bit as forlorn as the depressive drunk James Tyrone he\ufffds been playing in A Moon For the Misbegotten... Everybody knew who Mr. Byrne was, though. And as he made his way slowly down the press line, he got screams from girls across the street. It didn\ufffdt lighten his mood, which seemed to be reflected in the dark rumpled suit he\ufffdd chosen over a tux, his two days\ufffd beard growth and perma-grimace. He looked like he was taking a slow stroll into a hail of bullets. By the looks of it, Tony night meant to Mr. Byrne what Tony night has come to mean to the rest of New York. As Broadway has become increasingly geared to out-of-town crowds\ufffdJack Wagner in Jekyll & Hyde!\ufffdthe hard candy-coating of Manhattan glamour that once surrounded the Tonys has been chipped away and replaced with a saccharine taffy geared to the lowest- common-denominator tastes of middle America. (People who aren\ufffdt interested in theater anyway, judging from Nielsen numbers that made this year\ufffds telecast the lowest-rated Tonys ever.) Mr. Byrne\ufffds mug said it all. The Tonys have become business without pleasure; a prime-time opportunity for Broadway\ufffds producers to advertise their big musical numbers on national television, and if they win the award, nab Schubert Alley\ufffds answer to the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval. The logic goes that Mr. Iowa is more likely to shell out a few hundred bucks to take the family to see the road-show production of Tony-winning triumph Contact, rather than something that could be described as a pool-hall dance party set to a recording of Robert Palmer\ufffds \"Simply Irresistible.\" \"For the majority of people theater has become irrelevant,\" Mr. Byrne told The Transom on his way inside, moaning in a very Eugene O\ufffdNeill way. \"Television and rap music and movies are far more relevant to the vast majority of people than theater. It\ufffds become much more about advertising, about \ufffdproduct,\ufffd\" he added. \"There\ufffds a lot of reasons why theater has to take a good long look at itself.\" If the organizers of the Tonys heed Mr. Byrne\ufffds advice, a good place to start would have been Rosie O\ufffdDonnell\ufffds much-touted opening number for the CBS show. Ms. O\ufffdDonnell emerged on stage flanked by grooving fellow television stars Jesse L. Martin (Law & Order), Jane Krakowski (Ally McBeal) and Megan Mullally (Will & Grace). Behind her on risers stood what appeared to be a church choir in black tunics... The rest of the show went without drama or incident, except when after the rousing \"Seventy-Six Trombones\" number from The Music Man, the CBS camera briefly found Mr. Byrne politely applauding, but wearing a root-canal scowl. Ten minutes later, Mr. Byrne lost the best leading actor in a play award to The Real Thing\ufffds Stephen Dillane. Mr. Byrne was nowhere to be found at the party ..."}, {"response": 563, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (11:13)", "body": "Slightly OT - but since we talked so much about the Tonys at this topic... A scathing review of Susan Stroman's choreography (\"Contact\") in today's Wall Street Journal. She apparently has also choreographed the movie \"Center Stage.\" Here is the last paragraph: Dance plays and dance movies deserving of the name should earn praise or blame for the actual dancing in them. By this standard, \"Contact\" and \"Center Stage\" merit scant attention. Maybe audiences impressed by these shenanigans should try an actual dance performance. OUCH."}, {"response": 564, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (12:24)", "body": "According to Variety , the Box Office for TRT continues to climb since winning Tony Awards weekend, I am so relieved and so pleased for everyone."}, {"response": 565, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (12:25)", "body": "delete \"winning\""}, {"response": 566, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (12:52)", "body": "the Box Office for TRT continues to climb since winning Tony Awards The Power of a Tony....who said...\"Tony's don't mean anything?\" Or...a better one.... \"Actors don't care whether or not they win a Tony\" [Oh yeah? They sure do if their play closes early...]"}, {"response": 567, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (03:49)", "body": "There are some video clips of the Tony Nominees Brunch at Sardi's to be found at http://www.broadwaybeat.com/tvindex.htm It's always a short interview with the actor followed by a short clip from the show. Part 1: Heather Headley, Stephen Spinella, Ann Hampton Callaway, Claudia Shear and Helen Stenborg Part 2: Craig Bierko, Karen Ziemba, Deborah Yates, Laura Benanti, Jayne Atkinson, Derek Smith, Cherry Jones, Gabriel Byrne and last but not least Jennifer Ehle Part 3: starts with a TRT clip followed by a short interview with SD."}, {"response": 568, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (07:29)", "body": "(Tineke) Part 3: starts with a TRT clip followed by a short interview with SD. Love the cowlick :-)"}, {"response": 569, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (09:44)", "body": "From Playbill News : The Tonys are over, but there's one more award show to go -- the Friends of New York Theatre \"FANY\" Awards. When they are presented June 25 at Swing 46, I forget...were there any nominations released on this? Was TRT among them? Like , who cares....we got a Tony.( I'm greedy ) Actually, SD has a suitcase full of awards.More than any other actor this year on Broadway.Care to enumerate them, Donna? (And the Olivier went to Henry Goodman...Pfft. Bet he wouldn't have gotten a Tony)"}, {"response": 570, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (09:56)", "body": "I'm about 70% done with his awards page... research research research :-) But here is what I've got so far for The Real Thing: Tony - Stephen won Theatre World - Stephen honored (not a competition) Drama Desk - Stephen won Drama League - TRT was nominated (actors were NOT in competition) Outer Critics - Stephen nominated, but Derek Jacobi won Olivier - Stephen nominated, Henry Goodman won Evening Standard - Stephen won Variety Club - Stephen won FANYS - TRT nominated, to be announced 6/25. Stephen was not nominated: Nominees for Outstanding Leading Actor: Play Michael Cumpsty, Copenhagen Philip Seymour Hoffman, True West Kevin Spacey, The Iceman Cometh Patrick Stewart, The Ride Down Mt. Morgan Hey, whoever heard of a FANY anyway! :-)"}, {"response": 571, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (10:08)", "body": "Hey, whoever heard of a FANY anyway! :-) Quite so. They're just friends of, not close relations or anything. ;-)"}, {"response": 572, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (10:38)", "body": "(Donna)Hey, whoever heard of a FANY anyway! :-) (karen)Quite so. They're just friends of, not close relations or anything. ;-) Youse pay your $250. bucks and you're a \"Friend\"... ~~~~~~ (donna)Theatre World - Stephen honored (not a competition) Hey...make that a win ...he showed up;-)"}, {"response": 573, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (14:07)", "body": "Old news, but some of you may not have seen before. This includes some nice quotes about Colin and Stephen. This is an excerpt from a report last November, where Stephen won the Evening Standard Best Actor award. Best Actor This was one of two really hard-fought categories which went into a second round. Nicholas de Jongh declared it the best list of Best Actors this decade. \"Quite astonishing performances and not by the usual collection of actors either.\" Benedict Nightingale praised Klaus Maria Brandauer's charismatic performance in Speer. He also put the case for Peter O'Toole in Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell: \"His performance had deepened and darkened so hugely since he first tackled it, with sorrow and half-acknowledged self-doubt and regret as well as tipsy fun.\" He felt it was one of the best performances he'd ever given. Susannah Clapp applauded Simon Russell Beale's detailed, intelligent playing in Money, acclaiming him as one of the stage's best actors. Nicholas de Jongh was thrilled by Charles Dance in Good. \"He caught one of the profound dilemmas of the century, whether you collude with evil or struggle against it.\" Several judges praised Colin Firth's understated performance in Three Days of Rain. Susannah Clapp thought his change from a \"very neurotic to a mildly ruffled person\" exquisitely done. De Jongh agreed: \"He shares with Stephen Dillane an ability to convey nuances of deep feeling without putting them on the surface.\" But the final battle was fought between Michael Sheen, Stephen Dillane and Henry Goodman. Susannah Clapp put Sheen forward for reinventing Look Back in Anger, praising his luminous quality and ability to be goaded, fiery and defensive at the same time. Jane Edwardes admired his portrayal of the self-hatred behind Jimmy Porter's self-pity. Paul Taylor thought he revealed \"the emotional neediness behind the aggression\", and helped reinterpret the play in terms of emotional politics rather than politics. For Benedict Nightingale, Henry Goodman established himself as a major actor with his performance as \"a most unsentimental\" Shylock in The Merchant of Venice. \"I found him heart-rending, but also funny, mocking and self-mocking.\" Jane Edwardes was moved by the mask he assumed in public and took off at home. She found his long pause when debating whether to carry on with the bond one of the most thrilling moments of the year. Paul Taylor agreed, but thought it was Trevor Nunn's interpretation of Shylock that was so brilliant - though Goodman executed it deftly. Taylor argued the case for Stephen Dillane in The Real Thing, \"the most delicately layered performance all year. Apart from the potentially rebarbative cocky Stop-pard figure, he showed you a man drowning in his sardonic distancing pose. I think he's a very underrated actor and I value him for the lightness of touch with which he brings out depths.\" Nicholas de Jongh agreed, praising Dillane's \"magnificent casualness\". After the second round of voting Stephen Dillane emerged as the winner, with Sheen one point behind."}, {"response": 574, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 22, 2000 (17:39)", "body": "Yahoo Entertainment Business A Moon for the Misbegotten,'' a revival of the Eugene O'Neill drama starring Cherry Jones, Gabriel Byrne and Roy Dotrice. Walter Kerr. Closes July 2. Whew! That coulda'been us, folks!! \"Moon...\" lost to TRT as Best Revival... GB lost to SD for Best Actor Cherry Jones lost to Jennifer for Best Actress Only Roy Dotrice (of the stirring acceptance speech) won Best Supporting."}, {"response": 575, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun 23, 2000 (10:05)", "body": "Terrific review for Sunshine in today's Philly Inquirer, and raves for our favorite mother-daughter team.:-) I posted it on 127."}, {"response": 576, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (12:46)", "body": "Ordinary Decent Criminal will open tomorrow. I've seen quite a few billboards, even on trams, and they discussed the film on the radio today (Stephen wasn't mentioned though)."}, {"response": 577, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (12:56)", "body": "(Tineke) Ordinary Decent Criminal will open tomorrow. Well we eagerly await your review Tineke! Do you know if it will be shown in English or dubbed? We already know it got hammered by the British reviewers (is that hammered by an emotional backlash?), but maybe it will be better received outside the UK. I think the reviewers were upset that this real life criminal was romanticized by the movie. It will be interesting to see this film here, and Linda Fiorantino with an Irish accent (I presume). And I suppose this will be another film where we see far too little of SD. Hee hee, I'm still laughing at the \"cone of silence\" on the other topic."}, {"response": 578, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Tue, Jun 27, 2000 (13:50)", "body": "]Do you know if it will be shown in English or dubbed? English for sure!! We NEVER EVER dub movies! Okay, maybe that's a lie. We do dub Disney films, but that's because 6 year olds can't read. But we can still choose between the Dutch or the original version. Anyone who's not accompanied by a child will choose the original version. Movie complexes here have more than one theatre, so they simply show both versions. I've never seen a film dubbed in Dutch. I'm sure no one would want to watch it. I've seen films dubbed in French and think it's horrible. I even stopped watching Another Country once on French TV because I just couldn't stand it."}, {"response": 579, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Jun 29, 2000 (06:51)", "body": "Just a Gabriel Byrne - Tony follow-up from Liz Smith today: By the by, I received a sweet, funny note from Gabriel, who responded to my wondering in this column why he looked so glum at the Tony Awards telecast? \"Dear Liz: Tension, exhaustion, nerves, shyness, uncomfortableness, lead to a configuration of facial muscles resulting in the condition known as glumpussery. I'm now in a state of post-Tony contentment!! Kindest regards, Gabriel.\" What a cutie (my words, not Liz')! Glumpussery... must use that some time."}, {"response": 580, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun 29, 2000 (07:24)", "body": "From Jeffrey Wells's column: The Real Thing Caught Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing last night (i.e., Tuesday) at New York's Ethel Barrymore Theatre. A marvelously witty drama about love and infidelity, it stars Tony Award winners Stephen Dillane and Jennifer Ehle in the roles played by Jeremy Irons and Glenn Close in the original 1984 Broadway production. Having seen that version also, I found last night's production every bit as rewarding, and more so in some respects. I loved every minute, every line. Director Sydney Pollack (Random Hearts, Out of Africa) is a big fan also. He and I spoke yesterday afternoon about the Stoppard play and the film version he wanted to direct 15 or 16 years ago for Universal, but couldn't because of script problems he was unable to fix. I called Pollack about this because Miramax Films' Harvey Weinstein, who is co-producing the Broadway revival, intends to produce his own film version before too long. I was curious what Pollack thinks of the idea, and what obstacles he feels the play presents in translating it into screen terms. And since Miramax isn't saying much beyond its plan to shoot a film version, I was wondering if he'd heard anything. The current Real Thing, he says, \"is a whole 'nother way of coming at the play,\" which he describes as \"less royal.\" He attended the opening-night performance a few months ago, and \"everyone in that place thought it was written for them. \"If it's not the greatest play of the 20th century, I think it's certainly one of the greatest. I really do. It's the most romantic play Stoppard's ever done. It's so full of acute observations about relationships. It fascinates the s**t out of me.\" He says Universal Pictures bought the play for him to develop into a possible film project in '84, at the direction of then-chairman Frank Price. He contacted Stoppard and asked him about what might be the best way to make it work as a screenplay. I heard from another source that Stoppard \"took a couple of swings\" at an attempted translation, but what he turned in wasn't to anyone's particular satisfaction. Pollack didn't explain it precisely this way, but acknowledges that efforts to create a filmable Real Thing screenplay never panned out. \"The problem for me was I was so involved with the play, I could never find a way to do those things which one does [in order to make a play] into a film, because I thought it would finally eviscerate it. I mean, this is a play about words, about language \ufffd and the power and the obligation and the nobility of language. What words can and cannot do, when used properly. \"One could always film it as a play. I talked about this not long ago with Stoppard. When we first spoke, I just told him how great I thought the production was \ufffd and how you could make it work as a film. But when we started mucking around with it, we wanted to have our cake and eat it too. I know it's primarily a play about language, and it was very hard to make it work in a visual sense.\" However, says Pollack, \"Somebody's going to come along some day and make a liar out of me. A good imaginative director is going to lick it someday, and it'll be very exciting. Harvey [Weinstein] and I talked about this not too long ago. He was joking with me, 'Ok, Sydney, you've had your chance, now we're taking ours.' \"I would love to find a way to make it work as a film,\" Pollack adds. \"If I could, I would go to Harvey and say 'let's go.'\" He says he doesn't know how soon Weinstein is planning to roll ahead with his Real Thing movie. \"Harvey's a gambler,\" he says. \"He sticks his neck out where other people don't.\" The Real Thing has another few weeks to go. If your plans include being in New York before August, make every effort to see it."}, {"response": 581, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 29, 2000 (07:45)", "body": "v. interesting. As we've been discussing, it's all in the hands of the director or \"his vision.\" Wonder who Harvey will get."}, {"response": 582, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Thu, Jun 29, 2000 (09:52)", "body": "Wonder who Harvey will get. This seems to be a job for someone with both a theatrical and film background -- like our boy Sam Mendes. Or Anthony Minghella. Wish Wells had also asked Pollack about his casting ideas. Cool article -- thanks Mari."}, {"response": 583, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Jun 29, 2000 (10:43)", "body": "(SusanMC) Wish Wells had also asked Pollack about his casting ideas. Bet he did, hee hee, and he's not revealing! :-) All I can say, having been seated behind Sydney at the theater, is that his eyes were riveted on SD. Even in scenes where JE was talking on the other side of the stage. And he laughed and howled at all the right places. He was one of the first on his feet giving a standing-o. The big question is... what is Harvey's casting ideas? The inquiring minds want to know :-) Ugh, I've giving myself an ulcer just thinking about it. The Americanization of Henry. :-("}, {"response": 584, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 29, 2000 (11:22)", "body": "Harv's probably going for his \"Dream Cast\": David Arquette and Courtney Cox. ;-)"}, {"response": 585, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Jun 29, 2000 (11:27)", "body": "ROTFLMAO I think I like it!"}, {"response": 586, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 29, 2000 (15:13)", "body": "It will probably be an entirely different production.Like TRT I in 1982 when I hear that Jeremy Irons played Henry as a \"Stuffy Englishman\". And Glen Close was an older Annie.Casting a play with low-wattage stars is one thing...but a movie is another.Like BJD it will have to be high- profile actors to take the leads. IMO But the dialogue is so malleable that it will adapt to any skilled actor.... (Pl God, don't let it be Melanie Griffith):-("}, {"response": 587, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Jun 29, 2000 (19:34)", "body": "The first glimpse of Stephen as Karenin in Anna Karenina. This is where he first starts to suspect something is amiss."}, {"response": 588, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 29, 2000 (19:41)", "body": "Hey gang....Donna has been putting in lots of hours reorganizing the SD website...to include The Awards Page. http://fp.enter.net/~purrfect/dillane.htm"}, {"response": 589, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 29, 2000 (23:17)", "body": "Any dates on when we might see AK? Russian drama = winter, I expect. ;-) Yes, Donna's site is great. Will check out the new stuff."}, {"response": 590, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 29, 2000 (23:18)", "body": "Was meaning to ask, where are all the glossy magazine articles on Stephen? He did win all those awards, became the toast of Bway and ....???"}, {"response": 591, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Jun 30, 2000 (03:36)", "body": "I heard a rumble somewhere that AK was probably going to be shown on PBS this fall. It is 4 hours and was shown in 4 parts in the UK. Yeah, where is Stephen??? I've been glancing at the mags too, and nothing! But then, where is Brian Stokes Mitchell and Heather Headley? JE really lucked out with having Sunshine being released at the same time, plus the RH connection made her story even juicier. I'm so glad the attention is being given to someone who is talented. Not like that Dharva person :-)"}, {"response": 592, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 30, 2000 (08:59)", "body": "Have to agree...and wish he was right there with her...cause TRT is Henry's play and he's taking home a suitcase full of trophies.Jennifer did luck out with Mum being on the Tony ticket...\"first time in history\" gimmick.Talk about luck... was Paramount releasing Sunshine the same week.Win-win all around."}, {"response": 593, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Fri, Jun 30, 2000 (09:59)", "body": "I just saw Ordinary Decent Criminal. It was shown in the largest theatre of the complex, so this means that they're expecting people to go and see this movie. I quite liked it. It certainly doesn't deserve to be trashed. I suppose that some critics didn't like it because it's sort of the same story as The General. But since I haven't seen The General (wanted to though) this didn't bother me. Stephen looks gorgeous in it, his hair is very short (quite like it that way), he wears a suit sans green shirt;-) He plays the only relatively intelligent Garda of the film. Even though his part is important, it's not that grand. I mean, it's not a big enough part to stand out. People will not think Ordinary Decent Criminal - \"oh, the superintendent was good\" , if you catch my drift. He was good, mind you. But this film is about Kevin Spacey, clever Kevin Spacey, every other part is a minor part."}, {"response": 594, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun 30, 2000 (10:50)", "body": "Jennifer did luck out... I am afraid I don't agree with this, The Tony voters considered she had given a winning performance, I think this counted more than luck and her reviews for Sunshine (and her Mum) have been iniversally excellent whereas RF's have been a bit mixed. I too wish there wer more articles on SD but I certainly think Jennifer deserves all the publicity she is now getting."}, {"response": 595, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 30, 2000 (11:20)", "body": "closing tags too I don't think anybody meant Jennifer doesn't deserve her award, but the additional publicity was likely generated by the people at Paramount Classics and she is benefitting from that. No one is saying she doesn't deserve it. The kind of splash she is making in the press is strictly a Hollywood thing. When a movie comes out, the star(s) appear on the covers of everything from Knitting Weekly to Popular Electronics. Films are national. Most of America doesn't give two hoots about the Tonys as they are for NY plays, most of which they will never see. Touring companies have different casts. As Donna pointed out, there's been no corresponding publicity for any of the other big winners (SD, HH, the three intitial guy from KMK)."}, {"response": 596, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun 30, 2000 (11:24)", "body": "Okay, it was just the word \"luck\", which perhaps I took the wrong meaning. Did I not close the tags, it didn't appear that I hadn't."}, {"response": 597, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 30, 2000 (11:41)", "body": "The tag is now closed. Sometimes people use the wrong slash to close their tags. Make sure you are using the / and not the \\ :-)"}, {"response": 598, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 30, 2000 (11:49)", "body": "Films are national. Most of America doesn't give two hoots about the Tonys as they are for NY plays, most of which they will never see. Ann...Karen is correct.If you said Tony's to the man on the street, he's think it was the newest Pizza Place in town.No kidding. And for a drama actress to receive the publicity she has, is unheard of. Judi Dench didn't get any splash last year, or Janet McTeer the year before. 'Cause it helps that she is v. photogenic and young. Nothing on Heather Hadley, either. Yes, she derserved the Tony , but the rest of the hoop-la is gravy. Albeit, v. welcomed.And by the sound of her last interview, she's\"loving it\"."}, {"response": 599, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Jun 30, 2000 (12:05)", "body": "Yes, JE deserves all the great publicity!! No glumpussery here :-) The luck was the double whammy of Tony win and major film release. By the way, does anyone know where her recent photos were shot?"}, {"response": 600, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun 30, 2000 (12:27)", "body": "Fairenoughski!, it must be this excruciating toothache I have today that is making me ultra sensitive."}, {"response": 601, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 30, 2000 (15:32)", "body": "You mean the ones in INTERVIEW? http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/Alley/4820/jen_mags.html Looks seaside, doesn't it? Or a balcony overlooking Central Park?I think that photographer Pablo Alfaro (Portuguese surname ?) is a real 'comer'.Best I've ever seen of her.All the US pics have been v. artistic ).I know people don't like the one in EW..but it's the kind of stuff one sees in photography shows...avant garde.The one in Parade which everyone liked...I dunno ..wee bit matronly...same ole',same ole'.IMO"}, {"response": 602, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Jun 30, 2000 (18:48)", "body": "(Evelyn) You mean the ones in INTERVIEW? Yes, that interview! If I didn't know better, I would have thought some place exotic, like Greece :-) But we know she's doing the play, so it has to be local. Great pics. Hmmm, that wouldn't be SD's dressing room, would it? :-)"}, {"response": 603, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sat, Jul  1, 2000 (09:20)", "body": "Re: publicity, Brian Stokes Mitchell (the \"3-initial KMK guy\") got a James Brady \"In Step With\" piece like JE's a month or so ago (pre-Tonys). So guess it is possible to get some decent publicity on the strength of a good stage performance."}, {"response": 604, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Jul  6, 2000 (23:22)", "body": "Is she crazy??? This from playbill regarding David Leveaux... Having canceled this season's scheduled run of Eugene O'Neill's Desire Under the Elms, the Roundabout Theatre Company is considering a run of Harold Pinter's Betrayal, Playbill On-Line has learned. If the project develops, it would be helmed by David Leveaux, the director originally attached to Desire. Director David Leveaux, who recently worked on the Broadway production of The Real Thing, was scheduled to helm the Roundabout production of Eugene O'Neill's Desire Under the Elms at the American Airlines Theatre. It would have been the third time Leveaux has directed an O'Neill play on Broadway. The venture fell apart, however, after Mary-Louise Parker left the show, opting to remain with the Broadway-bound Proof."}, {"response": 605, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul  7, 2000 (08:28)", "body": "Yeah...can't the woman read? The guy has directed a bunch of Tony winners. Also I read that David Leveaux will direct \"Therese Raquin\" with Kate Winslett.His first screen directorial debut.Produced by KW and hubby's new production company."}, {"response": 606, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (15:48)", "body": "Hi, from sunny and hot NY. Have seen TRT twice, and have spoken to both Jennifer & Stephen. Still love the play and could see it again. BTW Paul Newman was in the audience on Tuesday and Tuesday was a full house. Will tell more when I get back to the UK."}, {"response": 607, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sat, Jul 15, 2000 (19:24)", "body": "A bearded Stephen, taken in late 1997 during his first Charlie Rose interview. I'm not sure if the beard was for a particular project. At first I thought perhaps for Widowing, but that was made earlier. Then, I thought maybe Uncle Vanya, which was reviewed in April 1998. Other pics at http://fp.enter.net/~purrfect/dillane3.htm"}, {"response": 608, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 15, 2000 (21:27)", "body": "Had no idea he had been on Charlie Rose before...and he came back??? ;-)"}, {"response": 609, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 16, 2000 (12:41)", "body": "Thanks Donna...he looks biblical in a beard. I like it...makes him look v. distinguished. Which is probably the antithesis of what he wishes to be...;-) ~~~~ ann...pl. tell us your Stephen/Jennifer post- play story...."}, {"response": 610, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Jul 21, 2000 (07:39)", "body": "Hold on to your knickers ladies, tee hee. The unbelievable has just happened. I actually found a pic of Stephen at the Tonys without Kathie Lee hanging all over him. If curious, click on the link. If you look really close, you can actually see a hand print on his jacket :-) http://fp.enter.net/~purrfect/dillane.htm"}, {"response": 611, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 21, 2000 (10:51)", "body": "He even looks \"reckless\"...like in Act 1, Scene 1. Thanks Donna. The Dillanenews list is fun...nice to have new folks."}, {"response": 612, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 21, 2000 (11:55)", "body": "Ha!! Surprised you haven't taken to airbrushing Kathie Lee out of there."}, {"response": 613, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Jul 21, 2000 (12:20)", "body": "(Karen) Ha!! Surprised you haven't taken to airbrushing Kathie Lee out of there. I tried, believe me! :-)"}, {"response": 614, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (21:40)", "body": "Just had another TRT fix today. SD is now sporting a Deja Vu 'do :-) I noticed that Brodie experiments a lot with his small part. He trys different things. Good for him. But when it was over, the lady beside me said she couldn't understand him at all. I had to give her a synopsis of the last act :-)"}, {"response": 615, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (21:46)", "body": "buzz cut?"}, {"response": 616, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (21:58)", "body": "(Karen) buzz cut? LOL, just about!"}, {"response": 617, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jul 24, 2000 (01:55)", "body": "what's a Deja Vu'do, Donna? (If its a haircut perhaps it is for a new role!!)"}, {"response": 618, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, Jul 24, 2000 (05:38)", "body": "(Ann) Deja Vu 'do Yes, a new hairdo :-) It's the short model that he wore in both Deja Vu and Welcome to Sarajevo."}, {"response": 619, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 24, 2000 (10:40)", "body": "I liked the longer hair...not shoulder length though. TRT website has been updated. New front page featuring all the awards..,and press page has blurbs from the reviews. They kindly reinstated the JE website URL under her bio...but nothing under Stephen's... http://www.therealthingbroadway.com/ Donna check your email...I'll be glad to be your liaison;-)"}, {"response": 620, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, Jul 24, 2000 (10:54)", "body": "Speaking of buzz cuts :-) Check out this 'do from Ordinary Decent Criminal. Much shorter than the Deja Vu 'do. Thanks K and E for the leads :-) What's that song? You do that Vu 'do that you do so well..."}, {"response": 621, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 24, 2000 (11:37)", "body": "Agggggg....I want Henry back!"}, {"response": 622, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 24, 2000 (11:53)", "body": "Boy, oh boy! That's about as buzz as they come, although in boot camp, they do get closer to the scalp."}, {"response": 623, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 24, 2000 (13:34)", "body": "What's the story of this film....I know Kevin Spacey is the lead....does SD play the role of a Brit or American? Inquiring minds...you know..."}, {"response": 624, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 24, 2000 (14:13)", "body": "short version - for longer one from production notes, go to Native American website ;-) Dublin. An enigmatic, leather-clad figure weaves its way through traffic on a powerful motorbike. This is Michael Lynch (KEVIN SPACEY): family man, liar, criminal mastermind and our hero. ORDINARY DECENT CRIMINAL is a classic gangster movie set in modern day Dublin. It follows the extraordinary adventures of an ordinary decent criminal - a man who robs from the rich but lives with the poor. He loves his two wives, sisters Christine (LINDA FIORENTINO) and Lisa (HELEN BAXENDALE), his children, his gang and, above all, his unique way of life. Michael is a suave, sardonic and sexy man: a charismatic criminal who strides the Dublin streets like a colossus. He dreams up robberies with hallmark panache which rarely fail to endear him to the public. He challenges authority at every turn, culminating in the ultimate art theft from Dublin's most prestigious gallery, outwitting and dumbfounding the police, Interpol and the rest of the criminal fraternity. Michael is driven by two fundamental beliefs: be loyal to your own and to hell with everyone else. He succeeds so well that what starts as a laugh evolves into something far more dangerous. He begins to enjoy the sting more than the cash, and the notoriety most of all. As his ego drives him on, the police, in particular Noel Quigley (STEPHEN DILLANE), determine to break him. As the law closes in, increasing pressure on the whole gang, Michael makes a mistake that could destroy him, threatening both his popularity with the public and his reliability as a bread winner. But he recovers his equilibrium in time to dream up one last, dazzling score - and evade the trap that has been set for him? ~~~~~~ Ed. note: Sounds remarkably like The General."}, {"response": 625, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 24, 2000 (15:32)", "body": "Thanks....sounds like a must-see. Will it be art-house (ug)? Anybody know yet when does it come to US?"}, {"response": 626, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (14:48)", "body": "Wheeee! I solved a technical problem. My video clips on the SD site have been moved to 2 different servers, and now they play on the first try. The network congestion problem has been solved! So for people who haven't seen the play, or haven't been able to see clips of the TRT on A&E, or Charlie Rose, etc., or the awards broadcasts, I've got 3 TRT scenes on Dateline:Dillane and scenes from the Variety Club, Olivier, and Drama Desk awards shows on Awards I've been stewing over this for a while, so pardon my enthusiasm. I need a drink! Besides, I need a break from this PC. (She says as she was grabbing those MP3 files!)"}, {"response": 627, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (08:30)", "body": "Thanks, Donna. Will try out the new implementation. Had just gotten the hang of the old one and was so excited when I got it to work on one of the TRT clips. ;-)"}, {"response": 628, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (20:37)", "body": "Had an RH sighting. Glad she's still in the city and can enjoy her daughter. Had I been 2 seconds faster, we would have collided. She still looks fab, was walking west on 44th, carrying a bouquet of flowers. I was going south heading into Shubert Alley. FYI, SD's hair grows fast :-)"}, {"response": 629, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (10:24)", "body": "Thanks Donna...I hope RH has gotten to see TRT by now. In an interview with the Portland Oregonian RH has this to say: \"\"I hate my family coming opening night; I won't let them,\" says Harris, who was nominated for a Tony Award this year for her acclaimed Broadway performance in Noel Coward's Waiting in the Wings. Even an actress with more than 40 years of experience still gets butterflies. \"I tell my family, 'Don't come. Let me do my job and get on with it. We'll party afterward,' \" says Harris. Harris' case of opening-night jitters is mild compared to her daughter Jennifer Ehle's family phobias. Ehle also was up for a Tony this year for her galvanizing Broadway debut in Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing. (On Sunday, she won the Tony for best performance by a leading actress in a play.) She and Harris were in competition, but Ehle's mom says she hasn't seen her daughter's performance--and might never see it. \"She won't let me,\" Harris says. \"She's at that stage in her development when she does not want people she knows out front.\" Harris understands. \"I can't act in front of my sister,\" she says. \"I know I'm throwing a performance out the window if she's there because she knows me too well. There you are, trying to be a grand lady in front of someone who's known you since you've been an impossible brat. It's difficult.\""}, {"response": 630, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (07:18)", "body": "For Moon I was rewatching the Tony tape. The cast must really like each other. JE was sitting with Max (Nigel Lindsay). Charlotte (Sarah Woodward) was sitting with Debbie (Charlotte Parry). Max's wife and Sarah's hubby must have been in the cheap seats, maybe near us :-) Don't know who was sitting with David. Did anyone else notice, but I believe the announcer called the Donmar Warehouse the \"Monmar\" Warehouse twice, during 2 of the awards. And speaking of the Donmar, just thinking out loud, but wondering what kind of stage experience Dougray has..."}, {"response": 631, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (11:22)", "body": "What a good-looking guy....thanks Donna...Is he married? *always looking for a beau for Jennifer*"}, {"response": 632, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (13:46)", "body": "Come on in girls, the water's fine... For more of this: Hot Tub and Other Fantasies As for DL's stats... don't know, but am on the lookout :-)"}, {"response": 633, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (13:52)", "body": "Oh my!! Look how young he looks. Look at his hair (head and legs) Three bathtub shots! Donna, you certainly do know what to Snappy."}, {"response": 634, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (14:55)", "body": "Lotta hair too...big feet like Colin...as Anna said in NH \"you know what that means...;-)"}, {"response": 635, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 12, 2000 (15:00)", "body": "Last two performances for TRT.Engagement ends tomorrow. August 13th came far too soon. I hope Donna will post all the last performance details here. We have AK to look forward to...this fall? I hear Wives and Daughters (Andrew Davies)starts tonight on the BBC America channel.A&E in September."}, {"response": 636, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sat, Aug 12, 2000 (16:51)", "body": "Oh yes, I will report through my tears. We've birthed this baby, watched it grow, and now have to let it go on its way... I am so nervous for the cast, similar to how we felt when the play came over to NY and we were waiting for the reviews. I want them to receive a rousing standing-o for one last time. I must say, the last few times that I have seen the play (sold out), they have had major grins on their faces during the curtain call. They must be so pleased with being here. Actually it is the supporting cast that have grins ear to ear. JE and SD try to stay a bit more calm and reserved."}, {"response": 637, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 12, 2000 (17:44)", "body": "(Donna)...the last few times that I have seen the play (sold out), they have had major grins on their faces during the curtain call. They must be so pleased with being here. I'd be grinning like an idiot too....they're taking home a suitcase full of awards. Esp. the prestigious \"Tony\". Too bad the UK doesn't capitalize on these awards in their advertisements as we do...I noticed the Sunshine ad in our newspaper has \"Jennifer Ehle, Tony winner\". As do the new Sunshine posters. I tell ya...Paramount really moves out.The reviews mentioned it too. I guess it's the British self-deprecating manner...but it plays against them. What good does it do to have those awards listed in your obituary?"}, {"response": 638, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Aug 12, 2000 (18:48)", "body": "I'm so bummed:( Not able to see it;( However, did anyone see Firelight with Dillane and Sophie Marceau? Is it a worthwhile rental? I do plan on going back to NYC (with adult companionship!!) to see a future Tony winner;) *sigh*"}, {"response": 639, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sat, Aug 12, 2000 (19:06)", "body": "Run, don't walk, and rent Firelight. He is quite appealing in it. I just rewatched it the other night. Not a trace of \"Henry\" from TRT. He really is so different in each role."}, {"response": 640, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 12, 2000 (20:05)", "body": "Laura...Karen got Firelight for me in the sale bin at Blockbuster's...check it out. Trust me...you'll want to own it. *Sigh* Wonderful story. SD and Sophie make it riveting."}, {"response": 641, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (22:01)", "body": "The Final Curtain. The performance was magnificent, as was the audience reaction! It could not have been a better evening! :-) During scene 1, the audience response was good. Lots of laughter in the right places. I breathed a sigh of relief and was even more thrilled when the audience applauded at the end of the first scene. They rarely did that at other performances. Scene 2. Same thing, great audience reaction. JE and SD were at their flirtatious best. And on and on. Truly, one of the best performances I have ever seen. The cast was \"on,\" and the audience was willing and able to respond. At curtain call, the audience stood on their feet and there was thunderous applause. I looked up at the mezzanine, they were on their feet too. This was the largest standing-o I have ever seen for this play. The audience and the cast were \"embracing\" each other, so to speak. Clearly this audience knew it was the last performance and they were showing respect to the cast. And the cast sweetly waved a little goodbye to the audience as they left the stage. They will have wonderful memories of NY. :-)"}, {"response": 642, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (23:12)", "body": "Oh Donna. What an experience. Thank you for sharing so many of your impressions. *sigh* What I would've given to be there. Brava!!"}, {"response": 643, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (01:59)", "body": "Yes, thanks so much Donna for your wonderful report, I too wish I culd have been there.Was the theatre full for the last performance and did you see the cast as they came out, or perhaps they were having a final performance party! Were there many people waiting for them outside the theatre after the play? I am sure the Box Office will have been excellent for this final week. What a wonderful experience for them and us."}, {"response": 644, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (05:27)", "body": "Yes, the theater was very full. It might have been sold out, I forgot to look for the \"sold out\" sign. But it was a very, very satisfying evening. Literally, it couldn't have been a better performance or a better audience. The connection between the cast and audience at the end was very touching. There was a large group waiting by the stage door. In fact, we saw Rosemary Harris even waiting. But she eventually gave up and walked on. She was there with what appeared to be her sister (maybe not, but certainly a resemblance) and perhaps brother-in-law, and another person. The cast took a long time to come out, certainly there must have been a lot of hugs going on inside. We saw some of the crew leaving with memorabilia, like big posters, not the kind that is sold. Hey, I wanted those! :-) Finally, the cast came out. They were gracious and signed all the autographs. Stephen looked cute in his black baseball cap, orange jacket, red backpack and long slacks. Jenn had her green leather coat on. They were all carrying huge shopping bags, carrying out their stuff. Jenn, Stephen, and Charlotte Parry (Debby) left together in a cab. Stephen made sure he signed all autographs for people who wanted one (sort of like Colin, bless him), though he still was not talkative. One of the ladies told him this was the fourth time she saw the play. He replied, \"oh really?\" LOL, he is very uncomfortable with the crowd. She described him as a \"gentle soul\", and I think that is a lovely way to think of him."}, {"response": 645, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (07:33)", "body": "Donna, to live vicariously through you is wonderful. I really am so upset I didn't get to see it. But I'm happy that I did get to go to New York with my daughter and walk by the theater! :) (took migraine meds, so might sound loopy!) I'm glad the audience and cast had a wonderful time. I bet there were a lot of tears come curtain call!"}, {"response": 646, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (11:07)", "body": "Wonderful report on the final evening, Donna. Don't worry, I have a feeling that SD will be back before too long.;-) New York really embraced these folks and this show, and it's been such fun here the past months to share in some of the excitement. Moreover, it's a joy to see people like JE and SD recognized, as they are so deserving. Sometimes, substance wins.:-)"}, {"response": 647, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (15:57)", "body": "Thank you dear Donna...you have been our faithful reporter all these months. By sharing those precious moments you made us feel we were there with you. I thought of you and them yesterday afternoon.What a wonderful welcome Broadway debut for all of them.Knowing those guys they were rehearsing til the last week. Actors who take their craft seriously and work like hell to please their audience. I'm so glad the audience reciprocated...sounds like the last performance was a real love-fest;-)She'll be back in a few months.And I know he'll be too. Hey gang...hasn't this been fun? Thanks Karen for setting up this topic. \"Anna Karenina\" will be coming this fall.Can we keep it?"}, {"response": 648, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (16:43)", "body": "Can we keep what? The topic? It's not going anywhere."}, {"response": 649, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (22:06)", "body": "I forgot to mention... I believe Stephen was wearing our favorite green shirt when he left the theater :-)"}, {"response": 650, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (01:05)", "body": "A question for anyone who saw TRT at the Albery - did the audiences there give any standing ovations? I remember reading old posts about numerous curtain calls, but I'm not sure whether standing-o's were ever given or discussed."}, {"response": 651, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (08:47)", "body": "(Donna)A question for anyone who saw TRT at the Albery - did the audiences there give any standing ovations? The British audiences never give standing ovations....except for naked women. Kathleen Turner got one in The Graduate recently. Sadly, Jerry Hall did not...they didn't like her droopy boobs ;-)"}, {"response": 652, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (11:26)", "body": "(Evelyn) The British audiences never give standing ovations Then it makes Sunday night's standing-o that much more special. I am so glad that they can return to England with such wonderful memories of their time in NY. I'm still soaring on cloud 9, so please excuse any gushing and drivel :-)"}, {"response": 653, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (11:29)", "body": "More great news, according to Variety, TRT has re-couped its original investment, and in it' s last week grossed $372.794, its best ever. So not only a critical success but now a financial success. Well done to everyone."}, {"response": 654, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (14:30)", "body": "TRT has re-couped its original investment, and in it' s last week grossed $372.794, its best ever. So not only a critical success but now a financial success. And this....Friends, Romans and Countrymen...is entirely due to the Tony awards. Without which it would have closed months ago when the house was running close to 62%. Like Amadeus and other Brit dramas it would have closed. (Evelyn) The British audiences never give standing ovations To give credit where it is due.... They might not support movies or give effusive ovations...but.... The British public does support their theatre... The Albery (850 seats)run was sold out for the entire run...with long queues at the box office waiting for returns/standing room.That is a great accolade to the actors too."}, {"response": 655, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (15:59)", "body": "Another testimonial here: http://austen.com/babble/bindex.cgi?read=23538 Called Jennifer's hair blonde???"}, {"response": 656, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (17:56)", "body": "Called Jennifer's hair blonde??? Apparently, that's what it was on Sunday night....wasn't it Donna? It was flaming red when I saw her in May...At the Tony's she was a strawberry blonde... Today...who knows? I'm convinced changing hair color is her hobby;-) I like her best as a blonde . Goes with her coloring which is peaches'n cream."}, {"response": 657, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (18:40)", "body": "Yes, her hair looks natural blonde now. For the Tony's I believe she had most of the red stripped out. Ever since, it seems as though she's been going back to her natural coloring."}, {"response": 658, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Aug 18, 2000 (16:29)", "body": "Just some odds and ends... I was reading an interview today with Roger Rees. The reporter asked him about TRT, since he had originated the role in London. He called the play one of the best written in the last 50 years. Sydney Pollack called it one of the best written in the 20th century, when he was interviewed in June. We have been so lucky to see this masterpiece and with the definitive Henry. We have also been lucky to see the definitive Darcy and Lizzie on stage this year. Ain't life grand? :-)"}, {"response": 659, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 18, 2000 (17:18)", "body": "I felt that way when I in London in November and again when we were all there in January....and saw Lizzie one night and the following evening saw Mr. Darcy. With SLOW thrown in for good measure... Pure decadence:-))"}, {"response": 660, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 18, 2000 (17:19)", "body": "Sorry...."}, {"response": 661, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (03:46)", "body": "This was reported today in Theatre.com NEW YORK -- David Leveaux, director of the 2000 Tony-winning Best Revival The Real Thing, will revive one of Harold Pinter's saddest, funniest plays, Betrayal, on Broadway for Roundabout Theatre Company in fall 2000. Previews begin Oct. 20 and the production opens Nov. 14 at the American Airlines Theatre, 227 West 42nd Street. No cast or crew have yet been put together. Hmm, think of the possibilities :-) With only three characters and a bare-bones plot, Pinter's Betrayal continues to astonish since it was first produced in 1979 because of its unconventional structure. The story of the ruined relationships of three people, their torn loyalties, hidden lies, and the harsh reality of deception, it escapes the fate of a melodramatic love triangle because the play is structured as a trip back in time. Audiences witness the major events during the seven-year relationship between Emma and Jerry. The play begins with their meeting in a London pub two years after ending their illicit love affair. Though Jerry is convinced that their affair had been a secret all the years, he is stunned to find out that Emma's husband and Jerry's best friend, Robert, had known about them for four years. The play begins in 1977 and moves back to 1968. Betrayal replaces Leveaux's original fall 2000 project, Eugene O'Neill's Desire Under the Elms, which fell apart when Mary-Louise Parker, currently the star of Manhattan Theatre Club's Proof, backed out of Elms. silly gal Manhattan Theatre Club is working on plans to move Proof to Broadway is the same time frame, possibly to the Walter Kerr Theatre. Leveaux, who previously directed Zoe Wanamaker in Electra on Broadway, will stage Betrayal, following the limited run of The Man Who Came to Dinner at the American Airlines Theatre, Roundabout\ufffds flagship stage on 42nd Street. Leveaux also directed the 1993 Broadway Anna Christie that brought Leam Neeson and Natasha Richardson together. That O\ufffdNeill drama was also produced by Roundabout."}, {"response": 662, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Sep  3, 2000 (19:10)", "body": "Finally have some pics from Stephen's movie, \"The Darkest Light.\" He plays farmer Tom Holroyd ! It was filmed in Yorkshire and the scenery looked like Master from the Moor (don't know if it's the same area). He speaks with an accent and is very, very different from any role we've seen him in. Not the stud-muffin from Firelight, or the intellectual from TRT. Here's pics of him as a farmer, with and without hair! The Darkest Light"}, {"response": 663, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Sep  3, 2000 (19:14)", "body": "Oops, one more try... Here's the link to the page with more photos: http://fp.enter.net/~purrfect/darkest.htm"}, {"response": 664, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep  3, 2000 (19:36)", "body": "He's got a fetching smile...hair or no hair....:-) Thanks Donna...any idea if it will get to the US? On Starz maybe;-)"}, {"response": 665, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  3, 2000 (19:49)", "body": "Is this the movie we saw advertised in the tube? And according to Aishling and her impeccable sources, MOTM was filmed in either Dartmoor or Exmoor (West Country), not Yorkshire."}, {"response": 666, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (05:02)", "body": "(Evelyn) any idea if it will get to the US? I wish I knew! But it's written/directed by the same guy who wrote The Full Monty, so hopefully it will make its way here. Definitely not a comedy though. (Karen) Is this the movie we saw advertised in the tube? Yes, it opened in January when we were there. It's a type of role that had he done it earlier in his career, he could have been permanently type-cast as a working-class stiff. No traces of the elegant gentleman. (Sort of what happened to Karen Gorney from Saturday Night Fever.)"}, {"response": 667, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (07:40)", "body": "(Donna) Sort of what happened to Karen Gorney from Saturday Night Fever. Pffft! My eyes immediately caught this name. Thought, is she in this too? Did she move to England? Would explain her absence from the screen. Am now disappointed. ;-D (it must be the night fever...)"}, {"response": 668, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (22:55)", "body": "Because Ev's having such a fun time with voice-response systems... From The Sunday Telegraph (September 3, 2000) LUMLEY FINDS PRODUCING ROLE FOR BBC `ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS' JOANNA Lumley is to step behind the camera for the first time to produce a pounds 3 million television series for the BBC. The actress is to make Elizabeth Jane Howard's The Cazalet Chronicle, a four-volume saga of a family living between 1937 and 1947. Lumley said of her production debut: \"It is utterly thrilling. It is a power thing I have got now. I just say `Call me MGM'. I have been joking that shortly I shall have films written by me, starring me, with the music by me. But I'd better start somewhere more humble.\" Filming starts this month on the five-part series which covers the first two books and will be screened by BBC1 next year. The final books will be filmed later for two future six-part series. Howard spent seven years writing The Cazalet Chronicle, which traces the way a family and Britain was changed by the Second World War. She began the books after the collapse of her 15-year marriage to the author Sir Kingsley Amis. Lumley tried to buy the film rights after reading the books last year but discovered that they were already owned by Verity Lambert, the producer of Rumpole of the Bailey and the originator of the soap Eldorado. Lumley had worked with the Cinema Verity production company, which was founded by Lambert, on the series Class Act. When Howard's agent told Lambert that the 54-year-old actress was interested in making the series it was suggested they work on it together. Lumley said: \"She is the senior prefect and I just walk around behind her carrying a cloth to shine her shoes and listening and watching how she does things. I have been allowed to bunk off on the financial side. I had no idea producers needed to know things such as how many ladders the crew would need in a specific place. So I would say my input, if any, has been purely artistic.\" This has included detailed discussion on the script, which was adapted for the series by Douglas Livingstone, and selecting the cast. Although Lumley was asked also to act in the production she refused, preferring to concentrate on her new behind-the-scenes role. She said that she had been inspired to produce by women such as Jennifer Saunders, with whom she worked on the comedy series Absolutely Fabulous, and Ruby Wax, the American comedienne. \"Having been bought up in a slightly different generation where at dances you would sit modestly with your hands clasped in your lap, with your eyes lowered, waiting for someone to pick you, I saw these people who would get up and ask someone to dance,\" she said. \"Rather than sit around waiting for the telephone to ring - which it does quite a lot - it is so much nicer to get the bit between your own teeth and drive something along.\" Next she hopes to bring to the screen her first film script, a drama called Brightest and Best, about a school reunion she has written with the novelist Angela Lambert. \"If it is well received and taken up by someone like BBC or Channel 4, and they go, `Here is a budget', then I could certainly play one of the parts in it or maybe even have a crack at directing,\" she said. \"I love acting but the thrilling part of putting together something like The Cazalet Chronicle is that you make the pages come alive.\" Stephen Dillane, who won a Tony Award for his performance in the Broadway play The Real Thing, plays Edward Cazalet and Lesley Manville, who played a lesbian teacher in the BBC's Real Women, his wife Millie. The actor Paul Rhys, who recently appeared in the much acclaimed ITV drama I Saw You, and Joanna Page, who was in the National Theatre's recent version of The Mysteries, will also star in the series. Meanwhile, a casting agency for the series, Casting Network, in Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, has been accused of racism after advertising for a white baby. A BBC spokesman said that it was aware of the complaint from Kingston Racial Equality Council but added that it would be \"ludicrous\" to cast a black baby as the child of white parents."}, {"response": 669, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (23:01)", "body": "Here's a link to the Telegraph (grumble grumble) http://www.telegraph.co.uk:80/et?ac=000576481449931&rtmo=a2xw8XaL&atmo=gggggg3K&pg=/et/00/9/3/nlum03.html"}, {"response": 670, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (05:08)", "body": "Oh thank you for the news Karen! Of course now I'll have to read this book too!"}, {"response": 671, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (07:11)", "body": "Gulp, all 4 books Part I Part II Part III Part IV"}, {"response": 672, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (08:41)", "body": "Meanwhile, a casting agency for the series, Casting Network, in Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, has been accused of racism after advertising for a white baby. A BBC spokesman said that it was aware of the complaint from Kingston Racial Equality Council but added that it would be \"ludicrous\" to cast a black baby as the child of white parents. ROTFLOL! Thanks, Karen. I will wait to hear what you think of the books, Donna. (I have Armadillo waiting for me still)."}, {"response": 673, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (08:42)", "body": "Meanwhile, a casting agency for the series, Casting Network, in Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, has been accused of racism after advertising for a white baby. A BBC spokesman said that it was aware of the complaint from Kingston Racial Equality Council but added that it would be \"ludicrous\" to cast a black baby as the child of white parents. ROTFLOL! Thanks, Karen. I will wait to hear what you think of the books, Donna. (I have Armadillo waiting for me)."}, {"response": 674, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (08:42)", "body": "Sorry for the double post."}, {"response": 675, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (10:21)", "body": "Filming starts this month on the five-part series which covers the first two books and will be screened by BBC1 next year. The final books will be filmed later for two future six-part series. Oh dear....a 5 part BBC series...and two future 6 part series..... (He'll be collecting his social-security check at the end of all of this!) The folks on #134 will be jealous;-)"}, {"response": 676, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (18:03)", "body": "Have been meaning to ask (and did check your site first): do you know when we will be seeing AK, if at all? I rented the Sophie Marceau-Sean Bean version not too long ago and it was terrible IMO."}, {"response": 677, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (19:15)", "body": "(Karen) do you know when we will be seeing AK, if at all? I wish I knew the definitive answer to that. I've searched the sites for PBS and Channel 4, and no info. But I can't imagine that it will sit on the shelf. It was already shown in Australia after it aired in the UK, so I have to think that it will make its way to North America soon. By the way, I had heard that Sophie dissed Sean in an interview."}, {"response": 678, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (06:29)", "body": "Found a description of the first book of TCC (The Cazalet Chronicle). I believe the correct spelling is singular, despite the following... Stephen plays Edward. In this, the first book of THE CAZALET CHRONCILES, it is 1937 and the WW II is only a distant cloud on the horizon As the various Cazalet households prepare for their summer pilgrimage to the family estate in Sussex, we meet the entire cast. There's bluff, hearty Edward, in love with but by no means faithful to his wife , Villy; Hugh, wounded in the Great War, but devoted to pregnant Sybil; Rupert, who worships the body if not the mind of his child-bride, Zoe; and Rachel, the spinster sister, conducting a desperate clandestine love affair under the family roof. With her instinctive sense of the British social order, Elizabeth Jane Howard has created a new masterpiece in the tradition of THE FORSYTE SAGA, UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS, and THE SHELL SEEKERS."}, {"response": 679, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (07:47)", "body": "*tsk tsk* ;-D"}, {"response": 680, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (09:22)", "body": "I think Stephen is unto something big...will make him an overnight star!"}, {"response": 681, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (09:41)", "body": "Sounds vvg!"}, {"response": 682, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (22:25)", "body": "Just saw this over at VV. Apparently Anna Karenina is being shown in Canada: \"It is 2 parts, 3 hours last night and 2 hours tonight; CBC or Canadian TV.\""}, {"response": 683, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (22:38)", "body": "Is that the same one? Said Amanda Root was in it, but she didn't play AK, did she?"}, {"response": 684, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (22:41)", "body": "Yes, the same one. I think Amanda Root played Dolly, Stiva's wife and Anna's sister-in-law. So the UK, Australia, Canada, knock on wood, USA next. FYI, I did send an inquiry to the PBS, but it said it could take 5-6 weeks for me to get a reply."}, {"response": 685, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (22:50)", "body": "5-6 weeks? Public television works in mysterious ways. Go read the letters to the Times I posted on 134. It could be worse. *hee hee*"}, {"response": 686, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (22:54)", "body": "Mark Strong plays Stiva. Paloma (Far From the Madding Crowd) plays Kitty. I'm surprised her post didn't list the principals, McCrory, McKidd, Dillane, and Henshall. Do you remember reading the early reports about how they added \"sex\" to the film to attract the audience? Not a big deal, not much to see. The opening shot we see Henshall's bum through a window. But, hee hee, we've seen his better side in Angels and Insects. :-)"}, {"response": 687, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (23:01)", "body": "I know, that's what threw me. She didn't name any of the leads, although Mark Strong did ring a bell. :-) The opening shot we see Henshall's bum through a window. Is he mooning someone? Love when they are true to the original material and time period. ;-D"}, {"response": 688, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (12:59)", "body": "Pistol packin', gun totin' Stephen in Ordinary Decent Criminal. Tee hee, don't mess with him, mistah! FYI, rumor has it that he will also star in the upcoming film The Parole Officer with that cutie Lena Headey."}, {"response": 689, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (13:16)", "body": "I cannot believe I just glossed over that Parole Officer info without making the connection. Have vacant real estate between ears for sale."}, {"response": 690, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (13:18)", "body": "Tee hee, you had Martin Lawrence on the brain!"}, {"response": 691, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (17:05)", "body": "Let's have a pic of Lena Headey, Donna. I lika' da' pistol -packin' Stephen!"}, {"response": 692, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (18:53)", "body": "Hmmm, a good looking couple. I feel the heat already :-)"}, {"response": 693, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (18:54)", "body": "oh poo! That site wouldn't allow me to link to her pic. :-("}, {"response": 694, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (18:55)", "body": "I made a boo-boo :-)"}, {"response": 695, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (23:16)", "body": "(Evelyn) I lika' da' pistol -packin' Stephen! Tee hee, so do I. Never knew he had such a swagger :-)"}, {"response": 696, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (11:37)", "body": "I have always been partial to a man in uniform. And one that slings a big weapon :-) First it was pistol packin', now it's commando cutie... Stephen in the British series Soldier Soldier from 1993. This episode was a tough one to find!"}, {"response": 697, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (11:50)", "body": "and look at that solid head of hair. Oh my ;-D"}, {"response": 698, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (13:01)", "body": "Heehee, that subject always seems to pop up. ;-)"}, {"response": 699, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (17:46)", "body": "**FLASH** This just in from the Peter Latham British Theatre Newsletter: From Peter Latham THE BRITISH THEATRE WEBSITE AWARDS 2000 All the nominations have been received and now is the time to vote in these Awards. http://britishtheatre.about.com/library/weekly/blawards2000-nominations.htm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ And guess who is one of the nominees!!! Bring on the Bubbly!!Congrats Donna...."}, {"response": 700, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (22:56)", "body": "Congratulations, Donna!! You done good."}, {"response": 701, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 19, 2000 (15:03)", "body": "Congratulations, Donna! I knew you admired and ... Stephen, but I did not know you had his website. Keep up the good work!"}, {"response": 702, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, Sep 19, 2000 (20:25)", "body": "LOL, thank you ladies!"}, {"response": 703, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Sep 23, 2000 (10:24)", "body": "How exciting, Donna. Congratulations. We know it's a labor of love. ;-)"}, {"response": 704, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sat, Sep 23, 2000 (22:24)", "body": "(Heidi) We know it's a labor of love. ;-) *Tee hee*, unrequited! :-)"}, {"response": 705, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 24, 2000 (09:36)", "body": "Well, yesterday afternnoon Ann W.Aishling, Lizza and I attended a special showing of TRT at the Theatre Museum....I was disappointed in that the whole production loses a lot on film...even the performances. I enjoyed it because it brought back the play experience to me, but I wonder if Lizza, who had not seen the play, enjoyed it at all. Makes me think that it would not transfer successfully to a movie . Unless TS re-writes the whole thing."}, {"response": 706, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 24, 2000 (09:40)", "body": "Wonder if this has anything to do with having seen it in NY? Haven't you all said the NY staging and performances were better than at either London location? Also, didn't Stephen say that in his interviews how the Barrymore's space fit the play much better and it really came into its own there?"}, {"response": 707, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 24, 2000 (09:51)", "body": "This tape was filmed at the end of the Donmar run....even Ann w. agreed that it was not the true Donmar production we had seen earlier. Annie was not creamy-dreamy..and it was a bad hair-day for all..which didn't help. I don't think the venue would have made any diff..the plot seemed trite.And perhaps what I am trying to say is that the taped performances did not compare to the ones on stage. I guess, the chemistry is what is missing."}, {"response": 708, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Sep 24, 2000 (10:32)", "body": "Oh dear, what disappointing news. I wonder if the actors ever watched themselves in this particular recording. I know that they had good days and not so good days on stage, it sounds like filming may have been on one of those not so good days. JE had definitely reverted to her creamy dreamy delivery during the last month of the run in NY. Lots more touching in various scenes. During the end, Stephen would actually walk over to her and kiss the top of her head. This was during the cricket bat scene and she says to him, \"I hate you.\" He would then walk over to her and say someting like, \"I love you, I'm your pal.\" Kissing her head, and they would briefly hold hands. It's a pity if they watched themselves on that particular tape. Then they still don't know how good they really were. Neither will the rest of the world. Bummer. But thanks for the report!"}, {"response": 709, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 24, 2000 (10:50)", "body": "I forgot to say that the \"Touch Me\" scene was the best I've ever seen..almost erotic....while she is saying \"Touch, me\" ,he is standing in front of her and she wraps her foot around the back of his knee rubbing it up and down..eeeevvvveeer so slowly. *Sizzle*. Did you ever see her do that one, Donna?"}, {"response": 710, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Sep 24, 2000 (11:09)", "body": "I'm not sure whether I should post this here or over at Odds and Ends, and I don't want to offend major Ralph Fiennes fans... But I just saw him in Coriolanus. The production was very good. Uniformly good, which is a pleasant surprise. The last Shakespeare production that I saw was in Julius Caesar (Joe Papp, Shakespeare in the Park in NYC), in which the talent level was quite uneven. But I digress... Ralph was very good, and such a hard worker, so I hate to be critical. But, he did not have a very strong stage presence. He is not tall, his voice was not particularly commanding, and he does not physically move well. There were times when he was swaggering across the stage, and I had to surpress a little snicker. To tell you the truth, the two of us were both quite shocked. He was good, but not brilliant by any means. He did not show the range of emotions that seemed to be required from the dialogue. One reviewer mentioned that he sneered throughout, and he did. I mentioned during intermission that I thought both Colin and Stephen could have done more with the part. My companion thought that Stephen could have played the role with one arm tied behind the back. She also thought Stephen has a virility that was more appropriate for this role. :-) Emilia Fox is in this production. She didn't have much to do at all, but she looked good and her voice had a nice projection. I was very pleased with that, I didn't want to hear a girly thin voice on the stage. Said companion (tee hee, she knows who she is) pointed out afterwards that Colonel Forrester from P&P was also in it. I hadn't recognized him! Linus Roache was in this too, and he commanded the stage. He is even shorter than Ralph. He played Dr. Astrov to Stephen's Uncle Vanya. They must have looked like Mutt and Jeff on the stage together. Going back to Ralph, I really feel guilty about criticizing him, because I do respect his talent and work ethic. Well I see him again on Wednesday, and maybe my opinion will change, and perhaps this was an off-performance. But from this one viewing, I would say that as a stage actor, he is overrated. He is very good, but not brilliant. I was actually stunned by the lack of range that he displayed and the lack of interpretation. The second half was almost one-note. There is a lot of wit and sarcasm in the writing, and I guess I've been spoiled by how Stephen can sort of milk those lines. Ralph's interpretation seemed flat by comparison. I think film is his medium. The camera can control the angles. Physically, he just isn't imposing. Remember how Colin seems to tower over Georgiana when he gives her a hug in P&P? No such thing here. I have to admit that during the play, I kept thinking of how Stephen could have done the role. He is physically more imposing, taller, richer voice. And he moves so well. I think his swaggers would have been more natural. Ralph and Linus did have a wonderful sword fight though. I was worried they would hurt one another, or that they would trip and hurt someone in the audience."}, {"response": 711, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Sep 24, 2000 (11:13)", "body": "(Evelyn) she wraps her foot around the back of his knee rubbing it up and down..eeeevvvveeer so slowly. *pant pant* Nooooo! Never saw that one. Oh, I need to lie down..."}, {"response": 712, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 24, 2000 (12:04)", "body": ""}, {"response": 713, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 24, 2000 (12:07)", "body": "(Donna) I really feel guilty about criticizing him, because I do respect his talent and work ethic. Why should you feel guilty? He's not a sacred person. But from this one viewing, I would say that as a stage actor, he is overrated. He is very good, but not brilliant. I was actually stunned by the lack of range that he displayed and the lack of interpretation. The second half was almost one-note. *snort* I've been saying this for yonks, except that I don't limit it to stage work (which I haven't seen). About the only thing he's done that I thought was not \"one-note\" is Sunshine. Like little bro better. He was the heart and soul of SiL, and got no credit. As I recall, the reviews in London were not that good. Some of it had to do with the caliber of the plays themselves; however, much had to do with RF's interpretation and execution. v. uneven, as I reall. Ralph and Linus did have a wonderful sword fight though. I was worried they would hurt one another Think I read that Ralph did cut himself in London and kept on going, trooper that he is."}, {"response": 714, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep 24, 2000 (14:17)", "body": "Donna my friends in London who saw RF in both Coriolanus and Richard II thought that he was terrible in C but absolutely brilliant in Richard II. They raved about his Richard II. (Evelyn) she wraps her foot around the back of his knee rubbing it up and down..eeeevvvveeer so slowly. They did it when I saw the play at the Donmar. VVG!"}, {"response": 715, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (04:24)", "body": "Thanks Donna...This is the first review I've heard from a friend on Rafe. And he considers himself primarily a stage actor ."}, {"response": 716, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (09:55)", "body": "Yes, Rafe was much better in Richard II. No swaggers required :-)"}, {"response": 717, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (12:38)", "body": "Donna...a propos of fundraising.... In the Donmar program prominently listed in The Real Thing Gala page is your name as a Patron....right below Miramax Films and ICM!!! I am so proud that a fellow Droolie was acknowledged:-))"}, {"response": 718, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (16:13)", "body": "We Friends and Patrons of the Donmar can run, but we cannot hide. Time for another festive gala, I'd say! :-)"}, {"response": 719, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct  2, 2000 (09:49)", "body": "Ran across this, from the Canberra Times (9/9/00) Likeable Crook in Predictable Plot By Dougal Macdonald Michael Lynch's career is robbery with threats of violence, he sleeps in one or other of two beds with his legal wife or her sister, he loves his kids and inculcates in them his version of honour and trust, and Sergeant Quigley of the Garda would give just about anything to put him away. Gerard Stembridge wrote Ordinary Decent Criminal as a combination of humour and wickedness. We want to see Michael succeed, despite knowing that he belongs behind bars. Shot in Dublin in 1998 before Kevin Spacey won his Oscar, the film offers equal amounts of dramatic energy and, it must be said, predictableness. Director Thaddeus O'Sullivan gives it a little sparkle by inter-cutting past and future moments into what's happening now but can't conceal what we've seen coming. This detracts a little from the film's effectiveness, but mostly it's fun. Spacey slides comfortably into the role, using an agreeably Irish accent although a finely tuned ear might wonder how Dublin it is. Italo-American actress Linda Fiorentino as his wife occasionally loses the accent, which is not so important because she has relatively little to say. Helen Baxendale plays her sister The best of the film is in the supporting actors David Hayman as Michael's trusted sidekick Tony, Peter Mullan as Stevie, Stephen Dillane as Quigley and Patrick Malahide as a born-to-lose policeman."}, {"response": 720, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Oct  4, 2000 (20:42)", "body": "Anna Karenina is on PBS' Masterpiece Theatre schedule (thanks to a poster at VV). Their website lists the airdate as January 1, 2001. That is a Monday, so I am not sure if that is a misprint."}, {"response": 721, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct  4, 2000 (22:16)", "body": "Excellent counterprogramming for those of us who don't care about the Orange Bowl, that is the one that is played on New Year's Day night, right?"}, {"response": 722, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct  5, 2000 (07:35)", "body": "the Orange Bowl, that is the one that is played on New Year's Day night, right? Straight from Miami! Thanks, Donna! I have been waiting for that one."}, {"response": 723, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Oct 12, 2000 (13:36)", "body": "I've just read an article written about the Tony Award broadcast, generally criticizing it for highlighting TV actors. The author writes, \"This last development, to be fair, didn't start with O'Donnell. But having Kathie Lee Gifford present really goes too far.\" The article also goes on to say, \"But for most of the evening, O'Donnell seemed aloof and a bit bored. Hectoring the audience during commercial breaks, O'Donnell insisted that winners 1) keep speeches brief, 2) don't mention your agents (\"no one cares\"), 3) be \"emotional\"! Consequently, most of the speeches seemed forced and oddly awkward. Blakemore and A Moon for the Misbegotten's Roy Dotrice thanked America, while Aida's siren Heather Headley paid obeisance to Disney. An uncomfortable Stephen Dillane (The Real Thing) looked like he'd never been onstage before...\" Poor baby."}, {"response": 724, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 12, 2000 (14:06)", "body": "But having Kathie Lee Gifford present really goes too far.\" We'd all agree with that one, especially you! An uncomfortable Stephen Dillane (The Real Thing) looked like he'd never been onstage before...\" LOL! I suppose it never crossed the writer's mind that, maybe, he was surprised???"}, {"response": 725, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 12, 2000 (14:06)", "body": "I guess Jennifer passed muster."}, {"response": 726, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Oct 12, 2000 (14:36)", "body": "(Karen) I guess Jennifer passed muster. LOL, and she had Matthew Broderick as her presenter. :-)"}, {"response": 727, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Oct 13, 2000 (07:58)", "body": "Sets your VCRs ladies! Deja Vu airs today... Fri Oct 13 09:00P RC- Romance Classics Sat Oct 14 02:00A RC- Romance Classics Sat Oct 14 04:00P RC- Romance Classics Sat Oct 21 02:00P RC- Romance Classics"}, {"response": 728, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Oct 17, 2000 (17:08)", "body": "Anna Karenina is on PBS' Masterpiece Theatre schedule...lists the airdate as January 1,...a Monday, so I am not sure if that is a misprint. Depending on where you live it isn't a misprint. PBS is testing a new schedule in selected markets: such as \"Masterpiece Theatre\" on Mondays, \"Mystery\" on Tuesdays, \"Nova\" and \"Frontline\" on Thursdays, \"Nature\" on Fridays, etc. If your current PBS outlet is running \"Masterpiece Theatre\" on Sunday nights, there is a chance \"Anna Karenina\" will be on Sunday. However, as Sunday is New Year's Eve, it most likely will be shown on Monday in all outlets, due to special holiday programming."}, {"response": 729, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, Oct 17, 2000 (17:29)", "body": "(Cheryl) PBS is testing a new schedule in selected markets: such as \"Masterpiece Theatre\" on Mondays Sounds like a great alternative to Monday night football. :-) Thanks for the update."}, {"response": 730, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Nov  1, 2000 (09:23)", "body": "A bit of trivia: I found this notice from 1998 about a film that was green-lighted with Stephen and a script by Andrew Davies. Boo hoo, it seems to have fallen through the cracks: The Arts Council of England January 1998 Film Production Awards Friday Productions Ltd - 'From A View To A Death' Award: \ufffd1,000,000 Total project cost: \ufffd2,700,000 From A View To A Death is a black comedy by Anthony Powell, one of the century's most distinguished writers. Set in the 1930s, it tells the story of Zouch, a young painter who visits a village brimming with eccentrics. More interested in social climbing and carnal adventures than the glories of Art, Zouch ends up coming to grief at the hands of county society. Andrew Davies' screenplay perfectly captures the sinister undertones behind the facade. It will be directed by Hugh Laurie, as his first feature, and will star Stephen Dillane in the lead."}, {"response": 731, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Nov  1, 2000 (09:48)", "body": "Another excerpt from the Times of London from this summer: Last year definitely wasn't one of the West End's best. But although there was a stream of mediocrity, the peaks were fantastic - career-best performances from Stephen Dillane, Henry Goodman and Simon Russell Beale How delicious that they put Stephen's name first :-)"}, {"response": 732, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov  1, 2000 (10:01)", "body": "More interested in social climbing and carnal adventures Sounded v. promising. ;-D"}, {"response": 733, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sat, Nov  4, 2000 (01:12)", "body": "NEW YORK -- People magazine has chosen Craig Bierko, star of Broadway's The Music Man, as Sexiest Broadway Star of 2000. Pffft!"}, {"response": 734, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov  4, 2000 (08:26)", "body": "and the first runner-up was Philip Bosco, maybe? ;-D"}, {"response": 735, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec  8, 2000 (22:16)", "body": "Don't miss the SD puzzle that Donna put up on the website.... http://fp.enter.net/~purrfect/awards2.htm scroll down to the bottom Hey Donna...that's a mean pic....I need a bigger screen;-)"}, {"response": 736, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec  9, 2000 (07:48)", "body": "Good one, Donna. You made it more difficult."}, {"response": 737, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sat, Dec  9, 2000 (09:13)", "body": "LOL, little does that older couple sitting in the row behind him know that they've been immortalized on the web. :-) (Always wear clean underwear and have a smile on your face.)"}, {"response": 738, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Dec  9, 2000 (11:01)", "body": "(Always wear clean underwear and have a smile on your face.) Famous last words. ;-)"}, {"response": 739, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  3, 2001 (22:16)", "body": "Uh-oh, The Parole Officer was made with Lottery money, so it's going to be trashed by certain members of the press when and if released. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk:80/dynamic/hottx/review.html?in_review_id=347706&in_review_text_id=292122 Also, if you go to Walker's list of top turkeys for 2000, you might recognize one. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk:80/dynamic/hottx/review.html?in_review_id=348239&in_review_text_id=292510"}, {"response": 740, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  3, 2001 (22:34)", "body": "Seem to be stumbling across Dillane productions all over the place tonight. Times article about Paul Rhys that mentions: The Cazalet Chronicle, a six-part series to be broadcast later this year and intended to recall the television glories of Brideshead Revisited, is based on Elizabeth Jane Howard\ufffds novels about a genteel prewar English family. Rhys plays the sensitive, artistic brother, Rupert. Next summer, From Hell, the Hollywood movie directed by the Hughes brothers, in which he stars with Johnny Depp and is \ufffdvery evil\ufffd, will be released in this country. But his most contentious role this year may be the one about to hit the nation\ufffds television screens. http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,62-61746,00.html"}, {"response": 741, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Jan  4, 2001 (07:54)", "body": "Too bad The Darkest Light tanked at the BO, miserably. Gulp. :-( He is so darned good in it too, in a very unglamorous role. Such a pity when a good performance never gets seen. Thanks for passing along the news..."}, {"response": 742, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan  4, 2001 (09:16)", "body": "Get a new agent, Stephen....or else stick to stage where you consistently get get rave reviews."}, {"response": 743, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 24, 2001 (09:09)", "body": "From The Hollywood Reporter today: Miramax telling Woolf story with Par in 'Hours' By Zorianna Kit and Chris Gardner Miramax Films has come aboard to co-finance and co-produce with Paramount Pictures \"The Hours.\" The project is scheduled to start shooting next week with Stephen Daldry at the helm and Scott Rudin producing. Paramount will distribute the film domestically, with Miramax taking on international distribution rights. \"Hours\" will star Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, Nicole Kidman, Ed Harris, Claire Danes, Toni Collette, Eileen Atkins and Allison Janney, among others. Based on Michael Cunningham's Pulitzer Prize-winning 1998 novel of the same name, \"Hours\" draws on the life and work of Virginia Woolf to tell the stories of three women: Woolf, portrayed in the throes of writing \"Mrs. Dalloway\" and contemplating suicide; Laura Brown, a young wife and mother in the suffocating confines of her life in Los Angeles in 1949; and Clarissa Vaughn, who is giving a party in present-day New York for her closest friend, Richard, an award-winning writer suffering from AIDS. The two studios most recently teamed on last year's \"The Talented Mr. Ripley\" and the upcoming \"Four Feathers.\" ~~~~~~~~ Wonder which story/time period Stephen will appear in?"}, {"response": 744, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 24, 2001 (10:41)", "body": "\"Richard, an award-winning writer suffering from AIDS.\" (Karen)Wonder which story/time period Stephen will appear in? Ug... I hope he isn't Richard..."}, {"response": 745, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 24, 2001 (10:51)", "body": "I know, I was thinking about that. ;-)"}, {"response": 746, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Jan 24, 2001 (11:50)", "body": "Me three. But that storyline takes place in NY. I think that's the Meryl part, so I'm kind of hoping that the character is played by Ed Harris. I'm guessing Nicole plays the prego in LA, with John C. Reilly. Book is on its way. I'll be renting Mrs. Dalloway this weekend... :-)"}, {"response": 747, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 24, 2001 (13:29)", "body": "Stephen is thin; Ed Harris is not. No reason that Richard can't be English just because it takes place in NY. However, he has done far more 'English period pieces' than either EH or JCR. Why don't you try his agent? Surely, this info wouldn't violate the Official Secrets Act. ;-)"}, {"response": 748, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  1, 2001 (08:35)", "body": "An on-set report at Dark Horizon: The Hours: \"Meryl Streep is filming scenes for her new movie \"The Hours\" today (Wednesday) on 10th St. between 5th and 6th Ave. They arrived there very early this morning and will presumedly keep filming all day. The plot of The Hours revolves around three female characters in different story lines and different time periods in the 20th century, related only by a parallel in their personal lives: Virginia Woolf's novel Mrs. Dalloway. I heard a mention that Julianne Moore is in the film as well.\""}, {"response": 749, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb  1, 2001 (09:23)", "body": "Now if we only knew what role Stephen plays.....if it's Richard, he's probably in the Village:-)))) Dooooonnaaaaaa;-)"}, {"response": 750, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, Feb 13, 2001 (19:54)", "body": "Stephen will be on PBS this Sunday, February 18th in Anna Karenina. Part 2 airs the next week, February 25th."}, {"response": 751, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 13, 2001 (20:06)", "body": "You mean she leaves Stephen for that guy in the background? Baaaad casting."}, {"response": 752, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 13, 2001 (20:45)", "body": "I'll be there."}, {"response": 753, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 17, 2001 (19:30)", "body": "Don't miss Donna's page on AK. It's a class act. http://fp.enter.net/~purrfect/anna.htm Also the page on the Radio Play next week. http://fp.enter.net/~purrfect/bayeux.htm"}, {"response": 754, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 18, 2001 (09:19)", "body": "Articles on AK are on the second page... http://fp.enter.net/~purrfect/anna2.htm Be there tonight!"}, {"response": 755, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 18, 2001 (10:07)", "body": "Love the pages, Donna. For those who cannot listen for these 15 minute broadcasts every day, the audiotape is available for purchase. Choices direct has it for 8.49 pounds and shipping is free worldwide. It's a two tape set (155 minutes). Here's the place: http://www.choicesdirect.co.uk/cgi-bin/ChoicesDirect.storefront/612707184/Product/View/809014 My VCR is ready to roll tonight! Too bad SD isn't Vronsky, as I bet there will be some rewind moments."}, {"response": 756, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Feb 18, 2001 (15:20)", "body": "Great job, Donna! I will have to wait till tomorrow for AK. I get PBS from the Dish and MT is on Monday nights. I did see the previews and it looks so very good. :-)"}, {"response": 757, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 19, 2001 (09:55)", "body": "Wonder if the tape being sold has the missing scenes? They weren't skin shots, were they, Donna? I only saw the first hour (rest was being taped), but it looked pretty good to me...better than the Sophie Marceau-Sean Bean version. However, Helen is not a very bewitching beauty, and Kevin McKidd doesn't fit my view of a dashing cavalry officer. Stephen isn't old enough to be Karenin, but that's OK. I don't mind watching him. [BTW, Donna, are you replaying one of his early lines over and over? The one about \"your loving husband is here\"? ;-D] Have to agree about Dougie's Scottish accent. Ridiculous! Totally detracted from his credibility. You can see what attracted David Blair to doing this program...all the train sequences! ;-)"}, {"response": 758, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, Feb 19, 2001 (10:19)", "body": "(Karen) Wonder if the tape being sold has the missing scenes? Still bewildered over the cuts. There was very little nudity, and we've seen more skin and sexuality on PBS (Moll Flanders). I'm guessing it was to fit in the timeslot. The UK version is 240 minutes, so it will be interesting to see how long the US version is."}, {"response": 759, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 19, 2001 (14:11)", "body": "Have listened to the first 15 minutes. Do you really think your average Saxon guy would say, \"he doesn't give a toss\" or similar. ;-D The BBC's page says that an \"omnibus\" episode will be broadcast on Sunday 25 February at 3.02pm. What does that mean? You should check out the interview with Christopher Eccleston (on 4 pages). On the second page, there is a pic of the actors recreating the battle scenes during the recording. Do not see SD. Lots of links. http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/discover/interviews/discover_interview.shtml"}, {"response": 760, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, Feb 19, 2001 (15:19)", "body": "(Karen)The BBC's page says that an \"omnibus\" episode will be broadcast on Sunday 25 February at 3.02pm. What does that mean? Not sure. But I just looked up Sunday's schedule, and it says \"part 6\". FYI, earlier in the day they're broadcasting Desert Island Discs, LOL."}, {"response": 761, "author": "aishling", "date": "Tue, Feb 20, 2001 (04:43)", "body": "(Karen) \"omnibus\" episode will be broadcast on Sunday 25 February at 3.02pm. The mini episodes will be compiled into one."}, {"response": 762, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 20, 2001 (08:09)", "body": "Thanks, Aishling. I was hoping that would be the case."}, {"response": 763, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, Feb 20, 2001 (11:44)", "body": "Not so sure. The schedule says Sunday is part 6, \"Battle of Hastings\", which is the climax. Friday's episode is part 5, \"Building of Boats\", where William prepares to invade England. Very confusing. Parts 1-5 add up to 75 minutes, Sunday's slot will be under an hour. In any case, the radio broadcast will not be the full 155 minutes of the recording."}, {"response": 764, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, Feb 20, 2001 (13:07)", "body": "For anyone listening to part of the radio broadcast, the webpage has a summary of each episode, so you can follow along even if you miss some of it. Bayeux Tapestry"}, {"response": 765, "author": "aishling", "date": "Thu, Feb 22, 2001 (07:34)", "body": "Have just checked radio listings for Bayeux and there is nothing about an omnibus edition. Just the conclusion on Sunday. On Tuesday 27th the afternoon play is First Love with SD reading extracts from Samuel Beckett's previously unbroadcast short story. With commentary by actress Billie Whitelaw, biographer James Knowlson and publisher John Calder. 2.15 - 3.00pm."}, {"response": 766, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 22, 2001 (09:35)", "body": "A review of the Parole Officer from Dark Horizon. No mention of SD, but maybe Garth can put you in touch with Paul H for follow-up questions. \"The Parole Officer\" - A Review by 'Paul H' (Positive, No Spoilers) I caught a test screening of a British film last week called 'The Parole Officer'. It's a comedy starring Steve Coogan - well known in Britain as the character Alan Partridge, but probably unheard of outside UK. As with most test screenings, the film still needed a bit of work done to it, but I would say it was about 90% complete. In the film, Coogan plays a parole officer that gets framed for a murder he didn't commit by a couple of corrupt coppers*. The only way of proving his innocence is the security camera that recorded the killing. Unfortunately, the video-tape from it has been placed in a bank vault, and is heavily guarded. To break into the bank, he enlists the aid of some ex-cons that he helped out as a parole officer. What follows is a series of mad-cap scenes, as they plan the heist, attempt the break-in, avoid the cops, and clear Coogan's name. The film is by no means a classic, but it is consistently funny, and a lot better than recent British comedies, like \"Kevin and Perry go Large\", and the excruciatingly dire \"Notting Hill\". Coogan's performance is consistently good, and his character - although similar to Alan Partridge - is more likeable. The pace of the film was okay, but at just under 2 hours, it is likely that it will be shortened, and improved before release. The humour is very British, and in the same vein as \"A Fish called Wanda / Fierce Creatures\" etc... There are some very funny parts in it, a cameo by Omar Sharif, and thankfully only a small amount of cheesy romance."}, {"response": 767, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Feb 22, 2001 (10:22)", "body": "(Aishling) First Love with SD Sounds promising :-) (Karen) thankfully only a small amount of cheesy romance Whew, I hate it when someone else gets the girl!"}, {"response": 768, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 22, 2001 (10:28)", "body": "\" but it is consistently funny, and a lot better than recent British comedies, like \"Kevin and Perry go Large\", and the excruciatingly dire \"Notting Hill\". \" I don't know \"Kevin...\" but, better than NH???Wow!! I like SD doing comedy. He's so understated.Hope we get this one."}, {"response": 769, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 22, 2001 (22:24)", "body": "News from the AFM going on now: SPY GAME SETS UP INTERNATIONAL RING Beacon and Universal Pictures International (UPI) have assembled a network of leading independent distributors for The Spy Game, starring Robert Redford and Brad Pitt. Entertainment has UK rights, while Medusa has taken Italy and Kinowelt Germany. Beacon and UPI, now partnered again on The Palace Thief, have also sold Spanish rights on the CIA thriller to Lauren and Japanese rights to Toho Towa. Egmont has Scandinavia, while Universal is expected to release the film in Australia through United International Pictures. The budget on the film is understood to have swelled to $120m, partly because it was forced to switch shooting from Israel to Morocco well into pre-production. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 133, "subject": "What's hot around the spring and new topics", "response_count": 77, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sun, Apr 23, 2000 (03:06)", "body": ">For openers, you can learn about Bucky Fuller in the new topic in science. midnightwolf.net is activated and has a topic in the projects conference. The NBA playoffs are heating up in sports. Right here in the porch, we're talking about austen.com's phenomenal success and what to do about it's growing pains. Don't be afraid to find an \"orphan\" or neglected topic somewhere around the spring and revive it! The same goes with latent conferences. If you're interested in something, there's probably a topic somewhere for you. If there isn't you can create one or ask one of the hosts to create one. If you want to pump up the spring, feel free to take individaul conference or topic url's and submit them to search engines. It will help attract new folks and build up our synergy."}, {"response": 2, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sun, Apr 23, 2000 (03:08)", "body": "Topic 109 in this conference has been frozen and this one is taking it's place (I'm talking drool)."}, {"response": 3, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Apr 23, 2000 (12:20)", "body": "I created a new topic in Geo for Earth Mysteries which don't fall into any other categories. We can talk about pyramidology, yeti, space ships in the middle of the earth, lost continents, crop circles, whatever...! Prior to that I created a topic for Geothermal stuff - geysers and other forms"}, {"response": 4, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sun, Apr 23, 2000 (14:45)", "body": "I'm laboring on the main page today, creating new buttons and pages for membership, help, shopping (go there and click on the Visto link and sign up for more Visto accounts, sign up your spouse, your kids, your pet Panda etc.)."}, {"response": 5, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sun, Apr 23, 2000 (14:47)", "body": "Your pet lizard . . . You get the idea. The Spring makes $2 every time you sign up for Visto."}, {"response": 6, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sun, Apr 23, 2000 (18:30)", "body": "Geo . Check it out!"}, {"response": 7, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sun, Apr 23, 2000 (18:33)", "body": "Drool is always hot. They talking about ods and end, Colin Firth, and our thoughts are for Patas."}, {"response": 8, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Apr 23, 2000 (19:01)", "body": "We be busy in the Jewelry department and Crop circles, and at any given moment, EARTHQUAKE!!! is shakin' or vulcanology is steaming since I am here live and direct. Archaeology is digging in for the long term, Geothermal is Hot, lots of good stuff in there and we also wander off topic like the tango lessons in Bioregions with Elena and Alexander last year...Gotta go and post some more... Y'all come!"}, {"response": 9, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Apr 23, 2000 (23:38)", "body": "Geo"}, {"response": 10, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (02:57)", "body": "Terry, I did as you suggested and did a Google search for topics in Geo. And for Geo by itself. Nothing was found, but Spring.net showed up right away. any idea why that might be? I discovered that there is a lot of stuff on the wet starting with or containing the word Geo in any way shape or form."}, {"response": 11, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (07:17)", "body": "Take your geo url and submit it to the search engines. You an also set up a portal page at http://www.spring.net/geo if you like. And someday you may even want to cook up your own domain name and build a sit around that. http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/public/browse/geo/all is the url to submit to the search engines with descriptive keywords etc. You can do this on http://www.submit-it.com/"}, {"response": 12, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (12:08)", "body": "Alright! Thank you. I will try what you suggested and report back as to the search engines. Then, will try the portal page thing. How interesting... May I wallpaper it and all that good stuff? (Guess you'd better go look and see, Marci!)"}, {"response": 13, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (17:37)", "body": "Sure, go for it! Let us know your progress."}, {"response": 14, "author": "Ann", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (21:05)", "body": "Terry, has Visto paid up? I know you were having trouble with that lately."}, {"response": 15, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 24, 2000 (22:14)", "body": "As I recall, Terry said he needed to supply Visto with a T.I.N. Has that been done yet?"}, {"response": 16, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Tue, Apr 25, 2000 (06:51)", "body": "Not yet, thanks for the reminder."}, {"response": 17, "author": "Saskia", "date": "Tue, Apr 25, 2000 (16:00)", "body": "There seems to much going on and in the Spring. I must explore further."}, {"response": 18, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Apr 25, 2000 (16:21)", "body": "Oh Please Do!!! For starters there is Geo http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/geo/all/new"}, {"response": 19, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Tue, Apr 25, 2000 (17:25)", "body": "Welcome Saskia!"}, {"response": 20, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (07:14)", "body": "Last night I went out for a margarita and Mexican dinner at Guero's on South Congress. The frozen margarita's were excellent, the salsas were fine and the chips were fresh. The atmosphere there is superb, it's set in a former feed mill and some of the trappings of those days still hang on the wal Read more in restaurants topic 3, about the celebrity sitings there (clue, POTUS and Wild Things). This place is charged with electricity and I dare you to go there on your next visit to Austin."}, {"response": 21, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (07:32)", "body": "Do you want to have some fun in the snow? Somewhere on the spring I've posted a link to some winter fun. I challenge you to find it!"}, {"response": 22, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (07:56)", "body": "Do you ever feeling like we're wandering around inside a big mansion with about 40 rooms sometimes? I mean, here on the Spring. So many topics. Find a n out of the way room, and post something there. Surprise us!"}, {"response": 23, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (08:52)", "body": "I know a guy who used to hang around Northern California named J Baldwin who hung around with Bucky Fuller for 33 some odd years (off and on). He taught me that you need to drive big trucks with your thumbs up on the steering wheel so you don't injure them if the wheel jerks back. J was full of perceptive comments on just about everything. > >Anyway, check out > > http://www.hearingvoices.com/bucky/ > >and our own discussion on Bucky at http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/public/read/science/30"}, {"response": 24, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (13:27)", "body": "Found your snow, and posted a commment. Likewise, 'eat at Little italy' (don't I wish!)...and been to see Bucky - but I navigate the spring blindfolded so I am not the one for whom the above posts were intended! See you at other Aesoteric places online! Did y'll see where the tsunami is heading? I posted that one. Grab your waterwings and hunt it down!"}, {"response": 25, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (13:48)", "body": "Did y'll see where the tsunami is heading? I posted that one. Grab your waterwings and hunt it down! That's Marcia! Our fun lady full of games. :-) Are you talking about the planet alignment that is to occur tomorrow?"}, {"response": 26, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (14:54)", "body": "Speaking of games, anyone try the little snow game I recommended in the web conference cool urls topic?"}, {"response": 27, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (15:13)", "body": "In the radio conference, Bobaroo responds to the topic \"buyer beware\"; with his views on Crazy Al's deal at the Belton hamfest. Give him some support and advice."}, {"response": 28, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (17:21)", "body": "In Space Science News on Geo you can learn all about the upcoming planetary alignment and about mass solar ejections. Good stuff to know..."}, {"response": 29, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (17:25)", "body": "Moon, it is ccovered in NASA's website link available on Geo 34. I just posted it. I'll play with the snow as soon as I go as soothe Bob...first things, first! (Tsunami stuff is in EARTHQUAKE!!! on Geo)"}, {"response": 30, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (22:21)", "body": "I am on one of the university computers while I wait for the banquet to begin. I have arranged 24 candles in holders, one each for the 24 seniors who will extinguish their academic flames. I chose cobalt blue holders and red candles this year since our colors are red, white and blue. Usually, I choose clear ones with white candles, but this year I am being different. The tables are being decorated with small orchids and wee anthuriums with greenery. Looks great. Food will be ...uh...Marriott provided...in the campus cafeteria in steam tables. Not a gourmet feast tonight, but it will be filling! Windows NT is ok, and I had no trouble getting on the spring even though I chose the IE to access the web rather than netscape. My marble still looks good but this computer is about as lame as they come as far as color and definition goes. Yeesh! What I would do with this if it were mine!"}, {"response": 31, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, May  4, 2000 (23:21)", "body": "Watch out for the I LOVE YOU virus. Don't open any email with the subject I LOVE YOU, it's deadly. It will wreck your computer and email it on to all the folks on your email list."}, {"response": 32, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, May  5, 2000 (15:15)", "body": "I hear you. However, I do not use Outlook and do not use Internet Explorer. That means I cannot see the lovelies on your main page but it means I am not likely to be infected by this one, either. However, since I do not get any email normally with the subjct I LOVE YOU, I'd be sure to notice it in the event I did. Thanks for the warning."}, {"response": 33, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (09:13)", "body": "I got a call from a rep from Webex http://www.webex.com yesterday and she told me the Spring could have a meeting center on Webex for $200 a month, and I tried it and was very impressed. I am interested in finding out if there would be any support for trying it out for a month on a trial basis? Basically, it's a web based version of Microsoft Netmeeting, which facilitates working meetings and interaction. I am looking at this as a way, combined with Dialpad, that we can connect with each other, work together and communicate on deeper levels. It offers interactive web browsing with text chat and application sharing. I could use it to help new users come on line and set up their conferences and prefrences, and help folks to manage the system and create their own webs. I see it as a useful tool if enough folks were interested in interacting this way. There is a copy of the user guide at this web address, but you'll need Adobe Acrobat set up to read it as it's in pdf format. http://meetingcenter.webex.com/webex/site/WMCUserGuide3_5.pdf"}, {"response": 34, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May 13, 2000 (12:55)", "body": "Got Adobe so I shall go read it. Dialpad has serious drawbacks with the echo. It was severe enough that when I called you with the information that the Spring was frozen that time, I used regular land line. However, if this is text, perhaps it is worth the try. Can we afford $200?"}, {"response": 35, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sun, May 14, 2000 (08:16)", "body": "Well, we could use NetMeeting and Microsoft Messenger to do essentially the same thing for free. But it requres more effort on the part of users. I've got Dialpad configured now to where the echo isn't so bad. It seems to work differently on different setups, depending on your sound card, your settings and what type of input device you're using (headset mike combos seem to work the best). Why don't you, Marcia, contact Webex and have them run you through a demo and I could take part in it with a couple of other folks. They said they would let us do more demo meetings."}, {"response": 36, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, May 14, 2000 (13:58)", "body": "Thanks for the suggestion Terry. I'll contact webex tomorrow. The problem seems to be only when I am using the phone and you are using the mike. Perish the thought, but it just might be Hawaiian Tel which is at fault! We used to get terrible satellite echo when calling the mainland. Most of that has been cleared up, but not all. They often suggest you hang up and try rerouting the call till it becomes clear enough to understand. I will check with Webex for their suggestions abd get back to you."}, {"response": 37, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (08:43)", "body": "Yep, thanks. Maybe they can set up a meeting with you, Ann, Evelyn, and whoever else wants to join us. Can you round up some folks?"}, {"response": 38, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (11:10)", "body": "I'll do my best - ah, this is who Webex is and I already have it downloaded, of course - though last time I tried to get into my dialpad it told me they could not load the Java. Have no idea why... I just need to wake up a bit and see who I can find. It might have to be after work this evening (for you) to get Ann in on the conversation."}, {"response": 39, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (11:16)", "body": "Btw, some of these ladies think they are tech-impaired and don't want to bother downloading something like DialPad - they won't even read or post in Geo because it is too technical. That tells me they have not ever read anything in there because it is anything but technical and dry. Oh well, all I can do is to try."}, {"response": 40, "author": "cfadm", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (11:42)", "body": "On a seperate topic, the crafts conference has been created. http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/crafts/all"}, {"response": 41, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (12:10)", "body": "Thank you! Wow! I'll wait patiently for Wolfie to get home from work...or try to, anyway *smile*"}, {"response": 42, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (12:11)", "body": "oh, and *Hugs* for taking the time to do it. Much appreciated!"}, {"response": 43, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (12:43)", "body": "Thanks C. F. Adm!"}, {"response": 44, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (13:41)", "body": "So much for waiting for Wolfie....I have created a few topics so it looks like someone was interested. It is nice to have such a talent as C.F. Adm in our midst. My Mahalos are added to yours."}, {"response": 45, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (06:06)", "body": "Expect more comments on restaurants after I get my hands of the Austin Chronicle \"Best of Austin Restaurants\" issue."}, {"response": 46, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (06:16)", "body": "OPEN SOURCE DEMOCRACY: A Dutch-led research consortium has put in a bid for European funding to develop non-proprietary, open- source software for large-scale democratic debate, potentially supporting discussion by more than a million participants at a time. The ISSUE consortium, led by the Dutch new media company Spirit, has entered the proposal under the European Commission's 5th Framework for research and technological development, which includes a specific programme for a user-friendly information society. The proposal includes plans for industry-led technical research and development combined with research by social psychologists and political scientists; test beds in Rotterdam, Belfast (supporting the peace process), Nuremberg and Vienna, with a working prototype planed by year two of the project; and all research to be 'open source' and Linux-based (although some business prospects are also expected). A spokesman told E-Government Bulletin: \"We feel that there is mileage to be had from getting people sharing ideas, experiences and software to counter the inevitable attempts by proprietary software developers to control this market. ISSUE will have an impact on professional lobbyists, on pressure groups (one is never certain if they have the public backing they claim to have), and on the discussion about referenda.\" See: http://www.issue.spirit.nl [Courtesy Dan Jellinek ] From: _/ B y t e s F o r A l l --- http://www.bytesforall.org _/ Making Computing Relevant to The Common (Wo)man MAY2000 _/ Editors: Frederick Noronha (India) Partha Sarkar (Bangladesh) Comment in topic 24 in the vc conference. Which I just started."}, {"response": 47, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (07:05)", "body": "Something new you can play with: http://www.spring.net/searchbutton.html"}, {"response": 48, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (15:25)", "body": "Ok later - as soon as all the sites on spring are back up..."}, {"response": 49, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May 20, 2000 (18:17)", "body": "Happy Armed Forces Day - and Thank You!"}, {"response": 50, "author": "wolf", "date": "Fri, May 26, 2000 (17:02)", "body": "thank you!!"}, {"response": 51, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, May 26, 2000 (18:01)", "body": "Happy Memorial Day"}, {"response": 52, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sat, May 27, 2000 (13:22)", "body": "Yep, happy Memorial Day!"}, {"response": 53, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May 27, 2000 (15:25)", "body": "see whatcha get for telnetting all the time? You can only see my html proigramming but not the result. There is a pretty cool flag on the Armed Forces Day post..."}, {"response": 54, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (09:11)", "body": "This from CommNet in UK: AUGUST 30TH VIRTUAL CONFERENCE ON COMMUNITY NETWORK DEVELOPMENT I am delighted to invite you to participate in a free virtual conference on August 30th on the theme of using Information and Communications Technology to help communities build sustainable networks and strengthen social and economic wealth. There will be innovative ideas from across the globe, including Peru, Canada, USA, UK, Africa, Asia and Australia. The conference will be broadcast twice during the day to cover different global time zones. You can see the latest information about the conference at the following web address :- http://www.harborough.org.uk/webcast/August2000Conference.htm where you will also be able to register. Everyone who registers will receive a copy of the electronic survey results on building sustainable community networks. Please join me on Wednesday and share your knowledge and ideas with some of the best community network champions around the world. David Wortley Virtual Conference Project Manager Mass Mitec \"WHO CARES WINS\" ."}, {"response": 55, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (14:57)", "body": "Talk about CBS' Survivor in the tv conference. CBS will reportedly run all 13 episodes of 'Survivor' starting on 9/15 to counter-program against the Olympics."}, {"response": 56, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (11:39)", "body": "Welcome to the bronte conference. This file may be edited by a fairwitness. 1 brandnew item 66 items numbered 1-70 You are a fairwitness in this conference. You have mail. Ok: r Item 70 entered Thu, Nov 2, 2000 (12:23) by wooster3 (wooster3) questions about Shirley Hi, I am a college student who is taking a class based entirely on Charlotte Bronte this semester. Right now we are examining Shirley. I was wondering if you have an insight on feminist ideas and symbolisms in the novel?"}, {"response": 57, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Dec 12, 2000 (19:16)", "body": "Neil has created a new topic in Geo about Flight. He is super-interested and knowledgable in this area and as soo as I cna twist his arm sufficiently I hope someone who can do it will create a conference dealing with Flight. http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/geo/42/"}, {"response": 58, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Dec 12, 2000 (19:19)", "body": "...it would also help if I were not typing dyslectic..."}, {"response": 59, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, Dec 21, 2000 (16:03)", "body": "Just unbelievable! Check it out in topic 3 on cool url's in the web conference."}, {"response": 60, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, Dec 21, 2000 (16:09)", "body": "http://hakubo.57thstreet.com/~jeff/ Some cool pix thaken with a cool digital camera around Austin, Colorado and other places. Some of Whole foods."}, {"response": 61, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, Dec 21, 2000 (16:10)", "body": "http://www.adcritic.com has some funny, funny commercials. The slapping contest and the bicycle one are pretty funny."}, {"response": 62, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Dec 21, 2000 (16:28)", "body": "OK...will look. When and if you are ever interested in a aviation cnference I hav a guy ready and willing to do it. He even has a list of topics and he can fill books with what he knows..."}, {"response": 63, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Fri, Dec 22, 2000 (12:45)", "body": "Let's do it then. Email his contact information. What will we call the conference? aviation? flying? airplanes? Who will co-host?"}, {"response": 64, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Tue, Jan  2, 2001 (09:38)", "body": "Three guys from Montana got patent 6,042,508 for a dumbbell that is also a TV-VCR remote Read more in the business conference, hosted by Mike Griggs."}, {"response": 65, "author": "wolf", "date": "Tue, Jan  2, 2001 (18:40)", "body": "*laugh*"}, {"response": 66, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, Jan  4, 2001 (08:13)", "body": "You have to pump it up to change channels!"}, {"response": 67, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jan 12, 2001 (16:33)", "body": "*Not gonna touch that for anything* Of course I would co-host with Neil on the Flight/Aviation conference and teach him all I know )Eeeek!) about programming and so on. I have just pasted him your comment and lets see his reaction. He does have some problems in that he is using an iMac, but he can get most of what I can and managed to create his topic under my guidance perefectly!"}, {"response": 68, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Fri, Jan 12, 2001 (23:09)", "body": "I'll be glad to help set it up."}, {"response": 69, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jan 13, 2001 (13:13)", "body": "I asked him last evening about it. He thinks he needs to work on his skills on Geo's Flight topic for a little bit more - though he got his ftp program downloaded and ready. I'll work on him some more. He has all the topics worked out already - but I remember how intimidating it feels to be thrust into a conference newborn and innocent. I never learned so fast as I learned that July 10th when Geo was born!"}, {"response": 70, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sat, Jan 13, 2001 (14:00)", "body": "What is IT? Oh, only an invention bigger than the Internet. Interested, check it out in the science conference. But don't get too excited, yet. It's still a guessing game. But it's hot enought that Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos (amazon.com) are going nuts over it."}, {"response": 71, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Wed, Feb  7, 2001 (10:05)", "body": "We now have a much better log system, if you visit http://www.spring.net/_webtrends You can find out a lot about who we are and what kind of content gets seen. KarenR and Marcia are doing very well with their areas! General Statistics Date & Time This Report was Generated Tuesday February 06, 2001 - 08:07:42 Timeframe 01/25/01 03:11:06 - 02/06/01 03:11:27 Number of Hits for Home Page 870 Number of Successful Hits for Entire Site 381,081 Number of Page Views (Impressions) 161,793 Number of Document Views 159,663 Number of User Sessions 44,576 User Sessions from United States 0% International User Sessions 0% User Sessions of Unknown Origin 100% Average Number of Hits Per Day 29,313 Average Number of Page Views Per Day 12,468 Average Number of User Sessions Per Day 3,428 Average User Session Length 00:10:55 Number of Unique Users 18,788 Number of Users Who Visited Once 15,526 Number of Users Who Visited More Than Once 3,262 31% of all the Spring's hits are to http://www.spring.net/karenr ! Friday is our busiest day of the week by far. Saturday is the slowest. 90% of our search engine hits come from google and yahoo. \"bridget jones diary\" is the top search phrase. lucy liu is a popular search phrase! See what interesting stats you can find!"}, {"response": 72, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Wed, Feb  7, 2001 (10:10)", "body": "You can get the same stats for austen.com http://www.austen.com/_webtrends General Statistics Date & Time This Report was Generated Tuesday February 06, 2001 - 07:55:03 Timeframe 01/25/01 03:11:07 - 02/06/01 03:10:20 Number of Hits for Home Page 3,479 Number of Successful Hits for Entire Site 401,803 Number of Page Views (Impressions) 73,939 Number of Document Views 39,425 Number of User Sessions 38,160 User Sessions from United States 0% International User Sessions 0% User Sessions of Unknown Origin 100% Average Number of Hits Per Day 33,483 Average Number of Page Views Per Day 6,228 Average Number of User Sessions Per Day 3,180 Average User Session Length 00:05:39 Number of Unique Users 11,082 Number of Users Who Visited Once 7,764 Number of Users Who Visited More Than Once 3,318 Both sites are pretty close in traffic, with the edge going to austen.com."}, {"response": 73, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Wed, Feb  7, 2001 (10:37)", "body": "On austen.com: Top Search Phrases Phrases Phrases found % of Total 1 jane austen 51 1.55% 2 austen.com 34 1.03% 3 the lusty month of may 21 0.63% 4 cache:austen.com/derby/olda/lise6.htm open shower -slade 13 0.39% 5 pride and prejudice 11 0.33% 6 english mastif 10 0.3% 7 lydia darragh 9 0.27% 8 collin firth 7 0.21% 9 sometimes great notion 7 0.21% 10 wedding night anxiety 7 0.21% Total Found for the Phrases Above 170 5.16% Total of Phrases Found in the Log File 3,290 100%"}, {"response": 74, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  8, 2001 (14:01)", "body": "Fascinating info, Terry. Will check out the Web Trends report more frequently. The Bridget site sure gets hit a lot. I put a counter on the main page in July and have had over 27,000 hits."}, {"response": 75, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Fri, Feb  9, 2001 (10:32)", "body": "There sure is a lot of buzz about Bridget!"}, {"response": 76, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb  9, 2001 (13:52)", "body": "There sure is a lot of buzz about Bridget! And Karen's BJD website is the best one on the web! Proud of you:-))))"}, {"response": 77, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Fri, Feb  9, 2001 (13:55)", "body": "Marci, there's news about the independence movement in Hawaii in the Hawaii topic in the travel conference. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 134, "subject": "Colin Firth (Part 8)", "response_count": 1999, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Jul 20, 2000 (23:40)", "body": "I get to christen this one. Arami asked if any of us would really ask Paul to spend the night after knowing him such a short time. My answer is heck no, I'm much too timid which could be one of the reasons why I don't have a pair of Arsenal boxers in my bed. Agree with Gi, it's fun to be daring sometimes or better yet, unpredictable. Fun to watch the shot of Paul digesting Sarah's offer. Shoot, now you're getting me onto that shoulder grind again. What's a girl to do?"}, {"response": 2, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Fri, Jul 21, 2000 (00:15)", "body": "Generally what the girls (women) here do is drool...or slobber, depending on how much you're into it on any particular day. I'm going to change my bib now."}, {"response": 3, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Jul 21, 2000 (07:25)", "body": "Karen, your BJD pages are damned sexy. Tripod? Hmmmm. Arami, I am the soul of discretion, as evidenced by all my reserved messages. Infact I would have answered your impertinent question with regard to one's temporary-habitation practices and policies, and, well, the little difficulty regarding stay-overs --- if you follow my discreet euphemisms --- but that would be forward and rather bold , so I shall refrain. My alter-ego who is now typing this wants EVERYONE to know that Sadie's answer to Arami's Paul-question totally depends on the day: i.e. the level of wild reckless fantasies of freedom (early mid-life crisis moments) and the astonishing reality of the steady hormonal climb to 35. Oh ya, and that morality thing, which assumes all parties involved are unattached eleswhere. Damn, but there it is.... But not Paul; he's not my type. Hey Heide, grind away. There. Discreet."}, {"response": 4, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 21, 2000 (13:34)", "body": "Hey, a review of Relative Values in The Hollywood Reporter from July 12. No mention of Colin. I suppose since he's relatively unknown here, playing \"against type\" is not considered newsworthy. Similarly, no mention of Sophie Thompson. Relative Values By Mark Adams LONDON -- Despite old-fashioned charm and a batch of fine central performances, this adaptation of Noel Coward's 1950s play doesn't quite hit the mark. It is, of course, intriguing to see Julie Andrews back on the big screen, but there is little to indicate she will make a major impact at the boxoffice. The film opened in the United Kingdom to a lukewarm critical response, and it seems destined for a quick exit from the West End. \"Relative Values\" will probably live a stronger life on video and television. The project marks the sophomore film for director Eric Styles, whose debut effort, \"Dreaming of Joseph Lees,\" was well-received. His first film was shot on the Isle of Man -- a small island in the Irish Sea between the United Kingdom and Ireland that offers attractive tax breaks -- and here he returns to an impressive 11th century mansion on the island to help re-create postwar Britain. The story is a series of comic complications set against the backdrop of a country addressing the contradictions of class values in the social turmoil after World War II. The story starts in the South of France in 1954, where Nigel, the Earl of Marshwood (Edward Atterton), is busy romancing beautiful Hollywood star Miranda Frayle (Jeanne Tripplehorn), unaware that the announcement of their betrothal causes concern to his mother, Felicity, the Countess of Marshwood (Julie Andrews), and Don Lucas (William Baldwin), a Hollywood star and Miranda's former lover. Back at the family's stately British home, it is revealed that Felicity's maid Moxie (Sophie Thompson) is actually the long-lost sister of Miranda, who left the family 20 years earlier to seek fame in Tinseltown. The family -- with the aid of butler Crestwell (the excellent Stephen Fry) -- sets about concocting a story whereby they can change Moxie's image. But Moxie is distraught when her sister fails to recognize her, and tells terrible lies about her childhood. Throw into the pot the arrival of a drunken Don Lucas, which allows the film to resolve the various relationships and leave poor old Nigel to wonder what on earth he is going to do. How could he possibly marry his mother's maid's sister? As chaos ensues, the postwar class system is revealed. Julie Andrews is impressive as the upper-class mother trying to prevent her rather dim son from making a marital mistake. But there is a lingering feeling that she has so much more to offer if only the right movie role would come along. Tripplehorn and Baldwin are in good form as the awful movie stars, while best of all is Fry as the urbane butler (elegantly reprising the Jeeves character he played on British television). There is much to enjoy in \"Relative Values\" -- we are talking about a film based on a play by the wonderful Noel Coward, after all -- but there is just not enough quality in all departments to give the film the gloss it properly deserves."}, {"response": 5, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Jul 21, 2000 (17:32)", "body": "(Sadie)Tripod?Hmmmm.Hands of my tripod,I need it to practise my moves on. (Cheryl)I'm going to change my bib now.Can I borrow one?All this grinding is getting to me. BTW Sadie whats wrong with Paul?"}, {"response": 6, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jul 21, 2000 (19:25)", "body": "Thanks for the enhanced BJD photo, Karen. Looks as though there's quite a fight going on there! Who wins? CF isn't in a promsing position! I wonder if they'll publish the screenplay before the movie comes out. I remember the \"Notting Hill\" screenplay (glossy paperback, lots of photos) was in bookshops in the UK two or three weeks before the movie opened. The screenplay for 4 Weddings was also published, so I'm sure it will be three in a row. I found a snippet on \"Maid of Buttermere\", searching on Google.com. From Newsweek International May 8 2000, Culture Section, article on Post-Franco Reality \"The director Carlos Saura whose \"Tango\" was nominated for an Academy Award, begins work this year on \"The Maid of Buttermere\" in Britain.\" First time I've seen a mention of \"this year\". It will have to be soon, if they want to make the most of the beautiful Lakeland scenery. For anyone who's interested, apparently the video of MLSF isn't listed for release this year...expect beginning of next year earliest."}, {"response": 7, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 21, 2000 (19:36)", "body": "(Bethan) I remember the \"Notting Hill\" screenplay (glossy paperback, lots of photos) Funny you mention this, as Ev and I were talking about this a couple of nights ago. The NH screenplay was fantastic, loads of pics and in color with the glossy paper, whereas those cheapskates at Miramax put out a pathetic screenplay for the Oscar-winning best picture of the year. I do hope the Universal/Working Title people are in charge on this one."}, {"response": 8, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Jul 21, 2000 (20:10)", "body": "I know I've got it fixed in my mind that he's going to do Maid Of Buttermere & Armadillo(the power of positive thinking and all that)but when can we expect confirmation(or disappointment)and hasn't he yet to fit in his usual sojourn to Italy?"}, {"response": 9, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Jul 21, 2000 (21:30)", "body": "(bethan) For anyone who's interested, apparently the video of MLSF isn't listed for release this year...expect beginning of next year earliest. I believe they just released one of the earlier versions onto video? They enjoy making us wait and suffer! (Judy) BTW Sadie whats wrong with Paul? He's a sports-nut, he need's a haircut, and he's not Mr. Darcy. (Well he is, but he's not.)"}, {"response": 10, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Jul 21, 2000 (21:43)", "body": "(Sadie)He's a sports-nut,he needs a haircut.. he sounds fine to me I've made no secret of my interest in sports! and those curls(on his head)were just made for holding onto..."}, {"response": 11, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jul 22, 2000 (07:00)", "body": "From yesterday's BB Column in The Daily Mail:_ \"Secret of Slaying 'em. Mike Binder has a philosophy about budget's for funny movies. \"Money kills comedy\", he insists as we chat on the set of his latest film, The search For John Gissing, a comedy with a budget a fraction of the \ufffd50million spent on some of the turkeys he's referring to. \"All the great comedy films have been made fast, cheap and furiopus. Any time Steve Martin and Eddie murphy or whoever team up in some 80million dollar comedy they're always bad\". He cites the likes of Animal House, FWand AF, The Full Monty and Something About Mary as small budget films that succeeded because someone had a vision. Binder himself made Blank Man a few years ago for tons of money - and it flopped. Now he and his brother Jack have formed Sunlight Productions and are working on the second of five planned Britsh-American comedy fusion movies. The Search for John Gissing stars Alan Richman, Janeane Garofalo, Allan Cordumer, Juliet Stevenson and newcomer Sonya Walger and Binder himself as an American executive who is transfered with his wife (Garofalo) to Lodndon. Things go wrong the minute they get off the plane. Later in the year audiences should be able to see what Binder means when his film LONDINIUM in which he stars with Marie Hemingway, COLIN FIFRTH and Jack Dee, comes out. It's comedy fusion in the form of a beautiful love letter to London.\" (MY CAPS)"}, {"response": 12, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jul 22, 2000 (07:01)", "body": "sorry about the typo's, its too early."}, {"response": 13, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Jul 22, 2000 (08:17)", "body": "(Sadie) He's a sports-nut, he need's a haircut, and he's not Mr. Darcy. (Well he is, but he's not.) He does however look v sexy in his Arsenal shirt and leather jacket (even if his hair does appear to change colour, length and curliness with alarming regularity)- is v. confusing. On that confused note, must apologise for huge gaff for my last 129 post \"knickerless-kilt\" reference (drool-invoking though it was), which is of course LB not MD. Have clearly been reading far too much CF related literature and it is all merging together, either that or my brain cannot cope with this unexpected heatwave we're experiencing."}, {"response": 14, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Jul 22, 2000 (10:14)", "body": "Tracy not to worry about huge gaff,once you mentioned knickerless kilt I was was too far gone to notice any mistake and I know what you mean about everything merging together.We don't need a heatwave its hot enough on drool as it is. Ann I'm glad to hear Londinium being talked about at last and that its due for release later this year.I've not checked out its website for a while so I'll do thatnow. Just how low was its budget?don't want it looking cheap & nasty."}, {"response": 15, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 22, 2000 (14:03)", "body": "Thanks, Ann, for the news. Am sitting here laughing at the more obvious omission of MB's previous low budget film, which can be seen on video if you feel like throwing money down the drain."}, {"response": 16, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jul 22, 2000 (14:48)", "body": "Mike Binder has a philosophy about budget's for funny movies. \"Money kills comedy\", he insists ...Later in the year audiences should be able to see what Binder means Considering the eagerness of Brit critics to disparage most any recent movie, I'm sure they will gleefully attempt to prove Mike wrong. Good find, Ann, and exciting to think Londinium will see the light of day soon. Now girls, you're getting me started on Paul again. That man-child, totally inappropriate husband material, obsessed, self-absorbed, with only fleeting glimpses of maturity. But I can't help loving 'dat man. He's just the cutest character our DB's played. Joe Prince comes close but Neil Truelove doesn't count 'cause he's too young. Think noting each of our favorite characters would make for fascinating analysis of our own."}, {"response": 17, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Jul 22, 2000 (15:06)", "body": "I love him as Paul too,I loved it when he hugged her when viewing the house-that should have been me."}, {"response": 18, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Jul 22, 2000 (15:54)", "body": "(Heide) ...Neil Truelove doesn't count 'cause he's too young. But that makes him perfect, in a way. He really isn't too set in his bad habits, so you could raise him from a callow youth, as it were. Still, my favorite of his charaters is Richard Courtois. He's well educated and has a social consience; besides you never know when you'll have need of a lawyer."}, {"response": 19, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jul 22, 2000 (20:38)", "body": "I loved that \"hug\" as well Judy, one of my favourite FP scenes."}, {"response": 20, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (00:08)", "body": "Hi to all at 134: Thanks for the picture, Karen. Finally can see what those two or three or whatever are up to. I only hope he can fight better as Mark Darcy than he runs as Stephen W!!! KJ has shared some Colin art work with the world (or at least the Firth part of it). I have a new one today, very lovely. http://www.geocities.com/firthfan/art/artwork.html"}, {"response": 21, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (00:59)", "body": "Congrats KJ...you really caught Mr. Darcy's smolders.My fave. Thanks Murph."}, {"response": 22, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (08:17)", "body": "Oh wow KJ your C art work is fantastic.I love your 'Brooding Darcy'it's so life-like but that 'Overlit Darcy' is really something,it really captures him. I don't think its possible to have a fave as Colin manages to look diferent in everything he does and your art work captures that.I look forward to seeing more of your work! Thanks Murph for showing them."}, {"response": 23, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (11:28)", "body": "Talking about Londonium reminds me, I have a (v. small) Mike Binder connection. Does that mean it's a COLIN connection Mike's father is a contractor/developer and built my mother's condo. Very nice man, who was happy to know that I knew that he was the \"middle brother\" in \"Coupe de Ville\" (the one who was carsick). Long story about how I knew that. Oh, and my boss' (at the time) house was used in the movie. Reaching, but worth a chuckle."}, {"response": 24, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (13:16)", "body": "Meredith, is your mother in need of a new condo? Wouldn't hurt to make that \"connection\" again, even if it's just to find out about the Toronto Film Festival. ;-) KJ does fabulous work. Can you imagine having nothing but framed originals hanging on your walls? KJ, I see commissions here.;-) (Cheryl) Richard Courtois. He's well educated and has a social consience; besides you never know when you'll have need of a lawyer. True, a lawyer is a very handy thing to have in the family. Does he fall under your definition of \"cute\" though? As you say, Richard is smart, dependable and intrepid - a \"go-to\" guy. Definitely good husband material. ;-) Cute to me is kind of boyish, not too convincing or powerful. As far as looks, Richard is very cute indeed even with the rubber hair."}, {"response": 25, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (14:22)", "body": "(Murph) I only hope he can fight better as Mark Darcy than he runs as Stephen W!!! Didn't want to spoil the movie, but in the next frame, Mark grabs hold of the Dirty Daniel's incoming knee, jerks it up and Daniel goes flying in air, only to land in huge puddle on street. ;-) KJ: Great that you now have a larger audience for your works. I too have liked overlit Darcy. Are you considering doing renditions from each of his films? (Heide) Richard is smart, dependable and intrepid - a \"go-to\" guy. Let us not forget \"chivalrous,\" one of his most appealing qualities IMO (and he snorts cutely in the courthouse). ;-)"}, {"response": 26, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (20:04)", "body": "KJ: Your works are fantastic. Esp Overlit Darcy. More, more! (Heide) As far as looks, Richard is very cute indeed Agree especially in one of the last scenes with Samira..he looks at her with those beautiful brown eyes as she says goodbye, and is so sad that you just want to hug him 'til the hurt goes away. I would have to put RC in HotP as one of my absolute faves. OK now here's something that nobody will be interested in (with apologies to BBCs Desert Island Discs) - if you were stranded on a deserted island with a VCR and your choice of five tapes and a book ( you can have P&P as a freebie) what would you choose?"}, {"response": 27, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (20:21)", "body": "ooh play time.If P&P is a freebie as both book & tape (gives you time to re-read it again eh Tracy)then my choices would be Lord of the Rings for book Tapes:- 1 Fever Pitch 2 Femme Fatale 3 Hour Of Pig 4 Valmont 5 Another Country 5"}, {"response": 28, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (20:22)", "body": ""}, {"response": 29, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (20:41)", "body": "Durr! I didn't give mine did I? OK taking P&P as read (or not in my case) Tapes would be (and I didn't specify that they HAD to be CF BTW): 1 Hour of the Pig 2 Fever Pitch 3 Valmont 4 A Month in the Country 5(Sorry leaping out of CF drool mode for a millisecond) Eddie Izzard - Definite Article ..for the ROOTLMAO (Rolling out of tree etc.) factor. Book - 1001 things to do with coconuts or if that's not available Homer's The Odyssey (it's a good long read and if I get desperate I can use it as a very hard pillow):-D"}, {"response": 30, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (20:50)", "body": "(Tracy)leaping out of CF drool-you're living dangerously tonight.Please don't confess to fancying Eddie Izzard that I could not forgive."}, {"response": 31, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (20:54)", "body": "Yup, I'm living on the edge tonight! on EI - I just love his humour - I prefer men who don't wear skirts (kilts excepting)!"}, {"response": 32, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (21:00)", "body": "Tracy have you not realised that 'kilt' is my trigger word *swoon*drool*pass out* Picking myself up off the floor my hubby's just mentioned that TEP is on Filmfour and wants to know why CF isn't in the credits I've told him its the 'invisible Colin Firth Syndrome'"}, {"response": 33, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (21:07)", "body": "Sorry Judy I was forgetting your fondness for Caledonian attire (or what lies beneath), I'll leave you to TEP, I'm signing off for tonight and will get down to some serious P&P reading . Glass of wine? - check Comfy pillows? - check SORTED!! Night!"}, {"response": 34, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (21:10)", "body": "Goodnight Tracy its been fun enjoy the book & wine etc."}, {"response": 35, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (22:15)", "body": "Like your question, Tracy. Have you come across this on old drool, Judy? Can't remember. Anyway, my choices are the same as yours, Tracy, but my fifth one has me undecided. I might actually take Donovan Quick with me though it might leave me feeling rather sad. Not a good thing on a deserted isle. Book would be \"A Confederacy of Dunces\" by John Kennedy Toole. Hilarious."}, {"response": 36, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (23:35)", "body": "Hmmm, have to give your question some thought, Tracy. vids and a book. Oh! the pain of it. In the meantime, have another *Mystery* photograph. Am thinking it might have been at the MLSF premiere as someone mentioned Livia's hair was short there. Colin certainly has adopted the Regis look! ;-) http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/photo2.html"}, {"response": 37, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 24, 2000 (00:38)", "body": "Thanks Karen. Looks like a cinema/theatre lobby alright. Short hair/long hair.... Like I said before...Livia gets more beautiful every year. Such an adoring look...Lucky guy..."}, {"response": 38, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Jul 24, 2000 (01:51)", "body": "Scores of ladies will disagree with me, but I'm a bit unsure about his habit of invariably grabbing every woman by the neck when posing for a photo... ;-) This is perhaps something he considers a friendly-chummy gesture, but it really looks more like a blatant display of primeval male possessiveness... Mind you, with a male like that by your side, any possessiveness can easily be forgiven... ;-)"}, {"response": 39, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 24, 2000 (02:48)", "body": "I didn't mind...one bit (as she flips through her lobby photos smiling like a fool...) ;-)"}, {"response": 40, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Jul 24, 2000 (04:20)", "body": "Hmmmmmmm which movies to take 1 Valmont 2 My Life So Far 3 Fever Pitch I love the scene where he sets the napkin on fire and says \"Its a onetime thing. 4 TEP 5 Shakespeare In Love Book I Heard The Owl Call My Name"}, {"response": 41, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Jul 24, 2000 (06:49)", "body": "If I look at the curls on his forehead I would say the pic was taken between MLSF and some time before SLOW (when the curls were longer). Movies on the island: 1. Fever Pitch 2. Master of the Moor 3. A Month in the Country 4. Shakespeare in Love 5. The Fabulous Baker Boys Book: \"Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About HTML/Photoshop/Netscape/Win98/Linux But Never Had Time Enough To Find Out Because You Have To Obsess About Colin Firth\". Oh, and perhaps a book on English grammar, yes? ;-)"}, {"response": 42, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Jul 24, 2000 (09:40)", "body": "My CF Movies on the Island: 1.Shakespeare in Love - for the rhythm 2.The English Patient - for the pain 3.Valmont - for the glamour 4.Wings of Fame - for the atmosphere 5.Hostages - for showing there are worse situations than being stranded on a deserted island But there's a number I ain't seen, remember? And the book - Lawrence Durrell's Alexandrian Quartet. It's sitting on my night table right now waiting for me to finish the one I'm reading at present (Umberto Eco's The Island of the Day Before)"}, {"response": 43, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Jul 24, 2000 (19:06)", "body": "(Heide)Have you come across this on old drool?can't say I have but it's early days yet,there's so much stuff. (Arami)Mind you,with a male like that by your side,any possessiveness can easily be forgiven-what is it about this man that makes us regress to the little woman?If he put his arm round me like that it would be yes Colin,no Colin,anything you want Colin! (Gi)But there's a number I ain't seen, remember? Join the club."}, {"response": 44, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jul 24, 2000 (19:36)", "body": "(Murph) I only hope he can fight better as Mark Darcy than he runs as Stephen W!!! (Karen) Didn't want to spoil the movie, but in the next frame, Mark grabs hold of the Dirty Daniel's incoming knee, jerks it up and Daniel goes flying in air, only to land in huge puddle on street. ;-) They're not fighting at all, actually. They're playing Twister. Colin's going for 'left foot yellow'. (Heide) As far as looks, Richard is very cute indeed even with the rubber hair. LOL! He's even cute with the upside down measuring cup he wears on his head. OK, here's my 5 (great question, Tracy): 1. Fever Pitch--for Paul, same reasons as Heide (and that's my favorite scene too, Lucie) 2. Valmont--he's never done anything like it since 3. MLSF--I love his Edward. Spot on. 4. HotPig--just to hear that rooster crow ;-P 5. SiL--for his singing (heehee) Book? Who needs a book? ;-P Here's a list of the videos I'd feed to the sharks: 1. Camille 2. Nostromo 3. SLOW I think you're right about the pic being from the MLSF premiere, Karen. Don't think OFP (our fashion plate) would have adopted the monochromatic look before this year, Renate."}, {"response": 45, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Jul 24, 2000 (19:51)", "body": "about the pic being from the MLSF premiere The best way to tell is to find another pic from the same occasion and see if Livia's outfit is matching. Re: Movies on the island: Hm.... all of the above mentioned I must possess and to all this I must yet add something more substantial, for the purpose of the improvement of my mind by extensive watching... Or rather wanton entertainment, I should say. Playmaker, perhaps? ;-)"}, {"response": 46, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Jul 25, 2000 (00:10)", "body": "(Heide) Does he fall under your definition of \"cute\" though? As you say, Richard is smart, dependable and intrepid - a \"go-to\" guy. Definitely good husband material. ;-) Cute to me is kind of boyish, not too convincing or powerful. As far as looks, Richard is very cute indeed even with the rubber hair. (Karen) Let us not forget \"chivalrous,\" one of his most appealing qualities IMO (and he snorts cutely in the courthouse). ;-) (Tracy) Agree especially in one of the last scenes with Samira..he looks at her with those beautiful brown eyes as she says goodbye, and is so sad that you just want to hug him 'til the hurt goes away. I would have to put RC in HotP as one of my absolute faves. I did forget to mention chivalrous, and that is quality Richard Courtois most decidedly has. As for being cute in a rather boyish way. He does have that, most apparently with women. Richard is slightly overwhelmed by them. He certainly likes them, but he has a charming akwardness when he interacts with them. He is also very cute when he awakens in the carriage after his dream, insisting that he doesn't dream, he was perhaps snoring. He also has a boyish idealism, coupled with a more mature integrity and moral courage. In some ways he's like a very precocious and clever little boy, he has the very straight assertiveness of an intelligent and outspoken child. Richard, however, has to have the quality of being very convincing. He is, afterall, an attorney. Heide, funny you should mention the \"rubber wig\". It begs comparison to the \"Lee press-on sideburns\". Has anyone ever noted bad hairpieces/extensions that CF as worn in his career? Just wondering."}, {"response": 47, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Jul 25, 2000 (04:58)", "body": "KJ, your work is lovely. Oh my, I believe it is obvious to my hormones once again who my fave Firth character is. Smolder, smolder. Thanks Murph. Well, o.k. you guys, Paul is cute. But if CF hadn't played him, he wouldn't be my type! Richard has definite appeal, Valmont is naughty and dangerous (but dead by the end, which is more tricky to fantasize about than a simple imaginary man) Oh, sorry, you were asking about which 5 films. (DOES ANYBODY UNDERSTAND WHAT ITS LIKE TO BE HEADING FOR 35 (turned 30 this year!!) AND ALL THAT THAT IMPLIES HORMONALLY!!!!)"}, {"response": 48, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Jul 25, 2000 (04:59)", "body": "O.k. so I've got P&P the novel, and P&P2 the movie; 1. Valmont 2. A Month in the Country 3. Hour of the Pig/The Advocate 4. Bridget Jones Diary (Cause I ain't goin' anywhere until I've seen it! And I'm sure it will be good, so I'll want the video.) 5. Either Jules and Jim, or Shoot the Piano Player by Truffault, or The Glen Miller Story, with Jimmy Stewart. Other reading: Either the War Poets, or T.S.Eliot's Collected Works, or Martin Buber's I and Thou . Something rich enough that I would't mind reading it over and over and over again."}, {"response": 49, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Jul 25, 2000 (05:03)", "body": "I meant \"wouldn't\". Speaking of drooling, I have a question involving a certain someone. Did anyone ever see the Tara Fitzgerald version of Frenchman's Creek --- I believe it aired on TV last year. Take a look at one of the men in the pub scene. Later, he bows with a flourish in front of her carriage. Who is the actor playing this role? He reminds me of CF. Could it be a cameo?"}, {"response": 50, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jul 25, 2000 (13:59)", "body": "Hello ladies! Writing from Bellagio on Lake Como. It has been quite a trek to get here, Karen(if you know what I mean). ;-) Having a maaarvelous time as Vanessa Redgrave would say. Speaking of movies, Playmaker was on TV in Italian, of course, what a double torture. Arami might be the only one to appreciate it. :-) I am rushing as usual and have no time to check my mail. Arrivederci!"}, {"response": 51, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 25, 2000 (14:51)", "body": "Great to hear from you Moon... (Moon), Playmaker was on TV in Italian, of course, what a double torture. Of all the good films they coulda' picked of his. ODB hates it. How mortifying. The channel musta' gotten it as a freebie."}, {"response": 52, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Jul 25, 2000 (15:11)", "body": "MOON!!!! Great to hear from you! The Bellagio must be wonderful this time of year... run into any celebrities so far? ;-) Playmaker... in Italy? I suppose it's possible. (I saw Apartment Zero in Borneo)"}, {"response": 53, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jul 25, 2000 (19:36)", "body": "Playmaker was on TV in Italian... Arami might be the only one to appreciate it. :-) Impossibile, cara, non parlo l'italiano. :-) But I'm sure that a number of other people around here do take, erm, a secret pleasure from Playmaker... or at least from, erm, certain select parts... erm, I mean, scenes... ;-)"}, {"response": 54, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jul 25, 2000 (20:05)", "body": "(Arami) But I'm sure that a number of other people around here do take, erm, a secret pleasure from Playmaker... Not me (my pleasure in PM is not a secret;-) Mari Running with scissors . . ."}, {"response": 55, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 25, 2000 (20:26)", "body": "(Mari) Not me (my pleasure in PM is not a secret;-) Nor is mine. ;-) Signed, President of the Ross Talbert Fan Club and Pearl Twirler Society"}, {"response": 56, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Jul 25, 2000 (21:08)", "body": "Ladies, thanks for all your Desert Sialnd replies, it seems we are pretty much of one mind - though I'm surprise (;-o) that Playmaker didn't feature more for it's ...er...'artistic' qualities! (Karen)I didn't mind...one bit (as she flips through her lobby photos smiling like a fool...) ;-) Ah *sigh* ditto... but I thought that 'neck touch' was just reserved for ME, *tut* seems as if every Tom, Dick or Livia is in on the act now!;-))"}, {"response": 57, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Jul 25, 2000 (21:09)", "body": "Please accept apologies for typos , it's been a very long day!"}, {"response": 58, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Tue, Jul 25, 2000 (21:35)", "body": "Sorry this is late. 1. Another Country 2. Donovan Quick 3. Fever Pitch 4. MLSF 5. SLOW And after much deliberation, I've decided to take The Making of P&P2 as my book. Just in case the VCR packs it in, then I will still be able to look at ODB. Renate \"The Fabulous Baker Boys\" I remember the first time I rented this movie. It was on overnight release and I watched it five times, I then borrowed it the following weekend and watched it about another three. I now have my own \"illegal\" copy and do not need to be so obsessive. Jeff Bridges is definitely on my list of \"Other Favourite Actors\". Sorry for the off topic. Cathey"}, {"response": 59, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 25, 2000 (22:42)", "body": "(Arami) But I'm sure that a number of other people around here do take, erm, a secret pleasure from Playmaker. Obviously not me either.....though we did have a good time discussing it... ~~~~~~ Been thinking about my list: 1. Nostromo- Because I would have a long time to sort out the characters and the plot(?). 2. Lost Empires- See above 3. The Widowing of Mrs. Holroyd- cause I'd have a long time to decipher the accent. 4. Donovan Quick -See above 5. Tumbledown- cause it's the best thing he's ever done. IMO. ~~~~~~~~~ And I won't tell you what I'd feed the sharks cause you'd lynch me;-) Book: agree with Cathey Making of P&P."}, {"response": 60, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jul 25, 2000 (23:10)", "body": "Oh, yes, Tumbledown - goes without saying. (Tracy)but I thought that 'neck touch' was just reserved for ME, *tut* seems as if every Tom, Dick or Livia is in on the act now!;-)) I don't think I know any Tom in Colin's life but I believe we have come to tolerate Livia. As for \"the neck touch\" being applied to \"Dick\" in what allegedly constitutes \"the act\"... all that may require a further serious investigation..."}, {"response": 61, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (03:42)", "body": "Sorry I've been away from the boards for so long. really appreciate the appreciation. I would LIKE to do one or more for each role except 1) Sorry, he still intimidates me. Getting a likeness is a very iffy thing. and 2) Lately other activities have left me with enough time or energy to do it. ( ... Now if I were being PAID this enormous sum of $$$$ for it, surprising how quickly I could drop everything else and dedicate my soul to the project ;-D) 1. A Month in the country 2. Fever Pitch 3. HotPig 4. Valmont 5. Shakespeare in Love. Book: \"Watership Down\"."}, {"response": 62, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (05:30)", "body": "(Cathey)And after much deliberation, I've decided to take The Making of P&P2 as my book. Just in case the VCR packs it in, then I will still be able to look at ODB. Smart thinking Cathey! A picture is worth a lot of poetry. So, for my #4, I'm torn between Tumbledown (for the acting) and Playmaker (for obvious reasons). Cannot decide! (Arami)I don't think I know any Tom in Colin's life but I believe we have come to tolerate Livia. As for \"the neck touch\" being applied to \"Dick\" in what allegedly constitutes \"the act\"... all that may require a further serious investigation... *sudden snort* LOL! I do believe some film footage would assist any assessment process!"}, {"response": 63, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (09:03)", "body": "August 12th will be the two year anniversary of colinfirth.com and August 16th will be the 2nd year anniversary of firth.com, if anyone's looking for an excuse for a party/celebration."}, {"response": 64, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (11:16)", "body": "(TracyT, Arami and SadieR) neck touch All this talk of neck touches has got me all in a quiver. What's with these British hunks and the hands on the neck? No more turtle necks for me. It's nothing but open collars and scoop necks. Must cut the hair too. So, is that what I've been doing wrong all these years? Covering my neck? Now if anyone finds a pic of Jeremy Northam with his hand on a neck too, I may just faint and never recover. Suffering from neck envy..."}, {"response": 65, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (14:56)", "body": "Oh Donna, photo is soooo touching. Am considering moving to England. My hair already exposes my nape! Do you think that if I showed up and said \"Go to it man\" to the first good-looking Brit, that he would instinctively understand?"}, {"response": 66, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (15:05)", "body": ""}, {"response": 67, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (15:29)", "body": "Karen, you are so funny and quick with the pics! What a lovely shot."}, {"response": 68, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (16:29)", "body": "Thanks, I did want the one where they first [ahem] tryst [ahem] and he goes straight for the neck, but can't find that one... Was planning on posting my Desert Island vids/book list, which included this image: but thought Judy might go over the edge... ;-) However, I have selected Finnegans Wake as the book I'd take for reasons both Donna and Evelyn would appreciate. ;-)"}, {"response": 69, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (16:58)", "body": "These look suspiciously like shorts I've seen before!"}, {"response": 70, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (17:29)", "body": "...and the skinny legs! ;-)"}, {"response": 71, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (17:59)", "body": "'Neck touch' now I know why I've just had my hair cut short for the very first time it must have been a premonition.I can just feel those lovely hands,those lovely long fingers stroking, caressing oops sorry thats not my neck. Sadie if you do come to England please be careful youmight scare the natives if they're anything like me- shy & prudish *shriek*I'm going out tomorrow to buy you a scarf as a welcoming gift it will also double as a method of strangulation if you get near my Colin Karen over the edge & down their front-what a handful!When he hitched those shorts up my heart sank I wanted to know whether he had another set ofdimples."}, {"response": 72, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (18:18)", "body": "Scare you Judy? But I'm so tame and proper next to you! And on that note, may I suggest The Hour of the Pig again, if you want to settle the dimple question."}, {"response": 73, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (18:38)", "body": "You may suggest THOTP anytime but whenever I watchthat scene I always try and look between his legs instead so miss the dimples."}, {"response": 74, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (18:41)", "body": "As regards taking Playmaker along to the island: heck, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. Signed, Vice President in charge of Nessie-Hunting and Rock Climbing ;-D ;-D ;-D"}, {"response": 75, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (19:15)", "body": "(Judy) if they're anything like me- shy & prudish Shy and prudish? Must add these to my list of words with different meanings on your side of the Atlantic. ;-) (Eileen) Vice President in charge of Nessie-Hunting and Rock Climbing How close are you to getting the Nessie-Sighting badge of honor? (so we can show you the secret handshake) hee hee"}, {"response": 76, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (19:34)", "body": "(Karen) How close are you to getting the Nessie-Sighting badge of honor? I'd be a heckuva lot closer if Playmaker was released on DVD (hee hee--I should live so long). Then again, it was shown on Italian TV...ya never know... There's this annoying broad in the shots who keeps getting in the way. Hmmm, perhaps more research is in order. Off to count glass blocks!"}, {"response": 77, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (22:11)", "body": "Sadie -Do you think that if I showed up and said \"Go to it man\" to the first good-looking Brit, that he would instinctively understand? Sad to disappoint, and this is a sweeping generalisation from my limited experience, but they're more likely to take it as an invitation to scarper 'down the pub' or put their feet up in front of the 'footie' ;-( -may I suggest The Hour of the Pig again, if you want to settle the dimple question. *sigh* Eileen - Off to count glass blocks! Hmmm, is there any danger of your copy being worn out after all this activity??"}, {"response": 78, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Jul 26, 2000 (22:46)", "body": "Sheesh, been away for 2 days and when I come back all this talk about necks and nessies, fan clubs and godknowswhatelse. I don't know when the last time was I laughed so hard reading this topic. Thanks, girls. By the way, Relative Values is being shown on British Air flights to the US right now. Hope they didn't cut out \"the fleet's in town\" line. ;-)"}, {"response": 79, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (07:08)", "body": "(Heide)By the way, Relative Values is being shown on British Air flights to the US right now. Hope they didn't cut out \"the fleet's in town\" line. ;-) ... While I'm still checking the theatre listings for Lisbon every week..."}, {"response": 80, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (07:39)", "body": "(Tracy)they're more likely to take it as an invitation to scarper 'down the pub' or put their feet up in front of the 'footie' LOL! Ya gotta tell me what this means so I can decide if I think it will be enjoyable or not! I can decode \"scarper 'down the pub'\". Unless you really mean go to the pub? in which case, I see your point. But, \"put their feet up in front of the 'footie'\", even being the gutterlist I am, I'm blank on this one. (Eileen) Vice President in charge of Nessie-Hunting and Rock Climbing...Off to count glass blocks! (Karen) How close are you to getting the Nessie-Sighting badge of honor? (so we can show you the secret handshake) Oh my, I understood that! I must say, I am deeply shocked. What has come over you ladies? How can you be so crude, rude, and downright cheeky? OO There I was, reading a virginal fan-fic at that other site and then one little virtual surf and I'm in the land of Nessie Hunters. Are they short or long-haired creatures? (Nessies, not Hunters!) 'Cause I might have sighted one and just not known it. -D"}, {"response": 81, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (11:58)", "body": "This item of news has already been spotted, so apologies if I'm poaching. But there was a mention in one of the papers today of a new book by Nick Hornby, to be published by Penguin in November...\"Speaking with the angels\". If you check this out at http://www.amazon.co.uk you'll see that NH is the editor of ten short stories. Click to get a bigger picture of the book cover, and you'll see that Colin Firth is listed as one of the writers (along with NH, HF, Robert Harris, Rodddy Doyle, Patrick Marber, Irwin Welch etc). There's also to be an audio tape. My guess from the title is that this may be to raise money for reasearch into autism (NH's son is autistic)."}, {"response": 82, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (12:03)", "body": "No apologies necessary. Here's a link to find the audio tape. It's not yet released (NOVEMBER), but Colin's name does appears on the cover. http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0141802529/qid=964686938/sr=1-2/026-9990856-0740457"}, {"response": 83, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (12:26)", "body": "More info, here's the link to the book. The book and audio cassette are scheduled to be released in November. It is not clear who the reader will be on the audio cassette. http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0140296786/qid=964700698/sr=1-1/026-9990856-0740457"}, {"response": 84, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (12:56)", "body": "Oweee!!! This ought to be interesting - a short story by Colin and by HF as well. Wouldn't it be fabulous if each of the authors read their own work? Better yet, if Colin were the reader for the whole tape. Then, I do so love picture books! ;-) Thanks, Bethan and Donna, for the news."}, {"response": 85, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (17:13)", "body": "Oh now thats something different & something to look forward to.I can't wait to see his style.Although I do seem to be wishing my life away waiting for these things.More great sleuthing from the drool girls well done!"}, {"response": 86, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (17:18)", "body": "Well, well, writing, a new frontier for ODB. I must say this will be released on a mighty fine day in November and would make a fine birthday present for a loyal Firthfan *ahem* ;-D Here's hoping he's the reader on the audiotape. Goody, something else to look forward to this year. Thanks, Bethan and Donna, for the news. Ditto!"}, {"response": 87, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (19:20)", "body": "(EileenG)Well, well, writing, a new frontier for ODB. I'm going to have to read this one!Who knows what great things shall ensue?:-) Bethan and Donna, well done! :-)"}, {"response": 88, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (19:42)", "body": "Thanks for the thanks. Meluchie had gotten an inquiry from someone, which set the sleuthing minds to work. :-)"}, {"response": 89, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (21:53)", "body": "(Sadie) -LOL! Ya gotta tell me what this means so I can decide if I think it will be enjoyable or not! Unfortunately probably NOT. Sorry for launching into lad-speak, that's what comes of hailing from a family with 3 brothers and working in a male-dominated office: 'scarper' - (OED, (sl) go, make off.) Disappear into the night.... in the general direction of the local hostelry. 'put his feet up' i.e. Collapse into the nearest armchair with can of lager in hand, feet ususally placed (on that well known footstool - )your newly polished coffee table ... 'in front of the footie' - glued to TV tuned in to football match (e.g.'Arsenal' vs 'Liverpool' with 'Peter Shilton and Gary Lineker....now he's famous for being good isn't he?')unable to move to answer phone/door in case he misses a goal being scored! Bitter me? Nah! Now I'm not exactly sure what you had in mind (perhaps it was the 'footie' that sent your imagination racing) but I bet it was a deal more enjoyable than that ;-)"}, {"response": 90, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (22:48)", "body": "(Tracy)now he's famous for being good isn't he? v.v. clever:-) maybe I should say Tracy... now she's famous for being good isn't she? :-) While I'm here & its quiet I want to tell you about a couple of things I want to do to CF (apart from the obvious Sadie) 1 stroke his eyebrows 2 lick his dimples- I'm not fussy which pair"}, {"response": 91, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jul 27, 2000 (23:45)", "body": "I guess most of the participants of this discussion here will concur as to stroking and licking, but the respective receiving parts might vary somewhat."}, {"response": 92, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (00:16)", "body": "Thanks, Bethan and Donna, for the writing news. Very exciting to me. We know he has written - I think he was doing a play a few years ago, but this may be his first published effort. Karen, your picture above is supposed to be of what? On my computer it is just a tan box that says, \"please don't link to images on my website. Thanks, Dolores\" Hmmmmmm. Murph"}, {"response": 93, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (00:55)", "body": "ODB has published a short story?? How wonderful! Hmmm..... maybe I can convince him to collaborate with me on one.... ;-) *sigh* i'm having chills just thinking about him making a recording of Darcy fanfic (Judy) I want to tell you about a couple of things I want to do to CF (apart from the obvious Sadie) 1 stroke his eyebrows 2 lick his dimples- I'm not fussy which pair LOL! sounds like fun! can I go second? ;-) (and i really wanna play with that curl on his forhead, too...)"}, {"response": 94, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (01:43)", "body": "See what I mean?"}, {"response": 95, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (03:56)", "body": "Just the sight of the mole on his neck gives me the shivers, imagine if I could kiss it (sigh)."}, {"response": 96, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (04:00)", "body": "(Eileen) Well, well, writing, a new frontier for ODB. Jasper Rees: \"I first met Colin Firth 10 or 11 years ago when he wrote a piece for a magazine about filming A Month in the Country. The article was as detailed and sensitive as his performance, but in his eagerness he had written way too much and volunteered to come into the office to help cut it back.\" (From the Sunday Independent Jan 19 1997, A Man of Many Parts ) There's a challenge for the Drool researchers; Find That Article! :-)"}, {"response": 97, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (04:29)", "body": "Interesting tidbit...\"Speaking with the Angel\" is also the title of a CD by Mary Black. Apparently, that song was \"written by Ron Sexsmith for his infant son. Part plea, part prayer, part admonition, the song depicts the innocence of a baby, one yet to be molded by the good and bad of the outside world. Black sings: \"...He don't know how to lie Or undermine you He don't know how to steal How to deal or deceive So leave him alone, set him free Cause he's speaking with the angel That only he can see... He in the name of love He in the blood of the lamb He that never lays blame He don't even know his name Leave him alone, let him be Cause he's speaking with angel Speaking with the angel The very one that spoke to you and me Oh, do you remember?\" From another reviewer: Canadian singer/songwriter Ron Sexsmith wrote the title track, Speaking With The Angel, dealing with the special wisdom of the young who is \"speaking with the angel that only he can see.\" I'd say your assessment if right on, Bethan. Click here if you want to hear a bit of the song: http://www.websterrecords.com/albums_mary/sounds/curb77958_9.ram"}, {"response": 98, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (04:39)", "body": "Full lyrics: Speaking with the Angel He don't know how to lie Or undermine you He don't know how to steal How to deal or deceive So leave him alone, set him free Cause he's speaking with the angel That only he can see You say he's so helpless Well what about you You don't pull the strings You don't know anything Just leave him alone, let him be Cause he's speaking with the angel That only he can see Would you teach him about heaven Would you show him how to love the earth Would you poison him with prejudice From the moment of his birth He in the name of love He in the blood of the lamb He that never lays blame He don't even know his name Just leave him alone, let him be Cause he's speaking with the angel Speaking with the angel The very one that spoke to you and me Oh do you remember? \ufffdRon Sexsmith, Published by MCA Music Limited. No copyright infringment is intended."}, {"response": 99, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (05:34)", "body": "LOL Tracy! Thanks for explaining the lingo. So basically, it's safe to assume that Daniel Cleaver really is as typical a boyfriend-type on that side of the Atlantic, as here. CF a published writer? How exciting! Thanks Bethan and Donna. And actually, Murph, I didn't know that he'd ever written anything before. Can't wait to read these short stories. (Esbee) *sigh* i'm having chills just thinking about him making a recording of Darcy fanfic Happy thoughts indeed! (KJArt)There's a challenge for the Drool researchers; Find That Article! O.k., so roughly 1987. What are the possible magazines to check (if one were so inclined?) Lovely lyrics, thank you Karen."}, {"response": 100, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (12:30)", "body": "It's worthwhile checking out at amazon.co.uk some of the other authors listed. Zadie Smith and John O'Farrell got rave reviews/awards for their first novels. Smith's multiculural novel is being filmed for the BBC. O'Farrell has a political activist background (grew up in Maidenhead, NH's home town). Melissa Basnks should be well known in the US (\"Girls guide to hunting and fishing\") Plus the big names - HF, NH, Robert Harris (\"Enigma\", NH's brother-in-law), Patrick Marber, and the Irvine Welch (\"Trainspotting\") ....a very impressive collection!"}, {"response": 101, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (13:06)", "body": "Relative Values is still around. This week it's at these places: 1. Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal 2. Odeon Mezzanine, London 3. Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne 4. Dartington Arts Centre, Totnes 5. National Museum of Photography, Film and Television, Bradford (only on 4 Aug) 6. Chichester Cinema at New Park, Chicester"}, {"response": 102, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (13:33)", "body": "From the better late (like, really, really late) than never department: Fever Pitch has opened on the big screen in Washington DC. It's showing at the Cinema Arts Theatre. Decent review in The Washington Post, and this on Colin: \"Firth is highly appealing as the scruffy, kid-inside-a-man Paul. And his hangdog devotion to Arsenal is writ clear and often amusing.\" Thanks to Anne R. for the above."}, {"response": 103, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (13:49)", "body": "You're kidding! Must have been the high demand after playing at that Georgetown bar during Soccer Week. Some people have all the luck. They see it in NY, then move down to DC and get to see it again, when most of us will never see it on a big screen. :-("}, {"response": 104, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (14:36)", "body": "(Mari) Fever Pitch has opened on the big screen in Washington DC. Hee hee! Paul's following me...will be in DC this weekend with visiting sibs. Hmmm. Think I can convince them to skip the Smithsonians and monuments for FP? Hey Karen, United has flights from O'Hare to Dulles just about every hour. ;-) Meetcha on the Mall! (KJ) Jasper Rees: \"I first met Colin Firth 10 or 11 years ago when he wrote a piece for a magazine about filming A Month in the Country. I remember this, KJ, but assumed (perhaps mistakenly) since I've never seen said article on anybody's website that it was never published. So I amend my previous 'new frontier' comment to include the words 'published writing' or 'published creative writing'. Thanks for the song info, Karen. Am looking forward to this project."}, {"response": 105, "author": "odessa", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (15:32)", "body": "Huh! I was away 3 weeks and now I had to read all posts since beginning of July (you have been busy). BTW I saw a book review of \"Les Liasons Dangereuses\" and the critic mentioned that best movie made from it is Valmont...Another Firth fan?"}, {"response": 106, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (17:25)", "body": "KJ interesting about that 'lost' article.Had to laugh at that'had written way too much' I can imagine that for someone who seems to have an aversion to interviews once he gets going he can waffle. Karen there you go again listing RV showings but why do you keep missing my home town out?"}, {"response": 107, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (19:05)", "body": "for someone who seems to have an aversion to interviews once he gets going he can waffle. By all accounts, he loves waffling. Not liking interviews is a completely different matter."}, {"response": 108, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (23:44)", "body": "I've been thinking about CF & interviews and have been trying to remember the last time he did a chat show in Britain.Anybody any ideas?"}, {"response": 109, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (23:56)", "body": "Tuesday, 31 May 1988."}, {"response": 110, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (23:59)", "body": "Is that for real or are you winding me up? If real was it the Wogan show because that's the oneI can remember.He waffled even back then."}, {"response": 111, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (00:11)", "body": "I take it I.m back to talking to myself.Come on its late.I'm tired and I believe anything you tell me at this time of the morning."}, {"response": 112, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (01:41)", "body": "Yes, it was the Wogan show. He refuses to do a TV interview in the UK, but you can listem to him (Colin, not Wogan) in more recent pieces which he's done for the American TV/websites. Go and see RV website... ODB has a peculiar style... endearing to us, I'm sure, but those not enamoured might find it somewhat... how shall I put it... erm..."}, {"response": 113, "author": "AnneR", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (01:57)", "body": "Karen: Some people have all the luck. They see it in NY, then move down to DC and get to see it again, when most of us will never see it on a big screen. :-( What, you think this is coincidence? Do you know how much it costs to buy a movie theater these days, even an obscure suburban art house? To say nothing of what it costs to rent the damn pictures. I wanted to install a chip bar in honor of the film, but my partner (I use the word strictly in the business sense--you think I could swing a venture like this on my own?) said that if I did that he'd feel free to add a sushi bar in honor of Pokemon 2000, and I wasn't about to have raw fish stinking up the theater where MDB is playing. For those of you who can get there, the Cinema Arts Theater is not in the District but in Fairfax, Virginia, a suburb easily reachable by car but a bitch to get to with public transportation. It's located in the Fair City Mall at Rt. 236 & Pickett Rd. Movie times are 12:30, 2:30, 4:30, 7:30 and 9:30 daily. Phone 703-978-6991. Anne Ziegfeld"}, {"response": 114, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (10:17)", "body": "(AnneR)...my partner (...) said that if I did that he'd feel free to add a sushi bar in honor of Pokemon 2000 ROTFLMAO! I like your partner, can just imagine the dialogue :-D"}, {"response": 115, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (13:04)", "body": "(AnneR) Do you know how much it costs to buy a movie theater these days...To say nothing of what it costs to rent the damn pictures. Actually, I do... (how soon they forget) ;-) Am checking to see if there are any $99 flights! This cannot/will not be borne. Perhaps can convince some arthouse theater manager here that would be excellent idea to have Nick Hornby's pre-High Fidelity hit, as that is considered local underground classic."}, {"response": 116, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (14:50)", "body": "Thank you Arami but I'm curious as to him refusing to do an interview in UK,has he actually said that.I've been looking through my old clippings for something along those lines but have come up blank. Carrying it further any thoughts as to who would be a good interviewer for CF.I suppose for a 'serious' one MP but the devil in me would love to see him 'sort out' Dick & Jude(not me Anne I'm not sure about the term chip bar(is this a London thing?) but where I'm from (reet up North) its a chippy or for those Northeners without their flat caps(I include myself in this category) its a fish'n'chip shop.Obviously I'm doing my bit to make theNorth South divide even wider.Anyway I'd better stop waffling.though not in the same style as CF.I think itsa great idea to 'theme with the film'- chips taste great out of the paper."}, {"response": 117, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (16:46)", "body": "Hey, Anne Ziegfeld, do you think you can manage to bring Londinium to that art house of yours?;-) Good to see you back here, Anne. Regarding FP getting a showing in the DC environs: it just proves what I've always thought--when the Republicans leave town, good things happen.:-) Unfortunately, they're headed my way next week for Dubya's coronation, er, convention.:-( Karen, I have a number for Phaedra (aka, those morons at Phaedra). Let's do some agitation next week! P.S. Anne is the original Ziegfeld girl, so dubbed when she and a group of FoFs shared some quality time with CF outside the Ziegfeld Theater for the NYC premiere of SIL."}, {"response": 118, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (17:09)", "body": "(Odessa) BTW I saw a book review of \"Les Liasons Dangereuses\" and the critic mentioned that best movie made from it is Valmont...Another Firth fan? Very probably another Firth fan. Also, very probably not French, as the French tend to prefer Stephen Frears' \"Les Liasons Dangereuses\", (aka as \"Dangerous Liasons\" in the US, because Americans were deemed too stupid to understand the original title,) or an earlier version by Roger Vadim set circa 1960. Christopher Hampton's screenplay for the Frears' film is generally considered to be the closest to the Chodoleros de Laclos novel."}, {"response": 119, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (17:33)", "body": "(Cheryl) as the French tend to prefer Stephen Frears' \"Les Liasons Dangereuses\"...or an earlier version by Roger Vadim set circa 1960. While I can't comment on what the French prefer, I truly doubt the latter, having seen and owning a copy of the Vadim version. BTW, it too was not faithful to the book. Have something that talks about the Vadim version in passing and about how it flopped... will try to find it."}, {"response": 120, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (17:57)", "body": "Thank you AnnR, a CF fan who owns a theatre near me, what more can a girl ask for? I'm busy rounding up friends, plan to make as many trips out there as possible. Karen, come and see FP with me!"}, {"response": 121, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (18:20)", "body": "(Cheryl) Stephen Frears' \"Les Liasons Dangereuses\", (aka as \"Dangerous Liasons\" in the US, because Americans were deemed too stupid to understand the original title,) Nope. Dangerous Liasons is the name of the film that Frears directed. Period. And it was released that way (except for maybe in French-speaking countries) around the world. And of course, it is not unusual for films to be released with translated titles that represent the language spoken in a given country rather than with the title given it in its country of origin. Which in this case is Britain. Valmont is considered the U.S. production. Films do tend to get released with titles and dialogue (whether dubbed or subtitled) that the citizens of a given country will understand. Filmmakers and studios are funny that way--they want people to understand what they're seeing and hearing.;-);-)"}, {"response": 122, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (18:30)", "body": "(Karen) ...having seen and owning a copy of the Vadim version. BTW, it too was not faithful to the book. Have something that talks about the Vadim version in passing and about how it flopped...will try to find it. That would be very interesting if you can find it. I'd love to read it. Actually, in recent years, since Vadim's death, the opinion of his \"Les Liasons Dangereuses\" has risen. It has a certain camp charm. It also has that icon of French culture Jeanne Moreau. I just said from what I can ascertain, the French prefer the Vadim film to Milos Foreman's \"Valmont\". This doesn't mean they actually like Vadim's movie; they just dislike the Foreman film more. It doesn't have a certain camp charm. It's like he started out with \"Les Liasons Dangereuses\" and ended up with \"Gigi\". Lerner and Loewe's \"Gigi\", not Collette's. I've read things to that effect, anyway. Christopher Hampton's adaptation is the only one of the four film adaptaions to adhere closely to the novel. I wrote that was the one closest to the novel, not the Vadim film. I, however, tend to be as clear as mud. For what it's worth, \"Valmont\" has risen in acclaim in recent years. Generally better things are written about it now than were at the time of its release."}, {"response": 123, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (21:49)", "body": "Thank you AnnR, a CF fan who owns a theatre near me, what more can a girl ask for? I'm busy rounding up friends, plan to make as many trips out there as possible. Karen, come and see FP with me!"}, {"response": 124, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (23:51)", "body": "Hey Emma,don't forget to give us a report."}, {"response": 125, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (08:26)", "body": "Lucky, lucky Emma, Anne and Eileen! I've been waiting for two years to see FP in Los Angeles and so far no go :-(. I have even denied myself watching Paul on video trying to save it up for the big screen. Sigh.... I hope you all can drum up many friends to accompany you to the theatre in Fairfax. Perhaps the hordes you recruit will convince Phaedra to open the movie in more cities. Come on girls, do it for the team :-)."}, {"response": 126, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (00:10)", "body": "(Judy)I'm curious as to him refusing to do an interview in UK,has he actually said that Not publicly - yet all the media people know that \"Mr Firth doesn't do TV.\" This is from someone who spoke to reporters outside a London cinema during a film premiere a few years ago."}, {"response": 127, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (18:49)", "body": "(Cheryl) For what it's worth, \"Valmont\" has risen in acclaim in recent years. Glad to hear that. It's one of my fave Firths. Since board is so quiet, I will boldy re-ask a Firth trivia question. Is that CF in an uncredited cameo in Frenchman's Creek? Does anyone know? He was heavily costumed but the mannerisms were so Firth-like! If anyone is willing to watch and give their opinion, it was the Tara Fitzgerald recent version that aired on T.V. last year (I believe). The actor in question appeared in a pub scene, and later, he bows with a flourish in front of her carriage. Am so curious to know what others think. I videotaped the ending, but the station cut to a commercial before all the credits had rolled!"}, {"response": 128, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (18:56)", "body": "Can't help you with that one Sadie I didn't see it but I wish I had now,anything else you want to add to my ever growing list? I wish you hadn't mentioned Valmont he was so sexy in that I've even got it taped twice just in case one copy wears too thin."}, {"response": 129, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (19:08)", "body": "Looks like we're the only ones around to drool, eh? Another board-hopping workout. I meant to ask Karen about chat-stuff. It's so quiet around here, do you ever wonder if we've just stumbled into the future, like Planet of the Apes? Look out, there's Charlton Heston, and he's got a gun! Ah Valmont. Wasn't CF so much more believeable than John M. (I won't attemt to spell his last name)as a seducer of women! Smarmy is never charming to me. Run into that all the time in bars. Who was it that said a woman can never resist a man that's in love with her? I think CF nailed the performance with that approach. (And who was it anyway? Probably someone so famous I'll feel like a dolt for not knowing it!)"}, {"response": 130, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (19:35)", "body": "Yes its weird sometimes I wonder where everybody goes to or are they all there watching us make fools out of ourselves or maybe they've got a life? I don't even know what board I'm on half the time you know how it is- life gets complicated when you love one man and crawl several boards- oh crass Oh no here we go you've done it again-I've not seen the JM version-where's that list gone?"}, {"response": 131, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (20:52)", "body": "Hey you guys you're not alone, I've just been quietly lurking here for a while. Judy I've even got it taped twice just in case one copy wears too thin. and I thought I was the only one to do that...my faith in human kind is restored!! I saw the JM version and wasn't impressed..I have to add that I had been spoilt by seeing 'Valmont' first. I think the director was aiming at a different type of Vicomte here.... an ugly, snidey, un-fanciable type clearly ;-D (and what a success he made of it.)"}, {"response": 132, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (21:15)", "body": "Hi Tracy I'm still loitering poor Sadie's toiling away whereas I'm having a very lazy night.All these secretswe have-double tapes etc-that we can't normally admit to,all for one man.I wonder why the other actors listed on drool don't provoke the same amount of response? I admit to being completely blinkered by CF to the point that I find it hard to watch other actors without always comparing & criticizing them which isn't the best way to watch tv or film"}, {"response": 133, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (00:28)", "body": "On the subject of the character of the Vicomte de Valmont, I was lucky enough to have seen the definitive, (to me), characterization -- that of Alan Rickman. It was back when I was a teenager and it was my first Broadway show that was not a musical. Yes, I was lucky enough to have seen the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of \"Les Liasons Dangereuses\". Rickman was absoulute perfection, no one else has ever come near him in the part. That's just what I think, anyway."}, {"response": 134, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (02:08)", "body": "(Sadie) Who was it that said a woman can never resist a man that's in love with her? I think CF nailed the performance with that approach. (And who was it anyway? Probably someone so famous I'll feel like a dolt for not knowing it!) Sadie, actually I think it was the Baroness Schrader in The Sound Of Music. LOL! I'm serious. After she breaks the engagement with the Captain (as she realizes that he and Maria are in love) she tells him that a man can't resist a woman who is in love with him. \"And somewhere out there is a young lady who will never be a nun.\" Yes, folks, I am a veritable font of useless knowledge . . .;-)"}, {"response": 135, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (06:34)", "body": "(Sadie) Who was it that said a woman can never resist a man that's in love with her? 8-o~~~ Does it also work the other way around??? In that case ODB must be deeply in love with us. Happy thought indeed *sigh* Ooops, I only saw this just now: (Mari) ...she tells him that a man can't resist a woman who is in love with him. So there's hope, hope, hope! Thank you, Sadie, and Mari, you have made my day. ;-)"}, {"response": 136, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (06:35)", "body": "grrrr!"}, {"response": 137, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (17:57)", "body": "Am curious... where are all you Beltway Babes? Have you all taken sleeping bags and tents and camped out in Fairfax, Va, never to depart or to return to your computers? ;-)"}, {"response": 138, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (19:11)", "body": "Another day. But am off work early. Yippee. Happy to have drool messages to read. It's been far too quiet lately. Am enjoying bowl of fresh pasta while I read. Ah, the agony and ecstasy of drooling! Where did that wine bottle go? (Tracy) I think the director was aiming at a different type of Vicomte here.... an ugly, snidey, un-fanciable type clearly ;-D (and what a success he made of it.) LOL Tracy! (Cheryl)Rickman was absoulute perfection, no one else has ever come near him in the part. Am curious to know more about Rickman's interpetation. How did he differ from CF and JM? (But should I be asking this on Odds & Ends?) (Renate)Does it also work the other way around??? In that case ODB must be deeply in love with us. Happy thought indeed *sigh* It could get tricky, dividing him up among so many women. Where is Jesus when you need him? LOL Mari, and what a small world it is. Question: if philosophy was espoused in Julie Andrews flick, and later adopted by CF to portray Valmont in his flick, what does it mean that CF and JA are now in movie together?"}, {"response": 139, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (19:28)", "body": "(Karen) Am curious... where are all you Beltway Babes? *waving to you from exit 33* Am off to see FP tomorrow--have had too many things to do since Friday (heck, who knew FP would be playing??). I'll give your regards to Paul!"}, {"response": 140, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (21:24)", "body": "Did I dream this, but I'm sure I read somewhere that FP will be showing in LA in September. Various dates including CF's birthday. Laemelle or Laemmle (?)Monica and Sunset something. Plus some other locations."}, {"response": 141, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (21:47)", "body": "Sounds like a wonderful dream! Wish I could help (with the facts that is)."}, {"response": 142, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (00:01)", "body": "(Renate)...ODB must be deeply in love with us. Happy thought indeed *sigh* Would we all be willing to belong to his harem together? Am curious how many would subscribe to such a fantasy... ;-) It could get tricky, dividing him up among so many women. Where is Jesus when you need him? Being lovesick obviously clouds the mind... but please let's try and refrain from dubious jokes on the verge of blasphemy. :-)"}, {"response": 143, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (00:10)", "body": "Valmont is my favorite Firth film. His portrayal is so Much better tham J. M.. I love the way he played him as a charming rogue. A man you couldn't help but love. J. M.'s Count was just vicious and blatently evil, with no charm whatsoever. To be such a well know seducer he would have to have some charm."}, {"response": 144, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (03:46)", "body": "Another Beltway Babe checking in. In the pouring rain, there were close to 20 people at the 7:30 show. My DH liked it better than High Fidelity. He thought it was very funny, we spend the whole evening discussing the film. He thuoght ODB gave a subtle performance that was just right. As we were leaving the theatre, I asked a young woman \"if she like the movie\" and she mentioned that she has seen P&P at least a 100 times. However, she was not aware of any other CF films, I suggested that she go to the internet immediately ... couldn't give her anymore details since the DH was right behind us. Eileen, I'll be there for the 7:30 tomorrow...and Thurday...and..."}, {"response": 145, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (12:48)", "body": "(Bethan) Did I dream this, but I'm sure I read somewhere that FP will be showing in LA in September. Was it something posted in September of 1999? Hoorah Emma!! You go girl, and keep on going! Am so envious."}, {"response": 146, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (15:55)", "body": "Emma...I knew FP would bring you outta the woodwork ;-)...glad DH enjoyed the show. Hey boss...when do we start the FP discussion ?Give us a date...so I can start reading n'viewing."}, {"response": 147, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (16:42)", "body": "Was it something posted in September of 1999? Nope..I read it about a month ago (otherwise there's no way I'd remember details!). Definitely showing September 10th in LA! Check Phaedra?"}, {"response": 148, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (17:20)", "body": "I second Evelyn's call for a FP discussion it leaves me with a good feeling no matter how many times I watch it(even though I'm a Liverpool fan) Emma glad you enjoyed it my hubby thinks it's a great film as well so I've no problems with watching it time & again. Arami don't forget to put my name down for his harem"}, {"response": 149, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (20:08)", "body": "*Beltway Babe [cough] reporting as commanded* ;-P Ahh, there's nothing like seeing Paul on the big screen in all his boyish glory. I never get tired of this movie, even though I find myself reciting some of the lines along with the cast! Won't you please, please.... Evelyn, you'd have no trouble understanding the dialogue in surround sound. If you bug the sleepy gods of Phaedra maybe FP will screen in Dallas ;-). An added bonus--I was able to meet Emma, though not 'til after the movie. There were two other people (one male, I think). Waddaya want for a Wednesday matinee? I hope FP does play in LA as Bethan reports. If it can play in Montclair, NJ and Fairfax, VA there's hope."}, {"response": 150, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (20:17)", "body": "Eileen, did you move, hon??? This I did not know:-( Truly the Garden State's loss:-( :-( I have a call into Phaedra. If they condescend to respond to my inquiry (big important busy bee distributor like them;-), I'll let you know. Hi Emma--good to \"hear\" from you!"}, {"response": 151, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (23:45)", "body": "Colin's Harem Membership List (First draft): No.1. (Reserved) No.2. (Reserved) No.3. (Reserved) No.4 Judy"}, {"response": 152, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (03:16)", "body": "Sorry about earlier blasphemy Arami, but am unrepentant heretic! I've always thought the harem idea sound, but the historical reality flawed. Clearly each woman should have at least three men in her own private harem. That way, woman is more likely to receive as much emotional commitment as she gives to relationship. Or at v. least, have a real good time being shallow! I'll take Mr.Darcy, Richard C., and Joseph Prince :-)"}, {"response": 153, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (07:15)", "body": "I'll take Mr.Darcy, Richard C., and Joseph Prince :-) OK, I'll take Paul Ashworth, Matthew Field and Tommy Judd."}, {"response": 154, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (14:40)", "body": "A game that can't be played unless repeat \"takes\" are allowed, in which case I'll take Darcy, Geoffrey Clifton and Matthew :-)"}, {"response": 155, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (16:08)", "body": "Mr. Darcy, Joe Prince, and Geoffrey Clifton. I like guys that won't go cheating on you;-)"}, {"response": 156, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (16:23)", "body": "(Evelyn) Joe Prince...I like guys that won't go cheating on you ;-) Minor quibble. He wouldn't have to, as would just summon up one of her many personalities. Like cheating but not technically cheating. ;-)"}, {"response": 157, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (17:34)", "body": "He wouldn't have to, as would just summon up one of her many personalities. Like cheating but not technically cheating. ;-) Ah...but this is a \"happy ever after film\"...and we're all cured ...from now on it's just Joe 'n Cynthia and the chipmunks.No more Maura or Elizabeth!"}, {"response": 158, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (17:35)", "body": "(Arami) No.4 Judy-Okay thats putting me in my place;-)now I want to know who are the three in front of me so I can get 'em! MR D, Joe & Paul not fussed about order they all satisfy certain needs."}, {"response": 159, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (20:18)", "body": "(Evelyn) but this is a \"happy ever after film\"...and we're all cured Yes, I forgot. That goes right after believing in Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny. ;-) [hope no one gets upset at quasi-religious references *guffaw*]"}, {"response": 160, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (23:29)", "body": "LOL Karen! Tooth Fairy is sacred stuff! Looks like Darcy and Joe Prince are, on average, the hottest choices, with Paul, Matthew, and Geoffrey hot on their heels. WHo gets to be \"#1 wife\", in your harem?"}, {"response": 161, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (23:30)", "body": "Oops, I meant concubine, of course. A mere moralistic slip, please forgive!"}, {"response": 162, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (00:46)", "body": "(Judy) I want to know who are the three in front of me so I can get 'em! Holy Easter Bunny! There's to be absolutely no fighting here and no questioning of seniority. And don't you all rush in together, I can't possibly manage such multitudes... Order, order! Colin's Harem Membership List (Withdrawn due to lack of interest.) =8-O"}, {"response": 163, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (00:58)", "body": "(Sadie) the hottest choices, with Paul, Matthew, and Geoffrey hot on their heels Gee, Sadie, I'm surprised a heretic like you didn't say Paul, Matthew, and Luke.;-) (BTW, Gospel last week *was* in fact on loaves and fishes!) Note to Arami: put away smelling salts;-) I think I'm about to screw up the harem averages. Will remove character as a consideraton and go purely for lust factor: Darcy in P&P; Ross in Playmaker; Jess in ATA."}, {"response": 164, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (01:20)", "body": "Darcy, Ross, Richard. (Comparing Colin to a fish cake - now, that's heresy! ;-))"}, {"response": 165, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (12:53)", "body": "(Mari)I think I'm about to screw up the harem averages. Will remove character as a consideraton and go purely for lust factor: Darcy in P&P; Ross in Playmaker; Jess in ATA. You mean we were supposed to consider character? You realize that the acronymn for A Thousand Acres is most appropriate now that he's been working out. A*s Tight A*s. (And I mean that in a purely physical way, not meant to be a comment on character ;-) Fish cakes Arami? Why no. Nevaaah crossed my mind. I was thinking more along the lines of every dedicated Drooler receiving her fill of bread. You know, the body, the staff of life...need I go on? (Am v. glad it is 2000 A.D. and not 1500!) AND &^%*()IL. Wow, that was close, bolt of lightening missed me by that much!"}, {"response": 166, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (14:03)", "body": "Here's your weekly listing for RV. It has nearly doubled since last week. 1. Darlington Arts Centre, Darlington, County Durham 2. Odeon Mezzanine, London 3. Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne 4. UC6, Portsmouth 5. Elite Cinema, Leyburn 6. Dundee Contemporary Arts Centre, Dundee 7. Plaza, Dorchester 8. The Ritz, Thirsk 9. Dartington Arts Centre, Totnes 10. National Museum of Photography, Film and Television, Bradford 11. Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff 12. Grimsby Screen, Grimsby 13. Chichester Cinema at New Park, Chicester"}, {"response": 167, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (15:26)", "body": "I was thinking more along the lines of every dedicated Drooler receiving her fill of bread. You know, the body, the staff of life...need I go on? Yeah, I know... Truly, you do need a miracle... but the Christian tradition is to pray humbly and not to yell in annoyance... ;-)"}, {"response": 168, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (15:29)", "body": "Hmm, am confused. Thought I was at Drool board, not in church listening to sermon. ;-P"}, {"response": 169, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (16:21)", "body": "Amen. ;-) and now unto topics our congregation careth about... Had wanted to be sure the vids materialized before posting, but as is posted at Pemberley now... Fever Pitch is now truly at price to purchase up in Canada. Videoflicks will be selling it on Tuesday (Aug 8) at US$14.99. They still are awaiting shipment. http://www.videoflicks.com/VF2/9996/9996141.ihtml [Fever Pitch] Another bargain is MLSF, which will be available NEW at US$12.99. Excellent deal if you weren't fortunate enough to have a Blockbusters nearby with excess copies of tape to sell. Amazon shows the price reduction to be effective September 12 and then only down to $16.99. http://www.videoflicks.com/VF2/9994/9994736.ihtml [My Life So Far]"}, {"response": 170, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (17:32)", "body": "Arami don't be a spoilsport a womans got a right to fight over her man. 'withdrawn due to lack of interest' now I'm confused I thought we were talking about HG's sex life over on 131 'staff of life' now there's something I'd like to cling to. Karen are you trying to torment me with these lists of cinemas where RV is playing?"}, {"response": 171, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (18:44)", "body": "(Judy)'staff of life' now there's something I'd like to cling to. Sexactly! (Whispered reverently ;-P )"}, {"response": 172, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (23:50)", "body": "Thought I was at Drool board, not in church listening to sermon. ;-P Drool board is a kind of worship and sermons are sometimes needed. ;-P (Besides, it's not me who started it by making audacious demands on Jesus! ;-P) Arami don't be a spoilsport Now, that's asking waaaaaaaay too much. I was a prime spoilsport when I first came to this place and I'm a person of habit (yes, long and dirty, if you must know ;-P) a womans got a right to fight over her man. Sexactly! He's not just HER man, you know. ;-) 'withdrawn due to lack of interest' now I'm confused I thought we were talking about HG's sex life over on 131 Judy, I wouldn't wish to talk about HG's left earlobe, let alone his sex life (especially that LH says he hasn't any to speak of...) The truth is that you are the only applicant for the CF harem so far. You may call that your very good luck - but surely not interest?"}, {"response": 173, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (01:27)", "body": "Hello ladies, I think I'm even more addicted. After seeing FP for the fouth time this week, I can say that FP is one of my favorite CF films and Paul my fav after Darcy. I rush over to the theatre on Wednesday to catch up with Eileen, it's always such fun to meet up with other firthettes. There were about 12 people at the Wednesday night show, and 25 at the Thursday night show. I took another couple with me, and my DH was a good sport to see it again. Evelyn, you would be proud of me, I've called up friends to tell them that they MUST go see this film. Now I have the screenplay in hand, and the soundtrack ready to go, and I'm not even a football fan."}, {"response": 174, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (01:42)", "body": "Its a great film isn't Emma. My husband too enjoyed it and so did my son, (mind you he does support Arsenal.)"}, {"response": 175, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (07:35)", "body": "(Arami) yes,long & dirty-are we exchanging confidences here? ;-) Agree HG's sex life is not my favourite topic of conversation but at least we get a rise out of it! Emma well done you're a defininite FP addict its one of my faves as well"}, {"response": 176, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (10:50)", "body": "I don't know whether this is old news, but I just found at Choices Direct that along with the book \"Speaking With The Angel\" there will be published a talking tape with the following readers: Nick Hornby, Melissa Bank, Roddy Doyle, Helen Fielding, Colin Firth, Robert Harris, Patrick Marber, John O'farrell, Irvine Welsh and Zadie Smith. I suppose these will be all the authors of the stories."}, {"response": 177, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (11:39)", "body": "Great find Nita I'm glad he's doing a reading, mmm that voice ."}, {"response": 178, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (12:49)", "body": "Great find, Nita. So all the authors are reading their own stories. Does make sense. It also says it's 4 tapes and 6 hours in length. All for only \ufffd12.99. Emma, you've gone 4 times already and YDH has gone twice. Wow!! You are setting all records. Lucky, lucky girl."}, {"response": 179, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (13:28)", "body": "(Judy)are we exchanging confidences here? ;-) Habit - long, dirty... just an old joke - or so I thought..."}, {"response": 180, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (13:47)", "body": "Not oo late to join the harem game, I hope. Mine are Richard Herncastle because he is so eager to learn, Richard Courtois because he has nothing to learn, and Darcy because he has nothing to prove. (Sadie) You realize that the acronymn for A Thousand Acres is most appropriate now that he's been working out. A*s Tight A*s. ROTFLMNotSoTightAO Emma, contratulations. As you and Eileen keep going we'll sit back and watch those box office receipts rise in five dollar increments."}, {"response": 181, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (16:15)", "body": "Not oo late to join the harem game, I hope. Mine are Richard Herncastle... Richard Courtois... and Darcy That's not a harem, that's m\ufffdnage \ufffd quatre."}, {"response": 182, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (16:44)", "body": "Thanks for the feedback, Ann, Judy, Karen, and Heide, I may go back once more on Tuesday. BTW, it's $7.75 for the evening performances, certainly money well spent in this case. The theatre has scaled back the number of showings, only 3 per day this week. Hmm, a m\ufffdnage \ufffd quatre, now that's something to look forward to. I think Darcy, Paul (even when he talks such nonsense) and Richard will do just fine."}, {"response": 183, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Aug  6, 2000 (09:03)", "body": "(Bethan) Nope..I read it about a month ago (otherwise there's no way I'd remember details!). Definitely showing September 10th in LA! Check Phaedra? Wot, wot, wot?!?!? Dare I hope that FP will actually come to an art theater near me? I hope you're scoop is accurate Bethan but I don't think I can afford to get my hopes up again. Too depressing when the Phaedra boys can't get their act together ;-). They promised us July of 1998 in the LA Times, then advertised again for September of 1999..... and nada. But perhaps this is our year. Heck, with the groundswell of attendance that Emma is drumming up single handedly, perhaps this will inspire them to put the film out into more cities :-)."}, {"response": 184, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Aug  6, 2000 (11:03)", "body": "This should go nicely together with your Sunday morning coffee: http://www.lineone.net/express/00/08/06/news/n0320-d.html"}, {"response": 185, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Aug  6, 2000 (11:48)", "body": "Arami thanks for the tip just rushed out(with family intow) to buy paper,yes he's a page 3 boy yummy!"}, {"response": 186, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Aug  6, 2000 (12:11)", "body": "mmmm muscular physique and 6-pack stomach-I see a towel scene! I probably should be over on 131? Yes."}, {"response": 187, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  6, 2000 (13:30)", "body": "Oooh, thanks, Arami. Interesting that Colin said, \"top actor.\" Wonder what he means by that? ;-)"}, {"response": 188, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Aug  6, 2000 (14:05)", "body": "(Karen)\"top actor.\" Wonder what he means by that? :-) I'm having trouble keeping my mind off his body so haven't given much thought to the 'serious' side of things.To me he's already a top actor but maybe he's got the big time ambition bug! BTW I wish he'd practise those press ups on me!!"}, {"response": 189, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Aug  6, 2000 (15:41)", "body": "\"Fairly podgy as Mr.Darcy\", nevah, he was perfect just right. How can they say he is overweight, in January he was as slim as a rake and I fear if he loses too much weight he will lose it off that lovely face. I thought he looked a bit hollow cheecked at the RV Premiere, please leave Mr. Darcy alone, he is just fine as he is. He may have been a bit overweight in SIL, but I am sure it was all that costume. In Fever Pitch I thought he was too thin but as Mr Darcy he was wonderful, in every way. The only thing that needs building up imo are his arms and the press-ups don't seem to have done anything for them.I just hope he is not too thin now because I am sure it will affect his lovely round Darcy face, dimples and all. sorry to go on but I thought Colin was perfect just as he was. Evelyn, my old pal old buddy, have you received my two emails?"}, {"response": 190, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Aug  6, 2000 (16:15)", "body": "Interesting that Colin said, \"top actor.\" Uh-oh... did he? So says the Express, but I wouldn't know unless I could actually hear him... ;-) What I am prepared to believe, however, is that he actually said \"a lifelong commitment\". He has been quoted using these words before and they sound perfect Firthspeak. To me he's already a top actor Quite so. Me too."}, {"response": 191, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug  6, 2000 (16:24)", "body": "Thanks Arami....Cornel is a miracle-worker to do that in two weeks. 400 sit-ups a day...wow. \"Character actors\" usually aren't as concerned with their appearance;-) Hmmmmmm...."}, {"response": 192, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Sun, Aug  6, 2000 (16:42)", "body": "Thanks, Arami, a very nice way to start Sunday. (Ann) \"Fairly podgy as Mr.Darcy\", nevah, he was perfect just right. I'm with you, CF has never been overweight, however, I would love to see the 6-pack stomach. And the exercise and better diet is certainly a good thing. Maybe he is more concerned with his appearance now because the big 40 is just around the corner."}, {"response": 193, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Aug  6, 2000 (17:50)", "body": "We loved you fat We loved you thin We loved you quaffing Wine or gin. But now E Gads You're buff - a hunk! No more wine bars No more junk. 400 push ups in a day, A slimmer, trimmer girth. You know the one I envy most? That lucky Mrs. Firth. Thanks, Maria. Great find. Maybe Gladiator 2 is not as far fetched as I thought for DB. Quick, someone send Russell Crowe this trainer's name!!!!"}, {"response": 194, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Aug  6, 2000 (17:55)", "body": "Here's why for Russell! The only time I thought CF was really flabby was in MOTM."}, {"response": 195, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Aug  6, 2000 (19:06)", "body": "Hmmm... I like the sexy new screen role in Bridget Jones's Diary part... Maybe they won't ruin the story for us after all ;-) Must make a note of that diet - pasta, poultry, fish, cereal, rice, milk and water - lost a stone, did he? Not that I can figure out *where* he could loose it... Thanks for the link, Arami! :-)"}, {"response": 196, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Aug  6, 2000 (19:11)", "body": "Yuk Murph how could you do that to an unsuspecting CF fan,now how about one of Colin,fat or thin,I'm not fussed,please;-) I thought he looked chubby in EP.Whoever wrote that caption\"Pride & Podginess:Plump Darcy was still a sex symbol\" needs their eyes testing(oops I don't mean about the sex symbol part)"}, {"response": 197, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Aug  6, 2000 (19:19)", "body": "How about ? How thin can he get?"}, {"response": 198, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Aug  6, 2000 (19:24)", "body": "Besides, what do they mean \"podgy\"?"}, {"response": 199, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Aug  6, 2000 (19:48)", "body": "Thanks Gi I feel better all ready. Podgy=short & fat! I thought he needed toning up more than anything, don't want him to lose it off the important bits!"}, {"response": 200, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Aug  6, 2000 (21:26)", "body": "400 push ups in a day, A slimmer, trimmer girth. You know the one I envy most? That lucky Mrs. Firth. Murph, excellent, LOL! This would make a great Firthland hymn."}, {"response": 201, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (01:08)", "body": "Hm... I think that after 400 push-ups for him in a day we should perhaps feel a little sorry for her at night... ;-)"}, {"response": 202, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (02:05)", "body": "(Evelyn) \"Character actors\" usually aren't as concerned with their appearance ;-) True, but I heard there was a really juicy role for a \"stuttering masturbatory village pervert\" but he had to have buff bod. ;-)"}, {"response": 203, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (14:42)", "body": "Harummph. IMO the author that 'podgy Darcy' comment was confusing CF with the actors who played Mr. Hurst and Sir William Lucas. Am honestly amazed that anyone could consider CF overweight (out of shape, perhaps, but this guy's usually a walking string bean, for cryin' out loud). I never thought he looked even close to chubby, chunky or even 'filled out' in anything I've seen. If there wasn't a picture with that article, I would stay true to form and doubt its truthfulness. However, there he is, displaying his trademark arm drape (notice no shoulder clutch--gesture obviously reserved for females *or* triceps are now too big ;-)). Originally it was reported that he lost 2 stone, or 28 lbs. That was outrageous. I agree with Gi, though, even 1 stone is a stretch (unless he ate like a madman while in LA post-3DOR. Heck, everyone knows they subsist on nuts and sprouts out there ;-). Well, perhaps it was a steady diet of Starbucks sweet rolls, frappucinos and fruit smoothies). (Emma) however, I would love to see the 6-pack stomach. Oh, my, my, my! As if I needed additional inducement to get me to see BJ... And the exercise and better diet is certainly a good thing. Absolutely. I also agree with the turning 40 influence. Happens to the best of us! (Karen) Interesting that Colin said, \"top actor.\" Indeed. But in thinking about it, it sounds a bit Bridgetesque--in manner of top human rights lawyer. Good for you, Emma, to keep those FP fires burning. I'll try to get down there for another matinee this week (hopefully it won't take 2 hrs. to get home like it did last week :-(). I'll be in touch."}, {"response": 204, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (16:24)", "body": "One thing I'm not clear on: the article says he was \"put through a punishing three-month fitness regime,\" but then it quotes Chin as saying he was \"called in a couple of weeks before filming started, so it was a rush job.\" Which is it?? 14 pounds in 2 weeks? I wonder if diuretics were involved . . .;-) Surely Chin-ups were in the picture.;-) Mr. Darcy \"podgy?\" Sorry, but he looked a helluva lot better than Cornel! No wonder these poor actors and actresses get skewed ideas about body weight. I do think CF's weight tends to fluctuate. He was so thin at the Donmar in January; didn't he head for LA afterwards? One can only assume he spent the rest of the winter plopped on the beach, loading up on Margeritas and Mexican grub.;-) Yum. And now this is a \"lifelong commitment\"? What is Italy without vino, braziole, and cannolis? Honestly, is life worth living??;-)"}, {"response": 205, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (16:37)", "body": "(Mari) One thing I'm not clear on: the article says he was \"put through a punishing three-month fitness regime,\" but then it quotes Chin as saying he was \"called in a couple of weeks before filming started, so it was a rush job.\" Which is it?? To my recollection, CF was not confirmed in the role until late April--that fits with the 'couple of weeks before filming' comment. Cornel probably worked with him throughout the shoot, ergo 'three months'. Men generally drop weight faster than women, but I'll bet those washboard abs didn't appear after only two weeks, even with 400 situps a day. *sigh* Washboard abs... how many more days until BJ opens in the states??"}, {"response": 206, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (16:50)", "body": "Hmmm, wonder if Dylan Thomas was buff.;-) From FOF Rai: South Wales Evening Post August 3, 2000 HEADLINE: Film cameras ready to roll on love story Dylan and Caitlin inspire Rolling Stone's movie BYLINE: By Deborah Williams WORK is due to start on rock legend Mick Jagger's GBP 10million film about the turbulent love affair between Dylan and Caitlin Thomas. Swansea, Carmarthenshire and New York will provide the backdrop for The Map of Love being produced by the Rolling Stone's Jagged Films. Scenes will be shot at locations across Carmarthenshire and Swansea with the full co-operation of both county councils. Jagger, an avid Dylan Thomas fan, has wanted to make the love story for some time. Speaking from Los Angeles, Jagger said: \"It's ready. I've been wanting to do it for years but now everything is coming together and we hope filming will start this year.\" Locations likely to be used include the Boat House where Dylan lived in Laugharne and the house in Cwmdonkin Terrace, Swansea, where he was born.Dylan's favourite drink-ing haunts including Brown's Hotel at Laugharne, the Uplands Tavern in Swansea and seafront bars in Mumbles will probably feature. Fern Hill, a six-bedroomed house at Llangain still owned by Dylan's relatives, is likely to be included. Actors tipped to play Dylan include Port Talbot's Michael Sheen, whose tangled hair and Celtic looks have made him a front-runner for the role. Others include Rufus Sewell, whose family live in Laugharne, Rhys Ifans, Rupert Everett, COLIN FIRTH and Gary Oldman, while Oscar-nominee Emily Watson is hotly tipped to play Caitlin. Script-writer Chris Monger has based the film on Dylan and Caitlin's relationship from their marriage in 1937 through to the poet's death in America. Pontarddulais-born Victoria Pear-man, who runs Jagged Films, said: \"This is a project I have really been looking forward to.\""}, {"response": 207, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (16:59)", "body": "(Eileen) To my recollection, CF was not confirmed in the role until late April--that fits with the 'couple of weeks before filming' comment. Cornel probably worked with him throughout the shoot, ergo 'three months'. Yep, I think you're right, Eileen. Maybe they saved the filming of the \"hot scenes\" 'til the end of CF's shooting, when new bod would be in place.;-) Oh, how I dearly hope there are hot scenes . . .where's Judy???;-) (Eileen) *sigh* Washboard abs...how many more days until BJ opens in the states?? Double *sigh* . . . only 179 if you believe the 2/2 date. Wonder if they'll open it in England first."}, {"response": 208, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (17:51)", "body": "(Mari) One can only assume he spent the rest of the winter plopped on the beach, loading up on Margeritas and Mexican grub.;-) Think he's missing the KFC? Others include Rufus Sewell, whose family live in Laugharne, Rhys Ifans, Rupert Everett, COLIN FIRTH and Gary Oldman... Dylan Thomas!! Woo woo!! That's been on my little list for a long time. Think I even posted side-by-side pics of the two of them. But Colin might be a little too fit for this role. Needs his old, podgy face back, I'm afraid. ;-) turbulent love affair It's got my vote."}, {"response": 209, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (17:54)", "body": "Ladies I have to admire you,while you're debating the time scale of his diet & fitness regime my thoughts have been in the gutter.What with 6-pack stomach, press-ups & muscles,I've a haze over my eyes,I'm panting & ready for it!! Can't wait for the towel scene especially since he's built up muscle,how's he going to keep it covered,it'll be popping out all over the place & my eyes with it! 'lardy Darcy' How do these people get their jobs? have they forgotten the heady Darcy days?He was theideal man now he's referred to as fat,greasy piece ofdripping.Can't you tell it was written by a jealous man"}, {"response": 210, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (18:32)", "body": "(Judy) 'lardy Darcy' How do these people get their jobs? have they forgotten the heady Darcy days?He was theideal man now he's referred to as fat,greasy piece of dripping. LOL! Too true. It's not as though everyone was fanning themselves over his thighs whilst groaning over the size of his beer belly. Can't you tell it was written by a jealous man Or quotes from one who is motivated by self-promotion in manner of Jake-whatshisname-Hollywood bodybuilder has-been. Keep your eyes peeled for 'Body by Cornel' videos. (Karen) Think I even posted side-by-side pics of the two of them. I remember."}, {"response": 211, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (18:45)", "body": "(Eileen) 'Body by Cornel' videos,what a hoot! If it promises to make men look like CF then I'll be the first to buy it for my hubby."}, {"response": 212, "author": "tamzin", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (19:22)", "body": "Have at last ventured to put my foot in the water and join in. I will start by showing my ignorance and asking what exactly is a six pack stomach? Please enlighten me."}, {"response": 213, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (19:58)", "body": "Jennie!! Nice to have you with us. Drop in frequently and ask as many questions as you like. what exactly is a six pack stomach? Aside from what we'd all love to have? ;-) In the US, we'd be more likely to refer to it as washboard abs (although is there anyone out there who has seen a washboard other than in old Ma and Pa Kettle movies?) Just means a very tight, hard and flat stomach which is necessary to balance a six pack on!"}, {"response": 214, "author": "tamzin", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (20:07)", "body": "I didn't see anything wrong with his tum as displayed in THOTP and Playmaker; no beer belly that I could see! Admittedly he was a little plump round the middle in FF (Just enough to make him cuddly!) but otherwise ........"}, {"response": 215, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (20:14)", "body": "Hi Jennie, Glad you found us and welcome. Karen is our super-sleuth, so if there is anything to know you will find it here, for sure. Check out the other topics as well, it is well worth it!"}, {"response": 216, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (20:19)", "body": "While I admit a Cornel & Friends Sweating to the Oldies video sounds like something I'd very much like to own/watch, have found something else: http://www.clickmango.com/wisdom/ten_things_2a.shtml"}, {"response": 217, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (20:24)", "body": "Hello Jennie its great to have you aboard. Mmm glad to see we're talking about his body again, biology lessons seem to be the norm around here.Now about that tum I've never had a problem with it, always thought my head could go where he rests his six-pack.But have to confess the thought of his work-outs has whetted my appetite, BTW I've never seen a six-pack in England (& that goes for the beer as well;-D )"}, {"response": 218, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (20:31)", "body": "Karen you never fail to amaze me -now we can all exercise like Colin does."}, {"response": 219, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (22:21)", "body": "It's always good to hear from a newbie, Jennie welcome! (Judy) BTW I've never seen a six-pack in England (& that goes for the beer as well;-D ) Agreed, the average British male has a lot to live up to! I too cannot see where the whole 'lardy' Darcy podgy-ness comes in, I'm sure we all droolfully recall his silhouetted form marching forth towards Pemberley post swim....and there was certainly not an inch to pinch! Mr Hurst....now that's what I call a 'lard-arse'. (Whoops pot/kettle scenario alert!) In MOTM he was slightly fuller in the face and arms, but hardly what could be termed 'lardy'....in fact I would go as far as to say that in a lot of what he has done (I'm thinking HOTP in particular), he looks as if he could have done with several helpings of my famous icecream or have undergone a bit of the RZ treatment;-D"}, {"response": 220, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (22:29)", "body": "is there anyone out there who has seen a washboard other than in old Ma and Pa Kettle movies? Not only seen, but used one as well. a very tight, hard and flat stomach which is necessary to balance a six pack on! No, no, no - nothing to do with balancing. A six pack is six cans of beer clamped together in two rows, so that they can be carried as one unit. A well developed, lean, muscular abdomen usually has three layers of tight muscle visible on each side of the navel. It's a simile."}, {"response": 221, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (22:32)", "body": "Arami, you have clearly been very spoiled you lucky thing!"}, {"response": 222, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (22:41)", "body": "I take it you are referring to the washboard, not the six pack? Yes, I remember it with tears in my eyes (it bloody hurt my knuckles!)"}, {"response": 223, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (22:41)", "body": "(Tracy)'lard-arse'. (Whoops pot/kettle scenario alert!)LOL I suffer with you my symtoms include too many dimples all in the wrong places. Tell me about your ice cream please?"}, {"response": 224, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (22:46)", "body": "I agree with Arami. I've always thought \"six pack\" referred to the 3 \"lumps\" of muscle visible on each side of the vertical line. They are only visible when extraneous fat isn't there. Not speaking from personal experience of course... Hmmm....can't even picture CF with a six-pack. May not be able to stand the wait until 2/00 *slurp*"}, {"response": 225, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (22:55)", "body": "Thank you, anatomical whizzes. I stand corrected. Perhaps was recent rereading of BJD when, during horrendous minibreak, Daniel tells Bridget that guys want someone on whose bottom they can balance a pint of beer. Oh so confusing ;-) Perhaps you should start using a rock by the river..."}, {"response": 226, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (22:56)", "body": "In that photo with Cornel he didn't look any different.in fact it reminded me of the kitchen scene in FP with dark t-shirt (I trust it's a new one Colin) More than likely six-pack is an exaggeration by the press,who in their usual ignorance are confusing keeping fit with body-building."}, {"response": 227, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (23:26)", "body": "(Judy)Tell me about your ice cream please? With hindsight am not sure that I should talk about ice-cream and CF in the same sentence.....since am sure it will send you into a severe bout of un-necessariness (note to self...not to use words like 'smearing' and 'nibbling' unless sure emergency services on stand-by up North!) ;-D Needless to say my ice-cream has enough calories in it to harden the arteries of the entire Home Counties. It has mainly two ingredients...namely cream and er, well yes ice! Particular faves are brown bread, and banana...all the better for smearing o.......*author faints into pool of drool*"}, {"response": 228, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (00:05)", "body": "This six pack thing will not show on a normal body when the abdomen is relaxed: it requires the bodybuilding technique of displaying tensed muscles to make them really visible. Or years of weight lifting. Or a lifetime of sit-ups. Has anyone got a snappy of the near-full frontal from Playmaker handy?"}, {"response": 229, "author": "ommin", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (02:55)", "body": "Oh no! Its too much - with my imagination running riot over the exercise routine and now this!"}, {"response": 230, "author": "tamzin", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (06:05)", "body": "Well whose going to be first in the queue to feel this new firm stomach? All in the line of research, of course. Move your head Judy it's time for another biology lesson. On another note ... Now that the filming of BJD must be almost finished (apart from HG's retakes) has anyone heard definitely what ODB 's next project is? I know there have been rumours about Armadillo, The Maid of Butterworth and more recently Tony Blair and now Dylan Thomas, but hopefully, he will have something to come back to after the summer break."}, {"response": 231, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (07:22)", "body": "(Jennie) Move your head Judy it's time for another biology lesson. Okay I've moved my head,lower,now Tracy pass the ice cream,what was it smear & nibble?IAm I doing all right Jennie any tips gratefully received*passed out in Tracy's pool of drool* it's big enough for the both of us*snort*"}, {"response": 232, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (08:43)", "body": "(Arami)Hm... I think that after 400 push-ups for him in a day we should perhaps feel a little sorry for her at night... ;-) LOL! How right you probably are... (Karen) is there anyone out there who has seen a washboard other than in old Ma and Pa Kettle movies? (Arami)Not only seen, but used one as well. Same here. (Arami)This six pack thing will not show on a normal body when the abdomen is relaxed: it requires the bodybuilding technique of displaying tensed muscles to make them really visible. Or years of weight lifting. Or a lifetime of sit-ups. Not true :-) My first boyfriend (when we were twenty) had it, and he didn't do any of those. And my DH can sport very decent abs after a couple of weeks of exercising (a pity he doesn't do it more often...)"}, {"response": 233, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (15:36)", "body": "New BBC Autumn schedule announced on Ceefax, no DQ but then not all dramas mentioned."}, {"response": 234, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (16:49)", "body": "Welcome, Jennie! So nice to see you here. Arami, this is the best I could do: http://members.xoom.com/firth_place/playmaker.html"}, {"response": 235, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (17:24)", "body": "(Me)This six pack thing will not show on a normal body ... (Gi) Not true :-) Oh, well, must've been looking at the wrong body... :-) This one, perhaps? ;-D http://members.xoom.com/firth_place/playmaker.html ???"}, {"response": 236, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (19:09)", "body": "Blackadder Back & Forth 'coming soon' to Sky1 that usually means within 2-4 weeks!"}, {"response": 237, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (19:22)", "body": "Blackadder Back & Forth 'coming soon' to Sky1 Is that the Dome one? Pay attention....blink and he's gone;-) Mari/Arami that Playmaker(AKA \"I Did it for the Money\") website is a hoot. He looks pretty trim there....before all the Bruschettas and Calzones, no doubt."}, {"response": 238, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (20:58)", "body": "Hello everyone, it's good to be back. Lardy Darcy indeed! *joins in general scoffing* What nerve! His weight may fluctuate a little, but I agree that he really only needed to tone up, unless he was on the RZ Health Plan just before getting signed on! I think the problem is that his beautiful face does not love the camera as much as some, less-goodlooking actors. It would take a sensitive cinematographer to do him full justice. I am more than willing to learn the technical aspects required.... (Arami)Hm... I think that after 400 push-ups for him in a day we should perhaps feel a little sorry for her at night... ;-) In article (as opposed to Murph's witty poem) it is 400 sit-ups by day. That leaves plenty of room for 400 push-ups by night! I don't feel any sympathy at all. ;-) (Karen) Interesting that Colin said, \"top actor.\" (Eileen) Indeed. But in thinking about it, it sounds a bit Bridgetesque--in manner of top human rights lawyer. LOL Eileen, too funny, and a v. endearing thought of ODB. (Karen)Perhaps was recent rereading of BJD when, during horrendous minibreak, Daniel tells Bridget that guys want someone on whose bottom they can balance a pint of beer. Oh so confusing ;-) LOL, Karen, sounds reasonable to me! Welcome Jennie! LOL Judy and Tracy! Going all unnecessary sure is necessary. Glad for such dreamy creamy discussions. (Yes, all smutty implications intended!) Enjoyed Playmaker site --- and sight! Thanks Mari and Arami. V. funny mantra too."}, {"response": 239, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (21:14)", "body": "(Sadie) his beautiful face does not love the camera asmuch as some,less good-looking actors.I don't want to agree with you on that one but I have to,the photowith Cornel hardly does him justice. I'm sat with the article in front of me & it definitely says press-ups.I've only read the on-line version once& can't remember the exact wording but I presume it says sit-ups with all the discussion about it. I can relate to you not feeling any sympathy for her I'm only a pale shade of green if I think she's going without;-D 'Dreamy creamy' yum yum I'm feeling hungry again."}, {"response": 240, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (21:24)", "body": "Yeah, I think that some of the most loved by the camera stars, actually look a little strange in real life. Of course, I have never seen CF in real life, but enough of him in different shots to know when I'm looking at a badly angled one. But perhaps those fortunate Droolers who have met him could tell us how he looks in person?"}, {"response": 241, "author": "tamzin", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (21:28)", "body": "The exact wording from the article is \"Firth built a muscular physique with an intensive weight-training programme and press-ups, and developed a six-pack stomach with 400 sit-ups a day. He lost a stone in weight with a diet of pasta, poultry, fish, cereal, rice, milk and water. So poor chap is doing both sit-ups and press-ups. Shouldn't think he knows whether he is coming or going. I must say I agree with Judy, don't think the photo does him justice, his neck looks a bit scraggy too!"}, {"response": 242, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (21:30)", "body": "Oh not the neck. Can photographers do nothing right! (Have you checked out Darcy Drool, Jennie? We discussed his neck there."}, {"response": 243, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (21:37)", "body": "I'm glad somebody pays attention & reads properly,I have a one track mind and couldn't get past those press-ups. Scraggy neck,scraggy neck- only because between us we've sucked all the blood out-lust bites you know"}, {"response": 244, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (21:41)", "body": "Do you think he ever feels drained as result of all our objectification? I sometimes feel guilty."}, {"response": 245, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (21:46)", "body": "(Sadie)But perhaps those fortunate Droolers who have met him could tell us how he looks in person? Nurse, the smelling salts...I feel a faint coming on! *sigh, crash, huge bout of un-necessariness* Believe me he doesn't look at all strange in real life and I'm sure my fortunate co-Donmar Droolers will concur. Unfortunately the photo of the occasion doesn't do either of us any favours. It's not so much what he looks like but more how he carries himself...(ladies please!)..and how he interacts with us mere drool-sodden mortals. And oh that voice, he was v. polite and v gracious and not at all annoyed at the stumbling, stuttering fool in front of him (i.e. me) who was totally unable to string two sentences together. One thing that struck me ( apart from the apalling dress sense which we all adore him for) was that he is much taller than he seems on screen and appears only to willing to profer a strong arm round the shoulder/neck of the unsuspecting Firthette. Unexpected but by no means unwelcome :-~~~ Ok, I'll stop now *calming down*"}, {"response": 246, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (21:59)", "body": "Oh Tracy, I'm torn between a sigh and an Ummmmmmm! He is built a little like Clarke Gable, tall but not scrawny, hence taller than you think. Do you know, that when Gable first began, they used to place people up on boxes around him for a shot, because tall wasn't in! Yes, a box to stand on would be the v. thing! Am clearly over my guilt!"}, {"response": 247, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (21:59)", "body": "Tracy I envy you.I can't imagine you being unable to string two sentences together he must have really got to you. 'carries himself' you know I'm a lady please explain fully. Did he touch your neck,oh tell me he didn't I couldn't cope-this neck touching of his must be a subliminal message to all his fans."}, {"response": 248, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (22:01)", "body": "A box ,oh no, I just swing from his neck by my teeth scrumptious!"}, {"response": 249, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (22:09)", "body": "But if you play too roughly, the DB will be in no kind of shape to respond. Drain the essence, in true Vampire fashion, but leave some alive for the rest of us! ;-D"}, {"response": 250, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (22:10)", "body": "Judy, I know it is hard to believe but I was literally reduced to a blancmange. I had all this stuff I was going to say about the subtle nuances of the play and how well the audience received it but all I remember saying (and I have a witness - she too is astounded that I was speechless) was in a very bad HG type of way \"Thanks...that er...was er.....great!\" Absolutely priceless - how to impress someone in one easy lesson! Yes I'm sorry to break the awful truth to you, gently does it, am afraid that the neck was touched....you should try it sometime..just get within a reasonable proximity and I'm sure he'll oblige, he seems very free with his attentions! Subliminal message *Pfft* one can only dream *drool*. Here we go again!"}, {"response": 251, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (22:13)", "body": "Oh I cannot take any more neck conversations. Where is my chocolate? Film Gods be damned (as opposed to film stars). Struth, but I've got to go, this has been one long Firth Feeding Frenzy! Thanks you guys! Now can face the rest of my unpacking."}, {"response": 252, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (22:19)", "body": "Tracy you're only human & I don't want you to impresshim anyway,I'm glad you made an idiot of yourself;-) Even more so when you say he's touched your neck, I bet you've not washed it yet,can I touch your neck as well just to touch somewhere that Colin has. Whenever I'm at Lyme I sit in the same spot as him, its the nearest I'll ever get to his bum.*splash* I'm in that pond again."}, {"response": 253, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (22:25)", "body": "With a bit of luck that's exactly what I'll be doing sometime next week! Sitting by the pond that is, not touching him bum! Can me madcap and crazy but I have washed, you know going since January without a bit of a scrub is a bit off-putting in the dating stakes. But the coat I was wearing has not seen Surf since and still have the pen he touched *sigh*! You can fondle my coat with pleasure :-D"}, {"response": 254, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (22:32)", "body": "It might be muddy by that pond its not stopped raining here for days & days. Pass me your coat & I should have known he touched your pen you write so well. I'm off as well hubby says he wouldn't mind if I talked to him tonight as well,I'm even allowed to talk about Colin if thats what it takes!"}, {"response": 255, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (22:42)", "body": "Welcome Jennie. I hope that you enjoy yourself here."}, {"response": 256, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (17:00)", "body": "Judy, I forgot to mention how lucky you are, to be so close to Lyme (and certain bums). Did you manage to see anything of the shoot back in '95? LOL! Glad to hear you have washed, Tracy. Otherwise, on a second encounter with ODB, he might not be so charming! Am getting v. confused, what with all this drooling. But it was this board where possible Dyan Thomas role was mentioned?....and an hour and a half later! Arggh! I've been searching for a way to send email to Jagged Films. No luck yet! Anybody know how to find an index of Film Companies? Lots of Mick fan sites, but no links."}, {"response": 257, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (18:03)", "body": "(Judy) I don't want to agree with you on that one but I have to,the photowith Cornel hardly does him justice. You mentioned this twice, so that photo must be bothering you. What, you want him to pose with his arms flexed over his head, in manner of Rocky Balboa clutching pipe while talking to Adrienne in his apartment? ;-) Am v.v. curious to see this new bod. Am still amazed at necessity for words 'flab' and 'Colin Firth' in same sentence."}, {"response": 258, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (18:15)", "body": "(Sadie) Arggh! I've been searching for a way to send email to Jagged Films. No luck yet! Anybody know how to find an index of Film Companies? Unfortunately, it's usually not so easy. The big studios and indie distributors can be found on such listings. To find Jagged Films, you're going to have to do some phoning (LD and v. LD) around. No signs of a website yet, and email is usually ignored. If you're serious, I'll send you a phone number or two to start with..."}, {"response": 259, "author": "tamzin", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (19:01)", "body": "Firstly a quick thanks to you lot. My doctor went into hospital last night to have our first baby and rang me this morning in tears and very upset as she was coping so badly. I felt terrible being too far away to comfort her so I keyed into Drool and felt so much better after reading your comments and having a laugh. Am now a grandmother - baby boy 8lbs 1oz, called Samuel. Judy, am envious of your close proximity to Lyme. Usually try and get up there a couple of times a year and have a walk in the park (you can guess my route) Where you a fan before P&P and therefore managed to see some of the shoot?"}, {"response": 260, "author": "tamzin", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (19:02)", "body": "You can see how excited I am that should read daughter and not doctor!!"}, {"response": 261, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (19:21)", "body": "Congrats Jennie. And v. glad all is well! (Karen)To find Jagged Films, you're going to have to do some phoning (LD and v. LD) around. No signs of a website yet, and email is usually ignored. If you're serious, I'll send you a phone number or two to start with... Yes, please email me with phone numbers. Thanks. V. Funny gif!"}, {"response": 262, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (19:23)", "body": "Congratulations Grandma Jennie! and a belated Welcome! :-)"}, {"response": 263, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (19:42)", "body": "Jennie congratulations,did she not consider Colin as a name;-) My son has just got a new budgie(not quite the same thing I know) and won't let me call him ColinI think we need to promote it as a sexy,heart-throbbysort of name,starting with babies & budgies!Am I talking nonsense again? Sadie & Jennie.I've been a P&P fan since a teenager & a CF fan since Tumbledown.At the time of filming the publicity in the local newspapers & on local TV was amazing however not once did they mention CF aagh scream,shout,having a tantrum now at thought of lostopportunity.I still kick myself over not just going to see the shoot anyway,if I had known nothing would have kept me away especially since I've been visiting the park since early childhood & know all the back entrances.My hubby still taunts me with it to this day,he was ready to take me,You can't call me anything I've not already called myself;-) (Eileen) You mentioned this twice,so that photo must be bothering you.Hmn I hadn't thought about it in thatway but I think it must be bothering me.I suppose its because of the way they're talking about him.I've never read anything like this before and I don't think just because he's getting fit that they should start saying unflattering things about him.There are some wonderful photos of him around,I know they showed a large photo of Darcy,I just wished they'd showed another photo of him in real-life.It didn't help that this photo didn't match what they were saying about his new look. Now about this pose you were talking about,I've neverwatched a Rocky movie,but I presume it would show his finely honed musculature to perfection?"}, {"response": 264, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (20:14)", "body": "Fever Pitch Update--finally heard from Phaedra today. Here's the scoop: --It's being released on video in the U.S. on November 21 by Trimark. Until then, they're still trying to book it theatrically, but obviously will have to cut it off soon in advance of video. --They're \"getting very nice numbers in Virginia\" (well done Emma and Eileen!), and it's possible the run may be extended there for a third week. --LA area is definite for September: Palm Springs September 8; LA/Laemmle Sunset 5 booked for September 9 & 10 (and maybe beyond); Laemmle Santa Monica opens September 16; Pasadena Playhouse opens September 23. --Chicago and Philadelphia are \"other possibilities.\" Dallas unlikely."}, {"response": 265, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (20:42)", "body": "Congratulations, Jennie! What wonderful news. My best wishes for everyone's health and happiness. Bet you and hubby can't wait to start spoiling the little guy (it's called grandparental prerogative:-)!"}, {"response": 266, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (21:36)", "body": "Dallas unlikely. Boo hiss....and they gave MLSF a good reception at the box office. Post the FP \"fixture list\" on V V ,Mari. Lots of CF fans over there."}, {"response": 267, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (21:37)", "body": "Congratulations Jennie, and very best wishes to Mum and Dad and of course, little Samuel.(mustn't forget Grandad)"}, {"response": 268, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (21:38)", "body": "Well done, Emma & Eileen!! Don't take those billboards off your cars. Another week? Incredible. Wonderful news, Mari. Thanks for asking the brain trust about *other* cities. Think I'll stop by my new arthouse and ask to talk to a grownup manager about requested bookings. ;-) And congratulations, Jennie, to your daughter and her husband and the proud grandparents."}, {"response": 269, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (22:54)", "body": "Chaps, chaps, I was ROTFLMAO and PIMPing myself reading some of your recent exchanges above... Good, good - keep it coming - LOL! Who was that wanted to fondle something touched by Colin? I can offer two - yes, two - pens and the fingers of my right hand... sadly, well scrubbed now, but the memory will never fade... :-)"}, {"response": 270, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (22:55)", "body": "Oh, and congratulations, Jennie!"}, {"response": 271, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (23:11)", "body": "May I too add my warmest congratulations to you and yours Jennie!"}, {"response": 272, "author": "tamzin", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (06:18)", "body": "Thanks, everyone, for your congratulations, off to see the little chap today. Unfortunately, Judy they would not consider Colin as a suitable name anymore than for your son's budgie. It (Colin) seems to have had a very short life as a popular name over here. Was looking it up in the dictionary of First names recently and they said it was a favourite in the 50s, actually mentioned ODB in their section on personalities with this name and his was the last one mentioned (birthdate wise), others included Colin Davies and Colin Cowdrey who are much older. Does anyone know whether he has a second Christian name?"}, {"response": 273, "author": "octavia", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (09:14)", "body": "Thank goodness I have finally found a fellow Firthian, because this is my first time."}, {"response": 274, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (13:27)", "body": "As a follow-up to Judy's notice, this is from Sky's press release of 9 August, announcing its autumn schedule highlights: Blackadder is a comedy phenomenon of the last decade, and Sky One viewers can see a reunion of the original cast and writing team (Ben Elton and Richard Curtis) specially commissioned for Skyscape at the Millennium Dome. Blackadder Back and Forth takes Rowan Atkinson, Stephen Fry, Tim McInnerny, Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson and - as Baldrick - Tony Robinson on a chaotic journey across centuries of British history. BTW, Shakespeare in Love will also be on Sky. Octavia Join in our discussion. Tell us what brought you here."}, {"response": 275, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (14:08)", "body": "WELCOME OCTAVIA We're always glad to have another Firthian on board....Stick around and join the fun. Why didn't Blackadder mention Shakespeare!"}, {"response": 276, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (15:29)", "body": "(Octavia) Thank goodness I have finally found a fellow Firthian You haven't found one, you've found a whole bunch from all around the world. Welcome! (Karen) Well done, Emma & Eileen!! Don't take those billboards off your cars. Hee hee! Er, thanks for the credit, but it should all go to Emma. I've only been to see it once--doubt my five clams made much of a difference. Hopefully it will run next week and I can get down to Fairfax again. (Judy) Hmn I hadn't thought about it in thatway but I think it must be bothering me.I suppose its because of the way they're talking about him.I've never read anything like this before and I don't think just because he's getting fit that they should start saying unflattering things about him. Ooh, I was just teasing. I do agree, however, with what you're saying to a certain extent--believe moreso that it's merely publicity. We take it personally on behalf of ODB but thrust (know you like that word) of piece is 'CF has sexy new body so come see it in BJD...and if you're rich, famous and in need of a personal trainer, Cornel's your man."}, {"response": 277, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (17:54)", "body": "Welcome Octavia,its nice to know you're not alone in the world isn't? (Jennie) I was looking it up in a dictionary of First names recently...ah I understand you've got it bad;-) I know he's not a usual cast member but for my sake couldn't they have mentioned him as a special guest. As for the SIL premier hubby thinks I'm mad watching it when I've got it on video,What he doesn't know is that I got it on pay-per-view as well,well it does save my bought copy! (Eileen) Ooh, I was only teasing,oops I do seem to have left my sense of humour elsewhere while reading that article;-)I would like to believe that it's only publicity but perhaps it could have been better written. 'thrust( know you like that word) I had hoped that nobody would notice my dirty mind.But since you've given me leave it does conjour up some pleasant thoughts,Firth's thrusting press-ups thrusts him forth,up & in *crash* (Arami)Who was that wanted to fondle something touched by Colin? I can offer two-yes,two-pens and the fingers of my right hand. Life's so unfair now thrust them in my direction so I can have a fondle!"}, {"response": 278, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (18:23)", "body": "You want to fondle my hand??? I knew that was asking for trouble..."}, {"response": 279, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (18:23)", "body": "Welcome Octavia! It is nice to have a place like this isn't it. Keep hearing that Cheers tune: \"You want to go where everyone knows his name\". That is the lyric, isn't it? I've been wondering when Blackadder would surface. I didn't realize that Richard Curtis was on the original writing team. My respect just went way up! But how does that explain his descent into Hugh Grant films?(That nasty comment was for your enjoyment Judy ;-)) It's a bit like going from Monty Python to Three's Company. Oh horrors, you don't suppose...But cannot imagine Colin as Jack! Wow, I could speculate more here, but is not BJD board, so I won't. (Three's Company was the stupider American version of Man About the House. I ought to know, I watched every episode.) Well Judy, I've had my share of bad luck in my life, but a few miles from ODB and you didn't know it! What cruel twist of fate is this! And (she says with knifeblade firmly in hand) he was Singleton at the time --- aside from torrid affair --- but we all know how that ended."}, {"response": 280, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (18:32)", "body": "Perhaps fondling my hand could help?"}, {"response": 281, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (18:42)", "body": "(Arami)You want to fondle my hand???I knew that was asking for trouble...no trouble would be if I told you I wanted to do unmentionable/unpardonable things with it just because Colin has touched it,if we ever meet just don't shake hands with me I might not let go;-D Sadie don't hesitate go & speculate over on BJD (I didn't mean that to rhyme) (Sadie) 'he was Singleton at the time' cruel,cruel woman I had forgotten about that-you're not just holding that knife you're twisting it as well!"}, {"response": 282, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (18:43)", "body": "LOL Arami, me or Judy?"}, {"response": 283, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (18:44)", "body": "well I seem to have problems with people getting there first. Are you still offering me your hand now you know what I'm going to do with it?"}, {"response": 284, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (18:45)", "body": "oops its happened again!I'm not quick enough!"}, {"response": 285, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (18:48)", "body": "I nevah offered you my hand! *snort* But I do have a knife. Although, you can't have it until I'm well out of the room! D"}, {"response": 286, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (18:53)", "body": "I don't want you hand you've never touched him! And as for that knife Arami might want it to use on me!"}, {"response": 287, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (23:16)", "body": "LOL Arami, me or Judy? Either of you - you both seem fond of fondling. do unmentionable/unpardonable things...just because Colin has touched it,if we ever meet just don't shake hands with me... LOL! This is getting pathological... especially the bit about doing unmentionable things with one's hand - REGARDLESS of the fact that Colin (AND the Queen :-)) touched it..."}, {"response": 288, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (10:15)", "body": "Welcome Octavia, stick with us! Congratulations on your grandson's birth, Jenny!"}, {"response": 289, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (18:27)", "body": "From Anne R.--Fever Pitch has indeed been held over for a third week at the Cinema Arts Theatre in Fairfax, Va. Showtimes are 12:30, 2:30, and 7:15."}, {"response": 290, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (18:44)", "body": "Proceeds from the \"Speaking with the Angel\" audio tape and book go to Tree House, a charity for autistic children. I think there is a special school in Camden or Islington called/or funded by Tree House, which gives one to one attention to severely autistic children. There have been so many posts that I can't remember where to go to cut and paste! But, briefly.. Re. the name \"Colin\"... perhaps regarded as rather old fashioned now, not very \"cool.\" I remember that in HF's original BJ interview with CF in the \"Independent\", she asked him \"Has it been a disadvantage in your career being called Colin?\" He replied that his parents had wanted to call him Andrew but they couldn't because his cousin was called Andrew. This bit of the interview was not included in \"The Edge of Reason\"! Perhaps his middle name (but does he have one?) is Andrew. \"Firth\" is definitely, absolutely West Yorkshire in origin. Colin is very popular in Scotland (ditto Andrew). Re. the body workout. It's great that he'll be so fit, but why did the producers think he needed to lose a stone in weight? He's rake thin already... and why does a top human rights London barrister need pecs? I sometimes suspect that Big Movie producers aren't as appreciative of CF's major assets (eyes, voice etc) as they should be...!!! They seem to need to turn him into a leading man \"clone\". But super fitness would be very useful for the \"Maid of Buttermere\". Hatfield exercises every morning, concentrating on the chest and arms...and he drives a coach and four (horses), which takes tremendous skill and strength! Great to have so many new contributions...the board is really humming!"}, {"response": 291, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (20:44)", "body": "The Blackadder Back and Forth movie-let will be on Sky One on October 1. Now, remember, ladies, Colin appears twice so don't blink your eyes toward the end. ;-)"}, {"response": 292, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (20:56)", "body": "Karen thanks for the info but October 1,thats not what I'd call coming soon.They've been showing clips for a few days now,I'm surprised & disappointed at that date even though they're showing it earlier than first suggested. Don't worry Karen I'll have it taped & probably every repeat taped as well so there's no chance of me missing him."}, {"response": 293, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (21:04)", "body": "Best Wishes to you and your family, Jennie, on the arrival of that small bundle, Samuel. Welcome Octavia. I hope you find the discussions interesting."}, {"response": 294, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (21:07)", "body": "That film was awfully cute on the biiiiig Dome screen. It might be a little \"Laurel and Hardyish\" on the telly. Why don't you go see it at the Dome, Judy? Can't be that far. Nothing is in England. (We're talking Pennsylvania, folks!)"}, {"response": 295, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (21:15)", "body": "(Evelyn)Can't be that far. Nothing is in England. LOL everything's far to the English,didn't you Know? We only travel a few miles & we have to stay over night!"}, {"response": 296, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (21:33)", "body": "(Judy) everything's far to the English,didn't you Know? My cue to post this week's lucky winners in the \"Relative Values Is Playing in My Backyard\" sweepstakes: 1. UCI 6, High Wycombe 2. Elite Cinema, Leyburn 3. UCI 10, Preston 4. Dundee Contemporary Arts Centre, Dundee 5. mac, Birmingham 6. Hull Screen, Hull 7. MacRoberts Arts Centre, Stirling 8. Town Hall, Haverhill 9. Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff 10. Corn Exchange, Wallingford"}, {"response": 297, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (21:40)", "body": "Aaagh!So near & yet so far."}, {"response": 298, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 12, 2000 (00:21)", "body": "(Judy)LOL everything's far to the English,didn't you Know? We only travel a few miles & we have to stay over night! So drive 25 miles and spend the night;-)) *evelyn who drives 100 miles RT for a Baskin-Robbins cone!!* lucky winners in the \"Relative Values Is Playing in My Backyard\" sweepstakes The winners are Ann W. and Aishling who consistently go to London to see all of Colin's films.....and don't spend the night! Way to go! If he had more fans like that in the UK his last three films wouldn't have tanked."}, {"response": 299, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Aug 12, 2000 (08:11)", "body": "(Evelyn) If he had more fans like that in the UK his last three films wouldn't have tanked.An over simplification, I think the films tanked before they were ever shown,bad press,limited distribution etc. I've not seen his last 3 films & I consider myself to be a long-time & v.loyal fan but circumstances mean you can't always do things you want to do.I envy & applaud Ann W. & Aishling for doing what they do."}, {"response": 300, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Aug 12, 2000 (15:15)", "body": "Thanks for pointing us to the \"lardy\" article, Arami. I couldn't help laughing out loud at the absurd (to us anyway) description of the pre-buff Colin. (Judy) Whoever wrote that caption\"Pride & Podginess:Plump Darcy was still a sex symbol\" needs their eyes testing(oops I don't mean about the sex symbol part)....Can't you tell it was written by a jealous man. (Eileen) However, there he is, displaying his trademark arm drape (notice no shoulder clutch--gesture obviously reserved for females *or* triceps are now too big ;-))....Keep your eyes peeled for 'Body by Cornel' videos. (Mari) Mr. Darcy \"podgy?\" Sorry, but he looked a helluva lot better than Cornel Then you ladies really set me off 'til tears were starting to form. (Tracy) One thing that struck me ( apart from the apalling dress sense which we all adore him for) was that he is much taller than he seems on screen and appears only to willing to profer a strong arm round the shoulder/neck of the unsuspecting Firthette. Unexpected but by no means unwelcome :-~~~ Was just starting to sober up reading Tracy's lovely and oh-so-accurate description of meeting Colin in the flesh until... (Judy) Did he touch your neck,oh tell me he didn't I couldn't cope-this neck touching of his must be a subliminal message to all his fans. No neck palpating here, darn it, but am having great pleasure thinking what he might be trying to tell us... (1)\"Repeat after me, my name is Colin Firth. Mr. Darcy is just a character I played.\" (2)\"Ignore the podgy face and flabby belly. Go home and tell all my fans how lean and lanky you think I am.\" Let me add my welcome to Jennie and Octavia. Hope you keep coming back."}, {"response": 301, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Aug 12, 2000 (15:44)", "body": "Did I hear someone mention his neck.I am always available for a necking session:-)"}, {"response": 302, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 12, 2000 (17:22)", "body": "(Judy)I think the films tanked before they were ever shown,bad press,limited distribution etc. Puhleez... RV opens in 80 theatres....Tons of media coverage SLOW opens at BFI at LFF & the Ritzy in Brixton.(I wanna medal for that one!) Billboards all over the tubes...played in Manchester, Bristol,along with London. MLSF Beeeg premiere. Even poor Cherie 'days before delivering' showed up. ...An over simplification, Pffft."}, {"response": 303, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Aug 12, 2000 (18:34)", "body": "Evelyn,Pffft. Ditto My area MLSF no show (Cherie's presence is not going to pull the crowds in)If its not shown in a main city like Manchester thats not going to help either RV 2 weeks only SLOW 1 week only What publicity there was put people off! Plus & I don't like saying it CF's apathy over interviews etc ,he's not that well known to everybodyapart from his fans."}, {"response": 304, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 12, 2000 (20:03)", "body": ",he's not that well known to everybody apart from his fans. Wot? Ten million people watched the last episode. Ten Million f******people ;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 305, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Aug 12, 2000 (20:16)", "body": "I'm afraid that people easily forget especially in a nation of TV watchers where unless you're seen regularly you soon become a distant (but pleasant) memory.In those films that did well over here,TEP & SIL,people weren't always aware he was even in it because he looked so different from Darcy:-) I've talked to friends abouts CF & all they can say is who?When I reply Darcy its a case of oh he was gorgeous but he's not done anything since.I could scream & so probably could you but then we're on thesame side even though we like to exchange our different views:-D"}, {"response": 306, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 12, 2000 (20:32)", "body": "*the following is all in a nonaccusatory tone* (Judy) What publicity there was put people off! What do you mean by this? And for which movie? RV had tons of publicity for a British film. They pulled out all the stops on that one. CF's apathy over interviews etc ,he's not that well known to everybodyapart from his fans. Granted, Colin doesn't appear on your morning talk shows, but he did all those print interviews at the time of MLSF's and RV's premieres and the full-color spreads of him in the Observer, The Times (cover of mag), The Telegraph, The Guardian, and Evening Standard couldn't have been any bigger or better looking!"}, {"response": 307, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Aug 12, 2000 (21:07)", "body": "They were hardly rave reviews,there might be the odd decent one but most were dicey.RV's publicity was due in part to the Julie Andrews factor. SLOW probably had the least publicity of the three, Opinions like\"Shown on Sunday night television it might pass muster for its attractive Scottish scenery\" & \"But Colin Firth is stiff (appeals to me!) uneasy and miscast\" didn't help MLSF. As for the papers you mentioned they don't have a massive readership against the tabloids so the publicity wasn't as wide reaching as it could have been. 'nonaccusatory tone' LOL we were only having a friendly discussion weren't we Evelyn?"}, {"response": 308, "author": "tamzin", "date": "Sat, Aug 12, 2000 (21:17)", "body": "Re film publicity I agree with Judy this has not been good over here. Even though I am a great fan until I was logged onto the internet sites I had great trouble tracking down his films. Obviously there was no problem with TEP and SIL but others........ Even missed the first showing of 3DOR because it was not publicised widely enough; eventually heard of it via my friend in Australia when it was all over!! Tried to get to see ATA in London but the run was so short and could not get any info about any other showings. Same with SLOW. Was lucky enough to see MLSF in London but again very poor publicity and not enough exposure in the regional cinemas (although it certainly desrved a wider audience, even my husband said how good it was and could not understand why it was not shown nationwide. As for RV, I was lucky and saw it 3 times, once at the premiere and twice locally. However, my daughter who also wanted to see it did not have it showing anywhere near here and being in the last stages of pregnanc was not able to travel too far afield."}, {"response": 309, "author": "tamzin", "date": "Sat, Aug 12, 2000 (21:19)", "body": "Forgot to say that in respect of RV (alsoSLOW and MLSF) no publicity in the underground by way of posters. I believe it was mentioned somewhere this was because of the tight budget. Great mistake. I mean what else have people to do while going up and down the escalators but look at the posters!!!"}, {"response": 310, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Aug 12, 2000 (21:33)", "body": "Ah thanks Jennie they were beginning to pick on me *giggle,giggle*"}, {"response": 311, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Aug 12, 2000 (21:54)", "body": "and I'm sorry guys, but Jennie and Judy are right, Colin \"who\" my friends say, it is probably his chameleon qualities but people just do not recognise him. he is too good an actor, not just playing himself over and over again like some actors I could mention. Unless you are a fan you might not even notice the print interviews, he needs to do TV interviews like JE did for TYL. If he did I am sure he would be huge in the UK, who could resist that voice, those eyes, those dimples, need I go on!"}, {"response": 312, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 12, 2000 (22:34)", "body": "LOL we were only having a friendly discussion weren't we Evelyn? Gee..I hope so...(it's too hot to fight....104 degrees F. guys, whew *wiping brow*....) Firstly TEP and SIL don't count. They weren't his films...neither will BJD. He's 3rd down .Only the \"starring CF\" count... Ah thanks Jennie they were beginning to pick on me Aw Judy, we don't pick on anybody around here... And my old buddie Ann W. is on your side and she knows me now for eons. (Jennie)n respect of RV (alsoSLOW and MLSF) no publicity in the underground by way of posters. You missed 'em Jenn..I was there and saw them all over the tube stations.Colin in the tomatoes...Even hand carried one back for the boss...haven't you seen it on Spring? (Jennie)Tried to get to see ATA in London but the run was so short and could not get any info about any other showings. Same with SLOW ATA...Looks 10...story/accent 3. Slow: Too bad you didn't know us in January ...Spring got a private showing of SLOW in London at Mr Young's private theatre. Twenty six of us...That was great fun...the boss arranged it.Forked over 300 UKP initally til we shook people down as they came in....hey, they even got a SLOW poster. What a hilarious day...it went on'n on too into the night. This is a baaad crowd I can tell ya ;-) Anyway...If Arami is the Court Jester...I'm the CF Film Pusher around here...I take car loads to his films...help friends get theatre tickets...cart tapes to London so Europe fans can get them converted...we even goaded poor Susan to take her life in her hands and drive to the MLSF premiere two years ago in Rhode Island. (That's on my conscience....)So you see...you're gettin off easy...;-))"}, {"response": 313, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Aug 12, 2000 (23:12)", "body": "Now I hate to upset any Londoners out there but it really doesn't matter how many posters there were in the underground,there is more to England than London,its a well known fact in Manchester just in case anybody is unsure where I get my info from:-) I was using TEP & SIL to illustrate my point about him being relatively unknown,BJD I agree is not his film but I do have higher hopes for it-the gd looking hero bit & all that-obviously HG's presence could spoil that,his is the better publicity machine after all. Ann.yes Colin is too gd an actor,his ability to disguise himself does seem to work against him in England.At the moment he does seem to be limiting himself to film work but that leaves us wide open to those unmentionable actors such as ex-soap stars & Robson Greene*snort* who no matter how many different programmes they are in always manage to be the same character.Unfortunately the less TV workhe does the less recognisable he becomes,TV is reallythe only way to get your face known here."}, {"response": 314, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Aug 12, 2000 (23:30)", "body": "I agree, where oh where is Donovan Quick!!Quick. Armadillo will be good for him I am sure, especially with Sue B. at the helm."}, {"response": 315, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (00:23)", "body": "If Arami is the Court Jester... LOL! we even goaded poor Susan to take her life in her hands and drive to the MLSF premiere two years ago in Rhode Island. (That's on my conscience....) She survived it, surely? Ah, the frustrations of adoring a don't wannabe a star... I firmly believe - and I jest not - that Colin would much prefer to remain semi-anonymous and be noticed mainly as a character in a film or play. \"The Darcy hysteria\" has seriously affected this delicate balance between the public and the private aspects of his professional life. Up until then he had considered himself a successful actor (and success can be measured in various ways) who also enjoyed a life as close to normal as possible. Suffice it to say that his private address was openly available and freely accessible on the internet up until the (relatively recent) time when he moved from Hackney to Islington. This aspect of normality can't continue any longer and he has to pay a much closer attention to protecting his privacy. I honestly don't think that he is really happy and grateful to \"the Darcy episode\" for this. Now, we may well cry our pretty little eyes out hoping for a mega-great fame and earth-shattering world-wide recognition for Col n but - think again (we've discussed it before) - does Colin really want it?"}, {"response": 316, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (01:01)", "body": ".... think again (we've discussed it before) - does Colin really want it? By his own admission, ...he wants the 'bread'($$$), and the big parts, and the respect....he wants it all. (Do you blame him?)...It's unrealistic to think that you can have all of that without the liabilities of fame.He doesn't like the \"Darcy episode\" because it put him in a purely physical stature (hunk) not admired for his acting skills. But if he's happy just sloshing along...it's OK with me. Just quit belly-aching that he's not getting the parts he wants.(RF parts)."}, {"response": 317, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (03:28)", "body": "Publicity is paid for or arranged by the movie's makers. It is not reviews, which you've cited. Publicity in the form of television adverts is the most costly form. The company that distributed SLOW couldn't possibly have paid for that. Alliance Atlantis, which had RV, did a great deal. All those interviews in the papers were arranged by the movie people as the most cost-effective way of getting their movie into the public's eye. Since the tabloids are not respected for their journalistic integrity, why would (1) anyone expect stars to agree to be interviewed for them and (2) why do you place any emphasis on what's in them? (Jennie) Tried to get to see ATA in London but the run was so short It was a crappy movie and tanked in the US, so why would you expect it to play in the hinterlands of England? (Judy) there is more to England than London I can understand what you're saying as many films do not go beyond NY and LA. If they don't make it there, they're not seen ANYWHERE (except on the shelves of Blockbuster in three months). If a film doesn't make it in London, where presumably people do read those *other* papers (otherwise, why are they still in business), they aren't going to be playing in the provinces. I look at what's in your multiplexes and feel ill. All you have to do is read about your movie Croupier. Its history is an embarrassment. Go rent it. (Judy) Unfortunately the less TV work he does the less recognisable he becomes, TV is really the only way to get your face known here. If one accepts the premise that the English do not go to movies, then I guess it's true. Sorry, but I can't accept that kind of secondary status for him. And I don't care what he's said in the past. To paraphrase Sarah in FP, \"I don't want the same thing as I did 18 years ago.\""}, {"response": 318, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (07:42)", "body": "(Bethan)I sometimes suspect that Big Movie producers aren't as appreciative of CF's major assets (eyes, voice etc) as they should be...!!! They seem to need to turn him into a leading man \"clone\". That's because most of them are men. V. huge gap between what they think women in audience will find sexy in men and what people have said they find sexy about CF. IMHO, his natural virility is not something that can be faked. It takes sexy, sensual women to spot it, and appreciate it! (Arami)Either of you - you both seem fond of fondling. Who, moi? I nevah said a word about your hand. So the Queen touched it, eh? Watch out for her fans!"}, {"response": 319, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (08:13)", "body": "Hmmm, I see the debate rages on about CF and publicity. I don't live in England, so I have nothing useful to contribute about that in particular. But Karen is right. If a film doesn't make it in a major city here, it ends up at the video store quickly. I think most people are too busy to attempt to track down a film, even if there is decent publicity. It's got to reach a critical mass before average people can \"hear\" it over the noise of all that other news & information. It's different if we're already fans of a particular actor or filmmaker. But even then, it's easy to miss a film with a short run. And, I have to second Judy's observation. I know a lot of people who have no idea who CF is, even though they saw P&P!"}, {"response": 320, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (08:21)", "body": "(Arami)I honestly don't think that he is really happy and grateful to \"the Darcy episode\" for this. Now, we may well cry our pretty little eyes out hoping for a mega-great fame and earth-shattering world-wide recognition for Colin but - think again (we've discussed it before) - does Colin really want it? I know I wouldn't want it, so I don't blame him if he doesn't. I would like to see him make some more good movies though --- and really use his talent. I think Evelyn has a point, that perhaps it gets more difficult to find good roles/be offered them if you're not seen as steadily climbing to new heights of fame. Or perhaps one could find good roles, but the $$$ wouldn't be there."}, {"response": 321, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (13:26)", "body": "(Karen) All those interviews in the papers were arranged by the movie people as the most cost- effective way of getting their movie into the public's eye. Interesting then that they chose broadsheets as opposed to tabloids in which to publicize their film. They knew that the film only had limited appeal,Isn't that the same as preaching to the already converted I'm not saying that you don't promote a film in these papers because you don't ignore your main audience base,but neither should they ignore the tabloids.The likes Of The Daily Mail & even The Daily Express are not as bad as the Star/Sun.But in the first two the his films are, in the main,relegated to the \"also showing \"section.(God forbid he should ever be so desparate to do an interview in The Sun:-) Go into any newsagent/supermarket in England & the tabloids are stacked high.The likes of The Times/ Telegraph have fewer copies & The Observer/Ind haveeven less.I think it was Ann who said that his interviews weren't easily noticeable unless you were looking for them.That combined with low circulation papers doesn't help his cause. (As to how these papers survive,well some of them have struggled in the past.I'd check out their business plans for you but I wouln't know what I was looking at:-)) Sadie made a valid point 'it's got to reach a critical mass before average people can \"hear\" it over the noise of all that other news & information.' I think that holds true in this case.We had a glut of interviews in a short space of time & that seems to have deceived people into thinking that RV was well publicized but it didn't come across to me in thatway & I was looking for it."}, {"response": 322, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (14:35)", "body": "(Judy) They knew that the film only had limited appeal, Isn't that the same as preaching to the already converted No. Look at the gazillions of dollars of promotion spent for the big-budget films, the Star Wars films, the Dumber Than Dirt films, etc. Their audiences are already converted and cannot wait to part with their money. RV was publicized quite a bit. Why would anyone really expect CF to be the spokesperson for the film. He had a supporting role. From my reading of the play, the character of Crestwell was larger and I would've expected Stephen Fry to be front and center. Julie Andrews was the star and she appeared on your telly shows and gave the interviews. By your own admission, you all don't go to films, especially your own, so really why would promotion via the tabloids (even the less evil ones) mean anything??"}, {"response": 323, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (15:08)", "body": "To be perfectly clear... All I want is for CF to be the lead in better movies. However, to be in those better movies, he has to be recognized as an actor people want to see. If he was only motivated by a steady paycheck, IMO he would've packed it all in and signed on to do a series on your telly by now."}, {"response": 324, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (15:46)", "body": "Apart from TV advertising the papers are the main means of promoting films,at certain times of the year in England all the film shows disappear off screen.The main one Film 2000 is on v.late,has no set day & has one of the most annoying presenters. Brit films are mainly passed over quickly.The other film review shows are presented by people barely out of their teens & therefore tend to be watched by the same age group.Film shows don't have high audience figures so you can't rely on them for promotion. I've no idea why so much pointless money was spent on promoting Star Wars etc but RV,SLOW & MLSF needed more publicity to reach more people if TV advertising was a no-go then they did need to use the papers to spread the word.You cannot rely on a few high quality papers with low readership to do the job.If there was more publicity in the tabloids then at least more people would be aware of them. Nobody expected CF to be the spokesman for RV,I've said before any publicity was related to the JA influence.Being made a Dame at the same time gave a rather staid appearance.She did appear on some showsI only saw one,it was an afternoon show where the majority of viewers are going to be of a certain age group,who aren't cinema goers,& who are more interested in The Sound Of Music. (The other 2 films had v.little publicity,obviously JA wasn't in them) I was using the papers to back up my point that the UK fans can't be held entirely responsible for the failure of his films.If they're not aware of them,if they are not given proper distribution,if they only have short runs then bums on seats are going to be lost. *tongue hanging out* my god what do you want from me, blood? :-D"}, {"response": 325, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (17:05)", "body": "Sorry Karen I didn't see your follow on post.I too want to see CF as the male lead in better films. The 3 films we've been talking about don't have broad appeal here or I presume in America? He's an intelligent man,he's been in the business long enough so he must know that the films he chooses to do haven't got what it takes to attract the crowds or inthis the country critical acclaim needed to get offered better roles. Maybe he thinks BJD will help to resolve this problem I hope so for our & his sake. We do have a problem with critics in this country & all this early publicity is going to ensure it will be under even more scrutiny than is usual.His other films have managed to slip through pretty much unnoticed due to lack of publicity perhaps:-) but BJD won't be able to. I would be quite happy for him to do more TV work in order to make him more recognizable:-)But even then he has to chose carefully,I look forward to DQ but i'm unsure how successful its going to be.One-off dramas are easily forgotten.A series would at least keep him in the public eye for a while."}, {"response": 326, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (17:06)", "body": "Will settle for kidney. Did you not read the cover story in the Sunday Mail about critical shortages in organ donation? ;-)"}, {"response": 327, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (17:24)", "body": "It's yours,whatever you want! Sunday Mail? I'm a CF fan I don't read tabloids:-) Only joking!"}, {"response": 328, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (17:49)", "body": "According to the Times today ITV are going to remake THe Forsyte Saga, CF would be an excellent Forsyte to JE's Irene, and that would keep him in in the public eye. Six episodes next year, six the year after and if it does well six in 2003. (The original made stars overnight of Eric Porter and Nyree Daen Porter)"}, {"response": 329, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (17:51)", "body": "Sorry just realised the scenario won't work, filming is to start early next year and JE will be on Broadway, oh well perhaps she can play Fleur, who comes into the story later on. Sorry if this is sort of OT."}, {"response": 330, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (19:49)", "body": "CF and JE, JE and CF... This is becoming a little unhealthy."}, {"response": 331, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (20:15)", "body": "Just to say, briefly, that I agree with all the points that Judy has made! Most people in the UK read one newspaper, if at all, don't access the Internet, and film distribution/movie mags/movie programmes on TV/Sky movies/Breakfast TV interviews etc are all geared to the under 25 market. The only films that make an impact are the big Hollywood movies, and the very occasional Brit \"comedy\". It would have been possible, if you didn't read the right paper, to be totally unaware of SLOW, MLSF and RV, but impossible not to be aware of Mission Impossible 2 or the latest George Clooney movie. Tom Cruise, George Clooney, Madonna make the front pages. Also our critics invariably savage British movies, so that even if awareness is raised, the movie is then killed stone dead by the \"Worst movie ever made in the history of film\" sledgehammer. Which is why, I think, whilst really wanting Colin to be successful internationally in the movies, we'd like to see him also taking the much safer line of doing more TV work! (Sorry to return to this yet again!!). It's just that in the UK, first-rate TV drama, especially a multi million budget series, does make an impact at par with an Oscar winning movie, and gains more popular and critical regonition for actors (internationally as well as in the UK). And TV critics are kinder and much more supportive. I'd love to see CF playing Soames, and having the opportunity to develop a character over many hours of screentime, and JE as Irene would be marvellous. 4th billing in a Mike Binder movie can't compete!! It's 5 years since Darcy..we need another fix! (I know he's playing Mark Darcy, but will Hugh Grant take a back seat?..I doubt it!)"}, {"response": 332, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (20:26)", "body": "http://www.ananova.com/entertainment/story/sm_33383.html Does this link work. Apparently George Clooney was offered the role of Will in Nick Hornby's \"About a boy\"...which just shows how strong the competition is for lead romantic roles in a Hollywood movie!"}, {"response": 333, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (20:34)", "body": "If there was more publicity in the tabloids then at least more people would be aware of them. My gawd, I had no idea the people in the UK only read those trash sheets. Aside from Baz, I wouldn't line the garbage can with them... I shall be v. glad as a JE fan to get The Forsythe Saga casting settled. Eighteen episodes? That's a sentence.You know how many years that puts an actor out of commission for other roles? The original made stars overnight of Eric Porter and Nyree Daen Porter) Who are these people anyway?....Never heard of them. ...gains more popular and critical regonition for actors (internationally as well as in the UK) What happened to the Ten Million f******people who watched P&P. Don't they remember? Are they idiots?"}, {"response": 334, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (21:09)", "body": "My gawd,I had no idea the people in the UK only read those trash sheets & I wouldn't line the garbage can with them... What happened to the Ten Million f******people who watched P&P. Don't they remember? Are they idiots? Have I not managed to explain enough?"}, {"response": 335, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (22:42)", "body": "(Judy) Have I not managed to explain enough? Oh yes, we understand. The Ten Million are off reading about the three-headed alien who is rumored to have fathered Madonna's newest child. ;-)"}, {"response": 336, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (22:45)", "body": "CF JE JE CF This is becoming a little unhealthy I'm sorry I don't understand, what is unhealthy in JE & CF working together again, if it worked so well the first time, I would also like to see JE work with SD again in the future, is that unhealthy as well. Two favourite actors of mine Ingrid Bergman & Gregory Peck have worked together in many films and they were excellent."}, {"response": 337, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (22:53)", "body": "I wouldn't use the term unhealthy, but I doubt we'll ever see CF and JE working again...maybe when they're old and grey and it'll be looked on as a cute bit of PR when they're cast as Mr and Mrs Bennet in another P&P. In the past, when the studios had stars under contract, they liked to promote those pair-ups and they controlled their careers. Nowadays, the stars call their own shots. Very few like to reprise such relationships. It took 10 years to bring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere back together for Runaway Bride (and I wish they hadn't because RB had none of the charm of the first). BTW, I agree with the final line in The Times article about the Forsythe Saga. Mistake."}, {"response": 338, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (22:54)", "body": "Soames Forsythe was an unpleasant character, IMHO. He raped his wife, and was prepotent. Do you really want ODB to play this guy?"}, {"response": 339, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (23:03)", "body": "Gi, Well yes I would like to see CF play Soames, he can't always play sympathetic characters and he is only acting and Eric Porter who played him before, is or was a very respected actor. Karen, I guess I will have to dream about CF & JE acting together again, I think you have a point."}, {"response": 340, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (23:11)", "body": "Ann I understand what you mean about CF & JE. For a while after P&P I could imagine them working together on all sorts of different projects.But now I feel it would spoil what they created together on P&P, it's best to remember them as they were."}, {"response": 341, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (23:30)", "body": "I guess your right Judy. BTW is it The Forsythe Saga or as in The Times, The Forsyte Saga, have no read the book?"}, {"response": 342, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (00:13)", "body": "It is Forsyte, Ann, as you and The Times (that useless broadsheet) wrote. Looked wrong to me, but what do I know... ;-)"}, {"response": 343, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (01:02)", "body": "I guess I will have to dream about CF & JE acting together again, I don't even want to dream about it. Who said: \"You can't catch lightning in a bottle twice?\" That's past tense. You want Colin to play Soames?....get Ruth Gemell to play Irene. Jennifer is off to the races.."}, {"response": 344, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (17:04)", "body": "Well, I see you're all had a busy weekend here.:-) Interesting discussion and some very good points made. I won't repeat what others have said, but . . . --IMO, CF just isn't doing the type of work that the general public wants to see. I'll be cautiously optimistic and say that perhaps BJD is a conscious attempt on his part to change things. --Without enthusiasm from the general public to see a particular actor, films do not get wide distribution (of course, there are a few exceptions). Without wide distribution the average filmgoer isn't going to go out of his or her way to see a film. --P&P was almost 5 years ago. Audiences have moved on. I know from fans in other places that many are simply no longer turned on by the majority of his role choices since then, and frankly I can't blame them. 3DOR gave those of us lucky enough to see it a boost. --Someone I think made the point that CF doesn't want the fame and loss of privacy that comes from higher profile work. Maybe. If that's the case, then he has certainly made a major tradeoff in terms of sacrificing professional challenge and satisfaction. Still, somehow I can't picture Colin saying, \"oooh, this Geoffrey Clifton is much more interesting than Almasy--I'll go for that role.\" And we know he wanted to play Shakespeare in SIL. There's a big part of me still that hopes he hasn't \"settled.\""}, {"response": 345, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (17:20)", "body": "I think we're going to have to beg to differ here! In the nicest possible way of course. :-) I actually read the Forsyte Saga (all three volumes!) for the first time a few years ago, so it's still relatively fresh in my mind. IMHO Soames could be a terrific role...a successful lawyer, flawed, unsympathetic at first (okay he forces his conjugal rights on his wife, but you can see why he does it) but tragically lonely, and then re-finding himself through his love of his daughter. I just don't see roles like this in the cinema (certainly not current British movies!). B-u-t, I do so agree, an 18 part series is way, way too long, and very type-casting, and I don't particularly want to see CF as the older wrinkly Soames. But Soames apart,I can really appreciate why CF wants to be regarded as a character actor...that's where all the really interesting work lies. And he doesn't have to lose a stone in weight (too,too thin!) to get the parts."}, {"response": 346, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (17:40)", "body": "(Mari) IMO, CF just isn't doing the type of work that the general public wants to see. I'll be cautiously optimistic and say that perhaps BJD is a conscious attempt on his part to change things. Agree, agree. A year ago (OK, up to a few short months ago), I was convinced CF wouldn't take on the MD role and that he'd continue his pursuit of quirky characters (i.e., masturbatory village idiots) in obscure films or TV programs which gather dust on the BBC shelves. Taking on the whole Darcy thing head-on tells me alot. Goody, goody, FP continues to play! Will take another ride down the Beltway this week. Don't want to go into FP withdrawl....hey, Ev, want to take a ride? We have Baskin Robbins around here so you can kill two birds with one stone ;-)"}, {"response": 347, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (17:57)", "body": "....hey, Ev, want to take a ride? We have Baskin Robbins around here so you can kill two birds with one stone ;-) LOL I'd love to...but it would be an plane ride..and expensive movie and a cone...but hey, I've been known to cross the ocean for not much more... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~` ..that he'd continue his pursuit of quirky characters (i.e., masturbatory village idiots) in obscure films or TV programs which gather dust on the BBC shelves. You forgot to add...\"And no one wants to see\"....I'd rather see him carrying water for Julie Andrews."}, {"response": 348, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (18:03)", "body": "P&P was almost 5 years ago. Audiences have moved on. I know from fans in other places that many are simply no longer turned on by the majority of his role choices since then, and frankly I can't blame them He *has* to give audiences what they want to see, and he has to do more strong dramatic roles which give him screentime (as do most actors of his calibre). He's not made a Hollywood breakthrough (and he should have...other younger British actors are being more successful., without any apparent difficulty), he hasn't starred in a major TV series, he's taking supporting roles in low budget British movies and working for peanuts for regional BBC Scotland. I'm speaking more in sorrow than in anger here....I'd hate to see it all slip away for him. BUT, he's got BJD coming up, which he must promote in the States at least by doing chat shows so that people know who he is (and some TV promotion over here wouldn't go amiss ...everyone (and I mean everyone)does it, and Armadillo (lead role), I hope, and Maid of Buttermere,(again, I hope) which is a lead role and period drama, and maybe the BBC will show DQ at Christmas (if they don't, forget it). Right, I've got that off my chest, and shall probably regret this the instant I've posted it! I just want to see him doing justice to his talents, and want to see him in contention for leading roles."}, {"response": 349, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (18:09)", "body": "... maybe the BBC will show DQ at Christmas (if they don't, forget it). They gonna reshow TTOTS;-) ....and want to see him in contention for leading roles. Make up your mind ;-) In the last posting you want him in a supporting character role...Michael Gambon, Robbie Coltrane stuff... Read #136 interview with Alan Cumming. Me? I'm still holding out for Broadway. But I won't go into that because all the self-appointed Drool cops will lash out at me..."}, {"response": 350, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (18:34)", "body": "(Evelyn) But I won't go into that because all the self-appointed Drool cops will lash out at me... Aw go on you know you can take it:-) :-) I can understand why you want him on Broadway,I would if I lived in America.However it really doesn't mean anything over here,I had to search for news of JE's triumph.but theatre in general means even less than film here.I know JE's signed up for more but has her success led her to a big film role,if it has, then maybe its a route Colin should take to try & get better roles in film.Its just a thought."}, {"response": 351, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (18:34)", "body": "Make up your mind ;-) It's leading roles really...I just try and persuade myself into accepting supporting character roles. but what I really, really want is..."}, {"response": 352, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (19:34)", "body": "This is just speculation, as I don't know how it actually might work, but if he is willing to sacrifice $$$, he could probably get good roles indefinitely in low-budget films by young lesser-known directors, who also happen to be talented. If he's getting paid a few cool million pounds for BJD alone, I find it hard to believe that he needs to worry about money. I tend to agree with Mari that his choices since P&P have, in general, been poor. It's not that they were marginal films, just that they were not great marginal films. Perhaps his problem is that he's hedging his bets, trying to do both mainstream work, such as a tiny role in TEP and more marginal work, such as past great but small films like Hostages, and HotPig) rather than choosing one direction and really focusing."}, {"response": 353, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (20:33)", "body": "(Judy)I know JE's signed up for more but has her success led her to a big film role,if it has, then maybe its a route You poor baby...news must travel slowly to your part of England...have you heard of SUNSHINE?With Ralph Fiennes?Quite a hit here. Still playing in UK too..don't know if it reached your corner though... You missed news of the Tony awards on Teletext and the newspapers in UK? And television? LOL they gave more print space for Tony's than for their own Olivier's.She was on the front page of every newspaper....clutching her award. Wasn't she Ann?"}, {"response": 354, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (20:43)", "body": "Wasn't she Ann? Aye, she was Evelyn! Go to JE's website for the evidence."}, {"response": 355, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (20:45)", "body": "But having said that Evelyn, Sunshine was before Broadway, I hope she gets a film on the back of the Tony's whilst she is still remembered and doesn't take 6months holiday as someone who shall remain nameless often does!! I too would love to see Colin on Broadway, but he seems quite comfortable in London at the moment."}, {"response": 356, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (20:59)", "body": "I was enquiring whether she had landed any big film roles since her tony so no Sunshine doesn't count andno I didn't see much news about her at the time, obviously must have been asleep for the day."}, {"response": 357, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (21:21)", "body": "Having been a wee bit critical of ODB's career choices, I can't help but wonder how much choice he sometimes has. After \"P&P\" he said that he was worried because work temporraily dried up. He had an offer of a TV re-make of \"The Shining\" from the US, and FP, which he said was the best offer from the UK (and was originally destined for TV). Not exactly a floodgate of movie offers. And after SLOW he had a longish period before doing SIL and then 3DOR. I've noticed that in interviews well-known British actors often say they have no idea what they're doing next and are sometimes \"resting\". IMHO, Darcy could have been a double-edged sword...he was in effect \"typecast\" for a while. I think now that things are more than okay...he's hopefully going to do some varied and contrasting lead roles, and I was pleased to see him mentioned in connection with the BBC politico-drama. Anyway, enough, I think, from me on this! It was Soames that set me off!"}, {"response": 358, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (21:27)", "body": "Well I've checked out JE's website but can't find mentioned articles so this poor baby would appreciate a pointer in the right direction !"}, {"response": 359, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (22:51)", "body": "Judy, I can't find any either, sorry, I really thought they were there but take my word for it, The Daily Mail, Telegraph, Times and Evening Standard definitely reported it with pictures (also Anonova PA Newagency) and no doubt you could search papers. There is however, on JE's website an article or an interview with Rosemary Harris from the Daily Mail dated 24th June, 2000 \"Joy for Jennifer\" which mentions the Tony Awards quite a lot, a very nice interview. There really was more about the Tonys than The Olivier Awards which does seem a little strange."}, {"response": 360, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (23:01)", "body": "Thanks for looking Ann,I did make a point of looking in the papers at the time & saw v.little, the papers you mentioned are the ones you would expect to report on this sort of news.I did read an interview with RH but I've got it in my mind as being before the awards, but unlike CF articles.I don't keep the ones on JE so it's probably the one you mentioned. The Olivier coverage was poor I agree."}, {"response": 361, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (23:25)", "body": "Normally, I'd put this article on 136 but... http://www.thisislondon.com/dynamic/hottx/review.html?in_review_id=306621&in_review_text_id=250631 I read this, the one about David Morrissey with his own production company, the never-ending offers made to HG and RF and shake my head.... I too am hoping that BJD will turn into something great for CF. But don't expect him to do the talk shows in the US. He will have to make an impact first, then he'll get invited as both Rupert and Jude were after they stole the show on My Best Friend's Wedding and Ripley, respectively. The stars of those movies appeared during the premiere week on the talk shows. These guys showed up a week or so later. By popular demand."}, {"response": 362, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (23:33)", "body": "(Bethan) He *has* to give audiences what they want to see, and he has to do more strong dramatic roles which give him screentime (as do most actors of his calibre).He's not made a Hollywood breakthrough (and he should have...other younger British actors are being more successful, without any apparent difficulty)... He may not have made a Hollywood breakthrough because: a) He's loathe to work outside the UK, if does, he goes no farther than the south of France. b) He has yet to prove that he can convincingly play an American. Sad but true, the most successful British actors in Hollywood films are the ones who can play Americans. Even Ralph Fiennes played an American in \"Quiz Show\". I do think that CF found something disconcerting about \"Darcy Mania\". I think that, knowing what he knows now, if he could do it all again -- he would not play Fitzwilliam Darcy. To me, it seems he would love to have back the career he had before \"Pride and Prejudice\". He was a successful and respected film actor, whose chameleon-like qualities were seen as an asset. He may feel that being so closely associated with a particular role has prejudiced the way producers and directors view him. Also, a hugely successful turn in a period drama can be the kiss of death insofar as being cast in American films. It can be construed as making an actor too mannered, too prissy, and too limited in range to be for serious consideration."}, {"response": 363, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (23:52)", "body": "It's unfortunate that ATA did so poorly, because there was a super American cast, although not big box office like Julia Roberts (or so I imagine). (Bethan)Having been a wee bit critical of ODB's career choices, I can't help but wonder how much choice he sometimes has. After \"P&P\" he said that he was worried because work temporraily dried up. I guess I'm wondering if doing a soso film is worse than doing no film at all for awhile? I honestly don't know. I have to say though, FP was a good enough film --- it should have done well. But hasn't it been mentioned before that those sportsy films don't do well in the U.K. I'm sure a remake in the States will rake in the $$ (especially if they make it about baseball). Dreaded thought, another Kevin Costner vehicle."}, {"response": 364, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (00:02)", "body": "Oops, my first comment at #363 was in reference to the article Karen posted and Jude and Rupert's success."}, {"response": 365, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (01:04)", "body": "(Judy)I was enquiring whether she had landed any big film roles since her tony so no Sunshine doesn't count andno I didn't see much news about her at the time, obviously must have been asleep for the day. I answer this on #136. This is a Colin Topic and I don't want to take up the bandwith with a topic that belongs somewhere else. (To include chat room stuff...:-D)"}, {"response": 366, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (01:20)", "body": "TRIBUTE TO MURPH For all the wonderful Colin years that you have given us... We will continue to enjoy the Colin pages that you have kept on the website. Please know that your friends at Spring want you to stay here with us. Many thanks...for the memories....XXX"}, {"response": 367, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (04:30)", "body": "To Murph Thank you so much Murph for creating such a wonderful website at which all of us have spent many pleasurable hours. I personally must thank you for all your help and encouragement and do hope that you will continue to visit us here at Drool. *hugs* Karen"}, {"response": 368, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (08:55)", "body": "I'll add my thanks to the above, Murph! You created a marvellous site and it will be very much missed. It really was invaluable. I'm now feeling *incredibly* guilty about making such a negative posting.It's obviously time I went off on holiday, which I am doing in a couple of days. I think the projects CF has coming up are all, at long last, exactly right for him, and just what people want to see him doing. And I think the fact that he's made such an effort to get into shape for BJD means that he's taking it very seriously. NH took $300million worldwide, and I read somewhere that BJD is going to be promoted along BJD lines. So should be very high profile! And I think he *will* do a chat show. He did the rounds for SIL, and he wasn't the romantic hero! Apologies again for sounding so dreadfully dreary (I feel as though I have personally prompted Murph's withdrawal!)...it's been very humid here, and I have a v. low tolerance of humidity. Off to the Lakes!"}, {"response": 369, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (08:57)", "body": "\"promoted along the same lines\".Can't even write...definitely need a break!"}, {"response": 370, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (11:58)", "body": "Gee, Evelyn and Karen, my own graphics! I am touched. Thanks to all of you at Drool for keeping the Colin fires burning bright. You have managed to discover interesting things to say about the man day after day, even when new news is hard to find. Speaking of new news, I feel comfortable in knowing that Karen will keep us up to date: http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/news.html I will certainly continue to check in here, where I feel at home. It was time for me, but you guys keep on trucking!"}, {"response": 371, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (13:24)", "body": "Many thanks for your wonderful website from me too Murph, please keep continue to keep in touch with us at drool, and again many thanks for all your work. Bethan, I hope you have a wonderful break, that the clouds keep away, and tha you come back strengthened and refreshed."}, {"response": 372, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (13:31)", "body": "(Bethan) And I think he *will* do a chat show. He did the rounds for SIL, and he wasn't the romantic hero! He did the press junket in the US and went to the premieres. Am not aware of any talk shows on which he appeared. Breakfast with the Arts is not a talk show."}, {"response": 373, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (14:04)", "body": "Hot News!! AnneR has found Fever Pitch playing in Pittsburgh! Here's the not-so-hot review: http://www.post-gazette.com/movies/20000814pitch1.asp Does anybody at Phaedra know what the other is doing?"}, {"response": 374, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (14:10)", "body": "Here are the details: Cinemagic Denis 685 Washington Road Pittsburgh, PA 15228 (412)343-7300 Showtimes at: (1:00 PM), (3:10), (5:10), 7:30, 9:30 [oooh, 3 bargain matinees]"}, {"response": 375, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (17:39)", "body": "Murph this is a sad day,yours was the first website on Colin that I ever visited & I have re-visited it everyday since so it was quite a shock when I checked in today!I wish you all the best for the future & thankyou for all your time & effort you put in for the benefit of all his fans."}, {"response": 376, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (17:41)", "body": "(Karen) I read this, the one about David Morrissey with his own production company, the never-ending offers made to HG and RF and shake my head.... As do I. Thanks for that article, Karen; I am glad to see the young turks like Ioan and others going for it and not ashamed to say it for fear of what the home press will do to them when they return. They are all doing the \"meet and greet\" in LA, which makes sense; people have to know who you are. The irony, of course, is that CF is there regularly . . . (Cheryl) He may not have made a Hollywood breakthrough because: a) He's loathe to work outside the UK, if does, he goes no farther than the south of France. Bingo--that's certainly part of the problem. Actors can't afford to cut themselves off geographically; furthermore, I'd give the same advice to American actors. Few films are made on the Hollywood backlot anymore; increasingly, they're also being filmed in Canada, Australia and Europe--wherever the studios will get good crews and a hefty tax break. No actor can sit home and still get the best roles. (Cheryl again) b) He has yet to prove that he can convincingly play an American. Sad but true, the most successful British actors in Hollywood films are the ones who can play Americans. Even Ralph Fiennes played an American in \"Quiz Show\". Cheryl, are you talking about the accent or something else? Rafe's accent in Quiz Show wasn't that hot, but the film and his performance were so good that nobody cared. Ditto Michael Caine in Cider House Rules. I thought CF did fine in 3 DOR. Anyway, there are many many opportunities in American flilms, regardless of whether he plays American or not. Even a brief look at some American-produced films either due to come out or soon to be in production yields: --Jude Law and Joe Fiennes in Enemy At The Gates --Gary Oldman in The Contender --Winslet and Caine in Quills --Ralph Fiennes in Possession --Daniel Day Lewis in Streets Of NY --Alan Rickman, Richard Harris, Maggie Smith and --yes! Evelyn's fave, Robbie Coltrane--in Harry Potter --Ians McKellan and Holm, in Lord Of The Rings Of course, doing these requires travel to Germany, the Czech Republic, Italy, New Zealand, etc.;-)"}, {"response": 377, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (18:16)", "body": "What's this? *blinking in disbelief* Murph's outta the Colin b'ness? Why, that's almost as earth-shaking as Eileen moving away from NJ! =8-0 Let me add my thanks for all your hard work over the years. (Karen) He will have to make an impact first, then he'll get invited as both Rupert and Jude were after they stole the show on My Best Friend's Wedding and Ripley, respectively. The stars of those movies appeared during the premiere week on the talk shows. These guys showed up a week or so later. By popular demand. Yes, I can see this. I can also see HG and CF initially appearing together, though I know that's rare--usually the stars split up and do the shows alone. I do think, in light of everything else that's changed about CF in the last year, he'll be willing to do these chat shows. OK, Karen, Pittsburgh is alot closer to Chicago than Virginia is. Planning a road trip? ;-)"}, {"response": 378, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (18:20)", "body": "Murph, I hardly know what to say except a heartfelt thanks for being an oasis of Firth for news hungry fans the world over, as well as a goldmine for those interested in taking a closer look at the man's work. Your site reflected your class, intelligence, good humor, and generous spirit. I do understand the need to move on, but am glad you'll still be with us now and then. MMMMWAAAAA!!"}, {"response": 379, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (18:27)", "body": "(Karen) Does anybody at Phaedra know what the other is doing? Nope. Brings to mind that well-known phrase . . . something about a posterior and a hole in the ground.:-("}, {"response": 380, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (19:00)", "body": "(Eileen) Pittsburgh is alot closer to Chicago than Virginia is. Planning a road trip? ;-) Hmmm, if Ohio wasn't there, well, maybe. Argh! New, fresh-in-the-mail PIN for American Airlines website e-savers fares does not work, nothing available at US Air or ATA. United cannot even get its planes out of O'Hare these days, so.. Besides, why should I go? Have got brandnew factory sealed videotape of FP. Can watch on telly. Who needs to go out? ;-)"}, {"response": 381, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (19:08)", "body": "(Mari).... Evelyn's fave, Robbie Coltrane--in Harry Potter LMAO...You girls are cruel. Now if my other heart-throb Michael Gambon were only in a film....my life would be complete;-) (mari)Even a brief look at some American-produced films either due to come out or soon to be in production yields: You forgot one we were sure would go to ODB... John Boorman's \"The Tailor of Panama\" the british spy thriller based on the novel by John le Carre. The hypcrite...remember when we saw him at the Donmar shaking Colin's hand...\"offering him a job\"(we were sure...) Instead he gives it to Pierce Brosnan...John isn't so dumb he wants to make money....due out at Christmas from Sony."}, {"response": 382, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (19:13)", "body": "(Karen)Besides, why should I go? Have got brand new factory sealed videotape of FP. Can watch on telly. Who needs to go out? ;-) You are too funny, Karen. I hope mine comes today. *evelyn who never thought she would buy another FP, let alone get excited about it's arrival*"}, {"response": 383, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (19:17)", "body": "Thanks Ann! Just a bit of news for the UK. I had another shot about finding out about DQ. Rang BBC Entertainment who said it wasn't drama but BBC Films. Rang BBC Films and Eureka! It's listed for Autumn scheduling and will be some time in October/November."}, {"response": 384, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (19:25)", "body": "Oh wow Bethan at last,an early,early xmas pressie. well done on the sleuthing front!"}, {"response": 385, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (20:40)", "body": "He's tall, dark and handsome, looks like Darcy,and he kisses the girl. This *is* giving viewers want they want to see! I'm glad they showing it in the Autumn schedules, where it belongs. Should come out on video, very soon afterwards."}, {"response": 386, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (20:53)", "body": "Don't you're getting me all excited.Looking forward to lots of lovely pictures in TV mags & papers.Yes they do normally release the video more or less straight away once its been shown!"}, {"response": 387, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (20:55)", "body": "I'll have to watch quite a few times because at first I'll just be watching his wonderful face & body & listening to that voice to even notice what else is going on."}, {"response": 388, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (21:14)", "body": "Thanks Bethan, excellent news, but I shan't believe it until I see it in the RT."}, {"response": 389, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (21:14)", "body": "Thanks Bethan, excellent news, but I shan't believe it until I see it in the RT."}, {"response": 390, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Aug 16, 2000 (09:16)", "body": "Murph, I was shocked witless to learn you are giving up your site (almost). I always admired the effort, time and talent you put into creating and updating it. I hope whatever you are going to do now gives you a lot of joy. I am glad you plan to keep visiting Drool and hope to see your posts here very often. Thank you :-)"}, {"response": 391, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Aug 16, 2000 (13:41)", "body": "(Bethan) Rang BBC Films and Eureka! It's listed for Autumn scheduling and will be some time in October/November. At last, at last! Suffice to say, when CF does TV in the future, I hope it doesn't take a friggin' year and a half to get the project on the air. (Karen) Besides, why should I go? Have got brand new factory sealed videotape of FP. Can watch on telly. Who needs to go out? ;-) *snort* LMAO! I'm driving to VA (it's something like 20 miles to Fairfax from here--the back of beyond ;-D) to see FP again today...though I expect my factory sealed videotape to be sitting in my mailbox when I return."}, {"response": 392, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Aug 16, 2000 (15:59)", "body": "(Evelyn) John Boorman's \"The Tailor of Panama\" . . .remember when we saw him at the Donmar shaking Colin's hand Yep--it didn't mean squat. Besides, this would have required travel to, hmmm, lemme see . . .Panama?;-) Bethan, I'm glad DQ is finally making it onto the schedule. It deserves to be seen."}, {"response": 393, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Aug 16, 2000 (17:51)", "body": "More background on AAB, from Studio Briefing: After nearly a one-year search, a bankable actor has yet to be signed to appear in the film version of Nick Hornby's best-selling novel, About a Boy. Hornby, whose earlier novel High Fidelity (2000) made it to the screen this year, has told the London Daily Express that the latest star to turn down the lead role is George Clooney. According to Hornby, Clooney told him, \"You need someone average. I'm too sexy for your film.\" The story concerns a man who poses as a single father so that he can join a single parents' group to meet the perfect woman. Hornby says that Clooney remarked that audiences wouldn't believe he would need to join such a group. Last October, trade reports said that Robert De Niro, who is producing the film, was close to signing Hugh Grant for the role. De Niro's original choice reportedly was Brad Pitt, who also turned down the role."}, {"response": 394, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 16, 2000 (19:41)", "body": "Uhmm, I think, I know someone who could be...erm...average looking... ;-) So bumbling, stumbling Hughie didn't sign up? Strange. Now they're going the American route. Wonder why Tom Cruise wasn't their first choice. Isn't he everyone's?"}, {"response": 395, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Aug 16, 2000 (20:24)", "body": "eek! i just posted something on the BJD board about this."}, {"response": 396, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 16, 2000 (20:40)", "body": "Yes, the item surfaced last Friday, I believe. We'll put your faux pas down to relocation. You left the Land of the Sane and are back in LaLa Land. ;-) Quite the unattractive spin put on Clooney's supposed words by Mr. Showbiz. Gaah, all Hornby said was that Clooney didn't think he'd be believable as a guy who had to join a Single Parents' group in order to hit on desperate women. And for what it's worth, I agree. He's showing sound judgment."}, {"response": 397, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 16, 2000 (20:45)", "body": "Gaah!! Just realized this AAB stuff has now infected the Colin board. It's like an epidemic. Back to what belongs here: (Bethan) He's tall, dark and handsome, looks like Darcy,and he kisses the girl. And this is good? You have seen the program? Is your copy very bad? The girl is Katy Murphy, playing Lucy Pannick, who no man will shag with the lights on. ;-)"}, {"response": 398, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 16, 2000 (21:28)", "body": "The girl is Katy Murphy, playing Lucy Pannick, who no man will shag with the lights on. ;-) LOL....Isn't she what some guy would call a \"brown bagger\"? ~~~~~~~~~~` Got my factory -sealed FP to day:-)Why did they photograph Ruth Gemell with brown hair..when she's a blonde in the film? And Paul's got a haircut ...doesn't look like Paul at all.What a cheap production...they can't even get the video sleeve right."}, {"response": 399, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 16, 2000 (21:43)", "body": "(Evelyn) Isn't she what some guy would call a \"brown bagger\"? Argh! I hate those terms...but she is the epitome of Coyote Ugly, especially after eating that dodgy pie. ;-) What a cheap production...they can't even get the video sleeve right. Well, I know what I'd want on the cover, but what did you expect. The UK edition wasn't all that different. Wonder what the American one will look like?"}, {"response": 400, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Aug 16, 2000 (21:46)", "body": "I've never really noticed the difference in her hair colour before,my copy only has a couple of small photos of her.I wonder why they didn't do the publicity photos at the time of filming ,it does reek of that cheap production you mentioned Evelyn. I couldn't see the point of the boys side/girls side videos-I just couldn't see her as crush type material. I'm not sure who Katy Murphy is,the pics I've seen aren't v.clear-anybody know what she's been in before?"}, {"response": 401, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Aug 17, 2000 (10:33)", "body": "IMHO Donovan wants Lucy to think herself beautiful and kisses her cmpassionately. I thought Katy Murphy was \"ordinary\" looking as opposed to movie star looking, but certainly not ugly. Rather gamin."}, {"response": 402, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Aug 17, 2000 (11:09)", "body": "(Mari)Besides, this would have required travel to, hmmm, lemme see . . .Panama?;-) Oh, I believe they could film in Portugal ;-) (Bethan)(Lucy...) certainly not ugly. Ugly. Definitely."}, {"response": 403, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Aug 17, 2000 (13:21)", "body": "Oh no, not ugly, just world-weary, and worn-out with looking after the family all those years. She has a lovely inner-self, I believe and Donovan saw it."}, {"response": 404, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 17, 2000 (13:51)", "body": "The reason why Donovan kisses Lucy is not the issue. Just let's not give people who haven't seen it the wrong impression. DQ is not some great romance where boy gets to kiss girl in a passionate scene. That's hardly what is going on. BTW, Katy Murphy was wonderful in the role, but gamin is hardly what I'd call the part of Lucy physically. Tired and world-weary are good, Ann. I'd add homely as well."}, {"response": 405, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 17, 2000 (14:21)", "body": "Bethan)(Lucy...) certainly not ugly. (Gi)Ugly. Definitely. Ditto. Nice, kind, beautiful soul....ugly."}, {"response": 406, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Aug 17, 2000 (14:54)", "body": "I think Clive in DQ would have described her as suffering from \"beauty deficit.\""}, {"response": 407, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Aug 17, 2000 (14:55)", "body": "Tossing in my vote: as my DH would say, \"she's been hit by the ugly stick.\" (Karen) The reason why Donovan kisses Lucy is not the issue. Just let's not give people who haven't seen it the wrong impression. DQ is not some great romance where boy gets to kiss girl in a passionate scene. That's hardly what is going on. Most definitely--I would not classify DQ as a romance. (Evelyn)[re: FP]...they can't even get the video sleeve right. Poster prominently displayed outside Cinema Arts Theater in Fairfax, VA is identical to video sleeve. Doesn't bother me!"}, {"response": 408, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 17, 2000 (15:21)", "body": "(Donna) I think Clive in DQ would have described her as suffering from \"beauty deficit.\" *snort* :-)"}, {"response": 409, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Aug 17, 2000 (17:24)", "body": "So can I take it from all this that's she's a dog? I don't want him to get a reputation for kissing ugly women though,he needs to be seen with the gorgeous ones as well.A strange looking Sarah,an ugly Lucy & a podgy Bridget-ah there's hope for me yet!"}, {"response": 410, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Aug 17, 2000 (18:27)", "body": "(Bethan)certainly not ugly I agree. Sometimes I really resent it how the artificial plastic surgery Hollywood standards seem to affect peoples\ufffd perception of things, like beauty or ugliness etc. That woman is not ugly or a \ufffddog\ufffd, she just looks like most women of her age: wrinkles and a tired face. DQ is a wonderfully realistic film in many ways and so is naturally the heroine of it. And she\ufffds a great actress...but I know that in the American culture good looks and good acting are the same thing ;-)"}, {"response": 411, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Aug 17, 2000 (18:45)", "body": "(Elena) but I know that in the American culture good looks and good acting are the same thing ;-) Sez who? Good looks have nothing to do with acting ability. Everyone knows the only thing that matters is big boobs. ;-) ;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 412, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Aug 17, 2000 (19:36)", "body": "Ah, c'mon, Elena. that's a sweeping generalization and you know it. Besides, nobody said she wasn't a good actress-quite the contrary. Just as a point of reference, I'm thinking back to the actresses nominated for Oscars last year: Hilary Swank, Julianne Moore, Janet McTeer, Annette Bening, Meryl Streep, Catherine Keener, Angelina Jolie, Toni Collette, Chloe Sevigny, Samantha Morton. All attractive ladies, but tell me how many you feel were nominated solely because of their looks and not their performance."}, {"response": 413, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 17, 2000 (22:11)", "body": ""}, {"response": 414, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 17, 2000 (22:49)", "body": "Ooof!! How we Americans view Lucy physically is precisely how she is supposed to be viewed. No more; no less. DQ (Don Quixote) sees Lucy (Dulcinea) as a beautiful lady. She is not in reality. It does take someone like DQ to show her that she can make something of her life. He showed her that she deserved to be loved and that she didn't have to settle for the likes of a Clive. OK, fess up now. [cover your eyes, Judy] Who here didn't experience a wave of revulsion just before the \"park the salami\" bit when Lucy went in for the kill but Donovan fortunately reared back?"}, {"response": 415, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 17, 2000 (23:42)", "body": "Had Lucy been beautiful, the plot would not have worked.Like Don Quijote and Dulcinea...she had to be ugly in our eyes, but not in his.... Abd Sandy had to be a Sancho Panza! But it's nice to have you with us , Elena ole buddie....and we didn't even have to mention Margaret Thatcher *winkie, winkie* (Judy).A strange looking Sarah In my new video, Sarah is sorta cute....with blonde hair.(Not the brown in the poster...and he's sporting his ATA haircut.)"}, {"response": 416, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Aug 18, 2000 (00:36)", "body": "May I add my congratulations, Jenny. I know I am very late but the 3 or 4 days in the hospital after my hysterectomy turned into 7 days and I am 10 days behind in postings"}, {"response": 417, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Aug 18, 2000 (07:03)", "body": "Am lurking at Drool in the middle of the night! Clearly an addict. Once again, I have no idea what the actor being discussed looks like. A strange looking Sarah,an ugly Lucy & a podgy Bridget-ah there's hope for me yet! LOL Judy! Who here didn't experience a wave of revulsion just before the \"park the salami\" bit when Lucy went in for the kill but Donovan fortunately reared back? LOL Karen! Don't explain what you mean. I'm eagerly awaiting the scene. ;-)"}, {"response": 418, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Aug 18, 2000 (07:04)", "body": "(Elena)But I know that in the American culture good looks and good acting are the same thing ;-) Ouch! Stereotyped again! Where'd that donut go? Duh, right beside my loaded gun of course! Hmmm, goin' to haf ta git me a bigger flag... right after I buy my third vacation home and a boob job."}, {"response": 419, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Aug 18, 2000 (10:50)", "body": "(Judy) I'm not sure who Katy Murphy is,the pics I've seen aren't v.clear-anybody know what she's been in before? A few months ago she was in Nature Boy (BBC2) as a nurse to Paul McGann's character and more recently in Fish as a nanny, again with Paul McGann. (Karen) Who here didn't experience a wave of revulsion just before the \"park the salami\" bit when Lucy went in for the kill but Donovan fortunately reared back? Fessing up."}, {"response": 420, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Aug 18, 2000 (14:43)", "body": "Mari, Elena's just looking ahead to next year. She has inside information that Carmen Electra's an Oscar shoo-in for her stand out (or was that stand up?) performance in 'Scary Movie'. Harvey's hitting the phones alreay. ;-P (Sadie) Where'd that donut go? Duh, right beside my loaded gun of course! Hmmm, goin' to haf ta git me a bigger flag... right after I buy my third vacation home and a boob job. LMBAAO*! * Lauging My Big American A*s Off"}, {"response": 421, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 18, 2000 (14:54)", "body": "Relative Values, week beginning Aug 18: 1. Plaza, Skipton 2. UCI Merry Hill 10, Dudley 3. Sutton, UCI6, London 4. UCI 10, Telford 5. Hebden Bridge Picture House, Hebden Bridge 6. Orpheus Henleaze, Bristol 7. Hull Screen, Hull 8. Grand Cinema, Clitheroe 9. Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle-upon-Tyne"}, {"response": 422, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Aug 18, 2000 (16:21)", "body": "Sadie, Sadie . . . you violent, shallow, materialistic, vain, buxom philistine. I like your style, kid! LMBAAO! Ah, why are we here but to provide sport for our neighbors . . .or somethin' like that. My last word on the subject (maybe;-): we're not exactly drooling over a homely man here, folks. Yes, he's a wonderful actor--but so is Steve Bucsemi.:-) Off to get my drive-thru rhinoplasty;-)"}, {"response": 423, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Aug 18, 2000 (19:07)", "body": "Oops Karen I couldn't resist I had to take a peek but 'park the salami' yuk.Poor Colin the things he has to put up with for money.'reared back' I don't think that was acting after all that's been said abouther! Aishling thanks for the info but I didn't see it I'm not a fan of the brothers McGann. Anybody got a pic preferably with the salami parked in its own garage. BTW Sadie are we the only two not to have seen DQ? Finish your donut before you answer."}, {"response": 424, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 19, 2000 (04:04)", "body": "The Italian Institute (39 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8NX) has a library of 21,000 books, in Italian and English translation. During its September literary season of events, many famous Italian authors (including Dacia Maraini and Alessandro Barrico) will be in London for talks with British authors. In October, Italian and British actors, including Colin Firth, will be giving a series of readings from Italian books. See www.italcultur.org.uk or phone 020-7235 1461 for a programme."}, {"response": 425, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Aug 19, 2000 (19:37)", "body": "Sorry I've been remiss in answering your query Mari, as to Ralph Fiennes American accent in \"Quiz Show\". The accent may well have been problemic as he was playing an aritocratic Bostonian. That particular accent is very similar to a British accent, hence the problem for Fiennes. The closer an accent an actor natuarally has, very often the harder it is for him to do. That's one of the reasons why American actors from the Northeast and Upper Mid-West have a hard time learning pretty much any credible Canadian accent. RF's performance was, as you noted, very credible. In that he was believable as an American. Still, I stand by my statement that the most successful actors in Hollywood films; i.e., Minnie Driver, Tim Roth, and Gary Oldman work constantly, can and do play very believable American characters."}, {"response": 426, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Aug 19, 2000 (19:41)", "body": "Thank you Murph for the time and work which you had put into your \"Colin Firth: An Appreciation\" website. It was one of the first CF websites I'd found. Thanks again."}, {"response": 427, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Aug 19, 2000 (22:36)", "body": "(Judy) Sadie are we the only two not to have seen DQ? I'm not sure who Katy Murphy is,the pics I've seen aren't v.clear-anybody know what she's been in *on return from hols* - I'm glad I am amongst some DQ virgins still, eagerly awaiting Autumn showing. Judy, do you remember that extremely bad David Essex 'comedy' vehicle in the 80's - The River (in which ageing popster/gypsy leaves London for the totally believable job as a lock-keeper in a sleepy backwater) well she was the love/hate interest in that (believe also she was in Tutti Frutti). before?"}, {"response": 428, "author": "Fran", "date": "Sun, Aug 20, 2000 (00:17)", "body": "She was in Our Mutual Friend.."}, {"response": 429, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Aug 20, 2000 (06:43)", "body": "(Eileen)*Lauging My Big American A*s Off (Mari)My last word on the subject (maybe;-): we're not exactly drooling over a homely man here, folks. Yes, he's a wonderful actor--but so is Steve Bucsemi. :-)Off to get my drive-thru rhinoplasty;-) LMFLAO *laughed my freshly-liposuctioned ass off, both of you!* An excellent point about our drooling, Mari. You might as well all fess up to being as shallow as me. (Judy)BTW Sadie are we the only two not to have seen DQ? Finish your donut before you answer. (Tracy)*on return from hols* - I'm glad I am amongst some DQ virgins still, eagerly awaiting Autumn showing. I have never been a member of the communist party, and I have never seen DQ (she says as she pledges solemnly on a Bible or something.) But I believe it is time that DQ Virgins throughout the world unite! The donut was particularly great after the Big Mac and the Kentucky Fried Chicken, Judy....Time to warm up my home liposuction kit. Tracy, how was your vacation. Do tell us! Pleeeeeeease!"}, {"response": 430, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Aug 20, 2000 (06:46)", "body": "Colin speaking Italian, Karen? My, my, my! Sort of a fantasy really. Mind immediately jumps to that really bad remake of Devil in the Flesh. Time to run out and buy a piano maybe...or perhaps that low leather lounging chair in CF's house would do for the extreme close-up scene.... BTW, I really have no idea what KM looks like either, Judy. Anyone got a good pic of her? Films mentioned don't ring any bells either."}, {"response": 431, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Aug 20, 2000 (07:57)", "body": "(Tracy) I'm glad I am amongst some DQ virgins still. Can't remember the last time I could call myself a virgin without being laughed at. I do remember The River Tracy but I can't picture hersomething to do with a hairy,wrinkled David Essex floating before my eyes ( somebody please cure me,a pic of Colin would do) Fran I haven't seen Our Mutual Friend. Has she been in any documentaries? :-) (Sadie)The donut was particularly great after the Big Mac and the Kentucky Fried Chicken. Well if we're not talking about sex we may as well talk about food so make mine a McChicken Sandwich or a Zinger Burger. Sadie you keep to your liposuction kit and I'll exercisewith Colin- in,out,in,out,shake it all about -sung in Italian of course *crash*"}, {"response": 432, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Aug 20, 2000 (12:48)", "body": "(Karen)In October, Italian and British actors, including Colin Firth, will be giving a series of readings from Italian books. I sincerely hope he'll be reading from translations..."}, {"response": 433, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Aug 20, 2000 (14:29)", "body": "Oh I don't. Surely by now he's picked up a fairly creditable accent. Purely supposition, of course, but what else is new. Perhaps Moon bumped into him on her travels and can give us a first-hand account. ;-)"}, {"response": 434, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug 20, 2000 (16:06)", "body": "Karen)In October, Italian and British actors, including Colin Firth, will be giving a series of readings from Italian books. And I was concerned about what he would be doing in the fall.... Foolish Antelope ;-))"}, {"response": 435, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Aug 21, 2000 (20:52)", "body": "(Judy)Sadie you keep to your liposuction kit and I'll exercisewith Colin- in,out,in,out,shake it all about -sung in Italian of course *crash* LOL Judy, not sure that the words are what I want drilled at me. (But the Italian would be fine, especially if followed with a great decadent meal and some chianti.) There really are only two subjects, Judy. Sex and food. (Heide) Oh I don't. Surely by now he's picked up a fairly creditable accent. Purely supposition, of course, but what else is new. Perhaps Moon bumped into him on her travels and can give us a first-hand account. ;-) LOL Heide, I'm now wondering about the circumstances in which he practices.You just had to add fuel to my already burning imagination, didn't you? BTW, is there such a thing as Moon-envy? I guess there will be if she bumped into him! Hmmm, bumped....where'd my donut go? (Yes, that is rife with Freudian undertones.) :-D Yes Karen, he's making huge strides in his career now :-)"}, {"response": 436, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 22, 2000 (00:48)", "body": "(Sadie)Yes Karen, he's making huge strides in his career now :-) Karen posted the news article, I'm the eternal optimist;-) (Who knows? There might be a budding Fellini in the audience;-))"}, {"response": 437, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Aug 22, 2000 (19:45)", "body": "Thanks for the Italian posting, Karen! As to what else he's doing in the fall, well...if it's \"Armadillo\" I guess that will tie him up in the London area for 3 months or so (Quality, co-US productions normally shoot for 4 weeks for each one hours screening...P&P (5 hours) took 5 months. Having just returned from a mini break in the Lakes, I hope he'll squeeze in \"Maid of Buttermere\"!! Absolutely gorgeous weather, magnificent scenery, and once you're away from the main tourist haunts, almost deserted. They'd have the place to themselves...just point the camera, and go! Saw no signs of any lurking film crews, but we were only in one place! This could be a marvellous film...hope it doesn't get postponed/dropped. Was reading about the \"Harry Potter\" film. Warner have the rights to all the books and are planning sequels. Any chance of a sequel to BJD, do you think? Did HF sell the rights to TEOR (sorry, this should be at #131, but my PC is very temperamental at the moment!)"}, {"response": 438, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Aug 22, 2000 (20:02)", "body": "Quick hello to all the firthful Firthettes. Just back from Italy and I find new CF and O&E topic! I am afraid I will not have time to catch up on these boards. :-( I hope to be able to join this merry group again soon. A particular hello to Mark. :-)"}, {"response": 439, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Aug 22, 2000 (20:16)", "body": "Welcome back Moon and Bethan! What a bummer--I don't see any sign of Londinium on the Toronto Film Fest list which was announced this afternoon.:-("}, {"response": 440, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 22, 2000 (20:57)", "body": "Sorry, guys, for having got your hopes up for Londinium at Toronto. :-( (Bethan) They'd have the place to themselves...just point the camera, and go! Scripts are useful things. Having started reading that Butterball novel, my initial reaction is no way, no how. *on bended knees, hoping this goes away*"}, {"response": 441, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Aug 22, 2000 (21:07)", "body": "RE: Londinium. Not your fault, Karen. You didn't write it, direct it, or act in it.;-) Besides hope is a good thing to have . . . once in a while . . ."}, {"response": 442, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug 22, 2000 (21:12)", "body": "It would have been a bit too soon anyway,we're used to a few years wait after all ;-)"}, {"response": 443, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 22, 2000 (21:34)", "body": "And Welcome Back Moon!!!"}, {"response": 444, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (01:57)", "body": "Welcome back Moon!!! Karen, am curious about the \"Butterball\" novel (LOL!) Is it really that bad?"}, {"response": 445, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (03:06)", "body": "Karen, are saying that the Butterball is a turkey?;-)"}, {"response": 446, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (03:11)", "body": "(Mari) are saying that the Butterball is a turkey?;-) You catch on quickly. ;-)"}, {"response": 447, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (04:56)", "body": "Hey, why go picking on poor turkeys? That was for you, Mari. Could not resist -D (Judy)It would have been a bit too soon anyway,we're used to a few years wait after all ;-) You see, here is the proof that we are not only DQ virgins, but virtuous as well."}, {"response": 448, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (15:25)", "body": "(Sadie) am curious about the \"Butterball\" novel (LOL!) Is it really that bad? As I said, I haven't finished it, but it does not look v. promising and doesn't look like anything I'd want CF to be in. I must share with you this tantalizing tidbit from Butterball (FYI, the American version of a Bernard Matthews product): Christine came to collect the jug and steaming bowl He made no attempt to flirt with her nor she with him. In another mood he might have been goaded to further efforts by her extremely obvious, even insulting, indifference, but now, if anything, he was inclined to give her credit for it. He was even capable of finding some credit in it for himself: for after all, it proved that he did not have to take every apparently unprotected woman who came into his sights. There was a rough equality between them which pleased him since it ignored and slipped through the magical armour of those clothes, the possessions, the name, the title, the carriage and four, the weight of deference and the history of servility. He was amused to observe that she forced herself to be a blank when she picked up the bowl of pus and blood. Doesn't this whet your appetite for more? Is this horrid prose or what? I can only remember one book that I could not get into, let alone finish. It was London Fields by Martin Amis. But I shall plod along. Way too much scenery. IMO if you want to see the Lake District, go there or watch the Discovery channel."}, {"response": 449, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (15:35)", "body": "Further information about the reading from JanetB that she obtained from the Institute (so much for it being in October!): Monday 13 November at 6.30pm - Colin Firth will read from Italian writer Leonardo Sciascia"}, {"response": 450, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (17:20)", "body": "WELCOME HOME, MOON Monday 13 November at 6.30pm - Colin Firth will read from Italian writer Leonardo Sciascia Thanks Karen and Janet B. a)Who knows about this author...Moon? b) Who in UK is going to go and support Colin in his new venture....hmmmm? ~~~~~~ MOB :Doesn't this whet your appetite for more? I foolishly bought the book from Amazon on the strong rumor (who was that?) Sounds like I'll pitch it..."}, {"response": 451, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (17:44)", "body": "Evidently, the Hamilton, Ontario, library has a room dedicated to him (i.e., paid for) by the Canadian Sciascia Foundation. It says: Sicilian novelist, essayist, short story writer, non-fiction writer, and dramatist, Sciascia was among the most prominent contemporary Italian authors. He wrote primarily of the pride and passion that characterized Sicilian society. His predominant theme: the struggle of the individual who seeks justice in the midst of social iniquities and official complicity. [Ha!!] While most search results are in Italian, he's listed in the Who's Who of the Radical Party. Here's something he's written on their website: \"NO TO INDIFFERENCE, NO TO APATHY I think the terms that applies best to what the radical party wants and is trying to achieve with its nonviolence is the verb to 'break', in all its moral and metaphorical violence. Breaking the compromises, the gameplaying, the mafias, the conspiracy of silence; breaking this sort of alliance between idiocy and violence which is emerging in the Italian reality; breaking the correspondence between power, science and death which seems to be ruling the world; breaking everything before it's too late; and so on... As the title of Jean Daniel's recent book implies, this is an era of rupture - or quite simply THE hour. Let's not waste it with our indifference and apathy.\""}, {"response": 452, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (18:03)", "body": "Welcome back, bellissima Moon! Looking forward to hearing about your travels (read: did you run into any familiar faces, in or out of revolving doors? ;-)). (Karen) Is this horrid prose or what? Hmm, reminds me of Henry James in TTOTS. He, sure, used, alot, of, commas and really, really, long sentences, which never, ever seemed to end, but of course this was perfectly acceptable back then, and it didn't seem to stop him, from becoming a revered author, but I, however, was ready to tear out my hair by the end, and it was a short book. Whew! I'm intrigued by your paltry (or was that poultry?) assessment of MoB, Karen. 'Til now I've only heard how good the book was and how perfect CF would be. (Evelyn) Who in UK is going to go and support Colin in his new venture....hmmmm? C'mon Ev, everyone will be at the movies. *ducking hurling rocks*"}, {"response": 453, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (18:06)", "body": "Karen - Am v confused (maybe I missed something somewhere or maybe I'm just thick) but is it MoB you're reading at present? I read it such a time ago I couldn't recognise the passage you quoted. I thought it (MoB) quite a good read, a bit long and drawn out maybe, and believe it would transfer well onto film/TV (with a bit of judicious pruning). But whether it's a suitable vehicle for ODB is entirely another question. (Hmm. *thinks* Seem to remember me expressing exactly the opposite opinion re suitability in the past......hope they don't notice!)"}, {"response": 454, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (18:09)", "body": "Okay, okay...now I look a complete div as my initial question to Karen now appears directly below the answer! *humph* :-("}, {"response": 455, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (18:39)", "body": "Can't stand turkey so I'll give MoB a miss so I hope Colin does as well.I had to read the passage three times before I took it in so I'll be no good with the book-can I join your div club please Tracy? (Eileen) C'mon Ev, everyone will be at the movies *ducking hurling rocks* LOL but it'll be me ducking those rocks when I admit that I'll be unable to go to see him ."}, {"response": 456, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (20:22)", "body": "Well, I'm on the wrong side of the Atlantic to hear ODB read an author I've never heard of before. Sciasia sounds like a post-modernist. (Don't get me started on that!) Clearly not a buddhist though. Metaphorical violence to achieve peace --- indeed! Lovely use of language, lovely humanitarian sentiments, but not much of a theory. I feel a verb of my own coming on. The verb to 'pass' in all of its moral and metaphorical indifference....What is ODB about? I suppose another paper-chain thingy is to be expected soon?"}, {"response": 457, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (21:52)", "body": "(Eileen) I'm intrigued by your paltry (or was that poultry?) assessment of MoB *hee hee* So far it's been a book I have no trouble putting down. And I should've characterized the selection as \"putrid prose.\" ;-) (Tracy) But whether it's a suitable vehicle for ODB is entirely another question. Of course, he doesn't seek my advice on his career...oops...leisure time activities. (and I noticed the aboutface) (Sadie) Sciasia sounds like a post-modernist...Clearly not a buddhist though. Metaphorical violence to achieve peace --- indeed! Lovely use of language, lovely humanitarian sentiments I think he writes detective novels. ********** From Murph, Relative Values will be broadcast on STARZ! on October 22 at 8:00 pm ET/PT for the first time and then repeated at various times throughout the month."}, {"response": 458, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (22:38)", "body": "(Karen) Is this horrid prose or what? I'd call it . . . poultry in motion.;-) (Sadie) I feel a verb of my own coming on. The verb to 'pass' in all of its moral and metaphorical indifference LOL! Am assuming that CF is doing this reading in English--didn't the original notice mention translated texts? Can't imagine there's a big audience in London for readings in Italian, whereas an English reading would potentially expand interest in this author's work. Or not.;-) I've said it before . . .Colin reminds me of the kid in the film \"Breaking Away.\":-)"}, {"response": 459, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (22:43)", "body": "(Mari)I'd call it . . . poultry in motion.;-) LOL! Now you made a puny. Maid of Butterball, that's a new Harlequin title isn't it? But does she actually butter any? How racey can a Harlequin get these days? I've said it before . . .Colin reminds me of the kid in the film \"Breaking Away.\":-) LMAO!"}, {"response": 460, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (23:47)", "body": "re: Sciascia...he's listed in the Who's Who of the Radical Party. Uh,oh...I feel the Italian FBI getting a file on ODB :-( \"Wrong crowd, Colin....\""}, {"response": 461, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Aug 24, 2000 (13:02)", "body": "The Italian Radical Party is the only one that battles for legalization of pot. Hmm! And they also had a porn star as a congressional representative who once sat on a desk while congress was in session and took a long leak in a squating position."}, {"response": 462, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Aug 24, 2000 (16:40)", "body": "(Moon) The Italian Radical Party is the only one that battles for legalization of pot. LOL--dude! The phrase fiddling while Rome burns comes to mind;-) I do remember the, er, incontinent porn star--La Cicciolina, right? Moon, just out of curiosity, what political party seems to be in control in Italy now (though I realize that \"control\" and \"Italy\" might not belong in the same sentence.:-) Would love to hear more about your trip whenever you have the time."}, {"response": 463, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Aug 24, 2000 (17:18)", "body": "Hey, Moon, I read in the 8/28 edition of People that Rupie is in Italy. Well? ;-) (Sadie) Maid of Butterball, that's a new Harlequin title isn't it? No, you're confusing it with Maid of Butterworth, in which the heroine does interesting things with syrup. (Sadie) Sciasia sounds like a post-modernist...Clearly not a buddhist though. Metaphorical violence to achieve peace --- indeed! Lovely use of language, lovely humanitarian sentiments (Karen) I think he writes detective novels. LOL!"}, {"response": 464, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Aug 24, 2000 (18:53)", "body": "Leonardo Sciascia has been nominated several times for the Nobel Literature Prize. Seriouus stuff. Writes historical novels, as well as detective novels and essays on contemporary issues. Translated into English. Well, despite the opposition, I still hold out for \"Maid of Buttermere\" and think it could tranfer very well to screen. It's a tale of social injustice and inequality (do I detect a theme?). Liked the book as well! Mike Binder has just finished shooting another movie in the UK with Alan Rickman and Juliet Stevenson. Ian Holm was originally going to play AR's role. MB certainly gets good actors. I think we'll see \"Londinium\" in the UK,( probably a SLOW type opening!) and it can't be worse than some of our homegrown \"comedies\"."}, {"response": 465, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Aug 24, 2000 (19:09)", "body": "Bethan, I thought you, of all people, would pick up that most obvious clue to CF's next project--Sciascia writes detective novels. Think about it. Detective. Insurance investigator. Armadillo. *cracking myself up* ;-D Encountered MB in Sex Monster while channel surfing recently. After 5 secs, it appeared he couldn't act. By 10 secs, it was obvious but I wanted to give him a little benefit of the doubt. By 15 secs, I could no longer stand it. There must be something to him as a director because he indeed keeps working with high-profile actors. His resemblence to Woody Allen, perhaps? ;-)"}, {"response": 466, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Aug 24, 2000 (19:13)", "body": "(Bethan) I think we'll see \"Londinium\" in the UK,( probably a SLOW type opening! Oh...a blink and you miss it kind of thing, Fab! SLOW never did get anywhere me, hope I don't have the same probs with Londinium :-("}, {"response": 467, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Aug 24, 2000 (20:29)", "body": "(Mari), I do remember the, er, incontinent porn star--La Cicciolina, right? Moon, just out of curiosity, what political party seems to be in control in Italy now (though I realize that \"control\" and \"Italy\" might not belong in the same sentence.:-) You are quite right my dear about Cicciolina. The current potical party happens to be the Bonzo Dog Party, but we have faith that the elections in April will change something. (Eileen), Hey, Moon, I read in the 8/28 edition of People that Rupie is in Italy. Well? ;-) I did know that,(blushing), he follows me everywhere. ;-) He wants to do a movie with a fantastic Italian singer named Mina. I guess he prefers her to Streisand and Cher. ;-))))"}, {"response": 468, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 24, 2000 (21:01)", "body": ""}, {"response": 469, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 24, 2000 (21:03)", "body": "(Bethan) Well, despite the opposition... Appear to have gotten off lightly. Thought my casual dismissal of one of England's most important writers would have stirred up another war... It's a tale of social injustice and inequality As I tear myself away from the MOB (yet again), I must admit that I haven't come to this part yet. Those edifying passages detailing the scenery, followed by hiking and more scenery, then an educational discussion about goat cheese, followed by more scenery, onto boil lancing and drainage, and more scenery, and then a detailed description of char fishing and more scenery have held me in thrall. Perhaps it will get better. Mike Binder has just finished shooting another movie in the UK with Alan Rickman and Juliet Stevenson It stars Mike Binder and Janeane Garofalo. Has there been any press for this? Haven't seen any. MB certainly gets good actors I believe Evelyn had the definitive answer for this ;-) (Eileen) Hey, Moon, I read in the 8/28 edition of People that Rupie is in Italy. Well? ;-) (Moon) I did know that(blushing), he follows me everywhere. ;-) Mama mia!! You naughty girl. On his home turf. And I agreed to lay off. Must reevaluate after truth now comes out. ;-)"}, {"response": 470, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (04:23)", "body": "Those edifying passages detailing the scenery, followed by hiking and more scenery, then an educational discussion about goat cheese, followed by more scenery, onto boil lancing and drainage, and more scenery, and then a detailed description of char fishing and more scenery have held me in thrall. LOL Karen! With such fine PR am v. tempted to rush right out and buy it (even cheap little me). BTW you edited me out. I said 'not much of a theory'. But perhaps a great plot? And I still stand by that, potential Nobel prize winner or not. However, his Radical Party compatriot's profound act of pissing while in session clearly forces me to rethink my earlier gut-reaction of oh-no, not another immature bit of \"pseudo-intellectual masturbation\". (Have sunk to quoting from Stranger in a Strange Land but it seemed fitting somehow.) -D"}, {"response": 471, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (04:24)", "body": "(Eileen) Bethan, I thought you, of all people, would pick up that most obvious clue to CF's next project--Sciascia writes detective novels. Think about it. Detective. Insurance investigator. Armadillo. LOL! Eileen, maybe James Bond is in the cards yet!"}, {"response": 472, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (15:47)", "body": "(Moon)The current potical party happens to be the Bonzo Dog Party Hmm . . .have distinct feeling that leg is being pulled by that minx Moon. On second thought, if weed-friendly Radical Party gets in, could change name to Gonzo Bong Party.;-) (Sadie) his Radical Party compatriot's profound act of pissing while in session clearly forces me to rethink my earlier gut-reaction of oh-no, not another immature bit of \"pseudo-intellectual masturbation\". Ya gotta admit, Sadie: she sounds like a real political wiz-kid.;-)"}, {"response": 473, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (16:06)", "body": "*major groaning here*"}, {"response": 474, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (19:45)", "body": "(Moon)The Italian Radical Party is the only one that battles for legalization of pot. Hmm! And they also had a porn star as a congressional representative who once sat on a desk while congress was in session and took a long leak in a squating position. Ohmygawd...it's getting worse by the day .Like I said...\"Wrong crowd, Colin\" These people sound base...What can we do...to save him from himself. This guy needs medical help!"}, {"response": 475, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (20:21)", "body": "Actually, I think it was the Porn star who needed medical help.... Let me see, how did those lines in Breaking Away go? (I could be making this up, it's been awhile.) \"Barney Rubble*, some actor. Rember how when he hits him over the head with a frying pan, And his head goes byong, and becomes the shape of a frying pan...wouldn't that be graate?\" To break, as in \"breaking away\". *Barney Rubble, cartoon character from The Flintstones, for Europeans who have never been subjected to it. (Mari)could change name to Gonzo Bong Party...political wiz-kid LMAO Mari! But you've got to get the word 'Bang' in there somehow, don't want to leave out their most-seen member. Geez, and I thought the U.S. was a sinking political Titanic. You know, I'm not against the Pot thing. I'm sure none of them inhale. ;-)"}, {"response": 476, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (20:30)", "body": "You know, I'm not against the Pot thing. I'm sure none of them inhale. ;-) I am starting to get ideas for DBs birthday bang... I mean birthday gong. ;-)"}, {"response": 477, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (20:31)", "body": "You know, I'm not against the Pot thing. I'm sure none of them inhale. ;-) I am starting to get ideas for DBs birthday bang... I mean birthday gong. ;-) Of course, I mean birthday bong. ;-)"}, {"response": 478, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (20:34)", "body": "can we make that a birthday bonk?"}, {"response": 479, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (20:45)", "body": "(Moon)I am starting to get ideas for DBs birthday bang... I mean birthday gong. ;-) Of course, I mean birthday bong. ;-) (Judy)can we make that a birthday bonk? LOL! Bonk the gong? Isn't that an old song or something..."}, {"response": 480, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (20:53)", "body": "it doesn't sound a gong can you sing a bit to me? Of course Moon's original idea of a birthday bang maybe nearer the mark since there's a few of us -a gang..now whats the word I want?"}, {"response": 481, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (20:56)", "body": "I believe it's \"gang-ho\"!"}, {"response": 482, "author": "Fran", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (21:14)", "body": "Does Mr. Firth need medical help simply because you do not happen to agree with his political views? Interesting..."}, {"response": 483, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (22:15)", "body": "Does Mr. Firth need medical help simply because you do not happen to agree with his political views? Interesting... Steve from FP thought so too....anyway that's MO. Let's go back to bonging and bonking..."}, {"response": 484, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Aug 26, 2000 (16:13)", "body": "(Sadie)*Barney Rubble, cartoon character from The Flintstones, for Europeans who have never been subjected to it. Oh, we have, we have...;-) Moon, good of you to remind us of CF's birthday party. Though since Her Marcianess seems to have forsaken us, I wonder whether we shall manage to throw a fitting shebang ...bong... whatever..."}, {"response": 485, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Aug 26, 2000 (19:13)", "body": "(Sadie) LOL! Eileen, maybe James Bond is in the cards yet! Bite your virtual tongue."}, {"response": 486, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 27, 2000 (02:51)", "body": "The Sunday Times has an article about how ITV is going to remake Dr Zhivago as a three-part miniseries, with Andrew Davies doing the adaptation. As a result, there's a big pic of Colin as Darcy as a hook, but no mention of him in the article. In fact, there's no discussion of who they WANT for the Zhivago, only some big name actresses for Lara. So let's not put two and two together and come up with 16 ;-) http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2000/08/27/stinwenws02004.html BTW, filming is not until summer and autumn 2001."}, {"response": 487, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Aug 27, 2000 (05:53)", "body": "Still, a very nice pic, Karen. (And I only got 8)"}, {"response": 488, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Aug 27, 2000 (13:35)", "body": "Hmm! I saw this over breakfast, and nearly choked on my cornflakes! Huge headline, ITV in \ufffd8million remake of Dr Zhivago, and a very nice pic of CF with subheading \"Romantic leads\". I pur 2 and 2 together and made 64...as would anyone, before actually reading the article properly. Mentions of possible female leads, but not male. It's interesting that it's being made with the financial support of \"Mediaset, the Italian media company, built up by Silvio Berlusconi,the former Prime Minister. Sounds like an Anglo-Italian production, and the most expensive ITV drama series ever (per episode)."}, {"response": 489, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Aug 27, 2000 (14:04)", "body": "Haven't heard this before. Got it from a Crowe friend in the UK. That old Firth cut-up!!! \"I read a funny story--he said that all of the cast were a little in awe of Julia because of who she is and the roles that she has played. They were all just thinking \"that's Maria Von Trapp\". She must have sensed this and one day there was a lull in filming and they were all looking out of the window across the fields and he starts to sing \"The hils are alive with the sound of music\" *LOL* and everybody just cracked up and started laughing--it really broke the ice.\" Murph CF as Dr. Zhivago? Lovely thought!"}, {"response": 490, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Aug 27, 2000 (17:08)", "body": "Monday 13 November at 6.30pm - Colin Firth will read from Italian writer Leonardo Sciascia Seems I have booked a trip to London in the wrong month, I\ufffdll be there in September. Sob! Wish he could inform us about his appearances early enough for his fans to plan their lives accordingly. (Evelyn)What can we do...to save him from himself. LOL! luckily there\ufffds always a chance that it\ufffds Sciascia\ufffds prose and thoughts that Colin admires, not the actual politics of the Party or pot or Cicciolina;-)"}, {"response": 491, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug 27, 2000 (20:23)", "body": "...with Dr Zhivago, he is to expand on themes in the book that were not reflected in the film. Sounds like Andrew Davies'meat....would be a super role for ODB if he'll do costume drama.Thanks Karen. (Evelyn)What can we do...to save him from himself. (Elena)LOL! luckily there\ufffds always a chance that it\ufffds Sciascia\ufffds prose and thoughts that Colin admires,not the actual politics of the Party or pot or Cicciolina;-) Thanks Elena....you always put things in proper perspective....and with humor:-))( You know me too well ;-))"}, {"response": 492, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Aug 27, 2000 (23:10)", "body": "Murph, I had read that it was Julie who started singing, \"The hills are alive with the sound of music\", not Colin, and the cast laughed with her. I did read about a re-make of Dr. Z in Italy but there was no cast mentioned. It will be hard for any actor to take the role of Omar Sharif. He is Dr. Z as Colin is Mr. Darcy."}, {"response": 493, "author": "ommin", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (01:53)", "body": "exactly - but one can dream."}, {"response": 494, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (11:39)", "body": "Moon.I think you are right. My friend got her sexes wrong on The Sound of Music Story. Saw this today. Brief mention of CF: Binder hitches series at HBO By Cynthia Littleton LOS ANGELES (The Hollywood Reporter) --- HBO is developing a comedy series with comedian Mike Binder that aims to take a look inside \"The Mind of the Married Man.\" HBO is close to greenlighting a pilot for the single-camera half-hour project, which is being eyed as a potential companion piece for \"Sex and the City.\" Binder will star and executive produce along with Michael Rotenberg and HBO's Stu Smiley. Binder, a stand-up comic-turned-actor-writer-director, said \"Married Man\" will center on four male reporters at a Chicago newspaper. The pilot is expected to be shot in October. \"It's an honest and frank look at how married men are when their wives aren't around,\" Binder said. \"It's about how guys look at life and commitment and work and sex when they're in various permutations of marriage.\" In addition to developing the HBO project, Binder recently finished directing two indie comedy features, \"The Search for John Gissing\" starring Janeane Garofalo and Alan Rickman and \"Londinium\" starring Colin Firth, Stephen Fry and Mariel Hemingway. Binder's other feature directing credits include 1994's \"Blankman,\" 1993's \"Indian Summer\" and 1992's \"Crossing the Bridge.\""}, {"response": 495, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (11:40)", "body": "All: Is odds and ends still at 136?"}, {"response": 496, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (13:19)", "body": "Is odds and ends still at 136? Sure is...and will be humming a little later, I expect ;-) Thanks for the info about Binder. A TV show set in Chicago? Wasn't his home turf of Detroit sexy enough? ;-) Guy's got to pay the bills somehow. We're all in for a real treat. ;-)"}, {"response": 497, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (15:44)", "body": "From the Starz website, here are additional broadcast times for Relative Values during October (times shown are all ET/PT): Oct. 22 at 8:00 pm Oct. 26 at 10:00 am and 6:20 pm Oct. 30 at 12:30 pm and 8:00 pm"}, {"response": 498, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (16:58)", "body": "Karen-what is the URL for the Starz website? I searched, but didn't find it. Thanks."}, {"response": 499, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (17:09)", "body": "If you put in www.starzencore, it now switches you over to their easily findable: http://www.800superpak.com/se/homepage.html What a bunch of idiots... ;-)"}, {"response": 500, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (18:50)", "body": "Isn't it about time that we heard for sure what his next project is, apart from his reading & writing of course."}, {"response": 501, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (20:03)", "body": "Thanks, Murph. So MB might have himself a TV series, eh? Karen, Detroit's loss is Chicago's . . .loss.;-)"}, {"response": 502, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (21:06)", "body": "isn't it about time that we heard for sure what his next project is, apart from his reading & writing of course. Baz B.'s column in in the Mail seems to be the only source of British entertainment news. You rarely get confirmation of projects, especially TV. Unlike major Hollywood projects which get a lot of news coverage (BJD for instance) I'm assuming he's doing \"Armadillo\" at the moment. There's no reason to delay it. I remember reading that Channel 4 were planning a series based on \"Sword of honour\", and the next thing it's all done and dusted, and ready to be screened. The news item about the Dr Zhivago project gave the filming schedule for next summer, and it will just go ahead. BTW, there *is* scope for a new look at Dr Zhivago IMHO. The film was wonderful, but I think (some time since I read it) there are aspects of the book that are different, more tragic (if that's possible!), especially Zhivago's relationships with the two women he loves. The ending is different...after losing his wife and son, and Lara, Zhivago drifts to Moscow, and lives in near destitution with the poor, writing educational books and pamphlets. He dies, without seeing Lara again. Anyway, will *not* (repeat *not*!) indulge in wishful thinking!!I think Andrew Davies could do something new with this."}, {"response": 503, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (21:13)", "body": "As several have brought up celebrations for Colin's birthday bash, we might as well kick off \"Party Central\" on Topic 110. For all you new Droolies, if you'd like to see how we celebrated last year, check this out: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/110.167 Moon (prez of PartiesRUs)...take it away!"}, {"response": 504, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (21:19)", "body": "I have never read the book & have not seen the film for years,in fact I wasn't of an age to either understand or appreciate it.If there's an inkling that he's up for the role I will rectify this. As for Armadillo that is my choice for him.I loved the book & couldn't put it down so I will be disappointed if he doesn't do it."}, {"response": 505, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (21:21)", "body": "(Judy) If there's an inkling that he's up for the role I will rectify this. No inkling ;-)"}, {"response": 506, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (21:32)", "body": "Thanks for the tip about his birthday bash Karen.thatsgoing to be a hard act to follow, Realised while I was over there that my brother has two things in common with Colin ,the same birthday & a small bald patch:-D"}, {"response": 507, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (23:23)", "body": "Since we have been bringing up the old bongs lately, how about doing a psychedelic theme party for Colin. He does wear those coloured glasses. ;-) Mini and maxi skirts, go-go boots and that thin velvet bandana. I am ready! Plus, I am sure he will love the music. Dusting off T-Rex. :-D"}, {"response": 508, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (23:47)", "body": "Are we also going to have something with which to fill the old bongs? Not that I necessarily want, ahem, organic pharmaceuticals to sully up CF's party. Are there other uses for an old bong?"}, {"response": 509, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Aug 29, 2000 (00:33)", "body": "I will see what my Turkish friends can do. It is going to be one hot-smoking party. ;-)))"}, {"response": 510, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Aug 29, 2000 (03:03)", "body": "(HR Article) Binder's other feature directing credits include 1994's \"Blankman,\" 1993's \"Indian Summer\" and 1992's \"Crossing the Bridge.\" Wot? That cinema classic, \"The Sex Monster\" is missing from his C.V.? Shocking oversight ;-). (Karen) From the Starz website, here are additional broadcast times for Relative Values during October (times shown are all ET/PT): Oct. 26 at 10:00 am and 6:20 pm Oooh, something to look forward to on my birthday other than an a new wrinkle :-)."}, {"response": 511, "author": "tamzin", "date": "Tue, Aug 29, 2000 (18:33)", "body": "The Radio Times which came out today, says that next week it will be announcing its drama programmes for the Autumn - Any hope for DQ do you think?"}, {"response": 512, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Aug 29, 2000 (19:24)", "body": "Fingers crossed, but the BBC seems to be very departmental. DQ is a BBC Film, and I *was* told by BBC Films that it was scheduled for October/November. But Films and Drama seem to be quite different, and so I don't know if it will be listed. Hope so! I know that Karen will slap my wrists for this (so what did happen to \"Flashman\" then?! :-)), but I *have* to report that there's quite a big buzz about the planned remake of Dr Zhivago in the media. The news was reported on one of the radio arts programmes...a Granada spokesperson is quoted as saying that they're tremendously excited about the project, and want the absolute best.(Granada are the producers...they made \"Jewel in the Crown\", \"Lost Empires\" and, I think, \"Brideshead Revisited\". Dennis Forman was the CEO of Granada). It will be filmed partly on location in Southern Italy. Also picked up in the Guardian (\"highly ambitious project\") and the Independent. And these are just the papers I saw... there may be more coverage. CF's name is mentioned in the Independent, but again in the Andrew Davies context, as the \"smouldering Mr Darcy\". Subliminal mention?!! Casting begins later this year. Mentions that the part of Lara is the one likely to be most difficult to fill, and they want an established cinema actress like Kate Winslett). No mention of casting for Dr Zhivago (why not? this is the main role.) Anyway, many a slip twixt cup and lip, so will say no more. I know it's television (but so was P&P!)."}, {"response": 513, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 29, 2000 (20:01)", "body": "I know it's television (but so was P&P!). But, but....that was six ....... years ago. evelyn*crying...in her Chardonnay*"}, {"response": 514, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Tue, Aug 29, 2000 (20:28)", "body": "No mention of casting for Dr Zhivago (why not? this is the main role.) Maybe they already have the person they want and don't want to reveal it too soon !!! A girl can live in hope ;-)"}, {"response": 515, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Aug 29, 2000 (20:33)", "body": "Bethan, end the suspense and just call CF's agent. I can hear his response now: \"Zhivago? What is Zhivago?\" ;-P Don't cry, Evie."}, {"response": 516, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 29, 2000 (21:18)", "body": "(Eileen) Bethan, end the suspense and just call CF's agent. I can hear his response now: \"Zhivago? What is Zhivago?\" ;-P *can't stop laughing* (Bethan) I know that Karen will slap my wrists for this and yet that didn't stop you! ;-) What I want to know is: does 136 have the cooties or something? BTW, there is something posted there that might be of interest, as the main (and possibly only) Butterball proponent."}, {"response": 517, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Tue, Aug 29, 2000 (22:44)", "body": "Karen-thanks for the URL. I guess I was in the right place--just v. confused. I didn't want to order the Superpak. Evenutally, I got what I needed. Thanks again!"}, {"response": 518, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Aug 29, 2000 (23:05)", "body": "So the Dr.Zhivago thing is a go then! I thought that was like remaking Gone With The Wind (or Scarlett the Sequel *unkind snort at that memory). Couldn't that be rather risky? --- even given your observation that there's room to update, Karen. On other hand, CF in costume drama suffering over unrequited love *sigh*. I'd go see it!! Must confess, that like Judy, I have only dim recollection of the film though. What year was it made? I think it was before I was born (1969)! My strongest memory revolves around skating to musac (sp?) version of \"Somewhere My Love\" every single fu***** time I went to the arena. Party plans sound wonderful. I looked at last year's. WOW! Going to be hard to live up to that, as Judy mentioned."}, {"response": 519, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (02:53)", "body": "An aside re: the L.A. September showing of \"Fever Pitch\". The last venue listed was for 'The Pasadena Playhouse' which is a genuine theatre. I have a friend working there, and being confused, I asked him if they showed movies too, and he replied: No, the Pasadena Playhouse doesn't show films, but possibly what you saw was the Playhouse 7, which is a Laemmle Theatre just around the corner from the Pasadena Playhouse, which shows foreign and art films, so it would make sense that Fever Pitch might be playing there. I certainly hope so, because it's within walking distance of my office, and it would be easy to catch the film there. So just a minor correction for any in that area."}, {"response": 520, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (03:42)", "body": "(KJ) An aside re: the L.A. September showing of \"Fever Pitch\". The last venue listed was for 'The Pasadena Playhouse' which is a genuine theatre. Thanks, KJ. I've been to the The Pasadena Playhouse before and was a bit confused myself because it certainly doesn't look to be location conducive to showing films."}, {"response": 521, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (14:14)", "body": "(Sadie) even given your observation that there's room to update, Karen Twasn't me, but Bethan's observation. Haven't read Zhivago for yonks (right word, right?) although it is true that many things were changed from the novel."}, {"response": 522, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (16:11)", "body": "Yawns, I mean yonks isthe right word, Karen. ;-) I still would prefer him as Flashman because he could really make the character his own. I never had much faith in MoB and I think it he is better off without it."}, {"response": 523, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (19:01)", "body": "(Moon) I still would prefer him as Flashman Bethan asked about Flashman the other day. Has anyone heard anything? Or is the project dead in the water? Personally, I don't think a Flashman miniseries would be the greatest vehicle for ODB but I'd be interested in it nonetheless. I've developed a fondness for Flashy, especially when he dines with women whose 'udders fall into their soup'. =8-D Hmmm, Karen--do you recall if Flashy has six-pack abs? ;-)"}, {"response": 524, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (19:26)", "body": "When are we going to get some news, he can't still be on holiday or resting, with such good news about Jennifer it would be wonderful to hear that Armadillo has got the green light and filming has started with ODB starring. A good role also for Stephen would be the icing on the cake."}, {"response": 525, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (21:05)", "body": "(Ann)..with such good news about Jennifer it would be wonderful to hear that Armadillo has got the green light and filming has started with ODB starring. As I said in #134 (\"Possession\" topic), I like to think that ODB was offered the role of Ash and he had to decline because he was already committed to his friend SB for Armadillo. How's that ...?"}, {"response": 526, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (23:00)", "body": "Evelyn. How's that..? I like it."}, {"response": 527, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (00:40)", "body": "Re: Armadillo. I recall someone contacting A&E on this recently (within the past month). Their response was that a script had been commissioned from William Boyd, but no commitment had yet been made on their part. Sounded like it might be a ways off yet, but who knows. . . maybe once the script is in place it can come together quickly. Re: Zhivago. I have nothing against remakes, but the film version of this one is pretty well imbedded in the public's psyche. Not sure I'd want to compete with ghosts."}, {"response": 528, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (01:31)", "body": "(Karen)Twasn't me, but Bethan's observation. Apologies to both of you. I read everyone's messages carefully. But it just goes to show how bad my memory is, if I don't go back and cut and paste actual quote!"}, {"response": 529, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (03:21)", "body": "(A&E) but no commitment had yet been made on their part. Well, we *know* that's an itsy bitsy fib, as they are co-producers. Think best course of action is calling CF's agent, as Eileen suggestion. Should clear things right up. ;-)"}, {"response": 530, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (08:34)", "body": "LOL Even if CF's agent knew *exactly* what he was doing, I don't think you'd get any information...more likely misinformation! I think that projects happen, but sometimes take time. \"Armadillo\" isn't a huge budget type project and presumably could go ahead with/without A&E. And I shouldn't imagine that William Boyd would have much difficulty in knocking out a script...the novel could have been written for the screen. Also the turnaround time on TV projects is usually a few months (DQ excepted!) I still think both MOB (as sole supporter!) could happen, and also the political satire on New Labour. Mentions often lead to actuality. I remember reading when \"Notting Hill\" opened that HG was busy playing tennis in \"rehearsal\" for a new unspecified movie...that's over a year now, and details have only just been confirmed.."}, {"response": 531, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (12:44)", "body": "A&E's involvement is fact. Whether it could go ahead with/without them, I wouldn't presume or Boyd's ability to turn the book into a workable script."}, {"response": 532, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (10:46)", "body": "I saw some details of drama for the Autumn in one of the TV mags....no mention of DQ. So I phoned up the BBC Drama - Films, again. It's not being shown until next year, and they have no idea when. Do they care? Why not shred it. I don't know what to say...it's a brick wall. The guy I feel most sorry for is Colin. For actor's careers to prosper, they need to be seen. No wonder people are giving up on him, and it's not his fault...he's always let down."}, {"response": 533, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (12:24)", "body": "Thanks Bethan for your efforts. I am sure there is more to this than meets the eye, I can see no reason why the BBC are not screening DQ. I hope that we don't have the same problem with Armadillo, should that ever take off. I feel really annoyed about this, why on earth go to the expense of making it, if it is not going to be aired!!! exasperated Ann."}, {"response": 534, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (13:59)", "body": "This week's RV engagements: 1. Studio 102, Coleford 2. Rex, Elland 3. The Forum Cinema, Northampton 4. Light House, Wolverhampton 5. Reel Cinema, Kingsbridge 6. Cramphorn Theatre, Chelmsford A lucky few will be able to go see it again. ;-)"}, {"response": 535, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (14:13)", "body": "A lucky few will be able to go see it again. ;-) Nah...they're waiting for it to come on the telly...."}, {"response": 536, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (14:16)", "body": "(Bethan) It's not being shown until next year, and they have no idea when. Oh, fer gawd's sake. They're back to this again? Bethan, isn't that what you were told... last year? To quote Paul, 'pathetic'. Since doing TV is *such* a prestigious thing in the UK, what's an actor to do if his work doesn't air? -- Equally Exasperated Eileen"}, {"response": 537, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (15:28)", "body": "Re DQ, as Ann says there has to be something else. DQ is part funded by Pandora Cinema. A recent BBC/Pandora film \"Maybe Baby\", written by Ben Elton and starring Hugh Lawrie, took \ufffd7million at the UK Box Office, despite absolutely dreadful reviews. Most (if not all)BBC films get a cinema release (albeit very limited). Pandora cinema have had quite a few successes...Shine, Kolya A good film starring Colin Firth, and written/directed by a BAFTA winning team, and should be PROMOTED, for god's sake! And even if it doesn't get a cinema release, show it on television! I rang BBC Scotland,( and this really is my last time), and was told that they're trying to find an appropriate slot for it.(Like, it's s-o-o difficult) There's still no transmission date (we're going backwards, here), might be shown early next year. (Hey, that's only two years) I've stopped listening to this. Absolute twaddle. Panora Cinema are based in Paris Phone (UK area code) 40 70 090 90. Also have an office in Frankfurt. Anyone multilingual out there like to give them a ring (Renate?) I've given up!!"}, {"response": 538, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (16:24)", "body": "FYI, most people at Pandora speak English. They have nothing to do with the BBC transmission and are sales agents internationally. My initial contact over there was nice, but had no information. Rest have been utterly useless."}, {"response": 539, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (16:30)", "body": "Most (if not all) BBC films get a cinema release Think I posted this ages ago, but the decision was made DQ wouldn't go theatrical. Program is not on correct film type for that and they wouldn't spend the additional money to transfer. I have actually spoken to the producer."}, {"response": 540, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (17:51)", "body": "Sorry, Karen, I remember you posted something about this. Oh well, bang go all my farfetched theories. I just can't think of any reason for the contant delays and misrepresentations/lies. They aren't showing it at Xmas or New Year. It seems that the BBC have no interest in showing this and have wasted over a million pounds of taxpayers money and the efforts of a lot of very talented people. I really can't think of anything positive to say. :-( Roll on BJD! Or maybe they really will show it early next year. At my most pessimistic, I can't believe that they'll just dump it!"}, {"response": 541, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (20:17)", "body": "Oh Well, I am just going to forget all about it and be glad that thanks to our Australian friends we have at least been able to see it. I was thinking that we had so much to look forward to last year, he made Londinium, goodness knows when we will see that, Blackadder - if you blink you miss him, TTOTS, a whole 2mins wow and Relative Values, which we did get to see but I am afraid I just did not like it, give me Mr. Darcy anytime to limpwristed Peter and why is it that we have to wait so long to see his projects, SLOW locked in a vault for years, MLSF delayed for editing for 2years and now DQ, oh hum. I think we will see BJD on time but as I said it is RZ's film and I think Colin could be a a hiding to nothing, the critics could have a field day, so needless to say I am not optimistic. Please please someone tell me that he is doing Armadillo, I really like the sound of this even if it is for TV. (hopefully ITV, I see RG is in a new series Bethan!! grrr)"}, {"response": 542, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (20:47)", "body": "OK it's my turn to give the pep talk: With BJD, I doubt the critics' opinions will matter. Everyone loves the book (everyone who matters ;-D); it's part of the popular culture. And don't forget that they've been doing a good job promoting it. So, English audiences will see it. And Colin doesn't need much screen time for people to be impressed (some by his acting, some by his abs, some by both). As the sexy man, as opposed to the jerk, everyone will want him to get the girl in the end. RC knows a good Darcy story when he sees it surely! Colin worked hard to get physically in shape for this role, which suggests he saw the opportunity and fought for it; he's not likely to throw all that effort away. There's also every reason to believe it will make a splash in the U.S. and I'll be so bold to predict that a lot of people who have not yet, will make the connection between Colin in this and Colin in P&P. It could spawn a whole new wave of Colin interest and obssessive viewing of older Colin flicks. The total impact of BJD will give him more power of choice and he'll take on another actor's actor role, a really good stretch for him, just as we hope. I've decided to be optimistic and lend my mental energy (such as it is) to envision the best. You see, all my joking aside, I'm not giving up Bethan! (And this time I double-checked to make sure I remembered who said what) :-)"}, {"response": 543, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (20:50)", "body": "No DQ!! what the hell is going on? Ann I agree with you about all these delays on his work but I do feel envious over those lucky people who have seen DQ. (RG yuk not again) I've had a bad year for seeing Colin's work ,I was beginning to think things were starting to look up but it would seem I was wrong;-("}, {"response": 544, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (20:53)", "body": "I missed your pep talk Sadie sorry! You do know how to cheer a girl up-abs *sigh*"}, {"response": 545, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (20:59)", "body": "I say all that, and that's all you have to say on the matter: abs *sigh*? -D"}, {"response": 546, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (21:07)", "body": "I'm very, very disappointed about DQ, and don't understand why the BBC don't show it. It would give CF a real boost, and it would be very accessible. And there is NO reason, absolutely no reason at all for the delay. I'm happy to have seen it, but for CF's sake, I'd like that experience to be shared by several millions. The BBC are already showing dramas and films made a few months ago....no problem about scheduling these, apparently. I'm going to believe that it will be okay. The original report was \"in the winter\" and \"next year\" so perhaps we're back to that. But I am fed up of seeing every other actor under the sun, except the one who really matters. At least DQ is still listed! One fear is that I'll ring up, and they'll say \"DQ, wot's DQ. never heard of it\"! I'll not moan any more. I actually think that he is an actor in whom there'll always be interest. He must be doing \"Armadillo\", Ann. That I do believe! And BJD...well, there'll be a lot of fuss about RZ, but it will be a major movie, with a lot of publicity, as the follow on to 4 weddings and NH. And he is the male romantic lead. And he is Mr Darcy. I worry about the critics, but hopefully they'll lay off him. And I really hope he gets good exposure in the US and promotes himself! It's rather like supporting a soccer team...they lose a few fixtures and you get downhearted, and then w-hoosh, they're off again. I also think that actors have different career paths in the UK...they are often less conspicuous, but carry on working. You gotta believe! Okay, enough from me...i'm just mightily peeved by the Beeb. At least I won't waste time looking at the Radio/TV Times!"}, {"response": 547, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (21:38)", "body": "Thanks for your pep talk, Sadie! Great stuff! I'll forget about our miserable Beeb and nation of telly watchers...if you think globally, NH took about $300 million, which means (I think) that maybe 50milion people went to see it throughout the world. If 50million see CF as the handsome romantic Mark Darcy in an entertaining, warm, funny movie, he has to make an impression. You just need that one successful movie... It could spawn a whole new wave of Colin interest and obssessive viewing of older Colin flicks. The total impact of BJD will give him more power of choice and he'll take on another actor's actor role, a really good stretch for him, just as we hope. I've decided to be optimistic and lend my mental energy (such as it is) to envision the best. I couldn't put it better! Well said!"}, {"response": 548, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (21:43)", "body": "(Bethan)maybe 50 milion people went to see it throughout the world Wow, that's mind-boggling really. I'm glad if what I said cheered you, 'cause it was meant to cheer and not to silence."}, {"response": 549, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (22:33)", "body": "(Sadie)It could spawn a whole new wave of Colin interest and obssessive viewing of older Colin flicks. The total impact of BJD will give him more power of choice and he'll take on another actor's actor role, a really good stretch for him, just as we hope. I've decided to be optimistic and lend my mental energy (such as it is) to envision the best. This is why we are grateful for newbies.Thanks Sadie.The rest of us are worn out."}, {"response": 550, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (22:51)", "body": "Actually it is amazing how fortunes can change, JE was unemployed for 6months, did an interview in a paper and happened to mention that she was unemployed, Tom Stoppard saw it asked why hadn't she auditioned for TRT, and the rest is history, a sell-out hit in the UK, Tony's on Broadway, and now a wonderful role in Possession. (not forgetting Design for Living) Perhaps BJD will have the same effect for Colin, I certainly hope so. Thanks for being so postivie Sadie."}, {"response": 551, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sat, Sep  2, 2000 (01:44)", "body": "Okay, have done my bit. Have complained to the BBC Drama Dept. Have praised D.Q. to the hilt - it was indeed a success here in Oz. Said so and how I failed to see how they had not shown it etc. Bet they don't answer!!!!"}, {"response": 552, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Sep  2, 2000 (05:27)", "body": ".... DQ is part funded by Pandora Cinema. (Bethan)Also have an office in Frankfurt. Anyone multilingual out there like to give them a ring (Renate?) I knew it sounded somehow familiar to me. I've seen their office, it is not very far from where I live, but I never connected these two companies. I'll call them. Don't expect too much.... but it can't hurt if they know that there's even a demand in Germany."}, {"response": 553, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Sep  2, 2000 (14:24)", "body": "(Sadie) I say all that,and that's all you have to say on the matter : abs *sigh*? -D LMAO touche,you've a memory like an elephant.But what you said made a lot of sense however once you mentioned abs I couldn't get my mind above them (which is unusual beacause my mind's normally below them )"}, {"response": 554, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Sep  3, 2000 (05:44)", "body": "(Anne)Okay, have done my bit. Have complained to the BBC Drama Dept. Have praised D.Q. to the hilt - it was indeed a success here in Oz. Said so and how I failed to see how they had not shown it etc. Way to go Anne!! (Renate)I'll call them. Don't expect too much.... but it can't hurt if they know that there's even a demand in Germany. It sure can't hurt!! to Judy: LOL! You're no sieve yourself! But was it really your mind that stayed there?"}, {"response": 555, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Sep  3, 2000 (10:30)", "body": "Renate I would be v.interested to hear what they have to say.They can't be any worse than the BBC & the blatant liars they have become. (Sadie) You're no sieve yourself! are you referring to my holiness or my holey-ness? and no its usually my hands that stray"}, {"response": 556, "author": "odessa", "date": "Sun, Sep  3, 2000 (11:22)", "body": "there's even a demand in Germany ...and in Finland. I have made wishes to tv channels that they would show CF-films. Well, atleast Circle of Friends is coming soon :)"}, {"response": 557, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (06:09)", "body": "(Judy)are you referring to my holiness or my holey-ness? Was paying you a compliment on your mind...but now that you mention it, the state of your UNholiness deserves a compliment too!"}, {"response": 558, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (12:59)", "body": "Have called Pandora in Frankfurt, and they never ever heard about Donovan Quick. Probably because this Pandora is a german-only company, and are not connected in any way to the Pandora in Paris. Sorry guys that I can't report better results."}, {"response": 559, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (17:41)", "body": "Have conducted scientific research all weekend and have determined BBC's DQ communication strategy. 1. Answer phone. 2. Spin giant wheel (similar to wheel in Wheel of Fortune). 3. Give response indicated on wheel. Responses include: 'We are evaluating the most appropriate time slot,' 'next winter,' 'I've never heard of the project [as is my first day OR am really actress doing undercover work in preparation for next role]', 'early next year,' and 'after the Queen Mum passes on'. 4. If caller has made several inquiries and all wheel responses have been used at least twice, switch to Magic Eight Ball mode."}, {"response": 560, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (07:56)", "body": "Inspired by Eileen's magnificent theory about the communication strategy, here is my attempt at a conspiracy theory about the suppression of DQ. Just as they were about to slot it into the schedules after it was made, some bigwig asked: \"What's this one about?\" Finding out it was a sideswipe at privatisation, and being a Blairite toady, he instantly quashed it. Reason: Blair, widely expected to stop the privatising or even reverse some of it, has seemingly picked up the Conservative baton and continued. So, even for Labour supporters, it's now not politically correct to slate the policy. However, a brave (possibly female) executive, with a taste for decent dramas and actors, has an agenda to get DQ aired, and occasionally tries to slip it into the forward schedules before it gets taken out again (hence the confusing messages). Of course, she even managed to get it shown in Australia. Her latest scheme was to propose a drama with CF playing Tony Blair, to show all New Labour lackeys that YDB was really on-message and could do no wrong, thus increasing the chance of getting DQ out. With the right comment from CF about the possibility of playing Blair (e.g. \"to play such a historic figure would be the pinnacle of my career\"), we would have had seasons of CF films, repeats of P&P, and a South Bank Festival Extravaganza devoted to the Worth of Firth. Sadly, all has failed so far, and the next move may be an assassination of the pig-headed BBC bigwig (or even Blair)."}, {"response": 561, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (09:53)", "body": "I like it Mark, heehee."}, {"response": 562, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (12:41)", "body": "Brilliant, Mark!"}, {"response": 563, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (12:44)", "body": "There's only one way I can think of (perhaps, because my mind only works in devious ways) to flush DQ out. I can't do it because I don't get BBC. Any brave ones?"}, {"response": 564, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (16:08)", "body": "Great Stuff, Mark! And I'm not really laughin', 'cause there might be lots of truth in the political side of what you said.It seems conspiratorial alright. One wonders if ITV or Film Four would have shown it by now."}, {"response": 565, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (23:10)", "body": "LOL! Full marks, Mark...;-) Karen, so what's your plan again? (Tag!)"}, {"response": 566, "author": "AnneR", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (23:26)", "body": "How about this for a hypothesis? DQ is based on life of real SOB, who is still alive and powerful. SOB exerts all his (considerable) influence to prevent showing. This article is from the Sunday Mail, a Scottish paper. It was published on January 30 of this year. QUICK...WARN BRIAN SOUTER; Can ruthless star in TV's Donovan Quick be based on our own pious tycoon? GAVIN DOCHERTY EXCLUSIVE HERE'S the story so far... a ruthless bus tycoon uses every trick in the book to drive his small-time rivals off the roads of quiet Scottish towns. Quite how Brian Souter, whose real-life Stagecoach empire has made him the richest man in Scotland, will view a certain new TV drama series, we may never know. But the BBC believe that millions of other viewers will soon be gripped by Donovan Quick. The series follows the efforts of bus boss George Mackie and his Windmill Transport empire to crush their opposition, and is named after a local hero who stands up to Windmill's multi- national might. Fundamentalist Christian Brian Souter, who is leading the campaign to keep Section 28, is known to love nothing more than a quality television drama. But he might not love this one. Despite reassurances by the BBC, there are plenty of people who suspect he might find this tale a little too close for comfort. Pride and Prejudice heart-throb Colin Firth takes the title role, opposite David Westhead, of Mrs Brown and The Lakes, as the grasping Mackie. The story sees Mackie take over a small transport firm and begin to axe services, including one to a daycentre for the disabled. Enter the charismatic Quick, who, with disabled pal Sandy Pannick (played by David Brown) has the guts to start his own one-bus firm to replace the service. Quick and Pannick are soon so successful they become a target for Mackie, who tries to poach their route. The BBC have high hopes for the series, scripted by Donna Franceschild and directed by David Blair, the team who came up with the award-winning Takin' Over the Asylum. They are billing it as one of their most emotive dramas of recent years. Interestingly for a work of fiction, documentary filmmaker John Mair was brought in as a consultant. Mair's hard-hitting films include two which may have helped him in that role. The first was his damning World in Action expos of Souter's business practices, Cowboy Country. The second was an equally critical Frontline Scotland probe\ufffdStagecoach Comes to Town\ufffdwhich so infuriated Souter he spent pounds 70,000 placing ads in the Scottish Press to rubbish the programme. Does Mair detect a whiff of Souter in fictional bus boss Mackie? \"I couldn't say,\" he says. \"I saw it at a cast screening. It is brilliant. Very good indeed. It is very clever. It is Blair and Franceschild on song. \"It is brought up to date with a large bus company which we are ever allowed to name.\" Meanwhile, Chicago-born Franceschild, who now lives in Argyll, stressed that Donovan Quick was simply about the tension between \"big capitalism and little people\". She said: \"Writers take inspiration from many things. Basically, I wanted to write about big companies that kind of squash small people. \"That was what interested me. Bus deregulation and train franchises were part of that picture in the Eighties. \"Margaret Thatcher's kind of capitalism encouraged that rampant steamrolling of everybody in your path. \ufffdDonovan Quick is very contemporary because the situation where the big national company wipes out the little guy has now reached grotesque proportions. \"But I was never interested in going after anybody in particular. I wouldn't like to say that I had.\" As the movie-men\ufffdand the BBC's lawyers\ufffdsay: \"The people and events portrayed are entirely fictional. \"Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental...\" ------- P.S. After reading this article, a friend of us all told me that DQ was shown on Australian TV this year right after the network got a new director. This guy used to be the head of BBC Scotland. Thus far, Australia is the [i]only[/i] place where DQ has been shown. Anne"}, {"response": 567, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (00:09)", "body": "This whole sorry DQ mess, if it is indeed political, reminds me of the fate of Tumbledown. BBC again. DQ is the best thing CF has done in years - since Tumbledown, as a matter of fact, IMO."}, {"response": 568, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (01:30)", "body": "so what's your plan again? Actually, it does involve these suppositions about Souter's involvement as in the above article. Threatening to take this info to the press, saying that they are bowing to political or financial pressure and have wasted taxpayers' money. Press would love to hear how the BBC cannot *find* a slot for DQ."}, {"response": 569, "author": "ommin", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (03:47)", "body": "Do you remember I wrote to the BBC some days ago: here is the reply Thank you for taking the time to contact us At the present time we have no plans to show \"Donovan Quick\" the film. However please be assured that your request has been noted for the attention of our schedulers. Finally you will be pleased to know that our drama series of the same title is due to return in 2001, although transmission dates have yet to be confirmed. thank you again for the taking the time to write. Cathy McNeill, BBC Information - e-mail info@bbc.co.uk Well what do you make of that - I have written again telling her I am utterly confused - and is Colin Firth in the Series!"}, {"response": 570, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (03:57)", "body": "Please ask what is meant by \"return.\" Had it ever been there before in any of its incarnations? ;-D Have figured it out. Is a shell game."}, {"response": 571, "author": "ommin", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (04:02)", "body": "I wrote again to this BBC lady asked that very question. Perhaps I will receive a reply. Told her there were many people with whom I have contact longing to see it - and how well it was received in Oz. Although I think the comments about Brian Souter are very relevant indeed. He's a nasty piece of work and has a lot of power. Has recently upset the apple cart by holding a private referendum in Scotland about Article 28 to do with teaching of sex, homosexuality in Schools and some 1,000,000 people agreed with him against the Labour Government - enough to frighten Tony Blair and Co. eh. BBC is I believe controlled by the Labour Government as Tony Blair and Co. have appointed a stalwart New Labour man in Greg Dyke. In my opinion that is."}, {"response": 572, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (04:16)", "body": "From my ill-informed American vantage point, I can't see how Brian Souter could possibly stop the airing or influence the BBC from airing DQ. The program can't even be construed as libelous, when it so clearly is about Thatcherism. Besides, over here, the networks would have a field day with this and the program would garner more free publicity as a result, which is good and something which would be maximized. Of course, I don't know !@$$ from Shinola, as we would say. ;-D"}, {"response": 573, "author": "ommin", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (05:16)", "body": ""}, {"response": 574, "author": "ommin", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (05:19)", "body": "Karen its beyond my comprehension too. Here in Australia it would also be shown in the same way as the U.S. But thats the theory and strange as though it may seem - they (the BBC) are afraid of this guy and the government - I will let you know when the BBC reply again if they ever do. But truly they have no idea what they are talking about half the time."}, {"response": 575, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (12:53)", "body": "\"Margaret Thatcher's kind of capitalism encouraged that rampant steamrolling of everybody in your path. The program can't even be construed as libelous, when it so clearly is about Thatcherism. For once capitalism worked on the side of the down-trodden, and it was Thatcher's idea. Why would Labour like it? Thanks, Anne. Keep us informed. There is a lot of confusing news on the part of the BBC."}, {"response": 576, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (13:13)", "body": "Labour would like this program as it exposed the disregard the Conservative government had for the people. Therefore, there's no reason IMO why Labour or the BBC would bow to pressure from Souter. Tumbledown was different. It was blatantly anti-government and aired while that government was in control."}, {"response": 577, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (13:28)", "body": "Thanks to both AnneH & AnneR, perhaps the Sunday Mail may be interested to know the BBC is dragging its fee with DQ. Perhaps we in the UK should all write to the Sunday Mail and let them look into it!"}, {"response": 578, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (13:34)", "body": "Labour would like this program as it exposed the disregard the Conservative government had for the people. What would happen if another DQ came along now? It would be worse. (I will now go back to the planning of DBs birthday party, politics are a bore). :-)"}, {"response": 579, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (15:26)", "body": "Thanks for writing the BBC and sharing your response, Anne. But truly they have no idea what they are talking about half the time. You can say that again. (BBC) Finally you will be pleased to know that our drama series of the same title is due to return in 2001, although transmission dates have yet to be confirmed. *clickclickclick* [spinning wheel, round and round...]"}, {"response": 580, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (18:18)", "body": "Perhaps we in the UK should all write to the Sunday Mail and let them look into it! We in the UK should all write to ALL dailies and weeklies and send them a copy of that article with a request, nay, demand that they investigate it further in the name of TV license payers - since the people manning the BBC customer/viewer service do not seem to know much about this film. And it wouldn't hurt if you out there in the wide world joined us and emailed as many relevant email addresses as we can find. Start rolling them now!"}, {"response": 581, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (18:33)", "body": "AnneR thanks for posting that article it was all new to me. AnneH thanks for sharing the reply with us and also for that info ,it wasn't until you mentioned Article 28 that I was able to place him. After reading all this latest nonsense from the BBC I'm ready to indulge in a spot of BBC baiting myself. Series? what the *$@* are they talking about? they're stupid enough to confuse it with Jonathan Creek:-D"}, {"response": 582, "author": "ommin", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (02:37)", "body": "I have had another letter re: D.Q. from the B.B.C. - she actually really looked this time - even quoted what the story was about to me. Then suggested my friends in the U.K. keep looking out for it on the listings and programmes etc. She was quite polite and at least did a little research re it. I wrote again praising D.Q. to the hilt and how privileged we had been in Australia for it to have been premiered here. So someone hopefully after this will now take it out of the archives, dust it down and perhaps put it on in the next six months!"}, {"response": 583, "author": "ommin", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (02:39)", "body": "Re Souter - the fear that the Labour Govnt. would have is his power over the voters in Scotland after his referendum - they would not want to offend him further!!!!! Can't afford to be courageous - re Yes Minister."}, {"response": 584, "author": "ommin", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (02:39)", "body": "Re Souter - the fear that the Labour Govnt. would have is his power over the voters in Scotland after his referendum - they would not want to offend him further!!!!! Can't afford to be courageous - re Yes Minister."}, {"response": 585, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (10:20)", "body": "Thanks for all the info/action on DQ! I'm hoping that the BBC are just incompetent and indifferent, and that there's no political agenda, and that they will show it early new year. Otherwise it's well worth writing to the press about this...Scottish newspapers, Baz. B in the Mail, Private Eye (the Media column) You can also complain to the PCU which investigates complaints against the BBC. It's hard to see why DQ shd be suppressed...it's not cutting edge drama, more of a fable about two innocents abroad, Donovan and Sandy, which also takes a very positive look at overcoming mental disability (the \"actor\" playing Sandy has a learning disability...in effect, he's playing himself, a wonderful performance). But there are parallels with between Windmill and Stagecoach, and Brian Souter of Stagecoach is not a man to cross. Labour, and Gregg Dyke, Labour's appointee at the helm of the BBC, could well be frightened of him, especially with an election looming. He heads the Rich list in Scotland, and his sister, Ann Gloag, is listed as the richest woman in the UK (ahead of the Queen!). Stagecoach was worth \ufffd4.5 billion but shares have plummeted recently. I read something about Stagecoach on the net...they were well known in the early days for bullyboy techniques and for behaving close to the legal knuckle.They would slash prices on routes, drive out the opposition, and the raise prices to former levels. They would also \"sandwich\"...run a bus ahead and behind on the route. When Souter's ex brother-in-law set up his own bus company, Stagecoach forced him out of business. The name \"Ann Gloag\" isn't a million miles from the name Ann Gorman, used in DQ. BTW it's easy to complain about the non-scheduling of DQ, so that the complaint is actually included in a monthly briefing to BBC executives (hopefully!) Check into http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/contact/com_email.shtml There's a form ...all you have to type in is the name of the programme, no transmission date, your name and email, and then your complaint. Takes a minute. I just said I was very disappointed that DQ had not been included in the Autumn schedules, as it was completed in April 99, etcetera, and has been shown in Australia."}, {"response": 586, "author": "ommin", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (11:02)", "body": "Go to it!"}, {"response": 587, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (13:27)", "body": "Have checked the movie listings for both LA and Palm Springs and don't see Fever Pitch."}, {"response": 588, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (14:17)", "body": "SD is doing \"The Cazolet Chronicles\"(four books!) a 5 Mil. UKP BBC production...five episodes this year and more in the next two years... to be shown in 2001 . [Hey ,maybe there's a part for ODB..with all those episodes one surely would fit in with his work regimen;-)]"}, {"response": 589, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (14:18)", "body": "sorry for italics..."}, {"response": 590, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (14:53)", "body": "From yesterday's LA Times, from Anne R.: The Laemmle Theaters' \"World Cinema 2000\" series commences at the Monica 4- Plex, 1332 2nd St., Santa Monica, with Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. screenings of David Evans' \"Fever Pitch,\" an amiable sports-romance comedy loosely based on Nick Hornby's autobiography. It really helps to be a soccer fanatic to become involved in this tale of a laid-back London high school teacher (Colin Firth) and an uptight colleague (Ruth Gemmell) who prove that opposites do attract--and whose romance is further challenged by Firth's primary allegiance to his favorite soccer team, which just may end its 18-year losing streak. \"Fever Pitch\" screens Sept. 16-17 at 10 a.m. at the Sunset 5, 8000 Sunset Blvd., and Sept. 23-24 at 11 a.m. at the Playhouse 7, 673 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Information for the Monica: (310) 394-9741; Sunset: (323) 848-3500; Playhouse: (626) 844-6500."}, {"response": 591, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (15:08)", "body": "Shoot! Should've searched on \"news\" and not \"events/venues.\" I hate the LA Times' setup. ;-D So the Phaedra people aren't entirely wrong, but was supposed to be playing this weekend in Palm Springs and the Hollywood (Sunset) Laemmle theater."}, {"response": 592, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (15:31)", "body": "And the weekly RV listing: 1. Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Aberystwyth 2. Poole Arts Centre, Poole 3. ARC, Stockton-on-Tees 4. UCI 10, Tamworth 5. Light House, Wolverhampton 6. Regent, Christchurch 7. Guildhall Arts Centre, Gloucester 8. Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy 9. Croydon Fairfield Halls, London 10. Plymouth Arts Centre, Plymouth 11. Watermans Arts Centre, London"}, {"response": 593, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (17:32)", "body": "[Hey ,maybe there's a part for ODB..with all those episodes one surely would fit in with his work regimen;-)] I don't think his work regimen is of his own chosing....he can't be happy \"haunting the shadows\" or playing cameos. And he deserves so much better. IMHO the BBC are treating him shamefully. He can act, and deserves to get leaading roles!"}, {"response": 594, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (07:41)", "body": "I've been away from this board for awhile --- too long to digest all the twists and turns of the BBC in a single reading. I think it's great that people have written and called to ask for an explanation. I hope you get to see it soon. I wonder if it will ever make its way over here to North America? As I said, I haven't had a chance to do more than skim, so I apologize if this has already been answered. But, I was wondering Bethan, the form looks like it's intended for British tv viewers. (Understandably. It doesn't really make sense for me to complain to the BBC about them not airing it, since I live in another country and I don't get the BBC.) What would anyone suggest as a possible action in that case? I suppose we could question our own public television stations, asking if they intend to purchase it?"}, {"response": 595, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (07:51)", "body": "Another thought: it's also possible to voice our disgruntlement as an international group. Could we not make up our own standard electronic form --- a sort of international petition --- as Colin Firth supporters around the world, simply demanding this film be in circulation and accessible to the world?Then people could fill out the form if they chose to. Potentially, the BBC could be deluged with emails from as many Firth fansites as chose to get involved. Anyway, I'm only throwing out ideas and would really like some constructive/ better strategies about what I can do. I do think that looking like an organized body of people gets you further, but I don't pretend to be politically savvy."}, {"response": 596, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (09:05)", "body": "I think anyone can fill in the form...all you need to put is your name and email address, and ask about acheduling. No need to put where you live. To be honest, I think that DQ will eventually be shown \"in the winter\", whenever that is. The BBC moves in mysterious ways. I just can't believe that it would be regarded as \"political\" and suppressed. But questions about the scheduling can certainly be asked. As Anne said, go to it!"}, {"response": 597, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (13:28)", "body": "Just incase it seems that I'm always posting news of things that aren't going to happen, the \"Blackadder\" film is being shown on Sky (with repeats) in October, and the \"Speaking with the angel\" tape is read by the individual authors (a double cassette) and is available as advertised, November 2nd. CF is included the Times birthday list of the great and good...he's the youngest in the list by nearly 20 years."}, {"response": 598, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (14:02)", "body": "\"Speaking with the angel\" tape is read by the individual authors What source are you citing for this? Waterstone's has just listed it, without readers' names, Amazon has not changed its, and nothing exists at the publisher's site. Of course, I do think that each will do his/her own reading."}, {"response": 599, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (19:43)", "body": "You are all cordially invited to Colin Firth's 40th Birthday Party Sunday September 10th at www.colinfirth.com Topic 110: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/110.366"}, {"response": 600, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (19:44)", "body": "You are all cordially invited to Colin Firth's 40th Birthday Party Sunday September 10th at www.colinfirth.com Topic 110: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/110.366"}, {"response": 601, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (07:56)", "body": "(Karen) Shoot! Should've searched on \"news\" and not \"events/venues.\" I hate the LA Times' setup. You should try reading the hard copy paper without the searching capability :-(. I scoured the entertainment section looking for FP news and found nothing. Then I saw Anne's message so had another go. I finally found the FP blurb buried in the once weekly listing of all the movies playing in the entire southern California area. This weekly listing is three to four pages of tiny, tiny type that lists all the films in alphabetical order with a tiny description of the film. FP is listed under \"Special Screenings Saturday\" and says only the following. \"World Cinema 2000 (Monica 4-Plex [310-394-9741]) Fever Pitch (1997). An obsessed English football fan's life becomes complicated when he meets a woman. Based on Nick Hornby's (High Fidelity) novel. 11a.m.\" Now with that exciting description and eye-catching publicity, doesn't that make you want to rush out and see it? Somehow I doubt Phaedra is going to get an audience with this pathetic effort at advertising. There is no mention of it playing again on Sunday, no mention of playing at any other venues in following weeks and the movie is not listed anywhere on the listing for the movie theater where it is showing :-(. The on-line search capability is all well and good, but unless you already know about the movie you're not likely to find it by searching. Most people I know choose what movie to see by looking at the movies listed at each theatre so it's quite a shame that FP doesn't show up there. I'm also v. disappointed that the only times it is showing is three Saturday and Sunday mornings which is not exactly a convenient time to go to the movies. Not to mention that it's the most difficult time for me to try and sneak away from the DH to see a CF film ;-)."}, {"response": 602, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (07:59)", "body": "I just realized that the previous post sounded more peevish than I intended. Sorry to take out my frustration on all of you! It's just that Phaedra has been promising an LA showing of FP for two and a half years now, and let's just say that this is less than I hoped for. Sigh."}, {"response": 603, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (13:00)", "body": "Perfectly understandable, Jana. Where else to vent your frustration about this lunatic strategy than here...the Peeved and Vexed board. (kidding, kidding - venting is healthy). Chin up. Give the hubby a long grocery list, take that shrink wrap off your new video and pop it in the machine. Paul will chase those Phaedra blues away."}, {"response": 604, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (13:52)", "body": "Attention anyone in the Boston area: RV is playing in the Boston Film Festival today (7:15 pm and 9:30 pm) and tomorrow (11:45 am, 2:15 pm, and 4:30 pm). Brief, lukewarm review in today's paper concludes with: \"Andrews exudes a starched warmth, and there are first-rate, crisply British comic turns by Colin Firth as a foppish nephew and Stephen Fry as a wizened butler.\""}, {"response": 605, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (14:20)", "body": "Gorgeous pic of our birthday boy on the Entertainment Tonight website. Go to: http://www.etonline.com and click on celebrity birthdays. Looks like it's from a premiere, Livia in background."}, {"response": 606, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (20:10)", "body": "Where else to vent your frustration about this lunatic strategy than here...the Peeved and Vexed board. (kidding, kidding - venting is healthy). That's news to me ...I thought we were supposed to keep our frustrations under'lock and key'... *winkie*, *winkie*..... Psst... evelyn,,,that's just selective frustrations ;-))"}, {"response": 607, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (15:44)", "body": "(Heide) the Peeved and Vexed board LOL! The P&V board alternates with the Dancing with Joy board. Thanks for the ET link, Mari. Looks like it's from a premiere Yes, that's his copyrighted LA premiere suit ;-). Pic looks to be from LA SiL premiere."}, {"response": 608, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (18:06)", "body": "Sunday Express had a page and half devoted to the birthday boys, \"Colin and Hugh: Who's Top at 40?\" Various categories. End result: Colin Fanciability Rating: With breeches - 10/10 Without breeches - 6/10 (obviously, woman writer hasn't reread what she wrote) ;-D Grant Fanciability Rating: 5/10 Black and white pic of Colin and Livia from some premiere/party. Same one as done before (red and black dress), but much larger and clearer. V. large pic of Hugh and Liz (in full color), with her wearing red and black see-through, cut up to waist dress) Am putting together and will post in its entirety. BTW, on p. 4, which highlights articles in Monday's paper, is notice for one on Jonathan F: 'Wasn't the Traffic Bad this Morning' Jonathan Firth on how small talk gets him through TV sex scenes."}, {"response": 609, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (18:44)", "body": "Without breeches - 6/10 (obviously, woman writer hasn't reread what she wrote) ;-D HotPig and P were pre-abs, of course ;-D Am looking forward to reading the whole. Thanks for posting, Karen."}, {"response": 610, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (19:21)", "body": "Am rethinking whether need to post, as is shoddy piece of tabloid reporting, absolutely nothing new, partial quotes that we've all seen before..."}, {"response": 611, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (19:36)", "body": "Please post Karen,we're used to shoddy reporting,it gives us something to get our teeth into:-D"}, {"response": 612, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (19:57)", "body": "Prompted to have a quick surf at The Mirror's site http://www.mirror.co.uk/(couldn't find any HG/CF billing debacle story) I happened across an interesting little button....search Mirror picture library - filled in the box, clicked go and 'Lo and behold' found to my sheer delight about ten shots (some of which I hadn't seen before) of ODB with/without Henry/Livia/Meg etc. This may be old news to many seasoned droolers for which I apologise...but couldn't deprive the non-enlightened of these great pix!"}, {"response": 613, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (20:17)", "body": "OK, here it is: http://www.spring.net/karenr/articles/express091000.html Not sure I'm going to link it or keep it up. The HG/LH pic is not the one in the paper. Can't find the longer shot on the web. But I know you don't really care. ;-D"}, {"response": 614, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (20:40)", "body": "Thanks Karen! I enjoyed reading that....as tabloids go, it's quite respectable. And much more favourable to Colin than Hughie! BTW the info on \"Speaking with the angel\" was from Choices Direct, a UK mailorder company for videos and talking tapes. I rang up for information. They were the ones who told me that the tape was to raise money for the charity for autistic children. I asked who was actually reading...and the salesperson reeled off the list of names. Also said one story had a \"bad languauge\" warning!"}, {"response": 615, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (20:54)", "body": "Thanks, Bethan. I remember you or somebody else had posted that Choices Direct had that info, but none of the other sites has posted it yet. And much more favourable to Colin than Hughie! CF is the clear winner."}, {"response": 616, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (21:09)", "body": "Thanks, Karen! Now they have Livia listed as a script writer. I guess we will never know the truth."}, {"response": 617, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (21:28)", "body": "Hey Bethan, on your suggestion I left a comment re DQ on the BBC website and guess what I received a reply today. Nothing new I am afraid and full of inconsistencies. They say there are no plans to screen DQ this year and I must appreciate that they only plan two weeks ahead, if that is the case how do they know it won't be screened this year. I said that if they had no intention ever of showing DQ would they please say so, have yet to hear a reply to that."}, {"response": 618, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (21:49)", "body": "Thanks Karen...flattering article for Colin. Livia Giuggioli, a beautiful Italian scriptwriter,... That woman has more career changes... However, a recent survey for Company magazine of the 100 most sexy men in the world put Grant at a pathetic number 87, miles behind the top choice, Robbie Williams. Now that's embarassing....but who is Robbie Williams?"}, {"response": 619, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (03:36)", "body": "Re: Writing to the BBC These are letters to The Times: BBC squanders its classics goldmine From Ms Irene Shubik Sir, I was particularly interested to read your coverage of the BFI poll of top TV classics (report, September 6), as I was responsible for two of the programmes listed, Edna, The Inebriate Woman, which I produced on Play for Today, and The Jewel in the Crown, of which I was the deviser. Some months ago I suggested to the BBC screening a repeat season of Play for Today classics, accompanied by interviews of the key production people involved. The response to my idea, which eventually landed in the documentaries and history department, was quintessentially Birtian. It consisted of a bland few lines from two typed names in the \"Development & Strategy Unit\", first telling me that they were not interested, then giving the following warning: \"Even if in the future we produce or commission a programme which you believe is the same or similar to your suggestion, but which has come coincidentally from another source, we cannot compensate you.\" I subsequently wrote to Greg Dyke, who had recently taken over at the BBC, forwarding the letter and wondering what happened to newcomers trying to put ideas to the BBC if someone like myself, who had produced for 14 years there, received such a response. My reply came not from Mr Dyke but from his correspondence secretary, who told me to communicate in future with her. At that point, needless to say, I gave up. Coincidentally, at the same time, I was commissioned to update my book on producing Play for Today for a new edition because of the ongoing interest in classic TV. Yours sincerely, IRENE SHUBIK, September 7. From Mr Gavin Wilson Sir, The BFI's list of many wonderful television programmes serves only to highlight the BBC's squandering of its magnificent archive. Masterpieces such as Pennies from Heaven (No 21), Blue Remembered Hills (No 36) and A Very Peculiar Practice (No 89) have never been available on video or DVD. Indeed, the BBC's failure to capitalise on the DVD explosion is a national disgrace. So far the BBC has only a paltry eight titles in its DVD catalogue, when some film companies already offer more than a hundred. What sort of government would grant the BBC a licence fee increase above the rate of inflation when the corporation is sitting on such an unexploited goldmine? Yours sincerely, GAVIN WILSON, September 6."}, {"response": 620, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (06:35)", "body": "Hmmmm, lots of interesting stuff mentioned. BBC still a big wet blanket in the CF fan's life. Who is Robbie Williams? They can't mean Robin Williams, even if he is a sweetie. I always care about longer shots, Karen! I did read the whole Tabloid article too. Thanks for link to pics Tracy. I followed your instructions and viola! I still don't think it makes sense for a non-Brit to protest no BBC airing of DQ when I don't get BBC, but glad people are stirring the pot."}, {"response": 621, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (10:11)", "body": "I followed your instructions and viola! I couldn't see any viola, though... I still don't think it makes sense for a non-Brit to protest no BBC airing of DQ A non-Brit can always express a surprise and commiseration on behalf of Brit friends... also anxiety if delays in British airing of programs mean that the American fans of the Beeb productions will be deprived. And there are Brits visiting Spring, of course."}, {"response": 622, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (10:16)", "body": "I followed your instructions and viola! I couldn't see any viola, though... I still don't think it makes sense for a non-Brit to protest no BBC airing of DQ A non-Brit can always express a surprise and commiseration on behalf of Brit friends... also anxiety if delays in British airing of programs may mean that some foreign fans of the Beeb productions will be deprived. (Doesn't always apply to the Australians, lucky things!)"}, {"response": 623, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (12:42)", "body": "Robbie Williams is an English rock singer. Very handsome, talented too (IMO:-) Biggest hit so far I guess would be Millenium, out late last year. Has a new one out that I heard the other day; don't know the name of it yet, sounded great though."}, {"response": 624, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (17:18)", "body": "Thanks Mari, it's ringing a bell now."}, {"response": 625, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (17:26)", "body": "Hmmm, I of course meant \"voila\", and simply made a typo. I appreciate that most droolers don't find it necessary to correct or point out these little human occurrences."}, {"response": 626, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (17:34)", "body": "(Ann) I left a comment re DQ on the BBC website and guess what I received a reply today. Nothing new I am afraid and full of inconsistencies. They say there are no plans to screen DQ this year and I must appreciate that they only plan two weeks ahead, if that is the case how do they know it won't be screened this year. *snort* Have had another brainstorm about BBC communication strategy. For each day of the week, there is a single, universal response to any inquiry about any program. Bet they just hit a button and all the e-mails say the same thing. Let's see what Wednesday's response is! ;-D"}, {"response": 627, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (17:53)", "body": "I appreciate that most droolers don't find it necessary to correct or point out these little human occurrences. Oh, lighten up. For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbours, and laugh at them in our turn?"}, {"response": 628, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (19:35)", "body": "...Sounding fareley crankie today. Did some one get up on the rong side of the bed? Besides, knot awl of us subscribe to Mr Bennet's filosophie of life."}, {"response": 629, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (22:43)", "body": "BTW, Colin did not get a birthday mention (again) at ET this weekend. Taped the show and they mentioned Hugh's for Saturday, but only Ryan Phillipe and Amy Irving's for Sunday. Maybe next year..."}, {"response": 630, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Sep 13, 2000 (00:17)", "body": "knot awl of us subscribe to Mr Bennet's filosophie of life. I see. Fiddlesticks, but no viola... ;-P"}, {"response": 631, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Sep 13, 2000 (18:25)", "body": "Thanks Karen,a fun article really & more publicity for BJD.CF does come off better but we know that already. I received my reply from the beeb today, sounds very similar to Ann's, apologizes for irritating me & then irritates me more by referring me to RT mag for info on listings.Since our emails to them don't seem to be having any effect maybe Sadie's idea of some sort of group effort would work. (Do hope my spelling is up to scratch *snort*) Synchro?"}, {"response": 632, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Sep 13, 2000 (19:24)", "body": "Sorry to hear of your frustrations when dealing with the BBC ---Ann & Judy. Just let me know when you want to start the revolution! (Eileen)Bet they just hit a button and all the e-mails say the same thing. Let's see what Wednesday's response is! ;-D LOL Eileen, sounds like American political campaigns! (Karen) BTW, Colin did not get a birthday mention (again) at ET this weekend. That's disappointing! I caught mention of RZ on ET (I forget which night) though no mention of BJD. Arami, Mr. Bennet is no model for how to win friends and influence people, and let's just leave it at that. In other words, let's just agree to steer clear of each other, ok?"}, {"response": 633, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Wed, Sep 13, 2000 (20:42)", "body": "Hi everyone Thanx for all your welcoming words at Colin's birtday celebration. It was a fabulous idea and very well done...funny as hell too ! Is this the topic we use for current Colin meanderings ? Karen e mailed me (thanks Karen ) a listing of the Colin Drool topics. However, I have a really crappy/slow computer and its hard for me to jump from topic to topic and I do want to keep up to date with you all. If I want to jump from this one to the Bridget Jones topic, for example, whats the best way to do it ? The only option I curently have, is to click on the Prev Topic button. That gets me to the BJ topic ok, however it takes me to the very first posts from 2 years ago and, I then have to spend AGES scrolling thru all the poss to get to the most recent. Any tips, fellow Firthians ? Was just reading some old posts about Colins weight. I think its a load of rubbish. He may have worked out to get in BETTER shape then he was in, but he was NEVER, EVER flabby. The nerve !! However, he does have a wide, somewhat fleshy face that will probably get jowely ( I know I've spelt that wrong, but you know what I mean ) as he gets older. So I suppose, his face can look abit porky in pix, but to me, it just adds to his rugged charm ( sigh ....) I've always thought he had a very distinctive, expressive face, not bland, or \"neutral\" as some interviewers describe it. I think thats what I love so much about his face, theres nothing of the \"pretty-boy\" about it....just pure character....yum !! It's an interesting face, dontcha' think ? I'd better shut up now, I'm starting to ramble. Sorry this is so long, but I wanted to get my monies worth. Who knows when I'll be able to post again with my rotten computer ? See ya Bethanne"}, {"response": 634, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 13, 2000 (22:35)", "body": "Good, Bethanne, you finally made it over. If the \"new\" setting can't work for you because there's too much out there that is \"new\" for you, try the \"week's worth\" setting. For the main page is: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/drool/all/since/-7 For Colin: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/134/since/-7 For Bridget: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/131/since/-7 Then you can use the \"new\" settings. Bookmark these: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/131/new http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/134/new"}, {"response": 635, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (00:53)", "body": "(Sadie) let's just agree to steer clear of each other, ok? Oooh, pushy little number, aren't you? ;-P"}, {"response": 636, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (03:08)", "body": "Tracy, thanx for the link to the CF pix on the Mirror's website. I have read several references in CF interviews/articles to the famous \"vacume\" tabloid photos, taken when P&P fever was in full flight back in '95. Tabloid journalists were staking out his home and these pix seeemd to represent the national obbsession with CF at the time. I have been just DYING to see them ever since. So thanks for the link. Pity the pix are so small though, any ideas on how to enlarge them ? Beth."}, {"response": 637, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (03:27)", "body": "Bethanne: Navigation suggestion: Once you become a regular visitor to drool, keep your handy little notebook by your side and note down the last response number for each topic you visited. (Ex: this would be 134.637 -- =Topic 134, response 637). Then next time you come in, just type into the address bar above the last place you were in (i.e.: \"... drool/134.637\") and \"enter\" -- you go right there and load only the new messages. To jump from topic to topic, just go up to the Address bar and type in the next Topic and response you want. (Using \"new\" is fine, but it has a disadvantage: it doesn't allow you to print down what comes up and in order to print, you'd have to note down the first response number and enter it into the address bar anyway). If this confuses, just ignore it. ;-)"}, {"response": 638, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (03:48)", "body": "Great idea....thanks ! 'Scuse my ignorance of navigating the drool rooms, but I only recently aquired my own PC, so I'm still learning the ins and outs of the internet....still, better late than never !!"}, {"response": 639, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (13:52)", "body": "(Judy)Synchro? LOL! If I understand you, yes, today. Welcome Bethanne! I was only able to pop into the B-day party quickly, and didn't have a chance to greet you there. he was NEVER, EVER flabby....So I suppose, his face can look abit porky in pix, but to me, it just adds to his rugged charm ( sigh ....) You've touched on one of my fave subjects --- Colin's face. I too don't care for pretty boys and much prefer CF's looks. I don't think the camera always does him justice --- maybe loses some of the subtle contours of his face. Have you noticed how amazing he looks in extreme close-ups where nothing is lost? I'm thinking of that P&P scene when he's in the carriage travelling from Pemberley to London to find Wickham. And those sideburns, sigh. But that's another subject....His face doesn't look at all fleshy then...or when he's sitting by the pond, skinting, looking damn sexy....I could go on and on, but I try to restrain myself these days. You should come by Darcy Drool --- that's where we discuss him endlessly in great detail."}, {"response": 640, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (13:53)", "body": "hmmm, I meant \"squinting\" of course. Fingers slipped on the keyboard. Must remember to wipe drool."}, {"response": 641, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (19:09)", "body": "Those cheeks were made for pinching ( Sadie) Ha snap!!"}, {"response": 642, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (00:08)", "body": "Anne R found a new interview with Jon Firth in a Scottish newspaper. Link here: http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Theater/3782/stone2.html A lot of Colin too. They are not the closest of brothers, IMO."}, {"response": 643, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (02:31)", "body": "Interesting article on JF. I dunno about the \"closeness\" of the brothers bit. There are seven years between me any my brother and its really, really hard to be close to a sibling with a big age gap. One is already an adult and getting on with his life, when the other one is still a child. It makes any real closeness tough. I think there is another JF interview at the same site, talking about CF letting JF stay with him for long periods of time while J was still a struggling young actor. They apppear closer in that interview. I don't believe that he isn't just a wee bit jealous of his brothers success. How could he not be ? Sadie, glad you agree with me on Colin's delectable face. You used the perfect word...contours. I think thats the reason George Clooney and Brad Pitt don't do anything for me. I know they are very goodlooking men, but my stomach does not do the somersaults when I see them on screen that happen when CF is up there. Their faces are just too smooth and bland to draw my interest. There is a fabulous pic of Colin at one of his many websites, it may be Firth Frenzy or Colin Firth:Faces. Anyway, go to their photo gallety and look at the black and white photo from Empire Magazine. Its just an amazing picture. He is looking down at something, with his head bent. The camera portrays the beautiful play of shadows on his cheekbones. As it's a black and white and not a colour pic, the play of light on the planes and angles of his face is beautifully accentuated. Check it out !! Gotta go now, I'm drooling so much I'm making a mess onm y keyboard. O yeah one more thing, whats the Darcy Drool you are referring to ? Is this different to topic #134 where we are are right now ? See ya"}, {"response": 644, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (07:06)", "body": "Yes, Darcy Drool is at #112 where we drool about CF as Darcy, as opposed to drooling about CF as Colin (such fine distinctions, eh?) At BJD though, you can drool about Colin as Darcy because he is Mr. Darcy, v. confusing. -D"}, {"response": 645, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (11:25)", "body": "Quick catch up.. Just to say that I also had an email reply from the Beeb re DQ...\"no plans to show the film DQ at current moment but they're sure I'll be happy (I'm ecstatic!) to know that DQ the series will be returning in 2001.\" (Same reply as Anne's) Sheer codswallop, to put it politely! Have now absolutely no faith in any of the BBC's utterances! ButI see that in the latest news on Lisa's Timeline website (always v. accurate) she's got news that DQ is scheduled by the BBC for the fall, and a precise date for \"Blackadder\".Here's hoping she has a reliable inside source! RE junior bro, I remember reading (and don't ask me for the source, probably something I read at the hsirdressers :-)) a comment by Helen Fielding, that she went to watch Arsenal with NH, Colin and his brother. And something about them having the same sense of humour. (this was before CF was married). Article in \"Timeout\" about a demonstration planned in London about plight of asylum seekers in UK and increasing racist attacks and racist agendas in the media. It's on Nov 4th, and there's a march to the Home Office from the Embankment in the morning, followed by a public rally in Trafalgar Square."}, {"response": 646, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (12:48)", "body": "Bethan, I had a second email from the BBC today and they say that although DQ is not scheduled for this year it is earmarked for sometime in 2001, we can only hope and they do seem to be talking about the one-off drama DQ and not the series whatever that is."}, {"response": 647, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (13:01)", "body": "Bethan, hate to burst your bubble, but the Timeline info (Blackadder date and DQ airdates) came from here. Perhaps you skimmed over those posts long ago. Actually, I think the fall DQ airdate was one you had posted ages ago. *hee hee*"}, {"response": 648, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (16:32)", "body": "Well, I went ahead and emailed the BBC using that form. I only hope they're not too rude when they tell me it's none of my business and call me a typical interfering American."}, {"response": 649, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (16:34)", "body": "(Bethan)ButI see that in the latest news on Lisa's Timeline website (always v. accurate) she's got news that DQ is scheduled by the BBC for the fall Bethan...many of those CF website editors are Spring lurkers and get their info here, then post it on their websites without giving Spring as the source. We are always pleased to have them, however...just wish they would give us the credit;-)"}, {"response": 650, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (16:37)", "body": "Actually, I think the fall DQ airdate was one you had posted ages ago. *hee hee* I did wonder about that! Going round in circles.....oooooooooooo. I *was* told \"October/November\" :-( although DQ is not scheduled for this year it is earmarked for sometime in 2001.. Sometime? Well, what's two years. And ratings for the Beeb are at an all time low, the Controller of BBC1 has been \"removed\" from his post, the Director General is apologising for the lack of good drama (no money!). Cloud cuckoo-land!"}, {"response": 651, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (18:35)", "body": "(Evelyn) many of those CF website editors are Spring lurkers and get their info here, then post it on their websites without giving Spring as the source. Well, we can always coax them out by posting pictures from their sites here ;-). Am disappointed the Beeb can't come up with anymore creative run-around lies *oops* I mean responses to DQ inquiries. They seem to be alternating between these two stock replies--completly shoots down my two theories about their communication strategies. Rats. Thanks for JF article, Murph (good thing CF was referenced or OT police officer [aka spelling police] would throw you in jail). LOL about all the sideways references to Leprechauns (assuming he hasn't done many other American projects)."}, {"response": 652, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (18:39)", "body": "(Eileen) completly shoots down my two theories about their communication strategies. Rats. But have you forgotten the others? \"Don't know anything about it.\" (which is tried first) and \"Check your RT to see when it will be broadcast next\" (a fairly new approach) That 4 stock responses. Surely there was another, so that your day-of-the-week theory holds."}, {"response": 653, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (19:15)", "body": "Well, I went ahead and emailed the BBC using that form. I only hope they're not too rude when they tell me it's none of my business and call me a typical interfering American. Thanks for your support, Sadie! I'm all for the \"interfering\" approach, and plan to carry on interfering about this until I get a definite answer! It's good that Timeline has highlighted DQ.....might prompt more complaints to the Beeb. Welcome Bethanne! I agree with you about the delectable face. Hopefully after BJD hits the screens, there'll be a global appreciation."}, {"response": 654, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (19:22)", "body": "Is anyone taking the DQ \"conspiracy\" theory to the papers? I would add that BBC is spending money on developing that Blair project... Will that be shelved too as too political or does BBC have a political bias that should be exposed? (an anti-Thatcher cum Brian Souter parable is not OK, but a Blair expose is?)"}, {"response": 655, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (20:04)", "body": "(Karen) Is anyone taking the DQ \"conspiracy\" theory to the papers? To me, that's the most effective way to go, starting with contacting that Scottish journalist because a) DQ is already on his radar screen and b) he already raised the issue of political controversy and DQ. A sympathetic ear, IMO. Have not had any luck trying to contact various phone numbers for info on the London Filmfest--could someone local give it a try? I was able to talk to someone at Sunlight Productions in LA (Binder's company) who told me that Londinium is \"still being considered\" for showing at the Fest. So, maybe the full program isn't available yet. Anyway, Londinium is not, as it stands now, being shown at any other fest. They are \"showing it to exhibitors,\" trying to get distribution.:-("}, {"response": 656, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (20:14)", "body": "I agree wth Bethan,Sadie 'interfer' as much as you want.I still think Sadies idea is a good one,a group effort,maybe we could do a joint one highlighting the some of the varying replies we've been given.I'll be interested to see what reply they give Sadie,if they tell her to read the RT then I'll know they're not reading the emails properly.Also we need to make a point of the series business,they didn't mention it to me.My reply was from Richard Carey,anybody else? A Blair expose - well he's giving us enough ammo to make it interesting,I have mixed feelings over Colin playing a Blair type figure."}, {"response": 657, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (20:23)", "body": "Mari, see 136 re: film fest As I've said, writing the BBC is IMO useless, falling on deaf ears, as they say. Unless you mention the conspiracy/coverup aspects and say you are taking this to the press, you'll get no where."}, {"response": 658, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (20:39)", "body": "Judy and Bethan, I was wondering if you have been communicating with the same person as I have. I have had two emails from a Damian Whyte, BBC Information and the second was much more positive, \"ear-marked for 2001\", is the most definite answer we have received, I think. Not sure about going to the papers Karen, we may be making a mountain out of a molehill just because it is CF. BTW much as I love to hear that JE & SD have two projects each lined up when oh when are we going to hear something about Colin, has he disappeared off the face of the earth since BJD finished!"}, {"response": 659, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (20:55)", "body": "Ann,Richard Carey is from BBC info as well.Had you sent another email or did he send it of his own accord? I am going to email back because I wasn't impressed with his reply. Agree its about time we heard what he's doing next."}, {"response": 660, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (21:12)", "body": "Judy try writing to Damian Whyte at BBC info, he seems to know what he is talking about. Both emails were in response to mine but I did make a point in the second one that I thought not showing DQ was a real shame and a waste of license payers' money!"}, {"response": 661, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (21:18)", "body": "Damian Whyte knew that DQ was made in conjunction with Pandora Films who had Distribution Rights and said that was possibly why fans in Australia had already seen it!!!"}, {"response": 662, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (22:11)", "body": "I'm glad I have my copy of DQ..I doubt it will ever be shown in the US unless they use sub-titles. I have been writing to the BBC off'n on for over three years now on various projects....they never know what they're talking about..nevah!Hopeless!"}, {"response": 663, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (01:05)", "body": "The e-mails I received from the BBC was written by Cathy McNeill - yet another one eh! They certainly do have stock answers cause mine were the same as Ann's Interestingly the Director of BBC Scotland took our ABC over at the end of the last year and January we got D.Q. couldn't just be coincidence could it!"}, {"response": 664, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (16:48)", "body": "Sunday Express article CF beats HG! Just wait 'til MD beats DC in BJD. Our boy's gonna come out smelling like roses. Cute find, Karen. Gah! Susan thanks for the info on the Boston Film Festival. Not a word since. Guess that means no one made it. Unless it's been posted elsewhere. Sorry, not finished checking. Sounds like they're slipping these films in at the last minute. Bad for us. (Evie) .I thought we were supposed to keep our frustrations under'lock and key'... *winkie*, *winkie*..... Hey, you never heard that from me. I vent with the best of them, just different subjects, and you know I'll never put a muzzle on me. ;-) (Bethanne) I dunno about the \"closeness\" of the brothers bit. .. its really, really hard to be close to a sibling with a big age gap. One is already an adult and getting on with his life, when the other one is still a child. Good point. I think their closeness depends on which tack the writer wants to take with his article. I don't believe that he isn't just a wee bit jealous of his brothers success. Well if one of your recent roles required you to wear a blonde wig and put on fairy wings, you might be a little jealous you didn't get to play the Master role in TOTS too. ;-) And that was a cheap shot and totally beneath me and should be deleted immediately. (Sadie) Darcy Drool is at #112 where we drool about CF as Darcy, as opposed to drooling about CF as Colin (such fine distinctions, eh?) At BJD though, you can drool about Colin as Darcy because he is Mr. Darcy, v. confusing. -D You explained it all very well, you clever girl. I went ahead and emailed the BBC using that form. I only hope they're not too rude when they tell me it's none of my business and call me a typical interfering American. Now what do you care? We wouldn't be American if we weren't interfering. Good girl and I shall follow suit. It's for personal satisfaction if nothing else. (Bethan) Article in \"Timeout\" about a demonstration planned in London about plight of asylum seekers in UK and increasing racist attacks and racist agendas in the media. It's on Nov 4th.. Good find. Please keep eyes pealed for us. (Evie) I'm glad I have my copy of DQ..I doubt it will ever be shown in the US unless they use sub-titles. LOL! I'm with you there. (Eileen) Well, we can always coax them out by posting pictures from their sites here ;-). Make that a double snort for me."}, {"response": 665, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (22:18)", "body": "Whats the scoop regarding the Sunday Express article about CF beating HG in the last post ? Is this the story from last week, about Colin being ticked off at HG getting billing over him ? If this is a new story, can you post it in its entirity, pretty please ? If it's the same billing feud story, just ignore this post. Thanx."}, {"response": 666, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (22:28)", "body": "Same story from 131. Wouldn't want anyone to be ignored."}, {"response": 667, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (22:53)", "body": "(Karen)That 4 stock responses. Surely there was another, so that your day-of-the-week theory holds. Yes Karen, fifth response is: There's no DQ here. We've just been wasting your time. They are actually the Monty Python crew enjoying a reunion, and have rewritten the Cheese Shop skit as \"Cheesy Snots Skit\". I have not received an answer yet from them, but at least I'm in good company. ;-) Thanks for your comments both Bethan and Judy. I feel better knowing you perceive it as support. I think it's time we opened up Pandora's box! What about going to the papers and contacting other CF fansites to get them involved in effort? The reason I think our own e-form dumped into their email would be more effective is 1) they would be forced to look at it; 2) they would realize that we are organized, international and complaints are not just a random occurence. (We are everywhere! suspense music here) What if we dumped emails into newspapers as \"open letters\" to the BBC? It doesn't really matter what their reasons are for hedging. Point is they are hedging, and we want DQ now! (Ok, so am just a rebel looking for a cause -D) (Heide)Well if one of your recent roles required you to wear a blonde wig and put on fairy wings, you might be a little jealous you didn't get to play the Master role in TOTS too. ;-) And that was a cheap shot and totally beneath me and should be deleted immediately. Wicked woman, I'm glad you didn't. Regarding email: Go to it! (I've been waiting for opportunity to say that.)"}, {"response": 668, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (23:26)", "body": "Okay rebel I still think that e-form is the way to go 'not just a random occurence' loved that,wonder what they think of all these DQ e-mails coming through. 'Go to it! (I've been waiting for opportunity to say that.) *applause* (couldn't resist)"}, {"response": 669, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (07:36)", "body": "Hey if there is some mass e mailing to the BBC that we can do, to ensure DQ makes it to our screens post haste, just let us all know and we can all take a crack at it. I'd love the Beeb to broadcast it so that my Mom in Ireland, can tape it for me. I'm dying to see it. CF loooks yummy in the snappies I have seen so far. After the limp characters he portrayed in My Life So Far and Relative Values, it will be nice to see him play a strong character again. Yum ! PS I rented Another Country at Blockbuster a few days ago. If any of you haven't yet seen it, do yourselves a favour and check it out. It's CF's very first film role and the assurance and confidence emminating from the 22 year old fresh-faced boy, is just staggering. In the movie, he plays a character who is very contemptuous of everyone and everything around him. Remind you of anyone in particular ? It's facinating to see CF as a sneering, mocking school boy and then fast forward 13 years later to the sneering, mocking, adult man from P&P. Rupert Everett has a much louder, brasher role than CF but its Colin who I can't take my eyes off in all of their scenes. He even keeps all his clothes on throughout, fancy that ! Anyway, check it out. PPS Major drool fest happening at #112 right now. It's hot stuff, but wear yer' wellies or you'll get soaked !! See ya"}, {"response": 670, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (14:00)", "body": "While having had the pleasure of seeing Another Country, I've never had the pleasure of seeing it stocked at my local Blockbusters outlets. The only CF film ever available from them was Valmont. Since My Life So Far and Shakespeare ... there are two films on the Colin shelf. Not that they display them that way but there's a thought. Colin's played a lot of flawed characters recently, hasn't he. But here Tommy was a model of integrity. Still you could see the turmoil and conflict he felt underneath. But oh! that hair, Louisa. That great thatch of pouffy hair was the first thing I noticed. Just as his teeth were the first thing I noticed in Valmont. ;-) If you like seeing our boy as a teenager, Bethanne, you should try Dutch Girls, if you haven't already. Though Another Country's not there you might also have fun checking out Film Discussions at colinfirth.com that Karen and Kirsten culled from our topic 98"}, {"response": 671, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (14:03)", "body": "And of course 1 + 1 + 1 = 3, not 2. Sorry I can't add, but do we really care?"}, {"response": 672, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (20:36)", "body": "(Heide) Gah! Susan thanks for the info on the Boston Film Festival. Not a word since. Guess that means no one made it... Sounds like they're slipping these films in at the last minute. Think you're right about the last-minute scheduling -- this one totally blindsided me. Didn't hear anything about RV being on the schedule till the day it was to be screened, and wasn't able to line up a babysitter on such short notice. Sorry:-("}, {"response": 673, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (22:36)", "body": "(susan)Didn't hear anything about RV being on the schedule till the day it was to be screened, and wasn't able to line up a babysitter on such short notice. Sorry:-( Listen Susan....No need to apologize...you earned your stripes with MLSF two years ago.You're my hero:-) Besides...it's gonna be on the telly next month;-)"}, {"response": 674, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (04:02)", "body": "Totally agreed. Unless RV were playing close by, I wouldn't bother, given its immiment airing on TV. No need to feel bad, Susan."}, {"response": 675, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (05:37)", "body": "Regarding Another Country: I think it's the first time I found a plaid bathrobe sexy. CF really emits a great deal of virility too --- and he's so young! I also think he makes communists seem v. sexy. -D (Heide)And of course 1 + 1 + 1 = 3, not 2. Sorry I can't add, but do we really care? Not me! I didn't even notice. Why nitpick when we can drool? Susan (hello btw) I'm just impressed that you knew about and were tracking the film festival."}, {"response": 676, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (07:31)", "body": "Bingo on the Another Country bathrobe, Sadie. 'Wot about the the striped PJ's as well ? I aslo love the glasses that keeps taking off and putting on in exasperation. His character is VERY verile, if you ask me, physically and emotionally. His mental strength of character and dogged adhearance to his convictions (especially when subjected to the ridicule of his peers ) is O so attractive , when seen beside the rather effette, wishy-washy Rupert Everett character. Astonishing performance in somone so young, dontcha' think ?"}, {"response": 677, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (13:41)", "body": "Sure looks like RV is doing the festival circuit internationally. Would definitely pay to check out all FFs even in the US before the 10/22 airdate. Ben Elton\ufffds Maybe Baby opens the Dinard Festival Of British Film, which runs October 5-8. In the competition section, Guy Ritchie\ufffds Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels\ufffd follow-up Snatch will square up to another much-anticipated, low-budget UK crowd-pleaser - Stephen Daldry\ufffds Billy Elliot. Also up for the Hitchcock d\ufffdOr at the Brittany-based event are Peter Sheridan\ufffds Borstal Boy; Paul McGuigan\ufffds Gangster No. 1; Simon Cellan Jones\ufffd Some Voices; and Aileen Ritchie\ufffds The Closer You Get. Other films screening at the event include David Kane\ufffds Born Romantic, Ken Loach\ufffds Bread And Roses, Kevin Liddy\ufffds Country, Julian Kemp\ufffds House!, and Dominic Anciano and Ray Burdis\ufffd Love, Honour And Obey. Mark Herman\ufffds Purely Belter also makes an appearance, as do Eric Styles\ufffd Relative Values, Khalid Al-Haggar\ufffds Room To Rent and Nigel Cole\ufffds Saving Grace. Rounding out the main section are Jamie Thraves\ufffd The Low Down, Marleen Gorris\ufffd The Luzhin Defence, Genevieve Jolliffe\ufffds Urban Ghost Story, Gurinder Chadha\ufffds What\ufffds Cookin\ufffd and Declan Lowney\ufffds Wild About Harry. Director Julien Temple is expected to attend a tribute section showcasing his work. Films screening in the sidebar include Absolute Beginners, Pandaemonium and The Filth And The Fury. The Late Oliver Reed and Alec Guinness get tribute retrospectives Here's the website for the fest, although is in French: http://www.festivaldufilm-dinard.com/"}, {"response": 678, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (13:52)", "body": "(Sadie)I also think he makes communists seem v. sexy. -D And Socialists!"}, {"response": 679, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (14:36)", "body": "(Sadie)I also think he makes communists seem v. sexy. -D (Evelyn), And Socialists! That is a very thin line. ;-)"}, {"response": 680, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (23:15)", "body": "What he makes attractive is the form, not the content. I.e., not communists or socialists as such - but all idealists in general. (Bethanne)Astonishing performance in somone so young Exceptionally accomplished and effortlessly confident. A born actor."}, {"response": 681, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Sep 19, 2000 (00:51)", "body": "Francoise from the Firth list posted this yesterday. If CF is in this, my heart might start to beat faster again! **************************** I found this on the Lola Film site. No mention of Colin. Fran\ufffdoise. _______________________________ In pre-production are \"Gaudi Afternoon\" to be directed by Susan Seidelman and starring Judy Davis, Marcia Gay Harden; the Carlos Saura directed English language period drama \"The Maid of Buttermere\" to be shot in the British Lake District, and the next Manuel G\ufffdmez Pereira Film, the English language comedy \"Off Key\"."}, {"response": 682, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 19, 2000 (01:22)", "body": "Sorry, Murph, but that writeup at Lola is very very old. They've redesigned the website, but the page is ancient, probably from December 1999. Can tell from the status of the other films. Not only is Gaudi Afternoon not in preprod, but it is screening at film fests. Thanks for thinking of us. *sometimes I feel my lot in life is to squash rumors about MOButterball* ;-)"}, {"response": 683, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Sep 19, 2000 (06:08)", "body": "(Bethanne)Astonishing performance in somone so young, dontcha' think ? Indeed I do! Loved the glasses observation BTW. (Evelyn), And Socialists! (Moon)That is a very thin line. ;-) True, although having myself been both at one time or another, I think generally, the socialist men had a better sense of humour, but the communists were better l -- sorry, too much information! ;-D (Karen)*sometimes I feel my lot in life is to squash rumors about MOButterball* ;-) LOL Karen, turkey and squash go well together. And soon turkeys will be flooding grocery stores for December holidays too! I recommend special virtual glasses which run fave CF film when this occurs. (Or, fave sections from Possession?) -D"}, {"response": 684, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Tue, Sep 19, 2000 (07:03)", "body": "Girls, girls, girls, shame on you !! How could you say such nasty things about turkeys ? They are fowl without fault ! Remember, Bridget Jones ? The topic of Mark Darcy ( sigh, drool, slobber ) is first brought up at her mothers post-Christmas turkey curry buffet. Please, I will not have the bird responsible for all the lust filled thoughts that we have about a certain movie being released next April, insulted in this manner. If shagging Mark Darcy at a turkey curry buffet is good enough for BJ it should be good enough for us too ! PS Why do you all love Posession so much ? I read it s few years ago and thought it a pretty tedious read. Am I wrong ?"}, {"response": 685, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 19, 2000 (13:52)", "body": "(Sadie) And soon turkeys will be flooding grocery stores for December holidays too! Sooner for us, as the big Turkey Day is in November. (Bethanne) If shagging Mark Darcy at a turkey curry buffet is good enough for BJ it should be good enough for us too ! \"Shagging over\" is one thing. Appearing in one is quite another. ;-D Re: Possession - we're talking about it on 137."}, {"response": 686, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Sep 19, 2000 (14:15)", "body": "RE. Maid of Buttermere, I think there's more up-to-date news (I think!) at http://www.lolafilms.com .... if you check Lolafilms UK and Production. \"Gaudi afternoons\" is mentioned as in post-production, and MOB as part of a large slate of (ongoing) projects."}, {"response": 687, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 19, 2000 (14:39)", "body": "Same source, Bethan."}, {"response": 688, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 19, 2000 (16:31)", "body": "Evelyn), And Socialists! (Moon)That is a very thin line. ;-) (Sadie)True, although having myself been both at one time or another, I think generally, the socialist menhad a better sense of humour, but the communists were better l -- sorry, too much information!;-D Hey...wait a minute....I was just joking....I don't care what anyone is.Don't want to start an argument here;-))"}, {"response": 689, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (15:26)", "body": "The Italian Cultural Institute has updated its website and has a page for the program. It says the following about Colin's appearance: monday 13 november - 6.30pm Colin Firth reads Leonardo Sciascia (in English) One of the best known and popular actors working today, reads from the Sicilian author's works: \"The Day of the Owl\" and \"Council of Egypt\". Also says that Judi Dench will be doing a reading Cesare Pavese (in English) on November 27 http://www.italcultur.org.uk/futeve.htm"}, {"response": 690, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (16:36)", "body": "Does anybody know about the ticket availibility for CF's book reading on Nov 13 at the Italian Cultural Institute ? I saw on the website that it is free, so are tickets even for sale ? I will be visiting my Mom in Ireland some time in October or November and, I might just scoot over to London town for the day, to see our Darling Boy. However, I'm not going to go to all that trouble and expense, if I can't be absolutley certain that I'll get in. Could any of our wonderful UK based droolers call them up and find out if will it be on a first come, first served basis on the night of the reading, or do you need a a ticket in advance, to get in. Thank you so much !! PS Anybody else thinking of going ?"}, {"response": 691, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (17:24)", "body": "(Evelyn)Hey...wait a minute....I was just joking....I don't care what anyone is.Don't want to start an argument here;-)) Well, I was just joking too...and only speaking from my own limited experience. Notice I had nothing to say about Republican men -D *ducking* But then, CF has nevah played an American Republican. *Sadie's mind staggers at the thought*"}, {"response": 692, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (17:25)", "body": "Go to it Bethanne. And you know we will expect a full report. You may only have to R.S.V.P. You might try emailing them directly. To think that my DH will be there during that time. If only! :-("}, {"response": 693, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (17:39)", "body": "Well, its not a done deal yet. I'm only going to do it if I can be 100% certain that I can get in. I mean, can't you imagine the hordes of lust crazed women beating a track to their door on the night ? Plus, the airlines need to have some pretty cheap seats on offer, before I can do it. Keep your figers crossed for me."}, {"response": 694, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (17:48)", "body": "can't you imagine the hordes of lust crazed women beating a track to their door on the night ? It won't happen, you have nothing to fear. BJD is not out yet. ;-) I think Mark is on holiday now, but maybe we can talk him into going?"}, {"response": 695, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (19:27)", "body": "Bethanne, my understanding is that the response to the Sciascia reading has been so heavy that it's likely you will have to be a member of the Italian Institute to get in. But not to worry, it's easy to join!:-) 30 pounds per individual, or 40 pounds for family/friends which entitles entry for up to 4 people. Normally these readings are free, but because of the high interest (wonder why?;-) they may have to restrict it to memebers only. If you're serious about going, I'd call them as soon as possible. There also is a possibility that they may make audio tapes of the reading. Many thanks to the FoFs for the above info."}, {"response": 696, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (19:49)", "body": "Normally these readings are free, but because of the high interest (wonder why?;-) they may have to restrict it to memebers only. Really? I doubt that the place will be filled with Italians. Must be those Volvo ladies (the new members), doing lunch. ;-)"}, {"response": 697, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (20:23)", "body": "Thanx for the info, Mari. I just came from the FoF website but I didn't see anything about this book reading there. I clicked on \"new projects\" and found nothing, then I went to \"news\" and the most recent newsy item is about Fever Pitch. Where do they have their CF/ICI info ? Thanx."}, {"response": 698, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (22:37)", "body": "Now that I've got your attention.... Spring needs money in order to operate. There are many different kinds of expenses we incur at Spring. Some are one-time only and others are ongoing. Right now, we are raising money to pay for the very specialized software (Yapp) that makes these discussion boards very unique. We need a larger license to accommodate all the people who visit these boards, whether they post or not. If you are a lurker and visit here and just read, you are still creating a \"hit,\" and the license we have is not sufficient for the number of visitors we get on a daily basis. When we exceed the license limit, the conference boards shut down automatically until Yapp determines that a new day has started. To keep Spring alive, we need to raise $1,000. In the past, a handful of people have kept Spring afloat. Many of our Drool supporters in the UK have taken advantage of get-togethers with US friends in order to pass along cash contributions. So for this fund-raising effort, I have put out the call for everyone to do what they can. For those in the US, payment can be made by check or by an electronic transfer via the PayPal system. In the UK, we will have a person who can accept your payments (by cheque or bank draft) and see to it that the monies reach us. For those of you in other countries, please email me. No addresses will be posted on these boards. Please email me for details."}, {"response": 699, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (04:09)", "body": "The play Another Country is again being staged in London. There's an interesting article in The Independent. While it mentions Colin, liked the discussion of how the movie/play differed. When it was first seen in the early Eighties, the play helped launch the careers of Rupert Everett, Kenneth Branagh, Colin Firth and Daniel Day Lewis. One of the reasons Julian Mitchell is glad to see it revived is that he hopes it will \"get the film forgotten-\ufffdeven though I did the adaptation\". A powerful aspect of the theatrical version is that no member of staff is ever seen: the only adult character is Vaughan Thomas, a sexually ambivalent literary intellectual who comes, as the guest of his nephew, to have tea in the Fourth Year library. The invisibility of members of staff brings home forcefully the frightening amount of discipline that was delegated to the prefects. Despite the panelled rooms, it feels at times almost like Lord of the Flies, the atmosphere charged in the panic that follows the suicide of one of the boys found in flagrante delicto by one of the masters. Required to \"open up\" the movie, Mitchell had to lose the eloquence of this pupils-only angle. But though teachers hoved into view on screen and there were new episodes depicting the young Guy Bennett's passionate crush on Harcourt (Rupert Everett and Cary Elwes shyly batting their beautiful lashes at each other), Mitchell was forced, ironically, to drop Vaughan Thomas (and his pacifist perspective of honest doubt) because the film medium can't tolerate much discussion of ideas. Then again, to satisfy the international market, the movie had to include an explanatory framework. Guy Bennett was first seen as an old man being interviewed in exile in Moscow, the body of the film a long retrospect. But, as Henry argues, the play version is more effective because it bides its time before springing its surprise-\ufffdthat it is decadent Bennett and not Judd, the romantic Marxist and respected school joke, who will end up working for the Russians. Only towards the close should the various images that we've seen of Benne t-\ufffdgazing through binoculars, say, at the sexual talent in the quad-\ufffdbe recalled as spooky premonitions of espionage. Full article here: http://www.independent.co.uk/enjoyment/Theatre/Theatre/2000-09/anothercountry200900.shtml"}, {"response": 700, "author": "JenniferR", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (12:57)", "body": "*Delurks* Hello, everyone...have been lurking here for ages (thanks for letting me read you over my morning cofee--this is far better than the morning Post!). Anyway, wanted to throw in a few words about the reading. First, I've exchanged a few e-mails with the Institute. I sent off another one this morning, regarding whether membership or an RSVP is necessary--as soon as I get my reply, I'll pass the info on. Second, I'll be in London for the reading (fortunate vacation planning on that one). I'd love to go with a fellow drooler, as my knowledge of Sciasca's works is appalling (and really, it's not like I'm going because of who's being read!) Back to being fully cloaked..."}, {"response": 701, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (13:19)", "body": ""}, {"response": 702, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (13:21)", "body": "Jennifer Naw!! Don't put that cloak back on...especially when you may have an exciting Drool item to relate in the near future. As you probably know, many people here would pay to hear THE MAN read the telephone directory; we live for tales of near-CF encounters. Yes, please let us know what the Institute has to say regarding admission. I have some info about Sciascia's book, which I can email to you, but really, who cares about the text! ;-D"}, {"response": 703, "author": "JenniferR", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:21)", "body": "Wow, did I ever get a quick reply. Based upon the latest Institute e-mail, it looks as though you're going to have to be a member, and RSVP, for this one. I've just spent a very frustrating hour trying to ring the Institute to verify this. (for anyone who actually knows how to dial internationally, the number is (020) 7235 1461) It looks like I will be joining and will most likely go for the friends and family option, meaning I will receive three guest passes. Anyone who is planning on attending and doesn't want to fork over the 30 pounds, feel free to e-mail me and I'll see if I can use my passes for the event. Still quite vexed over my inability to dial internationally...grrrrr."}, {"response": 704, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:34)", "body": "From the US you would dial: 011 + 44 + 20 7235 1461 Intl access code+ country code, then we drop that first zero in their numbers. Is only used within UK."}, {"response": 705, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (17:06)", "body": "Welcome Jennifer! So happy to have you join us and with such good news! We will be awaiting your report. Our own (if I may be so bold! ;-), Mark G. might be up for one of the passes. He is on Holiday now, I think."}, {"response": 706, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (17:18)", "body": "Welcome Jennifer! Cant wait to hear all about the reading -Pay close attention cause we're going to want lots of details! :-)"}, {"response": 707, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (19:47)", "body": "WELCOME JENNIFER !!!!!!! Don't you dare get back in that closet. The world needs more dedicated droolers and we now consider you one of us, so its too late to turn back now. Thanx for the info regarding CF and the book reading. I would love to be able to commit to going now, but I won't know until mid November if I'llhave the time off work to make the trip.... Grrrrrrrrrrr Hope you have better luck dialing internationally. When I call my Mom in Ireland I dial 011-353-1 and then her phone number. 353 is the Ireland code, so just substitute the UK one for 353, 1 is the number for Dublin, so in Londons case, you would put in the area code for London. I'm sorry, this is probably no help at all. Anyway, welcome aboard."}, {"response": 708, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 22, 2000 (18:31)", "body": "Looks like fall is a much better time for Coward...25 cinemas this week: 1. Strode Theatre, Street, Somerset 2. South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell 3. ABC Cinema, Gerrards Cross 4. UCI 10 Parc Tawe, Swansea 5. Rex, Elland 6. Curzon, Eastbourne 7. Caledonian Allanpark, Stirling 8. Stevenage Cineworld The Movies, Stevenage 9. Wakefield Cineworld The Movies, Wakefield 10. Bexleyheath Cineworld, Greater London 11. Cineworld, Chesterfield 12. Rex Cinema, Wareham 13. Luton Cineworld, Luton 14. Swindon Cineworld, Swindon 15. Ashford Cineworld (Eureka Leisure Park), Ashford 16. Cineworld, Weymouth 17. Cineworld, Runcorn 18. Shrewsbury Cineworld Multiplex, Shrewsbury 19. Wolverhampton Cineworld The Movies, Wolverhampton 20. Milton Keynes Cineworld, Milton Keynes 21. Cineworld, Huntingdon 22. Stamford Arts Centre, Stamford 23. Cineworld, Newport, Isle of Wight 24. Cineworld Wood Green, Greater London 25. Cinema 3, Gulbenkian Theatre, Canterbury"}, {"response": 709, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Sep 22, 2000 (20:09)", "body": "Thanks Karen for the info...looks as though Cineworld has picked up RV. Thanks also for the posting on Spring funding. Will email you re. this."}, {"response": 710, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Sep 23, 2000 (04:35)", "body": "Welcome Jennifer"}, {"response": 711, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Sep 23, 2000 (14:53)", "body": "Is there any information as to the casting of the current production of \"Another Country\"?"}, {"response": 712, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Sep 23, 2000 (15:49)", "body": "Welcome Jennifer (or Jen-Jen? I kinda like that too). A first-hand report of the reading would be most welcome. Hope someone can go though I know it would be a tough job for most of us to appear serious in the work of Sciascia and not the reader himself. Perhaps glasses, an all-black ensemble and a large piece of tape for the mouth to prevent reflex squealing would do. Interesting info on Another Country. Think the near absence of adult figures in the play to be very artful. The opening of the film is disconcerting for me only in Rupert's dreadful makeup to portray him as elderly. Would enjoy seeing the play though would prefer to go back in time, oh 17 years or so, to see our boy as Guy."}, {"response": 713, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Sun, Sep 24, 2000 (05:48)", "body": "Personally, if I attended the reading, I think I would be in more need of a large piece of rope to tie me into my chair, as I doubt my own abilty to stay upright for very long. I think I would probably slink into a mushy pool of drool on the floor, as soon as he opened his mouth. This would also save Security, the hassle of having to continually pry my hands away from my iron clad grip of his legs, as I hurl myself repeatidly at the podium/stage. Srtaight jacket, anyone ?"}, {"response": 714, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Sep 24, 2000 (07:18)", "body": "I managed to drag myself over to Pasadena this morning to see Fever Pitch at the theatre during it's extremely limited Los Angeles run. It was fun to see it on the big screen, although I use that term losely since the screen it was showing on wasn't all that much bigger than a big screen TV. But it was bigger than my TV, and it was still a treat to see Colin at the movies in a film I like so much. There's that thrill when the lights go down and his name flashes up on the screen. Also as many of you have said, it was much easier to pick out the details (such as the teary face after the people are injured at Liverpool) then it is on my video copy. The copy of the film wasn't too great unfortunately as there were lots of static-y flaws popping all over the screen, but Colin looked great. Seeing the film at the theatre reminded me of why I love Paul :-). The crowd was very light, but actually bigger than I expected given the fact that there was no advertising at all for the film and it was showing in the morning before the theatre opened for regular business. There were nine people including me - six men and three women. Two of the men laughed a lot and loudly all the way through the movie which was enjoyable. I've seen it so many times it was fun to see how newbies reacted to it. I doubt we did enough business in LA to propel Phaedra to getting the film released in other cities, but it sure wasn't easy to get an audience there without any advertising!"}, {"response": 715, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Sep 24, 2000 (08:53)", "body": "\"Blackadder\" movie is on Sky1 next Sunday, 9pm. Brief item on radio arts programme about William Boyd mentioned that he \"had written\" a screenplay adaptation for his novel \"Armadillo\"."}, {"response": 716, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Sep 24, 2000 (10:42)", "body": "Thanks Bethan,keping fingers crossed for Armadillo. Sky have been showing clips of Blackadder all week including Colin's part,but haven't said when its on."}, {"response": 717, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 24, 2000 (13:35)", "body": "*sitting here, envious of you, Jana* So glad you finally got to see FP on the big screen. Speaking of FP, all of the online video sellers (amazon, buy.com, etc.) are showing the US release of the tape for November 21; it's at a \"rental type.\" But the more important news is that there will be a DVD too for about $15. No pic of cover yet. (Remember, for those who want to buy the vid, get it from Canada.) So you could see FP at Blockbusters in about two months. (Judy) Sky have been showing clips of Blackadder all week including Colin's part,but haven't said when its on. Ha! More misleading advertising, I see. Sky must be taking its cues from the advertising for Turn of the Screw. Colin is in Blackadder for less than TOTS. Blink and he's gone."}, {"response": 718, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Sep 24, 2000 (14:18)", "body": "Karen you're not kidding when you say 'Blink and he's gone.' I heard his voice first but when I looked up ,it was all over,with patience I've learnt which part of the screen he's on so when the trailer starts I stare at it *baa,baa*"}, {"response": 719, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 24, 2000 (14:30)", "body": "Is there any information as to the casting of the current production of \"Another Country\"? (Heide) Would enjoy seeing the play though would prefer to go back in time, oh 17 years or so, to see our boy as Guy. He's the only reason I ever see AC...but if there is that much interest in Drool over the current production ,I'll take myself over to see it and give you a report."}, {"response": 720, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 24, 2000 (14:30)", "body": "If you want to read the entire Colin part in Blackadder, go here: http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/BA.html There are also three pics from the booklet."}, {"response": 721, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Sun, Sep 24, 2000 (19:48)", "body": "Anybody know if Fever Pitch is showing in Atlanta, or is it just a LA/New York release ? I've checked my local paper, but I haven't seen anything."}, {"response": 722, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 25, 2000 (13:44)", "body": "You're not going to believe this, but *my* prayers have been answered!!! Donovan Quick is in competition (for first and second time filmmakers--not the major prize) at the Chicago Intl Film Fest http://films.site9internet.com/scripts/WebObjects/filmfest.woa/wa/film?film=31 It is showing on Saturday, October 14, at 8:30 pm and Sunday, October 15, at 4:00 pm Says that Franceschild came from Evanston...even better!! ;-D"}, {"response": 723, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Sep 25, 2000 (14:00)", "body": "Oh that is wonderful Karen, I am so pleased for you and you get to see it on the big screen and it is showing at prime time as well, oh lucky you. (wish I lived in Chicago!!)"}, {"response": 724, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 25, 2000 (14:12)", "body": "Good news, Karen! Would love to hear the audience reaction. ;-)"}, {"response": 725, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Sep 25, 2000 (15:18)", "body": "(Karen) You're not going to believe this, but *my* prayers have been answered!!! Woweee! Someone pried it off the BBC shelf just for you, Karen! Hmm, seems a *very* timely present...;-D"}, {"response": 726, "author": "aishling", "date": "Mon, Sep 25, 2000 (15:35)", "body": "Yes - WOW. Great news Karen"}, {"response": 727, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep 25, 2000 (16:43)", "body": "Super news, Karen! I have every confidence that you can more than ably conduct the requisite grilling of your homegirl, Donna F. :-) I like the pic they chose for the DQ page. Karen, didn't they say at one point that it wasn't \"shot\" for the big screen (for some techie reason beyond me). Was looking at the Fest's list of sponsors and BBCAmerica is one of them. Bethanne, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for FP to come to your town, since a)the video is due out soon and b)Phaedra are numbskulls. :-( Jana, glad you got to see it on the big screen!"}, {"response": 728, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 25, 2000 (17:24)", "body": "(Mari) didn't they say at one point that it wasn't \"shot\" for the big screen (for some techie reason beyond me Yes, was not on right film type, although some fests accept Betacam Spand/or Digi Beta as this was shot on. Was wondering if this signals a change in strategy and are going for theatrical release instead of television. So many more British films are coming to market that maybe they think we might go for this one. Will do my best to find out. Right now, am composing my rave comments for jury to overhear (as will sit in row behind them). So far, I like these: \"Best film to come out of Scotland since Ratcatcher.\" And, \"Get so tired of those super dreary ones like Trainspotting; this was brilliant and politically incisive. What incredible writing and acting!!\" (and as Lizza well knows, I will say these things as did in Donmar refreshment area in front of influential media people)"}, {"response": 729, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Sep 25, 2000 (18:02)", "body": "(Karen) What incredible writing and acting!! Ooh, say this one first. Alternate suggestion: 'Wow, that Colin Firth is one super/brilliant/wonderful [pick one; don't want to sound too effusive ;-D] actor. He should do more British TV.' That last part was for you, Evie ;-)"}, {"response": 730, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Mon, Sep 25, 2000 (18:35)", "body": "Way to go Karen.......looking forward to hearing if you are able to remain calm and composed through out the showing, or will you just disolve into one soggy puddle of drool. If the gorgeous DQ snappies are anything to judge by, they will have to pour you out of the cinema. I am soooooooo envious Anyway...........YOU GO GIRL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 731, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep 25, 2000 (19:54)", "body": "(Karen) Was wondering if this signals a change in strategy and are going for theatrical release instead of television. But . . .if not on right type film is this a possibility? Or do they just have to be careful where they book it? Would be wonderful if it is. Admittedly, I know *less than nothing* about this. I like your rave comments for jury to overhear. Yes, this is in good hands.:-) As another alternative, suggest: \"And the dialogue is *so* much easier to understand than Ken Loach's films.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 732, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Sep 25, 2000 (19:54)", "body": "Karen, am very happy for you. Must be all that good Drool karma...."}, {"response": 733, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 25, 2000 (21:53)", "body": "(Mari) But . . .if not on right type film is this a possibility? Ah, but the reason (aside from screening the film for DF's family and friends) it is being shown on the festival circuit is to get a distributor. (v.v. important question that is always asked if filmmakers attend and take Q&A) The distributor would pick up the costs for transfering it to the right film stock. Besides, with all the digital stuff out there (Timecode) perhaps has less relevance. \"And the dialogue is *so* much easier to understand than Ken Loach's films.\" ;-) All depends who is talking? ;-D But I'll definitely put that on my crib sheet."}, {"response": 734, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 25, 2000 (21:53)", "body": "forgot to add to this: But I'll definitely put that on my crib sheet. As Paul would say, \"you have to vary the answers.\""}, {"response": 735, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (00:13)", "body": "(mari)--Bethanne, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for FP to come to your town, since a)the video is due out soon and b)Phaedra are numbskulls. :-( Jana, glad you got to see it on the big screen! I just got an email from my friend at the Pasadena Playhouse. Thought you'd be interested in his reaction to FP: ~~~~~~~As I indicated to you last week, on this past Saturday I went to see FEVER PITCH at the Laemmle theatre around the corner from the Playhouse. As I think I mentioned, I would have completely missed it, if it hadn't been for my friend ******, who works in the box office of the Playhouse, and whom I had told that I wanted to see the film. There were only 2--count'em, two!--showings at that theatre, since they were part of the Laemmle's World Cinema 2000 program, which are special showings of films that happen so quickly that they don't even put the names of them up on their marquee. You have to either catch the name in the movie listings in the paper, or else have gotten a copy of their flier, or, as in my case, have a friend who happened to catch it in the paper's movie listings. Anyway, I found it a very enjoyable and well done film, frankly better (in my opinion) than many films that get much longer runs at movie art houses. And that's something, coming from someone who is not much of a sports fan. Colin Firth just made the character so appealing, that I couldn't resist him. Since the film actually was released in 1997, the print we saw showed quite a bit of wear and tear; apparently there aren't that many copies of it, so it gets shown a couple of times at one theatre, then passed on to the next one. I would imagine that when you get a video copy of it (I haven't checked, maybe it's already available) it will be made from a much cleaner print than the one I saw. I'm glad you told me about the film. I hope you get to see it soon.~~~~~~~~ Who knows, Jana, he was probably in the same audience as you!. ;-) (As to my seeing it soon in a theatre near me... fat chance!) :-D KJ"}, {"response": 736, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (00:14)", "body": "Wow, that came from out of the blue. Great news and how fitting it's showing in Chicago. You must have been a very, very good girl for this reward. What a great (just a bit late) birthday present for yourself. Right now, am composing my rave comments for jury to overhear (as will sit in row behind them). Great idea. Just make sure you're not sitting by yourself. ;-) Tell us more when you can."}, {"response": 737, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (09:19)", "body": "Couldn't happen at a better FF than Chicago.Our Girl Karen will not dissolve into mush of drool...believe me. Made of better stuff;-) Will have her script and strategy mapped out. DQ deserved more than just a BBC TV viewing. ( Had to get my dig in, ya' know ;-)"}, {"response": 738, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (09:32)", "body": "Great news for you, Karen!! But the mystery deepens. Is this a breakaway movement (aka Australian TV) by Donna Franceschild, or is there a change of policy by the BBC? All the other UK films showing at the Festival are film-films (as opposed to TV films) (\"Hotel Splendide\", for example, went on general release in the UK last week.) But if so, why not show DQ at the London/Edinburgh Film Festivals (it showed at Cork)....it's the right kind of film for the reviewers. And the format seems okay for a single screen showing. Puzzled."}, {"response": 739, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (12:07)", "body": "Here's a real treat--Colin being interviewed at the RV premiere. YUM! Thanks to FoF Fran for finding and sharing: http://www.virtueinteractive.com/film/events/relativevalues/index.html"}, {"response": 740, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (12:38)", "body": "Thanks, Mari! I am stuck with Network congestion before they got to Colin. In all hopefulness I will be able to see it later."}, {"response": 741, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (12:41)", "body": "The Real Player one takes a long time (with normal dialup) connection to see and Colin is last. It will stop and do a lengthy buffering about 5 times before you see Colin...but, need I say, his is the very best. Looks mah-vel-lous and gives the best answers of the bunch. Makes the \"hills are alive\" crack. The Windows Media player option is more like a slide show of stills. Not v.g. in comparison."}, {"response": 742, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (15:04)", "body": "He's the best one by far. And did you hear the crowd shouting \"Colin\"!! Love his hair for Bridget.What a treat. Thanks Mari and FoFs."}, {"response": 743, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (18:28)", "body": "O my, thanks for the RV link Mari. That was just wonderful, his short BJ hair, his BJ/top lawyer suit....Mmmmmmmmmmmm !! Wasn't it polite of him to apologise to the media for being late ? Very few other actors would bother. Anybody hear what the question was that he replied \" I never really noice what I'm wearing \" ? I couldn't quite make out some of the questions, but anyway, who cares as long as we got the answers, right ? He sounded mega posh I thought, a la Mr Darcy. Karen, I thought in one of your e mails to me, you said he didn't speak like that for real. Whaddaya' think ?"}, {"response": 744, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (19:00)", "body": "(Bethanne) He sounded mega posh I thought, a la Mr Darcy. I thought he sounded a like Paul when he said 'I've done alot of it [think the question was about costumes??], haven't I?'. Thanks, Mari."}, {"response": 745, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (19:01)", "body": "No, he speaks in RP, although he didn't use a \"daren't\" as on this vid. Think I said he doesn't dress like Mr Darcy IRL - as far from it as possible. And his buddies didn't look like anyone Mr Darcy would know, let alone hang out with. ;-D"}, {"response": 746, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (19:14)", "body": "I don't know if this is new news or if, as usual, I spot things after everyone else, but if you've got a healthy bank balance, you could have a lot of CF in November in the UK! http://www.choicesdirect.co.uk have full details of \"Speaking with the angel\" talking tape. 10 stories raed by the authors. 4 tapes in all. Running time 360 minutes (36 minutes of his master's voice!) Available 02 Nov \ufffd10.39 http://www.blackstar.co.uk have details of My Life so Far ....available to buy 23 Nov at \ufffd53.59 Relative Values....available to buy 20 Nov at \ufffd59.19 I'm hoping that this means they'll be avialble for rental on these dates as as well (as happened with SLOW...still \ufffd66 to buy!)"}, {"response": 747, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (19:25)", "body": "Karen - Wot' were his friends like ? Remember, I didn't get to go to the Donmar. Details please, details !!!!!!! Holy S**t !! 60 quid for RV....thats insane !"}, {"response": 748, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (02:22)", "body": "(Karen) Donovan Quick is in competition (for first and second time filmmakers--not the major prize) at the Chicago Intl Film Fest wow, Wow, WOW!!! Great news, Karen. Couldn't have happened to a more deserving fan of this film or to one who could make more of the opportunity than you will. It seems poetic justice that it should land smack dab in Chicago, just like Dorothy's house. (OK, OK, I know that's Kansas but you get the idea.) I just can't get over the fact that after all the mis-information and stonewalling circulating about this project that it pops up at a film festival. V.v.g. news. (KJ) Who knows, Jana, he was probably in the same audience as you!. ;-) You're right -that's the same showing I went to! I'm sure I saw him since a) the theatre was very small; and b) I was sitting there by myself and people watching because I was early and the movie started 10 minutes late. My DH opted not to get up early and drive across town to see a five year old CF movie - go figure ;-). KJ, your friend was right - the copy of the film was pretty bad, but I'm really glad he enjoyed it. Maybe he was one of the gentlemen I could hear laughing at all the good lines. I especially liked this comment that he made: Colin Firth just made the character so appealing, that I couldn't resist him. An excellent summation of this movie, if you ask me :-). (Evelyn) He's the best one by far. And did you hear the crowd shouting \"Colin\"!! Loved that part, but what the heck was up with that screechy music between the interviews? Had to keep turning down the volume during that. But the material point is Colin looked gorgeous. V. promising for Mark Darcy :-)."}, {"response": 749, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (11:54)", "body": "ATTENTION UK FANS I shall be meeting Ann W. at Brighton on Saturday. Please send your Drool Donations to Ann ASAP so I can bring them back to Karen and thereby not have to pay the conversion currency fee. Email Karen for Ann W's post address.Any amount....whatever Drool means to you ...will help meet the goal.Let's make this a real Drool Team Effort... Went to Donmar last night. Report on 136"}, {"response": 750, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (20:09)", "body": ""}, {"response": 751, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (04:37)", "body": "From Screendaily (9/26) - Looks like Carlos Saura's next project is ready to roll and it isn't... Altavista boards Saura\ufffds Bunuel fantasy Growing Mexican production outfit Altavista Films is one of three international partners to board veteran director Carlos Saura\ufffds forthcoming feature Bunuel And King Solomon\ufffds Table (Bunuel Y La Mesa Del Rey Salomon). France\ufffds Les Films Sans Frontieres and Portugal\ufffds Hora Magica have also joined Spanish producers Rioja Films and CPI to back the much anticipated film from one of Europe\ufffds premiere directors. Saura and producers Jose Antonio Romero of Rioja Films and Ferran Llagostera of CPI were on hand at the San Sebastian International Film Festival to present the project, a fictional adventure tale incorporating three legendary figures of Spanish culture: Luis Bunuel, Salvador Dali and Federico Garcia Lorca. The veil also was finally lifted on the actors who will play the leads: El Gran Wyoming as the old Bunuel, Pere Arquillue as the young Bunuel, Ernesto Alterio as Dali and Adria Collado as Garcia Lorca. The $4m film will shoot entirely in Spain for nine weeks beginning next month. International cast is expected to be announced in the interim."}, {"response": 752, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (06:35)", "body": ""}, {"response": 753, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (10:03)", "body": ""}, {"response": 754, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (12:19)", "body": ""}, {"response": 755, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (13:31)", "body": ""}, {"response": 756, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (13:56)", "body": ""}, {"response": 757, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (13:57)", "body": ""}, {"response": 758, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (14:45)", "body": ""}, {"response": 759, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (16:02)", "body": ""}, {"response": 760, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (16:38)", "body": ""}, {"response": 761, "author": "Echo", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (16:49)", "body": ""}, {"response": 762, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (17:07)", "body": ""}, {"response": 763, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (17:08)", "body": ""}, {"response": 764, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (17:48)", "body": ""}, {"response": 765, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (17:49)", "body": ""}, {"response": 766, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (18:10)", "body": ""}, {"response": 767, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (19:04)", "body": ""}, {"response": 768, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (19:27)", "body": ""}, {"response": 769, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (19:30)", "body": ""}, {"response": 770, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (21:15)", "body": ""}, {"response": 771, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (21:30)", "body": ""}, {"response": 772, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (21:52)", "body": ""}, {"response": 773, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (22:36)", "body": ""}, {"response": 774, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (22:46)", "body": ""}, {"response": 775, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (23:03)", "body": ""}, {"response": 776, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Sep 29, 2000 (00:36)", "body": ""}, {"response": 777, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Sep 29, 2000 (00:39)", "body": ""}, {"response": 778, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Sep 29, 2000 (00:44)", "body": ""}, {"response": 779, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Fri, Sep 29, 2000 (03:23)", "body": ""}, {"response": 780, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Fri, Sep 29, 2000 (03:33)", "body": ""}, {"response": 781, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 29, 2000 (10:36)", "body": ""}, {"response": 782, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 29, 2000 (12:54)", "body": ""}, {"response": 783, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Sep 29, 2000 (13:29)", "body": ""}, {"response": 784, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Sep 29, 2000 (18:06)", "body": ""}, {"response": 785, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Sep 29, 2000 (18:31)", "body": ""}, {"response": 786, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 29, 2000 (19:01)", "body": ""}, {"response": 787, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Fri, Sep 29, 2000 (19:12)", "body": ""}, {"response": 788, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Sep 29, 2000 (19:51)", "body": ""}, {"response": 789, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 29, 2000 (20:37)", "body": "Reposting of Bethan's message from above as do want to lose relevant information: Thanks for the posting on Carlos Saura, Karen! His latest film \"Goya in Bordeaux\" has just opened here to good reviews - he's taken seriously by the critics. As you know I'm a definite fan of the MOB project. I phoned LolafilmsUK to ask them about MOB (why haven't I done this before?). Very helpful young msn told me that MOB was still \"on\", but wouldn't be filmed this year. I asked when....was told \"late spring at the earliest\" next year He asked me to phone back towards December, when there would be more definite information. Didn't ask about the casting...will do so next time. Also, according to the Radio Times, \"Blackadder back and forth\" is available in BBC DVD in November, price \ufffd19.99"}, {"response": 790, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Sep 30, 2000 (23:30)", "body": "Don't forget, UK droolers, Blackadder Back and Forth is on Sky One at 21:00 tomorrow (Sunday 1st."}, {"response": 791, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sun, Oct  1, 2000 (03:21)", "body": "I don't know if this is old news but...according to the Amazon.com site, Valmont is being reissued on October 3. One of the mail order video stores told me this last year, and I have been crossing my fingers since. I can't wait to get my hands on a fresh new copy, as the one I rent periodically is showing major wear."}, {"response": 792, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct  1, 2000 (14:00)", "body": "How nice, Lynda. Don't think the Valmont reissue news had been posted. Wonder if that means there'll be a DVD too, with *extras*???"}, {"response": 793, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Oct  1, 2000 (14:16)", "body": "Hmmmm...perhaps a new box cover - \"Starring ANNETTE BENING\". However, if there are new pictures I'd say it's worth a new copy. ;-)"}, {"response": 794, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Oct  1, 2000 (16:19)", "body": "Lynda, thanks for posting about re-release of Valmont. Must buy back-up of taped copy (from Encore). With the release of V in October, and the SWTA book/tape in November, am preparing myself for this new Firth of the Month Club. :-) (I wish...happy thought, indeed.)"}, {"response": 795, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct  2, 2000 (14:28)", "body": "(Lynda) I can't wait to get my hands on a fresh new copy, as the one I rent periodically is showing major wear. *heehee* Bet I know which parts are worn... ;-) (Karen) Wonder if that means there'll be a DVD too, with *extras*??? Hmmm, would pay extra for 'making of whirly-twirly scene'. Speaking of Valmont, those of you who've seen Almost Famous, what do you think of Fairuza's looks? Hope those chipped front teeth were fake. ;-)"}, {"response": 796, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct  2, 2000 (15:46)", "body": "what do you think of Fairuza's looks? Not bad for one that owns and runs an occult/new-age shop in Hollywood. A vg casting call on CC side."}, {"response": 797, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct  2, 2000 (17:59)", "body": "Sounds interesting: TUESDAY Adapting the classics discussed by Andrew Davies and Jenny Uglow, with extracts from TV adaptations, The British Library, 96 Euston Road, NW1 (020-7412 7332) 6.15pm."}, {"response": 798, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Oct  2, 2000 (18:10)", "body": "Fairuza Balk's chipped may well be fake, simply in the service of the character. It would be disconcerting to think that she can't afford a dentist. With luck there might be an issue of \"Valmont\" on DVD. Commentaries on the project could be illuminating."}, {"response": 799, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct  2, 2000 (18:10)", "body": "Here's a link for more info (has pic of you know who): http://www.bl.uk/information/events/chpverse/september_events.html"}, {"response": 800, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Oct  2, 2000 (21:39)", "body": "Who saw Blackadder Back and Forth yesterday evening then? Apart from the obvious pleasure of seeing ODB in a pair of tights I have to say I was a tad disappointed with the piece. Being familiar with the TV series I thought the one-off show was not up to the usual standard of humour but I put this down to the fact that it had to cater for minors seeing it rather than its usual adult audience. In terms of length of CFs performance I suppose it ranks alongside TToTS (also having unfortunate hairdresser on staff ;-/) and could hardly have been called stretching (first appearance 1min 25secs and second appearance 10 secs -I kid you not - blink and you'll miss him). Nevertheless I did chuckle now and then, particularly when , in response to Blackadder's tirade (and sound kicking poor lamb) \"..... that is for Ken Branagh's endless uncut four-hour version of 'Hamlet'.\", Shakespeare (CF) retorts with puzzled expression \"Who's Ken Branagh?\". Who indeed! I have to say though *shielding self from tomatoes and sundry blunt instruments to be hurled imminently* I'm afraid there was evidence of Cornel's \"p\" word (but I suppose it was filmed ages ago - definately pre-arrival of new honed MD form). So that's my opinion - what say the masses?"}, {"response": 801, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Oct  2, 2000 (22:42)", "body": "Tracy, I also watched \"Blackadder\". My son (huge \"Blackadder\" fan, which I'm not particularly ) really enjoyed it. I thought it was okay, but I never had very high expectations of a 30 minute whizz thru' history for the Dome. And I knew it waa a CF cameo-cameo (a quarter of a day's work?). The actor who played Napoleon - Simon Something- is very well known from the theatre (so well known that I can't remember his name!) No need to duck....I agree with the \"p****\" word! :-) But one thing that puzzles me is how manages to look so different. He'd just completed DQ and \"Londinium\" when he did this, and it's just a couple of months after the stint at the Donmar, and he's rake thin in all of these, and much younger looking. Ditto RV which he did immediately afterwards. I think it's a combination of costume, hair, broad shoulders and facial expression (grim)....but he can make himself almost unrecognisable. Liked the line about Shakespeare being the man who invented the ballpoint pen! What I really want to know is how come it cost \ufffd3million to make? Dome type inflation?"}, {"response": 802, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct  3, 2000 (00:46)", "body": "(Bethan) The actor who played Napoleon - Simon Something- is very well known from the theatre (so well known that I can't remember his name!) Shame shame ;-D (do not read this Donna) You mean the actor who is currently proclaimed as the greatest Hamlet?? He'd just completed DQ and \"Londinium\" when he did this, and it's just a couple of months after the stint at the Donmar, and he's rake thin in all of these, and much younger looking. Is it not evident?"}, {"response": 803, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, Oct  3, 2000 (01:16)", "body": "(Karen) (do not read this Donna) You mean the actor who is currently proclaimed as the greatest Hamlet?? Oh dear, you mean this fellow? LOL, what can I say?"}, {"response": 804, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Oct  3, 2000 (02:36)", "body": "(Eileen) Speaking of Valmont, those of you who've seen Almost Famous, what do you think of Fairuza's looks? Hope those chipped front teeth were fake. ;-) Maybe it was from all that pen chewing in the letter-writing scene?;-) To me, she looked like you'd expect her character to look, though in the beginning I was getting her and Anna Paquin's characters confused; they must have gotten a twofer on the wigs.;-) \"Opie must die!!!!\" LOL!"}, {"response": 805, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Oct  3, 2000 (10:12)", "body": "Is it not evident? Wouldn't know it was the same man. Well, he *is* a character actor, after all. :-) I didn't recognise Simon Russell Bealle either (thanks Karen and Donna) until I saw the credits. But I don't think I'll ever get a chance to re-scrutinise \"Blackadder\" as my son has taken the tape to school to \"lend\" to his pals. That's the real target audience (not P&P fans)! There's a movie called \"Billy Elliot\", directed by Stephen Daldry, which is getting a lot of raves over here (although some reviews aren't entirely positive), plus the all important hype and build up (\"will make millions\" etc). Same genre as DQ....dysfunctional working class family, fighting against the odds, batty grandmother. Was filmed after DQ and I'm sure will be hugely successful. If only the BBC could manage to give DQ some promotion...has a good pedigree...award-winning director/writer etc. This type of movie is definitely \"in\" at the moment. Don't they the understand the importance of marketing and the negative significance of keeping something on the shelf for nearly 2 years? (Answer...NO!!) Lokk forward to any info you can glean from the Chicago Fest, Karen!"}, {"response": 806, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Oct  3, 2000 (10:30)", "body": "Oh dear I do not seem to be able to cut and paste today! So re Bethan's post above. I don't quite understand why it was shown at the Dork film festival and was then shelved for so long. If their strategy was to market it as a feature film why not just go for it? Or just show it on television. A mystery."}, {"response": 807, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Oct  3, 2000 (10:32)", "body": "*Dork* No offence meant :-) That should of course say Cork"}, {"response": 808, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Oct  3, 2000 (13:01)", "body": "Anyone here from the San Francisco area? Thanks to Anne R. for this: The Mill Valley Film Festival will be showing Relative Values on the BIG screen on Wednesday, Oct. 11, at the Cinema in Corte Madera. Show time is 7 p.m. For tickets call (415) 455-8005. For program information and ticket availability call (415) 383-5346. A complete schedule is online at www.mvff.com"}, {"response": 809, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct  3, 2000 (13:25)", "body": "From the PA: Blackadder proves a ratings hit once again The first new Blackadder episode for 11 years has proved a ratings winner for Sky TV. A 45-minute special made for the Millennium Dome attracted around 1.4million viewers when it was shown on Sky One on Sunday night. Blackadder Back And Forth was watched by 14% of people who have access to the channel, according to provisional overnight figures. The episode reunited stars Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, Stephen Fry, Hugh Lawrie, Miranda Richardson and Rik Mayal for a time-travelling journey through British history. ******** Am certain that huge viewing numbers were due to unlisted cast member. ;-D"}, {"response": 810, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Oct  3, 2000 (17:42)", "body": "(Tracy) I'm afraid there was evidence of Cornel's \"p\" word Have only seen snappies (featuring stick-like legs) so I'll take your word for it. (Bethan) He'd just completed DQ and \"Londinium\" when he did this, and it's just a couple of months after the stint at the Donmar, and he's rake thin in all of these, and much younger looking. Ditto RV which he did immediately afterwards. Could be the costume. Or else he must go on this amazing fat and carbo-loading diet when he's not working (which wasn't long last year). Yikes! Wonder what he looks like now? Hope he's sticking with Cornel's regimen. ;-P (Karen) Am certain that huge viewing numbers were due to unlisted cast member. Writer of blurb clearly did not recognize him. ;-) (Bethan) There's a movie called \"Billy Elliot\", directed by Stephen Daldry, which is getting a lot of raves over here Is that the one about the boy who becomes a ballet dancer? If so, I saw an ad for it yesterday. Opens with \"from the team who brought you 4W&AF and NH...\""}, {"response": 811, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Oct  3, 2000 (18:20)", "body": "(Allison) *Dork* No offence meant :-) That should of course say Cork LOL! I must admit I was wondering for a minute if the word *dork* has another meaning across the pond. Had visions of a Jim Carrey retrospective (the AVPD movies, D&D, etc.). ;-) Perhaps the festival of stuttering mastubatory perverts? ;-)"}, {"response": 812, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Oct  3, 2000 (19:10)", "body": "Eileen - Have only seen snappies (featuring stick-like legs) so I'll take your word for it Yes, stick-like legs but also powerful Bjorn Borg-type shoulders, v. confusing combination! Many other have probably said this before but - putting mad hairstyles and unfortunate facial hair aside, it never fails to amaze me just how cameleon-like this guy can be - witness the amazing transformation from Walker to Ned (3DOR)..all it takes is a pair of specs and a tub of lard and \"Bingo!\" - goodbye, hunk in cuddly green jumper..hello, geek in a cardie! No wonder I have so much trouble with colleagues pointing to my 'wallpaper' (photo same as that which adorns drool page) and saying 'who's that?' - have given up trying to explain that he is Mr Darcy and yet is Paul Ashworth too. (So many other actors are always the same, always themselves - even when not playing floppy-haired, bumbling, love-struck Englishmen - now who could I mean.) Perhaps this knack could be put down to, what I think he is quoted as saying is, his neutrality - in addition to superior acting skills - which go without saying."}, {"response": 813, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Oct  3, 2000 (19:45)", "body": "(Tracy) Yes, stick-like legs but also powerful Bjorn Borg-type shoulders, v. confusing combination! I felt the same way when I saw him as Wessex in SIL, as he looked so portly in the film. V. v. confusing. As for his chameleon-like qualities, I am embarrassed to admit that when I first saw TEP on the big screen, I didn't recognize CF (Now I need to run for cover from the tomatoes, I fear! This was pre-Drool for me, and I had only seen ODB in P&P2) until I saw the credits at the end. (I know, how could I miss that voice\ufffd*wince*) Boy, did that get my attention!"}, {"response": 814, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Oct  3, 2000 (23:02)", "body": "For all those in the UK who have yet to see MLSF, it will definitely be available for rental on November 27th. (This probably means that RV will also be available for rental on November 20th.)"}, {"response": 815, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Oct  3, 2000 (23:33)", "body": "(Bethan) (This probably means that RV will also be available for rental on November 20th.) What makes you say that?"}, {"response": 816, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Oct  4, 2000 (00:01)", "body": "(Tracy) Perhaps this knack could be put down to, what I think he is quoted as saying is, his neutrality - in addition to superior acting skills - which go without saying. For him, the transformation is just as much internal as external. I had just been glancing through some old interviews, and I was surprised how often he says \"I\" when talking about his current character, whoever it was. I think he somehow just \"becomes\" somebody else when necessary. His identification with the character is so total, that he just leaves ol' Colin behind temporarily. (No wonder he gets a little nervous about his profession occasionally!) :-) KJ"}, {"response": 817, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct  4, 2000 (03:01)", "body": "(Mari) What makes you say that? Because those are the dates blackstar has for those videos going on sale at \"rental-type\" prices. I believe Bethan posted that earlier. (KJ, unless she'd prefer being called something else of her own choice) ;-D His identification with the character is so total I smell another \"method acting\" discussion..."}, {"response": 818, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct  4, 2000 (15:26)", "body": "I smell another \"method acting\" discussion... I do not. Method acting is so over-rated."}, {"response": 819, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Oct  4, 2000 (18:13)", "body": "Just saw an ad in my local paper that Starz will be free this weekend (for Time Warner Cable). Maybe this is a national thing. Am wondering if they will also run an introductory special rate so that we Americans can sign up for a month and tape RV."}, {"response": 820, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Oct  4, 2000 (18:27)", "body": "(Lisa) Just saw an ad in my local paper that Starz will be free this weekend Too bad it's a few weekends too soon. *tsk*"}, {"response": 821, "author": "JenniferR", "date": "Wed, Oct  4, 2000 (19:43)", "body": "Speaking of the Chicago Film Festival, I noticed this and thought ODB would be perfect: Organizers of the Chicago International Film Festival are attempting to find a replacement for Goldie Hawn, who reportedly accepted an invitation to be the festival's honoree, then changed her mind at the last minute, the Chicago Tribune reported Tuesday. The festival, which is due to open on Thursday, has scheduled its annual gala on Oct. 21, where the actor or actress selected to be honored will be introduced. (from IMDb) apologies if this belongs on Odds and Ends."}, {"response": 822, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Oct  4, 2000 (22:39)", "body": "I got *unofficial* confirmation today from A&E that Colin is doing Armadillo. Production is already underway. As we had heard, it will be a 2-parter, written by William Boyd and produced by Sue Birtwistle. They anticipate it will air in the U.S. on A&E next fall. (I'm guessing the BBC will air it first, but not sure.) Keep an eye on the trades--Variety, Hollywood Reporter--as there will be a press release, but they wouldn't say when."}, {"response": 823, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Oct  5, 2000 (02:20)", "body": "(The Other Karen)...(KJ, unless she'd prefer being called something else of her own choice) ;-D Not really. Like I say, just not \"Late for Dinner\". (KJ)His identification with the character is so total ...(Other Karen)... I smell another \"method acting\" discussion... Method acting, schmethod acting. I'm not talking about theory or application or \"How to do -- in 10 Easy Lessons...\" acting. I'm talking about What happens to ODB when he's acting, which is personal to every actor, I'm sure. I'm just fascinated with the tendency of his *apparently* being Colin and then saying \"I\" when referring to, say, Edward P. in the middle of an interview.... ;-) KJ"}, {"response": 824, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Oct  5, 2000 (09:09)", "body": "Mari - I got \"unofficial confirmation today that Colin is doing Armadillo Thanks Mari you have made my day, but I wll still keep my fingers crossed until it is official."}, {"response": 825, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct  5, 2000 (13:27)", "body": "Maybe we'll be able to find out more about DQ's future when they're in LA, unless someone wants to give a few disgruntled employees in Paris a ring...I'll give you some names of people who have brushed me off. ;-D Pandora says au revoir to Paris By Cathy Dunkley and Charlie Masters Pandora, the foreign sales and production company headed by chairman Christian Bourguignon and president Ernst Goldschmidt, has shuttered its Paris-based operations after a restructuring. The move comes in the wake of Gaylord Entertainment's acquisition of the company and its desire to concentrate Pandora's corporate and business operations in Los Angeles. The move follows the announcement of Gaylord's overall four-year co-financing and distribution deal with Warner Bros. and the appointment of veteran producer Hunt Lowry to head Gaylord Films and Pandora (HR 9/15). Bourguignon and Goldschmidt have stepped down from their former posts. Goldschmidt remains a consultant to Pandora, which will remain as the specialty prestige label of Gaylord. The majority of the staff under Goldschmidt in Paris also is expected to leave the company. Pandora's senior vp worldwide sales Shebnem Askin will relocate to Los Angeles from Paris. Established in 1982, Pandora began as a distributor of international television programming. Specializing in film and TV programming for international markets, Pandora's projects include \"Shine,\" \"Kolya,\" \"Like Water for Chocolate\" and \"Maybe Baby.\" Its recent film \"Donnie Darko,\" written and directed by Richard Kelly and co-produced with Flower Films, will be previewed to domestic and international buyers at the London Screenings and MIFED. The film stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Drew Barrymore, Noah Wyle and Patrick Swayze."}, {"response": 826, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Oct  5, 2000 (18:08)", "body": "(Mari) I got *unofficial* confirmation today from A&E that Colin is doing Armadillo. Ahhh, news at last! Good job, Mari! Even unofficial news is better than no news (but thanks for making the distinction)."}, {"response": 827, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Oct  5, 2000 (20:34)", "body": "Mari - I got \"unofficial\" confirmation today that Colin is doing Armadillo Hallelujah! Unofficial or not, it's news and that's what matters - well scooped Mari, you've made my day!"}, {"response": 828, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Oct  6, 2000 (00:01)", "body": "Yes, Armadillo's been a \"possible\" for so long now. Nice to see it's graduated to the \"probable\". Lisa, I ordered my Starz! today ;-). Expect to cancel it, oh, in about a month."}, {"response": 829, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Oct  6, 2000 (08:15)", "body": "Thanks Mari! Great news! I'd been holding my breath about this. The weather has been surprisingly mild and sunny over here...ideal for any outside location work. I think \"Armadillo\" is a great project for Colin. Milo/Lorimer is on every single page - the action follows him. If it's a two parter, it will probably be about 3 1/2 to 4 hours long...and no fastforwarding required! I'm very happy that Sue Birtwhistle is working with CF again. I'm sure she'll protect his interests....he must have a close relationship with her, and her husband, Richard Eyre (now Sir Richard!) (who directed \"Tumbledown). Unlike David (\"me\") Puttnam, who never mentioned the cast once, despite hundreds of (boring) interviews! Evelyn, I know it's TV, but it's quality TV, and it will be seen by millions. You might get it first in the US...\"Madam Bovary\" aired first in the US, a few months later in the UK. I'm glad that there's an A&E collaboration. I no longer trust the BBC!! They're showing a BBC film \"Care\" (all about child abuse, which i'd rather not watch, thank you) on Sunday, BBC1 9.00pm, which is *the* prime slot. I know that \"Care\" was filmed after DQ, and yet the Beeb apparently have no difficulty in finding a prime slot for it in the schedules...why not \"sometime in 2001\". DQ puzzles me..is it a movie (okay, show it at feastivals) or a TV film (okay just show it!) Will email a coomplaint again! Waterstones are stocking up with copies of \"Speaking with the angel\", book and tape. Thanks Karen...my assumption about the release video dates for RV was based on the Blackstar info. MLSF, according to my very helpful video library/store man is definitely out on Nov 27th. Don't know if will hit Blockbusters in a big way, but they should have one (or two!) copies."}, {"response": 830, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct  6, 2000 (19:54)", "body": "Re: Pandora...Gaylord Entertainment's acquisition of the company They are local Oklahoma people....own half of Nashville. (Bethan)Re; Armadillo..Evelyn, I know it's TV, but it's quality TV I no longer turn my nose up at CF doing British TV...it beats the hell out of the lousy starring movies.He seems to enjoy it and doesn't have to promote it, attend premieres...win/win. Thanks Mari for persevering. (Bethan) I no longer trust the BBC!! And don't ever take the BBC tour of their building and studios on Woods Lane.. Royal waste of time. LOL...I went by to tour the Museum of the Moving Image: Television and Films on the South Bank and found it has been closed....Now does that tell you something???"}, {"response": 831, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Oct  8, 2000 (00:28)", "body": "Mari: This Armadillo news is great! I feel excitement rising again....Thanks. The only thing \"wrong\" with A&E is that it is cable after all, and the audience will be limited over here, as it was for P&P. I still wish for broader viewing for him. But still, a great book and a great part. So glad."}, {"response": 832, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct  8, 2000 (17:54)", "body": "There is hope for us here!! Did anyone catch the new show The District? \"Clive\" (David O'Hara) is a regular and he speaks in full Glaswegian Clivespeak! They're conditioning us. ;-D And Peter Firth is a regular on another new show \"That's Life\" which has the Colin lookalike (Steven Eckhart) on it too. Could Colin be far behind... ;-D"}, {"response": 833, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Oct  8, 2000 (20:09)", "body": "But still, a great book and a great part. So glad. (Mary) Yes, let's hope this is the start of great things to come (TV and movies) and we'll be seeing CF in the roles he really deserves! I'm looking forward to seeing him in a contemporary role again, and looking like himself ... he looks much younger in the shots of him in \"real life\". Well on the right side of forty. :-)"}, {"response": 834, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Oct  8, 2000 (20:47)", "body": "So Murph, if all goes as planned for Colin, with BJD and Armadillo, will you put your site up again? :-)"}, {"response": 835, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Oct  8, 2000 (21:22)", "body": "Hey, Moon, Karen and others are doing such a great job, I'd be redundant (sp!) Still, it is nice to see good solid news."}, {"response": 836, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (14:06)", "body": "(Heide) Lisa, I ordered my Starz! today ;-). Expect to cancel it, oh, in about a month. IMO it's one of the better premium channels available in the US (far better than, say, Cinemax, whose idea of prime time movies is 'Sixteen Candles'). Starz has the best of the recent films, e.g., they aired Onegin when it was still playing in the theaters. You might find it worth the extra $$. (Karen) which has the Colin lookalike (Steven Eckhart) on it too. Hmm. Must check this out. ;-)"}, {"response": 837, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (19:16)", "body": "Sunlight Productions extends an invitation to Colin Firth fans to a private screening of \"Londinium\" in Los Angeles and New York tomorrow. \"Londinium\" stars Colin Firth, Mike Binder, Mariel Hemingway and Irene Jacob and is a cosmopolitan comedy. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10TH 2000 LOS ANGELES 7:30pm Twentieth Century Fox, Zanuck Theater (Pico and Motor) enter at Motor entrance reply to: (310) 565-0217 NEW YORK 6:30pm 59th Street East Cinema (between 2nd and 3rd Avenue) reply to: 212-627-0414 These are private screenings. This invitation is to Colin Firth fans. Kindly forward to fans you know of in Los Angeles and New York and other Firth friends. Thank you and look forward to seeing some of you there! Sunlight Productions"}, {"response": 838, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (20:05)", "body": "Bring on the Bubbly....is this the distributor? Great News!! Two of ODB's productions premiering this month! WOW...hope we get a report from some kind soul."}, {"response": 839, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (21:12)", "body": "Will spread the word, Karen!"}, {"response": 840, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (21:55)", "body": "It is not a premiere, Evelyn, only a private screening. Is Sunlight Prod. the Binders company, Karen? Mari and Murph, I hope you get to go. And make sure to ask about a release date. And you moved away, Eileen!"}, {"response": 841, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (22:00)", "body": "Thanks for the news, Karen. I just called and left my name to reserve a ticket. I have to give a presentation at a late afternoon meeting and it will be a squeaker whether or not it's done in time for me to drive across town by 7:30, but I'm going to try. Winter and Marianne, you want to try and hook up?"}, {"response": 842, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (22:15)", "body": "Yes, Sunlight is the Binders' production company. They are probably showing it to potential distributors. *fingers crossed for HBO* ;-D (sorry, I'm a little light-headed right now)"}, {"response": 843, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (22:25)", "body": "Not moi, Moon. That's 100+ miles of good road and no way could I be up there after work by 6:30 on short notice. The good news is, it looks like we definitely have some takers from those in the NY area. Jana, I do hope you get to go! Karen, Showtime might be a possibility too--hey, if they bought TSM . . .;-) HBO would be a bigger audience, though. Now, go eat something; sun is already down in the Eastern time zone.:-)"}, {"response": 844, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (22:26)", "body": "Have called and left my name & phone numbers ... hope to see you there Jana. Not sure, but isn't Winter still in Bali?"}, {"response": 845, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (22:42)", "body": "I think she's back. Come out, come out, wherever you are, Winter. Her first visit was only for a month and, by my calculations, she should be back. I would accept Showtime too. ;-D (sun's not down here yet)"}, {"response": 846, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (23:08)", "body": "(Marianne) Have called and left my name & phone numbers ... hope to see you there Jana. Yea! I will keep my eyes peeled for you in manner of H.F. book signing :-). I left my name and numbers on the recording too. I would have preferred to talk to a live body, but if we don't hear anything back by tomorrow I guess we assume no news is good news and that our names will be on some kind of list at the Fox gate. Since there are likely to be potential film distributors there we will have to make sure we are v. enthusiastic about the film and drop lots of comments like, \"sure would like to see more of that Firth guy in more films\". I hope the film merits at least some of these positive comments so as not to appear as simpleton or similar :-). I'm not worried about Colin mind you, but after viewing \"The Sex Monster\" am almost afraid of what the Binder bros. have in store for us."}, {"response": 847, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (00:59)", "body": "Am keeping my fingers crossed for you girls. Get your glowing comments ready. Mari, how come these things never come to our neck of the woods? :-( May need to move. Eileen, is your house still for sale? Two of ODB's productions premiering this month! Better than that...it's three. DQ, RV and now Londinium."}, {"response": 848, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (07:43)", "body": "(JanaJH)drop lots of comments like, \"sure would like to see more of that Firth guy in more films\". You don't need to do this. This is a ahowing for Colin fans, you can be open about it :-) Go for it, ladies!"}, {"response": 849, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (08:35)", "body": "Great news Karen! Very short notice though. I'm not worried about Colin mind you, but after viewing \"The Sex Monster\" am almost afraid of what the Binder bros. have in store for us. (Jana) I always find that when I see CF movies for the first time I so want them to be good that my critical faculties go into overdrive and I notice everything (sometimes more bad than good)! So to make you all more relaxed about the potential horrors of a Binder production, here are some positive notes: One. It was shot last year during six weeks of (almost unprecedented) constant brilliant sunshine in London. MB wanted to make London look good...he's chosen locations like the London parks, the British Museum, the South Bank Complex (National Theatre) and Little Venice. Even if the direction is uninspired (!), it should be very easy on the eye, and it will be good to see London as a cultured, romantic city rather than some drab gangland battlefield (as usually depicted in Brit movies). The cinematography, I think, is by the person who did \"Mrs Dalloway\", a very good film in the old-fashioned sense. Two: CF seems to be heading the billing now! Three: Stephen Fry is always good value. Four: Jack Dee is unknown in the States, but very popular here, especially with \"youf\" (My sons rate him with Ali G!). He's always looks miserable, and has a totally deadpan delivery. Five: Irene Jakob is beautiful and talented. She's currently in the news in the UK as she is going to be appear in the West End for the first time (she does a lot of theatre work in Paris). Six: Alan Rickman and Juliet Stevenson have just starred in a Mike Binder written/directed movie, so MB can't be all that bad, can he? (Or maybe AR/JS thoughht \"Hey, MB's just done a movie with CF/I/SF...can't be all that bad, can he?) Seven: I liked Mariel Hemingway in that Woody Allen movie. Haven't seen her recently. So, go to it. Enjoy! Look for the positive and give it a good reception. no matter what!! BTW I didn't expect it to be selected for the London Film Festival. It's too non-arty, middle of the road. And probably critics won't like the romanticised view of London (people going to the theatre, sitting in the park, instead of drug pushers, prostitutes, corpses etc)"}, {"response": 850, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (12:52)", "body": "(Bethan), Even if the direction is uninspired (!), it should be very easy on the eye, and it will be good to see London as a cultured, romantic city rather than some drab gangland battlefield (as usually depicted in Brit movies). I didn't expect it to be selected for the London Film Festival. It's too non-arty, middle of the road. And probably critics won't like the romanticised view of London (people going to the theatre, sitting in the park, instead of drug pushers, prostitutes, corpses etc) I agree! It is about time to give London a change of scenery. (Karen), They are probably showing it to potential distributors. (Gi), This is a ahowing for Colin fans, you can be open about it :-) I agree with Karen. Inviting CF fans is one way to fill the theatres on a short notice. Potential buyers like to see that. So by all means praise the DB. Jana and Marianne, so glad you are going. In all hopefullness, we will get the East and West coast reports. :-) Winter, are you back?"}, {"response": 851, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (13:38)", "body": "(Moon) Inviting CF fans is one way to fill the theatres on a short notice. Potential buyers like to see that. Exactly! It's *our* job to create good buzz, good audience reaction. Talk it up, ladies. Stuff like: \"I know all my friends are going to love this film; wonder when it will open. I must tell them!!\""}, {"response": 852, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (14:18)", "body": "BTW I didn't expect it to be selected for the London Film Festival. It's too non-arty, middle of the road. They showed SLOW twice last year....hmmm...wonder what category that would fit in;-) Does Max Binder make \"middle of the road films'?I...don't...think....so..."}, {"response": 853, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (14:22)", "body": "Well, he certainly doesn't fit into the category of \"young African female filmmakers,\" does he? More like \"Woody-Allen-Wannabees\" ;-D"}, {"response": 854, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (16:57)", "body": "Waddaya know, there is life in Londinium! (Moon) And you moved away, Eileen! Oh, well, them's the breaks. I was up there last weekend, too. *sigh* Lousy timing. (Heide) Eileen, is your house still for sale? Nope, sold it last spring. But I'll see what I can do if CF comes to B'way. ;-) (Bethan) CF seems to be heading the billing now! Naturally, since the message was directed to CF fans. Sounds good to me anyway. (Moon) Inviting CF fans is one way to fill the theatres on a short notice. Are there enough of us to fill theaters? I don't know about that, especially on short notice. That said, we better have a bigger turnout than the private showing for Mike Binder fans. ;-P Thanks for posting the news, Karen (while fasting on your day of atonement). Looking forward to reading reports from the lucky attendees."}, {"response": 855, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (03:33)", "body": "Good reports from NY: The film is funny, sexy, romantic, and Colin is great in it!"}, {"response": 856, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (03:38)", "body": "Presenting the London Londinium screenings!!! London, UK \ufffd Tuesday, October 24th, 2000 at 14.00 ABC Panton Street, Theater 2 London, UK \ufffd Thursday, October 26th, 2000 at 15.45 ABC Panton Street, Theater 1 See if you can get in by emailing this, with subject should be: RSVP Londinium Screening londinium@sunlightproductions.com"}, {"response": 857, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (03:51)", "body": "While we await the polls closing in California, am going to post some of the comments on the Spoilers to Current Firth Productions Topic #126. See you there!"}, {"response": 858, "author": "olivannan", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (09:05)", "body": "Hai, My name is Olivanna and i own a internet browsing center. A server is connected to 4 clients. The problem is we can't share some of the benifits through internet. the main thing is we can't share MIRC32 chatting through all the systems. Please give a suggestion to make it work on all the clients. Thanking you Yours faithfully olivannan"}, {"response": 859, "author": "aishling", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (09:30)", "body": "Thanks for the information on London screenings Karen. I have e-mailed."}, {"response": 860, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (09:39)", "body": "Help - Can someone please tell me the nearest Underground Station to Panton Street as I cannot find Panton Street on my London Map."}, {"response": 861, "author": "aishling", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (11:03)", "body": "Leicester Square or Picadilly Circus. Have e-mailed you."}, {"response": 862, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (13:37)", "body": "Ohhhh I am grrrrreen ...and to think I missed it by a few weeks....:-(( Have a wonderful time, girls! Who else in UK is going?"}, {"response": 863, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (14:30)", "body": "Mark, I hope you can make it. We enjoy your reports so much!"}, {"response": 864, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (15:43)", "body": "Yes, I shall try and make it. Hope to see you there briefly, Ann & Aishling. But I will not be able to linger as that will be my (long) lunch break on a potentially very busy day."}, {"response": 865, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (15:51)", "body": "Maybe, just maybe, I could make it on Thursday. I have promised a visit to my sister and I'd better not wait too long. I have e-mailed her to see if it works out for her. I'm glad the screenings are in the afternoon. This way I can still make it to Cambridge the same evening and won't have to spend the night in London."}, {"response": 866, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (17:44)", "body": "I can honestly say that I had no regrets in missing last night\ufffds episodes of Buffy and Angel for Londinium. From all the talk about Mike Binder\ufffds background as actor, writer, producer???, I was pleasantly surprised with how good the film was. Ok, my perceptions of the movie \ufffd 1) Mariel Hemingway looks old \ufffd old and tired \ufffd couldn\ufffdt they afford a good make-up person to do something about her eyes. 2) London is beautiful! 3) What bald spot? Ok, there was one scene where there does seem as if there is one, but otherwise his hair is perfect \ufffd dark, thick, full, stylish. 4) What weight problem? If anything he seems thin, especially his arms \ufffd he should do some arm curls. And maybe get a tan, just a little color, so he doesn\ufffdt appear so pale. Ok, ok, I\ufffdm from L.A., and I\ufffdm used to a certain superficial type here ;-) 5 CF did not have much of a wardrobe. He seemed to be always wearing a dark (greenish/brown/drab) corduroy jacket. Even in bed, he had on a black t-shirt (during both marriages). 6) CF and IJ make a beautiful couple. 7) One of my favorite scenes is when CF tells MH the reason why he doesn\ufffdt want to have sex with her. It\ufffds because he\ufffds bloated \ufffd and gassy (after eating a huge meat pie). I thought that scene was hilarious. 8) CF is an amazing actor. Any scene with him in it enlivened the movie. And to be fair to Mike Binder, he actually came up with a movie that gave equal time to all four major characters. CF gets 2nd billing, but it was done in alphabetical order. He plays a sexually repressed??? producer. There is a whole arc where he goes from being uncomfortable around the talk of sex to where he becomes an embodiment of romantic passion back to being uncomfortable with intimacy and then for the sake of his wife, back. Am I giving away too much? Did I mention it was a good movie?"}, {"response": 867, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (17:57)", "body": "(Mari) Good reports from NY: The film is funny, sexy, romantic Goody! *clap clap* and Colin is great in it! *sigh* He always is, isn't he? Here's hoping a distributor picks it up (preferably one which will include Philly, Chicago, anywhere in OK or TX and DC ;-)). *fingers crossed*"}, {"response": 868, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (18:51)", "body": "Am I giving away too much? (Marianne) Nope! I'm one of these awful people who read the end of the book first. But I wouldn't want to spoil it for other folk. I have to ask though...does he get married twice? Does he actually get to act sexy (as opposed to the repressed Englishman), and does he get to kiss IJ? (with enthusiasm, I hope!) I thought they made an ideal couple in MLSF...would like to see them finally get together!"}, {"response": 869, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (19:04)", "body": "Please take these *spoilers* to 126. Some have been discussed there already. Thanks."}, {"response": 870, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (19:35)", "body": "ok, am off to 126"}, {"response": 871, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (19:39)", "body": "Marianne, thanks for your report--so glad you got to go! I have the same spoiler questions as Bethan, but also 2 others: --Were there any studio or TV suits there, i.e., anybody who looked like they'd be in a position to buy this?:-) --What was the audience reaction and were you asked to fill out any comment cards? (the people in NY weren't)."}, {"response": 872, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (19:49)", "body": "Hi everyone, I'm sorry I'm so tardy. Work has been a zoo today so this will be quick, but I promise I will write more at the Spoilers topic as time allows. Just a couple of general tidbits here.... 1. The screening was handled very professionally for which I was grateful. We did not get any confirmation after leaving our names on a recorded message and since the screening was on a movie lot with scads of security I was really dreading having to try and gain admittance by confessing I got my invitation from a Firth fan club :-). Luckily that wasn't necessary and it was fun to see the film at the lot. 2. V.v.fun to see Marianne again! We arrived about at the same time and were able to sit together. The theatre was quite large and almost full by the time the movie started. Perhaps the Binder's have a lot of friends :-)? 3. I was surprised that there was no announcement or discussion at the beginning or end of the film. The lights just went down, movie showed and everyone left. Did any reps from Sunlight speak at the NY showing? 4. Overall I was pleasantly surprised and the movie was better than I expected. I don't want to excite your anticipation too much - it's not a GREAT FILM or anything like that. But it's a clever, frothy romantic comedy and there were several lines that made me chuckle. I thought the writing and premise were much snappier than The Sex Monster. I'm not sure if I was prejudiced because Colin was in it or not. 5. Colin has a big part and looks great, although I prefer him without the beard. He gets to show a lot of ranges of emotion alhtough I found the character he was playing to be a bit too wimpy to lust over. V. funny and excellent acting though. All in all, it's a pretty decent part with good dialogue (as long as you remember that the movie itself is very light, fluffy entertainment). 6. I really enjoyed the rest of the cast as well. Irene Jacob was charming and Mariel was actually funnier than I've seen her before. I especially liked the supporting cast. Stephen Fry and Jack Dee were hilarious and added a lot in smaller roles. 7. Bethan, you were absolutely correct about the setting and locations used. (sorry - too pressed for time to go up and find and copy your post that mentioned this). But bottom line, London looked gorgeous. Sunny, shiny and a must see travel destination. I guess that's it for now. I'll try and stop by the other topic later but feel free to throw out any questions."}, {"response": 873, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (19:51)", "body": "(Mari) I have the same spoiler questions as Bethan, but also 2 others: --Were there any studio or TV suits there, i.e., anybody who looked like they'd be in a position to buy this?:-) --What was the audience reaction and were you asked to fill out any comment cards? (the people in NY weren't). No comment cards in LA either. Other than handing out a single sheet that listed the principal parties involved in making the film, no discussion or presentation of any kind on the part of Sunlight. The room was full of people who appeared to be in the entertainment business but I couldn't tell if anyone was from a distribution company or not."}, {"response": 874, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (20:52)", "body": "Re Londinium Screenings Thanks from me too Karen...at last a big screen Colin fix - just hope I can make it. (Suggestions for plausible excuses to get off work early gratefully received)"}, {"response": 875, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (23:49)", "body": "Think I can safely ask this here (besides too lazy to get back to 126). Is it possible that this film will be changed before general release? Since there weren't any comment cards it doesn't sound as if they were looking at this as a test audience but I remember how long it took MLSF to get released after much tinkering. Thoughts? Anyway, excited as hell about it."}, {"response": 876, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 12, 2000 (17:54)", "body": "We can safely assume that Mike is happy with his film. It will not suffer from the Miramax/Putnam cuts of MLSF. ;-)"}, {"response": 877, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Oct 12, 2000 (18:57)", "body": "(Tracy) Suggestions for plausible excuses to get off work early gratefully received OK, gotcha covered. Pick whichever one suits your fancy. - My [family member] or [dog/cat/ferret, etc.] is sick - I have a major plumbing emergency at home (works every time) - I'm getting married this afternoon - I'm meeting the Pope this afternoon - I'm meeting Tony Blair this afternoon - I'm meeting Jeffrey Archer this afternoon and so on, and so on... ;-D Seriously, I hope you can go."}, {"response": 878, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Oct 12, 2000 (19:17)", "body": "Thanks for the feedback on Londinium, ladies. So glad you enjoyed it - for several reasons ;-)"}, {"response": 879, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Oct 12, 2000 (21:30)", "body": "We can safely assume that Mike is happy with his film. It will not suffer from the Miramax/Putnam cuts of MLSF. ;-) Yes, no delays please, or major re-edits or thirty minute cuts. The withering on the vine process. Which is what (if I may return to my favourite grouch for one second!!) is happening to DQ, courtesy of the BBC. I was most annoyed to see a huge advert in today's Times... \"BBC Films is very proud of \"Billy Elliot\" (it's a BBC Films-Working Title co-production. How about \"BBC Films doesn't give a **** about DQ\"!! Have just fired off another email asking why it takes 2 years to show this film!! Karen, when you see it at the Chicago FF (tomorrow?), if you can find out anything about what's happening to DQ, I'd be very grateful. On the one hand they're talking up \"Billy Ellio\" for the Oscars, whilst letting DQ rot...and there's probably not all that much difference between them. Enough, enough...grrrr. \"Londinium\" bodes very well for CF in BJD. He just needs the right project (probably contemporary), the right look, and major, major multiplex exposure, and suddenly everyone will be saying \"who is that guy?\"...*the* breakout, at last! :-)"}, {"response": 880, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 12, 2000 (22:25)", "body": "The other day was BBC America's day at the Fest (monitors everywhere showing their programs). Talked to the rep. He hadn't a clue about DQ. Only knew vaguely about the other two BBC films at the fest (Greenfingers and Saltwater). The \"kid\" was there to push cable, as BBC America is only now just available within the city (has been available out in the suburbs). The special fest program shows DQ in 35mm"}, {"response": 881, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Oct 12, 2000 (22:36)", "body": "Thanks Karen! 35mm not Super16? Can they convert format? Let's see if I get a response to my latest email to the Beeb..!"}, {"response": 882, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Oct 12, 2000 (22:41)", "body": "Bethan, did you mention that our US friends/CF fans are lucky enough to see it before the UK fans. Ausralia, US what about the UK?!!!"}, {"response": 883, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 13, 2000 (03:57)", "body": "35mm not Super16? It was never Super16. The specs I had seen were Betacam SP and Digi Beta. From what I can find Betacam SP is video, high-quality professional grade video though. \"Following the demise of the Betamax consumer format, Sony introduced the Betacam format for professional users. It was the first of the small format machines intended for ENG and EFP use. The \"SP\" tape is an upgraded version of the Betacam (1982, Sony Corporation, aka 1/2-in Type L). It is especially popular for field acquisition and post-production work.\" Digi Beta is digital video and one place said the BBC uses it a lot for documentaries. Yes, these things can be transferred to another format."}, {"response": 884, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 13, 2000 (03:58)", "body": "And could you hold off telling the BBC anything. Wouldn't want to alert them in case they don't approve and yank the film out of here. Wait until Monday, puh-leez!! :-)"}, {"response": 885, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Oct 13, 2000 (08:49)", "body": "No news of CF from Baz today but he does say: Watch out for James Frain, who has been shooting The Count of Monte Cristo on locations in Ireland. He will star in the TV dramatisation of William Boyd's novel Armadillo. And to all those going to see DQ in Chicago, have a great time."}, {"response": 886, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Oct 13, 2000 (08:59)", "body": "...alongside CF I hope!"}, {"response": 887, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Oct 13, 2000 (10:03)", "body": "Oh Gawd! I hope so. What does \"he will star\" mean? Mari, your confirmation was that Colin was actually doing \"Armadillo\" and had *the* starring role, wasn't it? I can't actually see who James Frain would play other tnan Lorimer Black. He was in \"Elizabeth\" as the Spanish envoy...dark, curly hair, thirty-ish. Lobby? Torquil? Am having \"Hugh Grant as Mark Darcy\" palpitations here! Or maybe he'll be one of the crooked busimess men (Rintoul?)I really hope so!!"}, {"response": 888, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Oct 13, 2000 (12:10)", "body": "Oh don't Bethan, I am joining you in those palpitations, why oh why could Baz not have put us out of our misery and said \"co-starring with Colin Firth\". Mari what do you think?"}, {"response": 889, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Oct 13, 2000 (12:28)", "body": "I have sent an e-mail to Baz but don't expect to hear from him."}, {"response": 890, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 13, 2000 (12:56)", "body": "Thanks for the news, Aishling. \"Starring\" can mean anything. Shoot, Honor Blackman is starring in Bridget according to some of the papers, when we know it is just a cameo. I'd say Frain (young Gustave in Sunshine) is Flavia's husband (dark curly hair, handsome, although supposed to be older than Lorimar). Is there a physical description of Torquil? Moon, you are reading the book now."}, {"response": 891, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Oct 13, 2000 (13:12)", "body": "Reassuring words, Karen! Sorry for the panic and palpitations, Ann...(but anything to do with the BBC makes me deeply, deeply suspicious...no longer have faith!). I guess Frain could also be Lorimer's brother, although he's supposed to be much older. But the dark \"foreign\" looks would be appropriate. But then casting isn't always that literal. Torquil is very English, but slobbish ( I picture Tim Spall in this) But if it's \"official\" that James Frain 'will star' in \"Armadillo\", can we hope for the rest if the cast?"}, {"response": 892, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct 13, 2000 (13:20)", "body": "I have finished it! I would guess he would be Torquil, unless, Colin does not have the Lorimer role. Definitely not Gilbert. A very open ended book. One could really work a script out of this one. I look forward to seeing what Boyd and Colin came up with. It is a shame that CF is still not confirmed for the lead. Why does this always happen? Sheer Achimota? ;-)"}, {"response": 893, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 13, 2000 (13:29)", "body": "(Bethan) I picture Tim Spall in this Yes, I've pictured an American actor similar to Spall, although he's bald. Don't know why??? (Moon) Definitely not Gilbert. If that's the husband, why definitely not? Time to reread book."}, {"response": 894, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 13, 2000 (14:35)", "body": "Review of Donovan Quick in the Chicago Reader, the free alternative paper, but which has IMO the best main reviewer in town. But this wasn't done by him. It's always dicey to adapt a classic story by trying to make it conform to the very specific peculiarities of the present, though some such adaptations are truly inspired, including Dashiell Hammett's great detective novel Red Harvest and Akira Kurosawa's great film Throne of Blood, both adapted from Shakespeare's Macbeth. Director David Blair and Evanston native Donna Franceschild cowrote this adaptation of Don Quixote, which is neither an ingenious retelling of an old warhorse nor an empty academic exercise. Colin Firth is appropriately comic and quixotic as Donovan Quick, a mysterious stranger who rents a room in the town of Clydeside from Lucy Pannick (Katy Murphy) and almost immediately locks horns with the evil multinational Windmill Transport Bus Company by setting up a competing operation. Blair does a nice job of depicting life in working-class suburban Scotland, populating the film with a coterie of charming eccentrics-\ufffdthough much of this seems familiar from other British films. And several snatc es of dialogue too conveniently explain things that have happened offscreen. But overall this is a pleasantly told moral tale. (reviewed by Joshua Katzman, who has totally missed the political message)"}, {"response": 895, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Oct 13, 2000 (15:12)", "body": "I just called A&E, spoke to the same person as last time, and they are really stonewalling. I asked point blank about CF and JF, citing the British press reports, and was told \"Casting hasn't been fully established yet. They are still casting. We can't comment further at this time.\" This is, of course, considerably different than the last time I called. At that point, they would not confirm anything officially until the press release went out--BUT--she knew I was inquiring specifically about CF as Lorimer; finally, I asked if, as a CF fan I would be pleased when the press release came out, and she responded, \"yes, you will definitely be pleased.\" That was about 2 weeks ago. Don't know what, if anything, has changed in the interim. It's entirely possible that Frain has another role, as Karen said. Or, as I am starting to fear, Colin withdrew at the last minute; maybe something else came along. I'm sorry if I excited everyone's anticipation prematurely, but really I don't know what other conclusion I could have come to after the conversation of 2 weeks ago. Baz seems a better bet for info at this point. Does anybody have his phone number--can it be obtained by calling the Daily Mail? Plan B would be contacting the Black Hole--Colin's agent. Or, if we hear nothing prior to the Sciascia reading, ask Colin directly. Oh, here's another thought: find out who James Frain's agent is and call there. Honestly, you'd think these people were protecting state secrets. It's a movie, fergodsake! I don't think the press corps covering the Nixon White House ran into this much trouble. \"What did A&E know and when did they know it?\""}, {"response": 896, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Oct 13, 2000 (17:01)", "body": "Thanks Mari for phoning. Surely Sue Birtwhistle wouldn't let CF down, and I can't see him withdrawing at the last minute. But what does \"watch out for JF...he will star in...\" mean? I read it as taking the starring role, otherwise why watch out for him. And why not mention other members of the cast. Or (positive thoughts!)it could mean that they are getting together an all-star cast in a very strong production which will be very successful and be watched by everyone. I mean, if he said \"watch out for Tim Spall...he will star in..\" I'd just assume he had a major role, but not Lorimer. Yet, what could change in 2 weeks? And surely finance is raised against a proposed cast? I just hope it's another BJD type scenario, where no-one could confirm that CF was playing MD. What did his (don't ring me) agent say ...\"who knows?\" Then a few days later, it's confirmed. It's really gut-wrenching."}, {"response": 897, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Oct 13, 2000 (18:11)", "body": "***Important info for those hoping to attend the Londinium screenings in London*** I've heard that no one has gotten a response yet to their RSVP e- mails to Sunlight Productions. I just called them and here's the deal: Unlike the NY and LA screenings, the London screenings were designed strictly for potential distributors. They are at small theaters with limited space and were not intended for fans. HOWEVER . . .I spoke to Jack Binder (Mike's brother--very nice guy) and he said that if you have already gotten your e-mail RSVP in, he will respond to you and you will be able to get in. He did say that the screenings are filling up fast and that it may be necessary to cut it off due to space limitations. So . . .you should be hearing something very soon. If you haven't yet sent in your RSVP, I'd say get it in right away and hope that there's room. He did say that there probably would be more screenings in London at a later date in case you don't make this one. Also, they do not yet have a distributor anywhere, but said they were hopeful of getting a theatrical distributor for this one--not just a TV deal as was the case for TSM."}, {"response": 898, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Oct 13, 2000 (18:16)", "body": "Evelyn, didn't you have a contact who said that CF would be playing a \"foppish\" character in a TV production. Clutching straws here, but I thought that would be Lorimer in \"Armadillo\". Just getting very bad vibes about this. But how could things be okay two weeks ago (A&E's response indicates that CF is \"it\") and change dramatically. This project has been in the pipeline for some time now. JF tends to play supporting roles and he's definitely not tall, and he looks southern European, whereas I imagined Lorimer, despite his family origins, looking like the English/Scottish gentleman. I'm trying to convince myself here! Too disappointing otherwise! :-(("}, {"response": 899, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Oct 13, 2000 (18:19)", "body": "Thanks Mari on both counts but why oh why is nothing straight forward with ODB. I shall be on tenderhooks now until we hear one way or the other. Incidentally I have just emailed Baz at baz.bamigboye@dailymail.uk.co and even if we don't get a personal reply he may mention something in next week's paper."}, {"response": 900, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Oct 13, 2000 (18:29)", "body": "Emazil to BB had just been returned, can't quite understand it as Sishling sent one to this address and that was not returned, however, I havve tried something different, same as above but have reversed to .co.uk and will see if this works."}, {"response": 901, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 13, 2000 (18:57)", "body": "Take some Prozac, ladies. BBC casting information is, indeed, covered by the Official Secrets Act or didn't you know! ;-0 I cannot believe that anyone but Colin would be playing Lorimer. First off, James Frain does not have the right look for the chameleon-like character. He is far better suited for Flavia's husband. And the second reason is that, when I spoke to Armadillo's production asst at the end of July, when the actual production office was just being set up... [to be cont. on Sfolks]"}, {"response": 902, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Oct 13, 2000 (20:17)", "body": "and what I can't understand Mari, okay so they can't say who is in it but surely they can say if Colin isn't. It's unbelieveable."}, {"response": 903, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct 13, 2000 (20:31)", "body": "(Moon) Definitely not Gilbert. (Karen), If that's the husband, why definitely not? Because Gilbert's part is not as big as Torquil's. There is also David the rock star and Mr. Hogg his creepy boss, but Torquil spends lots of time with Lorimer. As I have stated the book is open to interpretation so the script may vary. (Mari), Honestly, you'd think these people were protecting state secrets. It's a movie, fergodsake! I don't think the press corps covering the Nixon White House ran into this much trouble. \"What did A&E know and when did they know it?\" LOL! I feel the same way. It must be sheer achimota! ;-) Or, if we hear nothing prior to the Sciascia reading, ask Colin directly. It did not work with Colin when we wanted to know about BJD. He always went round the question, remember? I have e-mailed Baz in the past and he never answers."}, {"response": 904, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Oct 13, 2000 (21:25)", "body": "(Moon) It must be sheer achimota! ;-) Please translate..."}, {"response": 905, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct 13, 2000 (21:39)", "body": "Be patient, Gi, you should receive your copy of Armadillo very soon. ;-D"}, {"response": 906, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Oct 13, 2000 (22:41)", "body": "Take some Prozac, ladies. BBC casting information is, indeed, covered by the Official Secrets Act or didn't you know! ;-0 (Karen) LOL! BBC casting info is indeed sacrosant! As is all information about the BBC. Anyway I'm going to stop worrying...it's just BJD/HG/Mark Darcy all over again. I can't see anyone but CF playing Lorimer and I can't believe that a partnership between CF and SB wouldn't work out. Baz talks to lots of people...maybe JF is up for a role in \"Armadillo\", no more than that. I remember being plunged into similar doom and gloom about \"Londinium\" because I was convinced that Jack Dee had the lead romantic role (Just the way it was reported ...\"Jack Dee is to star in...Also in the cast are CF...\") Wish we had a friendly mole in ICM though...would save a lot of palpitations. :-)"}, {"response": 907, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 14, 2000 (04:54)", "body": "Perhaps this will make you feel better. Saw this item in Ananova: \"Patsy Kensit has revealed her deep regret over her decision to turn down an offer to star in the US series Friends.\" Star?? Come on. The role of Ross' girlfriend Emily was not a starring role. Then: \"The role of Emily was eventually played by Helen Baxendale who shot to fame as Dr Claire Maitland in the BBC series Cardiac Arrest and later starred in the comedy drama Cold Feet.\" Shot to fame? Where? Anyway, see what I mean? Your press use the term \"star\" very loosely."}, {"response": 908, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Oct 14, 2000 (05:25)", "body": "I'm back! Yes, I was in Bali for a month, but spent the last week at a cousin's wedding in Honolulu, Hawaii. I got in last night... Thansk for the updates/emails/review Jana, Marianne and especially, Karen. I rarely ahve time to respond to them, unfortunately... will email you all ASAP."}, {"response": 909, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sat, Oct 14, 2000 (06:43)", "body": "Yea! Winter is home. Missed ya, honey :-)."}, {"response": 910, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sat, Oct 14, 2000 (16:00)", "body": "Aargh, more suspense about Armadillo. Thought Baz was on our side...didn't he issue the initial news about Armadillo waaaay back when? I'm in agreement with Karen regarding use of the word 'star' interchangeably with the word 'act'. finally, I asked if, as a CF fan I would be pleased when the press release came out, and she responded, \"yes, you will definitely be pleased.\" Great detective work. Who says being a Firth fan doesn't result in the development of new skills? (Mari) \"What did A&E know and when did they know it?\" LOL! Where's Judge Sirica when you need him? ;-P Will just hunker down and await some [good] news."}, {"response": 911, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Oct 14, 2000 (16:20)", "body": "Karen and Evelyn, have a great time at the DQ screening tonight. What a treat to be able to see this on the big screen and under optimum viewing conditions. We'll be anxious to hear your report. Karen, BTW, \"Capone\" has been posting his reviews of various Chicago Fest showings at AICN--including Greenfingers (he agrees with you), and at least one of the films competing with DQ for the new filmmakers prize. Am wondering if he will review DQ, and thinking that perhaps someone else may want to give it a whirl.;-)"}, {"response": 912, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Oct 14, 2000 (22:14)", "body": "In honor of DQ being shown to the general US public, shall we attempt a simultaneous viewing with Karen and Evelyn? Hmmm, somehow I don't think it will be the same. Looking forward to your reports."}, {"response": 913, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Oct 14, 2000 (23:18)", "body": "Speaking as one of the DQ deprived (AKA British drooling contingency) - I am so looking forward to your posts as it's probably the nearest I'll get to actually seeing it for a while yet ;-("}, {"response": 914, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Oct 15, 2000 (05:43)", "body": "(Mari) finally, I asked if, as a CF fan I would be pleased when the press release came out, and she responded, \"yes, you will definitely be pleased.\" (Mari again) I don't think the press corps covering the Nixon White House ran into this much trouble. Mari, you are every inch the investigative reporter in manner of Woodward & Bernstein, for you were able to obtain a non-confirming confirmation (the opposite of a non-denial denial) from the woman at A&E. :-) Brava. I am in the \"Colin will star as LB in Armadillo\" camp and shall not waver\ufffd. Ladies, thanks ever so much for the reports here and at the spoilers topic for Londinium. What a treat. Karen and Evelyn, can't wait to hear about DQ on the big screen. And in less then one week, I will see RV. I can hardly believe it, for I usually see ODB's films about 1-3 years after everyone else!"}, {"response": 915, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 15, 2000 (06:12)", "body": "We're baaaaaack!!!! And are we happy!! It was wonderful, wonderful, wonderful...and fantastic!! I was so afraid it would look like a television movie, but it doesn't...at all. There were about 80+ people in the audience, not a sellout, but OK, especially since no local reviewer recommended it as a \"must see.\" However, the audience reaction was great, especially when Donna Franceschild introduced the film and mentioned Colin's name as agreeing to be in it. There was a little squeal and applause at that. (it wasn't us, honest!) As I said the film looked great. He looked great. You could just see every little emotion on his face. The film IS dark in those scenes within the Pannick home, blue in flashback and light outside. You just can't imagine what those closeups are like on a huge screen...or that loping gait. *am grinning like a complete fool* Gram got a laugh every time she appeared, which bothered some of us as it seemed to ignore the seriousness of the subject matter (at the hospital even). We definitely got the feeling that people recognized the performances were wonderful, even though Clive is still a tough one to understand. BTW, nothing wrong with the sound. Time to backtrack, as I said Donna Franceschild intro'd the film. Said that David Blair, the director, wasn't there because he didn't fly. She had never done this, but really is a natural. Very funny. After the film, she took Q&A. From my scribbles, as best I can remember: 1) What was she most pleased about or what would she change? Talked about how she had been writing for more than 20 years and the process continues. The script was organic and continually worked on. Said was most pleased that they got the cast they wanted. Had put together their \"dream cast\" which was headed by Colin and they sent him the script and he liked it and said he'd be in it. With his name attached, everyone signed on. 2) Did the story come out in driblets or all at once? Not really answered in this one, but interesting insights. She knew she wanted to protray a man who goes mad, but when was he mad, i.e., as Daniel Quinn or Donovan Quick. Also she wanted to question why do big companies do what Windmill and that is because they can do it. 3) What has she done in the past? Yadda yadda 4) How long did it take her to do this? Approx 3 years, because she got writer's block but her work ethic made her finish it because she felt guilty having accepted payment in advance. She didn't know at the time that many writers who accept advances don't finish. 5) How was the film received in the UK? Funnily enough, the film has never been shown in the UK. They (BBC) is afraid no one in America will like it. [audience catcalls at this point] They are waiting for people in America to tell them it is good enough. We have good news and bad news : First the bad news, you aren't going to see it on TV if Donna & Co. have their way. They want a theatrical release and they've been the ones who have kept it off television. Now the good news. It will be screened at this year's Birmingham Festival (November 15-26) and at the Cairo Intl Film Festival. They are really trying to find a distributor. If they don't, then it will shown on BBC. So you can stop emailing the BBC. 6) How long did it take to make? Approximately 45 days and had budget of about 2 million something. 7) Did you film different endings? On the day of the shoot, Colin came on set in that suit and she barely recognized him. He was \"metallic.\" When she saw that, she said to him that she would write a different ending, and his reply was \"don't you dare.\" DF said that the ending showed how he had been haunted and that we should conclude that the treatments had \"cured\" him of hypomania. There were a few more questions of not such significance. We talked to DF and her agent afterward. Wanted to get further info on future showings and I gave her my email address. We did volunteer to put the word out. OK, Evelyn is really fading now. More tomorrow and our second showing!!"}, {"response": 916, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Oct 15, 2000 (06:29)", "body": "(Karen) Colin came on set in that suit and she barely recognized him. He was \"metallic.\" Hi Karen, thanks for the interesting report and passing on the good vibes. By the way, what was your interpretation of metallic? Did she mean cold, aloof? Or was his suit one of those old polyester models where the threads give off a sheen? :-) Good for Colin for sticking to his guns for the original ending. But I am curious as to what she had in mind when she was considering a re-write. Interesting that David Blair doesn't fly. I guess he must have traveled by land to Poland when he filmed AK. And very interesting about the possible theatrical release. Another question: Since the film and Colin looked great on the big screen, is there hope for Lucy? :-) Very good news. I can't wait to hear the feedback after the second viewing."}, {"response": 917, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Oct 15, 2000 (08:49)", "body": "Great to read such a positive report, Karen! Supersleuthing indeed...straight from the horse's mouth. Very glad that it looked so good on the Big Screen...I'll bet those Van Morrison tracked sequences looked/sounded great! Very interesting stuff from DF, especially in view of the misinformation (or should I say \"lies\"!) that has/have been streaming from the BBC. How was the film received in the UK? Funnily enough, the film has never been shown in the UK. They (BBC) is afraid no one in America will like it. [audience catcalls at this point] They are waiting for people in America to tell them it is good enough. Wot! What are the BBC doing/not doing? Why does DQ need to have a good critical reception first in the US? It helps tremendously, of course, and guarantees commercial success, but a lot of movies are released here first, and then get picked up in the US. DQ had a good reception at the Cork Film Festival. The BBC could have arranged for it to be could have been shown at the London and Edinburgh FF this year or the Raindance Festival for movies from first-time directors, currently on in London. We have good news and bad news : First the bad news, you aren't going to see it on TV if Donna & Co. have their way. They want a theatrical release and they've been the ones who have kept it off television. Now the good news. It will be screened at this year's Birmingham Festival (November 15-26) and at the Cairo Intl Film Festival. It's very unusual for BBC Films to go straight to TV screen (especially with someone of the calibre of CF in the lead). The BBC should have been backing DF and David Blair to the hilt (they've won a Best Drama BAFTA) and actively marketing DQ from day one. It's great that it's showing at festivals now, after a year of inaction, but Birmingam is not the premier UK festival, and certainly not a major marketing forum. BTW all my criticism BTW is aimed squarely at inept BBC management, who seem to have given DQ the cold shoulder (whilst elevating \"Billy Elliot\" to Oscar winning levels and securing a nationwide release in 350 plus multiplexes) Donna Franceschild sounds marvellous (and she's a very gifted writer). I hope she has every success!! Thanks again Karen and Evelyn...don't know what we'd do without you! Brava. I am in the \"Colin will star as LB in Armadillo\" camp and shall not waver\ufffd. Agreed, absolutely. I realise that \"star\" is now used to mean \"appear in a role in\" (as in \"Colin Firth stars in \"Blackadder\"!)"}, {"response": 918, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Oct 15, 2000 (10:57)", "body": "Just a final, final dig at the BBC. (As a much disgruntled licence payer!) Karen, I think you said that two other BBC Films are showing - \"Saltwater\" and \"Greenfinger\". \"Saltwater\" (set in a fish and chip shop in Ireland) is a Gala film at the London Film Festival, opening in thw West End. And I've read that \"Greenfinger\" is being very actively marketed in the US/North America, through major festivals, like Toronto. So, the BBC can pull their finger out...when it suits!"}, {"response": 919, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Oct 15, 2000 (12:14)", "body": "Karen and Evelyn, many thanks for your report. Happy news indeed! With his name attached, everyone signed on. I'm glad his name still commands some respect ;-) (Donna)...what was your interpretation of metallic?(...)I am curious as to what she had in mind when she was considering a re-write. I have the same questions. I wonder what kind of look he gave her with that \"don't you dare\" :-)"}, {"response": 920, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Oct 15, 2000 (13:25)", "body": "(Bethan), Why does DQ need to have a good critical reception first in the US? It helps tremendously, of course, and guarantees commercial success, but a lot of movies are released here first, and then get picked up in the US. DQ had a good reception at the Cork Film Festival. The BBC could have arranged for it to be could have been shown at the London and Edinburgh FF this year or the Raindance Festival for movies from first-time directors, currently on in London. I agree with all your points, Bethan! This is some stupid game they are playing at. Since when does a very Scottish BBC funded production have to do well in the US before it gets shown at home? And what about Oz, what happened there? Birmingam is not the premier UK festival, and certainly not a major marketing forum. Neither Birminham or Cairo are. It looks pretty desperate. (Donna), what was your interpretation of metallic? Did she mean cold, aloof? Or was his suit one of those old polyester models where the threads give off a sheen? :-) LOL! The original DQ did wear a shinny armour. ;-) Thanks, Karen and Evelyn! It is good to finally have some questions answered."}, {"response": 921, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Oct 15, 2000 (13:47)", "body": "Super report, Karen and Evelyn. Sounds like you had a ball. So glad it looks good on the big screen, and that the audience reception was positive. Good for Donna F. for wanting to hold out for a theatrical distribution, but it sounds as though she and Blair are on their own and not getting much support at all. Without financial and marketing backing, it is very hard to get enough exposure for a film to attract the attention of distributors. I wonder if she has tried the small indie distributors, like Artisan and Lion's Gate. Karen, I'd be interested in hearing whether or not she has had any \"exhibitors only\" screenings, as the Binders are doing in London. She also might want to consider having Clive re-record some of his dialogue; this is done all the time, when the original line readings are not what they wanted, but again, I guess it all comes down to money and resources. (Bethan) but a lot of movies are released here first, and then get picked up in the US. Absolutely. There is no reason they (BBC) could not have been going for a theatrical distribution in the UK, independent of what happens here. Sounds to me like they would have been content to just show it on TV."}, {"response": 922, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 15, 2000 (13:47)", "body": "(Donna) By the way, what was your interpretation of metallic? Hard as steel would be my interpretation, based on the dialogue (\"we'll pry their fingers off...\" Of course, the suit did give off a sheen... kidding. He's wearing a lovely navy raincoat. (Donna) Since the film and Colin looked great on the big screen, is there hope for Lucy? :-) The question of the hour! I can't put my finger on it, but there was this interesting noise from the audience (cross between groaning and laughter ) when Lucy moved in for the first kiss and D pulled away. Need to assess better at second showing. (Bethan) Why does DQ need to have a good critical reception first in the US? It helps tremendously...but a lot of movies are released here first, and then get picked up in the US. Yes, they are released first by you and consigned to the dustbin. So few make it that way that haven't gone on the FF circuit and been picked up either by an established distributer or a smallish one. We're going to ask (privately) why it wasn't at Edinburgh or London and why there was so much time between fests. Cork was a year ago. (Bethan) It's great that it's showing at festivals now, after a year of inaction Many small films sit around looking for distributors. They are not like big studio films that are pushed quickly onto the screen. (Bethan) whilst elevating \"Billy Elliot\" to Oscar winning levels and securing a nationwide release Billy Elliot always had major studio backing via Working Title/Universal/Studio Canal. I doubt BBC Films had anything to do with promoting/marketing that film, when you have the aforementioned heavyweights. (Bethan) I've read that \"Greenfinger\" is being very actively marketed in the US/North America, through major festivals, like Toronto First, it stars Clive Owen, who is very hot. But wait until the reviews come in. It's very mundane. They are marketing it to us because it is feel-good entertainment and they can make a buck. That's all. More info: Can't wait to get back to the second screening. You can actually read George Mackie's monitor of DQ's personnel record. Has a middle name (Martin). On the right, it had his medical diagnosis (hypomania...). Partially caught his title, but will focus on that today. More later"}, {"response": 923, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Oct 15, 2000 (14:56)", "body": "Thanks Karen and Evelyn. With his name attached, everyone signed on. Sigh, so respected within his profession. They (BBC) is afraid no one in America will like it. [audience catcalls at this point] Good for the audience. Your bad news is not so bad, certainly not worse than what has already been discussed. Also sounds like Colin signed onto this film not knowing whether it would be TV or film but liked the project - more important to him than what the final outlet would be. (Donna) Did she mean cold, aloof? Or was his suit one of those old polyester models where the threads give off a sheen? :-) LOL, Donna. Ooh, that boy is such a chameleon. (Gi) I wonder what kind of look he gave her with that \"don't you dare\" :-) That was his Darcy look as he's forcing his way into Mrs. Younge's establishment. ;-) Great report. I would be curious too as to how it got shown in the first place in Australia. Or are you not keen for Donna to know you've seen it already. What is \"hypomania\"?"}, {"response": 924, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Oct 15, 2000 (14:57)", "body": "Sorry, fixed tags."}, {"response": 925, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 15, 2000 (15:07)", "body": "(Heide) Also sounds like Colin signed onto this film not knowing whether it would be TV or film but liked the project - more important to him than what the final outlet would be. Possibly, however, Donna F said they always intended it for the big screen. We did mention having already seen it from Australia. Her agent was with her and he wanted to know how we had seen it. Will corner him today some more."}, {"response": 926, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Oct 15, 2000 (17:39)", "body": "Thanks Karen and Evelyn for the great report. It seems a shame that the only way to get straight answers about CF's films is face to face with those directly involved. (Heide)What is \"hypomania\"? I wondered, too, and looked it up. hy\ufffdpo\ufffdma\ufffdnia : a mild mania especially when part of a manic-depressive cycle"}, {"response": 927, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 15, 2000 (17:59)", "body": "Yup, found it listed as part of a bipolar disorder, as KJ had diagnosed before. Here's some info: Hypomania is a mood state which like mania is characterized by persistent and pervasive elated or irritable mood, and behaviors and thoughts that are consistent with such a mood state. It is distinguished from mania by the absence of psychotic symptoms and less impact of functioning. Hypomanic Episodes occur in some Mood Disorders. When an individual experiences a discrete episode of persistent and pervasive emotional hypomania, this term may be applied. Criteria for Hypomanic Episode A. A distinct period of persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood, lasting throughout at least 4 days, that is clearly different from the usual nondepressed mood. B. During the period of mood disturbance, three (or more) of the following symptoms have persisted (four if the mood is only irritable) and have been present to a significant degree: (1) inflated self-esteem or grandiosity (2) decreased need for sleep (e.g., feels rested after only 3 hours of sleep) (3) more talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking (4) flight of ideas or subjective experience that thoughts are racing (5) distractibility (i.e., attention too easily drawn to unimportant or irrelevant external stimuli) (6) increase in goal-directed activity (either socially, at work or school, or sexually) or psychomotor agitation (7) excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have a high potential for painful consequences (e.g., the person engages in unrestrained buying sprees, sexual indiscretions, or foolish business investments) C. The episode is associated with an unequivocal change in functioning that is uncharacteristic of the person when not symptomatic. D. The disturbance in mood and the change in functioning are observable by others. E. The episode is not severe enough to cause marked impairment in social or occupational functioning, or to necessitate hospitalization, and there are no psychotic features. F. The symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication, or other treatment) or a general medical condition (e.g., hyperthyroidism)."}, {"response": 928, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Oct 15, 2000 (19:37)", "body": "Birmingam is not the premier UK festival, and certainly not a major marketing forum. Neither Birminham or Cairo are. It looks pretty desperate. I'm not even sure if Birmingham has had a FF before. But this year a massive 20 screen state of the art complex opened there...George Clooney came over for the opening night. It's the biggest and best movie theatre complex in the UK, and so I guess they will want to promote it. Excellent venue (better than the Ritzy! :-)) Her agent was with her and he wanted to know how we had seen it. Will corner him today some more. Donna's agent is called Alan Brodie. He has a website at http://www.alanbrodie.com He represents a lot of bright new writing talent, plus the estates of Noel Coward and Graham Greene. I took \"metallic\" to mean lustrous, starry, a winner, and thought that DF wanted to change the ending so that DQ comes out victorious. Which is why CF said \"don't you dare\". Possible?"}, {"response": 929, "author": "ommin", "date": "Mon, Oct 16, 2000 (01:45)", "body": "Re that question how we got see it in Australia - its a mystery! One explanation could be the new Director of the Australian Broadcasting Commission was Director of BBC (Scotland) and he was frustrated with the Powers that be in the BBC and pinched a copy of DQ and showed it here in Oz. Or he could just have done it so Colin's fans throughout the world would at least have the pleasure of seeing it first (bg)!"}, {"response": 930, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 16, 2000 (01:50)", "body": "that question how we got see it in Australia - its a mystery! Not really and nothing clandestine here either. Sorry. Asked Donna F that today before the show and she said Pandora sold the rights early on to Australia and they had the right to broadcast it. Donna F wasn't even aware that it had been broadcast until after the fact. More later"}, {"response": 931, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, Oct 16, 2000 (01:51)", "body": "(Anne) Re that question how we got see it in Australia - its a mystery! LOL, I got the impression that she was asking, \"How did you in America get to see this film, which was only aired in Australia?\" Tee hee, we have our ways :-)"}, {"response": 932, "author": "ommin", "date": "Mon, Oct 16, 2000 (02:07)", "body": "Thanks for that info. just a bit of fun on my part. Glad you enjoyed DQ. would love to have seen it on big screen. Maybe but I doubt it. I don't think we will have the pleasure of seeing C.F. until Bridget Jones much to my sorry."}, {"response": 933, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 16, 2000 (02:52)", "body": "Am pulling out my notes from this afternoon's matinee: Another good sized crowd, probably slightly larger than Saturday night. Maybe over a hundred. Excellent audience reception for DQ. This audience took the film more seriously, i.e., not another Waking Ned Devine-ish experience. Robust applause during end credits. Donna F intro'd the film pretty much the same way before and then took Q&A. 1) Man asked for clarification about who/what was going on with the computer terminal that showed Daniel Quinn. Thought it was Clive and why was DQ there. Explained he did work for company. [I mentioned yesterday that you could read DQ's personnel record if had a photographic memory. So the three of us split the assignment to look for different details. Daniel was \"Executive Director, Home Counties Division,\" and for education it said he attended Highgate and St Andrews University. Fictious??] 2) More clarification requested on end scene at train station. Did he pretend not to remember her? DF and others in the audience said DQ was going back to his previous life and was \"cured.\" DF mentioned again (and I might have botched this last night) that an important question she was attempting to portray in this film was: \"Was DQ mad when he was destroying other people's lives or when he was healing them?\" 3) Woman really praised the film (best film seen etc and more applause from audience) and then asked if DF had CF's phone number. Everyone laughed. DF talked about what a great guy he was and that during the filming she was doing an interview. So she told the interviewer that she had just left CF in bed in his trailer. Then she said as an aside: \"in my dreams.\" 4) How did you become involved with David Blair? yadda yadda 5) There a lot of dark scenes. Why? Was that intentional. DF said that wasn't exactly her department, but the production designer wanted to achieve the look of an Edward Hopper painting! 6) Someone said they loved what she did with Sandy. Did she do a lot of research on the subject. DF talked about David Brown being learning impaired and from an acting family. Brown was appearing in a theater troupe and really wanted to do this. Blair made the decision to really use such an actor and everyone enjoyed working with him, especially Colin. They were v. sensitive to the scene where Brown is called a moron and asked how he felt about it. He was ecstatic that he would get to yell the same at someone else. 7) Cost of $1.8 million. No one did it for their usual fee. All took paycuts. The score was done by the same woman who did The Full Monty, but not at her usual fee. 8) Another asked how they got to use the actual buses and trains. DF said the buses were easy, as they were supplied by a small, independent company that enjoyed being part of a show that stuck it to you-know-who. The train scenes were more difficult because they usually cost so much more. However, through contacts it was done at a lower cost. 9) A question about distribution. Again, said none. She talked about how she wished potential distributors would see it with audiences like us, because of the fantastic reception it has had. Evidently, distributors don't seem to think people will like it. Amazing, what poor taste these people have. 10) Someone commented on the actress who played Gran and how good she was. DF said she is an institution in British film and when they explained she would have to play the role mainly in her underwear, she responded, \"I wouldn't have it any other way.\" Then, they said she would be playing someone with a form of dementia, and she responded, \"oh, then I won't have to do any acting.\" DF said this all in very proper, uppper crusty accent. Not as we hear Gran's speech. Can't believe that DQ is gone. *sob sob* I want my own big screen print. *pouting* On the way out, a woman came up to DF and identified herself as with Variety. The agent was summoned and they talked. Maybe this will lead to something. All for now."}, {"response": 934, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Oct 16, 2000 (05:59)", "body": "Thanks, Karen for the great report. V. exciting indeed! I'll keep my fingers crossed that the DQ team is able to get a distributor out of this. Loved the story about Gran, BTW :-)."}, {"response": 935, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Oct 16, 2000 (06:49)", "body": "Thanks very much, Karen, wonderful report as other's have said, felt as if I waw there. Am trying to think of a question but you seem to have covered everything. Am trying to visualise that closing shot of Colin on the big screen, WOW!"}, {"response": 936, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Oct 16, 2000 (07:05)", "body": "Terrific report, Karen. Will say more later.. But, A question about distribution. Again, said none. She talked about how she wished potential distributors would see it with audiences like us, because of the fantastic reception it has had. Evidently, distributors don't seem to think people will like it. Absolutely incredible. So we *like* the dross that's regularly seved up to us, do we? We should be very grateful that actors like CF take paycuts for good projects, when he could opt to make millions out of rubbish.. I hope CF knows he's appreciated in this country!!!"}, {"response": 937, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Oct 16, 2000 (09:50)", "body": "(Ann W)Thanks very much, Karen, wonderful report as other's have said, felt as if I waw there. I couldn't have put it better :-)"}, {"response": 938, "author": "aishling", "date": "Mon, Oct 16, 2000 (10:53)", "body": "Me either. Great reporting, thank you ladies. Have been in touch with Birmingham and their programme will not be ready for possibly two weeks."}, {"response": 939, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 16, 2000 (12:55)", "body": "DF said that wasn't exactly her department, but the production designer wanted to achieve the look of an Edward Hopper painting! And it did! I too have a hard time believing that they can not get distribution. Thanks for the report, Karen!"}, {"response": 940, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct 16, 2000 (14:40)", "body": "(Bethan) Thanks again Karen and Evelyn...don't know what we'd do without you! Absolutely, whole-heartedly agree. XXOO, ladies. Your efforts always make Drool worth visiting, even during those inevitable newsless spells and quibbles about donations. ;-) Karen, still can't believe DQ showed up on your doorstep. It's seredipity, baby. Evelyn, glad you could hit the friendly skies again to be there with Karen. With his name attached, everyone signed on. (Gi) I'm glad his name still commands some respect ;-) Yeessssss! (Donna)...what was your interpretation of metallic?(...)I am curious as to what she had in mind when she was considering a re-write. (Gi) I have the same questions. So do I. Interesting. I wonder what kind of look he gave her with that \"don't you dare\" :-) *hee hee* Me too! [re: hypomania] E. The episode is not severe enough to cause marked impairment in social or occupational functioning, or to necessitate hospitalization, and there are no psychotic features. Which of course damages the entire storyline, but I won't quibble about such details. ;-) (DF via Karen) \"Was DQ mad when he was destroying other people's lives or when he was healing them?\" Hmm, am trying to remember our discussion. Wasn't this brought up? Woman really praised the film (best film seen etc and more applause from audience) and then asked if DF had CF's phone number. Everyone laughed. DF talked about what a great guy he was and that during the filming she was doing an interview. So she told the interviewer that she had just left CF in bed in his trailer. Then she said as an aside: \"in my dreams.\" *snort* Hope you gave DF and this woman Drool's URL. They belong here. (Bethan) Absolutely incredible. So we *like* the dross that's regularly seved up to us, do we? We should be very grateful that actors like CF take paycuts for good projects, when he could opt to make millions out of rubbish.. Am grateful all the time, even during said long, dry, newsless spells. Whenever I get impatient for news of Colin's next project, I think of Ralph in The Avengers and I'm cured. ;-)"}, {"response": 941, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct 16, 2000 (16:22)", "body": "Wonderful anecdotes, Karen, and I'm delighted that the audience reception was so positive. Too bad Donna didn't pass out comment cards to take to those distributors who think we're all cretins. Or is that not done at a film fest? Anyway, Donna sounds like a real peach, and the nice reports on CF are no surprise but still nice to read. (Eileen) I think of Ralph in The Avengers and I'm cured. ;-) Yeah, but then I think of Schindler's, Quiz Show, TEP, End Of The Affair, Sunshine, Richard/Coriolanus . . .and I feel ill. With that body of work, Ralph can afford the rare miscue. And no hiding for this guy when things don't go his way--he gets right back on the horse. Does lots of big budget stuff and they're almost always good. High profile doesn't have to equate with junk. And the corollary is that there's nothing noble about doing a SLOW. Sorry, must be cranky 'cause I couldn't see DQ on the big screen.;)"}, {"response": 942, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct 16, 2000 (19:46)", "body": "(Mari) Sorry, must be cranky 'cause I couldn't see DQ on the big screen.;) Knew there had to be a reason. Hey, I'm not dismissing all of Ralph's work but rubbish is still rubbish. And I didn't like SLOW either but at least the premise was good and there were no giant bears ;-P"}, {"response": 943, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Oct 16, 2000 (19:51)", "body": "RE Birmingham It's the International Festival of Film and Television. The new Warner cinema complex has 30 screens (not 20 as I said) and parking for 3000 cars. Easily the biggest and newest theatre complex in the UK and state of the art as well. Should be high profile. But Cairo?"}, {"response": 944, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Mon, Oct 16, 2000 (19:57)", "body": "Wow Karen, that's some great reporting you have been doing over the past couple of days. I hope your DQ/CF withdrawl symptoms aren't too severe. Let us know if there is anything we can do, to help you thru the horrors of cold turkey. O Goody......a Ralph F. catfight.....'scuse me while I go off to sharpen my claws !"}, {"response": 945, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct 16, 2000 (23:16)", "body": "(Eileen) at least the premise was good and there were no giant bears ;-P Hey . . is that any way to talk about Uma Thurman?;-) Nah, no catfights here, Bethanne. Eileen knows I'm just blowin' off steam over the frustration that some of us sometimes feel. We agree about, oh, 98% of the time. 100% would be too scary--like we were in some kind of weird parallel universe thingie.:-) Hmmm . . .can you log in as two different people here and have a debate with yourself? Just askin' . . .;-) Back to DQ--several questions. Karen or Evelyn, about how old is Donna F.? Did she say what brought her to Scotland? Have vague but probably incorrect memory that she is married to a guy there . . . Also, what was audience composition, e.g., male/female; age groups. Was there any mention that the filmmakers are in competition at the Fest--and who is entered, Donna, or David, or both? When are the winners announced?"}, {"response": 946, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 16, 2000 (23:32)", "body": "Mari's Q: about how old is Donna F.? She tossed out both 20 and 25 years for how long she's been writing, so that would put her in her mid-40s is my guess. Did she say what brought her to Scotland? Not really. She told me that she was born in Evanston, but left at age 2 and grew up in California. I didn't ask where. To the audience, she said she \"emigrated\" to England and went to work for the BBC. Will need some help from Evelyn on this, but she did say something else that I can't recall. Something about finding the atmosphere.... argh... Yes, I remember hearing that she was married to someone associated with the psychiatric field. Also, what was audience composition, e.g., male/female; age groups Oh gosh! I knew I should've have done some demographic sampling!! I'd say the audience was a pretty good cross-section, possibly more women. More date-like on Saturday night than Sunday afternoon. Was there any mention that the filmmakers are in competition at the Fest Yes, a filmed segment that announces the film being in competition precedes each and explains what the FIPRECI (sp??) is. who is entered, Donna, or David, or both? The film and David because it is his first feature film. When are the winners announced? Tonight is awards night. Actually, that's kind of good, as DQ might be fresh in their minds. ;-D"}, {"response": 947, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Tue, Oct 17, 2000 (04:02)", "body": "Naw Mari..... I know we'd never get into a real Ralph F. catfight here. For one thing we're much too ladylike, and for another, we save our energies here, for discussing an actor( and his wet white shirt ) that is actually WORTH talking about. Now if you want to talk about fighting over HIM, I'm totally game there. I'm not just sharpening my claws on that one, I'm reaching for my shotgun. God, I scare myself sometimes !!"}, {"response": 948, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Oct 17, 2000 (09:36)", "body": "Thanks again for the absolutely wonderful reports, Karen....it all sounds like a highly positive experience, and Donna Franceschild sounds great...love her comments about CF! Now, I must have my say! Bear with me, whilst I go on about distribution in the UK for the umpteeth time! DQ has failed to find a distributor in the UK. But there's distribution, as in 300 screens in the multiplexes, and distribution, as in opens in one theatre in London, and trickles through to one or two regional independents, then comes out in video. The second approach meams that the film is not a success commercially, but may get some critical attention/acclaim. For DQ not to get even the bottom line deal is nothing short of incredible, especially if it was always intended for the theatre, not TV screen. It has all the right ingredients for the moment...regional, dysfunctional, dark but some feelgood factor, underdoggish...not a posh frock in sight. When it was made, David Blair had just won BAFTAs for Best TV Dramas, for two successive years. And yet mediocre, even bad movies attract more interest than DQ? The London Film Festival has a category \"New British Films\"( there are 12 showing this year), Edinburgh actively promotes Scottish films (David Blair is Scottish)....but no slots for DQ apparently. It just doesn't make sense to me. And the BBC makes it worse by not conveying the truth. Why don't they actually respond that DQ has failed to find a distributor...and maybe suggest that we write to organisers of film festivals in the UK asking for a screening? It's not even possible to support DQ because we're not given correct information! Finally, I'm really happy to hear that it looked/sounded good on the Big Screen. Some films need the bigger screen to make a proper impact...they seem to open up more, become more defined. I just hope that something positive happens in the US..a good review in Variety, perhaps? Daniel was \"Executive Director, Home Counties Division,\" and for education it said he attended Highgate and St Andrews University. Fictious?? The BiG Screen must be very clear!....yes, these are \"real\". Highgate is a well known public (ie private) school in London, and St Andrews is a Scottish university, now very fashionable because Prince William is going there to study."}, {"response": 949, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Oct 17, 2000 (12:44)", "body": "The Sunday Times News Review published a short story by Robert Harris...it's called \"The Lost Leader\" (or PMQ) and is from the \"Speaking with the Angel\" anthology. It's in the first person, about a Prime Minister who announces in Parliament that he's quitting. Copies can be ordered from the Sunday Times Bookshop on o870 165 8535 for \ufffd6.99 (instead of \ufffd7.99) Supports the TreeHouse Trust. Publised 2 November"}, {"response": 950, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 17, 2000 (13:04)", "body": "DF made it pretty clear that BBC did nothing for the film. I specifically asked about Edinburgh and she said DQ was not submitted. About London, she said they look for genre films. Surely, DQ fits into some genre. Yes, the big screen version was very clear (to read the computer monitor) but it was only up there for a nanosecond."}, {"response": 951, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Oct 17, 2000 (14:29)", "body": "DQ would have fitted into \"New British Films\", surely? The BBC should have promoted this, if only to fulfil their statutory obligation as a publicly funded body to support minority groups, which includes learning disabled. You very rareyt see someone who is learning disabled given an opportunity to perform a lead role, and David Brown was brilliant. And what was that award Colin got? The most popular actor in the history of the BBC? Must be deadfully disappointing for all of them , especially given that they worked for less than the going rate. As to the distributors (who are theses people?) saying that there wouldn't be anyone who would like DQ. It had excellent reviews from Cork and Australia, and ovviously an enthusiastic reception in Chicago. Who is \"anyone\"?"}, {"response": 952, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Oct 17, 2000 (14:30)", "body": "Typed in haste, sorry for the typos!"}, {"response": 953, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 17, 2000 (15:05)", "body": "Thanks, Bethan! I wonder what the Tree House Fund is? I think DF has not be doing all that she can for DQ. The London and Edinburgh FF should have been set a long time ago. She probably feels guilty because the actors all took pay cuts, etc. and now she wants the Americans to rescue it. Half of them will not understand it. This is not a realistic goal for DQ. What was she doing before this? Probably working on another project."}, {"response": 954, "author": "luan", "date": "Tue, Oct 17, 2000 (15:08)", "body": "When is the next CF movie coming out and what is it called?"}, {"response": 955, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 17, 2000 (15:18)", "body": "Hi Luann and welcome. The answer to your question about CF's next movie depends on where you are and what you've already seen. The next one most of us expect to see on the big screen is Bridget Jones' Diary in the spring of 2001, although Relative Values will be shown on US television for the first time next week, and Donovan Quick is on the film festival circuit and there's Londinium. There's a recap of the status of all of CF's projects (in production, in release, other) at The Bucket. http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/main.html"}, {"response": 956, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 17, 2000 (15:43)", "body": "Here are the awards that were announced last night: http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/cdh/20001017/lo/film_festival_hands_honor_to_violence-packed_thriller_1.html"}, {"response": 957, "author": "tamzin", "date": "Tue, Oct 17, 2000 (18:16)", "body": "Just a short note to say a big THANK YOU for all those wonderful reviews of both DQ and Londinium. I was not all that keen on DQ when I saw the video but reading the comments has made me long to see it on the big screen which sounds as if it does much more justice to the production. I rather feel this is not to be over here unfortunately. With regard to Londinium I am hoping to get to see it on the 24th but am still waiting to hear back from Sunlight - keeping my fingers crossed! What a Colin filled time we are having - about time too - and culminating in the reading at the Italian Institute!! Just need him to announce that he is doing another theatre project (Well, we can but hope)"}, {"response": 958, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Oct 17, 2000 (18:24)", "body": "Jennie, Donovan Quick is showing on the big screen at the Birmingham Film Festival in November. Their programme should be ready in about two week's time (thanks to Aishling)."}, {"response": 959, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 17, 2000 (21:10)", "body": "WELCOME LUANN Got home last night ..had a great time, Chicago is a beautiful city and The Boss \"The Host with the Most\" ( 'cept she wouldn't let me wear my CF Tee shirt to the screening ) Have been reading Karen's report on DQ. Of course, I loved it on the small screen, so you can imagine my response on the Big Screen at an Odeon with great stereo.!!!...yes Bethan ,Van Morrison's soundtrack was so great we went home and put on his CD's. (Bethan)Donna Franceschild sounds great...love her comments about CF! I sat there and glowed...what a contrast to last year's SLOW screening with Missan belly-aching about lack of money....and how Jeremy Irons (barf!) was her first choice for the lead! DF was resourceful and was able to get buses and trains at a fraction of the cost.She and David Blair were soooo elated when Colin signed on. He had been the first on their \"dream cast\".She kept remarking how the whole cast bonded and on the last half-day shoot they pooled their resources to come out on budget. (Moon)I think DF has not be doing all that she can for DQ. The London and Edinburgh FF should have been set a long time ago. She probably feels guilty because the actors all took pay cuts, etc. and now she wants the Americans to rescue it. Half of them will not understand it. This is not a realistic goal for DQ. What was she doing before this? Probably working on another project I asked her about the London FF ...and she remarked that BBCFilms has been just sitting on this and since Making Waves is David Blair's and her company they decided to market it themselves. I must agree that this is not realistic too, Moon. These people are not necessarily marketing folks.IMO it takes more than enthusisam and glib talk to market a film ( \"experience and bullocks\" ).And why Cairo? ave your time and money. Agree with Mari that Clive's dialogue should be re-recorded. Sadly, the big screen and stereo did not help me understand Clive's dialogue. Even some sub-titles would help the American market. I was not as impressed as Karen with DF and her agent's business acumen. DQ needs a more impressive machine(read: money and marketing) behind it to get a distrib. I hope I am proven wrong."}, {"response": 960, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Oct 17, 2000 (22:09)", "body": "Hi Luann and Jennie! Welcome back Evelyn! These people are not necessarily marketing folks.IMO it takes more than enthusisam and glib talk to market a film BBC Film have a Marketing and Sales Department, in which people are paid handsome salaries to promote, talk up, and sell BBC Films. They have the contacts and the expertise, and the track record. DF and DB provided the creative energy, and delivered an on budget product. Marketing should have then taken over. If I have to comment further on the BBC, I shall have to resort to *******!!! DQ would never have been a huge comercial success, but it deserves a very limited release in the UK at least. Clive's dialogue is tricky...I see nothing wrong with the use of subtitles for heavy accents. Good idea!"}, {"response": 961, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 17, 2000 (23:12)", "body": "(Evelyn) I was not as impressed as Karen with DF and her agent's business acumen. I wasn't impressed with it, but rather that she was not unlike most of the young filmmakers who accompany their films to these fests. They are not seasoned pros with huge studio backing. I've heard so many of the film-on-a-shoestring stories. Hey, last year, when I saw Tumbleweeds, the nobody director had Janet McTeer with him, primarily because she put in her own money to make the film. Just saw a Czech director attempting to do Q&A, with an audience member doing the translation. ;-D"}, {"response": 962, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 17, 2000 (23:13)", "body": "...and BBC has not spearheaded any extremely successful marketing campaigns lately to my knowledge. ;-D"}, {"response": 963, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Oct 17, 2000 (23:39)", "body": "Anybody heard anything re Londinium UK screening situation? Have looked at email but nothing to report! Just literally) got back from Birthday Drinkies (hint) in ol' London Town with chaps from work and a 'bit-part' interloper! Argor sworeal brilleve - but am suffering big time from surfeit of Bacardi Breezers - oof fallen over!"}, {"response": 964, "author": "tamzin", "date": "Wed, Oct 18, 2000 (20:07)", "body": "Still not heard back regarding the London screening of Londinium also with regard to DQ I rather think the Birmingham Film Festivel is when I am on holiday! Sub titles would be a good idea for Clive. I know, even though I am British, I have an awful time trying to puzzle out what he is saying and then, finding out not really worth the effort as far as he is concerned!"}, {"response": 965, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 18, 2000 (21:12)", "body": "(Jennie)I have an awful time trying to puzzle out what he is saying and then, finding out not really worth the effort as far as he is concerned! But when I finally decipher what he's saying, it's funny (in a 'noir' sorta' way). So that actually, I think we do miss some good lines . The script is brilliant...every word counts...like a play."}, {"response": 966, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Oct 19, 2000 (00:09)", "body": "I'm disappointed (but not altogether surprised) to hear that no one has heard back from Sunlight concerning the London screenings for Londinium. They did indicate to me that they would get back to you (though the people in NY and LA didn't get a confirmation either--but those were such short notice). As they said, London was designed to be a distributors-only screening with limited space; I guess it's possible that they are waiting to see how many RSVPs they get from potential buyers. If you think it would help, I can call again. Of course, anyone is free to call (please don't think I'm trying to run things--I won't even be there--sob!) I had called previously figuring it was cheaper and more convenient time-zone wise from this end."}, {"response": 967, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Oct 19, 2000 (05:19)", "body": "Arggh! Just saw the trailer for RV on Starz!, and once again, ODB is not mentioned as one of the actors starring in the film! He looked very dishy in his tux, however, so that calmed me down a bit. BTW, my cable co. threw in the 4 HBO channels for an extra dollar over the monthly price for Starz! I now have six channels dedicated solely to movies (Eight if I include AMC & TMC), and there is rarely anything on that is worth watching. Never knew there were so many unwatchable (made up word?) films. (Am beginning to think am turning into curmudgeon in manner of Andy Rooney.)"}, {"response": 968, "author": "aishling", "date": "Thu, Oct 19, 2000 (09:10)", "body": "(Mari) please don't think I'm trying to run things-- Not at all. I for one am grateful for your information. At least we are aware of what is happening. Thank you."}, {"response": 969, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Oct 19, 2000 (11:41)", "body": "I second what Aishling had said Mari, we are very grateful for all you can find out."}, {"response": 970, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 19, 2000 (12:35)", "body": "(Lisa), I now have six channels dedicated solely to movies (Eight if I include AMC & TMC), and there is rarely anything on that is worth watching. Never knew there were so many unwatchable (made up word?) films. I agree! Only the classics on AMC and TCM are worth watching. There are many watchable films out there but those big movie channels never pick them up because they are not moronic enough for their audiences, most of whom are allergic to subtitles."}, {"response": 971, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Oct 19, 2000 (17:37)", "body": "(Lisa), I now have six channels dedicated solely to movies(...) and there is rarely anything on that is worth watching. (Moon)I agree! So do I... My cable company is forever trying to sell me two movie channels but only once in a while is there something I want to watch and can't get from Blockbusters :-("}, {"response": 972, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 19, 2000 (17:52)", "body": "Avert your eyes: Fundraising Notice Ahead We've done very well, ladies, so a big Thank You for being so generous. As a housekeeping detail, I have personally contacted every person who made a donation. If you haven't gotten a thank you from me, then I haven't received it. Please let me know."}, {"response": 973, "author": "tamzin", "date": "Thu, Oct 19, 2000 (19:46)", "body": "Yes Mari, a big thank you for all your efforts in keeping us advised - much appreciated. Would you suggest we just turn up and hope!!!!"}, {"response": 974, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 19, 2000 (20:08)", "body": "I think it would be a good idea to just show up. It might just be enough to have sent your name and screening date. They may be too busy to get back to everyone. If they ask, just say you have RSVPd to Jack Binder via e-mail at Sunlight Prod."}, {"response": 975, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 19, 2000 (20:10)", "body": "Thank you, Karen! I am very happy the fundraiser went well."}, {"response": 976, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Oct 19, 2000 (20:21)", "body": "Jack was out of the office but I did leave a detailed message for him on his voicemail. As soon as he gets back to me, I will let you know. If he doesn't return the call. . .I agree with Jennie and Moon--just show up."}, {"response": 977, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 19, 2000 (20:57)", "body": "If he doesn't return the call Did you have a lovers' spat? ;-D For those close to London, I'd say just show up, but if I were coming in specially from far away...I don't know. Conversely, they might feel sorrier for you. One thing, who are these distributors in England? Didn't think there were but a handful of them?"}, {"response": 978, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Oct 19, 2000 (23:00)", "body": "(Karen) Did you have a lovers' spat? ;-D Yes--and he's threatening to put me in their next film.;-) Entitled \"The Hex Monster,\" it will shoot right here in Pennsylvania Dutch country. Have been working with Cornel to pump up for those rigorous butter-churning scenes.;-) You asked about the distributors--he had told me that potential buyes were coming from all over, including the States."}, {"response": 979, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Thu, Oct 19, 2000 (23:38)", "body": "(Mari)\"The Hex Monster,\" ha ha ha PA Dutch V. funny."}, {"response": 980, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 20, 2000 (04:41)", "body": "(Mari) he had told me that potential buyes were coming from all over, including the States. Ah, yes, they'll be there for the London Screenings, which run from the 23rd-27th. Have found the listing. Relative Values is there too. Still pushing it."}, {"response": 981, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct 20, 2000 (12:37)", "body": "Have been working with Cornel to pump up for those rigorous butter-churning scenes LOL, Mari! It is very good timing to set the screenings with the LFF. A questions does come to mind: Was it submitted to the LFF and rejected? This would be a way to get even if they do end up with a UK/US distributor. It makes perfect sense for Londinium to have been submitted. The sad truth would be that it was not accepted there or at the Toronto FF. They will be trying to sell it on the strength of Colin and Irene Jacobs. Let's see what happens."}, {"response": 982, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct 20, 2000 (14:59)", "body": "(Karen)they'll be there for the London Screenings, which run from the 23rd-27th. Have found the listing. Relative Values is there too. (Moon)It is very good timing to set the screenings with the LFF. And that's where DQ(the best one of the bunch!) should be instead of traipsing around Egypt!"}, {"response": 983, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Oct 20, 2000 (15:22)", "body": "The Wall Street Journal's review of RV (thanks to Anne R.) At least they liked Colin . . . Relative Values 8-9:30 p.m. EDT on Starz! The 1950s (1954 to be precise) are also the setting for this film adaptation of Noel Coward's 1951 comedy, filmed on the Isle of Man and starring Dame Julie Andrews, Jeanne Tripplehorn, William Baldwin, Sophie Thompson, Stephen Fry, Colin Firth and Edward Atterton. Faced with a less-than-witty screenplay directed by the apparently clueless Eric Styles, the Anglo-American cast barely muddles through. Ms. Andrews plays it straight -- and bland as nursery custard -- as the Countess of Marshwood. Ms. Tripplehorn hams it up as Miranda Frayle, the Hollywood star out to snag the countess's son (a stiff Edward Atterton). William Baldwin is seriously miscast as Miranda's former onscreen -- and offscreen -- lover; have the filmmakers forgotten that romantic leads had handsome faces then? And Stephen Fry merely dusts off his trademark downstairs hauteur as the Jeeves-like butler (but retreaded wit is better than none). Only Mr. Fry, Ms. Thompson as the countess's maid (and Miranda's long-estranged older sister), and Mr. Firth as the deliciously arch Noel-substitute brave this Cowardly disaster with good humor."}, {"response": 984, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct 20, 2000 (15:31)", "body": "Ouch! Faced with a less-than-witty screenplay directed by the apparently clueless Eric Styles, the Anglo-American cast barely muddles through. The reviews consensus seem to indict Eric Styles.The slob."}, {"response": 985, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 20, 2000 (15:45)", "body": "(NYT) William Baldwin is seriously miscast as Miranda's former onscreen -- and offscreen -- lover; have the filmmakers forgotten that romantic leads had handsome faces then? LOL! Ya mean, they don't see the resemblance to Clark Gable? ;-) Bruisingly bad review, although I do like how they singled out Colin's performance. Looks like a FF-type tape. ;-D Thanks Anne and Mari."}, {"response": 986, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Oct 20, 2000 (18:13)", "body": "Yes, thanks for the review. It seems consistent with many of those from the UK. At least CF landed on the good side of this reviewer. Re: The Hex Monster: *pfffftttt!* Too funny, Mari (or shall I call you Hester?). Tell us what it's like to work with Mariel ;-P"}, {"response": 987, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Fri, Oct 20, 2000 (20:39)", "body": "Wow, I'm glad the Anerican reviwers liked Colin. I seem to rememeber a couple of rather snide UK reviews earlier in the year, that refered to him as \"miscast\". I know it's an artistic stretch for such a virile, masculine man to play a rather campy, gay character, but ANY criticism of CF's flawless acting ticks me off. I'd be interested to read any more RV review you can find. Thanx for sleuthing them out."}, {"response": 988, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Oct 20, 2000 (21:02)", "body": "There's a site for the Birmingham Film Festival at http://www.film-tv-festival.org.uk I glanced at the programmes for both the Edinburgh and London FF. To be honest, I don't see how either Londinium or DQ could have fitted into either. There would have only been one appropriate category in each - new British films - and as far as I can make out, in Edinburgh certainy, all the movies already had distributors and had just been, or were about to be, released. I suspect it's the same for the London IFF, and it's just a showcase for films about to go on release. I read an article recently about film distribution in the UK...the UK is rated as the most expensive country for distribution, and independents really, really struggle. The bottom line is not quality , but will it make money....which really means does it have lad/yoof appeal. Londinium might strike lucky. Irene Jacob is in the news at the moment.... starring opposite Macauley \"Home Alone\" Culkin on the West End stage at the moment. Lots of publicity for MC, who apparently will earn \"only\" \ufffd130,000 for a 20 week stint (How about \ufffd2000 for 10 weeks at the Donmar, and about \ufffd10,000 (the going rate, top whack, for BBC Scotland drama) for DQ...that's what I call \"only\"!!) RV is horses for courses - will not be to every one's taste. Would like to see CF working with non-\"first-time directors\" though!(And moving up from small British independents) That's my main worry about BJD...what exactly has Sharon Maguire done? Although she's backed by highly experienced producers who surely wouldn't have chosen her as HF's buddy! The Robert Harris tale for \"Speaking with the Angel\" was ingenious...probably more geared to being read out loud. Roddy Doyle's tale is about a man who shareas a room with a small furry animal. The tone/topics must vary. I would think that Nick Hornby might be promoting the book in the papers this/next weekend, and perhps talking about Treehouse and autism. His son goes to the TreeHouse school...it makes tremendous progress with severely autistic kids. Mention in the press of the rally/march in support of asylum seekers on Saturday Nov 4. Wonder if CF will be a visible presence. If he is, then I think he's got guts. This cause, sadly, is not a popular cause, not even in middle England, and there's a very hostile backlash. interesting interview with John McCarthy (\"Hostages\") who has a new book coming out. Incredibly nice man.Lives in North London. Very reserved and private. Only likes to talk about issues. He now works for an organisation which supports Victims of Torture, and recently donated \ufffd100,000 (proceeds from doing a phone advert) to the charity. A very decent person."}, {"response": 989, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Oct 20, 2000 (21:22)", "body": "(Bethan) Irene Jacob is in the news at the moment.... starring opposite Macauley \"Home Alone\" Culkin on the West End stage at the moment. Lots of publicity for MC, who apparently will earn \"only\" \ufffd130,000 for a 20 week stint Oh, tell me it's not true!! That means that little pipsqueak, oops sorry, MC will be get getting 6,500 pounds/week. I think our favs were only paid scale when they appeared at the Donmar. Bethan, is the scale rate 200 pounds/week at the Donmar? I had 250 pounds in my mind, but either way, it's in the same neighborhood - poverty. Moan, groan :-("}, {"response": 990, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 21, 2000 (02:08)", "body": "interesting interview with John McCarthy (\"Hostages\") We read and discussed it on #136."}, {"response": 991, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sat, Oct 21, 2000 (07:01)", "body": "More on MC... He apparently got very good reviews. FYI, here's a review that is not so good, but the reviewer loved Irene Jacob: In the Daily Express, Robert Gore-Langton writes that Culkin \"looks - poor lad - like a bleached chimpanzee\" and declares, \"Culkin, in his sweet but stilted way, never really suggests any real loss of virginity in all its excitement and terror. It's frankly very hard to imagine him being tucked up with anything in bed except cocoa and a comic.\" Calling Richard Nelson's play \"wafer-thin\" and \"curiously old-fashioned\", he says it \"comes over as something of a middle-aged seduction fantasy.\" He praises Culkin's co-star, Irene Jacob, however - \"boy, is she beautiful,\" he writes, and continues, \"We are talking real French coffee-sipping sex appeal here - not the hairsprayed glamour of the recent crop of American actresses in the West End. It's a tonic just watching her skip around the stage barefooted with that je ne sais quoi..\" He concludes, \"What the show lacks in dramatic punch it makes up for in sheer feminine radiance. That's a real compensation, if mostly for the chaps.\""}, {"response": 992, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Oct 21, 2000 (07:19)", "body": "Thanks for the Birmingham Film Festival Link, Bethan, I have bookmarked it."}, {"response": 993, "author": "tamzin", "date": "Sat, Oct 21, 2000 (11:14)", "body": "Disaster!!!! ....... My friend has just e mailed about the screening of Londinium next week and has received the reply back from Jack Binder - screenings cancelled please notify your friends. I hope this is not an omen of things to come."}, {"response": 994, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Oct 21, 2000 (12:27)", "body": "Thanks Jennie, at least we now know for sure one way or the other. Perhaps they will re-schedule."}, {"response": 995, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct 21, 2000 (14:56)", "body": "(Bethan), Would like to see CF working with non-\"first-time directors\" That would include Carlos Saura which would no doubt turn MoB into a real disaster. I have seen his latest Goya. It is a claustophobic, pretentious, agonizingly boring, film with no plot. I can see a pretentious film student if given a very large budget do something like this. I pray that Colin does not work with him. It bothered me to remain in my seat, DH kept wanting to leave, but I usually stick it out. A very painful choice. I am tired of his stage antics. Working with Saura would be a big mistake for Colin. \"What the show lacks in dramatic punch it makes up for in sheer feminine radiance. That's a real compensation, if mostly for the chaps.\" LOL! I am glad the IJ is getting some attention, she deserves it. Surprised to hear that the L screenings were canceled. This could mean: 1) The screening were set up at a time that conflicted with some LFF film that everyone wants to see. 2) They were ignored by the distributors. 3) They already have the distributors and no longer need to screen it."}, {"response": 996, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 21, 2000 (15:04)", "body": "(Moon) That would include Carlos Saura which would no doubt turn MoB into a real disaster....Working with Saura would be a big mistake for Colin. That seals it. I don't like the book. You don't like the director. Therefore, Colin shouldn't do it. ;-D (Moon) Surprised to hear that the L screenings were canceled. Betcha anything, they weren't canceled. It's an easier excuse for Jack than explaining about lack of space, for distributors only, etc."}, {"response": 997, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Oct 21, 2000 (15:41)", "body": "Oh, Jennie, that's so disapointing. My first reaction was the same as Karen's, that they aren't really canceled (great, suspicious minds think alike;-). On the other hand, that would be too easy of a lie to get caught in--anyone taking a stroll by the theater right before the screenings would be able to find out for sure. Well, at least you have the Sciascia reading to look forward to--Firth in the flesh can't be beat!:-)"}, {"response": 998, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Oct 21, 2000 (16:20)", "body": "Am disappointed for the Londinium in London girls also. Frustrating to get a tantalizing glimpse of it in LA and NY and then have it disappear ala MLSF. Will hope it will be rescheduled for you and open next year for the rest of us. Scathing WSJ review. All forgiven though since Colin was given a thumbs up. Didn't expect much anyway so will not be disappointed tomorrow night."}, {"response": 999, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Oct 21, 2000 (19:28)", "body": "Well, at least you have the Sciascia reading to look forward to--Firth in the flesh can't be beat!:-) I think a reading by an actor is perhaps the most \"up close and personal\" experience you can get, barring a long conversation. I went to one last year (locally, someone not very famous!). The actor enters the room as himself, not in character, and if it's a small room, you're very close indeed. The actor just can't launch into the reading...there has to be some background explanation, eye contact with the audience. You literally stare and listen for an hour. Looking forward to the report back, Jennie! Do you think there'll be an audio recording available?"}, {"response": 1000, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 22, 2000 (01:20)", "body": "Do you think there'll be an audio recording available? One can even take a microphone in one's purse. Putting a hankie over the red light of course;-)"}, {"response": 1001, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Oct 22, 2000 (11:04)", "body": "More on MC... He apparently got very good reviews. FYI, here's a review that is not so good, but the reviewer loved Irene Jacob: (Donna) All the reviewers love IJ. Example: \"and my only complaint about Irene Jacob's Claudie is that she is too attractive for the part: in other respects she is perfect, at once touchingly vulnerable and fully in command.\" One reviwer writes about MC being \"seduced by one of the most beautiful women in Europe\". MC gets very good reviews as well...\"Madame Melville\" could be very hot at the Box Office, and then IJ/CF pairing in \"Londinium\" might seem like very good news to the distributors. If it's screened, of course. Cancelled or postponed? Or have the Binders got a distributor? Moon) That would include Carlos Saura which would no doubt turn MoB into a real disaster....Working with Saura would be a big mistake for Colin. (Moon) I take your point, Moon. But critics over here really admire him, take him seriously, and (very importantly) he seems to have no problem getting his films shown. \"Goya\" was shown in at least a dozen theatres in London,(as opposed to one or two for MLSF)."}, {"response": 1002, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Sun, Oct 22, 2000 (22:58)", "body": "Just a bit of a reminder--\"Relative Values\" premieres in the US on STARZ at 8pm EDT. Can't wait!"}, {"response": 1003, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 22, 2000 (23:37)", "body": "\"Goya\" was shown in at least a dozen theatres in London,(as opposed to one or two for MLSF). Bethan......it showed at only one theatre in London...in Mayfair. LOL actually in the same theatre as MLSF. I know I was in London and went to see it. I enjoyed the film immensely...it was visually dazzling as was the exquisite accompanying soundtrack .Goya is one of my faves,so I was not disappointed.However, I must agee with Moon, Carlos Saura sacrificed the plot and the actors' talents for the artistry alone. I would hate to see Colin in the hands of such a director who obviously has other priorities."}, {"response": 1004, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Oct 23, 2000 (02:57)", "body": "Okay, we know RV wasn't going to be great. I cannot disagree with most of the reviews. Sigh. However, CF's Peter sparkled as much as the endless glasses of Veuve Cliquot served up during the party at the beginning of the movie. I loved how much he smiled, pulled faces, and gleefully moved about -- all mischief and fun. My favorite CF scene from the movie: Peter trotting after Don (WB), and their talk about being a movie star, and Peter (Colin), reciting the line from Casablanca --\"Here's looking at you, kid.\" -- about four different ways. That cracked me up. Was most disappointed in Julie Andrews. I almost felt like I was watching her in the sequel of the Sound of Music: Maria 35 Years Later. There was neither bite in her delivery, nor any sense of irony whatsoever. Pity. Now on to how ODB looked: well- scrubbed and natty. He was even wearing a scarf (more like a kerchief) tied round his neck in one scene! Quite the gay blade."}, {"response": 1005, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 23, 2000 (04:56)", "body": "(Lisa) Quite the gay blade LOL! You can say that again. Queen Colin rules! Actually, I had no problem whatsoever with Colin's performance or the character, although their take was much more flamboyant than in the play. He was a riot. I loved all the faces and the exaggeration. Could his legs have been more rubbery when he's to meet Don Lucas for the first time? (\"My heart be still\") ;-D Have to agree with you, Lisa, that scene going after Lucas (\"back in the saddle, \"indeed!) and the Casablanca bit were a highpoint. How can anyone not enjoy his performance? That devilish bit in the drawing room, asking Miranda those questions, which get her deeper and deeper. Poor boy had to smoke for this one. No faking it, as I could see. Criticism: makeup. They definitely tried to save on getting a quality makeup artist. Sheesh, not only did Julie Andrews look bad, but so did Jeanne Tripplehorn. Mmmmm, who could resist such a dashingly handsome man in a tux. Not a podgy moment at all. ;-D"}, {"response": 1006, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Mon, Oct 23, 2000 (11:37)", "body": "He *really* did look good, v. young and slim. All I could think about was \"won't he be unbearably handsome as Mark Darcy\""}, {"response": 1007, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 23, 2000 (12:57)", "body": "I see we all like Colin dressed up. :-) (Lisa),My favorite CF scene from the movie: Peter trotting after Don (WB), and their talk about being a movie star, and Peter (Colin), reciting the line from Casablanca --\"Here's looking at you, kid.\" -- about four different ways. Mine too! A brilliant moment in a not-so-brilliant film. In general I thought he did overact as well as JA. It was deliberate on his part because Noel C did not play it like that. Colin must have checked this hwere they keep the film/plays archive. (Evelyn), I must agee with Moon, Carlos Saura sacrificed the plot and the actors' talents for the artistry alone. I would hate to see Colin in the hands of such a director who obviously has other priorities. Goya is also one of my favourites. He had a fascinating life which Carlos Saura skipped over. What was the point of the film? We all know that Vittorio Storaro is one of the best cinematographers around. Did I really need to see Goya's paintings reproduced 100 times their original size? No, I wanted a film about this incredible painter's life. It did not happen."}, {"response": 1008, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct 23, 2000 (17:30)", "body": "Some comments on RV: 1. Light, frothy fare. A pleasant 1 1/2 hours. 2. Colin's Peter: Geoffrey Clifton's gay twin. Disagree with the critics who said he was miscast. He's having some fun with it, which is the only way to do this type of film--play it broadly. Not nearly enough of him, however. Weren't there any Accuvue commercials available last summer?;-) 3. CF's \"Bogie\" scene with Billy Baldwin is the best in the film. 4. I liked the opening montage very much, and will give Eric Styles credit for that. A very clever way to capture what's already happened, and sets a very '50s tone. Good soundtrack, but they should have used the Sinatra version of \"Almost Like Being In Love.\" Nobody sings it like Frank, and it would have enhanced the sense of '50s Hollywood glamour. 5. Billy Baldwin was a pleasant surprise; enjoyed all his scenes with Stephen Fry. Also liked the scene where he's posing with the fans for photos and Colin is asking, \"Girls, isn't he the most delicious thing you've ever seen?\" I liked how Peter the sophisticate is reduced to a drooling puddle in the presence of his idol!:-) 6. Was surprised to see Colin smoking. Makes me wonder if he fell off the wagon last summer when this was filming. It wasn't absolutely necessary for the character and they could have gotten around it as they did in 3DOR. 7. Sophie Thompson. Expected more from her because she had more to work with than the others, but she was no standout. Her \"I'll drink too much and then spill my guts\" scene, a real hackneyed staple of this type of film, should have worked much better than it did. Contrast with the brilliant job that Rosemary Harris did with essentially the same material in the MLSF dinner scene. 8. The film would have been greatly improved had they poked more fun at the drawing room comedy genre. This material is too dated--and has been done better in the past--that you can't just play it straight for today's audience. For example, I liked what they did in the scene where Billy B. is filming that Hollywood western-and we see him and the other actor in turn shove up their ten-gallon hats with one finger. It's a classic gesture, signaling an Old West version of a pissing contest. In this way, it's a playful homage to a well-worn genre. The film should have done more of this; not enough imagination in the script. It's the type of playful, winking touch that elevated SIL from a good film to a very good one. Then again, Tom Stoppard's script-doctor fee probably exceeds the entire budget for this film; but you get what you pay for.;-) 9. I thought Julie was fine, and looked good to boot. Tripplehorn--ok, I guess. 10. Edward Atterton has to be the most lackluster, bland actor I've seen in quite some time. But, maybe it was the script."}, {"response": 1009, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Oct 23, 2000 (23:09)", "body": "Was he really smoking ?( hope not!)... Not nearly enough of him, however. My sentiments exactly. more screentime, please! He always has to do so much with so little. Which is actually very difficult. Edward Atterton has to be the most lackluster, bland actor I've seen in quite some time. But, maybe it was the script. I saw Edward Atterton recently in a TV drama....he played a nasty piece of work, an army officer who raped a female colleague. I thought it was a very good performance, contemporary dialogue. In RV, he had the type of \"romantic\" role that CF is sometimes lumbered with (ATA, to a certain extent SLOW)... insipid, no teeth. The role is so important, and really does determine the performance. Which is why I'd love to see CF in a strong lead role again!"}, {"response": 1010, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Oct 24, 2000 (00:24)", "body": "Oh dear, I thought Colin looked old and tired. He did perk up later in the film and I enjoyed his performance immensely. Surprised? Looks like he had a lot of fun with the role and played Peter more droll than camp. Think the film could have used more spark...perhaps more fun with the charade. Stpehen Fry was seriously underused and I'm surprised he received as much attention from the reviewers as he did. I liked Jeanne Tripplehorn - felt she brought the right amount of desperation to her role. I read in the paper she just got married. Mentioned her recent films but RV was not among them. ;=) Despised Billy Baldwin but I never have liked him in anything. Perhaps a second viewing will be more charitable toward him. My electricity went out 1/2 hour before the film started. Didn't stay off for long but it meant re-setting my cable box, etc. which took a few panicky minutes to figure out how to do."}, {"response": 1011, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 24, 2000 (02:17)", "body": "Was he really smoking ?( hope not!)... Yes, most definitely. Would be a neat trick to get it to come out through your nose without inhaling. Not nearly enough of him, however. Far more of him in this than in the original play. In that, once he goes off in search of Don Lucas in Act 2, you don't see him again. I thought he was in nearly every scene...from beginning to end. He was Julie's girlfriend or accessory. Stpehen Fry was seriously underused I quite agree. In the play, Crestwell was a more meaningful role - the wise butler with all the answers and solutions. His role was so cut back, but Peter's gained in the process."}, {"response": 1012, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Oct 24, 2000 (03:58)", "body": "(Karen) Would be a neat trick to get it to come out through your nose without inhaling. Hey, I know Presidents who can do this.;-) Yes, CF gets a fair amount of face time here, but in most scenes, he's in the background, contributing a line or a reaction shot here and there--more an observer of the action, less a participant. But he makes the most of it; I do like his perfromance in this. Just wish it were more.:-) Bethan, I'll have to check out Ed Atterton in something else--sounds like his role in RV is not a good measure of his ability."}, {"response": 1013, "author": "JenniferR", "date": "Tue, Oct 24, 2000 (13:04)", "body": "Oh, dear! I just received an e-mail from the Institute announcing that the Sciascia reading has been moved to Sunday, Nov. 12 at 11:30 am. I wonder what happened? It does appear that ODB will still be doing it, but perhaps they're hoping to cut down on the rabid masses by moving it to a Sunday morning? Wow, who knew I could get such an adrenaline rush from an e-mail????"}, {"response": 1014, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 24, 2000 (13:50)", "body": "Thanks for the update, Jenn. I wonder if there are now going to be two readings because of the huge response. Does the Institute have everyone's email address to notify them? Wow, who knew I could get such an adrenaline rush from an e-mail???? Wait until you experience seeing Colin in the Flesh. This is nothing. ;-D"}, {"response": 1015, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 24, 2000 (14:29)", "body": "(Jen), I just received an e-mail from the Institute announcing that the Sciascia reading has been moved to Sunday, Nov. 12 at 11:30 am. What about going to Mass? The communists have changed Italy. To think that my DH will be in London. It is not fair! :-("}, {"response": 1016, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 24, 2000 (14:36)", "body": "One of the regular AICN guys has written up reviews of many of the films at the Chicago FF. He saw Donovan Quick. This is what he said: Colin Firth takes a stab at the lightweight, working-class, U.K. crowd pleaser genre (FULL MONTY, WAKING NED DEVINE, and 100 others in the past five years). This time the oppressors are the mass transit companies, which hold monopoly on routes and service in a small town. When the Windmill Transport Bus Company cancels service on a local train route, the retarded Sandy has no way to make it to his day care center. The mysterious title character blows into town and rents a room in Sandy\ufffds sister\ufffds house. With a suitcase full of cash, Donovan vows to help Sandy form his own one-bus bus company to provide service to the locals on a more convenient schedule for a more reasonable price. And the service is a hit (although they never really do resolve the whole day-care issue), so much so in fact that Windmill decides to extend its route to run a couple minutes ahead of Sandy and Donovan\ufffds. The battle begins. DONOVAN QUICK is a little darker than the other films in this genre, especially as we start to discover wh re Dononvan has come from and what brought him to this small town. Also, a sub plot involving Sandy and her alcoholic abusive boyfriend is pretty intense. The film means well but doesn\ufffdt show us anything we haven\ufffdt seen before. Colin Firth is good and a little creepy as Donovan, but the film is one of those that slips into town for a week and by the time you realize it\ufffds there, it\ufffds not. ~~~~~~~ Might need to write a rebuttal for that bit about \"crowd pleaser\" films... http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com/display.cgi?id=7276"}, {"response": 1017, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 24, 2000 (16:06)", "body": "Might need to write a rebuttal for that bit about \"crowd pleaser\" films... While you're at it hit him with the \"creepy little Donovan\" bit ...and ... the film is one of those that slips into town for a week and by the time you realize it\ufffds there, it\ufffds not ...What kind of a review is that??"}, {"response": 1018, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 24, 2000 (16:23)", "body": "PS Saw that you had already written your rebuttal so I added my own."}, {"response": 1019, "author": "JenniferR", "date": "Tue, Oct 24, 2000 (18:57)", "body": "As regards the e-mail address, I think the Institute may have only notified members of the change of date and time--I can't be sure, but it seems a sound theory. Again, if anyone else is going to the reading, I'd love to meet up. Not that I'd mind going alone, but it is much more fun when there's someone else to drool with! Is Armadillo currently filming in London? If so, where (possibly) could one go to observe the...thrill...of location filming (note latent sarcasm of last statement)?"}, {"response": 1020, "author": "tamzin", "date": "Tue, Oct 24, 2000 (19:47)", "body": "They certainly have not notified all members of the change. I am a member and was certainly planning on going and I have heard nothing from them. Will now e mail them to see if I get a response and, of course, will be on the phone tomorrow. Jen are you planning to go to the reading regardless of which day it is? There are a group of us going and you would be very welcome to join us."}, {"response": 1021, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Oct 24, 2000 (19:51)", "body": "(AICN) Also, a sub plot involving Sandy and her alcoholic abusive boyfriend is pretty intense. Wow, I must have missed this part. I thought Donovan and Sandy were just friends ;-). If you can stand another review of RV, I was a little disappointed in the movie overall. I guess I was hoping for a little more to it. The characters were only caricatures instead of being fully developed. That might have been OK I guess, if the script was wittier and more action was going on. I agree about Stephen Fry being underused. He was hilarious in a very small role in Londinium and I wish he\ufffdd had more to do here. Julie was kind of one-note which was probably more the fault of the script than her fault. I enjoyed Sophie Thompson and liked the scenes when she finally outed her sister. Jeanne Tripplehorn got on my nerves but she did come across as sort of pathetic and terrified under all that forced confidence which I thought was good for the role. I didn't think Billy Baldwin was all that good a fit for his role. Couldn\ufffdt they have chosen someone handsomer who could be more convincing as a classic film idol? He looked and acted too modern and I thought they needed someone who was more drop ead gorgeous, and who could play the shallow, vain classic movie star. The movie was gorgeous to look at though and I liked the costumes and the sets. Regarding Colin, I thought he looked cute and like that clean cut Tuxedo look on him. He appeared to be having fun with the role and I enjoyed the funny way he delivered some of the lines, but frankly I thought he was a smidge over the top with the limp wristed behavior in spots. My opinion probably wasn\ufffdt helped by the fact that I was watching this with my husband who was enjoying my hearthrob acting so effeminate waaaaay too much ;-). I have to watch it all the way through again and BY MYSELF so that I can pay particular attention to Colin. I don\ufffdt feel I\ufffdve done him justice yet :-). (Moon)To think that my DH will be in London. It is not fair! :-( You mean a visit to see \"Il Cornuto\" is not on his travel itinerary ;-)?"}, {"response": 1022, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Oct 24, 2000 (20:02)", "body": "(Jana) My opinion probably wasn\ufffdt helped by the fact that I was watching this with my husband who was enjoying my hearthrob acting so effeminate waaaaay too much ;-). *pfffttt!* Too funny, Jana. Remind me not to put your husband and Moon's in the same room any time soon. ODB may not survive ;-)"}, {"response": 1023, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 24, 2000 (20:04)", "body": "My opinion probably wasn\ufffdt helped by the fact that I was watching this with my husband who was enjoying my hearthrob acting so effeminate waaaaay too much ;-). I have to watch it all the way through again and BY MYSELF so that I can pay particular attention to Colin. I don\ufffdt feel I\ufffdve done him justice yet :-). LOL, Jana, don\ufffdt I know the feeling! You mean a visit to see \"Il Cornuto\" is not on his travel itinerary ;-)? Just think of the fun I would have had in coming up with an excuse to miss Sunday mass. (Tamsin), Jen are you planning to go to the reading regardless of which day it is? I am confused. Is Colin doing two days now? I thought Jen said that it had been postponed to Sunday. Tamsin call them and find out. BTW. are you the same Tamsin that posts at the DWG?"}, {"response": 1024, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Oct 24, 2000 (20:09)", "body": "Was he really smoking ?( hope not!)... Yes, most definitely. Would be a neat trick to get it to come out through your nose without inhaling. Don't remember this...will obviously have to study the video carefully when it comes out in a few weeks! Hope he keeps the old enemy at bay! Jennie, I should think the reading must have been postponed because of filming (Armadillo) commitments. Filming normally continues into the evening, and Sunday must be a day off for cast/crew. Otherwise Sunday morning really is a very odd time for a reading - a lot of folk will still be struggling out of bed! - and there would be absolutely no reason for the change. Anyway, fortunately it's been brought forward, not postponed. Get a seat in the front row, if you can! I think reviewers are missing the point about DQ. The main problem is that we produce so many working class feel-good comedies- \"The Next Full Monty\" - that there's a danger that all these kind of films are lumped together. I hope that there's some sort of closure soon on DQ... that it's either released as a movie. or goes straight to TV. The worst option is a sort of limbo, in which no-one sees it, and the genre could become dated. (Evelyn), I must agree with Moon, Carlos Saura sacrificed the plot and the actors' talents for the artistry alone. I would hate to see Colin in the hands of such a director who obviously has other priorities. I haven't see any of Saura's films, so my opinion really has no foundation. But, I would like to see CF do a serious art house movie, and a strong dramatic role, and another period (as in nineteenth century!) drama. MOB could fit the bill, but I accept that everyone has reservations about this!"}, {"response": 1025, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Oct 24, 2000 (21:48)", "body": "(AICN) Also, a sub plot involving Sandy and her alcoholic abusive boyfriend is pretty intense. ( JanaJH)Wow, I must have missed this part. I thought Donovan and Sandy were just friends ;-). I think he must have meant Clive..."}, {"response": 1026, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 24, 2000 (21:48)", "body": "(Bethan),I should think the reading must have been postponed because of filming (Armadillo) commitments. So by the time we get a confirmation of Colin starring in Armadillo, the filming will be over. ;-) Is that typical or what?"}, {"response": 1027, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 24, 2000 (22:22)", "body": "(Bethan),I should think the reading must have been postponed because of filming (Armadillo)commitments. Huh??? Do you know something we don't know , Bethan?"}, {"response": 1028, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Oct 24, 2000 (22:42)", "body": "nope, just inspired guesswork (wishful thinking?)! But events at the Institute always seem to be scheduled for Monday evenings. Why reschedule for Sunday morning of all times, unless the reader was caught up in a film schedule. Or maybe he's out jogging!"}, {"response": 1029, "author": "JenniferR", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (00:53)", "body": "Hmmmm...Colin out jogging? If ever there was a reason to get up early in the morning, that is it. Jennie, the e-mail I received was from the membership secretary. All she said was that the reading was moved up to Sunday morning 12 Nov., and that refreshments will be served. And believe you me, I plan on attending regardless of what day or time the reading will be. I'd love to join your group, if you'll have a yank like me. E-mail me, and we'll work out the details. Oh, drat--I think I just broke my printer...."}, {"response": 1030, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (12:16)", "body": "Bad news from Tracy. The duty manager at ABC Panton Street has confirmed that there are no showings of Londinium there at all this week, nor planned - some kind of excuse about the print not turning up. Some day my prints will come!"}, {"response": 1031, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (12:50)", "body": "(Mark) some kind of excuse about the print not turning up Tee hee, I swear, I had NOTHING to do with it! :-)"}, {"response": 1032, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (12:59)", "body": "Thanks, Tracy and Mark. What kind of company is this!?! They can't ship a simple reel of film overseas for their principal market? *shaking head* Do they think this film is going to sell based on pure word of mouth? Maybe they'll now take it to Milan for next week's market...if they're still able to do so. Probably too late."}, {"response": 1033, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (13:15)", "body": "For those of you with zillions of cable channels, Fran has uncovered the broadcast premiere of the Secret Laughter of Women on the Lifetime Movie Network (not regular Lifetime television) on Nov 13th (8 pm) and November 14th (9:30 am)."}, {"response": 1034, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (14:36)", "body": "(Mark) Some day my prints will come! Heehee! (Gi) I think he must have meant Clive... Surely you meant Lucy, not Clive. BTW, LOL Jana! ;-)"}, {"response": 1035, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (15:34)", "body": "(Mark) Some day my prints will come! LOL, Mark, that would be funny if it weren't so pathetic! Actually, it's still pretty funny.:-) Seriously, I think the prints didn't show up because they never sent them. They said last week they were cancelling the screenings. At least they were telling the truth and not just trying to blow our folks off. (Karen) What kind of company is this!?! Is amateurish spelled eu or ue? Mon Dieu, can never remember.;-)"}, {"response": 1036, "author": "tamzin", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (17:44)", "body": "Spoke to the Italian Institute today and, as you know, they said they had to reschedule because of Colin having other commitments. I ask when they would be opening on the Saunday and they said probably a half an hour before the reading. How long tdo you think the queue will be by then!! Jen I will e mail you to arrange contact details. Of course, we don't mind a Yank coming. There should be another Yank and two Norwegians. See what dedication his fans have. I already knew about the refreshments - they told me drinks upstairs when I went there and said the length of time for the reading would depend on the interaction between the reader and the audience! When they were asked about how would people be advised about the change of timings the Italian Institute said details would be in Time Out - the London magazine. Pretty poor show for those planning to come long distances or from abroad I think."}, {"response": 1037, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (18:29)", "body": "(Jennie) the length of time for the reading would depend on the interaction between the reader and the audience! Oh, Jennie, I like the sound of this! Try to keep him there *all day long.* ;-) As for the lack of communication with attendees about the date change, thank goodness we have our little networks of Firth faithful to help each other out."}, {"response": 1038, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (19:19)", "body": "Another review of RV, thanks to Anne R. This one is good for the film and CF. This is from the Sunday Patriot-News, Harrisburg, PA, Sunday, October 22, 2000: Coward script becomes spirited film By Sharon Johnson Of The Patriot-News Details: \"Relative Values\" by Noel Coward; starring Julie Andrews and William Baldwin; 8 p.m. today on STARZ! Granted, \"Relative Values\" is not the best of Noel Coward. But let's face it. Even second-class Coward is superior to much contemporary writing. And the bit of fluff debuting on STARZ! tonight has been beautifully packaged. Even if the wrappings at first seem a bit shabby. William Baldwin in a Noel Coward script? In his earliest scenes, he appears distinctly ill at ease. But Baldwin will grow on you as a Hollywood man of action who flies to England to rescue the woman he loves. Few might think screen star Miranda Frayle (Jeanne Tripplehorn) needs rescuing. She's about to marry the Earl of Marshwood (Edward Atterton) and become the leading lady in his stately home. But back at the mansion, the news that an American adventuress has won the earl's heart does not please his spirited mother (Julie Andrews.) Nor her maid Moxie (Sophie Thompson, sister of Emma) who happens to be the sister of Miranda. Miranda's presence does bring excitement to the lives of the staff. Particularly the butler (Stephen Fry) who helps to pass Moxie off as an heiress so there will be no problem with the class differences, which aren't all that separate the two sisters. Also present is the earl's cousin (Colin Firth) who is vastly entertained by the drama at his family home. Particularly when Baldwin's inebriated actor shows up to claim his true love. \"Relative Values\" is an engaging period piece which serves mainly as a showcase for its fine cast. Andrews, in particular, reminds viewers that there's more to her talent than her voice. (Though not even she can carry off a remarkably dowdy wardrobe.) Thompson, Firth and Fry are particularly good. But even Tripplehorn and Baldwin hold their own in the pleasing comedy. The original film will have its debut at 8 tonight on STARZ! It will have encore performances throughout the month."}, {"response": 1039, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (19:28)", "body": "(Karen), What kind of company is this!?! They can't ship a simple reel of film overseas for their principal market? There must be more to this. The Binders are in LA filmiing that HBO special now. Still, it is very amateurish to cancel a screening they had been planning for weeks. Could they be thinking of re-editing? They must have had some feedback from the LA/NY viewers. This is something to investigate. (hint, hint, OK!,OK!) ;-)"}, {"response": 1040, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (21:08)", "body": "(Moon) The Binders are in LA filmiing that HBO special now. They didn't need to be there, as the screening is being held under (John) Sloss Special Projects' banner. He's the NY lawyer ($$$) who is a big backer of indie films, including Boys Don't Cry (I think). (Jennie) the length of time for the reading would depend on the interaction between the reader and the audience! What counts as \"interaction\"? ;-D Does everyone have their questions ready? How on earth could he still be shooting Armadillo? Would this be the longest shoot on record for a two-part TV film? (cue for Bethan to cite statistics on average number of days to film) (Jennie) Pretty poor show for those planning to come long distances or from abroad I think. In all fairness to the Institute (although why it deserves any special consideration is beyond me, except for getting Colin to be there), I'm sure they didn't think for a minute that people would be coming from all points of the globe. Their usual audience is likely a small group of locals. (S. Jones) William Baldwin in a Noel Coward script? In his earliest scenes, he appears distinctly ill at ease. But Baldwin will grow on you as a Hollywood man of action who flies to England to rescue the woman he loves. Has this reporter been deluded into thinking Billy Baldwin is the main character? It clearly stated at the beginning that the actors were shown in alphabetical order. ;-D And face it, does anyone care about him? (S. Jones) Also present is the earl's cousin (Colin Firth) who is vastly entertained by the drama at his family home. Doesn't exactly excite you as to his role, does it. Also present is some lovely furniture and some antique automobiles. (Though not even she can carry off a remarkably dowdy wardrobe.) *snort* ;-D"}, {"response": 1041, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (21:45)", "body": "For what it is worth, People Mag. is conducting the sexiest man alive poll for the year 2000. If you wish to vote for ODB go here: http://people.aol.com/people/spa/sma2000/poll/index.html"}, {"response": 1042, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (00:45)", "body": "Re: People's tally Russell Crowe!?!?!!? PUHL-EEEZ"}, {"response": 1043, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (03:05)", "body": "About as sexy as a wet noodle (to me anyway)"}, {"response": 1044, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (15:33)", "body": "As long as Anne R. keeps finding these, I'll keep posting them.:-) A brief one: From the Seattle Times, Oct. 22, by John Hartl: Julie Andrews stars in an adaptation of Noel Coward's 1951 play, \"Relative Values,\" at 8 p.m. on the Starz Channel. The British production had its American premiere several months ago at the Seattle International Film Festival, though it never enjoyed a subsequent theatrical release. Andrews plays a frustrated aristocrat with a nephew (Colin Firth) and a butler (Stephen Fry) who both sound like characters Coward might have played on stage. Her son (Edward Atterton) is engaged to marry a movie queen (Jeanne Tripplehorn), who doesn't realize she's still in love with her ex-boyfriend (William Baldwin). Reminiscent of Coward's \"Private Lives,\" it's not nearly as much fun, though Firth and Fry make the time pass quickly."}, {"response": 1045, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (15:43)", "body": "Yes, please continue to post Anne's findings. though it never enjoyed a subsequent theatrical release. Excellent start for a review. Tell everyone it was a loser. What journalism school dropped this person? ;-D though Firth and Fry make the time pass quickly. At least the reviewer was discerning enough to recognize good acting. ;-D"}, {"response": 1046, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 27, 2000 (03:48)", "body": "Anyone in London want to see Hour of the Pig on a big screen? Apparently it is playing on Sunday evening (7 pm) at The Lux in Hoxton. A real coincidence as I was watching this just now. There's a Fever Pitch moment or two. When Courtois first goes to see the Seigneur, he is just like Paul at the interview and with the kid's mom. Then there's the rant to get clothes on Jeanne the witch - Colin's famous exasperated yell."}, {"response": 1047, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Oct 27, 2000 (07:42)", "body": "I've got my Armadillo from amazon.com by post on my birthday. Hope to start reading it this weekend :-)"}, {"response": 1048, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Oct 27, 2000 (11:21)", "body": "Anyone in London want to see Hour of the Pig on a big screen? Apparently it is playing on Sunday evening (7 pm) at The Lux in Hoxton. Pity HOTP (and Valmont) never got a theatrical release in the UK. The guy's not lucky! We only get to see him in supporting roles! Hope DQ and Londinium make it. I was looking through the Writers Handbook 2000 (excellent for media contacts/literary/publishing/film/video companies etc). Andrew Davies and William Boyd apparently have the same agent - The Agency in Holland Park, London. Very few clients (very select) so they must know each other. More details about \"Dr Zhivago\" which AD is scripting..it will consist of 6 x 52 minute episodes (ie 6 hours, allowing for adverts). Must be very true to the novel, which covers more of Yuri's life after losing Lara. Although it's TV, it's very expensive TV, and a terrific lead role. I've got my Armadillo from amazon.com by post on my birthday. Hope to start reading it this weekend :-) Good reading. Enjoy! (and another great leading role!)"}, {"response": 1049, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Oct 27, 2000 (11:29)", "body": "http://www.int.granadamedia.com/market/index.htm For the Andrew Davies link. One can always hope (especially if they film in Italy!)"}, {"response": 1050, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct 27, 2000 (16:22)", "body": "Got to view RV last night.... (Mari)I liked the opening montage very much, and will give Eric Styles credit for that. A very clever way to capture what's already happened, and sets a very '50s tone. Good soundtrack Best part of the film,(it set the tone)....that and the \"Bogie\" impersonation . Too bad Eric Styles did follow -up on his innovating beginning. (Mari)Sophie Thompson. Expected more from her because she had more to work with than the others, but she was no standout. A real let-down for me....she was tremendous in \"Emma\". (Heide)Despised Billy Baldwin but I never have liked him in anything. LOL. Reminds me of the reviewer who said \"The only reason anyone ever casts Billy Baldwin is because they can't get Alec..\" (Heide)Oh dear, I thought Colin looked old and tired. I think that look was contrived...he wasn't supposed to look like a hunk. I thought he played the part v. well...the second time I viewed it ,I conscentrated on his facial expressions,(did I detect a \"cooing\" sound?), effeminate mannerisms, the little sashaying walk (no Darcy stride here). The guy is amazing.(I kept wondering if Stephen Fry coached him;-) Dunno' know if I'd plunk $8.50 at the box office to see it or rent it.In fact , but for ODB I would have hit the re-wind button early on."}, {"response": 1051, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Oct 27, 2000 (17:58)", "body": "(Evelyn) Dunno' know if I'd plunk $8.50 at the box office to see it Is that with or without airfare included? ;-D"}, {"response": 1052, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct 27, 2000 (18:06)", "body": "(Evelyn) Dunno' know if I'd plunk $8.50 at the box office to see it (Eileen)Is that with or without airfare included? ;-D LOL....He's gotta do better than this for me to go \"up, up and away\"... (Bethan)More details about \"Dr Zhivago\" which AD is scripting..it will consist of 6 x 52 minute episodes (ie 6 hours,) For the Andrew Davies link. One can always hope (especially if they film in Italy!) I thought Dr. Zhivago took place in Russia;-) I have a big picture of this guy signing up for six months when he can't do a play for three..."}, {"response": 1053, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Oct 27, 2000 (18:20)", "body": "DQ was shown in Canada at the Atlantic Film Festival in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Sept 15-23...\"a warm and bittersweet comedy\" http://www.atlanticfilm.com/donovan_quick.shtml I have a big picture of this guy signing up for six months when he can't do a play for three... Can't *afford* to do a play perhaps, not at the Donmar anyway. Wouldn't pay the tube fare. And a few months in Italy would keep his in-laws happy! I would place an evens bet on Dr Zhivago. They're casting in December"}, {"response": 1054, "author": "Sylvana", "date": "Fri, Oct 27, 2000 (20:37)", "body": "Don't know if this has been posted elsewhere, but I thought it might be of interest to CF fans other than myself. Believe it or not, Silent Laughter of Women is scheduled to be shown on the Lifetime Movie Network on Monday, Nov. 13 at 8PM and Tues Nov 14 at 9:30AM. Ladies, start your VCR's..."}, {"response": 1055, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Oct 27, 2000 (22:52)", "body": "Thanks for that reeview Bethan, and now Canada has seen it before the UK. (BTW Bethan you didn't tell me how high up in the Lakes Buttermere was, very steep and winding single track roads, but the scenery was stunning which made it all worthwhile.)"}, {"response": 1056, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 27, 2000 (23:37)", "body": "(Ann) and now Canada has seen it before the UK. No whinging, now, Ann. It will be playing in Birmingham in a few weeks. It's not like it was playing ALL OVER the US and Canada. Only Australia got the national play...at least that we know of. Perhaps, it's been shown in South America too??? ;-D Thanks, Sylvanna. The info was posted a couple of days ago about SLOW, but that's not the regular Lifetime channel most get on their basic cable. This is a *premium* channel and might not be offered all over the place."}, {"response": 1057, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 27, 2000 (23:37)", "body": "Oh, Ann, did you see any filming or preparing for filming going on up there? ;-D"}, {"response": 1058, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sat, Oct 28, 2000 (01:22)", "body": "Ann, just to make matters worse DQ was I believe on National New Zealand T.V. just some days ago. It ought to be on now with the railtrack troubles etc."}, {"response": 1059, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Oct 28, 2000 (07:39)", "body": "Hi Bethan, sorry about the whinging, but a very small whinge never hurt anyone hee hee! No sign of camera crews or filming and for the life of me I don't know how they would get a camera crew and all it entails up the single tracks, perhaps they would fly them in but this Director (whose names escapes me) will have a ball with the scenery. Stunning, magnificent and ever changing. Also I was hoping to hear that we had had confirmation that Colin was in Armadillo on my return but nothing."}, {"response": 1060, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Oct 28, 2000 (07:41)", "body": "Oh and thanks Anne I am glad to hear that NZ are seeing DQ. I know we just have to be patient."}, {"response": 1061, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Oct 28, 2000 (07:47)", "body": "OOOPS, sorry I sahould have said Karen, not Bethan, too early in the morning!"}, {"response": 1062, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Oct 28, 2000 (10:16)", "body": "No sign of camera crews or filming and for the life of me I don't know how they would get a camera crew and all it entails up the single tracks, perhaps they would fly them in but this Director (whose names escapes me) will have a ball with the scenery. Stunning, magnificent and ever changing. One reason I'm keen on the MOB project is that I just love the area...and the scenery is out of this world. Most people think of the Lake District as Windermere, which is pretty but bland, but after Bowness you really start climbing. On a clear day, as you say, Buttermere is absolutely stunning, and it's even wilder further north...another world. There's potential for a visually splendid film...the backdrop is so magnificent. I'd love to see the scene where Hope escapes by climbing the high craggy passes and meets Mary, and also the scene where he drives a coach and four across the sands at Hest Bank (also very stunning). You can actually stay in the Fish Inn...it's still a very popular hotel for serious walkers and climbers.. But so high up that there's no TV! It's the nearest CF will get to Gladiator! Would have to be fit."}, {"response": 1063, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 28, 2000 (14:53)", "body": "For those with the RV tape....check me out...he does so \"coo\"..I looked at it again last night and heard him. In parts he is making faces and sounds when others are speaking, I have never seen Colin do that before...but then he is Peter, not Colin!That Boggie scene is a classic...but so is the card-playing scene. And I want some website to get a snappy of him with the Girl Guides...he is enjoying it so...\"oooooo\":-))"}, {"response": 1064, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct 28, 2000 (16:01)", "body": "(Ann), No sign of camera crews or filming and for the life of me I don't know how they would get a camera crew and all it entails up the single tracks, perhaps they would fly them in but this Director (whose names escapes me) will have a ball with the scenery. Stunning, magnificent and ever changing. Carlos Saura has recreated exteriors and shot them indoors in Goya. He seems to prefer indoor shooting to work with the lighting of the scenes. His Tango film ignored Argentina and was filmed indoors as well. We got a glimps from a window shot but that was that! IMO, he should be doing theatre, not film. As I have stated before, MoB would be a disaster in his hands."}, {"response": 1065, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 28, 2000 (16:25)", "body": "Those of you who are extolling Carlos Saura as a film director really should see one of his films. He is a film technique director NOT a performance director.Actors are secondary in his films.\"You can't change the spots on a leopard \"as Peter tells Lord Marshwood;-)(I'm into RV these days). Neil La Bute is a performance director;-)))In a recent interview he comments on how he lets the actors interpret the roles."}, {"response": 1066, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Oct 28, 2000 (17:26)", "body": "Carlos Saura approach to directing is that of a visual stylist. He would seem to view film as a visual art and employ it as such. Having not read \"The Maid of Buttermere\" I cannot say if Saura's technique would be a help or a hinderance to the film. The excerpts I read posted here at drool indicated a rather awkward style on the writer's part. The language did not flow and the writer seemed at odds with telling the story. In film schools, some intructors teach that the finest accomplishment is to be able to convey emotions and story through pictures; a scene which conveys everything needed without any dialogue whatsoever. Of course, accomplished actors are very useful to achieve such an effect. Neil LaBute is a more literary director in the sense that he started his career in theater as a playwright and director. He comes from a certain theatrical tradition which emphasizes the reliance on dialogue. Action is relayed through the metier of dialogue, as well as character development. This may well make LaBute particularly well suited to adapt the work of other writers. However, judging from his own work, LaBute is most definitely not for all tastes. He would seem to be one of those whom are either really admired by some, detested by others. He doesn't inspire too much in the way of middle ground. I don't really know if Colin Firth would be well-served by being in a Carlos Saura film of \"The Maid of Buttermere\". I do think that being a wonderful actor, he would serve such a film well. It could be said that CF's work would be worth seeing, even if the film weren't particularly good, or appealing to one's own personal tastes."}, {"response": 1067, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct 28, 2000 (19:08)", "body": "I do think that being a wonderful actor, he would serve such a film well. It could be said that CF's work would be worth seeing, even if the film weren't particularly good, or appealing to one's own personal tastes. I believe the point we were discussing is whether Calos Saura would serve CF well. We all agree with you that CF's work would be worth seeing, even if the film weren't particularly good, or appealing to one's own personal tastes. We recall Playmaker and a few others that did not appeal to our personal tastes, yet we have seen them because of CF. Carlos Saura approach to directing is that of a visual stylist. What is more visual than outdoor location shots? He has avoided that altogether in his last two films."}, {"response": 1068, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Sat, Oct 28, 2000 (19:23)", "body": "Blood Wedding and Tango were two of the best films I have ever seen. There is a deeply intense sensuality in Saura's work as well as a focus on perfect cinematic moments. He creates a truly \"physical\" experience for the public with his perfect direction and timing as well as his choice of musical score. Watching a Saura film is tantamount to watching a Mozart opera!"}, {"response": 1069, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Oct 28, 2000 (19:56)", "body": "(Moon Dreams) What is more visual than outdoor location shots? Perhaps Saura has been recently inspired by some of the Dutch Genre Painters of the 17th Century. A few of them were quite interested in the visual effects of light on interiors."}, {"response": 1070, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Oct 28, 2000 (20:29)", "body": "(Moon) I believe the point we were discussing is whether Carlos Saura would serve CF well. I thought she did touch on your point and then simply added the converse. I commend you ladies for spending so much effort discussing the merits of Saura working with Colin and vice versa. We could next discuss him in a Woody Allen film since imvho the likelihood of that is equal to the likelihood of seeing him in the Maid of Buttermere. I'm in no way knocking this discussion. Please keep at it. The depth of your knowledge is impressive. We can only discuss a film almost 6 months old for so long. On the other hand, discussing RV is less likely to result in damaged feelings. (Ev) For those with the RV tape.... You mean there is such a thing? '-) Perfect segue to my offer to get hold of me if you have not yet had the pleasure of seeing RV. I have never seen Colin do that before Nice to see he can still surprise us. but then he is Peter, not Colin! And if there's ever a film that clearly defines the difference, this is it. I want some website to get a snappy of him with the Girl Guides I love that scene - the long shot as he's towering over the giddy girls, just as giddy as they."}, {"response": 1071, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 28, 2000 (20:33)", "body": "I saw his latest only...\"Goya\"..and I can tell you the actor takes a back seat. If it had been an opera, you would not have paid attention to the singing. We're not saying that he isn't a good director, but that he isn't an actor's director. in film schools, some intructors teach that the finest accomplishment is to be able to convey emotions and story through pictures; a scene which conveys everything needed without any dialogue whatsoever Oh dear, I have just finished reading a book by David Mamet on acting (True and False) and he would say that is pure heresy. Emotions and story dwell in the dialogue....an arguable point it seems."}, {"response": 1072, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 28, 2000 (20:40)", "body": "Ev) For those with the RV tape.... You mean there is such a thing? '-) I mean't the TV tape of RV...It goes on into Nov....Check The Bucket for times...Find a friend who has Starz, that 's what I did. Heide...but did you hear him \"oooing?\" Cute uh? He doesn't miss a beat in this character...of course, this isn't the same character as the play...but who cares?"}, {"response": 1073, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct 28, 2000 (21:06)", "body": "(Cheryl), Perhaps Saura has been recently inspired by some of the Dutch Genre Painters of the 17th Century. A few of them were quite interested in the visual effects of light on interiors. The lighting is perfect in his films because he uses the best cinematographer at this which is Vittorio Storaro. The story takes the background to his visuals. (Lassie), He creates a truly \"physical\" experience for the public with his perfect direction and timing as well as his choice of musical score. Watching a Saura film is tantamount to watching a Mozart opera! The physical experience came in wanting to leave the theatre. And, I could not disagree more with your opera comment. `A chacun son go\ufffdt!"}, {"response": 1074, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sat, Oct 28, 2000 (22:14)", "body": "(Lassie) Blood Wedding and Tango were two of the best films I have ever seen...Watching a Saura film is tantamount to watching a Mozart opera! Maybe if you make nice to Karen she'll start a Carlos Saura topic for you. I find visual movies about as interesting as watching grass grow. But then, I'm not the artsy-fartsy type. :-P"}, {"response": 1075, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Oct 28, 2000 (22:33)", "body": "Always great to see a lively discussion developing, even if, as Heide says, it could be theoretical at this stage! Hasn't Saura done a lot of different work? His recent films \"Tango\" and \"Goya\" sound very stylised and I accept your viewpoints on these, but I remember reading an article not so long ago about the theme of childhood in films. There was mention of the marvellous Cinema Paradiso, and also a reference to a film directed (and written) by Carlos Saura, which was about a young girl growing up in a small Spanish village. It was described as being very warm and moving, in the same genre as CP, with very strong performances. Title had the name Anna or Anya (?) in it. So perhaps his style of direction varies. MOB is being shot in the Lake District...why film there, if they are going to ignore the scenery? We could next discuss him in a Woody Allen film since imvho the likelihood of that is equal to the likelihood of seeing him in the Maid of Buttermere. (Heide) Well, LolaFilms said that details about MOB would be available in December. I promise to ring back, and put an end to all the suspense! And then we can discuss in earnest (or not discuss, as the case may be). But I think CF will do it...there's a strong theme of social injustice, and he'd also get to play a man with serious problems, and a loser to boot! :-) Sorry for the diversion ...back to RV!"}, {"response": 1076, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 28, 2000 (22:57)", "body": "(Heide)On the other hand, discussing RV is less likely to result in damaged feelings. Not me...my feelings are never hurt/damaged. But thank you for looking out for me;-) ~~~~~~~~~~ Re: RV. I shall be glad to have a tape made of RV (NTSC)and send it around to those who can't find a Starz subscriber. Pl. email me.(Lendsies not keepsies.)"}, {"response": 1077, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Oct 29, 2000 (07:49)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1078, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sun, Oct 29, 2000 (08:09)", "body": "An exclusive charity event - read all about it - 23rd Noveber 2000 celebrating the publication of SPEAKING WITH THE ANGEL - An evening of words and music - introduced by Nick Hornby - Featuring star performers reading from stories by Robert Harris & Nick Hornby at the Hammersmith Palais, Hammersmith Road, London, W6. Doors open 7.30p.m. entertainment starts 8p.m. full bar snacks available all evening 15pounds including a minimum of 5pounds per ticket to The Tree House Trust - tickets available from Ticketweb or 0207771 2000 - in association with WaterStones. Hope some of U.K. gals can go."}, {"response": 1079, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Oct 29, 2000 (09:03)", "body": "Thanks Anne! No CF though. http://s1.waterstones.co.uk/cgi-bin/wat01prd.storefront/ Ray Winstone, Kathy Burtke and Neil Pearson are reading. Wonder if the book isn't coming out til late November. Dates are always shifting."}, {"response": 1080, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Oct 29, 2000 (09:33)", "body": "Bethan, according to their site the book will be published on 2nd November. I've had it on pre-order for ages now, so am hoping for a nice thud on my doormat later in the week!"}, {"response": 1081, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Oct 29, 2000 (10:08)", "body": "The Southwark Literature Festival began yesterday and runs all this week. \" with featured writers including William Boyd\" Could it be too much to ask that he is discussing a certain book purchased by a fair few of us recently? Details on 020 7403 7400. As this was from the Guardian, hopefully there may be coverage later in the week or in the weekend edition."}, {"response": 1082, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sun, Oct 29, 2000 (11:21)", "body": "So is Colin filming somewhere? What a pity he is not there - but it would be a great evening nevertheless."}, {"response": 1083, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Oct 29, 2000 (14:18)", "body": "Does sounds like a great evening. You never know who might show up. I've never had the pleasure of meeting Nick as so many of you had. ;-) History of the TreeHouse Fund: \"The TreeHouse was set up in 1997 by a North London group of parents of children recently diagnosed with autism and related communication disorders. Finding a lack of effective, early, educational intervention for their children these parents decided to set about providing it.\" Looks like Nick might have been one of those parents. The Southwark Literature Festival began yesterday and runs all this week. \" with featured writers including William Boyd\" Jeez, I'm jealous. So much culture, dahlings. Even more important, so many trails to follow to get a whiff of what our boy might be doing. (Ev) Not me...my feelings are never hurt/damaged. LOL, Evelyn. Don't worry, I know your hide is as rhino-thick as mine. By the way, it's not that I don't know there are tapes of RV, it's that I don't think there are supposed to be any. ;-) However, I'll throw caution to the winds and say that there are probably at least as many tapes out there as there are times RV is being shown on Starz. My e-mail addy is working above if anyone has not had the pleasure..."}, {"response": 1084, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 29, 2000 (18:03)", "body": "By the way, it's not that I don't know there are tapes of RV, it's that I don't think there are supposed to be any. ;- I didn't see a notice from the FBI at the beginning of it;-) I think it's OK to film TV for personal use.Not for sale or mass viewing."}, {"response": 1085, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Oct 29, 2000 (21:40)", "body": "I would \"mass view\" ODB in a lemon cravat anytime!!"}, {"response": 1086, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Oct 29, 2000 (21:58)", "body": "Here is the page on Peter Lathan's \"British Actors Best Living Actor Results\" with a lot of explanation. Very interesting. But Colin didn't get as many votes as he should have. Michael Crawford? The power of the internet fan! http://britishtheatre.about.com/aboutuk/britishtheatre/library/weekly/aa102900a.htm Murph"}, {"response": 1087, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 30, 2000 (17:49)", "body": "This one is for our UK fans.... From Teletext Elliot director slams costume dramas \"Billy Elliot director Stephen Daldry has hit out at the film industry's love of 'middle-class' costume dramas. British audiences want to see working-class stories on the big screen, he says in a US interview. Daldry also talks about the problems of finding financial backers for the award-winning Billy Elliot, which tells the story of a boy from a mining community. 'No one wanted to give any money,' he complains.\""}, {"response": 1088, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct 30, 2000 (18:17)", "body": "(Murph) Here is the page on Peter Lathan's \"British Actors Best Living Actor Results\"... But Colin didn't get as many votes as he should have. I don't waste my time on this stuff. IMO they're about as honest and meaningful as Slobodan Milosovic's last \"election\"."}, {"response": 1089, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 30, 2000 (18:37)", "body": "British audiences want to see working-class stories on the big screen, he says in a US interview. That is about all they seem to do! That is the reason why I do not watch BBC/America. I would like to see contemporary upper-class stories, for a change."}, {"response": 1090, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Oct 30, 2000 (21:25)", "body": "Interesting mini feature on Irene Jacob in one of the Sundays. \"Madame Melville\" is a huge hit with the critics who seem totally smitten with IJ. (the Binder bros. please take note....your gal is red hot at the moment. But I guess the market for theatre and movies isn't the same). She apparently loves working in the UK. There'a a mention of MLSF ...\"Irene recently appeared in David Puttnam's MLSF. She says that she was really happy during the filming, so much so that she cried when the filming was over.\" British audiences want to see working-class stories on the big screen, he says in a US interview. Well, that's what the distributors seem to think! Which makes the failure of DQ to reach even a couple of screens in London (the bottom line release) ve-e-ry strange. The London FF starts soon... one of the films premiering (says she, sourly) is a new BBC film, a working class comedy set in a fish and chip shop in Ireland. Riveting stuff."}, {"response": 1091, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct 30, 2000 (21:50)", "body": "(article) British audiences want to see working-class stories on the big screen, he says in a US interview. (Bethan) Well, that's what the distributors seem to think! Naah, distributors want anything that makes money, period (to wit: Terminator 3 and Basic Instinct 2. Hardly working class stories!)."}, {"response": 1092, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 30, 2000 (22:33)", "body": "Naah, distributors want anything that makes money, period (to wit: Terminator 3 and Basic Instinct 2. Hardly working class stories!). Do you blame them? Anybody wanna risk their retirement fund on a costume drama? It will be interesting to see how The Golden Bowl does in the UK. Harvey won't even release it in the US.And it's a Miramax film!(Sorry, this should be on 136)"}, {"response": 1093, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Oct 31, 2000 (03:02)", "body": "Posting for Mickie: Hello Firthfans, I have a favor to ask. There are some of us who are planning a trip to London and could really use some helpful hints. I remember that when many of you returned from seeing Three Days of Rain you had many wonderful experiences. I was hoping that you would be willing to share your experiences. Restaurants, hotels , tourist spots the lot. So that all CF fans could enjoy the benefit of your expertice would it be possible for you to add your comments to the message board at Murph's CF Interactive page? http://www.geocities.com/firthfan/index.html You can even write your own review of Relative Values which I must admit I liked a lot better the second time I watched. So if you are not really happy with it the first time watch it again. Thank you. Also, I made an attempt at a Colin related crossword puzzle and word search. If some of you like that type of game would you mind trying it out and letting me know what you think? Too hard? Too easy etc.... I would be very appreciative. Thanks for your help, Mickie"}, {"response": 1094, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Oct 31, 2000 (03:11)", "body": "(Evelyn) Anybody wanna risk their retirement fund on a costume drama? Very true. Anything that's backed by private investors/studios (as opposed to government/lottery funds) needs to see a financial return. Investors are funny like that; they don't want to lose money.;-) Costume drama fans may watch on TV, but they tend not to turn out at the cinemas. There are exceptions, of course, but the reviews need to be impeccable and whoever markets the film needs to be willing to stay the course until it finds an audience. RE: Golden Bowl--somebody did buy it from Miramax for US distribution, Evelyn--maybe Artisan or Lion's Gate, can't recall. Due here in the spring, I believe. Harvey's mistake was taking it to Cannes--that place is a death knell for films like this."}, {"response": 1095, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Oct 31, 2000 (08:57)", "body": "There was a review in yesterday's Evening Standard of Speaking with the Angel . It is not online and given my posting problems I can only type the relevant bits. It is headed *Hornby's Dream Team*. The second paragraph starts: *In any case Hornby is right about the delicious menu on offer. The contributors range from the solidly reliable(Robert Harris, Helen Fielding, Roddy Doyle, Hornby himself) to the idiosynchratic (Irvine Welsh, Dave Eggers) the voguish (Zadie Smith, Melissa Bank) and the completely untried, at least at the short story (playwright Patrick Marber and actor Colin Firth, who rather bizarrely finds himself alondside the creators of Mr Darcey [sic],aka him, and Paul Ashworth whom he played in the film version of Fever Pitch. ..... It's perhaps no coincidence that Marber and Firth, meanwhile, choose not adult voices, but those of a lustful (for gleaming vinyl as well as sex) adolescent and an unusually imaginative child, and thus rely heavily on an occasionally clumsy but mostly poignant kind of nostalgia. ..... Though Hornby's introductory comment are a bit bossy \"Luckily, I don't have to justify myself to you because all you've done is buy a book that you wanted to read\" - he is not wrong as it goes. Sorry not to have typed it all. My typing is just not fast enough. Hopefully it will be on their Thisislondon site soon."}, {"response": 1096, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Oct 31, 2000 (10:58)", "body": "It's perhaps no coincidence that Marber and Firth, meanwhile, choose not adult voices, but those of a lustful (for gleaming vinyl as well as sex) adolescent and an unusually imaginative child, and thus rely heavily on an occasionally clumsy but mostly poignant kind of nostalgia. Thanks Allison, for spotting this! Sounds like a positive review. Can we assume that Colin's contibution is through the voice of an unusually imaginitive child? \"Poignant nostalgia\" sounds promising. You can even write your own review of Relative Values which I must admit I liked a lot better the second time I watched. I *always\"* find that CF's stuff grows on me, and there's more to it than first appears. Am looking forward to studying the video in a few weeks time! Interestingly, there's a new Coward play \"Fallen Angels\" just opened in the West End. Good reviews for what is regarded as a rather insubstantial play. But what struck me was that the actors have obviously gone for over the top performances and milked it for all it was worth. I think CF would enjoy doing Coward on stage.....and would be very good."}, {"response": 1097, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Oct 31, 2000 (11:16)", "body": "BTW, on the subject of books, does anyone know if CF's mum is an author? I was browsing through our local second hand bookshop the other day, and purely by chance I saw a book called \"Hindu Ritual and Society\". It was written by Shirley Firth and two other authors. It was in the \"Comparative Religion\" section. Given that she taught this subjest and grew up in India, seems likely?"}, {"response": 1098, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Oct 31, 2000 (11:42)", "body": "*purely by chance* LOL! Just happened to be browsing in the authors \"F\"! BTW does anyone have any idea why i can no longer paste here? I copy text but when I try and paste it into my response, there is nothing there. I can cut/copy and paste everywhere else."}, {"response": 1099, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Tue, Oct 31, 2000 (12:01)", "body": "Bethan, you are correct. Colin's mother is the author of that scholarly book (it is basically her doctoral dissertation)."}, {"response": 1100, "author": "aishling", "date": "Tue, Oct 31, 2000 (12:32)", "body": "Allison - Hopefully it will be on their Thisislondon site soon. Thanks for info. The article is now on line."}, {"response": 1101, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Oct 31, 2000 (12:56)", "body": "Thanks for the review, Allison. I'm anxious to read what the unusually imaginative child has come up with.:-)"}, {"response": 1102, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 31, 2000 (13:52)", "body": "Thanks, Allison! I hope we are not disappointed. Did they give the title to his story?"}, {"response": 1103, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 31, 2000 (14:17)", "body": "Thanks for spotting the article, Allison. Am also anxious to read the story by \"Bridget Jones's beloved and unreformable great-aunt\" who lies prone on the bathroom floor. ;-D Will email you about difficulties in posting and pasting."}, {"response": 1104, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Oct 31, 2000 (16:34)", "body": "Thank you for spotting the article Alison and for letting us know it's now there Aishling. Off to take a peek!"}, {"response": 1105, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Oct 31, 2000 (16:35)", "body": "oops Allison! Another one no good at fast typing."}, {"response": 1106, "author": "aishling", "date": "Tue, Oct 31, 2000 (16:59)", "body": "BFF programme is now on line. DQ has one screening at 3.00pm on Sunday 19 November. Sorry cannot link but Bethan gave URL earlier."}, {"response": 1107, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 31, 2000 (17:16)", "body": "Here's the url: http://www.film-tv-festival.org.uk/"}, {"response": 1108, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 31, 2000 (18:11)", "body": "The RV tape- train leaves today...I have several .If you want it yell (via email). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I really like him in this...great one-liners and good timing.He does comedy well and seems to be going in that genre. Good career move, dramatic parts are far and few between (except for TV) and Rafe seems to get the first pick."}, {"response": 1109, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 31, 2000 (18:54)", "body": "Here's the new cover for the reissued Valmont:"}, {"response": 1110, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Oct 31, 2000 (20:15)", "body": "purely by chance* LOL! Just happened to be browsing in the authors \"F\"! (Allison) No, really, scouts honour, cross my heart and hope to die! It's a secondhand/academic bookshop, used mainly by students, which doesn't recognise alphabetical order (the best stuff is on the floor!) Colin's mother is the author of that scholarly book (it is basically her doctoral dissertation). (Lassie) Aha. Thought so. Looked way over my head! Good career move, dramatic parts are far and few between (except for TV) and Rafe seems to get the first pick. (Evelyn) Versatility is the key to survival. Good actors should be able to do Shakespeare and sitcom. And I agree, the big dramatic roles on screen are few and far between, and tend to go to other actors (naming no names!) I'm anxious to read what the unusually imaginative child has come up with.:-) (Mari) Intriguing (and how will he read this, as an adult or child?). I can think of innumerable examples of adult authors writing in the first person as an adolescent (Catcher in the Rye, Adrian Mole etc), but not in the first person as a child (as opposed to an adult looking back and writing in the first person of his/her childhood)"}, {"response": 1111, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Oct 31, 2000 (21:25)", "body": "(Lassie) Colin's mother is the author of that scholarly book (it is basically her doctoral dissertation). How do you know this, Lassie? Do tell! (Mari) I'm anxious to read what the unusually imaginative child has come up with.:-) Me too! (Bethan) and how will he read this, as an adult or child?) Ooh, good question."}, {"response": 1112, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 31, 2000 (21:57)", "body": "(Bethan) and how will he read this, as an adult or child?) (Eileen)Ooh, good question. I'm sure it will be charming.... I just don't want him to bring up that school in St. Louis again..."}, {"response": 1113, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Nov  1, 2000 (00:02)", "body": "(Bethan) I can think of innumerable examples of adult authors writing in the first person as an adolescent (Catcher in the Rye, Adrian Mole etc), but not in the first person as a child (as opposed to an adult looking back and writing in the first person of his/her childhood) Ok, I've got one--the *only* one I could think of. Wait for it . . . \"Singing Songs\" by Meg Tilly. Published around '94 I think, written first person as a child, about living in an abusive household. Hmmm . . . Do we know for sure that CF is reading his own story on the audiotape? I got a notice from amazon that my book has been shipped; I didn't order the audio, figuring I'd wait to make sure he was reading."}, {"response": 1114, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Nov  1, 2000 (09:22)", "body": "(Bethan) I can think of innumerable examples of adult authors writing in the first person as an adolescent (Catcher in the Rye, Adrian Mole etc), but not in the first person as a child (as opposed to an adult looking back and writing in the first person of his/her childhood) Even excluding children's books and things like 'Great Expectations', where Pip begins as a child, I think this is a frequently attempted genre. Having said that, only 'Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha' by Roddy Doyle (1993 Booker prize) springs to mind."}, {"response": 1115, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Nov  1, 2000 (19:06)", "body": "Mari -Do we know for sure that CF is reading his own story on the audiotape? I've ordered the audio tape but according to Amazon it's got a release date of 7 December so unless anyone gets a sneak preview (or is in the know) we're going to have to wait a bit longer. ;-("}, {"response": 1116, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Nov  1, 2000 (19:37)", "body": "Mari -Do we know for sure that CF is reading his own story on the audiotape? Perhaps someone can ask him during the Q&A segment at the poetry reading."}, {"response": 1117, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov  1, 2000 (20:39)", "body": "Ladies, I do have some questions for the reading at the Italian Institute: 1) When you read a book for pleasure, do you find yourself more times than not, picking a specific character as a possible role? 2) When reading to an audience is it helpful to over do it a bit (over act), to set the scene? 3) Did you chose to read Sciacia or did Livia twist your arm to do it. (Just kidding) 4)What was the last book you have read for pleasure. (If he answers Armadillo hit him with: 5) Are you playing Milo in Armadillo? ;-) 6) Aside from Sciacia, is there another Italian author you enjoy reading? 7)Are you reading your own story on the audiotape of NHs book? 8) What inspired you to write it through a child's POV. 9) Do you have other stories locked away or was this your first one? 10) Will you be working in Carlos Saura's MoB? I hope he gives everyone a chance to ask questions, they usually do. We look forward to your reports. Have fun!"}, {"response": 1118, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Nov  1, 2000 (21:24)", "body": "Just a little note: Last night on ABC TV's Once and Again (I'm a fan of The 30 Something guys), there was a \"book lovers meet\" evening in one character's book store. Voice-overs were naming favorite books, and out popped \"Bridget Jones Diary."}, {"response": 1119, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Nov  1, 2000 (21:42)", "body": "Great questions, Moon! I guess this is more of a prose reading, isn't it? Oops. Leave it to me to get it wrong. :-( Mary,I heard that voiceover of BJD last night on Once and Again, too. I am also a fan of the 30 Something team."}, {"response": 1120, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Nov  1, 2000 (21:51)", "body": "I'm sure it will be charming.... I just don't want him to bring up that school in St. Louis again.. (Evelyn) LOL! Many a true word spoken... Maybe we'll get the tale of a young sensitive English lad, newly out of short trousers, with the grass still green on his knees, rudely transported from his rural primary school in Hampshire to a ghastly high school in St Louis, etcetera, etcetera :-) Mind you, I think the penny has dropped with him that he has gone on a tad too much about his schooldays! (His comment about his former headmaster writing to his parents to complain!) Good questions, Moon!"}, {"response": 1121, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov  1, 2000 (23:06)", "body": "I see that Blackadder - Back and Forth will be released on PAL video on November 20 for \ufffd11.99 (preorder price at Blackstar) http://www.blackstar.co.uk/video/item/7000000059555"}, {"response": 1122, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov  1, 2000 (23:10)", "body": "Shakespeare didn't make the cover...alas.."}, {"response": 1123, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (11:30)", "body": "(Karen)Shakespeare didn't make the cover...alas.. Are you surprised? ;-) Love the Valmont cover, though, thank you Karen. Also, great questions you came up with Moon, hope somebody gets an answer to some of them. (BTW; have started reading Armadillo). Mari, thanks for posting Mickie's text. Must go and visit Murph's interactive page :-)"}, {"response": 1124, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov  3, 2000 (16:39)", "body": "At the Telegraph, there are photographs from a gallery exhibit entitled, \"On Set,\" which is on display at a London Gallery and is also in book form. These are behind the scenes pics taken during filming of British movies. You will see one of Stephen Fry in the car from Relative Values. Wonder if there are other shots from RV's filming at the art gallery or in the book? Anybody want to drop by and check? http://www.telegraph.co.uk:80/et?ac=000576481449931&rtmo=asHXbwpL&atmo=rrrrrrrq&pg=/et/00/10/26/bgsetp0.html There's also one showing a bunch of feet (identified as belonging to Sadie Frost) from the other \"An Ideal Husband,\" the modern-day, Jonathan Firth version."}, {"response": 1125, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Nov  4, 2000 (11:50)", "body": "I shall try and pop in sometime this week."}, {"response": 1126, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov  4, 2000 (16:11)", "body": "The publisher's site has expanded its coverage of the book's release. There's info on the charity event, plus bio info (and pics) of the authors. Colin's is the same as on our main Drool page (albeit without his personal message to us - *hee hee*) but the funniest thing is the spelling. Hornby's intro is on the site, as well as the stories by Zadie Smith and Robert Harris. http://prod2.uk.penguin.com/static/packages/uk/articles/hornby/hornby.html"}, {"response": 1127, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov  4, 2000 (16:24)", "body": "I don't want to get political here..but that's shocking that autistic children can't get adequate professional attention in a public school environment. Karen, under contributors, on my computer Colin's pic is deformed...yours too? and I couldn't find the misspelling... Does Penguin have a chat? Maybe Nick Hornby (and a special guest author) could get on sometime. (Dream on, E.)"}, {"response": 1128, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov  4, 2000 (16:31)", "body": "I had to view the penguin site with Explorer. That happens when website developers are sloppy with their syntax. Netscape can't handle errors. You couldn't find the misspelling? It's there twice...under Colin and under Helen Fielding. And, Allison, looking forward to hearing your assessment of the exhibit."}, {"response": 1129, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov  4, 2000 (16:40)", "body": "Found it...Explorer is good for something. A pity it couldn't handle the misspelling ;-) LOL...Helen Fielding and I share the same obsession!!"}, {"response": 1130, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov  4, 2000 (16:43)", "body": "Did Penguin ask your permission to use our picture? ;-)"}, {"response": 1131, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Nov  4, 2000 (16:55)", "body": "I've just read Colin's story, entitled \"The Department Of Nothing,\" and I think he's done a great job. It's funny, touching without being sappy, and he's fairly successful at capturing the voice of an 11-year old. Some of it is more mature than you'd expect from a boy that age, but I think that's a necessity to keep an adult reader interested. Reminded me a bit of Holden Caulfield from Catcher In The Rye, insofar as some of the expressions, attitude, and precociousness. Haven't read all the others yet, but of those I have, Hornby's is the best--a real winner. Anyway, big kudos to Colin for trying something different, and for coming through for a good cause."}, {"response": 1132, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Nov  4, 2000 (17:06)", "body": "I've just picked up my copy of the book from a local bookshop...very prompt, I only ordered it yesterday. They've ordered another dozen copies. I don't know if I'm repeating news, but Colin's story is called \"The Department of Nothing\", it's long (26 pages), and, IMHO, without any bias,it's very good. He *can* write. His story is much better than HF's ....the only other one I've read so far. He's very perceptive about children and also very funny. Well structured as well. Has anyone else had the chance to read it?"}, {"response": 1133, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Nov  4, 2000 (17:09)", "body": "Mari, our posts overlapped. Funnily enough, I was also going to post the Holden Caulfield comparison (only I couldn't remember how to spell his name!)"}, {"response": 1134, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov  4, 2000 (17:09)", "body": "Book arrived a few minutes ago (literally). Will try to read later today."}, {"response": 1135, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Nov  4, 2000 (18:11)", "body": "Thanks for the feedback on CF's short story, Bethan and Mari. My copy has not arrived yet. :-( I was hoping for a good story from him, as he is well read, articulate, and intelligent. (No bias on my part, of course.)"}, {"response": 1136, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov  4, 2000 (19:58)", "body": "Great news! I hope to have my copy soon. A strange title. I wonder how it relates to the story. I am glad to hear that you liked it, Mari and Bethan. I am sure we will be discussing it soon. :-D"}, {"response": 1137, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Nov  4, 2000 (21:04)", "body": "I've just read it again, and, without any reservations, I can say that he writes well and I would like to read more by him. I haven't read the other stories, except HF's, but I'm sure he more than holds his own. Not really spoilers......but I wouldn't say that CF isn't writing in the voice of a child, more a young adolescent. Henry is a very sparky, imaginative, observant eleven year old, who happens to like stories, and the comments he makes about his life, his family etc, are sometimes funny, sometimes quite profound. There's depth and humour to this story. There was an anti-racism/pro asylum seekers rally in London today, called \"Hands around the Home Office\", with a march to the Home Office. It's a continuation of the protest CF made, with others, in front of the Houses of Parliament, when they formed a human paper chain. The main thrust of the campaign is to protest against the way the media and some politicians are whipping up hatred of immigrants and provoking racist attacks. Links (hope they work) http://www.defend-asylum-seekers.freeserve.co.uk or http://www.ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/aa_r/ Nick Hornby is one of the sponsors of the campaign."}, {"response": 1138, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Nov  4, 2000 (21:07)", "body": "Sorry.....double negative. Should be \"I wouldn't say.....is writing\""}, {"response": 1139, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Nov  4, 2000 (23:33)", "body": "I bought my copy of Speaking with the Angels\" and have just finished \"The Department of Nothing\" having not been able to put it down. I would agree with you, Bethan, he certainly appears to have an affinity with children and puts this across with gusto. Henry's tale rushes on in a torrent of excitability, and whilst some of the language is perhaps more mature (definite echoes of FP's Paul here), the thought processes are very much that of a child...I love the idea of TTPUYL! The story within a story gives a happy contrast of styles and adds another dimension to the writing. In summary it's got humour, it's got pathos and if this(presumably) first shot is anything to go by I'd certainly want to read more."}, {"response": 1140, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Nov  5, 2000 (00:15)", "body": "I love the way the class bully is called Roy Hattersley! Made me laugh everytime. (For non-Brits, Roy Hattersley is a Labour politician, now retired, quite a non-threatening, amiable cove!)"}, {"response": 1141, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Nov  5, 2000 (15:34)", "body": "Moon, the title \"Department Of Nothing\" refers to real life--the sort of distasteful and meaningless (to a kid) things we all have to do like go to school, eat veggies, etc. Evelyn, you'll be happy to hear that he doesn't complain about school too much (but has a funny name for his teacher:-) Have read most of the other stories, and there is quite a range of quality. Colin's is certainly one of the best, as is Nick's. Another good one is Robert Harris's PMQ--he is Nick's brother-in-law--very funny stuff. Irvine Welsh's and Patrick Marber's are predictably profane--yawn. Helen's, I'm sorry to say, is a disappointment."}, {"response": 1142, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Nov  5, 2000 (23:36)", "body": "We plan to start the AZ discussion on Thursday Nov. 9th at our CF film discussion topic. I hope you will all join us."}, {"response": 1143, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov  6, 2000 (15:25)", "body": "Have read Colin's story. Can't comment on whether the story captures an 11-year-old boy's POV accurately, as have no basis or foundation for such, but on several occasions it did strike me as expressing more mature thoughts. Was nicely done, all in all. Reminded me of Hornby's style. (heavy editing, perhaps??) Will read again, when eyelids not inclined to close. ;-D Have only read Robert Harris' thus far. It was a hoot. I remember reading an article in the newspaper about Nick's exwife's efforts on behalf of the school recently, but couldn't find it. Was sure it was in The Times (news in brief or similar). But here's another from The Telegraph you might find interesting: http://www.telegraph.co.uk:80/et?ac=000576481449931&rtmo=psh1hpee&atmo=rrrrrrrq&pg=/et/99/4/27/tldan27.html"}, {"response": 1144, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Nov  6, 2000 (18:01)", "body": "If it wouldn't be too much of a spoiler, could one of you post a few choice quotes from Colin's story? I'd love to \"see\" a bit of his style. Robert Harris is one of my favorite authors. I can highly recommend Enigma and Archangel. Both literate thrillers, and great reads."}, {"response": 1145, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov  6, 2000 (18:30)", "body": "Murph, you can read Harris' story at the Penguin site, as is v. short: http://prod2.uk.penguin.com/static/packages/uk/articles/hornby/hornby2.html"}, {"response": 1146, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov  6, 2000 (19:23)", "body": "Telegrah story v. interesting Karen...sounds a lot like Sarah and Paul ..."}, {"response": 1147, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Nov  6, 2000 (21:08)", "body": "Reminded me of Hornby's style. (heavy editing, perhaps?? Oh, I'm sure it's all his own work! It's not so much in the style of Nick Hornby but in the style of contemporary first person young adolescent (which is a voice NH often uses) Some of the other stories have the same style. Robert Harris's story reads differently because he's adopted a different kind of persona. Can't comment on whether the story captures an 11-year-old boy's POV accurately, as have no basis or foundation for such, but on several occasions it did strike me as expressing more mature thoughts. I think he captures the POV very well, but there has to be that extra degree of maturity to give poignancy and substance to the narrative. Just been reading about the London Film Festival. I see that two other new British films which are being shown with DQ in the much less prestigious Birmingham fest have been selected for a West End screening in the London fest (one is a low budget comedy set in North London, about a man who can't commit to his girlfriend (yawn),the other is a twenty-something relationships drama, based on improvisation (yawn, yawn, Y-aw-n, snore). Was DQ actually submitted/turned down? If so, I give up totally on the British film industry (and so should CF!!!)"}, {"response": 1148, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov  6, 2000 (22:53)", "body": "Was DQ actually submitted/turned down? If so, I give up totally on the British film industry (and so should CF!!!) Simmer down, Bethan;-) DQ was not submitted...I asked.Donna Franceschild said that at the time it was still in the hands of BBC. It's BBC that you and Colin should give up on. IMHO they continuously exploit him."}, {"response": 1149, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov  6, 2000 (23:36)", "body": "(Bethan) Oh, I'm sure it's all his own work! Did I imply otherwise? ;-D It just read like a younger version of Marcus from AAB, although Marcus isn't with it enough to come up with TTPUYL. The Cairo Film Festival has put up its 2000 site...finally! It starts tomorrow. Donovan Quick is in a category called Festival of Festivals, films which were shown at festivals over the past year. So it is NOT in competition. However, the site gives no further info on the film or even the date to be shown. The schedule link does not work yet. http://www.cairofilmfest.com/index.htm"}, {"response": 1150, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov  7, 2000 (00:09)", "body": "We are really desperate for some news. The Cairo FF, does Colin write well, BBC or no BBC... Could someone in the UK just call his agent and ask about Armadillo? If filming is to start on Monday, he must be able to confirm it. Off to read ODBs story."}, {"response": 1151, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Nov  7, 2000 (01:23)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1152, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Nov  7, 2000 (01:25)", "body": "Hmmm, I swear I didn't lay out my 1st paragraph that way. Oh well."}, {"response": 1153, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov  7, 2000 (02:02)", "body": "Even though Heide did fix her tags in the next message, the itsy bitsy bold type was so difficult to read. So I am reposting Heide's message: Heide: I know the man doesn't live in a vacuum but I found it kind of funny to read references to Pokemon cards and Ricky Martin. Did I think he eschews (gesundheit) fame so much for himself that he's blissfully unaware of what's hot at the moment? Silly me. I can say that I'm not embarrassed for him in the slightest. He has some nice turns of phrases and imho thought he did very well with descriptions of the teacher and brother."}, {"response": 1154, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Tue, Nov  7, 2000 (08:51)", "body": "Doesn't he have a 9 year old son ? Having a kid probably means he is much more in tune with current fads and trends ( Pokemon etc) than he would be if he was just the O so serious actor ?"}, {"response": 1155, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov  7, 2000 (14:10)", "body": "His son is probably 11 by now. I too was surprised to find the references to Pokemon cards and Ricky Martin. Loved his Walden Bridge. Lucien Lothair sounds so familiar I will have to ask my boys about that name. I LOL several times, which is more than I can say for NHs story which was clever but not funny. I have three boys, two are ages 9 and 11 and I found some of it was not very realistic. Henry was oftentimes too much like an adult. And in those cases, it was a bit forced. One thing he probably got from Will is Henry's repeated used of: \"it's like\", as many kids do today instead of just saying what it is. (That is something my boys have been warned against repeatedly). The fairy tale was so good, I wish he would have stuck to it. Of course, he would have lost the laughs. Maybe next time. :-D Bravo, Colin!"}, {"response": 1156, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Nov  7, 2000 (17:32)", "body": "I asked.Donna Franceschild said that at the time it was still in the hands of BBC. It's BBC that you and Colin should give up on. IMHO they continuously exploit him. Now don't get me started on the Beeb! They really are TTPUYL! Colin's story will be one that reads very well out loud (Two different stories, different characters, some dialogue, humour.) On a more serious note, he captures a child's reaction to serious illness and dying, very well. I like the contemporary cultural references, although do Tintin and gobstoppers hark back more to his own childhood? Or perhaps Henry is a slightly old-fashioned child."}, {"response": 1157, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Nov  7, 2000 (22:21)", "body": "Heide: I know the man doesn't live in a vacuum but..... I too was struck by the contemporary refs - even Westlife & All Saints got a look in but would concede that, for all these, Henry is perhaps an 11 year old of another time. I found the characterisation of Max (Henry's 14 year old brother) to be spot on. I can remember two of my brothers at Max and Henry's ages interacting in exactly the same way, it was given that the eldest could knock seven kinds of nastiness out of the younger, woebetide anyone else who laid a finger on him. There were many phrases that I identified with..\"pants\" being the one which stood out, as in TTPUYL (\"things that pants up your life\"). I'm willing to admit that I have been known to go ever so slightly postal during where's my car keys (an irksome version of \"where's my glasses\" ). To those who wonder what I'm rambling about then you haven't had the pleasure of reading ODB's meisterwerk yet...... blatantly !!"}, {"response": 1158, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Tue, Nov  7, 2000 (22:46)", "body": "Is *blatantly* a word an 11 year old would know? How about *irksome*? A very smart 11 year old, a voracious reader, maybe."}, {"response": 1159, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov  7, 2000 (23:09)", "body": "(Lassie)Is *blatantly* a word an 11 year old would know? How about *irksome*? A very smart 11 year old, a voracious reader, maybe. Or maybe he learned them from his Gram:-) evelyn*who hasn't read it yet* Hey Lassie....I thought you would have given us your review by now;-))"}, {"response": 1160, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov  7, 2000 (23:46)", "body": "(Tracy) There were many phrases that I identified with..\"pants\" being the one which stood out You identified with the \"pants\" thing, right? You'd never heard that expression before. Have read a few more (as I'm not a jumper-arounder) and have liked them all. Definitely recommend Melissa Banks' \"Bridget dates a younger man\" story, though Banks' didn't stretch on this one. Surprisingly, the \"Last Requests\" one I found v. well done and intriguing. ******* Another article on Hornby and the book (no mention of Colin) in The Scotsman (Nov 6, 2000) Living with Danny Nick Hornby enjoys the success that three best-selling books can bring. His novels are loved by readers and critics alike, prompting a pounds 2 million publishing contract and a film deal worth a similar amount for the rights to his third book. But all the literary success and acclaim cannot compare to the joy that Hornby feels when his only child, seven-year-old Danny, looks into his eyes and smiles. While most fathers would take such bonding for granted, Hornby can't. His son Danny is profoundly autistic, caught in his own private world and out of reach of even the simplest communication at times. \"There are great frustrations in parenting Danny,\" says Hornby, \"but then he will be very loving and affectionate and it's worth all the pain.\" Hornby is one of the most successful writers of his generation. His books Fever Pitch, High Fidelity and About a Boy continue to sell by the thousands. Although in control of his work, Hornby finds Danny's condition a source of much frustration. \"It's inevitable that you feel everything's much more of a hassle than it is for anybody else,\" he admits. \"Of course I resent it at times - you wish your life was easier.\" Hornby is divorced from Virginia Bovell, Danny's mother, their marriage having suffered under the strain of bringing up their autistic child. But they remain close. It was Virginia who helped found TreeHouse, a specialist school in London for autistic children where Danny has blossomed into a little boy who can hug his dad. Hornby knows that Danny will always suffer from this condition but he is doing what he can to make his life the best it can be. That includes using his contacts to persuade best-selling authors to contribute a short story for a book to raise funds for his son's school. The result is Speaking with the Angel, a compilation of one-offs from Roddy Doyle, Irvine Welsh and Zadie Smith, among others. A donation of Pounds 1 from each copy sold will go to the TreeHouse school. \"I wanted to use my position to do whatever I could,\" says Hornby. \"I do think a book like this is a good way of raising consciousness and money.\" Danny was a beautiful baby but a nagging suspicion that something was wrong haunted Hornby and his wife. Their son was wonderfully loving with them but withdrawn and indifferent to strangers, unable to connect with unfamiliar people or places. At 18 months old, he \"crashed like a computer\", in Hornby's words, and regressed. \"There is a kind of long, slow dawning realisation that something is terribly amiss, during which time everyone tells you that there is nothing amiss,\" says Hornby. \"Everyone tries to be supportive and says, 'Oh, Einstein didn't speak until he was five,' and all this sort of thing, but there's something I think that tells you that your child is not Einstein. You are torn between believing the worst and hoping for the best.\" Danny was eventually diagnosed autistic aged three. He was lucky. Some parents wait six or seven years before their fears are confirmed by the experts. \"It feels like the worst nightmare for a parent,\" admits Hornby, speaking at his north London home. \"Then you start to readjust and think of all the other things it could be. \"Very quickly you start to adjust to the situation, trying to find out more about the condition and what can be done. Autism is a weird thing because actually the child doesn't need help, they don't want to be helped. They want to live in their own world and they don't want that world penetrated and part of the hard thing as a parent is knowing that you have to if he's going to make any progress at all. \"It's not like Danny's suffering in any way, but you know on the other hand that you can't just let him twirl round and round in a room, or look at his hands - which is probably what he'd like to do if he was left to his own devices. \"The burden is on the parents to do something about that, so you do end up feeling quite guilty if you're just too fed up or tired to stop it, but that is what you have to do.\" Hornby believes education has been vital for his son's progress. At TreeHouse, he is developing with a special educational therapy which sets attainable goals and helps him achieve them. Sadly, very few schools offer similar intensive help. At present, there are only 3,306 specialist places for the estimated 73,600 children with autistic problems. Many children are just not receiving the help they need. Hornby is pa"}, {"response": 1161, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Nov  8, 2000 (00:08)", "body": "Lassie (Lassie) * Tue, Nov 7, 2000 (16:46) * 1 lines Is *blatantly* a word an 11 year old would know? How about *irksome*? A very smart 11 year old, a voracious reader, maybe. Topic 134 of 137 [drool]: Colin Firth (Part 8) Response 1159 of 1160: Evelyn (lafn) * Tue, Nov 7, 2000 (17:09) * 6 lines (Lassie)Is *blatantly* a word an 11 year old would know? How about *irksome*? A very smart 11 year old, a voracious reader, maybe. (Evelyn) Or maybe he learned them from his Gram:-) Wonderful points. Maybe \"blatantly\" and \"irksome\" were words the 11 year old Colin knew. He was the son of academics; so he probably grew up in a book filled household."}, {"response": 1162, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Nov  8, 2000 (15:51)", "body": "Just to say that the GUARDIAN today has a similar feature as the one so kindly reproduced for us by Karen from Scotsman. Guess the same old publicity needs to do the rounds! Again NO mention of ODB's contribution to the book. The end of the feature mentions the bash in the last week of November (tickets \ufffd15)where readings from the book feature. Remind me........! Did some far more alert drooler not say ODB does not feature in the programme of excerpts?"}, {"response": 1163, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov  8, 2000 (16:20)", "body": "Here's a link to the Guardian's interview with Nick: http://www.booksunlimited.co.uk/departments/generalfiction/story/0,6000,394220,00.html Lizza, none of the publicity for the charity bash has mentioned Colin as attending. Insofar as the book is concerned...reread in between hourly/half hourly election projections. Quite a few of you know how \"blantantly irksome\" I found certain things. ;-D However, on reflection, I think those words are used very intentionally to show a boy, who learns new words from his grandmother each day and from doing crosswords, but doesn't use them exactly right. To me, they never seem to fit in with the rest of the narrative. Henry's recounting of his granny's story is another problem area for me. Storytelling is a gift. It has to be compelling and grab the reader. Perhaps, because it is \"retold\" through Henry, who may not have The Gift, that it doesn't for me. Perhaps it is because another author I admire does this so much better. Unfair comparison, I know. As Heide said, CF has acquitted himself well for a first effort."}, {"response": 1164, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Nov  8, 2000 (16:25)", "body": "Thanks for confirming that for me Karen. Also ENGLISH PATIENT is showing on C4 at 9pm on Sunday."}, {"response": 1165, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Nov  8, 2000 (16:55)", "body": "(Tracy) I'm willing to admit that I have been known to go ever so slightly postal during where's my car keys (an irksome version of \"where's my glasses\"). To those who wonder what I'm rambling about then you haven't had the pleasure of reading ODB's meisterwerk yet...... blatantly!! LOL, Tracy! The 'pants' expression was a new one on me. I know the word is generally used differently in the UK vs. the US but I'd not heard it used in the 'screw' or 'eff-up' sense. (Karen) Quite a few of you know how \"blantantly irksome\" I found certain things. Hee hee! ...I think those words are used very intentionally to show a boy, who learns new words from his grandmother each day and from doing crosswords, but doesn't use them exactly right. Good point about the crosswords. Felt that the word 'luminous' occurring to an 11-year old was a bit ludicrous. ;-) But overall thought it was a v. good story, v. creative. CF was spot-on about kids of this age and their bathroom humor ('bottom-cough'? I was LOL). (Karen) Perhaps it is because another author I admire does this so much better. What, you want 'The Fairy Melusina'? ;-D"}, {"response": 1166, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov  8, 2000 (17:09)", "body": "Have just finished reading \"The Dept. of Nothing\"....sorry, Henry is not Holden Caulfield to me.Holden is far more coherent...older too, I think. Though I found the story OK..parts v. funny..esp \"where's my glasses mum.. and the Evil Shed .The prose was awkward at times and confused me to visualize Henry...til I realized that he probably was mimicking his granma using her vocabulary ( no kid, no matter how much he reads will use those multi-syllable words), and perhaps the past generation popular tin tin books. If so, if the words had been in italics, then it would have alerted the reader that they were not Henry's words... As Heide said, CF has acquitted himself well for a first effort. Agree...but I wouldn't be too hasty in giving up his day-job..."}, {"response": 1167, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov  8, 2000 (19:28)", "body": "Agree...but I wouldn't be too hasty in giving up his day-job... Speaking of his day job... ;-)"}, {"response": 1168, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov  8, 2000 (19:32)", "body": "This is a reminder that we will start discussing Apartment Zero tomorrow at Topic 98, and look forward to all your comments."}, {"response": 1169, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov  8, 2000 (19:51)", "body": "(Karen) Perhaps it is because another author I admire does this so much better. (Eileen)What, you want 'The Fairy Melusina'? ;-D LOL...Incidentally, is the inscription above the door the author's attempt at poetry? It's sweet...esp.when the man with whom Emma has fallen in love asks her to dance and she thought\" 'if the heart but hesitate\" and she took his hand...\" ~~~~~~```` (Ev)Agree...but I wouldn't be too hasty in giving up his day-job... (Moon)Speaking of his day job... ;-) You mean....\"The Waiting Room of Nothing\" ;-)"}, {"response": 1170, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Nov  8, 2000 (20:34)", "body": "He's writing in the voice of a ten year old, not in his own voice. He recounts the fairy story as Henry would have remembered/told it (explaining what \"garb\" means, for example.) Henry doesn't quite recall the wording of the inscription, hence the repeated \"something something\". If CF told the story as himself, a 40 year old man, I'm sure it would be completely different in style. But the actual narrative also has to have a more mature perspective and vocabulary, if it is to hold the attention of an adult readership. To write convincingly in the first person as a child (as opposed to a 16-17 year old )is very difficult. (It would have been much easier to write in the third person.) I think he's caught the tone very well."}, {"response": 1171, "author": "tamzin", "date": "Wed, Nov  8, 2000 (21:03)", "body": "Due to weather, flooding, Rail Track and transport problems we now have spare tickets for the reading at the Italian Institute this Sunday so if anyone would like to go just let me know."}, {"response": 1172, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Nov  8, 2000 (21:18)", "body": "(Evelyn) You mean....\"The Waiting Room of Nothing\" ;-) *snort* How apropos. Hope the waiting room session is ending soon."}, {"response": 1173, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov  8, 2000 (21:49)", "body": "...He's writing in the voice of a ten year old, not in his own voice... ......If CF told the story as himself, a 40 year old man, I'm sure it would be completely different in style. Thank you, Bethan . I think we all realize that. And moreover, we all are v. complimentary of the story as a first-time author."}, {"response": 1174, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov  8, 2000 (22:59)", "body": "(Evelyn) You mean....\"The Waiting Room of Nothing\" ;-) Now we know the real meaning behind the title. ;-) (Eileen), *snort* How apropos. Hope the waiting room session is ending soon. And if it does, I doubt that that he would want us to know about it. ;-)"}, {"response": 1175, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Nov  9, 2000 (09:51)", "body": "The programme for the 16th Birmingham Film and TV Festival arrived today and as Aishling has already said DQ is being shown at 3pm on Sunday 19th November, at the Midland Arts Centre. (Nothing is ever simple when trying to see a CF film, instead of being screened just up the road from where we are staying at the Odean, where some films are showing, it is 6 miles out of Birmingham, oh well, just hope it stops raining, I am sure it will be worth it though!!)"}, {"response": 1176, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Thu, Nov  9, 2000 (11:01)", "body": "What is 6 miles of good road?"}, {"response": 1177, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Nov  9, 2000 (14:57)", "body": "(Lassie)What is 6 miles of good road? Not much, unless it's flooded... (Karen)...reread in between hourly/half hourly election projections. Ha! Knew you would be watching those ;-)"}, {"response": 1178, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Nov  9, 2000 (18:29)", "body": "(Gi) Ha! Knew you would be watching those ;-) She's not alone. Now back to my prayer vigil...;-)"}, {"response": 1179, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov  9, 2000 (19:09)", "body": "(Ann) Nothing is ever simple when trying to see a CF film Ain't it the truth! ;-D Maybe the sun will come out by this weekend for you. Fingers crossed for both you and Aishling. BTW, many films are showing at the MAC, so DQ hasn't been singled out for exile. The MAC website says it is 2 miles from city centre: http://www.birminghamarts.org.uk/mac.html"}, {"response": 1180, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Nov  9, 2000 (19:26)", "body": "I too received my Film festival prog this morning, not much blurb on DQ but then it is a very small programme. Whether I make it is v much dependent upon whether: A) We have another fuel crisis, B) We have more flooding C) We have trains travelling at 00.1mph (as they seem to be doing at the moment!) As I've been spending more time on the train lately ;-( I got to read all of the tales in Speaking with the Angel. All had their merits - NippleJesus (NH) and Dave Eggers' efforts stand out as those that I would recommend. To say that I enjoyed Catholic Guilt (You Know You Love It) - Irvine Welsh is probably going a bit far, his style is so 'in your face', but the story itself with the clever twisty ending certainly had me thinking! (Ev)Agree...but I wouldn't be too hasty in giving up his day-job... (Moon)Speaking of his day job... ;-) (Ev)You mean....\"The Waiting Room of Nothing\" ;-) LOL! How cutting, but oh so sadly true!"}, {"response": 1181, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Nov  9, 2000 (21:16)", "body": "Ann, MAC is very near the city centre. We spent about 18 months in the Birmingham area, and I have vague memories of Cannon Hill Park. It's in Edgbaston, certainly under 2 miles from the centre. \"The Waiting Room of Nothing\" ;-) Ah, chin up! We've got the videos of RV and MLSF in just over two weeks in the UK! (Amazingly, MLSF was filmed three and a half years ago!!) And theyll start prompting BJD soon. And hopefully he'll answer questions at the Institute!"}, {"response": 1182, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Nov  9, 2000 (21:30)", "body": "and he is supposed to be starting filming on something this coming Monday, fingers crossed that it is Armadillo, when oh when are A&E going to confirm it!! It is so frustrating. Thanks Karen and Bethan, I am glad to hear it is only 2 miles from the City Centre, I was told 6 miles anda 15mins bus ride. As Tracey says I too am keeping my fingers crossed on all of the above, I hope we can report back that all has been fine and are as enthusiatic as Karen at seeing DQ on the big screen."}, {"response": 1183, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov  9, 2000 (22:55)", "body": "(Ann W.)I hope we can report back that all has been fine and are as enthusiatic as Karen at seeing DQ on the big screen. (Bethan)And hopefully he'll answer questions at the Institute! I shall be honoured to lend my Colin Firth tee shirt to anyone going to the Birmingham FF or the Italian Institute. Besides making a fashion statement , you'll really stand out during the Q&A ;-))"}, {"response": 1184, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Nov 10, 2000 (10:38)", "body": "Ann, did you know that David Blair is listed as Director/Speaker for DQ? So should be available for questions. http://www.birminghamarts.org.uk/mac.html Click on current events. Scroll down to November 19. I'd love to know why the BBC aren't promoting DQ. And when it will be more accessible (TV or Big Screen)"}, {"response": 1185, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Nov 10, 2000 (14:16)", "body": "Thanks Bethan, although I can't promise to ask any questions, I am a bit of a coward when it comes to asking questions in public."}, {"response": 1186, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Nov 10, 2000 (19:03)", "body": "I shall be honoured to lend my Colin Firth tee shirt to anyone going to the Birmingham FF Pfffffttt! ;-D Hey, don't give anyone any ideas..."}, {"response": 1187, "author": "Noelle", "date": "Sun, Nov 12, 2000 (04:18)", "body": "Where is everyone? Isn't the reading tomorrow? I've been lurking for almost a year now after briefly introducing myself, and now a lack of drool has forced me to de-lurk again. I am happy to report that I have that Lifetime movie channel, so I will be able to watch SLOW on Monday (but unable to tape, as my VCR is not working). Also by happy circumstance I was browsing my channels last month, noticed I had STARZ, and that RV was on THAT NIGHT!!!! I rather enjoyed it for the campy comedy it was, and HE got quite a lot of screen time, although, admittedly, not as many lines. Ah, well, I shall check back tomorrow."}, {"response": 1188, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Nov 12, 2000 (07:26)", "body": "Welcome Noelle, yes the Reading is today and I can't wait to hear all about it and whether or not someone has found out what he is filuning on Monday. What a dearth of Firth, it is about time we had some really meaty news."}, {"response": 1189, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 12, 2000 (14:15)", "body": "Nice to see you delurk again, Noelle. Lack of news can be frustrating, but we will hear about the reading later today. I think the ladies are going out afterward, so there could be a delay in posting their impressions. Too bad about the VCR and what bad timing, with both RV and SLOW being shown, but like you, I enjoyed Colin's part in RV. He does some absolutely great, OTT acting. One of my favorite bits has got to be when Miranda comes into the drawing room before dinner and is going on about waking up in a different world. Colin is mimicing (spelling looks v. wrong) her behind her back. Is too funny."}, {"response": 1190, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Sun, Nov 12, 2000 (14:32)", "body": "Carrying on behind Miranda's back! I agree! The funniest bit!"}, {"response": 1191, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 12, 2000 (17:42)", "body": "Nice to have you back, Noelle.RV is fastly becoming one of my favorites...he's getting better at this comedy bit.I like the part that he answers the telephone from Lord Marshwood..\"knew you had the king...\". Then later...Oh I wanted to say good-bye\" (With the limp wrist!). Of course the \"Bogie\" part is still #1."}, {"response": 1192, "author": "Noelle", "date": "Sun, Nov 12, 2000 (18:26)", "body": "I agree with you, Karen, about the fantastic OTT acting. Some others might have thought it too much, but we knew what he was doing, and what he is capable of. I didn't know how I would handle him playing \"family\", but actually, that could be quite overlooked in most of the scenes, and one could kinda pretend he was just a \"foppish English gentleman\". I thought he was spot on in every scene, and I know a few guys like him (unfortunately, not any that look like him, but as they would be gay, perhaps that's a good thing!). On to other things. I just discovered to my joy that my mother has a copy of \"Camille\", which I promptly requisitioned. I know some of you (all?) don't like it, but I haven't seen it yet, and didn't think I could get a copy, and right now, any new (meaning I haven't seen it yet)CF movie is a blessing to me. My collection has really grown lately, especially with the addition of 7 movies which I have recently acquired, then promptly sat down and watched in a film festival, from earliest on. Now, I am off to watch \"Camille\". Thank God for gray Sundays."}, {"response": 1193, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Nov 12, 2000 (19:11)", "body": "Have gotten an early report from the reading; seems that Colin is doing a film with Ken Branagh, set in Nazi Germany. Found this at a Branagh fansite; seems like it fits the bill. Maybe our ladies who went to the reading will have more info: \"After Rabbit Proof Fence, Ken will film HBO's Conspiracy , the true story of a secret meeting of the Third Reich at Wannsee in 1942 where the \"Final Solution\" for the extermination of the Jews was drafted. He will star with Stanley Tucci as Reinhard Heydrich, the second-in-command to Heinrich Himmler and the boss of Adolf Eichmann (Tucci).\""}, {"response": 1194, "author": "tamzin", "date": "Sun, Nov 12, 2000 (19:23)", "body": "Mari you got there first! Yes this is what I have deduced from what I heard at the reading. He dashed off as soon as he had finished the actual reading without waiting for a question and answer session or to join us for drinks upstairs. One of our number asked Livia where he was and she said he had had to go to the filming. The personal filming the reading had already told us some rough details about the film he is now shooting but not the part Colin is playing nor the title of the film. The only clue was it starred KB - hence I came to the same conclusion as Mari. The reading was good but we were all disappointed not to have a chance to talk to Colin, take photos or get any autographs. He read four pieces from selected Italian authors. The second one was particularly good. I'm afraid I cannot give more details as I was unable to catch the names of the authors or the pieces except there was an extract from The Leopard. I hope one of the others is more familiar with the Italian names and can fill in the gaps."}, {"response": 1195, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 12, 2000 (19:37)", "body": "Noelle, sounds like quite a filmfest you're having. Since you do get all those obscure cable channels, Camille is being shown on it all the time plus that version has much better color than the commercial copy, which had additional scenes deleted. Thanks for the news, Mari. I remember seeing the project being announced and thinking about KB being on television. Poor guy isn't doing very well on the big screen these days. Anyway, here's the article from the Hollywood Reporter: Branagh, Tucci join 'Conspiracy' (Sept. 14, 2000) by Cathy Dunkley Kenneth Branagh and Stanley Tucci have signed on to star in HBO Films' \"Conspiracy,\" expected to start shooting in Europe in the fall. The project, to be directed by Frank Pierson and written by Loring Mandel, chronicles the secret meeting in 1942 of the Third Reich at Wannsee, where Hitler and his senior advisers drew up plans for the Final Solution for the extermination of the Jews. The project will be produced by Nick Gillott and executive produced by Pierson, Peter Zinner and Frank Doelger, a former HBO executive who now serves as a consultant to the company. Branagh, whose participation marks a departure for the actor who is usually featured on film, will play the role of Reinhard Heydrich, the second in command to Heinrich Himmler and the boss of Adolf Eichmann, who will be played by Tucci. *********** Then Ananova had an item based on the same info: Kenneth Branagh to play Hitler henchman Kenneth Branagh is to play one of Hitler's henchmen in a new film made for American television called Conspiracy. The \ufffd3 million HBO production, directed by Frank Pierson and written by Loring Mandel, will begin filming shortly in France and Germany. The story chronicles the secret 1942 meeting of senior Third Reich officials at which Hitler authorised the drawing up of the Final Solution extermination plan to murder Europe's Jews. Branagh has agreed to play Reinhard Heydrich, Hitler's favourite before he was assassinated by Czech patriots in Prague, while Adolf Eichmann, who was snatched and executed after the Second World War, will be played by American star Stanley Tucci. An associate of Branagh said: \"This may seem a little off the wall for Ken but it is a fascinating period in history and outside the scope of his normal work. He liked the challenge.\""}, {"response": 1196, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Nov 12, 2000 (19:51)", "body": "Thanks for the reports, and the follow-up information! But does this mean he's already done \"Armadillo\"?"}, {"response": 1197, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Nov 12, 2000 (19:56)", "body": "Wot, no Armadillo, I have just bought the book, and I must say I like the sound of Amadillo better than this, oh well I guess Colin knows what he is doing, well let's hope so. I must say though it is slightly disappointing!!"}, {"response": 1198, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Nov 12, 2000 (20:04)", "body": "The more I think about it the more I can see James Frain as Lorimer, perhaps Colin gave up \"A\" for \"C\".(I am really sorry about this!!"}, {"response": 1199, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Nov 12, 2000 (20:28)", "body": "Question, are we likely to get to see an HBO film here on UK TV?"}, {"response": 1200, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 12, 2000 (20:31)", "body": "(Noelle)..I just discovered to my joy that my mother has a copy of \"Camille\", ....I know some of you (all?) don't like it Some of us do, Noelle.It was one of his early films and he looks v. boyish. Terrific cast...you'll enjoy it as an early work. Thanks Mari and Jennie for the update on the Italian reading. And Karen for the instant archival articles on \"Conspiracy\". Sounds like a good break for Colin. HBO has gotten several Emmys in the past for their outstanding productions.The film will be critically reviewed because it's KB first original film for US TV. HBO also does extensive media publicity for their original productions. I'm for it...sure beats another BBC number that is apt to sit on a shelf!"}, {"response": 1201, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Sun, Nov 12, 2000 (20:33)", "body": "Amen!"}, {"response": 1202, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Nov 12, 2000 (20:41)", "body": "Maybe, but I am not convinced."}, {"response": 1203, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Nov 12, 2000 (21:18)", "body": "Thanks for the reports and instant updates on \"Conspiracy\"! Ann, Re.\"Armadillo\", my thought are thus (may be wrong!) I would think this is a new project, in addition to \"Armadillo\", which I hope he's completed or is about to start. He obviously was working on the KB film today (ie he's already shooting it)so it's not something he's atarting on Monday. \ufffd3million isn't a huge budget (less than RV and SLOW, probably less than \"Armadillo\"), so I shouldn't think this wil be an immensely long action \"war movie\". It's probably a \"talk\" movie, more intellectually and morally critical, with a good screenplay. The full deliberations of the Wannsee meeting to discuss the Anti-Semite \"Final Solution\" for removing the Jews from Europe are on the Net, plus a list of participants in the meeting. If KB and Stanley Tucci are the leads, CF must be playing one of the other participants,probably a member of the SS, certainly a supporter of the Third Reich. This film has to be an anti-racist statement, otherwise I can't see why it would be made, or why actors like Tucci, Branagh and CF himself would want to be involved I can't see him giving up a lead role in \"Armadillo\" , for what is probably a supporting (but very different and challenging) role in Conspiracy\", and would hope he's doing both. Despite the fact that I got so worked up about James Frain \"starring\" in \"Armadillo\", I can't see how JF could play Lorimer. He doesn't look English enough...the whole point of Lorimer is that despite his background, he passes easily for an English -or Scottish- gentleman and is a cameleon. James Frain tends to play (for want of a better word!)\"foreigners\"...East/Southern Europeans. Just my humble opinion! Jennie, what was his hair like (short back and sides?). That could give a clue as to the role."}, {"response": 1204, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Nov 12, 2000 (21:28)", "body": "Wannsee meeting and list of attendees http://motlc.weisenthal.com/text/x34/xm3417.html"}, {"response": 1205, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 12, 2000 (21:40)", "body": "I don't think he gave up Armadillo and didn't say so....I think Armadillo is in the can.This is a new role....but still a better choice than a \"going no-where lottery or BBC film\" BTW These are the same folks who brought you Hostages...."}, {"response": 1206, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Nov 12, 2000 (22:53)", "body": "Sorry, it was my thoughts that perhaps he had given up on Armadillo, what with all the prevaricating by A&E when Mari telephoned, and then the news of James Frain and the fact that is has not been confirmed by A&E (Variety), I just felt that he must have dropped out of the Armadillo project and to be honest we still don't know for sure that he is connected with it. Oh well, never mind I am sure this will be good and if it is half as good as Hostages then there is nothing to worry about. I just can't get excited about a drama about Nazis discussing what they are going to do with the Jews (very simplistic I know) but there it is. I will say no more."}, {"response": 1207, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Nov 12, 2000 (23:51)", "body": "Jennie, thanks for your report. It's a good thing you ladies thought to ask the person filming the reading about what CF was up to, or we'd have no clue about this next project. Good, resourceful sleuthing! Any other details you can share about the reading? Colin's attire, hair, mood, any in-between intros of the material? Length of his reading, size of crowd, how close were you able to get, was it mostly CF fans? Was Livia by herself? Livia's attire, hair, and degree of pregnancy or lack thereof? (See, I always go for the important info! LOL!) Ann, my hunch (and my hope) is that they just haven't gotten their act together yet on Armadillo, so maybe he is doing Conspiracy in-between. I loved Armadillo, and have gotten so used to thinking of CF as Lorimer/Milo that I would be disappointed if he wasn't doing it. But I still think he is. Also, one of the Branagh sites says Ken is currently in Berlin filming Conspiracy, and that filming is expected to wrap on December 8."}, {"response": 1208, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Nov 13, 2000 (01:00)", "body": "It is possible that he is filming his scenes from Conspiracy quickly so that hw can return to do Armidillo."}, {"response": 1209, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 13, 2000 (01:23)", "body": "Report from the set...Chicago-style At this very minute, Mike Binder is a block away filming some scenes for his HBO pilot. (It's on the same block where Mel Gibson was, btw) Am hoping to talk to him and will go back in a bit. Back to the reading...I echo Mari's comments. Any more delicious details? On Conspiracy, there are lots of possibilities as to what Colin would be playing. I think some of the historical background sites said there were 15 men in the room. Also, since it isn't based on any specific book, Colin could even be a British government official. We will have to wait. HBO's productions are big deals. Stanley Tucci has been nominated for a couple of Emmy's I think for HBO work (Winchell) (AnnW) I just can't get excited about a drama about Nazis discussing what they are going to do with the Jews Doesn't exactly make me jump for joy either, but think back to Ralph F and his career making role. :-)"}, {"response": 1210, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Nov 13, 2000 (01:34)", "body": "Check out imdb.com for a movie called Wannseekonferenz directed by Heinz Schirk. It was made in 1984 for German TV and recreated the Wannsee Conference (15 men sitting round a table). It was shown in the US (English subtitles) and gets brilliant reviews. Gives you an indication of what the KB/ST/CF movie could be like. Go to it, Karen!"}, {"response": 1211, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 13, 2000 (02:23)", "body": "Bethan's link to the \"text\" didn't work, so here's the page before: http://motlc.wiesenthal.com/pages/t083/t08339.html Ladies who attended the Reading! I have a question. Did Colin look \"fit\"? Any indication he's kept up his routine and those six-pack abs? Inquiring minds have to know. ;-D"}, {"response": 1212, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 13, 2000 (03:08)", "body": "Thank you Bethan and Karen....fascinating reading. By the film reviews, I would think Colin would play Heinrich Muller the head of the Gestapo, KB, Eichmann, and ST, Heydrich. 85 minutes, perfect for TV docu-drama. Won award at Chicago FF in 1988!! Sounds like a winner..."}, {"response": 1213, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 13, 2000 (03:20)", "body": "THR said Branagh will play Reinhard Heydrich and Tucci will play Adolf Eichmann."}, {"response": 1214, "author": "tamzin", "date": "Mon, Nov 13, 2000 (12:12)", "body": "Will try and answer your questions this evening but am dashing up to Town now. However, I did e mail the Institute regarding the choice of subject and this is their reply: \"As for the choice of the extracts to be read, this is normally made by the Director himself. Then the actor of course has his say: in Colin's case, he was meant at the beginning to read only from Sciascia, then he considered Pirandello and finally opted for a selection of Sicilian authors. The themes, the feelings expressed and the way to express them have been entirely up to him."}, {"response": 1215, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 13, 2000 (18:17)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1216, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 13, 2000 (18:20)", "body": "Nothing new or exciting from the Binder boys. Spoke to Jack, who said \"it takes a long time\" (or similar) in response to a question about all of rest of us seeing Londinium. Doesn't sound v. hopeful to me. BTW, the actress who is playing Mikey's wife in the series is English. Crew member looked it up and said her name is Donna Barnes (long blonde hair with dark roots). Dialogue concerned Mikey's \"wanking\" (I kid you not!) and how inappropriate she thought it was for him, a married man with a child. Something about his looking about pictures of v. young things with tight little... *shaking head*"}, {"response": 1217, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Nov 13, 2000 (18:52)", "body": "Thanks to Jennie, Mari, Karen et.al for this new (*at last*) information. Am also surprised to read of Conspiracy. I agree with Evelyn and Karen--HBO productions are usually v. well done and well publicized. IMO more Americans will see this than Armadillo (but I also still hope he does that one). Good to see you de-lurk, Noelle. How'd you like Camille? *cough cough* *cue the violins* (Karen) Something about his looking about pictures of v. young things with tight little... *shaking head* Hee hee! 'Mikey-one-note' strikes again."}, {"response": 1218, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Nov 13, 2000 (19:57)", "body": "Oh, are you all going to love this. I just called HBO to ask about Conspiracy. They had no cast info beyond Branagh and Tucci, but they did tell me that HBO is co-producing with (wait for it;-). . . our friends at . . . BBC Films! Ta-da!:-) It is scheduled to air in the U.S. in April, 2001. Am very glad for our UK folks, as I'm not sure to what extent HBO films are sold abroad. I can only second what others have written about the quality of HBO films--they have won the Emmy for best TV film for the last 7 or 8 years running. Their original films are always high quality, and IMO, they have put our commercial networks here to shame."}, {"response": 1219, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Nov 13, 2000 (20:33)", "body": "(Karen) Spoke to Jack, who said \"it takes a long time\" Geez, Jack, it's a movie, not a presidential election.;-) Thanks for trying, K. Karen, what does Jack B. look like? I have a mental picture, based on the phone voice.;-) Bethan, thanks for the imdb info on Wannseekonferenz. I see it's available in NTSC. A vid store near me has a big foreign language section; will check if by some slim chance they carry. I am glad to see Colin getting back to serious drama. This sounds like it could be a very taut piece and a real showcase for the actors, ala 12 Angry Men (insofar as the claustrophobic setting and full reliance on the actors to tell the tale)."}, {"response": 1220, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 13, 2000 (20:40)", "body": "what does Jack B. look like? I have a mental picture Please transmit. April 2001!! How nice. I would've thought it was for next fall. (Mari) 12 Angry Men (insofar as the claustrophobic setting and full reliance on the actors to tell the tale). Ahem, Wannsee was a lovely resort villa. Expect to see them eating torten drinking caffe."}, {"response": 1221, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 13, 2000 (21:31)", "body": "April 2001...HBO doesn't let them sit around for long....(BBC Films...take note...)and then they'll probably sell it to the History Channel like they did with \"Hostages\"...they show it periodically. \"Conspiracy\" will live in their archives forevah!!At last...a real stretch for Colin.Though he's never a v. convincing \"baddie\" to me... Thanks Mari. Karen...I'm waiting for the Conspiracy page;-)....*twiddling fingers*"}, {"response": 1222, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 13, 2000 (21:51)", "body": "Karen...I'm waiting for the Conspiracy page;-)....* At the rate we are going without confirmation of his projects, you should do a *Grapeline* section and put Armadillo there. ;-)"}, {"response": 1223, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 13, 2000 (22:37)", "body": "Suggest people read the text account of the Wannsee conference that Bethan posted. It lasted about an hour and half and was not a deliberation of whether to accept the Final Solution. Rather, it was an implementation meeting, discussing problems, methods, classifications, technicalities, to accomplish. The Wiesenthal Center's info comes from the \"Encyclopedia of the Holocaust\" which has based its account from such sources as Eichmann's trial. Of course, some people may question its sources and reliability. That is their prerogative."}, {"response": 1224, "author": "tamzin", "date": "Mon, Nov 13, 2000 (23:37)", "body": "As promised will try and answer Mari's questions. Colin was dressed in dark grey trousers with a black shirt over a black tee shirt. His hair was cut very short at the back but was still curly on top but with no sideburns, and he was clean shaven but looking very pale which was emphasised by the black attire. His mood was very serious, in keeping with the readings. Before he appeared on stage a member of staff from the Institute introduced the items he would be reading. He then appeared through a side door, walked onto the stage smiled slightly and launched straight into the first extract. The lights were dimmed with just spotlights focused on him. These highlighted the planes on his face. He certainly appeared much thinner in his face so I would think has not put on any of the weight he lost. Looked tired but fit. The reading lasted for about an hour and I estimated that there were about 100 people present - virtually a full house. Not all Colin's fans as there were quite a number of Italians. We were sitting about 6 rows from the front and I had an excellent view of Colin. After reading the last piece he bowed briefly to the audience and then disappeared off stage while we were still applauding. Livia was wearing black trousers and sweater with a leopard print jerkin over. She was also wearing her glasses and if anything looked thinner than ever. Hope I covered all the questions."}, {"response": 1225, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Nov 14, 2000 (03:11)", "body": "Livia was wearing black trousers and sweater with a leopard print jerkin over. She was also wearing her glasses and if anything looked thinner than ever. Is it even possible to look thinner than she already does? Colin hasn't been a v. attentive hubby, I must say..."}, {"response": 1226, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Tue, Nov 14, 2000 (03:16)", "body": "Well...it could be just the opposite..."}, {"response": 1227, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov 14, 2000 (03:56)", "body": "Thanks, Jennie! When he read did he gesticulate? Did he hold the book in front of him or on his lap? Did he entice audience participation, did he pause for laughs? Did anyone ask Livia about Armadillo? What type of glasses was she wearing, big, small, tinted? She was also wearing her glasses and if anything looked thinner than ever. This is a typical modern Italian woman. Slightly anorexic, who smokes between courses to hold her appetite. They can never be too thin."}, {"response": 1228, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Nov 14, 2000 (10:44)", "body": "They had no cast info beyond Branagh and Tucci, but they did tell me that HBO is co-producing with (wait for it;-). . .our friends at . . . BBC Films! Ta-da!:-) It is scheduled to air in the U.S. in April, 2001. (Mari) Now that's what I like...a real date! You'll have a good month in the US...BJD and Conspiracy...quite a role stretch! And as it's the BBC (huh!), well we will see it, eventually, some time (2002?), which is good news. I think that this is definitely the sort of production he should be going for...serious heavyweight drama, and the absolute guarantee that it will be promoted and seen, especilaly in the US. The DQ/small films saga and the way our reviewers seem to think he's miscast/can't act if he does anything other than stride round Pemberley has made less than enthusiastic about the UK \"market\"! By the film reviews, I would think Colin would play Heinrich Muller the head of the Gestapo, (Evelyn) I would agree...seems like the next major role. Thanks very much for your reports Jennie! It's always nice to get a first hand account. Was there any theme to the readings? Do you think there'll be any audiorecordings for sale...it seems a shame that it is literally a one-off performance. I would have thought the Institute might have got Radio3 or 4 interested in making a recording, especially as Judi Dench is also reading. As he's very pale and still way too thin, he sounds as though he's been working very hard , not sunning himself in Umbria! I would guess that he agreed to the Italian reading thinking that he had a \"window\" but then perhaps the \"Conspiracy\" project came up and he had to reschedule dates. Nothing new or exciting from the Binder boys. Spoke to Jack, who said \"it takes a long time\" (or similar) in response to a question about all of rest of us seeing Londinium. Doesn't sound v. hopeful to me. Thanks for trying Karen. Maybe it will go to video. Would definitely like to see CF and Irene Jacob together. Wonder why they didn't screen in the UK...have they given up on the UK market? (wouldn't blame them). Our local Blockbusters has a copy of \"The Sex Monster\" though (with ghastly cover)!! BTW I think they should change the title of \"Londinium\"...sounds like a historical documentary not a movie."}, {"response": 1229, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Nov 14, 2000 (10:46)", "body": "sorry...where did all that space come from?"}, {"response": 1230, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Nov 15, 2000 (04:05)", "body": "(Moon) did he gesticulate? Moon! *Keep it clean* fergodsake!;-);-) Jennie, thanks again for the wonderful summary. Sounds like the hair (short sides and back, no sideburns) fits the new role in Conspiracy. (I hope they change the title, BTW; so many films have had that word in the title). Was looking back at my scribbled notes from talking with the HBO lady; forgot to mention that she said the film would be based on actual notes from the Wannsee meeting. Also, I see from the imdb that the Conspiracy director, Frank Pierson, also directed \"Truman\" with Gary Sinise a few years back--not sure what network that was produced for, but it was wonderful and got lots of accolades. I have to admit, though--I *still* much prefer big screen projects. They get far more publicity than TV, at least here. Karen, here's my Jack guess: taller than Mikey (and yes, I realize that fits about 98% of the adult male population, including Billy Barty;-). About 5' 8\" or 5' 9\". Slightly above average weight. Late '30s. Dark brown hair, curly, wears glasses. Sort of cute in a semi-nerdy way.:-)"}, {"response": 1231, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 15, 2000 (04:44)", "body": "(Mari) I hope they change the title, BTW; so many films have had that word in the title. I agree. Makes it sound like these guys got together to overthrow something. I think Sinese's Truman was HBO as well. (HBO lady) the film would be based on actual notes from the Wannsee meeting. They are all on the web...bring on the brandy. (Mari) here's my Jack guess Not bad. A little too tall (5'6\" at best; could be wearing platform shoes) and no glasses."}, {"response": 1232, "author": "tamzin", "date": "Wed, Nov 15, 2000 (10:02)", "body": "See a few more questions have been asked so will do my best Bethan asks if there was any theme to the readings. We all thought the theme was \"death\" so definitely no opportunity for audience participation or laughs. The whole reading was very sombre and his demeanour was very serious. They did make a video recording but this is not going to be available to purchase due to copyright ruling. However, it will be available for viewing at the Institute. (I suppose we will now have an influx of eager fans wanting to view!!!!!!) BTW Judi Dench is not now reading due to filming commitments. Elizabeth McGovern is reading in her place and this reading has been brought forward to Saturday, 25th November. With regard to the actual reading Colin alternated between sitting in a chair holding the book and standing, reading from a lectern. Moon asked about Livia's glasses - these were narrow with dark frames."}, {"response": 1233, "author": "kolin", "date": "Wed, Nov 15, 2000 (13:49)", "body": "A FoF called Colin's agent and got the following information: Colin is filming Conspiracy and he is playing the part of Dr Stuckart, Secretary of State of the Reich Ministery for the Interior"}, {"response": 1234, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 15, 2000 (14:02)", "body": "Thank you, Vera. Stuckart was a lawyer, constititional expert, party man. Drafted the Nuremberg Laws. One site called him caustic and bombastic."}, {"response": 1235, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 15, 2000 (15:43)", "body": "Thank you Jennie and Vera....great info... (Karen)...One site called him caustic and bombastic. I'm encouraged...If you have to get a supporting role, it's best to make noise...beats being a potted palm!!"}, {"response": 1236, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 15, 2000 (16:54)", "body": "I hate posting this....believe me... But I have just been informed by James Frain's agent that.. \"He is to play the *lead role* in Armadillo\"."}, {"response": 1237, "author": "aishling", "date": "Wed, Nov 15, 2000 (16:59)", "body": "Rats, damn and blast"}, {"response": 1238, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 15, 2000 (18:08)", "body": "Incredible :-( FYI, the Conspiracy page is up. Has links to a few sites with background info."}, {"response": 1239, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Nov 15, 2000 (18:37)", "body": "Dr. Stuckart, eh! Why do I picture Peter Sellers now -- and his uncontrollable arm??? On Another topic: A fan of Russell Crowe sent me information on this hilarious site today. It is brand new to me, but I did a search for Colin, and he is \"tradeable\" there. http://dynamic.movies.hsx.com/dynamic.nd/hsx/pgDetailEnt?symbol=CFIRT It is all free, and all a lot of fun -- if you understand the market at all, which I don't. Murph"}, {"response": 1240, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Nov 15, 2000 (19:18)", "body": "Oh, Evelyn, what a bummer! I suppose we'll never know the real reason why, but that won't stop us from speculating.;-) v.v. disappointing. Karen, the Conspiracy page looks good; great resource. He really looks wan in that pic; I can see where he could easily morph into the chilling portrayal that will undoubtedly be needed for C."}, {"response": 1241, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Nov 15, 2000 (19:32)", "body": "I knew I was tempting providence when I bought the book, as you say what a bummer, Conspiracy with Armadillo would have been okay but not \"instead\" of, I am so very disappointed. Surely he can't have turned it down, can he!! what is he thinking of. On something competely different I am also worried about the fact that Jennie says he looks tired and so very thin, he can't be overdoing it workwise so why is it, do you think, only speculating, don't really want an answer. Anyway, thanks Evelyn, for telephoning at least we know now. Did they say when filming on \"A\" is to start, perhaps it clashed with Conspiracy and he chose to do \"C\"."}, {"response": 1242, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Nov 15, 2000 (19:37)", "body": "Karen, I have just been to your Conspiracy page,is this a new photo and where is it from, he looks dreadful, gaunt and pale and thin, what on earth was wrong with his Mr.Darcy look, at least he looked healthy!! Oh dear I feel so depressed."}, {"response": 1243, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Nov 15, 2000 (19:56)", "body": "I think he looks as if he need some TLC, I volunteer, and I think he needs an adviser on his projects, unless of course, ODB did lose out to JF in which case I am sorry for him, but this Dr. S sounds a very unsympathetic character whereas I really liked Lorimer Black, oh well just as well I also like JF. Think I will go and watch the last episode of Morse to cheer myself up, no that's not quite right as he dies and it is the very last one, but you know what I mean, it is an excellent series."}, {"response": 1244, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Nov 15, 2000 (20:24)", "body": "(Evelyn) I hate posting this We know, Ev, but thanks. At least we *finally* have an answer about this project. Guess this time the phrase 'starring in' really meant 'starring'. Phooey. :-( Ah, well, things happen for a reason. Not that we know what the reason is...at least Conspiracy is a 'go'--could you imagine how disappointed we'd be otherwise? But wait 'til Bethan reads this news. (Ann) I knew I was tempting providence when I bought the book You can put it on your shelf next to the Flashman books. ;-) (Mari) I realize that fits about 98% of the adult male population, including Billy Barty;-). LOL! Too cruel!"}, {"response": 1245, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Nov 15, 2000 (21:01)", "body": "But wait 'til Bethan reads this news. Brought tears to my eyes, literally! But I'm resilient and I always prefer certainty to speculation. Thanks for taking the initiiative, Evelyn! To be honest, I've had a bad feeling about this ever since I read about James Frain, and despite my arguments to the contrary, I could see JF in the role (is there something unlucky about the initials JF?!!) Now, just to show how quickly I can change my tune, and argue for the opposition, I have to say that although I loved the book and thought Lorimer was very sweet, I did wonder whether CF had outgrown this type of role....rather disingenuous, a bit fey, lovesick, being sprayed in the supermarket etc, bullied by Hogg. Probably 30 rather than 40. I think he's reached the stage of doing roles with more authority. Mark Darcy is okay...late thirties, divorced, successful. Can also (sorry, I know !'m in the minority here!:-)) see him playing John Hatfield/Hope. And speaking of MOB, I found an up-to-date site listing current productions in development in Hollywood. MOB was listed (screenplay R.Khoury) and the studio/producer was given as United Artists/Tribeca (Robert de Niro's company?). Is this good? Also the Film Development Corporation in the UK are involved. Mind you, after Flashman, Armadillo, shouldn't even think about it! Not a good track record (Thank God he did BJD!) Thanks for the further info, Jennie. Theme of death...oh dear, he's not exactly a barrel of laughs at the moment, is he...maybe the mood of \"Conspiracy\" has affected him! The photo looks as though he's in character for Stockart..stern."}, {"response": 1246, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 15, 2000 (21:26)", "body": "\"ANY PORT IN A STORM DEPT\" MOB United Artists/Tribeca (Robert de Niro's company?). Karen/Mari...isn't Tribeca the company that Robert de Niro founded with Harvey? I agree that the picture fits the part of Herr Stuckart...didn't he once say that when he takes on a role he becomes immsersed in it and Livia says \"it's like living with two different people\"..? Great page, Karen..."}, {"response": 1247, "author": "caribou", "date": "Wed, Nov 15, 2000 (21:52)", "body": "Hello to all! I'm new to drool but not to drooling since I have been a Colin Firth fan for a while. I appreciate your comments, news and info on all things Colin. I will be reading and will post if I ever have anything to add. Thanks for all you do."}, {"response": 1248, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 15, 2000 (22:36)", "body": "Thanks, Jennie, Vera and Evelyn. It is sad that Colin will not star in Armadillo. He does not seem to be offered lead roles. Maybe he is playing Torquil, who is older than Milo and is not a small part? Vera, can your FOF friend call his agent and ask about Armadillo. Murph, what exactly is that site? I am off to check the Conspiracy page."}, {"response": 1249, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 15, 2000 (22:36)", "body": "Welcome to our merry party, Caribou!"}, {"response": 1250, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Nov 15, 2000 (22:40)", "body": "Bethan, I guess I won't be buying MOB, don't want to add it to the bokshelf eh Eileen. Welcome Caribou."}, {"response": 1251, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Nov 15, 2000 (22:42)", "body": "Moon, we don't know that he wasn't offered the lead role, it could be that he turned it down for some reason or another or that he preferred to do Conspiracy, though for the life of me I cannot see why!!"}, {"response": 1252, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 15, 2000 (22:44)", "body": "From Baz Bambigboye - Daily Mail (February 11, 2000) A Dark Time for Mr Darcy Colin Firth has signed up to work with the woman who helped make him a heart-throb. The actor, whose portrayal of the dangerously handsome Mr Darcy in P&P made him a household name, will collaborate with its award winning producer Sue Birtwistle, on a new TW drama. No tight breeches or coy glimpses of bare shoulder in this one though. This time Firth will play author William Boyd's modern-day literary here, Lorimer Black, an insurance adjuster from his novel Armadillo. Colin agreed to do this at a very early stage and it's perfect for him, Ms Birtwistle told me. Boyd is adapting his tale for the screen with filming beginning in the summer. The above is from Karen's Armadillo page. It makes one wonder what happened? Baz reported this. Is this supposed to mean nothing? It does not make sense."}, {"response": 1253, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 15, 2000 (22:48)", "body": "Ann, I hear you but it does not make sense. This sounds like something went on behind the scenes to get JF to play the lead. Maybe Sue had to convince too many people Colin was right for the role and it did not go his way. He would not take second best on a project he had been helping Boyd with. This might be what happened. Somebody get me a martini!"}, {"response": 1254, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Nov 15, 2000 (23:07)", "body": "I want to apologize for my rather flippant comment on Colin's new role posted earlier. It is a serious topic for a film, and one that needs to be told over and over so that none of us ever forget the horrors of the holocaust. Karen, your page is so interesting. Still, with all that, I too am disappointed about Armadillo. Another supporting role is not what I had hoped would come after BJD. But, there is still \"world enough and time\" for other possibilities."}, {"response": 1255, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Nov 15, 2000 (23:07)", "body": "and one for me and I don't drink!!! It is really strange why only weeks ago Mari came back (from her first phone call with A&E) and said we would be pleased with the casting and now this, I guess we will never know."}, {"response": 1256, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Nov 16, 2000 (00:54)", "body": "It's clear that something fell apart between my first call to A&E (when they were so upbeat and chatty about CF's involvement, yes, Firth fans will be happy with the press release) and the second in which they totally backpedaled and stonewalled and said they were \"still casting.\" My strong hunch, for what it's worth, is that this was Colin's decision to back out and that it was a personal one, not a career move. Conspiracy wraps in just 3 weeks--and perhaps his involvement may wrap up even sooner. That gives him the holidays free. Whereas, it has taken Armadillo quite long to come together; the article Moon quoted from Baz mentioned summer shooting, and that is probably what CF originally agreed to. We are long past summer, and to shoot a 3+ hour film at this point, assuming they've already started, would likely take them well into next year. Remember, he was tied up with 3DOR during the holidays last year. This is a man with a geographically complicated personal life. Maybe last year was too difficult on them as a family. Or, I could be totally off base, and maybe he has something else terrific lined up right after Conspiracy which he would not have been able to take if he were doing Armadillo through January or beyond. Just speculating . . ."}, {"response": 1257, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov 16, 2000 (01:14)", "body": "(Murph) Another supporting role is not what I had hoped would come after BJD I share your pain,Murph, but remember BJD has not been released yet...I have great hopes that his role as Mark Darcy will propel some lead roles... C'mon now gang.....Firth Fans are die-hards...we don't give up easily:-)) I'm inclined to agree with Mari...personal reasons there...."}, {"response": 1258, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 16, 2000 (03:55)", "body": "First: Caribou! Nice to see that you've joined us. (Caribou) I will be reading and will post if I ever have anything to add Having something to add is not a prerequisite for posting here. ;-D Moon: that site is the Hollywood Stock Exchange. Remember? About Armadillo, I tend to agree that something must have happened with the timing. The summer shoot was an early projection and before the BBC had A&E onboard. Once A&E committed, then preproduction actually started. Why Colin isn't in it or if he backed out we will never know. But it is their loss. Shouldn't we be happy for Colin? He is doing a character part. ;-D (Evelyn) isn't Tribeca the company that Robert de Niro founded with Harvey? No, it's just Bobby and Jane's company."}, {"response": 1259, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Nov 16, 2000 (05:01)", "body": "First of all, Noelle, it is nice to meet you. Hope you enjoyed your FFF (Firth Film Festival) the other day. I did the very same thing last late Winter and early Spring when I acquired quite a few of CF's OOP videos. I am another who does not mind watching ODB in Camille. He is very young and charming in Camille, and at times reminds me of a young Darcy (in looks). I have found that no matter how uneven the production, there is always something of interest and value in each movie. Plus, there is always that fast forward button! ;-) Hi Caribou! Nice to meet you as well. Jennie, thanks so much for your report. How disappointing that he dashed off without answering any questions. Well, I am in a bit of a Firth funk over the Armadillo casting news. I am beginning to feel like I have hypomania from all these ups and downs. At least we have Conspiracy as a consolation prize. The cast sounds good: it will be fun to see Colin reunited with KB, and I like ST. I agree it will be good to see Colin in a character roll again where he can really shine."}, {"response": 1260, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Nov 16, 2000 (05:02)", "body": "Meant to say \"role.\" :-)"}, {"response": 1261, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Nov 16, 2000 (14:27)", "body": "(Evelyn), C'mon now gang.....Firth Fans are die-hards...we don't give up easily:-)) At this point, I would say that is the problem. ;-) (Karen), Moon: that site is the Hollywood Stock Exchange. I believe his stock just dropped. ;-) Shouldn't we be happy for Colin? He is doing a character part. ;-D LOL! Suis stat viribus! He stands by his own strengh. (Lisa), I am beginning to feel like I have hypomania from all these ups and downs. Welcome to the Firth Folly Roller Coaster. Evelyn will try to cheer you up. ;-) Having something to add is not a prerequisite for posting here. ;-D VVG! LOL!"}, {"response": 1262, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Nov 16, 2000 (15:30)", "body": "Roller coaster indeed, Moon. Was amazed and pleased to see 60+ messages here since Sunday. After reading all the news you can make my martini a double. To (sorta) quote Ross in Playmaker: Lesson #5 - Don't count your Colin roles until you actually see the man in costume and makeup. (Have you see that film yet Noelle? Welcome back.) I add my welcome also to you, Caribou. As Karen said, don't wait until you have something to contribute - just plunge on in like the rest of us. Thanks for the details on the reading, Jennie. Elizabeth McGovern standing in for Judi Dench? That's a stretch. Wonder which accent Liz will use? ;-) Winter, what did you mean by this? Colin hasn't been a v. attentive hubby, I must say... LOL! I saw the German Wannsee Conference when it was shown on PBS several times a few years ago. Very chilling. It took place in one room. Had hoped that this new version might expand but if it's based on the actualy notes, I'd suppose it won't be so. After all, Colin could have played a good guy - one of the Czech patriots perhaps? ;-) Ah well, I suppose he's had it with playing nice but ineffectual men and wants to go back to being the bad guy again. Suppose it's soon time to trade in my Starz for HBO."}, {"response": 1263, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Nov 16, 2000 (17:56)", "body": "For anyone interested in more info on Stuckart than you'd find in the bios, he actually features in Robert Harris's novel \"Fatherland\" which is based on the what would have happened if Hitler had won the war. Harris did a lot of research for the book. He describes Stuckart as a \"vain man and a curious mixture, curly grey hair, intense eyes, straight jawline, yet a flabby almost voluptuous mouth....an intellectuaal, a high flier.\" Stuckart was a member of the Interior Ministry's \"Committee for the Protection of German Blood\" in 1936, a tribunal of lawyers who considered applications for marriage between Aryans and non-Aryans.He was known to provide marriage licences in exchange for sleeping with the Jewish women who were applying. In the novel he has a Jewish mistress, whose antecedents are well disguised. A bit of a contradiction."}, {"response": 1264, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Nov 16, 2000 (18:15)", "body": "Top Ten Reasons Colin switched from Armadillo to Conspiracy: 10. Branagh lured him by promising him a plum role in the upcoming \ufffdLove\ufffds Labours *Still* Lost.\ufffd 9. He\ufffds gearing up for the Tribeca/DeNiro version of MOB, to be re-titled \ufffdMaid Of the Bronx,\ufffd the compelling story of John \ufffdHarry the Hat\ufffd Hatfield and his life on the lam after deflowering the daughter of a Mafia capo. 8. He\ufffds always liked the name Wilhelm (of which Will is a derivative) 7. He\ufffds never played a doctor before. 6. Having lurked on Darcy Drool, he knows he looks damn fine in shiny knee-high boots. 5. Two words: linzer torten. 4. He doesn\ufffdt want to ruin his reputation as a character actor. 3. Will laid a guilt trip on him, telling him that holiday fun at the Calley house consists of suctioning PopPop\ufffds feeding tube to the beat of \ufffdJingle Bells.\ufffd 2. It would have required location shooting beyond the reaches of the Tube. But the top reason Colin switched from Armadillo to Conspiracy is: 1. At the first rehearsal, someone said \ufffdTorquil Helvoir Jayne,\ufffd but he heard \ufffdWork is glee with Frain.\ufffd Feeling unwanted, he bailed. **** Conspiracy theories abound.;-)"}, {"response": 1265, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 16, 2000 (18:38)", "body": "ROTFLOL Mari! #2 and 5 would've been enough to sway him. Thanks for the info, Bethan. I read Fatherland and have it here...somewhere. They made it into a made-for-TV movie with Rutger Hauer. Not as good as the book."}, {"response": 1266, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Nov 16, 2000 (20:56)", "body": "Mari-oh-Mari, this is just what we needed! He\ufffds gearing up for the Tribeca/DeNiro version of MOB, to be re-titled \ufffdMaid Of the Bronx,\ufffd Scenes outside Yankee Stadium will make a wonderful substitute for the Lakes. :-P Will laid a guilt trip on him, telling him that holiday fun at the Calley house consists of suctioning PopPop\ufffds feeding tube to the beat of \ufffdJingle Bells.\ufffd LMAO! someone said \ufffdTorquil Helvoir Jayne,\ufffd but he heard \ufffdWork is glee with Frain.\ufffd Pffffttt! Welcome, Caribou. Ditto to that said by the others. Do you think CF's right for the Torquil character, Moon? No way. (Mari) Remember, he was tied up with 3DOR during the holidays last year. This is a man with a geographically complicated personal life. Maybe last year was too difficult on them as a family. Two years ago I would have agreed, but IMO (like I have a *right* to an opinion in this matter? ;-)) that's changed. I think there was another reason for CF not playing Lorimer, especially if there was a last minute change in the casting. (Mari) maybe he has something else terrific lined up right after Conspiracy which he would not have been able to take if he were doing Armadillo through January or beyond. Now you're talkin'. :-) (Heide) Lesson #5 - Don't count your Colin roles until you actually see the man in costume and makeup. Think we should start chanting this mantra!"}, {"response": 1267, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Nov 16, 2000 (21:43)", "body": "Mari, #1 and 3 had me ROTFLOL! I much appreciated it, thanks. Do you think CF's right for the Torquil character, Moon? No way. Yes way. Afraid so Eileen. I have a feeling that is what happened and he was not going to take the next big role when he was set to do the lead. (He has already seen what happened to the role of Mark Darcy once HG got Daniel). ONLY KIDDING, LADIES! ;-)"}, {"response": 1268, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Nov 16, 2000 (22:45)", "body": "Bad news about Armadillo... but then Mari's list put me in good humour again. Thank you, Mari. My computer was down for almost a week thanks to some virus, and now I have it back - another reason to be happy. Welcome, Caribou, and stay with us :-)"}, {"response": 1269, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Nov 16, 2000 (22:45)", "body": "I'm away from my PC for a couple of days and all hell breaks loose....Oh woe is Armadillo! *wailing and gnashing of teeth*. That's it I'm never gonna buy,borrow or read a book ever again for fear of putting a hex on .....well anything! I'll just sit her and sulk with my people.......until something else droolworthy comes along ;-( Moon, Heide, Ann ...line 'em up girls it's going to be a heavy session! LOL Mari! I liked nos 6 & 9...we can always rely on you to keep the spirits up. And finally............. WELCOME CARIBOU! We aren't usually this downheartened - honest!"}, {"response": 1270, "author": "caribou", "date": "Thu, Nov 16, 2000 (23:48)", "body": "Thanks for all the welcomes. I do indeed feel welcome and I know you're not always this downhearted. Mari, that was truly a professional top ten list -- v.v.funny. Perhaps, in light of all the gloom, it would be good time to share my moment of Firth serendipity. I was watching a gardening show. They were touring a garden in Italy and the host pointed out a giuggioli (that spelling looks wrong) tree. It is common in Italy and bears a date-like fruit. Even if this info is all wrong, it was a good, unexpected moment that only Firth fans could understand."}, {"response": 1271, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 17, 2000 (00:08)", "body": "(Heide)Suppose it's soon time to trade in my Starz for HBO. I will too...and will tell HBO why I'm subscribing...(can't hurt) (Bethan)...on Stuckart than you'd find in the bios, he actually features in Robert Harris's novel \"Fatherland\" Is this the same Robert Harris who wrote the hilarious story \"PMQ\"in Speaking with Angels \".One of the best. Heide) Lesson #5 - Don't count your Colin roles until you actually see the man in costume and makeup. (Eileen)Think we should start chanting this mantra! May I add an addendum: Don't buy the book til you actually see.....etc. Mari...\"Maid of the Bronx\" too funny...along with Butterball...I will not read that book til it's 'suresy'..."}, {"response": 1272, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Fri, Nov 17, 2000 (01:45)", "body": "Although my local bookstore was selling the hardcover of Armadillo for C$6.99, I have been reluctant to buy it for fear of jinxing this project. Alas and alack, my restraint didn't pay off. Is the book worth reading on its own merits? Can't say Conspiracy sounds like my cup of tea, as I usually avoid Nazi movies like the plague (don't like it that the ba-a-ad guys get so much media attention, I guess). Let's hope 2001 (the real start of the Millenium - I think?) will be a banner year for ODB."}, {"response": 1273, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 17, 2000 (04:52)", "body": "The Tuesday Independent had an article entitled, \"Fit for the Party Season: Cornel Chin is the Trainer Who Got Colin Firth Into Shape - For the Bridget Jones Film. He Show You How to Get a Better Body - Fast - Life\" No other text except description of exercises."}, {"response": 1274, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Nov 17, 2000 (09:43)", "body": "Review from Victoria Moore, Daily Mail. 17 November Speaking with the Angel. For this collection of short stories Nick Hornby has enticed words from the pens of some of his favourtie writers: Melissa Bank, playwright Patrick Marber, Helen Fielding, Irvine Welsh and even Colin Firth (yes, Mr Darcy to you). Unusually, there is a common element to all these stories in that most of the authors employ an upfront, colloquial style. Very readable and the quality shows. Bur what you're dying to know is whether Firth's writing is as dishy as his acting. Well, yes, it's not half bad. Without the remotest trace of sentimentality, he writes about a schoolboy entranced by his dying grandmother's storytelling. Elsewhere, Irvine Welsh writes in proper English (though still with swearing) and Helen Fielding contributes a mischievous little story, Lucky Bitch, about an elderly lady determined to make people believe that she has fallen over because she is drunk, not because she is old."}, {"response": 1275, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Nov 17, 2000 (13:06)", "body": "Hope all goes well on the Birmingham trip, Ann and Aishling. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. And any info on DQ will be most gratefully received! For anyone interested, Blockbusters (UK) will have RV on Monday (2Oth) and MLSF next Monday (27th)."}, {"response": 1276, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 17, 2000 (14:53)", "body": "Thanks, Aishling. One question, is this Victoria Moore a book reviewer or an entertainment/gossip-type writer for the Mail?"}, {"response": 1277, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 17, 2000 (15:18)", "body": "DM...But what you're dying to know is whether Firth's writing is as dishy as his acting. Well, yes, it's not half bad. Thanks Aishling...agree with the reviewer,true, it's not half-bad.But then he's an actor, not a writer, doing a friend a favor. My comment is:can those other writers act as well as Mr Darcy;-D"}, {"response": 1278, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Nov 17, 2000 (15:48)", "body": "Karen - a book reviewer."}, {"response": 1279, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Nov 17, 2000 (19:26)", "body": "(Me) Do you think CF's right for the Torquil character, Moon? No way. (Moon) Yes way. Really? Huh. That's tatamount to CF switching roles with Timothy Spall in Dutch Girls! Then again, in the dark, all cats are gray...;-) (Heide)Suppose it's soon time to trade in my Starz for HBO. (Evelyn) I will too Raid the piggy bank and keep both: Starz for the movies and HBO for the original programming. Dump Cinemax and Showtime. (Evelyn) Don't buy the book That's what libraries are for! Lynda, Aramadillo is a good read though it felt a bit unfinished at the end. (Independent article) He Show You How to Get a Better Body - Fast - Life *scratching head* Huh, what? Thanks for sharing the review, Aishling. (Evelyn) can those other writers act as well as Mr Darcy But that's not the material point (yeah, I know you know that ;-P)."}, {"response": 1280, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Nov 17, 2000 (19:40)", "body": "Good find, Aishling, and coming from a book reviewer one can take it (semi-)seriously. But what you're dying to know is whether Firth's writing is as dishy as his acting. Sheesh, his name is almost a metaphor for sex appeal and the man still can't get top billing unless it's alphabetical. (Ev) My comment is:can those other writers act as well as Mr Darcy;-D LOL! Well, we've already seen Nick's debut. Not quite on the same level yet. Loved your find too, Karen: \"Fit for the Party Season: Cornel Chin is the Trainer Who Got Colin Firth Into Shape - For the Bridget Jones Film. He Show You How to Get a Better Body - Fast - Life\" Now tell me - which hook are they using to try to get people to read this article? Cornel, you parasite. ;-) Thanks, Mari, for your super Top 10 List. All great but I have a soft spot for #6."}, {"response": 1281, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Nov 17, 2000 (20:51)", "body": "Loved your Top Ten, Mari! Great stuff! I found a very interesting interview with Frank Pierson, director of \"Conspiracy\". I ccould understand why CF would want to work with him. He seems to be very eminent in his field, an intellectual heavyweight. Ditto the screenplay writer, Loring Mandel...Broadway plays, awards etc. . I'm sure this will be a thought provoking and intellectually rigorous film... history with a contemporary resonance, learning from (as opposed to being entertained by) the past (it's all happened again just recently in the Balkans). Again, perhaps this is why CF wanted to do this film. http://www.wga.org/craft/interviews/Pierson.html Rene Zellwegger was on the news, meeting the Queen. She was with Jim Carrey in London for the Royal Premiere of \"The Grinch\". She looked v. slim."}, {"response": 1282, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 17, 2000 (21:08)", "body": "(Frank Pierson) \"Listen, the films you're making are shit, and the stories you're telling are not worth hearing...One is to have a story to tell that's worth telling. That really requires doing something besides going to high school and college....A very shallow group at the top is doing work that is really, really interesting, and the rest are making such dumb, imitative dreck.\" Hey, I like this guy! :-) Thanks, Bethan."}, {"response": 1283, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Nov 17, 2000 (22:43)", "body": "Re: Frank Pierson Here is his page at the IMdb. He has a long time between projects. http://us.imdb.com/Name?Pierson,+Frank+(I )"}, {"response": 1284, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov 18, 2000 (00:21)", "body": "(Frank Pierson) ....there is an assumption that because they have been brought up on film and video they can automatically, intuitively write, direct and act without ever having taken the steps to learn the language and the craft of those professions. He must have seen Mike Binder's stuff;-) Thanks Bethan. Congrats to HBO for taking on this heavy-weight stuff."}, {"response": 1285, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Nov 18, 2000 (17:36)", "body": "A project called \"Conspiracy\" for HBO; it's good to know that CF is working. It's a drama, as well. That's a boon for me, I've always felt that he was strongest as actor in drama. HBO might well be good news. Many of the made-for-HBO movies often garner more viewers than theatrically released films on the U.S. Besides, HBO attracts top-quality talent, quite often people who don't really do television. Hello Caribou. Are you from Canada? I'm sorry, it's rude to pry. I hope that you enjoy yourself here."}, {"response": 1286, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Nov 18, 2000 (20:38)", "body": "Forgot to mention, there was a positive mini-review of \"Speaking with the Angel\" in the Times last week....\"very entertaining\". Might be some reviews in the Sundays....it takes time for reviews to appear. Also, today's Times has a pic of CF and JA and a good review of RV which is Video of the Week....\"Sparkling adaptation...all-star ensemble...a first-rate cast that tucks into each bon mot as if it were a delicious bobbon. Colin Firth channels the spirit of Coward himself, throwing epigrams off the cuff of a decidedly limp wrist\"."}, {"response": 1287, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Nov 18, 2000 (20:39)", "body": "Bobbon..should be \"bonbon\"!!"}, {"response": 1288, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Nov 19, 2000 (12:52)", "body": "Thanks for the update everyone, what a lot to digest! And I thought it was my lime green paperback (still lying pristine and unread) that was the jinx!! Karen thanks for the new pic. Relating to that new \"lean\" (gaunt?) look, a friend told me that this week they saw a work colleague reading a \"diet/fitness\" article in one of the tabloids (mirror?) and it was billed as the trainer who got \"Mr.Darcy\" into shape etc. Sorry to be so vague. Interesting timing, better to wait until BJD release for maximum publicitytho'. Thanks too for the Italian Readings news. It is a shame he didn't stay. Good Luck Ann and Aishling for your DQ trip. Look forward to hearing all about it soon."}, {"response": 1289, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Nov 19, 2000 (16:09)", "body": "A good report on DQ from the Chicago Film Fest. Couldn't agree more, especially if it was turned down by Edinburgh and London! http://wwww.films2.com/newpages/news.asp?ArticleID=2359 Hope you have a good day, Ann and Aisling!"}, {"response": 1290, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Nov 19, 2000 (16:10)", "body": "http;//www.films2.com/newpages/news.asp?ArticleID=2359"}, {"response": 1291, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Nov 19, 2000 (16:12)", "body": "Oh Gawd, can't believe this. Third attempt! http://www.films2.com/newpages/news.asp?ArticleID=2359"}, {"response": 1292, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 19, 2000 (16:36)", "body": "Great find, Bethan, and do agree on his assessment of those other films, all of which I saw. And is the LFF schedule really so strong that there was no available place for Donovan Quick? I fear the answer to the second question at least will be no. Donna did say that it wasn't entered at the LFF or Edinburgh, mainly due to lack of confidence from the BBC. You know, it wasn't the \"type\" of film that screens at Edinbugh. However, there was room at LFF for a movie about salsa dancing in Brixton. ;-)"}, {"response": 1293, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Nov 19, 2000 (16:44)", "body": "Report on channel 5 earlier today with Gail Porter giving an A-Z of the LLF. I would agree Karen. Seems DQ is not \"hip\" enough! Naturally I only watched this in case I could ascertain why DQ wasn't shown!! Thanks Bethan, great find. Well, we will have to rely on Ann and Aishling now."}, {"response": 1294, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 19, 2000 (17:46)", "body": "And is the LFF schedule really so strong that there was no available place for Donovan Quick? I fear the answer to the second question at least will be no. Despite the fact that Donna Franceschild disagreed....IMO there is a political element in the film that no one wants to take on...."}, {"response": 1295, "author": "ommin", "date": "Mon, Nov 20, 2000 (01:33)", "body": "I agree with you Evelyn. Especially with the recent behaviour of the Railroad industry - broken rails etc. then the shareholders being given a large reward at the expense of the commuters etc."}, {"response": 1296, "author": "Eljanfor51", "date": "Mon, Nov 20, 2000 (04:02)", "body": "Hello, I am definitely the new kid on the block. I have enjoyed so much reading some of your entries here. I had a friend tape Secret Laughter of Women for me. She missed the first five or ten minutes so I have questions if anyone has seen it. How does CF's character come to be in Africa? How does he meet the little boy? Do we meet his wife at the beginning or only when she comes to Africa?"}, {"response": 1297, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 20, 2000 (04:26)", "body": "Welcome Janine! Ask any questions you like. Us \"old kids on the block\" are always happy to answer. CF's character, Matthew Field, is never in Africa. The whole movie takes place in the south of France, where he has a villa at which he does his writing. He and Sammy meet when Sammy boasts to his school friend (and his mother who is doing the driving) that he lives in the big house. He just walks in and hides in there for a bit, while his friend comes to the door ostensibly to return something, but really to check on him. Matthew answers it and sees Sammy hiding and plays along, as if Sammy lived there. Sammy notices the watch Matthew wears, which has to do with that comic book character and they strike up a friendship. We meet the wife later on as you saw. Have your friend retape it for you. ;-D"}, {"response": 1298, "author": "aishling", "date": "Mon, Nov 20, 2000 (14:22)", "body": "It was great to see DQ on the big screen and we loved it. ODB does look so good. Approx 40 people attended but the cinema is small so it didn\ufffdt look too bad. The audience response was very good. David Blair and Donna Franceschild attended and were introduced before the start of the film. DF gave a short synopsis of the film and informed us that this would the first time DB had seen DQ on the big screen as he had not attended the Chicago or Halifax Film Festivals because he will not fly. She also said it was a film made out of love and not remuneration. Lots of laughter. Mentioned that DQ had been rejected by the London and Edinburgh Film Festivals so big applause for Birmingham. DF said it is unlikely they would find a UK distributor but is optimistic for further afield. No countries mentioned. DB talked at length about his decision to cast David Brown (Sandy) with the approval of the cast. He gave great credit to the cast for their patience and support with David and said Colin was extremely unselfish. The first question asked was \ufffdHave you been sued by Stagecoach?\ufffd More laughter. DB replied \ufffdNo\ufffd, but then they haven\ufffdt seen the film. Q. Did you think about changing the ending so that the small businessman won? DB No, because it wouldn\ufffdt be realistic and would also change the whole end of the film. Q. I have noticed that you have worked with Katy Murphy on several of your projects. DF I first met her 10 years ago and think she is a very good actress and plays sympathetic and vunerable extremely well. Q to DB Did you enjoy DQ on big screen. DB Yes, I think it has transferred very well. Ann asked about the BBC and will report when she finally arrives home."}, {"response": 1299, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 20, 2000 (14:36)", "body": "Finally!! Only 40 people in the audience? Doesn't sound too good. You probably couldn't tell how many people were attending some of the other films, could you? It appears DF's story has changed, as she said DQ wasn't entered in any of those fests. Am anxious to hear Ann's report about her question re: BBC, especially after I pick myself off the floor. ;-D Did it seem television-like to you? I mention this as many of you in the UK thought MLSF was television fare. Wish she elaborated on the \"further afield\" stuff..."}, {"response": 1300, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Nov 20, 2000 (16:14)", "body": "Thanks for the report, Aishling. I'm so glad you and Ann had the opportunity to see it on the big screen, and that the audience response was good. Bethan, thanks for the article on DQ at the Chicago FF. This writer hit the nail on the head!"}, {"response": 1301, "author": "aishling", "date": "Mon, Nov 20, 2000 (16:35)", "body": "(Karen)You probably couldn't tell how many people were attending some of the other films, could you? Funnily enough, I thought all of them and it was the first thing we said. Did it seem television-like to you? I mention this as many of you in the UK thought MLSF was television fare. IMO it could be both. I think that what we said about MLSF was that we have many dramas on tv similar to the film and that is why we didn't rave about it."}, {"response": 1302, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 20, 2000 (16:35)", "body": "Thanks Aishling...I know you and Ann went to a lot of trouble and expense to get there.We appreciate your report. Mentioned that DQ had been rejected by the London and Edinburgh Film Festivals so big applause for Birmingham. LOL....changed her story from Chicago.Somebody's got to tell these folks who give interviews that their comments are compared now that we have the international Internet....;-)"}, {"response": 1303, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 20, 2000 (19:25)", "body": "Thanks, Aishling. So now we know it was rejected at the LIFF and that is probably what has happened to Londinium as well. Poor Colin. Would they do the same to Ralph? Welcome, Janine!"}, {"response": 1304, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 20, 2000 (20:34)", "body": "So now we know it was rejected at the LIFF and that is probably what has happened to Londinium as well. Poor Colin. Would they do the same to Ralph? Ralph had a rough time getting a distributor for \"Onegin\" despite being shown in Toronto and some other FF. But you know what he did? He got out there and worked like a dog promoting it . (He was also the producer;-) Finally a small distrb picked it up...it was shown in a limited number of cities and on Starz."}, {"response": 1305, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Nov 20, 2000 (20:34)", "body": "Aishling , thanks so much for reporting back to us all so quickly all that was said by DB and DF. You said that he looked good on screen, care to share your favourite scene/bit? It's a while since I saw it , so my memory could do with refreshing!! Glad you got back safely despite railtrack etc Welcome to you Janine."}, {"response": 1306, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Nov 20, 2000 (20:40)", "body": "That's right Evelyn, promotion is the key, as you have said many a time. For Onegin he went on GMTV with Eamon Holmes at 7.45am and simpered away in a shirt undone to the waist. Did the trick! (But not easy on the eye!!) I am glad that it's not ODB's style to do it quite like that, but a teensy weensy bit more of a profile would help!! Whoops, no brownie points to me for resurecting this \"old chesnut\" so I will shut up in the hope we will hear from Ann instead."}, {"response": 1307, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 20, 2000 (23:06)", "body": "(Evelyn) Ralph had a rough time getting a distributor for \"Onegin\" despite being shown in Toronto and some other FF But the operative word is that he got it into Toronto and other *major* fests. Wasn't it at London last year? Our poor little DQ can't even get arrested. :-( (Lizza) Whoops, no brownie points to me for resurecting this \"old chesnut\" LOL! Off with their heads!! ;-)"}, {"response": 1308, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 20, 2000 (23:13)", "body": "(Karen)But the operative word is that he got it into Toronto and other *major* fests. That's my point... he took it there...gave press conferences..even went to an obscure FF in Spain. Anyway, moot question. We'll see Londinium eventually."}, {"response": 1309, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 20, 2000 (23:23)", "body": "It had to be accepted first. Maybe he promised them his first-born child in addition to personal appearances and gala stuff."}, {"response": 1310, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 20, 2000 (23:42)", "body": "Maybe he promised them his first-born child in addition to personal appearances and gala stuff. Now you are spilling the family secrets, Karen. (Evelyn), even went to an obscure FF in Spain. The San Sebastian FF is very well known."}, {"response": 1311, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (00:07)", "body": "Hi All, Well despite a four hour journey taking 6 hours, slow trains, terminated trains and cancelled trains, it was WORTH IT. We had a really lovely time and I really like Birmingham (much to my surprise), must go back for a shopping trip. Anyway, I digress, it was wonderful to see DQ on the big screen and it sounds like we shall be the only ones, a cinema release in the UK is very very unlikely although as Aishling says they have hopes for some overseas releases and said the US audience were very enthusiatic and that \"the Americans liked it\". I have never seen ODB looking so good on the big screen, forget SIL,TEP, RV, MLSF, he is absolutely gorgeous in this and this is the best he has looked since P&P IMO. If only I could freeze-frame that closing shot and have it as a screen-saver. I reallly don't know why Colin has to diet and exercise to look better than this, and this was only made 9 months before BJD, I just hope he hasn't overdone it because to my mind he is just perfect as DQ and it is a shame that we shall be the only ones to see it on the big screen in the UK. To my complete surprise I found myself putting my hand up to ask a question at question time, I just had to know if we were going to see it on the BBC especially as it see s unlikely that we shall see it at the cinema. Anyway I asked DB if it doesn't get a cinema release are we likely to see it on the BBC and he said well the BBC paid for it (not much) but they paid for it and no doubt it will be shown on the BBC in due course, so eventually we shall get to see it on the TV but don't hold your breath, what a waste. They said they had made it as a feature film so I guess they will persevere with this as much as possible. DB spoke very highly of Colin and said he was a very unselfish actor and he also said that all the actors agreed that they would rather have a young boy with learning difficuties rather than an actor to play ?(name escapes me) and he also said that Colin was very good with him and that it showed on screen, the sceens between them both are particularly good. Lizza, my favourite scene is where Colin gives those two old ladies a very cheeky grin as he is handing out the leaflets, I just love it but it comes and goes so quickly. (Oh what is the young lad's name it is getting very late. Perhaps someone will tell me.) Well that is about it, the audience reation was good, they laughed in all the right places. I was just a bit worred about Clive because there were times when even knowing the story I couldn't understand what he was saying and it seemed worse on the big screen than on the small screen. DF & DB were both very nice and quite happy to answer questions, they had expected the BBC to have done more to promote DQ in the first place but in the end DF had to take over, I do think th is is very bad of the BBC, it is after all License payer's money and they should have done more having made the investment in it in the first place. Oh well that is all for now, must go to bed."}, {"response": 1312, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (01:47)", "body": "I agree with Ann. I have never thought he was too thin. In P&P when he is standing at the window at the parsonage, when Elizabeth says that once his good opinion is lost it is lost forever. I thought that he was really thin. I may be a bit biased, but what the h---."}, {"response": 1313, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (03:11)", "body": "Glad to see that you made it home safe and sound, Ann, and that the big screen DQ did not disappoint. So DQ ranks right behind P&P in gorgeousability IYO? Love it! Although, his Daniel look is not my fav. Ick that slicked hair. Sounds like DB is a little bitter, with that response about BBC paying and not much. I know what you mean about understanding Clive and I can't count the number of times I've watched it. He should be subtitled...although, as I said before, David O'Hara is now on an American television series and speaks with nearly as heavy an accent. BTW, the lad's character name was Sandy, played by David Brown. I know you're worn out from the travel."}, {"response": 1314, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (12:13)", "body": "Thanks very much Ann and Aishling for reporting back so promptly. And I'm very happy to hear that it was a successful trip, that you really enjoyed DQ on the Big Screen (and didn't find Birmingham was too bad!)You both deserve a medal for enduring all the train disruptions etc. Well done! DB spoke very highly of Colin and said he was a very unselfish actor CF is a nice man (IMHO well worth supporting...and I've never been a fan of any actor before!). Although I suspect he's working in a profession in which most people put themselves first. DF & DB were both very nice and quite happy to answer questions, they had expected the BBC to have done more to promote DQ in the first place but in the end DF had to take over, The attitude of the BBC defies belief (Will start phoning again to complain!). Also I cannot, repeat, cannot, comprehend why DQ was turned down by LIFF, and Edinburgh. Edinburgh, Edinburgh for God's sake, can't find a place for a film made in Scotland with Scottish actors? Ridiculous! And LIFF, where 90% of British film showm disappear to total obscurity (we're not talking about being shortlisted for the Oscars), can't find a place for a film from a director with 2 BAFTAs to his name. DQ was shown at Cork, to good reviews...so, what happened? Mind you Cork is in Eire, not Great Britain! My only theory, which may be far-fetched, is malice, pure and simple. I don't think male reviwers like CF, and I think the same attitude may extend to super cool festival organisers...\"oh,dear me, not Mr Darcy..\" I always remenmber a comment CF made about his little boy being more perceptive than him. He said that his son said one day, \"dad, that man doesn't like you\" (very nice to have your son looking out for you!). I suspect that there are quite a few men out there who are not well disposed to CF! a cinema release in the UK is very very unlikely although as Aishling says they have hopes for some overseas releases and said the US audience were very enthusiatic and that \"the Americans liked it\". Well, all I can say is thank God for the US! I honestly think that CF should move his work base away from the UK and spend more time with his son! The HBO project sounds fine, international cast, serious theme , promotion and release date guaranteed. Also BJD will be well promoted in the US, and CF should get good reviews. Entertainment is global. Forget Little England, in all senses of the word! Final word on DQ... deserves attention if only for David Brown's performance. How disappointing for him. BTW...\"Onegin\". RF may have had to work for it in the US, but all doors opened wide for him in the UK, absolutely no problem. LIFF, Edinburgh showings, distributor, national release, blanket coverage in all the quality papers and glossy mags, tv interviews etc, high profile. Not for him, the ignominy of being \"turned down\". How do you promote something that can't even get shown in Edinburgh? End of rant!"}, {"response": 1315, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (13:02)", "body": "Bravo Ann!! Thanks for such a detailed and informative account of your DQ experience. The sadness and at times, pure anger, invoked by the attitude of the BBC etc has been softened for me by your comments about how he looks etc and the esteem in which he is held by his fellow professionals. Your journey sounds awful, thanks to you and Aishling for going thro' hell and highwater to bring us all the news. Really appreciated, sounds like you could forge a new career in question asking too. Off to find that bit with the 2 old ladies!"}, {"response": 1316, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (13:12)", "body": "Just an aside , I agree Lucie wih your comments about his thinness. In 3DOR when I was in the front row , I noticed (casually and quite unintentionally, you understand) how his jeans were hanging in folds. We described him as \"rake thin\" then. ( sorry credit to Evie due) What makes me sad is the possibility of someone making a lot of money out of the fact they have honed \"Mr Darcy\" to perfection, the article I mentioned having been spotted last week, points to that possible eventuality. Meanwhile we carry on thinking he is \"perfect\" however he looks!!!"}, {"response": 1317, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (13:14)", "body": "How do you promote something that can't even get shown in Edinburgh? Good point, Bethan. Colin must be wondering what the h... went wrong?"}, {"response": 1318, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (13:58)", "body": "(Lizza) In 3DOR when I was in the front row , I noticed (casually and quite unintentionally, you understand) how his jeans were hanging in folds. Unintentionally, you say?! *hee hee* I was sitting next to you. That's not all you were noticing, but your secret is safe with me. Cornel used \"the man who got Leonardo di Caprio in shape for The Beach\" before switching to ODB. Leo is old news. Celebrity endorsement is normal. It will be replaced by his next celebrity assignment."}, {"response": 1319, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (15:17)", "body": "That reminds me Karen, isn't this month's instalment due to you now? Better send my \"bribe\" off post haste. Can see I'll be \"paying\" you for the rest of my life on that one. Beats me what a girl could do with so much Spam! :\ufffd)) Let's remind ourselves that the publicity over Colin's new svelte bodyshape won't really surface until the BJD release. The things we droolers have to look forward to......"}, {"response": 1320, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (15:53)", "body": "Here's the UK cover: and this looks to be the American... (looks like some people--relationship unknown--got lost)"}, {"response": 1321, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (16:23)", "body": "agree Lucie wih your comments about his thinness. In 3DOR when I was in the front row , I noticed (casually and quite unintentionally, you understand) how his jeans were hanging in folds. Unintentionally, you say?! *hee hee* I was sitting next to you. That's not all you were noticing, but your secret is safe with me. LOL! I've never had the pleasure of seeing the Man in the Flesh, but i think he could put on 2 stone, not loose it! More news of \"Conspiracy\" from Excite Nov 1 Ian McNiece, British thesp, has joined KB and ST in \"Conspiracy\". The HBO telepic which begins lensing on Wednesday in London recreates the 1942 gathering in Wansee. IM is a British character actor par excellence...was Valmont's manservant, has played many other roles."}, {"response": 1322, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (16:25)", "body": "Three's company, six is a crowd. :-)"}, {"response": 1323, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (16:45)", "body": "Good to see RV covers Karen. I still have that pleasure at my local BB to come. BTW anyone else notice the deliberate mistake in this week's Radio Times? MLSF write up on video page, giving rental info AND cost \ufffd14.99 making it appear you can purchase it. Virgin et al say the release date to purchase has not been given to them yet. Another typical BBC C*** up!"}, {"response": 1324, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (16:55)", "body": "(Bethan) Ian McNiece, British thesp, has joined KB and ST in \"Conspiracy\". Did they say what role he plays? Better not be bigger than Dr. Stuckart's."}, {"response": 1325, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (17:03)", "body": "I don't know the real reason surrounding DQ not being accepted at these festivals (if indeed it was submitted...DF changed her story when she crossed the Pond),but I doubt there is a conspiracy against ODB. This is a business, out to get an audience...not a petty \"hen party\"."}, {"response": 1326, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (19:03)", "body": "*clap clap* Thank you, Ann and Aishling, for your DQ reports. Your efforts to get there and report back so expiditiously are appreciated."}, {"response": 1327, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (21:16)", "body": "May I add my thanks to Ann and Aishling for your reports. Well done on getting there and back and posting so soon (I only wish I could have joined you). Just thought I'd share a little something from todays \"Metro\". The subject of the 60 second interview is Nick Hornby and the first question is: \"Q. I didn't know Colin Firth was a writer as well as an actor until I saw his work in your anthology. NH - It's his first published piece. I think it was very brave. I'd known he was interested and I thought this might be something to get him started. I could see he was extremely excited to be asked and he just needed a finger, rather than two hands, to push him over the edge. I've talked to him a lot over the last few years; he's incredibly bright and I thought that he'd come up with something interesting\" See I told you it was a little something!"}, {"response": 1328, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (23:00)", "body": "Good \"little something,\" Tracy. Some of us have talked about how Colin got involved, who knew what, etc. This kind of nails it down."}, {"response": 1329, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (23:16)", "body": "Hello Janine. I've no idea if you live in the United States, but if you do, have a Happy Thanksgiving."}, {"response": 1330, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (23:16)", "body": "So Colin is interested in writing now. I think we could do with the sequel to AZ. ;-) Thanks, Tracy!"}, {"response": 1331, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Wed, Nov 22, 2000 (00:26)", "body": "(Karen)Here's the UK cover [for RV]: and this looks to be the American... (looks like some people--relationship unknown--got lost) While I am grrrr-ing at Colin and Stephen Fry being replaced by the two less-than-talented Americans, I am relieved that the photo is at least tasteful. After the horrid video sleeve that was designed for the U.S. release of Fever Pitch, the RV cover doesn't look so bad ;-). Ann and Aishling, thanks for all the news from Birmingham. And welcome Janine!"}, {"response": 1332, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 22, 2000 (15:24)", "body": "Jennifer has posted her report on Colin's reading at Pemberley. Here it is: The Report on Colin's reading (long-ish) by JenniferR Sorry for the delay! Without further ado... Colin read four excerpts from three Italian authors: Buffalino, Pirandello, and Sciascia (sorry if I misspelled any of those!). All of his readings dealt with death--terribly uplifting on a sunny Sunday morning in London. The room was full (about 100 people) with what looked to be a combination of Colin Firth fans, and fans of Italian Literature. Nary a male was in sight. Colin was dressed in all black--shoes, trousers, shirt, jacket--and his hair looked as though it was dyed a bit darker than nature intended. And he looked very wan. Still, he was easy on the eyes. His voice was beautiful--I'm sorry, but film does not do justice to the complete man in the flesh. The nuances he brought to the text were amazing. His voice has an almost hypnotic quality to it. The overhead lights were dimmed for the reading, with just a few lights focused on him for the duration. The lighting changed depending on the reading, and he did do some reading from an armchair. He had to leave as soon as he was finished--as you may have read, he is filming a movie for HBO called \"Conspiracy\" (we have the woman filming the reading to thank for that information--she was quite helpful!). We were blessed with a \"thank you\" and a smile before he bolted, however. Alas, there was no opportunity to take pictures--as soon as he came into the room, the reading began. Nevertheless, it was well worth attending. Jennie has posted some other details of our pilgramage at drool."}, {"response": 1333, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 22, 2000 (15:47)", "body": "The room was full (about 100 people) with what looked to be a combination of Colin Firth fans, and fans of Italian Literature. Nary a male was in sight. LOL. No wonder he took off;-) Thanks Karen, Jennifer and Jennie"}, {"response": 1334, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 22, 2000 (16:07)", "body": "Have unearthed another cast member for Conspiracy: Kevin McNally His agent/manager's website posted the following news on Oct 17: \"Shooting has just started on CONSPIRACY. KEVIN MCNALLY appears alongside Kenneth Branagh in this chilling story of Nazi Germany.\" Here's his picture (ladies, we saw him in Lady in the Van. He was one of the Alan Bennetts)"}, {"response": 1335, "author": "Noelle", "date": "Wed, Nov 22, 2000 (19:35)", "body": "Ok, I've now waded through the 90+ messages that greeted me when I logged on. You ladies astonish me, the depth of your knowledge of all possible projects, and the sleuthing of any little mention. I am in awe. Thanks for all the welcomes, I have a terrible habit of slipping back into lurkdom, and I'm trying not to let that happen, because you all are such fun (even when you are discouraged by lack of (or bad) news). It seems all this bad stuff comes during a week which has been one of the worst of my life, capped off my my roommate and best friend moving out and taking the computer, so I am left with only the one at work, so reading and posting is limited. Yes, Heide, I have seen Playmaker, in fact it was the third movie of his I saw, but I didn't let it affect my admiration for him. I thought he looked fabulous in it, and I rather enjoyed certain scenes. As for Camille, it's no Playmaker, but it had it's good points (I might be abusing sarcasm here). I've never been a big fan of melodrama, and I thought it was rather incomplete. It didn't really let you get to know Margaurite before \"boom, she's dying\". However, CF and Greta Scacci made a gorgeous couple, and I enjoyed him. It wasn't bad for what it was. This weekend I shall watch P&P2 again. I prefer it without commercials, anyway. I hope all my fellow Americans have a happy Thanksgiving. I will not be able to check the board until next Thursday as I'll be out of the office, and hopefully, I'll return to some good news."}, {"response": 1336, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Wed, Nov 22, 2000 (20:48)", "body": "(Noelle) Yes, Heide, I have seen Playmaker, in fact it was the third movie of his I saw, but I didn't let it affect my admiration for him. I thought he looked fabulous in it, and I rather enjoyed certain scenes. LOL, yes most of us have admitted at one time or another to enjoying certain aspects of this film ;-). (Noelle) It didn't really let you get to know Margaurite before \"boom, she's dying\". And what a death scene it was :-). This is one part of Camille that I cannot bear to watch because it is so corny and Greta's acting is just waaay OTT for my taste. Sorry about the bad week Noelle. I hope things will look better after a nice, long weekend."}, {"response": 1337, "author": "Noelle", "date": "Wed, Nov 22, 2000 (21:07)", "body": "Thank you, JanaJH, for making me smile. Things are already starting to look up. I just need several days to relax, watch movies, and read. I'm sure nothing can be quite as bad after stuffing oneself with turkey, seeing CF's fabulous face and form on screen, and reading some Austen. Course, then I always wind up wondering why I can't find a man like that..."}, {"response": 1338, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Wed, Nov 22, 2000 (21:42)", "body": "Why we can't find a man like that? BECAUSE THEY BROKE THE MOLD (MOULD)AFTER HIM."}, {"response": 1339, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Nov 23, 2000 (14:45)", "body": "Aishling and Ann - a big thank you for reporting back to us so quickly on DQ. You really came through and I can't tell you how much I appreciate to what ends so many go through to bring home the news! Ann, my favorite shot is also the one of him grinning at the older ladies as he's handing out the fliers. It looks so natural and unrehearsed. What a honey! Welcome Janine and glad you returned, Noelle. Loved your comments about Camille - my favorite film (snort!) But as you so judiciously say, \"it wasn't bad for what it was\"."}, {"response": 1340, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov 23, 2000 (19:29)", "body": "(Karen)Have unearthed another cast member for Conspiracy: Kevin McNally Five down...ten more Nazis to go!"}, {"response": 1341, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Nov 23, 2000 (20:37)", "body": "Have just got a reply back from Charlotte McCandlish at Penguin following my, ever hopeful, question as to who will narrate the stories in the SWTA audiobook. Bad news I'm afraid girls! \"The authors don't read their stories for the audiobook - instead we have these actors reading: David Brody, Dermot Crowley, Jason Flemyng, Miriam Margolyes, Neil Pearson, Martin T Sherman and Ray Winstone.\" Humph, better get over to Amazon quick and cancel my pre-order!!"}, {"response": 1342, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Nov 24, 2000 (09:48)", "body": "Thanks for the information Tracy. Another disappointment. Have just cancelled my pre-order too."}, {"response": 1343, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 24, 2000 (15:05)", "body": "Brought to you by the same people who distributed SLOW: Hostage Short Online An animated short film based on the real life experiences of Beirut hostage Brian Keenan will be released on the internet from 24 November. From An Evil Cradling is adapted from Keenan\ufffds book about his harrowing experiences during five years of captivity, and will be distributed on the web by Optimum Releasing. It is also supported by Amnesty International, who are keen to highlight human rights issues on the net. The film\ufffds producers, Andrew Kavanagh and Keith Foren, decided to use animation to best capture the horror of Keenan\ufffds experience, his descent into madness and his conquering of it. Keenan himself explains \"Animation has the power to create a heightened experience\" and added that, when he saw the finished film he \"was transported back to that place where\ufffd of sometimes angels fear to tread, animation can re-create.\" Optimum Releasing\ufffds Will Clarke said \"the opportunity to 'release' the film through a new medium of distribution globally was one that excited us tremendously\". From An Evil Cradling will also be shown in cinemas with Joel Schumacher\ufffds Flawless. You can see the film from 24 November at www.anevilcradling.co.uk. [Wonder how they will portray John McCarthy?]"}, {"response": 1344, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 24, 2000 (15:06)", "body": "And thanks Tracy for the news. Will do same. :-("}, {"response": 1345, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Nov 25, 2000 (23:56)", "body": "Having a gloriously self indulgent weekend. Am watching all my CF videos from earliest to most recent. But I'm getting bogged down in Lost Empires. Is it cheating to fast forward over all those stage acts? And would you recommend watching just the last 5 minutes of The Secret Garden? I have to get out of the house some time.;-) I'm sure Evelyn would recommend stopping after the first 10 minutes of The Turn of the Screw but I have a feeling I'm not going to make it that far."}, {"response": 1346, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Nov 26, 2000 (03:00)", "body": "(Heidi) And would you recommend watching just the last 5 minutes of The Secret Garden? No Heide, you must watch the first 10 minutes and watch Stephen Dillane (Captain Lennox) pass out with his face in a bowl of soup :-)"}, {"response": 1347, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Nov 26, 2000 (08:53)", "body": "Heide, how did you get hold of \"Lost Empires\" *going green with envy*?"}, {"response": 1348, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Nov 26, 2000 (10:25)", "body": "I taped The Secret Garden a couple of months ago only to be bitterly disappointed. Is there a different version from mine? There certainly wasn't any Colin (well - apart from the character) and the children didn't grow up."}, {"response": 1349, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Nov 26, 2000 (10:52)", "body": "(Gi) Is there a different version from mine? Yes, there are different versions. The one with Colin was made in the mid-late eighties, with the biggest star being Derek Jacobi. It was a Hallmark made for TV production. It is told in flashback style, with the opening scene being a grown-up Mary who returns to the garden. Then it flashes to the little girl Mary who is in India. Colin is in the last few minutes of the movie, when he returns as the grown-up \"Colin\" and is reunited with the grown-up Mary."}, {"response": 1350, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Nov 26, 2000 (15:30)", "body": "(Donna) you must watch the first 10 minutes and watch Stephen Dillane (Captain Lennox) pass out with his face in a bowl of soup :-) LOL, dear. Yes, for you I shall watch the first 10 minutes. Colin is in the last few minutes of the movie, when he returns as the grown-up \"Colin\" and is reunited with the grown-up Mary. And what an acting tour de force it is. ;-) Still we get to see him in yet another army uniform. Such a dashing look for our boy. Keep looking for that video, Gi."}, {"response": 1351, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Nov 27, 2000 (00:14)", "body": "I would like to know how to get a copy of Lost Empires too, Heidi."}, {"response": 1352, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 27, 2000 (02:39)", "body": "All you in the UK, you've got your wish! DQ is finally scheduled for airing: Titanic heads BBC Christmas blitz Matt Wells, media correspondent Guardian Monday November 27, 2000 The BBC has spent millions to secure the blockbuster film Titanic for its Christmas schedule. Television industry sources believe it has agreed to pay up to \ufffd7m for the movie as the autumn ratings war with ITV reaches its peak. Titanic is likely to be screened on Christmas Day, regarded as a crucial time in the battle for viewers between BBC1 and ITV. The deal allows the BBC to screen the movie several times and spread the cost over more than one year's budget. The full amount would not be paid in one go - the BBC would have to make a payment for each time the film is shown. But the corporation's readiness to set aside such a large amount of money, even in principle, is the latest sign of its ratings-chasing strategy. BBC1 schedulers had previously planned to show Men in Black at Christmas, but were forced to bring it forward earlier in the autumn when Greg Dyke, director general, started the ratings war by moving the Nine O'Clock News to 10pm. The BBC will announce full details of its Christmas Day line-up next week, but released some advance details of its winter programmes yesterday. [...] Also on BBC1, Colin Firth returns to the screen five years after playing Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. He stars in Donovan Quick, a drama about a mysterious stranger who transforms the lives of a dysfunctional family when he becomes their new lodger. There is also a Victoria Wood special, and Christmas editions of regular BBC series. ********* BTW, Titanic is on television right now. ;-)"}, {"response": 1353, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 27, 2000 (05:00)", "body": "The Times has pretty much the same press release info (verbatim); however, it calls the entire thing the Christmas season vs. winter schedule, ending with the following quote: \ufffdIt\ufffds a real BBC Christmas to revel in. You will not find a Christmas schedule of such range anywhere else,\ufffd Lorraine Heggessey, the BBC1 Controller, said. So you could see DQ around Christmas. :-) http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,42199,00.html"}, {"response": 1354, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Nov 27, 2000 (07:36)", "body": "(Karen) So you could see DQ around Christmas. :-) I guess this is good news that DQ will be scheduled so soon. But I guess this means that Donna Franceschild won't get her wish for a theatrical distribution? Too bad. I wonder why the heck BBC stonewalled all of your requests for information about scheduling. Surely they don't plan the important Christmas schedule at the last minute on the back of a napkin, so why wouldn't they talk about it? Hmmm, there is something very odd here :-)."}, {"response": 1355, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Nov 27, 2000 (07:51)", "body": "Yippee, Yippee, thanks Karen, but as Jana says very odd. I guess when DF said there was absolutely no chance of a theatrical release in the UK that we should have realised it would soon be on the TV, it is far too good to be dumped completely."}, {"response": 1356, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Nov 27, 2000 (08:21)", "body": "Very good news! Thanks Karen! I know there's far more kudos attached to a theatrical release, but.... TV in the UK can mean an audience of over 10 million (all these armchair viewers!) And DQ is a little cheaper than \"Titanic\"! also shows the Beeb still rate Colin...Christmas is traditionally the peak in the BBC sceduling."}, {"response": 1357, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 27, 2000 (13:18)", "body": "This is interesting... BBC's own Entertainment News page has the story about its Christmas scheduling, leading off with the Titanic news, the dinosaur thing, Lorne Doone, and others...but no mention of Donovan Quick. http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/entertainment/newsid_1042000/1042863.stm Hope this doesn't mean we're in for a roller coaster ride until the full schedule is announced later this week. Commence hand-wringing. I agree, Ann, DQ deserves better."}, {"response": 1358, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Nov 27, 2000 (14:19)", "body": "Nothing is ever simple, is it, however, it is mentioned on Ceefax, BBC's equivalent of Teletext, and the BBC had better not go back on it NOW!!"}, {"response": 1359, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Nov 27, 2000 (18:51)", "body": "Hurrah, hurrah! It's also in tonight's Evening Standard, our prayers have been answered....but do we dare believe it until we see it listed in the Radio Times. Let's hope it's not relegated to 2a.m on BBC2 ;-)"}, {"response": 1360, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 28, 2000 (03:39)", "body": "Great news for our UK friends...DF must still have hopes of finding a distrib in the US. 1-800-Starz."}, {"response": 1361, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Nov 28, 2000 (09:45)", "body": "I'm very happy for you UK ladies who get to see DQ aired at last. (Heide)Keep looking for that video, Gi. Ha! And for SLOW, and MLSF, and RV, and... and... and... :-( Thanks for the info on Secret Garden, Donna. No, I've seen a different version unfortunately."}, {"response": 1362, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Nov 28, 2000 (10:12)", "body": "Things are getting almost too easy! MLSF seems to be readily available. All branches of Blockbusters have it, and another video store near where I work, very popular with students, has six copies. May not sound much,but for \"small\" movies, one or two copies is the norm. DQ is good news. If it had to be shown on TV, there's no doubt that Christmas is \"the\" time. TV programmes get massive coverage (TV mags, supplements, reviews etc), especially BBC/ITV (we've got a long way to go before we're universally multi-channeled). I wonder if the BBC will release a video of it? I'd like to see David Brown get a BAFTA supporting actor nomination. BTW, with all the rail chaos in the UK at the moment, largely brought on by the effects of underfunding/deregulation/privatisation, DQ is extremely topical! Re \"Conspiracy\". How long are HBO movies normally? Did HBO produce \"The Sopranos\" (which we get in the UK)? A lot of critics rate this as the best thing on TV at the moment."}, {"response": 1363, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 28, 2000 (14:14)", "body": "HBO movies are typically 2 hours and, yes, The Sopranos is an HBO production."}, {"response": 1364, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Nov 28, 2000 (14:27)", "body": "and Bethan I would expect him to do some interviews in the Radio or TV Times, maybe some news about Conspiracy, you never know."}, {"response": 1365, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 28, 2000 (18:46)", "body": "OK, shut your eyes... Here's the cover of the US Fever Pitch: Sorry I can't get a bigger one right now, but you get the horrid idea."}, {"response": 1366, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 28, 2000 (18:51)", "body": "OK, shut your eyes... Here's the cover of the US Fever Pitch: Ug...grrrross. Who's their focus audience...the porn-people? They're gonna be mighty disappointed when they see Ruth Gemmel... Wonder if Blockbuster will stock it...they're not into that stuff..."}, {"response": 1367, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 28, 2000 (19:00)", "body": "When I checked last week at my Blockbusters, they're going to have it."}, {"response": 1368, "author": "Eljanfor51", "date": "Tue, Nov 28, 2000 (22:06)", "body": "OK, I just saw the cover for Fever Pitch that Karen posted. It confirmed a suspicion I have held for quite a long time that the only explanation for an actor as talented and handsome as Colin Firth to be so relatively unknown, is that some evil force in the universe will not allow him to be the kind of star he deserves to be."}, {"response": 1369, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Nov 28, 2000 (22:15)", "body": "(KarenR)OK, shut your eyes... Here's the cover of the US Fever Pitch: Ugh...You mean shut your eyes and keep them shut... Who are these genius designers, one wonders? :-("}, {"response": 1370, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Nov 28, 2000 (22:24)", "body": "My, Ruth, what big . . .er . . .shoes you have!;-) This is what happens when morons like Phaedra are in charge. They are incredibly small time, and have no clout whatsoever over what the similarly moronic and small potatoes video distributor decided to do with this. I know this for a fact. Ugh. Don't even want to talk about it.:-( On a brighter note, am very happy to hear that DQ is getting an airing and at what sounds like a great time of year in terms of viewership. Bethan, I was thinking the same thing as you, that the railway topic is particularly relevant right now. Tracy, thanks for the Nick Hornby info on how CF came to write The Department of Nothing. I re-read the story over the weekend and just like it more and more each time I do. I'd put it in the top 5 stories in that book. Colin, you done good and certainly more than held your own!"}, {"response": 1371, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 28, 2000 (22:26)", "body": "(Janine) the only explanation for an actor as talented and handsome as Colin Firth to be so relatively unknown, is that some evil force in the universe will not allow him to be the kind of star he deserves to be. LOL! And the evil force this time is named Trimark Pictures! Since you can't read the print, Colin's name is over the title and below it says: \"There's more than one way to score.\" Also, at the bottom right, it says, \"From the creator of High Fidelity.\" With a cover like that, I'd want my name off of it. BTW the back of the vid has \"normal\" pics of the people in the film (cover people have disappeared). There's the bed shot, a football match crowd shot, one of Sarah riding the taxi during the celebration in front of Highbury and a chest upwards reverse shot of Colin and Ruth from the poster cover as the big pic. I can put them up if people want. (Gi) Who are these genius designers, one wonders? :-( See above. ;-)"}, {"response": 1372, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Tue, Nov 28, 2000 (23:30)", "body": "Just found out we will be getting BBC-America channel in January '01. Not familiar with their fare at all. Is it possible that DQ would be shown on BBC-America (if indeed it is shown on BBC)?"}, {"response": 1373, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 29, 2000 (00:21)", "body": "I was wondering ...is this the time to blitz Masterpiece Theatre's Rebecca Easton..or whatever her name is, and request DQ for their Spring Schedule? Email address? Snail mail address?"}, {"response": 1374, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 29, 2000 (05:23)", "body": "No way could Masterpiece Theatre show DQ. They'd be bleeping out half the dialogue, not to mention the Clive scene. Even A&E or Bravo couldn't air it. This material could only be shown on a premium cable station like HBO, Showtime or similar. But that's just MHO. ;-)"}, {"response": 1375, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 29, 2000 (13:48)", "body": "I agree with you Karen. DQ is not Masterpiece Theatre material. Meredith, I am not crazy about BBC/America. It has been a let down. the only explanation for an actor as talented and handsome as Colin Firth to be so relatively unknown, is that some evil force in the universe will not allow him to be the kind of star he deserves to be. LOL, Janine. Colin needs a publicist, NOW! If the evil forces are against him, the least he could do is battle them. It is a shame about the FP cover."}, {"response": 1376, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Nov 29, 2000 (14:06)", "body": "DQ on UK TV: BBC1 on 28 December at 9pm."}, {"response": 1377, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Nov 29, 2000 (14:55)", "body": "Thanks Echo, will have video at the ready. A Thursday, I guess that is quite good probably follows Eastenders!"}, {"response": 1378, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Nov 29, 2000 (15:40)", "body": "DQ on UK TV: BBC1 on 28 December at 9pm."}, {"response": 1379, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Nov 29, 2000 (15:41)", "body": "Oops."}, {"response": 1380, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Nov 29, 2000 (16:53)", "body": "Lookie, lookie, our Echo is back! Still having problems with those duplicate posts, Ara--er, Echo? :-P LMAO about that FP cover *wiping tears*. How blatantly ;-) misleading can you get? Those 12-year old boys will be mighty disappointed when they watch the video! (Janine) I just saw the cover for Fever Pitch that Karen posted...the only explanation for an actor as talented and handsome as Colin Firth to be so relatively unknown, is that some evil force in the universe will not allow him to be the kind of star he deserves to be. Methinks the evil forces are focused on Ruth Gemmel here. Wonder if she's seen this thing? I second Moon's opinion about BBC-America, Meredith. They show mostly half-hour sitcoms. Am glad to hear the Beeb has deigned to air DQ (it appears Bethan was given correct information after all!). Hope they promo it as heavily as ITV promoted TTOTS last Christmas--at least this year British Firth fans will get more than 2 minutes and paste-on sideburns."}, {"response": 1381, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Nov 29, 2000 (19:28)", "body": "Re DQ : Things are looking up, and there was me thinking that they'd put it on at 2 in the morning on BBC2 (or even worse BBC Choice). Nine o'clock - Prime Time!!! O me of little faith."}, {"response": 1382, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Nov 29, 2000 (20:44)", "body": "Re DQ....Thanks Echo! The Express had a Christmas TV exclusive...DQ was down for the 28th 9pm as mentioned by Echo, but there was just a blank following...no description. But elsewhere there was a reference to the fact that DQ might be the BBC's secret weapon as the BBC were keeping it under wraps ( although mentioned that CF was starring). I think it could have been a last minute decision. I think the timing (just after Xmas) is good. DQ wasn't designed as an all-star Xmas special (nor indeed was TOTS last year) and I don't think it would sit well with the usual cheesy (and very expensive)\"celebrity\" stuff that's made specially for Xmas/Boxing Day (Ross Kemp as Scrooge...aargh!!) They're using CF's name... again. In some ways I think it's more BBC2 because of the subject matter and realism (in one or two scenes). Re FP. What a gross cover! I remember trying (and failing) to find SLOW in Blockbusters. When I asked, I was directed to Adult movies, and there it was, sandwiched between Miss Whiplash and Confessions of a Nymphomaniac!! I pointed out that it had a 12 rating...but they didn't move it!!! Haven't seen any reviews of Speaking with the Angel, although I don't read many papers these days. But it's prominently dissplayed in Waterstones and I remember being told that there were 80 copies (a lot!) coming in. I think it will catch the browsers and the Christmas market."}, {"response": 1383, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Nov 29, 2000 (23:35)", "body": "Lookie, lookie, our Echo... ? ... is back! ?? having problems with those duplicate posts Not enough practice, evidently. Ara--er Some sort of a swearword, I guess? Thanks Echo! That's better. (My pleasure.)"}, {"response": 1384, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Nov 30, 2000 (18:08)", "body": "Some sort of a swearword, I guess? If you say so. I never could understand your sense of humor. :-D (When I asked, I was directed to Adult movies, and there it was, sandwiched between Miss Whiplash and Confessions of a Nymphomaniac!! I pointed out that it had a 12 rating...but they didn't move it!!! Too funny, Bethan. Must've been those tomatoes!"}, {"response": 1385, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Nov 30, 2000 (22:17)", "body": "RE FP cover...agree with sentiments so far..yu begin to wonder whether the \"artists\" actually take time out to see the films or at the very least read the briefs! On SWTA - Have just noticed Radio 4 (for UK Firthians) have the book featured as this week's Book at Bedtime, have checked the Radio Times though and it looks like they're only broadcasting a selection e.g. tonights is PMQ (10.45pm). Anyone seen next week's RT, perhaps they'll get round to Department of Nothing. And finally.....have just taken delivery of my brand spanking new P&P DVD, and have had lots of fun, replaying all my favourite scenes, and to think - no danger of the tape wearing out this time. Watched \"The Making of..\" but it seeis a lot shorter than I remember (from when it was originally broadcast on TV and I'm sure that ODB was interviewed). SB says some nice things about him though and the oft retold tale, of how he didn't really dive into the pond, is covered. We get a peek at \"Elvis\" - who is doing his utmost to look mean and moody and Darcy-esque in his director's chair but the wrap-round shades and sandwich-munching rather spoil the illusion (meanwhile our hero sits under a parasol in quiet contemplation)."}, {"response": 1386, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Nov 30, 2000 (23:37)", "body": "I have mine too Tracy, it's supposed to be a Christmas present, haven't looked at it yet and yes Colin was intervied in the original \"Making of\", he was sitting down and was in costume. There is a nice review of the P&P DVD on Ceeefax, says it is far better picture than the original BBC series and even if you already have the video it is a must-see."}, {"response": 1387, "author": "Echo", "date": "Fri, Dec  1, 2000 (02:11)", "body": "[I thought he was standing up, but if I start pointing to various differences, they will think I'm argumentative. So better not.]"}, {"response": 1388, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Dec  1, 2000 (07:55)", "body": "nope, if I remember he was definitely sitting down,looked like his dressing room, and he was sort of sitting sidways."}, {"response": 1389, "author": "Echo", "date": "Fri, Dec  1, 2000 (17:56)", "body": "Nope, I think he was standing with his back to something like a period dressing table mirror with no trace of any make up except on his face. But I'll go and check it again. Stand by for a further report (if it's of any interest at all, that is.) Too late: I'm definitely much too stubborn for my own good"}, {"response": 1390, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Dec  1, 2000 (18:21)", "body": "(Tracy) \"Elvis\" - who is doing his utmost to look mean and moody and Darcy-esque in his director's chair but the wrap-round shades and sandwich-munching rather spoil the illusion... Hee hee! The P&P2 DVD sounds good--I'm afraid the quality of my vids decreases every time I watch (I keep hitting the tracking button on my VCR remote but nothing happens; maybe it's opening my neighbor's garage door instead). Hmm, might add DVD to my christmas list...lack of DVD player may be a bit of a problem, though. :-D"}, {"response": 1391, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Fri, Dec  1, 2000 (18:27)", "body": "Is this DVD different from the earlier one sold (which did not have any add-ons)? Is the DVD you are discussing available for playing in the US also (whatever region it is)?"}, {"response": 1392, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Dec  1, 2000 (18:53)", "body": "This DVD is for UK/Europe only and also has \"The Making of P&P\" as an extra, it was released on the 27th November, and is doing very well, I believe."}, {"response": 1393, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sat, Dec  2, 2000 (01:54)", "body": "So - I've checked and rechecked and asked for a second, relatively unbiased opinion. The result is this: during the short interview in the original version of \"The Making of P&P\", Colin appears to be standing with his back (slightly at an angle) to a large mirror inside one of the period rooms on location. He seems to be leaning slightly on whatever is in front of the mirror - probably a dressing table - which is not visible. His right arm is close by his side and he appears to support himself on it against the table and his left arm is clearly bending at the elbow, suggesting hand on waist or hip. Once or twice he moves his left hand to gesticulate. The above is entered here in the interest of Firtho-scientific research, you understand."}, {"response": 1394, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Dec  2, 2000 (08:26)", "body": "Thanks Ann & Echo for confirming my suspicions. Humph, am now overcome by sense of being diddled out of lovely interview. New version includes only cast interviews of AS and DB (David Bamber not ODB, all v. confusing). Why did it take the Beeb so long to release it in this format? Silly question - don't bother answering that, Lord only knows how their minds work!"}, {"response": 1395, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Dec  2, 2000 (10:12)", "body": "Thanks Echo, I am sooo glad that that is cleared up, in the interests of Firtho-scientific research, of course!"}, {"response": 1396, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sat, Dec  2, 2000 (10:13)", "body": "My P&P DVD is currently somewhere between England and Belgium, in some post office....I can't wait till I find it in my mailbox:-)"}, {"response": 1397, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sat, Dec  2, 2000 (14:04)", "body": "(Tracy is) overcome by sense of being diddled out of lovely interview. New version includes only cast interviews of AS and DB (David Bamber not ODB, all v. confusing). A more complete set of these mini-interviews - in which major members of the P&P cast talk about the characters (and not about themselves) - is to be found on The Perspectives On P&P - a (largely boring, unless you're heavily into Jane Austen) BBC Education video made for schools as a teaching help. A few of these interviews were incorporated in the short documentary - the aforementioned From Page To Screen - which was shown on BBC TV. Why was DB included in the DVD version, and not Colin? Hm... Maybe it required his permission and he refused? It's not inconceivable... Tracy - all is not lost. Some of the Firtho-scientists all over the world own copies of these videos and may even be able (and willing?) to share."}, {"response": 1398, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Dec  2, 2000 (19:11)", "body": "(Bethan) I remember trying (and failing) to find SLOW in Blockbusters. When I asked, I was directed to Adult movies, and there it was, sandwiched between Miss Whiplash and Confessions of a Nymphomaniac!! I had rather my local Blockbusters had it in the Adult shelf than not have it at all... But I admit I haven't checked there, so maybe there's hope yet! ;-)"}, {"response": 1399, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec  2, 2000 (21:52)", "body": "Terry has posted a message on Topic #100..Spring Pledge Drive. Message #81. Spring is now accepting donations via Pay Pal. http://www.spring.net/paypal Great news for the Firthfans in UK and Europe who were unable to donate in Sept./Oct. Thanks Terry:-))"}, {"response": 1400, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Dec  3, 2000 (01:18)", "body": "THE DAILY TELEGRAPH(LONDON) December 02, 2000, Saturday HEADLINE: Connections in the Hornby set Melissa Denes finds some fine stories and some odd ones in a good work BYLINE: By Melissa Denes When Nick Hornby begins his introduction to this collection of short stories for charity by saying that he was inspired by the good example of Bono, the heart sinks. The last thing one wants from Nick Hornby and the other writers assembled here (including Helen Fielding, Zadie Smith, Melissa Bank) is a lecture. Bono's efforts have been on the global scale, but Hornby's are more local: for every copy of Speaking with the Angel sold, he explains, pounds 1 will go to TreeHouse, a London trust for severely autistic children, of whom his son Danny is one. Fortunately, Hornby has charm, and he says his piece - a short, moving essay about the \"mixture of exhaustion and depression and panic\" felt by the parents of autistic children - without seeming to do so. And though he claims to lack the influence of an international rock star, he is perhaps uniquely well-connected in British literary circles - among the writers included here are Hornby's brother-in-law (Robert Harris), an old school friend (John O'Farrell) and the actor who played Hornby in Fever Pitch (Colin Firth). The collection, which consists of 12 monologues, has no organising theme but is characterised by a lightness of touch. Giles Smith's \"Last Requests\" is a gently funny meditation on mortality and mince from a Death Row dinner lady: Thai-style dipping sauce: that was an odd one. I think he was mucking me about, to be honest. In the end I sent out the Thousand Island. Helen Fielding's \"Luckybitch\" is good, too - a fighting monologue from \"the former Grace Kelly of Hampshire\", now reduced to hitting the panic button from the bathroom floor of her nursing home. In her youth, Lucky made love to Matisse, Sinatra, Hemingway; now she decries the way her daughter is tormenting her boyfriend with all her talk of commitment. \"What's the point of marching the poor boy round Sainsbury's in a filthy mood when you could be sliding your toe up his thigh in the Caprice?\" Nick Hornby and Roddy Doyle stick to familiar terrain, the male midlife crisis. Colin Firth, Patrick Marber and Zadie Smith all write about male adolescence, with varying degrees of success. Firth's \"The Department of Nothing\" strikes just the right note of boyish swagger (the narrator's parents are forever \"going postal\" and \"mental\"; his older brother is, like, \"blatantly pants\"). Patrick Marber's \"Peter Shelley\" is a sweet and authentically visceral tale about first love and first sex. Zadie Smith's account of a meeting between a boy's best friend and his older sister is disappointing. In this breezy, good-humoured whole there are only two misfits - Dave Eggers's dark and rather brilliant \"After I Was Thrown in the River and Before I Drowned\" and Irvine Welsh's singularly nasty \"Catholic Guilt\". Eggers's story is about the life and death of a very fast dog - \"I go and go and go my name is Steven.\" Welsh's story about a violent hater of homosexuals condemned to rape his male friends in the afterlife is notable only for its lack of imagination. Presumably Welsh wants to make some point about the nastiness of this prejudice, but in doing so he gives us far more about the nastiness of homosexuals. No doubt Hornby could have found a better writer in his little black book, but few so bankable - and in this case it's the profits that count."}, {"response": 1401, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Dec  3, 2000 (09:00)", "body": "Thanks to Mari and Melissa Danes. I shall now not read this book - too depressing."}, {"response": 1402, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec  3, 2000 (14:28)", "body": "(Gi) too depressing ??? Most of the stories are quite funny. As Melissa Danes says, there are \"some fine stories and some odd ones in a good work\" and \"is characterised by a lightness of touch.\" She didn't mention the funniest by Robert Harris and the v. amusing one by Melissa Bank, which is v. Bridget-like. Nearly everyone of them is v. enjoyable and worth a read. However, I do disagree with her about the dog one (disliked this one) and Irvine Welsh's, which I think she got all wrong. But that's just my opinion and I don't write for the Telegraph. ;-)"}, {"response": 1403, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec  3, 2000 (18:10)", "body": "\"Speaking with the Angel\" is worth the read even without CF's story. Esp. Nick Hornby and his brother in law's.We all have favorites and mine is the one about the Prime Minister.Hilarious."}, {"response": 1404, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (01:07)", "body": "Encore Channel in US is featuring Milos Forman in The Directors series this Wednesday at 8:00 pm (Eastern). Anyone know if this is the same Portrait of Milos Forman that some have seen? That one shows Colin in a very, shall I say favorable light (quite delish as the young Valmont in blue jeans). Even if it's not the same perhaps we may catch a glimpse of him anyway."}, {"response": 1405, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (02:29)", "body": "It was The Directors Series, so it must be the same. Yes, yes, ladies. This is a must. Mmmmmmm"}, {"response": 1406, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (05:04)", "body": "Oooh, good catch, Heide! Haven't seen this one in awhile but as I recall we have CF rehearsing in jeans, T-shirt and leather jacket--sort of a Vicompte de JamesDean.;-) And the voiceover, Louisa! Very sexy and throaty, with a vaguely transatlantic accent (from all the backwoods livin' I reckon';-) Yum!"}, {"response": 1407, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (20:48)", "body": "Just to say I rented MLSF and RV over the weekend, although really didn't have enough time to do justice to 2 videos. But I thought both were much better when seen for the second time, and on video. I'd missed an awful lot in MLSF...dialogue and activity...there's so much to see in some of the frames which can't be taken in at a glance. Thought that CF was very good in his portrayal of a man who really hasn't grown up...he's particularly good in the moss scene with Heloise, the way he laughs, speaks, looks is just like a child. And the final scenes with his wife. It's difficult to realise it's the same actor playing, convincingly(!), the camp companion of Julie Andrews! If you see the two movies together, the range is striking. Doesn't even look the same. MM is also very good, ditto Rosemary Harris (love the way she gets tipsy on the sherry trifle.) In fact, all the performances are good. Robbie Norman and the little boy who plays the younger brother are very cute. RV seemed more familiar...the cast all do very well, except EA and JA who is very flat in some scenes. I thought that several of Coward's wittier lines had been cut out in the screenplay. A lot depended on the cast delivering more than the actual lines. Again, it improved on second viewing. (I liked the maid, Alice!) Will rent them again over Xmas. Ann, have you had a chance to re-view MLSF?"}, {"response": 1408, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (20:48)", "body": "Just to say I rented MLSF and RV over the weekend, although really didn't have enough time to do justice to 2 videos. But I thought both were much better when seen for the second time, and on video. I'd missed an awful lot in MLSF...dialogue and activity...there's so much to see in some of the frames which can't be taken in at a glance. Thought that CF was very good in his portrayal of a man who really hasn't grown up...he's particularly good in the moss scene with Heloise, the way he laughs, speaks, looks is just like a child. And the final scenes with his wife. It's difficult to realise it's the same actor playing, convincingly(!), the camp companion of Julie Andrews! If you see the two movies together, the range is striking. Doesn't even look the same. MM is also very good, ditto Rosemary Harris (love the way she gets tipsy on the sherry trifle.) In fact, all the performances are good. Robbie Norman and the little boy who plays the younger brother are very cute. RV seemed more familiar...the cast all do very well, except EA and JA who is very flat in some scenes. I thought that several of Coward's wittier lines had been cut out in the screenplay. A lot depended on the cast delivering more than the actual lines. Again, it improved on second viewing. (I liked the maid, Alice!) Will rent them again over Xmas. Ann, have you had a chance to re-view MLSF?"}, {"response": 1409, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (20:49)", "body": "oops! sorry!"}, {"response": 1410, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (21:14)", "body": "(Bethan) I thought that several of Coward's wittier lines had been cut out in the screenplay. But Peter's role was expanded....with terrific remarks accompanied by wonderful grimaces. I've seen it half-a- dozen times, and still laugh out loud. View it just looking at Peter, Bethan...in every scene his facial expressions are priceless...even when he's not speaking. I think Ann owns MLSF along with SLOW(two copies;-)!"}, {"response": 1411, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (21:20)", "body": "Hi Bethan, no I not have seen MLSF again, perhaps I shoudl give it a second go. I know for sure that I will like it better than RV!! I watched Nostromo at the weekend and am enjoying it more and more each time I watch it but boy does Colin look hot, and in nearly every scene he is squinting!! but what an actor, again a completely different look and I much prefer his beard and moustach in this compared to SIL."}, {"response": 1412, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (21:27)", "body": "(Bethan)I'm not conjecturing (heaven forbid!) that CF would be offered these projects...just saying that there are other projects in development and that he might prefer to play an intrepid explorer or business tycoon. Why do you say that? Those projects sound good to me. ~~~~~~~~ Sorry...I thought Ann had MLSF. Karen sent them all over when they went in the sale bin in the US."}, {"response": 1413, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (21:27)", "body": "Give them both a second go, Ann. You'll be pleasantly surprised. He's an actor and has to ring the changes."}, {"response": 1414, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (21:28)", "body": "Hi Evelyn, Actually I don't have MLSF but thanks to you and Karen I do have 2 copies of SLOW, very nice indeed and although the story is a bit weak the scenery is great!!"}, {"response": 1415, "author": "Echo", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (23:06)", "body": "(Bethan) He's an actor and has to ring the changes. Once again (and to transfer the thread from BJD board) the bottom line is this: there are actors who fiercely resist - and actors who are resigned to - being typecast."}, {"response": 1416, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (23:46)", "body": "Ann, you can't really count the one without sound. ;-) (although from Evelyn's standpoint that might be the better tape as she wouldn't have to listen to Missan's scintillating dialogue)"}, {"response": 1417, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec  5, 2000 (16:29)", "body": "Time for some levity, gang. Two bits here: 1. Movieline Magazine includes a monthly feature called the \"X and Y Files\" in which they pair a male and female celeb and then identify a third celeb who could be their offspring. December issue has Colin paired with Sheila James Kuehl (remember Zelda from Dobie Gillis fame?) and their \"child\" is Steve Zahn! Pic of CF is a variation of one we've seen before from LA SIL premiere, looking very apple-cheeked and healthy.:-) Who says CF's publicist isn't working overtime?;-) 2. From Anne R. comes a review of the 1940 version of P&P. They couldn't help comparing it to *our* version. Second sentence cracked me up.:-) \"Some female Herald staff still haven't returned to work following the conclusion of the ABC's maxi-series of the Jane Austen classic. Not a dry seat in the house, as they say, due in no small measure to the smouldering sexuality of Colin Firth's Mr Darcy. In this cheerful version, the flavour is emphatically satirical rather than a Dickensian Badedas bath commercial. Aldous Huxley and Jane Murfin knocked out the screenplay from a stage adaptation by Helen Jerome, with the late Greer Garson as Miss Elizabeth Bennet, Laurence Olivier as Darcy and the redoubtable Edna May Oliver as his aunt. \"Girls, take a lesson from these husband hunters!\" shrieked the foyer posters. I doubt today's \"girls\" would be able to manage such eloquence and crisp interlocution. But at least they aren't obliged to wear vile, unflattering frocks and so manage to say most of what needs to be said simply by getting dressed.\""}, {"response": 1418, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec  5, 2000 (16:30)", "body": "Forgot to mention that the P&P review is from the Sydney Herald."}, {"response": 1419, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec  6, 2000 (17:02)", "body": "This is cute; just drag the pieces around with your mouse From Mickie: To see your Puzzle Postcard click here: http://www.jigzone.com/ms/pc.php?k=15ld00df4 or \"copy\" and \"paste\" the URL into the address line of your web browser."}, {"response": 1420, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec  6, 2000 (19:37)", "body": "Hate to tell you Mari, but that puzzle is missing a piece on my screen...I did it twice. Each time the piece missing is on the top...once nr. the left corner...once to the right.Anybody get it all? Who's the dude with Colin?...Cool wig..."}, {"response": 1421, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec  6, 2000 (20:00)", "body": "Hmmm, I've got all the pieces for it on my screen. Evelyn, if all else fails, cheat (there's a solve puzzle button at left;-)"}, {"response": 1422, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Dec  6, 2000 (20:01)", "body": "(Evelyn) Hate to tell you Mari, but that puzzle is missing a piece on my screen...I did it twice. Each time the piece missing is on the top...once nr. the left corner...once to the right.Anybody get it all? LOL, yes, all the pieces are there. It sounds like a piece is hiding underneath the puzzle. Try moving the entire puzzling around, you might be able to spot the missing piece. :-) And then, LOL, try one of the other options where you can specify 40 or more pieces, it'll drive you crazy! :-)"}, {"response": 1423, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec  6, 2000 (21:15)", "body": "Thanks Donna... Duh... You were right , I found it hiding under the puzzle. try one of the other options where you can specify 40 or more pieces, it'll drive you crazy! :-) Are you kidding?Think how many I'd lose with 40 !"}, {"response": 1424, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Dec  6, 2000 (21:59)", "body": "Donna - Just don't go trying the 48 piece euro puzzle. Nightmare!"}, {"response": 1425, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  7, 2000 (15:02)", "body": "Isn't it now \"later in the year,\" time to check in with the folks at Lola? ;-)"}, {"response": 1426, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec  7, 2000 (16:37)", "body": "Lololololola... Mari, that puzzle was fun. I will have to go back when I have more time."}, {"response": 1427, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Dec  7, 2000 (18:26)", "body": "(Moon)Mari, that puzzle was fun. I enjoyed it too, thanks, Mari."}, {"response": 1428, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Dec  8, 2000 (13:28)", "body": "A couple of news items, which, could, or could not, be relevant! New Euro Film House plans English feature films. BBC Films, Germany's Kinowelt and Spain's Lola films have formed an alliance to produce European films in opposition to those produced in Hollywood. The trio have a three year slate of English language films, ten a year. LA Evision and Granada UK have partnered to produce a $15million new version of Dr Zhivago, to be broadcast in 2002/2003. 2 x 100 minute episodes (ie 2 feature length films). Adapted by Andrew Davies (BJD)it's truer to the novel than the original film. No director or cast yet. Isn't it now \"later in the year,\" time to check in with the folks at Lola? ;-) I dunno, after \"Armadillo\" I'm reluctant to check up on antything. Just go with the flow. Che sera sera. The Man can always say \"no\"!! Some actors make a career out of being typecast, giving the public what they want (ie recycling the same role, same look, same accent different situations), doing Breakfast TV, \"Hello\" magagazines etc. Others don't. CF is emphatically a \"don't\"! :-) Went to a conference yesterday at Islington Business Centre, and the taxi took me thru' Barnsbury. It's not exactly a movie star's private multi-million retreat. I know they're expensive houses, London prices, but the front rooms overlook the pavement. Ann, give youself a treat and rent MLSF. It really does grow on you...I think it's absolutely charming, and it's a great shame it was completely overlooked here. Some very funny lines which I didn't hear first time round. It's nice to see the portrayal of innocence. Little Fraser is beautiful (love that cheeky little grin thru' the window) ...did he really crawl along the ledge? It looks real, but surely wouuld have been too dangerous."}, {"response": 1429, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  8, 2000 (17:09)", "body": "Here's a picture of Branagh, taken at a function in Reading on October 19. You can see he's gone blonde (again) for Heydrich:"}, {"response": 1430, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Dec  8, 2000 (20:40)", "body": "Yippee, have just seen the first BBC Christmas trailer and guess who is featured quite strongly among others, yes DQ and \"You know Who\". I guess they think it is pretty good after all."}, {"response": 1431, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  8, 2000 (22:21)", "body": "Great, Ann. Such a treat."}, {"response": 1432, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Dec  9, 2000 (05:01)", "body": "Thanks for the puzzle Mari. It was fun. Think I'll go back and do it again."}, {"response": 1433, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Dec  9, 2000 (09:55)", "body": "Yippee, have just seen the first BBC Christmas trailer and guess who is featured quite strongly among others, yes DQ and \"You know Who\". I guess they think it is pretty good after all. Goodeee!! I really want to see him getting some decent publicity. The Christmas TV mags should be out soon, and I hope there are some interviews about DQ. But I think it was a last minute decision to show DQ, and I don't know if there'll be any material ready. There's an interview with Liz Smith (Gran) in today's Times magazine, and it mentions that she'll be in a couple of Xmas specials (Royle family and A Christmas Carol), plus something in February, but no mention of DQ. There's also an interview with Jack Dee. It says \"we may also see him in 2001, if a distributor is found, in Londinium, an adaptation of Peter Ackroyd's novel, in which he co-stars with Colin Firth and Mariel Hemmingway\". Have to say, if there's no distributor now, can't see how there will ever be. We get at least ten films on release every week in the UK, many obscure independents, with equally obscure actors. It's all down to publicity, loads of it, the more tawdry the better, and exposure!!! (Maybe CF should re-affirm his marriage vows, in front of celebrity guests, for \"Hello\" magazine. I wish I was being satirical, but I'm not!!!) And the title should be changed...it's the title of a well known book tracing the history of London. Someone should tell Mike Binder! :-) Also has anyone actually seen \"Londinium\" in the UK? I don't think DQ was ever viewed by distributors."}, {"response": 1434, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Dec  9, 2000 (14:08)", "body": "I agree Bethan, that airing DQ this Christmas was probably a last minute decision and that is probably why LS didn't mention it in her interview, which was probably made a while ago. Also im my most recent communication with the BBC, they stated most definitely that it was NOY scheduled for the foreseeable future!"}, {"response": 1435, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Dec  9, 2000 (16:01)", "body": "Ann, I've just seen some of the Christmas TV mags, Radio Times and TV Quick. Not very good IMHO. Radio Times doesn't seem to like DQ very much. It's one of the Choices of the Day, but there's no photo, and the blurb says it's darkly lit and not festive cheer (wasn't intended as such!!!)and has a strong political social message(ie a bad thing). Also says has strong language, violence and strong sexual material (which will most turn people off). It's up against Robson Greene's current series (RG is on the front cover of OK, holding his baby son, and giving an in-depth interview about life with his live-in lover.) The Radio Times have done nothing to encourage people to watch DQ..quite the opposite. There's an old pic of CF in the Preview section, and a few coments from him, about problems in dysfunctional families. He says DQ is \"warm, witty and moving.\" He also says he has no idea how he's spending Christmas. TV Quick is better. There are pix of DQ, blurb is better."}, {"response": 1436, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Dec  9, 2000 (16:35)", "body": "Oh don't depress me Bethan, if the RT doesn't push a BBC programme then no one will, and to think I was hoping for a picture of CF on the front page!! What about the TV Times?"}, {"response": 1437, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Dec  9, 2000 (16:58)", "body": "And the title should be changed...it's the title of a well known book tracing the history of London. Someone should tell Mike Binder! :-) Quite right, Bethan! The Peter Ackroyd book is called, The East End : Four Centuries of London Life . Nothing to do with Londinium. How ignorant of them. It is odd that the BBC would pick DQ for Xmas. Wrong timming can kill a project and we know how much DQ has been through already."}, {"response": 1438, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec  9, 2000 (18:33)", "body": "Bad news for DQ.Agree with Moon....poor timing. I'm telling all my UK friends in my Christmas cards to watch it. Do any of those periodicals have a letters to the editor page? ...not festive cheer We hear BBC is showing \"Wilde\" on Christmas night.This is festive cheer? Also says has strong language, violence and strong sexual material (which will turn most people off) Wait til they see the same-gender sex scenes in \"Wilde\"!"}, {"response": 1439, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Dec  9, 2000 (19:20)", "body": "Atleast there is good news in the form of the UK ladies finally getting the chance to see Donovan Quick. As for Branagh going really blond, it looked a bit green actually. Maybe it's just my cold medication. Oh well."}, {"response": 1440, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Dec  9, 2000 (19:28)", "body": "Oh don't depress me Bethan, if the RT doesn't push a BBC programme then no one will, and to think I was hoping for a picture of CF on the front page!! Sorry, Ann! Mind you, if the Beeb are already showing DQ in their Christmas trailers, then that's much better promo. I didn't fork out for the Radio Times, too expensive and too much to wade thru'. Anyway, I think most people rely on the pre-Xmas newspaper TV supplements for their viewing choices. I don't think DQ warrants the heavy sex/language/violence warning label though!!! Compared to some recent BBC dramas it's very innocent. And if they're worried, why not put it out on BBC2 instead?"}, {"response": 1441, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Dec  9, 2000 (19:40)", "body": "BTW, Ann, TV Quick magazine says Donovan is charming and well spoken, and Liz Smith is wonderful. Nice pix. And even the Radio Times says CF is tall, dark and handsome. (Just needed a photo, and I've have been happy!):-)"}, {"response": 1442, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Dec 10, 2000 (09:42)", "body": "Ann - Yippee, have just seen the first BBC Christmas trailer... Hurrah! I saw it too, v. encouraging that it is featuring so prominently. I did hear that Sky One are continuing their showing of SiL over the festive period also. Have not yet seen any of the TV listings magazines but will hot-foot it to the nearsest newsagents', loiter in the mag section and see what mentions/pix there are. Sheesh, what a girl does in the name of drool :-)"}, {"response": 1443, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Dec 10, 2000 (18:57)", "body": "Don't think all the mags are out yet, Tracy. I noticed (whilst loitering yesterday!) that What's on TV have an ad for their Xmas edition, with three pix, one of which is CF as DQ. So that's okay! Couldn't really understand the Radio Times...I think the reviewer completely missed the point of DQ. There was some silly comment about how it wasn't really like Cervantes' \"Don Quixote\" because it had a (yawn) social and political message. People have written PhDs about the political message in DQ!! Cervantes endured great poverty and injustice ...he was wrongly accused of murder, had a hand chopped off and was imprisoned, became bankrupt, spent more time in prison (writing DQ whilst in gaol), eventually became famous, but made very little money and died in poverty. And he lost the only woman he loved!!"}, {"response": 1444, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Dec 10, 2000 (19:42)", "body": "Honestly it comes to something when one videos the Christmas trailer, but I was just so excited, that that is excatly what I have done, anything to see CF on the TV!! (we get so little of him!!) Will look out for some more Christmas TV mags tomorrow, especially What's on TV, thanks Bethan."}, {"response": 1445, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Dec 10, 2000 (23:06)", "body": "Go rent the MLSF video, Ann! One shot I liked, which you can only catch in slo-mo, is when he wags his finger and smiles at Findlay (Fraser's little brother) as they walk with the Emperor of the Sky. I read smewhere that the little boy attached himself to CF during the filming. Haven't caught the trailer yet....what shots of DQ do they show? Driving the bus?"}, {"response": 1446, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Dec 10, 2000 (23:31)", "body": "On your recommendation Bethan, I will rent MLSF next weekend. One scene from the trailer, is where DQ is in the office with the Boss of the Bus Co. (sorry my memory is failing me again) and DQ says something to the effect about \"the buses being privatised\" and the boss says \"well they are privatised\". Sorry it is getting late! Help me out Tracy or I shall have to go and have another look at the video!"}, {"response": 1447, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 12, 2000 (04:37)", "body": "A review of Speaking with the Angel from the Independent on Sunday (12/10/00) by Lisa Allardice: Novelist Nick Hornby has inspired a starry line-up of writers to raise money for a special needs school which his son attends. The result is delightfully unangelic. Robert Harris's revenge story tells of a prime minister who goes AWOL with a teenage girl; Helen Fielding's \"Luckybitch\" is a witty reversal of mother-daughter roles; and a homophobic ghost gets his comeuppance in Irvine Welsh's modern-day morality tale. Some of the sexiest young names on both sides of the Atlantic--Zadie Smith, Dave Eggers and Melissa Bank--also make an appearance. Although he shouldn't give up his day job, the dashing Colin Firth has contributed a touching tale about a boy and his grandmother, while Hornby's \"NippleJesus\", narrated by a bouncer-cum-art-critic, is one of the best in this luminary collection. (agree about Nick's story esp)"}, {"response": 1448, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec 12, 2000 (13:51)", "body": "Some great buzz is building over SWTA (thanks, Anne R.) The Daily Telegraph Saturday, December 9, 2000 If you want to speak to the Angel, head to Soho: Saturday Premiere Nigel Reynolds THERE will be only one place the Notting Hill classes will be heading in the spring: to the little Soho Theatre. The fashionable literary success of the moment is a new book called Speaking to the Angel, a Penguin volume of a dozen short stories by a coterie of stars that includes Zadie Smith, Colin Firth, Irvine Welsh, Robert Harris, Helen Fielding, Roddy Doyle and Patrick Marber, all friends of Nick \"Fever Pitch\" Hornby, who also wrote one of the stories and who put the project together. The book has been out less than a month but the temperature is rising. Channel 4 is expected to sign a deal shortly to expand some of the stories - they are monologues really - into television films. A host of actors, comedians and directors want to climb aboard and the result is likely to be a hybrid of Alan Bennett's Talking Heads and that incestuous little film Peter's Friends in which Emma Thompson, Stephen Fry, Ken Branagh and Hugh Laurie relived their undergraduate days. First, though, will be the Soho Theatre, which will stage several of the monologues in March and April. They will be performed by different stars on different nights. Marber, author of Dealer's Choice and Closer, two of the sharpest plays of the last decade, wants to direct one himself. \"These are some of the best authors in Britain and the United States, writing at the top of their form. I think it's a great idea to perform the stories live and on film - they are monologues after all,\" says Hornby. Speaking to the Angel is a rather remarkable project altogether. Hornby made his friends write to raise money for TreeHouse, a London school for severely autistic children. Hornby, 43, has a seven-year-old son, Danny, at the school and pounds 1 from every book sold goes towards expanding the school. Profits from the new spin-offs will help further. Hornby is so well connected that he persuaded Teenage Fanclub, one of his favourite bands, to cancel a gig in Norway to help publicise the book at Hammersmith Palais the other day. Connections made the book possible, too. Thriller writer Robert Harris, for example, is his brother-in-law, Colin Firth played the lead in the film version of Hornby's Fever Pitch, while another monologue-ist, John O'Farrell, the novelist, television scriptwriter and satirist, is an old school friend. The monologues are eclectic. Firth, Marber and, oddly, Zadie Smith, have all written about male adolescence; Irvine Welsh's piece is about a violent hater of homosexuals condemned to rape his male friends in the afterlife; Roddy Doyle writes on midlife crisis; and Hornby's piece, Nipple Jesus, is a parable about a security man guarding a piece of dodgy modern art. Nipple Jesus has already been performed on stage, by The Full Monty star Mark Addy at the Hammersmith launch. Harris's monologue was read by Griff Rhys-Jones. Addy is likely to be involved in either the television or stage adaptations."}, {"response": 1449, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 12, 2000 (14:12)", "body": "Fantastic! You know who will be there for the production. Wonder if he'll perform? Am guessing, no, which is \"blantantly pants.\" ;-) Thanks, Mari and Anne."}, {"response": 1450, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec 12, 2000 (14:44)", "body": "New interview here, with lots to chew on! Thanks again to Anne R. The Herald (Glasgow, Scotland) Saturday, December 9, 2000 dastardly, Mr Darcy BY GAVIN DOCHERTY Colin Firth has a habit of setting female pulses racing, so how will his fans respond to seeing him as a senior Nazi at the infamous Wannsee conference where the Final Solution was formulated? Is the move from ladykiller to mass murderer a step too far for the man for all seasons? Colin Firth slopes into the room, filling it with megawatt charm. His Erect Highness extends a warm handshake at the door of his dressing room at Shepperton Studios in London. It is early evening and he has just come straight from a film set. Still in makeup and costume, he wears a double-breasted grey worsted suit and, heaven forfend, those gloriously peaked cheekbones have been painted powdery white. The deathly pallor suggests a corpse that has just been prepared by a cosmetologist for an open casket. The effect is entirely deliberate, of course. For his latest film, Conspiracy, Firth is playing one of Germany's most senior Nazis, who in 1942 attended a secret conference at Wannsee, a suburb of Berlin, to formulate a plan to exterminate the Jews. Being a film baddie obviously agrees with Firth, though it's a role that many of his legions of fans might not be too happy for him to play. He set the female half of Britain on fire as the smouldering Darcy in the last BBC version of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. How they will receive him as a Jew-killer might not be open to a lot of interpretation. But since he turned 40 this year, Firth, who is joined in this film by stars Kenneth Branagh, Stanley Tucci and David Threlfall, has become a risk-taker supreme with his choice of roles. Dispassionately, he proceeds to nutshell the Conspiracy plot. He says 'Some senior Nazis, 15 to be exact, in January of 1942 met and discussed the extermination of the Jews. They had a nice buffet lunch and went home. Minutes of the meeting have survived and this thing is based on those. It is shattering stuff. This is utterly banal. They cracked a few jokes. Discussed whether bullets were better than gas. Whether sterilisation was better than forced emigration. Basically, the brief was no messing around with these half measures. We have to free German living space, as they put it, from all Jews so there is not one left.' No half measures for Firth then, either. Professionally, he feels he is about to peak and his forthcoming roles reflect that. He is playing Mark Darcy in the film adaptation of Bridget Jones's Diary which gave author Helen Fielding a worldwide publishing hit and convinced a generation of women that they weren't alone in their 'sad singleton' status. The literary phenomenon with an obsession for fat units and fags will transfer to the big silver with Texas-born actress Renee Zellweger taking the lead role, with Firth and Hugh Grant, playing Daniel Cleaver, the main focus for her neurotic affections. But first up he stars in Donovan Quick, a film drama for BBC1, directed by David Blair, and unimpeachably the best thing to come out of BBC Scotland in quite some time. It is a dark horse among dramas, a film with a political, social and moral conscience. He stars as the mysterious noble gentleman of the title, pushed to the edge of his sanity by an incident in his past, whose selfless actions ultimately change the fortunes of a family of pathetic basket cases headed by alcoholic landlady Katy Murphy. The script decrees that lucky Katy gets to play tonsil hockey with Firth, which will make her the object of envy among a few million of his devoted female fans. This update of Cervantes' Don Quixote starts off as a humorous satire on the tribal rites of a filthy-rich Scotland-based corporation making a mint out of privatisation of the buses and railways, but leads to a very dark and bleak climax. Shot in early 1999, the film has been almost criminally neglected for more than a year by the Beeb's schedulers before being rushed with almost indecent haste into the Christmas programmes package. But let's begin with a few first impressions about Mr Firth. The mere mention of his name conjures up images of a gentleman dressed in tantalisingly soaking-wet breeches and white shirt at the moment of Pride and Prejudice's 'pond scene'. As a result, he draws out a nanny response from some women. Not having access to Dr Freud's emergency hotline number, Mr Firth has never quite worked this one out. It is suggested he might have been exposed to one too many easily flustered Bridget Jones types among the journalists who are dispatched to interview him, mostly tedious fans it seems, who lasciviously drool at the bottom lip and reverentially regard him as a potential between-the-sheets Apollo and Hercules all rolled into one. Which surely sometimes must make him wish that he had never set eyes on Mr Darcy. On the contrary, he says: 'This idea that I have fled from it or rejected it or am uncomfortabl"}, {"response": 1451, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Dec 12, 2000 (15:05)", "body": "Thanks Mari, so David Threlfall is another member of the Conspiracy cast, I must say that although the thought of Colin playing a Nazi doesn't exactly thrill me, it is a very good cast."}, {"response": 1452, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 12, 2000 (16:15)", "body": "Great article! It seems to want to answer all our questions and allay all our gripes. Wonder why? ;-) Thanks so much for posting, Mari, and thanks for finding it, AnneR. Now into the nitpick fold I boldly go... His Erect Highness Yikes!! What was going on? ;-0 he wears a double-breasted grey worsted suit and, heaven forfend, those gloriously peaked cheekbones have been painted powdery white. \"gloriously\"? Isn't Gavin a man's name? BTW, in the other Wannsee film, Stuckart wore a uniform, although it is mentioned that he only did it for dress up and was only an honorary SS officer. Maybe the suit will be for a post-war scene??? Professionally, he feels he is about to peak Hurrah!!! He finally feels like he's hitting the big time. Shot in early 1999, the film has been almost criminally neglected for more than a year by the Beeb's schedulers before being rushed with almost indecent haste into the Christmas programmes package. I hope that the critical and public reaction to DQ is so favorable that the Beeb gets egg on its face...big time. (CF) And where do you get this idea about tedious female fans? There is no such thing. I like female attention. I think it is fantastic. I don't want women to think I am standoffish. If somebody finds me attractive I will take that. I love it. I am not horrified by it.' ...except when I have other commitments and then I'll duck out.\" ;-) Sounds like he's making nice with all of us. (CF) I am not a frustrated actor. Direct answer. (CF) 'I think I am just as healthily wry about it as most of my peers. Not jaundiced enough to turn my back on it if they come begging me to accept their dollars and all the perks that go along with it. I think I might have adopted a posture 10 or 15 years ago when I might have hoped that I would resist such things, but I don't think I am that puritan about it if it were to happen. Might have adopted a posture??? *snort* Good to see that he's open to offers now. 'When I know there is a lot of money riding on it and there are executives flying over from LA to check up on things I feel greater pressure. Leno and Letterman, here he comes!! :-) (CF) Certainly as an actor in my position, many of the kind of things I would like to do are the preserve of big studios who have first refusal on scripts and have a box-office consideration on casting. I won't get a look-in on the level that is above me. Oh dear, so much for my high hopes. :-("}, {"response": 1453, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Dec 12, 2000 (16:41)", "body": "Oooo-er. that's a real interview. will have to return and digest. Have one or two other tidbits to relay. (Saw the Telegraph article on Angel...pic of Colin). Also the other TV mags are much more enthusiastic about DQ than the BBC's organ!"}, {"response": 1454, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Dec 12, 2000 (16:51)", "body": "Many thanks to Mari and AnneR for a great read."}, {"response": 1455, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec 12, 2000 (17:56)", "body": "(Karen) It seems to want to answer all our questions and allay all our gripes. Wonder why? ;-) Sniff . . . sniff . . .is that coffee I smell?;-) Lots to digest here, will be giving it a closer look.:-)"}, {"response": 1456, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Dec 12, 2000 (18:09)", "body": "Ditto, thanks all around. Love the lovely new info straight from ODB! Shot in early 1999, the film has been almost criminally neglected for more than a year by the Beeb's schedulers before being rushed with almost indecent haste into the Christmas programmes package. Bethan, did you whisper this into Gavin's ear? Isn't validation wonderful? (CF) 'I think I am just as healthily wry about it as most of my peers. Not jaundiced enough to turn my back on it if they come begging me to accept their dollars and all the perks that go along with it. I think I might have adopted a posture 10 or 15 years ago when I might have hoped that I would resist such things, but I don't think I am that puritan about it if it were to happen. (Karen) Might have adopted a posture??? *snort* Good to see that he's open to offers now. A-HA! Isn't this just what some of us have been speculating? Validation *is* wonderful. Read an article in the Washington Post last weekend about H'wood's crunch to get movies into production in case there's a strike (Wash Post is a bit behind the times when it comes to entertainment as this is hardly news). Was ROTF at a suggestion that the global talent pool is stretched so thin that Rupert Everett is being considered for the latin lover role Robert Downey Jr. has just had to vacate (since he'll be likely otherwise engaged in the pokey). (CF) Certainly as an actor in my position, many of the kind of things I would like to do are the preserve of big studios who have first refusal on scripts and have a box-office consideration on casting. I won't get a look-in on the level that is above me. (Karen) Oh dear, so much for my high hopes. :-( Not to worry, darlin' (how's the snow shoveling, BTW?), just wait 'til after BJD comes out. (CF) I will see films that I am involved with and I'm making - and this is even worse - being controlled to their detriment by executives and being hijacked by people who really have actually very little to do with the process.' MLSF. Harvey Weinstein et. al. (Bethan) Also the other TV mags are much more enthusiastic about DQ than the BBC's organ! Symptomology consistent with having their collective heads up their a**es continues. Karen, did you put some carpet down in here? That annoying echo is gone. Am sure it will return in due time calling itself 'choe' or 'hoec'."}, {"response": 1457, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 12, 2000 (18:12)", "body": "WOW...what an interview...you get the idea *somebody* has been reading Drool and telling him.He comments on a lot of what we have been discussing here...except for Armadillo and that would be contrary to professional courtesy. Lots to chew on, for sure. Still in makeup and costume, he wears a double-breasted grey worsted suit and, heaven forfend, those gloriously peaked cheekbones have been painted powdery white No uniform??Why the white make-up?Isn't he pale enough? Professionally, he feels he is about to peak and his forthcoming roles reflect that Hey, hey...I hear you.Go for it! The script decrees that lucky Katy gets to play tonsil hockey with Firth, which will make her the object of envy among a few million of his devoted female fans. Tonsil-hockey....too funny. But that kiss wasn't exactly erotic. Though, don't get me wrong some of us tedious female fans(TFF) would gladly take it:-)) film has been almost criminally neglected for more than a year by the Beeb's schedulers before being rushed with almost indecent haste into the Christmas programmes package. You were right ,Ann.BBC put it on at the last minute.Perhaps after they heard Robeson Green was going to be on another channel. BBC treats Colin like s***.He should give them the \"finger\". I was shocked the first time I was nominated for a Bafta. I was convinced I didn't give a shit until I lost it. This would have been \"Tumbledown\". I think most thinking people are at the very least a little bit sceptical of their value[awards] in real terms. C'mon Colin...you know that's not true.Billboards, adverts all feature them. There is a certain respectability that goes with getting an award. You can't put a wet shirt on a mantel. Later we can take up Colin and the industry. Hasn't quite woken -up to that one yet. He needs Karen and Mari here;-) Many thanks to Ann R. and Mari.We needed this:-))"}, {"response": 1458, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 12, 2000 (19:02)", "body": "Whilst digging myself out, have been mulling this great article over. (CF) I will see films that I am involved with and I'm making - and this is even worse - being controlled to their detriment by executives and being hijacked by people who really have actually very little to do with the process.' I think this statement deserves further scrutiny. He is talking about two categories of films: (1) ones that he's involved with and (2) others that he is making. Both being hijacked by others... Either he's developing projects or perhaps referring to Armadillo, which he was involved with. Did it get hijacked? What could A&E or BBC have done to cause him to leave the project? (Evelyn) Though, don't get me wrong some of us tedious female fans(TFF) would gladly take it:-)) Some TFFs? Ha!! Back to my ho-hum life... ;-) I do hope all the papers nail BBC to the wall for their treatment of the movie. Could've been another Croupier. Such fools."}, {"response": 1459, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 12, 2000 (19:56)", "body": "(CF) I will see films that I am involved with and I'm making - and this is even worse - being controlled to their detriment by executives and being hijacked by people who really have actually very little to do with the process. ' (Karen)I think this statement deserves further scrutiny. He is talking about two categories of films: (1)ones that he's involved with and (2) others that he is making. Both being hijacked by others... Either he's developing projects or perhaps referring to Armadillo, which he was involved with. Did it get hijacked? What could A&E or BBC have done to cause him to leave the project? I think he is talking about DQ directly and perhaps indirectly about A. He seems to feel v. strongly about the former. The statement is vague , however. What does he mean by hijacked by people who really have actually very little to do with the process . \"Process\": direction? scriptwriting?editing? Or is it post-production? It's can't be Harvey...he's the boss. You know, the Money-Bag guy. Besides he's the guy who paid for the over-production days of MLSF (per sir Denis Puttnam) and saved TEP from being shelved after another studio pulled out.*Sometimes* these people know what's going to *sell*."}, {"response": 1460, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Dec 12, 2000 (20:29)", "body": "(Ev) It's can't be Harvey...he's the boss. You know, the Money-Bag guy. Sure, I know that, but there's always 'the long arm of Harvey'. By MLSF I was referring to the endless tinkering, focus groups, etc. which by CF's own admission (in an interview printed at the time the movie was released in Britain) altered the movie he thought he had made. Anyway...on one thing we can always rely: we will carefully [over]analyze everything ODB says!"}, {"response": 1461, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 12, 2000 (21:11)", "body": "...we will carefully [over]analyze everything ODB says! But, but...that's part of the fun;-) Ok,Ok....I'll go back to my email-cronies... knows where she's not wanted:-(( *winkie*"}, {"response": 1462, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Dec 12, 2000 (21:22)", "body": "Aww, c'mon, Heavy Evie. That is part of the fun (underscored by the fact that we all usually don't agree). Wish I could tell CF to continue taking all the risks he wants as long as he works regularly (which, I would imagine he must do since one can't put food on the table with frequent flyer miles)."}, {"response": 1463, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Dec 12, 2000 (21:51)", "body": "Finally a real interview! Thanks to Mari and Anne. He is a man for all seasons. :-) Colin Firth slopes into the room, filling it with megawatt charm. His Erect Highness extends a warm handshake Damm, I love this! Either he's developing projects or perhaps referring to Armadillo, which he was involved with. Did it get hijacked? What could A&E or BBC have done to cause him to leave the project? As you know, Karen, I always thought A was stolen from him. You know, the Money-Bag guy. Definitely the producers. Most of them have MBAs and are not artistically inclined. I am rushing today so will have to find some time to read it again. Thank you Colin! PS. Who has ever heard of playing tonsil hockey? ;-)"}, {"response": 1464, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 12, 2000 (22:04)", "body": "(Karen) It seems to want to answer all our questions and allay all our gripes. Wonder why? ;-) (Mari) Sniff . . . sniff . . .is that coffee I smell?;-) Feels like the movie Contact and we've just had a return signal from outer space. ;-) (Would like further explanation on why not in Armadillo...are those the extra love scenes?) (Eileen) how's the snow shoveling, BTW? Now that I'm done and have miraculously gotten my car out of the alley (although I may not have an exhaust system anymore), the ad hoc shoveling brigade is coming around looking for work. Wot?! Were they sleeping late? (Evelyn) No uniform?? Why the white make-up? Isn't he pale enough? Maybe as I said earlier, they are shooting some post-war scenes, e.g., the car accident or Nuremberg trials or maybe he didn't wear his Nazi tuxedo costume as was shown in the other film to the conference. Stuckart was a pasty bureaucrat and the white makeup is probably necessary for the filming. (CF) I was shocked the first time I was nominated for a Bafta. I was convinced I didn't give a shit until I lost it. (Evelyn) This would have been \"Tumbledown\". Who'd he lose to for T'down? Can you imagine how he felt losing again to Robbie Coltrane? Argh :-( (Evelyn) You can't put a wet shirt on a mantel. *snort* Especially if it's been auctioned off for charity. hijacked by people who really have actually very little to do with the process. I think he's referring to both DQ and possibly Armadillo. The process is moviemaking and that would mean all creative types plus the backers. The other people have to be the programming bureaucracy at BBC, the heads of various divisions all working at cross purposes and to no end. (Eileen) Anyway...on one thing we can always rely: we will carefully [over]analyze everything ODB says! Is that not why we all have advanced degrees in Microfirthology? ;-)"}, {"response": 1465, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 12, 2000 (22:06)", "body": "(Moon) PS. Who has ever heard of playing tonsil hockey? ;-) Have you led a sheltered life? ;-)"}, {"response": 1466, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Dec 12, 2000 (22:57)", "body": "Can't compare with the Herald interview (many thanks for this!) but there's an interesting interview/article with CF in TV Choice. Will try to quote at length when have more time, but, briefly, CF pays tribute to David Brown...calls him a \"wonderful man\" and says that he (CF) didn't mind getting beaten up himself, but was very upset at the scene where Sandy gets beaten up because it was so real. The guy who had to act the role of the attacker used to shake hands with Sandy after every take. CF also had to have driving lessons but didn't have to take a HGV licence. Very good wriite up for DQ. Ditto TV Times. Says that CF lives doesn't have a Mr Darcy lifestyle but lives in Islington and drives a C reg Nissan Cherry. So he's still got his old car?"}, {"response": 1467, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 12, 2000 (23:12)", "body": "Bethan, when you get a chance, could you please type up the articles. thanks Also, you've mentioned several times that the DQ articles and the SWTA one had pics of Colin. Are these all ones we've seen before?"}, {"response": 1468, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Dec 12, 2000 (23:19)", "body": "(Moon) PS. Who has ever heard of playing tonsil hockey? ;-) (Karen), Have you led a sheltered life? ;-) I just thought the puck might get in the way of the stick. ;-) Rather uncomfortable. drives a C reg Nissan Cherry. So he's still got his old car? You should see the car he drives in Italy. ;-)"}, {"response": 1469, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (03:29)", "body": "As you know, Karen, I always thought A was stolen from him. To be given to James Frain? The guy can't shine Colin's trainers;-) BBC is more stupid than I thought."}, {"response": 1470, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (11:47)", "body": "(Moon)You should see the car he drives in Italy. ;-) What is it? He may not drive the Nissan anymore but it was the only reference that the article writer had to go on. What do you think? Also, when talking of projects snatched or changes, would he include SLOW? Or even Playmaker?"}, {"response": 1471, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (13:32)", "body": "(Moon)You should see the car he drives in Italy. ;-) (Gi), What is it? I was being facetious, Gi. (See my blinkie) I would imagine Colin takes the tube, train, taxi or walks in London and therefore would have no need for a new car. In Italy, that is a different story. There are always transportation strikes and one does need a car. Even to drive from Rome to Umbria, so I am guessing he has a nice car there."}, {"response": 1472, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (16:15)", "body": "If anyone wants to print off the article, it can be done from here: http://www.theherald.co.uk/films/films_home.html"}, {"response": 1473, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (20:08)", "body": "Finally a real interview! Thanks to Mari and Anne. Hear, hear! So it seems our gripes and general humpiness may have filtered through. Have a couple of comments: 1) \"slopes into the room, filling it with megawatt charm. His Erect Highness...\" I love this person's turn of phrase..but v difficult to establish whether Gavin's a girly or bloke.(Gavin maybe one of those names that's been pinched from the guys I suppose.) 2) the film has been almost criminally neglected for more than a year by the Beeb's schedulers before being rushed with almost indecent haste into the Christmas programmes package So up yours BBC - at last somebody put what we've been screaming from our keyboards out in the open. He certainly seems content with his current situation but also comes across as hungry. I think he has finally rescued his light out from under that bushell and has been making regular reccies to Starbucks in the name of olefactory exercise! Not quite off the Beeb/RT bashing...and to echo (!) others comments - the general concensus from what I've heard in other organs is that DQ is a fine piece of drama. Rather than blow their own trumpet at this fact the Beeb (via Radio Times) seems to think that ODBs festive arrangements are far more interesting - though I should concede that at least they feature it in their drama highlight section. BTW here (I don't think it's been posted before but hey if it has here's another chance to see it) is the piccy that accompanies the text - I think it's a variation of the b/w RT pic from P&P days..what say the masses?"}, {"response": 1474, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (20:25)", "body": "That's the pic from The Herald? You beat me to it. The hair makes it look like it would be from a while ago, but do you think it might be a Mark Darcy pic? The striped shirt seems so barrister-like and he has good color. Is there a photo credit?"}, {"response": 1475, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (20:30)", "body": "That annoying echo is gone. Am sure it will return in due time calling itself 'choe' or 'hoec'. And the Compliments of the approaching Season of Peace and Goodwill to All."}, {"response": 1476, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (20:47)", "body": "do you think it might be a Mark Darcy pic? The striped shirt seems so barrister-like and he has good color. Is there a photo credit? No there's no credit. My tendency is towards a much earlier pic, he looks a fair bit younger. The RT picture it reminds me of is here: http://members.nbci.com/cftimeline/pix_magazines.html But it could well be an uptodate BJD one if other publications are using it."}, {"response": 1477, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (20:47)", "body": "Karen, I think that photo was from the TV Times, am I right Tracy? I also second everything Tracy said, the general concensus of opinion in all the TV mags is that DQ is very funny, sweet and well worth a look, even for non Firtfans. The TV Times gave it 3 stars. I am just waiting to see what HEAT magazine has to say. NOW , thanks to Donna I have just seen Camille for the first time and I love it, Colin is so cute, lik a little puppydog and all that hair! I think I shall have to go back and have another look. I can't remember who likes Camille and who hated it but from what I have seen I definitely like it and shall be pleased to add it to my other CF videos. BTW Bethan I have ordered MLSF for the weekend."}, {"response": 1478, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (20:47)", "body": "Whoops missed a bit of your post Karen, sorry the pic is from the Radio Times not the Herald."}, {"response": 1479, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (20:51)", "body": "and I also posted the wrong link...Dur! http://members.nbci.com/cftimeline/radiotimes97.html Obviously I've had a bit to much festive spirit today:-)"}, {"response": 1480, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (20:51)", "body": "Consensus - silly me. That picture is definitely in the TV Times as well."}, {"response": 1481, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (20:54)", "body": "or is it, maybe it was the RT!! and I was only reading them in Tesco's this afternoon, kept expecting someone to come up to me and ask if \"I am buying that magazine/s\""}, {"response": 1482, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (21:06)", "body": "or is it, maybe it was the RT!! They all tend to merge into one another when your in CF scan mode! Tee hee...somebody has been overdosing on tellymags (encouraging to note it's not just me)"}, {"response": 1483, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (22:22)", "body": "I think that pic is from the P&P archive. That band collar shirt looks familiar. Check out this pic fom P&P book. (Tripod won't anyone to pinch their pictures). http://members.tripod.lycos.com/djwan_2/pics/e4.jpg On the otherhand, face is thinner in RT pic. Face was definitely fuller in P&P. Thanks Trace. Ann I'm the only one who likes Camille...me'n Nan:-)) It's sweet."}, {"response": 1484, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (22:44)", "body": "I am unable to see your pic, Tracy. It does not show up on my screen. Karen the link your posted to the article goes to the one for The 6th Day. BTW, I like Colin in Camille too. The acting is vintage Colin. The movie I hate of his is ATA. He looks great in it but the acting... sorry. Even Playmaker has better moments. I am looking forwrd to seeing any new CF pic so please do scan them if you have them. :-)"}, {"response": 1485, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (23:14)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1486, "author": "AnneR", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (23:57)", "body": "Karen the link your posted to the article goes to the one for The 6th Day. Yes, Arnie has muscled Colin out of the spotlight. But you can still get to Colin by going to http://www.theherald.co.uk/ and clicking on Features, Films, and Dastardly Mr Darcy. (Incidentally, I found this article through Westlaw, a proprietary database that includes some newspapers. I didn't discover the Web link until yesterday. I didn't mean to keep anything away from you all, honest!) Karen, WHAT pictures? I don't see anything!"}, {"response": 1487, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 14, 2000 (00:00)", "body": "Thanks Donna...Ho, ho...Tripod doesn't scare you;-) Now don't you all think that's the same shirt as the new RT pic. (At least that pic is new to me.) Moon....Tracy's picture is on my screen.Wait a while and go back. and Karen's URL is the interview...hit it again."}, {"response": 1488, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec 14, 2000 (01:08)", "body": "Thanks, Anne and Evelyn. Karen, I do hope you will add the interview to The Bucket."}, {"response": 1489, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 14, 2000 (01:43)", "body": "Here's the link to The Herald's article, bypassing all those frames and it should stay there. http://www.theherald.co.uk/films/archive/11-12-19100-22-18-18.html The article has been added to The Bucket. Go to the What's New page and scroll down to Articles. I've also excerpted the relevant stuff unto the BJD, Conspiracy and DQ pages."}, {"response": 1490, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Dec 14, 2000 (03:48)", "body": "(CF) I was shocked the first time I was nominated for a Bafta. I was convinced I didn't give a shit until I lost it. (Evelyn) This would have been \"Tumbledown\". (Karen) Who'd he lose to for T'down? ... :-( Ray Mc Anally for \"A Very British Coup.\" TD itself got the BAFTA for best drama, though. I wish one of these days, they'd give credit where credit was due! ;-)"}, {"response": 1491, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Thu, Dec 14, 2000 (03:56)", "body": "I, too, am partial to Camille. DB is so young and innocent in it. I especially like the scene in which he shows the glass flower to Marguerite's servant. The only scene I found seriously wanting was Marguerite's death. But, I'm no judge of quality; I quite liked SLOW, too. Re: the interview. Won't it be something when the word \"Darcy\" doesn't appear in the title of an article? Not that I don't adore Darcy; I just wish Colin would take on a role(and a movie)so terrific that it will push Mr. Darcy into the background."}, {"response": 1492, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec 14, 2000 (13:29)", "body": "That will take some time, Lynda. We are all hoping that Mark Darcy will be his opportunity to get those roles."}, {"response": 1493, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Dec 14, 2000 (14:29)", "body": "(Evelyn)Now don't you all think that's the same shirt as the new RT pic. Not I. Different stripe, different shirt."}, {"response": 1494, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 14, 2000 (15:51)", "body": "(KJ)TD itself got the BAFTA for best drama, though. I wish one of these days, they'd give credit where credit was due! ;-) NO...the worse mistake BAFTA made was when they passed over P&P and gave the award to \"The Polictician's Wife\"!!I wonder how many videos Politician's wife has sold...;-)Shocking.. (Lynda)I, too, am partial to Camille. Hey....we're getting a big crowd here...big enough to take on the \"anti's\" Sometime we can discuss it.That might bring out all kinds of folks out of the woodwork;-) About the shirt: OK.. \"Wrong again, evelyn...\" I just wish Colin would take on a role(and a movie)so terrific that it will push Mr. Darcy into the background. I don't think that will ever happen in UK, anyway."}, {"response": 1495, "author": "Eljanfor51", "date": "Thu, Dec 14, 2000 (18:33)", "body": "Thanks Mari and AnneR. for the article. I wish Colin would be on the talk show circuit in the U.S. when BJD comes out. It would be fun to see some interviews. I have to join the list of people who liked Camille, but I do agree with whoever it was a some time ago who said he is a SAGO (sexier as he gets older)."}, {"response": 1496, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Dec 14, 2000 (19:37)", "body": "Finally diving into this article . . . heaven forfend, those gloriously peaked cheekbones have been painted powdery white. It's Kabuki Colin!:-) Being a film baddie obviously agrees with Firth, though it's a role that many of his legions of fans might not be too happy for him to play. Well, this fan is happy enough. Through their choices, actors have a unique opportunity to inform, inspire, remind, and shine a light on ignorance. Even when--perhaps especially when-- it's painful to do so. One need only look at the Balkans or Rwanda, or before that, Cambodia, to know that systematic extermination of a people is not relegated to the distant past. And where do you get this idea about tedious female fans? There is no such thing. I like female attention. I think it is fantastic. I don't want women to think I am standoffish. If somebody finds me attractive I will take that. I love it. Love this part. Don't worry, Colin, your Volvo-driving fans know you are always a gentleman.:-) Yet here sits an actor who doesn't read his reviews : he measures them. What do you think this means? Not jaundiced enough to turn my back on it if they come begging me to accept their dollars and all the perks that go along with it . . . Certainly as an actor in my position, many of the kind of things I would like to do are the preserve of big studios who have first refusal on scripts and have a box-office consideration on casting. I won't get a look-in on the level that is above me. No one is going to come begging, Colin, and stop sounding as though the ship has already sailed. Get moving. If he wants a shot at the best stuff--and it certainly sounds as though he does--he has to let them know who he is. Good reviews in a commercial hit would help; not sure if his part in BJD will be big enough to do the trick, but we'll see. Networking is also key, and I sense he doesn't do much of that. The mountain doesn't come to Mohammed.;-) I can surely understand why he'd want to do a High Fidelity or About A Boy instead of seeing those passed to a Cusack or a Grant. When I know there is a lot of money riding on it and there are executives flying over from LA to check up on things I feel greater pressure. I can feel fear around me when that happens. I think people handled Bridget Jones very coolly. But there are things in the past where the more money there has been, the more neurosis there has been around. I find it rather oppressive. Welcome to the world. Nobody likes people looking over their shoulder, but all of us are accountable to someone--especially those of us who work for clients. When I look at his bigger budget stuff, like TEP or SIL, no way is a Miramax going to say, \"here's $35 or $45 million--just call us when it's all done.\" Of course they are going to monitor it. It's a huge investment. Actually, I think he may have been talking about ATA, which brings up an irony: when the film turns out well (as TEP and SIL did) nobody bitches about the interim \"checking.\" Glad to hear that DQ is getting good press. Tracy, thanks for that new pic. Just when I thought we'd seen every variation of every pose, along comes a goodie to surprise us. BTW, I'd lay odds that Gavin is a he. Definitely a case of Erect Highness envy.;-) (Janine) I wish Colin would be on the talk show circuit in the U.S. when BJD comes out. It would be fun to see some interviews. From your lips to God's ear, Janine. See above comments on networking and letting people know who he is.;-) My fear is that Colin will continue to refuse to do these shows and that TV publicity duties will fall to you-know-Hugh.:-("}, {"response": 1497, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Dec 14, 2000 (22:01)", "body": "(Mari) I can surely understand why he'd want to do a High Fidelity or About A Boy instead of seeing those passed to a Cusack or a Grant. Why would he want to do those, after Fever Pitch? Not a great success, nor even a great movie..."}, {"response": 1498, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 14, 2000 (23:05)", "body": "(Janine)I have to join the list of people who liked Camille, Hear, Hear... The PRO -CAMILLE TEAM, so far.... Ann, Moon, Lynda,Janine, evelyn, Donna? Mari? Elena-where are-you? Who else?? (I know the \"anti's\") ;-)"}, {"response": 1499, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 14, 2000 (23:09)", "body": "(Mari) It's Kabuki Colin!:-) Noh! ;-) (Mari) Definitely a case of Erect Highness envy.;-) LOL! Must be, which brings me to this: mostly tedious fans it seems, who lasciviously drool at the bottom lip and reverentially regard him as a potential between-the-sheets Apollo and Hercules all rolled into one. Hmmm, sounds like Gavin's been reading the Fan Fic. A shame he doesn't realize that it's about Mr Darcy. No CF fan fic here. ;-)"}, {"response": 1500, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Dec 14, 2000 (23:18)", "body": "(Evelyn) The PRO -CAMILLE TEAM Uh-oh, I confess :-) The only thing I like about the movie is his voice. I actually saw the movie on TV when it aired in the early eighties. I remember thinking at the time that he had a magnificent voice, but he was too pretty for my tastes and probably gay. :-) I'm definitely a SAGO gal, though I could seduce Neil Truelove in a NY minute. :-)"}, {"response": 1501, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 14, 2000 (23:22)", "body": "On another subject, last night after Dubya made his speech and I didn't want to hear anymore talking heads commenting on it, I flipped the channels and came upon a PBS show entitled, Holocaust on Trial. It was a rerun, but was about a libel case in England, involving British historian and Holocaust denier named David Irving. In the trial reenactments, Irving was played by John Castle (Lost Empires). I missed the beginning, but they showed Wannsee and talked about the conference. There were photos of the attendees on the wall. If you want to read about it, go to Nova's website and check your local PBS schedule to see if it is being rerun in your area: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/holocaust/ [also click on the Director's Story]"}, {"response": 1502, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 14, 2000 (23:23)", "body": "(Donna) I could seduce Neil Truelove in a NY minute. :-) But Romelia couldn't. We'd try harder though. *hee hee*"}, {"response": 1503, "author": "Echo", "date": "Fri, Dec 15, 2000 (01:49)", "body": "About the shirt: OK.. \"Wrong again, evelyn...\" That shirt made the first public appearance at a publicity photo shoot in 1994."}, {"response": 1504, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Dec 15, 2000 (03:39)", "body": "(Gi) Why would he want to do those, after Fever Pitch? Not a great success, nor even a great movie... I really like the Hornby books/film adaptations, but I realize they're not everyone's cuppa (though I think CF likes them). What sort of roles do you think he was talking about when he said that many of the things he'd like to do are the preserve of the studios? Maybe the Ralph Fiennes-type roles, or something else? (Evelyn) The PRO -CAMILLE TEAM, so far.... Cough, cough, hack, sputter, gasp, cough . . .er, just doing my Marguerite impression.;-) Sorry, Ev, I'm more of an \"anti,\" but actually don't feel strongly about it. I've seen worse.;-)"}, {"response": 1505, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 15, 2000 (04:12)", "body": "(Gi) Why would he want to do those, after Fever Pitch? Not a great success, nor even a great movie... Let's be fair, there aren't that many *great* movies. ;-) BTW, word has it that High Fidelity could get a screenplay adaptation nom for Johnnie & Co. The critics loved the movie and many admired the way it was brought to the screen. Since only members of the writing branch nominate and vote, could be. (Mari) Maybe the Ralph Fiennes-type roles, or something else? A given IMO. You know, if those scripts don't have his name on them, maybe he needs a new agent. ;-)"}, {"response": 1506, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Dec 15, 2000 (13:29)", "body": "You know, if those scripts don't have his name on them, maybe he needs a new agent. ;-) Our favourite subject. The last time we tried sending our telepathic thoughts did not work. Even Christabel would agree. ;-)"}, {"response": 1507, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Dec 16, 2000 (17:34)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1508, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Dec 16, 2000 (17:39)", "body": "(Karen) In the trial reenactments, Irving was played by John Castle (Lost Empires.) LOL...just been thinking about him. So what does Uncle Nick look like now? But to fall for a producer, someone in the business, wasn't that a bit . . . er . . . incestuous? OK, we know her profession now but wasn't she a producer's assistant at that time? In other words, a go-fer? On a par with make-up artist and at least they win awards. Wot!? Me jealous? ;-) I am not a frustrated actor. Yeah! Validation does feel good, Eileen. Yet here sits an actor who doesn't read his reviews : he measures them. I wonder too, Mari, what this means. Nothing else in the article seems to give a clue. Gavin surely can't mean that he ranks them. Perish the thought. (Lynda) Won't it be something when the word \"Darcy\" doesn't appear in the title of an article? Oh I agree, Lynda. Though if Mark Darcy is the name that knocks Mr. Darcy off, I won't mind."}, {"response": 1509, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec 16, 2000 (20:20)", "body": "Irving was played by John Castle (Lost Empires.) Wasn't he Ben's buddie? who doesn't read his reviews : he measures them. (Heide)I wonder too, Mari, what this means. Nothing else in the article seems to give a clue One of the definitions in my dictionary \"Measures:an adequate or due portion, a quantity, a fixed or suitable limit.\" You can say that again...one interview every six months if we're lucky."}, {"response": 1510, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Dec 16, 2000 (21:52)", "body": "Have just watched MLSF on video, thankyou Bethan for persuading me to do so. I am grateful for two reason one is that I preferred it on the small screen, funnily it seems to suit the small screen better, and secondly I think I got to see the American version, where CF & MEM are dancing in the rain and it ends with Edward looking in on Fraser as he listens to Jazz , smokes a cigar!!etc, a lovely scene. Wonder if I could buy this version. BTW Evelyn, there is one scene where RH is sitting up in bed with her hair down and her hand over her mouth, just after Frazier has checked if she is still alive, where she looked the spitting image of Jennifer or should it be the other way round."}, {"response": 1511, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Dec 16, 2000 (21:53)", "body": "Frazier, duh!"}, {"response": 1512, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 16, 2000 (22:24)", "body": "Here's John Castle as David Irving: If you go to this page, you can see video clip of him. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/holocaust/making.html (Evelyn) Wasn't he Ben's buddie? Friend of the family, as I recall, from school. (Ann) I think I got to see the American version, where CF & MEM are dancing in the rain and it ends with Edward looking in on Fraser as he listens to Jazz How very odd! Why would they put the American version on rental in your country? Perhaps, someone decided it was the better version. ;-) (Ann) Frazier, duh! No, you were correct the first time. It was Fraser."}, {"response": 1513, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Dec 16, 2000 (22:31)", "body": "No I said Fraser the first time, the second time I wrote Frazier, wonder why. Incidentally, I have just been to the IMDB for BJD, (wrong topic, oh well,), and they confirm that the USA release date is the 6th April. Netherlands and Sweden 12 &13th April respectively, nothing so far for the UK."}, {"response": 1514, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Dec 16, 2000 (23:52)", "body": "Just managed to return to the Herald interview again. Fascinating. Interesting that one of his grandfathers was a doctor as well as being ordained. He ceratinly comes from very worthy genes! I wonder if this would be his mother's father? There are a couple of very well-written articles by Colin's mother on creating a healing environment in hospitals -\"The Hospital as Temple\"- at http://www.geneeswijzen.net/hspaat/hosp97.html http://www.geneeswijzen.net/hspaat/hosp95.html Certainly, well worth reading. She writes about Dr Patch Adams, one of the speakers at the conference, and comments on the irony that he desperately needs $20million to carry out his work in hospitals, whilst Robin Williams is being paid $16million to play him in a Hollywood movie. She's currently on the staff at Reading University, teaching an MA course. She also, with her husband, is on the Committee for the Association for Marriage Enrichment, a charity (and offshoot of the Marriage Guidance Council) dedicated to helping couples improve and build a loving relationship within marriage. You can see why CF is a decent sort of man! Good genes! Glad you like MLSF Ann. Watch it again!!"}, {"response": 1515, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Dec 17, 2000 (00:09)", "body": "Will do Bethan, have got it until tomorrow night!! BTW was the \"dancing in the rain\" scene on your copy you rented. Also I have been dying to hear what you thought of the latest Colin (Mark Darcy) photo, which Karen posted recently, together with others, on the BJD topic, the one where he is wearing a polo neck jumper and standing very close to Renee. (lucky girl). Have you seen it yet? It can also be found on Karen's Bucket site. They are new photos."}, {"response": 1516, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 17, 2000 (05:10)", "body": "Sunday Times has written up DQ as its Critics Choice for 12/28: Donovan Quick (BBC1, 9pm) One of the most underrated dramas of recent years was Donna Franceschild's Taking Over the Asylum. For Donovan Quick, she has updated Cervantes's Don Quixote and set it in Glasgow, resulting in a cracking drama. Quick (Colin Firth, appearing for the first time on television since The Turn of the Screw) is a well-spoken mystery man, who takes a room with the dysfunctional Pannick family. When the local train service - Windmill Transport, naturally - fails to stop at the station where the Pannick son with learning disabilities (David Brown, who has the same problems) waits, Quick sets himself up against the great wheels of the establishment, and starts a rival one-bus company. Since this must have been in production before the current transport crisis, those involved must be the only people for whom the current train-service horrors are fortuitous: the public will always relate to a romantic dream, but this will have thousands of commuters cheering and punching the air. The real star, however, is Quick: spiritual, strange, otherworldly and madly sane, he appears blind to the Pannicks' flaws, which include one alcoholic, one car thief, and one grandmother (Liz Smith) who walks around naked. http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2000/12/17/sticultvv03017.html"}, {"response": 1517, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Dec 17, 2000 (10:05)", "body": "BTW was the \"dancing in the rain\" scene on your copy you rented. Also I have been dying to hear what you thought of the latest Colin (Mark Darcy) photo, which Karen posted recently, together with others, on the BJD topic, the one where he is wearing a polo neck jumper and standing very close to Renee. (lucky girl) Very yummy, Ann! I'm really hoping CF gets some Hollywood recognition (an absolute must) for BJD and that doors start opening. There's a review of the MLSF video in the Sunday Telegraph. \"Based on Sir Denis Forman's account of his Scottish childhood, Hugh Hudson's come-back picture is a coming of age saga set in the 1920's. Tasty, if a touch whimsical, and strongly cast (Malcolm McDowell, Mary Elizabeth Mastantonio and Irene Jacob). Hello there, anyone missing?!!! Can it be deliberate?!! I had the \"dancing in the rain\" video. I thought the packaging wasn't very good... most videos have rave reviews on the front.... \"Superb, stunning performances, xxxxx is brilliant!\" etc. MLSF just has \"from the makers of \"Chariots of fire\" (like, that was well over 20 years ago!) Also it has no pics of CF on the back, and on the side it has a photo of MEM. Nitpicking, I know, but...."}, {"response": 1518, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec 17, 2000 (17:15)", "body": "Thanks Karen for review ...of all the pics of DQ why in the world did they choose that one? No v. flattering, IMO. Wonder why they chose the US ending to MLSF in the UK?"}, {"response": 1519, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Dec 18, 2000 (16:53)", "body": "Surfing arounf, found these CF news items from a British biased movie news site...reelscreen.com News dates back about six months. All the other items I saw seemed pretty kosher and accurate. Hiking to Hollywood... the big screen adaptation of 'The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy' is back on track - again. The script, adapted by Douglas Adams from his own cult novel, has been through numerous re-writes, the Americans never quite sure what to make of hero Arthur Dent's uniquely British brand of tea-pot humour. No word yet on casting but you can safely say Colin Firth's name is doing the rounds (This is a terrific project...the cult novel to end all cult novels. Has fanatical worldwide following. See amazon.com. But will not (remember \"Armadillo\"!) believe anything until shooting starts, and not even then! Carry on Doctor... Colin Firth is the latest name to be connected with BBC boss Greg Dyke's inspired British \"blockbuster\" version of 'Dr Who'. Budgeted at \ufffd15 million the film is set to be directed by Russell Mulcahy ('Highlander'). Final casting decisions are due to be nnounced in July, with shooting set to begin in autumn. (No casting has been announced yet. Seems to be the BBC's Big Project) Colin hits roof... the ever gallant Colin Firth has leapt to the defence of his 'Bridget Jones' co-star Ren\ufffde Zellweger over the decision to cast her (an American) in what many see as a definitively British role. Firth settled the argument with the fairly valid point that \"If we all played only that which we are, all films would be made about a bunch of luvvies, sitting in green rooms gossiping about their agents and billing\". Kenneth Branagh take note..."}, {"response": 1520, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Dec 18, 2000 (18:05)", "body": "Thanks Bethan, re Carry on Doctor - is that casting to be announced July 2001?"}, {"response": 1521, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Dec 18, 2000 (19:10)", "body": "the big screen adaptation of 'The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy' Wonderful book and a brilliant radio adaptation read by Peter Jones who had just the right voice. I always worry about these very imaginative pieces being portrayed on screen. Like Lord of the Rings or Gormenghast they are such tour de forces of the imagination. 'Dr Who'. Oh save us! BBC and Dr Who. Can't think of anything worse. Great sleuthing though, Bethan."}, {"response": 1522, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Dec 18, 2000 (22:44)", "body": "Slightly behind everyone else I know (but hey what's new) - I finally got to see MLSF having rented it from my local Blockbusters, who had two copies BTW. I agree Ann, it is certrainly a grower, having taken advantage of my two-night rental, I've watched it a few times now and you see different nuances creeping in each time. Loved the lovely dancing in the rain bit and particularly the swathe of emotions which pass over Edward's face on discovering Fraser in the secret library. Beautiful scenery and score. Must get as a keepsie!"}, {"response": 1523, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (04:41)", "body": "(Allison) Oh save us! BBC and Dr Who. Can't think of anything worse. Colin's named bandied about for the forthcoming Planet of the Apes remake??? ;-) (Tracy) Must get as a keepsie! Am virtually reeling at all these about-faces. (btw, since you can play NTSC, take advantage of all the ultra cheap previously vieweds available)"}, {"response": 1524, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (04:55)", "body": "Hi friends... ...have been lurking for a while(in the middle of my PhD quals.). But, I had dinner with a college friend last night. Anyway, she's an \"insider\" in the biz, and told me that not too long ago, Colin was seriously on the negotiating table for a film about the black plague. He was to be in the title role, but scheduling problems forced him not to commit. Anyone know about this? The film (still in pre-production) had the word \"alley\" in the title. Sorry if this is old news. I just thought of everyone here when my friend mentioned Colin's name (...inward squeal of delight, surpressed by the somberness of the restaurant and my friend's indifference to ODB). BTW, happy holidays to you all! I've missed you!"}, {"response": 1525, "author": "aishling", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (10:09)", "body": "From the TV Times \"It's very interesting\", Colin Firth remarks, \"how one gets interpreted as belonging to a particular period in English history. People seem to think I'm a very rich man with a mansion in Derbyshire who rides a horse and lived 200 years ago\". Instead, Colin lives in Isling and drives a C-reg Nissan Cherry. Even so, in his post-Darcy P&P days it's hard to imagine Colin in a modern-day drams. One like DQ, for example. Colin is the Donovan of the title - a mysterious lodger in present day Glasgow who transforms the life of a dysfunctional family. We meet Lucy Pannick, the alcoholic head of the family. Then there's her son Jim, who steals cars. And there's Gran who wanders around the house half-naked. And finally, Sandy, Lucy's good-natured but mentally impaired younger brother. Donovan walks into this strange household and immediately things start to change for the better. But Donovan's certainly not all he seems. \"To be honest, I didn't have a clue how to play him\", says Colin. \"Is he mad or is he sane? Is this a flight of sanity or a flight of lunacy? I don't know...\" Small pic DQ sitting on bed. Further review from TV Times The star billing of Colin Firth should be enough to get the ladies tuning in, but we reckon this drama warrants a wider audience than just fans of Mr Darcy. As always, Firth is compelling as the title character, a quiet mystery man who descends upon a Scottish town where the HQ of a big transport business is located; one of those companies that outrages locals by cancelling services willy-nilly. Donovan takes a stand, makes friends with the ragtag Pannick family and, via flashbacks, it becomes clear what Donovan's motive is. This tale, about a search for atonement, unfolds nicely and is sweetly touching. Pic of DQ and Sandy on the station platform."}, {"response": 1526, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (13:46)", "body": "Thanks, Aishling. I wonder if Colin is disappointed that DQ did not have a theatrical release as DF was expecting. He seems to be the BBC Santa Claus of the Xmas season in Britain, expect to see him then always. Which is not a bad thing. ;-) He was to be in the title role, but scheduling problems forced him not to commit. Thanks, Winter! Some actors go from film to film. Colin gets film offers that always seem to conflict with other ones. And still, we only get one film a year from him. :-( Too bad he is not in the, \"We will wait for you\" league, as Cruise and Hanks are. I do not know about any film about the plague. The last one I saw which included that subject was, \"The Horseman on the Roof\". Alas, no site of Colin."}, {"response": 1527, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (13:58)", "body": "(Winter) Colin was seriously on the negotiating table for a film about the black plague. He was to be in the title role Was going to say Hour of the Pig 2, but he couldn't do the title role. ;-) Wonder what it was? Thanks, Winter. Thanks for the typing up the articles, Aishling. Knew I could count on you. :-) Like how TV Times called it a \"search for atonement.\""}, {"response": 1528, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (14:19)", "body": "So he has missed out on two projects, hope there is some very good reason, like a \"ONCE IN A LIFETIME\" project."}, {"response": 1529, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (15:07)", "body": "Thanks Aishling for taking the time to type the articles . (Allison) Oh save us! BBC and Dr Who. Can't think of anything worse. (Karen)Colin's named bandied about for the forthcoming Planet of the Apes remake??? ;-) Or now that Brendan Frasier is scheduled for the West End....perhaps ODB is in line for \"George of the Jungle , II\";-)"}, {"response": 1530, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (15:18)", "body": "DQ gets 4stars in HEAT magazine and is \"Pick of the Day\" and No.14 of the Best programmes to watch over the entire Christmas & New Year period. The only thing I don't agree with is the last sentence of the review \"This may be an interesting and timely, albeit rather worthy,film but it has too many gringeworty moments to be truly inspiring, 4 stars (even so (my words))."}, {"response": 1531, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (18:37)", "body": "Colin was seriously on the negotiating table for a film about the black plague. I wouldn't mourn the loss of this one, folks. Sounds to me like we dodged a bullet.;-) Good to hear from you, Winter! Many thanks to Aishling, Ann, and anyone else I've forgotten for the DQ reviews. These are good reviews indeed, and well-deserved."}, {"response": 1532, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (21:02)", "body": "Hi there Winter! One thing that struck me about Winter's news is that at least CF is being considered (presumably) for leads in Hollywood backed movies, as opposed to 4th billing in shoestring Brit films. Also if the film's in pre-production, his scheduling commitments must be in the future, so maybe he *has* got something else lined up! Found some more info on \"\"A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy\". Hollywood Pictures (offshoot of Disney) president David Vogel purchased the screen rights. Jay Roach (\"Austin Powers\") is to direct and co-author the screenplay (based on a draft by Douglas Adams) with producer Roger Birnbaum. Budget is $110 million. Jim Carrey was originally considered for the lead but was too expensive. (Although I don't think he's exactly the most appropriate choice to play a mild-mannered 30 something Englishman in search of the perfect cup of tea!). Vogel said that he'd been keen to do this for a long time because it was so funny, but the fantasy posed problems, but now they have the technology to represent the fantasy. Well, we shall have to wait and see, and for once I'm keeping my enthusiasm completely and utterly under wraps! Shall say no more. But could this be that journey/adventure of a lifetime, Ann?! (Allison) Oh save us! BBC and Dr Who. Can't think of anything worse. Completely agree. But Greg Dyke seems to think this is the greatest idea since sliced bread. This is their Big Movie to end all Big Movies. DQ gets 4stars in HEAT magazine and is \"Pick of the Day\" (Ann) Quite liked the opening comments in this, Ann. Something about it's no wonder that this project appealed to a thesp of such standing as Colin Fith. Then goes on to say that fortunately Firthy doesn't have to adopt a Glaswegian accent. I always think that when the press start mucking around with your surname...Becks, Macca, Giggsy et al, it means you've really arrived...I'm not sure where!!"}, {"response": 1533, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (21:06)", "body": "Fith! O-ooops!!"}, {"response": 1534, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (21:18)", "body": "Found this, using my super-duper Search Engine about unmade movie scripts. Sounds like Winter's movie. He said \"no\"? Hmmmm....sounds rather good. The title I have in mind is Walter Brown Newman's HARROW ALLEY*, a truly remarkable epic with wonderful characters, hilarious dialogue, and absorbing drama, about great and universal ideas yet accessible at an intimate level. In short, the 'the greatest script I have ever read'. So why has it never become a movie? Apparently written in the early 60's and optioned again and again by parties unable to launch it(John Huston, George C. Scott), HARROW ALLEY is what is known as a 'tough sell'. I neglected to mention that it takes place in the 1700's, deals with the black plague, and most of the characters meet cruelly awful fates. It also needs an epic budget. Reading HARROW ALLEY is a thrill because one can't help but mentally cast one's own actors and director as the imagination kicks in. This is a trap, of course, because if the film were to be produced, it would obviously resemble the director's personal vision, and not mine. Right now HARROW ALLEY remains untouched and perfect, and not an actual, imp rfectly realized movie."}, {"response": 1535, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (21:33)", "body": "Another rave for Harrow Alley, \"Serious Oscar material\" . So, what scheduling problems? Can't they be sorted? Coming Not So Soon: Harrow Alley I sought out this screenplay simply because it was listed as one of the best unproduced screenplays ever written in a recent issue of Premiere. This caught my attention. Alumni of such lists have included everything from Jacob's Ladder to Airplane! and I figured I was in for something else. I didn't get something else (see the script review below for that one) but I did get something grand. And it doesn't sound grand in pitch mode--hear for yourself--put yourself in Studio Exec Mode (start thinking about how The Avengers and Batman and Robin were really great films) and then have someone say this aloud to you: \"It's a portrait of London in the grip of the bubonic plague during the 18th Century.\" WHOA! You just greenlighted it, didn't you? Oh boy, you just fell over in your chair and said, \"Whoopydee doo! It's a tentpole summer blockbuster! We gotta hurry before Universal greenlights their project about an outbreak of ringworm in 14th Century China!\" No of course you didn't. You said, \"Hell no. Nobody wants a movie with that much death in it, with those black whatchamacallits on people's skins and no happy ending. Where heroes and villains and inbetweeners all shift roles around like...you know, like real life! Not to mention the budget you would need to do one of those period pieces. Gross. Gnarly. Get out of my office. We've got to work on the new Yahoo Serious movie.\" Of course bearing in mind that in the real world, which you and I inhabit but not movie studio execs who live in Hypertime, moviegoers are so starved for anything they'll watch even a decent movie like The Sixth Sense to death, you're absolutely wrong. People want different movies. They want things that aren't cookie cutter. If they wanted cookie cutter films they'd stay home and watch USA Network original fare. But I'm ranting. I should be reviewing this script. Or both. Something. The story has several characters--an alderman and his young wife, their neighbors and good friends, a convicted felon sentenced to die who is pulled off the gallows (literally) to collect corpses, a local doctor, a street preacher--all of these people's lives are turned inside out by the outbreak. The government deserts, the people infected are boarded up in their houses to die, and loyalties are absolutely destroyed. I know, it doesn't sound very cheery--it's not. But it has a point to make, several in fact, and it does so marvelously. Also, let me tell you this. Whoever does grow the cojones to make this sucker a reality will be looking at serious Oscar material. No, it won't make a lot of people happy. No, it's not a happy movie about springtime and flowers and crap like that. I would group this in with--dare I say it? (dare dare)--American Beauty. Like AB, it's a complex masterpiece that although not necessarily happy, is extremely uplifting when you look at it the right way. It doesn't have an abundance of morbid hilarity like AB (although it has some really dark humor in it if played correctly)--it's just a great piece with multiple characters and multiple storylines. It's like--it's like a Robert Altman Merchant-Ivory film but completely different. But take heart, this script has staying power. It was written in the 1960's by a gentleman by the name of Walter Brown Newman, and it's simply too good NOT to be made."}, {"response": 1536, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (21:36)", "body": "Bethan, good sleuthing! \"Harrow Alley\" That's it! My pal has said that the script is constantly changing hands, but they (her production co.) are obviously at a point where actors names are being kicked around. My friend (who works for the same production co. that did the Emma Thompson version of S&S) said they had been courting ODB around the same time those floods were going on in London. A few months ago, right?"}, {"response": 1537, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (23:03)", "body": "Well it sure sounds good,but I am NOT buying the book;-)"}, {"response": 1538, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Dec 20, 2000 (12:48)", "body": "Well it sure sounds good,but I am NOT buying the book;-) LOL! We've got a copy of the Hitchhiker trilogy (which is actually 4 volumes) and even if the role goes to a Hollywood megastar, I'd still recommend it as a terrific read, up there with Harry Potter. Although if you read about an unassuming Englisnman, who supports good causes, works for the BBC, does the Guardian crossword, and shops in Islington, you don't automatically think Jim Carrey! I like Volume 4 when Arthur returns home and falls in love (it's not all scifi!!) Also (and I sound as though I'm showing off, sorry!) we've got a copy of Daniel Defoe's \"Journal of the Plague Year\" ..which I guess could be a source for Harrow Alley (Defoe's house overlooks Harrow Alley) It's a graphic read...but would would you want to see the horrors?"}, {"response": 1539, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec 20, 2000 (14:03)", "body": "Bethan, good sleuthing! Agreed! Winter those floods in Nov. were not too long ago. If Colin did not accept what seems to be a great script, I hope he has a very good reason. Especially since the film would most likely be filmed in England."}, {"response": 1540, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Dec 20, 2000 (19:11)", "body": "if you read about an unassuming Englisnman, who supports good causes, works for the BBC, does the Guardian crossword, and shops in Islington, you don't automatically think Jim Carrey! Erm... Depends who *you* are... ;-) Daniel Defoe's \"Journal of the Plague Year\" ..which I guess could be a source for Harrow Alley (Defoe's house overlooks Harrow Alley) Bingo! Bethan, you're brill."}, {"response": 1541, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 20, 2000 (20:57)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1542, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 20, 2000 (21:02)", "body": "I've put up last week's Herald article, complete with the pics: http://www.spring.net/karenr/articles/herald120900.html Aishling, is that the same one of DQ on the bed? Wish he hadn't scowled. :-("}, {"response": 1543, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 20, 2000 (22:01)", "body": "Apparently, Colin is a patron for a theatre company for disabled and nondisabled young children, based in Dorset. It's called \"Out of the Blue.\" Check it out: http://www.outofthebluetheatre.btinternet.co.uk/colfirth.html"}, {"response": 1544, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 20, 2000 (22:35)", "body": "Terrific job,boss.I see he made the front cover of the weekly magazine! But I don't remember him in that pose on the bed. When did that occur in DQ? Nice pic with Jennifer..but I don't remember that dress having a lavender top... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Generous of him to give his time to that children's theatre in Dorset. Wonder what he does. Patrons usually are major donors and assist in fundraising. At least in the US."}, {"response": 1545, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 20, 2000 (23:50)", "body": "The pose on the bed looks to be just a publicity shot. But who would use one like that?! The scowl? That's why we keep seeing the one where he leans out the window on everything. (Evelyn) Wonder what he does. LOL! Isn't that we we do every day? ;-) Maybe he volunteers some time there. Check out the About Us page: http://www.outofthebluetheatre.btinternet.co.uk/workshop.html And if you make a \ufffd10.00 contribution, you can get a newsletter!"}, {"response": 1546, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Dec 21, 2000 (03:07)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1547, "author": "aishling", "date": "Thu, Dec 21, 2000 (10:15)", "body": "Karen - is that the same one of DQ on the bed? Yes it is. I didn't remember that pose either."}, {"response": 1548, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 22, 2000 (15:37)", "body": "New article, again from James Rampton of The Scotsman, sent to me by Janet: A victim of kind and prejudice James Rampton It was a case of \"don't mention the D-word\". I had been warned in the strongest possible terms before my interview with Colin Firth that it would be inadvisable to bring up the ticklish subject of his most famous role as Mr Darcy, the smouldering hero who caused such a mass outbreak of national hysteria when he appeared in BBC1's production of Pride and Prejudice in 1995. So it was with some trepidation that I went for supper with Firth at a smart Japanese restaurant in Glasgow. No doubt, I said to myself, he is going to be Darcy Revisited: stern, harsh and distinctly unsmiling. He might even reprimand me for the vulgarity of my manners. But in the event, I needn't have worried. Firth is perfectly happy to discuss all aspects of the character that dare not speak his name. The actor even - shock, horror - possesses a keen sense of absurdity. A relaxed presence with a black zip-up top and slightly dishevelled hair, he is certainly not afraid of taking the mick out of himself. \"The British in general are brilliant at laughing at themselves and their country,\" he says, \"and there' nothing more pleasing in a person. Starting with yourself is the root of all humour. \"When I've been in comedies, I'e tended to be the butt of the joke. In Shakespeare in Love, my function was to be the one guy who lacks poetry, romance and humour - all the things that the film celebrates. It's an important comic function, and having a sense of one's own ridiculousness is something that keeps me sane.\" As an example, he goes on to reveal that his friends had a great time at his expense over his horse-riding exploits in Pride and Prejudice: \"Oh, they laughed themselves to death. And they continue to. The contrasts to that character are quite extreme if you see me daily over breakfast.\" In fact, the only thing that still unnerves Firth about the Pride and Prejudice experience is the memory of the \"Darcy Mania\" that gripped the nation for a while. The ballyhoo only become more intense when the brooding aristocrat - in a now immortal scene from TV history - came out of a lake wearing a sodden white shirt. \"I'd been doing this job for quite a number of years and things had never gone potty like that before,\" Firth says. \"I was delighted, but nervous. What could I say in response to it other than a rather limp 'gosh'? And how could I answer questions such as: 'What's it like to be a heart-throb?' 'Well, I wake up and have a full heartthrob breakfast. Then I walk down the street making hearts throb all over the place'.\" He was also perplexed that people always expected him to look like an Adonis off-screen. \"Until I played that part, I was never aware of disappointing anyone with my presence. In 35 years, I had never previously seen anyone's face fall when they met me face-to-face. If anything, that's the answer to the question, 'what's it like to be a heart-throb?' You're a walking disappointment. There is absolutely no possibility of living up to a character who has that kind of grandeur.\" Firth has found the sex-symbol stereotype restrictive in other ways, too. A heartthrob had better know his place - \"I've encountered that a few times,\" he sighs. \"We're very specific about people's roles. In any debate forum, if someone contributes who is not seen as qualified, then it's invalid. You're judged on your credentials, not on what you actually say. So as an actor, there are certain areas you're forbidden to enter. People won't hear certain things from a luvvie. You're endowed with specific features - you're trivial, you're self-obsessed. \"So, for instance, when Harold Pinter asked some questions about the moral authority of the war in Kosovo, George Robertson said: \"Mr Pinter seems to have found himself a new profession.\" The implication was: \"Stick to writing plays.\" So I feel I can't take up an issue because I'm viewed as a typical luvvie.\" Always quick to spot comic potential, he adds hastily: \"Not that I seek gravitas. Being in a Sunday afternoon drama serial is not something that automatically adds weight to your opinions on Kosovo.\" Firth thinks deeply about his craft - and that was one reason why he was drawn towards his latest film, Donovan Quick. Going out on BBC1 next Thursday, this is a thought-provoking drama set among the cut-throat world of privatised buses in Scotland. In this clever reworking of the Don Quixote myth, Firth plays an other-worldly loner who is so disgusted with the inadequate service provided by the greedy franchise holder, Windmill Transport, that he resolves to start up his own one-bus operation. Even though it was made last year, the film nevertheless has a timely significance in a country where great swathes of the privatised transport system appear to have gone into meltdown. But for Firth, Donovan Quick's story has a universal resonance beyond mere contemporary echoes. There is something"}, {"response": 1549, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Dec 22, 2000 (16:23)", "body": "Thanks, Karen! Colin is finally making the rounds. Do you still think he will do Letterman? ;-)"}, {"response": 1550, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 22, 2000 (16:31)", "body": "I wonder if this interview was made during the DQ shoot. I vaguely remember tht Japanese restaurnat figured in another interview. \"It's not good for people to become too familiar with me as myself. I want audiences to accept me on screen or on stage. I don't want them to compare that with what they saw on some chat-show.\" Forget Letterman...he ain't gonna do it. Like Donovan, we make the mistake of thinking we've found the magic formula, or the system for winning at roulette, or the perfect political system. It's not about finding answers, but relentlessly pursuing them. You are always travelling; you never arrive.\" Wow...heavy duty stuff. Wonder which philosopher he's been reading. Thanks K. and Janet."}, {"response": 1551, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 22, 2000 (17:08)", "body": "(Evelyn) I wonder if this interview was made during the DQ shoot. I vaguely remember tht Japanese restaurnat figured in another interview. Sure seems that way, as Rampton's previous article from September 21, 1999 (the one that mentioned Stagecoach and Brian Souter) also took place at the Japanese restaurant: \"Firth is unwinding in a rather fancy Japanese restaurant following a hot afternoon in the central Glasgow studio.\" Think about how long ago the actual interview took place. Must have been fairly lengthy, as he was able to get two good-sized articles out of it. ;-) (CF) \"I did a magnificently grudging Wogan about 12 years ago,\" he smiles. (Moon) Do you still think he will do Letterman? ;-) (Evelyn) Forget Letterman...he ain't gonna do it. Completely unacceptable insofar as BJD is concerned! Juliette Binoche was on last night...Chocolat IS a film being distributed by Miramax. And being the great actor that he is, he can pretend to be someone else during the interview. ;-) Another mention about using his own clothes during FP."}, {"response": 1552, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 22, 2000 (17:12)", "body": "And here's the url to the article at the paper: http://www.thescotsman.co.uk/scotland.cfm?id=34303"}, {"response": 1553, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 22, 2000 (19:24)", "body": "Another mention about using his own clothes during FP. Wonder if he did his own hair dye-job too;-) (Karen)Sure seems that way,[same time as other interview] as Rampton's previous article from September 21, 1999 (the one that mentioned Stagecoach and Brian Souter) also took place at the Japanese restaurant: Except that he mentions BJD in this one... ...this Darcy is not the same character at all. He's a 20th century lawyer , and he has an entirely different style of speaking.\" Did he know he was going to be cast as MD in Sept'99? He didn't own up to it in Jan.2000. K.Think about how long ago the actual interview took place. Must have been fairly lengthy, as he was able to get two good-sized articles out of it. ;-) Yeah...that's a lotta sushi... \"I take a good script where I see it.\" Colin, honey,you missed on SLOW... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~` But they are good interviews, and we are grateful inasmuch as he \"measures\" them."}, {"response": 1554, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Dec 22, 2000 (20:16)", "body": "\"I take a good script where I see it.\" (Evelyn)Colin, honey,you missed on SLOW... Did you really hate it so much? Anyway, he takes a good \"unedited\" script where he sees it ;-)"}, {"response": 1555, "author": "Echo", "date": "Fri, Dec 22, 2000 (20:49)", "body": "A Christmas goodwill offering from The Three Deers (despite dodging the bullets... ;-P) - found and scanned by The aFirthionado webmistress Renate. Enjoy:"}, {"response": 1556, "author": "Echo", "date": "Fri, Dec 22, 2000 (20:50)", "body": "Ooops... try the link (and remind me how to do img src!!!) http://www.colinfirth.com/spot/spot.html"}, {"response": 1557, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Dec 22, 2000 (22:07)", "body": "Ooh, Loverly, thanks."}, {"response": 1558, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 22, 2000 (22:27)", "body": "\"I take a good script where I see it.\" (Evelyn)Colin, honey,you missed on SLOW... (Gi)Did you really hate it so much? LOL. No Gi, I don't *hate* it ...(though I think it's the bottom of the barrel);-)Just feel he should have passed. (And I wouldn't be surprised if he feels the same way now.) But hey, then we wouldn't have had that private screening at Mr. Young's:-))) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ OH....*Swoon* ...what a beautiful picture...Turtlenecks are it ... look at those hands.And Moon will love it cause he's not wearing black trainers with white laces;-) Thank you Three Deers. A new picture *and* new interview ...oh blessed day:-)"}, {"response": 1559, "author": "Eljanfor51", "date": "Fri, Dec 22, 2000 (23:21)", "body": "Thanks Karen and Janet for the article and 3 Deers for the picture. It is a definite keeper. I hate to criticize my favorite fantasy man, but I am perfectly capable of separating an actor from the characters he palys. Has he ever heard of suspended disbelief? I vote for Letterman, Leno, Rosie O'Donnell, Regis, and every big talk-show in the UK. Too bad my vote doesn't count."}, {"response": 1560, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Dec 23, 2000 (00:22)", "body": "Thanks Karen and Janet for the great interview. He does seem want to be a little more \"user friendly\", in these latest interviews."}, {"response": 1561, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 23, 2000 (00:31)", "body": "Thank you Three Deers and whoever found the article. A lovely, lovely picture. \"I take a good script where I see it.\" (Evelyn) Colin, honey,you missed on SLOW... LOL! Somehow I knew you were going to pick up on that one. If he spoke to Rampton way back during DQ shoot, he probably thought we'd never see SLOW as it was locked up in the vault. Then, we couldn't know about his momentary lapse of judgment. ;-) Just as a procedural thing, I would think Rampton did a little phone call to update his info for this article. You know, get a few more quotes on recent things. (Janine) I vote for Letterman, Leno, Rosie O'Donnell, Regis, and every big talk-show in the UK. He's really better off just doing a few of the bigger shows here. Remember when Leno made that comment about \"liking that guy\" when Gwynnie was on for SIL and showed the clip of her and Wessex with the slap? Our guys wouldn't hassle him. A few weeks ago, I heard that, when Finding Forrester was having its premiere in LA, Sean Connery banned the UK press from attending; he will not deal with them."}, {"response": 1562, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Dec 23, 2000 (00:37)", "body": "Thanks for the article, Karen and Janet! And to the 3 Deers for what must be a Mark Darcy pic (August, turtle neck). Found some more info on the project-on-which-he-passed. May have done the right thing. The lead in Harrow Alley is a character (\"a good man\") called Harry Poyntz (not very 17th century English sounding!). The screenplay has been around for 30 years (writer is dead) and it's earned the label of the best screenplay never made...but you have to ask why it wasn't made. Some one said of it...\"I read it on a rainy Sunday and damn near committed suicide.\" Call me a featherweight but I quite like being entertained. Wonder if we'll get BJD2."}, {"response": 1563, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Dec 23, 2000 (01:06)", "body": "(Janine) but I am perfectly capable of separating an actor from the characters he palys. Has he ever heard of suspended disbelief? Exactly. What a crock. A poor excuse to not do that which he is afraid of doing. *Everybody* does these shows. C'mon, Colin, even little Jamie Bell was over here doing the talk shows! Rosie and Jay Leno would be good choices for him. They love actors and they always try to make their guests look good; there's no \"gotcha\" going on at all. Marketing and promotion is part of the job; it doesn't stop at the last \"cut!\" It's a continuum that extends throughout the film's life, and TV is the mass medium. Thanks, 3 Deers, for that gorgeous photo!"}, {"response": 1564, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sat, Dec 23, 2000 (01:48)", "body": "Thank you Three Deers and whoever found the article. A copy of this pic was originally searched online by someone else... would the resposible sleuth please own up? :-) However, the online pic was tiny and fuzzy. Luckily, the Spotlight magazine (incidentally, nothing to do with the UK famous Spotlight casting directors' bible!) is published in Germany and that's why Renate was able to obtain a good copy so soon."}, {"response": 1565, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 23, 2000 (05:13)", "body": "A couple of recommendatins of DQ in The Times on Saturday: Play Choice: Colin Firth gets off the train in Scotland. He stands still, narrows his eyes and takes a deep breath. \"Into the belly of the beast,\" he says, and sets off on his mission like a latter-day Don Quixote. He lodges with a family where there is room for improvement. Mum is a 35-year-old alcoholic going on 50; Granny wanders around without any clothes on; one of the boys has a learning disability and the other is a glue sniffer with a criminal bent. The gas and electric bills are overdue and the fourth lodger in as many weeks has just walked out without paying his bill. But Donovan (\"Who is this man?\") Quick gives them a common goal and sense of purpose. This may be a feel-good fairytale, but at the same time it is hard-edged, beautifully acted, accurate, funny and charming - like a late Christmas present that has been given with a great deal of thought and affection. And then from Paul Hoggart, who trashed some of the costume dramas, went on to recommend DQ: If this sounds a little jaded, then at least I can recommend two modern dramas. Donovan Quick (Thursday, BBC1, 9pm) is a quirky and engaging update of the Don Quixote story, set in a run-down house somewhere on Clydeside. Colin Firth appears, as if by magic, a civilised, educated innocent of a lodger ready to take on the might of the evil Windmill bus company. It\ufffds really a fable about cynical transport privatisations, uncaring communities and people power. Liz Smith gives her most compelling performance as a batty old granny who slops round the house all day in her underwear."}, {"response": 1566, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Dec 23, 2000 (09:59)", "body": "Thanks from me too Karen and Janet for the article, even if the interview was done last year I'm pleased that he seems to be doing more of them (sadly restricted to print only but hey we take what we can get). What comes across more and more from these interviews is his very quick and dry sense of humour - nothing is more attractive in one's personality IMHO, witness: \"And how could I answer questions such as: 'What's it like to be a heart-throb?' 'Well, I wake up and have a full heartthrob breakfast. Then I walk down the street making hearts throb all over the place'.\" \"The costume designers searched high and low for unfashionable clothes, and the only place that they could be found was in my wardrobe.\" I totally agree with his comment: \"The British in general are brilliant at laughing at themselves and their country and there's nothing more pleasing in a person\" ...although the cynic in me might say that we don't have much else to laugh about , bah humbug! And finally....*picking self up from floor* Ooooh that picture!"}, {"response": 1567, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Dec 23, 2000 (14:35)", "body": "Janine) I hate to criticize my favorite fantasy man, but I am perfectly capable of separating an actor from the characters he palys. Has he ever heard of suspended disbelief Oh honey, it's easy for us because we know him so well. ;-) It's those people who actually are disappointed when they see he's not Darcy. In 35 years, I had never previously seen anyone's face fall when they met me face-to-face. Amazing, those women (and they must be women) are obviously visually impaired. By the way, he didn't actually say he wouldn't appear on a talk show. Just avoided the question, as usual. He'll be there. Just praying it's not The View here in the US. I remember for SIL how poor Joe Fiennes got only one question and a stupid one at that."}, {"response": 1568, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Dec 23, 2000 (17:35)", "body": "Thanks you 3 Deers for that luvvy picture! Yes, Evelyn, this picture without the trainers is perfect. :-) I took it to mean that I should just go back to being Mr Darcy all the time for ever,\" Firth comments. \"I want to say that although I have never considered the Darcy thing to be a problem, that is simply not going to happen.\" You will always be Mr. Darcy in our eyes, whether you like it or not. ;-) I agree with Heide. For BJD, I think Colin will do the talk shows this time. He would not be in his right mind to only let HG and RZ promote it. Something to look forward to."}, {"response": 1569, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sat, Dec 23, 2000 (17:52)", "body": "Most UK Saturday papers list Donovan Quick as the Pick of the Day or Critic's Choice or Recommended in the TV listing for the next Thursday. Phrases like \"the dependable -\" and \"the excellent Colin Firth\" have been used."}, {"response": 1570, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec 23, 2000 (18:40)", "body": "..Phrases like \"the dependable -\" and \"the excellent Colin Firth\" have been used. I'm probably in the minority here, but I'm glad DQ went the TV route. It never would have gotten those reviews and comments from the British film critics who are vipers. Esp. if they catch a whiff that a film got some government funding. And don't get me started about box office receipts...."}, {"response": 1571, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 23, 2000 (18:57)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1572, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 23, 2000 (19:07)", "body": "Had to laugh, this is Teletext's assessment: \"It's all strangely absorbing.\""}, {"response": 1573, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Dec 24, 2000 (09:22)", "body": "According to The Sunday Times in a very long interview, it says Colin is to play Hamlet next year, at the Riverside Studios, whow Hamlet, can't wait. The Colin Interview is in the Arts Section \"The Windmills of his mind\". Does, anyone know excactly where the riverside Studios are? Not sure though if this would be the \"once in a lifetime\" project we were all hoping for and for which he gave up two other projects. What do you think Bethan?"}, {"response": 1574, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Dec 24, 2000 (09:37)", "body": "The interview plus new photo can be found online."}, {"response": 1575, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sun, Dec 24, 2000 (09:48)", "body": "I read the interview early this morning Australian Time - I was delighted but again like Ann where is the Riverside Studios - I have been searching on the net and can't find it. I shall continue. The interview is most interesting except for one bad mistake - said he was 42!"}, {"response": 1576, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sun, Dec 24, 2000 (10:02)", "body": "Merry Christmas! Seasonal Cheer, Joy and Happiness to All. And here's to the next year's convention of the Firthers of the world - again."}, {"response": 1577, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Dec 24, 2000 (10:05)", "body": "Ah, good lad! He's finally grasped the nettle. And he's not too old...the more experience and suffering you can bring to Hamlet the better. Simon Russell Bealle at the National who has just played what was regarded as the bestever Hamlet is in his forties. Long article on Riverside Studios http://www.jrp.dial.pipex.com/PG/pieces/directors_as_god.shtml There's a pic. Looks almost as intimate as the Donmar, much more up close and personal than the West End. It's in Hanmersmith, West Lomdon, under the directorship of Peter Gill. \ufffd50 a week as at the Donmar."}, {"response": 1578, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 24, 2000 (15:20)", "body": "*jumping up and down* (although The Times site is not answering me right now and cannot read article) Apparently, Peter Gill WAS the founder back in 1976. The current artistic director is William Burdett-Coutts. Does the article say who will be directing? Here is the Riverside Studios website, with info on what's playing there and box office, directions to get there, etc. Apparently is still used for television production. http://www.riversidestudios.co.uk/ The current play's tickets are \ufffd16.50 (\ufffd10.00 concessions), the latter I gather refers to student rate."}, {"response": 1579, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Dec 24, 2000 (15:46)", "body": "Director is Christopher Fettes, who directed CF in his first Hamlet. He's the Principal of the Drama Centre London, but frequently directs other productions, most recently \"Tis a pity she's a whore\" which got rave reviews. The last Hamlet at Riverside starred Alan Rickman."}, {"response": 1580, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Dec 24, 2000 (16:38)", "body": "YIPPEE! Here's the full article from the Times (thanks, Janet). Are we sure this is to be a live play vs. one done for TV? Colin Firth may be bright, but he's defiantly unstarry and back on the small screen. So what could follow Mr Darcy? Don Quixote (sort of), discovers LESLEY WHITE The windmills of his mind 'He's a bit like an intense postgraduate student, keen on beer and long pub conversations about T S Eliot': Colin Firth Photograph: Alan Strutt. Shot at One Aldwych, WC2 \ufffd AA Gill What did you expect: Mr Darcy in a Dolce & Gabbana suit? For those unprepared for his slight and self-effacing countenance, Colin Firth could be a sore disappointment. Far from filling the space between us with brooding magnetism and Chanel's Ego\ufffdste, he's a bit like an intense postgraduate student, keen on beer and long pub conversations about T S Eliot. Clad in a black ensemble that might be designer or thrift-shop, but certainly conveys no plea-sure in appearance, is a man who speaks so quietly that I have to stick my tape recorder under his nose, and he apologises. Those who know more of his work than the obligatory Pride and Prejudice, who saw his brain-damaged Falklands casualty in Tumbledown or his Pinter-directed Caretaker, will not be surprised by the contrast. This is not Bridget Jones's dreamboat, treating you to a penetrating Ralph Fiennes gaze to seal his own gorgeousness. None of that. Firth is affable, straightforward, intelligent, just an actor - but one whose looks encouraged an unwanted celebrity, who knows he owes them big-time but is properly embarrassed by the idea. This Christmas, he is the handsomest face of the schedules in the television film Donovan Quick, a feelgood morality fable about a man from nowhere who sets about solving the problems of a family struggling with poverty, disability and drink. Loosely based on Cervantes's knight errant, Don Quixote, his character does good in atonement for a past misdemeanour, until the men in white coats make him well, and nasty, again. \"They cure him enough to go back to being an a***hole, because we live in a world where doing good is mocked and sophistication and jadedness are what we admire.\" At 42, the serious-minded actor lives with total disregard for the trimmings of even a home-grown star's lifestyle, for cars, clothes and houses. When he adds that, these days, he would rather have a hotel than sleep on the platform of the Gare du Nord, it still sounds like a close call. He would make a brilliantly skulking Raskol-nikov, Dostoevsky's tortured anarchist, but though he would welcome an overtly political part, and would probably do anything that fascinated him enough for free, he never has time to seek one out. Too busy being reluctantly glamorous. Firth has worked consistently since leaving drama school in 1982 and walking straight into the play of the year, Julian Mitchell's Another Country, in which he replaced Rupert Everett as the public- school proto-traitor Guy Bennett. For years of theatre and television work, he escaped being recognised in the street, which suited him fine. He lived in Hackney when Pride and Prejudice aired, his neighbours either unaware or unimpressed that the nation's pin-up was around the corner. \"Nobody gave a s***. It meant I could go out in my pyjamas to pick up the Sunday papers and the bog roll, and nobody would comment. I didn't fancy getting dressed to do those things. In fact, I still hate getting dressed.\" He is not even career-obsessed, taking months off every year to visit his 10-year-old son in southern California, where he lives with his mother, the actress Meg Tilly. Firth fell in love with her on the set of Milos Forman's 1989 film Valmont, and they moved to the wilderness of British Columbia to raise their son. For a year or so, his career threatened to evaporate, even though he was still flying home to work. \"I wrote to local Vancouver theatres saying what I'd done, without blowing my own trumpet, and that I'd be happy to do kids' workshops, but not one of them replied. When I read a piece in a British tabloid saying that I'd been sniffing round Hollywood, trying to get a Jeremy Irons-type break, when all I'd been doing was changing nappies, I felt that all that mattered was that I'd gone. It felt dangerous.\" In fact, Firth had visited Hollywood three times and loathed it. Instead of using Valmont as his Tinseltown calling card, he refused all meetings out of inverted snobbery and fear. \"I told myself I was a purist, but actually I was s***-scared of it all. Now, if it happened to me, fine. I've dropped that pose of shunning it. I'd still hate the intrusion, but I believe you can stay yourself. The ones who really whore out were whores at the beginning. If I were only good at it ... If I could distinguish myself at those parties and chat shows, it might be easier.\" But Firth's idea of fun is \"dull\", meaning literary, with the odd afternoon's football but no showbiz haunts or junkets if he can help it. With hi"}, {"response": 1581, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Dec 24, 2000 (16:49)", "body": "and do you think if we telephoned the Studios they would have a date for Hamlet, am keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn't clash with a trip to NY in March!!!"}, {"response": 1582, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 24, 2000 (17:06)", "body": "Great article. Thanks for reposting it here, Mari, and I'll thank Janet in a couple of days. ;-) (Mari) Are we sure this is to be a live play vs. one done for TV? If it were going to be for TV, don't you think it would've been stated as such? There is no current stage production at Riverside right now. It ended on the 16th and nothing is listed for future productions. The boxoffice is closed until after Boxing Day. But I'm guessing it will be early in the year; otherwise he wouldn't be talking about it. February? Late January? Clad in a black ensemble that might be designer or thrift-shop Who is he kidding? ;-) \"...If I were only good at it ... If I could distinguish myself at those parties and chat shows, it might be easier.\" Has he tried lately? But maybe there's hope given the comments about the writing stuffed in a drawer. He just needs to be nudged a little more, as Hornby did. there was definitely a photo-shoot where he was asked to wear a wet ruffled shirt and throw around torn-up copies of Bridget Jones's Diary (he made his excuses and left) I do hope he was joking around. :-( so middle-class were the Firths...that they weren't allowed to watch ITV. \"We didn't have popular culture....I hadn't seen Crossroads or Magpie or Randall and Hopkirk. There was a whole area of playground chat that I couldn't join in with. I never saw Les Dawson or Larry Grayson.\" Weren't they on BBC? \"Oh well, it must have been past my bedtime, then.\" *hee hee* Love when he's caught in a fantasy past recollection. ;-)"}, {"response": 1583, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 24, 2000 (17:07)", "body": "Ann, the place is closed until after Boxing Day. I already tried calling."}, {"response": 1584, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Dec 24, 2000 (17:13)", "body": "Thanks Karen. I will have a go too next week."}, {"response": 1585, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Dec 24, 2000 (17:52)", "body": "Here is the picture that goes with the Times article - thanks to my friend Gill: Great Holiday present isn't it?"}, {"response": 1586, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 24, 2000 (18:02)", "body": "Oweee! Thanks, Murph and Gill. A nonpodgy face and semi-brooding. How perfect for the new role. Have put the article up for easy reading/printing. Will need to add the pic. http://www.spring.net/karenr/articles/times122400.html"}, {"response": 1587, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Dec 24, 2000 (18:08)", "body": "Hamlet,eh? Well, he said once he wanted to play it, so here's his chance. He will need time to rehearse, won't he? Wouldn't February or March be likely times for this? I hope it works out for him -- so many actors have tried it and come up short. His will definitely be the introspective, tortured, musing type of Prince of Denmark, I bet. (Hope it isn't in modern dress. Hamlet and breeches -- there you are!) I still remember from 1948-49 when our class went to see Olivier's film, and we spent the whole time giggling at the codpieces and the breeches, callow Catholic girl school people that we were. Remember this?"}, {"response": 1588, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Dec 24, 2000 (18:10)", "body": "Karen, please use the one I got from Gill, if you need it"}, {"response": 1589, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 24, 2000 (18:17)", "body": "Thanks, Murph, I will. ;-) Having just read Branagh's autobiography, they don't spend all that long rehearsing these plays. Might only be 3 weeks. What we don't really have a feel for, is how long it will be staged? Elsinore-fitigue sort of implies a longish run but that may only mean a couple of months in Colin-time. ;-)"}, {"response": 1590, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 24, 2000 (18:19)", "body": "The Times is back online (unless I was the only one who couldn't get it to answer). This will take you directly to the article, bypassing the frames: http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2000/12/24/sticultvv03002.html"}, {"response": 1591, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Dec 24, 2000 (18:25)", "body": "Thanks, Murph and Gill, for the yummy pic. No sideburns, he was in Stuckart mode when this was taken, for sure. I think Elsinore-fatigue is referring to potential public reaction at yet another Hamlet on the heels of the other recent ones. I have the feeling that those months he spends with his son in CA are January--March or April, so I am going to guess late April or May for this play."}, {"response": 1592, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 24, 2000 (18:42)", "body": "I believe you're right, Mari, have just reread relevant section."}, {"response": 1593, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec 24, 2000 (21:25)", "body": "Three interviews & two new pics in less than three weeks.More than we got Jan-Sept.Turning over a new leaf Colin? Thanks Murph, Gill and everyone for bringing us the Christmas goodies. Agree with those who say that we hope the Hamlet isn't soon.Too close to the (pardon the expression!)Simon Russell Beale interpretation which had the critics swooning and got him the Evening Standard Award. Riverside Studios in Hammersmith sounds like \"Off-Off Broadway\". ...Actually, being with another actor is a nightmare, I promise you. C'mon Colin, not fair...Jennifer isn't around to defend herself;-) Sometimes I think he talks too much."}, {"response": 1594, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 24, 2000 (23:20)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1595, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 24, 2000 (23:22)", "body": "(Evelyn) Riverside Studios in Hammersmith sounds like \"Off-Off Broadway\". All the world's a stage... ;-) (besides, didn't some other person play in Brooklyn?!)"}, {"response": 1596, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec 24, 2000 (23:41)", "body": "(besides, didn't some other person play in Brooklyn?!) True...and probably for the same reason...make tickets more affordable for young folks. OT Roundabout has a program called Hip Tix.Their Broadway shows will be $30 for members, and their off-Broadway shows are $25. Membership is FREE (normally costs $60, I think) until JAN 1, 2001 if you use the code QA. http://www.roundabouttheatre.org/hiptix.htm or call (212) 719-1300 with any questions"}, {"response": 1597, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Dec 26, 2000 (19:34)", "body": "Nice article - great news. Perhaps our boy's career plans now include a major film, a quality TV production and a stage role each year. One can only hope."}, {"response": 1598, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 26, 2000 (22:34)", "body": "One can only hope... ;-) although my mind is more agreeably engaged in whether this production's costumes will be traditional tights! ;-) Checked my TimeOut London Guide and it has the Riverside Studios listed. Performances appear to be evening only (Tue-Sun). \"With two hangar-like spaces and one studio, the recently refurbished Riverside hosts a commendable range of international travelling theatre, dance and larger-scale domestic works, usually with an avant-garde tilt. Watch out for the New Play Festival in the spring, the Sitcome Festival in the summer and the Dance Umbrella in the autumn.\" Does Hamlet qualify as a New Play? Perhaps, if it's done with an 'avant-garde tilt.' ;-)"}, {"response": 1599, "author": "hanna", "date": "Wed, Dec 27, 2000 (06:38)", "body": "To the ladies who did the Film Discussions, when are you going to discuss Femme Fatale? I enjoyed your other discussions, but I'd love to read your opinions on FF. I've seen FF and loved it - well CF in it. I'll also be looking forward to your comments on his more recent films. Does anyone know if a Colin Firth calendar is available?"}, {"response": 1600, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Dec 27, 2000 (09:58)", "body": "(Evelyn) Riverside Studios in Hammersmith sounds like \"Off-Off Broadway\". Too right, Evelyn. I once watched a Midsummer Night's Dream there with more cast members than audience members, which was a depressing experience. I think at the time he's talking about Les Dawson and Larry Grayson were on ITV, only moving to the BBC later. I speak as another ITV-deprived child."}, {"response": 1601, "author": "ommin", "date": "Wed, Dec 27, 2000 (10:25)", "body": "Mark and Evelyn being into very left wing ideas during the 1960'we deprived our son of ITV - only Blue Peter on BBC1 and sometimes Dr. Who (cause I liked it) for ourselves mainly BBC2 - That was The Week That Was (was a favourite) and various so called very erudite programmes (Joan Bakewell and Malcolm Muggeridge comes to mind. ITV was anethema - I look back with some horror in the way we deprived him because now my son never watches ABC our equivalent of BBC1 or SBS our equivalent of BBC2 - thus a very salutory lesson! Thus I sympathise with Colin in this deprivation - but then I myself was only allowed 1 hours television during the late '40's and 50's during my schooldays. It rubbed off I suppose."}, {"response": 1602, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 27, 2000 (14:09)", "body": "Update on Hamlet: No information is available until after New Year's. No regular staff is even there, only box office people who have no information. Mark, since you've been at Riverside Studios, the picture of one of the studios showed arena-type seating with folding chairs. The picture looked fairly dated. Is that what they have? Hanna: Nice to see that others enjoy our film discussions. But the fun is joining in yourself! Have you seen Apartment Zero? We discussed Femme Fatale in July-September 1999. While an edited version of the discussion hasn't been put up at firth.com, you can read it at Topic 98. Use this url, which will take you to the beginning of the discussion: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/98.1191 As far as new films, we have \"Spoiler\" topics where we were free to discuss the new ones without spoiling it for those who hadn't seen them yet. Shakespeare in Love is at Topic 115 My Life So Far is at Topic 121 And then we created an all-encompassing Spoiler topic at 126, where Donovan Quick, Secret Laughter of Women and other were discussed. These weren't film discussions, but general comments and questions, etc. Re: calendar. There are no calendars commercially available to my knowledge. Sorry, but it doesn't appear to be the type of thing he would agree to."}, {"response": 1603, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 27, 2000 (15:52)", "body": "(Mark)I once watched a Midsummer Night's Dream there with more cast members than audience members, which was a depressing experience. Well, that won't happen with ODB's Hamlet; we'll pack 'em in;-) Do they advertise? They're not listed in \"London Planner\", the BTA mail- out. (Karen)Mark, since you've been at Riverside Studios, the picture of one of the studios showed arena-type seating with folding chairs. The picture looked fairly dated. Is that what they have? Not what I call \"intimate\"...hey, by comparison makes Madison Square Garden look cozy. Bring a cush for your tush.Wonder if they have more than two stalls in the loo ;-)[ When I win the lottery, I'm going to endow an extra stall at the Donmar] (Karen)we created an all-encompassing Spoiler topic at 126, where Donovan Quick,...were discussed SUGGESTION: Why don't we all look at DQ and discuss it on 126 after the UK television Premiere tomorrow night. (Karen)Update on Hamlet: No information is available until after New Year's What's the matter with these people...don't they realize I have to make a plane reservation?Grrrrr (Hanna) I've seen FF and loved it - well CF in it Ah yes, Joe Prince. He's one of my favorites too, Hanna. But beware, we're in the minority.These pit-bulls here don't;-)"}, {"response": 1604, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Dec 27, 2000 (16:44)", "body": "(Karen)Mark, since you've been at Riverside Studios, the picture of one of the studios showed arena-type seating with folding chairs. The picture looked fairly dated. Is that what they have? Yes, as far as I remember, bring-a-cushion is the best possible advice. I would also suggest wrap-up-warm - though I suppose a crowd of hundreds will generate more heat than an audience of twenty or so! However, it was 3 years ago that I was there, and the Riverside was recently considered prestigious enough to host the World Chess Championship match between Kasparov and Kramnik, so maybe it's been updated ? (or maybe the TV studio part of it is better; I remember TFIFriday was filming there at the time)."}, {"response": 1605, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Dec 27, 2000 (16:46)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1606, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Dec 27, 2000 (17:16)", "body": "Oooops .... to post or not to post...."}, {"response": 1607, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 27, 2000 (17:50)", "body": "(Mark) However, it was 3 years ago that I was there So you are not letting on that you were there for their most recent production of Neil Monaghan's \"Eye Contact,\" which starred Kelly Brook and was set in a Soho table-dancing club! From reading the review, it appears that aside from the play, temps ran high. ;-) http://www.telegraph.co.uk:80/et?ac=000576481449931&rtmo=gjbjflju&atmo=rrrrrrrq&pg=/et/00/12/12/bteye12.html Argh, there's no room in our itsy bitsy suitcases for seat cushions!"}, {"response": 1608, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec 27, 2000 (19:20)", "body": "Great news! ODB as Hamlet! Does Hamlet qualify as a New Play? Perhaps, if it's done with an 'avant-garde tilt.' ;-) Please let it be traditional. If the timing is right, I will be there. But the evening-only performances means my DH will throw major fit. I will make sure I bring my AC Milan seat cushion. ;-) their most recent production of Neil Monaghan's \"Eye Contact,\" which starred Kelly Brook and was set in a Soho table-dancing club! Maybe Livia and Colin loved it so much he decided to accept the Hamlet role. ;-)))) I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas. I am exhausted but very happy with my presents. :-)"}, {"response": 1609, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Dec 27, 2000 (19:40)", "body": "Here's the play: http://tech-two.mit.edu/Shakespeare/Tragedy/hamlet/hamlet.html or the entire play in one document: http://tech-two.mit.edu/Shakespeare/Tragedy/hamlet/full.html"}, {"response": 1610, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Dec 27, 2000 (20:54)", "body": "Karen: So you are not letting on that you were there for their most recent production of Neil Monaghan's \"Eye Contact,\" which starred Kelly Brook and was set in a Soho table-dancing club! The very thought! Although the last time I was at the theatre I did get to see a celebrity model strip off. Somehow Jerry Hall in The Graduate was deemed more respectable (standing in total darkness may have helped her credibility a fraction). The Daily Express recently changed management and their theatre critic Nicholas de Jongh was surprised to find himself diverted from a West End Shakespeare to the Kelly Brook show. He had to wander round Hammersmith for some time to find the Riverside according to Private Eye , so that's how \"off-off-Broadway\" it is. Though of course Private Eye may have \"embellished\" their dumbing-down story."}, {"response": 1611, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Dec 27, 2000 (21:03)", "body": "\"Hamlet\" is great news!! I would guess that it could be soon....this must be the scheduling problem that made him unable to commit to \" Harrow Alley\". I would also think that it could be a short run (unlike West End productions where a commitment to a (hoped for) long run is needed to break even) The last Hamlet at Riverside starred Alan Rickman (in his forties) and was a sellout even before it opened. Well promoted! Lasted three and a half hours (so cushions would be needed!) I would also think this could be a Colin-driven project....he wants to do it (and he must have turned down a lucrative movie offer to work for virtually nothing) and maybe asked Christopher Fettes to direct. It will be interesting to see who else is in the cast. Riverside sounds very innovative Riverside Studios, London The cavernous black box theatres of Riverside Studios have long been a celebrated home to a vast and diverse range of performers from around the world. Samuel Beckett, The Wooster Group, the Berliner Ensemble, Twyla Tharp, the Maly Theatre of St.Petersburg are some of the names best known but pick almost any moment over the last 21 years and you would find that a non-British theatre group, musician, artist or film director was working in the building. In distinct contrast to its glorious and heavily funded years of the '70s and '80s, Riverside Studios suffered dramatic funding cuts and near closure only a few years ago. A new model of subsistence had to be found, and television production came back to the Studios for the first time since Dr Who and Blue Peter packed their bags in 1974. The relationship goes on in a very healthy fashion: not only does television provide essential finance now subsidy is so limited, but we embrace and encourage the new dialogue between TV producers, stage designers and directors and our tenant multi-media companies which is taking place under the same roof. We hope that true advances in giving arts performance real life on screen will soon be made at Riverside. Stage performance and cinema remain at the heart of what we do, and we believe that 1999 will see Riverside Studios start to reassert its name as a home for the very best in international productions. In February, Declan Donnellan directed an all French cast in Corneille's Le Cid, a project originating at the Avignon Festival and which followed the previous year's staging of Beckett's Oh les Beaux Jours by Peter Brook. Over the last two years, companies from Armenia, Brazil, the Czech Republic Greece, Japan, Macedonia (FYR), and Vietnam have also performed at Riverside with great success. The international dimension to our cinema programme is widely known; at least 50 per cent of the ever changing programme is now comprised of non-English language films. Festivals of cinema from the Czech Republic, Greece, Italy and Norway, have recently achieved great success at Riverside. This coming September we are thrilled to host one of the greatest ever Australian theatre productions, the magical epic Cloudstreet, directed by Neil Armfield from the novel by Tim Winton, the tale of two quirky families thrown together by fortune into one house. It has been dubbed 'Neighbours re-written by a team of John Steinbeck and Gabriel Garcia Marquez' and has proved a gripping spectacle at festivals in Sydney, Perth and Melbourne. This will be followed by Teatro del Carretto from Tuscany as part of the Italian Festival, with their lavish versions of Romeo and Juliet and The Iliad. The year promises to be rounded off in true millennial style by the first ever stage production by La Fura Dels Baus with a truly demonic version of Faust in Goethe's anniversary year. Riverside Studios hopes to become even more international in its outlook in the new century, matching the diversification of London and the fluidity of movement around the world. Audiences in the capital seem just as happy to welcome great work whichever country it is from and British performers and practitioners can only gain from the inspiration of different approaches, sights and sounds. We hope that resources are made available to help open our doors to this global cultural traffic, as so often we are obliged to demand that tours come funded from their country of origin. It goes without saying that we welcome contact from companies worldwide as our power to present steadily increases. We also encourage British venues and festivals who are considering international productions to see Riverside as a potential partner. Jon Fawcett BTW, liked the article. Thought that it gave insight into CF's career choices. He seems genuinely indifferent to money...can't see him hankering after Hollywood. Interesting that he wants \"overtly political\" roles and would love to do Heathcliff (is anyone listening to him?!). Wonder if he'll opt for the Tony Blair/New Labour BBC drama, which is still on, apparently (Read a news item...it's very controversial ..both Labour and Tories are worried about it, esp. with an "}, {"response": 1612, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 27, 2000 (21:20)", "body": "(Mark)I would also suggest wrap-up-warm - though I suppose a crowd of hundreds will generate more heat than an audience of twenty or so! LOL. Mark, you just don't get it;-)) The heat will come from the stage .... Esp. in tight breeches (pl.god!) (Mark)The Daily Express recently changed management and their theatre critic Nicholas de Jongh was surprised to find himself diverted from a West End Shakespeare to the Kelly Brook show. Awww...it's -a- tough -job, but -someone -had- to -do -it category! ~~~~~~~~~~~ More on the Riverside Studios from my Michelin Guide: \"The Riverside studios consisting of two theatres, art gallery, bookshop, restaurnat and bar, opened in 1977 in a building which started life as an iron foundry at the turn of the century before being converted to film studios between the wars.\" ~~~ From \"warehouse\" (Donmar)to \"iron foundry\" ..this is progress ?? ;-))"}, {"response": 1613, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 27, 2000 (21:25)", "body": "....this must be the scheduling problem that made him unable to commit to \" Harrow Alley\". Or to MOB.....There is a God...."}, {"response": 1614, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec 27, 2000 (21:50)", "body": "the first ever stage production by La Fura Dels Baus with a truly demonic version of Faust in Goethe's anniversary year. I remember posting years ago, that I would love Colin to play Faust. I would love to see his Mephistophelian side come out. I would have prefered it to Hamlet, but I am just as well pleased. And \"Wuthering Heights\" has never been done properly... I agree, Bethan. There is another great role for him. I hope he skips the Blair project too. though I suppose a crowd of hundreds will generate more heat than an audience of twenty or so! So how many people fit in this theatre, Mark? I thought it was as small as the Donmar?"}, {"response": 1615, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 27, 2000 (22:00)", "body": "(Moon) Please let it be traditional. If only so we won't get a ratty green sweater that has seen better days and his Timberlands. ;-) (Mark) The Daily Express recently changed management Hmmm, this might account for their going offline mid-December. (Moon) So how many people fit in this theatre, Mark? I thought it was as small as the Donmar? There are multiple theatre spaces within the complex. Have seen references to Studios 2 and 3, although nothing for 1...so maybe it doesn't exist. The picture did not look anywhere near as small as the Donmar. Not sure, where that idea came from."}, {"response": 1616, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 27, 2000 (22:24)", "body": "And notice that the theatres are referred to as \"cavernous.\" Riverside is very unlike the Donmar in that it doesn't produce its own works. It is a place that hires out its space. That's all. Evidently, there was a huge scandal about 8 years ago, when Rickman formed a consortium to take over the place and it was awarded to some know-nothing organization. Press called it Rivergate~!"}, {"response": 1617, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Dec 28, 2000 (00:07)", "body": "Bethan. he would love to do Heathcliffe Oh yes please. Incidentally the BBC are doing lots and lots of lovely trailers for DQ tomorrow, can't wait. I have seen 3 trailers just this evening!"}, {"response": 1618, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Dec 28, 2000 (00:19)", "body": "Heathcliff, definately. With his uncanny way of doing so much without saying a word he would be a great Heathcliff. He can do more with his eyes than any Hollywood wann-be actor can with 10 pages of dialogue."}, {"response": 1619, "author": "Eljanfor51", "date": "Thu, Dec 28, 2000 (02:50)", "body": "I would almost form my own production company to see Heathcliff happen. Would someone who has been around here longer than I please tell me what LOL stands for. I can't figure it out, and it's driving me crazy."}, {"response": 1620, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 28, 2000 (04:23)", "body": "It stands for \"laughing out loud.\" There are many variations, including ROTFLOL (rolling on the floor...) and others. Use your imagination for ROTLMAO. ;-) These are all pretty standard Internet abbreviations, like IMO and BTW. We have a Help board at 61, where you can ask away or practice techie stuff to your heart's content. Someone is usually around to answer. :-)"}, {"response": 1621, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 28, 2000 (05:40)", "body": "Interesting article from the This is London site about the theatre scene and classifications: Coming in from the fringe by Patrick Marmion Those unfamiliar with the new order in London's alternative theatre, may be surprised to learn that Erica Whyman, artistic director of the flourishing Southwark Playhouse, is taking over from Mick Gordon as artistic director of Notting Hill's venerated Gate Theatre. Both are struggling, semi-professional venues and previous winners of the Peter Brook Empty Space Award for imaginative use of a small theatre. So, in the grand scheme of things they're both essentially the same, aren't they? Answer: no. Although Whyman has turned Southwark Playhouse into a sassy, happening alternative to the Gate Theatre, Southwark is still generally classified as \"fringe\". It therefore attracts limited press compared to the more aristocratic Gate, which is classified as \"off-West End\". Whyman's move therefore serves to confirm a two-tier class system in London's alternative theatre. a distinction which, 10 years ago, didn't exist. Back then, the fringe was the spiritual home of disaffected slackers and rejects. Not any more. Famously bright and energetic, 31-year-old Whyman ditched a PhD in Heideggerian philosophy for the more people-friendly joys of the theatre. Now she gives her reasons for leaving Southwark as the greater creative freedom the Gate affords. \"Affords\", of course, is the operative word for a small pub theatre buoyed up by charitable sponsorship. Unlike most other down-at-heel pub theatres, the Gate manages to pay its permanent staff of five a token income of around \ufffd10,000 per annum. This relative solvency means they can also afford not to rent their space to fly-by-night fringe companies and therefore organise their own programmes instead. But Whyman's move isn't just about creative freedom, it's also about the fact that the Gate is a national institution and working there is a career move. You've only got to look at the track record of those who have passed through the Pearly Gates to realise that many have gone on to sit at the right hand of the fathers of British film and theatre. The man initially responsible for this divine intervention was Stephen Daldry, who ran the Gate between 1990 and 1992. He turned the theatre into a shop window for his precocious tastes and talents. Now the Gate is a shrine to which theatre-goers come from all over the world to see theatrical miracles. Feisty Ulsterman Mick Gordon's ascension from this Notting Hill heaven also bears this out. Appropriately enough, Gordon is currently rehearsing a revival of Godspell at Chichester for a potential West-End transfer. He is also lined up for a televised workshop with his mentor Peter Brook, the Saint Peter of modern experimental theatre. After that, Gordon goes on to direct a new Colin Teevan play at the Cottesloe. Fringe theatre ain't what it used to be and has established its own \"off-West End\" respectability - a theatrical version of Tony Blair's Third Way within the new world order. First to take up their beds and walk into this brave new world were the super-fringe big boys such as the Almeida and Donmar Warehouse. They now dominate the landscape, haughtily transferring their canonical programmes of star-studded classics to the West End and even Broadway. It is hard to remember that these venues were once considered in some sense \"alternative\", let alone classified as \"fringe\". But then there came the breakaway pack of venues like the Gate, BAC and The Bush, consolidating what is now popularly known as \"off-West End\". It was a shift up-market in the mid-Nineties facilitated by the Press and which accrued special privileges for its inner circle. Once upon a time, fringe theatre people talked idealistically of defying convention and changing the world. Now the talk is of professionalism, media profile and sponsorship deals. Today it's the fringe where actors, writers and directors go to pay their dues and learn their trade rather than practise an ideal. This is a world where meritocracy is the publicly proclaimed ideal and where exclusivity is the more brutal reality. It is a new order which conceals its struggling underclass in favour of its high-flying achievers. So, directors like the messianic Michael Kingsbury at the White Bear, fostering such writers as Evening Standard Award winner Joe Penhall, has still sometimes to subsidise the theatre's work with personal loans. Similarly, writers, such as Mark Ravenhill, who cut their teeth with Phil Willmott's Steam Industry at the Finborough Theatre, can be snapped up by any predatory theatre, film or television producer - without their paying a penny's compensation. One wonders if these smaller venues shouldn't hire a team of lawyers to fix development deals and secure their financial future. But, guess what: they can't afford the legal fees. Instead, off-West End theatres like the Gate can now be said to form part of a relatively comfortable, ar"}, {"response": 1622, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Dec 28, 2000 (14:05)", "body": "http://www.ultranet.com/~luvvy/cf/images/cf-lonely-road.jpg Christopher Fettes directed CF and Anthony Hopkins in \"The Lonely Road\" (Fettes' own translation from the German original) at the Old Vic."}, {"response": 1623, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Dec 28, 2000 (17:15)", "body": "I hope you all enjoy DQ tonight and that it gets great ratings! Chiming in here on the Times article: \"They cure him enough to go back to being an a***hole, because we live in a world where doing good is mocked and sophistication and jadedness are what we admire.\" Very perceptive and very true. Instead of using Valmont as his Tinseltown calling card, he refused all meetings out of inverted snobbery and fear. \"I told myself I was a purist, but actually I was s***-scared of it all. As I always suspected, more fear than loathing. Now, if it happened to me, fine. I've dropped that pose of shunning it. ... If I could distinguish myself at those parties and chat shows, it might be easier.\" This is the second interview in a row in which he's mentioned chat shows, and I don't ever recall him mentioning them before. He has chat shows on the brain these days. Gee, you'd think he had a major film coming out for which the studio was pressing him to do TV publicity.;-) Colin, dear, it's like falling off a log. The show's staff interviews you ahead of time to figure out what you and the host can talk about; there are no surprises. Then, prodded by the host, you tell a couple of charming and self-deprecating anecdotes, of which you have plenty. Then they ask you about the movie and you tell them the basic plot and how wonderful it was to work with everyone on the film.;-) Then they play the clip you've brought, host proclaims it brilliant, asks you to come back and visit some time, shakes hands, then you're off. Five, ten minutes tops. Yes, it's banal, but it helps the film and that's part of your job. And you reveal far, far less of yourself than in these print interviews. Speaking of whi h . . . Actually, being with another actor is a nightmare, I promise you. Well, this is not very gentlemanly behavior, is it now? Awful statement. I suppose I'll have to assume you were misquoted.:-( I'd love to do a south London villain. Is he dropping hints here? Just read that Guy R. is looking for 2 male co-stars to play opposite the misses in his next gangster flick.;-) Have mixed feelings about Hamlet. Am delighted at the prospect of seeing him on stage again, but wish it were in something that others have not already distinguished themselves in recently. Would love to see him do something fresh, contemporary, along the lines of 3DOR, or something Stoppard."}, {"response": 1624, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 28, 2000 (17:20)", "body": "\"Now the Gate is a shrine to which theatre-goers come from all over the world to see theatrical miracles\" Move over Gate, soon Riverside Studios will be the new shrine where theatre-goers from all over the world will come to ...worship;-)) Hope Christopher Fettes doesn't decide to go avant-garde on us."}, {"response": 1625, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 28, 2000 (17:26)", "body": "(Mari)This is the second interview in a row in which he's mentioned chat shows, and I don't ever recall him mentioning them before. He has chat shows on the brain these days. Hmmmm...Leads me to think perhaps Chat Shows are in the BJD contract. Poor guy...but now he has Livia to hold his hand through it all."}, {"response": 1626, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 28, 2000 (17:29)", "body": "(Mari) Gee, you'd think he had a major film coming out for which the studio was pressing him to do TV publicity.;-) Ya think? ;-) Great advice. Someone should print it out and send it to him. Might allay his fears. Besides, American talk show hosts are complete idiots. They fawn more than anything and act silly. Would be a snap. (Mari) Is he dropping hints here? Most likely. Also has Tarantino on the brain and Ritchie is the closest approximation that would allow him to work from home. ;-) (Mari) Have mixed feelings about Hamlet. Not moi! He really could use a healthy dose of classics under his belt. Will give him \"gravitas\" after those fluffy roles I won't mention. So much for doing suppporting character parts. Here's a lead which I hope leads to more. :-)"}, {"response": 1627, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Dec 28, 2000 (18:35)", "body": "Re Hamlet, am putting feelers out to see if anything more info can be found about this and will of course keep you all posted. Personally I just love thosee intimate venues In meantime am in DQ preparation mode, wine is chilling, dinner is cooking and video recorder is in full working order....roll on 9 o'clock!"}, {"response": 1628, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Dec 28, 2000 (21:07)", "body": "Riverside Studios Crisp Road Hammersmith W6 Box office: 020 8237 1111 On next week: The Cardoso Flea Circus Hope they know what they are doing."}, {"response": 1629, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Dec 28, 2000 (23:07)", "body": "Just popping back to say that DQ has just ended its showing on BBC1 this evening. It isn't a very glamorous subject and the characters certainly weren't but the story was well told although I was a little disappointed in the ending. I can perhaps see why this was not taken up as a film for cinema release although why (as has been said before on numerous occasions) it took the Beeb so long before realising this and televising it (as it was clearly intended for ) is a mystery that will ever remain so. Not particularly festive but very thought-provoking and certainly warrants a second (or third) viewing."}, {"response": 1630, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 28, 2000 (23:30)", "body": "You'll like it more when you see it again. I personally think it's the best thing he's done since Tumbledown.And it was dynamite on the big screen.A tremendous performance and I hope it's acknowledged as such at BAFTA time."}, {"response": 1631, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Dec 28, 2000 (23:50)", "body": "Here's the program/time schedule of the Riverside Studios as listed on \"ticketlinks\": The Cardoso Flea Circus (Circus) 06 Dec 00 to 28 Jan 01 Times: 19:00 and 20:30, Sat/Sun Mats at 15:00 (except 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 Dec) Fallen Angels (Film) 27 Dec 00 to 30 Dec 00 Times: 18:45FirstCall In The Mood for Love (Film) 27 Dec 00 to 30 Dec 00 Times: 20:45FirstCall Massimo Orione (Art Event/Exhibition) 31 Dec 00 to 31 Dec 00FirstCall Mountain of Flowers (Art Event/Exhibition) 31 Dec 00 to 31 Dec 00 Greek (Play) 08 Jan 01 to 27 Jan 01 Times: Mon-Sat 19:45 Into the Mystic (Play) 31 Jan 01 to 10 Feb 01 Times: 20:00, Sat Mat 15:00 Much Ado About Nothing (Play) 31 Jan 01 to 03 Feb 01 Brundibar - Degenerate! (Opera or Operetta) 13 Feb 01 to 04 Mar 01 The Trial - Degenerate! (Play) 13 Feb 01 to 04 Mar 01 http://www.ticketlinks.com/v2/details.asp?qtix=v331"}, {"response": 1632, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 29, 2000 (04:50)", "body": "(Tracy) televising it (as it was clearly intended for ) Actually, it was made for the big screen per Donna F and David B. But glad you finally saw it. Do watch it again. Agree, it didn't belong on TV at this time of year. In the US, absolutely nothing of significance is shown during the entire month of December; it is all reruns and terrible holiday specials starring Kathi Lee. ;-)"}, {"response": 1633, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Dec 29, 2000 (04:57)", "body": "(CF) Actually, being with another actor is a nightmare, I promise you. (Mari) Well, this is not very gentlemanly behavior, is it now? Awful statement. I suppose I'll have to assume you were misquoted.:-( Sadly, I don't think he was misquoted. I think I know what he MEANT but he didn't word it at all clearly, and he'll probably really get pounced on for this one.... I think what he meant was that \"being with\", i.e. maintaining a stable relationship with another actor is a nightmare in that this particular choice of career is so very demanding, even if on only one partner of a pair. It inflicts demands that will not wait or allow of personal needs, except for only the most extreme circumstances. (You can't bop off a location shoot in Columbia, just because your partner in Hartfordshire is lonely and blue, etc...each lost day costs zillions...) To have such demands placed on both halves of a pair being stretched off in different directions becomes nearly impossible very quickly. There are a very few truly successful actor/actor pairs that have made it over the long haul, and even then I think there has to be an extraordinary willingness to \"give\" in the give-and-take department. Hume Cronin and Jessica Tandy come to mind, but they were often cast as a pair or the one would not work when the other did. Most successful actors find it very difficult to give way when their own career is making demands on them, and it is extremely rare to find two such paired. More often one (usually the actress) gives up the career entirely for the relationship to last as a lifelong bond."}, {"response": 1634, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 29, 2000 (05:08)", "body": "Takin' over the buses Scotland on Sunday; Dec 24, 2000 BY EDDIE GIBB HOW about this for an unlikely pitch for a television drama: Don Quixote meets Stagecoach boss Ann Gloag in a touching tale of love, disability and bus privatisation? Unlikely, for sure, but at least some of the these elements provide the basis of the ambitious film Donovan Quick, commissioned by BBC Scotland from the writer-and-director team that brought you the award-winning Takin' Over the Asylum. Colin Firth takes the titular role as a modern-day Quixote, a self-deluded dreamer who set out to right the world's injustices. He starts in Port Glasgow, where the local people are poorly served by the newly privatised bus company. With his Sancho Panza-style sidekick, a learning disabled man called Sandy who makes an enthusiastic clippie, Quick sets up a rival bus operator but quickly runs into stiff competition from a corporate bully determined to force them off the road. For the purposes of this show, the company is known as Windmill Transport but they really mean Stagecoach, right? Well, to adapt a familiar phrase from House of Cards, you might think that but the writer couldn't possibly comment. \"There is really little I can say about that without losing my house,\" says Donna Franceschild, who scripted Takin' Over the Asylum and another BBC Scotland drama, A Mug's Game. \"I've got to be real careful what I say. There are a number of bus companies that have acted in a pretty vicious way. If any company wants to say they're being libelled by this the only way they can be identified is by the practices of the company in the film. That would be like saying: 'We've run buses off the road so it must be us.' I don't think that's going to happen.\" Probably not, but from a Scottish perspective it is hard not to think of Stagecoach. For a start, how many major transport companies in Britain are run by a woman? Franceschild just laughs and says she sees the female bus magnate as a kind of Margaret Thatcher figure. The fact the government has been forced to blame the current rail crisis on \"20 years of under-investment\", shows how timely this drama is. Franceschild says that Windmill is based on a number of companies, and that the aggressive tactics it employs to stamp on the competition have all been employed by various bus operators round the country. This tale of privatisation is set on the buses, but it could have just as easily have been a railway. In fact, Franceschild and director David Blair first discussed tackling train privatisation in 1996. At that time Scotrail was in the throes of privatisation and Blair, a railway enthusiast, was particularly steamed up over the sell-off. \"If you call him a trainspotter, he gets very upset,\" jokes Franceschild. For various technical reasons, the action was switched to buses though the fictitious Windmill runs both road and rail services. At first she didn't see how a public transport strategy could possibly make an interesting television drama, until she hit on the idea of creating a contemporary Quixote. Quick is mad enough to take on an established company on behalf of the community, and is symbolic of the current suspicion of multi-nationals that fuelled the Seattle World Trade Organisation protests. It becomes apparent that though Quick is quite mad, his actions empower the local people. This is not, as you will have gathered, run-of-the-mill TV entertainment. Franceschild, an American who has worked in the UK for 20 years, has gained a solid reputation for tackling social issues head on. Takin' Over the Asylum was set in a psychiatric hospital and was a dramatisation of the way mentally ill patients are stripped of their identity in such institutions. A Mug's Game, which was filmed in Tarbert, Argyll, where Franceschild now lives, centred on the effects of the threatened closure of a fish processing factory on a local community. There is a strong theme of social justice running through Franceschild's work. \"If it's something I care passionately about, I hope other people will too,\" she says. \"I don't know how else to write.\" Her next project, whose working title is The Key, is a three-part drama following the lives of three generations of women from a Red Clydesider down to the grand-daughter who is elected as a Glasgow MP. Remarkably, the BBC in London has commissioned what is essentially a history of the Scottish labour movement in dramatic form. Franceschild is fast becoming Scotland's answer to socially aware TV writers such as Jimmy McGovern and Alan Bleasdale. And like them has found it necessary to balance politics and populism. Social issues are generally regarded as ratings death by broadcasters, and Franceschild is one of the few writers who has got away with making politics so central to her work. Despite the presence of Colin Firth, there is little that is hip or slick about Donovan Quick. The female lead is played by Katy Murphy, Franceschild and Blair's favourite actress, whose plain"}, {"response": 1635, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 29, 2000 (05:19)", "body": "Another by James Rampton, but this time for The Independent (12/27/00), with an interesting quote from Colin at the end: A tilt at far more than mere windmills If you struggled to get home for Christmas by bus or train, Donovan Quick, a new TV drama that, with perfect timing, focuses on one man's battle with the privatised transport system, will strike more than a chord. ********* George Mackie is the sort of super-smooth executive that transport companies seem to breed. He has been sent along by his huge multinational firm, Windmill Transport, to mollify passengers fuming about the unreliability of their privatised train and bus services. As one irate commuter fires off a volley of expletives about the hopelessness of his service to work, Mackie attempts to soothe him. `'We're all endeavouring to achieve punctuality targets,'' he says in his most syrupy tones. You have to suppress an urge to punch the screen during this opening scene from Donovan Quick, a witty and touching film about the manifold failures of the privatised transport system, which is being broadcast on BBC1 on Thursday. As the transport network continues to have a collective nervous-breakdown, it is a highly topical piece that will resonate with everyone who battled to get home for Christmas by bus or train. Written 18 months ago, Donna Franceschild's script now looks like a work of supreme prescience. An ingenious recasting of the Don Quixote myth, her drama depicts a world where the needs of passengers often seem to be the last concern of the huge multinational companies now running the transport network. It is hard to avoid the impression that they consistently put profits before people. On to this stage strides the inspirational figure of Donovan Quick (played with panache by Colin Firth). An honourable but deluded man, he decides he has had enough of the hopeless transport system and resolves to have a tilt at Windmill. Furious that the company have, without warning, cut the service that takes his disabled friend, Sandy (David Brown), to his day-care centre, Donovan defiantly sets up his own one-man bus company. Rattled, Mackie (played by David Westhead) responds by swamping Donovan's route with 16 Windmill buses. He may be doomed to failure, but he is sure as hell not going to go down without a damn good fight. \"For evil to triumph,\" he announces rousingly, \"it requires only that good people do nothing.\" As he climbs behind the wheel on his first day, Donovan delivers a stirring cri de coeur to Sandy Pannick (read, Sancho Panza), who has become his conductor. \"We are about to embark on a great mission, Sandy, a great quest to fight the mighty Windmill. And they will try to defeat us - make no mistake about that. And they won't care who they hurt because there are no people in their equations. Only `customers' and `labour units', who only exist on paper and not in flesh or blood.\" Donovan soon gathers popular support as the passengers turn against Windmill's bully-boy tactics. One loyal supporter of Donovan's bus tells Sandy: \"The wife says that she wants to go to Amsterdam on holiday, but there's no chance. I'm not going anywhere where there are any windmills.\" Franceschild, the writer responsible for such well-regarded dramas as Takin' Over the Asylum, Mug's Game and Eureka Street, echoes this character in her strong views about the takeover of our national transport system by private companies. \"It is an emotive issue,\" she declares. \"Rail privatisation and bus deregulation are things that tangibly affect the lives of ordinary people. It is the aspect of the Thatcher legacy they are most pissed off about. Even though we're paying huge amounts of public subsidy, we've got worse trains. Often you don't know which train or bus to catch or how to get any information about it. Capitalism works by cherry-picking the best routes and neglecting the rest.\" The idea of one man taking on an apparently invincible enemy generates the conflict which is essential for any effective drama. \"I wanted to find a monolithic giant against which Donovan could fight,\" Franceschild recalls. \"I thought of creating a rapacious, Thatcherite company, and during my research, I came across a former miner in Fife who'd started up a one-man bus operation with his redundancy money and immediately fell foul of a big bus company. \"Bus privatisation created ferocious dog-eat-dog competition. That kind of free-for-all brings out the worst in people. Big companies just go for the jugular of smaller companies. Competition is one thing, but this isn't fair. Of course, capitalism isn't designed to be fair. Have you ever played Monopoly?\" \"Windmill Transport, a giant with many arms, is a good target for Donovan to attempt to slay,\" Franceschild continues. \"There's something noble about trying to fight such a massive foe against all the odds but for all the right reasons. I wanted to examine the lack of humanity in that system. I didn't want to write about bus deregulation a"}, {"response": 1636, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Dec 29, 2000 (09:09)", "body": "I personally think it's the best thing he's done since Tumbledown. I so agree. This was my first viewing. I did not watch the video because I wanted to wait. It was well worth it. My 18 year old son, who watched it with me, also loved it. Fabulous. Will post more later."}, {"response": 1637, "author": "ommin", "date": "Fri, Dec 29, 2000 (11:01)", "body": "Yes, my husband also responding to it when it was shown in Australia. It was quite male orientated and thus very successful and so right for the U.K. at present, with rail, roads, bus's all affected by privatisation and snow etc. mainly caused by lack of manpower because of the need for the private companies to make a profit. Good on you Alison - yes its the best thing since Tumbledown because Colin truly believed in whast we was doing. Anne H. from Oz."}, {"response": 1638, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Dec 29, 2000 (14:46)", "body": "Just to say DQ has had excellent reviews in both the\"Times\" and \"Guardian\" which we get, also the preview in the Observer was excellent. I think the best, surprisingly, is in the Telegraph, which I saw when I called on my mother. They're all too long to type...are they online?"}, {"response": 1639, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 29, 2000 (16:04)", "body": "No, they are not online. If you'd like to mail them to me, I'd be more than happy to type them up to share with everyone."}, {"response": 1640, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 29, 2000 (16:21)", "body": "(KJ)Sadly, I don't think he was misquoted. I think I know what he MEANT but he didn't word it at all clearly, and he'll probably really get pounced on for this one.... So glad to know you have a direct track to what he mean't, KJ... but sadly, we'll never know will we?*winkie*,*winkie* ~~~~~~~~~~~`` \"It's not about finding answers, but relentlessly pursuing them. You are always travelling; you never arrive.\" I keep telling you he's got a new Italian philosopher;-) This is the second interview he's given the same quote. ~~~~~~~~~~~ So glad DQ is getting such well-deserved fabulous reviews..even during the usual Christmas schmaltz. He must feel exhilarated.First, Speaking with the Angel and now DQ. Next Hamlet. Go Colin...you're on the right track!"}, {"response": 1641, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Dec 29, 2000 (18:10)", "body": "Bethan, do try to send the reviews to Karen. We would all love to read them. \"It's not about finding answers, but relentlessly pursuing them. You are always travelling; you never arrive.\" (Evelyn), I keep telling you he's got a new Italian philosopher;-) No Italian philosopher. It is more oriental in tone. Maybe he has been doing the I Ching lately. ;-)"}, {"response": 1642, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Dec 29, 2000 (18:12)", "body": "Excellent review for DQ on Teletext - \"Colin Firth was in exhilarating form...\""}, {"response": 1643, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Dec 29, 2000 (18:18)", "body": "http://www.teletext.co.uk/reviews and actually they gave it 4stars and said it was the \"hit\" of the festive season or soemthing like that. You may have to scroll down the page."}, {"response": 1644, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Dec 29, 2000 (18:19)", "body": "Sorry, you may get the home page, in which cast you will have to go to TVPLUS."}, {"response": 1645, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Dec 29, 2000 (18:33)", "body": "Here's The Guardian review (thanks to Jane M. ) FIRTH AMONG EQUALS Gareth McLean It's just as well Colin Firth read Cervantes' book and didn't simply rely on Nik Kershaw's interpretation of Don Quixote as the inspiration for the good deeds of Donovan Quick (BBC1). Otherwise, he'd be sporting fingerless gloves, a fluorescent snood and a spikey hairdo, and even the actor formerly known as Mr Darcy couldn't carry off that ensemble. Happily, he wore tailored suits and fresh-from-the-box boxer shorts, and arrived like an Armani-clad spectre in the dingy Pannick household with good intentions. Pannick by name, put-upon by nature, Katy Murphy was excellent as the fierce and fearful Lucy, nursing her wrath against the world and fuelling it with her own self-loathing. With a teenage son, a senile granny, and Sandy, a brother with a learning disability, to care for, Lucy was faltering under the weight of her burden, which also included a drink problem and Clive, a bullying boyfriend, played in all his impotent, delusional glory by David O'Hara. As Sandy, David Brown was incredibly watchable and Colin Firth was his usual impressive self. The casting of Liz \"Nana Royle\" Smith was a trifle odd, however. Given the number of accomplished Scottish actresses who could quite easily have played the part of the Pannicks' granny without an accent which wandered from Oban to Edinburgh, she was a curious choice. Nevertheless, as part of an outstanding ensemble, she was quite endearing. After years of telling Sandy to keep his head down and keep quiet, Lucy was jolted out of self-imposed servitude by Donovan's tilting at windmills - namely Windmill Transport, the multinational company which cancelled the train which took Sandy to his daycare centre. With his big bag of money - Donovan was evidently wealthy, possessing a platinum Amex and never having heard of macaroni cheese - he bought a bus, made Sandy a company director and bus conductor, and attacked his giant nemesis. The renewal of hope which this new venture instilled in the Pannicks was delightful and Donna Franceschild's script trod a fine line between truthful emotion and magical realism, only occasionally stumbling into sentiment. And the appearance of comedy nuns only detracted slightly from the credibility of the whole. Focusing on a transport company which drives its competitors out of business (\"It's not enough to succeed. Others must be seen to fail\", was the motto of the chairwoman, Kathleen Gorman, who may well have had a bigoted brother hanging around somewhere), Donovan Quick had an unashamedly socio-political message. Yet it was rarely worthy or heavy-handed. Rather, it was a keen, funny and moving expose of monopoly capitalism. If Naomi Klein were to collaborate with John Byrne on a screenplay, this could well be the result. And although there wasn't a hint of Nik Kershaw, we could have done with a bit less Van Morrison, too."}, {"response": 1646, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Dec 29, 2000 (18:37)", "body": "Here's The Telegraph review, which is excellent. Thanks to Peggy. Don Quixote rides again James Walton Last night, after a couple of creditable near-misses and some spectacular failures, Christmas 2000 finally gave us a genuinely great piece of TV drama. Donovan Quick (BBC1) could so easily have gone wrong: among the dangers it risked were sentimentality, excessive moralising and looking like a pastiche of those old Plays for Today- many of which likewise featured a plucky group of ordinary folk taking on the evil capitalists. Early on, too, the programme appeared destined only for terminal dourness. After all, the main character Lucy (Katy Murphy) was a single mother whose preferred methods of coping with a car-stealing son, a senile grandmother, a mentally-handicapped brother and an alcoholic boyfriend were straightforward ones: shouting a lot and being an alcoholic herself. But then Donovan Quick (Cohn Firth) showed up as her mysterious new lodger, and everything was transformed. Admittedly, the Don Quixote parallels weren\u0019t subtle. Donovan soon turned out to be a man of almost pathological chivalry. Lucy\u0019s brother- Sandy Pannick - duly became his faithful companion. The two then set off to tilt at Windmill, a company whose public motto was the suitably meaningless \"Local transport for the global community\". (The private version was rather more honest: \"It\u0019s not enough to succeed - others must be seen to fail\".) Yet, the scenes in which Quick and Pannick ran both their people\u0019s bus-route and rings round Windmill were irresistibly exhilarating. But the goodies\u0019 victories were short-lived. Lucy started out sounding depressingly fatalistic (\"Big companies always get what they want\") but ended up sounding merely right. Donovan\u0019s commitment to social justice meant that he got beaten up on a regular basis. We also discovered that he was, indeed, technically mad - a former Windmill high-flier who\u0019d been sectioned by his family after he began acting oddly (ie decently) to opponents of the company. He was therefore carted off from Lucy\u0019s house to the asylum, so that the next time we saw him he\u0019d been \"cured\" and was back wheeling and dealing without scruple. (As Quick had earlier said of Quixote, \"He was a great madman. When they returned him to sanity, he was nothing.\") All of this, as I say, could obviously have been excruciating. Instead, the always-sharp script combined with the brilliant central performances to ensure the characters and the issues complemented each other so well that Donovan Quick managed to be both emotionally stirring and intellectually troubling \u0014especially, of course, at a time when public unease about corporate power is at such a peak."}, {"response": 1647, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Dec 29, 2000 (18:41)", "body": "Part 1 Of The Times review (thanks to Janet) Tilting at windmills Yesterday's viewing: Paul Hoggart If nothing else, Donovan Quick (BBC1) was memorable for Liz Smith\u2019s most outrageous Christmas performance. We have had the cameo of the old derelict in A Christmas Carol; she excelled as usual in The Royle Family. Here, however, she spent the entire film wandering around in an ill-fitting slip, saying things like \u201cAnyone seen ma false teeth?\u201d It takes a special quality to make batty old wreckage so engaging, and she has it by the wrinkly stockingful. But then this was an idiosyncratic drama altogether. True, there was nothing stunningly original about the big themes \u2014 a bunch of dead-beat losers take on the system and win (sort of ), led by an educated dreamer, who arrives among them like a deus ex machina and transforms their lives, while he himself is forced to confront his own inadequacies when things go horribly wrong. Well-trodden tracks perhaps, but the drama rolled along engagingly on a mixture of wry observation, absurdity and \u201cYou lookin\u2019 at me, pal?\u201d realism. The story was a loose updating of Don Quixote, with Colin Firth as the eponymous hero (though with a secret past). The similarity lay in the clash between Quick\u2019s na\u00efve idealism and the brutal, exploitative cynicism of the real world. Firth\u2019s muted, Jane-Austen-adaptation courtesy was perfect. Yet Don Quixote was unhinged by the fantasies of popular literature, and his enemies were everyday objects, transformed into monsters by his fevered imagination. Donovan Quick, by contrast, had been driven mad by guilt. His insanity was grounded not in delusion but in the effects of his own ruthlessness. His monsters also turned out to be real, a ruthless transport corporation called Windmill, a nightmare combination of aggressive deregulated bus company and privatised railway. The writer Donna Franceschild must be delighted with the timing of her blast of political rage, as travellers of all persuasions suffer the frustrations of our choking transport systems."}, {"response": 1648, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Dec 29, 2000 (18:46)", "body": "Here's the rest of The Times review: But the real power of the piece lay in Franceschild's exploration of the poor and alienated struggling to survive without support in hopelessly corroded communities. Quick wanders into a cheap lodging house run by Lucy Pannick (Katy Murphy), an alcoholic with a delinquent son, a mentally disabled brother Sandy (David Brown) and a rapidly senescent grandmother (Liz Smith). Lucy also has a suspicious, defensive attitude and an obnoxious boyfriend (David O'Hara). As she explains to Quick in a painful moment of truth, the only way she can get any human warmth is to let people shag her. Quick switches into Quixote mode when Windmill arbitrarily cancels the only bus which gets Sandy to his day-centre. During a Cliff Richard hey-gang-let's-do-the-show-right-here sequence, (complete with breezy Van Morrison tracks), they set up their own one-bus company and take on the big boys. Inevitably the corporate bullies play dirty and win, and after a vicious beating Quick returns to his former self. He is, it transpires, Daniel Quinn, the Windmill executive who ordered his buses to crash through a picket line, killing a union official. In a final encounter on a station platform his re-assumed executive mask drops when he meets Lucy, now self-confident, happy and successful, her life transformed by the effects of his Quixotic aberration. It was an unusual, but often touching blend of reportage, fantasy and polemic."}, {"response": 1649, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 29, 2000 (19:10)", "body": "Thanks, Mari, for gathering up the reviews and bringing them to us. They're wonderful. (Don't agree with that one who said we could a bit less of Van Morrison. Sheesh!) ;-)"}, {"response": 1650, "author": "tamzin", "date": "Fri, Dec 29, 2000 (19:32)", "body": "So at last DQ has been and gone on British TV. I think in the end that the BBC did not do badly with the timing. Certainly it got a lot more coverage pre transmission than normal. And what a fantastic reaction from the Press post transmission. I certainly enjoyed it much more when I saw it again last night. I don't know if it was my imagination but it did not seem so dark and I coped much better with the accents. I agree that it is one of Colin's best efforts. I had forgotten until I saw it again last night how very good he is. Yes, I too hope this performance is remembered when it comes round to BAFTA time. Let's hope in view of all the acclaim it will be repeated again; the critics certainly went to Town with a vengence in its favour. Now we only have to wait for Hamlet................ (I just hope it's not too long a wait!!)"}, {"response": 1651, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 29, 2000 (19:40)", "body": "\"And the appearance of comedy nuns only detracted slightly from the credibility of the whole.\" Waddsamatta y'think this was a documentary? I thought they were quite charming... I loved the track with Van Morrison....the old curmudgeon who wrote that probably expected Beethoven. Thanks Mari and pals... ODB must be on Cloud Nine!!"}, {"response": 1652, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Dec 29, 2000 (21:55)", "body": "The Observer (abbreviated).. Whether you are a fan of Cervantes' original epic, or merely a fan of Firth, the acting in this allegory for a modern audience amkes it compelling viewing and extremely moving... This is a sentimental story for an unsentimental age, but the dialogue, the cast and the well chosen targets raise it far above expectations. The emotional points are subtly made and the story's simple portrait of personalities in a state of collapse is painfully effective. (just posted this in Bridget Jones by mistake. Sorry!)"}, {"response": 1653, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Dec 29, 2000 (22:20)", "body": "Colin Firth was his usual impressive self. Yes! If only his agent understood this. Very happy for Colin. I wonder what other goodies might come from this. This is the time for his agent to get out there and get pushy about leading roles. Thanks, Mari and the ladies who typed it up. :-) Happy New Year! to all the faithful Firthettes."}, {"response": 1654, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Dec 29, 2000 (23:47)", "body": "(evelyn) So glad to know you have a direct track to what he mean't, KJ... ... Don't I wish ... Isn't speculation the name of the game here? (I thought that the qualifier \"I think\" made it obvious that I wasn't claiming any level of expertise here ...**Hee hee** ;-D) KJ"}, {"response": 1655, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Dec 29, 2000 (23:52)", "body": "( ... Or do you insist on IMHO for clarity?) .. ;-D KJ"}, {"response": 1656, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sat, Dec 30, 2000 (00:30)", "body": "KJ, you're absolutely on course there. I can vouch for it - I spent my young life surrounded by actors and it was a huge bunch of mixed blessings (but what a priceless insight!)... And the two chief characters in that little big domestic drama of ours - my own parents - did indeed create quite a nightmare for each other as well as their offspring. (Now you know how I came to possess this curiously twisted personality which a lot of you find so abrasive...;-)) Re Colin and his agent: at the risk of getting slapped again (;-D), I shall repeat: it's no use blaming the agent if Colin will not do what the agent tells him to... Indeed, the agent has no final say in what Colin may or may not want to do. Finally, I have found the following in The Express today: it's by their theatre critic Robert Gore-Langton, it gives an outline of the UK theatre plans for 2001 and it seems to be casting a small shadow of the doubt over the possibility of a third major Hamlet this season... \"Samuel West is the latest to play the Prince in a Hamlet for the RSC at Stratford in March. Also, Adrian Lester's Hamlet, recently in Paris, arrives in London in the summer.\""}, {"response": 1657, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Dec 30, 2000 (00:45)", "body": "Thank you, Echo, for understanding what I was trying (ineffectually) to say. Actually, my only intention was to depersonalize that statement. IMHO , the idea of \"nightmare\" had nothing to do with the person with whom one was involved, but more the difficulty in maintaining a close relationship over the long haul with anyone who was a fellow actor. In fact, I should think the greater the affection between the pair, the more agonizing the attempt would be. The observation cast no reflection on the personalities of MT or JE (or anyone else ...):-)"}, {"response": 1658, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sat, Dec 30, 2000 (01:51)", "body": "The difficulty in maintaining a close relationship may take various paths and shapes and be due to numerous factors which are not necessarily exclusive to actors. I am sure that people in other walks of life suffer from the same kind of problems - yet somehow among actors, artists, entertainers, etc., all these things often seem completely out of proportion - and, by the same token, long term stable relationships stand out that much clearer. In other words, maybe it's not the people but the circumstances."}, {"response": 1659, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec 30, 2000 (02:24)", "body": "(KJ)Actually, my only intention was to depersonalize that statement. IMHO, the idea of \"nightmare\"had nothing to do with the person with whom one was involved, but more the difficulty .......\" I know, I know... Re: inside track, that's why I spelled out ;-)*winkie*.... w-i-n-k-i-e-....:-D"}, {"response": 1660, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 30, 2000 (03:39)", "body": "I don't believe anyone disagrees; however, in fairness, I think the original comment was aimed at Colin and that he should not have made the statement in the first place. That, in itself, was the \"ungentlemanly behavior,\" i.e, don't talk about your former relationships in public. Not the validity of the statement. it seems to be casting a small shadow of the doubt over the possibility of a third major Hamlet this season... Argh! :-("}, {"response": 1661, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 30, 2000 (03:54)", "body": "Very odd review by Michael Collins for The Independent. Appears to me, that he thinks it quite mundane. What do you all say? The landscape the viewer encountered in Donovan Quick (BBC1) was bleak. We were in that part of Scotland that TV drama visits regularly, where a solitary house stands close to a railway track. This bleakness was in striking contrast to the flashback leitmotif which punctuated a drama that took atonement and madness for its themes. When Donovan Quick (Colin Firth) retreated to the memories of his past as the businessman Daniel Quinn, the screen lit up like an Eighties video for an electro-pop duo, with his past returning to haunt him in hues of blue and white. It transpired that as the director of a company he had urged drivers to break a strike, and this resulted in the death of a picket. When he recalled the breakdown that followed the tragedy, and his time spent in an asylum, a beam of neon was added to the equation, as he sat with his head cradled in his hands and with only his shadow for company. You expected synthesisers and drum machines. During his spell of madness, he went AWOL, changed his name, and became the stranger who arrives in a strange town with a holdall stacked with cash, and who goes on to change the lives of the locals. The family he lodged with was, of course, dysfunctional. In TV terms, this is a short cut to sum up a group of characters who are strapped for cash and starved of aspiration. It saves having to bother with lengthy explanations about class and opportunity. The real problem with this family however, was that it was the kind of dysfunctional group that has previously been the stuff of comedy - as in last year's Channel 4 sitcom The Wilsons, for instance. Last night, in the absence of parents, it fell to the alcoholic daughter to organise the brother with learning difficulties, the wayward son, and Liz Smith (doing what Liz Smith seems to have been doing since I Didn't Know You Cared back in the Seventies). Of course, she does it brilliantly. Her character in Donovan Quick was occasionally lucid, always in her underwear, and never without a handbag. In short - The Gran. The Alcoholic was the last one of the quartet to fall for the charms, and into the arms, of the mysterious stranger. (A bag full of crisp bank notes? A copy of Don Quixote? Who was this man?.) But Wayward Son, Learning Difficulties and The Gran temporarily found their vocation, when Quick set up a local bus company to challenge a big transport organisation - the company where, it emerged, he had once worked. This plot development transformed the drama into something reminiscent of a musical, or something from an Ealing comedy, where the kids take on the big property developer who threatens their youth club and invariably end up doing a show in the barn, or converting a double-decker bus. Ultimately, Quick returns to his former life, and recovers from his madness. And while he believed he had left a trail of destruction in his wake, he had actually scattered the seeds of ambition and aspiration. The Alcoholic ended the drama having also found her vocation. In palma violet suit, with clipboard to hand, she was sober and successful. On the wagon, and on the buses."}, {"response": 1662, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 30, 2000 (04:18)", "body": "You can see the BBC's commercial for DQ here: (requires Real Player) http://www.bbc.co.uk/whatson/ram/oen_52th2100_donovan_quick.ram"}, {"response": 1663, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Dec 30, 2000 (09:45)", "body": "Agree Karen very odd indeed - what is all that stuff about 80's pop videos? Have watched DQ once more, it is indeed IMO a work of mastery (did I not give that impression before?:-P) - balancing brilliantly the dark with the humorous. Found that, having channel-hopped for a millisecond *slapped wrists*, I had missed the \"macaroni cheese\" moment, one of the understated comic pieces from CF. Even my, usually CF-disparaging, father - having seen only the last 45 minutes (sheesh -parents who'd have 'em) wants to borrow my vid so he can see it in its entirity- high praise indeed! Karen - Whilst I realise that DF and DB aimed for the big screen, what I meant by my comment ( and I should have put IMO there I know) was that perhaps this kind of intimate drama works better in TV format. Sadly I believe that had it got to the big screen it would have been MLSF all over again, staying in the West End for a derisory fortnight (if you're lucky) and then trickling onto VHS eventually *shaking head morosely*. The level of coverage in the press and indeed on the Beeb (thanks for the trailer BTW) in the run up to broadcast was fantastic to see - and the reviews in the main have been deservedly glowing. This surely can do ODB no harm at all ... let's hope he capitalises on it."}, {"response": 1664, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Dec 30, 2000 (15:29)", "body": "(Ev) Wonder if they have more than two stalls in the loo ;-)[ When I win the lottery, I'm going to endow an extra stall at the Donmar] The Evelyn B***e Honorary Potty. Reserved for Droolers Extraordinaire. Joe Prince. He's one of my favorites too, Hanna. But beware, we're in the minority.These pit-bulls here don't;-) Ouch! I'm just a chihauhau - a yapping ankle biter. I LOVE Joe Prince. Just ain't crazy about the movie (but I watch it every time it's on Lifetime.) bring-a-cushion is the best possible advice I will put my Reading Phillies cushion next to your AC Milan one, Moon. (Ev) The heat will come from the stage....Esp. in tight breeches (pl.god!) Ifi that's the wardrobe then the heat will come from the audience. I'm perspiring already. (Mari) Is he dropping hints here? Just read that Guy R. is looking for 2 male co-stars to play opposite the misses in his next gangster flick.;-) Oh Gawd, can you imagine? Mark my words, that woman is going to ruin her husband's career if he insists on casting her. And I've never been wrong before. ;-) That, in itself, was the \"ungentlemanly behavior,\" i.e, don't talk about your former relationships in public. Ooh, let me have my say. Did he mention names? No,no,no. The poor boy forgets the reporters constantly focus on the \"important\" things - who has he been sleeping with? We ALL know who he's been involved with but his observation may have been more general in meaning. His transgressions are so slight, I forgive him everything. ;-) Despite the presence of Colin Firth, there is little that is hip or slick about Donovan Quick. What the heck does that mean? Sorry, just ankle biting. Very nice reviews. Tracy, your dad is very discerning."}, {"response": 1665, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec 30, 2000 (16:17)", "body": "(Tracy)Sadly I believe that had it got to the big screen it would have been MLSF all over again, staying in the West End for a derisory fortnight (if you're lucky) and then trickling onto VHS eventually *shaking head morosely* The way of all CF-starring films, because the public views him as a TV actor. I would have to agree with you, Tracy. Better to have a successful TV project. Sadly, it's just another nail in the \"He's a TV actor\".... But hey, a win's a win! ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Independent Review:...\"This plot development transformed the drama into something reminiscent of a musical, or something from an Ealing comedy, where the kids take on the big property developer who threatens their youth club and invariably end up doing a show in the barn, or converting a double-decker bus.\" Huh? Did we see the same film? Sounds like another guy who doesn't like Van Morrisson, or anything else. Besides, he didn't even mention ODB. Boooooo"}, {"response": 1666, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 30, 2000 (21:10)", "body": "This one makes the other one sound nice: The Scotsman - Dec 29, 2000 BY HANNAH MCGILL The makers of Donovan Quick must have been the only people in the country who were secretly pleased when the nation's transport network deteriorated into an infernal game of snakes and ladders. They knew the rail chaos would bring their right-on public transport drama right into line with the popular consciousness - somewhere a right-on public transport drama can rarely expect to be, even if it does star the handsome Colin Firth. Bells of recognition chimed right from the opening scene, when a slick executive from a privatised rail network apologised most insincerely for \"the delays and abnormalities brought about by timetabling conflicts\". The executive in question was an oily deposit from a fictional Scottish company called Windmill, which occupied distinctly insalubrious ground somewhere between Stagecoach and Railtrack. Windmill thought nothing of trampling all over the little people with their ruthless profiteering. Enter Colin Firth, equipped with a dependable jawline and copious bumbling public-school charm. He moved in with alcoholic Lucy (Katy Murphy) and her shambolic family, and proceeded to plot the overthrow of the system from her spare room, aided only by her learning-disabled brother Sandy (David Brown). This Don Quixote update could have been excessively sugary - the last thing anyone needs at this time of year. However, thanks to a wonderful performance by Murphy, strong support from Brown and Firth, a fine script and a healthy degree of black humour, it was elegant, moving and heartfelt. It made no bones about its social message, and yet was subtle enough to avoid preaching. It was almost enough to make me like Colin Firth, even though he reminds me of Tony Blair and Hugh Grant sharing a bout of severe constipation."}, {"response": 1667, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec 30, 2000 (23:12)", "body": "I wish Hannah a boil on her ....nose!! That was uncalled for. Good thing it's a Scottish paper, He'll never see it."}, {"response": 1668, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (00:12)", "body": "Another Gill: Sunday Times, Dec. 31, 2000 Culture section \"Not getting into the Christmas spirits\" .......... Donovan Quick (Thursday, BBC1) was a play about a bus service. Now, how sorry are you that you missed that? All the fun and excitement of waiting at a bus stop and reading the schedules. I would love to have been at the planning meeting where a Tristram said: \"I've got this really exciting script about public transport in Glasgow.\" Except he won't have said that, he'll have said: \"I've got this really contemporary and relevant reworking of Don Quixote.\" And having never read the terminal tome, the fat controllers will have yelped: \"Yes, yes, here's enough money to choke John Prescott!\" What appeared on screen wasn't quite the silliest thing in this season of silly things, but it was a contender. It looked like a Romanian socialist propaganda fable crossed with Genevieve, made by a redbrick media unit - not a happy marriage, not an exciting prospect. They managed to shoehorn every Blairish minority and concern into it. There was Sancho Panza with learning difficulties and a mentally ill Don, an alcoholic Dulcinea and her Alzheimer mother, a misdirected criminal teenager and, of course, the ever-present unemployed. And that was just under one roof. You know that when we start getting this sort of milksop politics, there just has to be an election in the offing. It was television drama from the Polly Toynbee/Alastair Campbell production unit. Oh, and the wicked, ravenous national bus company was called Windmill - tilting at windmills, get it? .............. http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2000/12/31/sticultvv02003.html"}, {"response": 1669, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (02:56)", "body": "This guy hated the whole Christmas telly schedule. \"Christmas-holiday programming is markedly worse than all the rest of the year. The tackiness isn't joyful, it's just tacky. The sentimentality isn't sweet, it's saccharine. Altogether, Christmas on the box is karaoke telly, a sloppy cover version of the real thing....\" Thankfully he didn't mention Colin by name."}, {"response": 1670, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (04:20)", "body": "\"Not getting into the Christmas spirits\" It appears no other thing to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of vapours. ;-)"}, {"response": 1671, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (10:01)", "body": "I can't stand AA Gill....he's only interested in appearing \"clever\" at the expense of other people and always savages everything. He's from the Anne Billston (Sunday Telegraph) School of \"Criticism\". Apparently he's just written another article which appeared this week, entitled \"My \ufffd30,000 penis extension\", which I think tells you everything you need/don't need to know about the guy! Taling about the Sunday Telegraph (why do we get this paper...except I really don't like the Sunday Times!) true to form (they've yet to write anything good about Colin), the male reviewer gave DQ a reasonably good review, but trashed CF. Extracts.. \"Easily the weirdest thing to hit the screen all week... A contemporary version of DQ it starred CF in one of his now familiar tortured moody roles. The combination of Ealing-type whimsy and social realism worked surprisingly well, due in roughly equal measure to DF's witty, heartfelt script, and to a terrific performance by Katy Murphy as Lucy...electrifying gusto...waves of reorse and longing swept thru' her., all to very touching effect. The problem with it was that DF was plainly more interested in Lucy as a character than in DQ. He never really sprang to life, partly because there wasn't much to him, apart from a dark secret duly revealed - and partly because CF is one of those actors who always seem to have left the handbrake on. The ending felt very perfunctory...still there was real originality and real feelings here. Don't think CF can win...he's either \"familiar moody tortured\" or \"miscast\" Overall though, the reviews are very good. The Sundays are always a downer. BTW I note Anne Billston is in her usual \"kill the British film industry\" form in her review of the year. \"It started off brilliantly with \"Sleepy Hollow\" and became increasingly more depressing with British films getting so bad, I started timing my holidays so I could miss as many of them as possible\" She nominates \"Rancid Aluminium\" with Joe Fiennes as worst Brit film (Thankfully not SLOW!). Perhaps she and AA Gill should get together and actually make a movie."}, {"response": 1672, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (11:03)", "body": "Evelyn - I wish Hannah a boil on her ....nose!! ...or boiled! CF is one of those actors who always seem to have left the handbrake on. ..a plague on both his.........houses! I sometimes wonder if any of these reviewers actually watch the performances or merely produce this c**p from their own library of prejudices."}, {"response": 1673, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (11:48)", "body": "To make us all feel better, a very good review in today's Observer - \"The week's most unlikely-sounding treat was, however, DQ, in which CF played the eponymous and mysterious southern stranger with a fondness for Cervantes who turns up north of the border to rent a room from the, yes, wholly dysfunctional Pannick family. Indeed, there is unlikely to be a more affecting drama (Yesssss, my words, sorry I got carried away) set against the backdrop of rail and bus privatisation. Harassed, alcololic Lucy was in a bad relationslhip with arrogant, violent, unemployed Clive, while her younger brother, Sandy, had a learning disability and an unsuitable crush on a lovely Pakistani undergraduate; Lucy's unemployed son, Ji,, meanwhile, spent all day on the sofa fighting with Lucy's semi-senile gran (thre wonderful Liz Smith, in a slip) for control of the remote. So far, so seasonal. But when the evil Wndmill company cut out the train stop nearest to Sandy's day centre, Donovan sets up his own bus route, Quick & Pannick and employed Sandy as conductor. \"Donovan's made me a company d rector!\" said Sandy, proudly. \"Shouldnd't you finish the rocket you were making out of a squeezy bottle first?\" said Lucy, with justification. It was lovely stuff - emotionally dark, as befits any contemporary drama with aspirations to Say Something, but leavened by touches of Ealing Comedy, sharp performances and a deft script. The ending was bitter-sweet, too, but CF didn't get his kit off. Still, you can't have everything - especially at Christmas\" This was after she had not been very complimentary about the other Christmas offerings. I too dislike AA Gill, he never likes anything it seems to me and quite often he tries to be so clever with his reviews that I haven't a clue what he is saying. As to the two reviewers who obviously don't like Colin, I really think it is unnecessary to be personal when writing up a review, write up about his performance by all means but they shouldn't make personal comments. Also in The Observer, is a review of the films to look out for in 2001 and BJD is mentioned with the photo of Renee and Sally Phillips smoking - \"There is the daring and bos office friendly casting of Texan RSZ as the eponymous Sloane Ranger in BJD, counting the calories as well as the cost of getting invloved with unsltuiable Hoorays. Colin Firth and Hugh Grant provide the beefcake\" An unsuitable Hooray, not our Colin. sorry I guess this should be on the BJD topic."}, {"response": 1674, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (13:12)", "body": "I'm enjoying reading all the reviews for DQ. It is so nice to see \"attention paid\" to Colin. I found this on the last (and SNOWY!) morning of 2000 at IC Show Biz : Dec 26 2000 She's one of Scotland's top actresses, and now she is playing opposite Colin Firth. By Rick Fulton, Daily Record She's one of our most experienced actresses, but filming her first nude scene was almost the ruin of Katy Murphy. The actress, who shot to fame as Miss Toner in Tutti Frutti, says she is usually overlooked for sexy roles. But in BBC Scotland's one-off drama, Donovan Quick, which also stars Pride And Prejudice's Colin Firth, she gets her fair share of love scenes with actor David O'Hara. In one shot, she is seen nipping out of bed naked and putting on a T-shirt. And Katy, 35, admits she put herself through the mill to do the scene. She says: \"It was terrifying, like going to the dentist 100 times. It was embarrassing, too. I'm no spring chicken - it's not like I'm 18. \"I'm usually the last person they ask to do love scenes, but I'm glad I did it. I like new experiences ... and doing nude scenes holds no terrors for me now.\" This high-profile role is a catapult back into the spotlight for Katy who, despite working constantly, has not had a starring role on prime-time television for a number of years. Top actress But she is still one of Scotland's top actresses, with roles in Rab C Nesbitt, Your Cheatin' Heart, Takin' Over The Asylum and A Mug's Game to her credit. Recently she starred with Paul McGann in the BBC's Fish, but it flopped. But Donovan Quick could make her a household name once again. Despite the nude scene, it is a far from glamorous role. Katy plays Lucy Pannick, an alcoholic frantically trying to keep her family from disintegrating. She has a gran who is in the early stages of dementia and wanders around the house with no clothes on, a son who steals cars and a brother with learning difficulties. Colin Firth plays the title role in the drama, which will be shown on Thursday night. Donovan is a man with a few skeletons in the cupboard who sets up a bus company to take on the big boys. Lucy is the latest in a string of feisty women Katy has played. She says: \"It's always good to play a woman with spirit. I don't know what it's like to play a quiet librarian. \"When you're not beautiful, you have to find something else in these characters. They're not going to be the pretty one that the man looks after. \"My sort of roles have more to them than that. They deal with another area - what it's like to be a woman beyond how you look.\""}, {"response": 1675, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (13:58)", "body": "*sniff* Bad news! My mother didn't tape DQ:-( Why is it that every time I desperately want to see something, something goes wrong with the video? The good news is that Belgian TV is showing Blackadder Back and Forth tonight."}, {"response": 1676, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (14:34)", "body": "Whew! All these news items. Thanks. Found another v. interesting one at the site Murph used: Firth-Class TV Drama Debut (Dec 20 2000) Colin Firth sings the praises of his latest co-star. By Gavin Docherty, The Mirror Top Shakespearian actor Colin Firth has revealed how he was blown away by a remarkable performance by his new Scots co-star - a learning disabled actor making his TV drama debut. Screen heart-throb Firth, who has worked with some of Hollywood's finest including Ralph Fiennes and Willem Dafoe, described David Brown's debut as \"sheer perfection\". The 38-year-old amateur actor from Edinburgh was filming alongside Firth for Donovan Quick, a highlight of the BBC1 Scotland festive season, aired on December 28. \"There is something fantastically pure about his performance,\" Firth said. \"It is very unusual to see that in a piece of storytelling like this. He is delightful.\" In the drama, Firth stars as a mysterious nobleman who briefly enters the lives of a family of pathetic basket cases headed by alcoholic landlady Katy Murphy. He befriends her dim-witted brother Sandy, played by Brown, who can no longer go to school because a multi-national transport company have changed the routes. Donovan commandeers an old coach and suddenly the pair are in business in a David vs Goliath struggle against the big transport boys. Lifetime opportunity For David, who has a learning disability, the chance to act alongside Firth was an opportunity of a lifetime. \"I loved every minute of it,\" he said. But Firth, who has just finished filming a Hollywood adaptation of Bridget Jones's Diary with Hugh Grant and Renee Zellweger, confessed he has a soft spot for the Scots film and its brilliant co-star. And critics were so stunned by Brown's performance, they took him for a trained actor. \"It's not naive at all to think that of David,\" added Firth. \"I have spoken to a lot of people who have not been sure. What he has done and why it is great that he did it was that he didn't play a disability. \"He didn't have to do that. Nobody was in front of a camera trying to pick up an award for being learning disabled. \"He played a guy. He played emotions. He was just playing a human being.\" Brown's big break came when Donovan Quick director David Blair spotted him rehearsing a performance of La Boheme with an Edinburgh drama group. Brown explained: \"The director gave me the part after I did a reading for him. \"I'd never been on a film set before and everything was new to me. Having Colin there, supporting me, gave me confidence. \"He was great at giving me acting advice.\" Firth, 40, who has a huge following since his screen performance of Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, said he also learned a great deal from working with David. \"He was chastening for the rest of us in his diligence and all his resilience,\" the experienced actor explained. \"Because it was a short shoot but very work intensive, tempers get frayed. You get worn down at the end of a long week of 14-hour days. \"We are standing in the freezing cold and you look across and David was the one that had the most energy and willingness to keep working. \"He loves acting. He is full of enthusiasm. I kept asking myself to what extent does he understand the story we are telling. How much does he understand of what we are dealing with here and why he is chosen for the part? \"I didn't know or understand David well enough to be able to answer those questions.\" A cheeky dig at real-life A major appeal for Firth in making the film, which was shot in Glasgow, was the privatisation of the country's transport network. The bully boy-style tactics adopted by the big multi-national Windmill Transport in Donovan Quick are said to be inspired by the rise of the Stagecoach company owned by Brian Soutar and Ann Gloag. Scriptwriter Donna Franceschild, a committed socialist, has written with rattlesnake venom the greed-obsessed methods deployed by big company bosses to try to run the little guy off the road. Firth said: \"I felt things about the script. \"You can apply it very, very specifically, probably uncomfortably specifically right down to a specific transport company. It's very cheeky.\" As if the stunning confrontation between the multi-national firm and the rickety coach operated by Donovan Quick and Sandy wasn't enough, writer Franceschild rams home the point. A Gloag-lookalike - right down to the fashionable piping on her jacket lapels - is the head of the transport empire."}, {"response": 1677, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (16:14)", "body": "Thanks for the reviews. They run the gamut from love to loathing, not unusual. Agree that was an uncalled-for comment from Hannah: It was almost enough to make me like Colin Firth, even though he reminds me of Tony Blair and Hugh Grant sharing a bout of severe constipation. She liked the production, she liked him so that was out of left field. And what's wrong with a \"dependable jawline\"? One of my favorite features. As for Gill, thanks Bethan for letting us know his problem - \"My \ufffd30,000 penis extension Obviously feeling short-changed in life. ;-) a foul and pestilent congregation of vapours. ...produce this c**p from their own library of prejudices. Agents of Satan, all. ;-) Um, the Observer's was interesting: The ending was bitter-sweet, too, but CF didn't get his kit off. I thought \"kit\" meant \"gear\". Does it mean clothing as well? Hopefully written by a woman. (Tineke) The good news is that Belgian TV is showing Blackadder Back and Forth tonight. Better luck with the video for this."}, {"response": 1678, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (16:52)", "body": "Yes Heide, \"kit\" does mean his clothing! in the UK."}, {"response": 1679, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (17:12)", "body": "Thanks everybody for all the reviews. Murph, Karen..that's a great review from \"The Mirror\"(!!of all papers). Love the opening statement ..Top Shakespearian actor Colin Firth . Wow...wait til they get a load of his Hamlet!! Agree with Heide. Generally more positive reviews than negative. He's got to feel pleased."}, {"response": 1680, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Jan  1, 2001 (00:48)", "body": "All too often the reviewers who give all the bad reviews are frustrated wannbe actors who could never quite make it. Their reviews are written out of jealousy."}, {"response": 1681, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Jan  1, 2001 (00:49)", "body": "Happy New Year to everyone. Colin and Livia especially."}, {"response": 1682, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Mon, Jan  1, 2001 (02:08)", "body": "Happy New Year to Colin and family and most especially to all of you droolies. Thanks so much for the stimulating and entertaining commentary you have provided this past year(and, hopefully, will continue to do so in the coming years). Health, happiness and prosperity to you all and to ODB an abundance of exciting projects, so that we have lots to discuss in 2001."}, {"response": 1683, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan  1, 2001 (18:30)", "body": "Looks as though Colin and the others are doing Conspiracy with a German accent. Should be interesting."}, {"response": 1684, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan  1, 2001 (21:01)", "body": "I just finished viewing the Wanssee Conference in German with English subtitles (I want a medal, Moon;-) If they don't change the script Dr. Stuckart has the best part. And will be greatly enhanced with German accent and mannerisms. In fact only way to do it. The film's total ambience would lose a great deal with British/American accents.Roll on April!"}, {"response": 1685, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jan  2, 2001 (01:29)", "body": "(Karen) Looks as though Colin and the others are doing Conspiracy with a German accent What makes you say that?"}, {"response": 1686, "author": "sarah19", "date": "Tue, Jan  2, 2001 (08:04)", "body": "Does anyone know if and when \"Donovan Quick\" will be shown in the US? ...don't think I've ever posted here before so Hello to you fellow Firth-adorers and thanks for any help. Thanks, Sarah"}, {"response": 1687, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan  2, 2001 (13:54)", "body": "Hamlet update Riverside Studios says it will be February 2002 and CF's agent says dates are not set but not before end of this year... sorry, but should've asked what he was doing in between but was in shock at agent actually picking up phone himself! (Sarah) Does anyone know if and when \"Donovan Quick\" will be shown in the US? If you mean on TV, no info on that. When we met the writer, she appeared doubtful; said BBC didn't think it would appeal to an American audience. Just for your info, DQ is not PBS or A&E fare."}, {"response": 1688, "author": "kolin", "date": "Tue, Jan  2, 2001 (13:55)", "body": "Sylvia from Australia found this article in the Australian version of the International Express , Dec 26 2000 and Jane typed it in. It seems a variation of other articles we have seen before Forever Darcy Colin Firth knows he's synonymous with Austen's brooding hero - but please don't call him heart-throb. By James Rampton When Colin Firth, in Pride and Prejudice, emerged from the lake with his dripping-wet shirt and breeches sculpted on to his body, it sparked such an outbreak of \" Darcymania\" that politicians were moved to discuss the phenomenon on BBC1's Question Time. Bridget Jones got several chapters' worth of drooling out of it, and salivating websites with such titles as Firth Frenzy! (you're famous Carrie - Jane) sprung up. The drama proved especially popular with the, er, more mature viewer. Even now, some five-and-a-half years after the series was first broadcast on BBC1, if you ask any woman of a certain age about what Firth self-mockingly calls \"the D-word\", you are liable to induce a Jane Austen-type swooning fit. Imagine what the furore would have been like if, as had originally been intended, Darcy had come out of the lake wearing nothing but a furrowed brow. \"That was initially supposed to be a nude scene, \" Firth reveals, \"but the BBC don't allow pre-watershed nudity, so I had to go into the lake clothed - hence the wet shirt.\" And hence millions of viewers sighing \" be still my beating heart\". So is Firth just Darcy by another name? Is the actor a strong but silent type - only with better sideburns and drier clothes? Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but it is my duty to announce that Firth is nothing like the solemn, po-faced hero of Austen's novel. For a start, he appears for our interview in a central London hotel dressed down in a grey t-shirt and tousled hair - far from the immaculately turned out aristocrat of popular legend. To underline the point, Firth tells a self-effacing story about the making of Nick Hornby's Fever Pitch, in which he played Paul, a dishevelled Arsenal fan. \"Paul's clothes were all out of date and, I'm ashamed to say, they were mine. The costume designers searched high and low for unfashionable clothes - and the only place they could be found was in my wardrobe\". Firth is warm, articulate and - here's the big surprise for Darcyophiles - has a wicked sense of humour. \"I'm not just a stiff upper lipped chinless wonder,\" he says with a laugh. \"I've always followed the advice of the jazz musician Miles Davis - \"Don't play what you know. Play what you don't know.\" That could be the watch word of my career. You try not to go over secure ground all the time - you try to go somewhere which makes you nervous, embarrassed and confused.\" If you don't believe him, just take a quick glance at his post Pride and Prejudice CV. He has played parts as varied as Gwyneth Patrow's unpleasant fiance in Shakespeare in Love, Kristen Scott Thomas's dim witted and cuckolded husband in the English Patient, and Julie Andrew's outrageously camp confidant in Relative Values. There's not a Darcy-alike in the lot of them. Now Firth is once again overturning expectations and demonstrating his versatility by playing a charismatic, if dotty, idealist in the BBC film Donovan Quick. In this touching comic update of the Don Quixote story, Quick's a mysterious figure who decides to launch a one man bus company when a ruthless multi-national firm called Windmill axes the daily service that his disabled friend Sandy (David Brown) needs to get to his day centre. Panicked when Quick's service proves hugely popular, Windmill lay on 16 buses with a 10p flat fare in a cynical attempt to force him out of business. Firth thinks the film will resonate because we all have a touch of the Donovan Quick's about us. \"Like most powerful myths, it's universal,\" he says. \"What I find particularly moving is something Donovan will never understand - the way his example inspires others long after he's departed. \"And who is poorer? The man who plods through life making a little bit of money for himself and who has never seen anything outside his own environment, or the man who thinks he's on a great mission? There is something glorious about noble failure. I can't imagine anyone not having affection for the figure of Donovan. He's never going to get the girl, he's never going to defeat the dragon, but he's going to keep going anyway. Is there a better way to describe the human condition.\" For all that, it is inevitable the hero from Pride and Prejudice with which the actor is still most strongly associated. So much so that he has sportingly agreed to play a character called Darcy in the forthcoming film version of the best selling Bridget Jones' Diary. \"I was delighted when Bridget first started obsessing about Darcy in her diary,\" Firth says \"for any actor to make an impact like that is fantastic. Still, I did think hard before accepting the part in the film, but in the end my sense of humour kicked in and"}, {"response": 1689, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan  2, 2001 (14:17)", "body": "has no fewer than three films due out in the spring (Bridget Jones' Diary, Londinium and Meeting at Wannsee). So he thinks Londinium is coming out too? Interesting... All I know is that it is supposed to be at the Comedy Arts Fest in Aspen in Feb. \"I'm not mobbed on the streets. Which is just as well because most of my fans are very old ladies.\" Tut tut tut! How very ungentlemanly to comment on ladies' ages. However, wearing their trainers I wouldn't doubt they could outrun you. ;-) Thanks, Vera, for posting."}, {"response": 1690, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jan  2, 2001 (14:24)", "body": "Karen, thanks very much indeed for the Hamlet Update. I wonder if the reason he is not doing Hamlet until at least the end of the year is because he has lots and lots of wonderful projects lined up!!! (Oh I wish)."}, {"response": 1691, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jan  2, 2001 (14:38)", "body": "(Karen) was in shock at agent actually picking up phone himself! So, did you tell him how much we ardently admire and love him?;-) Many thanks for the follow-up, Karen. I'm disappointed for us, but relieved, too--way too many Hamlets out there this year. \"I'm not mobbed on the streets. Which is just as well because most of my fans are very old ladies.\" So it would be ok to be mobbed by very young ladies, eh?;-) Note to self: get facelift prior to February 2002.;-) Welcome, Sarah. I'm holding out hope that DQ might someday pop up on HBO, Showtime, Starz, etc., where, as you know, *anything goes.*:-)"}, {"response": 1692, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan  2, 2001 (17:07)", "body": "Thank you, Vera and Jane! sorry, but should've asked what he was doing in between but was in shock at agent actually picking up phone himself! KAREN!!! Get back on the phone! ;-) So it would be ok to be mobbed by very young ladies, eh?;-) Note to self: get facelift prior to February 2002.;-) LOL! He will find out after BJD comes out. ;-) \"I was delighted when Bridget first started obsessing about Darcy in her diary,\" Firth says \"for any actor to make an impact like that is fantastic. Still, I did think hard before accepting the part in the film, but in the end my sense of humour kicked in and I felt it was a positive move.\" Bloody hell, it was him after all. \"I'm sorry, but I have to ask you. Aren't you that Owen Teale?\" What does OT look like? Can someone post a picture? Evelyn, I am happy to see you getting through more sub-titled films. May I suggest the complete works of Win Wenders? :-) Karen, please tell us how you know they are speaking with a german accent. This is a fine line to cross because many times they break out of the accent but the director loves the take and keeps it. I hate it when this happens."}, {"response": 1693, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan  2, 2001 (17:09)", "body": "Thanks Jane for typing up the interview. !! And vera for posting Am disappointed about Hamlet(*putting away the suitcase*:-(, but agree with Mari. By the end of the year all the reviewers will have forgotten Simon Russell Beale's which is closing at the end of this month,and Adrian Lester's which is coming this summer.. currently playing to rave reviews in Paris. \"Kristen Scott Thomas's dim witted and cuckolded husband in the English Patient, ...\" Uh,oh...Moon won't like this... \"I'm not mobbed on the streets. Which is just as well because most of my fans are very old ladies.\" (Karen)Tut tut tut! How very ungentlemanly to comment on ladies' ages. However, wearing their trainers I wouldn't doubt they could outrun you. ;-) ROTFLOL. I keep telling you...the guy talks too much. ( And don't tell me what he really mean't;-) WELCOME SARAH"}, {"response": 1694, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan  2, 2001 (18:05)", "body": "Yeah, yeah, yeah....been on the phone most of the morning. The Hamlet date is hardly solid. Boxoffice staff evidently put out an emergency call to their management because of the calls, and were told to say Feb. However, it's not firm. I'll try back much later. About the German accent, I found on this guy's website who was the dialogue coach for Conspiracy. He has US/UK dual citizenship and is fluent in Russian and French, but has \"facility with all accents.\" It specifically says that he coached *KENNETH BRANAGH * STANLEY TUCCI * DAVID THRELFALL * COLIN FIRTH * IAN McNEICE * KEVIN McNALLY If they were doing with a standard British accent, then only Stanley Tucci would require coaching. All = German At least that's how I would interpret it. http://www.callnetuk.com/home/congee/coachcv.html"}, {"response": 1695, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Jan  2, 2001 (18:58)", "body": "Moon- What does OT look like? Can someone post a picture? After much scouring of various sites (eventually found this at BBC Cymru) here he is - can't say I see a likeness!"}, {"response": 1696, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan  2, 2001 (22:07)", "body": "*Another* one!!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From the London Theatre Newsletter: The Royal Shakespeare Company has announced its Summer Festival 2001 productions , in Stratford-upon-Avon. Many of these production are expected to transfer to the Barbican, London, in the Winter. \"HAMLET\" By William Shakespeare Directed by Steven Pimlott Starring SAMUEL WEST as 'Hamlet' Designed by Alison Chitty Lighting by Peter Mumford Music by Jason Carr Sound by Matt McKenzie Fights by Malcolm Ranson Previews from 31 March 2001 Opens: 2 May 2001 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~` We're getting a Hamlet- plague here. ODB better get his reservation in early...."}, {"response": 1697, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan  2, 2001 (22:10)", "body": "Thanks, Tracy. Yuk, it must have been the outfit. Colin does go out like that (sadly). \"Kristen Scott Thomas's dim witted and cuckolded husband in the English Patient, ...\" (Evelyn), Uh,oh...Moon won't like this... I thought RF and KST were the dim witted ones. ;-) Geoffrey is untouchable."}, {"response": 1698, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan  2, 2001 (22:13)", "body": "Just a thought, but with the Screen Actors Guild planning a strike, it is a smart move to get a play booked now. Too many Hamlets is not a good thing. :-("}, {"response": 1699, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jan  2, 2001 (22:43)", "body": "There were three Hamlets in 2000...Simon Russell Beale, Mark Rylance at The Globe, and Adrian Lester in Paris. 99 percent of the population wouldn't be aware of this, or even interested. The RSC is doing Shakespeare all the time, obviously. Samuel West did Richard II the same time as Ralph Fiennes. But RF got all the publicity. It's a case of the more the merrier with Shakespeare...critics like comparisons. There'll be a lot ot interest in CF's interpretation...and a lot of press coverage. It's good if he takes his time... he needs the support of a strong ensemble cast"}, {"response": 1700, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  3, 2001 (00:21)", "body": "Just a little sumthin:"}, {"response": 1701, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Jan  3, 2001 (00:30)", "body": "the dialogue coach for Conspiracy.... fluent in Russian and French... has \"facility with all accents.\" ... If they were doing with a standard British accent, then only Stanley Tucci would require coaching. All = German May I offer a different interpretation? (And even if I may not, I will! ;-P ;-)) I think that in case of Conspiracy a dialogue coach was needed simply to ensure that all non-English words and names are pronounced with reasonable accuracy (something that the English speaking people are notoriously hopeless at - and I say that as a non-native English speaker and a trained teacher of English as a foreign language: therefore I do hope that it is understood that no offence is meant). I sincerely hope they didn't have to put on German accents as that could reduce the whole thing to a farce. Re: Response 1696 - also see the last paragraph in Response 1656. ;-)"}, {"response": 1702, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  3, 2001 (02:08)", "body": "It's very possible that a dialogue coach was used for exactly the purpose you stated, Arami. Obersturmbannf\ufffdhrer does not exactly roll easily off the tongue, despite English and German being from the same language family. However, I don't think that talented actors acquiring a decent \"English-spoken-with-German accent\" would reduce it to farce. The practical reality is that Nazis must sound differently. They cannot have Oxbridge accents and be realistic villains. And an American accent in the room...Gott in Himmel! ;-) Anyway, I have emailed the guy and maybe he'll answer me."}, {"response": 1703, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan  3, 2001 (02:35)", "body": "However, I don't think that talented actors acquiring a decent \"English-spoken-with-German accent\" would reduce it to farce. RF did a fabulous accent in Shindler's List,got an Oscar nomination. So did Liam Neeson. They don't have to sound like Colonel Klink!"}, {"response": 1704, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan  3, 2001 (02:59)", "body": "Just a little sumthin: Who is that little sumthin for, Karen? Obersturmbannf\ufffdhrer does not exactly roll easily off the tongue Selbstverstandlich! (Should have an umlaut over the a, but my keyboard refused to cooperate)."}, {"response": 1705, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Jan  3, 2001 (03:59)", "body": "(Evelyn)I wish Hannah a boil on her ....nose!!That was uncalled for. (AnnW) As to the two reviewers who obviously don't like Colin, I really think it is unnecessary to be personal when writing up a review, write up about his performance by all means but they shouldn't make personal comments. If it's just character-trashing for its own sake, then I agree with you. But in the case of Hannah McGill, I approve. We, as most of you realize, are biased to the positive when it comes to ODB. She is a critic who admits her bias WAY to the negative on him, which is only being honest (There's no accounting for taste ... ). But when such an admission follows a statement like ... However, thanks to a wonderful performance by Murphy, strong support from Brown and Firth , a fine script and a healthy degree of black humour, it was elegant, moving and heartfelt ... then it is high praise indeed! (Moon Dreams) Selbstverstandlich! (Should have an umlaut over the a, but my keyboard refused to cooperate). You can get that with (Ampersand)aum(semicolon) or (ampersand)(hash mark)228(semicolon), each expression with no spaces. Result: \u00e4 and \u00e4 Guides to HTML equivalents for odd characters like umlauted letters or accented ones can be found at either: http://www.sandia.gov/sci_compute/iso_symbol.html or: http://www.cs.indiana,edu/elips/entities-list.html Whichever makes more sense to you."}, {"response": 1706, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Jan  3, 2001 (04:22)", "body": "Phoo! Both worked in December. That second one should be: http://www.cs.indiana.edu/elisp/entities-list.html But can't figure out what happened to the first. A lesser substitute that should work: http://www.ramsch.org/martin/uni/fmi-hp/iso8859-1.html Sorry. KJ"}, {"response": 1707, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  3, 2001 (05:17)", "body": "Article in The Independent on 1 Jan about the asylum-seeker situation. Is very long, so won't copy it all here. Appears to be more along the lines of an op piece by Yasmin Alibhai-Brown. Here are the relevant paragraphs: Last July some of us, mainly journalists and actors - luvvies so hated by robust politicians - got together to organise a vigil to remember the young, ambitious and hopeful Chinese men and women who were found suffocated to death in the back of a lorry. We also wanted the powerful to rethink their policies. In just over a week, we had hundreds of letters and many cheques. Interflora gave us beautiful lilies and a wreath. Those who responded were hospital consultants, company directors, head teachers, theatre directors, city slickers, local authority workers, ballet dancers, photographers, pensioners, and Jewish, Muslim and Christian organisations. Supporters included Harriet Walter, Colin Firth, Maureen Lipman, Arlene Phillips, Adrian Mitchell, Ian McShane, the Redgraves, David Suchet, Phyllida Law, Ahdaf Soueif, Tim Piggot-Smith, Jo Brand, Jeremy Hardy, Sophie Thompson, Maria Aitken, Sam Mendes, Laurie Taylor, Richard Briers, the Goodness Gracious Me team, Will Self, Andrew O'Hagan, Linda Grant, Francis Wheen, Annette Crosbie, David Yip, Steve Bell, Frances de la Tour, Linda Smith, Lisa Jardine, Sheila Hancock, Maggie Steed, Juliet Stevenson, Kevin Whateley, Billy Bragg, Malcolm Tierney, Tom Paulin, Alan Rickman, Barry Morse, Jack Rosenthal, Saskia Reeves, Ian Wright - no sleight is intended at all, but there are many, many more such names. Ordinary people from Kent, Sussex, Norfolk - Middle England, if you will - joined in to reject the methods and messages of politicians on an issue that touches deep historical memories for many in this country."}, {"response": 1708, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan  3, 2001 (13:27)", "body": "Selbstverst\ufffdndlich! That's better. Thank you, KJ and Karen. :-)"}, {"response": 1709, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  3, 2001 (15:46)", "body": "(Moon) Who is that little sumthin for, Karen? Why you, of course! I know how much you love those black trainers with white laces. Did you want to see the rest of it?"}, {"response": 1710, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jan  3, 2001 (16:17)", "body": "For a minute there, I thought we were going to debate his shoe size again.;-) Looks like Conspiracy is now scheduled to air on HBO in May--interesting article from the NY Times (thanks, Bobbie): Serious Films by Cable Networks Fill a Void Left by Hollywood http://www.nytimes.com/2001/01/03/arts/03CABL.html"}, {"response": 1711, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan  3, 2001 (18:42)", "body": "I know how much you love those black trainers with white laces. Did you want to see the rest of it? Thanks, but I have seen it. As you know, I prefer the one with the black lace-up shoes. ;-) Thanks, Mari!"}, {"response": 1712, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan  3, 2001 (19:05)", "body": "Great article, Mari & Mari.These TV films also have the advantage of getting country-wide release, instead of coastal.Notice Toby Stephens in \"The Great Gatsby\". ...(Miramax)\" citing some forthcoming projects like \"Hamlet,\" with Ethan Hawke,\" This makes Hamlet #4 coming up. \"...A&E, which appeals to older, well- educated audiences,...\" This age group are also notorious \"renters\"."}, {"response": 1713, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan  3, 2001 (19:06)", "body": "Italics gone..."}, {"response": 1714, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Wed, Jan  3, 2001 (19:46)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1715, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan  3, 2001 (21:33)", "body": "You're a gem, Emma. What a find. Can't wait to get it..."}, {"response": 1716, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  3, 2001 (22:02)", "body": "(Moon) but I have seen it. Really? I would say, 'are you sure?' but... Emma! What a riot and such a bargain find! *waving hands in front of eyes - in Madame Eileen's absence- I predict a major resurgence of interest in Carlo Franci's work and a quick sellout of existing stock for Berkshire... oh, the vision is fading as credit card info is input ;-)"}, {"response": 1717, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan  3, 2001 (22:35)", "body": "Really? I would say, 'are you sure?' but... Well... one can never be too rich, too thin or too sure. ;-) Sock it to me Karen! ;-))))) Emma, great find, thanks."}, {"response": 1718, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  3, 2001 (22:57)", "body": "You'll find the rest here: http://www.spring.net/karenr/articles/scotsman122200.html"}, {"response": 1719, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jan  4, 2001 (01:46)", "body": "Dang if she hasn't surprised us! We've seen another, unsmiling shot from that photo session, but not this one, which I prefer. Just adorable. Thanks, K! Good find, Emma. 1998, eh? Wasn't that the year he did SIL, then disappeared for the length of a Bible?;-) Now we know what he was up to."}, {"response": 1720, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Thu, Jan  4, 2001 (13:27)", "body": "disappeared for the length of a Bible?;-) All for a 5 minute recording, must have been a lot of takes :-)"}, {"response": 1721, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jan  4, 2001 (19:40)", "body": "(Echo)... a trained teacher of English as a foreign language I guess this explains your urge to correct what you see as wrong assumptions :-) I don't have the same excuse and must bite my tongue a lot ;-) The issue of refugees is a tough one and, IMHO, not to be reduced to simple cokmpassion or lack of it. I was very moved by an exhibition of the photographs of Brazilian Sebastiao Salgado early last year, which portrayed many aspects of such migrations. Here's an example: another one: You may want to check the site: Sebastiao Salgado"}, {"response": 1722, "author": "Echo", "date": "Fri, Jan  5, 2001 (01:29)", "body": "(Gi) I guess this explains your urge to correct what you see as wrong assumptions :-) I don't have the same excuse and must bite my tongue a lot ;-) I bite my tongue more than I care to admit... And I do vent my \"urges\" in a far more suitable way and not normally in this place...:-) and since you mention it, may I just clarify that far more than correction, my aim was to turn an odd typing slip-up into an incidental jest among friends... I am, of course, mortified that malice was suspected."}, {"response": 1723, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Jan  5, 2001 (07:46)", "body": "(Gi)I was very moved by an exhibition of the photographs of Brazilian Sebastiao Salgado early last year, which portrayed many aspects of such migrations Very impressive pictures, Gi, and great photography."}, {"response": 1724, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Fri, Jan  5, 2001 (18:23)", "body": "Re post 1519..where it was mooted that ODB was in the running for the \"blockbuster\" version of Dr Who. According to the Metro today we can all breathe again as it seems that Sean Bean (Sharpe) is in the process of signing. So we can sleep safe in the knowledge that headlines such as \"Darcy and the daleks\" will not be a reality ;-)"}, {"response": 1725, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Jan  5, 2001 (21:00)", "body": "http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,62-62377,00.html THE TIMES FRIDAY JANUARY 05 2001 ARTS The shows to see, the music to hear in 2001 FILM: James Christopher scans the treats on offer for 2001, from J.R.R. Tolkien to Harry Potter via Bridget Jones three years to plan, 438 days to shoot, employed 20,000 extras, 300 crew, and obliterated a $260 million budget? George W. Bush\ufffds election campaign? Not quite. The answer is even more preposterous. Think Lord of the Rings. Peter Jackson, clearly in a competition to find the most insane director in Hollywood, has done what civilised people would consider either impossible or pointless. He has distilled J. R. R Tolkien\ufffds mammoth Middle-Earth epic into three live-action films to be released over the next three Christmases. With an estimated 1,200 special effects shots and a raft of mostly British stars (adopting West Country and Scottish accents), the film \ufffd or at least the first instalment, The Fellowship of the Ring \ufffd is destined for some sort of greatness. Apparently Elvish is to be subtitled. It may well be the crowning moment for such stalwarts as Sir Ian McKellen (Gandalf), Ian Holm (Bilbo Baggins), Elijah Wood (Frodo) and Cate Blanchett Galadriel). Between then and now there are several thousand reels of thrills. An awful lot of dough is riding on remakes and sequels. Two of the oddest must surely be remakes of the classics Planet of the Apes (August) and Rollerball (July). Why? Presumably to fill them with fresh faces. Mark Wahlberg (not very fresh at all) slips into Charlton Heston\ufffds loincloth in Tim Burton\ufffds remake of the 1968 talking-ape movie, which also stars those equally fresh British actors, Helena Bonham Carter and Tim Roth. And John McTiernan puts Chris Klein and that well-known athlete LL Cool J on rollerblades in the ultraviolent remake of Rollerball, the film that turned James Caan into an icon in 1975. Comparisons are inevitable, as are, presumably, monkey suits and motorbikes. The big sequels are more predictable. Joe Johnston takes over from Steven Spielberg to direct more deranged dinosaurs around Jurassic Park III (August). The usual incompetents, led by Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz and John Hannah, return to take on the bandaged one in The Mummy Returns (June). But the sequel most horror fans have been dribbling about is Hannibal (Feb 16). Anthony Hopkins sinks his teeth into a Thomas Harris/David Mamet/Steve Zaillian script with a cast that includes Gary Oldman and Julianne Moore as Agent Starling. Rumour has it that the shoot was as difficult as the endless fiddling with the script and the doomed negotiations with Jodie Foster. Enough thrills. What about the spills? Meg Ryan and Russell Crowe\ufffds affair on the set of Proof of Life (March) was probably the least rocky feature about a film dogged by mud slides, volcanoes and the death of a stunt double. Shot in the Andes, the film charts the intense relationship between a hostage negotiator and the wife of a kidnap victim. Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, and James \ufffdSoprano\ufffd Gandolfini provide equally exotic company on the road in Gore Verbinski\ufffds gangster movie, The Mexican (March). Here, one last favour for the boss involving an antique piece of weaponry starts and ends in chaos. The usual dollops of love and comedy are to be found in some mighty unexpected places. Tom Cruise is stalked by Cameron Diaz in Cameron Crowe\ufffds barmy New York love story, Vanilla Sky (November). Cruise plays a serial womaniser whose life turns upside down when his girlfriend (Penelope Cruz) tries to commit suicide. Whatever happened to the good old courtly love triangle? Answer: try Pearl Harbor (June). While the Japanese are blowing the American fleet into bits of painted plywood, fighter pilots Ben Affleck and Josh Hartnett squabble over who has first crack at nurse Kate Beckinsale. Michael Bay directs this $140 million throbber. Alec Baldwin and Ewen Bremner look on, agog. Then there are the real curiosities. The voluptuous Angelina Jolie hogs two juicy roles: action woman Lara Croft, in Simon West\ufffds Tomb Raider (June), and a femme fatale in Original Sin (August). The animated, and yes, barely dressed Ms Jolie is let loose on Iain Glen, Daniel Craig, Leslie Phillips(!) and Jon Voight. Not so Antonio Banderas in Michael Cristofer\ufffds steamy Original Sin. Banderas\ufffds healthy obsession with the sultry one reduces and seduces him into a dangerous game of lies and intrigue. Despite these temptations, I suspect this will be the year of the literary adaptation. Book clubs around Britain will be in ecstasy when Captain Correlli\ufffds Mandolin is released on May 11. Nicolas Cage \ufffd reputedly on superb form \ufffd is the Italian officer, posted to a small Greek island, who falls for a betrothed local beauty, Penelope Cruz. John (Shakespeare in Love) Madden\ufffds adaptation and direction of Louis De Berni\ufffdres\ufffds potboiler is tipped for Oscars. You can\ufffdt argue with Madden\ufffds choice of venue \ufffd the beautiful island of Cephalonia \ufffd or his casting, wh"}, {"response": 1726, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jan  5, 2001 (21:10)", "body": "Not Dr Who. Thank goodness. Not a good career choice. Although it may be a great commercial success. Or flop? Seems terribly dated to me after all the $100million Hollywood blockbusters. But the BBC love it. I hope that Mark Darcy will open the doors that P&P didn't. It will be the first time that worldwide audiences will see him in a contemporary lead romantic role. And playing a successful lawyer in a tux/dinner jacket will help. It's not a bad sort of role to be \"typecast\" in!"}, {"response": 1727, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan  5, 2001 (21:32)", "body": "I have seen the previews to many of those films and I must say that Pearl Harbour is the most interesting. The cinematography is superb. The Mexican and Hannibal can be a rental. My boys are waiting for the Tolkien much more than the Harry Potter."}, {"response": 1728, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan  6, 2001 (16:35)", "body": "In the \"Lord Save Us\" Department: From The Guardian: \"Actor Sean Bean has denied yesterday's reports in the Daily Mirror that he is to star in a big screen version of the TV series Doctor Who .\""}, {"response": 1729, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan  6, 2001 (17:42)", "body": "Continuing in the same vein... surely there must be a part for CF Bevy of Top Actors Line Up to Star in Altman Movie PARIS (Variety) - Jude Law, Emily Watson and Kristin Scott Thomas are among a bevy of top British actors lined up to star in Robert Altman's upcoming period picture \"Gosford Park.\" Helen Mirren and Michael Gambon also could be in the 20-strong cast of what will be Altman's first British ensemble piece. A spokesman for the director said Wednesday, \"Lots of actors want to be in the film, but it is a question of fitting it into their schedules.\" Shooting is due to begin in March at Shepperton Studios, Middlesex, and outside London, although financing has still to be finalized. In an interview with French daily Le Figaro Wednesday, Altman said the sreenplay, about the relations among different social classes in 1930s Britain, takes its inspiration from Renoir's classic \"La Regle du Jeu.\" \"It is the story of a hunting party, with a murder in a house where the masters are surrounded by numerous servants,\" Altman said."}, {"response": 1730, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan  6, 2001 (18:03)", "body": "Also, would someone be on the lookout for another review by Michael Collins from The Independent but this time for \"Traffic.\" If you'll recall, he was the one who wrote this about DQ: When Donovan Quick (Colin Firth) retreated to the memories of his past as the businessman Daniel Quinn, the screen lit up like an Eighties video for an electro-pop duo, with his past returning to haunt him in hues of blue and white. Well, Traffic is full of the same effect. Michael Douglas is a study in Daniel Quinn blue, and the scenes in Mexico are done in sepia tones. Since I haven't read the reviews, is Soderbergh being criticized for using this technique to differentiate the three plotlines?"}, {"response": 1731, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jan  7, 2001 (03:36)", "body": "(Karen)Well, Traffic is full of the same effect. Michael Douglas is a study in Daniel Quinn blue, and the scenes in Mexico are done in sepia tones. Since I haven't read the reviews, is Soderbergh being criticized for using this technique to differentiate the three plotlines? Based on the several I've read, the critics seem to like the technique. I thought it was effective in DQ. So where's your Traffic report, Karen? Evelyn has given us hers on Odds & Ends."}, {"response": 1732, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Jan  7, 2001 (12:05)", "body": "Tolkien, is it? I hope it will be good. I loved the books. Interesting year ahead :-)"}, {"response": 1733, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan  7, 2001 (15:02)", "body": "I got an answer from the dialogue coach."}, {"response": 1734, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jan  7, 2001 (15:13)", "body": "and!!!"}, {"response": 1735, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jan  7, 2001 (15:24)", "body": "Since the subject came up . . .From today's Ananova: Tolkien's family fear release of film trilogy The family of JRR Tolkien fear the making of a film trilogy of The Lord of the Rings will force them into hiding because of overzealous fans. The late author's son says the family is dreading the release of the first of the three films, The Fellowship of the Ring, starring Sir Ian McKellen, Sir Ian Holm, Cate Blanchett, Liv Tyler and Sean Bean. Father John Tolkien, a retired Catholic priest, says his family is constantly harassed by fans of his father's work and fears anyone with the Tolkien name will have to disguise their origins because of the films. The 83-year-old said: \"The Tolkien family is under perpetual abuse of one kind or another. It goes on all the time.\" The claims, made to The Sunday Telegraph, follow rumours of a rift between the Tolkien family and New Line Cinema, the makers of the film. The newspaper reports members of the Tolkien estate have refused all offers of involvement with the production and, until now, have declined to give a reason. JRR Tolkien, who died in 1973, opposed the commercialisation of his work. Fr Tolkien said many of those harassing the family were after money, and others were obsessed fans wanting to catch a glimpse of their idol's relatives. He said his brother Christopher is already in hiding and has wild boar in his garden to keep intruders away."}, {"response": 1736, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jan  7, 2001 (16:44)", "body": "So, what did the dialogue coach say?"}, {"response": 1737, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sun, Jan  7, 2001 (17:30)", "body": "JRR Tolkien, who died in 1973, opposed the commercialisation of his work. So who commercialized it in the end?"}, {"response": 1738, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan  7, 2001 (17:56)", "body": "Answer: none of the above. ;-) Actually, he said that he was called in at the last minute, as they had been trying to do German accents and no one was pleased with the result. So, he gave them a formal \"style\" of speech to use instead, which he thinks works well. He also said ST \"neutralized\" his American accent, whatever that means???"}, {"response": 1739, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan  7, 2001 (18:12)", "body": "ST \"neutralized\" his American accent,whatever that means??? Would that mean going into the \"trans -Atlantic\"mode which they all do well. Thanks Karen. Sounds like they are really refining the fine points of this production."}, {"response": 1740, "author": "Echo", "date": "Mon, Jan  8, 2001 (01:49)", "body": "they had been trying to do German accents and no one was pleased with the result Which might suggest that it sounded sort of... erm... farsical? ;-)"}, {"response": 1741, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Mon, Jan  8, 2001 (10:45)", "body": "Farcical...as in Colonel Klink?"}, {"response": 1742, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan  8, 2001 (17:14)", "body": "They are accomplished actors...I don't think we are giving them enough credit. Had a dialogue coach come in early, IMO they could have pulled it off. With proper training, I have great confidence in their ability."}, {"response": 1743, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jan  8, 2001 (17:21)", "body": "I'm surprised they were trying to wing a German accent without a dialogue coach; no wonder they weren't satisfied with the results. They should have brought this guy in from the start. I'm sure whatever they decided upon will sound fine.:-)"}, {"response": 1744, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan  8, 2001 (23:49)", "body": "I'm surprised they were trying to wing a German accent without a dialogue coach; no wonder they weren't satisfied with the results. They should have brought this guy in from the start. I think the Firthettes can run a film company. But we know that don't we. ;-)"}, {"response": 1745, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan  9, 2001 (04:37)", "body": "Please: to act to the pleasure or satisfaction of Synonyms: content, contented satisfied, happy... Antonyms: discontented, dissatisfied, disgruntled, unaccepting, unaccommodating, displeased, disappointed, unsatisfied... Do not see farsical or farcical (in my dictionary)."}, {"response": 1746, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Tue, Jan  9, 2001 (10:55)", "body": "Karen, farcical: belonging to or of the nature of a farce: appropriate for farce; ludicrous, absurd, burlesque (Webster's Unabridged Dictionary)"}, {"response": 1747, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan  9, 2001 (14:21)", "body": "If the dialogue coach said they were not \"pleased\" with the result, it does not logically follow that it was farcical. It could merely be that the result was not realistic enough or believable. I am not jumping to conclusions, nor should anyone else as we won't get confirmation either way."}, {"response": 1748, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan  9, 2001 (14:47)", "body": "Patience key to 'Patient' pay The waiting for payment continues for the filmmakers and cast of \"The English Patient,\" which swept the 1997 Academy Awards for Miramax Films. Producer Saul Zaentz, director Anthony Minghella and the cast--including the studio's current \"Chocolat\" star, Juliette Binoche--deferred fees to get the picture made in 1996 but have yet to be paid by Miramax more than four years later. An audit of the film has been ongoing for the past three years, during which time Miramax won an arbitration against two South Korean distributors that were found to have underreported boxoffice and television revenue on the film, which grossed $231.7 million worldwide. The Hollywood Reporter has been checking in on the situation periodically. Right after \"English Patient\" won nine Oscars, Miramax co-chairman Harvey Weinstein gave those involved a $5 million advance, which was divvied up, but the well has been dry since. \"We have made all required payments,\" Miramax spokesman Matthew Hiltzik said. \"We're cooperating with the ongoing udit, for which (Zaentz) has yet to submit a claim.\" Zaentz told THR: \"We have lawyers now trying (to secure payment), but we're not done yet. The audit has been done for what papers they could find.\""}, {"response": 1749, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, Jan  9, 2001 (16:00)", "body": "I am not jumping to conclusions, nor should anyone else No one is jumping to anything... ;-) How about musing, wondering, speculating, mulling over possibilities...?"}, {"response": 1750, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Jan  9, 2001 (20:54)", "body": "Karen and Echo, will you please please stop it? Karen, are you perhaps jumping to the conclusion that Echo wants to fight whenever she posits a different POV? Or am I being naive? :-("}, {"response": 1751, "author": "tamzin", "date": "Tue, Jan  9, 2001 (20:55)", "body": "I notice that in one of the recent interviews Colin mentions book signings. Does anyone know if these have taken place or if they are going to take place and, of course, the all important issue - if they are planned, where will they take place?"}, {"response": 1752, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan  9, 2001 (22:30)", "body": "The only book signings I've heard about involved Nick Hornby. Going back to the article, it read as though he was interested to do them, but not that he had done so. Perhaps, he signed some books at that fundraiser with the band."}, {"response": 1753, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 10, 2001 (00:49)", "body": "AnneR sent me a whole slew of DQ or CF related articles. Here's the first: The Herald (Glasgow, Scotland), 12/26/00 On the buses with a natural optimist by David Belcher Among a wide range of joys to be derived from Donna Franceschild's latest feature-length TV drama Donovan Quick, starring big-screen heart throb Colin Firth and pawky Everywoman Katy Murphy, there's a pleasing note of transatlantic Scottish-American symmetry. For friendly Scots rescued Franceschild from a lonely existence in London 25 years ago when she first came to Britain from her native Los Angeles. It's therefore somehow extra fitting that Donovan Quick - a thoroughly modern, thoroughly Scottish reinterpretation of Cervantes' Don Quixote, filmed in and around Bowling and Dumbarton - has begun to make an impact in American cinema circles now that its author is firmly settled in Argyllshire. You'll be able to see Donovan Quick on the telly on Thursday night. Meanwhile, following Donovan Quick's recent success at a number of major international film festivals, including Chicago and Nova Scotia, its BBC Scotland backers are seeking an international movie distribution deal. The story of a group of self-doubting Scottish underdogs who tilt at the uncaring corporate might of the Windmill bus conglomerate, Donovan Quick also manages to blend elements of two disparate movies from either side of the Atlantic. For it's a film that's subtly informed by the frank Scottish social realism which loosely underpins Trainspotting along with the Hollywood feel-good factor evident in Forrest Gump. Thankfully, though, Donovan Quick is neither a crude cartoon, like the former, nor a bathe in tepid syrup, like the latter. Set on a fictional Scottish bus route, Donovan Quick will surely travel the world, picking up appreciative audiences en route. 'We got a rave review in Variety [ed: When??? Been looking] - the real weekly American one,' chuckles Franceschild with what proves, during the course of a lunchtime foray into Glasgow from her lochside home in Tarbert, to be a trademark air of vigorous optimism. 'When we screened Donovan Quick in Chicago, I was expecting that the Americans would need subtitles - it's a Scottish film, after all - and so on the opening Saturday night I sat there awaiting non-comprehending silence. 'But they laughed at the jokes! Before the next day's screening, at four in the afternoon, I was taken aside and gently warned not to expect much of a crowd, as 4pm on a Sunday is always a poor slot, plus people would have to pay to get in. 'But the place was packed, and it could only have been by word-of-mouth recommendation. And then at the end of the film, all these people kept coming up and hugging me in congratulation.' In contrast, London had not warmly pressed Donna Franceshild to its collective bosom when she first pitched up on these shores. Back then, she was a UCLA sociology graduate who wanted to be a writer. Living in LA, however, she'd found that being a sociology graduate led only to employment as a telephone operator. 'I knew from a very young age that I wanted to become a writer,' says Franceschild. 'I figured that as London had a theatre scene, I'd be able to write there more easily. But London was cold and lonely and horrible. Luckily, I was hanging out in folk clubs and I met a Scottish guy who became my boyfriend, and there was this sudden wonderful realisation that you cannot ever meet just one Scottish person. Unlike English people, who'll introduce you to all their individual, socially separated friends, Scots seem naturally to introduce you to everyone they know. It's exponential - suddenly you have loads of friends.' It was thus not unnatural that Franceschild should wind up living in Scotland, although it took her a while, and she did wind up bringing an English husband northwards with her instead of a Scottish one. 'Inexplicably, I was appointed a creative writing fellow by Glasgow University for two terms in 1983,' she recalls. 'By this time I'd figured that my own writing couldn't be about the US - I'd been away too long, and it felt America didn't need me to write about it.' Franceschild eventually relocated to Scotland full-time with her family in 1996, following five years of increasing TV success, most of it accomplished in partnership with Dumfriesshire-domiciled director David Blair. After the Bafta-winning Takin' Over the Asylum, the duo created A Mug's Game. Donovan Quick emerges under the aegis of their jointly formed production company, Making Waves. However, while Donovan Quick's genesis was relatively simple, its delivery was accompanied by prolonged and painful birth pangs. 'David asked me what I wanted to do after A Mug's Game,' says Franceschild. 'He's a real anorak about trains - 'A railway enthusiast' he calls himself, not a trainspotter. 'So he was keen to do something about rail privatisation and bus deregulation. I couldn't see it myself, but it was something David felt strongly about. Eventu"}, {"response": 1754, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 10, 2001 (01:04)", "body": "Another from AnneR. This is cute...but sad! Wonder what it might have been in 1995??? [my guess: Kiss the Girls from 1997; Cary Elwes had second lead] Actor James D'Arcy, who is being heralded in Britain as the next national heartthrob, was interviewed by several newspapers. Part of the interview reads: In particular, he has revealed how shortly after landing his first TV role in Dalziel And Pascal, he received a Hollywood film script and a letter asking him to star opposite Morgan Freeman. 'I thought, 'Wow! How have these Americans heard of me?' I started reading the script and it became apparent that it was written for a 35-year-old man with a fantastic body. I rang my agent and asked, 'Why have they sent me this script, what's going on?' 'He had no idea either. I had nothing to lose by auditioning so we sent them a photograph of me. We waited to hear more but heard nothing. 'Then it dawned on me - Pride And Prejudice had just come out in America and the casting director had obviously said, 'How about that Mr Darcy guy?' I'd got a script that must have been intended for Colin Firth.' So, Hollywood IS going after Colin for big parts. Interesting."}, {"response": 1755, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jan 10, 2001 (01:33)", "body": "'When we screened Donovan Quick in Chicago, I was expecting that the Americans would need subtitles . . .'But they laughed at the jokes! . . .And then at the end of the film, all these people kept coming up and hugging me in congratulation.' Oh, sure. We coulda had subtitles, but noooooooo. Somebodies had to tell her it was fine as is.;-) ;-) LOL! Love this. Karen and Evelyn, I'd say you helped make an impact! I'd got a script that must have been intended for Colin Firth.' Yeah, and then his agent forwarded it to Colin's agent who said, \"we can't comfirm anything . . .lots of irons in the fire.\" ;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 1756, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 10, 2001 (01:49)", "body": "'But the place was packed, and it could only have been by word-of-mouth recommendation. Ahem....or some of them came twice;-) And then at the end of the film, all these people kept coming up and hugging me in congratulation.' (Mari) LOL! Love this. Karen and Evelyn, I'd say you helped make an impact! Yeah! we walked over women and children to tell her how much we liked it and CF!!"}, {"response": 1757, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jan 10, 2001 (13:51)", "body": "its BBC Scotland backers are seeking an international movie distribution deal. Aha! Due in part to an enthusiastic response from the US!! Karen and Evelyn, I'd say you helped make an impact! Definitely! Phone Lola Films. Our fave movie \"Maid of Buttermere\" is still \"on\" (in development). No details available as yet. Cuaght the tailend of a news item on the radio about the search for a new James Bond circa 2002 (is Pierce Brosnan quitting?). They're allegedly looking for a 40 something Englisman, and one of our major bookmakers have started taking bets as to the likely actor. CF's name was mentioned (along with half a dozen others, or more). RE German accent. What is a \"German accent\"? Whenever Gerrman speakers are interviewed on TV, especially young people, they often don't seem to have an accent. They certainly don't say \"Vot iz dat?\" For authenticity, go for German speakers and subtitles, or English speakers with a neutral accent, not \"Germans\" speaking English with a fake accent."}, {"response": 1758, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 10, 2001 (15:56)", "body": "... English speakers with a neutral accent,... Vot iz dat?"}, {"response": 1759, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 10, 2001 (22:54)", "body": "Here's another oldie but goodie that I'm pretty sure wasn't posted before from AnneR. Colin talks about driving the bus! :-) Birmingham Post (December 23, 2000: Christmas Television: Tackling pride and prejudice - from a bus It's not easy to imagine Mr Darcy working on public transport, but you can see it for yourself in Donovan Quick. Graham Keal talks to Colin Firth Talking to Colin Firth about his BBC1 Christmas film Donovan Quick had a slightly surreal quality. Here he is the actor who, as Mr Darcy, wrapped his manly thighs around a gleaming chestnut horse with more pride and purpose than any TV hero had mustered in years, and we're discussing the finer points of bus driving. Firth, despite a long, varied and often distinguished career as one of our most thoughtful and intelligent actors, will be forever remembered as the dashing Darcy, haughtiest of heart-throbs, in the BBC's triumphant Pride and Prejudice. But now he's taking the title role in this BBC Scotland film from the inventive word processor of Donna Franceschild. Donovan Quick is a funny, moving, engaging modern fable translating the chivalrous 17th-century adventures of Don Quixote into a story of bus wars in a fictitious Scottish town. No wonder he'd never seen a script like it before: 'It was utterly unique. . . And one of the things that appealed to me most was the contrast between the banality of a transport problem and this chivalrous, heroic tale of gallantry. There's something comical in that as well,' says Firth. 'I mean, you don't pitch a movie in Hollywood by saying you're going to make a movie about public transport.' Don Quixote, literary types will know, was a misguided would-be knight who defended the weak, rescued maidens and tilted at windmills because he thought they were dragons. Donovan Quick is a mystery man who moves into 'Port Clyde' (most of it was filmed in Glasgow) to take a tilt at the home of giant bus and train company Windmill Transport. See Windmill, think 'well-known coach company', and you may not be far wrong. He takes a dingy room with a seemingly shrewish landlady (Katy Murphy in great form) driven to drink by disappointments in love and by the burden of looking after her half-dressed, near-demented gran (The Royle Family's Liz Smith), her slow-witted brother Sandy (David Brown) and her tearaway son (Paul Doonan). When Windmill axes the service that takes Sandy to his day centre, Donovan buys a 40-year-old bus, promotes Sandy to conductor and gran to booking clerk and hits Windmill Transport where it hurts: in their own backyard. It's a noble cause, but not quite what we expect of Colin Firth. So did he take to driving a bus as easily as he took to riding a horse? 'Oh no, I found it shockingly difficult really - all the elements - judging width, speed, braking time. I mean it was all completely new. 'Judging the width across on the left side with those wing mirrors is very, very deceptive, and reversing is particularly difficult. It's very easy to misjudge and you need a lot of experience.' But he did take lessons and you do see him doing the business with a bus-load of passengers. There's even a bus chase - though Colin steered well clear of the stunt driving. Steering clear of trouble proves more difficult as Donovan continually gets into fights to defend his landlady, his conductor and his bus. Unusually for a hero, he always loses: 'He's full of confidence that he can handle himself but he actually just crumbles on the first punch - very like Don Quixote.' Watching mentally handicapped David Brown play the victim when thugs wreck the bus and attack Sandy was particularly arduous. David had won the hearts of the entire cast with his cheerful dedication: 'David has the same disability as the character he plays - I have no idea what terminology to use but I think you'd call it 'learning disabled'. I found it very uncomfortable seeing this wonderful man getting beaten up . . . He was so convincing, it was gut-wrenching,' says Firth. Director David Blair discovered David Brown in an Edinburgh drama workshop and his performance in the film inspired the rest of the cast, Firth included: 'He's passionate about film, he knows about film actors and he was dying to act. I found him a very moving person to work with as well. He was so committed and indefatigable.' Firth talks freely and engagingly when you stick to the production, but stray into his personal life and he is much more guarded. He confirms he will spend Christmas with his wife, Livia, and at some point 'very soon' he will be seeing his son by a previous liaison, William, who lives in America. As for still being a heart-throb at 40, he's quite dismissive about that. He never set out to make Darcy such a fantasy figure for female fans in any case, so is he dismayed to find the character still lingering in people's minds five years on? 'No, I've never been dismayed by it. But it doesn't feature in my life at all - until I talk to the press. My friends do"}, {"response": 1760, "author": "Echo", "date": "Thu, Jan 11, 2001 (00:02)", "body": "\"Germans\" speaking English with a fake accent... Vot iz dat? Still farCical. ;-) P.S. I believe that the story about confusing D'Arcy with Darcy was already published before (years, rather, than months ago)."}, {"response": 1761, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Jan 11, 2001 (00:27)", "body": "Some Media News. CF mentioned: Overseas Filmgroup Changes Name to First Look Media To Reflect the Widened Scope of Its Business and Adds Two Divisions New Divisions First Look Artists and First Look Internet Together With Overseas Filmgroup, First Look Pictures and First Look Home Entertainment Create Expanded Multimedia Organization NEW YORK and LOS ANGELES, Jan. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Overseas Filmgroup --one of the truly independent worldwide film companies specializing in the acquisition, financing, packaging and distribution of independently produced feature films -- has been renamed First Look Media, co-chairmen Robert Little and Chris Cooney announced today. ...FIRST LOOK HOME ENTERTAINMENT is quickly establishing itself as one of the premier independent distributors of home video and DVD under the leadership of Bill Bromiley. The current home video release schedule includes ``Lover's Prayer'' (starring Kirsten Dunst, Nick Stahl and Academy Award-nominee Julie Walters), \"Relative Values\" (starring Julie Andrews, William Baldwin, Jeanne Tripplehorn and Colin Firth) , ``Full Disclosure'' (starring Fred Ward, Christopher Plummer, Virginia Madsen and Penelope Ann Miller), ``The Wedding Party'' (starring Academy Award-nominee and Golden Globe-winner Cate Blanchett, Richard Roxburgh, and Frances O'Connor II), ``Just One Time'' (starring Joelle Carter, Jennifer Esposito and Guillermo Diaz), ``Bongwater'' (starring Luke Wilson, Alicia Witt, Jamie Kennedy, Jack Black, Andy Dick, and Brittany Murphy), ``Chopper'' (starring Eric Bana), and ``Bread and Tulips.'' The division has previously released ``Quiet Days in Hollywood'' (starring Academy Award-winning actress H lary Swank), ``The Designated Mourner'' (featuring legendary director Mike Nichols in his highly acclaimed on-screen acting debut), and ``Alegria'' (a film co-financed with the world famous Cirque du Soleil, and featuring the Cirque's acrobats). First Look Home Entertainment plans to release 20 new titles a year through the rental market. These titles are also available via a sell-through catalogue."}, {"response": 1762, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Jan 11, 2001 (00:29)", "body": "Sorry, full story here: http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010110/ny_ca_over.html"}, {"response": 1763, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan 11, 2001 (02:43)", "body": "Thanks, Murph! I think Hollywood is making way too many films. ``Bongwater'' What is that? ;-)"}, {"response": 1764, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jan 11, 2001 (09:39)", "body": "Darcy vs. D'Arcy - v. funny. Interesting piece about Colin's bus-driving too :-)Thanks, Karen."}, {"response": 1765, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 11, 2001 (16:50)", "body": "Since this film project was mentions, here's the latest from Popcorn. Seems to confirm that Hugh Laurie would be the one. Roach Talks 'Hitchhiker's Guide' 'Austin Powers' director Jay Roach has spent the past several years trying to make a movie based on Douglas Adams' 'The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy'. While it's still proving difficult to persuade a studio to fund the project, Roach remains hopeful, to the extent that he's already thinking of actors. Speaking to Popcorn, Roach reveals that his perfect Zaphod Beeblebrox would be none other than Jim Carrey. He explains: \"We've always thought Jim Carrey would be a good Zaphod and Douglas [Adams] has always wanted Hugh Laurie for Arthur.\" While it's too soon to expect any confirmed casting announcements, Roach does say things are going well, with Adams playing a very active role in the project. \"He's doing the adaptation himself and producing the film too. So it'll be a Douglas Adams authentic production,\" says Roach. Good news for the hordes of 'Hitchhiker' fans. Studios are proving a little less eager to put their money into the project, but Roach remains undeterred. \"The challenge is to keep the quirkiness and visionary irreverence and still allow it to be commercial,\" he believes. \"The studios recognise that it's an expensive film, so I have to make it funny and cast it well.\" Back on the casting front, the director says he's \"hoping it's an international cast\", adding it \"would make more sense since they are supposed to represent the entire universe\"."}, {"response": 1766, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jan 11, 2001 (18:09)", "body": "There's a whole fansite somewhere devoted to HitchHiker's Guide, with updates about the movie. It seems to have been development for years. The latest news (november-ish) was that the movie was in \"turnaround\", ie the studio backing it had pulled out. Too expensive ($100million, why so much?), and also it was thought that the English \"hero\" would not be acceptable to US audiences as he was too much of a loser. Douglas Adams has always wanted Hugh Lawrie, but is he a box office draw in the US? Specialises in playing nerds and twits. After BJD I would thnk CF would carry more clout. But this does seem to be a very on-off project. (Was originally a BBC radio series...why doesn't the BBC do this instead of \"Dr Who\"?!!!"}, {"response": 1767, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 11, 2001 (23:52)", "body": "#1 US Box Office draw is Hughie for comedy. #1 drama Pierce B.& Rafe.Jude Law , Ewan McGregor gaining. Not even Jeremy Northam despite all his US films and good American accent can draws them in."}, {"response": 1768, "author": "Echo", "date": "Fri, Jan 12, 2001 (01:12)", "body": "Hugh Lawrie, but is he a box office draw in the US? Specialises in playing nerds and twits. He was very sweet as Daddy in Stuart Little... (apologies for OT!!!)"}, {"response": 1769, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 12, 2001 (02:15)", "body": "#1 drama Pierce B.& Rafe.Jude Law , Ewan McGregor gaining. Also apologies for OT. I remove Pierce B. Forgot that he is seeking US citzenship. Leaving RF and possibly Daniel Day Lewis. (Anthony Hopkins is now also American) But to the gaining list, I add Dougray Scott. (crossing fingers for CF next year:-))"}, {"response": 1770, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jan 13, 2001 (22:26)", "body": "BTW, any news of \"Londinium\"? I've been assuming that we won't see ever this...and then I thought \" and why not?\", especially when I read the reviews of the movies that do find distibutors in the UK (90% gangster movies... like we're over-run with gangsters, huh!). It sounds pleasant enough, London is sunny, and I'd like to see CF and IJ together. Even straight to video would be okay! Was it ever shown to possible distributors in the UK? I found a reference to London MIFED, and \"Londinium\" was listed as starring Mike Binder and Peter Firth....which would really draw in the punters!!! Big fat zero for marketing!"}, {"response": 1771, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jan 14, 2001 (00:13)", "body": "According to \"Shadows on the Wall\" a UK film website, in their recent news section,\" COLIN FIRTH or Sean Bean are tipped to play DR. Who in the forthcoming BBC film\".!! Well the BBC have denied that SB is to play Dr. Who which leaves \"you know who\", please tell me it isn't true. Filming is to start in the Autumn."}, {"response": 1772, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sun, Jan 14, 2001 (00:39)", "body": "But Ann it could be great fun. Its always played tongue in cheek - look at some of the past Doctors. But I doubt very much if it is true - we can only wait and see. I confess I have always been a Dr. Who fan since my son was two. He is now 39! Thus it doesn't worry me too much. He wants to diversify too well why not Dr. Who. (sorry for the pun)."}, {"response": 1773, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan 14, 2001 (02:24)", "body": "Impossible. Why Oh Why would he want to commit to that when BJD might open better starring role possibilities for him."}, {"response": 1774, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Sun, Jan 14, 2001 (10:54)", "body": "Because he is an independent thinker maybe and walks to the beat of a different drum[?}"}, {"response": 1775, "author": "odessa", "date": "Sun, Jan 14, 2001 (13:14)", "body": "Could someone tell me what is Dr. Who and why would it be so terrible if He plays him?"}, {"response": 1776, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 14, 2001 (14:10)", "body": "Filming is to start in the Autumn. Excellent transition into Hamlet, don't you think? ;-D Bring back Butterball!"}, {"response": 1777, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jan 14, 2001 (14:53)", "body": "Karen. Bring back Butterball! Here, here! Still they can't say he isn't versatile, Dr. Who to Hamlet. Bethan can you explain Dr. Who and the Tardis to Odessa?"}, {"response": 1778, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan 14, 2001 (15:42)", "body": "Bring back Butterball! Nah! Bring on the Sprint commercials;-) (Psst, Colin....no chat shows)"}, {"response": 1779, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 14, 2001 (15:46)", "body": "Versatility? Nah, I think his motivation is obvious. He wants a younger fan base. ;-)"}, {"response": 1780, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 14, 2001 (16:13)", "body": "Odessa, it's a sci-fi thing. Here are a few links to help you out. BBC's official site, which even has a News section dismissing the Sean Bean rumor: http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/doctorwho/ Also a fansite that has a detailed FAQ and another just for newbies: http://nitro9.earth.uni.edu/doctor/newbie.html Suffice to say, the series has been around for a long time with about 7 actors playing Dr Who and has a huge cult following. I'm sure it will generate a lot of interest in the AICN movie geek crowd for whom Lord of the Rings and Star Wars are a reason to live. ;-)"}, {"response": 1781, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jan 14, 2001 (16:33)", "body": "Hmmm Well, Dr Who (in a nutshell) is a timetraveller in a long running Sci-fi BBC TV series, with legions of (largely male) devotees (voted 3rd best programme ever in the recent poll, (P&P didn't even make the top 100).) Lots of fansites. One has news of the movie...(allegedly) a \ufffd40million budget, and a collaboration between Disney, Mutual Film Co (who did Primary Colours) and the BBC. Greg Dyke, Chairman of the BBC, says that the Doctor has to be played by a well established Brit actor with a wide range. The character will be based on the 6th Doctor who was very moody, and given to emotional swings. The Daily Mirror reported that Sean Bean and Tara FitzGerald had the leads (the Doctor always has a lady companion), subsequently denied. I'm now developing an open mind on this...the role will probably go to Sean Bean anyway (after \"Armadillo\" will no longer have hopes about anything until 110% confirmed!!) ...but actors taking roles in The X-men, Star Wars etc haven't exactly damaged their careers. And it would subsidise \"Hamlet\"... he won't earn a penny for several months. Someone asked ages ago about what being a patron could mean for the \"Out of the Blue\" group (for inclusion in drama for young people with disabilities) As it's based in Poole, which is literally just half an hour's drive from Winchester, I would guess it's more hands on involvement."}, {"response": 1782, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sun, Jan 14, 2001 (17:13)", "body": "P&P didn't even make the top 100 I think it was No. 100? reported that Sean Bean and Tara FitzGerald had the leads ... subsequently denied. Meaning they are probably still negotiating. what being a patron could mean for the \"Out of the Blue\" group... As it's based in Poole, which is literally just half an hour's drive from Winchester, I would guess it's more hands on involvement. And I would guess that he was asked to do it by someone like a friend of his parents'. I doubt if he has time to go there often, but even simply attaching his name to a project like this gives it a higher profile."}, {"response": 1783, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan 14, 2001 (17:56)", "body": "(Karen)I think his motivation is obvious. He wants a younger fan base. ;-) To compete with Colin Farrell, Jude Law,Dougray Scott....;-) Hearty...Ha, ha, ha. He's better off with the \"old ladies\"...*winkie* (allegedly) a \ufffd40million budget, and a collaboration between Disney, Mutual Film Co (who did Primary Colours)... It tanked...Big Time. Thanks for Dr. Who website. I'm not buying the book. It sounds hideous."}, {"response": 1784, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Jan 14, 2001 (18:37)", "body": "Look what happened to Paul McGann!! And who remembers Sylvester McCoy now? Beware of the curse of the cybermen Colin. We know you look good in kohl but this isn't this carrying it a little far? Stick with the \"Oldies not Nerdies\" fanbase."}, {"response": 1785, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan 14, 2001 (19:44)", "body": "And do not worry, Colin, there are also some young ones in there. :-D Lord of the Rings has more of an international appeal whereas Dr. Who sounds limited in scope. (I had never seen or heard it before and I am a fan of science-fiction) If his motivation is earning a huge salary and then doing Hamlet, well there it is. But anything can happen after BJD opens. Another part may come his way and Hamlet may be put off for years. I believe someone mentioned James Bond might be up for grabs in the future. ;-D"}, {"response": 1786, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Jan 14, 2001 (20:08)", "body": "Any UKers catch the double dose of ODB last night on TV?....nah me neither. My family kindly informed me after the event, (sheesh - have they not heard of phones!), that he featured in ITVs \"The Way They Were\" in which they showed a clip from Dutch Girls or as aged parent would say \"a thing with him prancing about in a pink blazer\" and later on C4 repeated the \"100 Best TV Moments\" which featured that shirt moment at I think No.26"}, {"response": 1787, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jan 14, 2001 (20:08)", "body": "Would prefer Bond, no contest!"}, {"response": 1788, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 14, 2001 (22:33)", "body": "Great to see you back online, Lizza, and I echo your concerns. Who are those guys? I would also worry if CF was a Dr Who fan in his youth, but we all know he didn't watch television. ;-) (Tracy) \"a thing with him prancing about in a pink blazer\" When did he prance? ;-o And I kept waiting for poor baby Neil to pounce, but he didn't do that either. (Moon) I believe someone mentioned James Bond might be up for grabs in the future. ;-D Aside from the fact that he's totally unsuitable, there would be IMO no likelihood he'd accept it as: (1) it's a multi-year commitment, (2) each film requires about six months or more of location work all over the world, and (3) the actor is not only in the public eye but must also promote it big time! In other words, it wouldn't fit into his schedule. ;-)"}, {"response": 1789, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan 14, 2001 (22:47)", "body": "I think he'd be a smashing James Bond:-))) *sigh*"}, {"response": 1790, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Jan 14, 2001 (22:55)", "body": "Tracy, I seem to remember that he was no 24 when it was first shown! Still, what's a couple of places between droolers?!"}, {"response": 1791, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 15, 2001 (18:41)", "body": "I think he'd be a smashing James Bond:-))) *sigh* Yes. Something to dream about. I see you point about the commitment, Karen, but he would be crazy to turn this down and at the same time want to do Dr. Who. And that is my very HO. ;-)"}, {"response": 1792, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Jan 15, 2001 (20:13)", "body": "(Moon)I believe someone mentioned James Bond might be up for grabs in the future. ;-D (Bethan)Would prefer Bond, no contest! (Karen) he's totally unsuitable (Evelyn)I think he'd be a smashing James Bond:-))) *sigh* Wow... I'm totally pro-Bond here ;-)And Karen, apart from the logistics, I bet you'd be quite happy too :-)"}, {"response": 1793, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Jan 15, 2001 (20:24)", "body": "Who would you like to play the female lead? Any nominations? Droolers need not apply :') tee hee!"}, {"response": 1794, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 15, 2001 (20:59)", "body": "Who would you like to play the female lead? In Dr. Who? Katy Murphy In Bond? Catherine Zeta-Jones.They were good in Deep Blue Sea eons ago."}, {"response": 1795, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jan 15, 2001 (21:52)", "body": "I think he'd make a good Bond, as in the Bond of the original 1960's Ian Fleming novels, which, compared to the recent special effect laden action packed Bond movies, are almost old-fashioned, rather low keyed. Bond likes to gamble, is a connoisseur of good food, wine and women, likes to travel, is well-educated etc. Lots of humour as well. But I can't see him in a Mission Impossible type Bond movie....but a few steps up from Mark Darcy in a dinner jacket, yes!"}, {"response": 1796, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 15, 2001 (23:18)", "body": "...but a few steps up from Mark Darcy in a dinner jacket, yes! You mean like Geoffrey Clifton? Or a straight Peter? Uh, uh...no one would go to see it.He's gotta jump from one speed boat to another, plus a little rumpy-pumpy on the side;-)"}, {"response": 1797, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jan 16, 2001 (01:17)", "body": "He'd be a perfect Bond--cultured, sophisticated, good-humored, drop-dead gorgeous, and a wry delivery. Also think it would never happen due to the reasons Karen outlined. Plus, from what I've read, there is no shortage of actors actively campaigning for the role--everyone from Rupert Everett to Dougray Scott to Hugh Jackman to Ioan Gruffudd. Our Colin is not a campaigner.:-("}, {"response": 1798, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, Jan 16, 2001 (01:46)", "body": "That reminds me - was it Ioan Gruffudd who recently told an interviewer that two ladies \"in their 40s\" knocked at his door at about 11.30 p.m. and he opened wearing only his boxer shorts? Apparently one of the ladies - from L.A. - later emailed the reporter in question and said that it had been 9.30 p.m and he was fully clothed... and also that the ladies aren't in their 40s... and he invited them inside and they had a 45 mins chat. So, I've been thinking - is there anyone else (age immaterial) who would like to join me in trying to knock on Colin's door, maybe a little earlier in the day? Oh, and you need to be nimble on your feet in case Livia answers... ;-D"}, {"response": 1799, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Jan 16, 2001 (08:29)", "body": "(Evelyn) Who would you like to play the female lead? In Dr. Who? Katy Murphy LOL! I think you are on to something:-) But I think that is as likely as Colin in James Bond or Dr Who. Neither seems quite his thing. Whoever plays Dr Who would have to have some sort of street cred amongst the legions of Dr Who geeks and as for James Bond...well I like Colin because he is the sort of man who is miles away from the macho style Mr Bond."}, {"response": 1800, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Tue, Jan 16, 2001 (13:24)", "body": "So, I've been thinking - is there anyone else (age immaterial) who would like to join me in trying to knock on Colin's door, maybe a little earlier in the day? Oh, and you need to be nimble on your feet in case Livia answers... ;-D I would join you anytime, but do you know which door to knock on? ;-)"}, {"response": 1801, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, Jan 16, 2001 (15:12)", "body": "... ;-)"}, {"response": 1802, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jan 16, 2001 (15:36)", "body": "He'd be a perfect Bond--cultured, sophisticated, good-humored, drop-dead gorgeous, and a wry delivery. Also think it would never happen due to the reasons Karen outlined. Plus, from what I've read, there is no shortage of actors actively campaigning for the role--everyone from Rupert Everett to Dougray Scott to Hugh Jackman to Ioan Gruffudd. Our Colin is not a campaigner.:-( Agreed, well, not for himself anyway! I remember reading an interview in which he described how his acting career never took off in Canada because he wrote to various theatres in Vancouver describing his experience and never got a reply. Even I wondered why he didn't phone, or, pushy-pushy, actually go there and say, hey I've worked with Laurence Olivier etc, starred in the West End etc, etc!! But it's good to see his name mentioned in connection with roles!! My favourite would be the new Dr Zhivago..I wonder if they've cast yet?"}, {"response": 1803, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 16, 2001 (17:03)", "body": "his acting career never took off in Canada because he wrote to various theatres in Vancouver describing his experience and never got a reply If I remember correctly, that was for volunteer work with a community theatre. But it's good to see his name mentioned in connection with roles!! Agree."}, {"response": 1804, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, Jan 16, 2001 (17:15)", "body": "his acting career never took off in Canada because he wrote to various theatres in Vancouver describing his experience and never got a reply Alas, his spelling is a bit, erm, wanting on occasions... so maybe those descriptions weren't given due consideration... he might have been better off talking to people, but he does ramble a bit, especially when embarrassed... and he does get embarrassed when asked to talk about himself...so you see, a good agent is still worth his/her weight in gold."}, {"response": 1805, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jan 16, 2001 (18:41)", "body": "Bethan, I read last weekend, I think, in The Sunday Times that the \"Tony Blair\" project is progressing and that they were casting for it! Have not heard anything more about Dr. Zhivago which would also be my favourite project for him, definitely not Dr.Who."}, {"response": 1806, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, Jan 16, 2001 (19:48)", "body": "Dr. Zhivago... Dr.Who Enough to confuse some of those popular press wise guys."}, {"response": 1807, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jan 16, 2001 (19:56)", "body": "Maybe that's how the Bond rumor started . . . Dr. No.:-)"}, {"response": 1808, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jan 16, 2001 (20:23)", "body": "Aha! Of course, that's one thing we always overlook....he can always say \"\"No\"! Ann, yes, I've also read that the Beeb are pushing forward with the Tony Blair project, anticipating a May election. What puzzles me is that it's supposed to be very much a warts and all portrayal (researchers were talking to disaffected Labourites, and anti-Labour), but Greg Dyke is pro Labour."}, {"response": 1809, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 16, 2001 (20:26)", "body": "Have not heard anything more about Dr. Zhivago which would also be my favourite project for him All hinges on the director...a bad one will kill it. He hasn't had v. good luck lately with his directors."}, {"response": 1810, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Jan 16, 2001 (21:32)", "body": "Going back to \"knocking on that door\" we know for sure its a house with no nets as he remarked in an interview that the passing public could see in and were able to identify him! Imagine if he had his high fashion \"Highburys\" on when he opened the door! Fed up with seeing clips of /reading articles about James D'Arcy. If that's the Beeb's idea of the \"new heart throb\", think I'll suspend payment on the TV licence."}, {"response": 1811, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jan 16, 2001 (22:10)", "body": "I don't think anyone watched \"Rebel Hearts\" or whatever it was called, despite all the clips. V. bad reviews...I gave up after ten minutes. Why are the Beeb always giving us a new \"heart throb\"? What's wromg with the old one?! Going back to \"knocking on that door\" we know for sure its a house with no nets as he remarked in an interview that the passing public could see in and were able to identify him! Must be one of those tall early Victorian(?)terraced houses where you literally open the front door and step onto the pavement."}, {"response": 1812, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Jan 17, 2001 (00:46)", "body": "one of those tall early Victorian(?)terraced houses Or late Regency. Some are very nice, substantial, on three floors."}, {"response": 1813, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Jan 17, 2001 (20:23)", "body": "Hey Echo, you must be from our side of the pond then!"}, {"response": 1814, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Jan 17, 2001 (22:30)", "body": "I sure am. :-)"}, {"response": 1815, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (16:24)", "body": "I see that Simon Russell Beale (burp!) has gotten an Olivier Best Actor nomination for NT's Hamlet . Not a good year to bring out the Riverside Studio version. \"Good thinking, Colin.\""}, {"response": 1816, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (22:31)", "body": "Anybody just watched Have I Got News For You? Unfortunately I was only half listening to it but my ears pricked up when CF's name was mentioned in regard to playing Jonathan Aitken."}, {"response": 1817, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (22:40)", "body": "Who is Jonathan Aitken? (I trust it isn't Dr. Who's real name.;-);-)"}, {"response": 1818, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (22:44)", "body": "(I trust it isn't Dr. Who's real name.;-);-) *Guffaw and godferbid* Here's something and it not only sounds like something CF would do but it sounds like TV: 1971 Jonathan Aitken accused of offences under the Official Secrets Act for passing on classified information to the Sunday Telegraph about the Biafran war in Nigeria. He was acquitted of all charges having pleaded that it was his \"duty in the interests of the state\" to have done so."}, {"response": 1819, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (22:45)", "body": "And, thanks again, Judy, you've really got your ear perfectly tuned into to CF news. :-)"}, {"response": 1820, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (22:46)", "body": "Oh goodie...another rumour... src=\" http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2000/03/26/STL264201.150x177.jpg\" > \"Pride and Perjury\" http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2000/03/26/stibooboo03003.html ICM here we come;-))"}, {"response": 1821, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (22:49)", "body": "Wait! Apparently, this guy sued the newspapers for their allegations of impropriety when he was a defence minister. Am confused. And has he written a book? http://www.channel4.com/nextstep/biographies/aitken.html"}, {"response": 1822, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (23:18)", "body": "Judy, I think that was a repeat \"Have I Got News for You\"."}, {"response": 1823, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (23:31)", "body": "Ann,I've no idea,its not something I normally watch, I was in fact reading teletext at the time-P. In this case I hope its well out of date,as its not something I wish to see him in. But how many times can we hear his name mentioned in relation to projects & they never come off?"}, {"response": 1824, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (01:07)", "body": "Uhm, I guess it would be too tacky to have Jack Davenport play his uncle. I thought he was pretty good as Peter Smith-Kingsley in \"The Talented Mr. Ripley.\""}, {"response": 1825, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (01:14)", "body": "In this case I hope its well out of date,as its not something I wish to see him in. But how many times can we hear his name mentioned in relation to projects & they never come off? Agreed! When I first saw Aitken, I thought, it was Dr. Aitken of the famous diet. LOL! Both sound awfully boring to me. Is this what the agent refers to fish in the sea? It stinks! ;-)))))"}, {"response": 1826, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (01:14)", "body": "I think that was a repeat \"Have I Got News for You\". Gaaaaagh.There should be a law against that! LOL. I almost ordered the book;-) ...sounded OK to me."}, {"response": 1827, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (18:20)", "body": "Hello? This is the prodigal son. Where's my fatted calf?"}, {"response": 1828, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (18:25)", "body": "Ooops. Shows how long I've been gone. Bush is president, England have won a cricket series . . . . .and my email address, as recorded by this message board, is a year out of date. Ignore it. Of course, all these things have happened, but you're STILL talling about CF. Glad to see some things in life never change. Can there be ANY part of his life, character or anatomy that you have not pored over in the minutest detail?"}, {"response": 1829, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (18:48)", "body": "Wow, we thought you had hooked up with Jennifer Ehle:) Oh right when you left the States is when she came back;) Good to have you back, Ben!"}, {"response": 1830, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (19:00)", "body": "Hey Ben...Wuzzup?....nothing's changed... Welcome Back to Firthdom..same ole...same ole.. LOL I still have the list of Firth/Ehle \"dictionary\" we put together during tht Dearth-of- Firth Summer. Jennifer is back in New York...opening on B'way next month. You better come over. And she's still single:-))"}, {"response": 1831, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (19:11)", "body": "Greetings, Ben! Have you auditioned for any plays? Be a lad and give us a little gossip. ;-D"}, {"response": 1832, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (20:05)", "body": "Ben, there are only three things you can be sure of... 1) Death 2) Taxes 3) Talking about Colin Firth (Evelyn) Jennifer is back in New York...opening on B'way next month. Hey! I'm going to be there the first weekend in March. Anyone planning on catching a show then?"}, {"response": 1833, "author": "Echo", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (20:21)", "body": "Hello? This is the prodigal son. Ben!!! Good to see you back at last! And I thought we'd lost you. Where's my fatted calf? What a wonderful opening for another one of my famous ribald jests - but I daren't... (Yes, I DO realize it's a biblical quote... ;-P) you're STILL talling about CF Is there a more worthy subject? Can there be ANY part of his life, character or anatomy that you have not pored over in the minutest detail? Good question... So why not go over these things once again, just to make sure we haven't forgotten anything? ;-) Welcome back, Ben."}, {"response": 1834, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Jan 20, 2001 (02:03)", "body": "you're STILL talling about CF ] well this isn't the \"HUGH GRANT\" page;) LOL!!!"}, {"response": 1835, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Jan 20, 2001 (05:27)", "body": "Welcome back Ben. No fatted calf, only chicken and fish."}, {"response": 1836, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Jan 20, 2001 (17:49)", "body": "Fatted fish? I thought fish was a component in a low-fat diet. Still, there are many kinds of fish. I like the sound of the Jonathan Aitkin project. As for sounding like a television production, that could be considered as a compliment. That is bearing in mind that \"Dude, Where's My Car?\" is a successful movie."}, {"response": 1837, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 20, 2001 (18:31)", "body": "Am rethinking my exhortations for CF to appear on American talk shows. This week we had Guy Ritchie on Leno and Vinnie Jones on Letterman. Both were awful and both hosts really gave them lots to work with. Their responses were very unenthusiastic. Is it their personalities? Are they just bores? Or something else?"}, {"response": 1838, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jan 20, 2001 (20:55)", "body": "Vinnie Jones seems to think he's God, or the next best thing. He's an ex footballer, who had a reputation for being a hard man (sent off, repeatedly, for head butting etc) who has now transformed himself, somehow, into a Hollywood movie star, reportedly earning $3million a movie. He's a great self-promoter, period. But there's nothing there to promote. As for Mr Madonna, well, his \"private\" wedding got more publicity than any other event in 2000. Maybe he's become *so* famous that he doesn't feel he has to try any more. I have no doubt that CF, even if nervous, would be better! Hi Ben! Welcome back!"}, {"response": 1839, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Jan 20, 2001 (22:20)", "body": "Bethan, Well said!-))"}, {"response": 1840, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 20, 2001 (23:08)", "body": "Yes, I'm aware who Vinnie Jones is and, if self-promotion is his forte, then he certainly didn't exhibit any of it on television here. He was quiet and glum. Looked as if he were in a witness chair instead of engaging in lively banter. Letterman wanted to have a good time with him. Held up an enlarged picture of Vinnie on the pitch grabbing a guy's crotch. Audience was howling. He sat there like a blob."}, {"response": 1841, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 21, 2001 (04:54)", "body": "Times readers can vote (by phone or email) for the Bowmore Scottish Screen film of the year. The five films on the list are: Complicity House of Mirth The Little Vampire Love the One You're With and My Life So Far http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2001/01/21/stiecoeco01021.html This is the film's description: AFTER its long and difficult gestation, audiences finally got to see Hugh Hudson's portrait of life in an eccentric Scottish country house between the wars. The film of Sir Denis Forman's memoirs was mired in controversy. Its \ufffd1m lottery grant prompted Bill Forsyth's \"cronyism\" allegations. Forman was a recent chairman of the Scottish Film Production Fund, which recommended the grant. The film was shot on location at Loch Fyne in 1997, with Colin Firth as Forman's father, an inventor who developed moss as a dressing for wounded soldiers. Its picture-postcard idyll is undermined by sexual intrigue and abuse. Lead-in article at: http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2001/01/21/stiecoeco02015.html"}, {"response": 1842, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Jan 21, 2001 (09:11)", "body": "(Karen) Am rethinking my exhortations for CF to appear on American talk shows. This week we had Guy Ritchie on Leno and Vinnie Jones on Letterman. Both were awful and both hosts really gave them lots to work with. I'm glad you mentioned this because I thought exactly the same thing about Guy Ritchie (did not see the VJ piece on Letterman). Guy didn't do well at all in his interview with Leno and I was squirming in my seat as the interview went nowhere. The worst part was that he seemed to be trying hard and struggled with a few unamusing anecdotes about working with dogs. It just reminded me that being charming on a chat show is not as easy as it looks. Maybe CF is wise to stay away. I would hate to see him dying like that on national TV :-). Ben!!!!! Welcome home :-)."}, {"response": 1843, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jan 21, 2001 (13:29)", "body": "Some news in the Sunday Telegraph about the BBC's investment in big budget movies. They've invested substantially in \"Tomb Raider\" and are going to make a \ufffd20million film about Mary Queen of Scots (Kate Winslett to play the lead). Also there's a film starring Judi Dench and Jim Broadbent, directed by Sir Richard Eyre, about the the writer Iris Murdoch, and her death from Alzheimers disease (rather harrowing IMHO). And the BBC confirm that they are to make a \ufffd40million movie of Dr Who. A \"famous American director\" is to direct, starting next year. A British actor will play Dr Who, but they haven't decided who it will be. I'd hoped that Alan Yentob and the new BBC Film division might have something for CF, but I'm not going to hold my breath. He's the right age for Bothwell, but that's about it. The \"famous American director\" (now, who could this be) will probably want someone of his own choice for Dr Who."}, {"response": 1844, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Jan 21, 2001 (15:34)", "body": "Ben!! Well knock me down with...... the fur trim from CF's parka. Welcome aboard again."}, {"response": 1845, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sun, Jan 21, 2001 (19:38)", "body": "knock me down with...... the fur trim from CF's parka Ah, that stirs wonderful memories... It was exactly a year ago that I was standing right behind him when the madding crowd almost pinned him against the wall in the Donmar foyer..."}, {"response": 1846, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan 21, 2001 (20:48)", "body": "Times readers can vote (by phone or email) for the Bowmore Scottish Screen film of the year. Done. I used the email address http://www.scotland@sunday-times.co.uk . Thanks."}, {"response": 1847, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Sun, Jan 21, 2001 (22:44)", "body": "I see the phone numbers for UK voters but where is the place to vote by e-mail?"}, {"response": 1848, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (00:36)", "body": "Click on best movers and shakers on the right."}, {"response": 1849, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (13:28)", "body": "Say goodbye to the Queen Mary project: Trainspotting duo to team up for Mary Queen of Scots film Ewan McGregor and Robert Carlyle are set to team up as rivals for the love of Queen Mary. They will star in a new \ufffd14 million mini-epic based on the life of the young queen and her many suitors. Douglas Henshall and Jude Law are also being sought for major support roles. Sean Connery's production company Fountainbridge is co-producing the story with BBC backing. He is not likely to make more than a cameo appearance in the film, however....A source close to the production told Ananova: \"Sean wants to gather the cream of Scottish talent together for this one....He feels Scottish history should be told by the Scots whenever possible.\""}, {"response": 1850, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (13:36)", "body": "Thanks for your warm welcome, everyone. Still trying to thrust yo' man into mega-stardom, I see. If it were me I might wish for the opposite. Take someone, like, I dunno, Jennifer Ehle. For the sake of argument. If I were interested in her; if say, her knowing smile, flawless complexion and incomparable figure aroused me in some way, then I would probably want to shield her from too large an audience. The world is full of dangerous people. So, were I in that position, I would vote for catastrophic career failure - ending up at a sufficient low that she might turn her lovely eyes towards a grey-suited, ageing office wage slave for just an instant - followed by steady recovery. By the way, the parents met YDB at the Castles again the other day."}, {"response": 1851, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (16:21)", "body": "I love the way you just slipped that BTW in at the last moment Ben! We remember your style! Having got us all a flutter you will just sit back and await the thousands of questions that are bound to come flooding on to the board that we all want answers to. Such as ------ \"Was Livia there? What did she wear? Is she maybe pregnant?\" What did she say? Is her hair the same? Wot? Ask about ODB? Moi? NEVAH!"}, {"response": 1852, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (17:39)", "body": "Say goodbye to the Queen Mary project: Trainspotting duo to team up for Mary Queen of Scots film Never thought it was a runner, not for one nanosecond! :-( Too many Scots actors around. It's scripted by Jimmy McGovern who wrote \"Cracker\" and is not known for pro-English sentiments. But I wish the BBC had channeled their \ufffd100million into something other than Dr Who, Tomb Raider, Alzheimer's, and Ewan McGregor on a horse! Most tantalising, Ben!"}, {"response": 1853, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (18:08)", "body": "Mark your calendar! A big thanks to Fran\ufffdoise who said the date for HBO's airing of Conspiracy is May 19. That being a Saturday, it will be HBO's weekly premiere flick, which usually airs at 8:00 ET and then is replayed on Tuesday at the same time."}, {"response": 1854, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (18:30)", "body": "Thanks Francoise & K. And watch next year's GG for TV movie award. With that cast, I bet Conspiracy won't be a miss."}, {"response": 1855, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (19:33)", "body": "Can you see how green with envy I am from here? How wonderful for you all."}, {"response": 1856, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (19:51)", "body": "(Karen)Am rethinking my exhortations for CF to appear on American talk shows. What I would love to see Colin on is \"Inside the Actors Studio\" (think that's the right name) -- the talk thing hosted by James Lipton on the Bravo channel, where he sits down with an actor and goes through that person's body of work, practically film by film. I always find this fascinating, even if I'm not a huge fan of the actor being featured. And Lipton sticks to the films, not personal stuff, so would be perfect for CF. He might need a couple more big hit films under his belt first, though;-}"}, {"response": 1857, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (20:06)", "body": "(Ben) So, were I in that position, I would vote for catastrophic career failure Welcome back, Ben. You did not spend a lot of time recently with ODB's agent?"}, {"response": 1858, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (20:15)", "body": "Excellent idea, Susan, although I haven't noticed any British actors on there. Have you? It is a good show, but they're going with some bizarre (= unqualified) people lately. Saw Mike Meyers going on about the development of his characters (Linda Richman) as I was flipping through the channels. *EEK*"}, {"response": 1859, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (22:34)", "body": "Can you see how green with envy I am from here? How wonderful for you all. Isn't \"Conspiracy\" a BBC co-production? Mind you, my faith in the Beeb is at an all time low (Zero). I just can't see where a one off serious drama about the Final Solution would fit in with all current fluff. 11pm BBC2 perhaps? Apparently Greg Dyke has said that the BBC's new drama policy (to win viewers) will focus on putting familiar actors in familiar situations (cotton wool for the brain). Don't think Mr Darcy as a Nazi quite fits in!"}, {"response": 1860, "author": "Echo", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (23:33)", "body": "It wouldn't hurt to ask the BBC about their plans for the airing of Conspiracy. It would be ideal as part of the Holocaust official commemoration next week, but I don't think the film is ready yet."}, {"response": 1861, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan 23, 2001 (00:04)", "body": "By the way, the parents met YDB at the Castles again the other day. So did they chat? You do tempt the Eve in all of us, Ben! ;-)"}, {"response": 1862, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jan 23, 2001 (03:20)", "body": "(Bethan) Isn't \"Conspiracy\" a BBC co-production? Yes, that's what HBO told me. They did say \"BBC Films.\" Is it possible they're considering a theatrical release in Britain rather than TV?"}, {"response": 1863, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 23, 2001 (04:21)", "body": "(Mari) Is it possible they're considering a theatrical release in Britain rather than TV? LOL!! Surely (or Shirley), you forgot the winkie winkie."}, {"response": 1864, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 23, 2001 (14:41)", "body": "From AnneR, who cautions that CF's \"part\" in this Project looks to be only the author's dream casting...nothing more than what WE do all the time. BTW, this seems to be the Blair project and it's still being written. Hardly ready to start as yet. PR Week Friday, January 19, 2001 DIARY: Hype on BBC drama The Project spins out of control Edited by JENNIFER WHITEHEAD Reports about a BBC drama on the role of Labour spin doctors in the run-up to the 1997 general election got Diary thinking about casting. But it seems that what the papers wrote isn't strictly true. A BBC source said the proposed film - which is currently being scripted under working title The Project - is 'not about spin doctors'. However, he confirmed it will feature characters who worked behind the scenes on Labour's campaign. Unfortunately for bigger egos in the Labour election machine, there won't be any recognition factor in the characters who do make it into the drama. Nonetheless, should the BBC change its mind and go for a docu-drama instead ... in the role of David Hill, Diary would like to see David Jason. Derek Draper could be played by Dale Winton - as long as he was prepared to butch up for the role. Shandwick's Colin Byrne might be represented by former Queen Vic hardman Ross Kemp. And for sex appeal, Rob Lowe, Colin Firth and Daniela Nardini lining up to play Finsbury's Karl Milner, Cicero's Richard Elsen and Millbank's Margaret McDonagh respectively."}, {"response": 1865, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 23, 2001 (14:57)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1866, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Tue, Jan 23, 2001 (16:18)", "body": "(Karen)...although I haven't noticed any British actors on there. Have you? They had Michael Caine on. Or is he an American now? ;-)"}, {"response": 1867, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Jan 23, 2001 (18:03)", "body": "What is conspiracy. Dinner chez Castles was sometime last autumn, so I doubt Madame Firth was showing then if she isn't now. (Poor CF - how many of you will remain loyal, discussing the charm of his latest wrinkle, in thirty years' time, when there's another, younger version - Salvatore Firth - on the loose? None of you, I suspect.) But he remains v. good company, I heard. Wife v. nice. Talked a bit about P&P. Professed to be astounded by reaction. I didn't delve that deeply. I find it awkward asking too many questions on the grounds that \"I have a friend who says she really fancies him\". But I will try and broach the subject again, at the opportune moment. What is Conspiracy?"}, {"response": 1868, "author": "odessa", "date": "Tue, Jan 23, 2001 (18:04)", "body": "thanks for the Dr. Who -information I don`t know what I should think about it (good or bad thing?)..."}, {"response": 1869, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 23, 2001 (18:27)", "body": "Conspiracy is an HBO film (which will be shown at some point on BBC). Kenneth Branagh stars as Reinhard Heydrich and Stanley Tucci as Adolph Eichmann. Colin plays State Secretary Dr Wilhelm Stuckart of the Interior Ministry. He's one of 15 Nazis who had an hour and half meeting in a Berlin suburb, had lunch, and hammered out the Final Solution. Here's a description from an interview: Dispassionately, he proceeds to nutshell the Conspiracy plot. He says 'Some senior Nazis, 15 to be exact, in January of 1942 met and discussed the extermination of the Jews. They had a nice buffet lunch and went home. Minutes of the meeting have survived and this thing is based on those. It is shattering stuff. This is utterly banal. They cracked a few jokes. Discussed whether bullets were better than gas. Whether sterilisation was better than forced emigration. Basically, the brief was no messing around with these half measures. We have to free German living space, as they put it, from all Jews so there is not one left.' If you want to read more or delve into the historical links provided, go to: http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/conspiracy.html Odesssa, re: Dr Who I don`t know what I should think about it (good or bad thing?)... Can't tell you what to think, but I'm thinking bad thing but it seems very unrealistic to think he would really be interested in such a role."}, {"response": 1870, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 23, 2001 (18:42)", "body": "Another news item from AnneR: Conspiracy will also be broadcast simultaneously in Canada over The Movie Network."}, {"response": 1871, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 23, 2001 (19:13)", "body": "They did say \"BBC Films.\" Is it possible they're considering a theatrical release in Britain rather than TV? Tell me it isn't so.... another seige of humping it through all the festivals??? I noticed that JAZZ also had BBC Films in the credits.Must be another arm of the BBC vs. Alan Yentrob's."}, {"response": 1872, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Jan 23, 2001 (20:23)", "body": "To \"nutshell\"? What is this passion for turning nouns into verbs? I thought it had been restricted to the Olympics, where people \"medal\", or they \"podium\". Some linguistic vandal, who is also a big shot in these parts, this morning sent an email to all the worker bees saying that some poor bastard had been chosen \"to transition [sic] into roll [sic] of European Technology Strategist\". I ask you. On top of mis-spelling \"role\" (I've heard of a bacon roll, but this one sounds a little indigestible), our noble leader feels the need to invent a new verb. WHY????? Sorry. It just ****** me off. No surprise about The Firth not being asked to act in the Mary (Q. of Scots) thing. It is a rule of sentimental heroic films about Celtic history that the English should, to a man, be psychopathic, decadent and gay. I'm not sure any of these is The Firth's forte."}, {"response": 1873, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Jan 23, 2001 (21:26)", "body": "(Ben) It is a rule of sentimental heroic films about Celtic history that the English should, to a man, be psychopathic, decadent and gay. I'm not sure any of these is The Firth's forte. I'm not sure about psychopathic or decadent, but gay seemed to be on full display in Relative Values :-)."}, {"response": 1874, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 23, 2001 (22:50)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1875, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 24, 2001 (05:44)", "body": "Look who's written another article, with a mention of Colin? ;-) From This is London: Culture clash - Italian style by Jasper Rees It was like that heaving opera house scene in Where Angels Fear to Tread, the film of the EM Forster novel about middle-class England's obsession with Italy. The main room was packed and the overflow blocked the tall thin hallway, flooding up the grand staircase. For latecomers there was hanging from-the-chandeliers room only. They listened - Anglo-Saxons, Italians, a smattering of Asians - in something like devotional silence as two leading novelists, Hanif Kureishi and Alessandro Baricco, compared notes on the solitary business of writing. It never used to be like this at the Italian Cultural Institute. But then they never used to invite people such as Kureishi to come and talk there. Or indeed Baricco, whose novels are best sellers in Italy and well reviewed here. For any Londoner fixated on Italian culture, this has always been a port of call. The only problem was the place was ever so slightly desiccated. You couldn't move for middle-aged ladies in pearls, or for parties thrown to celebrate the publication of the third volume of the academic edition of the drawings of Parmigianino (yours for \ufffd200). But of news from the front line of contemporary Italian culture there was precious little. The ICI was no ICA. Even as high up as the Italian Foreign Ministry, there seems to have been a realisation that drastic action was required. A few months ago a new young(ish) director of the Italian Cultural Institute was appointed. Mario Fortunato, 42, is a Roman novelist. In a short space of time he has turned the place upside down. Teeming events are now a regularity. The pearls are still there, but now they are augmented by the odd voice of bovver-booted dissent. Ken Loach was heckled from the floor last month for failing the working classes. Fortunato's first idea was to get more English voices into the building. The Kureishi/Baricco event was one of a series of talks yoking British and Italian artists onto one bill. So along with the top Italian novelists such as Baricco, Daniele Del Giudice and Andrea De Carlo, recent guests have included Ian McEwan, Mavis Cheek and Michelle Roberts (Nick Hornby cancelled, sadly). Colin Firth reading from Pirandello and Sciascia was a big draw. The idea, presumably, is to use the familiar as a stool pigeon to promote the unfamiliar. \"Yes, but one of my ideas for the institute is to cross over with local culture,\" says Fortunato. \"I want to present Italian culture of today, but I want to cross it with the local culture and create a dialogue. We are in Europe. We are so close.\" The institute is in a big old barn of a place in Belgrave Square, with no designated performance space and, unlike stand at the edges. Fortunato has spruced up the basement by installing a genuine Italian caf\ufffd, but his long-term instinct is to flog the place and move to the more vibrant Islington or Soho. He had the building valued at \ufffd12 million. An equivalent in north London would cost half that. His forward thinking doesn't chime with the Italian Foreign Ministry's old-fashioned concept of bella figura. \"They laughed. I think the ministry thought it was a Dadaist suggestion. But the ICI came here in 1950. In these 50 years we've changed a lot. Now it would be more interesting to have a more industrial, less formal kind of space.\" He points out that the British Council promotes British culture on four times the budget and five times the staff of its Italian equivalent. \"With the profit you could organise fantastic things. You could live without money from Rome. You could be autonomous. It's a fantasy for now, unfortunately.\" The other problem for the institute is the English reluctance to be told anything new about Italy: whereas Italy laps up The Full Monty and Ian McEwan, for us it's either the mafia or Michelangelo; the only films we buy into are sentimental myths like Il Postino and Cinema Paradiso. Tomorrow, the Genius of Rome exhibition opens at the Royal Academy. \"It's very strange,\" says Fortunato. \"English people are so interested in Italy and they know nothing, in a way. They know just a dead Italy of the past. They do love Italian fashion and Italian food. But I think in Italy we have a lot of interesting literature and cinema too. The arts scene is very interesting.\" Hence, the ladies in pearls may find the forthcoming diary of events disorienting. On Monday, there will be a fashion show from the funky Roman designer, Miss Sixty. February is Fabrica month, when Benetton's production arm is behind various events in London - an exhibition of 20th century archaeology, a concert, photos from Kosovo, and films coproduced by Fabrica. March brings dialogue between Italian and British poets and in May, organised with the help of the institute, there is an exhibition of Arte Povera from the 1960s at Tate Modern. Fortunato is hanging a show to run concurrently, exhibiting t"}, {"response": 1876, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Jan 24, 2001 (08:47)", "body": "To \"nutshell\"? What is this passion for turning nouns into verbs? I thought it had been restricted to the Olympics, where people \"medal\", or they \"podium\". Some linguistic vandal, who is also a big shot in these parts, this morning sent an email to all the worker bees saying that some poor bastard had been chosen \"to transition [sic] into roll [sic] of European Technology Strategist\". I ask you. On top of mis-spelling \"role\" (I've heard of a bacon roll, but this one sounds a little indigestible), our noble leader feels the need to invent a new verb. WHY????? Sorry. It just ****** me off. No surprise about The Firth not being asked to act in the Mary (Q. of Scots) thing. It is a rule of sentimental heroic films about Celtic history that the English should, to a man, be psychopathic, decadent and gay. I'm not sure any of these is The Firth's forte."}, {"response": 1877, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Jan 24, 2001 (08:55)", "body": "Sorry. I reloaded this page and the stupid message came up again. You remember how cack-handed I was about this sort of stuff. I have not improved. I need another lesson. Is CF reading from Pirandello because of his wife, do you suppose? It's funny, actually, I've often wondered why he doesn't do more readings on the radio. Every night, on the BBC's main radio station, there is a twenty minute reading of a book (\"A book at bedtime\"). They usually condense it into ten parts of twenty minutes, or something. This is pretty heroic, but usually so well read that it doesn't matter. Anyway, they have some wonderful people. Currently it's Sam West (flavour of the month - he's a v.g. Richard II at the moment). But I've never heard CF doing it. I'd've thought it was right up his street. Has he done any taped book readings?"}, {"response": 1878, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 24, 2001 (16:18)", "body": "Has he done any taped book readings? We haven't heard of any recently except for a reading on a CD. I just received mine yesterday. It's released by an Italian record company in Rome. The CD features several musical and electronic emsemble segments. Colin reads an excerpt from Moby Dick..\"The Albatross\". Very dramatic. We'll discuss it later when everyone else has received their copy. Along with Pirandello,I suppose it too is because of Livia."}, {"response": 1879, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Jan 24, 2001 (19:35)", "body": "Ben: Thanks for the word picture of dinner at the Castles. I am having great fun picturing the two (John and Colin) as they are now versus as they were then. Castle was recently on one of the Mystery things I watch on TV. He still looks pretty darn sexy."}, {"response": 1880, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jan 24, 2001 (20:35)", "body": "The video/TV site www.blackstar.co.uk has details of \"Donovan Quick\", plus \"\"Windmills on the Clyd: the making of Donovan Quick\". Does anyoneknow anything about this? Also, I found this discussion at at deja.com. Doctor Who rules! Okay?! \"Did anyone else see this (Donovan Quick) one-off drama on the BBC over Christmas? It was basically a Dr Who adventure cunningly disguised as gritty social realism. A mysterious stranger (floppy hair, expensive clothes, no past, boundless self-confidence, totally eccentric) turns up out of nowhere in a grimy Glasgow suburb and enlists the help of a family of no-hopers (one alcoholic, one mentally handicapped trainspotter, one car theif and one old lady) to destroy a ruthless mega-corporation. Colin Firth's character, \"Donovan Quick\", *was* the Eighth Doctor! It was excellent, best drama out of BBC Scotland since 'Taking Over The Asylum', but then selfless deluded champions of lost causes are always good, particularly if they win. \"Quixotic fool!\" as the Master once said. Like the Doctor though it was sad to see Donovan's mystique reduced by the revelation of a concrete past. I totally agree. The best BBC drama over Christmas, and the best one- off drama they've done in a long while...\""}, {"response": 1881, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jan 24, 2001 (20:36)", "body": "Sorry, typed in great haste. For \"Clyd\" read \"Clyde\""}, {"response": 1882, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Jan 24, 2001 (20:39)", "body": "You are such a wee bonny lass that we will let you off!"}, {"response": 1883, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jan 24, 2001 (21:05)", "body": "OK. Am back from absence far shorter than Ben's, due to (take your pick): a) moved into new house and am suffering from acute money hemorrhage. b) bad news from Jersey (and I don't mean Jets missing playoffs). c) have just been inaugurated as 43rd President of US. d) have not been away at all. Have been here all along using an alias and sucking up to everyone. e) have had an episode of acute confusion in manner of Liz T at Golden Globe Awards. Have just read a kabillion posts and am on CF info overload, though it kinda all sounds familiar (must be those 'Darcy at the breakfast table' quotes--aargh). Am not surprised to read all the great reviews of DQ. Think Bethan should write stinging expose about how BBC shelved it for more than a year. Thanks to those who supplied the articles, pics, reviews and other news bits. Welcome, newbies and oldbies. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all. Happy Birthday as applicable. Off to catch up at other topics!"}, {"response": 1884, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jan 24, 2001 (21:43)", "body": "Hi Eileen, good to have you back, we missed you."}, {"response": 1885, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 24, 2001 (22:08)", "body": "d) have not been away at all. Have been here all along using an alias and sucking up to everyone. *snort* As always, a winner!! Good to see you back. Make sure you read everything very carefully. There will be a quiz. ;-)"}, {"response": 1886, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Jan 24, 2001 (22:50)", "body": "Eileen you are, as always , able to make me ROTFOL! Welcome back."}, {"response": 1887, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Jan 24, 2001 (23:42)", "body": "Hi Eileen! Welcome back!"}, {"response": 1888, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Jan 24, 2001 (23:45)", "body": "I've never heard CF doing it. I'd've thought it was right up his street. Has he done any taped book readings? Ben, he has done one only: \"Comeback\" by Dick Francis, some 10 years ago. Superb voice characterizations. And it would be hard to find a duller description of a major operation on a horse's intestines read in such a compelling fashion or by a more mesmerizing voice. On the whole Dick Francis leaves me cold, but I find myself listening to this one particular story over and over again..."}, {"response": 1889, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jan 25, 2001 (03:20)", "body": "Eileen, I'd give anything for the answer to be \"c\" ;-) Welcome back, hon, you've been missed."}, {"response": 1890, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan 25, 2001 (13:34)", "body": "LOL, Eileen! Was wondering were you were. I'm glad you're back!"}, {"response": 1891, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Jan 25, 2001 (15:59)", "body": "Wotcha, Eileen. CF info overload? I didn't think such a thing was possible for a Firthette. I have no such excuses for my absence, though virtual contact overload is a candidate. I am a luddite. Occasionally, I need to see people's faces when I'm talking to them. I am unqualified to comment on John Castle's sexiness, but he's v. amusing company. I should be seeing him soon because they always have a big election night party. God, Eileen's last message reminded me that it's my birthday next week. I won't tell you which number. It's too frightening. Suffice to say that I was persauded by various office mates (one of them an avid Firthette, incidentally, though as yet unfamiliar with this site) to go to \"Fighting Fit\", a kick-boxing workout, on tuesday night, AND I AM STILL FEELING IT. There are weird muscles in my back screaming with complaint. For an hour we flailed around and kicked imaginary attackers. I took care to avoid placing myself in front of a mirror. If I looked half as daft as I felt, I wouldn't have managed it. I don't know how real boxers do it. Not only do they have to flail, but someone is beating them up at the same time."}, {"response": 1892, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Jan 25, 2001 (17:31)", "body": "Poor Ben. Take care-- these kick-boxing workouts have actually done more harm than good (continuous, repeated kicking is hard and strenous for the joints). Stick to swimming or running."}, {"response": 1893, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Jan 25, 2001 (17:33)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1894, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Jan 25, 2001 (18:15)", "body": "Look what riding horses has done for ODB! And fencing is a gentler pursuit."}, {"response": 1895, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jan 25, 2001 (19:09)", "body": "Tsk. Ben, why suffer through kickboxing when you could have hired Cornel Wotshisname, trainer to the stars?! After all, he whipped Leo into shape for The Beach and, of course, ensured that ODB looked better than Hughie (pfft!) in BJD. I'm sure he'd give you reasonable rates since you're friends with the Castles. ;-) Thanks for the welcome, everyone. Mari, just call me Dubya (am actually doing the dance of joy that Laura lost the helmet head--someone must've whispered in her ear about top secret of cutting hair in layers). Karen, quiz away. My answer to everything is 'very old ladies'. ;-D"}, {"response": 1896, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan 26, 2001 (21:37)", "body": "Good thing Evelyn didn't buy the book.;-);-) From Film Force: Doctor Who Faces Ultimate Enemy: The BBC Fri, Jan 26, 2001 04:02 PM EST It's been another rough week for fans of Doctor Who. Buoyed by reports in the press, specifically by UK newspaper the Telegraph, fans thought they were closer than ever to seeing the adventures of the good Doctor on the big screen for the first time since the '60s. Unfortunately, that story, which reported an estimated $65 million budget and a \"big named U.S. director\", has been refuted by representatives for the BBC. Quoted on the SFX Network website, a representative from the BBC announced, \"The Sunday Telegraph got it wrong.\" She added that, as often stated, plans for a movie version of the show were in development, but that there had been no further progress with them. A source at the BBC told IGN FilmForce today that \"the production is in a state of disarray. We have missed a golden opportunity to have a marquee project available during a time when the American market is the most accessible because of the coming talent strikes. A Doctor Who will happen some day, of that I have no doubt but that day will be later, rather than sooner.\""}, {"response": 1897, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 26, 2001 (22:23)", "body": "(BBC) We have missed a golden opportunity... And this would be the first time? ;-) Thanks, Mari, am putting my decoder ring back in the drawer."}, {"response": 1898, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 27, 2001 (21:21)", "body": "From the Jeremy Northam topic: [Honestly, Boss...I'm trying...but I don't know where the hell to post this stuff...Okay here?] (Moon)I bet that is a role Colin would have loved.[Tom in ENIGMA] Don't JN and Colin have the same agent? I wonder if there was a struggle as to who to give the script to? JN and Colin are both with ICM, but have different agents.JN also has a publicist in NY. IMO JN is Colin's competition in all these roles. The Winslow Boy included. Of course, the filming might have conflicted with Colin's schedule ;-) ~~~~~~~~~~ \"It's been another rough week for fans of Doctor Who...\" Whoopee...not for me...*Doing a little victory dance*!"}, {"response": 1899, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 27, 2001 (23:08)", "body": "(Evelyn) Of course, the filming might have conflicted with Colin's schedule ;-) Actually, it did. Enigma started filming on April 17, which means it overlapped with BJD."}, {"response": 1900, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jan 28, 2001 (18:43)", "body": "JN and Colin are both with ICM, but have different agents Doesn't CF have the same agent as Alan Rickman? The agent must have a hot line to Mike Binder - CF and AR have both done Binder movies! :-( I'd suggest they both move to JN's agent, but perhaps this isn't ethical! What exactly does an agent do? I thought casting directors determined role choice, and agents dealt with the money and the billing. There was something about Sundance Film Festivall on BBC News24. \"Enigma\" (apparently) failed to find a distributor, whilst Liz Hurley's latest opus was snapped up! BTW I wonder how much of the decision to do \"Hamlet\" is CF driven? I should think he's decided he wants to do it and that he'll be involved in all the decisions...casting, staging, interpretation etc. It seems to me that this is the only way an actor in the UK can actively determine his own career. He should do this more often...he'll always get a full house, especially for short runs."}, {"response": 1901, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Jan 28, 2001 (19:37)", "body": "(Bethan)What exactly does an agent do? I thought casting directors determined role choice, and agents dealt with the money and the billing. Haven't we talked about this? Doesn't the agent submit the actor's name to the casting director (or the director, or the producer, or whoever)?"}, {"response": 1902, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 28, 2001 (20:29)", "body": "From EW: Secrets of an Agent Man Stop whining. Act hungry. Never pitch. An insider tells all Yeah, you've got ferocious drive and towering talent. Now you want a career that's built to last. Whether you're a babe with bee stung lips or a hack with ink stained knuckles, it's your Hollywood agent who makes those skills pay the bills -- and who ensures that your creative quest (along with his own investment in your future) stretches beyond a skimpy 15 minutes. Here, EW gets down and dirty with a player from one of the top agencies in town. Who whines the most: actors, writers, or directors? Actors, male and female, are considered the most high maintenance. When a director is off directing his film, unless he's having budgetary problems, you're not dealing with him. But an actor, if his trailer's not right, or if her boyfriend can't fly -- they always want more. It's always a bitch. They're very needy. How can an actor squander or screw up a breakthrough? Taking scripts for money and doing a shitty job -- just basing it on money, therefore being in a bunch of bad movies. That's a weird thing for an agent to say, since you get a cut of every big payday. Yeah, but do you want an actor who you're making a lot of money on for two years, or do you want an actor who can make a lot of money for 20 years? A smarter agent invests. Let's take a guy like John Travolta. He puts out a bomb like Battlefield Earth. That was so f---in' bad. We walked out. How does an agent react to that? You don't. I mean, for crying out loud, if you react you'll probably get fired. It's an embarrassment to him. He knows it. He's a smart guy. Let's say an actor has been in five bombs in a row. What's the agent feeling? The agent's probably feeling \"I'm going to lose my actor.\" But he might want to. Let's say you're working with a client like Johnny Depp: He's terrifically talented, but he tends to focus on artsy projects. Your payday as an agent is lower. Yeah. Does that become a problem? Do you say, \"C'mon, Johnny, do a big budget film\"? No, because if you have Johnny Depp as your client, you have credibility. It's tantalizing to other actors. Up and coming actors idolize him. You go out, you're able to say you're Johnny Depp's agent. How do you respond to a good new script? Don't be overly enthusiastic. As an agent, the last thing you want to be known as is someone who can't deliver. If you tell the screenwriter, \"This is the f---in' mack, dude! If I can't get seven figures, I'm a f---in' dog!\" then you'd better get seven figures. What makes a script or a project an easy sell? Basically, we're mass marketers. Something that's easy to sell is \"Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,\" because it appeals to such a broad range of people. You want to be able to take this to a studio or a production company, and the first thing they're thinking is, Who does this appeal to? Obviously the best answer is everybody. So what makes a project a sure loser? A sure loser is a big budgeted niche script. Something that appeals to a few people and costs a lot to make. You're never going to make your money back. For example, a film noir thriller that's got a big budget is a hard sell, because you're looking at a more educated film crowd. L.A. Confidential -- that was a phenomenal movie to watch, and yet it didn't have a great audience because it's more sophisticated. If an unknown writer sends a script to your agency out of the blue, where does it go? It goes in the garbage. If you send in a cold script to one of the five major agencies, it's not going to get read -- unless some f---ing miracle Good Will Hunting guy is in the mailroom and happens to read it and takes a shine to it and can champion it. It's just not going to happen. You wouldn't see a more miraculous movie than that script being made. So if you're a young writer, how do you get someone to read it? By going to one of the smaller agencies that's perhaps working with up and coming hot writers. Obviously, if you're trying to do this from Iowa, it's going to be very difficult. Why? Because I think you've got to be in New York or L.A. -- L.A. primarily. If you're smart and aggressive and meet the right person, whether at a bar or through a friend in the business, and if you have a good script, you can network it. How should a creative person act around the agent? Hungry. You act hungry. I mean, don't act like a loser. There are agents who hang out with their clients; there are agents who don't -- they put up a wall. But that being said, in the talent representation business there is so much contact with the client that the agent really has to like the person. So if you're a f---in' creep, good luck. So if the agent meets a creative person who's a creep but clearly some sort of genius... It still might hurt him if he's a creep. It depends how badly the agent wants it. You'd better be really talented if you're a total asshole. What's the stupidest thing to say to an agent? I meet with a lot of people who try to"}, {"response": 1903, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Jan 29, 2001 (10:03)", "body": "Good God - LA Confidential too sophisticated? Were audiences themselves more sophisticated in the 70s, when the average film was so much better? Or have we all got used to the new, lower standard? I spent a few days in Paris at New Year, and decided to go and see a film in the middle of the afternoon. (It still feels like the most delicious self-indulgence.) Unthinkingly, filed in to \"Incassable\" (Unbreakable) - \"David Dunn....peut-il trouver son destin?\" WHAT UTTER TRIPE. I apologise if any Spring devotee liked it, though I can't believe she did. The script was so AWFUL, and the story so dotty. I managed to stay until 10 minutes before the end, God knows how. And yet....blow me down if I don't get back to London and see, on the film's advertising posters, the usual superlatives amongst the reviews. \"Unbreakable is unmissable\". Blah, blah, blah... How is this possible? Anyway, I'm looking for a connection to CF, and can't really find one...except to say that the Financial Times did carry a suitably scathing review of Unbreakable, and also a pretty good review of Enigma. I thought this was relevant only because a little trip around Spring shows me that Jeremy Northam seems to cause as much fluster as The Firth himself, you fickle lot."}, {"response": 1904, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 29, 2001 (13:28)", "body": "you fickle lot. LOL! Gemini's are fickle by nature. That's my excuse. ;-) Were audiences themselves more sophisticated in the 70s, when the average film was so much better? Or have we all got used to the new, lower standard? This is a subject we have discussed on the O&E topic. It is one of my pet peeves. Unfortunately the lower standard in films seem to go hand-in-hand with the lower standards in education and general culture. Unthinkingly, filed in to \"Incassable\" (Unbreakable) My DH saw it in London and he wants me to see it so that I might explain the ending to him. It has not shown in the States yet. I'm looking for a connection to CF, and can't really find one Ben, just get your parents to invite you next time they have Colin over. If you give us a little warning, we will supply you with conversational topics for the whole evening. Not that you need them! ;-)))) I enjoyed that article, Karen, thanks!"}, {"response": 1905, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 29, 2001 (14:13)", "body": "General film comments are regularly discussed on Topic 136: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/136/new ...and we've been talking about JN, Sundance and Enigma on Topic 43: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/43/new Everybody is welcome to join in there."}, {"response": 1906, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jan 29, 2001 (14:25)", "body": "Moon, Unbreakable played here months ago. It's the M. Night Shyamalan film with Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson. Sorry, now back on topic!:-) RE: agents. IMO, Colin's agent is doing exactly what Colin wants him to do--or not do as the case may be-- and is acting according to Colin's wishes and ambitions. It is those wishes and ambitions that some of us have a quibble with, I suspect, and not the agent's actions. I recall something Renee Zellweger said at the GGs--she thanked her agent for really encouraging her to go for things that she would have thought were out of her reach. I assume she was referring to BJ, at least in part. It's the client who has to have the ambition to direct the agent to follow up."}, {"response": 1907, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Jan 29, 2001 (17:13)", "body": "Set your vid for the following if you can get BBC knowledge! ************* Monday 29th at 9pm on beeb knowledge channel ********** The Wannsee Conference (Heinz Schirk 1984) \"Based on the actual minutes and run out in real time, this charts the meeting where the bureaucratic machinery of The Final Solution was thrashed out. The language used by Adolf Eichmann and his staff descends into grotesque euphemisms but history leaves you in no doubt as to what they mean. Though Hitler was not there his prescence is strongly felt, as cold ruthless efficiency conjures up a truly hellish atmosphere.\" *********************************************************************** I wonder if this was used as a \"source\" for the film or not? Thanks for the article on agents Karen."}, {"response": 1908, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 29, 2001 (19:33)", "body": "Lizza, that is another dramatization. I checked it out of the library and had a copy made so that others could view it if they wished. It is subtitled and very poorly (should've been in yellow not white because of backgrounds). Do videotape it because you may need to review the subtitles...it's very fast paced. Will be interesting to discuss...although I have a feeling what some of the comments will be on Stuckart. BTW, there is/should be already one difference between this version and the HBO one. Stuckart wears an SS officer's uniform in that one and it appears Colin was in a suit from the interviews. There is a documentary somewhere out there, but haven't found it."}, {"response": 1909, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Jan 29, 2001 (21:15)", "body": "Thanks Lizza / Karen, I just read your posts in time and am getting 'the Parents' to do the biz for me ( as I am a poor lowly person without such new-fangled things as cable or digital TV). Won't get chance so view until the weekend at the earliest - no doubt it will provide much food for thought."}, {"response": 1910, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Jan 29, 2001 (21:45)", "body": "Great Tracy. I am another poor lowly person, so it will be good to see what you think. What a shame about the quality of the programme Karen. I am sure it will be interesting to contrast when you get to see Conspiracy later this year. I wondered if the timing of this was pertinent, as part of programmes with a link to the Holocaust."}, {"response": 1911, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Jan 30, 2001 (02:50)", "body": "I have no idea if this is new. It was updated in early January. *********************** From 4Filmmakers.com http://www.4filmakers.com/search/index.cfm?FuseAction=details&project=4343 Title Quadrille Status Development Posted Feb 16, 2000 Last Updated Jan 02, 2001 Logline: An American woman and an English man leave their spouses for one another and head to the south of France. Their respective lovers follow them and succeed in winning them back but their marriages still don't last and the deserted couple fall in love as well. Notes: Remake of the 1997 French film. Studios Involved Directors Fox Searchlight Gavin Miller Studio/Prod. Co. Executives Writers None Sean Mathias Wesley Moore Genres Producers Drama Remake Romance Eric Fellner Tim Bevan Eileen Quinn Steve Clark-Hall Lindsay Hall Wesley Moore John Williams Project Types Actors In Development Colin Firth Madonna Ciccone Production Companies Exec. Producers Vanguard Films Working Title Films The Steve Tisch Company Steve Tisch Co-Producers Assoc. Producers None None"}, {"response": 1912, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Jan 30, 2001 (04:26)", "body": "Madonna and ODB? I'm not sure whether to laugh or to...laugh."}, {"response": 1913, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jan 30, 2001 (16:56)", "body": "Geez, Murph, you drop this bomb and then Spring springs a leak for 12 hours. You broke the boards with this one!;-) Let's hope this is one of those projects that stays in development until they find another lead actress. I read that her hubby is about to direct her next music video so maybe that will keep her tied up.;-) Actually, though, this isn't the first time we've heard CF's name mentioned in connection with Quadrille. Almost makes you long for Dr. Who.;-) Or Flashman. And where is Carlos Saura when we need him? Oh, Butterball, we hardly knew ye. ;-)"}, {"response": 1914, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 30, 2001 (17:38)", "body": "That Quadrille project has been listed for eons! I suspect that someone got the information wrong as it was mentioned in some of the articles about the Noel Coward centenary and all the film projects underway, including Relative Values! I wrote those guys to ask if they'd look into it and: nada"}, {"response": 1915, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jan 30, 2001 (18:12)", "body": "(Karen) That Quadrille project has been listed for eons! Thought it sounded familiar. If I recall, it sparked a spicy debate about the acting talents of the Material Gir...Wife and Mother. (Mari) Almost makes you long for Dr. Who.;-) Or Flashman. Or that black plague thing--what did Karen call it? Advocate II or Son of HotPig? ;-)"}, {"response": 1916, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  1, 2001 (05:58)", "body": "Moving this topic over from 136...as it now has some relevance ;-) Here comes my list of the ten worst lists ever by Brian Viner (The Independent, Feb 1, 2001) The abominable plague of lists that blighted the year 2000 alarmingly shows no sign of diminishing. Just when you thought it was safe to turn on the telly or open your newspaper without being confronted with the 100 greatest movies ever made, or the 50 sexiest women ever to walk the planet, or the 20 most memorable sporting events of the 20th century, or the 10 most influential men in post-war Britain, another list pops up to confound and aggravate you. Absolutely Fabulous funnier than Rising Damp? No way! Tom Cruise lovelier than Paul Newman? You've got to be kidding!\" Because the really annoying thing about such lists is that, however inane you know them to be, the damnable things are impossible to ignore. Anyway, on the principle that if you can't stand 'em, join 'em, I am currently compiling a list of my own. It is a list of the 10 most stupid lists. And straight in at number one is the list of Britain's leading film actors and actresses, as revealed by the publication this week of the Orange Film Survey. As always with such surveys, there is some confusion about the exact wording. Were respondents asked for their favourite performers, or those they considered finest? We'll generously assume the former, in which case, according to more than 10,000 people polled, our 10 favourite screen actors, in descending order, are Sir Sean Connery, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Sir Alec Guinness, Hugh Grant, Sir Michael Caine, Pierce Brosnan, Robert Carlyle, Ewan McGregor, Sir John Mills and Lord Olivier. And our 10 favourite screen actresses; Julie Walters, Dame Judi Dench, Catherine Zeta Jones, Elizabeth Hurley, Emma Thompson, Elizabeth Taylor, Barbara Windsor, Helen Mirren, Dame Margaret Rutherford and Dame Maggie Smith. With sad inevitability, the media gave disproportionate attention to these findings. Most national newspapers reported them in detail, as did The Birmingham Post, adding only the words \"Smethwick-born\" before Julie Walters. Yet most of them missed the survey's one interesting conclusion, that nearly half of those polled had fallen asleep at the cinema. Somehow, that doesn't surprise me. It is, in fact, almost too easy to expose this exercise for the idiotic waste of time and effort it represents. I can hardly be bothered to wonder which poor souls consider Liz Hurley a more captivating performer than Maggie Smith, or to ask what happened to Richard Burton, Sir John Gielgud, Peter Sellers, Peter O'Toole and Dirk Bogarde? Not to mention Charlie Chaplin, who for at least two decades was the most famous, most popular man in the world, yet was eclipsed in this survey by Ewan McGregor. All the same, there is something seriously disconcerting about the modern bias that renders all such lists worthless. We are, it seems, a nation of goldfish, incapable of remembering, let alone valuing, anything that has accumulated a bit of dust. Perhaps that is why we treat our senior citizens so badly. As for the way surveys are afflicted by modern bias, a few years ago I joined a panel drawing up a series of shortlists from which the Great British Public had to vote for their favourite BBC TV programmes of all time. As I recall, Men Behaving Badly was voted Favourite Sitcom, ahead of Fawlty Towers and Dad's Army. And Colin Firth was voted Favourite Actor, purely on the basis that he had just got his shirt wet as Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. When I dared to ridicule this result, in a mid-market tabloid newspaper, I was engulfed with hate mail. Hell hath no fury like Middle England scorned. As for my own favourite British screen actors, my top three, after much deliberation, are Chaplin, Guinness and Robin Askwith. But don't ask me to put them in order of preference. After all, you can't take these things too seriously."}, {"response": 1917, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  1, 2001 (14:28)", "body": "AnneR has found that SWTA is now being published (Feb) in the US. Here's the cover from amazon and the review she found from Newsday below it: Newsday Wednesday, January 31, 2001 Twelve Hypnotic Stories of Salvation / A soulful anthology of first-person stories from top young authors John Freeman. John Freeman is a writer in New York. SPEAKING WITH THE ANGEL: Original Stories. Edited by Nick Hornby. Riverhead, 233 pp., $12 paper. SOME PEOPLE read fiction to exorcise their demons, while others discover their guardian angels there. In \"Speaking With the Angel,\" English novelist Nick Hornby rounds up 12 of today's most entertaining and provocative young writers to enlighten us with stories about salvation. Delivered entirely in the first person, these pieces imagine their way into all walks of life, from the British prime minister to a security guard for an art museum. Talented and energetic, Hornby's cast plumbs the depths of depravity - and loquacity - to illuminate why they are so inspired, why they feel saved. The narrators of \"Speaking With the Angel\" seek redemption in objects, people and activities as diverse as their backgrounds. The acne-ridden teenager of Zadie Smith's slight but funny tale, \"I'm the Only One,\" relieves his feelings of weirdness by befriending a 6-foot-9 14-year-old. \"I kept looking at him and feeling this strange sense of pride, as if the fact that he was so tall was something to do with me.\" Ultimately, the friend's lean frame forms a bridge between this lonely boy and his reclusive, snobby sister. In \"The Slave,\" Roddy Doyle's 42-year-old protagonist probes the soft belly of middle age, declaring how techno music brought him out of a midlife funk and closer to his family. \"Me dancing to a thing called Afro Left, sweating like a bastard, that was an announcement. I'm grand.\" While some of these tales leave us with a warm glow, others end on darker, more plaintive, notes. In Giles Smith's virtuoso piece, \"Last Requests,\" a widow who cooks last meals for Death Row inmates relates the oddity of her culinary exploits. As the story pro gresses, she reveals her pride in her work: Through salt, meat and spices, she plants a parting kiss on each doomed soul. Yet, as the story closes, it's clear that most prisoners, by the moment they lift forks to mouths, have already given up. Hers is a salvation offered too late. Nick Hornby's edgy bouncer makes a similar mistake in \"NippleJesus.\" After accepting a job as a museum guard, the man falls in love with a painting of Jesus, comprised in the dot-matrix style of Chuck Close, with thousands of little pictures of nipples. Defending the painting from religious zealots, he becomes one himself, blinded by his intolerance of other opinions. It was smart of Hornby to enlist this particular group of writers. All this talk of angels and salvation can get a little heavy. Yet, thanks to their pitch-perfect voices and their razor-sharp wits, many of these stories are hilarious. While Dave Eggers' \"After I Was Thrown in the River and Before I Drowned\" is as sloppy as a dog's tongue, the pit bull narrator compensates with heartfelt humor. Colin Firth's ventriloquism in \"The Department of Nothing\" is no less deft, as he brings to life the petty superstitions of an elementary school student. This boy explains why his brother is suspiciously immature: \"He just stopped playing with Pokmon cards and you can't get much pantser than that, and weirdest of all, I found two Barbie dolls in with his action men and I think he might be doing pervy things to them.\" Finally, anyone who's ever faced off with a dead rodent in their abode will be in tears from the opening moments of Roddy Doyle's story. Peppered with such laugh-aloud moments, \"Speaking With the Angel\" acquires the hypnotic effect of a really good monologue. All of these writers share the gift for gab, especially Helen Fielding, who animates an aging grandmother deluded about her sexual prowess with an accuracy that's both incisive and devastatingly funny. In \"The Wonder Spot,\" Melissa Bank gives a hip, ironic voice to an insecure woman nearing 40. Thanks to stories like this, it's hard, then, not to read this book in one sitting. Although the anthology boasts some of the hottest names in contemporary literature, from Eggers to Fielding to Irvine Welsh, the virtual unknowns [!!] deliver its most memorable tales. Robert Harris, in \"PMQ,\" shows how documentation uproariously ensnares a prime minister on the lam. And in \"Peter Shelley,\" Patrick Marber scripts one of the most poignant teenage courtships in recent memory. Awkward, anxious, hurried and finally playful, Marber's characters explore their bodies in a way unpolluted by our watching. In the end, Marber reminds us how, when we were young and in love, these first gropings made us feel like we could devour the world. Cobbling together a collection from such leading writers is no small feat, but prompting them to move past the irony that has pervaded their pr"}, {"response": 1918, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb  1, 2001 (15:22)", "body": "Ooh, goody, am glad to read SWTA is being published in the US and CF's story got a good review...but why are they using that plastic thingy of ODB's father on the cover? ;-)"}, {"response": 1919, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb  1, 2001 (15:24)", "body": "Hmm, on second thought, it looks like Roger Moore in his [much] later Bond days."}, {"response": 1920, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb  1, 2001 (15:30)", "body": "but why are they using that plastic thingy of ODB's father on the cover? ;-) Gaaagh....looks like a warmed-over JFK;-)"}, {"response": 1921, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb  1, 2001 (16:48)", "body": "Hey, if Cadbury ever decides to produce chess pieces, Colin is ready!:-) Thanks, Anne and Karen, I'm very happy the book is being published here. I wonder if there's a story behind the cover, maybe something to do with the school. In any event, let's keep our eyes open for other reviews. Colin is now a published and praised author on two continents--way to go, CF! You done good on this one."}, {"response": 1922, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb  1, 2001 (17:20)", "body": "Thanks, Karen! 1) Who approved that cover? The Chuckie Doll? (Very scary) 2) I'm so glad I have the UK version. I still have to read most of the stories. But this was a v.g. reminder."}, {"response": 1923, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  1, 2001 (23:25)", "body": "(Eileen) Hmm, on second thought, it looks like Roger Moore in his [much] later Bond days. Yup, gotta go with a wax Roger...or is the adjective unnecessary? ;-) I like Nick's."}, {"response": 1924, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Feb  2, 2001 (00:51)", "body": "On topic -- Note the British Actress of the Year in a Supporting Role: **************************** THE NOMINATIONS FOR THE 21st AWARDS OF THE LONDON FILM CRITICS' CIRCLE The nominees are announced today for the 21st Awards of the London Film Critics' Circle sponsored by Night & Day magazine (part of the Mail on Sunday), to be held at The Savoy on Thursday, 15th February 2001, in aid of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC). They offer the prospect of last year's British Actress award winner, Emily Watson, returning for a second bite of the cherry, this year in the running with talent including Julie Walters and Kate Winslet. In addition, this year Ms Watson is up for British Actress in a Supporting Role (for Cradle Will Rock) against, among others, Samantha Morton (Sweet & Lowdown) and Sophie Thompson (Relative Values). British hit movie, Billy Elliot, receives an impressive nine nominations in all - one for British Film and three alone for British Newcomer. Young star Jamie Bell, screenwriter Lee Hall and director Stephen Daldry are all nominated for the award alongside Paul Bettany (Gangster No. 1) and Michael Legge (Angela's Ashes). Another hot contender for British Film is Topsy Turvy which receives a total of eight nominations, including three for co-stars Shirley Henderson, Lesley Manville (both nominated for British Actress in a Supporting Role) and Timothy Spall (British Actor in a Supporting Role nominee). Co-stars from The End of the Affair - nominated for British Film of the Year - are also both in the running for their own award: Julianne Moore for Actress of the Year and Ralph Fiennes for British Actor. Last year the Awards attracted a number of international celebrities including Jeremy Northam, Sam Mendes and Martha Fiennes. Star nominees this year include Jude Law, Albert Finney, Hilary Swank and Julia Roberts. THE 21st AWARDS OF THE LONDON FILM CRITICS' CIRCLE SPONSORED BY NIGHT & DAY IN AID OF THE NSPCC 15th February 2001 - THE SAVOY NOMINATIONS LIST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM OF THE YEAR HARRY - HE'S HERE TO HELP (Artificial Eye) CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON (Columbia) IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE (Metro Tartan) BEAU TRAVAIL (Artificial Eye) COLOR OF PARADISE (Optimum) BRITISH NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR LEE HALL (Billy Elliot - UIP) PAUL BETTANY (Gangster No. 1 - Film Four) STEPHEN DALDRY (Billy Elliot - UIP) MICHAEL LEGGE (Angela's Ashes - UIP) JAMIE BELL (Billy Elliot - UIP) BRITISH SCREENWRITER OF THE YEAR MIKE LEIGH (Topsy Turvy - Pathe) CHRISTOPHER NOLAN (Memento - Pathe) NEIL JORDAN (The End of the Affair - Columbia) LEE HALL (Billy Elliot - UIP) ANTHONY MINGHELLA (The Talented Mr Ripley - BVI) SCREENWRITER OF THE YEAR PAUL THOMAS ANDERSON (Magnolia - Entertainment) CHARLIE KAUFMAN (Being John Malkovich - UIP) JOEL & ETHAN COEN (Oh, Brother Where Art Thou - Momentum) STEVE KLOVES (Wonder Boys - UIP) CAMERON CROWE (Almost Famous - Columbia) BRITISH ACTRESS OF THE YEAR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE EMILY WATSON (Cradle Will Rock - BVI) SOPHIE THOMPSON (Relative Values - Momentum) SHIRLEY HENDERSON (Topsy Turvy - Pathe) SAMANTHA MORTON (Sweet & Lowdown - Columbia) LESLEY MANVILLE (Topsy Turvy - Pathe) BRITISH ACTOR OF THE YEAR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE JUDE LAW (The Talented Mr Ripley - BVI) TIMOTHY SPALL (Topsy Turvy - Pathe) ALBERT FINNEY (Erin Brockovich - Columbia) MICHAEL CAINE (Quills - Fox) JASON ISAACS (The Patriot - Columbia) BRITISH PRODUCER OF THE YEAR GREG BRENMAN, JONATHAN FINN (Billy Elliot - UIP) OLIVIA STEWART (The House of Mirth - Film Four) SIMON CHANNING-WILLIAMS (Topsy Turvy - Pathe) NORMA HEYMAN (Gangster No. 1 - Film Four) PETER LORD, NICK PARK, DAVID SPROXTON (Chicken Run - Pathe) BRITISH ACTRESS OF THE YEAR JANET McTEER (Tumbleweed - Entertainment) BRENDA BLETHYN (Saving Grace - Fox) EMILY WATSON (The Luzhin Defense - Entertainment) JULIE WALTERS (Billy Elliot - UIP) KATE WINSLET (Quills - Fox) ACTRESS OF THE YEAR GILLIAN ANDERSON (The House of Mirth - Film Four) RENEE ZELLEWEGGER (Nurse Betty - Pathe) JULIANNE MOORE (The End of the Affair - Columbia) HILARY SWANK (Boys Don't Cry - Fox) JULIA ROBERTS (Erin Brockovich - Columbia) BRITISH ACTOR OF THE YEAR CHRISTIAN BALE (American Psycho - Entertainment) JIM BROADBENT (Topsy Turvy - Pathe) ANTHONY HOPKINS (Titus - BVI) RALPH FIENNES (The End of the Affair - Columbia) GARY LEWIS (Billy Elliot - UIP) ACTOR OF THE YEAR MICHAEL DOUGLAS (Wonder Boys - UIP) JOHN CUSACK (Being John Malkovich - UIP) JIM CARREY (The Grinch / The Man on the Moon - UIP) RUSSELL CROWE (Gladiator / The Insider - UIP / BVI) PHILLIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN (Flawless / Almost Famous - Optimum / Columbia) BRITISH DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR RIDLEY SCOTT (Gladiator - UIP) CHRISTOPHER NOLAN (Memento - Pathe) TERENCE DAVIES (The House of Mirth - Film Four) STEPHEN DALDRY (Billy Elliot - UIP) MIKE LEIGH (Topsy Turvy - Pathe) DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR SPIKE JONZE (Being John Malkovich - UIP) MARY HARRON (American Psycho - Entertainment) PHILLIP KAUFMAN (Quills - Fox) A"}, {"response": 1925, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb  2, 2001 (01:18)", "body": "Thanks Murph. Pretty impressive. I like to see Our Bidget, Renee, up there. Nurse Betty is on my fave list. I salute the London Film Critics for including the House of Mirth & Topsy Turvy. Quite a change from the same ole, same ole bunch. *clap, clap* ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Wonder what would happen if the Oscars had a separate category for only American actors??"}, {"response": 1926, "author": "kolin", "date": "Fri, Feb  2, 2001 (03:06)", "body": "TVOntario is going to show P&P on its Sunday night drama specials. TVOntario is Ontario's public television channel which regularly shows the best of British dramas and television series.I wonder if we will get some new Firthfans from Ontario after they show Colin. By the way they showed him in the preview and gave him the first billing."}, {"response": 1927, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Feb  2, 2001 (03:33)", "body": "Couldn't find SWTA in bookstores today, though it's featured prominently--half page spread--in Waldenbooks' circular. They said they should have it in by early next week (I avoid Amazon whenever possible; I'll pay the extra buck or two to help keep the small shops in business.) Apartment Zero is showing this month on STARZ. Check your local listings, as they say. Thanks for the London critics list, Murph. I think it's safe to say that Jason Isaacs won't be winning his category;-) Overall, it's a strong group of nominees--but then again, there's so much carry-over on it from the previous year, which was such a better year for films than last year. Moon, your Harry film is up there; just saw that Miramax will be releasing it here this year under the title With a Friend Like Harry. I thought Christian Bale was South African? But will assume that someone has undoubtedly looked into this very carefully.;-) BTW, his dad recently married Gloria Steinem, which is neat. And if they're going to have separate categories, where is Clive Owen and Croupier??"}, {"response": 1928, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb  2, 2001 (13:24)", "body": "Moon, your Harry film is up there; just saw that Miramax will be releasing it here this year under the title With a Friend Like Harry. Thanks, Murph! My DH will be happy to hear it as he will want me to explain the ending. He liked it and for him to want to see a film twice could only mean it's a masterpiece! ;-) Apartment Zero is showing this month on STARZ. This is fantastic news! Most video stores no longer carry it. It's strange to see \"Being J. Malcovich\" and \"Topsy Turvey\" up there with \"Brother Where Art Thou\" which just came out this month. IMO, Julia R doesn't have a chance with those other actresses. Of course, in Hollywood it's another story."}, {"response": 1929, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Feb  2, 2001 (13:25)", "body": "And Colin Firth was voted Favourite Actor, purely on the basis that he had just got his shirt wet as Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. When I dared to ridicule this result, in a mid-market tabloid newspaper, I was engulfed with hate mail. Hell hath no fury like Middle England scorned. Glad to hear that Middle England has teeth! I've always had the feeling though that most journalists/critics totally overlooked the fact CF gave a rather good performance in P&P! But they don't award BAFTAs to wet shirts! BTW has anyone in the UK seen a television advert for Thompson holidays - features a Regency gentleman dressed in a white shirt and breeches who dives into a pond and emerges dripping wet? Obviously the moment has passed into contemporary social history! :-) That Quadrille project has been listed for eons! I suspect that someone got the information wrong as it was mentioned in some of the articles about the Noel Coward centenary and all the film projects underway, including Relative Values! Oh dear, and there's me thinking it sounded like a good idea (I know Madonna can't really act, but Mrs Ritchie is absolutely mega in the UK at the moment...and it's better than \"Dr Who\"!) I remember reading about all the Coward projects...RV, \"Quadrille\" with Madonna, and \"Blithe Spirit\" with Rupert Everett and Nicole Kidman. Madonna was to star with a cast of British and American actors."}, {"response": 1930, "author": "Echo", "date": "Fri, Feb  2, 2001 (14:49)", "body": "most journalists/critics totally overlooked the fact CF gave a rather good performance in P&P! Most (male) TV critics were taken aback with that performance and somehow ended slighting it... I still think it was a wholesale display of (possibly even unconscious) male jealousy in response to their wives', girlfriends', daughters' wholesale falling for Darcy (branded \"hysteria\", of course... what else can a woman do? ;-P). All in all, an interesting sociological phenomenon. Ben, Mark, as our esteemed and only male authorities here, I'm sure you've got views on this. Would you care to remind us? has anyone in the UK seen a television advert for Thompson holidays - features a Regency gentleman dressed in a white shirt and breeches who dives into a pond and emerges dripping wet? Obviously the moment has passed into contemporary social history! :-) Absolutely - in complete defiance of the above mentioned so called TV critics. My recent mail order video catalogue still speaks of \"Colin Firth's legendary portrayal of Darcy\"... And that is the material point!"}, {"response": 1931, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Feb  2, 2001 (16:01)", "body": "(Echo) Most (male) TV critics were taken aback with that performance and somehow ended slighting it... I still think it was a wholesale display of (possibly even unconscious) male jealousy in response to their wives', girlfriends', daughters' wholesale falling for Darcy I think good old-fashioned middle-class snobbism is at work, too. As if anything or anybody who can evoke that kind of widespread response is not worthy of serious attention. Too bad that people (men and women) cannot see past their own prejudices. I know people who are so snobby that they won't watch anything that is perceived as popular, as it must not be worthy of their attention. Such middle-class horse manure."}, {"response": 1932, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb  2, 2001 (16:15)", "body": "(Vera)....and gave him the first billing. He always had top billing."}, {"response": 1933, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Feb  2, 2001 (16:30)", "body": "Most (male) TV critics were taken aback with that performance and somehow ended slighting it... I still think it was a wholesale display of (possibly even unconscious) male jealousy in response to their wives', girlfriends', daughters' wholesale falling for Darcy (branded \"hysteria\", of course... what else can a woman do? ;-P). All in all, an interesting sociological phenomenon. Ben, Mark, as our esteemed and only male authorities here, I'm sure you've got views on this. Would you care to remind us? Since you dangle your bait so temptingly, Echo, I shall dare to bite, for once. I suspect that reviewers like Brian Viner see analogies between CF getting a Bafta and, say, an acting award being given to someone like Jennifer Lopez, or Samantha Janus. They know that it's wrong to reward their lust-objects with acting awards, so they assume it's wrong for women's icons to get them too. What this may fail to appreciate is that part of the reason women fall for Darcy CF is that it's as much (more?) about who he is, how he behaves, what it looks like he's thinking, as it is about his looks. In short, his acting is creating the reaction. So potentially he does deserve an acting award in a way that, let's say, Shannon Doherty may never achieve. There may be some jealousy involved - not on my part, but I didn't watch much of P&P - but there may also be some (misguided?) attempt to rationalise as a critic. (Is there maybe an element of this looks-are-not-the-same-as-acting thinking in the suggestions that Julia Roberts should not get the forthcoming Oscar?) Don't bite my head off - I was asked for a POV ."}, {"response": 1934, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Fri, Feb  2, 2001 (17:13)", "body": "And a very sensible and intelligent POV it is!"}, {"response": 1935, "author": "Echo", "date": "Fri, Feb  2, 2001 (19:41)", "body": "Mark: snap! (and it's not meant to sound like biting your head off... LOL! ;-)) My narrow notion of \"unconscious male jealousy\" probably comes within the wider terms of Donna's \"good old-fashioned middle-class snobbery\". We know that modern men and women can see past their own prejudices, but denying it is a tedious and overplayed media trick which never fails to stir up the popular indignation."}, {"response": 1936, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb  2, 2001 (21:46)", "body": "What this may fail to appreciate is that part of the reason women fall for Darcy CF LOL, Mark! Aren't you glad your wife is not one of us. Of course, if my husband ever saw this place, I hate to think what would happen. ;-) (Is there maybe an element of this looks-are-not-the-same-as-acting thinking in the suggestions that Julia Roberts should not get the forthcoming Oscar?) I am a guilty party here. I don't consider the roles she plays Oscar worthy. I still think Bjork did an amazing acting job in \"Dancer in the Dark\"."}, {"response": 1937, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Feb  3, 2001 (14:17)", "body": "What this may fail to appreciate is that part of the reason women fall for Darcy CF is that it's as much (more?) about who he is, how he behaves, what it looks like he's thinking, as it is about his looks. In short, his acting is creating the reaction. So potentially he does deserve an acting award in a way that, let's say, Shannon Doherty may never achieve. Well put, Mark. All those journalists who explain his attraction with the wet shirt are more than blind and absolutely beneath the point. I have my own personal theory about CFs success as Mr. Darcy: it is because he displayed a tremendous wide range of emotions in a very quiet way (thereby carrying the essence of JAs work - inspite of the wet shirt). A range which perhaps only those can fully appreciate who are particularly good at reading facial expressions. Most critics missed CFs very subtle approach of this role by reducing it to the wet shirt scene. [I could scream out loud every time I read this repeated as explanation for the P&P phenomenon! It was a side effect which is taken for the cause.] His part was pretty difficult because Mr Darcy is at least as much defined by what he doesn't say as by what he does say. He goes through a very wide scale of emotions but the actor is not allowed to display much of them. In his own words: \"Technically, you just try to assume all that and then play against it\". And if you look closely you can see it is there. I don't have to tell this audience here how rich his expressions are, in a very subtle way. Try the same kind of microfocusing with another film - lets say \"Independence Day\" - and see where you get. ;-) I'm presently re-watching \"Cracker\", and though Coltrane is good he is very much supported by this, er, meaty and juicy Fitz role with lots to do, and a VERY strong and suspenseful script (by Jimmy McGovern), whereas Mr Darcy is everything else but a juicy role, with hardly anything to do, and a script which has a lot of qualities, but 'gripping' not being among them. That is why I think CF would have deserved the Bafta more than Robbie Coltrane as Fitz - that is, if the Bafta is about acting, and not about the juciest role in years in which case it should go to the writer... come to think of it - did Jimmy McGovern win a Bafta as well? If not it would be a shame. Just checked the Bafta site - their past awards only go back to 98. According to IMDB he was nominated but didn't win. Oh well, he's in good company."}, {"response": 1938, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb  3, 2001 (14:27)", "body": "There's really only one point I can make: Weren't the audiences hooked...long before the wet shirt appeared? ;-)"}, {"response": 1939, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Sat, Feb  3, 2001 (16:44)", "body": "And another point: If the phenomenon is strictly a lustful response to a hunky guy how come there are no such phenomena whenever Benjamin Britt of Brad Pitt wet/take off their shirts?"}, {"response": 1940, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sat, Feb  3, 2001 (18:41)", "body": "Hasn't Brad Pitt been enjoying his fair share of hysteria? Assuming that hysteria in media speak means fan devotion. But in simple percentage terms the wave of \"Darcy hysteria\" was the strongest - most visible - in the UK. Naturally. And the wet shirt... well, it has never really done much for me personally, to be honest. But haven't we discussed it several times already? From the delicious multitude of our individual juicy points of view? On the Darcy board, some four and a half years ago or so...? And why not do it just one more time? ;-)"}, {"response": 1941, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sat, Feb  3, 2001 (20:52)", "body": "Bethan - that is WEIRD you mention that Thompson ad. (which, you're right, shamelessly plays on the Firthettes' most holy moment) - three years ago I had a brief fling with the woman in the ads. (Vicky Clay). Imagine my surprise when I was slumped idly in front of the telly and saw her, all trussed up a la Regency, heaving into view across my screen. Spilt me tea all over me lap, I did. Well, almost. I heard yesterday she's getting married in a couple of months' time. Another one bites the dust. I never really stood a chance, if the truth be told."}, {"response": 1942, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sat, Feb  3, 2001 (23:54)", "body": "the Firthettes' most holy moment Oh, well, I'm definitely not a Firthette, then. three years ago I had a brief fling with the woman in the ads. (Vicky Clay). Ben, smack your wrist, you big, horrible name-dropper! (And don't you wish you could drop bigger names, too?) :-P :-D Spilt me tea all over me lap, I did. Hope you haven't damaged yourself too badly? ;-) I never really stood a chance, if the truth be told. Aaaaah... join the club. We're all hopelessly broken-hearted here one way or another... ;-D"}, {"response": 1943, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sun, Feb  4, 2001 (12:40)", "body": "Name dropping? Hardly. She is not exactly leading at the National. (Though she probably gets much more money for these ads.) Nor was it love. Really. And is it not the Firthettes' most climactic moment, the Darcy-in-lake scene? The heavy-breathing passion, cotton clinging to heaving chest, beads of water dripping from bashful lashes, camera panning down to tautly swathed thigh? How many of your videotapes are still able to play that scene, and have not been worn too thin by repeated rewinding and frame-by-golden-frame reviewing? Admirers of JE have no such moments in that Mills-and-Boon adaptation. But then it's her mind we prize above all. Particularly, for some reason, when it's sitting atop a low-cut Regency dress."}, {"response": 1944, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sun, Feb  4, 2001 (12:48)", "body": "Ben, Ben, watch: ;-) ;-D ;-) ;-D ...OK? ;-) is it not the Firthettes' most climactic moment, the Darcy-in-lake scene? I'm sure it must be. Only not everyone here is a Firthette. There are also Firthians, Firthists and Firthologists. Among others. ;-)"}, {"response": 1945, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Feb  4, 2001 (14:59)", "body": "Sorry but my favourite Darcy moment is the big smile he gives Lizzy at Pemberley. I also loved his compassion at the Lambton Inn. Plus I have a few more before the wet shirt. And, I am a Firthette because I find the word coquetish and less serious than Firthians, Firthists and Firthologists. :-)"}, {"response": 1946, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb  4, 2001 (15:09)", "body": "Sorry to burst your bubble too, but the wet shirt has never been high on my list. I give 5 stars to the hands touching to begin the dance (no face in sight); 'on foot'; apres dip and having changed clothes, being nice to Lizzie and family; at the piano at Rosings and others."}, {"response": 1947, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb  4, 2001 (15:31)", "body": "I fell head over heels with him \"On foot\"...he says so much with that wry smile At the piano at Rosings is the best sparring part, IMO.Including that quick glance at Lizzie's cleavage... And when he takes her hand at the Lambton Inn...*sizzle*"}, {"response": 1948, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sun, Feb  4, 2001 (15:31)", "body": "Yes. A Firthologist sounds frightfully serious. She would wear horn-rimmed specs and a tweed skirt and be just slightly too tall. A Firthist, on the other hand, conveys something more political. She would go on marches protesting that Hollywood has paid insufficient attention to le maitre. (\"Violence erupted in Islington today when Firthists, demonstrating against CF's absence from the New Year's Honours list, clahsed with riot police...\")."}, {"response": 1949, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Feb  4, 2001 (16:56)", "body": "Entertainment Weekly has a nice review for Speaking With the Angel. Their grade: A. RE: wet shirts. I can only assume that it's not considered acceptable for many male critics to like a mere \"costume drama,\" or a production that appeals primarily to women. In P&P's case, however, they would be hard-pressed to find legitimate grounds for faulting it, as it is as near to flawless as can be. So, they feel compelled to trivialize it by ascribing its appeal, and that of Darcy/Colin, to the presence of a wet shirt. Their pathetic bias is as transparent to me as the shirt.;-)"}, {"response": 1950, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Sun, Feb  4, 2001 (17:06)", "body": "Very well said, Mari. Brava."}, {"response": 1951, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sun, Feb  4, 2001 (17:08)", "body": "I'm not sure those are the reasons. There were plenty of male fans of the series. I adored it. But great literature gives one a bit of a head start, and it's still possible, surely, to find an adaptation imperfect in some ways. I was being facetious about the wet shirt, but not entirely unserious. That WAS the favourite moment for a lot of viewers. And, for me at least, CF's portrayal, or at least what the director had him do, was too mournful. IMHO, Austen's Darcy has a slightly tougher edge to him."}, {"response": 1952, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Sun, Feb  4, 2001 (17:13)", "body": "I mever even noticed the wet shirt scene until I saw it mention in all the press releases and had to take a good look at it. It's not bad but as I have said somewhere else, other hunks have done better! It is CF's portrayal of the Austen hero as perfectly as it could ever be done which is driving women (and some men) in droves. There are women who find talent and intelligence more erotic than a wet shirt... [Oooops...fell off my soap box]."}, {"response": 1953, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sun, Feb  4, 2001 (17:17)", "body": "Sure. And it was wonderful acting. But it is surely a matter of opinion as to whether he played the part \"as perfectly as it could ever be done\". I know plenty who disagree. Nor is it treasonous, surely, to suggest that his sex appeal had something to do with his popularity in the part."}, {"response": 1954, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Feb  4, 2001 (18:37)", "body": "There were plenty of male fans of the series. I adored it. But great literature gives one a bit of a head start, and it's still possible, surely, to find an adaptation imperfect in some ways. Certainly, which is why I wrote many male critics and near to flawless. I can find faults in this one, but IMO they are so overshadowed by the positive, that it would seem like picking flyshit out of pepper. (How's *that* for deconstruction?;-) ;-) Nor is it treasonous, surely, to suggest that his sex appeal had something to do with his popularity in the part. Agreed, and I think most here would agree also. I certainly wouldn't have enjoyed the show as much had Darcy been played by Marty Feldman;-) Nor would many males have enjoyed Camryn Manheim as Lizzie.;-) But Colin's and Jennifer's good looks would have meant little if they weren't at least equaled by the intelligence and heart that they brought to their performances. To me, the show is a beautiful tapestry of things that work, and I find the repeated harping on the wet shirt (to the exclusion of much else) by some critics to be silly, thoughtless, and demeaning. If they don't like him or his performance, that's fine, let them criticize it on the basis of the portrayal (as you have done, Ben, in mentioning the mournfulness). I may not agree, but at least that is legitimate criticism based on honest opinion and evaluation."}, {"response": 1955, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Feb  4, 2001 (18:43)", "body": "Here, here, well said Mari. In fact the whole cast was pitch-perfect, even imo Alison Steadman's Mrs. Bennett, who had her fair share of negative critics."}, {"response": 1956, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sun, Feb  4, 2001 (19:07)", "body": "Well expressed, Mari. I agree entirely, though I think that actually there were well-considered criticisms of the production. In England the book is so much part of the cultural fabric that there were bound to be differences of opinion about how it was done. I had some reservations myself. None of this is to dispute the acting talents of CF."}, {"response": 1957, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sun, Feb  4, 2001 (19:33)", "body": "A Firthologist sounds frightfully serious. She would wear horn-rimmed specs and a tweed skirt and be just slightly too tall. LOL! I wore thick-rimmed specs some two hundred years ago in my student's days. And I hate skirts - is there a more uncomfortable garment in existence? I think I shall spare you further gruesome details... One thing is certain: I'm in a frightfully serious shape... LOL! A Firthist, on the other hand, conveys something more political. I discovered I'm a Firthist during a hilarious exchange rsulting from some Drool investigations of a more medical nature... But that was a long time ago. We were hardly serious then and definitely politically wholly incorrect. LOL! Maybe I should retrain and qualify as a Firth-something else now. The tiiimes, they're a-chaaangin'... protesting that Hollywood has paid insufficient attention to le maitre. Moi? Mais non. Jamais. I am quite happy to keep him as our little secret. in P&P's case... it is as near to flawless as can be. I have always sided with the school of the objectors to that statement! Alas, there are flaws - but they do not spoil the production generally. For example, only those who had very detailed knowledge of the period would have viewed the wet shirt scene as a flaw - since it would have been virtually impossible to happen in real life. (Pathetic nit picking, I know...;-)) CF's portrayal, or at least what the director had him do, was too mournful Right! He had lots of wonderful moments and I melted with every new scene... But (and I had not read the book before watching the series!) up until Darcy started acting more lively in pursuit of the eloped pair, I had seriously expected some awful tragedy to happen! Like a duel, murder or suicide... When he jumped in the lake, I was mortified thinking that maybe he was going to drown!!! And now despise me if you dare!"}, {"response": 1958, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Sun, Feb  4, 2001 (21:14)", "body": "Ben, I love your style... Are you tall, dark and handsome?"}, {"response": 1959, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb  4, 2001 (22:05)", "body": "There are women who find talent and intelligence more erotic than a wet shirt... I dunno about that one, Lassie. Erotic and dumb aint' bad either;-) (Ben)A Firthist, on the other hand, conveys something more political. She would go on marches protesting that Hollywood has paid insufficient attention to le maitre.(\"Violence erupted in Islington today when Firthists, demonstrating against CF's absence from the New Year's Honours list, clashed with riot police...\"). LOL. I wouldn't mind wrapping a paper chain around my neck and marching if a \"certain someone\" was with me. Hey... sharing a cell with ODB wouldn't be too bad..Bring on the hand-cuffs...:-D"}, {"response": 1960, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Feb  5, 2001 (03:08)", "body": "LOL Evelyn, I'll join you. To me the look he gives Wickhamm when he sees him in Meryton is better than the wet shirt, also the look on his face in the music room when he goes back there after everyone else has gone to bed. He's thinking of Lizzie with that little smile o his face. I love it"}, {"response": 1961, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb  5, 2001 (17:01)", "body": "This is timely (thanks to Marilyn): A&E Classroom will show the 1995 BBC/A&E production of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (starring Colin Firth) in six parts starting on Friday, 13 April 2001. More info at: http://www.aande.com/class/classcal/root.cgi?year=2001&month=4 ****** Coincidental that it's starting on the day BJD opens? Or maybe just a good omen.:-) For the proficients, click on the title for \"classroom\" materials to be used as you watch.;-)"}, {"response": 1962, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb  5, 2001 (17:25)", "body": "Coincidental that it's starting on the day BJD opens? Harvey strikes again!! I bet A&E already plans to have ODB on \"Breakfast..\" Thanks Mari, Marilyn A&E Classroom is a good one for taping, ... no commercials. Let's put this on all of CF websites. I'll get it on JE's"}, {"response": 1963, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  5, 2001 (17:56)", "body": "(Mari) Coincidental that it's starting on the day BJD opens? (Evelyn) Harvey strikes again!! I bet A&E already plans to have ODB on \"Breakfast..\" Agreed! This is a planned 'coincidence.' Let's not forget that A&E and Miramax are all part of the Disney empire. ;-)"}, {"response": 1964, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Feb  5, 2001 (18:05)", "body": "(Mari) I certainly wouldn't have enjoyed the show as much had Darcy been played by Marty Feldman;-) *guffaw* Ooh, that would have been abby-normal! Agree with everything previously said about critics'/reporters boiling the whole of P&P2 down to the *&^% wet shirt (or worse, claiming it was 'Darcy emerging from the lake, dripping wet'--a scene which doesn't even exist)."}, {"response": 1965, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Feb  5, 2001 (20:03)", "body": "Just a quick post to let any UK Firthians / Firthettes / Firthists / Firthophiles / Firthaholics (delete as applicable) out there that Blockbusters had ex-Rental SLOW in their bargain bucket for 5-99 - reduced to 3-99. Which is a good thing for your purse but a sad indictment of ODBs professional standing...to think it has come to this ;-("}, {"response": 1966, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Feb  5, 2001 (20:26)", "body": "I must confess I haven't seen SLOW. Is it good? By the way, I think any under-18s on this board are actually, though they don't know it, called Firthlings. How about Marty Feldman as Darcy and (with apologies for the parochial reference) Anne Widecombe as Elizabeth? Is that much worse than, say, Leonardo Di Caprio and Britney Spears? Yes, I suppose it is. But the mind still boggles."}, {"response": 1967, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  5, 2001 (21:28)", "body": "(Tracy) Which is a good thing for your purse but a sad indictment of ODBs professional standing...to think it has come to this ;-( Now, if it had been released NEW at those bargain basement prices, then I'd agree, but it's been ages since it first came out and these are used tapes. The price is right and happens to all tapes eventually. ;-)"}, {"response": 1968, "author": "ommin", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (00:54)", "body": "Anne Widecombe lol Ben!"}, {"response": 1969, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (01:13)", "body": "Tracy, you forgot Firthologists or possibly even Firthologians... ;-) (Ben)I must confess I haven't seen SLOW. Is it good? Who's going to enlighten him? ;-)"}, {"response": 1970, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (01:27)", "body": "Who's going to enlighten him? ;-) Well, it's a nasty job but I suppose someone has to do it. As a noted Firthist once said of SLOW, \"it is not an artistic achievement.\";-) I think any under-18s on this board are actually, though they don't know it, called Firthlings. Finally, a category for me.;-)"}, {"response": 1971, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (04:03)", "body": "I think any under-18s on this board are actually, though they don't know it, called Firthlings. and for those of us who care not to disclose our ages...\"Firthysomethings.\""}, {"response": 1972, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (12:24)", "body": "Not to mention Forthy- and Fifthy- somethings, of course. All those very old ladies that we know he cherishes so much. ;-)"}, {"response": 1973, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (14:06)", "body": "From today's NY Times. Michiko is a very tough reviewer, so her words about Colin are high praise indeed. ********************************** Bits and Pieces From Writers With Buzz By MICHIKO KAKUTANI SPEAKING WITH THE ANGEL Edited by Nick Hornby. 233 pages. Riverhead Books. $12. The narrators in \"Speaking With the Angel,\" an eclectic anthology of short stories, are a varied lot to say the least: they include a British prime minister hiding from his own security guards, a pit bull speaking from beyond the grave, an aging courtesan who's fallen in her bathroom and can't get up, a teenager having sex for the first time and a failed mime artist. Nick Hornby, the author of the delightful novel \"High Fidelity,\" conceived this anthology as a benefit for autistic children, and he invited some of the most talked-about new voices in fiction to contribute first- person narratives. His contributors include Dave Eggers (\"A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius\"), Zadie Smith (\"White Teeth\"), Roddy Doyle (\"Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha\"), Helen Fielding (\"Bridget Jones's Diary\") and Melissa Bank (\"The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing\"). Though the stories vary enormously in quality, they provide the reader unfamiliar with these writers with a tasting menu of their work, and longtime fans with some new morsels of fiction to debate. Dave Eggers's entry, \"After I Was Thrown in the River and Before I Drowned,\" which recounts the short, happy life of a pit bull, is a small tour de force that ratifies his ability to write about anything with style and vigor and genuine emotion. He not only uses his feeling for the sound and speed of words to concoct a convincing voice for his canine narrator, but also manages to convey persuasively what it might feel like to be a dog who evinces an unaccommodated delight in the sheer physicality of existence, a wry skepticism when it comes to the peculiarities of human beings and a quizzical appreciation of the strange vicissitudes of daily life. While Zadie Smith's contribution, \"I'm the Only One,\" similarly showcases her gift for creating funny, engaging characters, it feels less like a full-fledged story than like a snippet from a novel or longer work of fiction. The piece, told in the voice of a querulous teenage boy, gives us some antic glimpses into his contentious relationship with his brilliant and cosseted sister but demonstrates little of the ambition and reach that distinguished her dazzling first novel, \"White Teeth.\" Two other stories in \"Speaking With the Angel\" are also told from the point of view of an adolescent or child. Patrick Marber's \"Peter Shelley\" \ufffd which reads like a comic prelude to the sexual roundelay depicted in his Broadway play, \"Closer\" \ufffd is a sad-funny-depressing account of two teenagers' loss of their virginity. And Colin Firth's \"Department of Nothing\" touchingly depicts a young boy's efforts to escape the depressing realities of his everyday life by immersing himself in the make-believe world of his ailing grandmother's stories. Bookended with these coming-of- age tales are four stories about midlife crises. \"PMQ\" by Robert Harris, the author of the best seller \"Fatherland,\" is a humorous little tale that works a satirical variation on the Audrey Hepburn-Gregory Peck movie \"Roman Holiday,\" recounting the adventures of a British prime minister (not a princess, as in the film), who goes AWOL from his job. And \"The Slave\" by Roddy Doyle is a masterly monologue that uses the author's pitch-perfect ear for how people talk to limn a man's sudden apprehension of vulnerability and loss \ufffd all brought on by his discovery of a dead rat on his kitchen floor. Mr. Hornby's \"NippleJesus\" traces a security guard's new appreciation for the politics of aesthetics, galvanized by his latest assignment, guarding a controversial painting from vandals, while \"Walking Into the Wind\" by John O'Farrell looks at an aging mime artist's efforts to stay true to his profession, even as his friends all start climbing the corporate ladder. The trouble with \"Walking Into the Wind\" is that it radiates a sour disdain for its hero, who is made out to be a vain, boastful fellow, self-deluding and self-righteous in the extreme. This narrator is too easy to dislike, and as a result the plot twists seem less like plausible developments than simple payback for his sins. A similar problem afflicts Helen Fielding's \"Luckybitch\" and Irvine Welsh's \"Catholic Guilt (You Know You Love It\"), two flimsy fictions that feature a rich floozy and a homophobic barfly, characters for whom the authors, and consequently the reader, feel nothing but facile contempt."}, {"response": 1974, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (14:08)", "body": "From AnneR, the NYT review of Speaking with the Angels, which has a favorable description of CF's story, who must be one of those 'new voices': New York Times News Service Tuesday, February 6, 2001 'SPEAKING WITH THE ANGEL' - BITS AND PIECES FROM WRITERS WITH BUZZ. By MICHIKO KAKUTANI. The narrators in \"Speaking With the Angel,\" an eclectic anthology of short stories, are a varied lot to say the least: they include a British prime minister hiding from his own security guards, a pit bull speaking from beyond the grave, an aging courtesan who's fallen in her bathroom and can't get up, a teen-ager having sex for the first time and a failed mime artist. Nick Hornby, the author of the delightful novel \"High Fidelity,\" conceived this anthology as a benefit for autistic children, and he invited some of the most talked-about new voices in fiction to contribute first-person narratives. His contributors include Dave Eggers (\"A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius\"), Zadie Smith (\"White Teeth\"), Roddy Doyle (\"Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha\"), Helen Fielding (\"Bridget Jones' Diary\") and Melissa Bank (\"The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing\"). Though the stories vary enormously in quality, they provide the reader unfamiliar with these writers with a tasting menu of their work, and longtime fans with some new morsels of fiction to debate. Dave Eggers' entry, \"After I Was Thrown in the River and Before I Drowned,\" which recounts the short, happy life of a pit bull, is a small tour de force that ratifies his ability to write about anything with style and vigor and genuine emotion. He not only uses his feeling for the sound and speed of words to concoct a convincing voice for his canine narrator, but also manages to convey persuasively what it might feel like to be a dog who evinces an unaccommodated delight in the sheer physicality of existence, a wry skepticism when it comes to the peculiarities of human beings and a quizzical appreciation of the strange vicissitudes of daily life. While Zadie Smith's contribution, \"I'm the Only One,\" similarly showcases her gift for creating funny, engaging characters, it feels less like a full-fledged story than like a snippet from a novel or longer work of fiction. The piece, told in the voice of a querulous teen-age boy, gives us some antic glimpses into his contentious relationship with his brilliant and cosseted sister but demonstrates little of the ambition and reach that distinguished her dazzling first novel, \"White Teeth.\" Two other stories in \"Speaking With the Angel\" are also told from the point of view of an adolescent or child. Patrick Marber's \"Peter Shelley\" - which reads like a comic prelude to the sexual roundelay depicted in his Broadway play, \"Closer\" - is a sad-funny-depressing account of two teen-agers' loss of their virginity. And Colin Firth's \"Department of Nothing\" touchingly depicts a young boy's efforts to escape the depressing realities of his everyday life by immersing himself in the make-believe world of his ailing grandmother's stories. Bookended with these coming-of-age tales are four stories about midlife crises. \"PMQ\" by Robert Harris, the author of the best seller \"Fatherland,\" is a humorous little tale that works a satirical variation on the Audrey Hepburn-Gregory Peck movie \"Roman Holiday,\" recounting the adventures of a British prime minister (not a princess, as in the film), who goes AWOL from his job. And \"The Slave\" by Roddy Doyle is a masterly monologue that uses the author's pitch-perfect ear for how people talk to limn a man's sudden apprehension of vulnerability and loss - all brought on by his discovery of a dead rat on his kitchen floor. Hornby's \"NippleJesus\" traces a security guard's new appreciation for the politics of aesthetics, galvanized by his latest assignment, guarding a controversial painting from vandals, while \"Walking Into the Wind\" by John O'Farrell looks at an aging mime artist's efforts to stay true to his profession, even as his friends all start climbing the corporate ladder. The trouble with \"Walking Into the Wind\" is that it radiates a sour disdain for its hero, who is made out to be a vain, boastful fellow, self-deluding and self-righteous in the extreme. This narrator is too easy to dislike, and as a result the plot twists seem less like plausible developments than simple payback for his sins. A similar problem afflicts Helen Fielding's \"Luckybitch\" and Irvine Welsh's \"Catholic Guilt (You Know You Love It\"), two flimsy fictions that feature a rich floozy and a homophobic barfly, characters for whom the authors, and consequently the reader, feel nothing but facile contempt. http://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/06/arts/06KAKU.html"}, {"response": 1975, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (14:36)", "body": "Paper chains or... You pick, especially given our budding author's usage of the word 'pants'!! ;-) From Ananova: Robbie models his underpants for Comic Relief Robbie Williams and other celebrities have showed off their pants on the catwalk to launch the Comic Relief Red Nose Day campaign. The theme of this year's charity extravaganza is underwear and has the slogan \"Say Pants to Poverty\". Fans of Williams will be able to get their hands on the singer's black tiger briefs - made famous in the Rock DJ video - in a charity auction. He will also be selling his bed to the highest bidder to raise money for Comic Relief. At today's launch in central London, Williams said: \"If you read the tabloids you will know what action that bed has had, 10 out of 10 if you know what I mean.\" Williams was joined on the catwalk by other celebrities including TV chef Jamie Oliver and comedians Lenny Henry and Jack Dee, who all modelled their pants over their trousers, raising laughs from the audience. More than 300 celebrities will be taking part in this year's Comic Relief Red Nose Day on Friday March 16, including Billy Connolly, Graham Norton, Ali G and Jonathan Ross. Connolly will abandon his pants and be seen dancing naked around the statue of Eros in London's Piccadilly Circus. The trademark Red Nose, which will be sold in branches of Sainsbury's, has this year been designed by award-winning animators Aardman - creators of Wallace and Grommit."}, {"response": 1976, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (14:47)", "body": "Pics of above here: http://www.ananova.com/entertainment/story/sm_198591.html?menu=entertainment.latestheadlines It's not as obnoxious as it sounds, except if the chosen garment are Jockey's."}, {"response": 1977, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (14:51)", "body": "HERE THEY GO AGAIN! After all those years, they still make headlines in popular media! Daily Express (UK), Tuesday, February 6, 2001 Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle's steamy romance voted greatest affair on TV How Mr Darcy is still stirring passions of viewers With their cute one-liners, unrelenting love and obstacle-filled path to happiness, viewers could be forgiven for selecting Ross and Rachel from Friends as television's greatest ever romance. But as Valentine's Day draws near, the image of dark, brooding Darcy's sizzling liaison with Elizabeth Bennet in the 1995 adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice has walked off with the accolade for greatest small screen lovers. From the moment Elizabeth, played by JE, sets eyes on the water-soaked Darcy, played by CF, she - and millions of female viewers - were hooked. That Firth and his on-screen lover went on to enjoy a year-long real-life romance added to their allure and to the relationship being voted the greatest ever TV love affair. Fans logged on to the Radio Times website to choose the BBS's steamy version of Austen's prim classic romance. CF said he did not object to being constantly reminded of the series he made six years ago. \"It's not something I'm uncomfortable with,\" he said. \"I thought it was fantastic, all that stuff about being a heart-throb.\" Ms Ehle agreed. \"I thought I was the luckiest person in the world to spend an entire summer playing EB,\" she said. \"Being on location opposite somebody is incredibly conducive to falling in love.\" Television producers strive to find the right chemistry and to make their leading men and women compatible. Viewers decided the formula of Austen's classic words and Firth's smouldering screen presence had worked perfectly. [colour photo: publicity still from P&P: Darcy and Lizzy posing together in the sunny gardens of Pemberley]"}, {"response": 1978, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (15:51)", "body": "\"That Firth and his on-screen lover went on to enjoy a year-long real-life romance added to their allure and to the relationship being voted the greatest ever TV love affair.\" Ug...I'm resigned ...it's going to be part of their obit... However, she also said in a later interview: \"I would never do it again[romance with a co-star] ... it's not worth it . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thanks for all the terrific reviews of SWTA. Though I hope \"authorship\" doesn't go to ODB's head. He does little anough acting as it is... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I sent my request to Oprah today (I wuz the Tuesday person...who's next?) http://www.oprah.com/email/reach/email_reach_suggest.html"}, {"response": 1979, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (15:52)", "body": "sorry....closed"}, {"response": 1980, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (16:50)", "body": "she also said in a later interview: \"I would never do it again[romance with a co-star] ...it's not worth it. If only planning one's emotional c.v. were as easy..."}, {"response": 1981, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (18:13)", "body": "I think there should be a poll about why there are so many polls.;-) Loved the NY Times review; you're right, Murph, Michiko can be brutally tough, so this is high praise indeed.:-)"}, {"response": 1982, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (18:36)", "body": "From Publisher's Weekly: A virtual who's who of the latest literary guard, this anthology bristles with the crackly talent and confidence of both the newly and the already fabulous. Included are Hornby himself, Melissa Bank, Dave Eggers, Helen Fielding and Zadie Smith, as well as veteran favorites Roddy Doyle and Irvine Welsh. Every story is told in the first person, and the voices are consistent, fresh, particular. Though some tales veer toward the trendy side of topical, each one surprises and entertains. Eggers's \"After I Was Thrown in the River and Before I Drowned\" is told by a pit bull whose anthropomorphized sensibilities and phraseology are quite lovely. Patrick Marber treads on familiar turf in \"Peter Shelley,\" a defloration/coming-of-age story told in a blend of irreverence and awe that seems new. In \"Last Requests,\" Giles Smith imagines some moments in the career of a Death Row chef who does her best to satisfy the inmates' final culinary wants. And Roddy Doyle further ennobles his reputation with \"The Slave,\" in which a anxious, literate, working-class father suffers a mid-life reckoning with a large dead rat in his kitchen. None of these 12 stories disappoints. (Feb. 6) Forecast: An imaginative cover--featuring painted doll-like ceramic busts of the contributors--will catch browsers' eyes, as will Hornby's name at the top of the jacket. The should sell snappily if prominently displayed, and perhaps more so if it becomes known that some portion of the profits will go to TreeHouse, a British school for autistic children's."}, {"response": 1983, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (21:10)", "body": "An imaginative cover--featuring painted doll-like ceramic busts of the contributors--will catch browsers' eyes Pffft...I must've missed Roger Moore's story! ;-D Thanks for sharing the reviews, Karen & Murph."}, {"response": 1984, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (22:04)", "body": "Good to hear those favourable SWTA reviews from across the pond. Thought the bust rather resembled a Subutteo figure who'd seen better days or had kicked one too many goals against '1989 Arsenal'! Sorry to back track a little but re SLOW enlightenment: Mari -As a noted Firthist once said of SLOW, \"it is not an artistic achievement.\";-) Agreed - but then neither was Playmaker...but I daresay if we rewind enough times we can probably find some good in anything ;-D SLOW for me is a feel-good piece, all that wonderful Mediterranean sunshire - just the right kind of thing to cheer up a dull winter's day. As a noted Firthist once said of SLOW, \"it is not an artistic achievement.\";-)"}, {"response": 1985, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (22:50)", "body": "I daresay if we rewind enough times we can probably find some good in anything ;-D Methinks even that reverently quoted noted Firthist would agree with that... ;-)"}, {"response": 1986, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  7, 2001 (14:37)", "body": "Another review of SWTA from AnneR, who also points out that Colin's name is mentioned twice without any sort of recognition by the author as to who he is: Tuesday, February 6, 2001 A HIGH-FIDELITY COLLECTION FROM NICK HORNBY by DAVID DALEY of The Hartford Courant This being an interview with Nick Hornby, it only seems appropriate to start with a Top 5 list, just as the music-obsessed fan-boys love to do in his novel \"High Fidelity,\" which John Cusack made into a film last year. So here are the five most popular writers with a new short story included in \"Speaking With the Angel\" (Riverhead, $12), a Hornby-edited collection in stores today that's a benefit for autism education (not including Hornby himself, who also chips in a story): Zadie Smith, who wrote last year's most acclaimed first novel, \"White Teeth.\" Dave Eggers, author of last year's splendid memoir \"A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius.\" Irvine Welsh, of \"Trainspotting\" fame. Helen Fielding, the equally list-obsessed Brit behind \"Bridget Jones' Diary.\" And Melissa Bank, whose \"Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing\" earned more than a few Fielding comparisons on its way up the bestseller list. \"I wanted to approach people whose work I liked. There's no one in the book whose work I don't like,\" says Hornby from his London home. \"But cynically -- though sincerely -- I'm also looking to raise large amounts of cash. So I also approached people whose work I like that sold worldwide to lots of people!\" The charities benefiting from \"Speaking With the Angel\" are TreeHouse and the New York Child Learning Institute, small but acclaimed schools for severely autistic children. Hornby's own son, Danny, is a student at TreeHouse, a London school that he and his ex-wife had a hand in founding, with other parents, when none of the British public school programs seemed to offer any hope or help. Hornby hopes this book might help raise enough money so that TreeHouse can expand to teach more children, or that its model might be used by other parents to start their own school. The title of the book comes from a particularly beautiful song on Ron Sexsmith's 1995 self-titled debut, which goes in part, \"He in the name of love, He in the blood of the lamb/He that never lays blame, he don't even know his name/So leave him alone, set him free/'Cause he's speaking with the angel.\" \"I bought that album when it came out, and we didn't have the diagnosis yet,\" says Hornby. \"It wasn't until after that when I realized what the song was all about. It always stayed in my mind as a great title if I was ever to actually do anything about it.\" It was another singer -- U2's Bono -- who unintentionally nearly stopped the project cold. Hornby was reading an interview with Bono in The Guardian that suggested the rock star's efforts have helped reduce Third World debt by more than $100 billion. \"That made me think twice,\" Hornby says. \"He's using his influence to get rid of Third World debt. I'm trying to raise a few quid for my son's school. There's a difference in moral tone here. \"It's a peculiar thing to do,\" he says, \"drag people in to a charity from whence one's own son might benefit. I've been doing lots of moral mathematics about why I wanted to do it. It comes down to this: It is a great cause. It's a little cause, but a great cause.\" And in the end, he says, it's a fair trade: People get a dozen stories by some of their favorite writers for the $12. Hornby not only picked the contributors -- which also include Colin Firth, Roddy Doyle and John O'Farrell -- but set a loose theme for the writers. \"What I asked for was anything written in a first-person voice that was not their own,\" he explains. And looking at them now, he sees some loose similarities. \"They all have jokes in them, but they're also all reasonably bleak. I guess that's like me.\" \"After I Was Thrown in the River and Before I Drowned\" is the title of Eggers' story. It's an ode to action and activity and bravery, to getting out and doing things and making muscles pulsate, one that chides carping critics. The hero is a drag-racing dog named Steven who loves to race the other dogs along a dangerous woodsy obstacle course. Meanwhile, a group of squirrels provides tut-tutting commentary, in the vein of gymnastics commentators or political pundits. \"If she were a better jumper this would not have happened.\" \"She made a bad landing. Because her landing was bad, I am angry.\" Bank returns to the trendy Williamsburg neighborhood in Brooklyn for \"The Wonder Spot,\" with a new couple negotiating their first party together, feeling out what it's like to be the other person's boyfriend or girlfriend in public, all surrounded by friends and exes and landmines. Patrick Marber, in \"Peter Shelley,\" covers first-time ground as well, with high schoolers having their first relationship to the tune of the Buzzcocks, so much so that the girl even introduces her new mate to mom as Shelley, the band's singer. Hornby laughs at the suggest"}, {"response": 1987, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb  7, 2001 (15:51)", "body": "who also points out that Colin's name is mentioned twice without any sort of recognition by the author as to who he is : [my bolds] The article assumes, of course, he's a writer...and in mighty heavy company too...Marber, Harris. With all this author publicity maybe it's was"}, {"response": 1988, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb  7, 2001 (20:16)", "body": "Continued from the JN Topic #143 Re: \"Gosford Park\" which stars every living breathing British actor. Where's Colin, oh I give up!! Wot? You want him lost in that menagerie? He'd be listed waaay down. Uh, uh. Lower than third down is unacceptable, IMO. He's not a newbie. Rather have him on television."}, {"response": 1989, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Feb  7, 2001 (21:19)", "body": "Evelyn, yes I would have liked to see him in this, if it is good enough for JN and Jude Law then it's good enough for Colin. In fact I would love to see him in something pretty soon, when he wasn't in Armadillo I had hoped there was a good reason, a high profile project but sadly it doesn't look like it. I hope it's his choice and not because he is not getting offers and who on earth told him to lose weight, all those flabby bits are going to show up on the big screen, bring on the polo necks I say. I hate to say it but I am having my doubts about BJD, the film will be wonderful but what was wrong with Colin as he was, why on earth did he need to lose weight he will only look gaunt on the big screen and I can just hear the critics, poor Colin. Sorry about the moan, I feel better now!!!"}, {"response": 1990, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  7, 2001 (22:07)", "body": "(Ann) Where's Colin, oh I give up!! I think Mari's guess of S. California for the months of Jan-Feb (and maybe beyond) is right on the money. Sure, I'd love to see him in Altman's ensemble cast, but I fear JN got the part that would've suited Colin. :-( You would think he's lining something up that starts work in March, but then again, maybe he's writing at the beach...."}, {"response": 1991, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb  7, 2001 (23:42)", "body": "I think Mari's guess of S. California for the months of Jan-Feb (and maybe beyond) is right on the money. Disney opens a new park tomorrow in Anaheim... (Karen)I'd love to see him in Altman's ensemble cast, but I fear JN got the part that would've suited Colin. Told ya' ....he's Colin's #1 competition. Who knows, maybe he's around more."}, {"response": 1992, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb  8, 2001 (00:01)", "body": "You would think he's lining something up that starts work in March, but then again, maybe he's writing at the beach.... Yeah! Like picking up some more of the 10 year old's slang. ;-))"}, {"response": 1993, "author": "AnneR", "date": "Thu, Feb  8, 2001 (02:25)", "body": "This week's issue of New York magazine has this review highlighting its \"The Mix\" section. It includes a reproduction of the book's American cover. About a Book The most surprising thing about Speaking With the Angel (Riverhead, $12), an anthology of first-person short stories by hip, mostly British, critics' darlings, isn't that actor Colin Firth is suddenly a published writer (and, it seems, a good one), or that Dave Eggers's contribution is told from a dog's perspective. It's that the collection, culled and edited by High Fidelity author Nick Hornby, is a charity project. Hornby, however, doesn't really want you to talk about that. \"I think there are so many shitty charity books published,\" he says from his London home. \"I'd much rather the book stand on its own, really.\" Four years ago, Hornby's wife helped found a London school, TreeHouse, for severely autistic children like their 7-year-old son, Danny. The school--which doesn't yet have its own premises--receives \ufffd1 for every copy sold in Britain and $1 from every sale Stateside (a school in Queens also gets $1 from U.S. sales). \"I don't want to be Mr. Autism, but I don't want to deny that it ev r happened,\" says Hornby. Most of the authors Hornby contacted happily wrote stories, and many of those who couldn't, including J.K. Rowling, contributed money. \"There was a time when I thought I wasn't even going to have to publish the damn book,\" Hornby says, \"that I'd just get donations from rich writers and that would do it.\" Hornby, whose own work has gone from pop comedies about soccer and music to more circumspect work (About a Boy and the forthcoming How To Be Good), concedes that his son's condition has affected his professional life in other ways. \"It's made it harder for me to write unalloyed pop culture that's unattached, feckless,\" he says. \"I don't know that I can manage much more of it. I don't feel unattached and feckless.\" Anne R"}, {"response": 1994, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb  8, 2001 (04:53)", "body": "(Evelyn) Disney opens a new park tomorrow in Anaheim... LOL, Evelyn you read my nasty thoughts! Hey, betcha PopPop Calley gets them VIP tickets.:-) (Anne) actor Colin Firth is suddenly a published writer (and, it seems, a good one) Thanks for finding and sharing all these good reviews, Anne! They're a pleasure to read."}, {"response": 1995, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb  8, 2001 (13:50)", "body": "Ooh, love the lovely new CF pic on the Drool main page. Yummmm! (Evelyn) Disney opens a new park tomorrow in Anaheim... (Mari) LOL, Evelyn you read my nasty thoughts! Hey, betcha PopPop Calley gets them VIP tickets.:-) *snicker* Think Evie may be onto something. In a time when every living, breathing actor from anywhere on the planet Earth is being cast in anything pre-strike hysteria-ridden H'wood can drum up, ODB is not working. Think he's in La-la land writing fiction, doing press-ups and twiddling his thumbs until BJD opens and he's 'discovered'. Thanks again for sharing the reviews, Anne. Think David Daley has no idea who CF is (wadda they know in Hartford ;-))."}, {"response": 1996, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  8, 2001 (14:52)", "body": "(Eileen) Think David Daley has no idea who CF is (wadda they know in Hartford ;-)). At least DD prefaced his name with 'actor.' But that first sentence of his??? When you take out the glop, you get this: \"The most surprising thing about Speaking With the Angel...isn't that actor Colin Firth is suddenly a published writer (and, it seems, a good one)...\" So DD isn't surprised that CF is writer but he apparently hasn't even read the story. Thanks, Anne, for digging up all the reviews. Interesting that a portion of the US proceeds are going to a similar venture. We are near the end of this topic. Message 1999 will be the last. A new topic has been set up at: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/143/new"}, {"response": 1997, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb  8, 2001 (15:26)", "body": "(Karen) At least DD prefaced his name with 'actor.' I was talking about the earlier review, in which CF was named twice without any reference to him (his? *cue grammer police*) being an actor, not a writer. I liked the NY magazine preface (author not listed), with or without the glop. ;-)"}, {"response": 1998, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb  9, 2001 (15:34)", "body": "As CF (a) doesn't divide his time between the US-UK for work or (b) wouldn't be considered an up-and-coming or B list actor.... From Popcorn: Brits Set To Cash In On Actors' Strike British actors who are members of the American actors' trade union have been told they will be able to carry on working during the planned strike this June - with provisos. The likes of Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Ralph Fiennes, Vinnie Jones, Helena Bonham Carter, Tim Roth and Gary Oldman all divide their time between Britain and the UK [I expect they meant US], but they will be able to carry on working if... 1 The film is not being shot in America; 2 The film has no American finance; 3 No distribution rights have been pre-sold to US companies. This doesn't mean, however, that American actors will be able to work overseas, so don't expect to see Tom Cruise popping up in a low-budget British gangster pic that's shooting in Margate this summer. A Hollywood agent tells Screen International that packages are already being put together that utilise foreign talent, which is also great news for up-and-coming, or B-list British actors, who may suddenly find themselves in unprecedented demand."}, {"response": 1999, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb  9, 2001 (15:44)", "body": "A bit more from the source document: One Hollywood agent hinted that packages are already being put together which would fit these criteria and put particular emphasis on the American Film Market later this month as a hotbed of potential deal-making. Clearly US studios are forbidden from buying domestic or territory rights on these films, although there are no stipulations about them buying rights once the strike is over. Cash-rich non-US companies such as Intermedia, StudioCanal, Film Four as well as all the other German entertainment companies and media funds or the UK film franchises suddenly become unprecedentedly significant. And bearing in mind that some of the hottest members of SAG right now are non-US nationals, from Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett and Jude Law to Kate Winslet, Colin Farrell, Javier Bardem, Heath Ledger, Frances O\ufffdConnor and Penelope Cruz, the potential for international movie production looks limitless. Intermedia\ufffds Enigma, recently screened at Sundance, is a clear example of a film made within these parameters. The film was produced and financed by non-US companies (Intermedia, Jagged Films), starring British nationals (Winslet, Dougray Scott, Jeremy Northam et al) and with no US distribution attached. This is officially the last message in this topic To be continued at: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/143/new drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 1345, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 135, "subject": "Geoffrey Rush", "response_count": 6, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (12:10)", "body": "I understand Russell Crowe is something of a Geoffrey Rush fan, particularly of his stage work."}, {"response": 2, "author": "olivannan", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (04:19)", "body": "Hai, My name is Olivanna and i own a internet browsing center. A server is connected to 4 clients. The problem is we can't share some of the benifits through internet. the main thing is we can't share MIRC32 chatting through all the systems. Please give a suggestion to make it work on all the clients. My mailing address in oli_vannan@yahoomail.com Thanking you Yours faithfully olivannan"}, {"response": 3, "author": "meditation", "date": "Fri, Dec  1, 2000 (10:04)", "body": "I am a doctor(MBBS).I am look for user groups in field of genetics."}, {"response": 4, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  1, 2000 (10:12)", "body": "You are in the wrong conference and I'll be deleting the one you just started. Please post your question in the Porch conference. Someone there should be able to help you. Thanks"}, {"response": 5, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  1, 2000 (10:16)", "body": "Go to this place and introduce yourself and ask about the topic you're interested in. There may already be one elsewhere on Spring: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/porch/1"}, {"response": 6, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Dec  9, 2000 (13:56)", "body": "The National Board of Review Awards \"Ten Best Films of 2000\" 1. \"Quills\" 2. \"Traffic\" 3. \"Croupier\" 4. \"You Can Count on Me\" 5. \"Billy Elliot\" 6. \"Before Night Falls\" 7. \"Gladiator\" 8. \"Wonder Boys\" 9. \"Sunshine\" 10. \"Dancer in the Dark\" Best Director - Steven Soderbergh, \"Erin Brockovich\" and \"Traffic\" Best Screenplay - Ted Tally, \"All the Pretty Horses\" Best Actor - Javier Bardem, \"Before Night Falls,\" based on the memoirs of Cuban novelist and poet Reinaldo Arenas. Best Actress - Julia Roberts, \"Erin Brockovich\" Best Supporting Actor - Joaquin Phoenix, \"Gladiator,\" \"Quills,\" and \"The Yards\" Best Supporting Actress - Lupe Ontiveros, \"Chuck and Buck\" Best Ensemble - \"State and Main\" Best Documentary - \"The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg\" Best Animated Feature - \"Chicken Run\" Best Foreign Film - \"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,\" Outstanding Achievment in Foreign Film - Krzysztof Kieslowski's \"Decalogue\" Series Breakthrough Performance - Michelle Rodriguez, \"Girlfight\" Outstanding Young Actor - Jamie Bell, \"Billy Elliot\" Outstanding Production Design/Art Direction - \"Gladiator\" Outstanding Dramatic Musical Performance - Bjork, \"Dancer in the Dark.\" Career Achievement Award - Ellen Burstyn Special Filmmaking Achievement - Kenneth Lonergan, who wrote and directed the critical hit \"You Can Count on Me.\" drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 136, "subject": "Odds and Ends - Part 3", "response_count": 1594, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (08:19)", "body": "Have opened new Odds and Ends topic as commanded ;-) Judy/Sadie: Think I may have another option for your discussions. email me for details."}, {"response": 2, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (10:03)", "body": "Good morning everyone! (it is 11am Boston time and just woke up...) Have been reading all the responses, got confused there for a while. Feel like I've been away for a very long time. Karen, did your sister get married yet???? Evelyn, How are you doing???? Arami, miss the sarcastic wit;) Sadie, you crack me up every time I read something your wrote. Mari, I came thisclose to seeing the Invention of Love in Phila. Went to NYC instead. (what was I thinking???) Am still trying to drag mother to NYC, but my aunt is dying so it's difficult. (Mom's younger sister, breast cancer metastisized. Bad situation all around.) I WILL see The Real Thing before it closes in two short weeks *sigh*. Donna, interested in going with a complete stranger if I drive up for day???? (Um, I will try to find a cheap hotel:)) Anyway, I've missed you guys. The BJD board has been quiet (with news). Karen, your BJD board on the Bucket is awesome!!!!! Keep up the GREAT Work. Oh and on a private note, am dating!!!! Dating a man named Bill who is not 52;) He's 33. Lives in same state as me and is an incredible human being. (My daughter, Rebecca likes him a lot, and his 5 year old son likes me a lot!!! and that is a good!) I survived the *N'sync concert a week ago at Foxboro Stadium with daughter and 16 year old. (I'm glutton for punishment???) My 9 yo. screamed bloody murder, thought CF was around:))))) Well this is a long enough ramble. Really missed you guys!!!!"}, {"response": 3, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (14:23)", "body": "Judy/Sadie: Think I may have another option for your discussions. email me for details. Which discussion? I've enjoyed reading it all and would hate to miss a minute of something. Laura, glad you found yourself a new feller."}, {"response": 4, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (14:50)", "body": "From London Theatre Newsletter: \"Hinds to star in ITV Hardy drama Ciaran Hinds is to star in a new ITV two-part adaptation of Thomas Hardy's The Mayor of Casterbridge. He will play Michael Henchard, the central character, and his daughter Elizabeth-Jane will be played by Jhodi May. Filming starts in August and it is hoped that the drama will be broadcast over the Christmas period.\" [Another Christmas special with Jhodi May....how lucky can you get??] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ \"My editor has suggested that I create some pages devoted to classic British actors, people like Olivier, Richardson, Redgrave, Gielgud. So I'm doing so. It never ceases to amaze me how few sites there are devoted to these greats of British theatre. There's Mary Murphy's superb Olivier page (see http://britishtheatre.about.com/msub11o.htm ), of course, but otherwise there's nothing to write home about, so I'm happy to follow his editorness's suggestion\" [We're proud of you Murph!!!]"}, {"response": 5, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Jul 30, 2000 (20:31)", "body": "(LauraMM) Donna, interested in going with a complete stranger if I drive up for day???? (Um, I will try to find a cheap hotel:)) Sure, but I have to warn you. I don't kiss on the first date :-)"}, {"response": 6, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (01:10)", "body": "Welcome back Laura! Glad to hear you've met someone! Karen, I didn't even notice that message board had reached the end! That's great news about Ciaran Hinds, Evelyn. Wasn't he fantastic in Hostages and Persuasion!... not to mention handsome, which an actor ought to likewise be if he can help it. And Olivier remains my original fave great actor. (Although, may I be so bold as to suggest that ODB made a better Darcy. Of course, Olivier didn't have much script to work with. Still there's no Hamlet like Larry.) Way to go, Murph!"}, {"response": 7, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (11:37)", "body": "(Donna) Sure, but I have to warn you. I don't kiss on the first date :-) Don't think the new beau would go for the lesbianism thing, even though it is en vogue;) I really HAVE to see The Real Thing!!! I mean, I HAVE to;)"}, {"response": 8, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (14:16)", "body": "BTW Karen I did e-mail as requested. Sadie I have to agree about CF making a better Darcy than LO but I would love an opportunity to compare them as Hamlet,but CF did Hamlet at drama school didn't he? (Donna) I don't kiss on first date.LOL. Laura you'll have to tell us if thats true.I think this on line romance is sweet.BTW Laura I've not said hello I'm a new addition to drool."}, {"response": 9, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (14:32)", "body": "(Judy) Sadie I have to agree about CF making a better Darcy than LO but I would love an opportunity to compare them as Hamlet,but CF did Hamlet at drama school didn't he? Yes he did! And that would have been amazing to see. Hamlet is my fave. Fell madly in love with Olivier during time was studying the play in school. And wasn't he sensational as Maxim de Winter? He was also adorable in The Divorce of Lady X and fantastic as Heathcliff. And I thought his performance in Carrie made a so-so film into something compelling. Was v. disappointed with P&P; I did think his technique showed through too much (which he's acknowledged about his performances in his bio)and he played Darcy as overly fastidious. Imagine if Vivien Leigh had played Elizabeth Bennet? Ooh dear, I fear this has been discussed already? CF is first performer that doesn't go all wimpy after Darcy is rejected."}, {"response": 10, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (14:48)", "body": "I was never really struck with his performance as D & never really understood the fuss made about it and because of this why CF was worried about comparisons being made(Obviously CF was worried he thought everyone loved LO as D-he didn't know that I didn't LOL at own joke)They changed too much in the LO version to ever really consider it as good interpretation of the book but it was still enjoyable and I know & love the book too well to be able not to nit-pick.I would never get rid of my copy though and I always love to see D&E kiss !"}, {"response": 11, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (14:56)", "body": "Yes, I think LO's D remains one of those \"if onlys\". If only the script had been better, if only LO wanted to be in that film, and would quit sulking because VL wasn't Elizabeth, if only we Americans hadn't turned it into English Accents meet Little Women! Well, I better get back to work! Boss just gave me a look. Am not searching for new boyfriend, but sure would like new job! See ya later, Judy. It's been a lot of fun. Hope you others out there are not confused. It really is not the Sadie & Judy show. It's just that no one else was posting."}, {"response": 12, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Jul 31, 2000 (15:00)", "body": "I didn't realise that you were at work I'm sat at homefeet up,coffee in one hand,chocolate in other and typing with nose! Don't work too hard bye"}, {"response": 13, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (06:03)", "body": "NEW YORK (Variety) - ``American Beauty'' director Sam Mendes has set Dougray Scott, who played the villain in ``Mission: Impossible 2,'' to star in ``To the Green Fields and Beyond,'' a play to run this fall at Donmar Warehouse in London. While Hollywood has been wondering what Mendes will do for his second film since his first won five Oscars, Mendes decided early on that he would first do a play at the Donmar Warehouse, where he's the artistic director. In his last project there, he directed ``The Blue Room'' with Nicole Kidman. Mendes had been expected to mount a production of Shakespeare's ``Twelfth Night,'' but changed his mind when he came across Nick Whitby's ``Green Fields'' play, which revolves around a British tank corps fighting in France during WWI. Scott has signed on to play the role of Lt. Child, with Ray Winstone (``Nil by Mouth'') also expected to star in the production. Rehearsals begin Wednesday, and the play will open in late September and run through Nov. 25. While ``The Blue Room'' was hatched at Donmar and played Broadway, it's unclear whether this one would cross the pond as well. Scott, who, like Mendes, is looking at several possibilities for his next film, recently completed starring with Kate Winslet and Saffron Burrows in ``Enigma,'' the Michael Apted-directed drama produced by Mick Jagger. His last stint on the London stage came in 1993 in ``Unidentified Human Remains and the True Nature of Love.'' Mendes has not committed to his next film project, though he has been working closely with ``Get Shorty'' scribe Scott Frank in developing ``The Lookout,'' an original thriller by Frank, at DreamWorks. ****** I read yesterday that Robert Carlyle turned down a role in this play."}, {"response": 14, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (07:50)", "body": "Read that too, but which part. Had read about Winstone *starring* in this play weeks ago."}, {"response": 15, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (07:51)", "body": "Was just thinking, if the Donmar thought it had a mob scene in the lobby for Colin or even Nicole Kidman, wait till it sees what Dougray Scott brings in!!"}, {"response": 16, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (09:10)", "body": "Wasn't exactly \"Darcy Drool\" material... ;-) The Independent: Walks on the Wild Side, No. 6, Ilam Park Derbyshire July 29, 2000 In a series of walks with literary associations, Christina Hardyment ventures out in Mr Darcy's Pemberley IF YOU want to see the lake into which Colin Firth hurled himself in his BBC TV role as Pride and Prejudice's Mr Darcy, you will have to go to Lyme Park in Cheshire, the house used in the filming. However, if you want to find the place that in all probability inspired Jane Austen's description of Pemberley, go to Ilam Park (just north of Ashbourne), for it was in Derbyshire that Elizabeth first laid eyes on Pemberley. She had been touring in search of the picturesque with her aunt and uncle when she saw the house, built \"on rising ground and backed with a ridge of high woods\". Jane Austen endowed Pemberley with a 10-mile \"circuit walk\", and described its views, hanging woods and glen-like qualities in detail (chapter 43). In Jane Austen and The English Landscape, Mavis Batey points out that just such a walk exists along the river Manifold at Ilam. Jane Austen could well have visited it in 1806, when she stayed for five weeks with her cousins, the Coopers, at Hamstall Ridware, eight miles south of Ilam and Dovedale. To enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Manifold Valley yourself, park in the National Trust car park at Ilam and cross the terraced garden to a gate, which gives access to a path through the trees and down to the river. Turn right along the river on \"Paradise Walk\" and continue along the river until you get to River Lodge, where a penny toll is charged to cross a private garden. Mr Gardiner dawdled in this spot to admire the trout before he turned back, but you could do what Elizabeth longed to do and continue exploring. Turn left on the road, then right up a track, keeping left of Castern Hall, and then turning left again on a footpath that follows the contour line high above steep hanging woods and has fine views in both directions. Where the path joins Larkstone Lane, turn left down to the river, cross it at Weag's Bridge and follow it upstream along the Manifold Way, which was once a Light Railway line. Izaak Walton, author of The Compleat Angler, much enjoyed fishing in the Manifold, as well as the nearby (and now very crowded) Dovedale. Cross the river again to climb steps to the dramatic yawning mouth of Thor's Cave. At this point much of the river disappears through swallow holes, reappearing close to Ilam Park. In 1779 Dr Johnson and Boswell visited Ilam to see the egress of the river after its then much-famed underground passage through Thor's Cave. However, despite the gardener's use of corks in order to demonstrate the wonder, Johnson declared himself unimpressed. Follow the footpath up hill to the attractive little village of Wetton. Turn right after the church and go straight on along Ashbourne Lane until it turns into a track called Stable Lane. There are several well-signed footpath options back to Castern Hall and Ilam, where the National Trust has a restaurant."}, {"response": 17, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (12:19)", "body": "Karen I can highly recommend this area, Manifold & Dovedale are indeed very beauiful plus have the added bonus of being near the other Pemberley- Sudbury."}, {"response": 18, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (14:30)", "body": "Thanks for article on Sam Mendes, Mari. I loved American Beauty. Wish I could see \"Green Fields\" at the Donmar. Wonder who else will be in it? And thank you, Karen. I've often wondered what place may have inspired Austen's descriptions of Pemberley's grounds. Another place to visit added to my list! So you know this area well Judy, lucky woman. If I ever get back across the Atlantic, I want to tour around there."}, {"response": 19, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (15:12)", "body": "Don't remember if the previous posting had this information about who was playing opposite Dudley Doright in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof but it's Rachel Weisz. Am really gagging now (although Fraser does have the bod to play Brick a former jock type)"}, {"response": 20, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (15:20)", "body": "Captain Corelli damned as racist by novel model July 30, 2000 4:18 PM EDT LONDON (Reuters) - An Italian war veteran, regarded as the model for the hero in the bestselling novel ``Captain Corelli's Mandolin,'' Saturday condemned the book as a racist smear on the Greek resistance. ``To speak of the Greeks as barbarians, who killed for the sake of killing, is not only wrong and unjust, it is pandering to racism,'' Captain Amos Pampaloni, 89, told Britain's Guardian newspaper. Louis de Bernieres' novel, set on the Greek island of Cephalonia in World War Two, has sold 1.5 million copies worldwide and is now being made into a film with Nicolas Cage as Captain Corelli. The Italian war veteran bears many similarities to the book's hero -- he was a captain in the artillery regiment, had an affair with a local girl, played a leading role in the decision to attack the Germans and was shot and left for dead. Pampaloni, who now lives in Florence, told the paper: ``The picture painted of the Greek partisans is unacceptable and completely wrong.'' In an e-mail sent to The Guardian, Louis de Bernieres denied -- despite the similarities -- that Corelli the fictional hero was inspired by Pampaloni."}, {"response": 21, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (15:22)", "body": "(Karen) Don't remember if the previous posting had this information about who was playing opposite Dudley Doright in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof but it's Rachel Weisz. No way! A 3rd pairing for these 2? What are they calling it, Mummy On A Hot Tin Roof?;-);-)"}, {"response": 22, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (15:47)", "body": "Oops, I may have misread this then: Fraser's 'Mummy' co-star, Rachel Weisz, has already appeared in a Williams play in the West End, starring in 'Suddenly Last Summer'last year. ******** I guess they were pointing out the coincidence. Otherwise, no relevance. Forget I wrote that. ********* That Corelli thing just won't go away. Wonder if Greek-Americans will boycott or picket the movie here!"}, {"response": 23, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (16:06)", "body": "``To speak of the Greeks as barbarians, who killed for the sake of killing, is not only wrong and unjust, it is pandering to racism,'' Captain Amos Pampaloni, 89, told Britain's Guardian newspaper. Louis de Bernieres' novel, set on the Greek island of Cephalonia in World War Two, has sold 1.5 million copies worldwide and is now being made into a film with Nicolas Cage as Captain Corelli. Am surprised Mel Gibson didn't leap at chance to play him! But guess he was too busy slamming the English in \"The Patriot\"."}, {"response": 24, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (17:17)", "body": "Karen, muchos gracias for that Derbyshire info it'll come in v. handy in a week or so's time as I am heading up there (thanks to you Judy, I found a place to stay in Monyash) and a visit to Lyme is definitely on the cards as is a wander on the Peaks!"}, {"response": 25, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (17:27)", "body": "Great news Tracy you'll love it.I'll try & stay around to talk but I keep getting an internal server error message & I can't get back in!"}, {"response": 26, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (17:36)", "body": "Judy - Sorry to hear that, I'll be online for a little while yet. Yes, it was good to get things organised, wasn't sure whether we'd left it a little late to get into anywhere with character but this place fits the bill, a lovely stone cottage with \"spectacular views\" so am really looking forward to it. It's taken our minds off things as you can imagine - tomorrow afternoon we say the final goodbye - and I think the break will do us good (I've persuaded Mum & Dad to join me). May have missed something on the boards recently but did you get to see Jerry maguire? What did you think to La Zellweger (or however you spell it)?"}, {"response": 27, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (17:47)", "body": "Tracy I'm glad to hear you're going away with your mum & dad I think its what you need at such a sad time and you'll be in my thoughts tomorrow. Yes I saw JM,I posted on 131.I really enjoyed her performance even though I couldn't get into the film. I've no qualms about her playing BJ.Sadie & Mari have recommended another of her films which I'm going to try & find."}, {"response": 28, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (18:01)", "body": "Thanks for those kind words. I also found JM a bit slow and probably wouldn't have bothered to watch but for the RZ curiosity factor as I have absolutely no interst in sports and sports related things....(except for a fleeting dalliance with rugby..which strangely coincided with Will Carling being England's captain *sigh, swoon*..this was PC (pre Colin) I hasten to add and I have of course renounced this fancy having seen the error of my ways:-D"}, {"response": 29, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (18:10)", "body": "Will Carling oh how could you he's a naughty boy!My dalliance was with Stefan Edberg strictly PC as well."}, {"response": 30, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (18:13)", "body": "Do you think the others will forgive our trespasses?? We were young, we were crayzee and we didn't know any better! Completely different topic going back to Derbyshire and P&P locations, do you (or anyone esle for that matter) recall the scene where Lizzy was climbing 'in the Peaks' and was standing admiring the view standing next to a rock that looked to me like a top hat....where is that?"}, {"response": 31, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug  1, 2000 (18:25)", "body": "I think it was around the Mam Tor area but on the two occasions we tried to climb it we were turned back by bad weather.When it was first shown I rackedmy brains over that and that was the only place I could think of.D/shire is divided into the Dark Peak (Lyme is on the outskirts of this & Mam Tor is in it) and the White Peak which has gentler more picturesque scenery & that scene reminded me of the Dark Peak.I am prepared to be disagreed with on this matter though."}, {"response": 32, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (07:24)", "body": "FEATURE-Hollywood hits strike zone By Dave McNary and Dan Cox HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - They may not admit it publicly, but studio chiefs all over Hollywood have become terrified in recent weeks that the Screen Actors Guild or the Writers Guild of America -- or both -- will be on strike next June 30 when the SAG contract lapses. As a result, they're stockpiling films and scripts to make sure they won't be left without any product for 2001 and beyond. Hollywood has become even more of a workaholics' paradise. Calls are returned promptly, meetings start on time and projects that had been abandoned to development hell for years have been dusted off for serious reconsideration. The industry has rarely seen a two-pronged union convergence like this. And with a 2002 contract expiration for the Directors Guild of America -- regarded by many as the industry's most powerful union -- showbiz could be hit with a crippling one-two punch that means no stars, no scripts and most importantly, no new films or TV shows for a long time. It could slam-dunk the entire industry: Certainly agents would be hard hit, but the trickle-down effect would KO income for everyone from below-the-line workers to caterers. A strike would have global implications as well, considering the amount of product for film and TV that the U.S. sends overseas. Adding further worry is what many perceive as growing disunity among the corporate owners of studios as shown in Walt Disney Co.'s persistent sniping at the AOL-Time Warner merger. In the meantime, some see the strike concern as a great opportunity. Aware that the studios are sweating, agents and managers are stepping up the pressure to sign deals soon and salaries are being ratcheted up accordingly. Many union leaders are suspicious that the alarm is merely a negotiating ploy since the studios have made few announcements about shifts in production dates. However, senior execs throughout the biz say that with contracts of three key unions expiring, they firmly believe a shutdown is inevitable. The double whammy of labor unrest has created two unofficial new deadlines: Features must be greenlit by Jan. 1 and into production by March 15. Disney and its studio-based producer Spyglass Entertainment have accelerated production on ``Ring of Fire'' so it can make a 2002 release. ``We're assuming (the strike) is happening,'' said Joe Roth, one-time Disney studio chairman who is now heading up his own production house, Revolution Studios. ``So we're accelerating whatever plans we have. One thing's for sure: It's going to be hard to find a good director of photography in March.'' Newly named Fox Filmed Entertainment chairman Tom Rothman also admitted as much, saying, ``We are working our schedules back from the (supposed) strike date. You have to be sure that you can finish by June 2001. We hope for the best and plan for the worst.'' Sony Pictures chief Amy Pascal agreed. ``We're doing all we can to prepare, and we wouldn't start anything we couldn't finish by June,'' she said. On the TV side, speculation has emerged that high-profile shows may forgo the usual late-spring hiatus after taping 22 episodes and get another six to 10 shows ready for the start of the 2001-02 season, which could leave cast and crew exhausted and angry. ``You'd see a lot of talent being burnt up very quickly,'' said SAG president William Daniels, the driving force behind actors' current strike against advertisers. ``You really need the hiatus,'' added Daniels, who's chalked up years as a regular on such TV series as ``St. Elsewhere'' and ``Boy Meets World.'' ``It's hard enough to do 22 weeks -- so if you do more, you might see a real lowering of artistic standards.'' Daniels and others offered a cocked eye at execs' nolo contendere claims that they're speeding up production. ``Perhaps the studios are just posturing now when they talk about speeding up, or perhaps they know that they're dealing with more determined unions,'' said Daniels. ``We all sincerely hope there won't be a strike next year, because it really would shut down the town and be a tremendous blow to the economy.'' In agreement is John McLean, chief exec of the Writers Guild of America West. His union, which will see its contract expire May 1, has not received financial data on residuals that it needs to formulate its contract proposal. ``I see some gamesmanship in talking about accelerated production,'' added McLean, who formerly negotiated for CBS. ``So it's a little premature for us to be talking about a strike beyond telling members to be prudent about their finances. We have not said there is going to be a strike.'' Already, major and middle-size talent and writer agencies in town are discussing the force majeure clauses in their contracts that would allow them to lay off contracted agents wholesale if necessary. The fast-emerging consensus is that SAG and the American Federation of Television & Radio Artists (AFTRA) will not only go on strike when their joint fil"}, {"response": 33, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (07:43)", "body": "Barkin expected better-than-average markets for sellers at the Toronto and Sundance festivals as distributors look to stock up at relatively low cost. May do some twoferone pricing. So Londinium and other \"on the shelf\" products may find distributors yet! Ha ha!!! We're telling our clients to line up as much work as they can.'' Do you think this will sink in? ;-)"}, {"response": 34, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (08:21)", "body": "(Karen) So Londinium and other \"on the shelf\" products may find distributors yet! Ha ha!!! Am looking into crystal ball. I see actors walking around with signs. I see actors bound together with paper chains--oops, wrong protest. I see FP, SLOW and Londinium playing in cineplexes nationwide. I see MLSF in re-release. I see...I see that I'm getting carried away..."}, {"response": 35, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (09:46)", "body": "I see Tom Cruise, Mel Gibson, Richard Gere, Julia Roberts et al. dressed in chic rags, demonstrating against low salaries...:-D"}, {"response": 36, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (10:15)", "body": "Madame Eileen: Do you see Colin working more than 100 miles from home?"}, {"response": 37, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (10:52)", "body": "This might be a boon for the British Film industry....and give some of our guys some higher profile projects :-) Thanks Mari."}, {"response": 38, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (10:54)", "body": "(Karen) May do some twoferone pricing. So Londinium and other \"on the shelf\" products may find distributors yet! Ha ha!!! Yes, I'm certain the likes of TNT and Lifetime will have their checkbooks at the ready.;-) As for \"thinking ahead\" . . . his peers sure are snapping up major projects left and right. The slates for major studio films set to roll before the cameras in the Fall read like a \"who's who\" of British actors and actresses. Am tempted to say \"smell the coffee,\" but won't.;-) (Eileen) Madame Eileen: Do you see Colin working more than 100 miles from home? PFFT! Therein lies part of the rub . . ."}, {"response": 39, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (15:13)", "body": "Thought this was fun: Survey reveals recipe for greatest ever movie LONDON (Reuters) - A futuristic mafia drama set on a spaceship and starring celluloid greats Humphrey Bogart and Marilyn Monroe would be the greatest movie ever, according to a survey by online retailer Amazon.co.uk. Amazon analysed the genre, plot, stars and film titles in the most popular 100 films in its database in a bid to uncover exactly what makes a great movie. Eight million votes were cast to choose the top 100 movies from the database of almost 240,000 films. Dramas were the most popular genre, with \"The Godfather\" topping the individual movie poll. The perfect plot was found to combine a battle between good and evil with the romantic simplicity of boy meets girl. Hollywood actors such as Harrison Ford, James Stewart and Robert de Niro were voted the most popular male stars after Bogart, with Marilyn Monroe, Diane Keaton and Jodie Foster topping the poll for leading ladies. Finally, when it comes to the title the key is to keep it simple, with two words being the favoured configuration. Think Star Wars, Schindler's List and American Beauty."}, {"response": 40, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (18:40)", "body": "(Evelyn) This might be a boon for the British Film industry....and give some of our guys some higher profile projects :-) Perhaps. It could be. Do you think it will also be a boon for the film industries of other English language speaking countries, as well? Such as Canada (spoken in most provinces) and Australia. Maybe Sam Neill will making films at home in New Zealand. Even the French have started making films in English, to better appeal to the international market."}, {"response": 41, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (22:45)", "body": "(Eileen)Am looking into crystal ball. I see actors walking around with signs. I see actors bound together with paper chains--oops, wrong protest. I see FP, SLOW and Londinium playing in cineplexes nationwide. I see MLSF in re-release. I see...I see that I'm getting carried away... LOL! Might as well dream big! (Karen) Madame Eileen: Do you see Colin working more than 100 miles from home? (Mari) PFFT! Therein lies part of the rub . . . But perhaps he won't have to. Film industry will go where it can make films. Surely London would be one of the prime candidates if Hollywood shuts down? Will big studios not find way to pump monies into foreign productions & stars?"}, {"response": 42, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (22:47)", "body": "(Karen) Judy/Sadie: Think I may have another option for your discussions. email me for details. Karen, up until now, my email has been shared & accessible by boyfriend (that's the reason why I've never been able to list my email address here, as Drool is my secret!)Since we split up, I've still let him login to check his messages. ANd cannot use email at work, as they monitor it! But I am moving and will be setting up new email address soon. And it's about time, as it's been a real drag to not be able to exchange email messages here. Am very curious about discussion options, and will email you as soon as I'm set up --- thanks for suggesting this. I'm moving in a few days so you may not hear from me for a little while. :-)"}, {"response": 43, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (23:19)", "body": "No need to apologize, Sadie. As regular posters, both you and Judy should be aware of our backup facilities, with their other amenities. Sorry to hear about the breakup. Try looking into any of the free web-based email services. BTW, Judy, I haven't received anything from you."}, {"response": 44, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (04:18)", "body": "That's a v. good idea, Karen. Do you recommend Yahoo?"}, {"response": 45, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (04:29)", "body": "Oh and thanks for sympathies. But you know, boyfriend was really scary with his lifelong plans. I was beginning to feel squished in, so its just as well, before I got locked into a mortgage, matching furniture, mutual funds and purchase of a retirement home in Florida by age of 32! (Not that there's anything wrong with that, if being settled is one's thing.) We're still friends (or will be again)."}, {"response": 46, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (08:10)", "body": "Oh, thought it might have been the camping trip! ;-D Yes, Yahoo is fine."}, {"response": 47, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (12:28)", "body": "Karen I've tried sending another e-mail,but have kept it short just in case I need to re-type it, so keep your fingers crossed. Sadie good luck with the move & try not to be too long before you get back to us-you know you bring out the worst in me ;-D"}, {"response": 48, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (13:45)", "body": "From The Independent. Hollywood goes even further east British studios with their world-class facilities and technical crews used to be the first choice in Europe for big-budget movies. But increasingly US film-makers are choosing to shoot in the Czech Republic. How did Prague become such a rival in just 10 years? By Justin I'Anson-Sparks 3 August 2000 Just 10 years after the fall of communism and the collapse of its subsidised film industry, Prague has become the film capital of Europe, and has succeeded in taking the lead away from Britain in attracting Hollywood producers. \"Paramount, Columbia, TriStar Pictures, and Twentieth Century Fox are just some of the big Hollywood names now associated with film-making in the Czech Republic,\" says Matous Forbelsky, a marketing manager at Prague's biggest film studios, Barrandov. The renaissance in the Czech film industry has meant that an array of big-budget films that would otherwise have been filmed in Britain are now being made in Prague. \"The director of Shepperton Studios himself has acknowledged that we're now the biggest competitor to the British film industry in the fight to attract big American productions,\" says Forbelsky. \"If a film comes to Prague, it's very likely to be a film that would otherwise have gone to Britain.\" The Monkey King, a Hallmark production that is currently being made for the American NBC channel with a budget of almost $30m (\ufffd20m), is one such case in point, according to its producer Steven Harding: \"Originally we planned to shoot the film in England, like two other films now shooting in Prague, but to get the quality of film we wanted we would have had to seriously overshoot the budget. Hence Robert Halmi, our executive producer, drew up a shortlist of cost-saving alternatives, which included Berlin, Prague, Budapest, and Lithuania. And, it has to be said, Prague clearly stood out above the rest.\" While Prague is clearly cheaper than Berlin, it also offers a level of expertise and facilities that, according to industry insiders, cannot be matched by countries such as Hungary, Poland and Lithuania. This, ironically, is partly thanks to the Nazi occupation of the city during the Second World War, when a number of well-equipped studios were set up to produce propaganda movies for the German war effort and to school the local Czech population in Nazi ideology. \"The history of Barrandov clearly plots the history of our country, both good and bad,\" says Forbelsky. \"It was built during the pre-war democratic republic, by the father and uncle of the current president, Vaclav Havel. After that it fell into the hands of the Nazis, and then the communists. Now that we've returned to capitalism, it's apt that it's so popular with the Americans.\" According to Forbelsky, Czech studios are at least a third cheaper than Britain's Shepperton and Pinewood studios. In addition, the monthly wage of a Czech camera crew can be as little as a quarter of that of a British crew, at about \ufffd200 a week, and highly skilled set workers can be bought for even less, according to one Czech studio manager. \"We've had one artist working on set-building for the last two months who's been earning about as much in a week as his British counterparts earn in a day,\" he explains, \"and he just happens to be a famous Czech sculptor. How can the British hope to compete with that?\" Most of the six major films currently being made in Prague do include a small contingent of British crew members, as well one British director, the veteran Peter MacDonald, whose name is associated with blockbuster film series such as Batman, Superman and Rambo. \"If you walk down the corridor at Prague's film studios you're likely to meet five or more famous film-makers, all working on different films,\" says MacDonald. \"By contrast, I was in pre-production at Pinewood before I came here, and the place was deserted \ufffd and there's nothing sadder than an empty film studio.\" According to MacDonald, it is not only a cheap, highly skilled labour force that makes Prague so attractive, but also the beauty of the city itself and the locations on offer. \"If you're working with a big Hollywood star used to the sort of creature comforts of LA, then it may be difficult to put forward somewhere like Bucharest or Warsaw as a serious option. But Prague doesn't have that problem and, what's more, it has some fantastic locations.\" From Hell, a Twentieth Century Fox production that stars Johnny Depp and is directed by the Hughes brothers, is yet another film with a budget running into the tens of millions that fled British shores to come to Prague, partly on account of the locations on offer. It is based on the graphic novel about Jack the Ripper by Alan Moore. \"If you want to create Victorian London, as in the film From Hell, or medieval England as in the big Columbia picture which is also shooting in Prague, then the truth is that you're better off doing it here than in Britain,\" claims Steven Harding. \"Considering"}, {"response": 49, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (14:13)", "body": "Thank goodness, they didn't decide to recreate the streets of present-day London in Prague, as you all know what that might have meant! :-o"}, {"response": 50, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (14:19)", "body": "He might have refused to go!"}, {"response": 51, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (18:44)", "body": "Thanks for that article Mari. It helps to understand the reality behind the scenes. (Karen) Thank goodness, they didn't decide to recreate the streets of present-day London in Prague, as you all know what that might have meant! :-o Am a bit thick, Karen, and do not catch your meaning. BTW, would not Prague provide excellent opportunities for haunting the margins? :-)"}, {"response": 52, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (08:16)", "body": "I think we should be grateful that MLSF actually did get a theatrical release as Miramax is now selling its shelved product to cable: \"Sweet Revenge,\" a movie made three years ago, will premiere on Showtime rather than in theaters. Showtime said Thursday that it had acquired the movie from Miramax Films and would air it during primetime Sept. 24. The movie, written and directed by Malcolm Mowbry, stars Helena Bonham Carter, Sam Neill, Kristin Scott Thomas, Rupert Graves, Martin Clunes and Steve Coogan. Showtime Networks executive vp program acquisitions and planning Matthew Duda said his company has an ongoing theatrical output deal with Dimension Films, a subsidiary of Miramax. As part of that deal, Showtime can take a film as a straight-to-Showtime world premiere instead of having it released theatrically, Duda said..."}, {"response": 53, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (10:15)", "body": "Interesting--that's a high-wattage list of stars. Thought Miramax was in better fino straights since Scary Movie. Maybe they've changed their strategic plan and will focus only on 10-17 year olds instead of the art-house crowd."}, {"response": 54, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (15:16)", "body": "Looks like I better subscribe to Showtime if they're gonna show art-house films. Actually, it seems the art-house audience just doesn't go to movies anymore, they wait for it to come on the telly...so why not send it there in the first place.Theatrical releases eat into their profits...or increase their losses whichever way you want to look at it.Not Miramax's fault IMO...but a sign of the times...I'm grateful they make any of them at all."}, {"response": 55, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (15:41)", "body": "Not true. Miramax is not lifting a finger these days. Cannot believe they haven't ridden Jude Law's hot coattails with Wisdom of Crocodiles. The other \"specialty\" distributors are putting them to shame. They've moved on and aren't interested in arthouse films anymore. This is just clearing off the shelf time."}, {"response": 56, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (16:29)", "body": "(Karen)[Miramax]. They've moved on and aren't interested in arthouse films anymore. You mean we're left with the likes of Eric Styles and Max Binder? ;-)"}, {"response": 57, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (09:37)", "body": "Had to laugh, if it weren't so sad. From The Sun: BRITAIN is finally going to have a Wimbledon champ ... sadly, it's Hugh Grant. He's in talks to play the role in movie Two Weeks In Love. Screenwriters have only one concern - that Hugh may not be athletic enough for the role. Surely that is no longer a concern since his ex Liz Hurley told me Hugh's a sexual dynamo ..."}, {"response": 58, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (10:58)", "body": "Pfft! Maybe the \"Love\" producers should introduce HG to Mr. Chin.;-) BTW, Sweet Revenge never got a theatrical release in Britain either. Must be a dog."}, {"response": 59, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (14:09)", "body": "Well don't expect me to go & see it,he wouln't know what to do with a set of balls! Karen I know you do a lot of research for us all around here but nobody would have expected you to go that far & check The Sun ;-)"}, {"response": 60, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (18:15)", "body": "BBC Ceefax are also reporting HG's new project saying he'll be a low-ranking player- a misnomer if ever I saw one!"}, {"response": 61, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (07:22)", "body": "Hanks, Mendes embark on journey to 'Perdition' By Anita M. Busch LOS ANGELES (The Hollywood Reporter) --- Academy Award winners Tom Hanks and Sam Mendes are walking \"The Road to Perdition\" together. Hanks will star and \"American Beauty\" director Mendes will helm a feature film adaptation of the 1930s-era gangster novel of the same name for DreamWorks, sources said. The project will be both Hanks' and Mendes' next. The studio is planning an early 2001 start for the project, which will be produced by Richard D. Zanuck from a script by David Self. Self, who scripted for DreamWorks \"The Haunting\" and for New Line Cinema/Beacon Communications \"Thirteen Days,\" adapted \"Perdition\" for the big screen. It is based on writer Max Allan Collins' and illustrator Richard Piers Rayner's serialized mystery comic strip novel for DC Comics. Set in Depression-era Chicago, \"Perdition\" revolves around hitman Michael O'Sullivan, known to friends and enemies alike as the Angel of Death. Uncompromising in his work, O'Sullivan is just as devoted to his private life as an upstanding husband and father of two young boys. But when those worlds collide, taking the lives of his wife and younger son, O'Sullivan and his surviving son, Michael Jr., leave their sedate home life behind and embark on a startling journey of revenge. Sources said the project was done completely in-house at DreamWorks. When the script was finished, Hanks and Mendes received the script directly from DreamWorks' execs. Hanks and Mendes agreed to come aboard the project late Tuesday afternoon. DreamWorks' feature film chiefs Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald are overseeing the project. The project reteams Hanks and Mendes with the studio where they made films that won them Oscars. Hanks starred in DreamWorks/Paramount's \"Saving Private Ryan\" for director and DreamWorks co-topper Steven Spielberg. The film garnered five Oscars last year, including best director. Hanks recently wrapped a starring in role in the Robert Zemeckis-directed \"Castaway\" for 20th Century Fox and DreamWorks. Coincidentally, Hanks also recently agreed to team with \"American Beauty\" scribe Alan Ball to star in and produce an untitled 1960s drama about a Cleveland cop who tries to solve the murder of a loved one (HR 4/6). \"American Beauty,\" which Mendes directed for DreamWorks, took home five Oscars this year, including best picture, director and screenplay. Hanks and Mendes are repped by CAA."}, {"response": 62, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (08:00)", "body": "So much for devoting himself to the theater (one play) or doing a movie based on an Elmore Leonard story.... Wonder if they'll shoot on location? ;-)"}, {"response": 63, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (14:02)", "body": "Found this amusing article on the ITN website (while surfing net for hours and repeatedly checking my email!) *snort* More people hooked to the net: An increasing number of people are becoming addicted to the Internet, a leading psychologist has claimed. Dr Keith Ashcroft said the power of the virtual world was so great that studies in the US found that one-in-ten users spend at least 400 minutes a day on the World Wide Web. Comparing \"Netaddicts\" to alcoholics, the Edinburgh-based expert warned of the severe psychological problems that face obsessive computer users. He has coined a new term, \"Internet Addiction Disorder\", to describe the problem, which has got worse in recent years because of the mushrooming growth of the net. Dr Ashcroft, who works at Moray Place Consulting Rooms in the Scottish capital, said: \"I estimate that 5 per cent to 10 per cent of students may have some sort of dependency, with excessive usage of 400 minutes per day or more. \"The Internet is so readily accessible and it is very anonymous - you can take on a different personality. That's the hold of it on some people - the chance to be somebody else. It takes over people's lives. They say they are just going to surf the net for five minutes and before they know it six hours have passed. It's a very real problem with very real symptoms - quite similar to gamblers. If they can't keep checking their e-mail or surfing the web then they start getting edgy and irritable.\" Are you an addict? The Symptoms. Is \"surfing the net\" a hobby or an addiction? You may have a problem if you have these symptoms. Psychological symptoms: -Having a sense of well-being or euphoria while at the computer -Inability to stop the activity Craving more and more time at the computer. -Neglect of family and friends Feeling empty, depressed, irritable when not at the computer. -Lying to employers and family about activities. -Problems with school, college or job. Physical Symptoms: -Carpal tunnel syndrome. -Dry eyes Migraine. -headaches. -Back aches. -Eating irregularities, such as skipping meals -Failure to attend to personal hygiene. -Sleep disturbances, and changes in sleeping patterns. Here is link for anyone who wants to read full article: http://www.itn.co.uk/news/20000809/britain/06internet.shtml"}, {"response": 64, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (14:54)", "body": "Sadie great article-'failure to attend to personal hygiene.' is that the same as sitting in ones own drool? I'm definitely addicted I think I must match with most of those symptoms. talking of e-mail I did yesterday but I have had problems in the past,it took me 3 attempts to contactKaren!"}, {"response": 65, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (16:49)", "body": "How many of the above qualifies you as an addict? And more importantly, does the ADA cover this addiction? ;-)"}, {"response": 66, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (08:10)", "body": "*hee hee* Tripplehorn in development with CBS deal Jeanne Tripplehorn is eyeing the small screen, signing a one-year development deal with CBS. The actress is said to be leaning toward the comedy arena, but details about the pact were sketchy Wednesday. Sources said Tripplehorn has not begun meeting with writers or fielding potential series concepts. Tripplehorn has made her mark in such offbeat features as 1999's \"Mickey Blue Eyes\" and 1998's \"Sliding Doors\" and \"Very Bad Things.\" She starred in the 1997 CBS telefilm \"Old Man,\" a well-received Hallmark Hall of Fame production of the William Faulkner story. Tripplehorn's other movie credits include 1992's \"Basic Instinct,\" 1993's \"The Firm\" and 1997's \" 'Til There Was You.\" She appears in the upcoming Abbie Hoffman biopic \"Steal This Movie!\" and the indie feature \"Relative Values.\""}, {"response": 67, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (13:33)", "body": "LOL Judy. 'failure to attend to personal hygiene.' is that the same as sitting in ones own drool? You've nailed the real feminine hygiene problem! No more bread then, even if it is the staff of life ('cause you know what's in bread)! (Karen) How many of the above qualifies you as an addict? And more importantly, does the ADA cover this addiction? ;-) LOL Karen, am beyond need to count symptoms myself. Triplehorn to do CBS comedy. What a hoot, Karen! BTW, that's FaulkEner, isn't it? V. confusing."}, {"response": 68, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (14:03)", "body": "Where did everyone go? It's the Sadie & Judy show again. Ya wanna try chat?"}, {"response": 69, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (14:06)", "body": "I don't seem to be able to get into chat?maybe they're trying to tell me something!"}, {"response": 70, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (14:09)", "body": "Hmmm. I didn't try yet. Maybe you should email Karen. Also, you could email me now, and maybe I could help (am not techno wizard though)."}, {"response": 71, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (14:11)", "body": "give me a few minutes to e-mail you,I do have problems with that as well."}, {"response": 72, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (14:18)", "body": "O.K.!"}, {"response": 73, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (15:35)", "body": "I'm at egroups now. Judy? Anyone?"}, {"response": 74, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (15:40)", "body": "I'm on my way!"}, {"response": 75, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (16:06)", "body": "Well it was worth a try, Judy. I emailed the moderator to find out where it all went so terribly, terribly wrong!"}, {"response": 76, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (16:08)", "body": "Yes at least we tried but failed miserably,but some good came out of it -I learnt to post over there & I know my e-mail is working again!"}, {"response": 77, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (08:13)", "body": "Will wonders nevah cease? Thought Hugh was all signed up for this one?? And that last big!! From Empire: Clooney Too Good-Looking 11/08/2000 George Clooney has turned down the chance to play the lead role in a film adaptation of Nick Hornby's About A Boy apparently because he believed his leading man looks were such that they would prevent him doing a creditable job. 'George Clooney read the book,' Nick Hornby told cinemagoers at a Q&A session at London's Screen on the Green cinema, 'and said nobody would believe he would need to join a single parents group. You would need someone more average looking.' The novel, whose lead character is a man who joins a single parents group to meet a woman, would be Hornby's third book to be adapted for the big screen.High Fidelity, starring John Cusack, was released this year and Hornby's debut novel Fever Pitch was made in 1997 starring Colin Firth. The success of High Fidelity, which has brought in $27 million in box office in the US may be the reason that filmmakers are looking to remake Fever Pitch with a bigger budget. 'Someone has tried to develop Fever Pitch into being about the Boston Red Sox,' says Hornby. 'They are the great doomed team of the World Series.'"}, {"response": 78, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (08:47)", "body": "Thanks to Donna: From today's Liz Smith's column JE back on BroadwayRIALTO RAMBLINGS: Let us remind you that this weekend is your last chance to see the Tony-winning performance of Jennifer Ehle and her co-actors in the truly grand production of Tom Stoppard's \"The Real Thing.\" But not to worry, Jennifer already has a job lined up for next season. She will join another Tony winner, the delectable Alan Cumming (who reinvented the emcee in the current hit \"Cabaret\"), in a new production of Noel Coward's 1932 classic, \"Design for Living.\" The production will be directed by Joe Mantello, produced by the Roundabout Theatre Company and will open next February at the gorgeously restored Selwyn, a.k.a. American Airlines Theatre.\" Article with pic http://www.pagesix.com/lizsmith/lizsmith.htm \""}, {"response": 79, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (08:47)", "body": "GAAAAHHHHHHH!"}, {"response": 80, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (08:49)", "body": "Ooh, Evie snuck one by me. Said 'GAAAAHHHHHHH' above is in reference to the last two lines of Karen's post, not JE being back on B'way."}, {"response": 81, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (08:57)", "body": "Great to hear the news about Jennifer, Ev, but Alan Cumming... *shivering* about the Boston Red Sox,' says Hornby. 'They are the great doomed team of the World Series.' A lot he knows about loser teams! At least, they get to the World Series. :-("}, {"response": 82, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (09:11)", "body": "Great to hear the news about Jennifer, Ev, but Alan Cumming... *shivering* My thoughts indeed. Have call in to ICM for confirmation. Maybe they made a mistake on the *leading man*. They cannot take Paul away from Colin.Period. What's Hornsby doing...passing the FP title around all sorts of different stories. Pure greed."}, {"response": 83, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (09:26)", "body": "The success of High Fidelity, which has brought in $27 million in box office in the US may be the reason that filmmakers are looking to remake Fever Pitch with a bigger budget. 'Someone has tried to develop Fever Pitch into being about the Boston Red Sox,' says Hornby. 'They are the great doomed team of the World Series.' Oh my beloved Sox (The Curse of the Bambino, be damned!) However, what a great story!!! Who'd play Paul/Nick???? Could CF do a Bahstin accent???? PS: Sports illustrated picked the Red Sox to break the curse and win the series. However, they jinxed us as well. Yeah, Karen we make it to the series but we always have the umps against us and helping the Yanks win! Call attention to game 5 of last years series at Fenway when Boston fans started throwing trash onto the field!"}, {"response": 84, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (10:40)", "body": "Thanks for the info. Evelyn and Donna. DFL sounds quite fun, and according to Theatre.com Rupert Everett is tippped to play the 3rd party, is that good or bad. Anyway Jennifer has obviously enjolyed her time in NY and is happy to do so again. Good Luck to her. Maybe have to make another trip to NY!! (any excuse) What next for SD I wonder?"}, {"response": 85, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (11:00)", "body": "I say again: GGAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!"}, {"response": 86, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (11:08)", "body": "Regarding JE and Alan on stage... I had seen Alan doing an interview a month or so ago. This is when he was promoting the Flintstones II movie. He was already set to do the play and he said his co-star would be Julianne Moore (no rumor). But it is interesting that she dropped out and Jennie stepped in. This is quite interesting news, and probably no limited run engagement too. If Rupert joins them, wow, it will be a box office hit. And I bet the three of them will be a hoot."}, {"response": 87, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (11:10)", "body": "Spectacular news about Jen back on Broadway! You may be seeing the next first lady of the Broadway stage here, folks. Am so glad she's sticking to the stage. Ok, now the whining (you knew it had to come): Why oh why couldn't Colin have played one of the male leads??? Rupert Everett--no, say it isn't so, Ann! Actually, I do like Alan Cumming--very talented, versatile guy and well-liked here, though not exactly the first to come to mind when one thinks of leading men. On a happier note, February is a great time for a reunion, folks!"}, {"response": 88, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (12:00)", "body": "Mari, if only they hadn't put back the BJD release date,m we could have killed two birds with one stone, JE on Broadway and NY BJD Premiere Reunion!"}, {"response": 89, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (12:28)", "body": "OOh, I could actually see this one! I like Alan Cumming and RE and JE:)"}, {"response": 90, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (13:23)", "body": "You're right, Ann, we could have had the best of all worlds! (Now who was the idiot on 131 who thought April was such a hot idea for BJD?;-)"}, {"response": 91, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (14:41)", "body": "(AnnW) we could have killed two birds with one stone Says the play *opens* in February. V. likely will still be there when BJD opens (if the April date is good)."}, {"response": 92, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (15:07)", "body": "Good thinking, oh wise one, April, will be fine, it will give James a bit more time to save up!!"}, {"response": 93, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (15:07)", "body": "Good thinking, oh wise one, April, will be fine, it will give James a bit more time to save up!! hee hee"}, {"response": 94, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (15:23)", "body": "Ok, so maybe am not such an idiot.;-)"}, {"response": 95, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (15:41)", "body": "I just like to focus my hand-wringing where it does the most good. ;-)"}, {"response": 96, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (15:43)", "body": "All the B'way theatre websites are buzzing with the story.... Theatre.com gives a synopsis of the play. \"Cumming will take on the role that Noel Coward wrote for himself. According to Liz Smith, Ehle has been tapped to play the role of Gilda, which was once rumored to be Julianne Moore's. No word yet on who will be the other male lead in the play. Again, the rumor on the Rialto is that Rupert Everett might play the third party.\" http://www.theatre.com/news/public/newsbrief.asp?newsid=7806 Sounds like a lotta fun for the cast. I'm glad she's taking advantage of her new Tony -status on- B'way instead of going back to UK to a 'goin-nowhere' Brit indie film."}, {"response": 97, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (15:47)", "body": "Cumming will take on the role that Noel Coward wrote for himself. So there won't be any cracks about his \"playing against type,\" huh? ;-) (Evelyn) I'm glad she's taking advantage of her new Tony -status on- B'way instead of going back to UK Why go where you aren't recognized? What WAS the name of that actress and the play for that matter that won the Olivier and all those awards?????????"}, {"response": 98, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (15:53)", "body": "She's still got time to come back to the UK, do the Queen Mum thing and who knows what else. I guess she won't be doing a Cat on a Hot Tin Roof now, oh well, can't have everything."}, {"response": 99, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (15:57)", "body": "What WAS the name of that actress and the play for that matter that won the Olivier and all those awards????????? LMAO, Karen. To say nothing of the musical....something about a duck?...that beat Lion King!\"The duck\" closed eons ago and Lion King is selling into May '01! The Oliviers are laughable.(Bet Ray Dotrice agrees with me, *hee, hee*)"}, {"response": 100, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (16:02)", "body": "I guess she won't be doing a Cat on a Hot Tin Roof now, Thankgod.. Brendan\"George of the Jungle\"Fraser is doing it with his co-star from his latest film...what's her name?"}, {"response": 101, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (16:17)", "body": "Judy and Sadie, sitting too long in a puddle of drool may lead to a nasty yeast infection. (LauraMM)...to remake Fever Pitch with a bigger budget. 'Someone has tried to develop Fever Pitch into being about the Boston Red Sox'...Oh my beloved Sox (The Curse of the Bambino, be damned!) However, what a great story!!! Who'd play Paul/Nick???? Could CF do a Bahstin accent???? The casting of the Paul character may well go to either Ben Affleck or Matt Damon, as they are both from Boston. Then again, there's always Mark Wahlberg. (Evelyn) Brendan\"George of the Jungle\"Fraser is doing it with his co-star from his latest film...what's her name? Rachel Weisz."}, {"response": 102, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (16:27)", "body": "The Rachel Weisz thing was a mistake. I had misread the article. They haven't said who is playing Maggie the Cat yet."}, {"response": 103, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (16:27)", "body": "(Cheryl)Leads to a nasty yeast infection. Yes its the hot,damp conditions experienced here on drool."}, {"response": 104, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (18:21)", "body": "Seems like an great excuse for another NYC trip in 2001! Am v. excited. Speaking of JE, we are going to see \"Sunshine\" this weekend. Cannot believe it, but it is in our LOCAL, chain theater! We thought we would have to drive hours to an \"art house\". Warned DH that it is 3 hours, with mixed reviews, but I think he just wants to see JE and her mom again ;-) Meredith (already planning spring in NYC...)"}, {"response": 105, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (19:30)", "body": "(Merdith)Sunshine:Warned DH that it is 3 hours, with mixed reviews... Excellent reviews from all the major newspapers across the country...go to the JE website and hit Articles:NYTimes, AP, Chicago, LA, Dallas, WSJ .S&E gave it a glowing review.Village Voice, and some of the on-line reviews were \"iffy\"...but even those praised RH/JE performances. It's playing across the country and holding for the fifth straight week in the major cities. Playing in my cineplex too...not art-house. Paramount went all-out for this film and it paid off."}, {"response": 106, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Aug 12, 2000 (02:15)", "body": "Hi Guys, just a quick post to say that I'll be incommunicado for a week as I'm off to the wilds of Derbyshire for a holiday and I think I'm unlikely to find an internet cafe where I'm going (So you're free to bitch about me all you like ;-D)! Must dash as I still haven't packed and I'm supposed to be leaving in an hour..so why am I still logged on?!"}, {"response": 107, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Aug 12, 2000 (03:15)", "body": "Have a great time Tracy (I'm probably too late) We have had a couple of dry & warm days so Lyme will be drying out ,must have known you were on your way;-)"}, {"response": 108, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (03:35)", "body": "In case you take a last peak here before leaving, have a great time Tracy!"}, {"response": 109, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (19:55)", "body": "From Saturday's Times, Metro Section: An interview with David Morrissey. Seems like he's nabbed himself a good one... \"He's filming John Madden's highly anticipated adaptation of Louis de Berni\ufffdres's Second World War love story Captain Corelli's Mandolin with Nicolas Cage, Christian Bale and Penelope Cruz. He plays Captain Gunther Weber, a German Nazi officer who is sent to the island as an overseer.\" Doesn't mention his role in 3 DOR."}, {"response": 110, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (23:36)", "body": "Aug 14 Times: Matt Wolf meets Alan Cumming, the Scotsman who is Hollywood's hottest new property Who's been a bad boy then? Time was when Alan Cumming was half of the comedy team Victor and Barry, not to mention the frequently Olivier Award-nominated alumnus of numerous London shows (he won the prize in 1991 for the National Theatre's Accidental Death of an Anarchist). But that was before one particular musical - Sam Mendes's revival of Cabaret - polevaulted the Scottish actor to renown (and a Tony Award) in America, since when the now fully bi-continental performer has scarcely looked back. \"Here, being famous is the best thing you can be; it's a bit weird to be in a culture like that,\" Cumming says of America and, specifically, Los Angeles, his adoptive home. \"In Britain, you kind of have to play fame down. It's all a bit embarrassing; people think you're slightly naff.\" Cumming's eerily omnisexual performance as the Emcee in Cabaret in London in 1993 led, four years later, to his Broadway debut in the same role. In the city where the Kander and Ebb classic was born, Cumming managed the impossible, supplanting the memory of Joel Grey with a wounded (and often semi-naked) ferocity of his own. \"What that show did for me in America was massive,\" recalls the 35-year-old Cumming, who appeared opposite four different Sally Bowles-es, from Jane Horrocks and Natasha Richardson to the co-star of his currently shooting film, Jennifer Jason Leigh. \"I never grew up thinking the theatre could make you famous; in Britain, doing theatre doesn't mean the rest of the country knows who you are.\" In America, of course, people positively burn to employ someone newly anointed as hot. That explains Cumming's virtually constant output of work in recent years, up to his imminent turn as the emperor Saturninus in Julie Taymor's film of Titus. \"I saw him, obviously, in Cabaret, like everyone else did,\" says Taymor. \"His persona was just so out there, so out front. Not only is he a wonderful actor with great comic timing, but he has this tremendous sexuality that works for everybody: he's dangerous because he can turn on a dime.\" \"What's been great is I get to do what I like,\" says Cumming, who admits to \"meaning to take more time off, but it's hard when you just kind of fall into things\". How is he viewed in America, a country that tends to categorise British actors as either baddies or floppy-haired fluffs? \"They definitely think I'm eccentric, although I think I'm normal. I get to be myself, and people respond well when you're just yourself and happy with that, happy with what you want to be.\" As for the screen offers, he laughs, \"sometimes I play baddies, sometimes I'm the bad boy with little horns. I've just been lucky: I would get bored playing the same part all the time.\" In a cinematic output encompassing Spice World - The Movie, Plunkett and Macleane and Cumming's memorably eyebrows-arched hotelier in Eyes Wide Shut, in which he kept a dewy gaze fixed on Tom Cruise, one particular strand undeniably emerges. \"I was only in it for a nano-second,\" Cumming says of Stanley Kubrick's final movie, \"but it was almost as if people were expecting me to be quite naughty. It helped that my scene was so memorable and funny that a lot of people noticed it.\" By then, the actor notes resignedly, \"I'd cornered the imp market.\" Small wonder, then, that a website exists called alanuncensored (\"people I'm supposed to have shagged that I've never met,\" he says drily), which Cumming is countering soon with an official one of his own. Elsewhere, there's little apparent logic to Cumming's CV of late, beyond his own assessment that \"you get more choices if you're working all the time\". His first American movie was Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, with Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow, preceded by the Irish-set Circle of Friends, with Saffron Burrows, to whom Cumming was romantically linked (he is divorced from Hilary Lyon, who played Ophelia to his Donmar Warehouse Hamlet in 1993). He took time off from Cabaret on Broadway to film Titus, unaware of quite what the venture would become. \"We all thought we were in a little independent film; a few weeks in, we realised it was Ben Hur. It was a huge undertaking.\" But it did enable him to cavort, albeit heavily rouged, with a no-less-made-up Jessica Lange, long one of Cumming's favourite actresses. \"I told Jessica I've loved her since I was a little kid. She told me to f*** off.\" Now, an ever restless Cumming has forsaken ever more salubrious flats in London and New York to take on four jobs (producer, writer, director and star) creating a low-budget digital movie. The $3.5 million The Anniversary Party, set in contemporary LA, co-stars Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kevin Kline and his wife Phoebe Cates, and John C. Reilly (Magnolia) - \"all our friends\", says Cumming, who clearly has no shortage of them. Indeed, it's not everyone who could obtain a Green Card to work in America on the basis "}, {"response": 111, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (04:08)", "body": "Wow, this guy is everywhere. And I still can't remember what he looks like! Thanks for posting this Karen."}, {"response": 112, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (04:18)", "body": "Well I guess that confirms it, Liz Smith's information was spot-on, thanks Karen."}, {"response": 113, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (05:03)", "body": ""}, {"response": 114, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (05:08)", "body": "Here's an Alan Cumming's pic, Sadie:"}, {"response": 115, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (07:24)", "body": "I like Alan Cumming, he really has a definite range. And he's quite brilliant in anything he does. I hope to see him at future Oscar Telecasts!!!"}, {"response": 116, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (13:03)", "body": "Jennifer's agent confirmed Design for Living role. No Forsythe Saga or Queen Mum (*evelyn, getting up off her knees*). Long holiday ahead. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thank you Karen. I hope Colin reads that.(As he's slogging along with his TV roles :-(("}, {"response": 117, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (13:16)", "body": "I've always enjoyed AC's work but find him slightly creepy. Karen I read the following info & thought of you.I know we talked about it on 134 but thought it might be better here. This was reported in todays Daily Mail & they are blowing their own trumpet but their source is Audit Bureau of Circulations Ltd. Once again the DM continues to lead the way with its highest July sale for 34 years. In a market where overall newspaper sales are falling the Mail increased its circulation last month by almost52,000 copies a day-a rise of 2.19 per cent compared to a year ago.The six-monthly official figures, regarded by the industry as the most reliable index of a newspaper's performance,show that,in the period from Feb to July,the Mail sold 2,386,770 copies a day- an increase of 32,500, or 1.38%,on the same period a year before.Meanwhile overall newspaper sales fell by 1.43% The decline of The Daily Express continues,with last month seeing it record daily sales of just 1,032,361- its lowest july figure since records began in 1932. Over the last six months,the Express has lost an average of 30,000 copies a day (down 2.75%)compared with the previous year,despite a hugely expensive campaign of price-cutting. The Mails dominance of the market means it now sells more copies per day than the Daily Telegraph,the Times,the Guardian & the Independent combined. The Telegraph only manages to keep its sales above the psychologically-important million mark by a costly subscription scheme.Figures for July show an average sale of 1,023,793 (down 1.24%) but when the heavily- discounted subscription copies are allowed for,the full-priced sales drop to less than 730,000. I'm sorry its a bit long-winded but I hope its of some interest."}, {"response": 118, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (13:31)", "body": "(Karen, from Times article) producer, writer, director and star creating a low-budget digital movie. The $3.5 million The Anniversary Party, set in contemporary LA, co-stars Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kevin Kline and his wife Phoebe Cates, and John C. Reilly (Magnolia) Thanks for the Alan C. article, Karen. A good one. This guy \"gets it.\" He can add \"hard working,\" \"smart,\" and \"ambitious\" to the list of things that it's ok to be here.;-) He's certainly networked wisely in the U.S. (dare I draw a parallel? nah;-) judging from the list above, working with some of the top people in their field. Good for him. The success he has, he deserves."}, {"response": 119, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (14:17)", "body": "Thanks for the pic, Gi! I do recognize him now. Can see why he'd be cast in a Joel Grey role. Funny though, I still can't remember him in the various movies I've seen him in. He looks like he belongs in white flannel trousers or evening wear in a thirties screwball comedy. Has a certain sophisticated look. (Judy)From the Daily Mail: The Mails dominance of the market means it now sells more copies per day than the Daily Telegraph,the Times,the Guardian & the Independent combined. The Telegraph only manages to keep its sales above the psychologically-important million mark by a costly subscription scheme. So I guess that explains why Conrad Black is looking to get out of the newspaper business, and in to the internet. Thanks for this article, Judy."}, {"response": 120, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (15:42)", "body": "(Sadie) I still can't remember him in the various movies I've seen him in COF Sean, the creepy salesman in Minnie Driver dad's store. EMMA Rev. Elton Lots others. In '93 he played with JE in Rik Mayall's MICKY LOVE (a v. forgetable production!)"}, {"response": 121, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (18:22)", "body": "Thank you for the report on the Daily Mail's circulation, Judy. Unfortunately, the papers you read (meant in a broad sense) are the ones that celebrities avoid like the plague. Except of course for Liz Hurley who has the tabs on speed dial. ;-)"}, {"response": 122, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (18:32)", "body": "Ah, Rev. Elton. They didn't mention that one, but that rings a bell. Thanks Evelyn."}, {"response": 123, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 14, 2000 (19:44)", "body": "I was enquiring whether she had landed any big film roles since her tony The woman just finished the play last night, waddaya expect? She has been working all year...Donmar May til August, Summerfolk at the National August til November, Albery Jan til March, Barrymore March til August. C'mon give her a break, Ann."}, {"response": 124, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (02:01)", "body": "Of course, you are quite right Evelyn, and she deserves a break, I just don't want her to miss out on any good roles and get forgotten. (a week is a long time in politics! urh, oh well you know whatI mean) Strike whilst the iron is hot, so to speak."}, {"response": 125, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (12:28)", "body": "(Ann) Strike whilst the iron is hot,so to speak. I agree.Is it safe to say that I would like to see her back on TV? or am I going to start an Anglo/TV- American/film discussion/war :-)"}, {"response": 126, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (14:20)", "body": "Ann) Strike whilst the iron is hot,so to speak. (Judy)I agree.Is it safe to say that I would like to see her back on TV? or am I going to start an Anglo/TV- American/film discussion/war :-) I won't even comment on this...I've said it all before several posts back."}, {"response": 127, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Aug 15, 2000 (16:56)", "body": "Thanks for reminding us of AC's roles; Evelyn. I remember those."}, {"response": 128, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 16, 2000 (08:31)", "body": "See, you should've gone ;-) Acting novice wins part in top American TV show A 50-year-old Philadelphia woman whose only previous acting experience was in a play at school has won a part in the hit American TV series The Sopranos. Marie Donato was chosen ahead of 28,000 wannabes at an open casting session in New Jersey last month. She says she only went to the casting session to see if she could spot any of the stars from the top-rated show. None of the real actors were there. But one of the casting directors spotted her and, five days later, she was in New York meeting the show's executive producer. Donato, a grandmother, may even be written into the series on a permanent basis if the producers like her. No details about her role have been released yet, and she has been made to sign a contract promising not to reveal any information. \"I'm still in shock,\" she told the Philadelphia Inquirer (www.phillynews.com). \"This was a miracle.\""}, {"response": 129, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 16, 2000 (08:40)", "body": "Another Soprano item today: Peter Riegert...has nabbed a recurring role on \"The Sopranos.\" Riegert, who will appear early in the season as a New Jersey politician, also co-stars in Steven Soderbergh's upcoming pic \"Traffic\" and the comedy \"How To Kill Your Neighbor's Dog.\""}, {"response": 130, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Aug 16, 2000 (08:47)", "body": "Peter Riegert Ha ha! The pickle man! a New Jersey politician Awww, they coulda got Jim Florio. Heard he's available ;-D Marie Donato Hmmm. Marie. Mari. Philadelphia. Hmmm....."}, {"response": 131, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Aug 16, 2000 (10:50)", "body": "LOL you guys. I guess my cover is blown. Hey, who needs a stool at Schwab's? Harrison, NJ is da place to be!;-) Marie has been all over the media here; told the Philly Inquirer (which had her pic on the front page yesterday) that Livia used to be a fave character because she reminded her of her own mother. \"She's 82, God love her. With her age, sometimes she just comes off as nasty.\" Eileen, all Florio would have to do is mention taxes, and BADA-BING!;-) I like Peter Riegert!"}, {"response": 132, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 16, 2000 (11:48)", "body": "(Mari aka Marie) Livia used to be a fave character because she reminded her of her own mother. Didn't realize arranging to have your child whacked was so prevalent? ;-) I like Peter Riegert! Yes, who can forget the pickle man. ;-)"}, {"response": 133, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Aug 16, 2000 (12:45)", "body": "ok, for the confused amoung us (namely me) who the heck is the pickle man?"}, {"response": 134, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Aug 16, 2000 (12:56)", "body": "SB, Peter Riegert played Sam the pickle man in Crossing Delancey, opposite Amy Irving. Her grandmother plays matchmaker for her and the pickle maker. Karen)Didn't realize arranging to have your child whacked was so prevalent? ;-) Hey, nuthin' personal . . it's business . . .;-)"}, {"response": 135, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug 16, 2000 (17:09)", "body": "I just wanted to say a quick hello to everyone. My work schedule has gone crazy due to a crisis, and on top of that, my operating system conked out for two days! V. little time to drool at the moment, but I just wanted to touch base."}, {"response": 136, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Aug 16, 2000 (22:08)", "body": "(Mari) Peter Riegert played Sam the pickle man in Crossing Delancey LOL! i wracked my brain, and that was the only pickle guy i could come up with, but figured it was to random to possibly be the one of which you spoke. :-) Thanks Mari Luck at work Sadie"}, {"response": 137, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 17, 2000 (10:07)", "body": "From The Expresss: Why I feel at home at last As he launches a new BBC series on the meaning of home, journalist and former Beirut hostage JOHN McCARTHY writes exclusively on what the word means to him THE word \"home\" is an integral part of our language but what does it really mean? Is it where you live, where you used to live, or where you'd like to live? Or, rather than being a physical place, is it more a feeling - of community, belonging, security? As a child I remember getting back to our house after the summer holiday and my mother always saying: \"East, West, home's best!\" In captivity in Lebanon I thought about home all the time. I'd dream of building my own house, creating an environment that would be my private, secure domain rather than the alien and frightening confines of a Beirut dungeon. Sometimes, I'd take imaginary trips to my parents' house for Sunday lunch. But after a while, rather than being comforting, those daydreams only served to remind me how far away home was and that I had no idea what was going on there, what might have changed. And every time I \"went home\" for a while, coming back to the reality of the cell was even more depressing. I began to realise that however much I thought about it, I had to get on with the situation I was in. Being deprived of the familiar support mechanisms and distractions of normal life, I had to find the strength within me to remain sane and keep my spirits up. I had to look closely at myself and accept my strengths and weaknesses. As time passed, home became less exclusively a real, physical place back in England than a state of mind - somewhere in my head where I could retreat when the going got tough. After a lot of soul-searching I reached a point where I felt pretty much \"at home with myself\". But home - the place - wouldn't go away. It was impossible not to think of it, to yearn for it and to think to myself: \"All will be well when I get back again. That's all I need.\" As the plane that brought me back from the Middle East touched down, I was overwhelmed with relief at being somewhere that was completely familiar and where I would be surrounded by people who understood me, and me them. Things had changed, of course. My mother had died, so my parental home had changed, and relationships with some friends had also altered. But the main thing was that I was back and could start making plans for a place of my own. After living in one or two rented places I bought a house with my wife Anna at the end of last year. Although I've been back from Lebanon for nine years now, setting up together has been a very positive \"homecoming\" in its own right. So it seemed very appropriate to be making a Radio 4 series on the theme of Home. The idea was to find out what it means to people and the many ways they go about creating one. Is the idea universal? I asked a range of people what it meant to them. For some, such as interior designer Anne McKevitt, it was a place where you could kick off your shoes and relax, a private place where you could just be yourself. For others, such as Sir David Frost, it was essentially where your family were. To some it was an emotional, spiritual location, somewhere inside you. Anthropologist Desmond Morris described it as \"a sort of extended overcoat\" - one of the layers of protection we need as human beings. I met people for whom home doesn't become complete until they've added a spiritual element to it, such as the Hindu man who told me that he wouldn't feel comfortable without a shrine in the house where he could worship, or the young family in London who invited me to witness their local priest blessing their house. Wherever I went, people emphasised the importance of security and privacy, often using the phrase \"an Englishman's home is his castle\". But this widespread idea has a dark side when it allows terrible events and tragic lives to remain hidden from view. Given that such a high percentage of the crime in this country is committed at home, against family members, it's an irony that the person charged with protecting us - the Home Secretary - has historically been hampered by our love of privacy and so been able to do little to change this situation. Talking to Tara, a refugee, reminded me that home is not just about a roof over your head, security and designing your own space but about being part of a community as well; it is also your neighbourhood with its familiar surroundings and faces. Like Tara, I'd been fortunate enough to have had a happy family background and it's perhaps only through my experience of being torn away for so long that I can understand a little of what she is going through and missing. But after my ordeal I returned. People often ask me if anything good came out of my captivity and I feel that that painful period of learning to be at ease with myself has indeed been beneficial in some ways. Certainly, I appreciate better the joy of being able to set down your physical roots in the place where yo"}, {"response": 138, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Aug 17, 2000 (10:45)", "body": "Hope you can get to this link. Long, interesting article in the NY Times today by Ben Brantley on what's happening on the London stage http://www.nytimes.com/library/theater/081700london-theater.html Glad I dropped by. Love reading about Sopranos. I'm ready for the new season....too bad we have to wait so long. I like the pickle man too."}, {"response": 139, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Aug 17, 2000 (18:04)", "body": "Murph, i've been meaning to tell you this for months.... but last Feb (i think) i was in a resturant and saw a lady reading a print out of your continuing story for Shakespeare in Love- i walked by a couple of times (very slowly) trying to read over her shoulder just to make sure. i was going to strike up a conversation along the lines of \"hey! isnt that Murph's story? you must be a CF fan\" but i think i freaked her out on my third pass by, cause she gave me a dirty look and i chickened out."}, {"response": 140, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 17, 2000 (18:52)", "body": "but last Feb (i think) i was in a resturant and saw a lady reading a print out of your continuing story for Shakespeare in Love- See Murph...your legacy lives on.....\"You should publish\".... Thanks Karen...I thought John Mc Carthy had emigrated to Australia. He has aged...doesn't look like ODB anymore.Still feel sad that he and Jill broke up...."}, {"response": 141, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Aug 18, 2000 (02:23)", "body": "Wow, the silent legion of Droolers. BTW, that was a great story Murph. I wonder if I took printed-out fanfic somewhere, if a fellow drooler would approach? With my luck, no drooler, only pervert. Karen, you find the most wonderful articles to post. Amazing that it's been nine years since his release. I was twenty-one, so you can imagine how much attention I paid to who he was. Still, Hostages set off real viseral reactions. I'm sure he has some remarkable insights to share about \"home\". Too bad Joseph Campbell is gone. That would have been a fascinating conversation. Desmond Morris should be v. interesting (said more like Freud than Bridget)."}, {"response": 142, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Aug 18, 2000 (07:18)", "body": "Where was the restaurant? I am all amazement! Karen, my Radio Times Newsletter mentions the John McCarthy thing: WHAT WE WILL BE LISTENING TO John McCarthy looks into the emotive subject of our home, that place where the heart is, and where the people look familiar. He's talking to historians, architects and even psychologists and anthropologists to learn both what makes a home and why they mean so very much to us in A Place Called Home (Monday, 09:00, BBC Radio 4). Here's something else that's kind of fun that I got from Anne R. No CF, just film related: SUSAN WLOSZCZYNA CREDIT:USA TODAY Heard any good movies lately? The summer's likeliest candidate for a line of dialogue that will resonate in years to come: \"At my signal, unleash hell!\" It's the command given by Russell Crowe at the beginning of \"Gladiator\" to rouse his troops. You can imagine a parent parroting it when unloading the car-pool kiddies out of the SUV. But it also boasts a trait often shared by the most popular cinematic quotables: aggression. That is just one finding from a recent nationwide survey that asked 1,083 people for favorite film catchphrases. \"The predominant ones are those that allow us to vent spleen, to put people down,\" says California State University, Los Angeles, media psychologist Stuart Fischoff, who led the study. \"It fills in the words that often aren't available to us.\" That's why such monosyllabic tough guys as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Clint Eastwood are prime sources of verbal bullets such as \"I'll be back\" and \"Go ahead, make my day.\" As Fischoff notes, \"Even President Reagan said, \"Make my day.' \" But the group surveyed (ethnically mixed with a nearly equal male-female split and an age range of 10 to 90) also showed that repeating quotes in everyday speech can be a badge of hipness. That may be why three phrases from the \"Austin Powers\" spy spoofs - - \"Yeah, baby,\" \"Do I make you horny?\" and \"Oh, behave\" -- made the top 15 for people 26 and under, while none made the cut with those 50 and older. Top quotable source for seniors: 1942's \"Casablanca.\" Some lines, however, transcend generations. \"Gone With the Wind's\" \"Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn\" made every age group's top five. Other findings: -- When men talk, we listen. Of the quotes in the top 20 (27 total, counting ties), only four are spoken by actresses. Two of those, \"There's no place like home\" and \"Toto, I've got a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore,\" are from Judy Garland in \"The Wizard of Oz.\" In the entire study, 63 percent are from men, 23 percent from women, and the rest from animals, cartoons or objects, including computer Hal from \"2001: A Space Odyssey.\" Blame Hollywood sexism. Says Fischoff: \"Most movies are made for men. The dialogue is written by men for men.\" Al Pacino and Jack Nicholson are the most quoted actors, while Katharine Hepburn and Bette Davis had the most lines among actresses. -- Anger speaks louder to men. While men and women both picked aggressive quotes more often, female respondents were more apt to pick up on lines such as \"You complete me\" from romance \"Jerry Maguire\" (1996) and \"That'll do, pig, that'll do\" from sentimental fantasy \"Babe\" (1995). If men had a soft side, it came out in their fondness for Bogie (\"Here's looking at you, kid\") in \"Casablanca.\" Half the phrases named by women were aggressive. \"We thought there would be a bigger difference,\" Fischoff says. \"It could mean that certain quotes just naturally seep into everyone's consciousness.\" There was room for some individualism. Fischoff says probably the funniest and one of the most obscure phrases mentioned came from \"Oblivion\" (1994), a sci-fi Western: \"I have hemorrhoids smarter than you!\" The top 10 \"I'll be back.\" -- Arnold Schwarzenegger in \"The Terminator,\" 1984 \"Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.\" -- Clark Gable in \"Gone With the Wind,\" 1939 \"Show me the money!\" -- Cuba Gooding Jr. in \"Jerry Maguire,\" 1996 \"Go ahead, make my day.\" -- Clint Eastwood in \"Sudden Impact,\" 1983 \"Mama always said life is like a box of chocolates ...\" -- Tom Hanks in \"Forrest Gump,\" 1994 \"You can't handle the truth!\" -- Jack Nicholson in \"A Few Good Men,\" 1992 \"Hasta la vista, baby.\" -- Arnold Schwarzenegger in \"Terminator 2,\" 1991 \"May the Force be with you.\" -- Alec Guinness in \"Star Wars,\" 1977 \"There's no place like home.\" -- Judy Garland in \"The Wizard of Oz,\" 1939 \"Yeah, baby!\" -- Mike Myers in \"Austin Powers,\" 1997"}, {"response": 143, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 18, 2000 (08:47)", "body": "I'll make it CF-related... Wot!! \"Would you please, please, please go away, etc.\" didn't make the list? Says Fischoff: \"Most movies are made for men. The dialogue is written by men for men.\" Duh!"}, {"response": 144, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Aug 18, 2000 (14:15)", "body": "LOL Sadie 'With my luck no drooler,only pervert' sounds good to me! AS has said two of the most memorable lines-oh I give up!"}, {"response": 145, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Sat, Aug 19, 2000 (12:54)", "body": "(Murph) Where was the restaurant? I am all amazement! Foster City, California :-)"}, {"response": 146, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Aug 19, 2000 (18:07)", "body": "Hi Guys..the wanderer has returned. Judy & Sadie - I had a great time, v relaxing - stayed at Monyash so quite central for the Peak experience. Lyme was my first excursion of the week - conned the National Trust lady into giving me a Pemberley Trail map (aparently they no longer give these out as a matter of course because they have removed some of the markers and have let the trail go somewhat) nevertheless managed to navigate the trail and trod in the footsteps of Mr.D. Unfortunately when I got to 'The Pond' somebody was occupying the hallowed spot - (own up now who was it) so I couldn't put my bum where ODB had deftly put his! It is a great place and you're v lucky Judy to have it on your doorstep. Also managed to get in some time walking up in the Dark Peak, visited Kedleston Hall and later in the week Sudbury Hall. The Pemberley connection was more low key here - one A4 size sheet containing episode numbers and locations that featured. Will now, of course, have to watch P&P again just to make sure that I haven't been diddled into paying mucho dosho to traipse round big houses and grounds weighed down with cameras in manner of packhorse to see large rooms filled with equally large paintings of old people which may or may not have been walked past by Elizabeth or 'Mr Darcy with his dogs'. I jest of course, with or without P&P connections the houses I visited were wondrous and well worth every penny."}, {"response": 147, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 19, 2000 (21:53)", "body": "Switching sides: Hornby's new novel is through female eyes Hornby changes sex to write novelthrough woman's-eyes by Tom Robbins NICK HORNBY, the bestselling author who defined the experience of being a man in the 1990s, is to abandon his sex and write his next novel through a female narrator. Until now the heroes of Hornby's books have been commitment-shy obsessive men. The author of Fever Pitch (man mad about football wins girl), High Fidelity (man mad about music wins girl) and About a Boy (man mad about women wins single mother) is to reinvent himself as a middle-aged woman GP. The adoption of a female voice by a male author - especially one who has been so influential in chronicling the minds of modern men - is his toughest test. Hornby's characters - eternal adolescents who are losing the battle of the sexes - have been credited with showing men that they need not fear admitting weakness. His books have sold well, especially to women in their twenties eager for a road map to their boyfriends' brains. He has notched up sales of more than two million and earned a \ufffd2m transfer fee when he switched publishers last year. Hornby is putting the finishing touches to the new book, How to be Good, which will be published next May. \"When he first said he was writing as a woman, I didn't know whether he would be able to pull it off or not,\" said Tony Lacey, Hornby's editor. \"It has been read here by women in the office and they are all amazed how well he gets their voice.\" Fever Pitch and High Fidelity have been turned into films, starring Colin Firth and John Cusack, and About a Boy is being cast. The new novel is narrated by Katie, a GP living in north London who is married with two children. Her husband, David, is a cynical journalist and author, who writes a column called \"The angriest man in Holloway\" for his local newspaper, railing against OAPs taking all the seats on his bus. David undergoes a sudden transformation and decides to become a better person. The book focuses on Katie's reactions as her husband invites the homeless to stay with them and gives his computer to the local women's refuge. Last week the writer Tony Parsons said that using a female narrator was \"the decathlon\" of novel writing. He found inventing a convincing female voice for a lead character so difficult that all the female dialogue in his book Man and Boy was taken from real conversations. \"A lot of the dialogue is the greatest hits of girlfriends I have known,\" he said. \"For my new book I did toy with the idea of telling it from a female point of view and in the voice of a 12-year-old girl - but frankly I just couldn't pull it off.\" While few doubt that Hornby will succeed in finding his feminine side, there is a risk that male readers may desert him. Women, who buy 66% of all fiction, will happily buy books about men - with Hornby, Parsons, and even the SAS writer Andy McNab winning a large female readership - but few men buy books that are written by, for or about women. [now why doesn't that surprise me] Fay Weldon, the feminist author, said that writing the book through a woman's eyes might be a natural progression for Hornby's 1990s men. \"In a funny kind of way, that is how men have to live now,\" she said. \"Men have become so self-conscious that they do try to look at themselves through women's eyes, and I'm afraid that what they get flung back at them is a not very flattering portrait.\""}, {"response": 148, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Aug 20, 2000 (02:05)", "body": "Tracy, your trip sounded amazing. Too bad about the bum. So close and yet so far. V. glad you had such a great time. (I asked you to tell about it on another board, just before I hopped here, so was a nice surprise.) Problem is Judy, most perverts aren't good-looking. I have to have some standards! BTW, who said: I'm mad as hell and I'm not taking it anymore, or something like that? Surprised it wasn't on list. Judy, Judy, Judy, whot's wrong with AS? (And how come 'Judy, Judy, Judy' didn't make the list) My God, this entire message is riddled with cliches. See what you've started Murph? *or maybe my messages are always like this, she speculates quietly to herself*"}, {"response": 149, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Aug 20, 2000 (02:06)", "body": "Am staring at my previous message Tracy. It looks ungrammatical but am too tired to know why."}, {"response": 150, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Aug 20, 2000 (02:37)", "body": "Tracy am glad you enjoyed your trip.It wasn't me on 'the spot' but I was in Derbyshire last week,Haddon Hall & later on Matlock-sat in the park with chips & gravy-jeans still fit after a choc week so thought I could get away with a bit more. I'm glad you managed to see Sudbury.I have to admit to being disappointed with the empty music room,it never occurred to me that the furniture wouldn't be there,naive I know but I grew up fast that day:-)Did you recognize the village from P&P1? Karen interesting article about NH writing thro' eyes of a woman.I think we touched on something like that in our discussion on FP. (Sadie)Judy, Judy, Judy. Whot's wrong with AS? as a mum of a 10 year old son who rates AS as one of his fave actors,I've seen quite a lot of his work,found it enjoyable,more so if I didn't think:-) (And how come Judy, Judy, Judy didn't make the list) LOL Sadie,I want a petition started,I insist on my 15 mins of fame. (Sadie) Am staring at my previous message Tracy. It looks ungrammatical but am too tired to know why. It looks the same as usual Sadie (me* duck*)"}, {"response": 151, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Aug 20, 2000 (04:38)", "body": "(Judy)it never occurred to me that the furniture wouldn't be there I know what you mean, I was also surprised at how small the room is...it looked huge on screen...of course I did the gazing out of the window bit (as did every other woman of a certain age from what I saw!). Didn't get to see much of the village really as we came in from the A something which bypasses it. Went to Matlock but it was chucking it down so no sitting in the park for me!"}, {"response": 152, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 20, 2000 (08:57)", "body": "Nice to see you back from your P&P vacation, Tracy. Didn't realize that THE Pond was actually at Lyme Park as well. Ah, but while you didn't get to sit on the exact spot (am questioning why you didn't push interloper off), you were there. That counts. :-) (Judy) about NH writing thro' eyes of a woman.I think we touched on something like that in our discussion on FP. Yes. Hornby actually mentioned that he was going to do it during his book-signing tour a while back. I have my doubts about its authenticity and that it will be cliche-ridden... But maybe HF has been giving him pointers. ;-) \"For my new book I did toy with the idea of telling it from a female point of view and in the voice of a 12-year-old girl - but frankly I just couldn't pull it off.\" Shocker!! Of course, he couldn't pull it off because during this time he was obsessed with Arsenal and music. Do you really think he even heard anything a girl actually said?? And here's a pic of Katy Murphy: airbrushed, of course ;-)"}, {"response": 153, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Aug 20, 2000 (10:07)", "body": "Love that pixie look. Thanks Karen. Welcome back Tracy. When you got home, did you re-view those Pemberley scenes and marvel? At Lyme Park did you \"do\" the stairs? Did you buy a lot of junk at the gift shop? (I couldn't help myself.) Were you able to get into that sunken garden? - the Dutch Garden, I think. I couldn't find a way in. Maybe Judy knows if it's open for the hoi polloi. I've never been to Sudbury Hall but I would have been shocked to see the Music Room bare. Wot? Not even a pianoforte? No case of miniatures? ;-) Still sounds like a fruitful pilgrimage."}, {"response": 154, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Aug 20, 2000 (10:16)", "body": "I'm sorry I asked :-) She does look familiar,I'm sure she was in a kiddies programme a few years back with a very broad Scottish accent-if she's the one then I won't understand a word she says."}, {"response": 155, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Aug 20, 2000 (10:30)", "body": "Sorry Heide I missed your post. The Dutch Garden is open to the public & there are 2 entrances one near the small bridge (where the path leads around the back of the lake,about opposite the boat house) and the other around the side of the house (sometimes closed)."}, {"response": 156, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug 20, 2000 (11:01)", "body": "(Judy)....with a very broad Scottish accent-if she's the one then I won't understand a word she says. I looked at it several times before I understood her...to this day I have a problem with Clive.But folks on the board translated for me....it's worth all the trouble.Great cast.But I can see a problem with an American audience who have difficulty with British accents!"}, {"response": 157, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Aug 20, 2000 (12:00)", "body": "Re Kathy Murphy. I believe she was also in Our Mutual Friend, playing a crippled seamstress. Judy on cliches: You know how to whistle, don't you????? Karen: The plot of the new Hornby sounds great fun. And you can see it as a movie already. CF would be grand as the guy with the change of heart. Totally off topic: Anne R sent me this Cole Porter gem to put on my Clive Owen site. Had to share: I went to Monte Carlo the other day I went to Monte Carlo to have some play I went to Monte Carlo and straight away I went and fell in love with the croupier. The croupier advised me to back the red, The croupier was handsome, I lost my head; And when the game was over and love was dead, I realized I'd played on the black instead. [refrain] For I'm unlucky at gambling And I'm unlucky in love Why should I go on scrambling To get to heaven above? It's bad enough to lose your purse But when you lose your heart it's even worse. Oh, I'm unlucky at gambling, And I'm unlucky in love. I took the croupier to a picture show, I took the croupier to a picture show, And though I snuggled close when the lights were low, The croupier impressed me as rather slow. I said \"I like John Gilbert a lot, don't you?\" He didn't answer, but when the show was through I realized that he liked John Gilbert, too. [refrain] For I'm unlucky at gambling And I'm unlucky in love Why should I go on scrambling To get to heaven above? It's bad enough to lose your purse But when you lose your heart it's even worse. Oh, I'm unlucky at gambling, And I'm unlucky in love."}, {"response": 158, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Aug 20, 2000 (12:00)", "body": "Can't we send wav files here?"}, {"response": 159, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Aug 20, 2000 (15:10)", "body": "(Karen) - When you got home, did you re-view those Pemberley scenes and marvel? At Lyme Park did you \"do\" the stairs? Did you buy a lot of junk at the gift shop? Certainly did with an air of \"I've been there, I stood there etc etc\". The stairs were well and truly done, several times but the junk was nowhere to be seen at the gift shop. There was the Radio Times Darcy pic displayed in the Park Shop and they were selling copies of the vid and spurious Darcy-esque novels but very little Lyme stuff to choose from it was nearly all National Trust tea towels and presentation boxes of mint imperials - so I declined to buy anything except the Lyme Park guide book. But I did take a few snaps so I'll have some great momentoes. Didn't realize that THE Pond was actually at Lyme Park as well Yes it's a way from the house if you make towards the Paddock Cottage there's a dry stone wall to your left with Drinkwatre Meadow beyond (this is where the post-swim walk was filmed), just the other side of a stile theres an extremely mucky pool called Mill pond and it is instantly recognisable as THE POND! Politeness prevented me from shoving the interloper plus her DH and dog into said pool so I had to content myself with taking in the ambience from a discreet distance. BTW if anyone is planning to go to Lyme and wants a copy of the trail, (I believe that they are phasing the leaflets out and some of the trail has been changed) I have a map which I can copy and email to any interested party. Don't trample each other in the rush ;-D I've never been to Sudbury Hall but I would have been shocked to see the Music Room bare. Wot? Not even a pianoforte? No case of miniatures? I would recommend Sudbury, like I said before they don't seem to 'cash in' on the P&P connection but do have a little handout (20p) to guide you as to where thuings were filmed. It was a bit disconcerting to find the music room empty but the pianoforte was in the next room. They obviously did a spot of furniture removal when filming because the 'case of miniatures' I'm sure had lots of other junk in it and was in another part of the house entirely. Darcy's study (where he wrote Wickham the cheque) and his bedroom with the sumptuous red drapery(where he's choosing his jacket before setting out to see Lizzy at Lambton) were exactly as in P&P - gorgeous!"}, {"response": 160, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Aug 20, 2000 (15:33)", "body": "(Evelyn) But I can see a problem with an American audience who have difficulty with British accents! Unfortunately this Brit has problems with British accents as well :-D Tracy since you can't take photos on NT properties did you by the postcards of the relevant rooms at Sudbury? Your not on your own if you did:-)"}, {"response": 161, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Aug 20, 2000 (15:41)", "body": "Judy - No we bought yet another guide book which has most of the rooms in it. I was very restrained when a girl, clearly a confirmed Darcian, was snapping away in the Long Gallery without anyone stopping her...annoyed only because I'd left my camera in the car."}, {"response": 162, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Aug 20, 2000 (15:46)", "body": "Oh BTW Tracy 'extremely mucky pool' how could you my fave picnic place (even with all the frogs).I have to confess to being jealous over the pond,it's a place I've visited since childhood,from being a secluded spot it became the place all P&P fans wanted to see.Talking of that couple made me think of the times I've sat there & had to move because people were 'doing' the Pemberley Trail-the funny thing is that most people whispered about it as if they didn't want to admit to it. I hoped you remembered to walk with your hands clasped behind your back:-)"}, {"response": 163, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Aug 20, 2000 (15:48)", "body": "I missed your next post ,I would have been annoyed about the girl with camera,my hubby was asked to leave his camera behind the ticket desk.I must admit he did look a bit eager with his tripod etc (he was on a photography course at the time)"}, {"response": 164, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Aug 20, 2000 (15:56)", "body": "Judy - sorry about the mucky pool reference, it's just that I can imagine anyone wanting to dive in it that's all - Elvis impersonator or no! I can quite see why you're protective of the place it's a lovely spot. I was far too busy being too excited and loud quoting from the guide to my totally non-plussed, non-P&P parents to put on the \"let's pretend that we're out for a pleasant walk and not on a Darcy pilgrimage\" facade. Because no-one else seemed to have the trail guide - there were no others out on the walk but I did come across a few very confused and lost people hanging around the lake trying to work out from where he dived in only to be told by me that they were in the wrong place xcompletely *tee hee* . I suppose I should have offered them my copy of the Trail like the kind spirited person I am.........Nah!"}, {"response": 165, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Aug 20, 2000 (16:06)", "body": "Here I was feeling guilty over being resentful at having to share it & you're telling people they're in the wrong place *snort* I like your style.It's strange how we all share a love of something yet want to keep it to ourselves. I still walk my hubby & son theretelling them all about it-doesn't matter that they've seen P&P numerous times plus know Lyme like the backof their hands:-)"}, {"response": 166, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 20, 2000 (16:51)", "body": "(Murph) Can't we send wav files here? Yes, as a link (direct to url or as an \"a href\" type). Has the Pilgrim Progressed to get her film developed? ;-) Remember you can always upload the pics to Sfolks."}, {"response": 167, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 20, 2000 (16:58)", "body": "Another thing. Saw Kyle MacLachlan on TV this past week; was talking about his role on Sex and the City. Was asked if he appeared in any hot scenes (I assume with Charlotte). He answered, \"Yes\" and that it \"got him to the gym.\" So... that take me to BJD and a bit of anticipation perhaps. BTW, for those who care, he will be wearing a kilt at the wedding. For those who don't...."}, {"response": 168, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 21, 2000 (08:52)", "body": "From the Press Assoc: Play's West End revival The play that launched the careers of Rupert Everett and Kenneth Branagh in the early Eighties, Another Country, is to be revived in the West End next month. Julian Mitchell's award-winning play is set in a boys' public school in the1930s, where the activities of two rebellious pupils threaten to undermine the school's reputation. Since his success with Another Country, Mitchell has become one of the UK's top screenwriters, his credits including the 1997 film Wilde, and numerous episodes of Inspector Morse. Another Country will open at the Oxford Playhouse on September 6 before coming to the revitalised Arts Theatre in Great Newport Street on September 20. ~~~~~~~~ Did they forget someone else? :-( ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From the London Theatre Guide: Visit Another Country at the Arts Theatre Another Country, by the stage, television and film writer Julian Mitchel, is to open at the Arts Theatre, London for 12 weeks, following a run at the Oxford Playhouse from September 6. The play tells the story of two idealistic, rebellious students in an elite public boys school in the 1930s, and how their personal revolutions threaten to shake the school to its very foundations. Another Country first opened in the West End twenty years ago and heralded a resurgence of great British drama, inspired a film and launched the careers of Rupert Everett, Kenneth Branagh, Daniel Day Lewis and Colin Firth, as well as winning an Olivier (then SWET) award for Best Play in 1981. Stephen Henry directs the play, his most recent project being the controversial Corpus Christi which played at the Edinburgh Festival 1999 and transferred to The Pleasance in London. The cast includes Alex Avery, Jamie de Courcey (Plenty, Albery Theatre, 1999), Martin Hutson, Neil Jones, Ben Meyjes, Edward Purver, Ferdy Roberts, Patrick Ryecart (A Letter of Resignation, Savoy Theatre, 1998) and Tom Wisdom."}, {"response": 169, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Aug 21, 2000 (09:44)", "body": "Never heard of any of them... However, guess who I met on Friday afternoon???? He's British, He's done Shakespeare and Rosamunde Pilcher and Three Muskateers, give up???? Michael York!!! (he's not very tall, I had about an inch on him (no heels either!):)) He has a new book out \"A Shakespearan Actor Prepares\", he was talking about the difference between the Theatre and Film. Of course, perfect opportunity for me to ask why he thought the British people supported their theatre as opposed to their films ( with American backing films being prosperous), he said that Movie making in general in considered \"American\", and we make the best movies here. The British public adores the theatre because its is so accessible to them. As opposed to Broadway in NY (US is quite larger than Britain;)). Anyway, mom was quite perturbed as she's a HUGE fan of his. Told him that mom forced me to see Logan's Run when I was nine (don't think he cared for that;)), but that I adored his Tybalt and D'Artagnan;)"}, {"response": 170, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 21, 2000 (09:56)", "body": "Michael York is on a lecture circuit. I heard and met him two years ago...he gave a compelling lecture on the History of the Theatre. Not only handsome, but he has a great sense of humor and is a brilliant actor. Lives in LA.Wish I would have thought to ask him your question, Laura."}, {"response": 171, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Aug 21, 2000 (10:11)", "body": "Yes, GREAT sense of humor! And he's very handsome!!! Very personable and amiable on all counts! (Friday was not good day for me, but he made it better!)"}, {"response": 172, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 21, 2000 (10:57)", "body": "(Laura) Never heard of any of them... I believe that is the \"hook.\" Will this play do for these actors what it did for those also then-unknowns: Rupert Everett, Kenneth Branagh, Daniel Day Lewis and Colin Firth."}, {"response": 173, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Aug 21, 2000 (16:28)", "body": "Thanks for the great exchange about Lyme and Sudbury, Tracy and Judy (and others too). I would like a copy of the trail most definitely. Thanks for the offer! Have already emailed you, Tracy. Karen, thanks for the pic of Kate Murphy. LOL Judy: \"sorry I asked\". I'm sure the harsh lighting didn't help. Also, people tend to look better when they are caught in motion, because it captures all the nuances of the face and soul. That being said, I confess I thought she looks a little like Leonard Nimoy in this pic. You know, Dr. Spock from Star Trek... Kilts are always worth mentioning ;-D Am surprised Judy has not taken dive under it yet *I'd say I was ducking in return for earlier remark, Judy, but I know just how you'd interpret that! -D Ah, Michael York. A very handsome guy in his day. Was actually my model for George Wickham's \"appearance of good\", & \"soft, captivating manners\". The opposite of Darcy's dark, satanic appeal. It all leads back to Darcy."}, {"response": 174, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Aug 21, 2000 (17:18)", "body": "(Karen) Did they forget someone else? :-( I don't now why it still surprises me when they miss him out but it does. Ear.ear Sadie what's Leonard Nimoy ever done to deserve that comparison :-) (Sadie) Kilts are always worth mentioning :-D Am surprised Judy has not taken dive under it yet If something's worth doing do it straight away but thetruth is I've been reduced to lurking today,even though I logged in there was no box to reply in! (somebody trying to tell me something?) (Sadie) * I'd say I was ducking in return for earlier remark, but I know just how you'd interpret that! -D You got there first but I'm sure he's big enough for both of us so move over:-D BTW Karen before I lose myself completely what kilt, what wedding? I'm surprised to see Michael York described as handsome I've always considered him insipid sorry!"}, {"response": 175, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Aug 21, 2000 (21:05)", "body": "I think Michael York has good features. Personally, I'm attracted to dark hair and brown eyes(and slightly rougher-looking features) but I can still see his appeal, as far as faces go. Am curious about you thinking him \"insipid\". What particularly about him? I haven't seen him in a movie in years and years. Over here, I would say most women our age haven't even heard of him."}, {"response": 176, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 22, 2000 (00:36)", "body": "(Sadie) I'm sure the harsh lighting didn't help Some might argue that the lack of lighting was for the best. ;-) (Judy) I've been reduced to lurking today, even though I logged in there was no box to reply in! How unusual. No box usually indicates you haven't logged in and are in \"public\" mode. If that ever happens again, take a look at the url and whether it says public or restricted. (Judy) what kilt, what wedding? Kyle MacLachlan will wear one for his wedding to Charlotte on Sex and the City. Another article about Hornby's forthcoming novel: http://www.guardianunlimited.co.uk/women/story/0,3604,356998,00.html"}, {"response": 177, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 22, 2000 (08:17)", "body": "(From Empire) Back To College For Gwyneth he production unit for the latest Gwyneth Paltrow movie Possession, currently filming in Shepperton, have been searching for suitably academic-looking extras for a location shoot in Lincoln next week. 'We've been inundated with applications,' said a location publicist, 'I haven't even begun to sort through them!' The fantastic response is probably due to the press release that went out for the shoot which told prospective applicants that, 'Gwyneth will be in all the scenes which we are shooting in Lincoln.' Maybe fans didn't stick around to read the proviso that said the filmmakers 'can't promise that the extras will be able to get close to her!' Possession, which is based on the Booker prize-winning novel by AS Byatt and directed by Neil LaBute features Paltrow and Aaron Eckhart (last seen in Erin Brockovich) as two modern-day academics who discover a love affair between their respective objects of study which they, in turn, mirror. Early reports had Ralph Fiennes in the role opposite Paltrow, but that seems unlikely given his current stage commitments. ~~~~~~~ Not only that, but the reports said Eckhart was going to England. Roland visits Maud at Lincoln, where she teaches. Fiennes must then be playing Ash, the Victorian poet. But who is Christabel?"}, {"response": 178, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Aug 22, 2000 (10:38)", "body": "But GP or as Ted on E! calls her \"fish stick!\"? They'll probably get Emma Thompson as Christabel, or they'll write her out;)"}, {"response": 179, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Aug 22, 2000 (13:54)", "body": "( Karen) Has the Pilgrim Progressed to get her film developed? ;-) Not yet but I've got a few digital snaps which you may recognise just to whet your appetite - which I've uploaded at Sfolks!!!"}, {"response": 180, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug 22, 2000 (14:40)", "body": "Tracy I've just seen your pics-wonderful! Karen I've no idea of what went wrong yesterday but I didn't do anything different so hopefully it was just a one-off."}, {"response": 181, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 22, 2000 (16:04)", "body": "(Tracy) If you don't know where this is - there's no hope for you! LOL! Do tell! Great pictures."}, {"response": 182, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Aug 22, 2000 (21:13)", "body": "Am heading right over there to check out pics Tracy. BTW, I got your emails, I hope you got my reply. Thanks! Lots of interesting news here. I confess, I started Possession but did not finish it! (Am too cheap to buy it.) I am v. curious to see how Hornby does, how believable his character is."}, {"response": 183, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Aug 22, 2000 (21:19)", "body": "Just saw them, Tracy. Love the Lizzy impression! And indeed I do know where that was!"}, {"response": 184, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 22, 2000 (22:35)", "body": "Unbelievable!! This film has had wonderful reviews... The House Of Mirth bound straight to Showtime It appears that Terence Davies\ufffd critically acclaimed period piece The House Of Mirth will bypass a North American theatrical release and get its premiere outing on cable channel Showtime, despite a last ditch effort by Sony Pictures Classics (SPC) to buy theatrical rights. Showtime Networks co-financed the film, a lavish adaptation of Edith Wharton\ufffds novel which was warmly received at its Edinburgh Film Festival screening this week, as part of a 12-picture production deal with the UK\ufffds Granada Film. In return it controls North American rights. But while in the past, Showtime has sold theatrical rights to films such as Gods And Monsters (to Lions Gate Films), the cable channel is understood to want to premiere The House Of Mirth on Showtime, rejecting a reportedly generous bid by SPC to buy out the theatrical window. SPC was unavailable for comment at time of going to press, Showtime would only say that there were no negotiations with SPC. The situation highlights the increasing crossover between movies made for US pay-TV and independently financed film. Showtime movie Rated X premiered at this year\ufffds Sundance Film Festival, while The House Of Mirth has screened at Locarno and Edinburgh and is lined up for a North American premiere at Toronto next month. Meanwhile Rodrigo Garcia\ufffds Things You Can Tell Just By Looking At Her, which played at Sundance and Cannes, will also go straight to Showtime even though it was originally bought for theatrical distribution by United Artists - which subsequently negotiated the straight-to-TV deal with Showtime. The House Of Mirth features Gillian Anderson, Eric Stoltz, Anthony LaPaglia, Laura Linney, Elizabeth McGovern and Dan Aykroyd and has won praise for Anderson\ufffds performance and Davies\ufffd direction. For Anderson it represents a breakthrough into film acting after gaining fame playing Scully on TV\ufffds The X-Files, while for Davies, it marks a return to form after 1994\ufffds lacklustre The Neon Bible. However, if the film premieres on TV, it would of course forfeit any Oscar consideration, as would have Gods And Monsters which won Best Adapted Screenplay and two acting nominations in 1998. The film's other backers include FilmFour, which has UK distribution, plus the Arts Councils of England and Scotland and the Glasgow Film Fund. Capitol Films is handling international sales. Olivia Stewart produced and Bob Last and Granada's Pippa Cross executive produced. Stewart said she was still optimistic that a deal would go through with SPC, adding \"I can't understand why it would not do so, when it is in everybody's interest.\""}, {"response": 185, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Tue, Aug 22, 2000 (23:07)", "body": "*delurking/decloaking* I've been in the shadows here for a while, and I just had to talk about \"Sunshine,\" which I just returned from seeing... Someone here must have seen it, I'm sure. What did you all think of it? I think that there were a bunch of loose ends that weren't tied up at the end; such as the significance of the clock on the wall, where the recipe book had been all those years, and others. I'd love to hear what you all have to say about it...I hope this is the right board to do it on. Thanks."}, {"response": 186, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (02:06)", "body": "Hi Liz, Welcome. I too loved Sunshine, I have only seen it once, several months ago, it opened here in the UK in early April, so I am a bit hazy on particulars but I thought it was a wonderful film. The 3hours just flew by and there were some marvelours performances, particularly Jennifer Ehele and her mother Rosemary Harris, whom I think deserves to be nominated for a Supporting Actress nomination come the Oscars, I thought the scene jwhere she collapses just before she dies was wonderfuly done. I thought RF was very good too, particularly Ignatz and the last character, Adam, is it? Willima Hurt was also good. I could easily have sat through it a second time but unfortunately it did not last too long in the UK. Some characters especially in the last two sections of the film were not fully developed and I missed the fact that Valerie left Ignatz to be with Gustave. I'm afraid I don't remember the clock on the wall just the photo of Valerie in the courtyard which remained there throughout the film. I l ved the upbeat hopeful ending with Adam? walking off down the street to a new future."}, {"response": 187, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (02:20)", "body": "soor Liz, for Adam read Ivan, Adam was my least fazvourit Feinnes character, I thought he was rather cold and distant."}, {"response": 188, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (02:21)", "body": "that should be \"Sorry Liz\", its obviously too early in the morning."}, {"response": 189, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (07:19)", "body": "(Sadie), I started Possession but did not finish it! (Am too cheap to buy it.) I am v. curious to see how Hornby does, how believable his character is. Reading Possession and Hornby in the same sentence worries me. Have I missed something? I will NOT let my imaginination run with that one. ;-) Ciao tutti!"}, {"response": 190, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (09:14)", "body": "Welcome Liz. Yes, this is the right topic. I'm sure many of us have seen Sunshine, but our main booster/devotee is out of town at the moment. Perhaps, she'll check in later. I've seen the movie twice because I wanted to double check on several things that I thought I'd missed. Unfortunately, I hadn't. Sunshine had way too ambitious a storyline to be told adquately in the three hours. It really should have been a miniseries or made the bold leap to a film event, which is very seldom done. As the movie was originally 5 hours, the loss of 2 hours of storyline and character development shows. Too many unanswered questions. Too many gaps. Frankly, they could have (and should have) cut out that beginning, with its cartoonish depiction and amateurish acting in the old village. On the subject of acting, all of it was excellent. I thought RF did a great job differentiating the characters; he did far more than rely on different hairstyles and facial hair as has been written up in some of the reviews. I did want to laugh a bit when he showed up the third time at the door, however. ;-) About the recipe book (its significance), I know Evelyn has some interesting observations about it, but will let her tell you. I'm drawing a blank on the clock."}, {"response": 191, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (12:49)", "body": "WELCOME , Moon!"}, {"response": 192, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (13:02)", "body": "Thanks, all, for your plaudits re my holiday snaps..unfortunately the picture I thought I'd taken of THE pond must be on my film (yet to be developed...*slap wrists* - I know it's just too slack of me. If there are any others worth uploading I'll see what I can dig out."}, {"response": 193, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (15:55)", "body": "(Moon)Reading Possession and Hornby in the same sentence worries me. Have I missed something? I will NOT let my imaginination run with that one. ;-) The only connection is of course CF. He will not be in the upcoming film version of Possession, but it was discussed awhile back how good he could be in it."}, {"response": 194, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (16:18)", "body": "Moon, some things you missed while away (my take on it anyway)... New fanfic treats, by Gail, Esbee, newbie Katherine, and a sci-fi discovered by Hanne. New Drool word coined by Danielle: \"sexactly\". New Tracyism to express Drool state of Being: \"going all unnecessary\". Many newbies delighted us by delurking, but I won't attempt to name names for fear of leaving someone out. You also missed usual lively banter about ODB's career and whether or not his fans are devoted enough . Also, some snickering about HG after Liz H revealed unsurprising news that he's not that great in bed. Judy and Sadie forced to watch NH in attempt to give HG fair shake --- then decided that he's still not worth shaking, and certainly, not shagging. Lots of discussion about RZ, and basic worry about whether or not ODB will get limelight he deserves in the film. Many lewd comments by hard-core droolers which shocked innocent little me. Seasoned droolers continued to elevate discussion with knowledge of film and theatre and/or dig up great articles about signicant Colin-related events with impressive detective smarts. The Film discussion board buzzed with a Fever Pitch. Conversation still remained in gutter though, thanks primarily to Judy and Tracy. Incidently, Tracy professes to be mild-mannered, but we all know that she really did deck that other tourist at Lyme for taking Colin's bum's spot. You an read all about it in the tabloids: Mild-mannered Firth Fan engages in Frenzied Activity, Lyme Visitor Sports a Shiner. Details inside. Quote from Firthette. \"I don't know what came over me. There it was. The place where Colin's bum once sat. I suddenly felt all unnecessarily. The rest is all a blank.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 195, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (16:39)", "body": "Sadie ROTFLOL Loved especially your Tracy skit Innocent you ha ha :-) :-)Put that bottle down girl:-D"}, {"response": 196, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (16:43)", "body": "This from the Business Press Wire - Partial: Overseas Filmgroup is one of the few truly independent worldwide film distribution companies specializing in the acquisition, financing, packaging and distribution of independently produced feature films of all genre. The upcoming slate includes Cheri (adapted from the novel written by Colette and starring Jessica Lang); Gein (based on the true life story of the serial killer Ed Gein); Till the End of Time (based on the love affair between Georgia O'Keefe and Alfred Steiglitz, and starring Linda Fiorentino and Ben Kingsley); Proximity (starring Rob Lowe and James Coburn); Relative Values (based on the Noel Coward play, and starring Julie Andrews, William Baldwin and Jeanne Tripplehorn); and, Greenfingers (starring Clive Owen , Helen Mirren and David Kelly). Previous films include Titus (directed by Julie Taymor and starring Anthony Hopkins and Jessica Lange); Waking Ned Devine (which grossed over $25 million in the U.S. box office); and, The Prophecy (starring Christopher Walken - achieved $17 illion in U.S. box office). Overseas Filmgroup's domestic division is First Look Pictures. First Look currently has The Opportunists (starring Christopher Walken) in release. First Look's next releases are Me & Isaac Newton (directed by Michael Apted and produced by Clear Blue Sky Productions); and, Blessed Art Thou (directed by Tim Disney). Previous films include: A Map of the World (starring Sigourney Weaver and Julianne Moore, and produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall); Antonia's Line (Academy Award winner for Best Foreign Language Film of 1995); Mrs. Dalloway (starring Vanessa Redgrave); and, The Secret of Roan Inish (directed by John Sayles). First Look Pictures also specializes in the video and DVD release of films in the U.S. and is focused on exploiting non-theatrical rights and new distribution opportunities."}, {"response": 197, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (16:43)", "body": "Hey Girl, we are actually here at the same time! Nice to run into you again. *wears demure expression as befits innocent state of being* *Hiccup*"}, {"response": 198, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (16:49)", "body": "Moon: Welcome home -- I loved Possession. Can't wait for more news of the film. One of the most clever things in it is the poetry \"supposedly\" written by the two lovers. The Christabel ones remind me of Emily Dickinson. Sadie, you aren't too bad yourself! Very funny."}, {"response": 199, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (16:49)", "body": "Oh now I'm really worried demure expression indeed You need to wear a bit more than that to keep warm in this gutter with Tracy & myself :-)"}, {"response": 200, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (16:50)", "body": "Last comment was to Judy. Thanks for this article Murph. They certainly have an impressive line-up of films. It will be interesting to see how much attention RV gets here in the U.S. *Fingers crossed* BTW, I have forgotten RV's current status with regard to overseas release. Can someone tell me?"}, {"response": 201, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (16:53)", "body": "And my comment was to Sadie-the joys of being here altogether or in Sadie's case in the altogether:-) BTW did they forget to mention someone?"}, {"response": 202, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (16:54)", "body": "Board is exploding. I cannot type fast enough (for an American, my trigger finger is a little slow ;-) Thanks for compliment Murph, always pleased to amuse. Some of us have no loftier purpose in life. Whot Judy? You got something against me being naked? (Metaphorically-speaking of course, am brilliant literary type in manner of Scaisia. Am bloody poor speller though.)"}, {"response": 203, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (16:58)", "body": "Nothing against you being naked as long as you don't hold your naked against me or that you don't upload your naked being on sfolks;-)"}, {"response": 204, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (17:06)", "body": "Holy cow!! Sadie! Would you like to write a Drool newsletter? You've captured the past two months' activities to a T. Am particularly interested if you kept a list of lewd comments by hard-core droolers. ;-) Am checking regional newspapers for real account of Tracy's hols. (if anyone can find it, I will) (Murph) The Christabel ones remind me of Emily Dickinson. Sprinkled liberally with Christina Rossetti, who were both inspirations for Christabel (a poem by Coleridge). I posted info from Murph about the October 22 broadcast of Relative Values on 134. But the reason why Overseas FilmGroup is in the news is that it released more bad financial results on Monday. As far as the US goes, all deals are done. We're going to see it on TV and eventually it should come out on video. Overseas posts deepened loss Indie film distributor Overseas Filmgroup Inc. on Monday reported a widened second-quarter net loss and decreased revenue as it racked up high interest costs related to debt reduction. The Los Angeles-based company, whose upcoming slate of films includes \"Cheri\" starring Jessica Lange and \"Proximity\" with Rob Lowe and James Coburn, reported a net loss of $666,705, or 10 cents a share, compared with a loss of $47,714, or a penny a share, a year earlier. Revenue fell to $4.4 million from $6.5 million. The company blamed operating losses during the quarter on distribution and marketing costs. In June, Overseas Filmgroup received a $17 million equity investment from commercial production and studio facilities company EUE Screen Gems but was hit with a $15 million one-time accounting charge."}, {"response": 205, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (17:06)", "body": "Don't worry, there is only one person I want to hold my naked against at the moment, and neither you nor Tracy likely look like him! Being demure, I would nevah have even contemplated uploading my Birthday suit to sfolks. Oh my poor innocent state is being shaken. A pic of CF and I'm likely to go all unnecessary."}, {"response": 206, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (17:15)", "body": "Help there's a delusional streaker on the board,pleasedon't show her a pic of CF in her present unnecessarycondition."}, {"response": 207, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (17:17)", "body": "It happened again! Too slow on the draw. No Karen, I did not keep a list of lewd comments. But then, they flow so freely from my own brain...well, not brain, sexactly. I was afraid to leave names out at that given moment, so I just said \"seasoned Droolers\" 'cause of course we all know who you guys are....thanks for RV reminder. I know why I forgot. I do not have cable :-("}, {"response": 208, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (17:20)", "body": "Have put clothes on now (cold chill of not seeing RV when its shown) and cast away demure pretence. Am drawing feverish sketch of Colin in kilt, in manner of KJ but with rather shocking agenda..."}, {"response": 209, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (17:23)", "body": "The kilt bit is to torture you Judy, for your corrupting influence on poor little me -D"}, {"response": 210, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (17:24)", "body": "Oh no, I think I left bold open, how do I fix it. (Bold lettering that is)"}, {"response": 211, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (17:25)", "body": "The truth will out,this is the Sadie we all know & love But now it's my turn to go all unnecessary ooh Colin in a kilt I can see why you felt the need to strip off, I'm all hot under the kilt as well."}, {"response": 212, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (17:26)", "body": "Torture me! torture me!"}, {"response": 213, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (17:28)", "body": "You mean it's hot under the kilt after awhile."}, {"response": 214, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (17:30)", "body": "Especially since its always so crowded."}, {"response": 215, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (17:33)", "body": "LMAO Judy! But not too crowded. We seem to have been deserted again!"}, {"response": 216, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (17:34)", "body": "Just you & me & a pair of..."}, {"response": 217, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (17:36)", "body": "But only one..."}, {"response": 218, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (17:37)", "body": "LOL `Me first :-D"}, {"response": 219, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (17:39)", "body": "Thank you, Sadie! I wish I did not have a hurricane warning overhead and could spend some time on your report. You could be our PA whenever we get round to forming Firthfully Films. Remember, Karen? Gi, ho ricevuto oggi tua cartolina, grazie! Murph, I too enjoyed Possession very much. Any news on the lead male? I heard that Gwynnie wanted the C part. Sadie, Possession is very slow to start but once it does, it is hard to put down. Give it another try."}, {"response": 220, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (17:41)", "body": "Did I cut in a a waltz? ;-)"}, {"response": 221, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (17:44)", "body": "No,no just genital warfare"}, {"response": 222, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (17:46)", "body": "*Thwack* No need to worry Moon. Just taking over the kilt."}, {"response": 223, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (17:46)", "body": "...a highly ignored territory in the South of England, except at Drool."}, {"response": 224, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (18:02)", "body": "I'm off now Sadie hubby wants to surf-men! *sneaking off with kilt tucked firmly underarm*"}, {"response": 225, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (18:16)", "body": "Yes, you may have got the kilt, but I 'm holding what was underneath. See ya later."}, {"response": 226, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (18:33)", "body": "LOL! Sadie, don't let slip out, like those kids toys (the gel filled disgusting thing that slips out of your hand.) Grab hold tight and don't let go! Um, then again, not \"too\" tight... :-)"}, {"response": 227, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug 23, 2000 (21:57)", "body": "Don't worry Laura, I have my handling certificate. Sorry Moon, really hope you did not leave because of the low tone Judy brought to the conversation (*ducking*). Truth is, we just keep talking even though everyone else seems to desert us, hence the Judy & Sadie routine above. :-( I actually did like what I read of Possession, but didn't have a solid stretch of time at any one sitting to concentrate and get very far. Finally gave up after second library renewal. Am v. close to Amazon.com binge for some steamy books. Any steam in Possession?"}, {"response": 228, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Aug 24, 2000 (06:42)", "body": "Depends how how much steam you want to see. I mean its about two Victorian poets? Two scholarly nerds and a somewhat lesbian affair... You figure it out.... :)"}, {"response": 229, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Aug 24, 2000 (12:32)", "body": "Excellent summary of summer Drool activities, Sadie, but you didn't mention ODB's buff new bod with six-pack abs. Moon may be interested to know that pic of CF wrapped in chains (and nothing else) is now possible. ;-)"}, {"response": 230, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Aug 24, 2000 (13:10)", "body": "Am drawing feverish sketch of Colin in kilt, in manner of KJ but with rather shocking agenda... Do I detect my initials being used in vain?? Leave me out of this; nothing like that would ever be in the manner of KJ! :-)"}, {"response": 231, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Aug 24, 2000 (14:03)", "body": "Sadie...ROTFLOL! My cover's blown...there's paparazzi at the door ..oh why couldn't I keep my fists to myself..will now have to retreat to Priory-style clinic to curb my violent tendencies in manner or Col-crazed kilt fiend ;-D (Laura) like those kids toys (the gel filled disgusting thing that slips out of your hand. Oh thats a kids toy is is? Whoops! Am trying to imagine Judy's hubby \"surf-men\" .... cannot get picture of person standing on back of another man in a Hawaii-5-0 stylee."}, {"response": 232, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Aug 24, 2000 (14:04)", "body": ".... (continuing as far too quick in submitting) out of my warped brain. Saie can I have some of whatever you're having ? *hic*"}, {"response": 233, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Thu, Aug 24, 2000 (18:40)", "body": "Welcome back to Moon and Liz K! Moon, I hope that you and your family enjoyed your stay in Italy. Liz, I remember you. Atleast, I hope I have this right -- one of your favorite CF films is \"Apartment Zero\" and you claim to be a poor speller. I that isn't you I apologize. Now that Moon's back maybe the film discussion on \"Apartment Zero\" will materialize. Sadie, I am the worst speller on this list -- and don't you forget it. I'm going to go medicate myself now."}, {"response": 234, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Aug 24, 2000 (23:42)", "body": "(Laura)Two scholarly nerds and a somewhat lesbian affair Sounds like a TV sitcom for the upcoming season. (Eileen)Excellent summary of summer Drool activities, Sadie, but you didn't mention ODB's buff new bod with six-pack abs Quite right, Eileen. I tend to forget to say the most important things! (KJ)Leave me out of this; nothing like that would ever be in the manner of KJ! :-) Deeply sorry. I was merely making reference to act of sketching, not content of sketch. Did not want to say \"in manner of Jackson Pollock\" and could not think of any contemporary realists at the time. Again, sorry for dragging your name into the gutter where I live."}, {"response": 235, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Aug 24, 2000 (23:54)", "body": "(Tracy)will now have to retreat to Priory-style clinic to curb my violent tendencies in manner or Col-crazed kilt fiend ;-D Say hello to Judy when you bump into her there! Hey, maybe we should join that Sciasia party and show 'em how literal (as opposed to literary) 'breaking'is done? Nothing like a pack of wild drooling women on the political scene. Porn stars have got nothin' on us! Oh thats a kids toy is is? Whoops! LOL Tracy, and here you thought it was an adult toy! (Cheryl)Sadie, I am the worst speller on this list -- and don't you forget it. I'm going to go medicate myself now. LOL! Ok Cheryl, I won't forget. If I switched to your medication though, maybe I'd be fiercer competition. -D"}, {"response": 236, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (03:42)", "body": "From Baz, today's Daily Mail Poetic Jennifer returns as lover Hot from her Tony award winning success in Tom Stoppard's TRT, JE has returned to these shores to work in the film version of A S Byatt's novel Possession. The cast, which includes Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeremy Northan, Toby Stephens and Aaron Eckhart, begins rehearsals next week in London on the tale about two contemporary scholars who discover a tragic love story involving two 19th century Victorian poets. Pic of JE from the Tony Awards. Ms Paltrow and Mr Eckhart play the modern-day literary detectives, while Ms Ehle and Mr Northam play the 19th century lovers. Byatt modelled Ms Ehle's character, Christabel and her poems on the work of Emily Dickinson and Christina Rossetti. The project will be given an infusion of 1st centry hipness by writer-driector Neil LaBute, who has charged his work on screen and on stage with a sense of sexual fury."}, {"response": 237, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (03:58)", "body": "Great news Aishling, good ole Baz, and quite a coup for Jennifer, don't you think."}, {"response": 238, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (04:14)", "body": "Why Jeremy, Colin would have been so good in this role.(sorry Jeremy fans, just wishful thinking!)"}, {"response": 239, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (06:43)", "body": "Re Christabel: Great news, Evelyn! What a wonderful part for Jennifer. So happy for her. And a wonderful cst too."}, {"response": 240, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (07:21)", "body": "Wow!! Fiennes is out; Northam is in as Ash. Amazing! This ought to be adorable with Jennifer and JN and a class act production. Let's see, what would Toby Stephens play? How about Maud's ex-boyfriend and Roland's nemesis? Now, you're going to have to read the book, Ev. You've made our day, Aishling. :-)"}, {"response": 241, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (07:31)", "body": "From Empire today: Neil LaBute - A Man Possessed After the sweetness and light of Nurse Betty, which opens in the UK next Friday, it looks like director Neil LaBute is returning to more familiar territory. The man behind such caustic films as In The Company Of Men and Your Friends and Neighbours is about to start filming A.S.Byatt's novel Possession in England this autumn. \"It will be a surprise for some, others will say it's a natural progression,\" says LaBute of his choice to shoot the novel. \"There are two really f***ed-up couples, and who better to deal with them [than me]?\". The story of two contemporary academics (to be played by Gwyneth Paltrow and LaBute regular Aaron Eckhart), the film follows their growing love for each other as they uncover a hitherto unknown affair between two Victorian poets. Unlike the casting of LaBute's Nurse Betty star Ren\ufffde Zellweger in the forthcoming (and very English) Bridget Jones' Diary, the choice of Paltrow, who honed her British accent on Shakespeare In Love and Sliding Doors, shouldn't raise any eyebrows. \"She's frankly good,\" says LaBute. \"She's adept at it. I knew she wouldn't have to go through the kind of thing I was watching Ren\ufffde go through playing Bridget Jones. We couldn't even have a press conference about Nurse Betty without people saying 'Could you do the dialect for us?' I knew it was past that.\" LaBute is currently living in London during pre-production, having scouted locations including Whitby and Lincoln, along with casting a nearly-all British support cast. Backing Paltrow and Eckhart will be Jeremy Northam and Jennifer Ehle as the Victorian poets, with roles also for Trevor Eve, Toby Stephens and Anna Massey. LaBute, who adapted the novel with screenwriter Laura Jones, [uh oh, didn't she do ATA?] came to the book originally as a reader. \"I read it a few years ago, and loved it,\" he says. But - with two previous directors already having tried and failed to adapt it - LaBute's efforts to film it mark the tenth year that the novel has been in the hands of Hollywood. \"I was looking at the book from a nationalistic perspective,\" he says. \"My experience of going to the Royal Court, of being the big, loud American, with everybody looking at you. I saw a lot of that in the book.\" [huh??]"}, {"response": 242, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (08:01)", "body": "Laura Jones IMO is horrible... She adapted I believe (don't quote me..) Wings of a Dove (which I really didn't like). Am happy about JE and JN in the poets role. Karen, I would suspect TS as the ex-boyfriend. Trevor Eve, eh? Yummy... Anna Massey as the older mentor to Maud????"}, {"response": 243, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (08:08)", "body": "Anna Massey as the older mentor to Maud???? The flouncy American Leonora? Naw. Was thinking she'd be a perfect Blanche if she was a lot younger. I'm guessing she's Bea, although AM doesn't appear to have Bea's physical endowments. ;-) Trevor Eve has me stumped. Can't be Blackadder or Cropper."}, {"response": 244, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (08:44)", "body": "Have been reading about Possession on this board for awhile (haven't read it yet). What great news about JE's casting! LaBute has me a bit nervous, although I found ITCOM engrossing and well acted by Eckhart (particularly at the end when you wanted to disembowel him). Re: Laura Jones--having read the screenplay for ATA, IMO you can't blame her for the final product."}, {"response": 245, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (08:51)", "body": "(Baz) The project will be given an infusion of 21st century hipness by writer-driector Neil LaBute, who has charged his work on screen and on stage with a sense of sexual fury. I'm guess we'll get more than the image of cavorting seals between Northam and Jenn. ;-)"}, {"response": 246, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (10:10)", "body": "Excellent news--thanks Aishling. Way to go, Jennifer! Ann, you called it--I think you had a feeling she'd do something on the big screen before coming back to NY for the play. Smart girl, you really need to strike while the iron is hot in that business. She is choosing wisely. I haven't read the book (but will now). It sounds like excellent source material, and LaBute is a real indie darling and I do like his work. Big question mark is Laura Jones--for the most part, I don't care for her work at all. Aside from ATA, she's done Portrait of a Lady and Oscar & Lucinda, neither of which appealed to me. On the plus side, I did like Angela's Ashes. I do heavily blame her for ATA--she moved the book's action away from the '70s and into the current time, which totally ruined it by eliminating the chance to explore what America was going through at the time both politically (post-Vietnam) and economically (farmers losing their livelihood through corporate takeover and consolidation). Without that, it's a soap opera. Ruined it. Anyway, this is some cast--Ehle, Paltrow, Eckhart, and (YUM!) Northam--I like them all! Ann, I know how you feel, being disappointed that CF isn't doing this, but what can I say that I haven't already said elsewhere. Sigh. He does have that Sciascia gig lined up. Oi. Karen, I doubt if Fiennes was ever really attached to this. He's doing Richard II/Coriolanus in Brooklyn for the next two months, then he's taking it to Japan. He's booked for the rest of the year."}, {"response": 247, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (11:21)", "body": "Northam is really far better for the role of Ash than Fiennes. When I read the book and did some mental casting, it was Daniel Day-Lewis in that part. Colin I could see more as Roland, who will be played by Eckhart (who is far more suited to play the narcissistic ex-boyfriend Fergus Wolff). Roland undergoes the greatest changes in the book. He's described as mole-like, but as his name implies, he is far more than that. BTW, everyone's name is highly significant. Gwynneth is Maud Bailey Jennifer is Christabel LaMotte Aaron Eckhart is Roland Michell Jeremy Northam is Randolph Henry Ash This book has so much in it. I've two copies: the original hardback and a paperback which is underlined and full of post-it notes."}, {"response": 248, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (11:23)", "body": "This is a huge break for Jennifer, good for her and her agent whom I am sure fought hard for the part. JN will be great as Ash. I even thought RF would be right for the part. I did not see Colin at all. Forgive me. He was better as Roland. Could someone post a pix of Aaron Eckhart? Karen please email me about the Sciascia gig. I am in the dark. LaBute, who adapted the novel with screenwriter Laura Jones, [uh oh, didn't she do ATA?] That is bad news indeed! We need Balzac!"}, {"response": 249, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (11:27)", "body": "Here ya go:"}, {"response": 250, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (11:27)", "body": "Here ya go: And w/ Julia Roberts"}, {"response": 251, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (11:28)", "body": "Don't know why the first one didn't come out;("}, {"response": 252, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (11:37)", "body": "Aaron looks so different in each part. Here's a good link with lots of pics: http://aaroneckhart.homestead.com Terrific actor,IMO."}, {"response": 253, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (14:07)", "body": "Thanks, Laura and Mari! Who said that Colin and Jeremy had the same agent.It seems he is working just a little bit harder for JN. I am not so crazy about Aaron as Roland, his eyes are weird. Colin would have been much better. I always felt that there should be some kind of physical connection between Ash and Roland. Aaron would have been better as Maud's ex. Anyone agree?"}, {"response": 254, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (14:17)", "body": "Aaron would have been better as Maud's ex. Anyone agree? Proof positive that no one reads my posts. :-("}, {"response": 255, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (14:36)", "body": "This ought to be adorable with Jennifer and JN and a class act production Whoopee ....Holy Moses!!What a break. Mr. Knightly, Emma, and Lizzie all in one film....Miramax again...Thank you Harvey. And who was the one who said that winning the Tony had not brought Jennifer any good film break. *Snort* First thing outta Baz's mouth. Shows what you know;-) I am currently in Houston and happen to have the book with me....am starting right away. Thanks Karen for giving the cast and updating IMDb. Don't know Randolph, but feel sure Colin would have been able to play that role...have always said JN is his competition for roles...and is more marketable.Has the Golden Bowl coming soon...another Henry James...but P. should not be art -house, don't you think? Jennifer is sure on a role...after this on to Broadway in January...."}, {"response": 256, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (15:23)", "body": "Have never felt Colin was right in the role of Ash. Sorry. Forgot to tell you, Jennifer will be blonde, v. blonde for Christabel. Can't remember if it's white blonde or golden blonde. Christabel is a great part. She won't be the lead, with Gwynnie/Aaron, but it's a fabulous part nonetheless. Nothing like people have seen before. Always reminded me of Holly Hunter's role in The Piano. Another reason why Eckhart is wrong. He is going to have to dye his hair. He can't be blonde. You know, based on the Empire interview with LaBute, we can safely assume that Roland is now American. An academic geek is an academic geek, I suppose, anywhere. ;-)"}, {"response": 257, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (15:26)", "body": "Aaron would have been better as Maud's ex. Anyone agree? Proof positive that no one reads my posts. :-( Karen! I am your most avid reader. Our posts did cross, look at the posting time. Cheer up now! We do have the same idea for casting, naturellement!"}, {"response": 258, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (15:32)", "body": "(Karen) You know, based on the Empire interview with LaBute, we can safely assume that Roland is now American. An academic geek is an academic geek, I suppose, anywhere. ;-) Hee hee. Actually, maybe not. I was just looking at his bio. California boy, but spent his teenage years in England, so he should be able to pull off a decent accent with some coaching. I *must* get this book!"}, {"response": 259, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (15:37)", "body": "Mr. Knightly, Emma, and Lizzie all in one film.... But not Mr. Darcy :-( Now I really will have to read the book. I believe all of you who say it's wonderful so I'm very sorry that CF is not going to be in the film. What a missed opportunity! Say what you will about LaBute, I think he's a talented director, and good have got a great performance from ODB. I agree that AE is highly talented. I thoroughly enjoyed hating his character in ITCOM. Great news about JE. Wow, she really has taken off. Imagine if...but I better not say it."}, {"response": 260, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (15:40)", "body": "I meant \"could have got a great performance\"! What is the matter with me today?"}, {"response": 261, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (15:44)", "body": "(Mari) California boy, but spent his teenage years in England, so he should be able to pull off a decent accent with some coaching. Oooh, didn't know that. But he still will have to darken up. Roland cannot be a golden boy. So against type. Sadie, there's hardly any hanky-panky. But yes, this is a fabulous book. It actually brought be to the web to participate in a book discussion at the Chgo Tribune site and then I found Pemberley's Library, which was going to do a discussion. A core group of about 4-5 of us dissected the book. And that's what got me here. Sorry, it wasn't Colin, but the book Possession. Think a topic for Possession might be desirable?"}, {"response": 262, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (15:53)", "body": "Hardly any hanky-panky? Well that's ok, I'll still read it. As long as there are no gum-shoes, porn stars, or butterballs...."}, {"response": 263, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (16:01)", "body": "Well there's not much I can add as I've never read the book & until I found spring I'd never even heard about it.Of course I may have had my head in the sandI'm sure I'll be told if that's the case:-) I'm glad for JE being involved with auch a well known cast but only time will tell about its success over here but you all know my views on that."}, {"response": 264, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (16:06)", "body": "Oops meant to add that I worried over TEP & SIL in the same way so I hope this also captures the imagination of the English public."}, {"response": 265, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (17:26)", "body": "(Karen)Aaron would have been better as Maud's ex. Anyone agree? Proof positive that no one reads my posts. :-( (Moon)Karen! I am your most avid reader Me too, me too, boss. Don't read everyone's, I must admit, but always yours... (Karen)Think a topic for Possession might be desirable? Please, please, please...can you wait til Mari gets it and and I read it? (Judy)I'm glad for JE being involved with such a well known cast but only time will tell about its success over here but you all know my views on that. Do not mean to be patronizing...but really, a \"British success\" doesn't make any difference ..whether in reviews or box office receipts.Lots of Brit films bomb in UK and \"make it\" over here...Sunshine and Croupier , for instance which is a current winner in the US."}, {"response": 266, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (17:39)", "body": "Hey, Cheryl. Nope that wasn't me...I've been over at fanfic for well over a year, so you might have come across me there. Thank you all for the welcome though...it was very nice. :) So, when is this JE film due to come out?? Probably sooner in Britain than here in the US, huh?"}, {"response": 267, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (17:47)", "body": "(Evelyn) and happen to have the book with me....am starting right away So does that mean you've finished \"Rose\"? (another good one, Sadie, but has other bits you might enjoy) I've cast Colin and Cate Blanchett in this one. ;-) (Moon) We do have the same idea for casting, naturellement! Yes. Sorry, I didn't check the posting times. We are very much in agreement over the main roles and have the same concerns over the directing/writing talent. (Mari) I *must* get this book! Yes, you *must* It just has everything. Literary depth, plus a romance, a mystery/detective story... even a chase scene (which should make the Hollywood types happy as we have ACTION!!) I can just hear Moon exclaim, \"the chase is on.\" ;-) Anna Massey could be playing Ellen Ash when she's older. Small part, but v. pivotal. Have decided that Colin couldn't have played Roland. It might have required that he go to France, where some of the action takes place. ;-)"}, {"response": 268, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (17:49)", "body": "Hi Liz. Yes, I think many of us had you confused with another Liz who delurked awhile ago. Welcome. The JE movie we're all talking about \"Possession\" has just started shooting. So it won't be out until next year. But I think we can be certain that it will open in the US first."}, {"response": 269, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (18:18)", "body": "Karen, Forgot to tell you that Jennifer is blonde, very blonde for Christabel Oh, I hope she is not too blonde, although I liked her in the The Chamomile Lawn, I thought Jennifer was too blonde in that and that bright red lipstick! Oh Louisa! Although I am very very pleased for Jennifer, it makes me very sad for Colin, why isn't he being offered similar roles, one film a year is just not enough."}, {"response": 270, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (18:37)", "body": "Karen,I think a Possession board is wonderful, and perhaps we can do a group read of it. I know that reading and rereading it again, I get so much out of it! Just some background on the novel, AS Byatt won the Booker prize in 1990 for this novel. It was her first Booker award, and hopefully not her last. As Karen can attest, she is MY FAVORITE author, I devoured all of her books and am waiting for the fourth book in her so-called tetrology;) AS Byatt is also sister to Margaret Drabble. (Byatt is her married name by first hubby.) AS Byatt also wrote Angels and Insects, a Novella. some of you may know that from the movie. This is a book to be dissected! I love it and push it on as many people as I possibly can! Now Roland. I have always pictured him as dark with longish hair. Now the contemporary part takes place in late '80s, they'll probably update it to the '90s. Wonder who could do Val and Blanche??? This book is so character driven that everyone really serves a purpose even Val who's barely in the story... Karen, now that I think of it... Patsy Kensit... As Blanche??? (however in Angels and Insects she was very, very, blonde!) There are so many different people who would be great in different roles. Leonora???(Kathy Baker???), she's American, kinda hefty, lesbian... Damn, wish I were casting agent! ;)"}, {"response": 271, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (18:51)", "body": "Have decided that Colin couldn't have played Roland. It might have required that he go to France, where some of the action takes place. ;-) What a pity....there goes that role;-)Off to the book. (\"Rose\" stayed at home...\"Possession\" is my travelling book;-)Soo glad you guys approve of Jennifer as Christabel. (Ann)Although I am very very pleased for Jennifer, it makes me very sad for Colin, why isn't he being offered similar roles Agree, Ann. It sorta takes the joy out of it for me...I do so want him to have roles that command respect .I felt the same way Tony Awards night.He deserves better."}, {"response": 272, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 25, 2000 (19:15)", "body": "Since a number of people plan to read Possession, we'll hold off discussing it and the characters for a while. This is NOT a story to *ruin* for other people. I'll open up a board later. So let's cool our jets. :-) BTW, I have the complete Pemberley discussion of Possession on my other computer; can upload. (Ann) Although I am very very pleased for Jennifer, it makes me very sad for Colin, why isn't he being offered similar roles Let me preface this, I'm saying this very rationally and not intending to be mean. Possession is a big-time production, the kind of thing they might put out late next year for Oscar consideration. However, it could fall on its face, as the article said Hollywood has been trying to put this one on the screen for 10 years and no one has a clue. All the actors are film actors who put their careers first and don't dilute their CV's with television and nobody directors. To be a \"respected actor,\" IMO, one has to really work at it and not treat it as a 9 to 5 job for 5 months of the year. Having the talent isn't everything. Being there, being available, and promoting the film are required. It kills me too that Colin isn't getting these plum roles. Maybe Bridget will bring him to the forefront and make him a viable \"British\" actor in Hollywood's eyes. Right now, there are only two: Ralph Fiennes (drama) and Hugh Grant (other) and now Jeremy Northam may be making some inroads, but he's still relegated to costume work, as no one went to see Happy, Texas. I'm thrilled that Jennifer is on the road to the majors. Not another word about the Queen Mum or the Forsyte Saga. ;-) She's moved on and why should she look back?"}, {"response": 273, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Aug 26, 2000 (14:45)", "body": "Liz K, sorry that I confused you with LizG, who posted here in May and June. It is good to have you here. You're welcome for your thank you to my welcoming of your posting here."}, {"response": 274, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (10:16)", "body": "It's Murph's Birthday!!! Have a Great One!!"}, {"response": 275, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (10:19)", "body": ""}, {"response": 276, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (10:24)", "body": "Happy Birthday Murph!"}, {"response": 277, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (10:42)", "body": "It's Murph's birtdey? *slap* C'mon, Uncle Junior, let's raise a glass to that Bergen County babe, Murph. She's one a da few who can pronounce my name da right way - 'Antney', not 'An-tho-ney'."}, {"response": 278, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (10:55)", "body": "How come nobody told me it was Murph's birthday?"}, {"response": 279, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (10:59)", "body": "Hey, Murph, I'm just Colin in to say I hope you have birthday to Crowe about, and I'm Owen you a big hug when I see you!:-) Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk . . ."}, {"response": 280, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (11:07)", "body": "Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk . . . Mari, thought your message needed a graphic. How's this? :-)"}, {"response": 281, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (11:29)", "body": "Happy Birthday Murph, hope you have a great day."}, {"response": 282, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (11:56)", "body": "Happy birthday Murph! Hope you enjoy it tremendarcy!"}, {"response": 283, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (12:42)", "body": "Murph! Have a fantastic birthday. I guess it is true, you now have three dudes, I mean stooges, but all vv handsome."}, {"response": 284, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (12:43)", "body": "And since we are casting Possesion, I would like to suggest Camryn Manheim for Leonora and H B-C for Blanche."}, {"response": 285, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (12:45)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MURPH All the way from Houston... Karen's card says it all...We on Drool love and appreciate ya... Bring on the Bubbly for a wonderful new year!!"}, {"response": 286, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (13:06)", "body": "Happy Birthday Murph"}, {"response": 287, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (13:10)", "body": "Many Happy Returns Murph!"}, {"response": 288, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (15:01)", "body": "Karen) thought your message needed a graphic. Why, you little . . . Perfect! (*Really* need to learn how to do graphics around here:-)."}, {"response": 289, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (15:05)", "body": "Gee, youse guys are the greatest. I got a couple of friends who want to thank you in my name: THANK YOU! And... THANK YOU AGAIN! Big Hugs for making my day. And kisses xx xxx XXX XX Hope this works....."}, {"response": 290, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (16:16)", "body": "(Mari) (*Really* need to learn how to do graphics around here:-). We give lessons, tutorials and even have a place for your practice attempts. Most of us CAN walk AND chew gum at the same time too. Weez a talented bunch. ;-)"}, {"response": 291, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (17:34)", "body": "In birthday thanks, and Colin's response to Mike Binder's new HBO series: Murph"}, {"response": 292, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (17:39)", "body": "Uh-oh!! We're going to have the FCC after us now. LOL, Murph ;-)"}, {"response": 293, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Aug 28, 2000 (18:32)", "body": "Before the FCC arrives, allow me to wish Murph the most extraordinary birthday and exemplary year."}, {"response": 294, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 29, 2000 (08:36)", "body": "For those interested in what the Butterball people (Lolafilms) are currently doing...and it's not in the Lake District (far from in all senses)...read on: Lolafilms, Kinowelt make Rain together in Iowa Marking their first co-production since announcing their share-swapping production and distribution pact at this year's Cannes Film Festival, Spain's Lolafilms is joining forces with Germany's Kinowelt to make Rain, an English-language American-set project to which Martin Scorsese is attached as executive producer. The film will be a 50-50 co-production between the two European powerhouses, with Lolafilms' chief executive officer Andres Vicente Gomez and Kinowelt chairman Rainer Koelmel each taking co-producers' credits. Newcomer Katherine Lindberg wrote and will direct the drama, which shoots in Iowa this autumn. Jordi Ros produces. \"It is our intention to develop 10 to 12 projects per year and produce at least two or three of those, making more and more ambitious films,\" Gomez says, describing those projects as \"English-language films to be made in Europe with budgets of around $20m or less.\" He calls Rain - to be shot in the US and directed by an American - an exception to the rule. Rain is the first new project to be launched out of Lola's UK branch since it initiated activities last year with an ambitious English-language slate of films, including: Manuel Gomez Pereira's three tenors satire Off Key; John Malkovich's directorial debut The Dancer Upstairs, starring Javier Bardem; Chris Monger's That Girl From Rio; and Susan Seidelman's Gaudi Afternoon."}, {"response": 295, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 29, 2000 (08:46)", "body": "A bit more on this from Variety. Shame that the person who is most interested in Butterball doesn't read this topic... ;-) Starring Melora Walters (\"Magnolia\") and helmed by writer-director Katherine Lindberg, \"Rain\" will be co-exec produced by Martin Scorsese and produced by Barcelona-born Jordi Ros, a former prexy of Lynda Obst Prods. Pic turns on a woman who kills her husband and has an affair with a young man who turns out to be the son she gave up for adoption. For Lola, which plans to announce a slate of English-lingo projects this fall, pact opens the door still further to markets where Kinowelt has distribution operations, including the U.K. [...]"}, {"response": 296, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Aug 29, 2000 (10:54)", "body": "(Karen) Pic turns on a woman who kills her husband and has an affair with a young man who turns out to be the son she gave up for adoption. Ew. Yuck. I did think Melora Walters was fantastic in Magnolia, IMO a wonderful film."}, {"response": 297, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 29, 2000 (11:07)", "body": "I agree pretty yucko. A twisted-up Oedipus story which, as Pip would say, \"doesn't make sense.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 298, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Aug 29, 2000 (11:10)", "body": "(Karen)Pic turns on a woman who kills her husband and has an affair with a young man who turns out to be the son she gave up for adoption. A guiltless Oedipus? :-("}, {"response": 299, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Aug 29, 2000 (11:12)", "body": "Karen, our posts crossed. Sorry! But we had the same idea..."}, {"response": 300, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 29, 2000 (11:14)", "body": "LOL! Don't worry. I don't bite."}, {"response": 301, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 29, 2000 (13:42)", "body": "Thanks for the \"ambitious English-language slate of films,\" Karen. Very impressive;-) I just wonder who Lola Films & Kinowelt plan to sell those films to.. For sure it's not the Iowa folks.If they knew the content, they might be apt to run 'em outta town."}, {"response": 302, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Aug 29, 2000 (15:18)", "body": "I'm a day late, but still wanted to get in the birthday wishes :-) Hope you had a wonderful day Murph!!!"}, {"response": 303, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Aug 29, 2000 (18:17)", "body": "LOL Murph, my kid status is showing, who was the second voice? LOL Mari and Karen, nyuk, nyuk, nyuk *thwack* hey, what'd ya go and do that for? The nose thing really hurts! In case anyone is curious, Rain is not a remake of the Joan Crawford flick (1932) which book says was based on Somerset Maugham novel."}, {"response": 304, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Aug 29, 2000 (21:30)", "body": "I'm so embarrassed for missing your birthday, Murph. I plead exhaustion and running-out of Library online time. Please forgive. Very small peace offering: Sincerely hope your birthday was a joyous one. KJ"}, {"response": 305, "author": "aishling", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (05:13)", "body": "Four days off-line and look what happens. Well done Karen on update of cast for Possession. Bought the book at the weekend and have not put it down. So many parts to cast. Last night's BBC News (East Midlands) reported that three days of filming had begun in Lincoln. Showed GP and AE (dark, longish hair) filming at Lincoln railway station. Today's shoot is in the University and Friday in a local pub for the 'pub brawl'."}, {"response": 306, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (07:10)", "body": "Thanks, KG, and everyone for their wishes. Aishling, how come you guys get all the good films on location??? My only chance over here is to go to Orlando in October and watch them making Flora Plum with Claire Danes and Russell Crowe. Not that I would, though. I'd have to fight through all the screaming droolies. You think Colin causes drool? You should read the Crowe message boards. Ugh!! Crowe will play a circus freak acrobat covered with hair who befriends Danes. She is not what she seems, however. It will be directed by Jodie Foster, and looks like an interesting off beat kind of thing. http://www.murphsplace.com/crowe/plum/plum.html"}, {"response": 307, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (08:15)", "body": "I have Renee Russo and Tim Allen filming a Dave Barry story in a house around the block from mine."}, {"response": 308, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (08:22)", "body": "Thanks, Aishling. Have found a couple of news items on Possession, so will set up separate topic today to post them."}, {"response": 309, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (08:31)", "body": "A column in today's Hollywood Reporter about Nurse Betty, where Martin Grove speaks to Neil LaBute. Definite inference by MG that now that NLB is directing something other than his own writing, he could be up for a Golden Globe or AA. Asked what interested him in doing a script by someone else, LaBute had this in his answer: \"There still was this lovely thread of humanity that ran through it and that was something I had never put into my own work.\" Gaah!! That tells me loads about him. Here's the whole thing. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/columnists/grove/index.asp"}, {"response": 310, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (11:49)", "body": "NLB must be an actor's dream -director. ....\"I like creating a space and getting out of their way. They tend to utilize you (as a director) when they need you. But the best thing is to give them all enough room to do the thing that they do that none of us understand and kind of sit back and marvel at it.\" Thanks Karen. And for setting up the \"Possession\" topic...I'm going there now..."}, {"response": 311, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (11:50)", "body": "sorry . Italics closed"}, {"response": 312, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (14:35)", "body": "(Murph) Crowe will play a circus freak acrobat covered with hair who befriends Danes. Eeeew, hard to imagine drooling over a role like that. I'd rather see a masturbatory village pervert :-)."}, {"response": 313, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (18:19)", "body": "Yes, but it is a role which can demonstrate a good actor's talents. So would a masturbatory village pervert. Actually, I hope CF does get cast in some extreme sort of character part. Then it might be noticed what a good actor he really is."}, {"response": 314, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (19:58)", "body": "(Sadie) nyuk, nyuk, nyuk *thwack* hey, what'd ya go and do that for? Hey Sadie . . .pick two! Boing . . . Flora Plum page look good, Murph. Lemme see now, starring role, respected director, produced by same people who did The Sixth Sense, guaranteed worldwide distribution . . .I think the circus freak just left the masturbatory village pervert in a cloud of dust.;-) (Cheryl) Actually, I hope CF does get cast in some extreme sort of character part. Then it might be noticed what a good actor he really is. Yes, and it's interesting to note that the best reviews he's gotten recently were for 3DOR--which was more \"out there\" than anything he's done in several years. His masturbatory protests aside, most of his roles over the past several years have been very \"safe\" and middle of the road. Yawn."}, {"response": 315, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (21:13)", "body": "(Murph)You think Colin causes drool? You should read the Crowe message boards. Ugh!! Hmmm, do not know what to do. Cannot allow other star's fans to outDrool me, but flinch at thought of \"ugh\" response :-) Hey Sadie . . .pick two! Boing . . . Oh! Oh! I can't see, I can't see! (I've got my eyes closed...) (Cheryl) Actually, I hope CF does get cast in some extreme sort of character part. Then it might be noticed what a good actor he really is. I'll second that! (Mari)I think the circus freak just left the masturbatory village pervert in a cloud of dust.;-) LOL! But enjoying himself."}, {"response": 316, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (21:13)", "body": "Karen, I have bought the book, but will not peek at Possession site until I've read it."}, {"response": 317, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (22:27)", "body": "(Cheryl) Actually, I hope CF does get cast in some extreme sort of character part. Then it might be noticed what a good actor he really is. (Sadie) I'll second that! Since when does being recognized as a good (or great) actor require playing Quasimoto? Have now just seen Wonderland for second time. Every single actor in that was solid and outstanding. Did not see one masturbatory village pervert, unless one counts what goes on with Shirley Henderson (Jude) at the beauty shop after hours. ;-p (Sadie) I have bought the book, but will not peek at Possession site until I've read it. We're keeping away from *spoilers* for now. Just talking about items in the news and exchanging useless suggestions about casting."}, {"response": 318, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (22:49)", "body": "(Karen) Since when does being recognized as a good (or great) actor require playing Quasimoto? Hey, now there's a thought! Seriously though, I'd like to see him stretch a bit, after a fine turn as normal boys inside men's bodies. (FP, MLSF) I'd like to see him do something shocking, and hey, if masturbation is all he can come up with, I'll settle for that. ;-D Just talking about items in the news and exchanging useless suggestions about casting. LOL Karen!"}, {"response": 319, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (09:09)", "body": "Interesting article from Variety. Possibly explains RV's quick scheduling on television. Apparently, there is a two-month window to find theatrical distribution, then television rights kick in. SONY CLASSICS HOUSES 'MIRTH' NEW YORK -- After down to the wire negotiations that saw Showtime plan, then cancel, marketing efforts for Terence Davies' Edith Wharton adaptation \"The House of Mirth,\" the cabler has agreed, in principle, to sell pic's theatrical rights to Sony Pictures Classics. Until Wednesday, the future of the film hung in the balance, with its U.K. co-producer Granada Television desperate to find a theatrical window for what could prove to be the first hit for Davies, whose arthouse-skewing pics include \"Distant Voices, Still Lives\" and \"The Neon Bible.\" [...] Shrinking window Granada, like many production companies with a Showtime co-production deal, had a window of roughly two months to find theatrical distribution before the cabler retains rights to bow it on the small screen. When that window closed in May, Showtime began preparing for a fourth-quarter air date, confident it had an original hit on its hands -- much to the producers' distress. If the film went straight to cable, said a source close to Davies, the director would have been \"devastated.\" But that wasn't Showtime's concern. Showtime prexy of programming Jerry Offsay told Daily Variety he expected it, as a Showtime original, to earn notice from the Emmys and Golden Globes, raking in $5 million to $7 million in free publicity from press alone. All that will be lost with a theatrical release, said Offsay. \"When it comes to Showtime a year later, we'll get no press and no publicity. There will be a collective yawn.\" Showtime gets very little back when it sells theatrical rights to co-productions, Offsay told Daily Variety. \"The reason we make originals is to enhance our viewers' enjoyment of the service. One more theatrical movie doesn't improve our business one iota.\" But the ground began to shift when \"Mirth\" emerged from the Edinburgh Film Festival with high marks from some critics, and invitations to Toronto and New York. Sony Classics made an offer -- one that Showtime was under no contractual obligation to honor. And until Wednesday, the cabler seemed unlikely to budge. Reassessing strategy What finally changed Showtime's tune? A business strategy that has little to do with \"The House of Mirth.\" Selling theatrical rights now and again allows the cabler to rope in more co-productions, said Offsay. It's been two years since such Showtime pics as \"Down in the Delta\" and the Oscar-nommed \"Gods and Monsters\" saw theatrical runs. If Showtime refused to sell \"Mirth,\" it risked discouraging producers from bringing other projects to the cabler. Had Showtime sold theatrical rights to another film in the last six months, \"Mirth\" would have gone straight to the small screen. \"It's wonderful what happened with 'Gods and Monsters,' \" Offsay added, \"but I don't think the Showtime viewer got anything out of it. What 'Gods and Monsters' got us was 'House of Mirth.' \""}, {"response": 320, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (13:00)", "body": "More on Flora Plum...and then I promise I will get off this topic. I just wanted to join Mari in defending RC's choice of role here. I have read the script, and it is a different, very interesting film and role. Jake is a circus freak in looks, but a gentle, smart man at heart, and a wonderful acrobat. (Crowe, like Burt Lancaster before him will do his own stunts.) Flora Plum becomes his friend, and he her mentor, and love develops. At one point she talks him into letting her shave him, so we get to see a glimpse of the Jake underneath for a bit. In the script I have, he stays shaven for most of the rest of the film, but I understand that has been scrapped, and he lets his hair grow back - to keep him closer in character. It is set in the 30s, in a small time circus. Flora is not what she seems, and some have said the film has an All About Eve flavor to it. I'm looking forward to this one. I am convinced that Russell would play a self-masturbatory simpleton, if the part appealed to him. Look what he did as Jeffrey Wigand in the Insider -- Wore a funny looking gray wig and put on 40 pounds. We think too much of Gladiator when we think of Crowe. He is not afraid to take chances in films. I haven't seen it, but I understand his Hando in Romper Stomper is a frightening creation. Colin did that once. He let us see the real horror of a head wound victim in Tumbledown, for instance, wetting himself and making wry jokes about his state. And we saw the shy wounded stutterer in AMITC. Lately he has stopped taking chances, except on stage. I hope he tries some hard acting in a film very soon. I have a great quote by Bette Davis on my main RC page: \"The person who wants to make it has to sweat. There are no short cuts. And you've got to have the guts to be hated.\" - Bette Davis All of this IMO, of course. Opposite opinions welcomed."}, {"response": 321, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (15:10)", "body": "(Murph) Opposite opinions welcomed. But of course...we even have a Russell Crowe topic where that can take place!! :-) http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/92/new Love the Bette Davis quote. Will that apply if he does the Man of Steel? ;-)"}, {"response": 322, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (18:12)", "body": "(Karen) Since when does being recognized as a good (or great) actor require playing Quasimoto? Unfortunatly, to many people it does. It is very easy to dismiss good-looking actors as only having been cast because they were good-looking. (That is ,too often for my taste, the truth. However, I digress.) Conventional and/or leading man parts, even when well played, don't draw the general public's attention to somenone's ACTING ablilities. The public at large, no doubt, finds Russell Crowe a better actor than Colin Firth, not merely because Crowe is more famous but because Crowe has taken chances and played a variety of characters. The fact that CF hasn't had the chance at more varied roles could very well not be his fault at all. More to do with short-sighted casting directors. CF seems to view himself as a character actor; that is where he may well most comfortable and effective. Those types of roles may well serve him much better. As for Quasimodo, that's a great part. Besides who is the more remembered actor today -- Charles Laughton or Franchot Tone?"}, {"response": 323, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (18:14)", "body": "The previous post should have started: Unfortunately, to many people..."}, {"response": 324, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (18:26)", "body": "My prior post should have ended with: This is a rhetorical question."}, {"response": 325, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (19:06)", "body": "Sorry, I got carried away!!!!"}, {"response": 326, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (14:36)", "body": "Just saw this in the TV Guide. The show airs this weekend. In the premiere (Ebert's show with new partner Richard Roeper), Ebert and Roeper list possible contenders in next year's Oscar race, selecting several long shots such as: \"High Infidelity,\" \"SUNSHINE,\" and \"Hamlet.\""}, {"response": 327, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (16:53)", "body": "\"High Infidelity\" What's that? ;-) \"Hamlet\" Could there have been a more boring adaptation? (rhetorical question, expressing my opinion and my opinion only)"}, {"response": 328, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (18:37)", "body": "(Karen) \"High Infidelity\" What's that? ;-) Oops :-)"}, {"response": 329, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (18:45)", "body": "Freudian."}, {"response": 330, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep  2, 2000 (12:39)", "body": "We have just heard that.....\" In this months \"Rolling Stone\" magazine Jennifer Ehle and her mom Rosemary Harris are mentioned in a list of top supporting actresses so far this year. With all the bad movies and performances that did so well at the box office this summer they were two of the highlights. Wonder what Ebert will say tonight on his show.....RH was nominated for Tom 'n Viv.Jennifer ,of course, is a no name....and just the fact that her name is being mentioned as a possiblity is an accolade in itself."}, {"response": 331, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Sep  3, 2000 (13:00)", "body": "Hi, According to Empire Online, (UK), the video of Sunshine will be available to rent as from the 18th September, 2000."}, {"response": 332, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  3, 2000 (13:51)", "body": "It can be preordered from Blackstar for \ufffd59.19 (20% off). The regular price will be \ufffd73.99. http://www.blackstar.co.uk/video/item/7000000057751 You've got the better cover too!"}, {"response": 333, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep  3, 2000 (15:03)", "body": "Ebert and Roepper last night made their mid-year Oscar nomination predictions: Sunshine was on the list for a Best Picture nomination and RF for Best Actor."}, {"response": 334, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (07:44)", "body": "Lets hope the Academy remembers the movie that far in the future!!! any news on when it will be released on video here (and if its already out, forgive my denseness, haven't watched ANYTHING of merit lately)"}, {"response": 335, "author": "susanne", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (08:33)", "body": "I have not watched the Ebert show yet since it is on at the ungodly hour of midnight. I do have it on tape and will watch later. But no mention of (at least) RH who in the past Ebert had said should get an award for continuing greatness. I guess I will have to be happy that Sunshine got mentioned at all. I still think JE and RH gave wonderful performances in addition to RF."}, {"response": 336, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (08:39)", "body": "Here, here, Susanne. If, as is being said here, Brenda Blethyn (Saving Grace) is an Oscar possibility, then JE & RH should certainly be."}, {"response": 337, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (09:03)", "body": "(AnnW) If, as is being said here, Brenda Blethyn (Saving Grace) is an Oscar possibility As usual, *your* press is grossly overstating things on a typically slow news weekend. Cannot believe the stories about Saving Grace that I've seen in your news. It's an OK, funny movie, but Blethyn won't get a nom for that. The movie is like Waking Ned Devine, charmingly cute and funny. (btw, Martin Clunes looks better in Elizabethan dress than modern)"}, {"response": 338, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (14:18)", "body": "I still think JE and RH gave wonderful performances in addition to RF. Joel Seigel on GMA predicted JE and RH for Oscar noms...also RF and Sunshine. (Ann w.)Brenda Blethyn (Saving Grace) is an Oscar possibility,.. Haven't seen her name mentioned here as a possiblity. (Laura)Re; Sunshine ...any news on when it will be released on video here Still playing in 150 theatres across the US.(Playing at 4 theatres in Houston and for the past month in Okla. City. (Unheard of for an art-house film...usually they play a week.) Don't really expect it out on video this year. Best bet is Canada via videoflicks.com."}, {"response": 339, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (15:23)", "body": "Evelyn, I think DFL must be for a limited run as I notice that according to Playbill.com Follies is expected to open at the American Airlines Theatre for Spring 2001. Theatre.com, however, lists DFL as previewing on the 16th February, Opening on the 15th March. Can't quite tie this two dates up unless DFL has a very limited opening!"}, {"response": 340, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (16:23)", "body": "Can't quite tie this two dates up unless DFL has a very limited opening! I'll telephone Roundabout Theatre tomorrow. They surely should have the other male lead by now...!"}, {"response": 341, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (19:34)", "body": "(Evelyn) They surely should have the other male lead by now...! And I can't believe they don't have a cast announced yet for Leveaux's \"Betrayal.\""}, {"response": 342, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (20:33)", "body": "(Evelyn) Don't really expect it out on video this year. Absolutely. If they're positioning it for Oscar consideration, can't be on video. In fact, they will rerelease in early 2001 if it gets on the ballot and gets a nom. So don't expect to see a video until late March at the earliest."}, {"response": 343, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (20:54)", "body": "(Donna), And I can't believe they don't have a cast announced yet for Leveaux's \"Betrayal.\" Is there still time to audition, David? ;-D Donna, if you get to go opening night, I expect you to takes pictures. And if you go to the party take you cellular phone and call me collect (once you corner him of course). ;-)"}, {"response": 344, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (21:08)", "body": "Sunshine is still playing at two theaters in the Philly area, plus it's now playing at the Jersey shore in theaters that normally show only the \"feel-good' summertime flicks. Very smart of the distributors to get it into the beach/vacation areas--often overlooked by distributors of smaller films. Oscar season is a long way off, anything can happen. Finally the studios have cleared their shelves of the end of summer crap and we'll start to see more quality stuff. Still, it's good to see Sunshine and cast being mentioned--that's how buzz builds . . ."}, {"response": 345, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (23:32)", "body": "A couple of days ago, I posted in the Food Conference about a big Spam shindig at the Groucho Club in London. Since we're all Spam devotees, thought you'd be interested in this horrible bit of info: :-O WE mentioned the other day that the 6,700 islanders of Molokai are prodigies of Spam consumption, getting through 20,000 tins a week. Paul Theroux offers an explanation for the popularity of the tinned comestible in far-flung parts of the world. \"I had found circumstantial evidence for cannibalism,\" he writes in The Happy Isles of Oceania. \"The liking in Vanuatu was for Spam. It was a theory of mine that former cannibals of Oceania now feasted on Spam because Spam came the nearest to approximating the porky taste of human flesh. It was a fact that the people-eaters of the Pacific had all evolved, or perhaps degenerated, into Spam eaters. In the absence of Spam they settled for corned beef.\""}, {"response": 346, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (01:12)", "body": "It was a fact that the people-eaters of the Pacific had all evolved, or perhaps degenerated, into Spam eaters. In the absence of Spam they settled for corned beef.\" LOL Karen! What is in Spam, really ? Maybe only the packaging changed."}, {"response": 347, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (08:04)", "body": "LOL, Karen! Always enjoyed Paul Theroux. Has Marcia, our Spam Queen read this?"}, {"response": 348, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (08:05)", "body": "Come to think of it. Some of the people in Wonderland might enjoy it too. And that, my dear says it all! ;-)"}, {"response": 349, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (09:18)", "body": "Can't remember if it was here... but the discussion of Leonardi DiCaprio's loss of his buff bod... Apparently, the reason is the Scorcese movie \"Gangs of NY.\" He has to pile on the pounds (like RZ). He's doing what DiNiro and Tom Hanks do all the time."}, {"response": 350, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (12:03)", "body": "to any Australian fans, according to Cinefile website, Sunshine is due to open there on the 26th December,2000."}, {"response": 351, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (12:03)", "body": "to any Australian fans, according to Cinefile website, Sunshine is due to open there on the 26th December,2000."}, {"response": 352, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (12:26)", "body": "In a desperate attempt to find some Firth-news I was scouring the papers today and found that, according to the Evening Standard, the British Film Institute has published its 100 top TV programmes. There I was eagerly scanning the top 10 - nothing...surely in the top 20..nah! It wasn't until I got further down the page that I realised the true horror..P&P voted 99th. OK, OK nothing to get too depressed about - there's been a shed-load of programmes made over the last 50 years or so, so in the scheme of things 99th isn't bad.....until you look at what came in above our favourite.....the Teletubbies 'DOH' *shaking head in disbelief*."}, {"response": 353, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (16:23)", "body": "Thanks for the above Tracy, Ihoped P&P figured in the List. BTW Donna, according to Playbill Juliet Binoche is to star in DL's Betrayal along with an actor I don't know who has appeared in a production of 3DOR."}, {"response": 354, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (16:23)", "body": "Thanks for the above Tracy, Ihoped P&P figured in the List. BTW Donna, according to Playbill Juliet Binoche is to star in DL's Betrayal along with an actor I don't know who has appeared in a production of 3DOR."}, {"response": 355, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (17:12)", "body": "Thanks for the above Tracy, Ihoped P&P figured in the List. How can P&P come in 99 out of 100 most popular shows on BBC, when only a few years ago ODB was voted the Most Popular Actor ever on BBC. Does that make sense...#1 actor in a #99 show??"}, {"response": 356, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (17:34)", "body": "Evelyn, one was voted for by the public (female probably) and the other by the BFI."}, {"response": 357, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (17:34)", "body": "Couldn't agree more. P&P is in good company lot's of the well known dramas and documentary series it's just a shame it wasn't a bit (for 'bit' read 'lot' higher). Apparently the people surveyed were \"in the industry\" and so I suppose it's not surprising that the usual (and safe) suspects are rated highly. If anyone's interested in the poll, the details are on www.thisislondon.co.uk/dynamic/news/"}, {"response": 358, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (22:52)", "body": "the British Film Institute has published its 100 top TV programmes Sad state of affairs, when the British Film Institute is compiling lists of television programs. *shaking head* Read commentary in Times (I know, no one reads that) which said that 437 industry insiders were polled. I see on the list that Brideshead Revisited was #10 and the Jewel in the Crown is #22. But Ready, Steady, Go! at #62...isn't that a cooking show? ;-D"}, {"response": 359, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (01:58)", "body": "Ready Steak Go is a weekly pop show, Tope Ten songs."}, {"response": 360, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (02:46)", "body": "If it was Ready Steak Go, it would be a cookery show :-)"}, {"response": 361, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (07:46)", "body": "If it was Ready Steak Go, it would be a cookery show :-) LOL! Or a fastfood cooking show."}, {"response": 362, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (07:47)", "body": "But don't you have a cooking show, where two chefs are given random ingredients and have a limited time to prepare something? Ours is called: Ready Set Cook and I thought it was based on one of your shows?"}, {"response": 363, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (08:28)", "body": "Yes, Karen Ready Steady Cook, is on in the afernoons."}, {"response": 364, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (11:16)", "body": "Re: P&P #99 (Tracy)Couldn't agree more. P&P is in good company lot's of the well known dramas and documentary series it's just a shame it wasn't a bit (for 'bit' read 'lot' higher). (Moon)I see on the list that Brideshead Revisited was #10 and the Jewel in the Crown is #22. But Ready,Steady, Go! at #62... isn't that a cooking show? ;-D (Ann)Ready Steak Go is a weekly pop show, Tope Ten songs. You call this \"being in good company\"?? Sorry I stand by what I said....sad state of affairs... *evelyn*...who maintains there is no honor in being second... let alone #99.!!! *sick*, *sick*"}, {"response": 365, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (08:41)", "body": "From The Hollywood Reporter (have left out all the beginning stuff about Miramax's Scary Movie): Summer indie boxoffice wrapup By Ian Mohr Art house fare got off to a slow start in theaters this summer, but a handful of titles did better as the season wound to a close. Word-of-mouth--the bread and butter of indie success--played a key role in the boxoffice accomplishments of such films as the Shooting Gallery's \"Croupier,\" Fine Line Features' \"Saving Grace\" and Paramount Classics' \"Sunshine\" and \"The Virgin Suicides.\" \"Summer is always strong for counterprogramming,\" said Sony Pictures Classics co-head Michael Barker, whose company had a summer breakout last year with \"Run Lola Run.\" The summer of 1999 saw such early summer successes as Miramax's \"An Ideal Husband,\" G2 Films' \"Tea With Mussolini,\" Artisan's \"Buena Vista Social Club\" and Lions Gate's \"The Red Violin.\" While late summer 2000 releases such as \"Saving Grace\" made quick strikes, a few late spring rollouts hung around at the boxoffice all summer to do big business slowly but surely. \"We were initially expecting an adult, specialized, educated audience,\" Paramount Classics co-topper David Dinerstein said of \"The Virgin Suicides,\" an April release that has taken in close to $5 million. \"But we saw our demo drop where we were getting a younger audience, and the movie became a big date film. Then older audiences who may have been scared of the title started going through word-of-mouth.\" Other spring hangers-on include Miramax's \"East Is East\" and Sony Pictures Classics' \"East/West.\" Indie films that were unable to raise their cume despite overwhelmingly favorable reviews include Lions Gate's \"Jesus' Son\" and SPC's \"Shower.\" Artisan Entertainment, last summer's headline grabber, laid low this summer with only two releases: \"Chuck & Buck\" and \"Cecil B. DeMented,\" both of which were only moderately successful. \"We wanted to avoid any wide releases this summer,\" Artisan CEO Amir Malin said. \"We opted to go with more specialized films. We don't look at this as a two or three month business.\""}, {"response": 366, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (08:52)", "body": "(Continuing...) Paramount Classics The Istvan Szabo-helmed drama \"Sunshine\" was a standout for Paramount Classics this summer, grossing nearly $5 million at the boxoffice. Opening in June--on the same weekend that parent Paramount Pictures released \"Mission: Impossible 2\"--the Ralph Fiennes starrer grossed an estimated $92,583 from seven theaters, generating a $13,226 per-theater average during its opening frame. Par Classics also saw success with its spring release of Sofia Coppola's directorial debut, \"The Virgin Suicides,\" which stuck around through the summer on strong word-of-mouth. \"We've had a good summer,\" Par Classics co-head David Dinerstein said. \"The thinking behind ('Sunshine' and 'Suicides') was to open early enough where they'd play longer. We had hungry audiences for these films that wanted a good alternative on the screen.\" Both films had been in the can for a year before their release. \"Everyone involved with ('Sunshine') had great patience,\" Par Classics co-head Ruth Vitale said. \"Everybody waited because we thought, 'How many films do you want to sit through at Christmas that are three hours?' You've got the summer!\""}, {"response": 367, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (08:58)", "body": "For those of you who live in the New York Metro Area/Long Island Region, Sunshine will be playing at my university, SUNY Stony Brook, at the Staller Center on October 27th. Here's the website, where you can get more info: http://www.stallercenter.com"}, {"response": 368, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (13:32)", "body": "Thanks Karen....I think we all have to take a lot of credit for the success of Sunshine....the website plugged it...as well as every board we could find on the Internet.$13,000 per theatre for an opening weekend isn't chicken-feed. For a film that almost didn't get a distributor a year ago after Toronto,and had mixed reviews in the UK, it sure has been a huge success in the US.Like I keep saying...we're a market unto ourselves...whatever other markets do or reviewers say has no relevance to the US market. [There is a God]"}, {"response": 369, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (17:30)", "body": "Forgive me if I repeat myself, it's been a hectic day... But I finally saw Sunshine this week and absolutely loved it. Whatever warts it has, they don't spoil the movie. I thought RF was wonderful in it, JE sparkled as usual. Sometimes I will watch a sweeping epic, like Out of Africa, think it was exquisitely filmed, but know that I do not want to see it again. I found this story to be engrossing on several levels, story, acting, cinematography. What is the feeling that we leave the theater with? It's not one of depair, is it uplifting, thought-provoking? Rhetorical questions. It seems likely that RF will get an Oscar nom, and he deserves it. His eyes are beautiful. But I must say, he does not have the attractive hands of some of ODBs (CF and SD), and he does have the largest nostrils I have ever seen. You could slip a 50 cent piece in them. Oh, sorry, just a case of sillyitis ... :-)"}, {"response": 370, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (17:55)", "body": "I too like Sunshine very much Donna and I was surprised to find that I liked RF's performance but I can't agree about the eyes, they seem half asleep, dull and lifeless unlike someone we know with \"dark brown pools\". Which reminds me when oh when are we going to get some CF news. Great news about SD, I guess he will be pretty busy."}, {"response": 371, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (18:04)", "body": "(Evelyn)[There is a God] There IS??? WHERE??? :) Hey at least Fawlty Towers made #1;)"}, {"response": 372, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (18:37)", "body": "Paul Theroux brings up the connection of Spam and cannibalism. I find this quite disconcerting. What exactly is in Spam? Many have wondered. Furthermore, how would Theroux know that human flesh tastes \"porky\". He's probably read that somewhere, as have I. There was also someone on the Discovery Channel discussing that when he was in east Africa he ate baboon, which tasted similar to pork. So this posits the question: Is Spam canned monkey meat?"}, {"response": 373, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (19:20)", "body": "(Ann) I liked RF's performance but I can't agree about the eyes Come to think of it Ann, I do prefer both Colin's brown babies and Stephen's hazel honeys :-)"}, {"response": 374, "author": "MichelleWr", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (23:23)", "body": "(Ann)Great news about SD. I guess he will be pretty busy. Ann can you tell me what Stephen is up to since TRT? I haven't heard any news about him. Michelle"}, {"response": 375, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (05:46)", "body": "(Michelle) Ann can you tell me what Stephen is up to since TRT? I haven't heard any news about him. Hi Michelle, SD has a new film for the BBC coming up, it's being discussed at topic 132. http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/132.668"}, {"response": 376, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (09:13)", "body": "It doesn't just happen to Colin's films. Here's a JN-related bit: Mysterious Disappearance by Rebecca Ascher-Walsh 'BOWL' CUT Director James Ivory and producer Ismail Merchant's Henry James adaptation \"The Golden Bowl,\" which stars Uma Thurman, Anjelica Huston, and Nick Nolte, has mysteriously been dropped from Miramax's fall lineup. While the studio isn't commenting, a source close to the negotiations says arguments between Miramax and the filmmakers over 25 minutes of requested cuts have led the studio to offer to sell the film back to Merchant and Ivory: \"Ivory thinks the film is perfect where it is, but audiences at Cannes [where it screened] didn't agree.\" Merchant says there will be no deal. \"We are NOT buying back the film. As far as we're concerned, the [release] is going forward. If it's off their slate, that's their problem--they're contractually obliged to release it.\" (Responds the source, \"Oh, yeah? Then what have they been negotiating for the last two eeks?\") As for the requested edits, says Merchant, \"Ivory has final cut, and we don't do anything we don't believe in.\""}, {"response": 377, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (09:27)", "body": "As for the requested edits, says Merchant, \"Ivory has final cut, and we don't do anything we don't believe in.\" A little arrogance on Merchant Ivory's part IMO. Reminds me of the article in yesterday's Hollywood Reporter[from a French newspaper] on how French audiences flock to US films and ignore French films...the article says..\"French filmakers ignore French audiences and they return the compliment\"..."}, {"response": 378, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (09:39)", "body": "I am glad MI are sticking it out. Cannes is notorious for awarding films that are vulgar and shocking. Their audience is not to be trusted. Artistically, Cannes used to mean something in the 60s. It is no longer the case."}, {"response": 379, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (22:58)", "body": "Couldn't resist this blurb from The Times: At 42, Kevin Bacon is all too aware of his limited shelf life. .But the man who came to prominence as a teen rebel in Footloose seems more than content with his ageing fanbase. \"My groupies are now between 40 and 50,\" he admits. \"But that's cool. I'll take them where I can get them.\""}, {"response": 380, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (20:12)", "body": "From \"What's on Stage\": \"Former child film star Macaulay Culkin will make his West End debut next month alongside French actress Irene Jacob. The two will star in Richard Nelson's play, Madame Melville, which opens at the Vaudeville Theatre on 18 October 2000, following previews from 7 October. Culkin, reportedly, auditioned for the role of the young man who is seduced by his thirty-something French teacher in a bid to resuscitate his stalled acting career. Now 19, he became a phenomenon in the early 1990s with starring roles in films including Home Alone, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, My Girl, The Good Son and Richie Rich.\" ~~~~~~~~~~~ She's definitely coming down in the world with her leading man..."}, {"response": 381, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (20:26)", "body": "Desperate measures..."}, {"response": 382, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Sep 13, 2000 (06:36)", "body": "Just a bit of trivia. I e-mailed Pathe Films yesterday to find out when \"The Darkest Light\" might be shown in the US (Stephen Dillane film). I got a response same day! Wow! Usually I never get an e-mail reply on these types of inquiries. The man was very nice, but said they are only the distributors for the UK, and he had no info about a US release. Today is Rosemary Harris' birthday."}, {"response": 383, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Sep 13, 2000 (06:56)", "body": "From Ananova: Damon and Fiennes join Oceans 11 Matt Damon and Ralph Fiennes are the latest names to join the all-star remake of Oceans 11. The film was first made in 1960 and starred Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jnr, Dean Martin and Peter Lawford. It tells the story of eleven friends who plan to rob five Las Vegas casino's in one night. According to Variety's Michael Fleming, Damon and Fiennes will join George Clooney, Julia Roberts and Brad Pitt who have already agreed to star in the remake. Meanwhile, Mark Wahlberg and Bruce Willis have pulled out of the project in order to work on other films. It is believed Willis could be replaced by Ewan McGregor. The film is being directed by Steven Soderbergh, who made Out of Sight and Erin Brockovich. It's due to be released some time in 2001."}, {"response": 384, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Sep 13, 2000 (07:12)", "body": "Let's see: George will play the Sinatra role Brad the Martin role Ralph the Lawford role who plays Sammy?"}, {"response": 385, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 13, 2000 (08:32)", "body": "No mention of Londinium (although it would logical and if SLOW could be in it...), but I can't find the full listing yet: Born Romantic closes 44th London Film Festival David Kane\ufffds Born Romantic, the director\ufffds highly-anticipated follow-up to UK hit This Year\ufffds Love, closes the 44th London Film Festival (November 1-16). The London-set romantic comedy features Brit stars Craig Ferguson, Ian Hart, Jane Horrocks, Adrian Lester, Catherine McCormack, Jimi Mistry and David Morrissey. Cameron Crowe\ufffds Almost Famous opens proceedings. Features receiving gala screenings at London include David Mamet\ufffds comic look at movie production State & Main; Woody Allen\ufffds Small Time Crooks, starring Hugh Grant and Tracey Ullman; Philip Kaufman\ufffds Quills, a period piece about the Marquis de Sade\ufffds imprisonment starring Kate Winslet, Michael Caine and Joaquin Phoenix; and Gurinder Chadha\ufffds What\ufffds Cooking?, about four American families and their preparations for Thanksgiving dinner. Other gala screenings go to The Yards, featuring Mark Wahlberg, Joaquin Phoenix, Charlize Theron, James Caan and Ellen Burstyn; Duets, starring Gwyneth Paltrow and directed by her father Bruce Paltrow; Jonathan Glazer\ufffds Sexy Beast, starring Ray Winstone and Ben Kingsley as ex-partners in crime at odds about one final job; and Dominik Moll\ufffds Harry, He\ufffds Here To Help. Ang Lee\ufffds Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon screens in the Film On The Square strand. Also in the section are John Waters\ufffd Cecil B Demented; The Contender, starring Gary Oldman, Joan Allen and Jeff Bridges; The Big Kahuna, directed by John Swanbeck and starring Danny DeVito and Kevin Spacey; The Dish, starring Sam Neill; The Broken Hearts Club, directed by Greg Berlanti; The Man Who Cried, directed by Sally Potter and starring Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci, and Gregory Mosher\ufffds The Prime Gig, starring Vince Vaughn, Ed Harris and Julia Ormond. The centrepiece of the New British Cinema series is Stephen Frears\ufffd Liam. Aiming to showcase UK film-making, the section includes such diverse pictures as Adam Simon\ufffds American Nightmare, a documentary about 1970s US horror movies; crime caper Beautiful Creatures; Jamie Thraves\ufffd The Low Down; Julien Temple\ufffds Pandaemonium and Wild About Harry. Other sections include French Revolutions, with films including Chantal Akerman\ufffds Proust-adaptation La Captive and Benoit Jacquot\ufffds Sade, the second feature based on the Marquis in the festival programme. Continental European cinema is further represented by the Cinema Europa side-bar, which includes well-received Italian film Bread And Tulips and Brother 2 from Russia. The festival programme totals 196 features and 65 shorts."}, {"response": 386, "author": "susanne", "date": "Wed, Sep 13, 2000 (10:38)", "body": "This was in today's Mitchell Fink column in the Daily News Merchant-Ivory no Longer 'Golden' Here come those creative differences again. \"The Golden Bowl,\" a movie based on the Henry James novel that stars Kate Beckinsale, Jeremy Northam, Uma Thurman and Nick Nolte, will not be distributed in the U.S. by Miramax Films. It is now back in the hands of its film makers, producer Ismail Merchant and director James Ivory. When the movie played in Cannes a few months ago, the biggest criticism against it was its length. Sources tell me that Miramax wanted to make some cuts before it opened here in December. But Ivory balked. After a huddle, Miramax executives decided that \ufffd out of respect to Merchant and Ivory \ufffd they will not demand that the film be trimmed. But neither are they willing to go ahead with distributing it. So Merchant and Ivory are now free to shop around for another U.S. distributor."}, {"response": 387, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 13, 2000 (10:56)", "body": "Golden Bowl:When the movie played in Cannes a few months ago, the biggest criticism against it was its length. That's what Toronto said about Sunshine a year ago....there's an audience out there for long films if they are well made.... Don't know , though, if I could look at Uma Thurman & Nick Nolte for three hours! So Merchant and Ivory are now free to shop around for another U.S. distributor. 1-800-PHAEDRA. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thanks Karen for the London FF line-up. The films this year are v. impressive. GP will probably make an apprearance since she'll be shooting Possession.."}, {"response": 388, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 13, 2000 (11:38)", "body": "So Merchant and Ivory are now free to shop around for another U.S. distributor. (Evelyn) 1-800-PHAEDRA ROTFLMAO!! (Evelyn) GP will probably make an apprearance since she'll be shooting Possession She would've gone anyway. This is her dad's film."}, {"response": 389, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Sep 13, 2000 (12:28)", "body": "(Evelyn) 1-800-PHAEDRA Or visit our offices at 123 Black Hole Drive, Keystone Copsville, USA Oh Evelyn, too, too funny *wiping monitor and eyes . . er, not with the same cloth*;-) Too bad, I was looking forward to this one, mostly because of JN. I guess they can always sell it to Starz.;-) What is going on with Miramax anyway? The other indie-type distributors are putting them to shame these days. That London filmfest lineup does look good; Almost Famous gets a rave from the LA Times today and a v.good from the NY Times. I think it doesn't open wide until next week. Donna, re: Ocean's Eleven--the guys don't actually play the Rat Packers, so conceivably the role Sammy played could go to anyone. My guess, though, is that they'll get someone like Don Cheadle--I think he played Sam in an HBO flick, and he is a bud of Clooney's (they did Fail Safe together.) But the big news, Donna, is: Sing-Along-Sound Of Music has opened in NYC, and will possibly expand from there! (I wanna go in yellow as Re/Ray, a drop of golden sun;-)"}, {"response": 390, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Sep 13, 2000 (13:29)", "body": "(Mari) What is going on with Miramax anyway? Hmm. Either Talk mag is still sucking up all the revenue or same is being used to pay Harvey's hospital bill from earlier this year."}, {"response": 391, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 13, 2000 (16:10)", "body": "which includes well-received Italian film Bread And Tulips I saw it. Another lost values film. It is shocking that Londinium is not showing. It must be so very bad. Unlike Woody Allen\ufffds Small Time Crooks which is so good. Gwynneth will do heavy promotion for her dad\ufffds film. I am looking forward to seeing Almost Famous. (Mari), Sing-Along-Sound Of Music has opened in NYC, and will possibly expand from there! (I wanna go in yellow as Re/Ray, a drop of golden sun;-) I can get into that. Any one still have their party gift bongs? ;-)"}, {"response": 392, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 13, 2000 (17:15)", "body": "(Moon) It is shocking that Londinium is not showing. We don't know that. The announcement only had the highlights of the fest. The website isn't functional yet, nor is the telephone number for buying tickets. Have to wait a little while longer to find out."}, {"response": 393, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (07:48)", "body": "So there is hope?! With all the cr... that is coming out of the UK now, you'd think they could fit Londinium. By then MB should be in LA filming his HBO TV show."}, {"response": 394, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (08:09)", "body": "Ooooohh, can hardly wait! ;-D"}, {"response": 395, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (11:57)", "body": "From interview with George Clooney in October's MOVIELINE Q: You mentioned earlier you have limitations as an actor. How do you evaluate yourself? Some of those limitations have come from fame. I'm not famous from theater or movies, I'm famous from television and it's a whole different kind of thing, much more intrusive. You pay eight bucks to see a movie star, they're 60 feet tall and it's a big deal. I was in your house every day. You watched me in your underwear.\"ER\" did a 40 share with 150 channels out there...it was one of the most successful shows in the history of television when it was at its peak. We were this focal point in people's homes every day. They feel they get to know you personally. They don't want to let you do other things. \" ~~~~~~~~ [My bold] I might add...\"Nor do they want to pay to see you, since they can get you free on the telly\"."}, {"response": 396, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (13:43)", "body": "(Evelyn) I might add...\"Nor do they want to pay to see you, since they can get you free on the telly\". Not to worry, Ev, his telly work can't seem to make it to air. Hmm. Shelving of DQ might be brilliant CF career move...;-D"}, {"response": 397, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (14:32)", "body": "Doesn't look like Londinium has a slot. Program has gone up: http://www.lff.org.uk/tempsite/screenings.html However, there are a number of TBAs and Surprise Screenings, so one never knows."}, {"response": 398, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (17:03)", "body": "(Eileen)Shelving of DQ might be brilliant CF career move...;-D LOL..that's the way I felt about SLOW...sorry it left the bank vault;-)"}, {"response": 399, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (17:50)", "body": "(evelyn)LOL..that's the way I felt about SLOW...sorry it left the bank vault;-) THIS coming from the woman who would've paid good money to get it OUT of that vault??? LOL... It's a vicious cycle, eh?"}, {"response": 400, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (20:06)", "body": "(evelyn)LOL..that's the way I felt about SLOW...sorry it left the bank vault;-) (Laura)THIS coming from the woman who would've paid good money to get it OUT of that vault??? Not only that....but then crossed the pond to see it in November at the London FF...and [let's not forget] the Ritzy. What can I say....I'm insane..."}, {"response": 401, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (20:25)", "body": "It is not looking vg for Londinium. Did we have any doubts? Saw Sunshine tonight! I enjoyed it but I am sure no one wants to know what DH thought. ;-D"}, {"response": 402, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (23:01)", "body": "I'm sure we can already guess. ;-D Have just finished watching opening ceremonies. Must give an award. Worst dye jobs for women atheletes' hair: Romania. ;-D"}, {"response": 403, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (12:01)", "body": "So Merchant and Ivory are now free to shop around for another U.S. distributor. (Evelyn) 1-800-PHAEDRA Days later and it's still hilarious. Thank you, dear. (Moon) It is shocking that Londinium is not showing I didn't know you were so easily shocked. Honey, you've been around here too long for that. ;-) (Karen) However, there are a number of TBAs and Surprise Screenings, so one never knows A surprise screening of Londinium would not surprise me at all. Look at what happened with RV. Thanks for your work, Karen. Worst dye jobs for women atheletes' hair: Romania. ;-D With Katie Couric's coming in a close second but I'll bet it cost her a lot more. The Romanian girls were still quite pretty."}, {"response": 404, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (12:59)", "body": "My vote for most obvious geography lession goes to Bob Costas, (whom I like), for stating, \"Next is the Olympic delegation from the Central African Republic, which is located surely enough in Central Africa.\" He did announce it with some style, though."}, {"response": 405, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (13:11)", "body": "(Heide) The Romanian girls were still quite pretty. Couldn't tell. Eyes were stuck on some really bad roots. Speaking of eyes...am getting ready for my fav event: men's swimming! oooh baby!! Such eyefuls!"}, {"response": 406, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (14:56)", "body": "Its the running I look forward to all that bouncing & the slow motion.I'll take a peek at the swimming if you recommend it."}, {"response": 407, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (17:31)", "body": "Am not very fond of these new Speedo suits. Bring back the old ones. Fortunately, some boys take down the tops after their race. Will have to console myself watching swimmers from countries that can't afford latest technology. ;-D"}, {"response": 408, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (17:37)", "body": "Are these the new all in ones I've heard mentioned?"}, {"response": 409, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (17:37)", "body": "Will have to console myself watching swimmers from countries that can't afford latest technology I'm with you on that one, surely the divers also won't be in such garb so there is extra hope for us. Look out for the Aussie swimmer with, wait for it.........size 17 feet. Say no more!"}, {"response": 410, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (18:00)", "body": "Did you see the shoulders on that Aussie? Has size 17 feet and is age 17! Oh my God, almost half my age. Is that considered robbing the cradle? Did you notice the gymnists though? That's a lot of pushups!"}, {"response": 411, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (18:05)", "body": "No haven't seen the gymnasts yet...and yes it probably is robbing the cradle (he's half my age too). I was quite mesmerized (my word of the day incidentally) by our Gold medal winning cyclist (hurrah we have a Gold medal!) in his v.v.v. tight cycling gear."}, {"response": 412, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (18:11)", "body": "Imagine how different Olympics would be if we awarded Golds on such criteria (not nearly like the Olympics, but lots of fun -D). BTW, with new bathing technology, MLSO is right at home."}, {"response": 413, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (18:21)", "body": "(Sadie)Oh my God ,almost half my age *snort* thats one of your symptoms isn't it?"}, {"response": 414, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (18:31)", "body": "with new bathing technology, MLSO is right at home Hmmm. Yes plenty of room for .....movement who cares about aerodynamics. *Making mental note* suggest to swim team the need to change kit to 20s stripey jersey suits. D'you think it'd catch on?"}, {"response": 415, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (19:19)", "body": "Yes indeed Judy. Scratching at keys, although Mr. C did call. At this point, those 20 stripey jersey suits are looking good to me, but as Judy knows, my perception is skewed these days..."}, {"response": 416, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (19:40)", "body": "(Sadie) Is that considered robbing the cradle? Don't remind me, I get the guilts every time I look at Patrick Rafter. By the way, did anyone ever see his bare-chested pic on the cover of GQ?"}, {"response": 417, "author": "claire", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (21:01)", "body": "No I haven't, but I've seen him bare-chested on TV!!!"}, {"response": 418, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (22:48)", "body": "RE: the male gymnasts. I want to be the person who grabs hold of them 'round the torso to give them a boost onto the bars.:-)"}, {"response": 419, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (22:55)", "body": "*hee hee* They're my second fav. Did you catch those arms on whatshisname? ;-D And Heide, I think Bob Costas' color came out of a bottle. eowww!!"}, {"response": 420, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (00:08)", "body": "You know, the guys batting the ball around in the sand aren't too shabby either. Well, congratulations to any Aussies out there for their team's remarkable swim win on the 400 m relay. :-) I finally got to see a replay of it. V. exciting sports! And wasn't that Canadian, Simon Whitfield impressive on his last sprint of the triathlon! Congrats to my neighbours to the North! These are the only events I've had time to catch so far. That, and whatshisname's arms (LOL Karen, he needs no name!) (Mari)I want to be the person who grabs hold of them 'round the torso to give them a boost onto the bars.:-) A fine idea! Too bad I'm such a lazy out-of-shape type! I was also noticing the camera-work as the swimmers were lining up. I bet what I saw was videotaped by a man. I bet if a woman had the camera, she wouldn't have veered away so quickly from such rich material!"}, {"response": 421, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (02:57)", "body": "I see you're all talking of Ian Thorpe, nicknamed Thorpedo. Here they keep on saying how he's the perfect swimmer, perfect technique, perfect shape, etc."}, {"response": 422, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (08:08)", "body": "Oh no, Tineke. whatshisname is a US gymnast, the one who hurt his finger."}, {"response": 423, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (08:16)", "body": "whatshisname = John Roethlisberger (have looked it up)"}, {"response": 424, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (09:07)", "body": "Roethlisberger He's got the same name as the once almost most hated men in this country for about a week; a swiss referee who refused us a penalty in the quarter finals against Germany during the world cup in the USA. But hey, you were talking of Thorpe earlier on, you know, the 17 footed Australian swimmer."}, {"response": 425, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (10:26)", "body": "(Karen) Am not very fond of these new Speedo suits. Bring back the old ones. Fortunately, some boys take down the tops after their race. Will have to console myself watching swimmers from countries that can't afford latest technology. ;-D ROFLMAO! Agree, agree, agree. What's wrong with these boys? Makes the women look even more Amazonian too. Divers are quite fine as are volleyball players (oh Jana!) but for me, bring on the tennis players. Mmmm, that Patrick Rafter. But he's not an American so I doubt NBC will show him changing shirts between games. Like Sadie's idea of awarding medals based on....well, you know. (Karen) I think Bob Costas' color came out of a bottle. What the hell did he do to his eyebrows? Think he's using Fever Pitch's colorist."}, {"response": 426, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (12:16)", "body": "Know who this is?? Rosemary Harris \"This English born actress began a love affair with America's Broadway at the age of 22. One critic dubbed the newly arrived Rosemary \"the prettiest girl on Broadway\" Rosemary in Beau Brummell\" From a new RH website..."}, {"response": 427, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (13:27)", "body": "Congratulatiions Moon and DH on Italy winning the heat in Sculling....they're looking good.Catch the rhythm of those legs!!"}, {"response": 428, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (14:52)", "body": "Thanks, Evelyn! Italy should do very well in Soccer, fencing, waterpolo, and volleyball any other ones are welcome. :-D BTW, there was a very short man (almost midget), in the US team. We are having a hard time knowing what he does. Does anyone know?"}, {"response": 429, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, Sep 19, 2000 (20:55)", "body": "As Joan Rivers would say, \"can we talk?\" I don't know what annoys me more, Costa's carrot-top or the disco-glitter that the lady gymnasts are wearing in their hair. And the other thing that is grating on my nerves is the commentary here in the US. I remember years ago when gymnastics commentators would actually talk about the skills, tricks, give you the names of the individual tricks, talk about why one maneuver had a higher degree of difficulty, talk about the positions of the hands on the bars or the horse and why the different positions increased the degree of difficulty, etc. They would give you the kind of technical commentary that educated the audience and made you more appreciative of what they were seeing. About the only thing I've heard tonight was, \"oh, she didn't stick her landing, that's really going to hurt on the score.\" They are, imo, the worse commentators I have ever heard. Oh my gosh, as I am writing this, the commentator just mentioned an inverted giant. Geesh, that's the only trick he called during her routine. Amy on the beam, and Elsie says, \"this is a big skill.\" Tim says, \"she's the only one in the meet doing it.\" Period. What is the skill? What is it called? Describe it. What makes it a \"big skill?\" The absolute worst. Rant rant. It's like watching a figure skating routine and the commentator never mentions the names of the jumps, like axel or lutz, and then of course never ever describes the difference between the two or why one is more difficult than the other. And when are we going to get a close-up of the Thorpedo's size 17's? :-) And did I miss a commentary on the difference in equipment, especially on the parallel bars? Anyone remember when the bars were so close together that the women would bounce off of them at the hip? Now the bars are so far apart the women are doing giant swings. Hmm, have the commentators even described a giant swing? If I missed any informative commentary, as Emily Littella would say, \"never mind.\" :-)"}, {"response": 430, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 19, 2000 (22:04)", "body": "(Donna) I don't know what annoys me more, Costa's carrot-top or the disco-glitter that the lady gymnasts are wearing in their hair. *hee hee* You're right, I can't decide either which is more annoying, but we have to watch Costas day after day. The prepub girl gymnasts will only be on for a limited amount of time. You're right about the quality of the \"tech\" commentary. It's not very technical. However, I've been pretty pleased with the coverage (i.e., after the opening stuff was done). They are actually showing events and not traipsing off to do pointless stuff at bars and restaurants in Sydney. I've been to bars and restaurants in Sydney and I want to see the athletic events, not where the tourists are hanging out. Remember years ago, they used to do those CAD-CAMy graphics to show the physiology or kinesiology of the athletic skill and all those measuring things. Oh well, can do without that stuff. And when are we going to get a close-up of the Thorpedo's size 17's? :-) Camera needs to pan down lower. They've been keeping them at shoulder height. Bummer Anyone remember when the bars were so close together that the women would bounce off of them at the hip? Yeah, but the women were older and bigger than they are now. They also moved slower. Best part of NBC's coverage: they are using music from Wonderland. Have heard it twice so far. Loved it."}, {"response": 431, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (08:12)", "body": "They are, imo, the worse commentators I have ever heard. Agreed! And I can do without all the special segment bio.s too. What a bore!"}, {"response": 432, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (11:31)", "body": "Hi All, just to mention if anyone\ufffds interested that I visited the Donmar last week, saw the play To the Green Fields Beyond, directed by Sam Mendes. Have to admit that I did not go to see the play because of any particular interest in it but because I wanted to see the theatre itself again. But the play is good too. Well I did not like it personally so very much (it\ufffds about a tank crew in war with a load of ugly men and a whore in a forest) but have to admit it\ufffds mostly very well acted. As I said, the theatre itself was my main attraction and how great it was to see it again, and so weird. The lobby really is so small and neutral and the stage soooo close!! Wanted to memorize meeting Colin there but it was kinda hard to imagine. How I really truly and sincerely wish he could return on stage....saw some other plays too (not worth recommending) and thought about Colin all the time while yawning."}, {"response": 433, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (11:37)", "body": "Am curious, Elena, was the lobby full of Dougray Scott fans and do you know if he came down and gave autographs, etc., like ODB did night after night?"}, {"response": 434, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (11:49)", "body": "Thanks for reporting Elena. It's always good to hear reports involving the Donmar!"}, {"response": 435, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (12:02)", "body": "Hey Mary Murray....I just read your post #291, what CF movie did those delicious snappies come from ? What HBO movie is that ? Lord, he looks gorgeous !! Thanx."}, {"response": 436, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (12:39)", "body": "(Donna) They are, imo, the worse commentators I have ever heard. LOL! Yeah, and why are the bars farther apart now? One of those great mysteries... (Karen)Yeah, but the women were older and bigger than they are now. They also moved slower. I remember when the women gymnasts were women, and not ten, or did I dream that? Wasn't Nadia at least 14 when she stunned the world? I have to confess, I'm not getting into it this time. My heart was set on Olympic Soccer ever since Euro 2000 ended, and I haven't seen any coverage of it. :-( (Elena)it\ufffds about a tank crew in war with a load of ugly men and a whore in a forest LOL! Sounds intriguingly different, anyway."}, {"response": 437, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (12:43)", "body": "(Elena)it\ufffds about a tank crew in war with a load of ugly men and a whore in a forest Ug...anybody want my ticket;-)"}, {"response": 438, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (12:45)", "body": "I have to confess, I'm not getting into it this time. My heart was set on Olympic Soccer ever since Euro 2000 ended, and I haven't seen any coverage of it. :-( You and me, Sadie. All I can tell you is that Italy and Chile are leading their respective rounds. I hope they will show some of the games in the future."}, {"response": 439, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (12:53)", "body": "The pics on Murph's animation posted at message 291 all came from the movie Wings of Fame. You might be able to find it for rent at Blockbusters and people have been selling them for much more reasonable prices (than list) at eBay."}, {"response": 440, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (13:57)", "body": "You want football? I resent the fact that here the games have to make way for the Chamion's League. I'm not interested in seeing Ac Milan, Man U,...I want to see the Olympics. Thank goodness for BBC."}, {"response": 441, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (14:16)", "body": "The soccer (football) games are being shown mostly during the day on CNBC and MSNBC. I think NBC has done a good job, and I think they have done well in focusing not just on the American athletes, but on those from many other countries as well. I also like the \"up close and personal\" behind the scenes stuff, too. To me, it is fascinating to hear the backgrounds and challenges faced by some of these athletes. It really puts a human face--and an international one--on things, instead of just being \"the guy from South Africa in lane 6,\" for example."}, {"response": 442, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (14:26)", "body": "I'm not interested in seeing Ac Milan, Hey, Tineke! That's my team, lucky you! To me, it is fascinating to hear the backgrounds and challenges faced by some of these athletes. Mari, they should do it in a less soppy way. The soccer (football) games are being shown mostly during the day on CNBC and MSNBC. Will let hubby know, thanks!"}, {"response": 443, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (14:59)", "body": "Sadie..(this probably belongs elsewhere) but...DO get hold of Wings of Fame, it's wierd but well worth it, IMO!"}, {"response": 444, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (15:10)", "body": "(Moon) Mari, they should do it in a less soppy way. Ah Moon, you know I am just an old softy at heart!:-) Olympic cutie pie deserving special mention, IMO: Lenny Krayzelburg Hey, how about those Italian men copping all those medals in the swimming events? They have really turned their program around; good for them."}, {"response": 445, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (15:14)", "body": "(Karen)Am curious, Elena, was the lobby full of Dougray Scott fans Ah, a Dougray Scott fan in our midst?! No, nothing like Colin\ufffds treatment. Only a smallish group of people waited in front of the theater and on the pavement and some of them obviously were autograph hunters, male. I took off before Dougray came out and the only one I saw giving several autographs was Ray Winstone. I must say that Colin came down much faster than these guys. (Evelyn)Ug...anybody want my ticket;-) Great, planning to see it? Keep your ticket, it\ufffds worth seeing (except the stupid whore bits, ha!). Btw the setting is wonderful, the stage is full of real birches. Looks nothing like the stage we saw in January."}, {"response": 446, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (16:14)", "body": "(Elena) Ah, a Dougray Scott fan in our midst?! Bite your tongue! ;-D Nope, just curious about how different actors deal with fans, and I know Dougray has lots and lots. Remember, neither Stephen Dillane or Jennifer came through the lobby for TRT at the Donmar; they ducked out the back. Of course, they've made up for things with their NY encounters."}, {"response": 447, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (19:01)", "body": "Why is there a general CF-related discussion going on here? What's wrong with the main CF board? Or have you discovered that one can't have a sensible CF discussion there any more? Not like in the golden days of Drool... No, don't even bother jumping to my jugular... I'm going away and may be some time... Talk amongst yourselves... :-/"}, {"response": 448, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (11:51)", "body": "Why is there a general CF-related discussion going on here? What's wrong with the main CF board? Or have you discovered that one can't have a sensible CF discussion there any more? Talking to me? Sorry, just thought that observations about the new play in the D.(totally missing Colin Firth) wouldn\ufffdt be what you call a sensible CF discussion."}, {"response": 449, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (12:45)", "body": "(Mari) Olympic cutie pie deserving special mention, IMO: Lenny Krayzelburg Yeah, and great personal story too. Liked the close-ups of mom and dad decked out like Uncle Sam. Don't mind Costas that much--anyone see late last night when he donned the dark glasses in manner of Gary Hall Jr.? Pretty funny. Also challenging again this time is trying to avoid hearing results blabbed all over TV, radio and internet before events are televised. (Elena) Talking to me? Don't worry, Elena, most of us aren't such sticklers about these things."}, {"response": 450, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (13:09)", "body": "(Moon)All I can tell you is that Italy and Chile are leading their respective rounds. I hope they will show some of the games in the future. (Mari)The soccer (football) games are being shown mostly during the day on CNBC and MSNBC. Hmmm, am seriously considering cable. In meantime, will have to haunt sportsbar for Olympic soccer (football) I guess. Thanks for update, Moon! It's agonizing wondering what is happening. (Karen)The pics on Murph's animation posted at message 291 all came from the movie Wings of Fame (Tracy)Sadie..(this probably belongs elsewhere) but...DO get hold of Wings of Fame, it's wierd but well worth it, IMO! *ding,ding,ding* CF career comment alert! I've been trying for awhile to get hold of it because it sounds hilarious. CF should do more comedy, imo. Will try local Blockbuster again! (Elena) Talking to me? (Eileen)Don't worry, Elena, most of us aren't such sticklers about these things. I really enjoyed your reflections on your recent Donmar experience. As an unserious poster, I should mention that some of us have voluntarily moved our joking over to Darcy Drool these last several weeks, in the interest of respecting others' desire for sensible discussions on the Colin Firth Career Board and here at Odds & Ends. (Ok, so I've made one or two jokes elsewhere, but generally, boards are free and clear of me! -D)"}, {"response": 451, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (13:20)", "body": "Elena) Talking to me? (Eileen)Don't worry, Elena, most of us aren't such sticklers about these things Or care what others think or say....What..we now have a new host? Thanks Elena...like you..I'm looking forward to the Donmar experience. Did you go down to the Luna Nuova?"}, {"response": 452, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (13:55)", "body": "(Evelyn)I'm looking forward to the Donmar experience. Did you go down to the Luna Nuova? The first night is on Monday (25th) I think and *you-know-who* might very well be there in the audience. Or later....keep your eyes open, Evelyn! I believe he could be interested in what happens in the Donmar. And while I\ufffdm at it: I also went to see a play in the Almeida in Islington, for some obscure reason I wanted to see a theater in that particular part of the city ;-). It was Conversations After a Burial by Yazmina Reza. Boring and conventional but again, the tiny and a little shabby full-packed theater was a great experience in itself."}, {"response": 453, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (14:08)", "body": "(Sadie)... but generally,boards are free and clear of me!-D and the same goes for me too."}, {"response": 454, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (15:52)", "body": "(Tracy)Sadie..(this probably belongs elsewhere) but...DO get hold of Wings of Fame, it's wierd but well worth it, IMO! (Sadie), *ding,ding,ding* CF career comment alert! I've been trying for awhile to get hold of it because it sounds hilarious. CF should do more comedy, imo. WoF is definitely not a comedy, but definitely worth seeing. :-) Conversations After a Burial by Yazmina Reza. I believe she also wrote Art, which has been a big hit on Broadway and London. I wonder if she is the daughter of the last Shaz of Iran. I believe it is the same name."}, {"response": 455, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Sep 22, 2000 (11:42)", "body": "Hi Moon and Sadie (waving across cyberspace) and all other Droolers, Have jumped back into Drool after summer of major dental work. Ugh. Neo middle age is not for sissies.... Next summer plan to take wonderful trip instead. In any event, I just read your thread on WOF. Sadie, if you are looking to purchase WOF you might try looking at half.com. This past Spring I purchased four slighty used (can you imagine someone not wearing them out?) CF videos there for under $25, and one of them was WOF. (I almost paid a lot more for it elsewhere, too.) You can even join an email list which will advise you of new CF arrivals. Anyway...it is nice to be back, but it seems kinda slow around here...Hope everyone had a better summer than I did. ;-)"}, {"response": 456, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Sep 22, 2000 (11:45)", "body": "Oops, the link vanished! Here we go: http://www.half.com/products/creator.jsp?creator=1126778&prodtype=videos"}, {"response": 457, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 22, 2000 (11:56)", "body": "What an interesting place, Lisa. Those prices are incredible."}, {"response": 458, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Sep 22, 2000 (12:25)", "body": "More thoughts on the Olympics (is not Olympics topic but will risk it): 1. Whoever invented sparkly hair gel should be shot. 2. *All* gymnasts deserve gold medal for 'Most in Need of a Makeover'. 3. Gymnasts from Romania deserve gold medal for 'Most Hair Clips'. Gymnasts from USA get silver medal. Most gymnasts from Russia did not require hair clips as had whole heads plastered with sparkly gel (except short-haired blonde who had long bobby pins on side of head in addition to gel. Hair stuck straight out after unfortunate vault experience in manner of Bozo the Clown). 4. Correlation of weight of head with sparkly gel and/or entire package of hair pins with number of falls should be studied. If there were gold medals for announcers, the awards would be distributed as follows: The gold medal for 'Won't You Tell Me Something I Don't Already Know' goes to Elfie whatshername for repeatedly reminding the viewer that steps on landings result in point deductions. The gold medal for 'Won't You Tell Me Something I Don't Already Know, Without Hysterics Please' goes to Tim Daggett. The gold medal for 'Most Comprehensive Analysis of Gymnastic Performance' goes to Tim Daggett for his repeated use of the term 'Wow'. Track and Field is next. Goody."}, {"response": 459, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 22, 2000 (12:38)", "body": "hee hee Am nostalgically remembering the good old days, when the technical color commentator used to describe the skill being performed in manner of \"three half twists with sixteen rotations...or a Tsukaharmaximova\" \"Wow,\" just doesn't do it for me. Is there anybody out there who isn't knowlegeable about \"sticking the landing\"\" Since you're into pins, didja notice that the Bulgarian men's gymnasts used safety pins to attach the emblem in front? Probably could've used sparkly hair gel. Think should have special devoted to Svetlana Khorkina. Want to hear her rant and yell with translation. Is definitely on her diva-ish way to film stardom."}, {"response": 460, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Sep 22, 2000 (12:42)", "body": "Eileen, v. funny post! Karen, I stumbled upon Half.com several months ago, and have purchased quite a few videos without any problems. One should review the seller's track record first, but for those prices, it is hard to go wrong. Half.com was purchased by Ebay not too long ago...."}, {"response": 461, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Sep 23, 2000 (10:09)", "body": "A big disappointment in the Games was that world class athletes expect to compete on the best equipment; if their respective sport so requires equipment. The female gymnastics, however, got a nasty surprise. The vaulting horse was 5 centimeters to low. The competitors were allowed to redo their vaults if they so chose. Some did, others didn't, citing that their bad scores on vault had effected their mental approach to the remaining events. Then again, the Olympics have almost always contained an element of drama. Of course, it might be argued that all major athetic competions containe inate drama."}, {"response": 462, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep 23, 2000 (11:48)", "body": "Thanks, Lisa! Not one Apt.0. ;-( We will be discussing Apt. 0 in Nov. at the CF film disc. topic. Make sure you all put it on your to rent list. I have a hard time watching these Olympics, ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ............ I hate the way the evening program is set up. If I am watching the gymnastic competition, why should I want to see a swim semifinal in between?"}, {"response": 463, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Sep 23, 2000 (12:25)", "body": "You're right Moon, the set-up is annoying. Not only are the events broken up haphazzardly and inserted into one another, but I also get the two breaks per evening for \"your local news\"."}, {"response": 464, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 23, 2000 (13:36)", "body": "Hi Everybody...we're at the internet cafe near the University of London..had a lovely day..hit the London Eye and saw a private showing of TRT... Miss you all....evelyn We sent our donations with evelyn, Karen...don't let her out of Chicago.... Aishling &Lizza..."}, {"response": 465, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 24, 2000 (10:09)", "body": "From the London Theatre newsletter.... ANOTHER COUNTRY by Julian Mitchell at the Arts Theatre OPENS 27th Sep (Already Previewing!!) DIRECTOR: Stephen Henry PERFORMERS: Alex Avery, Jamie de Courcy, Martoin Hutson, Neil Jones, Ben Meyjes, Edward Purver, Ferdy Roberts, Patrick Ryecart, Tom Wisdom. PRODUCER: Background / Guy Chapman / Oxford Playhouse SYNOPSIS: It is the story about two idealistic, rebellious pupils in an elite public boys school during the 1930s"}, {"response": 466, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Sep 25, 2000 (10:24)", "body": "The vaulting horse was 5 centimeters to low. No doubt weighed down by gobs of sparkly gel. Note to self: start movement to have sparkly gel banned from games in manner of performance-enhancing drugs. Noticed last night that Russian blonde giantess (actually, is only 5'5\" tall) took razor to head--most likely in response to earlier Bozo the Clown analogy. Hope you're having fun in London, ladies. Stop by the BBC and give them our love, willya? ;-)"}, {"response": 467, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 25, 2000 (10:43)", "body": "Think need another grass-roots movement. Have noticed men seem to be wearing *more* clothing, while women are wearing less. Do not understand why two-piece bathing suits have become athletic uniforms. Do they increase speed or strength? Fully expect to see track stars (among others) wearing thongs in Athens. Have discovered new sport to satisfy my specialized interests: men's water polo. Have excellent physiques not hidden by ugly fast suits. Also, good underwater camera work, showing men treading water. Must get bigger TV. Also need to rethink those baby bonnets. Back to lady gymnasts...did you like the basic black cocktail leotards sported?"}, {"response": 468, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, Sep 25, 2000 (11:43)", "body": "Do not understand why two-piece bathing suits have become athletic uniforms Those shark suits as they're called are used because there's less resistance. A lot of experiments and investigations have gone into those suits. Apparently you gain about 3% in speed when wearing such a suit. For a while it wasn't certain whether they'd be allowed to swim in those suits during official competitions. It partly explains why so many world records in swimming have been broken this year."}, {"response": 469, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 25, 2000 (12:25)", "body": "It is one thing to move ahead with technologie. It is another when you allow professionals to play for gold. I am against all those professional basketball, tennis, etc players playing on the team. I like the water polo too, Karen! ;-)"}, {"response": 470, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 25, 2000 (12:26)", "body": "Tineke, I was referring to the outfits being worn in other sports like track and field and beach volleyball, etc. All midriff-bearing. Does showing one's midriff counter wind resistance? ;-D"}, {"response": 471, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 25, 2000 (12:36)", "body": "that should be \"mid-baring\" ;-D Must be excitement from news. Can *barely* type as fingers are jumping for joy. :-DDDDDDD"}, {"response": 472, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Sep 25, 2000 (13:17)", "body": "(Moon) I am against all those professional basketball, tennis, etc players playing on the team. I know what you mean. Heard last week that Maurice Greene was tooling around Sydney in his yellow Ferrari while waiting for track and field to begin. Saw him remove his shoes after the race and thought he was going to hold one next to his head for advertising purposes just like the skiers (he threw them into the crowd instead). Am waiting for a winner to say 'I'm going to Disney World!'. Is only a matter of time. (Karen) did you like the basic black cocktail leotards sported? Actually, I did. Thought they went well with the spark...but enough about that ;-)"}, {"response": 473, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Sep 25, 2000 (14:50)", "body": "While we are on the topic of \"The Games,\" I have a question: shot put... what's that all about? Cannot figure out if contestants are judged on distance of \"putting their shots,\" or the decibel level of the primal, guttural screams they emit thereafter. Moreover, why do the participants all look like Jesse Ventura? Perhaps they are in need of disco hair glitter...."}, {"response": 474, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 25, 2000 (23:00)", "body": "v.g. review in The Times for \"To the Green Fields and Beyond\" at the Donmar. Moreover, Mendes's cast is strong enough to make you credit the talk of fate, angelic support and spiritual togetherness. Some characters are cursorily realised, but several, notably Dougray Scott's battle-scarred commander and Ray Winstone's East Ender, will surely stick in the mind. When Winstone's big, beefy ex-chauffeur quietly admits his terrors, then unpretentiously expresses his love for the men around him, you'll not just be touched. You'll be glad Sam Mendes decided to come home. Full review here: http://www.the-times.co.uk/news/pages/tim/2000/09/26/timnwsnws03021.html Another snippet from The Times: Free dancing Film Four, distributors of Dancer in the Dark, made by the controversial Danish director Lars von Trier and starring Bj\ufffdrk, are offering a money-back guarantee. Those who see the film on Friday, and stay for at least half an hour, can seek a refund if they do not like it. Wish that policy applied to the last movie I saw...Circus :-("}, {"response": 475, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (04:09)", "body": "Stop by the BBC and give them our love, willya? ;-) Funny you should say that...am going over now..Hmmmmmm"}, {"response": 476, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (07:28)", "body": "Film Four, distributors of Dancer in the Dark, made by the controversial Danish director Lars von Trier and starring Bj\ufffdrk, are offering a money-back guarantee. Those who see the film on Friday, and stay for at least half an hour, can seek a refund if they do not like it. (Karen), Wish that policy applied to the last movie I saw...Circus :-( Or mine Woman on Top. :-( I like the films Lars has made and the Danish film movement. I am also a huge Bj\ufffdrk fans and will see it. Loved Almost Famous!"}, {"response": 477, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (16:55)", "body": "Thank you, Evelyn, for the information on the stage revival of \"Another Country\"."}, {"response": 478, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (19:20)", "body": "Moon, I also enjoyed Almost Famous very, very much. Wonderful cast--they are perfect all across the board, aren't they? Especially enjoyed Kate Hudson and Frances McDormand, but almost hate to single anyone out as the ensemble is what makes it work. And Billy Crudup is a hottie!:-) The kid, Patrick Fugit, is a real find. Has anyone else seen it yet?"}, {"response": 479, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (22:00)", "body": "(Mari) Has anyone else seen it yet? [Almost Famous] Saw it this weekend and loved it. I agree with everything you said - great acting all the way around and a charming script. It was a perfect snapshot of the early 70's and having been entering my teen years at that time it really made me smile."}, {"response": 480, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (07:21)", "body": "Last night I went to the vnerable Donmar to see \"To the Green Fields Beyond\" starring \"flavor of the month\" Dougray Scott and directed by wunderkind Sam Mendes.Full house..play sold out for the run.Like Elena I had a warm nostalgic feeling going there. (I saw TRT 4 times there too). The play:I hate to be the dissenting voice with critics, but I was disappointed. The play focuses on a tank crew of eight men on the night before battle during WW I.This is a serious topic, and I felt it was trivialized. The dialogue was full of cliches (I didn't even mind the contemporary \"you guys\", \"no way\"...unimportant.)But I never felt engaged ..(hey I was sitting in row A)!Ray Winstone was excellent...the only believable character. Dougray Scott was OK. At times over the top...shouting doesn't make good acting! The rest of the cast was abysmal.I espected more from Sam and the Donmar. He shudda stuck with Shakespeare. But that's MO. No one in the audience I recognized except for Sam.There was no intermission...so I had no time to look around.But from Row A side,I got a good look all around.After the show I waited in the lobby and outside (fer olde times sake!). NO ONE was there for Dougray .YEAY!!Only the old pro autograph hounds."}, {"response": 481, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (08:30)", "body": "Evelyn, your review is not much different from the ones I read last night. They thought the play wasn't so hot, but the actors were good. One mentioned the use of contemporary language as being out of place and how the whole thing compared unfavorably to works produced by poets/playwrights who had actually been in the war. And there was a particularly snide remark as to something the prostitute says about servicing seven men. Thanks for reporting back."}, {"response": 482, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (08:47)", "body": "One mentioned the use of contemporary language That mix might have been an attraction for SM. Thanks for reporting, Evelyn. It is not a play that would interest me. What is SM going to do next?"}, {"response": 483, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (09:40)", "body": "(Mari) And Billy Crudup is a hottie!:-) Thought he was just awful in Prefontaine (showed the emotional range of a block of wood, IMO) and was surprised at how good he was in AF. 'I am a golden god!' (Jana) It was a perfect snapshot of the early 70's and having been entering my teen years at that time it really made me smile. Me too. My only complaints were that some parts of the script seemed too set up and the actor who played the jealous lead singer was a little too OTT for me. As Evelyn said, shouting doesn't make good acting. Otherwise, it's a movie well worth seeing."}, {"response": 484, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (10:58)", "body": "Thanks for the Donmar report, Evelyn. As Karen said, the reviews today have been lukewarm at best, so you are not at all out of step with the critics. Moon, I think Sam's next project is another film for DreamWorks. Spielberg producing, Hanks starring. Something about gangsters, I seem to recall. (Jana2) It was a perfect snapshot of the early 70's and having been entering my teen years at that time it really made me smile. Same here, Jana! To its credit, it does deal honestly with some of the unsavory stuff of the period and the setting, but unlike other films which seem hell-bent on having you go home miserable, this one leaves you with a good feeling. Not treacly good, but just good.:-)"}, {"response": 485, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (16:56)", "body": "More Olympics talk..sorry you can take a nap if you like, but can I just say ..\"Deano! Come on you Macey\"(in manner of FP-type football yob).. I wouldn't ordinarily bother but he's got the cheekiest of grins and he's our hope in the Decathlon lying in 2nd place after the first day. Check out those tatts. Don't worry my CF allegiances aren't compromised!!"}, {"response": 486, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (18:43)", "body": "Ssshhh, but tomorrow is a birthday for our favorite intrepid detective.. She's filled our bucket with all sorts of goodies during the past year so let's return the favor and fill hers... and send your Happy Birthday messages to Karen on the 28th."}, {"response": 487, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (20:39)", "body": "Hauoli Na Hanau, Karen"}, {"response": 488, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (20:43)", "body": "Tuberose / Lantern Ilima White tuberose mixed with orange ilima blossoms. Very fragrant. This is my favorite lei and lasts for a long time even in a warm room."}, {"response": 489, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (22:46)", "body": "Oooh, it's gorgeous Marcia. I know *exactly* what I'll wear to go with it. (will have to cut back on the jewels though) Thanks so much. Really been looking forward to my lei for quite some time. :-D"}, {"response": 490, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (23:17)", "body": "To Karen, on her birthday (to be read in manner of the SP as played by Anthony Andrews, 1982 version): (insert throat clearing noise here) You seek them here, You seek them there, You seek those Firth facts everywhere. Whether in the Observer, Times, or Post, You find them all -- our intrepid Drool host. Have a great day. LisaJH"}, {"response": 491, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (00:28)", "body": "Happy Birthday Karen......all the very best people are born in September !!"}, {"response": 492, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (00:48)", "body": "Happy birthday Karen"}, {"response": 493, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (01:07)", "body": "Birthdates which occurred on your SELECTED date of September 28: 551 -BC- Confucius (as celebrated in Taiwan) 106 -BC- Pompey (Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus) Rome, warrior 1573 Caravaggio Italy, painter 1785 David Walker Wilmington NC, a black born free 1824 Francis Turner Palgrave Eng, poet (Golden Treasury)/prof (Oxford) 1839 Frances Willard founded Women's Christian Temperance Union 1841 Georges Clemenceau France, statesman/PM (defended Dreyfuss) 1849 Dudley Allen Sargent US, physician/educator (Harvard U gymnasium) 1852 Henri Moissan France, chemist; isolated fluorine (Nobel 1906) 1856 Edward Thompson US archeologist who explored Mayan ruins 1856 Kate Douglas Wiggins author (Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm) 1870 Florent Schmitt Bl\ufffdmont France, composer (Fr\ufffdd\ufffdgonde) 1880 Ralph Edward Flanders Barnet VT, (Sen-VT) 1882 Jack Fournier 2nd baseman (1917-18 NY Yankees) 1885 Wilbur 'Lefty' Good pitcher (NY Yankees, 1905) 1887 Avery Brundage AAU & International Olympic Committee president 1895 Lawton Whitey Witt outfielder (NY Yankees, 1922-25) 19-- Eloy Phil Casados Long Beach Calif, actor (Young Daniel Boone) 19-- George Lynch rocker (Lynch Mob-Wicked Sensations) 19-- Michael Clayton Staten Island NY, rock drummer (Tyketto-Wings) 19-- Robert Wolders Rotterdam Holland, actor (Erik Hunter-Laredo) 19-- Sam Whipple Venice Calif, actor (Terry-Open All Night) 19-- Susan Walters Georgia, actress (Loving) 1901 William S Paley founder & chairman (CBS) 1902 Ed Sullivan TV variety show host/gossip columnist (Ed Sullivan Show) 1905 Max Schmeling Germany, world heavyweight boxing champ (1930-32) 1905 William Northam Austria, yachtsman (Olympic-gold-1964) 1907 Glen (Turk) Edwards NFL tackle (Boston/Washington Redskins) 1907 Heikki Savolainen Finland, pommel horse gymnast (Olympic-gold-1948) 1909 Al Capp New Haven Ct, cartoonist (Li'l Abner) 1910 Fran Lee NYC, actress (Ms Wong-Major Dell Conway) 1911 Henry Ellsworth Vines Jr tennis (US Open 1931,32)/golf player 1913 Alice Marble tennis player (US Open 1936, 1938-40) 1913 Vivian Fine Chicago Ill, composer (Women in the Garden) 1914 Harold Taylor Canada, educator (Art & the Future) 1916 Peter Finch actor (Network, Windom's Way, Raid on Entebbe) 1917 Michael Somes England, ballet dancer (Royal Ballet in London) 1919 Thomas Harmon football player/sportscaster (Heisman winner) 1922 Joe Silver Chicago Ill, actor (Mr I Magination, Fay) 1923 Fred Robbins Balt Md, DJ (Coke Time with Eddie Fisher, Robbins Nest) 1923 William Windom NYC, actor (Farmer's Daughter, Murder She Wrote) 1924 Marcello Mastroianni actor (8\ufffd, La Dolce Vita) 1925 Arnold Stang Mass, comedian/actor (Broadside, Milton Berle, Top Cat) 1925 Seymour Cray inventor (Cray I computer) 1926 Jerry Clower Amite County Miss, country comedian (Nashville on Road) 1933 Madeleine M Kunin Switzerland (Gov-D-Vt), 1st Jewish gov of Vermont 1934 Brigitte Bardot Paris France, sex kitten (And God Created Women) 1936 Robert Hogan NYC, actor (Peyton Place, Operation Petticoat) 1938 Ben E King NC, singer (Stand by Me) 1940 Alexander S Ivanchenkov cosmonaut (Soyuz 29, T-6) 1941 Charley Taylor NFL wide receiver/running back (Wash Redskin) 1942 Grant Jackson pitcher (1972 NY Yankees) 1943 Gertrud \"Traudl\" Hecher Austria, downhill skier (Olympic-bronze-1960) 1943 Joel Higgins Bloomington Ill, actor (Salvage 1, Silver Spoons) 1946 Fiona Lewis Westcliff England, actress (Stunts, Lisztomania) 1946 Herbert Jefferson Jr Jersey City NJ, actor (Battlestar Galactica) 1946 Larry Breeding Winchester Ill, actor (Who's Watching the Kids?) 1948 Helen Shapiro London England, rocker (Straighten Up) 1948 Marielle Goitschel France, slalom (Olympic-gold-1968) 1948 Phil Hartman comedian (SNL) 1951 Christian Marlowe LA Calif, actor (Bram-Highcliffe Manor) 1951 Dave Rajsich pitcher (NY Yankees) 1952 Sylvia Kristel Holland, actress (Emmanuelle, Priv School for Girls) 1954 Steve Largent wide receiver (Seattle Seahawks) 1958 Lory Del Santo Verona Italy, (Miss Italy-1980) 1961 Anne White Charleston WV, tennis (Wore spandex in '85 Wimbledon) 1962 Luis Enrique spanish singer (Luces del Alma) 1967 Moon Unit Zappa rocker (Valley Girl), Frank's daughter 1968 Carr\ufffd Otis SF Calif, actress (Wild Orchid) 19?? Karen, hostess, estraordinaire of Drool born. Deaths which occurred on September 28: 1833 Lemuel Haynes Revolutionary War veteran, dies at 88 1953 Edwin P Hubble astronomer, designer of telescopes, dies at 63 1954 Bert Lytell actor (Henry-One Man's Family), dies at 69 1957 Albert Ascoli Italian developed anti-tuberculosis vaccine, dies 1961 Michael Shepley actor (Dick & the Duchess), dies at 54 1964 Harpo Marx comedian (Marx Bros), dies at 75 1966 Eric Fleming actor (Gil-Rawhide), dies at 41 1970 Nasser Egyptian Pres, dies of a heart attack at 52 replaced by Sadat 1973 Norma Crane actress (Rayola-Mr Peepers), dies at 42 1975 Sidney Fields comedian (Abbott & Costello), dies at 77 1978 Pope John Paul I 65-yr-old found dead, after only 33 days as Pope 1979 Jimmy McCulloch guitarist of W"}, {"response": 494, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (01:20)", "body": "G'day Karen I hope you have/are having/had a wonderful birthday. Thanks for all the sleuthing you do on our behalf."}, {"response": 495, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (03:25)", "body": ""}, {"response": 496, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (03:27)", "body": "Happy, Happy Birthday Karen hope you have a great day and thanks for all you do for us frustrated CF fans By your next Birthday I hope to have mastered the graphics!! some hope."}, {"response": 497, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (03:30)", "body": "sorry Help please Karen, I am not sure what I have done wrong."}, {"response": 498, "author": "aishling", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (03:53)", "body": "Happy Birthday Karen. Hope you have a wonderful day"}, {"response": 499, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (04:31)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BOSS WISH YOU WERE HERE :-(( BUT HERE'S TO CHICAGO ;-)))))"}, {"response": 500, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (05:08)", "body": "Happy Birthday Karen! Here's what I brought to you from Germany: a Spa treatment at Baden-Baden's Friedrichsbad: Hope you enjoy it! BTW, you masseur is an Olympic medalist ;-) But the gold medal goes to you: in the name of all the Droolers, I award you the SuperSleuth Award of the Millenium !"}, {"response": 501, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (05:10)", "body": ""}, {"response": 502, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (06:08)", "body": "A very Happy Birthday wish to you, Karen, our fearless leader!"}, {"response": 503, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (06:52)", "body": "... and when you wake up, please do something about these tags..."}, {"response": 504, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (06:53)", "body": "...or did I? <-o"}, {"response": 505, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (07:19)", "body": "Happy birthday Karen! The boys are jumping for joy!"}, {"response": 506, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (07:51)", "body": "Happy Birthday Karen! You must start today with a toast. Before the party starts rocking. I have a new friend that would like to wish you a Happy Birthday. Adian Grenier meet Karen. Don\ufffdt ask about Rupi, it is over! Now for your presents. Once in a while a girl has to do one crazy thing and that is this: To help you keep time when you are out sleuthing, one look at this and you know you are worthy. And here is a little something for you to wear at the Chicago Film Fest Grand Ball. Have a wonderfully firthfilling day."}, {"response": 507, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (07:51)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Karen!! No fast suit for ODB!"}, {"response": 508, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (08:10)", "body": "LOL, Tineke! Brilliant! Look at those abs..."}, {"response": 509, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (09:18)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Karen! Have a great one:-)"}, {"response": 510, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (09:19)", "body": "LMAO, Tineke! Great job! Today's Karen's big day and I've thought long and hard about how best to honor her. Since birthdays bring about fond memories of the past, I've decided to gather together a few of her former loves for a tribute. Let's get things started. First, cue the music: For all the boys I've loved before... Dearest Karen, though we are no longer friends, I wish you the happiest of birthdays. Here I am in a pose similar to the newest of your loves, what's his name again? Ah, yes, Firth. I believe I worked with him once. *big brooding sigh* He is one lucky chap. He may have you but I still get all the best roles. Now I must turn the stage over to our next guest... Hullo, Karen, it's me! *incredulous* You don't recognize me? *smug* Perhaps this will help. It's Sean! We haven't seen each other for so long. I've been quite busy filming television advertisements, after all. Who's that fellow you're hooked up with now? Firth? Colin? What a marvelous coincidence! He seems a bit between things now, so I've been sending him scripts for ads I haven't the time for. Just yesterday I sent him a huge Starbucks project. Please tell him to remember who gave him his big break when he scores in that one. And perhaps you'll have better luck getting him to switch from those awful rose-colored glasses to contact lenses. Ah, I see my time is up. Our next guest is arriving. So, my dear, on this, the anniversary of your birth, I offer these seminal words of advice... Did you know that a contact lens in the hands of an eye care professional can take your vision to another level? Karen darling! It's your birthday--marvelous! Since we don't speak very often these days, I must take this opportunity to thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your assistance in my election as the 'Favorite Man' in that voting booth contest a few months back. Wasn't it you who urged 'vote early, vote often?' *whispers* No need to worry, dearest, I won't tell that you were voting for Firth at the same time. I had several acquaintances doing the same thing. One must do what one must do, after all. Have to run, luvvie. Am off for another Love Boat episode! Ta! And now, over to the current man in your life-- Karen, darling, I never knew you had such a...colorful past. Let's put that behind us. Tonight, we shall wine and dine privately and I will honor your fondest wish to see my new six-pack abs. Just for you, my lovely, I will be wearing only a towel. *end music* Happy birthday, Karen, from Eileen and all your boys ;-D"}, {"response": 511, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (09:21)", "body": "Grr, thought I checked all the tags. And sorry Willie's pic came out so big. That's not an easy sight to endure."}, {"response": 512, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (09:38)", "body": "(*Colin*) I will be wearing only a towel. C'mon Colin, drop the bloody towel! These luvvies have seen you butt-bare before. They know your dimples below the waist are every bit as cute as the ones on your upper cheeks. Give Karen a BIG birthday surprise. Just remember Karen dear, if Col's new buff bod doesn't tickle your fancy, just come over to me. I've been working out in anticipation, and have been packin' heat lately, if you know what I mean."}, {"response": 513, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (09:39)", "body": "(Eileen) And sorry Willie's pic came out so big. That's not an easy sight to endure. It almost scared the pants off me ;-) Tineke, love your collage :-)"}, {"response": 514, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (11:31)", "body": "It scared me too! LOL! Hey, Anthony Andrews looks like such a gentleman. :-) Poor Colin is having trouble with his shirt again! But who cares, when he looks so good. Those killer dimples. That Sean looks like the actor who is playing Roland. Your taste sunk a little here, Karen. ;-)"}, {"response": 515, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (11:54)", "body": "Kaaaarrreeeennnnn, where aaaaarrrreeee you? Hope heartless abuse doled out at CF topic hasn't kept you away from your birthday party. That would be v.v. sad. :-("}, {"response": 516, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (12:02)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Karen... I can't believe I forgot;( I hope you have a wonderful day!"}, {"response": 517, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (12:48)", "body": "Happy Birthday Karen! Thanks SO MUCH for all the hard work you do around here - it is greatly appreicated!! Tineke - LOL loved the pic of Colin in his swim trunks :-) V.v. Good Eileen - that pic of Willie - *hee hee* must admit was rather startled :-)"}, {"response": 518, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (12:52)", "body": "Happy Birthday Karen"}, {"response": 519, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (13:30)", "body": "O Lord, Eileen.....somebody needs to slap a government health warning on your posts from now on......I laughed so hard at your photographic tribute from Karen's boyfriends ( where is she by the way ? ) that I almost did my self an injury. I hope Karen find it as funny. No idea ya'll loved AA too. Wasn't he just divine, dahlink, in The Scarlet Pimpernel ? I even visited Oxford once, just to see all the places that Sebastian loved in Brideshead Revisited. It was wondeful. Haaaaaaaaaaaopppppppppppyyyyyyyyyy Birthday Karen !!!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 520, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (13:34)", "body": "Gaah! Willie pic was normal sized when I copied it. Wasn't thumbnail. Willie pics must have built-in enlargement device in manner of explosive time-bomb."}, {"response": 521, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (13:50)", "body": "No prob....just make the CF pix as big and we'll forgive you."}, {"response": 522, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (14:06)", "body": "Please joint us for your Birthday party Karen, where are all you wonderful graphics?"}, {"response": 523, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (14:38)", "body": "For our Windy City birthday gal (and with apologies to Messrs. Cahn and Van Heusen), sung to the tune of My Kind Of Town, Chicago Is . . .: My Kind Of Gal Our Karen is . . . My Kind Of Gal Our Karen is . . . And each time I roam, our Karen is Calling me home, our Karen is One pal who won't let you down She's My Kind Of Gal! ***** Brilliant par-tay as usual, ladies. Tineke, that swimmer on the far right can anchor my relay any old time!:-) Happy Birthday, Karen, and here's to a wonderful Firth-filled year!"}, {"response": 524, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (14:48)", "body": "Dearest Karen, The computer retard that is me has no clever graphics to share. Just a heartfelt wish for a special day for a very special lady. Thanks so much for all you do and for being such a good friend. Tineke and Eileen - ROTFLOL!"}, {"response": 525, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (15:56)", "body": "Karen, Arsenal just won Lazio in the Uefa Cup game and on the big score board it read: Happy Birthday Karen! We appreciate your help in making us the team we are today. Hip Hip Hurrah!"}, {"response": 526, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (15:58)", "body": "I guess it was sensored. Who would want to see a bunch of guys in their Arsenal boxer shorts anyway? ;-)"}, {"response": 527, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (16:04)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Karen. Have an enjoyable upcoming year."}, {"response": 528, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (16:07)", "body": "Marcia, the lei is lovely, as they always are. White tuberose mixed with orange ilima blossoms, it is very beautiful. It would be very nice if Karen could smell that exquisite lei."}, {"response": 529, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (16:22)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Karen. Thanks for all you do on this board and best wishes for a great year to come."}, {"response": 530, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (16:45)", "body": "Speaking of Olympic makeovers, anyone notice Shannon Miller's? Now if she can just work on her Minnie Mouse voice :-)"}, {"response": 531, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (17:54)", "body": "MANY HAPPY RETURNS KAREN AND THANKS FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO FOR US With love and hugs from the gutter!"}, {"response": 532, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (18:07)", "body": "I almost missed Karen's BIG Day! xxxxx"}, {"response": 533, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (18:31)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KAREN I got some people to help shop for your birthday. While sorting through the bog rolls, they did manage to come up with a few good ideas. Some bright shiny apples Think of temptation and the Garden of Eden A necklace to replace the one lost down the garbage disposal Think Lesson #4 (or was it 3?) You may well ask \"are these for me?\" and of course we can't forget chocolates! And of course the best present and only accompaniment to your lei - Have a sensational day and year!"}, {"response": 534, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (19:27)", "body": "Happy Birthday Wishes (From one Karen to another) Couldn't tell you how valuable you are to all of CF's admirers. Only symbolism will do Sweets for the Sweet, Hon! Happy birthday from the other Karen. ;-) KJ try to be back later"}, {"response": 535, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (23:24)", "body": "I have returned: Since you're unlikely to see any of it until tomorrow -- Happy Birthday ... Belatedly! Karen -- Your Horoscope Libra -- (September 23 - October 23) Venus . . . . . The Balance Libra Gemstones: Sapphire and Jade -- September Birthstone: Sapphire \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd flowers: Goldenrod, \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd and Aster: \ufffd\ufffd\ufffdYou are sensitive and charming with a fine temperament which allows you to succeed in both business and social life. Tactful and sensitive at all times, you are readily received into many different circles, but people admire you most for your remarkable sense of justice. Like actual scales, your life is characterized by an evenness or balance which keeps you level-headed in even the most trying of situations. You likewise have strong perceptive powers which you use to the benefit of everyone around. \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Libras make good interpreters, correspondents, managers, and teachers. They are expert supervisors who direct activities with great skill. Although they have a tendency to over-speculate, their greatest interest lies in keeping the peace. They feel close to nature and enjoy spending time outdoors. lucky star: venus ... lucky day: friday ... lucky colors: green, yellow ... lucky numbers: 3, 7 Boy! it sure looks like they've got you pegged!! Only argument with 'em: Your official gem oughtta be: (**Hee hee**) Love, KJ"}, {"response": 536, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 29, 2000 (10:24)", "body": "Happy New Year, Karen!"}, {"response": 537, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Sep 29, 2000 (12:15)", "body": "Yes, happy new year to all our Hebrew friends!"}, {"response": 538, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Sep 29, 2000 (14:09)", "body": "Happy New Year!! \"> Sincerest Wishes for Peace and Prosperity in the coming year. ...KJ"}, {"response": 539, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Sep 29, 2000 (14:37)", "body": "Can't figure out why that wouldn't work. Hmmmmm. A change of tactics called for. Try this: Happy New Year!! Sincerest Wishes for Peace and Prosperity in the coming year. ...KJ"}, {"response": 540, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Sep 30, 2000 (06:40)", "body": "HAPPY NEW YEAR, KAREN, From Ann and Evelyn in sunny Henfield!!!"}, {"response": 541, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct  1, 2000 (08:08)", "body": ""}, {"response": 542, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct  1, 2000 (08:10)", "body": "Time I showed up at my own party. I see the ice cream hasn't completely melted... Since you started things off, Heide, with a mention about sleuthing, I can't take all the credit. Every once and a while, my favorite real detective will pop up and say: \"Karen, I've got a lead on this Firth fellow you're all interested in. Quick! The game's afoot.\" Again, thank you, Marcia for the lovely lei. Smells heavenly. And about that listing, I've always been most proud of sharing my birthday with: 1934 Brigitte Bardot Paris France, sex kitten (And God Created Women) Usually people can't tell us apart, but I'm the one in the leopard skin coat. ;-D And I think it was very nice of you putting me on the list after Carrie Otis, who was born in 1968. (close enough) Now, Lisa, about your poem...do I need to say it with a lisp? Or will a swish suffice? ;-D Ann, am looking forward to your future postings, as you're no longer \"graphics-challenged.\" Have seen proof on 61 that you've graduated the EB Accelerated Learning Method. And Aishling!! Wonderful job. Thank you. (Evelyn) WISH YOU WERE HERE :-(( I know, me too. :-( But we're going to have a good time here soon plus we get a big Firth bonus. Gi, just what the doctor ordered!! Spa treatments. Hurrah. The masseur looks like he'll do in a pinch, or a rub, or in a towel! (Donna) The boys are jumping for joy! Me too. Love those water polo boys but, really, can't anyone come up with something better than those baby bonnets in this day and age? (shuddup, Karen, and stop complaining. No one looks at their heads) Thank you for the champagne toast and sparkly bday cake, Moon. Adrian Grenier? Naw, saw him in that Sebastian Cole movie. Little too much going on with those eyebrows. Doesn't hold a candle to my new honey: What do you think? ;-D BTW, am going out to get a dress to go with those lovely baubles. Besides the gala festival ball, am entertaining the QOE next week. So will get lots of use out of those. Beautiful and utilitarian. Perfect combo. Tineke!!! LOL!!! Absolutely amazing! How ever did I miss ODB at pool's edge. Hate NBC's coverage! Looks like he took the gold. (see what going to uni gets you? such talents) Have saved this pic for my private collection, as I'm sure we all have. ;-D Thank you. (Moon) Look at those abs... Yes, look at them and that pelvic bone being oh, so, suggestive... yum Eileen, am so glad you've got your graphics capabilities back. However, after being scared like all the rest by Willie, had a good laugh: (Rafe) though we are no longer friends When were we ever? In your dreams, O Beady-Eyed, Pencil-Legged One. Send little brother over to recite Juliet's lines to me. ;-D (Sean) And perhaps you'll have better luck getting him to switch from those awful rose-colored glasses to contact lenses. It's worth a try. Might help his chances of getting the Starbucks gig. Wouldn't mind being behind the counter giving him a double latte, no skim, foam. ;-D Could you have found a bigger pic of AA? *snort* Yes, gave him my all at that voting booth. All those sleepless nights. But worth it. ;-D (Anthony dearest) Have to run, luvvie. Am off for another Love Boat episode! Gaaah!!! Am off to get VCR going. May not have this classic episode in my collection. ;-D Thankfully, you came back to your senses with: (CF) Just for you, my lovely, I will be wearing only a towel. Who could ask for anything more? Mmmmmmm (Donna) C'mon Colin, drop the bloody towel!...Give Karen a BIG birthday surprise. And I thought it couldn't get any better? You're right. And what we've seen before probably looks even better since Cornel's put him through his paces. (Stephen) if Col's new buff bod doesn't tickle your fancy, just come over to me. Such big feet he seems to have...Any room in that tub? ;-D (Laura) I can't believe I forgot I can. ;-) (Bethanne) No idea ya'll loved AA too. Only to make fun of, hon, although did like Brideshead many years ago. Mari: Old Blue Eyes salutes you. Will record new version with Willie Nelson. Thank you for the serenade. (Moon) Who would want to see a bunch of guys in their Arsenal boxer shorts anyway? ;-) No one here...although maybe it needs a bit of animation, sort of like this one Murph: Beautiful card, thank you. Heide, you sure Colin doesn't do his shopping online now? Love the prezzies. Girl can never have too many necklaces or flowers. Am enjoying that Milk Tray as I type. But of course, the lei companion piece was the BEST!! Mmmmmmm KJ, the roses are be-yew-ti-ful. Venus . . . . . The Balance v. true, except when I go off-balance. ;-D Libra Gemstones: Sapphire and Jade Do love these v.v. much lucky day: friday No way could it be Thursdays. ;-D (KJ) Only argument with 'em: Your official gem oughtta be Agreed. Will toss out all my sapphires and jade if can have posted substitute. A big thank you to all those wonderful friends who wished me a happy birthday: Bethanne, Lucie, Cathey, Meredith, Susan, Laura, EsBee, Judy, Jana, Cheryl, Lynda, and Tracy. Great pa"}, {"response": 543, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Oct  1, 2000 (08:40)", "body": "(Karen), Moon. Adrian Grenier? Naw, saw him in that Sebastian Cole movie. Little too much going on with those eyebrows. Doesn't hold a candle to my new honey: You mean rolley-polley? LOL! AG may be young, but he has so much potential! ;-) I do not mind having him all to myself, I always have to share CF with the rest of you. ;-D"}, {"response": 544, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Oct  1, 2000 (09:26)", "body": "We knew you'd show up sooner than later. Your responses were worth a party all on their own. Going to the closing ceremonies with your new honey? I see you like to have a lot to hold onto. Will watch for you waving flag from stands. Think I shall actually miss watching Olympic coverage and rooting for anyone competing against the US. (I'm American so can say that. ;-)) Damn, the Lithuanians were so close against that hotshot \"Dream Team\"."}, {"response": 545, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct  1, 2000 (09:30)", "body": "You can't imagine how jealous I was of the other guy:"}, {"response": 546, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct  1, 2000 (13:52)", "body": "Congratulations to our British Friends on their Olympic Golds. Glad to see all your comments, Karen. \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Thanks to all the enthusiasm last Sunday on the AC article I decided to go see it on Friday night. I have never enjoyed the film (outside of ODB)...I find British school dramas tiresome....but the play is brilliant. Like Heide I'd give anything to have see Colin play Guy Bennett. It is really a far better role than Tommy Judd.Cast was tremendous. All young and making their West End debuts. WOW I felt as if I was seeing the future KB, RF and RE....The lead is Tom Wisdom, who was the resident- hunk on Coronation street. Has great potential. No one special in the audience except for Minniew Driver whom I found standing next to me at the bar at intermission time. Both of us ordered orangeades."}, {"response": 547, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Sun, Oct  1, 2000 (16:07)", "body": "Missed the party Missed the dance Out of town, I Missed my chance. Hope she'll still Permit me tell How I ardently Wish her well. Happy birthday, Karen. P.S. No surprise that Minnie is copying Evelyn's drinks orders."}, {"response": 548, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct  1, 2000 (22:37)", "body": "Well, if I can't have Rafe's lil bro speaking in iambic pentameter... ;-D Very clever, Mark. Thank you for the birthday wish, expressed so sweetly. Now, this may seem odd for you all Downunder (but the closing ceremonies have just finished up here...) Give yourselves a hand!! You put on a wonderful Olympics!!"}, {"response": 549, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Oct  2, 2000 (01:44)", "body": "Here here, I second that, a wonderful Olympics and wonderful for GB."}, {"response": 550, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct  2, 2000 (07:36)", "body": "And Italy too!"}, {"response": 551, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct  2, 2000 (11:32)", "body": "I guess the RAF doesn't hire 40-year-old pilots.;-) Crudup flies to Warners' 'Gray' By Cathy Dunkley LOS ANGELES (The Hollywood Reporter) --- Billy Crudup (\"Almost Famous\") has signed to star opposite Cate Blanchett in the drama \"Charlotte Gray\" for Warner Bros. and FilmFour. Shooting is scheduled to start in February on the $20 million-plus budgeted project, which will be directed by Gillian Armstrong. The project marks the first to come under Warner Bros. and FilmFour's three-year multifilm co-production pact that was sealed in May and was designed to yield up to two films a year (HR 5/10). \"Gray,\" based on Sebastian Faulks' best-selling novel of the same name and adapted by Jeremy Brock (\"Mrs. Brown\"), tells the story of a young Scottish woman (Blanchett) who joins the French resistance to rescue her Royal Air Force boyfriend (Crudup). The project will be produced by Ecosse Films, Sarah Curtis and Douglas Rae. Robert Bernstein will executive produce. Universal Pictures sealed a multiterritory distribution deal with FilmFour to pick up rights on the title for several major European territories, including France, Benelux, Scandinavia, Spain and Italy. Universal also has taken rights to the film in Australia, New Zealand and Japan. Blanchett and Armstrong previously teamed on \"Oscar and Lucinda.\" Crudup, repped by CAA, most recently starred as the brooding guitarist Russell Hammond of the fictional rock band Stillwater in Cameron Crowe's critically acclaimed \"Almost Famous\" for DreamWorks. He also recently signed on to star in \"World Traveler\" opposite Julianne Moore for IFC Prods. and Alliance Atlantis. His other feature acting credits include roles in \"Waking the Dead,\" \"The Hi-Lo Country,\" \"Without Limits\" and \"Inventing the Abbotts.\""}, {"response": 552, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Mon, Oct  2, 2000 (12:25)", "body": "I agree! Great job Australia!!! This was the best Olympics I have seen (mind you that is through the limited coverage of NBC here in the states)! I wanted to go to Australia before now, but now I want to go even more! Cheers for the Aussies!"}, {"response": 553, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Oct  2, 2000 (13:16)", "body": "To Australia, the Olympics were a wonderful party. Thank you for the pleasure, you were wonderful hosts."}, {"response": 554, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct  2, 2000 (14:01)", "body": "This aft I popped in to see \"Goya in Bordeaux\"directed by Carlos Saura. It is a film for art and film lovers.Subtitled. Dazzling cinematography.Very artistic...some of it surrealistic.I liked it immensely along with a terrific soundtrack. My reservation is that Mr. Saura seems to feature his technique over the story ...poor, disjointed..[hey, you think MLSF was bad].I wonder if CF would want to be in a film that he's playing second fiddle to the director's \"bag of tricks\".Who knows? As a coming attraction at the Curazon Mayfair (great little theatre)they announced \"The House of Mirth featuring Jodi May and Elizabeth Mc Govern...think maybe I should extend my hol......;-)"}, {"response": 555, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct  2, 2000 (15:03)", "body": "(Evelyn) My reservation is that Mr. Saura seems to feature his technique over the story Interesting comment, Evelyn; most of the critics here are saying the same thing. Lots written about the form, less on the function, and not much on the actors. Most reviews here have been positive. I think it expands beyond NY/LA next weekend. BTW, House Of Mirth did get a distributor here. No demotion to STARZ.;-)"}, {"response": 556, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Oct  2, 2000 (17:21)", "body": "What about \"Billy Elliott\" Evelyn, have you seen that film yet, it has had wonderful reviews all round, great feel good film about a young boy who wants to become a Ballerina! \"The Best British Film since... for ever\". I am going to see it next week and will report back."}, {"response": 557, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct  2, 2000 (17:40)", "body": "Think it is opening here the same weekend that DQ plays. Maybe we can take it in as well. Have heard it referred to as \"Brassed Off with a Tutu\" ;-D"}, {"response": 558, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Oct  2, 2000 (19:00)", "body": "(MarkG) Missed the party Missed the dance Out of town, I Missed my chance. Hope she'll still Permit me tell How I ardently Wish her well. Mark -- a great little ditty, that. This may be over your head, but why did I keep expecting the last line to read \"...Burma Shave\" ? (*Heehee* Boy! does that date me ... )"}, {"response": 559, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Oct  2, 2000 (19:20)", "body": "It is so much fun reading all the stuff here. My late in the day stop is always rewarding. Have tried over and over again to read Sebastian Faulk. Cannot get into his books. This casting sounds good, though. Here is a new pic of Jon Firth as Joshua in the upcoming Hallmark Hall of Fame \"In The Beginning\" that Mickie is putting on her site. Do you think there is more Colin there than usual?"}, {"response": 560, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct  2, 2000 (19:36)", "body": "Is this a hair question? ;-D"}, {"response": 561, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Oct  3, 2000 (12:51)", "body": "I think he looks more like a Fiennes brother. *ducking*"}, {"response": 562, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct  3, 2000 (14:39)", "body": "(Karen)Re: Billy Elliot.Think it is opening here the same weekend that DQ plays. Maybe we can take it in as well. Was going tomorrow on Leicester Sq., but will wait til Chicago if that's on the agenda. ....great feel good film about a young boy who wants to become a Ballerina! Hey, I only see that kinda movie once ."}, {"response": 563, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Oct  4, 2000 (07:27)", "body": "I wish they'd get off the dime and announce something on Armadillo. Good news for Jon, though: A&E crowns ``Victoria'' miniseries By Michael Fleming NEW YORK (Variety) - A&E has begun production on ``Victoria and Albert,'' a four-hour miniseries about the love affair between British Queen Victoria and her husband Albert. The film will star Victoria Hamilton (``Mansfield Park,'' ``King Lear'') as Victoria and Jonathan Firth (``An Ideal Husband''), with a supporting cast of British thesps including Diana Rigg, David Suchet, Nigel Hawthorne, Jonathan Pryce and Peter Ustinov. ``It's a love story of an arranged marriage between this girl and her cousin which neither was keen about,'' said director John Erman. ``She fell for him, but he took the union as a job until they fell madly in love and had nine children. When he died at 40, she was shattered and never really recovered.'' Erman, who won an Emmy for the Ann-Margret TV movie ``Who Will Love My Children'' and DGA Awards for ``Roots'' and ``An Early Frost,'' is directing the miniseries from a script by John Goldsmith (``David Copperfield'')."}, {"response": 564, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Oct  4, 2000 (12:43)", "body": "(Variety) and Jonathan Firth (``An Ideal Husband'') Huh? Had no idea JF was in IH. How'd I miss that? ;-) It is good news for Jon, though. A&E has been good for the Firths. (Mari) I wish they'd get off the dime and announce something on Armadillo Or announce something about anything..."}, {"response": 565, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct  4, 2000 (13:18)", "body": "(Eileen) Had no idea JF was in IH. How'd I miss that? ;-) Same way we all did. This version of AIH has never made it off the shelf. Must run in family. ;-D BTW, he played Goring."}, {"response": 566, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Wed, Oct  4, 2000 (15:02)", "body": "(Eileen) Had no idea JF was in IH. How'd I miss that? ;-) (Karen) Same way we all did. This version of AIH has never made it off the shelf. Must run in family. ;-D BTW, he played Goring. I remember reading about this. Didn't this version of AIH reset the time period to modern day, or something? Poor Jon, his film came too late to the party. At least Valmont got released :-)!"}, {"response": 567, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct  5, 2000 (08:33)", "body": "A Hollywood Reporter item about how V&A's other international rights have been purchased said \"A&E will air 'Victoria' in the summer.\" I assume it means summer 2001."}, {"response": 568, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct  5, 2000 (08:35)", "body": "Also a mention about Andrew Davies' Dr Zhivago. Same stuff as before."}, {"response": 569, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Oct  5, 2000 (11:24)", "body": "Wot! A re-make of Dr. Zhivago? Why?"}, {"response": 570, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct  5, 2000 (11:52)", "body": "Wot! A re-make of Dr. Zhivago? Why? That is what I said when it was first posted. I guess it has to do with the fact that presently, there are not many interesting books or original scripts out there. I know some of you think CF would be great in it. IMO, Omar Shariff owns the part and the comparisons would be detrimental to DB."}, {"response": 571, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Oct  5, 2000 (12:59)", "body": "(Moon) That is what I said when it was first posted. I guess it has to do with the fact that presently, there are not many interesting books or original scripts out there. Sorry about that. Guess I should go back and read the older posts to avoid being part of the department of redundancy department. ;-) I suspected the lack of original material was the chief reason, but fear that we next may see remakes of Citizen Kane and Casablanca on the horizon. Oh, the horror of it all. :-)"}, {"response": 572, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Oct  6, 2000 (08:30)", "body": "Did anyone happen to catch \"The Gilmore Girls\" on the WB (not exactly my network of choice, but I do keep an open mind\ufffd) last night? The good press surrounding this show left me curious, so I tuned in. The show opened with the La's version of \"There She Goes.\" I find it hard to believe this was a coincidence, and wondered which writer is the CF/FP fan. The show has potential, although some of the snappy banter seemed a little forced, and there was enough quirkiness for three episodes of Northern Exposure. :-) Thereafter, I watched the debate, which could have used some of the snappy banter. ;-)"}, {"response": 573, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Oct  7, 2000 (08:18)", "body": "Get a thrill every time I hear \"There She Goes\" and that goes for that crappy version by ? (forget) that's been on the charts recently. Used to think there might have been a FP connection too, Lisa, or even a NH connection but I've heard the LAs version a couple of times used as music for movie trailers. Guess it's just a popular bouncy piece of music since, judging by the recent Fever Pitch US (non-)distribution, the film's not too well known. ;-)"}, {"response": 574, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Oct  7, 2000 (10:10)", "body": "Happy Thanksgiving to all the Canadians at Spring."}, {"response": 575, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct  7, 2000 (11:00)", "body": "Bjork was fantastic in Dancer in the Dark. Bring a box of kleenex if you plan to see it. Brilliantly done and even DH, though he did manage to find some faults, admits to being disturbed by it. It is not a Musical, but the Musical carries the film. You will know what I mean if you see it. I highly recommend it. Happy Thanksgiving to our Canadian Firthettes."}, {"response": 576, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct  7, 2000 (16:23)", "body": "(Lisa) Did anyone happen to catch \"The Gilmore Girls\" on the WB (not exactly my network of choice Sorry, my television refuses to change channels from Fox; perhaps is waiting for repeat of \"Sexiest Bachelor Contest,\" which IMHO should be a weekly series. ;-D"}, {"response": 577, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Oct  7, 2000 (17:28)", "body": "(Karen) perhaps is waiting for repeat of \"Sexiest Bachelor Contest,\" which IMHO should be a weekly series. ;-D Right on. I thought Messrs. Illinois and Michigan were going to cause a riot among the very appreciative audience. Er, that was before I switched back to the History Channel, of course.;-)"}, {"response": 578, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (07:53)", "body": "According to Lou Lumenick Film Critic of the NY Post JE & RH are quoted as 25-1 and 30-1 respecively to win Best Supporting Actress at next year's Oscars. No mention for Rf or Sunshine as Best Film."}, {"response": 579, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (09:34)", "body": "(Lisa) I find it hard to believe this was a coincidence Wish it was so, but as Heide pointed out, it's been used for other films (most recently Girl Interrupted). Heide, the [more] current single was done by Jewel."}, {"response": 580, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (09:54)", "body": "(EileenG) current single was done by Jewel. Wrong. Sixpence none the richer did the remake. Which wasn't that bad of a rendition. I saw them in concert and they gave all the credit to the La's for writing such a cool song. Next up is Barenaked Ladies as my friend Lynn calls them (Buttnaked broads;)) Finally saw High Fidelity. I liked it but the girl who played Laura her hair bothered me. Other than that, I liked it. Liked John Cusack. Loved Barry and Dick. But this was definitely John's movie."}, {"response": 581, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (11:15)", "body": "(Laura)Re: High Fidelity ..But this was definitely John's movie Saw it on the plane returning...have to agree...without John, the film isn't much. (Ann)Lou Lumenick Film Critic of the NY Post JE & RH are quoted as 25-1 and 30-1 respectively to win Best Supporting Actress at next year's Oscars Low odds...low probability, but I like the buzz:-))"}, {"response": 582, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (11:20)", "body": "On Yom Kippur Wishing you a year of bright new beginnings, Karen...."}, {"response": 583, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (13:17)", "body": "(Eileen)Wish it was so, but as Heide pointed out, it's been used for other films Oh well, a girl can dream in her own Colin-centric world....:-) (Laura) Finally saw High Fidelity. And I am finally reading High Fidelity along with HF's Cause Celeb (Karen, you got my curiosity up about it at the BJD topic)."}, {"response": 584, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (02:47)", "body": "I've read Cause Celeb (thanks to Darlene who sent it to me) and enjoyed it. In the beginning the London/Africa separate chapters seemed a bit disjointed, but after that it became very easy to read and made sense. The London scenes really read like a sort of prequel to BJD ;-)"}, {"response": 585, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (07:55)", "body": "So, did you like more than Possession, Gi? I am reading Armadillo now."}, {"response": 586, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (08:44)", "body": "And they said someone named Colin couldn't be a big Hollywood star. Unfortunately, his name is Colin Farrell and from Ireland, but appears to be playing Americans and is on covers of mags. *am crying, another CF* Some excerpts from Variety: Colin Farrell, freshly minted as a potential star after his Hollywood debut Friday in \"Tigerland,\" has become the centerpiece in two separate high-profile studio projects. Farrell will star in the Fox 2000 drama \"Phone Booth\" for \"Tigerland\" director Joel Schumacher in November and will follow by toplining for director Greg Hoblit in the MGM drama \"Hart's War\" in January.... Over at Fox 2000, a search for the right guy to hold the screen in the single-location Larry Cohen-scripted drama \"Phone Booth\" ended when Schumacher tapped his \"Tigerland\" find to play a slick publicist who answers a ringing pay phone, only to find there's an assassin on the other end who'll shoot to kill if the call is disconnected.... Casting the right actor has been a maddening process -- Jim Carrey committed over the summer then had a change of heart -- until Schumacher decided to rehire Farrell after plucking the Irish import from obscurity to topline the gritty ensemble \"Tigerland.\" When the film opened to strong reviews, the studio was convinced Schumacher should continue the association beyond one picture."}, {"response": 587, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (10:01)", "body": "(Karen) Unfortunately, his name is Colin Farrell and from Ireland, but appears to be playing Americans and is on covers of mags. *am crying, another CF* Face it, boss. Of all the many foreign actors kicking around LA for months at a stretch, *ours* is the only one who comes for vacation.:-("}, {"response": 588, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (14:06)", "body": "(Moon)So, did you like more than Possession, Gi? I am reading Armadillo now. Possession has a good plot but I'd edit a few poems out ;-)Cause Celeb is easier to read. I wonder which one I'll remember in a year or two... I've ordered Armadillo from Amazon.com and am waiting for it...zzzzz..."}, {"response": 589, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (18:24)", "body": "Have just got home from seeing Billy Elliott,a realy heart-warming film that is more than just about a young boy who wants to be a Ballerina. Highly recommended but be warned take some tissues. The young boy who plays Billy is awesome and can he dance."}, {"response": 590, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (13:17)", "body": "Newsweek raved and raved about Billy Elliot: [excerpt] \"The loveable 'Billy Elliot', about an 11-year old dancer, launches the film careers of the amazing young actor Jamie Bell and celebrated stage director Stephen Daldry. Already a smash in Britain, it may be the biggest sleeper since 'The Full Monty'."}, {"response": 591, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (14:02)", "body": "Time (Richard Corliss) hated it, but predicted huge hit. In contrast, Corliss wrote a few lines in the \"Short Cuts\" section about Darren Aronofsky's latest (he of Pi fame):\"Using the bravery of his actors, and every trick in a smart cineast's book, Aronofsky takes the view on a jolting trip through the theme park called Hell. It's a demanding film, and a real movie.\" His Billy Elliot was amazingly wicked. I must give some of the best. BTW, the subtitle of the review was \"Every so often, there comes a film so manipulative that it has to be a hit. And here comes Billy Elliot.\" A confession is in order: There are movies whose feel-good sentiments and slick craft annoy me so deeply that I know they will become box-office successes or top prizewinners. I call this internal mechanism my Built-In Hit Detector. I squirm through these masterpieces of emotional pornography, jotting down derisive notes. Oh, if the contrivance is blatant enough, I may get a bit teary; it is, after all, no more difficult for filmmakers to make an audience cry by depicting, say, a child in jeopardy than it is for a lap dancer to evoke an erection in her client. At the end I have the gloomy certitude that moviegoers will love Ghost or Cinema Paradiso or The Full Monty every bit as much as I disliked it. There--I've said it. Is everyone alienated? Billy Elliot...is a prime example of elevated kitsch....Billy echoes most the manipulative inspirational films of the past 20 years. The movie could be called Chariots of Flashdance, Strictly Ballet, Smile--Life is Beautiful! Audience members, already primed to love a losers-win story about a poor boy with big dreams, don't have to bring anything to the film, because director Stephen Daldry does all the work for them. Sentimental movies need subtlety; this one goes after sweet little effect with a sledgehammer so large that the film could have been produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. [btw, that is the unkindest cut of all]"}, {"response": 592, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (14:23)", "body": "A confession is in order: There are movies whose feel-good sentiments and slick craft annoy me so deeply that I know they will become box-office successes or top prizewinners. I call this internal mechanism my Built-In Hit Detector. I love it! At the end I have the gloomy certitude that moviegoers will love Ghost or Cinema Paradiso or The Full Monty every bit as much as I disliked it. And I thought I was alone! A real eye opener, thank you, Karen!"}, {"response": 593, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (15:13)", "body": "Billy Elliot...is a prime example of elevated kitsch.... Actually, some of the UK reviewers said the same thing....\"nothing new here\" was the consensus."}, {"response": 594, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Oct 11, 2000 (18:56)", "body": "There--I've said it. Is everyone alienated? Think you've opened the closet door for a few other confessors too. I hate Steven Spielberg films for exactly your reasons. He hasn't made a good film since Jaws. (IMO!) I hate being manipulated into tears and curse all the while I'm wiping them away. Going back into the closet now."}, {"response": 595, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Oct 12, 2000 (14:20)", "body": "(Heide) I hate being manipulated into tears and curse all the while I'm wiping them away. Hear hear!"}, {"response": 596, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Oct 12, 2000 (15:24)", "body": "That's what turned me off to fiction writing in general way back when -- I hated the intentional manipulation, and what's worse, my consciousness of it in any form of story-telling was heightened, so many other things were spoiled by it as well. Ah, well..."}, {"response": 597, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 13, 2000 (00:07)", "body": "I don't mind most of those films at all. They have their place. But just don't hold them up to me as \"Best Picture\" material. Gaah!! (my tearducts open wide just thinking about Madame X - Lana Turner version) ;-D"}, {"response": 598, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 13, 2000 (08:12)", "body": "Is this what you meant, Moon? You've seen it (and Mikey) already. Not good that a major character (and exec producer) is dissing the production. Bad omen or did the Press Assoc get it wrong? DreamWorks accused of 'dumbing down' new film Gary Oldman is fuming with Steven Spielberg's company DreamWorks for allegedly \" tampering and dumbing down\" the new political drama The Contender. The movie, due to be released in the UK in the New Year, stars Jeff Bridges as a dying president at the White House about to hand the reins of power over to his right hand Democrat girl Joan Allen. Oldman plays an extreme right wing Republican Congressman who digs up dirt on Allen in a bid to throw the opposition into turmoil. Oldman - who played Lee Harvey Oswald in Oliver Stone's JFK - has told friends that DreamWorks which is run by Spielberg, David Geffen and ex Disney chief Jeffrey Katzenberg had turned the story into a \"propaganda exercise\". A friend said: \"The film has just opened in America and he wasn't very pleased with so-called alterations to the finished product. He thought they were getting a message across about The System. Instead, they've delivered a promotional film for the Democrats close to the election. It's so obvious.\""}, {"response": 599, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 13, 2000 (09:33)", "body": ""}, {"response": 600, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Oct 13, 2000 (10:53)", "body": "(Karen, reporting) He thought they were getting a message across about The System. Instead, they've delivered a promotional film for the Democrats close to the election. ***** And the problem with that would be???:-) I haven't seen it yet, but the critics who like it are cheering that here's a political film that doesn't fence sit. Gary, you are being mentioned as a possible Oscar nominee for this one. So, shut the f*** up.;-)"}, {"response": 601, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 13, 2000 (13:59)", "body": "(consensus critics) here's a political film that doesn't fence sit Yes, I've seen that, but could backfire."}, {"response": 602, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct 13, 2000 (15:13)", "body": "First I would like to say that the acting is excellent. Mikey was good too!!!;-) The film is filled with clich\ufffdes and in the end, it is very obvious that the characters have been stereotyped. Jeff Bridges has the best part (you will know why when you see it). There is a twist at the end (and in DHs opinion they could have had an interesting film had they focused on that ambitious Democratic senator) (forgot his name, sorry). I also found the camera work annoying. Too many close-ups. Too undecided. Oldman wears a head wig which makes him seem bald except for three curls which looks so fake it is hard not to look at it while he is rattling on. (And I am a big fan of Oldman--should have been Oscared [as in medaled] for playing Sid Vicious IMO). I am still undecided as to who to vote for and this film did not influence me in any way. I went with three other people and we were all disappointed. Give Bjork the Oscar, says I!"}, {"response": 603, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct 13, 2000 (22:52)", "body": "Hi all! Karen and Evelyn here and we've just seen Billy Elliot. What can we say that hasn't been said? Well, neither one of us took out a kleenex. Loved the Alan Parker/Evita ripoff scene, was waiting for \"What a Feeling\" to start playing at the audition (Chariots of Flashdance fits perfectly, although I do like Brassed Off with a Tutu). The kid is good, although all that dancing in the streets was getting to be too much. All in all, an enjoyable but v. derivative film."}, {"response": 604, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sat, Oct 14, 2000 (11:05)", "body": "Hi all! Karen and Evelyn here Have a *GREAT* time at the DQ screening!"}, {"response": 605, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 14, 2000 (11:41)", "body": "Will do!! BTW, Barbara Leigh-Hunt (Lady Catherine) is in Billy Elliot. She's on the audition panel for the Royal Ballet School and asks him \"the\" question that likely got him in. As soon as I heard her speak, I nudged Evelyn and said, \"Lady Catherine.\""}, {"response": 606, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Oct 14, 2000 (16:57)", "body": "I've been reading all the Londinium news, and enjoying it, so today, when Joe and I went to see the Joan Allen, Jeff Bridges and Gary Oldman film The Contender, imagine my surprise at A) Mariel Hemingway in a one scene cameo, and B) Mike Binder himself with a major supporting role as Joan Allen's senate chief of staff. I didn't recognize him. In fact, I asked Joe if that actor didn't look a bit like Ben Stiller, but there was Mike's name in the credits. I see all this has been mentioned above. The film is fun, but does carry a serious message, that there is a double standard in public life for women in office. Jeff Bridges, whom I love, gets to do a larger than life, Lyndon-like president that loves to eat, and Gary Oldman is wonderfully creepy as the right wing senator trying to bring the Allen character down. Joan Allen is an understated actress, but I thought that kind of performance worked well here against scene stealers like Bridges. I didn't know Oldman had complained, but I really wasn't thinking Dems and Repubs when I saw it though the film does have a definite liberal slant. I was thinking how the man's world of politics still asks us to judge women by different standards. The accusations against Allen would not have raised an eyebrow if she had been a man. As I said, fun to watch the scene stealers, not a great film but an enjoyable one, and one with a message for us all. I liked Sam Elliot very much. Has a great voice. He is new to me. What else has he been in? And totally off topic, I am reading a lot about Colin.......no, not Firth, but Farrell. I have seen him on the cover of Interview Mag. There is some hunk of an Irishman. (Just scrolled to the top and see that Karen has mentioned him already.) Late as usual, Murph!"}, {"response": 607, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Oct 14, 2000 (17:00)", "body": "Here's the Oldman article from Reuters: Friday October 13 7:09 PM ET Oldman at odds with DreamWorks over ``The Contender'' LOS ANGELES(Reuters) - Actor Gary Oldman claims that DreamWorks turned his new film, ``The Contender,'' into anti-Republican propaganda to serve the Democratic agenda of studio owners Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen, Premiere magazine reported Friday. In the magazine's November issue, the right-leaning British actor and his manager, Douglas Urbanski, charge that ''Contender's'' writer and director Rod Lurie altered the film under pressure from DreamWorks to fit the political tastes of the studio's partners -- Spielberg, Katzenberg and Geffen. DreamWorks officials and Lurie denied that the film was politically slanted or edited to reflect a studio political agenda. Spielberg, Katzenberg and Geffen are major Democratic Party backers in Hollywood. In the movie, Oldman stars as a Republican congressman trying to derail the vice presidential nomination of a Democratic senator played by Joan Allen by dredging up an alleged sexual scandal from her past. Oldman told Premiere that after buying rights to the completed movie, the studio pressured Lurie, a self-described liberal, to edit the film in such a way as to depict Oldman's character and Republicans in general as villains. The actor and his manager say the question of who is virtuous and who is not was left ambiguous before the final cut, and that Oldman actually saw his character as ``the only true patriot in the film.'' The magazine quoted Urbanski as calling the movie ``almost a Goebbels-like piece of propaganda'' and also suggesting that the November presidential battle was a factor in the changes. ``If your names are Spielberg, Katzenberg and Geffen, you can't have a film with a Republican character who is at all sympathetic being released Oct. 13,'' Urbanski said. In the Premiere article, DreamWorks Pictures executive Walter Parkes denies any political motivation behind the final cut of the movie. ``There's no indication to me whatsoever that Rod ever felt pressured. One only has to look at the coverage of the (Democratic National) convention to see that the owners of this company have sympathies with the Democratic party. Did those sympathies enter into the editorial process or the decision to buy the movie? Unequivocally, no.'' Lurie also denies that he was swayed by DreamWorks to alter the political tone of the film, or that he meant for Oldman's character to be a kind of tragic hero. ``Gary is emblematic of what many actors go through: a kind of Stockholm syndrome in which they being to sympathize with their captors, and in this case, the captors are the characters that they play,'' Lurie told Premiere. Reuters/Variety REUTERS"}, {"response": 608, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Oct 14, 2000 (17:12)", "body": "(Karen) I don't mind most of those films at all. They have their place. I quite enjoy melodrama myself when it makes no pretense to something else. I like getting weepy over Penny Serenade w/Cary Grant. Of course my idea of sappy may not be another's idea of sappy. I do not seek to persuade others to my point of view and speak only for myself using \"we\" in the royal sense only. ;-)"}, {"response": 609, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Oct 15, 2000 (06:52)", "body": "(Heide)I do not seek to persuade others to my point of view and speak only for myself using \"we\" in the royal sense only. ;-) Love it, Heide. May I use this in the future? ;-)"}, {"response": 610, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Oct 15, 2000 (09:37)", "body": "But of course. We are never averse to sharing our wit as well as our inanities."}, {"response": 611, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Oct 15, 2000 (09:38)", "body": ";-) ;-)"}, {"response": 612, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Oct 15, 2000 (12:27)", "body": "Moon, forgive me if this is old news, but when will the discussion of Apartment Zero begin? I want to have enough time to watch it again. Thanks."}, {"response": 613, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Oct 15, 2000 (15:03)", "body": "To get in the mood of AZ, I thought we should start the discussion after Halloween. ;-D Will Nov. 7th give everyone enough time?"}, {"response": 614, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 16, 2000 (08:45)", "body": "Yahoo news used this picture for an item on The Contender controversy. Look who is in it! Doesn't look his usual dork self. Actress Joan Allen portrays Senator Laine Hanson in a scene from the new drama film 'The Contender' along with actor Mike Binder (L) who portrays her communications director in this undated publicity photograph. Actor Gary Oldman claims that DreamWorks paid to turn this film into anti-Republican propaganda that serves the Democratic agenda of studio owners Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen, Premiere magazine reported on October 13, 2000. (Gino Mifsud/DreamWorks Pictures via Reuters)"}, {"response": 615, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 16, 2000 (08:50)", "body": "And we thought the Jodhi May version of TTOTS was bad. If people see this Spanish version, it will make ours look like a masterpiece. Henry James novel gets \"Mind\"-less treatment \"Presence of Mind\" By David Rooney SAN SEBASTIAN (Variety) - While recent film versions of Henry James' novels have met with wildly divergent critical receptions, it's hard to recall a more wrongheaded attempt to transfer the author to the screen than Spanish newcomer Antoni Aloy's \"Presence of Mind,\" a blundering adaptation of \"The Turn of the Screw.\" Everything that's subtle and open to interpretation in James' novel of evil, possession and ghosts is lurid and obvious here, with an unauthoritative star turn by Britain's Sadie Frost and arch support from screen legend Lauren Bacall that gives the drama a ripple of unintentionally camp humour. An unusually ambitious first feature, Aloy's adaptation of James' story of a governess engaged to look after two orphaned children shifts the action from a British country house to an island off the Spanish coast. The only real addition to the novel concerns the governess's father (Jack Taylor), who dies at the beginning of the film, but whose disturbingly inhumane treatment of her is revealed in heavy-handed Gothic nightmare sequences, troweling on even more factors to spook the put-upon heroine. Interviewed for the job by the children's uncle (a quietly hammy Harvey Keitel), the governess feels an attraction to the man that gives rise to some darkly sexual fantasy interludes. The seemingly kindly, rather ambiguous housekeeper of the novel, Mrs. Grose, becomes a downright sinister figure here in Mado Remei (Bacall), whose heavy eyebrows work overtime with insinuations about the evil infesting the estate and its grip on the two beautiful, petulant children (Nilo Mur, Ella Jones). Slowly, the governess pieces together events from the past, putting a face to the household's sense of intense evil and sin in a callous former valet (Spanish director Agusti Villaronga) who was the lover of her predecessor, Miss Jessel (Dayne Danika), both of whom are dead. In \"The Turn of the Screw,\" James leaves it for the reader to decide if these ghosts and their evil agendas truly exist for the children or are merely the hysterical fabrications of the governess. Aloy, however, whips the whole scenario up into an overblown Hammer House of Horror frenzy full of dangling cadavers, leering spectres and hints of incest and paedophilia that would have James pirouetting in his grave. Unfolding to bursts of lugubrious opera, this is coupled with a generally tired, TV-literary-adaptation approach, replete with predictably lush period trappings and fussy costumes. Bacall creeps about like Lurch in \"The Addams Family,\" indefatigably launching cold, imperious stares and furtive glances, but top honours for acting ineptitude go here to Frost. The actress's thin voice, dull, contemporary intonations and remarkably inexpressive features make her a wooden centrepiece for this ripely silly affair, which fails to come even close to the chilling atmosphere of Jack Clayton's 1961 Deborah Kerr starrer \"The Innocents,\" based on the same novel."}, {"response": 616, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct 16, 2000 (10:04)", "body": "(Murph) I liked Sam Elliot very much. He is new to me. What else has he been in? Lots of TV, mostly westerns. Has a great voice. ...and commercials: 'Beef. It's what's for dinner.'"}, {"response": 617, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, Oct 16, 2000 (10:11)", "body": "(Eileen) 'Beef. It's what's for dinner.' Great ear! Sam's also been married to Katherine Ross for years."}, {"response": 618, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct 16, 2000 (11:31)", "body": "Karen, that's the pic of Mikey that I told you I've been seeing everywhere. Talk about being in the right place/shot at the right time!;-) RE: Gary Oldman--how on earth did he think that his character was going to come across as \"the only true patriot\" in this film?? Did he not read that dialogue and appear in those scenes? Have since read that he and his idiot manager were able to finagle \"executive producer\" titles for themselves at the last minute as an inducement to coming on board. Gee, that implies that you actually had something to do with the film's production, eh, Gar? What exactly did you \"executive produce?\" Answer: nothing, it's all ego. No matter what your political persuasion, his manager's likening of this (a movie, fergodsake!) to a \"Goebbels-type\" propaganda effort is deeply offensive and beneath contempt. What jerks."}, {"response": 619, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 16, 2000 (18:04)", "body": "(Mari) No matter what your political persuasion, his manager's likening of this (a movie, fergodsake!) to a \"Goebbels-type\" propaganda effort is deeply offensive and beneath contempt. Or incredibly stupid. If Oldman was aiming at Spielberg, he grossly miscalculated. It wouldn't surprise me if he never worked in Hollywood again. (Moon) To get in the mood of AZ, I thought we should start the discussion after Halloween. ;-D Will Nov. 7th give everyone enough time? Sounds good to me, but most anything does as I'm still on a DQ high. ;-D"}, {"response": 620, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct 16, 2000 (22:19)", "body": "Karen, I wonder if Doug Urbanski knows how to calculate 15% of $0.;-) Moon, Apt. Zero discussion sounds good to me. Here's a longish article on my favorite mogul.:-) Check out the part about what happened on the film he is doing with Tornatore; sounds like something out of a Sciascia novel. See how these things all tie together, children?;-) Why is Harvey Weinstein smiling? By Peter Bart, Daily Variety Editor-in-Chief ROME (Variety) - Harvey Weinstein doesn't seem to get it. When I ran into the Miramax Films co-chairman last week in this always frenetic city, a big grin was plastered on his broad face. He'd been racing around Italy, opening a new Nobu Restaurant with Robert De Niro in Milan, making the scene with a rail-thin Leonardo DiCaprio in Rome (local gossip reported that Leonardo had become rotund, apparently confusing the two). Along the way, he'd found time to supervise several Miramax movies shooting around Europe including the $85 million period epic, ``Gangs of New York.'' Happy Harvey seems oblivious to the fact that, by all accounts, he should be in a funk. After all, the market for arthouse movies is collapsing, the audience for European-made films has all but vanished and ``culture warriors'' like Lynne Cheney are singling him out as a prime culprit in making the edgy movies that are poisoning society. Harvey's reaction seems to be: What, me worry? Ask him about these portents and he has a ready answer. On the pressure from Washington: ``The movie industry deserved a slap in the face. We've been doing some things in marketing our films that we shouldn't be doing. I have a 3-year-old and a 5-year-old and I'm sensitive to these issues.'' But he adds: ``That doesn't mean I'm going to change the content and character of our films. We just have to be more ingenious in selling them.'' At the same time, he feels the R rating must be split into two categories so that ``Shakespeare in Love'' isn't lumped with films that are grotesquely violent. On the market for art films: ``I believe there's a big future for European movies. If not, I wouldn't be spending half my time over here working my butt off.'' The problems are fairly clear, he says. The major studios have exhibited ``a homerun mentality'' in running their new classics divisions, thinking another ``The Full Monty'' is right around the corner. Further, too many films have been battling for too small a market share. ``But most of all, the quality is not there,'' he says. ``We just have to strive to make better, more provocative films. When you succeed, the potential audience is bigger than ever. Witness 'Life Is Beautiful' grossing $150 million and 'Il Postino' $100 million.'' No one can claim Harvey isn't trying. He's personally involved in a wide range of films shooting in Europe including Giuseppe Tornatore's ``Malena,'' which he's co-producing; ``Heaven'' directed by Tom Tykwer (``Run Lola, Run''), based on a script by the late Krzysztof Kieslowski, which Anthony Minghella is producing; and ``Chocolat,'' a film directed by Lasse Hallstrom. There's also a Nicole Kidman thriller, ``The Others,'' shooting in Spain, a John Madden (``Shakespeare in Love'') movie, which recently wrapped in England -- a co-venture with Universal and Working Title -- and ``Four Feathers,'' a co-production with Paramount lensing in Morocco. Shooting in Europe is never easy, Harvey acknowledges. The Mafia burned down the set of his Tornatore film in Sicily because he neglected to employ the services of a favored company supplying extras -- a mistake he doesn't plan to repeat. And Europe is no longer a bargain; witness the mother of all Miramax movies, ``Gangs of New York,'' helmed by Martin Scorsese. Harvey is a regular on the intricate period set of this saga, presently in its fourth week at Cinecitta Studios outside of Rome. The movie stars DiCaprio and Cameron Diaz. Harvey and Scorsese even persuaded Daniel Day-Lewis to set aside his newfound career as a Tuscan shoemaker to play a key role. No press visits have been allowed on the set. Indeed, security is so tight that all sorts of rumors have been spawned, suggesting that the movie is already way behind schedule, that Scorsese and Harvey are battling over the script and that Leonardo has become a fatty. They're all nonsense, insists Harvey: ``The movie is turning out so great I have to pinch myself.'' To be sure, this was a film Harvey had hoped to shoot at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where he had planned to build a studio until, he says, ``Mayor Giuliani did a 180 360 on me.'' Then, too, a brief location visit by Tom Cruise a couple of weeks ago proved costly. ``He agreed with Marty that we should build another set -- a cathedral, no less. I had opposed it, hoping we could re-dress an existing set. So now we've built it and it's known as St. Thomas Cathedral in honor of Cruise.'' If Harvey seems good-natured in defeat, it's because he loves the process. What has always set him apart from virtually all of the other st"}, {"response": 621, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 16, 2000 (22:28)", "body": "(Mari) I wonder if Doug Urbanski knows how to calculate 15% of $0.;-) Someone must have told him because they're backpedaling. Claims he was misunderstood and actually said \"gerbils.\" (Variety) Harvey Weinstein doesn't seem to get it. Doesn't this just say it all? ;-) He wants so desperately for his movies to work that sometimes it seems as though he actually wills them to success. *Seems* is the operative word. ;-D Thanks, Mari, for the article."}, {"response": 622, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 17, 2000 (07:50)", "body": "The Mafia burned down the set of his Tornatore film in Sicily because he neglected to employ the services of a favored company supplying extras -- a mistake he doesn't plan to repeat. Wait a minute. He gets it! ;-) So now we've built it and it's known as St. Thomas Cathedral in honor of Cruise.'' The perks of co-producing a film in Italy. :-D ``I believe there's a big future for European movies. If not, I wouldn't be spending half my time over here working my butt off.'' I hope he is right. Thanks, Mari, this was very interesting. Will have to check out Nobu next summer. On a side note, The Contender was the fifth grossing movie this weekend. The studio people are starting to wonder what they did wrong. Their big publicity campaign did not get them the results. Could it have been dear Gary's comments that turned people off? ;-) Glad to see the AZ discussion group starting to form. I highly recommend everyone to rent this film. One of DBs best."}, {"response": 623, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Oct 17, 2000 (07:58)", "body": "The Mafia burned down the set of his Tornatore film in Sicily because he neglected to employ the services of a favored company supplying extras -- a mistake he doesn't plan to repeat. Now I know how to ensure I get a walk-on role in all future London films *getting the arson equipment together*"}, {"response": 624, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 17, 2000 (08:07)", "body": "Now I know how to ensure I get a walk-on role in all future London films You really should aim higher but that will involve taking out a contract or two. ;-D"}, {"response": 625, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, Oct 17, 2000 (08:55)", "body": "(Harvey) ``I believe there's a big future for European movies. If not, I wouldn't be spending half my time over here working my butt off.'' (Moon) I hope he is right. About the future of European movies, or about Harvey's butt? :-) The Contender was the fifth grossing movie this weekend. In defense of both Dreamworks and Gary, not that they need it, but I'm just in the mood to ramble: In defense of Dreamworks: From everything that I have read, this movie is a knockout. Political agendas aside, from a pure business point of view, it makes perfect sense to release it earlier than originally planned. If its subject matter can ride the coattails of the election, then why not. And if the performances are stellar, then it makes sense to release it this year so that the film and its actors can qualify for the upcoming Oscars and be fresh in people's minds. Clearly the films producers knew that they had a gem on their hands. And sometimes timing is everything, so why not rush it to market. In defense of Gary Oldman: It must be frustrating for an established performer, who I presume can afford to be choosey about the roles than he takes, to sign up for a work, again presumably for the sake of the art, to see that work or his role tampered with during the production. (His presumption that a political agenda was at work may not be all that far-fetched, didn't the Dreamworks crowd stay in the Lincoln Bedroom, tee hee?). But again, political agendas aside, just purely from an artisic point of view, it has to be frustrating. Poor Gary, LOL. And I was just getting to really like him, I hope his impolitic comments don't tank his career. One of those odious tabloid shows on TV, you know the kind that I never watch but it just happened to be on, had done a story on actors who were good with fans and actors who weren't. To my utter surprise, they listed Gary as being wonderful with fans. Apparently he really appreciates them and always stops to give out autographs and talk to them. Travolta was listed as a good guy. I wish I could remember others, and those that were listed as the bad buys. Anyone ever hear Dee Wallace Stone talk about her experience with Spielburg after making ET? I wish I could remember the exact details, but she was on an interview show years ago and talked about how vindictive he was towards her when she was unable to do the promotional tour. I think she said she was physically unable to do the tour, maybe pregnant or something. Afterwards, she said doors were closed to her. She couldn't get work. But who knows where the truth lies... She is not exactly in the same class as Gary. Her story might be totally phooey. And Spielburg vindictive? Who knows. But in an amazing interview, Dreyfus talked about how he and Spielburg didn't get along on Jaws. Dreyfus seemed to take most of the blame, basically calling himself a royal pain in the butt. Tee hee, I can fully imagine that. But Spielburg rose above it and re-teamed with him on Close Encounters, much to his surprise. As Dreyfus tells it, he basically asked, \"You want to work with ME again?\" LOL. Ramble end. Over and out :-)"}, {"response": 626, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 17, 2000 (12:46)", "body": "Yes, Donna, there are always two sides to stories and possibilities where people have been misquoted, their words taken out of context, etc. Unfortunately, some words can be extremely inflammatory and Oldman & Co. used one such word. Besides, don't we all form opinions about people from casual encounters and work experiences that lead us to say, \"hey, I don't want to work with someone again\" or similar. It's really very natural and human. It shall be interesting to see how this plays out, as not everyone is as vindictive as I am. ;-D Haven't seen The C yet, so shall reserve judgment on quality or alleged bias."}, {"response": 627, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Oct 17, 2000 (13:05)", "body": "Actually, I thought the Contender's 5th place showing was very respectable, considering that it is on far fewer (like 1000 less) screens than the films ahead of it. Also, an R rating limits the audience. (Mark) *getting the arson equipment together* Mark, I always felt you would add a spark to any film in which you appear.:-) BTW, I saw a sneak preview of an interesting film last weekend called \"Pay It Forward.\" Wonderful performances from Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt and Haley Joel Osment, and intelligent direction from Mimi Leder. It's about a 7th grade teacher (Spacey) who challenges his students to take on a project that will improve the world in some way. Uh oh, I can almost hear the schmaltz police coming after me now.;-) The film didn't work for me altogether, primarily due to the resolution of the story and to some of the peripheral characters, but it is compelling, thought-provoking, and beautifully acted. Worth a look. Just don't come back and tell me you feel abused and manipulated.;-)"}, {"response": 628, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 17, 2000 (15:02)", "body": "Uh oh, I can almost hear the schmaltz police coming after me now.;-) (Heehee), Schmaltz, schmaltz, schmaltz! I have seen the previews. Nothing I would even bother to rent. What kind of make-up did they use on KS and HH? On the other hand, I would be very happy to see those Iranian films which won prizes at the CFF. When will you see The C, Karen? I am probably alone in my opinion if the film, and, it would not be the first time. ;-)"}, {"response": 629, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Oct 17, 2000 (17:55)", "body": "The poor showing of \"The Contender\" may be due to a variety of factors, Gary Oldman's comments may well be among them or not. I don't know if most Americans care very much one way other about the political affiliations of the Dreamworks team. Indeed, the political leanings of Speilberg, et al, have never been a secret. Those who are of a conservative bent are not likely to have a favorable inclination toward the film from the start. It therefore is ulikely they would have been swayed by Oldman's remarks. Has Oldman damaged his career by stating his position so strongly? Perhaps. A factor which may have lead to the lower than expected box office is the decision to release the movie during the presidential campaign. It was a calculated risk which may have failed. Many Americans are largely bored and disenchanted with the election and its attendant functions, such as the debates. Many people have had enough, and just wish this process were over. \"The Contender\" may remind them of something from which they would prefer to escape by going to the movies. Why go to the movies when the film looks like the evening news? Of course it may be as simple as the four other movies just seemed more appealing to the public at large. On Richard Corliss and his delicious summation on \"Billy Elliot\"; it really doesn't seem likely that the movie could be quite so entertaining as the Corliss review. I really do miss Richard Corliss as the editor of \"Film Comment\"."}, {"response": 630, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Oct 17, 2000 (17:55)", "body": ""}, {"response": 631, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 17, 2000 (21:32)", "body": "(Mari) I can almost hear the schmaltz police coming after me now.;-) How's that possible? Greased shoes are a staple in their arsenal for surprise. ;-D Now if you want to talk schmaltzy, manipulative movies, I'll take The Green Mile over Billy Elliot any day. I cannot believe the praise it is getting when it is no more than a Flashdance with slightly higher production values and no sweatshirts with holes. Would the next person to see Billy Elliot check the credits? Who was Jamie Bell's dance instructor? Michael Flatley? Oddest ballet I've ever seen, and when have men been the swans in swan lake aside from Les Ballet Trocadero de Monaco? Think the last shot (a Nijinsky-esque leap) came out of the sequel to Saturday Night Fever. ;-D I recommend Bread and Roses (little tears forming in eyes at end) by Ken Loach. The guy can make movies, and Adrien Brody looked pretty good. Re: The Contender I don't think the comments have affect the box office. People just wanted to see those other movies more as escapist entertainment. I can't begin to tell you how they're talking up Meet the Parents as the funniest thing since....that Mary movie. Who knows, Ben Stiller may be the next Jim Carrey."}, {"response": 632, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Oct 18, 2000 (02:32)", "body": "H a p p y B i r t h d a y T r a c y . Always happy to be your bit-part interloper. Um breezers are heap powerful medicine. Argor room swirling ... oof!"}, {"response": 633, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 18, 2000 (07:22)", "body": "Wot!? Have I missed Tracy's birthday? That shall not be borne. Go to it! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRACY!! Time to move onto to more birthday-like celebratory beverages... and some dancing! Of course, no birthday would be complete without *my* ardent wishes."}, {"response": 634, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 18, 2000 (07:23)", "body": "(they came from me)"}, {"response": 635, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Oct 18, 2000 (08:15)", "body": "Happy Birthday Tracey, hope it is the best. (Oh boy that look, swoon!!)"}, {"response": 636, "author": "aishling", "date": "Wed, Oct 18, 2000 (08:26)", "body": "Happy Birthday Tracy"}, {"response": 637, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Oct 18, 2000 (08:36)", "body": "Now whose showing off, there is no stopping her!!! (I am very impressed actually)."}, {"response": 638, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Oct 18, 2000 (08:58)", "body": "Dearest, Lovliest Tracy, I cannot believe I have missed your birthday. Will you forgive me? Was it not just the other day, when you were touring my estate, that we celebrated our new-found love? You must know how ardently I admire and love you, Tracy, but I will *not* put on the kilt. On that, Madam, I will not be swayed. I wish you many years of happiness and may God bless. Yours &etc., Fitzy"}, {"response": 639, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Oct 18, 2000 (09:19)", "body": "\"Just one moment, Tracy dear. Let me autograph this bug*er's paper, then we can discuss my weight.\" \"Podgy? Skinny legs? My dear, you really know how to hurt a man. Nevertheless, I wish you a belated happy birthday with a promise I will be far more fit and handsome as Mark Darcy. At the very least, Mark has *much* better hair.\""}, {"response": 640, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct 18, 2000 (10:30)", "body": "Happy Birthday Tracy! Wishing you many fun firthfilled years."}, {"response": 641, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 18, 2000 (11:07)", "body": "HAVE A FIRTHALIZING FIRTHRATE BIRTHDAY! FROM ALL YOU FELLOW FIRTHOPHILES!"}, {"response": 642, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Oct 18, 2000 (15:07)", "body": "Tracy: Sorry to be tardy on the birthday wishes. (Hope you aren't hurtin' after falling into your computer last night. You know what they say about operating heavy machinery.:-)) Maybe I will have HTML down by next year so I can include a sumptuous photo of \"The Man.\" In any event, Happy Birthday!"}, {"response": 643, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Oct 18, 2000 (19:21)", "body": "Happy Brithday, Tracy! Sounds like the celebration was a real breeze(er;-) Hope you had a good one, and I wish you a Firthful year!"}, {"response": 644, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 18, 2000 (22:54)", "body": "An article about John McCarthy in The Times: http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,21322,00.html"}, {"response": 645, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Oct 19, 2000 (02:15)", "body": "Thanks to all for your birthday wishes - my head, thankfully, stopped swirling enough for me to appreciate your lovely messages."}, {"response": 646, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Oct 19, 2000 (13:08)", "body": "Didn't log in for a couple of days so missed your birthday, Tracy! What can I say? I hope it was a great one, and here's a little gift to lift you up after all the \"real\" drinks :-) Hope you had a great Birthday!"}, {"response": 647, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Thu, Oct 19, 2000 (18:29)", "body": "Glad to hear that you had fun on your birthday, Tracy. Hope it wasn't too hard getting to work the next day. Have a wonderful year!"}, {"response": 648, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Oct 21, 2000 (11:32)", "body": ""}, {"response": 649, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Oct 21, 2000 (11:36)", "body": "So sorry I missed your birthday, Tracy. Hope you had a devilishly good time. and you're all recovered now. ;-) Happy Birthday!"}, {"response": 650, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 24, 2000 (16:03)", "body": ""}, {"response": 651, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 24, 2000 (16:51)", "body": "Are the Scorpios starting to come out? ;-)"}, {"response": 652, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Oct 24, 2000 (17:05)", "body": "With tail held high and a happy sway :-)"}, {"response": 653, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Oct 24, 2000 (18:49)", "body": "Indeed...out gathering flowers as I go...Lei-making time for me... and some thing to post on 113 so as not to steal the thunder from Gi's festivities..."}, {"response": 654, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Oct 24, 2000 (22:21)", "body": "Hauoli Na Hanau, Gi! Plumeria with hibiscus and orchids. One for daytime festivities and one for evening...with fondest Ahoha."}, {"response": 655, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Oct 24, 2000 (22:35)", "body": "Birthdates which occurred on your SELECTED date of October 25: 1759 Baron Grenville (Whig) British PM (1806-07) 1800 Thomas Babington Macaulay England, poet/historian (Ivry, Naaseby) 1825 Johann Strauss (the younger) composer (Waltz King) 1838 Georges Bizet France, composer (Carmen) 1843 Gleb Uspensky Russia, author (Power of the Soil) 1869 John Heisman pioneering football coach/trophy namesake 1877 Henry Norris Russell astronomer (Hertzsprung-Russell diagram) 1881 Pablo Picasso Spain, artist (3 Dancers, Guernica) 1884 Eduardo Barrios Chile, novelist (The Love-Crazed Boy) 1888 Richard E Byrd Virginia, admiral/polar explorer (1926) 19-- Asher Brauner Chicago, actor (Officer Donovan-B.A.D. Cats) 19-- John Leven rocker (Europe-The Final Countdown) 19-- Laura Malone actress (Another World) 19-- Marc L Taylor Houston Tx, actor (Conrad-House Calls) 19-- Matthias Jabs rock guitarist (Scorpions-Wind of Change) 19-- Paul Regina Brooklyn NY, actor (Joe-Joe & Valerie) 19-- Shelley Smith Princeton NJ, actress (Scruples, Associates) 19-- Gi, Lisbon, Portgal, Medical Doctor, Plastic Surgeon 1902 Henry Steele Commager Pitts Pa, historian (Atlas of the Civil War) 1909 Philleo Nash US Bureau of Indian Affairs (1961-67) 1909 Whit Bissel NYC, actor (Time Machine, General Kirk-Time Tunnel) 1912 Jack Kent Cooke NFL team owner (Washington Redskins) 1912 Minnie Pearl [Sarah Ophelia Colley] Tenn, (Grand Old Opry, Hee-Haw) 1914 John Berryman American poet (Friends & Associates) 1914 John Reed King Atlantic City NJ, TV host (Why?, Let's See) 1923 Bobby Thomson HR hitter (The Giants win the pennant) 1924 Billy Barty Millsboro Pa, 3'9\" actor (Under the Rainbow, Foul Play) 1925 Yakov Rylskly USSR, sabre team (Olympic-bronze-1956) 1926 Biff McGuire New Haven Ct, actor (Serpico, Heart is Lonely Hunter) 1926 Galina Vishnevskaya Russia, soprano (Madama Butterfly) 1927 Barbara Cook Atlanta Ga, stage singer/actress (Music Man) 1927 Franklin \"Bud\" Held javelin world champ (1949, 51, 53-55) 1928 Jeanne Cooper Minneapolis, actress (Kay-Young & Restless) 1928 Marion Ross Albert Lea Mn, actress (Marion-Happy Days, Brooklyn Bridge) 1928 Anthony Franciosa NYC, actor (Long Hot Summer, Name of Game, Death Wish 3) 1931 Annie Girardot Paris France, actress (Gypsy, Jacko & Lise) 1935 Russell \"Rusty\" L Schweickart Neptune NJ, astronaut (Apollo 9) 1940 Bob Knight college basketball coach (Indiana, Olympic-gold-1984) 1941 Anne Tyler American writer (Accidental Tourist) 1941 Helen Reddy Melbourne Australia, singer (I Am Woman) 1944 Kathy \"Taffy\" Danoff Wash DC, vocalist (Starland Vocal Band) 1948 Dave Cowens NBA forward (Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks) 1949 Brian Kerwin Chicago Ill, actor (Chisholms, King Kong Lives, Lobo) 1950 John Matuszak Milwaukee Wisc, NFLer (Raiders)/actor (Hollywood Beat) 1951 Ransom Wilson Tuscaloosa Alabama, flutist (Soliste NY) 1958 Kornelia Ender German DR, 100m/200m freestyle (Olympic-gold-1976) 1960 Scott Anthony Haneline Indianapolis, murderer (FBI Most Wanted List) 1960 Tom Eplin actor (Jake-Another World) 1963 Tracy Nelson Calif, actress (Glitter, Square Pegs, Father Dowling) 1965 Nick Thorpe rocker (Curiosity Killed the Cat-Keep Your Distance) 1967 Julia Roberts Smyma Georgia, actress (Mystic Pizza, Pretty Woman) 1968 Lisa Trusel Cal, actress (Lizette-Father Murphy, Days of our Lives) Deaths which occurred on October 25: 1400 Geofrey Chaucer author, dies in London 1892 Caroline Harrison Pres Benjamin Harrison's wife, dies at 60 1959 Bob Murphy TV host (RFD America), dies at 42 1961 Peter Jensen co-inventer (loud speaker), dies at 75 1964 Belle Montrose actress (Mrs Harrison-The Hathaways), dies at 78 1973 Abebe Bikila Ethiopian marathoner (Oly-gold 1960, 64), dies at 46 1985 Morton Downey singer (Star of the Family), dies at 83 1986 Forrest Tucker actor (O'Rourke-F Troop, Dusty Trail), dies at 67 1987 Cecil Brown news correspondant (CBS), dies at 80 1989 Mary McCarthy author (The Group), dies, at 77 1991 Bill Graham rock concert promoter (Filmore), dies at 60 On this day... 625 Boniface V ends his reign as Catholic Pope 1415 Battle of Agincourt, Welsh longbow defeats the armored knight 1671 Giovanni Cassini discovers Iapetus, satellite of Saturn 1760 George III ascends the British throne 1764 John Adams marries Abigail Smith (marriage lasts 54 years) 1812 US frigate United States captures British vessel Macedonian 1854 The Light Brigade charges (Battle of Balaklava) (Crimean War) 1870 Pimlico Race Course opens in Baltimore 1870 Postcards 1st used in US 1891 1st International 6 day bike race (NY MSG) ends 1900 England annexes Transvaal 1903 Senate begins investigating Teapot Dome scandals of Harding admin 1915 Atty James L Curtis named minister of Liberia 1918 Canadian steamship \"Princess Sophia\" hit a reef off Alaska, 398 die 1924 1st appearance of Little Orphan Annie comic strip 1926 Lester Patrick becomes 1st coach & gm of NY Rangers 1929 Former Interior Sec Albert Fall convicted of accepting $100,000 bribe 1930 1st foot"}, {"response": 656, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Oct 24, 2000 (22:36)", "body": "(I thought Portugal looked funny.... sorry dear!)"}, {"response": 657, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Oct 24, 2000 (22:50)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY GI. Belated Happy wishes to Tracy. Missed yours while in Kentucky to see my new grandson, now two weeks old."}, {"response": 658, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (02:15)", "body": "Thank you, Marcia and Lucie... The leis are lovely. Amid all that trivia I've learned a few interesting things (Bizet and Strauss - I knew about Picasso - surprised by Julia Roberts). Only one murderer, thank the Gods!;-) But please, my birthdate is in the second half of the 20th century, not at the beginning...:-)"}, {"response": 659, "author": "aishling", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (04:44)", "body": "Have a great day Gi"}, {"response": 660, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (10:13)", "body": "Hullo, Gi? Remember me? I had to do something to get your attention since you're spending so much time with that Firth fella. Have a great birthday! Oh, and when you have a minute, can I talk to you about the tiny wrinkles around my eyes? Thanks."}, {"response": 661, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (10:17)", "body": "Oooh, love those shower pics. Bring 'em on!! ;-D"}, {"response": 662, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (10:22)", "body": "\"You say Gi lives here? How come she's not answering the door? I've got flowers and everything for her birthday.\""}, {"response": 663, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (10:41)", "body": "Gi, I've come to lure you away from Antonio with these tomahtoes. Er--you say tomahtoes are a symbol for wot? Well, I thought of bringing flowers but I see someone has beaten me to it."}, {"response": 664, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (10:45)", "body": "Ooooohhh--can I have some of what Gi is having?:-) Aniversario feliz, Gi. Tenha un maravilhoso, Firth-enchido ano!"}, {"response": 665, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (10:54)", "body": "Just so he doesn't look empty-handed... You know what they say about a bird in the hand, same applies to tomatoes. ;-D"}, {"response": 666, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (11:02)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Gi!!"}, {"response": 667, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (11:07)", "body": "\"Combining the best of all worlds, I've brought you flowers and my own personal tomatoes and am wet to boot!\""}, {"response": 668, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (11:20)", "body": "\"I'm sending my birthday wishes to Patas' mommy.\" Woof!"}, {"response": 669, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (11:29)", "body": "why so serious? Karen, that shower pic, ROTFLOL. C'mon Gi, take those flowers, we're waiting!;-)"}, {"response": 670, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (12:05)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Gi"}, {"response": 671, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (12:08)", "body": "That was meant to be in Portuguese colours. I must have got it wrong as a subconscious response to the incorrect identification of my hair colour! Try again: Happy Birthday, Gi"}, {"response": 672, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (12:18)", "body": "ROTFL, Tineke! You're getting pretty good with those de- and recapitations. What else can we do with that pic? ;-D (Mark) I must have got it wrong as a subconscious response to the incorrect identification of my hair colour! And they say 'elephants don't forget...' Around here, nobody forgets nothing. ;-D"}, {"response": 673, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (12:39)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GI Just so you'll never run out...."}, {"response": 674, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (14:01)", "body": "Wow, what a party! Thank you all, you are wonderful! Eileen, I almost fell from my chair at the sight of that shower pic. And I bet he's singing to Aishling's words :-) Of course I'm home, did Karen give you a wrong address? Now I've got and ... I guess I only need a to make it perfect :-) ... And Spam, there's never too much Spam! So thank you a l l , Aishling, Eileen, Karen, Mari (muito obrigado!), Tineke, Mark (I promise I won't make the same mistake again)and Evelyn. adds his thanks :-)"}, {"response": 675, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (14:15)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Gi! Wishing you the best birthday a girl could possibly have in a new century, Gi! I have arranged for you to stay at Villa d Este on Lake Como next summer. Enjoy! Shall we meet by the pool? :-D"}, {"response": 676, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (14:17)", "body": "You will have to tell us the flowers smell, Gi. ;-)"}, {"response": 677, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (16:37)", "body": "We spared no expense in transporting your cake across the seas: It might not have arrived first thing this morning, but I think you'll like it. It's sort of like your shower cake. ;-D So after your martinis, be sure to leave some room for: HAPPY BIRTHDAY GI!!"}, {"response": 678, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (16:45)", "body": "AND MANY MORE GI!!"}, {"response": 679, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (17:02)", "body": "AND MANY MORE GI!!"}, {"response": 680, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (18:04)", "body": "Seems it is a cosmic event for Gi. I just posted this in Geo: Oct. 25th Solar Coronal Mass Ejection Space Weather News for Oct. 25, 2000 http://www.spaceweather.com This morning a full halo coronal mass ejection sped away from the Sun faster than 620 km/s. The leading edge of a solar wind shock wave could arrive in the neighborhood of Earth later this week and possibly trigger auroras. For details and animations please visit http://www.spaceweather.com"}, {"response": 681, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (18:18)", "body": "Happy Firthday, Gi! Hope I am not too late to join the party. Do you plan to share your presents? Mmmmmm,what a hot tomoato! :-)"}, {"response": 682, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (18:26)", "body": "Happy birthday Gi!"}, {"response": 683, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (18:33)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Gi! Doesn't it feel like just yesterday you made your entrance into the world?"}, {"response": 684, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (18:37)", "body": "I promise, Gi. Just a few seconds more and it will be your turn. For you, Madame -"}, {"response": 685, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (22:22)", "body": "It's your birthday, Gi! (Well... was...) *Sigh!* Late as usual! ;-) Well, I hope I didn't miss all of the partying: According to hieroglyphs dug up in the last few years, certain birthday traditions go back to ancient times (i.e. 3000 B.C.) From them we see that Birthdays called for: the presentation of presents: \"> And good things to eat: drink: And be merry: A special cake is usually made, lit with candles to represent the briefness of life. And expressions of congratulations and affection are offered [with great enthusiasm]: and all to celebrate a: to Gi! [Unfortunately, Belatedly] Love, KJ"}, {"response": 686, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (22:31)", "body": "Oh! Phooo!! That first graphic should be: Sorry KJ"}, {"response": 687, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (22:56)", "body": "Well, we seem to be very centered here; time to left-justify... ;-D"}, {"response": 688, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (01:02)", "body": "oooh, great graphics Karen - (At least not self-centered!!!)"}, {"response": 689, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (01:21)", "body": "Did I mention that I am engaged? Yes, THAT kind of engaged...! Next birthday is November 2nd - Eileen!"}, {"response": 690, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (04:09)", "body": "Moon, your present is just what the doctor ordered! (doctor = me?) Karen, the cake got here in time to close the day, I blew the candles and shared it with Antonio and Patas :-) LisaJH, I will share some of my presents with my Spring friends... Other people, back off! (Heide)Doesn't it feel like just yesterday you made your entrance into the world? Well, my dear, sometimes it feels like I haven't made it yet :-o Thank you also, Tracy and Terry, and KJ, you were perfectly on time :-) Marcia - that solar wind image is awesome... Thank you all for a wonderful birthday"}, {"response": 691, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (04:16)", "body": "And now for something entirely different: Marcia engaged! Congratulations, dear, and be very happy. Give us some details - and dates - so we can plan a bridal shower for you ;-) For a first toast here's one of the very best Portuguese wines:"}, {"response": 692, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (07:10)", "body": "Marcia? What have you been hiding from us? Engaged? You must tell us all about it! Congratulations!?"}, {"response": 693, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (08:57)", "body": "Hey Marcia....you've been holding out on us..... BEST WISHES Details, please...."}, {"response": 694, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (09:48)", "body": "Best wishes to you both! Hmmm, those shower pics from yesterday should come in handy. ;-D"}, {"response": 695, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (10:26)", "body": "Marcia! Engaged?? Well, blow me down, I thought you were already married I've really missed something here, haven't I? Congratulations! Next birthday is November 2nd - Eileen! You've got the right date but mine is *not* the next celebration in Spring's annual Scorpi-o-rama: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JANA2!"}, {"response": 696, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (10:39)", "body": "Oh my!! (she says in horror) Why didn't I check my list!! Am such a stooge! In the meantime, me and the boys want to wish our favorite Beach Baby a very Happy Birthday"}, {"response": 697, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (10:45)", "body": "Bollocks! Despite those *&^%$ dweebs at Phaedra, I've finally made my way to LA and I don't see Jana in the audience yet! When you finish getting Robert his Arsenal tickets and soaking your ex for all he's worth, won't you help me look for Jana? ...The sun's out, I'm going to be a father...Jana's coming to see me... Look, Mum, I've got to go. Supper's on the table and Jana said she'd be here. At last--I *knew* you'd be here, Jana. Come here...I want to tell you about Michael Thomas moments..."}, {"response": 698, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (10:54)", "body": ""}, {"response": 699, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (11:04)", "body": ""}, {"response": 700, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (11:05)", "body": "Paul, you self-centered dolt, you forgot to wish Jana a happy birthday! The pleasure is mine, since she came to see *me* also. Happy birthday, Jana darling!"}, {"response": 701, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (13:11)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Jana! Some people think I am crazy. What they don't know is how crazy I am about you. BTW, you don't mind if I pick you up on my bus tonight?"}, {"response": 702, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (13:19)", "body": "Psst, Karen--I think Jana would enjoy a visit from Ross on her birthday. I hear he's picked up some more flowers (and he already has enough tomatoes). ;-D"}, {"response": 703, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (13:24)", "body": "Ei, you mean on those rocky cliffs? Ooops, that was Michael. ;-D"}, {"response": 704, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (13:51)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY , Jana"}, {"response": 705, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (14:04)", "body": "Jana, for your birthday, I've bought you a lovely string of pearls"}, {"response": 706, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (14:19)", "body": "Gadzooks! I checked my list and did not have Jana *lashes with noodles* Hauoli Na Hanau, Jana! Dendrobium Orchids and Rosebuds"}, {"response": 707, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (14:22)", "body": "*giggles* *grins* *dancing arund the monitor* Thanks for your best wishes. More later. I had hoped to sneak it in during a lapse in festivities. Oooh, whouldja look at all those poils?!"}, {"response": 708, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (14:35)", "body": "Jana, darling they were out of SPAM will this do? HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"}, {"response": 709, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (14:55)", "body": "Happy birthday Jana! Have a little of your own to take you around the world and back to us (and give me a lift once in a while so I'm not late for birthday parties anymore) Heide, only now did I see the pics of your presents for me... Thank you! That massage will be very pleasant ;-)"}, {"response": 710, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (15:42)", "body": "*giggle* Wait'll he sees what \"shower\" pix mean here. Wooooo! Hey, he KNEW who CF is and P&P2. The man is amazing! Back to Jana... Happy Birthdat again and again!"}, {"response": 711, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (15:49)", "body": "Birthdates which occurred on your SELECTED date of October 26: 1466 Desiderius Erasmus Holland, scholar/author (In Praise of Folly) 1685 Domenico Scarlatti Naples Italy, composer/harpsichordist 1759 Georges Danton France, revolutionary leader 1791 Charles Sprague Boston, banker/poet (Curiosity) 1855 Charles Post who had a way with breakfast cereals 1861 Richard D Sears Boston, 1st to win US amateur national tennis match 1873 Thorvald Stauning Denmark, PM (1924-26, 1929-42) 1879 Leon Trotsky Russian revolutionary (pres of 1st Soviet) 1894 John S Knight WV, publisher (Knight-Rider) 19-- Jana, Drooleur and Firthian extraordinaire 19-- James Pickens Jr actor (Another World) 1910 John Cardinal Krol former archbishop of Philadelphia 1911 Mahalia Jackson New Orleans, gospel singer (Whole World in his Hands) 1911 Sid Gillman NFL coach (LA, San Diego, Houston) 1914 Jackie Coogan LA Calif, actor (Uncle Fester-Addams Family) 1916 Fran\ufffdois Mitterand Jarnac France, President of France (1981-1995) 1917 Felix the Cat cartoon character 1919 Edward W Brooke 1st black senator in over 80 yrs (Sen-R-Mass) 1919 Mohammad Reza Pahlavi Aryamehr Shah of Iran (1941-79) 1931 Hank Garrett Monticello NY, actor (Car 54 Where Are You) 1932 Chinadorai Deshmutu India, field hockey player (1952) 1933 Suzy Parker San Antonio Tx, model/actress (Chamber of Horrors) 1936 Bruce Belland Chicago, singer (Tim Conway Hour) 1939 John Arden England, novelist/playwright (Left Handed Liberty) 1940 Mario Orosco 1st victim of NYC's Zodiac killer (survives) 1941 Harald Nielsen Denmark, soccer player (Olympic-silver-1960) 1942 Bob Hoskins Suffolk England, actor (Brazil, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?) 1945 Pat Conroy American writer (Great Santini, Prince of Tides) 1946 Pat Sajak Chicago, TV host (Wheel of Fortune, Pat Sajak Show) 1947 Jaclyn Smith Houston Tx, actress (Charlie's Angel, Nightkill) 1947 Hilary Rodham Clinton First Lady (1993-) 1948 Marshall Colt New Orleans La, actor (Eric-Lottery) 1950 Chuck Foreman NFL running back (Minnesota Vikings) 1951 Bootsy Collins Cin, rocker (Parliaments-We Got the Funk) 1953 Julian Keith Strickland drummer/guitarist (B-52's-Rock Lobster) 1954 Lauren Tewes Braddock PA, actress (Love Boat, Eyes of a Stranger) 1962 Cary Elwes actor (Glory, Princess Bride) 1963 Kerri Lynne Rosenberg Burlington Ia, Miss Iowa-America (1991-top 10) 1966 Olga Bicherova gymnastics (won title at 15yrs 33 days) Deaths which occurred on October 26: 901 King Alfred the Great, die 1868 B F Randolph SC state senator, assassinated 1909 Prince Ito of Japan is assassinated by a Korean 1962 Louise Beavers actress (Beulah-Beulah), die at 64 1979 Park Chung-hee South Korean President is assassinated 1984 Sue Randall actress (Miss Landers-Leave it to Beaver), dies at 49 1990 William Paley CEO (CBS), dies at 89 from a heart attack 1991 Lori Rae Matthews crushed to death by an artist's 485 lb umbrella On this day... 1774 1st Continental Congress adjourns in Philadelphia 1825 Erie Canal between Hudson River & Lake Erie opened 1863 Worldwide Red Cross organized in Geneva 1863 Football Association forms in England, standardizing soccer 1868 White terrorists kill several blacks in St Bernard Parish La 1869 1st American steeplechase horserace (Westchester, NY) 1876 President sends federal troops to SC 1881 Shootout at the OK corral, in Tombstone, Az 1887 Detroit (NL) beats St Louis (AA) 10 games to 5 in the World Series 1903 Yerba Buena is 1st Key System ferry to cross SF Bay 1905 1st Soviet (workers' council) formed, St Petersburg, Russia 1905 Union of Sweden & Norway ends 1911 Phila A's beat NY Giants, 4 games to 2 in 8th World Series 1916 Margaret Sanger arrested for obscenity (advocating birth control) 1921 Solomon Porter Hood named minister to Liberia 1941 US savings bonds go on sale 1942 US ship Hornet sunk in Battle of Santa Cruz Islands during WW II 1947 Maharajah of Jammu & Kashmir accedes to India 1949 Pres Truman increases minimum wage from 40\ufffd to 75\ufffd 1950 Branch Rickey resigns as Brooklyn Dodger president 1951 Rocky Marciano defeats Joe Louis at Madison Square Garden 1955 Ngo Dinh Diem proclaims Vietnam a republic with himself as pres 1956 UN's International Atomic Energy Agency statute approved 1956 Vietnam promulgates its constitution 1957 USSR fires defense minister, Marshal Georgi Zhukov 1957 Vatican Radio begins broadcasting 1958 PanAm flies the 1st transatlantic jet trip-NY to Paris 1960 AL announces Minneapolis & LA to get teams in 1961 1960 AL's Washington Senators move to become Minnesota Twins 1962 Beatles tape \"Please Please Me\" & \"Ask Me Why\" 1964 Rolling Stones appear on the Ed Sullivan Show 1965 Beatles receive MBEs at Buckingham Palace 1965 Sylvia Likens tortured by teen girl gang 1966 1st Pacific communications satellite launched, Intelsat 2 1967 Shah of Iran crowns himself after 26 years on Peacock Throne 1968 Soyuz 3 launched 1970 \"Doonesbury\" comic strip debuts in 28 newspapers 1971 UN votes to replace Taiwan with China 1972 Guided tou"}, {"response": 712, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (16:43)", "body": ""}, {"response": 713, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (16:55)", "body": "Another October celebration, Happy Birthday Jana"}, {"response": 714, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (17:03)", "body": "Happy Birthday Jana! We're having a party. Looked everywhere for a gift and finally found something in my own basement - Which one do you want?"}, {"response": 715, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (17:09)", "body": "I'll get him cleaned up for you - Wrap him all up - and soon you'll find him on your doorstep - Celebrate! I'm sure your DH won't mind for just one special day."}, {"response": 716, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (18:08)", "body": "Heide, what a great tour de force! **Applause** 8-D KJ"}, {"response": 717, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (18:17)", "body": "Indeed! Heide's posts are getting better and better :-) May I just touch on another subject for a moment? Have just watched Sunshine. Didn't like it much, I'm afraid - sorry, Evelyn. Rosemary Harris was probably the best thing in it. It was shown in theaters here in January and had poor reviews. I don't see Oscar material there, but what do I know?"}, {"response": 718, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (18:36)", "body": "Heide, what a great tour de force! **Applause** 8-D KJ"}, {"response": 719, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (18:39)", "body": "Hmmm. Wha happened? Well, this was a bolt out of the blue! ... Did somebody say something about it's being Jana's Natal Day? Oh, Joy and celebration! Sweets for the sweet ... have a nut!1 ... :-) ...and have..... A Very Happy Birthday, Jana! Love, KJ"}, {"response": 720, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (18:40)", "body": "What a surprise, Marcia! ...to the happy couple. I think this calls for a toast... No, no -- I mean a REAL toast.... To celebrate the two hearts that beat as one... A wish for health, beauty and joy to you both.. Love, KJ"}, {"response": 721, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (19:35)", "body": "(Gi) Have just watched Sunshine. Didn't like it much, I'm afraid - sorry, Evelyn. LOL. That's OK....didn't think you would.It's not for everyone.An important film IMO..If \"Life is Beautiful\" was Holocaust-lite, this one really tells it as it is. (Gi)It was shown in theaters here in January and had poor reviews. Got mixed reviews in UK ...Europe has a problem with the Holocaust IMO. Got excellent reviews here esp. from the mainline media...it's a film with a message that not everyone wants to hear. ~~~~~~~~~~~~` Hey, Heide, I'll take the one with the brown teeth.:-))"}, {"response": 722, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (19:59)", "body": "Oh, I love the birthdays around here. You ladies have such great photo selections! Heide, Jess at the screen door is *almost* enough to make me watch ATA again.;-) But I want to know why Ross has flowers growing out of his . . .hmmm . . . April showers?;-) Happy Birthday, Jana, and have a great year with lots of Firth fun! Marcia, congratulations and my best wishes for your health and happiness!"}, {"response": 723, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (20:20)", "body": "Whee!! How much we have learned through our need to celebrate. I'd take one of each of the above CFs but suddenly my heart lies elsewhere. Thanks, ladies. More to come. I will never be a stranger! (will tell all asap...promise!)"}, {"response": 724, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (23:00)", "body": "Jana, Darling! Happy Birthday. Come sit next to me by the fire. No more silly songs about bananas, I promise."}, {"response": 725, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (23:01)", "body": "Yippeee, I did it! :) My first image!"}, {"response": 726, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (23:08)", "body": "(Gi) Have just watched Sunshine. Didn't like it much. Can you explain why? I'm interested, just as I'm interested in why you didn't particularly care for Possession. (Gi) I don't see Oscar material there, but what do I know? Really, as much as any of us. However, I have to disagree about Oscars. (Hold your breath, blink twice and read this over three times) Ralph deserves an Oscar nom. Coming from me, you know what that means! ;-D Too early to tell about whether he should win, as I don't know who the others will be in that category and won't until the \"big\" films open in December. (Evelyn) If \"Life is Beautiful\" was Holocaust-lite, this one really tells it as it is. That was only a small portion of this film - not it's main message. However, that one brief scene dealt with it most effectively. From the Express: Scriptwriter puts in \ufffd10m claim for Notting Hill ideas A BRITISH scriptwriter is suing makers of the smash hit movie Notting Hill for \ufffd10million claiming they stole his idea. Nick Villiers alleges he was duped by a former friend and colleague who excluded him from the film deal. Notting Hill, starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant, became Britain's biggest-ever moneyspinner at American box offices and helped re-establish Roberts as a top actress. Villiers, who co-wrote the film Blood and Wine starring Jennifer Lopez, Michael Caine and Jack Nicholson, claims many of the ideas in Notting Hill came from him but were taken without his permission by his ex-friend Eric Fellner, who runs Working Title Films. He is also suing Polygram Filmed Entertainment, Universal Studios, Notting Hill Pictures, The Seagram Co. and others in Los Angeles Superior Court. Villiers says concepts he shared with Fellner when he adapted the novel, Cheek, into a screenplay were those that turned up in Notting Hill, written by Blackadder scriptwriter Richard Curtis. But a spokesman for Fellner said: \"It sounds totally ridiculous. There was no novel it was based on. Richard Curtis wrote that script entirely from scratch.\"Fellner, with partner Tim Bevan, has had a string of screen hits including Elizabeth and Bean. They have turned Working Title from a minor British production company into genuine Hollywood players."}, {"response": 727, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (23:10)", "body": "Marcia, congratulations on your engagement. He sounds like a very special man. (We already know he is a lucky one.)"}, {"response": 728, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (23:35)", "body": "Thank you! The man is not only perfect for me in every way, he knows who Colin Firth is and knows exactly what I meant by A&E's P&P2. Other than MarkG, I know of no other man who cares to make that claim. That, and they love cricket. I am the fortunate one, I believe! *blissful smile* (Yes, I'll go back to Geo before I nauseate everyone or give us mass diabetes...)"}, {"response": 729, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Fri, Oct 27, 2000 (03:17)", "body": "Gi, I'm horribly late but I hope you had a really great birthday. If the party here is any indication, it looks like you did! And Marcia, congratulations on your engagement. I'm very happy for you. Oh my goodness, what a birthday! You guys are the best. Thanks for making it such a special day. Eileen, I loved the FP montage - especially the last bit. I never thought I'd get to see CF doing The Look just for me ;-). I'm glad you sent Allen Portland my way too. I feel a bit proprietary towards him since I saw his debut :-). Karen, what can I say? I thought the Darcy pics were a treat (waiting for me to come home from Singapore - LOL!) but that picture of Ross hiding behind the flowers..... I am still ROTFLMAO. Heide, you outdid yourself dear. I loved the segue from poor, hygenically challenged John through to bandbox fresh Jess. He looks good enough to eat. Too bad his looks weren't enough to save that awful movie :-). Moon, thanks for the offer of that bus ride. Luckily it's a big bus and I'm feeling so generous I'd like to invite all of you to come along. No fighting over Donovan, though ;-). Evelyn, I appreciate the beautiful CF and the rose probably even more than I would have a delicious case of Spam. Lisa, thanks for sending Geoffrey my way. So many Colins!! How is a girl to choose :-)? Marcia, Lucie, Tracy, Gi, Mari and KJ thanks for the lovely gifts and good wishes. You all really made this a great day."}, {"response": 730, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct 27, 2000 (10:50)", "body": "(Evelyn) If \"Life is Beautiful\" was Holocaust-lite, this one really tells it as it is. (Karen)That was only a small portion of this film - not it's main message But for me it was...painful and haunting. Every reviewer mentioned it."}, {"response": 731, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Oct 27, 2000 (12:10)", "body": "(Marcia) Hey, he KNEW who CF is and P&P2. Minimum criteria when choosing a mate. ;-) All the best, dear! Good one of Ross, Karen! Don't flowers come in handy on a public board? ;-D"}, {"response": 732, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Oct 27, 2000 (13:05)", "body": "Oh dear missed the party, just got back from Buttermere, what an expedition along single track roads, high up in the Lake District, winding and very steep roads, but spectacular scenery, can see why this Director would want to film here. Anyway I digress, Belated Happy Birthday to Gi and Jana and Best Wishes to Marcia."}, {"response": 733, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Oct 28, 2000 (08:04)", "body": "Lisa, congratulations on your first image. You'll soon become a picture osting fool like the rest of us. Though few of us have mastered the posy-bearing Colins Karen posts for us. That's bloody brilliant. Ann, welcome back from the Lakes. You've missed a load of birthdays (and more to come) but don't worry, not much else."}, {"response": 734, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Oct 28, 2000 (08:21)", "body": "Thanks Heide, yes I was hoping for confirmation that Colin IS to be in Armadillo."}, {"response": 735, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Oct 28, 2000 (12:37)", "body": "Gi and Jana, may you have had wonderful birthdays. May you have lovely years ahead."}, {"response": 736, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Oct 28, 2000 (13:48)", "body": "Thank you for the birthday wishes, Jana, Ann and Cheryl. (Evelyn)Europe has a problem with the Holocaust IMO. I do not really want to start a political argument in these boards, Evelyn, but I think we may have been overloaded with Holocaust stories. Of course we are still touched - but they do not justify a film all by themselves, unless it's a powerful film like Schindler's List. Still, the questions raised (of how 3000 people won't stand up against 13, of how persecuted people can turn into prosecuters, and other bitter probes into human nature) are very poignant. The third part was probably the more interesting anyway. The first two were pretty boring for me, perhaps because Ralph was boring as his two first characters, and creepy as all three of them (someone should cast him as a vampire someday - he is so used to playing Hungarians by now). This, Karen, is mainly why I didn't care much for the film - not that I disliked it - only I didn't love it, like I did SiL, for example. As for Possession: long, verbose, I didn't like the poems. I love hystorical research stories and have read several that \"possessed\" me to read them through the night. Not this one, but \"I didn't love it\" does not mean \"I disliked it\". Sorry if I haven't been clear, but I must rush away now ..."}, {"response": 737, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Oct 28, 2000 (15:39)", "body": "(Gi) (someone should cast him (Fiennes) as a vampire someday - he is so used to playing Hungarians by now). LOL, Gi. Somehow it wouldn't surprise me. I read someone once describing Ralph as acting at his castmates rather than with them. Thought that was rather apt."}, {"response": 738, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 28, 2000 (17:48)", "body": "Trashing RF is a universal sport in lots of camps...he's not my heart-throb, for sure...but he is a serious actor...and oh how I wish ODB could latch on to one of those parts...Hungarian or otherwise..."}, {"response": 739, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Oct 29, 2000 (01:45)", "body": "Nothing against hungarians, mind you, very nice folks when I visited twenty years ago... But RF would be a very scary vampire. Not that I'd watch ;-)"}, {"response": 740, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 29, 2000 (11:57)", "body": "But RF would be a very scary vampire. And would give it his best shot , even though he knew it would not be popular. He did a good job at being scary as Heathecliff in Wuthering Heights. BTW a Canadian Film Co (along with the Hungarians) produced Sunshine, it isn't a British film...and I think Canada is v. proud of it."}, {"response": 741, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Oct 29, 2000 (12:14)", "body": "(Heide) Lisa, congratulations on your first image. You'll soon become a picture posting fool like the rest of us. Though few of us have mastered the posy-bearing Colins Karen posts for us. That's bloody brilliant. Thanks, Heide. Once I figured out how to post an image, I was embarrassed to find out just how easy it is to do. (Of course, I had to study my \"HTML for Dummies\" book.) I can hardly wait until the next birthday! ;-) Don't suppose I will ever reach Karen's level of expertise. *sigh*"}, {"response": 742, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Oct 29, 2000 (12:21)", "body": "The Hour of the Pig (updated for the 21st century). I wonder if the pig will be named in a lawsuit? ;-) From the Associated Press: PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (AP) -- Yes, a pig really flew -- first class. It flew US Airways, and the company, embarrassed, says it's never going to let it happen again. On October 17, the six-hour flight from Philadelphia to Seattle carried 201 passengers -- 200 people and one hog, which sat on the floor in the first row of first class. \"We can confirm that the pig traveled, and we can confirm that it will never happen again,\" US Airways spokesman David Castelveter said. \"Let me stress that. It will never happen again.\" Sources familiar with the incident told the Philadelphia Daily News in Friday's editions that the hog's owners convinced the airline that the animal was a \"therapeutic companion pet,\" like a guide dog for the blind. The pig was traveling with two unidentified women who claimed they had a doctor's note that allowed them to fly with the animal, according to an internal airline report. US Airways and Federal Aviation Administration rules allow passengers to fly with service animals. The animal became unruly as the plane taxied toward the Seattle terminal, the report said, running through the jet, squealing and trying to get into the cockpit. \"Many people on board the aircraft were quite upset that there was a large uncontrollable pig on board, especially those in the first-class cabin,\" the incident report stated. The pig made it off the plane but continued squealing inside the Seattle airport. FAA officials in Seattle said they were unfamiliar with the incident but promised to investigate."}, {"response": 743, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Oct 29, 2000 (17:32)", "body": "That pig story... LOL! How come they make Patas (and all other pets) travel in boxes and let the pig roam free?"}, {"response": 744, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 30, 2000 (11:53)", "body": "From Teletext: \"UK cash for Stone, Arnie sequels A British production company is stumping up the money for Sharon Stone's Basic Instinct 2 and Arnold Schwarzenegger's Terminator 3. The UK's C-2 Pictures have entered into agreement with Intermedia to co-finance both productions. T3 alone could cost $100m but would be expected to gross at least $400m.\" ~~~~~~ So this is where the producing UKP go.....what patriotism! Work on T3 starts next spring for release in summer 2002. BI2 starts February with no release date."}, {"response": 745, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct 30, 2000 (12:29)", "body": "The animal became unruly as the plane taxied toward the Seattle terminal, the report said, running through the jet, squealing and trying to get into the cockpit. Can't you just see the flight attendants running up the aisle screaming \"SOOOOOEEEYYY\"? Now there's a picture! :-D Thanks for the laugh, Lisa."}, {"response": 746, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Oct 30, 2000 (13:14)", "body": "The pig story is becoming \"curiouser and curiouser\" (as Alice would say). Now the FAA wants to question the pig, but US Airlines won't release the pig's name. Here's the latest on the story: http://dailynews.philly.com/content/daily_news/2000/10/30/local/PORK28.htm"}, {"response": 747, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Oct 30, 2000 (13:32)", "body": "Oops, forgot to include a tongue -- in -- cheek emoticon on my last post."}, {"response": 748, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct 30, 2000 (14:16)", "body": "Lisa, I love the pig tale! :-) Gives new meaning to the term, \"when pigs fly.\" Enjoyed the update on the first reported case of \"swine flew.\" LOL! Never let it be said that my city of brotherly love discriminated on the basis of age, race, gender, religion, or status on the food chain.;-) Thoinks again for the laugh.;-)"}, {"response": 749, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Oct 31, 2000 (07:06)", "body": "The Telegraph is running an interesting series on the state of the film industry. Here's today's: Why Hollywood rules the world In the second of our reports on modern movie-making, David Gritten says that the American film industry, despite a decade of profound change, is financially and creatively as strong as ever I'VE spent a fair bit of time over the years listening to (and sometimes eavesdropping on) British film and media types discuss American movies, often in terms of condescension laced with bitterness. The gist of their complaints? American cinema is too bland, too formulaic, too predictable, too dumb. Even more annoyingly, millions of people all over the globe lap it up, egged on by Hollywood's huge publicity campaigns which estrange them from their indigenous film cultures and lure them into the studios' seductive embrace. If only, the argument goes, we had such resources: our films - edgy, relevant, cool and British - would surely sweep the world. Hearing those conversations, I used to be disgusted, but now I'm just amused. For it's inescapable that America has the most diverse, intriguing and professional film culture of any country in the world. I'm not enamoured of its big, action-packed, special-effects-heavy summer movies; it's not for me to defend Armageddon, Gone in 60 Seconds, last year's wretched Star Wars prequel, Mission: Impossible 2, or indeed any film with a title ending in a number. But nor will I be snobbish about them: those millions who flock to them can't all be wrong. Yet the success of such big films is the yardstick by which Hollywood judges itself. (This past summer was deemed indifferent, with just one film, Mission: Impossible 2, grossing more than $200 million. Still, 12 films passed the $100 million mark.) In purely financial terms, one sees why blockbusters are Hollywood's index of health; their capacity to generate such huge revenue is what makes this a multi-billion-dollar global business. What the success or failure of such films does not take into account is the state of creative well-being in American cinema generally. I would argue that the films that have reached these shores from the US this year constitute the finest crop since the Seventies, universally regarded as Hollywood's last golden age. This year's strikingly original Oscar contenders (American Beauty, The Cider House Rules, The Talented Mr Ripley, The Insider) would have been judged lustrous examples of American cinema in whatever year they were released. Films such as Three Kings, Erin Brockovich and Any Given Sunday offered a bracing oppositional stance to American establishment values. And this year has also seen a pair of quirky masterpieces: Joel and Ethan Coen's O Brother, Where Art Thou? (their most satisfying film to date) and Paul Thomas Anderson's extraordinary Magnolia. Of course, these are obvious choices: films to win awards, end up on critics' year-end lists and linger in memories. But current American cinema has enormous strength in depth. Many of its minor films, which come and go without much fanfare, are well-crafted, beautifully directed and performed, and underpinned by a talented screenwriter's strong, individual voice. In this category I would place Liberty Heights, Barry Levinson's latest story about his Baltimore youth; Edward Norton's Keeping the Faith, about a rabbi and a Roman Catholic priest smitten with the same woman; Stir of Echoes and Frequency, two thrillers with a supernatural twist; and Wayne Wang's Anywhere But Here, with Susan Sarandon and Natalie Portman as a mismatched Midwest mother and daughter relocating to Beverly Hills. These films, all shamefully under-marketed in Britain, may have passed you by, so look out for their arrival in video stores. Each is richer and more satisfying than almost all the over-hyped films emanating from our own ailing film industry. Week in and week out, it seems, America can churn out such small gems, as if in its sleep. At first glance there are good reasons why this halcyon era should not be happening. Hollywood has never been so amorphous. As recently as the late Seventies, the output of studios such as Warners, Paramount, Fox and Columbia reflected the taste of their bosses. Now each studio is part of a huge global conglomerate, each indistinguishable from the next. Few big-budget, mass-appeal films (except Disney's animated fare) now carry a signature studio style; they can look depressingly similar. Yet the last decade has also seen American independent films edging gradually into the mainstream. We can date the genesis of this movement to 1989, when Steven Soderbergh's low-budget sex, lies and videotape won the Palme d'Or at Cannes and became a hit movie in the States. In those days, the word \"independent\" applied to small films financed outside Hollywood. Calling a film independent now says as much about its attitude as the source of its budget. In the Nineties, it became clear that there was a substantial audience in Ame"}, {"response": 750, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 31, 2000 (07:43)", "body": "Happy Halloween! Just out of my bat cage to check out the latest movies. Did not find Billy, the ballerina tasty. I am off to search out my friend, the fastidious dresser, AKA, Armadillo. ;-)))))) Heeeee,Haaaaa......................................"}, {"response": 751, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 31, 2000 (08:28)", "body": "Am getting my broomstick ready to fly home soon. *hee hee* (although someone is going to have to tear me away from the big bowlful of candy sitting by the front door)"}, {"response": 752, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 31, 2000 (09:40)", "body": "in film terms, America is head and shoulders above anywhere else. Thanks Mari. This from British media, Wow..... LOL... the only ones who keep condemning the American film industry are some people on this board;-)"}, {"response": 753, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Oct 31, 2000 (22:08)", "body": "Oops! Almost missed it! Although most won't see it 'cause they're all out Trick'r'Treat'n and stuffing their faces with goodies. **Mumph! -- mumph!** Boo! KJ =<8-Q"}, {"response": 754, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Oct 31, 2000 (22:10)", "body": "test Test."}, {"response": 755, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Oct 31, 2000 (22:21)", "body": "That's funny , I'm sure I put 2 end-tags in the original post. Oh, well ... In the completely OT Dept., I present this for your edification: This is the coat of arms from the British Firths. I found this at a geneology site which is mucho extensive ... Only had a short time to scan it, but couldn't find \"David\" (his Dad) anywhere. Must be a different branch of the family. If you want to try, it's here ."}, {"response": 756, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov  1, 2000 (08:45)", "body": "From yesterday's Variety: HBO WEDS 'MARRIED' CAST: HBO began production Monday on the pilot \"The Mind of the Married Man.\" The show stars Jake Weber (\"The Cell\"), Taylor Nichols (\"The Last Days of Disco\") and Mike Binder, the latter of whom created the series with co-exec producer Stu Smiley. They play a trio of reporters at a Chicago newspaper who try in vain to remain faithful, while M. Emmet Walsh (\"Blood Simple\") plays their editor. \"It's the male rebuttal to 'Sex and the City's' female point of view on relationships,\" said Smiley, who's exec producer of \"Everybody Loves Raymond\" and has been developing this show for several years with Binder. \"It's about love, marriage and monogamy and how, in every day life, those values are undermined.\" [From the press notes: \"Londinium is a romantic comedy about love, marriage and commitment.\" B seems to have a very limited vocabulary] Binder's exploration of such themes began with the indie pic \"Sex Monster,\" which he wrote, directed and starred in with Mariel Hemingway. Smiley said traditional webs have tried to explore male relationships, but the uncensored HBO format exploited to such strong effect by other series makes this the perfect venue. \"You couldn't do this justice anywhere else,\" said Smiley. \"It's just much closer to reality and more cinematic.\""}, {"response": 757, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov  1, 2000 (09:47)", "body": "Mike is a Johnny-One-Note for themes...."}, {"response": 758, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Nov  1, 2000 (10:09)", "body": "One-note is right. His past 3 projects have all dealt with the same thing. Hope he's not married--would hate to think there's some poor woman out there whose hubby has only infidelity on the brain and who seems to feel a need to advertise it to the world. And the women in SITC are all (until very recently) unmarried. Big difference. Oh, I guess I just don't travel in the right circles.;-) I have to say, I did like Mikey in The Contender, and how about Mariel! One scene, but a difficult one and boy she nailed it beautifully. Amazing what a good script and good direction does."}, {"response": 759, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov  1, 2000 (10:32)", "body": "Yes, Mike is married and has two daughters. I thought the acting in the Contender was very good. As you said Mari, even Mike and Mariel pulled it off. ;-)"}, {"response": 760, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov  1, 2000 (10:53)", "body": "(Mari)I did like Mikey in The Contender, and how about Mariel! One scene, but a difficult one and boy she nailed it beautifully. Amazing what a good script and good direction does. Absolutely. Mikey even looked handsome in the tux (all 4 ft. of him!) That whole film was soooo well done.It could have been a major yawner. We haven't heard the end of it, IMO."}, {"response": 761, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Nov  1, 2000 (22:19)", "body": "Hauoli Na Hanau, Eileen Dresden Green Diamond From India, the 41-carat Dresden Green Diamond is the world's largest and finest natural green diamond, noted for its exceptional color and clarity. White diamonds (both large and small) in gold and silver settings surround the central gem and sweep up to a bow."}, {"response": 762, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Nov  1, 2000 (23:43)", "body": ""}, {"response": 763, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Nov  1, 2000 (23:44)", "body": "Puakenikeni Color change from White, Yellow to Orange, One of the most outstanding fragrant flower - but seasonal."}, {"response": 764, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Nov  1, 2000 (23:48)", "body": "hmmm....they will not let me have the lei I wanted... on more time... Tuberose White tropical flowers accented with island ferns. Very fragrant."}, {"response": 765, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Nov  1, 2000 (23:50)", "body": "there you go - got both - and the Dresden Green Diamond.... can you tell it past tiem for bed?! One for day and one for evening - or wear them intertwined and the diamond in your elegant hair... Fit for a Firth, for sure! Happy Birthday, Eileen!!!"}, {"response": 766, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (05:26)", "body": "Happy Birthday Eileen! Here's a cake which is happy to get eaten ;-)"}, {"response": 767, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (05:57)", "body": "...and some music to help it along :-)"}, {"response": 768, "author": "aishling", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (06:18)", "body": "Have a great day Eileen"}, {"response": 769, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (08:37)", "body": "A little memento from you fave... HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EILEEN colinfirthkeychain020700.jpg\">"}, {"response": 770, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (08:43)", "body": "GO FOR THE GOLD, EILEEN..."}, {"response": 771, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (09:25)", "body": "Happy Birthday Eileen, hope you have a wonderful year, (I know it is not original) and a firthfilled year with lots of Firthnews. All the Best, Ann"}, {"response": 772, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (09:27)", "body": "I don't think I will try Pink again, hope you can read it Eileen."}, {"response": 773, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (10:04)", "body": "Pink is fine on my screen, Ann."}, {"response": 774, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (10:11)", "body": ""}, {"response": 775, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (11:15)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Eileen! How about another cake? What's a party without a little karaoke? Wot? No Bruce? Will the Beatles do? http://www.eatsleepmusic.com/karaokerooms/beatles/intro.cfm Sadly, CF cannot attend our party, so I contacted this Celebrity Look Alike Service: http://www.dimmicksdoubles.com/ Didn't see ODB listed, so I gave the service a ring.... Apparently some guy named Michael Condren is available..... Will he do in a pinch? :-)"}, {"response": 776, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (11:33)", "body": "Ohhhh my goodness. I didn't realize that link to the celebrity look alike site was x rated until I checked it out again just now. Am I ever embarrassed. Karen can you remove the link? Sorry about that!"}, {"response": 777, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (12:06)", "body": "Hey Paul, won't you pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease pass that bottle over here? *hic* Ooh, Evelyn, how'd you find my picture? ;-D Thanks for the diamonds (green--I get it, I get it ;-)) and the beeyewteeful leis, Marcia dear! It's not a Spring birthday unless one gets leid by Marcia. And thanks for your good wishes, Gi, Aishling and Ann (no problem with the pink)! Love the Beatles, Lisa. Just don't send a giant Willie Nelson to see me (like *someone* did to Karen)! heeheehee"}, {"response": 778, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (12:18)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Eileen! My gift will be arriving later."}, {"response": 779, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (12:20)", "body": "In the meantime, have some fun here: http://www.auflauf.freeserve.co.uk/"}, {"response": 780, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (12:29)", "body": "Later that week... Yeah, Eileen, I got it. Ya want me to talk to Tony about gettin your friend over here. No problem. And good seats at da Meadowlands? Shouldn't be a problem. Later, hon."}, {"response": 781, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (12:30)", "body": "Who? Some fancy pants English guy? Carm, you can watch that Darcy guy on da television, but we can't be seen wid him. OK, but... Me and da boys hope you like your seats. On the following Sunday..."}, {"response": 782, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (12:41)", "body": "The won't have any exthuses for not watching Relative Values *executing a small dip during the presentation*"}, {"response": 783, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (12:55)", "body": "Oh, oh! Am typing from floor, where I am rolling and LMAO! *clap clap* Thanks, Karen, what a gift. Paul in the tee shirt is hilarious! No problem, Paul. You'll feel right at home with the Jets. You can love them and hate them all at the same time. The Meadowlands even has a north bank (well, more like a 'north half'). You'll have the sun in your eyes, though. Will look for you this Sunday at 4:15. Get ready to sing with me: 'one Wayne Chrebet...there's only one Wayne Chrebet...' And lose the red and white scarf, willya? This isn't Kansas City! No prob with the jockey shorts, though. They can be our little secret *wink, wink* PS. Thanks to Carmen, Tony and da boys. Think Big Pussy's remains have been dredged from the waters off the Jersey shore and are now under the 50-yard line next to Jimmy Hoffa's."}, {"response": 784, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (12:58)", "body": "Woof woof grr woof woof (Translation: I'm on my way to your party) Woof grrr woof snarl grrr grr....woof (Translation: I must be prepared for your parties because they tend to be a little wild) Woof Woof Slobber Translation: Happy Birthday, Eileen, from your favorite TV canine ;-D"}, {"response": 785, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (13:03)", "body": "Ooh, more! Thanks for the VCR. Have one that works but it is hopelessly lost in boxes, not to be found until we move to our new house in Jan. Paul, watta guy you are. You think of everything!"}, {"response": 786, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (13:07)", "body": "*guffaw* Am back on floor, LMAO! Ooh, have I got a job for my fave TV canine! Think he'll attack a fellow TV canine? ;-D"}, {"response": 787, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (13:07)", "body": "Just so's you don't lose touch wid yer friends in Joisey..."}, {"response": 788, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (13:50)", "body": "Happy Birthday Eileen (better late than never). Sorry I don't have the skills to pretty this up. I hope you had/are having a wonderful day."}, {"response": 789, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (14:25)", "body": "YO, Eileen! Looks like dese people here think we tawk wit some kinda accent or somethin.' Go figger.:-) Tony 'n Christopher are finishin' up a job in East Orange, then they're on their way over. I told 'em, \"Leave the gun, take the birthday cake to Eileen's house.\" Happy Birthday, Eileen, and have a great year filled with Firth fun!"}, {"response": 790, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (14:39)", "body": "What a perfect lead-in for the cake... ;-D"}, {"response": 791, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (14:39)", "body": "and no running with scissors or knives, please. ;-D"}, {"response": 792, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (15:16)", "body": "(One more try....) A FEW KEEPSAKES for THE BIRTHDAY GIRL.... keychains/colinfirthkeychain020700.jpg\"> com/keychains/colinfirthlastdropkeychain.jpg\">"}, {"response": 793, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (15:18)", "body": "(One outta three ain't bad....)"}, {"response": 794, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (15:18)", "body": "Thanks, Cathey and Mari! I *hope* it's a Firth-filled year. Mari, pour me a cup a cawfee, willya? Then we'll go to the mawl. Egads, Karen, did you go to Joisey to find that cake? Took that test, Moon. Hmmm...:-D"}, {"response": 795, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (15:20)", "body": "LOL, Evelyn! I'll take it!"}, {"response": 796, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (15:27)", "body": "As a special present for Eileen, I've obtained an advance copy of the Angel book and I know she'd want to share CF's story with you all: Life is rotten. We kids have to fight class prejudices and embrace the multi-cultural diversity of our society. No person should be forced to live under conditions of squalor and terror and be deprived of thousands of pounds of government vouchers and a comfortable habitat in underused council-funded housing! But I get ahead of myself... \"Shhh, Fitzwilliam,\" I hear my nanny say, while I bang the outside of my cradle with my silver spoon. I don't really understand what she is saying, but there's a tone in her voice that probably doesn't mean that the nice lady who feeds me with that big soft thing is coming by anytime soon. Oooh, who is that approaching? Ick! Some lady with long white dangly round things on a string that hit my head. Ouch! I bet that if I pushed them down a hole, they'd be ground up into sparkly powder. Oooh, powder?! Yes, then I could put on my sister's face and she'd look like a clown. Fun! Wait, I don't have a sister yet. Wonder where you get them. Must ask my teacher, Mr Talbot. I wish they'd push my bed closer to the window. I love staring out the window cause a girl comes by to frolic with a dog. You can learn lots from dogs or so the maitre says. But maybe only dogs in France do special tricks. Gosh, I'd like to hide behind that curtain. Cock-a-doodle-doo! Many people come up here to the nursery to look at me and to pet me. I really like it when this one woman fondles me. She teases me a lot, but I think she really likes me. But I have noticed that she doesn't seem to like when I smile and coo at that sweet but pious girl who gets all red in the face when I bat my eyelashes at her. She keeps saying, \"Master Fitzwilliam, you shouldn't do that. It is not proper.\" I don't know what proper is. Maybe I can crawl out of her and visit her later. I wish that pale one would stop coughing. It is so annoying. And those flowers she wears stink. Somebody should tell her. I don't think my father likes her very much. It's probably because of the coughing. The grownups are talking about where I will go to school one day. Father says I will go to the same school that he attended. I don't know what fagging is, but it sounds like fun. Maybe I won't like it. Then I'll have to rail against the archaic behavior and stifling aristo attitudes or maybe I'll just sit around in my robe and read. Gosh, I don't know how I knew all that. Amazing what you can absorb just lying in a cradle. Did you know my favorite color is red? Bet I can hit that ball with my rattle. One day I shall travel to far away places. That is, once I can walk. My nurse reads to me about exotic places in the Near East. I'd like to go there and spend some time. Or maybe I'll travel to the n-n-north and v-v-visit churches and then p-p-paint on the walls, if they let me. Oh goodie, lunch. Yuck, they've pureed apples for me. Where's that soft thing? Just lying here in my cradle, I dream of one day going to the Lake District. There I could wear a big hat and breeches and act like a horrible cad. Quien sabes? ********* You'll have to read the rest for yourselves... soon."}, {"response": 797, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (15:36)", "body": "ROTF...again! *wiping tears* This is my favorite part: You can learn lots from dogs or so the maitre says. But maybe only dogs in France do special tricks. Do they sing, too? ;-D"}, {"response": 798, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (16:33)", "body": "ROTFLOL, Karen! As promised in a post way up there, here is your borthday present, Eileen. Your very own manor in *green* Ireland. If you look through the windows you will see that somebody is waiting for you. ;-) Have a fun day! BTW, did you take the color test?"}, {"response": 799, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (16:35)", "body": "So what did the color test say?"}, {"response": 800, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (16:47)", "body": "I think thay may be Peter Dahling waiting for you in there, Eileen. '-D Having a hoot, ladies, checking out the posts. I think it's time for me to join in. Hey, kitty, what do you say? Why it's Eileen's birthday!"}, {"response": 801, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (16:52)", "body": "Let's HEAR it for Eileen's birthday - Oi! #9! You're not a donkey -"}, {"response": 802, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (16:57)", "body": "Colin wishes you a very happy season - Wait a minute...drool girls don't have seasons. Make that a very Happy Birthday!"}, {"response": 803, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (17:01)", "body": "Here he is...he's a little shy, you know. By the way, no animals were harmed in the making of this post - thanks to non-football fans for your forebearance :)"}, {"response": 804, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (17:18)", "body": "Karen, ROFLOL at the preview of CF's short story! V. good! How about a little dancing now? (I feel like a kid with a new 64 pack of Crayolas with these animated clip art thingies. :-))"}, {"response": 805, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (17:19)", "body": "LOL! I wanna see a real donkey! Onwards with the animal parade... Since the cake came from Joisey, thought your main course should come from your new backyard: (and, yes, the intent is to harm the animal, which will be delicious with melted butter) Now my birthday greetings from Chi-cow-go:"}, {"response": 806, "author": "ommin", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (19:58)", "body": "I can't do any of those things but a belated happy birthday Eileen."}, {"response": 807, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (20:44)", "body": "It's your birthday, Eileen! It seems to me, that I was leafing through a L-o-o-ong printout of Topic #136 a few days back, And noticed it was your Birthday today, so I wanted to give yousome nice little gifts.... Because I am so appreciative of your uncanny gift of making us... ...so often. We all need it so much. So have some lovely Birthday flowers: And a very, very : to Eileen! And Many Many Happy Returns! Love, KJ"}, {"response": 808, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (23:42)", "body": "Nileee!!! I'm so horribly late for your special day :-(. Technically it's still the 2nd here in the west but I'm sure you hit the hay awhile back. I did think of you several times today but could not break away from work to get to the computer. In fact, I'm still there. Just wanted you to know that Janny is thinking of you and wishes you the best on your special day."}, {"response": 809, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Nov  3, 2000 (07:22)", "body": "(Karen) I'd like to go there and spend some time. Or maybe I'll travel to the n-n-north and v-v-visit churches and then p-p-paint on the walls, if they let me. Karen, this is a riot! *You should publish.* More, please.:-)"}, {"response": 810, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov  3, 2000 (08:30)", "body": "(Mari) *You should publish.* More, please.:-) Pip says I should be insulted. ;-D Couldn't write anymore, I was put down for a nap."}, {"response": 811, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov  3, 2000 (10:04)", "body": "ROTF Karen...bet the real one isn't gonna be half as good..."}, {"response": 812, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Nov  3, 2000 (12:07)", "body": "Avery happy birthday to you Eileen from me too. A day late but thats the story of my life."}, {"response": 813, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Nov  3, 2000 (13:13)", "body": "Woohoo! One of the very best things about having a Spring birthday is that it starts before you're up and ends after you've gone back to sleep again, given all the different time zones. Thanks for the manor house, Moon. I did take the test. Thought the disclaimer was a hoot. Said I'm very exacting...goody! Maybe I can apply for Drool's OT/spelling/grammar police since there seems to be a vacancy. ;-) Thank you for the kitty, Heide. She looks hungry for some chow ;-). (BTW, will pass on Peter but will see if Moon's gift has a barn with a moss loft.) C'mon, numbah 9 is *still* a donkey even though he kicked the winner against Miami but we of little faith were sleeping and missed it ;-P . Mmm. Love the lovely Paul! Karen, all the Maryland crabs must've gone up to Jersey. They're becoming an endangered species in the Chesapeake. Think Al Gore put them in a lockbox. Love the cow! Thank you for your good wishes, Lisa, KJ (gorgeous flowers!), Janny, Anne and Lucie! *samooch* What a great day. And to echo Heide, thanks to all you non-US football fans for your patience."}, {"response": 814, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov  3, 2000 (14:05)", "body": "(Eileen) I can apply for Drool's OT/spelling/grammar police since there seems to be a vacancy. ;-) Sorry, that position has been eliminated due to lack of funding. ;-)"}, {"response": 815, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Nov  4, 2000 (05:36)", "body": "(Eileen)One of the very best things about having a Spring birthday is that it starts before you're up and ends after you've gone back to sleep again, given all the different time zones. One other best thing is that you can enjoy it tremendously even when it's not your own birthday ;-)... as did I with Eileen's birthday. Thanks for inspiring it, Eileen, and thanks for being inspired, ladies :-) (KarenR)LOL! I wanna see a real donkey! I took you literally:"}, {"response": 816, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Nov  4, 2000 (06:24)", "body": "To be so late is unpardonable , hope you had a great firthfilled birthday Eileen."}, {"response": 817, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Nov  4, 2000 (07:49)", "body": "Ooh,I just love John Tenniels woodcuts of Alice!!!"}, {"response": 818, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov  4, 2000 (08:57)", "body": "Thought this was pretty funny and does touch on a favorite subject of ours: kilts and sporrans (right, Marcia?) ;-D From today's Times: Prince raises kilt mystery to new height BY ALAN HAMILTON SIX HUNDRED years of peace and democracy in Switzerland have given the world more than the cuckoo clock; they also do yodelling and organic cheese. The Prince of Wales, on the last day of a three-nation visit to central Europe, stepped yesterday into a scene straight from Heidi, that romantic tale of an apple-cheeked Swiss milkmaid that was once required reading for all middle-class English girls to fill the gap between Enid Blyton and their first pony. The Prince, who runs an organic farm on his Gloucestershire estate, went to the village of Faltschen, in the Kander valley above the Swiss capital, Berne, to see organic cheese being made by the Rubin family, who have been at it since 1920. A committed Europhobe when it comes to Brussels anti-cheese directives, the Prince once memorably defended unpasteurised French cheeses threatened by an EU attempt to outlaw them as being dangerously tasty. With President Ogi, a native of the region, as his guide, the Prince was welcomed to the village by the entire Rubin family yodelling. Farmer Klaus Rubin, his son Marcel, 20, and daughter Vreni, 17, sang for the Prince in their barn as he tasted samples of their organic cheese, egged on by an enthusiastic President Ogi. Did he like goat\ufffds cheese, the President asked. \ufffdI like it but the smell always reminds me of my sporran,\ufffd the Prince replied, leaving the puzzle hanging in the clear mountain air: never mind what he wears under his Scottish dress, what does he keep in the accessory? The Prince wears the kilt and attendant sporran regularly when at Balmoral. But whereas the secret of the Queen\ufffds handbag is now generally known to be her spectacles, the contents of the Prince\ufffds sporran remain a mystery. In the absence of firm information, there will be widespread speculation that he uses it to carry organic goat\ufffds cheese. Later the Prince drove to the Alpine resort of Kandersteg, where he looked in at a cheese shop \ufffd possibly looking for something to tuck into his sporran \ufffd and was again serenaded by a local choir in the village\ufffds 16th-century church. As he was leaving Switzerland for home, his Duchy Originals organic home-made coarse-cut clementine marmalade was picking up a top prize at the Soil Association\ufffds organic food awards in London. It is said to smell sweeter than the inside of a sporran."}, {"response": 819, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov  4, 2000 (10:32)", "body": "... the contents of the Prince\ufffds sporran remain a mystery.. One can only speculate what any guy tucks into his sporran;-) Eh ,Marcia??"}, {"response": 820, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Nov  5, 2000 (14:08)", "body": "This is a pre- Apartment Zero film discussion question. I was reading background info on Martin Donovan, which mentioned that AZ was his homage to several directors, primarily Visconti. It occurs to me that I have not seen a Visconti film since the late 70s/early 80s (my college days), when my medium-sized American city still had three rep/art house cinemas (we now have two art house theatres, but they only show current films). During this time I was fortunate enough to see a lot of the great classic foreign films on the big screen. In any event, I was wondering, Moon, if you could recommend a Visconti film or two to watch before our discussion begins. I have seen Death in Venice and The Damned, but that was a long time ago (see above paragraph :-)). In reading the plot summaries of his other movies, it sounds like Conversation Piece might be relevant to AZ. What do you think? Thanks."}, {"response": 821, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Nov  5, 2000 (17:10)", "body": "Lisa, I am so glad to see preparing for our AZ discussion. My favourite Visconti film is Death in Venice. Like you, it has been ages since I have seen his films. Perhaps I would find AZ more relevant to Harold Pinter than to Visconti. The strangeness of some Dirk Bogard charaters come to mind. Most of all, I find Norman Bates in Psycho the closest character to Colin in AZ. Here is a brief bio. of Luchino Visconti. Visconti, Luchino (1906-1976), Italian director of motion pictures, operas, plays, and ballets, considered by many to be the originator of the influential neorealist movement of Italian cinema, which emphasized authenticity rather than the artificial and romanticized visual style of most Italian films in the 1930s and early 1940s. Visconti was born into an aristocratic family in Milan. After military service in the Italian cavalry (1926-1928), he spent the period from 1929 to 1936 traveling in France. While in Paris, Visconti worked as an assistant to French director Jean Renoir on Toni (1935), Une Partie de campagne (A Day in the Country, 1936), and other notable films. Visconti's first film as a director, Ossessione (Obsession, 1942), is often regarded as one of the first examples of Italian neorealism. Visconti brought a natural element to this film by shooting in the Italian countryside rather than in studios, by casting local residents alongside professional actors, and by developing a rough visual quality with his camera work. These stylistic features had a profound influence on the work of later Italian neorealist directors such as Roberto Rossellini and Vittorio De Sica. Visconti's many other films include the opulent historical dramas Senso (The Wanton Countess, 1954), La Caduta degli Dei (The Damned, 1969), and Ludwig (1973); other neorealist films, such as Rocco e i suoi fratelli (Rocco and his Brothers, 1960); and adaptations of literary works, such as Le Notti bianche (White Nights, 1957), from a story by Russian writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky; Il Gattopardo (The Leopard, 1963), from the novel by Italian writer Giuseppe di Lampedusa; and Morte a Venezia (Death in Venice, 1971), from a story by German novelist Thomas Mann. Visconti also directed plays, ballets, and operas in a number of European cities. His production of the opera La Traviata, by Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi, at La Scala opera house in Milan in 1955 was extremely successful with critics and audiences, and was one of several operatic productions by Visconti that starred renowned Greek soprano Maria Callas. While Visconti's work often reflected his liberal social and political concerns, he also actively resisted the ruling Fascist government of Italy in 1943 and 1944 (see Fascism: Italy Under Fascism), and took part in a number of left-wing political campaigns after World War II (1939-1945)."}, {"response": 822, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Nov  5, 2000 (17:35)", "body": "We plan to start the AZ discussion on Thursday Nov. 9th at our CF film discussion topic. I hope you will all join us."}, {"response": 823, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov  5, 2000 (18:45)", "body": "Thursday, huh? OK, better change the notice on the main Drool page. Will put up a pic, after I watch the vid and figure out what Ducboy will be saying. ;-D Argh, homework! Have never seen a Visconti film, although read Death in Venice ages ago and liked it a lot. (Moon) Most of all, I find Norman Bates in Psycho the closest character to Colin in AZ. You won't get any arguments about that. ;-D (Coming, mother)"}, {"response": 824, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov  6, 2000 (08:49)", "body": "Argh, homework! Have never seen a Visconti film, That might explain why you liked Wonderland so much. ;-)"}, {"response": 825, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Nov  6, 2000 (10:29)", "body": "(Karen)Have never seen a Visconti film, although read Death in Venice ages ago and liked it a lot. One of the very few instances where I loved the movie even after having read and loved the book. Death in Venice is a masterpiece in all senses and one of my top ten movies of all times."}, {"response": 826, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Nov  6, 2000 (12:51)", "body": "Am returned from my excursion to the north. Scanned the stadium for Paul in his new t-shirt, alas, there was no sign of him ;-(. Am now convinced that numbah sixteen is a bigger donkey than numbah nine (right, Heide?). Thanks for your good wishes, Tracy! We like to keep the party fires burning *hic*"}, {"response": 827, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Nov  7, 2000 (18:15)", "body": "Eileen, like Tracy's reference to Mr. Carroll's White Rabbit, I am late. Sorry to be so remiss in the timely wishing you a Happy Birthday. Have a wonderful year."}, {"response": 828, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Nov  8, 2000 (10:22)", "body": "Eileen, may I add my belated wishes for a fabulous year ahead. sorry to miss your birthday. OK so now confession time!! I can't join your AZ discussion because I have NEVER seen it.Whoops. Anyway if any kind drooler knows how I might be able to solve this problem please let me know. Thanks"}, {"response": 829, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Nov  8, 2000 (10:59)", "body": "Thanks, Cheryl and Lizza! Lizza, am sure your AZ needs will be addressed."}, {"response": 830, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov  8, 2000 (13:35)", "body": "Lizza, it is such a good film, I hope you manage to see it. Did you check your local video store?"}, {"response": 831, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov  9, 2000 (09:33)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TINEKE!!"}, {"response": 832, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Nov  9, 2000 (10:16)", "body": "Happy Birthday Tineke! I have just heard from the Sindaco di Firenze. They will be naming a Piazza in your honor today. The citizens of Firenze still remember your wonderful lectures on the merits of doing Tuscany on bikes. Viva Tineke! Congratulazione!"}, {"response": 833, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Nov  9, 2000 (12:40)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Tineke!"}, {"response": 834, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Nov  9, 2000 (14:36)", "body": "Happy Birthday Tineke! What do I give a chocolate loving girl? And don't worry about those calories... Here's how to shed them:"}, {"response": 835, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Nov  9, 2000 (15:08)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TINEKE , hope you have had a wonderful day and all the best for the coming year, Ann"}, {"response": 836, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Thu, Nov  9, 2000 (15:34)", "body": "Happy Birthday Tineke! I hope you have a great day."}, {"response": 837, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov  9, 2000 (17:04)", "body": "Ti meriti un trattamento reale! Auguroni di Buon Compleanno! N'many more Firth Fun Years!!"}, {"response": 838, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Thu, Nov  9, 2000 (18:04)", "body": "Thanks all:-) Carpe Cacem, too funny Karen! And riding up that piece of cake is a piece of cake, Eileen (well, not really). Calories? What's that?;-) Thank you Moon, Gi, Ann, Jana and Evelyn. It's been a wonderful day!"}, {"response": 839, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Nov  9, 2000 (19:25)", "body": "Evelyn! Have you been practicing your italiano? Well done!"}, {"response": 840, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Nov  9, 2000 (19:28)", "body": "Almost missed your birthday. Hope you had a happy day, Tineke. Thanks for all the news and pictures you've shared with us."}, {"response": 841, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Nov  9, 2000 (19:42)", "body": "Happy Birthday Tienke"}, {"response": 842, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Nov  9, 2000 (19:51)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Tineke. I have enjoyed your photos, too."}, {"response": 843, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Nov  9, 2000 (20:24)", "body": "HAUOLI NA HANAU, TINEKE Pikake & Ti-Leaf White fragrant 3-Strand Pikake flower leis twined together with a traditional Ti-leaf lei. Beautiful and fragrant."}, {"response": 844, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Nov 10, 2000 (06:17)", "body": "Ho Hum, according to Annova (PA), Frances O'Connor is to star opposite Brendan Fraser in Cat on a Hot Tine Roof to be produced in the West End early next year. I would have loved to see Jennifer play \"Maggie\",perhaps it clashed with DFL."}, {"response": 845, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Nov 10, 2000 (08:34)", "body": "( (Moon) Evelyn! Have you been practicing your italiano? Well done! Hehe! Next she'll be speaking Portuguese as well :-)"}, {"response": 846, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 10, 2000 (13:16)", "body": "(Moon) Evelyn! Have you been practicing your italiano? Well done! (Gi)Hehe! Next she'll be speaking Portuguese as well :-) Enough of of this English stuff...I'm going global;-) It's like....(a la Henry)..;-)...Blue Mountain scroll down to \"Italian\" !"}, {"response": 847, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Nov 10, 2000 (14:02)", "body": "We will let you cheat this time. ;-)"}, {"response": 848, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Fri, Nov 10, 2000 (17:12)", "body": "Once again, better late than never, hope you had a fab birthday Tineke!"}, {"response": 849, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Nov 10, 2000 (17:14)", "body": "I was just hangin\ufffd around among the Topics here \ufffd \ufffd when I discovered that I had missed your birthday, Tineke. Still, I was determined to celebrate anyway \ufffd And wish you [albeit belatedly] \ufffd \ufffd Hope it was a happy one, Tineke KJ."}, {"response": 850, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Nov 15, 2000 (18:35)", "body": "Very lukewarm review for Betrayal in today's Philly Inquirer. This critic found Leveaux's direction good, but said there was absolutely no chemistry between Binoche and the actors. This is the same guy who loved TRT, came right out and said he voted \"straight TRT\" for the Tony, and kept raving about Dillane and Ehle's dynamic. Haven't checked what the NY papers have said yet."}, {"response": 851, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 16, 2000 (22:40)", "body": "From Screendaily: Go see it. You're being given a second chance. Well worth it. FilmFour to give Croupier second UK outing Despite being barred from competing for the Academy Awards, FilmFour\ufffds 1997 title Croupier is to get a UK re-release following its success in North America this year. Mike Hodges\ufffd revitalised tale of an aspiring writer drawn into London\ufffds gambling world will go out early next year. FilmFour originally offloaded Croupier through UK cultural body the British Film Institute, which gave the film a limited theatrical outing after its re-release of Hodges\ufffd Get Carter. But while interest has surged in the picture after it took $6m in North America this year, FilmFour will be unable to capitalise on an Oscar run because the American Academy has ruled the film ineligible. The Academy made the ruling because the film has been broadcast twice on TV in international markets, making it ineligible under Academy rules. Hodges said: \"I\ufffdm very gratified by the response to Croupier in North America. But its most important benefit may be the new opportunity to reach an audience in my own country.\" Jonathan Cavendish, the film\ufffds producer added: \"Mike Hodges is one of the best directors in Europe and it\ufffds exciting that North American audiences have reminded everyone of that fact.\""}, {"response": 852, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 16, 2000 (23:03)", "body": "Apparently, there was an opportunity to hear Nick Hornby this past Sunday. From the Guardian: Fiction Live. New Yorker magazine hosts a weekend of readings, including stories from Zadie Smith, George Saunders and Tobias Wolfe (Sat) and Nick Hornby, David Foster Wallace and Jhumpa Lahiri (Sun). 7.30pm, Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, London (020-7287 5060). The Irish Times review of Speaking with the Angel Nov 11, 2000 As Nick Hornby explains in the introduction, his small son, Danny, is autistic and attends a special school in London, for which there are limited places. To raise funds to create a few extra places in this school, Hornby asked 11 writers for an original story, and wrote one himself; (pounds) 1 from every copy sold is donated to the school's trust. The stories are all monologues, and mostly written by Hornby's mates. And he has good writing mates. Among the contributors are Roddy Doyle, Zadie Smith, Irvine Welsh, Dave Eggers, Helen Fielding, Robert Harris, Melissa Banks, and Patrick Marber. Marber is a playwright and most of the others are novelists, so it's an interesting and unusual opportunity to see how they fare at writing short stories. Most of the stories are lightweight entertainment, but fittingly, Hornby's own story, 'Nipple-Jesus', about a security guard in an art gallery who becomes obsessed with the exhibit he's protecting, is the best read in the book. ************** One more Hornby item from the Sunday Independent: THOSE WHO would like to take a short cut to immortality should turn up at an auction held by the Medical Foundation at Bafta in central London next month. Novelists who have offered to name characters in their next books after successful bidders include Louis de Bernieres, Hanif Kureishi, Rose Tremain and Nick Hornby. It is brave of Hornby to take part, as he has had trouble in the past with a similar issue. When proofs of About a Boy were distributed a few years back, the surname of the main protagonist - Will Lightman - had to be changed to Freeman after a real-life Will Lightman popped up and objected. (Remember, I asked him about that? The American edition was not thoroughly proofed and a Lightman had not been excised from the book and most of the reviews used the Lightman name.)"}, {"response": 853, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Nov 17, 2000 (08:30)", "body": "BJ meets the Queen! It happened Wed. at the London premiere of The Grinch. I have been looking on line for the picture but to no avail. She looks cute."}, {"response": 854, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 17, 2000 (08:55)", "body": "Have only seen pics of RZ and Jim, although ET or Access Hollywood showed the receiving line and she was visible."}, {"response": 855, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 17, 2000 (09:05)", "body": "Ooooh, I'll be on the lookout for these guys. Crew mentioned Hanks would be filming here in Feb or March, can't remember which, although we talked about how awful the weather would be. I do know a great little street that looks perfect for gangster films. ;-D Jude Law in talks for Sam Mendes gangster film Jude Law is in talks to co-star with Tom Hanks in the new film from British director Sam Mendes. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Law is in preliminary negotiations to star in Road To Perdition. The film is set in Depression-era Chicago and centres on a hitman known as the Angel of Death. He is just as devoted to his work as he is to his family. When the two worlds collide and his wife and youngest son are killed, the hitman and his eldest son embark on a journey of revenge. Law is expected to take on the role of Maguire, an assassin known as The Reporter. Tom Sizemore has already been signed on to play Al Capone."}, {"response": 856, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 17, 2000 (09:45)", "body": "very interesting (long) article in Variety today about the rush to production because of the impending strike, about how \"everyone\" is working and how hard it is to cast... http://www.variety.com/body.asp?HbkId=7924111&subcat=-1&ArticleId=1117789339"}, {"response": 857, "author": "susanne", "date": "Fri, Nov 17, 2000 (12:38)", "body": "NOTICE OF REVOCATION OF INDEPENDENCE To the citizens of the United States of America, In the light of your failure to elect a President of the USA and thus to govern yourselves, we hereby give notice of the revocation of your independence, effective today. Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will resume monarchical duties over all states, commonwealths and other territories. Except Utah, which she does not fancy. Your new prime minister (The rt. hon. Tony Blair, MP for the 97.85% of you who have until now been unaware that there is a world outside your borders) will appoint a minister for America without the need for further elections. Congress and the Senate will be disbanded. A questionnaire will be circulated next year to determine whether any of you noticed. To aid in the transition to a British Crown Dependency, the following rules are introduced with immediate effect: 1. You should look up \"revocation\" in the Oxford English Dictionary. Then look up \"aluminium\". Check the pronunciation guide. You will be amazed at just how wrongly you have been pronouncing it. Generally, you should raise your vocabulary to acceptable levels. Look up \"vocabulary\". Using the same twenty seven words interspersed with filler noises such as \"like\" and \"you know\" is an unacceptable and inefficient form of communication. Look up \"interspersed\". 2. There is no such thing as \"US English\". We will let Microsoft know on your behalf. 3. You should learn to distinguish the English and Australian accents. It really isn't that hard. 4. Hollywood will be required occasionally to cast English actors as the good guys. 5. You should relearn your original national anthem, \"God Save The Queen\", but only after fully carrying out task 1. We would not want you to get confused and give up half way through. 6. You should stop playing American \"football\". There is only one kind of football. What you refer to as American \"football\" is not a very good game. The 2.15% of you who are aware that there is a world outside your borders may have noticed that no one else plays \"American\" football. You will no longer be allowed to play it, and should instead play proper football. Initially, it would be best if you played with the girls. It is a difficult game. Those of you brave enough will, in time, be allowed to play rugby (which is similar to American \"football\", but does not involve stopping for a rest every twenty seconds or wearing full kevlar body armour like nancies). We are hoping to get together at least a US rugby sevens side by 2005. 7. You should declare war on Qu\ufffdbec and France, using nuclear weapons if they give you any merde. The 98.85% of you who were not aware that there is a world outside your borders should count yourselves lucky. The Russians have never been the bad guys. \"Merde\" is French for \"sh**\". 8. July 4th is no longer a public holiday. November 8th will be a new national holiday, but only in England. It will be called \"Indecisive Day\". 9. All American cars are hereby banned. They are crap and it is for your own good. When we show you German cars, you will understand what we mean. 10. Please tell us who killed JFK. It's been driving us crazy. Thank you for your cooperation."}, {"response": 858, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Nov 17, 2000 (13:50)", "body": "Har har. Here, look *this* up in your Oxford English Dictionary. ;-P BTW, Sue, I assume you copied that from somewhere and are not the author."}, {"response": 859, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Nov 17, 2000 (14:20)", "body": "Since I'm in a Top 10 kind of mood, here's Letterman's list from last night: Top Ten Things The Founding Fathers Would Say If They Were Alive Today: 10.\"Remember that electoral college thing we made up when we were drunk? They're still using it!\" 9.\"Maybe that ruthless monarchy thing in England wasn't such a bad idea after all...\" 8.\"Good to see Florida is still using the same old voting machines\" 7.\"That's odd -- in my day, we also had a senator named Strom Thurmond\" 6.\"So that's the Washington Monument? Yeah, in his dreams\" 5.\"Giuliani has really wrecked Times Square\" 4.\"We risk our lives to form this great nation and you wanna let George W. Bush run it?!\" 3.\"Back in our time there certainly wasn't anyone as man-tastic as Ricky Martin\" 2.\"He did *what* in the Oval Office?\" 1.\"Screw this, we're going to Canada\""}, {"response": 860, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 17, 2000 (22:12)", "body": "*clap clap clap* Another great Top 10 List, Mari. Bettah than on Dave's show. fersure! We've been posting political jokes and such over here: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/politics/20/new You might get a laugh and there's another version of the Revocation thing there as well."}, {"response": 861, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov 18, 2000 (11:43)", "body": "Looks like Miramax has a winner with BOUNCE with Gwynnie and Ben Affleck. \"...finely wrought bowl of suds is a seamless piece of work, comparable in its craft to \"Jerry Maguire\" and \"As Good as It Gets,\" if a bit slighter.\" \"It has been ages since a Hollywood screen couple, gazing into each other's eyes, conveyed this much emotion.....\" \"Bounce\" may be far from a great film, but its pleasures are consistent enough to remind you of how few movies nowadays come anywhere close to matching it in intelligence and emotional balance. It is not only a terrific date movie, but also one that doesn't make you feel ashamed afterward for getting misty-eyed. PG-13 Full NY Times review. http://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/17/arts/17BOUN.html?1116fl"}, {"response": 862, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Nov 18, 2000 (11:47)", "body": "Tineke, I hope that you siezed the cake and had a memorable birthday. Was the cake chocolate, by any chance? Did you have any Teucher's chocolate truffles or any of their other chocolate candies? However you spent your birthday, I hope it was a happy one. Have a wonderful year."}, {"response": 863, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Nov 19, 2000 (10:19)", "body": "Thanks for the NYTimes link, Evelyn. I saw Bounce last night and I liked it. Very low-key, wise, well-written little film. Performances are nicely understated. Gwynnie is especially good and \"real,\" and this is Ben's best role to date. Theater was packed; I hope it does well. Once again, these kids have been working their tails off selling this one, with Gwynnie doing all the NY talk shows and Ben doing all the LA-based ones."}, {"response": 864, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Nov 19, 2000 (10:49)", "body": "Whoops, another absence means I missed your birthday Tineke. Many good wishes, very belated, for a great year. Moon, no luck on AZ in my local blockbusters."}, {"response": 865, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Nov 19, 2000 (10:51)", "body": "Good to hear your views on\"Bounce\" Mari. Currently our press is filled to overflowing with Paltrowisms, due to release of Duets this weekend."}, {"response": 866, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Nov 19, 2000 (18:28)", "body": "Happy Birthday from me too Tineke. I\"ve been away and missed it."}, {"response": 867, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 20, 2000 (21:36)", "body": "From Ananova (The Independent also had an blurb about this on Saturday and mentioned Hugh Lurie.) Teenage Fanclub to play at book launch Author Nick Hornby, best known for his books High Fidelity and Fever Pitch, has asked Teenage Fanclub to perform at the launch of a new book he's edited. Speaking With The Angel is a collection of stories Hornby's edited for the TreeHouse Trust, a charity that works on behalf of children with autism. The launch takes place on November 23 at London's Hammersmith Palais. Teenage Fanclub will provide the music during an evening which is to be hosted by comedian Robert Newman and introduced by Hornby. The event will also feature readings by Speaking With The Angel contributors Melissa Bank (author of The Girls' Guide To Hunting And Fishing) and actor Mark Addy (The Full Monty), among others. Speaking With The Angel is a collection of 13 original stories specially written by a group of authors, including Roddy Doyle, Helen Fielding, Irvine Welsh and Zadie Smith. It also includes a heartfelt introduction from Hornby, whose son Danny is autistic and attends the TreeHouse special school in London. For every copy of the book sold, \ufffd1 will go to the TreeHouse Trust. Teenage Fanclub, who have just completed a UK tour, will be playing acoustic versions of songs from their current album Howdy! plus other hits."}, {"response": 868, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Nov 20, 2000 (21:55)", "body": "From the Telegraph: An anxious, desirable slow starter \ufffdIn his new film Jeremy Northam plays an Italian prince who is loved by two women. If only real life were as straightforward. 'I want more stability in my life,' he tells Anna Murphy WITHIN 10 minutes of meeting the actor Jeremy Northam in a north London caf\ufffd, I have spilt my coffee right down my front. Northam responds with a gentlemanly fleetness straight out of one of his screen performances - Mr Knightley in Emma perhaps, Sir Robert Chiltern in An Ideal Husband or, most recently, Prince Amerigo in the new Merchant Ivory adaptation of Henry James's novel The Golden Bowl. He rushes off to get a cloth, assiduously wipes me down, suggests - laughing - that perhaps this is why he \"wore rubber trousers today\", and then insists that it is his fault I spilt my coffee in the first place. No doubt if you are Jeremy Northam, life is one long obstacle course of flustered females spilling things, dropping things, tripping over things, so I imagine you do get a routine off-pat. But he does seem remarkably nice for a heart-throb. It is 10 years since Northam won an Olivier award as Most Promising Newcomer for The Voysey Inheritance. Now 38, he is often described as a \"slow starter\", yet in the interim he has worked non-stop, alternating prestigious stage work at the RSC and the National with increasingly high-profile screen roles. For a while he looked in danger of becoming little more than big-budget arm-candy, siring the likes of Mira Sorvino and Sandra Bullock (in Mimic and The Net respectively). But in The Golden Bowl he again proves himself an excellent ensemble player, just as he did last year in The Winslow Boy and The Ideal Husband. Acting with an all-star cast - in this case, Nick Nolte, Uma Thurman and Kate Beckinsale - can't be for the faint-hearted. \"Terrifying,\" agrees Northam. \"I was pretty frightened starting out. But it was not a competitive environment. We all had our particular concerns and worries but we were all of the same mind.\" In fact, the reports of on-set dramas of the non-scripted kind might suggest a rather different atmosphere. (There was an alleged incident - which Northam's PR had warned me in advance not to mention - when Beckinsale's husband, the Welsh actor Michael Sheen, punched him on the nose.) But Northam claims he was plagued by only one real concern once filming began: \"I was anxious about playing this very desirable man. Amerigo is desired by both Kate and Uma. That is a bit of a mindf--- to start with.\" The beginning of The Golden Bowl is a tangled affair: Amerigo is to marry the wealthy Maggie (Beckinsale), who is ignorant of his earlier love affair with her impoverished best friend Charlotte (Thurman), who, in turn, ends up marrying Maggie's father (Nolte). The story then does the very opposite of unfold; indeed, its knots tighten further still. \"It gradually dawned on us all that all our characters were culpable,\" says Northam. \"I remember at one point Uma said to me 'You are lying to me now,' and I said, 'No I am not because I hadn't read the line like that.' And she said, 'Oh yes, I see what you mean, but I don't agree.' There are these incredible shifting perspectives.\" Northam admits that he wasn't initially keen on doing the film - \"I can't say I was crying out to do a period movie at the time, but it was just so beautifully written.\" This must be a recurring problem, given that he has recently finished working on Enigma, based on Robert Harris's Second World War novel (\"I play a complete bastard!\" he exclaims with glee), and is currently filming an adaptation of A. S. Byatt's Possession, in which he plays the Victorian love interest alongside Jennifer Ehle. \"At the moment I am looking to do something more contemporary again, but then I am always bleating on about that.\" Northam first decided an actor's life was for him when he was about 16. \"I was not one of those kids who had a fantastic, elaborate toy theatre or was six months old when I wrote my first play. I think it was partly when my parents moved to Bristol [where his father was an academic] and you could see all this incredible range of stuff at the theatre, and I did some school plays. Then a couple moved in on our street who were involved in theatre and it was through talking to them that I realised it was a practical possibility, that it wasn't just some sort of teenage masturbation fantasy . . . although it probably still is. \"It was not that I had this particular talent - I have always had to work at acting, but I think it was the work that appealed. The very fact that acting was ephemeral and hard to grasp made it seem all the more wonderful. I still do feel that.\" Between school and college Northam spent a year working backstage at the Bristol Hippodrome. \"I can still remember word-for-word Danny La Rue in Aladdin [he switches to a terrifyingly camp accent, like the child-catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang] . . . 'Good evening, boys and girls. This "}, {"response": 869, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (07:41)", "body": "Any volunteers? ;-) Thanks, Mari. No doubt if you are Jeremy Northam, life is one long obstacle course of flustered females spilling things, dropping things, tripping over things, so I imagine you do get a routine off-pat. But he does seem remarkably nice for a heart-throb. Yes, he does. :-D"}, {"response": 870, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (08:07)", "body": "Yes, they are lined up around the block. ;-) An old director friend of mine once said to me that for your partner when you are working, it is like you are having an affair.\" What are the cons? ;-)"}, {"response": 871, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (09:26)", "body": "Mari, thanks. I did enjoy the article , not least because he is a \"local\" boy. He was at school with a good friend of mine, who now professes to have no memories of him in particular and is irritatingly vague about it! BTW how many of You do I have to queque behind? tee hee"}, {"response": 872, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (10:01)", "body": "He was at school with a good friend of mine, who now professes to have no memories of him in particular and is irritatingly vague about it! Are there no yearbook pictures?"}, {"response": 873, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (10:47)", "body": "Good point Karen. I'll ask him to dig them out, but I will live in hope!"}, {"response": 874, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (10:48)", "body": "Thanks Mari..he does sound like a nice guy...except for that Kate Beckinsale incident;-)) There was an alleged incident - which Northam's PR had warned me in advance not to mention - when Beckinsale's husband, the Welsh actor Michael Sheen, punched him on the nose.) Thnaks for the Speak with the Angel Benefit. I have read most of the stories and have enjoyed them all."}, {"response": 875, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (13:08)", "body": "Am off to parts north tomorrow for family and football. Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate the holiday!"}, {"response": 876, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (13:44)", "body": "I am off to watch men dance half naked... up close and WAY too personal..."}, {"response": 877, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (15:33)", "body": "Happy Thanksgiving!"}, {"response": 878, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (17:02)", "body": "Nevah! LOL!"}, {"response": 879, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (17:07)", "body": "Thanks Tracy...it's my favorite holiday! No gifts, no cards, no decorations. Eat, drink, and be merry!"}, {"response": 880, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (17:19)", "body": "Happy Thanksgiving!!! To those who don't live in the U.S. have a really nice Thursday."}, {"response": 881, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (17:24)", "body": "It's my favorite holiday too. But we gobble, gobble, hey! (Old Ramones tune) :-) We just wrapped up the Miami Book Fair Intl and at the party last weekend that Bushnel broad (I never use this but it fits her), stripped and jumped into the pool to be followed by three other men. I have never seen her show, but I am sure it must be as sleezy as she is."}, {"response": 882, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (18:05)", "body": "Happy Thanksgiving everyone"}, {"response": 883, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (18:51)", "body": "**Horrors**! I am ashamed and embarrassed to admit that I have only just discovered Sophie Thompson was with Colin in Tumbledown, and was also in Persuasion, Emma (the movie) and 4 Weddings and a Funeral. Here she has been right under my nose for so long, but I've only just noticed! Shame on me! Oh, yes and ..."}, {"response": 884, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (18:54)", "body": "(Moon)We just wrapped up the Miami Book Fair Intl and at the party last weekend that Bushnel broad (I never use this but it fits her), stripped and jumped into the pool to be followed by three other men. I have never seen her show, but I am sure it must be as sleezy as she is. Oooh, funny tidbit Moon. You're talking about Candace Bushnell who wrote Sex & the City, right? Sounds like she's desperate to be the center of attention and certainly skinny dipping at a party is not a particularly classy move once one exits the terrible teens - and at a book fair of all places. However, while the show based on her book (I don't think she writes the show BTW but seems more than happy to take credit for it!) is quite raunchy, it is absolutely hilarious. It is a rare television program that can make me laugh out loud. Surely I'm not the only SATC fan out there, am I ;-)?"}, {"response": 885, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (22:41)", "body": "(KJ) I am ashamed and embarrassed to admit that I have only just discovered Sophie Thompson was with Colin in Tumbledown During the RV promo activity, Sophie said she'd never worked with Colin before. But that can be easily explained. She's never *with* Colin in any scene. She just hides up in her bedroom. (Jana) Surely I'm not the only SATC fan out there, am I ;-)? Heavens no! Never was a fan of Chris Noth, but there's no one like Big... ;-) (and I like Carrie & Crew as well; Mike B reminds me of Sam's boyfriend who shopped in the boys dept at Bloomies)"}, {"response": 886, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (23:29)", "body": "*hee hee* love this plus the allegations that the game was rigged to produce the winner during sweeps. Can't believe that her win was tipped in advance to ensure higher ratings. And even I knew the answer to the big million pound question. From The Times: TV race goes to the tape THE BBC is demanding a Florida-style recount in the ratings battle that saw the million-pound quizmaster Chris Tarrant trounce the dying Victor Meldrew. The war of words over Judith Keppel\ufffds triumph on ITV\ufffds Who Wants to be a Millionaire? heated up as overnight viewing figures indicated that the quiz was the clear winner. But the BBC claimed that when people who recorded One Foot in the Grave were counted, the comedy might have scored more viewers. The contest will be officially settled in nine days when the Broadcasters\ufffd Audience Research Board publishes its ratings, including video viewers. The Who Wants to be a Millionaire? episode was recorded on Sunday and the news leaked the next day, before the show was pitted against Victor Meldrew\ufffds much-hyped death. Richard Wilson, who plays Meldrew, waded in to suggest that the broadcast of the win was a set-up. \ufffdI think it was planned,\ufffd he reportedly said. The quiz usually attracts about 2.4 million viewers more than One Foot in the Grave, but on Monday the gap passed three million. Who Wants to be a Millionaire? had an average of 13.9 million viewers, peaking at 14.9 million, while One Foot in the Grave attracted an average of 10.7 million, peaking at 11.6 million as Meldrew died. The BBC refuses to accept defeat, however, insisting that millions must have watched the quiz and taped the comedy. It said: \ufffdWe reckon at least two million people would have videoed One Foot. Most people choosing between the two would have watched Millionaire.\ufffd ITV agreed. The extent of Ms Keppel\ufffds luck with her questions became clearer when she disclosed that, when playing at home, she often loses before \ufffd1,000 because she knows so little about pop music and sport. None of her 15 questions was about pop and only one on sport: \ufffdIn which sport do two teams pull at the opposite ends of a rope?\ufffd The answer, tug of war, was worth \ufffd1,000."}, {"response": 887, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Nov 22, 2000 (03:08)", "body": "Impressed by your knowledge of Eleanor of Aquitaine, Karen. However, I will attempt to increase your education. British schools do not generally have yearbooks ... or proms ... or people most likely to go on and do something or other ... or votes for class president ... or classes of 89 etc ... or high school graduation ... or grade numbers. Lack of organisation, I know - but normally once a year there'll be a photo of the whole school in a group, however, so some remnant may survive."}, {"response": 888, "author": "aishling", "date": "Wed, Nov 22, 2000 (04:49)", "body": "HAPPY THANKSGIVING"}, {"response": 889, "author": "aishling", "date": "Wed, Nov 22, 2000 (05:10)", "body": "Try again"}, {"response": 890, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Nov 22, 2000 (07:37)", "body": "Happy Thanksgiving American Friends!"}, {"response": 891, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 22, 2000 (08:20)", "body": "(Mark) Impressed by your knowledge of Eleanor of Aquitaine, Karen Hasn't everyone (of a certain age) seen Lion in Winter? Or most anything to do with Robin Hood? ;-) Shame about the lack of school photos."}, {"response": 892, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Nov 22, 2000 (09:32)", "body": "To all our cyberbuddies - enjoy the holiday, give thanks for good food and fellowship, and then get back to your PC and post more goodies! :-)"}, {"response": 893, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 22, 2000 (09:43)", "body": "My very best wishes for a great Thanksgiving. I can see that we will all be quite busy tomorrow. We are having a cold front in Miami and I love it! It really gets me in the mood for the Holidays."}, {"response": 894, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 22, 2000 (09:56)", "body": "(Mark)However, I will attempt to increase your education. British schools do not generally have yearbooks ... or proms ... or people most likely to go on and do something or other ... or votes for class president ... or classes of 89 etc ... or high school graduation ... or grade numbers. Wot? Why else go to school;-) Gobble, Gobble , Gobble...Eat til you Wobble"}, {"response": 895, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 22, 2000 (09:57)", "body": "I did so finish it...aw, use your imagination!"}, {"response": 896, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 22, 2000 (10:13)", "body": "I like this one: Happy Thanksgiving and have fun shopping. ;-)"}, {"response": 897, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Nov 23, 2000 (03:10)", "body": "A very happy Thanksgiving to all who give thanks And don't worry about us poor slobs in work."}, {"response": 898, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Nov 23, 2000 (08:53)", "body": "And don't worry about us poor slobs in work. That's ok, Mark. You can rub it in on Boxing Day when most Americans are back at work. Happy Thanksgiving! Off to Mom's for turkey (not fish). ;-)"}, {"response": 899, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Nov 23, 2000 (14:40)", "body": "(Moon)We are having a cold front in Miami and I love it! It really gets me in the mood for the Holidays. Cold? In Miami? Impossible! ;-)"}, {"response": 900, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 26, 2000 (08:59)", "body": "Good article in The Sunday Times about the BBC's plans to get into big budget films and away from small-scale costume dramas. But more importantly, it states that (1) the new venture doesn't use license payers' fees but instead has financing from private sources in LA/London that will *oversee* distribution and (2) lack of financing has prevented BBC from capitalizing on its involvement in many films that went on to success, i.e., it had to hand over control to others because it could only provide a small portion of the total funding. http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2000/11/26/stinwenws03015.html"}, {"response": 901, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Nov 26, 2000 (09:35)", "body": "doesn't use license payers' fees I guess that puts a stop to disappointed customers' e-mails and calls. ;-) I foresee more riff-raff movies with the same-old/same-old theme. :-( BBC should stick to what it does best: costume drama/mysteries. There is so much that can be done; LeFanu, Wilkie Collins... etc."}, {"response": 902, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 26, 2000 (22:51)", "body": "I'll excerpt additional details from Screendaily's item on the BBC's foray into big-budget films: David Thompson, head of BBC Films, confirmed that the broadcaster has been talking to financiers about a fund for big-budget pictures. BBC Films recently unveiled a three-way development and production partnership for medium-budget pictures with Germany's Kinowelt and Spain's Lolafilm. Grrrrrr \"We are committed to establishing a long-term financing structure for larger budget pictures,\" Thompson said. \"Part of the thinking behind that is to ensure that talent that started out with the BBC is able to continue working with us.\" Will they ever outgrow this 'cradle to grave' attitude? UK distributor Redbus Film Distribution is expected to handle films from the fund through its output deal for projects funded by BBC Worldwide. US distribution will be sought on big-budget projects, either on a title-by-title basis or with a regular partner. http://www.screendaily.com/shtml_files/story3335.shtml"}, {"response": 903, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 27, 2000 (07:37)", "body": "From Empire: Emma Thompson Fast Forwards 27/11/2000 Oscar-winning actress Emma Thompson is currently hard at work on a screenplay with High Fidelity writer Nick Hornby. In an interview with PeopleNews, Hornby was asked about the project with Thompson and explained. 'it\ufffds a romantic comedy called Fast Forward, about a woman who discovers a video cassette of her life and tries to change her future.' Hornby and Thompson live pretty close to each other in North London, but as Hornby explains, the screenplay project came about in a roundabout way. 'I did a treatment that was sent to Emma in an actress capacity. She liked it, and wanted to talk about it - so much so that I suggested we wrote the script together. It\ufffds an amazing experience, because she is just so smart.'"}, {"response": 904, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 27, 2000 (15:39)", "body": "Mmmm, Evelyn's going to be pleased as punch to read that Simon Russell Beale won the Evening Standard award today for Best Actor for his Hamlet. This was included in the article: \"The Evening Standard's theatre critic Nicholas de Jongh wrote of his performance: 'Hamlet will never be the same again. Simon Russell Beale triumphantly confounded the belief that the prince ought to be played by a romantic leading man with youth, sex appeal and a fine physique.'\" *snort* What a backhanded compliment! Sorry, Donna. :-("}, {"response": 905, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, Nov 27, 2000 (19:53)", "body": "LOL. I can't imagine sitting through 3 hours of him. :-)"}, {"response": 906, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 27, 2000 (21:50)", "body": "(BBC)\"Part of the thinking behind that is to ensure that talent that started out with the BBC is able to continue working with us.\" (Karen)Will they ever outgrow this 'cradle to grave' attitude? AKA \"Prisoners of BBC\". (Gag, Gag.) (Karen)... Evelyn's going to be pleased as punch to read that Simon Russell Beale won the Evening Standard award today for Best Actor for his Hamlet. Gag, Gag again. I wouldn't walk across the street to see Simon Russell Beale. Besides ..he's ugly."}, {"response": 907, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 28, 2000 (08:45)", "body": "Oh no!!!!!!!!!!! From Empire: Pie Duo Helm Hornby\ufffds Latest 28/11/2000 Nick Hornby\ufffds third novel About a Boy may finally have found a director, but fans of the book may be surprised, and possibly dismayed, to learn that taking up the camera will be Chris and Paul Weitz, most famous for pastry-shagging teen comedy American Pie. The pair responsible for American Pie\ufffds special brand of gross-out humour are certainly an odd choice to bring Hornby\ufffds new-man-centred tale to the big screen. The story follows 36-year-old bachelor Will Lightman, played by Hugh Grant, for whom commitment is the root of all evil. Drawn to single mothers who, he believes, will be less likely to tie him down, Will finds his plans for meaningless relationship bliss complicated when he becomes attached to the 12-year-old son of his latest conquest. Retaining the book\ufffds North London setting, this Robert De Niro produced project was originally due to be helmed by Wings of The Dove director Iain Softley until casting disagreements caused him to pull out. Hornby\ufffds sensitive tale of bonding between young boy and big kid is hard to reconcile with the Weitz brothers\ufffd propensity for bodily fluids and knob gags. With hordes of Hornby fans still bristling over the Americanising of High Fidelity, the pair will have to tread very carefully indeed."}, {"response": 908, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 28, 2000 (09:14)", "body": "Here's the original Variety report, without the snide editorializing... Weitzes to Give 'Boy' Direction LONDON (Variety) - Male sensitivity is the trademark of Brit novelist Nick Hornby. Chris and Paul Weitz are better known for promoting unnatural acts with a warm apple pie. But in an unlikely coupling, the brothers behind teen comedy hit \"American Pie\" are now set to direct the big screen adaptation of Hornby\"s most recent novel \"About a Boy.\" Hugh Grant has long been in the frame to play the lead -- a wealthy, 36-year-old layabout whose fear of commitment leads him to seek out relationships with single mothers on the grounds that they are easier to leave. But his plans go awry when he becomes best friends with the 12-year-old son of his latest target. The film shoots next March in the U.K. New Line paid $2.75 million three years ago for the then-unpublished manuscript of Hornby's novel. The original version of the screenplay, penned by Peter Hedges (\"What\"s Eating Gilbert Grape\"), kept the North London setting but rewrote the central character as an American. Iain Softley (\"Backbeat\") was attached to direc but dropped out over casting disagreements. Hornby\"s two previous books, \"High Fidelity\" and \"Fever Pitch,\" have also been filmed. ******** Now my editorializing: Interesting that a director with integrity bowed out over casting disagreements, so they've signed directors without any integrity whatsoever. ;-)"}, {"response": 909, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Nov 28, 2000 (11:04)", "body": "(shudder) This must be a film to avoid at all costs..."}, {"response": 910, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 28, 2000 (12:08)", "body": "Chris and Paul Weitz are better known for promoting unnatural acts with a warm apple pie (shudder) This must be a film to avoid at all costs.. What? Can't directors change?...Go mainstream? Look at Neil Le Bute;-)) With hordes of Hornby fans still bristling over the Americanising of High Fidelity,... 'About a Boy' should be so lucky as to have the success of 'High Fidelity'....great little movie."}, {"response": 911, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Nov 28, 2000 (16:19)", "body": "(Evelyn)'About a Boy' should be so lucky as to have the success of 'High Fidelity'....great little movie. It's probable that it will have more success than Fever Pitch... Colin won't be in it :-("}, {"response": 912, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 29, 2000 (08:24)", "body": "Not that this is necessarily true or that we care, but DS's comments at the end about being so close to the audience were interesting. Always wondered... West End For Tom & Nicole? 29/11/2000 Theatre purists in London can date the invasion of Hollywood stars on to the West End stage to Nicole Kidman's stint at the Donmar Warehouse two years ago. Now it seems, she's on her way back, this time with husband Tom Cruise in tow. Empire Online caught up with actor Dougray Scott in London this week who shared with us the rumour that the Cruises are planning a joint venture in London. \"I hear the whisper that Tom and Nicole may - the word is 'may' - be going into the Donmar,' Dougray told us. 'I have heard talk about it. I think it will be fantastic, they are both terrific actors. The security will be interesting though, I mean how will they allow people to get so close to them on stage. Dougray, who is himself finishing up a run in Sam Mendes production of To The Green Fields Beyond at the Donmar, went on to say; \"I think they should both go there, together, I think they will have a wonderful time. I did. It is an extraordinary theatre because you are so close to the audience. It freaks some actors out. It excites me; I love it when you get so close to the front row. You are kind of emoting and getting very passionate and the spittle goes on to the front of the audience in the auditorium.\""}, {"response": 913, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Nov 29, 2000 (09:04)", "body": "(Karen) (Dougray) I love it when you get so close to the front row. LOL, and we love it too! Spittle and all. :-)"}, {"response": 914, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Nov 29, 2000 (10:59)", "body": "(Dougray) You are kind of emoting and getting very passionate and the spittle goes on to the front of the audience LOL! Interesting way of putting it... (Dougray)...they [Tom & Nichole] are both terrific actors. As long as the play's about a motivational speaker, yeah, I guess you could say that."}, {"response": 915, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 29, 2000 (23:05)", "body": "Was reading about the Queen attending the opening of the new Rada facility. Lots of grads there. Liked this bit from The Times: \"Many of the Academy\ufffds alumni were on hand to greet a woman whose theatrical role comes naturally to her. Lord Attenborough, chairman of RADA, was suitable effusive, while Ralph Fiennes explained in reply to her inquiry as to whether he mainly did films, that he had recently been touring America with Richard II and Coriolanus.\" Guess she doesn't get to Shoreditch much..."}, {"response": 916, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Dec  1, 2000 (04:06)", "body": "For anyone that is still interested in Armadillo, this from Baz today:(shortened version) Catherine McCormack is to play the beautiful thespian, Flavia Malinverno. She will start filming as soon as she completes working on the movie, Spy Game in January. Stephen Rea and James Fox will also appear in the series. No roles mentioned."}, {"response": 917, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Dec  1, 2000 (05:48)", "body": "SR & JF will also appear in the series Could it be Hogg & Torquil?"}, {"response": 918, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Dec  1, 2000 (08:00)", "body": "So if the filming date is Jan. why is Colin not in it? Thanks, Aishling."}, {"response": 919, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  1, 2000 (08:04)", "body": "This is quite a good cast, Aishling. CMcC won't do her parts till January? Seems like they are only getting started now, if they're announcing all these other cast members. (Ann) Could it be Hogg & Torquil? Reversed. James Fox seems more like a Hogg, being older, etc."}, {"response": 920, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Dec  1, 2000 (08:24)", "body": "Talk about busy CMcM had done 4 films in 2000 and has Armadillo already lined up for 2001, why don't our guys get offered this many projects!!!"}, {"response": 921, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Dec  1, 2000 (08:25)", "body": "or one guy in particular!"}, {"response": 922, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  1, 2000 (10:29)", "body": "From People News : Penguin throws its writers together on a double-decker Penguin Books have come up with a novel and some might say undignified way of promoting their authors - bundling them into a double-decker bus and shipping them around the bookshops of London. Poor old Sir Paddy Ashdown, Zadie Smith, Nick Hornby, Alain de Botton, Lisa Jewell, Toby Litt, Tom Sutcliffe and Julia Llewellyn Smith have been cajoled into roaring around the capital in a bus, stopping off to sign their books for one day, 7 December. Their route will take in the book emporia of Kensington, Notting Hill, Piccadilly, Charing Cross Road and Oxford Street. 'I suppose it's a good idea, but we're going to look pretty stupid,' says one of the 22 writers taking part. 'I am dreading it - we'll look like tourists.'"}, {"response": 923, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Dec  1, 2000 (11:20)", "body": "Tuesday Penguin had their lovely annual authors party at the National Portrait Gallery. Hmm That bus tour sounds like an awful idea."}, {"response": 924, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Dec  1, 2000 (13:03)", "body": "As you say Karen, a good cast, which makes me even sadder that CF it not involved, oh well let's hope that he wasn't overlooked in favour of JF but has some major project lined up for January, maybe MOB, although having said that I can't imagine them filming high up in the Lake District in mid-winter. I know this is just fantasizing but don't you think it would be great if Colin were the 3rd cast member for Design for Living, I would love to see him on Broadway, and after all he is friends of both JE & Alan Cummings!!! I can always dream!!"}, {"response": 925, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  1, 2000 (13:36)", "body": "(Ann)I know this is just fantasizing but don't you think it would be great if Colin were the 3rd cast member for Design for Living I'd rather you fantasized about this than MOB. ;-)"}, {"response": 926, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec  1, 2000 (17:56)", "body": "(Ann)I know this is just fantasizing but don't you think it would be great if Colin were the 3rd cast member for Design for Living (Karen)I'd rather you fantasized about this than MOB. ;-) It is a lovely fantasy except that Otto, the painter is also gay:-(( Or at best AC/DC. OK, you've inspired me to call Roundabout next week. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thanks Aishling.... Cath Mc will make a great Flavia...but she'll have to be a brunette. Stephen Rea, super actor...remember him in The End of the Affair? I have him down for Torquil. (Aw...let's now open up an Armadillo Topic, too depressing) The guy *must * have another job lined up, as you say, Ann.Why would he reject his good friend, SB's project.I like JF, but who would pick him over ODB."}, {"response": 927, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec  2, 2000 (08:54)", "body": "Isobel Montgomery of the Guardian has a snapshot review of Speaking with the Angel today: If you haven't heard Hornby talking about the Treehouse, the school his autistic son attends, read the introduction. Otherwise rummage through this excellent collection of short stories that Hornby's friends have donated to raise funds. The cause is worthy and Hornby's contributors - Melissa Bank, John O'Farrell, Robert Harris, and Patrick Marber, among others - have given excellent work rather than castoffs, so this reads like a compendium of the kind of writing that newspapers and magazines would pay dearly to publish in their Christmas issues. Don't feel virtuous: charity is only a by-product of this very good sampler of contemporary literature."}, {"response": 928, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Dec  2, 2000 (15:30)", "body": "(Evelyn) It is a lovely fantasy except that Otto, the painter is also gay:-(( As Jeremy Northam says in Happy, Texas, \"So we have to be gay. How hard can that be?\" ;-) BTW, Happy, T is a \"must-rent\" for any JN fan. Yum. Am surprised there haven't been any Hugh Grant articles to promote Small Time Crooks (unless I've missed something). Was hoping we might get some BJD tidbits."}, {"response": 929, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec  3, 2000 (10:58)", "body": "No mention of Colin, but Three Days of Rain is playing in Dublin. There's a small blurb (and pic) in the Sunday Times, but a longer one from the Irish Times. It's more about the actor than about the play... Peter Hanly has so skilfully and completely shrugged off Ambrose's Garda uniform that watching him in Three Days of Rain, Rough Magic's new production at the Project, it is difficult to believe he was ever one of the main characters in Ballykissangel. In the first half of the urbane family drama, he is Walker the mad or bad or simply eccentric son of a famous New York architect. In the second act he plays Ned, the architect father complete with a stutter and a flawless American accent. In the first, a brother, played by Hanly, and his sister, together with their long-time friend, meet for the reading of their father's will. In the second half the same actors play their parents in a clever theatrical device that explores such emotionally-charged family dynamics as the impossibility of children ever understanding, or even truly knowing, their parents. It is set in New York in the 1960s and the 1990s. To prepare for the role, Hanly went to voice coach Andrea Ainsworth to perfect his American accent. He also went to the Irish Stammerers' Association because the father character has a pronounced speech defect. [...] Three Days of Rain is at the Project Theatre, Dublin until December 16th http://www.ireland.com/dublin/entertainment/theatre/hanly.htm"}, {"response": 930, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec  3, 2000 (12:17)", "body": "To prepare for the role, Hanly went to voice coach Andrea Ainsworth to perfect his American accent. He also went to the Irish Stammerers'Association because the father character has a pronounced speech defect. Clever of this actor to do this...I always thought that Colin should have made Ned's stammer more pronounced to differentiate him from Walker.Instead he chose to play Walker more manic."}, {"response": 931, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec  3, 2000 (12:30)", "body": "You wonder how they would assess \"flawless American accent.\" ;-) However, I thought the bit about his coaching and the stammerers assn was interesting. Agree about CF's lack of stammer. Has always bothered me."}, {"response": 932, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sun, Dec  3, 2000 (20:07)", "body": "he chose to play Walker more manic Wouldn't the director have perhaps something to say...?"}, {"response": 933, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec  3, 2000 (20:13)", "body": "I doubt it... ~~~~~~~~~~ Hey Moon....in the European Film Awards : European Cinematographer 2000 Award went to Vittorio Storaro's for work on Carlos Saura's \"Goya In Bordeaux\"."}, {"response": 934, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (07:59)", "body": "I have always said that Storaro is the best cinematographer around. That is the only thing that saves CSs films, IMO. I have seen Storaro do better with Bertolucci. Let us not forget that all those Europeans are very pretentious and Goya is a very pretencious film."}, {"response": 935, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (08:01)", "body": "The official press info is out for Armadillo. Frain isn't even mentioned. This is from The Hollywood Reporter: A&E/BBC start 'Armadillo' (Mon., Dec. 4, 2000) By Brett Sporich Flush with critical success on its longform original telepic \"Longitude,\" A&E/BBC begins production today in London on the three-hour feature \"Armadillo,\" starring Stephen Rea (\"The Crying Game\") and Catherine McCormack (\"Braveheart\"). Novelist William Boyd adapted the screenplay from his novel \"Armadillo,\" a dark comedy-thriller that explores the financial, insurance and music worlds of contemporary London. \"We knew that 'Longitude' would be a critical success, but when it also was a ratings success, it encouraged us to continue with our slate of British programming,\" A&E Network senior vp programming Allen Sabinson said. \"It's not a matter of whether it's produced in England or America. It's a matter of whether or not it's good. And 'Armadillo' is very good.\" Directed by Howard Davies, \"Armadillo\" is being produced by Sue Birtwistle with Delia Fine representing A&E as executive producer and Jane Tranter executive producing for the BBC. \"Armadillo\" is slated to air on A&E late next year."}, {"response": 936, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (10:15)", "body": "Thanks, Karen. What a pathetic excuse for a press release, not to even have the star's name in it. And I realize Longitude was the most recent collaboration, but sorry, that was a bore. Like watching a clock tick.;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 937, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (11:07)", "body": "\"Longitude\" wasn't that the one with Jeremy Irons and Michael Gambon? Omygod...that was a real ZZZZZ. I guess the reason they didn't have JF's name is because he isn't as well known in the trade as the other two that have starred in US films. Not yet, anyway. A&E Network senior vp programming Allen Sabinson ... Hey Heide, that's a name to jot down for future blitzing for P&P re-shows."}, {"response": 938, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (11:34)", "body": "another one...I think Jane Tranter was also a producer for DQ."}, {"response": 939, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (17:12)", "body": "I have dutifully brought this over from topic 131. But Moon, every major player's contract has a \"sell by\" date in it, i.e., project needs to wrap up by such and such date or else the actor can withdraw. Colin has stated himself at the reading that he has no other project lined up. Also, when an actor wants to do a certain project, he will stick around for a longer time. (See Eyes Wide Shut with Tom & Nicole) (Mari), I don't know of any other producer involved. Because you see one name as producer listed does not mean that they are the only backers. In fact, the producer gets money from different people or organizations, depending on the project. Apart from BJD, which was written for him, and would have been such a mistake not to cast him because those readers/bookbuyers are its audience and Colin was a big part of it. Apart from BJD, Colin has not really been offered any juicy parts. Armadillo would have been a juicy part, a starring role, which IMO, is exactly what he should be aiming at. \"Armadillo\" is being produced by Sue Birtwistle with Delia Fine representing A&E as executive producer and Jane Tranter executive producing for the BBC. As you see, these producers are also working with others. It is the usual case of too many indians not enough chiefs. I think Jane Tranter was also a producer for DQ. If she was and seeing what a hard time they had with DQ starring CF, she may have had something to do with his removal. This is all conjecture, but until I am proven wrong... Sorry Echo, I do not see Colin quitting such a good role because of a disagreement over the script that he was helping Boyd write."}, {"response": 940, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (17:50)", "body": "Actually, all those producers are employed by either BBC or A&E. They are not independent producers. The project is being co-financed by A&E and BBC. I doubt we will ever know or understand what changed with this project, but it's my feeling that he left it."}, {"response": 941, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (20:03)", "body": "(Moon) Colin has stated himself at the reading that he has no other project lined up. I didn't say he did; I only speculated that he might have another obligation. May not be career-related. (Moon) Also, when an actor wants to do a certain project, he will stick around for a longer time. (See Eyes Wide Shut with Tom & Nicole) This ain't Kubrick, it's a TV movie.;-) BTW, Delia Fine's office (the A&E exec producer mentioned in the press release) is the one I had called. I know you're disappointed, Moon. I am too. Three hours of CF in the lead would have been nice. But, let's think positively. Though he may not have something else signed, maybe there are some interesting irons in the fire, possibly in anticipation of his (hopefully) higher profile in BJD. Armadillo wouldn't have done much for his big screen profile. If it's any consolation, William Boyd's latest, The Trench, is/was having a limited release here and got panned. So, Armadillo is not a slam dunk. Honestly, I'd feel much worse if it were a big screen project that he turned down."}, {"response": 942, "author": "Echo", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (20:31)", "body": ""}, {"response": 943, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (23:09)", "body": ""}, {"response": 944, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (23:15)", "body": "Perhaps we should take up a collection so that Spring Drool can be a character in NH's next book...or maybe Sebastian Faulks' or Louis de Louis de Bernieres' Readers to bid to be characters in books Literature fans could find themselves on the pages of their hero's next book, thanks to an unusual charity auction. Some of the world's best loved writers have offered to sell bidders the right to have characters in the authors' next books named after them. Authors taking part include Louis de Bernieres, Hanif Kureishi, Sebastian Faulks and Nick Hornby. Money raised from the auction will go to the charity The Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture which helps people ranging from former POWs of the Japanese in the Second World War to asylum seekers fleeing persecution. Award-winning writer Jim Crace, who is taking part in the project, said: \"Hopefully, people who feel passionately about literature will see this as a great opportunity to grab 15 paragraphs of fame although, of course, if they bid a great deal of money they are going to want a bigger showing than that.\" The auction, which is sponsored by bol.com is being held at the British Academy of Film and Television in London."}, {"response": 945, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Dec  5, 2000 (03:12)", "body": "Sorry Echo, I do not see Colin quitting such a good role because of a disagreement over the script that he was helping Boyd write. Sorry to make one of my rare postings with such an undrooly comment but do you think that perhaps on reflection the producers and even Colin himself thought that he was a bit, dare I say it, old for the part? Lorrimer is said to be v early 30's which is getting a bit of a stretch for a man of 40. James Frain is 31. It might account for Colin's comments in a recent interview when he dwelt on the fact that he was now too old to play certain parts. Think I shall just put my hard hat on and hide in this nice hole"}, {"response": 946, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Dec  5, 2000 (04:00)", "body": "I think you may be right Allison, may I bring my hard hat and join you in your nice hole!! I have to say on reading Armadillo, I was beginning to get the feeling that Colin was perhaps not quite right for the role but I am still disappointed that we shall not be seeing him in a 3hour starring role on TV."}, {"response": 947, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Tue, Dec  5, 2000 (05:12)", "body": "Have none of you read THR? James Frain is no longer in the running. It is Stephen Rea."}, {"response": 948, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec  5, 2000 (07:17)", "body": "Lassie, have you not read message 935 (and subsequent others) above from yesterday?"}, {"response": 949, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Dec  5, 2000 (07:53)", "body": ""}, {"response": 950, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  5, 2000 (08:07)", "body": "Allison, while that could be a possibility, I wouldn't think so. The actual age of a *male* lead never seems to matter all that much...if he has box office appeal. The pairing of Colin and Catherine McC would've worked fine. Besides, if RF can play a 20-ish man in Sunshine, then Colin can certainly play someone in his 30s."}, {"response": 951, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec  5, 2000 (10:15)", "body": "Allison, you raised a good point that has been discussed before. Though I liked the book v. much and Milos is a good part..a few years ago perhaps. I wish he would have bowed out of SLOW too! Jeremy Irons knew what he was doing;-) RF is younger than Colin ..esp now with the weight loss...though not as handsome. ~~~~~~~ Lassie, I don't dare call JF's agent again! ~~~~~~~~~ Spring Drool can be a character in NH's next book.. Yessssss.I'm for that!!Or maybe we could draw straws:-)"}, {"response": 952, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  5, 2000 (12:12)", "body": "Here is the COMPLETE press release from A&E. This should put things to rest. A&E AND BBC TO BEGIN PRODUCTION ON WILLIAM BOYD'S \"ARMADILLO\" STARRING JAMES FRAIN, CATHERINE MCCORMACK AND STEPHEN REA NEW YORK, NY December 4, 2000 - A&E/BBC will begin production December 4 on a three-hour original movie, ARMADILLO, starring Academy Award nominee Stephen Rea (The Crying Game, Michael Collins) and Catherine McCormack (Braveheart, Shadow of the Vampire), it was announced today by Allen Sabinson, Senior Vice President, Programming, A&E Network. Critically acclaimed novelist William Boyd (A Good Man In Africa) has adapted the screenplay of his novel Armadillo, as a darkly comedic thriller that re-invents the eccentric squalor of film noir against the backdrop of contemporary London. The film also stars James Frain (Hilary and Jackie, Reindeer Games) as Lorimer Black, a handsome, put-upon insurance adjuster, and James Fox (Remains of the Day, Patriot Games, A Passage to India) as Sir Simon Sherriffmuir. ARMADILLO will be filmed in London. The premiere date for the 3-hour film has not been scheduled at this time. ARMADILLO finds Lorimer Black becoming increasingly entangled in a conspiracy that appears to involve everyone he's ever met. When he finds a hanged man on what was supposed to be a perfectly ordinary business appointment, Lorimer realizes his own life is about to be turned upside down. The deeper he delves into the morass, the more his past comes to light -- a past he would just as soon forget. To further complicate matters, Lorimer must contend with his feelings for a beautiful -- and married -- actress named Flavia Malinverno (Catherine McCormack), and his dealings with an erratic and eccentric boss, George Hogg (Steven Rea). ARMADILLO is an A&E/Chestermead Ltd./BBC co-production. The film will be directed by Howard Davies; Emmy Award-nominee Sue Birtwistle (PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, EMMA, WIVES AND DAUGHTERS) is the producer; and William Boyd wrote the teleplay. The Costume Designer is Academy Award-winner Jenny Beavan (Room With A View, Sense & Sensibility, Howard's End), Delia Fine is the Executive Producer for A&E, and Jane Tranter is Executive Producer for the BBC. \"ARMADILLO is a work of dark comic genuis that reveals the financial, insurance and music worlds of today's booming London with a unique vision,\" said Sabinson. \"We're thrilled that director Howard Davies and producer Sue Birtwistle have been able to attract such a stellar cast and production team to a film that we know will find favour with our A&E viewers.\" Controller of BBC Drama Commissioning, Jane Tranter said: \"Sue Birtwistle and Howard Davies have gathered together an amazing cast for William Boyd's brilliant adaptation of his novel ARMADILLO which, combined with the sights and sounds of modern London, will be a treat for U.S. audiences. This production is firmly stamped with the BBC gold standard and and it is terrific to be working with A&E on a contemporary adaptation.\""}, {"response": 953, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  5, 2000 (12:17)", "body": "Two others in the cast are Conor Mullen (who was the best one in Saltwater) and Mathilda Ziegler."}, {"response": 954, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Dec  5, 2000 (12:30)", "body": "Well that's that then."}, {"response": 955, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec  5, 2000 (13:31)", "body": "Thanks Karen.... A pity the press release didn't mention the reason why Colin wasn't in it;-) evelyn, joining Allison in the bunker"}, {"response": 956, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec  5, 2000 (13:57)", "body": "(Press release) The film also stars James Frain Poor JF, relegated to 2nd paragraph. What, did they change it to Hogg's (Rea's) story?;-) Can picture it: \"Film-noirish tale of a middle-aged insurance bureaucrat caught in ethnic identity crisis having changed name to Hogg from . . .Hog.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 957, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Dec  5, 2000 (15:42)", "body": "You are so funny Mari, LOL.I needed that!"}, {"response": 958, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, Dec  5, 2000 (17:29)", "body": ""}, {"response": 959, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, Dec  5, 2000 (17:31)", "body": "LOL! I told you I wasn't perfect..."}, {"response": 960, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  5, 2000 (18:15)", "body": ""}, {"response": 961, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  5, 2000 (18:27)", "body": ""}, {"response": 962, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, Dec  5, 2000 (18:50)", "body": ""}, {"response": 963, "author": "aishling", "date": "Wed, Dec  6, 2000 (03:43)", "body": "Thanks Karen for the news on Armadillo."}, {"response": 964, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Dec  6, 2000 (05:24)", "body": ""}, {"response": 965, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Dec  6, 2000 (05:24)", "body": ""}, {"response": 966, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  6, 2000 (08:14)", "body": ""}, {"response": 967, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  6, 2000 (09:51)", "body": "Having never read any of the Adrian Mole books, but having heard they are better than Bridget, thought this was an interesting development: Paxman launches movie career Newsnight presenter stars in Adrian Mole film Jeremy Paxman, the famously combative host of BBC's Newsnight, is to make his acting debut in a new series based on the hugely popular Adrian Mole books. PeopleNews can reveal that the grand inquisitor will play a broadcaster with the instincts of a Rottweiler in an adaptation of Sue Townsend's bestseller, Adrian Mole - The Cappuccino Years. He has taken on the role for the six-part series which will be screened on BBC1 in the New Year. Paxman will be seen giving his usual Newsnight 'kebabing' of politicians as he grills Mole's girlfriend Pandora Braithwaite, who has risen to become a New Labour junior minister. However, Pandora, who is played by Cold Feet star Helen Baxendale, 'knows just how to handle Paxman and gives as good as she gets', according to insiders on the show."}, {"response": 968, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Dec  6, 2000 (14:33)", "body": ""}, {"response": 969, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Dec  6, 2000 (14:34)", "body": ""}, {"response": 970, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Dec  6, 2000 (14:59)", "body": "Is it deerhunting season? I gots me a biiiig gun :-D Thanks for the Armadillo info, Karen. (Mari) What, did they change it to Hogg's (Rea's) story?;-) Can picture it: \"Film-noirish tale of a middle-aged insurance bureaucrat caught in ethnic identity crisis having changed name to Hogg from . . .Hog.\" Hee hee! Agree we will never know the reason CF isn't involved in this project. Onward and upward, as they say."}, {"response": 971, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec  6, 2000 (15:07)", "body": ""}, {"response": 972, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec  6, 2000 (21:37)", "body": "OK! Film awards season has officially started (Evelyn and Ann, note Sunshine made their top 10): 'Quills,' Roberts Win Season's First Film Awards By Chris Michaud NEW YORK (Reuters) - ``Quills,'' a drama built around the French writer the Marquis de Sade, was named best film of the year by the National Board of Review on Wednesday, kicking off the movie honors season that culminates with the Academy Awards. The main acting awards both honored portrayals of real people. Best actress went to Julia Roberts, Hollywood's biggest female star, for her performance as a real-life legal crusader in ``Erin Brockovich,'' while Javier Bardem was named best actor for ``Before Night Falls,'' based on the memoirs of Cuban novelist and poet Reinaldo Arenas. The National Board of Review and other critics' associations' awards are seen as harbingers of Hollywood's Holy Grail -- the Oscars, which are handed out in March. ``Quills,'' a fictional story about freedom of speech and expression with the notorious French writer the Marquis de Sade at its center, beat out nine other films that the board also cited for excellence in what many critics considered a weak year. ``Quills'' stars Geoffrey Rush, Joaquin Phoenix, Kate Winslet and Michael Caine and is directed by Philip Kaufman. ``Traffic,'' ``Croupier,'' ``You Can Count on Me,'' ``Billy Elliot,'' ``Before Night Falls,'' ``Gladiator,'' ``Wonder Boys,'' ''Sunshine'' and ``Dancer in the Dark'' were the rest of the board's ``10 best films of 2000.'' Phoenix, Ontiveros, Soderbergh Also Honored Best supporting actor went to Phoenix for his performances in three films, ``Gladiator,'' ``Quills'' and ``The Yards'' while best supporting actress went to Lupe Ontiveros for the offbeat film ``Chuck and Buck.'' Steven Soderbergh was named best director for ``Erin Brockovich'' and ``Traffic,'' while Ted Tally won best screenplay for ``All the Pretty Horses.'' The National Board of Review also honored ``State and Main'' for best ensemble, and ``The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg'' as best documentary. ``Chicken Run'' won best animated feature. Best foreign film was Ang Lee's martial arts-inspired ''Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,'' and Krzysztof Kieslowski's ''Decalogue'' series was honored for outstanding achievement in foreign film. Michelle Rodriguez was cited for a breakthrough performance for ``Girlfight,'' about female boxers, while Jamie Bell was named outstanding young actor as the aspiring ballet dancer in the British hit ``Billy Elliot.'' ``Gladiator,'' director Ridley Scott's hit starring Russell Crowe set in ancient Rome, won for production design/art direction, while Sweden's Bjork received a nod for outstanding dramatic musical performance by an actress for ``Dancer in the Dark.'' The board will present actress Ellen Burstyn, seen on screens this year in a reissue of ``The Exorcist'' and several other films, a career achievement award when it hands out its honors on Jan. 16 at Manhattan's Tavern on the Green restaurant. Kenneth Lonergan, who wrote and directed the critical hit ''You Can Count on Me,'' also will be honored for special filmmaking achievement. The New York Film Critics Circle, considered among the most prestigious film awards, announces its winners on Dec. 13."}, {"response": 973, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  6, 2000 (22:33)", "body": "Oooh, such off-the-wall choices. Have seen 6 of their 10 best (and 2 haven't opened yet). Congrats on Sunshine, Ev. You can be sure there will be lots of \"for your consideration\" ads taken out for the film and probably three of its cast members. ;-)"}, {"response": 974, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec  7, 2000 (08:24)", "body": "Whooopeee for SUNSHINE. You can be sure there will be lots of \"for your consideration\" ads taken out for the film and probably three of its cast members. ;-) Sunday's LA Times Calendar movie ad section announced the re-release of Sunshine at Beverly Hills Laemmle's Music Hall starting this Friday. It appears Paramount Classics is pushing RF, JE, RH, WH(Wm. Hurt), Lajos Koltai (cinematography) and Maurice Jarre (music) for Oscar nominations. It will also be re-released in other parts of the country. Sorry Tineke, I'm doing my best to find out when it will open in Belgium...so far no luck. Or Denmark for Hanne. Some of the websites are mentioning Istvan Szabos (director) too. I know...it's an almost insurmountable longshot,but nice to see her mentioned. Even a good lesson in pronouncing her name:-)) (I know, ...Moon...DH did not like it...neither did Portugal;-))"}, {"response": 975, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Thu, Dec  7, 2000 (09:23)", "body": "I sent an e-mail to the Kinepolis people (Kinepolis owns all the big movie theatres in Belgium) and they said that Sunshine is probably going to be released in March. They also said they can't help it, they're not responsible for the releases. They gave me the phone number of ABC distribution. I haven't made the call yet."}, {"response": 976, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec  7, 2000 (10:35)", "body": "Great news fro Sunshine and the rest of the odd choices. Those odd films seem to always attract me. I am also happy for Bjork. I am a big fan. (I know, ...Moon...DH did not like it...neither did Portugal;-)) LOL! But I did! The last two films he liked were: The Horseman on the Roof and Cabeza de Vaca. But I loved them too and highly recommend them. I hope Quills opens soon. :-) Sounds like a must-see."}, {"response": 977, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec  7, 2000 (12:16)", "body": "I hope Quills opens soon. :-) Sounds like a must-see. You're gonna get frontal nudity of Geoffrey Rush;-) (I know... some of the people here are gonna say..\"Better than RF in Sunshine!) The Horseman on the Roof and Cabeza de Vaca. But I loved them too and highly recommend them. Where? When?Aside from Chicago, only the two coasts get these films. (Tineke)..they said that Sunshine is probably going to be released in March I'm working on Alliance in Canada who made the film...but probably didn't distribute it in Europe.Hey, in March we'll have the video..but it deserves to be seen on a big screen. (No remarks from the balcony on RF nudity;-) LOL You see, I know you all so well, I can anticipate your responses;-)"}, {"response": 978, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Dec  7, 2000 (12:28)", "body": "Okay okay, Eve... I'll keep quiet ;-)"}, {"response": 979, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  7, 2000 (13:09)", "body": "(Moon) The Horseman on the Roof and Cabeza de Vaca. But I loved them too and highly recommend them. (Evelyn) Where? When? Aside from Chicago, only the two coasts get these films. *cough* we don't get all of them either. Not sure if these ever played in the theaters here, but the Horseman has been out on vid for a couple of years. There was a preview for it in front of some other video and it looked good, so I rented it. Now I know why it didn't play in theaters. Never heard of the cow movie before. (No remarks from the balcony on RF nudity;-) *remarking from the peanut gallery* It was no big deal. ;-)"}, {"response": 980, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec  7, 2000 (15:07)", "body": "Begging your pardon, Horseman on the Roof did have a limited theatre release and I was lucky to have seen it. Alfredo Nu\ufffdez Cabeza de Vaca is the full title and Blockbuster here has it for rent. The cinematography is sublime and the story very engaging. It is not light fare."}, {"response": 981, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec  7, 2000 (15:15)", "body": "Alfredo Nu\ufffdez Cabeza de Vaca is the full title and Blockbuster here has it for rent.The cinematography is sublime Is it directed by Carlos Saura...our man for MOB? ( Standards are slipping a little bit as we get towards the end of the year and other projects are crumbling ;-)"}, {"response": 982, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  7, 2000 (17:26)", "body": "You know, besides the ads, the Oscar hopefuls all appear on the night time talk shows. Good thing JE will be in the US. Will make it easy for her to appear on Letterman. They all do it, however, unknown and obscure to our public."}, {"response": 983, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec  7, 2000 (17:40)", "body": "(Karen)Good thing JE will be in the US. Will make it easy for her to appear on Letterman. If she thinks she has to do *that*....she might bail-out of DFL;-)"}, {"response": 984, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec  7, 2000 (22:04)", "body": "Not Saura, Evelyn. He wishes to be that talented. I must find out who the cinematographer was because he can compete with Storaro."}, {"response": 985, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  8, 2000 (07:44)", "body": "The latest in our Carlos Saura watch (Day 266): Spanish mini-studio The Filmax Group is in final negotiations to pick up world rights on veteran director Carlos Saura\ufffds much-anticipated forthcoming feature Bunuel And King Salomon\ufffds Table (Bunuel Y La Mesa Del Rey Salomon)....Shooting on Bunuel began December 4 and will run through January 31."}, {"response": 986, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  8, 2000 (08:20)", "body": "Thought this looked like it may be interesting, a release about Working Titles' upcoming projects: LONDON -- Working Title Films has added \"The Poetess,\" directed by Mike Newell, and \"Guru of Sex\" helmed by Daisy Mayer, to its slate of productions for next year. Also in the works are Mel Smith's \"Black Ball,\" and the Rowan Atkinson vehicle \"Johnny English: A Touch of Weevil,\" to be directed by Peter Howitt. Meanwhile, the company's low-budget arm WT2, riding high from the success of \"Billy Elliot,\" is prepping \"My Little Eye\" and \"Ali G is in Da House.\" All these films are slated to shoot in the first half of 2001, ahead of the looming Hollywood strikes. Working Title is owned by Universal, and its films are co-financed by U and StudioCanal. \"The Poetess\" reunites Newell with Working Title for the first time since \"Four Weddings and a Funeral.\" It's an original screenplay by Will Davies about a romance between a female poet and a Cambridge don. The project was originally developed by Stacey Snider at Universal for Curtis Hanson to direct, but Hanson is now taking a producer credit. *************** Wouldn't The Poetess be a good one? Surely Colin isn't too old to play a Cambridge don. ;-) As an aside, all the UK news led off with the Ali G movie, which Variety relegated to the end of the article."}, {"response": 987, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec  8, 2000 (09:09)", "body": "Could Oscar Be Shared? (from: Today's LA Times Calendar ) \"In an unusual twist on the annual jockeying for Oscar nominations, Paramount Classics is launching an ad campaign in the Hollywood trades asking Academy Award voters to consider \"Sunshine\" stars RH and JE for a shared best supporting actress nomination. The actresses-mother and daughter in real life-playa family matriarch in older and younger stages of life. A spokesman for the film-which was named Wednesday as one of the year's 10 best by the National Board of Review-noted that some movie critics had already suggested that duo could share acting honors. Though there's no known incidence of a previous shared nomination, Paramount Classics, the spokesman said, has talked to the film academy about the issue \"and they haven't said. 'no,' so it's up to the acting branch when they do the nominations.\" In a further Oscar bid, meanwhile. \"Sunshine,\" originally released in June and also starring RF, reopens tonight at Laemmle's Music Hall.\" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Of course they haven't been nominated...but it's a good move, so the votes wouldn't be split. We were afraid of that when they were both nominated for the Tony's."}, {"response": 988, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Dec  8, 2000 (15:22)", "body": "I never heard of a shared nomination. Would they do that? Unfortunately whether Julia Roberts deserves it or not she is a sure nomination because they want her to attend the Oscars. BTW, they are looking for a host Billy Crystal said no. :-( As an aside, all the UK news led off with the Ali G movie, which Variety relegated to the end of the article. Funny you should say that, Karen, because when reading the article I immediately thought, that it might be something Colin would want to do just by the title, \"Ali G is in Da House.\" Bunuel Y La Mesa Del Rey Salomon, sounds like a movie I would love because of the subject matter. I love Luis Bunuel, but I have no hopes now that Saura is directing. Que lastima!"}, {"response": 989, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  8, 2000 (16:24)", "body": "(Moon) I immediately thought, that it might be something Colin would want to do just by the title, \"Ali G is in Da House.\" Ha! Who knows. Didn't I read somewhere that Colin said he liked Ali G's humor, something about the good stuff on TV????? But I prefer the don role. Mmmmmm"}, {"response": 990, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec  8, 2000 (17:20)", "body": "(Moon)I never heard of a shared nomination. It would be a first. Nobel Prize people do it:-)) Would they do that? Unfortunately whether Julia Roberts deserves it or not she is a sure nomination because they want her to attend the Oscars. I think Julia Roberts deserves Best Actress. RH and JE's shared nomination would be for Supporting Actress."}, {"response": 991, "author": "Echo", "date": "Fri, Dec  8, 2000 (20:15)", "body": ""}, {"response": 992, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sat, Dec  9, 2000 (05:54)", "body": ""}, {"response": 993, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sat, Dec  9, 2000 (05:59)", "body": ""}, {"response": 994, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Dec  9, 2000 (08:06)", "body": "\"Shared Oscar story\" also at excellent Oscar website Oscarwatch - www.oscarwatch.com/"}, {"response": 995, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Dec  9, 2000 (08:42)", "body": "I think Julia Roberts deserves Best Actress. I go for Bjork."}, {"response": 996, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec  9, 2000 (09:37)", "body": "(evelyn)I think Julia Roberts deserves Best Actress. (Moon)I go for Bjork. Haven't seen Bjork yet, or Cate Blanchette in The Gift (which hasn't been released yet). Both are mentioned as contenders.If \"Dancers\" get a nomination, the film will hit the rest of the country. Otherwise it's dead-\"wait for the video\"- meat for us. Joan Allen in \"The Contenders\" also is in competition. That Oscar watch website is v. good Ann. Thanks. http://www.oscarwatch.com"}, {"response": 997, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Dec  9, 2000 (11:44)", "body": "Oh, goodie, Oscar handicapping--one of my fave things to do!:-) I think the Ehle/Harris combo could work; it's attracting a lot of attention, and that is crucial for getting out the Oscar nom vote. Would certainly set a precedent (and these days in the US, we are setting president, . .er, precedent, every hour.;-) Principal competition that I can see are Kate Hudson and Frances McDormand for Almost Famous (both great). Also, Miramax will come out swinging for the supporting roles in Chocolat (Lena Olin and Judi Dench). Thanks for that Oscar watch site, Ann. Great excerpts from some of the Sunshine reviews. RE: lead actress--like Evelyn, I also liked Julia in EB, and Joan Allen in Contender. Moon, will take your word on Bjork as it left town before I could see it. Other possibilities: RZ in Nurse Betty; Laura Linney in You Can Count on Me, and Ellen Burstyn for Requiem For A Dream. Among those not yet released, Blanchett also a possibility, as is Gillian Anderson for House Of Mirth (which got a fantastic review in the new EW issue). One thing is for sure: Quills won't get the top prize from the LA Film Critics; Ken Turan's review is one of the very worst for a film that I've ever read. Time Mag's was bad as well, if memory serves. So, critics are really split on that one. Keep your eyes on Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon--haven't read a negative remark on it yet. Supposed to be brilliant. Studio is pushing hard for it to be considered in the Best Picture category--and not relegated to Best Foreign Language film (even though it's 100% in Mandarin). Excellent reviews in the new EW for Cast Away and for Thirteen Days. Advance word on Traffic is great. Should shape up as an interesting end of year! And good news for us movie lovers who have sat through a pretty lackluster year so far."}, {"response": 998, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec  9, 2000 (12:23)", "body": "Studio is pushing hard for it to be considered in the Best Picture category--and not relegated to Best Foreign Language film (even though it's 100% in Mandarin). You mean subtitles? (I know, Moon....I'm the illiterate one;-) Hate subtitles. She said as she is valiantly getting through Wanssee Conference in German !(With sub-titles :-(("}, {"response": 999, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec  9, 2000 (13:08)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1000, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec  9, 2000 (13:10)", "body": "(fixing small tag) (Mari) I think the Ehle/Harris combo could work Call me a pessimist, but I don't think so. I recall a tie many years ago for Best Actress, but I can't imagine the acting branch of the Academy going along with this. A single performance by a single individual. Remember all the controversy surrounding Geoffrey Rush's nom for Shine. One part played by three actors and he was the one singled out despite the other two receiving accolades. Re: other suppporting actresses: isn't this where Ellen Burstyn will be, not best actress? Re: best actress Agree about Julia, Joan Allen and Bjork. Bjork deserves it, although she hasn't a prayer of winning IMO. Her nom will be along the lines of Fernanda Montenegro a couple of years ago, from highly acclaimed but obscure foreignish film to Americans. ;-) Definitely agree about Gillian Anderson. Am pulling for RZ to round out the slate (5 right?), but there are some small films coming out which usually provide the fodder for Best Actress, as no women have decent roles in blockbuster films. Cannot comment on Cate B as haven't seen the film and seems like it is male-oriented again, so what kind of \"wifely\" role could merit this? And there is Songcatcher, which won awards at Sundance last year and stars Janet McTeer... Others to come."}, {"response": 1001, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Dec  9, 2000 (13:49)", "body": "From indications at this point in time, it seems Julia Roberts will probably win the Oscar for Best Actress. \"Erin Brokovich\" may well have a great shot at being Best Picture. The film's director, Steven Soderberg, is at the top of his game at the moment, and EB made money. So Soderberg may well win for Best Director, eihter for EB or for the soon to be released \"Traffic\". Kate Hudson and Joaqiun Phoenix both appear to have really good chances in their respective supporting categories, but anything can happen. Best Actor is wid open, anybody could win. Anybody but Russell Crowe, that is. His role in \"Gladiator\" is not the type the Academy likes. So Crowe will probably not get a nomination this year. Both John Malkovich and Willem Dafoe are getting good buzz for \"Shadow of the Vampire\". Consequently one or the other, or both, of them are possibilities for a Best Actor nod. Still, you never know."}, {"response": 1002, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Sat, Dec  9, 2000 (21:04)", "body": "Regarding \"Design for Living\" and the Roundabout Theatre--I assume that single performance tickets will be available in the future? Since I don't live in NYC, I can't go to a series..."}, {"response": 1003, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec  9, 2000 (23:21)", "body": "Something guaranteed to get the juices going. ;-) From the Sunday Times: Film boss says 'snob' Britons can't be stars Nicholas Hellen, Media Editor THE Americans have it, but the British don't. One of Hollywood's top producers has pinpointed why our young actors have so little star quality: they are too snobby. Mike Medavoy, maker of some of the biggest hit films in recent history, including and with close links to stars such as Kevin Costner, Michelle Pfeiffer and Jessica Lange, says young British actors are too obsessed with their craft to realise what excites the cinema-goer. Big-name stars, he claims, always end up playing themselves, while actors are trained to conceal their personality to make the part more convincing. He said: \"Being an actor and being a star are at cross purposes: they are entirely different things.\" He suggested that artistic integrity will always come at the expense of commercial success for Britain. \"Perhaps it's because there's a pride in the art of acting and perhaps, rightly, a snobbery about not wanting to be a movie star. \"I also detect a resentment here in Britain of people who go on to make it in Hollywood. There is an unhappiness about success, unless someone has spent a long time paying their dues. The only other place where I have noticed something similar is in Canada.\" While some older British actors, including Sir Sean Connery, Sir Anthony Hopkins and Sir Michael Caine have held on to their charisma, younger names such as Kenneth Branagh and Daniel Day-Lewis have thrown away their chance to make the big time. Medavoy, who has been associated with more than 300 films, including hits such as One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Raging Bull, Dances with Wolves, Platoon, and The Silence of the Lambs, said: \"Britain produces more than its fair share of great acting talent, but misses out on producing movie stars.\" Not even roles in some of the highest-grossing movies of all time have been enough to guarantee young British actors a place on the A-list. Kate Winslet returned to low-budget movies such as Hideous Kinky and Holy Smoke after co-starring with Leonardo DiCaprio in Titanic, and Ewan McGregor is still waiting for a breakthrough as a leading man after appearing in Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace. Other performers who he believes could have used their talent to achieve much greater popularity include Gary Oldman, Rupert Everett and Kenneth Branagh. Medavoy believes that while a British actor would be proud of going unrecognised in a film, true stars resent demands to immerse themselves in a role. \"I once asked Marlon Brando why he always looked so miserable at the beginning of a day's filming, and he said, \"Can you imagine what it is like going to work each day and having to pretend you are someone else?' \" It is a dilemma unlikely to embroil Arnold Schwarzenegger as he seeks to achieve another global hit with The Sixth Day, Medavoy's latest movie, released this weekend. Medavoy's conclusions about the inadequacies of local acting talent will dismay the British film industry as it defies a string of recent low-budget flops to embark on a range of big-budget movies costing hundreds of millions of pounds. So who may yet be a force to be reckoned with? Medavoy singles out Jude Law, who upstaged Matt Damon in The Talented Mr Ripley, Catherine Zeta-Jones, who recently married Michael Douglas, and the foppish actor Hugh Grant. His verdict is endorsed by Alexander Walker, the film critic and biographer of an array of British stars, including Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn. \"Stars need to lead extravagant lives off the screen, with spectacular marriage bust-ups, drug habits and a very public rehabilitation.\" \"In this sense, it helped Hugh Grant enormously to be caught with Divine Brown. In the eyes of cinema-goers, it was the sort of behaviour they expect. \""}, {"response": 1004, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Dec 10, 2000 (08:43)", "body": "Interesting POV. Thanks, Karen. I agree that Bjork, as much as she deserves it, does not have a chance. The Oscars are a popularity contest and evereyone loves Julia Roberts. I recently rented EB and did not care for it at all. I do not see Rene Z getting nominated and would be happy for Kate B if she did. She is a great actress. Kate Hudson would be a nice surprise too. Almost Famous is a much better pic than Erin B. I have seen the previews for Ang Lee's film as well as Castaway and they both look good."}, {"response": 1005, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 10, 2000 (09:37)", "body": "(Moon) would be happy for Kate B if she did I'm reserving judgment until I see this movie. Kate Hudson would be in the supporting category, which is why RZ has a decent chance. She is the movie's central character rather than one of an ensemble cast or, worse yet, an appendage to a male lead. Despite NB being a comedy, many admired her performance. The Oscars are a popularity contest I think they are a bit more than that. So many other factors come into play besides overall likeability, but it is one of them. ;-)"}, {"response": 1006, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Dec 10, 2000 (11:16)", "body": "(Karen) Remember all the controversy surrounding Geoffrey Rush's nom for Shine. One part played by three actors and he was the one singled out despite the other two receiving accolades. Exactly. Many people felt it was unfortunate that Rush's nom ignored Noah Taylor (I think that's his name), who played the adolescent role and who actually had more screen time than Rush. This is why I'm thinking the Academy *might* be amenable to a joint Ehle/Harris nom. (Karen) Cannot comment on Cate B as haven't seen the film and seems like it is male-oriented again, so what kind of \"wifely\" role could merit this? I think Hillary Swank has the wifely role, and Cate is the one with The Gift. Obviously, no one has seen it yet--but when has the absence of facts ever stopped us from speculating about something? Hee, hee . . .am just tossing out names and possibilites at this point. Not sure about Burstyn re: lead vs. supporting as I haven't seen that one yet either. See previous comment concerning absence of actual evidence.;-) ;-) (Cheryl) Kate Hudson and Joaqiun Phoenix both appear to have really good chances in their respective supporting categories, Agreed. I thought they were both terrific. Frankly, Joaquin's acting in The Gladiator was one of the few things that really impressed me about that film. Have a possibility of foregoing Christmas decorating later today in favor of moviegoing (bliss). What would ya'll recommend--Requiem for A Dream or You Can Count On Me? Anyone seen both or either?"}, {"response": 1007, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec 10, 2000 (11:19)", "body": "Thanks Karen...interesting article . ..He suggested that artistic integrity will always come at the expense of commercial success for Britain. \"Perhaps it's because there's a pride in the art of acting and perhaps, rightly, a snobbery about not wanting to be a movie star. I think this is a cultural thing...apparently some people do not consider acting in movies artistic...only live theatre counts. But don't you think that's changing? Esp. since so many of the new directors do cross-overs..theatre, TV and movies."}, {"response": 1008, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 10, 2000 (11:38)", "body": "(Mari) Many people felt it was unfortunate that Rush's nom ignored Noah Taylor (I think that's his name), who played the adolescent role and who actually had more screen time than Rush. Yes, that's the one--the youngest--who was the best of the three Davids, but little kids don't get Best Actor Oscars and nominating GR was the route to go. But still don't think that's a good enough reason to double or triple team. It's all about individual performances. The SAG awards recognize an entire cast. (Mari) Cate is the one with The Gift Oooh, that might be significant. ;- Am really ticked that so many of the important films are NOT opening nationwide before sometime in January! All the news items keep saying that the screens are too crowded...with WHAT???? The Grinch?!! Rugrats???!! Bwaaa! (Mari) Requiem for A Dream or You Can Count On Me? Have been meaning to see the former for ages and then wind up at other film at same place (Dancer and the Iranian drunk horse thing). Definitely want to see that one, although I've read hideous things about EB's OTP performance and her awful accent. If anyone watch's That's Life (which I love), she does have a fakey awful NJ accent. Hate the title of the latter. Sounds treacly and trite."}, {"response": 1009, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Dec 10, 2000 (11:54)", "body": "Hi all, Hope you are enjoying the holiday season. Thought you might like to see how the FAA ruled on the pig tale. I hope to be able to post more soon, but seem to be drowning in a sea of tasks commonly known as \"The Holidays.\" (Sometimes this season seems more like Charles Adams than Charles Dickens.) I am in need of chardonnay and Silk Cut\ufffdor lots of caffeine (3 of the 4 major food groups).... Or maybe I should acquire a therapeutic pig. :-) From the Associated Press, Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2000: FAA: US Airways was right to allow pig on plane Airways acted reasonably when it allowed pig to fly first class from Philadelphia to Seattle, the Federal Aviation Administration found. Maria Tirotta Andrews brought Charlotte, her 300-pound Vietnamese potbellied pig, on the flight Oct. 17, telling the airline it was a \"therapeutic companion pet.\" Andrews said her heart condition was so severe she needed the pig to relieve stress. \"US Airways and its personnel acted in a reasonable and thoughtful manner, based on a legitimate request to transport a qualified individual with a disability and her service animal,\" said FAA spokesman Jim Peters. Under federal rules, airlines must permit a service animal to accompany passengers to their seats. The airline, embarrassed, filed an incident report with the FAA based on passenger complaints that the pig became unruly when the plane landed. The animal tried to enter the cockpit and refused to leave the galley until a passenger tossed food at her, according to the report. FAA officials interviewed US Airways personn l and passengers after reading an account of the incident in the Philadelphia Daily News and decided Nov. 18 that the airline did nothing wrong, Peters said Wednesday Andrews denies that Charlotte behaved badly during the six-hour flight. \"My pig did not run around the plane's aisles. My pig did not run around anywhere,\" Andrews said. She told the airline ahead of time that she would have the pig on the plane, but said it only weighed 13 pounds. \"When they saw it in Philadelphia, they said it was OK to load it on the airplane,\" Andrews said. The airline permitted the pig into first class for free."}, {"response": 1010, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec 10, 2000 (16:36)", "body": "Hilarious story , Lisa.Glad we're getting closure on this;-) THE LAURENCE OLIVIER AWARDS 2001 will take place on Friday 23 February 2001 at the Lyceum Theatre. The twenty-fifth presentation will be recorded and shown on BBC2 television. The nominations for the Awards will be announced mid January 2001. Tickets for the event are expected to go on sale soon!! Not that we care this year.... Wonder what they have against televising this live. I know it's a traditional morning event...but how about making it evening like the Tony's!"}, {"response": 1011, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 10, 2000 (22:49)", "body": "LOL! Thought all pigs sat next to me in coach. *snort* ;-)"}, {"response": 1012, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 11, 2000 (08:23)", "body": "More on Oscar campaigning from Entertainment Weekly. Notice the only woman in the article has to do with the ultracrowded category of \"supporting\" (gaah!) Double Jeopardy [EW tells you how actors with two shots at Oscar may lose out. Matt Damon, Russell Crowe, and others could split their own vote] You thought the Palm Beach County ballots were confusing? Imagine what the doddering Academy electorate will make of this year's Oscar race. A handful of contenders--including Russell Crowe, Michael Douglas, and Matt Damon--posted two toutable performances, which means they will not only have to compete against each other, but themselves. So why the double edged sword? Academy rules dictate that actors can receive only one nomination per category, even if they earn enough votes for two. Worse, in this wide open year when the Screen Actors Guild has received 70 percent more video submissions for its awards than in 1999, dueling performances might lead to vote splitting and no recognition at all. Given the high stakes, studios and stars try to prevent any ballot confusion. \"Usually the star and his handlers go to one studio and say, 'We would prefer you sit back on this one,'\" says Oscar strategist Tony Angellotti. \"Nobody wants to spend $200,000 [on a campaign] if the star doesn't want it.\" Two years ago, Tom Hanks asked Warner Bros. to scrap his You've Got Mail campaign to focus on his role in DreamWorks' Saving Private Ryan. And he got the nomination. Some stars shun politicking altogether. Take Frances McDormand, who'll be pushed for Best Supporting Actress for DreamWorks' Almost Famous and Paramount's Wonder Boys. Says her publicist, Simon Halls: \"You don't tell the Academy what they should vote for.\" Perhaps McDormand should: Some believe a laissez faire attitude backfired last year for Philip Seymour Hoffman, who earned raves for Flawless, Magnolia, and The Talented Mr. Ripley, but no Oscar nod. \"He didn't focus on which one he thought was best,\" says one studio exec. \"That cost him.\" For Douglas, there's an easy solution: Diversify. Though he's top billed in Wonder Boys and USA Films' Traffic, the newlywed is entering himself as Best Actor for Boys and Best Supporting Actor for Traffic. But others, whose roles clearly fall into the same category, don't have that luxury: Crowe headlines DreamWorks' Gladiator and Warner's Proof of Life, while Damon stars in Sony's All the Pretty Horses and DreamWorks' The Legend of Bagger Vance. (With ads promoting both his roles in the Dec. 5 Variety, Crowe says: \"That's somebody else's job and somebody else's decision\"; Damon will get a stronger push for Horses.) Likewise, Joaquin Phoenix's roles in Gladiator and Fox Searchlight's Quills can only be perceived as supporting. \"You have to go with your gut,\" says his publicist, Susan Patricola, who okayed campaigns for both. Perhaps the contender with the best shot at a double play is Steven Soderbergh, who directed Universal's Erin Brockovich as well as Traffic. Unlike actors, directors can snag two nominations in their category, though it hasn't happened since 1939, when Michael Curtiz earned nods for Angels With Dirty Faces and Four Daughters (he lost to Frank Capra for You Can't Take It With You). It's a situation most prefer to avoid: A source close to Hannibal, the sequel to the 1991 Oscar winner The Silence of the Lambs, says Ridley Scott lobbied for a 2001 release to clear the coliseum for his work in Gladiator. In Soderbergh's case, neither studio is backing down. \"We are the current movie,\" says USA Films chairman Scott Greenstein. \"Erin Brockovich is more Julia Roberts' movie, where Traffic is unquestionably anchored by brilliant direction.\" Responds Universal PR chief Terry Curtin: \"Erin Brockovich is no less Steven's vision than Traffic is. It's Steven who shepherded Julia and the story.\" As for Soderbergh himself? \"I tend not to agonize over things I cannot control,\" he says. \"This is one of them.\" Something tells us the studios would disagree."}, {"response": 1013, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec 11, 2000 (10:06)", "body": "(Meredith)Regarding \"Design for Living\" and the Roundabout Theatre--I assume that single performance tickets will be available in the future? Since I don't live in NYC, I can't go to a series... Yes, single tickets will be available for DFL at the American Airlines Theatre. Tickets are not available yet. Check with the JE website .Previews start on Feb. 15. Opening Night is on March 15th. Sorry I fouled things up last week with the small print....I'm still in a muddle..."}, {"response": 1014, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 11, 2000 (10:07)", "body": "So, Mari, what did you wind up seeing? I decided to give \"You Can Count on Me\" a chance, despite the trite title and the fact that a slave labor Caulkin kid is in it. However, it is very good and so are Laura Linney and Mark Ruffalo. The writing is especially good and intelligent. Makes you want to hear everything the characters say and you get involved with their lives and want to know all about them. OK, so an eight-year-old wouldn't say a homework assignment was \"unstructured,\" it got a big laugh from the audience."}, {"response": 1015, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 11, 2000 (10:33)", "body": "How did I let this one get past me? We've got a birthday today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARI!!!"}, {"response": 1016, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 11, 2000 (10:41)", "body": "Caught me napping as well. Have a happy one, Mari, and btw I have spoken to all those incompetents at my agent's office as you suggested. ;-)"}, {"response": 1017, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec 11, 2000 (11:24)", "body": "Thanks, Karen. I wasn't worried; I always check this board 27 times before noon.;-) (Figured you were shoveling;-) Tell that guy above that I volunteer to be his personal benchwarmer!:-)"}, {"response": 1018, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 11, 2000 (12:04)", "body": "...and I'm still shoveling... :-( I remember how much you enjoyed this pic: and thought it could *bare* repeating. ;-)"}, {"response": 1019, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 11, 2000 (12:24)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1020, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec 11, 2000 (12:43)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1021, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec 11, 2000 (12:44)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARI IOU a glass of Chardonnay at"}, {"response": 1022, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec 11, 2000 (12:46)", "body": "OK....you get TWO glasses of Chardonnay:-))"}, {"response": 1023, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Dec 11, 2000 (12:52)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARI , hope you have the best Birthday ever."}, {"response": 1024, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec 11, 2000 (12:52)", "body": "All is forgiven for bugging me at the Donmar!"}, {"response": 1025, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 11, 2000 (12:52)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1026, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 11, 2000 (13:21)", "body": "(think I must go face the elements again...brrr)"}, {"response": 1027, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec 11, 2000 (14:16)", "body": "Hey Empress of the Sky, life in coach will never be the same again;-) (I particularly like your Mona Lisa smile;-))"}, {"response": 1028, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 11, 2000 (16:29)", "body": "No birthday's complete without a cake!"}, {"response": 1029, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 11, 2000 (16:55)", "body": "Or..."}, {"response": 1030, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Dec 11, 2000 (17:53)", "body": "Happy Birthday Mari! Almost missed your party. I have been putting up Christmas decorations all day and I even managed to do an extra tree for you. xxoo Is that my Geoffrey you are flying away with? ;-)"}, {"response": 1031, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec 11, 2000 (18:16)", "body": "Thanks for all the lovely wishes, Karen, Evelyn, Ann and Moon! Karen, tell the guy at # 1018 that he needs deflowering, and I know just the person to do it!:;-) As for Mr. Westward, um, I think he's done quite enough \"picking,\" thank you very much.;-) Thank goodness you put me in the plane with Ed Pettigrew, and not Geoffrey C-- oi, those hard landings are murder!;-) Prince Chuck! So lovely to have bumped into you at the theatah--glad to see you're not any worse for wear. Now, outta my way.;-) I am holding you to the chardonnay, Evelyn. Meanwhile, have a cuppa on me (& Mickie). Don't let the hidden pieces fool ya!:-) http://www.jigzone.com/ms/pc.php?k=1bld00822 Thank you for the lovely tree, Moon. Am searching for a hgh-ceilinged spot for it.;-) Ann, you're getting very good with the type fonts and colors! (Am I the only one here who can't even do italics? Had I ever learnt, I would be a true proficient!;-)"}, {"response": 1032, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec 11, 2000 (20:30)", "body": "Don'tlet the hidden pieces fool ya!:-) Got it in a record 3:20 minutes!! For a minute there I lost St. Anthony, but I found him under the expresso pot:-)) Donna has one of SD and JE from TALK mag http://fp.enter.net/~purrfect/awards.htm Great fun...."}, {"response": 1033, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 11, 2000 (23:04)", "body": "These puzzles are great. You should try the 35-piece jigzone type. Nasty!"}, {"response": 1034, "author": "aishling", "date": "Tue, Dec 12, 2000 (07:25)", "body": "Mari - I am so sorry I missed your birthday. I hope it was a great one"}, {"response": 1035, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Dec 12, 2000 (09:21)", "body": "Oh dear, see what happens when I miss a few days around here? Sorry I missed your birthday, Mari, but I see you were busy tooling around the sky with Edward (tell him those goggles have got to go, BTW). Here's to my former neighbor, to whom I used to wave from the scenic *cough* A few of our Jersey friends send their best: So I missed your birtday, Mari. You live too f**king far down the f**king turnpike. I wouldn't be caught dead below exit 12 (just look what happened to Big Pussy when he took exit 11). Then there's Stevie--he's always goin to Asbury wit his pal... Happy birthday, Mari! Have you been a good girl this year? I haven't seen you in the Stone Pony, though it could be 'cause it's been torn down. Damn. Tried to get it rebuilt, but I got all my money tied up with Patti and the kids--there is one guy around here who's got plenty, though... Mari! I spent skatey-eight kabillion dollars on your birthday campaign and look where it got me. I hope you had a terrific day and that you remember to vote for me again in six years when my money is gone. ~~~~~~ *clink* Here's to Mari! Keep us laughin', girl."}, {"response": 1036, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Dec 12, 2000 (11:02)", "body": "Late again...So sorry, Mari! I hope you had a Fantastic Birthday"}, {"response": 1037, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec 12, 2000 (13:20)", "body": "Thank you, Aishling, Eileen and Gi! Aishling, it was very wise that you limited the candles to one; actual number may have caused dangerous levels of smoke inhalation around here.;-) Eileen, I'm glad to see you still have pull among the Jersey set! *I'm waving at you from Exit 3* Happy that Tony (da boss) and Bruuuuce (The Boss) could check in with us! Wonder how Jon-boy will make due on that measly Senate salary.;-) Gi, I love my bluebird of happiness!:-) Thanks, everyone, for the fun and the smiles!:-)"}, {"response": 1038, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Dec 12, 2000 (17:37)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Mari. May many enjoyable things be in store for you this year."}, {"response": 1039, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Dec 12, 2000 (20:39)", "body": "Happy Birthday Mari"}, {"response": 1040, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Dec 12, 2000 (22:46)", "body": "Just got back from my mother's wedding! ( ...In Pensacola -- she's 82!!) ... and I just discovered that something of importance had transpired while I was out of town! So here (belatedly) are my wishes for a ... Very Happy Birthday Mari! Hope It was a Happy One! All My best Wishes, KJ"}, {"response": 1041, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Dec 12, 2000 (22:48)", "body": "Test, Test"}, {"response": 1042, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (05:10)", "body": "According to Annova, Neil Pearson is also in Armadillo, now could he be Torquil? Not that I care anymore, oh hum."}, {"response": 1043, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (05:50)", "body": "(KJArt)Just got back from my mother's wedding! ( ...In Pensacola -- she's 82!!) Is this true? What a lovely thought! Congratulations to your Mother!"}, {"response": 1044, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (11:00)", "body": "Thank you, Cheryl, Lucie, and KJ! Love the balloons! KJ, congrats to your mom--I think that's great, and may she and her new hubby have many healthy and happy years ahead."}, {"response": 1045, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (11:14)", "body": "The New York Film Critics Circle is currently voting, and announcing the winners as they decide them. So far: BEST LEAD ACTOR--Tom Hanks for Cast Away BEST LEAD ACTRESS--Laura Linney for You Can Count On Me* BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR--Benicio Del Toro for Traffic *BTW, this is the one I opted for the other night, Karen. Agree with your assessment; I liked it very very much. What an intelligently written and acted little film. Even the Culkin baby was good.:-) Truly a film about real people and real relationships and life events, with no pat answers or contrivances. Laura deserves her award; wouldn't have minded seeing Mark Ruffalo sneak in there too, but I hear Benny DT is v. good."}, {"response": 1046, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (11:51)", "body": "BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS; Marcia Gay Harden for Pollock \"Taffic\"(another drug movie?) seems to be getting lots of mention. Where are they getting these film?They don't play in my neck of the woods. Castaway hasn't even been released yet."}, {"response": 1047, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (11:55)", "body": "Neat! Did you realize that the director played Father Ron?"}, {"response": 1048, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (11:57)", "body": "Traffic hasn't opened yet. I read that it will only open in LA at the end of the year and go national in mid-January. Pollock is nowhere. Did fests, but isn't anywhere to be seen, except maybe NY and LA if at all."}, {"response": 1049, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (13:20)", "body": "Here's the full list. Karen, \"Father Ron\" got best screenplay!;-): 2000 New York Film Critics Circle Awards (12/13/2000 2:04pm EST) : All Voting Has Been Completed. Best Picture TRAFFIC, USA Films. Best Actor TOM HANKS, for CAST AWAY, Twentieth Century Fox and Dreamworks L.L.C. Best Actress LAURA LINNEY, for YOU CAN COUNT ON ME, Paramount Classics and TSG Pictures. Best Supporting Actor BENICIO DEL TORO, for TRAFFIC, USA Films. Best Supporting Actress MARCIA GAY HARDEN, for POLLOCK, Sony Pictures Classics. Best Director STEVEN SODERBERGH, for ERIN BROCKOVICH, Universal Pictures and TRAFFIC, USA Films. Best Screenplay KEN LONERGAN, for YOU CAN COUNT ON ME, Paramount Classics and TSG Pictures. Best Cinematographer PETER PAU, for CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON, Sony Pictures Classics. Best Foreign Film YI YI(A ONE AND A TWO), WinStar Cinema. Best Non-Fiction Film THE LIFE AND TIMES OF HANK GREENBERG, Distributed by Cowboy Booking International. Best Animated Film CHICKEN RUN, Dreamworks L.L.C. Best First Film GEORGE WASHINGTON, Cowboy Booking International. SPECIAL AWARD JULES DASSIN, DIRECTOR OF RIFIFI, and to Rialto Pictures for Re-Releasing the Film. SPECIAL AWARD THE SHOOTING GALLERY, (NY Production Company), For Their Ingenious Distribution Pattern as well as their choice of films."}, {"response": 1050, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (13:44)", "body": "Aw....I was hoping for NLB for Best Director.He deserved it more than Steven Soderbergh, IMO. Best First Film GEORGE WASHINGTON, Cowboy Booking International. Grrrrr beating out DQ! I know you're cheering for GW, Karen ;-)"}, {"response": 1051, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (14:09)", "body": "In case anyone is interested, below is who comprises the NY Film Critics Circle. Evelyn, there's such a glut of year-end films, coupled with not enough screens(they're not going to pull existing money-makers out of the theaters) that a lot of these films will just get the one-week Oscar qualifying run in LA, and then get rolled out throughout the country in January, and into February I'd imagine. Don't worry, we'll see (and discuss;-) them all. Aren't you glad that BJD got pushed back to mid-April?:-) Thelma Adams, US WEEKLY John Anderson, NEWSDAY David Ansen, NEWSWEEK Jami Bernard, NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Dwight Brown, AMSTERDAM NEWS Bob Campbell, NEWHOUSE NEWS SERVICE Godfrey Cheshire, NEW YORK PRESS Richard Corliss, TIME David Denby, THE NEW YORKER Marshall Fine, GANNETT NEWSPAPERS Jonathan Foreman, NY POST Owen Gleiberman, ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY J. Hoberman, VILLAGE VOICE Stephen Holden, THE NEW YORK TIMES Andrew Johnston, US WEEKLY Dennis Lim, VILLAGE VOICE Dave Kehr, CITYSEARCH.COM Jack Mathews, NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Elvis Mitchell, THE NEW YORK TIMES Joe Morgenstern, WALL ST. JOURNAL Terrence Rafferty, GQ Peter Rainer, NEW YORK MAGAZINE Rex Reed, THE NEW YORK OBSERVER Leah Rozen, PEOPLE MAGAZINE Andrew Sarris, THE NEW YORK OBSERVER Richard Schickel, TIME Lisa Schwarzbaum, ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY A.O. Scott, THE NEW YORK TIMES Matt Zoller Seitz, NEW YORK PRESS Gene Seymour, NEWSDAY John Simon, NATIONAL REVIEW David Sterritt, CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR Peter Travers, ROLLING STONE Amy Taubin, VILLAGE VOICE Armond White, NEW YORK PRESS"}, {"response": 1052, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (14:30)", "body": "(Mari) Aren't you glad that BJD got pushed back to mid-April?:-) Not really. It's going to go head to head with the Julia Roberts-Brad Pitt romantic comedy, The Mexican, which opens end of March. Too bad I can't get to the only description of who/how they vote for the National Board of Review award. It's not very impressive IMO."}, {"response": 1053, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (15:00)", "body": "*sneaking in way behind the others in manner of tardy schoolgirl, hoping nobody'll notice* MARI, HERE'S WISHING YOU A BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"}, {"response": 1054, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (15:02)", "body": "*trying again* MARI, HERE'S WISHING YOU A BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"}, {"response": 1055, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (16:30)", "body": "Aren't you glad that BJD got pushed back to mid-April?:-) And Sunshine last June.At this time of the year, it would never see the light of day. Out the 35 members of the NY Film Critcs Circle panel of judges only 5 are women. What's the deal here?"}, {"response": 1056, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (16:51)", "body": "I am glad BJD got pushed back because I might be London around then. :-) Agree with you Karen, the list is not very impressive. But that must be why I do not agree with them. ;-) Loved the YiYi and Rififi. ;-D"}, {"response": 1057, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (16:54)", "body": "I was referring to the people who voted in the National Board of Review awards, not the NY Film Critics. But I'm sure you wouldn't be impressed with that group's composition either. ;-)))"}, {"response": 1058, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (22:00)", "body": "(Gi)(KJArt)Just got back from my mother's wedding! ( ...In Pensacola -- she's 82!!) Is this true? What a lovely thought! Congratulations to your Mother! (Mari) KJ, congrats to your mom--I think that's great,... Thank you! I'll tell her! (Mari) ... and may she and her new hubby have many healthy and happy years ahead. They just might,too. Would you believe he's a decade younger than she is! So much for \"sell-by dates.\" **Hee hee**"}, {"response": 1059, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (22:12)", "body": "A cradle-robber, huh? ;-) Lovely news, KJ."}, {"response": 1060, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec 13, 2000 (22:32)", "body": "Tracy, you can be a tardy schoolgirl any time you want--many thanks for the balloons and good wishes! (I love balloons, so festive.) Karen, maybe if they separate the 2 films by a few weeks it will be ok. I guess there will always be competition, and these release schedules tend to be very , er, fluid. Moon, you might like Traffic; I read somewhere that it's 20% not in English. Hee, hee;-) KJ, your mom sounds like my kind of lady! More power to her."}, {"response": 1061, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec 14, 2000 (07:34)", "body": "Moon, you might like Traffic; I read somewhere that it's 20% not in English. Hee, hee;-) As long as the 80% that is spoken in English is real English. ;-) It looks like Chocolat, Quills and Castaway are opening here tomorrow. What to do?"}, {"response": 1062, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 14, 2000 (10:05)", "body": "TIME Magazine in their Dec. 18th issue ranks the best and worst films: BEST TEN: 1. CROUCHING TIGER 2. YOU CAN COUNT ON ME 3. GEORGE WASHINGTON ( I hear *gag, gag*, from the peanut gallery;-) 4. SUNSHINE (Ahem...) 5. CHICKEN RUN 6. BEST IN SHOW 7. THE COLOR OF PARADISE 8. NURSE BETTY 9. PROOF OF LIFE 10.EAST-WEST WORST: DANCER IN THE DARK: \"Some critics think Lars von Trier's musical tragedy is quite the best film of 2000. But that can't stop us from deploring this drab, sadistic ordeal, starring poor Bjork as a noble , victimied mom going both blind and daft. The film lacks craft, logic and any grace in it songs and dance. If this is the future of movies, give us the past.\""}, {"response": 1063, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec 14, 2000 (11:33)", "body": "If this is the future of movies, give us the past.\" I beg to differ and that goes for the whole Danish film movement too. Choices like Chicken Run and Best in Show which was so not funny tell all I need about this reviewer. I also know how Karen feels about George Washington and I believe her."}, {"response": 1064, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 14, 2000 (11:54)", "body": "(Moon) I also know how Karen feels about George Washington and I believe her. But you might like it. ;-) I thought it was the biggest YAWN ever. Aside from cinematography, it seems to be appealing to those who like Terrence Malick. Remember I loved Wonderland and you didn't ;-)"}, {"response": 1065, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec 14, 2000 (13:48)", "body": "Remember I loved Wonderland and you didn't ;-) True. I did notice some of the films listed dealt with the usual riff-raff. I like my movie experience to take me away from it all not throw it in my face."}, {"response": 1066, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Dec 14, 2000 (17:30)", "body": "*struggling through the jungle... fighing off airplane-sized mosquitoes... being chased by an outraged 400 pound boar with tusks which could eviscerste at a single whip ofhis head... worst of all, competing with others who have been late in getting Mari her Birthday flowers: HAUOLI NA HANAU, MARI Sweetheart Orchid Lei This is the latest in lei designs, made from over 1000 individual Dendrobium petals. Light purple edges, dark purple in the middle. Very rare and hardy."}, {"response": 1067, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec 14, 2000 (19:12)", "body": "How beautiful, Marcia! Match that with a pair of drop amethyst earrings and the look is set. :-) I have started on my champagne holiday cheer. Hic, hic, hooray! ;-)"}, {"response": 1068, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 14, 2000 (20:00)", "body": "Spectacular Marcia.1000 rare orchids! How much does one like that cost? (Nothing is too good for our Mari, though:-))"}, {"response": 1069, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Dec 14, 2000 (21:46)", "body": "Oh, Maricia, that is beautiful! The contast of the light and dark purples (one of my fave colors, BTW) is breathtaking. Mahalo, dear! I'm curious: how long does it take to make something like this? Truly an art, and reminiscent of a very happy (but too far in the past) trip I took to your lovely corner of the earth. Time to go back, I've just decided. Will tell hubby to start saving.:-)"}, {"response": 1070, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Dec 14, 2000 (22:15)", "body": "That was a special order lei and it costs online over $80. Loads of orchids taken apart and petals strung into patters. Never saw one like that before! Delighted you like it - sorry it was a tad late... made to order, you know!!!"}, {"response": 1071, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Dec 15, 2000 (07:12)", "body": "Nice plug for DFL from Liz Smith in her column today: THE ROUNDABOUT Theatre Company is bursting with exciting new projects like \"Design for Living,\" previewing Feb. 16. Tony Award-winner Alan Cumming, who stunned us so in \"Cabaret,\" and the lovely Jennifer Ehle create a love triangle with Dominic West, in a production directed by Joe Mantello. Sounds hot? Right on! Add Marisa Berenson, John Cunningham, T. Scott Cunningham and Jenny Sterling to the mix."}, {"response": 1072, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 15, 2000 (08:24)", "body": "Uh oh, Evelyn's gonna be mad. No mention that Jenn was ALSO a Tony Award winner. So Dominic West completes the trio. He was Lysander in the recent movie of A Midsummer Night's Dream http://www.foxsearchlight.com/midfinal/html/dominic.html"}, {"response": 1073, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 15, 2000 (08:59)", "body": "HBO TO MINE MALE 'MIND' Story follows trio of scribes who try to remain faithful By MELISSA GREGO Next on HBO -- the guys' answer to \"Sex and the City.\" The pay cabler is expected to order 10 episodes of \"The Mind of the Married Man\" imminently.Skein has been in development at the pay cabler for two years. The pilot, which went into production this fall, stars Jake Weber, Taylor Nichols and Mike Binder, who created the series (Daily Variety, Oct. 31). It will be exec produced by \"Everybody Loves Raymond\" exec producer Stu Smiley, Binder and his manager at 3 Arts Entertainment, Michael Rotenberg. Story follows a trio of reporters at a Chicago newspaper who try in vain to remain faithful. M. Emmet Walsh plays their editor. [Warning!] \"It's about love, romance and monogamy in the workplace and home and in the family -- things people wrestle with every day,\" Smiley said. \"There are many different points of view about marriage; it's always a very volatile, interesting area, and that's why we're confident it will be a very fertile show.\" Smiley said that Binder's aim for \"Married\" is to root it in reality. \"We have the freedom and also the responsibility to make it balanced, with a balanced male voice and with a female voice,\" Smiley added. \"That way people can see their own lives in this show.\" [Ed note: They must be joking!] HBO declined to comment."}, {"response": 1074, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Dec 15, 2000 (10:15)", "body": "If DOminic West could do it so could Colin have done, oh I have to say I am a little disappointed."}, {"response": 1075, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 15, 2000 (11:20)", "body": "(Karen)Uh oh, Evelyn's gonna be mad. No mention that Jenn was ALSO a Tony Award winner. Thanks Mari.. Have already called publicist in NY and asked for correction.Bio has it,so does press release... \"JENNIFER EHLE (Gilda) received a Tony Award for Best Actress and an Outer Critics Circle Award nomination for her role as Annie in The Real Thing\". Also a BAFTA Best Actress for P&P , BAFTA nomination Best Supporting Actress for Wilde & Genie[Canadian] nomination for Best Actress in Sunshine. (Ann)If DOminic West could do it so could Colin have done Give up Ann..[I have!]..he won't travel."}, {"response": 1076, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 15, 2000 (11:29)", "body": "PS Thanks for the URL of Dominic West ,Karen. Ticket information for DFL will be posted on the website.Single tickets will go on sale first week in Feb.Opening night March 15th.Play runs through May 6th."}, {"response": 1077, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Dec 15, 2000 (12:33)", "body": "... he won't travel Yes but Dominic West!, what happened to Rupert Everett?"}, {"response": 1078, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 15, 2000 (14:28)", "body": "what happened to Rupert Everett? Previous engagement;-) Filming \"The Importance of Being Earnest\"in the spring."}, {"response": 1079, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 15, 2000 (15:13)", "body": "(Evelyn) Have already called publicist in NY and asked for correction. From whom? Liz Smith chose not to include it in her copy."}, {"response": 1080, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 15, 2000 (16:45)", "body": "Evelyn) Have already called publicist in NY and asked for correction. (Karen)From whom? Liz Smith chose not to include it in her copy. I like to think that Liz Smith overlooked it;-) Correction: PR bio neglected to include: Nominated for Olivier for Best Actress in TRT (London) Won Variety Showbusiness Award for Best Actress in TRT (London) Won Theatre World Award Best Actress in TRT (Broadway) If we don't lookout for her, who will? She only has one website. (They listed every \"village\" award that Alan Cumming won!)"}, {"response": 1081, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Dec 16, 2000 (12:02)", "body": "Durr. Just woke up and found I missed your birthday, Mari. For you the perfect man.. ...he never forgets a birthday or anniversary (though a girl might expect him to spring for more than paper hearts). Have a great year."}, {"response": 1082, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Dec 16, 2000 (12:04)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1083, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Dec 16, 2000 (12:05)", "body": "Waah, I'm rusty. Just think of Geoffrey in his braces, ;-)"}, {"response": 1084, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Dec 16, 2000 (14:54)", "body": "This is to put to rest for all time what is worn under a regulation kilt in strict military procedure from someone who knows wereof he speaks: Neil Dear..."}, {"response": 1085, "author": "ThinkingManNeil", "date": "Sat, Dec 16, 2000 (15:20)", "body": "Hello everyone. Marcia asked me to post some information on the wearing of kilts in Canadian military units. For myself, I can only refer to this second hand, having never worn a kilt (yet), and as the Canadian Armed Forces Land Reserve unit I served with (The Hastings & Prince Edward Regiment, 'B' Company) was issued only a standard CAF dress uniform, and standard CAF BDU (Battle Dress Uniform), and this is the case with most CAF units. However, there are exceptions to this, particularly with the Scottish Regiments. My very close friend, Rev. Sam Buick, who was a sargeant with the Toronto Scottish Regiment some years ago told me that their unit's Regimental Dress Regulations required that if wearing full dress uniform, which included the kilt, at a special Regimental Parade or Mess, that the regiment's members were NOT permitted to wear any form of underwear or athletic support while on parade or at the mess. The only time such garments were permitted to be worn was when travelling to or from the regiment n public, or if the parade formation was to be held in public. This dress code was rigidly enforced in the TorScot's, and any man appearing at a Regimental function wearing such garments was in fact considered out of uniform. Regular unit parades were held in standard battle dress. I do not know how these reg's applied to female members of the unit."}, {"response": 1086, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Dec 16, 2000 (15:23)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1087, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sat, Dec 16, 2000 (15:27)", "body": "and to think that we are required to wear underwear as a matter of health!! do they allow females to wear kilts?"}, {"response": 1088, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Dec 16, 2000 (15:37)", "body": "Thanks, Neil! Great question Wolfie! That might not always be conventient. I have a floor length one with sash and cairngorm brooch in heavy hand carved silver..."}, {"response": 1089, "author": "ThinkingManNeil", "date": "Sat, Dec 16, 2000 (16:02)", "body": "Hi Wolfie. Yes, female members of the regiment are supplied with a dress kilt for the dress uniform, but as I mentioned, I don't know how the reg's applied to them when it came to wearing (or not wearing, as the case may be) underwear for special Regimental Parades or Messes. Also, there are several Scottish and Irish regiments in the CAF--almost all are in the infantry reserves, but I think there are still a couple in the regular forces--so I obviously can't say if the same rules apply across the board in all units, but it should be noted that these units are the exception when it comes to the Queen's Own Regulation's (Q.O.R.'s) regarding dress codes, and that their uniforms are based on tradition, not practicality, as a kilt would be no friend to a soldier on the modern battlefield. I do remember that Sam did put me into his full dress kit once, as we're of similar size and build, and I can tell you the TorScot dress uniform is quite heavy and not especially colourful, with white dress shirt and black tie a heavy wool tartan kilt in mostly neutral colours, sporrin, a heavy wool jacket, belt, wedge cap, and a tartan sash. They wore high white woolen kneesocks with regimental badges, and heavy black oxfords built for marching. I was actually struck by the weight of it and was grateful I never wore it hot weather, and I was surprised by it's lack of any distinctive colour. But that's not really surprising as in my unit the only striking colour worn was a bright scarlet combat beret with polish brass cap badge, and that was only worn when the unit was away from home base--everything else was dark green, with the exception of rank and decorations."}, {"response": 1090, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 16, 2000 (16:06)", "body": "(Neil) For myself, I can only refer to this second hand, having never worn a kilt (yet) Ha! What about those pictures posted on Geo of you in your kilt? ;-) So let me get this straight, when they're amongst their own, no undies. But when they're out amongst strangers, yes, undies. Makes one wonder what goes on in those regimental messes that underwear might thwart. ;-) Thanks the explanation, Neil."}, {"response": 1091, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Dec 16, 2000 (16:36)", "body": "Alas, it was not Neil in that Photo... but whomever it was, he was a cute cheeky devil, yes???"}, {"response": 1092, "author": "ThinkingManNeil", "date": "Sat, Dec 16, 2000 (16:42)", "body": "Chuckle--nope, t'ain't me! One last thing, the regimental kilts are quite heavy to start with, and are weighted in the front, and may have been all around the hem, but I don't remember . They also have some kind of lining around the waist area to protect the wearer's skin and to protect the kilt from the wearer. And no, I didn't go \"regimental\" when I tried the thing on, my skivvies stayed in place..."}, {"response": 1093, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Dec 16, 2000 (16:44)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1094, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Dec 16, 2000 (16:46)", "body": "Karen, I am deleting Yapp's double posts of my comments. Nothing nefarious going on..."}, {"response": 1095, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 16, 2000 (23:45)", "body": "This belongs on Jon's page, but it's too late to go looking for the number. Anyway, this project of his appears to be full of rumpy-pumpy scenes: Queen Victoria is raunchy lover in BBC series By Oliver Poole QUEEN VICTORIA and Prince Albert are portrayed as a \"lusty couple\" who were obsessed with sex in a multi-million-pound BBC costume drama. The series dramatises the intimate events of their wedding night. Victoria will also be shown ogling the young Albert when he wore tight trousers, and revealing in her diary the sexual desire she felt for the dashing German aristocrat. Monarchists have expressed themselves upset by what has been described as a classic \"bodice-ripper\". The sexual antics in the BBC1 drama are not limited to the royal couple in the documentary, which has been commissioned to mark the 100th anniversary of Queen Victoria's death next year. The two-part series reveals in graphic detail the liaisons of one of her lord chamberlains. Prince Albert is shown barging in on Lord Uxbridge while he is making love to his half-naked mistress, who had been secreted into Buckingham Palace for illicit couplings between royal duties. Sarah Bradford, Viscountess Bangor, the royal biographer and historian, said the series was a new \"low\" for the BBC. She said: \"I think it is a bit sad really. What people do in bed is never factual unless it is photographed, witnessed or whatever.\" Donald Foreman, the secretary of the Monarchist League, said the treatment would anger many of the society's members. He said: \"It is true Queen Victoria very much enjoyed sex but they will think it is not appropriate to be poking behind the royal curtains. It is a bit like your own grandmother's private life being revealed.\" The BBC was criticised for excessive eroticism in its dramas after a production of Anthony Trollope's novel The Way We Live Now added a number of sex scenes not included in the original novel. David Cunliffe, of the production company own 2 feet, which is making the series, said the decision to portray Britain's longest ruling monarch as sex-crazed was based on historical fact. He said: \"People always portray her as not liking sex but she loved it. She obviously fancied Albert rotten. When Victoria met him before they were married she said, 'Gosh he is absolutely gorgeous', and when you look at pictures he was a bit of a dish.\" Mr Cunliffe, who produces the series, said that the programme, to be called Victoria and Albert, was unashamedly popular, focusing less on the political dramas of the time than the love affair between the married couple. Their sexual relationship has been most graphicly illustrated on their wedding night. Although the Queen is not shown completely naked, the couple disrobe and then passionately embrace as they consummate their marriage. Mr Cunliffe said: \"To all our knowledge they did consummate their marriage on the wedding night but it is not shown as writhing flesh. It is actually rather touching.\" The series, which cost \ufffd5 million to make, is to be one of the highlights of the BBC's spring season. Its glittering cast includes Diana Rigg as Victoria's governess Lehzen, Nigel Hawthorne as Lord Melbourne, David Suchet as the German diplomat Baron Stockmar and Peter Ustinov as William IV. Queen Victoria is played by Victoria Hamilton, who appeared in Mansfield Park, and Albert by Jonathan Firth, who was in the cast of the TV film A Likeness In Stone. Both age 20 years over the two programmes as the series covers the period from just before Victoria ascended to the throne, when she was 18, to Albert's death from typhoid at the age of 42. It is directed by John Ermen, the American director of the TV documentary Roots. Arundel Castle in Sussex doubled for Windsor Castle and Lancing College for Westminster Abbey. The Crystal Palace, built for the 1851 Great Exhibition which Albert supervised, has been recreated using computer technology and will be shown in all its original glory. Queen Victoria's clothes and private rooms, including her bedchamber, have been recreated from drawings and descriptions from the period."}, {"response": 1096, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Dec 17, 2000 (05:27)", "body": "Although the Queen is not shown completely naked, the couple disrobe and then passionately embrace as they consummate their marriage What a pity we have to make do with little bro in this role! On a different matter which may belong on #134 rather than here. Nick Hornby is locked in battle with Camden Council to buy a property they were bequeathed in Fitzroy Park in Highgate (sometimes called the last country lane left in London). The house was left to the Council with the stipulation that it be used by a charity or for some voluntary project. NH wants to buy it for the Tree House Trust to set up a school for autistic children. The Council wants the Trust to pay \ufffd4million which NH says they cannot afford. He says that what the Council really want to do is to sell it to developers and that the asking price reflects that. I shall keep you posted on developments! I think there might have been something about this in the Evening Standard recently. Shall go and check."}, {"response": 1097, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 17, 2000 (08:10)", "body": "Victoria will also be shown ogling the young Albert when he wore tight trousers ditto above comment. ;-) Interesting news item, Allison, and in right place. If however you hear of a protest against the Council, especially those involving paper chains, do let us know on 134. ;-)"}, {"response": 1098, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 17, 2000 (08:30)", "body": "Los Angeles Critics Honor 'Crouching Tiger' LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Director Ang Lee's romance set in western China, \"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,\" was named the best film of 2000 by Los Angeles film critics on Saturday as Hollywood heads into its awards season. The Los Angeles Film Critics Association named \"Wonderboys\" runner-up and handed \"Wonderboys\" star Michael Douglas the title best actor for his portrayal of a college professor dealing with a new prodigy on campus. Julia Roberts grabbed the best actress honor for her role as environmental activist Erin Brockovich in the movie of the same name, and director Steven Soderbergh was named best director for his work on both \"Erin Brockovich\" and the upcoming \"Traffic,\" about the drug wars in the United States. Combined with the National Board of Review awards and the New York Film Critics Circle honors handed out earlier this month, the L.A. film critics give movie fans a clearer idea of what media writers think are the best films of the year. This year, however, the only picture to emerge is that Hollywood\"s major studios are being shut out of the critics' awards in favor of moderately budgeted, independently-styled films like the drama \"Quills,\" the National Board of Review's best film, and \"Traffic,\" picked by the New York Film Critics Circle. Next up, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association nominates movies and stars Thursday for its annual Golden Globe awards, and a host of honors follow culminating in the U.S. film industry's top awards, the Oscars, handed out in March. Lee's \"Crouching Tiger\" has been one of this season\"s most talked about films in Hollywood for the director\"s ability to blend a moving love story with top-notch martial arts action. Lee, whose previous films include 1997's critically-acclaimed family drama \"The Ice Storm,\" was named runner-up in the favorite director category to Soderbergh. Best actor runner-up was Javier Bardem for \"Before Night Falls,\" which is based on the memoirs of Cuban novelist and poet Reinaldo Arenas. Laura Linney, who portrays a single woman dealing with the return home of her estranged brother in \"You Can Count on Me,\" was named runner-up to Roberts for the title best actress. \"Count On Me,\" which shared the best dramatic film award at the Sundance Film Festival this year, also claimed best screenplay honors for its writer, Kenneth Lonergan. Other picks from the Los Angeles film critics were Willem Dafoe as best supporting actor in \"Shadow of the Vampire\" and Frances McDormand as best supporting actress for her work in two films, \"Almost Famous\" and \"Wonderboys.\" Favorite foreign film went to Edward Yang\"s \"Yi Yi (A One and a Two),\" and best documentary was Mark Singer\"s \"Dark Days.\" Best animated film was \"Chicken Run,\" directed by Nick Park."}, {"response": 1099, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Dec 17, 2000 (09:41)", "body": "Wonderboys, a blast from the past. I had forgotten it. I hope Ang Lee goes all the way to the Oscar. Erin B is not best pic material. I saw the previews to Traffic and it looks very promising. Great camera work. Quills was a disappointment, although J Rush will clinch Best Actor IMO. DH said that J Phoenix can not act. ;-) I have seen him do better in Gladiator. He is still very cute. It is a typical move of the NY critics to award such a film. So let me get this straight, when they're amongst their own, no undies. But when they're out amongst strangers, yes, undies. Makes one wonder what goes on in those regimental messes that underwear might thwart. ;-) My thoughts exactly, Karen! ;-) Thanks, Neil and Marcia."}, {"response": 1100, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 17, 2000 (10:25)", "body": "(Moon) Erin B is not best pic material. Agree with you on this one. Sounds like Traffic will be the one, with Soderbergh getting best director ostensibly for that one, but voters will do it for both. CTHD would have to be for best foreign language film, although it is not beyond belief (this year) to split the best film/best director category. (Moon) Quills was a disappointment, although J Rush will clinch Best Actor IMO. DH said that J Phoenix can not act. ;-) I have seen him do better in Gladiator. Not a disappointment to me, but not *great* Agree about Geoffrey Rush. A shoe-in for a nomination. But totally disagree about J Phoenix. He's bound to be nominated for this one, more so than Gladiator. It was a killer part, and was very happily surprised that Kate Winslet's role was so substantial. Almost as if the three had nearly equal parts and all meaty. Each of them was very very good IMO."}, {"response": 1101, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 17, 2000 (10:28)", "body": "...and I was not impressed by Wonderboys. Talk about your home court favs. Just because Michael Douglas is looking and acting like someone his own age does not merit Oscar attention."}, {"response": 1102, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec 17, 2000 (11:39)", "body": "Jonathan raunchy lover? Hmmm....I'll have to see it to believe it."}, {"response": 1103, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sun, Dec 17, 2000 (13:41)", "body": "All is needed is him to be nominated for BAFTA afterwards."}, {"response": 1104, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Dec 17, 2000 (15:18)", "body": "Michael Douglas is looking and acting like someone his own age does not merit Oscar attention. True, but it always does the trick for Jack (always-the-same Nickleson). I forgot to add how disappointing it is that once again the BBC needs to resort to sex in selling a worthwhile story such as Queen Victoria. I do not know one person that liked what they did with Mme Bovary. This deprived world we live in is lacking morals and religion. Is it so politically incorrect to be a religious and moral person as was the case with Queen Victoria?"}, {"response": 1105, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 17, 2000 (23:15)", "body": "A review of the audiotape by Kim Bunce of the Observer: Speaking with the Angel Edited by Nick Hornby Running time 6 hours Penguin Audiobooks \ufffd12.99 It is no secret that Nick Hornby's son is autistic. I mention this because Speaking With the Angels, a compilation of 12 short stories by established writers, has been edited by Hornby to raise money for the Treehouse Trust for autistic children. Robert Harris's 'PMQ', read by a prime-ministerial Neil Pearson, is a wonderful satire on political misdemeanours, leaving the listener to judge the honesty of 'a pettifogging political pygmy'. Patrick Marber rediscovers music and teenage sex in a story called 'Peter Shelley'. In 'Last Requests', an Alan Bennett-style monologue by Giles Smith, Miriam Margolyes reveals herself as the queen of vocal-cord contortionists as she takes on the character of a cook preparing last meals for prisoners on a fictional death row while reflecting on the last hospital meal her husband had before he died. But the outstanding story in this collection is 'NippleJesus' by Hornby himself. Read by Ray Winstone, who is ideal for the role, this deeply layered observation challenges social stereotypes through a picture of Jesus constructed entirely from nipples and breasts. The listener's opinions are swung pendulum-like - first one way, then the other."}, {"response": 1106, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec 18, 2000 (15:47)", "body": "Heide...he never forgets a birthday or anniversary (though a girl might expect him to spring for more than paper hearts). Thanks, Heide! You can bet I'd be more loyal than that Katherine person.;-) They just announced that Steve Martin will host the Oscars. Should be interesting. The Boston Film Critics have weighed in with their choices, below. Very little agreement among the critics groups this year. Film: Almost Famous Director: Cameron Crowe, Almost Famous Actress: Ellen Burstyn, Requiem For A Dream Actor: Colin Farrell, Tigerland Supporting Actress: Frances McDormand, Almost Famous and Wonder Boys Supporting Actor: Fred Willard, Best In Show Screenplay: (Tie) Cameron Crowe, Almost Famous and Steve Kloves, Wonder Boys Foreign Film: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Best New Filmmaker: Kenneth Lonergan, You Can Count On Me"}, {"response": 1107, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 18, 2000 (16:33)", "body": "Very little agreement among the critics groups this year. You might want to read a little behind-the-scenes article by Lisa Schwarzbaum of EW of what went on during the NY Film Critics' voting and why Tom Hanks won. Has some amusing bits, but also gives a good idea of what all these critics are doing, i.e., making sure certain films/performances get named and don't fall through the cracks. (You'll like the bit about the volleyball.) http://www.ew.com/ew/article/commentary/0,6595,92050,00.html"}, {"response": 1108, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (04:33)", "body": "Jennifer and her Mum have been jointly nominated for Best Supporting Actress/Drama for the Golden Satallite Awards to ble presented on the 14th January!"}, {"response": 1109, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (07:59)", "body": "Golden Satellite Award? Never heard of it."}, {"response": 1110, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (08:16)", "body": "Go to Variety website, it is there. (nor have I!)"}, {"response": 1111, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (08:39)", "body": "I have read the Variety piece. What a bizarre award. Not to denigrate the RH/JE thing, they have nominated everything except the kitchen sink (Phaedra Cinema too!!) To me, it looks like an even more blatant attempt to have stars, any stars, come to their banquet. Even Richard Gere for Mr T and the Women!"}, {"response": 1112, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (08:54)", "body": ". . THE LAST time we mentioned anything about From Liz Smith's column: THE LAST time we mentioned anything about Julia Roberts and a sequel to one of her movies (\"Pretty Woman\") people around her reacted as if we had slapped the Queen. But the sting has subsided and we're ready for another smack. Word is that Julia and Hugh Grant's \"Notting Hill\" might soon get the sequel treatment: the further adventures of a movie star (Julia) and her commoner hubby (Hugh.) Ouch!!"}, {"response": 1113, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (09:13)", "body": "(Ann)Jennifer and her Mum have been jointly nominated for Best Supporting Actress/Drama for the Golden Satallite Awards to ble presented on the 14th January! (Karen)What a bizarre award.... Whoopee!! Bring'em on... Hey...we'll take it . Anything to keep JE's up there in Variety:-)) Thanks Ann."}, {"response": 1114, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (09:16)", "body": "Word is that Julia and Hugh Grant's \"Notting Hill\" might soon get the sequel treatment: the further adventures of a movie star (Julia) and her commoner hubby (Hugh.) Ouch!! And I'll be the first in line to buy a ticket... ...and put it on my birthday wish list;-)"}, {"response": 1115, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (09:22)", "body": "Re the Satallite Awards, what was most interesting,I thought, wa that they had given the nominee to both of them, just a start? Next The Golden Globes on the 21st?"}, {"response": 1116, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (09:22)", "body": "Re the Satallite Awards, what was most interesting,I thought, was that they had given the nominee to both of them, just a start? Next The Golden Globes on the 21st?"}, {"response": 1117, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (09:33)", "body": "Hey...all these awards go in one big pot to me...except the Oscars. They all end up on the CV's .And reading on the others...Judi Dench, Julie Walters, Kate Winslet,Catherine Deneuve...Jennifer's in good company. Not bad."}, {"response": 1118, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (10:03)", "body": "The story has also been taken up at Annova, mentions that JW has to compete against fellow Brits JD,KW, Samantha Morton and JE/RH. for the Best Supp[rting Actress role. As you say Evelyn, she is in good company. BTW has anybody noticed how many timesw SM turns up in Award Nomination, I think she is a very underated actress."}, {"response": 1119, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (10:04)", "body": "Hey Evelyn, you will have to get the DFL Publicist to update Jennifer's profile hee hee"}, {"response": 1120, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (10:04)", "body": "Hey Evelyn, you will have to get the DFL Publicist to update Jennifer's profile !"}, {"response": 1121, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (10:04)", "body": "Oh, what is happening!"}, {"response": 1122, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (10:59)", "body": "Am taking a very unpopular position re: shared nominations The more I think about it, the more I feel it is wrong, wrong, wrong. As I said before, the recognition is for the individual performance, not the role. Many have shared a role before and yet only a single actor is nominated. By promoting JE/RH for the shared nomination, they are doing both actors a disservice (makes it a gimmicky thing). I realize that if both were nominated separately, then the votes would be split and neither stands a chance of winning. To me, it smacks of a \"no guts, no glory\" tactic and almost makes it look as though JE cannot do it without her mother. in good company Who ISN'T being nominated?"}, {"response": 1123, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (11:14)", "body": "Gwyneth Paltrow! Sorry but I disagree Karen, between them they made that role, Jennifer was vibrant, beautiful and full of energy, Rosemary brought wisdom to the role, as many reviewers have said they were the sunshine in Sunshine. I think it needed both actors to be that good to make the role that good. (hope that makes sense)"}, {"response": 1124, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (11:25)", "body": "That's OK. I don't expect people here to agree with me. Some could be called a little biased on this issue? ;-)"}, {"response": 1125, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (14:59)", "body": "(Ann) Hey Evelyn, you will have to get the DFL Publicist to update Jennifer's profile hee hee Unfortunately,only Oscar, Olivier, BAFTA and sometimes GG nominations count for the CV. But if she wins....her I go:-)) (Karen)Am taking a very unpopular position re: shared nominations The more I think about it, the more I feel it is wrong, wrong, wrong. Well!! I'm glad you're not on the panel of judges.*winkie* I can see your POV re: shared nominations, though I don't share it. However, IMO after it's all over people will forget they've *shared*, the industry people will understand it was for the unusual role and what the hell the publicity is worth it."}, {"response": 1126, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (15:44)", "body": "Here is the Golden Satellite Websites, tells you all about them etc. http:/awards.fennec.org/awards 1-3html"}, {"response": 1127, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (15:45)", "body": "http:/awards.fennec.org/awards 1-3html"}, {"response": 1128, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (15:47)", "body": "http://awards.fennec.org/awards 1-3html"}, {"response": 1129, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (17:40)", "body": "The Fourth Annual Golden Satellite Awards: \"The International Press Academy (IPA)is the largest entertainment press organization in the world, comprising more than 250 full-time professional entertainment journalists from both the United States and abroad. Formed in 1996 by veteran Hollywood correspondent Mirjana Van Blaricom, the International Press Academy covers the world of entertainment through the print and broadcast media and the Internet. The annual Golden Satellite Awards, bestowed in January, honor outstanding achievement in the fields of film, television and multimedia\""}, {"response": 1130, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 19, 2000 (18:06)", "body": "A holiday greeting from Murph to everyone at Drool: http://www.murphsplace.com/happy.html"}, {"response": 1131, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec 20, 2000 (10:45)", "body": "Interesting article on the Oscar race and awards season, from today's NY Times. High-Decibel Oscar Buzz December 20, 2000 By RICK LYMAN HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 19 Jamie Bell, the 14-year-old star of \"Billy Elliot,\" who lives in a small town in northern England, was seated in a crisp new Los Angeles Dodgers jersey amid the holiday splendor of the Four Seasons Hotel's dining room, staring skeptically at a type of toasted bread he'd never seen before. \"What is an English muffin?\" he asked. Stephen Daldry, the movie's director, sat across from him, smiling like a bemused uncle. \"Billy Elliot,\" a small-scale British film that was picked up as the inaugural release by Universal Focus, the new specialty film division of Universal Pictures, is getting the big Oscar push from the studio, which is what brought Mr. Bell and Mr. Daldry back to Southern California and a fresh round of screenings and interviews. \"I know it's very important, and I'm very grateful for everything the studio has done,\" Mr. Daldry said. \"But I really try very hard to stay away from all of the talk about Oscars and awards. Not that it wouldn't be nice to win.\" If Mr. Daldry is indeed able to steer clear of Oscar talk, he may be the only one in Hollywood doing so. The awards season is in full throttle, and this is widely regarded as one of the strangest and most unsettled Oscar races in years. Normally, by early December, there would be putative favorites in at least a few major categories, and the cognoscenti would be able to rattle off the names of most of the films and actors expected to get nominations. Not so this year, when the race is bizarrely wide open. \"This is the first time that I think there are no sure bets in any of the major categories,\" said Ruth Vitale, co-president of Paramount Classics, which is pushing hard for several of its films and performances. \"You just keep saying to everyone that this year all bets are off.\" Harvey Weinstein, chairman of Miramax Films, which has had a great deal of success and has drawn sharp criticism for its aggressive Oscar campaigns over the last five years, said that while he can point to two or three likely nominees in many of the top categories, no surefire winners have emerged. \"There has not yet been one movie that people have embraced this year,\" he said. \"Not all of the films are out yet, and it may still happen. But at the moment, it could go in almost any direction.\" As recently as a month ago, the common wisdom was that it had been an abysmal year for movies, especially for the major studios. \"It hasn't been a strong year for Hollywood in terms of the caliber of the product,\" said David Dinerstein, Paramount Classics' other co-president. \"But we've also seen a lot of very good films, and a lot of us try to save our best for the last, and we're just now beginning to see that.\" While most people still consider 2000 to be a weak year for films, a late spate of releases, many from independent distributors and studio specialty-film divisions, has re-energized the Oscar race and led people to think that the Academy Awards ceremony on March 25 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, with Steve Martin as host, might not be such an embarrassment after all. The nation's independent-film theaters, which had been in the doldrums through most of the year, suddenly sprang to life in the last two months with the release of a string of films including \"Quills,\" \"Best in Show,\" \"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,\" \"Requiem for a Dream,\" \"You Can Count on Me,\" \"Pollock\" and \"Chocolat\" that have drawn moviegoers and created the first glimmerings of a competitive Oscar season. And there are more independent films to come in the next few weeks, films that their distributors believe have a solid shot at Oscar nominations: Steven Soderbergh's \"Traffic,\" an ensemble thriller about the drug trade; E. Elias Merhige's \"Shadow of the Vampire,\" a supernatural fantasy about the filming of a classic silent horror film; Sam Raimi's \"Gift,\" a neo-Gothic mystery starring Cate Blanchett as a Southern small-town psychic; David Mamet's \"State and Main,\" a comedy about a film company invading a New England town; and Julian Schnabel's \"Before Night Falls,\" based on the tragic life of the Cuban poet Reinaldo Arenas. Add to this the major studio films that have yet to be released most notably Robert Zemeckis's \"Cast Away,\" starring Tom Hanks as a man marooned on a tropical island; Roger Donaldson's \"Thirteen Days,\" with Kevin Costner playing a presidential aide during the Cuban missile crisis; and Billy Bob Thornton's \"All the Pretty Horses,\" based on the highly regarded novel by Cormac McCarthy as well as earlier studio releases like Mr. Soderbergh's \"Erin Brockovich,\" Curtis Hanson's \"Wonder Boys,\" Cameron Crowe's \"Almost Famous,\" Ridley Scott's \"Gladiator\" and the animated \"Chicken Run\" and it is easy to see why the pre-Oscar buzz has built to a deafening roar. \"I think it's great that it's a wide open race,\" said Tom Ortenberg, co-"}, {"response": 1132, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Dec 20, 2000 (13:38)", "body": "Did nobody out there like Oh Brother where art thou? so much more original than yet another film about how the only way out of the hell of the north of England is to take up ballet dancing, blow a cornet or take your clothes off:-))"}, {"response": 1133, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 20, 2000 (14:37)", "body": "Oh Brother... (which hasn't even opened yet) was No. 1 from the main film critic at the Chicago Tribune, and he had Sunshine at #4, with no ballet dancers from up north anywhere to be seen. ;-) Ebert's Top 10 (v. disappointing): 1. \"Almost Famous\" 2. \"Wonder Boys\" 3. \"You Can Count on Me\" 4. \"Traffic\" 5. \"George Washington\" 6. \"The Cell\" 7. \"High Fidelity\" 8. \"Pollock\" 9. \"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon\" 10.\"Requiem for a Dream\""}, {"response": 1134, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 20, 2000 (16:39)", "body": "Ebert's Top 10 (v. disappointing): No Gladiator? Good news for High Fidelity& Nick Hornsby."}, {"response": 1135, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Dec 20, 2000 (18:41)", "body": "Speaking of \"Traffic\"... Following are the guests on tonight's Charlie Rose show: Stephen Soderbergh, Director,\"Traffic\"; Catherine Zeta-Jones, Actor, \"Traffic\""}, {"response": 1136, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Dec 20, 2000 (19:05)", "body": "Evelyn says: Traffic hasn't opened yet. I read that it will only open in LA at the end of the year and go national in mid-January. *********** The New Yorker that came today calls it \"the most exciting and complexly imagined American movie of the year.\" And the EW End of the Year issue (with you know who on the cover) has a great picture of Benedicio Del Toro, the Tijuana cop. Hi all. Glad to find a minute to loosen up these stiff fingers and post a note. Happy holidays, and thanks, Karen, for posting the URL to my \"card.\" Have to run, Ed is coming on and, since it is filmed in my own \"Village of Ridgewood,\" I have to watch to see what local sights they have captured...and then, after that, there is West Wing -- the Favorite of favorites."}, {"response": 1137, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Dec 20, 2000 (19:08)", "body": "Me again (Jeez, will she ever shut up?) Reel.com has a cute Alternative Awards page: http://www.reel.com/reel.asp?node=features/millennium/bestof99/alternative"}, {"response": 1138, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 20, 2000 (22:40)", "body": "A very long, but surprisingly good, analysis from Screendaily: AWARDS COUNTDOWN BEST ACTRESS/BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS It\ufffds been a rich year for actresses, but Julia Roberts is the only dead cert for a best actress nomination. Meanwhile, in the supporting actress category, the British are sure to make their now traditional appearance. Mike Goodridge reports. She was Oscar-nominated for her second starring role and her third, but Julia Roberts has had to wait 10 years and another 19 films before her third. And there can be nothing more certain that Roberts, probably the world\ufffds biggest box office star, will snag a best actress Academy Award nomination for Erin Brockovich. She\ufffdll probably walk away with the prize itself, unless some serious rallying from other studios comes into play on behalf of their performers. Roberts has already been named best actress of 2000 by the National Board Of Review Of Motion Pictures and should snag other critics\ufffd honours before almost inevitable nominations for the Golden Globe and the Bafta as well as the Oscar. Why such certainty? Even though the film was released in March, her hugely charismatic, screen-chewing turn as the real-life crusader Brockovich was so intrepid, convincing and unlike anything else that the romantic comedy queen has done that critics roared with approbation. Besides, it\ufffds clearly Roberts\ufffd turn. After a lull in the mid-1990s, she has re-established herself as the undisputed queen of the box office \ufffd even Erin Brockovich took over $100m \ufffd and the Academy always loves a good actor who also sells tickets. Pundits have been tipping Roberts since the film opened and nothing quite so spectacular as her work in this film has emerged in subsequent months. Is hers the best performance of the year by an actress in a leading role? Probably not, but then again it was the best performance of the year by a giant movie star in a much-liked hit film. If voters of every age embrace Erin Brockovich, only a fraction will stomach Requiem For A Dream, Darren Aronofsky\ufffds resolutely uncompromising adaptation of Hubert Selby Jr\ufffds novel about the horrors of drug addiction. But amid the carnage of self-destruction that will turn off many is a performance by Ellen Burstyn, which could be the best in any year \ufffd by man or woman. As an ageing, lonely woman who gets hooked on diet pills in order to slim down for an appearance on a TV quiz show, Burstyn is mesmerising. Her descent into madness \ufffd accompanied by hallucinations and withdrawal from the world \ufffd is what makes the film so heartbreaking and ultimately accessible to those who can\ufffdt relate to the addictions of the younger characters. Although she\ufffds acted steadily since her heyday in the 1970s, Burstyn\ufffds role in this film, as well as a stand-out supporting performance in James Gray\ufffds The Yards and the hit re-release of The Exorcist, have catapulted her back into the public eye. Burstyn is no stranger to awards. She has five Oscar nominations under her belt and one Oscar \ufffd for Alice Doesn\ufffdt Live Here Anymore in 1974. Her other nominations were for The Last Picture Show (1971), The Exorcist (1973), Same Time Next Year (1978) and Resurrection (1980). Burstyn\ufffds experience contrasts starkly with another frontrunner, Icelandic pop diva Bjork who made her film acting debut in Lars von Trier\ufffds bravura musical melodrama Dancer In The Dark. Von Trier hired her for the role of his Czech immigrant single mother working in a factory in a small town in rural Washington state after seeing her in Spike Jonze\ufffds music video for her song It\ufffds Oh So Quiet. And despite the conflict of personalities which existed between the two on set, his judgement that she was perfect for the part proved right. Bjork threw herself into her character Selma with an abandon rarely seen even in the most courageous of actresses. As Selma starts to lose her sight and struggles to save money for an operation that will save her son from the same fate, she was natural and appealingly stubborn. After committing murder to recover the money when it is stolen, she was captivating to watch. And when she faces the death penalty, her combination of resignation to her fate and despair was devastating t watch. Critics may have been divided about the film itself but Bjork received unanimous acclaim, winning the best actress prize at Cannes and the European Film Award. Last week she won a special recognition from the National Board Of Review for outstanding dramatic performance in a musical. For the star who claims that she won\ufffdt act again, an Oscar nomination (maybe two if her song I\ufffdve Seen It All gets one) could be persuasion enough for her to eat her words. Laura Linney made a breakthrough in 1999 after a decade of solid work in studio films (The Truman Show, Primal Fear and Congo) and as Mary Ann Singleton in the popular Tales Of The City TV series. In You Can Count On Me Linney plays a single mother living in a small town in upstate New York whose routine life is thrown into tur"}, {"response": 1139, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Dec 21, 2000 (07:52)", "body": "A good day for Sunshine at the Golden Globes. Noms for Best Picture-Drama, and Best Director, Istvan Szabo. Alas, none in the the acting categories."}, {"response": 1140, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Dec 21, 2000 (08:29)", "body": "1.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd BEST MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA a.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd BILLY ELLIOT Universal Pictures / Working Title / BBC Film / WT2; Universal Focus\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd b.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd ERIN BROCKOVICH \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Universal Pictures / Jersey Films; Universal Pictures / Sony Pictures c.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd GLADIATOR \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd DreamWorks Pictures / Universal Pictures ; DreamWorks Pictures / Universal Pictures d.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd SUNSHINE \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Alliance Atlantis / Serendipity Point Films / Kinowelt;\ufffd Paramount Classics \ufffd e.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd TRAFFIC \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Bedford Falls Company / Laura Bickford Production;\ufffd USA Films f.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd WONDER BOYS Paramount Pictures / Mutual Film; Paramount Pictures \ufffd 2.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA a.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd JOAN ALLEN\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd The Contender b.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd BJ\ufffdRK\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Dancer In The Dark c.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd ELLEN BURSTYN\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Requiem For A Dream d.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd LAURA LINNEY\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd You Can Count On Me e.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd JULIA ROBERTS\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Erin Brockovich 3.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA a.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd JAVIER BARDEM\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Before Night Falls \ufffd b.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd RUSSELL CROWE\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Gladiator \ufffd c.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd MICHAEL DOUGLAS\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Wonder Boys \ufffd d.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd TOM HANKS\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Cast Away e.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd GEOFFREY RUSH\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Quills 4.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd BEST MOTION PICTURE - MUSICAL OR COMEDY \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd a.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd ALMOST FAMOUS \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd DreamWorks Pictures;\ufffd DreamWorks Pictures / Columbia Pictures b.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd BEST IN SHOW \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Castle Rock Entertainment;\ufffd Warner Bros. Pictures\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd \ufffd c.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd CHICKEN RUN (CLAYMATION)\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Aardman Production;\ufffd DreamWorks Pictures / Pathe d.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd CHOCOLAT\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd David Brown Productions;\ufffd Miramax Films e.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU? \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Touchstone Pictures / Universal Pictures / Studio Canal / Working Title;\ufffd Buena Vista Pictures Distribution 5.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE - MUSICAL OR COMEDY a.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd JULIETTE BINOCHE\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Chocolat b.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd BLENDA BLETHYN\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Saving Grace c.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd SANDRA BULLOCK\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Miss Congeniality \ufffd d.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd TRACEY ULLMAN\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Small Time Crooks e.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd RENEE ZELLWEGER\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Nurse Betty \ufffd 6.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE - MUSICAL OR COMEDY a.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd JIM CARREY\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd The Grinch \ufffd b.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd GEORGE CLOONEY\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd O Brother, Where Art Thou? \ufffd c.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd JOHN CUSACK\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd High Fidelity d.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd ROBERT DE NIRO\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Meet The Parents e.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd MEL GIBSON\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd What Women Want 7.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM a.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd AMORES PERROS \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Lions Gate Films / Alta Vista \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd MEXICO b.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Zoom Hunt International Productions; Sony Pictures Classics \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd TAIWAN \ufffd c.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd THE HUNDRED STEPS \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Titti Film / Rai Cinema \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd ITALY\ufffd\ufffd d.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd MALENA \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Medusa Film / Miramax Films;\ufffd Miramax Films \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd ITALY e.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd THE WIDOW OF ST. PIERRE \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Flach Pyramid;\ufffd Lions Gate Films \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd FRANCE 8.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE a.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd JUDI DENCH\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Chocolat b..\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd KATE HUDSON\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Almost Famous c.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd FRANCES McDORMAND\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Almost Famous d.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd JULIE WALTERS\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Billy Elliot e.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd CATHERINE ZETA-JONES\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Traffic \ufffd 9.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE a.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd JEFF BRIDGES\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd The Contender b.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd WILLEM DAFOE\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Shadow of the Vampire c.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd BENICIO DEL TORO\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Traffic d.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd ALBERT FINNEY\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Erin Brockovich e.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd JOAQUIN PHOENIX\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Gladiator 10.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd BEST DIRECTOR - MOTION PICTURE a.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd ANG LEE\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon b.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd RIDLEY SCOTT\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Gladiator c.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd STEVEN SODERBERGH\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Erin Brockovich d.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd STEVEN SODERBERGH\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Traffic e.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd ISTVAN SZABO\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Sunshine 11.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd BEST SCREENPLAY - MOTION PICTURE a.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd CAMERON CROWE\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Almost Famous b.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd STEPHEN GAGHAN\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Traffic c.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd STEVE KLOVES\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Wonder Boys d.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd KENNETH LONERGAN\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd You Can Count On Me e.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd DOUG WRIGHT\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Quills"}, {"response": 1141, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 21, 2000 (08:35)", "body": "Thanks, Mari, for getting the nominations up so fast. Best Dramatic Actress is as expected. But pretty disappointing in the best supporting actress category. :-("}, {"response": 1142, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 21, 2000 (09:13)", "body": "Comments on GG: Am disappointed that JE was not nominated, but not dispondent..Oscars don't always follow GG;-) How's that for optimism!! Glad to see Sunshine , director and musical score (He did Zhivago too!)nominated.But how can they keep ignoring RF?? Big Day in the Michael Douglas household! Happy to see John Cusak (HF) up there and Renee. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Screen Daily:\"If voters of every age embrace Erin Brockovich, only a fraction will stomach Requiem For A Dream, Darren Aronofsky\ufffds resolutely uncompromising adaptation of Hubert Selby Jr\ufffds novel about the horrors of drug addiction\" That's *me* folks. I refuse to see any more druggie movies, I'm tired of seeing people vomiting in toilets, injecting themselves with needles and viewing cockroaches coming out of woodwork. [I will wait for your reviews of\"Traffic\" before I go.If there are any of the above components pl. let me know] Bring on Bridget..enough of this realism, I want to leave a movie with a smile on my face. Thank you for list listening:-))"}, {"response": 1143, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 21, 2000 (09:14)", "body": "Sorry, italics closed"}, {"response": 1144, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 21, 2000 (09:20)", "body": "This appeared in the TV section of \"Daily Oklahoman\" HBO PLANS NEW SERIES Call it\"Sex and the City:The Testosterone Chronicles\". HBO has ordered 10 episodes of \"The Mind of the Married Man\", about three male reporters at a Chicago newspaper who struggle to, well, stay with the lines. Mike Binder (\"The Contender\"[uh? no \"Sex Monster\"? ])is creator of the sitcom and will costar, along with Jake Weber and Taylor Nichols. No word on a debut date.\""}, {"response": 1145, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Dec 21, 2000 (09:37)", "body": "I am glad to see \"Oh Brother where art thou\" and George Clooney. Tho Karen did you say it had not yet opened in the States? It opened in the UK at the beginning of September."}, {"response": 1146, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 21, 2000 (09:56)", "body": "No, it hasn't; they saved it for the end-of-year BIG picture race here. In fact, George Clooney was on David Letterman last night promoting it. Also read today that Enemy at the Gate is going to show at the requisite couple of theaters by year-end in order to qualify, but won't play nationally until APRIL!! (Evelyn) Oscars don't always follow GG;-) They don't and can't...for the most part. The Hollywood Foreign Press are a v. small group and vote on the basis of cocktail party attendance. ;-) One of the websites I visited equated the GGs as no better than the Blockbuster Awards. C'mon, any show produced by Dick Clark!!"}, {"response": 1147, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 21, 2000 (10:22)", "body": "HAPPY HANUKKAH, KAREN warmhappy1cp.gif\"> com/img/d/dance1cp.gif\">"}, {"response": 1148, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 21, 2000 (10:30)", "body": "One more try... com/enggifs/jewish/jicons/jicons4cp.gif\"> Anyway...if it doesn't work go here and find your card...third one down...I like the dancing happy menorah's!! http://static.bluemountain.com/image.bluemountain.com/enggifs/jewish/jicons/jicons4cp.gif Enjoy!"}, {"response": 1149, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 21, 2000 (12:44)", "body": "(My brain must be frozen or in shoveling mode.) The lack of \"O Brother\" on awards lists has nothing to do with NOT having opened, as so many others have not and all the critics would've seen in at Cannes this summer. It's a comedy! Also, it probably opened first in England because Working Title is behind it as well. It opened Billy Elliot there first, and I'm guessing Bridget will open there first too, by only a few days or a week, as was done with NH."}, {"response": 1150, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec 21, 2000 (13:36)", "body": "Thnks Mari! How could they nominate Ang Lee as Best Director when his film is up for Foreign language? They have snubbed Bjork in a category made to order such as musical actress. Julia Roberts could never have done what she has with that role. Binoche has done much better before and Kate Winslet should have been nominated for Best Supporting in Quills. I am beginning to feel sorry for Ralph Fiennes too. Michael Douglas over him I just do not see."}, {"response": 1151, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec 21, 2000 (13:37)", "body": "And... Happy Hanukkah, Karen!"}, {"response": 1152, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 21, 2000 (16:19)", "body": "If Jennifer wasn't nominated, I hope Julie Walters gets it for Billy E. Judi Dench should get the \"Lifetime Best Actress Alive Award\" .Period. And let others have a chance, Frances Mc Dormand already got one.Kate Hudson and Catherine ZJ are cashing in on popularity right now.Unless the latter has had acting lessons, she's gorgeous, but can't act. I bet Renee gets it for Nurse Betty."}, {"response": 1153, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Dec 21, 2000 (16:48)", "body": "I sent this URL to Evelyn. It has more info on Sunshine's GG nomination because the film is a part Canadian production: http://www.southam.com/montrealgazette/newsnow/cpfs/entertainment/001221/e122131.html"}, {"response": 1154, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Dec 21, 2000 (16:55)", "body": "CHUD says that best supporting should go to Benedicio Del Toro, who was way above the others nominated in talent and performance. (For Traffic) He has an interesting face."}, {"response": 1155, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Dec 21, 2000 (21:29)", "body": "Happy Hanukkah, Karen! With my very best wishes, KJ"}, {"response": 1156, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 21, 2000 (22:36)", "body": "Thank you all for the holiday wishes. :-) (Moon) How could they nominate Ang Lee as Best Director when his film is up for Foreign language? That's happened before and is not wrong imo. The horrible one is when a film is nominated for best picture and the director isn't, like with John Madden. (Evelyn) Judi Dench should get the \"Lifetime Best Actress Alive Award\" .Period. And let others have a chance Huh? She was nominated twice before and won once. That's not exactly like Meryl Streep, who gets nominated nearly every time she makes a movie. C'mon, you should remember how many times Bette Davis, Katherine Hepburn and many others have been nominated and won."}, {"response": 1157, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Dec 22, 2000 (10:12)", "body": "The horrible one is when a film is nominated for best picture and the director isn't, like with John Madden. IMO, neither film or director should have been nominated in his case. Merry Christmas and a fantastically firthfilled 2001!"}, {"response": 1158, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Fri, Dec 22, 2000 (16:15)", "body": "Merry Christmas to all of you. May whatever holiday that you celebrate this season be joyfilled. Happy Boxing Day to all of you in Canada and the UK."}, {"response": 1159, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Dec 22, 2000 (20:29)", "body": "RE: the Golden Globes. When they announced Sunshine as a nominee, I thought, great, there's a chance for Jen, the film is on their radar screen and they liked it! Unfortunately it was not to be, but let's hang onto hope for the Oscars, which do not mirror the Globes. I was checking on the Academy members' screening schedule for Sunshine, and it's aggresive, so at least they are getting the film in front of people to see. When I think of a great supporting perfromance, I think of someone without whom the film would have been seriously diminished. By that definition, Ehle/Harris should have been in there. They're the heart of the film. Do these nominess fit that bill? Kate Hudson certainly does, for Almost Famous (McDormand, less so). The others, I haven't seen yet. I am so glad Renee is nommed, but was disappointed that Nurse Betty didn't get anything, either for film or screenplay, both of which should have been there. (Moon) Binoche has done much better before Moon, what did you think of Chocolat? From the trailers and reviews, it seems trivial, but you can't always tell from that."}, {"response": 1160, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 22, 2000 (22:38)", "body": "I've seen Chocolat. It was a lovely and enchanting film, but not a BEST Picture type. How many magical food movies will there be? Judi Dench does have a v.g. role (i.e., more than 8 minutes) and not a clone of other eccentric old lady parts she's done as in Tea w/Mussolini. That being said, I thought Lena Olin was marvelous and who would recognize Carrie-Anne Moss! Even Johnny Depp with his Irish accent was good. I do however begrudge the nomination for Rachel Portman's practically nonexistent score. Have these people not heard the Wonderland score? This is stuff that plays around in your head afterward, and it's by the same guy who did The Piano (Michael Nyman). And you thought Phaedra couldn't manage itself out of a papersack. Here's another company that's got its head up its.... On the trailer alert: with this weekend's movies, we're being shown teasers for the biggies of first-half 2001. Have been seeing The Mexican (opens late March), Pearl Harbor (Memorial Day) and now a teaser for AI (summer of 2001). Am keeping my eyes open for another biggie."}, {"response": 1161, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Dec 23, 2000 (04:06)", "body": "Wishing you all the compliments of the season - however you may celebrate."}, {"response": 1162, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 23, 2000 (09:25)", "body": "Best wishes to everyone for a happy holiday season and a Firth-filled new year."}, {"response": 1163, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec 23, 2000 (10:18)", "body": "(Mari)When they announced Sunshine as a nominee, I thought, great, there's a chance for Jen, the film is on their radar screen and they liked it! Unfortunately it was not to be,but let's hang onto hope for the Oscars, which do not mirror the Globes. I was checking on the Academy members' screening schedule for Sunshine, and it's aggresive, so at least they are getting the film in front of people to see. LATIMES 12/22 They're Anybody's Golden Globes by Robert W. Welkos and Susan King, Times Staff Writers - \"Gasps of delight went up when Hungarian filmmaker Istvan Szabo was nominated as best director for Sunshine, the three-hour epic about a Hungarian Jewish family. When his name was announced, someone on the hotel staff dropped a tray, shattering the silence. Sunshine received three Globe nominations (best drama, director and original score).\" ~~~~~~~~~~~ LA Times is doing their best, they have blurbs about Sunshine every few days.It was on of their best choices for the year."}, {"response": 1164, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Dec 23, 2000 (11:02)", "body": "I've seen Chocolat. It was a lovely and enchanting film, but not a BEST Picture type. How many magical food movies will there be? Too many, if this one is a success.;-) I'll see it at some point, I'm sure. I saw Cast Away yesterday and liked it very much. I liked that it had the guts to show a person in complete solitude for the better part of the film. When Hanks is on the island, there are no sound effects, no special effects, no music, very little talking, and I don't even think they used much, if any, artificial lighting. Tom does a terrific job in evoking this man's utter loneliness and desperation, conveying everything with just his facial expressions and body language. A beautifully understated performance, and he makes it look so effortless, so natural. IMO, he's one of the least-mannered actors around; you never get the familiar collection of tics with him. I also liked the lack of a pat ending; what we get here is very ambiguous. I saw Quills earlier in the week, and liked that also. I liked that it didn't take the usual Hollywood knee-jerk position that complete freedom of expression is always a good thing (though I'm generally one of those knee-jerks;-). Performances were very good, though I thought Geoffrey Rush a bit over the top; I would have preferred a more subtle, Hannibal Lecter-type of menace, but maybe that was a function of the script, which I thought was very well-done, very naughtily witty. In any event, he certainly looks like he's enjoying himself. I thought Joaquin Phoenix was great; this kid really excels at playing tortured, emotionally-torn souls. And, boy, is he ever good-looking!;-) Kate Winslet was also very good, as usual. So, I'm not sure if these meet the definition of \"great\" films, but I sure enjoyed them, for very different reasons. In any event, it was good to see two big studio films that dared to do something different. Evelyn, I heard those gasps and squeals when Sunshine was announced!"}, {"response": 1165, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Dec 23, 2000 (11:47)", "body": "So Mari, you would give the Oscar to Hanks over Rush? Moon, what did you think of Chocolat? From the trailers and reviews, it seems trivial, but you can't always tell from that. I will probably see Cast Away today. I still have seen Chocolat because my DH was turned off by the previews. I loved Like Water for Chocolate, and Chocolat appears to be a (not as interesting), copy. Definitely not Best Picture material. I still insist that Bjork was overlooked. I am counting on the Oscars to set this straight."}, {"response": 1166, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec 23, 2000 (12:33)", "body": "(Mari)Tom does a terrific job in evoking this man's utter loneliness and desperation, conveying everything with just his facial expressions and body language. A beautifully understated performance, and he makes it look so effortless, so natural. IMO, he's one of the least-mannered actors around; I hope to see \"Castaway\" this weekend, if the winter storm doesn't hit us. I consider Tom Hanks the American counter-part to RF. What a hard worker!! But did you know that for a time the audiences wouldn't accept him in anything other than comedies..\"Bachelor Party\", \"Splash\", \"Big\". He's been on a press junket for \"Castaway\" and he said this in Dallas: \"Well, there was certainly a time when I was in my 20's and 30s that I was wanting to do something else,\" he admits. \"But I never felt like, 'Hey, they typecast me! What a gyp. They'll never let me do that'. Because I had the power to say yes or no to the stuff...I was not one to bemoan the image that I had, based on the choices that I had made, because who made the choices? Who said yes to \"Dragnet\" ? That was me. I said I was gonna do it, y'know?\""}, {"response": 1167, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 27, 2000 (09:14)", "body": "From today's Variety: OSCAR, MEET BAFTA: Brits shift in bid to redraw the kudos map By ADAM DAWTREY LONDON -- The Hollywood kudos season, which kicked off with the National Board of Review in early December and climaxes with the Academy Awards in late March, has always been an all-American affair. But now the Brits are crashing the party. The British Academy of Film & Television Arts has shifted its film awards to Feb. 25 from its old April slot in a bold bid to redraw the Oscar campaign map. Slap bang between the Golden Globes (Jan. 21) and the Academy Awards (March 25), the British Academy is pitching itself as a stepping-stone toward the ultimate prize. Although the awards are technically named the Orange British Academy Film Awards, in deference to their sponsor, everyone calls them the Baftas. (The org abbreviation is BAFTA in capital letters.) So will Hollywood embrace the interloper or give it the cold shoulder? Much, say studio sources, depends on whether this year's Bafta ceremony proves worthy of long-term support. But big American players are already pouring far more cash and effort than ever before into wooing BAFTA's members -- 3,000 industry insiders in Blighty and approximately 800 expats in Los Angeles and New York. \"We've had a fantastic response from the studios and big independents,\" said Steve Woolley, chairman of BAFTA's film section, who visited Los Angeles in September with chief exec Amanda Berry to talk up the date switch. Not only are there far more special screenings and more videos being sent out this year, but studios and talent are bending over backward to press the flesh. Geoffrey Rush (\"Quills\"), Michael Winterbottom (\"The Claim\"), Joel Schumacher (\"Tigerland\"), Michael Douglas and Curtis Hanson (\"The Wonder Boys\"), and Kate Hudson and Patrick Fugit (\"Almost Famous\") have already graced screenings at BAFTA's Piccadilly HQ in London. A host of screenplays, glossy brochures, CDs and other goodies are heading to BAFTA's members. By contrast, the org's U.S. counterpart, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences, does not allow such campaigning. \"We have a larger budget and more leverage to get the talent over,\" confirmed Richard Napper, managing director of Columbia TriStar U.K. \"Everyone is looking at it as a stepping-stone,\" said Andrew Cripps, president of United Intl. Pictures, which reps Universal and Paramount. With no U.S. TV coverage lined up this year, Woolley admitted that the BAFTAs cannot compete with the Golden Globes for public impact. The one-two Globes to Oscars punch is a proven prescription for Hollywood marketeers, and that's not likely to change easily, especially given the perception that the Baftas represent -- in the words of one top studio exec -- \"nothing more than a free trip to London.\" But with a significant minority of BAFTA members also members of AMPAS, the Brit event could offer the industry a real clue to the way the Oscar winds are blowing. And if the British awards do eventually establish themselves as a more accurate Oscar predictor than the Globes, whose track record in the past couple of years has been decidedly mixed -- there might not be too many tears among those who chafe at the power of the 90 journalists who comprise the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. Not everyone is convinced the new Baftas will suddenly be so much more important than the old. David Livingstone, Universal's London-based president of international marketing, plays down the Oscar link. \"I do like the Baftas, but I don't think they pave the way for the Academy Awards, albeit that they are now on the way,\" he said. \"It's of less significance than I would hope it to be. In reality, nine out of 10 people in Hollywood don't know the Baftas exist. Its level of significance may have gone up 25%, but what was its level before? Negligible.\" U's \"Billy Elliot\" could well sweep the board at this year's event, but Livingstone suspects such a British victory could be discounted in Hollywood as evidence of hometown favoritism. It's true that BAFTA has a tradition of honoring Brits, whether in local or Hollywood movies. But it is also proud of its support for American or other foreign talent overlooked by U.S. prizegivers. A couple of years ago, \"The Truman Show\" won consolation prizes at the Baftas after its Oscar shutout, and last year Pedro Almodovar beat Sam Mendes, the British-born Oscar winner, for the director award. The delicate question is how far BAFTA's quirky independence will be compromised by its desire to become a pointer to the Academy Awards. BAFTA has already built a certain, ahem, flexibility into its qualification rules to ensure that all the main Oscar candidates are also in the running for its awards. Many Oscar films that are released Stateside in December don't find their way to British cinemas until February or March. So BAFTA admits any film released up to March 16, as long as it gets a one-week qualifying run somewhere in Britain by the end of December. L"}, {"response": 1168, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 27, 2000 (10:06)", "body": "\"...awards are technically named the Orange British Academy Film Awards, in deference to their sponsor\" Really? The Florida orange juice people sponsor this? I thought it was some bank? \"With no U.S. TV coverage lined up this year, Woolley admitted that the BAFTAs cannot compete with the Golden Globes for public impact. \" Is it televised live in UK yet?Or like the Oliviers is it televised three days later...[puhleese]. I don't expect a nomination for \"Sunshine\".Unlike the US, the film got spotty reviews [I'm not surprised] and they all hate RF ."}, {"response": 1169, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec 27, 2000 (13:30)", "body": "Really? The Florida orange juice people sponsor this? Florida is behind everything. They keep wanting to make it the capital of the US, but we refuse to let all those diplomats in. ;-) The Orange Bowl Parade is co-sponsored by the Baftas. They look at it as a free trip to Miami Beach. ;-))"}, {"response": 1170, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 27, 2000 (13:48)", "body": "(Moon) The Orange Bowl Parade is co-sponsored by the Baftas. They look at it as a free trip to Miami Beach. ;-)) *snort* Glad to see you're back...and in form. ;-)"}, {"response": 1171, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Dec 27, 2000 (14:34)", "body": "LOL! Sorry to disappoint... nothing to do with Florida this time (thank God!)... Orange is a mobile (=cell) telephone company. Try this: http://www.orange.co.uk/news/events/obafa/"}, {"response": 1172, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 27, 2000 (15:34)", "body": "They should really call it \"Orange BAFA\" since they split from the Television awards...thus \"Orange BATA\". [Sounds like a sports drink!]"}, {"response": 1173, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Dec 27, 2000 (17:09)", "body": "Seriously, though, there is no BAF or BAT but still the same old BAFT = British Academy of Film and Television - and the only difference is that their awards are now presented at two separate ceremonies: one for film, the other for TV, which is due to the increase in the volume and length of the nominations for television in recent years."}, {"response": 1174, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 28, 2000 (08:27)", "body": "A recap of the Broadway year by Robert Osborne at THR: NEW YORK -- Before this wild, unpredictable year flaps to a close Sunday night, there are a few things I'd like to say about how the theater treated me and several thousand others during the past 12 months. Overall, you'd have to classify this a so-so year with a few soaring high spots, negligible electricity, flashes of true artistry and many a yawn. ... The best night I had in the theater all year was watching David Auburn's \"Proof,\" an electrically charged play so expertly directed by Daniel Sullivan and deliciously acted by Mary-Louise Parker and a first-rate cast. It's the only time since I saw a legit production of \"Stalag 17\" many decades ago that a first-act curtain line was so galvanizing that for several minutes afterward, no one in the audience made a move to leave his/her seat. ... Other great theater experiences this year: the revivals of Tom Stoppard's \"The Real Thing\" and Sam Shepard's \"True West\" -- the first particularly notable because of the stunning performances of eventual Tony winne s Stephen Dillane and Jennifer Ehle, the latter because of the dynamic work of its stars Philip Seymour Hoffman and John C. Reilly, the two boys who added the most pizzazz to Broadway this year. ... Other \"best plays\": August Wilson's \"Jitney,\" Michael Frayn's \"Copenhagen\" and Charles Busch's \"The Tale of the Allergist's Wife,\" each also fabulously acted, each a credit to the theater and examples of why the so-called \"Fabulous Invalid\" manages to survive even disasters like Elaine May's \"Taller Than a Dwarf,\" which, despite some dazzling talents involved, turned out to be the most uncomfortable sit of the season. ... Runner-up: Julie Taymor's \"The Green Bird,\" which mercifully had its wings clipped early."}, {"response": 1175, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Dec 28, 2000 (11:34)", "body": "(Karen) the stunning performances of eventual Tony winners Stephen Dillane and Jennifer Ehle AMEN :-) (What is THR?)"}, {"response": 1176, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 28, 2000 (11:43)", "body": "(THR)\"\"The Real Thing\" and Sam Shepard's \"True West\" -- the first particularly notable because of the stunning performances of eventual Tony winners Stephen Dillane and Jennifer Ehle..\" :-)))))Now *there's* a reviewer with good taste:-)))))) Good to know that their performances are permanently remembered and the Tony wasn't merely a gratuitous award. evelyn* who is hoping Hamlet will transfer to B'way:-)) *"}, {"response": 1177, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 28, 2000 (11:46)", "body": "(Donna)(What is THR?) The Hollywood Reporter... waddsamatta you a newbie or somethin;-)"}, {"response": 1178, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Dec 28, 2000 (12:46)", "body": "(Evelyn) waddsamatta you a newbie or somethin;-) LOL, I just got dewey-eyed thinking about how wonderful our guys were. *sigh* FYI, TRT made Clive Barnes' top-10 for 2000. He's the reviewer who wrote \"give that man his Tony right now!\" in his review in April. Tee hee, I thought the same thing when I walked out of the Albery in January. :-)"}, {"response": 1179, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Dec 28, 2000 (13:00)", "body": "evelyn*who is hoping Hamlet will transfer to B'way:-))* Yes, I know how much you want to see Simon Russell Beale.;-);-) Nice write-up from THR, and well-deserved! Those Tonys were no fluke; they had some stiff competition. (Moon) So Mari, you would give the Oscar to Hanks over Rush? If it came down to those two, definitely, because of the greater difficulty of Hanks' role. I don't want to dis Rush, who was great fun to watch, but his was a very showy, look ma I'm acting, sort of role that I know actors (and Academy members) love. Much harder, IMO, to play the ordinary person in extraordinary circumstances with absolutely no one to play off. Here's a fun one: What Women Want. Grab a big bucket of popcorn and go. Pure fluff, and good laughs. I have to wonder why Mel hasn't done romantic comedy up until now; he's good at it, and he and Helen Hunt are a good match. *Great Sinatra soundtrack, too.* Karen, the city looks good, as usual."}, {"response": 1180, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 28, 2000 (13:13)", "body": "Loved the Sinatra bit. I know exactly where Mel's supposed apartment was. There's only ONE 2400 building and it's a Mies van der Rohe. Bette's place (door at least) was around the corner from me, where I took the pics of Mel arriving. Haven't precisely placed where Helen Hunt's new apt was but I have a pretty good idea of which streets it could be on. Don't know if I'd agree with you on Hanks vs. Rush. I was a bit disappointed with Cast Away. Thought it all terribly predictable. Every so often, a lightbulb went off in my head, \"look, ma, man has discovered tools!\" Still cannot figure out why he didn't take the guy's belt, among other things. Re: Rush I thought there was far more to his performance and it wasn't all OTP acting. There were subtleties and layers which made you question all aspects of his sanity amidst the manipulation and pure joy that his writing, however, disgusting it was, gave him. Jury is out.... Am seeing Crouching Tiger later today."}, {"response": 1181, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Dec 28, 2000 (13:54)", "body": "(Mari)Here's a fun one: What Women Want. Grab a big bucket of popcorn and go. Pure fluff, and good laughs. I have to wonder why Mel hasn't done romantic comedy up until now; he's good at it, and he and Helen Hunt are a good match. *Great Sinatra soundtrack, too.* Wow. I'd have to have a huge smiley to put here. At least Mel's movies always get to Portugal ;-)"}, {"response": 1182, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 28, 2000 (14:22)", "body": "(Mari) I have to wonder why Mel hasn't done romantic comedy up until now He has. Don't you remember that one with Goldie Hawn? ;-) No doubt about it, Gi, you'll love it. Lots of fun and both Mel and Helen are v.g. One more thing about Cast Away and predictability: Is there not another piece of music that signals one is in Russia?! Am very tired of hearing that old war horse of a Russian army chorus type theme. Maybe should bring on Volga boatmen?"}, {"response": 1183, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec 28, 2000 (15:39)", "body": "Don't know if I'd agree with you on Hanks vs. Rush. I was a bit disappointed with Cast Away. Thought it all terribly predictable. Cast Away was a missed opportunity. I have read many accounts of men stranded like this and they all agreed upon one thing: they start to halucinate soon afterwards and they all had a mystical experience. Where was God in Cast Away? This is where Hollywood comes in. Did someone say politically incorrect Rush I thought there was far more to his performance and it wasn't all OTP acting. There were subtleties and layers which made you question all aspects of his sanity amidst the manipulation and pure joy that his writing, however, disgusting it was, gave him. I agree. Am seeing Crouching Tiger later today. The minute it gets here... it is #1 on my list to see. Loved the previews. Gi, you will love Mel in his new movie. He smiles that killer smile all the time."}, {"response": 1184, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Dec 29, 2000 (03:23)", "body": "I have to wonder why Mel hasn't done romantic comedy up until now Karen: He has. Don't you remember that one with Goldie Hawn? ;-) I think Bird On A Wire was meant to be a thriller. Wait now - that's why you put the winkie, isn't it?"}, {"response": 1185, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 29, 2000 (09:49)", "body": "Ralph Fiennes was the guest on the Charlie Rose Show last night and they talked extensively about Sunshine. They showed the complete trailer to open the show, and a few scenes throughout the interview. In all, it lasted approximately 20 minutes. He spoke of Jennifer and Rosemary's performances and said they were extraordinary and brilliant. Charlie Rose mentioned that he knew Jennifer well, as she had been performing in TRT in New York and was a guest. Say what you want, Rafe is a real trooper...esp. since he isn't even mentioned in the Best Actor category (and should be!), and does not like to promote films on chat shows. Shows outstanding loyalty to the producer and cast. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~` My local paper mentions MLSF as the Best Coming of Age Film of the year! (We get 'em late:-))"}, {"response": 1186, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Dec 29, 2000 (12:23)", "body": "(Evelyn)Say what you want, Rafe is a real trooper...esp. since he isn't even mentioned in the Best Actor category (and should be!), and does not like to promote films on chat shows. Shows outstanding loyalty to the producer and cast. Yes! It's called putting others' needs above your own, aka, professionalism. I saw the show too and thought Rafe came across as thoughtful and incisive. If CF ever has a cerebral project to promote, Charlie Rose would be a good show to do it on. I also liked his comments on choosing projects based on the director. He mentioned recently turning down something with a director he admires (I'm thinking Soderbergh's Ocean's 11) in order to do Beyond Borders for Oliver Stone. He is a shrewd, smart manager of his career, and aces in my book. So, Karen, how was Crouching Tiger? Moon, maybe Chuck Noland in Cast Away is an agnostic.;-) Seriously, I thought God was in there, but subtle. Chuck as Adam, cast away into a harsh Eden, with his fashioning of fire, tools, food, shelter, and cave drawings paralleling the ascent of man. Frankly, I liked the subtlety, and was grateful that we were spared scenes of fist-waving at the sky and desperate pleas of Oh, I'll do anything if you get me outtahere. (Karen)Maybe should bring on Volga boatmen? LOL! I recall my Russian grandad and his cronies regularly getting vodka-ed up and doing tearful renditions of what loosely translates to \"crying for my homeland.\" Would have been an appropriate song for Chuck on the island, no?;-) You two are brutal. Did you not like the film at all, or was it a matter of it falling short of expectations? Few films are flawless, and this one is no exception, but it worked for me and any shortfalls were far outweighed by Hanks and that lovely hour of near silence on the island. Here's one to avoid unless you've seen everything else on your list: The Family Man with Nic Cage. Not awful, and Tea Leoni is surprisingly appealing, but you're better off renting It's A Wonderful Life."}, {"response": 1187, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 29, 2000 (13:27)", "body": "(Mari) So, Karen, how was Crouching Tiger? It did not blow me away. I guarantee you that, if it didn't have the martial arts in it, 80% of the audience wouldn't have been there. And, if it didn't have the martial arts in it, the critics would not have gone crazy about it as it legitimizes their preference for the more commercial action genre within the context of a love story (or chick flick). I'd give you more specificity, but I don't want to give away any spoilers, except for the fact that I very much disliked the young girl's role. Talk about an unsympathetic character! (Mari) Frankly, I liked the subtlety [of Cast Away] I didn't think any of it was subtle. But don't get me wrong, I didn't dislike it. It was fine, what I'd call a nice movie, enjoyable way to spend a few hours or so. Nothing outstanding. Re: The Family Man Do as I did, rent \"Me Myself I\" with Rachel Griffiths. Ebert said it was exactly the same movie, but it worked better than Cage's. It was good; liked it. RG is a hoot."}, {"response": 1188, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 29, 2000 (13:53)", "body": "(Mari)If CF ever has a cerebral project to promote, Charlie Rose would be a good show to do it on. Nah! Better to just send in Rafe;-) Or Matthew Mondine:-D (Mari)I also liked his comments on choosing projects based on the director. He mentioned recently turning down something with a director he admires (I'm thinking Soderbergh's Ocean's 11) in order to do Beyond Borders for Oliver Stone. Or Possession.... From an Ehle fan on the Charlie Rose Show: \"There was one very interesting part of the interview where Charlie Rose asked him if he would be interested in doing comercial Hollywood films. He clarified his question by stating that Sunshine was obviously a quality film as are most of Ralph's projects, and would he sacrifice quality for comercial success. Ralph said that he had done a few (the Avengers, etc.) but they were not very successful. While he would not be opposed to doing them,he prefers working with people like Szabo. He was very charming and forthcoming\". (Mari)He is a shrewd, smart manager of his career, Agree. The guy should write a \"How To...\" book."}, {"response": 1189, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Dec 29, 2000 (16:34)", "body": "Sorry I missed the RF interview. Frankly, I liked the subtlety, and was grateful that we were spared scenes of fist-waving at the sky and desperate pleas of Oh, I'll do anything if you get me outtahere. LOL, Mari! Would that be the Hollywood version? It is not exactly as I would film it/or imagine it. I liked the scene of the crash, it was well done. I loked the silence on the Island too. I am not a fan of current Hollywood soundtrack ala John Williams and I am sure the studios must have fought over this. But overall, I was disappointed. Karen, what news of Crouching Tiger! :-("}, {"response": 1190, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sat, Dec 30, 2000 (03:26)", "body": "I have to agree with Karen about Crouching Tiger. I enjoyed it, but after all the glowing reviews I was expecting something really special and instead, thought it was a fairly ordinary story with some OK martial arts thrown in. We already know from the advertisements that the fighters fly around on wires, and frankly I think Jackie Chan's fight scenes are more interesting :-). I didn't think it was a bad film and found it a decently entertaining way to spend an afternoon, but did not see anything in it to inspire all the raves it's been getting. The DH was quite disappointed as he was hoping for something really different."}, {"response": 1191, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 30, 2000 (11:01)", "body": "So, I'm not alone on CTHD. For me, the martial arts sequences were neither here nor there. They were nice to look at, but had no bearing on my reaction to the overall film. Insofar as the central love story (or stories), for one of them, I should have had a deeper reaction, other than, \"aw, too bad\" or \"it's a real shame.\" I should've been crying my eyes out. It failed to produce that effect. It wasn't moving enough. And for the other couple, he was too good for her anyway so no great loss. This may be too cryptic, but I hate to give away plot. Given your comment, Mari, I've been wondering if I'm too cynical or have seen too many movies and maybe I'm setting the bar too high. But when I think about last year's films, there were many that I thought were outstanding like American Beauty, Eyes Wide Shut, Magnolia (for the most part), Being John Malkovich, Ghost Dog: Way of the Samarai, and others if I looked at a list. Have my fingers crossed for Traffic. ;-)"}, {"response": 1192, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Dec 30, 2000 (11:19)", "body": "Karen, I still can not believe that you liked Eyes Wide Shut, and Magnolia?"}, {"response": 1193, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec 30, 2000 (12:35)", "body": "(Moon)Karen, I still can not believe that you liked Eyes Wide Shut, and Magnolia? I can't believe she liked *any* of them... (AB okay)"}, {"response": 1194, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 30, 2000 (13:29)", "body": "See, maybe you shouldn't ask! ;-)"}, {"response": 1195, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (05:20)", "body": "To All at Drool"}, {"response": 1196, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (06:56)", "body": "(Karen) I should've been crying my eyes out. That's what I did a few days ago when at last saw The End of the Affair (and I still don't like RF). I'm glad I was alone at the time :-) (Moon)Karen, I still can not believe that you liked Eyes Wide Shut, and Magnolia? (Evelyn)I can't believe she liked *any* of them... I hated Eyes Wide Shut. Found Magnolia kind of interesting (DH hated it)."}, {"response": 1197, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (06:59)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1198, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (08:50)", "body": "Have a safe and happy one"}, {"response": 1199, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (11:26)", "body": "(Gi) ...at last saw The End of the Affair (and I still don't like RF). I'm glad I was alone at the time :-) Powerful movie. Didn't you think that would have been a terrific role for ODB? I \"cried\" thinking about it! Thanks for all the New Year wishes... May everyday in the coming year be a #10 for all the Droolies,and may we all be together for many years to come."}, {"response": 1200, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (12:28)", "body": "Here, here, Happy Nrew Year to everyone at Drool."}, {"response": 1201, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (14:14)", "body": "My very best wishes for health and happiness in 2001! Happy New Year!"}, {"response": 1202, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (16:27)", "body": "(Karen)Given your comment, Mari, I've been wondering if I'm too cynical or have seen too many movies and maybe I'm setting the bar too high. No, I don't think so, though I do feel that I'm more forgiving than you and Moon.;-) If I like several elements of a film, I'm more likely to focus on those and minimize the shortfalls, whereas I think you guys have to really love a film in order to readily acknowledge strengths. Translation: I'm going soft in my old age.;-) Hey, it always makes for interesting discussion, and it's a pleasure to debate and discuss with others who really enjoy film. I do agree with you that last year was an unusually good one for film, and this year falls short of that mark, overall. (BTW, I loved Magnolia, thought it was really brilliant and inventive.) A very Happy New Year to all, and thanks for the fun and friendship at Drool!"}, {"response": 1203, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (18:38)", "body": "Happy New Year to everyone"}, {"response": 1204, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (19:01)", "body": "Happy New Year To All! Click HERE to listen to Auld Lang Syne"}, {"response": 1205, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (21:30)", "body": "Happy New Year! A glass of champagne for you all. What does \"auld lang syne\" mean anyway? Old long time?"}, {"response": 1206, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan  1, 2001 (12:28)", "body": "(Mari) If I like several elements of a film, I'm more likely to focus on those and minimize the shortfalls, whereas I think you guys have to really love a film in order to readily acknowledge strengths. Not necessarily, at least for me. Magnolia is a perfect example. I thought it was v.v.good, yet I thought it could've been trimmed, hated the song sequence, thought Julianne Moore's character was completely unbelievable, but loved the frogs. BTW, I am recommending Finding Forrester to everyone as the best I've seen of the Christmas flicks so far. Totally formulaic a la Good Will Hunting, but I enjoyed it immensely. (\"poor assumptions for 800\") Was even better than GWH, but that's probably due to the Minnie Driver factor. ;-)"}, {"response": 1207, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Jan  1, 2001 (14:23)", "body": "(Evelyn)(The End of the Affair) Didn't you think that would have been a terrific role for ODB? I'm afraid I daren't tell whom I would have cast instead"}, {"response": 1208, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan  1, 2001 (14:51)", "body": "Why not? No one's going to jump all over you...but please don't say Mel on this one and I wouldn't be sold on Pierce either (even though I like both of them). ;-)"}, {"response": 1209, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Jan  2, 2001 (06:28)", "body": "Actually, I did think of Pierce... It would be a different thing for him to do, and he could do it very credibly. It would just be another \"tortured role\" for Colin."}, {"response": 1210, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan  2, 2001 (11:23)", "body": "(Gi)..Actually, I did think of Pierce... Whew...I was afraid it was going to be Nicolas Cage:-( (Gi)It would just be another \"tortured role\" for Colin. True...but a goodie. BTW Captain Corelli's Mandolin has a website now with a trailer. Penelope Cruz sounds great. accent and all. Wonder if Nic is going to do it with an accent. http://www.captain-corellis-mandolin.com/"}, {"response": 1211, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan  2, 2001 (12:08)", "body": "(Gi) I did think of Pierce... It would be a different thing for him to do Yes, it would be different. ;-) Have seen some pics from the Tailor of Panama, but can't remember where.. A magazine, perhaps?? Looked good."}, {"response": 1212, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan  2, 2001 (23:00)", "body": "Thankfully no ref to SLOW, from the BBC Online: Lottery funds film failures Only one of the 11 films released and funded through National Lottery money has made a profit, according to latest figures. More than \ufffd13.5m in lottery money has been spent by three film companies to produce and distribute 11 films since the government entrusted them with nurturing the British film industry 1997. Pathe Productions, DNA Films and The Film Consortium have made 18 films in three years - 11 have been released - with only An Ideal Husband, made by Pathe, fully repaying its lottery investment. The three companies have been allocated \ufffd92m for film production over the duration of a six-year franchise. They have so far spent \ufffd37.23m on film development and production, which includes the \ufffd13.5m spent on the 11 released films. But the Film Council, set up last year to co-ordinate Britain's film strategy and funding, says it is happy with the work the three companies are doing. The new film body became custodian of the franchises last year. It is also pursuing a separate strategy for film production in the UK, planning to inject a further \ufffd22m in the industry. A confidential mid-term report carried out by accountants has cleared the three franchise-holding companies to continue for the next three years. \"We are happy with their work and that is why we passed them,\" a spokesman for the Film Council told BBC News Online. A campaign to make the accountants' report public has been launched by Alexander Walker, film critic of the Evening Standard. \"Confidentiality was agreed between the Arts Council and the companies when the franchises were set up,\" the Film Council spokesman added. John Woodward, chief executive officer of the Film Council, said on renewing the Film Consortium's franchise: \"The Film Consortium has recently been revitalised and is now backed by a focused, commercially-minded publicly quoted film company. \"The Film Council believes that the Film Consortium management is now poised to build a successful and profitable British film company.\" Pathe Productions has made nine films in the last three years. Six have been released, with only An Ideal Husband, starring Minnie Driver and Cate Blanchett, making a profit at the UK box office. Pathe films which have failed to ignite the British box office include Ratcatcher, which was awarded \ufffd615,000 in lottery money and made \ufffd381,099 at the UK box office. A second was There is only one Jimmy Grimble, which received \ufffd1,650,000 from the lottery and earned \ufffd348,412 at the UK box office. A spokeswoman for Pathe Productions told BBC News Online that ancillary earnings - from distribution rights on cable, satellite, TV, and video - could see the films eventually repaying their lottery investment. \"It was always our intention that the films would do that,\" she told BBC News Online. Ratcatcher has earned more than \ufffd60,000 since it was released in the United States. The Film Consortium has made five films in three years - Hideous Kinky, starring Kate Winslet, Janice Beard 45wpm, starring Patsy Kensit, and The Lost Son, Hold Back the Night and Fanny and Elvis, spending more than \ufffd5m in lottery money. It is thought that the films have so far earned less than half that amount at the UK box office. DNA Films has made three movies but not one has so far reached cinema screens. Beautiful Creatures, which was planned for release in 2000, is now expected to be screened next month. It has used almost \ufffd6m in lottery money to help finance the three films."}, {"response": 1213, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan  3, 2001 (07:36)", "body": "I liked Hideous Kinky and the other films never came my way. I would rent them. Truth be told, I am not happy with \"The Film Council believes that the Film Consortium management is now poised to build a successful and profitable British film company.\" It could only mean lowering the quality standards and we do have a lot of that lately. Instead, they should set up a distribution company for those films . How are they expected to turn a profit if nobody sees them?"}, {"response": 1214, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan  3, 2001 (09:49)", "body": "If I were taxpayer in UK I would object.IMO Of course if they don't advertise their films, what can they expect!! Ideal Husband made it in the US because of RE; he promoted it. I saw it in London on Leicester Sq. with twenty people in the audience."}, {"response": 1215, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jan  3, 2001 (20:56)", "body": "Here's a guy who smelled the coffee.;) From Ananova: Clive on verge of Hollywood breakthrough Clive Owen is about to make his Hollywood breakthrough nine years after he was first tipped for movie stardom. The British actor has been signed up to play the assassin on the trail of Matt Damon in the movie version of Robert Ludlam's best selling thriller The Bourne Identity. Owen found fame in the 1980s through the TV series Chancer in which he played a yuppie go-getter. And he was tipped for international acclaim after starring with Saskia Reeves in the erotic movie Close My Eyes in 1991. But Owen drifted back into television until making Croupier with Mike Hodges two years ago. The film - which also stars Gina McKee, Kate Hardie and Alex Kingston - sank without trace in the UK but is now set to be re-released following rave reviews in America. Owen will soon be back on TV screens in a new series of the BBC cop tale Second Sight. And friends say is now ready to have a real crack at the movie market. One said: \"Clive wasn't best at promoting himself years ago and quite loathed the idea of being considered a heart-throb. But he's grown up a lot. He got married, had two children and sees things differently. \"There isn't much chance of him quitting Britain but he wants to make commercial movies. He'll do whatever it takes.\""}, {"response": 1216, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  3, 2001 (21:39)", "body": "Expect next news item to read: \"Brit plays Hollywood bad guy again\" ;-)"}, {"response": 1217, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan  4, 2001 (09:08)", "body": "\"Who won the NATIONAL CHAMPION , No 1 Football team in the country?\" You asked??? ;-) OOOOOOOOOOKLAHOMA , ORANGE BOWL 2000 WINNERS! Yeay Sooners!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just finished seeing Rafe Fiennes on the Today Show plugging SUNSHINE.They showed clips from the film and he talked about how much making this film mean't to him. It's about identity and being yourself and of course anti-semitism. He read the script two years ago , but had other commitments,[Onegin] so the director waited for him. The interviewer asked: \"Is there a lot of pressure exerted on you, because people expect so much from you as an actor.He answered that he always tried to do his best. And \"all actors want people to come and see their work\".Talked about awards and yes, they do mean a lot to actors as do nominations. Katie Couric is pushing him for Best Actor. She added: \"Are you listening, academy?\""}, {"response": 1218, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jan  4, 2001 (13:15)", "body": "(Gi)..Actually, I did think of Pierce... (Evelyn)Whew...I was afraid it was going to be Nicolas Cage:-( Nah... Don't like him very much either - for different reasons than RF. (Karen) Have seen some pics from the Tailor of Panama(...)Looked good. Always does, I'm afraid ;-)"}, {"response": 1219, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan  4, 2001 (16:19)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1220, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan  4, 2001 (16:21)", "body": "(Gi) Always does, I'm afraid ;-) Hmm, we get Remington Steele every afternoon at 3. What a shocker! ;-) Billy Elliot has been nominated for nine prizes at this year's awards of the London Film Critics' Circle. Jamie Bell, the 14-year-old star of the touching drama, is up for the British Newcomer award, as is the film's director Stephen Daldry. Gary Lewis who played Billy's father in the film has been nominated for the Best British Actor Award and Julie Walters who played Billy's dance teacher has been shortlisted for the Best British Actress of the Year. There are 15 categories in all at the awards which will be held at the Savoy Hotel in London next month. Screen legend Sir Anthony Hopkins is also up for the British Actor award for his role in Titus, alongside Ralph Fiennes who has been nominated for his performance in The End of the Affair. New mother Kate Winslet, star of the gothic drama Quills and last year's winner Emily Watson are alongside Julie Walters in the British Actress category. Among those nominated in the international categories are Michael Douglas, who is up for the Best Actor Award alongside Jim Carrey and Russell Crowe. The awards, now in their 21st year, are sponsored by the Mail on Sunday's Night and Day Magazine and are being held in aid of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children."}, {"response": 1221, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Jan  5, 2001 (06:05)", "body": "(Evelyn) OOOOOOOOOOKLAHOMA , ORANGE BOWL 2000 WINNERS! Believe it or not, bro went there. I thought you would find this funny: \"PLEASE NOTE! Due to extremely high traffic to our store servers and the demand for Sooner National Championship items, you may experience difficulty in placing your order.\""}, {"response": 1222, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan  5, 2001 (09:06)", "body": "From Variety: Sicilian soccer tale among projects ROME -- Miramax Films has closed multi-pic deals to develop and produce English-lingo features with up-and-coming Italian directors Gabriele Muccino and Davide Ferrario. [...] Ferrario's first film with Miramax will be an untitled Italian-American comedy based on the director's own pitch. The film follows the fortunes of underdog Sicilians who manipulate their way into a professional soccer team and travel to the U.S. for a big match. Miramax is seeking a screenwriter to work with Ferrario on the project. [Maybe they should enlist Nick Hornby? Cannot wait to see Miramax promoting a soccer film in the US] ;-)"}, {"response": 1223, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan  5, 2001 (10:02)", "body": "(Donna)....\" demand for Sooner National Championship items, you may experience difficulty in placing your order.\" LOL. That's not me....I have mine. Along with you- know-whose- tee- shirt.:-))) evelyn*The Tee Shirt Queen*"}, {"response": 1224, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jan  5, 2001 (10:30)", "body": "I saw CRHD day after Christmas and I liked it a lot. You'll be happy to know that there will be a prequel and a sequel, both of which Ang Lee is directing (courtesy of my brother who is HUGE Chow Yun Fat fan). (Based on books that were written in the '20s.) I have to disagree with Karen's assessment of the younger girl (Jen) being unsympathetic. Her age and her youngness would make her seem unsympathetic, but I believe her actions later on showed how much she had matured. Without giving away any secrets or plots, she did what was expected of her. The martial arts were amazing (or should I say the choreography was amazing. There is a legend in Ancient China that people at one time could fly, hence the acrobatic martial arts, again, thanks courtesy of my brother.) Happy New Year all. Haven't been around at all lately. Family, holidays and the like keeping me extremely busy. (being the mom of a 10 year old is hard stuff these days;)) You guys have seen SOOO many movies and I think the last BIG movie I saw was the Grinch (I hated it, Rebecca loved it.) I am totally looking forward to the spring flicks especially BJD! I have been keeping up with the discussions on \"Possession\"; will be very curious to see the end result in any case. I hope everyone is having a safe and happy new year this fifth day into the new millenium."}, {"response": 1225, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan  5, 2001 (12:07)", "body": "Thanks, Laura. I will still see CRHD. I admit Karen and Jana had me worried. Cannot wait to see Miramax promoting a soccer film in the US] ;-) This is a strange turn of events? Is his daughter playing in a little league? ;-) I have seen some hysterically funny Italian soccer films, but you really have to know the players and the game to get much of it. Unfortunately, the US is not there yet."}, {"response": 1226, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan  5, 2001 (17:04)", "body": "Good to hear from you Laura..Pop in again... I'm going to see CTHD the minute it gets here. I'm fond of Asian culture..even Chinese opera. I think this is a fine addition to the foreign film selections which up to now has ignored Chinese language films."}, {"response": 1227, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan  5, 2001 (18:46)", "body": "Here are two more folks who agree with Karen and Jana. The only reason I'm posting this is that the critics' reviews have been so uniformly rapturous, that I thought we needed equal time.;-) I've yet to see it, but will. From Jeffrey Wells's column: Crouching Backlash? \ufffd \"Have the critics lost their collective minds over Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon? To hear it from them, you'd think this is the first kung-fu film ever and that the idea of lifting actors with wires for the fight sequences should lead to Ang Lee being canonized. Judging from the almost unanimously positive reviews, I expected to be blown right out of my seat. What I got was an incredibly boring film that was periodically punctuated with some cleverly executed fight sequences. And that's it. \"I didn't see any serious cross-breeding of martial arts and emotional drama. The actors are so stiff it was like watching an anime, where the only things that move in the frame are the characters' mouths. With the exception of Zhang Ziyi, all of the actors had the emotional range of a dead alligator. I realize that Ang was going for the implosive, 'underneath' emotional development (which he used to devastating effect in The Ice Storm), but the actors' faces were so stiff, it would have been easier to read concrete. \"The look of the movie was another problem for me. Why was it so unbelievably dull??? Has Ang not seen any historical Chinese films or, for that matter, read any history books? This film looks very, very flat. The dialogue scenes are photographed with the aesthetic panache of an episode of The Golden Girls. The colors are muted, the costumes are cheap, and the set dressing shoddy. \"The fight scenes are nicely done, but there's nothing in them that hasn't been done before. The use of wires is imaginative, but hardly deserving of the 'brilliant' and 'astounding' accolades the critics are bestowing. The majority of the fights are just long \ufffd nothing more. How is this film an 'instant classic'?\" \ufffd Dan Pridachin, Philadelphia, PA \"Kudos to Mr. Pridachin for nailing Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The hype and praise still have me bewildered. In addition to the wooden expressions the actors have, their pronounciation is horrific. We're not talking about Kevin Costner doing a New England accent here \ufffd it's that Chow Yun-Fat and Michelle Yeoh's lines are barely understandable. Chow's English in the The Replacement Killers was probably better than his Mandarin in Crouching. This obviously has little concern to the American audience, but it should at least count as something \ufffd go ask anyone who speaks Mandarin Chinese. And before the next person steps up to mention that Crouching Tiger won the Taiwanese Golden Horse Award, we should keep in mind that Jackie Chan has multiple best actor Golden Horses.\" \ufffd Kirk Tsai"}, {"response": 1228, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan  5, 2001 (19:43)", "body": "\" but the actors' faces were so stiff, it would have been easier to read concrete. \" ...\" the wooden expressions the actors have\" Have not seen many Chinese films, but I believe this is their style of acting. \"Chow's English in the The Replacement Killers was probably better than his Mandarin in Crouching. This obviously has little concern to the American audience, but it should at least count as something \ufffd go ask anyone who speaks Mandarin Chinese. \" Ouch! Have contacted Emma, our resident advisor on Chinese accents;-)"}, {"response": 1229, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Jan  6, 2001 (10:39)", "body": "Has anyone seen Traffic yet?"}, {"response": 1230, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan  6, 2001 (17:20)", "body": "Me....aren't you surprised? I'm usually the last one!!A druggie movie at that. Traffic:V. well done. If you consider that there are three intersecting stories that Steven Soderbergh manages to deliver without confusing the audience. In this I found it superior to Magnolia which at times, lost me.Each story, however,was a re-hash of other druggie films IMO .Inventive, but not as subtle as Nurse Betty. The camera jumps around. SS does his own camera work.Why not pay a real pro to do it.He d oes use color to keep the stories visual.There was the now familiar bluish tint to indicate gov't and wealth (DQ bluish tint indicated his other life).Brownish tint for Mexico, and sun-washed tint of San Diego.Each story had the apparent good guy/ bad guy. Benicio del Toro was the stand-out.Michael Douglas was the same guy we left off on Wall St, Park Ave. with Gwynnie,or the Lincoln bedroom with Annette Benning. It was a disturbing film,full of cliches..generally OK. But didn't live up to the hype. But GG Best Film award? Best Supporting Actress Catherine Zeta-Jones? Puhleeze.."}, {"response": 1231, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Jan  6, 2001 (18:02)", "body": "I think that the majority of us don't know much of chinese filmaking, but (trying to type while feeding 3mos old nephew, not easy!), the reserve of the older couple was bang on. There were reasons why they didn't \"overact\". I don't speak Chinese and they are right, I wouldn't have cared one iota, the subtitles were perfect. This movie represented loyalty, lost love, found love and new love. And it presented all of those in a very adult and mature manner. Zhang Ziyi is a definite actress to watch; I'm hoping that Hollywood will snatch her up. As Jen, she was a spoiled rich girl (think in terms of Marianne in S&S); She was secretly training in the martial arts and thought that she knew everything; what 17/18 year old doesn't??? There are very many layers to this movie that need removing to enjoy it. I think the American audiences aren't going to get the full of it due to the translation, but overall, (and I brought a friend who would never in his wildest dream see a foreign flick, and HE loved it!), the movie, the cinematography, and choreography was beautifully done. There was a lot of love in the production of this movie. I saw that. I'm a HUGE Ang Lee fan. I really liked the \"The Ice Storm\". If anyone of you haven't seen \"The Wedding Banquet\" I recommend you run out and rent it, it's funny and touching. \"Eat Drink Man Woman\" is another one that is very good. (What brought Ang Lee to Emma Thompson's attention.) (haven't seen \"Ride with the Devil\" yet.)"}, {"response": 1232, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Jan  6, 2001 (18:02)", "body": "I think that the majority of us don't know much of chinese filmaking, but (trying to type while feeding 3mos old nephew, not easy!), the reserve of the older couple was bang on. There were reasons why they didn't \"overact\". I don't speak Chinese and they are right, I wouldn't have cared one iota, the subtitles were perfect. This movie represented loyalty, lost love, found love and new love. And it presented all of those in a very adult and mature manner. Zhang Ziyi is a definite actress to watch; I'm hoping that Hollywood will snatch her up. As Jen, she was a spoiled rich girl (think in terms of Marianne in S&S); She was secretly training in the martial arts and thought that she knew everything; what 17/18 year old doesn't??? There are very many layers to this movie that need removing to enjoy it. I think the American audiences aren't going to get the full of it due to the translation, but overall, (and I brought a friend who would never in his wildest dream see a foreign flick, and HE loved it!), the movie, the cinematography, and choreography was beautifully done. There was a lot of love in the production of this movie. I saw that. I'm a HUGE Ang Lee fan. I really liked the \"The Ice Storm\". If anyone of you haven't seen \"The Wedding Banquet\" I recommend you run out and rent it, it's funny and touching. \"Eat Drink Man Woman\" is another one that is very good. (What brought Ang Lee to Emma Thompson's attention.) (haven't seen \"Ride with the Devil\" yet.)"}, {"response": 1233, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Jan  6, 2001 (21:19)", "body": "(Evelyn) Me....aren't you surprised? I'm usually the last one!!A druggie movie at that. Yes, I am a bit surprised, Evelyn! The three-color scheme scenario sounds interesting. I guess the hand-held camerwork is supposed to evoke a you-are-there effect, but I know it can be jarring. I tried to see it this afternoon--sold out. My number 2 pick, CTHD (thanks for the comments, Laura)--also sold out. My number 3--Finding Forrester--also sold out! Actually it's good to see the theaters packed for these type of films. So, I landed in Chocolat (also packed, but I got in). Sweet film, nicely acted, but that's about it. Can't understand the fuss, the premise is incredibly silly (and yes, I realize that it symbolizes larger issues of tolerance vs. lack thereof, etc,) but to me it's just very lightweight fare. I cannot believe that this is the only thing Harvey has to hype for Oscars--and from what I've read, he's once again put together a real full-court press. 4 GG noms for this one--and not a single one deserved, IMO. I think those Golden Globe people are smoking something.;-) Might try to land in Traffic tomorrow.;-)"}, {"response": 1234, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan  6, 2001 (23:05)", "body": "There's nothing bad about the hand-held camera work in Traffic; it certainly isn't the amateurish stuff that was in another film. Hand-held doesn't necessarily mean shaky. Dancer in the Dark was hand-held as well and so was my personal fav. I liked Traffic, but it wasn't great great. However, it is terribly ambitious and largely successful. Each of the three stories was intriguing; kept me interested in how they would be resolved. In the Michael Douglas, drug czar, story, the actress who played the daughter was fantastic. MD was a continuation of his previous role in the American President. There's even a little speech at the beginning where it almost sounds like his end speech in that movie (\"we're going to get the guns\"). Overall, it's a v.g. portrayal of Washington politics and I'm amazed those politicians appeared at the cocktail party. Catherine Zeta-Jones' part was significant and meaty and she did it justice. She's the woman who wants her beautiful life no matter what. She's completely convincing. And in that segment, you get the entire message of the movie every time Miguel Ferrar opens his mouth. The Mexican segment seemed the weakest at the end. I didn't get a feel for what Javier (Benicio del Toro) wanted, except to do good. But is that exemplified by a baseball game? The simplicity of a baseball game? But then again, I may not understand this movie either. ;-)"}, {"response": 1235, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan  7, 2001 (09:16)", "body": "and I'm amazed those politicians appeared at the cocktail party. A continuation of Steven Soderbergh \"gimmicks\".. to be different IMO. Along with the hand -held camera,and the camera filters. One of the senators is mine... Senator Don Nichols. Gave an interview in the papers ;(they give one any chance they can get!) Apparently, \"it was to enhance the realistic feel of the film\" He was not given a script...\"just simply put in your two cents worth\". The Mexican segment seemed the weakest at the end LOL.My favorite segment of the film.Good accents too;-) The simplicity of a baseball game? He was a simple guy...didn't want much out of life.Just a field for the poor little Mexican kids to play baseball... Thanks Mari. Think I'll wait for Chocolat to come out on video!"}, {"response": 1236, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan  7, 2001 (09:58)", "body": "(Evelyn) A continuation of Steven Soderbergh \"gimmicks\".. to be different IMO. It's not different, as politicians and others have appeared as themselves in many other movies (American President, Dave, etc.). But, when the whole point of the movie is to show how ineffectual the government's policies are, you have to wonder if they knew. If they realized they were being ridiculed. There's Michael Douglas' line about Washington not being much different from Calcutta: all the beggars with their hands out but they're wearing $1500 suits. Oh well... Good accents too;-) End credits showed that BdelT needed a dialect coach! ;-)"}, {"response": 1237, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan  7, 2001 (12:06)", "body": "(E)Good accents too;-) (K)End credits showed that BdelT needed a dialect coach! ;-) B del T is Puerto Rican.Needed the Mexican touch. But wasn't General Salazar (who is he?)terrific? Had every nuance down pat. Well done movie. Hey, I don't begrudge having gone 120 miles to see it:-) .... If they realized they were being ridiculed Everybody was ridiculed in that film...parents,teenagers, law enforcement,lawyers,community rehabs.Politicians took their lumps like everybody else."}, {"response": 1238, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan  7, 2001 (13:14)", "body": "(Evelyn) Everybody was ridiculed in that film...Politicians took their lumps like everybody else. Everybody else was an actor. These people were listed in the credits a themselves."}, {"response": 1239, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sun, Jan  7, 2001 (15:35)", "body": "I'm late with this, but I hope that everyone enjoyed a Happy New Year. As there are 358 or 357 days (depending on where you are in the world) left in this year, I wish you a continuing Happy New Year."}, {"response": 1240, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan  7, 2001 (23:01)", "body": "More awards announced...and they're not the People's Choice (*cough cough*) Film Critics Group Honors 'Yi Yi' Edward Yang's \"Yi Yi,\" a quiet family drama set in Taiwan, was named best picture of the year Saturday by the National Society of Film Critics. In the organization's weighted ballot system, Yang's Winstar-distributed Mandarin-language film, which clocks in at close to three hours, won nearly twice the number of votes received by the runner up, Steven Soderbergh's \"Traffic.\" The surprising choice reflects an award season that has become unusually hard to call, in which a wide array of specialty films, several by Asian filmmakers, have stolen some of the thunder of even the most celebrated studio releases. The 35-year-old Society, chaired by New York magazine critic Peter Rainer and comprised of 51 critics from around the country, awarded several other top prizes to films released by specialty labels. Paramount Classics' \"You Can Count on Me\" won two awards, with best actress honors going to Laura Linney and best screenplay kudos to Kenneth Lonergan. USA Films' \"Traffic\" also received two citations. Benicio Del Toro was named best supporting actor and Soderbergh was named best director (for both \"Traffic\" and \"Erin Brockovich\"). Javier Bardem won best actor kudos for \"Before Night Falls\" from Fine Line, and Elaine May took the best supporting actress prize for \"Small Time Crooks\" from DreamWorks. The awards for best cinematography and best nonfiction film went to pictures from microdistributors--the former to Agnes Godard for \"Beau Travail,\" distributed by New Yorker Films, and the latter to \"The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg,\" released by Cowboy Booking. Perhaps unusual in a year with so many strong foreign-language contenders, including Ang Lee's celebrated \"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,\" which earned third place for best cinematography and director but was otherwise ignored, no prize was presented in the best foreign film category. ~~~~~~ Here's how the voting went in the major categories: Best Picture: 1 Yi Yi 34 2 Traffic 18 3 The House Of Mirth 17 Best Director: 1 Steven Soderbergh Traffic & Erin Brockovich 42 2 Edward Yang Yi Yi 28 3 Ang Lee Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 25 Best Actor: 1 Javier Bardem Before Night Falls 40 2 Mark Ruffalo You Can Count on Me 28 3 Tom Hanks Cast Away 9 Best Actress: 1 Laura Linney You Can Count on Me 58 2 Gillian Anderson The House of Mirth 39 3 Ellen Burstyn Requiem for a Dream 28 Best Supporting Actor: 1 Benicio Del Toro Traffic 49 2 Fred Willard Best in Show 30 3 Willem Dafoe Shadow of the Vampire 27 Best Supporting Actress: 1 Elaine May Small Time Crooks 28 2 Frances McDormand Almost Famous & Wonder Boys 24 3 Marcia Gay Harden Pollock 23 Screenplay: 1 You Can Count on Me Kenneth Lonergan 49 2 Wonder Boys Steve Kloves 28 3 Traffic Stephen Gaghan 18 Best Cinematography: 1 Beau Travail Agn\ufffds Godard 31 2 (tied)Traffic Steven Soderbergh 20 2 (tied) Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Peter Pau 20"}, {"response": 1241, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Mon, Jan  8, 2001 (10:33)", "body": "Ouch! Have contacted Emma, our resident advisor on Chinese accents;-) Evelyn, sorry to disappoint you, but I speak Cantonese, not Mandarin. As for the actors' faces being so stiff\ufffdthe reviewer is forgetting that the Chinese tend to be very reserved in formal situations, especially several hundred years ago. (Laura)This movie represented loyalty, lost love, found love and new love. And it presented all of those in a very adult and mature manner. Exactly, a lot of repressed feelings, very familiar to us JA fans. I enjoyed Chocolat, a sweet little movie, my DH and I rushed out of the theatre looking for hot chocolate."}, {"response": 1242, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan  8, 2001 (11:10)", "body": "LONDON BRIDGE FILM SOCIETY AWARDS Best Actor: Ralph Fiennes in \"Sunshine\" Best Actress: Angela Bassett in \"Boesman and Lena\" Best Director--Ang Lee for \"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon\" Best Film-- (tie)\"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon\" and ??? Cinematography--\"Croughing Tiger, Hidden Dragon\" Citation of Historical Merit--Michael Douglas for lifetime achievement. Foreign Film--\"Time of Drunken Horses\" Music Score--\"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon\" Screenplay Citations--\"Croupier\", \"Quills\", \"Almost Famous\" Supp. Actor--Robert DeNiro in \"Men of Honor\" Supp. Actress--Marcia Gay Harden in \"Pollock\" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Don't know what ???is in the tie for Best Film.... But, Reah Rafe!! Love the Citation for Historical Merit....!!!!"}, {"response": 1243, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan  8, 2001 (12:23)", "body": "Back to CTHD... the repressed feelings of the main two characters--Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun Fat) and Yui Hsui Lien (Michelle Yeoh)--are not at issue for me. Neither is the underlying theme of duty vs. desire. Just that it didn't touch me as I believed it should. Saying more is to discuss plot, when so many people haven't seen it yet. The Sense & Sensibility angle has been overplayed IMO. This is not S&S. Just as Li Mu Bai and Yui Hsui Lien are not Edward Ferrars and Elinor Dashwood, neither is Jen Marianne Dashwood. What happens to the characters should make it clear to anyone. I liked what was written in the Sunday Times about Jen. It very much captured my problem with that character. Now every critic in the land is quoting Ang Lee's line about Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon being like \"Sense and Sensibility with martial arts\", but I see it as Beverly Hills 90210 with martial arts. Jen - the Qing dynasty's answer to Shannen Doherty - is your classic bored, rich teenage brat who hates mom and dad and wants to live the freewheeling, butt-kicking life of a warrior woman like Lien. She even steals the fabled Green Sword for nothing more than kicks. There's one great comic moment when Bai - who tries to become her surrogate father/teacher - starts doing his ponderous Zen routine and Jen says, with typical teenage weariness: \" ot another lecture! Because she was such a bratty character, who didn't conform to what society asked of her and who didn't care at all what her actions did to others, I couldn't feel any sympathy for her. Nor do I believe that what she did at the end meant anything. It was \"too little, too late\" and if that last scene meant redemption, then I have even more problems with it. Oh well, that's just my opinion."}, {"response": 1244, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan  8, 2001 (13:55)", "body": "Lest we forget...it is the King's birthday (and my little sister's)"}, {"response": 1245, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jan  8, 2001 (15:24)", "body": "To any UK J.E fans Paradise Road is playing on channel 4 right now!"}, {"response": 1246, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan  8, 2001 (18:11)", "body": "Today is also David Bowie's birthday. Tomorrow it's Jimi Page. :-) Mark Ruffalo You Can Count on Me 28 I thought he was terrible. You Can Count on Me is overrated. I think Almost Famous is a much better film. Why are they lyonising YCCOM? I would only award it,\"The two most opposite looking brother and sister in a film\". (Karen), I see it as Beverly Hills 90210 with martial arts. Jen - the Qing dynasty's answer to Shannen Doherty Ouch! CTHD opens here this friday, and I also want to see Shadow of the Vampire (my old love for vampire movies). is your classic bored, rich teenage brat who hates mom and dad and wants to live the freewheeling, The theme to so many movies now, especially in the UK. Has the GG nominated \"Time of Drunken Horses\" for Best Foreign Film?"}, {"response": 1247, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Jan  9, 2001 (06:41)", "body": "Interesting article from Reuters/Variety today on book deals for films. Hornby mentioned. It's kind of long. We have \"Perfume\" here at home. I have been meaning to read it. **************** ''Perfume'' smells like money to film biz By Michael Fleming NEW YORK (Variety) - In one of the largest book rights auctions in years, the 1981 German novel ``Perfume: The Story of a Murderer'' has bids as high as $6 million on the table, with a sale near to Bernd Eichinger's Constantin Film for an advance of about $5 million against a final payout of $10 million. It's exactly the kind of out-of-left-field sale needed to energize the sluggish book-to-movies marketplace. A-list filmmakers have wanted to turn Patrick Suskind's story of an 18th-century serial killer perfume maker into a big-screen feature for two decades, but Suskind (who once wanted Stanley Kubrick to do it) hasn't been willing to make a deal until now. Constantin has been battling for the title against formidable competition. One bidder has been the ``Gangs of New York'' producing group of Initial Entertainment Group, Artists Management Group and Miramax, who want it for a vehicle for Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio. Former Fox studio boss Bill Mechanic's Pandemonium has been vying to make it with director Tim Burton and ``Criminal Conversations'' scribe Hanna Weg. Director Ridley Scott and scribe Steve Zaillian also chased the material. ``Perfume'' is being sold by Switzerland-based Gesine Lubben, who handles subsidiary rights for German publisher Diogenes. She declined to comment as did Constantin, which might well tap some of the rival talent should it prevail and complete the sale. Neither the seller nor the producer would comment on the negotiations. While 2000 didn't boast the kind of near-eight digit book deals that Michael Crichton and John Grisham used to rack up with regularity, the season was strong in volume. And the ``Perfume'' auction, coupled by strong grosses for the $9 million book ``Hannibal'' to be released next month, could portend a strong first half of 2001, with the marketplace growing even stronger, by default, if strikes by writers and actors occur this summer. Other titles that have the potential to help are ``How to be Good,'' the just-completed novel about a female doctor and her husband by Nick Hornby, whose last, ``About a Boy,'' is likely to be made by New Line with directors Chris and Paul Weitz and Hugh Grant. There are also some attachment-enhanced offerings, like ``Circle William,'' a Tom Clancyesque novel by former Pentagon (news - web sites) spokesman Bill Harlow about a Navy destroyer captain's race to thwart a Libyan germ warfare plot. ``Patriot Games'' scribe Peter Iliff will adapt, and Morgan Freeman is attached as star and producer with his Revelations partner Lori McCreary. They've been courting Denzel Washington, hoping it'll be a ``Glory'' reteam for the thesps. AMG-Renaissance's Joel Gotler will auction ``The Cold 6000'' by ``L.A. Confidential'' author James Ellroy, plus a new series by Michael Connelly. None of these is an automatic big seller, as last year proved that dominance on the bestseller lists doesn't mean automatic big sales to the movie biz: despite the attachment of scripter David Mamet, Robert Ludlum's ``The Prometheus Deception'' hasn't sold. Nor has John Le Carre's ``The Constant Gardener.'' How did books fare in 2000? By Dish's count, 195 books or novellas were acquired, not counting magazine articles and plays. Those titles have a wide range in subject matter and price, from the Paramount/Nickelodeon-bought Gordon Korman novel ``Nose Pickers From Outer Space'' to the Dave Eggers memoir ``A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius,'' which went to New Line for $2 million. Surprisingly, Miramax led studios in book buys with 22. Next was Paramount, fueled by producer Scott Rudin, which bought 15 books. Sony bought nine, followed by Warner Bros. (7), Universal (6), New Line (5), Fox and Disney (4), DreamWorks (3), and MGM (2). Also strong were independently financed producers like Castle Rock, which made three big buys that included Stephen King's ``The Dreamcatcher'' and Chris Van Allsburg's ``Polar Express,'' the latter a purchase made with Tom Hanks' Playtone Co. banner for a kid-themed pic to star Hanks, with Rob Reiner directing. While some studios closed Gotham offices and avoided books because they take long to develop, the marketplace was helped by offshore outlets, both for purchasing power and material generated (''Perfume'' publisher Diogenes). Aside from Constantin's bold ``Perfume'' pursuit, Italy's Eagle Pictures stunned Hollywood by paying $1 million for Robert Mawson's ``The Lazarus Child,'' and another $2 million to Ron Bass to adapt it. And the Frankfurt book market has become good for a surprise or two. Two years ago, Marc Levy's French lingo novel ``I Know This Much is True'' had studios scrambling for French translators before a sale was made to DreamWorks, which is tryi"}, {"response": 1248, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan  9, 2001 (08:44)", "body": "Doesn't this guy EVER learn? ;-) Milos Forman has signed to direct for producer Saul Zaentz a dramatic feature about the life and times of Spanish painter Francisco Goya, considered the father of modern art. The untitled project is being targeted for a spring or summer 2002 start of principal photography in Spain. Michael Weller, who wrote the screenplays for the Forman-helmed \"Ragtime\" and \"Hair,\" is writing the script for \"Goya,\" which will chronicle the life of Goya, who lived from 1746-1828, his politics, the disturbing nature of many of his paintings and his being a constant target of the infamous Inquisition. The project will mark Forman and Zaentz's third collaboration following the multiple-Oscar-winning films \"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest\" (1975) and \"Amadeus\" (1984). Forman and Zaentz have discussed the Goya project over the past four years and got serious about it during the summer, Zaentz said. Zaentz said Carlos Saura's \"Goya in Bordeaux,\" released last year in the United States by Sony Pictures Classics, \"doesn't deter us t all.\""}, {"response": 1249, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan  9, 2001 (10:17)", "body": "Karen, I beg to disagree. I am thrilled that Forman is doing Goya. I was very disappointed with Saura. Goya had a very exciting life and he is a grand character as was Mozart and Forman did it right. :-D Very Happy! Thanks, Murph, it was a very interesting article."}, {"response": 1250, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Jan  9, 2001 (18:42)", "body": "(Mary Murphy -- excerpts from Michael Fleming article) In one of the largest book rights auctions in years, the 1981 German novel ``Perfume: The Story of a Murderer'' has bids as high as $6 million on the table, with a sale near to Bernd Eichinger's Constantin Film for an advance of about $5 million against a final payout of $10 million... ...and Intermedia bought ``In The Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex,'' the Nathaniel Philbrick book that sold with director Barry Levinson, his producing partner Paula Weinstein, and A-list scribes Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver... I remember that just after I'd finished reading \"Perfume\", I thought that it reminded me of nothing so much as one of those British Hammer Horror flicks from the 1960's. The director Tim Burton had an interesting take on the Hammer output. He felt that the movies, particularly the acting, owed much to the German Expressionist Cinema. The Hammer style greatly influenced Burton on his film \"Sleepy Hollow\". As for the suberb Philbrick non-fiction \"In the Heart of the Sea: The Tradgedy of the Whaleship Essex\", that is an absolutely expliary read. It is a hugely exciting and tragic exploration of an event which was something akin to being the Titanic disaster of it's day, as well as being the source material utilized by Herman Melville in writing \"Moby Dick\". But Barry Levinson? He'll make an unmitigated mess of it. With Levinson helming, it will be awful, perfectly wretched. Levinson should stick to doing what he does best -- autobiographical films based in Baltimore. He's quite good at those; he's horrid at pretty much everything else."}, {"response": 1251, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan  9, 2001 (18:51)", "body": "(Cheryl) he's horrid at pretty much everything else. By the looks of the trailers for his newest, An Everlasting Piece, I'd agree with you."}, {"response": 1252, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jan 10, 2001 (21:54)", "body": "I've been looking forward to this one: Germany's Stalingrad Film to Open Berlin Festival BERLIN (Reuters) - A German-American co-production about the pivotal World War Two battle of Stalingrad, ``Enemy at the Gates,'' will open the 51st Berlin film festival with its world premiere on February 7, organizers said on Wednesday. Given the rare honor of opening the annual Berlinale, ``Enemy at the Gates'' is one of the most expensive films ever made in Germany, the world's second largest market in ticket sales that is nonetheless dominated by Hollywood films. Filmed in English, the drama pits a German and a Russian sniper against each other during the epic 1942 battle at Stalingrad. Germany lost the battle, which turned out to be one of the main turning points of World War Two. About 20 films making their international debuts compete each year for Golden Bears at the Berlinale, Europe's first major film festival each year and considered to be one of the world's top festivals, after Cannes and alongside Venice. Starring British actors Jude Law and Joseph Fiennes as well as American Ed Harris, ``Enemy at the Gates'' was directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud and produced by the U.S. company Mandalay Entertainment in association with Germany's KC Medien and MP Film Managment. Filmmakers denied reports in the German media that the film, shot almost entirely in the Babelsberg studio and in rural areas outside Berlin, had a $90 million budget. They declined to say what the exact costs were but confirmed it was one of the most expensive productions ever made in Germany, where film budgets rarely top 50 million marks. It is extremely rare that a German film opens the Berlinale. ``Although we know everyone is against war, we cannot ignore the gruesome events of the past,'' said festival director Moritz de Hadeln. ``Jean-Jacques Annaud has brilliantly shed light on a chapter of German history. ``He and his team of German technicians have successfully demonstrated that Germany and Europe are in a position to realize such major projects and challenge the idea that Americans have a monopoly on such works.''"}, {"response": 1253, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 10, 2001 (23:03)", "body": "And Mike Nichols' made-for-cable movie Wit with Emma Thompson is supposed to be shown there too, along with the Tailor of Panama."}, {"response": 1254, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 11, 2001 (08:38)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1255, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 11, 2001 (09:16)", "body": "Better article on subject from Variety, so will delete one above: PIC STARS GO LEGIT Ambassadors seals deals with Natural Nylon, Parfitt By ADAM DAWTREY, MATT WOLF LONDON -- The Ambassadors Theater Group, London's second-largest legit chain and arguably its leading one for straight plays, has struck two separate deals with top British film talent to create a bridge between stage and screen. Natural Nylon, the production company of thesps Jude Law, Ewan McGregor, Jonny Lee Miller, Sean Pertwee and Sadie Frost, has formed a joint venture with the Ambassadors group to produce stage plays either starring the actors or drawing on their expertise, interests and contacts. The formation of Natural Nylon Theater will be unveiled today at a press conference in London's swanky St. Martin's Lane Hotel. Separately, Oscar-winning producer David Parfitt (\"Shakespeare in Love\") is teaming with Ambassadors to develop theater projects with film potential. The two alliances mark a deliberate effort by Ambassadors, which runs nine West End venues and twice that many around the country, to profit from the increasingly fruitful crossover between the London theater scene and Hollywood. A third collaboration between the Ambassadors group and Carlton Television will be announced in a month or so. The West End stage has long been a spawning ground for film talent and pojects, while movie stars are ever more eager to tread the London boards--many of them, of course, having been bred on the London stage. Law was a habitue of the Royal Shakespeare Co., the Royal National Theater and the Young Vic well before his screen career took wing with \"The Talented Mr. Ripley\" and other films; he received a 1995 Tony nom for his Broadway debut in the Jean Cocteau play \"Indiscretions.\" McGregor interrupted a busy film sked several seasons ago to appear in a London stage revival of \"Little Malcolm and His Struggle Against the Eunuchs,\" directed by his uncle, Denis Lawson. Ambassadors, which owns the Donmar Warehouse, where Oscar winner Sam Mendes is artistic director, has been frustrated at not having a stake in the movie success of plays and talent that started out in its theaters. To that end, the deals with Natural Nylon and Parfitt's Trademark Films are both 50/50 joint ventures, with development fully funded by the Ambassadors Theater Group, which then will have the option to participate in any film or TV versions of plays produced under the deals. In the case of the Natural Nylon pact, it virtually guarantees that when the likes of Law or McGregor decides to do a play, it will be staged in Ambassadors theaters--or, should it preem somewhere else (such as Broadway), it would be in association with Ambassadors. At least three Natural Nylon Theater projects are expected to be announced today, with startup costs for the venture in the region of \ufffd2 million-\ufffd3 million ($2.9 million-$4.4 million). Trademark already has moved its office into the New Ambassadors Theater, but that deal will not kick off properly until Parfitt has completed his producing chores on Martin Scorsese's \"Gangs of New York,\" currently shooting in Rome. Parfitt has a strong track record of transferring stage plays and theater talent to the bigscreen, with pics such as \"The Madness of King George,\" adapted from Alan Bennett's hit London play, and Kenneth Branagh's \"Much Ado About Nothing.\""}, {"response": 1256, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 11, 2001 (17:45)", "body": "Jude Law is a busy little bee, isn't he?"}, {"response": 1257, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan 12, 2001 (07:33)", "body": "Who would have thought? I too was impressed by all he has managed to do. Now if he would only die his hair permanently blond. ;-)"}, {"response": 1258, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 12, 2001 (09:31)", "body": "Lisa Schwarzbaum is quickly becoming a fav in telling it \"like it is.\" Now, she's exposing Miramax's Oscar campaign for Chocolat: Either way, I think you would agree that \"Chocolat\" has about as much business making an appearance in any category on Oscar night as \"Duets.\" The damnedest thing is, the hustle is working: No one seems to care that \"Chocolat\" is about as tasty as that Monty Python treat, Crunchy Frog. The Raccoon Lodge outpost known as the Hollywood Foreign Press Association served up four Golden Globe nominations, thereby assisting the movie's ad campaign. Members of the American Hollywood press willingly serve as unpaid flacks, reading the company line--\"'Chocolat' is a contender!\"--without even the benefit of payment... Here's her article: http://www.ew.com/ew/article/commentary/0,6595,94878,00.html"}, {"response": 1259, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 12, 2001 (11:17)", "body": "I saw \"Chocolat\" yesterday and while I consider it quite charming.... it's not Oscar nomination material by a long shot. However, it is getting big audiences, word of mouth mostly. My local theatre went from 3 showings to 5 . Part of the reason is that so many of the films out there are c***. So along comes an innocuous story , a no-brainer, no message,no gimmicks, v. well acted.Pure entertainment. You know, that has its appeal."}, {"response": 1260, "author": "Echo", "date": "Fri, Jan 12, 2001 (14:07)", "body": "LONDON (Reuters) - Shakespearean actor Michael Williams, husband of actress Dame Judi Dench, has died after a long battle against lung cancer, his agent said on Friday. Williams, 65, died on Thursday afternoon at the home he shared with his wife in Surrey. The couple, who played alongside each other in the popular 1980s television series \"A Fine Romance\", were married for 30 years. Williams was best known for his classical roles, having spent 14 years at the Royal Shakespeare Company under director Sir Peter Hall. His stage career continued until 1999 with his appearance in Russian playwright Alexander Ostrovsky's \"The Forest\" at the National Theatre in London. While his wife pursued a successful career in film and television -- winning an Oscar for her role in \"Shakespeare in Love\" -- Williams took parts in smaller films, including \"Educating Rita\" in 1982 and \"Tea with Mussolini\" in 1998. Last year, Williams received a Papal knighthood for his contribution to Catholic life in Britain, one of the highest honours bestowed by the Catholic Church. The couple had one daughter, Finty, aged 28."}, {"response": 1261, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jan 12, 2001 (15:01)", "body": "Oh, how sad for Dame Judi Dench. My prayers are with her."}, {"response": 1262, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Jan 12, 2001 (19:38)", "body": "I am sorry to hear that she is one of my favorite actresses. I watch her every Saturday night on PBS in As Time Goes By. I thought she was wonderful in Shakespeare In Love."}, {"response": 1263, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan 12, 2001 (20:08)", "body": "The damnedest thing is, the hustle is working: No one seems to care that \"Chocolat\" is about as tasty as that Monty Python treat, Crunchy Frog. LOL! Lisa S. must have read my earlier post on this film.;-) Agree with everything she wrote; honestly, when I saw it, all I could think was that the town looked like some Disney version of an oh-so-quaint-Europe-and-golly- aren't-their-backward-ways-just-so-charming-and-cute. Look closely: the aerial \"shots\" are all computer-generated. Too bad her magazine is too craven to anger Miramax by actually publishing this article in its pages (it only appears online)."}, {"response": 1264, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jan 13, 2001 (09:57)", "body": "I had the misfortune of seeing Chocolat last night. Oscar material? I agree with everything that reviewer wrote. Huge penitence, not even cute. If Miramax keeps this up they will lose whatever credibility they have. They are also bringing Malena the Tornatore film to the US. I saw the previews last night and can tell you it is the same sentimetal/clichee filled movie he is known for making. (Shame on Livia) I am taking the boys to see Crouching Tiger today. Yeah! :-D"}, {"response": 1265, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 14, 2001 (16:41)", "body": "Have seen House of Mirth. Excellent, despite the parade of dislikable actors (Dan Ackroyd, Elizabeth McGovern, Jodhi May, Anthony LaPaglia)."}, {"response": 1266, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 15, 2001 (12:46)", "body": "I liked Crouching Tiger very much. Boys said it copied the Japanese cartoon \"Dragon Ball Z\" which they like very much. But they like the cartoon better. I am a big fan of Mandarin films (and have seen many), and found nothing wrong with the acting as some reviewers had. The love story is secondary in the characters' lives as it is in the film. The struggles are elsewhere and the film succeeds 100%. Ang is v.v. talented. I loved the Ice Storm and thought he did very well with S&S. One of the year's best film. I want to see it again. I saw the previous for Corelli's Mandolin and ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ boring! Will wait to hear your opinion when the movie comes out, but it looks like a rental."}, {"response": 1267, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 15, 2001 (12:56)", "body": "Anybody see \"Great Gatsby \" last night on A&E? Good cast and you can't knock a good story.I was impressed with Paul Rudd who is currently appearing in \"Long Day's Journey.. \"on the West End with Jessica Lange and Charles Dance.Toby Stephens's acting was forced at times, but his american accent was flawless IMO. If only he had told the script-writer that he refused say \"old sport \" twenty times;-)"}, {"response": 1268, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, Jan 15, 2001 (14:01)", "body": "(Evelyn) Anybody see \"Great Gatsby \" last night on A&E? Yes, I forced myself. :-) I admit I am not a fan of 1920 character-driven melodramas (GG, Splendor in the Grass, This Property is Condemned, etc.). That's why I couldn't drag myself to see The Wild Party when it was on Broadway, LOL. But I enjoyed this flick more than I expected. :-) Yeah, I thought Paul Rudd was good too, as was Sam Waterston in the same role. I sort of wish they could have combined the best parts of both scripts. I liked the way this one revealed the darker side of Gatsby, though I liked how they handled Gatsby's death and the grieved husband in the other movie. Mira was good, less annoying than Mia imo, but I still wish I could see a Daisy that was mesmerizing. I remember years ago that Ali McGraw was supposed to be Daisy until she got a divorce from her then husband, Bob Evans. I don't know if she is the femme fatale either. Hmmm, a good role for JE... I must admit that during the last hour, when Gatsby and Tom Buchannan meet and then start to spar, I thought that the 2 perfect men to have played those roles would have been Colin and Stephen, several years ago. Both great actors with great presence, either one would have been good in either role. One a rich snob, the other mesmerizing, both phonies. Both good-looking, either one could have slipped into either role. And can't you just hear either one of them saying the \"old sport\" line? It would have been great casting to have both parts filled with men who can fill a screen and draw your attention. It would give the film more dimension. But then, I never read the book, so I don't know how the part of Tom was really written. Was it really more like Bruce Dern? (Of course, ahem, a dialect coach would have to be brought in, tee hee.) But it would be great to see 2 men of substance plausibly fighting over the same woman. Toby, the first time I've seen him, a cutie and fab smile. But his screen presence doesn't compete with Redford's. Tough act to follow. He also didn't have either the mystery or hardness that I thought should go with the part, but I am curious now to see him in another role. I know he's probably the right age for Gatsby, but he just seemed too young for the part, imo. Notice the freckles on his legs? :-)"}, {"response": 1269, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 15, 2001 (14:51)", "body": "I'm going to be v. nationalistic here and say that IMO Gatsby should be an American. Agree that Toby Stephens doesn't have a screen presence. I saw that Granada , BBC & A&E were involved and wonder if that is why they cast TS...an Anglo-American cast to appeal to both sides of the pond;-) Paul Rudd carried the movie. Did Robert Redford let Nic carry the film?"}, {"response": 1270, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jan 15, 2001 (19:05)", "body": "I liked Gatsby, thought the cast was good, especially Paul Rudd. Have had my eye on him since Clueless (remember, he was the dishy stepbrother?) Also liked him in a sweet film he did with Jennifer Aniston a couple of years back called The Object Of My Affection. He's also done Neil LaBute's \"Bash\" Off-Broadway and in London, to good reviews. Talented, charismatic young actor. I thought Toby was good as Gatsby, though I expected someone with more of an imposing physical presence. But he did capture G's insecurity and vulnerability. (Donna) Notice the freckles on his legs? :-) Not just his legs--the guy is one big freckle!:-) Seems like it was filmed on the cheap; I haven't read the book in awhile, but Gatsby's parties were more lavish, more decadent, orchestras playing, people dressed more opulently, falling down drunk, diving clothed into the pool, etc."}, {"response": 1271, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 15, 2001 (19:40)", "body": "GOLDEN SATELLITE AWARDS Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama Ellen Burstyn - REQUIEM FOR A DREAM (Artisan) Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama Geoffrey Rush - QUILLS (Fox) Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical Renee Zellweger - NURSE BETTY (USA Films) Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical Michael Douglas - WONDER BOYS (Paramount Pictues) Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, Drama Jennifer Ehle/Rosemary Harris - SUNSHINE (Paramount Classics) Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role, Drama Bruce Greenwood - THIRTEEN DAYS (New Line Cinema) Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, Comedy or Musical Kate Hudson - ALMOST FAMOUS Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role, Comedy or Musical Willem Dafoe - SHADOW OF A VAMPIRE Best Motion Picture, Drama TRAFFIC (USA Films) Best Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical NURSE BETTY (USA Films) Best Motion Picture, Foreign Language CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON (Taiwan-Sony Pictures Classics) Best Motion Picture, Animated or Mixed Media CHICKEN RUN (Dreamworks, THE WALLACE AND GROMIT FILMS) Best Motion Picture, Documentary RECKLESS INDIFFERENCE Best Director Steven Soderbergh - TRAFFIC Best Screenplay, Original Ken Lonergan - YOU CAN COUNT ON ME GO JENNIFER"}, {"response": 1272, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Jan 16, 2001 (02:30)", "body": "(Donna) Notice the freckles on his legs? :-) (Mari)Not just his legs--the guy is one big freckle!:-) Well then, he seems to have *that* in common with Robert Redford ;-)"}, {"response": 1273, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Jan 16, 2001 (02:41)", "body": "Ah, Evelyn - you could have highlighted RZ as well."}, {"response": 1274, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jan 16, 2001 (07:04)", "body": "Great news for ODGs Jennifer & Rosemary! Very very well-deserved; I can't imagine Sunshine without them. Let's hope the Academy is listening.:-) Good for RZ, too, and also well-deserved. Was just reading that this Golden Satellite group broke away from the Golden Globe group a few years back. I must say, overall, I like their picks, and I applaud their not jumping on the Gladiator/Chocolat bandwagon. Karen, you saw Requiem For A Dream--can you comment on Ellen Burstyn's performance? I've heard she was excellent."}, {"response": 1275, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jan 16, 2001 (12:45)", "body": "Wonderful news Evelyn, I am so pleased for both of them. What a year it has been for Jennifer, Awards and nominations by the score, let's hope next year is just as good. Something else for the Publicist for DFL to add to Jennifer's CV."}, {"response": 1276, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Jan 16, 2001 (15:35)", "body": "Excellent news!! Need to get round to seeing it now. It was described as \"undervalued\" in one of the Sunday Papers recently. Thought RH was wonderful in MLSF BTW. A fabulous year for a fabulously talented lady."}, {"response": 1277, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Jan 16, 2001 (15:36)", "body": "..... not forgetting her mum too!"}, {"response": 1278, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 16, 2001 (16:09)", "body": "...A fabulous year for a fabulously talented lady. She works hard too;-)"}, {"response": 1279, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Jan 16, 2001 (17:38)", "body": "I agree. Did you notice the strong resemeblence betwee the two of them. Jennifer really looks like her mother"}, {"response": 1280, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 16, 2001 (22:19)", "body": "From Screendaily: Meanwhile, Working Title Films' Captain Corelli's Mandolin has emerged as an early but strong contender for the opening night slot after UK distributor Buena Vista International slotted it into a May release date. While Working Title previously released romantic comedy Notting Hill in May without any platform at Cannes, John Madden's lavish, European love story is seen as far more like Cannes material and is expected to be submitted to Jacob. RE: Ellen Burstyn in Requiem for a Dream Well...notwithstanding her accent, she is something, but then again so is the film. Her acting is not subtle like Laura Linney's; in fact, it's the exact opposite. But their characters are so different as well. Burstyn's character is out of control. She gives a dizzying performance of a woman addicted to more than just diet pills. I recommend this movie to everyone. It is dazzling, full of sharp cinematic technique, but with a solid story and solid acting. The last 30 minutes or so are positively harrowing. All kids should be dragged to see this one."}, {"response": 1281, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 17, 2001 (08:31)", "body": "I think I read about this before. From Ananova: Film writer sues Notting Hill team An American film writer is suing the team behind Notting Hill claiming the story was stolen from him. Nick Villiers was a friend of one of the film's producers Eric Fellner. He says in 1988 he gave Fellner a copy of his script Cheek, which he claims is the basis for Notting Hill. He has filed the $15 million lawsuit against the film's writer Richard Curtis, its producers and Universal Pictures. The lawsuit has been filed in a Los Angeles court and outlines a number of similarities between Cheek and Notting Hill. They include a similar setting in London, and a similar theme involving an ordinary Englishman who meets and has a romance with the biggest star in the world. Other similarities claimed are a loutish supporting character who betrays a friend and a public reunion at the end of the film. The complaint asserts claims for breach of a confidential relationship, fraud and misappropriation."}, {"response": 1282, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Jan 17, 2001 (13:31)", "body": "To Clive Owen, Robson Green and John Thaw fans, from the SF Chronicle: ************************** Pasadena -- These days you'll hear a lot about PBS being reinvented as its new leadership tries to put a shine on already shimmering programming that often goes begging against network fare or must share the spotlight with fine offerings from various cable channels. Apparently PBS is going to start with better marketing. For years PBS has operated under the misguided \"build it and they will come\" notion of television. As if \"Masterpiece Theatre\" didn't need hype. But the good news is that PBS now knows the score. It understands that in the vastly growing world of modern television -- where 75 channels are more the norm than the rarity -- viewers have more choices than PBS has pledge breaks. And so, you had to smile a bit when PBS touted \"The Men of Mystery!\" here Sunday. PBS has long had television's most compelling cops, detectives and odd sleuths. It just never knew what to do with them. That most of the country still couldn't tell Jane Tennison from Cagney or Lacey remains a TV tragedy, given that \"Prime Suspect\" was as good as \"NYPD Blue\" and \"Homicide\" when those shows were at their finest. But never mind that -- the past doesn't concern PBS. The future is for reinventing. Now the system is rightly and finally touting three of its finest men: John Thaw, the beloved \"Inspector Morse\"; Robson Green as Detective Dave Creegan in \"Touching Evil\"; and Clive Owen as Ross Tanner in \"Second Sight.\" As \"NYPD Blue\" continues its creative nose-dive and there isn't a great cop show in sight to take its place, perhaps you should be getting your fix on PBS, from this trio. On Sunday, only Owen wasn't around to share the cop-light. Thaw appeared via satellite from London, and Green, something of a heartthrob in England and beyond, was onstage making \"Mystery!\" executive producer Rebecca Eaton's day, perhaps year. Calling the three shows \"a solid string of testosterone\" -- not your everyday PBS pronouncement -- Eaton said the three men share traits that make for good viewing. \"What they have in common is they're smart, sexy, irritable and lonely guys. They're all policemen. They're all driven and wounded in some way.\" And you thought Ricky Schroder had the market cornered on brooding cops. If you're unfamiliar with \"Inspector Morse,\" well, you're in the minority as the series, which premiered 13 seasons ago, has notched 64 episodes and aired in 200 countries. The series will come to an end with \"The Remorseful Day\" on Feb. 22, in a two-hour movie (preceded by \"The Last Morse: A Documentary\"). The finale already aired in Britain, where, Eaton said, more than half the country watched. Morse, the hard-living eccentric, goes out -- all the way out. He has been one of PBS' most popular characters, but he still doesn't resonate with American viewers like, say, any character on \"Law & Order.\" Catching up -- then bidding farewell -- will be worth the short-term investment (though it will certainly make you wish you'd jumped on the series earlier). THIRD SEASON OF 'EVIL' \"Touching Evil\" will kick off its third season on Thursday, and Green (who also starred in \"Reckless\" and has logged three No. 1 hits as a musician in the United Kingdom) is back on the job as the depressed, troubled Detective Creegan, tracker of serial killers and other very dangerous sorts. These are two people worth getting to know (Owen's \"Second Sight\" doesn't premiere until March 22). For his part, Thaw says it won't be easy letting go of Morse. \"But at the same time, I had a feeling of sadness and not exactly joy -- relief, really -- that he was off my back.\" Thaw said that Morse wasn't as colorful or eccentric as Hercule Poirot or Sherlock Holmes, but that the character will endure. So don't look for Thaw to create a new character. \"To be a new detective -- I don't relish the thought of that, frankly, at the moment. It's taken me long enough to get rid of this one. I won't be running off to put on a uniform.\" Novelist Colin Dexter killed off the Morse character, effectively ending the franchise. But Thaw never thought the famed detective would go out that way. \"I just expected that he would retire. Not very gracefully, but retire, or sort of be kicked out and go live in a cottage somewhere,\" Thaw said. \"But I think it was very daring of Colin to do that.\" Green, who has been gaining Hollywood heat and reminds many people of Paul Newman (including Joanne Woodward, no less, a fan of the series), is glad that his character will continue his dark journey. A LONELY GUY \"With Creegan, if you're shot in the head (which he was) and you have an out-of-body experience and you see something better than life -- and then you come back to it -- how do you articulate that back to a crowd of people?\" Green said. \"So, immediately, it isolates you.\" Sounds like Sipowicz on \"NYPD Blue.\" Maybe with better promotion -- and \"The Men of Mystery!\" was a start -- PBS will find more"}, {"response": 1283, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Jan 17, 2001 (14:29)", "body": "Karen, just come online after watching a movie review programme almost identical comments to your review of \"Requiem for a dream\". Uncanny! Keep on hitting the nail (or should that be bucket?!) on the head girl!"}, {"response": 1284, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 17, 2001 (14:37)", "body": "Green, who has been gaining Hollywood heat and reminds many people of Paul Newman Robson Green...Paul Newman? They gotta be kidding...."}, {"response": 1285, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jan 17, 2001 (14:49)", "body": "Robson Green...Paul Newman? They gotta be kidding.... It's the eyes;) I like RG, I think he's wonderful in touching Evil."}, {"response": 1286, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Jan 17, 2001 (16:46)", "body": "Robson Green...Paul Newman? ...it's the eyes;) I don't really know why, but all that I can see in RG's eyes is just a great endless pale blue void . Sorry."}, {"response": 1287, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 17, 2001 (18:02)", "body": "(Evelyn) Robson Green...Paul Newman? They gotta be kidding.... Yeah, it is the eyes and he's on the short side too. Read comments similar to this awhile back and more. Something about how this was brought to Paul Newman or Joanne Woodward's attention. I suspect it's the work of his publicist."}, {"response": 1288, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jan 17, 2001 (19:47)", "body": "Thanks for the article, Murph. I have to take issue with a few things in it. First, Inspector Morse might be new to PBS, but it's been playing on A&E forever; where's this writer been? Also, a bigger problem than their marketing, or lack thereof, is their scheduling. I live in one of those markets where they're \"piloting\" the move of Masterpiece Theater from Sundays to, allegedly, Mondays. Only, half the time, it's not on. I've been waiting for new Bramwell episodes, which I know have been shown in other parts of the country, but here . . .where the hell is it? BTW, the PBS Jazz series has been very good; anyone watching it? Robson Green doesn't do much for me . . .more Alfred E. Neuman than Paul Newman, IMO.;-) But Clive Owen is very nice indeed.:-)"}, {"response": 1289, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (08:21)", "body": "You should see Clive Owen in \"Close Your Eyes\"... Um, WOW!!! (WHAT a body!) Okay, saw the House of Mirth (I REALLY HATE Edith Wharton!); I didn't like it. I thought it seemed forced... like everyone was talking in a foreign language. A few scenes with Gillian Anderson totally reminded me of Elizabeth/Darcy sparring at Netherfield. I speak of her tete a tete's with Roseland (LaPaglia). Dan Ackroyd wasn't THAT bad. GA was good, but depressing story. (I saw a free screening of it yesterday)"}, {"response": 1290, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (08:24)", "body": "Oh, I've been watching Jazz and LOVE IT!"}, {"response": 1291, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (10:15)", "body": "For you Robeson Green fans: Tonight on PBS \"MYstery\" \"Touching Evil\" first of two parts. Starring RG. Big interview in TV section of newspaper with byline from LA!! (I didn't know he had a music career.) He and his business manager are currently in Hollywood in discussions with studios and producers, including Bruce Willis' Cheyenne Enterprises for a theatrical version of \"Touching Evil\". [Say hello to Colin while he's lolling on the beach, Robeson:-)] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I'm watching JAZZ too...(isn't everybody?) The most exciting documentary I've ever seen.What a saga...stirring music. But it's the stories, photos and film excerpts that grabs me. Our friends in UK will undoubtedly see this since I see in the credits that BBC was a collaborator. ~~~~~~~~~~~ Premiere Mag mentions among the \"Spoilers\"for Oscar noms: RZ Best Actress JE/RH Best Suporting actress Real long shots, but nice to see them mentioned. Also JE as Best Supporting Actress (spoil"}, {"response": 1292, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (11:29)", "body": "In MA I get three PBS stations, so Saturday I watched 5 1/2 hours of Jazz and four hours of Liberty! I guess I was in a documentary roll. Wonder if Jazz will be nominated for an Oscar? I'm hoping the next 4 1/2 hours will be on this coming Saturday;)"}, {"response": 1293, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (12:53)", "body": "We've got \"The west Wing\" starting here tonite. If you have seen it I'd like to hear your views."}, {"response": 1294, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (13:06)", "body": "Lizza: Don't miss one single moment of this great show!!!! It is my absolute favorite. Mari will agree, I know. Clive Owen: Very nice indeed, indeed:"}, {"response": 1295, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (13:08)", "body": "Clive's picture was supposed to appear there. I'll try it again."}, {"response": 1296, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (13:55)", "body": "I like the West Wing. However, it is American liberal clap-trap at its best. If our Governement was really like that (and really that cute), we'd be one hell of a nation;)"}, {"response": 1297, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (14:09)", "body": "Do watch it, Lizza. West Wing is one of my favs. It's smart, topical and interesting. Great characters too. Just read the other day that Martin Sheen (who plays the Pres) was only supposed to be a minor character, appearing once and a while, and the focus was to be on Rob Lowe. Didn't work out that way. Martin Sheen's pres was too good that they changed the entire series to revolve around him. Gaah! Why wasn't he on the ballot this past November? We are getting saddled with the exact oppposite. :-( And I want them to bring back the blonde conservative, Aynsley. Loved her and her weakness for pastries."}, {"response": 1298, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (14:25)", "body": "Well, call me a liberal clap-trapper (hell, Murph and I have been called worse;-), but IMO, this is must-see TV. Wonderful writing, terrific acting, well-fleshed out characters. Addresses serious issues, but there is a dry, intelligent wit throughout. I don't think it white-washes anything; in fact, it often does show why things don't get done, e.g., political expediency. The show's advisers include a number of people who have worked in high positions in the West Wing; I find it very realistic. Certainly, it does present a liberal Democratic point of view (long may it live), but that reflects the administration that is portrayed."}, {"response": 1299, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (14:31)", "body": "Forgot to say . . .thanks for the Clive pic, Murph. He is waiting for me when I get home (ok, so my Croupier rental is waiting for me--close enough!;-)"}, {"response": 1300, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (14:37)", "body": "Certainly, it does present a liberal Democratic point of view (long may it live), but that reflects the administration that is portrayed ] The show is preachy and what President would really tear into a Dr. Laura type by telling her that when the President enters the room, you are to stand. I like the show. I LOVE Josh and Donna. But I'm sorry, the President would not deal with someone dropping her panties and he having to apologize? It's definitely OVER THE TOP. Sure it has thrilling stories and you totally agree that the Republicans are bad (they're evil!); that's exactly how they're portrayed. It's definitely liberal clap-trap, but it's a soap opera all the same."}, {"response": 1301, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (14:40)", "body": "Certainly, it does present a liberal Democratic point of view (long may it live), but that reflects the administration that is portrayed ] So what happens when Bush is Inaugurated on Saturday, does Jeb lose the popularity contest but wins the Electoral vote???? Can we bear to see Gasp! Corbin Bernsen in the West Wing!!??? :)"}, {"response": 1302, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (15:19)", "body": "does Jeb lose the popularity contest but wins the Electoral vote???? Jeb is busy in Florida as the Governor. You mean GW. (Now let's not go overboard--one Bush at a time)!"}, {"response": 1303, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (15:22)", "body": "You mean GW. (Now let's not go overboard--one Bush at a time)!\\ [ Actually, I drew a blank Martin Sheen's character on the West Wing is named Jeb Bartlett. I forgot his last name;)"}, {"response": 1304, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (15:23)", "body": "Actually, in the season opener of this season, the funniest line was Josh asking Leo who would nominate another Liberal College Professor from New England... Had to laugh at that one... (I don't think Michael Dukakis will EVER live down his loss to George Bush Sr:))"}, {"response": 1305, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (15:28)", "body": "Gosh...it's good to have Laura back...:-)))) I wonder if West Wing would appeal to folks outside of the US political arena. I'm never interested in any other country's political sagas. (I'm barely interested in West Wing, though I watch it if nothing else is on...Tired of issues . For that I tune into the news.)"}, {"response": 1306, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (16:50)", "body": "the President would not deal with someone dropping her panties and he having to apologize? Oh, I dunno, I seem to recall a certain President who apologized for a lot more.;-) And for the record, it's Josiah Bartlett, not Jeb, and he declined to get involved in the panty pecadillo.:-) you totally agree that the Republicans are bad (they're evil!); that's exactly how they're portrayed. I disagree. They're portrayed as people whose opinions tend to differ from the administration portrayed. I think the Aynsley character is interesting--she dishes it right back at them. Bottom line: it ain't a documentary, nor is it intended to be one."}, {"response": 1307, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (17:03)", "body": "Donmar Warehouse got 6 Olivier noms:* Mostly for \"Merily We Roll Along\" a Stephen Sondheim musical . [Are they kidding? Where did they put the orchestra ? I hardly had room for my feet in that first row...] *Best New Musical Best Actor in a Musical: Daniel Evans Best actress in a Musical Samantha Spiro Best choreographer Best Lighting: To the Green Fields Beyond (Best part of the show:The Trees. I saw it) Best Director: Orpheus Descending"}, {"response": 1308, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (17:39)", "body": "it's Josiah Bartlett, not Jeb, and he declined to get involved in the panty pecadillo.:-) ] Yep and they call him Jeb;)(or is that Jed?) This show is all about current issues, and Evelyn is right, it's VERY American, to the point I wonder if the foreign viewers would even care. Oh of course they'll love Donna, she's chippy and witty, much like our dear own Elizabeth Bennet. And Josh, I mean, will he ever get a chair???? And he declined to get involved in the panty raid, because he was tired;) I do like Charlie, can't stand Zoey (Zoe); LOVE Stockard Channing in anything she does."}, {"response": 1309, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (18:51)", "body": "What about the great episode recently with another fav of mine, Adam Arkin? I thought the story about Josh's Post Traumatic Syndrome was so well written. I agree with Mari. While the group may be liberals, we are often shown how some things they want to support just cannot get done. The politics of issues are treated in the show as well as the issues themselves. I too love Josh, but I think John Webster and Alison Janey are my favorites. Yeah, Karen, what happened to Aynsley? She HAD to get out of that basement room sometime."}, {"response": 1310, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (18:52)", "body": "Mari: Can't wait to hear what you thought of Croupier. I must rent it too to see it again."}, {"response": 1311, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (06:51)", "body": "Anyone watch Touching Evil last night? That's a dark show, isn't it?"}, {"response": 1312, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (09:37)", "body": "Sean Penn was on Charlie Rose last night for the whole hour, and the interview was FASCINATING. He's not just a pretty face :-) He was recently on stage in SF in a Sam Shepard play with Nick Nolte and Woody Harrelson, and he mentioned that he would probably never go back to the theater again. Charlie was stunned. Sean's reasoning was that maybe only 20 people in the audience are really interested in theater (and we know who we are, LOL), and the rest are there for a dog-and-pony show. He said it was like a guy is trying to impress his date by getting tickets to see the stars. It's funny how he was able to pick that up from the stage. (LOL, I guess they can detect a great deal more from the stage than we ever suspect! *winkie*) That type of thought certainly entered my brain when I saw True West and saw the audience reaction. Roars, cheers. Flavor of the month. Neither the play/writing nor the performances showed the texture or depth of TRT, imo. Same thing with Betrayal. I enjoyed it, but was floored with some of the rave reviews. Oh well... By the way, Sean mentioned that he enjoyed working with AE on his latest flick, and would like to work with him again. He told a very cute story about when his daughter gets sick of him giving her affection, she feigns turning him off with a remote controller. He should give anger management lessons to the Bloviator (Alec Baldwin). :-)"}, {"response": 1313, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (09:39)", "body": "(Donna) never go back to the theater Just clarifying my own post: Sean said he would probably never perform in theater again."}, {"response": 1314, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (10:35)", "body": "(Murph)Anyone watch Touching Evil last night? That's a dark show, isn't it? Yeah...me. It is dark..in content and visually. We are about to be inundated with filters on the cameras to show flashbacks. Blue filters must have been on sale in UK! Agree that Robeson Green's eyes do resemble Paul Newman's. Sadly, not his acting skills. (Sean Penn on Charlie Rose)... maybe only 20 people in the audience are really interested in theater. Probably more in the US than UK.Regional theatre has a hard time getting audiences here, yet in UK the theatre in the provinces flourish.(Due to better actors?)"}, {"response": 1315, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (11:27)", "body": "Thanks everyone for your coments on WW. Have videoed and will hope to watch this weekend. I will re-read your comments again then! Looking forward to seeing it! I think it will appeal to us here eventhou' it's outside our political arena. Brits always have a global interest! Guess it's also the nearest you come to a royal family. \"The Bill and Hill Show\" R.I.P. ;-))"}, {"response": 1316, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (11:28)", "body": "Maybe I should have put that the other way around! ;-))"}, {"response": 1317, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (11:48)", "body": "Same thing with Betrayal. I enjoyed it, but was floored with some of the rave reviews. Isn't that directed by David Levereux? With that face, he can do no wrong! ;-) If only I could be stuck in an elevator with him. ;-)))))"}, {"response": 1318, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (12:47)", "body": "Okay, here is the official cast listing from IMDB.com for West Wing. It is Jed;) Cast overview: Martin Sheen .... Josiah 'Jed' Bartlet (President of the United States) John Spencer (I) .... Leo McGarry (Chief of Staff) Bradley Whitford .... Joshua 'Josh' Lyman (Deputy Chief of Staff) Richard Schiff .... Toby Ziegler (Communications Director) Allison Janney .... Claudia Jean 'C.J.' Cregg (Press Secretary) Rob Lowe .... Samuel 'Sam' Norman Seaborn (Deputy Communications Director) Dule Hill .... Charles 'Charlie' Young (Presidential Aide) Janel Moloney .... Donatella 'Donna' Moss (Aide to the Deputy Chief of Staff) Stockard Channing .... Abigail 'Abby' Bartlet, M.D. (First Lady) Elisabeth Moss .... Zoey Bartlet (First Daughter) Kathryn Joosten .... Mrs. Landingham (Presidential Secretary) Jorja Fox .... Gina Toscano (Secret Service Special Agent) (2000-) Moira Kelly (I) .... Madeleine 'Mandy' Hampton (Political Consultant/Media Director) [1999-2000] rest of cast listed alphabetically Timothy Busfield .... Danny Concannon (White House Press Corps) Melissa Fitzgerald (II) .... Carol (Aide to the Press Secretary) Emily Procter .... Ainsley Hayes (Associate White House Counsel) (2000-) Kim Webster (I) .... Ginger (Aide to the Director of Communications)"}, {"response": 1319, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (12:51)", "body": "(Moon) Isn't that directed by David Levereux? With that face, he can do no wrong! LOL, he did fine Moon. I was just underimpressed with Liev Schreiber. He wasn't bad by any means, but he did not wow me. Plus his British accent didn't work for me. It was a very enjoyable evening though. But the reviews were very uneven. Some were positively glowing, and others had reservations similar to what I was thinking, mostly involving the actors. I don't recall any criticisms of direction. :-)"}, {"response": 1320, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (13:38)", "body": "It is Jed;) Like I said, not Jeb.;-) The show and several of the actors are up for Golden Globes this Sunday, including Sheen, Lowe, Janney and Whitford. I think they won pretty much everything in sight at the Emmys. Good to see them recognized. I like John Spencer too, Murph. His Leo is a rock, isn't he? He beautifully balances the decency as well as the flaws of his character. BTW, I did see Croupier when it was in the theaters, so this is a repeat treat for me!:-)"}, {"response": 1321, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (16:50)", "body": "From Media Guardian: West Wing wins UK vote Critics choice The West Wing, the US drama import focusing on a fictional president and his White House staff, made an impressive debut on Channel 4 last night. The West Wing, which stars Martin Sheen as the US president and Rob Lowe as one of his advisers, went out on Sky One last year. But this did not stop the UK terrestrial premiere pulling in 2.3m viewers on Channel 4 last night. The show took a 12% share of the available audience between 10pm and 11pm. It beat BBC2 opposition from a repeated Have I Got News for You, which got 2.2m viewers; and Newsnight, which attracted 1.2m."}, {"response": 1322, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (17:29)", "body": "Thanks Karen...good news for WW. But I found this surprising.... from a repeated Have I Got News for You, which got 2.2m viewers; That's a lot of viewers for a repeat of *news* for godsakes. But now we know the *news* about CF was indeed as Ann W. reported... (\"Oh you can never fool a Droolie...\" ;-)"}, {"response": 1323, "author": "Echo", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (17:53)", "body": "It's not just a repeat of news, it's first and foremost a very bitingly satirical program which for some unknown reason keeps getting away with making very irreverent - not to say scurrilous - comments on current headlines and various public figures. Up my street, really... ;-)"}, {"response": 1324, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (19:06)", "body": "It's not just a repeat of news, ....comments on current headlines and various public figures. Up my street, really... ;-) But dontcha' get tired of seeing the same thing *twice*?"}, {"response": 1325, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (19:11)", "body": "But are the British watching it for the \"content\" or the beautiful people that are on it???? (I've LOVED Bradley Whitford forever! I think, he's sexy, funny, sad, beautiful, blah blah blah... I like the West Wing, I just think it's VERY democratic (as in political party));)"}, {"response": 1326, "author": "Echo", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (20:25)", "body": "dontcha' get tired of seeing the same thing *twice*? Funny how this question never arises with reference to P&P... Personally, I don't normally watch repeats. I guess the repeats are for the \"converts\" who missed the show(s) the first time round."}, {"response": 1327, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (20:35)", "body": "But are the British watching it for the \"content\" or the beautiful people that are on it???? (I've LOVED Bradley Whitford forever! I think, he's sexy, funny, sad, beautiful, blah blah blah... I like the West Wing, I just think it's VERY democratic (as in political party));) ********* Bradley Whitford's wife is the woman who plays the mother in Malcolm In The Middle. I forget her name, since I have an aversion to Fox's programs EXCEPT for Boston Public, which has become a new favorite of mine. Can you tell I don't get out much?"}, {"response": 1328, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (20:40)", "body": "Speaking of Odds and Ends... This is from tomorrow's Daily Telegraph in Sydney. Boy, does my new hero need to lose weight, wash his hair and get some sleep:"}, {"response": 1329, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (23:20)", "body": "Murphy. I love Boston Public. I think it is one of the best show I have seen in the last five years. The one last week was a very powerful episode. The writers are great and the cst is wonderful. Every week I think, how different school is now."}, {"response": 1330, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (23:22)", "body": "Have you noticed how Russell Crowe looks and sounds like Richard Burton."}, {"response": 1331, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Jan 20, 2001 (00:08)", "body": "As a product of the Boston Public School system, can I tell you that David E. Kelley takes Poetic License regarding the school system... It just isn't that way.... :)"}, {"response": 1332, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sat, Jan 20, 2001 (07:22)", "body": "are the British watching it for the \"content\" or the beautiful people that are on it???? I don't know about beautiful but their comments can be hysterical."}, {"response": 1333, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 20, 2001 (08:38)", "body": "Just a reminder, we have boards for: Russell Crowe http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/92/new Robson Green http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/81/new Ralph Fiennes http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/40/new Several of us use the Jeremy Northam (43), Mel Gibson (6), Stephen Dillane (132) and Jonathan Firth (102) boards. You might want to take a look at what exists: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/drool/all/ and if the person is not there, let me know and I'll set it up. You never know who might be interested if you never post there. I subscribe to the Field of Dreams dictum: \"If you build it, they will come.\" It worked for Bridget Jones and Possession. ;-)"}, {"response": 1334, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 20, 2001 (09:42)", "body": "Thanks Karen...I'm at fault for breaking those rules. I forget the topic #, but I have now noted them. You're right, a lot of people don't read Odds 'n Ends..(don't know what they're missing. Sorry:-(("}, {"response": 1335, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Jan 20, 2001 (10:29)", "body": "The new issue of Entertainment Weekly highlights 2001's \"big events.\" In the theater section, topping the \"Must-See List--Stage\" is: DESIGN FOR LIVING--The Roundabout Theatre Company resurrects Noel Coward's giddy romp; trendy Tony winners Alan Cumming (Cabaret) and Jennifer Ehle (The Real Thing) are two thirds of an artsy, codependent menage a trois. (March 15)"}, {"response": 1336, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Jan 20, 2001 (12:03)", "body": "(Echo) Robson Green...Paul Newman?...I don't really know why, but all that I can see in RG's eyes is just a great endless pale blue void... Sort of like a Malamute dog's ice blue gaze? I never saw \"The West Wing\". I don't watch much television in general. I quess that might make me un-American on both counts."}, {"response": 1337, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 20, 2001 (12:40)", "body": "DFL.....two thirds of an artsy, codependent menage a trois. I saw \"28 Days\"just to see the other third of that menage a trois...Dominic West. Worst movie I have ever seen.Why would Sandra Bullock sign on to do something like that at this stage of her career.. DW was OK.Didn't go into American accent;which wouldn't have helped."}, {"response": 1338, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 20, 2001 (16:16)", "body": "From my weekly London Theatre newsletter: \"It is rumoured that GLENN CLOSE is likely to make her UK stage debut next year at the Royal National Theatre in \"A Streetcar Named Desire\". She would play Blanche Dubois, the neurotic heroine of Tennessee Williams's drama. Trevor Nunn is expected to direct the play, which has never been produced by the National before\" ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Isn't she a little \"long in the tooth \" to play Blanche?"}, {"response": 1339, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sat, Jan 20, 2001 (16:46)", "body": "(Cheryl) Sort of like a Malamute dog's ice blue gaze? Hm... don't know... Dogs have intelligent eyes..."}, {"response": 1340, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 21, 2001 (14:26)", "body": "Briefly tuned into E!'s full-day coverage of the Golden Globes and they were doing a bit on Sunshine. E! must have resurrected all its footage from the press junket plus they had on-the-scene film. Szabo spoke quite a bit and so did Rafe. Lots of scenes from the movie itself. Unfortunately, also caught the promo for the Melissa [Rivers'] Guide to Pregnancy so had to turn the channel. Is there anything more nauseating than this mother-daughter team? ;-)"}, {"response": 1341, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Jan 21, 2001 (16:10)", "body": "Unfortunately, also caught the promo for the Melissa [Rivers'] Guide to Pregnancy so had to turn the channel. Is there anything more nauseating than this mother-daughter team? ;-) Hmmmm... let's see... Watching the conception, the birth, and the afterbirth;-)"}, {"response": 1342, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Jan 21, 2001 (18:56)", "body": "Miramax is backing another film, which will include a recent Tony winner that we have come to admire :-) \"The Hours\", based on the Pulitzer Prize novel by Michael Cunningham that follows the separate characters lives over the course of a day, and how their 3 different stories interweave. Cast includes, in alphabetical order: Eileen Atkins, Claire Danes, Stephen Dillane, Ed Harris, Allison Janney, Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore, John C. Reilly, Meryl Streep. The film is directed by Stephen Daldry, who directed Billy Elliot."}, {"response": 1343, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 21, 2001 (20:09)", "body": "Fabulous news, Donna, you must be ecstatic. That is the Virginia Woolf thing. Just read that Allison Janney, who is a new edition, I think is replacing Julianne Moore. Here's a description I had read on Ananova: Daldry said it's the story of three women in different places at different times who are trying to define their identity in a world that wants to see them behave slightly differently. He said Julianne Moore plays Virginia Woolf, Nicole Kidman is in 1950's LA and Meryl Streep is in New York in the present day."}, {"response": 1344, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Jan 21, 2001 (21:43)", "body": "(Karen) That is the Virginia Woolf thing. Oh yes! I read about that earlier, but didn't connect the dots. :-) More news on \"The Hours\"... It's scripted by David Hare. Filming starts this month and casting seems to still be fluid. I found another site that shows Toni Collette as added to the cast. It still shows Julianne Moore. Hmmm, if she dropped out of this one, I wonder what she is up to? She was originally going to be in Design for Living, but dropped out of that too. A little more description: The novel is a homage to the Bloomsbury writer Virginia Woolf, and tells the story of three women living in different periods of the 20th century. One is Woolf, at work on her novel Mrs Dalloway in 1923; the second is an LA housewife in the late 40s; the last is a young woman in 1990s New York, planning a party for an Aids-suffering former lover who called her \"Mrs Dalloway\"."}, {"response": 1345, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 21, 2001 (22:10)", "body": "who is a new edition Am horrified! Allison Janney is not a book, newspaper or magazine. ;-)"}, {"response": 1346, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (10:51)", "body": "... the separate characters lives over the course of a day, Wonderful news....good script writer, director, cast, Harvey...a winner!! And I like the three stories thingy...he better use different color camera filters etc.;-)"}, {"response": 1347, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (14:23)", "body": "My nominee for worst dressed (of the major people we saw) at the Globes: Charlize Theron. Absolutely hideous and remarkable as she was regularly touted as the best dressed at last year's awards shows (though I didn't like her orange Oscar dress)."}, {"response": 1348, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (15:30)", "body": "Scary, huh?"}, {"response": 1349, "author": "Echo", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (17:52)", "body": "The face looks OK, but did she really have to expose that emaciated trunk with such abandon? And why didn't she look in the mirror before leaving home? Sad."}, {"response": 1350, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (18:20)", "body": "The DGA (Directors Guild of America) has announced their nominations for excellence in directing for the year 2000. The directors nominated for Best Feauture are: Cameron Crowe -- Almost Famous Ang Lee -- Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Ridley Scott -- Gladiator Steven Soderbergh -- Erin Brockovich Steven Soderbergh -- Traffic If this is a duplication of something posted previously, I am really sorry."}, {"response": 1351, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (19:53)", "body": "Thanks Cheryl, I've never seen this list before. Directors judging their peers. Quite an honor for those on the list."}, {"response": 1352, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (21:15)", "body": "Karen, ET and Access Hollyweird are touting Charlize as best dressed this year. I thought the dress was a bit out there, but she has the looks to pull it off. That pic of Lara Flynn Boyle *is* scary; she looks like something out of a Tim Burton movie.;-) Best was the woman from Crouching Tiger who fell right out of her dress. Gotta use that boob glue next time, honey.;-) These awards shows are not nearly the fun they used to be. These celebs all have personal stylists to select their ensembles now, so rarely does someone make a major fashion faux pas. In the good old days, you could always count on somebody like Cher to show up in something ghastly with feathers and sequins located where fabric should have been. Even Angelina Jolie is all cleaned up now! Out of affection for Moon, I won't even mention what Bjork looked like.;-) My cutest guy award definitely goes to George Clooney. Honorable mention: Javier Bardem. Geekiest-looking guy: Steven Soderbergh. Honorable mention: Cameron Crowe. Nice line: when Martin Sheen thanked \"my trophy wife of the past 40 years.\" I thought they were going to have to prop up Bob Dylan, but darned if he didn't make it up on stage under his own power.;-) Liz Taylor looked great; confused but great. Goodyear Award: Russell Crowe (tied with last year's winner, Camryn Manheim;-) Odd Couple Award: Kate Hudson and that . . .fellow she just married. Poor Goldie is putting on a brave front, but inside she must have agita big time.;-) Was glad to see Kate win, very deserving of those nommed. Anybody have any other awards they want to hand out?:-)"}, {"response": 1353, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (22:37)", "body": "(Cheryl) The DGA (Directors Guild of America) has announced their nominations... which will turn into the Oscar candidates and ultimately the winner for Best Director. Thanks, Cheryl. Nothing surprising. Soderbergh will continue to suffer from a split vote I think. (Mari) ET and Access Hollyweird are touting Charlize as best dressed this year. I know. I saw them. Am disgusted big time. Her dress looked like something Cher donated to a thrift store. And if Cher had worn it, you know she would've been ridiculed. This is rigged. ;-) Looks like those personal stylists need to form a network. Did you see that Brenda Blethyn and Lisa Nicole Carson (??) were wearing the same dress? My big gripe this year was hair! Do people really pay for looks like that? Sheesh, Bob Dylan's looked better than 75% of the women there. What was that peacock plummage deal going on behind Sandra Bullock's head? And those hunks of hair hanging forward from Sarah Jessica Parker's head? Kim Cattrell, a comb. A comb, Kim Cattrell. My favorite part of the show was Bob Dylan, white belt and all. You knew when you heard that song during the end credits for Wonder Boys that it would take it. Classic Dylan. Loved how the audience members were in awe of him...a real legend. Another good Clooney moment: the face he made while being referred to as a \"second-generation\" talent. Rosemary is his aunt, not his mother. They should've used Angelina Jolie instead."}, {"response": 1354, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (22:38)", "body": "Ooooowwww, I forgot, another hair-impaired one. Jane Seymour's daughter, who was on stage the entire time, being the chosen child. Strand of long hair hanging straight down the middle of her face."}, {"response": 1355, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan 23, 2001 (07:34)", "body": "That strand of hair cracked me up. She looked idiotic. (Mari),Out of affection for Moon, I won't even mention what Bjork looked like.;-) Bjork is a rock-star and very artistic. I always enjoy what she wears because she does it for fun. She makes fun of everyone in her subtle way. You know, Bob Dylan's outfit didn't kid either (Mariachi with a twist?) My cutest guy award definitely goes to George Clooney. Honorable mention: Javier Bardem. I enjoyed GC. Seems to have a great personality. Definitely someone to invite to your party. But my cutest award goes to Russell Crowe, loved the longish hair look. Finally saw Traffic (so much better than Erin B), and although it is flawed, It is still a very good film. Javier ws great. Still, I was happy Ang Lee got Best Director, and Kate Hudson as well. Can't comment much more because the tape ran out before time."}, {"response": 1356, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 23, 2001 (08:30)", "body": "Extensive preview of 2001 films in the past Sunday LA Times. Bridget is listed for spring, with a one-line capsule synopsis, and there's a pic in the gallery (sliding down pole). Possession is listed under Fall/Holiday; no pic. Captain Corelli seems to be 'the' literary adaptation of the year from all the space devoted to it. Good article and very extensive gallery of upcoming pics. Walk through it. Article: http://www.calendarlive.com/top/1,1419,L-LATimes-Sneaks-X!ArticleDetail-17870,00.html Releases by season (no dates provided, all alphabetical) and gallery on left."}, {"response": 1357, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jan 23, 2001 (08:51)", "body": "Russell Crowe IMO loooked way heavy.... (perhaps in dumping MR, he turned to food????); overall no one really jumped out at me. Lately, I love the style of Randolph Duke and Pamela Dennis (I went ballistic over a pair of Manolo Blahnik mules I saw at Neiman Marcus, alas, WAY too expensive for my taste:() RZ looked nice, but WOW, she lost lots of weight."}, {"response": 1358, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 23, 2001 (10:11)", "body": "From Mitchell Finks' column: Miramax honcho Harvey Weinstein was nevertheless gracious in defeat. \"DreamWorks kicked a\ufffd,\" he said. \"They won Best Picture in two categories. They deserved all the bows.\""}, {"response": 1359, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jan 23, 2001 (12:22)", "body": "Moon, you're thinking of Benicio Del Toro in Traffic. Javier Bardem is the hottie (from Before Night Falls). Bjork's clothes were fine, from what I could tell. It was her hair, Louisa.;-) (Karen)Soderbergh will continue to suffer from a split vote I think. Yes, he needs to signal pretty quickly which film he'd rather get nommed for, or he will lose out altogether. What did you all think of Julia Roberts? She looked nice, but maybe a bit too understated? More Harry Winston needed next time.;-) It was good to see Robert Downey Jr. looking straight and healthy. I'm glad he won; Ally McB has improved considerably since he came on board. Such a good actor, but so many demons."}, {"response": 1360, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 23, 2001 (12:33)", "body": "(Mari) I'm glad he won; Ally McB has improved considerably since he came on board. Agreed. Have read today that he's signed on for, like, 10 more episodes. So much for there being a crisis about his son and moving to be with him as the next week teaser seemed to imply. (Mari) It was her hair, Louisa.;-) It was everyone's hair! What's with this 1860s bun thing going with so many of them? And Allison Janney's? Blech (also she doesn't get any kudos for the way that Pamela Dennis dress fit; it had potential, but did you see that skin hanging out and over the top of the bodice? hard to believe on someone so thin)"}, {"response": 1361, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 23, 2001 (13:05)", "body": "My big gripe this year was hair....What's with this 1860s bun thing going with so many of them? Including Renee. I like her with the long blond tresses. What about the guy's get-ups? What's with all of them with the dress white shirts and long black ties...they looked like undertakers. Best dressed of the far-out look...Ang Lee. (Looked like Chairman Mao, you say?) I like that look."}, {"response": 1362, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jan 23, 2001 (15:22)", "body": "You know the more I see photos of Steven Soderberg, the more he looks like Elvis Costello!!! :)"}, {"response": 1363, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jan 23, 2001 (15:23)", "body": "Well as I'm partial to sleek looks, I like RZ's shorter style. (I only wish they all had extremely curly hair, like me so I could see how they deal with it on a day-to-day basis!)"}, {"response": 1364, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Jan 23, 2001 (15:39)", "body": "That pic of Lara Flynn Boyle *is* scary; she looks like something out of a Tim Burton movie.;-) ...and they say the camera adds 10+ pounds. Yikes! Scary to think what she looks like in person."}, {"response": 1365, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Tue, Jan 23, 2001 (17:38)", "body": "I wasn't really sure if I should join in on this topic of too thin actresses or even what board to place this in ... I found this picture of Renee Zellweger and thought: gahd, where's a pashmina when you need one? was she a victim of bad lighting? and was breaking up with Jim Carrey that bad that it put her off food?!? http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/p/nm/20010122/en/imdf97228.html"}, {"response": 1366, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 23, 2001 (18:14)", "body": "(Marianne) I wasn't really sure if I should join in on this topic of too thin actresses The more the merrier! Gah! What a hideous shot. She really didn't look that emaciated IMO. Maybe there's a flaw in the photograph. ;-() Did you see how high that dress was slit? Must have been a Liz Hurley hand-me-down."}, {"response": 1367, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Jan 24, 2001 (13:26)", "body": "I thought Renee looked very thin too. And Mari, shouldn't Jessica Sarah Parker (or Sarah Jessica - I get mixed up) get some kind of award for biggest fake flower on dress and longest speech? Sela Ward was elegant, even in that revealing dress. My thoughts on Liz Taylor. I felt so sad for her. The brain tumor obviously has affected her. I hate when older women try at any costs to stay young looking. She looks now nothing like any version of the real Elizabeth Taylor. Even her features are completely different. Anyone have anything to say about Al Pacino's rambling trip through the past? ************** I read The Hours and enjoyed it very much. Should make a great film. I am now reading \"The Journey Home\" by Olaf Olafsson. Quite a character study. I recommend it. Next will be Peter Carey's \"The History of the Kelly Gang.\""}, {"response": 1368, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Wed, Jan 24, 2001 (13:49)", "body": "Sarah should get an award for originality and changing the pitch of her voice. Rambling, no joke, I thought he lost it toward the end. I can't fault Liz Taylor, I thought she did great. Bless her heart. Healther Locklear gets the slit down the side dress award. Most revealing. Sarah Jessica Parker and that whole Sex and the City crew are great!"}, {"response": 1369, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 24, 2001 (14:38)", "body": "(Murph)..shouldn't Jessica Sarah Parker (or Sarah Jessica - I get mixed up) get some kind of award for biggest fake flower on dress and longest speech? Why don't we just give her the Biggest Fake Award .. period. Sela Ward was elegant, even in that revealing dress. A real stand-out...first time I've seen her...TV star? If so..not for long. (Murph)I hate when older women try at any costs to stay young looking. Madam...I beg your pardon. ;-)) IMO that's not the problem as much as the fact that she doesn't want to let go of the limelight."}, {"response": 1370, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Jan 24, 2001 (14:43)", "body": "Anyone notice if Lisa Snowdon was with George Clooney BAC?"}, {"response": 1371, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 24, 2001 (15:07)", "body": "George Clooney wasn't with anyone at the awards show. It was mentioned on our entertainment shows, so they were on the lookout."}, {"response": 1372, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 24, 2001 (16:22)", "body": "I can't find the one I saw before, but does anyone notice something unusual in this picture?"}, {"response": 1373, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Jan 24, 2001 (16:52)", "body": "No alcohol?!"}, {"response": 1374, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 24, 2001 (17:27)", "body": "You mean the bodyguard next to Calista is really a warden for RD Jr.? But I don't see 'no' handcuffs...."}, {"response": 1375, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jan 24, 2001 (19:14)", "body": "Harvey Weinstein with young gal? Benjamin Bratt without Julia Roberts? Hey, it says Golden Globes??? ;) I see her boobies??? I don't know:) Evelyn, Sela Ward has been around for a while. Loved her as Teddy in Sisters (awesome show!!) She was in Hello, Again! (um, yeah, I saw it) with Corbin Bernsen and Shelly Long (Sela was always cast as the vixen)."}, {"response": 1376, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Wed, Jan 24, 2001 (19:18)", "body": "Wait! Bodyguard next to Calista, I volunteer! But Calisto isn't in the running for \"golden globes\"; Sela Ward is doing the Spring commercials now, riding a scooter, it's cool as commercials go."}, {"response": 1377, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 24, 2001 (23:09)", "body": "I see her boobies??? I don't know:) Yes, you do. How can you see what doesn't exist, as anyone who watches the show would know. Those are either the best prosthetic devices or she's had sympathy boob growth from adopting. ;-)"}, {"response": 1378, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Jan 25, 2001 (06:26)", "body": "We had been discussing Possession a bit ago. I don't know if you have seen the Times reve=iew from the other day on Byatt's new book.: A. S. Byatt's Bumbling Literary Sleuth Ends Up Clueless By MICHIKO KAKUTANI THE BIOGRAPHER'S TALE By A. S. Byatt. Illustrated. 305 pp. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. $24. Possession,\" A. S. Byatt's 1990 Booker Award-winnning novel, was a glittering story within a story about two modern-day scholars following a detective trail of literary clues to uncover a love story between two Victorian poets. The book was erudite and dense, but it was also enormously entertaining: a Chinese puzzle box of a novel that took elements from Jorge Luis Borges, John Fowles and David Lodge and combined them into something marvelous and strange. Ms. Byatt's latest novel, \"The Biographer's Tale,\" is also a story within a story about a modern-day scholar following a detective trail of literary clues, in this case to uncover the life story of a famous biographer. Unfortunately for the reader, this novel is erudite and dense without being the least bit engaging. For the better part of the book, Ms. Byatt inexplicably renounces her copious gifts as a writer to construct a dry, tendentious and thoroughly irritating narrative designed to hammer home a single philosophical point, namely the familiar notion that historical truth often eludes the human rage for order. The story begins with a geeky postgraduate student named Phineas G. Nanson deciding to abandon his career as a postmodern literary theorist. He's sick to death of deconstruction and dissection and discussion, and hungry for \"a life full of things,\" \"full of facts.\" He decides to write a biography of a biographer, one Scholes Destry-Scholes, the author of a three-volume life of an explorer and polymath named Sir Elmer Bole. Phineas turns out to be a thoroughly inept researcher. He makes only the most perfunctory efforts to find people who knew Destry-Scholes and no effort at all to use the Internet or other resources to try to find more information. As for the two finds he stumbles across, they prove to be more perplexing than helpful. The first is a cache of documents that purport to be biographical sketches of the dramatist Henrik Ibsen, the taxonomist Carl Linnaeus and Francis Galton, a statistician and eugenicist who was related to Charles Darwin: three men, Phineas observes, who were \"students in their own ways of the connectedness of things and people.\" The second discovery includes a bag of marbles, a trepanning instrument (for making holes in a skull), some old photographs and a shoe box containing a bunch of index cards, filled with quotations, stories and reflections on psychology, philosophy, evolution and hybridization. Ms. Byatt insists on giving the reader the full text of the three biographical sketches as well as many of the index card entries, an exercise that fills up half this volume and makes for eye-glazing reading. She also insists on giving us blow-by-blow descriptions of Phineas's efforts to make sense of these writings and to extract from them an understanding of Destry-Scholes's mysterious life. Needless to say, Phineas fails abysmally in both endeavors, as one clue after another turns into a dead end. He finally discovers that the portraits of Ibsen, Linnaeus and Galton are riddled with lies and distortions, which make a mockery of the art of biography; and he realizes that the index cards \ufffd which he randomly arranges and rearranges in different patterns \ufffd can be made to yield a multitude of arbitrary meanings. No doubt these lengthy passages are meant to satirize Phineas's academic training as a deconstructionist, while simultaneously underscoring the postmodern conviction that truth is always relative, knowledge always provisional. The problem is that Ms. Byatt spends pages and pages making these obvious points, subjecting the reader to all the frustrations Phineas experiences himself. We are made to listen to tedious digressions about everything from Ibsen's \"Peer Gynt\" to the art of composite portrait photography to the creation of eugenic utopias. And we are made to listen to Phineas's repeated complaints about the futility of his task. In the course of investigating the life and work of Destry-Scholes, Phineas meets a curious assortment of people including Vera, a beautiful radiographer who is Destry-Scholes's niece; a pair of travel agents named Erik and Christophe, who \"sell odd holidays\" and have \"a Fourieriste ambition to cater to all tastes\"; a feisty bee taxonomist named Fulla, who is an expert on Linnaeus; and a sinister stranger who gives Phineas a list of pornographic Web sites. These people help pull Phineas out of his hermetic ivory tower existence and expose him to the perils and pleasures of the real world. He begins affairs with Vera and Fulla, takes a job with Erik and Christophe and starts to consider a vocation as a travel writer. But while the later Bildungsromanesque chapters of \"The Biographer's "}, {"response": 1379, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan 25, 2001 (07:42)", "body": "Ouch! You win a few, you lose a few."}, {"response": 1380, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 25, 2001 (08:03)", "body": "Thanks, Murph, I have the book here, courtesy of Evelyn, and with Ms Byatt's autograph. The reviews in England seemed favorable as I recall. But I haven't read it yet, even though it's quite short in comparison to Babel Tower...but then again, anything would be. ;-)"}, {"response": 1381, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jan 25, 2001 (08:37)", "body": "quite short in comparison to Babel Tower...but then again, anything would be. ;-) Karen, I'm STILL fried because of that book (am seriously considering rereading the whole lot of Federica Potter series INCLUDING Babel Tower:)) Yes, you do. How can you see what doesn't exist, as anyone who watches the show would know. Those are either the best prosthetic devices or she's had sympathy boob growth from adopting. ;-) LOL!!! They say that women can have a certain shot to stimulate lactating... ;) Ever see \"The Hand that Rocks the Cradle\" when Rebecca De Mornay starts nursing???????"}, {"response": 1382, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan 25, 2001 (08:56)", "body": "Ever see \"The Hand that Rocks the Cradle\" when Rebecca De Mornay starts nursing? In that film, Rebecca had lost her baby and had the milk."}, {"response": 1383, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jan 25, 2001 (09:56)", "body": "In that film, Rebecca had lost her baby and had the milk. Duh! I completely forgot!!! (I was a new mom when I saw that movie, dumb dumb dumb thing I did:)) But I have heard of women who can have a shot to help stimulate the breast milk... However, it is entirely possible that Ms. Flockhart is nursing OR she is wearing prosthetics;)"}, {"response": 1384, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Thu, Jan 25, 2001 (10:22)", "body": "Hi everybody--Had to let you know I got my Fever Pitch DVD for only $3.95 (that includes shipping and handling) Ordered it off the web at the Trimark site. Couldn't believe the price."}, {"response": 1385, "author": "thatstheone", "date": "Thu, Jan 25, 2001 (11:06)", "body": "when she lost the baby she continued using a pump as they would not go dry. i presume it was her intention to have milk when she was trying to use there lifes"}, {"response": 1386, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 25, 2001 (15:54)", "body": "For the Year of the Snake:"}, {"response": 1387, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 26, 2001 (09:08)", "body": "From Variety: UNIVERSAL ADOPTS NEW LINE'S 'BOY' Dramedy steers co. to more niche-driven fare By CATHY DUNKLEY, MICHAEL FLEMING Universal Pictures is expected to wrap negotiations this week to pick up the $30 million-budgeted Hugh Grant/Weitz brothers vehicle \"About a Boy\" in turnaround from New Line Cinema. The bigscreen adaptation of Nick Hornby's novel, a comedy/drama to star Grant, originally was set up three years ago by Jane Rosenthal and Robert De Niro's New York-based Tribeca Prods. at New Line Cinema. \"Boy\" was put into turnaround by New Line earlier this week after the announcement that longtime New Line prexy Michael De Luca was ankling, to be replaced by Toby Emmerich. The shift is expected to steer the company away from mainstream projects and back to more niche-driven fare. \"Boy,\" which will now be produced by Tribeca for Universal, is expected to be the first pic to go into production under Tribeca's new three-year, first-look production pact with the studio. Universal-based Working Title Films has a long-standing relationship with Grant after their collaborations on such hits as \"Notting Hill\" and \"Four Weddings and a Funeral\" and the upcoming \"Bridget Jones' Diary.\" It also has a relationship with Hornby after their recent screen adaptation of his novel \"High Fidelity.\" The company may be involved in some production capacity with \"Boy,\" though details are yet to be finalized. Other contenders for the highly sought-after project, the cachet of which has risen in pre-strike fever, included Fox 2000, Miramax and DreamWorks. But Universal was in pole position for the pic due to the Weitz's previous collaboration with the studio on the hit \"American Pie.\" The loss of \"Boy\" signals a major about-face for New Line, which optioned the then-unpublished manuscript of Hornby's novel three years ago for $2.75 million. Though its turnaround from New Line didn't cheer either CAA, which reps Grant, nor WMA, which reps the Weitz brothers, the newly installed Emmerich has garnered praised from insiders for his quick resolution to the problem, which allowed the project to make a pre-strike start date. New Line is expected to be reimbursed for its development costs on the project. Grant has long been in the frame to play the lead -- a wealthy, 36-year-old womanizing slacker whose fear of commitment leads him to seek out relationships with single mothers on the grounds that they are easier to leave. But his plans go awry when he becomes best friends with the 12-year-old son of his latest target. [huh?] Chris and Paul Weitz, the brothers behind Universal's teen hit \"American Pie,\" were tapped last month to direct (Daily Variety, Dec. 10). The original version of the screenplay, penned by Peter Hedges, kept the North London setting but rewrote the central character as an American. Iain Softley was attached to direct but dropped out over casting disagreements. Two of Hornby's other books, \"High Fidelity\" and \"Fever Pitch,\" also have been filmed. His agent, Jenne Casaratto, is currently submitting his next book, \"How to Be Good,\" to studios."}, {"response": 1388, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jan 26, 2001 (20:19)", "body": "Rambling a bit... The Apostle is on Bravo tonight, and watching just a bit of it makes me angry all over again that Duvall was passed over for the Oscar in 1998 in favor of Jack Nicholson in \"As Good As It Gets.\" That was also the infamous Titanic year. Robert Duvall, like Ed Harris this year in Pollack, is an actor who should have won an Oscar a long time ago. The Apostle was all his, and what a great effort it was. The film is mentioned this week in an interesting article in the New Yorker on Flannery O'Connor. The article says that the film has the flavor of her stories. If you have never read O'Connor, try her. Her writing is funny, sacred, scary and insightful all at the same time. I wish Duvall would do something substantial soon again."}, {"response": 1389, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 26, 2001 (22:47)", "body": "(Murph) Robert Duvall, like Ed Harris this year in Pollack, is an actor who should have won an Oscar a long time ago. He did. Best Actor for Tender Mercies in 1983 and has been nominated many times. When you look at the other nominees for that year: Nicholson for As Good As It Gets (winner) Matt Damon for Good Will Hunting Dustin Hoffman for Wag the Dog Peter Fonda for Ulee's Gold, which I never saw I suppose Duvall really should've gotten it, although doing an evangelical preacher screams nominate me. Frankly, I couldn't handle all the ultra-OTT stuff. But that movie was his personal project. I would've given it to Hoffman. Loved him in that."}, {"response": 1390, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Jan 27, 2001 (19:57)", "body": "I loved Duvall in The Apostle too, Murph. I didn't think he was over the top at all, Karen; if anything, he toned it down a bit. Ever been to one of those evangelical churches?;-) But I also thought Hoffman was great in Wag The Dog; terrific script. \"This? This is nothing. This is nothing .\" A classic, IMO. Anyone seen Thirteen Days? I liked it. Good, taut drama, well-written and acted. Bruce Greenwood really impresses as JFK, without resorting to trying to do an imitation whch I think would have been a mistake. Kevin Costner, IMO, redeems himself in this one, and doesn't try to hog the show. Apparently, parts of the script were based on JFK's White House tapes with a lot of the conversations being taken from there; what struck me was how isolated and alone JFK was during this crisis. Other than Bobby and a couple of trusted advisers, he had no one to turn to. The military was itching for a fight with the Russians and wanted to redeem themselves after the Bay of Pigs. Many in Congress didn't think he had any business being president. Thank God cooler heads prevailed. Maybe certain people are put into certain positions at points in history and it only seems that their work was left unfinished . . . Anyway, there's a neat bit of \"in\" casting in this one, with Christopher Lawford playing a reconnaissance pilot. A small role, but a pivotal one; I won't spoil it. I read an interview with Chris not long ago and he said he has a couple of HBO movies coming out this year; dare we hope that Londinium is one of them? He also said that Steven Soderbergh is trying to work him into Ocean's Eleven, as a nice nod to his dad."}, {"response": 1391, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Jan 28, 2001 (13:40)", "body": "(Mari) I loved Duvall in The Apostle too I did too. Very enjoyable movie, IMHO."}, {"response": 1392, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 29, 2001 (08:18)", "body": "(Ben) Unthinkingly, filed in to \"Incassable\" (Unbreakable) (Moon) My DH saw it in London and he wants me to see it so that I might explain the ending to him. It has not shown in the States yet. Sure it has. It opened probably in the Thanksgiving timeframe and is still playing at the cheapie shows now in my area. Haven't seen it though. And one can never believe what adverts and posters say. The superlative comments are either purchased or lifted totally out of context from real reviews."}, {"response": 1393, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 29, 2001 (09:39)", "body": "This is hysterical! From the BBC: Connery and Walters 'greatest UK actors' James Bond favourite Sir Sean Connery and Billy Elliot star Julie Walters have been voted the greatest British movie actors of all time. The duo, who beat esteemed thespians including the late Lord Olivier, Sir John Gielgud and Dame Maggie Smith, topped the Orange Film Survey of more than 10,000 voters. The poll also ranked Elizabeth Hurley above Emma Thompson and Barbara Windsor above Helen Mirren. And of the top five actors in the poll - to tie in with shortlist for the Orange British Academy Film Awards out on Wednesday - only Hugh Grant, at number four, has not been knighted. Sir Sean, 70, whose distinctive voice and looks are famous across the globe, found fame as 007....Sir Sean is followed by Sir Anthony Hopkins and Sir Alec Guinness who died last year. But Sir John Gielgud, regarded as one of Britain's finest actors, is not mentioned in the top 10. Instead the spaces are filled by relative newcomers Ewan McGregor and Robert Carlyle, and also current James Bond star Pierce Brosnan. [who isn't British, but Irish] Walters, an Oscar nominee for Educating Rita, is also well-known for her TV comedy work with writer and comedienne Victoria Wood....The actress is followed by Dame Judi Dench, who took the best supporting actress Oscar in 1999 for Shakespeare In Love. And headline-hitting Catherine Zeta Jones, tipped for an Academy award nomination this year for Traffic, is in third place. The survey also found that cinemagoers find the experience so relaxing that many fall asleep. Nearly half of all those who took part had fallen asleep at the cinema and almost a quarter had nodded off in the past three months. The lists Favourite actors: 1. Sir Sean Connery 2. Sir Anthony Hopkins 3. Sir Alec Guiness 4. Hugh Grant 5. Sir Michael Caine 6. Pierce Brosnan 7. Robert Carlyle 8. Ewan McGregor 9. Sir John Mills 10. Lord Olivier Favourite Actresses: 1. Julie Walters 2. Dame Judi Dench 3. Catherine Zeta Jones 4. Elizabeth Hurley 5. Emma Thompson 6. Elizabeth Taylor (s/b listed as Dame too) 7. Barbara Windsor 8. Helen Mirren 9. Dame Margaret Rutherford 10. Dame Maggie Smith Wonder about the coincidence of the fourth-place finishers. ;-)"}, {"response": 1394, "author": "Echo", "date": "Mon, Jan 29, 2001 (13:12)", "body": "Hysterical, agreed. One is gratified, however, that the British media are not the only and exclusive source of hysterical revelations about the contemporary popular tastes in the Western society. :-)"}, {"response": 1395, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Jan 29, 2001 (13:23)", "body": "There is a report on About.com's British TV page that after 2002, PBS will no longer show us British-made mysteries. In my mind that is a disaster. I even watch Hettie Winthrop!!!! http://britishtv.about.com/tvradio/britishtv/library/weekly/aa012801a.htm Here is a notice about upcoming shows on Mystery. Morse on Feb 22 is not to be missed. *********************** On February 15th, John Thaw is back as Inspector Morse in \"The Wench Is Dead,\" attempting to solve a murder mystery over 100 years old! A week later on February 22nd, the evening begins with a change of pace: a documentary look at the career of Inspector Morse entitled \"The Last Morse.\" Interviews with the actors, writers and producers are included in this special. It's immediately followed by the final chapter for Morse, \"The Remorseful Day,\" which brings to a close his adventures after 64 episodes. Be prepared for a tearjerker! March 22 through May 3, Clive Owen is strong, silent-type D.C.I. Ross Tanner, a maverick cop who is slowly going blind, in six new installments of Second Sight."}, {"response": 1396, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Jan 29, 2001 (13:25)", "body": "A question: Will we have Oscar predictions/nominee discussions? Is there a topic for that, Karen, or do we do it here? I know Mari is all ready with hers."}, {"response": 1397, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 29, 2001 (13:41)", "body": "Murph) PBS will no longer show us British-made mysteries. In my mind that is a disaster I heard about that and thought 'somebody must have misread an article,' but the info seems pretty certain and nonambiguous at About.com. Seems that PBS really has no choice if they're competing with cable networks. But I do foresee problems in quality if PBS cannot find partners to help them produce original Mystery programming. This place is where our Oscar and other awards discussions take place."}, {"response": 1398, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 29, 2001 (14:17)", "body": "(Mari), Moon, Unbreakable played here months ago. It's the M. Night Shyamalan film Bringing over from CF topic. I mixed up titles. I have seen U and was v. disappointed. I was referring to a French film my DH saw in London. (Shoot me now, I can't remember the title!) Just saw the list of films that won at Sundance. What liberal crap!!!! Do we need films on sex-change and transexuals? (They must be big fans of All Abiut my Mother)"}, {"response": 1399, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 29, 2001 (14:44)", "body": "(Moon) I was referring to a French film my DH saw in London. Could it be \"Those Who Love Me Can Take the Train\"? I noticed that it played recently to pretty good reviews in London, but when I saw it two film fests ago, I thought it utterly worthless...second only to the Oliveira thing (same fest) at which I fell asleep for the first time in a movie. This had similar snoozable characteristics. ;-)"}, {"response": 1400, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 29, 2001 (14:56)", "body": "Could it be \"Those Who Love Me Can Take the Train\"? I saw that last year and we walked out. Utterly worthless is quite correct. The French film he saw was a murder mystery with a quirky title. He liked it but need me to explain the ending. :-) I will ask him and post the name later."}, {"response": 1401, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Jan 29, 2001 (15:27)", "body": "Murph - Morse is not to be missed Agree - if anyone out there has not seen Morse, do so. IMO it's a fantastic series. The Remorseful Day screened over here last year and is, believe me, a tear-jerker. Karen - I too guffawed at the top ten lists . Just who do they survey? Sometimes I just despair of my fellow Britons - I hardly think Huge warrants such lauding and as for EH !??@@! The male list is on the whole fair enough, though one person is so obviously absent:-), but the ladies' is a curious collection. Barbara Windsor, Carry On films being I think more or less her entire big-screen repertoire, is so out of place there it is laughable! *climbing down from soap-box*"}, {"response": 1402, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 29, 2001 (16:51)", "body": "\"Harry is Here to Help\" is the name of the French film. Has anyone seen it?"}, {"response": 1403, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jan 29, 2001 (18:28)", "body": "I heard about that and thought 'somebody must have misread an article,' but the info seems pretty certain and nonambiguous at About.com. Seems that PBS really has no choice if they're competing with cable networks. But I do foresee problems in quality if PBS cannot find partners to help them produce original Mystery programming. ] Hey, I read the article correctly:p"}, {"response": 1404, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 30, 2001 (10:18)", "body": "Nominations for the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) awards were announced this morning. Juliette Binoche got in and edged out Renee Zellweger!! *bummer* Wonder Boys was shut out too...v. interesting, as well as CZ-J. These are precursors to Best and Supporting Actor nominations for the Oscars: For Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role. Jamie Bell Billy Elliot Russell Crowe Gladiator Benicio Del Toro Traffic Tom Hanks Cast Away Geoffrey Rush QUILLS For Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role. Joan Allen THE CONTENDER Juliette Binoche CHOCOLAT Ellen Burstyn REQUIEM FOR A DREAM Laura Linney YOU CAN COUNT ON ME Julia Roberts ERIN BROCKOVICH For Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role. Jeff Bridges THE CONTENDER Willem Dafoe SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE Albert Finney ERIN BROCKOVICH Gary Oldman THE CONTENDER Joaquin Phoenix GLADIATOR For Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role. Judi Dench CHOCOLAT Kate Hudson ALMOST FAMOUS Frances McDormand ALMOST FAMOUS Julie Walters BILLY ELLIOT Kate Winslet QUILLS For Outstanding Performance by the Cast of a Theatrical Motion Picture (SAG equivalent of Best Picture) ALMOST FAMOUS BILLY ELLIOT CHOCOLAT GLADIATOR TRAFFIC"}, {"response": 1405, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 30, 2001 (10:28)", "body": "From Ananova: Sir Michael 'stunned' as acting honour is withdrawn Sir Michael Gambon won a top acting award - but it was withdrawn because he was too busy to attend the ceremony. The actor was delighted when the Variety Club of Great Britain said he had won their Best Actor 2000 award. But when he was unable to receive the award in person, he was told the honour was being given to someone else. Sir Michael is currently working on the film Charlotte Gray with Cate Blanchett as well as appearing in the West End in Harold Pinter's The Caretaker. He says: \"I was delighted to hear that I had got the award but then they said because I couldn't attend the ceremony they were going to give it to someone else. \"I was just stunned. It seemed a little unfair that I couldn't get the honour because I was too busy. It is quite usual that people who can't attend ceremonies have video clips of their acceptance speeches.\" But the Variety Club's chief barker, composer Tony Hatch, says he is puzzled by Sir Michael's reaction. \"We have an agreement with the BBC that two out of the 12 winners can have video acceptance speeches. An award show without winners present starts to become a bit of a non-runner. \"We explained this to Sir Michael and he seemed very understanding. If we had realised he felt like this we would have tried to work something out.\""}, {"response": 1406, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jan 30, 2001 (12:23)", "body": "I don't see much in these SAG noms that excites me. Can't believe these people fell for P.T. Barnum Weinstein's Chocolat factory.:-( Omission of RZ for lead actress is disgraceful, as is absence of Ehle and Harris from supportimg actress. Hype over substance, IMO, but I guess they were longshots from the start. Karen, I agree that it's interesting both Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones were snubbed. I think it's jealousy. Most of these SAG members are poor slobs whose average film earnings are less than $5,000 a year, so I suppose having an event wedding and selling the pics to tabloids didn't go down too well. IMO, what they do with their money is their own business, and frankly, I'd prefer both of them to some of these people. Murph, go ahead with your Oscar picks; I am making my list and checking it twice.;-) RE: Benicio showing up in the best actor cateogory instaed of supporting: I just read that you can nominate yourself in any category you want and apparently the enterprising Benny put himself up for Best Lead."}, {"response": 1407, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan 30, 2001 (13:49)", "body": "Well Benicio is right! He stole the show, stopped the Traffic, etc ;-) Most of these SAG members are poor slobs whose average film earnings are less than $5,000 a year, LOL, Mari! You are right. But I have a feeling Michael has so many friends at the Academy that he will be voted in as an Oscar nomimee. I agree that Chocolat is pure hype and no substance. I didn't even think Dame Judith was that good and Juliet has done so much better. Bjork was a big miss, I'd like to see those nominees attempt her role in \"Dancer in the Dark\". Julia was not great/is her same old. Ralph F. should have been there too."}, {"response": 1408, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 30, 2001 (16:14)", "body": "Ralph F. should have been there too.... I am sure tht Jamie Bell is a better actor than RF..... Sir Michael Gambon....Ah feel yo pain...."}, {"response": 1409, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 30, 2001 (16:25)", "body": "Evelyn: I have a copy of Charlotte Gray (since I know you're interested in MG's work). Want me to send it to you? ;-)"}, {"response": 1410, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, Jan 30, 2001 (16:46)", "body": "Sir Michael Gambon won a top acting award - But when he was unable to receive the award in person, he was told the honour was being given to someone else. Now, that's what I call hysterical. Is he a top actor or not? Is the award to do with his work or the lack of leisure time? Stone the crows."}, {"response": 1411, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 30, 2001 (16:58)", "body": "From what I've read at BBC online, this award was decided upon by a panel. They had chosen him as the actor to honor for 2000 for a body of work. If the honoree cannot attend, what's the point? He should get real about this. At the Oscars, they do lifetime achievement awards and other special awards, where the recipient knows in advance. It would be ludicrous if these people didn't show up IMO. Death or severe infirmity are the only reasonable excuses. But perhaps this is a cultural thing, as the awards shows in the UK are so different from those in the US."}, {"response": 1412, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 30, 2001 (23:20)", "body": "More about Charlotte Gray in The Telegraph today, and to think of all the hand-wringing we've doing over Possession and BJD...and this isn't a Hollywood film btw: Charlotte Gray abandons RAF lover in \ufffd15m film of the book By Peterborough THE makers of a film adaptation of Sebastian Faulks's novel Charlotte Gray have rewritten the story's ending so that the heroine abandons her British airman boyfriend to run off with a Frenchman. The film tells the story of a young Scottish woman who travels to bomb-battered London during the Second World War in search of work and falls in love with Peter Gregory, a disillusioned RAF pilot. She subsequently becomes an SOE operative and is dropped into occupied France. Discovering that Gregory has been shot down near Clermont-Ferrand, she sets out to look for him and becomes a member of the emerging Resistance movement. Much of the story chronicles her growing relationship with Julien Lavade, a local Resistance leader. The book's heroine suffers moral agonies over her infidelity but is eventually reunited with Gregory. According to sources close to the film-makers, the working script now has her remaining with Lavade. It is not yet known how the script will deal with Gregory. \"We are not giving anything away about the plot. All I can say is that we've consulted fully with Sebastian,\" said the producer Douglas Rae, whose company Ecosse Films is making it for FilmFour. \"Handing over a book is a bit like handing over a baby, but Sebastian has been delighted with the work. Any screen adaptation is going to be different from the book because it is a cinematic representation.\" Faulks's novels have been widely praised. However, he earned the Literary Review's Bad Sex Prize - given for \"the most redundant or embarrassing description of the sexual act\" - for a passage in Charlotte Gray describing an encounter between the heroine and Lavade. Both Cherie Booth, the Prime Minister's wife, and William Hague, the Conservative leader, number his previous book, Birdsong, among their favourite novels. Mr Rae is confident that Charlotte Gray will be as successful a film as it was as a novel. \"We're going to hit the 2002 Oscars,\" he said. The film will be directed by Gillian Armstrong, whose previous work includes My Brilliant Career, and Oscar and Lucinda. A budget of \ufffd15 million will make it the most expensive independent British film ever made. Shooting is due to begin in south-west France on Feb 13, with Billy Crudup as Julien and Cate Blanchett in the title role. Blanchett was first approached in 1998 when she was playing another SOE woman in David Hare's Plenty. Faulks, who was unavailable for comment last night, left a copy of his book at the stage door thinking it might be helpful to her. She liked the book and immediately arranged to have lunch with Faulks and Mr Rae to beg them to let her star in the film."}, {"response": 1413, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Wed, Jan 31, 2001 (07:50)", "body": "I'm addicted to Inspector Morse and all the other British detective/police series (A Touch of Frost, Midsummer Murders, Dalziel and Pasco (sp?) and many more). Here, they show them every Saturday evening. When one series is finished, they bring on a another one. And yesterday, I finally got to see Billy Elliot (reason being that there was nothing else I could do but to go out. My computer crashed and is now in repair, I lost everything that was on my hard disk. I'm now in a Uni computer room) and I loved it. So many things that were so recognisable. Before the film started, they showed a trailer for Chocolat. When this huge 'chocolat' appeared on the screen, and the voice over pronounced chocolat the Americanised French way everyone started laughing. Is there a reason why they want it to be pronounced in French? It sounded so incredibly silly. People were still giggling 10 minutes after is was shown. I saw Unbreakable a couple of weeks ago and think the ending is very clear. I can't say that I liked the film though, I suppose the ending is the only thing I did like. I was a little prejudiced since I wasn't interested in seeing it in the first place. But when you go to the cinema with friends, you end up seeing the films you wouldn't have picked out yourself."}, {"response": 1414, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 31, 2001 (09:06)", "body": "BAFTA nominations have been announced: Best Film Almost Famous Billy Elliot Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Erin Brockovich Gladiator The Alexander Korda award for the outstanding British Film of the Year Billy Elliot Chicken Run The House of Mirth Last Resort Sexy Beast The David Lean award for achievement in Direction Stephen Daldry \ufffd Billy Elliot Ang Lee \ufffd Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Steven Soderbergh \ufffd Erin Brockovich Ridley Scott - Gladiator Steven Soderbergh \ufffd Traffic Screenplay (Original) Almost Famous - Cameron Crowe Billy Elliot - Lee Hall Erin Brockovich - Susannah Grant Gladiator - David Franzoni/John Logan/William Nicholson O Brother Where Art Thou? - Ethan Coen/Joel Coen Screenplay (adapted) Chocolat - Robert Nelson Jacobs Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - James Schamus/Wang Hui-Ling/Tsai Kuo-Jung High Fidelity - D.V. De Vincentis/Steve Pink/John Cusack/Scott Rosenberg Traffic - Stephen Gaghan Wonder Boys - Steve Kloves Performance by an actress in a leading role Juliette Binoche - Chocolat Kate Hudson - Almost Famous Julia Roberts - Erin Brockovich Hilary Swank - Boys Don't Cry [I guess they couldn't work out ALL the kinks] Michelle Yeoh - Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Performance by an actor in a leading role Jamie Bell - Billy Elliot Russell Crowe - Gladiator Michael Douglas - Wonder Boys Tom Hanks - Cast Away Geoffrey Rush - Quills Performance by an actress in a supporting role Judi Dench - Chocolat Frances McDormand - Almost Famous Lena Olin - Chocolat Julie Walters - Billy Elliot Zhang Zi Yi - Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Performance by an actor in a supporting role Benicio Del Toro \ufffd Traffic Albert Finney - Erin Brockovich Gary Lewis - Billy Elliot Joaquin Phoenix - Gladiator Oliver Reed - Gladiator"}, {"response": 1415, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Jan 31, 2001 (13:52)", "body": "They had chosen him [Michael Gambon] as the actor to honor for 2000 for a body of work. If the honoree cannot attend, what's the point? If he refuses point-blank to attend, then the apparent tit for tat attitude might be understandable (though still baffling in my view). But if he is scheduled to be on stage or set precisely at the same date and time, then it's a gross insult to him and his work (which includes his fellow actors and, last but not least, the audience). Performance by an actor in a leading role Jamie Bell - Billy Elliot Russell Crowe - Gladiator Michael Douglas - Wonder Boys Tom Hanks - Cast Away Geoffrey Rush - Quills The only Brit here is a child... Brits seem to be more appreciated in supporting roles."}, {"response": 1416, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Jan 31, 2001 (15:24)", "body": "They had chosen him [Michael Gambon] as the actor to honor for 2000 for a body of work. If the honoree cannot attend, what's the point? (Echo) If he refuses point-blank to attend, then the apparent tit for tat attitude might be understandable Last year Stephen Dillane and Jennifer Ehle won the Variety awards for best stage performers, and they attended the ceremony which was held while they were still performing at the Albery. So the ceremony must be held at a time that doesn't interfere with their stage work. (Film obligations are another can of worms.) I remember Catherine Zeta Jones accepted hers via video that year, I'm not sure if anyone else did. After her video was played, the MC said something like, \"the longer she's out of the country, the more Welsh she sounds.\" audience laughter I bet they used to have a problem with a lot of no-shows, so they cracked down on their policy. Poor Michael, tee hee. Someone failed to properly communicate."}, {"response": 1417, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Jan 31, 2001 (19:05)", "body": "Happy Chinese New Year to everyone. The Year of the Snake. That's supposed to be a good thing isn't it? Happy Groundhog Day (Feb.2) to all you Americans on the list. Does any other country have as silly a thing as Groundhog Day? Oh well, it's harmless."}, {"response": 1418, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  1, 2001 (08:57)", "body": "Remember Four Feathers? Appears to be in trouble... Paramount Pictures and Miramax Films have asked Cinema Completions Inc., the bond company for \"Four Feathers,\" directed by Shekhar Kapur (\"Elizabeth\"), to take a more active role in the film, which is headed into its fourth month of shooting in England. Sources said the bond company has not yet been asked to take over the film, but CCI has been asked to step in to make sure that costs are kept in line and that Kapur more closely controls the budget. Sources with knowledge of the situation said there were \"costs unforeseen that specifically arose from shooting in Morocco\" but declined to elaborate. The drama went into production Oct. 9. \"Four Feathers\" stars Heath Ledger, Wes Bentley and Kate Hudson. The film is being produced by Stanley and Bob Jaffe."}, {"response": 1419, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Feb  1, 2001 (12:51)", "body": "Remember Four Feathers? Appears to be in trouble... ********** Good! Nothing can replace the J. Arthur Rank John Clement/Ralph Richardson version in my mind. I'll get to deciding my Oscar noms this weekend, Mari. I have posted it over at his topic, but there is a nice interview at E OnLine with Benicio, in case you don't visit #142 http://www.etonline.com/html/Interviews/8718.html"}, {"response": 1420, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  1, 2001 (17:20)", "body": "Wonderful new publicity for DSL...even though his upcoming production isn't even mentioned. ;-) Cumming reveals naked pose worries Scottish Broadway star Alan Cumming says he worried his looks were more important than his talents when he posed naked for a magazine. The Cabaret actor chose to pose naked for a gay magazine. But today he told BBC Scotland's Kirsty Wark Show he had understood how actresses valued for their looks can feel. \"After having done so much and feeling so confident I felt like a bit of fluff in some quarters,\" said Cummings. \"I knew how actresses whose looks come above their talents feel.\" And after the picture was published, the actor was stalked in New York. \"Somebody had got my phone number,\" he said. \"It was not like someone was coming at me with an axe.\" And his lead role in Cabaret meant he had to mingle with the audience - at the same time as he feared he was being stalked. \"Imagine you are being stalked and then you go among the audience,\" he said. \"There were security guards watching.\" Starring in the Broadway musical has catapulted Cumming to fame in America - and status as a gay icon, with pictures of him used to promote the show across the country. \"When it happened it was so overwhelming,\" he said. \"It rapped into the consciousness of America. My character was about sexuality. For America that is something so rarely discussed and so rarely discussed without guilt. \"I was elevated to an icon. I thought it was quite funny.\""}, {"response": 1421, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sat, Feb  3, 2001 (06:46)", "body": "May I share my joy? :-) Stephen Dillane is currently filming The Spy Game with Robert Redford and Brad Pitt. The director is Tony Scott, who also directed directed Top Gun and Days of Thunder with Cruise, The Fan with DeNiro and Wesley whats-his-name, Crimson Tide with Denzel and Gene Hackman, The Last Boy Scout with Bruce Willis, and Revenge with Kevin Costner. Filming started a couple of months ago in the Middle East, so I presume that they done with location shooting and finishing up the film in London. They were looking for American extras in London a couple of weeks ago. Shucks, we missed our opportunity! :-)"}, {"response": 1422, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb  3, 2001 (09:37)", "body": "This will be a high profile movie....hooray...we'll finally get to see him on a big screen!!Great news, Donna."}, {"response": 1423, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Feb  3, 2001 (17:43)", "body": "That's great news, Donna! Best of all, we'll all get to see it. Here's more: I assume you're aware that Stephen is signed on to the new Steven Daldry film? I know the film has been mentioned here, can't recall the name, but it's the 3-story one with the killer cast--Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, Nicole Kidman, etc. SD is listed for it in tomorrow's Sunday Inquirer, Arts section, Steven Rea's column."}, {"response": 1424, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Feb  4, 2001 (06:36)", "body": "(Mari) Best of all, we'll all get to see it. Oh, isn't that the truth! And now I can drag people to see it without them complaining that I'm taking them to see another sensitive British drama, LOL! :-) Thanks for the heads-up. Here's the blurb from the paper: \"Billy Elliot helmer Stephen Daldry is doing The Hours, an adaptation of the Michael Cunningham Pulitzer-winner that weaves the life of Virginia Woolf with those of two other women in two other times. Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman and Julianne Moore are the killer troika, with Ed Harris, Claire Danes, John C. Reilly, Allison Janney and Steven Dillane in the cast. Playwright David Hare did the script.\""}, {"response": 1425, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Feb  4, 2001 (09:06)", "body": "Saw the creepy \"Shadow of a Vampire\", pure academia. I was disappointed, it is a rental, IMO. I was surprised to see that they were giving away posters and a comic book done for the film. Where did they get the money? I thought this was an indie."}, {"response": 1426, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb  4, 2001 (09:14)", "body": "It is an indie. Nic Cage produced it. Posters and a comic book are pretty cheap compared to television ads. ;-)"}, {"response": 1427, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb  4, 2001 (13:56)", "body": "From a column about the Oscar race in the Sun-Times...under the heading: Weird but true Paramount Classics would like actress Rosemary Harris and her real-life daughter Jennifer Ehle to share a best supporting actress nomination for playing mom and daughter at different ages in the film \"Sunshine.\" Nice try, but the Academy says that like most salad bars, there is no sharing."}, {"response": 1428, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb  4, 2001 (16:08)", "body": "Nice try, but the Academy says that like most salad bars, there is no sharing. Didn't someone say that \"sharing\"has happened before? Anyway...they're ole \"stick-in-the muds\"!"}, {"response": 1429, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb  4, 2001 (16:15)", "body": "(Evelyn) Didn't someone say that \"sharing\"has happened before? No, there was a tie in the voting before (Katherine Hepburn and Barbra Streisand), which is different from 'sharing.'"}, {"response": 1430, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb  4, 2001 (16:33)", "body": "From the London Theatre Newsletter: \"SOLT (The Society Of London Theatre) report that RUPERT EVERETT has been asked to play the title role in \"THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY\" at the Old Vic Theatre later this year. The play is adapted from the novel by Oscar Wilde, and directed by Philip Prowse. Everett will play Gray, who sells his soul to stay looking young and beautiful, while a hidden portrait of him ages.\" [Lots of *interesting* people in the pipeline later this year;-)] ~~~~~~~~~~~From London Theatre Newsletter \"It has been reported that actors appearing at SHAKESPEARE'S GLOBE THEATRE this summer will be paid by the line. Anyone with a role of 100 lines or more will get an upfront payment of 8ukp per line, up to a maximum of 500 lines. The standard wage for an actor at the Globe is 450ukp a week. The aim, said artistic director Mark Rylance, is to enhance performers' pay while providing security in a precarious profession where people are often out of work.\" [Wonder what the rate is for \"smouldering\"....]"}, {"response": 1431, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Feb  5, 2001 (07:05)", "body": "Evelyn: This from Joel Seigel Good Morning America on the Oscars: Zhang Ziyi is Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon's best shot at an acting nomination. Mother and daughter Rosemary Harris and Jennifer Ehle were exquisite playing the same character at different ages in Sunshine. And both Erika Christensen and Catherine Zeta-Jones could be nominated if Traffic causes some Oscar gridlock \ufffd and it might. http://abcnews.go.com/GMAMovies/Siegel/siegel_preoscar_010201.html"}, {"response": 1432, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Feb  5, 2001 (07:54)", "body": "Oh Moon, I saw Shadow of the Vampire and loved it!!! Malkovich and Dafoe were amazing. Just saw Traffic as well. I thought it was familiar, I saw the PBS version of it what about 10 years ago??? It was called Traffik."}, {"response": 1433, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Feb  5, 2001 (11:10)", "body": "Any other Billy Campbell fans here? *************** LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Billy Campbell is in negotiations to star opposite Jennifer Lopez in Columbia Pictures' thriller \"Enough,\" to be directed by Michael Apted. The project is slated for a March start. The film would mark Campbell's first starring feature role since earning kudos for his performance opposite Sela Ward on the ABC drama \"Once and Again,\" now in its second season. Written by Nicholas Kazan, \"Enough\" revolves around a woman (Lopez) who marries the man of her dreams (Campbell) but learns that he is abusive. After a failed attempt to leave him, she takes her daughter and goes on the run. Ultimately, she is forced to take matters into her own hands to save her life and that of her child."}, {"response": 1434, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb  5, 2001 (11:55)", "body": "Fascinating (and harrowing) article from the NY Times on Steven Gaghan who wrote the adapted screenplay for Traffic (which I thought was excellent, BTW). http://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/05/arts/05GAGH.html Nice news for Billy Campbell, Murph. I do like him. Lopez I could sure do without, though. Good to see that Ehle/Harris are on Siegel's radar. And good for him for mentioning Erika Christenson, who was so convincing in Traffic that she scared me."}, {"response": 1435, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  5, 2001 (12:04)", "body": "More from the latest Disney annual report, under the Miramax section: \"In addition, Miramax produced the successful Broadway revival of The Real Thing, which won three Tony Awards....\""}, {"response": 1436, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Feb  5, 2001 (18:36)", "body": "I'm quirky and thought \"Shadow of the Vampire\" was a comedy. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope that Willem Dafoe gets an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting actor. Dafoe stands his best shot at winning if the Academy follows SAG and nominates Benecio del Toro in the Best Actor category. Then again, with Del Toro out of Best Supporting Actor, Albert Finney will probably win for \"Erin Brokovich\". *Closing note: My Oscar predictions are almost always wrong."}, {"response": 1437, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  6, 2001 (08:43)", "body": "It's about time I opened up topics for Jude Law and/or Joe Fiennes, but for now... Enemy at the Gates to open Bradford Film Festival A new film starring Jude Law and Joseph Fiennes will get its UK premiere at the Bradford Film Festival. Enemy At The Gates also stars Bob Hoskins and Rachel Weisz. It will open this year's festival at the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television on March 1. Other highlights include The Contender, a possible Oscar nominee which stars Joan Allen and Gary Oldman, and Men Of Honour which stars Robert De Niro and Cuba Gooding Jr. The festival runs until March 17."}, {"response": 1438, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  7, 2001 (08:20)", "body": "News on Gosford Park (the Altman pic) on the Northam board (43). [No mention of Clive, Murph.]"}, {"response": 1439, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Feb  7, 2001 (08:39)", "body": "NEW YORK -- USA Films has come aboard with London's Capitol Films to finance director Robert Altman's upcoming U.K.-set satire \"Gosford Park.\" Shooting is scheduled to start next month with an ensemble cast that includes British actors Jude Law, Kristin Scott Thomas, Emily Watson, Jeremy Northam, Helen Mirren, Stephen Fry and Derek Jacobi. A 1930s period piece, \"Park\" revolves around an elegant weekend at a large country estate that brings together an aristocratic family with their friends, servants, a Hollywood actor, a producer and one or two possible murderers."}, {"response": 1440, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Feb  7, 2001 (08:41)", "body": "Karen: I posted the above at the same time you did! Yes, no Clive - Darn! Derek Jacobi was on Frasier lst night, and was hysterical playing an actor who was the worst in the world. His Hamlet scene was priceless."}, {"response": 1441, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  7, 2001 (08:51)", "body": "I've posted another at the Northam board that does have his name: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/43/new"}, {"response": 1442, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb  8, 2001 (07:54)", "body": "Re: Gosford Park--throw in two estranged sisters, bag the murderers, set it in the 50's and voila! It's Relative Values!"}, {"response": 1443, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb  8, 2001 (08:02)", "body": "Since this film has been mentioned here . . .a real ouch: ''Enemy'' faces hostile box office Enemy at the Gates (War drama, Germany-U.K.-Ireland, English dialogue, color, R, 2:11) By Derek Elley BERLIN (Variety) - Proving again that war is hell, and some war films are, too, Jean-Jacques Annaud's ``Enemy at the Gates'' takes a great setting, some resonant themes, a turning point in 20th-century history -- and bleeds them of all power with bad dialogue and uninspired direction. Though visually impressive, the reputedly $95 million production -- mostly financed by Teuton companies and shot entirely within Germany -- shows a consistent inability to generate any kind of drama when characters open their mouths, and suffers from some spectacular miscasting in its higher reaches. Decidedly European in look, narrative and tempo, and with little for American audiences to empathize with, pic looks likely to be an early casualty in wide release Stateside, due March 16; outside the U.S., business looks likely to be spotty, with weakest legs in territories where audiences can actually understand the bad English dialogue. Though not credited on screen, title comes from William Craig's book ``Enemy at the Gates,'' about a duel between a Russian shepherd and a German nobleman during the Battle of Stalingrad (1942-43), one of the great turning points of World War II in which the Germans finally were defeated in their march eastward by stubborn resistance from the Russians. Annaud and co-scripter Alain Godard (``Quest for Fire,'' ``The Name of the Rose'') were given access to the original files of the Russian -- Vassili Zaitsev -- but found a conflicting series of legends and stories that they fashioned into a screenplay. On paper, the pic's blueprint is promising: A duel to the death in a bombed-to-hell city between a German nobleman and a Russian peasant; a love triangle among a woman, the peasant and his friend in charge of Soviet propaganda; a background of Germany's most disastrous military defeat and the unimaginable suffering and slaughter of the city's Russian population; and the feel of being on a cusp of history -- the winter of 1942-43 -- which Nazi Germany entered at the height of its powers but exited on the decline. However, on almost every level Annaud, as both director and co-writer, drops his main cards. Pic has no sense of history, even less of the city's physical geography or everyday life of its population (unlike Joseph Vilsmaier's 1993 ``Stalingrad''), and features three massively miscast Brits in leading roles, notably bright-eyed, pretty-as-a-picture Jude Law as Vassili from the Urals. The only real human drama on screen lies in Ed Harris' interpretation of the German marksman, Koenig, a perf in which dialogue is -- wisely -- mostly dispensed with and the actor is left to create a character from looks, brief exchanges and, mostly notably, real screen charisma. In a nod to the otherwise Euro casting, Harris also flattens out his American accent. After a brief pre-credits sequence that we only later realize is Vassili as a child hunter-marksman back home in the countryside, pic proper opens on Sept. 20, 1942, with a 10-minute sequence clearly inspired by ``Saving Private Ryan'' in which Vassili (Law) is transported to Stalingrad by train and shipped into the bombarded city across the River Volga (town is present-day Volgograd). While lacking the sheer visceral clout of its equivalent in ``Ryan,'' it's an undeniably impressive opening, with good f/x for the shattered Russian burg and a realistic feeling of shooting fish in a barrel as Russian relief troops are shipped across the River Volga and then battle their way up the exposed banks into the city's heart. On the way, Vassili picks off five Germans when he bumps into Danilov (Joseph Fiennes), a young Russian who lends him his rifle. Danilov, who is attached to the Soviet war effort's political unit, is impressed by the young peasant's marksmanship and elevates him to the status of a hero to inspire the local population in their seemingly hopeless struggle against superior forces. On one sniper expedition, Vassili is befriended by Sasha (Gabriel Marshall-Thomson), a kid whose mother (German thesp Eva Mattes, revoiced with an unsuitably posh English accent) introduces Vassili to her neighbor, Tanya (Rachel Weisz). Unfortunately, Danilov also develops the hots for Tanya, whose Jewish parents were carted away by the Germans. With the arrival of Koenig (Harris), 35 minutes in, the picture immediately ratchets up several dramatic notches with a character who is both believable and played by an actor who can hold the screen. A one-on-one private war begins between the two sharpshooters, each setting traps for the other -- Koenig to kill the ``myth'' of Vassili, and Vassili more and more nervous about living up to the legend created by Danilov. The four sniper sequences that pepper the balance of the running time contain the best of the movie, with dialogue re"}, {"response": 1444, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  8, 2001 (09:05)", "body": "Oooh, bad one, Mari. Trailer looked good. He's especially harsh on Jude Law (out of his depth, major miscasting, etc), isn't he? And he continually mentions 'accents'. A production can really suffer when they make no attempt at a semi-authentic depiction of the participants. Who didn't chuckle at all the English accents (of various social levels) in Quills?"}, {"response": 1445, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb  8, 2001 (09:28)", "body": "I too saw the preview and was thinking the same thing about Jude. The photography seems a gimmicky too. Unlike Pearl Harbor which is beautifully photographed. Have you seen the one for Corelli's M, yet Karen? Acting looked terrible."}, {"response": 1446, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb  8, 2001 (09:30)", "body": "(Karen) A production can really suffer when they make no attempt at a semi-authentic depiction of the participants. Agreed. (who can forget Kevin Costner in Robin Hood? And that was make believe!). Glad this was addressed in Conspiracy."}, {"response": 1447, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  8, 2001 (09:38)", "body": "(Moon) Unlike Pearl Harbor which is beautifully photographed. ...but you forgot \"to offset the wooden acting prominently on display by, especially, Ben Affleck.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 1448, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  8, 2001 (10:18)", "body": "More on the Berlinale and \"Enemy at the Gate\": BERLIN (Reuters) - The Oscar-contender \"Traffic,\" with Michael Douglas, was set to dominate the second day of the Berlin film festival on Thursday after the opening night left many viewers and critics disappointed. Kicking off 12 manic days of stars and producers pushing new movies and claims to next month's Oscars, German-made multinational \"Enemy at the Gates\" told the story of Britain's Jude Law and American Ed Harris as dueling Russian and German snipers in the World War Two battle of Stalingrad. Yet viewers and critics who attended Wednesday night's opening gala screening said they had expected better and could not understand how a widely reported budget of $80 million was needed to make the film. \"This is a film where you have the feeling that you have already seen it before,\" said tageszeitung. The Berliner Kurier tabloid called it a bad film full of Western-style cliches, and the Berliner-Morgenpost said it smacked of Stalinist propaganda. While \"Enemy at the Gates\" received the honor of opening the Berlinale, which ranks behind Cannes and alongside Venice among Europe's top festivals, it is not among the 24 films in competition for the Golden Bear award for best movie. Steven Soderbergh's \"Traffic,\" with Michael Douglas and his new wife Catherine Zeta-Jones depicting Washington's losing war against the drugs trade, is an early favorite in the competition. Sixteen international feature films will make their world premieres at the festival, as will many smaller-budget pictures and documentaries among the 300 or so movies on show. One film making a world premiere on Thursday was the Italian-French co-production \"Le Fate Ignoranti\" (Blind Fairies) about a widow who discovers that her husband had a long-time homosexual affair. The protagonist, well played by actress Margherita Buy, discovers not only the other man in her husband's life, but a whole subculture of which she knew nothing. \"He didn't just have an affair, he had a whole alternative world,\" she says. Another competition film opening on Thursday was \"La Cienaga\" (The Swamp), a Argentinian-Spanish family drama set in a region of swampy forest. In the coming days, Britain's Kate Winslet of \"Titanic\" fame will be promoting her latest film \"Quills,\" a potential Oscar contender built around the French writer the Marquis de Sade. \"Hannibal,\" the sequel to \"Silence of the Lambs,\" will also be showing, with lead actor Anthony Hopkins due in Berlin. Sean Connery will push his \"Finding Forrester,\" the story of a reclusive writer who mentors a tough inner-city boy. Kirk Douglas, 84, will receive a Golden Bear for lifetime achievement, and French actress Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp are due in town for the screening of the comic fable \"Chocolat,\" for which Swedish director Lasse Hallstrom is eyeing an Oscar."}, {"response": 1449, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  8, 2001 (11:01)", "body": "The Hollywood Reporter's review is different. Doesn't criticize the acting, but the director: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/reviews/IndividualReview.asp?StaffReviewID=3696 And the Writers Guild has announced its nominations. These typically go on to be the official Oscar noms and winners, as only members of the Guild vote for both. Best Original Screenplay: Cameron Crowe for \"Almost Famous\" Christopher Guest and Eugene Levy for \"Best in Show\" Lee Hall for \"Billy Elliot\" Susannah Grant for \"Erin Brockovich\" Kenneth Lonergan for \"You Can Count on Me\" Best Adaptation: Robert Nelson Jacobs for \"Chocolat\" Wang Hui-Ling, James Schamus and Tsai Kuo Jung for \"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon\" D.V. DeVincentis, Steve Pink, John Cusack and Scott Rosenberg for \"High Fidelity\" Stephen Gaghan for \"Traffic\" Steve Kloves for \"Wonder Boys\""}, {"response": 1450, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb  8, 2001 (11:10)", "body": "They shudda at least tried to do it with an accent.... \"..Annaud shows yet again in his career that he's a landscape rather than an actor's director (viz. ``Seven Years in Tibet''). Dialogue is generally pedestrian, and often pathetic,...\" That's my opinion about Carlos Saura too;-) $80. million bucks...they'll never make it. Sounds like a real bomber for Jude and Joe F."}, {"response": 1451, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb  8, 2001 (11:53)", "body": "Evelyn, we agree on Saura! The protagonist, well played by actress Margherita Buy, discovers not only the other man in her husband's life, but a whole subculture of which she knew nothing. \"He didn't just have an affair, he had a whole alternative world,\" she says. Sounds like an inspiration/copy from \"All About My Mother\", frankly, who gives a s... if those people were dead. Why would anyone want to see a film about this? Let alone give money for it. We need transcendance! (I am starting to sound like my DH);-D"}, {"response": 1452, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb  8, 2001 (11:54)", "body": "Evelyn, we agree on Saura! The protagonist, well played by actress Margherita Buy, discovers not only the other man in her husband's life, but a whole subculture of which she knew nothing. \"He didn't just have an affair, he had a whole alternative world,\" she says. Sounds like an inspiration/copy from \"All About My Mother\", frankly, who gives a s... if those people were dead. Why would anyone want to see a film about this? Let alone give money for it. We need transcendance! (I am starting to sound like my DH);-D"}, {"response": 1453, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Feb  9, 2001 (08:25)", "body": "RE: accents. This is from Roger Ebert's Answer Man column: Q: I recently saw the movie \"Quills\" with Geoffrey Rush and noticed something that has bothered me with other films. Why do films set in France, like 1998's \"Les Miserables,\" have the actors speak in a British accent? Obviously, these characters would have spoken French, so there would be no need for them to use a British accent. I understand that some of these actors are British or Australian, but in \"Les Miserables\" and \"Quills,\" American actors like Uma Thurman and Joaquin Phoenix use British accents. I think it's kind of dumb to try and be so accurate with sets and costumes from a certain period in history, but to so blatantly mess up the language by trying to make France more British. -- Jacob DeSomery, Marlboro, Mass. A: It makes no logical sense at all, but it is an ancient Hollywood tradition that in English-language pictures, Americans use an American accent and foreigners use British accents. There are exceptions, and sometimes French characters will have French accents, etc., but the rule is still often observed. In \"Hannibal,\" on the other hand, the Italians have Italian accents, perhaps because they are played by Italian actors who have shaky British accents."}, {"response": 1454, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb  9, 2001 (11:19)", "body": "\"Hollywood tradition that in English-language pictures, Americans use an American accent and foreigners use British accents.\" *Bull*: SHINDLER'S LIST. Thanks Mari.I think it depends on the actor. Some are better than others imitating accents."}, {"response": 1455, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Feb  9, 2001 (12:28)", "body": "(Evelyn) *Bull* My thoughts too. Personally, I have no problem with people speaking naturally. Just because a story takes place in France, I do not need to have everyone feign a French accent. In fact, if the accents are bad (and they usually are), I find it distracting. I like the concept adopted for Conspiracy, sort of a neutralized accent, but not a phoney German one. (Or so we think, LOL.) Just my opinion. Hmmm, would that have helped Valmont? :-) I always think of a ridiculous comment a woman said long ago. We were discussing Evita and she was outraged that it was considered an opera. After all, in her reasoning, it was sung in English, which somehow disqualified it from being considered a true opera. By that reasoning, Madame Butterfly should be sung in Japanese, Carmen should be sung in Spanish, etc."}, {"response": 1456, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Feb  9, 2001 (13:04)", "body": "From the IMdb news today. What a disgrace - IMO Piece Producers Sue Dreamworks The producers of An Everlasting Piece sued DreamWorks Thursday, accusing the studio of intentionally dumping the film after director Barry Levinson refused to remove scenes that reflected unfavorably on the British government. In an interview appearing in today's (Friday) London Financial Times, Jerome O'Connor, one of the producers, said that DreamWorks principal Steven Spielberg who had recently received a knighthood, wanted to avoid the embarrassment of backing a film that lampooned the British government's policies in Ireland. Although DreamWorks released the film on only six screens, it insisted Thursday that it did not dump it. \"We did right by the film, \" a studio spokesperson told the FT."}, {"response": 1457, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Feb  9, 2001 (13:07)", "body": "And this bit...WHEW!! How do all of you feel about these reality shows? To my mind they, along with the XFL, cheapen a medium already in the dregs most of the time. ********************* Wing Takes Flight Again A new episode of NBC's The West Wing boosted the hit drama's ratings considerably Wednesday after last week saw a rerun of the White House drama being clobbered by Fox's Temptation Island.This week there was no contest. West Wing scored a 14.5 rating and a 21 share (versus last week's 11.5/17) while Temptation Island pulled an 11.6/17 (last week: 12.1/17). Still, the numbers for the Fox reality show remained spectacular by Fox standards and helped the network finish third for the night overall (behind NBC and ABC respectively) and first among 18-49 year-olds."}, {"response": 1458, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb  9, 2001 (13:24)", "body": "Re: Accents Shall I go find a picture of bull? ;-) Think I'm going to go rent the miniseries Nuremberg (unless they're going to rebroadcast it soon) because I'm now very curious about the accents. I don't think they were British, but am not positive. G\ufffdring was played by Brian Cox (UK actor), Hess was played by Colm Feore, but Speer was played by a German actor (Herbert Knaup). However, when I look at the full cast listing, I hardly see any German actors. (Donna) In fact, if the accents are bad (and they usually are), I find it distracting. Don't you think it is more a case of us being used to an American/British actor's normal accent and, when they go for something else, it *appears* bad. What about Joaquim Phoenix's British accent in Quills? I thought he blended right in...even though he and the others were French. ;-) ~~~~~~~ An Everlasting Piece...of crap! If DreamWorks dumped it, that's the reason. Not any political nonsense. The trailer was couldn't have portrayed a more stupid and inane movie IMO. Frankly, I think it's a matter of whether they care enough to use dialect coachs."}, {"response": 1459, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb  9, 2001 (13:59)", "body": "Looks like this will be the DFL poster:"}, {"response": 1460, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb  9, 2001 (14:01)", "body": "Here's the rest of it...I hope..."}, {"response": 1461, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb  9, 2001 (14:19)", "body": "If you decide to do accents then it has to carry through the whole film too. I hate it when it drifts in and out. \"Chocolat\" should have been in French too. The producers of An Everlasting Piece sued DreamWorks Thursday, accusing the studio of intentionally dumping the film after director Barry Levinson refused to remove scenes that reflected unfavorably on the British government. (Karen), If DreamWorks dumped it, that's the reason. Not any political nonsense. It might be crap. But it is also political. It is not the first time that we hear about Dreamworks and their \"democratic\" gestapo. Speaking of Dreamworks, they are now ready to cast \"Lindbergh\". What a great role for ODB."}, {"response": 1462, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb  9, 2001 (14:20)", "body": "Love the poster, Evelyn!"}, {"response": 1463, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Feb  9, 2001 (14:24)", "body": "(Karen) Shall I go find a picture of bull? ;-) Found one: http://www1.nba.com/bulls/images/bulls_hp_hdr.gif A true story. Years ago I was traveling through O'Hare airport and I saw a neat t-shirt with a bull's head on it. I had no idea what a \"bull\" was, but I loved the shirt and bought one. Michael Jordan hadn't yet made it into superstar status, so I didn't have a clue as to what I was wearing. But everywhere I went, people wanted my shirt. :-) (Karen) Don't you think it is more a case of us being used to an American/British actor's normal accent and, when they go for something else, it *appears* bad. What about Joaquim Phoenix's British accent in Quills? I haven't seen Quills yet, but I probably wouldn't mind Joaquim's British accent. Actually, I kind of like the transatlantic flat approach. I just think most people (most Americans?) can't do the French or German thing convincingly, with the exception being someone like Meryl Streep. (A comedy - I'll accept anything, even Kevin Kline's looney French accents.) I think Americans tend to tackle the hispanic accents better. If I hear the, \"Vot do you vant\" approach, I just cringe in my seat. Too Boris and Natasha. :-) Did William Hurt talk with an accent in Sunshine? I sort of think he did. If he did, I think he underplayed it and it worked for me. I just don't think that most US actors have a good ear for accents. I remember seeing Charlize Theron in an interview and she was doing a more convincing southern accent than most Americans. But admittedly, the use of accents is one of my \"buttons.\" :-)"}, {"response": 1464, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Feb  9, 2001 (14:25)", "body": "The poster is great, Evelyn!"}, {"response": 1465, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Feb  9, 2001 (14:25)", "body": "oops, here's the pic:"}, {"response": 1466, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb  9, 2001 (14:39)", "body": "LOL. I really wanted a pic of *you* in the tee shirt, Donna.;-) Did William Hurt talk with an accent in Sunshine? I sort of think he did. If he did, I think he underplayed it and it worked for me. I don't remember it as a real accent, more voice intonation and mannerism. RF did the same. Apropos....the NY Times review today of HANNIBAL today says of Anthony Hopkins accent: \"He works against the calmative effect of his own voice by fixing on the same bizarre mid-Atlantic accent he used in \"Silence.\" With his voice theatrically flattened, he sounds as if he has worked in a SoHo boutique too long. \" Ouch, Tony *who's been all over the tube this week* ~~~~~~~~~` Thanks on the poster..talk about people who have lost a 'few stones'...;-)"}, {"response": 1467, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb  9, 2001 (14:47)", "body": "Call me disloyal to my own city, but I think this one is more to the point ;-) (Donna) I just think most people (most Americans?) can't do the French or German thing convincingly, with the exception being someone like Meryl Streep. Some may not have the talent or the ear, but how can you explain that actors all over the world learn to speak *convincingly* with American accents? I believe it's just a matter of training and taking the time to get it right. Besides, how many Americans even know what for sure what a German accent sounds like. Most don't even know where Germany or France are!"}, {"response": 1468, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Feb  9, 2001 (14:52)", "body": "Evelyn, re the poster for DFL, isn't that Juliet Binoche in the previous Roundabout production of Harold Pinter's Betrayal?"}, {"response": 1469, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Feb  9, 2001 (15:06)", "body": "Great poster Evelyn. Thanks."}, {"response": 1470, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb  9, 2001 (17:15)", "body": "Evelyn, re the poster for DFL, isn't that Juliet Binoche in the previous Roundabout production of Harold Pinter's Betrayal? Yes...Betrayal closed Feb 4 ...although Madam Binoche is all over the tube too plugging \"Chocolat\". Love the Bull, Karen.Right on target;-) (Karen) ...how can you explain that actors all over the world learn to speak *convincingly* with American accents? Good American accents = $$$$$$$"}, {"response": 1471, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 10, 2001 (08:55)", "body": "(Donna) I just think most people (most Americans?) can't do the French or German thing convincingly, with the exception being someone like Meryl Streep. (Evelyn) Good American accents = $$$$$$$ LOL! So, it's not genetics? ;-)"}, {"response": 1472, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Feb 11, 2001 (06:32)", "body": "More on actors doing back-to-back projects (prior to the strike). Here's an excerpt of an interview in the NY Post with Ed Harris: Harris already has two films in the can: \"Enemy at the Gates\" (opening March 16), in which he plays a German sniper opposite Jude Law, and the indie \"Prime Gig,\" both of which he filmed while overseeing the editing of \"Pollock.\" He's now filming \"Buffalo Soldiers\" with Joaquin Phoenix, and is losing weight to star opposite Meryl Streep as a writer suffering from AIDS in \"The Hours.\" Then in March, he starts filming Ron Howard's \"A Beautiful Mind\" with Russell Crowe. \"There's a good chance there'll be five pictures I'm in coming out this year, which is kind of embarrassing,\" he says. \"But that's the way it is.\""}, {"response": 1473, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 11, 2001 (09:04)", "body": "Puts your mind at rest, doesn't it, Donna, regarding SD's role? ;-) (Harris) \"There's a good chance there'll be five pictures I'm in coming out this year, which is kind of embarrassing,\" he says. \"But that's the way it is.\" No, that's the way it was, way back when with Laurel & Hardy and the Three Stooges! Let some other actors work too! ;-)"}, {"response": 1474, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Feb 11, 2001 (09:09)", "body": "I like Ed Harris and used to like him more before I saw his and Amy Madigan's sourpuss faces when Elia Kazan was honored at the Oscars. Jeez, it was 50 years ago, give it up already. I really want to see Pollock though. Looks like Ed's time may be here....again. Speaking of Harris and Madigan, which major Hollywood marriage is next for the divorce courts? Hanks/Wilson? Spielberg/Capshaw? Thornton/Jolie? ;-)"}, {"response": 1475, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Feb 11, 2001 (10:07)", "body": "I like Ed Harris, too, and these all sound like good projects (\"Gates\" notwithstanding). Pollock hasn't opened here yet, but I hear he's wonderful. Let some other actors work too! ;-) Nobody is stopping them.;-) Donna, I was just watching Firelight--again--on STARZ. Sounds like quite a line-up of projects that SD has got going. Sure, you had to go fall for a guy with a work ethic.;-) Where's our Oscar chat/predictions? Anybody? They announce the noms on Tuesday. Off to see Hannibal . . .speaking of which, and following up on the \"accents\" discussion, I don't care what the NY Times thinks--when Dr. Lecter in \"Silence\" says, \"A census taker tried to interview me once. I ate his liver. With a bowl of fava beans . . .and a nice chianti,\" the *last* thing on my mind was, gee, is that a trans-Atlantic accent he's using? LOL! If the performance is good and the film/play is good, I tend not to be too critical of the rest. BTW, I had to laugh at this: the person who runs the Empire BJD site has a link up to the trailer (probably spotted it here), and has pronounced RZ's accent as perhaps too \"cut glass.\" HELLO?? We only hear her say \"no,\" correct?"}, {"response": 1476, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 11, 2001 (11:01)", "body": "(Mari) Where's our Oscar chat/predictions? Anybody? They announce the noms on Tuesday. If they don't nominate Javier Bardem, it will be criminal. (Moon, you will not like the film's subject, but the acting is what it is all about IMO) ;-)"}, {"response": 1477, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sun, Feb 11, 2001 (12:13)", "body": "Let some other actors work too! ;-) Nobody is stopping them.;-) According to the calculations by the British Actors' Equity, the level of unemployent among professional actors is around 80%."}, {"response": 1478, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Feb 11, 2001 (13:00)", "body": "From AICN: http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com/display.cgi?id=8147 * USA Films is in talks for the domestic rights to GOSFORD PARK, Robert Altman's period film that begins shooting March 19 in England. Jude Law, Kristin Scott Thomas and Emily Watson, as well as Clive Owen, Maggie Smith, Jeremy Northam, Stephen Fry, Joely Richardson, Helen Mirren, Michael Gambon, Richard E. Grant and Charles Dance will star. Julian Fellow wrote the script, inspired by Jean Renoir's LA REGLE DU JEU. Karen: Clive is mentioned tis time."}, {"response": 1479, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 11, 2001 (13:10)", "body": "According to the calculations by the British Actors' Equity, the level of unemployent among professional actors is around 80%. I'm reminded of what Ang Lee said once: \"Does everybody in England act? They obviously have too many actors with not enough venture capital for productions. Let some other actors work too! ;-) What is this Socialism? Are we taking turns now? If Ed Harris is in demand, there must be a reason.No one is forcing the directos to cast him in parts.[I know I must have seen the guy, but I can't place him.]"}, {"response": 1480, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 11, 2001 (13:43)", "body": "(Murph) Karen: Clive is mentioned tis time. Yes, I know. The info was posted on the Northam board this past Wednesday. http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/43.369 Sorry, I should've let you know. (Karen) Let some other actors work too! ;-) (Evelyn) What is this Socialism? Are we taking turns now? Have you not been reading the articles accusing the A-list actors of virtually collaborating with the studios to ensure that a SAG strike won't have any teeth? Besides, the SAG is a union, and unions are a socialistic approach to labor management. ;-)"}, {"response": 1481, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Feb 11, 2001 (14:12)", "body": "If I hear that another actor has been cast in ANYTHING and it is not Colin, I shall scream. Just hope he hasn't decided to give up the day job and try his hand at full-time writing!!! which he could easily do in London, LA or Umbria?"}, {"response": 1482, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Feb 11, 2001 (14:36)", "body": "If they don't nominate Javier Bardem, it will be criminal. (Moon, you will not like the film's subject, but the acting is what it is all about IMO) ;-) I saw \"Before Night Falls\", last week, Karen. I have seen many films that deal with Cuba. In Miami, they are hard to avoid. I liked the film because that story needed telling. Julian S, the director should have had it end when they are in NY leaning back on the convertible while it snowed. That was the perfect ending. The way it dragged on lessen the impact, IMO. It was also great to see Olivier Martinez, my cutie pie from \"Horseman on the Roof\", Sean Penn and the outrageous Johnny Depp. Julian Fellow wrote the script, inspired by Jean Renoir's LA REGLE DU JEU. Such a brilliant classic. I fear what that senile Altman will do. (Karen), Have you not been reading the articles accusing the A-list actors of virtually collaborating with the studios to ensure that a SAG strike won't have any teeth? And here we all lead to believe that they were all liberals! Ha!"}, {"response": 1483, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Feb 11, 2001 (14:38)", "body": "BTW, that is supposed to be \"Les r\ufffdgles du Jeu\"."}, {"response": 1484, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Feb 11, 2001 (14:53)", "body": "According to the calculations by the British Actors' Equity, the level of unemployent among professional actors is around 80%. I'm surprised it's even that low. In the U.S., there are over 90,000 members of the Screen Actors Guild (including Colin, I'm sure), and the average member makes less than $5,000 per year from acting. If we remove the people who make millions per film, the \"average\" is that much lower. There's no shortage of waiters and cabdrivers in NYC (or London, I'd bet) who are *really* actors.;-) But Colin is not at that average level, and I firmly believe that actors such as him could work whenever they wished to these days, and in decent-sounding projects. We read about them every day. Well, maybe we'll read his name in there soon. Or not.:-( So how was Before Night Falls, Karen, aside from Javier? Moon, sounds like you liked it. BTW, I think that is only Julian Schnabel's second film; he's a painter in NYC (or maybe a waiter?;-) ;-) I saw Hannibal. It's no Silence Of The Lambs that's for sure, but has its moments. \"Bowels in, or out?\" Not for the faint-hearted, though the gore is done very, you'll excuse the expression, tongue-in-cheek.;-)."}, {"response": 1485, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Feb 11, 2001 (15:44)", "body": "I think I'll wait to rent \"Hannibal\", so I can ff all the gore. So how was Before Night Falls, Karen, aside from Javier? Moon, sounds like you liked it. BTW, I think that is only Julian Schnabel's second film; he's a painter in NYC (or maybe a waiter?;-) ;-) It is worth seeing. This is JS second film his first was \"Basquiat\", and, he is a very successful painter in NY. He also has a place in Miami and I believe his wife is Cuban/American. This film had a special screening in Miami and Julian insisted on speaking Spanish for his introduction. Needless to say, his Spanish is so poor that even the people who spoke little English asked him to stop because they could not understand one word."}, {"response": 1486, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 11, 2001 (16:12)", "body": "(Moon) I have seen many films that deal with Cuba That wasn't what I meant. ;-) BTW, Johnny Depp has two outrageous parts. (Mari) So how was Before Night Falls...aside from Javier? Definitely worth-seeing, as Moon said, and I agree also with her about the ending. It lost me. When I got home, I needed to look up Arenas to find out what had happened. From a story-telling standpoint, Schnabel isn't too strong. Perhaps he tried to cover too much, but it was difficult getting from Point A to Point B. But the visuals are excellent and it has a gorgeous, artistic sense of time and place. Some of the reviewers criticized Schnabel for his use of friends and family (wife, kids, parents). Frankly, they're not recognizable to the general public so what difference does it make. (Mari) But Colin is not at that average level, and I firmly believe that actors such as him could work whenever they wished to these days, and in decent-sounding projects. There are lots of jobs for character actors. ;-)"}, {"response": 1487, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Feb 11, 2001 (16:20)", "body": "If I hear that another actor has been cast in ANYTHING and it is not Colin, I shall scream. The trouble with Colin is that if you give him one good pay cheque a year he uses it to fund a long long holiday. I assume he is getting paid something breathtaking by normal pay standards for BJD. Look how long he took off after SIL which was the last bonanza pay he had. I hope he is using his time usefully. Like decorating the nursery:-))"}, {"response": 1488, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Feb 11, 2001 (16:24)", "body": "Can anyone really confirm the need for a nursery? BTW, Johnny Depp has two outrageous parts. I know! He was really brilliant. Definitely worth-seeing, as Moon said, and I agree also with her about the ending. Well it's about time, Karen! ;-))))"}, {"response": 1489, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 11, 2001 (17:34)", "body": "(Mari)I saw Hannibal. It's no Silence Of The Lambs that's for sure, but has its moments LOL. I just saw Hannibal and liked it more than Silence of the Lambs. Principally because Julieanne Moore is brilliant as Clarice.And Anthony Hopkins by now owns the role of Dr. Lecter.The gore is so ridiculous and contrived to shock (as in Nurse Betty) that I hardly winced.Filmed with sumtuous backgrounds in Florence.And the cinematographer uses mid-night blue filter a la DQ; Anthony Hopkins never disappoints me. Actually, IMO it's a bizarre love story. ~~~~~~~~~~~ I agree Allison..give that man a paycheck and he's gone. Why do we bother? Let's keep him hungry doing Brit TV , ...but working;-)"}, {"response": 1490, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Feb 11, 2001 (19:27)", "body": "Here are my picks for nominations. Evelyn and Mari, you guys helped make Hannibal a HUGE opener - $58 million. I have absolutely no desire to see it myself. Hate gore, unless it becomes cartoonish, like in The Limey, or Gladiator. And torture? -- forgedabouddid! I left Traffic for the ladies room when I thought they were going to torture someone. I have never seen Dafoe's scene in TEP (left theater again). Always skip over it on the DVD. I am such a chicken.... ******************* BEST PICTURE The nominees will be: \"Cast Away\", \"Crouching Tiger,Hidden Dragon\", \"Erin Brockovich\", \"Gladiator\", \"Traffic\" Titles that could squeeze in: \"Almost Famous,\" \"Billy Elliott,\" \"Chocolat,\" \"Quills,\" \"Thirteen Days,\" \"Wonder Boys\" and \"You Can Count on Me.\" BEST DIRECTOR The nominees will be: Cameron Crowe, \"Almost Famous\", Ang Lee, \"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon\", Ridley Scott, \"Gladiator\", Steven Soderbergh, \"Erin Brockovich\", Steven Soderbergh, \"Traffic\" Directors that could squeeze in: Lasse Hallstrom (\"Chocolat\"), Philip Kaufman (\"Quills\") and Robert Zemeckis (\"Cast Away\"). BEST ACTRESS The nominees will be: Joan Allen, \"The Contender\", Juliette Binoche, \"Chocolat\", Ellen Burstyn, \"Requiem for a Dream\", Laura Linney, \"You Can Count on Me\", Julia Roberts, \"Erin Brockovich\" Actresses that could squeeze in: Gillian Anderson (\"The House of Mirth\"), Cate Blanchett (\"The Gift\") and Ren\ufffde Zellweger (\"Nurse Betty\"). BEST ACTOR The nominees will be: Javier Bardem, \"Before Night Falls\", Jamie Bell, \"Billy Elliott\", Russell Crowe, \"Gladiator\", Tom Hanks, \"Cast Away\", Geoffrey Rush, \"Quills\" Actors that could squeeze in: George Clooney (\"O Brother, Where Art Thou?\"), Michael Douglas (\"Wonder Boys\"), Mel Gibson (\"What Women Want\"), Ed Harris (\"Pollock\") and Chow Yun-Fat (\"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon\"). BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS The nominees will be: Judi Dench, \"Chocolat\", Kate Hudson, \"Almost Famous\", Frances McDormand, \"Almost Famous\", Julie Waters, \"Billy Elliott\", Kate Winslet, \"Quills\" Actresses that could squeeze in: Marcia Gay Harden (\"Pollock\"), Catherine Zeta-Jones (\"Traffic\") BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR The nominees will be: Jeff Bridges, \"The Contender\", Willem Dafoe, \"Shadow of the Vampire\", Benicio Del Toro, \"Traffic\", Albert Finney, \"Erin Brockovich\", Joaquin Phoenix, \"Gladiator\" Actors that could squeeze in: Michael Douglas (\"Traffic\"), Bruce Greenwood (\"Thirteen Days\"), Gary Lewis (\"Billy Elliott\"), Gary Oldman (\"The Contender\") and Fred Willard (\"Best in Show\")."}, {"response": 1491, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Feb 12, 2001 (02:22)", "body": "Can anyone really confirm the need for a nursery? No!"}, {"response": 1492, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 12, 2001 (07:22)", "body": "I think your Best Actor category is spot on, Murph!"}, {"response": 1493, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 12, 2001 (11:09)", "body": "Has anybody seen \"The Gift\"?"}, {"response": 1494, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 12, 2001 (17:05)", "body": "For those without the luxury of the E! channel, the BBC will be showing the Oscars noms being announced live at its website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/entertainment/newsid_1150000/1150107.stm"}, {"response": 1495, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb 12, 2001 (18:43)", "body": "Murph, have you been looking over Price-Waterhouse's shoulder?;-) I think your predictions are on the money insofar as who is likely to be nommed. Would love to see RZ get in there, but I doubt it. And how about Morgan Freeman, also for NB? I thought he was wonderful, in a tricky role. I also liked Don Cheadle and Erika Christenson in Traffic, but alas, the people who bestow \"buzz\" (and wouldn't you love to know who they are??) haven't really mentioned them. Ah well, we shall see tomorrow. BTW, the Today Show also runs the announcement live (probably GMA too). Evelyn, I agree with you about the performances in Hannibal; Hopkins and Moore are just beyond reproach. Awesome. I still preferred the psychological dance in Silence between Lecter and Starling, and the fact that the viewer is more unnerved by what we don't see, rather than by what is explicitly revealed. What did you think of Gary Oldman, BTW? Think he was better looking in this, or in The Contender?;-);-) He is on Jay Leno tonight, BTW."}, {"response": 1496, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Feb 13, 2001 (08:22)", "body": "Complete List of Academy Award Nods By The Associated Press, Complete list of 73rd annual Oscar nominations announced Tuesday in Beverly Hills, Calif., by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts (news - web sites) and Sciences: 1. Best Picture: ``Chocolat,'' ``Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,'' ``Erin Brockovich,'' ``Gladiator,'' ``Traffic.'' 2. Actor: Javier Bardem, ``Before Night Falls''; Russell Crowe, ``Gladiator''; Tom Hanks, ``Cast Away''; Ed Harris, ``Pollock''; Geoffrey Rush, ``Quills.'' 3. Actress: Joan Allen, ``The Contender''; Juliette Binoche, ``Chocolat''; Ellen Burstyn, ``Requiem for a Dream''; Laura Linney, ``You Can Count On Me''; Julia Roberts, ``Erin Brockovich.'' 4. Supporting Actor: Jeff Bridges, ``The Contender''; Willem Dafoe, ``Shadow of the Vampire''; Benicio Del Toro, ``Traffic''; Albert Finney, ``Erin Brockovich''; Joaquin Phoenix, ``Gladiator.'' 5. Supporting Actress: Judi Dench, ``Chocolat''; Marcia Gay Harden, ``Pollock''; Kate Hudson, ``Almost Famous''; Frances McDormand, ``Almost Famous''; Julie Walters, ``Billy Elliot.'' 6. Director: Stephen Daldry, ``Billy Elliot''; Ang Lee, ``Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon''; Steven Soderbergh, ``Erin Brockovich''; Ridley Scott, ``Gladiator''; Steven Soderbergh, ``Traffic.'' 7. Foreign Film: ``Amores Perros,'' Mexico; ``Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,'' Taiwan; ``Divided We Fall,'' Czech Republic; ``Everybody Famous,'' Belgium; ``The Taste of Others,'' France. 8. Screenplay (written based on material previously produced or published): Robert Nelson Jacobs, ``Chocolat''; Wang Hui Ling and James Schamus and Tsai Kuo Jung, ``Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon''; Ethan Coen & Joel Coen, ``O Brother, Where Art Thou?''; Stephen Gaghan, ``Traffic''; Steve Kloves, ``Wonder Boys.'' 9. Screenplay (written directly for the screen): Cameron Crowe, ``Almost Famous''; Lee Hall, ``Billy Elliot''; Susannah Grant, ``Erin Brockovich''; David Franzoni and John Logan and William Nicholson, ``Gladiator''; Kenneth Lonergan, ``You Can Count On Me.'' 10. Art Direction: ``Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,'' ``Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas,'' ``Gladiator,'' ``Quills,'' ``Vatel.'' 11. Cinematography: ``Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,'' ``Gladiator,'' ``Malena,'' ``O Brother, Where Art Thou?,'' ``The Patriot'' 12. Sound: ``Cast Away,'' ``Gladiator,'' ``The Patriot,'' ``The Perfect Storm'' ``U-571.'' 13. Sound Editing: ``Space Cowboys,'' ``U-571. '' 14. Original Score: ``Chocolat,'' Rachel Portman; ``Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,'' Tan Dun; ``Gladiator,'' Hans Zimmer; ``Malena,'' Ennio Morricone; ``The Patriot,'' John Williams. 15. Original Song: ``A Fool In Love'' from ``Meet The Parents,'' Randy Newman; ``I've Seen It All'' from ``Dancer in the Dark,'' Bjork, Lars von Trier and Sjon Sigurdsson; ``A Love Before Time'' from ``Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,'' Jorge Calandrelli, Tan Dun and James Schamus; ``My Funny Friend and Me'' from ``The Emperor's New Groove'' Sting and David Hartley; ``Things Have Changed'' from ``Wonder Boys,'' Bob Dylan. 16. Costume: ``Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,'' ``Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas,'' ``Gladiator,'' ''102 Dalmatians,'' ``Quills.'' 17. Documentary Feature: ``Into the Arms of Strangers: Stories of the Kindertransport,'' ``Legacy,'' ``Long Night's Journey Into Day,'' ``Scottsboro: An American Tragedy,'' ``Sound and Fury.'' 18. Documentary (short subject): ``Big Mama,'' ``Curtain Call,'' ``Dolphins, '' ``The Man on Lincoln's Nose, '' ``On Tiptoe: Gentle Steps to Freedom.'' 19. Film Editing: ``Almost Famous,'' ``Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,'' ``Gladiator,'' ``Traffic,'' ``Wonder Boys.'' 20. Makeup: ``The Cell'' ``Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas,'' ``Shadow of the Vampire.'' 21. Animated Short Film: ``Father and Daughter,'' ``The Periwig-Maker,'' ``Rejected.'' 22. Live Action Short Film: ``By Courier,'' ``One Day Crossing,'' ``Quiero Ser (I want to be),'' ``Seraglio,'' ``A Soccer Story (Una Historia de Futebol).'' 23. Visual Effects: ``Gladiator,'' ``Hollow Man,'' ``The Perfect Storm.''"}, {"response": 1497, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Tue, Feb 13, 2001 (08:42)", "body": "`Everybody Famous,'' Belgium I'm happy:-)"}, {"response": 1498, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 13, 2001 (08:44)", "body": "Thanks, Mari. And the winner is: Harvey!! Can't believe he managed to muscle in Chocolat...not that I'm bemoaning the fact that Billy Elliot got edged out. For Best Picture, the only wild card slot was: Chocolat/Billy Elliot/Almost Famous and since the entire Academy votes in this category, Harvey had the best chance. Best Actor: Shocker! No one predicted Ed Harris, but am glad the kid didn't get in or Michael Douglas. Guess the Oscars just won't have that extra glam since they won't be going. Best Actress: no surprises Best Supporting Actor/Actress: no real surprises Best Director: A shocker!! Usually, it is the Directors' Guild noms repeated. Man, oh, man, they must really dislike Cameron Crowe to drop him and give his place to Stephen Daldrey with his sentimental slop of a movie, when they didn't do likewise for Lasse Hallstrom. Screenplay adaptation: boo hoo!! No High Fidelity, which I'm pretty sure is nominated by the Writers Guild."}, {"response": 1499, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 13, 2001 (09:00)", "body": "And the nominations for the the Razzies (Worst of the Bunch) have also been announced: http://razzies.com/asp/content/XcNewsPlus.asp?cmd=view&articleid=43"}, {"response": 1500, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 13, 2001 (10:27)", "body": "Thanks, Mari! Almost Famous should have been there for Best Pic and Best Director. It looks like Soderbergh will cancel himself out. I hope Ang gets it. Of course the biggest no-shows are Bjork and Dancer in the Dark. You have to hand it to the marketing dept at Miramax, Chocolat is a very low point. And Billy Elliot? Please! Best Actor and Supporting Actor are the most interesting IMO. This will be a rather ho-hum Oscars. :-("}, {"response": 1501, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 13, 2001 (10:31)", "body": "But wait! There might be hope for Gladiator, too."}, {"response": 1502, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 13, 2001 (10:47)", "body": "I'm glad to see Joan Allen and Jeff Bridges nommed. But they shut out my fave (of the recently touted) Nurse Betty and RZ. My Ha, Ha, Ha award for the ones NOT nominated who thought they would be: Michael Douglas and Catherine Zet Jones.... IMO Erin Brockovitch would have been a TV movie except for Julia Roberts. Harvey has those people in his back pocket."}, {"response": 1503, "author": "susanne", "date": "Tue, Feb 13, 2001 (11:29)", "body": "Yeah, I'm real glad Michael Douglas and honey weren't nominated and ditto for Billy Elliot. I knew Sunshine would be ignored, but it is a shock that Almost Famous was not nominated. . I guess I will root for a Miramax shut out for once. :-)) I think they need some Oscar campaign Oscar reform."}, {"response": 1504, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Feb 13, 2001 (12:29)", "body": "Ditto to all comments about Harvey. I haven't seen Chocolat but judging from your collective feedback, it's an average film. It's interesting to see how the Weinsteins position themselves every year--last year it was Cider House, this year, it could have been All the Pretty Horses 'cept for those pesky critics. Ol' Harv just looks for the film the reveiwers hated least and shazzam! It's up for an Oscar!"}, {"response": 1505, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Feb 13, 2001 (15:13)", "body": "Karen, thought you'd find this interesting. 'Tiger' surpasses 'Life' as top non-English film \"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon\" is now the top non-English language film of all time, according to box office figures February 13, 2001 Web posted at: 12:30 PM EST (1730 GMT) HOLLYWOOD, California (Reuters) -- It's official: Sony Pictures Classics' Chinese-language martial arts fantasy \"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon\" has surpassed Miramax's 1998 Italian Holocaust comedy \"Life Is Beautiful\" as North America's biggest non-English language release ever. I know how upset this makes you;) Poor Roberto..... ugh..."}, {"response": 1506, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 13, 2001 (15:35)", "body": "Was \"Life\" up for Best Picture and Best Foreign Pic. too? What's the sense in that?"}, {"response": 1507, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Tue, Feb 13, 2001 (16:40)", "body": "Harvey has those people in his back pocket. Hehe. This Belgian film (sorry to bring that up again, but this is big news for uw) was never seen as a possible Oscar contender. Not until the Berlinale that is, when Miramax bought the distribution rights for the US. Then suddenly everyone started thinking that maybe the people at Miramax knew something we didn't."}, {"response": 1508, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 13, 2001 (16:46)", "body": "Congratulations, Tineke. I hope I get to see \"Everybody Famous\".Did you enjoy it? Hey, I've got as much chance as seeing it as\"Pollock\". What happened to Malena? No Italian winners this year. 1-800-LIVIA"}, {"response": 1509, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 13, 2001 (17:32)", "body": "(Evelyn) What happened to Malena? Italy submitted a different film called, I think, The One Hundred Steps. I saw the Czech Republic film last year at the FF. Director was there, but he didn't speak any English. A guy from the audience came up to do the translation for Q&A. Congrats, Tineke. Am glad it wasn't La Captive, another Belgian film that was screened here. Perhaps it's just the Proust... ;-)"}, {"response": 1510, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Feb 13, 2001 (19:28)", "body": "The NY Times has a terrific page on the Oscars, including links to all the reviews of all the winning films over the years, to all the winners over the years. http://www.nytimes.com/pages/movies/oscars/index.html?0213inside"}, {"response": 1511, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Feb 13, 2001 (19:29)", "body": "Can't wait to get these two: *********************** An elaborate two-disc edition of David Lean's \"Bridge on the River Kwai,\" the 1957 winner, comes in at a very Lean-like aspect ratio of 2:55 to 1, as will Lean's \"Lawrence of Arabia,\" which won in 1962. The latter is due on April 3 with a raft of extras including a documentary about the making of the film, a conversation with Steven Spielberg and four original featurettes, one of which is about the real-life Lawrence of Arabia. \"Kwai\" has a good documentary about the production, much historical background and an appreciation by the director, John Milius."}, {"response": 1512, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Feb 13, 2001 (19:32)", "body": "(Karen) Screenplay adaptation: boo hoo!! No High Fidelity, which I'm pretty sure is nominated by the Writers Guild. You would be right, \"High Fidelity\" was nominated by the Writers Guild of America in the category of Best Screenplay on Material Previously Produced or Published. A list of the 200 WGA Nominees in the Screen category follows: 53rd Annual Writers Guild Awards Screen Nominees February 7, 2001-The Writers Guild of America, East and west announced nominations for outstanding achievement in writing for the screen during 2000. Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen \"Almost Famous\", Written by Cameron Crowe, DreamWorks Pictures/Columbia Pictures \"Best in Show\", Written by Christopher Guest & Eugene Levy, Castle Rock Entertainment \"Billy Elliot\", Written by Lee Hall, Universal Focus \"Erin Brockovich\", Written by Susannah Grant, Universal Pictures/Columbia Pictures \"You Can Count On Me\", Written by Kenneth Lonergan, Paramount Classics Best Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published \"Chocolat\", Screenplay by Robert Nelson Jacobs, based on the novel by Joanne Harris, Miramax Films \"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon\", Screenplay by Wang Hui-Ling and James Schamus and Tsai Kuo Jung, based on the book by Wang Du Lu, Sony Pictures Classics \"High Fidelity, Screenplay by D.V. DeVincentis & Steve Pink & John Cusack and Scott Rosenberg, based on the book by Nick Hornby, Touchstone Pictures \"Traffic\", Screenplay by Stephen Gaghan, based on the British series \"Traffik\" created by Simon Moore, USA Films \"Wonder Boys\", Screenplay by Steve Kloves, based on the novel by Michael Chabon, Paramount Pictures The films eligible for Writers Guild Awards are those that were released in the year 2000 under the jurisdiction of the Writers Guild of America, west and the Writers Guild of America, East and their affiliates in Australia, Canada, Great Britain and New Zealand. The members of the WGAw and WGAE were eligible to vote for these nominations from among 185 films in the categories of Written Directly for the Screen (127) and Based on Material Previously Produced or Published (58). The 53rd Annual Writers Guild Awards will take place Sunday, March 4, 2001, in New York at the Plaza Hotel and simultaneously in Los Angeles at the Beverly Hilton Hotel."}, {"response": 1513, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, Feb 13, 2001 (19:51)", "body": "Just a reminder to anyone interested... Stephen Dillane will be on PBS this Sunday, February 18th in Anna Karenina. Part 2 airs the next week, February 25th."}, {"response": 1514, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 13, 2001 (20:10)", "body": "Congrats Murph...Russell Crowe & Gladiator got lots of well deserved acknowledgements."}, {"response": 1515, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 13, 2001 (21:11)", "body": "From Jeffrey Wells' column: Nominations For Sale! Ten nominations for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon? Amazing. Great. Astounding. But what's with the 12 nominations for Gladiator? And let's scratch our heads and toast once again those amazing Miramax schmooze-hounds, who managed a Best Picture nomination for their likeable but second-tier film, Lasse Halstr\ufffdm's Chocolat. Otherwise, what was the basic lesson provided by this morning's announcement of Oscar nominations? When it came to Chocolat and Gladiator, it was this: Spend the money and \"work\" the Academy with a passion, and if your movie is perceived as modestly qualified, you won't go away hungry. This was clearly the import after co-announcers Robert Rehme and Oscar-winner Kathy Bates announced in effect that mighty Miramax had once again schmoozed and massaged the Academy into giving them a Best Picture nomination for Chocolat, a pleasant but unremarkable fantasy from director Lasse Halstr\ufffdm, whose Cider House Rules was also shoehorned by Miramax into becoming an Oscar finalist last year. The effectiveness of Miramax's campaign (as well as the political skills of their Academy PR rep Tony Angelotti) was further reflected by the Best Actress and a Best Supporting Actress nomination for Chocolat's leading co-stars, Juliette Binoche and Judi Dench. Both women gave fine performances, but were they really Oscar caliber? Doesn't matter. What counts at this moment is that Miramax's pitch has gone over. The 12 nominations handed to Gladiator were obviously a result of the amply funded pull-out-all-stops campaign that DreamWorks kicked off last fall. Does Ridley Scott's epic-sized, beautifully composed action drama \ufffd a first-rate effort in so many departments \ufffd really deserve consideration as one of the year's finest and most profound films? Nope. No one I know genuinely feels that Gladiator is a film for the ages, but DreamWorks was determined to muscle it through, and, with the help of a huge ad budget and a hunger second to no one's, they did. The other big story this morning was the double-nomination of Steven Soderbergh as Best Director for Traffic and Erin Brockovich, and the very real possibility that the votes for him will cancel each other out, and that either Ridley Scott or Crouching Tiger's Ang Lee will win the Oscar. The time has obviously come for Soderbergh to decide on a strategy that will persuade Academy members to vote for his work on one film or the other. L.A. Times columnist Patrick Goldstein has suggested that Brockovich star Julia Roberts \ufffd a sure bet to win the Best Actress Oscar \ufffd could start things off by suggesting that Academy voters should support his work on Traffic, knowing full well that his direction of Brockovich would also be driving their vote. Traffic is obviously the better and more ambitious film. C'mon, Julia \ufffd be a sport! This is it, Steven. A time of decision, USA Films. Either make the moves and strategize your way out of this split-vote situation, or the Best Director Oscar \ufffd which most people in town believe has been fully earned by Soderbergh \ufffd will go to Lee or Scott. ~~~~~ Then he goes through the list with comments. http://www.reel.com/reel.asp?node=movienews/confidential"}, {"response": 1516, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, Feb 13, 2001 (21:33)", "body": "(Karen) Nominations For Sale! Roger Ebert was on MSNBC tonight and basically said the same thing about Miramax and Chocolat. He was pretty much disgusted. He was also not crazy about Erin Brokovich and Gladiator being considered for best pic."}, {"response": 1517, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb 14, 2001 (07:47)", "body": "Interesting articles, thanks! But we knew, didn't we? ;-)"}, {"response": 1518, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 14, 2001 (09:55)", "body": "I have no problems with Gladiator getting a nomination. EB would have been a TV movie if not for Julia Roberts; same with Castaway. NB should have taken that slot;-)"}, {"response": 1519, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Feb 14, 2001 (12:56)", "body": "(Moon) But we knew, didn't we? ;-) IMO the fault lies with the folks who allow Harvey, Bob and Tony to get away with this every year. All the other studios are mimicing the strategy now (perhaps this sort of thing has happened every year and I'm just becoming attuned to it). Miramax is just shooting itself in the foot--the next time they have a truly deserving film, watch it get shut out because the Academy will have had it with 'em by then. (Evelyn) I have no problems with Gladiator getting a nomination. I'm with Roger on this one. Notwithstanding terrific performances by Crowe and Phoenix, take away the people getting cut in half and what do you have? I thought the story draaaaaagggeeedddd."}, {"response": 1520, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Feb 14, 2001 (14:31)", "body": "(Eileen)I'm with Roger on this one. Notwithstanding terrific performances by Crowe and Phoenix, take away the people getting cut in half and what do you have? I thought the story draaaaaagggeeedddd. I agree. IMO, other than RC and JP, the film is very overrated. Special effects and computer generated images were cheesy. At no time did I feel I was in ancient Rome. CGI was so poor that you keep seeing the same 20 or so \"spectators\" in the crowd. Lighting is sooo dark, and cuts were way too fast to really get the thrill of the fights, or to even follow them. Of the ones nommed, I think only Traffic is truly worthy. Haven't seen CTHD yet. Erin B.--good, enjoyable movie, but not best film caliber. Chocolat--I think I've said enough already.;-) But ultimately the voters are responsible. You can't be manipulated by a big bucks ad campaign unless you allow it. And it is their responsibility to get out and see the films. I think (hope) we will see a backlash and some sort of reform. Perhaps a blue ribbon panel to whittle nominees down to a half dozen or so in each category, then let everyone vote--after they have proven that they've attended a screening of the film and the nommed performances. I can't help but think that if Miramax (who is notoriously good at getting voters to attend screenings) had distributed Sunshine, they'd have almost swept the board--film, direction, screenplay, actor, supporting actress, cinematography, etc."}, {"response": 1521, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb 14, 2001 (15:28)", "body": "Miramax is just shooting itself in the foot--the next time they have a truly deserving film, watch it get shut out because the Academy will have had it with 'em by then. You are so right, Eileen! Of the ones nommed, I think only Traffic is truly worthy. Haven't seen CTHD yet. I loved CTHD and I hope it sweeps. Go and see it on the big screen before it goes, Mari. Traffic would be second choice in that list. Sunshine and Dancer in the Dark are a big miss. I was not crazy about Nurse Betty."}, {"response": 1522, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Feb 14, 2001 (16:13)", "body": "The Academy has always been political. It is far less \"rigged\" (for lack of a better term) now than it was in the past. \"Gone With the Wind\" is one of the most famous cases in point. Selznick was extaordinarily miffed that he couldn't manage to finesse a win for Clark Gable as Best Actor. That prize went to Robert Donat. Besides, the Academy recently has awarded several dogs with Best Picture, most notably \"Titanic\" and \"Dances With Wolves\". If you want to find a laughable and lame choice for Best Picture, go back over 20 years and consider \"Rocky\". Sometimes the Academy gets it right, sometimes they don't. Also, regardless of what anybody says; it is an honor to be nominated. Those who say it isn't have never been nominated."}, {"response": 1523, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Feb 14, 2001 (22:37)", "body": "I agree with you, Cheryl, that lame choices are nothing new. And, in fairness, the Academy has made some good unconventional choices in the acting categories this year, going outside the mainsteam in several instances. Any contest such as this is, as you say, bound to be subject to politicking. I guess it's just the sheer amount of money that Miramax and Dreamworks put into their politicking is what bugs me. But again, it all comes down to the voters. I think a fair number of these folks are old-timers who like the gentle little fable or the old-fashioned Hollywood epic. Also, regardless of what anybody says; it is an honor to be nominated. Those who say it isn't have never been nominated. Agreed!"}, {"response": 1524, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 14, 2001 (22:59)", "body": "(Mari) And, in fairness, the Academy has made some good unconventional choices in the acting categories this year And in other years too. Last year, I didn't think that Hilary Swank would get it, despite all the critical awards) as Boys Don't Cry is not their kind of movie and they would go all conventional and vote for the *establishment* Annette Bening. Given the possibility of voting for one conventional and one unconventional, you could make a case for: Julia Roberts and Javier Bardem. ;-)"}, {"response": 1525, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 15, 2001 (08:58)", "body": "According to Dark Horizons, shooting is about to start on About a Boy, \"with Hugh Grant and the just signed Emma Thompson - Emily Watson is being chased for the other major female role. \"American Pie\" filmmaking brothers Chris and Paul Weitz will direct this film currently going through a rapid pre-production period.\" Isn't Emily Watson going to be working on the Altman film?"}, {"response": 1526, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 15, 2001 (09:31)", "body": "Probably more reliable, an exclusvie from Popcorn: Emma Thompson Considers 'About A Boy' 'American Pie' creator Chris Weitz has been talking to Popcorn about his latest project 'About A Boy'. The actor-director is set to work with his brother Paul and turn the Nick Hornby ('High Fidelity') novel into a movie starring Hugh Grant. He reveals to Popcorn that they are hoping to bring Emma Thompson on board. \"We've been talking to her, that would be great.\" He goes on to say they should know whether she will commit to the project \"in about a month, I don't even know if that's what I'm meant to say, but that's what we want to do.\" Grant is confirmed to star as a guy in his late 30's who befriends a \"weird, slightly depressive\" 12-year-old boy. Weitz says they are still deciding who to cast as the boy. It's the third novel Nick Hornby has seen transferred to the big screen. Last year saw John Cusack star in the successful Americanised version of 'High Fidelity'. Not so successful though was Colin Firth's turn in 'Fever Pitch', which was released in 1997. Paul and Chris Weitz are hoping to keep 'Boy' as English as possible though, and are due to arrive in the UK next week to begin pre-production. Shooting is set to begin on April 9."}, {"response": 1527, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 15, 2001 (10:04)", "body": "Not so successful though was Colin Firth's turn in 'Fever Pitch', which was released in 1997. What????I thought you guys told me it was a big hit in UK.... Somebody's lying.... I haven't read the book...but is Emma Thompson going to play opposite HG[love interest] like in S&S? Or his mother... Isn't she a little \"long in the tooth\" for him?"}, {"response": 1528, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb 15, 2001 (11:11)", "body": "I think Emma will play the boy's mother. Late 30's woman, divorced. I forgot her name, begins with an L I believe."}, {"response": 1529, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 15, 2001 (11:28)", "body": "Fiona, you mean? Marcus' mom, the Joni Mitchell lover? ;-) Evelyn: in the book, she wasn't a love interest, except maybe in Marcus' mind. The HG character was interested in another single mom."}, {"response": 1530, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Feb 15, 2001 (14:44)", "body": "So they won't be doing a modern version of their S/S roles then?!! I don't see our Hughie in this role at all. He will need a change of hairstyle once and for all for this one. I wonder if he will therefore be too busy filming to attend the BJD premiere ? OK OK Pigs might fly and Londinium get released."}, {"response": 1531, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb 15, 2001 (14:48)", "body": "(Lizza) I don't see our Hughie in this role at all. He will need a change of hairstyle LOL! OK OK Pigs might fly and Londinium get released. Those piggies still haven't landed since SLOW came out."}, {"response": 1532, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb 15, 2001 (14:50)", "body": "Fiona! I was thinking Liane... (don't ask!); But Emma Thompson seems like the likely choice to play Marcus' mom... Emily Watson could be the friend or the one that Will hooks up with at end (but she's not it in much)."}, {"response": 1533, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 15, 2001 (22:27)", "body": "Screen Daily review of Wit, the HBO movie: by Derek Malcolm Screened at Berlin (Competition) Dir. Mike Nichols. US. 2000. 99mins. Made in England by Mike Nichols and adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Margaret Edson into a cable TV original for HBO in the US, Wit is in no sense a film that will travel far in the cinema. It is, however, an extraordinary effort by all concerned and, in particular, by Emma Thompson, who takes the leading part of an well-known but hardly well-loved academic who finds herself stricken with advanced ovarian cancer. Thompson has seldom been better as this highly intelligent woman, a renowned expert on the metaphysical poetry of John Donne, who elects to face the severest chemotherapy course without much serious hope of recovery. As an actress, she has to progress from a doughty and disciplined academic who suffers fools, especially recalcitrant students, less than gladly to a virtually defenceless woman needing the final, almost childishly expressed comfort of the veteran teacher (Atkins) who started her on her route to success. Thompson does not achieve this effortlessly but with extreme honesty, helped by the fact that the woman she plays has an ironic sense of humour and an acute awareness of what is happening to her. Nichols' camera seldom leaves her so that the film, which usually manages not to betray its origins as a play, becomes a tour de force for the actress. But this is not so much a star performance as a fearsomely felt one. It deserves the awards that will surely come its way. The film, like the play, suggests that the literary scholar's fate is somehow bound up to her previous existence as a stern fighter for truth and knowledge. Now she has to fight a last long battle, as much against the medical profession as the disease. And it is one which can give her small victories along the way, against the specialist (Lloyd) who is very much her medical equivalent and the young clinical researcher (Woodward), his research-oriented assistant. To them she is simply another patient who may or may not further the cause of research. They seem to think that kindness is the equivalent of an emotional involvement that would make their jobs impossible. She is aided in her fight against the dying light and the medics' extraordinarily comfortless attention by a private nurse (McDonald) whose performance in an admittedly easier role matches Thompson's. Nobody lets this chamber piece down and its power is such that the hardiest cynic couldn't fail to be moved. Even the highly theatrical device of the leading character talking to the audience works on this occasion. The film may have its commercial limits - it's the opposite of a feelgood movie - but those who do see it may never quite forget the experience."}, {"response": 1534, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 15, 2001 (22:48)", "body": "From This is London: Tennis needs a Hugh Grant by Clare Balding ...The other film, which we shall call 'Wimbledon' is a fictional love story being developed by Working Title and is seen as the next vehicle for the foppish, frightfully English talent that is Hugh Grant. I have to admit that when thinking of the fit, athletic, dedicated and, frankly, rather boring individuals who play professional tennis, Grant is not the first name that springs to mind. In long trousers, fringe falling over his forehead and a wooden tennis racket in his hands: yes. As a lycra-clad, bicep-rippling rival to Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi: no. Mark Levin, the scriptwriter for 'Wimbledon', said: \"We want to do it while Hugh's still young enough to be comfortable with the athleticism of the role.\" Grant will be 41 this summer, twice the age of most of the leading players (except Agassi) on the circuit, so prepare for a considerable suspension of disbelief. For the romantic side of the story, there may be more going on behind the scenes in tennis than the scriptwriters anticipate. In that instance it will be a case of toning down reality rather than glossing it up. Working Title, who have worked with Grant in their productions of Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and the soon to be released Bridget Jones's Diaries, may not have to look very far for extras to support their cast of 'real' actors. Steffi Graf has plenty of time on her hands when she is not watching her boyfriend Agassi win Grand Slams, Brooke Shields has plenty of experience of the tennis world having been Mr Agassi's ex-wife, Anna Kournikova would jump at the chance to expand her finances and her fans (and she might be free by the start of the first week in July) and Pete Sampras's wife Bridgette is very comfortable with camera close-ups. Venus and Serena Williams would jump even higher than they do in victory for the chance to extend their post-tennis career options and Martina Hingis would stomp, pout and smile (although not as much as she used to) to order. If they are looking for menacing villains, Boris Becker would no doubt welcome the chance to emulate Vinnie Jones. He could at least pull off a convincing diving volley before fixing the camera with his pale blue eyes in an intense stare that is sure to have Grant quaking in his Green Flash plimsolls. John McEnroe is never one to shun the chance to verbally abuse someone, so a tirade of bad tempered abuse from him is bound to be included, but sadly Agassi is likely to keep his acting to the court where it is working very well. Unlike American football, motor racing, boxing and horse racing, tennis has not been a popular choice for movie-makers. With any sports theme, the danger is that the film can turn out to be a pale imitation of the real event. The memorable ones like Raging Bull, Heaven Can Wait, Chariots of Fire, Phar Lap and National Velvet are far outweighed by the dire efforts of the studios to glamorise the sweaty, frequently tedious world of professional sport. JUST imagine if you were sentenced to sitting through Kevin Costner's three baseball films followed by the golf-dominated Tin Cup and the Legend of Beggar Vance, then the star-studded Escape to Victory (which is so bad that at least it may make you laugh), and finally the eminently forgettable Pentathlon with Dolph Lundgren. Sticking your head in a bucket of ammonia might strike you as the less painful option. Tennis has not yet been the central theme of anything other than coaching videos, although it has been a popular setting in C grade TV mini-series for wild romances between unsatisfied wives and tall, handsome, foreign-accented coaches, or for aggressive confrontations between business rivals who exchange badly edited serves and volleys until one of them suffers a painful injury and is forced to concede the match. Thanks to Agassi, Marat Safin, the Williams sisters, Jennifer Capriati and even a bit of Tim n' Greg, tennis is sexy again. Whether Grant can turn it into a box office hit remains to be seen, but it's the right time to be having a go."}, {"response": 1535, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Feb 16, 2001 (07:23)", "body": "Karen, thanks for posting that. It gave me more than a lunchtime chuckle!! Whoops got to go, choking on my pastrami!"}, {"response": 1536, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb 16, 2001 (08:41)", "body": "LOL, Karen! Isn't it great that HG has someone writing scripts for him. (sic)"}, {"response": 1537, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 16, 2001 (09:10)", "body": "Two interesting bits from Dan Cox's column in Variety today: SODERBERGH SOLUTION: I have an answer for any Steven Soderbergh fans who think he might get shafted in the best director category by voters who can't choose between his two films. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences should allow the votes in the director category for \"Traffic\" and for \"Erin Brockovich\" to be lumped together and counted as a single Soderbergh vote. The helmer shouldn't be shortchanged simply because he was talented enough to direct two films that are Oscar-worthy in the same year. And he shouldn't be forced into the demeaning role of asking voters to choose one or the other. Michael Curtiz was nominated in 1939 for both \"Angels With Dirty Faces\" and \"Four Daughters.\" He didn't win for either; Frank Capra took the best helmer nod for \"You Can't Take It With You.\" Soderbergh has smartly steered clear of comment on the situation. SWEET 'CHOCOLAT': Harvey Weinstein has done it yet again with \"Chocolat,\" which stunned Hollywood with five Oscar nominations. The media -- including the Wall Street Journal, USA Today and the Los Angeles Times -- have dedicated digging pieces to Harvey's handiwork and marketing. Wednesday night's \"Charlie Rose Show\" had four major film critics -- David Denby, Richard Corliss, Janet Maslin and Owen Gleiberman -- decrying the Miramax co-chair for his alleged ability to manipulate the Oscar race. How does he do it? Weinstein shared his insight with Daily Variety. \"I'll give you the secret once and for all,\" he said. \"You just have to get people to see the movie. Six thousand Academy members are flooded with 50 movies each. At the end of the day, no Academy member that I know is ever influenced by the marketing in their decision. They're only influenced in seeing the movie.\" Weinstein has chalked up 10 best pic noms in the last nine years. And that nomination works wonders at the box office. Last year Miramax cleaned up on \"The Cider House Rules\" at the B.O. after it got the best pic nod, among others. \"The word of mouth was always really strong,\" Miramax spokeswoman Marci Granata says of \"Chocolat.\" The Oscar voters \"responded very strongly to the film.\" Weinstein explains that \"Chocolat\" was \"a beloved movie\" at its very first Academy screening in early December. \"We knew it then. We knew that's where we'd turn our focus,\" he said. ~~~~~~~~~ Wish I'd seen the Charlie Rose show or that it had been Thursday's, so I could catch a repeat today."}, {"response": 1538, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb 16, 2001 (09:17)", "body": "Harvey is like HF, he has an answer for everything and you know there is more to the story. a single Soderbergh vote. The helmer shouldn't be shortchanged simply because he was talented enough to direct two films that are Oscar-worthy in the same year. Correction only Traffic is Oscar worthy."}, {"response": 1539, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 16, 2001 (10:52)", "body": "The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences should allow the votes in the director category for \"Traffic\" and for \"Erin Brockovich\" to be lumped together and counted as a single Soderbergh vote. Nope. A rule's, a rule. \"It's never been done it before\"...isn't that the mantra?? evelyn*who remembers....;-)"}, {"response": 1540, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Feb 16, 2001 (12:16)", "body": "(Harvey Liarlips) \"I'll give you the secret once and for all,\" he said. \"You just have to get people to see the movie. Sure, sure. *rolling my eyes*"}, {"response": 1541, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 18, 2001 (11:55)", "body": "Article on Juliette Binoche in the NY Times today, beginning and ending with her relationship with Harvey: TWO years ago, Juliette Binoche came to New York with the script for \"Chocolat\" in hand, and the starring role for herself in mind. She sat down with Harvey Weinstein, the larger-than-life power behind Miramax Films, whom she already knew was planning to produce the film, and told him how much she loved the part. \"I was kind of astonished by his reaction,\" Ms. Binoche recalled recently. \"He said, `Well, Juliette, if you really want to do it, then you have to ask for it.' So I said, `Harvey, may I do this film?' And it's funny, but it was a very good experience for me, because making a demand is very clarifying. I think in life you have to ask for things to happen. They don't just pop out of a box.\" [then at the end] Soon she'll be off to promote \"Chocolat\" in Europe for Mr. Weinstein, who has produced most of the films she has made in English and who is the main reason she keeps working in America. \"If it wasn't for Harvey,\" she says, \"I wouldn't be here.\" (Her next Miramax project is Walter Salles's \"Assumption,\" based on an Anthony Minghella script about the 15th-century Florentine painter Fra Filippo Lippi, a friar who had a love affair with a nun.) After her final performance in \"Betrayal,\" on Feb. 4, Ms. Binoche called Mr. Weinstein to talk about a French film project she is developing. \"We talked for two hours,\" Mr. Weinstein recalls, \"and then finally I said, `O.K., Juliette, this time I have to ask, Can we do this film together?' And she said, `Yes.' So I told her, `See, we've come full circle.' \" While they don't always see eye to eye, Ms. Binoche says, she and Mr. Weinstein have found a way to work together. \"I don't know if he understands me, but he lets me be me,\" she says with an endearing bark of laughter. \"Anyway, he has no choice.\" http://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/18/oscars/18CONA.html?pagewanted=all"}, {"response": 1542, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Feb 18, 2001 (12:28)", "body": "Just looked at the cast for Anna Karenina on PBS Masterpiece Theater tonight - Wow! Helen McCrory , Kevin McKidd, Stephen Dillane, Jackson Leach, Sara Kestelman, Mark Strong, Amanda Root, Douglas Henshall, Paloma Baeza, Gillian Barge, Anna Farnworth, Malcolm Sinclair, Rachel Power, Paul Rhys."}, {"response": 1543, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Feb 18, 2001 (13:48)", "body": "Murph, honest to God, I don't know who half of those people are! Thanks to my local PBS station which seems to schedule stuff whenever they feel like it, I'll have to wait a bit as it's not showing tonight. But will eventually, I'm sure. I've only read two reviews--one from the Wall Street Journal, which was awful, and one from the LA Times, which was pretty good--but interestingly, both criticized the posh British accents used to represent Russians. Maybe there's a bit of a sea change going on re: critics noting lack of realism in accents. I bring it up only because it's something we've discussed here. Will be interested to hear what you all think of the show. Thanks for the Wit review, Karen. I saw the original play off-Broadway with Kathleen Chalfant--what a powerful show and performance. Was a bit perturbed when they didn't cast her in this, but now I see they're looking for theatrical distribution abroad, so it makes sense I guess to cast a bigger name, and Emma is a good choice. I can really picture her in this. Yo, Emma, line forms here for Gwendolen auditions.;-) ;-) Two years ago, Juliette Binoche came to New York with the script for \"Chocolat\" in hand, and the starring role for herself in mind. She sat down with Harvey Weinstein, the larger-than-life power behind Miramax Films, whom she already knew was planning to produce the film, and told him how much she loved the part. Attagirl. Shy and retiring gets you nowhere in that business."}, {"response": 1544, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 18, 2001 (13:49)", "body": "The Stephen Dillane topic #132 has the URL of Donna's comprehensive Anna Karenina pages....pics, articles, trailers. Check it out."}, {"response": 1545, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 18, 2001 (13:53)", "body": "From the a story on the Money & Business page of the NY Times: My favorite lines from the Binoche article are: I think in life you have to ask for things to happen. They don't just pop out of a box.\" From her mouth to... Maybe I should post this on 143. ;-D"}, {"response": 1546, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 18, 2001 (14:41)", "body": "Thanks Karen...only six weeks til I get to see that four- stories -high advert in living color...mit lights! Previews started last night. A sell-out , we hear."}, {"response": 1547, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Feb 18, 2001 (14:58)", "body": "Very impressive, thanks Karen."}, {"response": 1548, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Feb 18, 2001 (15:18)", "body": "Thanks, Karen! I think in life you have to ask for things to happen. Ask and you will receive, seek and you shall find. God said it first. Is there a Catholic church in Islington? ;-)"}, {"response": 1549, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Feb 18, 2001 (16:16)", "body": "Very interesting article in today's NT Times by Neal Gabler on the similarities between Traffic and Gladiator. I have it here, if you want to read it: http://www.murphsplace.com/crowe/gabler.html"}, {"response": 1550, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 18, 2001 (17:23)", "body": "(Juliette Binoche) \" I think in life you have to ask for things to happen.\" (Moon)Ask and you will receive, seek and you shall find. God said it first.. Also...\"God helps those who help themselves\"... You know..\"The harder you work, the luckier you get;-) LOL. Aren't we subtle?...!"}, {"response": 1551, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 18, 2001 (17:57)", "body": "Just FYI, the NY Times article was about corporate names on anything and everything, i.e., the \"American Airlines\" Roundabout Theater...but I know you'll take'em anyway you can get'em. ;-D (Juliette Binoche) \" I think in life you have to ask for things to happen.\" (Moon)Ask and you will receive, seek and you shall find. God said it first.. (Evelyn) \"God helps those who help themselves\"... To which ODB might respond: \"Too many cooks spoil the broth\" or \"a watched pot never boils.\" ;-D For proper effect, I think Juliette's wise words need to be discussed on 143."}, {"response": 1552, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Feb 18, 2001 (18:39)", "body": "(Juliette Binoche) \" I think in life you have to ask for things to happen.\" (Moon)Ask and you will receive, seek and you shall find. God said it first.. (Evelyn) \"God helps those who help themselves\"... And let's not forget \"The laborer is worthy of his hire.\":-) Now, now, let's be fair. For all we know, CF may also have had lunch with Harve, copy of TIOBE in hand, and said, \"you don't know Jack.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 1553, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 18, 2001 (22:09)", "body": "(Mari) and said, \"you don't know Jack.\" ;-) LOL! Now what were those things called...Tom Swifties or something? Minor editing in order: he said earnestly, \"you don't know Jack.\" ;-D"}, {"response": 1554, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, Feb 19, 2001 (07:17)", "body": "(Mary) Just looked at the cast for Anna Karenina on PBS Masterpiece Theater tonight Watched last night. Unbelieveably, PBS cut about 8 scenes :-("}, {"response": 1555, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 19, 2001 (09:04)", "body": "I liked Ann Karenina . Never read the book, so I don't know which scenes were cut. The nudies? Too much for the chaste Masterpiece Theatre viewers? SD was the standout; what a voice. Doug Henshall v. g.(JE's boyfriend in This Year's Love). But what's with his Scottish accent? Thought he was Russian ;-) Weak links: Kevin Mc Kidd .I kept thinking of him as Jennifer's boyfriend in Bedrooms & Hallways.(Moon's fave: the guy who couldn't decide if he was gay or straight;-) Also Mark Strong.Always plays the same character IMO regardless of the role. Anybody pick up on Nickolai (Paul Rhys) he was Robert Lawrence's friend in Tumbledown).Hope you guys get to see him...don't know if he'll be around next week;-)"}, {"response": 1556, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, Feb 19, 2001 (09:58)", "body": "(Evelyn) I don't know which scenes were cut. The nudies? LOL, just a few nudie shots. And of course Vronsky's and Anna's first rendezvous was cut short. But there were entire scenes (fully clothed) that were cut, I presume to shorten the story to fit into a 2-hour timeslot and to accomodate Masterpiece's previews and introduction. It sort of reminds me of the difference between The Advocate and HOT Pig. Those cut scenes sort of makes the story flow better. I thought The Advocate was good, but when I saw HOT Pig, I thought it was even better. The entire beginning of the movie was cut, which originally showed Levin gathering up his courage to travel to Moscow so that he could propose to Kitty. Then there is a lovely scene of his carriage riding through the snow with the credits rolling. This PBS version started abrubtly with Anna getting on the train. No visual or stylistic beginning to set the mood. There were short scenes cut of Vronsky returning to his apartment after meeting Anna. It showed his \"old\" life of debauchery, which he is about to give up now that he is in love (I think there was a second scene cut prior to the horse race). There's a whole story line that was cut (I think in 3 places throughout the film, including the opening scene) where the UK version centered on Levin's sexual frustrations. One scene he is with a prostitute, and natch, that was cut. There's a scene that may or may not be cut, in which Levin has Kitty read his diary. If they show that in part 2, then that scene by itself will not be fully appreciated by the audience. I thought Henshall was wonderful in the role, LOL, despite his Scottish brogue! I was floored when I originally found out he was the same guy in Angels and Insects. I thought he was very appealing as Levin, and very repugnant in A&E. I think there might have been a scene added, the one where SD goes to his attorney and shows Anna's letters, in preparation for divorcing her. I'm not sure, I'll have to check, but I don't recall that scene in the UK version. One of my favorite moments was when Karenin meets Anna at the train. Vronsky wants to call on them and Karenin says in a most irritated voice, \"We're home on Mondays.\" :-)"}, {"response": 1557, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 20, 2001 (07:46)", "body": "I saw part one last night. I have to say that SD also has a problem with his shirt's collars! He is wonderful to watch though. Wonderful actor. I am disappointed in the casting of Count V and Anna. I do not find them very attractive. He's not handsome at all and she is not beautiful. My favourite is Levin. Why do I find him so very handsome?"}, {"response": 1558, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 20, 2001 (08:10)", "body": "(Moon) My favourite is Levin. Why do I find him so very handsome? 'Cause he's cute. I liked him in Orphans."}, {"response": 1559, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 20, 2001 (09:04)", "body": "Yes. He's a very bear-like man and yet sweet, manly and sexy. DH watched a bit with me but left soon. \"She's the Russian Mme Bovary.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 1560, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 20, 2001 (22:10)", "body": "I'm going to bookmark this one...next time there's criticism of US awards. *hee hee* Vinnie crowned Best Actor Soccer hardman Vinnie Jones was all smiles after picking up an award for his performance in the hit movie Snatch at the Empire Film Awards. The former Wimbledon FC player beat off competition from Sir Michael Caine, Jude Law and Robert Carlyle to scoop the award, voted for by Empire readers."}, {"response": 1561, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Feb 21, 2001 (05:16)", "body": "E - I think you said a while back that you didn't know what Ed Harris looked like. Pic below. He's in Pollack, in the new Jude Law flick, and in The Hours:"}, {"response": 1562, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Feb 21, 2001 (07:26)", "body": "This is surprising, given the gazillion stories that have already run on Corelli, correction: on Penelope Cruz. 'Mandolin' to play later date By Brian Fuson LOS ANGELES (The Hollywood Reporter) --- Universal has pushed back the release date of the Nicolas Cage starrer \"Captain Corelli's Mandolin\" from April 27 to sometime in August. The studio said the move owes to a combination of factors, primarily that postproduction could not meet the original release date. \"We wanted to give the filmmakers as much time as they needed to complete it and deliver the best cut of the film -- that's our first and foremost priority,\" Universal Pictures Distribution president Nikki Rocco said. Rocco said marketing also was a consideration, given the theme and subject matter of \"Mandolin,\" the screenplay of which is based on a romantic novel by Louis de Bernieres. \"Our experience indicates that adult films that are more serious and literate take more time to build awareness,\" Rocco said. \"We wanted to give our marketing team ample time to screen it for the press and opinion-makers.\" The romantic drama, which also stars Penelope Cruz, is an epic love story set on a Greek island occupied by the Italian Army during World War II. John Madden -- who directed 1999's best picture Oscar winner, \"Shakespeare in Love\" -- helmed \"Mandolin.\" In its April slot, \"Mandolin\" would have opened opposite Warner Bros.' \"Driven,\" an actioner set in the world of race-car driving that stars Sylvester Stallone; \"Forsaken,\" a horror in wide release from Sony; and two films from Miramax -- \"Wakin' Up in Reno,\" a romantic comedy starring Billy Bob Thornton and Charlize Theron, and \"O\" (Othello)."}, {"response": 1563, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Feb 21, 2001 (07:58)", "body": "Evelyn, you might recall Ed Harris from The Truman Show (he was Christof, the beret-wearing mastermind behind the show) and Apollo 13, in which he played Gene Kranz, the NASA Mission Control Director (\"failure is not an option!\"). I think he was Oscar nommed for both roles, but not sure if he won. BTW, I met the real Gene Kranz last year. Fascinating guy. The part in the film about the vests that his wife would make him on launch day was true. He told me that each vest would reflect how pleased or unpleased he was with the staff's performance during training. A very decorated vest (sequins, the whole bit) would reflect approval; a plain vanilla vest--not so hot! Just a little trivia there for you.;-) Ed is also signed to do Buffalo Soldiers with Joaquin Phoenix, and will co-star with Russell Crowe in A Beautiful Mind, which films here in Princeton starting late March. Maybe Murph can fill us in on what role he plays. Can you tell I think he's terrific?:-)"}, {"response": 1564, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 21, 2001 (09:05)", "body": "In its April slot, \"Mandolin\" would have opened opposite Warner Bros.' \"Driven,\" an actioner set in the world of race-car driving that stars Sylvester Stallone; \"Forsaken,\" a horror in wide release from Sony; and two films from Miramax -- \"Wakin' Up in Reno,\" a romantic comedy starring Billy Bob Thornton and Charlize Theron, and \"O\" (Othello). Yeah, I can see how Mandolin's target audience would have a hard time choosing amongst this group...and how the press and opinion-makers could be divided with all the other good ones out there at the same time. ;-D (Mari) I think he was Oscar nommed for both roles, but not sure if he won. He was nominated for both, but only won a GG for the Truman Show. I do think he is a real dark horse to take Best Actor this year. While his performance is your typical nutso artist, the Academy members will want to reward him for having made the movie too. BTW, Marcia Gay Harden's role is NOT supporting. She's on screen about the same amount of time that he is."}, {"response": 1565, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 21, 2001 (09:29)", "body": "I saw the item yesterday in THR, but it didn't make the cut (a romantic comedy) for something I'd propose for CF (although Englishman in Chicago scored high marks!!). But liked what the Guardian wrote on the same subject today: Last year's Oscar winner for Best Actress Hilary Swank has signed on to play the title role in The Chambermaid, to be directed by Brat Pack guru John Hughes in his first stint behind the camera since 1991's Curly Sue. The film sounds pure popcorny Hughes fare, with Swank playing a wrong-side-of-the-tracks Chicago domestic who falls bonnet over heels for an English aristocrat. What's the betting they're currently trying to secure Hugh Grant to play the aristo?"}, {"response": 1566, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 21, 2001 (10:41)", "body": "Thanks for Ed Harris'pic. I have seen him...and can't wait for Pollock. Looks like they want to make sure Corelli makes the top of the weekend BO charts.I'm glad. Summer is a dullo month for good films. What will BJD be up against? That's Easter weekend."}, {"response": 1567, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Feb 21, 2001 (10:55)", "body": "I can see how Mandolin's target audience would have a hard time choosing amongst this group LOL! It sounded like a crock to me, too--unless it's really just not ready. Will be interesting to see if they postpone the UK's May date as well. (although Englishman in Chicago scored high marks!!) Yes, let's not be too quick to toss this one aside.;-) Didn't John Hughes write and direct Ferris Bueller? So he has it in him. And CF has said he's very fond of the Windy City. But I don't think the Tube stops there.;-)"}, {"response": 1568, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 21, 2001 (11:13)", "body": "(Mari) Will be interesting to see if they postpone the UK's May date as well. I think it may have been...Popcorn that mentioned the move possibly being related to future Oscar consideration, i.e., fresher in everyone's mind. That makes more sense to me, but then why float the postproduction difficulties??? Makes it sound like the film is flawed. Anyway, Popcorn also said the film would be delayed in the UK too, probably September."}, {"response": 1569, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb 21, 2001 (13:38)", "body": "And CF has said he's very fond of the Windy City. But I don't think the Tube stops there.;-) You mean... he has travelled? ;-) I missed this remark."}, {"response": 1570, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 21, 2001 (17:29)", "body": "(Moon) I missed this remark. Where are our citationists? It would've come from an interview where he talked about ATA and how he and another castmember (probably Kevin Anderson) went into Chicago for the blues clubs and theater."}, {"response": 1571, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Feb 21, 2001 (17:47)", "body": "There's a club or a bar somewhere in the area where some members of the ATA cast signed their names on the wall. I wonder if the wall has survived. I believe that some lurkers here might know the name of that place."}, {"response": 1572, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Feb 21, 2001 (19:27)", "body": "Yes, haunting the blues clubs, that was one of the articles I was referring to, Karen. In another, he talked about visiting a Chicago theater company backstage and discovering one of the actors was an Arsenal fan. Echo, you get partial credit.;-) It was at a bowling alley in Rochelle where they signed their names on the wall, at the cast wrap party. I don't know the name of the place--something like Bowl-a-rama, no doubt.;-) I saw a pic of *the* signature at one time . . ."}, {"response": 1573, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 21, 2001 (23:37)", "body": "Stars set to turn out for Baftas Oscar nominees Tom Hanks, Juliette Binoche and Kate Hudson are among the stars who will be at the British Academy Film awards this weekend. Russell Crowe, in London for the premiere of his film Proof of Life, will also be at the event on Sunday, as will his Gladiator co-star Joaquin Phoenix. Stars due to present awards at the event in the Odeon Leicester Square include Hudson's mother Goldie Hawn, Dame Maggie Smith and Hugh Grant. Hanks, Binoche and Hudson are all in the running for prizes at the awards ceremony."}, {"response": 1574, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 22, 2001 (10:18)", "body": "From Screendaily: Mandolin to play first in UK Universal has moved Captain Corelli's Mandolin from its April release date in the US back to August. The romantic drama, starring Nicolas Cage, was scheduled to open on April 27 in North America, before commencing its international roll-out in the UK on May 4. According to Universal's London office and UK distributor Buena Vista International, there are no plans to alter the UK release date. If the UK release does remain unchanged, the film will premiere in the territory three months prior to the US. As well as placing the film in the more Academy award-friendly second half of the year, the US move would also allow Corelli to screen at Cannes in May - a non-home-territory release would preclude its eligilibity. However, Universal insists that the film is definitely not now being pushed towards Cannes and that the move of the US release date will make it less likely to be shown at the festival. Sources at Universal believe the film will benefit from good reviews and strong word of mouth. This will be of particular benefit to the US marketing campaign, where the book is not as well known as in the UK and the audience is, therefore, not as eagerly primed for the bestseller adaptation. Arguably, a strong UK reception for Corelli will boost takings in the US as well as other territories. Captain Corelli's Mandolin is produced by the UK's Working Title, responsible for films including Billy Elliot and the upcoming Bridget Jones' Diary . Based on the novel by British author Louis de Bernieres and directed by Shakespeare In Love's John Madden, the film features an international cast including Penelope Cruz, Christian Bale and John Hurt.An epic love story set on the Greek island of Cephalonia, the story takes place in the early days of the second world war, revolving around the affair between a woman (Cruz) and an Italian army captain (Cage). Hurt plays Cruz's doctor father and Bale a young fisherman to whom she is engaged."}, {"response": 1575, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 22, 2001 (11:18)", "body": "Playbill.com reports that Olivier -winner Simon Russell Beale is bringing HAMLET to the US this spring. Boston, Minneapolis, Tucson and Phoenix.. \"Prior to that run,[National Theatre , London] the production ran a week at the Hamlet Summer Festival in Elsinore, Denmark, on Aug. 14. There, it was performed in the open-air courtyard of Kronborg Castle, the very place where Shakespeare chose to set the play. By performing Hamlet at Elsinore, Beale followed in the footsteps of John Gielgud and Laurence Olivier (who played the role there in 1937).\" RF is getting the William Shakespeare award next Friday at the Library of Congress in Wash. DC Wanna bet SRB gets it next year?"}, {"response": 1576, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb 22, 2001 (11:47)", "body": "Just as we thought, the Corelli postponement is an Oscar ploy. Remember the article stating that Harve tried to push the producers into rushing it out for the current Oscar season? Speaking of which, this is from Ted C's E! Online column: Accolades just ain't what they used to be. Perhaps that classy Briddish pro Judi Dench isn't as upper-crust as we all might like to think. I hear from those she has been complaining to that J.D. is none too pleased with Chocolat, the Miramax flick that just got the talented thespian another Academy Award nom. \"She hates the movie, as well as her performance in it,\" said a chum of the 66-year-old actress, who won an Oscar for her quirky queeny stint in Shakespeare in Love. \"She thinks it's absurd that she was nominated for Chocolat.\" No transatlantic return call from J.D.'s London rep so far. Oh, come on, Dame. J., you expect sense from an organization that awards you its highest honor for an eight-minute performance? Should you win, at least we know the tears will be real."}, {"response": 1577, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Feb 22, 2001 (12:00)", "body": "I'm not sure it would have been \"upper-crust\" to praise one's own performance, or to welcome its nomination for an award. Quite the opposite. She's a classy bird, JD."}, {"response": 1578, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb 22, 2001 (12:10)", "body": "I completely agree, Ben, she is classy. When you see Chocolat, however, you'll find it easy to believe how she might feel that the film--and therefore the performances by association--are not up to par. Sensing what a forthright person she is, I'm surmising that she may feel a bit embarrassed over Miramax's shameless award-mongering. When I first read the above story, I thought, there's the real winner--an honest woman!:-)"}, {"response": 1579, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 22, 2001 (15:29)", "body": "\"She hates the movie, as well as her performance in it,\" said a chum of the 66-year-old actress, who won an Oscar for her quirky queeny stint in Shakespeare in Love. \"She thinks it's absurd that she was nominated for Chocolat.\" (Ben)I'm not sure it would have been \"upper-crust\" to praise one's own performance, or to welcome its nomination for an award IMO it would have been \"upper crust\" if she had said nothing . A courteous smile would have been enough."}, {"response": 1580, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb 22, 2001 (16:08)", "body": "But the movie is such a clich\ufffde, Evelyn. I am happy to see that she sees is for what it really is. When one is used to working \"quality\" it only becomes too obvious when it is not. And as for Corelli's M. The previews were awful, such overacting. The scenery will not carry this one, I'm afraid."}, {"response": 1581, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Feb 22, 2001 (18:32)", "body": "Mari says: Ed is also signed to do Buffalo Soldiers with Joaquin Phoenix, and will co-star with Russell Crowe in A Beautiful Mind, which films here in Princeton starting late March. Maybe Murph can fill us in on what role he plays. ************* Harris will be playing a fictional character - a think tank government official who hires John Nash (Russell) to work at the Rand Institute at MIT to break Russian codes. In reality Nash did work for a summer or two at the institute, but he never broke any codes, and was dismissed after a homosexual incident in a men's room in San Diego. Harris and Jennifer Connolly will be reunited (they were both in Pollack) in a Beautiful Mind. She will play Nash's wife. I wish I had the energy and the courage to go to Princeton in March to watch some filming, but the place will be loaded with sighing women walking hired dogs, washing windows, or just plain loitering at corners. I don't have a great desire to be one of them. They had an extra casting call last week, and some fans went. They are looking for university types."}, {"response": 1582, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Feb 22, 2001 (20:21)", "body": "(Moon) But the movie is such a clich\ufffde, Evelyn. I am happy to see that she sees is for what it really is I, unfortunately, sat through 'Chocolat' last Friday in an attempt to catch up on all the Oscar nominated buzz. As a friend put it, this was \"2 1/2 hour version of a Taster's Choice International House Coffee commercial.\" (The reference may be a bit too obscure). But in any event--too cliche... too romanticized and just plain horrible."}, {"response": 1583, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 22, 2001 (22:54)", "body": "\"She thinks it's absurd that she was nominated for Chocolat.\" Probably thinks it will ruin her chances for being nominated next year for Lady Bracknell. ;-D"}, {"response": 1584, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 23, 2001 (08:36)", "body": "New project announced for RF. Is light-years from TIOBE *banging head against wall* http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/40.81"}, {"response": 1585, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 23, 2001 (09:49)", "body": "I liked Chocolat...but that's why they make Scotch and Bourbon;-)"}, {"response": 1586, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Feb 23, 2001 (12:19)", "body": "Okay, can I just tell you how excited I am.... I mean this is just the biggest thing for me...... I WILL MEET AS BYATT TONIGHT!!!!!!! She is at the Arthur M. Sackler Musuem reading from her new book and something about Histories and such.... Should I ask any questions??? (Karen, I definitely want to know if and when she's writing the fourth Frederica Potter book!)"}, {"response": 1587, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb 23, 2001 (14:35)", "body": "She is in Miami on Monday and I plan on going! So do give lots of questions. I will just have to tape part two of Anna K."}, {"response": 1588, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Feb 23, 2001 (17:46)", "body": "Miller, Sondheim Dominate Olivier Awards By MATT WOLF (AP) Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Miller were big winners Friday at the Olivier Awards, dominating the honors with shows that have been around for decades. \"Merrily We Roll Along,\" a 20-year-old Sondheim musical only now receiving its professional London debut, won three top Oliviers, including best musical, while a revival of Arthur Miller's 1947 play, \"All My Sons,\" took four prizes in all. A third multiple winner was the Broadway-bound comedy, \"Stones in His Pockets.\" With two actors playing 15 characters, the show won best comedy for Northern Irish playwright Marie Jones and a surprise best actor prize for Conleth Hill, who beat favorites Michael Gambon (\"The Caretaker\") and Simon Russell Beale (\"Hamlet\"). Hill's win was one of numerous surprises at the 25th annual Olivier Awards for achievement in theater, opera, and dance during 2000. The awards, named after the late Laurence Olivier, are the English equivalent of the American Tonys. Hill accepted the prize from Toronto, where \"Stones\" was finishing a successful pre-Broadway tryout. The play opens April 1 at Broadway's Golden Theater. The trophy was presented on camera by co-star and fellow nominee Sean Campion. \"Merrily\" has a limited run in a studio-sized theater. It beat out two sizable commercial shows _ Andrew Lloyd Webber's \"The Beautiful Game\" and the latest Cameron Mackintosh venture, \"The Witches of Eastwick\" _ both of which went home empty-handed. \"Merrily\" took the top prize as well as best musical actor and actress for Daniel Evans and Samantha Spiro, two of the show's three leads. Best actress in a play went to Julie Walters, the anguished matriarch from last summer's Royal National Theater revival of \"All My Sons,\" who won over Jessica Lange in Eugene O'Neill's \"Long Day's Journey Into Night.\" The Miller revival won three additional awards for best director (Howard Davies), best set design (William Dudley) and best supporting actor (Ben Daniels). The BBC Award for best new play went, as expected, to Joe Penhall's \"Blue/Orange,\" which transfers in April to the West End. Best musical production _ an award distinct from best new musical _ went to a stage version of the film classic, \"Singin' in the Rain,\" which had two separate engagements at the Royal National Theater. The state-funded National was the day's big winner, taking nine of the 22 awards for which the theater complex was nominated. Other winners included Ann Reinking and the late Bob Fosse for choreography in the musical \"Fosse,\" and Miles Western for best supporting performance in a musical for his performance, in drag, in the London version of the off-Broadway show \"Pageant.\""}, {"response": 1589, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 23, 2001 (18:12)", "body": "(Moon) She is in Miami on Monday and I plan on going! Remember, 'the hair, Louisa, the hair!' ;-D \"Merrily\" has a limited run in a studio-sized theater. The Donmar, which shall remain nameless."}, {"response": 1590, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Feb 24, 2001 (06:35)", "body": "Actually, her hair was fine (she reminds me of Judi Dench...) She was funny in her reading. Karen, I asked her about her earlier works particularly \"the Game\" asking her if there were any resemblence to her and her sister. She said that now she could and would finally answer the question. She does not and she stressed write about people she knows because it becomes too sticky of a situation. However, it's was a composite of several people she knew one of whom had just died her name was Penelope (can't remember the last name) and everytime this woman was published, she'd attempt suicide. She also stressed that when she wrote \"The Game\" her sister had yet to write one word and be published. The second part of my question.... When will the fourth Potter (not to confuse with Harry Potter) book be written.... She already has about 292 pages written and is tentatively titled \"The Whistling Woman\". I did managed to tell her that I adored her writing, that I had read everything she has written, and she found it odd, that being so young, I would be into her writing. (The audience was of an older sort...) She is definitely more into Fairytales now, and getting away from the emotional, psychological writings of her younger days. On item of note, John Updike writes a great article on AS. Byatt in this week's/month's \"New Yorker\". Definitely a must read...."}, {"response": 1591, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 24, 2001 (08:40)", "body": "She also stressed that when she wrote \"The Game\" her sister had yet to write one word and be published. When did she publish Sugar and Other Stories? Margaret's first, A Summer Bird-Cage, was published in 1962, while Shadow of a Sun was in 1964. The 'hair' reference was to Christabel's red hair in the movie. Thanks for all the info, Laura. v. interesting"}, {"response": 1592, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 24, 2001 (10:25)", "body": "Thanks Laura. Glad you finally got to meet AS Byatt. Moon pl. ask her about \"Possession\".Is the Cristabel/Randolph story in the film the same length as in the book. Or is it cameo-style. Re: The Oliviers \" surprise best actor prize for Conleth Hill, who beat favorites Michael Gambon (\"The Caretaker\") and Simon Russell Beale (\"Hamlet\"). \" Yeay!!SRB thought he had it in the bag!At least ODB doesn't have to compete with an Olivier winner for his Hamlet. Big year for Julie Walters. Olivier and a good shot at the Oscars for Billy Elliot.(Besides she beat Jessica Lange who also thought she was a sure winner)"}, {"response": 1593, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 24, 2001 (10:56)", "body": "(Evelyn) Big year for Julie Walters. Olivier and a good shot at the Oscars for Billy Elliot According to whom? Race is between Kate Hudson and Judi Dench (or Frances McDormand, especially if JD's comments about her own performance become widespread)."}, {"response": 1594, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Feb 24, 2001 (16:48)", "body": "Perhaps, and I'm just speculating here, she wrote \"The Game\" before her sister was published... But didn't have it published until a few years after it was written. Like I said, I'm speculating. Oh, sorry, I didn't get the hair reference;) (it was early when I read it!) One other item of note, she didn't mention \"Possession: A Love Story\" at all. Even though it is what catapulted her into stardom. And Evelyn, Big-mouth Lynn was with me, but kept mouth shut (I even tried to get her to ask question, but she refused!). The one question I really wanted to ask (of course AFTER it hit me!), is how does she feel being referred to as \"Post-modernist Queen of literature!\" She made some remarks about literary theory and the change it is going through especially with younger, brilliant authors on the horizon. She made reference to a British author that she particularly likes, but again, I can't remember the name! Lawrence somethingorother.... She made reference to University literary theory and mainstream critical theory.... Wanted to ask her about the Harry Potter books.... I jest.... :) drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 137, "subject": "Possession - the Movie", "response_count": 494, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (08:33)", "body": "From Topic 136 today: Response 305 of 309: aishling (aishling) * Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (05:13) * 1 lines Four days off-line and look what happens. Well done Karen on update of cast for Possession. Bought the book at the weekend and have not put it down. So many parts to cast. Last night's BBC News (East Midlands) reported that three days of filming had begun in Lincoln. Showed GP and AE (dark, longish hair) filming at Lincoln railway station. Today's shoot is in the University and Friday in a local pub for the 'pub brawl'."}, {"response": 2, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (08:35)", "body": "From the column in today's Hollywood Reporter: So will we see LaBute directing the next \"Die Hard\" sequel? \"You're safely able to write that you won't see that,\" he laughed. \"That's the beauty of what we do. Even though it continues to be the same kind of work, you get to clean the slate. Right now I'm (in England) soaking up Victorian literature and at some point I'll be able to clean that (slate) and start off on something else. You get to take a taste of many things in the course of a career.\" When we spoke, LaBute was calling from London where he was about to start production on the romantic drama \"Possession,\" starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Aaron Eckhart. \"It takes place in the late 1850s and the present day,\" he said. \"It's the story of two academics who uncover a Victorian love story that no one knew existed. We're shooting all over the London area and up in Yorkshire. It's a co-production between USA Films and Warner Bros.\" The film, produced by Paula Weinstein and Barry Levinson and executive produced by Stephen Pevner, is based on the novel \"Possession: A Romance\" by A.S. Byatt."}, {"response": 3, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (08:41)", "body": "(Aishling) AE (dark, longish hair) good, v.good. Did he look mole-like? ;-)"}, {"response": 4, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (08:52)", "body": "What worries me is why Neil LaBute after having worked with Colin did not see fit to offer him a role in P. Even the lawyer that ends up with Roland s girlfriend would do! Did he not think much of Colin? Aishling, keep us posted, thanks! So who will play Blanche and Leonora, any news?"}, {"response": 5, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (08:59)", "body": "When did Neil LaBute work with Colin? BTW, I'm thinking now that Trevor Eve will play Fergus Wolff (he is described as being older than Maud) and Toby Stephens will play Euan, the yuppie lawyer guy (with red Porsche) that Val goes to work for."}, {"response": 6, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (09:05)", "body": "(Karen) The film, produced by Paula Weinstein and Barry Levinson and executive produced by Stephen Pevner Is Paula related to Harvey?"}, {"response": 7, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (09:10)", "body": "Have no idea. Can't ever remember seeing that mentioned. (btw, there is an article in the Times today about Simon Russell Beale--Ev's all-time fav actor--and how some director think's he is the definitive Hamlet) ;-) And Moon, I like your suggestion about Camryn Mannheim being Leonora, but don't you think Leonora should be older?"}, {"response": 8, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (09:39)", "body": "The first of three articles from This Is Lincolnshire: Hollywood to Brayford (18 August 2000) As revealed on This Is Lincolnshire yesterday, Oscar-winning Hollywood star Gwyneth Paltrow will be in Lincoln this month to shoot scenes for her latest blockbuster movie. Here, Jacquie Pryce looks at the city location, the plot, and the star's career so far... Hollywood star Gwyneth Paltrow, who scooped the Academy Award for Best Actress last year for her role in Shakespeare in Love, will spend five days in Lincoln filming Possession, an adaptation of the 1990 romantic novel by A. S. Byatt. The city campus of the University of Lincolnshire and Humberside has been chosen as one of the key locations for shooting the modern-day scenes. University spokesman Jez Ashberry said staff were delighted that the campus would be used for filming. \"A lot of the book is set in the university of Lincoln - which didn't exist when Byatt wrote it!\" he said. \"But when the production company came to look for an location they found out that there was actually a University of Lincoln now. \"They came to look round last month and decided it was just the right kind of modern building, with views of the castle and the cathedral.\" Staff at the university heard that the campus was to be used as a location after a recent visit by production company London-based Possession Films. Location manager Sue Quinn said the company had been delighted to learn that it could fulfil its shooting requirements in the city. \"The modern university is actually mentioned in the book as Lincoln - so we are trying to keep as true to the book as possible,\" she said. \"Lincoln is the first location we are going to for the beginning of our shooting and we are looking forward to the visit.\" \"We are really pleased that we can film at the university and get shots of the cathedral because that will make it clear where we are.\" The 140-strong film crew will be on campus from Wednesday, August 23, until Monday, September 4. Filming is expected to take place from Tuesday, August 29, until Saturday, September 2. University press officer Sam Hendley said tonnes of production equipment would start arriving at the campus next week to make sure the university provides the perfect backdrop. \"Setting up the cameras and masses of other equipment, including Miss Paltrow's 55-foot trailer, will take six days,\" she said. \"Locations for filming the scenes which will feature Miss Paltrow include the third floor of our Learning Resource Centre, the atrium in the main academic building and the two lifts.\" Despite the news, university staff stress that Paltrow fans and autograph hunters are likely to be disappointed. The production company will probably use a closed set, giving no opportunities for a sighting of the Oscar-winning star. Mr Ashberry said the timing of the visit would disrupt the working of the university as little as possible. \"There are no students here at the moment so there should not be too much distraction, although obviously there are a lot staff still here preparing for the next semester,\" he said. \"Our security people will have to work very hard to make sure the filming is not disturbed. \"This is a very exciting time and it is great publicity for the university but we have to stress that people will not just be able to walk on to the set.\" This may not be the only location, however, for fans to catch a glimpse of the star. The White Hart Hotel, in Eastgate, has been approached by the production company for rooms. \"We were contacted by the Possession film company and they expressed an interest in accommodation,\" hotel manager Tim Hooton said. \"It would be fair to say that we have not been told any names of who will be staying here. But they asked for our most significant and quality bedrooms for a five-night stay in September. \"We do have a history of stars staying here.\" On Page 430 of the book, the main characters go to the bar in the White Hart on their first outing as a couple. The plot of Possession, set partly in the present and partly in Victorian England, tells the story of two modern-day academics who discover a secret romantic link connecting the poets they are studying. Rumours suggest that Paltrow has been offered $5 million to star in the film, in which she will play literary scholar Maud Bailey. She is said to be \"delighted\" at the role. A number of top Hollywood names are in negotiation for the other main roles in the film, but no official signings have yet been announced. In the director's chair will be Neil LaBute, who has previously directed the controversial films In The Company Of Men and Your Friends And Neighbors. He also directed the forthcoming release Nurse Betty, which recently caused a stir at Cannes. The film of Possession is expected to be released in America by Warner Brothers in the autumn of 2001."}, {"response": 9, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (11:05)", "body": "When did Neil LaBute work with Colin? In my dreams of course, just pulling a butterball. ;-) (Karen), And Moon, I like your suggestion about Camryn Mannheim being Leonora, but don't you think Leonora should be older? She looks old to me and she will certainly look old next to Gwynnie. Toby Stephens will play Euan, This works for me. Who will play Val? I always felt that Roland and Ash should have some physical similarities as well as Val and Blanche and Maud and Cristabel. I guess that is not going to happen. Simon Russell Beale--Ev's all-time fav actor-- I do not remember what he looks like. Refresh my memory, please."}, {"response": 10, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (11:15)", "body": "I still like Kathy Bates as Leonora. Tara Fitzgerald as Val. can picture her."}, {"response": 11, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (11:15)", "body": "I think (it just hit me) that Robson Green would've been a good Roland."}, {"response": 12, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (11:26)", "body": "(Moon) I always felt that Roland and Ash should have some physical similarities as well as Val and Blanche and Maud and Cristabel. For R&A and M&C, there will be the important similarity, although I've never bought off entirely on the third leg of the triangle (Blanche, Val, Ellen and Leonora)."}, {"response": 13, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (11:34)", "body": "Laura, I hope you were joking about RG!!!"}, {"response": 14, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (11:55)", "body": "That goes for me too Laura. (Karen), For R&A and M&C, there will be the important similarity, I am all ears and eyes. Please continue."}, {"response": 15, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (12:08)", "body": "(Karen)Simon Russell Beale--Ev's all-time fav actor-- (Moon)I do not remember what he looks like. Refresh my memory, please. Pl. don't bother.He's not handsome at all .... and he can't act.I don't care how many Oliviers he wins!!I saw him in Summerfolk last November...all he did was rant around the stage shouting \"Vanya, Vanya[JE]\". ~~~~~~~ Have just really started P. but can picture Toby Stephens and Tara F. as Euan and Val.Can't picture Trevor Eve.But which Hollywood star will play Mortimer Cropper? ~~~~~~~ Thanks Aishling for all the updates on filming. Isn't this in your neck of the woods???"}, {"response": 16, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (12:35)", "body": "PLEASE, no *In Defense* of Robson Green here. We all know he can't act and there isn't one iota of physical similarity between him and the character of Roland. I saw on another board that someone had initially thought of Ben Chaplin for the role. That would've worked for me. Re: other characters' physical similarities When more people have finished book. I hate to ruin anything as it relates to the plot. Please note this, Laura."}, {"response": 17, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (12:46)", "body": "(Ann) I hope you were joking about RG!!! Ann, you don't have to worry on 2 counts. First, the character of Roland would never appear with Christabel (JE) because he's present day and she's Victorian. Second, this is a major film production and RG is a British Television actor and I use that term loosely. ;-D"}, {"response": 18, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (13:36)", "body": "(Evelyn) Can't picture Trevor Eve Try this: Through my searching, have found out that he played Andrew, the ex-husband in the Taster's Choice commercials (and is married to Sharon Maughan IRL) and this is his second Byatt production. Was also lead in the Politician's Wife."}, {"response": 19, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (13:46)", "body": "I knew that TE was in Taster's Choice commercials. Oh, I'll take note. RG was joke. TF would be good."}, {"response": 20, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (13:47)", "body": "(Karen) and is married to Sharon Maughan IRL (Trevor Eve) Hmmm, didn't know that. I saw him at the Donmar sitting with Jane Leeves from Frasier. He looked good in a fisherman's knit sweater. *sigh* That might have been the night of the cast party, because HBC was there, as was Ciaran Hinds."}, {"response": 21, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (14:22)", "body": "Karen, I have ordered \"P\" from the library (very small library here) but I was wondering if you would just give me a clue as to how big a role Christabel is, without giving anything away). I realise Maud and Roland are the main stars but how much of the book does Christabel and Ash appear in.(sorry about the grammar but you know what I mean) I am very intrigued with the romance between Ash & Christabel, do they appear for half of the book for instance?"}, {"response": 22, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (15:49)", "body": "(Karen)Re: Trevor Eve....he played Andrew, the ex-husband in the Taster's Choice commercials (and is married to Sharon Maughan IRL) I lead a shltered life....don't know who Sharon Maughan is...and didn't realize people actually knew the actors in commercials. TE is v. handsome;Wolf Fergus, you say, uh? [Though Tom Conti and Jennifer did a series for Vauxhall cars...] Thanks for the sleuthing, Karen. You know, I like to think they contacted Colin for Ash, but he already had made a commitment to SB for \"Armadillo\"...and being the loyal friend that he is, he couldn't back out... upcomingfilms.com says Anne Massey is also in the cast. Wonder what house they will use for Seal Court...and if they'll film in Richmond, Surrey for Christabel's home. Can feel an expedition on \"Possession\" locations is in my future:-)"}, {"response": 23, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (15:58)", "body": "(Ann) I am very intrigued with the romance between Ash & Christabel, do they appear for half of the book for instance? It's hard to gauge. Ash and Christabel and NOT small parts. The book goes back and forth between present day and the past, but it's not equal (50-50). Also, the past sections will only have short bits with C&A; they are actually apart for most. You will like that there's an important part with Jennifer alone that would be set in Brittany."}, {"response": 24, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (21:05)", "body": "(Moon) Simon Russell Beale--Ev's all-time fav actor-- I do not remember what he looks like. Refresh my memory, please. You asked for it... Here is Simon as Hamlet. By the way, I posted this a while back on 132, but you were out and about at the time... Here is David Leveaux."}, {"response": 25, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (22:29)", "body": "Wow!! The resemblance to the prince of Denmark is amazing. Did he go to continuing adult ed at night?"}, {"response": 26, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (22:37)", "body": "Tee hee, can you imagine sitting through 3 hours of him?"}, {"response": 27, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (22:48)", "body": "Am sure he is finest living actor, at least that's what I keep reading in the newspapers. Has he done any Accuvue commercials?"}, {"response": 28, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (23:08)", "body": "(Karen) Has he done any Accuvue commercials? He's being considered for Beano."}, {"response": 29, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 30, 2000 (23:28)", "body": "Didn't he play Napoleon in Blackadder B&F? Am counting the words to see who had more, CF or SRB. Definitely more pics of CF in book than SRB."}, {"response": 30, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (07:44)", "body": "Donna! Thank you so much for DL. I have put this pix in memory. Now where I can meet him? ;-))"}, {"response": 31, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (08:31)", "body": "From The Hollywood Reporter today: Northam, Ehle in 'Possession' of LaBute film (Thurs., Aug. 31, 2000) By Cathy Dunkley Jeremy Northam and Jennifer Ehle have joined Gwyneth Paltrow and Aaron Eckhart in USA Films/Warner Bros.' co-production \"Possession\" for director Neil LaBute. The project is slated to begin shooting this week in London. \"Possession\" is an adaptation of A.S. Byatt's 1990 novel of the same name about a pair of literary sleuths who unearth the amorous secret of two Victorian poets only to find themselves falling under a passionate spell. USA Films is slated to release \"Possession\" domestically, with Warner Bros.Pictures handling international rights. LaBute revised Laura Jones' screen adaptation of \"Possession,\" which has Paltrow as an English academic researching the life of poet Christabel LaMotte (Ehle). Eckhart plays an upstart American scholar in London on a fellowship to study Randolph Henry Ash (Northam). Toby Stephens also joins a cast rounded out by Anna Massey, Graham Cowden, Trevor Eve, Tom Hollander and Tom Hickey. Paula Weinstein and Barry Levinson are producing with David Barron executive producing. Northam's most recent credits include \"The Golden Bowl,\" \"Happy, Texas,\" \"An Ideal Husband\" and \"The Winslow Boy.\" Repped by ICM, Northam will next be seen with Dougray Scott and Kate Winslet in Intermedia's \"Enigma.\" Ehle, who recently won a Tony Award for her performance in \"The Real Thing,\" stars on screen in Istvan Szabo's \"Sunshine\" for Paramount Classics. The actress, repped by WMA and London agent Sally Long Innes, also starred in the 1995 miniseries \"Pride and Prejudice\" and last year's indie feature \"This Year's Love.\" Stephens, repped by ICM, most recently was featured in \"Space Cowboys,\" \"Onegin\" and \"Cousin Bette.\" *************** All sorts of NEW information: -Roland is now an American -Others in supporting cast: Graham Cowden, Tom Hollander and Tom Hickey"}, {"response": 32, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (08:56)", "body": "If Roland is an Am. there will not be such a contrast between him and Mortimer C. This is a bad move, IMO. Roland had to be British. There are supposed to be only two Americans, this stinks of Hollywood. Nice to see JNs next project already lined up. ;-)"}, {"response": 33, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (09:12)", "body": "(Moon) Nice to see JNs next project already lined up. ;-) You mean Enigma? That's in the can already. there will not be such a contrast between him and Mortimer C Sure there will. They are very different character types. As Aishling reported, AE looked kind of grungy. MC is a fastidious pseudo-Anglophile."}, {"response": 34, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (09:50)", "body": ".... The actress, repped by WMA and London agent Sally Long Innes, WMA must be her US agent...[since when?].London agent is ICM.WMA must be Wm Morris Agency.Hmmmm..... Tom Hollander again? The guy is in everything...Who will he be...James Blackadder?[I always enjoy this \"useless\"casting that we do...It was great fun in BJD.]"}, {"response": 35, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (09:57)", "body": "Am clueless as to Tom Hollander's role. Maybe he's Euan? Ack! When are all the other women's parts to be announced? I mean, this is Byatt! The women are more important. There are even parts for French actresses in this. Have to go look up those other guys. Could be that Blackadder and Cropper will be played by those. Here are two more items from the local Lincolnshire press: Work with star appeal (8/22/00) by Jacquie Pryce Eighty aspiring actors have a one-off chance to star alongside top Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow. Extras are needed for the Oscar-winning actress's new film and the people of Lincolnshire have been invited to come forward. As reported on This Is Lincolnshire last week, Miss Paltrow will be in Lincoln for five days at the end of this month to film scenes for her new movie Possession. The Lincoln scenes are set on the Brayford campus of the University of Lincolnshire and Humberside--and the film company is looking for extras to play students and lecturers. University spokesman Jez Ashberry said it was a chance to work right alongside the Oscar-winning star. \"They are looking for 70 people to play students and 10 people of either sex to be lecturers and they will actually be on set with Gwyneth in her scenes,\" he said. \"The scenes will be mostly on campus and one scene is in the pub.\" Extras are needed for Wednesday, August 30, Thursday, August 31, and Friday, September 1, and will be paid \ufffd50 a day. [...] Aaron Eckhart to join Gwyneth Paltrow in blockbuster (8/24/00) by Jacquie Pryce The name of the actor who will star opposite Gwyneth Paltrow when she shoots her new film in Lincoln has been announced. Aaron Eckhart, who starred opposite Julia Roberts in her latest blockbuster Erin Brockovich, will be the other name to shoot scenes at the Lincoln campus of the University of Lincolnshire and Humberside. As reported on This Is Lincolnshire, a 140-strong film crew will arrive in Lincoln on Tuesday to film scenes for an adaptation of A. S. Byatt's Booker Prize-winning novel Possession. The Lincoln scenes, which will involve a crowd of local extras, should take five days to complete. Eckhart will play Roland Mitchell, an academic researching the life and work of a Victorian poet. Miss Paltrow will play Lincoln-based academic Maud Bailey and the two discover a romantic link between their Victorian poets which is soon mirrored in the modern-day. Possession will be the fourth film Aaron Eckhart has made with director Neil LaBute--he has already appeared in In the Company of Men, Your Friends and Neighbors and Nurse Betty. Possession Films Limited, who are producing the film for Warner Brothers, should announce the casting for the Victorian characters in the next week."}, {"response": 36, "author": "aishling", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (10:18)", "body": "(Karen) Did he look mole-like? ;-) We only saw AE for a split second as GP was standing directly in front of him. I thought his hair might be longish because, in that brief moment, it looked as though it was tied back. But....... (Evelyn) Isn't this in your neck of the woods??? Well - it's a couple of counties away but a little nearer to me than you. I would consider visiting for other cast members. I can pick up their local tv station though so will keep watching."}, {"response": 37, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (10:23)", "body": "Picture of GP filming:"}, {"response": 38, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (10:24)", "body": "My question is, \"Where's her headscarf?\" :-("}, {"response": 39, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (11:59)", "body": "(Moon),there will not be such a contrast between him and Mortimer C (Karen), Sure there will. They are very different character types. As Aishling reported, AE looked kind of grungy. MC is a fastidious pseudo-Anglophile. I did not mean physically, that is v. obvious. Roland needs to be British and poor and confused. Here comes this American exchange PA with his American sensibilities. It does not work!"}, {"response": 40, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (12:16)", "body": "Roland needs to be British and poor and confused. Here comes this American exchange PA with his American sensibilities. Am only half-way through the book, but American PA's don't all have to be rich and loud-mouth blow-hards. Possession will be the fourth film Aaron Eckhart has made with director Neil LaBute Lucky Aaron. Looks like NLB is out to make AE a super-star. That's what ODB needs.. a director who has enough faith in him to give him a starring role even though he doesn't have star-wattage. Cute pic of Gwynnie.She looks like Maud to me.The great thing about reading the book now is that I have no pre-conceived ideas of the characters...I picture them as the cast is announced!"}, {"response": 41, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (12:42)", "body": "(Moon) I did not mean physically, that is v. obvious. Neither did I. There will be a huge difference in their characters; in fact, are quite the opposites. Face it, hon, a wimp is a wimp is a wimp. ;-) My only concern would be that Roland is very much in awe of Maud because of that *class* thing. He is content to be in her shadow. She's the academic with the credentials and he's a doormat. If they totally ignore that class thing, it won't suffer all that much IMO. Info from the IMDB; one of these guys has to be Blackadder. Graham Crowden was born in 1922 in Scotland. Was most recently an Elderly Elf in TV's the 10th Kingdom, but has been in lots of TV and films, especially \"Waiting for God\" on TV: Tom Hickey is another older actor (no date or place of birth given, although he's in a lot of Irish parts), with his credits listed back to the 1960s. Was in Butcher Boy, An Awfully Big Adventure, and Circle of Friends. Lot of priest roles...hmmm Picture of Tom Hickey in Royal Court production of \"On Raftery's Hill\":"}, {"response": 42, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (12:45)", "body": "(Evelyn) Cute pic of Gwynnie. She looks like Maud to me. That's why you didn't hear any squawking from me when it was announced. ;-)"}, {"response": 43, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (13:09)", "body": "Possession: No spoiler, just a first description of Maud. Gwynnie all the way to me...hope she keeps the wrapped scarf! \"She was dressed with unusual coherence for an academic, Roland thought, rejecting several other ways of describing her green and white length, a long pine green tunic over a pine green skirt, a white silk shirt inside the tunic, and long softly white stockings inside long shining green shoes. Through the stockings, veiled flesh diffused a pink gold, almost. He could not see her hair, which was wound tightly into a turban of peacock-feathered painted silk, low on her brow. Her brows and lashes were blonde. He observed so much. She had a clean milky skin, unpainted lips, clear-cut features, largely composed. She did not smile.\" Karen, do you think Toby Stephens will be Wolff, instead of Trevor Eve? Eve seems a bit long in the tooth for Tobias."}, {"response": 44, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (15:14)", "body": "Murph, I think I posted a few back that I changed my mind and that Trevor Eve might be Fergus Wolff and Toby Shephens would be Euan....but maybe Tom Hollander is...or TH could be Euan's friend (need to put that Butterball book firmly down and pick up Possession again). Ack! Why don't they give the characters' names in those press releases."}, {"response": 45, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (15:38)", "body": "How come TS and JN. have done so many films recently, when Colin has done only one and that is RZ's film. I really don't understand it, what is his Agent doing, he is every bit as good as TS & JN. It is so hard being a CF fan, because even when he does finish something we have to wait and wait to see it. Even his brother's latest TV drama has been highlighted in this week's Heat magazine (A Likeness in Stone for the BBC) and is scheduled for mid-September. Needless to say no mention of DQ."}, {"response": 46, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (16:01)", "body": "\"Ehle to join Paltrow in Possesion\" reports Teletext today, it is certainly getting a lot of early publicity."}, {"response": 47, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (16:53)", "body": "Also on Ceefax (BBC)"}, {"response": 48, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 31, 2000 (23:13)", "body": "Let's see, where did I leave off... City pub's brush with Hollywood (8/2900) Film fever has swept the city ever since it was announced that Gwyneth Paltrow would arrive in Lincoln today to begin shooting scenes for her new romantic film, Possession. But it's not all fun on the film set. Jacquie Pryce and Wendy Inkster talk to a man with Hollywood experience who missed this chance and staff who find a brush with fame not all it's cracked up to be... Hollywood arrives in Lincoln today--but for one business it's a brush with fame they could do without. Staff at the Hogshead pub, at Brayford Marina, were horrified to hear that the descending crew arriving in town to film Possession, starring Gwyneth Paltrow, were thinking of changing the colour of their pub for the shoot. Manager Rebecca Linney said the rumour was that the white exterior had been judged \"too bright\" for the view from the University of Lincolnshire and Humberside's learning and resource centre, where scenes with Gwyneth will be filmed. \"We heard that they wanted to paint the outside of the pub but no-one from the production company has approached us,\" she said. \"Our brewers, Whitbread, also knows nothing about it. Perhaps they think they are too important to have to get permission. \"It would cost a fortune to repaint it all and then put it back again. But we don't care how much money they've got, it still wouldn't be enough for us to repaint the pub.\" The 140-strong film crew arrives in Lincoln today for five days of filming at the university's Lincoln campus. University spokesman Jez Ashberry said he had also heard of the painting plans. \"The crew came out for a site visit a few months ago and were looking around all the locations for filming,\" he said. \"Shortly after, we heard that they wanted to paint the Hogshead because it was too white and was quite noticeable in the view from the learning and resource centre.\" Miss Linney said the production team might arrive to a bit of a shock. \"The funny thing is that we actually closed on Sunday for two and half weeks of refurbishment,\" she said. \"We will be keeping the outside walls white but we will be having some minor structural work done right in the middle of their film set! \"I must admit I'm tempted to paint the pub bright pink myself and see what they say about that! \"But I hope they don't all turn up with their paint brushes because they'll find it all shut up.\" However, what could have been a decorating disaster might be all white on the night. Possession Films Limited location manager Sue Quinn said the pub would stay white after all. \"Our production team has visited the site and it may have been discussed,\" she said. \"But the pub is fine--we will not be painting it.\" The scenes that will feature Miss Paltrow include a pub scene, although it has not yet been announced if the nearby Adam and Eve pub in Lindum Road will be used or a special set built. Eighty local people have been hired as extras for this scene and others in the university during the week. The star now arriving...(8/30/00) by Emma Snedden Hollywood fever hit Lincoln yesterday as Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow began shooting her new movie in the city. Crowds gathered at Lincoln Central railway station hoping to catch a glimpse of the superstar as she began the first of five days filming. Miss Paltrow is staring alongside Aaron Eckhart in the latest Neil LaBute movie, Possession. Central Trains spokesman Garard Burgess said: \"We have a lot of stations from different periods in history and it's great that Lincoln had the right look for this film. \"Often when a landmark 'star' is in a film, it can be great news for tourism in that city and so I hope Lincoln will benefit even further from this. \"Plus, it's exciting for the city to have such a big name pay a visit.\" Superstar on campus (8/31/00 by Echo Reporter The University of Lincolnshire and Humberside was buzzing with excitement yesterday as Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow began shooting her new movie on campus. Miss Paltrow and her 140-strong crew arrived in Lincoln on Tuesday and began work by filming several scenes at the city's Central Station. The team has now set up shop at ULH for three days to continue filming Possession. The university and the station make up a total of 43 locations in the country to be featured in the film. Although tight security stops members of the public catching a glimpse of the Oscar-winning star, ULH press officer Sam Hendley said everyone on campus was keeping their eyes peeled for a chance sighting. She said: \"If you sit in the canteen you can just about make out what is going on the ground. \"Everyone is really excited and it seems as if the cast and crew are all really busy. \"We have been looking forward to them coming since we found out about the filming and its really interesting to watch everyone at work.\" Sam said watching the crew at work made you realise exactly how much effort goes into making a film of such calibre. \"We wat"}, {"response": 49, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (07:53)", "body": "(Moon), Roland needs to be British and poor and confused. Here comes this American exchange PA with his American sensibilities. (Evelyn), Am only half-way through the book, but American PA's don't all have to be rich and loud-mouth blow-hards. I will add that to my list of American sensibilities. ;-) In my experience, there has always been a great difference between American professors and British ones. I do not see Roland as an American and what Karen stated about their class difference is important as well. (Karen), Face it, hon, a wimp is a wimp is a wimp. ;-) Hey, but he gets the girl in the end. :-) Plus three job offers. Graham Crowden would make a good Sir Bailey. Tom Hickey should be Prof. Blackadder. Those would work for me. Thanks for all the news, Karen."}, {"response": 50, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (08:32)", "body": "(Moon) Graham Crowden would make a good Sir Bailey. Tom Hickey should be Prof. Blackadder. Good casting. I concur. :-) (tut tut--spoilers) Today's report from the university's marketing officer, who was an extra: (am leaving out the bits about how they kept looking out the window) Extra special day (9/1/00) We were all put into position. Some extras had to pretend to be reading books, some were wandering around the library shelves. I was sat down pretending to read a book and take some notes. We had all the props, like books and pens, all around us and we ran through it a few times with Gwyneth stand-ins to make sure the light and everything was right. Then the stars came up--Gwyneth Paltrow and Aaron Eckhart--and we started filming about 9.30am. Gwyneth was wearing a long cream coat with a skirt and boots and carrying a bag. She also did a few strange facial exercises with her voice coach before we started and she was doing quite a good English accent. I managed to keep looking at her until right before the camera was on me and I was trying my hardest to make sure I was in the background of the shot. I have to say that she fluffed her lines twice and Aaron Eckhart kept walking in the wrong direction, which gave us all a good laugh. We did the same scene, with her walking down the library, about 15 times. But it wasn't boring because each take was a bit different. We didn't finish filming it until 11.30am and then we just waited around to be called for the next library scene. I thought there would be hundreds of screaming fans trying to get on the campus, but there have only been a few people hanging around. Gwyneth seemed really nice. There was one scene in the main building where she had to walk down a staircase above the canteen. There were loads of people in there eating and the crew had to keep asking us to stop eating for a moment because it was making too much noise. But they did the scene so many times that Gwyneth eventually turned round and mouthed \"I'm sorry!\" at us. I thought that was really nice of her. And she's under so much scrutiny here all the time. Let's face it, with all us lot on set, nothing is going to get past us!"}, {"response": 51, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep  1, 2000 (09:11)", "body": "Oh Karen...thanks for the \"you are there\" reports...I can't wait for the canteen scene in the movie....Like the churling scene in MLSF...Remember how your contact told us about it? When I saw the film, I looked for him... The film is due to be released in America in October next year and is expected to arrive in England in January 2002. Can't decide whether this is good or not. UK reviewers usually like Gwynnie and Jennifer...I'm afraid our reviewers will find the story \"schmaltzy\" unless it's v. well done.On the other hand Byatt is a UK author and most UK reviewers will probably have read her book and comment on the differences and won't like it. Our reviewers don't read books.... Ohgawd....I'm getting like Bethan!! Moon) Graham Crowden would make a good Sir Bailey. Tom Hickey should be Prof. Blackadder. (Karen) ...I concur Ditto. Toby Stephens has to be Euan...he has the panache."}, {"response": 52, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep  2, 2000 (08:32)", "body": "San Jose State University has a site for Possession, in which they've created Annotations for the novel. You might want to check it out. Basically gives you dictionary type explanations for many of the historical, mythological and literary references, as well as translates foreign words. Saves time looking things up, but thankfully doesn't tell *what* all those things necessarily mean - just what they are. ;-D http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/jwss.old/possession/fr-annot.html There's also a link to study questions created by the publisher: http://www.randomhouse.com/vintage/read/possession/"}, {"response": 53, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep  2, 2000 (12:44)", "body": "Anything will help me...Thanks Karen. I must admit I'm a dunce with modern poetry. It certainly enhances the enjoyment of this work if one can decipher what the poems are about. But the story is enough for me right now...I'll get around to the poems later.No one will want to borrow this book from me...I have it all marked up!!"}, {"response": 54, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Sep  3, 2000 (00:50)", "body": "Evelyn, when I first heard of Possession, I was told to skip over the poetry and just read the story, then read the poetry. When I think back, it was a good idea. The poetry in itself is separate, but yet whole. (It's late). Keep plugging along with the book, it really is a wonderful story."}, {"response": 55, "author": "susanne", "date": "Sun, Sep  3, 2000 (07:39)", "body": "I just finished Possession yesterday and I have to say it is one of the best books I have ever read.I could not put this book down, something that rarely happens. I also did not really understand the poetry but the story was captivating. I plan on going back to see if I can make sense of some of the poetry now that I know how Christabel and Ash's story unfolds. As for casting, Gwenyth will make a perfect Maud, Jeremy a perfect Ash, Jennifer a perfect Christabel. I am not sure about AE. I don't know his work too well and he looks so different for each part. I sort of picture a young William Hurt as Roland,very academic-looking. At least he will not be faking an English accent which if it is not done well, is very annoying and distracting. I am just grateful that the other bumbling,academicish English actor with the blinking problem did not get cast. Can you imagine Hugh Grant (who seems to get many more roles than he deserves) as Roland. It is a horror not to be contemplated. Thanks Karen for the links. Evelyn is not the only one who needs all the help she can get. I am sure I need much more help than most. I was always better at math than the language arts. I look forward to discussing the book when more people have read it."}, {"response": 56, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  3, 2000 (07:53)", "body": "Congrats, Sue! I'm betting that Ev finished it last night too. Nice to see that many are as enthralled by it as I was 10 years ago. Going back over the poetry afterwards is a good idea. Essentially, what it does is provide clues as to what was really going on with Ash and LaMotte and that had been misinterpreted by subsequent readers and academics. Byatt has been called a \"bookworm's\" dream author. Just yesterday, I set off in search the meaning behind Fergus and have hit paydirt. It's such fun, but not necessary to your enjoyment of the book. It can be enjoyed on so many levels, and the movie will only be the basic plotline. There's no way all this hidden meaning can be carried over onto film, but that's OK."}, {"response": 57, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep  3, 2000 (11:47)", "body": "I'm betting that Ev finished it last night too. I did, I did...(and I didn't even peak at the ending beforehand, Karen;-) I'm glad I was reading the ending at home..had done a lot of it in airports and on planes...would have been embarassing...tears flowed.... Am eager for others to finish it...I have questions..."}, {"response": 58, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Sep  3, 2000 (18:41)", "body": "I guess I'm bringing up the rear here. More than halfway through (the poetry, too!;-). Very compelling book. Can absolutely see the 4 leads in these roles. Great fun to have the casting in mind as you read it. Colin couldn't have been Roland anyway--Roland is 29 and \"a compact man,\" shorter than Maud. I could see him as Ash, though."}, {"response": 59, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  3, 2000 (19:50)", "body": "I chose to disregard the height issue; decided it wasn't important. ;-D"}, {"response": 60, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (08:09)", "body": "From Empire: Paltrow Possession Pics 04/09/2000 Principal photography began last week on Possession and Empire Online managed to get our hands on some pictures of Gwyneth Paltrow on the set in Lincoln. The film, directed by Neil LaBute, began filming on location at the University of Lincoln and Humberside's campus last week, with a cast that includes Aaron Eckhart, Jennifer Ehle, Toby Stephens and Tom Hollander. Once again, Paltrow puts on a British accent to play Maud, an academic who falls in love with an American scholar, played by Aaron Eckhart. Gwyneth is expected to be filming for the next 11 weeks in Shepperton and at various locations in Yorkshire."}, {"response": 61, "author": "aishling", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (09:27)", "body": "I too finished this great book. I also found it easier to get the gist of the story first and will go back to the poetry. (Mari) Great fun to have the casting in mind as you read it. Isn't it just. (Evelyn) ...tears flowed Mine too. Thanks for the links Karen."}, {"response": 62, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (11:32)", "body": "Couldn't put it down and finished it at 3 a.m. Beautiful book; looking forward to discussing it with you all. What a wonderful role for JE--the best in the book, IMO."}, {"response": 63, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (12:39)", "body": "(Mari) What a wonderful role for JE--the best in the book, IMO. Quite! The mystery of Christabel really IS the story, even though Maud and Roland will have more screen time. And speaking of time, boy, did you finish it in record time. Didn't you say you were only halfway through yesterday! Should we rename you Evelyn Wood? ;-D I started rereading last night, but I go slowly, savoring every detail and picking up on new things each and every time."}, {"response": 64, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (13:30)", "body": "I reread \"Possession\" at the beginning of the year. It still manages to enthrall me. All of those characters are interesting and you really want to know about them. When I first read the book, I didn't care for Christabel at all. She drove me nuts. And Ash with his bugs and nature (reminiscent of \"Angels and Insects\"!), at first I thought they were two boring people in Victorian England. But as I've read it about 4 times know, I realize how wrong I was!!!! I'm glad all the new readers are enjoying it. This novel really is a treat to read. A feast for all the senses!"}, {"response": 65, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (14:29)", "body": "(Mari) What a wonderful role for JE--the best in the book, IMO. (Karen)Quite! The mystery of Christabel really IS the story, even though Maud and Roland will have more screen time. I hope they don't just\"cameo\" Christabel and Ash...and feature Maud and Roland. The pics on the set....publicity is already starting! Gwynnie *is* Maud. ...\"Gwyneth is expected to be filming for the next 11 weeks in Shepperton and at various locations in Yorkshire.\" That brings the shoot to December. Wonder when filming of Jennifer and JN will kick in. She starts rehearsals for the Noel Coward play in NY in January."}, {"response": 66, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (14:52)", "body": "O have been listening to Colin in the car playing Rupert Brooke and I think he would have been excellent as Ash, oh hum."}, {"response": 67, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (14:54)", "body": "\"I have\" oh what a terrible sentence but you get my drift,I hope."}, {"response": 68, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (21:00)", "body": "(Evelyn), I hope they don't just\"cameo\" Christabel and Ash...and feature Maud and Roland. What a thought! Of course, it would be typical of the Hollywood machine to do just that. They never read the book. :-( How many of us have read the book? Sadie are you done? I too cried at the end and I confess to re-reading Ash's visit with May many times. I love that part."}, {"response": 69, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (21:18)", "body": "(Karen) Didn't you say you were only halfway through yesterday! Should we rename you Evelyn Wood? ;-D Hee hee. I *do* come racing around those paragraphs at about 100 mph.:-) Once Christabel and Ash were on that train to Yorkshire, I was off to the races! Great stuff. Love when he tells her I hope you won't regret this, and she says, don't talk nonsense, of course I'll regret it! Oops, no spoilers . . . Moon, don't fret. If they were going to crank this out of the Hollywood \"machine,\" they wouldn't have hired LaBute. He's one of our least conventional filmmakers."}, {"response": 70, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (22:25)", "body": "(Mari) If they were going to crank this out of the Hollywood \"machine,\" they wouldn't have hired LaBute. Didn't one of the articles say that there were 3 attempts to bring this to the screen? Wonder who the other directors were. I still have huge qualms about this production and the director. NLB has no track record for this kind of major production and there's nothing in his past repertoire to suggest he has the vision and understanding of the subject matter. BTW, I emailed one of the reporters in Lincolnshire and she said they have all left. Was trying to find out if any of the other actors was in town for the pub scene. Then we'd know who was playing Euan and Val. But, alas, no. However, she said she'd email me if they returned to the area."}, {"response": 71, "author": "MichelleW", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (22:43)", "body": "Hello all, I'm new to this board. Found my way from the Ehlenews site. Thanks for the link Evelyn. I am also reading Possession and look forward to further discussions on the book and movie. I can't wait for the movie to come out. My only worry is that JE character Christabel will be much reduced for the movie. I agree with others that her character is the best in the book. Michelle"}, {"response": 72, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (22:57)", "body": "(since Moon's been talking about doing some psychedelic stuff later this week... Michelle Glad you've joined us. You'll find any and all news posted here and I expect we might want to start the discussion *after* our Colin birthday bash. No really hurry, as they've just started filming. Also, don't want to pressure anyone. Like I said before, this is a book to be savored over and over again."}, {"response": 73, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (01:59)", "body": "Karen, what kind of spinster is Christabel, primne and proper or a kind of femme fatale? sp?"}, {"response": 74, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (07:27)", "body": "Christabel, by all accounts, seems like a prim and proper spinster, but has many, many, many secrets.... don't want to give away too many spoilers!"}, {"response": 75, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (07:29)", "body": "Just wondering, what sort of spoilers can we give??? If I had a spoiler, should I forewarn, then say scroll down like this??? S P O I L E R S Then add the spoiler? Is that acceptable? I just don't want to give anything away. Because AnnW's question, is just brimming with spoiler info...."}, {"response": 76, "author": "susanne", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (07:37)", "body": "Ann, I would say she is neither and both. Pale and passionate, a condtradictory woman. I can't see how Christabel can be a cameo. She is the story. Roland and Maud were not half as interesting. I hope the first we see C&A is in the train scene and the previous letter writing is done in voiceover. I think it would be great to have Rosemary Harris as the old Christabel-the witch in the turret."}, {"response": 77, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (07:58)", "body": "Welcome to our merry group, Michelle! Karen! You must be in charge of decorations. Is there anyway to change the backgraound colour of the page. I noticed that Marcia did it. :-) (Mari), Once Christabel and Ash were on that train to Yorkshire, I was off to the races! It was a slow starter for me too. The train does get it moving. ;-)))"}, {"response": 78, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (08:00)", "body": "Sue, loved the RH idea. Perfect! But we do not know if they will include that scene. It would be great to get a copy of the script."}, {"response": 79, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (08:17)", "body": "Thanks Laura, Sue and everyone. I am afraid I am going to be a bit behind the Library still does not have the book!! but please discuss I will not peep!!"}, {"response": 80, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (08:39)", "body": "No spoilers, Laura, not even with the scroll down stuff yet. (Sue) Roland and Maud were not half as interesting Ah...but they are IMO. It *could* be that you were reading it with a little bias toward one character. Lemme think! Now why might that be? ;-D I hope the first we see C&A is in the train scene and the previous letter writing is done in voiceover. Sue, you have incredible artistic taste. What a coincidence. The woman who led the previous discussion was a theatre person and she imagined a very similar beginning to the movie (not the letter writing read in VO, but the train). Sorry, Moon, I don't know how to change the background of Drool pages."}, {"response": 81, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (08:42)", "body": "Regarding starting the discussion: There probably are others (will check with Eileen) who haven't inhaled the book yet. Possibly others from the Ehle list."}, {"response": 82, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (13:38)", "body": "RE: first sighting of Christabel amd Ash-- they do met at Crabb's house early on. I can picture a scene in which there is very strong--but repressed--mutual attraction. The type of scene in which Andrew Davies might have written one of his famous stage directions (\"Darcy has an erection.\") Hee hee . . ."}, {"response": 83, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (16:05)", "body": "Have just got the book from them library, but I am a very slow reader so don't wait for me but I would just like to to know is Christabel plain or attractive and I believe I read the Ash is older than Christabel, by how much. I know I am about to start reading it but I would really like to know. Is JE not too pretty to play Christabel? Have not been cheating honest, well just a little bit."}, {"response": 84, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (16:05)", "body": "Have just got the book from them library, but I am a very slow reader so don't wait for me but I would just like to to know is Christabel plain or attractive and I believe I read the Ash is older than Christabel, by how much. I know I am about to start reading it but I would really like to know. Is JE not too pretty to play Christabel? Have not been cheating honest, well just a little bit."}, {"response": 85, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (17:22)", "body": "She had big teeth. ;-D CLM was 33 when she met RHA, who was 44. Now, stop cheating and read, even if slowly. There's no race."}, {"response": 86, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (17:32)", "body": "Okay Karen, it's just that from the little I have read JE does not seem to be right pysically and lookswise!!"}, {"response": 87, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (17:41)", "body": "One last question Karen and then I won't asking any more until I have finished. Did you like Christable and Ash?"}, {"response": 88, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (17:41)", "body": ""}, {"response": 89, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (18:19)", "body": "Both are blonde and moon-faced. Otherwise, JE's probably larger than CLM, but doesn't appear that LaBute and the casting director care. Last I looked, Aaron Eckhart wasn't a \"compact\" man. Don't think Gwynnie will tower over him. Did I like them? Hmmm, never thought about that much. Wanted to kick both of them...quite often. ;-)"}, {"response": 90, "author": "MichelleWr", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (23:23)", "body": "Thanks everyone for the welcome. I am now halfway thru the book. I have a question which has probably already been discussed but I haven't been thru all of the old posts so forgive me if it has. I had read that Ralph Fiennes was to be in this movie but for some reason he is not. Do you think he would make a better Ash than JN? Now I do like JN, I saw him in \"Emma\" and \"The Winslow Boy \" and he is very good and very attractive. I just think RF is a more intense actor and he seems to fit the part better. I also think him and JE would be better together. Who knows maybe it's because I haven't seen much of JN's work. I do think that JE tends to make all her leading men look better. Michelle"}, {"response": 91, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (07:52)", "body": "We didn't talk about the RF thing on this topic, Michelle. It was in the news before and there was some talk on Odds and Ends, but at that time only a few of us were familiar with the book. My opinion about RF is that he was never right for the role. Besides, if RF did take the role, I doubt Jennifer would've been cast. (them's the facts) When I first read the book long ago, Daniel Day-Lewis was my choice for Ash. However, JN is much better suited and the way he was in Emma and TWB should lay a perfect groundwork for the character."}, {"response": 92, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (07:58)", "body": "As much as I like JN, I do think RF would have made a better Ash. JN would have made a good Roland. I like GP as Maud and I honestly had not pictured JE as Christabel. I had pictured Cate Blanchette as Christabel."}, {"response": 93, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (08:01)", "body": "For once we disagree, Karen. ;-))))"}, {"response": 94, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (08:08)", "body": "It's OK. After my initial preference for Joely Richardson (ages ago) as Maud, I came up with Uma Thurman about 3 years ago. You can't get much taller or icier than she...but alas and alack, she cannot act. ;-D"}, {"response": 95, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (08:25)", "body": "Karen, why do you doubt that JE would have been cast if RF has played Ash, I thought they were very good together in Sunshine, as Michelle says JE brings out the best in her co-stars and she made RF less distant and cold, more human."}, {"response": 96, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (08:37)", "body": "Because they were just seen together. Has nothing to do with how well they worked together."}, {"response": 97, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (08:55)", "body": "If repeat casting weren't an issue, then, GP would be partnering with Joe Fiennes as Roland... don't get much darker or furrier. ;-D"}, {"response": 98, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (09:05)", "body": "and maybe that is why CF is not partnering Jennifer, I know it was 5 yhears ago, but they are bound together ad Darcy & Lizzie."}, {"response": 99, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (09:08)", "body": "Yes, there's even less likelihood that Colin and Jenn will appear professionally in anything together."}, {"response": 100, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (09:56)", "body": "No one has ever said that about Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. I most respectfully disagree."}, {"response": 101, "author": "susanne", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (10:09)", "body": "(Sue) Roland and Maud were not half as interesting (Karen)Ah...but they are IMO. It *could* be that you were reading it with a little bias toward one character. Lemme think! Now why might that be? I'm caught. I have to acknowledge an high partiality for darling Jennifer. For the record, I am also a GP fan and still don't think Maud is as interesting as Christabel. Christabel was struggling against much more stringent society rules than Maud ever had to. Plus, Christabel had the better love story and I am always a sucker for a good romance. All right, perhaps I have a bias that I cannot overcome. :-)) We'll have to discuss what makes Maud interesting when everyone finishes the book. I guess Ehle and Firth and Ehle and Fiennes ain't no Gere and Roberts or Hanks and Ryan. They would need big boxoffice in addtion to their superior acting and chemistry together. As for Christabel's beauty or lack thereof. Jennifer is more attractive than Christabel, but I think she can be toned down a bit-pull back her hair, drab clothes, pale make-up. I just hope they don't put some big caps on her teeth."}, {"response": 102, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (10:57)", "body": ""}, {"response": 103, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (10:57)", "body": "No one has ever said that about Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. I most respectfully disagree. It took 10 years and I wish it had taken 100. Loved PW; hated RB. Repairing are v.v.v. rare and, these days, don't often work as they did during the golden age of studio-controlled stars. BTW, the Lincoln reporter said that the Possession crew went straight to Whitby, as her friend spotted them on the pier. So that would be more scenes with GP and AE as they are re-creating the trip."}, {"response": 104, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (11:23)", "body": "And Sue, I think *all* of the characters are equally interesting, with so much going on that it's difficult to know where to start. Here's the region where they went: About midway between Robin Hood's Bay and Ravenscar is the Boogle Hole. It's real and it's on maps."}, {"response": 105, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (11:27)", "body": "Have to agree with Karen...don't think JE will play with those guys again...but she is running out of the good looking ones...;-) I too think CB would have made a good Christabel..esp the long face ,but then she played opposite JN in An Ideal Husband ;-) JF would have been a terrific Roland. Possession crew went straight to Whitby, as her friend spotted them on the pier. Thanks Karen....I wonder if they'll also shoot JE and JN there now while they're at that location."}, {"response": 106, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (14:47)", "body": "(Evelyn) I wonder if they'll also shoot JE and JN there now while they're at that location Would seem likely. My guess is that they're doing GP's stuff now, so that she can head off to Toronto for the Duets screening on Saturday and then do some junket stuff for the film's opening the following week in the States. So while she's here, JE and JN's location work would be done."}, {"response": 107, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (14:58)", "body": "Evening Standard had a side article about NLB and NB. Ended with this: About Possession: \"It will be a surprise for some, others will say it's a natural progression,\" says LaBute. \"There are two really f***ed-up couples, and who better to deal with them?\" Argh! He's the last person... *shaking my head in disgust* http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/dynamic/hottx/film/film.html?in_review_id=312425&in_review_text_id=256796"}, {"response": 108, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (19:00)", "body": "Karen says: I still have huge qualms about this production and the director. NLB has no track record for this kind of major production and there's nothing in his past repertoire to suggest he has the vision and understanding of the subject matter ********** The New Yorker this week gives a terrible review for Nurse Bette, with NLB taking a lot of the heat. I just can't imagine him directing Possession, this most romantic of romantic stories, but then... You guys are ahead of me. I too read it ten years ago and couldn't put it down then. Have a first edition, I was so eager to buy it. Started to reread last week, but the eyes aren't what they used to be. Go ahead with the discussion. It will all come back, I know. I read the poetry with the story, They seemed to belong together, and you learned something about C and A from the poems. Murph"}, {"response": 109, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (19:04)", "body": ""}, {"response": 110, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (20:32)", "body": ""}, {"response": 111, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  6, 2000 (20:36)", "body": "Mary, we haven't yet started our discussion. Please hold off posting any critiques. We will start on Monday. Have saved your article or you can repost then. Sorry. :-("}, {"response": 112, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (11:11)", "body": "From the Scarborough Evening News (printed yesterday, so filming today): FILM STAR LOOKS IN GWYNETH Paltrow is coming to the Yorkshire Coast. The Oscar-winning actress is filming scenes from her latest movie Possession at the Raven Hall Hotel in Ravenscar tomorrow.\\ Crew members have been at the hotel preparing the set since Sunday and getting things ready for the arrival of the star, who is staying at a secret location. The crew, from Shepperton Studios in Middlesex, are staying at the hotel, which will be featured in Possession, based on AS Byatt's Booker-prizewinning novel set along the North Yorkshire coast. Raven Hall Hotel sales and marketing manager Yvonne Rounding said: \"The outside of the hotel will be predominantly featured with six horses and carriages. The production crew have been using a local stable. \"Things are getting hectic and it doesn't help that we are fully booked.\" The film, directed by Neil LaBute, follows the story of two literary detectives investigating the lives of two Victorian poets. Paltrow, who is rumoured to be back with Oscar-winner Ben Affleck in what is one of Hollywood's most on-off relationships, plays the part of Professor Maud Bailey, an academic who researches the life of poet Christabel LaMotte. It is not the first time Paltrow has made films in England. She made Sliding Doors and Emma here and caused a storm when she criticised British food and diet. Starring opposite her in Possession is Aaron Eckhart, who plays the part of an American scholar in London on a fellowship to study the poet Randolph Henry Ash. The pair fall in love as they follow a trail of clues across England to the continent, the same journey taken by the Victorian poets. Whitby was also chosen as a location, with filming starting there yesterday and features the purchase of two Whitby jet brooches. AS Byatt, who is the sister of author Margaret Drabble, was born in Yorkshire and set some of Possession in Robin Hood's Bay and Boggle Hole. ~~~~~~~~~~ Horses and carriage? I'd say this is where JN and JE will be shooting today. ;-D"}, {"response": 113, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (11:54)", "body": "Here's a nice pic of the hotel where they are filming: And here's their website: http://homepages.go.com/~ravenhall1/title.htm"}, {"response": 114, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep  7, 2000 (16:57)", "body": "Oh Karen....I want the Bay Hood view room with the champ and chocolates... What a glorious place for Ash and Christabel's first night....:-)))"}, {"response": 115, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (09:58)", "body": "Haven't read it yet, but very long article about Neil LaBute in LA Weekly: http://www.laweekly.com/ink/00/42/cover-dargis.shtml Ack!! Says he lives somewhere outside of Chicago! The part about Possession: ...just last week he began production in Northern England on Possession, a lavish romance set in the Victorian era and the present day, based on the novel by A.S. Byatt. A fan of the book, LaBute sought out the project, and though there was already a screenplay by Laura Jones (The Portrait of a Lady), whom he credits with \"breaking the back of the book,\" he plunged into a rewrite. The stars are Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeremy Northam, Jennifer Ehle and the director's college friend and regular collaborator Aaron Eckhart; the companies footing the bill are USA Films and Warner Bros. Much as in Nurse Betty, in which Zellweger plays a woman who's forced to flee her home in order to discover her true self, Neil LaBute is following his own glittering road."}, {"response": 116, "author": "susanne", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (11:18)", "body": "Thanks for the picture Karen. It looks appropriately romantic. Does anyone have a recommendation for another Byatt book?"}, {"response": 117, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (11:32)", "body": "(Karen) Ack!! Says he lives somewhere outside of Chicago! LOL! \"Of all the gin joints in all the world . . .\" Maybe you could go into a fugue state and visit him sometime.;-)"}, {"response": 118, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (12:21)", "body": "(susanne) Does anyone have a recommendation for another Byatt book? Ha, now this I can answer!!! YES!!! You can read her short stories \"The Matisse Stories\" \"Sugar and Other Stories\" \"Angels and Insects: A Novella\" Her novels: Tetralogy (sp?) \"The Virgin in the Garden\" Alexander Weddeburn (has CF written all over it!) \"Still Life\" \"Babel Tower\" I was fried after reading it! But loved it! She's in the process of writing the fourth and I believe sequel to all of them! \"The Game\" sibling rivalry amazingly, her sister is Margaret Drabble....:)"}, {"response": 119, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (13:44)", "body": "(Sue) Thanks for the picture Karen. It looks appropriately romantic LOL! I didn't want to scare anyone by posting it here. ;-D Try The Game first. It's short...before you embark on the series."}, {"response": 120, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (21:37)", "body": "From the September 6 Northern Echo: IN POSSESSION OF THE PAST THE tourist port of Whitby is suddenly looking even more picturesque - after movie-makers wove their magic. Parts of the town have been transported back in time to the Victorian era for a big screen version of A S Byatt's Booker Prize-winning novel, Possession. Oscar-winning Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow - the star of Sliding Doors - is starring in the Warner Brothers production, which also features Jennifer Ehle and Jeremy Northam, among others. Yesterday, filming focused on the famous 199 steps, an area which has been turned into a Victorian market, with dozens of locally-recruited extras dressed in period costume (pictured). Other filming will be taking place on the beach and West Pier over the next few days. ~~~~~~~~ Wonder about that picture..."}, {"response": 121, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (22:50)", "body": "Whitby harbor - you can see the 199 steps going up to the Abbey West pier: From a Whitby website: Victorian Jet Works: Situated near the bottom of the 199 steps, this building holds the only surviving Victorian Jet Workshop, plus working modern craftsman. http://www.whitbyjet.co.uk/ The 199 Steps: From these centuries old streets, 199 steps lead up to the parish Church of St Mary, one of the finest Anglo Saxon churches in the country, featuring carved pews made by ship's carpenters and craftsmen from Whitby's once booming whaling fleet. Its churchyard is famous for providing the setting which inspired Bram Stoker to write his classic novel - Dracula. Dickens and Tennyson are also known to have enjoyed the hospitality of Whitby's ancient inns. Nice page here: http://www.yorkshire-tour.co.uk/whitby.htm"}, {"response": 122, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (09:27)", "body": "I like Neil LaBute's work as a writer and director. It may well also be noted that there is no accounting for some people's tastes. To me, LaBute's dark, disharmonious comedy is reminiscent of Balzac. I find him an interesting choice to direct \"Possesion\"; a choice which I like. I think his modern sensibility will provide an interesting juxtaposition to, and commentary upon the material."}, {"response": 123, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (09:27)", "body": "Thank you Karen for posting the beautiful photos of Whitby."}, {"response": 124, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (10:33)", "body": "Thanks, Karen! The Victorian Market will probably be where they find the brooches."}, {"response": 125, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (10:37)", "body": "I think his modern sensibility will provide an interesting juxtaposition to, and commentary upon the material. The book was written in 1990 and most of it takes place in the present."}, {"response": 126, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (11:25)", "body": ""}, {"response": 127, "author": "Carys", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (13:47)", "body": ""}, {"response": 128, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (14:01)", "body": ""}, {"response": 129, "author": "susanne", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (14:55)", "body": "Thanks Laura and Karen for the book recommendations. If any of her other books are half as good as Possession than I shall be happy with any of them. I could never call Possession dull. I had trouble putting the 500 page book down. Needless to say, I did not get anything done for a whole day. I read until the last 20 pages and saved them for the next day. I put off picking up the book again until the evening because I just did not want it to be over. The locations for the filming look just gorgeous."}, {"response": 130, "author": "Carys", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (15:18)", "body": ""}, {"response": 131, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (20:04)", "body": ""}, {"response": 132, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (20:51)", "body": ""}, {"response": 133, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (15:29)", "body": "Karen...the Yorkshire website is a gem....there is also a link to Robin Hood Bay...did Ash and Christabel ever go there? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I choose to ignore Anna..but please delete her postings, Karen. And any future ones that fall in that inpolitic category. Thank you."}, {"response": 134, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (20:58)", "body": "That should be impolitic ....but you get the general idea."}, {"response": 135, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (21:55)", "body": "Hmmm.. I guess someone was possessed ??? The pictures were beautiful. Just back from Atlanta and missed a whole bunch, however, remembered that today is someone's 40th bday...:) That must be on another board...;)"}, {"response": 136, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (22:35)", "body": "From a Film Festival report in the Toronto Sun: As for what else the future holds, Paltrow next returns to England, where she is working until the end of October filming Possession, a movie based on the A.S. Byatt novel."}, {"response": 137, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (08:52)", "body": "Beware, from this point on, there be dragons"}, {"response": 138, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (12:21)", "body": "Looks like a too friendly dragon though. Need a more sinister dragon... :) Can't take to heart other people's opinions. Found out I must be more like a duck. OR was that I have to duck..... (does that dragon have wings???)"}, {"response": 139, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (13:00)", "body": "FYI, the dragon had *nothing* to do with that other message. (Think old maps)"}, {"response": 140, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (13:36)", "body": "Am about 150 pages into Possession (well, it is football season). Started reading the posts here but have come across too many quasi-spoilers for my taste so quit around #75 (should be reading book, not posts, anyway). Just wanted issue a warning *heehee* that I'll be joining the discussion at some later point. PS. So far cannot fathom AE as Roland. Reading here that the character's been changed to an American (obviously to accomodate AE's casting--*tsk*) helps. Am also concerned about NLB directing this. Will be interesting to see his interpretation, to say the least."}, {"response": 141, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (14:28)", "body": "This is a reposting from Charlotte. She put this on Fan Fic and is not fiction, I believe: Hi Everyone I just wanted to tell you about my experience in Whitby!.We were just by luck staying in a cottage at the bottom of the 199 steps, so when Tuesday morning came I was amazed by the site of cameras postioned on my doorstep & actors parding in front of me. I leaned out my window to be waved at with a glint in his by Jeremy Northam!!. He is a star in every sense of the word and had the crew in stiches with his dancing on the 199 steps!. At one point Jenniffer nearly fell down the very slippy steps, the perfect Northam came to her assistance (what a man). But Jennifer could not look him in the eyr due to his comedy antics!! I have photos galore & more stories !"}, {"response": 142, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (15:00)", "body": "Good find, Karen. Will look forward to seeing more stuff from Charlotte. Sounds like the filming of the Christabel & Ash portion of the story is proceeding nicely. *picturing Jeremy Northam coming to *my* assistance . . .yum . . .*"}, {"response": 143, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (15:02)", "body": "Eileen, have you seen Erin Brockovich? It's a good rent. Aaron E. plays Julia's love interest--not a huge role, but you'll see he is quite good at playing nice guy/semi-wimp. Maybe this will help you visualize him as Roland."}, {"response": 144, "author": "Saskia", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (16:08)", "body": "From the Victorian poetess Christina Georgina Rossetti this short poem -- An Emerald Is As Green As Grass An emerald is as green as grass. A ruby red as blood. A sapphire is as blue as heaven. Flint lies in the mud. A diamond is a brilliant stone To hold all the world's desire. An opal holds a firey spark But flint holds fire. Have any of you read Rossetti's long poem Goblin Market? Am sorry I've not posted a link to it. It is a worthwhile read."}, {"response": 145, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (16:19)", "body": "Thank you, Saskia. The flint reference is interesting. Wonder how it relates to Byatt's continuing mention of stones throughout the book. Yes, Goblin Market is THE one to read for background. Once found out something interesting about Rossetti: there was a missing year in her life too. ;-D Here's a link to it: http://www.library.utoronto.ca/utel/rp/poems/rossettc8.html"}, {"response": 146, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (16:23)", "body": "Love to hear more Charlotte, can you describe what JN & JE were wearing?"}, {"response": 147, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (17:19)", "body": "(Mari)\"Erin B.\" Aaron E. plays Julia's love interest--not a huge role, but you'll see he is quite good at playing nice guy/semi-wimp. Maybe this will help you visualize him as Roland. I agree, Mari. I rented EB this weekend just to check out Aaron Eckart...I can easily see Roland.Thought he did a great job as Julia's biker-boyfriend too. There's a tenderness to him that could transfer . Charlotte in Whitby....what a coup!!You were right Karen...JN &JE were fillming up there."}, {"response": 148, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Sep 11, 2000 (21:03)", "body": "Ooh, I LOVE Goblin Market (with the name of Laura, how could I not!) Rosetti's brother did all the drawings (or art work) for it. She had a very sad life..."}, {"response": 149, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (03:53)", "body": "Nice place you have here, I have been lurking a bit and talking about Possession may become one since there are so many sides to it and a very intricate story line. I look forward to that. It is one of my favourite novels! I got your link from Ehlenews as well. I think it's exciting that Possession is being adapted and even more so that JE is to play an essential part, the one to inspire it all!! I think her perfect for the part...I mean starting out with the picture of Elizabeth Bennet, cleaned of any beautifying make-up she still has that inner beauty that is Christabel... As far as RA is concerned I haven't seen much of JN (only Emma) and I'm not really impressed, but that may change. There are many others that would fit the bill, and I agree that even though we all want to see a certain actor in the role that it is unlikely that they will ever be partners....it may evoke to many associations and comparisons to previous work!! Wow, that was a lot for a first time...so now I'll hold my peace;-D susanne) Does anyone have a recommendation for another Byatt book? The Game is a serious and somewhat unhomely and unsolved novel about sisters and their failure in resolving their problems! A nice one is \"The Djin in the Nightingale's Eye\" a collection of modern fairy tales....really interesting and fascinating! But I do agree with Laura that her trilogy is a delightful read, albeit very very long at least 6oo pages each!!"}, {"response": 150, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (09:06)", "body": "Thanks for the link, Karen! Please keep us posted on any news from Charlotte. Welcome, Hanne!"}, {"response": 151, "author": "charlotte01", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (13:02)", "body": "Hi Thanks to everyone who replied to me, I did not realise there were so many posession fans out there! Having started to read possession i can start to place the characters although it does say in the book that roland is dark haired i think but Arron is definetly ash colouring!(poetic liscence) I have some photos which i will mail to Karen as soon as I get them developed when the fuel crisis in england is over! JN & JE were dressed in period costume, JE in a long green dress with green embroided hooded coat, she had difficulty keeping the hood on due to the high winds & rain in whitby! JN was in lightly coloured trousers with shirt & cravatte & waistcoat,with a cream coloured overcoat, brown leather satchel and a wide brimmed brown hat. (very dashing) he also held an umbrella which he loved to dance around!! He is a very friendly man, when a passer bye stood with his dog JN stopped to fuss the dog even though it jumped up at him and left paw prints all over his outfit!!. Well until later charlotte"}, {"response": 152, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (13:35)", "body": "(Charlotte)JN was in lightly coloured trousers with shirt & cravatte & waistcoat,with a cream coloured overcoat,.. Were they cream-colored breeches? *sigh* Thanks Charlotte..."}, {"response": 153, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (14:44)", "body": "Thank you, Charlotte. We're looking forward to hearing from you and, please, join in the discussion...once we get it going. Am very disappointed that they didn't see fit to dye Aaron Eckhart's hair because he really should be dark-haired as in the book. I suppose he won't be referred to as Mole either. Now am wondering if there will be a Val. If Roland is American, would he have a long-time girlfriend in England? Omigod, am now sweating bullets. Evelyn, start lighting candles! Speaking of hair, Charlotte, did you notice Jennifer's hair coloring? Was she blonde? More hair...how about Jeremy, any facial hair? A beard perhaps? For some reason, I always picture Ash with a beard even though I don't believe it says that in the book. Must be all the pics of Victorian poets I've seen."}, {"response": 154, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (15:09)", "body": "Karen, I think Charlotte was referring to Aaron Eckhart's natural hair color, not necessarily how he appears in this. Charlotte, can you confirm? Eckhart wasn't filming at the site you mentioned, was he? Anyway, I think it's more important for Maud and Christabel to have the same coloring, and not that significant for Roland and Ash--or am I missing something? They're downplaying the hair anyway, it seems--no headscarf on Gwynnie in those pics. Hmmm . . . Re: Roland and Val--I'm wondering, since he's now American, if they will change the story so that Roland is working for Mortimer. Maybe a twist is that you're not sure until the end where Roland's loyalties lie (to Maud or to Mortimer). Just a thought."}, {"response": 155, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (16:01)", "body": "AE wouldn't have been in that scene, but one of the newspapers had GP and AE filming on the 199 steps a few days prior. not that significant for Roland and Ash--or am I missing something? It does take away from his characterization as the Mole, all dark and furry, but as I suspect, most of the deeper meanings will be discarded for the movie. Just today, I caught a Bravo Profile of Saul Zaentz (was watching for any on location stuff from TEP) and they had segments with Milos Forman, where he talked about making One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Forman said that Ken Kesey was given the opportunity to write the first screenplay. Said it would've been 10 hours long and contained too much metaphor and imagery, etc. Not good for the screen. So I expect what makes this novel soooo good (at least for me) will be trashed. If you're wondering why I'm so distraught about Roland it's that he's the main character of the book for me...the protagonist, the hero, the catalyst, the most important character and the one who goes through the most significant transformation himself. AE may be a wonderful actor, but he's not the first nor the 10th actor to come to mind when casting this part. In fact, if his good friend from college was not directing, I really doubt anyone would've thought of him for the part. OK, now you understand my perspective. Am done."}, {"response": 156, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (16:36)", "body": "In fact, if his good friend from college was not directing, I really doubt anyone would've thought of him for the part. Big interview with AE in October's \"Movieline\" Mag. Says ..\"to Hollywood insiders,he's one of the hottest actor's going\".He went up against several brand-name stars for the boyfriend in ER. The studio didn't want him, but the director did and after he read with Julia Roberts, she gave him her blessing too.He just finished another cop film The Pledge with Jack Nicholson. So it sounds like he's a face everyone is watching. BTW I see that USA films who is distributing Nurse Betty will also distrib Possession. They do relentless publicity."}, {"response": 157, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (16:54)", "body": "Several ways to start here (*am NOT experienced discussion leader*): 1) do people have questions they'd like answered? 2) as Julie Andrews would trill... \"let's start at the very beginning, a v.g. place to start\" The Title and its many meanings 3) the characters, what people think about them Other ideas?"}, {"response": 158, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (17:07)", "body": "I liked what you brought up before about the stones, Karen. It will be the fenestration of this discussion. ;-) Also, the fact that Christabel is not the only person with something to hide (but that goes along with the stones). And, the juxtaposition of the characters, who is who and why? (Karen), If you're wondering why I'm so distraught about Roland it's that he's the main character of the book for me...the protagonist, the hero, the catalyst, the most important character and the one who goes through the most significant transformation himself. AE may be a wonderful actor, but he's not the first nor the 10th actor to come to mind when casting this part. In fact, if his good friend from college was not directing, I really doubt anyone would've thought of him for the part. OK, now you understand my perspective. I agree! You and I will probably be very disappointed in the film. We look forward to seeing your pictures, Charlotte. It is always fun to hear how the actors goof-off on the set."}, {"response": 159, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (17:31)", "body": "(Moon) It will be the fenestration of this discussion. ;-) *hee hee* You know, whenever I read this book, I always feel like I should have little notecards like Roland. Am truly a \"Line by Line\" kind of person. ;-D"}, {"response": 160, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (20:22)", "body": "(Moon)I agree! You and I will probably be very disappointed in the film. C'mon...don't write the obituary before it's even out...besides whatever happened to ...\"let's judge the book and the film separately. Each one has to stand on its own;-)\" That's what we have always done.... Good questions to start off the discussion...I shall ponder.But what about *spoilers*?"}, {"response": 161, "author": "susanne", "date": "Wed, Sep 13, 2000 (09:52)", "body": "(Karen) ? For some reason, I always picture Ash with a beard even though I don't believe it says that in the book. Must be all the pics of Victorian poets I've seen. from page 298 (train scene) He was a handsome man, with a flowing head of very dark brown hair, almost black but with russet lights in its waves, and a glossy beard, a little browner, the color of horse-chestnuts. His brow was expansive, the organ of intellect well-developed, though he was equally well endowed with the bumps opf compassion and fellow-feeling. he had black brows, a little rough and craggy, under which very large dark eyes looked out at the world steadily enough, fearless but with something held in reserve. Darn that horse chestnut imagery always puts my mind onto other things. :-)) I doubt very much the film will be as good as the book. There is no way they can really do justice to all the characters in a two hour film. I do think that the film can be good if not compared to closely with the book. No matter, I will be determined to love it, if for no other reason than Jennifer is in it."}, {"response": 162, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Sep 13, 2000 (10:00)", "body": "(Sue) Darn that horse chestnut imagery always puts my mind onto other things. :-)) Me too, Sue. And Byatt doesn't help things by putting organ and well endowed in the same sentence.;-) Yes folks, I will really raise the level of discourse around here.;-) I think I feel a double feature rent of Winslow Boy and Happy Texas coming on for a heavy dose of JN's repressed sexuality, which he does so well."}, {"response": 163, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 13, 2000 (10:45)", "body": "Thanks, Sue, for the book's description. Knew that image had to come from somewhere. Enough about my personal agony over casting (that's my problem and Moon's), let's talk book... ;-D And am very much looking forward to *your contributions* Mari ;-D I'll toss out this out for comment: \"Is Roland a wimp or a hero?\""}, {"response": 164, "author": "charlotte01", "date": "Wed, Sep 13, 2000 (13:14)", "body": "Just to answer one of the above questions Arron was on set with Gwyneth and his hair was not dark, i know this because i had my photo taken with him!. JE had red hair!"}, {"response": 165, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Sep 13, 2000 (15:51)", "body": "Wow, Charlotte, talk about being in the right place at the right time! We'll look forward to seeing your pics, and hearing who in the cast was naughty and who was nice.;-) Sounds like they decided on \"come as you are\" for the cast's hair. Karen, am still mulling your question."}, {"response": 166, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 13, 2000 (16:18)", "body": "JE had red hair! Uh ,oh....there must be a mistake.Christabel has blond/white hair... Maybe she didn't have enough time after Annie.... Karen....don't jump out that window!!!"}, {"response": 167, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 13, 2000 (16:27)", "body": "Arron was on set with Gwyneth and his hair was not dark, i know this because i had my photo taken with him!. JE had red hair Thanks, Charlotte! So Maud is blond: yes. (Plus no head scarf) Christable is red: no. Roland is light brown: no. Ash is dark: yes. At least this should match! Evelyn, I agree we will discuss the book, but take note of the topic title. :-) And am very much looking forward to *your contributions* Mari ;-D Do keep those */* coming. ;-) \"Is Roland a wimp or a hero?\" His persona is a wimp. His suprapersona is a hero. :-D Why was Ash so understanding and supporting of his frigid wife?"}, {"response": 168, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 13, 2000 (17:29)", "body": "Karen....don't jump out that window!!! No, have already bought my plane ticket to next year's LFF, where movie will undoubtedly be screened. Intend to lead audience in loud catcalls and booing much in manner of Mansfield Park's reception last year. *will keep mouth shut. Highly praised and respected director obviously knows what he is doing and has decided none of this means anything.*"}, {"response": 169, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 13, 2000 (17:40)", "body": "(Karen) Highly praised and respected director obviously knows what he is doing and has decided none of this means anything.* Healthy attitude...keeps ulcers at bay...;-) (Moon)Evelyn, I agree we will discuss the book, but take note of the topic title. :-) I know....but I find I can't defend the film, since I haven't seen it yet... I probably will agree with you....but for now....hmmmmm."}, {"response": 170, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (07:43)", "body": "Charlotte, does JE have long hair? We must not take anything for granted here. I hope she is wearing a wig. Christabel with short hair is definitely beyond my immagination."}, {"response": 171, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (08:12)", "body": "I was thinking about a wig too, but Charlotte did see them filming, not just rehearsing.... One description of the style of her hair was lots of little curls around the face. Will get to your question, Moon, a little later..."}, {"response": 172, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (09:36)", "body": "*Spoilers* (Karen)\"Is Roland a wimp or a hero?\" (Moon)His persona is a wimp. His suprapersona is a hero. :-D ~~~~ I\ufffdm trying hard to like Roland, the author wants me to like him and because he obviously is the hero , after all without his discovery of the letters there wouldn\ufffdt be a book! .But I find his actions inconsistent with the traits in which the author describes him.... \ufffdHe had done what was hoped of him, always\ufffd...He tried to please his mother, his boss, Blackadder....Val [surrogate mother IMO].Yet he thought himself a failure...had nothing to say. Yet, he took First at University with his dissertaion.But only took a job as a part-time research assistant in Blackadder\ufffds Ash Factory. Did some tutoring, restaurant dishwashing ...\ufffdscraping a living\ufffd.You can say he was a wimp or a non-starter at best. Yet he discovers these letters in the British Library archives and surreptitously steals them. A shock to the reader! Where did he rev up the courage? For the rest of the book he sort of does dips and highs....On the one hand he is intimidated by Maud , yet takes the risk of losing his job by going off to Breton with her. He is supposed to be the believable character, isn\ufffdt he? I mean, Christabel and Ash are a little surreal [ not mean\ufffdt in a pejorative way...to me all poets are a little \ufffdout of this world\ufffd, ] That\ufffds my take on this guy...but I don\ufffdt dislike him.Just find him a little disappointing .IMO"}, {"response": 173, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (10:59)", "body": "he is intimidated by Maud This is presented as a class thing. Will not work if Roland is an Am. Yet he discovers these letters in the British Library archives and surreptitously steals them. A shock to the reader! Where did he rev up the courage? This bothers him constantly, he feels that he should tell someone. He is a quiet type remember he even gets passed up for the promotion. But I was very happy to see that in the end he got three job offers and that came as a complete surprise."}, {"response": 174, "author": "charlotte01", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (12:18)", "body": "Hi JE was had red long hair for definate, during filming she had it back,but with a hood for the outdoor shots. Arron as I said was definetely ash colouring and no way dark"}, {"response": 175, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (14:34)", "body": "Thanks Charlotte, definitely a wig then because when I saw her just 8 weeks ago her hair was quite blonde and very short. Why are they doing this though when the book describes her hair colour so differently. Charlotee, does she have curls round her face or is her hair pulled back off her face?"}, {"response": 176, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (14:35)", "body": "apologies for typo Charlotte."}, {"response": 177, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (15:41)", "body": "(E.)he is intimidated by Maud (Moon)This is presented as a class thing Also because she is a full professor and he is at the low end of the academic latter... (Moon) But I was very happy tosee that in the end he got three job offers and that came as a complete surprise. I'll say...fast too. Contrived? (Charlotte)JE had red long hair for definite... Wig, or dyed with extensions for sure.\"Come as you are\" would have been short blonde as Ann said. Thanks Charlotte."}, {"response": 178, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (15:44)", "body": ".. latter. Ohgod...I mean't \"ladder\".. Quick before the ever-vigilant cop gets me...;-)"}, {"response": 179, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (16:02)", "body": "(Evelyn) Also because she is a full professor and he is at the low end of the academic ladder... Is she? I don't recall. Another possibility is that Roland is younger than Maud and just hasn't found a teaching position yet. Roland has his Ph.d, and might be in what would be called a crowded field of Ash scholars, whereas Maud is the burgeoning (but underfunded) field of women's studies and little-known fairy poets. Does tend to affect number of job openings available. ;-D Contrived? IMO, perfectly timed to coincide with his character's development. He had just learned who/what he was. Now he would be able to make a decision about his future. Prior to this, he didn't have the ability. If however you think the getting three job offers at the same time is not plausible, don't school operate pretty much according to set time schedules? They fill academic positions at certain times. No different than student applicants; mailbox can be full of acceptances/rejections. More later"}, {"response": 180, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (16:39)", "body": "I agree, Karen. It is very believable that Roland had applied for those jobs, he needed money and it was a way to escape Val. The reader did not have to know that he had applied. I was happy for him. BTW, I wish everyone did not feel the need to use up a post just because of a need to apologise for a typo. I think we can give you the benefit of the doubt. We are a friendly literate bunch."}, {"response": 181, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (17:54)", "body": "(Moon) Why was Ash so understanding and supporting of his frigid wife? Cropper wrote that Ash's long courtship of Ellen showed his adoration to be on a par with Petrach's, i.e., a love that would withstand whatever obstacles. Also, Cropper surmised that Ash funneled his passions into his poetry during that period rather than find \"other\" outlets. Yet at the same time, Cropper does not believe Ask to Embla (Ash's great love poem) is written to Ellen. Seems a pretty obvious inconsistency to me. Could drive a truck through that one. I see Ash as a romantic. He put Ellen up on a pedestal and waited for her until her father deemed him \"worthy\" of her. He waited 15 years. On their honeymoon, they visited the place where Petrach lived in solitude contemplating his ideal (unconsummated) love. While Petrach loved an ideal, I don't think Ash was the type to be satisfied with just that. We finally get to see things through Ash's eyes in Yorkshire. He seems to have gotten most of his early education from reading books. In fact, while waiting downstairs for Christabel, he thought of certain passages from books (\"He thought of Balzac, from whom he had learned much, some of it erroneous, some of it simply too French to be useful in the world he still lived in.\") However, what could he do about his marriage? As the old saying goes, he made his bed now he would have to lie in it. He would look an absolute fool for having waited 15 years only to be rejected by his wife. He made the best of it, by accepting Ellen's slave-like devotion in lieu of physical love. Neither could discuss it. When he tells Christabel that he won't discuss Ellen (or vice versa) because it would be a betrayal, I think he is shielding himself rather than acting out of loyalty. He was complicit in their charade. It was also something that \"could not be discussed.\" They built a life around a lie. In Yorkshire, Christabel says, \"how can we bear it?\" Ash's reply is \"We can be quiet together, and pretend...\" Ash has a history of pretending."}, {"response": 182, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (19:19)", "body": "I too see Ash as a romantic and also Roland as a contemporary romantic (though i can't see him putting up with a frigid wife...). (Moon) It is very believable that Roland had applied for those jobs, he needed money and it was a way to escape Val. The reader did not have to know that he had applied. I was happy for him. Me too,me too...v. v. happy for everybody:-)) I was just replying to you \"fast \" comment. I have decided, however, that Ms. Byatt likes to catch the reader off-guard with surprises..instead of leading up to it.Clever. Makes for a faster read. BTW...what do other folks think of our main characters?"}, {"response": 183, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (21:31)", "body": "(Evelyn) I too see...Roland as a contemporary romantic Mmmmmmm yes."}, {"response": 184, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (07:38)", "body": "(Evelyn) I too see...Roland as a contemporary romantic (Karen),Mmmmmmm yes. Definitely not my kind of romantic. (Karen), However, what could he do about his marriage? As the old saying goes, he made his bed now he would have to lie in it. He would look an absolute fool for having waited 15 years only to be rejected by his wife. He made the best of it, by accepting Ellen's slave-like devotion in lieu of physical love. Neither could discuss it. His love letters to her were a bit much. Beatrice who was studying Ellen, had no clue and she was an Ash scholar too. In fact, while waiting downstairs for Christabel, he thought of certain passages from books Ash says, \"Le d\ufffdgo\ufffdt, c'est voir juste. Apr\ufffds la possession, l'amour voit juste chez les hommes.\" Why was disgust any clearer-eyed than desire? Ellen had disgust for his desire. Christabel in her \"old maid\", age did not. In fact she desired it. She had even brought a \"wedding ring\" to wear, as he had done. (I loved that scene in the train)."}, {"response": 185, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (08:06)", "body": "Moon, is that the translation of those two sentences? I never tried to find out what it said or can't remember. (Moon) Ellen had disgust for his desire. I think she is terrified. (Moon) Christabel in her \"old maid\", age did not. In fact she desired it. Ah then, but she's half-French and she would. ;-D"}, {"response": 186, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (09:26)", "body": "From Variety, another cast member, perhaps Val? Lena Headey, most recently seen in \"Gossip,\" has landed starring roles in two pics: the John Duigan-directed \"The Parole Officer,\" and the Neil LaBute-directed \"Possession.\" She's repped by CAA and U.K.-based Lou Coulson. ~~~~~ FYI, she was Olga in Onegin, if anyone saw it. v. pretty. Here's a website with lots of pics. http://www.geocities.com/lenaheadey/ Present day However, she could be Blanche. This is from Ballykissangel"}, {"response": 187, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (11:07)", "body": "Ash says, \"Le d\ufffdgo\ufffdt, c'est voir juste. Apr\ufffds la possession, l'amour voit juste chez les hommes.\" (Moon)Why was disgust any clearer-eyed than desire? Is he using possession as a synonym for \"desire\"? (Don't like men who digress in a foreign tongue...makes me think they're trying to put something over on me!!)"}, {"response": 188, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (11:22)", "body": "\"Le d\ufffdgo\ufffdt, c'est voir juste. Apr\ufffds la possession, l'amour voit juste chez les hommes.\" Altavista's translator came up with this: The dislike, it is to see right. After the possession, the love sees just at the men I have to go with possession meaning \"to have.\""}, {"response": 189, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (11:24)", "body": "Lena Headey is v. pretty...but a starring role as Val? Too pretty for Ellen. I remember her in Onegin she was Liv Tyler's sister,wasn't she?...Toby Stephen's fiancee."}, {"response": 190, "author": "susanne", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (12:33)", "body": "I still can't believe Christabel will have red hair. I thought it was an important point in the book that C and M have similarities. Byatt drew more than one parallel between C and M's hair. Before Fergus, Maud wore her hair partically shaved and after Christabel has her baby she comes back with her hair standing up in short wisps. If Jennifer is wearing a wig anyway, why not make it blond. Roland, I never thought of him as a wimp or a hero really. He seemed to be unsure and lacking in confidence about his life. His relationship with Val was co-dependent at the best. I wonder if Val did not make a move to end the relationship,if he ever would have. Part of his problem was that he spent years in the self-contained world of academia. I don't think he ever had to deal with life situations. All of a sudden he had to deal with a bad relationship, finding a job and then his integrity is tested when he finds the letter. Why was Ellen frigid? I know it makes for a good story, but there must be a reason-chilhood trauma, abuse, rape. That she felt disgust with a man that she loved seems very strange.I don't think that Ash would have looked to another woman,regardless of her being a soulmate or muse, if he had a whole relationship with his wife. At first, I thought that it was noble of Ash to remain in his marriage despite the problems, but perhaps he was more selfish than noble especially after he compromised Christabel and knew he had a child with her."}, {"response": 191, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (12:48)", "body": "(Karen) Lena Headey, most recently seen in \"Gossip,\" has landed starring roles in two pics: the John Duigan-directed \"The Parole Officer,\" Hmmm, a Stephen Dillane vehicle? Will post more at 132..."}, {"response": 192, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (12:54)", "body": "I may be off base here, but I'm not sure that Ash didn't find \"comfort\" outside the marriage prior to Christabel. I got the impression that he may have fathered the child of the pregnant maid (don't have the book here with me to reference). Roland--to me, he is the least clearly-drawn character in the book, to the point where I'm unable to label him hero or wimp. Also, I don't think the class difference between him and Maud was that big a deal in the book; it's mentioned, but that's about it. More to the point, she is his superior professionally, as others have noted here, which also enabled her to live a more comfortable lifestyle. Remember she had those nice white sheets that Roland liked, while he was living in that cat piss-stained dump. Ugh! Get a real job!;-);-) I have a question for the group: what is the significance of Maud always being in green, or among green things?"}, {"response": 193, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (13:05)", "body": "(Sue) I never thought of him as a wimp or a hero really He's probably both. His name tells me that he's a knight and we know he's on a Quest. He even has a talismen (the letter) to carry him through. He saves a damsel or two in distress: (1) Lady Bailey, literally, whose wheelchair is caught on a precipice and (2) Maud, figuratively, from her sterile life. Yes, he's unsure and lack confidence in himself, and I view Val as an albatross around his neck. When Val had left him before, he got out, started going places and being with people. Then she came back, and he was back in his molehole. Academically, he was recognized. At university, no one believed Val had written her paper and they thought it was Roland's work. As far the letter and his integrity, another way to view it is the letter stole him. It was alive and it took possession of him and everyone who touched it. (Sue) At first, I thought that it was noble of Ash to remain in his marriage despite the problems, but perhaps he was more selfish than noble especially after he compromised Christabel and knew he had a child with her. I've bounced around in my opinion of Ash and haven't quite settled on it. However, he thought the child was dead for some time. Also, I don't view it as Ash having \"compromised\" Christabel. She decided to go and knew precisely what she was doing. Moreover, it was Christabel who made the rules about their relationship. No way, was she going to be the one to break up his home/marriage. She said it was a summer lark and no more, they would never see each other again. She even tells him up front (as Mari quoted early on), \"And you must not speak nonsense. Of course I shall regret. So will you, will you not? But that, too, is of no importance at this time.\" Christabel's final letter to Ash says, they agreed to leave each other and never look back. She didn't regret their time together, her having Maia, but the lie she perpetuated."}, {"response": 194, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (13:14)", "body": "(Mari) I got the impression that he may have fathered the child of the pregnant maid. You are not alone. I know others who believe the same and it is a distinct possibility. Otherwise, he might also have been a virgin up in Yorkshire with Christabel, but is not. (Mari) I don't think the class difference between him and Maud was that big a deal in the book; it's mentioned, but that's about it. Roland does mention it a lot. He is very uncomfortable socially. Remember when Roland and Maud meet with Euan, Val and Toby? Maud can connect with those people, their backgrounds (not Val's of course) and Roland is a 5th wheel. (Mari) what is the significance of Maud always being in green, or among green things? Green has lots of meanings besides being specifically mentioned in the source poetry. What does green signify to you? ;-D"}, {"response": 195, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (13:26)", "body": "(Karen) He is very uncomfortable socially. Yes, and I chalked it up to his personality, not necessarily ascribing it to class. But then again, I'm such an egalitarian kinda gal.:-) (Karen) What does green signify to you? ;-D Er . . . St. Patty's Day?;-) Let's see . . .life, growth, envy, inexperience . . .tell me when I'm getting warm.:-)"}, {"response": 196, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (13:36)", "body": "Give the lady a kewpie doll!! In some places, I think it also takes on the same meaning of the \"green\" light in Gatsby - hope. And certainly refers back to the serpent in the source poem and Melusina, of course. The rich jewel colors are very Tennysonian."}, {"response": 197, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (14:18)", "body": "p. 459 He thought of the Princess on her glass, of Maud's faintly contemptuous look at their first meeting. In the real world--that was, for one should not privilege on world above another, in the social world to which they must both reutrn from these white nights and sunny days--there was little real connection between them. Maud was a beautifulwoman such as he had no claim to possess. She had a secure job and an international reputation. Moreover, in some dark and outdated English social system of class, which he didnot believe in, but felt obscurely working and gripping him, Maud was Country, and he was urban lower-middle-class, in some places more, in some places less acceptable than Maud, but in almost all incompatible."}, {"response": 198, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (17:24)", "body": "I view Val as an albatross around his neck. Yeah...but he credited Val and his mum for getting him through the Ph.D dissertation and getting that First.Also she was the breadwinner in that relationship...she had the \"real job\"! Happens in many university relationships...eventually they outgrow each other. Val realized that...the relationship was going nowhere [ Hmmmm...Where have I heard that before? ] She got out of it with Euan...(Way to go Val!)"}, {"response": 199, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (18:00)", "body": "(Evelyn) she was the breadwinner in that relationship...she had the \"real job\"! And she threw that in his face every chance she got. Val subordinated herself to Roland. Gave up--voluntarily--what she was really interested in (Robert Graves) to be with him. She stopped having opinions of her. Project a self-image of superfluousness, meniality, etc. How on earth was Roland going to have any confidence in himself and be asserted when he was being made to feel guilty for her demise? You only see yourself in the reflection of others. Happens in many university relationships Happens in more than just those, think about women putting their husbands through law school, med school, etc. (Sue) Why was Ellen frigid? ...but there must be a reason-chilhood trauma, abuse, rape. I always chalked it up to good old Victorianism, but there actually is something, a clue, perhaps. In Ellen Ash's journal, she makes a couple of comments. One about remembering that her mother beat a servant who was pregnant. \"I remember one in particular, Thyrza Collit, running screaming from room to room and Mamma whirling after her with upraised arm. I shall never forget that screaming.\" Ellen also has a peculiar image of married women with all their ailments and continual \"lyings-in.\" She notes that her sister Patience's looks had faded and her husband Barabas was a \"most considerate husband.\" Ellen seems to be afraid of pregnancy, the result. Good insight, Sue."}, {"response": 200, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (19:07)", "body": "Karen, where were you when I needed tutoring in English Lit (will you go over Gulliver's Travels with me???? :))!!! I never picked up on Ellen being afraid of pregnancy. I thought that she just didn't want the children. I did suspect that Ash fathered the housekeeper's child. I loaned out my book \"Possession\" to I hope is a worthy individual, I'm nervous. I gave her BJD I & II, and she loved it (she's a SATC addict), hoping I have a convert.... :) (told her they were making it into a movie...)"}, {"response": 201, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (20:17)", "body": "Lena Headey, could play Val and Blanche. I like the choice. (Karen), His name tells me that he's a knight and we know he's on a Quest. La Chanson de Roland! VG, Karen! With Maud he was a gentleman to the end. I don't view it as Ash having \"compromised\" Christabel. She decided to go and knew precisely what she was doing. Maud and Leonora viewed Christabel as a feminist. (A lesbian too, but that is anither subject). (Mari) I got the impression that he may have fathered the child of the pregnant maid. Sorry, no! He would never have done it under Ellen s nose or in his own house. The pregnant maid was just to show how understanding Ellen would be with her. It sets up a contrast to the pregnant Christabel. (Mari) I don't think the class difference between him and Maud was that big a deal in the book; it's mentioned, but that's about it. (Karen), Roland does mention it a lot. Definitely strongly felt by Roland. Green= innocense, Maud is the direct descendent."}, {"response": 202, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (21:30)", "body": "Green-envy?"}, {"response": 203, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (21:31)", "body": "and at one time green meant horny (green m-m's anyone??) ;)"}, {"response": 204, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (23:09)", "body": "...and Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came by Browning. Moon, I hope you are brushing up on your Dante. I think the green means different things in different places. Besides, as I've learned, with Byatt, there's no correct answer, just lots of them."}, {"response": 205, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (15:26)", "body": "Had forgotten this fun tidbit. While doing research ages ago on Rossetti and Dickinson, I noticed that many articles came from a journal entitled Tulsa Studies in Women's Literature. Sounds like the real-life Tallahassee to me. If we go further, will we find our Leonora on the editorial staff? Wonder if anyone has asked them? http://www.utulsa.edu/tswl/default.asp"}, {"response": 206, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (16:56)", "body": "I noticed that many articles came from a journal entitled Tulsa Studies in Women's Literature. Sounds like the real-life Tallahassee to me. If we go further, will we find our Leonora on the editorial staff? I don't know about Leonora, but Germaine Greer taught in their Women's Studies dept for many years; and is still on the advosory board of the journal. University of Tulsa has a vibrant Women's Studies dept. Leonora sounds like a \"one-of-a-kind\";-) Love the Leonora/Blackadder encounter!!"}, {"response": 207, "author": "susanne", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (11:43)", "body": "I wondered about what the names meant after I read the study question on the link that Karen provided. I really had no clue. So Roland comes from Sir Roland on his quest (which is very clever), how about the others? Isn't Maud, Queen of the Fairies (in Irish folklore?)? I don't even have a guess as to Christabel and Ash. Does anyone else have insight? (Karen)I've bounced around in my opinion of Ash and haven't quite settled on it. However, he thought the child was dead for some time. Also, I don't view it as Ash having \"compromised\" Christabel. She decided to go and knew precisely what she was doing. Moreover, it was Christabel who made the rules about their relationship. No way, was she going to be the one to break up his home/marriage. She said it was a summer lark and no more, they would never see each other again. She even tells him up front (as Mari quoted early on), \"And you must not speak nonsense. Of course I shall regret. So will you, will you not? But that, too, is of no importance at this time.\" I totally agree that Christabel was more than willing to embark on a relationship with Ash even knowing that she would regret it. When I used the word compromise I really meant it as it pertained to women in the Victorian era. Unmarried women were meant to be virgins, if not they were thought to be \"ruined\" and unmarriageble. Christabel might be considered an early feminist and had no desire to marry at the time, but even Gloria Steinem changed her mind. Christabel must have not been happy in her exiled lifestyle with Blanche or else would the relationship with Ash have happened. Ash had more culpablity since he was the man. Men at the time had all the power and thought to have superior knowledge over women.(Of course, we know this is not true) Also, Ash was married and had nothing to offer C. if the outcome was what it was. Ash went back to his cozy life with his adoring wife. Christabel had to deal with being unmarried and pregnant. Yes, Ash was tortured for several years thinking his child was dead, but hen he found out the truth and had a certain peace. Christabel lived out her life seeing her daughter but also knowing that May did not really like her. Even in the end when C. tried to make it right with Ash, she was denied peace. Yes, I think she was compromised( even with her conent) and that she paid a much heavier price for it."}, {"response": 208, "author": "susanne", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (11:46)", "body": "sorry I closed the italics incorrectly."}, {"response": 209, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (13:03)", "body": "We do not really know what would have happened if Christabel had told Ash she was expecting. I think that Ash would have left Ellen to be with Christabel. It was Christabel who decided to run away and break it up. Ash searched for her. he eventually traced her to France. He tried to see her in London and she would not. He ended up in the seance just to be able to see her. He was tortured and madly in love. He would have done anything, including divorcing Ellen, IMO. She did not want the scandal. Had the child not come along, I think they would have continued the affair. Why didn't Ash confront Christabel when he met Maia?"}, {"response": 210, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 17, 2000 (15:26)", "body": "Sue: Maud is the name of a poem by Tennyson and Christabel is another by Coleridge. There's no name-poem for Ash or at least I haven't discovered it. Ash does relate to Norse mythology. I can upload some info about them if you'd like. Possibly, the best parts of Maud/Christabel are Byatt's use of certain lines or descriptions. It's amazing. Re: compromised We are talking about the same thing (I think). With regard to their relationship, I don't like to lay blame on either party because C chose to go, knowing full well what might be the result. She could've kept their relationship above board and on paper, but didn't. In fact, she kind of liked being pursued. In Blanche's journal, in the description of the prowler/peeping Tom incident (p. 53): \"This Peeping Tom has put his eye to the nick or cranny in our walls and peers shamelessly in. She laughs and says he means no harm...But it amuses her to hear him lolloping and panting round our solid walls, she thinks he will always be Tame, as he is now.\" Christabel liked the flirtation. This was \"doing her own thing\" and really got mad when Blanche interferred; she had no right to do so. (Sue) she paid a much heavier price for it. Yes, but it was her decision again. We'll never know what might have happened if she had told lover boy about the baby. (Moon) hy didn't Ash confront Christabel when he met Maia? He's finally respecting her space. ;-D"}, {"response": 211, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (00:17)", "body": "From Monday's Telegraph: Grim oop north GWYNETH PALTROW'S usual charm went astray during last week's filming in Yorkshire of Possession, a film based on A S Byatt's novel. Locals, unable to take the train from Pickering to Goathland because of the filming, had hoped to get a few words with the Hollywood star instead. No such luck. \"You couldn't even get near her to ask for an autograph,\" says one. \"When she wasn't filming she was surrounded by minders and looked so miserable.\" Another onlooker is even more scathing: \"She didn't look happy and hated people taking pictures of her even though she should be used to it. Perrhaps she should come down to earth and not take herself so seriously.\" ~~~~~~~~~ OK, a little tourism... Here's Pickering train station: Interesting part, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway is a steam RR. So I would think they would be shooting with the Victorian couple?? Kind of liked this brochure:"}, {"response": 212, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (00:30)", "body": ""}, {"response": 213, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (09:01)", "body": "Karen....are you sure you don't work for the CIA? Incredible intelligence report on Pickering!! \"Perhaps she should come down to earth and not take herself so seriously.\" \"Sorry Gwynnie, Renee is outta the country...now it's your turn\" \"Locals, unable to take the train from Pickering to Goathland because of the filming,\" 1-800-DONOVANQUICK"}, {"response": 214, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (09:07)", "body": "sorry for italics"}, {"response": 215, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (09:23)", "body": "LOL, Evelyn! Thanks, Karen! \"She didn't look happy I wonder if Neil has done a script change she does not like or agree with"}, {"response": 216, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (09:30)", "body": "(Moon) hy didn't Ash confront Christabel when he met Maia? (Karen), He's finally respecting her space. ;-D At that point he understood that Christabel had her sister adopt Maia and that Maia was very happy in her situation. He was happy that he had seen his daughter which he thought dead. Christabel was also taking care of Maia, she was with her. He must have seen the reason for many things at that moment, and that was enough for him."}, {"response": 217, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (11:47)", "body": "From the York Evening Press: Steamy scenes Westminster may ignore us, but Hollywood cannot get enough of North Yorkshire. Following in the footsteps of Cate Blanchett and Michael Caine, Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow was filming in our backyard today. For her new movie Possession, Ms Paltrow is shooting scenes on the North Yorkshire Moors railway. As the coal-driven locomotive involved is one of the only forms of transport still moving, this could lead to confusion. We must hope that she does not return to Los Angeles under the misapprehension that quaint Yorkshire folk are still living in the steam age."}, {"response": 218, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (12:58)", "body": "We must hope that she does not return to Los Angeles under the misapprehension that quaint Yorkshire folk are still living in the steam age. That would not be so very bad."}, {"response": 219, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (14:22)", "body": "Steamy scenes What a let-down.... He was happy that he had seen his daughter which he thought dead. How did he find out about Maia? Did the cousins in France tell him?"}, {"response": 220, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (17:36)", "body": "He knew nothing about Maia. He went there to see Christabel."}, {"response": 221, "author": "susanne", "date": "Tue, Sep 19, 2000 (12:48)", "body": "Hard to believe a man can be confronted with his child and then just walk away. At least he had his questions answered. Thanks for enlightening me on the names. I still like the idea of Maud bing the Queen of the Faires since C. wrote fairy poetry. To take a slight turn in the discussion. Why was it assumed that Christabel and Blanche had a lesbian relationship? Was it in the poetry? I was surprised when Ash thought she might have had that kind of relationship with Blanche. They make love and just because she is passionate and sort of knows what she is doing (which could be instinctual), Ash wonders about her. Personally, it made me want to smack him. Blanche had an obsession about C., but was it sexual. I could never really tell."}, {"response": 222, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 19, 2000 (14:58)", "body": "I agree with you Sue. To me it was not clear if they did have a lesbian relationship. Blanche admired C for many reasons, but being herself an artist, I thought it was natural for her to feel close to C. Plus C had helped her economically as well. I was surprised when Ash thought she might have had that kind of relationship with Blanche. Ash was surprised to see she was still a virgin. I do not think he thought she was sleeping with Blanche. I hated that about him. How dare he think that she would not be a virgin! Is that why he asked her to come along with him? Did he think she was an easy lay? That part was out of character. (Got that (?) Evelyn?) ;-)"}, {"response": 223, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 19, 2000 (15:00)", "body": "Laura, for one that claims this is her favourite book and has read it many times, you sure are quiet."}, {"response": 224, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Sep 19, 2000 (15:28)", "body": "I absolutely had the impression that Christabel and Blanche were lovers. Yes, C's accomplished lovemaking could have been instinctive, but I don't think Byatt would have noted it if that's all there was to it. Also, recall how secretive C. was initially about Ash's letters (hiding them as if from a jealous lover), and remember how upset the household became once Blanche discovered them. Plus, Blanche runs straight to Ash's wife to spill the beans--doesn't sound like the actions of a platonic friend to me. And she kills herself over it! Definitely lesbian lovers, sorry.;-) Then again, I'm the person who is still certain that Ash fathered the maid's baby.:-)"}, {"response": 225, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 19, 2000 (21:19)", "body": "I think Byatt is purposely trying to make the relationship ambiguous to the reader.This book is a multi-layered mystery..not just story-wise, but character-wise too.I'm reading it the second time...and now that I'm not conscentrating on the story, I see nuances that she sticks in to throw the reader off guard."}, {"response": 226, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 19, 2000 (21:43)", "body": "You *know* I will have something to say on that subject, but in the meantime, I've put up some pictures from the filming at the Lincoln train station that were in Hello! Magazine last week: http://www.spring.net/karenr/possession/possession.html"}, {"response": 227, "author": "susanne", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (08:31)", "body": "Thanks for the pictures Karen. Gwenyth really makes a good Maud. I just wish she were wearing those signiture head scarfs with the pin. If they do the scene where she lets her hair down for the first time, it would be more dramatic if it came out of the scarf first.IMHO"}, {"response": 228, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (08:33)", "body": "Great job, Karen! AHHH! Roland does not even stand up when she arrives!!! How ungentlemanly. Can NOT possibly see the attraction there. What a horrible choice for Roland. :-( (Mari), Also, recall how secretive C. was initially about Ash's letters (hiding them as if from a jealous lover), and remember how upset the household became once Blanche discovered them. Plus, Blanche runs straight to Ash's wife to spill the beans--doesn't sound like the actions of a platonic friend to me. And she kills herself over it! Blanche and her happy artistic enviornment is threatened by Ash. She is the closest person to C and Ash crashes in. She relies 100% on C so of course she resents him and hates him for it. It is also a moral issue. She thinks it is wrong because he is married and that is why she goes to Ellen. Blanche s life has not been easy, she has no money, no property and she is very sensitive and aware of this fact. C knows that B is hates Ash and goes away with him anyway. Blanche kills herself because her life would be over anyway if C left her for Ash. But by killing herself she would hurt C as C had hurt her with her relationship with Ash. The lesbian idea is Leonora s. It is modern and lacks Victorian sensibilities. And, as it is proven in the end, Leonora and Maud did not know much about the real C at all. And that, IMO, also includes her being a lesbian."}, {"response": 229, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (10:33)", "body": "Great page , Karen, thank you. Aaron Eckhart , sadly, still looks like Erin Brockovitch's biker boyfriend with short hair...not Roland. Can't imagine a librarian in the British Museum handing an original manuscript to someone who looks like that ."}, {"response": 230, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (10:46)", "body": "Sorry, I've been ill with migraines. I do have a lot to say, but was told no spoilers. So I really don't know what is considered spoiler or not. The relationship btw Christabel and Blanche reminds me of Clive Durham and Maurice Hall in EM Forster's Maurice. You just never know how far they took the relationship. However, if love wasn't a factor, why did Blanche commit suicide? I believe they were intimate. Christabel was for all intents and purposes bi-sexual and enjoyed being so. Ash was a great poet who intrigued her. Blanche was home and hearth."}, {"response": 231, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (11:14)", "body": "but was told no spoilers That was UNTIL a certain date. Then I posted to everyone to go ahead and discuss. That's what the dragon warning was all about. \"Beyond this point, there be dragons.\""}, {"response": 232, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (11:41)", "body": "Oh, see I thought the dragon was in regards to something esle:) silly me, cool, so I can now spoil, eh? Well when head gets back to normal I will do so. (have appt w/ doctor as migraines are getting worse, not better..)"}, {"response": 233, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (12:17)", "body": "When I was a teenager, I had a very close relationship with my best friend and we were definitely not lesbians. I need proof that I can not dispute to believe it. As I have said: The lesbian idea is Leonora s. It is modern and lacks Victorian sensibilities. And, as it is proven in the end, Leonora and Maud did not know much about the real C at all. And that, IMO, also includes her being a lesbian."}, {"response": 234, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (12:19)", "body": "What is more disturbing is the fact that Ash did not think Christabel was a virgin. How and why would he think that?"}, {"response": 235, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (12:56)", "body": "(Sue) Why was it assumed that Christabel and Blanche had a lesbian relationship? Was it in the poetry? The poem that gets everyone all hot and bothered is Christabel's at the beginning of Chapter 18; it's about gloves and immediately precedes Maud's rereading of Blanche's suicide note. I'm on the nonlesbian relationship side and think Moon did an excellent job of stating many of the reasons AND she did if far more succinctly than I would have. ;-D In fact, three years ago, I was the only one in our discussion group who argued that point and I wrote up pages and pages of rationale. With Byatt, I always try to be cognizant of who is narrating. Unless Byatt's omniscient third party narrator jumps in, you can't take anything for granted. Everything is subject to interpretation. As Maud says to Roland, when they first meet and he shows her Ash's letter: \"Well,\" she said, \"the dates fit. You could make up a whole story. On no real evidence.\" As Maud and Roland often say: \"It fits in beautifully. But it isn't proof.\" Remember Bea's comment as well: \"she was not taught to do scholarship by studying primarily what was missing. That key piece of evidence is missing IMO. There are three sources of information provided about the C-B relationship: (1) Blanche's journal, (2) the letters of Christabel and Ash and (3) our narrator, Byatt, when she provides us with events and people's thoughts that our her and heroine will never know. (Actually, there is a fourth--Christabel's poetry--but its interpretation depends on how you interpret her life.) For whom is a journal written? The writer and for posterity, to create an image, an image that may or may not bear any resemblance to reality. Such were the journals kept by Ellen Ash and Blanche Glover. They created scenes of domestic tranquility in their respective households. Blanche had nothing in her life--oh, she had art, but even she characterized it as \"thin\" or \"unlit stained glass.\" The real artist was Christabel and she worshipped her. She is the same type of \"helpmeet\" as Ellen Ash. They ran the household, dealt with the mundane, and adored their masters in their silent ways. Blanche's journal was for herself. It is natural that her intimate thoughts would reflect her love for Christabel, but it doesn't mean to me that the love was returned in the same fashion. Letters, on the other hand, are meant only for the personal addressed. No one else. So, I would tend to believe them more. I looked for references in Blanche's journal and Christabel's letters to the existence of \"conversation\" or \"intercourse.\" For the most part, life at Bethany Cottage is silent; the two of them absorbed in their solitary pursuits. Painting and poetry are both solitary pursuits. Blanche states that she lacks the courage to talk/speak, which I interpret as she loves Christabel, but her love is one-sided. What Christabel feels for her is something else. There is Blanche's description of the \"Peeping Tom\" event, that begins with \"Where is the frankness of intercourse? Where the small, unspeakable things that we used to shared in quiet harmony?\" Are they lovers? No. This is all in Blanche's mind. It's unspeakable or nonactionable. Blanche has always lacked the courage to act on this aspect of her love for Christabel. She breaks down, goes to her room to pray, cries and is comforted by Christabel. \"we were quiet together, in our special way...\" is not a description of lesbian love, but of the helpmeet being acknowledged or appreciated by the master. (Mari) Then again, I'm the person who is still certain that Ash fathered the maid's baby.:-) It's a possibility and certainly fits into my more recent views of \"Randy\" Ash. ;-D (Moon) What a horrible choice for Roland. :-( You said it, girl!"}, {"response": 236, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (14:17)", "body": "For whom is a journal written? The writer and for posterity, to create an image, an image that may or may not bear any resemblance to reality. Such were the journals kept by Ellen Ash Too bad for Cs last letter to Ash which she decided to bury in the small box.It was the final proof that they all needed to confirm C's and Ash's affair, and it was all thanks to Ellen, who had tried so hard to ignore it in her journal. Blanche is the same type of \"helpmeet\" as Ellen Ash. They ran the household, dealt with the mundane, and adored their masters in their silent ways. Exactly. One does get to be possessive of one's \"home\" I'm on the nonlesbian relationship side and think Moon did an excellent job of stating many of the reasons AND she did if far more succinctly than I would have. ;-D *Blushing* You are too kind, girlfriend. :-D"}, {"response": 237, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (14:21)", "body": "Then why did Blanche kill herself??? It just doesn't add up that they didn't have a physical relationship... perhaps they were soul mates in the sense that they loved each other but in a non-physical way??"}, {"response": 238, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (14:44)", "body": "Then why did Blanche kill herself??? It just doesn't add up that they didn't have a physical relationship... Have you been reading the previous posts? I hope your migraine is better."}, {"response": 239, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (15:12)", "body": "Spirited defense, Moon and Karen! I say: Picky, picky, picky ;-)"}, {"response": 240, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (15:46)", "body": "Just because Byatt doesn't come out and say that they had a lesbian affair... I am SO not going to win this argument. Anyone read EM Forster's Maurice? Same sitch. Waiting for doctor to call... gotta love drs..."}, {"response": 241, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (16:28)", "body": "(Mari) Spirited defense, Moon and Karen! I say: Picky, picky, picky *hee hee* You ain't seen nothing yet! ;-D (Laura) Then why did Blanche kill herself??? It just doesn't add up that they didn't have a physical relationship... (Moon) Have you been reading the previous posts? I hope your migraine is better. Pffft! LOL! ;-) As my soul sister said, way up there on message 228, Blanche had nothing and feared losing Christabel. B and C were brave women, striking out on their own, making a life dedicated to good works (blah blah), without men. Brave for that time. However, C was the breadwinner; they mainly subsisted on C's money. She had nothing but pride and wouldn't live on charity. Goodness knows, she couldn't revert to being something like a governess, which in her view was a nonentity. Blanche committed suicide while Christabel was away in France. Not hardly likely that Christabel told her much about what was going on. That was her secret, her private space. Christabel only told her sister. Blanche may well have thought that Christabel was running away with Ash, another reason to end her life. BTW, haven't forgotten about Ash's next morning reaction..."}, {"response": 242, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (17:56)", "body": "(Moon) How dare he think that she would not be a virgin! Is that why he asked her to come along with him? Did he think she was an easy lay? Perhaps that's why LaBute is making Christabel a redhead? Cheap henna, anyone? ;-D"}, {"response": 243, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (18:41)", "body": "Ok, time to roll out *my* heavy artillery.;-) 1. Ash is not Maia's father. David Crosby is. 2. Blanche did not commit suicide. She was, however, found wandering half-dressed and incoherent in the desert outside Fresno. 3. The salutation on Christabel's note to Blanche is \"Dear Cutie-Patootie.\" 4. Their every move is chronicled in Liz Smith's column. 5. Doesn't Christabel wear a dress with lavendar trim? Or maybe she smelled like lavendar. Or maybe that was Maud. Or was that orchids? Sheesh, all the clues are right there, folks.;-)"}, {"response": 244, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 20, 2000 (19:00)", "body": "LOL! You have been reading too many People magazines."}, {"response": 245, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 21, 2000 (13:58)", "body": "Since we're on Chrissy and Blanche, can anyone enlighten me on the significance of their home, Bethany Cottage. The name does refer to the New Testament, of which I have little knowledge. Most likely, it is ironic, just as Cropper's place in New Mexico is totally ironic."}, {"response": 246, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 24, 2000 (21:17)", "body": "It would appear (or not) that Ellen Ash shares some of your same suspicions, Mari, about Randy. ;-D From her diary on June 10th: \"I do not believe my dearest Randolph would ever consider applying his hand-- or anything else to any young person in our employment. Or anything else? What could she have in mind? *shocked*"}, {"response": 247, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 25, 2000 (07:37)", "body": "Maybe this is what blocked Bea too. ;-) I prefer to believe that he would not be involved with someone in the same house as Ellen. It would be truly stereotyping Ash and I do not think his poetic sensibilities would approve of being stereotyped at all. :-) Why would he care so much about his child with Christabel if he already had one? He was a man possessed , he needed to know."}, {"response": 248, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep 25, 2000 (12:45)", "body": "Karen, re: your question on Bethany Cottage. In the New Testament, Bethany was the hometown of Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead, and Lazarus's sisters, Mary and Martha. Not sure how that might fit in, but Mary and Martha are sometimes cited by contemporary theologists as evidence of Jesus's belief in the essential equality of men and women, as they had access to Him and to places that women absolutely did not in those days. RE: Randy (I like that--have we finally discovered Byatt's intended meaning of his name?;-) I don't have the book with me here, but there are lines I can quote later which IMO point to Ash's fathering the maid's child."}, {"response": 249, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (04:06)", "body": "Hey , Yesterday I went by 30 Russell Square where Crabb Robinson had the now famous breakfast. The building now houses the Univ. of London offices for the English Lit Dept.!Don't know the # of Randy's house...I know it's on Great Russell street. So he probably walked over to Crabb's . Wonder why Crabb didn't invite Ellen? He invited Blanche. OhGod....I'm getting like Cropper and Leonora."}, {"response": 250, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (09:26)", "body": "Pssst, Evelyn . . .Sloane Gardens. From the Mirror: SPACED-OUT SLOANES CUT GWYNETH DEAD.. GWYNETH Paltrow has many fans. Just not in the exclusive London street where she's shooting her new movie. The fragile beauty is filming scenes for Possession in a house in Sloane Gardens, a small street just off snooty Sloane Square. But locals were fuming into their muesli when seven trucks suddenly showed up and parked in resident spaces, before suspending all the parking on the rest of the road. \"I called up the local council to complain and all they said was: 'Well, it is Gwyneth Paltrow, after all,'\" says local resident and socialite Cindy Jackson. \"I can't believe it. They have taken over the entire street. I told the council I hope they deduct two days' council tax from my next bill because of the inconvenience. \"I don't care who Gwyneth is.\" That's told her."}, {"response": 251, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (09:47)", "body": "*hee hee* I've felt exactly like that numerous times. Thanks for the location update, Mari. Can stop looking in the northern papers for info. (Moon) Why would he care so much about his child with Christabel if he already had one? Ah, supposing that he was the father, Ash didn't know about the maid's situation. She ran off while he was in Yorkshire. (Mari) the essential equality of men and women, as they had access to Him and to places that women absolutely did not in those days. I think that fits in v.v. nicely. Both Christabel and Blanche were attempting to live independent lives showing their equality with men of that period. Perhaps the irony is that they failed. Christabel became the witch in the turret and Blanche went into the river. BTW, there's no question in my mind that it must relate to the Lazurus story, as his name is mentioned a number of times. Christabel and Ash debate it in the letters??? However, I was trying to make a case for the hospitality aspect of M&M. One was an exemplary homemaker/host and the other was all devotion. Couldn't make heads or tails of that one. Like what you've related, Mari. (Mari) but there are lines I can quote later which IMO point to Ash's fathering the maid's child. Do tell!! What else have I missed? I've always gone on Ellen Ash's journal (which I love) and the many ways you can read into it. My favs have to be the \"cross-outs.\" ;-D (Evelyn) Wonder why Crabb didn't invite Ellen? She was straining her jam. ;-D"}, {"response": 252, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (11:32)", "body": "Evelyn, I hope you can match Karen here. Get to Sloane Sq. ;-) (Evelyn) Wonder why Crabb didn't invite Ellen? Victorian Ellen could not possibly think there would be ladies there. (Mari) but there are lines I can quote later which IMO point to Ash's fathering the maid's child. (Karen), Do tell!! What else have I missed? Do not keep us in suspense too long. :-)"}, {"response": 253, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (14:08)", "body": "The part about Randy that bothers me comes toward the end, when Byatt is relating what happened when Randy tells Ellen about the affair. First off, Ash told Christabel he wouldn't talk about Ellen because it was a betrayal and vice versa. Then, what, a couple of months after Yorkshire and Christabel's disappearance, he blurts it out??? IMO, he betrayed Christabel. Then it gets worse...Ellen says she's known. He said, \"How long?\" his proud crest fallen.\" his proud crest!!! Ash was proud he had an affair and wanted to show his wife that what??? he was desirable to other women??? Is he trying to goad her into jealousy??? Didn't like that description one bit. Not one bit. Definitely made me wonder about him. But then again, we'll never know because we're not supposed to know. As Byatt would put it, these are private things and no one should know."}, {"response": 254, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (14:09)", "body": "so angry I forgot to close my tag. done now. ;-D"}, {"response": 255, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (14:42)", "body": "\"How long?\" his proud crest fallen.\" his proud crest!!! Ash was proud he had an affair and wanted to show his wife that what??? Maybe he was proud of himself by not telling Ellen of his affair. He was proud that he had not hurt her intentionally by admitting it to her and even expecting her to accept it. His crest had fallen when he realized that it was not so, and that his dear Ellen had known about it. His proud crest fallen, he was ashamed."}, {"response": 256, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Sep 26, 2000 (17:11)", "body": "Right after Maud and Beatrice have read Ellen's journal, they discuss it, starting with Maud: \"What happened to Bertha?\" \"We never find out. She doesn't tell. Or even if she went after her.\" \"It must have been terrible for Bertha. She--Ellen--doesn't seem to see . . .\" \"Doesn't she?\" \"Oh, I don't know. She describes her clearly. Poor Bertha.\" \"Dust and ashes,\" Beatrice surprisingly said. \"Long ago. and the child, if it was born.\" Clearly, IMO, Maud and Beatrice strongly suspect that Ash is the father. Then a bit earlier, from Ellen's journal, we read: \"She (Bertha) expressed no penitence, but also no defiance, asking me only over and over 'What can I do?' to which I have no sufficent answer. 'It all continues on whatever I will, ' she strangely said.\" I interpret this to mean that Bertha feels that her course of action (i.e., whether to reveal Ash as the father) will pretty much decide the fate of Ellen and Ash's marriage."}, {"response": 257, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (09:05)", "body": "Right after Maud and Beatrice have read Ellen's journal, they discuss it, starting with Maud: And we know they have been wrong about other things too. \"She (Bertha) expressed no penitence, but also no defiance, asking me only over and over 'What can I do?' to which I have no sufficent answer. 'It all continues on whatever I will, ' she strangely said.\" The Victorian Ellen was thinking that no matter how much I help her, she will do it again (have sex), since she has expressed no penitence. There is no proof that she suspects her husband. Byatt once again is showing the difference between Ellen (and her Victorian beliefs), and another woman. It alienates Ellen even further from Ash. Ironically it sets the reader up to be more sympathetic with Ash when he desperately wants to know about his child with Christabel."}, {"response": 258, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (09:09)", "body": "I am very partial to Ash, can you tell? ;-)"}, {"response": 259, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (10:47)", "body": "(Moon) And we know they have been wrong about other things too. Ah, but there's no evidence that they're wrong about this thing.:-) (Moon) There is no proof that she suspects her husband. I didn't say she did. My point is that the passage gives us an insight into what *Bertha* is thinking, as Bertha is the only one who knows the truth. Her thoughts are revealed by Byatt through Ellen's words--not Ellen's thoughts. Will be interesting to see how the film handles this!"}, {"response": 260, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (11:12)", "body": "Thanks for the quotes, Mari. Will have to think about it some more. Yes, both Beatrice and Maud have come to that conclusion, and I especially trust Beatrice's instincts. She *knows* and *understands* Maud only became a reliable interpreter of events a few pages prior, during her discussion with Bea, the part about how to interpret omissions and sexual metaphors. (p. 241) \"I agree, Dr Nest. In fact I do agree. The whole of our scholarship--the whole of our thought--we question everything except the centrality of sexuality...\" \"Dust and ashes,\" Beatrice surprisingly said. \"Long ago. and the child, if it was born.\" If Bea thinks the child is relevant, then it is. I stand behind Bea. (Bertha) 'It all continues on whatever I will, ' she strangely said.\" (Mari) I interpret this to mean that Bertha feels that her course of action (i.e., whether to reveal Ash as the father) will pretty much decide the fate of Ellen and Ash's marriage. I don't follow how, am dense. ;-) (Moon) There is no proof that she suspects her husband. It's always in the interpretation. I think what she wrote about Randolph never applying his hand-- or anything else --says it all. Anything else? Whatever could she mean? A foot? I think not. Ellen wrote those journals with an aim to baffle us, as Bea says. There is truth hidden amongst the boring details and glossed-over accounts of significant events. (Moon) I am very partial to Ash, can you tell? ;-) Really? ;-D (Moon) Will be interesting to see how the film handles this! Have probably tossed this out, as unnecessary in manner of hair color and brightly colored headscarf. ;-D"}, {"response": 261, "author": "susanne", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (11:49)", "body": "(Karen) The part about Randy that bothers me comes toward the end, when Byatt is relating what happened when Randy tells Ellen about the affair. First off, Ash told Christabel he wouldn't talk about Ellen because it was a betrayal and vice versa. Then, what, a couple of months after Yorkshire and Christabel's disappearance, he blurts it out??? IMO, he betrayed Christabel. This bothered me too. Ash told Ellen to relieve his own guilt. Whether Ellen knew or ot really does not matter. I wonder how they handled the knowledge on a day-to-day basis with the harsh reality of his infidelity intruding into their pretend lives. As to whether Ash was the father of Bertha's baby, only Bertha knew so we never will. If I were Ellen, living in a chaste marriage, I would have some doubts as to the paternity. Even if Ellen never consciously faced the possibility that the baby belonged to her husband, she must have had some unexpressed fears about it."}, {"response": 262, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (17:18)", "body": "I still have a hard time believing that Ash would do such a thing in his own house with his most Victorian wife there. Remember the letters he sent Ellen when he was at the seaside with Christabel? How could he be guilt-ridden when having an affair far from home and simply be non-chalant about doing it with Bertha in the same house with Ellen? It does not make any sense at all."}, {"response": 263, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (17:32)", "body": "(Moon) How could he be guilt-ridden when having an affair far from home and simply be non-chalant about doing it with Bertha in the same house with Ellen? Good point! However, what went on with Bertha was physical, whereas his relationship with Christabel was far more. He loved her or was possessed by her. Spiritual vs. physical Ash would feel guilt over loving another woman since he was pledged to love Ellen. Bertha was more convenient than going to a pro. (Moon) Remember the letters he sent Ellen when he was at the seaside with Christabel? I felt the same way about them as Maud did. Supreme indignation that he was writing as if nothing was going on, while he was with another woman. Then that brooch he sent her with the poem with this line: So may our love, safe in your heart from harm Your heart? Not--our hearts! But Ellen knew things were bad. Just before the poem is one of her crossouts. They add soooo much. They tell you what she really felt. Despite all [crossed out] We have been so happy in our life together, even our separations contribute to the trust and deep affection that is between us. \"Despite all\" Despite all the what??? And this is before Blanche shows up and Ellen's migraines start."}, {"response": 264, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (19:45)", "body": "\"Despite all\" Despite all the what??? Despite all the failed attempts at... sleeping together. :-( So may our love, safe in your heart from harm He might have been using the third person plural with our love. Which is how I read it. what went on with Bertha was physical, whereas his relationship with Christabel was far more. He loved her or was possessed by her. Spiritual vs. physical Ash would feel guilt over loving another woman since he was pledged to love Ellen. Bertha was more convenient than going to a pro. I too think he loved Christabel. She was his anima gemella. But he was possessed by Ellen, because she was his wife. I still say that he would not have gone with Bertha in the same house as Ellen. Bertha, IMO, had a boyfriend she became pregnant with. Her pleading for help from Ellen was typical behaviour of servant/master back then. Bordellos were quite common then too, and more convenient for Ash who would not want to hurt Ellen feelings. We have had ample proof that he did not want to hurt her feelings."}, {"response": 265, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (04:59)", "body": "Fascinating discussion...pardon the interruption.. Thanks Mari for the location tip....Yesterday aft on the way to the Byatt Lecture I stopped off at Sloane Sq and checked out Sloane Gardens.Lovely spot ...all the houses made of a brick (Cotswold bricks?). Identical architecture, three storey, porches...all flats..very elegant. Sadly all the trailers were gone.I don't remember Maud going back to London BTW. The Byatt Lecture: Cerebral to say the least.Raining buckets outside and the Royal College of Music is not easy to find...still, I persevered.(Americans are tough!!) About 50 people in a med size theatre.The lecture centered on \"What do artists and scientists have in common and what do they do for one another\". Scintillating, uh? The audience was divided between artists and scientists (hands went up..)Hey, mine went up with the artists! Book lover 'n all that stuff.There was an art historian and scientist from Oxford, Byatt (who repped textual creativity) and an artist. At the end I asked Ms. Byatt to autograph her latest book for Karen[Happy Birthday,K].I commented something about being in a Possession discussion online. Then asked her about the film...her face dropped. Clearly she is not happy . The script was sent to her , she did make some corrections.I told her we had apprehensions about the director and asked if she knew about him. She said she has checked out some of his films...I told her to go see Nurse Betty or she would be devastated. I did not have a chance to ask about Bertha's baby or Christabel's trans-gender possiblity.I was the only one asking for an autograph , but others were behind with questions.Sorry. Oh...she did not think Roland being an American would make any difference...but she wants Cropper to be an American. Another one of her books is slated to be a film..(one about Tennyson???) with a \"British director and British cast and not as big a budget\". At that point, my face dropped:-))"}, {"response": 266, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (08:01)", "body": "Thanks, Evelyn, artiste! It seems she did not seem happy with the script. What does she look like?"}, {"response": 267, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (11:53)", "body": "(Moon)What does she look like? Nice smile...gray hair...matronly.It was raining...we all looked like hell. You'd never guess she was one of \"Britains's most famous authors\"."}, {"response": 268, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (11:53)", "body": "oops"}, {"response": 269, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (12:18)", "body": "Byatt will NOT answer the trans-gender questions at all. Its for the reader to make up his/her mind. She's said that in previous lectures. I'm jealous, my favorite author and you met her (what new book??) is it the fourth in the Frederica Potter series???? K-you lucky duck! Tennyson??? What book could that be??? (I thought Possession was based on Tennyson just the poetry aspect, not the whole story...)"}, {"response": 270, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 28, 2000 (12:45)", "body": "The new book...just published is called:The Biographer's Tale. Glad I didn't ask the questions...but affirms what I've been saying about her...she likes to tease the reader...gives them enough to get ambiguous answers. Tennyson??? What book could that be??? I dunno. I've only read Possession....and didn't want her to think I was a complete clunk.So I just smiled and said \"Really? Wonderful\". Though I have a little chance of seeing a small budget film with an obscure British director and cast ."}, {"response": 271, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct  1, 2000 (08:49)", "body": "(Moon) Despite all the failed attempts at... sleeping together. :-( Oh, I doubt Randy every tried again with Ellen. Probably never laid a hand on her. I think the \"despite all\" refers to the fact that they weren't really married in a true sense. Their life together was a sham. Remember, Ellen considered Christabel his true wife after she found out many years later they had had a child together from that scrap of note Ash had left in his desk. (Moon) He might have been using the third person plural with our love. Nice try, but no cigar. ;-D The Ash-Bertha thing is a possibility in my mind and Byatt has given several hints but nothing definite. (Ellen could be a v. heavy sleeper. Besides, they probably had separate bedrooms) Thanks for the report on meeting Byatt, Evelyn. Horrible weather that night. What a trooper! (Laura) Tennyson??? What book could that be??? That's the second story in the Angels & Insects book. It is entitled \"The Conjugal Angel.\" The film that was made (with KST) is actually from the first story called Morpho Eugenia. Hence, Angels and Insects (Morpho) (Laura) Byatt will NOT answer the trans-gender questions at all. Its for the reader to make up his/her mind. She's said that in previous lectures. And what previous lectures might those be? I agree that many things are purposely kept secret from the reader, but Byatt has answered questions on this before and has even written about it. In my piles of stuff related to this book, I had this but had forgotten it. Wish I could've referred to it when I was defending my position three years ago. This from an essay Byatt wrote on her inspirations for writing Possession: I made a decision: there should be two couples, man and woman, one alive and one dead. The novel would concern the complex relations between these two pairs....I was teaching that great novel, The Bostonians, with its world of \"witches, wizards, mediums, and spirit-rappers and roaring radicals\" to a generation of students involved in the politics of gender, who disliked Henry James's tragi-comic treatment of lesbian passion. It occurred to me that in the world of nineteenth-century spiritualism and feminism, possession had both its meanings at once. So there was a need for the nineteenth-century woman to be a lesbian, or b>thought to be a lesbian, and the twentieth-century woman scholar to be a feminist. To read the whole thing, go here: http://www.asbyatt.com/Posses.htm"}, {"response": 272, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct  1, 2000 (23:31)", "body": "From the Sep 30 Irish Times (by Michael Dwyer): IRISH actor Tom Hickey has joined the cast of the new Neil LaBute film, Possession, adapted by Laura Jones and LaBute himself from A.S. Byatt's Booker Prize-winning novel, Possession. The story deals with the relationship between two Victorian poets, played by Jeremy Northam and Jennifer Ehle, and the romance that ensues when two contemporary academics (Aaron Echhart and Gwyneth Paltrow) study them. The film, which is shooting on Yorkshire locations and at Shepperton Studios outside London, also features Toby Stephens, Anna Massey, Graham Crowden, Trevor Eve and Tom Hollander. Shame, doesn't say what part he plays :-("}, {"response": 273, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct  2, 2000 (07:41)", "body": "Apart from TS, I have a hard time matching faces to these actors. I might recognize them if I see them but can not match the name. Thanks for the link, Karen. Byatt is not too ambiguous. ;-)"}, {"response": 274, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct  2, 2000 (07:48)", "body": "Tom Hickey was the one you said would play Blackadder when I posted those pics."}, {"response": 275, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Oct  2, 2000 (11:41)", "body": "When she was touring with Babel Tower, Karen and Kate (from Australia) asked when Byatt was in NYC (during Babel Tower tour again). Cheryl K also asked in London about a year ago. She is very mum about it."}, {"response": 276, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct  2, 2000 (12:45)", "body": "Kate (who met up with Jane Elizabeth, another of my discussion group people) went to the NYC booksigning. She asked Byatt: \"Were Christabel and Blanche lovers?\" Kate said Byatt was \"quite happy to answer.\" And said the following: \"Oh I think so\" and went on to talk about the poetry. I maintain, however, that Byatt is playing with us because as an author she should \"know so\"; they are her characters. Also, why would she write that essay? I remember CherylK's report on meeting Byatt. Don't think she even asked her."}, {"response": 277, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct  2, 2000 (12:47)", "body": "...and, correction, Byatt was touring for The Djinn in the Nightingale's Eye"}, {"response": 278, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct  2, 2000 (13:45)", "body": "Have finally finished Possession. Whew. I found the writing a bit too...flowery? colorful? for my taste; however, I realize there was a point to all that imagery. I suppose I got too caught up trying to figure out the literary references, a small fraction of which I used to know. Therefore, I felt the genious of the book went right over my head. Having said that, I found the story fascinating--really made me think, stop, go back and reassess what was going on. At one point Ash tells Christabel that she likes to tease with riddles, which is precisely what Byatt is doing. Evelyn summed it up nicely: I think Byatt is purposely trying to make the relationship ambiguous to the reader.This book is a multi-layered mystery..not just story-wise, but character-wise too.I'm reading it the second time...and now that I'm not conscentrating on the story, I see nuances that she sticks in to throw the reader off guard. Byatt starts her last chapter (when she knows the reader is hopelessly hooked) with an Ash poem: \"In certain moods we eat our lives away In fast successive greed; we must have more Although that more depletes our little stock Of time and peace remaining. We are driven By endings as by hunger. We must know How it comes out, the shape o' the whole...\" My impression of Blanche and Christabel's relationship: it strikes me as one-sided love, with Blanche being the pursuer. If they had been truly lovers, I would think Christabel would have taken more steps to keep the entire Ash relationship a secret. She had Ash redirect his letters not at the start but only after it became known that Blanche was stealing them. As it was, she realized Blanche's feelings were hurt but I never got the impression Christabel was cheating on Blanche with Ash. (BTW, loved your 'rationale', Mari--LOL!). However, I have to admit I thought twice when I got to Ash's morning-after ponderings. My impression of Ash and Bertha's 'relationship': must admit this, too, flew over my head. It hadn't even occurred to me as a possibility. At that point, Ellen's journal revealed to me how generally nonconfrontational and in denial she was (though I knew one had to read between the lines). I thought this characterization would eventually be applied to Ellen's discovery of Ash and Christabel's relationship, which turned out to be non-climactic. But the possibility of Ash having a sexual relationship with a servant, right under his wife's nose...very intriguing. We see he has the capacity for duplicity--he sends those loving letters to Ellen while he's sleeping with Christabel. We know he's not a virgin though he's never had sex with his wife (which could be explained in other ways, though). Hmmm. This could change my impression of Ash, of whom I thought as being very noble (by that I mean trying to do good by everyone). My thoughts about Ash finding his daughter: *sniff* This caught me off guard. I don't think he was looking for Christabel, though. I think he went expressly to see Maia, having found her using the same means he employed to determine that Christabel disappeared to Brittany. All in all, the scene really punches up the tragedy that was Ash and Christabel's relationship. As for the movie: still can't fathom AE as Roland (and I've seen Erin Brockovich). It's not a commentary on his acting ability but the way the character is drawn in the book--smaller, darker, etc. AE's physicality doesn't immediately lend itself to a meek and passive character, IMO. However, I must keep resisting the urge to think of the movie in terms of the book, which will likely resemble eachother in basic plot lines only. Lastly (for now ;-)), your timing is something, Ev! Thanks for going to the lecture, asking those questions of Byatt and for sharing everything so quickly."}, {"response": 279, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct  2, 2000 (15:10)", "body": "(Karen) She asked Byatt: \"Were Christabel and Blanche lovers?\" Kate said Byatt was \"quite happy to answer.\" And said the following: \"Oh I think so\" AHA! I am vindicated! (Why did you hold back on us, hmmm?;-) (Eileen) We see he has the capacity for duplicity--he sends those loving letters to Ellen while he's sleeping with Christabel. Exactly. I never saw Ash as particularly noble or honest."}, {"response": 280, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct  2, 2000 (17:15)", "body": "...because she wrote the exact opposite in her essay! Besides, with my convoluted way of thinking, it was TOO obvious and therefore not true. Did you follow? ;-D (Mari) I never saw Ash as particularly noble or honest. Me neither. When you reread the correspondence, he starts by professing to only want her brain but then he makes the great leap to her person and her home. Don't forget, he's the Prowler, the Peeping Tom, and the Wolf at the door. (Eileen) he sends those loving letters fungus in petri dishes - loving??? ;-D"}, {"response": 281, "author": "aishling", "date": "Tue, Oct  3, 2000 (03:58)", "body": "There is a picture of GP kissing Ben Affleck in today's Daily Mail. They are taking a stroll in Paris. No mention of Possession but it is possible they are now filming in France."}, {"response": 282, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct  3, 2000 (08:11)", "body": "The Mirror has an article about GP and BA too. Made it sound as though it were a weekend getaway. But funniest thing was this line: \"Gwyneth, who is filming in London with Joseph Fiennes...\" Ya see, if the Mirror thinks Joe would be a better Roland! ;-D (Eileen) don't think he was looking for Christabel, though. I think he went expressly to see Maia What led you to believe that? Any line in particular?"}, {"response": 283, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Oct  3, 2000 (13:25)", "body": "(Karen) But funniest thing was this line: \"Gwyneth, who is filming in London with Joseph Fiennes...\" Ya see, if the Mirror thinks Joe would be a better Roland! ;-D Agreed! Too bad Joe didn't go to school with NLB. Besides, with my convoluted way of thinking, it was TOO obvious and therefore not true. Did you follow? ;-D I follow. But good arguments can be made for both points of view, which is just what Byatt wanted. Put the \"were Blanche and Christabel lovers\" question next to \"how far did Edward go with Heloise in the moss loft?\". ;-) (Karen) fungus in petri dishes - loving??? ;-D Kinda boring, I thought. But there was also that 'hold my love in your heart' or whatever. Can't say I blame Ash for falling for Christabel. They were soulmates, and he wasn't getting any (sorry, crude) at home. I found him sympathetic. Wonder how he'll be portrayed in the film. (Moi) don't think he was looking for Christabel, though. I think he went expressly to see Maia (Karen) What led you to believe that? Any line in particular? I think it was the date--1868, 9 years after their affair. Out of the blue he shows up for Christabel, after all this time? It seemed more natural to me that he came to see Maia. We're never told how he found out that Christabel went to Brittany. However, true to Byatt's ambiguious form, I can see your point of view, supported by the line \"Tell your aunt,\" he said, \"that you met a poet, who was looking for the Belle Dame Sans Merci, and who met you instead, and who sends her his compliments, and will not disturb her, and is on his way to fresh woods and pastures new.\" How the script interprets all the ambiguity (which IMO makes the book so fascinating) will be interesting to see."}, {"response": 284, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct  3, 2000 (14:43)", "body": "Inasmuch as I told Ms. Byatt that we are discussing her book online, I wonder if we sent her a list of questions, if she would answer..."}, {"response": 285, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct  3, 2000 (15:13)", "body": "I wonder if we sent her a list of questions, if she would answer... Yeah, right, Gill will make sure she gets them in, say, 20 years if we're lucky. I've got breezeblocks (love that word!!) that'd make better and more responsive secretaries than she. ;-D"}, {"response": 286, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Oct  3, 2000 (17:06)", "body": "Evelyn, what was her reaction to hearing that it was being discussed online? BTW, thanks for your on-the-scene report. Good stuff. Was interesting to hear that she got a look-see at the screenplay. Most times, once the rights are sold, the author's next look at it is in the movie theater. Don't know why, but had been picturing her as younger than you described."}, {"response": 287, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct  4, 2000 (03:59)", "body": "(Mari)Evelyn, what was her reaction to hearing that it was being discussed online? She smiled and seemed pleased and surprised.Really wants us to discuss that Tennyson one that Karen says is the other half of Angels and Insects.... uh, uh...sounds boring. I think the questions are worth a shot."}, {"response": 288, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct  4, 2000 (11:58)", "body": "Hold onto your seats... Charlotte has scanned in about 10 pictures and sent them to me. Unfortunately, Yahoo mail is misbehaving this morning. Two have Jennifer in them, although you can't see her face in one. The second, with Jennifer and Jeremy standing near the top of the 199 steps and Whitby Abbey in the background, is worthy of any studio's publicity stills! Need to shrink the pics as are huge. Hopefully will have up later today."}, {"response": 289, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Oct  4, 2000 (12:47)", "body": "*clap clap* Goody! Thanks in advance to Charlotte for sharing and Karen for posting. Have been to Whitby. Excellent setting."}, {"response": 290, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct  4, 2000 (15:51)", "body": "Looking forward to seeing them. Thank you Charlotte and Karen!"}, {"response": 291, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Oct  4, 2000 (16:34)", "body": "So glad you are all still here! I'm slowly \"listening\" to the book, and am now at the point where he takes her little gloved hand in his on the train and asks her if she wants to be \"his wife\" for their time away. I can see Jennifer so clearly in this scene. Charlotte is described as having a strong face, and Jennifer certainly has that too. When I get time, I want to write about the sensations listening to the book bring to me. I particularly loved the part about the old couple at Seal Court. I could see the snow, and feel the cold in that ancient house, and see the wheelchair, and, just today, the description of the cave and the light...So wonderful."}, {"response": 292, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct  5, 2000 (09:15)", "body": "I know you're all eagerly awaiting the pics, but Yahoo was not cooperating yesterday. Will try to finish up later today. This is the best one of Jennifer. There's another one (which I hadn't received before) that has Jeremy close up on the street, but Jennifer's back is to the camera. We do get however a good shot of Neil. ;-D More later"}, {"response": 293, "author": "aishling", "date": "Thu, Oct  5, 2000 (10:34)", "body": "Lovely. Thanks Charlotte and Karen."}, {"response": 294, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct  5, 2000 (11:58)", "body": "They do not seem happy, too much apart, so pensive. It will be intersting to see the sequence in the film. Lovely!"}, {"response": 295, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Oct  5, 2000 (18:31)", "body": "Thanks for these, Charlotte and Karen. I love her cloak! Looking forward to seeing the others. Murph, that scene on the train is so vivid, isn't it? Is it an abridged reading, or the entire book? Would love to hear more about it when you finish."}, {"response": 296, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Oct  5, 2000 (19:55)", "body": "Mari: It is unabridged. I use Recorded Books . Have for years. They have the best readers and selection, IMO. They also give you plenty of time to keep it."}, {"response": 297, "author": "MichelleWr", "date": "Thu, Oct  5, 2000 (22:13)", "body": "WOW, it has been awhile since I have been on these boards. I was so excited to see the pictures of Jennifer in Possession already. Well, I think its her under all those clothes. Thanks to everyone involved in getting them and posting them. I just saw the Winslow Boy and I think JN and JE are going to me soooooo good as Ash and Christabel. I had only seen him in Emma but after seeing TWB I think he is perfect for the role. Of course JE being right for the role goes without saying. Michelle"}, {"response": 298, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Oct  6, 2000 (01:47)", "body": "Thanks Karen and Charlotte for the photos. I love the cloak also Mari but the crinoline is enormous, no wonder they are not standing very close together.Also what a lovely setting, can't wait for this movie, although the performances will be great I am sure, I am also looking forward to seeing all the wonderful locations especially the ones in Yorkshire."}, {"response": 299, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  6, 2000 (09:26)", "body": "More from the Charlotte exclusive collection: Jeremy, Neil (in yellow) and probably JE's standin alongside fence toward top, as is both red-headed and wearing same cape...but is definitely not Jennifer: Ash in closeup: Jennifer with head down and Jeremy walk off. The white is a balcony wall in case you're wondering ;-)"}, {"response": 300, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct  6, 2000 (10:23)", "body": "And who is the guy behind Jennifer? Adrian perhaps? Only kidding, don't throw a (chic) cow. ;-)))) JN looks great! You are right about the stand in. Thanks for posting."}, {"response": 301, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Oct  6, 2000 (13:22)", "body": "Actually it is funny that you should say that you thought JN looks great Moon, and you know him better than me, but I thought it didn't look a bit like him especially in the middle close-up, his nose seems longer, or is it the angle of the camera. Also I don't dislike JE's hair colour, it is not bright red as it was at times on Broadway. Also it looks as if the chap with the dog will have a nice photo of them both.Thanks Karen and Charlotte, this is great fun, azren't we lucky to get a preview."}, {"response": 302, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct  6, 2000 (15:12)", "body": "WOW !!! great pics Charlotte..you are a great photographer..can we use them for the JE website?....first ones of P.What a coup! Thanks Karen for scanning... I think that's Jennifer's stand-in by the fence or an extra...face doesn't look like her...JN looks fabulous in that great coat...like Mr.Bennett's. (Moon)They do not seem happy, too much apart, so pensive. Poets are never happy people.It's part of their DNA;-)"}, {"response": 303, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  6, 2000 (16:08)", "body": "Stand-ins don't have to look like the actors, just be same height and coloring, so they can stand there for hours while the lighting guys do stuff. That one looks close enough like Jennifer. Moon, that other guy is an extra. He's in another shot as well."}, {"response": 304, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct  6, 2000 (16:28)", "body": "Moon, that other guy is an extra. I've guessed that! Really, Karen! ;-) The stand-ins also get the heads in the shot when they do the other actor's close ups."}, {"response": 305, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  6, 2000 (16:41)", "body": "Sorry, have headache. *must take aspirin and off to see George Washington at FF* ;-)"}, {"response": 306, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  6, 2000 (23:01)", "body": "(Moon) They do not seem happy, too much apart, so pensive. (AnnW) but the crinoline is enormous, no wonder they are not standing very close together. But that is correct. Christabel is very independent, doesn't act wifely; she doesn't cling to her man. \"They walked to the sea. He watched their footprints, his in a straight line by the water's edge, hers snaking away and back, meeting his, wandering, meeting again. She did not take his arm, though once or twice, when they coincided, she took hold of it, and stepped along beside him rapidly for a time. They both walked very quickly....\""}, {"response": 307, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct  7, 2000 (10:52)", "body": "Christabel is very independent, doesn't act wifely; she doesn't cling to her man. It figures Neil would not change this part. ;-)"}, {"response": 308, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct  7, 2000 (14:00)", "body": "I've put all the pics up, although I should go back and adjust the AE ones, which are too dark... another day. http://www.geocities.com/nomdedrool/possession2.html And here's the lady who made it all possible, Charlotte with AE:"}, {"response": 309, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Oct  7, 2000 (17:21)", "body": "After closely perusing these pictures, have come to the following conclusions: AARON ECKHART IS A MAJOR BABE! The mole is a hunk! Oooh, Charlotte, more details please. You seem to fit *very* nicely under his arm. Was he sweet? He sure looks sweet.;-) Check out the cleft, ladies. Looks like the public had unusually good access to the filming. Any pics with you and Jeremy and if so, was he also sweet?:-) Sorry, seems Bridget Jones has taken temporary control of my keyboard here and she is about to ask what their favorite colors and desserts are, and if Possession will spore a confessional gender.;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 310, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Oct  8, 2000 (13:28)", "body": "LOL, Mari! I admit that AE has never looked better. How was he Charlotte? Do tell. :-) The site looks great, Karen."}, {"response": 311, "author": "susanne", "date": "Sun, Oct  8, 2000 (14:19)", "body": "Thanks Charlotte and Karen. The pictures are wonderful. It's great not to have to wonder for months what the characters will look like. I never imagined Christabel in such volumous clothes or Ash in such wild-west looking clothes. He'll be whipping out his twelve-shooter any time. I agree with Mari-AE is a babe. I think all of my objections to him being Roland have just flown out the window. Lucky Charlotte got to have a little snuggle with him. :-))"}, {"response": 312, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (07:55)", "body": "Karen, shouldn't JN as RA be sporting a beard, or have I misread it."}, {"response": 313, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (09:46)", "body": "After closely perusing these pictures, have come to the following conclusions: AARON ECKHART IS A MAJOR BABE! Earth to Mari, earth to Mari....where've you been, dearie? ;-D ;-D The mole is a hunk! Real moles don't sell movie tickets...otherwise NLB would be starring as Roland. ;-) Thanks again for the pics, Charlotte and Karen. Is that Jen with her back to the camera (in the pic where you point out the probable extra)? She's behind the man in the baseball-style cap, who is behind Jeremy (apologies if this was previously noted)."}, {"response": 314, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (11:38)", "body": "(Eileen)Is that Jen with her back to the camera? Sleuth-Eileen...I think you're right...looks like the same cape and hood as the picture on the steps. Pic #1 with JN and JE on the steps with the Whitby Abbey above is a beauty.Charlotte, you should enter that one in a contest..."}, {"response": 315, "author": "charlotte01", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (12:45)", "body": "Just to say thankyou for all your kind comments, I am really glad that you all enjoyed looking at them, I must say at first Arron looked quite stressed, (probably working with Gwyneth!!). But when I asked for a photo he was lovely, it was fantastic to have such great access to the stars, but I had to sneak past bodyguards etc to get that sneaky photo. He is so handsome in real life I almost had a heart attack!"}, {"response": 316, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (14:08)", "body": "Had to stop in when I saw this... the IMDB has lots of names and their roles. Aside from the ones we already know: Trevor Eve....Prof. Morton Cropper (s/b Mortimer and s/b an American!) Toby Stephens....Fergus (right, since there's no Val, why would there be a Euan) Anna Massey.... Lady Bailey Holly Aird....Ellen Ash Felicity Brangan....Lucy Craig Crosby....Hildebrand Graham Crowden....Sir George Bailey Holly Earl....May Elodie Frenck....Sabine Tom Hickey....Blackadder Tom Hollander ???? Alexi Kaye Campbell....Auction Director Barbara Pierson....Mrs. Cammish Jonty Stephens....Shop Owner Natalie Stevenson....Kate's Assistant ~~~~~~~ There's no Blanche, no Leonora, no Bea... so far (I hope)"}, {"response": 317, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (14:58)", "body": "Holly Aird was Jo, Sarah's flatmate in Fever Pitch. My candidate for Bridget! Trevor Eve....Prof. Morton Cropper (s/b Mortimer and s/b an American!) ASByatt told me that the script originally had Cropper a Brit...and she said \"ridiculous, no Englishman would have the money to make those purchases\" [I doubt that]. She added...\"there's no reason why British actors can play Americans!They can do American accents\". [Aren't you proud of me for not getting into British/American accents fracas!] Who is Lucy?...who is Hildebrand? Thanks Karen."}, {"response": 318, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (15:27)", "body": "Karen, wasn't Lena Headey reported to be in Possession, perhaps she plays Blanche."}, {"response": 319, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (15:28)", "body": "Also I can't see Holly Aird as Ellen, she is too feisty, I sort of imagine Ellen as being a bit timid."}, {"response": 320, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (15:53)", "body": "IMDb also gives locations; Leighton Hall in Lancashire...can't find a pic. also.. Stonor Park in Buckinghamshire.. Historic home of Lord and Lady Camoys and the Stonor family for over 800 years. The house is surrounded by a wooded deer park in a valley in the Chiltern Hills. With its origins in the 12th century the house has architectural features of medieval Tudor and Georgian periods now with a warm red brick facade. The ancient family catholic chapel is situated alongside near the site of a pre-historic stone circle. To the rear of the house a hillside walled garden affords commanding views of the deer park. Think this could be Seal Court?But isn't it too far south?"}, {"response": 321, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (16:09)", "body": "Actually, one could be used for the exterior of Seal Court and another could be the interiors? Don't think being in Buckinghamshire means anything. The house can be anywhere. Here's Leighton Hall: The original fortified manor house was built on the site in 1246, but was largely destroyed in the Jacobite rising of 1715. Very little of the original house now remains and a classical house was built on the ruins of the original house in 1760. It was refaced in the \"Gothic\" style in 1820 by the present owner's ancestor, Richard Gillow and further enlarged in 1870 by the addition of the Victorian wing and conservatory. More details here: http://www.uehha.org/en/North_West/leighton.htm"}, {"response": 322, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (19:05)", "body": "Trevor Eve with a southern accent! That is something to look forward too. I want to know if we are going to find out what his particular \"narrow\" sexual preferences are....... Such a good cast. This is going to be something to see. Thanks to you Charlotte, and Karen, for such treats."}, {"response": 323, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (19:49)", "body": "Oh, I like Leighton Hall...looks cold and eerie like Seal Court. Trevor Eve with a southern accent! Cropper is from New Mexico...they don't speak with a southern accent.Although the Coppers were from Mississippi originally. Actually, that scenario is the one I find most unreal. Why did the author pick New Mexico? Such a desperately poor state...they don't even have a med school.Why would the Robert Dale Owen Uni have a wing devoted to an obscure British poet on the strength of an insipid letter."}, {"response": 324, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct  9, 2000 (22:20)", "body": "Irony. All that European architecture and formal landscaping; perfectly harmonious with the desert. Remember it was in Harmony City!"}, {"response": 325, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (02:16)", "body": "Uhm, don't hit me if I'm wrong, but wasn't New Harmony in Indiana?"}, {"response": 326, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (02:42)", "body": "(Ann) shouldn't JN as RA be sporting a beard, or have I misread it. You have not misread it. Ash definitely has a beard. This is mentioned several times in the book. On page 19, we read a description of three images of Ash that Roland possesses. Apparently someone must have shaved him after he died, but they don't know who or when. I can't remember if there's an answer for it in the book. Who do you think shaved him? Also, as someone else pointed out on this board, on p298 the beard is mentioned again."}, {"response": 327, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (03:48)", "body": "Thanks Tineke, I think I would prefer him with a beard."}, {"response": 328, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (06:45)", "body": "...he would look more distinguished."}, {"response": 329, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (07:58)", "body": "Yes, there is a New Harmony, Indiana, which was founded by Robert Owen. It was a utopian, socialist community. *hitting Tineke with a wet noodle* The p. 298 beard reference is precisely when then Whitby action takes place. Maybe after the first night, Christabel said, \"that beard has to go!\" ;-D"}, {"response": 330, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (08:03)", "body": "(Evelyn), I like Leighton Hall...looks cold and eerie like Seal Court. I like the choice too. Why did the author pick New Mexico? I like NM. The people that gravitate there are rather interesting. It made sense to me. Of course, in the film the Uni could be in the South. It is still all a mystery. (Tineke), Apparently someone must have shaved him after he died, but they don't know who or when. I can't remember if there's an answer for it in the book. Who do you think shaved him? Maybe Ellen thought he should be buried without it. There is symbolism there. Will have to think more about it."}, {"response": 331, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (08:33)", "body": "Why is everyone jumping to the conclusion that Cropper will speak with a Southern accent?"}, {"response": 332, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (08:54)", "body": "Oh I feel so sorry for Christabel, and I am only 3/4 through the book, she has lost her companion, her lover and now her baby, and she seems so lonely and distant, is she punishing herself in some way, not accepting gestures of affection or help from anyone."}, {"response": 333, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Oct 10, 2000 (18:51)", "body": "Karen: The Southern accent is my fault. The female reader of my recorded books tape does Cropper's lines with a slight southern lilt. I like it. Maybe he came from extreme southern New Mexico."}, {"response": 334, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Oct 16, 2000 (07:48)", "body": "Have finished at last, did not want it to finish but oh what a lovely book. The ending is so sad and I am with Beatrice, tears in my eyes, as she says \"...She wrote all that for no one. She must have waited for an answer-and none can have come\" I wonder how they will do the letter read by Maud (GP) or as a voice-over by C (JE). One other thing I wish we had known a little bit of what became of Bertha after she left the Ash home."}, {"response": 335, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Oct 16, 2000 (17:57)", "body": "Also can someone explain to me how Ash knew there was a child if they never saw or spoke to each other after they separated!"}, {"response": 336, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 17, 2000 (10:12)", "body": "Ash only found about the potential child when he went to France in search of Christabel. He was told she had been pregnant by the family but no one knew what had happened to it. If you go back and check the \"unsent\" letter that Ellen reads after his death, Ash begs Christabel's \"forgiveness for my rashness and precipitance in hurrying to Kernemet, on the suppositious chance that you might be there.\" Then later in the letter he says this: There is something I must know and you know what that is. I say \"I must know\" and sound peremptory. But I am in your hands and must beg you to tell me. What became of my child? Did he live? How can I ask, not knowing? How can I not ask, not knowing? I spoke at length to your cousin Sabine who told me what all at Kernemet knew--which was the fact only--no certainty of outcome-- You must know I went there, to Brittany, in love, and care, and anxiety, for you, for your health--I went eager to care for you, to make all well as far as could be--Why did you turn from me? Out of pride, out of fear, out of independent, out of sudden hatred, at the injustice of the different fates of men and women? Yet a man who knows he has or had a child and does not know more deserves a little pity. How can I say this? Whatever became of that child, I say in advance, whatever that is, I shall understand, if I may only know, the worst is already imagined and put behind me--so to speak-- [...] How can I ever forget that terrible sentence cried out at the ghastly spirit-summoning. \"You have made a murderess of me,\" was said, blaming me, and cannot be unsaid; I hear it daily. \"There is no child\" came through that silly woman's mouth, in a great groan, in what mixture of cunning, involuntary exclamation, genuine telepathy, how can I tell? Of course, he never sent the letter as he never sent all the others. Ash went to France looking for Christabel, was told she was pregnant but no one knew what happened to the child. Ash learned that Christabel had gotten into all the seance/spirit stuff, which was popular then, and bluffed his way into a private session at which he knew Christabel would be there. When Ash heard the cry about being a murderer, he assumed it referred to the child rather than Blanche. At the end, when Ash stumbles on Maia, he once again was going to see Christabel. He still didn't know the fate of the child, but leaves her alone because it was apparent that this was what Christabel wanted and he would respect it and that Maia was being well taken care of."}, {"response": 337, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Oct 17, 2000 (15:17)", "body": "Thankyou Karen, yes I see now. Christabel is the real tragic one here, at least Ash found out about his daughter but Christable never heard from Ash never had his forgiveness for not telling him about May. Also she watched her daughter grow up loving others but not her, her real mother. It is so sad."}, {"response": 338, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Oct 19, 2000 (06:44)", "body": "Can someone please help me, I have read and re-read and cannot decide where Christable was at the time Blanche committed suicde, any ideas anyone, was she in France or back in England, have I missed something or am I being particularly thick, don't answer that!! Thanks in anticipation."}, {"response": 339, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 19, 2000 (08:32)", "body": "I think she was back in England, as the baby was born in early May and Blanche took her dive at the end of June. The book says that Christabel was found for the inquest. Don't think that would be the case if she had been in France still. But she could've been at her sister's. Maybe C told Blanche that she was moving out to live with Sophie and that was the real impetus. What do you all think? Good question, Ann. :-)"}, {"response": 340, "author": "susanne", "date": "Thu, Oct 19, 2000 (10:37)", "body": "Good question Ann. I never thought about where Christabel was when B. took her life. I just knew that once she got together with Ash, that was pretty much the end for Blanche. If Christabel did indeed go directly to Sophie's which would make sense,then that could have been the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. Until then perhaps Blanche had some hope of Christabel coming to her senses and wanting to resume their old life."}, {"response": 341, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 19, 2000 (15:15)", "body": "Remember Blanche filled her pockets with the Stones that C had brought back after her escapade with Ash. C probably knew this from the police. C was definitely not living with Blanche at the time. I also think she was with Sophie."}, {"response": 342, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Oct 20, 2000 (13:23)", "body": "(Moon) C was definitely not living with Blanche at the time. Yes, definitely. Though Karen's dates make sense, I thought C was still in France because Sabine's journal mentions a letter C received at or near the end of her stay which made her turn very pale after she read it. I assumed this letter concerned Blanche (can't check because book is back in library)."}, {"response": 343, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Oct 20, 2000 (15:07)", "body": "Oh actually Eileen, I thought the letter was from Ash, don't really know why, it's just what I thought. What do you think Karen?"}, {"response": 344, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Oct 20, 2000 (15:08)", "body": "If you remember she didn't open the letter immediately, if it was official I am sure she would have opened it straight away."}, {"response": 345, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 20, 2000 (17:15)", "body": "Have rechecked my dates on the baby's birth. Christabel disappeared from the house on April 29. On May 1st, Raoul went to the convent. Christabel returned on May 8th. My guess is the letter was from Ash because of her reaction to it and the fact that he later went to France in search of her. Sabine records the letter having been received on May 10: She took it composedly enough, as though she had been expecting it, and then when she saw it properly, caught her breath and and put it aside, unopened. My Father says that M. Michelet writes that is is sent by a friend, upon a hope rather than a certainty that Miss LaMotte might be with us. So first off, Christabel was expecting or wasn't terribly surprised to be receiving a letter via M. Michelet, probably from Sophie. (I think Michelet is mentioned elsewhere. Maybe that will clarify.) When she saw it, she was surprised. Would a letter from Blanche be that startling? And wouldn't she open it? Not opening it would be consistent with her decisions re: Ash. The relationship was over, ended, kaput."}, {"response": 346, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Oct 20, 2000 (17:54)", "body": "Agreed."}, {"response": 347, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct 23, 2000 (09:01)", "body": "Would a letter from Blanche be that startling? Whatever. You folks have studied this book more seriously than I have."}, {"response": 348, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, Oct 24, 2000 (04:46)", "body": "From Empire Online - pics of AE filming. They had pics of Neil baby, but frankly my dear... fill in the blank."}, {"response": 349, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 24, 2000 (08:47)", "body": "Thanks, Donna, for sparing us... ;-D This was at the British Museum, and AE is wearing Colin clothes, except they're not black."}, {"response": 350, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 24, 2000 (09:31)", "body": "Would that include the bag? ;-)"}, {"response": 351, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 24, 2000 (09:37)", "body": "No, he usually had a gym bag. :-)"}, {"response": 352, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 24, 2000 (11:27)", "body": "Thanks Donna....wonder who the hairdresser is behind AE....won't get many clients with that \"do\".."}, {"response": 353, "author": "susanne", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (11:19)", "body": "AE has huge feet. (or is he wearing clown shoes)"}, {"response": 354, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (13:15)", "body": "Charlotte's pic of Aaron was *much* much nicer, and more representative of how he really looks. Movieline had some cute pics of him last month.."}, {"response": 355, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (13:37)", "body": "Agree that AE is better looking than these photos...and didn't Charlotte tell us he is v. handsome in person...:-)) I just wonder why they make Roland look so scruffy...he looks like one of those homeless types one sees in the underground stations...the outfit looks straight out of Oxfam. Fastidious Maud never would have gone for a guy like this...IMO"}, {"response": 356, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (14:32)", "body": "Evelyn, I agree with you. It is a sad state of affairs. :-("}, {"response": 357, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 25, 2000 (16:13)", "body": "(Evelyn) the outfit looks straight out of Oxfam. Didn't I say those were Colin clothes? ;-D (Moon) It is a sad state of affairs. :-( You can say that again, sister. The only thing they've demonstrated thus far is a complete lack of understanding of the book's main appeal."}, {"response": 358, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (11:15)", "body": "The only thing they've demonstrated thus far is a complete lack of understanding of the book's main appeal. What did you expect? Poetry? ;-P"}, {"response": 359, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (11:22)", "body": "(EileenG) What did you expect? Poetry? ;-P Silly us, huh? :) I think it's a tough book to duplicate on the screen because of it grandeur. There is so many different things going on and so many different characters and emotions, that it's impossible to get it all in. Especially for a 2 hours or so movie. Mini-series would work because you have few days and more hours (plus commercials except PBS (not huge audience). They will cut the book to half. Like in English Patient, they focused on the a different love story. In that book, the love story was between Kip and Hana (which was MUCH more exciting)."}, {"response": 360, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (11:24)", "body": "and just realized the last part made no sense whatsoever. I meant in English Patient was too cut in half.... sorry for the confusion if I confused!"}, {"response": 361, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (11:56)", "body": "(Eileen) What did you expect? Poetry? ;-P Naw...but I would hardly describe the story as about \"two !@#$%$ up couples\" as NLB has said. ;-D I might have had some hope if he'd remained true to certain small but important details but, alas and alack, he's probably concentrating on Ash's rape of Ellen scene. Crucial and pivotal to *his* plot. ;-D"}, {"response": 362, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (12:05)", "body": "As they say on SNL, \"Simma down now, just you simma down now!\" ;-) Let's see the movie first before we declare it a catastrophe. You've got 4 of the best and most watchable young actors in filmdom in the cast. None of whom do crap. And NLB will do fine at the helm (but I don't even wanna go there;-) On the down side, however, you have the Laura Jones school of screenwriting at work, and she tends not to get it. This is the person who, in ATA, brought us Ginnie and Rose serving tabbouleh (sp?) at the picnic. Everyone knows that no self-respecting Iowa farm wife would serve her guests tabbouleh in lieu of potato salad unless she wanted to be ridden out of town on a rail.;-) But it will be fine. Now simma!:-)"}, {"response": 363, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (12:09)", "body": "But Neil has rewritten Laura Jones' script. She performed the crucial \"breaking the spine of the book\" job, and he's *improved* it. will be on Prozac for the next year or so, heavier doses once it's released. ;-D"}, {"response": 364, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (12:11)", "body": "You have heard of those flashback sequences showing Maud in her relationship with the abusive Fergus. He's gonna slap her around some and she takes refuge in shelter for abused women. She meets Roland there. He mistakes it for a soup kitchen. ;-D"}, {"response": 365, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (13:01)", "body": "he's probably concentrating on Ash's rape of Ellen scene. Crucial and pivotal to *his* plot. ;-D ROTF! Karen and Mari, too funny! And, dare I say too true?"}, {"response": 366, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (14:48)", "body": "(Mari)Let's see the movie first before we declare it a catastrophe. Agree, Mari...*some of us* have the review of this film already written;-)...reminiscent of the Brit press with BJD..... (Mari)Everyone knows that no self-respecting Iowa farm wife would serve her guests tabbouleh in lieu of potato salad Maybe she was trying to impress Jess with her sophistication.... (actually they do serve it in Ok for picnics...no refrigeration needed. (Laura)I think it's a tough book to duplicate on the screen because of it grandeur. Mini-series would work Mini -series?? Televisiion???Wash you mouth,girl;-)"}, {"response": 367, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (20:02)", "body": "(Karen) But Neil has rewritten Laura Jones' script. See? No worries.:-) (Karen) He's gonna slap her around some and she takes refuge in shelter for abused women. She meets Roland there. He mistakes it for a soup kitchen. ;-D Hee, hee. Is that before or after Mortimer goes back to New Mexico and gets scalped? ;-)"}, {"response": 368, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 26, 2000 (22:30)", "body": "(Mari) Is that before or after Mortimer goes back to New Mexico and gets scalped? ;-) I didn't want to give away all the tantalizing tidbits of sadistic violence...but there will be a big shootout in Brittany during the chase. Leonora takes a bullet for Blackadder and lots of cars crash and burn. ;-D"}, {"response": 369, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Oct 27, 2000 (13:06)", "body": "...and Ash never loved Christabel. He had a bet with Blanche that they could both win her affection. ;-D"}, {"response": 370, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Oct 29, 2000 (04:15)", "body": "Hi everyone, Heard a snippet on Radio 4 on Friday night ( I was being driven along the motorway in an alcoholic stupor!) A.S. Byatt was on and said among many things related to the world of literature, criticism, teaching etc that she had been to the set last Sunday and had been \" impressed\" with what she had seen. It was tantalisingly brief and irritating that she went straight on to something else. sorry if this has been posted before."}, {"response": 371, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Oct 29, 2000 (11:37)", "body": "Hi Lizza, thanks for that snippet, shame she didn't say more but I am glad the \"author\" was impressed. BTW how are you getting on with Possession?I have finished it but keep going to back to bits I think I missed or am not sure about. Think I shall have to read it again."}, {"response": 372, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 29, 2000 (12:09)", "body": "Thanks Lizza...it's good to hear encouraging words from Ms. Byatt. In September, at the lecture, she was not happy with the script. But perhaps seeing it taking shape....and by her report, they are still filming."}, {"response": 373, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Oct 29, 2000 (13:12)", "body": "Yes, they are, according to Empire online they were shooting at the British Museum on Monday, with AE."}, {"response": 374, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Oct 29, 2000 (15:22)", "body": "I am not reading it as yet Ann, to my shame I think you especially know my current reading matter!! Hope the LD was glorious in its Autumn splendour for you."}, {"response": 375, "author": "susanne", "date": "Mon, Nov  6, 2000 (11:02)", "body": "Gwyneth has an article in EW that promotes Bounce but mentions Possession since the interview took place on the set of Possession. EW calls it \"Neil Labute's time travel romance\". (Time-travel? like Back to the Future kind of thing.)It's a very bad description of Possession. Anyway, Gwenyth was wearing light blue pajamas because she was about to film a bedtime scene with AE. They are at Shepperton studio on the same soundstage where SIL and Sliding Doors were filmed. Not much more except she had her yoga teacher with her. I guess she does yoga 1 1/2 hours a day and eats organic,macrobiotic food and past made with spelt instead of wheat. It all sounded very strange, very Hollywood."}, {"response": 376, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov  6, 2000 (13:05)", "body": "Thanks, Sue. Will have to look for it. It does sound very Hollywood. GP was at the Madonna party at Roseland in NYC on Sat. I wonder if they have finished filming P."}, {"response": 377, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov  6, 2000 (13:33)", "body": "Anyway, Gwenyth was wearing light blue pajamas because she was about to film a bedtime scene with AE. At Seal Court? Pajamas? What...no silk kimono with a Chinese dragon?"}, {"response": 378, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov  6, 2000 (14:34)", "body": "Could be on the boat going across the Channel or at the Inn at the end. NLB will probably leave out the Seal Court bathroom scene as it parallels the Melusina story, which won't be addressed anyway. ;-D Hmmm, really like those time travel stories... Maybe there will be Morlocks. ;-0"}, {"response": 379, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Nov  6, 2000 (14:46)", "body": "Thanks Sue, any publicity is good publicity! BTW Evelyn, am still here, re your telephone message, I have emailed you can't understand why you have not got them, will try again. (sorry if this is OT)"}, {"response": 380, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov  6, 2000 (18:03)", "body": "NLB will probably leave out the Seal Court bathroom scene I loved that scene. The electric current. It must be too subtle for NLB. I truly despair and will try to keep an open mind when I see it."}, {"response": 381, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Nov  7, 2000 (11:22)", "body": "Poor Jeremy Northam, I think it is a good thing for Possession that he plays an English Poet, as he personally is getting terrible reviews for his portrayal of an Italian Aristocrat, and for his accent!! in the British press, the film The Golden Bow, is getting mixed reviews."}, {"response": 382, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Nov  7, 2000 (22:18)", "body": "Hmm... was afraid of that. I had heard of one or two bad reviews of JN's accent, but apparently, it's worse than I had anticipated. Has anyone seen it? Is it really THAT bad?"}, {"response": 383, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Nov  7, 2000 (22:19)", "body": "Has anyone seen it? Is it really THAT bad? .. or rather, has anyone heard it?"}, {"response": 384, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov  8, 2000 (08:24)", "body": "I saw the previews months ago and recall it was not good. An Italian aristocrat with an English nanny would have spoken with a British accent. The producers should have known this."}, {"response": 385, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov  8, 2000 (11:31)", "body": "TGB reviews seem to be all over the place - some mentioning JN's accent, others praising his performance, others questioning his sex appeal? ;-D Back to Byatt...she has a new nonfiction book, \"ON HISTORIES AND STORIES,\" essays about the narrative form, storytelling, historical fiction, etc. Read the review at The Times here: http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,31650,00.html Mentions Possession in what seems to me a contradictory way, as Byatt is criticizing modern fiction for messing about with an easily understood storyline."}, {"response": 386, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov  8, 2000 (13:40)", "body": "Mentions Possession in what seems to me a contradictory way, as Byatt is criticizing modern fiction for messing about with an easily understood storyline Thanks for the review. IMO I read it as flashbacks in individual characterizations confused the storyline...not flashbacks in the story. (ie Possession) She\ufffds dismissive of modernist literature with its \ufffdflashbacks, epiphanies, streams of consciousness\ufffd, its fluttery disregard for beginnings, middles and ends."}, {"response": 387, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov  8, 2000 (17:01)", "body": "She\ufffds dismissive of modernist literature with its \ufffdflashbacks, epiphanies, streams of consciousness\ufffd, its fluttery disregard for beginnings, middles and ends. She sounds just like my husband. They are quite right, of course."}, {"response": 388, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov  9, 2000 (23:02)", "body": "Article about Gwynnie in The Telegraph, which mentions Possession frequently, as well as SIL and all her time in England. Says \"he full version of this article appears in the latest issue of ELLE magazine out now.\" Here are some relevant things: Gwyneth Paltrow, who loves working in Britain and is in town to shoot Possession, talks to Sarah Bailey She chats about her Possession co-star Aaron Lockhart (\"huge heart, very sensitive beats himself up a lot\") and the challenge of playing literary sleuth Maud Bailey, on account of Maud's \"super English\" phlegm and glacier reserve. Ironic, I say, as this is precisely what people are inclined to think of a private school-educated uptown girl like herself. \"Oh, yeah,\" she says, resignedly. \"I always hear that people's perception of me is that I'm cool or aloof or standoffish and I always think, 'Who are they talking about?' That's totally opposite to me.\" She considers a moment. \"I used to be far more open, but obviously the life that I live and the level of scrutiny make me kind of slower to really open myself up. But I still don't think I'm a chilly person at all.\" For all her sojourns in dear old Blighty, Gwyneth Paltrow has never been to a football match. \"Why hasn't anyone taken me?\" she says, sounding for a moment like Dame Judi Dench in Elizabeth Regina mode. \"There must be some English boy who wants to take me to a soccer game, for God's sake. I'll just have to cry and hope someone will take me. And get me some beer afterwards,\" she adds, clearly warming to the idea. \"Joe Fiennes used to teach me soccer songs, he was such a doll. The costume guy on Shakespeare In Love would teach me Arsenal songs. I'd sing them for Joe and really rile him up and then let him teach me Chelsea songs.\" She sighs. She hasn't had much time for gallivanting while on the Possession shoot. http://www.telegraph.co.uk:80/et?ac=000576481449931&rtmo=qx9KsJX9&atmo=qx9KsJX9&pg=/et/00/11/10/tlgwyn10.html"}, {"response": 389, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Nov 10, 2000 (03:06)", "body": "Ah go on, Gwynnie, I'll take you to the footie. OK if I bring my wife?"}, {"response": 390, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 10, 2000 (08:34)", "body": "Gallant Mark to the rescue again. ;-D"}, {"response": 391, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Nov 10, 2000 (13:07)", "body": "co-star Aaron Lockhart Heehee! Oops..."}, {"response": 392, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (09:30)", "body": "Is there a release date yet? Thanks"}, {"response": 393, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Nov 24, 2000 (18:00)", "body": "Lizza, according to the website Pearlandean, the release date for Possession is given as 30th March, 2001 and also according to them the relase date for BJD is now the 30th March, 2001."}, {"response": 394, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 24, 2000 (18:43)", "body": "Don't put too much emphasis on those dates, Ann, especially for Possession. Is way too soon for something that only just finished filming, if it has done so. Seems that Maud must meet Roland in the library. Wonder who finds the letter? Adapted from A S Byatt's prize-winning novel, about a brilliant English academic (Gwyneth Paltrow) who is researching the life and work of poet, Christabel LeMotte (Jennifer Ehle) in the British Library. She finds more than she bargained for, however, in the shape of an upstart American scholar (Aaron Eckhart) who is studying the works of romantic poet, Randolph Henry Ash (Jeremy Northam)."}, {"response": 395, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Nov 24, 2000 (18:49)", "body": "As you say Karen, Ack!! I agree it sounds too early for a film that has only just finished filming."}, {"response": 396, "author": "ATURIA", "date": "Mon, Nov 27, 2000 (19:09)", "body": "Just finished. Thought the last 100 pages were the most riveting. Can't wait to see the graveyard scene; especially when Prof.Cropper(Trevor Eve) gets caught. TE and his wife own a television production company, Projector Productions, and have produced recent versions of Alice in Wonderland (1998) and Cinderella (1999).They've been married for 20 years. Check out www.halcyon.com/mulder/trevoreve.html for more info. Has there been any info on how much this film will cost?"}, {"response": 397, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 27, 2000 (21:57)", "body": "Welcome Aturia (Is it OK to use lower case?)!! (Aturia)Has there been any info on how much this film will cost? Is it $15. Mil or is that what Gwynnie is getting paid?"}, {"response": 398, "author": "ATURIA", "date": "Mon, Nov 27, 2000 (23:24)", "body": "I think I read that she's getting paid $5 million; so it's like the star athlete; she gets a third, and everybody else (the other 139 cast-crew?) gets the remaining 2/3. Yes --ok on the lower case; my e-mail is upper case just force of habit. What does the abbreviations IRL and s/b stand for? Excuse my ignorance. You folks have a great dialogue going."}, {"response": 399, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov 28, 2000 (07:25)", "body": "Welcome, Ataria! I agree about the last 100 pages. This is when the book became hard to put down. It will be interesting to see if they do indeed film the graveyard scene. It seems much has changed in the script form."}, {"response": 400, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov 28, 2000 (07:26)", "body": "I am welcoming you Aturia."}, {"response": 401, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 28, 2000 (08:21)", "body": "Welcome Aturia. I've checked out the Trevor Eve page and saw that you're a contributor to it. Nice pics. Don't think I've ever seen his earlier works; funny that he sort of looks like Bruce Boxleitner when he was younger. Have seen Heat of the Sun. IRL = in real life s/b = should be Somehow I can't imagine that they'd mess with the climatic graveyard scene. It is dramatic enough."}, {"response": 402, "author": "ATURIA", "date": "Tue, Nov 28, 2000 (22:30)", "body": "Imagine Heat of the Sun on the big screen! I thought it was terrific - I wish Carlton/PBS would do additional episodes. He's done many of these tormented, sinister, ruthless characters. Heat of the Sun is a change; he plays a decent man; he was excellent as Tyburn. Can't place Bruce Boxleitner; what sort of roles has he done?"}, {"response": 403, "author": "Bess", "date": "Tue, Nov 28, 2000 (22:37)", "body": "Just a quick hello from a new member! I have long been a Possession fan, though it's been a while since I read the book and need to go back and read it again. Found you through Aturia and am glad to be here! Also huge JN and GP fan, also sorry to say, a fan of Robson Green. But I'll forgive you all:)! Anyway, great discussion and I look forward to putting my two cents worth in now and again. Yours, Bess"}, {"response": 404, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 28, 2000 (23:19)", "body": "Should have done this before... Aturia and Bess!! Always glad to have more people talk about Possession. We'll forgive your lapse of good judgment about RG, Bess, so long as you don't talk about him. ;-D (Although Drool does have a RG topic if you so desire.) (Aturia) He's done many of these tormented, sinister, ruthless characters. I'm glad you mentioned this since Cropper is really an evil character. Byatt makes no bones about casting him in a Satanic light (always dressed in black, the black sedan with license plates of 666...there's probably lots more). BTW, Bruce Boxleitner was Scarecrow in Scarecrow and Mrs King in the 1980s and it's still showing in syndication on various channels. If you go here, you will see all sorts of images from the show. I'd link, but the real images are biggies. http://www.bruceboxleitner.co.uk/screen2.html"}, {"response": 405, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 29, 2000 (07:53)", "body": "Welcome Bess! I imagine this topic will get very busy again when we see the film."}, {"response": 406, "author": "Bess", "date": "Wed, Nov 29, 2000 (10:19)", "body": "Thanks for the welcome! Bruce is also the stalwart Captain Sheridan on the wonderful sci-fi TV show, Babylon 5. They couldn't have picked a better guy! I've been a Bruce fan too, for many years, first having seen him, ages ago, on a show called How the West Was Won. We're talking 1970's here, I'm afraid, but it wasn't a bad show. Anyway, that's way off topic, sorry Karen :) ! Bess"}, {"response": 407, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 29, 2000 (10:40)", "body": "Something I'd like to share with you. On Monday, the Dark Horizons website had a little item about Charlotte's Possession pictures. It linked to my webpage. Imagine my surprise on Tuesday morning, when Neil LaBute emailed Charlotte (via me) to compliment her on her pics and then expressed a hope that she enjoyed her time \"on set.\" I have forwarded the email onto Charlotte, but thought you guys might like to know that people from the industry do check out those websites and that he was kind enough to take the time to write."}, {"response": 408, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 29, 2000 (11:22)", "body": "Shows a courteous side to NLB...thoughtful of him. Thanks Karen and Charlotte."}, {"response": 409, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Nov 29, 2000 (12:23)", "body": "(Karen) ...thought you guys might like to know that people from the industry do check out those websites and that he was kind enough to take the time to write. A really nice gesture on NLB's part. Glad you let us know, his stock has gone up in my book. :-) It reminds me of a story that Steven Spielberg told on TV, I'm not sure if anyone ever heard this. But Steven was telling a true story of how he was monitoring a chat group that was talking about one of his films. He thought one of the posters had some particularly insightful remarks, and Steven decided to write to him. Well shortly thereafter, Steven was notified by AOL that if he continued to impersonate Steven Spielberg, he would be prosecuted. :-)"}, {"response": 410, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 29, 2000 (15:07)", "body": "Cute story, Donna. Karen, how nice of him. There are some people that have many sites dedicated to them and ... sorry off topic. ;-) I hope you will start a line of communication with him and link him here. ;-) We dish it out but can he take it? ;-) He will have lots of questions to answer. Congrats, Charlotte!"}, {"response": 411, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 29, 2000 (15:38)", "body": "Actually, he has answered me already re: the red hair! But no way will I steer him here...even though the worst abuse is over at BJD. Let me know what other burning questions you have, as he's indicated he doesn't mind a bit. Now about that red hair...purely a practical matter to differentiate between the two and, with blonde hair, JE looked way too much like Meryl Streep in the French Lieutenant's Woman. However, you betta believe I plan to follow-up on this. ;-)"}, {"response": 412, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 29, 2000 (15:39)", "body": "And loved the story, Donna. If you're not Donna, I'm going to let AOL know and they may prosecute you! ;-)"}, {"response": 413, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Nov 30, 2000 (07:18)", "body": "Few quick questions for NLB: 1) Will we see a balance between both stories, or did he concentrate more on Maud and Roland? 2) Does he think that Roland's character adds more to the story being played as an American and why? 3) How long will the film be? 4) Have they finished filming?"}, {"response": 414, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov 30, 2000 (09:02)", "body": "But no way will I steer him here... Thank you....that would be the end of the communication ;-) Good questions Moon."}, {"response": 415, "author": "susanne", "date": "Thu, Nov 30, 2000 (10:30)", "body": "If Neil searched hard enough he could find us. I did a search on Possession the other day and this conference came up. I hope NL does not change his e-mail before Possession comes out. I am sure Karen might have a few words to say to him about it. :-)) I would have loved the Meryl Streep comparsions. Both MS and JE are actresses of immense talent."}, {"response": 416, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 30, 2000 (15:53)", "body": "v.g. questions, Moon. Will keep them handy. I expect they are finished with all the filming. The IMDB says \"post-production.\" So, our place came up in a search, huh? Maybe I better do some tidying up. ;-) I feel like Rick in Casablanca. Of all the gin joints... ;-)"}, {"response": 417, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Nov 30, 2000 (16:07)", "body": "(Karen) So, our place came up in a search, huh? This place came up in a search for Stephen Dillane on Yahoo, too. (#4 on the hit parade.)"}, {"response": 418, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 30, 2000 (16:16)", "body": "I know the CC comes up in searches for CF and others. Guess I didn't think too much of it. Anyhow, look what I found that came up: http://www.contentville.com/expert/e_contributing.asp?ExpertID={E2F80D25-2CEF-11D4-ABFA-00C0F037C0E1 } At the end it says his favorite web link is the IMDB, so maybe he submitted all the info. ;-)"}, {"response": 419, "author": "Shug", "date": "Thu, Nov 30, 2000 (23:23)", "body": "\"Now about that red hair...purely a practical matter to differentiate between the two and, with blonde hair, JE looked way too much like Meryl Streep in the French Lieutenant's Woman.\" I don't want to nit-pick, especially since this is my first time posting, but Meryl Streep *was* a readhead in French Lieutenant's Woman. I really enjoy this conference. Thank you."}, {"response": 420, "author": "Shug", "date": "Thu, Nov 30, 2000 (23:25)", "body": "Or a redhead, for that matter."}, {"response": 421, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 30, 2000 (23:37)", "body": "LOL Shug! That is priceless, so right (am looking at the video cover right now) and I think I'll use it. Welcome to the conference (I'll put up the official sign tomorrow; it's too late) *yawn* BTW, nit-picking IS the official pastime here. ;-)"}, {"response": 422, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Dec  1, 2000 (07:57)", "body": "Welcome, Shug! BTW, nit-picking IS the official pastime here. ;-) Here, there, everywhere. ;-)"}, {"response": 423, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Fri, Dec  1, 2000 (08:03)", "body": "See some comments on Possession's Gwenyth Paltow in the (gasp) babes conferecnce."}, {"response": 424, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  1, 2000 (08:08)", "body": "Thanks, Terry, but have seen the article. Nothing new about the movie."}, {"response": 425, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec  2, 2000 (11:34)", "body": "Correction: Have gone back and reread what he wrote. They are fully aware that JE will look just like Meryl Streep in TFW. Phew! Caught myself before made total fool out of self."}, {"response": 426, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec  2, 2000 (11:39)", "body": "(Karen)They are fully aware that JE will look just like Meryl Streep in TFW. I *wish* Jennifer could pick up Meryl Streep's mantle:-))That comparison has been made before even without the red hair."}, {"response": 427, "author": "Bess", "date": "Sun, Dec  3, 2000 (00:00)", "body": "(Evelyn)I *wish* Jennifer could pick up Meryl Streep's mantle:-)) They are different in many ways, of course, but I certainly think that they are both equally talented so there is no reason JE couldn't be the next Meryl Streep. Wouldn't it be interesting if she were to star in a remake of FLW? She'd make a very different Sarah, wouldn't she? And who would we get for Charles? CF?"}, {"response": 428, "author": "Lucinda", "date": "Sun, Dec  3, 2000 (14:55)", "body": "Hello, I've only just found this forum, but I've been looking for one similar for ages. I can't believe it's so specific to my interests - I'll explain. Possession has been a favourite novel of mine since it was published because I live in Lincoln (getting all the Tennyson references) and I've been a fan of Byatt for longer. I applied to be an extra for the film when the set came to Lincoln (being a student) but I wasn't quick enough, but I did go down to the set for a few days. I spoke to a few of the crew (including the man in the funny hat in the British Museum snaps) because my dissertation is on filming locations & heritage properties etc. I have loads of articles on the filming (most are posted here) as I intend to use it as a case study. It's also just so exciting for me for something that has been so much an interest of mine, to come to my home town, which I suppose is only right. I even attend to college which is the model for Lincoln University in the novel (by coincidence)! I hope you don't mind me popping in and out, and I'll post what I have too when I get it all in order including my photos I took at at Lincoln uni set. Cheers, Lucinda."}, {"response": 429, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec  3, 2000 (15:56)", "body": "WELCOME LUCINDA I am so glad you found us .Had we known you were out there, we would have gone after you What luck to have your overriding interest right in your own backyard!! We are v. eager to hear about your experiences on the Possession set, chats with any of the crew and oh pictures. Thanks for sharing..."}, {"response": 430, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec  3, 2000 (17:37)", "body": "Shug* and Lucinda!! How nice that you've found us and we'd love to hear anything you've learned about the movie from talking with the crew. Or if you'd like to discuss the book, there are many who are always agreeable to a Possession discussion of any type. Aside from the university and the train station, were there other locations used in Lincoln? The newspapers talked about an inn possibly being a site, but I never saw anymore on it. Aside from a couple of exterior shots, it would seem to me that if they were shooting the scene where Maud and Roland meet up with Euan and Toby the lawyer (no Val as we've heard she's been dropped) to discuss the quasi-will Toby has in his possession, then that could all be done at the studio. BTW, did you see Tom Hollander in Lincoln? We've been wondering what part he plays. *See, I told you I'd get around to it ;-)"}, {"response": 431, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (08:02)", "body": "Welcome, Lucinda! I second everything that Evelyn and Karen have said."}, {"response": 432, "author": "Lucinda", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (13:07)", "body": "Thank you for such a warm welcome - it is so refreshing to find a nice forum. It was more luck than judgement that I was at the railway set as that is how I get into Lincoln, I was actually on the way to the university to have a look around! So I bypassed the station as most of the work seemed to have been done, but when we (my best bud & I) arrived at the uni, so did GP. People kept asking us what was going on and the man of local news asked us if we wanted to be on tv, but we politely declined! I did see a large dark lady going into make-up, but I wasn't sure whether Leonora Stern would appear in the film (?). That night I was in Lincoln and most of the crew were in my favourite, but rather expensive pub. In the local paper the next day it said GP had been in there too, but we didn't see her. They also filmed at the White Hart (the hotel in the book which does exist, I know because I walk past it everyday and to be honest inside isn't up to much!) which is where most of them were staying. Unfortunately, no I didn't see Tom Hollander, but then I wasn't looking for him because when they were filming at Lincoln only a few cast members had been announced. Plus I'm not the most perceptive person in the world! I did find some lovely pics in an article in the Lincs Echo which I had missed while on holiday, but my html skills aren't up to much and I'm not quite sure how to post them here. My pics are mostly of the set, though one does have GP's back as she got something out of her car, and I was too slow! My Aunt was in Whitby while they were filming, but didn't make the connection for which she was severely told off! As an aside, while researching my dissertation (I'm in my second year, but I'm enthusiastic!) I went on Leighton Hall's website and found an article on the filming. It's a shame they decided on Lancashire for that part of the filming, as a friend of mine works at Grimesthorpe Castle, Lincs who told me they had been seriously considering using it instead! Grimesthorpe has been used quite a bit for Middlemarch, The Buccaneers etc, but it how I imagined Seal Court. I'm just biased I suppose!"}, {"response": 433, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (13:17)", "body": "Very interesting, Lucinda. We had all the articles from the Lincolnshire Echo, plus one pic (as I recall) posted here. Were there more? To answer your question about posting pics, it is very easy to do but the pic must already be on the Internet someplace. They can't be posted from your hard drive as you do for attaching pics to an email. If you don't have that ability, you can always email them to me and I'll post them. However, they have been uploaded, this is the HTML string: img src=\" http://www.mypersonalwebspace.com/picname.jpg \" Then you put the pointy brackets around the whole thing. The file must be a jpg or a gif to be posted. Hope this helps. Everyone here has acquired some very fundamental and even advanced html knowledge which adds to our fun on other topics (especially parties)."}, {"response": 434, "author": "Lucinda", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (13:30)", "body": "I noticed this article in particular as it had quite a number of lovely pics esp of AE! I will hunt out my digital pics and attempt to scan the Echo (papers don't scan well though) and with my simple brain, it might be easier to post them to someone who knows what they're doing! I also found something from a Yorkshire paper about how it hoped the crew and actors from Hollywood didn't think people in England still relied on steam powered trains!"}, {"response": 435, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (13:47)", "body": "Just email them to me at nomdedrool@yahoo.com"}, {"response": 436, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (15:35)", "body": "Hi Lucinda, oh you are so lucky to have been on the set of Possession, do you know what scene they were filming when you wee there and did you see any other actors, AE, Jeremy Northam or Jennifer Ehle. One question as you are an admirer of the book, what do you think about the fact that they have changed the colour of Christabel's hair to red when they are so specific about it in the book. I know they say they have to differentiate between the two Christabel and Maud, but that sounds a bit weak to me as they look completely different GP and Jennifer Ehle and anyway will be dressed completely differently. I hope they don't make too many changes like this and I am also sorry that Valere is not to be in the film. Any little stories you might have about your experience on set will be most welcome."}, {"response": 437, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (16:18)", "body": "A warm welcome from me too. Thanks for all your interesting comments, Lucinda. how it hoped the crew and actors from Hollywood didn't think people in England still relied on steam powered trains! LOL! I hope people in America don't think that -after seeing Mission Impossible- the Eurostar and other high speed trains are dieseltrains that somehow manage to go 300km/h. Incredible, isn't it;-)"}, {"response": 438, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec  4, 2000 (20:09)", "body": "(Lucinda) I noticed this article in particular as it had quite a number of lovely pics esp of AE! Wot? Where? When? Can we see them???:-) Welcome, Lucinda, and all our other newcomers!"}, {"response": 439, "author": "Lucinda", "date": "Tue, Dec  5, 2000 (06:44)", "body": "Thanks again for the welcome! I will try and e-mail the pics sometime this week. Ann W - it might lose some of the edge if JE's hair isn't blonde, visually it would make it easier to understand how Maud & Christabel were related. Does that mean the little girl who is playing May/Maia will have blonde or red hair? If she was RHA's daughter she'd probably be a bit darker as it was?!?"}, {"response": 440, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Dec  5, 2000 (07:24)", "body": "Good point, Lucinda, thanks."}, {"response": 441, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  5, 2000 (08:09)", "body": "However, in the book, RHA gets a plait of her hair and it is as white blonde as Christabel's, remember? Everyone thinks the woven bit of hair in the watch is hers, as no one knows that he has met Maia."}, {"response": 442, "author": "Lucinda", "date": "Tue, Dec  5, 2000 (09:17)", "body": "Does that mean that Maia's hair will be red in the film also in order for people to make the same assumption?"}, {"response": 443, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec  5, 2000 (10:20)", "body": "Maia's hair color: Good question to ask NLB... Lucinda...we are awaiting the pics...thanks."}, {"response": 444, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  6, 2000 (23:02)", "body": "(Lucinda) Does that mean that Maia's hair will be red in the film also in order for people to make the same assumption? But it should be so obvious, even without the hair color...if you knew this: ;-) http://www.castlewales.com/motte.html"}, {"response": 445, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec  7, 2000 (08:29)", "body": "Oh you sly cat, Karen....I bet NLB doesn't know this;-)"}, {"response": 446, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  7, 2000 (08:58)", "body": "Didn't I say from the very beginning, the names meant something? ;-)"}, {"response": 447, "author": "Lucinda", "date": "Thu, Dec  7, 2000 (09:05)", "body": "LOL Karen - I study Castles as part of my degree and that is one of the first things I picked up on. I am at the moment scanning the lovely AE pic I found (I hope it's not here already), but you all seem to have a few of the Lincoln shots here and I haven't scanned all the GP ones - there can be too many! I am also working on a map that I will e-mail of Lincoln locations (if I can find a street map on the net)."}, {"response": 448, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec  7, 2000 (10:40)", "body": "I agree about the hair. Why does such an obvious thing have to be changed. In my mind, M&R and C&A were similar types. This is not what NLB has done. Loved the castles. Thank, Karen!"}, {"response": 449, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  7, 2000 (13:15)", "body": "(Lucinda) I study Castles as part of my degree What a fun degree! Looking forward to your pics. I contacted several people where they did the steam locomotive thing and none came through."}, {"response": 450, "author": "Lucinda", "date": "Thu, Dec  7, 2000 (14:23)", "body": "(Karen) What a fun degree! It is, I also get to study Country Houses, Museums and Archaeology within it! I've sent the pics to the nomdedrool address didn't you get them? The train thing is another freaky coincidence of this whole thing, because I was on it for a whole day in the summer. A week later or so they were filming. But then it was the same with Alnwick Castle and the Harry Potter film!"}, {"response": 451, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  7, 2000 (16:10)", "body": "I'll go check, as I don't use it all the time."}, {"response": 452, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  7, 2000 (16:34)", "body": "These are Lucinda's: The locations at which they shot in Lincoln Trailers at the university:"}, {"response": 453, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  7, 2000 (16:38)", "body": ""}, {"response": 454, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  7, 2000 (16:42)", "body": "Gwynnie arriving at uni From the Lincolnshire Echo, taken at the train station: As you can see, it's the same as the one that was up before, but we didn't get the inset with AE (and he's even taller than her...argh!) http://www.spring.net/karenr/possession/paltrow_lincoln.gif"}, {"response": 455, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  7, 2000 (16:43)", "body": "Am I getting sloppy, here it is..."}, {"response": 456, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec  7, 2000 (17:37)", "body": "Great pics, Lucinda. Thank you and to Karen for posting them. Is that Gwynnie's stand-in arriving with her in the Mercedes? Too thin to be the bodyguard;-) I don't remember AS Byatt saying anything about Roland's undershirt hanging out of his sweater...do you? *;-)*"}, {"response": 457, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec  7, 2000 (22:02)", "body": "I don't remember AS Byatt saying anything about Roland's undershirt hanging out of his sweater...do you? *;-)* Or hugging Maud at the train station. Thanks for the pics."}, {"response": 458, "author": "Lucinda", "date": "Fri, Dec  8, 2000 (09:59)", "body": "Thanks ever so much Karen, I really appreciate you putting them here. Evelyn, I'm not sure if she was her stand in or her PA, but I saw her in Lincoln that evening. I couldn't get over how scruffy GP was - the trials of being an actress I suppose! ;-)"}, {"response": 459, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  8, 2000 (10:14)", "body": "My guess is PA. A stand-in doesn't hang around with the star nor arrive with them. They are fairly low in the pecking order. Never saw Minnie or David's stand-ins anywhere near them."}, {"response": 460, "author": "Lucinda", "date": "Wed, Dec 27, 2000 (09:17)", "body": "I found some more piccies in old Lincs Echos, may I e-mail them to you again Karen? They're only small, but they're of filming inside the uni."}, {"response": 461, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 27, 2000 (09:49)", "body": "Of course, we'd love to see them. Thanks, Lucinda, I'll be on the lookout at the other email address."}, {"response": 462, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 27, 2000 (10:10)", "body": "Bless you Lucinda and Charlotte for looking out for us. [Hey, boss..I bet NLB would like to see them:-)]"}, {"response": 463, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec 27, 2000 (13:32)", "body": "Have you heard from NLB yet?"}, {"response": 464, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 27, 2000 (13:49)", "body": "No, I think I scared him away. :-("}, {"response": 465, "author": "Lucinda", "date": "Wed, Dec 27, 2000 (14:23)", "body": "I am e-mailing the pics now. I will hang around for a while to see if you can upload them at the moment. If not I'll come back tomorrow and explain them!"}, {"response": 466, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 27, 2000 (14:43)", "body": "Gotcha! Here are Lucinda's latest: The first two are inside the University's atrium taken from 01/09 This last one was GP in Lincoln, I was sat in the pub to the left (The Wig & Mitre) while she was next door scoffing pies! Tell us more, when you get back online. :-)"}, {"response": 467, "author": "Lucinda", "date": "Thu, Dec 28, 2000 (05:17)", "body": "I'm sorry about the quality, but scanners don't like newspapers! I only found them recently also, they were in an article about being an extra for the day (rubbing in the fact that I wasn't!). The first two are within the Atrium at Lincoln uni, which anyone can walk into, they have a nice cafe! I'm guessing that they were going up to the LaMotte Research centre, like in the novel. There is a very similar Tennyson Research centre at Lincoln Central library! The third was taken near the White Hart (where they were staying) and I was in the pub to the left while GP was in Browns. In the article with it, it said the release date was October 2001 in the US and January 2002 in the UK. However, at the moment they are building a new Multiplex Odeon in Lincoln, near the uni, and on the news they said they wanted to show Possession as their opening film (as the cinema will probably be in the background!) that will be autumn 2001."}, {"response": 468, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 28, 2000 (11:10)", "body": "I was sat in the pub to the left (The Wig & Mitre) while she was next door scoffing pies! Fuzzy or not..we love seeing these pictures. How come GP can look like that gorging on Brown's pies and I can't!! In the pic with Roland she is wearing the same outfit as the one meeting him at the train station...so they must be going to the La Motte Library as you said. I hope Lincoln gets the first shot at \"Possession\"! (Castaway with Tom Hanks was premiered at a small Texas town near here where they had filmed some of the movie. The whole cast attended) Thanks again..."}, {"response": 469, "author": "Lucinda", "date": "Thu, Dec 28, 2000 (13:55)", "body": "It would be really nice to open the new cinema with 'Possession'. I would be there with bells on! I'll keep on the look out for more piccies!"}, {"response": 470, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 29, 2000 (22:07)", "body": "Interesting article in The Telegraph about Margaret Drabble, AS's sister, and about the book she's written that is based on their mother. Always wondered about those two and their relationship. If you take The Game as semiautobiographical, the thought of their relationship gives chills. Have a pile of Margaret's books here that I picked up at used book store's going out of business sale. Must read them some day. :-) http://www.telegraph.co.uk:80/et?ac=000576481449931&rtmo=kCqZeZop&atmo=rrrrrrrq&pg=/et/00/12/30/badrab30.html"}, {"response": 471, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec 30, 2000 (10:39)", "body": "\"my mother was very protective about me when I was little, perhaps because I was an intense and neurotic child\" Operative word here\"neurotic\". Sounds as if she never got over it. I don't think sibling rivalry esp. in the same field is not unusual. And all mothers are hard to please.But as we grow -up we realize they did it with the best of intentions.I'm not apologizing for her behavior, but have to agree with AS ..\"'I would rather people didn't read someone else's version of my mother\", she said. \"That is her [Drabble's] experience. Mine belongs to me.'\" BTW Antonia (AS)and Margaret look v. much alike."}, {"response": 472, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (06:05)", "body": "Also from today's Observer-included in the Review for 2001 \"MY FILM HIGHLIGHT OF THE COMING YEAR\" Philip French Possession:The Movie A.S. Byatt is no stranger to having her work adapted for the screen, but 2001 will be a bumper year for the Booker prize winner. Next year will be an interesting one for ASB and her fans, with foreign directors taking a lively interest in her work. The American Director Philip Haas, whose Angels & Insects (an adaption of Dame Antonia's novella, Morpho Eugenia) was shown in competition at Cannes five years ago, is prepareing a version of its companion novella of Victorian cultural life. The Conjugal Angel, will possibly star Helen Mirren as Emily Tennyson, the Poet Laureate's wife. Meanwhfile, the Australfian filmmaker George Miller, who was pleased and astonished to hear that Byatt was a great admirer of his Mad Max movies, is working on an adaptation of her adult fairy story, The Djinn in the Nightingale's Eye. But the movie I'm really looking is NLaB's Possession, based on Bytat's 1990 Booker Prize-winning nove. This marvelous novel, deceptively subtitled \"A Romance\" but the kind of thing that gives post-modernism a good name has parallel plots and is about two late twentieth-century academics who live through and fight over the lives of a pair of Victorian poets, CLaM & RHA. It's a fiendishly difficult book to adapt, mainly because it's very literary (letters and poems, some 10 pages long, are part of its texture), but partly because for the past decade it's been taught in universities around the world, and a very discerning audience will bre awaiting it."}, {"response": 473, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (06:13)", "body": "cont. The film has been on the stocks for some fyears, and there have been rumours of unsuccessful scripts, of Jane Campion being a possible director, and Sean Connery playing the Browningesque Ash. Now it's in post-production after location shooting in England and France, with GQ (sporting another English accent) and LaB's regular AE as the present-day writers, and JN and JE as the Victorians. LaB's three previous filsm, In the Company of Men, Your Freidns and Neighbours and Nuirse Betty - show him to be aman of literary bent with a strong interest in language, early in his career, he had a graduagte fellowship to stdy at the Royal Court in London, so he's not stranger to this country. Dame Antonia, though not involved in the scripting or production, has apparenly taken a lively interest in the movie, and has from time to time tendered advice. On a visit to the set she was very impressed by the look of the film and the work of the production designer, and is pleased that the ending remains that of the novel. \"You get the feeling of people working on something they're excited about, she told me. \"You never know, of course, how things will turn out, but the auguries are good and I'm looking forward to seeing Possession in the summer\". Do you think we are going to see Possession in the UK before the US? I am really looking forward to 2001, Possession, BJD and now possibly Hamlet. apologies for typing errors, kept expecting to be cut off."}, {"response": 474, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (08:43)", "body": "is pleased that the ending remains that of the novel. Oh goodie! I do hope that means it ends with that lovely scene. Ann, just a hint. With longer articles or any for that matter, try typing them up offline, in a word processing document. Then cut and paste them here when on line. Much better to do that, especially is connection time is a problem."}, {"response": 475, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (08:51)", "body": "What lovely scene Karen, I have forgotten, do you mean when they are reading Christabel's letter in the hotel room? Also thanks for the advice."}, {"response": 476, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (09:05)", "body": "I meant the Ash/Maia encounter, but who knows as to what Byatt was referring. She may only have meant that the movie didn't change the overall ending of the book or the resolution of the big mysteries. But we'll just have to see. Summer? I just checked the upcomingfilms site, which is usually pretty current on release dates. Says Fall 2001. Also says that filming was completed in early December. But who knows?? ;-)"}, {"response": 477, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (11:41)", "body": "We are v. grateful to you Ann for taking the time to type the long article.Means a lot to all of us.:-)) ..and is pleased that the ending remains that of the novel. I think she means the meeting with Ash and Maia. (Bring a box of tissues!!) ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Glad ASB has changed her tune; she wasn't with Possession when I saw her in September, but was thrilled with these other two films that are mentioned: The Conjugal Angel and the adult fairy story that probably no one will ever see! But Possession was shooting then and I wonder if she adamantly insisted on the ending."}, {"response": 478, "author": "Lucinda", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (12:56)", "body": "That's really nice that they are (hopefully) keeping the ending, because the audio version I have cuts that (and a lot of the pivotal bits) out. Tissues will definately be out then! It's a lovely article Ann. I was also wondering whether they would keep the France bit in, if they were going to make changes I thought it would be there. Also, I don't know if anyone's discussed it here and if you have tell me, but what sort of music will they have as the soundtrack. Will they half and half it with modern and incidental (which would be nice and complimentary to the entire theme of the novel) or will they just have incidental?"}, {"response": 479, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (14:19)", "body": "Thanks, Ann. A very interesting article. The Conjugal Angel and the adult fairy story that probably no one will ever see! I will and so will my DH."}, {"response": 480, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (16:08)", "body": "Thanks for the wonderful article, Ann, and to Lucinda for the latest pics. So glad to hear that Byatt is feeling good about the film so far. You very well may get this one in the UK first; here, they'll hold it back until later in the year, to maximize awards exposure. It's the type of classy film that gets lots of attention come the end of year honors. Possession, Design for Living, BJD, Hamlet, Conspiracy--whew! What a year we have ahead of us!:-)"}, {"response": 481, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec 31, 2000 (17:24)", "body": "(evelyn)The Conjugal Angel and the adult fairy story that probably no one will ever see! (Moon)I will and so will my DH. What I mean't was that films like that only play on the two coasts,with luck. Sometimes Chicago.Whereas a NLB film will play all over the world."}, {"response": 482, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan  2, 2001 (15:50)", "body": "The Buzz is starting... Apparently,\"Possession\" is featured as one of the films to look out for in 2001 in the current issue of Newsweek. The article reports how difficult it must have been to adapt the book for the screen and mentions all four leads, Paltrow, Eckhart, JN and JE. Has anybody seen the article?"}, {"response": 483, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jan  2, 2001 (19:54)", "body": "Thanks for the heads up, Evelyn. Here it is. http://www.msnbc.com/news/507940.asp#BODY"}, {"response": 484, "author": "Lucinda", "date": "Mon, Jan 15, 2001 (13:56)", "body": "This was in the Lincolnshire Echo tonight (I cheated and found the web version instead of transcribing!) Author adds new twist to pub fight by Jason Hippisley Prize-winning author A S Byatt has lent her support to the fight to save an historic city pub. As the sale of the Adam and Eve pub to Lincoln Minster School was due to be completed today, Dame Antonia has waded in to the controversy, saying the 400-year-old inn should be left alone. Campaigners fighting the closure of the pub under the school's \ufffd5m redevelopment plans have been given hope by the author's intervention a week ahead of a public meeting in the city. The pub was used as a location for the film Possession, the novel for which Dame Antonia won the Booker Prize in 1990, the year she was made a CBE. The movie, which stars Gwyneth Paltrow, was shot in and around Lincoln in September and is due for release later this year. Possession involves a moving scene in the snug of the Adam and Eve where Aaron Eckhart, Miss Paltrow's opposite number challenges his feelings for the star, who plays a colleague at a Lincoln university, which was filmed in parts of the University of Lincolnshire and Humberside. Dame Antonia (64) said: \"I would be very upset if the pub closed. \"I have known it since I was a child. \"In places like Lincoln where there isn't much left, it really ought to be left alone.\" She visited the pub on a tour of the set as the film was being made. Her opinion echoes that of more than 4,000 people who have signed a petition against the closure and campaigned for a successful U-turn from the Church School Foundation. The foundation that runs the school is now trying to attract a brewery to sub-let the pub and keep it open. For the foreseeable future Scottish and Newcastle, which has sold the Adam and Eve for an undisclosed sum, will continue to manage the pub. The Save the Adam Campaign has even involved in its fight the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, who are patrons of the schools company. Jim Cowan, a farmer who has led the campaign to save the pub with teacher Mike Miller and archaeologist Naomi Field, said: \"We have achieved an enormous amount and I think it shows the true strength of feeling for the pub that A S Byatt has now got involved. \"We are very pleased she has come forward with her support, particularly at this stage as a public meeting looms,\" said Mr Cowan. Pub Regular Steve Crawford said: \"It's great that A S Byatt has come on board, but we still need people to turn out to the public meeting.\" Called by the city council as part of its consultation on the school's change of use application, the meeting at the Lawn on Monday, January 22, starts at 7.30pm. I completely forgot the pub had been used as a location in Lincoln. I should have put it on my map, it is south-east of the White Hart on the eastern side of Wragby road where it meets Pottergate & Lindum Road. There's a trip up to the Adam & Eve for me this weekend!"}, {"response": 485, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 15, 2001 (14:41)", "body": "There's a trip up to the Adam & Eve for me this weekend! Way to go, Lucinda! Pl. give us a report . Thanks:-)"}, {"response": 486, "author": "ATURIA", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (01:32)", "body": "February's Movieline article \"Directors on Sex\" by Stephen Farber briefly interviews NLB and others. There's also mention of GP."}, {"response": 487, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (10:20)", "body": "Thanks Aturia.The article is interesting ...interviews different directors re: how they shoot sex scenes.Including Anthony Minghella on TEP which I'll post on #136. \ufffdNLB has established himself as one of the most daring provocateurs on the contemporary scene. Referring to his second feature, \ufffdYour Friends & Neighbors, he says\ufffdI tried to do a whole film saturated in sexuality, even though I knew tht the American audience is wary of discussing it or seeing it. Actually, you only see one sexual act, in the first scene. Ben Stiller and Catherine Keener had qualms about it, as they should have. I told them I wanted them to remain covered at every moment, and that gave them a technical challenge and helped to relieve the pressure. It also helped a great deal that we had a female cinematographer. It made the actors feel safer to have a woman\ufffds voice included\ufffd \ufffdI hope to return to the sexual arena in other films\ufffd, LB continues. \ufffd In my view, sex should be considered like a controlled substance. The less you control it, the less dangerous and less mysterious it becomes, and the less people are obsessing it into something darker that it needs to be.\ufffd \ufffd"}, {"response": 488, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (10:52)", "body": "More on article: \ufffdFilming sex scenes can make the challenge of elaborate action sequences or high-tech special effects seem easy by comparison...the weirdness of getting actors to do ultraprivte things under ultrapublic circumstances.\ufffd More on NLB: \ufffdThe question all directors face in doing a sex scene is whether audiences will go along with them. \ufffdWe all go through life in a modified state of high school,\ufffdsaysNLB...\ufffdNo one wants to be an outsider. So when people see a film, they think, \ufffdWhat\ufffds the norm?\ufffd If it seems outside the norm, they feel uncomfortable watching. We\ufffdre all too desperate for normality.\ufffd ~~~~~~~~~``` [Well, his films haven't been exactly normal...One wonders what he'll do with P.]"}, {"response": 489, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (16:02)", "body": "Everything you always wanted to know about NLB. Too bad the writer kept getting the name of the movie wrong. ;-) http://metromix.com/top/1,1419,M-Metromix-Stage-0!ArticleDetail-10461,00.html"}, {"response": 490, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (17:24)", "body": "\"I'm still fascinated by the duality of people,\" LaBute says. \"Just because someone is a beautiful person, that does not mean that they are a good person. And yet we all get so invested in that.\" I keep getting the feeling that he's gonna make Randolph Ash a baddie.... IMO AS Byatt, at best, makes him a little disingenuous."}, {"response": 491, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Jan 20, 2001 (11:56)", "body": "LaBute is nuanced and complex, but with a hard-egded, dare it be stated \"modern\" sensibility, which is a good counterpoint to the archaic, rarefied aura the novel's contemporary characters possess. I thought a curious devise in the book that the 19th Century characters were more \"modern\", if you will, than the late 20th Century ones."}, {"response": 492, "author": "Lucinda", "date": "Mon, Jan 22, 2001 (11:18)", "body": "Didn't get a chance to go to the Adam & Eve this weekend, but A.S's plight was not in vain, because they've decided to keep it open as a pub - hoorah!"}, {"response": 493, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 27, 2001 (23:33)", "body": "From a Sunday Times article about Toby Stephens: First there was a part in Stephen Poliakoff's Family Tree, the follow-up to Shooting the Past, then the role of Fergus, a self-serving academic in Neil LaBute's adaptation of AS Byatt's literary mystery Possession. \"He's a shit. It's rent-a-turd time again,\" chuckles Stephens, referring to his impressive list of sneering upper-class nasties. \"He'll do anything to get what he wants - the money and the glamour.\" http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2001/01/28/sticulthr02003.html"}, {"response": 494, "author": "Lucinda", "date": "Tue, Jan 30, 2001 (11:03)", "body": "I absolutely loved Shooting the Past, but that's an aside. How can we ever forgive poor Toby for his silly hair in Onegin? Nice article cheers. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 138, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 139, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 14, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 140, "subject": "Spring Bandwidth Crisis", "response_count": 79, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Fri, Jan 12, 2001 (09:13)", "body": "Today I got a an unexpected charge of 494.96, added to other unexpected charges of 35.00, 46.00, 119.85, and 578.08. This is over a thousand dollars in unexpected and unbudgeted for charges in the past few days. I have called and left a message with the CEO of Digihost, our bandwidth provider, and told him that it is urgent that we need to talk. I simply can't afford these kinds of charges and can't expect the community to keep coming up with this kind of support as they have been doing. I submitted a new plan to them yesterday. Hopefully, we an resolve something today on this."}, {"response": 2, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Fri, Jan 12, 2001 (09:15)", "body": "These charges are related mostly to the heavy volume of traffic on spring.net, childrenstory.com, austen.com and firth.com. All the other websites are minimal compared to these. I will drop childresntory.com today, shut it down. But this in itself still won't be enough."}, {"response": 3, "author": "Ann", "date": "Fri, Jan 12, 2001 (13:05)", "body": "Terry, I'll do what I can to reduce the bandwidth use at Austen."}, {"response": 4, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Fri, Jan 12, 2001 (13:26)", "body": "That's not the problem, Ann. I've already paid to move the austen site and increase the bandwidth limits. You can alert me if you're approaching these limites via your administrative control panel, if it works. The problem I'm having with the Digi folks is that their monitoring tools don't work, so how can I know when I'm reaching their bandwidth limits."}, {"response": 5, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Fri, Jan 12, 2001 (13:32)", "body": "The way it now works for austen.com is that you'll have 500 mb of disk space and 15 gb of data transfer every month. My overage charges are $1/mb for disk space over this and .08/mb for overage above the bandwidth minimum. You *should* be able to see your bandwidth via your admin page, if you can't please let me know. If you can, and you're getting near the limit, let me know and I'll figure out a way to deal with it. This is much more bandwidth and diskspace than you've ever been allotted for austen.com in the past, I submitted this new plan today so it should go in to effect soon."}, {"response": 6, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Fri, Jan 12, 2001 (13:56)", "body": "Directory Kilobytes Used Percentage HTTP 121,475 47.24% LOGS 134,418 52.27% FTP 554 0.21% MAIL 519 0.2% OTHER 149 0.05% The above are the disk space stats for austen.com. When austen.com was part of the overall plan with all the other sites, this was a big problem. Now that it's on it's own plan, it's only using about half the allotted disk space. But I still an't get any *bandwidth* stats by going to the austen admin page. And that's not fair to us to charge us for more badnwidth when they don't give us the tools to monitor bandwith. The logs can be recycled and archived, but there's no rush on that."}, {"response": 7, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Fri, Jan 12, 2001 (14:10)", "body": "austen.com used 16,476,833 during the last period."}, {"response": 8, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Fri, Jan 12, 2001 (14:17)", "body": "So this is 1.6 gb of bandwidth over the 15 gb allotted and the rate would be .08 over this for the 1,476,833 or whatever that would work out to be."}, {"response": 9, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jan 12, 2001 (14:54)", "body": "Ouch!! Anything I should be doing to help?"}, {"response": 10, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Fri, Jan 12, 2001 (15:24)", "body": "I've come up with a solution of sorts. I spoke to Ed Newman at Digi on the phone and he did point out the problem is mostly austen.com's bandwidth and the chat room. So he's going to set us up with a dedicated server where we can run our sites with a much higher bandwidth at a (hopefully) reasonable rate of around $200 a month. I'm pushing for 100 gb of data transfer and as much disk space as this server has hard drive space, probably about16 to 30 gb of space. But for this month and next month I'm going to need as much help as you can muster in the austen, drool and spring communities to pay for these overages. I know we just went through a pledge drive but this is another set of hurdles to jump over till we get a new plan in place. So, I encouurage everyone to sign up for PayPal and complete your sign ups if you haven't yet, and keep the checks coming in the mail and the online PayPal payments coming. Maybe we could put a note on austen.com and a pair of Paypal signup and donate links there like we have on spring.net, these could just be copied and pasted there. This has been a day of decision and negotiation and I think we're getting close to a solution. I appreciate everyone's help on this!"}, {"response": 11, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 12, 2001 (15:51)", "body": "There is no chat room. What are they talking about?"}, {"response": 12, "author": "wolf", "date": "Fri, Jan 12, 2001 (18:03)", "body": "ok, i'm confused. (surprised?) anyway, if we are not supposed to have lots of hits, then we can only limit the spring to us and no outsiders. and does the bandwidth thing also count the same user visiting several times a day? so, digihost isn't large enough to handle our business not to mention other websites they service. what if we had our very own servers? i know a guy here who runs his own internet server from his house and works full time outside the home. these may seem like silly questions, but how much is really involved in something like this, aside from the initial expense? and if it helps, you want me to take my website down? (i still have my geo account up and running)"}, {"response": 13, "author": "Ann", "date": "Fri, Jan 12, 2001 (21:23)", "body": "Karen's right. As far as I know, there IS no chat room and hasn't been once for ages! They shut it down shortly after it went online, over a year ago now. I have moved one of my main bulletin boards off of Austen.com, so that should reduce traffic conciderably (perhaps as much as 25% of Austen traffic). Terry, What do you want me to do about montitoring the bandwidth? or swapping logs? I've never done much of that. (I think I've looked at the bandwidth page and didn't get it to show me any results.) And I don't even know where the logs are. ------ Also, could you explain PayPal to me one more time (Karen's tried a couple of times.) If someone just registers with the place, through the link you gave me a while ago, you get 5 bucks? They don't actually have to buy anything? THis is the include you gave me, does this one do it? (with \"{\" instead of \"<\"): {!-- Begin PayPal Logo --} {!-- {A HREF=\"https://secure.paypal.com/xclick/business=terry%40spring.net&item_name=Years+Membership+in+Spring.net&item_number=1&amount=25.00&no_intl=1&return=http%3A//www.spring.net/paypal\" target=\"_blank\"}{IMG SRC=\" http://images.paypal.com/images/x-click-but7.gif \" BORDER=\"0\" width=72 height=29 ALT=\"Make payments with PayPal - it's fast, free and secure!\"}{/A} --} {!-- End PayPal Logo --}"}, {"response": 14, "author": "Ann", "date": "Fri, Jan 12, 2001 (21:29)", "body": "LOGS 134,418 52.27% } YIKES!!! Can't we zap those or something? It's a bit rediculous that that log is taking up more than half of the space!"}, {"response": 15, "author": "Ann", "date": "Fri, Jan 12, 2001 (21:48)", "body": "Gee, according to the austen.com admin page, we've used a whopping 1KB of bandwidth so far this month. Yeah, right!"}, {"response": 16, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 12, 2001 (23:22)", "body": "Re: PayPal They can't just register; they have to complete the whole process, which involves (1) giving them your bank account number and then (2) reporting back to PayPal the two piddly little deposits they will make into them. Verification is necessary in order for Spring to receive the signup bonus. And, yes, the people don't have to actually transfer money. All they have to do is set up an account and verify it."}, {"response": 17, "author": "Ann", "date": "Fri, Jan 12, 2001 (23:35)", "body": "Bank account #, or credit card #, or both?"}, {"response": 18, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jan 12, 2001 (23:41)", "body": "I used a check debit Visa card for mine. Karen, did you ever get my $5 ? I know they were giving you a hard time about it!!!"}, {"response": 19, "author": "Ann", "date": "Fri, Jan 12, 2001 (23:55)", "body": "Terry, did DigiHost change their billing practices? or was their a sudden jump in bandwidth use on the sites? (Looking over traffic on Austen, I wouldn't think the bandwidth would have gone up by much--except I've been trying to remove a lot of files and needed to download them first, as much as 100 MB worth. I should pretty much be done with that for now.)"}, {"response": 20, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sat, Jan 13, 2001 (00:21)", "body": "Both, Ann. For the last seven months or more I've been able to talk them out of excessive charges. Kat had pretty much been in charge during this time and I could talk to their CEO pretty freely and get things done. They were very understanding and agreeable during this time. That changed in December, I was told that the \"CEO was no longer dealing with the day to day affairs of the business\" and that badnwidth charges and disk charges were to be strictly applied. And I could no longer retroactively \"stack\" my plans to avoid excessive charges. On their side, Ed Newman, the Day to Day Operations Manager realized that they were losing money as a business and they had to act fast to bill their customers for every penny they could. This was great for Digihost. But for us it has been like Pearl Harbor Day. It came swiftly and uncompassionately. They aren't cutting even an inch of slack to their customers where before they would bend over backwards to help us. And my numerous calls and emails to the CEO, David Geier, have been unanswered. He is now barricaded by a jealous front line that denies access to him. I feel like Kat likes her customers and wants to help them like she always has, but her hands are tied by middle management. Ed Newman has become the \"enforcer\" and I have no idea how upper management feels about this, as they are shielded from us. They are blaming the austen chat room for the bamdwidth and I am trying to head off another set of high charges next month. (continued)"}, {"response": 21, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sat, Jan 13, 2001 (00:24)", "body": "The biggest problem, as I have stated, is that their bandwidth measuring tools simply aren't working and, as Ed Newman say, \"they're working on fixing it\". And he says to call them to get them to generate this information. The problem for me is that I work during the day when they're open and I can't really spend a lot of time with them on the phone having them manually extract this information and they don't respond to emails very well. But that's our only option right now. Ann, feel free to call them on the 800 number if you want to monitor this while they get their act together. With your permission, I will designate you as the official ambassador and contact person for austen.com."}, {"response": 22, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sat, Jan 13, 2001 (00:31)", "body": "There is a possible cure for all this. At one time this whole system ran off dedicated servers. Three or four in fact. These were machines which I built and maintained. The problem was maintaining them because they were old 486 boxes with very little disk spaces. But I scratched and clawed my way along and kept them running for years. Now we're in a new era where machines our much faster, disks are cheap and it's possible to have low cost on site maintenance on hosting company built systems. So Ed Newman is devisiing a plan where we can put all our websites on a single server with much higher bandwidth and which we would have total control. It would be system admin work but we would be masters of our own destiny. But we would have to fix things that broke more often ourselves. We're talking all this over now. And I'm trying to come up with the best solution to keep all these communities growing and to make it possible to grow more communities of interest in the future. It would help if more folks entered in to this dialog with their thoughts and ideas."}, {"response": 23, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sat, Jan 13, 2001 (00:50)", "body": "I'm in the chat room now and I see that it's not even running on austen.com, what date was it moved to the other site?"}, {"response": 24, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 13, 2001 (09:52)", "body": "The chatroom on austen.com was closed down by Digihost a long long time ago. They were using other chatrooms at Bravenet and Earthlink and many places, before this one was set up very recently. Ann could probably give you an exact date, but the austen.com chatroom has been shut down for over a year because as Digihost said, \"it was illegal.\" (Ann) Bank account #, or credit card #, or both? Bank account # (A person can send money to anyone by charging it to a credit card, but that does not mean they have set up an account at PayPal.) (Marcia) did you ever get my $5 ? No. They said their rules changed (on whatever date) so that personal accounts didn't get the referral bonus. Because your registration wasn't completed by then, I wasn't going to get it."}, {"response": 25, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 13, 2001 (10:07)", "body": "...and Ann, you might want to delete all the posts about the person who used someone else's name. All that venting. Must have given the troll a chuckle."}, {"response": 26, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sat, Jan 13, 2001 (10:10)", "body": "I guess the $5 referral bonus *was* too good to be true. I wonder if that applies to the spring's $5 referral bonus as well? I'll have to check on this. It sounds like I still need to at least try and talk to the CEO if the chat room has been closed. I wonder how much bandwidth a chatroom uses and what it cost to run it on one of these other chatroom providers? Are they free?"}, {"response": 27, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sat, Jan 13, 2001 (10:11)", "body": "Ooops, slippage with KarenR."}, {"response": 28, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 13, 2001 (10:30)", "body": "I guess the $5 referral bonus *was* too good to be true. Terry, if you have set up a business account, then you get the signup bonuses. The Austen.com community did not like those other chatroom providers, which is why this new one has been set up by one of their community participants. He is footing the bill. My guess is that Digihost is calling the Tea Room (which Ann just moved off of austen.com yesterday) or what resided at: http://www.austen.com/babble/bindex.cgi the chatroom. It gets a lot of action, but is only a message board. With all these components of austen.com being moved to other host sites, what is the point to having any of it there? If they leave, you lose THE major source of ongoing funding."}, {"response": 29, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sat, Jan 13, 2001 (11:13)", "body": "That's the point. And I'm working on solving that by moving to a dedicated host where we can have everything on the same server. I have already upgraded our plan for more bandwidth and disk space and am negotiating for a dedicated server. I have set up a PayPal business account, so I am getting these bonuses. I'll check the PayPal log to make sure."}, {"response": 30, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 13, 2001 (14:16)", "body": "Whoa!! So does this mean that you'll have to do all the sys adm work, Terry? If the server goes down, so do all of us and we'd have to rely on you to bring it back up? In addition, Digihost would do normal, ongoing maintenance and perform upgrades to its own servers. Who is going to do that for this dedicated server? Let's not be rash here."}, {"response": 31, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sat, Jan 13, 2001 (15:04)", "body": "I think we're moving toward a hybrid plan where they do some of the stuff and I have ability to do sysadmin work also. They would maintain the server. We won't go ahead with this without a great deal of thought and dicussion rigthfirsfirst away and we'll see how that works out first. I promise not make any rash moves!"}, {"response": 32, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 13, 2001 (17:28)", "body": "As a member at large, may I say that I have been v. satisfied with Digihost service. I hope you can get the financial admin stuff ironed out, and keep them on the technical side."}, {"response": 33, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Jan 13, 2001 (23:17)", "body": "Very shortly after moving to DigiHost (like within a month), they shut our chat room down, kaput, finito. We spent about a year on commercial chat services (ATT, Bravenet, etc.) trying to find a new home, before a philanthropic fellow on our site set up one for us. (It's with the hosting company http://readyhosting.com , which you might want to look at: $99/year + unlimited bandwidth + 500MB space + they pay for domain registration (usually a $35/year cost). They have a $50 first time set up fee, which might be waved for domain transfers.) ------ Karen might be right that they are referring to \"The Tea Room\", which is a CGI bulletin board, not a chat room, http://www.TheDWG.com/babble/bindex.cgi . This was running on the Austen.com servers until yesterday, when I moved it to my www.TheDWG.com account, also with ReadyHosting. This leaves the DWG board as the main drag from Austen.com on the Spring servers (we have 3 other boards which get small to minimal traffic). I think the Tea Room Board gets a bit less usage than the DWG board, but without tracking and monitoring abilities, I have no way of knowing for certain! Either way, having the Tea Room and the DWG on different servers with different hosting companies should be beneficial for the Spring. ---------- With all these components of austen.com being moved to other host sites, what is the point to having any of it there? So far I've only moved some of the older stories in the archives (about 100 MB worth--it's a big archives, well over 1,000 stories--though not all of that has been deleted from Austen.com yet) and I've moved one of the two large message boards. I do kind of like the idea of splitting the site between two hosting companies. It seems to me like insurance, in case one of them goes down or belly-up. We've always maintained an emergency board at InsideTheWeb for that purpose. Also, by splitting the site up, we will lessen the strain on any one computer or host. It will cost me only $99/year to run www.TheDWG.com, and after the first two years, that will include the $35 domain registration fee (for a net of $64/year.) That's a great price and I figured it was worth it. ------ With your permission, I will designate you as the official ambassador and contact person for austen.com. I might contact them to find out what is going on, but I don't know if I want to be an official contact. For one thing, I only have one phone line which is tied up with my computer most of the day. For another thing, I hate telephones and loathe making calls--to the point where I procrastinate until there is no point in calling at all. (I was never the stereotypical teenage girl who hung on the phone for hours. Yick!) I'm a bad person to delegate the phone work to."}, {"response": 34, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sun, Jan 14, 2001 (12:03)", "body": "I don't want you to be a phone jockey, Ann, I just wanted to have it so you could talk to our hosts when you need to. With the move to the new Plan, disk space should not be a problem. And I can negotiate more bandwidth. I'd like to compare what we're getting now with austen.com with what we could get with another host, especially one that doesn't charge for extra bandwidth. I'll take a look at readyhosting today."}, {"response": 35, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sun, Jan 14, 2001 (12:05)", "body": "Readyhosting, it turns out, is Windows 2000 hosting. It might be tough to run some scripts and software."}, {"response": 36, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Mon, Jan 15, 2001 (10:13)", "body": "Here are some other options I'm looking at, if anyone else wants to review these and give me their opinions, I'd love more input. http://webservices.cnet.com/html/aisles/Most_Popular_-_Dedicated_Servers.asp"}, {"response": 37, "author": "Ann", "date": "Fri, Jan 26, 2001 (16:14)", "body": "Terry, can you get a hold of any bandwidth data for Austen over the last week or two? I've been wondering how much the drop has been since I moved part of the site to a different ISP on the 12th."}, {"response": 38, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Fri, Jan 26, 2001 (19:08)", "body": "I'll see what I can dig up. Of course now austen.com has expanded limites on badnwidth and disk space since I \"upgraded\" our plan."}, {"response": 39, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Fri, Jan 26, 2001 (19:13)", "body": "HTTP 1/01 - 1/26: 0 KB 30 Day Total: 1,041,607 KB FTP 1/01 - 1/26: 0 KB 30 Day Total: 807 KB POP-3 1/01 - 1/26: 0 KB 30 Day Total: 1,767 KB SMTP 1/01 - 1/26: 0 KB 30 Day Total: 0 KB TELNET 1/01 - 1/26: 0 KB 30 Day Total: 0 KB OTHER 1/01 - 1/26: 0 KB 30 Day Total: 295 KB We're no where near our limit of 15 gbs!"}, {"response": 40, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Fri, Jan 26, 2001 (19:14)", "body": "Successful requests: 40,082 Average successful requests per day: 40,108 Successful requests for pages: 4,684 Average successful requests for pages per day: 4,686 Failed requests: 503 Redirected requests: 79 Distinct files requested: 1,536 Corrupt logfile lines: 1 Data transferred: 368,324 kbytes Average data transferred per day: 368,580 kbytes More austen.com stats."}, {"response": 41, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Fri, Jan 26, 2001 (19:16)", "body": "Directory Kilobytes Used Percentage HTTP 129,412 47.34% LOGS 141,466 51.75% FTP 554 0.2% MAIL 1,760 0.64% OTHER 168 0.06% Space Kilobytes Percentage USED 273,360 54.67% FREE 226,640 45.32% TOTAL 500,000 100%"}, {"response": 42, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Fri, Jan 26, 2001 (19:23)", "body": "Really, no worries about bandwidth and diskspace now, last month was the killer for me financially and I'm still trying to recover."}, {"response": 43, "author": "Ann", "date": "Fri, Jan 26, 2001 (22:58)", "body": "Looks like the move of one of our boards cut bandwidth by 400-500MB. Good :)"}, {"response": 44, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Fri, Feb  9, 2001 (14:54)", "body": "Having Webtrends on both spring.net and austen.com will give us a much better handle on our bandwidth and visitor trends. And it's open to anyone. http://www.spring.net/_webtrends http://www.austen.com/_webtrends"}, {"response": 45, "author": "mikeg", "date": "Tue, Feb 27, 2001 (22:00)", "body": "It's slightly worrying that the top hit for the entire site is 404 NOT FOUND http://spring.net/404.html don't you think? :-)"}, {"response": 46, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Wed, Feb 28, 2001 (10:58)", "body": "That's because we have so many broken links, and I intend to fix them sometime when I have a lot of time. I'm researching link reporting tools that are better than the one offered by Frontpage."}, {"response": 47, "author": "mikeg", "date": "Wed, Feb 28, 2001 (13:09)", "body": "anything I can help with, let me know. I have a DSL line at home now so access is much easier."}, {"response": 48, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Wed, Feb 28, 2001 (20:58)", "body": "Hey that's great, you can help me fix broken links if you want (heh heh!)"}, {"response": 49, "author": "mikeg", "date": "Thu, Mar  1, 2001 (09:04)", "body": "sure thing. how do you want them fixed?"}, {"response": 50, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, Mar  1, 2001 (10:43)", "body": "Mike, here's what you need to download: http://home.snafu.de/tilman/XENU.ZIP Xenu's Link Sleuth (TM) Here's what it does: Xenu's Link Sleuth (TM) does not have the graphic capabilities of WebAnalyzer 2.0 (\"Wavefront view\"). But here are some of the advantages of Xenu's Link Sleuth (TM): It is free Simple user-interface Better error reports (not just \"network error\") \"Save\" works also while the software is busy The \"broken links view\" shows only broken links; In WebAnalyzer you'd have to press the button again and again as the window fills with crap. While Xenu does not offer an \"update\" facility (which doesn't work anyway), it has a \"recheck broken links\" function that works fine. It is small, written by one person with 5 years experience of Windows development and 15 years of professional experience as software developer. This means that bugs will be corrected quickly. This is a matter of honour. The report can be viewed easily, even when you have long URLs. Uses much less disk space for intermediate files, executable file much smaller Loading of saved files much faster (WebAnalyzer loses time by displaying the extra graphics) Supports SSL websites (\"https:// \") Partial testing of ftp and gopher sites Special handling of redirected URLs Site Map Randomization of checking order, means less concurrent requests on a single server The bottom line is that it will point out all our broken links. Once you've ran Xenu, then I'll set you up with authorship privileges. Email me for the details on this (terry@spring.net)."}, {"response": 51, "author": "mikeg", "date": "Thu, Mar  1, 2001 (12:20)", "body": "running it now...the links to Visto on the main page are broken. i bet that's contributing massively to the 404 count :-)"}, {"response": 52, "author": "mikeg", "date": "Sun, Mar 18, 2001 (01:30)", "body": "Terry, The last time I ran Xenu it worked fine but I didn't have enough hours (!!!) left to let it finish before I had to go to sleep. Now when I run it, it doesn't seem able to find my network connection. A few other pieces of software (Outlook Express, RealPlayer, Yahoo! messenger) seem to be exhibiting this behaviour too. I am trying to work on fixing the problem but don't really know where to start. I'll let you know if I get it working!"}, {"response": 53, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Mon, Mar 19, 2001 (09:47)", "body": "Cool, thanks for giving it a run, Mike."}, {"response": 54, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (16:43)", "body": "Has anyone else noticed that the new server seems to be rather slow??? I've been noticing that slowness particularly when I'm FTPing things. This has been going on for several days."}, {"response": 55, "author": "mikeg", "date": "Sun, Mar 25, 2001 (07:24)", "body": "I have decided not to use Xenu, Terry, for this reason. It logs into the spring under my username and then proceeds to follow every single link that I can see. I logged in on Thursday to discover about five conferences missing from my conference list and a whole load of new ones added...you can see what it's done if you think about it! The thing I'm worried about is that I have kill permissions in a couple of confs (babes and business) and I would prefer not to wipe out entire conferences just to check whether there are any broken links in there!!!!! Do you have any ideas?"}, {"response": 56, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 25, 2001 (08:25)", "body": "Mike, the link to Visto on Drool's main page is probably generating a ton of those \"can't find\" messages. Can you delete that without killing permissions or wiping out the conference? If not, leave as is. Thanks. K"}, {"response": 57, "author": "mikeg", "date": "Sun, Mar 25, 2001 (11:39)", "body": "Yeah, there are several links to Visto around the place. I would say that they are generating at least 80-90% of the 404 hits :-) I don't yet have any kind of write permissions to the servers...Terry, am I going to clean these up or would you prefer to do it?"}, {"response": 58, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (09:29)", "body": "We need to get rid of them, go ahead and replace them all with Paypal banners. We're going to set up a Paypal shop soon."}, {"response": 59, "author": "mikeg", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (15:09)", "body": "I don't have any kind of access or write permissions yet, Terry :-)"}, {"response": 60, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (16:00)", "body": "I'll set up an ftp account for you and a FP2000 account if you need it."}, {"response": 61, "author": "mikeg", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (16:37)", "body": "just an ftp will be fine. I don't use FrontPage."}, {"response": 62, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (16:42)", "body": "OK email me."}, {"response": 63, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Tue, Mar 27, 2001 (09:00)", "body": "Done! Welcome Mike to our web authoring community."}, {"response": 64, "author": "mikeg", "date": "Tue, Mar 27, 2001 (13:38)", "body": "got 'em, thanks :) Won't be able to do anything until next week...got a busy weekend of visiting mom!"}, {"response": 65, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Tue, Mar 27, 2001 (19:25)", "body": "Say hi to mom."}, {"response": 66, "author": "Ann", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (16:32)", "body": "Terry, can you log into Spring using Frontpage? If you can, then you should be able to swap the visto banners on the front part of the site easily (I don't know about the conferences). I remember I created that as an include. You should be able to log on through FrontPage, pull up the include page, and change it. It should change it everywhere that include appears. If you need help doing this, let me know. It should be very easy."}, {"response": 67, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (17:50)", "body": "But just make sure it doesn't affect my Bucket pages, with some global replacement stuff...especially since I'll be away for a few days and can't fix things while gone."}, {"response": 68, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, Mar 29, 2001 (10:05)", "body": "OK, we'll be careful. Are you going to do any mods on spring.net, if you do I'd like to make that search feature a small text only box that fits in better with the whole page. I'm also looking for ways to get the page to load faster."}, {"response": 69, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Mar 29, 2001 (10:47)", "body": "I don't think I have the passwords anymore. If you want me to look at things, e-mail me with them (FrontPage ones.) Karen, changing the includes shouldn't touch your pages. It's not a global replace at all, it's just altering one of the pieces that make up the front pages."}, {"response": 70, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, Mar 29, 2001 (11:04)", "body": "Email me Ann, and I'll reply with the information you need. Or email me your phone number if you like and I'll call. I don't know if the phone number I have in my Palm is the right one."}, {"response": 71, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, Mar 29, 2001 (11:13)", "body": "I set you up, but I get an answering machine at the number where I try to reach you. It's in the 612 area code?"}, {"response": 72, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Thu, Mar 29, 2001 (12:17)", "body": "Check your ann@austen.com mailbox. Let me know whatever you need, I would appreciate your help on changing the include so it's the PayPal logo we have on our main page instead of Visto."}, {"response": 73, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Mar 29, 2001 (17:27)", "body": "I got the e-mail. I think I know what the problem with file size is. For some reason, that MSTheme thing that I took out when I redesigned the site is back in there. It takes up a lot of space."}, {"response": 74, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Mar 29, 2001 (17:42)", "body": "Voila, the Visto banners at the top of the pages should all now be PayPal. FYI, it is really, really easy to swap those in and out. Just: Log into the site through FrontPage. (it must be through front page, the change won't be made everywhere, if you do not.) Open up index.html Right click on the Banner Select \"Open include page /_private/Banner-adTop.htm\" (or whatever it's called) Make the changes Save the file and close it. That should change it everywhere it occurs."}, {"response": 75, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Mar 29, 2001 (18:18)", "body": "BTW, I didn't touch the banners on the conferences. They seem to still be Visto. I have no clue how to change those and wouldn't want to try. I just did the pages you get when you click on the www.spring.net page and all the branches from there."}, {"response": 76, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Mar 29, 2001 (22:06)", "body": "That Search feature on the front page was remarkably stubborn when it came to tweaking. I think I cleaned it up a bit, though :)"}, {"response": 77, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Apr 29, 2001 (19:28)", "body": "We just got a lot more bandwidth, at a lot cheaper price, we also just took a financial bath at our old isp and had to move pretty quickly to avert disaster. Looks like we've landed safely. Thanks for the three great contributions over the past couple of days, they are sorely needed right now!"}, {"response": 78, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Aug 12, 2001 (14:14)", "body": "You can email me at mailto://terry@spring.net Or you can call me at 512 699 4000 or 512 581 9617. The first is my cellphone the second is my home number."}, {"response": 79, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Aug 12, 2001 (14:15)", "body": "If you're out of the US or just want to save on long distance, call me using dialpad. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 141, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 143, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 1430, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 144, "subject": "Jude Law", "response_count": 36, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 25, 2001 (10:54)", "body": "Thought I'd start out with the cover of the Sunday Times Culture magazine: Here'r a link to the article on Jude: http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2001/02/25/sticulfil02001.html A Law unto himself by Matt Wolf Jude Law is the real thing, as an actor and a person, although it can't be easy for him to stay grounded when life takes its surreal turns. Mostly these have been for the best, such as the late-night phone call he took last year in Germany, where he was shooting his latest film, Enemy at the Gates. It was Steven Spielberg on the line, offering Law the co-starring role in his forthcoming movie, A:I. \"What do you say?\" laughs Law. \"I was ready to say, 'Yeah, whatever. I'll do it.' It was like out of a dream - no, that sounds really naff. What it was, was dreamlike, in that there I was lying in bed in Berlin, with Steven Spielberg telling me this wonderful goodnight story.\" But every once in a while his heightened profile doesn't give cause for cheer. There's the unwanted photographer, for instance, who may or may not be stalking the north London gastropub where we are seated, just a short walk from the home Law shares with Sadie Frost and three children. His penetrating grey-green eyes occasionally turn towards the window to check. \"In London, you like to think nobody cares about who you are and what you're doing, and they don't. But once they publish where you live, then, apparently, they have free rein to do what the hell they choose.\" He warms to the theme. \"I mean, how many photos does anyone want of me taking my son to school? It's 'Jude Law goes to school with his son', and you think, 'Okay, great, they've done it once.' And the next week, it's 'Jude Law goes to school with his son again'. It's very, very boring,\" he says, lapsing into a faux-vampire-movie accent to finish the thought: \"Eeez veh-ry, veh-ry boring.\" \"Boring\" is probably not an adjective much employed in the Law household. The upward spiral of his career could hardly have been more invigorating. It wasn't terribly long ago that he was making his mark in little-seen films (Wilde and Gattaca remain the two best known, and best, of the crop), interspersed with stints in the theatre, pre-eminently in London and on Broadway as the frisky male crumpet in Jean Cocteau's Les Parents Terribles. Things bolted up a notch or 10 when he played Dickie Greenleaf, the aristo American playboy with the rapier wit and ravishing allure, in The Talented Mr Ripley, and garnered an Oscar nomination and a Bafta en route. Suddenly the world woke up. This Great British Hope was hot. \"Ripley was the first film of mine that a lot of people went to see,\" says Law, settling in for a lunchtime chat. He never takes off his jacket during the conversation, which gives the initial impression that he might bolt at any minute, but his rangy body language says otherwise. His legs stretched out across a neighbouring chair, a pack of Marlboros open but untouched by his side, he never once communicates the interview fatigue that must accompany having done \"some 400 or so\" in recent weeks to promote his new film. Public awareness of him may have shifted, but Law's own distinct amiability has not. \"I don't feel like a movie star, and thank God I'm not allowed to,\" he says, although even off duty, as it were, he still has stardom inscribed large on a stubbly face blessed with cheekbones once characterised by his friend Sean Pertwee as ones \"you could open a letter with\". \"The fact is, 200 million people went to see Ripley, and that changes your life. I mean, it is a great movie and it was in the hands of a really fine film-maker, but those are the crude realities of film-making: if a lot of people go and see something, then your career changes.\" But he adds, as if to pre-empt an unspoken worry: \"The idea that that will ever affect the way I choose work from now on is kind of ludicrous.\" Enemy at the Gates, directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud, opens in America and Britain next month and looks unlikely to alter anyone's view that Law is an actor of considerable charisma. He relished doing it and claims to have enjoyed standing around in cold mud for hours at a time after being the fragrant golden boy Dickie in Ripley. \"It was fun to play somebody dirty, having played someone so clean.\" The film is a formidable physical achievement and by rights should figure in next year's Oscar race for art direction and cinematography, at least. The human elements of the film pit Law's propaganda-fuelled Russian country boy, Vassili Zaitsev, against a legendary German sniper, Major K\ufffdnig, played by Ed Harris. Given both performers' razor-sharp eyes, it's tempting to think of this re-creation of the struggle for Stalingrad as a battle of the orbs. Law has not long been back from the film's world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival, where the decision to use it as the opening feature might best be described as questionable. \"As soon as we arrived there,\" says Law, \"we felt like we were "}, {"response": 2, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 25, 2001 (10:57)", "body": "Then there's the review of Enemy at the Gates, plus a photo gallery link: http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2001/02/25/sticulfil02003.html From Wolf's article above: The film is a formidable physical achievement and by rights should figure in next year's Oscar race for art direction and cinematography, at least. Pfft! What a ridiculous statement at this point. From the reviews, this is a film that will quickly come and go and be forgotten."}, {"response": 3, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 28, 2001 (08:51)", "body": "A mention of Jude's part in The Road to Perdition from Empire today: Happily it seems Law is under no strict instructions to stay schtum about his next role opposite Tom Hanks as a crime scene photographer in The Road To Perdition. Law's character 'dabbles in murder and is obsessed with collecting the perfect still of a dead body. He's a kind of Weegee-esque psycho.' ~~~~~~~~~ And speaking of weirdos, I saw last night that Wisdom of Crocodiles is coming out on tape/DVD next week or the 13th but has been renamed \"Immortality.\""}, {"response": 4, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Mar  6, 2001 (16:00)", "body": "Forgive me if this is old news but Jude has been voted Britains Best Dressed Man in a GQ magazine poll. Their top ten is eclectic to say the least 1 - JL \"simply the coolest guy in the country\" 2 - Guy Ritchie 3 - Johnny Vaughan 4 - Robbie Williams 5 - Bryan Ferry 6 - Dan Macmillan (who he?) 7 - AA Gill 8 - Charlie Watts 9 - Richard Ashcroft 10 - Sir Elton John 1/2 page piece in todays Metro newspaper plus pic of himself in velvet suit (Hmmm nice) * thinks - wonder why a certain CF doesn't appear ...surely his parka would have done it for somebody!*"}, {"response": 5, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar  6, 2001 (16:42)", "body": "CF needs to work on his wardrobe big time. Poor guy can't get the collars right. ;-) Guy Ritchie???? Elton John??? Bryan Ferry is a stylish dresser."}, {"response": 6, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  6, 2001 (18:13)", "body": "Charlie Watts? The Rolling Stone? I thought he was dead. I'm hoping to catch a sighting of Mr Law here. Who cares about Tom Hanks or Paul Newman. Also, read today that Stanley Tucci's in the film too. The Talented Mr Ripley was on TV the other night. I found myself drawn to watching the first hour again. When Dickie died, who wanted to watch Old Silly Grin and Big Ears. ;-D"}, {"response": 7, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (16:57)", "body": "Interview with Jude in today's Evening Standard free mag Hot Tickets...was just about tp type it all out for you when I found this...... http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/html/hottx/film/top_direct.html .....which appears to be the same piece (although there's a different pic with the paper article. Unfortunately cannot scan at present but if you desire can do so and post tommorrow.)"}, {"response": 8, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (17:28)", "body": "Thanks Tracy. \"I am not a celebrity,' he insists. 'Celebrities now are quiz-show winners, sportsmen, other actors and, occasionally, politicians. I am just not in that category.'\" Sure....the guy has an American and UK agent, publicist in LA...he's no Joe Six-Pack. Still I admire his work and can't wait to see \"Enemy at the Gates\"."}, {"response": 9, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (20:36)", "body": "Vassili has to make love to Tania, surrounded by sleeping soldiers. It is hurried, furtive and sexy. Joe Fiennes said, 'It's probably the sexiest scene I've seen in any film.' Oooh, another good reason to see this flick, which Ebert & Roeper gave two thumbs up. This link will take you directly to the article: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/dynamic/hottx/film/film.html?in_review_id=369263&in_review_text_id=314647 Thanks for posting, Tracy, and if you want to scan and post the pic, I wouldn't complain. Saw that Jude was on the cover London's Time Out last week too."}, {"response": 10, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (21:17)", "body": "There was a very good interview with Jude about three weeks ago in the Telegraph too."}, {"response": 11, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Mar 10, 2001 (04:39)", "body": "Here goes... Apologies for the quality *thinks- must get a new scanner*"}, {"response": 12, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 10, 2001 (08:02)", "body": "Mmmmm, looks pretty good although you wonder why they used that first pic with him looking elsewhere. Have seen him on the cover of another magazine here too."}, {"response": 13, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 10, 2001 (10:18)", "body": "Apologies for the quality *thinks- must get a new scanner* Not at all...excellent pics. He is a v. good looking guy and a fabulous actor.Thanks"}, {"response": 14, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Mar 15, 2001 (16:04)", "body": "Thanks Karen and Tracy and Moon for articles and pics. He's in \"Heat\" magazine this week (looking not buying!) under a \"Doesn't he look rough, must have been up all night with the baby\" photo article. Shows him , not at his best, with a \"mystery\" male friend."}, {"response": 15, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Mar 19, 2001 (15:00)", "body": "Jude Law is the most beautiful person, male or female, in movies today. And he can act, too."}, {"response": 16, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Mon, Mar 19, 2001 (22:05)", "body": "A pretty good compendium: http://ewangirl.simplenet.com/jude/"}, {"response": 17, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (17:12)", "body": "Methinks the pretty boy doth protest too much. He is getting interesting and meaty roles here (Spielberg's AI and now Mendes' Road to Perdition), neither of which sound like pretty boy parts as Gosford Park might have been. From Ananova: Jude Law hates being a pretty boy Jude Law says he's fed up being the pretty boy of cinema. Law reckons his looks stop him being offered interesting roles. Law insists despite being an object of desire for millions of women he rarely thinks about his looks. He says he certainly does not spend every morning standing in front of the mirror thanking God for his appearance. He told German magazine InStyle: \"If somebody is looking for a beauty to fill a role then they think OK, lets take Jude Law. \"I can really imagine how it must feel to be a woman who is always reduced to her outward appearance.\""}, {"response": 18, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Tue, Jul 31, 2001 (10:19)", "body": "From today's Broadway.com: Jude Law is set to return to the stage in a production of Christopher Marlowe's Doctor Faustus at London\ufffds Young Vic. The play will begin an eight-week run the week of March 25, according to Variety."}, {"response": 19, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 31, 2001 (12:17)", "body": "Was this the face that launched a thousand ships and burnt the topless towers of Ilium? *hee hee*"}, {"response": 20, "author": "rachael", "date": "Tue, Jul 31, 2001 (16:32)", "body": "Was this the face that launched a thousand ships and burnt the topless towers of Ilium? hee hee might just hafta head to London after seeing KB in Sheffield - oooh what a theatrical week that could be, I'm such a luvvie *ROFL*"}, {"response": 21, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 18, 2001 (09:31)", "body": "From Ananova: Law and Wahlberg to star as love rivals in movie remake Jude Law and Mark Wahlberg are set to co-star in a remake of sexual drama Forbidden Relations. It focuses on a remote farming community in the '70s where a young widow finds solace in the arms of a mysterious stranger. She later discovers the charismatic drifter is her half brother. Despite a spell in prison and being ostracised by the community, they set up home together. Ashley Judd is being tipped to play the widow, with Law taking the role of local sheriff and Wahlberg's love rival. The story is based on a Hungarian adventure of the same name which was released in 1983. The film is due to go into production in Dakota next summer. [Ed note: What or where is Dakota? ;-) ]"}, {"response": 22, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Dec 18, 2001 (16:50)", "body": "Ashley Judd will be Catwoman in the next Batman. What is it with her? I don't think she's that good an actress (and her ears are very Minnie Mouseish). (So did you miss me, Karen?) ;-))))"}, {"response": 23, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 18, 2002 (08:48)", "body": "Nice interview in The Guardian with Jude as he rehearses for Doctor Faustus: He pops a Marlboro Light into his mouth, nestles the match manfully in his closed palm and tells me what fun it is to be back on stage. \"The thing is,\" he says, \"if you're a musician you can go home and play by night, and if you're a painter you can paint by light, but if you're an actor you can't really do much unless you're on the stage. When you're acting in film it's strangely redundant. You're waiting to do your five minutes. You're paid to wait. But when you're working 10 till six in a room it really oils the cogs.\" Entire article here: http://film.guardian.co.uk/interview/interviewpages/0,6737,652252,00.html"}, {"response": 24, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 18, 2002 (09:16)", "body": "Thanks Karen...he's got wonderful eyes. I've got my tickets :-)))"}, {"response": 25, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 18, 2002 (09:20)", "body": "Lucky you, Evelyn! Thanks, Karen!"}, {"response": 26, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Feb 18, 2002 (12:55)", "body": ""}, {"response": 27, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 10, 2002 (09:00)", "body": "Continuing on the Dr Faustus publicity, here's an article from the Sunday Times: Cover story: Jude Law interview: Jude awakening The divine-looking Jude Law is British acting\ufffds golden boy, but starring roles in the Young Vic\ufffds Doctor Faustus and as a hired killer in the new Sam Mendes film show that he\ufffds desperate to reveal his dark side, says Lesley White Green eyes are the thing you remember with Jude Law \ufffd first his, and then your own. If you are going to envy anyone, you might as well make it a movie star with a perfect family, fabulous friends and a beauty so arresting it seems wasted off-screen. And don\ufffdt forget the humility. Law is soon to appear as Christopher Marlowe\ufffds serial sinner, Doctor Faustus, at the Young Vic, a show co-produced by his own Natural Nylon company, its first theatrical venture. It was his idea, though, after the sort of rehearsal that tears the text apart, he can\ufffdt quite remember why. \ufffdMy head is swimming with ideas about it. I wanted it badly, but I also wondered if I was too young, if I could really do it. I had all those great Shakespeare roles in my head \ufffd Hamlet, Macbeth, you know ... I was thinking: \ufffdOne day, when the time\ufffds right.\ufffd But now I\ufffdm fast re-evaluating that. Bloody hell, this is difficult! A bit of me is crying out to play another robot for Steven Spielberg. But thank God this play is hard and stretching me.\ufffd Theatre has always been central to the charmed life of the 29-year-old actor, the place he always hoped to work: \ufffdWhen you come from Lewisham, being in movies doesn\ufffdt seem a realistic ambition.\ufffd While other big movie players treat it as an arduous route to low-paid credibility, for Law it has been a professional security blanket. On the rebound from his disastrous 1994 debut movie Shopping (the only memorable aspect of which was meeting his wife, Sadie Frost), he produced three of his best stage performances, including Cocteau\ufffds Les Parents Terribles at the National Theatre, which transferred to Broadway. \ufffdI was disillusioned, a bit mystified by film, and it took me a while to get over it. I just wanted to be a theatre actor, and I went back to it with huge relief.\ufffd Better film work arrived after he chased, and won, a role in Andrew Niccol\ufffds sci-fi film Gattaca, but working on the London stage is also how he convinces himself he is more of an actor than a mainstream product. After the world swooned at his errant playboy Dickie Greenleaf in The Talented Mr Ripley, and his \ufffdlove robot\ufffd, Gigolo Joe, in Spielberg\ufffds AI, Law could have taken his pick of LA offers. Instead, he took nine months off to be with his small children, then came to struggle with the labyrinthine meanings of Faustus, who he is playing as an ambitious young man of his own age. \ufffdIt\ufffds interesting that people have said I\ufffdm quite young for it...apart from the fact that I don\ufffdt have the clout or the mettle for it.\ufffd (Since, one is pretty sure, nobody has said any such thing, we can interpret this as insecurity.) \ufffdBut he\ufffds young, impatient for experience, he doesn\ufffdt want to sit around waiting for things \ufffd and is it so wrong to crave knowledge? I love the great puzzle of the play: the reward for sin may be death, but if you\ufffdre going to die anyway, you might as well sin.\ufffd The actor himself is far less mercurial, remarkably cautious about signing his own pact with the devil of motion pictures, preferring the riddles of Elizabethan language when celebrity life becomes \ufffdtoo absurd\ufffd. Much as he craved membership of its elite, film seems to unsettle Law as much as its lighting flatters him. \ufffdIt\ufffds all the baggage that comes with film. You spend 15 years longing to be an actor and then, when you are one, you stop and ask why you wanted it in the first place. What kind of an actor am I?\ufffd Always a determined one, at least. The schoolteachers\ufffd son never doubted what he wanted to do. His easy-going parents ran a theatre company, Theatre Impact, and did not protest when he left school at 16 to join the ill-fated BBC soap Families. He was a member of the National Youth Music Theatre, shone in am dram, appeared at the Edinburgh Festival, fell in love with that mend-and-make-do dedication of the ensemble. From those days, he has inherited a fear of shallowness, but his own rise through the profession has been the starry, de luxe version. Given the contrast, his ease with his successful self is admirable. Much is written about his glitzy friends, but close-up he seems unassuming, almost homely. \ufffdI don\ufffdt think I flaunt my celebrity,\ufffd he protests with mild indignation. Yet he is rarely out of the party pix and gossipy supplements, whether promoting his wife\ufffds debut fashion show, or their antifur film short, or Natural Nylon, formed with his teenage flatmates Ewan McGregor and Jonny Lee Miller, and recently floated on the Ofex market to become part of a \ufffd12m media group. Whatever the reason, Jude and Sadie never seem far away from their darling Kate Moss\ufffds tireless social conga. One suspects that Law is biddable in s"}, {"response": 28, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar 10, 2002 (11:49)", "body": "Green eyes are the thing you remember with Jude Law \ufffd first his, and then your own. If you are going to envy anyone, you might as well make it a movie star with a perfect family, fabulous friends and a beauty so arresting it seems wasted off-screen. And don\ufffdt forget the humility. LOL! That says it all! \ufffdBut he\ufffds young, impatient for experience, he doesn\ufffdt want to sit around waiting for things \ufffd and is it so wrong to crave knowledge? A man after my own heart! ;-) I am truly horrible and repellent in this film,\ufffd he beams with pride. And then he stops to laugh at himself. \ufffdBut very attractive at the same time, of course.\ufffd Indeed, LOL! You know how much the role of Faustus appeals to me and how much I wanted it for ODB. But he turns it around to be the role of a young man. Bravo, Jude!"}, {"response": 29, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 11, 2002 (11:56)", "body": "Besides, when you watch him, he obviously is having such a good time playing the role. It's not just a job. The consummate professional."}, {"response": 30, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 11, 2002 (07:06)", "body": "From Ananova: Jude Law and Eddie Izzard are being lined up to star on Broadway. Law is expected to take Doctor Faustus to New York. Izzard will star in a Broadway production of A Day In The Death Of Joe Egg. Both actors have already appeared in London productions of the plays. The Ambassador Theatre Group, which staged both shows in the UK, hopes to transfer them to America over the next year. Managing director Howard Panter told www.variety.com: \"Jude Law and I are chatting about dates. \"We're going over his film schedule right now. We plan to bring Doctor Faustus over in 2003.\""}, {"response": 31, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 11, 2002 (08:37)", "body": "\"We plan to bring Doctor Faustus over in 2003.\" He'll sell-out the house.Two kids, new baby due in August, flouishing film career, co-owns production company...yet he finds time to do classical theatre. Like I said the consummate professional."}, {"response": 32, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 29, 2002 (08:37)", "body": "From Dr Faustus:"}, {"response": 33, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr 29, 2002 (09:55)", "body": "Wow! Very intense, great lighting. Thank you, Karen."}, {"response": 34, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  4, 2002 (07:59)", "body": "(Variety) - Natalie Portman is in advanced negotiations to co-star in \"Cold Mountain,\" joining a high-wattage ensemble cast the likes of which hasn't been seen since \"Ocean's Eleven.\" The Miramax/MGM co-production, which is set to roll next month, also stars Nicole Kidman, Renee Zellweger, Jude Law, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Giovanni Ribisi, Brendan Gleeson and Kathy Baker. Anthony Minghella will direct. An episodic adventure based in part on Homer's Odyssey, \"Cold Mountain\" offers a slew of high-profile supporting roles. It's the story of Inman, a wounded Confederate soldier played by Law, who embarks on a perilous journey home to Carolina, hoping to reunite with his prewar sweetheart, Ada (Kidman). In his absence, Ada struggles to revive her father's farm with the help of a young drifter (Zellweger). \"I could not be more thrilled with the quality of actor this material is attracting; it's a real testimony to the appeal of Charles Frazier's magnificent novel that we have been able to assemble such a formidable ensemble,\" Minghella said. \"This is an epic venture.\""}, {"response": 35, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (08:48)", "body": "From Ananova: Jude Law 'set to play The Dane' Jude Law is reportedly being lined-up to play Hamlet on stage next year. Ambassador Theatre Group are said to be in talks with the actor about playing Shakespeare's most famous character. According to The Stage, the production would be part of ATG's venture with Natural Nylon, the company Law runs with Ewan McGregor and others."}, {"response": 36, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (01:06)", "body": "Just testing ... JL drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 145, "subject": "Bridget Jones's Diary - nowhere near the edge of reason (Part 3)", "response_count": 1999, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Mar  1, 2001 (05:20)", "body": "ON looking through this month's Total Film magazine, the best bit is towards the back advertising \"Next Month Coming Soon..\" It looks as if RZ will be on the front cover \"Bridget Jones' Diary. Worth the weight. RZ counts her ciggies and knocks back the booze as the BIGGEST BRITISH COMEDY OF THE YEAR ARRIVES\" (I like that bit). On sale Friday 30th March."}, {"response": 2, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Mar  1, 2001 (07:54)", "body": "Karen, LOVE the title!;)"}, {"response": 3, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Mar  1, 2001 (10:07)", "body": "BIGGEST BRITISH COMEDY OF THE YEAR ARRIVES\" Not that I wish to dampen enthusiasm but this is surely not a particularly overcrowded field:-)"}, {"response": 4, "author": "Echo", "date": "Thu, Mar  1, 2001 (10:20)", "body": "LOL!"}, {"response": 5, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar  1, 2001 (11:03)", "body": "You people have no appreciation for hyperbole.;-) Ann, we'll look forward to the article!"}, {"response": 6, "author": "Echo", "date": "Thu, Mar  1, 2001 (14:29)", "body": "Hyperb*ll*cks ;-)"}, {"response": 7, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Thu, Mar  1, 2001 (18:10)", "body": "I probably missed this, but do we know what label the soundtrack will be on? Karen, I just love your music page. I must have this album! Love the title of the new topic BTW. And so true..."}, {"response": 8, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar  1, 2001 (20:17)", "body": "VCR alert for the West Coasters: Colin is seen and heard in a BJD clip on Entertainment Tonight, er, tonight.:-) The one stinkin' night I miss it . . .will get more details."}, {"response": 9, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar  1, 2001 (20:23)", "body": "From Jackie (thanks!): It shows Colin at a picnic, paper plates in hand and someone says something and he says \"Daniel Cleaver\". Then a woman says something about him being good enough for \"our little Bridget.\" Colin says (and there's a closeup) \"I think I can say with absolute confidence- absolutely not\". Then follows a bit with Bridget in a boat and Hugh Grant standing with his feet each in a different boat. Of course he does the splits and falls in, surfacing with a wet cigarette in his mouth. (Colin appears to be in another boat.) ********** Consensus: gorgeous!:-)"}, {"response": 10, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  1, 2001 (21:00)", "body": "Argh!! How do I keep missing these snippets? They used to rerun ET late at night but no more. *boo hoo* Then a woman says something about him being good enough for \"our little Bridget.\" Colin says (and there's a closeup) \"I think I can say with absolute confidence- absolutely not\". That's from the book. The Tarts & Vicars party. Una to Mark (p.171) Consensus: gorgeous!:-) Hoorah!!"}, {"response": 11, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  1, 2001 (21:02)", "body": "Meredith: Haven't seen anything about the label for the soundtrack and have been searching around. Was thinking it might be Polygram, as that was the parent company of WT and is still in the music biz."}, {"response": 12, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  1, 2001 (21:39)", "body": "Have combed through my TV Guide and ET is rebroadcast here tomorrow afternoon at 2. That has to been the repeat showing. Am putting fresh tape in VCR for all the Bridget promos. Mari, was Colin's name mentioned? Or was it just RZ and whatshisname?"}, {"response": 13, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar  1, 2001 (21:49)", "body": "Yes, Colin is mentioned right after RZ and *before* Huge Gnat.:-) HG's big line after falling into the water is \"F**k me!\" BJ responds, \"you stupid ass.\" I hear it's a funny scene."}, {"response": 14, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar  1, 2001 (22:24)", "body": "Colin on a boat. Does he wear a bathing suit? Sounds very promising. I hope you get it all on tape Karen. Are you set up to put the clip up on your BJD page?"}, {"response": 15, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Thu, Mar  1, 2001 (22:36)", "body": "CF & RZ are in one boat with HG rowing towards them ... then this is where it gets confusing as CF just disappears from the screen. HG tries to board RZ's boat, yelling \"I'm the king of the world\" then tips over into the lake."}, {"response": 16, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Thu, Mar  1, 2001 (23:36)", "body": "Ugh, my mistake - CF doesn't disappear from Bridget's boat, he's on another boat w/ Natasha? But, it did seem as if the clips shown showcased HG's comedic talents."}, {"response": 17, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Mar  2, 2001 (02:47)", "body": "RZ on the cover of UK's Marie Claire magazine out today, headlining an article \"the new Bridget Jones on Sex and the Singleton Girl\". Cover shot looks very good."}, {"response": 18, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Mar  2, 2001 (03:24)", "body": "OOOHHH!! It's hotting up. Thanks for all the tantalising snippets everyone."}, {"response": 19, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, Mar  2, 2001 (05:37)", "body": "Friend of mine (who I \"forced\" into watching P & P now at least semi-hooked) emailed me: \"Watching ET tonight -- they had a little clip of BJD and CF is going to be wonderful.\""}, {"response": 20, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Mar  2, 2001 (07:13)", "body": "RZ will feature in this week's Sunday Times (an interview about BJD)."}, {"response": 21, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  2, 2001 (08:07)", "body": "Oooooh, cannot wait for repeat showing. Thanks for clarifying, Marianne. I thought it odd that Bridget and Mark were in the same boat. Sorry, Moon, I don't have the ability to snappy from video. Maybe I'll ask around. How about inside the magazine, Mark? Anything good? Thanks for the heads up, Bethan."}, {"response": 22, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar  2, 2001 (08:29)", "body": "*doing the dance of joy* For once, I was in the right place at the right time having tuned into ET last night (now I know why I endure night after night of crap stories such as 'Dani the Download Queen'). It was v.v. nice to hear CF's name mentioned. Hurrah! My impressions of CF's MD based on this micro-clip: - Tall. Big shoulders. - No fluffy hair in this scene. - Mr. Darcy lives! Same character, different costume (hope this impression is proved wrong by rest of film). Agree with Marianne, Hugh Gnat (keep 'em comin', Mari) was funny and was very un-foppish. Am glad the Tarts and Vicars party made the final cut. It's one of my favorites. *counting the days until April 13th*"}, {"response": 23, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Mar  2, 2001 (09:23)", "body": "Eileen, thanks for the above but why do you hope your impression of Mr. Darcy is proved wrong by the rest of the film, we want Mr. Darcy, don't we?"}, {"response": 24, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar  2, 2001 (10:50)", "body": "(Ann) we want Mr. Darcy, don't we? We do? I want Mark Darcy, not simply a Mr. Darcy reprise (though one could argue there's enough similarity already). If all he does is bring Mr. Darcy back in 21st century costume, I'll be very disappointed indeed. He has more range than that!"}, {"response": 25, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Mar  2, 2001 (10:57)", "body": "How about inside the magazine, Mark? Anything good? I'm sure Mark won't mind if I answer on his behalf! Well spotted Mark! I've already had a quick browse at the newsagents (I can see why they encase magazines in cellophane so you actually have to buy them!) Skimmed the interview. RZ talks about filming sexy scenes with HG, and HG improvising lines. Is asked what she thinks of Englishmen. Replies that they are \"funny and charming\". Journalist writes that this is no surprise as the only other Englishman RZ got to know very well was CF, \"superbly cast as the aloof Mark Darcy\". Also says that that the movie has a terrific cast and \"contrary to expectations, it is very, very funny\". Cast includes Neil Pearson (Young Paul's dad in \"Fever Pitch\")...can't think who he would play. There's a competition to win tickets to the premiere April 10th."}, {"response": 26, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Mar  2, 2001 (12:33)", "body": "Thanks for the above Bethan. One question, was the journalist who wrote this interview a woman, only if it is its the first comment on CF's MD by a woman, I think. I just wish she had said \"superbly cast as the aloof and SMOULDERING\"!!"}, {"response": 27, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar  2, 2001 (14:14)", "body": "Heard the teaser for tonight's Access H'wood noting a story on 'Renee Zellweger's controversial role'. Must be referring to BJ and the whole non-Brit thing. Tune in! 8-D"}, {"response": 28, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  2, 2001 (14:23)", "body": "Ooooweeeee!! Have seen the ET clip and rewound, paused, slo-mo'd numerous times. That first picnic scene, sort of reminiscent of another *picnic* scene (wonder if Una made tabbouleh??), yes, he is Mr Darcy. Hands down, exactly Mr Darcyspeak Celia Imre (Una) is saying to Bridget (who you can see from back is in bunny outfit) 'What a shame, Bridget, you couldn't bring your boyfriend. Bridget, what's his name? David, Darren...' Then MD says his thing. The blue-white checked shirt is OK, but definitely liked his rowing outfit. Dark crew-neck sweater and shirt. Yummmmmmmm!! BTW, this pic is from the boat scene: and you hear RZ speak twice. \"Don't you dare\" (a few times, while the huge gnat is crossing over into her boat) and then after he falls in she is laughing and calling him a stupid ass. Her accent is v. la-di-dah."}, {"response": 29, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  2, 2001 (14:27)", "body": "This is the picture that accompanied Baz's article last Friday, thanks to Aishling:"}, {"response": 30, "author": "Echo", "date": "Fri, Mar  2, 2001 (17:22)", "body": "Ooooweeeee!! Have seen the ET clip and rewound, paused, slo-mo'd numerous times. Snappies! Snappies! WE-WANT-SNAPPIES!!!"}, {"response": 31, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar  2, 2001 (17:48)", "body": "(Eileen) If all he does is bring Mr. Darcy back in 21st century costume, I'll be very disappointed indeed. But don't you think that's what HF had in mind? If not, they could have had any ole Brit bloke play MD."}, {"response": 32, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Mar  2, 2001 (18:01)", "body": "Karen and everyone thanks for the info. on the BJDclip, you are so lucky to have seen it. Karen did you like Colin's portrayal of MD and are we all going to like it. Does he look good and does he smoulder. Finally do you think he will be eclipsed by Hughie who has a more comical role, I know you will be impartial!!"}, {"response": 33, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, Mar  2, 2001 (18:52)", "body": "Does ET ever put their clips on their site? I am absolutely desperate to see it ;-)"}, {"response": 34, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  2, 2001 (18:59)", "body": "The Access Hollywood segment was much longer and was definitely bits and pieces from the film trailer that will be shown in the theatres (the voiceover with story plot, title, etc.). Showed nearly everybody! Colin is shown maybe 5-6 times (once in checked shirt, others at literary party wearing lovely suit from RV premiere). There's one shot where Bridge walks away from him and there's this gaze after her. Not THE LOOK, but nice. No dialogue. We get to see all the others, from Geoffrey asking her about dates to Jude and Shazz, even Tom doing the karoake (sp?) with her. A few others were shown who are probably Magda and Jeremy and ???? Also full shot of Bridget in Playboy bunny outfit. Unfortunately it builds up to the man she's interested in and then it's nonstop Hugh. :-( Very very cute. Can't wait to see the entire trailer."}, {"response": 35, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  2, 2001 (19:06)", "body": "And, Ann, Colin's manner at the T&V party clip was very Meryton Assembly. It sort of reminded me of \"I'd sooner call her mother a wit.\" But from what I remember of the book, MD was very sympathetic to BJ at the party, telling Una to get Bridget something else to wear and siding with her against Natasha."}, {"response": 36, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar  2, 2001 (19:15)", "body": "Oooh, I just saw it on Access Hollywood. CF as MD is lovely! That sideways glance you mentioned, Karen--vintage P&P, as at Netherfield ball and Darcy first realizes Lizzie is in the room! Then later when he's talking with her (at the party for his parents?), he looks so serious and concerned I half expected him to ask \"what has been done to recover her?\";-) Yum! Hughie's parts are funny. As they're driving away on their mini-break, he guns the car's motor and does a growl, growl type thing with his mouth, in time to the motor gunning. Hey, we knew HG was not going to take a thankless second-banana role so I'm not surprised he has the juicy bits and that they're emphasizing the comedy. Hard to get a feel for how Mark will turn out based on what we've seen. It really looks like a lot of fun. There's a part where she's talking about gaining inner poise while turning on the blender and of course the top isn't on right and everything splatters all over the place. Then she and Shazz side by side on the exercise bikes. They showed quite a bit of footage, as Karen said. Agree that this has to be from the full trailer. Bet they show it with The Mexican this weekend (Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt). Great exposure. Renee sounds great to me (but am not good judge of accent, obviously). She looks very loose, animated, expressive--seems like she really had fun with it. LOL at the saucy bunny wave she does arriving at Tarts & Vicars!!"}, {"response": 37, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  2, 2001 (20:28)", "body": "Have been reviewing Tape One of P&P and is not 'I'd sooner call her mother a wit.\" But that glance is the same as at the Meryton Assembly when Lizzie overhears his snub and walks past him. It's that look. Then later when he's talking with her (at the party for his parents?) Could be. All the little lights. she's talking about gaining inner poise while turning on the blender and of course the top isn't on right and everything splatters all over the place. But right before that, she's pedaling up a storm on the exercise bicycle, gets off and promptly falls down. the saucy bunny wave she does arriving at Tarts & Vicars!! Did you catch the Rolls convertible behind her? MD's car, perhaps? Except there is somebody behind the wheel. Maybe his driver. The Access Hollywood announcer described BJD as about a \"portly\" girl. Omigod! Did HG look sleazy to you? In the boat scene, he might even be drunk. And then there's his shirt again. Did all but one button come off?"}, {"response": 38, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Mar  2, 2001 (20:31)", "body": "The shots of Colin on AH were great. Two of just him to begin and then the one with the look out of the side of his eyes reminiscent of the P&P \"dangerous Darcy shot.\" He's really looking good."}, {"response": 39, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Mar  2, 2001 (20:33)", "body": ""}, {"response": 40, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar  2, 2001 (21:56)", "body": "Did you catch the Rolls convertible behind her? MD's car, perhaps? Except there is somebody behind the wheel. Maybe his driver. Possibly. Can't be Sleazer Cleaver, can it, just dropping her off and refusing to accompany her into the T&V party at the last moment? Of course in the book it's not that way . . . Did HG look sleazy to you? More than usual?;-) Not really. I think the audience needs to believe that she could fall for this guy; I'm sure the sleaziness increases as the film progresses.;-) Next to Mark Darcy, though, he looks like a bum. The first scene we see MD in (outdoor shot in checked shirt)--is that part of the picnic/boat ride scene? Though you said he wears in sweater in that . . . Am no longer worried about his hair being too poofy. Looks good to me, v.v. natural. Thanks to Eileen for the heads up on this, BTW!:-)"}, {"response": 41, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  2, 2001 (23:03)", "body": "Checked shirt is the BBQ (formerly Tarts & Vicars Party) at the Alconburys. Yes, I thank Eileen and my VCR thanks Eileen. :-)"}, {"response": 42, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  2, 2001 (23:27)", "body": "ATTN: Check out the Observer on Saturday. Found this hint: Free in tomorrow's Observer...Unique monthly sport magazine Steve McManaman, Kelvin MacKenzie, Magic Johnson and much more. Plus Peter Preston on Rupert Murdoch at 70, Amanda de Cadenet's fresh start, Alexander McQueen tells all, Gaby Wood on the new Bridget Jones film"}, {"response": 43, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Mar  3, 2001 (02:33)", "body": "Thanks for all the info on BJD. Things are really hotting up. They're going to give this the full promotion. Sounds very, very promising! Hughie's parts are funny. As they're driving away on their mini-break, he guns the car's motor and does a growl, growl type thing with his mouth, in time to the motor gunning. Hey, we knew HG was not going to take a thankless second-banana role so I'm not surprised he has the juicy bits and that they're emphasizing the comedy. Oh very true. He wouldn't take this role as a favour...there'll be a lot in it for him. MD is more of the straight man...doesn't fool around. But it is a *romantic* comedy...hope the trailer stresses the *real* romance as well as the comedy. Sounds not. Unfortunately it builds up to the man she's interested in and then it's nonstop Hugh. : Boo! One thing sticks in my mind is a comment that Sharon Maguire made about the film being about loneliness, and also Baz's comment about the scene where MD tells Bridget he likes her just the way she is. Good \"funny\" films need an underlying seriousness. Hughie may provide the tomfoolery, but I think there'll be a lot more to this film. (cf the excellent \"Frasier\"...very funny, but often poignant, very good on relationships)"}, {"response": 44, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar  3, 2001 (07:51)", "body": "We shouldn't worry too much, as trailers can oftentimes misrepresent the actual movie. All they're intended to do is attract people. With BJD, they're using Hugh. Showing him to be Bridget's object of desire. Her perfect guy...and then \"but is he?\" is the tone."}, {"response": 45, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sat, Mar  3, 2001 (08:27)", "body": "the karoake (sp?) Well, don't look at me... ;-) ***** Snappies! SNAPPIES!!!!"}, {"response": 46, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar  3, 2001 (13:14)", "body": "In the boat MD is wearing a navy blue crew-neck (polo neck?) sweater. A \"wooly-pully\". Picnic scene he's wearing subtle-checked (gray?)long sleeve sport shirt.Sounds just like Mr. Darcy in this one. V. funny scene with HG in the boat. Only two scenes with MD in the ET segment."}, {"response": 47, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Mar  3, 2001 (15:06)", "body": "Hee Hee, I just watched an advert for Max Factor Makeup and guess what at the end it said as worn in the forthcoming BJD film!!"}, {"response": 48, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar  3, 2001 (20:16)", "body": "Link to Sunday Times article on BJ (RZ really): http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2001/03/04/stistlstl02004.html There is a memorable scene in the movie where Bridget is about to have sex with her boss, Daniel Cleaver (played by Hugh Grant), and he is trying to get past her giant bloomers. \"Modesty went right out the window,\" says Zellweger. \"I mean, at one point the camera is right up my skirt and the whole crew is looking at my big pants.\" \"He improvises all the time,\" she adds of her co-star. \"In that scene, he was adding lines and making me laugh. I felt so big in that dress, and the poor man had to carry me across the room about 20 times. I'm sure he's still seeing a chiropractor to this day.\" Most surprising of all is that her accent turns out to be flawless. \"I just wanted to get it right,\" she says. \"The book meant such a lot to so many women that I didn't want to be the one to bodge it up.\" ~~~~~ Only one mention of Colin: Zellweger is now officially a singleton, and says she finds British men funny and charming. Mind you, that is probably because, apart from Grant, the only other one she really got to know was Colin Firth, who plays Mark Darcy. Her enthusiasm for all things British extends beyond men. As we finish talking, Geri Halliwell walks into the lobby of the hotel and, in the way famous people do when they have never met before, they kiss as if they were twins separated at birth. It turns out Halliwell has written a song for the film's soundtrack. \"Oh my God,\" Zellweger screams, after the former Spice Girl has made her way to another table. \"I've just met Ginger Spice. Bloody hell.\" But apparently, the best thing about London was Marks & Spencer. \"I got so big, and I bought this great pair of trousers in there. And their chicken sandwiches!\" she exclaims breathlessly. Ren\ufffde Zellweger is Bridget Jones after all. The film is going to be v.g."}, {"response": 49, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar  3, 2001 (20:19)", "body": "From the \"I knew it\" department: The movie was directed by first-timer Sharon Maguire, who says her leading lady seemed completely devoid of Hollywood ego. \"Ren\ufffde was keen on showing us her cellulite and flab,\" she says. \"She developed a flat-footed walk, her thighs grew so big.\" In the end, the waif got up to a curvy size 12 (but she had to resort to falsies for the part, as the \"girls\" refused to play ball). \"I didn't look at my naked body in the shower, that's for sure.\" ~~~~~~~ Even with the way Playboy bunny costumes are constructed, knew it couldn't be real! ;-D"}, {"response": 50, "author": "sarah19", "date": "Sat, Mar  3, 2001 (23:51)", "body": "Just recieved my Entertainment Weekly today and there's a small picture of RZ in bunny ears. The article is about the varios production studios. It says BJD will be Miramax's high hope for this year. We could've told them that."}, {"response": 51, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Mar  4, 2001 (03:13)", "body": "The Sunday Times article is an edited down version of the Marie Claire article...exactly the same same text, only shorter. One example.....MC had \"CF, superbly cast as the aloof Mark Darcy\", the Sunday Times has \"CF, who plays MD\". Signs of editorial bias?! :-) Will try to check out The obsever. The new HF/BJ \"book\" is more household hints/how to live your life sort of stuff. Extracts not riveting."}, {"response": 52, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Mar  4, 2001 (05:08)", "body": "Very large interview in The Observer, \"A Bridget just far enough\". by Gaby Wood. Not much about Colin but I like this bit \"And in a twist of self-referential genius, Colin Firth plays Darcy, as an updated version of what we have come to see as himself - a Jane Austen hero, scripted once again by Andrew Davies\" She also liked RZ's accent and the film."}, {"response": 53, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Mar  4, 2001 (05:10)", "body": "Bethan, I noticed that omission in the Sunday Times, typical. One thing that surprises me in all these articles/interviews is that people seem to be surprised but pleased that Colin has been cast as the modern-day Darcy, to us it seemed the only possible casting."}, {"response": 54, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Mar  4, 2001 (06:45)", "body": "Ooh! Have just been rereading the MSN.co.uk BJD NY premier competition gumph. \"every single person who enters the competition will be entered into a draw to win a pair of tickets to the UK premiere, including accommodation in a top London hotel. Now, if only I had some imagination ;-)"}, {"response": 55, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Mar  4, 2001 (07:05)", "body": "Ann, thought the Observer article was okay, but it's also typically Observer, rather \"let's put it down, it we can\". Too long (for me) to type, but the basic gist is \"does the movie live up to the hype\". Recounts all the negative rumours, and so-called set backs, and states how every new Brit film is met with a chorus of disapproval. Says that BJD was tested in, well, Reading and \"now we can exclusively reveal that BJD is not a total embarrassment (British undertatement at its worst!!!!) Positives...Editor of \"Empire\" really liked it...\"It's just really funny...I was surprised the guys I saw it with liked it so much\". \"Sight and Sound\" ed also \"was impressed...it was much more interesting than I thought it was going to be\". RZ has a very posh Sloane-y accent and \"impeccable comic timing\". \"It is a tribute to Sharon Maguire that the set of three films (4W , NH) seem seamless...you would never know that the film was by a first-time director\". \"Hardcore fans (of BJD) may not be so keen because a lot has been cut from the book\" Richard Curtis hopes that the good stuff from the book is still there and they've fulfilled the brief of \"what made BJD a phenomenon\". There's a scene with Mark Darcy's family, and a scene in which BJ tells MD that he goes out of his way to make her feel a complete idiot. Enough for now. Must dash! Good that \"Empire\" likes it...needs positive endorsement from film mags and lads' mags to do well!"}, {"response": 56, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar  4, 2001 (09:09)", "body": "I take back what I said...the Brit press doesn't seem to be carving- up the accent.Thanks everybody for film reviews. (Karen)Even with the way Playboy bunny costumes are constructed, knew it couldn't be real! ;-D LOL. Don't try to sneak by 'ole eagle-eye- Karen' with your falsies;-)"}, {"response": 57, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  4, 2001 (09:12)", "body": "*hee hee* That buxom ones does not get with a mere 15 pound weight gain."}, {"response": 58, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  4, 2001 (09:29)", "body": "The Observer article is online (no pics): A Bridget just far enough In our exclusive sneak preview of Bridget Jones - the movie, that is - we find the nation's favourite neurotic still wallowing in good old British self-loathing. All the more impressive for being played by Texan Renee Zellweger... Gaby Wood It is a truth universally acknowledged that nothing is more likely to strike fear and xenophobia into the heart of an English person than a national treasure being appropriated by an American. This can usually be avoided by ensuring that what we choose to call a national treasure is a figure so self-deprecating that Americans couldn't possibly want her. Sometimes, however, the plan goes astray. Enter Bridget Jones, the international bestseller. It is a truth universally avoided that nowhere is our curious mix of national pride and national shame more in evidence than in our film industry. We want to take Hollywood by storm, but we don't want Hollywood to take our jobs. We want to win all the Oscars, but every new British film is met with a domestic chorus of disapproval. Could all these fraught elements of the British psyche ever come together in a single project? Enter Bridget Jones, the movie, due out next month. The filmmakers were never in the position of simply making an adaptation of a mere book. From the very beginning, they were adapting a phenomenon. Screenwriter Richard Curtis says this actually made it easier: 'At least in Bridget Jones you kind of know what the big subject matter is. So it was convenient being able to say, \"Well, have we fulfilled the brief of what made it a phenomenon?\"' It also means, however, that fans were oversensitive from the start. Ever since 1998, when Working Title, the production company responsible for Four Weddings and Notting Hill, began their search for the Bridget of the silver screen, the media have been set to pounce. And when, after a full two years, they lighted not on Kate Winslet or Helena Bonham Carter or even the Australian Cate Blanchett or the flatteringly glamorous Cameron Diaz, but on... Renee Zellweger, the British newspapers had a field day. Zellweger is a Texan blonde, not a glamourpuss but a soft-centred, round-faced actress, best known at that time for her role as Tom Cruise's love interest in Jerry Maguire and, more recently, for her deadpan performances in the high-profile Hollywood comedies Me, Myself and Irene and Nurse Betty, for which she won a Golden Globe. Zellweger was a high school cheerleader who is said to have worked in a topless bar without taking her top off, and whose first acting job was an ad for Texan beef. She is, it would seem, as wholesome and un-Bridget-like as they come. In the words of a former school friend, 'You couldn't find anyone more American than Renee'. As it happens, Zellweger's mother is Norwegian and her father is Swiss. Nevertheless, as if criticism of the casting wasn't bad enough, rumours began to circulate early on about the quality of the film itself. The script was co-written by Helen Fielding (of original novel fame), Richard Curtis (of Four Weddings and Notting Hill fame) and Andrew Davies (of BBC costume drama fame, and Pride and Prejudice in particular). The film is directed by Sharon Maguire, of no fame at all. It is Maguire's debut feature; her ostensible qualification for the job is that - apart from directing TV documentaries - she, like Curtis, is a friend of Fielding's, and is acknowledged at the front of the novel. In fact, Shazza, a character in the novel itself, is a fictionalised version of Maguire. So, to all intents and purposes, she found herself turning her life and her friends into a movie, and casting Smack The Pony 's Sally Phillips as, broadly, herself. Inevitably the rumour mill began to turn: Zellweger was so bad Hugh Grant, her co-star, was threatening to drop out. Sets were being struck too early and had to be rebuilt. Scenes were re-written, re-cut, re-shot. Everything was way behind schedule. Whether or not any of this was true makes hardly any difference. Because it's just a symptom of what is always hoped: it is a matter of honour in England to prepare for the bitterest shame. If 'The Making of Bridget Jones's Diary' is ever filmed, it ought to be called Pride and Prejudice . The fact is that most films are subject to such complications. The rumours may have persisted, paradoxically, because the film is such a closely guarded secret. The PR firm in question has a stranglehold on it, and is letting few people see even an early or a shortened version. Sharon Maguire can be reached but not interviewed: she has been placed under a gagging order. The soundtrack, which features songs re-recorded by Geri Halliwell and Robbie Williams, is still being worked on. But a few intrepid adventurers, including The Observer, have succeeded in sneaking a preview. A leaked memo shows that the film has tested well in... Reading. And now we can exclusively reveal that Bridget Jones's Diary is "}, {"response": 59, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sun, Mar  4, 2001 (10:46)", "body": "I had just read the Observer review myself. Sounds good. Last night I also saw the first BJD posters in London. One's immediate reaction is that RZ is far too gorgeous to play the doubt-ridden BJ. She has an adorable face. But that's part of the point, I suppose - the fact that when one's self-confidence is down (chronically, in the case of BJ) it has little to do with one's external circumstances."}, {"response": 60, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  4, 2001 (11:32)", "body": "(Ben) One's immediate reaction is that RZ is far too gorgeous to play the doubt-ridden BJ. She has an adorable face. Have you read the book? Nowhere does it say that BJ is homely or worse. Nor is she 'portly' as the American TV said. It's all about self-image and a thin, pretty girl can have a poor self-image too. But as we said long ago, when RZ was chosen, she's perfect because she can emit that vulnerability we saw in the book. Gorgeous? No. Cute, yes. But that's fine, as a cute girl would naturally feel inferior to gorgeous types."}, {"response": 61, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sun, Mar  4, 2001 (11:40)", "body": "I have read the book, yes. I'd read the diary in the newspaper, and I read the book a couple of days after it came out. I liked it v. much. I suppose all I meant is that RZ is prettier than Helen Fielding. She (RZ) is a film star after all. And gorgeousness is in the eye of the beholder. This beholder thinks RZ is gorgeous!"}, {"response": 62, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  4, 2001 (11:58)", "body": "Yes, you are entitled to think RZ gorgeous. Wait until you see *most* of her stuffed into that bunny outfit. ;-D"}, {"response": 63, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sun, Mar  4, 2001 (12:05)", "body": "Is that the bit where she gets the fancy dress wrong? Can't wait. I was surprised about the bit of the review, by the way, that claimed most men didn't like the book. That's quite untrue, in my experience. All the men I know loved it. Mostly because it was funny. But also because it rang true. Men's insecurities aren't that different to women's."}, {"response": 64, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sun, Mar  4, 2001 (12:22)", "body": "Ben, stop! Stop before you say that men and women aren't that different at all... Every psychologist, psychotherapist and any damn psycho-something else has been working his b**ls/her t*ts off to convince the humanity that we come from different planets. Deny it and you'll deprive a sizable proportion of the world population the pleasure of passing large amounts of money around purely on the basis of how they perceive those differences."}, {"response": 65, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sun, Mar  4, 2001 (12:48)", "body": "God. Sorry. In that case I should warn you that I am planning to write a book called \"Men are from Earth and so are women.\" Radical stuff."}, {"response": 66, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sun, Mar  4, 2001 (13:13)", "body": "God. Sorry. You're right. And you're forgiven... ;-) \"Men are from Earth and so are women.\" You're still absolutely determined to destroy my illusions, aren't you!!! ;-D"}, {"response": 67, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Mar  4, 2001 (15:41)", "body": "Ooh, I like this - There's one shot where Bridge walks away from him and there's this gaze after her. Meryton Assembly you say? Yes, I like this very much indeed. Missed both snippets. Will try to do better next time."}, {"response": 68, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar  4, 2001 (17:54)", "body": "LOL. Ben you are right....my -son-the-psychologist read the book (as well as the sequel [before he gave them to his mother for Christmas]), loved it. Agrees with you on men & women having similar insecurities. Looking forward to your book ;-)"}, {"response": 69, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  4, 2001 (19:56)", "body": "Ahem!! Did the actual Times article have other pictures or the same shown at the website (Marie Claire cover and red PJs)? because the film is such a closely guarded secret. The PR firm in question has a stranglehold on it, and is letting few people see even an early or a shortened version. Makes me feel much better. Shouldn't take all those snubs personally. ;-D"}, {"response": 70, "author": "Echo", "date": "Mon, Mar  5, 2001 (06:29)", "body": "UK tabloid The Daily Mirror reports today that, as the BJD film makers already try to secure actors for the sequel, Renee Z. refuses to agree."}, {"response": 71, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar  5, 2001 (07:28)", "body": "UK tabloid The Daily Mirror reports today that, as the BJD film makers already try to secure actors for the sequel, Renee Z. refuses to agree. Is she holding out for more money? Or is she waiting to see how many millions in makes worldwide to also set points. She was Jim C. girlfriend, she must have have learnt something in that department. I can't imagine any other reason for refusing at this time. She agreed to be BJ when other British actresses were hoping for the part, now she better show good faith. (Karen), Shouldn't take all those snubs personally. ;-D Keep trying, Karen! ;-)"}, {"response": 72, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar  5, 2001 (07:30)", "body": "I assume Colin WILL sign, but I don't take it for granted. :-( Why would HG be back unless they have changed the story to leave it open-ended?"}, {"response": 73, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  5, 2001 (07:55)", "body": "Here's the item from the Mirror. I'd bet all of it is made up. BRIDGET MOANS DIARY STAR SAYS NO TO A SEQUEL BRIDGET Jones has never been our sort of girl. She doesn't get out much, is a frump who moans about her weight and can't get a boyfriend ... so not our scene, dearie. Nor, it seems, has the fictional character endeared herself to Renee Zellweger, the unlikely American actress who plays the whinging English rose in the film based on the best-selling diaries. So much so that Renee, who appears opposite Hugh Grant and Colin Firth in the movie, does not want to repeat her role as chain-smoking, over-indulging and desperate Ms Jones. Bridget Jones's Diary is out next month and the 31-year-old is already refusing to sign for the sequel. The actress hated piling on (shock, horror!) a whole stone and smoking cigarettes for her role as the neurotic single woman and has told film bosses nothing can persuade her to repeat the role. Despite positive early feedback, Miramax boss Harvey Weinstein, who is distributing the movie, has ordered some scenes to be re-edited. \"The producers, Working Title, are trying to sign up the sequel already even before Bridget Jones comes out,\" said an insider. \"But Renee doesn't want to know. She hated having to stuff her face and didn't like living in London for eight months.\" During filming she would moan every day: \" I'm so fat, I'm so fat.\" Renee said: \"It gets dark really soon and it's cold. It was the no-exercise part that killed me.\""}, {"response": 74, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar  5, 2001 (08:36)", "body": "I can't imagine any other reason for refusing at this time. I can: there's no script!! It's like buying something sight unseen. None of the principals would re-up without having seen a script. I'd bet all of it is made up. So do I. Early word on the film seems to be very good, and they don't know how else to fabricate a problem."}, {"response": 75, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar  5, 2001 (08:53)", "body": "Despite positive early feedback, Miramax boss Harvey Weinstein, who is distributing the movie, has ordered some scenes to be re-edited. So if it's all made up, we don't have to worry about the Harvey cut, right?"}, {"response": 76, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar  5, 2001 (10:16)", "body": "Right. This one is in the can. They're alrady having press screenings."}, {"response": 77, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar  5, 2001 (10:28)", "body": "(Me) If all he does is bring Mr. Darcy back in 21st century costume, I'll be very disappointed indeed. (Evelyn) But don't you think that's what HF had in mind? If not, they could have had any ole Brit bloke play MD. True, true; I've been arguing for years that the character of MD is nothing more than an updated FD *but* I was hoping for something more from CF than a complete reprise of his P&P2 performance. As a student of P&P2 ;-) I fully expect to see endless similarities, i.e., line delivery, looks, etc. (such as those already pointed out above). My point is, I hope CF adds something else to MD to make the role the same as FD, but different. Got it? I'm being as clear as mud ;-P As for the AH clip (which I also have on tape and must re-watch)--thought CF's face time was excellent but was miffed that his name wasn't mentioned in the voice-over as it was on ET. Would it have killed them to say 'in which Zellweger stars with CF and HG (or even HG and CF)'? Harumph. Movie looks v.v. excellent, though!"}, {"response": 78, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar  5, 2001 (11:28)", "body": "(Eileen)My point is, I hope CF adds something else to MD to make the role the same as FD, but different. Got it? I'm being as clear as mud ;-P No I understand what you mean....and I agree. We don't want character -clones. And actually, IMO sequels are seldom as good as the first one. Dilutes the original. I also like to hear him speak in the ET clip of BJD."}, {"response": 79, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  5, 2001 (11:35)", "body": "I'd say the Mirror is leading the charge for all press that weren't invited to that early screening (Empire, Sight & Sound, Observer). Mirror wants to trash the movie and has started anti-RZ backlash."}, {"response": 80, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar  5, 2001 (13:51)", "body": "I see that the Film Unlimited site has picked it up, quoting from the Mirror--and then adding its own embellishments. They write she \"apparently hated the part so much . . \" and \"apparently hated filming in London so much . . .\" Apparent to whom? To anyone making it up as they go along? Does use of word \"apparently\" preclude a lawsuit, in manner of \"allegedly\" in mob stories?;-)"}, {"response": 81, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar  5, 2001 (14:37)", "body": "(Mari) Apparent to whom? To anyone making it up as they go along? Well, if they said it in the Mirror, then it *must* be true. *phooey* Shades of the 'HF didn't want RZ and wanted to play BJ herself' hoo-hah. Let's see how many more tabs/websites propagate this nonsense in the coming days."}, {"response": 82, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar  5, 2001 (14:44)", "body": "OK...I don't take it back...maybe some of the press is going trash Renee after all. But they do that to Gwynnie too. Remember they said she was anti-British because she said she didn't like a dessert called\"Treacle\"."}, {"response": 83, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  5, 2001 (16:06)", "body": "Decided to check the other tabloid and found this item: Geri Fame-ous HERE'S Geri Halliwell giving it some belly in the video for her new single It's Raining Men. She goes totally Eighties for the film, donning tracksuit bottoms, biker jacket and fingerless gloves, as my exclusive snap shows. The promo pays tribute to the era of yuppies and dodgy haircuts through clothes, clich\ufffds and a storyline inspired by the popular Eighties TV show Fame. It even features a Leroy character plus an irritating troupe of actors dancing about on top of cars, echoing the series about a New York music and drama school. The song, released next month, is a remake of the Weather Girls' 1984 hit and features in the movie Bridget Jones' Diary, also out soon."}, {"response": 84, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Mar  5, 2001 (18:48)", "body": "(Eileen)My point is, I hope CF adds something else to MD to make the role the same as FD, but different. Got it? It was always my impression that Mark D. had more self-confidence (except RE; whether Bridget really could like him) and a strong sardonic sense of humor, something FD hadn't managed to develop at that time. Also MD previously married and with a strong work ethic. Lots of points to differentiate the character, as no doubt ODB will."}, {"response": 85, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Mar  6, 2001 (04:50)", "body": ""}, {"response": 86, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar  6, 2001 (07:26)", "body": "Lucky girls! Ann, I do hope you plan to attend. And with your camera as you did for SIL. :-)"}, {"response": 87, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar  6, 2001 (08:02)", "body": "Go to it, Ann!"}, {"response": 88, "author": "aishling", "date": "Tue, Mar  6, 2001 (08:09)", "body": "Thanks Ann. Where is the venue?"}, {"response": 89, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  6, 2001 (09:47)", "body": "Hot off the wires... (note poor insertion of old item toward end) This is possibly response to tabloid items yesterday. Man-Hunting Bridget Jones Heads to Movies LONDON (Reuters) - Helen Fielding's best-selling novel about a dieting, smoking, man-hunting singleton hits the silver screen next month when \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" aims to captivate world audiences with a very British charm. Never mind that a Texan blonde gets to play the eponymous heroine -- the theme is British through and through. Hugh Grant plays the baddie, Colin Firth is the love interest and Bridget smokes and drinks for England. \"No other country in the world could make a film about a woman who hates herself for being womanly in this way,\" said Nick James, editor of Sight and Sound film magazine. The movie of the international best seller which began life as a tongue-in-cheek newspaper column, opens on April 13. Behind the adaptation is the hit team who created \"Four Weddings and a Funeral\" and \"Notting Hill.\" Now Working Title, the production company, hopes the neurotic diaries of a single 30-something will provide its third low-budget British film hit. At the core of the book is Bridget Jones's die-hard attempt to get thin, smoke less, drink fewer alcoholic units and meet the man of her dreams. Hardly a modern tale, it nevertheless captured the public's imagination and became a must-read for a generation of modern career women seeking an old-fashioned happy ending. The Bridget Jones of Fielding's imagination opened each diary entry with a tally of how many cigarettes smoked, pounds lost or gained and drinks drunk. The quest was to get beautiful and find a man -- with plenty of navel gazing along the way. \"How is it possible to put on four pounds overnight? Could flesh have somehow solidified, becoming denser and heavier (repulsive, horrifying notion)); alcohol units: two (excellent) cigarettes: 21 (poor but will give up totally tomorrow); number of correct lottery numbers: two (better, but nevertheless useless)\" is just one typical entry. TEXAN ROSE? Yet it is an American, rather than a hip Londoner, who grabbed the lead and Fielding admitted to fierce jealousy that her screen character would have an affair with Grant, whom she describes as \"hilariously wicked, sexy charming and delicious.\" Renee Zellweger, best known for playing Tom Cruise's romantic sidekick in \"Jerry Maguire,\" is a corn-fed Texan with a moon face: a far cry from the English rose of Fielding's mind. Zellweger's mother is Norwegian and her father is Swiss, but critics will be listening hard to see if an American of European extraction has mastered the London accent. Her past credits include the comedies \"Me Myself and Irene\" and \"Nurse Betty,\" which earned her a Golden Globe award. Fielding won't let Zellweger steal all the limelight. \"I'm keen on the idea of turning up on set and in enormous sunglasses and a gold lame turban shrieking 'it should have been me!' and having to be led away and given a trinket,\" she told Sydney's Daily Telegraph. The script was written by Fielding, Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and Notting Hill) and Andrew Davies (Pride and Prejudice)."}, {"response": 90, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  6, 2001 (10:07)", "body": "Now THIS is what I call a poster!!"}, {"response": 91, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Mar  6, 2001 (10:19)", "body": "Could have been a better image of Colin though, thanks Karen."}, {"response": 92, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  6, 2001 (10:59)", "body": "...and they say I'm picky! ;-D Anyway, Teletext picked up the other item. Liked use of \"it's suggested.\" Shame they didn't say \"who suggested it\"...The Mirror Zellweger won't do Jones sequel Renee Zellweger is not interested in making the sequel to Bridget Jones's Diary, sources at Working Title claim. It's suggested she is reluctant to have to put two stone in weight on again and disliked living in London for eight months. A non-smoker, she also had to puff on herbal cigarettes which made her \"smell like dung\". Early previews of the movie are favourable with critics impressed by her Sloaney English accent."}, {"response": 93, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Mar  6, 2001 (11:48)", "body": "\"It's suggested\" by the Daily Mirror. The \"smell like dung\" bit is straight out of Marie Claire. Feeble re-tread of a cobbled story. I reckon IF there's any truth in the Mirror's story, it could be proof of RZ backing the film. If it's a success, her worth for a sequel will shoot up. I'm sure she didn't love London and gaining weight and not exercising, etc, etc, but I guess she'd do the role again for its sheer artistic integrity - that and a (few) million dollars."}, {"response": 94, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Mar  6, 2001 (12:05)", "body": "According to Annova, the soundtrack for BJD goes on release on the 16th March, which seems a little strange as some of the individual singles aren't released until the beginning of April, i.e. Gabrielle and Geri Halliwell's Raining Men."}, {"response": 95, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Mar  6, 2001 (12:31)", "body": "Is it me or does Geri GingerSpice look like she's anorexic? I like that pic of MD, Ann (same as the one on cupid during that Valentine's Day promo). Hair: v.v.g., jawline: v.g., fit of shirt collar: v.v.g.! Also like that he appears to be peeking at the diary. Think this is the *official* poster? *hoping*"}, {"response": 96, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Tue, Mar  6, 2001 (12:52)", "body": "Hi all... ( delurking on this board ) stupid question, which I should know, but don't: when is this supposed to open up in theatres here in the US?"}, {"response": 97, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  6, 2001 (12:58)", "body": "About the sequel, there was talk about the other WT hits (4Weddings and NH), but they've never chosen to pursue the sequel route with those (yeah, like they could get Julia to do another!). All hype, making it a huge hit before it even opens. I agree, Ann, it seems a bit early to release the soundtrack. I would think it would coincide with the release of the movie. Perhaps, they meant April 13 not March 13 as it is not listed at a couple of music sites I've checked. The item from Ananova: Bridget Jones soundtrack set to be a hit The soundtrack to the forthcoming film adaptation of Helen Fielding's bestseller Bridget Jones's Diary features exclusive tracks from top artists. The film is tipped to be one of the biggest international movie hits of the year. Tracks include new material from Robbie Williams, and Geri Halliwell's cover of The Weather Girls' 1980s hit, It's Raining Men. There are also contributions from Alisha's Attic, Shelby Lynne and Gabrielle. Bridget Jones's Diary premieres in the UK in April, while the soundtrack album is due for release on March 16 through Mercury."}, {"response": 98, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  6, 2001 (13:00)", "body": "Liz: check the Bucket for all the dates: http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjd.html and it's April 13th"}, {"response": 99, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Mar  6, 2001 (13:51)", "body": "The poster for Bridget Jones is now on the Tube in London. (has anyone reported this before?) It is the one with RZ sitting, legs out straight, with a ciggie in the ashtray to her side. Says something like \"it's Monday and BJ wakes up in bed with a hangover and her boss\". Sorry if that is not correct but have not time to go back to Green Park to check:-) Much better than tht creepy picture of CF - looks straight out of RV!!"}, {"response": 100, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, Mar  6, 2001 (14:36)", "body": "tht creepy picture of CF - looks straight out of RV!! LOL! I thought it looked familiar... Btw, what are responses 85 to 88 supposed to mean exactly? I see nothing in 85 and I feel like an extra in a remake of The Emperor's New Clothes..."}, {"response": 101, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Mar  6, 2001 (15:04)", "body": "Allison, will you please email me, I have mislaid your address (re response 85)."}, {"response": 102, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Mar  6, 2001 (15:05)", "body": "Sorry I meant Echo."}, {"response": 103, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar  6, 2001 (16:30)", "body": "Love the poster....Thanks boss. And sorry folks I like CF peaking around her diary,..cool.....maybe because I liked RV :-) See Eileen,a different perspective ...not like Mr. Darcy at all;-)"}, {"response": 104, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar  6, 2001 (16:47)", "body": "Allison, you're right about the RV pose! Still a clean looking poster and his presense for once is there. I hope they won't cut him out in the States, as tthey have done in the past and they could too unless he specifically had it written into his contract that he must also be included in the poster whenever HG is. That would have been a smart move."}, {"response": 105, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  6, 2001 (18:19)", "body": "(Moon) I hope they won't cut him out in the States, as tthey have done in the past I don't think he'll be cut out, as the advertising needs to emphasize there are TWO guys (Mr So So Right and Mr Fuckwit) interested in one girl. That's the campaign they should be waging. Mark Darcy's part is the mysterious stranger type as you can see in the bits of the trailer shown on Access Hollywood. The emphasis on Hugh but with Colin lurking about on the sidelines. Meant to bring this up before. In the articles, I liked how people had singled out scenes with Colin as being the most important (when he says he likes her as-is, or Bridget telling him that he makes her feel ridiculous). These are memorable scenes (serious concepts) that critics would focus on, rather than a drunken Hugh falling overboard whilst saying he's king of the world."}, {"response": 106, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar  6, 2001 (19:20)", "body": "Mark Darcy's part is the mysterious stranger type as you can see in the bits of the trailer shown on Access Hollywood. OK, rub it in. You know I have not seen this. :-( Lucky you who can rewind to her heart's content."}, {"response": 107, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar  6, 2001 (20:24)", "body": "Thanks for the poster, Karen. I think the \"peekaboo\" pose is very appropriate, but notice they used the CF and RZ pics from the website, yet substituted a more attractive photo for HG. No doubt he has approval on the publicity materials (they all may) and vetoed the one on the website, a more appropriate (but less attractive) peering-sideways look. I just wonder if CF has people looking out for his interests like that. I do love that he's on there, though! a corn-fed Texan LOL! They make her sound like a heifer."}, {"response": 108, "author": "ommin", "date": "Wed, Mar  7, 2001 (03:29)", "body": "Don't fret gals he is what he is. I guess he'll never change but thats why I like him."}, {"response": 109, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Mar  7, 2001 (09:34)", "body": "(Evelyn) And sorry folks I like CF peaking around her diary,..cool.....maybe because I liked RV :-) See Eileen,a different perspective ...not like Mr. Darcy at all;-) Certainly not, the way you see it. ;-) I don't see 'gay' in this pose at all (no wrists flicking) and I also liked RV--loved seeing CF flouncing around, was ROTF. IMO showing CF in the Mr. D. aloof/smouldering/glowering mode on the poster would make him/his character look less appealing than this playful look. (Karen) The emphasis on Hugh but with Colin lurking about on the sidelines. Which is in keeping with the book, right? (Karen) I liked how people had singled out scenes with Colin as being the most important (when he says he likes her as-is, or Bridget telling him that he makes her feel ridiculous). These are memorable scenes (serious concepts) that critics would focus on, rather than a drunken Hugh falling overboard whilst saying he's king of the world. Good point!"}, {"response": 110, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Mar  7, 2001 (12:10)", "body": "Ooh, have had brilliant brainstorm for poster. Picture this: Small shot of BJ sitting on bed with diary open, superimposed on larger close-up of pensive Mark Darcy (head only). Perfect! Yet something about it seems familiar..."}, {"response": 111, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  7, 2001 (12:27)", "body": "Suggest Bridget hold one stockinged leg up in air for nice central focus. Or else could have enigmatic Mark Darcy in shadowy doorway with Bridget sitting in lacy frou frou underwear or scary pants, whichever. ;-D"}, {"response": 112, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  7, 2001 (22:44)", "body": "This isn't the same writer, but does this border on plagiarism? From reel.com: Zellweger Stars as Jones By Joan Tarshis Bridget Jones's Diary, Helen Fielding's hilarious, best-selling novel about a weight-watching, chain-smoking, man-chasing, gin-and-tonic drinking, pint-guzzling bachelorette makes its way to the big screen next month. Indeed. Renee Zellweger, best known for playing Tom Cruise's romantic interest in Jerry Maguire, stars as Jones. Mind you \ufffd despite that a blond from Texas is playing the eponymous heroine \ufffd the premise is terribly British. Hugh Grant plays the bad guy and Colin Firth is the love interest, while Bridget smokes and drinks and drinks and smokes in Jolly Ol' England. At the film's center are Bridget's desperate attempts to lose weight, smoke less, drink less, and meet her Prince Charming. The novel became a must for a generation of modern career women seeking an old-fashioned happy ending. In her diary, Bridget begins each entry with a total of how many pounds lost or gained, cigarettes smoked, and drinks drunk. The mission is to become beautiful and find a man. A typical entry reads, ``How is it possible to put on four pounds overnight? Could flesh have somehow solidified, becoming denser and heavier (repulsive, horrifying notion); alcohol units: two (excellent) cigarettes: 21 (poor but will give up totally tomorrow); number of correct lottery numbers: two (better, but nevertheless useless).'' What has surprised our friends across the pond is that an American actress, rather than a hip Brit, got the lead. Zellweger's past credits include the comedies Me, Myself & Irene and Nurse Betty, which earned her a Golden Globe award. Fielding has admitted to being fiercely jealous that her character gets to have an affair with Grant, whom she describes as \"hilariously wicked, sexy, charming, and delicious.\" But, the author admits she won't let Zellweger steal all of Grant's attentions. \"I'm keen on the idea of turning up on set in enormous sunglasses and a gold lam\ufffd turban shrieking 'it should have been me!' and having to be led away and given a trinket,\" she told Sydney's Daily Telegraph. The script was inked by Fielding, Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill), and Andrew Davies (Pride and Prejudice), and is being helmed by first-timer Sharon Maguire. Bridget Jones reunites co-writer Curtis with producers Tim Bevans and Eric Fellner, the successful team who brought us Four Weddings and Notting Hill. Now the trio hopes that the ramblings of a neurotic, single, 30-ish woman will give them hit number three. The movie, which was born as a tongue-in-cheek newspaper column, opens April 13."}, {"response": 113, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (08:21)", "body": "(Karen) but does this border on plagiarism? Is there such a concept any more? It seems plagiarism went out the window when 'cut and paste' was invented. :-/"}, {"response": 114, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (09:53)", "body": "ATTN!! Full trailer is now available at the MSN site: http://entertainment.msn.com/bridget/default.asp Lots of Colin! You see when she first sees him at the party (he's wearing a dark turtleneck. He's specifically shown as Mr Wrong (in her mind) after the Mr Right intro. Then there's a darling bit, where he's at the door to somebody's apartment and calls Cleaver out. \"OK, Cleaver, outside. [Cleaver: What?\"] MD: Should I bring my dueling pistols or sword?\""}, {"response": 115, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (10:06)", "body": "Ooooh, and he throws a punch. Yippee! This is a 2:26 min trailer, as would be in the theatres."}, {"response": 116, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (10:06)", "body": "And he says the lines about liking her just the way she is."}, {"response": 117, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (10:13)", "body": "Oh Karen...the trailer is darling. I esp like the part that MD says: \"To our Bridget, we love her...just as she is\".Mr. Darcy's voice, for sure. Bridge's accent sounds good to me.She's got the Brit vowels down pat. Thank you Working Title...."}, {"response": 118, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (10:47)", "body": "Oh, bollocks, I can't view it! Apparently we have some security thingie here at work which prevents our PCs from downloading the viewing software. Don't they know people need a break at work? Honestly, this is something out of Dickens.;-) Tell us poor deprived souls more, please."}, {"response": 119, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (11:06)", "body": "Ooh, v.v. cute indeed (note to self: begin each day by viewing trailer). *But* I think I see/hear a few things differently--it doesn't sound like MD's voice saying 'just as she is', though he definitely says 'To Bridget, whom we love' (could be my ears *klunking self on head*). Unfortunately, I'm sure it is DC, not MD who says 'should I bring my dueling pistols or my sword?'. :-( Oh, well, I still like the trailer. Agree with what the others say about RZ's accent but since I'm not British I'm hardly a judge. I like the what it does to her voice, though, which in JM sounded high pitched and little girlish."}, {"response": 120, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (11:09)", "body": "It's what we saw on Access Hollywood and more. Starts out with the Still not married bit and how's your love life from everybody, with the \"haven't had a sniff of a date for over 18 months\" line. Then there's a shot at a party (could be literary bash), and v. possibly CF at center of shot at other end of room. Cue music: sounds like 1960s Frank Sinatra-y thing (or Gidget theme music) Car drives up to Snowshill and there's the Turkey Curry Buffet and Bridget being introduced to Mark (by mom). He looks v.good. Strange little incident with a taxi. Can't tell for sure whose voice that is saying \"drive on. She's fine.\" Then there's that whole bit from TV we saw about starting a diary, making resolutions, not dating litany of bad guy types, holding up big pants, exercycling with Shaz, will develop inner poise (blender blowup)... Won't fantasize about boss (enter Hugh) and making date and rolling around on floor discussing enormous pants. Next we see Jim Broadbent as dad, asking her if she has a boyfriend, to which she replies \"I have, father, and he's perfect.\" Voiceover about how she's finding herself caught between a man who's too good to be true (king of the world) and a man who is so wrong.... bunny outfit. Then we get the \"I like you just the way you\" are bit.... Music changes...oh, what is name of song. Every little thing she says and does... Cast intros: RZ (she's singing \"Can't Live if Living is w/o you\" v. drunkenly), THEN HG (a little dialogue about practicing french kissing with girls at school, Then CF (and dueling bit) -- shot of three girls and BJ saying \"major dilemma\" after punch thrown. Ends with answering phone. Sorry if it's so choppy. Had to keep pausing and writing and starting. Argh"}, {"response": 121, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (11:10)", "body": "One other thought: am surprised to see MD wearing sexy black turtleneck (*the* turtleneck!) instead of fugly diamond-patterned sweater in the turkey curry buffet scene. Guess they didn't want to overdo the nerd-dweeb thing. One can still hope for bumblebee socks, however. ;-)"}, {"response": 122, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (11:13)", "body": "Gaah! You're right, Hugh gets the pistols or sword line. *off to find Q tip* :-("}, {"response": 123, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (11:23)", "body": "The song is from the Police *humming* 'every little thing she does is magic..' Just watched again (can't wait until these things are bigger than the smallest size post-it note). No longer think MD says 'to Bridget, whom we love'. Think someone else says the line *but* the camera shows smiling MD which is more important. Glad to see they have their priorities straight. ;-)"}, {"response": 124, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (11:34)", "body": "Grrrrrr. I cannot view it either. Probably due to hopeless internet peformance at this time in the UK. Am v frustrated gazing at blue MSN screen with nothing happening. Will have to get up v early tomorrow when I shall not be sharing my dial-up line with half of the southeast of England:-)"}, {"response": 125, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (12:03)", "body": "My wizzard line at work pipes it down so efficiently its like being in the cinema. Well, almost. A good two minutes. Now for the other 98."}, {"response": 126, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (12:20)", "body": "The Police! Of course, I even own that one. *off to vacuum brain* Allison, try clicking on a lower connection type for viewing. If you have a 56K connection, try the 28K one. Was also v. surprised that Mark is not wearing hideously ugly sweater at the party. But glad is nice dark turtleneck. He should wear those more frequently, than basic black t-shirt we keep seeing."}, {"response": 127, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (12:21)", "body": "Karen, thanks so much for posting the \"full trailer\" info. Rarely surf at work, but am so glad I \"checked in\". Brightened my day considerably! Will have to visit again at home, when, out of my \"cubile\" environment, I can crank up the volume. Have checked the Island Records web site, but they have no mention of the soundtrack. Wanted to pre-order from _somebody_."}, {"response": 128, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (13:15)", "body": "(Eileen)I like the what it does to her voice, though, which in JM sounded high pitched and little girlish. Likewise in Nurse Betty.Renee should speak with a British accent all the time. V. flattering.I tell ya' it's those vowels.American accent has ugly vowels. Car drives up to Snowshill and there's the Turkey Curry Buffet and Bridget being introduced to Mark (by mom). He looks v.good. Doesn't mom say something like \"You remember Bridget, she used to run around the lawn without any clothes on...\" Bridget looking mortified. ..bunny outfit. Hilarious.Who hasn't appeared at a party dressed all wrong. Allison, it takes a little while to load esp. if your lines are busy. It would tell you if you didn't have the correct version of the video software. Good luck."}, {"response": 129, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (13:40)", "body": "For some reason, the trailer works better for me from The Bucket than from the MSN website, LOL.I get interruptions (pauses) from the official website. Have to keep hitting the \"Play\" button."}, {"response": 130, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (13:56)", "body": "HA! Have cracked code! Am overjoyed! Am bursting! Am drooling! Am probably also unemployed.;-) Love this. Superb trailer. Even if I had never heard of BJD or Colin (and oh, what an awful life that would be!;-), I'd go to see this. CF is . . . oh, my, my, my , my, my . . .When he says to her, \"You see, I like you. A lot. Just the way you are.\" *Major meltdown.* And that shot at the end when they're raising a glass to Bridge at the dinner. . .*very* close to The Look. Mmmmm . . . ."}, {"response": 131, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (14:06)", "body": "Can't get the trailer but have just seen the video for Gabrielle's song & was surprised to see quite a bit of CF."}, {"response": 132, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (14:19)", "body": "(Evelyn) For some reason, the trailer works better for me from The Bucket than from the MSN website, LOL.I get interruptions (pauses) from the official website. Am far from an expert on this but I think it has more to do with when you view the trailer vs. where you view it from. It was much clearer and flowed better for me this morning than just now. Sometimes it sticks on video while audio progresses so you think you're seeing everything. Must watch over and over! (Mari) *very* close to The Look. Absolutely. Very close without duplicating that which should never be duplicated, IMO ;-). How 'bout MD's expression when BJ's mom makes the intro? As Evelyn notes, Bridget looks mortified while Mark's expression is straight out of the Meryton assembly (and/or Netherfield Ball with Mr. Collins--take your pick)."}, {"response": 133, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (14:41)", "body": "Judy where did you see the video for Gabrielle's song and did they say when it would be released in the UK. I still think it is odd that the BJD soundtrack is being released on the 16th March before the individual singles, maybe it was a misprint by Annova but I am still going to check it out on the 16th March. I am so glad he looks and sounds so great, I am all anticipation. Thanks Karen for notifying us of the trailer and Allison I have been able to see it and I am in the South East also. Try what Karen suggested, it worked for me."}, {"response": 134, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (14:57)", "body": "Ann it was shown on The Box a music channel on cable or satellite.It was new today & as yet there is no mention of the release date.There are some great shots of CF!"}, {"response": 135, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (15:03)", "body": "Oooh, I get The Box. Must check if same here. Which shots, Judy? The same as we've been discussing? That tears it! I'm definitely going to a mainstream movie complex this weekend. No esoteric Chinese films until I see that trailer up on a big screen, instead of postage size. Ann, that date has to be wrong. At the Gabrielle website, it says the single is coming on on April 2."}, {"response": 136, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (15:15)", "body": "Nice trailer, from what I've been able to make out of it (too many pauses on this computer). Must run over to my good friend Pete-- who has forked over wads of cash to be be able to play feature-length films on his spiffy new computer."}, {"response": 137, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (15:19)", "body": "Karen, someone at VV has seen the trailer at a Sony Cinema?"}, {"response": 138, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (15:21)", "body": "It doesn't look as if we are going to see Colin in his Barrister's Gown, does it? Oh well, mustn't complain, I love that grey polo neck!"}, {"response": 139, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (15:22)", "body": "I've just checked www.thebox.co.uk for the release date but the record isn't listed there yet.The first shot is head & shoulders & then it shows him in a reindeer jumper .(I wish someone had warned me about that -D)There's also one of him watching BJ with DC at a do.Another when he interrupts BJ & DC about to kiss.A few shots of the fight-crashing through a window,in a street high kicking DC & the punch.I'll have to watch the tape again as thats all I can remember."}, {"response": 140, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (16:09)", "body": "Ann, the cinema chain isn't as important as which movie it precedes. I wish the person at VV had said. I do hope it isn't Chocolat (another Miramax release) as I don't care to see it again. ;-D A reindeer jumper? High-kicking DC? This is marvelous. Wonder if he learned to do that kick or was that the padded stunt double that Mark saw? *tingling* I cannot wait for this movie. Can't find The Box on my cable. Must've been dropped. Will tune in to MTV or similar."}, {"response": 141, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (17:40)", "body": "Karen = I'm definitely going to a mainstream movie complex this weekend My thoughts exactly ! Thanks for the tip about lowering the connection speed, managed to see most of the trailer but it was very disjointed. Need to see a clearer view, oh how I need ;-) Love the Karaoke! A girl after my own heart. And mad 'inner poise' blender moment - d'you think we'll get the whole blue soup and marmalade episode?? Also thanks Judy for tip re the video..now must hog parents' cable! Meredith I've also been scouring the various sites to pre-order the soundtrack ..nothing doing at CD now or Amazon or HMV ;-( When is it to be released anyone?"}, {"response": 142, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (20:40)", "body": "Think I'll go watch the trailer at an internet place which has the very high-speed connections. Then the pic is bigger too and it really flows well. (Tracy) d'you think we'll get the whole blue soup and marmalade episode?? Fingers crossed, but I do expect we'll have to see foot in pot of mashed potatoes, as that is one of HF's most used anecdotes."}, {"response": 143, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (20:41)", "body": "Meant to say thanks to everyone who filled us in on the trailer bits while I was plotzing over not being able to see it at first!:-) Good thing you thought to re-check the trailer, Karen; I figured it was just the same old, same old. Then there's a shot at a party (could be literary bash), and v. possibly CF at center of shot at other end of room. Yes, that's him. Looks like he's wearing a dress shirt and jacket, no tie. Strange little incident with a taxi. Can't tell for sure whose voice that is saying \"drive on. She's fine.\" I think it's Tom in the back seat. Right before that, Shazz says something like, \"mind your step,\" whereupon BJ falls down, drunk apparently. Voiceover about how she's finding herself caught between a man who's too good to be true (king of the world) and a man who is so wrong.... bunny outfit. Don't you love how one of the women says \"I can't believe what some people find attractive,\" then they cut to Mark who manages, \"um, er, (big gulp) yes.\" The look on his face--*he* is obviously finding the bunny very attractive!:-) Ends with answering phone. \"Wanton sex goddess, here. Oh . . . dad!\" How 'bout MD's expression when BJ's mom makes the intro? As Evelyn notes, Bridget looks mortified while Mark's expression is straight out of the Meryton assembly Her expression is pure Ehle, when the mortified Lizzie says, \"Ma-ma, he willl hear you.\" I love that grey polo neck! Oh, me too! Do you think it's a different one than in the pic that went up on the website early on? Love the Karaoke! A girl after my own heart. So you've karried a bit of okie in your time, eh Tracy?;-) Moi aussi.:-) d'you think we'll get the whole blue soup and marmalade episode?? Ooo, I hope so--one of my faves. I think one of the early reviews at AICN mentioned the funny dinner scene, so it seems they've kept it. Tracy, most of the scenes you mention in the video are not in the trailer, but they sure sound like goodies! I want my MTV . . .:-) Agree that RZ's voice takes on a v. nice timbre with the English accent--deeper than usual. But how does the accent sound to our experts? I have to say, I'm v.v. pleased with the bits we've seen so far! Hurry April 13--so glad that so many of us will be able to see it at the same time--a too-rare treat!:-)"}, {"response": 144, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (21:14)", "body": "Just in and I must thank all of you for your comments and Karen for the clip. I only saw it once but I loved it and plan to see it again... ! Will have to watch MTV too. Mari, her accent sounds good. I only found fault in the way she says diary. What do the Brits say? I loved the line about the duel, too bad Colin doesn't say it. (Cue in the music, I am ready to dance!)"}, {"response": 145, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (02:16)", "body": "Many thanks for the lead to the trailer, Karen. This Brit gives an A for the accent. I know it sounds ridiculous but when we previously got the five-second trailer with HG investigating the big pants and RZ just saying \"No ... no ...\" it actually did sound too posh. One word, I know, BUT the most telling Received Pronunciation vowel. However, my hopes went back up when one of the articles said \"...if you found Gwyneth Paltrow's accent in Sliding Doors jarring...watch out, it's the same accent coach.\" GP (as I have said before) was perfect in SD, and from this evidence RZ is pretty close. Great trailer, though it's all a bit of a giveaway about who's going to get the girl, no? (I am aware that we knew already!) But it's looking bad for me personally. That scene where HG growls in the car is MY scene, but I suspect the best I can now hope for is a freeze-frame one day with me telling friends \"that guy behind him...there, in the suit...did you see it?...no, no head, just an arm...it's me...honestly\""}, {"response": 146, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (02:34)", "body": "Thanks to Karen's Bucket, I have now heard the trailer and seen it until BJ says the bit about not having had a sniff of a date for 6 months and then the picture stops! So I can pronounce on the accent. v.v.good. Not too posh and perfectly Home Counties. In fact she has a very familiar voice and I cannot quite think whose voice it is. Pity I have not been able to see Colin ..."}, {"response": 147, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (04:19)", "body": "Speaking of accents and for the benefit of us Yanks, are RZ and GP using a regional accent and where exactly in England would we find that? Is their accents different from how JE talked in P&P?"}, {"response": 148, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (05:31)", "body": "The MSN site seems to have been revamped this AM, with new cast photos, including one with the aforementioned \"reindeer\" sweater (cannot believe it!) as well as other very dishy photos. Oh yes, I suppose I should look at the other cast photos... Have always liked HG, but putting him beside CF there is NO comparison in talent, looks, etc. People (in the US) may go to see the film because of HG, but they'll stay because of CF! And of course RZ is the \"it\" girl at the moment, deservedly so."}, {"response": 149, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (06:02)", "body": "Speaking of accents and for the benefit of us Yanks, are RZ and GP using a regional accent No, all their accents are more or less RP ie Received Pronounciation - aka Standard english. The idea is that it is non regional but it is more likely to be spoken in the south-east. Being the UK of course we could have a whole discussion on what one might be able to deduce from minute variations in inflection, vowel tone etc:-) I would have put GP's accent in SD as RP but spoken by someone from the southeast of England owing to some slight, flattening, estuarine tendencies in the vowels (that is estuarine as in Thames Estuary);-) GP's accent in SIL was much more the sort of RP spoken by someone who has been educated at one of the more select girls' boarding schools. RZ's accent is appropriately between the two. v v good, v v clever voice coaches. See what a minefield it all is."}, {"response": 150, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (07:10)", "body": "Being the UK of course we could have a whole discussion on what one might be able to deduce from minute variations in inflection, vowel tone etc:-) (Allison) From the brief sample in the trailer, I found RZ's accent better than GP's in SIL. (Look at what a dab hand I've become with the acronyms! Eat your hearts out Firthettes.) GP's was a bit TOO nasal and Estuary-ish - it was the kind of Sloane cockney beloved of hip, insecure London day school gals....not unlike Lady DI's accent. (Now THERE'S a minefield for you.) Mark's right - RZ's first 'o'-vowel was very distinctive. Can you blame poor Reese Witherspoon for being nervous? As if it isn't enough to have to act well. It's easier in a film, of course, but still..."}, {"response": 151, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (08:06)", "body": "Wow Meredith! Yes, they've revamped and added things from the production notes as well. I do like the little post-it notes (something I thought of using too), especially the one on Colin's page: Mmmmm Ding Dong Maybe this Mum had got it right. Maybe this was the devastating hunk I'd been waiting my whole life to meet...maybe not. That's the same turtleneck from the trailer. We just can't see the reindeer design in the shot. Fascinating discussion on RZ accent, but what was that area of North London Colin had mentioned in an interview? \"And it's actually a little bit confusing sometimes,\" he adds, \"'cos there's a great incongruity when she tells you something about her childhood in Texas. She says something like 'Dad lassoing mustangs and taking me to the rodeo.' And you think, 'What, in Croydon?'\" Must have been joking. ;-D"}, {"response": 152, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (08:18)", "body": "On the Events selection, it mentions the blue soup. :-)"}, {"response": 153, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (09:00)", "body": "Also on the Events section in very small letters it mentions that the soundtrack will be available 3rd April - Island Records."}, {"response": 154, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (09:41)", "body": "Thank you Allison, Mark and Ben for the Accent Address. ...all their accents are more or less RP ie Received Pronounciation - aka Standard english. Is that in contrast to what we call BBC English like in P&P? ..estuarine tendencies in the vowels (that is estuarine as in Thames Estuary);-) , [\"estuarine vowels\"...now how about that for impressing the folks around the water cooler, Mari;-) ]This accent thing could have killed the film in UK....so glad it \"passes the mustard'. Eileen, do you see in your crystal ball more British films in the future for RZ?"}, {"response": 155, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (09:52)", "body": "Oh that reindeer sweater....too much...enough to say it won't replace the \"wet shirt\":-D Karen, I don't think those are posties...look more like polaroid shots to me. Allison, I find when the trailer stops, if you hit \"Pause\" , then hit \"Play\" it continues.I sorta play around with all those buttons."}, {"response": 156, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (10:02)", "body": "Sure there are yellow post-it notes (with messages on them) plus the Polaroids. Thought I'd post these:"}, {"response": 157, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (10:03)", "body": "That second one is the suit he wore for the fight. Comments on the collar? ;-D"}, {"response": 158, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (10:06)", "body": "Looks like his barrister's collar! (she says hopefully.)"}, {"response": 159, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (10:19)", "body": "Thanks, Meredith, for the tip about the revamped site. Things are hotting up even further, as they say. (Karen) That's the same turtleneck from the trailer. We just can't see the reindeer design in the shot AhhhHA! Fugly diamond-patterned sweater has been replaced by kooky reindeer sweater--sexy turtle/polo neck from back, nerdy in front. Glad they kept to the spirit of the book here. (Mari) I think it's Tom in the back seat. Right before that, Shazz says something like, \"mind your step,\" whereupon BJ falls down, drunk I think you've got it. (Tracy) d'you think we'll get the whole blue soup and marmalade episode?? (Mari) Ooo, I hope so--one of my faves. I think one of the early reviews at AICN mentioned the funny dinner scene, so it seems they've kept it. It has to be the scene from the trailer with the line 'To Bridget, whom we love, just the way she is'. BTW, any other opinions as to who says that line? It doesn't sound like CF to me. (Mark) Great trailer, though it's all a bit of a giveaway about who's going to get the girl, no? (I am aware that we knew already!) Usually I have the same complaint about trailers but with BJD, one can rationalize that the same kabillion people who read the book (thereby being aware of the ending) are the target audience for the movie. (Evelyn) Eileen, do you see in your crystal ball more British films in the future for RZ? Ummm, action in ball tends to stop-go and is only postage stamp size (must upgrade ball with faster modem--wonder if they're sold at gypsy store?) but I think I see something about the word 'edge'. Hmmm. All v.v. confusing ;-)"}, {"response": 160, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (10:30)", "body": "Is that in contrast to what we call BBC English like in P&P? All the same: standard, BBC, RP, Queen's english (latter little used now on grounds that queen no longer sounds like anybody else still alive). BTW I agree with Ann, that is his barrister's collar .... too...arghh... I am all overcome just thinking about it. Unfortunately (?) am off to Nepal of all places next week for a quick trip. That must be one of the few places on this planet which will never receive BJD so will be deprived of the delicious anticipation. Will be back in time for the opening here though."}, {"response": 161, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (10:32)", "body": "(Ann) Looks like his barrister's collar! (she says hopefully.) To each his own, as my mother used to say ;-) Have been thinking about the storyline. We already know there's no Julio. It appears to me that the characters of Julio and DC have been merged, i.e., Mark rescues BJ from DC instead of rescuing Mama Jones from Julio. Don't think we'll see any blonde giantesses on the roof of DC's flat. The fight scene must be the climax, replacing the one from the book where Mark chases Julio through the bushes and gets all sweaty (BJ: 'let me tell you, it was damn sexy'). AAA's if this has already been figured out while I was in hibernation. Thanks for the pics, Karen! They look sharper here than at the MSN site. 8-D"}, {"response": 162, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (10:42)", "body": "Evelyn!! There you were, with the water-cooler crowd at your feet, and then.... \"it passes the mustard\". ....and they all amble off, shaking their heads. It cuts the mustard, or it passes muster. :-) God knows where these expressions come from (is the second something to do with the army?). I certainly don't see why passing the mustard should be any worse than cutting it. But there you are. p.s. It v. much looks like a barrister's collar."}, {"response": 163, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (10:43)", "body": "Just filling in some blanks in case you missed them... Mark rescues BJ from DC instead of rescuing Mama Jones from Julio There is a Julian, a presenter from the Home Shopping Channel, but know little else regarding his relationship to plot. Don't think we'll see any blonde giantesses on the roof of DC's flat. She won't be blonde as the actress is a brunette (Lisa B???) but no reason to believe that Bridget doesn't discover them together after the Tarts & Vicars party. The fight scene must be the climax I don't think so. Did you read those *spoiler* bits from Mr Beaks?"}, {"response": 164, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (10:57)", "body": "(Karen) I don't think so. Did you read those *spoiler* bits from Mr Beaks? I did, but I can hardly recall the details (too many other things rolling around up there these days). I did know there was a Julian, but wasn't a conclusion reached that the character was nowhere near as significant as Julio was in the book? I recall Beaks didn't care for the ending...and didn't we read somewhere about speculation that the ending had been changed? Gaah, can't keep it all straight anymore. No matter. AAA's for being off-base about the story."}, {"response": 165, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (11:55)", "body": "No need for AAAs, as some people didn't want to read the additional nonposted spoiler details from Mr Beaks about the ending. Couldn't remember if you had or not. But then again, it could've changed again. BTW, I really don't know the significance of the Julian character other than he would be someone Pam takes up with. (no scolding, Ben, on ending with a preposition as I could fix but don't care to ) ;-D"}, {"response": 166, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (12:07)", "body": "April 13th is only 5 weeks from today...Karen, do ya want to start a countdown? *heheheheheheh* ;-)"}, {"response": 167, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (12:11)", "body": "More publicity for BJD - in the Times, today Section 2 a really funny article \"Bridget's singular style - Where to get the Bridget Look etc. Apparently more than 20 designers furnished RZ's wardrobe.. I will check if it is online. Also Aishling tells me that HF was on GMTV this morning, afraid I missed it but Aishling has recorded it and will no doubt tell us more."}, {"response": 168, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (12:21)", "body": "Well, it had better end just the way the book did, with MD giving BJ \"pardon for\"!"}, {"response": 169, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (12:39)", "body": "The Times article is online but it is a very long address, can you help Karen, it is in the Style & Fashion section, go to the Index. Picture of RZ in her red pyjamas and Annova have just announced the new BJD Official Website."}, {"response": 170, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (13:11)", "body": "The accent is spot-on! Can't be faulted. Which will no doubt disappoint some of our less charitable reviewers! Reminds me of Kate Winslet/Caroline Quentin. The reindeer sweater must be a variation on the diamond patterned yellow/blue sweater of Turkey Curry Buffet fame. And that's definitely a barrister's outfit! Very sexy!"}, {"response": 171, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (13:29)", "body": "Sure thing, Ann, here's the article at The Times (no pics online). Note ending: Bridget's singular style BY TIM TEEMAN The unsorted urban chick is set to become chic with the movie release of Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary For those inconsolable following the end of Sex and the City\ufffds second series on Wednesday night, the imminent movie release of Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary has a harsh message for wannabe Park Avenue princesses. OK, obsess about your weight, but accept the truth of being a size 12. Get drunk and bitter unattractively. Blousier is better. Somehow, Bridget Jones has become a style icon. In her eponymous first diaries, published in 1996, she was a crazy, endearing, middle-class girl who had enough trouble finding knickers in the morning. She had shoe and killer black dress fascinations, but that was it. Now, with the release of her movie, she is a demographic: Young, Urban, Distressed. More than 20 designers furnished Ren\ufffd Zellweger\ufffds wardrobe in the title role. Her mussed-up bob is as ubiquitous as a Rachel from Friends. She looks inquiring, troubled, playful. But she overeats, substance-abuses, swears, (which separates her from Ally McBeal). She is the boho girl who gets on at Ladbroke Grove Tube, reading Pride and Prejudice while listening to Coldplay. Hail the unsorted urban chick. \ufffdShe is the urban single thirtysomething who balances two extremes \ufffd absolutely not caring and caring too much,\ufffd says Melanie Rickey, the fashion features editor of Nova. \ufffdShe can veg out with chocolate on the sofa in girly pyjamas, moaning \ufffdNo one will ever love me\ufffd, yet knows she can brush up quite well. She\ufffds in her early 30s, unmarried, childless and panicking.\ufffd Zellweger\ufffds dedication to the role is well known: she drank Guinness and ate cake and weight-gain powder to reach a size 12 \ufffd though has now lost all the weight to return to her usual size 6. Katy England, the style editor of Dazed & Confused, says Bridget\ufffds look will prove popular. \ufffdIt\ufffds great because we\ufffdre all a little tired of being a certain weight, having a certain look. Bridget is liberated from all that tiresomeness. I only hope the film doesn\ufffdt put the buckets of suffering she goes through down to her weight.\" Rachael Fleming, the film\ufffds costumier, has already received requests for one of Bridget\ufffds key outfits: a pair of red,penguin-patterned pyjamas purchased \ufffd shock \ufffd in an Oxfam store in East London. \ufffdThis is girl next door gets it wrong,\ufffd says Fleming. \ufffdIt\ufffds a look that is going to be hugely popular with loads of female urban professionals. Bridget wants to be sexy in a city where most single men are either gay or assholes. Her clothes are either concealing or, if she goes for it, flamboyant \ufffd like a distinctive Vivienne Westwood number for a publishing party.\ufffd Zellweger\ufffds beautiful choppy \ufffddo\ufffd has become Bridget\ufffds \ufffdbedhead\ufffd, set to be this spring\ufffds messy hit. \ufffdIt takes more work than you would think,\ufffd says colourist Jo Hansford. \ufffdPeople are already emulating it. Denise van Outen and Caprice tried their own variations at the Brits. Rough-dry your hair, leaving bits damp. Do a zig-zag parting. Add dulling wax. Let it dry. Let the roots grow through. That\ufffds Bridget Jones hair.\ufffd Like any W10-living PR professional, Bridget\ufffds wardrobe veers towards the smart, styled boho-grungy. Her long, shredded-style black coat is by Helmut Lang, a favoured grey hooded top by Copperwheat Blundell. Who needs the tease of La Perla or fiddly kinkiness of Agent Provocateur with Bridget\ufffds winning bedtime combo: a pair of pig pyjamas from Bella\ufffds, an unselfconsciously retro underwear and nightwear shop in Islington, North London? Her regulation black day trousers and sober, smart separates are Joseph. A barrage of stretchy blue and brown knitted scarves are by Nicole Farhi. Zellweger\ufffds least favourite outfit was a specially made bunny girl basque. Predictably, other pieces came from Jigsaw, French Connection, Warehouse, Hennes, Topshop and Marks & Spencer. \ufffdYoung, urban, distressed sums it up,\ufffd says Fleming, who nevertheless reveals a happyish ending. The outfit Bridget wears in the denouement as she and ideal lover Mark Darcy finally connect is a simple, elegant, black knitted cowl-neck mid-calf dress by Karen Millen. Says Fleming: \ufffdThe dress had to say \ufffdI\ufffdve finally got it right\ufffd.\ufffd ~~~~~~~~~ Her regulation black day trousers and sober, smart separates are Joseph. A barrage of stretchy blue and brown knitted scarves are by Nicole Farhi. tut tut tut The book specifically mentioned these two as designers Bridget knew she should buy but couldn't afford."}, {"response": 172, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (13:36)", "body": "In case you're been curious, this is Sharon Maguire: Pretty funny that she cast herself as a tall blonde. ;-D Now back to that reindeer pic (which I'll post again), aside from how youthful he looks (*a Mrs Stone moment*), which caption should I go with: Have you read any good books lately? or Maybe you should get something to eat (then he walks away)"}, {"response": 173, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (14:29)", "body": "Any thoughts on where they filmed this boating scene: I've put the other behind the scenes pics up on the Location page, but none are of Colin. :-("}, {"response": 174, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (14:52)", "body": "ROTFLOL! That sweater *screams* of bargain basement, off-season sale! My mother would (god help her) would buy something like that in a heartbeat. Sequins would've made it even better (She's just come back from Mexico City with an assortment of ponchos for me and my brother). Love it."}, {"response": 175, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (15:17)", "body": "Hotdog Magazine review, following screening - not very good only 2stars http://www.hotdogmagazine.com/reviews/cinema/bridget.shtml ."}, {"response": 176, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (16:56)", "body": "Toys for children: boy - Action Man, girl \ufffd Barbie doll. A generalisation, but for the most part it\ufffds true. Without stretching the point any further, be warned that if you\ufffdre male, this film will make you either sleep, puke or kill. Some of you ladies might suffer similarly, although all of the females at my screening seemed to be having a right laugh. I\ufffdm not averse to girlie films, if they\ufffdre witty, funny, or entertaining in any way, shape or form, but this was a confusing experience which left me feeling like I was stuck at a particularly irritating and insipid hen-night. Ren\ufffde Zellweger is admittedly very convincing, vaguely likeable and sporadically amusing. Hugh Grant is also good and rather than his trademark bumbling fop routine, he plays an arrogant bastard very well. Colin Firth makes the most out of an uninspiring character. But the performances can\ufffdt hide the fact that this is a painting by numbers fairy tale romantic comedy, with none of the wit, wry humour or belly laughs present in the book. Or so I'm told. In the interests of information you should know our reviewer consumed 84 calories, 6 units of alcohol, 4 nicorettes and thought about sex constantly during the screening. ~~~~~~~~~ Fairly ridiculous IMO even considering the source. Any Bridget responses, although I don't know if I'm going to bother putting this one up. ;-D"}, {"response": 177, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (17:01)", "body": "I'm *really* jumping the gun, but Amazon at least has the \"e-mail me when the Video/DVD is available\" option when you search for BJD movie. That's fairly recent. Of course, I signed up for notification. Still no soundtrack..."}, {"response": 178, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (17:08)", "body": "Mmmmm, just love the \"here I go a-barristering\" pic, so handsome. My cousin Guido has a pinstripe suit like that. From the Bada Bing label.;-) Karen, for the reindeer pic, how 'bout, \"and if you ever saw him . . .you would even say it glows.\" Thanks for the opinions on the accent. Very glad to hear that it sounds authentic; otherwise, would have ruined credibility in UK. Mark, don't panic yet. I for one will ignore Huge Growl and instead focus exclusively on debonair passerby/RZ driver/bodyguard/bouncer.:-) Sharon McG looks a bit like Bjork. Ann, do you suppoose the readers of Hotdog Magazine mirror the demographics of Horse and Hound? LOL! Thanks for posting the review; sounds like this kid is more the Dude, Where's My Car type. Don't worry--I have more faith in Baz, Mr. Beaks, Empire, the Reading and NY test audiences, etc."}, {"response": 179, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (17:25)", "body": "although all of the females at my screening seemed to be having a right laugh Exactly! Nuff said. Ren\ufffde Zellweger is admittedly very convincing, vaguely likeable and sporadically amusing. Hugh Grant is also good and rather than his trademark bumbling fop routine, he plays an arrogant bastard very well. Colin Firth makes the most out of an uninspiring character. So the performances are okay...what's the problem? Although the guy obviously misses the point completely about Mark Darcy! One to be ignored (although I suspect that there will be others like it). This guy would snore through Pride and Prejudice, and would rate Dude Drive my Car as a 5 star experience!"}, {"response": 180, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (18:03)", "body": "Agree wholeheartedly about the accent v accurate. Mark - it's looking bad for me personally. That scene where HG growls in the car is MY scene I thought it sounded like your scene I suspect the best I can now hope for is a freeze-frame one day with me telling friends \"that guy behind him...there, in the suit...did you see it?...no, no head, just an arm...it's me...honestly ...does this mean we'll have to cancel your first night party?? :-) Oooh just lurve those pics Karen. The boyish reindeer one has shades of Joe Prince d'ya think? Mari....yup I'm afraid I have been known to 'Okie'. It's not a pretty sight but it's a darn good laugh ..all together now 'Can't liiiiiive, if living is without yooooooooouu' ....and there we all were looking forward to your first night party"}, {"response": 181, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (18:03)", "body": "(Allison) ...am off to Nepal Take tummy medicine ...pleeeze. Or we'll never see you again;-) (Ben)\"it passes the mustard\". ....and they all amble off, shaking their heads. It cuts the mustard, or it passes muster. :-) God knows where these expressions come from (is the second something to do with the army?). I certainly don't see why passing the mustard should be any worse than cutting it. But there you are. Hey Ben...if you're gonna give a correction, I insist on the etymolgy of the phrase. None of this...\"But there you are\"..;-))) Karen) Any thoughts on where they filmed this boating scene: [Picture on response #173] Looks like Greenwich in the background."}, {"response": 182, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (18:27)", "body": "(Mari) Sharon McG looks a bit like Bjork. I was about to say the same thing... Bjork + 10 years"}, {"response": 183, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (19:22)", "body": "Evelyn _ I don't think it's Greenwich, if you mean the Queens House (White House as I believe it hasn't got a dome. I'm thinking that it could be somewhere further west like Kew or Richmond (Kings Observatory?) - but then of course it could be somewhere else entirely outside London...I'm no help at all really am I? ;-)"}, {"response": 184, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (21:46)", "body": ". I'm thinking that it could be somewhere further west like Kew or Richmond (Kings Observatory?) Let's ask the resident expert... Ben...?"}, {"response": 185, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (22:50)", "body": "From the Independent: Radio highlights The Funniest Thing I Ever Heard (3.30pm R4 Mon) Every weekday afternoon, R4 is inviting listeners to phone in and select one of two stories in aid of Comic Relief. The first choices are John Sessions reading from WC Sellar and RJ Yeatman's 1066 and All That, and Josie Lawrence reciting an excerpt from Bridget Jones' Diary by Helen Fielding. ~~~~~~ that's 10:30 am Eastern. You can hear BBC Radio 4 online."}, {"response": 186, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar  9, 2001 (23:36)", "body": "(Mari), Karen, for the reindeer pic, how 'bout, \"and if you ever saw him . . .you would even say it glows.\" ROTFLOL! He's my favourite reindeer. ;-) Thank you all for such laughs. Are we getting in the mood??';-) Love the barrister collar. But you know I like men dressed formality."}, {"response": 187, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sat, Mar 10, 2001 (03:45)", "body": "(Mari), Karen, for the reindeer pic, how 'bout, \"and if you ever saw him . . .you would even say it glows.\" (Moon) ROTFLOL! He's my favourite reindeer. ;-) Now that passes the mustard. :-)"}, {"response": 188, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sat, Mar 10, 2001 (08:59)", "body": "(Moon) But you know I like men dressed formality. LOL! Do chains count? ;-) Agree with the general sentiment about that Hotdog (no doubt Freudian phallic symbol) Mag review. Last line says it all: reviewer consumed far too many calories, drank too many alcohol units and was too preoccupied with sex to get it. ;-) Know what you mean about the Bada Bing suit, Mari. My cousin Silvio has one also. (Mari) and if you ever saw him . . .you would even say it glows.\" *snort* Though I like the 'read any good books lately' line best, Karen. My sentiments will always lean toward the book."}, {"response": 189, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 10, 2001 (09:40)", "body": "I've always used lines from the book for the pictures, although I did make one exception for when RZ notices our v. talented and soon-to-be star across the street. Don't you worry, Mark, I'll be watching for your arm and not paying one iota of attention to the growler."}, {"response": 190, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 10, 2001 (10:04)", "body": "\"Now that passes the mustard. \":-) LOL. Etymology of both in Odds and Ends #136 thanks to the Boss. Plus my response:-)))))"}, {"response": 191, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 10, 2001 (11:42)", "body": "Mohammed Comes to the Mountain!!! A friend has just told me that Colin is going to be on the Today show on March 22. So that's when the BJD junket will take place and all will be in NY doing interviews and shows. Will have to scour the listings that week for the other shows (GMA, the View, Rosie, etc.) Doesn't Today broadcast with that window to the street?"}, {"response": 192, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Mar 10, 2001 (12:32)", "body": "(Moon) But you know I like men dressed formality. (Eileen),LOL! Do chains count? ;-) That was 2 years ago, and a very wild birthday party! LOL! I see you still remember it. ;-) Colin is going to be on the Today show on March 22. (Falling off chair), I will believe it when I see it! ;-))) I hope this is a show that my dish picks up."}, {"response": 193, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Sat, Mar 10, 2001 (14:47)", "body": "Yes!!!! I'm going to the city (NYC)!!! Yes, the Today Show does have the window on the street, at Rockefeller Center! Thanks for the heads-up Karen!"}, {"response": 194, "author": "tamzin", "date": "Sat, Mar 10, 2001 (15:43)", "body": "Wondered if it could have been Chiswick House in the location shot as this has a dome and there is a lake in the grounds but rather think this might have a flat dome with no spire on top."}, {"response": 195, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Sat, Mar 10, 2001 (17:28)", "body": "Karen, Thanks for the word on the Today Show. Will start taping daily soon, so as not to miss it! Wonder if Katie has ever watched P & P ... We're going to be in NYC on \"premiere\" weekend [Easter](seeing DFL among other things). Too late for the Today Show! To see CF, would make fool of self at Rockefeller Plaza in front of millions!"}, {"response": 196, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sat, Mar 10, 2001 (19:41)", "body": "Huge Growl Grunt. :-)"}, {"response": 197, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 10, 2001 (22:28)", "body": "Janet told me this article existed so I looked it up. More info on the soundtrack from USA Today on March 2: Bridget Jones's album When Bridget Jones makes the leap from page to screen next month, she'll be joined by a bevy of pop stars. The soundtrack for the film version of Bridget Jones's Diary, Helen Fielding's international best seller about a thirtysomething single woman with a decidedly wry perspective, will showcase other campy Brits and independent-minded women. All songs on the Island Records soundtrack -- due in stores April 3, 10 days before the movie's release -- are either originals or previously unreleased cover versions. Shelby Lynne, the winner of this year's Grammy for best new artist, will introduce a pair of new tunes, Dreamsome and The Killing Kind, the album's first single. A double dose of Robbie Williams will include Frank Sinatra's Have You Met Miss Jones?, while erstwhile Spice Girl Geri Halliwell will deliver the Weather Girls chestnut It's Raining Men. Other featured artists include Lucinda Williams, Tracy Bonham, Texas, Gabrielle and Island newcomer Rosey. The CD's multimedia bonus is an exclusive excerpt from the book's sequel, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, as well as a \"Bridget-O- Meter quiz\" and interviews and discussions with Fielding."}, {"response": 198, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 10, 2001 (22:29)", "body": "Didn't I say it sounded like Frank Sinatra? ;-D"}, {"response": 199, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Mar 11, 2001 (03:48)", "body": "Colin is going to be on the Today show on March 22. He's finally smelling the mustard.......oops, coffee! :-)"}, {"response": 200, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 11, 2001 (13:57)", "body": "Gabrielle's website has put up the music vid. They (real player and windows media) weren't working for me right now, but perhaps they will later. I've linked them from the music page. http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjdmusic.html"}, {"response": 201, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 11, 2001 (16:02)", "body": "Have been watching the music video and the trailer on a cable connection. Mmmmmm much better. I think Eileen asked who says, \"to Bridget, who we love.\" It is Tom. Can see perfectly lifting his glass in the toast. The music vid does have lots of Colin as Judy said, especially the fight scene: the karate kick, being tackled by HG and going *splash* through the plate glass window, and CF punching him. But the most incredible thing is it shows Bridget discovering DC's girlfriend in the bathroom, sitting on the edge of the tub with only a large book (or something) in front of her. Also, reindeer sweater is shown, as camera pans..."}, {"response": 202, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Mar 11, 2001 (16:06)", "body": "Can't wait to see the video. Thanks Karen. According to Gabrielle's schedule she is due to appear on GMTV on the 23rd March and she and the video will also be on Popworld Channel 4 Sunday 25th March. 9.30am."}, {"response": 203, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Mar 11, 2001 (16:46)", "body": "I too can't wait to see the video. I tried both Real Player and WIndows Media versions but each missed differing bits out and weren't that clear - but did see reindeer so not all bad. Mari - I'm afraid I was BJ-ing it last night screeching 'It's Raining Men' at the top of my voice at a 21st birthday bash AND wearing big pants. If only there was an MD type lurking in the vol-au-vents the evening would have been complete ;-D Lastly - a reminder that Bridget Jones's Guide to Life goes on sale from tomorrow \ufffd2-50 (\ufffd2 to Comic Relief)"}, {"response": 204, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar 11, 2001 (17:09)", "body": "Happy belated birthday, Tracy! And, thanks for the talk show info."}, {"response": 205, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Sun, Mar 11, 2001 (18:42)", "body": "Spoiler below? Thanks for the video links, Karen. Was lovely on my cable connection. I *assume* she's in bed with Daniel in that one scene? Poor, misguided BJ..."}, {"response": 206, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 11, 2001 (22:26)", "body": ""}, {"response": 207, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 11, 2001 (22:26)", "body": "From what I could see, you assume correctly. :-( (Looking at my list, Tracy's bday is nowhere near now, but we one is coming up shortly.)"}, {"response": 208, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 11, 2001 (22:39)", "body": "From Ananova: Harry and Bridget authors write for Comic Relief Student wizard Harry Potter and weight-obsessed Bridget Jones do not have much in common, but both are caught up in Comic Relief's red nose fever. Harry Potter's creator JK Rowling and Helen Fielding, who wrote the Bridget Jones diaries, have put pen to paper to produce short stories for the charity. The books are being sold for \ufffd2.50 each, with \ufffd2 profit going to charitable projects at home and abroad to coincide with Red Nose Day on March 16. Fielding's offering is Bridget Jones's Guide to Life, where the hapless Bridget offers top tips on how to give the perfect dinner party, handle all accounting and, of course, never put on a pound in weight. After the success of her two Bridget Jones diaries, Fielding was keen to help Comic Relief. She says: \"I was honoured. I have been more than lucky with Bridget and was more than pleased to help.\" The books will be sold in supermarkets and bookshops across the country, with publishers, printers, type-setters and retailers all offering their services for free or at a discount."}, {"response": 209, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Mar 12, 2001 (05:42)", "body": "My first reaction was that it was Marble Hill House, in Twickenham. (You can see the front of it here: http://www.guidetorichmond.co.uk/marblehill.html , and one of the rooms here: http://www.leisurehunt.com/info/mahihs.htm) . But I'm by no means sure. Chiswick House is not so close to the river, and has the famous Octagon, not visible here. Other nice houses on the river in west London are Syon House and Ham House, but it's certainly neither of those."}, {"response": 210, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Mar 12, 2001 (06:05)", "body": "p.s. I grew up in Richmond, within a stone's throw (well - a mile, anyway) of Marble Hill House, so I will do a bit of sleuthing on my next riverside walk. If I wasn't such a luddite I'd take a picture and somehow get it on this site. But since I have neither camera nor scanner, I can't. p.p.s. Can one of you tell me quite WHY CF in his coutroom get-up is even more attractive than usual, if such a thing were possible? Is it merely the effect of a uniform? Or is it more nuanced than that? In the interests of research, please picture the Firth in the following uniforms and then rank them as best you can: 1. Private soldier 2. Officer (Major, say) 3. Officer in Guards regiment (Blues and Royals, say) 4. Police constable 5. Fireman 6. Ambulanceman 7. Merchant Sea captain (white jersey with anchor, blue cap, pipe) 8. RN (Royal Navy) sailor (bell-bottoms, plain white shirt with blue collar) 9. RN officer 10. Lollipop man 11. Milkman 12. Fighter pilot 13. Commerical airline pilot 14. Scout leader 15. Huntsman 16. Village people (leather + chains) 17. Anything else."}, {"response": 211, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 12, 2001 (07:45)", "body": "17. Anything else. Garbage Man"}, {"response": 212, "author": "aishling", "date": "Mon, Mar 12, 2001 (07:55)", "body": "The trailer shown on GMTV was BJ at the Fire Station sliding down the pole. Very funny. Neil Pearson is Peter Finch, Editor of the tv show."}, {"response": 213, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 12, 2001 (07:57)", "body": "Thanks for the offer to go sleuthing, Ben. But we have no evidence that the house in question is in Richmond or its environs. That may be a river or a small lake. It could be anywhere. (Ben) Can one of you tell me quite WHY CF in his coutroom get-up is even more attractive than usual, if such a thing were possible? The serious look and absence of ill-fitting collar. The pinstripe of that suit is a bit too pronounced (or badda bing) for my taste, but I won't complain too much. Is it merely the effect of a uniform? No, I'd take him out of uniform as well. ;-D"}, {"response": 214, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Mar 12, 2001 (08:24)", "body": "So one should add 18. Birthday suit"}, {"response": 215, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 12, 2001 (09:51)", "body": "(Karen) Didn't I say it sounded like Frank Sinatra? ;-D Yep! (Karen) I think Eileen asked who says, \"to Bridget, who we love.\" It is Tom. Can see perfectly lifting his glass in the toast. Yes it was me. Thanks. I thought it was Tom (after the umpteenth viewing)."}, {"response": 216, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 12, 2001 (10:24)", "body": "Grr, windows media is not showing me the Gabrielle vid, though I can hear the music (v.v. nice). Has this happened to anyone else?"}, {"response": 217, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 12, 2001 (11:02)", "body": "I had better (although not great) results with the Real Player option on my pathetic (noncable-connected) PC here at home. Didn't get the whole thing, but a couple of times it stopped on a Colin shot."}, {"response": 218, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar 12, 2001 (12:23)", "body": "Here's the word from Miramax: the New York premiere for BJD will be on Monday, April 2. No other details available right now."}, {"response": 219, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 12, 2001 (12:27)", "body": "And WOT was the matter with Sunday night? Gaaah!!! What will it cost to change my ticket? This is not fair. Not fair, I say. Thanks, Mari, for prying the info out of Miraclejaws. ;-D"}, {"response": 220, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Mar 12, 2001 (12:32)", "body": "WOT, I don't beleive it, so near yet so far. thanks Mari."}, {"response": 221, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 12, 2001 (12:37)", "body": "And a little silly story about RZ and Bridget: http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4150337,00.html"}, {"response": 222, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 12, 2001 (13:22)", "body": "Wheee! It took a few tries, but Gabrielle video worked this time. Woohoo! Love the lovely Mark Darcy shots. Love the reindeer. Will have them rolling in the aisles."}, {"response": 223, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 12, 2001 (14:06)", "body": "I received an email from a person who has seen the Comic Relief book, as she works in a book shop. Said it is very good, too short and with an excellent glossary."}, {"response": 224, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Mar 12, 2001 (15:16)", "body": "Not having much luck with the Gabrielle video. Media Player just gives sound and not video - just the Microsoft MP logo! When I click on Real Player, something called AOL media player is loaded, not Real Player. Does anyone else using AOL have this problem?"}, {"response": 225, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar 12, 2001 (15:21)", "body": "Karen, You must change your return! I will be in LA, I thought they would have the US premiere there, where the author lives! NOT FAIR! You must go Karen! No ifs or buts about it! :-D"}, {"response": 226, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Mar 12, 2001 (15:29)", "body": "Moon - thanks for the birthday wishes but as Karen says it's not actually for ages yet. ODBs comes before mine! Ben - 11. Milkman ROTFL 10. Lollipop Man ROTFLMAO Re Marie Claire BJ feature. Someone may have posted this before if so - sorry *must pay attention* But - there is a premium rate phone number to ring to be entered into a draw for tickets to the premiere or one of the first night screenings around the UK (London, Glasgow and Leeds). Call 0906 6166266 by 4th April call costs around 80p"}, {"response": 227, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Mar 12, 2001 (15:35)", "body": "Ooohh News Flash!! have just checked out CD Now and they've got the soundtrack on pre-order http://www.cdnow.com/cgi-bin/mserver/SID=1644115305/pagename=/RP/CDN/FIND/album.html/artistid=BRIDGET+JONES%27+DIARY/itemid=1356847 No details of the tracks ;-("}, {"response": 228, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Mar 12, 2001 (16:52)", "body": "Well Karen, depending on what airline?? $75 to $100 to change ticket..... You have to go and take pics!!! I'll even send you digital camera (hoping Bill won't notice I took camera again...)"}, {"response": 229, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Mon, Mar 12, 2001 (17:33)", "body": "I'll take him in or out of uniform, Ben. Thank you."}, {"response": 230, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar 12, 2001 (17:35)", "body": "Moon, the La La Land premiere is probably later that week. That's what Miramax usually does for major releases, NY then LA. Tracy, thanks for the ordering info for the CD. And I'm glad to hear it's still raining men in your neck of the woods.;-) I think I had better stick to the torch songs . . .Can't liiiiiive, can't liive any moooooooooore . . .. OOF, have just woken up every dog in neighborhood.:-)"}, {"response": 231, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar 12, 2001 (17:44)", "body": "Moon, the La La Land premiere is probably later that week. That's what Miramax usually does for major releases, NY then LA. Mari, please let me know when your friends at Marimax (;-) give you the date. Karen, you can always come to LA and do it together. :-D)))))))"}, {"response": 232, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Mar 12, 2001 (19:02)", "body": "Moon! Email me! We must get together when you're in town! Karen-- I'm guessing the change may be $75 (on United Airlines). American, I think, charges $100 for changes. I have a feeling the BJD LA premiere will be in Westwood, Moon. This is good news, as I can walk easily down from campus to camp out, etc."}, {"response": 233, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar 12, 2001 (20:29)", "body": "(Moon) please let me know when your friends at Marimax (;-) give you the date. PFFFT! Moon, I was lucky they didn't call Security on me like last time.;-) She's ba--aack.;-) Was able to watch the Gabrielle video. Nice to see fresh shots of MD.:-) Is that him doing the karate kick? That scene is dark and I couldn't be sure. Must have been part of Cornell's training!"}, {"response": 234, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar 12, 2001 (20:51)", "body": "LOL, Mari! But we must have the LA date! I have a feeling the BJD LA premiere will be in Westwood, Moon. Westwood would be great. I much prefer it to the G Chinese Theatre. I will e-mail you Winter."}, {"response": 235, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 12, 2001 (22:28)", "body": "Anybody want to crash a conference in Santa Barbara? ;-D From the Financial Times (3/13): The Bacara Resort & Spa in Santa Barbara boasts fresh ocean air and breathtaking views. Hopefully, those organic features will combine to produce enough oxygen to support all the hot air at this week's Talk Innovators and Navigators conference, a star-studded confab organised by an unlikely team: Talk magazine and UBS PaineWebber. The fun kicks off tonight with opening remarks from \"Queen of Talk\" Tina Brown and PaineWebber chairman Don Marron. But the evening's main attraction will surely be a conversation between General Electric chief Jack Welch and New York mayor Rudy Giuliani on \"How to run a Multi-Billion-Dollar Corporation\". (Sadly for the mayor, some corporations pay better than others, as Welch's Dollars 16.7m pay package demonstrates.) The talking continues on Wednesday and Thursday, including sessions on \"Is Greed Killing Culture?\"; \"Hollywood in the 21st Century: How do Innovators Survive?\"; and \"Intellectual Property: Innovation in a World of Unwritten Laws\". There will also be a sneak preview of Bridget Jones's Diary, an upcoming Miramax film. It isn't the most obvious fare for the brokerage but PaineWebber says it decided to be there to scout out media deals."}, {"response": 236, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Mar 12, 2001 (22:41)", "body": "I'm wondering if the BJD press junkets are taking place in NYC or in LA (or both?). Has anyone got info. on this? Re: Santa Barbara conference: The talking continues on Wednesday and Thursday, including sessions on \"Is Greed Killing Culture?\"; \"Hollywood in the 21st Century: How do Innovators Survive?\"; and \"Intellectual Property: Innovation in a World of Unwritten Laws\". This actually sounds interesting (I'm writing a paper right now on intellectual property in the arts industry). Wish I could go."}, {"response": 237, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Mar 13, 2001 (04:05)", "body": "Pitiful response to my uniform question. I still haven't worked out why the coutroom clothes were so alluring. Masterful and dominant, perhaps. Regina vs. Firthette: \"I put it to you, Firthette, that, on the day in question, you did unashamedly, and uncontrollably fancy me, counsel for the prosecution, without any forethought whatever. Your defence - that you simply enjoy coutrooms - is clearly a tissue of lies.\""}, {"response": 238, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Mar 13, 2001 (04:44)", "body": "There's a Hughie article in this month's Elle magazine. Front cover announces \"Hugh Grant in black leather\". The mag is wrapped up in a heavy duty polythene shopping bag with handles, and sealed with sellotape, but I still managed to prise it open and sneak a peak (never say buy!) Major photospread of Hughie in black leather jacket open to the waist revealing hairless chest. \"Sexy devil Hugh - Hugh Grant is BJ's lover, and he's bad and v.v.sexy.....tanned, well toned body\". Y-e-ee-u-ch! There's lot's of text but as I was squinting through a one inch gap I couldn't read any more. Not sure what my reaction would be to CF in similar garb. Funnily enough, I think I think I'd be very disappointed in him. To answer your question Ben, a barrister's outfit..the high white collar, the well cut suit..is far more alluring than an exposed bare chest and black leather. It's the aloofness, intellectual superiority, the apparent unattainability (but with some hidden promise)...it's the difference between erotic and \"sexy\". So it's all happening in New York! Interviews and premieres. I wonder if CF will meet up with JE and Alan Cumming. BTW CF's sister, Kate/Katie , was acting in New York recently, appearing in off-off Broadway productions...Chekhov, Ibsen, and something called \"Finally\" by US playwright Steven Berber, for which she got good reviews."}, {"response": 239, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Mar 13, 2001 (04:57)", "body": "BTW CF's sister, Kate/Katie , was acting in New York recently, appearing in off-off Broadway productions...Chekhov, Ibsen, and something called \"Finally\" by US playwright Steven Berber, for which she got good reviews. Now Bethan tell, how did you find that out? Do you have inside information? Ben, re the barrister garb. It must be what's inside the suit that matters. I get to see quite a lot of barristers in my line of work (no, I am not usually in the dock) and I must confess they usually leave me cold. I agree with Bethan about black leather. Don't you think HG and CF are getting a bit old for that?"}, {"response": 240, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Mar 13, 2001 (05:00)", "body": "oh that \"old\" did not come out right it should have been very small with a sign saying IMVHO;-)"}, {"response": 241, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Mar 13, 2001 (05:09)", "body": "Pitiful response . . . with the exception of Karen, of course. With regard to the water shot, I thought it had been narrowed down somewhat. Where's the scene in the book? Can you remind me when the film is coming out in England? Moon: Marimax A Freudian slip?"}, {"response": 242, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Mar 13, 2001 (06:08)", "body": "Sorry. Now I missed all the other explanations. My research is complete. I'm afraid leather jackets over bare chests say \"Wham\". They surely go together with screaming 13-yr olds and shuttlecocks in tennis shorts (an old Wham trick, apparently). And what's with the leather trousers these days? I went to a party on Saturday, and met an old friend, now nearer 40 than 30, sporting a pair. If I'd been a little soberer, I'd've refrained from telling him that he was as well suited to the the leather trews as most Jerry Springer guests are to spandex. But I wasn't and didn't. He claimed his wife wanted him to wear them, but I simply couldn't believe that. She is a sensible and discriminating woman. It's one thing to look like an ageing rocker if you ARE an ageing rocker. But if you're a museum curator, it's surely de trop."}, {"response": 243, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 13, 2001 (07:28)", "body": "including sessions on \"Is Greed Killing Culture?\"; It has already killed it. See youth today. Moon: Marimax (Ben),A Freudian slip? Moi? Never Freudian always Jungian. ;-) (Bethan), It's the aloofness, intellectual superiority, the apparent unattainability (but with some hidden promise)...it's the difference between erotic and \"sexy\". Tr\ufffds sexy!"}, {"response": 244, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 13, 2001 (09:37)", "body": "Bookstore contact says that the Bridget Comic Relief book is all rehashed material. But is rather inexpensive and almost all goes to charity."}, {"response": 245, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Mar 13, 2001 (11:19)", "body": "(Ben) shuttlecocks in tennis shorts (an old Wham trick, apparently). Really? Well I'll be damned... (Bethan) So it's all happening in New York! Interviews and premieres. I was afraid of that."}, {"response": 246, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, Mar 13, 2001 (11:42)", "body": "Marimax... A Freudian slip? No, just a deliberate flattery! ;-D"}, {"response": 247, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Mar 13, 2001 (12:24)", "body": "Is Greed killing culture? Maybe, but not before it's killed waistlines. shuttlecocks in tennis shorts (an old Wham trick, apparently). Really? Well I'll be damned... (Winter) Winter, you have a touching faith, if that's the right phrase, in Wham's credentials. These people will do anything to sell records. Who knows, maybe the Firth wears a wig? Just think: if he was the Hollywood film star you all crave him to be, he would already have had his first facelift. He'd have been through a couple of marriages, a fair amount of drugs and years upon years of therapy. He probably wouldn't be able to call his glutei maximi his own. How on earth could you wish all that on the man?"}, {"response": 248, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, Mar 13, 2001 (13:19)", "body": "if he was the Hollywood film star you all crave him to be All????????????? Watch your language, young man! Or your glutei maximi might receive severe punishment."}, {"response": 249, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 13, 2001 (14:11)", "body": "How on earth could you wish all that on the man? Ben, you mistake our meaning. We like him at reach. We just would like to see him a bit more often and in roles that appeal to our cultural side. Mark Darcy was a role written for him and which to his own admission, he debated taking. Does that make any sense to you?"}, {"response": 250, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Mar 13, 2001 (14:20)", "body": "(Ben) Winter, you have a touching faith, if that's the right phrase, in Wham's credentials. Dear Ben, how could I not? George Michael and Andrew Ridgley occupied a good deal of my adolescent musings! Shuttlecocks or not, they hold a sentimental place in my heart. (Who was it for you? Debbie Boone, no doubt). ;-P \"Has 'Wham!\" killed culture?\""}, {"response": 251, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 13, 2001 (16:41)", "body": "I feel like an MI6 spymaster. Have sent out one of my operatives (the bookstore person) to take a closer look at the plastic-encased Elle magazine contents. She has no qualms about ripping it open in the course of doing her job. Will let you know if there are any relevant details."}, {"response": 252, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Wed, Mar 14, 2001 (00:18)", "body": "Don't remember if anyone brought this up, but I finally got to reading my copy of Entertainment Weekly (Jessica Alba cover) and saw this: Special Advance Screening for Bridget Jones's Diary, for the following cities: Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco & Washington, DC. To enter, go to http://www.ew.com/freescreening"}, {"response": 253, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Mar 14, 2001 (04:23)", "body": "Debbie Boone? I must confess I hadn't heard of her. But I looked her up on Amazon, and she isn't too hard on the eye. What's more, according to one of her Amazon reviewers, \"Debby Boone is a much finer singer than critics have claimed\". Now there's an endorsement! No. My musings, such as they were, were more centred round one Lindy Ambrose, a luscious cellist I used to play with. And a few other assorted musicians who would send me puce with the merest hint of a glance. Took another look at that photograph, and the boating scene in the trailer. Marble Hill House? What a load of b*llocks. Couldn't possibly be. Idiotic suggestion. Must be a lake; but don't know where."}, {"response": 254, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 14, 2001 (07:42)", "body": "OK, ticket will be changed today."}, {"response": 255, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Mar 14, 2001 (07:51)", "body": "Does that make any sense to you? (Moon) Sorry, Moon. No offence meant. But, like the appearance of daffodils in spring (they've just started to come out here), a periodic flaring up of the CF career debate is part of the natural order of things :-)"}, {"response": 256, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 14, 2001 (10:16)", "body": "Sorry, Moon. No offence meant. Ben! Amici come prima, no offence taken I assure you. Bravissima, Karen! Have a wonderful time, take lots of pictures, and don't ask him about TIOBE. We want you in the best of moods. ;-)))"}, {"response": 257, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Mar 14, 2001 (10:20)", "body": "Thanks for the info., Marianne!!! Are you going? JanaH, are you out there? Shall we make this another outing?"}, {"response": 258, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Mar 14, 2001 (10:23)", "body": "ROTFLOL, Ben. I was only teasing about Debbie Boone. (Karen) OK, ticket will be changed today. It'll be worth the change fee, I assure you."}, {"response": 259, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Wed, Mar 14, 2001 (11:01)", "body": "winter: Of course ... even without tickets I'd show up."}, {"response": 260, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 14, 2001 (14:38)", "body": "Let me know if they give an LA date. I can't sign up from Miami because they don't have a screening set up here. How provincial! Don't they know we travel? ;-) I hate not knowing dates!"}, {"response": 261, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Mar 14, 2001 (15:06)", "body": "Arena magazine (British lad-mag) features Embeth Davidtz this month - \"shortly to be playing an office harpy in BJD\" - article* accompanied by tiny picture of ED standing next to CF at some formal function, CF wearing a ghastly red tie with white snowmen on. Natasha's taste, perhaps? (Apolgies if this picture - and tie - is old news) *Article is, of course, excuse to show huge photo of ED in stockings"}, {"response": 262, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar 14, 2001 (15:09)", "body": "If someone in the LA area called the Miramax office out there, I'm sure they could give you a date for the LA premiere (if there is to be one). Renee is the cover story in the new April issue of Premiere magazine: \"Sex & The Singleton Girl--Renee Zellweger Carries On With Bridget Jones.\" Big spread inside, but no pics from the film. However, there is a 4-page advertisement for Diet Coke (they're giving away a trip to London in their \"Visit Bridget Sweepstakes\") that includes a new pic of Colin from the film, plus the turtleneck one we like. In the new pic, CF looks like he's in the same turtleneck and coat, and holding up what appears to be a diary (giving BJ a new one, as we're heard?) Or maybe it's a can of Coke.;-) ;-) Back to the article, Colin is quoted: \"On set,\" says Colin Firth, who plays the straight arrow to Hugh Grant's rogue in the film's skewed love triangle, \"Renee was absolutely indefatigable and in good humor, even through three weeks of night shoots. She was friendly and available to everyone on a scale I've never seen from a major actor. I kept thinking, 'What's the catch, when's it gonna change?'\" Like the rest of the company, he rallied around her when the British gutter press indicted her as a \"Texan comic\" who had grabbed a role a homegrown actress (say, Kate Winslet or Helena Bonham Carter) might have had."}, {"response": 263, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Wed, Mar 14, 2001 (16:21)", "body": "Wow, Karen. I think your picture must be next to the word obsession in the dictionary! You put us all to shame."}, {"response": 264, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Mar 14, 2001 (17:02)", "body": "Oooh, have just heard \"Out of Reach\" on Radio 2 for the first time. It was on the Richard Allison Show and he mentioned that there was a Special Screening last night, also mentioned that it starred Colin Firth. Would not comment on the film said \"I will say no more\", or something like that, I would rather he had said something!!"}, {"response": 265, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 14, 2001 (20:51)", "body": "(Mark) Embeth Davidtz this month - \"shortly to be playing an office harpy in BJD\" Office harpy? Does this top family barrister now work at one of Bridget's places of employ? tiny picture of ED standing next to CF at some formal function, CF wearing a ghastly red tie with white snowmen on. Natasha's taste, perhaps? Possibly near end of film (Christmas time), where Mark and Natasha's engagement is supposed to be announced and Bridget fesses up. Sheesh if Embeth is doing publicity for the film, then they (British press) are saving the best for last. Mmmmmmmm ;-D (Mari) CF looks like he's in the same turtleneck and coat, and holding up what appears to be a diary (giving BJ a new one, as we're heard?) Definitely end of film and are together...finally. Quite nice and eloquent words from our boy re: RZ. Never lets you down, does he. ;-) I think your picture must be next to the word obsession in the dictionary! Good gracious, no. NO. No."}, {"response": 266, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Mar 15, 2001 (08:22)", "body": "Love the fact that ongoing BJD publicity continues to include ODB (formerly known as 'the invisible man'). Good, good, good. (Karen, aka 'the obsessive' ;-)) Quite nice and eloquent words from our boy re: RZ. Never lets you down, does he. ;-) No, he never does. Though one would never expect to hear anything negative said about a costar, CF does have an original and sincere way of expressing his opinion."}, {"response": 267, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Mar 15, 2001 (11:09)", "body": "And imagine how his big brown eyes would look while he is being so sincere!"}, {"response": 268, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar 15, 2001 (15:10)", "body": "Yes, he is always a gentleman. To be fair, Hugh made some very nice comments also, but I didn't feel like typing them out.;-) HG is the cover boy of the April Biography mag; no leather though.;-) Talks about how it was a \"blessed relief\" to play the cad Cleaver and that people mistakenly think he's the endearing bumbler of previous roles, but that he's actually closer to Cleaver. It's a very flattering article."}, {"response": 269, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar 15, 2001 (15:30)", "body": "From the Mirror: RACHEL FACES BEAUTY BAN STUNNING actress Rachel Weisz was turned down for the lead role in Bridget Jones's Diary. Her problem? She was too beautiful for the role, according to the film's director Sharon Maguire. Sharon tells Harpers & Queen: \"She was very funny. And of course she was beautiful - too beautiful for the part in fact.\" That doesn't say much for Renee Zellweger who eventually did get the part, does it now?"}, {"response": 270, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 15, 2001 (18:13)", "body": "Yes and no. RZ is what I'd call \"cute\" not beautiful, although we know Ben would call her gorgeous. Rachel Weisz...ummm...never really thought about her looks, but she is not and IMO cute was necessary. Bridgt couldn't be beautiful, stunning or gorgeous. And besides, what has Rachel Weisz done that was \"funny\"? Without makeup...maybe"}, {"response": 271, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar 15, 2001 (20:37)", "body": "I can't think of any comedy she's done either, unless you count The Mummy, but there was nothing comedic about her role. I think RZ looks more like a regular person (or can be made to look like one) than RW, and she has a very down to earth, very accessible screen persona which I've never sensed in RW. Plus, of course, she is an excellent comic actress. I think they chose well.:-) BTW, in the Premiere article they mention/confirm that the early word on the film is good. Interview was done right before she returned to London for the \"looping\" sessions."}, {"response": 272, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 15, 2001 (22:46)", "body": "Now they are taking snippets from magazine articles and creating news items with those. From Ananova: Renee Zellweger's boobs refused to grow for Bridget Jones Renee Zellweger piled on the pounds for her next film role, but could not get her boobs to grow. The actress stuffed herself with junk food to fill out for her part in Bridget Jones's Diary. But her breasts didn't follow suit, so she resorted to a pair of falsies. Zellweger had to transform herself into a curvy size 12 for the film. The 32-year-old Texan told Ananova: \"The whole thing was weird. I have never had so much food in my refrigerator. I didn't go around staring at my body in the bathroom but I felt good. I felt quite sexy about the way I looked. \"I'm back on my Los Angeles diet now. The funny thing is that I never needed to wear a bra because I was so boyish when I was younger.\" Zellweger spent eight months in the UK making the film, which is released next month. Voice coach Barbara Berkery - who assisted Gwyneth Paltrow on Sliding Doors and Shakespeare in Love - helped refine Zellweger's London accent."}, {"response": 273, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 15, 2001 (23:01)", "body": "From The Independent (16 March): Help! I'm the real-life Bridget Jones Life was pretty unremarkable: she took pictures and went to the pub with friends. Then a newspaper column changed everything. For Bridget Jones, nothing would ever be the same BY BRIDGET JONES Tuesday 13 March Weight - 9st 2lb (fat because of heavy weekend away drinking and smoking to excess), alcohol units 13 (four pints of lager and two gin and slims to cancel out the fat content of the lager), cigarettes - more than 10 (lost count after the first three pints), fat content 236g (very naughty). Wake up this morning feeling depressed - not only have I broken my holiday diet and started smoking cigarettes after giving them up for Lent, but also, to my horror, I realise the opening of Bridget Jones the movie is imminent. My name is Bridget Jones, and until 1995 I led an unremarkable life. Then, The Independent started printing a weekly column by the phoney Bridget Jones (as I like to call her now), and my life began to change... Back in the early days, Bridget Jones wasn't a household name. My friends and I would get together and read \"her\" column and laugh about \"my\" stress of everyday life - wondering what hand my alter ego would deal me next. But as Bridget's popularity grew, her column would be promoted with big headlines splashed across the front page. They would read \"Bridget Jones has a bad hair day\" - on a day when I was genuinely suffering from not only a bad hair day, but also lack of rational thought and civilised behaviour (a hangover). I became more than sensitive to the issue. \"Bridget Jones gets fired\" was a particular joke among my colleagues. Numerous photocopies of the headline appeared, strategically Sellotaped to my drawers, desk diary and even the office coffee machine. My favourite headline was \"Bridget Jones gets a raise\" - you can guess the state of my manager's office by 9.30am. Sadly, on that occasion, life did not imitate art. At first it was a bit of fun, but with her increasing notoriety, brought about with the publication of her diaries in book form in 1996, it started to become a bit of a pain. It got to the point that whenever anyone asked my name, the response would be: \"No, really\", followed by inane giggling. It was a nightmare. In the pre-Bridget Jones era, I had been a confident, outgoing kind of a girl; now, I was struggling to carry out even the most simple daily tasks. I wasn't being taken seriously, and making appointments over the phone was like signing a cheque \"Mickey Mouse\". Visits to the bank, hairdresser, dentist and doctor's surgery became more and more difficult. What could be worse than having your name read out in a crowded waiting-room? \"Bridget Jones,\" the doctor announces. The waiting-room echoes with suppressed giggles. I hold my head up high and follow the doctor. \"Is that your real name?\" he asks. \"Mm.\" \"Sorry, you must get this all the time.\" \"That's OK.\" \"So, what's the problem... smoking too much, bingeing again, or is it Mr Darcy? Ha, ha.\" The scariest thing, though, is that we do have quite a few similarities. I'm not as obsessive as the phoney Jones, although I do weigh myself every day. My weight goes up and down - ideally I should be about 8st 13lb - but I occasionally go up to 10st. I don't count calories; I'm more interested in fat content. According to Rosemary Conley, you shouldn't eat anything that contains more than one gram of fat. Unfortunately, that rules out eating most normal food, and it becomes a tough choice between rhubarb stewed in diet lemonade and a mouthful of air. I usually start the day with good intentions, an apple and a cup of tea for breakfast, but by 11am I'm absolutely starving and desperately searching for a shop that sells bananas. Unfortunately, the best alternative the local newsagents can offer is a Mars bar; with 30 grams of fat, it means I shouldn't really eat for the next three days. Lunch has to be a Shapers skinny salad sandwich from Boots. But I've never been ashamed about eating, so after work I ring a friend and we get a Chinese takeaway. I've joined the gym more times than I can remember. I tend to think that paying the membership fee alone will get you fit. I've made a few attempts to go along with friends, but unfortunately there's a pub en route and we always seem to end up there instead. I guess I do drink and smoke a lot more than I should. I try to ration myself to 10 fags a day, but on a bad day, I can smoke my way through up to three packets. I've found the best policy is, once you get into double figures, just to stop counting. I always make sure I combine a heavy lager-drinking session with gin slims, as it eases my calorie conscience. I've been on a diet for the past three weeks, but this weekend my drinking spiralled out of control. It started on Thursday, and by Sunday the total alcohol count was about 40 units. And after a seven-day religious break from fags, I was determined to make up for lost time. One of my best frien"}, {"response": 274, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Thu, Mar 15, 2001 (23:48)", "body": "(winter) Thanks for the info., Marianne!!! Are you going? JanaH, are you out there? Shall we make this another outing? Yes, I'm heeerrre!! Winter and Marianne, I think this definitely smells like an occasion for an outing of the So Cal contingent! Chardonnay and Milk Tray anyone?"}, {"response": 275, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Mar 16, 2001 (01:55)", "body": "Bad news Ladies, no UK Premiere tickets! Have had a lter from UIP today as follows; \"The Premierel of BJD has been confirmed fo5r Wednesday 4th April, 2001 at the UCI Empire London, and will be attended by the cast. The Premiere will be held in aid of Charity, but unfortunately the limited number of tickets that were made available for sale have been purchased by companies associated with the film. As I am sure you can appreciate, with this being a British production, demand has been huge\". So there we are no ticket, boo hoo. PLEASE NOTE DIFFERENT DATE TO WHAT WE HAD THOUGHT. May still go and watch from outside, if you remember the RV debacle, we would have seen more of Colin if we had been outside!! Oh hum, I am glad it is so popular though. I was offered an opening night performance on the 13th April, but won't take it up as I can see it in Brighton then."}, {"response": 276, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Mar 16, 2001 (01:57)", "body": "sorry for the typos."}, {"response": 277, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Mar 16, 2001 (03:31)", "body": "Bad luck Ann. Just two days after the NY premiere now."}, {"response": 278, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar 16, 2001 (07:56)", "body": "So the publicity is LA now, NY premiere and London. Very disappointed for you, Ann. We would still love it if you could go and take pix as he enters. Isn't Rachel W. Sam Mendes's girlfriend?"}, {"response": 279, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 16, 2001 (08:14)", "body": "That's too bad, Ann. Would seem that the cast could now return to the US to do TV promotion during the opening week now without the conflict of a London premiere. But I'm sure that's no consolation for you. :-("}, {"response": 280, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar 16, 2001 (08:26)", "body": "Yes, Ann, do see if you can go just to stand outside. You're Drool's official UK premiere reporter, after all! Mari, are you calling your good friend Prince Charles to see if he's going? ;-D"}, {"response": 281, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 16, 2001 (08:30)", "body": "Looks like media got to see BJD in London last night too. From Ananova: Bridget v.g. says preview audience Bridget Jones got the seal of approval at its preview at the Empire Leicester Square. And American actress Renee Zellweger, going British for the first time to play Helen Fielding's creation, was given the thumbs up. The \ufffd25 million movie, which also stars Hugh Grant and Colin Firth as the men in Bridget's life, is being released in the UK in April. Film writer Ivan Waterman says of Zellweger: \"A lot of people had doubts about whether she could pull it off. She is brilliant. She is just a great comedic talent.\" Lawyer Tony Kennedy from South West London said: \"It was a very funny movie and quite touching at times. They captured the essence of Fielding's work so those fans won't be disappointed.\" The film was co-written by Richrad Curtis, the creator of Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill."}, {"response": 282, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar 16, 2001 (08:42)", "body": "\"A lot of people had doubts about whether she could pull it off. She is brilliant. She is just a great comedic talent.\" Yes, yes, YES! *giddy laughter from those of us who knew it all along* \"It was a very funny movie and quite touching at times. They captured the essence of Fielding's work so those fans won't be disappointed.\" Wheee! Guess all those rosaries and novenas paid off ('please let it be good...please let it be good')!"}, {"response": 283, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 16, 2001 (12:05)", "body": "Bummer about the UK premiere, Ann. But, as you said, you probably have a better chance at a photo op by waiting outside. This is what we're always reduced to here--rarely can the public get in to a premiere unless you know someone. are you calling your good friend Prince Charles to see if he's going? ;-D LOL, Eileen! I think he'll show up if he has a guarantee that I won't be there to mow him down.;-) The poor man. Nice to read the Ananova reaction--thanks, Karen. I especially liked the \"it's quite touching\" part. Good to hear that they've retained that sense and that it's not just laughs. I'm a bit puzzled by the timing of all these events. Why would Elliott go all the way to LA for his interview if CF will be back in NY this Thursday for Today? Unless the Today interview is taped ahead of time in LA--in which case it will be conducted by one of the lesser lights, instead of Katie or Matt. I did check Today's website; they now have up the guest lineup for the coming week and he's on there, alright. And why are the two premieres so close together--April 2 and 4? Unless Harvey or Universal send a jet, they won't get back to London until the morning of the 4th. Cutting it close, not to mention the jet lag. I guess one possibility is that they all seem to have filming commitments coming up very soon. CF has a bit of time until late April, but RZ's film with Michele Pfeiffer starts filming mid-April (and she does *not* play the daughter, I just read!) and Hugh mentions in the Biography interview having to get started on About A Boy in April so that they can finish before the strike deadline at the end of June. Moon, BTW, I was thinking re: the free screening tickets--just put down an LA zipcode--that's how they determine the city you're closest to."}, {"response": 284, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 16, 2001 (13:53)", "body": "A review from the Singletons of the World website: Last night saw the largest preview screening for Bridget Jones's Diary the movie in London and Singletons of the World Unite managed to sneak in with the crowd to catch the show. The verdict? Well I won't beat around the bush - the movie had a great reaction from the crowd with people clapping and cheering at the end. Everyone laughed at the right bits and the general consensus seemed to be that Working Title had another hit on their hands. Fans of the book may be concerned at certain key scenes which haven't made their way into the final version - but this is a two-hour film, so something had to give. The screen version is more romantic-comedy than situation-comedy, and the homage to Pride and Prejudice a lot more obvious. Some characters get lost along the way entirely - there's a lot less of Bridget's friends. Renee Zellweger British audiences will no doubt be dismayed at the Renee's wholesale butchery of the English accent, but Ms Zellweger more than makes up in screen charisma what she lacked in the speech department. The accent itself turned out to be part Dick Van Dyke, part Sloane Ranger - quite the oddest English accent to be heard since Joaquim Phoenix had a go in both Quills and Gladiator. Hugh Grant Bridget Jones marks a true departure for Hugh as he gets away from his 'Tim, nice but Dim' image with an absolute bastard character in Daniel Cleaver. True, he camps it up massively - but it's clear that he enjoyed the filming and the audience loved every scene he was in (with the possible exception of the first sex scene - we're not quite prepared, it seems, to see Hugh getting hot and sweaty). Colin Firth Can the man do no wrong? Yet again, Mr Firth turns in a sterling performance as the wronged Mark Darcy. Pernickety viewers may think that Colin merely reprises his role from TV's Pride and Prejudice - but in this humble reviewer's opinion, Colin Firth is bound for leading man stardom as a result of this role. The best bit? The way Tom reacts to an altercation between Daniel and Mark The worst bit? Shirley Henderson's depiction of Jude - a totally incomprehensible performance. Rating? A high 3 stars"}, {"response": 285, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 16, 2001 (14:19)", "body": ""}, {"response": 286, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 16, 2001 (14:20)", "body": "Colin Firth - Can the man do no wrong? *snort* Catherine has not read our boards. Colin Firth is bound for leading man stardom as a result of this role. Cannot get over this woman's wholesale slaughtery of RZ's accent. *sheesh* Lighten up. It's just an accent."}, {"response": 287, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar 16, 2001 (15:09)", "body": "We have been saying that haven't we? And to think that he debated signing on to do this role???? (Have I said that before???;-))))) The accent itself turned out to be part Dick Van Dyke, part Sloane Ranger ROTF! No one ever said that about Gwynnie. It must be that high squeaky pitch voice that RZ has that makes it hard to do POSH. I can't wait to see this film. (Mari),And why are the two premieres so close together--April 2 and 4? Unless Harvey or Universal send a jet, they won't get back to London until the morning of the 4th. Cutting it close, not to mention the jet lag. I agree! I only wish that April 2nd had been in LA. Might there be a possibility, as the screenings put force positive reviews, that they might change the dates? You don't want your actors with jetlag when they are to be photographed. The only positive thing to this is that I might run into them at the airport."}, {"response": 288, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Mar 16, 2001 (18:27)", "body": "Good review for BJD at Shadows on the Wall - hope this works: http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/rcline/shadows/htm"}, {"response": 289, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, Mar 16, 2001 (18:33)", "body": "ET alert! New scenes to be shown on Entertainment Tonight!"}, {"response": 290, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Mar 16, 2001 (18:36)", "body": "Sorry that link above does not appear to be working, can you help Karen?"}, {"response": 291, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, Mar 16, 2001 (18:53)", "body": "ET: v. short. Some new scenes (including the e-mail/skirt episode ), but NO Colin. RZ to be interviewed on Monday."}, {"response": 292, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 16, 2001 (19:17)", "body": "Thanks, Ann, here's the review. I got to it by selecting \"previews\" at http://shadows.wall.net/ . I like the pic of CF there better than the one they're using on the poster. Three and a half stars out of four Fielding's mega-selling novel makes the leap to the big screen with the help of the talented team at Working Title, including the writer and star of both Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill. And the result is another hugely entertaining Brit-com, filled with memorable characters and situations. Bridget (Zellweger) is a 30something Londoner who feels condemned to being a \"singleton\"--despite the valiant attempts of her mother (Jones) to set her up with former childhood playmate Mark Darcy (Firth, in a nifty bit of casting). Meanwhile, Bridget is developing a flirtation with her boss (Grant), while her loyal circle of friends (Henderson, Phillips, Callis) love her no matter what she does. There's nothing terribly original about the story--indeed, it's basically a 21st century reworking of Pride and Prejudice--but the character details make it great fun. As played by Zellweger, Jones is a pretty hopeless case, but we can't help but like her and root for her to find some happiness in her life ... somewhere! Her friends are drawn in broad stereotypes, but are still hilarious. And both Grant and Firth make the most of roles that subtly subvert their well-honed images. As the plot lunges toward it's predictable finale, there are all kinds of joys along the way--carefully observed comedy extremely well-written by Fielding, Davies (The Tailor of Panama and, erm, Pride and Prejudice) and Curtis (Four Weddings and Notting Hill), and adeptly directed by Maguire. No, it's not terribly demanding, and it's too busy setting up the happily-ever-after finale to even attempt a serious point about being single. But there are astute observations along the way, more than enough big laughs and, in Zellweger's ca able hands, a terrific look at a singleton on the verge of a nervous breakdown."}, {"response": 293, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar 16, 2001 (22:10)", "body": "Here's the picture: (Firth, in a nifty bit of casting). Huh? The part was written for him. Where do these people come from?"}, {"response": 294, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 16, 2001 (23:10)", "body": "Missed ET tonight but evidently nothing new. Thanks for the heads-up re Monday's show. This link takes you right to the review: http://www.shadowsonthewall.co.uk/swbrijon.htm And both Grant and Firth make the most of roles that subtly subvert their well-honed images. What well-honed image is Colin subverting?"}, {"response": 295, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 16, 2001 (23:23)", "body": "Sorry, have figured out answer to own question. Must be the image of Peter."}, {"response": 296, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Mar 17, 2001 (05:10)", "body": "Ann, I received 'that letter' this morning booooooh! Will attempt to watch proceedings from outside - camera at the ready!"}, {"response": 297, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Sat, Mar 17, 2001 (06:34)", "body": "So Andrew Davies DID have input on the screenplay? He's listed everywhere, but I wondered, with Richard \"I'm just a girl...\" Curtis involved, if there is any trace of AD remaining. Not that I didn't love 4W and NH, but with ODB, am feeling maternal (NOT) and proprietary about the production, and of course, don't want it to be the Hugh Grant show."}, {"response": 298, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Mar 17, 2001 (07:47)", "body": "Must be the image of Peter. LOL! So that's his well known image???"}, {"response": 299, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 17, 2001 (07:53)", "body": "(Meredith) So Andrew Davies DID have input on the screenplay? From that one article I have posted about AD, it appeared that he only did a little work on it and wasn't sure he would even want screen credit. Said he was going to decide when he saw the final cut. BTW, they are listing him as screenwriter for the Tailor of Panama and I just read an article that Boorman tossed AD's script and LeCarre wrote it with Boorman; however, AD will get top credit because his was first."}, {"response": 300, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sat, Mar 17, 2001 (10:40)", "body": "Shame about the accent, if it's true. It does matter, I'm afraid, Karen - it's v. distracting. It's not a matter of principle: it's simply that it makes it a lot harder to suspend disbelief and enjoy the film. I think you'd find the same the other way around."}, {"response": 301, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Mar 17, 2001 (11:10)", "body": "Just heard that the CD of the Week on Radio 2 next week is the soundtrack from BJD, also heard Out of Reach for the 3rd time on Radio 2. It will be good to hear some of the other tracks from the Soundtrack."}, {"response": 302, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Mar 17, 2001 (11:29)", "body": "Sorry I made a mistake OOR is the \"Single of the Week\" and can be heard everyday on the Ken Bruce Show 9.30-12midday."}, {"response": 303, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sat, Mar 17, 2001 (12:11)", "body": "camera at the ready! Video, hopefully, Tracy?"}, {"response": 304, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 17, 2001 (13:23)", "body": "Shame about the accent, if it's true. I doubt if it's true as no one else has dished out her \"trying-to-be-cute-and-quoted\" cheap shots. From what I've heard, she sounds decent enough and that is what matters. Regarding accents, we've beat that horse to death already."}, {"response": 305, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 17, 2001 (13:47)", "body": "From Rai, this one comes from femail.co.uk, which is the Daily Mail's site, and it gives us a good idea of the plotline. by Isobel Fox: Calling all Bridget Jones fans\ufffd\ufffdshe's back from the edge of reason and will be gracing a cinema screen near you soon. Based on the best-selling novel by Helen Fielding, the movie version of Bridget Jones' Diary is every bit as amusing as the literary one. It chronicles a year in the life of thirty-something singleton Bridget Jones, played by Texan Renee Zellweger, as she struggles with weight, work, men and her mother. Bridget gains 74 pounds (and loses 72), smokes more than 5,000 cigarettes and turns up at several parties where her married friends worry about her state as a single woman. That is until her charming boss Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) comes on the scene. Chiding her for wearing an obscenely short skirt to work, the pair embark on a relationship which after a heady start, spirals rapidly down hill when Bridget discovers he's been seeing someone from his publishing company's New York office. Refusing to let Cleaver get to her, Bridget decides on a drastic change of career, swapping publishing for TV news reporting. Her first bulletin from Lewisham fire station on Bonfire Night hilariously ends in disaster when he slides down the fireman's pole and lands on the cameraman, with the result that her bottom is broadcast live to the nation. Meanwhile second love interest Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) is lurking in the background. At first Bridget doesn't like Mark, in fact she can't stand him, mostly due to the fact he was rude to her at her mother's turkey curry buffet where he was wearing a hideous reindeer jumper. While at first the feeling is mutual, Darcy starts to evelop feelings for Bridget, which soon become clear on Bridget's birthday where her disastrous culinary skills means she ends up feeding her guests soup that's turned blue. But Darcy has competition \ufffd Cleaver also turns up at Bridget's flat after realising that he misses her and wants her back. Zellweger is perfect as Bridget. Having piled on the pounds for the role (and it shows) her natural breezy mad-cap style epitomises Bridget to a tee. Her English accent \ufffd perhaps slightly too upper-class \ufffd is convincing and doesn't slip once. Director Sharon Maguire made an excellent choice casting Colin Firth as the smouldering Mark Darcy, and a lean, long-haired Hugh Grant makes a surprisingly good anti-hero as Daniel Cleaver. Watch out for cameo appearances from Lord Archer and Salman Rushdie. Closely based on the events in the book, the film keeps up a level of humour throughout. There are certain points which are guaranteed to make you laugh out loud. Like the time Bridget turns up at her relatives' tarts and vicars party only to find out that the theme party idea had been dropped. Or the time when her mother's new shopping channel presenter boyfriend is having his make-up touched up and he tells the artist to stop being so clumsy in words which are too rude to repeat here, but very, very funny. Bridget Jones is guaranteed to be this Spring's smash hit movie. More amusing than Notting Hill, it's light, entertaining and provides a couple of hours of escapism which are well worth the price of a cinema ticket. ~~~~~~~ Any Bridget responses????"}, {"response": 306, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Mar 17, 2001 (13:58)", "body": "BJD trailer featured on E Channel's Coming Attractions this weekend. Chekc your listings."}, {"response": 307, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Mar 17, 2001 (14:09)", "body": "Sorry if the above was posted before-quickly scanned previous posts but didn't see it. I must have the shot of him grinning while his name is on-screen for a snappy. Interesting reading. I enjoyed this: The screen version is more romantic-comedy than situation-comedy, and the homage to Pride and Prejudice a lot more obvious British audiences will no doubt be dismayed at the Renee's wholesale butchery of the English accent Well, kind of expected this but have been lulled by other reports into thinking she was safe. Colin Firth - Can the man do no wrong? (K) *snort* Catherine has not read our boards. Darn, you beat me to it, Karen. ;-)"}, {"response": 308, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Mar 17, 2001 (15:59)", "body": "I received this e-mail today and thought you might be interested: Win a Trip for Two to London! Enter the \"Find Yourself in Bridget Jones\" Sweepstakes! Submit a photo of yourself by April 27th and you could be eligible to win a trip for two to London! (Travel provided by OneTravel.com) And while you're at it, tell us a story that illustrates how you relate to Bridget Jones. How to Enter: Visit the \"Find Yourself in Bridget Jones\" PhotoQuilt and follow the simple instructions to upload your photograph. Please submit only a photograph of yourself. When you submit your picture, don't forget to include your story. Click on the following URL or paste it into your browser address bar to enter, and for official rules. http://entertainment.msn.com/bridget/page3/ To make this even more special, you could become part of an image of Bridget Jones composed of photos submitted from all over the world! On March 27th, images from the PhotoQuilt will be collected and turned into a Photomosaic - an image of Bridget composed of selections from images submitted to the PhotoQuilt!"}, {"response": 309, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sat, Mar 17, 2001 (18:06)", "body": "Director Sharon Maguire made an excellent choice casting Colin Firth Was it *her* choice?"}, {"response": 310, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Mar 18, 2001 (06:10)", "body": "Was at the cinema last night and there was a vv short trailer for BJD! That's the good news! Sadly ODB did not feature one iota. It was the scene with HG and RZ grappling on the floor when he discovers her \"big pants\" and says \"I'm wearing something similar myself.\" CUT! Still although it was a mere snippet I can't wait for more. Hugh was very \"Hugh Grant\" as usual, hopefully this will not be the case as we get to see more of him. Like Ann and Tracy I also received the same letter about the premiere! Oh to belong to one of those \"companies\" they quoted."}, {"response": 311, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Sun, Mar 18, 2001 (06:53)", "body": "Ha! A sight I thought I'd never see: BJD has moved up to IMDB home page under \"coming soon\". Since you all here at Spring were singlehandly responsible for even getting the BJD page there going and \"populated\" with info, I thought I'd point it out."}, {"response": 312, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 18, 2001 (08:52)", "body": "Thanks, Heide, for the heads up on the BJD trailer on Coming Attractions. Taped it in the wee hours of the morning and cannot stop rewinding it. Oooooh, so much better than on the computer (even cable connected type). Only one thing better (though lacking rewind quality) will be on huge screen in a movie with entire audience laughing appropriately. Loved the face after Mrs Jones introduces them at the party, and again when he responds to DC's comment about swords and pistols. Tried to match up the taco-stain picture with fight scene, but pattern of tie is not evident in photo, as it is in trailer. Is wearing muted pinstripe, not of the badabing variety. ;-D Wonder if they'll be a Behind the Scenes program? *fingers crossed* (am already worried re: punch; detect need for learned coach)"}, {"response": 313, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar 18, 2001 (09:54)", "body": "(am already worried re: punch; detect need for learned coach) LOL! Should we add that to need for expert tailor. ;-) How very lucky you to be able to rewind at will, Karen. I am waiting for that on screen experience. I know I will have to sneak back to the Theatre to see it again. Don't think DH would approve."}, {"response": 314, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Mar 18, 2001 (11:04)", "body": "Darn, missed the E! coming attractions. Does anyone know if it will be repeated? Lizza, apparently they're showing that truncated (i.e., no CF) trailer in the theaters here, too. Wot gives?? Maybe they'll roll out the longer one as the time draws nearer. I have to say: the rowboat scene with HG looks very funny. I'm sure they were going for the contrast with Leo DiC's \"I'm the king of the world\" in Titanic, then here's this drunken ass in a rickety rowboat shouting the same thing. Well, *I* think it's funny.;-) Did anyone catch Joe Fiennes and Jude Law on Today this morning? Their interviews were pre-taped, done as part of their Enemy at the Gates junket, no doubt, and I'm guessing CF's appearance on Thursday will be the same thing. Was probably taped this weekend."}, {"response": 315, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 18, 2001 (11:14)", "body": "Here's the url for the program guide on E! Unfortunately, you have to look at each day for Coming Attractions; the show listing doesn't provide all the dates and times as it does for other shows. Also they put a new one up each Monday. Don't know if that means the program content changes as well. Next broadcast will be 3:00 a.m. Sunday night (or Morning morning), then Monday at 1:00 pm http://www.eonline.com/On/Guide/ (Mari) I'm sure they were going for the contrast with Leo DiC's Absolutely. There's also the double entendre of \"I'm boarding you, Bridget.\" ;-D (Mari) Did anyone catch Joe Fiennes and Jude Law on Today this morning? Grrrrrrr You can lead a horse to water but...."}, {"response": 316, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar 18, 2001 (14:57)", "body": "apparently they're showing that truncated (i.e., no CF) trailer in the theaters here, too. Wot gives?? Maybe they'll roll out the longer one as the time draws nearer. Could they be thinking that no one would leave HG for CF??? How could they leave Colin out? And we thought they might try that on the poster, sheesh!"}, {"response": 317, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Sun, Mar 18, 2001 (15:52)", "body": "I believe it is in order to avoid spoilers and preserve the surprise ending. a A lot of people (in the US have not read the book."}, {"response": 318, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 18, 2001 (16:01)", "body": "I believe it is in order to avoid spoilers and preserve the surprise ending. I have to disagree. Trailers in this country give away not only the entire plot and ending but typically toss in the kitchen sink as well. Miramax probably hasn't felt the need to mass produce it and distribute it to theatres across the country, but will do television - the source of its target market."}, {"response": 319, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Mar 18, 2001 (18:36)", "body": "Don't worry if you missed the Coming Attractions on E. They often repeat the trailers of films for several programs until the film opens. Wouldn't be surprised if it was shown again next week. And soon, gah! can hardly believe it, we'll see entire film in all his glory..er, its glory. Saw the short \"big pants\" trailer too but thought it was because my backwater town is always behind with the new stuff. I think that trailer does a disservice to the film...if I didn't know anything about Bridget Jones, don't think I'd want to see a movie about Hugh Grant trying to wrestle a girl's undies off."}, {"response": 320, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 18, 2001 (22:12)", "body": "(Heide) don't think I'd want to see a movie about Hugh Grant trying to wrestle a girl's undies off. But the guys in the audience might. ;-D"}, {"response": 321, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Mar 19, 2001 (02:05)", "body": "Very, very good reports on BJD in today's Times (Viewpoint in Times2), from journalists who attended the preview at the Empire. One male, one female. Two page spread, colour pics. Both say they were not looking forward to the film, were fed up with the whole BJ thing and expected to hate it. But they both really liked it...\"it's good oldfashioned comedy\"..\"unashamed happy ending\"...\"I had tears streaming down my cheeks when Darcy finally pulled his head out of the sand and smouldered in Zellwegger's general direction\" (this from the male journalist!} RZ seems to be a big hit with them, and they seem to think \"Hughie and Col\" are okay as well. Is this available online?"}, {"response": 322, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Mar 19, 2001 (02:57)", "body": "It's most amusing to see the scenes I saw being filmed come together. The Times today mentions that Bridget \"...serenading her empty apartment with a rousing rendition of Celine Dion's All By Myself made my heart melt in almost Capraesque fashion.\" Whilst the Gabrielle video shows HG & CF crashing through the plate-glass window of Kalispera (the Greek restaurant) - hence the need for elbow-padded body doubles - stuntmen no less. There must be 2, if not 3, fight scenes."}, {"response": 323, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Mar 19, 2001 (04:29)", "body": "Now I'm really looking forward to it. (Here's the link to the Times piece: http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,7-100906,00.html ) When is the London contingent planning on seeing the film? How about a drink?"}, {"response": 324, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 19, 2001 (08:17)", "body": "Here's a link to the second article by James Christopher: http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,7-100913,00.html Liked this from the woman's article: (Colin Firth as Darcy may be wasted on US audiences, but to UK women he\ufffds brooding masculinity personified). Wasted...not on all of us. ;-D Were the pictures all we've seen before?"}, {"response": 325, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 19, 2001 (08:32)", "body": "(Lassie) I believe it is in order to avoid spoilers and preserve the surprise ending. a A lot of people (in the US have not read the book. Pardon me, but did you just beam down from the Planet Zarg? BJD was on every kind of bestseller list in the US; in fact, EOR is currently #5 on the Washington Post's list (just in front of SWTA). (Singletons review) Pernickety viewers may think that Colin merely reprises his role from TV's Pride and Prejudice Call me pernickety, then. Am prepared to suffer through it ;-D but in this humble reviewer's opinion, Colin Firth is bound for leading man stardom as a result of this role Hurrah! *turning cartwheels* *oof, can't do cartwheels* Moon, I can't remember reading that CF almost turned down the part of MD. Where did you see this? (Bethan) \"...\"I had tears streaming down my cheeks when Darcy finally pulled his head out of the sand and smouldered in Zellwegger's general direction\" (this from the male journalist!} Hurrah again! Ooh, things are looking *very* good... Off to program the VCR for this afternoon's Coming Attractions on E!. Thanks for the tip, ladies. ;-)"}, {"response": 326, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 19, 2001 (08:48)", "body": "Not that I'm complaining, but it seems v. odd that even your broadsheets are publishing reviews of BJD so far in advance of its opening. [Can understand internet nobodies jumping the gun.] All critics get to see the films earlier, but they don't publish them until the opening week. About your scenes, Mark. Am glad to hear that RZ is seranading an *empty* apartment. The thought of her seranading HG didn't sit well with me. What makes you think there are 2-3 fight scenes? Colin's wearing his v. pronounced pinstripe suit for all snippets I've seen. BTW, after he first punches HG in street, looks v. pleased with self. [Eileen, will need to slo-mo to catch all nuances of street fight.] Heide: For snappy consideration, I'd take the one where Tom is making the toast \"to Bridget, who we all love.\" That may be THE Look from this movie. BTW, I think it not coincidental that Colin does the Meryton look at RZ. As Sharon Maguire is Shazz, she would be a *student* of the original and know it well. (He Said) What on earth was happening? How did this podgy clown reduce me to a puddle? I\ufffdm still trying to work it out. Fool. That is Zellweger's unique talent for which none of you figured out well in advance."}, {"response": 327, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 19, 2001 (08:53)", "body": "(Karen) As Sharon Maguire is Shazz, she would be a *student* of the original and know it well 'Natch. I'll take 1,000 Meryton looks and other FD-MD similarities in light of the fact there's no wet shirt. Thank goodness they saw fit to leave that alone!"}, {"response": 328, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 19, 2001 (09:08)", "body": "(Eileen) no wet shirt Was probably in his contract. ;-)"}, {"response": 329, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 19, 2001 (09:10)", "body": "Hmmm, was think about above, as Hughie goes into the lake (with shirt unbuttoned down to navel), am surprisd/shocked that no one has mentioned *his wet shirt* [not really]"}, {"response": 330, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 19, 2001 (10:35)", "body": "From Ananova: Zellweger got her English accent from Ali G videos Renee Zellweger says she perfected her English accent for the role of Bridget Jones by watching Ali G videos. The US star had to learn how to speak with an English accent when she was in the UK last year making the film of Helen Fielding's novel. Ali, created by comic Sacha Baron Cohen, is known for his urban slang and catchphrases like 'innit' and 'booyakasha'. Speaking to Sky News, Zellweger said: \"I watched a lot of sitcoms, news and Ali G.\" \"I think it's a beautiful book. I think Helen Fielding did a great job. I know the book is very important to men and women and I wanted it to be right.\""}, {"response": 331, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Mon, Mar 19, 2001 (11:53)", "body": "Eileen, I was talking about Pride and Prejudice, not Bridget Jones Diary."}, {"response": 332, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar 19, 2001 (12:20)", "body": "Review from Screendaily: Bridget Jones's Diary Sheila Johnston in London Dir: Sharon Maguire. UK. 2001. TBCmins. Bridget Jones's bestselling diaries made the fictional thirtysomething singleton Britain's most successful under-achiever of recent years, and the screen version of her intimate journal bears all the signs of becoming the UK's biggest film hit since Notting Hill. Domestically, massive advance publicity and media attention will guarantee dazzling opening figures, while the reputation of the books in the US should secure equally healthy business there. If the film is to build this into solid longer-term box office, then it must establish itself as more than a chick flick with appeal to the obvious demographic. Instead, it will need to position itself more broadly as a modern social satire-date movie that can attract those men lured along earlier this year to What Women Want by the presence of Mel Gibson (but without a comparable male character for them to root for). The diaries have been published in some 30 countries, but in territories where the book has been less of a cultural phenomenon than on its home turf, the film's performance will, to a greater extent, be review-driven, aided by the names of Renee Zellweger in the title role and Hugh Grant as the second male lead. Prospects in all ancillary media are, as Bridget would put it, v. v. good. A character invented by journalist Helen Fielding, Bridget Jones herself is a none-too-effective publishing PR in her early 30s with a mass of addictions - cigarettes, drink, junk food and lottery cards - who aims to achieve happiness by losing weight and finding true romance. Her diary chronicling the ongoing chaos of her life and her farcically unsuccessful struggle to realise her modest ambitions made a low-key debut in 1995 as a weekly column in UK national newspaper The Independent, but gathered momentum after Fielding was encouraged to rework it as a book. When it did go into paperback it became a cult success, spawning a sequel, The Edge Of Reason. Like such American TV sitcoms as Sex And The City and Ally McBeal, and Hollywood movies such as Waiting To Exhale, its success has been generally attributed to the swelling numbers of single thirtysomething women experiencing difficulties in reconciling the conflicting demands of love and career. Structured much like the novel, the movie traces a year in the life of its heroine, beginning with Bridget's ghastly Christmas-New Year celebrations with her parents and their neighbours. During the following months, she has an ill-advised fling with her flirty caddish boss (Grant, offering an enjoyably acerbic variant on his usual bumbling screen image); observes her parents' marital problems after her mother makes off with a sleazy presenter from a home shopping channel; makes her own foray into television when she swaps her publishing job for a gig as a news presenter; spends many a long, boozy evening with her gaggle of sweet, but hopelessly dysfunctional, female and gay friends; and gradually warms to the subtle attractions of Mark Darcy (Firth), a stuffy, though ultimately charming (and extremely rich), human rights lawyer. Boasting the same production company (Working Title), star (Grant) and co-screenwriter (Richard Curtis) as Four Weddings And A Funeral and Notting Hill, Bridget Jones shares those two earlier films' comic tone and similar themes of the peculiarly British knack for self-deprecation and underachievement, both professionally and romantically. As in Fielding's book, there are also deliberate parallels with Pride And Prejudice, both in the name of the leading man and in the presence of Firth (who played Mr Darcy in the recent BBC adaptation of Jane Austen's classic) in this role. Grant also has his own indirect link with the original novel, which takes a passing potshot at the actor's real-life dalliance with a Hollywood hooker. Curtis's co-scriptwriter, along with Fielding, is Andrew Davies, distinguished for his television adaptations of literary classics, including that same BBC version of Pride And Prejudice. And the film's director - the documentary film-maker Sharon Maguire making her feature debut - is a friend of the author, acknowledged at the front of the novel, as well as being the model for one of Bridget's best friends, also called Sharon. The in-casting extends down to relatively small roles such as the lecherous tabloid news producer played by Neil Pearson, who UK audiences will remember as much the same character in the TV comedy series Drop The Dead Donkey. The writers Salman Rushdie and Jeffrey Archer contribute cameos as themselves. At times, this all threatens to add up to an air of smug and incestuous London media-set clubbiness, so the choice of an American actress for the leading role - greeted, when it was announced, with some hostility in the British press - turns out in many ways to be a shrewd decision. The film stands or falls by whether one accepts Zellweger's ce"}, {"response": 333, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Mar 19, 2001 (12:39)", "body": "Just wanted to say Karen, that in answer to your earlier question, all the photos attached to the 2 articles are know to us except one of Helen Fielding, who looks very nice indeed, but mostly I am so glad that they have included the lovely picture of Colin and Renee and I must say that Colin does seem to be getting an equal amount of exposure as Hughie, which is wonderful. It is a 2page spread and very impressive. As well as the afore-mentioned photo there is the one with Rnenee in a restaurant smoking and the two CF & HG on the floor. By the time the film opens there won't be any need for reviews!"}, {"response": 334, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 19, 2001 (12:44)", "body": "(Screendaily) Bridget had a sharp tongue on her when required *am thinking*"}, {"response": 335, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 19, 2001 (12:46)", "body": "(Lizza)Like Ann and Tracy I also received the same letter about the premiere! Oh to belong to one of those \"companies\" they quoted. Find out which companies....and call marketing. They just might part with a set. This is all toooo exciting.Have changed my tickets too....but have a sinking feeling about London/NY premieres being tooooo close.Though Miramax did send Gwynnie over on the Concord once....yipes!"}, {"response": 336, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Mar 19, 2001 (12:59)", "body": "Ann has already explained which photos were used, but I want to practise some HTML. On the front of the Times2 section was a cut down from this: and inside the following three were used (+ the one of Helen Fielding): The ciggy photo was half-page-size."}, {"response": 337, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 19, 2001 (13:09)", "body": "v.g. Mark"}, {"response": 338, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 19, 2001 (13:10)", "body": "(Lassie) I was talking about Pride and Prejudice, not Bridget Jones Diary. *scratching my head* Grr, just watched my E! Coming Attractions tape and they have changed the content. No BJD this week."}, {"response": 339, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Mar 19, 2001 (14:40)", "body": "Working Title are handling the publicity for BJD very cleverly...creating an excellent buzz {although the liking for the film has to be genuine). They did the same for NH, which took \ufffd10million on the opening weekend in the UK. But I'd still be rather wary of our hostile, teeth to the jugular British critics. Over the page from BJD in Times2 there's a headline - \"British actors bomb on Broadway\" - a reference to the less than sympathetic reviews received by JE and Alan Cumming (hardly \"bombing\"). Further on, there's an article about how the new movie by the \"past-it action hero\" Steven Seagal has opened first at the US Box Office with $20million, while the Jude Law/Joe Fiennes hugely expensive war movie only took $14million. And JL/JF have not had good reviews - \"Wiped off the screen by Ed Harris\". So fingers crossed for Hughie and Col! :-) But so far, very good!"}, {"response": 340, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Mar 19, 2001 (14:43)", "body": "(Bethan)...a barrister's outfit..the high white collar, the well cut suit..is far more alluring than an exposed bare chest and black leather. It's the aloofness, intellectual superiority, the apparent unattainability (but with some hidden promise)...it's the difference between erotic and \"sexy\". You may well have a well-considered point, Bethan. My problem being, as I am a rather provincial American, is that damn silly wig barristers wear. What's up with that? What's the thing made of -- horsehair. If so, it must have certainly looked better on the horse. Even the delectable and handsome Mr. Firth can made that silly wig look good."}, {"response": 341, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 19, 2001 (15:01)", "body": "(Bethan) But I'd still be rather wary of our hostile, teeth to the jugular British critics Yes, good point--however, a bad review(s) will surely pale in comparison to a flood of good ones, no? *thinking positive* Am anxious to see how it fares with US reviewers. the new movie by the \"past-it action hero\" Steven Seagal has opened first at the US Box Office with $20million Yeah, I heard about that this morning. Haven't we sunk to a new low? :-D"}, {"response": 342, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 19, 2001 (15:04)", "body": "But all the trades were quick to point out that Enemy at the Gate, which came in second, was on far fewer screens and had a huge per screen take."}, {"response": 343, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar 19, 2001 (15:15)", "body": "Yes, Bethan, your critics are tough and your press does seem to emphasize the negative. Karen makes a good point--Enemy at the Gates actually did very well, playing on about half the screens that the other flick did, and in fact they are expanding it to a few hundred more screens next week. Its per screen take far exceeded the Seagal film. Again, the press seems to only tell half the story. As for Design For Living, the reviews were mixed, but certainly as you said, not bombing. Critics seem to either like this particular staging or they don't. There are traditionalists over here, such as at the NY Times, who feel that Coward's work should always be staged as it was in Coward's day. But, getting back to BJ, everything so far seems so positive, and I think James Christopher would be hard-pressed to call back his words about being moved to tears!:-)"}, {"response": 344, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar 19, 2001 (15:28)", "body": "In the April issue of Movieline, they have BJD spotlighted as one of their top 5 films to see next month: Helen Fielding's best-selling novel comes to the screen with Renee Zellweger starring improbably as the thirtysomething English diarist. As Zellweger fans, we'd go to see her play this 21st century everywoman in any case, but we're especially curious to check a few things out. How well has she done with the British accent on which she was coached by the same woman who gave Gwyneth Paltrow her perfect pitch for Emma, SIL, and Sliding Doors? And what does she look like with extra pounds packed on? Colin Firth, as Mark Darcy, and Hugh Grant, as Daniel Cleaver, are added incentives. Even if the film turns out to suffer from too many screenwriters and a first time director (Sharon Maguire, best pal of Fielding and the inspiration for the character Shazzer, neither of which explains why she's directing) there's plenty of entertainment value here."}, {"response": 345, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Mar 19, 2001 (15:56)", "body": "Wigs and blancmanche. I'm slightly drunk, so I spoolgise in advance. 1. Wigbs. They add authority, in principle. I've no iade what they do tyo sexiness, as far as the female observer is concerned. A couple of years ago year I spent a week wathcing a (female) friend of mine taking on Cheri Booth (Mrs Blair) in a big labour law case. She was bedecked in a barrister's wig and was impresivelu weighty, IMHO. She also kicked Cheri's a*se, bigtime. The wig provided another thing to be ripped off in the heat of passion (not that it was - she is now happily engaged to someone else), and looked pretty cool. 2. Blancmanche. More discrimintaing judges may be able to tell (re:Times piece) the difference between high quality cleavage and \"balncmanche\" cleavage. In my current state I cannot. RZ is v. alluring in the BJD posters. 3. Repeated querstion: when is the London branch of this webnsite going to see the film? MarkG, as the insider, when are you going? Our American cousins are prepared to trudge 3,000 miles to see each other - are we to baulk at 1,000 yards???"}, {"response": 346, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 19, 2001 (16:54)", "body": "Over the page from BJD in Times2 there's a headline - \"British actors bomb on Broadway\" - a reference to the less than sympathetic reviews received by JE and Alan Cumming (hardly \"bombing\"). Once again, your critics enjoy decapitating their own.The NY times and Daily News were critical of DFL. But USA Today gave it 4 Stars and called JE a \"triumph as Gilda\".Variety calls it a \"sensational show\".The AP and Clive Barnes of the NY Post were complimentary too.Sold out for the run;hardly a bomb. I will rest easy about BJD when all the reviews are in...on both sides of the pond."}, {"response": 347, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Mar 19, 2001 (16:57)", "body": "Thank you Ben for elucidating on the subject of wigs and blancmanche. I thought the latter was a dessert. Now I have been enlightened, sort of."}, {"response": 348, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 19, 2001 (22:40)", "body": "From the Mar 20 FT: SURVEY - CREATIVE BUSINESS: Soundtrack albums By PAUL SEXTON For every soundtrack that enjoys the perfect commercial symbiosis with its parent movie, countless others come and go faster than a 30-second trailer. For every Four Weddings, there are 40 soundtrack funerals. But the achievements of the most prosperous film tie-ins live long in the memory of record companies, who fantasise about big, fat cash cows like Titanic (so huge it even spawned a sequel soundtrack, Back To Titanic) and the grandaddy of them all, The Bodyguard, all 30m-odd copies of it. That\ufffds why Mercury Records has such high hopes for its companion release to one of this year\ufffds most widely-anticipated flicks, Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary, due at your local megastore on April 16, three days after the Renee Zellweger/Hugh Grant vehicle arrives at the multiplex across the road. London-based soul singer Gabrielle\ufffds track \ufffdOut Of Reach\ufffd is out on April 2 as the Bridget theme tune single, and just to underline how such a tie-up can fuel promotion plans for an individual artist, she has bolted on a tour, starting on April 17. [...] But the Bridget companion will offer temptations such as never-before-available recordings by the likes of Robbie Williams and Geri Halliwell, who has taken it upon herself to remake the Weather Girls\ufffd \ufffdIt\ufffds Raining Men\ufffd, prominently featured in a street fight scene in the film. The success of soundtracks like this one is governed in part by how well the film overlaps with the fan bases of the artists who appear on them. Mercury UK managing director Howard Berman, one of the men behind the Four Weddings and a Funeral album, which sold 3m copies worldwide, says: \ufffdIf there are two separate markets for this film and the soundtrack, they overlap enormously. The film is aimed at a very similar demographic to that which constitutes the core audience for artists like Robbie and Geri.\ufffd [...] \ufffdA lot of soundtrack albums underestimate the taste and intelligence of the public,\ufffd says Berman. \ufffdIn virtually all cases of a successful soundtrack, it\ufffds where there\ufffds been a successful film and music has played an integral part in it. If you haven\ufffdt got music playing a significant part in the film, even if it\ufffds a blockbuster, it\ufffds very difficult to join the dots. \ufffdThe score in Titanic plays an incredibly important part, and that fantastic Celine Dion song would have been a smash with or without the film association. In Bridget Jones, the music is almost a sub-plot.\ufffd"}, {"response": 349, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar 19, 2001 (22:44)", "body": "Check out \"Bridget's\" reviews of her reviews on Karen's page; I'm LOL! Hmmm . . .Yahoo US is listing BJD as opening in NY and LA on April 6, then nationally on April 13. Not sure if that's very out of date or very up to date."}, {"response": 350, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (02:19)", "body": "I wish I was really an insider, Ben, but having mysteriously been left off the list for premiere tickets, I guess I shall be seeing the film on Easter weekend like many others. However, I'll be out of town. Why I think there might be more than one fight scene: one fight obviously breaks out in the restaurant, whereas separately MD offers DC out, prompting \"pistols or cutlasses?\" Also the knockout blow somehow looks like a one-punch fight, perhaps similar to the scene in The Edge of Reason, where MD goes downstairs to DC, slugs him, and then apologises to him and explains it had to be done. But I expect I'm wrong again. Love the reviews of the reviews, Karen!"}, {"response": 351, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (02:47)", "body": "Yes, Bethan, your critics are tough and your press does seem to emphasize the negative Our TV and theatre critics are okay, but I would quite happily ban most of our so-called movie \"critics\", who are merely destructive, especially when it comes to British films or British actors. I usually prefer reading US reviews...they are longer, more considered (you get the impression they've actually watched the film) and the criticism is constructive, not personally abusive. I really hope CF makes an impact in the States, and does quite a few talk shows. IMVHO, the only success that matters in the movies is success in the States. That's how careers take off. Not Hollywood megastardom, just appearing in decent roles in movies that actually reach the screen! (cf MLSF 3 screens in the UK, SLOW 2 screens, DQ and Londinium - no distributor...I rest my case! Go to it, Col! :-)) Signs are v. good for BJD though in the UK! Will BJD be a big opener in the States, or will it have a limited number of screens? BTW, the comment in the Times about kisses in the snow and the unashamed happy ending sounds very promising!"}, {"response": 352, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (02:55)", "body": "Cheryl - the blancmanche reference is from the Times piece (see links), which begins by being less than flattering about the heroine. Do film critics matter? I'm prepared to believe that theatre reviews affect audiences - though less than they once did, probably - but film reviews? There seems to be almost an inverse correlation between a film's commerical and critical success. The current spate of pre-opening publicity for BJD is not being conducted through conventional film critics, over here at least. Perhaps its fans should hope for a pasting once the \"experts\" get to see it."}, {"response": 353, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (07:40)", "body": "You're quite right, Mark, there's the restaurant and there's the apartment (as in TEOR). While MD and DC are in the street, you can see Bridget, Shaz and Jude huddling in a doorway watching it all. Why would the other two be at Bridget's when Daniel's there and Mark calls him out? Lots of questions. No definitive answers. (Bethan) Not Hollywood megastardom, just appearing in decent roles in movies that actually reach the screen! I see you've finally come around, except I would hope for better than merely decent roles (important/starring roles in important films more like). Will BJD be a big opener in the States, or will it have a limited number of screens? As I predicted it shows all signs of opening v. wide (e.g., over 2000 screens). kisses in the snow Hopefully more than the kiss in the carriage. Films critics have no impact on the younger crowd in the US, but can affect the older people, who actually read and have developed taste. It also depends on the promotional campaign. (Ben) The current spate of pre-opening publicity for BJD is not being conducted through conventional film critics, over here at least. True, as would be any advance publicity. However, James Christopher is one of your real critics."}, {"response": 354, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (07:41)", "body": "BTW, Jay Leno mentioned RZ in his list of upcoming guests for the next couple of weeks."}, {"response": 355, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (07:46)", "body": "There's a review on Dark Horizons: \"Bridget Jones' Diary\" - A Review by 'Paul Fischer' (Positive, Very Minor Spoilers) At the start of the New Year, 32-year-old Bridget decides it's time to take control of her life-and start keeping a diary. Now, the most provocative, erotic and hysterical book on her bedside table is the one she's writing. With a taste for adventure, and an opinion on every subject-from exercise to men to food to sex and everything in between-she's turning the page on a whole new life. \"Tuesday 3 January 130lbs. (terrifying slide into obesity - why? why?), alcohol units 6 (Excellent) cigarettes 23 (v.g.), calories 2472 9a.m. Ugh. Cannot face thought of going to work. Only thing which makes it tolerable is thought of seeing Daniel again, but even that is unadvisable since am fat, have spot on chin, and desire only to sit on cushion eating chocolate and watching Xmas specials\". Thus are some of the memorable verbal utterances of one Bridget Jones, created by ex-journo Helen Fielding. Bridget is one of those wonderfully rich characters seemingly impossible to translate to film, but first-time director Sharon Maguire, with some help from Brit scribe Richard Curtis, has crafted an irresistible and deliciously funny film. Fielding's character epitomises all our fears, hopes, romanticism and upbeat optimism as we trip through life's seemingly eternal obstacles. Yes, she is a single woman of her time, trying to find love and career while fighting endlessly over her comic mistakes. But in this wonderfully rich satire on the pangs of single-hood versus 'smug marrieds', Fielding has struck a broad nerve that places this material beyond the simplistic realms of the 'chick flick' and into a wider context. On many levels, what makes the film incarnation of the novel work so beautifully, is its ability to travel beyond gender-specific clich\ufffd. We can all relate to many facets of Bridget's inability to communicate, be herself and play by the rules. A recurring line in the film is 'I like you exactly t e way you are', and this is a recurring theme. We all have our flaws and our idiosyncrasies, none of us are perfect, and in searching for that often elusive partner becomes a matter of acceptance. Bridget Jones epitomises our strengths and weaknesses, coupled with our hopes and ideals. She is a remarkable character. As played by Zellweger, an initially controversial casting choice, Jones comes alive with an added depth, humour and luminous quality rarely seen on screen. The actress completely embodies the character, and imbues her with subtle nuances that enhance the actor's skill. To watch Zellweger here is watching a screen presence, who is uproariously funny and yet gently emotive when not saying a word. This is Zellweger' s film all the way, and it's a masterful, brilliant performance. In some ironic casting, Colin Firth is playing another Darcy, both literally and metaphorically. Adept at being the stuffed shirt, Firth gives a subtle performance playing a difficult character. Hugh Grant excels at playing the prize villain of the piece, and does so with effortless, comic aplomb, while the rest of the film's marvellous British cast provides added support. Beautifully shot on location in London and featuring a strong soundtrack, Bridget Jones's Diary is funny, sexy, poignant and sharply observed, as only the Brits can do. Zellweger steals the film and through it all, comes off as both star and shining comedienne. This is one Diary worth reading more than once. http://darkhorizons.com/reviews/t010319a.htm#Rev2"}, {"response": 356, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (08:55)", "body": "Excellent review, except for one major lapse in judgment, in Popcorn by Jane Crowther: cast: Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Ren\ufffde Zellweger,Sally Phillips Book-to-screen adaptations are notoriously difficult to pull-off. It's hard to mess with the collective imaginations of millions of readers and the results can range from the phenomenal, 'Trainspotting', to the unspeakable, 'Rancid Aluminium'. Lovers of Helen Fielding's hugely successful literary creation can breathe a sigh of relief, for the movie version of 'Bridget Jones's Diary' is faithful to its source, perfectly cast and even funnier than the book. Bridget (Ren\ufffde Zellweger) is a thirtysomething 'singleton' who spends her days worrying about her weight, smoking too much and dreaming of the perfect man. But the only blokes she seems to bump into are her sexy, predatory boss, Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant), and haughty, dull family friend Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). So, armed with her trusty fags and her ultimate confidante - her diary - Bridget makes her way through a year of heartache, embarrassment and calorie counting. The casting of skinny Texan Zellweger as the supposedly tubby, English Jones caused a minor kafuffle pre-production, but her performance is a revelation. Although her accent occasionally wobbles, her conviction is absolute and the 'Jerry Maguire' star has never been funnier. She brings warmth to the sometimes brittle character and offers a welcome reality check to the acres of stick-insect waifs that usually populate films. Firth is also impressive as the glowering Darcy, but the real star is Grant, who's suddenly... well, frankly, gorgeous. He's deliciously sly and flirtatious, proving he can play more than posh, eye-fluttering wimps. Another element from 'Four Weddings And A Funeral' is the screenwriter - Richard Curtis - who provides a script bristling with wit, slapstick and spot-on, horribly relatable, observations. Hilarious, sweet and romantic, 'Bridget Jones's Diary' is must-see viewing for anyone who's ever drunkenly sung power ballads or had a scuffling scrap over a girl. Superb. http://www.popcorn.co.uk/cinema/review.jhtml?filmId=19668"}, {"response": 357, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (08:56)", "body": "There was an item about BJD on the radio just now. The guy who saw it liked it very much and interviewed Hugh afterwards. Nothing was said that I didn't already know (CF was mentioned though, WOW), except that I'll have to wait till the fall to see it!! Isn't this wonderful? They whet our appetite, then tell us that we'll have to wait a looong time.*grumble*"}, {"response": 358, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (09:31)", "body": "Hmmm, I'm a real misery...the reviews are great, but..... \"the real star is Grant, who's suddenly... well, frankly, gorgeous\" and \"and haughty, dull family friend/stuffed shirt Mark Darcy\"? Has Hughie been given all the aces?"}, {"response": 359, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (10:14)", "body": "I quite agree Bethan, normally I would be thrilled to read that \" Firth also impresses\" but it was somewhat negated by her saying Hughie is \"gorgeous\". Still it is only one person's opinion."}, {"response": 360, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (10:18)", "body": "I would have thought the opposite from a British reviewer. Didn't think they considered Hugh a \"hunk\"."}, {"response": 361, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (10:39)", "body": "Yes, I know. Was all prepared to highlight the *impressive Firth* comment and then read on... Probably should've been forewarned that the reviewer was not all that knowledgeable, as she called Zellweger a revelation. Obviously, she's not that familiar with her work, possibly only has seen \"Me Myself and Irene.\" ~~~~~~~~~~ And a treat for those who might want the new US BJD poster: http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjdposterinfo.html"}, {"response": 362, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (10:42)", "body": "This from a friend of mine. Lovely article about CF in current issue of \"Elle\" (may not be on newstands yet). First Buzz column: \"Firth Among Equals\". Think ODB may not be averse to becoming a big Hollywood star at all! v. interesting."}, {"response": 363, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (10:45)", "body": "I called Miramax (don't ask *what* I called them;-), and the film is indeed opening nationwide here on April 13, no early opening for NY or LA. It will open on \"1500 plus\" screens; that's considered a wide opening, although the blockbuster popcorn type flicks typically open on 2000--2500. They can certainly add screens as they go. In any event, no one here will have any difficulty finding this one at their local multiplex. RE: Hugh's good reviews--well, we knew from the start that this would be the showier part of the two male leads. We're probably lucky that there's as much Mark Darcy as there appears to be, considering his small, albeit pivotal, role in the book. I'm sure Richard Curtis wrote Hugh a juicy role, as HG has helped to propel Working Title to some of their biggest successes. HG has headlined wide opening films all over the world; he has global name recognition. Plus, Hugh is very shrewd about his career; there was no way he'd take a second banana role to another young male actor. He doesn't have to. Those are the spoils that box office success brings, and it's the position that I think many of us hope that CF is eventually in--not \"fame\" or \"success\" for its own sake, but being in a position to have a pick at the best roles."}, {"response": 364, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (10:59)", "body": "Thanks, Mari. 1500+ is very respectable for a non-alien-invasion-type movie, especially one whose audience is gauged to be women over 20something+ years (second class and undesirable). Can't wait to see the backhanded comments in the trades about the boxoffice prospects. Also can't wait to see this new issue of Elle!!"}, {"response": 365, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (11:05)", "body": "Wickham was never witty, funny and charming, I think they have made Hughie too attractive but even so how could anyone resit those lovely brown eyes. Thanks for the news about Elle magazine Meredith, is that the UK or the US?"}, {"response": 366, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (11:18)", "body": "kisses in the snow (Karen) Hopefully more than the kiss in the carriage. *heehee* Better watch those P&P spoilers, though...;-) (Popcorn Jane) Grant, who's suddenly... well, frankly, gorgeous. *cough* *choke* Pass this woman a new set of peepers! (Ann) Still it is only one person's opinion. Quite right Ann--hardly anything to become depressed about. There has to be a dozen reviews up so far and this is the *ONLY* one gushing about you-know-Hugh. (Meredith) Lovely article about CF in current issue of \"Elle\" Thanks for the tip, Meredith. Am still in search of April's Premiere and will add this one to my list. Think ODB may not be averse to becoming a big Hollywood star at all! Has to do with smelling coffee, surely. ;-)"}, {"response": 367, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (11:19)", "body": "gaah!"}, {"response": 368, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (11:48)", "body": "Thanks, Meredith! Did a quickie recon mission and I've got it here. It's the April issue of US Elle, Uma Thurman on cover. Nice article--but they've got him in the 3-year fugly sweater! Gah! Karen, I can scan and send; is long to type, but I can do that too.;-)"}, {"response": 369, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (11:50)", "body": "Mari scanned the following pics in from a Coke ad (note product placement in second pic). The print ad had very poor resolution but Mari did excellent job given the tiny and blurry one of Colin:"}, {"response": 370, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (12:05)", "body": "Ooops, wrong second pic. Titles nearly same. Will try again. Re: typing of Elle article Only if you have time. *winkie winkie*"}, {"response": 371, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (12:56)", "body": "It really isn't that long. Part 1: FIRTH AMONG EQUALS In the tradition of Anglo-hunk imports, Bridget Jones' heart throb Colin Firth has a few surprises up his sweater. If you're a woman who's even a little like Bridget Jones--and judging by the success of her self-titled diary (actually written by Helen Fielding), it's a good bet you are--then when you lay eyes on Mark Darcy as portrayed by Colin Firth in the upcoming movie, you'll be as confounded as the chronically hopeful heroine herself. Thick-haired, square-jawed, steely-eyed, Firth's Darcy thrums with alpha-male magnetism when Bridget (played by Renee Zellweger, with a plummily perfect English accent) spots him at a Christmas party. She gazes at his self-possessed mug, imagines romance, possibilities, love. She glances from his steady, kind eyes, to his strong neck, his broad shoulders, his . . .reindeer sweater?!? It's the first comic jolt in a performance that Firth molds into a slow, hilarious, oddly moving revelation. Mr. Right turns out to be Mr. Wrong, who turns out to be Mr. Not So Bad, who transmogrifies into Mr. This Can't Be Happening, who shape-shifts into . . .well, you'll see. \"The discovery we make,\" says Firth, \"is that this pompous individual ends up having a generous and entirely sincere side. That's what warms the cockles of our hearts.\" For Firth (and Bridget, and us), the key word is \"discovery.\" Darcy, Firth says, \"takes himself very seriously and therefore like anyone else who takes himself very seriously, is full of comic potential.\" \"Colin was always looking for a surprise because that's what's exciting for him,\" says Sharon Maguire, who directed Firth and Zellweger (along with Hugh Grant) in \"Diary,\" her first feature film. Firth agrees: \"The greatest joy of acting is to reveal the hidden reservoirs in a character--much more than the obvious challenges of transforming yourself. The degrees of what you conceal or reveal--that's what makes the biggest call on your judgment and your ability.\" To be continued . . ."}, {"response": 372, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (13:13)", "body": "Part 2: What's unlikely to remain concealed after Diary is the silent strength that has earned Firth hunky-icon status in his native country. In '95, he played another Darcy, in the BBC adaptation of Pride & Prejudice. \"The nation's females went into a standstill,\" says the British Maguire. \"Every woman in England fell in love with him.\" Herself included. \"He played that hero so well,\" she says. \"A patriarchal fantasy figure in a way; aloof, but burning with fire.\" Maguire detected a similarly quiet, white-hot intensity in Firth's approach to Diary. \"I didn't think those kinds of men existed in life,\" she says, \"but Colin is it.\" Since Pride & Prejudice, Firth has played a doomed husband in The English Patient and a scheming aristocrat to Gwyneth Paltrow's Viola in Shakespeare In Love, among other film roles. Those parts and a steady stage career (he will take the lead role in a London version of Hamlet this year) have brought the forty-year-old critical acclaim, but not the leading man lucre that, say, Jude Law and Ralph Fiennes command. Not that Firth spends time worrying about that. He lives in Tuscany and London with his wife (\"which is really very gutting,\" says Maguire), Livia Giuggioli, whom he met when she was a production assistant on the set of the BBC's 1997 miniseries Nostromo (in which he starred). He also goes to Southern California to visit his ten-year-old son, William. (Firth and William's mom, Meg Tilly, were together for five years after meeting on the set of Valmont.) Though Firth admits he's had \"very litle success in Hollywood,\" he's aware that Diary could change that--and complicate things in the process. \"Brits absolutely devour Ameican culture,\" he says. \"Yet there's a suspicion of Hollywood--an idea that it's vulgar and that if you court it you're selling out. Endorsement from America can be double-sided.\" Does he think Bridget Jones's Diary will bring him that endorsement? \"It might. I've been at this point so many times before,\" he says. \"But I enjoy the surprises. They keep me alive and going and kind of interested.\" --by Steve Friedman The End. (In addition to full-page fugly sweater photo, there's a small pic of Mark and Bridget, i.e., the turtleneck pic.)"}, {"response": 373, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (13:45)", "body": "Thank you, Mari!!! \"I didn't think those kinds of men existed in life,\" she says, \"but Colin is it.\" Yes! That's what warms the cockles of our hearts.\" It certainly does! ;-)"}, {"response": 374, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (14:01)", "body": "Fantastic article!! And it says that Hamlet will be *this year* She glances from his steady, kind eyes, to his strong neck, his broad shoulders All things we've scrutinized and admired. What's unlikely to remain concealed after Diary is the silent strength that has earned Firth hunky-icon status in his native country. We might have more visitors here. ;-D A patriarchal fantasy figure in a way; aloof, but burning with fire Oooh...and needed to take a dip to cool off. Not that Firth spends time worrying about that [not having leading man lucre] No, we do it for him. ;-D Thanks, Mari."}, {"response": 375, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (14:17)", "body": "Yes, thanks very much Mari and Karen and everyone for keeping us up to date."}, {"response": 376, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (14:30)", "body": "Well, am back from shopping spree with both Elle and Premiere mags only to find that *someone* has been v.v. busy! ;-D At least I'll have something to thumb through later. Can't believe Elle used the fugly sweater pic. *groan* (Karen) We might have more visitors here. ;-D Ooh, you might have to charge admission. ;-)"}, {"response": 377, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (14:39)", "body": "OK, today Radnor, PA, is closer to me. ;-D Have checked listings for next week and ALL morning, afternoon, and evening news and talk shows (Today, GFM, Rosie, View, Leno and Letterman) are having the three stars from Someone Like You, culminating with all three (Judd, Kinnear and Jackman) on The View on Friday, the day it opens...precisely what should be done for BJD. If you've seen the trailer on TV, it talks about Mr Right, Mr Wrong, etc., and the clip they showed on Leno last night was v. good. Not wacky Bridget, but an intelligent woman. Should be interesting. RZ is booked on Leno on Friday night (March 30) before the premiere."}, {"response": 378, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (15:25)", "body": "the clip they showed on Leno last night was v. good. When did they sart showing the clips on Leno before the gueststar is on? I can't continue to miss these things! RZ is booked on Leno on Friday night (March 30) before the premiere. RZ does Leno and flies to NY for the April 2nd premiere, right? There is nothing in LA, right? HG will probably be on Letterman, don't you think? They usually promote on both shows. Where will Colin fit in?"}, {"response": 379, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (16:14)", "body": "Thanks Mari for *taking the time* to type out the long article;-) \"Firth agrees: \"The greatest joy of acting is to reveal the hidden reservoirs in a character--much more than the obvious challenges of transforming yourself. The degrees of what you conceal or reveal--that's what makes the biggest call on your judgment and your ability.\" That's what makes him a better actor than most. \"he will take the lead role in a London version of Hamlet *this year*)\" We *knew* it couldn't be 2002!!Time to call Riverside Studios. So we can start clipping coupons and playing the lottery:-)"}, {"response": 380, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (16:19)", "body": "I didn't think those kinds of men existed in life,\" she says, \"but Colin is it.\" Nice one. Though Firth admits he's had \"very litle success in Hollywood,\" Refreshingly honest. The usual line...I've read it so many times in interviews with British actors....is that Hollywood beckoned, but they said \"no\" (why?). Hamlet \"this year\"...from the horse's mouth. Good! Thanks for all the info, Mari and Karen!"}, {"response": 381, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (17:17)", "body": "Ben - When is the London contingent planning on seeing the film? How about a drink? I expect I'll see it on opening night but as it's Good Friday am unlikely to be in town as getting back home again to Kent will be hellish (Sunday services et al) but wouldn't say no to an 'nth' viewing a bit later with drinkies to follow *hic*"}, {"response": 382, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (17:26)", "body": "Have we seen that tiny pic from Arena here yet? Here it is (scanned by Threedeers):"}, {"response": 383, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (17:41)", "body": "(Moon) RZ does Leno and flies to NY for the April 2nd premiere, right? There is nothing in LA, right? Not that I'm aware of. Marianne, do you have any info on this?"}, {"response": 384, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (18:09)", "body": "What happened to my pic??? It WAS there, I saw it. Try again:"}, {"response": 385, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (18:12)", "body": "Sorry, my computer must be playing up! It seems to have a strange hiccup. If the pic is not showing in the usual HTML way (and I don't know why!!!), try this link: http://www.geocities.com/threedeers/Archives/bjdarena.jpg"}, {"response": 386, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (18:19)", "body": "WOW! now it's back again! Apologies, but it must have been geocities who had a hiccup."}, {"response": 387, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (18:33)", "body": "Geocities does not allow \"remote loading\" anymore. That means you cannot post pics that reside at a Geocities site anywhere else but on that site."}, {"response": 388, "author": "Ela", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (18:49)", "body": "I'm actually a newbie who has been lurking here for some time now. But, I saw a couple of postings previously where some posters were talking about the number of fight scenes in BJD. So, I went back and slowly replayed the last 30 seconds of the trailer. I realized that when Mark Darcy makes his \"outside Cleaver\" speech and then punches him out in the next scene, this is the same night as when Bridget has her \"blue soup\" party. If you look at what the characters are wearing at her party: Tom, Bridget, Shazz, Jude, and Mark they are all wearing the same clothing at her party, and then outside on the streets when Mark punches Daniel in the face. Did anyone else notice this or am I going completely crazy?"}, {"response": 389, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (19:52)", "body": "Geocities does not allow \"remote loading\" anymore. Oh, fantastic! :-/ So what do I do now? I guess Threedeers will have to upload to colinfirth.com directly. Or something. Bear with us... :-) Welcome to the madhouse, Ela! We're all crazy here... ;-)"}, {"response": 390, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (20:10)", "body": "It's the first comic jolt in a performance that Firth molds into a slow, hilarious, oddly moving revelation. Ooooh, don't you love this?? He lives in Tuscany and London with his wife (\"which is really very gutting,\" says Maguire Could someone explain what she means by this? Over here, gutting is what we do to fish.;-) (Eileen)Can't believe Elle used the fugly sweater pic. *groan* I know. Maybe the Elle budget didn't allow for that newfangled invention, the photo shoot.;-) The uninitiated might look at this and think, \"ok, here's this dude from MTV, now where's the 'Anglo hunk import'?\";-) Actually, that's probably fine with CF. Moon, Karen was referring to the Someone Like You clip on Leno. I thought it was funny when Jay forgot SLY's title at the very end--it's *so* memorable. (Bethan)Refreshingly honest. The usual line...I've read it so many times in interviews with British actors....is that Hollywood beckoned, but they said \"no\" (why?). LOL! So true, Bethan, I was thinking the same thing. I don't think Colin has it in him to be disingenuous. Such nice comments from Sharon Maguire. I'm sure that having such a professional and non-egomaniacal cast on her first film meant a lot to her."}, {"response": 391, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (20:21)", "body": "Gutting = (Brit?) slang for bitterly disappointing; deeply upsetting."}, {"response": 392, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 20, 2001 (22:33)", "body": "To make it easy, I'll just post it for you ;-D Hi Ela! Good observation about the clothing. But if MD is at the birthday party, did he leave and come back, finding drunken Daniel there with the rest? v. confusing"}, {"response": 393, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (01:39)", "body": "Karen: Hi Ela! Good observation about the clothing. Hear hear. If it's done like TEOR, I suspect DC turns up at the party uninvited, MD makes him leave the flat, knocks him out to the amazement of the onlookers, and apologises, before returning to the flat to be treated like a hero. And the Arena picture...again from TEOR, Natasha has Giles dressed in her choice of clothes at a wedding; I remember some sort of comment like \"Don't put your wallet in your trouser pocket, Giles, it makes your leg look enormous\" - so this relationship may have been transposed to MD. Because that is a seriously fugly tie. Like the sweater, hard to believe that MD chose it."}, {"response": 394, "author": "Ela", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (02:44)", "body": "Karen, I agree with Mark - I'm assuming that Daniel arrives unexpectedly, a conversation takes place which ultimatly leads to MD punching Daniel in the face outside the apartment. What I don't get is haven't there been pictures of both Mark and Daniel lying face down on the pavement with shattered glass beneath them? Is this fight supposed to last a long time? Another clothing spot that I noticed in the trailer - when Daniel and Bridget are on the ground and he makes his remarks about her huge panties, she is wearing a black dress right? About 30 seconds later when the trailer is talking about how Mark is \"Mr. Wrong\", she passes him at a party wearing the same black dress. So, I'm guessing that both of these things also happen on the same night? Can you tell that I watched the trailer about 20 times, and each time that I watch it, I still laugh and giggle uncontrollably whenever Mark Darcy has any scenes - especially the fighting one at the end!! Go Mr. Darcy :)"}, {"response": 395, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (02:52)", "body": "The Hollywood line..... I don't understand the general consternation that CF, or any other actor, should shy away from Hollywood stardom. We live in an age where you are somehow deemed mad not to take all the fame and money on offer. Some Firthettes have said CF should court Hollywood roles more assiduously in order to get the good parts. But (i) these are not always the lead roles - in fact, they're often not the lead roles - and (ii) maybe there are better roles beyond Hollywood anyway! Don't get me wrong - anyone who pursues an ambition is to be admired, and the English are too often disingenuous about their lack of it. But why need it be Hollywood? As an actor, there are other goals. The most admired actor of his generation in England is Ian McKellen. He's done a few films, but not much. Perhaps this is only because he's not been offered things - perhaps all this time he's been anxiously waiting for the call. But I don't think so. If you have regard for someone surely the most important thing to wish for him is that he's content in what he's doing. I am genuinely MYSTIFIED about the projected ambitions for CF when (i) you don't know that he wants these things - in fact, the most natural thing to assume is that he IS content in what he's chosen to do, and (ii) it would be quite understandable if he was wary of Hollywood in the first place."}, {"response": 396, "author": "ommin", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (03:45)", "body": "Ben I agree with you. We do not know his ambitions for himself - only what we read on the media."}, {"response": 397, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (04:56)", "body": "Ben, you are absolutely right. As a man of 40 and an actor with 16-17 years of experience he certainly knows what is best for him. Hollywood is not the end all."}, {"response": 398, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (05:44)", "body": "No one said it was the end all, but it's an option that he'd be short-sighted, IMO, to exclude. And no need to be mystified either; everyone is entitled to an opinion, even you all.;-) Oh, let's just listen to Colin, in this new interview : Dark Horizons Presents... Colin Firth: Darcy Returns in Bridget Jones's Diary Colin Firth/Bridget Jones Diary Interview by Paul Fischer in Los Angeles British sex symbol Colin Firth became a star following his pivotal turn as the cool Mr Darcy in the TV version of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Now, in the eagerly anticipated screen version of Bridget Jones's Diary, Firth plays another Darcy, reluctantly falling for the film's pudgy central character (Renee Zellweger). For Firth, this movie affords the classically trained Brit the chance to send up his famous literary character. Adept at playing the proverbial stuffed shirt, it clearly an unstuffy Mr Firth who talked to Paul Fischer in Los Angeles about the two Darcies, coping with unexpected stardom and dealing with the British press. Q: Colin, how reluctant were you to play yet another Darcy? A: A little bit concerned. Concerns like that are answered by just accepting it and doing it. It had to be a good script and had to be done in the right spirit. As far as I'm concerned, the exercise was almost entirely tongue-in-cheek. Q: Were you satirising that [Austen] character? A: I was having fun with it for my own sake. I didn't want to satirise the FILM by satirising it and appropriate it for that reason. For it to work as a romantic comedy, you have to invest something in it, but nevertheless, the whole Darcy thing has followed me around to such an extent now, that it has made far more sense to have fun with it than try to vainly shake it off. Q: You seem to be very good at playing stuffed shirts. How much of those characters are within you? A: The business of acting is taking parts of yourself and reorganising them a little bit. You take some very gregarious and passionate aspects of your character, put a mask on it and see how that comes out. I find the results of that kind of thing rather interesting. I think those conflicts and paradoxes in people ARE fascinating; you know, the unhappy clown or the little speck of good in the cruel person or the reserved man who's in fact passionate. I think those things ARE fascinating and very polemic to the English. Q: There was a lot of initial controversy surrounding the casting of Zellweger. A: I was neither aware of it nor would I have any tolerance with that, I think it's absolutely ridiculous. She's a good actress, which is far more important than actually finding out where you were born. I know there IS an issue of being specific about a culture, but if someone has a talent for acting on the scale that SHE does, one of those talents is the ability to recognise and appropriate a culture, other than her own. Q: Why do you think Mark Darcy falls in love with Bridget? A: I think that, again, there are all sorts of contradictions in that relationship, and on the face of things, you'd think they were nearly opposite: He has poise where she has none, he is pompous where she has low self-esteem, he is taciturn, where she can't stop talking. But on some level, I think they're quite similar. He recognises her agony in certain social situations because he shares that, and I think he also recognises her vulnerability. She's also wry about her own clumsiness, which he finds appealing. Q: I read that you decided to lose weight for this movie. A: No, I did not decide to do that at all. What happened was, I was threatened with the prospect of having to take my shirt off, which was a chilling thought. So I thought that rather change profession, I will get a trainer and try and do something about it. Actually, what was going to happen was that during the fight scene with Hugh [Grant], it was going to culminate with our shirts being ripped off from our rippling, sweaty backs and have our dynamic torsos unleashed upon the female population of the world and they would barely recover. Q: What was it like to fight Hugh Grant? A: It was a delicious experience. Hugh will tell you that I fight like a girl, which he's been saying a lot lately. All I can say in response, is that it takes one to know one. He was the first one to pull my hair; I would never have dreamt of doing that. And he scratches as well. So that should give you an idea of HIS character. Q: Do you think you're sexy? A: I don't find myself sexy, and I don't have an erotic experience when I look at myself in the mirror, or think about myself. But does anyone find himself or herself sexy? Q: But Pride and Prejudice did something to your image, yes? A: Well I DEVELOPED an image is what happened. I'd been working away in this business, to my OWN satisfaction, for a very long time before that, and I felt I was benefiting from an EVASION of an image, in that I didn't think I had one. Q: How did you cope with the media intrusiveness? A: "}, {"response": 399, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (06:05)", "body": "Okay. Mystified is too strong. Puzzled, maybe. The interview is inconclusive. He would \"love\" to profit from America's fertile film industry, but it [America] is a \"foreign country\" to him and, before P&P, he'd been working away for fifteen years to his \"own satisfaction\". To me this does not sound like someone whose every happiness depends on a call from a big H'wood producer. (Forgive the hyperbole). In fact, he comes across as someone who is distasteful of celebrity culture, and all the instrusiveness and distortion it brings with it. He also sounds v. funny, which we knew already. I liked the bit about Hugh Grant."}, {"response": 400, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (06:16)", "body": "My only interest in seeing CF do more \"Hollywood\" type things is being able to *see* more of his work. Sometimes, his stuff is pretty hard to locate! CF is, of course, free to pursue any interest of his own."}, {"response": 401, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (06:23)", "body": "I love this guy's moniker; wonder what Ethel and Lucy are up to?;-) From Ain't It Cool News : Fred Mertz takes in a Screening of BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY Hey folks, Harry here with another look at an upcoming film from the amazing Fred Mertz... Fred has checked out the latest Miramax flick (coming April 6) and wanted to hate it. Me? Well Miramax just sent me a pair of panties with the stamp... \"Property of Bridget Jones\" on the right ass check of the Granny Panties... Now I'm not sure what the hell this has to do with the movie.... if anything... but if you are an attractive local lady and would like to see if these panties would fit you.... I'm going to be holding auditions --- kinda like finding the foot to fit that glass slipper... Meanwhile, here's a look at the film.... Bridget Jones's Diary I wanted to hate this movie. I'll admit, I heard all the rumors about Renee Zellwegger landing the part of the quintessential modern day self esteem challenged English woman because of her association with Jim Carrey. I wanted to get angry and scream \"It should have been Emma Watson or Kate Winslet or Kate Beckinsale or even Dame Edna for crissakes!\" because the thought of pawning off a corn fed Texas girl as a Brit just about enraged me. But then something happened. I saw the movie. I'll be honest, for about the first 40 minutes I was resisting Renee Zellwegger as the neurotic Bridget Jones...but then a scene hits you right in the face and all of a sudden you start to forget she's Renee and understand, she is Bridget. In a nutshell, there's a scene where Bridget discovers her boss/\"boyfriend\" (and I use that quote loosely) played by Hugh Grant (a ladykilling rogue who knows he's the cats pajama's) cheats on Bridget with a sexy long limbed American girl. Bridget finds the other woman in the bathroom and there's a shot of Bridget's reaction, where you just feel so much for her. After that, I forgot that Renee Zellwegger was in this movie. There was only Bridget. The film is based on the best selling novel of the same name by author Helen Fielding. Every woman's apartment I've been in who is in her 20's or early 30's has this book right next to the bed, like a bible. I haven't read it, since most men tend to stray to Nick Hornby for this type of subject matter, but after seeing the movie, I want to read the book. The supporting cast is nothing short of brilliant. Hugh Grant as Daniel Cleaver is so perfect as her sleazy, sex driven boss. He sends dirty emails to Bridget in the office and the wonderful thing about his character is that he is so sure that she won't scream sexual harassment because he just thinks he knows women, or even more, knows that he's their ideal. The greatest thing about this character is he's human. We see him vulnerable, we see him as a good guy at times and we see him as an absolute prick. Colin Firth plays Mr. Mark Darcy (hello, Pride and Prejudice anyone?) and he's Hugh's rival for Bridget's affections. When we first meet Mr. Darcy we hate him. He makes fun of Bridget and seems to cast a judgmental eye on her until later in the movie when we get a chance to see him through new eyes. Firth is one of the best actors out there. There is so much texture to his performance. It's wonderful to see an actor who can convey one emotion while his dialogue conveys the opposite. He's full of sub-text. This film is about how first impressions can change. It's about looking for love and trying to find that one person who accepts you for who you are. The way it deals with the relationship choices we all make and the mistakes we all make is very truthful in a funny way. The rest of the supporting cast, Bridget's friends, Mother and Father were so spot on. It's like watching a good basketball team full of role players all there to support the star player. The direction of the film was also top notch. I can imagine how difficult it was to make a movie out of a bunch of short journal entries, but director Sharon Maguire (a first time director I think) has a very sure hand. She weaves us in and out of scenes with great control and slows us down just when the audience needs it. Her attention to detail impressed me so much. The voice over narration seems to fit perfectly (it never stands out) and there's this wonderful moment when Bridget says something she shouldn't have said and instead of hearing Bridget say in voice over (oh fuck) she scribbles it across the bottom of the screen. I absolutely loved that moment. But what I enjoyed even more was that the entire story was from Bridget's perspective so the audience identifies directly with her. We feel her pain and joy and we really worry about her. A director who can make that work is something special. Romantic comedy is a dicey proposition in this day and age, but this is fresh and fun. My hat's off to you, Miss Maguire. Back to Renee--Her accent is spot on. She must have worked really hard to get this down. Yes, she did gain 15 pounds and she still looks gorgeous"}, {"response": 402, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (06:29)", "body": "Another v.g. review. Looks like they have a hit on their hands. Incidentally, can someone tell me the precise meaning of \"stuffed shirt\"? Pompous? Repressed?"}, {"response": 403, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (06:46)", "body": "Q: Do you have plans to work more in the US? A: No, I don't have plans to work more in the States, though I'm open to it. America to me is a foreign country with an abundantly fertile film industry and of course I would love to profit from that. In one way or another, but I'm not going to cut off any ties and come here to seek work, because what I get from home, serves me well. Me thinks the man doth protest too much. :-) (Ben) can someone tell me the precise meaning of \"stuffed shirt\"? Pompous? Repressed? Definitely pompous."}, {"response": 404, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (07:55)", "body": "Love the interview. It was a hoot, especially the part about the fight scene and having to strip off their shirts and finding oneself sexy. Wasn't aware of the controversy surrounding RZ's casting? Who is he trying to kid? ;-D Q: Do you have plans to work more in the US? A: No, I don't have plans to work more in the States, though I'm open to it. America to me is a foreign country with an abundantly fertile film industry and of course I would love to profit from that. In one way or another, but I'm not going to cut off any ties and come here to seek work, because what I get from home, serves me well. (Donna) Me thinks the man doth protest too much. :-) No kidding! So happy to see that the movie got a good review at AICN and wasn't written off as some lowlife chick flick. Feedback should be interesting. Will probably be about Jim Carrey. Mark, yes that party scenario does work, although it did confuse me to see MD at the doorway, as if he was coming in (had jacket on, whereas at the table, his jacket was off). The source of the snowman tie could be Natasha, although it could be whoever (in this movie not book) gave him the reindeer sweater and he wore it to be kind. The movie portrays a year in the life. It starts with post-New Year, Mark wearing the Christmas present sweater. It should end at Christmas time, with the party where Mark's engagement to Natasha is being announced. Ah well, we shall soon know. Ela, I think there are more than one black dress or scenes in which she wears them. One is the literary party and another looks to be a date with Daniel, culiminating in pants struggle on floor. Isn't her hair different for those two occasions? Thanks, Mari, for being so industrious this a.m."}, {"response": 405, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (08:06)", "body": "I see that Catherine (with her Dick Van Dyke neurosis) has been to the AICN feedback to urge people to her site to read the \"British\" view of the movie. http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com/tb_display.cgi?id=8460#267889"}, {"response": 406, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (08:30)", "body": "Yes thanks Mari for the interview and wonderful review, the best one for Colin so far, I think. How many more days to go..."}, {"response": 407, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (08:50)", "body": "Hoooeeeeyy, all this news! First, welcome and thanks for your analysis, Ela. Make yourself at home--we've all got experience watching videos frame by frame (ask Bethan or Lizza about 'Nessie'). ;-D About the fight vs. fights--agree with Mark and Ela, MD challenging a drunk and unwelcome DC after the blue soup dinner party sounds logical. They must crash through the window (which they definitely do) while fighting in the street. I hope there aren't multiple fight scenes; if the two of them start hurling fists every time they come in contact it would get a bit old (and would surely have been mentioned by a critic by this point). Re: the interview--thanks for sharing this and 'Fred's' AICN review, Mari. Love this: Firth is one of the best actors out there. There is so much texture to his performance. It's wonderful to see an actor who can convey one emotion while his dialogue conveys the opposite. He's full of sub-text. Not that we didn't know this already... Lastly (for now ;-)), I didn't find any real surprises in the interview. He was 'concerned' about playing Darcy but not to the point of nearly turning down the role. That's my interpretation of his response. About that H'wood line: it's called 'don't burn your bridges'. Keep the offers coming from the UK while expressing an openness to offers from H'wood, a perfectly logical approach, IMO. (Karen) I see that Catherine (with her Dick Van Dyke neurosis) has been to the AICN feedback to urge people to her site to read the \"British\" view of the movie. Catherine needs to get a life. Talk about missing the point..."}, {"response": 408, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (08:56)", "body": "Thanks, Mari! Finally getting some interviews! The part about the fight and shirts off was so funny. Can't believe F Mertz loved the film. And now for my classic comment: why can't he get his shirts and ties together? ;-) Welcome Ela, good observations!"}, {"response": 409, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (08:59)", "body": "Thanks Mari for reviews and interview.I'm reminded of a quote he once told a journalist:\"If you asked me that tomorrow, you might get a different answer.\" Sometimes he talks about roles he wishes he could have...next time he's happy with the ones he's getting.But we take him as he comes ;-)) \", I was threatened with the prospect of having to take my shirt off, which was a chilling thought\" Aw,for a minute there, I thought we would get the \"towel scene\". No such luck:-("}, {"response": 410, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (09:07)", "body": "Popcorn has an article/interview with RZ, with quotes from the huge gnat as well. Nothing at all new, really, except HG's comment about the British being defensive. ;-) http://www.popcorn.co.uk/news/story.jhtml?id=46068 More importantly, ET has put up some of the RZ interview that was shown last night (which I missed and plan to tape today) http://www.etonline.com/cgi-bin/get-article.pl?section=spotlight&table=Interviews&id=8746&page=all&publish=yes ~~~~~~~ Though I hadn't planned to respond, our discussions re: CF's career ambitions should be no more mystifying or puzzling to you, Ben, than say my own mystification or puzzlement over the lack of concurrence amongst economists who, using the same data and methodologies, will publish widely varying projections of key indicators. And then my mystification and puzzlement is compounded by the fact that they are largely all inaccurate/wrong and yet keep their jobs to go on projecting useless data for another day. :-) Since we cannot know what CF really thinks about the situation, then his contentment is also speculation. I have only commented on what *I* would like to see for him. He may not want it. If people would like to continue beating this one-step-closer-to-dogfood discussion, please take it to 143. Thank you."}, {"response": 411, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (09:17)", "body": "Karen, I was a little disappointed with the RZ interview in that the voiceover noted that Hugh 'plays one of two love interests'. No mention of CF (would it have killed them? Grrrr). The scenes shown were mostly from the trailer, except a longer shot of BJ in her bunny girl costume, walking up the lawn to the T&V party was added. Renee explained the 'butt cam' and how her modestly disappeared. She was v.g., alot less giggly than I've seen her in past interviews. Julie Moran looked so heavily made up she reminded me of Nora Desmond! 'I'm ready for my close up now...'"}, {"response": 412, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (09:18)", "body": "Nice bit from the ET interview: Julie: One of the most beautiful moments in the film is when Colin [Ed note: on first name basis] says to you, \"I accept you absolutely for who are.\" It doesn't matter that you're 10 pounds overweight, or this or that. What a wonderful message to be putting out to society right now. Ren\ufffde: Right. She's just fine. She's smart and she's accomplished inso many ways. She's funny, charming and really likable, has a beautiful heart, and she's pretty."}, {"response": 413, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (09:33)", "body": "Agree, it's a nice bit but it didn't make it to the broadcast. :-("}, {"response": 414, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (09:40)", "body": "(Eileen) Agree, it's a nice bit but it didn't make it to the broadcast. :-( [ever the optimist, HA!!] They're saving it and Colin's interview for a Sweeps period. ;-D Item in NY Daily News gossip column about RZ and her current glamorizing trend. She'll be on the cover of the April Vogue. Doubt will have any else re: film. However it would've been IMO far better if they had Colin in spiffy suit (with well-fitted collar) to pose with her."}, {"response": 415, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (10:06)", "body": "Thanks, Karen. I would put any reaction against RZ (and, to tell the truth, I don't remember much) down to the s*it-stirring British press. I am a big fan - she's a terrific actress and a babe. HG's remark about the submarine seems a little off-beam. One objection was about inventing fact, another about who to play a fictionional character. On dogfood.....I don't have to predict things, thank God. And to link the two...one economists' dictum is that actions reveal preferences. In that sense, CF's contentment is not entirely speculative. The fact that he's not been battering desperately at Hollywood's door all these years must say something."}, {"response": 416, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (10:09)", "body": "Oh, and the hits just keep on comin'! Check out the 2nd paragraph (emphasis mine:-). This is from Roger Friedman at Fox News (many thanks to Chris R. for spotting): Earnest Cast Revs Up Before Strike Add Frances O'Connor, the wonderful star of Mansfield Park, to the cast of Miramax's The Importance of Being Earnest. Oliver Parker, who directed another good Miramax Oscar Wilde adaptation, An Ideal Husband, has just placed her in a group that includes Judi Dench, Rupert Everett, Reese Witherspoon and Colin Firth. Firth, who steals Miramax's Bridget Jones' Diary, is the latest addition to the studio's repertory company."}, {"response": 417, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (10:19)", "body": "Thanks Mari for the interview and Karen for all the links. This board is a veritable feast of delicious delights to dip in and out of, thankk you Ladies. The reviews are great. Mari , is the Catherine you mentioned the lady with the Brit BJD site? It was featured in The Sunday Times section \"Doors\" and says \"Like the story, it is a one woman effort and not always as attractive as it would like to be, but for puppy dog enthusiasm it scores full marks.\" ASTONISH ME!!! IMO it is far inferior in layout, style, content and originality to our Karen's. It's rather akin to the RZ casting debate, in this case case too Brit is not best! Forget the \"puppy dog\" , we've got \"Best in Show.\""}, {"response": 418, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (10:26)", "body": "Yes, Catherine is the one with the www.bridgetjones.co.uk site. She's also the online editor for Empire. (very much the novice implied by The Times). ;-D Love Fox News' comment about Colin stealing the movie!!! Could this be the answer to all my prayers (not his, of course)? ;-D ~~~~~~~~~ From Neal Travis' column in the NY Post: EVEN Tom Cruise and director Cameron Crowe couldn't persuade Renee Zellweger to take off her top for a bedroom scene in her first big hit, \"Jerry Maguire.\" The former girlfriend of Jim Carrey says she considers most sex scenes in movies distracting for audiences. Shooting even stopped on the \"Jerry Maguire\" set as she explained her objections against going topless, Zellweger tells the April issue of Premiere. \"It's not like Cameron's big plan was to have this sleazy, gratuitous boob shot,\" she says. \"That's not in him, and I'd do anything for him - with the exception of that.\" She thinks that, too often, sexuality in films takes away from the plot. \"When a woman stands naked in a room, unless that particular moment is held up by the subject matter, all you notice is that there's a naked girl,\" she claims. Needless to say, there are no nude scenes in her upcoming \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" in which she stars opposite Hugh Grant. But there is plenty of Renee to see, because she put on 15 pounds to play the part, something not many other A-list actresses would be willing to do. \"I'm so afraid that when \u2018Bridget Jones' comes out, it'll all be focused on [the weight gain]. It was part of the character. I wanted to look like Bridget, and she smokes and she doesn't go to the gym,\" she adds. I guess Renee hasn't seen the press kit now being distributed for the much-anticipated movie. It manages to hint at both undressing and being a bit plump by including a pair of voluminous knickers, stamped \"Property of Bridget Jones.\""}, {"response": 419, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (10:46)", "body": "(Karen) Could this be the answer to all my prayers Never underestimate the power of a good novena (or was that rosary?) ;-) Let me see, how does that go again? Firth, who steals Miramax's Bridget Jones' Diary I could read that over and over and over and.... (will forgive Roger for inaccurately stating that CF is the 'latest addition' to Miramax's repertory co. Durr. Where the #*&^% has he been? Planet Zarg?)"}, {"response": 420, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (10:59)", "body": "Good news : have new and better version of snowman tie pic. :-) Bad news : suit has a definite pattern :-("}, {"response": 421, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (11:26)", "body": "(Karen) suit has a definite pattern Ooh, do tell. Give it to us on the official 'badaBING' scale... Have just re-read the interview (you can tell am relegated to computer today with workmen climbing all over house). Besides the shirt-ripping comment, *this* is definitely the funniest part: Q: What was it like to fight Hugh Grant? A: It was a delicious experience. Hugh will tell you that I fight like a girl, which he's been saying a lot lately. All I can say in response, is that it takes one to know one. He was the first one to pull my hair; I would never have dreamt of doing that. And he scratches as well. So that should give you an idea of HIS character. LMAO! Love that man's sense of humor."}, {"response": 422, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (11:39)", "body": "Agree, Eileen. The man is cool. Karen, I your links don't work? Is that me or them? What's wrong with the suit?"}, {"response": 423, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (11:40)", "body": "Agree, Eileen. The man is cool. Karen, your links don't work - is that me or them? What's wrong with the suit?"}, {"response": 424, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (11:40)", "body": "Woops."}, {"response": 425, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (12:51)", "body": "The links don't work fro me either. Thanks, Karen, for keeping us up on the latest."}, {"response": 426, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (13:43)", "body": "They're not links--it's what happens when you type the word news. Try it."}, {"response": 427, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (13:45)", "body": "Never mind, then. I know it happened to me once. Maybe they are [broken] links!"}, {"response": 428, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (13:54)", "body": "No, they are not links but exactly what Eileen described. The color version of the pic can't be done right now, but I can scan in the b&w a little later. Am not terribly good with fabric terminology, but is a window pane type check???? Love that part of the interview too. This guy is as witty and glib as HG and deserves to go on our talk shows."}, {"response": 429, "author": "Ela", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (14:37)", "body": "Karen, You mentioned a literary party that Bridget goes to in your post. Does this happen in the book or only in the movie? I don't have my copy of the book available, but I can't seem to remember if she went to a literary party. Anyone know if this takes place in the beginning of the book?"}, {"response": 430, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (15:39)", "body": "Yes, Bridget goes to a literary party in the book as well. See April 18 entry. As promised, here's the suit detail. Will have color tomorrow."}, {"response": 431, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (16:38)", "body": "Suit, g.; tie, downright silly; fit of shirt collar, v.v.g.! *humming the tune to 'Frosty, the Snowman'*"}, {"response": 432, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (16:46)", "body": "Dorky suit....I hope it's just a sport coat. Why did they cut off those beautiful hands. Thanks K."}, {"response": 433, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (16:58)", "body": "Haven't even focused on suit, tie, collar, etc. Am too busy sitting here running my cursor over that lovely cleft in his chinny chin chin.:-) Thanks, Karen."}, {"response": 434, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (17:31)", "body": "Lovely picture! Can't imagine that the lovely and snooty Natasha would ever condone a tie like that. Makes one wonder what the situation is. We don't have long to wait!"}, {"response": 435, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (18:28)", "body": "In addition to RZ on Leno on March 30, we now have: Monday, 4/2/01, Hugh Grant on The Today Show* Tuesday, 4/3/01, Hugh Grant on The Late Show with David Letterman *Perhaps can drop by and make faces at through window. Ideas for home-made signs? WE WANT COLIN!!"}, {"response": 436, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (19:16)", "body": "*Perhaps can drop by and make faces at through window. Ideas for home-made signs? WE WANT COLIN!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Capital! Captial!"}, {"response": 437, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar 21, 2001 (19:55)", "body": "Ideas for home-made signs? But of course.;-) 1. Your 15 minutes are up! 2. Elvis has left the building . . .too bad he didn't take this guy with him. 3. Great hair--not! 4. Repent! The end is near! Grant dealt crushing blow! --Job"}, {"response": 438, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Mar 22, 2001 (03:23)", "body": "I will cut up my snowman tie as soon as I get home. The Telegraph is offering you the chance to \"email Bridget Jones\": http://www.telegraph.co.uk/et?ac=002291052247880&rtmo=rrrrrrrq&atmo=rrrrrrws&pg=/etc/etchome.html (If you can ignore the bizarre stuff about John Bayley - this man has made a life for himself out of the death of his better known, and more distinguished wife, Iris Murdoch. Rather sad.)"}, {"response": 439, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Mar 22, 2001 (08:11)", "body": "Aargh, aargh, is past 9 a.m. here in the east, and still no mention of the words 'Colin' or 'Firth' or even 'BJD' on the Today show. Have been watching since 7:30; sat through Laura Bush, Jennifer Love Huett, internet fraud, plus size fashions for women (didn't know you could wear camoflauge tee with spiky gold sandals even if not plus size), can recite my local news, weather and traffic backwards and forward...since this half hour is parenting and food allergies, it looks as though CF will be on in the final half hour. I hope."}, {"response": 440, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Mar 22, 2001 (08:28)", "body": "Good Luck Eileen, keep tuning in, we're counting on you. Desperate to know what I am missing!! Just think of your payoff!"}, {"response": 441, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 22, 2001 (08:44)", "body": "We haven't had plus size fashions yet but am getting worried."}, {"response": 442, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar 22, 2001 (08:56)", "body": "We haven't had plus size fashions yet but am getting worried They're darling ;-) Thanks Eileen. Pays to have a Firthette in the Eastern time Zone. He must be on the last half-hour."}, {"response": 443, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Mar 22, 2001 (08:59)", "body": "\"Leave the best to last.\" Or however the song goes!"}, {"response": 444, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Mar 22, 2001 (09:05)", "body": "Turn off those VCRs, ladies, it's a bust. CF wasn't on. ;-( I was a bit hopeful in that one of the last segments was about magnifiers and other assistive devices for seniors--since we all know CF's fan base is comprised of very old ladies--but alas, he was bumped. *insert words too nasty to post* Perhaps his segment has been moved to next week?? *crossing fingers* Off to prepare my 'Isn't Hugh DEVINE?' sign for the day Huge Gnat is on the Today show (bet he won't get bumped). *pouting*"}, {"response": 445, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Mar 22, 2001 (09:23)", "body": "Have e-mailed the Today show asking if CF's segment has been rescheduled. Feel free to do likewise. The address is today@nbc.com."}, {"response": 446, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 22, 2001 (09:23)", "body": "This is v.v. disappointing. Any ideas how we can find out if it's been rescheduled? (I don't want to watch this every morning until 4/13!!) I've emailed them, but don't have an expectation of getting a reply."}, {"response": 447, "author": "jam12982", "date": "Thu, Mar 22, 2001 (09:26)", "body": "Hey I've been lurking a while now, and I was really looking forward to CF's appearance today, but I checked the Today show's scedule on the internet, and for tomorrow they have Jennifer Love Hewitt. But as we all know, she was on today. Maybe they will have Colin on tomorrow. Who knows, but I was v. disappointed."}, {"response": 448, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 22, 2001 (09:30)", "body": "Since Jennifer Love Hewitt was scheduled to be on Friday, maybe Colin has been switched to then??? *disappointment has affected my judgment*"}, {"response": 449, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Mar 22, 2001 (09:30)", "body": "He's not listed in their detailed breakdown of tomorrow's show. One thing is certain, like Karen, I'm not tuning in nor taping 3 hours each day until the dawn of time (though did learn fascinating things about lactose intolerance *snore*)."}, {"response": 450, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar 22, 2001 (09:30)", "body": "Try calling Miramax. I tried calling the Today Show last week to confirm the appearance, but couldn't get past the recorded voice prompt messages. But maybe someone else may have better luck, or find a better number. I'll e-mail too, but I think that's useless. I'm sure he was not bumped. Rather, I think the scheduling info posted on the cyberspace sites that track these things was wrong. As I said from the start, the early scheduling of this (3 weeks prior to film opening) made no sense at all. They want the impact of having guest appearances right before the opening. So, I remain optimistic that it will happen. It just wasn't going to be Today.:-("}, {"response": 451, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Mar 22, 2001 (09:30)", "body": "Thanks for answering what I posted at 143, should have checked here first."}, {"response": 452, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 22, 2001 (09:31)", "body": "Welcome Jennie and feel free to post. It appears we were thinking the exact same thing and our posts overlapped. :-)"}, {"response": 453, "author": "JenniferR", "date": "Thu, Mar 22, 2001 (09:42)", "body": "*de-lurks, in a grumpy mood due to decided lack of Mr. Firth on Today show* In an effort to fill the gaping chasm left by the lack of ODB on TV this morning, I surfed over to the BJD site on MSN. They now have a page up for the soundtrack, with very brief soundclips from all of the songs. Hopefully, this link will work: http://entertainment.msn.com/bridget/page2/ Ben's list of uniforms had me laughing out loud at the office. It's a bit difficult to explain what's so funny when you work amongst the heathen masses who have never heard of ODB. *slinks back into oblivion*"}, {"response": 454, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Mar 22, 2001 (10:12)", "body": "Who's in NYC on the 6th of April??? I will be for my bday celebration (the big 33!!) can ya believe it??? Anyway, let me know who is around and lets hook up.. Karen???"}, {"response": 455, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Thu, Mar 22, 2001 (10:49)", "body": "Today Show: I'm hopeful that he will be in the lineup that is closer to the opening. That is usually the custom, and often stars are on sucessive days (if distributor's publicity machine is in high gear-which is obviously the case here). Meredith (with fingers crossed)"}, {"response": 456, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 22, 2001 (11:27)", "body": "Imitation must surely be the highest form of flattery, as the UK Bridget site now talks about a Bridget Survival Kit, containing Chardonnay, chocolate, etc. Wonder if it's at all like the one I posted eons ago on the very first page? Thanks, Jennifer, for the heads up. Looks as if the Todd Rundgren song has definitely now been accepted. :-( Have new details: There is a Perpetua and she's played by Felicity Montague The minibreak (boating scene) was filmed at the Stoke Park Club, home of the Stoke Poges Golf Club, where the golfing scenes from Goldfinger were shot. If you go to their website, there are pictures of the lake. http://www.stokeparkclub.com/spc/fishing.html Other locations were the Cantina (Shad Thames) where Bridget and Daniel have their first date; the Tate Modern (an evening with her friends); the Royal Courts of Justice, where Bridget attempts to get an interview (WOO WOO, Barrister Alert!!); a loft apartment in Clink Wharf (Daniel's home); and Wrotham Park, Barnet, which serves as the Darcy family home. In addition to Salman Rushdie, Jeffrey Archer and Julian Barnes, there will be Sebastian Faulkes and Alain de Boiton."}, {"response": 457, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Mar 22, 2001 (11:39)", "body": "I e-mailed Today as soon as it was over. Got a !@#%*%@ form letter in return thanking me for my interest. Bullhockey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm still in a bad mood after being awakened by the shuttle hitting the earths atmosphere over my house at 2:30 A.M. yesterday morning and geting up at 6:30 this morning."}, {"response": 458, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Mar 22, 2001 (12:09)", "body": "and Wrotham Park, Barnet, which serves as the Darcy family home. This is the Pemberley equivalent....a Palladian mansion set in 300 acres. Makes Darcy v.v.rich!"}, {"response": 459, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 22, 2001 (12:30)", "body": "Would appear they've overdone it, wouldn't you think?"}, {"response": 460, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Mar 22, 2001 (12:41)", "body": "Would've been funnier had they used Lyme Park... :)"}, {"response": 461, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar 22, 2001 (12:47)", "body": "Just a quick repeat from #143--Colin is scheduled to be on Today some time in the next 2 weeks."}, {"response": 462, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar 22, 2001 (14:16)", "body": "He's not listed in their detailed breakdown of tomorrow's show. One thing is certain, like Karen, I'm not tuning in nor taping 3 hours each day until the dawn of time (though did learn fascinating things about lactose intolerance *snore*). Eileen, I could not have said it better myself! I will have to have it written in blood before I sit through that show again!"}, {"response": 463, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 22, 2001 (20:12)", "body": "Mark: Does this guy look familiar?"}, {"response": 464, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Mar 22, 2001 (20:54)", "body": "Would've been funnier had they used Lyme Park... :) LOL Laura, great minds & all that! Saw the pic and had that exact thought! :-)"}, {"response": 465, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Mar 22, 2001 (21:39)", "body": "(MarkG) *.../ I suspect DC turns up at the party uninvited, MD makes him leave the flat, knocks him out to the amazement of the onlookers, and apologises, before returning to the flat to be treated like a hero./... (Ela B.).../I agree with Mark - I'm assuming that Daniel arrives unexpectedly, a conversation takes place which ultimatly leads to MD punching Daniel in the face outside the apartment./... This was answered by Isobel Fox, in her March 17 femail.co.uk article, when she gave out oall those spoilers, one of which was: .../ Darcy starts to develop feelings for Bridget, which soon become clear on Bridget's birthday where her disastrous culinary skills means she ends up feeding her guests soup that's turned blue. But Darcy has competition\ufffdCleaver also turns up at Bridget's flat after realising that he misses her and wants her back. The Article is on Karen's BJD Review page. :-) (Mark G.) .../And the Arena picture...again from TEOR, Natasha has Giles dressed in her choice of clothes at a wedding.../ I'm picking nits today -- you're thinking Rebecca, not Natasha (though I suspect the scriptwriters sort of squooshed them together in their heads...) You'll have to pardon me. get to all this a day or two late and require another day to give rise to any response...I'm exclusively limited to 1-hr/day library time now. :-{ KJ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Topic 145 of 146 [drool]: Bridget Jones's Diary - nowhere near the edge of reason (Part 3) Response 394 of 464: Another clothing spot that I noticed in the trailer - when Daniel and Bridget are on the ground and he makes his remarks about her huge panties, she is wearing a black dress right? About 30 seconds later when the trailer is talking about how Mark is \"Mr. Wrong\", she passes him at a party wearing the same black dress. So, I'm guessing that both of these things also happen on the same night? Can you tell that I watched the trailer about 20 times, and each time that I watch it, I still laugh and giggle uncontrollably whenever Mark Darcy has any scenes - especially the fighting one at the end!! Go Mr. Darcy :)"}, {"response": 466, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Mar 22, 2001 (21:43)", "body": "Sorry about that. I'd better resign this stuff permanently...[:-( KJ"}, {"response": 467, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar 22, 2001 (22:27)", "body": "This is nice. Many thanks to Silvie for this report! There are loads of gorgeous pix of RZ in April's Vogue \"Ren\ufffde takes Paris'. No BJD pix (19 pages all in all) but some quotes from and about BJD & Colin: \"....Vogue flew her to Paris for the couture only hours after her triumph at the GG (Best Actress-Musical or Comedy Nurse Betty) but there are way bigger triumphs ahead of Ren\ufffde Zellweger. The long-awaited film of Helen Fielding's best-selling comic masterpiece BJD, in which she stars, opens this month on both sides of the Atlantic. And about five minutes after that, Zellweger will be one of the biggest female stars in the world..... ....Because it's her movie. With every step she takes, with every adorable clunky bad life choice she makes, with every glass of Chardonnay she slurps, with every word she utters (in her perfectly pitched London accent), she is Bridget Jones. Yes, yes, she's got two fabulous leading men to play off: Hugh Grant, cast brilliantly against type as the silver-tongued slimebag Daniel Cleaver, is sexier and funnier than he's ever been without that foppish trademark--uh, stutter--getting in the way. And Colin \"Mr Darcy in Damp Shirt\" Firth - Helen Fielding's real-life pinup - is as sardonic and smoldering and rocklike as Bridget Jones's possible saviour ought to be. They're both great; the film is great. But it's Zellweger's movie.... Helen Fielding is thrilled with her. \"Bridget's very human, which is why women respond to her. She is not one of those women like Liz Hurley, who never have a bad-hair day. Ren\ufffde is the kind of actress who can look ordinary sometimes and quite beautiful at others.\" It's easy to see why people love working with her. She'll work until she drops. When I call her leading men to ask about Zellweger, both of them fall over themselves to get across how unbelievably grounded she is, how nice, how normal. Acting is a notoriously flouncy profession \"for actors of either sex,\" says Colin Firth. \"But Renee's game for everything. All the time. There was no preciousness, no sort of 'I'm feeling a bit brittle today, so you better not come near me.' She's one of the least precious people I've ever met.\" (Precious, in British English, does not mean 'adorable', I should say. It means 'revoltingly babyish and self centered\") Zellweger's biggest fear in prepping for her role, she says, was that she would be \"the weak link. Especially with those guys, you know?\" Hugh Grant had been her pinup for years, ever since she was at the University of Texas Austin, taking journalism classes and making the odd TV commercial. And she knew all about Mr Wet-Shirt Darcy from A&E's Pride & Prejudice. \"But they were fantastic. Fantastic,\" she says. \"And completely supportive. From the beginning.\"...."}, {"response": 468, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 22, 2001 (22:57)", "body": "Thanks, KJ, I thought I'd read it somewhere. ;-D And she knew all about Mr Wet-Shirt Darcy Don't you wonder if she had to watch the series? She did read the book...after she got the part. And Colin \"Mr Darcy in Damp Shirt\" Firth - Helen Fielding's real-life pinup - is as sardonic and smoldering and rocklike as Bridget Jones's possible saviour ought to be. And steals the film! *now, I'm crossing my fingers*"}, {"response": 469, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (02:29)", "body": "Would appear they've overdone it, wouldn't you think? LOL! Correction, MD is v.v.v.v.v. rich!"}, {"response": 470, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (03:23)", "body": "Karen: Mark, does this guy look familiar? Not to me, but I'm so bad at faces it's going to turn out to be my brother or something. Seriously, I expect you're going to tell me that he was the stuntman in Colin's clothes, but if that's the case his hair was very different indeed for shooting. KJ: you're thinking Rebecca, not Natasha Yup, thanks for straightening me out - as I was writing \"Natasha\", I was thinking this is not quite right - they must be all squooshed together in my head too. Who had the billiard-ball bottom? Which reminds me, the Comic Relief book, as noted, is very short but of course very funny. There's a glossary of terms at the back which defines Jellyfisher, Smug Married etc, and gives the meaning of Aargh as Aargh. Mari, loved your Top Ten list at #143. Nos 7 and 2 were my faves."}, {"response": 471, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (06:12)", "body": "Gabrielle was on GMTV singing \"Out of reach \" Live this morning!! Clips of Cf that you are all familiar with from video included. But the very best bit was the interview, in which G says what a fantastic movie it is etc etc and when asked whether she prefers CF to HG says \"I am totally in love with Colin Firth at the moment.\" When asked what CF has got that HG hasn't (WE know the answer to that one!!!) She said \"He's just soooo lovely. Sorry Hugh.\" Then I think she said something like \"I had better stop now before I embaress myself.\" What a woman of taste! Wonder if I can wait 3 weeks after all. Counting the days..... hours....."}, {"response": 472, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (06:59)", "body": "(Mark) gives the meaning of Aargh as Aargh. Hee hee. It works for me! (Lizza)Gabrielle was on GMTV singing \"Out of reach \" Live this morning!! Glad you folks had better luck than us yesterday! Sounds like Gabrielle has excellent taste, and is worthy of the title track honors! Here's another review, from Dark Horizons: Bridget Jones Diary \ufffdby Scott Mantz\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Dear Diary, Today is Saturday, March 17, and I just got back from having breakfast--alone. That was after last night, when I went to the movies -- alone. Then I woke up this morning -- you guessed it, alone. Well, I guess that's par for the course these days, since, even at the ripe old age of 32, I'm still a single guy. Not that there's anything wrong with that (or so I keep telling myself), but I suppose things would have been a lot different if I had stayed in Philadelphia (my hometown), got married, had 2 1/2 kids, bought a house, and called it a day. But no, I had to take my chances, follow my heart, move out to LA, and try to make it in this crazy business called Hollywood. Well, I'm still working on that last part, but one thing's for sure -- I never thought I'd still be single at 32. While most of my friends are either involved, married with children, or heading for a divorce (probably the latter), my sad state of affairs was driven home last night when I attended a special advance screening of Renee Zellweger's new movie Bridget Jones's Dairy. Not only did I really enjoy the film, but I actually related to it in the sickest possible way (and I'm a guy!). I also found Zellweger to be even more charming and adorable than she was in last year's little seen gem, Nurse Betty. She easily puts to rest all the scrutiny that she was under when she signed up for the role of the chain-smoking, Vodka-drinking, weight-obsessed British heroine from Janet (sic) Fielding's enormously popular book of the same name. Bridget Jones's (Renee Zellweger) life is a mess. She's overweight, she chain-smokes, she's a 32-year-old \"singleton,\" and she likes to drink alone while singing \"All By Myself\" at the top of her lungs. But she's had it! She's going to turn her life around once and for all, and she starts by keeping a diary to keep track of all her New Year's resolutions. The first of them is to stop dating slimy men who only have their good-looks going for them, but before the ink is even dry on that one, she starts shagging her sexy, playboy boss (Hugh Grant) at the publishing firm where she works. Now she's caught in a bind -- will she keep dipping her pen in the company ink, or will she go for an already involved barrister (Colin Firth) who keeps showing up at the most inopportune times? Talk about decisions, what's a neurotic, confused, scatterbrained British girl to do? Think of Bridget Jones's Diary as a British version of TV's Ally McBeal (but without the eating disorder). She may seem like she's out of her mind, but compared to everyone else, including her \"smug-married\" friends and dysfunctional parents, she's the one who's better off. Besides, why is it anyone else's business how her love life is doing? What's wrong with being picky and waiting for Prince Charming? Who cares what other people think? If anything, they're just jealous! As Bridget, Renee Zellweger is simply irresistible. Hot on the heels of her Golden Globe-winning performance in Nurse Betty, she gives another range revealing turn that capitalizes on her girl-next-door appeal. After raising eyebrows for being cast in a role that many in the British press felt should have gone to Emily Watson, Helena Bonham Carter, or Kate Winslet, Zellweger rises to the occasion, packs on the weight (almost 15 pounds), and puts to rest any fears that she couldn't carry the British accent (Kevin Costner, take note). In fact, if I didn't know any better, I would never have guessed that Zellweger was from Texas. Hugh Grant is perfectly cast as Zellweger's too good-looking for his own good boss. He takes the sleazy role he played in last year's Small Time Crooks to the next level, and as a result, he seems to be having a blast. Colin Firth sulks through most of the film as Zellweger's other potential love interest, and despite being in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong person and saying the wrong thing, it's obvious that they were meant for each other. My only problem with Bridget Jones's Diary is with the ending. Like last year's Mel Gibson starrer What Women Want, it starts out strong and loses steam towards the end. While it stays true to the book, it still feels weak compared to what preceded it. Then again, Zellweger is so darn charming and funny, and after baring her soul (not to mention her expanded frame), it's hard not to be won over by her immensely appealing performance. Given the nature of dating in this crazy town, it's easy to understand why I feel so hopeless. But, like Bridget Jones, I'm not willing to compromise and settle (\"settle\" being the key word) down with the wrong woman just "}, {"response": 473, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (07:22)", "body": "Thanks, Mari and Lizza. \"I am totally in love with Colin Firth at the moment.\" I wonder how Livia feels about this. ;-) I bet Colin will be escaping to Italy very soon."}, {"response": 474, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (07:41)", "body": "Would appear they've overdone it, wouldn't you think? LOL! Correction, MD is v.v.v.v.v. rich! Is this the home where Bridget used to caper about the lawn with no clothes? I had a slightly different image in mind. ;-D (Mark) I expect you're going to tell me that he was the stuntman in Colin's clothes Bingo!! (Reviewer) While it stays true to the book Must be the one by Janet Fielding where Bridget drinks vodka and is overweight. But otherwise, v.g. review."}, {"response": 475, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (08:16)", "body": "From a humerously, Shazz-like (just as you said, MFP) response to the all the Talkback on AICN from a person called Rhya kitty : ;-D \"On a side note, I think Renee must have picked up every pound that Colin Firth lost. What the hell did they do to him? She looks fantastic (what great breasts!) but he looks like a cadaver. I want Mr. Darcy from PnP back, dammit!\" http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com/tb_display.cgi?id=8460#268741"}, {"response": 476, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (09:05)", "body": "I'm guessing that Chrissy Iley is a former Time Magazine staffer. From The Scotsman: http://www.leisure.scotsman.com/living/headlines_specific.cfm?articleid=3006"}, {"response": 477, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (09:17)", "body": "Blimey. I suppose I sympathise with a milder version of the Iley view. But to say... \"True love may exist in a moment, but rarely lives happily ever after unless it\ufffds in a fairy tale, and Bridget Jones is as dangerous as Cinderella. A woman I know in her thirties, single of course, saw the movie and enthused: \"It gave me such hope.\" And what was she hoping for? That even if you\ufffdve made a mess of your life, you could still get Mr Right? She didn\ufffdt even temper this with Mr. Right Now.\" is simply wrong. I know a few people for whom it's \"lived happily ever after\". More generally, I think it's also wrong to identify Bridget's insecurities - which are deliberately exaggerated, of course - as exclusive to women."}, {"response": 478, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (09:18)", "body": "Bugger. Does this do it?"}, {"response": 479, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (09:18)", "body": "MERDE! Sorry."}, {"response": 480, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (09:52)", "body": "I am totally in love with Colin Firth at the moment.\" (Moon)I wonder how Livia feels about this. ;-) I bet Colin will be escaping to Italy very soon. LOL.The hazards of the trade. What the heck, it pays for the pasta. Mari....your \"Ten Reasons Why\".....you should publish. Getting caught up in the Refugee Demonstration...has to be my fave. Irreverent, but hilarious."}, {"response": 481, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (09:59)", "body": "I see Chrissy forgot to take her happy pill the day she wrote that. Am sure there will be many more like it, just as there were when the book(s) came out. (Rhyakitty at AICN) What the hell did they do to him? She looks fantastic (what great breasts!) but he looks like a cadaver. I want Mr. Darcy from PnP back, dammit!\" And the 'girls' were padded, were they not? Could've fooled me, though, by the looks of some of the pictures we've seen. Judging from the stills, trailer, and OOR vid, CF looks far from a cadaver though. Or maybe it's just that his shirts fit."}, {"response": 482, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (10:09)", "body": "My friends, of which I'm going to NYC with, haven't a clue as to who CF is... Now they were over my house last week, and I was explaining to them the coup casting of CF as MD... They didn't get it... So I pull out the P&P and say..\"This is Mr. Darcy in P&P\"... Show pic of MD. The braniac says, \"Hey, that's the same person...\" See what I have to deal with??? EVEN Rebecca (bless her 10 year old heart) was giggling... :) She said, \"even I knew what mom was talking about...\""}, {"response": 483, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (10:38)", "body": "That article from the Scotsman sounds like something Germaine Greer?(sp) would write were she reviewing the film!! and although I liked the second DH review I would have preferred the word \"smouldering\" to \"sulking\"!!"}, {"response": 484, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (10:52)", "body": "The CD cover: Have been checking out prices and HMV in Canada may be the cheapest (US$11.84) plus US$2 for shipping; it shows a new release date of 4/17."}, {"response": 485, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (11:02)", "body": "There, you see - isn't she gorgeous? I saw an Underground poster for the film with this photograph; they seem to have ditched the one where BJ is bending over showing off her \"great breasts\" (Rhyakitty quote, before someone bites my head off..). Is it meant to be significant that HG is looking at the camera, whereas CF is genuinely interested in the diary?"}, {"response": 486, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (11:07)", "body": "The other poster, Ben, is the advance poster. It didn't have any of the detailed production info. In the US, we had one with her peaking over a list. Too bad they're going with this one too. I had hoped for another one. I liked the British quad far better for MLSF. :-("}, {"response": 487, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (11:15)", "body": "Ooops, the UK poster is slightly different. It's the concerned Darcy/giggling Bridget pose:"}, {"response": 488, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (11:16)", "body": ""}, {"response": 489, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (11:17)", "body": "Finally saw the trailer on the big screen last night (watched 'Enemy at the Gates'). Very embarrasing to find myself squealing the moment I realized what the trailer was..."}, {"response": 490, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (11:25)", "body": "Like the US poster better. MD looks a little paranoid in the UK one."}, {"response": 491, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (11:34)", "body": "Lucky you, Winter. I too saw Enemy at the Gate yesterday and asked theatre management if they were showing the BJD trailer. They actually checked with the projectionist who said it was preceding The Mexican and Hannibal. Unfortunately, the timing was not good so couldn't get a peak, which they said I could do."}, {"response": 492, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (11:46)", "body": "(Evelyn) MD looks a little paranoid in the UK one. Looks as though he's thinking *WOT?* I like them both. However, if his head was turned any further people would mistake him for Linda Blair. ;-)"}, {"response": 493, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (11:47)", "body": "UK Alert!! Free tickets to advance screenings of the movie on BBC1's website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/djs/movie_lounge_form.shtml 12 locations, but no dates given. Go register!"}, {"response": 494, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (11:59)", "body": "Karen-(slightly OT) I'm sorry, but IMHO even a glimpse of BJD trailer would not make it worth sitting through \"The Mexican\". Ugh! ;-) Enemy at the Gates...hmmmm. That might be worth a try!"}, {"response": 495, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (12:05)", "body": "I like them both. However, if his head was turned any further people would mistake him for Linda Blair. ;-) That is very funny. That film still terrifies me. \"The sow is mine!\" It was on telly here the other night. I turned on all the lights in the house afterwards. Thanks for posting the proper English poster. Also agree that the US poster is better. Apart from anything else, you can't see RZ in our one. In every picture, in every scene in every film he's in, in every appearance on telly, wherever he is, HG wears a black jacket on top of a blue shirt with a big flapping collar. I hope he has more than one."}, {"response": 496, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (12:15)", "body": "so couldn't get a peak Before I get mountains of mail or postings re: geological formations... ;-D"}, {"response": 497, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (12:37)", "body": "I don't like the lipstick color on her... Oh and Ben, you should see the cover of Premiere Mag this month.. Oh here it is;)"}, {"response": 498, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (12:51)", "body": "I doubt if Ben will be noticing her lipstick color. And no more hiding behind Rhyakitty, Ben.;-) I think CF looks so handsome in the UK poster, Linda Blair notwithstanding (good one, Eileen!). *Make it stop, Mother, make it stop* Why does Colin have 3rd billing in the UK, but 2nd in US? Gift from Harve? (in lieu of Huge paycheck?;-)??"}, {"response": 499, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (12:55)", "body": "It's tiny. However, I can just make out a pouting face in the middle, and strategically placed strands of windblown hair...... So thank you. I'm off to Dorset (SW England) for the week-end. Very foolishly, I have promised someone I will go swimming in the sea at Lyme Regis. If I am still alive on Monday, I'll talk to y'all then. Have a good w/e everyone."}, {"response": 500, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (13:00)", "body": "No more hiding, Mari, I promise. :-)"}, {"response": 501, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (13:00)", "body": "Well there is an even sexier pic INSIDE the mag, but can't find it on the website... so sorry... swimming in March at Lyme??? (you'll be drunk right???). Have good weekend... (if a cold and wet one)"}, {"response": 502, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (14:12)", "body": "Karen thanks for the advance screening tip! Have registered and am keeping everything crossed...and it's very difficult to type ;-)"}, {"response": 503, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (17:22)", "body": "Thanks Karen - entered twice PLUS entered a Saturday morning kids' phone-in comp for premiere tickets courtesy of Gabrielle"}, {"response": 504, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (18:44)", "body": "From Ananova: Zellweger signed up for Bridget 2 Renee Zellweger has been lined up to star in a sequel to Bridget Jones's Diary. The makers of the \ufffd25 million movie have been so thrilled by the reaction to the comedy at previews that want to make a follow up. Zellweger is understood to have been optioned for the sequel along with co-stars Hugh Grant and Colin Firth, who play the men in Bridget's life. A senior source at Miramax, which co-produced the film, told Ananova: \" We think Americans will go in a big way for Bridget and we could be into a three-part series.\""}, {"response": 505, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (19:41)", "body": "Three parts!? I missed one! ;-)"}, {"response": 506, "author": "Echo", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (20:53)", "body": "Let's hope it won't be a case of too much of a good thing... ;-)"}, {"response": 507, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (21:11)", "body": "The trailers have started on tv tonight. Boat scene."}, {"response": 508, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (22:48)", "body": "I saw a trailer on TV tonight. Very short and NO Colin! I don't know if this one was cut down to be short or if this is the only one that's running. The elevator scene (\"ding dong!\"), HG asks RZ out, the boat scene, and RZ answering the phone. Anybody else see a better version (i.e. with CF) of the trailer?"}, {"response": 509, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Mar 24, 2001 (02:14)", "body": "Zellweger signed up for Bridget 2 Renee Zellweger has been lined up to star in a sequel to Bridget Jones's Diary. The makers of the \ufffd25 million movie have been so thrilled by the reaction to the comedy at previews that want to make a follow up. I'm sure this could happen. Sequels are big business, and if you've hit on a successful formula, which the public like, why not repeat it? And there's a lot of potential storylines out there for BJ. And I also think it does actors no harm to be involved in sequels...they don't get typecast any more...just get more (and better) offers! Ther's an option on all 4 Harry Potter books, with 3 more to come! A sequel to BJD would be quite a modest undertaking (but not a three-parter ....quit while you're winning!)"}, {"response": 510, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Mar 24, 2001 (07:50)", "body": "Miramax is trying to get them to commit now before the movie breaks records ($$$), and the stars as for points. I am obtimistic that if Renee signs Colin will. (Throwing that thought out into the universe as in mantra) ;-) Thanks for that article, Karen. Sometimes I fear if we all discover our inner Bridgets, it\ufffds the same thing as the total submission, as the inner yashmak. And I always thought that having a \"Bridget moment\" or as I call it \"pulling a Bridget\", was being clumsy, uncouth, not-with-it, etc. As in when I had to drive(just me!), my husband's v.v handsome British cousin to a dinner and was very late because of trying to match stockings, bag and lipstick to my very short dress and forget to stick wallet in handbag, then as I am speeding to the restaurant realised that the car(fancy Alpha Romeo), was on E and had to stop and get gas(full sevice of course!), and I had no money to pay! Cousin came to my rescue, but we were very late because I couldn't drive at the speed I had planned (no driver's lic. in bag). I said \"I pulled a Bridget Jones\" and luckily he understood! LOL! That reviewer never got that part of Bridget."}, {"response": 511, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 24, 2001 (08:40)", "body": "The option for future pics would've been in the original contract and THAT may have been the reason CF would've hestitated IF he did so. Another thing: a sequel need not be based on TEOR; it could be entirely new, especially since a part of the plot is similar to Brokedown Palace (but comedic). We could have MD in LA and Bridget with him. Then of course, RZ could be with her dog and remain fairly thin, as no fatty or carbohydrate-laden food exists in LA. ;-D Have the Snowman Tie pic and another of Colin, plus there are bunch of others going on the Gallery page shortly, including one of Bridget and dad with paper crowns and two others of the friends. And I like this one far better than the other one taken during the same scene (poofy hair); sorry about the quality."}, {"response": 512, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Mar 24, 2001 (08:52)", "body": "Thanks, Karen. Those are my favourite coller shirts but the tie is not knoted properly. Will I ever see a perfect fit? ;-) BTW, there is nothing wrong with wearing a snowman tie to a Xmas party. What happened to everyone's sense of humour? Don't throw your tie away, Ben. :-D"}, {"response": 513, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 24, 2001 (08:56)", "body": "Somehow I can't picture Fitzwilliam Darcy with a snowman cravat. ;-D"}, {"response": 514, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Mar 24, 2001 (09:14)", "body": "Lucky for us, for him and Jane Austen, they did not exist back then. ;-D"}, {"response": 515, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 24, 2001 (09:32)", "body": ""}, {"response": 516, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 24, 2001 (09:33)", "body": "Since these are taped, we can be reasonably sure they will be aired. All times US Eastern: Friday 4/6/01 5:00 pm VH1 Behind the Movie Saturday 4/7/01 2:00 pm E! Behind the Scenes - Bridget Jones's Diary Sunday 4/8/01 3:00 am E! Behind the Scenes - Bridget Jones's Diary (according to my check of E!'s schedule, the Behind the Scenes show is aired as follows: premieres Saturday, 2 pm, with additional airings Friday 8 am (may be following Friday); Saturday 3 am; and Sunday 3:30 am. For the VH1 program, don't you think we'll see more than just Gabrielle's music vid? I suspect Geri Halliwell's too and possibly all the others on the soundtrack."}, {"response": 517, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 24, 2001 (09:42)", "body": "From Yahoo UK news today: Stars In Dublin For Bridget Jones Premiere A host of stars are expected to arrive in Dublin for the Irish premiere of Bridget Jone's Diary on April 6. Amongst them are rumoured to be the film's leading lady, Renne Zellweger. Currently in LA, Zellweger has confirmed that she'll be flying to London for the world premiere of the film on April 5. While it hasn't been confirmed that the star will be attending the Irish premiere, insiders have revealed that she would very much like to make the trip. 'She's never been to Ireland' a source close to the star said 'and she thinks this is the perfect excuse to make a visit'. Zellweger's co-star Hugh Grant is also expected to be in attendance. Grant has already been this side of the Irish Sea and by all accounts is more than happy to return. While the film is set to become one of the year's big successes Zellweger has already stated that she will not film a sequel 'I was overweight for eight months and I don't want to go through that experience again' she said. ~~~~~~ Given the number of typos and errors, should we believe any of this? Neither is confirmed. Of course, it would explain why US TV blitz is not that week. If US premiere is April 2, then it is the World Premiere. London's premiere was to be April 4th"}, {"response": 518, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 24, 2001 (10:10)", "body": "If US premiere is April 2, then it is the World Premiere. London's premiere was to be April 4th I hate to be a Nervous Nellie, but that's awfully close. We haven't seen a mention in print of the US premiere. I'm on Renee's side. Quit while you're thin and a successful Bridge. Critics invariably compare sequels to the first one. And a thin Bridget makes it like any other comedy. I've never liked Minnie Driver as much as the chunky gal in Circle of Friends."}, {"response": 519, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Mar 24, 2001 (12:30)", "body": "At this point, I think any BJD sequel is wishful thinking on the part of the Miramax bean-counters. Let's get through the first one; sequels usually never measure up to the originals. And none of them are going to sign on without first seeing a script. I had to LOL at Miramax being suddenly elevated to \"co-producer.\" IMO, all they did was be savvy enough to grab the US distribution rights; I can't see that they produced anything. Universal put up the money, and Working Title is the creative genius. Harvey, make yourself useful by booking the Concorde so these folks can make it to the varous premieres; just don't get caught smoking in the loo again.;-) ;-) Karen, thanks for the great news on the E! Behind the Scenes and the VH-1 show. Lots to look forward to, gang! Love how he looks in the Frosty tie shot. But where's his \"corncob pipe and button nose\"?;-) A jolly, jolly soul, for sure!:-) Agree that the second pic, sans poofy hair, is the better of the two from that scene, Karen."}, {"response": 520, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Mar 24, 2001 (15:50)", "body": "Here's a pretty good review from Sight and Sound (published by British Film Institute). They are usually very critical as far as I know. There are 4 pics (not new), 3x Zellweger, and 1 RZ + Colin. No HG. http://www.firth.com/bjd/ss0401.html ----- Karen, whatever the quality, the picture is adorable."}, {"response": 521, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Mar 24, 2001 (16:28)", "body": "Forgot to mention that the Sight and Sound article is a MAJOR SPOILER and gives away a lot of scenes."}, {"response": 522, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Mar 24, 2001 (16:30)", "body": "closing tag"}, {"response": 523, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Mar 24, 2001 (16:31)", "body": ""}, {"response": 524, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 24, 2001 (16:52)", "body": "\"Zellweger seems more of an outsider trying to fit in, with traces of American gaucheness poking through the skin of the performance and the accent just a little too studiedly posh\" Pssst...hey Leslie, the director and dialect coach are Brits."}, {"response": 525, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Mar 24, 2001 (17:04)", "body": "I like all the spoilers...the plot is definitely P&P. The fight sounds hilarious, and the ending is just what we want to see! Thanks Renate! And thanks also to Karen and Mari for keeping us all up to date. I'd imagine that the publicity for BJD in the UK might step up a bit in the next couple of weeks...maybe some newspaper/TV interviews."}, {"response": 526, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Mar 24, 2001 (17:05)", "body": "Query: Is it better to be gauche or corn-fed?;-) I think I'd rather be gauche. It sounds so . . .French.:-) LOL! Major spoilers, alright. (I like the book ending better, for obvious reasons, but this will be cute. LOL at the homeless opener.) Thanks, Renate."}, {"response": 527, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 24, 2001 (18:02)", "body": "Thanks for typing up that v. long review from S&S, Renate. The end part labeled Synopsis probably came right out of the UK Production Notes. I really hate these reviews that feel the need to write about SATC and AMcB...but a good review is a good review, and the back-handed compliments about RZ I suppose was inevitable. The homeless opener was captured by my onsite photog at Liverpool St Station as you recall. Cannot wait to see clumsy street fighting scene. I guess it will not be ballet-like as in CTHD. ;-D"}, {"response": 528, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Mar 24, 2001 (18:17)", "body": "Whoa, can this place build up any more steam? The momentum is amazing. VCR don't fail me now. Oh that boy is so darn cute. (Gaby honey, get in line.) If he can just project an ounce of his humor and charm that we see in that Dark Horizon's interview he's going to do so well. Just keep the lovely long fingers hands away from the nose. He's managing to keep up with Hughie's notices. May even be ahead by a nose after that \"steals the movie\" comment. (wipes a tear of relief away) Hmmm, dying to read the Sight and Sound article but think I will heed Renate's warning and wait. Thanks though to all for the flood of news."}, {"response": 529, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Mar 24, 2001 (22:08)", "body": "Thanks for the link, Renate. My god, those are beyond spoilers... that's nearly the whole damn movie!"}, {"response": 530, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Mar 24, 2001 (23:11)", "body": "Karen!!! Your BJD site made the Guardian. They have you linked (see below) along with this preview: Bridget Jones's Diary UK release: April 13 The long-awaited adaptation of Helen Fielding's novel looks set to reign supreme as this year's Notting Hill. This expert London-set romance re-orders old ingredients like Hugh Grant and co-writer Richard Curtis and inserts an obligatory American star in Renee Zellweger. The cash tills will be ringing through 'til autumn. Happily the film itself winds up rather better than one might have guessed. At heart, of course, Bridget Jones's Diary offers your standard twittish romantic japery, not to mention a tourist-trap depiction of London (snowy streets every Christmas) that should be prosecuted for false advertising. But there's a genuine heart to the film, embodied in particular by Zellweger's pitch-perfect performance in the lead role. From an early scene crashed on the couch singing along to the radio as Frasier plays on the telly, her Bridget rings out big as life; a sympathetic soul you can't help rooting for. Meantime the plot is buttressed by an on-song supporting cast - Jim Broadbent as her lugubrious dad, Colin Firth as an icy lawyer and Grant as a rakish publisher who describes himself as \"a terrible disaster with a posh voice and a bad character.\" During the movie's production, Texas-bred Zellweger had to get to grips with the necessary weight gain, duff British food, duffer British weather and the break-up of her relationship with Jim Carrey. She reportedly claims to never want to make another film in the UK again. On seeing the end result homegrown film-makers will be desperate to change her mind. Maybe they can even lure her back for the sequel.XB Useful sites Official site Unofficial site Bridget Jones fansite"}, {"response": 531, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 24, 2001 (23:12)", "body": "From Richard Brooks' Biteback column in the Sunday Times: Fans of the Bridget Jones books and columns may well be disappointed. Shazza and Jude, her bestest friends, who are based on Helen Fielding's real bestest friends, Sharon Maguire and Tracey MacLeod, have been cut down to size in the movie. Most of that chitchat with her girlfriends about drinkies, ciggies and weight has been jettisoned for, you guessed it, much more lurv interest. Well, I suppose if you've hired the costly Colin Firth to play Mark Darcy, and Hugh Grant as Daniel Cleaver, any movie company would want its money's worth. Yet several women who have seen previews of Bridget Jones's Diary, which opens at Easter, are a mite disappointed. \"It's the girlie talk that makes the books,\" one told me. \"Where's it gone?\" The movie's script went through several hands. First Fielding, the Bridget Jones author, had a go. Then both Andrew Davies, of Pride and Prejudice fame, and Richard Curtis added their bits. The end result is much more Curtis-like, with clear Four Weddings and Notting Hill touches. Fielding lobbied for her mate Maguire to direct. She had only previously done commercials. In fact, she acquits herself very well, as does Texan Ren\ufffde Zellweger as Bridget. But Maguire has surely been asked to carry out the most selfless of director's cuts. She has brought the scissors not just to Jude's significance, but to her own as Shazza. The producer, Eric Fellner, of Working Title, assures me that \"the girlfriends are quite content to be edited out\". Chardonnay all round."}, {"response": 532, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 24, 2001 (23:25)", "body": "Thanks, Mari, but whatserhead's site is before mine and if you click on the pic, only her site is shown with the official one. But there's a genuine heart to the film, embodied in particular by Zellweger's pitch-perfect performance in the lead role. Exactly."}, {"response": 533, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Mar 25, 2001 (02:18)", "body": "Re. the Guardian and Sunday Times comments... both sound like a feeble attempt at pre-release flak. But it looks as though they're struggling to find anything really negative to say about BJD. And the men all like RZ...which is v.g. for the Box Office (can't quite imagine the same reaction to Helena B-C or Emily Watson!)"}, {"response": 534, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Mar 25, 2001 (08:37)", "body": "Just caught my first glimpse of a BJD poster! Quite exciting really. I think it's the first time I've seen CF on a billboard (like a real Movie star :-)), apart from miniscule unrecognisable photo of glowering Wessex. Also RZ features in tomorrow's Telegraph...interview about how she 'became' Bridget."}, {"response": 535, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Mar 25, 2001 (09:00)", "body": "Karen, it's par for the course, i.e., not what you know but who you know. It's connected with Empire so of course they're listing it. I still think it's grand that yours is listed also. Agree with you, Bethan, that their attempts to find something negative are coming off as half-hearted--I think they like it in spite of themselves!:-) Based on what we've seen so far, I'm optimistic that the UK reviews will be v. good. Well, I suppose if you've hired the costly Colin Firth to play Mark Darcy, and Hugh Grant as Daniel Cleaver, any movie company would want its money's worth. It works for me!:-) I doubt if many woman will feel shortchanged by Firth and, yes, even Huge. The end result is much more Curtis-like, with clear Four Weddings and Notting Hill touches. Nothing wrong with that (of course I might feel differently had the changes not worked to CF's advantage;-)"}, {"response": 536, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 25, 2001 (09:33)", "body": "There's a video clip of Gabrielle being interviewed on GMTV the other day where, in response to a question as to whether she prefers Hugh or Colin, she says she's \"totally in love with Colin Firth at the moment.\" http://www.gmtv.co.uk/the_show/vault/movie_clips/index.cfm"}, {"response": 537, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Mar 25, 2001 (09:57)", "body": "hired the costly Colin Firth to play Mark Darcy, Ooh, how much? And can we afford him? (Bethan) Just caught my first glimpse of a BJD poster! Didn't you just want to rip it down and take it home? But it looks as though they're struggling to find anything really negative to say about BJD. Agree too. We might have to watch for the BJD backlash. Hopefully it won't come until after the opening. If it comes stay tough, girls. Watched Breakfast With the Arts today but no mention yet of Colin's interview."}, {"response": 538, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Mar 25, 2001 (10:00)", "body": "And I should clarify that there was no mention on BWTA of Colin's interview for next week's show."}, {"response": 539, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 25, 2001 (10:03)", "body": "(Heide) Watched Breakfast With the Arts today but no mention yet of Colin's interview LOL! I had it on in the other room (which I never do) just in case. ;-D Speaking of television, another HG appearance scheduled: Wednesday, April 4, on Rosie. Is Rosie taped?"}, {"response": 540, "author": "tracyt", "date": "Sun, Mar 25, 2001 (11:20)", "body": "Am all unnecessary and of a flutter, have just seen the video for Geri Halliwell's \"It's raining men\" on MTV. The song's not quite up to the original Weather Girls version but who cares given the content of the video! The video is very \"Kids from Fame-y\" but there are clips by the truckload ladies, and very carefully edited for major impact e.g. \"tall (cut to shot of brooding MD), blonde (BJ herself), strong and mean (the Gnat)\" Also towards end you get some great fight clips again carefully edited .. \"It's raining men! (thwack! unfortunately it's MD who gets a thwacking) Hallelujia, it's raining men! (crack! MD goes a-sprawling on the pavement) Please forgive if someones already posted details but am so pleased I've actually seen some clips at last :-) Get those VCRs cued!"}, {"response": 541, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Sun, Mar 25, 2001 (13:06)", "body": "Bethan: Just caught my first glimpse of a BJD poster! It seems to me there are three different poster styles in use on the tube - only one with CF & HG in. The one I last saw used the tag-line: Aloof. Unavailable. Ice-queen. Aloof. Unavailable. Ice-queen. Aloof. Unavailable. Ice-queen. Hmm, fancy a shag, though... The WHOLE tag-line was in handwriting, unlike the last one Karen put up here, and just RZ in the picture. Posters everywhere, & don't forget the supermarket Diet Coke promotional tie-ups ... can TV ad trailers be far away?"}, {"response": 542, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sun, Mar 25, 2001 (14:16)", "body": "Thanks for your breakdown of the Raining Men vid, Tracy. Didn't think Geri 'hie me to the eating disorders clinic' Halliwell could match the original. Too bad MD takes a beating but we know who gets the girl in the end. ;-) As for the spoilers contained in the article Renate posted--was there really any doubt about the overall direction taken for the ending? ;-) Anyone here seriously think BJ would end up with Huge Floppsy Gnatman? Still, am all curiousity as to how many shoulder grinds we'll see...;-D (Biteback) Then both Andrew Davies, of Pride and Prejudice fame, and Richard Curtis added their bits. The end result is much more Curtis-like, with clear Four Weddings and Notting Hill touches. Huh? Which endings to 4W and NH did he see? If the ending is more Curtis-like then there will be some happily-ever-after-married-and-pregnant-or-with-children shots. (Bethan) But it looks as though they're struggling to find anything really negative to say about BJD. And the men all like RZ...which is v.g. for the Box Office (can't quite imagine the same reaction to Helena B-C or Emily Watson!) I couldn't agree more. A question to those who pays attention to this sort of thing: when can we expect US reviews? This week or early next?"}, {"response": 543, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar 25, 2001 (14:37)", "body": "(Eileen)Still, am all curiousity as to how many shoulder grinds we'll see...;-D Having given up on shags...I say we'll see one...a \"chaste\" one."}, {"response": 544, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sun, Mar 25, 2001 (14:43)", "body": "Get those VCRs cued! Posters everywhere ...Diet Coke promotional tie-ups ... can TV ad trailers be far away? Probably not - but very soon *I* shall be far away, I'm afraid... Don't laugh! Hubby planned this hol nearly a year ago and what a terrible coincidence... Did he know the date of the premiere before anyone else, do you think? Oh, I am absolutely p***ed off. Ladies in the UK, please video as much as you can! I shall be after favours when I'm back... ;-) (May I remind you I can copy videos, but only European PAL.)"}, {"response": 545, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Mar 25, 2001 (14:52)", "body": "Amazon now have the soundtrack on pre order for \ufffd11-99"}, {"response": 546, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 25, 2001 (16:23)", "body": "Who, I want to know, who edited that music vid? They didn't show HG sprawled on the ground? Grrrr But sounds very funny. Am sure Hughie takes some cheap shots and lands some low blows for our boy to get laid out like that. (OK, am not going to do commentary on next Oscar de la Joya fight) Anyway, hopefully, we'll see it on that VH1 program."}, {"response": 547, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Sun, Mar 25, 2001 (16:47)", "body": "It's ok if he gets knocked down as long as he lands in my lap. :-)"}, {"response": 548, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 25, 2001 (17:10)", "body": "Looks like there is only the one fight but that it covers a lot of territory on Bridget's street: \"London's Globe Tavern in Borough...provided the exterior. For the neighborhood, production designer Gemma Jackson and locations manager Adam Richard found a street with a vibrant, bustling character--replete with busy fruit market--reflecting Bridget's personality. Jackson then adapted existing shop facades into a trendy Fragipani, a minicab office and Mr. Ramadas' newsstand. The Greek restaurant into which Mark and Daniel's fight erupts was created from scratch. Jackson's creations were so realistic, that several times during filming, members of the public attempted to buy a newspaper from Mr. Ramadas' shop or book a table in the Greek restaurant.\""}, {"response": 549, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sun, Mar 25, 2001 (17:58)", "body": "It's ok if he gets knocked down as long as he lands in my lap. :-) I'm afraid you have to join a long queue (line)..."}, {"response": 550, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Sun, Mar 25, 2001 (19:30)", "body": "Just saw trailer on US TV for the first time. V. short compared to lovely trailer at web site. During \"True Lies\" on Fox. Hmmm...wonder if they will show it during Oscar (much too late for me to stay up). I was so surprised, I dropped the remote control. Didn't catch much, but it's \"starring RZ and HG\". Shouldn't surprise me, I suppose, since we don't know who CF is here in the US. However, there was a TDH man who said \"Outside Cleaver!\""}, {"response": 551, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sun, Mar 25, 2001 (20:05)", "body": "How to deal with the slighting of CF: Tell yourself that it's OK that he loses the fight in the video, and it's OK that he doesn't appear in the US TV trailer, and it's OK that the magazine photos only show the one with the geeky reindeer sweater. People will go to see this to see RZ and HG. And they will discover CF. And when your friends tell you that this incredibly handsome man was HG's rival (and a far better actor playing a nicer character with better hair etc. etc. YOU can say: HAH! Told you so!!!!!! and feel v. smug."}, {"response": 552, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Sun, Mar 25, 2001 (22:58)", "body": "You are SO right, Kate!"}, {"response": 553, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (02:51)", "body": "Thought Renee looked elegant at Oscars, tho' only vv short glimpse. Huge Flopsy is well rid of previous escort who was vv rude in Brit interview and clearly completely off the wall!"}, {"response": 554, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (07:05)", "body": "From today's (London) Evening Standard: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/dynamic/hottx/top_review.html?in_review_id=374780&in_review_text_id=320515"}, {"response": 555, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (07:33)", "body": "Cute article, thanks, Ben! Even in the jumper, he is raw sex in a jumper). Well we knew that didn't we? ;-) LOL!"}, {"response": 556, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (07:36)", "body": "Ben you are a veritable Star!!! What a wonderful article, I won't elaborate in case the comments are spoilers for those who haven't read it. \"Raw sex in a jumper.\" You read it at drool first. Ben, I can only surmise that your excellent piece of sleuthing was inspired by an Astenesque wander on the Cobb at Lyme Regis!! I also think that the author does not exactly belong to the same \"club\" as those of us who post here! This is a discussion that will run and run....... Thanks for such a gem."}, {"response": 557, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (07:37)", "body": "Ha ha ha . Moon just found your post. We were both obviously drawn to the same comment!! Can't imagine why"}, {"response": 558, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (07:58)", "body": "I fear my DH will be very upset with me if I drag him to see this film. \"You're not starting that Darcy thing again!\" I don't know if I can put up with another round of Colin bashing from him. ;-)"}, {"response": 559, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (08:15)", "body": "Mine chuckled with joy at the \"Colinless\" trailer we saw recently in the cinema!"}, {"response": 560, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (08:42)", "body": "Loved the article as well, which really points up two potential flaws in this movie: (1) Daniel will be portrayed as a good guy toward the end and (2) Colin should've gone into the lake. Cannot abide the thought that a *wet-shirted Hugh* will be drooled after. Those complaints aside, I too had to pause at the comment \"he is raw sex in a jumper.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 561, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (09:06)", "body": "(Karen) Looks like there is only the one fight but that it covers a lot of territory on Bridget's street As long as they don't fight through all four seasons...;-) (Kate) People will go to see this to see RZ and HG. And they will discover CF. And when your friends tell you that this incredibly handsome man was HG's rival (and a far better actor playing a nicer character with better hair etc. etc. YOU can say: HAH! Told you so!!!!!! and feel v. smug. Precisely, precisely. Watch for those ads to change after the movie opens...;-D"}, {"response": 562, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (09:08)", "body": "I only read the article after posting it. Can't really comment, except to say my eyebrows were raised by the extended speculation about their respective \"sizes\". Is there really an inverse correlation between niceness and size? Not having researched the question, I'm not really equipped, if you'll forgive the word, to say so. Does sort of make one wonder where one lies on the scale, however. BTW, the water was BLOODY cold. I got a lot nicer during that swim.:-)"}, {"response": 563, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (09:28)", "body": "(Moon)I don't know if I can put up with another round of Colin bashing from him. ;-) Tell him you've switched to Hughie.Really, you girls are so uncreative. You don't have to tell the truth *all* the time ;-) (Ben)Can't really comment, except to say my eyebrows were raised by the extended speculation about their respective \"sizes\". Is there really an inverse correlation between niceness and size? Hey Ben....\"size\" matters ;-)"}, {"response": 564, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (09:56)", "body": "Ben did you miss our discussion hotfoot from 3DOR about Colin's feet last year?"}, {"response": 565, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (10:04)", "body": "Yes. I'm glad to say that I did."}, {"response": 566, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (10:11)", "body": "We knew you were on the case! Interesting to see if TES gets any letters or feedback re this article!"}, {"response": 567, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (10:19)", "body": "BTW, the water was BLOODY cold. I got a lot nicer during that swim.:-) DUH!!! It is only MARCH last time I checked my calendar.... (I would liken that to jumping into the North Atlantic here in Boston in January... damn stupid if you ask me....) :) BTW, Ben, the chills and flu-like symptoms will be appearing very shortly.. (says she who just got over flu!)"}, {"response": 568, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (10:49)", "body": "Great article, Ben! I was pleased to see CF discussed on an equal basis with HG, who seems to get more attention. But, really, \"good enough for any viewer who was just about to fall for Colin but might change her mind.\" and \"We will never, ever be able to decide.\" That may be the \"bulk\" of the viewers, but some of us have decided, and are not about to change our minds!! Too bad the movie isn't coming out around Christmas--think of the merchandizing tie-in for reindeer jumpers!!"}, {"response": 569, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (12:21)", "body": "(Ben) BTW, the water was BLOODY cold. I got a lot nicer during that swim.:-) ROTF! (Eileen)As long as they don't fight through all four seasons...;-) Ahh, you people are *on* today! RE: Daniel turning ok-ish at the end: what a sell-out. Can't have people leaving the theater actively disliking Huge, now can we? It was probably a condition of him doing the film. I smell a rat. And a sequel. . . For all you people whining about CF being slighted (me? I never whine;-) this was in yesterday's LA Times, front page of Living section, pics of Helen (poor thing!)and of BJ and Mark. Thanks, Leslie, Jana, and Donna: By Ann O'Neill All Helen Fielding craved was a \"haven\" in Los Angeles and a little peace and quiet following a grueling international book tour promoting her clever \"Bridget Jones\" novels. So she plunked down $1.38 million in November 1999 for a hideaway in the Hollywood Hills. Just three months after escrow closed, the leaky roof collapsed during a rainstorm, bringing the ceiling down with it. Echoing a scene from her second \"Bridget Jones\" book, the British author was left with a gaping hole in her home. So Fielding is doing what any red-blooded American would. She's suing. \"It's life imitating art,\" she said recently. \"If Bridget had brought a house in L.A. this would have happened to her.\" Fielding's Bridget is an endearing, never-married, weight-obsessed 30-something who consumes cigarettes, chardonnay, self-help books and men who are bad for her. She has a knack for getting into excruciatingly embarrassing situations, which she records in her diary. In England, she's been as popular as the Spice Girls. Bridget's romantic misadventures have been dramatized in the upcoming film \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" produced by the people behind \"Four Weddings and a Funeral.\" It stars Renee Zellweger, who pudged out for the part, and Hugh Grant and Colin Firth, who didn't. The film, due in theaters April 13, is a hoot - especially the fistfight between a caddish Grant and a brooding Firth. Fielding's next step toward becoming a bona fide Yank was to hire a publicist, who wasn't keen on allowing her client to speak to anyone wanting to ask about the lawsuit. Anyway, we had already met the 40-something Fielding a few weeks ago at a spiffy Talk magazine lunch at Asia de Cuba. Initially guarded, she warmed up as lunch progressed, spearing us a slab of chicken and telling war stories about her days as a journalist. There was a decade at the BBC and a couple of newspaper stints. She said she quit one London newspaper job in a huff after the editors injected \"poison\" into her profile of James Gilbey, the Princess Di swain at the center of the \"Squidgy-gate\" scandal. \"I woke up the next day with no job,\" she said, laughing. Fielding, an Oxford graduate, found work at another paper, the Independent, writing features and then a regular column about an urban working \"singleton,\" a much nicer word than \"spinster.\" Reluctant to reveal too much about herself, she created an alter ego - Bridget Jones - in 1995. A year later, the columns became the basis for \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" a novel that borrowed heavily from Jane Austen's \"Pride and Prejudice.\" People constantly compare her to, and confuse her with, Bridget. Even Fielding isn't quite sure where the line can be drawn. Last year's sequel, \"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason,\" offers continued parallels between the author's art and life. For starters, there's a running joke about Firth, who stars in the upcoming movie in the role of suitor Mark Darcy. Firth, who also played Mr. Darcy in the BBC's adaptation of \"Pride and Prejudice,\" is an object of desire for Bridget and her friends: \"We all fell silent then, watching Colin Firth emerging from the lake dripping wet, in the see-through white shirt. Mmm. Mmmm,\" Bridget writes. Later, Bridget interviews Firth in Italy. Although Firth is eager to promote a new movie, Bridget is fixated on the lake scene: \"When they had to do another take, did you have to take the wet shirt off and then put a dry one on?\" Fielding's current domestic difficulties also were foreshadowed in the book. Gary, a London contractor, takes $3,500 from Bridget and knocks open a wall, never to return. Her diary records the catastrophe: \"Gaaah! Gaaah! Gaah! Is bloody great hole in side of flat! Is left open to outside world in manner of gaping precipice and all the houses at the other side can see in.\" She sics a barrister on Gary. The sequel ends with a hint of what is to come for the author. Bridget contemplates moving to Los Angeles with her man. \"It's very warm and sunny there, and they have swimming pools,\" Darcy pitches. Bridget capitulates: \"Hurrah! Am going to America to start again, like the early pioneer.... Will be fantastic in California with sunshine and millions of self-help books.... and Zen and sushi and all healthy stuff.\" Fielding has dived into our swimming pools and eaten our sushi. But she's also run headfirst into some less glittering fact"}, {"response": 570, "author": "tamzin", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (12:21)", "body": "To say nothing of snowmen ties!!"}, {"response": 571, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (12:23)", "body": "Aw, Ben got there first with the ES article link. There's another BJ article in the paper though no CF references http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/dynamic/lifestyle/fashion/top_article.html?in_review_id=374775&in_review_text_id=320510 . I couldn't believe my luck when I bought the paper this evening (as usual) and found himself on the front page, so as you can imagine I had a very enjoyable journey home, pity about the drooling though, it does upset fellow passengers I find ;-P~~~~ The online piece doesn't give any pix ( which I'm sure we've all seen before but any excuse eh?) so in true Tracy fashion I shall now, for your delectation and delight, louse up my scanning ..here goes... The front page... Humph not sure about that order!!! .....that's better!"}, {"response": 572, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (12:26)", "body": "Rats...see I told you I'd louse it! .....that's better!"}, {"response": 573, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (12:33)", "body": "(Tracy) There's another BJ article in the paper though no CF references Never mind...\"a picture is worth....\" CF's pics are interesting. Is the first one one a new one? You did great, Tracy.Thanks."}, {"response": 574, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (12:41)", "body": "So HF's suing in Santa Monica, huh? ;-D (note: need to get roofers here before April showers or will be in same boat as HF) v. much like the emphasis on CF in the LA Times article. Ann O'Neill must be a fan with v.g. taste. She knows the books well and she knows P&P. Could The Evening Standard have found more hideous pictures? Well, yes, I'm sure they could but YEEEEEEEECCCCCH. That cover one must be from his Fever Pitch portfolio. And come on, Huge looks like he's 17 years old. Thanks for the scans, Tracy."}, {"response": 575, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (12:45)", "body": "I don't think so...I seem to remember it about the time of FP hence big hair I suppose. BTW what are \"fathomless eyes\" ? Huge Gnat \"...without the sweetness loses the floppiness which for so long has misled so many of us into calling him a \"floppy arse\"....\" Misled? Never, he'll forever be known as such to me ;-)"}, {"response": 576, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (13:22)", "body": "Just called TODAY . Show apparently goes through several changes before it goes on air. ( Must think I just fell off turnip truck ) Could not tell me at this time if Colin would be on tomorrow. Best to call every morning . Show starts at 7 AM... Tel.lines open at 9AM ;-)"}, {"response": 577, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (13:55)", "body": "(Evelyn) Best to call every morning . Show starts at 7 AM... Tel.lines open at 9AM ;-) Shades of Bethan's contact at the BBC! Durr. IMO he'll be on closer to or just after the 4/13 opening (before TIOBE starts filming--there's about a 10-day window). Makes more sense since we ignorant Americans won't know who he is until the movie's out. ;-D (Karen) That cover one must be from his Fever Pitch portfolio. And come on, Huge looks like he's 17 years old. Agreed. Fix! Fix!"}, {"response": 578, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (15:52)", "body": "Oooweeee!! My BJD poster has arrived. You can read bits of the writing that forms the background. v. todger-related. One part at top says, \"Will not fantasize [Am. spelling] about my boss Daniel Cleaver (he's gorgeous!). Mark Darcy is a bore and stiff. (if only!) Daniel or Darcy?\" (Eileen) IMO he'll be on closer to or just after the 4/13 opening Assuming that he does it at all. But you keep calling, Evelyn. They're going to get so sick of you that they'll probably tell you. ;-D"}, {"response": 579, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (18:29)", "body": "One of my informants has called A&E and they've said the BWTA interview with Colin is Sunday *slitting my wrist* April 1."}, {"response": 580, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (19:12)", "body": "Elliot didn't mention that at all. Have to squeeze Colin in between the opera singers if it's true. Could make a joke about the fat lady singing but shall restrain myself. Snippets of BJD interviews (no Colin) on the Oxygen channel tonight. Plus Oxygen (?) was shown at 7pm EST tonight - have not a clue if it's repeated. Just Renee, Hugh, Sharon Maguire and Helen talking about the film and bits of the same trailer. Film described as Bridget having to choose between two men - Hugh Grant and Colin Firth - a dilemma that every woman would love to have."}, {"response": 581, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (21:36)", "body": "the BWTA interview with Colin is Sunday *slitting my wrist* April 1. Will be in LA! No way to tape it! Major help needed. Thanks, Tracy! Hair FP. What is wrong with the PR dept.!"}, {"response": 582, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (22:05)", "body": "Is this an April Fool's joke?"}, {"response": 583, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (22:12)", "body": "A very important date in my calendar. My wedding anniversary! ;-)"}, {"response": 584, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (22:30)", "body": "BTW, you should find Colin's quips reproduced in Tuesday's Telegraph, the Peterborough column: THUS Colin Firth on his Bridget Jones co-star Hugh Grant: \"Hugh's been telling everyone that it's me who fights like a girl. But all I can say in response is it takes one to know one. He was the first one to pull my hair. I'd never have dreamt of doing that. He scratches as well. So that should give you an idea of his character.\""}, {"response": 585, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar 27, 2001 (07:47)", "body": "Well, Moon, it's not signed in blood, but here's written confirmation that he will be on BWTA this Sunday. Many thanks to \"Silvie\": Yes, indeed, my producer informs me that it will be April 1st. And I talk about you fans in the interview. EF ******** Heh, heh, heh . . . ."}, {"response": 586, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 27, 2001 (07:55)", "body": "Thanks, Mari! I'm always up for an April Fool's joke. ;-)"}, {"response": 587, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 27, 2001 (07:58)", "body": "Dark Horizons has another interview by Paul Fischer, this time with RZ. But the strange thing is the last line which says the movie opens in the US on April 6. http://darkhorizons.com/news9/bridge.htm"}, {"response": 588, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Tue, Mar 27, 2001 (08:08)", "body": "Have I missed something or is this really news? In my local paper (Swiss)I read, Zellweger and Grant were said to be a couple. The original report is from the Star."}, {"response": 589, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 27, 2001 (08:27)", "body": "The Sight & Sound review that Renate arduously typed in is now online. It states up front that their \"synopses give away the plot in full, including plot twists.\" http://www.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/2001_04/bridget_jones.html (No, you haven't missed anything, Nita. Nothing's been posted here.)"}, {"response": 590, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Mar 27, 2001 (08:45)", "body": "I thought it was Portia de Rossi and Hugh Grant??? I can see how they can confuse RZ with PdR:)"}, {"response": 591, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 27, 2001 (08:48)", "body": "Leave it to Laura to fill in the blanks on important celebrity gossip. ;-D"}, {"response": 592, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Mar 27, 2001 (09:16)", "body": "Leave it to Laura to fill in the blanks on important celebrity gossip. ;-D ] Hey, I read that here!!! :) (okay, I think I saw it on eonline;)) Tea w/ Ted... ;)"}, {"response": 593, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 27, 2001 (10:38)", "body": "More TV appearances, plus additional showings of the VH1 special. Besides HG on Rosie, he's scheduled for: Saturday 4/7/01 2:13 am (central time) ABC syndicated show \"Entertainers\" (check for local listing) RZ will be on Letterman Tuesday 4/9/01"}, {"response": 594, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar 27, 2001 (11:25)", "body": "Cute pic of CF in a tux is now running with the online version of the Hugh vs. Colin story. http://www.thisislondon.com/html/hottx/film/top_direct.html"}, {"response": 595, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 27, 2001 (12:09)", "body": "Yummmmm, now that's a picture that should be handed out for publicity instead of the big hair FP shot:"}, {"response": 596, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Mar 27, 2001 (12:19)", "body": "Why so despondent about the BWTA schedule, Karen? No cable TV in the hotel? :-( I will be at sis' so can probably watch this Sun. but don't know if I can tape. BWTA enthusiasts: what time are the interviews usually aired? Don't tell Elliot ;-D but I haven't watched the program since CF's last appearance. (Elliot) And I talk about you fans in the interview. **Very old ladies alert! Very old ladies alert!** ;-D"}, {"response": 597, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar 27, 2001 (13:42)", "body": "Cute pic of CF in a tux is now running with the online version of the Hugh vs. Colin story. It's darling...I also think it's a high schol pic. BWTA enthusiasts: what time are the interviews usually aired? *Usually* first hour is music.But I'd tune in at 9 AM and read the papers just in case."}, {"response": 598, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Mar 27, 2001 (13:54)", "body": "Personally I am thrilled it is on on the 1st, it means I shall be able to see it first hand. Yippee. Incidentally there was an item about BJD on the This Morning programme today with new clips from the film, lots of MD and I just loved the scene where he tells Bridget that he likes her \"just as she is\"."}, {"response": 599, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 27, 2001 (15:30)", "body": "(Elliot) And I talk about you fans in the interview. (Eileen), **Very old ladies alert! Very old ladies alert!** ;-D LOL! So who has been sending Elliot emails? It would be awfully wicked of him to name names. ;-)))"}, {"response": 600, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 27, 2001 (18:09)", "body": "Have just seen my first TV commercial for BJD. Last night I taped Ally McBeal and there it was! It was a shorter version of the trailer, had a scene I hadn't seen before (likely a fantasy wedding scene) and showed her bottom getting patted in the elevator and saying 'ding dong' Mark calling 'Cleaver outside' was shown along with the two flying through the glass (ATTN Men: Action flick!), but that's it for him. No real emphasis on the two guys: one right, one wrong."}, {"response": 601, "author": "Ela", "date": "Tue, Mar 27, 2001 (19:30)", "body": "I don't know if any one else check with \"Click TV\" on the internet, but when I searched for \"Breakfast with the Arts\", it did not list Colin as on of the guests. It just mentioned that they were to have a orchestra playing on their show. Did anyone else notice this on their website? On a side note... Last night was just one of those nights were you are sleeping in bed and you suddenly come up with an idea... I know everyone was wondering if they ever did make a second BJ movie, how would they incorporate the whole Bridget interviewing Colin Firth scene. But, I was thinking, couldn't they make Bridget practice her interview on Mark Darcy (which would allow Colin Firth not only to say the same things he did in the interview in the book), but he could even poke fun at himself. Then, they could make it wear the \"real\" Colin Firth will not be able to have the interview with Bridget, thus solving the casting problem for a Bridget-Colin Firth interview! As you can tell, I spend waaayyy to much time thinking about fictional events - but, hey...aren't they more fun than what's happening in the real world ;)"}, {"response": 602, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 27, 2001 (20:26)", "body": "Ela, I don't think most BWTA's listings ever show the interviews. In this case, the orchestral component is, for most people, the main part of the show. There can be two interviews, an Artist of the Week and something else. As far what would happen in a sequel, there's no reason Colin couldn't play himself. He would really look different in his Oxfam clothes, black trainers with white laces, and anorak--things Mark Darcy would never be caught dead in. Besides the entire sequel could take place in LA if it comes to pass... Of course, there's no reason to have any Daniel Cleaver in that one."}, {"response": 603, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar 27, 2001 (21:14)", "body": "Monday, April 2 Bridget Jones's Diary World Premiere Ziegfeld Theater 141 W. 54th Street (54th between 6th and 7th Aves.) New York 212-765-7601 (Eileen)**Very old ladies alert! Very old ladies alert!** ;-D In a nod to our Oscar fashion discussion, let's call ourselves \"vintage.\";-) (Karen) No real emphasis on the two guys: one right, one wrong. Maybe they thought that would make it too close to the commershills for Someone Like You (which is getting some pretty mediocre reviews, heh, heh, heh;-)"}, {"response": 604, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 27, 2001 (22:06)", "body": "(Mari) Maybe they thought that would make it too close to the commershills for Someone Like You No, that would require Colin to strip to the waist and show us those abs, as Hugh Jackman does. One can only dream... ;-D Way too much Hughie in the commercials...beginning to end."}, {"response": 605, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Mar 27, 2001 (22:41)", "body": "(Karen) Have just seen my first TV commercial for BJD. Saw my first one last night too - was V.V. excited. :-) Missed the beginning though. Thought i heard RZ's voice and came running in from the kitchen and caught the butt pat. Wish i would have seent he wedding fantasy. Was it to Mark or Daniel?"}, {"response": 606, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 27, 2001 (22:44)", "body": "Speaking of which, from Ananova: Dina Carroll to release new single, Someone Like You Dina Carroll releases her new single Someone Like You on May 21. The track is featured in the forthcoming film Bridget Jones's Diary. It is also included on the soundtrack album to the movie, which is available from April 16. Dina's version of the classic Van Morrison song - which appeared on his 1987 album, Poetic Champions Compose - is one of two new tracks to be featured on her first greatest hits collection, The Very Best Of Dina Carroll, released on June 11. The other new track, which is so far untitled and which features a mystery guest star, is currently being recorded and is scheduled for a single release on July 30."}, {"response": 607, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (05:35)", "body": "I can't believe this just happened. I was talking to a friend I don't see very often, and out of nowhere he says: \"I went to the cast&crew screening of Bridget Jones' Diary the other week.\" What??? Turns out he's Sharon Maguire's accountant. And has nothing useful to pass on, except: \"It's very good actually, more of a girlie's film of course...\" So still no premiere tickets burning a hole in my pocket."}, {"response": 608, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (08:56)", "body": "(Mari) Maybe they thought that would make it too close to the commershills for Someone Like You (which is getting some pretty mediocre reviews, heh, heh, heh;-) Waddaya expect, given the great 'acting' *cough* 'talent' of Ms. Judd? ;-) Very old ladies alert!** ;-D (Mari) ...let's call ourselves \"vintage.\" ;-) Gaah! I'll call myself neither. All those CF fans without grandchildren, raise your hands! *waving mine* (SB) Saw my first one last night too Were you watching Ally also? If not, what were you watching? And how the he** have you been? ;-D"}, {"response": 609, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (08:58)", "body": "Colin on Today show - Tuesday, 10 7:00 AM Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick perform a song from Broadway's \ufffdThe Producers.\ufffd Also: Jane Seymour; Colin Firth; cooking \ufffdlite.\ufffd"}, {"response": 610, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (09:06)", "body": "Donna, what was the date? April 10th? And what is your source? :-)"}, {"response": 611, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (09:21)", "body": "Fantastic, Donna! Am all for more wild goose chases. Eileen, it shows up *again* on ClickTV as well now. *also raising hand*"}, {"response": 612, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (09:22)", "body": "Could be the Today Show was amazed by the all calls asking for Colin after his nonappearance last week."}, {"response": 613, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (09:56)", "body": "Maybe they thought that would make it too close to the commershills for Someone Like You (which is getting some pretty mediocre reviews, heh, heh, heh;-) But a lot of press. On everyday on morning TV \"Romantic Comedy of the Year\"... Could be the Today Show was amazed by the all calls asking for Colin after his nonappearance last week. They know him *now*.No longer do they say: \"Who\"?"}, {"response": 614, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (09:56)", "body": "oooh, and on my birthday, no less.. Maybe he'll be in NYC the weekend I'm there... (Staying at the Plaza or Four Seasons???) think I can talk him back to brooklyn???? ;) I, too, saw the BJD commercial during Buffy (whilst folding laundry, Rebecca's response was priceless.... \"oh dear, here we go again...\" ;)) Actually, she thought it looked funny and laughed out loud when BJ answers phone and it's her father...;)"}, {"response": 615, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (09:57)", "body": "(raising hand) Just marked April 10 on the calendar. Not sure I can wait...."}, {"response": 616, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (10:05)", "body": "(Karen) Am all for more wild goose chases. Yes, so am I. I'll be more optimistic when I see it on the Today Show site (even then, it's still not a given until you hear it straight from Matt or Katie)."}, {"response": 617, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (10:07)", "body": "Quite true. Those other sources are *NEVER* right. :-)"}, {"response": 618, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (10:18)", "body": "Hey, Eileen, I'm raising my hand too! Have only a couple of years on that whippersnapper Firth. And what a cheeky fellow he is; needs some discipline, IMO.;-) ;-) Could be the Today Show was amazed by the all calls asking for Colin after his nonappearance last week. Maybe Elliott Forrest told him about his pushy fans; God bless us, every one.;-)They *did* say within the next 2 weeks. Super news, Donna, thanks! Evelyn, you're right about Someone Like You getting tons of press. Judd, Jackman, and Kinnear are all out there blitzing the talk shows. I've never seen Ashley in anything, to tell you the truth, but I thought she came off very well in her interview on Today, er, today. Articulate, nice. I still hope her film sucks.;-)"}, {"response": 619, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (10:27)", "body": "Great review in the May Empire. Many thanks to Martine for bringing it to us! Bridget Jones's Diary The cinematic adaptation of Helen Fielding's chick lit classic was an endeavour fraught with pitfall: the first person narration was never going to be an easy crossover to movies; the potential to alienate the male cinema-goer was massive; and the selection of Texan Zellweger to play Britain's favourite neurotic raised further suspicions. However, what first-time director Maguire, the writers and the perfectly-pitched cast have created is another great British rom-com that manages to be even funnier and more romantic than Notting Hill. The film's success is thanks in no small part to the three leads. Grant, as the deliciously dastardly Daniel, has never been better - far sexier as a posh cad and bounder than the usually foppish sweetie. Devilish and charming in equal measure - and with a dash of the Rupert Everetts about him - it's easy to see why Bridge can't resist his sleazy charms. Firth, meanwhile, is less of a showman, but appropriately revisits the haughty yet smouldering Mr. Darcy of the BBC's Pride and Prejudice, the subject of so much girlie lusting in the original diary; as aloof barrister Mark Darcy, he's six-foot of repressed passion just waiting to be unleashed. Zellweger, meanwhile, who rarely lets the accent slip, more than answers her critics, lurching from one disaster to the next, but still managing to balance her endearing daffiness with an irresistible sauciness - no wonder Daniel and Mark are fighting to get into her control-top knickers. Admittedly there are moments when her more embarrassing gaffes make you cringe, yet her character is in a sense the victim of her own success; it's easy to forget that, as much as she is an icon of modern womanhood, she is also a satirical, albeit deeply affectionate, take on that same creature. Large tracts of the diary - and no doubt many readers' 'best bits' - have, by necessity, been omitted. Moreover, Bridget's wonderful \"urban family\", Tom (James Callis), Jude (Shirley Henderson) and Shazzer, are greatly underused, and a sub-plot featuring Bridget's parents' troubled marriage seems truncated. But these are minor quibbles, and with at least one laugh-out loud moment every five minutes, several stand-out scenes (Geoffrey and Una's tarts'n'vicars party and Daniel's boating accident, to name but two), a swooningly romantic denouement and the sort of top-class support that you only seem to get in British comedies, what you have is an above-average chick-flick that even blokes will tolerate (cf. Ren\ufffde's bunny outfit). V.g., as Bridget might say. Liz Beardsworth ANY GOOD? Resoundingly yes. Sometimes uneven, and a tad short, this is nevertheless one of the most genuinely funny romances for some time. With Grant, Firth and Zellweger on sparkling form, this will be the next big Brit hit. * * * * (very good) -------------------------------------------------------------------"}, {"response": 620, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (10:37)", "body": "Great review. Funny that Catherine's co-worker didn't make a big deal about the accent. he's six-foot of repressed passion just waiting to be unleashed Ooooooowwww must stand back and take this in. *eyes agog* BTW, have done more TV searching and the TV Guide site shows RZ on the Rosie Show on April 10th as well. She's also appearing on an early morning TV show here in Chicago on the 11th, as she wings her way west."}, {"response": 621, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (10:41)", "body": "Question: I haven't been putting in the time/network for Rosie, as we have her on a different time (largely due to Oprah). Is she mainly on at 9 a.m. everywhere (except here) and on NBC or is she syndicated?"}, {"response": 622, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (10:48)", "body": "Rosie was on at 10 a.m. (could swear it was ABC, between Regis and The View) in NY and is on at 3 p.m on NBC in the DC area. She must be sydicated."}, {"response": 623, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (11:01)", "body": "You have a chance to meet up with CF! There's a competition in this week's Heat magazine. Ring 020 7290 2799 with the names of BJ's three friends before this Friday 12noon, and you could win a night in a London hotel and a visit to a Health club (for a makeover), and then a trip to the Premiere and (the best bit!) on to a West End party with cast and crew. Heat says (of movie) \"Don't miss, it's brilliant\" It's being v. well marketed over here, but we don't have many (any?) big British films. \"Someone like you\" sounds like opposition in the US. Hope they start blitzing BJD soon but I guess that will be just before it opens."}, {"response": 624, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (11:11)", "body": "RZ on the Rosie Show on April10th as well. She's also appearing on an early morning TV show here in Chicago on the 11th, as she wings her way west. They're extracting the juice out of poor Renee.She's earning her mils$$$. (Bethan)It's being v. well marketed over here, How? Mag contests? Talk shows do it in the US...morning, aft and night. Renee seems to be hitting them all.Way to go!"}, {"response": 625, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (11:51)", "body": "Oh my, the situation is even more bizarre. I get The View on ABC at (10) against Men are From Mars, etc. I tried looking for Regis (cause it's not listed any in the morning or afternoon here) and it's on at 1:13 a.m. I get Rosie at 3 as well. Looks like I'd better put a few more \"check local listings\" out there. And if anybody shows up on Regis, I can definitely tape it since there such a delay here."}, {"response": 626, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (12:01)", "body": "Run to the official website and check out the latest. Click on the words under Renee: \"Click here for an inside look at my life.\" Then wait for it to load, and click on Mark's face. LOL! Sooo cute. And another turteneck sweater pic! Yummmmm . . . http://entertainment.msn.com/bridget/"}, {"response": 627, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (12:19)", "body": "Well here in Boston we get Rosie at 4pm on CBS station, and in Rhode Island, she's on at 5pm on ABC. She's against Oprah in the Boston market."}, {"response": 628, "author": "JenniferR", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (12:32)", "body": "*raises hand* Wow. Between the comment about \"...6 foot of repressed passion just waiting to be unleashed...\" and the lovely, lovely, lovely picture of him in the turtleneck, I may have to ask building management to turn on the A/C for me. What a delightful treat to stumble across during my lunch break. The drawing on the picture (at the BJD site) was very Wessex-like, however, leading me to once again bust out laughing at the office. *continues to fan self*"}, {"response": 629, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (12:49)", "body": "Wow! Has anyone seen that new turtleneck picture without the doodles on it? That is the BEST photo I've seen of Colin--worthy of replacing Mr. Darcy as my computer wallpaper. I clicked on downloads, but that wasn't one of the choices. Meanwhile, will spend all day v. distracted thinking about \"6 foot of repressed passion waiting to be unleashed\""}, {"response": 630, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (14:23)", "body": "Beep, beep, beep. Firthometer off the scale, nurse! Five grammes of Diazepam, NOW. .....join as next week as mass Firthsteria epidemic breaks loose."}, {"response": 631, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (14:41)", "body": "Oh, doctor, not even Firthodan can help now! MORE GOODIES below--extensive clips from the \"Dueling Pistols\" and \"Blue Soup\" scenes! WHEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! CODE BLUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!! http://www.msn.co.uk/page/11-612.asp"}, {"response": 632, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (15:00)", "body": "LOL, Mari! Thanks for all the info. Devilish and charming in equal measure - and with a dash of the Rupert Everetts about him - it's easy to see why Bridge can't resist his sleazy charms. Oh no, please keep Rupi out of this. ;-) **raises hands** Plus takes it a step further: Younger than Firth. :-)"}, {"response": 633, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (15:43)", "body": "(Mari) MORE GOODIES Thanks for posting these links. Am ROTFLMAO! Unfortunately, the ideal speed for my modem is somewhere between slow and fast, but I won't quibble. Love the happy birthday fight scene. Is hilarious. (Jen) was very Wessex-like My thoughts exactly. How'd everyone like Hugh with his horns? Harhar. :-D"}, {"response": 634, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (15:44)", "body": "Thanks for all the finds, Mari and everybody."}, {"response": 635, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (16:10)", "body": "(Eileen) BWTA enthusiasts: what time are the interviews usually aired? Last time, his interview began 25 minutes into the program. Therefore a good idea to follow Evelyn's advice: (Evelyn) But I'd tune in at 9 AM and read the papers just in case. ~~~~~~ (Karen) As far what would happen in a sequel, there's no reason Colin couldn't play himself. /.../Besides the entire sequel could take place in LA if it comes to pass... Of course, there's no reason to have any Daniel Cleaver in that one. Oh yes there is. Mark Darcy's gotta come bounding downstairs in only a towel fresh from the bath so as to punch Daniel in the nose. No Daniel, no punch ... (and no bath and no bound and no towel ... *darn!*) ~~~~~ (Eileen)Unfortunately, the ideal speed for my modem is somewhere between slow and fast, but I won't quibble. Love the happy birthday fight scene. Is hilarious. Unfortunately, because I'm working out of public machines, the prerequisite to download various bits of software before viewing means that I don't view ... (**sob!**) KJ"}, {"response": 636, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (16:19)", "body": "(Mari) And another turteneck sweater pic! Yummmmm . . . Since I didn't get to view that one either (same objection), Thank you, Renate for posting it and treating me to the picture nonetheless. (IMHO, a bit too much neck on that turtle, however. I prefer Colin's to turtles' ;-D) KJ"}, {"response": 637, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (16:29)", "body": "Glad to see the promo pix are improving ;-)~~~~~ Thanks for all the wonderful goodies! My modem is sadly pants and so cannot see any lovely clips but sounds v.good - especially MD's lovely Happy Birthday rendition. (I forsee a plethora of wav files accompanying forthcoming birthday celebrations ;-o)"}, {"response": 638, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (17:03)", "body": "Mark Darcy's gotta come bounding downstairs in only a towel fresh from the bath so as to punch Daniel in the nose. No Daniel, no punch ... (and no bath and no bound and no towel ...*darn!*) In TEOR, there was the towel scene at Rebecca's country house weekend. So, IMO there is still no need to DC and we'd all be happy. (Eileen) How'd everyone like Hugh with his horns? Harhar. :-D I was more amused by the addition of hair on his hairless chest. ;-D Loved the new stuff at MSN site and how copied off both pics (full length, more chest, and more Wessex-like) for those without benefit of Flash software. Plus have a few images off trailer. Make sure Crash Cart is nearby. There's another of BJ and DC in bed too. It's on the Screening Room page."}, {"response": 639, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (17:21)", "body": "For those having difficulty with the new clips, what's worked for me (and is v.v. technical, similar to kicking the sides of televisions when picture ran) is to close down the Windows Media player and keep reopening it. You get new connections to the server that way. On about the fifth try, it worked fine. Don't just stop it and hit play. Close it and reopen from the link."}, {"response": 640, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (17:47)", "body": "Lovely to come home and find all this here! Karen, tried your excellent technical advice, to no avail. Must try bigger hammer! Sounds lovely, though. v. funny too: bugger, bugger (blue soup-not sure of UK spelling of bugger) Excellent additions to official site. Do y'all suppose they put up the new turtleneck pic in large \"wallpaper\" size? Mmmmm...."}, {"response": 641, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (19:46)", "body": "Oh nooooooooooooooooo!!!! Have seen another commercial. Colin's been cut completely out of it. Would appear the film is all about RZ and HG and no one else. Had a little teaser of the two in bed (toes intertwined, a little moaning), but they're actually watching cricket."}, {"response": 642, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (21:22)", "body": "(me) Saw my first one last night too (Eileen) Were you watching Ally also? If not, what were you watching? And how the he** have you been? ;-D Was watching Dirty Dancing, and I've been just lovely - Thanks :-) *waving hand*"}, {"response": 643, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 28, 2001 (22:17)", "body": "There are lots more BJD clips stored on that site. Here are the good ones, featuring Colin: (I'll give the slow connection speed here) I like you just the way you are: http://www.virtuetv.com/clients/msn/bridget_clip4_34.asx T&V party and boating: http://www.virtuetv.com/clients/msn/bridget_clip1_34.asx Blue soup (woo woo highly recommended 5 stars): http://www.virtuetv.com/clients/msn/bridget_clip9_34.asx Others (non-Colin) Here's the one that supposed to make you sympathetic to DC: http://www.virtuetv.com/clients/msn/bridget_clip10_34.asx I have a boyfriend: http://www.virtuetv.com/clients/msn/bridget_clip5_34.asx Resolutions: http://www.virtuetv.com/clients/msn/bridget_clip3_34.asx Choices: http://www.virtuetv.com/clients/msn/bridget_clip2_34.asx T&V party entrance: http://www.virtuetv.com/clients/msn/bridget_clip8_34.asx Discussion in bed: http://www.virtuetv.com/clients/msn/bridget_clip11_34.asx"}, {"response": 644, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar 29, 2001 (06:45)", "body": "Thanks, Karen! You're doing a great job. Have a great time in NYC with Evelyn, AnnW, Donna, etc. and give our regards to JE. And a big kiss to ODB when you see him at the BJD premiere! I will be in LA and look forward to reading all about it on my return. :-D"}, {"response": 645, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar 29, 2001 (07:43)", "body": "From Elliott Forrest's weekly update; I think we can take this one to the bank!:-) Breakfast with the Arts on A&E Sunday, April 1, 9:00 AM-11: 00 AM Eastern and Pacific (Check local listings.) Herbert Von Karajan: Famous Overtures Recorded at the Berlin Philharmonic in 1985 and 1986, the program features performances of Beethoven's \"Fidelio\", \"Egmont\", and \"Leonore\" overtures, as well as Brahms' \"Tragic\" overture. Rating - TV G Arts & Entertainment News : Legendary dancer choreographer, Merce Cunningham, talks about his last season. Celebrity Interview: Actor Colin Firth on BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY and yes, Pride and Prejudice. The A&E Artist of the Week: Deborah Voigt once again joins us to sing in our studio and talk about her life and career. Open Book: \"RSVP\" by Nan Kempner and \"The Elusive Embrace\" by Daniel Mendelsohn Elliott Forrest BWTA on A&E www.aande.com/breakfast elliott@aetv.com"}, {"response": 646, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Mar 29, 2001 (09:05)", "body": "Wot? Nobody saw ET last night? More promo for BJD featuring familiar trailer clips and more of Julie Moran's interview with Chesthairless Hughie. Was resigned to no mention of ODB when *ta-da* Julie's voiceover says (did not tape, am going from inaccurate memory) 'Hugh vies for Renee's affection with actor Colin Firth'. Cue quick clips of MD at T&V party and giving BJ that sidelong Mr. Darcy-at-Meryton-assembly gaze (both from trailer). Back to Julie live where she elaborates her discussion with HG about his weight loss and work with a trainer, saying 'both Hugh and Colin had to lose weight for their roles while Renee had to gain. Hugh told me that he would fight Colin for lettuce leaves at lunchtime while they watched Renee pile in the food.' Was thrilled to hear CF's inclusion--helped me curb my disappointment when I saw the CF-less commercial later that night. They're making the movie look like the HG-RZ show. Grr. Hopefully we'll see revised commercials after the movie opens, to include scenes with 'actor Colin Firth'. ;-) Thanks for the BWTA confirmation info, Mari. Am on pins and needles to see how much head scratching and nose pulling there will be! ;-D"}, {"response": 647, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar 29, 2001 (10:03)", "body": "BIG WONDERFUL HAPPY NEWS!!! Colin and Livia have just had a little boy and have named him Luca."}, {"response": 648, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Mar 29, 2001 (10:37)", "body": "...wonder why they didn't name him 'Darcy'? ;-D For details (and there aren't many), go to the CF topic!"}, {"response": 649, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Thu, Mar 29, 2001 (19:22)", "body": "Karen-Thanks so much for putting all the links to the clips on The Bucket. I looked all over for the fast speed, but now you have it. Why do they work so much better from your link, than from the \"source\" as it were? Never mind, probably too technical for me. Just so happy to see all of them. Better and better...Am trying hard not to get too excited--but dare I say it? This looks like a darn good movie, even if I weren't mildly obsessed with one of the stars. ;-)"}, {"response": 650, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 30, 2001 (07:20)", "body": "Great for Colin and the cast, not so hot for the film. Thanks to Rai: Daily Variety March 30, 2001 HEADLINE: Bridget Jones's Diary BYLINE: LAEL LOEWENSTEIN As the Bible of thirtysomething single women everywhere, \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" is one of the most eagerly anticipated book-to-screen adaptations in recent memory. Informed by author Helen Fielding's droll observations of a year in the life of her weight-obsessed, love-starved heroine, the novel hit a bull's-eye with women on both sides of the Atlantic. As a film, however, item misses its mark, failing to capitalize on the staccato rhythms and sardonic wit of Bridget's inner life. That said, pic's pre-sell value is solid enough to suggest initially healthy B.O. that could continue to generate decent returns, even as it will inevitably disappoint some of the book's devotees. Introduced in a series of columns in the U.K.'s Independent, Fielding's lovably imperfect Bridget, with her incessant calorie counting, cigarette smoking and wine-swilling, inflected the British vernacular with a personal lexicon that divided her community into \"Singletons\" and \"Smug-marrieds.\" Little surprise, then, that the unlikely casting of American thesp Renee Zellweger over British actresses caused a row not seen since Tom Cruise donned fangs to play the vampire Lestat. The good news is that Zellweger delivers as Bridget, and her fellow actors, including Hugh Grant and Colin Firth as the men she must choose between, are exceptionally well cast. The bad news is that despite being edited down to a bare-bones 90-odd minutes, forcing the elimination of key characters and scenes and the underdevelopment of others, pic manages to feel, paradoxically, as dramatically flabby as the 10 pounds Bridget cannot seem to shed. Things start off promisingly, with Bridget alone in her flat comically crooning along with the radio. Awash in red flannel pajamas and wine-induced haze, cheerfully oblivious and singing \"All by Myself,\" Zellweger breathes full-bodied life into Bridget. Opening title sequence is the movie's best bit. Soon she's off to a holiday turkey-curry buffet where, for the umpteenth time, family friends barrage her with questions about her love life. Though her irrepressible mum (Gemma Jones) is scheming to fix her up with a childhood friend, party guest and top barrister Mark Darcy (Firth), Bridget, who suffers from foot-in-mouth disease, botches the encounter. Needless to say, it is not a love connection. It's not that Mark Darcy is so awful; it's just that he's a sartorially challenged snob who loftily dismisses Bridget's attempt to make conversation. She much prefers mooning over Daniel Cleaver (Grant), her cad of a boss who has finally begun to take notice of her Ally McBeal-length skirts. After a blissful and sex-filled courtship with Daniel, Bridget makes an unfortunate discovery that ends their romance. Not to worry, suggest her Singleton best friends Shazza (Sally Phillips), Jude (Shirley Henderson) and Tom (James Callis): There's life beyond Daniel. Surprisingly, there's been interest from Mark Darcy, who's apologized for his earlier behavior. In a thoroughly overstaged sequence that transpires at Bridget's 32nd birthday party, there's a showdown between Mark and Daniel leaving Bridget in a \"Pride and Prejudice\"-type dilemma of choosing between two men. Above sequence, which is not in the book, has the effect of visually underscoring the conflict and further delineating Mark's and Daniel's own bitter history, but it reduces her friends to a simpering chorus. Other sequences memorable from the book are re-created with mixed success, including Bridget's arrival at a \"Tarts and Vicars\" party in full Playboy bunny regalia, mortified to discover the party theme had been changed, and an infamous scene that finds Bridget trying to scurry up a fire pole. Zellweger is a tireless sport about all of this. And despite the initial furor over her casting, her best roles (in \"Jerry Maguire\" and \"Nurse Betty\") have indicated a sweetness, vulnerability and comic timing that make her perfect for Bridget. Gaining some 20 pounds, the actress has transformed herself into a lumpy, fleshy everywoman. Sadly, Stuart Dryburgh's lensing and Rachael Fleming's costumes go a bit too far in making her look unattractive. As to her accent, Brits may complain about its authenticity, but Americans will be thoroughly convinced. Grant and Firth are impeccable. Firth, whose performance as Mr. Darcy in the BBC's \"Pride and Prejudice\" was the model for Fielding's Mark Darcy, brings unexpected depth to his role, while Grant, for once, thankfully gets to play against type. And perhaps it's no small coincidence that both actors are mentioned in the book. Documentary director Sharon Maguire, the real-life model for Fielding's Shazza, has shown an uncertain hand in her first feature. Script by Fielding, Richard Curtis (\"Notting Hill\" scribe) and BBC \"Pride and Prejudice\" writer Andrew Davies could have benefited f"}, {"response": 651, "author": "JenniferR", "date": "Fri, Mar 30, 2001 (07:50)", "body": "Heads up! It looks like Entertainment Weekly has sent out the free screening passes!! I received one in the mail yesterday, and am all giddy with delight--Thursday, 7:30 pm, at one of the more \"posh\" (so they say!) theaters in Wash, DC. Hopefully, everyone who registered on line will receive theirs soon! I am v. v. excited!!"}, {"response": 652, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 30, 2001 (08:20)", "body": "Ahh, here's a good one! Hollywood Reporter Bridget Jones's Diary By Mark Adams LONDON --\"Bridget Jones's Diary\" is a film full of wit, warmth and honest, knowing humor, topped off with a plethora of excellent performances. This Bridget Jones has the style to win over U.K. audiences and almost certainly the charm to wow the American boxoffice. Renee Zellweger was the subject of much media scrutiny (in the United Kingdom, especially) when cast as Bridget -- a single thirtysomething Brit in a postfeminist world looking for love while trying to mind her alcohol intake, watch her weight and cut down on the smoking. How could this young American possibly play a beloved English character? It is called acting, and she gives a splendid, often heartwarming performance. \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" begun in 1995 as a British newspaper column by Helen Fielding, was turned into a best-selling novel a year later. The story of Bridget, her hopeless love life, her alcoholic binges and her inept attempts to develop poise struck a chord, and the film adaptation, nicely directed by newcomer Sharon Maguire, an acclaimed documentary maker, manages to blend subtle charm with almost slapstick moments. Bridget has simple ambitions: to lose weight and find true love. The film opens as this London-based publicist for a successful publisher visits her parents at their countryside home for their annual Christmas party. They try to set her up with Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), the visiting son of their neighbors. She is initially impressed, but when he snubs her, she returns to London realizing she is destined to remain a \"singleton\" and vows to keep a diary and find herself a \"nice, sensible boyfriend.\" The trouble is that Bridget instead falls for her boss, the dashing, sexy Daniel Cleaver (played with twinkling, sly charm by Hugh Grant), who to her surprise starts sending her flirtatious e-mails. Over dinner one night, Daniel reveals that he and Mark attended college together and that Mark had an affair with his fiancee. Bridget and Daniel start an affair, but Bridget's euphoria is dampened somewhat when her mother announces that she is leaving her father for a presenter on the Home Shopping Channel. When Bridget catches Daniel with an American colleague, she again vows to take control of her life. She starts a new career as a presenter on a TV current-affairs program. Then, at a dinner party, she bumps into Mark, who surprises her when he tells her that he likes her -- and likes her just as she is. She is even more surprised when he turns up at her flat to help prepare a birthday meal for her friends. Unfortunately, Daniel also turns up at the flat to lure Bridget back, but Mark challenges him to a fist fight. In a wonderful scene, the two engage in a hilariously clumsy tussle, which even sees them stumbling into a Turkish restaurant. Zellweger is excellent as Bridget. Never once does she let her accent slip, and she displays a great capacity for physical comedy. She put on weight for the role and easily slips into the endearingly inept character of Bridget, bringing to the role a real sense of sweetness and vulnerability. Grant and Firth look slim, trim and attractive. Grant especially seems to relish the chance to play a bit of a bounder, marking a real contrast to his more endearing roles in \"Notting Hill\" and \"Four Weddings and a Funeral,\" while Firth slowly allows the tenderness and depth of his character to be revealed. The script credit is shared by three writers -- Fielding, Andrew Davies (who scripted the television adaptation of \"Pride and Prejudice\") and Richard Curtis (\"Notting Hill\") -- yet appears seamless. It's full of wonderful jokes and moves along at an easy pace. The great thing about Bridget is that she is a terribly honest character who wears her heart on her sleeve. She lives in a real world (unlike her American counterparts in \"Sex and the City\") and struggles through as best she can. Production designer Gemma Jackson does a great job of presenting a vision of London that is tinged with romance, and excellent use of locations helps present a charming view of the city."}, {"response": 653, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar 30, 2001 (10:23)", "body": "(Daily Variety) even as it will inevitably disappoint some of the book's devotees. Sounds like the author is one of the book's devotees. Firth, whose performance as Mr. Darcy in the BBC's \"Pride and Prejudice\" was the model for Fielding's Mark Darcy, brings unexpected depth to his role Lael has redeemed himself (herself?). And perhaps it's no small coincidence that both actors are mentioned in the book. *snort* Harhar! Firth is put on pedestal while Grant is mentioned in Devine context. Much prefer HR's review. Hurrah! Here's to many more like it! *clink*"}, {"response": 654, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 30, 2001 (11:10)", "body": "Third kudo in a row today for CF! From Fox News (thanks, Chris): Bridget Jones's Diary follows Memento into theaters next week, and it's the second terrific release of 2001. Already this year is shaping up as 100 percent better than the last. Bridget features three outstanding performances by Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth and Hugh Grant. For Renee, who almost hit it big last year with Nurse Betty, Bridget should put her over the top \ufffd and then some. Zellweger gives both Gwyneth Paltrow and Meryl Streep a run for their money with her convincing English accent. For Miramax, which had a blah year in 2000, Bridget should be the start of a comeback that will include Gangs of New York, Four Feathers, The Shipping News, and Pinocchio."}, {"response": 655, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Mar 30, 2001 (13:30)", "body": "From the Daily Express THE BJ DILEMMA - Would you go for HG or CF? (Am missing out Hughie bits!!) Thumbs up for Colin..by Virginia Blackburn \"Oh my word, I'm quivering. It's nearly 24 hours since I saw Colin Firth, aka Mark Darcy, smouldering his way through BJD and I still haven't calmed down. I haven't been so moved by any screen presence since - well, since I watched CF aka Mr Darcy smouldering his way through P&P. Colin Firth and Mark Darcy, you are a welcome return indeed. Face it, MD is everything most women have dreamed of. Quite apart from the fact that he's tall dark and handsome, he's clever, successful, modest, socially aware, and above all, he's kind.... Your quality piece of beefcake...when he's yours he's really is yours....MD is a real man. We want a real man who's able to face his responsibilities without whining, without needing space, who is not afraid of saying \"I love you\".. ...MD is there for Bridget,and best of all they become friends before they become lovers. Real men get to know their women before they make their move....But the best thing about Mark is that although he's not initially effusive, you know there's a cauldron of passion simmering underneath. When he and Bridget finally get to kiss, you know it's an earth shattering sort of kiss. Mark and Daniel are both yummy, but only one comes up trumps...bastard or brilliantly attentive lover? Please. As if. You mean you don't know who you'd choose\""}, {"response": 656, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar 30, 2001 (14:04)", "body": "Thanks, Bethan (not bad for one finger typing). you know there's a cauldron of passion simmering underneath Ann's prayers have been answered (as if there was ever any doubt;-))! When he and Bridget finally get to kiss, you know it's an earth shattering sort of kiss. Translation: ++ shoulder grind. Woohoo! ;-) I've also watched all the snippets Karen kindly consolidated at her Bucket BJ page. Though the video is choppy, they look terrific. Love them all, but my fave has to be the 'overproduced' fighting birthday party. Am not making any plans for the week after Easter, as will be sitting in movie theater!"}, {"response": 657, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 30, 2001 (15:14)", "body": "Thanks, Bethan; Virginia Blackburn has v. good taste.:-) Reminder for US viewers: RZ on Jay Leno's show tonight."}, {"response": 658, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Fri, Mar 30, 2001 (17:20)", "body": "Eileen - Am not making any plans for the week after Easter, as will be sitting in movie theater! You took the words right out of my mouth ! From 143 - checked out newsagents but can't find copy of 'Film Review' did however spot 'Total Film' as I was leaving whioch appears to have big BJD feature...will loiter inconspicuously tomorrow and report back. BTW have bought copy of May's Empire mag - as well as review featured here a few posts ago there is also a piece on RZ, usual stuff- weight gain, voice training di-da-di-dah! A few pix which we have seen before I think except this one....."}, {"response": 659, "author": "ElainaC", "date": "Fri, Mar 30, 2001 (18:18)", "body": "Hello, just delurking to say I posted a Guardian interview of Firth over at #143."}, {"response": 660, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Fri, Mar 30, 2001 (18:37)", "body": "O-H-M-Y-G-*-D!!!!!! LOOK WHAT I GOT IN THE MAIL TODAY! I'M SO EXCITED!!! Oh! it's real! I got it from Etertainment Weekly/Time Inc.!!! Is there anyone out there, living in or near DC, that want's to go with me? Email me. Danil@mindspring.com"}, {"response": 661, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Fri, Mar 30, 2001 (18:38)", "body": "gah! will try again! O-H-M-Y-G-*-D!!!!!! LOOK WHAT I GOT IN THE MAIL TODAY! I'M SO EXCITED!!! Oh! it's real! I got it from Etertainment Weekly/Time Inc.!!! Is there anyone out there, living in or near DC, that want's to go with me? Email me. Danil@mindspring.com"}, {"response": 662, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Fri, Mar 30, 2001 (18:39)", "body": "Whew!!!!! okay, must go back and read the rest of topics. Just wanted to share my good fortune."}, {"response": 663, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 30, 2001 (23:42)", "body": "This is from Jeffrey Wells's column on reel.com. He's not a film critic, but writes a twice-weekly column on the industry. Diary of a Pudge-Bod I caught Bridget Jones's Diary, the Ren\ufffde Zellweger comedy based on the popular novel, Wednesday night. Miramax is opening it April 13. Lacking anything else to write about, I thought I'd venture some opinions. First, the important news : I laughed. Not constantly, but every so often, which I presume will placate Miramax and the film's first-time director, Sharon Maguire, since it's not supposed to be constantly comedic. Jones is first and foremost a bright and bubbly chick flick, set and shot in London and surrounding environs, which should be enough for its mostly-female target audience. It's about Bridget, a sad-sack, slightly overweight London girl in her early 30s (Zellweger, looking suitably porky and speaking with a believable British accent) who clearly needs to make changes in her life \ufffd lose weight, stop smoking, cut down on drinking \ufffd for her general betterment. I was with Bridget and the movie during the first ten or fifteen minutes, when it was all about her loneliness and self-loathing and late-night TV watching and compulsive ice cream eating, which are maladies familiar to most of us. But I checked out when she announced her specific goal, which was to land the right cute, eligible guy. Not again, I muttered to myself. Locked down in front of another woman's movie, the kind that makes you feel pensive and confined while it's playing, and more than gratified when it's over. I don't find much story tension in girl films of this sort. The fact that women can have it both ways if they're so inclined or lucky enough \ufffd hook up with the right guy and be supported (or half-supported) and, if they want, become baby-makers, or make it as a self-supporting professional with a presumably fortifying relationship on the side \ufffd kind of removes the do-or-die aspect. It's not that I don't think single, slightly overweight women have it rough, but, well, we're all miserable and unfulfilled on this or that level \ufffd right? What's so special or touching about Bridget Jones? Nothing I could fathom. They made the movie because of the popularity in England of Fielding's Bridget Jones column (in London's Independent) and then the novel, but it didn't feel sufficiently heartfelt or peculiar. The story struck me as the same old girl-wants-boy, girl-seems-to-lose-boy, girls-sees-through-boy, girl-hooks-up-with-guy-she-never-appreciated stuff. Didn't I just see this in Someone Like You with Ashley Judd? (Which uses, incidentally, the same Van Morrison song on the soundtrack.) Why don't women in these stories ever decide to chuck it and become lesbians? (Two of my ex-girlfriends have gone this route.) Why do the endings always feel like a gloss? Why don't they ever use sad or even bittersweet endings? Jones is briskly written (by a couple of guys, Richard Curtis and Andrew Davies, as well as the author of the original novel, Helen Fielding) with a nice effervescent quality. One problem is that Maguire uses that annoying trick of having Zellweger/Jones say to another character what's she's thinking (but not actually saying), then cutting to the remark she really says to them. But the line becomes blurred after a while with Zellweger saying awkward, outrageous stuff in actuality, and eventually you begin to not believe it. Then the disbelief takes over totally. Hugh Grant has the Gregg Kinnear part \ufffd did I just say that? Kinnear plays Judd's initially very attractive boyfriend in Someone Like You (as Grant does here with Zellweger), but I just realized that Kinnear has pretty much cornered the Hollywood market on weak and waffling. Anyway, Grant seems to have a talent for playing this kind of guy too. Colin Firth (The English Patient) is under-deployed as Zellweger's slightly priggish but more character-worthy suitor, but he's probably the best thing in it."}, {"response": 664, "author": "kolin", "date": "Sat, Mar 31, 2001 (07:57)", "body": "There is a big article in today's National Post about Renee, with very little about Colin. However you might be interested in what she said about a possible sequel: \"Zellweger has brought some elements of her brief life as a London Singleton home with her. She imported all the faucets for her new home from England and she now prefers to take taxis everywhere, as she did in London. \"I get car sick in limousines,\" she explains. She also runs with her dog and goes to the gym daily, activities she missed greatly during her days as Bridget Jones. Overall, though, it was, she says, an interlude in her life she remembers with fondness and may be prepared to repeat if a sequel is ever considered.\""}, {"response": 665, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Mar 31, 2001 (14:26)", "body": "Hi it's the Scan-Queen again!! Today's Guardian piece (for text see Elaina's post on 143) contains a few movie stills, mostly posted at the Bucket Screening room, but I thought you might like this one ;-)"}, {"response": 666, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Apr  1, 2001 (11:17)", "body": "That picture is to die for. Thanks, Tracy. Looks like he's grinning, sweetie boy. Thanks for the articles above, ladies. I have a lot of fun reading the good parts, namely those parts so kindly bolded (is that a word) with ODB's name. Transcript of A&E's interview with Colin shown today is on 143. Danielle, I hope you find someone to go with. Will you go alone otherwise? I got my tickets too for Philadelphia but can not go that night. Think I can wait one more week where I will be joining the rest of you in giving BJD a great opening weekend boxoffice tally."}, {"response": 667, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sun, Apr  1, 2001 (11:46)", "body": "I'm finally going to contribute something to this board (other than a frantic, excited, miscued scan of a movie premiere pass). Firth and foremost, thank you all for keeping me up-to-date with all things BJD. CF was on BwtA this morning and was just beautiful! For all those who missed it, he came in with a dark gray suit and wine colored shirt. Some excerpts: EF: 'There is a connection here. (referring to P&P).' CF: 'There's not ever going to be an escape, is there?' EF: 'I don't wnat to give too much away, but you end up in a little fisticuffs with HG. Was that fun getting to punch him out?' CF: 'Absolutley. Yes. I'm sure he had as much fun as I did. I think we decided to step aside a little bit from teh old movie punchouts... the swings, the carefully choreographed, rather less than plausible...' EF: 'Did you land a punch?' CF: 'No, we just grappled at each other like a couple of 5 year olds. Which is I think what mist fights are probably like between adults. I think they're ridiculous things. I think we wanted tocapture that sense of the ridiculous between men who aren't use to fighting each other. This is a couple of suits throwing themselves at each other.' CF: 'Gosh. You've really done your homework (regarding Department of Nothing monologue for Nick Hornby), haven't you?' EF: 'Well, I have to tell you, working for A&E, the fans, YOUR fans have been writing me to ask you about certain things.' CF: 'Oh, I see.' EF: 'So, I have been doing my homework. But the fans from P&P are AVID and they want to know all about you.' It was about 8 minutes... onlly one hand to the face and NO nose picking! He smiled several times (no smouldering, though), and actually chuckled!"}, {"response": 668, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sun, Apr  1, 2001 (11:48)", "body": "Oh Heide, I'm always so late on things! you already put up the interview! *snort* but to answer your question. i still have an available seat, but I'm meeting a few people met on the boards here and at DWG, so i won't be alone. thanks for asking."}, {"response": 669, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, Apr  1, 2001 (13:37)", "body": "SCORE!!! I just picked up 3 free screening passes for a BJD screening this Wednesday! One of the many benefits of living in LA is that there's bound to be a sneak preview of anything... Moon, Jana2, Marianne-- the passes have your names on them! Where are you?!?!"}, {"response": 670, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Sun, Apr  1, 2001 (17:12)", "body": "If that's an invitation, I accept. What are details?"}, {"response": 671, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Apr  1, 2001 (17:32)", "body": "Ooh, lucky girls. I suppose this board will be the place to discuss the movie in detail. Sob! May have to skip reading for awhile until I get to see it the 13th. Danielle, I'm glad you're going as well. I see you timed the BWTA interview. ;-) I thought it was much too short. Didn't you just love that fight scene in the clip? This is a couple of suits throwing themselves at each other.' Great quote."}, {"response": 672, "author": "JennyM", "date": "Sun, Apr  1, 2001 (19:19)", "body": "I had a brain lapse last night. I set my VCR to record BWTA this morning because I was out of town last night. I only set it for one hour, I didn't know the program was 2 hours long. I didn't get any of CF's interview. I'm glad I was able to read a transcript at least. Thanks for posting it."}, {"response": 673, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, Apr  1, 2001 (21:23)", "body": "Jenny I didn't know the program was 2 hours long. I didn't get any of CF's interview This is deja vu... Last time CF was on BWTA, I dragged my groggy self out of bed to watch the show out in the living room. Well, after the first hour with no CF in sight, I dozed off! Missed the whole damn thing, as it was broadcast right there in front of me."}, {"response": 674, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sun, Apr  1, 2001 (22:46)", "body": "(Heide) Didn't you just love that fight scene in the clip? I loved the punch in the face and the fact that it was Daniel being pushed into the restaurant and onto the table! Grappling like a couple of 5 years olds... I think NOT! I see that a lot of us have gotten passes for sneak peeks! Isn't it grand that we have people out there (YOU!) who get the inside scoop and allow us to benefit from it?!"}, {"response": 675, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Apr  2, 2001 (02:00)", "body": "Isn't it grand that we have people out there (YOU!) who get the inside scoop and allow us to benefit from it?! Yes indeed! Thank you all and also to Heidi for typing the transcript. Things were so quiet here yesterday I thought everyone had left town so it was wonderful to read details of the interview."}, {"response": 676, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Apr  2, 2001 (07:07)", "body": "I can't remember who mentioned Film Review mag but it is worth buying for the CF article & yummy pics.Plusthe film gets 5 stars in the review section. Oh & the book with new cover was selling out fast this morning-))"}, {"response": 677, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Apr  2, 2001 (08:14)", "body": "*pouting* :-( I was stationed in front of the TV with tape in VCR until about 9:50 yesterday a.m. Had to bail as had other commitments, so turned off BWTA after they interviewed the blonde opera singer (thought for a moment we were misled again, but remembered reading in the past that they sometimes have more than one artist of the week). What time was CF on? Thank you Danielle and Heide for posting transcripts."}, {"response": 678, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr  2, 2001 (12:33)", "body": "From yesterday's San Franciso Chronicle (Thanks, Murph). I've bolded the salient parts ('cause Heide likes 'em that way;-) and there's something for Mark here, too.:-) Los Angeles -- The weight. It was the weight thing, of course, and then there was the English accent, too. Renee Zellweger put on quite a few pounds -- revealingly, she doesn't know how many -- and worked for months in London on the accent, sometimes masquerading as an office worker in a publishing house to see if people would buy it. \"I've done dialects before, but nothing as intensive as this,\" she says, \"and never changed my appearance so much.\" She did it all for the new romantic comedy \"Bridget Jones's Diary.\" She plays the title role and always understood it was going to be a big responsibility. In some respects it was more than she bargained for. Certain English journalists, for one thing, did not take kindly to an American actress -- and a Texan at that -- impersonating Bridget, who has become a national fixture. Why not someone like Kate Winslet? Helen Fielding's comic creation first seeped into the British consciousness as a tossed-off newspaper column. Fielding turned it into a novel, but it was not until the paperback was printed that it really took off. The book and a sequel crossed the Atlantic, and now the movie will open April 13, made by the same company that did the highly successful London comedies \"Four Weddings and a Funeral\" and \"Notting Hill.\" There is a family resemblance among them. They all pair Hugh Grant with an American star, first Andie MacDowell, then Julia Roberts and now Zellweger. Colin Firth from the TV miniseries \"Pride and Prejudice\" has been added to the mix with scintillating results. Bridget Jones carries the banner for all those single women in their 30s who go through life with self-image hang-ups, who think somehow they've never got it quite right. Things haven't worked out for these singletons the way the media promised they would. It's starting to dawn on her that she may never find the right man. Her faux pas have made it into the language: People who muck up will say they are having \"a Bridget Jones moment.\" Bridget is by no means fat but nevertheless obsesses about her weight, keeping track of it in her diary. Zellweger, who is 31, showed up in a clingy, emerald green, low-cut, long summery dress for an interview at a Los Angeles hotel. She is once again very slim, even sinewy, but there are some topics she definitely would rather skip over in the weight department. Such as exactly how much she put on for the role. \"I don't know,\" she says. \"It was in stones. It's kinda weird doing stones.\" Didn't anybody tell you? \"I don't remember. I didn't pay attention. In fact, I had a weigh-in with the physician who was overseeing the process and I told him, 'Don't tell me. I don't want to know.' \" The best guess is she put on about 15 to 20 pounds. She does know how she did it. \"I had more of the things I probably would normally eat,\" she says, \"a lot more, really. You usually stop with the pizza and not have garlic bread with it, too, but I would.\" Was it tough to lose after the filming was done? \"I thought the first lap around the track was like to kill me, and that's the truth. The 13-year-old dog was way out ahead, with arthritis and a bad back,\" she says, referring to her constant companion, the collie-golden retriever named Dylan that she calls Woofer. Weight is not the only thing Zellweger put on. She put on the staff of a London publishing house where she pretended to be a relative of the boss doing a temp job but really was there to practice a middle-class English accent. Nobody recognized the star of \"Nurse Betty\" and \"Me, Myself & Irene.\" \"I got a couple of sideways glances every now and then.\" While Bridget may not always make the best choices in clothes, Zellweger lets on that the extra weight didn't bother her personally. \"Oh, it was great. I got to upgrade at Victoria's Secret. It was a thrill for me, and I foolishly brought home all of my under things. They're now rotting away in my drawer.\" But the six months in London turned into \"an unbelievably strange dichotomy, \" she says. \"Completely creatively satisfied, voluptuous and sexy and womanly. That was all exciting. And alienated and pretty lonely and confused sometimes.\" In \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" she has several scenes around the house in her underwear, and director Sharon Maguire says, \"We were very proud of her cellulite.\" The goal was to make her look like a real person, even mousy at times. \"There was an occasional worry that she might not be as attractive as she should be,\" Maguire says. \"But if the character didn't have a bit of a weight problem and wasn't worried about her hair, she'd be less likable.\" Maguire should know. A documentary filmmaker, she is one of author Fielding's best friends, intimately knows the scene the movie depicts and was the model for one of the characters in the novel (Shazzer). Fielding says \"Bridget Jo"}, {"response": 679, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Apr  2, 2001 (15:53)", "body": "As promised I loitered with intent and eventually purchased a copy of May's Total Film...which contains a review (Four Stars) plus a huge feature and pics. Like I say it's big so I'll post in chunks Part 1..... LIVE AND LET DIET by Alan Morrison The English girl is an American, the two timing bastard is that nice boy from Notting Hill and the director is the author's best friend. the makers of Bridget Jones's Diary aren't playing by the rules as they take the hit novel from page to screen....... SHE\ufffdS THE BYWORD FOR THE CHAIN-SMOKING, CHARDONNAY-GUZZLING, CALORIE COUNTING, THIRTYSOMETHING MODERN WOMAN. It\ufffds been five years since BJD stormed the bookstores and made women feel better about their own social disasters. Now, fag in hand, the nation\ufffds favourite singleton has cinemas in her sights. In a year that\ufffds packed with big screen adaptations of best selling books - BJD would appear to have the rom-com market sown up. It\ufffds based on HF\ufffds word-of-mouth hit novel, it\ufffds got the 4W/NH mark stamped upon it courtesy of screen-writer RC and actor HG and the buzz from early test screenings is excellent. But the filmmakers didn\ufffdt make it easy for themselves. Even though the basic story is simple enough \ufffd unmarried woman swithers between Mr Right (who seems to be Mr Wrong) and Mr Wrong (who seems to be Mr Right) \ufffd the fact that it\ufffds all recounted in a diary format gave them a few headaches. And when they snubbed any number of British starlets in favour of American actress RZ, they set themselves up as targets for the usual UK middle-market tabloid brouhaha. RZ, however, proved to be made of sturdy stuff. Passing herself off as one \ufffdBridget Cavendish\ufffd, she put her English Literature degree to good use and worked incognito for several weeks as a publicity assistant for a London publisher. Meanwhile she chowed down on the pizzas and downed the pints in order to match typical Hollywood behaviour. But, then again, it\ufffds a long way from the juice bars of Beverly Hills to the wine bars of Sloane Square. BIRTH OF BRIDGET HF: \ufffdWhen I started writing BJD in February 1995, it was a column in The Independent which I wrote anonymously and assumed would be stopped after six weeks for being too silly. The other journalists were writing about New Labour and Bosnia so I wrote about why it takes three hours between waking up in the morning and leaving the house.\ufffd SM: \ufffdHelen didn\ufffdt tell me, even though I\ufffdm a friend of hers, that she was writing it because she was quite nervous. The first time I got to hear about it was when it appeared in the newspaper. We were both at a party and \ufffd it sounds quite wanky and name-dropping \ufffd Nick Hornby asked her: \ufffdDid you see that thing in the paper today, BJD? I thought it was rather good.\ufffd H blushed bright red and admitted it was her. Then it became her regular column piece, so all our lives were cannibalised and written down.\ufffd HF: \ufffdEveryone involved was surprised by Bridget\ufffds success. I was actually doing the column to finance the writing of my second novel, which was an earnest tract about cultural divides in the Caribbean. About nine months after I started it, I was having dinner with my book editor at Picador, moaning about how boring the Caribbean was. She said:\ufffd Why don\ufffdt you do Bridget instead?\ufffd I said OK and that was it. When the diary came out in hardback it sold quit well but didn\ufffdt get on the best-seller lists. It was only when the paperback came out that it went to No1 and stayed there, unaccountably, for 6 months.\ufffd CF: \ufffdWhile the BJD thing was running in The Independent, someone pointed it out to me and said \ufffdDid you realise you\ufffdre beginning to be mentioned regularly in that column?\ufffd So by the time it was a book, I was well aware that the whole Darcy thing was part of it. It\ufffds very unusual for most people to find themselves referred to in a work of fiction. I found it very odd, but definitely appealing and flattering. In fact, the interview that takes place in the book\ufffds sequel is something that I participated in. We did it as a kind of performance.\ufffd RZ:\ufffd I\ufffdd seen a new York Times book review saying that it was phenomenal, so I went down to the book store, read it, shared it with my friends and laughed about it. Bridget\ufffds experiences as a young woman are so universal. Then I read somewhere ages ago that they were going to make a film from the book. It was just a piece of information that came in and went right back out again. It never occurred to be that I would be considered for it. I assumed it would be a British film made in Britain with British people. And that would be that. ............"}, {"response": 680, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Apr  2, 2001 (15:59)", "body": "Total Film piece Part 2 GETTING DRAFTED HF: You have to let the film be it\ufffds own thing \ufffd quite separate from the book \ufffd which is partly why I stood back when the film got into production. Film-making is a completely different job from novel-writing, and I\ufffdm not a film-maker. With a novel you can create a lot of irony, detail, complication and depth of character just with a lot of words which aren\ufffdt necessary to the plot. In a screenplay every line has to work incredibly hard. You only have 90 mins or so to engage the audience with the story, so you cant muck about too much. SM: They must have seen every director in London and America by the time I came on board, and some fantastic names were being bandies around. At the time, I\ufffdd just stopped making documentaries and was doing commercials, so I didn\ufffdt figure it would ever fall to me. Helen kept saying:\ufffdYou should do this because you understand it\ufffd and I was saying:\ufffdYeah, yeah, it\ufffds out of my league.\ufffd But they did see me three times for it and finally, when the film\ufffds producers, Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner at Working Title, decided they wanted it to be a small, guerrilla, independent-type project, they thought they\ufffdd be safe enough with me. They were taking a risk, but my passion for it won out I the end. I suppose I understood it because I had been a part of it, being one of Helen\ufffds friends. And I realise now that I needed all that passion because, 3 years later I\ufffdm still working on it most days of the week. HF: I wrote a couple of drafts o fthe screenplay before the production got uinderway. Since then I\ufffdve added ideas when they\ufffdve asked for them, so quite a lot of my lines and jokes are in there, both from the book and various drafts. SM: Helen has done her drafts, and they were really good. But she had a contract to do the seciond book and so she cut herself off and went to LA to write it. That\ufffds when AD took up the reins. So I worked with himfor a while on the script and then he also had a cut off time; but when he left it was in better shape. It then went to Richard and he did a comic pass at it, but very much collaborating with Helen. RC: My memory is that the film kept getting better with each draft butr as it did so, it was getting better dramatically rather than necessarily getting funnier. There was a feeling that H\ufffds first draft had actually been the funniest, so it was my jiob to reconcile the fdrama and the comedy. SM: The fun of BJ is her inner voice and that\ufffds what her diary is, the words going on in her head. She\ufffds very much a character who has an outward persona, which iis that she\ufffds a bit od a nitwit who f***s up all the time. But she has an inner irreverence that belies her outward appearance, so it was absolutely essential to have a voiceover. CASTING CALL HF: The strange thing about having a book made into a movie is that the characters wxist in my hgead. I know what they look like and sound like and where they live and what it was like when things happened to them. It\ufffds quite disconcerting to see it all made flesh with actual human beings. The only movie star I cast in my head was Mr Darcy \ufffd or CF as he is so often called. When P&P was being screened on the BBC, Bridget had an enormous crush on him, so I created the character of MD as a surreal fantasy/reality-blurring romantic figure. I see him as a sort of delicious Colin/Mark/Mr Darcy melange. CF: I did briefly wonder whether it was a good idea or not. Mr Darcy occupies a minuscule portion of my life as it\ufffds something that happened 6 years ago. In the end my sense of humour encouraged me to do it. I think it\ufffds more amusing if it\ufffds me and it\ufffds more amusing for me as well. Buy there are all kinds of self-referential layers that you\ufffdve got to get through in order to find a character that\ufffds playable. You can\ufffdt walk onto the set saying:\ufffdRight, shall I strike a Mr Darcy pose or shall I try to be Colin Firth?\ufffd I don\ufffdt think anybody can consciously play themselves. HF: I think Colin\ufffds very good in the film. In fact I think they\ufffdre all very good. It\ufffds great to see Hugh playing a sexy bastard. And Renee has a gentleness and sweetness of character which is very appealing. SM: But nearly everyone who worked n the film has a different idea of who B is. And nearly everybody who has read the book knows B: either it\ufffds themselves or it\ufffds their friend. So casting her was very scary. I figured that when she walked in the room, we\ufffdd know. She did walk in the room, and we did know. And we went:\ufffdOh f***, she\ufffds a Texan.\ufffd RZ: Eric Fellner told me a story about one of my agents who had suggested: \ufffdWhat about RZ?\ufffd and Eric said \ufffdThat\ufffds the dumbest Idea I\ufffdve ever heard and don\ufffdt ever come to me with any more of your stupid ideas.\ufffd Then apparently we crossed paths at the Golden Globes 2 years ago and it went from there. SM: We were in the curious position of people saying: \ufffdThey\ufffdve gone for some American to make it more marketable.\ufffd Well, we weren\ufffdt thinking we\ufffdd make loads more money because Renee\ufffds not in the"}, {"response": 681, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Apr  2, 2001 (16:05)", "body": "Total film part 3 ON THE SET SM: I knew all the time that Daniel Cleaver was Hugh. But once we cast him, we realised it wasn\ufffdt going to be cheap any more because he\ufffds no longer in the indie-guerrilla range of affordability. We still didn\ufffdt have huge amounts for making the film though. RC: Hugh has a bit of a tendency to fool around at the end of takes. That fantastic scene about the granny pants (which is in the trailer), where he says: \ufffdI\ufffdm wearing something very similar myself\ufffd and all that stuff that\ufffds Hugh. HG: It\ufffds certainly something I\ufffdve done in virtually every film, but especially with Richard\ufffds stuff. We got into that system on 4W and NH where I\ufffdd do four or five takes as per the script and then they\ufffdd let me mess around a bit. Very often it\ufffds just embarrassing and we\ufffdll all have to walk away with, red faces, but sometimes it comes up funny and it\ufffds worth using. RZ: That was part of the thrill of that experience of working with him. Hugh\ufffds so sharp and quick-witted. You never know where it\ufffds going to go and you always apreciate where it ends up. HG: Something else that I\ufffdve always wanted to do is shut the stuntman out of fight sequences. They\ufffdre great guys if you\ufffdre doing The Matrix or something, but they always come in and say: \ufffdRight Hugh, what you\ufffdve got to do is land him a big right hook and then, Colin you flip your head back.\ufffd And you want to say: \ufffdNo, f*** off\ufffd because no two guys \ufffd particularly professional middle-class Englishmen \ufffd would fight like that. It\ufffds going to be spazz. And so we called our fight in the film \ufffdspazz wrestling\ufffd. That\ufffds what we did \ufffd just crap fighting. TESTING TESTING ONE TWO SM: The biggest relief I\ufffdve ever had in my life was when we first put the finished film to a test audience in New York and everyone laughted. Laughter is such as strange, chemical thing, and I jave a whole code now for measuring it. I sit there and write \ufffdBT\ufffd for Big Titter , \ufffdTT\ufffd means Tiny Titter, \ufffdBL\ufffd means Belly Laugh, \ufffdNL\ufffd means No Laughs when there should be laughs. RC: I started out doing Rowan Atkinson\ufffds revues on stage and then sitcoms in front of a live audience. If and audience doesn\ufffdt laugh at something, you can take their word for it that it isn\ufffdt funny. When we recorded a Blackadder episode, it probably came out at 37 minutes and we got it down to 30 with the feedback. So actually listening to an audiences reaction is what I\ufffdve always done. CF: I just hope that, if the critics like it, they\ufffdll be honest about that and not feel that they\ufffdve got to say something to counterbalance the fact that it\ufffds popular. Some people don\ufffdt want to admit that they liked 4W or NH or the Full Monty just because everybody else likes those sorts of things. SM: I\ufffdve been looking at it for so long \ufffd we\ufffdve been on it for two and a half years - that I feel like I know all the jokes and don\ufffdt laugh at them anymore. But that time in America when, within the first few seconds, people started laughing, then we all started laughing. Just when I\ufffdd begum to think it was a tragedy\ufffd.. Final Verdict \"Simple, joyful entertainment for all springing from a book about a woman who thinks her bum looks big in this. By making it a story first, a comedy seconds and a romance last, BJD manages to win as all three. It deserves to pack the punters in....including men! **** --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Am v envious of the US contingent ....isn't it THE NIGHT tonight???? I hope cameras are at the ready ;-)"}, {"response": 682, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Apr  2, 2001 (16:16)", "body": "...and we hope there's a tall, handsome, brand-new-second-time-dad there to be photographed. Thanks for taking the time to type all that in, Tracy. Loved HF's line 'Mr. Darcy, or Colin Firth as he's sometimes called'. LOL!"}, {"response": 683, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Apr  2, 2001 (16:25)", "body": "Pleasure Eileen I'm loving all these great lines about the fight scene - it's about time somebody did something true to life, I'm sure most of my male colleagues are only capable of \"spazz-fighting\" (hate the term, by the way, very non PC Hugh!) Also like the line \"I see him as a sort of delicious Colin/Mark/Mr Darcy melange\" Misread first time, thought it said blancmange........Yummy!"}, {"response": 684, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Apr  2, 2001 (16:32)", "body": "OK, all you HG fans, now's your chance to chat *live* with him in about 30 mins. time (at 6 p.m. EDT). Go to the MSN entertainment page ( http://entertainment.msn.com/--sorry , this link's not hot 'cause I've forgotten how to do it and my handy html guide is not handy at the moment). BTW, they've got a link to a sneak peek of BJD which features the blue soup scene between CF and RZ (we've seen it already; am glad it's one with CF)."}, {"response": 685, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Apr  2, 2001 (17:39)", "body": "Just back from the Chat...only 30 minutes long...BJ related questions as follows What do you think of Renee Zellweger's British accent? I only think of her as English Renee, and now I find her Texan accent slightly unconvincing. How was the behind-the-scenes atmosphere while filming BJD? Any interesting anecdotes to relate? The atmosphere was extremely jovial and mutually supportive with the exception of myself, I became a neurotic grumpy bast*rd in an otherwise funny environment. Daniel Cleaver is a bit of a rogue, and a change from your normal character. Which character is most like you in real life, and which one did you most enjoy playing? I always assume that I'm lovable, pleasant, charming, and an affable character like \"Four Weddings and a Funeral\" and \"Notting Hill.\" Unfortunately that is not the opinion of producers of those films, they say this brings out the real me as they say. I wanted to know what it was like filming the fight scene in BJD with Colin Firth. Is it true that \"Colin fights like a girl\"? I don't want to be unkind to Colin because he did splendidly, but I spent several years in the SAS, the British Special Services, and I'm trained to kill so it was never a very even contest. ------------------------ IMHO It was pretty dull actually and short presumably as the premiere is in an hour or so's time."}, {"response": 686, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Mon, Apr  2, 2001 (18:19)", "body": "Thanks Mari and TracyT for the articles. That chat with HG sounded like he was tryig to write a little comedy himself."}, {"response": 687, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Apr  2, 2001 (18:40)", "body": "Loved the article from SF Chronicle. Did anyone see HG on Today this AM? I looked for someone with a sign reading \"ISn't Hugh DEVINE?\" but didn't see it.Bummer! HG's quips always seem a little \"canned\" to me. When Katie asked him about RZ and the accent thing, he used the exact same raised eyebrow comment from the article. He also described the plot in terms of P&P (think he watched BWTA yesterday???). HG did mention CF as being in the film, but that's all. And RZ on Leno on Friday introduced a clip with HG and said \"my costar Hugh Grant.\" Absolutely no mention of CF at all!!! GAH! I just caught the end of ET, and they said that tomorrow they'll carry the story of the premiere and \"stars Renee Zegweller and Hugh Grant.\" So is this on purpose, to keep the outcome a surprise? Or are RZ and HG just not as generous as CF when speaking about costars? I hope the reviewers don't absorb this and similarly ignore CF in their reviews!!"}, {"response": 688, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Mon, Apr  2, 2001 (19:09)", "body": "I saw HG's very brief interview on the Today Show. He did bring up CF and Pride and Prejudice, but Katie cut him off ... or did it just seem that way to me???"}, {"response": 689, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Apr  2, 2001 (19:11)", "body": "Oh, Tracy, thanks ever so much for typing out that loooooong article. \"ET alert! ET alert,\" nuclear sirened self. Tomorrow night the NY premiere of BJD will be featured on Entertainment tonight!"}, {"response": 690, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Apr  2, 2001 (19:22)", "body": "Yes, Tracy, THANK YOU for entering that huge interview. We really appreciate it!"}, {"response": 691, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Apr  2, 2001 (19:24)", "body": "(Kate) And RZ on Leno on Friday introduced a clip with HG and said \"my costar Hugh Grant.\" Absolutely no mention of CF at all!!! Yes, I suffered through Leno, too. (I miss Johnny Carson.) I wish everyone would refrain from their 'Colin-ectomies.\" It is getting on my nerves. . (Kate again)GAH! I just caught the end of ET, and they said that tomorrow they'll carry the story of the premiere \ufffd Oops, sorry, Kate, I now see that you scooped me on the ET info. One must be lightening quick around here\ufffd:-)"}, {"response": 692, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr  2, 2001 (19:50)", "body": "Don't get your hopes up about the NY premiere coverage. According to Miramax (as of Friday) Colin was not coming which, given the recent birth, is not surprising. Just wanted to prepare you--*no tears here tomorrow*;-) But, maybe we'll be pleasantly surprised. I think the chances are much better for the London premiere, as he can zip in and out in one evening and still make it home for the 1 a.m. feeding.:-). Tracy, thanks so much for typing out that long article; much appreciated! Has anyone seen the new commerical for BJD? I saw it tonight during ET; lots of Colin! We get the \"I love you just the way you are\" scene, plus about 3 different shots of The Kiss. Lovely!:-) Almost forgot: after the commercial, they announced that there would be a sneak preview showing of BJD THIS SATURDAY NIGHT. These are usually at about 7:30 p.m. or so, so watch your local papers for the theater ads on Friday."}, {"response": 693, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Apr  2, 2001 (20:15)", "body": "Marianne, you are right about Katie this AM. HG didn't seem to avoid discussing CF on purpose. In the middle of the discussion of BJD, Katie brought up some other movie he's in, and then she veered back to BJD. She sounded disorganized--maybe her brain was on vacation?"}, {"response": 694, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr  2, 2001 (20:51)", "body": "I honestly didn't think Katie cut him off at all. He finished the sentence about the role that CF plays. Then she asked HG about About A Boy. When CF does his own interviews (like BWTA) then we don't have to depend on the kindness of strangers.;-) I posted a new interview from the Telegraph on 143."}, {"response": 695, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr  2, 2001 (23:12)", "body": "WE SAW IT!!!!!! and We saw MarkG!!! Hi all, We've I(Lizza, Ev and I--and could've been you, Mari) just attended the WORLD PREMIERE of BJD. Yes, our boy wasn't there in the flesh, but what we saw on screen wouldn't disappoint at all. We moaned and groaned and clapped and whooped it up big time. Am sure that Harvey took notice. It's great and Colin has loads and loads of screen time. No worries whatsoever about the Floppsy one upstages ODB. And the ending is to die for. As Lizza is dictating, \"life goes downhill from now on.\" ;-) Want any spoilers????? You will not be disappointed by the fight scene. Our boy is standing at the end. And you're going to be v. surprised by (a) the way he handles kitchen implements and (b) the \"I like you just the way you are\" scene. (the latter is the first proposal scene updated) Back to our new star MarkG. You're in the movie. We yelled and clapped as you walked by in your blue suit. Crispin B-C got cut; you didn't. Interesting tidbit, Harvey Scissorhands has continued to work on this movie. It doesn't start with the train station homeless scene anymore. We all can't wait to see it again and to get home to rewind on BWTA. Miss my VCR. Off to Keepsakes to claim the goodies. Tough cookies. ;-D More tomorrow from home. Lizza, Evelyn and Karen signing from the World Premiere of BJD. (Dominic West was at the premiere too; we no longer fancy him)"}, {"response": 696, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Apr  3, 2001 (08:28)", "body": "Thanks Karen, you lucky people, wonder if we will get in to see it tomorrow, no such luck. Well done Mark, you are a \"star\"."}, {"response": 697, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Apr  3, 2001 (08:53)", "body": "Singing: *I'm in the movie, I'm in the movie, I've gotta lotta what it takes to get along...* Girls, what was the audience reaction like? In short, is the film funny ? Weird article in The Sun today, BTW. Headline: Hugh: I fancy quick fidget with Bridget (But I'd have to go on a bender first, says star) http://www.thesun.co.uk/life/13552512 Not really worth reading, IMO."}, {"response": 698, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr  3, 2001 (09:50)", "body": "Ok, you gleesome threesome, rub it in some more!!;-) Hurry home, can't wait for the full reports. Mark! Just remember us little people, ok?:-)"}, {"response": 699, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Apr  3, 2001 (09:50)", "body": "Well done Mark!! You made it! Loads of BJD promo around. Hughie is on Parkinson, there was a clip about the soundtrack on BBCNews 24, and the film tie-in book is very prominently displayed! Interview with HG in Saturday Telegraph. He actually seems to rather resemble Daniel Cleaver in \"real life\"...and CF seems very Mark Darcy-ish in his Guardian interview (and he plays the piano!) More on the Premiere, please!"}, {"response": 700, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Apr  3, 2001 (10:06)", "body": "Article in the Electronic Telegraph today... He's back - without the breeches Colin Firth spent six years trying to put dashing Mr Darcy behind him; now he's playing a version of the same character in the film of Bridget Jones's Diary. He explains why to Elizabeth Grice. IS the curse of Darcy about to be lifted from Colin Firth now that he has bowed to the inevitable and agreed to a second incarnation as the unattainable sullen hero? For his sake, we must hope so. In any other circumstances, Firth would be spitting tacks to have the conversation veering towards Mr Darcy, a part that made him inordinately famous in the television adaptation of Pride and Prejudice six years ago and has plagued him ever since. But he has taken a gamble, and suddenly he is sitting back using the D-word with perfect equanimity. Colin Firth: as Mark Darcy, he's everything you'd expect - dark, difficult, devastating. And he glowers magnificently Agreeing to impersonate Mark Darcy in the film of Bridget Jones's Diary could be the smartest thing he has done. Helen Fielding's fictional columnist, Bridget Jones, has a massive crush on the Firth/Mr Darcy/Mark Darcy figure. Who else would Fielding and her panting fans have wanted to see in Mark Darcy's ridiculous hand-knitted reindeer sweater but Colin Firth? And what better strategy for Firth than to join in the joke? Firth has deliberately avoided frilly shirts and breeches since Pride and Prejudice. He has stood, a bemused and slightly appalled onlooker, above the hysteria that turned him into a heart-throb. \"There's this other person called Mr Darcy who I have very little to do with,\" he says. \"He's like a bizarre doppelganger that I've spawned who walks around doing things without me. I've not really allowed myself to get hung up about it. Life has gone on perfectly satisfactorily. It hasn't held me back. It dominates what gets written about me, but it doesn't affect me any closer than that.\" He claims that he didn't worry about compounding \"the Darcy thing\" by playing the very character inspired by him in the Diary because he wasn't being required to reproduce the role. \"There was an ironic slant on it. It was an in-joke, a reference point. I think that's acceptable.\" Firth did have some worries about the film. Would it be boring? Would the script be good enough? Would the humorously cumulative effect of Fielding's prose translate into film? Had a film version anywhere to go? \"There's a great danger in striving to make a designer hit just because all the elements are right,\" he says judiciously. \"It's not necessarily going to work because the book has been a phenomenal bestseller.\" (The other \"elements\" are Hugh Grant as the love rat and Renee Zellweger as the neurotic Jones, plus a strong supporting cast led by Jim Broadbent and Gemma Jones.) But Firth's real dilemma was this: how could he not act his own character, having been given flattering immortality in Fielding's book? Wouldn't that just have played into the hands of all those deluded women who confuse him anyway with hard-to-get, brooding Darcy? And wouldn't he have come across as a humourless snob? To his surprise, Firth is finding it a relief to talk about his part in Bridget Jones because at least it's current work. Usually, interviewers (exactly like Bridget Jones in The Edge of Reason) ask a few dutiful questions about his latest film but can't wait to hark back to Mr Darcy and the wet shirt. He could understand it, he says, if he were doing a long-running weekly Pride and Prejudice series and had signed a 20-year option. \"But it has not been a part of my life for six years,\" he groans. \" 'What's it like to be a heart-throb?' they ask. I don't think anyone on earth can meaningfully answer a question beginning: 'What's it like . . .' \" Though he insists that he doesn't wake up in the middle of the night fretting about it, Firth is resigned to being shackled to Darcy for ever. \"I can't think of a single headline in the last five years that didn't have the D-word in it. It would be so, no matter what I did now. Probably for the rest of my life. Even if I changed my profession.\" He alludes to Mr Darcy as if he were an embarrassing relative - and he has the same rather detached view of his part in the chaotic world of Bridget Jones. \"I have to say it was not the most challenging hour of my life,\" he says drily. His enthusiasm is reserved for the brilliance of his co-stars, Grant and Zellweger, and the serious challenges of making \"a very light film\". \"Hugh is a brilliant light comedian. It is a very substantial craft. Because of its lightness, its substance is often overlooked.\" Needless to say, Firth as Darcy is everything his fans expect him to be - dark, difficult, devastating. He glowers magnificently in the reindeer sweater. He admits his affection through clenched teeth. And, when the moment comes for him to be truly human, he strips down to his shirtsleeves and rescues Bridget's dinner party by knocking up an omele"}, {"response": 701, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr  3, 2001 (10:14)", "body": "Looks like Helen has a fella of her own in LA. Check out this site. New Mark and Bridget pic (yum!), a short review, plus see the section entitled Bridget's Circle for more on Helen and everyone associated with the film. http://www.peoplenews.com/bridget"}, {"response": 702, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, Apr  3, 2001 (10:53)", "body": "(Karen) Dominic West was at the premiere too; we no longer fancy him Uh-oh, please explain. The inquiring minds want to know! :-) So happy you got to see the film. Did anyone introduce the film?"}, {"response": 703, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Apr  3, 2001 (11:07)", "body": "To Kate and others expressing a degree of 'bummed outedness' (love to make up new terms!) about talk show 'Colin'ectomies (good one, Lisa): don't despair. These are early promos. Am convinced that HG and RZ have their marching orders since the Powers That Be believe only these two have the ability to lure moviegoers to see this film (*we* know better). Am v.v. convinced that CF will figure more prominently once the film has opened. Unfortunately, given his status as a new father and his usual abhorrence of self-promotion, I seriously doubt we'll see any more of him on talk shows (in print, maybe, but not on the tube). Is it me, or is that pic from the Electronic Telegraph ghastly? *blinking my eyes* And it was taken before Luca was born. Maybe he is starring in the black plague thing after all. ;-) Congrats on making your debut, Mark! Ahahahaha! We knew you when... Glad our travelers got their money's worth and were able to see the premiere in lieu of ODB. I agree with Mari, he's much more likely to attend the London premiere tomorrow."}, {"response": 704, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Apr  3, 2001 (11:17)", "body": "Re the piece at peoplenews.com: Bridget\ufffds other paramour, Colin Firth, plays Mr Darcy (both the earlier version, in Pride and Prejudice, and the latest one, here) with the same brooding intensity that has always made me wonder whether he\ufffds actually playing wink murder. By himself. Brooding - I understand, but wink murder ????????"}, {"response": 705, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Apr  3, 2001 (11:25)", "body": "Eileen Is it me, or is that pic from the Electronic Telegraph ghastly? *blinking my eyes* And it was taken before Luca was born. Maybe he is starring in the black plague thing after all. Maybe that's the infamous 'gangster' pic ;-)"}, {"response": 706, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Apr  3, 2001 (11:30)", "body": "(Tracy) Brooding - I understand, but wink murder ???????? And here I thought it was a British expression! I can tell you it's not a newyawk or newjoiseyism in manner of Sopranos. ;-) Maybe that's the infamous 'gangster' pic ;-) Ooh, could be--is he looking at his cuffs? :-D"}, {"response": 707, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr  3, 2001 (11:32)", "body": "Guardian interview: \"Pride And Prejudice wasn't the most rigorous or challenging thing I've done,\" he says. . . I ask how he feels about the film, about the hoohah that is about to burst all around him. \"I'm not confident about the film,\" he says bluntly. \"I've no reason to be confident about the film. We all did our best.\" Telegraph interview: He alludes to Mr Darcy as if he were an embarrassing relative - and he has the same rather detached view of his part in the chaotic world of Bridget Jones. \"I have to say it was not the most challenging hour of my life,\" he says drily. Are *these* the type of comments you think the producers would want to hear on a talk show? More to the point, would the person who said these things even be willing to go on? I'm not being critical of Colin, he has a right to express how he feels and I admire his frankness. But the guy is not a marketer. I'm delighted we even got him on BWTA, and I'd be surprised if he did any others. I do wish he'd treat \"the Darcy thing\" with much more of a sense of humor, though. IMO, it would take some of the wind out of the press's sails. On a lighter note, I saw yet another new commercial this morning for BJD, with lots of Mark again, and Colin's name mentioned 2nd after Renee's. They really zoom in on The Kiss.:-) I really can't fault the marketing on this, folks. If Colin doesn't want to put himself forward, then that's that."}, {"response": 708, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr  3, 2001 (11:34)", "body": "Eileen, if you think the red sweater one is bad, get a load of the black and white one. I can post the link if you can't find it."}, {"response": 709, "author": "vlyne", "date": "Tue, Apr  3, 2001 (11:39)", "body": "Hello, all. I'm sort of an old newbie. I haven't posted in about two years (about the amount of time since my son was born). Anyway, with the movie coming out I was preparing to mourn the loss of any new BJD, then I found this: Tuesday April 3 9:23 AM ET Bridget Jones Is Coming 2 a Fone Near U Photos Reuters Photo By Victoria Cutler LONDON (Reuters) - First the book, then the film, now the text message. Bridget Jones, the chain-smoking, weight-obsessed singleton conjured up by best-selling writer Helen Fielding, is set to commune with fans via daily text messages on the quest for inner poise, trim thighs and other key ``global topics.'' ``For singletons like Bridget, the phone is becoming a major means of human contact,'' Fielding said in a statement. ``Texting allows followers to hear from Bridget more often than they hear from some of their own friends.'' Finnish wireless entertainment publisher Riot Entertainment said it would launch the service on April 13 -- when the film version of Bridget's travails hits British cinema screens -- under a two-year global deal with Fielding. Last year more than six billion individual messages were sent between mobile phones in Britain. Riot Entertainment says plenty of text messagers will sign up for updates on Bridget's life and loves. True to form, no message will be too trivial. Calories eaten, drinks drunk, men snared and other such vital statistics will be relayed to mobile phone owners as content providers seek to tap into the booming market. More Obsessive Than E-Mail The Bridget Jones diaries, which began life as a newspaper column, were first turned into a best-selling book and the film version, in which thoroughly British Bridget is played by Texan Renee Zellweger, has its premiere in London this week. Texting was the obvious next step. ``Texting allows one to be much more obsessive even than email,'' Fielding said. ``You can be in communication with significant others anytime and anywhere (or not, which can be heartbreaking and obviously requires major analysis and discussion through further texting).'' The service is to include personality tests, an ``Ask Bridget'' service, Bridget Jones's Guide To Life and discussion of dieting, dating, self-help and thigh circumference. ``I have no doubt that after pioneering e-mail flirtation, Bridget has by now become an SMS (Short Message Service) junkie,'' Fielding added. The service will target women in their late twenties and early thirties, as well as ``curious men.'' Riot-E said 80 percent of this target audience were likely to be mobile users. ``Mobile phones are a perfect way to add another dimension to book characters such as Bridget,'' Riot-E CEO Jan Wellmann said. ''Mobile is flexible, dynamic and has an immediacy which is not possible with any other medium. Bridget can text others every day to report on the progress of her bikini diet or other urgent matters.''"}, {"response": 710, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Tue, Apr  3, 2001 (11:41)", "body": "Found a couple of pictures from the NY premiere... http://www.mirror.co.uk and http://www.sky.com/news/showbiz/story19.htm"}, {"response": 711, "author": "caribou", "date": "Tue, Apr  3, 2001 (11:58)", "body": "Wink murder?????? Wink murder is a circle game. The players sit in a circle and one has been designated to \"kill\" the others one by one by winking at them. The others have to try to guess who the \"killer\" is without getting \"killed\". It produces a lot of serious looks and side ways glances. The \"killer\" trying to look innocent and do his job simultaneously. Everyone else looking suspicious before they \"die\". I've only seen children play but I'd volunteer to be in the same game with OBD. :-)"}, {"response": 712, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr  3, 2001 (12:12)", "body": "Nice report on the NY premiere, from Fox News (thanks to Chris). Check out the CF mentions. Seems odd that no press reports have confirmed the actual birth, no? Salman Rushdie Steals Film from Ren\ufffde Zellweger\ufffd Almost Well, the fatwa issued by the Iranians all those years ago \ufffd a death warrant on the head of writer Salman Rushdie \ufffd obviously doesn't include Hollywood. Rushdie makes not a small cameo in the film version of Bridget Jones's Diary, which premiered in New York last night to much applause and smiles. Rushdie, let's say, holds his own with star Ren\ufffde Zellweger in a couple of scenes that show off his comic abilities. Who knows? Maybe Rushdie is onto a new career. Certainly star Zellweger cements her rapid rise to fame with her star turn as Bridget Jones. With an impeccable English accent, Ren\ufffde \ufffd who's from Texas, born of a Norwegian mother and Swiss father \ufffd lights up the screen (as they used to say). Just as Melanie Griffith did in Working Girl, Ren\ufffde is the centerpiece of almost every scene in the movie. She is more charming than ever, and I would wager, set for Oscar and Golden Globe nominations next fall. At the premiere she worked like a dog, doing one-on-one interviews with press before getting anything to eat. \"I haven't even talked to my mother,\" she said of the very elegant blond woman sitting with perfect posture on one of the uncomfortable looking couches. While Ren\ufffde's mom waited patiently for her, her dad joined us. \"Can you believe I was sitting next to my dad through that whole movie?\" she asked. \"It's pretty racy!\" Her dad didn't seem to mind the very tame sex scenes, but \"all that cursing!\" Ren\ufffde said, \"I was blushing!\" Next Zellweger will film White Oleander, the novel that soared to the top of the best seller lists when Oprah Winfrey picked it for her book club last year. \"I just do two weeks' worth of work on it,\" she said, \"then I pile into my truck and head east.\" East, as in New York? \"No, east \ufffd to Texas! I'm going to see some friends there and hang out.\" If there's a strike in Hollywood come summer, Zellweger says, \"I will support it any way I can.\" Hugh Grant, for the Defense If Hugh Grant were a witness on the stand, a good lawyer would rip him to shreds. He bobs back and forth while he answers questions, and looks from side to side. I don't know what he's guilty of, but it's something. Grant has previously played charming romantic leads in his films. In Bridget Jones, he's a cad, very unlikable, and a willing villain. When I asked him in person last night which character was more like the real Hugh, he said, \"I wouldn't mind having a cocktail with either of them.\" His eyes then did this thing where they just rolled back and forth through his head like one of those car-window stuffed dogs. I'm told that his interview in the new Talk magazine, by Holly Millea, starts with the line \"I'm too drunk to do this interview.\" Interesting, huh? Grant is also sporting a new buzz haircut and a very drawn, lean look in his face. Elizabeth Hurley, come home! Some other guests at the Bridget Jones premiere included Charlie's Angels actor Sam Rockwell; Erin Brockovich's Aaron Eckhart; Requiem for a Dream director Darren Aronofsky; twice-Oscar-nominated actress Sylvia Miles; and Saturday Night Live's great talent Ana Gasteyer (someone get this girl her own series, fast). Bridget Jones's Diary also stars Colin Firth, who did not make the party because his wife is giving birth in Italy. But Firth holds up his third of this triangle and makes the film a total success as a chick flick, date movie, romantic comedy. Studios are always searching for the next While You Were Sleeping or Four Weddings and a Funeral. This is it. Not uncoincidentally, Bridget is written by Richard Curtis, who also gave us Four Weddings and Notting Hill. Curtis has a formula, and I'll tell you what it is. He surrounds his main character with oddball friends who love and admire the person. It was Hugh Grant in Notting Hill and Four Weddings. It's Ren\ufffde here. This Greek chorus shows the audience how to appreciate the hero or heroine, casting a warm glow over them. The zany comedy is then disbursed to the chorus, and to other minor characters (like parents) while the hero (oine)'s foibles are only exaggerated so much. In the case of Bridget, Ren\ufffde plays her like Georgie Girl, Rhoda, and Lucy Ricardo all rolled into one. Her zaniness is lovable, and \ufffd you have the feeling \ufffd correctable by her suitor at some point in the fictional future. Bridget Jones will be a huge, huge hit precisely because Curtis has become a master of this formula. And rather than being predictable, his work is comforting, intelligent, and witty. How nice for all of us."}, {"response": 713, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Apr  3, 2001 (12:17)", "body": "Congratulations, Mark!!! I'm so excited for you! Marianne and Jana and Moon and I will see the film tomorrow! We'll keep our eyes peeled for you. who did not make the party because his wife is giving birth in Italy. REally? In Italy?"}, {"response": 714, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Tue, Apr  3, 2001 (12:25)", "body": "Found another article from ThisisLondon.com, entitled \"I am Jude in Bridget Jones' film! by Tracey MacCleod. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/html/hottx/film/top_direct.html Here's an edited version of the article: Both Colin Firth and Hugh Grant were wearing handmade suits and looking so impossibly lean, tanned and handsome that it was unsettling to be around them. Several times during the day I found myself just gazing at them, as though they were beautiful statues. Hugh's hair was so lustrous and big that I was convinced he had silver highlights, but it was just movie-star shininess. At lunchtime, conforming to Darcy-Cleaver type, Colin read The Guardian, while Hugh relaxed with The Telegraph. During the many rehearsals and takes of Bridget's speech, Colin and Hugh remained in their positions among the extras, even though they weren't on camera (apparently it's good acting manners to give your co-stars something real to bounce off). It's a tribute to Ren\ufffde Zellweger's talent as a comic actress that we watched her stumble her way through Bridget's disastrous speech for take after take and it just kept getting funnier. With the main scene wrapped, the famous authors dispersed, some of them to real literary parties. I stayed on to watch the next scene, and got my big break, when Sharon placed me in the foreground. My task was to make small talk with Colin Firth and Salman Rushdie, while Colin, as Mark Darcy, gazed tormentedly over my shoulder at Bridget getting off with his arch-enemy, Daniel Cleaver. It was so fascinating to watch Colin doing real acting, like closeup magic, that I kept forgetting to make small talk. His face was such a mask of distracted agony when he turned back to me after watching Daniel leave with Bridget that I wanted to reassure him \"It turns out all right for you in the end - I've read the script.\" Sharon had already warned me that the literary party scene had been cut down, but I caught two distinct sightings of myself, thanks to the clownish green suit - first, standing in the crowd next to Salman Rushdie during Bridget's speech (my embarrassed look when it goes wrong struck me as quite convincing). Then, during my scene with Colin, as I like to think of it, I'm firmly there, centre-screen, and looking a bit uncomfortable. But my hair looks nice, which is the main thing."}, {"response": 715, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Apr  3, 2001 (12:38)", "body": "(Mari) Are *these* the type of comments you think the producers would want to hear on a talk show? I see your point but something tells me CF is too smart to diss the movie on TV (it's one thing to read things he 'supposedly' said and quite another to hear the words right from his lips). I do wish he'd treat \"the Darcy thing\" with much more of a sense of humor, though. I agree--according to these print interviews, he's approaching it in his usual 'I'm sick to death of Darcy' manner. C'mon Colin, what did you expect? Thanks for the pic links, Marianne. I was ROTF when I read this: (Sky News) Bridget Jones (Renee Zellweger), who is obsessed with Firth's wet T-shirt scene in the TV series... Wet t-shirt?! Spare me! (Fox News) Bridget Jones's Diary also stars Colin Firth, who did not make the party because his wife is giving birth in Italy. It appears the publicists are still protecting his privacy. Italy, huh? Bridget Jones will be a huge, huge hit *pleaseohpleaseohplease* I was chuckling last night when I heard on ET that 'Spy Kids' beat out 'Someone Like You' in last weekend's BO. Guess all us romcom fans are waiting for the full axminster. ;-)"}, {"response": 716, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Apr  3, 2001 (12:43)", "body": "Forgot to mention--thanks for the explanation of 'wink murder', Caribou."}, {"response": 717, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Apr  3, 2001 (13:03)", "body": "Brava Karen, Lizza and Evelyn ! How wonderful you were able to attend the NY premiere. And what great news that MD is in most of the film. MarkG, congrats on your debut. Now you can get your SAG card. At this rate, you might even get your own topic at Drool. :-) Went to the 'Peoplenews' link where it said that CF's favorite toys are books and cardigans. Cardigans? Think they are confusing Mr. Darcy with Mr. Rodgers. Received a notice from Amazon that the BJD soundtrack was shipped today. Goody. Am happily overwhelmed by the plethora of CF articles and quotes. Feel a bit guilty, however, like I am binging. ;-P"}, {"response": 718, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr  3, 2001 (15:02)", "body": "Where to start, where to start? About the comment that CF's wife is about to give birth, the source would be Tim Bevan and probably the Miramax people. I'll explain... Before the movie started, Harvey made a few remarks and then called up Tim Bevan who talked about all the people who should take credit for the film. He went person by person through all the studio types, then started talking about the TWO stars of the film and hurried to correct himself, by adding that Colin Firth couldn't be there because (and I'm not making this up nor does it sound like typical English ironic humor) CF has an Italian wife who is expecting and of course he had to be there as she's due any day (close but not exact). Harumph, made him sound like the Mark Darcy character who is subject to Natasha's finger-snapping beckonings. Audience reaction? Fantastic! Lots of laughing and clapping. It is very funny but TOOOOOOOOOOOO short. Frankly, they could've dumped what was left of the parents' scenes and added more of the friends. Definitely short-changed that more important aspect of her life. Also, they could've dumped the lake scene, as there's no buildup to the minibreak (endless weekends in front of TV watching cricket in darkened room). I know they've all been filmed (as have photos) but they've been cut along with so many other scenes (mobile in dumpster/rubbish bin, fluffy pink top from People Mag). Will have much more to say as have a ticket to the advance screening this Thursday (Yippeee!! Twice in one week) (checked paper mail first thing when walked in house for tell-tale envelope) Have to talk about that last kiss (as we did repeatedly last night over dinner). We will have to thank Fielding and Maguire for fixing the one horrible flaw from the BBC's P&P production, i.e., that last kiss. Now THIS is the kiss that should've been; no chaste little peck. (No shoulder though) He goes for the gusto and shows her that Mark Darcy is indeed not dull. Oh yes, we did see Hugh close up and Renee (sitting in her seat at the theater). Richard Curtis was right behind me, and we had to pass Harvey when going down the stairs. I didn't see Helen F, but Evelyn did. No other cast members were there, as a couple of the photographers shared their press release from Miramax as to who was expected to be there. One of the singers from the soundtrack (Jamie O'Neal) was there, dressed in what could only be termed true tramp style. And Van Morrison sings on the movie, not Dina Carroll who is on the CD (which I have sitting in front of me). Need to unpack. More later."}, {"response": 719, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Apr  3, 2001 (15:11)", "body": "Thanks and welcome home, Karen. Harumph, made him sound like the Mark Darcy character who is subject to Natasha's finger-snapping beckonings. Harumph indeed. Apart from the inaccuracies of Bevan's statement, what does being Italian have to do with it? We're all bossy whipcrackers? ;-) Now I know where Fox News got the 'giving birth in Italy' from. *shaking my head* Hurry and unpack! More, more, more! And do tell, did you make little piggy noises when you walked past Harvey? ;-D"}, {"response": 720, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr  3, 2001 (16:23)", "body": "Karen, good to have you back and so glad to hear that it \"passed muster\" with you and the audience! Tell us more when you're settled in. (Eileen) what does being Italian have to do with it? Really! So it sounds as though . . .baby is not born yet?! \"Due any day?\" Don't you think they'd have said that CF became a new dad if it were so? Strange. Did Bevan say anything else about CF? And how did you manage to get in, you lucky dogs!"}, {"response": 721, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr  3, 2001 (17:00)", "body": "(Mari) Did Bevan say anything else about CF? Oh yeah! Couldn't believe he brought up the comment from the Evening Standard article (the one about donkeys) re: Colin and Hugh. Said that we'd get more proof about the validity of the statement insofar as it pertained to the Huge Gnat in the next Talk Mag. *boo hiss* And how did you manage to get in, you lucky dogs! How do you think? We said Colin gave us his seats as he wasn't going to be using them. ;-D (Eileen) did you make little piggy noises when you walked past Harvey? ;-D No, but I forgot to make v.v. positive comments about our boy as I walked past (e.g., \"gosh, has anyone thought that Colin could be the next Tom Hanks?) ;-D"}, {"response": 722, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr  3, 2001 (17:07)", "body": "Couldn't believe he brought up the comment from the Evening Standard article (the one about donkeys) re: Colin and Hugh. Huh?? Don't recall that one. 'Splain."}, {"response": 723, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr  3, 2001 (17:18)", "body": "You expect moi to get 'splain that? ;-D Try the article about being a Colin or Hugh girl (9th paragraphy) or think Linda Fiorentino and Mr Ed: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/dynamic/hottx/top_review.html?in_review_id=374780&in_review_text_id=320515 ~~~~~~~~ Don't think I saw this one here yet, but seems the studios will promote him even if he won't himself. From Yahoo/wire services: Colin Firth laments Darcy syndrome LONDON (Reuters) - Actor Colin Firth has spent years trying to live down the role of Jane Austen's Mr Darcy -- only to play a version of the same character in the film \"Bridget Jones's Diary\". Firth became an instant heart-throb six years ago as the dashing but difficult hero in a television adaptation of Austen's \"Pride and Prejudice\". Now the actor is once again starring as a Mr Darcy in the movie version of Helen Fielding's hugely successful novel -- a role that was inspired by his brooding turn as Austen's hero. \"I can't think of a single headline in the last five years that didn't have the D-word in it,\" Firth was quoted as saying by the Daily Telegraph on Tuesday. \"He (Darcy) is like this bizarre doppelganger that I have spawned who walks around doing things without me.\" Firth told the paper he had deliberately avoided the kind of roles that would require frilly shirts and tight breeches since \"Pride and Prejudice\". But he said he was not worried about compounding \"the Darcy thing\" by playing a character inspired by him. \"There was an ironic slant on it. It was an in-joke, a reference point. I think that is acceptable,\" he said. \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" became an instant best-seller when it was first published in 1996. The story of the chain-smoking, weight-obsessed thirty-something Bridget's quest for love struck a chord with millions of readers around the world. Firth's performance as love interest Mark Darcy was a witty piece of casting. Not only is Bridget Jones obsessed by Firth's Mr Darcy in \"Pride and Prejudice, but the novel itself is a loose reworking of the Jane Austen classic and Fielding modelled Mark Darcy on the real-life Firth. But if Firth seemed the obvious -- if not only -- choice to play Mark Darcy, the casting of the eponymous heroine was less straightforward. The film's makers attracted early criticism for choosing pencil-slim Texan Renee Zellweger over a host of British actresses to play the very English Bridget. The movie also stars Hugh Grant as the love rat who first captures Bridget's affections."}, {"response": 724, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr  3, 2001 (17:37)", "body": "E! News Daily just showed the NY premiere with RZ and HG, and the \"I like you just the way you are\" clip. Afterward, the person said the film \"also starred Colin Firth.\" Next up Entertainment Tonight and Access Hollywood."}, {"response": 725, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr  3, 2001 (18:00)", "body": "Re: asses, er, donkeys: remind me not to have Bevan introduce me at my next testimonial.;-) Told you HG would get the big Talk mag article; all that schmoozing with Tina Brown at the GGs. Or as Huge said on Today--they're all a very incestuous bunch. Gah! Karen, the new commercials (2 of them) feature lots of MD."}, {"response": 726, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr  3, 2001 (18:21)", "body": "Bad review (gave it a D) by one of those guys who call themselves online critics: http://www.oneguysopinion.com/review.asp?ID=336"}, {"response": 727, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr  3, 2001 (19:29)", "body": "Renee's on Late Night on Thursday the 12th. (Is that Craig Kilbourn or Conan???)"}, {"response": 728, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr  3, 2001 (19:37)", "body": "Late Night is Conan. Checked my TV Guide for next week (which I got *yesterday*, K;-) and RZ is all over the place. Note that Colin is *not* listed in the Guide for Today on the 10th or any other date. Then again, last time he was listed and we know what happened.:-( Huge is on Letterman tonight."}, {"response": 729, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Apr  3, 2001 (20:32)", "body": "So glad you girls got into the film. How exciting! You must tell us exactly where to look for Mark so we're prepared. I think Lisa's got a great idea, giving Mark his own topic. ;-) Looks like first comes the baby, then the labor. Or maybe Livy's having a litter. Will this photo of a very chic Renee at the premiere come out? Hmmm."}, {"response": 730, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (05:38)", "body": "Thanks so much for the premiere coverage! How exciting that you attended. And that we won't be disappointed about the movie. My DH is concerned that RZ has \"overdone\" the weight loss thing, in manner of eating disorder perhaps? Hope that is not the case. Did she look healthy?"}, {"response": 731, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (05:52)", "body": "TV Guide online is still showing CF appearing on 4/10. Not sure if that's a good sign or bad sign."}, {"response": 732, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (07:03)", "body": "FEATURE-British literary phenomenon hits silver screen By Jill Serjeant LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Move over Ally McBeal (news - Y! TV). There is a new neurotic thirtysomething single girl in town searching for Mr. Right amid a sea of wimps, workaholics and whingers -- and this time she is British. Actually, she is an American playing quintessentially English diarist Bridget Jones, who turned the British national sport of self-loathing into the surprise literary best-seller of the 1990s. If you are going to turn a national cultural phenomenon into a movie, it is probably a good start to hire Britain's most successful comic screenwriter -- Richard ``Four Weddings and a Funeral'' Curtis -- and two of the country's biggest heartthrobs, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth. But skinny Texan Renee Zellweger as the calorie-counting, hard-drinking, smoking, disaster-prone Bridget Jones? And foppish, floppy-haired gentleman Hugh Grant as the bad guy? Talk about famous British irony. Zellweger, star of Hollywood films ``Nurse Betty'' and ``Me Myself and Irene,'' spent seven months in Britain soaking up its culture and accent and inhaling its traditional foods -- baked beans on toast and Kit-Kats -- to get ready for the title role in ``Bridget Jones's Diary,'' to be released on April 13. She won the part after a two-year search and a pledge to pile on 20 pounds that left Britain's homegrown talent out in the cold and caused xenophobic outrage in the press. Zellweger, who normally has the tiny frame that exists only in Bridget's wildest dieting dreams, called the reverse diet process ``boringly technical.'' But having reached her goal of about 130 pounds, she says it was liberating. ``You wake up in the morning with six zits and so what? Let's go! It was great not to have to care,'' she said. Welcome to Bridget's world: a hilariously politically incorrect tale featuring bottom-pinching cads, women who eat cake, disastrous dinner parties and bucketsful of English vernacular. While U.S. television's waifish Ally McBeal turns to therapists, theme songs and pajama parties to ward off her singles blues, Bridget Jones wallows in vodka, cigarettes and chocolate as each day that started with a vow to start a diet and take control of her life ends up going more pear-shaped. 'Will Find Nice, Sensible Boyfriend' The book, which started as a newspaper column, was a worldwide best-seller despite its peculiarly British mix of irony and self-deprecation. ``The excitement about making it into a film was tempered with healthy skepticism as to whether it was feasible. A lot of people felt it was perhaps unwise to attempt it given the book's popularity,'' said Firth, who plays rich, snobby lawyer Mark Darcy. Firth sent women across Britain swooning in 1995 when he played a smoulderingly sexy but arrogant Mr. Darcy in an acclaimed BBC television adaptation of Jane Austen's novel ''Pride and Prejudice.'' His Bridget Jones character is modeled on his Mr. Darcy in a love plot that the book's author, Helen Fielding, admits is a steal from ``Pride and Prejudice.'' But it is Grant who looks set to leave women drooling as he plays the kind of wickedly charismatic commitment-phobe who is as bad for women's health as chocolate bars -- and equally irresistible. ``I think it is the sexiest part Hugh has played. He's funny, intelligent and gorgeous and that's just what an irresistible cad is,'' said Fielding. Grant's role as the devious boss of the hapless Bridget Jones is a change of style from the fumbling, nervous characters of ``Four Weddings and a Funeral'' and ``Notting Hill'' that made him the personification of English charm. ``It was fun. It was a blessed relief not to be Mr. Nice Guy. I've done too much of that in the last few years. I was getting sick of it and I think everybody else was sick of it too,'' said Grant, who originally featured as himself in the book as the object of Bridget's fantasies. Can Grant, Zellweger and Firth charm their way into the hearts of an international movie audience? Yes, says Firth, because Bridget, while typically English, also has a universal appeal. ``I think there was a great collective identification with this character,'' he said. ``We all think our bums are too big, we all start the day thinking that this is when it's all going to change and today I'm going to impress everybody. And the same day we end up drowning our sorrows in a bottle of wine.''"}, {"response": 733, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (07:28)", "body": "But it is Grant who looks set to leave women drooling as he plays the kind of wickedly charismatic commitment-phobe who is as bad for women's health as chocolate bars -- and equally irresistible. Oh, give me a break!! It is utterly apparent from the first moment you see Colin that he's the one. This movie is not subtle. You know he's the good guy despite his ill-mannered behavior...and the comments Bridget overhears. Besides, there is nothing even remotely droolable about the wet Hugh. He looks like a scrawny, drowned rat. ~~~~~~~~ Should we take discussions of the movie over to the Spoiler topic? ~~~~~~~~ From the BBC, a male perspective on Bridget: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/entertainment/film/newsid_1259000/1259869.stm"}, {"response": 734, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (07:32)", "body": "Viewing Tips: When Daniel picks up Bridget to go on the minibreak, you'll see the roar/rev engine bit, then the car pulls away. As it does, you will see Mark. He is the only one who looks like a businessman playing hookey from work, i.e., in a dark suit). ;-D"}, {"response": 735, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (07:36)", "body": "God, what excitement. Mark - congratulations!!!! How exciting. Please tell us, KR, exactly the scene we need to watch out for (and the preceding one)....Since we London-based correspondents will apparently NEVER meet up, this is the next best thing. :-) All the reviews - obviously I haven't seen the film yet, but I anticipate agreeing with the Fox News one (thanks, Mari) - Curtis is formulaic, but it's a formula that tends to work. I also anticipate putting RZ ahead of Julia Roberts in the American-actress-in-Richard-Curtis-film stakes, and well ahead of Andie McDowell. I'm really looking forward to the film now. p.s. opinions on the chintz curtains and corner of large portrait in CF's drawing room?"}, {"response": 736, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (07:38)", "body": "From Mitchell Fink's column in the NY Daily News (pic they have labeled RZ is really Kate Hudson) Single and Loving It Who needs Jim Carrey? Certainly not Renee Zellweger. Since breaking up with the rubber-faced funnyman last year, the 31-year-old actress has won a Golden Globe for \"Nurse Betty\" and now seems poised to attain even greater heights of stardom with her new movie, \"Bridget Jones' Diary.\" Zellweger doesn't mind at all that she's a single woman. In fact, she draws many parallels between her and the character Jones, who is also single. However, while Jones fuels herself with cigarettes and alcohol and obsesses about her weight, Zellweger takes a decidedly alternate route. \"[I'm] probably enjoying [being single] differently,\" she said at the party following Monday's Ziegfeld Theater premiere of \"Bridget.\" \"I'm enjoying it differently, but enjoying it very much.\" Zellweger was joined at the Henri Bendel-sponsored post-show party at the Altman Building on W. 18th St. by her co-star Hugh Grant, as well as Alan Cumming, Liev Schreiber, Angie Harmon and Jason Sehorn, Ted Demme and Gina Gershon. It was the first time Grant had seen the film in its entirety. \"I thought it was really good, really charming,\" he said. \"It was a bit groovier than I thought.\" As to whether he could ever date an average-looking klutz like Bridget Jones, Grant said, \"I quite like disaster girls, I always have. I like a bit of food spilled down their shirt, you know. It's sexy.\" http://www.nydailynews.com/today/News_and_Views/Daily_Dish/a-105951.asp"}, {"response": 737, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (07:45)", "body": "From the Page Six column in the NY Post, at least a mention of Colin: DON'T stand too close to Hugh Grant. At the Henri Bendel post-premiere party for \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" the stammering star accused us of eavesdropping as we waited to interview him. After first calling us \"a bleeping wanker,\" Grant gamely talked about his fight scene with Colin Firth in \"Bridget Jones,\" joking, \"It was basically a fight between two middle-class Englishmen - i.e., girls.\""}, {"response": 738, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (07:52)", "body": "Zellweger's got a 'Bridget' jones By Jeannie Williams, USA TODAY Bridget Jones's busy dating life: She calls herself a \"wanton sex goddess\" while in bed with her boss. She lip-syncs to All By Myself and dons a Playboy-type bunny costume with fishnets. She undergoes the humiliation of her date discovering she's wearing a heavy-duty girdle. Renee Zellweger does it all in Bridget Jones's Diary, plumped up by some 20 pounds. But at Monday's New York premiere, Zellweger was her petite self again, in chic Marc Jacobs suit, boots and ponytail, and still thrilled with the success of her golden Oscars gown. \"I have to say I looooove my yellow dress!\" she said. She giggled about that girdle scene with Hugh Grant, who is finally playing a cad. The whole experience of the movie \"was so extraordinary, every day something new, something silly, something outrageous in terms of opportunities to be creative,\" she said. But Zellweger, whose last big romance was Jim Carrey, has no dating tips of her own to offer: \"Oh, God, no, you don't want to ask me anything, honey! Not a thing. I'll just keep my nose out of that department for a long, long time!\" Accompanying her at the premiere were her parents. Grant was in his new shortish, spike-ish haircut, which he hated at first: \"There was a moment when I thought I looked like an East European female tennis star. But I now think in fact I look cool and hip and now and London.\" His publisher character lies and cheats, but Grant believes women \"don't know what they want (in men, good and bad). They want a bit of both, that's been my experience.\" He admits improvising dialogue in the girdle scene (\"big pants,\" he calls them). \"It all sprung up because I did find them curiously sexually attractive.\" Grant does date: \"I get out a bit. But I don't have any tips. I find I've lost my knack over the past 13 years (with ex-love Elizabeth Hurley). I just lie, flirt \ufffd bat your eyelids.\" Who is he dating? \"None of your beeswax!\" he says. Bridget Jones's Diary, from the novel by Helen Fielding, is quite a steal from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. And Colin Firth as Mark Darcy, Bridget's other man, is very similar to the brooding Mr. Darcy he played in that Austen TV miniseries. The handsome Firth regrettably was absent Monday; his Italian wife, Livia, gave birth last Thursday to a son, Luca, and he was at her side in Rome. (He has another son with Meg Tilly, his Valmont co-star.) Zellweger's casting was criticized because she's not English. But her accent is excellent, and Fielding said it's important that Bridget \"has a real sweetness to her character. ... Renee has such a sweetness and warmth that comes across beautifully.\""}, {"response": 739, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (07:59)", "body": "Film Review (the mag that Ann left on the plane) has given the movie 5 stars: by L\ufffdrien Haynes Bridget Jones's Diary is, you may be surprised to learn, actually better than the best-selling book. Whereas Helen Fielding's treatise on female singledom had a predominantly feminine appeal, Sharon Maguire's d\ufffdbut feature broadens the novel's horizons and encapsulates not only a woman's loneliness but mid-life crisis, male bachelorhood and the plight of 21st Century sexual relations. If this sounds too serious, the film is not. Heavingly funny, tear jerkingly poignant it's no wonder this test screened better than both Four Weddings and Notting Hill. Thirty-something Bridget is (she thinks) overweight, undersexed and consuming inordinate quantities of Chablis and ciggies with her also very single friends Shazza (Phillips), Jude (Henderson) and Tom (Callis). By day she works for publisher Daniel (Grant), by weekend she is subjected to her parents embarrassingly dire attempts at matchmaking. Her life starts zinging when she woos Daniel with the ever-decreasing size of her skirts. Reading more into their eventual romping than necessary, she's gutted when Daniel lets her down. Back to square one, Bridget is coping with her mother's infatuation with a shopping channel presenter, her dad's (Broadbent) apathy and her own conclusion that her life may be over. Repeated encounters with a Mr Mark Darcy (Firth), however, begin to titillate, his brooding manner being the sun breaking through her sludgy clouds. The film has a retro feel, which is weird as it hearkens back to the early Nineties. Maguire presents an ensemble piece while making Bridget the fulcrum. Helen Fielding's insistence she direct was clearly a good move, grounded in Maguire's proximity to Fielding's life and life of her alter-ego Bridget (Maguire is actually the real Shazza, one of Bridget's best friends). Zellweger is a revelation. Her performance is 100 percent, in that she is Bridget. English, plump, vulnerable, prepared to wear costumes two sizes too small in every shot (true) as well as giving us a dose of bone fide cellulite - can you remember any other actress prepared to do that? Hugh Grant is equally impressive, perfectly cast not as a bumbler but a complete cad. The supporting cast is flawless: James Faulkner is hilarious as the randy Uncle Geoffrey, plus cameos from a sporting Salman Rushdie and Honor Blackman who provide great gags. Far more akin to Pride and Prejudice than the novel - and all the more funny for it - writer Richard Curtis achieves more with his script than in his previous work because the narrative is stronger than a series of comedy sketch ideas. Of course there are flaws, but these are outweighed by other material that entirely wins you over (BJ appearing in a bunny girl outfit at a formal English garden party). And the film is worth seeing for Hugh Grant and Colin Firth in full-blown fight mode alone. Though Bridget Jones's Diary will make you laugh, cringe and bury your head in your hands, the magic ingredient is that there is also a deep sadness here, an honest depiction of genuine loneliness and isolation. A sense of being thirtysomething and desperate that is simply not funny and, if identified with, will bring tears to the eyes. This is a great film, and one you're guaranteed to rush back to see again."}, {"response": 740, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (08:15)", "body": "You know Livia giving birth last week should be indicative as to why he wasn't on the Today show???? So it sounds feasible that she did give birth last week. But don't understand why he would leave his newborn son for \"press junket tour\"???, isn't it a bit soon to bring a newborn on an airplane??? (of course this is Laura thinking out loud.)"}, {"response": 741, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (08:30)", "body": "Finally, confirmation! Unless, of course, Jeanne Williams is just copying what she reads on these boards.;-) Thanks for the news roundup, K. To anyone going to London for the premiere tonight, have a wonderful time, and I hope Colin is there to represent the male contingent! (Huge, oddly enough, is scheduled to be on the Rosie show here in about a half hour, unless that show is taped ahead)."}, {"response": 742, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (08:35)", "body": "Bevan's rationale for why CF wasn't at the NY premiere (think he must be hanging around with Trey Parker of South Park fame) demonstrates either that he was underinformed as to the baby's birth or told not to mention it yet (I see the news has been broken by USA today). Was thrilled to hear CF mentioned again on ET, with clips of the fight scene. So what if HG used his usual line 'Colin fights like a girl' when Colin was not there to give his standard retort 'it takes one to know one'? ;-) Laura, am guessing next week's Today show clip was taped (Mari originally surmised this but now, given the baby news, it seems logical that CF cleared his calendar after completing his obligatory promo activities)."}, {"response": 743, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (08:49)", "body": "From Empire, an excerpt from an interview due out today in Heat magazine, he apparently likes to talk more about CF than RZ: Hugh's a Naughty Boy? Hugh Grant is in a philosophical mood these days and the various interviews he's conducted for Bridget Jones have revealed his moodier side to the British Press. However this week's Heat Magazine obviously caught Hugh in a sparkier mood with the actor prepared to dish the dirt about being 40, dating actresses and working with Salman Rushdie. First up, the actor confirms rumours that the initial script for Bridget Jones didn't pass muster. 'It was just humdrum,' he says. 'I didn't think they'd managed to get the hmour of the book on the page...It seemed a bit dreary.' It took the rewriting skills of Richard Curtis to persuade Grant to sign on. Once on, Hugh admits he was keen to look his best for the film and wasn't above putting one over on Colin Firth to get his way. 'One of the clever things I did...was to persuade the costume designer to have this designer make me five suits which I then nicked from the film. The result was that she had no money at all for the other characters. That's why Colin Firth is in a rather cheap suit.' Once begun, the production seems to have gone swimmingly, with one scene in particular standing out in Grant's mind. 'I got [Salman] to play my favourite game on boring party-scene days which is 'pick and extra' - you have to pick one extra to have sex with. He loved it. I've never known anyone take a game more seriously...We also played 'pick a crew member' and that's really hard with British crews.' Now that he's relatively newly single it seems that every tabloid in town wants to link Grant with a new woman, but the actor's pretty cagey about future prospects. 'I'm not crazy about going out with actresses,' he says. 'They're too mad, too neurotic.' And if it ever seems that fame will turn his head completely - Hugh always has his parents to fall back on - 'They live in that world where people don't give a toss about showbusiness.' Hugh explains. '[A dinner party guest] said to my mother, \"I hear you have two sons.\" And she said; \"Yes. One's a merchant banker and the other's a film star.\" And he said, \"How very interesting. Which Bank?\".' [Ed note: very old joke, that last one] BTW, Salman Rushdie has more screen time than quite a few other characters."}, {"response": 744, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (08:59)", "body": "Guardian has an article by Camilla Elworthy, the woman RZ worked for at Picador for those few weeks in training. Apparently she's at the literary party scene next to Jeffrey Archer, but I thought that was a very close up head shot. Says that she also went to the set and met Colin. Has put out a very generous offer at end: \"Just for the record, I would be more than happy to repeat the whole experience with any other global superstars wishing to brush up on their admin skills - an application from Russell Crowe would be particularly welcome.\" http://film.guardian.co.uk/features/featurepages/0,4120,468254,00.html"}, {"response": 745, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (09:06)", "body": "Hot off the news wires: \"Bridget Jones\" film premieres in London LONDON (Reuters) - The eagerly awaited film version of \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" premieres in London's West End tonight. The film's stars - Renee Zellweger, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth - will all be there on Wednesday, as will Helen Fielding, who first dreamed up the character of the neurotic Bridget. \"Bridget Jones\" is the tale of a 32-year-old single woman -- or \"singleton\" -- obsessed by calorie-counting, cigarettes, alcohol and, most of all, being single. Although Bridget is a quintessentially English character, she is played by Texan actress Zellweger, best known for her role as Tom Cruise's romantic sidekick in \"Jerry Maguire\". Critics will be listening closely to hear whether she's mastered an English accent. And Hugh Grant abandons his usual bumbling, English upper-class nice-guy style to play a villain -- Bridget's boss. Colin Firth provides the love interest. Fielding's international best-seller began life as a tongue-in-cheek British newspaper column, where the diary of a modern career girl seeking an old-fashioned happy ending struck a chord with a generation of women. Each diary entry began with the day's vital statistics. A typical day would begin: \"Alcohol units: two (excellent); cigarettes: 21 (poor but will give up totally tomorrow); number of correct lottery numbers: two (better, but nevertheless useless).\" The film was created by Working Title -- the hit team behind \"Four Weddings and a Funeral\" and \"Notting Hill\". Grant summed up the story's appeal for him: \"It's love gone horribly wrong -- someone actually quite suffering. And I think that the fact that Bridget's sort of suffering really in this film is what makes it funny.\""}, {"response": 746, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (09:23)", "body": "SNEAK PREVIEW ALERT!!!! Check your local papers. I live in NJ and saw an ad this morning announcing a sneak preveiw of BJD at lots of NJ theaters this Friday. No time specified. Thank you all for posting the reviews and articles. I saw HG on Letterman last night. Said very little about the movie, but did show the boating scene. At least the clip had the cuts to CF in the other boat, which is more than I've seen in trailers so far. Do you think it's too early to camp out at the ticket window of my local movie theater?"}, {"response": 747, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (10:42)", "body": "Hi Folks, Can't add much to what The Boss said about the premiere. It was Thrrrilling...And we had bonafide Miramax invitations too, Mari. None of this.. being hered in with the \"fillers\".We were there with Harvey, HG was in front of me coming out of the theatre, so was HF looking v. glam in a blue dress and coat to match...wearing strappy sandals, no hose (brrrr it was 30 degrees!) (Mari)And how did you manage to get in, you lucky dogs! (Karen)How do you think? We said Colin gave us his seats as he wasn't going to be using them. ;-D ROTF....\"You gotta make things happen\".... (Karen)It is very funny but TOOOOOOOOOOOO short. Frankly, they could've dumped what was left of the parents'scenes and added more of the friends. Definitely short-changed that more important aspect of her life. Also, they could've dumped the lake scene, as there's no buildup to the minibreak (endless weekends in front of TV watching cricket in darkened room). I know they've all been filmed (as have photos) but they've been cut along with so many other scenes (mobile in dumpster/rubbish bin, fluffy pink top Have to agree. They shudda asked us to plan the scenes. The film does have its shortcomings.Principally the sub-plot. Can see whay CF isn't too effusive as he was with SIL. But it is a cute film and ODB is gorgeous...in every frame. The last scene will elicit screams, trust me. Karen opted for the navy blue overcoat right then and there. Mark....you look gorgeous too, darlink! Look for the scene where Bridget is coming out ot the doorway with sun glasses..about to join Daniel in the convertible...as the car pulls away...Here Comes Mark!! Forgot to mention that Nan was also at the premiere...so you see Drool was well represented.(We had a mini reunion with Nan that morning). Thanks to everybody who typed up all the reviews and interviews. We appreciate it."}, {"response": 748, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (11:13)", "body": "You can see the Geri Halliwell \"It's Raining Men\" music video online now. I've put up links at the BJD music page as well. It's Flashdance meets Fame, as I think Tracy described previously. Quite a few shots of Colin and culminates with fight scene. Can't wait to see this on TV... Low speed: http://194.129.36.69/asx/microsoft/gerihallow.asx High speed: http://194.129.36.69/asx/microsoft/gerihalhigh.asx"}, {"response": 749, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (11:33)", "body": "The London Times's report on the premiere. Check out Helen's boyfriend's occupation--I heartily approve of him, even sight unseen!:-) The New York premiere of Bridget Jones's Diary BY JOANNA COLES IN NEW YORK Renee Zellweger and Hugh Grant, Dominic West, Alan Cumming, Frances McDormand, Donald Trump, Tara Fitzgerald, the singer Moby and the veteran television star, Barbara Walters, were among the British and American celebrities who gathered at the Zeigfield Theatre in New York on Monday night to celebrate the premiere of Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary. Miss Zellweger, the American actress who was granted the role of the famous British singleton, only after she agreed to put on 20lbs, stunned the audience not only with her impeccable London accent, but also with her dramatic weight loss. Now skinny as a starling\ufffds rib, and wearing a tiny black suit by the New York designer Marc Jacobs, it was clear she had lost at least a stone more than she had put on, giving Calista Flockhart, the tiny star of Ally McBeal, a run for her money as America\ufffds most anorexic actress. \ufffdI miss London, I really do, I really do! I miss the Met Bar,\ufffd she said, adding that working incognito for an English publishing company as part of her research for the role, and then making the film with Mr Grant and their co-star, Colin Firth, was a wonderful experience. \ufffdIt was unique, extraordinary, every day brought new opportunities,\ufffd she said. Mr Firth was unable to attend because his wife is expecting a baby this week. Sporting a spikey new haircut, Mr Grant seemed peevish and refused to speak to the British press. Asked briefly if he enjoyed playing the bad guy as a change from his recent role in Notting Hill, he snapped: \ufffdI\ufffdve played the bad guy before you know. It was a welcome return.\ufffd The film was co-written by Helen Fielding, Bridget Jones\ufffd creator, who arrived at the theatre with her American boyfriend Kevin Curran, a writer for The Simpsons. Asked if he had managed to woo the real-life Bridget Jones, he said sheepishly: \ufffdI guess you could say that, she\ufffds a wonderful woman.\ufffd The two now live together in Los Angeles. Ms Fielding, who was dressed in a blue suit by the British designer Ghost, and wearing a diamond necklace by Asprey, said it was important to her that Ms Zellweger had been prepared to put on weight for the part. Another co-writer was Richard Curtis, creator of the Black Adder series and Four Weddings and a Funeral. He said he was relieved he had not had to disinfect his feet before arriving in the United States, but he was worried about not being able to take food back to London with him. Looking forward to further projects, he added he was thinking of creating a new Black Adder series with Rowan Atkinson playing a college professor who hates students. Eric Felner, one of the film\ufffds producers from the British company Working Title, pointed out that if the film is a reasonable success it will mean Mr Curtis\ufffd last four films, which include the blockbuster Notting Hill, will have a combined gross of more than $1 billion. The film was directed by Sharon Maguire, a BBC documentary maker who was the real-life inspiration behind Shazza, Bridget\ufffds best friend. Ms Fielding always promised that if the book was ever made into a film, then her friend would direct it. The movie also includes several cameos of Ms Fielding\ufffds friends including the authors Salman Rushdie, Julian Barnes and Sebastian Faulkes. Lord Archer also makes a brief if unflattering appearance. After the screening Barbara Walters, a famous singleton herself, said she loved the film. \ufffdRenee was adorable,\ufffd she said. \ufffdI shall give it a good review,\ufffd said Jonathan Foreman, film critic for the New York Post. He added that he liked Mr Curtis\ufffd eye for social detail though he feared an American audience might miss the subtlety. \ufffdMy only worry is that the film has such a thick heroine. No American film would dare to insult its target audience like that.\ufffd"}, {"response": 750, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (11:53)", "body": "He[ Richard Curtis] said he was relieved he had not had to disinfect his feet before arriving in the United States, ... It was there, Richard. You just didn't see it ;-) but he was worried about not being able to take food back to London with him. What does he want to take back....steaks? jelly beans? He was also in front of us leaving the theatre. Sorta geeky-looking. Big British contingent attended.I figured they were Working Title. We saw Dominic West. We had just seen him in Design for Living.He is not as impressive (or good-looking ) as on stage.A little seedy..."}, {"response": 751, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (12:20)", "body": "Here's the BBC's review. 4 out of 5 stars, but . . . Cut from the same cloth as \"Notting Hill\" and \"Four Weddings and a Funeral\", this much-anticipated film of Helen Fielding's bestseller about the year in the life of a single thirty-something woman delivers the goods in almost every department. The public's affection for Fielding's Chardonnay-swigging chain-smoking lovelorn Bridget would be enough to propel the picture to the top of the box office charts. Throw in a delightfully witty script co-written by Richard Curtis, a deliciously unpleasant turn from Hugh Grant, and a cast filled with homegrown talent and the result is everything fans could have hoped for - and more. Casting Ren\ufffde Zellweger as the neurotic heroine was a risky move, but it's one that pays off handsomely. Listen closely and you can detect traces of American in her plummy Home Counties accent, but that's a minor cavil compared to the gusto the Texan actress brings to her defiantly unglamorous role. Zellweger piled on the pounds to play the part, and her generous curves add an extra ring of authenticity to the proceedings. Colin Firth recycles his \"Pride and Prejudice\" portrayal as the aloof Mark Darcy, but it's Hugh Grant, cleverly cast against type as a scheming love rat, who steals the laurels in a role one suspects is far closer to his real character than the bumbling nice guys we are accustomed to see him playing. Director Sharon Maguire treads a fine line between broad comedy and touching romance, while cameos from Salman Rushdie and Jeffrey Archer show just how much Fielding's creation has permeated popular culture."}, {"response": 752, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (12:29)", "body": "For the boston folks, you can win tix to see BJD next Thursday... http://ae.boston.com/movies/contests/bridgetjones/ You can sign up as many times as you like..."}, {"response": 753, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (14:26)", "body": "Very pro-Hughie coverage of BJD in Mail and Express (Hugh talks about wanting children, blah, blah)Front page pic of RZ and HG. Sexiness of HG is given heavy prominence, also seems to be stealing acting laurels in reviews. Excellent review in Mail for BJD, but refers to MD as \"stiff and snooty\" whereas Hughie is \"distinctly sexy, v.attractive\". CF/MD apparently \"appeals to sensible homebodies with husbands who chair PTA's. Excuse me? On the other hand the Guardian has a piece about RZ working for the publishing firm...\"She performed (on the set) the most wonderful and generous act a woman can do for another...she introduced me to CF) One to Colin. ye--eh!!! Interesting pieces in HG interviews in Telegraph and Heat about the script. HG says he refused to sign for the film because the script wasn't very good (Andrew Davies must love him) and said he would only do it if RC was brought in. RC re-wrote the script, writing the part of DC expressly for HG. Can't help wondering what the original was like...possibly a good ensemble piece (which CF wouldn't object to) with more time for the friends...less of a star vehicle for HG. HG was apparently paid $8million for the movie, considerably more than RZ! Thanks for all the reports, ladies!"}, {"response": 754, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (14:51)", "body": "From This Is London: Dear diary - Bridget's fab! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bridget Jones's Diary (15) Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant. Dir: Sharon Maguire. UK. 2001. 95mins. by Nina Caplan Rather like its daffy heroine, the film version of Bridget Jones's Diary is not big, clever or remotely grown-up - but it is tremendous fun. Ren\ufffde Zellweger stars as the self-confessed 'spinster and lunatic', fretting about calories, fags, booze and, most of all, the hell of being a 32-year-old singleton surrounded by couples. With the slurred encouragement of her pals - like-minded, nicotine-crazy dipsomaniacs all - Bridget stumbles between her boss, the charming but unpleasant Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant, in the kind of slick, love-rat role that suits him best) and sombre but genuine family friend Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). Firth, who played Mr Darcy in the TV series of Jane Austen's Pride And Prejudice, was drooled over at length in the book, which is about as clever as this film gets. But clever isn't really the issue here: Bridget's idea of intelligence is asking Salman Rushdie (playing himself) the way to the ladies. She is the original ditz and Zellweger, despite the controversy which surrounded the casting of an American as quintessentially British Bridget, more than does her justice. She has carefully accurate vowels, big blue eyes, a vulnerable rosebud pout and a trick of crumpling her face into a hurt, lopsided smile when she is verbally assaulted by cheating boyfriends, smug marrieds and other villains. The direction by Sharon Maguire (real-life model for Bridget's foul-mouthed friend Shazzer) is suitably kooky, with a thumping soundtrack and plenty of incidents. The humour is very stereotypically British, circa Benny Hill - all social gaffes and inadvertently exposed body parts. It's a shame the film plays down the wall of matey solidarity that comprises Bridget's best friends Shazzer (Sally Phillips), Tom (James Callis) and Jude (Shirley Henderson). By way of compensation, however, Zellweger's Bridget is much less afraid of reaching the bottom of a jar of Nutella chocolate than her literary equivalent. Ninety minutes of calorie-counting would have bored audiences rigid, as the film's writers - Helen Fielding (who wrote the book), TV whiz Andrew Davies and Richard 'Notting Hill' Curtis (who seems almost exclusively responsible for Hugh Grant's thriving film career) - were no doubt aware. As for Zellweger, who went on a much-publicised Guinness-and-pizza diet to create Bridget's ample curves, she looks gorgeous on it. She is the first normal-sized female star in a film for quite some time."}, {"response": 755, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (14:57)", "body": "HG says he refused to sign for the film because the script wasn't very good (Andrew Davies must love him) and said he would only do it if RC was brought in. RC re-wrote the script, writing the part of DC expressly for HG. Can't help wondering what the original was like...possibly a good ensemble piece (which CF wouldn't object to) with more time for the friends...less of a star vehicle for HG. Now we know why it took 3 writers to get this off the ground. Hugh made similar comments in an article here that the original script was \"not funny.\" I think we speculated right from the start that RC would make it a nice vehicle for HG. Interesting the clout that HG has (but not surprising, given his past Working Title successes)."}, {"response": 756, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (15:02)", "body": "Richard 'Notting Hill' Curtis (who seems almost exclusively responsible for Hugh Grant's thriving film career) Truer words were never written. ;-D"}, {"response": 757, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (15:47)", "body": "She is the first normal-sized female star in a film for quite some time. And overdid the weight loss afterwards, IMO - and Meredith's DH's also."}, {"response": 758, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (15:48)", "body": "Pictures from the London premiere: http://news.excite.com/photo/img/ap/bridget/jones/diary/20010404/lon110?r=/photo/r/010404/16/entertainment-6 http://news.excite.com/photo/img/r/britain/20010405/lon200d?r=/photo/r/010404/16/entertainment-6"}, {"response": 759, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (16:03)", "body": "Thanks, Marianne. Second one is much better."}, {"response": 760, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (16:09)", "body": "Have just seen Rosie's interview with HG (taped yesterday) and H mentioned Colin's name twice, but Rosie didn't pick up on it at all. She also said she never read the book or knew anything about it. She was more interested in discussing her stitches and hand surgery than anything. They showed clip of the fight scene that was very long, probably half the fight in total, including the segment inside the restaurant with a bit of the happy birthday stuff. It was edited though as you didn't see Tom running inside the restaurant telling everyone there was a fight, a real fight going on. That got an enormous laugh from our audience - one of the biggest from the movie. Our West Coast gals will be seeing the movie later. Have fun and report back."}, {"response": 761, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (16:44)", "body": "The Premiere was on Sky News. Caught a glimpse of CF smiling and relaxed walkingbehind RZ as she was being interviewed. Then brief interview with CF unsmiling, more tense looking (comment on dieting in last attempt to regain boyish contours). Then interview with HD also unsmiling (comment on being fat). Tried to record, but recorded Channel 4 by mistake. Was also longish item (I think!) on BBCNews24, but just as they said...\"a report on the BJD Premiere\" my son came in and switched over to football."}, {"response": 762, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (18:00)", "body": "\"Bridget Jones\" premieres in London LONDON (Reuters) - Bridget Jones's little diary has leaped to the big screen at a star-studded premiere in London's West End. The film's stars - Renee Zellweger, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth - were all there on Wednesday, as was Helen Fielding, who first dreamed up the character of the neurotic Bridget. [...]"}, {"response": 763, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (18:00)", "body": "Thanks Marianne for posting the pics of the London premiere.Renee and Hugh look pretty good considering the number of hours they've logged on a plane. I like her dress...wow! Hey, ODB has a new premiere suit....look at those dimples. Hope Luca got 'em."}, {"response": 764, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (18:11)", "body": "Sorry, didn't see Marianne's posting. Here's the second one which is bettah:"}, {"response": 765, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (18:32)", "body": "VCR ALERT for those in later time zones. CF interviewed at London premiere on Entertainment Tonight. Mentions the babe!"}, {"response": 766, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (18:36)", "body": "Hi, I'm back from the London Premiere. It was very exciting and although Colin was there we saw very little of him, just as he was coming our way someone called him aznd away he went. He looked so slim I hardly recognised him but caught a sight of a cheeky smile, he is so cute. Met Tracy, Jennie & Mark but what a crowd of people, more I would say than for SIL. So many ckleebs I can't remember them all but here are a few. Stephen Fry, Celia Imrie, Gemma Jones, Jilly Cooper, Geri Halliwell who got the biggest applause, Vanessa Feltx, Anneka Rice and Angus Deayton. Perhaps Tracy will remember some more, no wonder we couldn't get any tickets. One thing struck me though, its amazing how different the two actors are, Colin is so low profile compared to HG, at the end he came out early to a few whoops and some cameras whereas HG plays to the cameras, comes out towards the end to loads of cameras flickering and a deafening sound of whoops and yells from the crowd and he waves to the crowd and loves it. Its gre t to see so many posters all around London and to see ODB featured so prominently. Thanks for all the news and reviews everyone, can't say I like the BBC review though. Finally there is an excellent interview with Colin in May's issue of \"SHE\" out today, with new photos and in it he says he worries about going bald!!"}, {"response": 767, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (18:37)", "body": "PS - I have to say that Colin looks much better in the flesh than in any of these photos."}, {"response": 768, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (19:15)", "body": "Glad to hear it, Ann. He looks a bit frightful in the photos. ;-) Sounds like a great bash in London. I'll bet you have a bit of jet lag yourself. Mari, thanks for the ET heads-up. I missed it though, dang. Hugh was terrifically funny on Letterman last night. Since Dave rarely mentions anything of relevance regarding promoting a film I was pleasantly surprised to see the clip. I vote for the Spoilers topic, Karen!"}, {"response": 769, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (19:26)", "body": "Karen, can you help, there is a terrific photo of Colin being greeted by Renee at the BBC Entertainment site, under Premiere pictures. Must go to bed, night all and yes Heide I am still jet-lagged but I just had to go up to London to support Colin, Hugh and Renee have so many fans."}, {"response": 770, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (19:28)", "body": "Hey Ann you beat me to it - I knew you would... Also there were: Stephen Fry, Celia Imrie, Gemma Jones, Jilly Cooper, Geri Halliwell who got the biggest applause, Vanessa Feltx, Anneka Rice and Angus Deayton. Perhaps Chris Eubank, Neil Pearson, Tim McInerney, Salman Rushie, Rowan Atkinson, I think we caught sight of Richard Curtis scudding away in his limo after and Salman Rushdie(who walked away from the premiere, bodyguards in tow, to the post showing bash as did most) When they all went in we headed off for a celebratory Chardonnay and Creme Brulee combination and then chanced it by going back for the exits. True to form ODB was first out (even before many of the nobodies) , straight in his limo and off into the night ( for nappy change and feeds no doubt). As Ann says we couldn't have picked a worse spot insofar as ODB locations went ;-( but even so,I do have a few little prezzies for you. Sorry about the blurriness...unnecessariness strikes again I'm sure you understand ;-) Ann realises he is just out of reach ....OOHH He's getting nearer....SWTA poised in readiness *thinks* is it really healthy behaviour to send out hate waves to little old silver haired lady ...and then he was gone :-( more to follow...boy is it late but in the words of someone we know only too well \"I shall conquer this\""}, {"response": 771, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (19:35)", "body": "Gnat ALert, Gnat Alert Unlike ODB The Gnat just signed everything in sight (including things we didn't want signing/sullying (eh Ann?) Hmmm, who's been attacking Huge with the garden shears then? RZ and HG did the rounds seemingly together .. she looked very slim, interesting choice of dress Oh and finally the voice of reason and sanity, that well known sage Vanessa Feltz shouted: \"the film's great\" so there you have it - proof positive that the woman's not completely deranged ;-) RZ"}, {"response": 772, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (19:40)", "body": "Thanks Droolies for the on- the- spot reports and the prezzies, Tracy. In the ET blurb tonight,Colin said in response to the announcer's report that CF was still glowing after the birth of his son...\"It was a lightening trip, I'm off soon..\" Going back to Rome, I guess."}, {"response": 773, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (20:46)", "body": "Thank you all! I enjoyed all the pics of the premiere's and oooooooooh CF, sooooooo close! *shiver* I'll just have to rewind him in my mind when I see BJD tomorrow!"}, {"response": 774, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (20:53)", "body": "(Tracey) Hmmm, who's been attacking Huge with the garden shears then? Hugh said today in an interview that his hair grows really fast, he has to have it cut every couple of days. He's wearing this spikey new 'do because he is about to film Hornby's About a Boy. Great reporting ladies!"}, {"response": 775, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (22:28)", "body": "Glad to hear that you saw Colin, Ann, and that he looks better than most of these recent shots. Have been incredibly worried. ;-D Thanks for the pics, Tracy. Absolutely fantastic and proof positive to us that he hasn't come down with some awful facial distortion disease. Here are the ones from the BBC site: Some other celebs at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/entertainment/film/newsid_1261000/1261115.stm"}, {"response": 776, "author": "Ela", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (22:36)", "body": "Don't know if anyone saw this but, I checked Clicktv and they showed that RZ would be making these apperances: 4/9 \"Today\" Show 4/10 Letterman 4/11 \"Early Show\" on CBS 4/12 Conan O'Brien 4/14 Roger Ebert (they discuss BJD) Hopefully these apperances are correct, unlike CF's supposed apperance on The Today show!!"}, {"response": 777, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  4, 2001 (23:55)", "body": "You can see pix from ET's coverage of the NY premiere as well as some video options: http://www.etonline.com/html/photogallery/bridgetjones-prem/"}, {"response": 778, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (03:39)", "body": "Have just seen a great report on the Premier and interview with Colin on BBC News, have taped so that I can re-wind and slow-mo. Colin looks great and the reviewer said the two male leads were excellent. BTW I forgot to mention that we were interviewed by Capital Radio and asked who we were hoping to see at the Premier, not guesses for who we said. They then asked me why I liked Colin Firth and I was tongue-tied said something stupid like he is gorgeous and the definitve Darcy. There was so many other things i could have said like he is a brilliant and under-rated actor, has wonderful brown eyes and a voice to die for, oh well. Still Tracy did a bit better in her interview but no doubt she will tell you all about it. Also good report in The Independent - says Colin is devastating!! Tracy you have done a wonderful job on the photos, many thanks."}, {"response": 779, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (04:10)", "body": "Ann, I was hoping you'd not mention the Radio! Yup I got my minute of fame live on Dr Fox's show on Capital Radio, (London main commercial radio station). We were introduced as people who had been there for hours in eager anticipation and then was asked who I had particularly come to see - naturally I said HG *ducking* - and when I had first noticed him. I said something like it had been coming on so gradually but I could probably date it from P&P ;-) I then got the inevitable..\"Oh that wet shirt did it for you did it?\" question to which I retorted ..yeeess but, there was more to the performance to that, more depth, a geat piece of acting..yada-yada..I somehow don't think he was convinced ( perhaps could have been the squealing in the background)! Still was glad they picked us pro-Colins - probably because we were looking less obsessive and starstruck than the red-head Huge fan next to us (who Ann wanted to kick BTW)...oh how wrong can you be! Agree with Ann - DO check out Elizabeth Wilson's piece in She magazine, some lovely pictures."}, {"response": 780, "author": "aishling", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (04:29)", "body": "Thanks for the reports and pics Ann and Tracy. Sounds like you had a good time. I was channel hopping this morning but only saw one interview with CF by a wacky reporter from C4 Big Breakfast. R: Are you a hard bloke? CF: Yeah R: Think you could take me on? CF: Probably, I mean I have this sort of style, it\ufffds designed to throw my opponent which is a girlie technique and I use that to wrong foot people and just when you think I\ufffdm a soft touch, you get a face full of greek food. This was followed by fight scene in restaurant."}, {"response": 781, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (04:59)", "body": "Article on Sharon Maguire in the Telegraph (hope the link works): http://www.telegraph.co.uk/et?ac=001837178341229&rtmo=fsVVfDos&atmo=YYYYYYYp&pg=/et/01/4/5/bfshaz05.html Love all the comments on the fighting - both CF and HG are very funny about it."}, {"response": 782, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (07:13)", "body": "The report from Empire: The first big British film of the year premiered in London last night and quite an event it was. Half of Leicester Square was cordoned off as armfuls of celebrities piled into the Empire cinema for the British screen debut of Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary. Bridget fans stood ten-deep behind the barriers outside ready to catch a glimpse of Helen Fielding\ufffds neurotic heroine in the flesh. But the question on all of their minds was how will Renee Zellweger\ufffds performance measure up? \ufffdI thought she was absolutely perfect,\ufffd Colin Firth told Empire Online. \ufffdShe introduced herself to me in a British accent and I never doubted it. Before we even began shooting she was condemned with the unpardonable crime of not being English. But I think she\ufffdll be forgiven because she\ufffds answered it with a great performance. If acting\ufffds about anything then surely it\ufffds about playing something that you\ufffdre actually not.\ufffd Along with Hugh Grant, Firth plays one of Bridget\ufffds two love-interests in the film and was greeted by much swooning of female fans as he swept aloofly into the cinema. Firth was happy to reminisce over his favourite part of the film, the fist-fight with Hugh Grant. \ufffdHugh and I had a long period of bonding during our martial arts training for that fight. It probably reminded you all a bit of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The only difference being that they used treetops and we used a Greek restaurant. Grant was also remembered the scene with a certain fondness, \ufffdI\ufffdve been wanting to kick the shit out of Colin Firth for some years and I finally got to do it,\ufffd he told us. When asked who had, indeed, proved the better man Grant adopted a confident stance, \ufffdWell let me put it this way. Colin did marvellously in a fight scene for somebody who\ufffds clearly never been in a fight before. I on the other hand, had to hold back because, as you know, I used to be in the SAS and I was trained. I had to leave the SAS because I couldn\ufffdt wear the balaclava helmets, I can\ufffdt wear wool against my skin, I get a terrible rash.\ufffd Following on the heels of her two beaus was the woman herself, Renee Zellweger, looking decidedly more at ease than her bumbling on-screen persona. Despite her cool demeanour, Zellweger confessed to being terrified by how the British were going to react to her performance. \ufffdI feel a huge responsibility to Helen Fielding, because it\ufffds not my character, I didn\ufffdt come up with it. It\ufffds something she created from her life experience and I don\ufffdt want to be the one to screw it up. Enthusing about the role, Zellweger squealed with delight over her chance to try on the British accent and admitted to having adopted a number of quaint Anglicisms \ufffd \ufffdI asked a friend in the States if I could use her \ufffdloo\ufffd the other day. She had no idea what I was talking about!\ufffd Stephen Fry, Thora Birch, Stephen Daldry and Toni Collette were among the stars who turned out for the event along with cast members James Callis, Gemma Jones, Sally Phillips and Celia Imrie, screenwriter Richard Curtis and director Sharon Maguire. Salman Rushdie, who has a small cameo in the film, was also present. \ufffdI had a great time,\ufffd said Rushdie. \ufffdMy only regret is there was one take of one scene where Hugh Grant kissed me on the lips and they cut it out. So my first screen kiss ends up on the cutting room floor.\ufffd Bridget Jones creator Helen Fielding was the last to arrive. \ufffdI think Renee\ufffds done a great job, she\ufffds got a better English accent than me,\ufffd she told us. \ufffdIt was very important that she put on the weight for the role, she still looks great but she is a normal-shaped woman in this film and that is really, really important. I think 'it\ufffds very sporting for a Hollywood actress to put on all that weight and then allow herself to be filmed in her knickers.\ufffd But the prize for the luckiest man of the night has to go to 14-year-old Edward Spencer who ended up being Geri Halliwell's date for the evening. The singer - whose song features on the film's soundtrack - plucked Edward out of the crowd, giving him her spare ticket for the premiere. Pics next..."}, {"response": 783, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (07:16)", "body": ""}, {"response": 784, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (07:21)", "body": "Thanks Karen. EXCELLENT fight comments. Not sure if you want it, but here's how to get the \"Bridget look\", apparently. http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,142-109787,00.html Note book category."}, {"response": 785, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (07:53)", "body": "Thanks for the photos and article Karen, however, ODB doesn't seemn to be photographing very well, although I do like the 3rd photo. Also there are 2 great new photo's in She magazine."}, {"response": 786, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (08:02)", "body": ""}, {"response": 787, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (08:07)", "body": "Hmmmmm?????"}, {"response": 788, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (08:21)", "body": "I would imagine (playing devil's advocate here) that poor Colin is exhausted!!! The birth of his son, the traveling, being away from wife and newborn, is exhausting!!! He'll photograph better when the high that he's on right now is gone... He is positively glowing, however. I've liked the pics I've seen.. And Karen, I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO jealous!!!"}, {"response": 789, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (08:32)", "body": "No need to qualify, Laura, all those things must be contributing, in addition to the poor calibre of photographers, present company excepted...of course. ;-D Ann/Tracy: Is the SHE magazine spread the one that was referred to in one of the other newspapers, the gangster look????"}, {"response": 790, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (08:40)", "body": "(KarenR)Hmmmmm????? Proof positive that double posts ain't always boring...;-) Thanks to all for the great pics and reports. Very enjoyable. (AnnW)Finally there is an excellent interview with Colin in May's issue of \"SHE\" out today, with new photos and in it he says he worries about going bald!! All right, do you think it's time I should write to him and offer my professional help? :-P"}, {"response": 791, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (08:46)", "body": "Here's the review from Rolling Stone by Peter Travers referenced in the Telegraph (btw, this review says the movie is 112 minutes, but what is now cited is a mere 90): It should have been no man's land: a movie based on a best-selling post-feminist novel about a year in the life of a thirty-something Brit career girl trying to kick her addictions to food, cigarettes, booze and male fuckwads while her self-esteem issues grow massive and unwieldy, just like her thighs. Instead, Bridget Jones's Diary delivers frisky fun for bruised romantics regardless of age, sex or nationality. OK, Bridget has a weakness for sentimental hokum that the film shares. The surprise comes in the brash wit that stings when it needs to and in the eye for social irony that has drawn comparison to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. When Helen Fielding's novel in diary form was published in 1996, Salman Rushdie - yes, that Salman Rushdie - called it \"a brilliant comic creation\" and added, \"Even men will laugh.\" Well, the movie will make men laugh, too, at themselves as well as at Bridget. If His Satanic Verses Majesty can loosen up, so can you, dude. Here are five reasons why. (1) Renee Zellweger is irresistible. As Bridget, she had me from hello. Never mind all that go-home-Yank resentment over a twiggy Texan putting on twenty pounds and a British accent to portray a character that another actress - say, Kate Winslet - could step into without the heavy lifting. Zellweger nails the role. Barbara Berkery, Gwyneth's dialogue coach for Shakespeare in Love, rounded Zellweger's vowels; a diet of pizza and milkshakes rounded everything else; and an undercover stint at a London publishing house made her comfortable in Bridget's skin as a book publicist. What's great about Zellweger, besides the fact that she has the sexiest squint in movies (take that, Benicio), is the way she blends strength and vulnerability. Whether Bridget is singing along to self-pitying pop anthems like \"All by Myself\" or answering the phone - \"Hello, Bridget Jones, wanton sex goddess with a very bad man between my thighs\" - only to find the caller is her mother, Zellweger never hits a false note. Some people stil don't cotton to this actress, even after Jerry Maguire and Nurse Betty. On the first season of The Sopranos, Tony's wife, Carmela, ended her friendship with Father Phil when the priest brought her a DVD of One True Thing. \"I told you I don't like Ren\ufffde Zellweger,\" snapped Carm, who will now have to revise her opinion. After Bridget, Ms. Z is A-list all the way. (2) Helen Fielding, the journalist who dreamed up Bridget for a London newspaper column, has touched a nerve. Bridget's problem really isn't being what Fielding calls a \"singleton\" in a world full of \"smug- marrieds.\" It's her shabby self-image. One diary entry says it all: \"I will not sulk about having no boyfriend, but develop inner poise and authority and sense of self as woman of substance, complete without boyfriend, as best way to obtain boyfriend.\" Bridget, like the John Cusack character in Nick Hornby's High Fidelity, is at war with herself. Wisely, the spirited screenplay that Fielding has crafted with Richard Curtis (Notting Hill) and Andrew Davies (Circle of Friends) takes time to catch Bridget's loneliness in a crowd. Rather than settle for a trendy Brit gloss on Sex and the City or Ally McBeal, Fielding cuts deeper. (3) Sharon Maguire, the documentary filmmaker debuting as a features director, doesn't duck showing the elements that shaped Bridget. The melancholy of her dad (the superb Jim Broadbent) and the flightiness of her mum (Gemma Jones, brilliant as ever) are part of Bridget. That's where the importance of chums comes in. Maguire, a friend of Fielding's, is the inspiration for Shazza (Sally Phillips), one of Bridget's best mates - Jude (Shirley Henderson) and Tom (James Callis) are the others - who stays loyal when lovers disappoint. There's no showing off in Maguire's direction; her gift is making the film feel lived-in. (4) The men aren't all pricks. Well, they are, actually, but the actors who play them compensate nobly. Hugh Grant, dropping his dither, is suavely hilarious as Bridget's boss, Daniel Cleaver, a sexist pig who sends her dirty e-mails: \"Love your tits in that top.\" That Bridget finds this charming is part of her problem. Barrister Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) makes a more likely prospect, but his haughtiness turns Bridget off until he helps her save a disastrous dinner party that ends in a brawl between him and Daniel. It's a funny scene, bolstered by a casting joke: In the novel, Bridget swoons over the 1995 BBC production of Pride and Prejudice, starring Firth as Mr. Darcy, a character who, like Mark, is considered a snob until events uncover his secret heart. Firth risks audience indifference with the slow build of his performance, but the payoff is delicious. (5) The film's psychobabble-bullshit factor is laudably low. There is a happy ending driven by box-office log"}, {"response": 792, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (08:57)", "body": "From The Independent: A flawless accent, funny script and some filthy humour By Laura Tennant 05 April 2001 Will Renee Zellweger ever live down Bridget Jones? She may have shrunk back to a standard Hollywood size 6, but for a moment there she was just like me and 1,000 others \ufffd flushed, tired and emotional, spilling out of her little black number (provenance: High Street), frequently falling over and a very respectable size 12. It was a triumph of method acting, and we loved her for it. So, too, did her leading men, in a female fantasy in which Hugh Grant, looking devilishly handsome, turns down an American hardbody for Bridget's somewhat cuddlier charms. Based, of course, on Helen Fielding's cult novel, the movie traces the romantic misadventures of book publicist Bridget. Will she be persuaded by the caddish and unreliable Grant, playing her boss, Daniel Cleaver, or will Colin Firth, as the austere barrister Mark Darcy, win the day? Firth might as well have \"good husband material\" tattooed across his forehead, but despite this, or perhaps because of it, he makes a devastatingly sexy Darcy. And ladies, I mean devastating. The competition for Bridget between Firth and Grant may be the stuff of fantasy but Bridget's unerring ability to choose the wrong man is the reality check with which every woman in the audience can identify. And that's what makes this film something you'll want to add to your home video collection next to Four Weddings and a Funeral. Fielding herself was criticised for not \"empowering\" Bridget; why, some literalists asked, does she have to be quite so hopeless? Because she is the scapegoat by which all our sins of low self-esteem and secretly fancying bastards can be atoned. Cynics might suggest that this movie is pitched at an American audience, hence the casting of Zellweger (and the final scenes in an unlikely snowbound, Dickensian London). But the director, Sharon Maguire (on whom Fielding based Bridget's best friend Shazzer), and the writers, Andrew Davies and Richard Curtis, have done nothing to dilute the uniquely filthy and British quality of the humour and the book, or the professional standards of drinking, smoking and swearing maintained by Shazzer, Jude and Tom. Zellweger's accent is pretty much flawless and the script is extremely funny and often deeply rude (I wonder, for instance, how the lighthearted anal-sex banter between Bridget and Daniel will play in Salt Lake City?) [Ed note: not in US version but will listen closer tonight] The wonderful Jim Broadbent gives a subtle, unsentimental and strangely moving performance as Bridget's dad while Gemma Jones is suitably infuriating as her mother. At the screening I attended, the audience began laughing around the first frame and didn't really stop. I loved it."}, {"response": 793, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (09:06)", "body": "More pics?? Wonderful! (Laura) I've liked the pics I've seen.. Me too! And I just luuuuurve that blue suit!"}, {"response": 794, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (09:32)", "body": "http://www.thisislondon.co.uk:80/dynamic/hottx/top_review.html?in_review_id=378527&in_review_text_id=324091 This Is London account of premiere Bridget: the premiere party pooper by Valentine Low and Richard Simpson Let's be honest: Bridget Jones would have hated it. Last night the fictional creation who is currently the most talked-about woman in the country had a party thrown in her honour. Not just any party, but a big, glamorous, flashbulb-popping kind of event, with supermodels and movie stars and big-name famous writers, all of them looking wonderful and glossy and not the sort of people who would stop to worry for one moment about whether their thighs were too fat. Awful, awful, awful. The sort of event which would make Bridget Jones run and drown her insecurities in the nearest bottle of chardonnay. The event was the premiere of Bridget Jones's Diary, the film of Helen Fielding's newspaper column-turned novel starring Hugh Grant, Colin Firth and Ren\ufffde Zellweger as the tortured, neurotic heroine. Oh, and starring Geri Halliwell too (or so one might gather from her idiosyncratic behaviour at the premiere, which involved dragging a young boy out of the crowd and taking him with her to the screening). It should have been Bridget's night, really. But somehow Bridget - with all her weight problems, her smoking and her notorious fondness for vodka - was nowhere to be seen. True, Ren\ufffde Zellweger was there, and in the film she gives a masterful impersonation of Ms Jones. We have all read about how she piled on massive amounts of weight to make the movie - 20 lbs, according to some reports; two stone according to others - and managed to perfect a faultless, if somewhat Sloaney, English accent. That was then. This is now. When she turned up at the premiere at the Empire Leicester Square last night Ms Zellweger had managed to shed both (i) that unsightly weight, and (ii) her English accent. Instead her astonishingly petite figure was encased in an Azzedine Alaia hooped dress, and managing not to look in the least like a sausage whose skin had split at the edges (as BJ in her more figure-conscious moments would have had it), while her vowels were back to their natural Texan twang. So Ren\ufffde Zellweger wasn't Bridget Jones, even if she did say she felt more like an English girl these days than an American one. Bridget Jones's creator Helen Fielding wasn't Bridget Jones either, even if she did reckon that Ren\ufffde Zellweger with all that extra weight on was still a skinnier proposition than she was. Anyone who has the clout to get Salman Rushdie, Lord Archer and Julian Barnes to have bit parts in the film of her book has put their Bridget Jones days behind them. It took Fielding herself to put an end to the mystery as to the whereabouts of Ms Jones. What, we asked her just as the party at Mezzo in Wardour Street was in full swing, would Bridget have been doing right then? (The possibilities were endless, and awful, given the presence of everything that Bridget finds so hard to resist: wine by the caseload, several violent-looking cocktails, cigarettes by the score and a clutch of irresponsibly handsome men, led by Mr Grant and Mr Firth). MS Fielding had no doubt what her heroine would be up to. \"She would probably still be trying to get in,\" she said. Quite what she would have made of it all had she got past the security is anybody's guess. The women would have been a challenge, even to someone more psychologically robust than BJ: undernourished types like Naomi Campbell (escorted by her Benetton racing beau, Flavio Briatore, Laura Bailey and the above-mentioned Geri Halliwell, who created something of a stir on her arrival in Leicester Square by waving her ticket about and shouting \"Who wants to be my date?\" A 14-year-old boy called Ed Spencer from Leicester shouted the loudest, and suddenly found himself pulled out from behind the barriers and thrust into the curiously privileged position of being Geri Halliwell's date for the night (well, the movie anyway). \"I sat next to her during the film,\" said Ed. \"We didn't really chat much, but then I didn't help matters by being terribly star struck. She loved it when her song It's Raining Men came on. She was clapping her hands and cheering, and we sang along together.\" Yes, but do they have any future? \"She is too skinny, to be honest,\" said Ed. \"I'm more of a Ren\ufffde fan. She is just gorgeous. Geri looks like she has been dieting too much. If I gave her a big cuddle I could probably snap her in half.\" Stick insects and ex-Spice Girls aside, the party was, in a sense, a milieu in which Bridget Jones would have felt very much at home. It was all terribly Notting Hill, only not the Notting Hill of BJ and Shazzer and Jude getting drunk in 192, but the rather more sophisticated version of Alan Yentob, Salman Rushdie, Angus Deayton and Mr Notting Hill himself, Richard Curtis. Whether or not they live in W11 these days is debatable, but it is a racing certainty that they have all b"}, {"response": 795, "author": "Bionca", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (09:50)", "body": "I'm really not quite sure what you people are talking about"}, {"response": 796, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (09:56)", "body": "More from Empire, although nothing solid: Renee Talks Bridget Jones 2 After widespread reports that she had ruled out the possibility of piling on the pounds for a sequel to Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary, Renee Zellweger revealed to Empire Online that she may yet reprise the role. \ufffdWe haven\ufffdt actually talked about it,\ufffd she told us at last night\ufffds premiere for the film (4 April), \ufffdbut wouldn\ufffdt it be wonderful?\ufffd. Director Sharon Maguire also seemed optimistic about the prospect of bringing the batty heroine back for round two: \ufffdI want to sleep for a long time and then I\ufffdll think about whether I want to direct another one. But I think so.\" Zellweger had recently been reported as adamant that she wouldn\ufffdt reprise the role after having been forced to put on weight and chain-smoke herbal cigarettes during the production. She was also said to be unhappy at the idea of spending so much time away from the US. However, if the effervescent enthusiasm she demonstrated at last night\ufffds premiere was anything to go by, Zellweger may well be slipping back into Bridget\ufffds oversized pants. \ufffdBut this time,\ufffd she said, \ufffdI\ufffdd have to make a trip to Victoria\ufffds Secret first.\ufffd"}, {"response": 797, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (10:22)", "body": "You've beaten me to it! I was going to say...anyone who can scan, run to the newsagent and buy the Independent and She magazine. Colin hugging RZ makes the front page of the Independent... absolutely huge photo. But it's already in Karen's 787 posting! Also great photos and a terrific interview in She."}, {"response": 798, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (10:31)", "body": "Times, Telegraph and Guardian all carry photos of CF,RZ and HG together (the Independent is simply *the* best!!). No mention at all of Baby Luca. Surprising...I'd have thought some of the journalists would have had the coutesy to ask about Livia Scanned the tabs...mainly Geri Spice. But the Sun carried a review in which the reviewer says she didn't use to like CF, but after seeing BJD she does now. Pics of HG with Geri Spice."}, {"response": 799, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (10:50)", "body": "My god, I leave for 12 hours and there is a FLOOD of msgs. to catch up on...Great pictures, Tracy. Thanks for the reports, London crew... Well, I spent last night at the Los Angeles screening of BJD, where I met up with the lovely Moon, Marianne and JanaH. It seemed that there were other screenings going on that day-- \"Josie and the Pussycats\" just around the corner from us-- but WE were there specifically for BJD. It seemed that the other audience members couldn't care less, this was merely a free screening and it could've very well have been \"Josie and the Pussycats.\" *Shakes her head in disbelief* OK-- A very cute, very funny movie indeed. RZ is adorable, despite the uncomfortable messes she gets herself in. And believe me, there are quite a few of them. HG is someone you will truly love to hate, and CF is in prime Darcyesque form. Now-- this was the problem for me, however: I've seen P&P2 so often, know every line that comes from CF's lips, know every expression-- that to be honest, I felt rather uncomfortable seeing him do the same in BJD. I know that most audience members who will see this won't get this feeling (as they haven't obsessed over P&P as much as we have), but it was too weird-- as if DArcy/Colin had been transported in time. But then you say, \"wEll, that's the whole point isn't it? Mark Darcy IS Fitzwilliam Darcy.\" True, but I was expecting more character development beyond what I already knew from P&P. I felt the book (BJD) developed more. But then, the group of friends weren't as developed either in the film. WE SAW MARK G!!!!! We braced ourselves for the moment when BJ boards the convertible, and sure enough, it was our very own Mark! I was anticipating other people in the shot, but nope, it's just Mark, passing by HG and RZ in the car. Bravo, sir! But in the end, I was thoroughly entertained. I had quite a few belly laughs. It's playing here on campus TONIGHT for students (free!), so depending on my day, I may or may not go. Anyone (Jana/Marianne/Moon) want to add?"}, {"response": 800, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (11:50)", "body": "For those wishing to discuss in depth (with Spoilers), let's use the Spoiler topic: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/126/new"}, {"response": 801, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (11:59)", "body": "Ooops. Sorry if I gave away too much."}, {"response": 802, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (12:33)", "body": "No, really, this doesn't apply to your posting, Winter. Was meaning to post that last night, but was too lazy (read, buried under masses of unfinished stuff) to go look up the Spoiler topic number). I gave away more spoilers than you. You wrote your impressions. Not the same. ;-D (that being the case, I didn't mind the similarities at all, but saw more)"}, {"response": 803, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (12:41)", "body": "From Christopher Null (and Void) at filmcritic.com. He gave it 3-1/2 stars though: http://www.filmcritic.com/misc/emporium.nsf/ddb5490109a79f598625623d0015f1e4/ea1b11302849ded888256a250003aa29?OpenDocument"}, {"response": 804, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (12:45)", "body": "Hi, I haven\ufffdt quite recovered from last night\ufffds high. The movie was funny, sweet, and I want to drag all my friends to see it \ufffd starting tomorrow night. Thanks Winter for getting the passes. It was great seeing Winter and Jana again, and meeting Moon and her husband. I hope he enjoyed the movie. First of all, I was going to like this movie anyway, so I was very pleased with how it turned out. I do have a few quibbles with it though: 1) Not enough Mark Darcy 2) Too much Daniel Cleaver 3) Not enough of Shaz, Jude and Tom 4) Bridget\ufffds parents, ugh, I probably would have preferred they build up her friends\ufffd storyline 5) Why no mention of \ufffdfuckwittage,\ufffd and \ufffdPride and Prejudice\ufffd 6) This is just my opinion. At the ending credits, when they\ufffdre showing a children\ufffds birthday party (and it does begin hilariously), when you see little Mark Darcy giving surreptitious looks at little Bridget Jones, and then she takes off her dress to wade in the paddling pool, he begins to look uncomfortable and tugs on his collar. All I could think of was: please, no erection, and this could be a pedophiliac\ufffds dream. Sorry, if I upset anyone."}, {"response": 805, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (13:09)", "body": "The Sun (in the Life section) has a really nice picture of CF, RZ & HG, and it's wishful thinking on my part that he's smiling. Here's the accompanying article, his and hers opinion. http://www.thesun.co.uk IS BRIDGET JONES WORTH IT? YES -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Says EMMA SHRIMSLEY Sun writer BRIDGET JONES is the now famous thirtysomething who agonises over every pound she gains or loses, drinks too much, beats herself up over her infrequent trips to the gym, over-analyses relationships and constantly embarrasses herself. Oh my God. I am Bridget Jones - albeit a slightly less insane version. And if the screeches of laughter from every other female at the preview screening of the film were anything to go by, half the women in Britain will feel the same. Bridget Jones's Diary, which opens in cinemas on April 13, is based on the bestselling book by Helen Fielding. It's a chick flick which blokes will love too. The reason is that women will relate to Bridget and men will be fascinated at this insight into the sometimes bizarre workings of the female mind. The casting is also superb. U.S. star Ren\ufffde Zellweger looks pleasingly podgy in the part - I should hope so too after all that Guinness, cakes and fast food, although it is a bit upsetting she lost the weight so soon after filming ended. The casting of an American to play everyone's favourite British singleton was greeted with scepticism but her accent is faultless. Hugh Grant is surprisingly caddish as Bridget's boss and love-rat Daniel Cleaver. This film could put his career back on track. And as for Colin Firth ... Well, I was never a fan before but watching him as the aloof Mark Darcy, all I can say is, I now am. And the soundtrack is great. It's a real feel-good, foot-tapping set of songs, including the Geri Halliwell cover of It's Raining Men. It's also a very, very funny and well-observed movie. For example, it's a well-known fact among women that if you shave your legs before a date and wear sexy undies, you will never see the bloke again. If, however, you don't shave and wear your biggest, least sexy knickers, it is guaranteed you will not go home alone. But watching this scenario played out by Bridget as she seductively writhes around on the floor with Daniel Cleaver, was brilliant. As his roving hands tease up her little black dress only to be greeted by a massive pair of bloomers, it is a classic comedy moment. Equally, the scene with her swigging wine in her pyjamas and singing along to All By Myself at top volume as she ponders her disastrous love-life, will ring bells with many women. Similarly, Bridget's run-ins with her \"smug married\" friends and her humiliation at the inevitable \"how's your love life?\" question is something we've all experienced. There are no great special effects, no epic battles and no tear-jerkingly moving scenes in Bridget Jones's Diary. Instead, there is an amusing and exaggerated look at the perils and embarrassments of your average 30-plus girl. It's the most enjoyable film I've seen in ages. NO -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Says GARRY BUSHELL Sun TV critic NO self-respecting bloke would endure a second date with Bridget Jones - and you shouldn't waste 90 minutes of your life watching the movie either. The woman is an absolute nightmare. Bridget, played by Ren\ufffde Zellweger, is a dizzy, day-dreaming, self-obsessed lush who can barely string two words together. Think Ally McBeal with slitty eyes, hamster cheeks and cellulite. OK, you can see why middle-class metropolitan women who work in the media can relate to her. To them, Bridget is a vulnerable, confused every-woman. But to a man, she is a neurotic bore with poor dress sense who smokes too much and can't handle her booze. For guys the highlight of the film will be the fist-fight where barrister Mark Darcy (Colin \"Mr Darcy\" Firth) batters gormless big-head Hugh Grant. Although quite why two blokes with film star looks would brawl in the street over such an unexciting creature escapes me. In a departure from his normal roles, Grant plays not a stuck-up, floppy-haired fop, but a stuck-up, womanising cad, Daniel Cleaver. Beaver-eager Cleaver cheats on Bridget with a glamorous Yank, then mysteriously wants her back. A*sey Darcy, on the other hand, takes an instant dislike to her but inevitably falls for her too, despite being engaged to a bright, articulate woman barrister. Ho hum. Predictably, and the film is nothing if not predictable, Bridget doesn't end up on her Jack Jones. In the novel, Bridget is a lonely thirtysomething, desperate to settle down, whose only lasting relationship is with a bottle of Chardonnay. Imagine Coronation Street's Kevin Webster in a see-through blouse and control knickers ... The movie needs Bridget to be lusted and fought over, but doesn't give her the personality to justify it. Bridget is as dull as her winceyette pyjamas. She works i"}, {"response": 806, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (13:14)", "body": "me again ... found one with a big happy smile from peoplenews.co.uk http://www.peoplenews.co.uk/delivery/common/parties/index/party/0,2443,1-4560-24,00.html Single girls, smug marrieds, chocolate-covered strawberries and Colin Firth - where else could we be but the premiere of Bridget Jones's Diary? Star of the film? A gorgeous Renee Zellweger. Star of the night? Geri Halliwell in a jaw-dropping Julien Macdonald creation. Hugh Grant took his parents, as did Bridget author Helen Fielding; Colin Firth stayed close to his sister-in-law, who was deputising for his wife Livia, who has just given birth; everyone went on to party afterwards at Mezzo."}, {"response": 807, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (13:59)", "body": "Thanks, Marianne. I think I have the good Sun pics up, but will doublecheck if I missed that one. Plus need to deal with PeopleNews one.... argh! Have more (including other candids) on the Premiere page: http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjdprem.html"}, {"response": 808, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (14:25)", "body": "Well done, Ann and Tracy! And interviewed on radio, too--Capital, Capital!:-) So glad he showed. Thanks everyone for the articles, reports and pics, and a big thanks to Karen who I know is working very hard to keep our Bucket running over!:-) A gentle reminder to those who have seen the film: there's a SPOILER TOPIC set up at 126 for specifics. By all means please continue to post your general impressions here; they're great fun to read."}, {"response": 809, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (14:36)", "body": "Note the change in date. This sounds great--thought it was just going to be the music vids: VH1 Behind The Movie: Bridget Jones' Diary On Saturday, April 7 or Sunday, April 8 In this installment of Behind the Movie, VH1 prepares itself for a half-hour of fun with the highly animated, extremely \"English\" stars of BridgetJones's Diary.Hugh Grant, Colin Firth and director Sharon McGuire tease Renee Zellweger about her English accent, and the entire group talks about the strong musical soundtrack that that supports their new movie ... appropriately named after the best-selling book of the same name. From the new Shelby Lynn \"Killin' Kind\" video to two Sheryl Crow classics to never-before-seen movie scenesbolstered by Chaka Khan's \"I'm Every Woman\" and a Geri Halliwell rendition of \"It's Raining Men,\" this is a Behind the Movie that can't be missed. (Premieres from 11:30a-12p) ***** I just bought the CD; Record Town is selling it for $15.99."}, {"response": 810, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (15:54)", "body": "In my capacity of Scan Queen here are the SHE pix: - The comment on the picture is, I hasten to add, a quote from CF on women and not and editorial on ODBs physique. - I think this maybe the gangster picture, I seem to remember from the Guardian article that they had told him to look at his hands to which he said no \ufffd you can\ufffdt get much further away from looking at your hands than this can you? \ufffd the obligatory arty, weirdo \ufffdlet\ufffds just show his nose\ufffd shot. Cute but I\ufffdd rather see the rest of him too! Thanks for posting the Independent pic \ufffd to me it seems as if RZ is congratulating on the birth of Baby Luca and ODB is well, just brimming with pride (or is that just my romantic/maternal side creeping in) more likely its RZ saying- \" Well, done Col, you managed to avoid that dodgy looking bunch at the entrance \" :-)"}, {"response": 811, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (16:15)", "body": "I *love* the Independent Pic! And it's even better when you see it on the front page in all its glory. I agree with you, Tracy (and all thanks to our Scan Queen...I still haven't mastered the art!)...RZ has to be congatulating dad on the new arrival...those are very warm smiles!"}, {"response": 812, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (16:22)", "body": "Thanks, Mari, for the info on the VH1 thing. What is it with these TV schedules and times!! Wonderful scans, Tracy. I see you labeled No. 2 his Gangsta pose. Could be, although I don't think a look like that would've landed him a part in Snatch. ;-D Agree with all about what was going on in the Independent shot. It had to be congratulatory as she hadn't seen him since it happened."}, {"response": 813, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (16:33)", "body": "Meant to add...the She magazine interview is terrific. Possibly the best I've read (is it available online?). Love the way the interviewer wants to call him \"Col\" and finishes by saying \"see you soon\" (before remembering that's she interviewing him). She makes perceptive comments about him...and for once, I think the interpretation is correct."}, {"response": 814, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (16:42)", "body": "You may already have these pictures from The Mirror and ITN. And all the coverage seems to be about Geri Halliwell :( http://www.mirror.co.uk/ http://www.itn.co.uk/news/20010405/entertainment/02bridget.shtml"}, {"response": 815, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (16:53)", "body": "The She article is not online...yet, but if someone will tell me what the title is, I'll post it (have text, no title) ;-D"}, {"response": 816, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (16:57)", "body": "Karen, the title - \"Man of the Moment. COLIN FIRTH. Prepare to swoon. The man who made breeches sexy is doing a Darcy again - this time it's breeches off (gasp) in hot new movie, BJD.\" Interview Elizabeth Wilson. Photographs Sean Cook."}, {"response": 817, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (16:57)", "body": "Have just gone back to recheck something...Was Moon's DH there? Surely, he didn't accompany her to a film with il Cornuto? ;-D"}, {"response": 818, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (17:12)", "body": "Oh, those She pics are to die for! I like his hair shorter like that; makes hm look young(er);-) Tracy, I thought the same thing about the embracing pic of CF and RZ--definitely a congrats! Here's a new review form Ain't It Cool News : Hey, Harry. Capone here with my take on the above-average BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY... I\ufffdve never read Helen Fielding\ufffds extremely popular novel about the single, weight-obsessed, neurotic 32/33-year-old Ms. Jones, but I think it\ufffds safe to say that every woman I know has. About the only thing I knew about Bridget was that many Brits were very upset when the filmmakers of BRIDGET JONES\ufffdS DIARY decided to cast an American in the title role. There may have been more appropriate actresses to play this role, but Renee Zellweger is absolutely charming as Bridget and her accent is pretty steady as well. Zellweger doesn\ufffdt play Bridget as cute; she\ufffds actually a hard drinker, trash talker and all-around social misfit. Men don\ufffdt find her particularly desirable, and even though this shouldn\ufffdt bother her, it does\ufffdimmensely. The current object of her fantasies is her boss (always a good choice), played with reckless abandon by Hugh Grant, who does a great job of casting aside his costume-drama, good-guy image by being even more crass and vulgar than Bridget. He\ufffds also screamingly funny and walks away with every scene he\ufffds in. Colin Firth is lawyer Mark Darcy, who has known and mostly despised Bridget since they were children, but not surprisingly grows fond of her during the year of her life that is the timeframe of this movie. The flaws in BRIDGET JONES\ufffdS DIARY are many, but not enough for me to level it. Some of the staples in romantic comedies are firmly in place: the publically embarrassing declarations of love, the main character running through rain/snow to catch up with a fleeing lover; the wacky and sometimes unbelievable cast of supporting characters, including Bridget\ufffds utterly weird mother and her boyfriend ( I could have done without the sideplot involving these two) and Bridget\ufffds gay best friend. I\ufffdve said it before (mostly recently in my review for SWEET NOVEMBER) and I\ufffdll say it again: you can\ufffdt have a movie about a single woman without her having a gay best friend and/or neighbor. And while the situations in BRIDGET JONES\ufffdS DIARY threaten to sink the film, it\ufffds the stellar performances that keep things above water. This is about the least glamorous role Zellweger has ever played, and I don\ufffdt think she\ufffds ever been better, not even in NURSE BETTY (it\ufffds a close call). Grant is just plain awesome. And Colin Firth begins as a two-dimensional uptight character, but his is the role that grows on you until ultimately we root for his success in wooing Bridget. The film is smart, funny, and biting in its honest and sometimes painful look at a woman who wants to be loved so badly that she sometimes walks head-first into heartbreak; and I liked it."}, {"response": 819, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (17:54)", "body": "E! News Weekend tomorrow (Friday) will have a piece on Huge. Nothing on the premiere today (maybe they had it on yesterday)."}, {"response": 820, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (18:05)", "body": "According to the UK BJD site, there will be a live chat with Helen Fielding at 6:30 p.m. GMT (1:30 p.m. EST, 10:30 a.m. PST) on Friday, April 6. It also says: Got a question for Helen? Send it to AskHelenFielding@hotmail.com One question writer will be selected at random to receive a copy of the film's soundtrack. (but US residents will probabbly be deemed ineligible after the fact) http://www.msn.co.uk/Page/34-612-696.asp"}, {"response": 821, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (20:06)", "body": "You have to read those Terms And Conditions, Karen.;-) ;-) Access Hollywood tonight briefly showed Colin arriving at the London premiere--huge smile and a big wave to the crowd. Looked fabulous. I love that style of suit, not stodgy at all."}, {"response": 822, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (21:00)", "body": "(Karen) Was Moon's DH there? Surely, he didn't accompany her to a film with il Cornuto? ;-D YES! He was there, in the flesh. Even laughed quite heartily in a few scenes. Esp. the book-launching party. He was v. charming-- offered to stand in line for us if we girls wanted to sneak out and get coffee to warm up! ...he didn't know il Cornuto was in the film prior to the screening. When Moon gets back, she can tell you whether or not he realized it."}, {"response": 823, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (21:39)", "body": "I didn't get to meet up with Jen-Jen, but... oooooooooh Yummy! I saw 'our' Mark! okay, the top of his head and a nice blue suit, but it had STAR written all over it. Very funny movie!!! (Winter) It seemed that the other audience members couldn't care less, this was merely a free screening and it could've very well have been \"Josie and the Pussycats.\" *Shakes her head in disbelief* I felt that too! It seems that very few of them read the book or had just laughed at only what they saw in commercials... GAH! I just wanted to stand up and shout at them! Going to back up to read the rest of this topic, then the spoiler topic, then to dream about ODB!"}, {"response": 824, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (22:10)", "body": "Crispin Bonham-Carter is in the movie! I spotted him. But because he has no lines, he doesn't show up in the credits. In the scene where Bridget quits and subsequently tells off Daniel, a co-worker named Simon approaches to get Daniel's attention. Crispy is standing next to him; he has v. short hair and is not wearing breeches. Then there's a reaction shot and you see him again. My audience tonight laughed a lot (although not as much as the \"connected\" audience at the premiere). There was an very audible groan and group \"ooooohhhhhh\" when Colin/Mark starts to take his jacket off to help her save her dinner party. I think every woman in that audience wanted to take him home with her at that point. And \"The Looks\" at the Ruby Anniversary party!! Am melting. ;-D James Callis' Tom was an audience fav, and eveybody really picked up on Shazz's one-word-centric dialogue; they anticipated it and ate it up. Projector stopped at the beginning of the end credits so didn't get a chance to watch them as carefully as should. So that will mean I have to go back again. Hoorah!"}, {"response": 825, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (22:15)", "body": "Okay... now that i've settled down. we didn't see (or rather, they didn't show the scene that was 'supposed' to be at the very beginning with BJ and the panhandlers). what i chanted on the way home (all 63 miles) from the theatre... DC is an @$$, BJ shows her @$$ and MD kicks some @$$! excuse my language! you may delete me or quote me (if no one else has said it), but i was delighted! and the almost kiss... and the kiss! *siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh* That wasn't a spoiler, was it?"}, {"response": 826, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (22:56)", "body": "(Danielle) MD kicks some @$$!...That wasn't a spoiler, was it? Hmmm, am thinking. ;-D Will take my comments to 126 though. But on the fight scene, ladies, do pause to admire Cornel's work. When MD is done beating the s$%t out of DC, he stands there, shirt partially out, partially clinging to scupted physique. Mustn't miss that. Far better than transparent wet shirt on scrawny rat."}, {"response": 827, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (23:02)", "body": "DC is an @$$, BJ shows her @$$ and MD kicks some @$$! excuse my language! That is really foul, Danielle; you've just called these people . . .money?;-) (Shades of Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau in Swingers;-) RE: missing panhandlers and other scenes critics may have mentioned--I was reading the interview with Sharon Maguire and she says she was editing until Friday to get the film ready for the premieres this week! These critics aren't writing based on what they saw at the premieres; they saw it at press screenings weeks ago, and obviously changes were made until the last minute (not unusual, BTW). Was listening to the BJD CD and by far the best track, IMO, is the old classic, \"Stop, Look, Listen To Your Heart\" from Marvin Gaye and Diana Ross. Could someone tell me if it made it to the final cut?"}, {"response": 828, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  5, 2001 (23:23)", "body": "Re: Marvin Gaye and Diana Ross song Nope. I didn't hear it. The soundtrack CD is a fraud IMO. Diana Ross' \"Ain't No Mountain High Enough\" is one of the more significant songs, along with Van Morrison (who is not on the CD), and Gabrielle's (which plays over a great sequence...you'll see). Thank goodness we got Chaka Khan. Hopefully, the DVD will have lots of deleted scenes. *fingers crossed* Here's something from the Guardian. Am not sure if it qualifies as a review. ;-D Nice but dim Bad news about the Bridget Jones film - it's so last century by Shane Watson Friday April 6, 2001 Seen It! Seen It! Right, first impressions of the film of Bridget Jones's Diary - besides, isn't life just like a fairytale, what with Helen Fielding becoming a multi-millionairess and going off to live in LA, and best friend Shazzer becoming a movie director of the story of their lives, and ex-boyfriend Richard Curtis laying the golden egg once again? Well, despite being blurry good fun etc and showing London in blurry marvellous twinkly light with snowfall on cobbles and suchlike, the overriding impression is that the Bridge we knew and loved has been mislaid. For a start she is as fat as a puppy. Yes, I realise that in real life the actress Ren\ufffde Zellweger, even after gorging on Patisserie Valerie cakes and piling on a couple of stone, only cranked herself up to a measly size 10. But nonetheless, she looks bigger than everyone else on screen, with the exception of Colin Firth, and let us not forget that Bridget was neurotic about her body image rather than actually remotely podgy - weighing roughly nine stone, give or take bingeing. Secondly, presumably because to the untrained American ear there's Hugh Grant, and then there's Australian, Bridget has become terribly posh in her articulation. This needn't necessarily scupper her credibility (after all, no less than Dido the singer, as in the Dido sampled by Eminem, as in the chainsaw-wielding white American rapper, was herself a posh publishing assistant once upon a time). But there's something about the combination of pony-club vowels and pink hamster cheeks, that gives Bridge an air of Nice but Dim that she never had in the Diary. The original Bridget was appealing not simply because she was single and hopeless and liked her chardonnay by the crate, but because she was sharp, funny, occasionally angry and adept at illuminating the highs, lows, hypocrisies and contradictions of being an unmarried woman in the late 20th century. Fielding outed the female-in-limbo, and the reason Bridget took off is because, at the time of writing, this particular social group was swelling so fast that it was metamorphosing from sad social embarrassment (in manner of winos and sexual deviants) to small majority in search of a voice. Bridget was seized on not because she was a lovable loser with a nice line in slapstick but because her uncertain world spoke to a lot of women. In the interests of clarity, this significant part of Bridget has been largely discarded by the film-makers, the better to focus on the \"sweet dopey girl who ultimately gets the guy\" part of the story. Well, it's still great fun, and Ren\ufffde is rather adorable, but you would have to be quite sad to identify with her character. Or is it that we've moved on in four years so that what seemed somehow liberating - naughty Bridget's sickie hangovers - now seems so last century. If Bridget was the heroine of the mid-90s struggling thirtysomething you can't help but feel she couldn't get away with it now. We know this because of the recent success of Channel 4's Sex and the City, a New York ensemble version of the same story: single girls seek happiness and fulfilment in mixed-up world. What's interesting is how the focus changed during the course of the series, from Carrie vehicle (the kooky one) to Samantha showcase (the empowered, scary one). Ever so gradually, our allegiance shifted to the point where it would not be overstating it to say that Samantha - thoroughly promiscuous, old enough to be your grandmother Samantha - had become the role model of the piece. This is the crux of the problem with revisiting Bridget in 2001. She played her part in rebranding the modern singleton, but now we've grown out of her - or at any rate out of the infantilised film version, decked out in flannel pyjamas covered in pink piggies - and we want someone with a bit more edge. When Samantha exposes the silly girliness of her circle, forcing them to fess up to their baby talk approach to sex and their pre-war assumption that some day a man will come along to rescue them from all this, you can't help but blush when you remember how you empathised with Bridget swotting up on subjects to impress Daniel. BJ talks mini-breaks (\"head is filled with visions of us lying in glades by rivers, me in a long white floaty dress\"); Samantha talks blow jobs and the taste rating of sperm. Sorry, but it's true. You wouldn't catch Bridget's creator in Caf\ufffd Rouge these "}, {"response": 829, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr  6, 2001 (00:10)", "body": "In looking at the latest review at the This is London site, it appears that BJD will actually be playing all over London (and maybe elsewhere) starting Friday 6 April???? There are tons of cinemas with times listed: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk:80/dynamic/hottx/film/top_film.html?in_review_id=377615&in_review_text_id=324094"}, {"response": 830, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr  6, 2001 (00:12)", "body": "Yep, the Ananova Event Selector found BJD playing at 264 venues in the UK."}, {"response": 831, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Fri, Apr  6, 2001 (03:39)", "body": "Have checked out my local papers as well, it seems that although they quote from Thurs 6th when you read the showing times it seems that they're actually showing from 11th! Hurrah! That means that I DO get to see it early *leaping for joy* - have managed to 'blag' advanced screening tickets for the UCI Empire (where the Premiere was) courtesy of Radio 1 *leaping for joy*"}, {"response": 832, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Apr  6, 2001 (04:34)", "body": "It seems there are advanced sreenings next Wednesday and Thursday in most of our local cinemas. Yipeee! Agree with Bethan that the She interview was the best I have read. She really seems to get to grips with what it is in Colin's character that fuels his interpretation of the the Darcys, FitzW and Mark. Loved it."}, {"response": 833, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Apr  6, 2001 (05:07)", "body": "From Thisislondon site: No mention of CF. Note: her new friend, HG! http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/dynamic/lifestyle/londonlife/top_review.html?in_review_id=378675&in_review_text_id=324294"}, {"response": 834, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr  6, 2001 (07:33)", "body": "Let's put that into context. HG is currently unattached. ;-) So all those listings were sneak previews? Very good. Appeared to me as regular listings as our sneak previews are one showing on one night (Saturday night)."}, {"response": 835, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr  6, 2001 (08:05)", "body": "From one of those online reviewers; gave it 9/10. Talks a lot about the chemistry between Bridget and her guys. http://www.the-trades.com/column.php?columnid=649"}, {"response": 836, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr  6, 2001 (08:35)", "body": "Big advert for BJD in newspaper this AM. Sneak preview on Saturday night."}, {"response": 837, "author": "JenniferR", "date": "Fri, Apr  6, 2001 (08:46)", "body": "Just had to pop in and post before going over to the spoiler topic...I agree with Danielle, the audience in DC just did not appear to get the movie. Heathens, all! (excluding Danielle, of course!) I actually found myself stifling a few guffaws as the audience just sat there, slack-jawed. I even heard someone say she didn't think it was funny at all!?!? Aaaargh. At least my friends (who have never understood my Firth-mania) had the good grace to admit that he was absolutely divine in the film. And as for my opinion on Colin: To quote Bridget, \"Mmmmmmm.\" Good job. MarkG, your Darcy-like stride down the street was the highlight of the scene--when are you sending out autographed photos?"}, {"response": 838, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr  6, 2001 (09:03)", "body": "Have put up the She article: http://www.spring.net/karenr/articles/she0501.html Thanks to Tracy for pics and AnnW. Let me know if I have it all, as am not certain."}, {"response": 839, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr  6, 2001 (09:30)", "body": "This was just sent to me by the Survival people: Special charity screening in aid of Survival International introduced by Colin Firth Thursday, April 26th, 2001 at 8.45 pm. Doors open at 8.15 pm Odeon West End cinema, Leicester Square, London Tickets \ufffd15 in advance, \ufffd16 on the door Colin Firth, a long-term Survival supporter, will personally introduce a special benefit screening of his new film, Bridget Jones's Diary, in aid of Survival. As well as Colin himself, the film stars Ren\ufffde Zellweger and Hugh Grant. This unique event has been arranged courtesy of Universal Pictures Working Title, United International Pictures and Odeon Cinemas. All profits from the screening will go to Survival's urgent work with threatened tribal peoples. Tickets, which are non-refundable, can be ordered by phone on 020 7242 1441, or online using a secure server at www.survival-international.org/film.htm. Tickets may be available on the door, subject to availability, but we advise that you book in advance as places are limited."}, {"response": 840, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Apr  6, 2001 (09:55)", "body": "Last column of She article: He talks at length about the need to maintain a sense of humour in his profession (and he is genuinely witty,) but I suspect he veers naturally towards the earnest. He talks passionately about asylum seekers (he\ufffds clearly spent time, not just money, trying to help them). At another point he tells me, \ufffdI could never read someone else\ufffds diary\ufffd. He admits there are times when he would have kept \ufffd100 he found in the street, \ufffdbut not now\ufffd. And when I ask if fidelity is an area where he finds it hard to maintain his integrity, he looks at me as if I\ufffdm mad and says an emphatic, \ufffdnever\ufffd. Colin Firth is an old-fashioned guy. And that\ufffds why he\ufffds more convincing as a strong, silent leading man than as the snivelling toad (the Earl of Wessex, GP\ufffds betrothed in SIL or the limp cuckold Geoffrey in TEP, much as it pains him \ufffd a serious thesp \ufffd to hear it. If big parts beckon, he won\ufffdt be disappearing to LA, although his son Will, 10, lives there with his mother, and Firth already spends a lot of time there. \ufffdI just can\ufffdt live there. I don\ufffdt hate LA, but if you\ufffdre an actor, it\ufffds better not to be sucked into it\ufffd. Understandably, he won\ufffdt say much about Will. But when we get onto the subject of weeping buckets, he says he does cry and did so \ufffdnot that long ago\ufffd. It\ufffds pretty clear from the context that he was worrying about some aspect of his relationship with Will, although in typical Firth style, the only thing he\ufffdll admit keeps him awake at night is \ufffdsilly stuff, like parking on single yellow lines\ufffd. He works so hard at being ordinary that you forget the heartthrob stuff completely. Then it poleaxes you when you least expect it and you\ufffdre reminded that you\ufffdve just spent the afternoon on a sofa with the fantasy figure of a large chunk of British womanhood. My moment comes when I go to say goodbye. Dressed in something black and expensive, he turns quickly towards me and for a nanosecond focuses his unsmiling attention fully upon me. It\ufffds electrifying. I start spluttering like, well, like BJ \ufffdBye, good to meet you, see you soon\ufffd, I yelp. A flash of panic crosses his eyes but he\ufffds far too nice to do anything but smile. Of course, the only way I\ufffdm going to see him soon is if I start lurking around outside his home at odd hours. Relax Colin. You\ufffdre safe. I\ufffdd simply been Darcied. Again. See the film \ufffd you will be, too."}, {"response": 841, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr  6, 2001 (11:06)", "body": "New review from Total Film magazine (4 stars): What's The Story? Paranoid about her career, weight, drinking, single status, parents' split, sex appeal, smoking habit and impending descent into loveless spinsterhood, 32-year-old PR secretary Bridget Jones makes a New Year's resolution. Next year there's no way she'll spend 31 December getting pissed up alone and singing along to miserable soft rock ballads. Next year she'll be thin, successful and will have grabbed a man who'll respect and love her. But getting off to an unpromising start, she begins to flirt via e-mail with her caddish boss, Daniel Cleaver... If the prospect of spending two hours with an insecure, completely average, office-bound single woman in London makes you scream in panic, then don't worry - you're not alone. The praise heaped on the book Bridget Jones's Diary by the women's press, the casting of Hugh Grant and the writing credit for Richard Four Weddings And A Funeral Curtis should make most blokes scarper: bundle them together and they ought to guarantee a male-free audience. Yet amazingly Bridget Jones the movie succeeds as a very funny rom-com. Not just funny to fans of the novel or Hugh Grant groupies or girls wanting an empathetic weep at the woes of the titular heroine... Just funny full stop. For everyone. If you had to speculate about how it's avoided being the intelligence-insulting mulch that Notting Hill was, the best guess is that this is not a solo Richard Curtis project. Sure, the Christmases portrayed are always white, Bridget's urban 'family' of bar-bound friends smack of those limp stereo-types from Four Weddings and the movie cherry-picks the most photogenic London locations without any concern for geographical accuracy - but Helen Fielding's original thirtysomething left-on-the-shelf angst shines through. No matter how much it's been polished for an American market (Jones vows to lose \"20 pounds\" rather than \"a stone-and-a-half\") or how often tweeness threatens to intervene, it remains refreshingly bitter and cynical in a way that Four Weddings and its tedious progeny never were. All worries that Yankster Renee Zellweger was the wrong girl for the job are dispelled in moments. With a spot-on plummy Brit accent, a tremendous capacity for pratfalls and those distinctly un-Hollywood extra pounds, Zellweger looks so ordinary that when she moans that she hasn't had \"the faintest whiff of a shag in 18 months\" you can believe her. Which makes Bridget Jones's Diary a date movie with a little bit of bite: an al dente romance with enough old-fashioned storytelling and big wobbly laughs to please anyone with a yearning to be entertained. And while not quite witty, observant or original enough to be the female equivalent of High Fidelity (which was a sort of male chick flick), it's definitely covering similar territory. It also, rather neatly, plays up Fielding's reinterpretation of Jane Austen's Pride And Prejudice to the extent that Bridget quotes Austen's \"universal truth\" line while TV's Mr Darcy (Colin Firth) is cast as - a-ha-ha! - arrogant lawyer Mark Darcy. It's clearly no coincidence that co-writer Andrew Davies adapted Pride And Prejudice for the telly in the first place. Will it educate the masses that romantic doesn't equate with mindless? That Englishness doesn't necessarily mean stately homes and punting down the Thames? That film stars don't have to be so thin that their collar bones jut painfully from lollipop necks barely capable of supporting their own heads? Here's hoping the answer to all of these questions is yes... FINAL VERDICT Simple, joyful entertainment for all springing from a book about a woman who thinks her bum looks big in this. By making it a story first, a comedy second and a romance last, Bridget Jones's Diary manages to win as all three. It deserves to pack the punters in - including men. Cam Winstanley"}, {"response": 842, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Apr  6, 2001 (12:14)", "body": "If you No matter how much it's been polished for an American market (Jones vows to lose \"20 pounds\" rather than \"a stone-and-a-half\") or how often tweeness threatens to intervene, it remains refreshingly bitter and cynical in a way that Four Weddings and its tedious progeny never were. I think this comment brings to me a small concern. How do you really think this will go down in the States? Even my favourite 4W's had a smattering of schmulz and Notting Hill had it by the barrell load but this apparently has \"bite\", cynicism and filthy humour. How do you think that will play in middle America?"}, {"response": 843, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr  6, 2001 (12:17)", "body": "From Harvey S. Karten (the Compuserve guy and printed in the Arizona Reporter on 4/5/01): You can toss away your self-help books on the subject \"How to Win a Mate,\" and for that matter you needn't keep the classic of the genre, \"How to Win Friends and Influence People.\" Thanks to Sharon Maguire's witty, warm, charming and goofy film, \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" we know the secret of winning the affection of others, and it's not those three little words. The eight words you need to practice are, \"I like you just the way you are,\" the key quote in this wonderful, heartwarming movie. But oh, it's not that easy; the most difficult task of all is not simply mouthing the terms but genuinely believing them down to your core. How many of us are that healthy psychologically that we maintain such a love of our fellows? Not many at all: therein lies the whole problem with the title character played by a remarkable performer. Renee Zellweger, introduced to a large audience with her role as an awestruck maiden in \"Jerry Maguire\" and delightful as the soap-addicted waitress in \"Nurse Betty,\" has fleshed out a significant accomplishment this time around in a British production which finds her able not only to charm everyone in the audience (this was never her problem) but in holding on to an English accent throughout the story. Here is proof once again that the Americans (remember \"Sweet November\" and \"Say It Isn't So\")--compared to our English cousins--seem to have little competence to make romantic comedy. Since most of us are hip enough to realize that other people do not automatically like us just the way we are, we work out in gyms, we take courses to improve our diction and knowledge, we spend half our paychecks lying on the couch spilling our guts to professionals who are probably making out their grocery lists while we chatter. The Bridget Jones created by Helen Fielding's best-selling novel is the sort who, at age thirty-two, overweight, drinking and smoking heavily, believes that she has no chance of outrunning her biological clock much less even meeting her soul mate unless she does something about her flaws. Remarkably, while self-improvement is cool--cutting down on alcohol, tobacco and food is perfectly appropriate--her presumed race toward permanent spinsterhood has little to do with her bad habits but everything to do with the lack of available men. This is the very reason that women are more likely to go for \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" than men, given that while Bridget herself is a klutz, the men n her life are worse. Just before Ms. Jones begins to commit her daily experiences to a diary hoping her book will somehow communicate what she needs to do, her mum (Gemma Jones) goes through the usual maternal rites of trying to fix her daughter up with eligible men. This time around, Bridget, who is herself a publicist for a major London publishing firm run by Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant), is introduced to a man she grows to dislike for spurning her, human rights lawyer Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). While she resolves to look for a down-to-earth guy, she instead winds up with her clever, flirtatious boss, Daniel, who is accustomed to writing coquettish e-mail to her, commenting on the brevity of her skirts. \"Is your skirt out sick today?\" is a sample of the publisher's repartee, an exchange which eventually results in their commencing an affair. Almost simultaneously with the dampening of the undertaking, her mother announces that she has left her father (Jim Broadbent) and has taken up with an unctuous fellow who hawks schlock on home shopping channel. Fortunately for a typical American audience, English romantic comedy does not rely on the often prosaic talkiness so common to French films. Director Sharon Maguire has a keen sense of pacing and of comic timing, in one case flashing a series of still pictures across the screen to sum up Bridget's love life for the year. She never lingers too long on a party, a bedroom scene, or a vista of her title character's depressed musings along in her flat watching everything from the shopping channel to \"Fatal Attraction.\" Though Maguire takes us sharply from one scene to another, the entire movie is seamless, with Zellweger appearing in almost every scene in a variety of clothing from a bathing suit in the dead of a blistery winter's night (filmed with machine-made snow, incidentally, in the middle of a London summer) to some stunning formal wear when she makes a bumbling speech at a formal reception. Side roles of Bridget's well-meaning but not-at-all helpful friends fit in neatly as does a cameo with Salman Rushd e at a publishing party which features Bridget meaning to ask Mr. Rushdie something of significance but ending asking him for directions to the loo. If men are not as attracted to this film as women, they're making a mistake in logic. Men would do well to think of their own vulnerabilities. Despite our macho walk and gallant talk, don't we all feel a little like jello in"}, {"response": 844, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Apr  6, 2001 (12:41)", "body": "Special charity screening in aid of Survival International introduced by Colin Firth Good for Colin! He will start to become a National Treasure if he goes on like this;-)"}, {"response": 845, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Apr  6, 2001 (15:21)", "body": "Agree with Bethan that the She interview was the best I have read. She really seems to get to grips with what it is in Colin's character that fuels his interpretation of the the Darcys, FitzW and Mark. Loved it. (Allison) And the pics! I grabbed my copy of She and rushed to the till, with an enthusiasm I've not shown since the heady days of P&P! Has he discovered the secret of eternal youth? He doesn't look a day over twenty five. Loved the interview as well, and now there's the charity screening for Survival. A man without fault, seriously. :-)"}, {"response": 846, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr  6, 2001 (15:23)", "body": "(Allison)... but this apparently has \"bite\", cynicism and filthy humour. How do you think that will play in middle America? I will let you know when my middle-America (read: Bible Belt)newspaper review comes out. This is a newspaper that would not take an advert for \"The Vagina Monologues\" ...because they would not print the \"V\" word!"}, {"response": 847, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Apr  6, 2001 (16:37)", "body": "take an advert for \"The Vagina Monologues\" ...because they would not print the \"V\" word! What do they do for physiology textbooks down your way?"}, {"response": 848, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Fri, Apr  6, 2001 (16:48)", "body": "Karen - thanks for the Survival Screening info....*flexing credit card* - will soon know route to Leicester Sq with eyes shut ;-) Wonder if anyone else will be there?"}, {"response": 849, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, Apr  6, 2001 (17:10)", "body": "Is She a UK magazine? Wonder if I can get it here in the US....Sounds like a must have."}, {"response": 850, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr  6, 2001 (17:23)", "body": "Yes, She is a UK magazine. Beware, there is another by the same name in the US and you don't want it ;-D I've checked with a Borders and they do get it, but it should take awhile to get over here. Tracy, I know of one lady who has already ordered tickets. Her name is Pam."}, {"response": 851, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr  6, 2001 (17:45)", "body": "I had my ace photographer hard at work at the premiere, so a treat for you all. Looks like Colin has a new watch! ;-D"}, {"response": 852, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr  6, 2001 (17:46)", "body": "Ooops"}, {"response": 853, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Fri, Apr  6, 2001 (17:46)", "body": "Karen - I know of a couple of others so Drool should be well represented"}, {"response": 854, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Fri, Apr  6, 2001 (18:47)", "body": "Okay, so what is ODB doing that makes his legs go like that? ROTF!"}, {"response": 855, "author": "bethanne", "date": "Fri, Apr  6, 2001 (23:39)", "body": "Howdy ya'll Boy have I picked a good time to return to Drool after a 4 month absense, ( due to a having a crappy computer ) Anyhoo, I want to call my Mom in the UK and have her send me the SHE Magazine, with this delicious Colin article. Can someone give me some details please ? Is it still on newsstands ? What month/issue is it ? Who is on the front cover ? What is the model on the front cover wearing and is there a headline on the cover that jumps out at you ? Sorry to be so anal about this, but my Mom ( God love her ) can screw up even the smallest task and, I want to make this as easy on her as possible. Thanks everybody"}, {"response": 856, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (00:15)", "body": "I got back about an hour ago from the sneak preview... WOW is all I have to say... I loved it. Yes, it was predictable, but I think that is b/c I'm such a P&P2 freak that I know all the dialogue, all the looks, all the mannerisms, etc. The screening was very lightly attended...its raining here on LI (NY) tonight, but I doubt that had anything to do with it. But as people were leaving, I heard many of them commenting, \"they cut too much,\" \"the book is SO much better,\" I'm definitely going to try to see it again next week when it comes out for real. I'm so glad that I didn't have to wait till next week!!!"}, {"response": 857, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (01:59)", "body": "Hi Bethanne, re the SHE magazine, it is the May 2001 issue, I don't know who the person on the front is but the headlines on the front page are many and here are some of them \"Men onf \"sex\"...\"Summer's Hottest Celebs Penelope Cruz and Colin Firth\" (yippee) and \"125 Great Fashion Finds under \ufffd50.\"among others. I hope your Mum finds it."}, {"response": 858, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (03:55)", "body": "Bethanne, the May issue is everywhere at the moment....you can't miss it. And I'd say it is a \"must-buy\"! You better tell your mum why you want it though, the CF interview follows on from an article on \"well-endowed men reveal why size *does* matter\"! :-) Thanks for all the reports on BJD! My bottom-line feeling about BJD is that it is finally a massively promoted movie which gives CF international exposure as a good-looking romantic alpha male and will (*fingers crossed*) make him a bankable name for future decent projects. But it definitely sounds like a Hugh Grant/RC driven project though, more Notting Hill than HF!!"}, {"response": 859, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (06:13)", "body": "Thanks for putting up the SHE article, Karen! I'll have a look in shops here to see if they have it. I love those pics. Re: Watch. It looks like a Swatch Irony."}, {"response": 860, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (06:21)", "body": ";-D"}, {"response": 861, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (06:32)", "body": "http://www.rottentomatoes.com/movie-10000157/ 83% Fresh on Tomatometer so far. v.g."}, {"response": 862, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (07:22)", "body": "I managed to get a copy if SHE magazine and Film Review. You were right, it's worth buying."}, {"response": 863, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (08:12)", "body": "Have managed to come down off cloud nine at last, can't add too much more about NYC Prem. than Karen and Evelyn so thorougly reported. We did see Jamie O'Neal in a sort of \"Days of Our Lives \" get up (Karen's remark unprintable!) She is on the soundtrack , which I was lucky enough to purchase before I left. I think I prefer US cover, but it's marginal!! Thanks to everyone who has been busy scanning away, linking and typing articles so it will take a very pleasurable few hours to go through, it's much appreciated.Off to get some magazines first!"}, {"response": 864, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (08:59)", "body": "And the award for most bitchily deranged reporter in a BJD article goes to ------- Shane Watson in yesterday's Guardian. \"Bad news about the BJ film- it's so last century.\" For a start she (RZ) is as fat as a puppy. Yes I realise that in real life Renee Zellweger, even after gorging on Patisserie Valerie cakes and piling on a couple of stone, only cranked herself up to a measly size 10. But nonetheless she looks bigger than everyone else on screen, with the exception of Colin Firth .......\" Honestly there is no pleasing some people! It would be unprofessional of me to comment on her appearance (courteousy of top of page) but I am sure we could have a whip round in order to purchase some products to remind her that NOT using John Freida or Vidal Sassoon on your hair is just sooooo last century Shane! Lizza * retracting claws* and smiling!"}, {"response": 865, "author": "vlyne", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (10:12)", "body": "(Meredith: Is She a UK magazine? Wonder if I can get it here in the US....Sounds like a must have.) She magazine and Film Review are available online if (like me ;-) you just can't wait for it to arrive in US newsstands. I've used both Britishmagazines.com and magsuk.com I think ordering online is about a dollar more expensive than buying from a newsstand. In the past, britishmagazines.com has been very fast. It usually took five days for my order to arrive in Chicago, but my last order took two weeks..."}, {"response": 866, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (10:22)", "body": "You're in Chicago? Borders gets those magazines and there's the European Book Store (on State near Chicago Ave), City Newsstand (biggest supplier; on Cicero north of Irving Pk), plus the new chain of Superstands. Film Review can be ordered online directly ($8.95 includes shipping), but it said it could take up to 28 days to receive and by that time I should be able to pick it up here. http://www.visimag.com/acatalog/VI_DIRECT_Catalog_Film_Review_2001_19.html"}, {"response": 867, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (10:49)", "body": "My Miramax rep tells me the screening of BJD in Middle America Okla was terrific. They had to turn people away. Audience roared from the beginning credits.( My fave too. ..RZ lip-syncing \"All By Myself\" is a hoot) I'd go to see this movie even if Colin wasn't in it. But it definitely sounds like a Hugh Grant/RC driven project though, more Notting Hill than HF Who cares how one arrives at success ... We want Box Office$$$$$. Thanks Tineke... the super sleuther at it again...:-)"}, {"response": 868, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (11:06)", "body": "Have just seen the VH1 Behind the Music. They had Sharon Maguire, RZ, HG and Colin sitting on a couch talking about the movie, music and making of. Colin said about 2 words. RZ kissed both of them on the cheek at the beginning and Colin gave a cute little surprised reaction. Otherwise, he didn't do much else, except look bored, played with his hair, leant his head on his hand, etc. Everyone talked about the music they liked (even Hugh who said he wasn't into music), but not a word from Colin. It was mainly RZ who went on and on about Sheryl Crow and David Gray. Hugh was definitely the focal point. Sat between SM and RZ and they kept bringing him into things. Colin tossed in a quip about HG wearing scary pants at that moment, but that's about it. No wonder he said he can't distinguish himself on chatshows. He doesn't even try. Lots of clips from the film beyond the usual trailer stuff with a good portion of Colin. You see the glance backward after the snub at the turkey curry buffet and more. Must rewind. According to VH1's schedule, the next broadcast will be Sunday at 2:30 pm Eastern"}, {"response": 869, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (13:34)", "body": "Just finished watching E! Behind the Xcenes look at BJD. At least CF was featured as much as Huge and came off quite lovely. Even managed to smile and chuckle for a second. Definitely an improvement on the VH1 special. Nothing exciting though, there were some scenes in the clips that AGAIN weren't in the movie. Or at least i don't rmeember them... Am intending to go see it again next weekend to make sure, of course."}, {"response": 870, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (13:36)", "body": "GAH! Xcenes should Scenes! but you all know that, right? Did not mean to make it seems as X-rated. GAH!"}, {"response": 871, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (13:43)", "body": "Omigod, have been so busy forgot the E! thing was on today as well. Will catch next showing very late tonight (1:00 a.m.) or Monday."}, {"response": 872, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (14:17)", "body": "Oh, the E! Behind The Scenes show is a real keeper! Lots of Colin, on the set, off the set, in the film clips, and in the studio. MUCH better than the VH-1 show. VH-1 was utterly dominated by Huge's incessant talking about me me me me--I kept yelling--Shut the -uck up and let somebody else take a turn already!! I think Colin's look was not bored, but more resigned, like, I know I can't get a word in edgewise with this guy here, so what's the use. But he looked great anyway; all of it was fillmed in the studio, with generous clips from the soundtrack. On a more positive note, the E! show is great. They all get an equal turn because they're interviewed separately. Interviews with CF, RZ, HG of course, Sharon Maguire, and Helen Fielding, who explains that she wrote Mark Darcy expressly with Colin in mind. Lots of footage from the film--but it's from a \"behind the scenes and how they filmed it\" perspective, which makes it new. Some great shots of Colin off camera. There's a very telling bit at the end in which they ask each guy if he keeps a diary. Colin says, oh no, because it's great to be able to re-invent yourself throughout life so why leave behind evidence. He says this with the cutest smile and a twinkle in his eye. Huge--predictably--has yet another tiresome anecdote about how he once read an old girlfriend's diary which stated she didn't have any idea why she was dating him, she didn't even like him, etc. etc. Utter and complete fabrication and bullshit, of course, but it makes for a very quotable segment. Same with questions on Renee's accent--Colin answering straightforwardly, but Hugh telling the old \"sounded like Princess Margaret at first\" story which *is* funny but he's told it so often over here, I'm getting weary of it. Doesn't he know that some of us watch a lot of these shows and he could at least start to vary the witticisms?;-) ;-) And that's the difference between Colin and Hugh. Colin is a very--dare I say it--earnest guy who will attempt to answer the question at hand. Hugh will always provide the jokey one-liner, the witty comeback, the amusing anecdote because he knows that that's what gets printed, quoted, filmed, whatever and, in fairness to him, he knows that's what these shows want. He even had the savvy during the VH-1 show to phrase some comments in a way in which they could then easily segueway to the music or film clip--he even kept saying, \"clip please.\" Well, anyway, a very enjoyable afternoon of Colin viewing and I'm looking forward so much to seeing the film tonight!"}, {"response": 873, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (14:35)", "body": "Thanks, Mari, for the rundown on the Behind the Scenes show. Cannot wait. However, with the VH1 show, don't you think they did ask Colin about what music he liked, but it got cut? Everyone else was asked. Colin probably mentioned those obscure groups/people in the Mojo interview that made Moon heave. The VH1 people probably blanked out as they'd never heard of them as well and certainly didn't have any video clips to supplement. My guess is Colin was too dull and when he answered, they cut it out. Let's not all blame Huge. Both Sharon and Renee kept turning to him to elaborate on a point. Yes, there's a difference between Huge and Colin. But we know Colin can be witty when he wants to. He didn't seem to want to. *wanna spaz wrestle* Colin says, oh no, because it's great to be able to re-invent yourself throughout life so why leave behind evidence. He says this with the cutest smile and a twinkle in his eye. LOL! But there's lots of print evidence of his deliberate attempts to confuse everyone. Doesn't he know that some of us watch a lot of these shows and he could at least start to vary the witticisms?;-) ;-) Yes, can't say Arsenal all the time. ;-D"}, {"response": 874, "author": "vlyne", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (15:33)", "body": "(Karen: No wonder he said he can't distinguish himself on chatshows. He doesn't even try. ) Awwww, I felt kind of bad for him because I thought he made a few shy attempts at banter that no one really picked up on. Must be hard to be interviewed with Hugh upstaging you all the time. ;-) This week has been the first time I've been able to see any clips or interviews and I really can't wait to see this movie. Wish I could make it to one of the previews. Many thanks to everyone for the reviews and reports from premieres! Do you think re-reading the book before the movie would spoil it for me? From what I've seen it looks like the movie incorporates elements from the newspaper column and sequel. Is that right?"}, {"response": 875, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (16:29)", "body": "Re-reading thebook won't spoil it for you, Valerie. I re-read the book as soon as I had the preview pass in my dirty little fingers! Remember the script went through several hands and writers and some things in the book you just can't put in film. I still would like to know why some of the film takes from the press preview were cut out of our preview..."}, {"response": 876, "author": "Cinder", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (16:32)", "body": "Not sure if this is going to work...but, I must first compliment all the wonderful postings at this as well as the other Colin related sites...now for my reasoning...i had the Bridget Jones Diar with Colin in the turtle neck as wallpaper, Husband messed around with the computer last night, and to my horror it was gone this morning. The wall paper that is. Please oh please whoever had that up could you put it back up again? I am dying here..lol. Or perhaps I am not looking hard enough..HELP"}, {"response": 877, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (17:55)", "body": "Great review by The American Dreamer, review can be foudn by going to the IMDB."}, {"response": 878, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (18:54)", "body": "Agree with Mari. To me, Colin just looked resigned and a little bemused by the whole thing on the VH-1 program. Loved his posture. ;-) (Valerie) I felt kind of bad for him because I thought he made a few shy attempts... Me too though I don't think he's shy, just reserved. Anyway, he's smart not to attempt to compete with Hugh in jokes. Hugh's a delight but I'm getting a little tired of the same SAS story. Colin's got him beat in the smile department anyway and there were plenty of them. Did you see Renee stroke his cheek at one point? That said, I liked E!'s program better."}, {"response": 879, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (20:32)", "body": "Well, it doesn't sound like he was as bad as in the Survival Appeal Infomercial anyway.Small steps.... He was brilliant in the Berlinale FF, remember?"}, {"response": 880, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (22:36)", "body": "Heavens, the BJD topic has certainly spawned a lot of posts! Love the lovely articles, reviews, pics, and reports from the London premiere (thanks ever so much, Ann and Tracy). The SHE interview was to die for. I agree, Bethan, it may be the best one yet. I somehow missed the VH1 show, but caught the one on E!, which was really worth taping. I was glad to see interviews with SM and Helen. Did anyone notice that some of the interviews with RZ, CF, and HG were held in the same room as the BWTA interview--interview junket central. Could this mean there are more CF interviews to come? (Pretty please?) On a surlier note, I am about to throw the BJD CD in the dustbin. Why, you ask? I cannot figure out how to defeat the dreaded 'click me\" icon and just play the tracks on my CD rom drive. I can listen to all my other CDs on my PC without a problem. Has anyone else run into this problem with the CD? I can hardly believe that next week I am going to see Colin on the big screen as a leading man. It must be thrilling and, until then, I am living vicariously through all of you who have seen the film. :-)"}, {"response": 881, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (22:36)", "body": "RZ is on the cover of the Sunday Times Culture magazine. Two articles. First is on Working Title (talks about the NY premiere; party was a Greenwich Village loft) and the second is about Jim Broadbent. http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2001/04/08/sticulfil02006.html ? BTW, I'm getting to like the soundtrack better, especially Shelby Lynne's Killin' Kind. The words are just so perfect."}, {"response": 882, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (22:37)", "body": "Heavens, the BJD topic has certainly spawned a lot of posts! Love the lovely articles, reviews, pics, and reports from the London premiere (thanks ever so much, Ann and Tracy). The SHE interview was to die for. I agree, Bethan, it may be the best one yet. I somehow missed the VH1 show, but caught the one on E!, which was really worth taping. I was glad to see interviews with SM and Helen. Did anyone notice that some of the interviews with RZ, CF, and HG were held in the same room as the BWTA interview--interview junket central. Could this mean there are more CF interviews to come? (Pretty please?) On a surlier note, I am about to throw the BJD CD in the dustbin. Why, you ask? I cannot figure out how to defeat the dreaded 'click me\" icon and just play the tracks on my CD rom drive. I can listen to all my other CDs on my PC without a problem. Has anyone else run into this problem with the CD? I can hardly believe that next week I am going to see Colin on the big screen as a leading man. It must be thrilling and, until then, I am living vicariously through all of you who have seen the film. :-)"}, {"response": 883, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (22:39)", "body": "Sorry about the twin posts."}, {"response": 884, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (22:51)", "body": "Lisa, shut it down, and then start it (manually) from the CD Player option in Accessories (mine is under Entertainment; yours may be elsewhere). Heavens, the BJD topic has certainly spawned a lot of posts! Spawned? A typo, surely. ;-0"}, {"response": 885, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (23:05)", "body": "(Karen) Lisa, shut it down, and then start it (manually) from the CD Player option in Accessories. Boy, do I feel silly. I have always run my CDs directly from the drive. This is almost as bad as when I was first trying to post pictures on Odds and Ends....Good grief!"}, {"response": 886, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (23:10)", "body": "Just got back! At the airport, waiting to board the plane in LA, I see Colin on the TV!!! I run off insearch of close-up-is-he-really-being-interviewed?-moment. DH wanders where the .... has she gone, we are boarding now! LOL! Missed everything he said. :-( Good thing we have this topic! (Karen), Colin probably mentioned those obscure groups/people in the Mojo interview that made Moon heave. The VH1 people probably blanked out as they'd never heard of them as well and certainly didn't have any video clips to supplement. My guess is Colin was too dull and when he answered, they cut it out. LOL! Very good guess. I am surprised at RZ choice of David Gray, we like him very much. (Karen), Yes, there's a difference between Huge and Colin. (Heide), I don't think he's shy, just reserved. Colin and Hugh were born a day apart. Which means their horoscopes are very alike. ;-)"}, {"response": 887, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Apr  7, 2001 (23:25)", "body": "Just got back from seeing BJD, and I absolutely loved it! Laughed from beginning to end (and teared up once or twice too). Colin is wonderful (and looks mighty gorgeous too!), and people will really come to root for Mark Darcy. Cleaver is a too-smooth slimebucket from the start and the audience catches on a bit quicker than poor Bridge that he's a no-goodnick. Renee was unbelievable. Absolutely perfect. Theater was packed, only a couple of empty seats in the front row. Very, very enthusiastic response, continuous loud laughter throughout the film. Overheard lots of good comments on the way out. I cannot wait to see it again next weekend! Will take any spoilers to 126."}, {"response": 888, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (00:10)", "body": "Yea!!! Seen it. Yippee!! Colin's best on-screen kiss since Valmont--and man! that's been a while. It's soooo nice to finally see him get the girl in a love-triangle. I'm sick of all of the terribly implausable movies in which the other guy wins! (AMITC, SIL, EP, etc.)"}, {"response": 889, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (01:52)", "body": "Wow, pant, pant - I have finally managed to catch up on all the posts at this topic. Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to find articles and post information and pics. I just wanted to say what fun it was to see BJD with fellow Spring-ians. Winter, thanks so much for getting the passes. It was lovely to see you, Marianne and Moon again. Moon, how did your DH react when he discovered this was a CF film ;-)? I really enjoyed the movie although I wish that I could have let myself relax and just enjoy it more. I think I knew a little too much about it and found myself analyzing instead of just watching. That said, it really is a charming film and CF is to die for. Handsome, romantic and sexy so what more could I want ;-)? I agree with what others have said, though. I thought the film was too short and I really wish there had been more screentime for Bridget's pals and more time invested in developing their characters. Although I can't say I was too sorry that Shirley Henderson didn't have more lines. Sheesh - and some folks thought Renee's voice is too squeaky. SH sound like she's on helium. I also wish there had been a little more development in the Daniel Cleaver romance. It all seemed to happen a bit too quickly for me without enough of the requisite worrying, \"will he call\"... etc. I will say no more for fear of spoilers. And all that said, I loved the movie and can't wait to see it again :-). I'm so glad CF is in a winner that will get a worldwide release. Oops, almost forgot. MarkG, it was quite fun to see you on the big screen. We all let out a whoop and I'm sure the rest of the audience wondered what kind of pop idol we were cheering for :-)."}, {"response": 890, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (02:03)", "body": "There is a great picture of the end kiss, with a pic of EB & FD about to kiss. the address is: http://hem.passagen.se/lmw/bridget_jones_diary.html I'm not that skilled yet in doing the html stuff, so Karen, maybe you can pull the jpg and post it here? Its a great pic."}, {"response": 891, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (02:57)", "body": "A larger version plus full article is here as well: http://www.spring.net/karenr/articles/filmreview501.html As much as I like this kiss pic, my new favourite is this variation of the reindeer pic: ;-)"}, {"response": 892, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (03:56)", "body": "Anybody know whether the E! Behind the scenes prog is to be broadcast in the UK ?"}, {"response": 893, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (04:11)", "body": "Just for comparison:"}, {"response": 894, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (06:31)", "body": "Almost too much promotion going on to keep up with. Yesterday, the Times magazine featured the costume designer for BJD on Renee's look, with this throwaway: \ufffd60,000 might sound a lot ... but when you're kitting out Huge Gnat (\"a bit of a fashion queen\") in Savile Row suits, Jermyn Street shirts and Paul Smith casual wear, \"with a bit of Hermes and a bit of Gucci\", there's unlikely to be tons of cash left for Colin Firth's Burberry suits. All I can say is ALL the best men in the film wear Burberry suits :-) And Radio 4's half-hour film programme, billed as a review of BJD, featured only a stupid 5-minute har-har slot on method acting, arising from Renee's stint at Picador, and a one-line review of the film: \"I went expecting not to like it if only because of the all-friends-together cosiness of the makers, but found it impossible to dislike.\""}, {"response": 895, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (06:31)", "body": "UK Alert. Apparently according to a friend there are some \"never seen before\"Colin BJD photos in The Mirror tomorrow, Monday 9th April."}, {"response": 896, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (08:53)", "body": "Thanks for the tip Ann. Anyone in the Uk catch Huge Gnat on Parkinson? just finished watching the tape. What a *&^%$*!! Good Grief. The comments you have all made just recently about saying things for effect or as quoteable soundbites are true! The worst bit was when he went on at length about his mother inhabiting the voice/personality of their cat that has been dead for 18 years. Not funny at all. Perhaps his parents are used to being embarassed like this. Parkinson mentioned CF and the fight scene but the two clips shown were colinless! He also tried to get on another guests interview with more highly unlikely anecdotal quotes about him and doctors, and how one was always interested in whether everything was ok \"downstairs\" with him etc Ghastly! Give the serious, articulate Guardian reading Mr Firth every time! Huge did himslf no favours. In fact the best bit was Robbie Williams singing \"Have you seen Miss Jones?\" from the soundtrack."}, {"response": 897, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (08:57)", "body": "Whoops! You know I meant to say \"Give us the serious, articulate Guardian reading Mr Firth every time.\" I am personally glad Colin was not on Parkinson, but was gleeful at Huge showing his true colours to the Nation. He said that \"I drink like a witch.\" I expect he went off to drown his sorrows!"}, {"response": 898, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (09:21)", "body": ""}, {"response": 899, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (09:23)", "body": "(Jana2) SH sound like she's on helium. LOL! Shirley does have a weird voice, but after I'd heard Helen F read the part of Jude (sheep-like voice as it says in the book), I knew Shirley was just right. Unfortunately, her part was the most superfluous of the friends. The audience somehow connected with both Shazz's and Tom's characters. Not enough was given of Jude's to understand what she was all about IMO. (Jana2) little more development in the Daniel Cleaver romance...without enough of the requisite worrying, \"will he call\"... etc. You wanted more Huge? ;-D Without getting into details, that kiss is NOT actually the end kiss. :-) (Times mag as copyedited by MG) when you're kitting out Huge Gnat (\"a bit of a fashion queen\") LOL! Taped E!'s Behind the Scenes during the wee hours of the morning. Since they are interviewed individually, Colin does speak and does well for himself. Much better than the VH1 thing. You know how the MTV movie awards have strange categories? Doesn't it seem as though the fight scene is exactly the type of thing that would get an award?"}, {"response": 900, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (09:40)", "body": "(Jana), Moon, how did your DH react when he discovered this was a CF film ;-)? LOL! It was the realisation of why I had to see it on the night we had concert tickets. \"How very sneaky\". He loved the scene of the launch party (so did I), the big bloomies, the blue soup and the credits with the kiddies. He did find it unnecessarily vulgar at times. But, that's the most he's ever liked a CF film. I thought the film was too short and I really wish there had been more screentime for Bridget's pals and more time invested in developing their characters. I agree! It was great meeting Marianne and seeing both you and Winter again Jana. All I can say is ALL the best men in the film wear Burberry suits :-) Good point, Mark! Congratulations, you are quite visible. :-D (Karen), Without getting into details, that kiss is NOT actually the end kiss. :-) I noticed that too! RZ is wearing a scarf in that picture and she does not wear one at the end of the film. ;-) I am still trying to catch up on all the posts. I am off to mass to collect my palms."}, {"response": 901, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (10:03)", "body": "NYTimes article on Renee (requires registration): http://www.nytimes.com/2001/04/08/arts/08HASK.html \"...she nevertheless manages to win, convincingly, the hearts of two breathtakingly attractive men: Hugh Grant as the infamous Daniel, Bridget's womanizing boss, and Colin Firth as Mark Darcy (reprising his heartthrob role as Jane Austen's hero in the BBC \"Pride and Prejudice.\") Mr. Grant has dropped the faux-innocent mannerisms of recent films and is more appealing as a bit of a sleaze than he ever was as a male ingenue, while Mr. Firth manages, with one sexy glower, to summon up all those misogynistic heroes of 19th-century women's novels who are brought back to life by the sheer spunk of an unconventional heroine \ufffd in this case, a girl with a heart on her sleeve and knickers on her bottom.\""}, {"response": 902, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (10:56)", "body": "RE: NY Times aritcle--Molly Haskell is a noted feminist author, so it's interesting to get her take on things. Some other noteworthy bits: \"Austen's Pride and Prejudice is the beating pulse of Bridget Jones, the book and the movie . . . If Maguire occasionally errs on the side of broadness, one of the very literate delights is the way book and movie, film and literature, play off each other; this is intertextuality with a vengeance.\" \"As Bridget, Zellweger is not a pushover by any means, or entirely lovable: she guzzles chardonnay, gossips, is a little too ``needy'' in current psycho-parlance and can be as tart-tongued as any Austen heroine. One look at Mark Darcy's reindeer sweater when they first meet and her Bridget is as withering as any fashion snob, as prone to prejudice as Austen's Elizabeth Bennet.\""}, {"response": 903, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (11:39)", "body": "RZ is wearing a scarf in that picture and she does not wear one at the end of the film. ;-) Nor much else. ;-D That shot is before they go up to her flat. For all those who have seen the movie, check out the Spoiler topic. Thanks, Ann, for the NY Times article. Interesting that Molly didn't like the book, but thinks the movie is far better and the changes have made Bridget much more palatable and believable. This is glowing praise. Wonder what Time will say. Will they get off their feminist high horses? Answer on Monday. ;-D"}, {"response": 904, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (12:45)", "body": "Tineke (congrats, btw), Murph, Karen, hope you don't mind I used your picture for scientific purpose: http://www.firth.com/bjd/2xdarcy.html Question: Do you think it was intention or by accident they used the (almost) identical wine glass? And is there something like a red Chardonnay?"}, {"response": 905, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (13:07)", "body": "\"The actress has lost Bridget's extra pounds, but let's hope she never loses the magic that makes her such an unusual star. \" Great article. I think we can safely say that Renee's sticker price has now gone up."}, {"response": 906, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (13:28)", "body": "Am shocked no one was curious to see rest of the teaser pics. So I've just put them up on the Premiere page. They are Colin and more Colin. ;-D http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjdprem.html BTW, for equal time, here's something for the guys:"}, {"response": 907, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (13:35)", "body": "Nice analysis, Renate, but as you'll see, those pics represent such very different points in the story. (aloof vs totally thawed) ;-D"}, {"response": 908, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (13:54)", "body": "Heads up, Roger Ebert and his new partner (Ropert?, the Siskel replacement) will be reviewing BJD next weekend on TV. Check your local listings."}, {"response": 909, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (14:10)", "body": "The Movie Mom website has rating for BJD. Says the audience is for 16 and older, yet the movie is rated R, which means 17 and older. Also says there is no nudity. They must have missed those naked people on the floor. ;-) And under violence/scariness, it says \"comic fistfight.\" v. scary indeed http://www.moviemom.com/apps/showreview.cfm?ReviewID=298 Another review from internet whippersnapper: http://www.sick-boy.com/bridgetjones.htm Lovely one, but a woman who gets it, although she got who was apologizing throughout the fight scene wrong: http://adfilmworks.com/films2001/bridgetjonessdiary.html \"As the two suitors, Grant and Firth are wonderfully cast....The solemn Mark Darcy is at the opposite end of the spectrum: brooding, condescending yet ultimately capable of sturdy commitment and gourmet cooking. The very casting is in homage to the BBC production of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE in which Firth played the brooding Mr. Darcy. Bridget (and author Fields) clearly has her crushes in high places.\""}, {"response": 910, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (14:12)", "body": "Fox New Channel will have a BJD story in next week's \"Celebrity Spotlight\". I also liked the film better than the book. BJ of the book was maddening to me. BJ of the movie is a bit of a screw-up, but she's much more proactive about her life."}, {"response": 911, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (14:25)", "body": "Ann, when does the Celebrity Spotlight air?"}, {"response": 912, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (14:28)", "body": "Am shocked no one was curious to see rest of the teaser pics I took them as the physical manifestation of contradictory career moves."}, {"response": 913, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (14:40)", "body": "Lizza - I too watched Parky and was most dis-chuffed that there were no CF clips, however BJ's walkout scnene was hilarious. I agree with everything you said about Huge, he is clearly Rent-an-A**e with a ready quip and unsavoury anecdote on any subject. But loved seeing him squirm when Parky asked about Liz, & touched upon that incident. He did mention DB in passing but only to regurgitate the 'telling the stunt co-ordinator to p***-off' and RZ was only an opportunity to use the Princess Margaret line again..*yawn*"}, {"response": 914, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (14:42)", "body": "This is all so excitng but frustrating also because have os little time to get to pc and comment. Re Huge Gnat (love that, Karen) on Parkinson. I laughed out loud to start with; he was very funny but then as you sy, it began to pall. My DH appeared half way through, took one look at the screen and said \"he is ill\" (should point out my DH is a doctor). I didn't think he looked ill but thought he looked tired but also as the interview progressed, I thought he was a rather desperate man. He showed no interest in the other guests and when a comment was made to him , to include him in general conversation, he just hogged the limelight. And as for his mother and the cat. That was weird."}, {"response": 915, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (14:53)", "body": "Also in the Sunday Telegraph, an article about the producers, Bevan and Feller, is that right. Told you I was in a hurry, can no longer find the paper! It gives a good insight into the finances of the project (the article is in the Business Section). They seem to think that success in the UK is assured. What they are really worried about is the States. The first weekend is the big one which determines everything. From this, it is easy to see why they are flogging HG. Even in the UK I saw an add which made on mention of MD but had clips of all the bawdiest bits, including anal sex (yuk). This is to draw in the young men 18 to 25. If they can get them to go, success is assured. They are not going to be impressed by CF or MD; they couldn't aspire to it;-) As Evelyn says if the film makes $$$$$ then CF will win - even if he is not mentioned by the publicists. Clever guy. He might end up having his cake and eating it. Or put another way, making mucho lire and getting to spend quality time at Sainsburys."}, {"response": 916, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (15:54)", "body": "but had clips of all the bawdiest bits, including anal sex (yuk). Not possible! I thought they were poking fun at Hugh and his divine arrest in LA. I can understand that a lot of people will think that it is about anal sex. That was part of my DH's comment that it was unnecessarily vulgar. What did everyone think? Which one is it? (no pun intended)"}, {"response": 917, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (17:03)", "body": "Love your London Prem page Karen. Thanks. I am of course not surprised at the modesty you have shown in not wishing to promote pictures of your own glowing (it sure was cold!) entrance at the NY Prem last Monday. For those not in the know I believe you were introduced as the author of \"the definitive web-site on Bridget Jones\" to some of the press as well. Eric Fellner (the one that looks like a young Duke of Kent!) who introduced the film was so impressed by your faux snakeskin Miramax souvenir sash , which said \"So talented, it sucks.\" that he promptly forgot Colin was even in the film let alone one of the stars. Of course your image was slightly dented when you and your companions whooped at the entrance of a mere \"walk on\" extra, even if he was dressed in Burberry, during the film. And finally rumours of you leaving, even before Jamie O'Neal, for a hip Italian restaurant in an up and coming \"village\" are not exagerated, although People magazine may have got hold of the storyline that earlier in the evening you were heard asking stray men for a date at the theatre entrance. Of course, as we often say here, where Karen goes Geri Halliwell will have to follow."}, {"response": 918, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (17:30)", "body": "Lizza! ROTF! Way to go \"So talented, it sucks\" Karen!"}, {"response": 919, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (17:52)", "body": "Karen, Were you really introduced at the Premiere? Way to go, girl!"}, {"response": 920, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (19:18)", "body": "(Lassie) Karen,Were you really introduced at the Premiere? She sure was ..to the press. LMAO...Lizza ...that was great...She did mingle with the hoi -poloi too... Standing right next to RC... A night to remember...what a hoot...Wish you all could have been there.."}, {"response": 921, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (20:44)", "body": "LMAO...Lizza ...that was great...She did mingle with the hoi -poloi too... Standing right next to RC... A night to remember...what a hoot...Wish you all could have been there.. So...will we get to see some pictures of this?! Congratulations, Karen!!! But then you being the author of the definitive BJD Movie website is NOT news to your fans here!"}, {"response": 922, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (21:06)", "body": "So...that's how you got tickets... Nice coup..."}, {"response": 923, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (22:10)", "body": "Ann, when does the Celebrity Spotlight air? } Not sure. I think it was on today at 1:30 Central, but my paper said it should have been on at 2pm Central--so something is mixed up. ------- I actually had about 4 hispanic (at least they were speaking what sounded like Spanish to me) guys sitting behind me at the Sat. screening--no women with them. I thought that was a bit strange, since it would seem to be more a chick-flick type of film. I don't know whether they liked it or not, but seeing them there was a hopeful sign, I think, that it can attract guys."}, {"response": 924, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (22:35)", "body": "Just checked FoxNews.com, they seem confused about their schedule too. Their Saturday listing shows Celebrity Spotlight playing at 8 am Eastern, but if you follow the link to the CS page, it says Saturdays at 2 pm Eastern (but then, a special was on today at 2pm, so maybe that threw their schedule off, which is why I saw it on Sunday at 1:30pm Cent, when their schedule doesn't list it on Sundays at all.) I think all that boils down to it being on 2pm Eastern Saturdays, maybe."}, {"response": 925, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (23:05)", "body": "faux snakeskin Miramax souvenir sash, which said \"So talented, it sucks.\" You mean the ones we picked up on Canal Street with Prada stamped on them? ;-D I may have hurt our chances of being invited back again when Richard Curtis overheard me lamenting the lack of insipidly dopey lines. How this was not vintage Curtis material. ;-D"}, {"response": 926, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Sun, Apr  8, 2001 (23:12)", "body": "Just saw a commercial for \"Regis & Kelly, Live\" (ABC talk show): HG will be the guest tomorrow (today, actually), Monday, April 9. Its on ch. 7 @ 9am (NYC metro area). Apparently, plugging BJD."}, {"response": 927, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (02:59)", "body": "Karen, congrats on the deserved recognition. Fantastic!"}, {"response": 928, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (05:40)", "body": "Congrats ladies, you've made it to the tabloids! Colin's dad comments in the Mirror on the fact that a group of American women actually travelled all the way to see him at the Donmar! Must have made a lasting impression in the Firth household. There's a 2 page spread, mostly re-cycled old stuff I think. But a few comments from Colin's dad. Also a pic of CF at school in the US and a comment from his teacher, and a pic of him at 6th form college. For tabloid stuff, it's all very mild...nothing nasty at all. Mentions birth of son. Also his dad says that he (CF) has lost all his grandparents in the last 5 years...the surviving one died a few weeks ago and he was v. upset. This must be online? Also interview in Times and good pic."}, {"response": 929, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (06:23)", "body": "Incase it isn't online....snippets... His dad says when he was younger he formed a band with some friends, playing guitar and being the lead singer. He describes him as \"quite an excitable person who likes larking around. He's very noisy - the life and soul of the party. He's a very dominant personality....he's very close to his family and tries to see as much of them as possible\". His teacher in the US, Carol Welstahoff says \"I think it was a lonely time (for him) but he spent a lot of it reading. He was a very conscientious top of the class student.\" A distinct lack of shocking revelations!"}, {"response": 930, "author": "vlyne", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (08:25)", "body": "Here's the text from the Mirror article. I wish the online version had the pictures! http://www.mirror.co.uk/shtml/FEATURES/P22S2.shtml FROM DUSTMAN TO DARCY CHAMPAGNE glass in hand and surrounded by celebrities, actor Colin Firth couldn't stop smiling. The Bridget Jones's Diary star was over the moon and wanted the world to know it. But his proud grin at the London premiere last week marked a personal milestone as well as a professional triumph. He had become a dad a few days earlier. His Italian wife, Livia Giuggiolo, gave birth to their son less than a week before the premiere, but still made it to the star-studded party. Friends say the couple, who married four years ago, are \"walking on air\" after the arrival of the longed-for baby. It has been an unforgettable few weeks for the 40-year-old actor who once worked as a dustman and stuffed his worn-out shoes with cardboard because he had no money for new ones. His career has been advancing steadily since his sullen scowl, wet shirt and tight breeches as Mr Darcy in the BBC's Pride And Prejudice six years ago turned him into a pin-up overnight. Now his ironic performance as love interest Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones's Diary looks set to make him one of the biggest names in British films - a very English heart-throb to rank alongside Hugh Grant and Rupert Graves. But as our pictures show, he wasn't always so dashing. In his student days, he wore flares, an orange waistcoat and dodgy rocker hairdo as he larked around with friends for the 1979 end-of-year photo at Barton Peveril sixth-form college at Eastleigh, Hants. Mr Darcy would not have been impressed by their antics as a friend playfully hooked a walking stick round Colin's neck. But his time at college did mark a turning-point. He took up drama, discovered rock music - especially Genesis and The Who - and became a pin-up for the first time. Teacher Penny Edwards remembers that he was a hit with the girls as well as being one of the lads. She says: \"He was very sociable and a lot of the girls liked him. THIS really beautiful girl had a terrible crush on him, but they never got together. It became a running joke. \"Colin was very sensitive to literature and had this stage presence. \"I wasn't surprised he did so well. Underneath the laddish exterior was quite a shrewd character who knew exactly what he wanted to do.\" College was the first time he really felt accepted and started making serious plans for an acting career. Before that he'd floundered around, unsure of how to go about chasing his dreams. Travelling seemed to be in his blood, but it meant that he was never in one place long enough to settle down. Born in Grayshott, Hants, he spent his childhood moving around as his father, a teacher, travelled abroad to work. Today, with an Italian wife, an American ex and an 11-year-old Canadian- American son, William, Firth spends much of his time flying all over the world. His teacher parents David and Shirley were born in India and carried on travelling as Colin was growing up. At two weeks old they took him to Nigeria. He showed early signs of being an entertainer. Banned from watching TV, he took up piano lessons and kept his sister Kate and brother Jonathan amused with jokes and impressions. David says: \"Colin always had a very vivid imagination. He loved dressing up and really liked Batman.\" Soon, the piano lessons were replaced by Saturday-morning acting classes run by Freda Kelsall, who was to coach him for 10 years. She is a close friend, and flew to Italy for his wedding to Livia. When Colin was 11, the family moved again - this time to America, setting up home in St Louis, Missouri. Posing in a lumberjack shirt for his high-school yearbook picture, he looks every inch the all-American kid. But he was shunned by the other pupils for being different and became a loner. He said later: \"It was a really nasty school. I was put in a class of guys with long hair, earrings and combat jackets with drugs slogans on their backs who would bring drugs to school. I was still into train sets.\" Teacher Carol Welstahoff remembers: \"The others kids didn't take to him because he was different. To them, he was your stereotypical English schoolboy. \"I think it was a lonely time, but he spent a lot of it reading. He was a very conscientious, top-of-the-class student.\" His dad explains: \"He would have found it difficult fitting in at any school - partly because of moving and partly because he wanted to go off and follow his own interests. He started a band with some friends, playing the guitar and being the lead singer.\" Back in England, the family moved to Winchester and Colin went to Montgomery of Alamein secondary school - in the class above comedian Jack Dee - after failing his 11-plus. But he felt he was seen as \"posh\" because of his middle-class upbringing. He recalls: \"There was a whole area of playground chat I couldn't join in. WE didn't have popular culture, I hadn't seen Crossroads, Magpie or Randall and Hopki"}, {"response": 931, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (08:44)", "body": "Just FYI, Lizza was joking. Absolutely none of that happened. :-) (Bethan) Must have made a lasting impression in the Firth household. Mari, could it be that Aunt and Uncle F told David? (Bethan) A distinct lack of shocking revelations! Are you not amazed that his father spoke to the media? Wasn't there an incident when his mother was quoted long ago and CF was upset about it? a very English heart-throb to rank alongside Hugh Grant and Rupert Graves Rupert Graves, who has gone onto become....???? ;-D"}, {"response": 932, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (09:09)", "body": "Some of it did, you are just sooo modest , it sucks my dear.:')"}, {"response": 933, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (09:10)", "body": "All Evelyn's Donmar lurking paid off then!!"}, {"response": 934, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (09:13)", "body": "BTW there is a picture of Colin on the front of the paper with the headline \"Firth Born.\" I was quite amused to see that didn't appear to know the baby's name even! You heard it here first."}, {"response": 935, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (09:16)", "body": "Some of it did, you are just sooo modest , it sucks my dear.:') Second. *evelyn, who wuz there*"}, {"response": 936, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (09:23)", "body": "And of course behind every definitive faux sash wearer, is her \"wheeler and dealer,\" also making things happen! Hats off to you Evie."}, {"response": 937, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (09:33)", "body": "Rubbish, utter rubbish, except for the part where Lizza was overheard propositioning Eric Fellner (aka Handsome Man in the credits to Elizabeth) ;-D"}, {"response": 938, "author": "kolin", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (09:59)", "body": "\"Are you not amazed that his father spoke to the media? Wasn't there an incident when his mother was quoted long ago and CF was upset about it? \" I think it was Livia's mother who spoke to the press."}, {"response": 939, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (10:30)", "body": "Lizza, LOL at your post about the NY premiere. Hurrah! Karen is world-renowned webmaster/whiz woman! (Karen) You mean the ones we picked up on Canal Street with Prada stamped on them? And that would be the 'Pra-duh' line, spread out on a blanket, no? Regarding the Mirror article, what's this about Col' attending college? Also, Colin doesn't strike me as having 'motor mouth' tendencies."}, {"response": 940, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (10:31)", "body": "close Sorry about that. Got things reversed. :-)"}, {"response": 941, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (10:35)", "body": "There's a transcript of HF's online chat at the UK BJD site: http://www.msn.co.uk/Page/34-612-696.asp Here's the last question: MSN Live: One last question, Helen. Well, two. Will you write about Bridget again? If you don\ufffdt, would you miss her? Helen: I feel very protective about Bridget and so if I write about her again, it would have to be for a very good reason and a very good story to tell. I don't miss her, because she's always there. If something embarrassing happens to me, I always imagine it happens to Bridget, and how much more embarrassing she could have possibly made it be..."}, {"response": 942, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (11:37)", "body": "Review by James Berardinelli (3-1/2 stars out of 4) Bridget Jones's Diary is, quite simply, the finest motion picture released by Miramax Films since 1999's The Cider House Rules. Based on the novel by Helen Fielding, the screenplay for Bridget Jones's Diary (written by Four Weddings and a Funeral scribe Richard Curtis) successfully adapts the book into an easily-manageable 90 minute chunk while retaining much of the humor and remaining faithful to the tone. Bridget Jones's Diary is smart, sassy, and thoroughly enjoyable, and features one of the most endearing and believable characters to grace the screen this year. The film tells the story of a year in the life of an average, single, thirty-something British woman, who, armed with only her wits and charm (and a diary), goes in search of the ever-elusive Mr. Right. Unlucky-in-love Bridget (Renee Zellweger) has two candidates: the fun and sexy Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) and the dour Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), whom she overhears calling her a \"verbally incontinent spinster\" when they first meet at a party. Not surprisingly, she goes for Daniel, but he turns out to be a less-than-perfect catch. Then, just when her interest in Mark begins to emerge (following his statement that he likes her just as she is), he hooks up with man-eating lawyer Natasha (Embeth Davidtz), who is determined to marry him. Meanwhile, her parents' marriage is on the rocks and she embarks upon a career in television news. (The line that gets her the position: \"I got fired from my last job for sleeping with my boss.\") In England, the casting of American Renee Zellweger was initially greeted with much resistance by the press and the public. It was argued that not only was Zellweger an American, but she was too skinny to play the chubby Bridget. Well, some time between casting and shooting, Zellweger put on a few pounds (she's pleasingly plump - not fat by any means, but certainly of Kate Winslet proportions) and worked hard to perfect a British accent (there are a few slips, but they're mercifully rare). These qualities, coupled with her natural charm and screen presence, make her a flawless choice for the lead. Not since her breakthrough roles in The Whole Wide World and Jerry Maguire has she given a performance of this all-around quality. Zellweger embodies Bridget, and is a huge reason why the movie works. Those who have read Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice will find some familiar characters and elements in Bridget Jones's Diary. It doesn't take much deduction to determine that Helen Fielding is an Austen admirer, and that all of the nods to Pride and Prejudice are intentional. While it would be unfair to call Bridget Jones's Diary a 20th-century re-interpretation of Pride and Prejudice, there are some parallels - at least one of which the filmmakers have decided to emphasize. The casting of Colin Firth as Mark Darcy is inspired. Firth, who essayed Mr. Darcy in the hugely popular 1995 BBC/A&E television production of Pride and Prejudice, plays this part exactly as he played the earlier role, making it evident that the two Darcys are essentially the same. He's a repressed snob who gradually, unwillingly finds himself falling for the least suitable woman around him - Bridget (who, upon closer examination, bears a passing resemblance to Elizabeth Bennet). Hugh Grant brings all the charm he can muster to the oily role of Daniel - a man who enhances his chances with Bridget by telling a lie about Mark. Like Austen's Wickham, this guy is too good to believe, and proceeds to prove our suspicions correct. Grant, who, like Firth, has appeared in an Austen adaptation (Sense and Sensibility), is at home in the role. Strong supporting performances are given by Jim Broadbent and Gemma Jones as Bridget's parents. Bridget Jones's Diary is filled with moments of truth and flashes of humor (sometimes the two are the same). The direction, by newcomer Sharon Maguire, shows the deftness of a veteran. The energy level is consistently high and the characters (especially Bridget) don't take long to endear themselves to the audience. The result is worthy of exultation, especially in the bleakness of the winter/spring cinematic landscape. I smiled at the biting one-liners, laughed at both the subtle and the overt comedic aspects, and nodded my head in sympathy with Bridget's all-too-familiar plight - and I'm a male. Imagine the female reaction. Congratulations to all involved. Bridget Jones's Diary is a triumph. http://movie-reviews.colossus.net/movies/b/bridget.html"}, {"response": 943, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (11:55)", "body": "Lizza, LOL at your post about the NY premiere. Hurrah! Karen is world-renowned webmaster/whiz woman! (Karen) You mean the ones we picked up on Canal Street with Prada stamped on them? And that would be the 'Pra-duh' line, spread out on a blanket, no? Regarding the Mirror article, what's this about Col' attending college? Also, Colin doesn't strike me as having 'motor mouth' tendencies."}, {"response": 944, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (11:57)", "body": "Arrggh, twin posts again. Methinks I need a vacation."}, {"response": 945, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (12:13)", "body": "He describes him as \"quite an excitable person who likes larking around. He's very noisy - the life and soul of the party. He's a very dominant personality....he's very close to his family and tries to see as much of them as possible\". \"I wasn't surprised he did so well. Underneath the laddish exterior was quite a shrewd character who knew exactly what he wanted to do.\" He never stops talking, and he's very funny This is when his horoscope matches Hughie's. ;-) Who would have thought it! :-D Thank you all for the articles and reviews! And Karen, I told you the webmistress thing would work. :-) We are awaiting pictures. I trust you have some?"}, {"response": 946, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (12:15)", "body": "He describes him as \"quite an excitable person who likes larking around. He's very noisy - the life and soul of the party. He's a very dominant personality....he's very close to his family and tries to see as much of them as possible\". \"I wasn't surprised he did so well. Underneath the laddish exterior was quite a shrewd character who knew exactly what he wanted to do.\" He never stops talking, and he's very funny This is when his horoscope matches Hughie's. ;-) Who would have thought it! :-D Thank you all for the articles and reviews! And Karen, I told you the webmistress thing would work. :-) We are awaiting pictures. I trust you have some?"}, {"response": 947, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (12:17)", "body": "Sorry for the double post. BTW, I am still waiting your views on the naughty sex scene. Which is it?"}, {"response": 948, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (12:25)", "body": "First let me say that, as usual, I picked a lousy time to be away from my computer for a few days--nearly 300 posts' worth! Let me echo the thanks given to all for posting pics, articles, premiere experiences and opinions about the film, etc. Second, *waving hello to all the de-lurkers*. Sure is more fun around here when we actually have something to talk about besides the weather, collecting donations and the state of CF's career, isn't it? ;-) Third, was disappointed to read about audience reaction at the preview in DC. Where did they find these people? A bunch of sixth grade tourists in town for the cherry blossoms? Strom Thurmond's aides? Or Russell Crowe's FBI bodyguards, perhaps? Aargh! Sorry I couldn't be there whooping it up for ODB in manner of relocated loudmouth Jersey girl. ;-D (Karen) Are you not amazed that his father spoke to the media? Wasn't there an incident when his mother was quoted long ago and CF was upset about it? Yes, I am amazed...and as usual, a bit skeptical. CF's mother was supposedly quoted in that tabloid series that came out after P&P--the same one, I think, that paired him with actress Joanne Whalley, whom he had never met. (Karen) Rubbish, utter rubbish, except for the part where Lizza was overheard propositioning Eric Fellner LOL! Keep it going ladies and remember...the truth will out. ;-) In my absence I was able to tape the E! interview (though something is wrong with the sound). Agree with the general sentiment--thought CF was charming and genuine. Love these behind the scenes things. Watched the one about SiL long after the movie came and went. It isn't often we get to see ODB being himself and his character all at the same time. I managed the miss the VH1 offering this weekend (honestly, are any of these schedules accurate? :-/) but will catch it tonight at 11:30--thanks for the HG saturation alert."}, {"response": 949, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (13:19)", "body": "I too was a little surprised at the provenance of the 'quotes' in the Mirror - it's probably our wonderful press up to its usual tricks again - but it's a harmless piece I suppose! Valerie - I wish the online version had the pictures! Ask and you shall receive (quality not great but you get the gist)....love that waistcoat *grin* , but does he really look like he's having fun? ;-)"}, {"response": 950, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (13:30)", "body": "Goodness. Check out the hair. And what, Firthcianados, is the policeman role (if that's what it is)?"}, {"response": 951, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (13:32)", "body": "Thanks, Tracy. Can you imagine his family handing out those pictures? I can't. Some enterprising tabloid journalists has been sifting through school yearbooks in St. Louis and other schools on your shores."}, {"response": 952, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (13:32)", "body": "Ben - the policeman's role was a bit part in Crown Court (takes you back a bit - I only remember seeing it when I was off sick from school!)"}, {"response": 953, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (13:33)", "body": "Crown Court (1984). To my knowledge, no one has a video of that episode (or was it a recurring role???)"}, {"response": 954, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (13:34)", "body": "Agree Karen, I think I'd want to keep them v carefully hidden...in fact I DO keep my school photos v carefully hidden.....way too scary ;-)"}, {"response": 955, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (13:35)", "body": "You know in that young shot, he looks a lot like Jonathan Firth... hmmm... (I mean the one with the long hair)"}, {"response": 956, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (13:37)", "body": "*heehee* CF looks about 8 in that Crown Court pic (reminds me of that glimpse of him in Secret Garden). Someone should also tell the British press that 'high school' here in the states includes the ages of around 13-14 through 17-18, not 8. Thanks for posting, Your Scan-ness (aka Tracy)!"}, {"response": 957, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (13:37)", "body": "Crown Court was a long-running (not sure if daily or bi weekly or something) lunchtime drama, I didn't watch many but seem to recall that the story lasted just half an hour and didn't appear to use the same characters in subsequent episodes."}, {"response": 958, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (13:42)", "body": "Watching a video of Crown Court would be a test of any Firthette's dedication. I can't really think of a US equivalent, but picture the cheapest, shoddiest daytime soap....and you still wouldn't be close. Tracy, would it have been ITV or Thames? There's probably a dust-covered reel of Super 8 in some vault."}, {"response": 959, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (13:46)", "body": "(Ben) I can't really think of a US equivalent, but picture the cheapest, shoddiest daytime soap....and you still wouldn't be close. LOL! Sounds like one of our phony reenactment programs (which I don't watch). Isn't there one called Cops? Or how about those tacky hidden-camera-in-restaurant kitchen expose shows? ;-D"}, {"response": 960, "author": "LynnR", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (13:51)", "body": "Coming out of lurkdom....I saw on a CNN show business report today that BJD was shown in 600 theaters over the weekend. They said they expect very good things from the movie, based on the comments. 65% of those attending were women, and they seemed to think that was a good thing. They only mentioned RZ and HG, of course, but they seemed v. enthusiastic. They gave other results from the surveys at the sneak peaks, but I can't remember any of the stats. Sounds like good news!"}, {"response": 961, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (14:08)", "body": "Welcome Lynn and all new comers. Like Eileen says it's more fun having lots of people to chat with. BJD was shown in 600 theaters over the weekend. Must be all the one-time previews.Though the newspaper adverts started last Thursday and are still there for next Friday. Are there ads in the UK newspapers? TV trailers? I hear NYC has them non-stop. \"Coming Friday"}, {"response": 962, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (14:38)", "body": "Have picked myself off floor...Time Magazine review by Richard Corliss (of course, not by other humorless female staffers): Full-Witted Renee Zellweger shines in Bridget Jones's Diary With her ruddy skin, pulpy bosom and self-abasing zinger wit, she's so - well, so very English. One glance at Houston's own Renee Zellweger, and all anxiety about the casting of an American as Britain's favorite wounded bird of the '90s vanishes. (Hey, if Vivien Leigh could play Scarlett O'Hara...) She fits in, and stands out, perfectly. And as the plot of Bridget Jones's Diary ripens, and two handsome men - rapacious Daniel Cleaver (Huge Gnat) and dull Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) - tumble, vagrantly into her heart, Zellweger reveals, as in a soul's striptease, Bridget's appeal. Inside this \"verbally incontinent spinster\" (as Darcy calls her), a brilliant vamp is aching to be set free. The diary form, established by Helen Fielding in an Independent column and then two best blithe best sellers, is smartly adapted in the script by Fielding, Andrew Davies (BBC's Pride and Prejudice) and Richard Curtis (Blackadder, Notting Hill) - a virtual conglomerate of middle-class Brit humor. It gives good lines and cunning motives to the stars, especially the newly gaunt Grant, who's irresistible as a randy cad. And, except for a catastrophic third act that comprises about 14 endings, two transatlantic flights and a long, clumsy fight scene, director Sharon Maguire nicely juggles the slapstick and heartbreak. For this is a very romantic romantic comedy. That Firth, who was the dark dreamboat Darcy in Pride and Prejudice plays the dull dreamboat Darcy here simply underlines the comedy-of-manners connection between Helen Fielding's work and Jane Austen's. This, for the most part, is a tale of comic good sense and poignant sensibility."}, {"response": 963, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (14:52)", "body": "dull dreamboat Darcy hmmm, is that good or bad? No TV trailers yet Evelyn, but loads of publicity on the radio, and mags and newspapers. The soundtrack for BJD is the \"Album of the Week\" on Radio 2 and The Ken Bruce Show is airing a track a day."}, {"response": 964, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (14:56)", "body": "Newsweek liked it also (though the review wasn't done by David Ansen, who usually does the biggies). Here are pertinent excerpts: Jonesing for Miss Bridget Naysayers be damned, Renee Zellweger triumphs as Britain\ufffds most famous singleton By Jeff Giles NEWSWEEK It\ufffds late July in England, and it\ufffds been as hot as 120 degrees on the set of \ufffdBridget Jones\ufffds Diary.\ufffd Today, gratefully, the heat has broken on the soundstage. It\ufffds 106 degrees. THE FRAZZLED, LOVELORN singleton works in publishing\ufffdactually, \ufffdworks\ufffd might be too strong a word\ufffdand it turns out that reproducing the flat, fluorescent glare of an office is something of a special effect, requiring three times the usual lighting. Between takes, Renee Zellweger clumps about un-self-consciously in black stiletto boots, her cheeks flushed from the heat, her hair tumbling out of a barrette, her nylons pushed down to her knees. \ufffdThe boys won\ufffdt know,\ufffd she whispers, in her newly acquired British lilt. The temperature must be getting to Zellweger because when asked if she\ufffds nervous about her accent, the native Texan launches into a standard-issue, PR-savvy reply \ufffd\ufffdI don\ufffdt think about it,\ufffd etc.\ufffdthen suddenly puts her head in her hands and wails, \ufffdOh, God, I hope it doesn\ufffdt suck!\ufffd Nearby, Hugh Grant\ufffd who plays Bridget\ufffds rakish boss, Daniel Cleaver\ufffdpaces alone, scarfing down a chocolate bar and cooling his face with a plastic pocket fan. Grant admits to being grumpy\ufffdand to having something of a beef with Zellweger. \ufffdI\ufffdm always the set bitch, and Renee won\ufffdt join in,\ufffd he says. \ufffdI can\ufffdt find anyone that she will say a mean word about.\ufffd After \ufffdBridget Jones\ufffd opens this week, it will be harder still to find anyone who\ufffdll say a mean word about her. \ufffdBridget,\ufffd directed by first-timer Sharon Maguire, is a tremendously funny and touching adaptation of Helen Fielding\ufffds best seller about one woman\ufffds quest to lose 20 pounds. To stop drinking and smoking. To stop pining for a boyfriend. To find a boyfriend, for God\ufffds sake\ufffdand not die alone in her apartment only to be found months later, partially eaten by dogs. /.../[Same ol' yadda about RZ's casting] Still, she\ufffds so disarming and so deeply Bridget\ufffdgliding between mortifying slapstick and pathos\ufffdthat she\ufffds entirely won you over by the time the credits have rolled. The opening credits. \ufffdBridget Jones\ufffd begins on New Year\ufffds Day, as our hungover heroine trudges to an odious party with her parents. Bridget\ufffds mother (Gemma Jones) immediately shoves her at the nearest bachelor, the cold, diffident barrister Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). Bridget blathers. Darcy recoils in horror. And Bridget retreats to her flat in London, where she plays air drums to teary pop songs. Fortunately, Bridget\ufffds devilish boss (Grant) takes notice of her, and they launch a raucous romance, as Darcy watches from the wings. \ufffdBridget\ufffd distills Fielding\ufffds novel into a conventional love triangle, and the pacing can be rough. (The hyperactive pop score suggests nervousness in the editing room.) But the script\ufffdpartly written by Richard Curtis, who wrote \ufffdNotting Hill\ufffd\ufffdis killingly funny, and Zellweger\ufffds costars all shine. Grant, in particular, does a hilarious, lascivious turn. One night, he lays Bridget down on the rug and enumerates all the articles of clothing he\ufffds about to relieve her of, including her unsightly, tummy-controlling undergarments: \ufffdNow, these are very silly little boots, Jones. And this is a very silly little dress\ufffdand, oh me, absolutely enormous panties!\" /.../ [RZ's childhood, previous work, love life, etc.] \ufffdBridget\ufffd should confirm Zellweger\ufffds staying power. Director Maguire, a friend of Fielding\ufffds and the inspiration for Bridget\ufffds voluble buddy Sharon, says she cast Zellweger because, among other things, she made her laugh the minute she met her. Maguire, by the way, verifies Grant\ufffds report that Zellweger was sweetness and light during production\ufffdand that Grant was the \ufffdset bitch.\ufffd \ufffdHim and Colin are both very campy,\ufffd she says. \ufffdThey called each other \ufffdMrs. Firth\ufffd and \ufffdMrs. Grant.\ufffd Oh, how\ufffds Mrs. Grant this morning? We had a running joke about whose turn it was for a hissy fit, and the boys would fight it out. It\ufffds my turn for a tanty! Renee didn\ufffdt have any tantrums. There\ufffds no bulls\ufffdt to her. She\ufffds got no vanity. She just got on with the job.\ufffd So sue her for being sweet. After politely answering questions for hours, Zellweger heads out of the cozy cafe. The waiter knows her and likes her, so, during the interview, without telling her, he\ufffds gone out to put quarters in her parking meter. Zellweger is touched\ufffd but it turns out that a policeman is writing her a ticket anyway. Zellweger dashes up to the cop, beaming nervously. \ufffdDid you already get me?\ufffd The cop nods indifferently. Zellweger points at the reporter and jokes, \ufffdIt\ufffds his fault! I was talking to him!\ufffd The cop nods again. \ufffdYeah,\ufffd he says. \ufffdIt\ufffds always the guy\ufffds fault.\ufffd Zellweger can\ufffdt charm the cop in the middle of the street. In a movie theater, he wouldn\ufffdt stand a chance."}, {"response": 965, "author": "Ann", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (15:14)", "body": "\"clumsy fight scene\" Wasn't that rather the point? Doesn't that guy have ANY sense of humor???? The fight is hysterical!"}, {"response": 966, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (15:24)", "body": "Re TV trailers-there have been couple on over the weekend-one about it being Friday 13th & shows BJ singing karaoke.The other is longer & shows more clips but it may be for the soundtrack."}, {"response": 967, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (15:25)", "body": "Forgot to mention the print version of Newsweek features a huge pic of sexy Renee with smaller ones of CF as MD (the original reindeer sweater pic) and Gnatman as DC."}, {"response": 968, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (15:31)", "body": "Both good reviews. Thanks Eileen and Karen for *typing* them out;-)) Richard Corliss of Time is a vampire....this is *really* good for him. You should have read what he said about Kenneth Brannagh...!"}, {"response": 969, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (15:32)", "body": "Have put up lots of new pics: http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjdgal.html Those who haven't seen the movie yet, may want to wait..."}, {"response": 970, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (15:33)", "body": "(Karen) Mari, could it be that Aunt and Uncle F told David? Heh, heh, heh . . . probably. Was sure they were sizing me up for niece-in-law material.;-) V.v. sweet people--they were so proud of him, as if he were their own son. Nice family. (Scanning Queen) love that waistcoat *grin* , but does he really look like he's having fun? ;-) Pfft! Tracy, I'm still trying to figure out how he could be 8 in the US pic when the article says 11.;-) Very adorable as a little boy; I wonder if Luca will resemble his dad? These are all wonderful--thanks to everyone for the reports and scans, and thanks for the great reviews, too--Time *and* Newsweek like it! Very good news indeed. (Moon)BTW, I am still waiting your views on the naughty sex scene. Which is it? Definitely anal, IMO. How could it be anything butt? ;-)"}, {"response": 971, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (15:39)", "body": "(Karen) Have put up lots of new pics Reminds me, I meant to ask earlier: what is up with the crazylegs pic from the London premiere? Reminds me of my neice when she has to use the potty. (Mari) How could it be anything butt? *teehee*"}, {"response": 972, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (16:27)", "body": "(Moon)BTW, I am still waiting your views on the naughty sex scene. Which is it? (Mari), Definitely anal, IMO. How could it be anything butt? ;-) OK. Vulgar beyond belief. And she wanted to do it again staight away? No comment! Thanks for all the non-stop article postings. Enjoying this firhtfilled ride. :-)"}, {"response": 973, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (17:27)", "body": "Thanks for the pics, Karen. One of my fave scenes....MD coming down the stairs of the mini-break manor house in a cream shirt finds Bridget who just came in with wind-blown...electrified, really, hair.I've never seen a pic of that. I guarantee ya'...takes your breath away."}, {"response": 974, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (18:00)", "body": "The new Talk Magazine is out with hairless Huge on cover. Apparently, donkeys are anatomically different in UK, as there's no evidence to support Evening Standard's remarks, unless photos mentioned by Tim Bevan were not published. ;-D ~~~~~~~~~ And that's why Grant is in Bridget Jones's Diary, a film based on Helen Fielding's best-selling novel about a plump thirtysomething woman whose love life is literally the stuff of Pride and Prejudice. Fielding got her wish to have Colin Firth play the proud, upstanding Mr. Darcy (he'd played the role to perfection in the PBS miniseries of the Jane Austen classic). [Ed. note: bad fact checkers at Talk.] Maguire then set about getting her wish: to have Grant play Darcy's womanizing rival, Daniel Cleaver, the head of the publishing house where Bridget works. \"Hugh calls me 'Stalking Maguire,'\" she says. \"For two and a half years he'd take my calls but always say no. Then when Richard came on board to rewrite the script, that closed the deal,\" Maguire laughs. \"I went to see Hugh after this series of seductive phone calls, and he said rather disingenuously, \"I can't think of what this character's like.\" And I said, \"Hugh, it's you. You know it's you.\" [...] (Ask Maguire if she's heard Grant's Heather limerick and she replies nonchalantly, \"Is that the one that has '[can't type it]' in it? He wanted to put that one in the boat scene. Colin Firth came up with the one we did use. It's about a girl from Ealing.\") [...] She [Hugh's mother] pauses reflectively and then adds, \"I hope he gets a chance to write, because that's his other great gift, really.\" Maguire found that out firsthand when she had the actors write a diary in their character's voice, to be read aloud at the first rehearsal. \"Ren\ufffde's was as neurotic as Bridget's, all about gaining weight,\" she says. \"Colin's was all about his work and had no problem with commitment. Hugh's character had come from divorced parents. It was basically an account of someone who had so much existential despair that the only way to overcome it was to live dangerously. He's a predatory character with an innate sense of humor, which he uses as a weapon. It was a really fascinating insight. I knew that we'd chosen exactly the right people for the parts. Hugh will never be the 'right' one. He'll always be dangerous. [They provide a few of HG's diary entries]"}, {"response": 975, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (18:44)", "body": "Lizza what a treat! you had me believing you! Tracy T... *snort* If those were my pics...! i never handed out a single senior high school picture, I'm glad i burned them all. Karen, love the new movie pics! (Evelyn) One of my fave scenes....MD coming down the stairs of the mini-break manor house in a cream shirt finds Bridget who just came in with wind-blown...electrified, really, hair. THAT particular moment had me out of my seat!"}, {"response": 976, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (18:48)", "body": "CF came up with that limerick???? Oh to have been there and heard him speak it! I might not have recovered..."}, {"response": 977, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr  9, 2001 (23:43)", "body": "From a column by Matthew Norman in the Evening Standard on 5 April: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/dynamic/news/top_story.html?in_review_id=378471&in_review_text_id=324035 Help - I just don't know about Colin and Hugh CAN anyone help cure a nasty anti-social disease I've caught from sitting on a fence? Having considered the question for a fortnight, I still have no idea whether I'm a Hugh Grant person or a Colin Firth person - and with no opinion on what seems sure to be the only compelling talking point for the next six to nine months, I find myself looking down the barrel of dinner-party ostracism. So far, all I've managed is to work out that one is a competent actor hugely embarrassed about making so much easy money from being typecast as an absurdly tongue-tied English toff. While the other is Hugh Grant. If any telepath out there can divine which camp I belong to simply by staring at the above picture byline (it's a comparatively most recent one, by the way, taken in early 1957), write in, please, and free me from the spectre of long-term social leperdom."}, {"response": 978, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Apr 10, 2001 (06:51)", "body": "I posted a letter in response to this Matthew Norman piece on the other board (109?). The gist was that any self-respecting Englishman would prefer to be CF than HG. Sure. I'd also prefer to be Pele than Maradona."}, {"response": 979, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Apr 10, 2001 (07:03)", "body": "109? Where did that come from? I meant 143."}, {"response": 980, "author": "JennyM", "date": "Tue, Apr 10, 2001 (07:46)", "body": "Is Colin supposed to be on the Today show today?"}, {"response": 981, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 10, 2001 (07:55)", "body": "Fun review, written a la Bridget, containing this opening line: \"Decided to attend film, as Colin Firth may remove shirt, and am tired of watching Pride and Prejudice just to get a peek. Theatre filled with groups of women apparently with same idea. Women v. loud in appreciation of film, and all seem to have encyclopaedic knowledge of the book it's based upon.\" http://www.hollywood-hostel.com/archives/viewcolumn.cgi?user=ChasingAmy&file=986745650.col Another which has the following line: \"Colin Firth is also allowed to switch types and show off his leading man chops for change.\" [What type was he before? Masturbatory village pervert??] http://www.tnmc.org/dp/0409011.shtml A third, with this comment: \"Equally as good is Colin Firth who plays the straight laced Mark Darcy. His cold straight lace manner is the perfect backdrop for Bridget['s] charming clumsiness.\" http://thewheeldealreview.homestead.com/BridgetJones.html A fourth, by someone who saw an advance version with different beginning: http://thefilmcritiquer.com/the_film_critiquer/Critiques/BridgetJonessDiary.htm"}, {"response": 982, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Apr 10, 2001 (08:25)", "body": "(Karen) [What type was he before? Masturbatory village pervert??] Really. Guess this writer never saw HOTPig, Femme Fatale or Playmaker. ;-D Stayed up to watch VH1's Behind the Movie last night. Am grateful for the warnings about Huge Blabbermouth--saved me some frustration. However, how come nobody mentioned those pop up thingys? You know, those little comic book type bubbles that allow you to see what the people are thinking (wot? They didn't air this version last weekend?). Here's what was going through CF's mind at the top of the show: Let's see...15 more minutes here, then 20 to the airport and I'm outta here... Hmm, if it's a boy, Luca or Nigel? Roberto or Giles? Shut up, shut up, you poxy self-centered *&^%%... I can't wait to get out of this jacket and put my black tee shirt back on. How can I get Rupie and Judy to do all this publicity crap for me when Earnest comes out? *** It was quite enlightening. ;-D"}, {"response": 983, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 10, 2001 (08:35)", "body": "(pop up) Let's see...15 more minutes here, then 20 to the airport and I'm outta here... LOL! Absolutely perfect as permanent subtitling."}, {"response": 984, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 10, 2001 (09:25)", "body": "In the Thank God for Renee Dept: RZ is scheduled for the Rosie Show today and the Late Show tonight. And he wonders why no one knows him in the States?"}, {"response": 985, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Apr 10, 2001 (09:29)", "body": "Well, if you must know, Colin Firth is celebrating my birthday... And decided that this day of all Holy days, he wouldn't be interviewed... ;)"}, {"response": 986, "author": "Ann", "date": "Tue, Apr 10, 2001 (09:52)", "body": "Happy B-Day Lala!!! (I was all ready to post a notice on the Tea Room, but no Tea Room there on which to post :( )"}, {"response": 987, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr 10, 2001 (09:57)", "body": "Shut up, shut up, you poxy self-centered *&^%%... I can't wait to get out of this jacket and put my black tee shirt back on. How can I get Rupie and Judy to do all this publicity crap for me when Earnest comes out? ROTFLMAO! Oh Eileen, thanks, honey, I really needed the laugh. Keep 'em coming; am heading into meeting with bean-counting schmucks and will need cheering upon return. *E-Z Wipe Monitor Cover left firmly in place* Thank God for Renee is right, Evelyn; this kid is working like a dog to sell this. I see she's hosting Saturday Night Live this week; wonder if Huge will show as cameo guest.;-)"}, {"response": 988, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Apr 10, 2001 (10:26)", "body": "(Mari) wonder if Huge will show as cameo guest.;-) Yeeesss, I see it now...Renee will be delivering her opening monologue using British accent...HG, planted in audience, will stand and confront her about not being British...HG will then inform audience about RZ's brief Princess Margaret phase and that he was in British SAS... this kid is working like a dog to sell this If I heard the advert correctly, she'll even be on Divas Live tonight on VH1 (hopefully will not get OTT about Sheryl Crowe again)."}, {"response": 989, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Apr 10, 2001 (10:33)", "body": "Forgot to mention that Rosie Show will be even better today because the hostess, preoccupied with her non-healing surgical wound (I understand why but there's a time and a place to show your suture line), will be out sick and The View's Meredith Viera is substituting. This way they might even get around to talking about the film."}, {"response": 990, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 10, 2001 (10:51)", "body": "(Mari) wonder if Huge will show as cameo guest.;-) Well, you can be sure of who *won't* show...."}, {"response": 991, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Apr 10, 2001 (11:09)", "body": "Thank you all for another day's worth of entertaining posts. Almost as much fun as watching Huge Gnat descend into water....... ****** UK VID SET ALERT ******* Tomorrow 7pm Channel 5 Movie Chart Show Gail Porter interviews HG RZ and HF about BJD and reviews film *******************************"}, {"response": 992, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Apr 10, 2001 (11:10)", "body": "Eileen, LOL at your 'pop-ups.' V.v. good! (must purchase the Ronco Spit Take Screen Protector) If I have to look at Rosie's Frankenstein-esque sutures again, I may have to pull the plug. Too much information and sharing, Rosie! Lisa, who has watched way too many talk shows these past few weeks in search of BJD clips and cast appearances....."}, {"response": 993, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Apr 10, 2001 (11:13)", "body": "Any Radio 4 listeners out there (MarkG our very own homegrown \"Walk on By\" star) Antonia Quirke reviewed the film last night, got a thumbs up but much droning on (and on) about a certain character's light comedy talents, Cary Grant in \"North by Northwest\" etc etc I think that she is the reviewer for the Independent, so I guess we can expect more of the same again at the end of the week. Her other comments were more spoilers, to be posted elsewhere!"}, {"response": 994, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Tue, Apr 10, 2001 (11:16)", "body": "From the Sunday L.A. Times Calendar, an article about RZ, with some brief mention and comments from CF. \ufffdBridget Jones\ufffds Diary,\ufffd the movie, opens Friday, with Zellweger in the title role opposite HG as a dashing scoundrel and CF as priggish barrister Mark Darcy, modeled directly on the character he played in the BBC\ufffds production of Jane Austen\ufffds \ufffdPride and Prejudice.\ufffd Then came the table read, when the cast met for the first time to go through the script and check out Zellweger's command of the mother tongue. Firth says, \ufffdAt an English read-through, the glasses go on, cigarettes come out, pens get chewed on, people are definitely scared, and there's always something slightly disingenuous where they say, \"Don't worry everybody, this is not a performance, no one's going to judge anything, it's just a gentle read-through.\ufffd And then afterwards they come up to you and go,\ufffd Firth suddenly whispers conspiratorially, \ufffdYou were great, although I'm bit worried about so and so; I thought they really sucked. \ufffdYeah, of course they're judging you, which just makes it terrifying.\ufffd The silly outfits, bad hair and farcical fistfights\ufffdFirth likens his scratching, kicking showdown with Grant to a spat between \ufffda couple of 7-year old girls\ufffd\ufffdprovide plenty of laughs, but it's Bridget's search for love that gives \ufffdDiary\ufffd emotional heft. http://www.calendarlive.com/top/1,1419,L-LATimes-Search-X!ArticleDetail-28349,00.html?search_area=Blended&channel=Search&search_text=A+Part+with+Meat+on+its+Bones"}, {"response": 995, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr 10, 2001 (11:32)", "body": "I saw that, Marianne, but you forgot Huge's big contribution to the LA Times article: \"Sounded like Princess Margaret, blah, blah, slurred as stroke victim, blah blah . .. \" I kid you not, folks. You're right, Karen, you *can't* say \"Arsenal\" every time!;-) Renee will be delivering her opening monologue using British accent...HG, planted in audience, will stand and confront her about not being British...HG will then inform audience about RZ's brief Princess Margaret phase and that he was in British SAS... LOL, Eileen! SIL deja vu, eh? You read it first here, folks.;-)"}, {"response": 996, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 10, 2001 (11:39)", "body": "(Mari) this kid is working like a dog to sell this Didn't one of the articles mention that this is the first movie she's had to carry on her own? This is really important to her. It's whether she becomes a 'bankable' star; everyone already knows she can act. ;-D Gaah, do I have to watch Today each and every morning this week? This may be too much to bear. Firth likens his scratching, kicking showdown with Grant to a spat between \ufffda couple of 7-year old girls ...with SAS training. Am currently watching two 7-year olds go flying through glass window across street. Hmmmm, maybe are 8..."}, {"response": 997, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Apr 10, 2001 (11:39)", "body": "And then HG's family will stand up and speak in the \"voice of our dead cat.\" I loved the fact that he said his mother tapped on the legs to put his feet down from the seat in front at the London Premiere. 7 year old boy indeed!"}, {"response": 998, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Apr 10, 2001 (11:48)", "body": "Should have been 7 year old girl! BTW karen, getting back to Eric Fellner and the NY Premiere....... What you saw was not a proposition at all ! I am known for having a penchant for men with the odd balding patch, but his follicles are way past even beinf seriously challenged! (think Royal Family!)I was actually asking him why someone more attractive could not have been found to introduce the film, like Tim Bevan, and who knew the cast list in advance! I was explaining that a member of the audience had come all the way from Oklahoma (her words!)for this very experience and was disappointed at the lack of attractive men at the premiere. Hope that has cleared that up for you :~)"}, {"response": 999, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr 10, 2001 (13:05)", "body": "Thoughtful article from the Independent. Bridget Jones: Essays in uncool 'Four Weddings...', 'Notting Hill', 'Bridget Jones...' - the trilogy of formulaic films made by Working Title all tell the same story of unfashionable people humiliated in their pursuit of romance. So why do we love them so much? By Judith Williamson 08 April 2001 A part of me was squirming at the prospect of yet another blockbuster from the makers of Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill hitting our screens this week. The cynical corner of my mind had already dismissed Bridget Jones's Diary, the latest movie from producers Working Title, as just another shake-up of the formula that made the first two so successful: American actress + goofy Hugh Grant + backdrop of wacky friends in upper middle class milieu = box office hit. This time the American actress plays an English character; Hugh Grant \ufffd an essential ingredient \ufffd reappears as the bad guy; Colin Firth is thrown into the mix as the new love-interest; wacky friends remain, in the same milieu, with additional wacky parents. And the twist is that Bridget Jones is given the clutzy goofiness of the earlier Grant characters. However, the cynical mind is not always the best tool for understanding popular hits. And no one ever quite explained the massive success of Four Weddings and Notting Hill. Why did people \ufffd both sides of the Atlantic \ufffd love them so much? Of course they are formulaic: they are genre films, romantic comedies unashamedly modelled on the Hollywood prototype. But to berate them for that is about as pointless as berating Friends or Frasier for being sitcoms. It is certainly annoying, for those of us who still care about class politics, that the only slice of British society they show is a relentlessly posh one, but again, to dismiss them on that basis is a bit like dismissing Cukor's romantic classic The Philadelphia Story for being about white upper-class Americans. It is also true that these films break no cinematic ground aesthetically, but then, Philadelphia Story cannot be illuminated by comparison with, say, Battleship Potemkin. The achievement of popular culture has been to provide frameworks \ufffd precisely through the repeated formulae of genres \ufffd for dealing with strong feelings that may not be worked through anywhere else. The fact that they are dealt with entertainingly doesn't mean those feelings are not real: rather, that even painful and disturbing emotions can be explored and safely held by the generic structure itself. Any film, TV show, or popular fiction that sweeps to success does so not because of its format, but because of the fears and desires its format \"holds\" for us. And while formats may change little over time (romantic comedy demands that love be repeatedly thwarted but ultimately triumph) the fears and desires wound into them tell us a great deal about any social moment. Four Weddings and Notting Hill are generally remembered as light-hearted comedies where the floppily charming Hugh Grant gets his girl in the end. But, in fact, without the endings they would be about failure and insecurity and hesitation: about the pain of emotionally screwing up. Four Weddings begins with Hugh Grant messing up being best man at a wedding and then hideously putting his foot in it at the reception. This kicks off a series of increasingly embarrassing mistakes and, ultimately, humiliations \ufffd the worst perhaps being his having to choose a wedding dress for the woman he loves to marry someone else in. Notting Hill follows an exactly similar pattern: Hugh Grant starts off clumsy and awkward, then progresses through increasingly humiliating situations to downright hurtful ones \ufffd memorably, having to play \"room service\" to the woman he loves and her suddenly-revealed boyfriend. These painful situations are carried by a verbal wit which both lightens the films and, crucially, gives the Hugh Grant figure some dignity. The comedy is also carried by playing on his English stereotype. However, the films didn't just hit a nerve in Britain, but internationally: and, though \"Englishness\" may provide a cover, the directness of that hit says as much about gender roles as about national identity. For these two films place Hugh Grant in a role of passivity and suffering which is traditionally feminine: he waits on the sidelines while the woman \ufffd who's more successful and glamorous than him \ufffd comes and goes. Yet in neither film is he made to seem pathetic either because he loves her or because he suffers. And neither does the plot demand that she love him less. In fact, strikingly, the women make every physical move in both films. In Four Weddings, Andie McDowell has to coax him through his inhibitions and into bed with her. In Notting Hill, Julia Roberts phones first, initiates the first kiss, the first night together \ufffd and finally asks him straight out to love her. In a dating climate dominated by the ethos of how-to-catch-men guides like The Rules this is radical stuff: "}, {"response": 1000, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Tue, Apr 10, 2001 (13:34)", "body": "I\ufffdve read so many reviews, I can no longer differentiate from those that are new or previously posted. Apologies is this is one of them \ufffd \ufffd\ufffduptight and awkward Mark Darcy, played by Colin Firth, cleverly cast in the same role that brought him fame in Pride and Prejudice.\ufffd \"Colin and I were both queen-y and actress-y and went on diets. I wanted to be thin for once and Colin thought he would do it to. There we were being prima donnas while Renee was this bloke in the corner eating pizza and ice cream, so it was all reversed.\" http://www.sky.com/skynews/storytemplate/storytoppic/0,,30500-1010974,00.html From the online edition of Hello magazine, a report on the NY and London premieres w/ pictures of HG and RZ and assorted minor celebrities. \ufffdSo it fell to the BBC\ufffds Pride And Prejudice hunk Colin Firth to play the movie\ufffds \ufffdnice guy\ufffd, sensitive, strait-laced Mark Darcy. In the book, Bridget and her friends Shazzer and Jude are crazy about Colin Firth, so it was something of a coup to get the Real McCoy in the cast.\ufffd http://www.hello-magazine.co.uk/2001/04/09/bridgetjonespremiere/ And CF made femail.co.uk's quote of the day: \"I don't recall ever looking in the mirror and having a fully-fledged erotic experience\" - Actor Colin Firth when asked if he found himself attractive"}, {"response": 1001, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 10, 2001 (15:40)", "body": "Saw RZ on Rosie with pseudo-host Meredith Viera. Said they will *likely* do a BJD spoof on SNL. Wouldn't commit though. Showed the pants clip. No mention of Colin, but only one mention of Huge. Same old same old."}, {"response": 1002, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 10, 2001 (16:11)", "body": "Looking at Renee on the Rosie show, I'm convinced she plays the \"role\" of a ditzy blond.We know from Sharon Maguire interviews, that RZ is a hard-working, serious actress; deliberate in nailing her role. You'd never know it from today's show. Didn't one of the articles mention that this is the first movie she's had to carry on her own? Didn't she carry NB? Though it didn't have the wide release tht BJD will have. Thanks for the Independent article, Mari. No one said BJD was another Citizen Kane."}, {"response": 1003, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 10, 2001 (16:16)", "body": "Didn't she carry NB? Though it didn't have the wide release tht BJD will have. I think you've answered your own question."}, {"response": 1004, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Apr 10, 2001 (17:11)", "body": "Had a weird experience at the local multiplex this evening. No BJD trailer before the film and absolutely no posters or publicity in the foyer to indicate that the film opens Friday (well I guess they have previews from tomorrow). I went in the knowledge there would be some goodies and came away empty handed!"}, {"response": 1005, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Tue, Apr 10, 2001 (17:40)", "body": "Why does HG get described as \ufffda handsome bounder and total cad,\ufffd while CF is \ufffda repressed barrister\ufffda stuffed shirt and noble noodle\ufffd??? http://www.cbsnews.com/now/story/0,1597,284517-412,00.shtml"}, {"response": 1006, "author": "Ann", "date": "Tue, Apr 10, 2001 (17:59)", "body": "Renee might not be fully comfortable with interviews--particularly in front of an audience. She might just have been nervous. But, was Viera attempting a Rosie immitation? or was I imagining it?"}, {"response": 1007, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, Apr 10, 2001 (18:38)", "body": "*Sigh* Have just got home from \"exclusive screening\" of BJD, it was fantastic! The cinema was packed solid, some people had to stand at the back! From the very first the place was rocking with laughter. Surprised to see so many blokes in, but they seemed to be enjoying matters just as much as us girlies! Fave bits: 'Look' on stairs in BJ's flat, at Ruby wedding and ....well basically every look really Tom \"Fight!\" Fight scene in general- ROTF...\"happy birthday whatsisname\" *tee hee* and of course 'the end' *engulfed by warm fuzzy feeling* You should have heard the sharp intake of breath around the auditorium when DC arrives at the BJ Birthday Bash - it was wonderful to be in a crowd so involved. ODB gorgeous, RZ adorable and Huge ....just looked tired and floppy! Was great, at long last, to see a CF film so well received can't wait to see it again;-) (BTW : Ben - Crown Court would have been on Thames I think)"}, {"response": 1008, "author": "Ann", "date": "Tue, Apr 10, 2001 (21:48)", "body": "it was wonderful to be in a crowd so involved. } Now I'm jealous. The crowd I had was sparse and quiet :("}, {"response": 1009, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 10, 2001 (21:57)", "body": "Wow! They allow standing room in your theatres!? Tom \"Fight!\" hee hee hee! I've been telling all the James Callis people that that one word gets the biggest laugh. So glad you got to see it, Tracy, with a big crowd. As Huge has been telling the interviewers, RZ is going to ram that criticism down your press' throats."}, {"response": 1010, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 10, 2001 (22:13)", "body": "Not a good review from the Village Voice. She seems to be more miffed that RZ was able to lose her weight so quickly and didn't have Bridget's weight problems in real life. Bizarre. http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0115/taubin.shtml"}, {"response": 1011, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 10, 2001 (22:37)", "body": "From the Guardian: The real Mr Darcy: Barrister Mark Muller thinks the noble hero in the Bridget Jones's Diary film is 'a bit dull'. But wasn't the character modelled on him? Jess Cartner-Morley investigates 'Who would play you in a Hollywood film?' is not a question most lawyers ever need face. But Mark Muller, a barrister with chambers in Gray's Inn Square, London, knows the answer to that question: last week he watched Colin Firth play a character modelled on him at the premiere of Bridget Jones's Diary. With a lawyer's penchant for niceties, however, Muller is keen to point out that the 'real Mark Darcy' tag is overblown: he was a consultant, rather than the inspiration, for the character of Mark Darcy human rights barrister and noble, reticent rival to love-rat Daniel Cleaver as played by Hugh Grant. And he didn't actually get to pick the actor. Firth, the most English of sex symbols he made his name playing Jane Austen's Darcy on the Beeb, after all was part of the Bridget Jones phenomenon from the beginning, as a lust object for Bridget and friends, and so a natural choice for the big screen. Screen immortality notwithstanding, Muller has pressing concerns in the real world as chairman of the Kurdish Human Rights Project and vice-chairman of the Bar Human Rights Committee. In the film, Darcy is briefly seen defending a Kurdish revolutionary leader who is faced with extradition: this was based on a real case of Muller's, that of Kani Yilmaz. Muller is now representing the Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan in a case against Turkey, where he faces the death sentence. 'If we win, it will effectively abolish the death penalty in Europe, and the case will become the basis for argument against the death penalty in the USA and elsewhere.' Yesterday, Working Title films, the company that produced Bridget Jones's Diary, held a fundraising screening for human rights projects. Muller was approached to help the producers, directors and scriptwriters develop the character of Mark Darcy through friends in the film industry: it was on a Kenyan holiday in 1997 that included Eric Felner of Working Title that he read the first Bridget Jones book. 'I enjoyed it, but I remember thinking that beyond this idea of a human rights barrister as a noble beast there wasn't much content to the character.' Muller was unsurprised by Helen Fielding's choice of career for Darcy. 'If you're trying to create a character who's noble but also a bit dark, a barrister is not a bad one to go for. And if you're thinking about a modern day knight in shining armour, most lawyers don't fulfill that criteria, but human rights lawyers do: righting wrongs and representing people who are disadvantaged. Especially if they happen to come from a privileged background and they don't really need to do it.' The Mark Darcy you will see on screen Muller finds 'a bit dull'. He was surprised that straw polls at the premiere suggested an even split between those women who favoured Darcy, and those who preferred Bridget's boss, the dastardly Cleaver. 'Grant's character is the one most men like to see themselves as, I think, and I would have thought women would have found him more attractive.' In the interests of dramatic narrative, the two male characters are cartoonishly opposed: Darcy stubbornly upstanding and silent; Cleaver, sly, suave and silver-tongued. 'I got married two or three years ago. Before that I would have seen myself more like Hugh Grant; happily I'm more like Colin Firth now.' On first impressions, he seems somewhere in the middle. Tall and dark like both the film's male leads, he has the plummy voice of Grant but the solider presence of Firth. To cast on looks, you'd have to go for Tom Hanks. He is wearing a dark suit with a pale blue-and-white shirt in large check gingham, spotted tie fastened with a slightly outsize knot in the preferable continental style, rather than the hangman-tight knot favoured by so many Englishmen. It is a strikingly similar ensemble to Firth's best outfit of the film, when at a hellish dinner party crawling with 'smug marrieds' Firth almost finds the nerve to ask Bridget out but is swiftly collared by his terrier-like girlfriend. Perhaps Mark Darcy could do for lawyers what Al Pacino did for investigative journalists in the film The Insider make them sexy. But isn't the idea of a lawyer sex symbol a bit incongruous? 'There's a certain kind of English barrister who, like Darcy, can seem a bit stuffy. Barristers don't tend to wear their wackiness on their sleeve. But they can have a very dry sense of humour, and they can be very individualistic, very funny, often quite wild.' Muller is standing as a Labour candidate in the forthcoming general election. Finding himself 'ending up in the House of Commons a lot' through his human rights work, he would like to become an MP 'to have a public platform to put arguments forward about human rights and foreign policy. I don't intend to give up law and just become an MP.' H"}, {"response": 1012, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (05:43)", "body": "Thanks for posting that Karen. Tracy, sounds like a wild time, so glad you have seen it. For me the atmosphere in the NY screening was wonderful, Brit audiences can be sometimes much more reserved and as you say it is just so great when everyone is involved in the plot/characters. Here's to many more \"involved\" BJD audiences. I am off to sample a Welsh audience's reaction at a preview, hopefully Ann Robinson is not expected to be in attendance!! Huge you are the weakest link...."}, {"response": 1013, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (08:07)", "body": "According to the Hollywood Reporter (April 10): Date change for 'Diary' Miramax Films is booking the Renee Zellweger-Hugh Grant starrer \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" on an additional 500 screens in North America and moving up the film's release in its native United Kingdom to Wednesday. \"Diary\" was originally slated to bow in the United Kingdom for the minimajor on 600 screens day-and-date with its 1,500-screen U.S. release during the weekend but now will debut two days earlier. \"Diary\" is based on Helen Fielding's best-selling novel and follows Zellweger as Bridget, a single, thirtysomething Brit looking for love while trying to mind her alcohol intake, watch her weight and cut down on smoking."}, {"response": 1014, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (09:03)", "body": "Popcorn has a minisite for BJD. Nothing really new there, just a main page to lead into existing interviews, gallery, and review. http://www.popcorn.co.uk/cinema/features/feature.jhtml?id=3482"}, {"response": 1015, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (09:24)", "body": "Anybody see Renee last night with David Letterman? She seemed more relaxed than with Rosie. She knows Dave personally, one could tell. And she teased *him* for a change. Mentioned Colin once as a co-star. The accent part came up,she was coached for 6 months.[I could have a Swahili accent in that time.] Said both leads were v. supportive of her accent.Didn't criticize her..in fact it was she who insisted on re-takes til she got it right. They showed a clip of the film...with Hugh as they are speeding off on the mini-break...no Colin and no Mark![Boo hiss]"}, {"response": 1016, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (09:48)", "body": "(Evelyn) They showed a clip of the film...with Hugh as they are speeding off on the mini-break...no Colin and no Mark![Boo hiss] Actually, you do see the beginning of Mark's entrance. Shins on down... ;-D"}, {"response": 1017, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (09:55)", "body": "The Sun has an item about Gabrielle (and a contest) which contained the following: Gabrielle missed the film's celebrity premiere due to illness - which meant she missed out on meeting her dream man. \"I didn't get to meet Colin Firth,\" she says. \"But I would have made a fool of myself. I think he's lovely.\ufffd http://www.the-sun.co.uk/news/13580169"}, {"response": 1018, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (10:08)", "body": "I am SOOO envious of you all. My stupid local movie theater said that the sneak preview would be Sat (despite ads that said Fri), but when I got there on Sat night, they said \"sorry, it was last night.\" Foiled again. Then Today didn't show the interview yesterday. I am suffering from Colin deprivation!! The NY site for CitySearch has a link to their Bridget Jones information. Nothing new, but they invite visitors to the site to post reviews. All seven are glowing reviews. i didn't have a lot of time to surf around citysearch, but I think BJD is the only big movie opening this weekend. That could mean good $$$numbers!!!!! Am counting the minutes until Friday, when I'm taking my sister-in-law to see the movie (she has promised to bring a roll of paper towels to wipe the drool off my chin!) I don't know if this link will work, but here it is. http://newsletter.citysearch.com/go/nycnyWP63/1/?nycnyWP63179281 If it doesn't work (sorry, am v. computer-illiterate), just go to citysearch. com and work your way to BJD from there."}, {"response": 1019, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (10:59)", "body": "Very interesting...the UK soundtrack CD has 19 tracks vs. 15 in the US. Still no Van Morrison or Diana Ross singing \"Ain't No Mountain High Enough\" but the additions are: Aretha Franklin (Respect) Andy Williams (Can't Take My Eyes Off of You) Artful Dodger (Woman Trouble) Aaron Soul (Ring, Ring, Ring)"}, {"response": 1020, "author": "LynnR", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (11:07)", "body": "Our local paper, the Lancaster (PA) New Era had this snippet last night, in their \"People in the News\" section: Firth Says Hollywood fame double-edged Although British actor Colin Firth says he's had \"very little success in Hollywood,\" he's aware that the new movie \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" could change that--and complicate things in the process. Firth, 40, plays Mark Darcy opposite Renee Zellweger in the film, which opens in theaters Friday. Hugh Grant also co-stars. \"(Brits) absolutely devour American culture,\" he tells Elle magazine in its April issue. \"Yet there's a suspicion of Hollywood---an idea that it's vulgar and that if you court it you're selling out. Endorsement from America can be double-sided.\" Firth's previous films include \"Valmont,\" \"The English Patient\" and \"Shakespeare in Love\"."}, {"response": 1021, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (11:11)", "body": "I checked out imdb.com for reaction. Glowing comments, including the following from a Bill from Bloomington: The story is actually quite believable but still interesting. I wasn't sure until the end which guy she would pick but my wife figured it out. You don't say, Bill. Your wife's obviously a Firthette. They also break down their user ratings. The average score is 7.9/10. But there is some variation behind this. The lowest scoring groups is males aged 30-44 (6.0/10). The most generous? Women, 18-29 (9.2/10) and 30-44 (8.9). As a close observer of the Firthette mentality, I could have told males aged 30-44 NOT to go to the film with females aged 18-44. Or indeed females of any age. You are bound to suffer by comparison. My date movie? I don't know - something with PeeWee Herman, maybe."}, {"response": 1022, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (11:17)", "body": "Still no Van Morrison or Diana Ross singing \"Ain't No Mountain High Enough\" but the additions are: Hey...we wuz robbed. What a gyp. Think I'll get the British CD. But really pissed about Van Morrison and \"Ain't no Mountain Higher\"...that's a real important part of the film;-) The Gabrielle one sounds country western :-("}, {"response": 1023, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (11:48)", "body": "Speaking of the soundtrack, Karen, \"Stop, Look, Listen\" from Marvin and Diana is definitely in the film (scene of BJ and DC rolling on floor; you were undoubtedly under your seat hurling at the time;-) Here's a great review from Peter Travers in Rolling Stone, aimed especially at the male readership. 4.5 stars out of 5. On their website, you can post trivia questions about CF to see who knows more about him than you. We already know the answer is no one, so don't bother.;-) ***** It should have been no man's land: a movie based on a best-selling post-feminist novel about a year in the life of a thirty-something Brit career girl trying to kick her addictions to food, cigarettes, booze and male fuckwads while her self-esteem issues grow massive and unwieldy, just like her thighs. Instead, Bridget Jones's Diary delivers frisky fun for bruised romantics regardless of age, sex or nationality. OK, Bridget has a weakness for sentimental hokum that the film shares. The surprise comes in the brash wit that stings when it needs to and in the eye for social irony that has drawn comparison to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. When Helen Fielding's novel in diary form was published in 1996, Salman Rushdie - yes, that Salman Rushdie - called it \"a brilliant comic creation\" and added, \"Even men will laugh.\" Well, the movie will make men laugh, too, at themselves as well as at Bridget. If His Satanic Verses Majesty can loosen up, so can you, dude. Here are five reasons why. (1) Renee Zellweger is irresistible. As Bridget, she had me from hello. Never mind all that go-home-Yank resentment over a twiggy Texan putting on twenty pounds and a British accent to portray a character that another actress - say, Kate Winslet - could step into without the heavy lifting. Zellweger nails the role. Barbara Berkery, Gwyneth's dialogue coach for Shakespeare in Love, rounded Zellweger's vowels; a diet of pizza and milkshakes rounded everything else; and an undercover stint at a London publishing house made her comfortable in Bridget's skin as a book publicist. What's great about Zellweger, besides the fact that she has the sexiest squint in movies (take that, Benicio), is the way she blends strength and vulnerability. Whether Bridget is singing along to self-pitying pop anthems like \"All by Myself\" or answering the phone - \"Hello, Bridget Jones, wanton sex goddess with a very bad man between my thighs\" - only to find the caller is her mother, Zellweger never hits a false note. Some people stil don't cotton to this actress, even after Jerry Maguire and Nurse Betty. On the first season of The Sopranos, Tony's wife, Carmela, ended her friendship with Father Phil when the priest brought her a DVD of One True Thing. \"I told you I don't like Ren\ufffde Zellweger,\" snapped Carm, who will now have to revise her opinion. After Bridget, Ms. Z is A-list all the way. (2) Helen Fielding, the journalist who dreamed up Bridget for a London newspaper column, has touched a nerve. Bridget's problem really isn't being what Fielding calls a \"singleton\" in a world full of \"smug- marrieds.\" It's her shabby self-image. One diary entry says it all: \"I will not sulk about having no boyfriend, but develop inner poise and authority and sense of self as woman of substance, complete without boyfriend, as best way to obtain boyfriend.\" Bridget, like the John Cusack character in Nick Hornby's High Fidelity, is at war with herself. Wisely, the spirited screenplay that Fielding has crafted with Richard Curtis (Notting Hill) and Andrew Davies (Circle of Friends) takes time to catch Bridget's loneliness in a crowd. Rather than settle for a trendy Brit gloss on Sex and the City or Ally McBeal, Fielding cuts deeper. (3) Sharon Maguire, the documentary filmmaker debuting as a features director, doesn't duck showing the elements that shaped Bridget. The melancholy of her dad (the superb Jim Broadbent) and the flightiness of her mum (Gemma Jones, brilliant as ever) are part of Bridget. That's where the importance of chums comes in. Maguire, a friend of Fielding's, is the inspiration for Shazza (Sally Phillips), one of Bridget's best mates - Jude (Shirley Henderson) and Tom (James Callis) are the others - who stays loyal when lovers disappoint. There's no showing off in Maguire's direction; her gift is making the film feel lived-in. (4) The men aren't all pricks. Well, they are, actually, but the actors who play them compensate nobly. Hugh Grant, dropping his dither, is suavely hilarious as Bridget's boss, Daniel Cleaver, a sexist pig who sends her dirty e-mails: \"Love your tits in that top.\" That Bridget finds this charming is part of her problem. Barrister Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) makes a more likely prospect, but his haughtiness turns Bridget off until he helps her save a disastrous dinner party that ends in a brawl between him and Daniel. It's a funny scene, bolstered by a casting joke: In the novel, Bridget swoons over the 1995 BBC production of Pride and Prejudice, starring Fir"}, {"response": 1024, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (11:48)", "body": "I saw RZ on Rosie yesterday also. Thought she was 110% better than she was on Leno a few weeks ago. Missed her on Letterman, though. Glad she managed to get Colin's name out there. (Lizza) hopefully Ann Robinson is not expected to be in attendance!! Huge you are the weakest link.... ...*Goodbye!* Not bloody likely, unfortunately..."}, {"response": 1025, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (11:49)", "body": "Well I should have waited ..... or should I? I have been able to play the soundtrack constantly for a week already and havin seen the film could match each scene with each track. Prefer US cover anyway! Lizza *who's desperately trying to convince herself she hasn't wasted her money* My dream soundtrack would also contain Van, plus assorted audience whoops etc to pep up \"It's raining men\" when Huge gets dented."}, {"response": 1026, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (11:55)", "body": "Goodbye indeed Eileen!! Well we girls can dream can't we? After all we have been doing it on this site for several years and proved dreams do come true! (cue rev of volvo engines, mournful violins etc)"}, {"response": 1027, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (12:27)", "body": "does anyone have any suggestions about e-retailers in UK who we should get the CD from? I was thinking Amazon, but I just wanted to see what everyone else's thoughts were."}, {"response": 1028, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (12:29)", "body": "(Mari) you were undoubtedly under your seat hurling at the time;-) Undoubtedly is reason. ;-D Another reason to go back and see it again... I really liked the Peter Travers Rolling Stone review too. So, what's on the cover of the British CD? Also, am wondering if there are 4 more tracks, i.e., is it true? The official site only shows the 15 songs. Will shortly be unveiling newest incarnation of \"Bridget Reviews the Reviews\" which was done with the very able assistance of LisaBridget and EmmaBridget."}, {"response": 1029, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (12:45)", "body": "Karen- So, what's on the cover of the British CD? Haven't actually seen a copy yet but from the adverts it looks to be Bridge on her own with diary to chest ;-(. Have ordered a copy from Amazon but it hasn't been despatched yet. BTW - is it my imagination but does MD look ever more intense every time one catches a glimpse of the poster (whereas DC looks more and more like an a***!) ?"}, {"response": 1030, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (13:12)", "body": "Some funny anecdotes about the fight scene: The fight scene between Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) and Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) - to the tune of Geri Halliwell's cover of the Weather Girls' It's Raining Men - is a comic departure from the book (in which the men never meet). The two leave Jones's birthday party for a brawl which takes them into the restaurant where Darcy becomes covered in taramasalata. The fight ends when the pair, played by stuntmen, exit the restaurant via the largest plastic window ever made. While the stunt went off without a hitch, the 'glass' proved less reliable. The first pane ordered by the art department shattered in transit and the second broke as it was being installed, disrupting the shoot. Veteran stuntman Peter Brayham (John Wayne's double in Branagan) choreographed the fight. He was particularly pleased with 'the bit where Grant has Firth in a headlock as they attempt to trip each other up across the street - like schoolboys'. Brayham taught them popular film punches, such as the 'straight-down-the-bottle' - which sends Grant reeling - and the 'haymaker', which floors him. Firth's only complaint was that he stank of taramasalata. 'I'll never eat that stuff again,' he vowed. According to stunt ace Brayham, both actors survived the experience relatively unscathed, though Grant was provided with a batsman's box at one stage - 'in case Firth missed.' 'We did say at the time,\" Brayham recalls, 'that the box had got to be worth a few bob. We even considered selling it afterwards.' [Too bad Rosie didn't know about it; otherwise, she would've wanted it for her charity auctions on eBay. She put a signed poster by RZ up right after her appearance.] Grant impressed him with his fitness, though he could not see why the women on the set swooned over Firth, who was, he says tactfully, 'a little on the slim side'. ~~~~~~~ I'm a big fan of Colin's 180 degree, arching punch inside the restaurant. He's come a long way from some of his sissy punches in the past."}, {"response": 1031, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (13:28)", "body": "Firth, who was, he says tactfully, 'a little on the slim side'. Yes, am surprised nobody has commented about this yet. He looks like superstickman in some of the clips I've seen, esp. at the T&V party. BTW, is a 'batsman's box' what I think it is? ;-)"}, {"response": 1032, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (13:31)", "body": "(Eileen) BTW, is a 'batsman's box' what I think it is? ;-) What do you think it is? ;-D OK, new review page containing brilliant additions by Lisa and Emma is up: http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjdrevsum.html"}, {"response": 1033, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (13:42)", "body": "There's plenty from the premiere & party in this weeks Heat mag."}, {"response": 1034, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (13:45)", "body": "(Karen) What do you think it is? ;-D OK, what do you think I think it is? ooh, feel like Lucy Ricardo new review page containing brilliant additions by Lisa and Emma Is blurry brilliant! Hurrah!"}, {"response": 1035, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (14:07)", "body": "Love the lovely review comments. I second that \"Hurrah\"!"}, {"response": 1036, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (14:12)", "body": "New page is total triumph, thank you all 3 Bridget's. Will celebrate no. of times MD mentioned with chardonnay and also drown sorrows at just seen TV review. No of times MD mentioned in intro - 0 No of times DC mentioned- off the scale. Review conclusion- you don't want to know! But is silly programme for under 20 year old singletons with no brains!"}, {"response": 1037, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (14:16)", "body": "Karen) What do you think it is? ;-D (Eileen)OK, what do you think I think it is? ooh, feel like Lucy Ricardo I dont' know what you're talking about,Eileen....need a picture ;-D Lisa, Emma...Congratulations...you too Boss."}, {"response": 1038, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (14:28)", "body": "Kudos to the review page team! Well done, Karen, Lisa and Emma. Love the rating system:-) Here's the AP review; critic is stick-up-his-ass expat know-it-all, but has proper proportion of MD mentions (6) vs. Fuckwit (3). At the Movies: 'Bridget Jones Diary' by MATT WOLF Associated Press Writer For a film whose heroine obsesses over her weight, it's a shame that ''Bridget Jones's Diary'' should be such a slim affair. That's unlikely to matter to the hordes of readers who turned Helen Fielding's 1996 chronicle of the lovesick Londoner into an international best seller. Told in diary fashion, the book charts a year in the life of the hapless publishing assistant who wants nothing more than to settle down with a man, cut back on cigarettes and booze, sort out her fractious relationship with her parents and lose some weight. Go for it, girl! Which is exactly what the Bridget of Fielding's delightfully larky book does, aided no end by her supportive trio of friends Shazza, Jude and Tom and some good luck in the romance sweepstakes. The novel even boasts an ending that manages to revel in the same swoony romantic literature -- complete with a four-poster bed -- that it gently sends up. Relationships are indeed possible, Fielding suggests, especially if you can manage not to judge a man by his sweater. In this age of the emaciated female star, Renee Zellweger displays real courage for someone in her thespian prime by parading thighs as fleshy as those that get mercilessly scrutinized by director Sharon Maguire's camera. And the accent will prove no obstacle to those in the United States. Britons may quibble, but in a class-conscious country the accent means so much more about where you're from and what your background is. More problematic is the fact -- at least to an American observer resident in London -- that although her vowel sounds are accurately pitched, Zellweger never really seems British. Partly, that's to do with a lot of ''face acting'' (scrunched-up cheeks, a downturned mouth and the like) that a different, more seasoned director might have toned down. And Zellweger hasn't quite managed to forsake the over-ingratiation so much used by American performers and so scorned by their British colleagues. It's as if no one trusted the very real charm of the book, whose 32-year-old heroine is sure she'll die ''fat and alone'' only to end up with the dishy Mark Darcy (played by Colin Firth). Zellweger projects eagerness in a most un-Bridgetlike way, insofar as this is a woman who imagines railway announcements blaring to all and sundry the state of her thighs. The aim, presumably, was to make ''Bridget Jones'' a lovable Brit-blockbuster on the order of ''Four Weddings and a Funeral'' and ''Notting Hill'' and with Hugh Grant once again on hand as the co-star. But the new film isn't as well written or directed as the earlier ones, and it's silly and not a little bit crude where those previous movies were blithe and breezy. Bridget's trio of chums seem to have been excised nearly to death in the cutting room, while the two men fare best, playing a complementary set of Cambridge buddies, each with a vested interest in Bridget. Firth's dourness has never been seen to such deliciously comic effect, and admirers of this actor will smile at his presence as another screen Darcy having already played Jane Austen's Mr. Darcy in the BBC's ''Pride and Prejudice.'' Grant is in terrific form as Bridget's boss and sometime bedmate, Daniel Cleaver. He is first seen to the strains on the soundtrack of ''Respect,'' looking as if he is suppressing a burp, and he ends up battling the bottled-up Darcy for Bridget's affections. The parental roles are particularly well filled by Jim Broadbent, with his comically bemused countenance as Bridget's father, and Gemma Jones as his flighty ''daft cow'' of a wife. No less crucial are the locations of a London where it seems forever to be snowing. So what if it the real London almost never sees the powdery stuff? ''Bridget Jones's Diary'' isn't meant to be taken literally or even all that seriously. The film is like a dusting of snow that melts in the mind the minute it's over."}, {"response": 1039, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (14:48)", "body": "(Mari) critic is stick-up-his-ass expat know-it-all You can say that again (mind your accent!). (Mr. Matt Bossybottom) insofar as this is a woman who imagines railway announcements blaring to all and sundry the state of her thighs. Hmm, wonder if he even read the book, in manner of the other critics who seem to think BJ drinks too much vodka. Note to self: next time at liquor store, check for 'Chardonnay' brand of vodka. At least he liked CF. Aargh, but he liked the Gnat too."}, {"response": 1040, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (15:14)", "body": "Batsman's box. See here for accurate definition: http://www.offthestreets.co.uk/cricket.htm I can vouch from painful experience that they are not always adequate. (If CF had really wanted to damage HG, a box would not have been adequate protection against a strategically placed kick). However, fashioned in a delightful cream or pink plastic, they are an eye-catching fashion accessory. So who cares whether they work or not?"}, {"response": 1041, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (15:17)", "body": "For evidence of occasional inadequacy of box, see picture of Brian Lara (world's greatest batsman, under \"box\" entry, here: http://home.sprynet.com/%7Ehotoff/crickgl.htm"}, {"response": 1042, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (15:26)", "body": "Here we call 'em jockstaps, and my son was complaining yesterday that his was too big for him. We still hold out high developmental hopes for his puberty, however.;-) Rex Reed has written a typically colorful review for the New York Observer. Ok, so he gets some of the facts mixed up and he thinks the final Kiss is sappy, but on big plus side, is first review to mention Huge as happy hooker procurer.;-) Proper descriptions of MD (\"handsome human rights barrister\") vs. DC (\"narcissistic cad\") and in right proportions.:-) A Diarist in Distress Ren\ufffde Zellweger is a huggable human pastry everyone wants to take a bite of, and in Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary she\ufffds more delicious than ever. Having scarfed down a few hundred eclairs herself to gain the weight to play the single, 32-year-old, Chardonnay-swigging, chain-smoking, lovelorn title character in this lively film version of Helen Fielding\ufffds bestseller, there is also a great deal more of her to hug. Cut from the same romantic taffeta as Notting Hill and Four Weddings and a Funeral, the movie is about a year in the life of a gal for whom the past is a zero and the future shows less promise than a winter in Vermont without snow. On New Year\ufffds Day, as she endures another traditional turkey-curry buffet with her nagging mother, Bridget peruses her resolutions\ufffdto stop drinking, cease smoking, lose weight and find a responsible boyfriend\ufffdand starts a diary to improve her life. Unfortunately for her (but lucky for us), her character keeps getting in the way. Bridget works for a London publishing house, where she begins an e-mail flirtation and then a real after-hours affair with her boss (Hugh Grant). We know he\ufffds a narcissistic cad before she does, but when she finds a naked woman in his flat, she dumps him and chucks her job at the same time. Newly ensconced as a reporter for a current-affairs show called Sit Up Britain, she gets a scoop while covering a political refugee\ufffds trial when the defendant\ufffds lawyer (Colin Firth) grants her an exclusive interview, and a new affair begins with this handsome human-rights barrister. Things are looking up. But life gets in the way. Her parents\ufffd marriage curdles when her flaky Mum (Gemma Jones) leaves her morose couch-potato Dad (Jim Broadbent) for a flamboyant poof who sells costume jewelry on the Home Shopping Network. The handsome lawyer dumps Bridget for an over-confident American girl. Making her mark on society by attending a chic garden tea, she shows up as a prostitute, mistakenly thinking it\ufffds a costume party. Even when she does the Good Samaritan bit by dropping coins into a homeless couple\ufffds cup, her charitable pride is crushed as she walks away, overhearing one of them say, \ufffdWhat a lovely, caring person!\ufffd \ufffdYes,\ufffd says the other, \ufffdshame about the thighs.\ufffd Bridget Jones just can\ufffdt seem to get her moons in balance or her planets to align. No wonder she loses herself in vodka and Chaka Khan records before she sees the light. Regular bouts of public embarrassment and culinary disaster eventually force Bridget\ufffds two admirers to duke it out with flying fists, leaving one of them to recognize her true charms. I won\ufffdt tell you which one. Suffice it to say it all ends up with Bridget, still a size 12 but working on those thighs night and day, chasing Mr. Right down the street in the snow in her skimpy knickers. The kiss, in that fadeout embrace, is right out of Barbra Streisand\ufffds sappy fiasco The Mirror Has Two Faces\ufffda small cavil, considering all the thorny and sympathetic humor that has preceded it. So the year in the life of a girl with low self-esteem ends in the kind of Hollywood finale Bridget has always dreamed of\ufffdbut, we suspect, a new diary is just beginning. It\ufffds fortunate that such a larky update of Jane Austen\ufffds Pride and Prejudice manages to balance sentimentality with farce so skillfully. Neither Bridget nor her diary takes things the least bit seriously. Just as Candace Bushnell\ufffds Sex and the City was based on a series in the pages of The New York Observer, Ms. Fielding culled the diary entries in Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary from her own regular column in the Independent. Both deal with the concerns of career girls, anxiety-riddled and driven to comic despair by the need to \ufffdhave it all.\ufffd The big difference is that Bridget is British. She makes impossible social blunders, rarely wastes time shopping, and celebrates failures at home and office with more irony than fury. The Brits are better at self-deprecating modesty (even on a big budget), and the efforts of everyone involved to poke fun at themselves are funny, engaging, and winning. I hadn\ufffdt thought about it, but one London critic was helpful in pointing out the puncturing of various illusions, beginning with Hugh Grant, whose real-life scandal with a Hollywood hooker is snickered over in the book, and who plays against type in the film with the prissy line: \ufffdI\ufffdm a terrible disaster with a posh voice and a bad character.\ufffd It\ufffds also no secret that Colin Firth\ufffds stuffy law"}, {"response": 1043, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (16:14)", "body": "We Bridgets thank you. Must put Mr Bossybottom's review in proper context. Anyone who writes in one-sentence paragraphs cannot be taken seriously, although he did call CF dishy (a plus). (Eileen) critics who seem to think BJ drinks too much vodka I wondered about all the vodka mentions myself early on. However, you do see vodka bottles (thrown into trash). Expect this was a case of *product placement* and no winery was willing to pay enough. Thanks for the illustrations, Ben. Have linked the posted article to the second glossary where there are pix. As CF has large feet and Huge...ahem..may not be, he could do damage real damage, similar to squashing a gnat. ;-D (Rex) The kiss, in that fadeout embrace, is right out of Barbra Streisand\ufffds sappy fiasco The Mirror Has Two Faces Oh yeah!! I cried in that movie at pudgy Babs being rejected by hubby."}, {"response": 1044, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (16:20)", "body": "Mari, I'm surprised Rex Reed brought up Huge Gnat's (I love that name!) arrest, for wasn't Rex Reed arrested for shoplifting CDs at Tower Records a few years ago? Forgive me for digressing a bit, but I have to relate the following, which happened many years ago: The film, The Sting, featured the music of Scott Joplin, which prompted a renewed interest in ragtime. My friend's mother, a diffident and genteel woman, decided to purchase a ragtime record as a Father's Day gift for her husband. She proceeded to approach a sales clerk in a record store and asked, \"Pardon me, but do you have any records by Jock Straplin?\" Whoops.:-)"}, {"response": 1045, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (16:44)", "body": "(Karen) We Bridgets thank you. I will second that....:-)"}, {"response": 1046, "author": "Ann", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (16:54)", "body": "I take it Rex Reed must have seen an advanced print of the film, cause his description of the plot doesn't really match what I saw."}, {"response": 1047, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (17:12)", "body": "Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, is he gorgeous or is he gorgeous. it can't get better than this, I am in heaven. You may have guessed I have just got back from a preview screening of BJD, and it is wonderful. Renee is wonderful, words fail me she is Bridget and can she act, you cry for her, you laugh with her you understand her. Hugh was okay, liked him better than in NH but he pales into insignificance against ODB, or am I biased. Can't wait to see it again. BTW my hubby loved it and so did the audience, which was a full house. Roll on Friday, when I am going again. Favourite shot of Colin, when he turns up before Bridget's party and she is covered in food etc, she opens the door ...and there he stands, there was a audible sigh from the audience. PS Thought Honor Blackman had a bigger part. Hope the video/dvd comes out pretty qauickly, must have two copies at least, in case one wears out."}, {"response": 1048, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (17:47)", "body": "(Ann) I take it Rex Reed must have seen an advanced print of the film, cause his description of the plot doesn't really match what I saw. Pretty much all the critics saw that version about two-three weeks ago. The homeless scene has been mentioned before. Seems like about 20 minutes got cut after that. :-( So I gather you liked it, AnnW? ;-D"}, {"response": 1049, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (17:50)", "body": "Karen, what on earth gave you that idea!! Away to my bed, perchance to dream..."}, {"response": 1050, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (19:11)", "body": "So I gather you liked it, AnnW? ;-D But....did you see Mark?"}, {"response": 1051, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (19:25)", "body": "Brava, Karen! VVG girls. The homeless scene has been mentioned before. Seems like about 20 minutes got cut after that. :-( We will have to presure them to release a very long DVD. :-D"}, {"response": 1052, "author": "Ann", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (20:37)", "body": "Where is Mark again?"}, {"response": 1053, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (22:36)", "body": "Which brings me at last to Ren\ufffde Zellweger, whose accent is so perfect you\ufffdd swear she came right out of Hampstead on Heath instead of the University of Texas. I have to comment about this (if it hasn't been mentioned already)... What's with the Brit press's obsession with Texas? I suppose it has to do with the idea that it's the most \"extreme\" American accent... I rarely heard the press obsess over Gwynnie's Southern Californian roots when she promoted 'Emma' or 'Sliding Doors.' I wonder if Renee has never felt more Texan than she does now."}, {"response": 1054, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (23:09)", "body": "(Ann) Where is Mark again? Probably asleep right. ;-D (Winter) I suppose it has to do with the idea that it's the most \"extreme\" American accent... Yes, they barely speak Amurican. v. cute article on financial management for Bridget in Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk:80/et?ac=000576481449931&rtmo=fsNlvMNs&atmo=fsNlvMNs&pg=/et/01/4/11/cmbrid11.html Liked these: Bet Mr Perfectpants Mark Darcy doesn't forget to send in his tax form. But, then, bet he can also afford to pay the bill. Told her plan to marry rich man, but agreed that outcome of this strategy not necessarily guaranteed. Apparently should also build cash reserve \"three times my normal expenditure\". This must mean contents of vaults at Bank of England. Harharhar"}, {"response": 1055, "author": "neurogeek", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (23:34)", "body": "I am a virgin to chat, will somone please help?"}, {"response": 1056, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 11, 2001 (23:38)", "body": "A review from The Times: Feeling single, seeing double BY BARBARA ELLEN Bridget Jones the movie is just like its heroine: lovable, funny and lumpy in places Charming romp from Four Weddings team When Helen Fielding sent her chardonnay-swigging,weight-obsessed relationship-junkie out into the world all those years ago, she could not have envisaged how quickly her creation would date, how vulnerable, twee and parochial Bridget Jones would seem by 2001, compared to the manicured witchery of Sex and the City, or the gym-fit surrealism of Ally McBeal. Back in the mid-Nineties, Bridget was British Everywoman, or at least Every Other Woman. Now, after the column, the book and the second book comes the movie. Watching it, it doesn\ufffdt take long to realise that, as well as being a textbook romantic comedy, Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary is as valid a British period piece as Shakespeare in Love or Elizabeth. Somehow, just the way an early scene has Bridget coyly flirting with her caddish boss, Daniel Cleaver, via e-mail, takes one back in a celluloid Tardis to the mid-Nineties glory days of latte and pashminas. By the time we are halfway through, and Bridget is shown, sitting miserable, self-conscious and defensive, with some \ufffdsmug marrieds\ufffd at a dinner party, the movie is screaming \ufffdNineties!\ufffd in much the same way that Georgy Girl screamed \ufffdSixties!\ufffd. Once you\ufffdve accepted this, the movie works very well. [Ed note: Is this criticism??? So???] Directed by a first-timer, Sharon Maguire (Fielding\ufffds friend, and the sharp-tongued Shazza of the story), and written by Fielding, Andrew Davies (Pride and Prejudice) and Richard Curtis (Four Weddings; Notting Hill), it emerges as an irrepressible romp that, in the main, sashays along beautifully. One huge plus with Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary is that it never forgets that it\ufffds a romantic comedy, displaying no pretensions to socio-cultural value whatsoever. The meat of the story is that dreamy singleton Bridget must choose between the dashing bounder, Daniel, played by Hugh Grant, and the seemingly crashingly dull Mark Darcy (a cheeky piece of casting with King of the Darcys, Colin Firth ). And, well, that\ufffds about it really. Spare me that guff about \ufffdThe New Austen\ufffd, I\ufffdve seen episodes of Coronation Street that are more densely plotted than this. The fun comes with Bridget\ufffds innate innocence and eternal optimism. There\ufffds her dirty weekend with Daniel (\ufffdThis can\ufffdt just be shagging. A mini-break means true love\ufffd), the suffering-to-be-beautiful scenes (watch out for an eye-watering bikini wax) and the will-she-ever-realise-who-is-really-good-for her? cliffhanger (although this goes on far too long). Where the guys are concerned, it\ufffds nice to see male actors relegated to the status of mere love interest. Firth is fine, though at times he underacts to the point where he evaporates altogether. However, Grant is a revelation as the naughty, predatory Daniel. It\ufffds certainly the first time in an age that Grant has been sexy. Even better, he\ufffds lost that miserable, embarrassed look he\ufffds had in movies recently. The one that tells you that he\ufffds bored with acting and wants out. Ultimately, however, what\ufffds left in the final cut seems rather less important than what\ufffds left out. Fieldingisms, such as \ufffdfwittage\ufffd, \ufffdsingleton\ufffd and \ufffdv. gd\ufffd barely feature, if at all. Similarly, the diary itself hardly gets a mention. Ditto the famous Jones preoccupation with weight (more of which anon). Bridget Jones purists won\ufffdt be happy, but, maybe, like the heroine herself, they should think about getting a life. If some hefty filleting of the source text has gone on, most of it seemed necessary, and Fielding, Davis and Curtis should be commended for not letting sentiment get in the way. For her part, Maguire shows a feel for pace that belies her lack of experience. Unfortunately, there are always casualties in text massacres such as these, and, on this occasion, it\ufffds Bridget\ufffds social and family circle who catch the bullet. So vivid and amusing in the book, they mooch about in the movie like moody teenagers kicking their heels on a rainy day. It\ufffds a criminal waste of Sally Phillips, who plays Shazza, and who barely gets a look-in. Gemma Jones and Jim Broadbent, as Bridget\ufffds parents, likewise seem to be sharing half a plot-line between them. Jones, at least, gets some choice one-liners: \ufffdDon\ufffdt be silly, Bridget, you\ufffdll never get a boyfriend if you look like you\ufffdve wandered out of Auschwitz.\ufffd Sadly, we are not spared the obligatory stately-home scenes clearly deemed so vital for any British-based movie hoping to make a dent on the American consciousness. I suppose we should be grateful that we no longer have to witness every second British actor under 45 waltzing about with a Brideshead Revisited teddy bear tucked under his arm. However, it\ufffds still annoying when, for no useful purpose, Bridget and Daniel are depicted rowing across a lake in a scene that appears to have been siphoned straight out of an old Merchant Ivory film. Like "}, {"response": 1057, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (04:21)", "body": "Gnat as a revelation? Purleeeeze! Think I will take your review over the Times anyday AnnW."}, {"response": 1058, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (04:23)", "body": "P.S Just love the new sweater pic boss! Yummy. Thanks"}, {"response": 1059, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (05:34)", "body": "Saw BJD last night with my 20 year-old daughter. She thought it was the funniest film she had ever seen. I thought RZ was absolutely brilliant. One pick holes in her accent but really that misses the point, she was totally believable as an english girl (can't think of her as a woman). RZ is so warm and funny - quite brilliant. And as for CF well whewwwww! Reviewers with sense of humour problems can no doubt find things to carp about but BJD is not Shakespeare, it is just a very funny, heartwarming movie. Can't wait for the next viewing."}, {"response": 1060, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (06:58)", "body": "Found this exchange on a message board. If everyone reacts like this, there are going to be lots of new P&P converts! Has anyone caught \"Bridget Jones' Diary\" in preview? I dig Colin Firth, but if the movie sucks I probably won't bother. I saw it Saturday night and really liked it. It deviates from the book factually but not in spirit (imo). Colin Firth was great and worth the price of admission. I still can't get over that this is the same guy from \"Shakespeare in Love\". There was a lot more screentime in the movie of her actual relationships than time spent alone bitching with friends about said relationships, but still --it was a fun movie to watch. Renee Zellweger did a good job of portraying her. I hear she's signed up for a sequel, and I'm not sure how I feel about that as I thought the second book sucked. Have you seen Firth's \"Pride and Prejudice\"? I'm about to get it from Netflix and hoping it's as good as the reviews say it is... We'll be seeing BJD at the weekend! Our local newspaper reviewer said \"I defy any woman to watch this film and not wish she was married to Colin Firth\". Y-e-e-h, one for CF!"}, {"response": 1061, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (07:39)", "body": "Good part toward the end... Ananova meets Bridget Jones director Ananova: Sharon, how did you get involved with the film? Sharon: I became involved with it because I was a friend of Helen Fielding's and she began fictionalising our lives really. There's a character in the book called Shazzer who I'm supposedly loosely based on. She began fictionalising our lives in a newspaper and column and the book and I loved them, despite being horrified sometimes to see some of my drunken rants in there. A few years later, once Helen had written a draft of the script, the producers were looking for a director. They spent a year looking, and I think Helen loyally said one time, 'Why don't you see my friend Shaz?' and they did. I made my pitch to them and eventually it must have worked because they said 'You can have it'. nanova: Was it strange directing Sally Phillips who plays a character based on you? Sharon: Yeh, I suppose it would seem bizarre. Everyone used to ask me 'Who are you going to cast as yourself?' and I'd sort of say ironically, 'Well, I might cast Catherine Zeta Jones but I'm not sure she's beautiful enough'. But in a way I was sort of distracting away from that whole dilemma of how do you cast somebody as yourself and then it just became quite easy really, it became an act of narcissism. I always liked Sally Phillips. I thought she was very funny and pretty and very intelligent, and I thought I would quite like to be her, so I know, I'll cast her as me! So that's how that came about really. I suppose I must have thought she had some of the qualities I had but hers were infinitely superior. Ananova: Was Renee Zellweger your first choice for Bridget? Sharon: We'd seen a lot of people, we'd been talking to a lot of people and when I met Renee surprisingly enough she was the strongest choice in my mind. I was quite surprised about that because I hadn't expected to cast an American. I'd seen her work, and I especially loved her work in Nurse Betty and Jerry Maguire. In those two films she was able to straddle comedy and emotional truth without tipping over the top on either side. That intrigued me a lot because I think that's a very difficult thing to do. When I met her she made me laugh like a drain because she's a kind of full-on Texan. She understood the book and the themes of the book, so that was a good start, but she has this inner goodness and warmth which I don't think you can train people to have. Coupled with that she has an irreverence which is very important. A lot of people think that Bridget has a tart tongue, that she speaks irreverently, but she doesn't - she only ever thinks it. Renee could convey that on her face very well. I thought, 'Oo Lord, I think she's gonna be great, but shit she's a Texan what are we gonna do now?'. It was like she knew immediately what I was thinking, and she said, 'If you cast me and it doesn't go right, we are so busted', and I thought, 'Yeh, we are'. And so in a way we had a shared responsibility to try and get it right and prove people wrong. Ananova: Were you prepared for the criticism for casting an American as Bridget? Sharon: Yes, of course I was prepared for that. I could understand some people's indignation that we cast an American in an English part. I would have wanted to say to them at the time, 'Look, if you meet her and you know where I'm coming from, I think you'll see that I'm not completely bonkers'. That's all I wanted to say to them but I never got the chance. Ananova: Was it a conscientious decision to cast Hugh Grant against type as Daniel? Sharon: I wanted to cast two male actors of stature. I particularly didn't want it to be seen as just a chick-flick because I wanted the men's confusions about where they should be when they're in their thirties and what they should be doing with their lives, I wanted that to be as prevalent as Bridget's confusion about all those things. So I cast two actors of stature really. Hugh plays a sexy cad and he was my first choice for that role because although he doesn't often play sexy cads. The public's preception of him is that he's a decent English gent. I thought that could play well for us really, so that everyone would think he was going to turn out decent. I knew a bit about him personally through friends, and I knew he had this blistering sense of humour and he was a bit of a sexy cad. I thought that humour was an asset and a weapon and Hugh and humour go together really. He's very funny in real life. When it came to Colin Firth, Mark Darcy in Helen's book is based on Colin Firth playing Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, so it's a bit of an in-joke. It was impossible to ever read the script without seeing Colin in the role. The question was whether he would take the role because he's been swamped in Darcyness, but he was very game to do it because this time he gets to be aloof haughty Darcy, he gets to wear silly reindeer jumpers and we get to put him in ties with snowmen on and he gets to say the F-word"}, {"response": 1062, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (07:41)", "body": "Hmmm, video links do not work from here or from original page: http://www.ananova.com/entertainment/story/sm_241436.html?menu ="}, {"response": 1063, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (08:16)", "body": "A number of reviews at the AICN site: http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com/display.cgi?id=8674 One guy's take: As for the leading men. Colin Firth - a great British actor, underused on film - takes on his cold but sweet character with perfact balance. You never know how his character will develop until it does and when it does you can believe it without a leap of faith. An ignoramus' take: Colin Firth - the good guy - also does alright though spending most of the film brooding. However from one of the female reviewer's: Colin Firth plays Mark Darcy, a human rights lawyer, who at first seems snobby and cold. Firth\ufffds Darcy is exactly how he comes across in the book- an aloof, sharp-tongued guy on the outside that is really dying to break loose and have fun with someone like Bridget. However, in his upper crust circle that would be absolutely unacceptable so from the moment he meets her he tries to push her away. Firth does a great job portraying Darcy\ufffds quiet, surprising wit. With a few choice comments here and there suffused with the right emotion and a few pained, longing looks Firth easily shows the audience Darcy\ufffds hidden sensitivity and desires. Firth makes Darcy into just the kind of man Bridget wants and needs- if they can only get over the obstacles between them."}, {"response": 1064, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (08:32)", "body": "(Allison)And as for CF well whewwwww! In your reindeer jumper, Allison? Great new pic on Drool. Sometime can I have the one with my tie, pleeeze?"}, {"response": 1065, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (08:54)", "body": "Thanks for clarifying 'batsman's box', Ben. Those pics are worth a thousand words *oof!*. BTW, think it's closer to what US athletes call a cup, not pliable jockstrap. Best to keep your son away from said cups 'til puberty hits, Mari. ;-) (Karen) However, you do see vodka bottles (thrown into trash). Yes, I caught that in a clip. My gripe goes to those critics who boast about having read the book then refer to the vodka, thus giving away that they in fact, haven't. ;-P Anyone who writes in one-sentence paragraphs cannot be taken seriously I think you might be on to something. Same goes for critics who have two first names. ;-) Thanks for posting all the reviews &etc., Mari and Karen. Glad you liked it Ann W...was there ever any doubt! *looking up to sky to catch Ann orbiting the earth* ;-D Am pleased to read all the great reviews and impressions of Colin from the UK and on-line. Am impatiently awaiting his acknowledgement from the US popular press ('icy', 'cold' and 'dour' don't count). BJD ad in my local paper features lines from the Rolling Stone review singling out RZ and The Gnat...no mention of the third star. Humph."}, {"response": 1066, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (08:55)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1067, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (08:56)", "body": "Eileen, have you seen latest commercials? I started seeing it last night. I'd say equal number of shots of Colin and Huge. v.v.g."}, {"response": 1068, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (08:57)", "body": "Huge will be interviewed on ABC's PrimeTime Thursday (tonight). (Evelyn) Sometime can I have the one with my tie, pleeeze? Sure, some time. But for now, that's the sweater he's wearing under my coat."}, {"response": 1069, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (09:02)", "body": "Yes, forgot to mention that. Saw one this a.m. during Today Show! V.v.g. indeed--excellent progress, but we're not quite there yet. ;-) Re: HG on Prime Time tonite: *place your bets* Number of times Hughie mentions Princess Margaret = Number of times Hughie mentions SAS = Number of times Hughie tells Diane he taught CF to fight and/or that CF fights like a girl = Number of times Hughie informs the world it was his idea to bring in Richard Curtis, thereby saving the movie from mediocrity and/or doom ="}, {"response": 1070, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (09:06)", "body": "Oops, should have added (she who is too quick with the submit button today): love the lovely new MD pic on the main page. Especially love it without the drawn-in beard and mustache! ;-)"}, {"response": 1071, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (09:20)", "body": "(Eileen) Especially love it without the drawn-in beard and mustache! ;-) Errrr, that was going to be next. ;-D Nice article in USA Today. Mentions an early review by Christopher Tookey, of the Daily Mail: \"Memo to diary: Have just seen romantic comedy that is going to be a whopping great hit this spring. Those who predicted Renee Zellweger wouldn't be able to do English accent about to eat words.\" How did we miss that? http://www.usatoday.com/life/enter/movies/2001-04-12-bridget-jones-brit-appeal.htm"}, {"response": 1072, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (09:26)", "body": "(Eileen) Re: HG on Prime Time tonite: *place your bets* Number of times Hughie mentions ... I won't mind any of those mentions, just as long as no time is given to Elizabeth (makes me want to hurl) Hurley. :-)"}, {"response": 1073, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (09:39)", "body": "Eileen, my bets are on Princess Margaret and \"fighs like a girl.\" I don't think it's really HG. He has this robot clone that he sends out on the publicity rounds, and it goes into auto-program mode... I've missed a lot of the interviews, but even so, I've heard Princess Margaret 4 times, the SAS thing 3 times, fight like a girl only once (from him, but CF quotes him on it). The first time I heard the SAS thing was on ET or one of those programs. We'd just had supper, and my father was there. He heard the remark and said, \"Wow! that guy was in the SAS? I never met anyone who qualified for that.\" Meanwhile, dumb American that I am, I had to ask what SAS is (I thought it was a Scandanavian airline?). Clearly, my father knows nothing of HG, so I had to explain why the comment was funny (or supposed to be). Love the fan Bethan found. I can't wait for my friends to see BJD and then I can be Smug Fan who noticed CF years ago! And this girl had never seen P&P? Where was she??????????????????????"}, {"response": 1074, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (09:55)", "body": "The Hollywood Reporter's assessment of the weekend boxoffice: \"Joe Dirt\" is poised to wipe the floor with the competition this weekend. The Sony release about a janitor with a long-simmering case of parental-separation anxiety is the most promising of the four new films set to open nationally during Easter weekend. Universal's \"Josie and the Pussycats\" and Fox Searchlight's \"Kingdom Come\" debuted Wednesday along with \"Dirt,\" while \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" from Miramax breaks Friday. That \"Dirt\" could clean up is based on its fervent following among young males, who, with most schools recessed for spring break, are free to indulge in the giddy pleasures of crass comedy. Expectations for business as a whole should be tempered by the warning that none of the four features is exhibiting breakout potential, however. [...] Renee Zellweger stars as the title character in \"Diary,\" a romantic comedy set in London about a year in the life of a thirtysomething single woman whose personal peccadilloes complicate her quest to find the perfect man to marry. Sharon Maguire directed from a script co-written by Helen Fielding, whose 1998 novel is the source material for the film. Hugh Grant and Colin Firth co-star. \"Pussycats\" and \"Diary\" will play to women, though the former's following will be decidedly younger. \"Kingdom\" will draw from the upper age brackets of both sexes, particularly within the black community. In the broader market, the winners of recent weeks will likely continue to prevail. Miramax's \"Spy Kids,\" which has earned about $55 million in two weeks, is a family favorite that should hold up well during the Easter period. Paramount's \"Along Came a Spider\" and New Line's \"Blow\" are generating good word-of-mouth while ranking higher on weekend wish lists than the majority of the new product. \"Spider\" did more than $20 million in its first week, while \"Blow\" opened to about $15 million."}, {"response": 1075, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (10:04)", "body": "Interview with RZ at Mr Showbiz. Contains the following question: Who would win in a death match between you, Colin Firth, and Hugh Grant? A: They don't stand a chance. http://mrshowbiz.go.com/interviews/599_1.html"}, {"response": 1076, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (10:27)", "body": "There's a report that Colin was just announced on Rosie O'Donnell's show as being a guest on Monday. Seeing is believing, but hope Springs eternal!:-) Can anybody in a later time zone confirm that this was not a hallucination?;-)?"}, {"response": 1077, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (10:37)", "body": "\"Bridget Jones's Diary\" from Miramax breaks Friday. I'm going tomorrow.Have to beef up the BO receipts. Hey if BLOW brought in $15 mil with lousy reviews ,BJD should do $25.Mil Cute interview... Q. How did you lose the weight? A. I went back to my normal lifestyle... Yeah...sure. I've been there honey...it's lettuce leaves and punishing excercise."}, {"response": 1078, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (10:44)", "body": "I get Rosie at 3:00 pm. Will be holding my breath. Hopefully, there will be a decent guest host but am not holding my breath for that. ;-D"}, {"response": 1079, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (11:01)", "body": "(Lisa)Pardon me, but do you have any records by Jock Straplin?\" Whoops.:-) LOL, Lisa! Love it. Yes, it was Rex Reed who was accused of pilfering some CDs, but he *says* he just forgot to pay for them. Balancing the infractions on the scales of justice . . .$20 hooker . . .$20 CD . . .$20 hooker . . .$20 CD . . .I'm inclined to give Rex the nod over Huge.;-) Eileen, love your idea to place bets on the Gnatisms. I'll go with Princess Margaret; slurred like a stroke victim; SAS; and add these to the mix--\"I play a complete bahstard, which is my own personality, actually\" and \"I want to get out of acting and do something more grown up like writing or directing.\" Fine, I say, so let CF have About A Boy.:-( I see Huge is breezing back into NY to guest on Rosie tomorrow, so will also bet double or nothing that he shows up on RZ's SNL stint as they spoof BJD. There's a new commercial focusing on the fight, where Tom yells \"Fight!\" into the restaurant and off they go! (Karen quoting from HR)That \"Dirt\" could clean up is based on its fervent following among young males, who, with most schools recessed for spring break, are free to indulge in the giddy pleasures of crass comedy. Sure, and that's who flocks to the movies in droves. Josie and the Pussycats will do well with teenybopper girls--heavy promotion and merchandising tie-ins. Plus these films opened yesterday, giving them a big leg up on the long weekend numbers. Spy Kids will stay strong. So, BJD has an uphill battle for total $$$ but I think it will do well among its target audience. It's great reading all the good reviews on AICN from people who have been to preview screenings; reviews over there tend to be written by 16-year-old boys and consist of \"It Rocked!\" or \"It Sucked, Man!\" so it's good to see at least some support among that erudite group.;-)"}, {"response": 1080, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (11:18)", "body": "(Mari) There's a new commercial focusing on the fight, where Tom yells \"Fight!\" into the restaurant and off they go! That's the one Karen (I think) and I are referring to...starts with 'GoGoGO' from the firehouse bit? BJD has an uphill battle for total $$$ Frankly, I was hoping for something more Notting Hill-esque. (One can dream...) There's a report that Colin was just announced on Rosie O'Donnell's show as being a guest on Monday. *blinking increduously at computer screen* Hmm, will keep my eyes and ears open, but find this too good to be true (especially if Rosie Frankenhand is still out sick)."}, {"response": 1081, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (11:24)", "body": "Review from This Is London. Fat, sluttish and oh, so sexy! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bridget Jones's Diary by Alexander Walker The women who helped Helen Fielding create her heroine in print have taken the new movie to their collective bosom and rapturously hugged it almost to death these past few weeks. Now that the dust of battle has settled, now that the ranks of black-trouser-suited women, clutching Filofaxes, are all ensconced in middle or top management jobs enjoying the emotional bonus of pushing male weaklings off the ladder, now that the gender revolution is fading into history they can all of them lie back and relax - like Bridget opting to wear big knickers instead of sexy panties for her assignation because they keep her tummy in - and rock with hen-party laughter, affectionate but Oh! so relieved, at this insecure thirtysomething spinster who holds a fag as if it were a sixth finger, cups her mouth around the Chardonnay bottle in lieu of a man's lips and fears for the moment of truth when her number comes up on the bathroom scales. Bridget is the domestic slob who hides away inside every working girl. The Diary was her coming-out. The film is her enthronement. Just as Henry Fielding created an 18th century picaresque young rip and an icon of tearaway youth in Tom Jones, his homonym Helen has created a lovably screwed-up embodiment of the feminine psyche for the female battlers of our new century, whose only fear is how big their bum looks. It's to the movie's credit that Bridget, played by Ren\ufffde Zellweger, survives in the flesh - all 136 chubby pounds of it, hamster-cheeked, snub nosed and either underdressed in microskirts or overdressed in what looks like a spare length of curtain material - and not just as a stereotype on the page of diary or newsprint. Yet in spite of its feminist insemination this is a very trad film, though to its credit not for one minute a tired one. It is constructed like an extended sitcom of reiterated embarrassments. Brian Rix made a seamless career out of constantly losing his trousers to fate or lechery. This male humiliation of farcical comedy is turned into the feminine gender and endlessly restated and rotated in the 95 minutes of the dysfunctional year Bridget spends putting her foot in it. Her self-esteem is lower than low, zero-level, yet her head is held high. Ren\ufffde Zellweger, like the Shirley MacLaine of comedies such as The Apartment, manages always to look vulnerable and often foolish, but never ever pathetic. Her saving grace isn't exactly wit, though three writers - Helen Fielding, Andrew Davies and, perhaps most crucially, Richard (Four Weddings and a Funeral/Notting Hill) Curtis - are in attendance like fairy godparents to see she comes to no real harm. They toss her the one-liners (or even half-liners) to extricate herself from social doom, like upstaging a cameo'd Salman Rushdie at a book launch by enquiring where the loo is instead of feeding him the anticipated literary compliment. Even bereft of words, Bridget survives humungous humiliation, like appearing in a Playboy Bunny outfit at a country garden-party ignorant of the fact her hosts have cancelled their Tarts and Vicars theme and reverted to polite tweed-and-tulle convention. At such moments Zellweger wears the dignity of her own suffering: she plays it like a good sport, abashed but not flattened. Bridget's compensation is to be liked - and not in any condescending fashion - \"for what she is\". An idiot maybe; but her own kind of idiot. Two men tell her this in the course of her cockeyed twelvemonth. One is \"Mr Danger\", the office love-rat played by Hugh Grant as a loucher version of the caddish Englishman he portrayed in Woody Allen's recent comedy Small Time Crooks, who took Tracy Ullman's arriviste millionairess in that film for her money, much as he takes Bridget in this one for her willingness to let her defences down as readily as her knickers. Grant's ecstatic whoop of \"Hellooo, Mummy!\" as he gropes the voluminous undergarment is the film's ace joke. Bridget's other suitor is \"Mr Safe\", a stiff-necked, stuffed-shirt human-rights barrister called Darcy, after his ancestor in Pride and Prejudice, and played exactly that way by Colin Firth, all vestigial 19th century sideburns and we-are-not-amused deadpan-ness. Speaking for my own sex, I can't conceive either sort of fella falling for such an unsorted slut as Bridget Jones, for all that she's a good sport and possibly a better lay (we have to take that on hearsay). But the main appeal of such a creation is to women, not men, and precisely to the sort of woman who can imagine both of these fictitious lovers making a play for her, in spite of her lack of glamour, beauty, grace or any other quality that might reflect their own narcissism. The men in the film are feminine fantasy love-objects: one reason why I'll be interested to see whether blokes take to Bridget Jones's Diary as rabi"}, {"response": 1082, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (11:35)", "body": "From The Independent: The good, the bad and the frumpy By Charlotte O'Sullivan 12 April 2001 It's a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen had a great way with an opening sentence. Less widely accepted, but equally pertinent, is the fact that she had the \"feelgood\" factor down to a fine art. So it really isn't anyone's fault but hers that Bridget Jones's Diary \ufffd based on Helen Fielding's louche retelling of Pride and Prejudice \ufffd is a tad short on suspense. From the minute that our ditzy PR heroine makes a twit of herself, and ace barrister Darcy (Colin Firth) looks intently at her across a crowded book- launch, you know He is the one for Her (if he had a club foot, we might think again, but he's sound of body and his locks are curly). Only one ending will do: Bridget left scribbling all alone? Bridget shacked up with Daniel (Hugh Grant), her unreliable, anal-sex-loving, boss? What do you think this is \ufffd Chinatown? Luckily, not everything about the film is so ho-hum, including the appearance of the American interloper herself, Ren\ufffde Zellweger, who famously piled on the pounds to play Bridge. You literally can't take your eyes off her. With those prairie cheeks (the hairs on her skin look like cropped corn), that potato-blonde hair, and a way of moving through perfectly ordinary space as if she's being herded through a field, this woman couldn't be more natural, or vulnerable. Her plentiful flesh squished into industrial-strength knickers and tight bras (even in bed), she's struggling in a world that wants sharp urban lines. Primed by years of cinema-going for the Pygmalion-esque \"transformation\" scene, you actually wait for the double chin to melt away. It doesn't. Zellweger has always had it in her, of course. In the Farrelly Brothers' gross-out comedy Me, Myself and Irene, her character admits that when her modelling dreams went sour, \"I got this eating disorder where I gained, like, 20 pounds... in a week\". Or, as Hank, the cad in her life, puts it, \"the only bright light you saw were the ones that hit you in the face when you opened the fridge\". The difference is that this appetite is now on display and \ufffd surprise, surprise \ufffd Variety has already blamed the director Sharon Maguire and her crew for \"going a bit too far in making [Zellweger] look unattractive\". They take issue with Rachel Fleming's costumes, too. True, Bridget's outfits all look like things that have been hanging in a wardrobe for years, but that's what's so liberating. She even wears cardies from French Connection. How's that for cin\ufffdma-v\ufffdrit\ufffd? Given that Zellweger still looks lovely by normal standards, it just goes to show that in show business, \"normal\" equals unattractive. Last year's High Fidelity put the case most clearly: in Nick Hornby's novel, the hero's gripe with his girlfriend is that she, like him, is so \"ordinary\"; in the film \ufffd hey presto! \ufffd she's a stunning, immaculately dressed blonde. That Zellweger can make us believe in Bridget's heaving inner world is par for the course \ufffd she's a supremely talented comic actress. That she was willing to risk her own status as sex symbol by looking like an everywoman is really impressive. Another shock is the liveliness of the writing. Working Title's previous hits, Four Weddings and Notting Hill, relied on slapstick, plus the words \"fuck\" and Billy Bunterisms like \"crikey\". The revised team \ufffd Richard Curtis, Helen Fielding, Andrew Davies \ufffd still lean heavily on all three (and many of the set-ups, a certain Vicars and Tarts tea-party, for instance, are milked to death), but have come up with a procession of bright one-liners, too. It's a neat touch that when, at the book-launch, super-suave Daniel has the chance to dance the verbal fandango with Salman Rushdie, he stammers \"Er, do you know where the loos are?\". Five minutes before, Jones said just the same thing and in a stroke, it becomes clear why she adores him \ufffd faced with a choice between fight or flight, he plumps as desperately for the latter as she. Such scenes owe everything to the great American sitcoms, though not the ones you might think. Bridget, it turns out, has less in common with brittle-skittle Ally McBeal or the pouty women in Sex and the City than Seventies klutz Rhoda (remember her \ufffd the one with the wayward hat?) or the fubsy Seinfeld crew. Asked by a \"smug married\" why so many women over 30 have trouble getting a man, Bridget replies, \"I suppose it doesn't help that beneath our clothes, our entire bodies are covered in scales\" \ufffd a line that could easily have emerged from Elaine's caustic New York kisser. Or, if the question had concerned the lack of options for tubby men with glasses, that of George. Forget women vs men, think underdogs vs the rest. That the film is so entwined with television does, of course, have its downside. Movies such as Annie Hall or Billy Liar, say, are as much about an eccentric place as an eccentric person: their landscapes prickle and whirr with life. In Bridget Jones's Diary, "}, {"response": 1083, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (11:49)", "body": "It assures them you can be a domestic slut, a social embarrassment, a professional no-hoper and fat, too Not to worry, ladies, I've asked my friend and former neighbor Tony Soprano to have a little 'tawk' with Alexander. Tony's bringing his baseball bat. ;-)"}, {"response": 1084, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (11:57)", "body": "Thank you for all the reviews! What will the DB do on Rosie? I hope it's true. And if it is, that means that he will be doing other shows too. (Keeping fingers crossed) He gets to snog and he's a good snogger. Not that I know from experience! Heehee."}, {"response": 1085, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (12:00)", "body": "The US version of the film, by the way, is three minutes shorter than the British one OOooohhh, I wonder which extra bits we're seeing?"}, {"response": 1086, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (12:00)", "body": "three minutes shorter?????????? (Walker) Speaking for my own sex, I can't conceive either sort of fella falling for such an unsorted slut as Bridget Jones, for all that she's a good sport and possibly a better lay (we have to take that on hearsay). How does a print critic get away with such stuff? (O'Sullivan) this wolf is bolted from the door by the implication that he's basically not quite heterosexual....So if Daniel isn't quite as straight as he seemed, maybe Darcy isn't either... Huh???? What movie did she see? Chinatown? I see Huge is breezing back into NY to guest on Rosie tomorrow, so will also bet double or nothing that he shows up on RZ's SNL stint as they spoof BJD. Huge was already on Rosie. Maybe he'll show up on The View tomorrow too. A surprise appearance on SNL seems likely too. There's a new commercial focusing on the fight, where Tom yells \"Fight!\" into the restaurant and off they go! The one I've been seeing starts with \"Meet Bridget Jones... who finds out just being herself....\""}, {"response": 1087, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (12:03)", "body": "Don't know which crack journalist will interview Huge tonight, but am personally hoping he/she asks: \"So, Hugh, does it come as any surprise to you that you were able to overcome the shamefully bad publicity of picking up a hooker on Sunset Blvd?\""}, {"response": 1088, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (12:25)", "body": "Since we're going to be in NYC, we were thinking about standing in line Sat AM for standby tickets to SNL. Has anyone done this successfully? Are we out of our minds for trying? I cannot believe CF is even rumored to be on Rosie. Hope we can find out before we leave so we can tape it! (Have excess VCR all ready to tape P&P-'cause you never know when you might need an extra, extra copy-in case the DVD breaks and the first VHS copy is loaned out.) (Frankenhand) ROF,LOL she has definitely lost it. It's not the show it once was. I thought HG was going to pass out in spite of his SAS training, when she made him look at it. I know I would have."}, {"response": 1089, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (12:30)", "body": "How does a print critic get away with such stuff? Amazing, isn't it? So insulting. The guy is a pig. Glad to hear Eileen and Tony are on the case: Alexander Walker sleeps with the fishes.;-) And then there's the little matter of Daniel, dismissed in the film's final seconds with a gag worthy of The Two Ronnies. Following the fairy-tale formula, this wolf is bolted from the door by the implication that he's basically not quite heterosexual. Could this be part of the missing 3 minutes? Could one of the UK folks stop over to 126 and tell us how your version ends? I forgot to add this to the list of Gnatisms. He already used in Biography mag last month. From NY Daily News : Hugh's Nose For Trouble Hugh Grant has had some unfortunate experiences. But his biggest regret isn't what you'd think \ufffd that tryst in a car with the prostitute in Los Angeles. No, his biggest regret involves an apple peel. The incident happened many years ago, when Grant was just a child. \"I did, as a child, stick a lot of apple peel up my nose once, just out of interest to see what would happen,\" Grant says tonight during an interview on ABC's \"PrimeTime Thursday.\" \"Actually, it's horrible,\" he says. \"It got right up almost to my brain and had to be removed by a very top London surgeon, and I remember regretting it.\" When asked what the happiest moment in his life has been, Grant responds: \"Getting it out \ufffd the apple peel.\""}, {"response": 1090, "author": "vlyne", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (12:38)", "body": "Since the show \"Hollywood One on One\" included a (one question) interview with Colin Firth in their Shakespeare in Love coverage, I wrote to see if/when they would feature BJD. Here's what the host said, no mention of CF. :-P \"Hi Valerie, Our interview with Renee Zellwegger of Bridget Jones's Diary aired until yesterday morning. You may still get a chance to see it if you have Starz Theater. She is lovely in person...and just fabulous in the film. By the way I loved the film and urge you to see this one. Hugh Grant will probably air in a couple of weeks. Thanks for your comments on the show and please keep watching. Scott Patrick Hollywood One on One\""}, {"response": 1091, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (12:53)", "body": "(Mari) Glad to hear Eileen and Tony are on the case: Alexander Walker sleeps with the fishes.;-) Have feeling that Bridget might go in search of Bullet Tooth Tony in the East End. Is closer. ;-D"}, {"response": 1092, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (12:57)", "body": "Entertainment Weekly review. Pretty good, considering it's Lisa \"I trash everything\" S. Movie Review by Lisa Schwarzbaum Bridget Jones's Diary Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant EW GRADE: B Genre: Comedy, Romance On the page, Bridget Jones's most attractive asset is that she's a mess. The neurotic girl is kind, clever, funny, competent at her job, and a great friend to her fellow singletons; she also drinks too much, smokes too much, obsesses too much, chatters too much, eats junk, and when it comes to men, can't distinguish between trash (which, in the book, she dashingly calls ''emotional f---wittage'') and quality. Too smart to settle for the perks of ditzhood, she's also foolish enough to regularly sabotage opportunities for romantic happiness. She's a Jane Austen na\ufffdf in a ''Sex and the City'' world. When the book came out in 1996, readers went nuts. At last, an antirole model for the rest of us! On the screen, where Bridget Jones's Diary has been adapted from Helen Fielding's hilarious best seller by documentarian and first time feature director Sharon Maguire (an old friend of the author and model for the heroine's journalist pal Shazzer), Bridget's most attractive asset is that she's played by Ren\ufffde Zellweger. There was a hoo and a ha when the Texas born Ms. Z was chosen, over plenty of terrific local talent interested in the plum role, to play a bird of such English habits (American women stopped smoking in movies ages ago -- bad for the product endorsement deals, babe). But Zellweger is, in fact, thoroughly charming and believably British in the role. Her confidence in her own flexibility as an actor has visibly grown in just a year following the great reviews she received for her performance in ''Nurse Betty,'' and she glows with the pleasing fullness of the 20 pounds she so famously added for the part, all angles softened. (This is not what ''fat'' looks like; this is what ripe, sexy health l oks like, and she needn't have dropped the weight afterwards -- except, perhaps, to eat lunch again in the demented, scale obsessed town of Hollywood.) Hugh Grant is charming too, luxuriating in naughtiness, taking a holiday from his usual floppy, velvet romantic image as Bridget's caddish boss, Daniel Cleaver, with whom the employee embarks on a bound for disaster affair. (''I've got a posh voice and a bad character,'' Cleaver admits, with Grant's full support and admiration.) Colin Firth is appealing as the decent, rich, upstanding Mark Darcy, his participation a cunning pretzel of allusive logic: Firth played Mr. Darcy in the exquisite 1995 BBC television adaptation of ''Pride and Prejudice,'' the Austen masterpiece on which ''Bridget Jones's Diary'' is anchored. (Jones also interviews Firth on a magazine assignment in Fielding's frustratingly weak follow up novel, ''Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason.'') The mess, though, where's the mess? The hysteria, the middle of the night jitters of loneliness? The mess of Bridget's life has been tidied, neatened into little piles of mirth and gaiety. The script, by the formidably bright team of Fielding, Andrew Davies (another pretzel -- he adapted that BBC ''Pride and Prejudice''), and Richard Curtis (''Four Weddings and a Funeral''), grins and cracks wise with pop cultural jokes and the pretty production values that made ''Four Weddings'' so appealing: Bridget's idea of a cozy evening is watching ''Frasier'' on the telly in her flannel pj's, and her idea of terror is a literary cocktail reception at which she has to make small talk with Salman Rushdie. (He appears as himself, doing a George Plimptonesque cameo, daring any ayatollah to track him down through his theatrical agent.) ''Bridget Jones'' shines with lemon scented polish and tootles along with a soundtrack that ain't too proud to use Jamie O'Neal's cover of Eric Carmen's ''All by Myself,'' Aretha Franklin's ''Respect,'' and Chaka Khan's ''I'm Every Woman'' as directional signals. But without mess and agitation -- without trusting viewers to withstand the sight of genuine heartache, and compulsiveness, and a glimpse of real self destructiveness (it needn't involve wrist slashing -- a simple hint of a devil in Miss Jones will do), this great screwup of a woman -- one of literature's best antidotes to self help hysteria in the 1990s -- is almost indistinguishable from, oh, the sylphy single woman played by Ashley Judd in ''Someone Like You,'' or by Gwyneth Paltrow in ''Sliding Doors,'' or by Hope Davis in ''Next Stop Wonderland,'' or by Ally McBeal or any sitcom sister anywhere in prime time. After Daniel Cleaver has dumped her (she's an old cow and he was looking for a new cow, to filch from the psychobabble in ''Someone Like You''), Bridget throws a dinner party to celebrate her birthday. She can't cook, true, but her lack of skill is endearing and everyone laughs, full of wine. Darcy can cook, he's gorgeous, and he thinks she's fab. ''To Bridget\ufffd who we love just as she is!'' her friends toast in h"}, {"response": 1093, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (12:58)", "body": "Yesterday\ufffds L.A. Times print ad had this: Bridget\ufffds Guide to the Movies! 1. Find responsible (and gorgeous ) adult to accompany self to theatre. 2. Resolve to nor have anything to eat during movie. However\ufffdwhen you think about, popcorn is not fattening. 3. In Fact , might actually lose weight through eating popcorn as hand to mouth plus chewing motion will use up calories. 4. Remember , If nature calls, movie theatre bathroom lighting is stark and unforgiving. 5. Finally , a law should be passed that all theatres have soft back lit bathroom lighting in order to improve national morale , (as more easy to form relationship with gorgeous adult companion if feel confident about self). Starting Friday, Be Bold. Be Brave. Be Bridget!"}, {"response": 1094, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (13:04)", "body": "Sounds like the clips over the end credits are different too. I had the \"home movies\", but one of the reviews above mentioned clips from the film. Anyone know what's going on with the Today Show? Is his appearance scrapped?"}, {"response": 1095, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (13:14)", "body": "Mari, the UK version ended with B& MD kissing in the snow (sigh) and then the credits and then about 3mins of little snippetts from Darcy's parents, won't repeat what Mr. Darcy said, most out of character about the relationship between his son & Bridget. Everyone is congratulating the pair including Bridget's boss (Neil Pearson) and then HG introduces two new partners one turns out tobe a fella!! Some other people who I can't remember, will have to go back tomorrow. BTW Although HG was very good, and much better than FWAAF & NH, there is no way he can be compared with Cary Grant, imo. Finally I don't think I have seen Colin look more handsome, just hope some more leading romantic roles come alongafter this. This has to be my second favourite CF role after P&P."}, {"response": 1096, "author": "JenniferR", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (13:29)", "body": "Desson Howe of the Washington Post (generally my favorite movie reviewer) has his review up. Won't bother typing the dratted thing, as he sums up with the phrase \"All in all, \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" comes as a great letdown, given all the anticipation that preceded its release.\" At least he writes \"Firth is a favorite of mine.\" Pity that he then goes on to slam ODB's role. http://washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A10317-2001Apr12.html I suppose this just goes hand-in-hand with the fact that the blasted preview audiences down here hardly laughed at all. Such a shame. May have to go see the movie every day this week to help compensate for low BO #'s in DC. Oh, the privation. ;)"}, {"response": 1097, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (13:42)", "body": "the UK version ended with B& MD kissing in the snow (sigh) and then the credits and then about 3mins of little snippetts from Darcy's parents, won't repeat what Mr. Darcy said, most out of character about the relationship between his son & Bridget. Everyone is congratulating the pair including Bridget's boss (Neil Pearson) and then HG introduces two new partners one turns out tobe a fella!! Aha! Totally different here. ***SPOILERS***** After the great kissing in the snow, it goes to what looks like a home movie. It's little Mark's 8th birthday party, he's dressed in a suit and tie (predictably:-), while little Bridget is running around wildly, swigging from a wine bottle she swiped off the table. All the while, little Mark is giving her the eye, at one point, tugging on his collar as if he's getting hot over her. Then BJ lifts off her dress, goes into the paddling pool, not sure if Mark follows her, will have to see it again tomorrow! I have to say, I thought this ending was extremely funny, and the audience was in hysterics. This was/is truly a lifetime love!:-) Ann, was there any additonal Colin in your ending?"}, {"response": 1098, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (13:43)", "body": "sorry"}, {"response": 1099, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (13:48)", "body": "Analysts Predict Josie Will Top Easter Box Office Analysts are expecting Universal's Josie and the Pussycats to top a crowded list of new entries at the box-office this Easter weekend. The film, which opened Wednesday, is likely to face its strongest competition from Disney's Bridget Jones's Diary, from Working Title Films, the British company that produced Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill, the analysts said. However, \"Diary\" will open on only about 1,500 screens, compared with about 2,600 for Josie. Universal had timed the release of the teen-oriented Josie to coincide with Spring Break."}, {"response": 1100, "author": "vlyne", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (14:09)", "body": "(Ann) Anyone know what's going on with the Today Show? Is his appearance scrapped? Someone on a CF mailing list reported that it was rescheduled for Monday, April 16. TV Guide online has this date listed as well."}, {"response": 1101, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (14:18)", "body": "upstanding Mark Darcy, his participation a cunning pretzel of allusive logic: Sounds sexy, eh, Bridge? ;-) The ending to the movie we saw in LA ends with home movies of BJ and MD as little children behaving in their usual ways is hysterical piece. I still feel cheated the more the better."}, {"response": 1102, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (14:24)", "body": "Sounds like we've missed out both sides of the Atlantic. Why do they do this different ending mallarkey, we had the same with MLSF...I still haven't seen the British ending as have only seen film on video ;-("}, {"response": 1103, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (14:51)", "body": "Grant responds: \"Getting it out \ufffd the apple peel.\" So glad he clarified that! ;-D (Valerie) rescheduled for Monday, April 16. TV Guide online has this date listed as well. Hmmm...and the other possibility was that he would be on Rosie on Monday. Could it be possible? Could he really be coming to NYC in person and doing both? I'll believe it when I see it. *crossing fingers, toes, kidneys and superior vena cava* \"Diary\" will open on only about 1,500 screens, compared with about 2,600 for Josie Seems a foregone conclusion, then. And there's no mention (unless I've missed it) of how many screens that other literary masterpiece, Joe Dirt, is playing on. (Tracy) Why do they do this different ending mallarkey Vintage Harvey Scissorhands, er, Miramax. I don't get it either."}, {"response": 1104, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (14:52)", "body": "upstanding Mark Darcy, his participation a cunning pretzel of allusive logic: Sounds sexy, eh, Bridge? ;-) I guess it's a clever salute to Steely Dan, i.e., Pretzel Logic (one of my all time faves). Why do they do this different ending mallarkey It's bizarre, isn't it? I saw your note on 126, Tracy, thanks. It doesn't sound as though either of us is missing any Colin scenes, so I'm not losing any sleep.:-) I suppose this is the result when you have two different distributors, and it probably happens routinely, but we'd never think to compare notes on a non-CF film. What's your ending of Gone With the Wind like?;-) Also . . . does the Titanic go down?;-)"}, {"response": 1105, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (15:37)", "body": "(Eileen) Hmmm...and the other possibility was that he would be on Rosie on Monday. Could it be possible? Could he really be coming to NYC in person and doing both? Only about 20 minutes left to *gag* Rosie show. Why wouldn't he do both? If Letterman wasn't scheduled for reruns next week, Colin could have a hat trick. ;-D At least now I see what O'Sullivan was referring to about Cleaver's alledged heterosexuality. But what school of logic would allow her to make that leap to Darcy as well. Just because both of their girlfriends had adolescent boylike figures.... ;-D Also . . . does the Titanic go down?;-) No, is saved by American submarine crew. ;-D"}, {"response": 1106, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (15:37)", "body": "Firth in NY theory: maybe son, Will, is on Spring break and Colin is coming to the US to pick him up and take him to meet his new brother on the other side of the pond. Not totally implausable."}, {"response": 1107, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (15:50)", "body": "OK, they just said BJD's CF would be on Rosie on Monday (weather permitting, nappy changes delegated, etc.) but if you try to blackmail me, I will deny it. ;-D"}, {"response": 1108, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (15:51)", "body": "Yes! They DID say COlin on Rosie on Monday!!! As for the Wash Post review, did anyone really see Bridget (the book) as a great feminist tract? If anything, it's a bit the opposite. A career woman realising the femisist dream isn't all it's cracked up to be. Nor is it a \"call to arms\" to women deserted by f%$kwits. It's more a book commiserating with the lot of women hearing the tick tock getting louder."}, {"response": 1109, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (16:17)", "body": "Anyone see Barry Normans filmnight? Unfortunately missed the first ten mins so only saw a small interview with CF. As usual there was plenty from HG,RZ,HF & SM."}, {"response": 1110, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (16:25)", "body": "Here is Christopher Tookey's review from the Daily Mail: Bridget Jones: a comic triumph Memo to diary: Have just seen romantic comedy that is going to be whopping great hit this spring. Those who predicted Renee Zellweger wouldn't be able to do English accent about to eat words. Though Texan, Miss Zellweger just as believable as Gwyneth Paltrow in Sliding Doors, and even more adorable. Remember fancying her in Jerry Maguire; here she's less of a doormat and well worth cheering on as she stands up for self while committing career suicide or falling for highly unsuitable men. Even unfeeling non-feminists may share anguish as she repeatedly makes fool of herself in public and resorts in times of crisis to vodka bottle and gorging self on Branston pickle straight from jar. RZ not really very overweight (size 12 at most); all the same, extra poundage round legs and bottom very un-Hollywood and definite boost for women who enjoy their food and don't wish to look like stick insects. Also good news for men who prefer woman to look like woman. RZ takes curse off Bridget's self-absorption by being lovably tongue-tied, gauche and joyful when thinks (wrongly) she's met Mr Right. Film might - if it had followed book faithfully - have struck some women and lot of men as alienating wallow in female self-pity - instead, bright and touching. Fancy Miss Zellweger rotten. Memo to self: Try to find more respectable, critical, non-repetitive way of expressing this. Colin Firth brave to take on thankless part of stiff, snooty English lawyer who appreciates Bridget just as she is, and turns out to be decent cove once you get to know him. Firth excellent at little eye-flickers that give away hidden sensitivity beneath. Also makes change to see articulate Englishman in movies who is not complete swine or twit. Big revelation Hugh Grant - great fun as love-rat Daniel Cleaver, believably self-centred, interestingly dangerous and distinctly sexy. Important that his Mr Nasty be v. attractive, or Bridget might have come across as idiotic slag. GRANT gives a master class in light comedy acting, not for first time either. Am not altogether surprised that reference in book to Grant's escapade with hooker off Hollywood Boulevard hasn't made it into movie. Helen Fielding (original author) and Andrew Davies (Pride and Prejudice on telly) receive co-screenwriting credits, but Richard Curtis's input obviously immense and not only in profusion of f-words. Has transformed episodic fiction into neatly structured, emotionally satisfying romantic comedy - fractionally overlong and not as uproarious as Four Weddings and a Funeral, but well up to standard of his Notting Hill, in fact better because fresher and less formulaic. Special praise for casting director Michelle Guish. Gemma Jones and Jim Broadbent predictably excellent as Bridget's foolish but lovable parents. But lesser known British actors Sally Phillips, Shirley Henderson and James Callis all make an impact as Bridget's boozing partners. Pity not more British films like this, to help good young actors away from poverty line and Michael Winner movies. First-time director Sharon Maguire, friend of Fielding, not innovative but does creditable job. Wisely unflashy but competent, shows total sympathy for Bridget Jones psyche, lets terrific cast get on with it. Clever opening gets audience on Bridget's side before end of title sequence. final joke over titles (at expense of Hugh Grant character) well worth sticking around for. Minor quibbles: Patrick Barlow undeveloped as shopping channel presenter who seduces Bridget's mum; Bridget's accent and vocab wobble a bit between upper-middle posh and lower-middle genteel, though some English girls are like that at moment. Quibbles outweighed by general likeability and funny set-pieces. Especially enjoyed very silly fight between leading men both equally useless at violence and breaking off in middle of restaurant tussle to join in singing 'Happy Birthday' to bewildered diner. BJ's Diary bound to appeal to those who like Cheers, Ally McBeal and Sex and the City; but everyone to be congratulated on keeping film specifically English (despite one reference to attorney when lawyer is meant). Nice to see London used as backdrop. Still a rarity. Lightness of touch welcome, since film deals with recognisably awful embarrassments, betrayals and female self-hatred, and vaguely based on Jane Austen classic Pride and Prejudice. Memo to self: Scatter more references to Felliniesque fantasy sequences, post-modernism, F.R. Leavis and English literary tradition to give impression of formidably high-powered intellect if time before setting off to see vitally important screening of Rugrats in Paris - The Movie. All in all, quite a triumph. Film as whole manages tricky feat of being true to spirit of novel but also delivers slick, entertaining romp to movie-goers throughout world who have never heard of book, still less actually read one. Obvious hit chick flick with col"}, {"response": 1111, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (16:35)", "body": "Lizza will be able to tell us about the UK/US endings. After tomorrow she will have seen them both."}, {"response": 1112, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (17:45)", "body": "From Primetime Q&A: Q: What would you order for your last meal? A: I think it would have to be a nice hot spotted dick \ufffd it's an English pudding. Very delicious. Q: What talent or skill would you like to have? A: I have always admired trapeze artists, but I am not sure I could \ufffd I did once try it on a Club Med holiday and I had to be helped sobbing down the ladder again because I got vertigo the second I got to the top. Q: What is the most embarrassing moment in your life? A: My first hemorrhoid. I was on the train in France and I couldn't believe I had one. I thought what's going on and I remember going to the loo in the train. I really wanted to have a look at this thing and its very hard to see your own bum. But I remember standing on the loo and sort of looking back through my legs to try and see this thing and I hadn't really mastered the lock on the loo and this German tourist came in and saw me peering back through my legs. That would have to be the most embarrassing. Put that on network telly. Q: What makes a person sexy? A: I think it's a combination of warm personality and a nice sense of humor and large breasts. Q: What do you like to spend your money on? A: I seem to spend all my money on socks at the moment, because I never ever remember to cut my toenails and I go through about 20 pairs of socks a week. It's disgusting. You'd think why buy socks, why not just buy clippers? Q: What is your secret passion? A: Masturbation \ufffd but you can't use that on TV. http://abcnews.go.com/sections/primetime/2020/PrimetimeQA_010412_hughgrant_feature.html"}, {"response": 1113, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (18:48)", "body": "Hmmmmm. Methinks Hugh is going to have to rely a lot on his secret passion if he continues to discuss such appealing topics as hemorrhoids and toenail clipping. I have been taping Today all this week of the off chance of a CF sighting (hope Monday will be the lucky day). Anyway, today I was rewarded by Gene Shalit's review at the end. A very positive review or rave as Matt Lauer called it. GS made many positive comments about RZ (an irresisitible performance), mentioned BJD as having a \"sparkly screenplay\" and concluded that the BJD is a \"smart movie, an R-rated comedy that's funny and in these days a funny comedy is not redundant\". The clip showed CF talking about the naked childhood meeting and ended with his face. I just caught a segment on ET explaining that the scene in which BJ is sliding down a firepole, panty-hose clad butt in close-up to the audience, is being cut in US, (quite a shocking scene, really, considering that here in Ontario women a permitted to go topless in public). Gheesh!! Apparently that scene will be shown in UK. At the end of the segment, HG, RZ and CF were shown at the London premiere. ODB looked like he was really enjoying himself. Big smiles. Too bad I couldn't get to my VCR fast enough."}, {"response": 1114, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (18:56)", "body": "I thought I saw RZ was to be featured on Fox Entertainment today at 2 EST so took a chance and set my VCR for that instead of another fruitless Today taping. Yikes...of course the show was pre-empted by the spy plane crew being released. Oh well."}, {"response": 1115, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (19:02)", "body": "Saw a bit of the ET thing about RZ working undercover at Picador. Funny how the women interviewed on camera at Picador all sounded like RZ/Bridget. At the end was the shot of RZ, CF and HG at the London premiere. Will tape at repeat tomorrow. We saw the firepole butt shot."}, {"response": 1116, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (19:41)", "body": "Butt shot scene is in film--indeed, over and over again BJ she rewinds and fast forwards it. The networks wouldn't accept it for commercials. But apparently ET can show it as much as they want 'cause they sure did. Here's the Telegraph review *shaking head* Welcome to London, England The film of Bridget Jones's Diary is funny, charming and expertly acted - just don't expect to recognise the setting says Andrew O'Hagan IF the world ended tomorrow, British cinema would be remembered internationally for four things: Bond movies, kitchen-sink dramas, Merchant-Ivory, and mavericks such as Michael Powell and David Lean. Soon, the way things are going, you will be able to add a fifth category: the Richard Curtis romantic fantasy film. Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill are two of the most commercially successful British films ever made, and Bridget Jones's Diary, the latest child of the Curtis ethos, could suffer the assault of several hydrogen bombs and would probably still do well. Like the Bond series and the posh literary epics, Bridget Jones is a film that mostly ignores real life, choosing instead to be the kind of heightened, unlikely, instantly gratifying film that is made to invite the communion of Americans. Curtis's films offer a view of Englishness that has nothing to do with reality: a country of rolling, untroubled fields, giant houses for the poor, fairy-tale weather, cobbled streets and no black people. However, Bridget Jones is not a terrible film - it is a funny, daft one, with enough winning charm to stop you from hating yourself for laughing at its many jokes. It is full of pop songs and easy-on-the-heart human dynamics, and yet, under all its likeable front, it can be a fairly impoverished melange. Cinema-goers who have an interest in anything other than America-inclined marshmallowness will be amazed by what the film represents. It's as if the values of intelligent British film-makers from the Sixties to the mid-Eighties had never existed. Bridget Jones, indeed, even more than its sister movies, represents the perfectly watchable triumph of the formulaic over the original, the cheerily accessible over the difficult, and announces, with a new loudness, the end of a period when many British movies could easily be identified with matters of importance to British society. I know this sort of talk gives some of you a headache, but I consider it my job to express unease when there's something off in the breeze: anyone who says that Bridget Jones's Diary is a straightforwardly good film is not telling the truth. Bridget (Renee Zellweger) is a single, marginally podgy publishing assistant in the London of the Nineties. She is a bit of a laugh, with friends - Shazzer, Jude and Tom - who are up for it, confused, confessional and bright, and who act as the familiar Curtis-chorus to the main events in Bridget's hassled existence. As the film opens, the main thing in Bridget's head is an e-mail flirtation that she is having with her boss, Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant), who is funny, roguish and charming about everything from office politics to amorous boating accidents. Meanwhile, Bridget begins to form a crush on a henpecked, sad-jumper-wearing mummy's boy called Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), who also happens to be very handsome. The scene is set for Pride and Prejudice-type shenanigans (bred in the bone: Firth played Mr Darcy in the BBC's Austen adaptation, and was much admired by Bridget in the book), and before you know it Bridget is up to her big pants in generational complications. Into the bargain her nice dad (played by Jim Broadbent) is left by Bridget's flighty mother for a pompadoured TV presenter. There is plenty of evidence that the film did somersaults in the editing suite. Following Helen Fielding's book - a fictitious diary that began as a newspaper column - it starts off with the journal technique, lots of voice-over, and words appearing at the bottom of the screen. But it soon loses that, and becomes a technically standard account of sex and the single girl. There are several first-class laughs, and Hugh Grant sends himself up fantastically, filling out the role of Cleaver with an improvisational lippyness, a self-conscious buffoonery, that is brilliantly sustained. Zellweger is equally good. She has a terrific face, freshly un-Hollywood, a well-grasped English accent, and she spins from embarrassment to shamelessness to jollity with no bother at all. To bring up the British film industry in a discussion of this film might be a bit like taking a flame-thrower to kill a fly, but the frothiness of Bridget Jones can't just be laughed away, not when the success of these Curtis films becomes the fact against which so many other British films are measured. It's not Bridget Jones's fault, necessarily, nor Richard Curtis's, but the fact that so much American money went into this film must be considered if the thing is up for intelligent discussion at all. I remarked the other week on the way"}, {"response": 1117, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (19:59)", "body": "Marianne, who is that supposed to be in the Prime Time interview, Huge? Gross! BJD's CF would be on Rosie on Monday That means he will be traveling on Easter Sunday--bad Catholic! ;-) Of course, Luca will be babtised soon. Too bad I don't plan on Umbria this summer. explaining that the scene in which BJ is sliding down a firepole, panty-hose clad butt in close-up to the audience, is being cut in US, We saw that scene in LA! I can't believe they are still cutting the film. Thanks for all the articles, ladies."}, {"response": 1118, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (20:10)", "body": "anyone who says that Bridget Jones's Diary is a straightforwardly good film is not telling the truth. Is he calling me a liar? Moon, they are not cutting any more scenes."}, {"response": 1119, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (20:25)", "body": "Think we need yet another post reassuring one and all that the firepole butt shot is indeed *in* the film?;-) Yes, that's the charming Gnat quoted; he's on Prime Time at 10:00 p.m. I think RZ is on Conan O'Brian tonight."}, {"response": 1120, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (20:58)", "body": "Just to be redundant: the networks would not accept *commercials* with the firepole/butt scenes...no problem with the movie. Heck...even shallow, ignorant Americans will accept that scene in a movie. Of course, we will blush about all the bad language-we may be dumb, but we're sensitive ;-) Sure hope the DVD has *both* versions of the end/credits. May feel v. deprived if not allowed to see all possible alternatives. Hmmmm...may have to go to London later in the year to see a play about a \"great\" dane...perhaps could rent BJD by then. :-)"}, {"response": 1121, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (21:08)", "body": "From the Today/MSNBC web site: http://msnbc.com/onair/default.asp MONDAY, APRIL 16 - 7:00 AM ET Actor Colin Firth A look at Charlotte Church\ufffds new book, \ufffdVoice of an Angel.\ufffd \ufffdToday\ufffds Woman\ufffd with Judy Reichman. A look at Valerie Harper\ufffds book, \ufffdToday I am a Ma\ufffdam.\ufffd \ufffdToday\ufffds Family\ufffd and \ufffdParents\ufffd magazine team up to talk about a five-part series on what makes a great parent. Actor Colin Firth talks about his role in the movie, \ufffdBridget Jones\ufffd Diary.\ufffd Author Malika Oufkir with her book, \ufffdStolen Lives.\ufffd Yeah, right! At least he is prominently \"displayed\"."}, {"response": 1122, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (22:35)", "body": "Attaboy, Colin. If little Charlotte Church can do it . . . *Won't believe it until I see it* Think is cruel bait and switch scam in manner of mail informing me that You Have Just Won $1,000,000.00 (in type size generally reserved for declarations of war or dissolution of Cruise/Kidman marriage), while word \"may\" after You is in small gnat (as opposed to huge) print.;-) V.g. review in the NY Times; it's not online yet. BTW, I misspoke (miswrote?;-) before; Huge is on Regis & Kelly domani, Rz on The View and Conan tonight."}, {"response": 1123, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (22:43)", "body": "Whatever happened to the Telegraph's feature where you sent in questions for Bridget and they were going to publish them the following month? Another article in EW about RZ facing the wrath of British critics: http://www.ew.com/ew/report/0,6115,106030~1~0~reneezellwegerfaceswrath,00.html The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw has a very bizarre review. Good thing no one reads your broadsheets. The screen Bridget may be good knockabout fun, but it lacks the devastating insights of the original, says Peter Bradshaw Well, here it is. The film of the book of the newspaper column of the deeply important single-women-in-their-30s zeitgeisty phenomenon. Or, to use Friends parlance, The One Where Bridget Gets Anal Sex From Hugh Grant and Likes It and Wants to Do It Again. I am not making that last bit up. It might happen off camera, but it's one of the film's raunchier, chancier, more grubbily English things, superciliously ignored in the acres of consumer-style journalism devoted to all things Bridget in the past few weeks. Sharon Maguire's broadly enjoyable, knockabout, sitcommy picture takes the sophisticated creation of Helen Fielding and - well, doesn't dumb it down exactly, but transfers it to a medium in which much of her distinctive qualities are inevitably lost. What we've got isn't so much postmodern Pride and Prejudice as pre-modern Mills and Boon. Bridget, the screwed-up publishing assistant, played by the Texan Ren\ufffde Zellweger, is torn between the adorably sexy cad Daniel, played by Hugh Grant, and the sullen but morally superior human rights barrister Mark Darcy - or perhaps that should be plain Mr Darcy, played by Colin Firth. Who should she choose? (The answer, frankly, is Hugh, who blows everyone else off the screen with a cracking performance as the naughtier-than-thou heartbreaker. Of this, more in a moment.) We all know how Bridget Jones has been the template for the jokey single-gal confessionalists in fact and fiction. How Bridget famously spawned a billion imitators in books and newspapers, who get daringly drunk and are \"rubbish\" and \"sad\" about men and everything else. But really we know that they are in control by virtue of writing it up themselves, very wittily, and having a prestigious columnist job. Putting their great ancestor Bridge on the screen, however, abolishes this contract of understanding between writer and reader. When we see Bridget drink her bodyweight in chardonnay, fall over, get up and make a funny face, it isn't being filtered through her own prose. In print, we were laughing with Bridget. On screen, well... The awful truth about this film is that it makes Bridget look like the world's biggest prat, and an egregious emotional imbecile. And the camera's glimpses of her own diary disclose not the devastatingly acute document we have come to know and love, but crass, sub-Adrian Mole, semi-literate jottings with big girly handwriting. So Bridget has to be reimagined as a lovable, infantile clown - but once this leap has been made, Ren\ufffde Zellweger's impersonation of Bridget is entertaining. She has an excellent English accent, the best since Gwyneth Paltrow's Emma. And her Jake La Motta-ish weight-gain is a thing of joy. Her cheeks have become plump, hamster-ish, pushing her mouth into a continuous, unsexy pout of anxiety and self-reproach. Her thighs are massively dimpled and her great bottom is as stately as a sinking galleon, and it's always in our face, particularly when Bridget wears a bulging Playboy bunny outfit to her mother's vicars and tarts party. It is a quintessentially English bottom which should by rights be encased in an unflattering netball skirt. We don't get much about her mates, Shazzer and Jude - a bit of a waste of two first-class actors, Shirley Henderson and Sally Phillips (much of their stuff was presumably lost in the edit). Colin Firth reprises his smouldering act as Mr Darcy, although oddly it's Hugh who gets dripping wet this time, drunkenly falling out of the rowing boat he and Bridget have hired on a romantic weekend break. The big comic set-piece comes when Daniel and Darcy, consumed with mutual loathing, have a punch-up out in the street, and Bridget's gay friend Tom (James Callis) blunders into a restaurant queenily to announce the exciting fact: \"Fight! Fight!\" As I have said, any red-blooded member of the audience will be longing for Hugh to win it. [Ed note: HUH???] He is effortlessly the best thing in the film. His Daniel is, as they say, Not Safe In Taxis or anywhere else. There is nothing floppy or limp about his hair here; it is flowing and Byronically sensual. Daniel is mad, bad, dangerous and extremely funny to know. And he's much more interesting than dull old Darcy or indeed silly old Bridget. What a pair they are. A stuffy bore and an emotionally needy, not-very-talented person whose one professional success, as a television presenter, is the gift of Darcy in the first place. Richard Curtis's London, swirling with picturesque snow, is tha"}, {"response": 1124, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (22:44)", "body": "This is one they'll be quoting in the ads! From Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune. Doesn't get much better than this. Thanks to Janet. Bridget Jones's Diary amuses almost as much in movie form as it did between book covers.The film kept me smiling all the way through. And it's about time. Good romantic comedies with charming characters and witty dialogue -- especially in the hands of masters like Ernst Lubitsch, George Cukor or, more recently, Woody Allen -- have always been among the movies' chief delights. They sizzle and refresh. But recent romantic comedies have tended to fizzle on screen. The Wedding Planner, Someone Like You and What Women Want came across as overcalculated pseudo-comedies -- curdled valentines. Bridget Jones's Diary is an exception. It's a chronicle of the romantic misadventures of a brainy young publishing-house publicist in her early 30s whose love life and family have become disasters. Based on Helen Fielding's incredibly popular book, it's chock-full of delights. Among them: the brilliant acting of stars Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth and Hugh Grant; the effervescent dialogues and crackling monologues; the empathetic and limber direction by first-timer Sharon Maguire; the clever in-jokes and ribald ripostes; and the way the whole movie seems to gleam and dance as you watch it. Zellweger is an actor of such pixie charm yet deep humanity that she defies category. How can this milky-complexioned Texan play a role considered so quintessentially British that much of the British Isles' female populace seems to identify with it? How can they accept Texan Zellweger as Bridget? How can we?Well, how did we all accept Britain's Vivien Leigh as that ultimate Southern belle, Scarlett O'Hara? While I found her clipped London accent and fruity diction strange for the first few scenes (wondering where her drawl disappeared to), I soon completely accepted her. Zellweger may have learned Bridget's accent from a diction coach. But the brains, warmth, earthy charm, sympathy, goodness and sturdiness are her own. And they definitely work for Bridget. Who is Bridget? Obviously, she's a surrogate for writer Fielding. But Bridget struck a chord with so many readers because of her universal predicament: Thirtyish, likable, fairly successful in life (Fielding herself worked in TV documentaries), Bridget is deeply discontent because she is without a partner. She blames herself, obsesses about food, makes lists, breaks resolutions. She has a deep crush on her publisher boss, Daniel Cleaver (Grant), a twinkly guy who's a bit of a rake. Another man, Mark Darcy (Firth), seems unavailable -- guarded by a possessive girlfriend, Natasha (Embeth Davidtz).There are other crises in her life. Her mom (Gemma Jones) has left her dad (Jim Broadbent) and fallen for a shopping-channel huckster with phony-looking hair. So her dad quietly suffers, watching the shopping channel. To combat all this, Bridget welcomes her friends (Sally Phillips, Shirley Henderson and James Callis), who always try to cheer her up. Or, she opens her diary and writes about life, sex, food, money, family and almost everything else. What helps make the movie work so well is the way Bridget's voice dominates it. Diary echoes with her slants, laughter and whines. As with Woody Allen, that recognizable voice draws us in, and we feel strongly for our imperfect narrator.As in many romantic comedies, the heroine is torn between two men: the dark, solid and mysterious Darcy; and Cleaver, Bridget's irresponsible Casanova boss. Firth gives Darcy a wounded grace. And Grant gives Cleaver all his finesse. Usually, Grant plays the good lover; here, he's just as effective playing the bad. And the Zellweger-Firth-Grant triangle works as irresistibly as Hepburn-Grant-Stewart in The Philadelphia Story. The rest of the cast is fine, too, especially Broadbent as the hurt dad. (There's also a wonderful cameo at a publishing party from novelist Salman Rushdie.) Director Maguire may be a first-time dramatic feature-maker. But she is deeply versed in film: She has directed many documentaries for British television on subjects like Picasso, Margaret Thatcher and H.G. Wells. Though her touch is never intrusive, we can always feel her hand and voice: urbane, sophisticated, strongly involved with her characters.The links between the moviemakers and the book are fascinating. Writer and executive producer Fielding is, of course, the inspiration for much of Bridget. But director Maguire is the model for Bridget's best friend, Shazza (Phillips). Co-writer Richard Curtis, who has written several hits for Grant (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill) in which Grant plays a version of Curtis himself, here has written a part nearer Grant's own personality -- at least according to Grant. Firth is playing a character named Darcy, the story's quiet hero, much like the Darcy in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. And that's a role that Firth also has played on screen -- just as Grant "}, {"response": 1125, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (22:57)", "body": "Woo woo!! Wilmington comes through (will buy paper tomorrow). Sun-Times hasn't changed over to Friday yet."}, {"response": 1126, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (22:59)", "body": "http://startribune.com/viewers/qview/cgi/qview.cgi?template=free_article&slug=bri13 Bridget Jones's Diary Jeff Strickler [Minneapolis] Star Tribune Friday, April 13, 2001 'Bridget Jones's Diary'' isn't pretty -- but that's the point. This romantic comedy about an overweight, chain-smoking, heavy drinker who's chronically attracted to jerks is offered as a counterpoint to all the fairy tales about the beautiful people. Adapted from the bestselling novel by Helen Fielding, who helped write the screenplay, it alters some of the book's content -- why do filmmakers have a knee-jerk instinct to change endings? -- but remains faithful to its spirit. It's a chick flick, but the humor is loopy enough to keep guys entertained. Credit Renee Zellweger for that. She has said former boyfriend Jim Carrey taught her a sense of comic timing. It appears that the star of such goofball comedies as \"Dumb and Dumber\" and \"Ace Ventura\" also taught her the value of checking her ego at the soundstage door. Zellweger isn't playing the kind of buffoon that made Carrey a millionaire. But she certainly is cashing in on her own embarrassment. Zellweger, who gained 20 pounds for the role, freely lets the film make fun of her appearance, manners and naivete. Bridget is a frumpy London publicist who ends up spending yet another dateless New Year's Eve with her parents. Convinced that if she doesn't take drastic action, she's \"doomed to die fat and alone,\" she resolves to turn her life around: She'll lose weight, quit smoking, cut down on the drinking, stop dating losers and keep a diary to record the glorious accomplishments. The only commitment she manages to keep is the diary. Shared with us via voice-over narration, the journal chronicles each painful setback. BAD BOY The most obvious concerns her love life. Her lecherous boss, Daniel (Hugh Grant), puts a move on her. He's a cad through and through, and she knows it. But she's helpless in his presence. Bridget finally meets a nice guy, Mark (Colin Firth, \"Shakespeare in Love\"). But he's, well, dull. Therein lies the dilemma: Does she opt for the romantic equivalent of a double-chocolate brownie a la mode -- certain to be regretted later but oh, so delightful at the time -- or go with Cupid's version of a rice cake? The announcement that Zellweger had snagged the movie's starring role did not go over well in England, where they resented an American being imported to play the quintessential British Everywoman. But Zellweger -- whose serious work in such independent films as \"The Whole Wide World\" has been overshadowed by her fluffy performances in the likes of \"Jerry Maguire\" -- nails the accent. All the roles are wonderfully drawn. Grant, who too often plays the same befuddled character, attacks his bad-boy part with zeal. Firth's comic touch is delicately understated. Bridget's parents, who could have become simplistic stereotypes, are given depth by veterans Jim Broadbent and Gemma Jones. This is the first feature film for director Sharon Maguire, who spent 10 years working for the BBC. The narrative is episodic -- an inescapable shortcoming of the diary format -- but Maguire more than compensates with a lightweight tone and snappy pacing. Still, it's Zellweger's unselfishness that sells the movie. How many other young actresses would be willing to let a movie make fun of their fat thighs? She turns \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" into something to write home about. *** out of four stars The setup: A lovelorn woman has to choose between an exciting cad and decent but dull guy. What works: The performances are topnotch. What doesn't: The narrative is episodic. Great line: \"She smokes like a chimney, drinks like a fish and dresses like her mother.\" Rating: R; profanity, sexual situations and raunchy humor."}, {"response": 1127, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (23:01)", "body": "Cupid's version of a rice cake I think that's an all-time first as a description of CF!"}, {"response": 1128, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (23:06)", "body": "http://www2.onwisconsin.com/scripts/staticpage.dll?only=y&spage=AE/movies/movies_details.htm&id=29616&ck=&ver=2.8 Duane Dudek Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 2 1/2 stars of 5 Published: April 13, 2001 Like its protagonist and the actress who plays her, \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" is short, sweet and a little incomplete. The movie is shaggily likable but doesn't convey whatever intangible turned the character into a chubby cult figure. Why British novels like the \"Harry Potter\" and \"Bridget Jones\" books become cultural phenomena beyond the printed page is left unanswered, probably because the filmmakers don't know the answer either. The result is an amusing ramble of a film that is driven more by plot than character, and which finds humor in the awkward situations it places its heroine in rather than who she is. Like the film \"High Fidelity,\" which transferred a popular novel about a neurotic, single male thirtysomething from London to Chicago yet retained its arch qualities, \"Bridget Jones\" suffers from a sense of dislocation that is a product of similar and clashing sensibilities. Screenwriter Richard Curtis, who wrote the successful and entertaining films \"Four Weddings and a Funeral\" and \"Notting Hill,\" and first-time feature director Sharon Maguire, are friends of the book's author, Helen Fielding, who co-wrote the screenplay. Fielding even based a journalist character in the book on Maguire. Perhaps this intimacy caused them to unconsciously turn something extremely familiar to them into a shorthand that shuts out others. On the other hand, casting Texas native Renee Zellweger as the quintessential single neurotic thirtysomething Londoner signals an attempt to open up the film into something the slim volume cannot sustain. Like the film's protagonist, the scrappy Zellweger jumps gamely into the fray knickers first. The conundrum is that, while the book's popularity is due to its universal themes, it is its specificity that makes it universal. In expanding the universal elements to broaden the story's appeal, the filmmakers tend to dilute whatever specifics made it unique in the first place. Yet like the remake of Eric Carmen's classic maudlin anthem \"All By Myself,\" which a tipsy, pajama-wearing Bridget pantomimes in the opening scene, the film's limitations may only be apparent to those who are familiar with the original. Since the diary entries - in which Bridget chronicles her weight gain, cigarettes smoked, alcohol units consumed and pathetic love life - is a novelistic device, the filmmakers barely refer to it and use narration in an attempt to achieve the same effect. But the entries communicate her compulsions in ways that supplement her comic desperation. When the film tries to achieve the latter without the diary's interior voice, the result is simply just funny rather than poignant. (And you do laugh at the wry audacity of having writer Salman Rushdie, who appears in a party scene, being asked for directions to the loo, twice.) Hugh Grant is the shagalicious boss she knows better than to trust yet does anyway. How Grant, whose past \"troubles\" do not have anything to do with Northern Ireland, has become the foppish British Everyman is perplexing. Here he is grimly insufferable, as required, and the effect is frankly unsettling rather than sexy. Colin Firth is a glum barrister named after the Jane Austen character he played in \"Pride and Prejudice,\" who dislikes Bridget as much as she dislikes him, which, of course, is every fairy tale's prelude to living happily ever after. Other delicious characters, such as Bridget's parents, wonderfully played by Gemma Jones and Jim Broadbent, are underdeveloped. Too, transitions in the character's lives, such as Bridget's career crisis, are abruptly portrayed and affect the film's pace and continuity. Such are the pitfalls of a debut director handling material whose appeal is a mystery in the first place."}, {"response": 1129, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (23:12)", "body": "http://ent.twincities.com/scripts/staticpage.dll?only=y&spage=AE/movies/movies_details.htm&id=29616&ck=&ver=2.8 Sentimental Journals By Chris Hewitt Saint Paul Pioneer Press Published: Thursday, April 12, 2001 Bridget Jones' mouth has two left feet. 3 stars out of 4 \"You tend to let out whatever's in your mouth without much thought to the consequences,\" a potential suitor tells her in \"Bridget Jones's Diary.\" That is the appeal of Bridget, a Londoner who blabs to us like a best friend about her obsessive quest to do less smoking, drinking and eating and more smooching. Bridget's mouth is also her downfall, especially when it has recently been occupied by an entire bottle of Chardonnay. \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" preserves the boisterous, ironic, slightly sentimental spirit of Helen Fielding's novel despite the inevitable changes it makes. Bridget's friends are barely in the movie, even though it was directed by Sharon Maguire, who is Fielding's real-life best friend and the model for the character of Shazzer. Apparently, they were cut in favor of Bridget's parents, whose troubled marriage gives \"Diary\" a few serious moments, interspersed between Bridget's guzzling, puffing and juggling of two men (priggish Colin Firth and duplicitous Hugh Grant). In its basics, \"Diary\" is pretty much the same story as TV's \"That Girl,\" with different vowels and liberal use of the f-word. The hiring of native Texan Renee Zellweger touched off controversy in England, but her accent sounds terrific to these Midwestern ears. Zellweger seems both more authoritative and more screwed up than in her other performances. That's perfect for the film, which represents Bridget's efforts to reconcile her own confidence in herself with her belief that the world thinks she's a loser. There's plenty of Bridget Jones in \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" but not much diary. Bridget's day-by-day log of the cigarettes, glasses of wine and cupcakes she consumed was a hilarious part of the novel, but the movie wisely resists the temptation to translate all of that stuff into voice-over narration. Here, we get the idea early on (wittily, Bridget's diary entries taunt her from the billboard she walks by in Picadilly Square), and then the movie forgets about the diary until it's needed for a plot point. That plot point -- the wrong person gets his hands on Bridget's journal -- is the sort of hokey storytelling device that crops up in most romantic comedies. But \"Bridget\" distinguishes itself from the pack because the woman is the engine who powers the movie -- the heroine gets to make up her mind about what she wants, instead of being the rope in a tug-of-war between two chiseled jaws (in fact, when \"Bridget\" does get to the obligatory Firth/Grant punching match, it's depicted for what it is: ridiculous macho posturing). Another characteristic of current romantic comedies is an Agatha Christie-like insistence on withholding information from us. Even in the likable \"Someone Like You,\" the movie is so concerned about keeping us in suspense about which man Ashley Judd will choose that it makes both men look like jerks, so that neither seems to have an edge on the other. As a result, when she finally picks one, we're not sure why. \"Diary,\" on the other hand, manages to show what's appealing about both guys and, by the time Bridget figures out what she wants, her choice makes as much sense to us as if we'd been reading her diary all along."}, {"response": 1130, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (23:16)", "body": "http://ent.twincities.com/scripts/staticpage.dll?reviewid=164237&only=y&spage=AE/movies/movies_details.htm&id=29616&ck=&ver=2.8&userid=1&userpw=.&uh=1,0 , A sweet, feisty 'Bridget' By Mary F. Pols Contra Costa Times Published: Wednesday, April 11, 2001 3.5 of 4 stars Any fan of Helen Fielding's best seller \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" knew that elfin actress Ren\ufffde Zellweger would have to beef up to play the part of Bridget, a romantically challenged hedonist prone to late-night chocolate snacks and no sense of due diligence when it comes to exercise. Despite all the tales of Zellweger's enforced bingeing on milkshakes and pizzas in preparation for the role, it was hard not to be both resentful and skeptical. For Bridget, an extra roll or two around the stomach comes naturally, and achieving it was merely a matter of existing; it certainly didn't involve work. But from the opening frames of the movie version of \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" when Zellweger's genuinely puffy face first heaves into sight atop a pair of slovenly pajamas, all that skepticism is likely to vanish. Oh, she's not fat at all, but then again, Bridget wasn't, either. She's just not thin in the way that, say, Zellweger typically is. She's fleshy, with most of the weight distributed between her breasts and her face. Her clothes never fit her quite right, and she has a habit of wearing inappropriately sexy or ill-fitting garments to her job at a London publishing house. There's even a glorious glimpse of cellulite on her thighs. Males welcome Zellweger's complete physical transformation into Bridget is just one of the pleasantly surprising ways in which Fielding's book has been translated into an extremely entertaining movie. The book's bawdy, hilarious sensibility is very much intact - there's heavy use of the F-word, as well as alcohol-swilling and smoking - but it's also been broadened into something that might actually appeal to a wider spectrum than its original, largely female demographic. A man who picked up the book might have felt as if he'd stumbled in on a conversation about bikini waxing, but he probably won't feel as excluded by the movie. This may be because Zellweger conveys an interesting blend of sweetness and feistiness, but none of Bridget's more bitter, off-putting (to some) qualities. Much of the success may also be owed to Fielding's early collaboration on the script, and the fact that Fielding's friend Sharon Maguire, a documentary filmmaker making her debut as a feature director, was the model for the character of Bridget's friend Shazzer. Clearly, the director knows the material. The book was unabashedly shallow. Each of Bridget's diary entries began with a litany of her sins: alcohol consumption, cigarettes smoked, weight gained or lost, poor judgment used in making phone calls to men. Bridget's distinct lack of self-esteem and her deep need for validation through male companionship appalled some of the more uptight feminists out there, who expressed both dismay and disbelief that women would still operate on this level. To which many would say, oh please. Yes, there are women out there who don't worry about never finding love, who have relaxed, have completely nonjudgmental attitudes about their own self-image and manage to entirely dodge the shallow cycle of need perpetuated by fashion magazines and such. Would you want to have a spa day with any of them? Regardless, the movie doesn't dwell on the diary as a construct, beyond an occasional scene of Zellweger scribbling. At one point, after Bridget has enjoyed a night of frolicking with her raffish boss, Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant), she's seen walking through the streets of London, with a big grin on her face, and a giant electronic billboard on a building flashes a quick diary entry. Maguire is smart enough to only use this too-cute technique once. Zellweger's Bridget gives enough away with her face and actions; she doesn't need this kind of assistance. Firth comes forth Also understandably absent is one of the book's assets, the way Bridget's life parallels \"Pride and Prejudice,\" including the fact that her love interest is a rather stiff but dashing lawyer named Mr. Darcy, whom her mother (the outstanding Gemma Jones, who played the mother in Emma Thompson's \"Sense and Sensibility\") wants her to date. Fielding's Bridget lusted after actor Colin Firth, who portrayed Mr. Darcy in the BBC's much-loved adaptation of Austen's novel, but since Firth plays Mark Darcy in the movie - in an absolutely inspired bit of casting - Zellweger's character could hardly talk about how hot the actor Firth is. Although if she did, she would be speaking the truth. As Mark Darcy, Firth is exquisitely haughty. None of the casting can be faulted, actually. Grant, after years of simpering and stammering, is finally playing a complete cad, the attractive office scoundrel who can't be trusted, and it's a perfect part for him. The trio who play Bridget's chain-smoking, hard-drinking best friends Sh"}, {"response": 1131, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (23:17)", "body": "The NY Times is up: http://www.nytimes.com/2001/04/13/arts/13BRID.html 'Bridget Jones's Diary': 120 Pounds and 1,000,000 Cigarettes Later By STEPHEN HOLDEN So what if you've put on a few extra pounds, appear gawky and tongue-tied in tense social situations, and wear bulky, little-girl underwear on a heavy date? And so what if you don't follow \"The Rules\" and still give your heart too easily to a suave charmer you suspect (no, you're pretty sure) of being a cad? What's important is being yourself. After all, isn't it the real you, the quirky, quick-witted, honest, plucky, chin-up, lovable, wonderful inner you that he's going to recognize as the genuine ruby shining amid a pile of fakes? Allegiance to blind faith in the true-blue inner you to attract Prince Charming is the reassuring romantic philosophy trumpeted by the film adaptation of Helen Fielding's best seller, \"Bridget Jones's Diary.\" That wisp of novel is so charming with its mixture of insouciance, wit and candor that it's enough to restore a belief in fairy tale endings to the most embittered casualty of the urban dating wars. True, Billy Joel expressed the same sentiment a bit more bluntly in a love song addressed to a woman he has long since divorced: \"I love you just the way you are.\" But the song and its promise live on. Who could resist such convincing valentines? Bridget Jones, in case you didn't know, is a 32-year-old bachelorette who works in a London publishing house and frets with sad amusement about her increasingly iffy prospects for finding a long-term relationship. Summoning up her shaky willpower, she decides to adopt the usual self-improvement regimen to make herself more desirable. She will lose 20 pounds, cut own on alcohol, cigarettes and sweets, and land the boat of her dreams. Her diary entries are prefaced with meticulous records of her progress (and lack thereof) in achieving her stringent numerical goals. What makes Bridget irresistible is that even when downhearted, she maintains a rueful sense of humor. Defeated by her immediate circumstances and gone into hiding, she remains intrepid in spirit. A woman who loves men and loves sex, she is a true believer in the possibility of romantic fulfillment without any moon-June-spoon ickiness: it's just you and me, babe, the real you and the real me. Openhearted and girlish in some ways, canny and sophisticated in others, Bridget's entertaining even when in the deepest funk. Most important, everything she thinks and says is informed by a critical, clear-eyed intelligence, even if she botches the actual words. Yet having soldiered through romantic diappointments, she remains remarkably uncurdled by bitterness and cynicism. Aside from her highly questionable taste in clothes and her inability to cook a multi-course home feast in which the soup isn't an alarmingly metallic shade of blue, what's not to adore? In translating \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" to the screen, all that really matters is bringing this complicated, somewhat reactionary character fully and lovably to life. In choosing the princess to play this princess, who could have imagined that Ren\ufffde Zellweger, a native Texan, who put on 20 pounds for the role, would be so perfect? Adopting an impeccable British accent that's not too hoity- toity, and softening her character's romantic desperation, Ms. Zellweger brings the same qualities \ufffd a flinty integrity, a childlike stubbornness and an innocent face across which emotions melt like strawberry ice cream \ufffd that animated her performances in \"Jerry Maguire\" and \"Nurse Betty.\" But this role is bigger and richer than those parts. Ms. Zellweger accomplishes the small miracle of making Bridget both entirely endearing and utterly real. It is a performance so airy you barely sense the work that must have gone into it. Throughout the film you ardently root for her to succeed and pray that the two men who end up coming to blows over her (in an improbable and awkwardly staged fistfight) recognize her goodness, inner beauty and all-around specialness. Those two men are her snaky but sexy boss, Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant), and Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), a grim young lawyer (and early childhood playmate) introduced to her by her dithery matchmaking mother (Gemma Jones). Although Bridget herself is no fashion plate, Darcy makes a disastrous first impression by wearing a silly looking reindeer sweater. A glib, elusive womanizer, Daniel elicits the same hooded-eyed Mephistopholean slipperiness in Mr. Grant that Woody Allen discovered and used so effectively in \"Small-Time Crooks.\" By lowering his eyelids and adopting a faintly supercilious tone of voice, Mr. Grant expertly adjusts his stock screen persona from the ingenuous, girly-boy stumblebum of movies like \"Notting Hill\" into a duplicitous, testosterone-driven lothario. The joke behind Mr. Firth's Darcy is that the same actor played a version of a similar character, Mr. Darcy, in a television mini-series of \"Pride and Prejudice.\" Here again, Mr."}, {"response": 1132, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (23:20)", "body": "http://ent.twincities.com/scripts/staticpage.dll?reviewid=164234&only=y&spage=AE/movies/movies_details.htm&id=29616&ck=&ver=2.8&userid=1&userpw=.&uh=1,0 , Diary of a Mad Singleton By Bruce Newman Mercury News Published: Wednesday, April 11, 2001 3 stars of 4 ...Darcy is played by Colin Firth, who not only was mentioned for his yummy looks in Fielding's book but who played Mr. Darcy in the 1995 BBC production of ``Pride and Prejudice.'' This Darcy, therefore, is based on the Austen character and on the actor who played him, and is played by the actor who played the Austen character upon whom his own character is based..."}, {"response": 1133, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (23:31)", "body": "The award for most Austen references in one review goes to... http://ent.twincities.com/scripts/staticpage.dll?reviewid=164262&only=y&spage=AE/movies/movies_details.htm&id=29616&ck=&ver=2.8&userid=1&userpw=.&uh=1,0 , A dear 'Diary' buoyed by an un-British Bridget By Carrie Rickey Philadelphia Inquirer Published: Friday, April 13, 2001 3 stars out of 4 London''s most amusing slinging single, that knockabout imbiber of alcohol, cigarettes and men, is made flesh, 130 weight-obsessed pounds of it, by Ren\ufffde Zellweger in \"Bridget Jones''s Diary.\" It is as adorable and predictable a film as the Helen Fielding best-seller that inspired it. The movie, like the novel, traces its DNA to Jane Austen''s \"Pride and Prejudice.\" To make it fit the rhyme scheme of a romantic comedy, its screenwriters - Fielding herself, Richard Curtis (\"Four Weddings and a Funeral\"), and the BBC''s veteran Austen adapter Andrew Davies - have imposed rhythms ineluctable as those of a limerick. This need not be so, as \"Clueless\" - a loveletter to Austen''s \"Emma\" postmarked Beverly Hills 90210 - nimbly showed. But it is so, and however unsurprising its surprises - the dashing man (Hugh Grant) is a cad and the sneering snob (Colin Firth) a dear - it is enjoyable to clock Austen''s insight about the swiftness of the female imagination, racing from blush to crush, love to matrimony in a heartbeat. You would think that Zellweger was closer to Austin, Texas, than to Austen, Jane, but you would be wrong. As the embodiment of the present-tense-imperfect modern career gal, she is present, tense and perfection. The ebullient Texan nails the English accent and self-deprecating attitude. And it''s not just the English she masters, but also the body English. Even when her gestures are irrepressibly, irresistibly, irretrievably American - her corkscrew of curls tangled up in her semaphore of arms - she doesn''t blow her bangs from her eyes (an American gesture of exasperation patented by Goldie Hawn and Meg Ryan), but struggles to recover a cockeyed composure, a \"veddy English\" Maggie Smith kind of dance. While Zellweger does her utmost to distill the book''s droll tone in the ding-dong of her voice-over narration, this proves a challenge for director Sharon Maguire (a documentarian and Fielding crony making her feature debut here). Bridget''s first-person account invites the reader to laugh with her. The movie camera is not subjective and necessarily sees from perspectives other than Bridget''s. The shift in vantage inadvertently encourages the audience to laugh at Bridget - her ungainly getups and her stammering soliloquies. While the novel involved the reader in Bridget''s tiny, face-saving self-deceits, the film magnifies these into huge, narcissistic self-delusions, which renders her a less sympathetic figure. The book made readers her confidants; the movie makes viewers her critics. I mentioned huge. There has been much talk about the whippet-like Zellweger''s bulking up 20 pounds to play the calorie-counting heroine. While it''s a pathetic commentary on Hollywood wraithdom that she had to gain to be on the slim side of average weight, it must be said that since most actresses are hardbodied size 4s, it''s novel to see a softfigured size 8 on-screen, even though she''s still easily 10 pounds shy of Bridget''s fighting weight. The bad news is that the screenwriters have reconfigured Bridget''s freewheeling narrative into a conventional love triangle. The good news is that the happy result includes a wickedly funny performance by Grant, oozing charm and toxic effluences, and an aloofly earnest turn by Firth, which should do for his career what \"Four Weddings\" did for Grant''s. Firth''s casting is something of an inside (or do we say intertextual?) joke. He played Darcy in the well-received BBC adaptation of \"Pride and Prejudice,\" a performance much commented upon and drooled over by Bridget in this \"P&P\" update. Thus Firth makes an ideal Mark Darcy, the barrister Bridget thinks too square and judgmental for her eccentric, kicky tastes. Janeites, as Austenians call themselves, will also note that while Firth''s BBC Darcy was something of a bare-chested hero out of a pulp romance novel, his performance here pays explicit homage to Laurence Olivier''s Darcy in the 1940 MGM version of \"P&P.\" Dreamy. So what we have here are three hilarious performances embedded in a humdrum context, which is more than one can say about most romantic comedies."}, {"response": 1134, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (23:35)", "body": "Actress adds heft to 'Bridget Jones's Diary' By Connie Ogle The Miami Herald Published: Friday, April 13, 2001 2.5 of 5 stars ...She's sick of her mum's attempts to fix her up, especially after meeting Mark Darcy (Colin Firth, probably stunned to find himself playing Mr. Darcy a second time), an aloof barrister with appalling taste in sweaters and a way of staring at Bridget like she's got two heads. He also seems to run into her whenever she's embarrassing herself. This happens a lot\ufffd. \ufffdStill, the cast could not be better. That the handsome Firth (Shakespeare in Love, The English Patient) reprises his role as Mr. Darcy may be the single most hilarious joke in the movie (he played Darcy in A & E's Pride and Prejudice and shows up as himself on the pages of Fielding's Bridget Jones sequel)..."}, {"response": 1135, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (23:38)", "body": "This guy's obviously never read P&P, since he calls Darcy \"D'Arcy\": http://ent.twincities.com/scripts/staticpage.dll?reviewid=164247&only=y&spage=AE/movies/movies_details.htm&id=29616&ck=&ver=2.8&userid=1&userpw=.&uh=1,0 , \"Bridget Jones\" won't challenge you, but does have a sugary charm By Lawrence Toppman The Charlotte Observer Published: 4/12/01 2.5 of 5 stars ...Firth's character, bizarrely, is an imaginary version of himself. Fielding watched the BBC \"Pride and Prejudice,\" an adaptation of Jane Austen's novel with Firth as Mr. D'Arcy. Then she tried to guess what the actor would be like in real life and gave her Darcy those attributes. So in \"Bridget,\" Firth is supposed to play Firth. He's OK at it."}, {"response": 1136, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (23:41)", "body": "http://ent.twincities.com/scripts/staticpage.dll?reviewid=164288&only=y&spage=AE/movies/movies_details.htm&id=29616&ck=&ver=2.8&userid=1&userpw=.&uh=1,0 , Fat chance: Renee Zellweger doesn't convince in dull \"Diary\" By Terry Lawson Detroit Free Press Published: 4/13/01 2 of 5 stars ...All the actors struggle gamely to make this look like fun, but except for a couple of Bridget's more amusing humiliations -- she shows up in bunny ears and fishnets for a costume party that isn't, and accidentally shows her \"enormous\" bum on national television -- there is not much they can do with such soggy material...."}, {"response": 1137, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Apr 12, 2001 (23:44)", "body": "Last one! Bad one to end on though: http://ent.twincities.com/scripts/staticpage.dll?reviewid=164261&only=y&spage=AE/movies/movies_details.htm&id=29616&ck=&ver=2.8&userid=1&userpw=.&uh=1,0 , Weighing in on Bridget's charms By Sono Motoyama Philadelphia Daily News Published: Friday, April 13, 2001 ...The only dud among the main characters is the dark and stand-offish Darcy (reference to the Jane Austen character intended), played by Colin Firth (who portrayed a come-hither Darcy in a BBC version of Austen's \"Pride and Prejudice\"). The character is so unpleasant and --worse--dull that we can't understand why a lovable incompetent like Bridget would think he was her Mr. Right. (There's also little chemistry between the two actors.)..."}, {"response": 1138, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (02:03)", "body": "Hmmm..reading the British reviews, all pro-Hugh, makes me realise why CF hesitated. Come along Colin, reprise the role that made you famous, but hey, let's get rid of the original script amd make it into a vehicle for Hughie boy(who's so-o-o sexy and irresistible and gets all the funny lines and gets to wear the wet shirt ) and he'll get all the good reviews, and you can be a dull, stiff, boring mummy's boy, whom no red-blooded male/female would root for. Excuse me? In the book, MD was never dull in a negative sense. And if he smiled and cracked jokes at their first meeting, there'd be no movie! Am seeing BJD this weekend...But the Brit reviews infuriate me...I feel as though Working Title have \"used \" Colin and let him take the flak from the (male)reviewers, whilst HG is re-born as \"sexy\". Hopefully female audiences will see things differently. And he should say \"no\" to a sequel. Thank goodness for (most of) the US reviews!!! It's a pity he reads the Guardian!"}, {"response": 1139, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (05:55)", "body": "I agree Bethan, that most of the UK reviewers favour HG & RZ(rightly so in her case) but if you read the \"user reviews\" at the IMDB they praise Colin equally and have some very nice comments, such as \"dreamy, wonderful, etc.perfect casting\" The US reviews are more favourable towards ODB. HG does have the showier role buth there is more depth to MD, imo."}, {"response": 1140, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (06:50)", "body": "Have you seen Ebert's review yet? Not near enough Colin so I guess we can guess at the Huge bent to this weekend's TV review."}, {"response": 1141, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (07:23)", "body": "Am wondering if Mari helped write that Philadelphia review. ;-D But Ebert gave it 3-1/2 stars; is v.g. review from someone who has obviously read the book (Alsatians not wild dogs) and wants to do a public service (defining cocktail gherkins as pickles). Liked the symetrical reference to Bridget's verbal incontinence to Mark's being emotionally constipated."}, {"response": 1142, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (07:32)", "body": "New York Post says \"Firth, on the other hand, seemed a little too dour and dark.\" http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/38351.htm Excellent review in NY Daily News (3-1/2 stars); very even comments re: Huge and CF: \"Firth's achievement is to seem simultaneously like Mr. Right and Mr. Wrong, a man who is handsome and clearheaded but who also wears dreadful socks.\" http://www.nydailynews.com/today/New_York_Now/Movies/a-107060.asp"}, {"response": 1143, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (07:39)", "body": "From the LA Times' Kenneth Turan: It is this essence of the character, rather than literary fidelity, that \"Bridget Jones\" is successfully focused on. Key central elements from the book do remain, but many things, critical details from the kind of sweater worn in a key scene to the kind of man Bridget's mother is attracted to, are changed. The screenwriters have both pared down the book and pumped up selected elements, like the rivalry between the two men in Bridget's life. They've also strengthened the book's charming parallels to \"Pride and Prejudice,\" down to having Firth, who played Mr. Darcy in the BBC version of the Jane Austen novel, expertly play the modern Mark Darcy here. http://www.calendarlive.com/top/1,1419,L-LATimes-Movies-X!ArticleDetail-28983,00.html OK, am done posting reviews. Are brilliant!!"}, {"response": 1144, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (08:23)", "body": "Thank you Ann, Mari and Karen for all of the reviews. I'm off to check The Miami Herald. Here again, Mr. Firth is the stiff-backed Mr. Right whose wonderfulness is revealed by degrees as he peels away layers of formality to bare the sensitive soul beneath his forbidding but handsome (despite sartorial misfires) exterior. LOL! He doesn't know the half of it!"}, {"response": 1145, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (08:28)", "body": "One more...from CNN, a v.g. review although says it is too long and \"Adding to the confusion over the what was and wasn't included in the film is this little fact: Some of the plot has been lifted from 'The Edge of Reason,' Fielding's second Bridget Jones book.\" Huh????? http://www.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/Movies/04/12/review.bridget.jones/index.html"}, {"response": 1146, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (08:36)", "body": "Gaah! Am on review overload! Thanks to all for posting (and especially to Ann for bolding the pertinent parts). Am off to see the movie at noon *leaping about in fits of ecstasy* Saw the HG Q&A and was grossed out (and it usually takes alot to gross me out). I don't remember the hemorrhoid one, though--was this cut from the broadcast as he dared them to? As for HG's glowing reviews taking precedence over CF's: Mari said it ages ago, RC would unquestionably make this a vehicle for his (what's the word? partner? protegee? pimp?)...whatever, you get my drift. As expected, HG's being pushed hard here in the states. The important thing at this point is that CF is getting more recognition than he did in SiL (not hard to accomplish), his reviews are mostly good (save the odd male critic, and I do mean *odd*) and the fan reaction will hopefully continue in the positive vein pointed out by Ann W. Whee! CF on Today and Rosie on Monday! * Will also believe it when I see it * Hurrah!"}, {"response": 1147, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (08:41)", "body": "Positive review from Jay Carr of the Boston Globe. Will try to drag boyfriend to film tonight (have sex toy party to attend... argh!); he is adamant about NOT seeing BJD, thinks it's a \"chick flick\"... typical male. Anyway, here is the review... Zellweger gets 'Diary' right By Jay Carr Boston Globe Published: 04/13/2001 She smokes too much, drinks too much, talks too much, worries too much about weighing too much, and is just about as adorable on the big screen as she was between the covers of Helen Fielding's novel. She is, of course, the heroine of ''Bridget Jones's Diary,'' which should handily survive the flap over whether Renee Zellweger has any business playing a Brit. The movie will speak as loudly as the book did to 30-something women whom Bridget describes as singletons and whom I can't help thinking of as afflicted with a condition much more debilitating than PMS. I call it TWM, short for Talented Woman Malaise, a mysterious condition of a severity that increases in direct proportion to intelligence. The most obvious symptom is the assumption that if something is missing from your life - the right man, say - it's your fault. The film gets off to a brilliant start, with Zellweger's self-flagellating Bridget in pj's, lip-synching the words to ''All by Myself,'' alone in her flat in an oddly shaped triangular housing block that doesn't quite seem to belong to the rest of the neighborhood. It sits like an upthrust piece of ocean floor that has crashed through the pavement, having taken on the permanent look of an alien outcropping. Which is pretty much how Bridget sees herself. She resents being shoved by her anxious mother into the field of vision of this or that eligible man, in this case Colin Firth. He's a boyhood playmate turned successful barrister, with a weakness for unsuitable holiday sweaters. Given her resentment-bred social death wish, her maladroitness exceeds his. She'd rather go all soft and mushy over her smooth but untrustworthy boss, a character cut to order for the dark side of Hugh Grant. Bridget's clumsiness in chasing him is exceeded only by her ill-advised abandon. Brave as Zellweger was to take on a British accent, she's even braver in having packed about 20 extra pounds onto her tiny frame and allow ed herself to be photographed from behind in a short skirt revealing lumpy thighs in black fishnet stockings. Zellweger's endearingly tarty plumpness may not be in a class with Robert De Niro's putting on 200 pounds or whatever it was to play Jake LaMotta in ''Raging Bull.'' Still, it's eye-catching. The main problem facing director Sharon Maguire (reportedly the model for Shazza, one of Bridget's confidantes) was how to turn an essentially interior monologue into external action. The differences between the novel and the film are sometimes pretty pronounced, even with Fielding on board to preside over the screenplay. The parts of the novel featuring Bridget's support network have been whittled down, and the additions include a brawl between Firth and Grant, both of whom, by the way, are excellent - Firth in his tight-lipped rectitude, Grant in his glib murmurings. The big challenge, however, lay in the preservation of Bridget's voice - not a matter of correct accent, but of sufficient presence. Maguire's direction sometimes seems choppy, as it perhaps inevitably must, given the novel's episodic structure. Still, the film not only works better than expected but gets the important things right, starting, of course, with Zellweger's Bridget and Bridget's mind-set. Nobody can say Zellweger hasn't dialed in to the precise frequency from which Bridget is transmitting. The actress's ability to project sweetness has never been in doubt, but ''Bridget Jones's Diary'' reminds us (as ''Nurse Betty'' did, but ''Me, Myself & Irene'' did not) of her comic timing and emotional vulnerability. In short, she gets the job done. Zellweger's Bridget is my kind of schlump."}, {"response": 1148, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (08:41)", "body": "NY Post also has an item about HF's lawsuit over her 'nightmare' LA home: http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/38326.htm"}, {"response": 1149, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (08:49)", "body": "Glad to see another city with a positive review. Still can't understand why Wash Post dissed the movie. Hmmm, must be those republicans. ;-D"}, {"response": 1150, "author": "JenniferR", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (08:56)", "body": "Another review from the Wash. Post (Post has a very byzantine system of movie reviewing--they have at least four reviewers on staff, who review for differrent sections of the paper.) http://washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A13423-2001Apr12.html Best bits: \"I also liked the part where he [Gnat]got beaten up. Any movie in which somebody kicks the crap out of Hugh Grant is okay by me.\" -and- \"Grant is casually fabulous and very amusing, but all power to Firth the actor. He's the compleat Darcy, and he never wavers. There's no sentimentality, no flirtation with the audience, no final moment of pandering to the niceness gods; he's a cold geek all the way through. You can see him simmering with rage -- at Bridget for being so attractive, at himself for never quite knowing what to say, at both of them for being prey to such childishness, at his libido for wanting and at his ego for fearing. Especially poignant are his long looks at her. You see in his eyes his yearning hunger and his fury at his own ineloquence and inability to find the will to move ahead, from across the unbridgeable distance of a large room filled with happy people.\""}, {"response": 1151, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (09:04)", "body": "I was talking to some of my coworkers, yesterday, who are going to see BJD this weekend and I said that CF was ever so handsome, they said 'Who?' My eyes widened, I paused and said 'Did you read the book?' They said yes and I said... 'OBVIOUSLY NOT!' Then I proceeded to give them a nice lecture on the lack of CF injections and told them where they could pick up a copy of P&P. And since it is a holiday weekend for us, they could spare 6 hours... (Moon) Thank you Ann, Mari and Karen for all of the reviews. Indeed! As regards to ODB, the reviews seem to go one way or another, but we love him dearly!"}, {"response": 1152, "author": "Ann", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (09:05)", "body": "Hmmm, must be those republicans. ; } Careful, I know at least one Republican who liked it :)"}, {"response": 1153, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (09:13)", "body": "\"...Any movie in which somebody kicks the crap out of Hugh Grant is okay by me.\" Clap, clap, clap!! Love that review's write-up of CF's performance. Am surprised is a man as is soooo observant. ;-D"}, {"response": 1154, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (09:26)", "body": "Barry Norman (Barry Norman's Filmnight Sky Premier) (who incidentally loved P&P and preferred it to S&S, ), also loved the movie, lot of interviews with SM, HF, RZ & HG but there was also a tiny interview with Colin (in red shirt). BN praised HG and Renee who he said he has always thought would be excellent in the role and is pleased to have been provced correct. Of Colin's performance he says\" Firth develeops splendidly as every girl's dreamboat\"!! Hmmm."}, {"response": 1155, "author": "Ann", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (09:29)", "body": "Hugh just redeemed himself a little on Regis... \"Colin Firth, sexy Colin Firth...don't know why I call him sexy...\" He then goes on to say Bridge chooses Colin over him."}, {"response": 1156, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (09:47)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1157, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (09:54)", "body": "Damn, missed that one and I'm even home today. Thanks for filling us in, Ann. (Eileen) Still can't understand why Wash Post dissed the movie. Hmmm, must be those republicans. ;-D LOL! 'Course the Post redeemed itself later with that lovely paean to Colin that Jen posted: You can see him simmering with rage -- at Bridget for being so attractive, at himself for never quite knowing what to say, at both of them for being prey to such childishness, at his libido for wanting and at his ego for fearing. Especially poignant are his long looks at her. You see in his eyes his yearning hunger and his fury at his own ineloquence and inability to find the will to move ahead, from across the unbridgeable distance of a large room filled with happy people.\" Substitute \"Elizabeth\" for \"Bridget\" and what do you get? I'm happy with 99% of the reviews. Colin is holding his own quite nicely. I thought I remembered some very positive mentions of him in the Brit reviews too. Watching what happens to this film in the next few months and the reaction to it will be quite an adventure, I think."}, {"response": 1158, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (10:03)", "body": "Miami Herald review, good but she had a problem with the end. She's read the books. Zellweger adds heft to `Bridget Jones's Diary' BY CONNIE OGLE The most common fear about the film version of Bridget Jones's Diary was whether a slim, attractive Texan (Ren\ufffde Zellweger) would be even remotely convincing as a slightly overweight, chain-smoking, wine-swilling Brit. No worries there. Zellweger, who reflected a sweet dignity and a great deal of heart as Tom Cruise's love interest in Jerry Maguire, is a funny, believable Bridget, and not just because she put on extra pounds and frequently allows the camera to zoom in on her backside. The real issue is this: Can Helen Fielding's popular novel be transferred to the screen in all its crude, hilarious glory? The answer is mostly yes, thanks to a talented, appealing cast and some clever translations of Bridget's diary entries. As a romantic comedy, the movie works better than most -- after all, Fielding swiped the basics from Jane Austen, who wielded quite an amusing pen herself in Pride and Prejudice. And viewers don't necessarily have to be familiar with the book to enjoy the good parts. But the promising screenplay sadly reels off track in the last half-hour. Bridget is 32, single, working in public relations for a publishing house. She decides one New Year's Day that she is going to change her life so that she won't be alone chugging vodka and singing bad Eric Carmen songs the next time the holidays roll around. She's sick of her mum's attempts to fix her up, especially after meeting Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), an aloof barrister with appalling taste in sweaters and a way of staring at Bridget like she's got two heads. He also seems to run into her whenever she's embarrassing herself. This happens a lot. But Bridget's not interested. In her diary, she vows to stop forming ``romantic attachments to any of the following: alcoholics, workaholics, commitmentphobics, peeping toms, megalomaniacs . . . or perverts.'' Unfortunately she also has a wicked crush on her boss, Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant, immediately predatory), who embodies most if not all of those attributes and is fond of sending her innuendo-laced e-mails about her skirt (or lack thereof). In between discussions of her love life (or lack thereof) with boozy friends Jude, Shazza and Tom, Bridget worries that her mum (Gemma Jones) has left her dad (Jim Broadbent) for the host of a Home Shopping Network-style show. (Bridget's over-the-top mum, by the way, has been toned down as to be almost unrecognizable in the movie). Eventually, Bridget gets one boyfriend and then another, and if you know your Austen, you know many misunderstandings ensue before things work themselves out. The funny bits fly fast and furious at first. Bridget's diary takes the form of voice-overs, scribblings on the screen and her own imaginings. A strange sense of melodrama creeps in now and again, intruding on but never totally vanquishing the book's frenetic spirit. A baffling and unnecessary fistfight finally derails the movie -- it's too long and seems out of character for the combatants. The resolution itself seems awkward and forced, a cheap way to bring the diary back into the picture. What you want to happen, happens, just not in a way that makes actual sense. Still, the cast could not be better. That the handsome Firth, probably stunned to find himself playing Mr. Darcy a second time, reprises his role may be the single most hilarious joke in the movie (he played Darcy in BBC's Pride and Prejudice and shows up as himself on the pages of Fielding's Bridget Jones sequel). Grant flirts with stealing the whole show as bad boy Daniel, confounding expectations because you think you'll see him earnest, stammering and foppish and he's none of those. It's Zellweger's movie to win or lose, of course, and she succeeds without the slightest touch of Hollywood glamour. She sports neither a cloy asymmetrical Meg Ryan haircut nor fit, toned limbs (It's easy for Ashley Judd to prance around in skimpy underwear in Someone Like You; she didn't have to pack on 20 extra pounds). Not only has she mastered a natural accent, she's adept at eliciting laughter through her character's utter humiliation. That's the backbone of the best British humor. She also brings a vulnerability to the part not evident before. Fans unable to divorce themselves from the relentless hilarity of the novel may grumble, but it's kind of nice to see that Bridget, in addition to a sense of humor, also has a heart. ** 1/2 BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY"}, {"response": 1159, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (10:13)", "body": "Am reposting Evelyn's from above: Hey Allison.....Mid -America Oklahoma gave it 4 Stars. CBS This Morning interviewed Sharon Maguire. She talked about casting and said she always had Colin in mind for the role...no one else was even considered. Showed clips of P&P and she said HF and I had a big crush on Colin and here I was on the set directing him. (Bethan) But the Brit reviews infuriate me. They suck. He should leave the country...they don't appreciate him. I'm off to see the movie, someone pl find Dallas Morning News...they loved P&P."}, {"response": 1160, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (10:14)", "body": "\"...Any movie in which somebody kicks the crap out of Hugh Grant is okay by me.\" Clap, clap, clap!! Adding a standing ovation (of one)! *whew* Was wondering why I moved to this backwoods town... (Ann) Careful, I know at least one Republican who liked it :) Does he squint alot and have a wife with helmet head? ;-P Ooh, am 'very sorry' for that last remark. ;-) Am off to the show. Yippee! Happy Easter to all!"}, {"response": 1161, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (10:24)", "body": "and an aloofly earnest turn by Firth, which should do for his career what \"Four Weddings\" did for Grant''s. . . Firth''s casting is something of an inside (or do we say intertextual?) joke. He played Darcy in the well-received BBC adaptation of \"Pride and Prejudice,\" a performance much commented upon and drooled over . . . Thus Firth makes an ideal Mark Darcy . . . Dreamy. (Karen) Am wondering if Mari helped write that Philadelphia review. ;-D Helped write? Honey, I dictated it! LOL! Must send Ms. Carrie Rickey case of chardonnay.:-) The reviews are super for most part; all the biggies liked it--all the NY papers, LA Times, the Chicago papers, Ebert's big thumbs up, Boston, Philly, the 2nd Washington Post review obviously written by a Democrat of unimpeachable taste;-), Time and Newsweek. We really couldn't have asked for better on this side of the pond. Ann and Bethan, the Mail review was outstanding and that's the one most people read, no? Besides, in UK, this film will be critic-proof. BTW, has anyone else in US seen a change in the print ads? They're now using the UK poster, with MD's eyes showing and BJ partly covered by Diary."}, {"response": 1162, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (10:26)", "body": "Time to resolve ending! Have seen it twice here now as well. At last night's preview people got up the minutes the credits began (always someone!) and I said to my friend ,\"Hang on there's a great bit Coming\" I stared in disbelief as the old home movie did not materialise. Initially I was horrified as IMO it's a very clever final touch. Instead we have a different soundtrack ending and loads of stills of RZ only, soundtrack fades and we HG with \"new woman\" Paula. More stills of RZ then a bit from The Darcy's , sexist jokes from dad etc a bit from Neil Pearson 's Richard, then even more from HG (was even more horrified)!"}, {"response": 1163, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (10:28)", "body": "Just a side note, but The Bridget Jones's Diary ad in the Boston Globe was the only color ad in the paper (in the Arts & Entertainment section) and it was the one with Colin on the left, Huge on right and BJ covering her nose with the book (up to the eyes)."}, {"response": 1164, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (10:34)", "body": "Then final joke as Mari has related of DC's \"new partner\" and it ends in a still of RZ and Colin. Think I prefer US version at this stage, subtler touch and NO HG. Wonder what it says about each \"market\"? Am getting vg at waving at MarkG when he appears. Both showings I went to were very undersubscibed, so not really much atmosphere or audience reaction to to check out either. Possibly that's why I plumped for the US ending because that premiere had so much atmosphere. Need to go again with full UK audience in order to complete my research! What hardship. Thanks to everyone for all the reviews. It is Guardian's \"Film of the week\" only 3 stars, Spykids is on 4! Lovely picture of the kiss in today's Telegraph but lots of criticism too. Don't care, ODB has never looked better."}, {"response": 1165, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (10:37)", "body": "Apologies for disjointed post and typos! I have a severe case of \"whiskitosis\" brought on by kitchen scene! Actually sounds like I have been at a certain brand of cat food , better than Bridge's penchant for Branston thou'."}, {"response": 1166, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (10:54)", "body": "This is from NY Newsday...a rag in its own right, but it has a monopoly over the Long Island print media market. http://www.newsday.com/content/movies/nd4652.htm By John Anderson Staff Writer (2 STARS[out of 4]) BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY. (R) Singleton Agonistes: From the best-selling novel by Helen Fielding, the self-told story of Bridget Jones, career girl, part-time inebriate and unconvincing cynic about romance. Not quite the book, but that doesn't make it a good movie. With Ren\ufffde Zellweger, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Gemma Jones, Jim Broadbent. Screenplay by Helen Fielding, Andrew Davies, Richard Curtis. Directed by Sharon Maguire. 1:34 (adult situations, content, language). At area theaters. NEW YORK comedian Scott Blakeman has a routine that goes something like this: \"Why does every political campaign have to be about 'the family,' or 'our kids'? Why doesn't a candidate ever stand up and say, 'This election is about being SINGLE! And DATING!!'\" Because, Scott, the tradeoff has been made: Marrieds get the politics; singles get the movies. \"Say It Isn't So,\" \"Someone Like You,\" \"The Brothers,\" \"Chocolat,\" \"Tomcats,\" \"The Wedding Planner.\" The last big-budget domestic movie, \"The Family Man,\" essentially was wedded bliss as nightmare. \"Gladiator\"? Wife and kid dead within minutes. In the movies, marriage means end of story, if not life itself. And what does America's cinematic slant on nuptial limbo have to do with the insistently English, English cast, English-made and suety \"Bridget Jones's Diary\"? Because it's an English movie for Americans-as were those other Working Title Films productions, \"Notting Hill\" and \"Four Weddings and a Funeral,\" which successfully reduced British culture down to a lump of softened, if not actually pre-chewed, Cadbury. The most humiliating situations are resolved with either exquisite good manners or painful self-effacement; the tawdriest of situations are made sophisticated, by precise placement of the proper bon mot. It's un-American in its manner and never good-mannered enough to be stuffy, unless the purpose is making Englishness seem amusing. Starring in this creation is the expertly vocally coached and calorie- enhanced Ren\ufffde Zellweger, whose presence must indicate that there are no film actresses available in Britain-or (gasp!) that the Working Title/ Miramax people couldn't trust a native to carry such a valuable literary property across to audiences in...you know where. This may also explain the totally awkward and distracting use of old Motown hits or Van Morrison (twice), which comes across like the last-minute insurance policy someone buys before their ValueJet takes off. Bridget Jones, slightly dissipated and lovelorn heroine of Fielding's faux memoir, is 32 years old, 129 pounds (\"but after Christmas\") and has few romantic prospects-other that her clearly untrustworthy editor and boss, Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant, at his slightly gaunt and seedy best). Sick of \"smug marrieds\" and importune questions about her love life, Bridget begins a diary, telling it she's cutting back on booze, \"ciggies,\" the wrong kind of men(describing Cleaver to a tee) and sulking about said love life. Bridget's resolve, we can tell, will be somewhat less than steely. We can also tell, with very little effort, where the story is heading, Tip- off No. 1 being the suggestive name of Mark Darcy (actor Colin Firth, whose performance as Jane Austen's Darcy in \"Pride and Prejudice,\" coincidentally, is mentioned in the book). Bridget's mum (Gemma Jones)-who will soon leave Bridget's dad (the marvelous Jim Broadbent) for a ginger-skinned TV-shopping pitchman-wants to pair Bridget and Mark, but neither candidate is impressed, a sure sign of things to come. Bridget, meanwhile, trades suggestive office e-mail with Cleaver, who is easily the most entertaining character in this film (the debut feature by filmmaker Sharon Maguire, former commercial director and documentarian). Zellweger is, as usual, adorable; Firth is appropriately stolid and Grant gets all the good comic lines, or just knows how to deliver them. The thrust of the story is how miserable it is being a single young woman while still making it look like a lark. One peculiar note about \"Bridget Jones\" is, again, the music. The songs in the film itself-such as the Weather Girls singing the ubiquitous \"It's Raining Men\" (during a preposterous Darcy-Cleaver fistfight that I don't recall from the book), or the Supremes (\"Ain't No Mountain High Enough,\" for whatever reason) and the two versions of the same VanMorrison song, would seem to be imposed on the film to generate CD soundtrack sales-but the songs aren't on the CD. So don't be misled. This badly constructed pop score is just a badly constructed pop score."}, {"response": 1167, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (10:56)", "body": "also, re: the discussion about the firepole scene not being on commercials: as I was watching the Today show this morning, towards the end, they played a commercial for the film. Bridge ending up on the camera was in it, along with Tom's \"Fight!\" line...plenty of CF (equal amount to HG). I'm really curious to know what was cut out of the film in the editing process..."}, {"response": 1168, "author": "Ann", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (11:34)", "body": "actor Colin Firth, whose performance as Jane Austen's Darcy in \"Pride and Prejudice,\" coincidentally, is mentioned in the book Twit. There was no coincidence about it. It was deliberate!"}, {"response": 1169, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (13:58)", "body": "(Lizza) I have a severe case of \"whiskitosis\" brought on by kitchen scene! LOL! Have just seen the movie and that scene is one of my faves. Don't think the rest of the audience got it, though (greater Washington has apparently never heard of beet root cubes). Salman Rusdie's cameo also 'rushed' (yukyukyuk) right over their heads, since I believe I was the only one laughing. Go figure. To make your day, Lizza, we had the home movie ending. V.v.g.! (Ann) Twit. There was no coincidence about it. It was deliberate! Can you stand these reviewers? Why do we listen to them? ;-D"}, {"response": 1170, "author": "LynnR", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (14:14)", "body": "I just got back from seeing the movie and I loved it. So did my friends who are not CF junkies (in fact of course they didn't know who he was.) Both thought they will be seeing him a lot more, though! I saw MarkG and pointed him out as well. I'll definitely be seeing it again. The theater was very empty, but it was the first show, 12:15, so I hope they will get a better turn out later."}, {"response": 1171, "author": "JenniferR", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (14:15)", "body": "Must confess--I am one of the Washingtonian's who has never heard of beet root cubes--am I missing some critical sub-text? Gah! Yet another Wash. Post critic has put in her two cents about the film--she liked the movie as a nice bit of fluff, but had the nerve to say (*cringes as she types*) \"...I'd rather take my chances with a scoundrel like Hugh Grant than a sober, steady sort like Colin Firth. What a stodge.\" What do they put in the water over there?!?! And for those still angry about the first review from the Post, the author (Desson Howe) hosts a discussion live on-line every Monday, 1230 pm Eastern. He's actually quite good about answering questions (although he is,unfortunately, a Man U fan--yet another strike against him). Cannot wait until tomorrow to see film again...believe I am suffering from whiskitosis, as well(what a great term, Lizza J!)"}, {"response": 1172, "author": "Ann", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (15:02)", "body": "I saw MarkG and pointed him out as well. Where was he in the film again? -- (Jen-Jen)-- (although he is,unfortunately, a Man U fan--yet another strike against him) Now we see the reason for the shoddy review. He obviously saw Fever Pitch and holds a grudge against CF for having played an Arsenal supporter."}, {"response": 1173, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (16:58)", "body": "There is a very good review for Colin in the San Francisco Chronicle, actually very good for everyone and the film. very long address perhaps someone can post it."}, {"response": 1174, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (17:10)", "body": "Ann, you know I'd do anything for you.:-) Here's the SanFran Chonicle review, v.v. good! Dear 'Diary' 20 pounds, 1,100 cigarettes later, Zellweger triumphs in hilarious 'Bridget Jones' Carla Meyer, Chronicle Movie Critic \ufffdFriday, April 13, 2001 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" contains a sight so shocking it might upset sensitive viewers. It's cellulite! Up there on the big screen, in all its dimpled glory. On a leading lady, no less. It's but one of the let-it-all-hang-out joys of \"Bridget Jones,\" the hilarious and sexy adaptation of Helen Fielding's best-seller. Renee Zellweger gives a full-bodied, full-throttle performance as the weight-obsessed, chain-smoking and irrepressible single woman in her 30s. Matching her comic panache are Hugh Grant as her charming but romantically toxic boss and Colin Firth as his stiff but sincere romantic rival. Any trepidation about an American actress assuming the role of the very British Ms. Jones vanishes in the opening minutes. Zellweger's crack comic timing and enormously expressive face pre-empt the idea of any other Bridget. She embodies the daffy determination, self-skewering wit and vulnerability of her character. The 20 pounds she gained for the role fill out her face and enhance her girlish appeal, rendering her instantly and infinitely sympathetic. But Zellweger's Bridget is no chump. Self-destructive, sure. Goofy, yes. Occasionally arch, of course -- she's British. But Zellweger shows that the silly and sometimes slovenly character also has a spine. She demonstrates it through Bridget's tortured but determined attempts at public speaking or her surprising resolve in matters of the heart. \"Bridget Jones\" is a triumph for all involved. Screenwriters Fielding, Andrew Davies and Richard Curtis have wisely pared down or excised subplots to focus on Bridget's romantic travails and career missteps. Director Sharon Maguire, Fielding's pal and the inspiration for Bridget's cynical chum Shazzer in the book and movie, has crafted a production that zips along at a laugh-a-minute pace and fully involves the viewer in Bridget's little slice of life. Bridget works at a London publishing house and pines for her handsome cad of a boss, Daniel (Grant). She passes time by documenting her sad-sack life in her diary (Sample entry: \"Weight: 140 (but post-Christmas); cigarettes: 40!; alcohol units: 15!\") while slagging off the Smug Marrieds whose glowing self- satisfaction is an assault on her single status. Real life interferes when the boss shows interest and she succumbs to his roguish charms. Zellweger's chemistry with Grant is electric, and their scenes crackle with sexuality and quick-witted humor. Their sex talk is refreshingly frank and natural. Grant sheds his trademark stammering and fluttering in favor of an aging lothario's lived-in sexiness. He allows himself to look older onscreen, and it works wonderfully for the role. Grant's Daniel is witty, undeniably hot and maddeningly sheepish about commitment. Bridget's parents want to match her with the more solid Mark Darcy, a barrister who was her childhood playmate. In an inspired casting move, Darcy is played by Colin Firth, the actor who was Mr. Darcy in the BBC's \"Pride and Prejudice\" and also the object of Bridget's obsessive lust in the book. (The character's name is one of \"Bridget's\" nods to the Jane Austen story). At first, Firth seems to be channeling Mr. Darcy's diffidence and off- putting, cheerless manner. Ultimately, though, he proves a nice contrast to Zellweger as their characters' relationship starts to thaw. Zellweger's chemistry with Firth is just as palpable as it is with Grant but not as sexually charged. It's more a meeting of comic minds, with his straight-man countenance drawing out her wackiest work, like Burns and Allen. In one scene, Bridget struggles mightily to maintain a cool facade in front of Darcy, all while sporting a ridiculously windblown hairdo. Zellweger is playing so many emotions in this scene it's hard to keep track. There's pride, embarrassment and the conflict of realizing that she cares enough to put on a show for this guy. It's the kind of layered acting that makes a great performance -- and sublime comedy."}, {"response": 1175, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (17:25)", "body": "By Eleanor Ringel Gillespie Atlanta Journal-Constitution Staff Writer The verdict: Definitely keep up with this Jones. \"It all began on New Year's Day in my 32nd year of being single.\" So begins \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" the delightful new romantic comedy based on Helen Fielding's best seller of the same name. As millions of Bridget buffs already know, she is a self-described \"Singleton\" who lives in London and works at a publishing house. Bridget worries about her weight. Worries about her alcohol intake. Worries about her nicotine addiction. And, most of all, worries that she'll never get married and will end up dying alone in her apartment, her undiscovered body half-eaten by dogs. Yes, Bridget can be a bit much. But as played by Renee Zellweger, she's simply irresistible. Directed by first-timer Sharon Maguire (a friend of Fielding's who also figures in the book), the movie chronicles a year in the life of the self-deprecating and often stingingly funny Bridget. She's looking for love in, well, any place she can. Even at her parents' (Gemma Jones and Jim Broadbent) annual New Year's Day party, where she will inevitably face \"the question dreaded by all Singletons: 'How's your love life?' \" Nor is she exactly ecstatic that her mother, as always, has invited a suitably available male into whose face she can thrust her unmarried daughter. This time, it's Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), a handsome but standoffish barrister who, after Bridget dutifully flounders through some small talk, dismisses her as a \"verbally incontinent spinster.\" No wonder she rushes home to resume the most meaningful relationship in her life: It's just her and a bottle of chardonnay. Back at the office, her devilishly sexy boss, Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant), initiates an e-mail flirtation. When she shows up in an extremely short skirt, he messages, \"Is skirt home sick?\" The film's first part is amusingly tart, with a number of poor-Bridget gags that are biting but not truly cruel. Though she's subjected to numerous humiliations, she's still capable of giving as good as she gets. Her take on dinner with \"the Smug Marrieds\" is hilarious. Though the romantic ending is telegraphed from the first scene (c'mon: Mark Darcy, as in Jane Austen's 19th-century dreamboat, Mr. Darcy?) the fun is in getting there. Watching Grant play a predatory cad is a welcome change from his bashful stutterers. Firth, who played Darcy on the BBC's splendid \"Pride and Prejudice,\" unwinds winningly, going from snooty to starry-eyed. Yet the film would be unimaginable without Zellweger. The whip-slim Texan transforms herself into a slightly plump Londoner not just through extra pounds but through adopting the attitude of a woman who has a hard time feeling good about herself. Zellweger brings to the role the same buoyant innocence she had in \"Nurse Betty.\" But where Betty was often oblivious, Bridget is all too self-aware. Thanks to the star, a heroine who could've seemed brittle or bitter becomes someone with a kind of blessed wide-eyed gumption. This Bridget is no loser; she's merely a victim of cultural circumstances and her own shaky self-confidence. Criticisms? There are about 12 endings too many and the early scenes' series of mortification can get repetitive. But that's quibbling. To echo Mark Darcy, we like Bridget (and Renee) \"just the way she is.\""}, {"response": 1176, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (17:33)", "body": "Actors, story make this 'Diary' a dear one Apr 13, 2001 BY DANIEL NEMAN - STAFF WRITER for the Richmond Times-Dispatch Poor Bridget Jones. She stumbles haplessly from disaster to disaster, a perpetual cloud of embarrassment hanging glumly over her resigned head. Her only shields against each new social crisis are too much booze and too many cigarettes. Naturally, we can't help but love her for her spirit, her pluck and her wickedly sharp sense of humor - she dismisses women who are glamorous and thin as \"stick insects,\" while a woolen floral vest her mother forces on her makes her look like she is \"wearing a carpet.\" The great paradox of Bridget is that she is so exceptionally charming, yet she has such trouble getting men into her life. It is this paradox that contributed to making Helen Fielding's book \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" such a blockbuster success. Countless women identified with Bridget, thinking themselves lovable and unloved. Men who read the book - and they were a significantly smaller number - liked it just because it was so hilarious. Inevitably, \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" has been made into a movie, which we are happy to report retains much of the charm of the original. Renee Zellweger stars, and her selection sparked a storm of protest in England, where the story is set, because many people insisted the actress should be English. But Zellweger turns out to be sparkling as Bridget, despite an accent that is wildly uneven at first. Even when her accent settles down, it is too posh for her character. The only real problem with Zellweger is that Bridget is supposed to be a little plump, and although Zellweger did indeed gain weight for the role, she will never see the 140 pounds Bridget hits in the movie, unless she is carrying bars of lead. Bridget's roguishly sexy boss is played by Hugh Grant, who does the irresistible cad thing extremely well. As Daniel, he conducts one of the great e-mail flirtations captured on page or film, and Grant makes it easy to see why Bridget would be so carried away by him. The other man running in and out of Bridget's life is the aloof and somewhat moody Mr. Darcy, played by Colin Firth. This casting selection is an uproarious joke, but it ends up limiting the movie a little. \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" is loosely based on \"Pride and Prejudice,\" and the character of Mr. Darcy is much the same in both. The book version of \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" takes place during the airing of the immensely successful television version of \"Pride and Prejudice,\" which starred Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy. Sharon Maguire makes a decent debut as a director, though she relies far too heavily on song cues to emphasize an emotional point (during a fistfight between two men she plays the song \"It's Raining Men\"). Maguire was chosen in part because she was Fielding's real-life inspiration for the character Shazza, whose only characteristic is that she likes to use the f-word a lot. Apparently, Fielding knows her friend well. This movie tosses around the f-word like it just heard it for the first time and wants to impress everyone with how naughty it is. This movie is certainly the most profane version of \"Pride and Prejudice\" ever conceived. Yet it is mostly delightful. Although the movie falls apart a bit toward the end - and seems rushed before that - the fun part of \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" is getting there. *** Hmm? That last part seems repetitive..."}, {"response": 1177, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (17:36)", "body": "Big Bridget day for me. Saw film again and, shockingly, was another huge Colin fan in same row as self. Lots of audibles (moaning, groaning, ooohing and aaaahing) and applause when Colin's name first appeared in opening credits. Was a very good audience and I don't think that Huge stole the show...not from this audience. They were smart and onto him from the beginning. As this was professional and scientific day at movies, I decided to go a second time, as was on two screens in complex anyway. This time audience had more men. They responded loudly to Huge and the more crass and vulgar humor (firepole slide). Excellent responses overall. (Eileen) Salman Rusdie's cameo also 'rushed' (yukyukyuk) right over their heads, since I believe I was the only one laughing. And they probably had no clue as to the other literary gents standing in front of Bridget as she's making a complete ass of herself. Other than the quip about FR Leavis being dead since 19xx, Americans wouldn't grasp the significance of him either. Ann: MarkG is the only one in a suit (blue Burberry) walking on the sidewalk as Bridget and Daniel drive off for the minibreak. Excellent review from the Chronicle. Someone who gets it. Loved the opening re: cellulite."}, {"response": 1178, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (18:28)", "body": "(Ann) Careful, I know at least one Republican who liked it :) Two. My audience today applauded at the end...er.. I mean The Beginning.. They started to get up then sat down when home movies started. It's a charmer.Agree with Lizza...thankfully they spared us .At the end I've had enough of Huge and wouldn't care to see him again....evah. You are cheated by not getting this adorable ending of little Bridge and Markee.I hope you get it in the video.In the rest room I started to tell my companion ( a lurker) about the British ending. \"I'll tell you later\", I said. \"No ,No\"...came the cries from the other stalls....\"Tell us Now\". I had an audience!! My companion complained that Mark wasn't listed in the credits...hey they list the drivers fergodsakes. (evelyn)I'm off to see the movie, someone pl find Dallas Morning News...they loved P&P. So...No one found that one, uh? I'm away for the day doing my box office duty and this is what I get. Humph!! (I get no respect around here.Lazy lumps ;-)"}, {"response": 1179, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (18:50)", "body": "(Evelyn) My companion complained that Mark wasn't listed in the credits...hey they list the drivers fergodsakes How should Mark be identified? My suggestion: \"Burberry Man\""}, {"response": 1180, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (18:52)", "body": "Opening Ren\ufffde's diary Actress underwent weighty changes to portray beloved Brit Bridget Jones Actress underwent weighty changes to portray beloved Brit Bridget Jones 04/08/2001 By Gary Dowell / The Dallas Morning News Actress Ren\ufffde Zellweger has had some tricky roles in the past \ufffd a Jewish woman experiencing a crisis of faith (A Price Above Rubies), a small-town waitress suffering a break from reality (Nurse Betty) and the girlfriend of pulp-literature bad boy Robert E. Howard (The Whole Wide World). But she really stuck her neck out as the title character in the film adaptation of Bridget Jones's Diary. When Helen Fielding's novel hit the stands in the United States and England in 1998, it was an instant success, and Bridget became a \"cultural icon,\" the quintessential '90s woman trying to balance a career and a love life while contending with ideas about how a modern woman should look and behave. English journalists, fans of the novel and its author took exception to the idea that an American actress \ufffd one from Texas, no less \ufffd could portray their beloved Bridget. Fears of shelling out pounds sterling only to hear \"Y'all want to go to the pub for a pint of bitter?\" abounded. But those skeptics may soon breathe a sigh of relief: Ms. Zellweger is the ideal choice for the klutzy and awkward yet spunky and unconventional heroine of the new movie, which opens Friday. The charming combination of bubbly goofiness (in a good way, mind you), irrepressible charm and sweet earnestness that she's used in the past suits Bridget to a tee. \"It was [involved], and it was pretty extraordinary at the same time, because the more involved it is, the more creatively satisfying it is, I suppose,\" says Ms. Zellweger, who had to gain 20 pounds and master a British accent for the role. During a telephone interview, her Texas twang is more noticeable than any leftover vestiges of an English accent, but a few tiny Britishisms occasionally slip through. The possibility of playing Bridget was \"a great shock, actually,\" says Ms. Zellweger, who had already read the book when her manager mentioned the role. Soon, she was off to London, where \"we sat down for a few days and we all kind of tested the waters to see if it was possible that I might not destroy this character in the translation, and we went from there.\" It marked the end of a two-year search for an actress who represented the embodiment of Bridget, as well as the beginning of a lot of preparation and dedication. Ms. Zellweger spent six months in London making the transformation from Yank to Brit under the tutelage of Barbara Berkery, the dialect guru who helped Gwyneth Paltrow pass as English in Sliding Doors and Shakespeare in Love. She then went undercover, sort of, on the staff of the London publishing house Picador, where she pretended to be a relative of the boss doing a temp job. Actually, it was to get a handle on Bridget's daily activities as a publicist as well as practice the middle-class English accent so necessary to the role. Still, many were skeptical at first. \"Well, me too, just by the way,\" adds Ms. Zellweger. \"I just knew we had some work to do and there was time to do it. It really, really quickly became our personal experience. It was about the day-to-day challenges and the work and 'Let's do it, let's do the work and use it to create this really neat thing.'\" One of Ms. Zellweger's challenges was to match Bridget physically. At 129 pounds, Bridget is barely chunky, but she obsesses about her weight. She also smokes like a chimney and drinks like a fish, all of which she details in her diary. \"It was just part of it, part of bringing her to life. And for me it was essential. I wanted her to look like she looked in my head when I read the book. It was part of the process.\" There may be a large cultural difference between them, but Ms. Zellweger thinks she and Bridget have a lot in common. \"I totally, completely, thoroughly understand the wax strip in the bathroom experience. I know that well,\" she jokes, referring to the art of leg waxing. \"I know the self-conscious, 'I'm absolutely going to destroy this moment' public-speaking experience. I know all about trying to find balance between personal and professional life. I understand that journey of self-discovery that she experiences in the book and in this film. Who can't relate to that?\" As for the pressure of living up to the expectations of fans of the novel, Ms. Zellweger did her best to put it out of her mind, focusing instead on how to bring to life a self-absorbed single woman in her 30s trying to work the kinks out of her life. \"Your world gets really small really quickly when you start to make a film, and again it becomes about the pressure that you put on yourself to not be the weak link in the project.\" During the course of her misadventures, Bridget (and \ufffd by extension \ufffd Ms. Zellweger) experiences the thrill of being torn between Hugh Grant, who plays Bridget's womanizing boss, Daniel Cleaver, an"}, {"response": 1181, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (19:00)", "body": "Sadly, The Houston Chronicle, her hometown, gave the film a C-. I won't even post the review. The reviewer just didn't get it."}, {"response": 1182, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (19:21)", "body": "(Evelyn)(I get no respect around here.Lazy lumps ;-) Hey, never let it be said that Ididn't take care of you--you've got an earlier article up there--here's the Dallas Morning News review--v.g. By Gary Dowell It takes a brave soul to attempt a film adaptation of a popular novel. Living up to the combined expectations of faithful readers is tricky business. If it works, you've got a classic along the lines of Gone With the Wind or The Godfather. If you fail, you're stuck with a Bonfire of the Vanities on your resum\ufffd.Fans of Bridget Jones's Diary can rest assured: The movie is true to its source and full of the book's trademark wit, style and good humor. And while it may not rate as high as one of the \"classics,\" it's no less enjoyable. Bridget (Ren\ufffde Zellweger) is an endearingly inept 30ish \"singleton\" who worries nonstop about her weight, smokes too much, drinks even more, and dreams of finding the perfect man before she's sentenced to a life of spinsterhood, \"destined to die alone and be found three weeks later, half-eaten by Alsatians.\" Unfortunately, the only eligible blokes she meets are her sexy, womanizing boss, Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant, as an enjoyably unpleasant cad), and haughty, dull family friend Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). As the film begins, Bridget makes a New Year's resolution to get her act together, turn her life around and break all those old habits. On top of that, she soon has to deal with a career change, the potential breakup of her parents' marriage and being the subject of an emotional tug-of-war between Mark and Daniel. The result is a yearlong odyssey of heartache, embarrassment and obsessive calorie counting. Not surprisingly, the casting of a tiny Texan as a chunky Englishwoman caused a bit of an uproar among fans, the British press and even (initially) the book's author. If anything, the presence of Ms. Zellweger helps to make Bridget feel like more of an outsider trying to fit in, adding a subtle note of isolation and alienation to her performance. It doesn't hurt that she threw herself wholeheartedly into the role, putting on the extra pounds and spending many months in London working on the accent and other details. Ms. Zellweger even shows a knack for slapstick and gamely engages in a little self-deprecating humor, indulging in a few pratfalls and even running through a (simulated) snowstorm in leopard-print underwear. She hasn't been this funny since Jerry Maguire, or this endearing since Nurse Betty. Her earnestness and uniquely goofy charm bring depth and warmth to an otherwise brittle character. The casting of the gents is equally inspired. Mr. Grant's infamous incident with a Los Angeles hooker is made light of, and Mr. Firth played Mr. Darcy, the inspiration for the character of Mark Darcy, in the hit BBC miniseries version of Pride and Prejudice. Mr. Grant seems to be having the most fun he's had in years, and he's wonderfully rotten when he's at his worst. Mr. Firth is given the thankless task of portraying the tightly wound and seemingly unlovable Mark, and aptly rises to the occasion, gradually warming Bridget (and viewers) to the man. Granted, there's an air of familiarity about it and very little suspense as to how it will all end (it plays very much like Pride and Prejudice set in modern London), but what Bridget Jones's Diary lacks in original plot devices it makes up for in style and spunk."}, {"response": 1183, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (19:27)", "body": "Just got back from seeing BJD! Hurrah! At last can go to Spoilers! Film is wonderful. Colin is gorgeous! Never looked better! Not a sell-out at 5:30 showing, but a fair crowd. And they laughed. Even the men laughed. Renee is so good she made me want to cry in places. Huge was not particularly sexy in manner of \"love rat\", but was convincingly caddish, in manner of \"rat.\" Oh, but Colin. DING DONG!! BIG SIGH!!! At the end, one woman in the audience asked another WHO was that man? Felt v. good in manner of Smug Fan. Restrained self and did not say \"Keep your eyes to yourself you cow--he's MINE!!!!!!\""}, {"response": 1184, "author": "Ann", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (19:48)", "body": "My crowd today was sparse (to be expected at 12:40 on Good Friday), but I did hear a little clapping at the end, and I could feel everyone pulling for CF in the end. BTW, the new ads on the tv (the ones with the press quotes) clearly show the firepole scene. So, whoever was complaining about it must have gotten over it. Think I'll go for the second time today, and third over all this evening...need to go look for MarkG, and to bring along my watch to do a scientific study of the final kiss scene--it must be timed :) (BTW, over on the Tea Room at Austen, someone didn't like it! Very surprised :( )"}, {"response": 1185, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (19:57)", "body": "(Kate) \"Keep your eyes to yourself you cow--he's MINE!!!!!!\" LOL!!"}, {"response": 1186, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (20:17)", "body": "(Kate) At the end, one woman in the audience asked another WHO was that man? This seems to be the watershed moment for becoming a Firthette. Felt v. good in manner of Smug Fan. Ah, but on the other hand, this means she has not seen P&P2 yet. Boy, is she is for a treat! Has anyone else noticed that the OOP online video market is pedalling ODB's movies with a vengeance? Glad I bought my vids when demand was low\ufffd.:-) ."}, {"response": 1187, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (21:14)", "body": "Just got back from seeing BJD. What can I say that hasn't been said before? I loved everything about it, except that it was too skimpy on the BJ and MD relationship and left me wishing for more - but that's as it should be. Like a good book, a good film leaves one wanting more. Earlier in the week, I saw What Women Want and was getting itchy for it to come to an end. Not so with this film. The theatre was almost filled, and with a laughing audience throughout. HG was fine - but I certainly didn't fall in love with DC. The very brave RZ was terrific - funny, feisty and poignantly vulnerable by turn. ODB was beyond lovely to look at and listen to. The critic who preferred the foul-mouthed DC to the decent MD most be a masochist, even conceding, very grudgingly, that she might find HG more attractive than CF. Colin has never looked better and if this film does not get him noticed in a big way...? My 17-year old son and my DH enjoyed it as much as I did (well, almost, considering they were not drooling over MD).Turns out my husband is a closet RZ fan. I would have liked this film even without ODB, but will watch it again and again because of him. As will we all. And it is such a pleasure not to have to mortgage the house - and invest major amounts of time -to do so. There is something so pleasing to know that ODB the romantic lead, with second billing ahead of HG - not just on the poster, but in he film - is available on two screens less than ten minutes away from home. All and all, a real feel good movie. Now, am off to read the spoilers topic. Will keep my fingers crossed for Today and Rosie on the 16th."}, {"response": 1188, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (21:25)", "body": "From the Los Angeles Daily News : http://www.dailynews.com/socal/film/feature/0401/13/lif01.asp \ufffdZellweger gained more than respect for 'Bridget\ufffd Stuff we\ufffdve already heard, but this looks new: Colin Firth, who plays Mark Darcy, Bridget's more suitable suitor, isn't as generous toward his countrymen. \"It's bull----,\" Firth says. \"I've traveled around the world and I've never seen that kind of reaction from any other country. The English are simply too territorial. It's strange that people would have a problem with it. It is all about acting, after all.\" http://www.dailynews.com/socal/film/review/0401/13/mov01.asp 3 stars \ufffdPlus, Hugh Grant gets beat up, which makes the film slightly better than adequate.\ufffd"}, {"response": 1189, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (22:04)", "body": "Doesn't mince words, does he? ;-D Am putting this here as is question for London experts who may not be reading the spoiler topic, but will try to refrain from revealing important bits. In the last scene, the store appears in very ritzy area, which wouldn't be a few blocks away from Bridget's flat. Did that street look familiar?"}, {"response": 1190, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (22:24)", "body": "LOL, Karen...just noticed the hidden message under the picture. Glad this isn't a family site ;-) Thanks Mari...you can really dig 'em out. Tell'em Colin!"}, {"response": 1191, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (22:34)", "body": "Charlotte O'Sullivan provided this recap in The Independent: ARTS: THE WEEK IN REVIEW THE FILM BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY OVERVIEW The film of the book of the newspaper column has made it to the big screen. Renee Zellweger stars as the eponymous diarist, with Hugh Grant and Colin Firth as the love interests. CRITICAL VIEW \"Good news for men who prefer a woman to look like a woman,\" relished the Daily Mail. \"The film is shapeless and meanders into the cliches of romance,\" berated The Daily Telegraph. \"This adaptation sends you out with a smile on your face,\" countered Time Out. According to the Financial Times, it was a case of, \"Acting 9 (vg). Dialogue 8 (g). Ending 1 (must do better)\". \"A triumph, and one that I am looking forward to seeing again,\" gushed The Mirror. ON VIEW On general release. Certificate 15 OUR VIEW \"You forgive it everything because it's introduced you to Zellweger's Bridget... It's nice to go to the cinema and fall head-over- heels in love with a character.\" ***************** The Financial Times: THE ARTS: Acting 9 (v.g.) Dialogue 8 (g.) Ending 1: CINEMA: Nigel Andrews is mostly won over by Renee Zellweger as the definitive London worrier in 'Bridget Jones's Diary' Every diary-keeper is a Robinson Crusoe. Alone on his or her island, a wildlife refuge for manias, worries and self-obsessions, the loner taps out the daily bulletins. With Crusoe it was stuff about water, food and shelter, with occasional scares involving unknown footprints in the sand. With Bridget Jones it is stuff about weight, smoking and drinking, with occasional scares (or thrills) involving strange men tramping over her heart. The tone of Helen Fielding's bestselling original book was quintessentially English, a dowdy, semi-deranged Bohemianism full of comically transferred classism. Bridget's odious aristos were the Smug Marrieds, a collective reproach to her thirtyish single status. Her salt-of-the-earthers were her unattached, gossipy, happily slumming girlfriends like Jude and Shazzer, whose real-life role model Sharon Maguire directed this film. The tone had to be right in a screen version and mostly is. As Bridget, Renee Zellweger scatters the naysayers who complained of Hollywood casting by getting the measure of both role and accent. Barely a vowel is out of place, though one or two (\"neoghble\" for noble) are posher than needed. She can even do tipsy-and-slurring when Bridget, as not infrequently, ODs on the chardonnay. Fattening herself to play this definitive specimen of millennial London weight-worrier, she also bravely looks the part. Not even Robert De Niro in Raging Bull had to humiliate himself by tucking his calorie-enlarged girth into a bunny suit. Zellweger does so here for the \"tarts and clerics\" fancy-dress party, her surplus flesh trying to escape over her top like prisoners climbing over a wall, her face a moon of embarrassed social goodwill. [Ed note: Obviously these writers are not cognizant of engineering marvel of Playboy bunny suit.] The film's second casting triumph is Hugh Grant. Playing a creep with no morals, he excels. As Bridget's caddishly concupiscent boss and later boyfriend, Grant's Wodehousian twittishness is enhanced with a womanising leer and a curdled suavity. No woman could resist him, or no woman as frightened by potential shelf-life as Bridget, who can get drunk on one small dram of male attention. The strong screenwriting team - author Helen Fielding, Richard Notting Hill Curtis and TV adaptation veteran Andrew Davies - make fun fly in the first half, even though the book's diary format is downplayed in favour of a more orthodox comedy of Sloane or sub-Sloane manners. The writers especially re-nourish Bridget's parents for the screen, played with a twitchy, touching, beleaguered individuality by Gemma Jones and Jim Broadbent. The film goes astray only in the last half-hour when Bridget decides to jettison the awful-but-lovable Grant for Colin Firth's erect stick of a Mark Darcy. [Ed note: Andrew Davies script instruction, no doubt.] Playing the Jane Austen heartthrob's surnamesake as if the character had had a charm bypass, and with no wet-shirt sequence as when Firth played the original Darcy on TV, the actor provides scant reason why a girl as feckless, fun-loving and allergic to smugness as Bridget would end up yielding her heart to him in a snowbound London street. Come to that, why is the street snowbound? Did the makers decide that Frank Capra had to step in for Helen Fielding as the closing master of ceremonies; that instead of taking satirical particularity up to the wire they must send the filmgoer home with a head full of snow, feelgood music and fadeout clinching? I know what the book's Bridget would have said in her diary. \"Acting 9 (v.g.). Dialogue 8 (g.). Ending 1 (must do better).\""}, {"response": 1192, "author": "Ann", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (22:39)", "body": "Time between first lean in and actual lip contact, not counting 2 instances of prior neck nuzzling, 4 minutes 35 seconds."}, {"response": 1193, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (22:48)", "body": "(Evelyn) just noticed the hidden message under the picture Is dialogue from film. Glad this isn't a family site ;-) Precisely! Why do you think I'm here. ;-D And from The Scotsman's Damian Love (2 stars): WITH the appearance of Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary comes a lightening of the heart, like the feeling that greets the first hints of spring after winter. Because pretty soon, you realise, it\ufffdll all be over. Those posters of Ren\ufffde Zellweger sitting gazing up with that I\ufffdm-just-a-funny-little-lost-chicken look that have been appearing in more places than foot-and-mouth warning notices will begin disappearing and the chuntering buzz about the movie that has been pervading the atmosphere like background radiation will swiftly recede. By now, it doesn\ufffdt matter particularly whether the film of Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary is a good movie or a bad movie - the only thing that matters is that it is the film of Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary. By that standard, it succeeds: whatever else it may or may not be, there\ufffds no denying Sharon Maguire\ufffds film is an adaptation of Helen Fielding\ufffds book. But, of course, it is one other thing: the latest collaboration between scriptwriter Richard Curtis and Hugh Grant, the men who gave us Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill, and who bring with them that sweet smell of export-friendly success. So, in the UK, the movie is an event long before it is a movie and you have people modestly agreeing to be seen in it ironically, the way they once queued up to be seen ironically in the Spice Girls\ufffd film: here\ufffds Salman Rushdie; there\ufffds Jeffrey Archer. Fielding\ufffds novel became one of those lightning-in-a-bottle sensations, mostly through word of mouth, like Trainspotting with cigarettes instead of heroin. A lot of women found a character who drank and smoked and regretted it, who bought magazines and self-help books and got confused by them but half-realised they were ridiculous, who got embarrassed, pondered underwear, worried about her weight and wondered why she couldn\ufffdt find a decent man - who, that is, did all the stuff feminism was supposed to have drummed out, but in aware, post-feminist ways. And they decided \"this is me!\" - the way lots of men reading Nick Hornby books about football and old records reached the same conclusion. It\ufffds doubtful, however, that many viewers of Maguire\ufffds functional movie will make that tight connection. Part of the reason is that there\ufffds nothing to connect to. Zellweger is charming within the constraints of the role, but it\ufffds the constraints you notice. The film is pitched at a level close to a run-of-the-mill prime-time sitcom: people don\ufffdt talk and don\ufffdt listen but say lines, then wait, then say lines again; you see punchlines as they are set up and they turn out as disappointing as they looked from a distance. In the same way that conversations never develop, Bridget herself doesn\ufffdt come together as a character but as a set of character traits, moving predictably through a repetitious cycle of situations in a comfortable Sunday supplement Britain. Like a figure on the mechanical diorama of a clock above a village square: Bridget\ufffds sad. Bridget wants man. Bridget makes a fool of herself. Bridget sees right man and wrong man. Bridget goes for wrong man. Bridget makes a fool of herself. Bridget sees wrong man was wrong. Bridget\ufffds sad. Bridget makes a fool of herself. Bridget gets right man. As the wrong man, while obviously enjoying himself, Hugh Grant is still Hugh Grant, still fluttering and wincing and hesitating as though trying to dislodge wind before he says anything; it\ufffds just that, now, when he does say something, it\ufffds frightfully laddish-caddish and liberally sprinkled with virile \"f**ks\" and \"bollocks\". As the right man, Colin Firth plays Colin Firth. The other reason audiences might not look up at Ren\ufffde Zellweger and see themselves is precisely to do with all the chatter preceding the film\ufffds release. By osmosis, it\ufffds virtually impossible not to be aware of how Zellweger \"piled on the pounds\" for the role, \"ballooning up\" from her regular size to what is obviously considered a monstrous 12 or 14, and how she couldn\ufffdt wait to get back down to her usual fit again. As if Bridget resembled the aging Jake LaMotta. Maybe it\ufffds me, but this stuff adds a nasty flavour to the movie. OK, actors are not the people they play; but the curtain is pulled back here. It turns out the go-girl clutzy everywoman we\ufffdre supposed to be celebrating is actually regarded as someone to be scurried away from by the people asking us to pay to join the party. When Bridget steps on the scales in this film, even though she weighs just over nine and a half stones, she whimpers; meanwhile the wrapper surrounding her film screams that this is unacceptable, in very different tones. http://www.arts.scotsman.com/film/reviews_specific.cfm?id=3400"}, {"response": 1194, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Apr 13, 2001 (23:40)", "body": "Here's Ebert's full review, which apparently was cut down on the Sun-Times' website. This is from his Compuserve column--lots more on Colin (highlighted). BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY by Roger Ebert * * * 1/2 Glory be, they didn't muck it up. \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" a beloved book about a heroine both lovable and human, has been made against all odds into a funny and charming movie that understands the charm of the original, and preserves it. The book, a fictional diary by a plump, 30-something London office worker, was about a specific person in a specific place. When the role was cast with Renee Zellweger, who is not plump and is from Texas, there was gnashing and wailing. Obviously the Miramax boys would turn London's pride into a Manhattanite, or worse. Nothing doing. Zellweger put on 20-something pounds and developed the cutest little would-be double chin, as well as a British accent that sounds reasonable enough to me. (Sight & Sound, the British film magazine, has an ear for nuances and says the accent is \"just a little too studiedly posh,\" which from them is praise.) As in the book, Bridget arrives at her 32nd birthday determined to take control of her life, which until now has consisted of smoking too much, drinking too much, eating too much, and not finding the right man, or indeed much of any man. In her nightmares, she dies fat, drunk and lonely, and is eaten by Alsatian dogs. She determines to monitor her daily intake of tobacco and alcohol units, and her weight, which she measures in stones. (A stone is 14 pounds; the British not only have pounds along with kilos but stones on top of pounds, although the other day a London street vendor was arrested for selling bananas by the pound in defiance of the new European marching orders; the next step is obviously for Brussels to impound Bridget's diary.) Bridget's campaign proceeds unhappily when her mother (who \"comes from the time when pickles on toothpicks were still the height of sophistication\") introduces her to handsome Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), who is at a holiday party against his will and in a bad mood and is overheard (by Bridget) describing her as a \"verbally incontinent spinster.\" Things go better at work, where she exchanges saucy e-mails with her boss, Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant). His opener: \"You appear to have forgotten your skirt.\" They begin an affair, while Darcy circles the outskirts of her consciousness, still looking luscious but acting emotionally constipated. Zellweger's Bridget is a reminder of the first time we became really aware of her in a movie, in \"Jerry Maguire,\" where she was so cute and vulnerable we wanted to tickle and console her at the same time. Her work in \"Nurse Betty\" (2000) was widely but not sufficiently praised, and now here she is, fully herself and fully Bridget Jones, both at once. A story like this can't work unless we feel unconditional affection for the heroine, and casting Zellweger achieves that; the only alternate I can think of is Kate Winslet, who comes close but lacks the self-destructive puppy aspects. The movie has otherwise been cast with dependable (perhaps infallible) British comic actors. The first time Hugh Grant appeared on screen, I chuckled for no good reason at all, just as I always do when I see Christopher Walken, Steve Buscemi, Tim Roth or Jack Nicholson -- because I know that whatever the role, they will infuse it with more than the doctor ordered. Grant can play a male Bridget Jones (as he did in \"Notting Hill\"), but he's better as a cad, and here he surpasses himself by lying to Bridget about Darcy and then cheating on her with a girl from the New York office. (An \"American stick insect,\" is what Bridget tells her diary.) Colin Firth on the other hand must unbend to become lovable, and when we do finally love him, it's largely because we know what an effort it took on his part. \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" is famously, if vaguely, patterned after Jane Austen's \"Pride and Prejudice\"; Firth played Mr. Darcy in the BBC's 1995 adaptation of the novel, and now plays another Darcy here. I didn't see the TV version but learn from the critic James Berardinelli that Firth \"plays this part exactly as he played the earlier role, making it evident that the two Darcys are essentially the same.\" It is a universal rule of romantic fiction that all great love stories must be mirrored by their low-comedy counterpoints. Just as Hal woos Katharine, Falstaff trifles with Doll Tearsheet. If Bridget must choose between Mark and Daniel, then her mother (Gemma Jones) must choose between her kindly but easy-chair-loving husband (Jim Broadbent) and a dashing huckster for a TV shopping channel. The movie strings together one funny set-piece after another, as when Bridget goes in costume to a party where she THOUGHT the theme was \"Tarts & Vicars.\" Or when she stumbles into a job on a TV news show and makes her famous premature entrance down the fire pole. Or when she has to decide at the beginning of an evening whe"}, {"response": 1195, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Apr 14, 2001 (02:33)", "body": "The film goes astray only in the last half-hour when Bridget decides to jettison the awful-but-lovable Grant for Colin Firth's erect stick of a Mark Darcy. [Ed note: Andrew Davies script instruction, no doubt.] Playing the Jane Austen heartthrob's surnamesake as if the character had had a charm bypass, and with no wet-shirt sequence as when Firth played the original Darcy on TV, the actor provides scant reason why a girl as feckless, fun-loving and allergic to smugness as Bridget would end up yielding her heart to him in a snowbound London street. (Financial Times) That's cruel. And again, the implication is that it's only the \"wet shirt\" that made Darcy attractive. And we wonder why CF doesn't want to play romantic roles. Who would in the UK? The change in the ending over the credits is significant (probably based on audience research!). In the US you get a heart-warming, life-affirming ending, we get tacky sexist jokes, and more super-stud Hugh Grant. GRRRRR!!! Has any British paper said anything nice about CF? I knew there'd be a BJD back lash in the UK, but it's the romantic aspect that sems to be catching the flak! Thanks for all the US reviews!!"}, {"response": 1196, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Apr 14, 2001 (02:48)", "body": "Actually I have read nearly all the US reviews (at Rotten Tomoaoes, over 70), and I think Colin comes off very well andI agree with Heide, he certainly holds his own with HG, some very nice remarks. However, the UKcritics are another thing, except Christoper Tookey who said some nice things about ODB, but then I always like CT."}, {"response": 1197, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Apr 14, 2001 (03:06)", "body": "We're going to see the movie tonight, Ann (my DH has actually expressed interest in seeing it!) and so I'll stop whingeing about our male critics. But, jeez, they are a major let down....to put it politely! I noticed they trounced \"What women want\" which did extremely well at the Box Office.....evidently they do not know what women want. Shall not read our \"critics\" any more!!!"}, {"response": 1198, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Apr 14, 2001 (03:49)", "body": "Saw the film for a second time yesterday afternoon although should have opted for a later showing as cinema nowhere near full ;-( Took (for took read dragged ) with me my faithful, non-CF aware, friend and sat there, oozing smugness, in anticipation of the adoring noises and constant chuckling which would ensue. Gave friend strict instructions e.g. look out for this bit, don't forget such and such and ....look out for Burberry Man - we know him! Was disappointed as found was only person laughing in places but generally film was well received (though no sharp intakes of breath when MD appears in BJs flat *sigh* - unlike London Pre-Release screening). The fight scene and especially had everyone LOL and practically ROTF as well! At end credits stayed firmly (and even more smugly) rooted in seat as the 'masses' trundled out- only to race back in again when DC bits to camera appear. When we did eventually leave, the next audience were queueing and there were shed-loads of them so am feeling v pleased with sure-fire box office smash portents! Verdict from unbelieving friend? She loved it (but then she has read BJD and P&P so got some of the references) - did however think that the on screen scribblings should have continued through film to perpetuate diary motif. But AARRGGGHH - she still can't understand what I see in ODB, is the woman mad? Her saving grace is that when I dropped her home her DH was flicking though channels and P&P was showing on BBC Knowledge so she insisted I got another Darcy fix before I set of on the car journey home *double sigh - was Rosings piano scene and ill fated proposal episode* Hurrah! Survival BJ screening tickets have just plopped though letterbox am skipping around bedroom in manner of extremely happy (Easter) bunny and preparing, a tad too premature perhaps, to see HIM introduce the film....lets face it he could stand up there and read the entire London Telephone Directory and I don't suppose any of up die-hard droolies would notice ;-)"}, {"response": 1199, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Apr 14, 2001 (04:55)", "body": "Jus thad to tell you about this review, the first one where the words \"and especially Firth\" have been said... From Appollo Guide - http://appolloguide.com/mov_fullrev.asp?CID=3053 , hope this works but if it doesn't go to appolloguide.com and find the review for BJD. Here is the bit I like \"Zellwegger is helped here by strong performances by Grant and ESPECIALLY FIRTH, whose restraint makes his character utterly real and all the more tantalising when he seems unattainable\" hurrah"}, {"response": 1200, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Apr 14, 2001 (04:57)", "body": "Oh, it doesn't seem to be working but the review can be found at the iMDB. or http://appolloguide.com"}, {"response": 1201, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Apr 14, 2001 (06:49)", "body": "Someone was asking (forgive me I've forgotten who) about online retail sites for BJD soundtrack . Am gobsmacked as have just received my copy from Amazon.co.uk (according to local conventional stores it's not out until Monday) so am V V impressed with their service. UK \"Special Edition\" cover has BJ looking up with giary on her lap and back has usual lovely promo picture CF, RZ and HG (CF scowling at contents of diary Mmmmmm).Inside booklet has stills but only one MD i.e. MD & BJ in snow. Have just finished listening to it for the first time though cannot recall some of the tracks being in the film, never mind is v good listen. Have done obligatory air guitar/drum solo and screeching at top of voice to \"All By Myself\" *apologies to long suffering neighbours*"}, {"response": 1202, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Apr 14, 2001 (06:55)", "body": "(Minor Spoilers) Where can I start? What can I say? I love Bridget Jones Hip Hip Hooray! With her pudding cheeks And her eyes full of hurts With her bosom so ample And her shortest of shirts She is awfully winning So real and so plucky No wonder men see her And hope they get lucky. And what a great fight! It couldn\ufffdt be better! Two men so inept At socking each other! Our Colin looked gorgeous Darcy through and through Only now not on cable And not just for the few. He\ufffds dressed in Saville And turtleneck sweaters No longer in breeches, Writing long letters. Cleaver is showy But Mark\ufffds got the part That shows with his eyes, The thoughts in his heart. And bring on the drums Shout oceans of bliss! He finally shows us He really CAN kiss! For at the end, In snow and full view... \ufffdBarrister\ufffds don\ufffdt kiss\ufffd\ufffd \ufffdYes, they fucking do!\ufffd Murph"}, {"response": 1203, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Apr 14, 2001 (07:16)", "body": "Loved the poem Murph - LOL! AnnW thanks for the direction to IMDB's reviews judging by reaction methinks we may have many many newbies before too long! Though one review puzzled me (I believe from KerryW: ) Firth too shows how far he's come from baring his backside in Pride and Prejudice. Hmmmm - wonder which version she's been watching??!!? \"A happy thought indeed\""}, {"response": 1204, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 14, 2001 (08:29)", "body": "Has any British paper said anything nice about CF? Laura Tennant from The Independent, a 5 bottle review: Firth might as well have \"good husband material\" attooed across his forehead, but despite this, or perhaps because of it, he makes a devastatingly sexy Darcy. And ladies, I mean devastating. Your magazines have been far more complimentary. The newspaper critics are truly stuffed shirts. Alexander Walker, who didn't have Lottery money to carp about, chose to criticize the distribution of profits between the US and England. What has this to do with the film? It's as if there is something v. wrong about an enjoyable film. Sheesh, they can't all be Battleship Potemkin."}, {"response": 1205, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Apr 14, 2001 (08:43)", "body": "This link should work: http://apolloguide.com/mov_fullrev.asp?CID=3053 The problem was two p's in apollo."}, {"response": 1206, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Apr 14, 2001 (09:43)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1207, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Apr 14, 2001 (10:14)", "body": "Did the makers decide that Frank Capra had to step in for Helen Fielding as the closing master of ceremonies; that instead of taking satirical particularity up to the wire they must send the filmgoer home with a head full of snow, feelgood music and fadeout clinching? LOL! I admit I did think that too! Why the snow? But if they went all out for a Capra effect--more power to them! Tracy, lucky girl! Can't wait to hear your report. Karen, I barely noticed the street! I was too busy looking for Mr. Darcy. ;-) Thanks for all the reviews!"}, {"response": 1208, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Apr 14, 2001 (12:36)", "body": "The Bridget/Mark love theme is Dreamsome by Shelby Lynne. Terrific sound track in the film. Wish they would have included an Elvis Costello,, though."}, {"response": 1209, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Apr 14, 2001 (13:06)", "body": "So you like Elvis Costello, Evelyn? Me too! I would have loved Todd Rundgren's \"I saw the Light.\" Wasn't that supposed to be in the movie? A wonderful Easter to all! Chocolate eggs tomorrow, yum!"}, {"response": 1210, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Apr 14, 2001 (13:07)", "body": "closing tag"}, {"response": 1211, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Apr 14, 2001 (14:19)", "body": "Have just got back from my second of many viewings to come, much better audience response and a sigh when Colin turns round and shows off his reindeer jumper!! Full cinema which is very good for an Easter Saturday afternoon. I really can't wait for the video/dvd to come out, some many wonderful close-ups and don't you just love the little smile that creeps across Colin's face every so often especially when he is helping Brighet with the dinner. Also I just love it when he says \"crickey\", when Bridget tells him that she likes him too(at the Darcy's Ruby Wedding Party). Oh and thanky you Sharon Maguire for that lovely last long lingering kiss... Thanks Ann for finding the correct link."}, {"response": 1212, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Sat, Apr 14, 2001 (15:23)", "body": "(Ann W)Also I just love it when he says \"crickey\", when Bridget tells him that she likes him too(at the Darcy's Ruby Wedding Party). Ann, what does \"crickey\" mean?"}, {"response": 1213, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sat, Apr 14, 2001 (19:37)", "body": "All my men wear Burberry suits, or they wear nothing at all..."}, {"response": 1214, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sat, Apr 14, 2001 (19:44)", "body": "Ahem, one more time: All my men wear Burberry suits, or they wear nothing at all..."}, {"response": 1215, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Apr 14, 2001 (20:09)", "body": "Donna! Did you have your James Bond cam with you? Brava!"}, {"response": 1216, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Apr 14, 2001 (20:22)", "body": "That is some purposeful striding there, Mark! Well done. Can't wait to see what else Donna the pirate has in her stash.;-)"}, {"response": 1217, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Apr 14, 2001 (20:57)", "body": "That is a Darcy stride if ever I saw one, Mark. Donna, you clever girl. Couldn't resist popping into the Bridget Jones message board on AOL when I saw it was featured when I logged in tonight. Some potential new fans for Colin or were these comments from you girls?: (CF is) \"Oozing sex apeal at the end. Yum yum. More Colin Firth\" \"Collin (sic) is very sexy.\" \"Colin Firth...what a doll! I'd like to meet that Mr. Darcy.\" There were even more. He definitely beat out Hugh in the raves."}, {"response": 1218, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 14, 2001 (20:59)", "body": "Holy cow Donna!! What have you been up to? ;-D"}, {"response": 1219, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 14, 2001 (21:28)", "body": "I know *another* British review is the last thing you'd want to read, but the Sunday Observer has weighed in. Thought it had promise as had Colin's reindeer boy pic on front page, then clicked to read this: \"The co-writers - Helen Fielding, Andrew Davies (in whose TV adaptation of Sense and Sensibility Colin Firth became a star)\" Read the rest at your own peril, but is definitely going in my special section of the Review page under Fuckwittage. http://www.observer.co.uk/screen/story/0,6903,473234,00.html"}, {"response": 1220, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Apr 14, 2001 (21:44)", "body": "Group sitting next to me tonight (viewing #4) had a woman in it who said she never goes to movies more than once, but this was her second time. I told them about COlin and that the part was written from the start for him :) TV station here called Mark Darcy a \"businessman\". My guess is the guy just read other reviews and didn't bother to see it himself."}, {"response": 1221, "author": "Cinder", "date": "Sat, Apr 14, 2001 (22:20)", "body": "unlurking once again..Just got back from seeing BJD for the second time....sigh x's infinity. I think I shall have to go back and see it once more, just so I do not forget a single moment. To move on..both the Rosie Odonnell and the Today show are acknowledging the appearance of Colin on Monday. Like I said in the last room..Lets cross our fingers shall we."}, {"response": 1222, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 15, 2001 (00:13)", "body": "Finally, a realistic review from your shores. One with pretensions, no hidden agendas, no poses. Cosmo is probably just happy that a character has his name! http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2001/04/15/sticulfil02005.html good, v.good: Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), a broody, moody hunk of manhood"}, {"response": 1223, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 15, 2001 (00:14)", "body": "That s/b without all those things. *oops is late*"}, {"response": 1224, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Apr 15, 2001 (00:15)", "body": "Donna, I am all astonishment! The connections you ladies have.... Oh no, not another review, Karen! *groan* Love the lovely new review section complete with special effects. :-D"}, {"response": 1225, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Apr 15, 2001 (02:46)", "body": "According to the Sunday Telegraph Renee has agreed to do a sequel as she will not have to put on so much weight and apparently BJD has broken UK Box Office Records for the first day and is expected to beat NH for the weekend. Hurrah. The report is online under UK news."}, {"response": 1226, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Apr 15, 2001 (02:57)", "body": "V.briefly as busy time looms ahead. Saw BJD last night with full house (and had to queue!!) and really enjoyed it. S-o-o nice to CF starring (and I do mean starring) in a popular mainstream movie!! Long article in the Sunday Telegraph on BJD. It took \ufffd1.7million in the UK on its opening night (twice as much as NH, the former record holder) and looks on course to be the most successful British-made film ever). Took \ufffd1.2 in US on opening night(is this good?), beaten only by SpyKids. STelegraph says RZ has agreed to do sequel, provided she doesn't have to put on weight. WT are going ahead with a sequel based on TEOR. It is hoped that the film's other stars will also appear in the sequel. Helen Fielding is working on the script. Eric Fellner, the producer, is \"sitting down on Tuesday to plan in detail how to film the sequel starring RZ. It had already been discussed with the cast\". Good review for BJD in the STelegraph. \"CF manages a slow-burning transition from grumpy and stodgy to masterful and sexy, in classic Mr Darcy fashion\" Only criticism...\"I wish (Sharon Maguire's) influence had been a litle stronger to dilute that of RC...the whiff of the RC formula was the film's only real drawback.\" Our local paper also gave BJD a very good review (have part quoted this before) and they often slam movies. (Male reviewer)\"CF is excellent as the stoic MD, playing his role with enough restraint and mystery to keep the plot bubbling in the final reel\". (Female) \"Number of times swooned over CF during film...47...CF is perfect as MD.\""}, {"response": 1227, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Apr 15, 2001 (03:32)", "body": "Oh yeah, there was a line outside the theater I went to tonight too--quite a long one. ANd the theater was packed. Audience seemed a little quieter through the movie than last night, but applauded at the end, which didn't happen yesterday"}, {"response": 1228, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Apr 15, 2001 (03:46)", "body": "Just saw Ebert & Roeper's review. Had some good clips of CF. Brief glimpse of him smiling at dinner party, extended view of him singing happy birthday, and of course the \"I like you\" line. Ebert also mentioned he played Darcy in P&P. They liked it and talked about Renee and Hugh being great."}, {"response": 1229, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Sun, Apr 15, 2001 (06:45)", "body": "Donna ... I don't know how you did that - I am all amazement; thank goodness had just seen the film first so could recognise self. Karen: In the last scene, the store appears in very ritzy area, which wouldn't be a few blocks away from Bridget's flat. Did that street look familiar? Apologies if anyone has answered this already (I tend to skip chunks of the reviews I must admit): the shop and parade is a real one just beside the Bank of England in the City - to get there, MD and BJ would have had to run over London Bridge and then all the way up King William St - dramatic licence of course. Must just add: those early reviewers who asked why would either DC or MD find Bridget attractive - who were you watching? RZ is wonderful IMO, and exactly captures the Bridget of the books, with all her feist and imagination as well as the ditziness. Burberry Man"}, {"response": 1230, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Apr 15, 2001 (07:49)", "body": "(Mark) I don't know how you did that - I am all amazement; thank goodness had just seen the film first so could recognise self. LOL, this was my second viewing, so I came prepared. I planted myself early so that I could get a good seat, then I obnoxiously flung my feet on the chair in front of me so that people were discouraged from sitting nearby. Didn't want a fat head to get in the way. :-) I waited for Cleaver to grrr/roar as he revved up his engine, then snap snap snap. *Nonchalantly sticks the camera back in the bag and continues watching the movie*"}, {"response": 1231, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 15, 2001 (08:39)", "body": "Lovely news, all! Thanks, Burberry Man, for the site identification. That's what I thought, in terms of being further away than it was made to appear. The Ebert & show had excellent clips. Lots and lots of Colin on view, especially during the fight. Many closeups of head on table, etc. It also seemed as though Ebert was going to say more about Colin (or just male leads) and then switched over to discuss how much he enjoyed Huge's performance from the first glimpse of him. Oh well, can't have everything.... BTW, you will be able to hear Ebert &'s comments online at their website shortly."}, {"response": 1232, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Apr 15, 2001 (09:30)", "body": "Ladies, please go to http://www.moviefone.com/ and to Feedback, and post your review, exulting Colin,of course. They have had the audacity to omit Colin from the credits, they have listed Honor Blackman for goodness sake and she was only in the film for 2 seconds!!"}, {"response": 1233, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 15, 2001 (09:43)", "body": "Actually, Honor Blackman was in all the scenes where the parents gathered. She only had a line at the T&V party, but you can see her at the turkey curry buffet and at the Ruby Anniversary party. But your point is well-taken, Ann. ;-D It's more important IMHO to email the Charlie Rose show now. They need to act quickly to get Colin on. I have likened him to RF, plus described the wonderful reviews for his first short story and plans for a Hamlet. Go to it, people!!"}, {"response": 1234, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sun, Apr 15, 2001 (11:15)", "body": "I saw BGD while on vacation in Santa Rosa the other night and thoroughly enjoyed it. Also noted, Karen R's BGD web pages our soaring off our charts!"}, {"response": 1235, "author": "kolin", "date": "Sun, Apr 15, 2001 (13:45)", "body": "FoF Dottie found this: http://www.sunspot.net/news/printedition/bal-to.bridget14apr14.story Chronicles of a true Firth fan Book: A Sun reporter compares a 'Diary' with 'Pride.' By Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan Sun Staff April 14, 2001 Thursday 5 April 7:25 p.m. Ohmigod. Have to attend advance screening of \"Bridget Jones's Diary.\" Refused to read the book when it first came out. Seemed v. v. silly and demeaning, and Bridget sounded like an annoying, desperate nutbag. But Colin Firth (to DIE for) is in it. Was SO swoonworthy in BBC's \"Pride and Prejudice\" and should make \"Bridget\" not entirely a waste of time. 9:30 p.m. My life is complete. Film was most excellent - v. v. funny even though Renee Zellweger was v. v. annoying (as expected of nutbag Bridget). Love that dry Brit wit, Hugh Grant is a magnificent rogue and, oh, that Colin Firth ... I swear he has perfected the art of playing a dashing Darcy. Friday 6 April Noon. People say BJD is a modern \"Pride and Prejudice,\" and it seems about right: Hugh's publishing whiz Daniel Cleaver possesses the smarm-charm of Elizabeth Bennet's initial love interest Mr. Wickham, Bridget's Mum runs off with a man just like Elizabeth's sister Lydia does. And Colin Firth plays a marvelous Mr. Darcy all over again! He's terribly adroit at conveying tormented passion without saying one word. Although, in BJD, Darcy is a wealthy, hardworking lawyer, unlike P&P's Mr. Darcy who was just born insanely rich and passes time shooting fowl, quietly performing good deeds for sport, and secretly desiring Elizabeth Bennet. (Not that that's a bad thing.) That Bridget, however, seems a lot more like Fanny Price in \"Mansfield Park\" than P&P's Elizabeth Bennet. Lizzy, at least, was a strong, intelligent woman. Bridget's more like Fanny, Austen's least likable heroine and a wimpy girl to boot. Note to self: Rent BBC series and read P&P again. Also, pick up copy of BJD. Sunday 8 April Am reading P&P and enjoying it v. v. much. Remarkable similarities to BJD, which am also endeavoring to read at the same time. Mr. Darcy and Mr. Wickham both went to Cambridge University, so did Daniel Cleaver and Mark Darcy. Natasha, the wenchy barrister determined to snag Mark Darcy for herself in BJD, is a carbon copy of the conniving Ms. Bingley, who tries to scheme her way into becoming Lady Darcy. And Mr. Darcy makes his first appearance in P&P at a ball, where he sulks and refuses to dance. In BJD, Bridget first lays eyes on Mark Darcy at a party where he's looking all haughty and keeping to himself. She even notes: \"It struck me as pretty ridiculous to be called Mr. Darcy and to stand on your own looking snooty at a party. Read so intently that did not leave the apartment for whole evening and had week-old brownies for dinner. Must alter behavior or will end up like Bridget. Note to self: Look into buying scale. Monday 9 April Noon. BJD is getting old. Read till 2 a.m. and Bridget is getting v. v. grating. If she does not improve, I fear I shall have to start smoking again to cope with her shrill whining. She worries about her weight, her smoking, her eating, and suffers an exasperating lack of self-esteem. (Just say \"NO\" to Daniel Cleaver, woman!) P&P's strong-willed and level-headed Lizzy would never have felt so sorry for herself at being so v. v. unattached. In fact, even though Lizzy is of marriageable age and her mother is pressing her to wed, she has enough self-worth to resist Mr. Darcy when he first proposes, retorting: \"I had not known you a month before I felt that you were the last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry.\" Now, that's girl power. Read in the BJD information kit that Andrew Davies, who wrote the P&P script, helped with author Helen Fielding and writer Richard Curtis with the BJD script. Also saw somewhere that BJD author Helen Fielding had a crush on Colin Firth. I have no doubt - in the book, Bridget pitches a story about Colin Firth when she becomes a news reporter. And then she ponders the Darcy-Elizabeth relationship: \"I would hate to see Darcy and Elizabeth in bed, smoking a cigarette afterward. That would be unnatural and wrong and I would quickly lose interest.\" I know what she means. I'm beginning to lose interest in the BJD versions of Darcy and Lizzy. BJD offers TOO MUCH INFORMATION about what they both would probably be like in modern times. 5:30 p.m. Discover there are many Web sites devoted to Colin Firth. Momentarily feel guilty for looking them up at work. But I am doing it for a story, after all. Tuesday 10 April There really are an amazing number of Colin Firth Web sites out there. Wednesday 11 April Holed myself up indoors all day to watch the 1995 BBC P&P miniseries. It was so v. v. brilliant and definitely far superior to BJD. In fact, BJD seems rather silly and foppish in comparison - even as a modern homage. Smoked four cigarettes. v. v. bad. I fear I am Bridget, after all. Thursday 12 April 10 p.m. Finally finished reading BJD. Loathed how forced"}, {"response": 1236, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Apr 15, 2001 (14:56)", "body": "Good news on the US box office front. BJD came in third with $10.8 million for the weekend, just beat out by films which were shown on many more screens: 1. Spy Kids--$12.8 million, from 3,172 screens 2. Along Came A Spider--$11.3 million, from 2,530 screens 3. Bridget Jones's Diary--$10.8 million, from 1,611 screens Just saw Colin interviewed (as part of junket, wearing his red shirt and dark suit) on CNN Showbiz. He looked very relaxed and smiley, told a cute anecdote about the guys having to pump up for their roles vs. RZ having to pack it on, and one day, someone dared the three of them to raise up their shirts and display their abdominals so they did. He said it was a contest to see who really had a six-pack. Then he added, Renee had about a one-pack."}, {"response": 1237, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Apr 15, 2001 (18:16)", "body": "LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The children's thriller ''Spy Kids'' ruled the North American box office for the third consecutive weekend, while the British romantic comedy ``Bridget Jones's Diary'' opened strongly on both sides of the Atlantic, according to studio estimates issued Sunday. ``Spy Kids'' grossed about $12.8 million from U.S. and Canadian theaters during the Friday-to-Sunday Easter holiday period. The Morgan Freeman thriller ``Along Came a Spider'' held steady at No. 2 with $11.3 million in its second weekend. ``Bridget Jones's Diary,'' based on British author Helen Fielding's best-selling novel about a neurotic single London woman, opened at No. 3 with $10.8 million. The film, starring Texas native Renee Zellweger and co-starring Hugh Grant, also bowed at No. 1 in the United Kingdom with a projected three-day haul of $8.4 million, a record for a British picture, and No. 8 on the all-time rankings. ``Diary'' was budgeted in the mid-$20 million area, and directed by English rookie feature filmmaker Sharon Maguire. It was released in North America by Miramax Films and in Britain by Universal Pictures. The studios co-produced with France's StudioCanal. In North America, women predictably accounted for about 60 percent of the audience, often coming in ``large packs,'' said David Brooks, executive vice president of marketing at Miramax. Pre-opening research had indicated that only 3 to 4 percent of potential moviegoers had heard of Fielding's book, which was a bestseller in the United Kingdom, but strong only in New York and Los Angeles, Brooks said. ``Diary'' played across the board geographically, and will expand to more than 2,000 theaters next weekend. It is currently at 1,611 theaters -- about half the total of ``Spy Kids.'' New York-based Miramax is a unit of Walt Disney Co., while Universal and StudioCanal are owned by Vivendi Universal."}, {"response": 1238, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sun, Apr 15, 2001 (19:13)", "body": "In North America, women predictably accounted for about 60 percent of the audience, often coming in ``large packs,'' said David Brooks, executive vice president of marketing at Miramax. I resent this reviewer's comment. Makes us sound like pack of singleton-devouring alsatians!"}, {"response": 1239, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sun, Apr 15, 2001 (19:27)", "body": "Just did my part at Moviephone. What F***wit at moviephone wrote the credits list???? Let's all get together and beat up Tom, who gave it an F!"}, {"response": 1240, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 15, 2001 (21:10)", "body": "He said it was a contest to see who really had a six-pack. Then he added, Renee had about a one-pack. Knew he had it in him to be cute. ;-D Had a great audience at my noon viewing. Pretty full and perhaps 40 percent male, who laughed at different bits. I could sense absolutely no audience sympathy for Huge yet there was horror when Mark left her apartment. Lots of \"oh nos.\" Best news is that my older sister wants to borrow my P&P tapes, which I lent her ages ago, but she didn't like. She wanted to know all sorts of things about Jane Austen, when the book was written, and why was there such a cult following. Also wanted to know about Colin. I wonder why she thought I could answer those questions???? ;-D"}, {"response": 1241, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 15, 2001 (21:19)", "body": "Have another question. The TV camera man who couldn't say whether other reporters had gotten interviews, said he was off doing \"slash.\" What is slash?"}, {"response": 1242, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, Apr 15, 2001 (21:57)", "body": "What is slash? Isn't it going off to do, *ahem*... #1? (Someone confirm this)"}, {"response": 1243, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Apr 16, 2001 (01:53)", "body": "quite right Winter, well put."}, {"response": 1244, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 16, 2001 (06:58)", "body": "*embarrassed*"}, {"response": 1245, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Apr 16, 2001 (08:56)", "body": "Think BJD did gloriously well in US box office given last week's predictions. Ahahaha! Take *that*, Josie, Pussycats, and Joe Dirt! *long bronx cheer* *wiping monitor* Jen-Jen, will try to e-mail you so we might discuss the nuances of beet root cubes. ;-) About a hundred posts ago, there was something from AP about the fight and that Huge said it was his idea that they fight like girls, etc. etc. Just wait, ladies...any day now The Gnat will announce that he gave Helen Fielding the idea for Bridget. :-/"}, {"response": 1246, "author": "JennyM", "date": "Mon, Apr 16, 2001 (09:50)", "body": "Just saw CF on the Today show. It was a great interview. I also happened to see that he will be on Live with Regis tomorrow. He looked great this morning, and I was glad to see he was finally on."}, {"response": 1247, "author": "vlyne", "date": "Mon, Apr 16, 2001 (09:54)", "body": "Karen, I think your e-mails might be working! Renee Zellweger is scheduled to be on the Charlie Rose show tonight. I've got my fingers (and toes) crossed that they'll add CF to the panel as well..."}, {"response": 1248, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 16, 2001 (09:56)", "body": "Wonderful news, Valerie. We're talking about Colin's appearances on television on Topic 143."}, {"response": 1249, "author": "vlyne", "date": "Mon, Apr 16, 2001 (11:41)", "body": "oops. Sorry about that! I'll see you over there. ;-)"}, {"response": 1250, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 16, 2001 (13:08)", "body": "No need for apologies. Just wanted to make sure you could join in with the rest of us."}, {"response": 1251, "author": "JenniferR", "date": "Mon, Apr 16, 2001 (13:41)", "body": "Thanks for the offer Eileen, but have figured out reference upon second viewing. Feel rather silly, actually, for having totally missed the nuances of that scene the first time around. Hmmm...may have to go see it again, just to be sure. ;) Had my sister e-mailing me play-by-play of Today show interview--can't wait to go home and watch it!"}, {"response": 1252, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Apr 16, 2001 (13:50)", "body": "(Jen) Hmmm...may have to go see it again, just to be sure. ;) A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do! ;-) Don't think anyone in my audience last Fri. understood anything about the cooking scene, even when Mark called Bridget Una. :-/"}, {"response": 1253, "author": "Ann", "date": "Mon, Apr 16, 2001 (13:55)", "body": "The beetroot cubes and such seemed to have been missed by all the audiences I've been in."}, {"response": 1254, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Mon, Apr 16, 2001 (13:55)", "body": "Local radio station was asking for callers to phone in with their opinions on BJD. First caller said that BJD was great, funniest movie and that it deserves to be remembered at next year\ufffds Academy Awards. The second caller said same and that she fell in love with CF, that she\ufffds now drooling over him. But Lara (deejay) steered conversation over to HG, and how he\ufffds the type all women love and can\ufffdt resist, even if he is no good."}, {"response": 1255, "author": "susanne", "date": "Mon, Apr 16, 2001 (14:27)", "body": "This is from David Poland of voicesofhollywood.com I was shocked at how much I enjoyed Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary. I read the book at the behest of my 28-year-old niece and enjoyed it, though I wasn\ufffdt sure how it would play as a film. I listened to all the bitching and moaning about the hiring of American Renee Zellweger to play the quintessential British gal. And every appearance by Zellweger seemed to focus on her weight a lot more than it did on the movie. So, surrounded by a theater full of 30something women on Sunday afternoon, I didn\ufffdt anticipate much from the film. And as it started, I was still iffy. It seemed that first-time director Sharon Maguire was being a little too cute and trying a little too hard to match the structure of the book. But soon, that all fell away. Maguire is clearly not a great film stylist. But that slowly became the charm of the film as it went from being a big, hyped film to an art house find before my eyes. Zellweger\ufffds performance had all the curves of real life. Hugh Grant gave the most restrained, game free performance I\ufffdve seen for him in a while. And Colin Firth was drier than any martini. And all that was good. By the time I realized that things like Bridget having a Greek chorus of three friends and Hugh Grant to boot, I was already well past worrying that this was yet another homage to Four Weddings & A Funeral. (After the film, I realized that the producing team and writer behind Four Weddings and Notting Hill were behind this film as well.) I really like Four Weddings, but this one is gloriously different, choosing a level of imperfection that contrasts directly with the slick glibness of the progenitor. And for me, the message about the basic humanity of people trying to find a human connection was quite beautiful. Bridget is the clown princess of the effort. But the men around her are just as flawed, even without the extra weight and fashion faux pas. Even Bridget\ufffds parents have to deal with the things that being people together and tear them apart. For me the film was, in the end, about the forgiving heart. And that is a message that I was certainly ready to embrace."}, {"response": 1256, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Apr 16, 2001 (15:29)", "body": "Great to read everyone's reactions to the film, plus reviews etc I envy you all a UK audience reaction, promising to go to later showing next time to get one guaranteed. fabulous news about beating NH on first weekend too. Tracy, am joining you in exuberant dance to soundtrack, holding whisk in one hand and Survival ticket in the other!"}, {"response": 1257, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Apr 16, 2001 (16:49)", "body": "Lizza -am joining you in exuberant dance to soundtrack, holding whisk in one hand and Survival ticket in the other! All together now....*air guitar with drum accompaniment* All By myse-e-elf donwannabee....... What better way to spend a dull, lonely, Bank Holiday Monday than a third viewing of BJD (even if went alone in manner of confident singleton)? Maybe is just Medway mentality but profanities got the most laughs, plus \"Have it Oeuf\" - but all subtleties lost on crowd e.g FR Leavis plus they didn't seem to recognise Salman until he was mentioned in ill fated speech *hitting forehead*. Not unsurprisingly therefore crowd didn't get many of references (found myself the only one laughing way too loudly at beetroot cubes). Party of girlies in front let out a squeal of delight when MD turned up with cheeky grin and newspaper plus girl next to me shrieked \"Oh No!\" when DC arrives at party (forgave myslef a cruel chuckle at Huge's expense). Place went mad during fight scene - the audio was better at this cinema than on previous occasions so one got the full effect of the \"Eow-ing\" and \"Oof-ing\" during spazz-fight. Has ODB had more piercings recently - I counted three"}, {"response": 1258, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr 16, 2001 (16:50)", "body": "And Colin Firth was drier than any martini. I'll have my Cosmopolitan martini now, TUVM! ;-)"}, {"response": 1259, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr 16, 2001 (16:52)", "body": "Has ODB had more piercings recently - I counted three My what good eyes you have, Tracy! Do tell us where and don't keep it to the ears. ;-)"}, {"response": 1260, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Apr 16, 2001 (17:20)", "body": "Do tell us where and don't keep it to the ears. ;-) LOL! Most evident in the Agani-Heaney (sp) interview, counted one in right and two in left.........ears! Also noticed huge boil on Huge Gnat's chin, Mmmm very sexy NOT, whereas MD, of course, flawless...but may have to inspect again ..in the name of research ;-)"}, {"response": 1261, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Mon, Apr 16, 2001 (17:27)", "body": "CNN posted their interview w/ Helen Fielding: \ufffdA little bit of \ufffdBridget\ufffd in most women? http://www.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/Movies/04/16/bridget.qanda/index.html CNN: Did you visit the set very often? Fielding: Yes, and I especially liked watching Colin Firth playing Mark Darcy. When I was writing it (\"Bridget\"), \"Pride and Prejudice\" was on TV, and all the women in England were in love with Darcy -- or Colin Firth, as he's sometimes called. So, it was absolutely delicious to see Mister Darcy -- who is also Mister Firth -- playing Mark Darcy, who is also Mister Darcy. It was all very postmodern to watch."}, {"response": 1262, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr 16, 2001 (17:44)", "body": "Thanks, Marianne. How much material from the book ended up on the cutting room floor for the movie? And how can we get our hands on it! ;-) Her comment on the ending of the film tells us that she had written a different ending in her script. That's a direct question to ask her. I'm sure we would all like to know."}, {"response": 1263, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 16, 2001 (18:01)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1264, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 16, 2001 (18:01)", "body": "(Tracy) Most evident in the Agani-Heaney (sp) interview, counted one in right and two in left.........ears! So all of you were sitting in the first row, right? No girls in row in front of you, just screen, and lots of screen. Huge boil on Huge? Seems apropos somehow, but who is looking??? ;-D Thanks, Marianne, for the CNN link. Helen is looking v. healthy (tan). Must be because LA house has no roof."}, {"response": 1265, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Apr 16, 2001 (18:24)", "body": "Helen is looking v. healthy (tan). Must be because LA house has no roof. Took a walk along the beach yesterday, and passed a woman who I could've sworn was HF. But she wouldn't be in the States for Easter... would she??? (Had on sunglasses and black jogging suit-type outfit. Was with another gentleman, a bit older than her)."}, {"response": 1266, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 16, 2001 (18:28)", "body": "Why not? Do you think she had a turkey curry buffet to attend elsewhere? ;-D BTW, my last audience got a charge out of the way Colin pronounced buffet in the \"I like you just the way you are\" speech."}, {"response": 1267, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Apr 16, 2001 (19:47)", "body": "(Karen)BTW, my last audience got a charge out of the way Colin pronounced buffet in the \"I like you just the way you are\" speech. I noticed the pronunciation, too, although it didn't get any laughs, just a smile from me. (Whenever my DH and I take the train when we're in England, we always get something from the \"buffy\" car. It has become a joke for us since the first visit when the voice from the ceiling on the train announced that the \"buffy\" car was open and we had no idea what the \"buffy\" car was!)"}, {"response": 1268, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Apr 16, 2001 (19:47)", "body": "oops! did that turn off itals? Am blurry bad at this computer stuff."}, {"response": 1269, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Apr 16, 2001 (19:48)", "body": "did that do it?"}, {"response": 1270, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr 16, 2001 (20:23)", "body": "Audiences and Top Critics Embrace 'Bridget Jones's Diary' High Per Screen Average Has US Exhibitors Craving Up to 2500 Dates With 'Bridget' Next Weekend NEW YORK, April 16 /PRNewswire/ -- This weekend, America discovered and fell for \"Bridget Jones,\" Britain's favourite singleton. \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" opened to the tune of a $10.7m box office gross, with an impressive $6,660 per-screen average in 1611 theaters. On the strength of this opening, which has theatre owners clamoring for more \"Bridget,\" Miramax Films aims to expand to as many as 2500 screens this coming weekend, it was announced by Mark Gill, president Miramax-LA and Rick Sands, Miramax chairman of worldwide distribution. \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" is a Miramax Films release of a Universal Pictures/Studio Canal/Miramax Films presentation of a Working Title Production. \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" has become a word-of-mouth hit based on the strong audience response to nationwide sneak previews and opening weekend exit surveys which show that more than 80% of audiences rate the film as \"excellent\" or \"very good\" and more than 70% will \"definitely recommend\" \"Bridget\" to their friends. \"Bridget\" was also helped by widespread critical acclaim from top critics including Time (\"Renee Zellweger shines and Hugh Grant is irresistible\"), Newsweek (\"tremendously funny\"), Rolling Stone (\"A-List all the way\"), Good Morning America (\"One of the Best Film's of the Year! It's great!), Today (\"A smart comedy that's funny!\"), New York Times ('The best and smartest film of its kind in a long time\"), Los Angeles Times (\"Cheerful, cheeky entertainment that smartly mixes knock-about farce with fairy-tale romance\"), and Ebert & Roeper (\"two thumbs up\"). And it's not only American audiences that have responded to \"Bridget\"'s charm. In her native UK, with a release by Universal Pictures, \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" had the highest grossing opening weekend for any British film in history (approximately $10.4m). The film \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" based on Helen Fielding's international best-seller, stars Renee Zellweger (\"Nurse Betty,\" \"Jerry Maguire\") in the title role as the dynamic, outrageously original Bridget Jones, with Hugh Grant (\"Four Weddings and A Funeral,\" \"Notting Hill\") and Colin Firth (\"Shakespeare In Love,\" \"The English Patient\") as Bridget's love interests. The film is directed by Sharon Maguire and produced by Eric Fellner, Tim Bevan and Jonathan Cavendish. Helen Fielding is the Executive Producer with Liza Chasin and Debra Hayward are co-producers. The screenplay was written by Richard Curtis, Andrew Davies and Helen Fielding based on the novel by Helen Fielding. SOURCE Miramax Films"}, {"response": 1271, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 16, 2001 (22:38)", "body": "I'm very impressed with the UK numbers. From all I can access right now, the movie is only playing at 273 venues (not necessarily screens) and generated $10.4m, compared to $10.7m in the US on 1611 screens. I think the UK numbers are estimates for a four-day holiday weekend (your Bank holiday too) vs our 3 days, but still they seem impossible. The analyst in me is astounded and wants to delve deeper."}, {"response": 1272, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 16, 2001 (22:42)", "body": "One more thing, as the above was Miramax press release, I'm glad that Miramax can't be criticized for buying BJD's success as in Chocolat, Cider House Rules, etc. The numbers and the critics' praises are, this time, for real. ;-D"}, {"response": 1273, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Apr 17, 2001 (01:38)", "body": "Have just read 118 User Reviews! (is that sad or is that sad) at Yahoo Movies, for BJD and there are so many nice comments particulary about Colin, makes me proud to be a Firthfan!"}, {"response": 1274, "author": "tamzin", "date": "Tue, Apr 17, 2001 (02:12)", "body": "Just to let all UK members know that there are still tickets available for the special screening of BJD in aid of Survival on the 26th April which is being introduced by Colin. Had to contact them for an extra ticket myself this morning. Link is www.survival-international.org/film.htm We must make sure there is a full house to greet him!!!"}, {"response": 1275, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Apr 17, 2001 (02:19)", "body": "Gabrielle is #4in this week's Top Ten with OOR."}, {"response": 1276, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Apr 17, 2001 (02:23)", "body": "Audiences and Top Critics Embrace 'Bridget Jones's Diary' How nice to read this. Typically for the UK where all the smarta**e commentators have been hoping it would bomb, the Times on Monday had a piece by Sean Macaulay in LA on Easter movie releases in the US. Sample comment \"It may have swept the UK this weekend but it made only a modest impression at the US box office\"!! He does go on to say that this was a \"decent\" performance and that the film is expected to have \"legs\" unlike the other top performers at the box office. He then goes on to quote some good reviews but can't help giving prominence to the (was it the only?) bad review in the Washington Post which dubbed it One Wedding and a Funeral Makes me so cross. There is plenty that our press ought to criticise in Britain but they only ever try and denigrate that which is good."}, {"response": 1277, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Apr 17, 2001 (04:18)", "body": "re the Rosie interview, I have read that the audience \"booed\" (sp) Colin, can this be correct, can you please enlighten me. Also apparently it was not a very responsive audience, they should be so lucky!"}, {"response": 1278, "author": "kolin", "date": "Tue, Apr 17, 2001 (06:10)", "body": "\"re the Rosie interview, I have read that the audience \"booed\" (sp) Colin, can this be correct, can you please enlighten me. Also apparently it was not a very responsive audience, they should be so lucky!\" Yes, when Carolyn said that she tried for Gwyneth'r role in SIL, he asked her if she gained wight for that role as well ( she said previously that she tried for BJD and gained weight for that). The audience booed and he tried to rescue himself by saying that he meant that she was too thin and had to gain weight to be Gwyneth size. Very cute. He was charming and relaxed and a joy to watch."}, {"response": 1279, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Apr 17, 2001 (07:21)", "body": "There is plenty that our press ought to criticise in Britain but they only ever try and denigrate that which is good. I would like to hear some theories as to why this is so. They should learn to keep their foot in mouth. ;-) I thought Colin was more relaxed in the Rosie Show than with Katie (note: I only saw the Today interview on line and they did not include the part in which she says she has a crush on him), but Colin did a great deal of laughing on Rosie. Maybe he thought it would be the fun interview vs the serious one."}, {"response": 1280, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 17, 2001 (07:29)", "body": "(AnnW) I have read that the audience \"booed\" (sp) Colin There's more on this at 143, as well as our impressions of Today vs. Rosie. Cannot wait to hear about the appearance on Regis today."}, {"response": 1281, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 17, 2001 (07:54)", "body": "From a Variety article on the BJD boxoffice: \"The Renee Zellweger/Hugh Grant starrer is slated for Spain on June 8, Australia on July 26 and Germany, Latin America and Southeast Asia in August.\""}, {"response": 1282, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, Apr 17, 2001 (08:00)", "body": "Regis - he's already been introduced at the top of the hour as \"sexy Colin Firth\" :-) Now on to the Chevy/Kelly drivel..."}, {"response": 1283, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Apr 17, 2001 (10:48)", "body": "I still haven't seen it. I'm a bad girl... still haven't seen it... haven't seen any interviews. I vegged yesterday and did nothing... I'm a bad girl."}, {"response": 1284, "author": "JennyM", "date": "Tue, Apr 17, 2001 (12:01)", "body": "I'm going to see BJD TONIGHT!!!!! I can't wait, and also can't believe I waited this long, but I was home last weekend for Easter, so there were no friends around to go with. Can't wait!"}, {"response": 1285, "author": "Ann", "date": "Tue, Apr 17, 2001 (12:03)", "body": "Laura, you and Bill have to go when you're in England!"}, {"response": 1286, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Tue, Apr 17, 2001 (12:04)", "body": "http://www.npr.org/ramfiles/fa/20010413.fa.02.ram Please forgive me if this has already been mentioned, but there is a commentary on BJD on the Fresh Air site. Loves Renee.... http://freshair.npr.org/ One of these should work."}, {"response": 1287, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Apr 17, 2001 (12:47)", "body": "Well, I never thought I would hear a news item about a Colin Firth movie, but it happened today on the BBC2 5 0'clock news, \" BJD broke UK Box Office Records for opening weekend , beating NH by 2 millions pounds.....\" hurrahh, what a wonderful few days!"}, {"response": 1288, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Apr 17, 2001 (13:11)", "body": "Just came back from 2nd viewing of BJD. This time, audience was limited to only about 10 people. Humph. Still did not hear anyone laughing as much as I did. Humph again. Next time will see it on weekend night when people with sense of humor go to movies. (Jenny) so there were no friends around to go with Why not go alone? I highly recommend it...saves the trouble of explaining all the in-jokes. ;-)"}, {"response": 1289, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Apr 17, 2001 (13:59)", "body": "(Eileen) I highly recommend it...saves the trouble of explaining all the in-jokes. ;-) Yeah, but aren't you ever seized with the desire to turn around and tell someone, \"Hey! That was funny dammit!\""}, {"response": 1290, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Apr 17, 2001 (13:59)", "body": "(Eileen) I highly recommend it...saves the trouble of explaining all the in-jokes. ;-) Yeah, but aren't you ever seized with the desire to turn around and tell someone, \"Hey! That was funny dammit!\""}, {"response": 1291, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Apr 17, 2001 (16:05)", "body": "UK ALERT, The Making of BJD is being shown on Channel 5 on Sunday 22nd April, at 12 noon, Lizza, Aishling, Tracy anyone , Help, we do not get Channel 5 in my neck of the woods."}, {"response": 1292, "author": "JennyM", "date": "Tue, Apr 17, 2001 (17:27)", "body": "Eileen, I was home for Easter, and the closest theater that was even playing the movie was an hour and half away. My friends and I usually go there, but I didn't feel like driving all that way by myself. But I definitely can't wait to see it tonight!!!!"}, {"response": 1293, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 17, 2001 (19:07)", "body": "...closest theater that was even playing the movie was an hour and half away.... but I didn't feel like driving all that way by myself. ROTF.... That's a way of life for me. This time I was lucky....I didn't have to fly to Dallas:-)))))"}, {"response": 1294, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Apr 17, 2001 (21:06)", "body": "Great box office. Waiting for it to be #1. What's the competition opening this weekend?"}, {"response": 1295, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Tue, Apr 17, 2001 (22:15)", "body": "Heide, the competition this weekend is: 1. Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles 2. Freddy Got Fingered 3. The Low Down"}, {"response": 1296, "author": "JennyM", "date": "Tue, Apr 17, 2001 (22:41)", "body": "I just got back from the movie. It was the best movie. I never laugh out loud, but my friend and I were in hysterics the whole time. The fight scene has to be the funniest, yet most pathetic thing I've ever seen. Can't wait to see it again, or even better--when it comes out on video!!!"}, {"response": 1297, "author": "Donna", "date": "Tue, Apr 17, 2001 (22:43)", "body": "I am very happy to say that I rented Fever Pitch (vhs) at Blockbuster last night. At last I have seen it. I get to keep it until Saturday. Donna"}, {"response": 1298, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Tue, Apr 17, 2001 (23:01)", "body": "Saw BJD again with my sister-in-law tonight and she loved it too. Couldn't stop talking about it. Thought HG was good but not on the same planet as ODB. We decided that our favorite look was CF in the turtleneck and the to-die-for great coat. MD looked about 8 feet tall walking down the street in it. BTW, has anyone heard if there is to be published a making of or screenplay for BJD. I believe something of the sort was done for Four Weddings and Notting Hill, and just about every other film these days. If so, I hope they go for one with lots of color pix, not the type with the tiny b&w photos."}, {"response": 1299, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 17, 2001 (23:17)", "body": "Rather strange column from Scotland on Sunday: Mr Darcy in novel twist BY WILLIAM HARE DIARY AS BRIDGET Jones's Diary hype continues to rage unabated in British cinemas, William Hare has discovered that a sequel based on Helen Fielding's second novel detailing the singleton lifestyle is lounging on the casting couch. Oh dear. The makers of BJD2 now have a new dilemma. The casting of Colin Firth as Jones' real (well, in the film anyway) boyfriend Mark Darcy, universally lauded as inspired, means that he can't really play himself as the real (well, fictional actually) Mr Darcy from the BBC's adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. An explanation for those who haven't read the Bridget Jones's Diary books and seen the first film: Poor Bridget lusts somewhat pathetically after Mr Darcy (Jane Austen's Mr Darcy, that is) in the second book, and when she actually meets him (well, meets the actor who plays him, Colin Firth) to interview him for a newspaper she makes a hash of it. But with Firth playing Mark Darcy in real life (well, in the film), who will the producers find to smoulder and fill those wet breeches when Darcy (well, Firth the actor) makes his appearance in the sequel? Now we all understand each other, here is Bridget's interview with Colin Firth from the book (it didn't really happen, it's fiction). [a bit of the interview] ~~~~~ Evidently Mr Hare doesn't realize they could do the same thing they did for the first, i.e., cut it all out."}, {"response": 1300, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr 17, 2001 (23:33)", "body": "Evidently Mr Hare doesn't realize they could do the same thing they did for the first, i.e., cut it all out. Exactly, but then again this guy doesn't even realize that the \"interview\" really did happen. No big stumbling block. EOR stands on its own without the interview."}, {"response": 1301, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 17, 2001 (23:39)", "body": "Agreed, especially if they keep the original Persuasion plotline. ;-D"}, {"response": 1302, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Apr 18, 2001 (01:54)", "body": "I wonder why it should be impossible for him to play Mark Darcy AND himself in the same film, in a kind of double role (wouldn't be his first, heehee). We know how much he can change his appearance, and even though I haven't seen BJD yet I got the impression that his MD character/looks is different enough from Colin as himself. Would be a nice Escher twist, and probably THE challenge for him to play the \"real\" Colin for a change. ;-)"}, {"response": 1303, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Apr 18, 2001 (04:06)", "body": "Another UK Alert, according to my friend who just telephoned there is an article about Colin in this week's \"Womans Own\"."}, {"response": 1304, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Wed, Apr 18, 2001 (06:18)", "body": "Producer Mulling Next Chapter for Bridget Jones April 18, 2001 4:54 am EST By Adam Dawtrey LONDON (Variety) - English producer Working Title Films is considering a sequel to its latest hit, \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" after its blockbuster opening last weekend in the U.S. and the U.K. The company has optioned the follow-up book by Helen Fielding, \"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason,\" and is negotiating a deal for her to write a screenplay. Working Title has never previously made a sequel. Co-chairman Eric Fellner described the process of deciding whether to go ahead with a second \"Bridget Jones\" as unknown territory. \"But when you get numbers like this, you've got the think about it,\" he said. Working Title also produced \"Four Weddings and a Funeral\" and \"Notting Hill.\" Fellner said no discussions have yet taken place with Renee Zellweger about whether she would be willing to reprise her starring role. There's also the question of whether there would be a role for Hugh Grant, whose character, the caddish Daniel Cleaver, does not feature in the second book. \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" shot straight to the top of the British box office in its first weekend, grossing $10 million, the biggest ever opening for a British film. In the United States, it opened at No. 3 with $10.7 million."}, {"response": 1305, "author": "JenniferR", "date": "Wed, Apr 18, 2001 (07:17)", "body": "(Lynda) BTW, has anyone heard if there is to be published a making of or screenplay for BJD. I believe something of the sort was done for Four Weddings and Notting Hill, and just about every other film these days. If so, I hope they go for one with lots of color pix, not the type with the tiny b&w photos. Must confess, I ordered another copy of BJD from Amazon.co.uk last week--the film tie-in version. Got it yesterday: it's the original novel, but the cover is the actual movie poster, and it has a few color pictures in it. Only one of ODB--the trusty pic of him and Renee side-by-side pre-snog in the snow--but hallelujah, only one of the gnat as well. About four or five, I think, of Renee. That may be as close as they get to releasing the screenplay."}, {"response": 1306, "author": "Ann", "date": "Wed, Apr 18, 2001 (07:44)", "body": "Actually, Daniel Cleaver is in the second book. He plays the \"Mr. Elliot\" role. It is in EoR that Mark punches Daniel. I wonder why it should be impossible for him to play Mark Darcy AND himself in the same film, in a kind of double role Fans of BJD and CF would get it, but the general audience would be extremely confused. However, they could have Jonathon Firth or someone play Colin. That would be so strange to have an actor named Colin Firth in the film, and another actor playing Colin Firth in the film. I can just see the closing credits now... Mark Darcy Colin Firth Colin Firth Jonathon Firth Jonathon Firth Peter Firth Peter Firth ..."}, {"response": 1307, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 18, 2001 (07:48)", "body": "What's the competition opening this weekend? I read that Corelli's Mandolin is suppose to open in the UK this weekend? Has anyone heard anything? (Renate), Would be a nice Escher twist, and probably THE challenge for him to play the \"real\" Colin for a change. ;-) Start writing to him about this (via his agent). Afterall, he used it first. ;-)))"}, {"response": 1308, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Apr 18, 2001 (08:26)", "body": "I think it would be perfect if Colin Firth played Colin Firth AND Mark Darcy if they do a sequel. They could obviously make him look a bit different, perhaps have him dressed as Mr. Darcy from P&P2 (wearing that great GREAT Coat and perhaps astride a horse, while Bridge interviews him.) Well just my two cents worth. Am supposed to see movie tonight, but as it's snowing, I may just go home a curl up on couch and veg. Snow on April 18 should be banned. I hate New England weather!"}, {"response": 1309, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 18, 2001 (08:36)", "body": "\"There's also the question of whether there would be a role for Hugh Grant\".. That's a plus... Do it Colin...I heard Sly is going to do \"Rocky VI\""}, {"response": 1310, "author": "aishling", "date": "Wed, Apr 18, 2001 (08:50)", "body": "(AnnW) Help, we do not get Channel 5 in my neck of the woods Fear not. VCR will be ready. Six days off-line and hundreds of posts to read. Thanks to everyone for reviews etc. I too loved the film. The cinema was almost empty but it was a very early screening. It is being shown 10 times a day between two screens this week."}, {"response": 1311, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 18, 2001 (08:55)", "body": "I've always thought he could play himself (hair lightened up, scummy clothes), even while they showed clips from P&P for the sequel...and said so ages ago. Three roles, in essence. But I think it is a nonnegotiable point with him. All references to him as a person or a TV character were taken out and would be again for the sequel. The Rome interview aside, the only scene that would be really lacking is when she and Mark split and Jude and Shazz administer P&P tape viewings of wet shirt scene (plus alcohol and food) in manner of ER. Interesting that the Variety article says no discussions have been held with RZ about even being willing to do it. So, who did the Telegraph talk to? Lynda, as BJ would say, 'not a sniff' of such a book here in the US though. Have checked online and at the bookstores. The novel has been rerelased with the poster cover, but there are no pictures (black and white or color) in it. Maybe later, as they want more people in the US to buy the HF books first."}, {"response": 1312, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Apr 18, 2001 (09:09)", "body": "Thanks Aishling, and I am glad you enjoyed BJD Am going for my 3rd time on Saturday!!"}, {"response": 1313, "author": "Ann", "date": "Wed, Apr 18, 2001 (09:18)", "body": "Fox News is reporting today that the book rights to Edge Of Reason have only now been sold for a movie. Said HF is again starting the writing of a screenplay. One more problem with the BJ-CF Rome interview: they were supposed to be talking about Fever Pitch, which no one would understand except us folks. Maybe she could interview HG ;)"}, {"response": 1314, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Apr 18, 2001 (11:21)", "body": "Maybe she could interview HG ;) I love it! If Daniel isn't in the movie, then Bridget could interview Hugh Grant. And to parallel the Firth interview, Bridget could be stuck on some previous thing about Huge (as she was stuck on the wet shirt, although Firth was supposed to be promoting FP. I'm sure Bridget could find SOMETHING to ask Huge about. (I'm thinking cameras rolling, I'm thinking Bridget in a silly little skirt, I'm thinking Bridget asking a DIVINE question)"}, {"response": 1315, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr 18, 2001 (12:34)", "body": "(Karen) So, who did the Telegraph talk to? Is simple. Telegraph spoke with RZ, the well-fed English girl. Working Title is in touch with RZ, the lean, sophisticated beauty who is on the cover of every magazine. ;-) I'm in the 'leave out all the CF references from an EOR film' camp. Too much of a good thing is just...too much. However, if CF doesn't agree to play MD (unforgivable sin), I reserve the right to change my mind. ;-) (Karen) I think it is a nonnegotiable point with him. Agree. IMO, he'd never go for it. (Kate) (I'm thinking cameras rolling, I'm thinking Bridget in a silly little skirt, I'm thinking Bridget asking a DIVINE question) LOL!"}, {"response": 1316, "author": "JennyM", "date": "Wed, Apr 18, 2001 (13:10)", "body": "I think it would be best to leave out all P&P references. There weren't any in the movie, plus I think most people would just end up being confused."}, {"response": 1317, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Apr 18, 2001 (13:10)", "body": "There's a bit about \"the fight\" in this week's heat magazine (issue 113\" Aslo on letters page a pic of GF accompant=ying a letter from \"Liz\" is it one of us...well done that girl!! \" Let's not forget Colin Firth I'm glad you had an interview with Huge Gnat in heat issue 111, but have you all forgotten that the fabulous Colin Firth is in Bridget Jones's Diary as well? I think you should definitely include an interview with Mr Firth as he is the original Mr Darcy. Or just put some good pictures of him in!\" And so say all of us! Fight bit..... \"Everyone's talking about..... ......The Bridget fight scene. QWhen you think of celluloid fight scenes, certain examples spring immediately to mind: DeNiro in Raging Bull, Stallone in Rocky; Pitt in Fight Club. But now there's another you can add to that illustrious list: Grant & Firth in BJD. Yes, really. It's a classic. Set against the pulsating anthem that is Geri Halliwell's It's Raining Men, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth square up to each other outside Bridget's flat to decide who's really worthy of our comely heroine's affections. Jaws set, fists clenched, it appears to have the makings of an almighty punch-up - until they actually start wading in. As fight scenes go, it has all the clout of a wet fish - and that's the beauty of it. Effeminate kicking and girly left hooks that lack any power whatsoever combine to make one of the most hilarious scraps we've seen in a long time. Even the moment when our two protagonists crash through the restaurant window is so ridiculously camp it induces gales of laughter. Can't see that happening with Sly somehow. What's so brilliant about this scene is that it's been superbly choreographed to reflect the fact that real fights aren't always the dramatic bloodbaths moviemakers would have us believe. Because these two posh blokes can't fight at all. They can slap, pinch and swing handbags with the best of them, but they can't hit you so it hurts. And we wouldn't want it any other way.\""}, {"response": 1318, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Apr 18, 2001 (13:15)", "body": "However, if CF doesn't agree to play MD (unforgivable sin), I reserve the right to change my mind. Today's Metro has it that RZ, HG and CF have all agreed to make EOR and that filming starts early next year.....do we dare believe ???? Gah!! Have just read previous posts ....the typos....the horror. OOH have just been informed by kindly mother that there is a feature-ette in today's Mirror (also online at www.mirror.co.uk check out features..\"Was Bridget Right?\") they're having a phone poll....*thinks must now log off and bombard Colin line with votes*"}, {"response": 1319, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr 18, 2001 (13:17)", "body": "swing handbags Gee, which version did this guy see? ;-D Thanks Tracy!"}, {"response": 1320, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr 18, 2001 (13:22)", "body": "(Tracy) Today's Metro has it that RZ, HG and CF have all agreed to make EOR and that filming starts early next year.....do we dare believe ???? Naw, I don't believe. There's not even a script yet. The only thing I do believe is that Working Title bought the rights to EOR at the same time they bought BJD. BTW, that reminds me--anyone else get a chuckle out of the amount of time it takes for all the production companies to 'introduce themselves' at the beginning of the movie? The Universal music swells...dumdumDUMMMM!!! You think the movie will start...no, here comes Studio Canal...then Working Title."}, {"response": 1321, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Apr 18, 2001 (14:29)", "body": "swing handbags (Eileen) Gee, which version did this guy see? ;-D Perhaps he's confused with RV????????????"}, {"response": 1322, "author": "Ann", "date": "Wed, Apr 18, 2001 (15:37)", "body": "If you went to Bridget's apartment, how would you get in? 1) If you are a friend, you'd use the intercom to ring her phone, she'd then buzz you in. 2) If you are a potential lover, you would walk right in, up to her door and knock. 3) If you were a former lover, you would walk right in, up to her door and ring the doorbell. So, was Mark too dense to notice there was a doorbell, or did Daniel just carry a natural buzz with him? Bit of a continuity problem there. (Ony struck me the 6th time seeing it, though.)"}, {"response": 1323, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr 18, 2001 (15:53)", "body": "I loved this--the feminist retort to any BJD critics. From the CNN site. (And I thought *I* was the only one out there with a 3-tiered book filing system!:-) \"I'm a Feminist \ufffd and I Love 'Bridget Jones's Diary'\" TIME.com's Jessica Reaves once hid her copy of the Helen Fielding bestseller. Now it's front and center on her bookshelf BY JESSICA REAVES Once upon a time, I harbored a great deal of guilt over the contents of my bookshelf. Schooled in feminist theory, I felt a certain, unaccountable responsibility to maneuver my copy of \"Our Bodies, Ourselves\" into a prominent position \ufffd blocking out, if at all possible, my collection's less savory offerings (dog-eared copies of Vogue, well- loved Maeve Binchy novels, the odd Tom Clancy spy thriller). A sort of respectability tier system developed, with books stacked three deep on each shelf. Over the years, the private persona of my bookshelves evolved into something quite different from the carefully groomed face they showed to the world. And so, when Helen Fielding's smash hit \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" stormed onto the market in the mid-'90s, I was prepared. Just as I knew exactly where and when I would buy my copy, I also knew precisely where I would put it (anchored safely behind Germaine Greer and Naomi Wolf). I bought the book and surreptitiously devoured it, laughing ruefully at Bridget's travails, her occasional public drunkenness and her misadventures in the great world of weight loss. Casting guilty glances in the direction of Gloria Steinem's memoirs, I empathized utterly with Bridget's quest for a man who is, as she so eloquently put it, \"utterly and completely shaggable\" \ufffd and I understood completely when she fell apart after a particularly humiliating breakup. I loved that book, for all its minor flaws, because it put a new spin on being young and single. When the book first emerged, I was struggling with career questions, trying desperately to find an identity separate from my parents' expectations, and looking around for that rarest of breeds, a good man \ufffd all conundrums Bridget faced with considerably more cheer and optimism than I did. But for a long while, I hid my affinity for Fielding's heroine. I laughed along with friends who scorned the book's so-called \"anti- feminist\" leanings and rolled my eyes accommodatingly whenever anyone mentioned Bridget's struggles with a phantom \"weight problem\" (which was generally understood to fluctuate between five and 15 undesirable pounds). I nodded silently when my mother dismissed the book as \"fluff.\" And then, one day, when I was living in San Francisco, land of the painfully politically correct, I saw a notice at my local bookstore. Helen Fielding was coming to town. Well. That did it for me. I was going to be there to meet this woman who'd captured so many of my own neuroses with superhuman wit. I was giddy the day of the book signing, arriving an hour early at the bookstore only to be met by a crowd of women, all hovering around the table where Fielding was scheduled to appear. A flustered bookstore manager flitted around the room, wringing his hands and muttering under his breath. \"All these people... never even heard of this woman... where am I going to put everyone?\" Perching on a window seat to wait, I looked around the room at Fielding's collected fans. And what I saw changed me \ufffd and my bookshelf \ufffd forever. There were septuagenarians, teenagers and thirty- somethings. Women who looked like they'd just ducked out of a board meeting for an hour, and sweatshirt-clad women with babies strapped to their chests. There were women who'd brought sheepish-looking boyfriends and women who'd arrived with their mothers. It was, I decided, a pretty impressive display of sisterhood. And everybody there was waiting, unashamed, to meet and applaud Bridget Jones's creator. When Fielding arrived, she was kind and funny, and she signed every book proffered to her. She laughed along with audience members and answered pointed questions about her own life with humor. And when I took my copy of \"BJD\" home that afternoon, I didn't tuck it into the depths of my bag. I carried it proudly in my arms, meeting people's eyes and smiling. I let myself into my apartment, marched over to the bookshelf, and plopped my newly signed volume in the middle of the center shelf. Facing the room. Unfettered by guilt. Now that Fielding's book is a new movie (and the movie is wonderful, by the way), the debate over Bridget Jones will begin again. The same critics who savaged the book will call her celluloid incarnation flighty, or pathetic, or destructive to the cause of feminism. And I will argue against them, standing firm in my new resolve. Bridget Jones is not meant to be a heroine or an example. She's meant to be a tragicomic sister to those of us who prefer to take our lumps with a dose of (albeit slightly hysterical) laughter, and who choose to see the humor in the long and arduous journey from self-doubt to self- acceptance. After a"}, {"response": 1324, "author": "Ela", "date": "Wed, Apr 18, 2001 (15:58)", "body": "I don't know if this is a corny idea or a plausible one. With all the talk about how they would do a CF interview in the next movie, I thought about this scenerio happening... Bridget learns she has a interview with Colin Firth, but to avoid making an idiot of herself, she will practice the interview on Mark Darcy. Then, Mark can say all the lines he did in the interview in the EOR book. Later on in the movie, they could have it where the \"real\" Colin Firth had to cancel his interview with Bridget, thus giving us all what we want. Not only that, but Colin Firth could really make fun of his whole \"darcy\" persona in the mock interview. So what do you think?"}, {"response": 1325, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 18, 2001 (16:43)", "body": "(Eileen) Telegraph spoke with RZ, the well-fed English girl. Working Title is in touch with RZ, the lean, sophisticated beauty who is on the cover of every magazine. ;-) LOL! You got it! But have to agree, no one's going to start filming this early next year, even though Working Title has probably had the rights to the book since Day One. A script takes time, especially if they want to do it right. Strike last sentence. Does not matter as is sequel and they rarely are done well. :-( (Eileen) anyone else get a chuckle out of the amount of time it takes for all the production companies to 'introduce themselves' at the beginning of the movie? No, I got antsy. Really, Studio Canal should rethink that opening; is ludicrous. People thought the movie was starting. (Ann) So, was Mark too dense to notice there was a doorbell, or did Daniel just carry a natural buzz with him? Hold on, hold on. Isn't this where the sound typically goes out? I think he says something about how he got in. Not sure, but will take notes at next viewing. Agree though about the bell/telephone/intercom lack of continuity."}, {"response": 1326, "author": "Ann", "date": "Wed, Apr 18, 2001 (18:10)", "body": "I think he says something about how he got in. } Mark mentions that the door was open--I assume the downstairs door. Apparently both he and Daniel got through that door without a problem and came up the stairs. When they got to her door though, one knocked and the other rang. ------- DIdn't the screenplay for BJD take forever? Went through at least three writers. BTW, how long will CF's Hamlet comittment be? He certainly couldn't leave before that, and I would think Renee is probably booked up too. I read somewhere that Renee is willing to do a sequel, but refused to go through the weight gain again and wanted to wear padding, instead."}, {"response": 1327, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr 18, 2001 (18:24)", "body": "From Screendaily: Bridget director takes new aim at Austen Nick Hunt & Robert Mitchell in London \ufffd \ufffd \ufffd \ufffd \ufffd Sharon Maguire, whose debut feature Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary this weekend became the biggest UK opener ever, is to direct Mail, a modern-day Jane Austen-style comedy of manners for the UK\ufffds Archer Street. Set in Boston, the project sees Maguire return to the fertile ground of her debut, itself based on a book inspired by Austen\ufffds Pride And Prejudice. The script is being written by playwright Wendy Wasserstein, who also adapted Jennifer Aniston-vehicle The Object Of My Affection. Archer Street, headed by the Hilary And Jackie team of Andy Paterson, Anand Tucker and Frank Cottrell Boyce, is backed by FilmFour and Intermedia. Maguire said that her project was for FilmFour. \"At the end of the day, what I really want to get is a good story,\" she added. \"That\ufffds what makes you get up every morning.\" Separately, talk is heating up about a sequel to Bridget Jones based on the book Bridget Jones: Edge Of Reason, which Working Title Films has optioned. The interest comes after Working Title\ufffds first outing with London\ufffds most famous singleton racked up $8.2m from 417 sites in the UK over the Easter weekend, including previews on Wednesday and Thursday. The film, which stars Renee Zellweger, is also UIP's third highest opener after Hannibal\ufffds $9.4m and The World Is Not Enough\ufffds $9m. Even discounting the preview figures of $1.6m, the romantic comedy finished ahead of the UK\ufffds top openers - Working Title\ufffds Notting Hill took $6.1m on it's first weekend on wide release, while last year's animated hit Chicken Run grossed $5.4m. Bridget recorded a massive site average of $19,695. \ufffd \ufffd \ufffd \ufffd \ufffd"}, {"response": 1328, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr 18, 2001 (19:28)", "body": "You can watch CF make some brief comments about the Bridget character at the site below. Just click on BJD interviews. While comment is brief, is brilliantly observant. *Great Minds.* :-) http://entertainment.yahoo.com/entertainment/"}, {"response": 1329, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr 18, 2001 (19:46)", "body": "(Eileen)anyone else get a chuckle out of the amount of time it takes for all the production companies to 'introduce themselves' at the beginning of the movie? Yes! Reminded me of: By permission of Mr. Burbage/A Hugh Fennyman production/ Of Mr. Henslowe's presentation/Of the Admiral's men in performance/Of the excellent and lamentable tragedy/Of Romeo and Juliet"}, {"response": 1330, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Apr 18, 2001 (20:14)", "body": "Karen. I have just been to the bucket to look again at the pics of the London premier. Thanks much. Notice how bedraggled the gnat looks next to ODB. Hugie looks like he came from an all night party. Looks older than CF too."}, {"response": 1331, "author": "Ann", "date": "Wed, Apr 18, 2001 (21:39)", "body": "Looks older than CF too. { As it should be :)"}, {"response": 1332, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Apr 18, 2001 (22:31)", "body": "As it should be:) LOL right, Ann."}, {"response": 1333, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Apr 19, 2001 (02:41)", "body": "Don't know if someone has already mentioned this but there is now a new BJD Yahoo Club with nearly 100 members, lost of \"yummy Colin\" postings, yippee."}, {"response": 1334, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Apr 19, 2001 (07:56)", "body": "Can anyone stand reading another review? *heehee* This one's from my local county paper--proves that all reviewers with good sense are outside the DC border. ;-) 'Diary': V. v. funny confessions of a singleton by Diana Green [ed. note: no relation, I swear ;-)] Apr. 18, 2001 Life's dismal pursuit of inner poise and \"relationships based on mature assessments of character\" has seldom been funnier. \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" which opened last week, is essentially \"Pride and Prejudice\" nipped and tucked and burnished to a fond glow. Thirtysomething London \"singleton\" Bridget Jones (Ren\ufffde Zellweger), in a flat she shares with some moldering cheddar, despairs that her only relationship is with a glass of wine. \"And I finally die, fat and alone, to be found three weeks later half eaten by wild dogs.\" Instead she gives herself a year to make do with the materials at hand. These would be Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant), her boss in the publishing company, a charming cad, and Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), plain cad. This last is both snooty and hostile. He describes Bridget, cruelly not-quite out of hearing, as a \"verbally incontinent spinster.\" If the plot doesn't exactly jump the curb, the brisk trip sparkles with hilarious dialogue, as Jones staggers from one farcical episode to another, trailing epigrams. \"Diary\" is elevated by satisfying production values and exceptional casting. Grant, shed of his irritating mannerisms, surges with tousled bad-boy insinuation. And, as the stock figure of romantic comedy, the Englishman in love, who could be Darcyer than Firth's Darcy? He levels at Jones dark stares that at first suggest revulsion and the desire for escape, then fascinated horror, and then just helpless fascination. It's a career-marker for Zellweger, agreeably plumped-up for the role, with an acceptable accent and apple-cheeked innocence. Her heroine is absurd, endearing and utterly game, even when ambushed by such horrifying English traditions as tarts-and-vicars parties, turkey-curry buffets and enormous pink knickers \"popular with grannies the world over.\" Fans of Helen Fielding's best-selling novel should be pleased -- her fragile vision has pretty much survived the rough handling of big production. What is gone is the whimsical, fey, lighter-than-air quality of the original. Still, add \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" to your short list of funny, kindly portraits of people who suspect that they are, indeed, ridiculous, but are helpless in the face of ungovernable yearnings and the astonishments of life."}, {"response": 1335, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 19, 2001 (08:25)", "body": "Can always read lovely review with brilliant insights into CF's multi-layered 'Looks' ;-D Saw this at Empire in a story about the Dr Who business. Haven't seen the original quote making the news elsewhere: As Mr Grant basks in the reflected glory of Bridget Jones's Diary being number three in the US film charts this weekend, he can probably afford to shrug off the comments of Peter O'Toole who told a reporter this week that Grant was a 'twitching idiot..Ooh I mustn't say that must I?' O Toole went on to say, 'But he's just such a floppy young stammerer in all his films How far is that line going to go?'"}, {"response": 1336, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Apr 19, 2001 (08:54)", "body": "(Peter O'Looselips) 'twitching idiot.. *snort* IMO though he's not floppy in BJD, he's still rather blinky. Next time you go, take notice in the post-dinner party scene in which DC's trying to reconcile with BJ. *Blinkblinkblinkblink* It's a bit distracting. ;-) (winkie, not blinky)"}, {"response": 1337, "author": "aishling", "date": "Thu, Apr 19, 2001 (09:09)", "body": "There was a huge article in the Daily Mail weekend supplement about Peter O'Toole in which he made those comments about HG."}, {"response": 1338, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 19, 2001 (09:15)", "body": "Am v. fond of 'twitching idiot' myself. ;-D Now, the Guardian's take on half-snippets of misinformtion: Bridget Jones shapes up for sequel The Bridget bandwagon starts here. Barely a week after the release of Bridget Jones's Diary in the US and the UK, the film's makers appear to be already preparing the ground for a sequel. British backers Working Title have acquired the rights to Helen Fielding's second Bridget novel Edge of Reason with a view to filming early next year. According to a report in Variety, they are currently negotiating a deal for Fielding to again collaborate on the screenplay. Working Title's plans have reportedly been accelerated by the phenomenal success of their movie, which was the biggest opening British film ever in the UK (see yesterday's story) and has already grossed more than \ufffd8m from the domestic box office. The company's co-chairman Eric Fellner stresses that a sequel is still not a certainty, but adds: \"When you've got numbers like this, you've got to think about it.\" Released last year to sniffy reviews, Edge of Reason follows Bridget through more trials as she attempts to cling on to her relationship with human rights lawyer Mark Darcy (played by Colin Firth in the film). Daniel Cleaver (played by Hugh Grant) does not feature in the second book. But the biggest possible movie obstacle is the availability of star Renee Zellweger. The Texan actress was rumoured to have found the first shoot an exhausting and uncomfortable experience, felt unhappy with having to gain 20lbs in weight and recently insisted that \"no amount of money\" would make her return to the role. But the Telegraph this week reports that Zellweger is prepared to make the sequel so long as she can remain in her svelte natural state. While the makers have apparently agreed to Zellwegger's condition, a skinny Bridget surely isn't the same."}, {"response": 1339, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Apr 19, 2001 (09:20)", "body": "The BJD bonanza continues in the UK. I shall get arrested for lurking at news stands! Articles on HG/BJD in Mirror and Mail. In Mirror survey 76% preferred \"boring\" CF/MD to 24% \"sexy\" HG/DC. Hughie features on front of \"Hello\". Ghastly pic of Huge in leather trousers, naked from the waist up. (This is sexy?). Sharon Maguire talks about HG having \"tanties\" (tantrums) on set. She'd apparently say things like \"Come to Mummy..No more Mr Angry or Mr Tantrum\" and he'd say \"Mr Tummy's got a tummy ache\". Oh well, whatever turns you on... CF by contrast features in cobbled together quotes (not original interview) in Women's Own magaazine, under inspiring heading \"Pants to looking porky\" (all about, amomgst other things, how he *had* to lose weight for the role). Okay article, only original quote (to me!) was CF saying that meeting Livia \"was love at first sight - or lust. They are connected you know\". Herein ends my roving report..!"}, {"response": 1340, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Apr 19, 2001 (09:22)", "body": "Humph. Above article appeared factual/believable until final paragraph. Thank you, Guardian, for perpetuating unsubstantiated gossip. :-/ Better stick to crosswords."}, {"response": 1341, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Apr 19, 2001 (09:25)", "body": "(Bethan) only original quote (to me!) was CF saying that meeting Livia \"was love at first sight - or lust. They are connected you know\". Oof! If he *did* say it (in that context), that should earn him a smack on the head from his DW (dear wife) with a diaper."}, {"response": 1342, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 19, 2001 (09:59)", "body": "This is too funny not to post it. From the Guardian (April 18). Apologies in advance for editorializing. What America is making of Bridget Jones It's not just Britain that's currently falling for the Bridget Jones movie. The film opened simultaneously in the US last weekend to warm reviews [Ed note: unlike the UK] and bumper box office. When Trainspotting was released Stateside, nervous US distributors took the step of subtitling its thick Scottish accents. [Ed note: Trainspotting as benchmark for Bridget???] But Bridget caused far less of a problem. When the holiday weekend was over it had vaulted to number three on the box office chart: a rare feat for an R-rated British movie. By and large the critics loved it. Writing in the Chicago Tribune, Michael Wilmington said that Sharon Maguire's film was \"chock-full of delights\" and praised American star Renee Zellweger's make-over in the title role: \"How can this milky-complexioned [Ed note: What, no mention of chipmunk-cheeked?] Texan play a role so quintessentially British?...How can they accept Texan Zellweger as British? How can we accept her? Well, how did we all accept Britain's Vivien Leigh as that ultimate southern belle Scarlett O'Hara? While I found her clipped London accent and fruity diction strange for the first few scenes, I soon completely accepted it.\" Paul Clinton, film critic for CNN, took a similar view. \"Zellweger has proved her critics wrong, wrong, wrong. The lady can act. With the help of dialogue coach Barbara Berkery, Zellweger nails Jones's London accent while simultaneously delivering a performance bursting with power.\" The film, Clinton added, was \"too long\" and \"highly predictable\", but still rated as a \"highly enjoyable movie-going experience\". Meantime in Entertainment Weekly, Lisa Schwarzbaum hailed Bridget as \"a Jane Austen naif in a Sex in the City world...an anti-role model for us all.\" The film version of Helen Fielding's novel \"shines with lemon-scented polish\", says Schwarzbaum, though she felt that some of the book's rough edges had been planed down: \"The mess of Bridget's life has been tidied, neatened into the little piles of mirth and gaeity.\""}, {"response": 1343, "author": "Donna", "date": "Thu, Apr 19, 2001 (11:19)", "body": "http://www.ew.com/ew/report/0,6115,106030~1~0~reneezellwegerfaceswrath,00.html Weight and See Renee Zellweger faces the wrath of Brit critics . The star of ''Bridget Jones's Diary'' says even she was surprised to win the role of England's favorite singleton by Liane Bonin When leggy Texan Ren\ufffde Zellweger was cast as the lead in the film adaptation of ''Bridget Jones's Diary,'' Helen Fielding's caustic look at single life in London, the uproar across the pond could be heard as far as Hollywood. ''The entire British public had a fit that they cast an American, because they saw Bridget as a peculiarly British person,'' says Fielding. ''Actually, I was quite touched that they should care so much to make such a fuss.'' Even Zellweger, 31, didn't begrudge the Brits their grumbling. ''It hurts your feelings for two seconds,'' she admits. ''But I completely understand that reaction. When I heard that there was a list of [British] actresses who would potentially play the role [early contenders included press favorite Kate Winslet, who turned down the role because of scheduling differences, and Helena Bonham Carter], that made perfect sense to me. I was as surprised as anyone to get that phone call.'' It was a phone call two years in coming. After Winslet passed, the producers cast their net abroad, considering Australia's Cate Blanchett and America's Cameron Diaz. Fielding, meanwhile, was rooting for an unknown to play the thirtysomething ''singleton,'' joking that she nearly offered the role to a woman she saw slacking off Bridget- style at the gym. So Zellweger was v., v. aware of the high expectations and potential for backlash. ''Ren\ufffde said, 'If you go with me and we get this wrong, we are so busted,''' recalls firsttime director Sharon Maguire, a Brit herself, as well as a close friend of Fielding's. ''And I thought, You are so right, we are.'' Under pressure to transform herself into ''Jones''' zaftig Londoner, the 5'5'' Zellweger packed on as much as 25 pounds and worked with a dialect coach to perfect her accent. ''She had a brief Princess Margaret phase, which was alarming,'' says costar Hugh Grant, who plays Daniel Cleaver, Bridget's cad obsession. ''Then there was a phase when she sounded very slightly as if she had had a stroke where everything slurred.'' The Golden Globe winning ''Nurse Betty'' star says the speech altering process required not only daily exercises but sticking with the British accent offscreen as well. ''I didn't want to sound like a fraud to myself,'' she explains. Apparently the determination paid off for costar Colin Firth (''Shakespeare in Love''), who plays the antagonizing Mark Darcy. ''It's very strange to hear this unconvincing Texan accent she's doing now,'' he says. Though eating croissants with butter may not sound like grueling preparation, it was the plumping up that proved especially trying for Zellweger, a lifetime athlete who began competitive gymnastics training at 4 years old. Maguire says the actress matched Jones' weight in the book -- roughly 138 pounds -- by adding protein shakes to already high calorie meals and nixing exercise for two months. (''I modeled her cellulite on my own, actually,'' says the director.) The extra curves did provide one unplanned bonus: ''I upgraded at Victoria's Secret three or four times,'' says Zellweger. ''I was so excited!'' The biggest reward for Zellweger, however, was winning over Fielding herself. ''I think it's a great, very endearing performance, though I'm slightly depressed that even after she put all that much publicized weight on, she's still significantly thinner than me,'' says the author, who cowrote the film's script. As for an American treading on British turf, Fielding says the ire of her country's media is misguided. ''Scarlett O'Hara [Vivien Leigh in 1939's ''Gone with the Wind''] was English, wasn't she?'' she says. ''So the Americans got their own back a bit.'' (Posted:04/12/01)"}, {"response": 1344, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Apr 19, 2001 (11:43)", "body": "Thanks, Donna. It's from Entertainment Weekly, right? Zellweger packed on as much as 25 pounds *heehee* Early press reported weight gain of 12-15 pounds, then it went to 20 and now we're up to 25. Soon will see headline 'see how RZ lost the 50 pounds she gained for BJD'."}, {"response": 1345, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Apr 19, 2001 (11:46)", "body": "EoR: with a view to filming early next year } Wouldn't that conflict with Hamlet? ---- Maguire says the actress matched Jones' weight in the book -- roughly 138 pounds } Except for that fact that Bridge wasn't actually that heavy! Ten pounds less than that through most of the book. Just because she was obsessed with her weight does not mean she had a reason to be. Of course they couldn't get that through their brains when they made the movie. :("}, {"response": 1346, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 19, 2001 (15:43)", "body": "(in best Mr Bennet voice) *no more reviews, I beg of you* However, this one was sent to me and is v. Helen Fielding-like, more so than what many other critics have succeeded in doing: http://entertainment.chickclick.com/articles/51064p1.html"}, {"response": 1347, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 19, 2001 (17:00)", "body": "Thanks all. I never tire of reading reviews & articles about Bridge. Bring them on."}, {"response": 1348, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 20, 2001 (09:07)", "body": "BJD Outreach: expanding today in big city theatres, additional sceenings and fanning out to rural theatres (down the road). Harvey must be ecstatic, Spy Kids , Dimension Films is also Miramax."}, {"response": 1349, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Apr 20, 2001 (10:57)", "body": "Yep, big ads in the papers today, with quotes from NY Times, Ebert, Newsweek, Time, Good Morning America, Philly Inquirer, etc. But why have they all but stopped the TV commercials?? I've seen one in the past week and that was last night during Survivor. Hey, Harve, you've got 2400 theaters to fill this weekend--stop being so damn cheap."}, {"response": 1350, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Apr 20, 2001 (11:03)", "body": "Is it still at number 3 at the box office?"}, {"response": 1351, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 20, 2001 (11:09)", "body": "The box office standings aren't updated until after this weekend. BTW, another British-American slang dictionary gave the following for 'crikey': expressing astonishment, syn. jeeze. Can further translate it into Austenese as \"I am all astonishment.\" ;-D After another viewing (yesterday), I've been thinking about all those nasty reviewers who couldn't figure out why someone like a Mark Darcy would want Bridget, except for the obvious, and that she reperesented a throwback to safe women (easy and airhead). It seems obvious to me from the lake scene what Mark sees in her: life, spontaneous life! As he watches Bridget laughing over Daniel in the water, he's envious."}, {"response": 1352, "author": "kolin", "date": "Fri, Apr 20, 2001 (11:12)", "body": "\"Is it still at number 3 at the box office?\" In Canada it was no.1 last weekend. Toronto papers have a 2 page colour spread advertising it as no.1 last weekend in Canada."}, {"response": 1353, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Apr 20, 2001 (11:33)", "body": "(Mari) But why have they all but stopped the TV commercials?? I saw a commercial at least once yesterday (during ET, I think). It's a shorter version of those we've seen with added voiceover from some great reviews. It has two fatal flaws: is completely Darcyless (unforgivable, at this point) and the voiceover ends with a glowing review of you-know-Hugh. Ugh. Would rather see no commercial. :-( (Karen) It seems obvious to me from the lake scene what Mark sees in her: life, spontaneous life! As he watches Bridget laughing over Daniel in the water, he's envious. Yes, and he conveys it all so clearly with that look. In my second viewing, I took more notice of the little hint of a wistful smile. Posey stick-men reviewers don't pay as much attention as we do. ;-)"}, {"response": 1354, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Apr 20, 2001 (11:33)", "body": "Actually, they do have daily box office numbers on yahoo and elsewhere, and it's been at #2 in US all week, behind those pesky Spy Kids. Taking in well over $1 million per day here. Since Spy Kids is also Miramax I guess Harve is content to sit back and let it roll in without spending for TV."}, {"response": 1355, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Apr 20, 2001 (11:36)", "body": "(Mari) ...behind those pesky Spy Kids. Easter/spring vac should be over for once and for all this week. Think every kid in America has been to see Spy Kids already, paving way for BJD to be #1 this weekend. Hurrah!"}, {"response": 1356, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 20, 2001 (11:36)", "body": "Yes, they do have dailies, but they haven't updated for the entire week is what I meant."}, {"response": 1357, "author": "JenniferR", "date": "Fri, Apr 20, 2001 (11:37)", "body": "Welcome, newbies! (she says, hoping status as near-permanent lurker won't result in ridicule from the more...vocal...Firthists ;) Got this lovely little tidbit in my mailbox from mymovies.com: \"We had a fantastic response to last week's mailout - you clearly couldn't get enough of \"Bridget Jones's Diary\".\" Methinks this bodes well..."}, {"response": 1358, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 20, 2001 (11:45)", "body": "Definitely! Have checked the local listings and BJD has expanded to three screens each (from two) at the two nearest theaters to me in the downtown area."}, {"response": 1359, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Apr 20, 2001 (11:56)", "body": "Have been hearing wonderful comments all week from friends and colleagues. Yesterday was in conversation with 2 women. We were all of us of different age groups. One of them, a 30 something singleton mentioned the quiz, CF v HG in the Daily Mirror. She was incredlous that anyone would choose HG. She asked us if we thought there was any contest between these two. Was so gratified that the third woman also had the same reaction. \"HG you have to be joking, it has to be CF\". Loved it. Again today a group of colleagues saying how wonderful BJD was and trying to convince someone to go and see it. His reply. \"I don't know if I could bear ir, I can't stand Hugh Grant\". So nice to hear all these things. Am on constant guard against mentionitis:-)"}, {"response": 1360, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Apr 20, 2001 (11:59)", "body": "Also photograph in the Evening Standard Magazine today. A similar one of RZ, HG and CF. Colin is unfortunately placed over the centre join of the paper so not good of him but it is clear that the blue silk shirt he has on is not plain but has a spotted pattern on it. Thought you would like all the detail;-)"}, {"response": 1361, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Fri, Apr 20, 2001 (12:46)", "body": "Has anyone read the film tie-in book? I'm wondering if it is worth getting... Any thoughts?"}, {"response": 1362, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Apr 20, 2001 (12:48)", "body": "Am FINALLY off to see BJD tonight... I can't believe I am a week (or two) behind you guys, but I've been reading all of the posts and can't wait!!! I just really hope I like it... (people here at work LOVED it, and am impressed that I forced it upon them, but don't understand how I couldn't have seen it yet!), it's a mystery!"}, {"response": 1363, "author": "Ann", "date": "Fri, Apr 20, 2001 (13:04)", "body": "Checked my local listings and BJD went from 13 theaters to 17 on the Mpls side of the river in the Twin Cities."}, {"response": 1364, "author": "JenniferR", "date": "Fri, Apr 20, 2001 (13:34)", "body": "As far as I could tell, the film tie-in book is no different from the original book (of course, lent book out to friend so that she could enjoy the full BJD experience! Hi, Cherie!!). The benenfit of the tie-in is the four or so pages of color pictures from the film."}, {"response": 1365, "author": "Eljanfor51", "date": "Fri, Apr 20, 2001 (17:34)", "body": "I am v. frustrated. I just checked to see if there was anything worth watching on Oprah. There was RZ on a screen with satelite hook up. Oprah talked about her first kiss with Hugh being really hot. Later she said \"When that guy says he likes her just the way she is.\" She said \"that guy\"; and to think I used to actually kind of like Oprah. The only thing that made me feel better is that my husband is annoyed that he now hears about CF at the office as much as he does at home."}, {"response": 1366, "author": "Cinder", "date": "Fri, Apr 20, 2001 (17:35)", "body": "Well, after seeing BJD for the Firth or sixth time...it just gets better and better. Then one must wonder..do Bridgets fathers pajamas really match the wallpaper?..and I bet under that wonderful coat and tucked into that very soft grey sweater...he smells really good..lol..Am I being obsessive? I hope so.."}, {"response": 1367, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Fri, Apr 20, 2001 (22:00)", "body": "From Entertainment Weekly, Planet of the Apes cover ... http://www.ew.com/ew/report/0,6115,106800~10~0~meetinnercirclethat,00.html Brit Pack Behind the Scenes: What are best friends for? In case of Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary, making movies. By Gillian Flynn She certainly was not one of THEM . When Ren\ufffde Zellweger signed on to play a certain plump London singleton in ''Bridget Jones's Diary,'' U.K. residents flew into a collective snit. A Texan as Bridget? Vulgar. ''It upset them,'' reasons author Helen Fielding. ''It was sweet that the whole British nation was up in arms about their Bridget being an American.'' Zellweger, however, would remain the token outsider in an utterly British production packed with a posse of friends and friends of friends -- forming a twisty genealogy of publishing and film royalty. As ''BJD'' director Sharon Maguire notes: ''It's a small town.'' Think of it, to begin, as ''When Helen Met Sharon.'' A decade before the April 13 screen debut of ''BJD,'' a mutual friend took Fielding (then a restaurant critic) and Maguire (then a BBC director) on a theater outing. Fans of Jones's cocktail sauced world will be shocked to hear that a shameless amount of tippling did not ensue. ''It wasn't a drunken [night] because, incredibly, at that time I didn't drink,'' remembers Maguire. ''But we bonded in the way that you do when you're out there behaving like 15 year olds. We were at a crossroads with careers or relationships while a lot of our friends were settled.'' That sentiment found a voice when Fielding, under the Jones pseudonym, started tapping out her column at London's Independent . The daffy stories were thick with the ignominies of the single, thirtysomething working girl -- with Bridget's mouthy friend Shazzer bearing a strong resemblance to Maguire. In 1995, the friends fell victim to an epidemic bringing Britain to a halt: the BBC miniseries ''Pride and Prejudice,'' featuring Colin Firth as Jane Austen's smug, dashing, confounding Mr. Darcy. ''There's one scene with Colin in britches and a wet shirt -- so sexy! -- that was on the front of all the newspapers in England,'' says Maguire. ''Helen particularly and hilariously was obsessed with Mr. Darcy, as if he was a real person roaming out there somewhere.'' So bewitched was Fielding that when ''Bridget Jones's Diary'' was published in 1996, Ms. Jones's love interest was none other than the smug, dashing, confounding Mark Darcy. And when buzz began about turning the must read into a film, Firth was a natural. ''Helen had been saying publicly I'd be her choice for Darcy,'' says Firth, who first met Fielding through their mutual friend, novelist Nick Hornby (''High Fidelity''). ''We came across each other at a party; she asked if I minded her saying that. I said not at all. A friend told me later she'd taken that to mean I was keeping myself free for the next five years.'' Good thing, because it would take nearly that long to transfer ''BJD'' to celluloid, courtesy of Working Title Films, producers of ''Four Weddings and a Funeral'' and ''Notting Hill.'' Both of those witty Brit comedies were written by Richard Curtis -- who would help script ''Bridget.'' It was another natural selection, as Fielding and Curtis have been best of chums since their Oxford days. ''I remember Helly appearing in a play dressed as Marlene Dietrich,'' Curtis says. ''Her German accent wasn't very convincing, but she seemed to look nice.'' The writers have acted as each other's informal advisers: Fielding suggested ''Four Weddings'' have a funeral instead of a honeymoon. In turn, Curtis read the manuscript for ''BJD'' ''a nauseating number of times.'' Before Curtis took a crack at the script, however, Fielding relinquished her draft to Andrew Davies, screenwriter for (but of course!) ''Pride and Prejudice,'' who played up the Mr. Darcy in Mark Darcy. ''I made it a condition that Helen and I have one night out in which we'd go to all Bridget's haunts,'' says Davies. ''We didn't do quite as drunken an evening -- we're both a bit more sober in our habits. But I started work in fine fettle.'' Meanwhile, Working Title sought a director. ''We met with hundreds,'' says producer Eric Fellner. ''But Helen always wanted Sharon -- she's a character in the book. So it seemed very obvious.'' The April 1998 coup -- when Maguire signed on as director -- was major: Until then she'd only directed BBC documentaries and commercials. ''It was very important to have a woman who knows the world of Bridget Jones -- and who's funny,'' Fielding says. Maguire had her own priorities, namely for Hugh Grant to play Bridget's roguish boss, Daniel Cleaver. ''I knew he had this blistering humor -- I wanted him to play this sexy bastard,'' says the director. ''I'd ring him regularly. He nicknamed me Stalker Maguire.'' Thanks in part to Curtis, Grant, who starred in ''Four Weddings'' and ''Hill,'' finally acquiesced -- despite the fact that the ''BJD'' novel takes a nice jab at his Divine Brown mis"}, {"response": 1368, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Fri, Apr 20, 2001 (23:21)", "body": "Where is the \"soaking shirt scene\"??? *note to self: check for wet shirt, amongst multitude of other things to look for again* Just got my copy of the UK soundtrack in the mail today from the UK Amazon, and I also bought the US version today, as well. I figured that I'd get both just incase there were different pictures (I already knew the UK version had more songs)...but I was sorely disappointed. The US version stinks! Its a very skimpy jacket. The UK version is awesome; great mix of songs, and good pictures inside. Also got the BJ's Guide to Life in my amazon package (it only took 4 days to get here): V.v. funny! Plus most of the money goes to a good cause...I recommend it to anyone who hasn't seen it yet. Thanks for the info on the tie-in book, Jen R! Much appreciated! ;)"}, {"response": 1369, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Apr 21, 2001 (07:35)", "body": "Okay, well I saw BJD and well what can I say?????? I LOVED it!!! Colin was absolutely adorable! I completely fell in love with Renee's Bridget. (She was amazing as a Brit). Wasn't overly pleased with Gemma Jones as mum, she just didn't do it for me. Wasn't over the top for me. Colin smiles! Hello? It's about f*cking time! And I know that you guys are anti-HG, but he was really good. Wasn't too crazy about the soundtrack, seemed too incidental and not extremely thought out. Did like Robbie Williams' Meet Ms. Jones, however. So I finally saw it. The audience laughed hysterically and when Mark punched Daniel, everyone cheered (I was definitely the loudest). BJD was a total ripoff of P&P, though. Not too much like the book. I thought Lisa B was a blonde????"}, {"response": 1370, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Apr 21, 2001 (08:08)", "body": "Planet Q&A: Colin Firth -- International Man of Romance Friday, April 13, 2001 British star Colin Firth has a lot to handle in Bridget Jones's Diary. Not only does he have to compete as a rival for the affections of Renee Zellweger against English sex symbol Hugh Grant, but as the character Darcy, he's got to hold his own against Hugh in a hilarious street brawl that doesn't exactly cement their relationship in the movie. Firth, who won many of the hearts of many women after playing a different Darcy in the BBC's Pride And Prejudice, talked about his discomfort with being regarded as an emerging new hunk on the block. ... PLANET HOLLYWOOD: Is there any truth to the rumor that while Renee was trying to gain weight for her role, that you were trying to lose weight for yours? Colin Firth: I want to find out who's leaking this information! But no, I wasn't losing weight for the picture. Though Hugh and I were both very precious about our exercise and dietary habits. And it was certainly in marked contrast to what Renee was doing. But no, the story goes really like this, from my point of view. The producer rang me up when we were about two or three weeks away from shooting the film. And he mentioned this fight that we were going to be doing. And there had been an idea at one point, that in the process of the fight, our shirts were going to be ripped from our backs. You know, to reveal glistening, rippling, taut muscles. You know, that this was going to be a sexual revelation of the decade! Like all women were going to find this moment an epiphany, so how do you feel about your body. Well, I have to say that I expressed a certain amount of caution! And skepticism about ripping my shirt off and, uh, having that effect on the world! PH: How did you resolve that dilemma? CF: I was offered a trainer. And basically on the assumption that within two weeks, I could reach that point. And I sort of thought, well if you're paying for the trainer, let's see what happens. And so that was basically it. So we decided to pursue that. It wasn't a weight loss program, actually. It was just seeing if I could make myself a little more, well, macho. PH: What did your training consist of? CF: I think it was fairly standard stuff, really. They had me do weights and running. PH: Was it a letdown for you that you didn't rip each other's shirts off the way you described? CF: I was not disappointed! And I think we were relieved that we didn't do that. PH: The audiences may be a bit disappointed! CF: Well, I feel we should leave the mystery intact. PH: How fun is it to take part in brawl, especially with Hugh Grant as your opponent? CF: It was a lot of fun. And we didn't choreograph it, to make it seem more real. Obviously, there were one or two things that had to be disciplined, and not just to protect ourselves. In order for a punch to be convincing, you need an expert to tell you from what angle the camera has to shoot it. But most films would have you believe that ordinary guys in suits, if it comes to fighting each other, will be fully accomplished in the art of, you know, breaking somebody's jaw. When in fact, they probably scrap like a couple of seven year old girls, which is what we did. And I'm sure if Hugh and I came down to that in real life, that's probably what we'd do! Although Hugh would probably have you believe that he's been militarily trained. And that we were safely in his hands! But that was one of the few occasions where shooting the fight was as funny as the result. Because very often it doesn't work out that way. It's often a bad sign if we're laughing. It means that the audience isn't going to! PH: What drew you to the Bridget Jones project? CF: A good script, it was as simple as that. The script took a long time to develop, and they were trying to pull a lot of elements together. And that was a slow, fairly unwieldy process. So it wasn't until I saw the final draft, really, that I was sure that it was all right. PH: What did you think about Renee being blasted by the British tabloids for her accent in the movie? CF: I didn't see all this fuss. It must have missed me, and passed me by. I didn't read anything about it, but I think the story has been slightly trumped up. I was definitely there, but I just had no patience for that at all. I find it the most absurd and meaningless piece of empty carping, and all too characteristic of our press, unfortunately. But the proof in the pudding is in the eating. If it works, it shuts everyone up. Every time the British press makes that fuss, they seem to be proved wrong. Resoundingly so. And I don't know how many times that's going to have to happen for them to not jump so quickly to whine like that. But Renee answered that question for me from day one. I mean, she arrived with the accent and all those cultural aspects of the character, in the bag. She'd been in England for a while, and I got to know her as an English girl, really. Renee never dropped the accent between takes"}, {"response": 1371, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Apr 21, 2001 (08:56)", "body": "(Jen-Jen) As far as I could tell, the film tie-in book is no different from the original book ...The benenfit of the tie-in is the four or so pages of color pictures from the film. That clinches it for me. Am waiting for the screenplay though. All together now...I'd pay extra. Re Mark Darcy's wet shirt...perhaps soaked with sweat? I recall a very vivid description of that particular scene from Karen over in Spoilers (pasted to body? rippling muscles? ;-)) Nice interview, Bethan. At least he varies his answers unlike a certain someone. And no, Laura, I don't think too many of us are anti-Hugh. He's just so easy to make fun of but he was great in the part."}, {"response": 1372, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 21, 2001 (09:15)", "body": "Glad to hear that you've finally seen the movie, Laura, and love it (despite soundtrack) ;-D Heide's right about Hughie. Yes, he's v.g. in it, although I for one would rather he wasn't in it as much. And the idea that they'll revamp the sequel's plotline to include him as well...well, that makes me want to... :-( Lovely interview find, Bethan. PH: The audiences may be a bit disappointed! Understatement of the year! First, we hear that Curtis wrote in a wet Darcy scene, only to have Huge assume the position--inadequately IMHO--then they abandoned the part about ripping off each other's shirts. *crying uncontrollably* ;-D (Heide) I recall a very vivid description of that particular scene from Karen Best fitting shirt in the movie. (T&V party shirt was way too big for him a la ATA)"}, {"response": 1373, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sat, Apr 21, 2001 (09:17)", "body": "Wheee! Saw the movie again (#3) last night with my hubby. Theater was packed solid--v.v.g. for the early show (6:45 p.m.) on a Friday. Everyone laughed at all the right times, and then some (MD's response 'yes, I like to think so' to BJ's 'quite pervy, really' line got quite a lot of laughter, as did the home movies at the end). It was odd but nice for me to be surrounded by people who obviously had not read the book or seen any of the multitudinous trailers. My DH (though distracted by coughing fits since he decided to breathe his popcorn rather than eat it before the movie started) said 'that was really good'. Chalk up another guy who thought it was a chick flick and came out recommending it. ;-) Have really good vibes about BJ's US box office this weekend--DC news radio movie report totally dissed (with good reason, IMO) 'Crock Dundee III' and called 'Freddie Got Fingered' one of the worst movies of all time, then went on to rave, rave, rave about BJD. Hurrah!"}, {"response": 1374, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Apr 21, 2001 (09:19)", "body": "RE: Entertainment Weekly. That \"Brit Pack\" article that Marianne posted above is in the print edition of the magazine, accompanied by a large diagram with photos entitled \"The Jones Gang.\" Helen Fielding is in the center with dotted lines going every which way leading to pics and copy about Colin, Andrew Davies, Sharon Maguire, Richard Curtis, Huge, Nick Hornby, P&P, and 4 Weddings. By Davies, it says, \"Davies, the P&P screenwriter, has even more ties to Firth: He also scripted 1995's Circle of Friends, which featured the actor.\" Leads to pic of Darcy and Lizzie, then \"BJD wasn't the end of Fielding's obsession with Firth. He shows up in the sequel, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, as himself.\" Then linking HF, NH, and CF, \"Firth and Fielding met in 1996 on the set of Fever Pitch, another Hornby adaptation.\" Very fetching pic of Colin included.:-) Yum. In same issue, Box Office column features RZ with the title \"Miramaximum Impact\"--Easter weekend was all about chicks: While RZ's romantic comedy BJD saw its basket overflow, Josie and the Pussycats laid an egg. BJ made a splash on both sides of the pond, raking in a v.g. $10.7 million in the US and tacking on $10.4 more in the UK. That's the biggest British opening ever for one of the country's own homegrown films. With BJD and weekend champ three-peater Spy Kids, Miramax is off to a better start this year than its corporate sugar daddy, Disney.\" I see BJD is back at #1 on the Publishers Weekly bestsellers list--trade paperbacks; EOR is at # 7."}, {"response": 1375, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sat, Apr 21, 2001 (09:24)", "body": "(Karen) Best fitting shirt in the movie. (T&V party shirt was way too big for him a la ATA) Shirts were same size but CF filled it out better in fight scene. That's my story and I'm sticking to it! ;-) BTW, think CF's response to Planet H'wood (first time I've seen a restaurant chain do an interview :-P) about getting in shape for the fight scene and not purposely losing weight makes the most sense. Though I would've needed CPR after seeing those 'rippling muscles', think ripping shirts off would have been way too contrived (still think CF is making that part up). I like the fight scene 'just the way it is' except for some overediting."}, {"response": 1376, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Sat, Apr 21, 2001 (12:33)", "body": "Somewhat off topic, but RZ will be introducing \"Madcap Monday\" movies on AMC at 8pm ET during May."}, {"response": 1377, "author": "odessa", "date": "Sat, Apr 21, 2001 (13:32)", "body": "how can this be? i tried to find out when BJD is coming to Finland but it wasn`t in the premiere list (and I checked it till August). I`m so jealous for you who have seen it many times already... :("}, {"response": 1378, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Apr 21, 2001 (13:50)", "body": "#3 for me too, Eileen, just got back, went on my own so was able to drool without anyone noticing, am going for 4th time on Mdonay with 5 friends. I agree he seemed to fit the shirt better in the fight scene but he also looked less thin in the New York Aiport/Kiss scene, yum, with definitely be wearing out the tape on that scene, his neck seemed fuller. Having said all that he is absolutely gorgeous and I could not get that lovely cheeky smile out of my mind on the way home,I do hope he does more leading man romantic roles perhaps a romantic thrillere if there is such a thing (what a long sentence). I am sure he will have loads more fans after this, good for him but perhaps not so good for us we are such a lovely e xclusive Fan Club and I would hate him to be too famous! Her I go again, but no I am really pleased for him and especially if it means we get to see him doing more work."}, {"response": 1379, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Apr 21, 2001 (13:52)", "body": "sorry for the typos and I just love that big coat, he certianly seemed to fill that out!"}, {"response": 1380, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sat, Apr 21, 2001 (15:40)", "body": "(PH interview) PH: Let's talk about life after Bridget Jones. You may very well end up with even more of a hunk image here in America, because of this movie. Have you given any thought to that? CF: I don't know. I think it's exhausting to have expectations all the time. I mean, there's nothing in my life that makes me feel that's what I am at all. I might quite like to be reminded of that, in some sort of meaningful way. But to be quite frank, absolutely nobody treats me like a dream guy of anybody! Oh, Colin, if you want reminding, I'm more than willing... Good interview! When I read the EW article, I thought it might mislead readers who haven't seen the movie yet (or not seen any trailers). I assumed that the comment about a wet shirt was either a typo (should have said it was written for HG, especially since Curtis wrote it), or that Curtis originally planned it for CF and then CF or someone said that it was a bit too obvious that way. Funnier to have it be HG, especially as he did NOT make as much of an impression when wet. (The wet ciggie hanging out of his mouth is such a turn-off) I don't think CF looks too thin. He's a bit thin when he shows up at Bridget's door on her birthday, but not alarmingly thin. (Loved the Ensure comment, Eileen!)"}, {"response": 1381, "author": "cristina1", "date": "Sat, Apr 21, 2001 (20:56)", "body": "Karen wrote: After another viewing (yesterday), I've been thinking about all those nasty reviewers who couldn't figure out why someone like a Mark Darcy would want Bridget, except for the obvious, and that she reperesented a thro wback to safe women (easy and airhead). It seems obvious to me from the lake scene what Mark sees in her: life, spontaneous life! As he watches Bridget laughing over Daniel in the water, he's envious. Laura wrote: Wasn't overly pleased with Gemma Jones as mum, she just didn't do it for me.[...]And I know that you guys are anti-HG, but he was really good. I'm not a good writer, and my comments could be found very primitive by such women with postmodern sensibility like you, nontheless I made the courage to join you. Bear with me: Daniel is thought to be charming until the very end. He lies on the pavement, and has a serpent-like persuation in his eyes and in his words. Bridget's decision to dump him is in total contradiction with 1)a lot of known real/imaginary stories and 2)with the Hollywood rules, too. Why Hollywood? Just imagine the broad gestures of a Daniel played by, say, Michael Douglas (that would be thick!), - it's a Hollywood golden rule that he would unquestionably get the girl. Besides, a lot of mariages in the real life are of Bridget-Daniel type, with the wife saying something like \"he is not faithfull to me, but I could not desert him because I'm still attracted to him\". But does Daniel love her? There's a way to test this, said my mother (yes, I have one, which does not ressemble with Pamela, thank G!): Ask him if he loves you! He can spit it from his mouth, only if he really does. When asked, DC avoided to answer that question. Why is Bridget not stopping immediately to meet him? Why should she wait until the \"American stick insect\" story? Bridget mother's advice (to call Mark) at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the movie is inexplicably the best! Is the movie's morale, \"girls, listen to your mother\"? One mother's advices are good only to be laugh at?! Is this Bridget smarter than in the book? Sorry, my stuff is really raw, but I would enjoy your commentaries!"}, {"response": 1382, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Apr 22, 2001 (07:02)", "body": "\"The Making of BJD\" has just aired on Channel 5 here and am v happy to say that there were lots of CF piece to camera...have not compared no of appearances with RZ or HG but v favourable I suspect! Was interviewed in bottom half of bada-bing suit and crisp white shirt plus dotty tie, looking v relaxed and as scrumptious as ever, if I have time will transcribe his pearsl of wisdom. Lots of the usual clips though heavily censored so half of the witicisms were incomprehensible. Surprisingly HG did not, repeat NOT use that tired Princess Margaret line or indeed mutter anything about pants *picking self up from floor in shock* and strangely the fight scene was not mentioned so we did not have to suffer his outpourings on SAS etc ;-)"}, {"response": 1383, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Apr 22, 2001 (09:29)", "body": "Wonder if that \"Making of...\" is similar to the \"Behind the Scenes\" we saw in the US. Must make comparisons. Christina, you expressed yourself very well. serpent-like persuasion is very apt for Daniel as he is very tempting for her but rather dangerous. Besides, a lot of mariages in the real life are of Bridget-Daniel type, with the wife saying something like \"he is not faithfull to me, but I could not desert him because I'm still attracted to him\". ,? Or perhaps even worse, they won't leave because they don't want to be alone. I think Bridget is very brave to turn Daniel down. Mark's just walked out of her life, she has no other suitors, she's back to that future of being found alone and half eaten by wild dogs. ;-) I'm afraid I might give more of the plot away for people like Odessa who have yet to see this film so I'll just say that if it was important for Bridget that Daniel love her, then she would just pretend he did. He'd never have to say it. Bridget mother's advice (to call Mark) at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the movie is inexplicably the best! LOL! And doesn't Mrs. Bennet have the best of intentions for her own daughters too."}, {"response": 1384, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 22, 2001 (09:33)", "body": "From the Sunday Mirror: THE DIARY: IT'S RUINING MEN Geri's turned song into pop porn, says Weather Girl GERI Halliwell had better keep her eye out for large ladies with an interest in the weather. The diary can reveal it's not only radio stations who don't like her new single It's Raining Men. One half of the heavyweight duo who made the song famous has just heard her version and she's after Geri's bony ass. Weather Girls diva Martha Wash has blasted Geri for turning her proudest moment into cheap \"porno pop\" and sniffed at her mediocre vocal talents. \"Geri has prostituted the lyrics and melody and it's a crying shame,\" said the singer who along with Izora Armstead took the song to No.2 in the charts in 1984 and onto the dancefloors of a million gay discos ever since. \"Geri hasn't the same vocal range and that's self-evident from her somewhat strained version of our song,\" sniffed trained gospel singer Martha. \"I listened to it for the first time last week and there's only one word to describe it - dreadful!\" \"It's supposed to be upbeat and fun but Geri has made the song sound kind of sleazy. \"Now it's like background music for a cheap porn film. \"It's a pity she can't find her own original material.\" Geri has already had problems with her song which comes out a week tomorrow. First, radio stations refused to play it and then her chances of another No.1 were dealt another blow when the Bridget Jones movie soundtrack album it features on was released last week, meaning her fans don't have to buy the single. Still, at least you had fun making the video, Geri. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NOTE TO DIARY: RENEE WANTS TO WALK AWAY LOOKS like the success of Bridget Jones Diary has sent Renee Zellweger loopy. She's been telling everyone she needs to get away from it all and feel normal again and is planning a road trip to Texas with her dog. How very Bridget of her. Meanwhile, the book's author Helen Fielding is thinking of killing Bridget off. \"I'll only write another if there's a really good story,\" she says."}, {"response": 1385, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Apr 22, 2001 (14:23)", "body": "LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Following are the top 10 movies at the North American box office for the April 20-22 weekend, according to studio estimates collected Sunday by Reuters. Final data will be issued Monday. 1 (3) Bridget Jones's Diary ........... $10.5 million 2 (1) Spy Kids......................... $10.2 million 3 (2) Along Came A Spider ............. $ 9.1 million 4 (+) Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles . $ 8.0 million 5 (+) Freddy Got Fingered ............. $ 7.3 million 6 (5) Blow ............................ $ 6.0 million 7 (4) Joe Dirt ........................ $ 5.4 million 8 (6) Kingdom Come .................... $ 4.7 million 9 (7) Josie and the Pussycats ......... $ 3.1 million 10 (9) Enemy at the Gates .............. $ 2.1 million NOTE: Last weekend's position in parenthesis. ``+'' - new release"}, {"response": 1386, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Apr 22, 2001 (14:58)", "body": "U.S., British Moviegoers Have 'Jones' for Hit Comedy By Dean Goodman LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Millions of moviegoers in North America and Britain propelled the hit romantic comedy ``Bridget Jones's Diary'' to the No. 1 slot at the box office in both markets, according to studio estimates issued on Sunday. In the United States and Canada, ``Diary'' jumped two places to the top spot with a haul of $10.5 million for the Friday-to-Sunday period after a big boost in the number of theaters in which it was playing. In the U.K., the film remained No. 1 for the second consecutive weekend with an estimated three-day take of $6.3 million. After 10 days, the North American total stands at $25.7 million and Britain at about $22 million. ``Diary'' Draws Women Based on British author Helen Fielding's best-selling novel of the same name, ``Bridget Jones's Diary'' revolves around the love life of a neurotic ``singleton'' -- a single London working woman -- convincingly played by Texas native Renee Zellweger. Hugh Grant and Colin Firth play the love interests. The well-reviewed movie was budgeted in the mid-$20 million area, and directed by English rookie feature filmmaker Sharon Maguire. It was released in North America by New York-based Miramax Films and in Britain by Universal Pictures. The studios co-produced with France's StudioCanal. Miramax is a unit of Walt Disney Co.; Universal and StudioCanal are units of Vivendi Universal. In North America, where the theater count jumped to 2,211 from 1,611, the film benefited from repeat business, according to Mark Gill, the president of Miramax's Los Angeles operations. Women were the driving factor, taking friends on one weekend and husbands or boyfriends the next, or vice-versa, he said. As to any sightings of solo male moviegoers, Gill said, ``If that ever happened, I'd fall off my chair.'' Likewise, male repeat business was ``zero,'' he said. He said he doubted male indifference would prevent the film from doing blockbuster business, citing the success of such films as ``My Best Friend's Wedding'' and ``Notting Hill,'' which were also popular primarily among women."}, {"response": 1387, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Apr 22, 2001 (15:09)", "body": "Great news, thanks Mari. repeat business,,, mmnnn, 4th time Monday and I have no doubt there will be others, can't get enough of Mark Darcy and it is such a wonderful happy film. I love it where Rennee sings \"all by myself\"."}, {"response": 1388, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Apr 22, 2001 (18:11)", "body": "the film benefited from repeat business } LOL!! I'm still at 6 times. --- As to any sightings of solo male moviegoers, Gill said, ``If that ever happened, I'd fall off my chair.'' } Like I said earlier, the first time I went, there were 3-4 hispanic guys sitting behind me with no ladies accompanying them. I thought that was a bit wierd, but it was good to see, and means male-only viewings isn't completely unheard of."}, {"response": 1389, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Apr 22, 2001 (18:17)", "body": "National Review Online (yes, the conservative magazine) has a Bridge article: http://www.nationalreview.com/weekend/movies/movies-domenech042101.shtml Bridget Jones, Everywoman Why Bridget Jones has more to say about men than women. By Ben Domenech April 21-22, 2001 Let's get one thing straight, right from the get-go: Renee Zellwegger is not, I repeat, not Bridget Jones. This is not meant, in any way, to fault Zellwegger's abilities as an actress. She's really quite good, and her performance is consistently impressive throughout Sharon Maguire's film adaptation of the best-selling book. The fact remains, Bridget Jones is simply a literary character of such enormity and importance that she cannot be forcefully assimilated into any one actress's frame. Zellwegger is not Bridget Jones, anymore than you could say that Basil Rathbone was Sherlock Holmes, or Sean Connery was James Bond. The on-screen characters' size and scope ultimately renders any acting skills, however skilful, insufficient. Bridget Jones rivals such other great characters of film and print for one reason, a reason that one does not have to be single, overweight, British, or even female to comprehend: Women just relate to Bridget. She is Everywoman - or, at the very least, Everywoman during some point in her life. It's that point in life where the entire surrounding world seems frighteningly absurd, a juncture of existence chock full of New Year's resolutions broken, of smug couples and the unfathomable torture of their holiday parties, of idiotically childish parents, of late-night TV, and self-help books about lascivious men and silly men and infantile men. To live like Bridget Jones is to gather with friends to obsess over your vile twit of a boyfriend. It is to worry at nights about dying alone and being found, months later, half-eaten by an Alsatian. It is to stew over your \"status\": irrevocably and damnably single. Some women, of course, do not relate to Bridget at all. If they ever wanted a man, they drove their hooks into him early, and skipped the single life entirely, except perhaps for that short feminist excursion in college. To these women, and to many men, the neurotic power of author Helen Fielding's creation is difficult to understand. Why, they ask, does Bridget obsess so much about things so ridiculously small? Why does she tabulate calories, cigarettes, lottery tickets, alcohol units, etc. in such hideous complexity? Why can't she just take control of her life and stop defrosting chocolate croissants? Some women relate to Bridget in the most powerful of ways, recognizing at once her description of the worst bits of being a singleton (as Bridget calls them), just as they creep closer to (or past) the age of thirty. (Thirty is when all of the Bridgets of the world find themselves inducted into the knitting circle of eternal spinsterhood.) The irony of it all is, Bridget Jones has plenty more to say about modern men than she does about women. The escapist film adaptation seems to recognize this fact - perhaps because director Sharon Maguire was the inspiration for one of the book's foul-mouthed singletons, Sharon (or, as fans will doubtless remember her, \"Shazzer\"). It's a funny adaptation, and quite charming, but it follows a more hackneyed romantic-comedy script than it should. A significant part of the charm of Helen Fielding's Bridget is the fact that almost every mistake is repeated, usually more than once, and bad choices seem to make quite a lot of sense when understood from Bridget's perspective (NB: The film omits one of the funniest characters from the novel - Bridget's insane grandmother). There is, unfortunately, insufficient space in a 97-minute film for a full portrait of the complex Bridget, and the book's moments of sheer loneliness - drinking alone, eating alone, watching bad TV alone, - don't' get communicated on the big screen. Still, Maguire deals more extensively with the two men who joust for Bridget's affections: her lecher of a boss, Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant), and the stolid, conservative, intelligent barrister Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). A Good Man Is Hard to Find The men in Bridget's life sum up the inevitable choice of a singleton - on one hand, the unreliable and suavely egotistical (but always passionate) Cleaver, whose penchant for intra-office romance is positively Clintonesque, and on the other, the less-than-flashy Darcy. In The Edge of Reason, Fielding's sequel to her original book/diary, Bridget is astounded to discover that Darcy votes Tory (the horror!). When one is a singleton, the population of available men often dwindles to the few who are either frighteningly boring or career womanizers; members of that rare breed of available \"nice guys\" are nowhere to be found - all of them are either married, uninterested, or gay. And sometimes they're all three. If there is one thing that Bridget Jones recognizes more than anything else, it's that, for those women who do not enjoy the prospects of s"}, {"response": 1390, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 22, 2001 (20:34)", "body": "Woowoo!!! As to any sightings of solo male moviegoers, Gill said, ``If that ever happened, I'd fall off my chair.'' What's his phone number? Those people in LA really should get out more. I saw plenty of guys each time I've seen it. They go in packs too! Really, now, Miramorons need better market research types. These are the same people who said they couldn't find any interest for Bridget between NYC and LA. *shaking head*"}, {"response": 1391, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sun, Apr 22, 2001 (23:01)", "body": "Hey, I heard Colin himself say \"this isn't just a 'chick flick'\"."}, {"response": 1392, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (02:40)", "body": "In the Making of BJD did anyone notice the Gnat's comment that he was worried that Colin would win the film but that he had more funny lines \"I counted them\". An interesting insight into his reasons for taking the part."}, {"response": 1393, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (05:51)", "body": "Wondering hopefully if this documentary will ever be available in US? Sounds like lots of new material, kitchen gadgets, and similar. Perhaps on the DVD..."}, {"response": 1394, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (07:37)", "body": "But we know that the Gnat didn't sign on the dotted line until after Richard was onboard to write him a part worthy of his...talents. (I also expect that the part wasn't as large or good prior to that)"}, {"response": 1395, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (08:29)", "body": "About Gnat's counting of lines--do we ever know if anything he says is: (a) true (b) something he made up to be cute/outrageous (c) something a PR person told him would be cute/outrageous Let's send Gnat to be interviewed by Chevy!"}, {"response": 1396, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (08:29)", "body": "Thanks Ann for the article from National Review (good mag;-) \"but that they recognize the painful reality of her situation. The number of available men who exemplify masculine ideals and gentlemanly conduct are few and far between. \" Written by a man too!!"}, {"response": 1397, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (09:06)", "body": "Great to hear that BJD is No 1! Although I'm not sure that it's totally \"women driven\". Surely some men are smitten with BJ/RZ, or do they really prefer \"stick insects\"! Wondering hopefully if this documentary will ever be available in US? Sounds like lots of new material, kitchen gadgets, and similar. Perhaps on the DVD... I'm sure it will be on DVD...it's 30 minutes long, equally divided between interviews and lots of very brief film clips. In the Making of BJD did anyone notice the Gnat's comment that he was worried that Colin would win the film but that he had more funny lines \"I counted them\". An interesting insight into his reasons for taking the part. Yes, I noticed that, Allison! I could actually understand why CF thought about whether he should take the part of MD. In audience pleasing terms, the role of the attractive cad with all the funny lines is a surer bet than the romantic lead who has to start off by being very dull. The romantic lead is often the duff role. CF was being asked to reprise Darcy, knowing that revisiting a role is always a risk and critics are more than ready to pounce, and also knowing that he had to compete (and the movie has been marketed along the lines of \"who's sexier?\") with a slimmed down Hughie (fresh from a stint in a \"fat farm\" in Thailand!), who had the part specially written for him and is a crowd favourite, certainly in the US. BTW on the subject of slimming, I thought that whereas CF looked great in the movie, in the documentary \"in the flesh\" he looked way too thin! Wasn't BJD shot just after his second stint at the Donmar? I saw some excellent video shots of him (in his parka!) and he looked much chunkier, and it suits him! He's nearly 6'2\" and has a broad frame - he should fill out a bit, not lose it! The problem is that he often has to appear on the screen with English actors who are shorter, and much slighter in build than him and thinner in the face,(the Fiennes bros, and, indeed, HG - if you see the photos of CF and HG at the Premiere, he seems to tower over Hughie.) But a slight stature often translates well onto screen, making normal look \"heavy\". But I like normal. Also, if he's going to do three hour performances of Hamlet, the weight will be dropping off him. Definitely needs to recharge on pasta. Just MVHO :-)"}, {"response": 1398, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (09:42)", "body": "in the documentary \"in the flesh\" he looked way too thin! Now I do have to disagree here. Who was it said you can never be too rich or too thin? I really hate beefcake. I much prefer the lean look and that is what CF is. He is not thin. He is lean and slender. I love the look. He puts weight on round his jowls - yuk! In SIL he did look v jowly. Incidentally I always thought that the reason he might have looked a bit heavier in SIL was that he had just given up smoking and might have been due to a surfeit of mints or whatever."}, {"response": 1399, "author": "Donna", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (09:50)", "body": "I just have to say when we went, I noticed one guy with an umbrella. LOL!! I wonder what that means. ~LaDonna"}, {"response": 1400, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (10:21)", "body": "(Allison) I much prefer the lean look Me too! I think he looks fantastic, especially when the clinging shirt suggests a toned bod. (Bethan) Wasn't BJD shot just after his second stint at the Donmar? Hardly. His Donmar run ended in January, whereas filming didn't begin until mid- to late May, plenty of time to lose weight and build sleek muscles. Also, didn't all the Cornel (\"Bodybuilder to the Stars\") Chin interviews say that he was brought in only about 2 weeks before they began? It's very likely that all this behind-the-scenes footage was shot toward the end, when Colin (having been on this regimen for close to 2 months) was at his leanest and meanest. ;-D ~~~~~~~~ LaDonna: Did you get my email re: how to effect the name change?"}, {"response": 1401, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (10:25)", "body": "(Bethan) The problem is that he often has to appear on the screen with English actors who are shorter, and much slighter in build than him They've solved that problem in Conspiracy by having KB wear platform jackboots, while Colin stands in a trench. ;-D"}, {"response": 1402, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (10:52)", "body": "They've solved that problem in Conspiracy ROTFLOL!"}, {"response": 1403, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (10:53)", "body": "Would love to see a transcript of the UK \"Making Of\" show (just CF parts will suffice.;-) Thanks. I think it's different from the one we saw in the US; when interviewed on-set, CF was in the Tarts & Vicars attire, not the Bada Bing. (Love that BB scene, especially when he talks about Heany's sacrifice for the man she loves. Oh, yummy!) (LaDonna)I just have to say when we went, I noticed one guy with an umbrella. 'Cuz it's raining men! Allelujah!:-) More from Miramax's Mark Gill: He's calling all the repeat viewers \"our evangelists.\" Kin ah hear an A-Men!;-) RZ was on Good Morning America today, interviewed by Diane Sawyer. Diane said she had already seen the film twice. Clip included CF. I really think we need him back here for more TV interviews, as #1 placement is largely result of excellent appearances last week. He should come back and do the late night shows, sort of a valedictory tour.:-)"}, {"response": 1404, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (11:02)", "body": "(Mari) I really think we need him back here for more TV interviews, as #1 placement is largely result of excellent appearances last week. He should come back and do the late night shows, sort of a valedictory tour.:-) Another, A-men! However, that might be kind of difficult as today is the start date for TIOBE. Perhaps they can work around his scenes...maybe do those brilliantly funny Cecily-Gwendolyn meet at the country house scenes. *oh, stop being sarcastic, Karen* ;-D"}, {"response": 1405, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (11:16)", "body": "Since the film is #1...can you imagine what the video bring in...and repeats on TV domestic and international? Hope he gets residuals."}, {"response": 1406, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (11:51)", "body": "I wonder how much they paid him? The Grunt got $6m I read."}, {"response": 1407, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (12:09)", "body": "Great news about the success of the film. I was interested in your \"Making of BJD\" discussions. I agree he looks great, better than ever, but I think he doesn't need to take off any more weight. In fact I love him \"Just as he is\" I was particularly interested in the techniques of the cameraman in the doc. We only saw Gnat from the shoulders up, his face filling the screen, whereas Colin had the whole body shot several times ( I am glad to say). Is there something in HG's contract that says don't film my legs in interviews?"}, {"response": 1408, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (12:15)", "body": "Oh yes and another startling comment from our favourite floppy soundbiter, revealing the secret of ODB's new svelte looks! \"Colin has denied he was ever on a diet.\" HG \"he's such a liar. He's known as \"slimline Firth\" At the hotel where we were staying the waiter came up to him and said \"It's vodka and slimline tonic, isn't it?\" Well we wouldn't have expected him to choose Chakkakahn would we?! (Now Magazine)"}, {"response": 1409, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (12:15)", "body": "(Allison)I wonder how much they paid him? The Grunt got $6m I read. Ask Bethan, the financial archivist ;-) I remember Huge got more than Renee."}, {"response": 1410, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (12:35)", "body": "Pardon my ignorance, but how do the powers at be at Miramess know that the attendees of BJD this past week were largely \ufffdrepeat business?\ufffd I did not have \ufffdfirst time viewer\ufffd stamped on my forehead or hand last week, nor did the ticket guy ask me market research type questions. Are they basing their findings using Drool as their statistical sample? (plus or minus 10 Firthettes\ufffd) I want the data! :-) After all, this Firth obsession is not your standard deviation\ufffd.."}, {"response": 1411, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (12:38)", "body": "(Kate)About Gnat's counting of lines--do we ever know if anything he says is: (a) true (b) something he made up to be cute/outrageous (c) something a PR person told him would be cute/outrageous I think you may be onto something...;-) Let's send Gnat to be interviewed by Chevy! Well, Huge had to contend with Rosie Frankenhand so I'd say the score is even. Kin ah hear an A-Men!;-) a-MEN, sistah Mari! Um-Ummm! #1 placement is largely result of excellent appearances last week. He should come back and do the late night shows, sort of a valedictory tour.:-) Sing it, sistah! Yeah! (Karen) maybe do those brilliantly funny Cecily-Gwendolyn meet at the country house scenes. *oh, stop being sarcastic, Karen* ;-D LMAO!"}, {"response": 1412, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (13:10)", "body": "(Karen)However, that might be kind of difficult as today is the start date for TIOBE Yes, but since TIOBE is Miramax, director can be easily prevailed upon to shuffle shooting schedule; surely handbag scene will have same poignancy if shot next week.;-) Hey, if Universal can send their jet to whisk him from Roma to London for premiere . . . (Lizza)Well we wouldn't have expected him to choose Chakkakahn would we?! LOL! One of my fave lines from the film--\"I will not be defeated by a bad man and an American stick insect. I choose . . .vodka . . .and Chakka Khan!\" (Lisa)Pardon my ignorance, but how do the powers at be at Miramess know that the attendees of BJD this past week were largely \ufffdrepeat business?\ufffd They use a high-powered market research consulting firm, Lisa, and it's quite a scientific system, actually. Step 1: Stand in stiff breeze. Step 2: Spit into wind. Step 3: Record results. Step 4. Send invoice to Harvey. ;-) I meant to note before--those UK results are all the more phenomenal considering the number of venues. Well done!"}, {"response": 1413, "author": "Donna", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (13:14)", "body": "LaDonna: Did you get my email re: how to effect the name change? Yes I did see. LoL 'Cuz it's raining men! Allelujah!:-) LOL Mari I didn't get to see BJD again this weekend since I only had one day off and that was Sunday. I am hoping to see it again this week. There have been so many different interviews with Colin from different sources it is getting very hard to keep track. But one thing is for sure BJD is numbet one because I heard it first thing this morning on the TODAY SHOW. ~LaDonna"}, {"response": 1414, "author": "Donna", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (13:17)", "body": "Why didn't my name change? I'll change it here. Would that matter? ~LaDonna"}, {"response": 1415, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (13:34)", "body": "(Lisa) I did not have \ufffdfirst time viewer\ufffd stamped on my forehead or hand last week You didn't? this Firth obsession is not your standard deviation\ufffd.. The real deviation from norm is any affinity for Huge. ;-D Will have to get Ben to extrapolate and create a new model of scientific accuracy. Hmmm, where is Ben? At the movies perhaps? A cooking class in omelette-making, with a speciality in whisk management? (Mari) surely handbag scene will have same poignancy if shot next week.;-) Expect that scene to be done last, as is most important and Dame Judi will need weeks of rehearsal and coaching to say, \"a haaaannnnndbag\" just right. Step 1: Stand in stiff breeze. Step 2: Spit into wind. Step 3: Record results. Step 4. Send invoice to Harvey. ;-) LMAO! Actually, marketing types are currently contemplating their navels to figure out why Freddie didn't get bigger numbers. Have absolutely never heard as bad a review from Ebert/Roeper before...even questioning why Tom Green is in movies."}, {"response": 1416, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (13:53)", "body": "I think they identify repeat viewers by posting spies in the back row. Repeaters can be identified by their body language and comments: \"Look, it's Crispy! Is that four or five?\" Cringing in anticipation of the finger snap. Lack of concern when Mark leaves the party because we know he's coming back. Yelling \"Look out Mark!\" in anticipation of Daniel's cheap-shot fighting. Whispering \"I like you... very much... just as you are\" at the appropriate moment. Shouting \"Go! Go! Go!\" along with camera man. Doing the Kick to punctuate \"All By Myself\" and having to aplogize to person in front. Knowing exactly how long to doze in between COLIN's scenes!"}, {"response": 1417, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (13:55)", "body": "GAH! As soon as I hit \"submit\" I thought of another: Pointing to man walking by convertible and saying \"I know who that is.\""}, {"response": 1418, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (13:58)", "body": "(Kate) Doing the Kick to punctuate \"All By Myself\" and having to aplogize to person in front LOL! Should we tell Miramax that BJD is fast becoming new Rocky Horror Picture Show? Am planning on wearing bunny costume to next showing."}, {"response": 1419, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (13:58)", "body": "Karen , am vv upset at image of another man \"being helpful in the kitchen\" and wielding said whisk who is NOT ODB!! We are very happy to visualise you frying eggs instead Ben, preferably out of the kitchen! Also had several men comment to me how \"gross\" they have found cover of Hello this week with HG. Reckon it's Mark Darcy and Mark Darcy alone pulling in the male punters!! Seriously there have been several \"lone \" males at my screenings."}, {"response": 1420, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (14:00)", "body": "(Kate F) Doing the Kick to punctuate \"All By Myself\" and having to aplogize to person in front. LOL, next time must sit in aisle seat! :-)"}, {"response": 1421, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (14:08)", "body": "(Lizza) am vv upset at image of another man \"being helpful in the kitchen\" Many will try, but few will succeed. ;-D"}, {"response": 1422, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (14:10)", "body": "Also had several men comment to me how \"gross\" they have found cover of Hello Aren't they right. Does anyone think it is attractive? I am not completely opposed to HG but I think that front cover is a big mistake. It is on every newstand and it is very off putting."}, {"response": 1423, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (14:11)", "body": "You got it Boss!"}, {"response": 1424, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (14:15)", "body": "Sorry Allison , that previous comment was whisk related for Karen!! I caught a brief glimpse of the new impersonation show on BBC 1 last night. HG was a brand new addition to the rep. As Alistair Mc Gowen was busy being HG in full flight, his companion said quickly \"Why are you blinking so much? Are you ill?\" It was too funny!"}, {"response": 1425, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (14:19)", "body": "\"Why are you blinking so much? Are you ill?\" *guffaw* :-D"}, {"response": 1426, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (14:50)", "body": "Should we tell Miramax that BJD is fast becoming new Rocky Horror Picture Show? Am planning on wearing bunny costume to next showing. I am going as cruel-raced ex-wife. *Donning kimono* ;-) Loved your list, Kate. In manner of Rocky Horror repeat offenders, er, viewers, suggest we bring props to be flung at appropriate moments: \"A toast to Mark and Natasha\" \"Do you have any eggs?\" \"Mark is a prematurely middle-aged prick . . .\""}, {"response": 1427, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (15:33)", "body": "This picture is from the same photo shoot for Talk Magazine, except on our cover he's wearing the chamois or doeskin shirt. Inside, however, is a truly obnoxious pic. You can click here to view it: http://www.talkmagazine.com/talkmedia/may2001/index.html"}, {"response": 1428, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (15:41)", "body": "Hmm...what's the phrase I want? Ah--kiss my a**. ;-) (Mari, in rare form) \"Mark is a prematurely middle-aged prick . . .\" I'd pay extra to see that."}, {"response": 1429, "author": "JenniferR", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (16:42)", "body": "*recoiling in horror at Hello! cover* Good heavens, could you please post a warning before you put up a picture like that? I feel incredibly ill....and dirty. Must now go take shower--or see BJD for fourth time--in effort to cleanse mind of nasty photo. What on earth were they thinking?????"}, {"response": 1430, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (17:14)", "body": "Have just returned from 4th viewing, and five friends loved it, in fact have converted one, and she is going back for a repeat. I think it was the kiss that did it, oh that kiss! The audience laughed in all the right places and quite often prematurely so my friends missed some of the punchlines and another packed house and it was on on 2 screens, I have never seen anything like it especially for a Monday evening. Am already planning 5th viewing!! Oh he really must do more roles like this, forget TIOBE!"}, {"response": 1431, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (17:21)", "body": "No, really, AnnW, don't hold back. Tell us how you liked it. ;-D"}, {"response": 1432, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (17:33)", "body": "Read in The Mirror (that paragon of reliable journalism) over the weekend that HF is writing a short story to update BJs life.....bad news I gather is that you'll have to buy Diet Coke by the crateload in order to obtain it. Am v impressed at how we are 'singlehandedly', for we are as one , smashing Box Office records by means of multi visitations....do you think they'll catch on to our plan? Like the idea of the BJ picture show. I would go in trainers, baggy beige cardy and tiger stripey pants but those of you who know me will, I am sure, agree that it would not be fair to inflict this on the world ....even if in the dark! Maybe will wear carpet instead ;)"}, {"response": 1433, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (17:53)", "body": "\"Grant, who has often been compared to 1940s film star Cary Grant, \" By whom ? Blasphemy."}, {"response": 1434, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (18:41)", "body": "I saw that line about Cary Grant and have been trying to find comparisons. Cary Grant was charming, elegant, witty, someone to fall in love with. I think a comparison with someone else (!!!) is more apt. Hugh and Cary: Both male. Both have made movies. Both have last name Grant (hmm, what about Hughie Leach?). Both have done romantic comedy. EUwww! Am imagining HG in \"Affair to Remember\" my favorite have-a-cry movie. Gah! Makes the Warren Beatty remake sound almost good. Thinking about this is worse than looking at that Hello! picture."}, {"response": 1435, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (19:06)", "body": "Fearing lack of objectivity, tonight, I asked DH whether the movie was really good, or I just liked it due to (possible) obsession. For example, is it as good as Notting Hill (which we both saw many times)? \"Oh, yes, was the quick response\". Am v. relieved. Can go for 4 1/2th time without worry of compulsive behavior. Although feel inadequate in present company."}, {"response": 1436, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (20:35)", "body": "(Karen) Inside, however, is a truly obnoxious pic. You can click here to view it: Dave Letterman made much of it on his show with HG. Hugh said he hated these things (stills shoots) and often stipulated that he'd only do them drunk and they must supply the champagne. Then he mimicked a thick Eastern Europian accent as the photographer saying \"I think it would be interesting if did one of you with four naked girls...\" , by which point he said he would do anything.... ;-)"}, {"response": 1437, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (20:55)", "body": "Sexy pic of Hugh!"}, {"response": 1438, "author": "Ann", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (22:14)", "body": "Apparently, they aren't done getting BJD into more theaters. This is on Hollywood.com: \"Bridget\" will be adding theaters next week, as well. \"We're actually looking at, perhaps, adding a few hundred more screens,\" Gill [Miramax L.A. president Mark Gill] said. ( http://www.hollywood.com/news/boxoffice/analysis.html ) Also, here's a link to the Firth Bio on that site (nothing new in it): http://www.hollywood.com/celebs/moviepeople/detail.asp?pid=P+23590"}, {"response": 1439, "author": "AnnieZ", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (23:26)", "body": "Hi, Ladies I've been lurking here for years. You are the greatest as CF fans. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your posts and never stopped gathering information about ODB from this site. Nice to finally meet you (although it will be it - I don't know when I will have the courage to do it again ;-)). Much have said, I just want to say that I'm having a crash on ODB all over again after seeing BJD. I can't believe it happened to me again just like when I watched P&P for the first time, which was my first time of knowing CF's existence. I thought I was crazy to drool on some no-(big)name actor at the time until I found RoP and Spring ;-). I've bought all his videos that I could get my hands on. After four years of drooling, I thought that I was pretty much a normal CF fan who still loved ODB dearly and still visited his fan sites as a daily routine. There was no that boiling feelings inside me any more (still had feelings though)...not overly excited about any of his news any more (still excited though)...at least I thought so ;-). How can it be? I'm falling again! My heart almost stopped beating when Bridget said \"ding dong...\" to herself then I had tears in my eyes when MD turned around and showed his face the first time. It's been three days, I still could not get his smile out of my mind. Oh, I just love him! Ok, before I'm done, I want to take this opportunity to thank you all. Good work, ladies! ODB should be very proud of you! Take care! Annie P.S. Did any body notice MD's shirt collar in the scene in a shop where he told Bridget about the interview? There was something stick out on the back of his collar (or the collar itself?). Now you know what I paid most attention at ;-)"}, {"response": 1440, "author": "Ann", "date": "Tue, Apr 24, 2001 (01:12)", "body": "That was a bit of a costume continuity error. His tie tied in the back and was all tucked in one second, but was sticking out a bit the next."}, {"response": 1441, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Apr 24, 2001 (01:51)", "body": "Welcome, Annie, and all other newbies and lurkers, and don't be shy to post (again). ------ Those pics: I quite like Huge Gland, and wonder what he is up to. Must be still in DC character. ;-) ------ Have yet to see BJD, it will come to Germany only in late August. Therefore don't know yet what to wear RHPS-style, but it can't be wrong to put on weight, right? If it worked for Renee - ------"}, {"response": 1442, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Apr 24, 2001 (08:28)", "body": "I much prefer the lean look and that is what CF is. He is not thin. He is lean and slender I agree he looks great, better than ever, but I think he doesn't need to take off any more weight. In fact I love him \"Just as he is\" Okay, I agree. Just as he is! And not an ounce less! $6million - HG Well, rising to the bait, as I recall, Hughie was paid $8million to come on board, RZ was paid $3million. The info was in a business and marketing magazine. Also said that BJD was relatively cheap to make as only the two \"leads\" were in the big pay packet/box office bankability territory. Otherwise standard fees were paid. Hope they realise (if there's a sequel!) who's filling those seats! Re Hughie in Hello. I agree with you, Renate ... think he's re-inventing himself as Daniel Cleaver!"}, {"response": 1443, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 24, 2001 (09:42)", "body": "Welcome, Annie. Sounds like you're in deep...v. deep. Best rememdy is to let it all out, and this is the place. ;-D (Annie) Did any body notice MD's shirt collar...There was something stick out on the back of his collar (or the collar itself?). (Ann) His tie tied in the back and was all tucked in one second, but was sticking out a bit the next. Wot?? Am going to have to go back to see for myself, although have a v. hard time looking at anything aside from his face most times. *hee hee*"}, {"response": 1444, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Apr 24, 2001 (10:29)", "body": "(Karen) Best rememdy is to let it all out, and this is the place. ;-D Agree. Just think of posting as therapy, Annie. Is not good to keep these feelings repressed. Am sure Freud wrote an article about it, somewhere...;-D Am going today for 4th time (have alerted Mr. Gill ;-)). Will try to focus on a few more things besides ODB (ha! not!)."}, {"response": 1445, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Apr 24, 2001 (18:05)", "body": "Welcome Annie, so glad you posted. Keep sharing. One important difference with Hugh and Cary, is I am glad to say , that Mr. Leatherleer was not born in Bristol, so residents will not have to put up with a statue of him. Imminent one of Cary to appear I am told in city centre. Better late than never! Look out if you live where Hugh was born (no idea where that is!)."}, {"response": 1446, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Tue, Apr 24, 2001 (18:06)", "body": "How does one ask IMDB to correct a \"Genre\"? BJD is classifed as *Drama*/Romance. Surely this is a mistake! Just worrying about searches long in to the future ;-)"}, {"response": 1447, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Apr 24, 2001 (18:13)", "body": "Thought it was a \"Rom/Com.\"!"}, {"response": 1448, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Apr 25, 2001 (02:26)", "body": "In defence of the doorbell continuity (issue raised back at #1322): Friends buzz for admission; MD gets to apartment door, saying \"Front door was open\"; DC buzzed in by Jude during party. Weaker defence for London continuity: BJ's apartment has to be assumed to be south of Tower Bridge (though filmed south of London Bridge), so she walks across it every day, catches the Tube to Piccadilly Circus and goes down to Pemberley Press. The diary shop has to be assumed to be near her apartment rather than where it really is, unless we believe she ran nearly a mile (including a bridge) after MD. My reasonably-priced \"tour of BJD\" now includes: BJD's apartment and the fight scene; The diary shop and kiss site; The Royal Courts of Justice; The Pemberley Press building. The upmarket extortion version takes in 192 and Snowshill, Gloucestershire (could even try for Stoke Poges golf club!)."}, {"response": 1449, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Apr 25, 2001 (04:04)", "body": "Mark you have been keeping low- profile in manner of bona fide star of top grossing film. I would love to join tour but feel sure you will not charge me for the priviledge as you know that I have made exhibition of myself 5 times by waving and gesturing at screen during your big scene, thereby getting audience to say \"Who is that man?\" and even \"Hmmmm that extra is so much more attractive than Hugh Grant.\" not forgetting \"There's a Saville row man darling.\""}, {"response": 1450, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Apr 25, 2001 (07:02)", "body": "I will certainly commute the fee in exchange for guarantees of cheering (or even noticing) my big-screen appearance. (Still can't believe I wasn't edited!)"}, {"response": 1451, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 25, 2001 (08:11)", "body": "Mark, your legs are even included in what they call the B-roll, footage provided to TV stations for clips! However, am still bummed that you missed witnessing the kiss scene and providing on-set report. Where were you that night? Which scene was shot at 192? Not where they're having guacamole? We've been there. Nothing resembled it. :-( Speaking of Stoke Poges, did your behind the scenes programme show them at the lake? Ours did and you can see that CF knows how to row."}, {"response": 1452, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 25, 2001 (08:50)", "body": "A satire... http://www.salon.com/books/feature/2000/02/29/bridget_80/"}, {"response": 1453, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr 25, 2001 (09:11)", "body": "From this week's Newsweek (emphasis added): MOVIES The (Same) Tale of Two Movies Sure, all romantic comedies are the same\ufffdthat whole \ufffdboy gets girl\ufffd shtik hasn\ufffdt shocked anyone since Adam won Eve. But these two flicks, both based on best-selling chick reads, are practically celluloid clones. Still, with plots so similar, how is it Bridget gets so many more laughs? The movie: \ufffdBRIDGET JONES\ufffdS DIARY\ufffd Narrative device: Tell-all diary Questionable casting: Pudgy Brit played by waifish Texan Renee Zellweger Boyfriend turned jerk: Hugh Grant Jerk turned boyfriend: Colin Firth \ufffdUnexpected\ufffd final plot twist: Wait a minute: Bridget\ufffds swell \ufffdjust as she is\ufffd! Happily ever after: They kiss on a London corner as a Van Morrison tune crescendos The movie: \ufffdSOMEONE LIKE YOU\ufffd Narrative device: Tell-all column Questionable casting: Average Every-Yenta played by waifish Baptist Ashley Judd Boyfriend turned jerk: Greg Kinnear Jerk turned boyfriend: Hugh Jackman \ufffdUnexpected\ufffd final plot twist: Wait a minute: not all men are bulls! Happily ever after: They kiss on a New York corner as a Van Morrison tune crescendos **** In answer to author's question (bolded above): - two of England's best [screen]writers worked on it diligently - BJD's female lead can actually act - 4 out of 5 females prefer CF to Hugh Jackman (using same research model as Trident gum commercials)"}, {"response": 1454, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Apr 25, 2001 (11:47)", "body": "192 isn't in the film, but no full BJD tour would be complete without it. What a poor satire at salon.com. Makes us long for more from LisaJH instead."}, {"response": 1455, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 25, 2001 (16:14)", "body": "Film rights 'sold to Bridget Jones sequel' The film company which cashed in with Bridget Jones's Diary has reportedly bought the rights to its sequel. Working Title films has seen its movie, which stars Renee Zellweger, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth, shoot to the top of box offices on both sides of the Atlantic. Daily Variety newspaper said the firm had bought the rights to Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, the sequel to the novel. The best-seller was published a year ago as a follow-up to Bridget Jones's Diary by author Helen Fielding and has sold 600,000 copies in America alone. Daily Variety columnist Jonathan Bing reported the film rights for the book have been sold by publishers Penguin for a figure said to be in excess of $1 million (\ufffd695,000). It will not be adapted by Fielding, who turned her novel into a film script for the current box-office hit. In The Edge of Reason, Bridget Jones splits from Darcy, the barrister played by Colin Firth with whom she settled down at the end of the first book, and ends up in a Thai prison. Bridget Jones's Diary has has already taken a total of more than $25 million (\ufffd17.5 million) at the US box office where it is currently number one ahead of children's drama Spy Kids and thriller Along Came A Spider, which stars Morgan Freeman."}, {"response": 1456, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 25, 2001 (16:18)", "body": "(MarkG) 192 isn't in the film, but no full BJD tour would be complete without it. Thought maybe I'd missed it. But is true, 192 is a must. We had fantastic dessert there. *hmmmm*"}, {"response": 1457, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Apr 25, 2001 (17:18)", "body": "Welcome aboard Annie."}, {"response": 1458, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 25, 2001 (17:21)", "body": "(Karen)192 is a must. We had fantastic dessert there. *hmmmm* *And* Chardonnay."}, {"response": 1459, "author": "CathyW", "date": "Thu, Apr 26, 2001 (00:01)", "body": "I had a whole meal there...was v. good...definitely should include on tour."}, {"response": 1460, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Apr 26, 2001 (03:20)", "body": "SS screening of BJD tonight. Will be flying flag for Spring and no detail will be too small to relate on weekend return."}, {"response": 1461, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 26, 2001 (07:35)", "body": "(Cathy) I had a whole meal there We did too, but I only liked the dessert."}, {"response": 1462, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr 26, 2001 (08:33)", "body": "Have a wonderful time tonight, Lizza--work that whisk, girl!:-) We'll be anxious to read your reports. It will not be adapted by Fielding, who turned her novel into a film script for the current box-office hit. I'm sorry to hear that it won't have Helen's involvement, but I suppose it's in good hands with two of the best writers in England.:-) There's a nice, two-page spread on Helen in the new issue of US mag. Also a smaller piece in Time magazine. Will post if there's anything new."}, {"response": 1463, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr 26, 2001 (10:33)", "body": "More from that Variety story about the BJD sequel, courtesy of BBC. Bless Helen--she's *always* in CF's corner. Colin conundrum However, one problem the sequel would face is the appearance of actor Colin Firth as both himself and as character Mark Darcy. Will actor Colin Firth appear as himself in the sequel? In The Edge of Reason, Bridget Jones splits from barrister Darcy and sets out to become a journalist by interviewing actor Colin Firth. Her later exploits see her incarcerated in a Thai prison. Daily Variety reports that The Edge of Reason will not be adapted for the screen by Fielding, who wrote the screenplay for the current box-office hit. \"I wrote the part of Mark Darcy for Colin Firth and I do hope he will come back for a repeat of his lovely performance,\" Fielding told Daily Variety. \"If he does, he will simply have to don a large beard and handlebar moustache and play himself.\""}, {"response": 1464, "author": "RebeccaC", "date": "Thu, Apr 26, 2001 (12:20)", "body": "Howdy ladies - Yet another lurker joining in the fun. Actually I used to be on Spring before the RofP was born and was quite shocked to see some of my early posts, using my maiden name, still here. I have always loved Colin since P&P, but I think my obsession got to new heights when I saw P&P on local TV here (I think it is incredibly disloyal not to watch it when it is on TV, regardless of having the tapes! ;-). I had seen it in almost a year and it brought those feelings back once again. And then came BJD and I lost my sanity. I've seen the movie three times and I have been doing my bid to find converts. One friend I recommended to film to had this to say to me: \"Hugh Grant was just delicious though, probably the best reason to see the film, imho; being the devilishly dapper gent we all know and love...and now Becks, I'm sorry, but WHAT is the big deal with Colin Firth?! I know you adore the dude and all, but I just don't get the whole fascination with him: he's totally average-looking, he always has this grim, lactose intolerant look on his face, and I'll be damned if he seems to boast as much onscreen personality as a potted fern!\" I was thinking of tying her down and making her watch P&P all over again. I AM GRIEVED, SHOCKED! Oh well, at least I tried. And do any of you have jealous pangs now that there will be even more ODB fans (I prefer SB - for sexy bastard) out there because of BDJ? I mean I feel like one of those Boxing Day shoppers who spots a great item on sale and has to yank and pull to get it back. I feel like saying 'He was MINE first!' Nice to be in likewise company! :-)"}, {"response": 1465, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Apr 26, 2001 (12:48)", "body": "I vote for brother Jonathon to play Colin in EoR. That would work."}, {"response": 1466, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Apr 26, 2001 (13:01)", "body": "Welcome [back] Rebecca. Yes, you'll find yourself in like company here. I tip my hat to the assessment skills of your friend: he always has this grim, lactose intolerant look on his face V.g. description of 'early' (pre-Lizzy, pre-BJ) Darcy. So she prefers Huge Gnat, eh? Thought that was the reason for seeing BJD? Ah, well, whatever floats your boat... *feigning tolerance* ;-)"}, {"response": 1467, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr 26, 2001 (13:39)", "body": "From today's Chicago Tribune--Karen, any pics with it? This one has been making the rounds the past couple of weeks in various papers, but don't think it's been posted here. Film puts Firth before mirth Actor inspires the character, then gets role By Roger Moore The Orlando Sentinel April 26, 2001 There's something liberating about being haughty. Ask the master, the guy whose picture would fit nicely next to \"supercilious\" in the Oxford English Dictionary, Colin Firth. \"You can't imagine how it feels to have a director tell you, `Be really unsympathetic, unfunny and unsexy -- Go for it!'\" Firth said from Perugia, Italy. \"Trying to be loved is an awful lot of fatigue for something that in the end is not terribly interesting.\" Firth has never broken a sweat playing at being \"sweet\" on the screen. For us to like him, as Mr. Darcy in the acclaimed 1995 mini-series \"Pride and Prejudice,\" or in such films as \"The Advocate\" (1993), \"Shakespeare in Love\" (1998) and the new film, \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" the audience has to go to him, not the other way around. \"He makes haughty so darned sexy,\" said his \"Bridget\" director Sharon Maguire. \"I remember when all of Britain was enthralled with `Pride and Prejudice,' and watching him, the more haughty and aloof he became, the more sexy he became. His stock went up and up.\" Firth, 40, may not be the most beloved actor in the movies these days. But thanks to a career-defining turn as Mr. Darcy, a man of frosty integrity who takes hours and hours of a mini-series to warm up to Elizabeth Bennett (Jennifer Ehle) in \"Pride and Prejudice,\" he gets another crack at Darcy, the same snob transported to modern-day England. In \"Bridget,\" he plays a character he inspired. \"It was impossible to think of anyone else playing Mark Darcy, because Helen [Fielding, the author of the novel] wrote the character while she was watching Colin Firth play Mr. Darcy in `Pride and Prejudice,'\" said Maguire. \"You just saw him being haughty, aloof, standing on the periphery of rooms, always being the outsider, wanting to be the insider. And no one does that better than Colin.\" Fielding's ex-boyfriend, screenwriter Richard Curtis (\"Four Weddings and a Funeral\"), adapted \"Bridget\" for the screen. He said Firth's face has been in the picture since \"the publication party for the book, where they had a cut-out of him as Mr. Darcy. Helen took it and put it in the lobby of our office, and I had to walk past Colin bloody Firth every day, with that smug, supercilious look on his face, for three years.\" Role beckoned After all that, \"there was no way that I could not be a part of it,\" Firth said with a laugh. \"It's probably not quite as self-reflective as `Being John Malkovich,' but when something has so much to do with something you've done before, you just throw your hands up and say, `Right. I'm in.' The layers of irony are so deep that I can't begin to fathom it.\" The two Darcys are equal in haughtiness. But the modern one is also a modern man in other respects. \"He got to be Mr. Darcy in silly reindeer sweater, with a snowman tie,\" Maguire said. \"He got to snog (kiss), and he got to wallop Hugh Grant and he got to [swear]. It was a tongue-in-cheek approach to the character, which I loved.\" \"Bridget\" not only borrows a character, but its entire plot from \"Pride and Prejudice.\" Jane Austen's story of a sweet but socially awkward young woman -- who fears spinsterhood, is drawn to a sexy \"bad\" boy and repelled by the haughty \"good\" boy -- is the basic framework of \"Bridget.\" When it came out in 1996, the Diary touched a nerve and became a phenomenon. Finding right Bridget All that was required to film it was to find the right Bridget, whom the producers decided was American Renee Zellweger and the right Daniel \"Cleve\" Cleaver, her \"sexy bastard of a boss,\" as Maguire described him (Hugh Grant). And Colin Firth. \"Some of the time, I felt like I was ironically recycling something I'd already done,\" Firth said. \"The thing you have to do is to try and suggest the same thing through a different convention. It's not just the costumes that change. It's the prose. I don't have those things that Mr. Darcy said so elegantly. You can't talk like that. \"So I had to try to deliver the same idea of this rather elegant mind without having much to say. And when I do talk, it is with a very different, less eloquent vernacular. And it's hard to imagine Mr. Darcy kicking and scratching like a little girl the way Darcy and Cleve go at it [in a fistfight] in this movie.\" Looking at \"Bridget's\" complicated lineage, so much dependent on the right actor playing Mr. Darcy in that original TV series, it is hard to believe Firth almost didn't play him. \"One of the things that made me reluctant to do the first Darcy was I was worried if he was playable or not,\" he said. \"The way he's written in the book; snobbish and aloof, is very much the way he is seen from the female point of view. Eventually, we see him warm up, but there is nothing "}, {"response": 1468, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 26, 2001 (14:13)", "body": "Harumph! It's not in any of the five sections of the newspaper sitting in the middle of my floor...haven't checked the Sears ad though or the automobile classifieds though. On the newspaper's website, it shows the article plus an op piece on the rise of the vapid women that starts with a commiseration with Natasha... Various links here: http://chicagotribune.com/leisure/tempo/printedition/ but nada, nothing, zilch in actual paper. :-("}, {"response": 1469, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Apr 26, 2001 (14:22)", "body": "Thanks, Mari. So this is what Roger's been doing since his Bond days? ;-D"}, {"response": 1470, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr 26, 2001 (14:40)", "body": "So this is what Roger's been doing since his Bond days? ;-D LOL, Eileen! Hey, he's apparently heard that someone else is \"desperate\" to take over the job. Expect bylines from Pierce B. next.;-) Karen, I saw the Natasha article. In answer to her first question--am I the only woman in America who feels sorry for Natasha--answer is a resounding YES, you're the only one. Although I suppose one has to have some smidgeon of compassion for a gal who's blown it with Mark Darcy, however undeserving she was. . . Rebecca's friend)he always has this grim, lactose intolerant look on his face ROTF! Well, your friend sounds funny, so I'd keep her, but only on that basis.;-) The worst comment that someone has dared make to me is \"he could have smiled a bit more, no?\" I tried to explain intricacies of not having to perform to strangers, but alas . . ."}, {"response": 1471, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 26, 2001 (15:39)", "body": "(Rebecca) quite shocked to see some of my early posts, using my maiden name, still here Should we go way way back and see what *shocking* things you said??? ;-D Naw, just leap back into the fold because as you can see we never get tired of Colin and Darcy in all his incarnations. *smacking lips* (Ann) I vote for brother Jonathon to play Colin in EoR. That would work. I vote for Colin to play himself. Is brilliant actor so can do it. Doubt anyone would think Jon sufficiently droolable to play object of Bridget's obssession. (Mari) YES, you're the only one Ms Keller couldn't possibly have watched BJD at any the showings I attended as there were gasps in the audience when Natasha snapped her fingers and discernible hissing noises whenever she opened her mouth or tried to take Mark away from Bridget. Nothing that sounded like a sympathetic outpouring from fellow brilliant and cultured women in the audience."}, {"response": 1472, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Thu, Apr 26, 2001 (16:56)", "body": "Delurking, I think... (Karen)Ms Keller couldn't possibly have watched BJD at any the showings I attended as there were gasps in the audience when Natasha snapped her fingers and discernible hissing noises whenever she opened her mouth or tried to take Mark away from Bridget. Nothing that sounded like a sympathetic outpouring from fellow brilliant and cultured women in the audience. Exactly. The dislike of Natasha has nothing to do with \"the feminine ideal has been progressively winnowed down to one: wackiness\" (from the Trib article) and everything to do with the fact that she was a cold, manipulative witch. The movie, at least, gives no impression that Natasha is interested in Mark for any other reason than his $ and status. It'd be an interesting piece of fanfic, though, if someone wanted to write her point of view of all the goings-on."}, {"response": 1473, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 26, 2001 (17:32)", "body": "(LauraT, who delurked to claim a Keepsake) The movie, at least, gives no impression that Natasha is interested in Mark for any other reason than his $ and status. Precisely...same as Caroline Bingley. I have read some fan fic from her POV. But how to differentiate from Rebecca...well, Rebecca would have to very good looking. IMO Embeth Davidtz looked better as Helen Hirsch in Schindler's List, which is not saying much."}, {"response": 1474, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 26, 2001 (18:30)", "body": "Rebecca would have to very good looking.. She could be attractive in a different part. They made her so masculine....hair, clothes. One felt compassion for the ole boy."}, {"response": 1475, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Thu, Apr 26, 2001 (18:31)", "body": "(Karen) (LauraT, who delurked to claim a Keepsake) True, same me, different topic. :) (Karen) IMO Embeth Davidtz looked better as Helen Hirsch in Schindler's List, which is not saying much. She looked very nice in the recent-ish film version of Mansfield Park, with Frances O'Connor and Jonny Lee Miller. As a matter of fact, her character in that (blanking on name) was more sympathetic - she wasn't a pure-good person, but you could see what drove her. Liz Hurley would have made a great Rebecca. Or Sophie Marceau. (Gaah, bored at work. Must stop posting.)"}, {"response": 1476, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Apr 26, 2001 (20:42)", "body": "(Karen) there were gasps in the audience when Natasha snapped her fingers I love this moment for Bridget's amazed reaction. Coming where it does, I think it gives her a hint that Mark does not have a perfect life. And, like Bridget, he can find himself in a relationship where he does not call the shots. Also shows Bridget the difference between having inner poise (v. good) and being cold-hearted (vv. bad)."}, {"response": 1477, "author": "SharonB", "date": "Thu, Apr 26, 2001 (22:28)", "body": "Natasha was obviously v. ambitious and wanted his help in her career. She also wanted to get into his briefs. (Who wouldn't?)"}, {"response": 1478, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 26, 2001 (23:04)", "body": "Shocked! ;-) Didn't we see Natasha holding his briefs in the boat?"}, {"response": 1479, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Apr 26, 2001 (23:06)", "body": "So, if they produce EoR, and if they manage to put in the Rome interview, and if it is more or less intact, wouldn't Colin get some sort of screenwriting credit?"}, {"response": 1480, "author": "SharonB", "date": "Thu, Apr 26, 2001 (23:29)", "body": "Due to v. bad angle of camera, was not able to see MD's briefs in boat. Will have to see BJD again. However, do remember PA's Arsenal boxer shorts. Could CF perhaps be boxer man rather than brief man? He certainly got more mileage than most out of wet shirt and pants (without any apparent undergarments). May need to watch P&P again to research this. Sorry, must go now. Suddenly feeling very warm due to mental image and must go to other room to stand in front of open fridge for a while."}, {"response": 1481, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Apr 27, 2001 (03:14)", "body": "Ann: wouldn't Colin get some sort of screenwriting credit? Two Three Four of the most talented writers in Britain..."}, {"response": 1482, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Apr 27, 2001 (09:10)", "body": "(Mark)...Four of the most talented writers in Britain... Heehee! (Karen) Doubt anyone would think Jon sufficiently droolable to play object of Bridget's obssession. *snort* Oh Caroline, you are too cruel! (Kate) I love this moment for Bridget's amazed reaction. Coming where it does, I think it gives her a hint that Mark does not have a perfect life. And, like Bridget, he can find himself in a relationship where he does not call the shots. Exactly. Is also major turning point insofar as audience's sympathies toward MD (except us, that is. He had us from hello ;-))."}, {"response": 1483, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 27, 2001 (09:33)", "body": "(Eileen) He had us from hello ;-) It took that long? I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun....But I believe I must date it from my first seeing his beautiful grounds at Pemberley.... Either that or the butt-cam shot and the lovely 'ding dong.' ;-D"}, {"response": 1484, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Apr 27, 2001 (09:44)", "body": "GAH! Am shocked! Have not seen BJD in a week, so went to movie listings to check times for this weekend. There is a new print ad in my newspaper and it hasn't a sniff of Colin other than in the credits listing. There's a large photo of Bridget with a wine glass in her hand, then two smaller photos surrounded by quotes. The smaller photos are Daneil on the floor with Bridget (after book launch) and Bridget walking toward the T&V party (just after she gets out of the car). The only quote that mentions the case is \"Renee Zellweger triumphs! Her costars all shine. Hugh Grant is Hilarious!\" How could this happen? Don't the people who make these decisions pay any attention to what's going on?!? I read at 143 that CF's stock at \"HSX\" is almost $1000. I checked HG and he's around $750. CF is way up on the IMBD list, HG is nowhere. If the powers that be know that a lot of the box office business is repeat viewers, don't they know WHY? What a bunch of F***WITS! They owe CF a share of the credit for this success. Am v. insulted on behalf of ODB! OK, switching to decaf now..."}, {"response": 1485, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Apr 27, 2001 (10:11)", "body": "(Karen) Either that or the butt-cam shot and the lovely 'ding dong.' ;-D Oh, yes, doesn't he look good from that angle! No wonder Bridget says \"ding dong\" when she sees him. OK, switching to decaf ICED coffee now..."}, {"response": 1486, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Apr 27, 2001 (11:48)", "body": "(Kate) a new print ad in my newspaper ...wouldn't by any chance be the *&^$ Star-Ledger, would it? CF's stock at \"HSX\" Doubt if the powers-that-be at Miramax (or any other studio) base decisions on HSX. Is too much like 'My Favorite Man' voting booth. What a bunch of F***WITS! They owe CF a share of the credit for this success. This I agree with. My paper's ads have the same quotes but at least still have MD's pic. Grrrr."}, {"response": 1487, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Apr 27, 2001 (14:55)", "body": "...wouldn't by any chance be the *&^$ Star-Ledger, would it? But of course! Will check NY Times on Sunday to see what ad they're running."}, {"response": 1488, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Apr 27, 2001 (15:20)", "body": "Miramax knows who their auidence has been. Now they're trying to draw in more men; they need to in order to maintain box office. Cleavage pics of BJ are designed to compete with cleavage pics of new competition Liv Tyler (One Night At McCool's) and alleged guy appeal of Stallone (Driven). Don't take it personally; it's business. (Just like Tom Hanks in You've Got Mail, I am great believer in quoting from The Godfather in every life situation;-) Meanwhile, publicity drums keep a beating--ho hum, another CF article in USA Today. From their Celebrity Inbox column (thanks, Chris): Q. I went to the movies Saturday and saw Bridget Jones's Diary (the first movie I have seen in a theater since The Lion King). I loved the movie and thought Colin Firth was fabulous. Can you tell me about him? (photocaption) Colin Firth stars with Renee Zellweger in Bridget Jones's Diary. A. I hope you have children and haven't been trapped under some heavy object that has prevented you from seeing a movie since 1994. Born to two teachers, Colin Firth started acting at a young age. His most notable roles (and good rentals) include Lord Wessex in Shakespeare in Love, Geoffrey Clifton in The English Patient and Simon Westward in The Circle of Friends. Firth also starred as Mr. Darcy in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, which is why author Helen Fielding insisted on Firth for the role of Mark Darcy. Firth has an older (sic) brother, Johnathan, who is also an actor (An Ideal Husband) and a younger sister, Kate, who is a voice coach. Firth has two sons, William (with actress Meg Tilly) and Luca (with Italian director and wife Livia Giuggioli). And despite his perceived status as a lothario, Firth told The Daily Telegraph, \"I think it's quite extraordinary that people cast me as if I'm Warren Beatty. Until I met my present wife, at the age of 35, you could name two girlfriends. Yet there's this extraordinary image of the man who goes off with his leading lady all the time, when any 35-year-old man who can claim to have had two past lovers is hardly a philanderer.\" The actor who once told Harper's Bazaar: \"I would love to dazzle. I just don't have a great capacity for it\" might continue to dazzle in the sequel to Bridget Jones's Diary. Both he and Hugh Grant have been approached to join the sequel, according to Ananova."}, {"response": 1489, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Apr 27, 2001 (15:23)", "body": "And today's LA Times, celebrity \"Sound Bite\" section, with pic (thanks, Leslie): \"I can't see it as a curse anymore. It's so prevalent in my life. It's just like living with a birthmark or something\" --\"Bridget Jones's Diary\" star Colin Firth, on being typecast due to his memorable role as Mr. Darcy in the 1995 BBC miniseries \"Pride and Prejudice.\""}, {"response": 1490, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Fri, Apr 27, 2001 (17:38)", "body": "BJD has moved \"outside\"--to another theatre in my town--if you count the Drive- In as a theatre(probably the only one left in America). My brother lives behind the theatre so I can watch it from his balcony. However, I won't be able to hear anything unless they still simulcast(sp?) it via FM Radio."}, {"response": 1491, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 27, 2001 (18:00)", "body": "(USA Today) with Italian director and wife Livia Giuggioli Is this a promotion or a demotion???? Is there a pending strike by all fact checkers? Have just seen again for mumble time and am microfocusing on v. important things, i.e., holes in ears (yeah!! saw one!!), barrister collar sticking out in back, etc. Had fantastic audience, which included several packs of loud female howlers, laughing at everything, hissing when Daniel returned, and oohing when Mark approached on the street. Perfect afternoon. *am content human being*"}, {"response": 1492, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Fri, Apr 27, 2001 (20:37)", "body": "(Karen)Is there a pending strike by all fact checkers? Funny you should say that, as I wanted to post this short, error-prone non-review from a local paper (San Jose Metro, local free weekly; below is online near bottom of http://www.metroactive.com/metro/allshookdown-0117.html ) \"Dissing Bridget THE NEW MOVIE Bridget Jones's Diary is getting universally good reviews, but I didn't like the predictability of its plot or the type of pratfall--generally involving Bridget's oh-so-hilarious butt--which was meant to double as her charm. The thing I really disliked about it, however, was the soundtrack. From the very start, when Bridget is seen melodramatically lip-synching to Celine Dion's version of Eric Carmen's \"All by Myself,\" you can tell you're in Ally McBeal territory: bad e-z-listening rock song after b.e.z.l.r. song interrupts the action, with the patronizing intention of telling us exactly what's going on--and it doesn't even help that Bridget herself calls her choice in music \"sad.\" When Bridget first asserts herself at work, the soundtrack plays \"R-E-S-P-E-C-T.\" If a man flies out a window, the soundtrack plays \"It's Raining Men.\" I found the music both distracting and bad, but I gathered from the crowd's reaction that mine was not a universal opinion. Despite having been a bestselling novel, Bridget Jones's Diary is one of many movies out today that seem like they were written around the soundtrack instead of vice-versa, and I think that's a crummy development in cinema.\""}, {"response": 1493, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Apr 27, 2001 (22:59)", "body": "Despite having been a bestselling novel, Bridget Jones's Diary is one of many movies out today that seem like they were written around the soundtrack instead of vice-versa, and I think that's a crummy development in cinema.\" Yeah, I have to agree with the author (however, that wasn't Celine Dion's version, was it?); I can't tell anymore, I'm deaf to her songs. The soundtrack (in the movie just didn't do it for me, it was too predictable. Should've been more diverse? Or didn't really need the music to tell us what was going on. (am tired, am rambling, am going to bed)"}, {"response": 1494, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Sat, Apr 28, 2001 (00:29)", "body": "Yeah, I have to agree with the author (however, that wasn't Celine Dion's version, was it?); No, that was the part that cracked me up - how hard is it to look on cdnow and check? It does sound faintly Celine Dion-ish, though. I can't tell anymore, I'm deaf to her songs. The soundtrack (in the movie just didn't do it for me, it was too predictable. Should've been more diverse? Cool indie-rock would have been nice, but when would *that* ever happen in a big-name movie? I actually thought it was a good way to evoke Bridget's character - after all, she listens to this kind of stuff *in* the movie, and she doesn't seem the Ani DiFranco type. Beck, maybe, if someone introduced it to her first. Geez, gotten off the real subject, though - Colin Firth. Looking yummy. In a movie. :) Mmm. Mmmm."}, {"response": 1495, "author": "Stacey", "date": "Sat, Apr 28, 2001 (00:34)", "body": "Well, I am not sure if any of you will remember me because I haven't posted anything for about two years but I've still been lurking! Anyway, I just saw BJD and ..... OH MY GAWD!!! I loved it so much!!! I know that I will have to see it again at least a few more times before it leaves theaters! What about Colin!!! WOW!! I don't even know what to say except that I was completely in heaven and I was giggling like a 13 year old!! It was so good!!! : )"}, {"response": 1496, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Apr 28, 2001 (08:59)", "body": "Sure, Stacy, we never forget a name. So glad you and the other emerging posters are still so discerning. He's definitely a man who can stroke those oars. (Karen) However, am still bummed that you missed witnessing the kiss scene and providing on-set report. Where were you that night? Though Mark will always be our favorite extra perhaps we can lure the two old ladies in that scene to come out of hiding and give us their report. They must be lurking here somewhere being that they fit right in with his fanbase demographics. (Hmmm, maybe time to put that old chestnut to bed?)"}, {"response": 1497, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Apr 28, 2001 (09:01)", "body": "And Stac e y..I may not have forgotten you but I have forgotten the spelling of your name. ;-)"}, {"response": 1498, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Apr 28, 2001 (09:01)", "body": "(Laura)(San Jose Metro, local free weekly No wonder it's free...who would want to buy it;-) But everyone is entitled...and I've heard that opinion before for all soundtracks I loved the soundtrack...in FP too(though I didn't the movie).Sadly they didn't include Van Morrison or the Diana Ross (Ain't no Mountain high enough\".)in the CD."}, {"response": 1499, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Sat, Apr 28, 2001 (11:38)", "body": "Karen: However, am still bummed that you missed witnessing the kiss scene and providing on-set report. Where were you that night? Have not replied to this before because I cannot believe the cheek of this accusation. As you, Karen, provided the information to enable me to locate the set every time I attended, you only have yourself to blame for this omission. And as it happened about 30 yards from where my office was at the time, I am even more bummed myself - mind you, they probably did it in the small hours to find a vacant time when they could snow the place up. Am also quite disappointed I didn't hang around longer on the night of my first Report from the Set (how many posts ago was that?) as I suspect they filmed most of the fight that night, given the stuntmen in attendance."}, {"response": 1500, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, Apr 28, 2001 (13:34)", "body": "Good job you didn't stick around Mark if you ask me, we would have had to wave at 27 times instead of once!! BTW goes without saying that Tracy and I gave you a big wave at the S.S sorry ODB wasn't there to see it."}, {"response": 1501, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Sat, Apr 28, 2001 (19:04)", "body": "server closing down, new server is at http://66.70.14.230 . please post there now."}, {"response": 1502, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 28, 2001 (19:30)", "body": "Until the name kicks in, you can reach Spring at: http://66.70.14.232/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/drool/all/new"}, {"response": 1503, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Apr 28, 2001 (13:50)", "body": "The new server is now up and running, let the games resume. Sorry if anyone got lost in cyberspace trying to find this today."}, {"response": 1504, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 29, 2001 (00:55)", "body": "(MarkG) you only have yourself to blame for this omission Bloody hell! Talk about cheek! Prime example of lack of accountability. Harumph, mileage chart shows I am 4000 miles away. Do your buildings lack windows? ;-D 30 yards away? Gaah! I cannot believe there were no signs on the street to prohibit parking, as that scene would've required a significant area to be blocked off. But you're right, it would've been filmed very late at night. Which reminds me...movie signs on next block. Must go check to see what it will be..."}, {"response": 1505, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 29, 2001 (00:55)", "body": "Will post the *missing* mobile in the dustbin scene later"}, {"response": 1506, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Apr 29, 2001 (13:36)", "body": "Hmmm, looks like \"Driven\" wiped the floor with Bridge: $13,075,000 = \"Driven\" weekend numbers $7,500,000 = \"Bridget\" (Source: Hollywood.com)"}, {"response": 1507, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 29, 2001 (14:18)", "body": "Driven's $13 million is considered \"modest\" for that kind of movie (i.e., appealing to people who like to inhale exhaust fumes), and this is Bridget's third week. It's doing great. BTW, the wire services said this weekend was significantly down compared to last year, about 20% due to \"a paucity of quality new releases as studios hold off from releasing their best films until the peak summer season, which begins next weekend with \"The Mummy Returns.\" Bridget's earned $36.2 million. v.g."}, {"response": 1508, "author": "Stacey", "date": "Sun, Apr 29, 2001 (17:22)", "body": "Well, I saw BJD twice this weekend and it was packed Friday night but not even close on Saturday. But everyone that I know who has seen it completely loves it!!! Especially me!! : )"}, {"response": 1509, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Apr 29, 2001 (18:30)", "body": "I'm gonna see it again, maybe next week."}, {"response": 1510, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Apr 29, 2001 (19:00)", "body": "On the AOL site they have been running a CF v HG poll. I am sure you all know about this. It was v frustrating as it is one of those polls which only allows you to vote once *shock/horror*. Well to start with, before BJD opened HG was way ahead but gradually CF cought up and overtook him. I think it now stands at CF 53.1% v HG 46.9%. At around the point that Colin overtook the Grunt a message appeared under the figures, saying something to the efect of ..\"this is not a scientific poll and only reflects the views of those who chose to take part\"!! Do we detect bias on the part of AOL?"}, {"response": 1511, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Sun, Apr 29, 2001 (21:49)", "body": "Karen: 30 yards away? Gaah! I cannot believe there were no signs on the street to prohibit parking, as that scene would've required a significant area to be blocked off. But you're right, it would've been filmed very late at night. There's no parking there anyway. Strange that there was never any sign of the fake snow left that I remember. But I think they play tricks with the snow-shots anyway. After all they couldn't have covered the whole Cotswolds - we went to Snowshill to look at it, and couldn't recognise the main view of the village properly (and certainly not the open country beyond)."}, {"response": 1512, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 29, 2001 (23:50)", "body": "(Mark) After all they couldn't have covered the whole Cotswolds Very likely the drive to the Darcys was done on a set somewhere. The stuff falling in the City did look computer generated. Speaking of snow, don't you like the little flakes that settle on CF during the kiss scene and that never melt as would real snow (for those of you who aren't accustomed to snow)? ;-D"}, {"response": 1513, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Apr 30, 2001 (00:41)", "body": "(AllisonM)Do we detect bias on the part of AOL? If you could vote more than once, our efforts might be worthy of such a remark. But if you can vote only once, then disclaimers are unkind to ODB. Probably the F***wits at AOL only knew who HG is, so assumed they knew how the poll would come out. HAH! Any poll that ODB wins is scientific and extremely accurate! Ben, care to comment on scientific nature of statistics and polls on the web?"}, {"response": 1514, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Apr 30, 2001 (01:04)", "body": "The stats on spring.net this week show a definite influence of Bridget Jones: Most Requested Pages Pages Views % of Total Views User Sessions Avg. Time Viewed 1 Area 404: Choose a Category http://spring.net/404.html 54,249 25.61% 10,011 00:01:44 2 Bridget Jones's Diary - news and more on the making of the movie http://spring.net/karenr/ mdbro/bjd.html 17,064 8.05% 15,286 00:00:19 3 BJD Premiere http://spring.net/karenr/ mdbro/bjdprem.html 4,313 2.03% 4,124 00:02:43 4 Colin Firth: Bridget Jones's Diary - photo gallery http://spring.net/karenr/ mdbro/bjdgal.html 3,803 1.79% 3,390 00:02:24 5 Bridget Jones's Diary - movie reviews http://spring.net/karenr/ mdbro/bjdrevsum.html 3,458 1.63% 3,218 00:02:37 6 The Bucket - Spring scoops on Colin Firth http://spring.net/karenr/ mdbro/main.html 2,983 1.4% 2,790 00:00:29 7 http://spring.net/yapp-bin/ restricted/browse/drool/all/new/ 2,719 1.28% 1,392 00:00:51 8 Colin Firth - News and updates to Colin Firth projects http://spring.net/karenr/ mdbro/news.html 2,533 1.19% 2,391 00:00:42 9 Cast Information for Bridget Jones's Diary http://spring.net/karenr/ mdbro/bjdcast.html 2,457 1.16% 2,380 00:01:41 10 Bridget Jones's Diary movie soundtrack http://spring.net/karenr/ mdbro/bjdmusic.html 2,314 1.09% 2,187 00:02:15 Sub Total For the Page Views Above 95,893 45.28% N/A N/A Total For the Log File 211,774 100% N/A N/A"}, {"response": 1515, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Apr 30, 2001 (02:23)", "body": "(Karen) Is there a pending strike by all fact checkers? Am convinced there is no such thing as a 'fact checker.' Sorta makes me nervous when I think about all the other 'news' I read... (Karen) Had fantastic audience, which included several packs of loud female howlers, laughing at everything, hissing when Daniel returned, and oohing when Mark approached on the street. Perfect afternoon. *am content human being* Hurrah! Reminds me about the last time I saw BJ, last Tuesday at 1:45 matinee. There were about 15-20 gray-haired v. old ladies (so is not time to put that chestnut to bed, Heide ;-)). Someone who sat in the front was laughing in manner of crazed hyena at absolutely everything and even applauded at one point (not MD-related :-/). Think was either overzealous Miramax plant or v. late-blossoming Rosie Show audience member. Was a bit distracting, really."}, {"response": 1516, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr 30, 2001 (06:25)", "body": "04/28/2001 By ALINE McKENZIE / The Dallas Morning News Bridget Jones's Fan's Diary Before seeing the movie a fourth time, brush up on Jane Austen to catch the inside jokes and pass our viewers' quiz. Bridget Jones's Diary reached No. 1 at the box office this week, partly as a result of people going to see it again and again. Part of the fun for repeat viewers is catching all the in-jokes related to Jane Austen's novels. The entire plot of the original book is based on Pride and Prejudice, while the sequel, The Edge of Reason, is based on Persuasion. (Similarly, the movie Clueless was based on Austen's Emma.) But beyond that, the movie contains clever casting and cameos, using actors and actresses from movies based on Austen's novels. Crispin Bonham-Carter, for instance, appears so briefly in several scenes that he has become a sort of \"Where's Waldo?\" for fans. So herewith, gentle reader, we present Bridget Jones's Trivia. Colin Firth is a freebie, since he's just too obvious. Mark Darcy is based on Fitzwilliam Darcy from Pride and Prejudice. Colin Firth, of course, played Mr. Darcy in the BBC's 1995 production. As he pointed out in a Today Show interview, \"I'm playing somebody who's based on a character in a book who's based on a role that I played who's based on a character in a book. So I'm like one of those Escher drawings.\" Saturday, April 28 1. Spot Mr. Bingley at least once. 2. Loathsome boss Daniel Cleaver based on Jane Austen character. Who? 3. Bridget is not literary pariah as previously feared. Proved capable of directly quoting Jane Austen in which line? 4. V. appropriate to dump Hugh Grant in river. Why? 5. Publishing company called \"Pemberley Press.\" Why? 6. Reindeer-clad Mark Darcy v. rude to call Bridget \"a verbally incontinent spinster who smokes like a chimney, drinks like a fish and dresses like her mother.\" Was update of what line? 7. Loathsome-boss portrayer Hugh Grant was less loathsome in other Jane Austen role. Which? 8. Spot Bingley again. 9. What is \"The Look\"? 10. Snobbish, conniving Natasha based on what Austen character? 11. Was v. cunning to cast Embeth Davidtz as snobbish, conniving Natasha. Why? 12. Spot Bingley third time. 13. Mark Darcy's rather incoherent speech about liking Bridget despite having \"elements of the ridiculous\" about her is update of what scene? 14. Scatterbrained mum Gemma Jones played Jane Austen scatterbrained mum before. When? 15. Jane Austen never had dirty limericks in her novel. Who provided the one used in the movie? 16. Horrid blue soup not at all the thing to serve. What color soup would most oblige Miss Austen? 17. Must learn more from other fans. Bridget Jones's Answers 1. Crispin Bonham-Carter, who played Mr. Bingley in Pride and Prejudice, is talking to Salman Rushdie at the launch party. 2. George Wickham, the cad who tries to elope with Mr. Darcy's underage sister in P&P, slanders Darcy as the bad guy to Elizabeth Bennet, and later runs off with Elizabeth's underage sister. 3. \"It is a truth universally acknowledged...\" (Echoes the opening line of P&P: \"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.\") 4. He spoofs Colin Firth's scene in a sexy wet shirt in P&P. In the BJD books, Bridget and her chums watch that scene over and over. 5. Pemberley is the name of Mr. Darcy's estate in P&P. 6. After Mr. Darcy meets Elizabeth Bennet at a dance in P&P, she overhears him saying, \"She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me; and I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men.\" 7. Steadfast Edward Ferrars in Sense and Sensibility. 8. Crispin Bonham-Carter appears in Bridget's wedding fantasy scene. He's wearing a red tie. 9. How P&P fans refer to Colin Firth's intense, lovesick expression, which he reprises in BJD. See \"The Look\" at www2.hunterlink.net.au/~ddibd/jane/thelook.html. 10. The snobbish, conniving Caroline Bingley in P&P, who fails to marry Mr. Darcy. 11. Embeth Davidtz played the snobbish, conniving Mary Crawford in Mansfield Park. 12. Crispin Bonham-Carter is the co-worker holding the poster when Bridget quits her job. 13. In P&P, Mr. Darcy asks Elizabeth Bennet to marry him while simultaneously insulting her entire family. She is not amused. 14. Mrs. Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility. 15. Colin Firth. And we thought he was such a nice boy. 16. White soup was traditional at Austen-era dances. 17. See www.pemberley.com/bin/virtview/virtview.cgi/"}, {"response": 1517, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Mon, Apr 30, 2001 (06:31)", "body": "http://www.hellomagazine.com/2001/04/19/bridget/ From Hello magazine, a rehash of the James Bond rumors and talk of the sequel. But the pictures posted are of RZ and CF!"}, {"response": 1518, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Apr 30, 2001 (06:39)", "body": "LOL Mari, love that list! Essential to pass the time during certain scenes! No 18 How many times can you spot a zit on Daniel Cleaver's face, describe its location. Think you've started something , this could run and run!"}, {"response": 1519, "author": "kitkat4089", "date": "Mon, Apr 30, 2001 (08:30)", "body": "OK, I shudder to admit that I am a Hugh Grant fan, so pelt me if you will...but I hasten to add that I also think Colin Firth is wonderful. (This reminds me of the days when you could be a Beatles fan or a Rolling Stones fan, but not both. I was both.) I thought I'd drop in to say that PeopleNews UK is reporting that Mr. Firth is signing up for a film version of \"The Importance of Being Earnest\" (the Oscar Wilde play), alongside Rupert Everett, Dame Judi Dench and (??) Reese Witherspoon. They say it will be released next year. (Meekly slinks offstage, picking ripe tomato fragments out of hair...)"}, {"response": 1520, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 30, 2001 (08:48)", "body": "You're a brave kitty. Thanks for posting. We have all that kind of Colin news over at another topic (143), but as a Hugh Grant (pls note attempt at civility) fan, I doubt you'd be interested to read that topic. This reminds me of the days when you could be a Beatles fan or a Rolling Stones fan, but not both. Quite true. I remember my older sister becoming a traitor and liking the Stones. ;-D Off to boil some pasta as have lots of tomatoes ready for the saucepan."}, {"response": 1521, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Apr 30, 2001 (21:14)", "body": "From Annova today - The American TV Rights to Bridget Jones' Diary have already been sold. TV Network NBC has bought the rights to show the film 3 times from December, 2003."}, {"response": 1522, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May  1, 2001 (00:13)", "body": "Here's the source article from the Hollywood Reporter: NBC puts 'Diary' down in its book By Nellie Andreeva NBC has snagged the broadcast television rights to Miramax Films/Universal's romantic comedy \"Bridget Jones's Diary.\" In a standard acquisition deal, the network will get three airings of the critically acclaimed movie starring Renee Zellweger, beginning in December 2003. The licensing fee depends on the comedy's boxoffice performance and could be as much as $8 million-$9 million, sources said. During 17 days of release, \"Diary\" has grossed $36.2 million in the United States. The film adaptation of the popular British novel that co-stars Hugh Grant and Colin Firth also made an impressive debut in its homeland, bowing with $8.2 million during its opening weekend in the United Kingdom. This is the second Miramax romantic comedy with European taste and accent that has been acquired by a big U.S. broadcast network recently. CBS' deal on \"Chocolat\" came one month ago. ~~~~~~~ It will go to cable first though."}, {"response": 1523, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, May  1, 2001 (00:24)", "body": "(Ann) TV Network NBC Bleech. Will hardly look like the movie we know. Swear words erased (what will Shazzer say?), some scenes nipped and tucked, and most importantly, cut to pieces by ten minute blocks of commercials. Am sure it will go through PPV then HBO/SHO/Starz/Cinemax etc. before it makes its way to NBC in '03. Noticed this in the print version of Newsweek yesterday, in the letters to the editor section: Bridget and Jane Your interview with the charming Renee Zellweger is very clever (\"Jonesing for Miss Bridget,\" Arts & Entertainment, April 16). But your story neglected to credit an equally charming \"older\" woman whose work inspired the hilarious Helen Fileding's best-selling book \"Bridget Jones's Diary.\" Readers and moviegoers may miss the references and a whole layer of humor if they do not realize that \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" is a takeoff on Jane Austen's \"Pride and Prejudice,\" complete wit a valiant Mr. Darcy--played, coincidentally, by the noble Colin Firth in both the new \"Bridget\" movie and the most recent film version of \"Pride and Prejudice.\" Zellweger is indeed quite delightful, but as a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America, I'd like to say that it's not nice to ignore Austen just because she was an even older singleton and has actually been dead for nearly 184 years. *** 'coincidentally'? Har har!"}, {"response": 1524, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, May  1, 2001 (01:58)", "body": "BJD is still #1 in the UK ahead of The Mexican (which incidentally received poor reviews) with over \ufffd3million. for the 3rd weekend. Excellent. I wonder how it will do against Captain Corellies (sp) Mandolin next weekend.?"}, {"response": 1525, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, May  1, 2001 (03:27)", "body": "I've had to sit thro' umpteen trailers of The Mexican while awaiting BJD, looks like it is \"really the most incredible s&^%.\" as MD might say! So much publicity for CCM at the moment including a special CC night on BBC Knowledge (I think) this weekend, could well knock our Bridge for six, but doubt it will out-gross BJD's record. OK if it does I'll eat caperberry gravy!"}, {"response": 1526, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, May  1, 2001 (04:44)", "body": "(Lizza) OK if it does I'll eat caperberry gravy! You'll need to whisk it first. ;-) looks like it is \"really the most incredible s&^%.\" as MD might say! *hee hee!* The Mexican got panned in the US but made decent $$, if I recall. JR and BP can't go wrong here. Hope BJD stays #1 for awhile in GB."}, {"response": 1527, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, May  1, 2001 (05:29)", "body": "O.K Pam/Eileen I'm counting on your sieving skills!"}, {"response": 1528, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May  1, 2001 (07:58)", "body": "(Lizza) OK if it does I'll eat caperberry gravy! (Eileen)You'll need to whisk it first. ;-) (Lizza)O.K Pam/Eileen I'm counting on your sieving skills! Oh just stir it ;-) (lizza)I've had to sit thro' umpteen trailers of The Mexican while awaiting BJD, And while awaiting BJD we are getting Capt.Corelli's trailers with Nicolas Cage's cartoonish Italian accent and Penelope Cruz's pouting lips."}, {"response": 1529, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May  1, 2001 (08:04)", "body": "(Evelyn) with Nicolas Cage's cartoonish Italian accent Now, here we go again... Whaddaya expect an Italian to sound like in English? Sounded just fine to me. Plus about all he said was \"bella bambina.\" That's not exactly, \"to be or not to be.\" ;-D John Hurt (playing a Greek) sounded a lot like Giancarlo Giannini to me. ;-D"}, {"response": 1530, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May  1, 2001 (08:10)", "body": "Plus about all he said was \"bella bambina.\" That's not exactly, \"to be or not to be.\" ;-D I heard more dialogue than \"bella bambina, two a'clocka.[Salute] ...you wait 'n see."}, {"response": 1531, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, May  1, 2001 (08:21)", "body": "Oh just stir it ;-) All right, Una :-P (EvieUna) we are getting Capt.Corelli's trailers At least it's a new one. If I see one more for 'About Adam' or 'Serendipity', I'll scream (though like 'Schrek'. Love Eddie Murphy's line 'look at my eye twitchin')."}, {"response": 1532, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Tue, May  1, 2001 (09:24)", "body": "Was at VV in Pemberley, read this: Bridget and Colin and 2 Darcys Written by L. Bennet (under topic of CF-Be still my heart) heeheehee the sequel to BJD (The Edge of Reason) was soooooo funny, I laughed till I cried when Bridg interviewed Colin Firth. She sounded like all of us would have! If Mark Darcy was supposed to be the modern day version of Fitwilliam Darcy, then....I dont know....there's something more attractive about breeches and swimming in a lake to wearing a reindeer jumper....though I would have to admit that fighting with Hugh Grant to 'It's Raining Men' was hilarious. (Colin is v. nice in person, I've met & spoken with him for a good 1/2 hr)"}, {"response": 1533, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, May  1, 2001 (18:19)", "body": "(Colin is v. nice in person, I've met & spoken with him for a good 1/2 hr) What,when, how??"}, {"response": 1534, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, May  1, 2001 (18:43)", "body": "Go and vote on the msn site for the best thing in the current crop of movies. Colin Firth's second outing as Mr D!! http://entertainment.msn.com/ Scroll to the bottom. Poll is in the right."}, {"response": 1535, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, May  1, 2001 (18:53)", "body": "Hope BJD stays #1 for awhile in GB. We can't realistically expect BJD to hold off CCM even in the UK, but given its \"legs\", it should stay in the top three or four for a long time (or even return to No 1 in a week with no good new releases). It's not just living off repeat business. I'm always hearing people say they want to see it, or plan to see it, or even tried to see it and couldn't get in."}, {"response": 1536, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, May  1, 2001 (19:05)", "body": "I'm always hearing people say they want to see it, or plan to see it, or even tried to see it and couldn't get in. Yes Mark, I have the same experience. It is almost like the old P&P days. It crops up as conversation at parties in a way that films rarely do in the UK, at least amongst wrinklies such as myself and friends!"}, {"response": 1537, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, May  2, 2001 (00:01)", "body": "I went to the poll and voted. ODB is in third place, but at least I approve of the first-place choice--fewer wiafs and more curves. As a \"well-fed\" American woman, I thought RZ looked healthy, not fat in BJD. Down with the tyranny of stick insects!"}, {"response": 1538, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  2, 2001 (00:03)", "body": "Bridget's not going to fare well this weekend in the UK. The Mummy Returns is opening and it's megablockbuster time. (Colin is v. nice in person, I've met & spoken with him for a good 1/2 hr) What,when, how?? Yeah, more details!"}, {"response": 1539, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, May  2, 2001 (00:25)", "body": "Karen, Guardian lists that as another fortnight away. But we do have \"Along came a spider\" and \"La Bete.\" Also \"Antitrust\", had to sit thro' dreary trailers for that while awaiting BJD.All opening this weekend, as it is a bank holiday (and therefore likely to be awful weather!) they are counting on a good weekend showing."}, {"response": 1540, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, May  2, 2001 (00:33)", "body": "(Allison, Karen) What,when, how?? Here's your answer, ladies: Written by L. Bennet ;-) (Mark) It's not just living off repeat business I'm still LOL as to how the 'repeat business' conclusion was reached (crack researchers checking fan websites, you think?). (Karen) Bridget's not going to fare well this weekend in the UK. The Mummy Returns is opening and it's megablockbuster time. Same thing over here. Definitely speaks to a different demographic!"}, {"response": 1541, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  2, 2001 (00:41)", "body": "Ooops, sorry, meant to write in the US. Gaah, have they moved my S key??? ;-D (Eileen) Here's your answer, ladies: Written by L. Bennet She only spent time with F. Darcy."}, {"response": 1542, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, May  2, 2001 (09:13)", "body": "My friend who makes fun of my Colin obsession saw BJD Monday night with his cousin (and they didn\ufffdt ask me! Why? Why?). He loved the film, and finally \ufffdgets\ufffd who Colin is. My friend now wants to borrow the book. I asked him if he wanted to read the US or UK version, to which he replied, \ufffdI should have known you would have both.\ufffd His comment about Huge Gnat: \ufffdHe\ufffds lookin\ufffd old.\ufffd That made me v. happy. :-D"}, {"response": 1543, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, May  2, 2001 (14:48)", "body": "(Lisa) . I asked him if he wanted to read the US or UK version, to which he replied, \ufffdI should have known you would have both.\ufffd That made me laugh Lisa! :-) I mean, of course! why wouldnt you? *big grin* and couldnt agree more about HG - he looks so much older than Colin, particulary around the eyes."}, {"response": 1544, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Wed, May  2, 2001 (16:17)", "body": "Yup, his face was a lot more lined too"}, {"response": 1545, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, May  2, 2001 (22:03)", "body": "In \"NOW\" magazine HG commented about Colin being a shade older than him, but agree, ODB's 24 hours are on his side. Saw BJD last night again and Notting Hill on the W/e, it's amazing really because the last few years have not been as kind to one as to the other!"}, {"response": 1546, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, May  3, 2001 (00:15)", "body": "And while awaiting BJD we are getting Capt.Corelli's trailers with Nicolas Cage's cartoonish Italian accent and Penelope Cruz's pouting lips. Captain Corelli got a dreadful review in the Times today....and I mean DREADFUL. Not a redeeming feature....script, direction and acting all panned. BJD may well hold on at No 1 (had taken \ufffd21 million by the third weekend)"}, {"response": 1547, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  3, 2001 (00:58)", "body": "(Eileen) I'm still LOL as to how the 'repeat business' conclusion was reached (crack researchers checking fan websites, you think?). From that latest article in the Trib and others that mention websites, it would appear so. (Lizza) HG commented about Colin being a shade older than him, but agree, ODB's 24 hours are on his side. What a difference a day makes. ;-D Where were we listing RHPS-type directions for viewing BJD? Here or on Spoilers? Will put on Spoilers..."}, {"response": 1548, "author": "susanne", "date": "Thu, May  3, 2001 (03:23)", "body": "I found this in the Ted Casablanca column on E!Online. It sort of segues from the earlier story, but you'll get the picture. Note how Renee is now up to a 40 pound weight loss. :-)) _________________ \"Will Ren\ufffde Zellweger do?\" I asked, munching on my own overpriced appetizer. \"Omigodwhereisshe?\" they all chirped. Apparently, diminutive goils will do nicely, thank you very much. Because that Ren\ufffde is one tiny chick, I'm tellin' ya. Heading off my brigade of brazen vixens, I sidled up to Ms. Z. before my tablemates made a main course out of the sweet petite thang. \"Oh, hi!\" Ren\ufffde said, as she waited patiently for the restroom. In jeans and a sweater that would've fit snug on one of my dining companion's delectable thighs, R.Z. seemed a bit in a daze. Twisting her hands and looking bashfully at the floor, the Houston-born lass accepted my compliments for her Bridget Jones's Diary with red-cheeked embarrassment. And since tawk of a B.J. sequel seems to be the only topic hotter than Ren\ufffde's new lithe frame, I asked about the possibility. \"Oh, I don't know,\" she said with a sudden will of womanliness. The little-girl act seemed to disappear right along with the 40 pounds she lost after her weighty role. \"I'm not sure I want to go through that again.\" \"You mean gaining back all the weight?\" I asked. \"No,\" she corrected. \"I mean living in London again for nine months! Who cares about the weight?\" Obviously, a lot of blokes--and babes. I've heard just as many critiques of Ren\ufffde's calorie-free postperformance as the fab one she did onscreen. Regardless, Ms. Z. seemed hardly enthused by the prospect of a B.J. follow-up, my dear Diary readers, so don't hold out for a new chapter anytime soon."}, {"response": 1549, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, May  3, 2001 (03:25)", "body": "(Karen) From that latest article in the Trib and others that mention websites, it would appear so. How else (unless movie theaters have installed ultra secret retinal scanning devices)? *waving to all the crack researchers* Speaking of repeat viewings (and I think I still have quite a few left in me), it's time for an updated list... YOU KNOW YOU'VE SEEN BJD TOO MANY TIMES WHEN... When dining out, you spot your favorite fish dish on the menu and promptly order the salMON. You've bought your husband a Frosty the Snowman musical tie and have it hidden away until Christmas. After seeing someone trip, the words 'mind the step!...'drive on' are out of your mouth before you know it. You find yourself wearing your sunglasses down around the tip of your nose more often. You refer to a disliked coworker as a 'verbally incontinent spinster.' You can't seem to run the vacuum cleaner without chanting 'ChechnYAAH' over and over. You know all the words to 'All By Myself.' You can't resist the urge to stock up on stuffed olives, mini gherkins and of course, Branston pickle. Breakfast is eaten straight from the box. Finally (for now ;-)), any tall, dark and handsome man you spot earns a silent 'Ding Dong!'"}, {"response": 1550, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, May  3, 2001 (03:44)", "body": "I was JUST about to post that from the Awful Truth! ick, I'm too slow!!!"}, {"response": 1551, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May  3, 2001 (03:46)", "body": "ROTF, Eileen: Check -out your underwear... Black bra with see-thru- blouse? Nah... Chuckle when you pass a fire station. Agree with Karen...that white shirt coming down the stairs would have been perfect for a lake dunking. Bummer."}, {"response": 1552, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  3, 2001 (05:12)", "body": "Hilarious, Eileen! Especially loved this one: You can't seem to run the vacuum cleaner without chanting 'ChechnYAAH' over and over."}, {"response": 1553, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, May  3, 2001 (05:38)", "body": "LOL Eileen and Evelyn."}, {"response": 1554, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, May  3, 2001 (07:02)", "body": "Great list, Eileen! Here's another one: You walk through the \"intimate apparel\" section of a department store and the first thing that comes to mind when you see controlling undergarments is \"OH, Mummy!\" I was shopping last night and saw something that would have solved one of Bridget's problems. Someone actually makes a tummy-control thong. I saw one \"abandoned\" near the register. Did not look too closely at this marvel of engineering, but somehow doubt that it really does much good. Finally, while I'm on this underwear thing, does anyone else find it strange that Bridget wore a bra to bed? (sorry if this should be on \"spoilers.\")"}, {"response": 1555, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, May  3, 2001 (07:27)", "body": "That was mentioned in one of the reviews, that she is never entirely in the buff in bed, but let's face it, wouldn't a girl want to wear as much as possible when faced with a huge gnat between the covers :')"}, {"response": 1556, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Thu, May  3, 2001 (07:29)", "body": "Yup, I thought that was kinda weird too. I suppose it has something to do with the rating. Aren't bare boobs a no no if you want a particular raring for your movie ? They went to a lot of trouble in finding a big enough book to cover up Lara's nakedness too. Still, a sheet draped delicatley over her bare bosom, would have looked far more realistic, wouldn't it ?"}, {"response": 1557, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, May  3, 2001 (07:37)", "body": "That was mentioned in one of the reviews, that she is never entirely in the buff in bed, but let's face it, wouldn't a girl want to wear as much as possible when faced with a huge gnat between the covers :')"}, {"response": 1558, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  3, 2001 (07:40)", "body": "The movie was already going to be rated R in this country for the language alone. So, it's my guess that RZ didn't want to do it. That's her call and fine with me, even though it's so utterly unrealistic. ;-D"}, {"response": 1559, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  3, 2001 (07:40)", "body": "Hmmm, on second thought is udderly unrealistic. ;-D"}, {"response": 1560, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May  3, 2001 (09:50)", "body": "..wouldn't a girl want to wear as much as possible when faced with a huge gnat between the covers :') .....\"you mean between her thighs\" But she didn't really look like a \"wanton sex goddess \"with that black bra. A \"mummy bra too\"...didn't look like no Victoria secret ."}, {"response": 1561, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, May  3, 2001 (10:18)", "body": "(Karen) on second thought is udderly unrealistic. ;-D Pffft! I agree with you--am sure it was up to Renee and she went for the bra. (Evelyn) didn't look like no Victoria secret Isn't that where her voluptuous boobs were housed (since hers did not cooperate with the weight gain--I believe I read that somewhere)? Had to cover up the padding. (Lizza) wouldn't a girl want to wear as much as possible when faced with a huge gnat between the covers :') *shudder* Armor would be most appropriate. ;-) (Evelyn) .....\"you mean between her thighs\" That would be 'a very bad huge gnat betw--oh, let's not go there!"}, {"response": 1562, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, May  3, 2001 (10:35)", "body": "LOL, ladies at your list. Too tired to play tonight, but you sure took the sting out of a tough day. Thanks!"}, {"response": 1563, "author": "Ela", "date": "Thu, May  3, 2001 (10:41)", "body": "Hey...I just heard that Colin Firth made it on People's Magazine \"50 Most Beautiful People\" list this year - woohoo!!! Has anyone read the article and wouldn't mind sharing it with? Anyone willing to scan the picture or link it for all of us?"}, {"response": 1564, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  3, 2001 (12:34)", "body": "Ela, please check the Colin Firth board (143). All the information you're looking for is there."}, {"response": 1565, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May  3, 2001 (14:47)", "body": "Not that it makes a whole lot of difference at this point, but I just came home from seeing BJD and there were four of us in the theater (1 pm showing) It was absolutely wonderful - and ..... HE WAS GORGEOUS!!! He was aborable and he was better than I dreamed he would be. I fell in love all over again. We just about collapsed with laughter at the blue soup dinner. I guess I better go claim something at 113. More soon - I want to see it again!!!"}, {"response": 1566, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  3, 2001 (15:12)", "body": "Really, Marcia, I can't tell. Did you like it? ;-D"}, {"response": 1567, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, May  3, 2001 (17:45)", "body": "BTW, Daily Telegraph panned \"Corelli's\" too, so maybe BJD can stay on top until the real mindless summer blockbusters start busting."}, {"response": 1568, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Thu, May  3, 2001 (20:33)", "body": "E-mail from my sis: saw BJD yesterday! It's hilarious!!!! And Mr Darcy...sexier than ever! nya nya nya :p your sweet sister Sweet? Does anyone have any tips on how to get through the next four months sans BJD?"}, {"response": 1569, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, May  3, 2001 (21:24)", "body": "Have just got back from friend Edge of Reason, only to read an Annova that Renee does not want to live in London for 9 months again and probably won't be doing the sequel, I knew I shouldn't have started reading the book again, will put it back on the bookshelf. Such a shame as there are some really lovely scenes with MD & Bridget!!"}, {"response": 1570, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, May  3, 2001 (21:25)", "body": "Tineke, I am glad your sister loved BJD, it really is unmissable. Could you not make a trip across to the UK in the near future, I am sure it will be playing for quite a while."}, {"response": 1571, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, May  3, 2001 (21:59)", "body": "Ann, check Meredith's tip out on 143, Colin has some comments on doing EOR! Glass could be half full after all :')"}, {"response": 1572, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May  3, 2001 (23:32)", "body": "Eileen, I love your list--too funny! Here's mine: You automatically answer any ringing doorbell with \"Bugger off!!\" Ann, don't put too much stock in the report about RZ not doing a sequel. That story originated in Ted Casablanca's column and he is a notorious shit-stirrer. Take with a big grain of salt. And while I can understand someone not wanting to be away from home for 9 months, really, most of that time was spent on weight gain, learning the accent, working at Picador, etc. A sequel would require 3--4 months time commitment tops, so Ted's \"story\" just doesn't hang together, IMO. Plus, I'm sure she's aware that the producers went out on a limb in hiring her in the first place, so she really should feel a sense of obligation. Most importantly, the \"hottie\" is ready to combust again.;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 1573, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  4, 2001 (00:07)", "body": "Thought the same thing when I read it yesterday. RZ wouldn't have to be in England for so long a time for the sequel, plus they could write in parts for LA as were in the column (thought not book). Plus, hated that they made it sound as though she just hated London. Never said why, when it's apparent, she dislikes being away from home and dog for that period. As ever, the hottie is 'keeping his options open' in the same vein as talk about James Bond."}, {"response": 1574, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  4, 2001 (00:13)", "body": "And good news, Miramax isn't taking the Mummy's opening lying down. In the Sun-Times movies section, Bridget has a big half page ad (America's No. 1 comedy, even men will laugh, etc.) and then there are 5 small column topper ads on subsequent pages."}, {"response": 1575, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, May  4, 2001 (00:18)", "body": "(Mari) You automatically answer any ringing doorbell with \"Bugger off!!\" Did that before BJD. You forget that 'eff off' is official northern NJ greeting. ;-) don't put too much stock in the report about RZ not doing a sequel. I agree. It's too soon for anything to be conclusive. Sounds like Ted is crack researcher in manner of all other crack researchers and is embellishing quite a bit."}, {"response": 1576, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, May  4, 2001 (00:22)", "body": "(Karen) And good news, Miramax isn't taking the Mummy's opening lying down. Am v. relieved to read that given all the free publicity HG gave the movie. Hello Mummy! Hahahahaha! :-D"}, {"response": 1577, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, May  4, 2001 (02:01)", "body": "(Eileen) Did that before BJD. You forget that 'eff off' is official northern NJ greeting. LOL, Eileen! I make far too liberal use of the \"f-word.\" But lately, I have taken to swearing in British, with bugger a particular favorite. You can be mad as anything, but still sound posh. That's me, a bad attitude with a posh (pseudo-posh?) vocabulary."}, {"response": 1578, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  4, 2001 (02:15)", "body": "With exactly the same information posted on Eonlin, PeopleNews came to this conclusion for its headline: Renee Zellweger finds London v. dull Star of Bridget Jones hates London Expect these people were fired from one of your tabloids for going a tad OTT."}, {"response": 1579, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May  4, 2001 (02:31)", "body": "Eileen)Did that before BJD. You forget that 'eff off' is official northern NJ greeting.;-) Ahh, that's right, I keep forgetting about the great cultural chasm between north and south Jersey. Down here, with ow-ah gracious suthun mannahs, normal greeting is \"eat sh*t and die!\";-) Hello Mummy! LOL! You're on a roll today, kid! Yes, Miramax has smelled the coffee and gotten rid of those pathetic tiny ads from last week and properly replaced them with biggie CF-toters.:-) BTW, my local theater has an eight-foot 3-D BJD poster right in front of the two screens where it's playing, so you stroll past it as you enter. Has anyone else seen this? It's the same old poster, but the 2 guys are in the back dimension, the diary in the second and BJ in the top third. Cute."}, {"response": 1580, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  4, 2001 (02:59)", "body": "Yes, perhaps, should submit to crack Miramax art department as raw concept to pursue:"}, {"response": 1581, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, May  4, 2001 (02:59)", "body": "Renee Zellweger finds London v. dull Star of Bridget Jones hates London Oh, for crying out loud. Hey, let's resurrect one for old time's sake: Helen Fielding hates Renee, wanted lead role herself (Mari) You're on a roll today Am brushing up my Jersey-quette before heading north this weekend. *waving* Has anyone else seen this? Theaters down here have giant cardboard thing--is this what you mean? Am too busy gazing at CF to notice if is 3-D. Am also trying to figure out how to bring it home without husband noticing. Hmmm."}, {"response": 1582, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, May  4, 2001 (03:02)", "body": "*guffaw* Too funny, Karen!"}, {"response": 1583, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, May  4, 2001 (05:01)", "body": "In a recent UK programme The Making of BJD Hugh made a rather odd comment and it was that he was afraid \"Colin would win the film\", well Hugh it seems he has what with all this exposure and publicity especially in the US and now the 50 MostBeautiful poll. Absolutely wonderful and well deserved, just hope it leads to more than being described as a \"hottie\", which I like mind you but I would love to see him in something that would really stretch him and shfow what we have always known that he is a gorgeous, highly talented chameleon of an actor who is more than capable of being a leading man!! My wish for the day!!"}, {"response": 1584, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Fri, May  4, 2001 (05:12)", "body": "Am now gearing myself up for viewing no 5. My local cinema (2 minutes walk from my ome ) has finally deigned to screen it..I mean after all it's only been out mumble days. Can add to the \"you know you've seen it too much when...\" You hear the opening bars of It's Raining Men and have to restrain yourself from bursting through the nearest door and yelling \"It's a real fight\" You cannot watch QVC without guffawing as soon as they get the tape measure out. You're planning your next dinner party and spend hours wondering how to make blue soup that's palatable."}, {"response": 1585, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, May  4, 2001 (05:12)", "body": "he was afraid \"Colin would win the film\", Ann, I had been pondering that remark too. I bet HG is not best pleased that Colin is in the top 50. He, he!"}, {"response": 1586, "author": "Ann", "date": "Fri, May  4, 2001 (05:31)", "body": "I'm out in Los Angeles and it was very pleasant reading through the entertainment section of the LA Times. Just about every page had an ad for the movie, complete with pic of Colin :)"}, {"response": 1587, "author": "deborah", "date": "Fri, May  4, 2001 (06:53)", "body": "Karen (and other afirthionados). De-lurking (not before time) to say GAAAAAAAA! Nice to know I'm not alone in my BJD obsession. Off for 3rd viewing tonight. (Firth fanatic for five years). Ann: I'm out in Los Angeles and it was very pleasant reading through the entertainment section of the LA Times. Just about every page had an ad for the movie, complete with pic of Colin :) ...so, *without* Hugh? If so - hurrah, vvg!"}, {"response": 1588, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  4, 2001 (07:52)", "body": "Mark, to add to your walking tour: (WSJ) Daniel's apartment for rent in London's Southwark neighborhood: \"the sprawling three-bedroom, 3,500 square foot duplex with views of the River Thames is home (in the movie) to Bridget Jones's womanizing boss, Daniel Cleaver (played by Hugh Grant). The airy Clink Street home is in a converted warehouse, complete with exposed brick and an ornamental staircase - in a style that resembles trendy Manhattan lofts. It also has secure parking...\" Rental is 2000 pounds a week ($2,863)"}, {"response": 1589, "author": "Ann", "date": "Fri, May  4, 2001 (10:13)", "body": "Ann: I'm out in Los Angeles and it was very pleasant reading through the entertainment section of the LA Times. Just about every page had an ad for the movie, complete with pic of Colin :) ...so, *without* Hugh? If so - hurrah, vvg! Alas, no. It was the movie poster with the three leads on it (the one with Colin looking shocked by what he sees in Bridge's diary)."}, {"response": 1590, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, May  4, 2001 (10:18)", "body": "Good point - this was actually the site of my third Report from the Set (at your excellent direction); hmm, not sure that walking-tour candidates are keen to visit chez Cleaver, however. Do I sense you have a new toy (or sc**pt)?"}, {"response": 1591, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  4, 2001 (10:34)", "body": "Why's that? Can throw rotten tomatoes at door, spray graffiti on exposed brick walls, make kindling out of ornamental staircase and similar. Pity that the Ruby Wedding didn't take place at MD's detached Holland Pk home. Yes, have new t*y."}, {"response": 1592, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, May  4, 2001 (11:01)", "body": "Just back from my fifth viewing. I went to a huge multiplex and looked all over for a cardboard stand-up for the movie, but didn't see one. I definitely have seen this too many times. I can recite whole stretches of dialogue. This time around my three favorite moments were the look on his face when Bridget is laughing at Daniel in the lake. So wistful. The nuzzle, sigh. But best of all is the smile on his face when he shows her the diary. mmmm, those dimples! Bought People mag on the way home. Am on total Colin overdose. My friends are considering an intervention. My newspaper (yes, Eileen, the Ledger) went back to the ad with the three stars. That's right, guys, figure it out. WHO is it that's selling this movie over and over and over again?!?"}, {"response": 1593, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Fri, May  4, 2001 (16:12)", "body": "Gotta' give serious props to the media planning here in Atlanta too. The Atlanta Journal Constitution had some HUGE ads on the movie listings page and some more big ones the reviews page too."}, {"response": 1594, "author": "odessa", "date": "Sat, May  5, 2001 (02:34)", "body": "I got mail: BJD will open in the middle of August, maybe. aaaaaaaaaaaaaagh! Atleast I saw some flashes of the movie when I managed to see the end of \"It`s raining men\" -video. He looked so good!"}, {"response": 1595, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, May  5, 2001 (04:57)", "body": "As its rather slow tody I thought this was worth mentioning - there is a huge photo of Bridget & Mark on the front cover of The Times Money Section, \"Bridget Jones's fiscall diary. - If Bridget Jones married Mark Darcy will the taxman bless their union. Helen Nugent reports on tax breaks for Smug Marrieds.\" Great publicity and very eye-catching for a rather boring subject."}, {"response": 1596, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, May  5, 2001 (05:02)", "body": "I agree Ann. Someone phoned me to tell me about it as they felt , like you it was so eye catching and not where you would expect to be hit by such a delicious image!"}, {"response": 1597, "author": "margaretp", "date": "Sun, May  6, 2001 (01:15)", "body": "Bad review of Hamlet in Sunday Times Culture today.It says this of West' Hamlet: 'What is missing from his performance is a sense of anguish, of potential greatness, being destroyed from within and without. The self-torment. The insecurity combined with arrogance. The sense of waste. The sense of dangerous glamour. The play scene is like a workshop session, plus video cameras and studio lights: everything except the sense of a thriller. It is sloppily staged, too, as is his advice to the players, obscuring Hamlet's role as prompter and sardonic house manager. My guess is that, as in Pimlott's overdirected but underimagined Richard II, the production is a straitjacket for West. Here, the qualities that are missing from the performance could not be accommodated. Hamlet is about individuality, its glories, pains and perils, the first such play in literature. This production is hostile to individuality.' I think Christopher Fettes & Colin will do better than this"}, {"response": 1598, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May  6, 2001 (01:29)", "body": "Mark, your third 'On Set' report? Hmmmm, first was Bridget's flat, second was office building in St James's, third was reshoot of what scene, thought was same locale or at Shad Thames St for restaurant. Big item in the Sunday Mirror about the Cleaver apartment: 2,000 KNICKER A WEEK FOR BRIDGET'S APARTMENT FILM FLAT IS BIG DRAW FANS of the hit film Bridget Jones' Diary can now rent the flat where she was seduced. But they have to pay dearly for the privilege. The pounds 750,000 luxury apartment is on the market at pounds 2,000 A WEEK. If they take up the offer, they will be able to sprawl out in the living room where Bridget had one of her famously embarrassing moments. It's where millions of movie-goers saw her and boyfriend Daniel (Hugh Grant) rolling around on the floor after he unexpectedly seduces her...and pulls up her dress to find she is wearing a huge pair of stomach-flattening knickers. The three-bedroom, split-level apartment overlooking London's River Thames is also the place where Bridget (Rene Zellweger) saw her dreams of romance shattered when she flung open the door of an en-suite bathroom to find Daniel's naked other woman. The 19th Century 3,500 sq ft flat, part of a former warehouse in Clink Street between London Bridge and Blackfriars, is owned by a businesswoman... who didn't tell the letting agents she is using that it was featured in the film. But Matthew Harrison of Chelsea-based John D Wood & Co recognised it at once when he saw the movie. He said last night: \"There is no doubt it's the place - it's a marvellous and unique flat. \"Over the last couple of weeks we have had a lot of interest and people have been keen to ask about the filming.\" Film location manager Adam Richards added`: \"We wanted something in that area because the exterior of Bridget's flat was filmed just around the corner in Bedale Street. And some of the scenes where she meets friends in a cafe were filmed in the Tate Modern nearby. \"The Clink Street flat was perfect because of its lighting and the height of the ceilings.\" The flat is believed to be one of the largest river-front apartments currently available in London. Its link with the film has helped push the rental price up from pounds 1,500 to pounds 2,000 a week. But any fans hoping to see the flat looking as it did in the film are in for a disappointment. It is let unfurnished, so the stylish interior plus the thousands of books seen lining the living room shelves have all gone."}, {"response": 1599, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May  6, 2001 (02:49)", "body": "If her flat was on Bedale Street...where is the stationery store where MD bought the diary...and wrapped her in his great coat....?*sigh*."}, {"response": 1600, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, May  6, 2001 (03:04)", "body": "I thought Daniel's flat was a bit pricey! Sort of like the NY apts in \"Friends\". Hard to believe he could afford it."}, {"response": 1601, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May  6, 2001 (03:08)", "body": "Over by the Bank of England (old lady of Threadneedle Street), across the river. Hmmm, I see from a map that there's a Clink Prison Museum. Must be how clink became synonymous with jail."}, {"response": 1602, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, May  6, 2001 (06:21)", "body": "BJD has slipped to No.3 in the US, behind The Mummy and Driven but I think it has held up better that Sly's movie, it is being shown on less screens and is only just short of the Driven total and has been going for longer!!. vvvg."}, {"response": 1603, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, May  6, 2001 (07:15)", "body": "BJD has slipped to No.3 in the US Hmm... It didn't seem like it last night. I went (w/ boyfriend) to see it for the 2nd time last night, and it was a packed house! BTW, my boyfriend's comments re: CF's performance in BJD: \"At first I thought he was just going to be this one-dimensional character. He hardly had any lines, he just stood there staring and looking psycho half the time!\" LOL!"}, {"response": 1604, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May  6, 2001 (13:30)", "body": "(Ann W.)BJD has slipped to No.3 in the US (Winter)Hmm... It didn't seem like it last night. Doesn't seem like that here (Houston) either...playing in 24 theatres . Some on two screens."}, {"response": 1605, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Sun, May  6, 2001 (15:05)", "body": "Does anybody else have a problem with the fact that a Sylvester Stallone movie is #2 at the box office over a CF one ?????? Grrrrrrrrrrrrr.......Bashes head against wall.......LOL..... Anyway, methinks we won't have this lamentable situation next week. Have any of ya'll seen the reviews for this SS movie, what's it called....Drivel ??? The reviews for it are truely awful and I'm sure by next week, BJD will assume its rightful eminence over the sheer unmitigated crap that this is. There, I feel beter now."}, {"response": 1606, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, May  6, 2001 (18:59)", "body": "BJD is still #1 in the UK, yippee, after 4 weeks!!!"}, {"response": 1607, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, May  7, 2001 (00:33)", "body": "(AnnW) BJD has slipped to No.3 in the US, behind The Mummy and Driven but I think it has held up better that Sly's movie, it is being shown on less screens and is only just short of the Driven total and has been going for longer!!. vvvg. Vvvg indeed! Thanks for pointing out that BJD is being shown on less screens than Drivel *oops* Driven. And it's certainly no surprise that Hello Mummy is in the top spot. BJD is still #1 in the UK, yippee, after 4 weeks!!! Yay!"}, {"response": 1608, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May  7, 2001 (01:55)", "body": "Yes, and if you look at the estimate charts, you'll see that Drivel is only $55K ahead of BJD for the weekend. When they put out the actuals tonight, I have a feeling Harvey might \"find\" an extra, oh, $56K or so in previously uncounted ticket sales. Go to it, Miramucks--start with the theaters in Florida.;-) Great that it's still on top in the UK--give the peole what they want and they'll come out. Seems like Corelli posed little threat after those awful reviews. I started to suspect that CCM might be a dog when they pushed the US release date back to mid-August--the late summer graveyard where bad films go to die."}, {"response": 1609, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Mon, May  7, 2001 (04:18)", "body": "(This got posted on the old server somehow. Trying again.) From this week's Onion (www.theonion.com, a satirical paper, for those of you who don't know): \"May 1 was the deadline for the Writers Guild of America strike. What have TV and movie executives done to prepare?\" #5: \"Checking to see if Jane Austen has anything new out.\""}, {"response": 1610, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Mon, May  7, 2001 (05:24)", "body": "For everyone in the US, CF is being interviewed on the NPR show \"Fresh Air\" today. In our area (SF Bay Area), they play Fresh Air twice a day, cannot speak for anywhere else. You can bet I'll be listening both times. Anyone (from other parts of the world) who is interested can access the show online through this link http://www.kqed.org/fr/index.html . I believe they also do a realmedia version which you can listen to later at this site. Enjoy! On another note, as a newbie here, and a recent CF convert, can someone please tell me what OBD stands for? thanks."}, {"response": 1611, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, May  7, 2001 (05:47)", "body": "Hi Sara, and welcome. ODB stands for \"Our Dear Boy\"."}, {"response": 1612, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, May  7, 2001 (05:54)", "body": "BJD is still #1 in the UK, yippee, after 4 weeks!!! And Geri Halliwell's \"it's raining men\" went straight in at #1 in the singles charts...and BJD is back at #1 in the Book charts (sold 60,000 copies last week) and TEOR is at #6."}, {"response": 1613, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Mon, May  7, 2001 (06:14)", "body": "Colin Firth interview - first webcast (available on both realplayer and windows media player) starts in approx 48 minutes. Will be re-broadcast again 6 hours later. Links to webcast available at: http://www.kqed.org/fr/index.html ."}, {"response": 1614, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, May  7, 2001 (06:44)", "body": "Thanks Sara, and btw Bethan Gabrielle's is at # in the top ten with Out of Reach, I just love it, am playing it all the time."}, {"response": 1615, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, May  7, 2001 (06:44)", "body": "at #5, silly me."}, {"response": 1616, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May  7, 2001 (07:08)", "body": "Welcome to our little group Sarah. We love newbies and esp new converts."}, {"response": 1617, "author": "Becka", "date": "Mon, May  7, 2001 (07:24)", "body": "ODB stands for \"Our Dear Boy\". Oh my - I thought it was Old Dirty Bastard! :-P"}, {"response": 1618, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, May  7, 2001 (07:50)", "body": "(Sarah) CF is being interviewed on the NPR show \"Fresh Air\" today. Hi, Sarah and welcome. We're talking about the interview over on the CF topic. Come join in! I expect the discussion will pick up when our friends in the later time zones have heard it."}, {"response": 1619, "author": "KerriD", "date": "Mon, May  7, 2001 (08:45)", "body": "Sara, don't feel bad until 3 days ago i had no idea what ODB stood for. Who started that name anyway? Does anyone know? I am also new to the group. I live in Tampa,FL and the Fresh Air show is on at 6:30, can't wait to get off of work and listen on the ride home."}, {"response": 1620, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, May  7, 2001 (11:17)", "body": "If you are one of his \"typical fans\"(i.e. Volvos, etc, or, as he puts it \"very old ladies\" Hmmmmmm), it is a natural to refer to him as the Dear Boy and when shared \"Our Dear Boy\". That was one acronym that I picked up on my own from here almost immediately! ;-) KJ"}, {"response": 1621, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, May  7, 2001 (11:26)", "body": "Luckily, I have two local PBS stations that will broadcast \"Fresh Air\" at different times today. I intend to record both, and then make an \"unsloppy\" tape! (My first \"sloppy\" one is already down, and the second recording starts in about forty minutes). I must say that being a poor creature working from a public library machine, I feel a twinge of jealousy, even resentment, when I am being referred by URL to files of video clips or sound ones, which it is impossible for me to share. I bless the transcript writers the more for the time and effort they put in for the likes of me! Thank you! And welcome all newbies! (I gotta get off now) :-) KJ"}, {"response": 1622, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Mon, May  7, 2001 (14:50)", "body": "I guess I'm not a \"typical fan\", since I am still under the age of 40. ;-) Colin and I are less than a year apart, actually - he was born 10 Sept 1960 and I was born 8 Sept 1961. But fortunately, much like Colin, I don't look my age ;-) ;-) I have been \"preaching the gospel\" to friends here, and have actually convinced several of them to see BJD (and also convinced several to rent P&P to get more of the context of BJD). I have to say that I sincerely hope that this movie increases Colin's \"stock\" such that they decide to re-release some of his less well-known and currently out of print films, such as The Advocate (Hour of the Pig) and A Month in the Country, which are absolutely impossible to find here in the US. Does anyone know who I would write to to encourage this happening?"}, {"response": 1623, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May  7, 2001 (15:02)", "body": "The Advocate and A Month in the Country are *not* impossible to find, Sarah. Both are usually around on eBay, although Colin fever has hit and that has affected prices. There is also half.com. You never know, they may reissue them, as Valmont was last year."}, {"response": 1624, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Mon, May  7, 2001 (15:41)", "body": "Sorry Karen, I should have been a little clearer, I guess - I was referring to the availability of videos for rental - I'm not really keen to buy NTSC video tapes, as I am hoping to move to Australia within the next 6 months or so, so I'm pretty much limited to either renting videotapes or buying DVDs, and since these never made it to DVD..."}, {"response": 1625, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, May  7, 2001 (16:51)", "body": "Bashing this location thing to death ... I thought that the scenes outside the Cleaver apartment were shot at Shad Thames, where the cobbled streets look just like that. But Clink St is only half a mile away from those, so similar streets is no surprise. Must be how clink became synonymous with jail. Correct. But the museum is a bit of a bust, IMO. Delighted that BJD is still #1 in UK (even quite pleased for Geri). Any chance it could rise again in US? Surely it still has \"more legs\" than Drivel and Hello Mummy?"}, {"response": 1626, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May  8, 2001 (00:23)", "body": "(Mark) Any chance it could rise again in US? Highly doubtful. We are officially in summer blockbuster season. It used to start on the Memorial Day weekend, but they've pushed it further up to spread out the mind-numbing, action-packed, dialogue- and plotfree blockbusters. The next one up, aimed at the teen market, is A Knight's Tale next week and then Pearl Harbor shows up on Memorial Day. Sarah, those two movies are at most rental places."}, {"response": 1627, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, May  8, 2001 (02:27)", "body": "There is a chance to vote for your favourite \"Bridget Moment\" in this week's edition of Heat, my favourite has to be \"The final scene\", tel. 09009102142 with the \"fight\" as a close second. The results of the poll will be in Heat on sale on the 22nd May. Got to it!"}, {"response": 1628, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Tue, May  8, 2001 (02:59)", "body": "Well Karen, I guess I'll have to widen my search - I've already tried the four video rental stores closest to where I live, and none of them had either film. On another note, I'd be very keen to view the interview Colin did on Rosie O'Donnell if anyone has it online... any chance of that? I looked at the Rosie website to see if I might even buy a tape of the show, but no joy. If anyone has a copy they would be willing to part with, I'd be happy to pay for your trouble (as well as shipping). Please email me at sarah_mccoy@hotmail.com . Thanks!"}, {"response": 1629, "author": "Ann", "date": "Tue, May  8, 2001 (03:17)", "body": "A rental place that used to have several of his older films no longer does. The store had to reconfigure to make room for more games and DVD's and the vid department has suffered :("}, {"response": 1630, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, May  8, 2001 (05:25)", "body": "(Mark) Surely it still has \"more legs\" than Drivel and Hello Mummy? This is from People Mag's '50 Most Beautiful' issue (which I just happen to have *heehee*), from the Picks and Pans section: Now Playing Bridget Jones's Diary Total fun. A London working gal (RZ) must decide between rival beaus (HG and CF--some choice!) in a smart, sassy romantic comedy. Driven It's the pits. A tire opera, written by Slyvester Stallone, featuring all the usual cliches encountered in racing dramas and adding a few new ones... The Foresaken Vampires are preying on attractive young adults in the Southwest. Starts off okay, then hurtles downhill fast... Freddy Got Fingered Why? Tom Green is the guy to blame. #### You get the picture. There were 3 more listed. Memento and Spy Kids fared well while One Night at McCools was deemed 'frantic but unfunny.' And Mari must have written their review for The Hello Mummy Returns: 'The sequel to 1999's 'The Mummy' is so cheesy that it ought to come with a warning for the lactose-intolerant.' Too bad the kids who'll see this thing don't read reviews--one can hope for another Godzilla, though. After all the hype and some great trailers, negative word-of-mouth killed that movie pronto (deservedly so. It sucked. Never knew the Brooklyn Bridge was that long ;-).)."}, {"response": 1631, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Tue, May  8, 2001 (05:31)", "body": "Karen - Colin fever has hit and that has affected prices. You're telling me, I decided to test the water with a spare old mag (and before I get tomatoes thrown at me - I did offer it to anyone on these hallowed boards a good while back but I suspect everyone had procured a copy from our usual contacts as I had no takers) and I can't believe what the current bid price is...this is a Sunday supplement magazine. A copy of Great Scaachi's finest hour (;o) went for over $100 - just imagine what our keepsakes would fetch *grin*! Welcome newbies!"}, {"response": 1632, "author": "AnnieZ", "date": "Tue, May  8, 2001 (08:04)", "body": "Ann: A rental place that used to have several of his older films no longer does. The store had to reconfigure to make room for more games and DVD's and the vid department has suffered :( I just have to tell you, it is quite opposit here in my local Blockbuster. I went there last weekend (I'd not been there for three or four weeks). To my surprise and delight, I found whole row of FP in the middle senction of New Realses which faces the main entry. The cover of the new FP is different from mine though (a lady, with a black bra hanging in front of her face, wears only a balck underwear with hands covering breasts and an half Colin's back facing the lady - what a shame!). And five copies of MLSF (used to be just two) right on the next self. I guess it is because of BJD ;-) I praise the good manager :-D"}, {"response": 1633, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Tue, May  8, 2001 (09:06)", "body": "Hey Annie - what part of the States do you live in? Maybe I need to move... ;-)"}, {"response": 1634, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May  8, 2001 (15:05)", "body": "(Eileen)And Mari must have written their review for The Hello Mummy Returns: 'The sequel to 1999's 'The Mummy' is so cheesy that it ought to come with a warning for the lactose-intolerant.' Actually, I'd put a warning on it for anyone who hasn't been frontally lobotomized.;-) Well, in the US Bridget is back on top of Stallone (hmm. . .that didn't come out right;-) Back at # 2 since the weekend, and should be at $50 million total after the coming weekend. Agree with Karen's weekend forecast. Hello Mummy will remain on top, followed by A Knight's Tale with Heath I'm awfully cute but can't act Ledger, then BJD."}, {"response": 1635, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May  8, 2001 (15:14)", "body": "...all you had to do was be in a theatre lobby last weekend, with the signs flashing all the \"sold out\" Hello Mummy times. *shaking head* Am even more outraged by studio talking heads saying that an 85-year-old woman like the film too! Am positive she didn't know where she was. ;-D"}, {"response": 1636, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, May  9, 2001 (00:59)", "body": "(Karen) Am positive she didn't know where she was. Absolutely. You know they're really stretching it when studio heads force their grandmothers to see their pictures."}, {"response": 1637, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May  9, 2001 (04:03)", "body": "Am positive she didn't know where she was. ;-D Poor thing probably wandered in from the home; was looking for TIOBE.;-)"}, {"response": 1638, "author": "odessa", "date": "Wed, May  9, 2001 (04:55)", "body": "Does anybody else have a problem with the fact that a Sylvester Stallone movie is #2 at the box office over a CF one I have, even that the director was in same high school as I"}, {"response": 1639, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, May  9, 2001 (05:24)", "body": "(Mari) was looking for TIOBE.;-) Pffffftttt! *wipewipe*"}, {"response": 1640, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, May  9, 2001 (05:38)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1641, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Wed, May  9, 2001 (05:51)", "body": "So, I was thinking last night when I couldn't sleep (or maybe I couldn't sleep b/c I was thinking) about the characterization of Mark Darcy in the movie. All the interviews and reviews and such have made a big deal about how Mark is stoic and silent etc.; CF said in the Fresh Air interview that he thought he was in the wrong century. (Disclaimer: I'm coming at this not having read the 1st book.) Obviously, Mark is not the garrulous life-of-the-party type; he's more thoughtful and introverted. But, couldn't a lot of his interaction w/ Bridget, awkwardness w/ her 'urban family', etc. be blamed on his bad experiences with his ex-wife? I'm wildly speculating here, and the movie doesn't say whether the cruel-raced ex-wife was *from* Japan or just of Japanese ethnicity, but it seems reasonable to assume that she wasn't someone he grew up with. So he went off to Cambridge, became a barrister and moved to London, and got involved with this somewhat exotic woman. She could have been a life-of-the-party type, lots of friends (like Catherine Zeta-Jones's character in High Fidelity ), and he finds himself captivated. But then she screws him over by sleeping with Cleaver, and he retreats to his work and goes out with women like Natasha b/c they're 'safe' and won't do anything unexpected. Or I could just be thinking about this a little too much. ;)"}, {"response": 1642, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  9, 2001 (07:18)", "body": "(Mari) was looking for TIOBE.;-) Naw, was the afternoon feature at the home. She went cruising for more action. LauraT: from an Escherian standpoint, CF may have only wanted to place the object of HF's (or Bridget's) obsession into the present, where he would be an early 19th century guy in the late 20th century. There just aren't any 20th or 21st century Mr Darcy types nowadays...present company excepted. ;-D"}, {"response": 1643, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, May  9, 2001 (07:49)", "body": "(Laura T) (Disclaimer: I'm coming at this not having read the 1st book.) Wot?? You really must do this. It's a very quick read and is very funny. Or I could just be thinking about this a little too much. ;) Are you familiar with P&P? ;-)"}, {"response": 1644, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, May  9, 2001 (08:10)", "body": "Hi everyone! Here is the height of Drool obsession. I'm in the Bahamas on one-day stop on a cruise, and I found an internet cafe because I had to find out what's been happening here. I have definitely seen BJD too many times. Last night was someone's birthday, and the waiters sang happy birthday. I was sooo disappointed that there was no fight. A postcard had a recipe for a \"blue coral\" drink, made with rum and blue curacao. All I could think of was \"There's too little blue food, in my opinion.\" Am goiing to take major S**T from sister-iin-law for sneaking off to feed my obsession, but it's worth it. Loved the TIOBE photo at 143. I bet it is from the scene in which Jack is on his way to dinner. I saw the London production (with Patricia Routledge), and the men wore dinner suits for that scene. Off-topic, I know, but am trying to use internet minutes efficiently. Laura, I agree with your thoughts on Mark's personality. He really isn't good at the social thing. At the book party, when he introduces NAtasha and Bridget with \"thoughtful comments,\" his reference to her running around naked was an attempt (awkard tho it was0 at flirting. (IMHO) Must get back to ship for ANOTHER meal. CAn't wait to get home and read the postings more slowly!!"}, {"response": 1645, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Wed, May  9, 2001 (08:32)", "body": "(Obsessed, I'm so obsessed.) (Karen) There just aren't any 20th or 21st century Mr Darcy types nowadays...present company excepted. I dunno. Have you ever spent much time w/ geeky male computer programmers? :)Plenty of them have that uncomfortable-in-social-situations with no real sense of humor thing going on. (BTW, no offense intended to anyone in particular; most of my friends are programmers, and I work in the computer industry myself. It's still true.) (Laura T) (Disclaimer: I'm coming at this not having read the 1st book.) (Eileen)Wot?? You really must do this. It's a very quick read and is very funny. Yah, I know. I'm on the waiting list at the library, as I'm trying to save money recently. :) Or I could just be thinking about this a little too much. ;) Are you familiar with P&P? ;-) Familiar, but never really an obsessed Austinite. But I'm watching P&P2 again starting tonight with a couple of friends, and will probably come up with more half-baked psychological theories. ;) (Kate F)At the book party, when he introduces NAtasha and Bridget with \"thoughtful comments,\" his reference to her running around naked was an attempt (awkard tho it was) at flirting. Yes, seems like this was the first scene that he showed some 'edge' and showed he had a sense of humor and wasn't just this dour, humorless snob. Partially instigated, perhaps, by Bridget's jumper comment."}, {"response": 1646, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Wed, May  9, 2001 (09:11)", "body": "Oh, I definitely agree about the \"thoughtful comments\" at the launch party. I thought Mark was being \"cute\", since he noticed Bridget had introduced with comment AND made the jumper remark."}, {"response": 1647, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Wed, May  9, 2001 (12:44)", "body": "I have to agree with Laura T about the computer geeks. I live and work in the Silicon Valley, and man, you can't get much geekier than some of these guys!! While many of my closest friends are CGs, most of them make Mark Darcy look like Don Juan personified, they are so completely awkward with the opposite sex. *lol* Yes, love the twinkle in MD's eyes when he adds the bit about \"naked in my paddling pool..\" Love those eyes! *sigh*"}, {"response": 1648, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May  9, 2001 (13:26)", "body": "(Karen) There just aren't any 20th or 21st century Mr Darcy types nowadays. Karen, what qualities were you referring to here? The social insecurity (aka, \"geekinesss\";-) or the more positive qualities, e.g., honor, courtliness, seriousness? I was wondering what qualities CF was referring to, as he noted that he didn't know any Mark Darcy types, which I found surprising. Maybe it's just me, but I disagree wih his assessment of Mark as someone who is pretty much an anachronism."}, {"response": 1649, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  9, 2001 (14:14)", "body": "Certainly not the geeks, plenty of them. The combination of honor, courtliness, class-consciousness, etc., is a rarity in that combination. Yes, there are plenty of class-conscious types, but do any of them act truly honorably? ;-D"}, {"response": 1650, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  9, 2001 (14:37)", "body": "I've read there was a spoof of the BJD poster for one of your politicians? Here's a bit of the writeup from the Independent. Too bad no pic. WILLIAM HAGUE has had his knockers in the past, I know, but never quite in the way that he had them on the front cover of The Mirror yesterday. Faced with the agonising choice between celebrity cleavage and current affairs the paper had cunningly chosen both. In a spoof of the poster for Bridget Jones's Diary, Mr Hague's touchingly optimistic features gazed upwards from above Renee Zellweger's alluring electoral gap. \"Job prospects vv bad,\" concluded the 7 June entry from Bridget Hague's diary. Then, just in case any readers found themselves politically aroused by the Conservative leader's new look, came the small print - \"Warning: Voting for Hague can seriously damage your health\"."}, {"response": 1651, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, May  9, 2001 (17:37)", "body": "Karen, The photo of William Hague that occupied the cover of the Mirror was the publicity shot of Bridget in the pink top and black boots looking up at the camera, with William Hague's face superimposed on Ren\ufffde's. Trust me, you don't want to see it. God love him, Hague is not visually appealing. A feeble attempt by the Mirror to link in the forthcoming election with the major popular culture talking point."}, {"response": 1652, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  9, 2001 (23:33)", "body": "Gotcha ;-D"}, {"response": 1653, "author": "Echo", "date": "Thu, May 10, 2001 (00:13)", "body": "(Mari)I was wondering what qualities CF was referring to... I disagree wih his assessment of Mark as someone who is pretty much an anachronism. Personally I'd put this down to ODB's compulsion to babble occasionally ... as we know he does... (shock, horror...) ;-D"}, {"response": 1654, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, May 10, 2001 (00:37)", "body": "(Kate) I'm in the Bahamas on one-day stop on a cruise Wow, you have got it bad, haven't you? Sorry to tell you, but there is no cure (at least not until TIOBE comes out...[sorry Bethan, couldn't resist]:-D). Speaking of TIOBE (here come the OT police): (Kate) I bet it is from the scene in which Jack is on his way to dinner. I saw the London production (with Patricia Routledge), and the men wore dinner suits for that scene. Tsk. Pic is not from TIOBE, is from AC. Technogeeks have stuck facial hair on Rupie in manner of Colorforms. If you listen closely, you can hear him say 'but I want to be a prefect!'."}, {"response": 1655, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Thu, May 10, 2001 (04:27)", "body": "Re Mark as an anachronism and class-consciousness, etc.: It seems like Mark's version of class-consciousness is more like a bit of intellectual snobbery - like he's sick of dealing w/ stupid people and going to inane parties where no one talks about anything substantive. If that's it, I know several people in the real world who have that characteristic. :)"}, {"response": 1656, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 10, 2001 (05:04)", "body": "So as not to ruin it for people, there's a link to missing bits from the movie at the Spoiler topic (126)"}, {"response": 1657, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Thu, May 10, 2001 (15:03)", "body": "I loved MD's remark to Bridget about her running around naked in his paddleing pool. I feel, not only was he trying to show he has a sense of humour too....but that he was trying to keep up with Bridget in the wise crack deparment. I mean we know SHE has no problems saying exactly what she feels, and if that is a dig at someones geeky looking sweater, so be it. He knows she will put him down if she gets a chance,( as revenge for him puting her down at the turkey curry buffet )so this is his sense of survival makeing him get the first litttle dig in. There are some HUGE similarities with the Lizzie/Darcy verbal sparrings at Netherfield in P&P and this little Bridget/Mark exchange, aren't there ? Mr Darcy and Mark Darcy both know their amours have the power to run rings around them verbally and make them feel pretty silly for their snootiness. So they both decide to be the verbal hunter as opposed to the hunted and when you take it in that light, its quite romantic, isn't it ?"}, {"response": 1658, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Thu, May 10, 2001 (18:20)", "body": "One of my favourite parts (I bet you're surprised to hear there are several) was when Mark went to Bridget's flat and they were talking about how old they were when she was running around naked and one of them said he was 8 and she was 4 and Bridget said \"quite pervy really\" and Mark said \"I like to think so\". Ooohhh, nearly slid of the seat; again!"}, {"response": 1659, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, May 10, 2001 (19:23)", "body": "Has this been mentioned before, but during the Today interview Colin made a joke about the fact that he and Hugh were trying to fight like they did in Hidden Tiger Crouching Dragon? and someone in the audience or maybe it was the crew let out a very loud laugh. I thought it was a cute moment too. What a lovely man."}, {"response": 1660, "author": "Ann", "date": "Fri, May 11, 2001 (03:15)", "body": "Fave bit of acting (not quite the same as fave scene)--loved Colin breaking into a run as he went up the stairs after the \"just as you are\" scene. It showed he was not a prematurely-middleaged *****, but still had his youthful bounce :)"}, {"response": 1661, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, May 11, 2001 (04:12)", "body": "......and buns of steel Ann!"}, {"response": 1662, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, May 11, 2001 (04:35)", "body": "Ughhh! I do not know if this is off topic but the Gnat wants to return (?) to the Stage. I wonder what gave him that idea? http://www.peoplenews.com/news/0,3430,5250,00.html"}, {"response": 1663, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, May 11, 2001 (04:58)", "body": "Return(?).....well, he said in an interview that he'd appeared in rep once and hated it...but there's a whole heap of publicity waiting there for him. Will no doubt be the theatrical event of the decade. :-("}, {"response": 1664, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, May 11, 2001 (08:05)", "body": "But they won't see his trademark blinking from beyond the third row!!"}, {"response": 1665, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May 11, 2001 (08:55)", "body": "But they won't see his trademark blinking from beyond the third row!! I won't jump for Row A seats for this one...someone else can have 'em..."}, {"response": 1666, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, May 11, 2001 (11:45)", "body": "Watershed performance!?! Puh-lease...! I really think RZ is the only one who might qualify for that description, although she's given them before ;-)"}, {"response": 1667, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Fri, May 11, 2001 (11:52)", "body": "Grant\ufffds role in Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary was widely regarded as a watershed performance, giving him the kind of acting credibility that he has been denied since his typecasting in Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill. Typecasting? So in 4W&F he was a charming romantic lead. In NH he was a fumbly romantic lead. In BJD he was a caddish romantic lead. Whee, big diff. :)"}, {"response": 1668, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, May 11, 2001 (18:55)", "body": "the kind of acting credibility that he has been denied since his typecasting in Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill They can't BOTH be typecasting. You can't typecast an unknown. They should give the guy a break (oh, hang on ... watershed performance ... they are giving him a break. Sorry)"}, {"response": 1669, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, May 11, 2001 (18:56)", "body": "(Allison) Ughhh! I do not know if this is off topic but the Gnat wants to return (?) to the Stage. I wonder what gave him that idea? Ask \"who\" gave him that idea, Allison. ;-) The article also says: \"He (Hugh Grant) also played Hamlet in an unusual production in Nottingham, in which he wore a Star Trek shirt.\" Wonder if he intends to return as Hamlet? [Now on which board does this belong? There's no Huge Gnat Squashing board yet nor a Hamlet board.]"}, {"response": 1670, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, May 11, 2001 (20:01)", "body": "I can see it now, at the Bafta's next year. Best British Film - BJD Best Performance by an Actress - RZ and Best Watershed Performance - HG and I bet no CF, oh stop it Ann!"}, {"response": 1671, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 11, 2001 (23:44)", "body": "Hmmm, would you all give RZ a Bafta? That would be two American actresses in a row... However, I'd say RZ has it locked up to win another Golden Globe because they separate comedy/musicals from dramas. Plus, that fight scene is worthy of a tongue-in-cheek MTV movie award."}, {"response": 1672, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, May 12, 2001 (04:41)", "body": "Plus, that fight scene is worthy of a tongue-in-cheek MTV movie award. Of course it is! They were imitating FTHD after all. ;-) Saw BJD again in London. That neck nuzzling! It was great seeing Mark and his wife and Ben. Warm greetings."}, {"response": 1673, "author": "maryou", "date": "Sat, May 12, 2001 (05:55)", "body": "Hi, all! Been lurking for over a month now and enjoying the CF conversation. But had to come out from the shadows to share this editorial from one of Canada's national newspapers today that ran with a frontpage caption: Mark Darcy would be crazy to marry Bridget Jones. Then inside the article is called \"Dream On, Narcissistic Singletons\". The author compares Bridget to Elizabeth Bennet, and doesn't understand why perfect Mark Darcy would care for her (my girlfriend wondered the same thing after our first viewing of BJD). Had a great picture too, but not sure how to get it posted. Also couldn't list specific site for the article so here it is in full. You can find it at the www.nationalpost.com site by doing a search. \"Dream On, Narcissistic Singletons Bridget Jones is a Tramp by Barbara Kay Bridget Jones is the newest star in Hollywood's galaxy of lovable ditzy dames. Some reviewers dwell on actor Renee Zellweger's spunk in gaining 20 pounds for the role and gamely jiggling it for her frequent close-ups, others on her facility with Britspeak, or her impeccable comedic timing, but all are in accord that she is adorable. That Bridget is also a chain-smoker, a binge eater, and a heavy boozer -- not to mention a gal who finds being sodomized in a new relationship a rich source of mirth for post-coital banter -- hasn't seemed to raise the rather obvious question: What could hero Mark Darcy, so handsome, noble, intelligent, sensitive and altogether perfect in every conceivable way, possibly see in this loser that would make him want to marry her? Much has been made of the loose association between Bridget Jones's Diary and Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Coy references to the Austen novel abound in the film: Mark Darcy's name, of course, reinforced by actor Colin Firth being cast in both the modern role and that of Mr. Darcy in the made-for-TV version of Pride and Prejudice; in the Pemberley Press, referring to the original Darcys' palatial estate; in the celebrated opening sentence of Pride and Prejudice, \"It is a truth universally acknowledged ...\" echoed in Bridget's thoughts; and in the embarrassing mother, the unethical wrong suitor, and other minor details. Most importantly, the general theme concerning mistaken assumptions about character drives the plot in both cases. In Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Darcy initially associates the heroine, Elizabeth Bennet, with the vulgarity and ignorance exhibited by her mother and some of her sisters. Elizabeth is negatively influenced regarding Mr. Darcy through false allegations by the charming but dissolute Mr. Wickham, who briefly wins her affection, then ditches her to marry an heiress. Of course Elizabeth ends up with Mr. Darcy, after many excruciating detours, just as Bridget ends up with her Mark Darcy after a disastrous affair with Daniel, her feckless, womanizing boss. Is Bridget Jones then meant to be a latterday incarnation of Austen's favourite character? If that is indeed so, what a v. sad commentary on the postmodern female singleton, a word coined to describe thirtysomething women desperate to marry, such as Bridget. The pressing need for a husband -- a rather dire economic necessity for Elizabeth Bennet, a social one for Bridget -- is about all they have in common. The socially adept, circumspect, restrained, and always appropriate Elizabeth Bennet was funny because she owned a rapier wit and courageously applied it in her relationships. The socially inept, verbally incontinent Bridget Jones is funny because she gets drunk at parties, humiliates herself wearing the \"universally acknowledged\" uniform of exploited women (she spends many long minutes in the film spilling out of a Playboy bunny costume), frequently blurts out self-defeating indiscretions, or unthinkingly flashes her fanny at an entire viewing nation. Elizabeth Bennet wins her man through self-discipline and strength of character, showing evidence at every plot turn of an incorruptible value system, extreme dignity under duress, and respect for others with high moral standards. Bridget wins her men through casual sexual availability, signaled by hooker-style office wear, or chasing them in the streets clad in panties. Bridget is impulsive, Elizabeth is patient. Bridget rates a man's interest in her by the urgency of his lust; Elizabeth senses interest via the emotional 19th-century Braille implicit in a series of exquisitely nuanced conversations. You know her marriage to Mr. Darcy will succeed because her mettle has been exposed and tested in the crucible of a caste-dominated social ordeal. Eminently well suited in character, if not social standing, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth deserve one another because they are moral peers -- and prove it. Strangely, almost two centuries later, in Bridget Jones's Diary, Mark Darcy has morphed very little from the original Mr. Darcy. In Colin Firth's faithful role reprisal, he is still rich, scholarly, respected, diffident rather than haughty, and slightly pric"}, {"response": 1674, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 12, 2001 (06:33)", "body": "Thanks, Maryou. The pics at the site are a couple we've seen (Ruby Wedding with Natasha and 1/2 of the turtleneck shot...BJ only). http://www.nationalpost.com/search/story.html?f=/stories/20010512/561746.html (Barbara Kay) Is Bridget Jones then meant to be a latterday incarnation of Austen's favourite character? No. v. simple. Why can't these people understand that?' OK, am going back to National Post's lead article on \"Seeking Status Through Killer Abs\" ;-D Now this is lead in is funny: http://www.nationalpost.com/features/sixpack/051201story1.html Of course, it ends with: \"Those abs are looking pretty good,\" my fianc\ufffde said two nights ago as I prepared for bed. I'll show her. So, I'm guessing Barbara Kay looks down her long nose at Peter Scowen or refuses to speak to him. ;-D So to be so OT. Never again."}, {"response": 1675, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, May 12, 2001 (06:49)", "body": "Very interesting article, Maryou! I can see it now, at the Bafta's next year. Best British Film - BJD Best Performance by an Actress - RZ and Best Watershed Performance - HG and I bet no CF, oh stop it Ann! Oh, it's quite nice to have something to moan about! BTW this year's BAFTAs ceremony is being screened tomorrow. I wonder if CF will be there (doubt it somehow) and what clip of DQ will be shown (and if DQ will win!)"}, {"response": 1676, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, May 12, 2001 (08:38)", "body": "Welcome Maryou But Bridget is so very far from replicating Elizabeth HF never intended to clone Lizzie. And this is fiction not a docu-drama, or a morality play. Don't think Nat'l Post has a sense of humor."}, {"response": 1677, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 12, 2001 (09:32)", "body": "(Evelyn) Don't think Nat'l Post has a sense of humor. Go read the abs article. It's hysterical."}, {"response": 1678, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, May 12, 2001 (11:07)", "body": "Ughhh! I do not know if this is off topic but the Gnat wants to return (?) to the Stage. I wonder what gave him that idea? Got the idea because of a pending British actors' strike? (though he works enough in the US to avoid it, I suppose.) ------- Dream On, Narcissistic Singletons : Bridget Jones is a Tramp : by Barbara Kay Sounds like a smug married to me :)"}, {"response": 1679, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sat, May 12, 2001 (11:16)", "body": "this is fiction So was P&P. All the main characters seem to be mirrored in BJD - except Elizabeth B. Why? Maybe on purpose - OK, I buy it. BJ is shown as self-centred, shallow, disorganized and professionally unsuccessful. She is endearing and intelligent, of course, but if you cut out her internal monologue, her most prominent characteristics are her pretty face, appealing smile and keen interest in sex - hardly enough to make her seriously interesting, particularly to serious people like Mark Darcy. But the twist is in that Mark Darcy does not really want anyone serious. Natasha bores him silly. He does not want a trophy, he wants a toy. In that role, BJ will be perfect. Her total lack of homemaking skills will not matter of course, he is rich and can afford housekeeping staff. So far, so funny. The last point is similar to our previous discussions of Fever Pitch: will the attachment last beyond the first years of intense romance? Does anyone care? ;-)"}, {"response": 1680, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Sat, May 12, 2001 (15:13)", "body": "BJ is shown as ... professionally unsuccessful. As much as the movie/Bridget's point of view makes of this (and Daniel, too, I suppose), she *was* working for a fairly successful publishing company, doing PR for seemingly notable books. Her job obviously wasn't a deep passion of hers, but she did pull out her work ethic when she had to. I think she was doing pretty well - better than lots of other people, anyway. IMO. :)"}, {"response": 1681, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sat, May 12, 2001 (23:30)", "body": "I think she was doing pretty well Surely not really when she became a TV producer? In any case, she looked bored or panicky or dropping clangers at work most of the time and her supposed success was not well exposed (apart from her underwear and bum, that is - but then the film was evidently more to do with her bum than her real life ;-)). Anyone making the sort of speech she made at the book launch wouldn't last long in PR business, IMO - except if she was sleeping with the boss, maybe... ;-) So I think it can be viewed from a variety of points - assuming no bias, of course. :-) (And let me make it clear - I DID enjoy the film!)"}, {"response": 1682, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sat, May 12, 2001 (23:37)", "body": "P.S. Holiday break, anyone? :-) http://www.stokeparkclub.com/spc/film_locations/bridget_jones.html"}, {"response": 1683, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, May 13, 2001 (01:04)", "body": "Ooh, a nasty and (sorry, Barbara Kay-any relation to Mary?) funny article to debate. Thanks, Maryou. I particularly enjoyed: How could a cloned Mr. Darcy like anyone so common, so lacking in self-respect, so, so, so not Elizabeth Bennet? Heaven forbid if we all have to be Elizabeth Bennet to earn the attentions of an educated, intelligent man. Who could live up to that ideal? As for \"common\", why not use it to describe someone ordinary, someone lacking pretensions. That would be reason enough for Mark to like her \"just as you are\". who exercises bad judgment in choosing men and precipitately promiscuous behaviour Pffft. What makes Bridget promiscuous? I see her sleeping with just one man throughout the whole film. (Echo) will the attachment last beyond the first years of intense romance? Does anyone care? Agree. Why does a relationship have to last? Or lead to marriage? They sometimes just run their course and that doesn't mean it's a disaster. Will now go to other suggested links for more fun."}, {"response": 1684, "author": "CathyW", "date": "Sun, May 13, 2001 (01:40)", "body": "Allison) Ughhh! I do not know if this is off topic but the Gnat wants to return (?) to the Stage. I wonder what gave him that idea? Renata: Ask \"who\" gave him that idea, Allison. ;-) The article also says: \"He (Hugh Grant) also played Hamlet in an unusual production in Nottingham, in which he wore a Star Trek shirt.\" Wonder if he intends to return as Hamlet? I wonder if there are people here in the US that would plan a trip to the UK 10 months in advance to see HG do Shakespeare or even on stage......*shaking head* Not me."}, {"response": 1685, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, May 13, 2001 (11:24)", "body": "9th viewing turnes up this: Gnat needs a better antiperspirant! In the pond scene, just when he stands up in the boat, we get a long-shot from Darcy's point of view. Massive underarm wetness is clearly visible :)"}, {"response": 1686, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 13, 2001 (11:42)", "body": "*hee hee* First time you noticed? Poor Colin was probably dying in that jumper, while rowing around all day and having to feather-fan Natasha. ;-D"}, {"response": 1687, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, May 13, 2001 (16:16)", "body": "*hee hee* First time you noticed? I guess I'm a little slow :)"}, {"response": 1688, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Sun, May 13, 2001 (19:35)", "body": "BJD holds #3 spot in US this weekend with estimated ticket sales (Fri - Sun) of $4.5 million! Great showing from this film, which was most certainly NOT expected to continue to do well against the \"summer blockbusters\"! Please note that BJD is estimated to beat out Sly's \"Driven\" by $1.5 million. This film has definitely got \"legs\", and most of the people I've convinced to see it have gone back for at least one repeat viewing."}, {"response": 1689, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, May 14, 2001 (04:14)", "body": "(a) How could MD like BJ? Specifically, her most prominent characteristics are her pretty face, appealing smile and keen interest in sex - hardly enough to make her seriously interesting, particularly to serious people like Mark Darcy I don't think Barbara Kay has any idea how men think. (Not sure men have either, actually). BUT, MD may easily have seen past her most prominent characteristics to notice: Her wit (e.g. over-30s and their scaly skin); her courage (in dressing as a bunny-girl or public speaking); her caringness (in not wanting famous authors to be offended); her sense of fun (at the lake). (b) He does not want a trophy, he wants a toy. In that role, BJ will be perfect. Her total lack of homemaking skills will not matter of course, he is rich and can afford housekeeping staff. Oo, I hope we less rich men are not meant to be picking life partners based on home-making skills these days. Or trophies. Or toys. Personally I would prefer a smart, non-devious type who might help remedy a certain want of liveliness."}, {"response": 1690, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, May 14, 2001 (06:20)", "body": "UK tabloid The Mirror is today sensationally beginning a serialisation of the sequel to BJD! (erm, hasn't TEOR been on sale for ever?) Anyway, for anybody who hasn't read The Edge of Reason and wants to catch some of it in instalments, it's at http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/145/new . At least the 2 pictures used are sans HG."}, {"response": 1691, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, May 14, 2001 (06:21)", "body": "Whoops, no that link is here. I meant www.mirror.co.uk/shtml/FEATURES/P24S2.shtml"}, {"response": 1692, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, May 14, 2001 (06:22)", "body": "And one more try to get a link: http://www.mirror.co.uk/shtml/FEATURES/P24S2.shtml (Boss, feel free to delete these 3 messages)"}, {"response": 1693, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 14, 2001 (07:51)", "body": "(Mark) I don't think Barbara Kay has any idea how men think. I believe Barbara Kay subscribes to the Daniel Cleaver position: \"Don't care. Make it up.\" ;-D The Mirror is today sensationally beginning a serialisation of the sequel ...and Helen keeps raking it in. Speaking of which, the charity book (originally for Comic Relief), Bridget Jones's Guide to Life, is now on sale in bookstores in the US. Saw it at Borders. The cover said $1 of every sale would go to an African charity."}, {"response": 1694, "author": "Echo", "date": "Mon, May 14, 2001 (10:22)", "body": "I don't think Barbara Kay has any idea how men think. (Not sure men have either, actually). That settles it. ;-) her courage (in dressing as a bunny-girl... Oh, puh-leeeeeeeease.... ;-D men are not meant to be picking life partners based on home-making skills these days. Or trophies. Or toys. OK, correction: for \"toy\" read \"playmate\". :-) (Seriously, I do think Bridget has a potential for turning sassy into savvy with MD at her side. WELL, WHO WOULDN'T???!!! Lucky bitch. ;-P)"}, {"response": 1695, "author": "Echo", "date": "Mon, May 14, 2001 (10:25)", "body": "men are not meant to be picking life partners based on... And don't you start me on that subject!!! ;-P :-)"}, {"response": 1696, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 14, 2001 (11:49)", "body": "Someone has written, asking for the manufacturer of the red diary that is used. Any idea? Letts?"}, {"response": 1697, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 14, 2001 (12:17)", "body": "Although neither has signed, this ought to put an end to all the ridiculous misinformation that RZ doesn't like London and doesn't want to work there again. From Ananova: Renee and Ewan to star in Knickers Ewan McGregor and Renee Zellweger are to star as bitter enemies and lovers in the new World War Two comedy drama Knickers. The FilmFour-backed adventure focuses on the London store Selfridge's, which housed Winston Churchill's secret telephone exchange. Zellweger will play a girl whose German father takes her home to live in Berlin shortly before the outbreak of war. Her character, described as a sweet reluctant recruit to the Nazi party, is sent to Britain to work in the store's lingerie department. But at night she has to hide herself away and then intercerpt messages coming to and from Downing Street. She forgets about her allegiance to the fatherland when she falls in love with a layabout junior sales executive, the part earmarked for McGregor. The film, which is being produced by Lee Thomas and directed by John McKay, will be made in Britain next Spring. An insider told Ananova: \"Renee is simply perfect. Though her price has soared because of the success of Bridget Jones, she is always keen on good scripts. \"We are very hopeful of securing her services.\""}, {"response": 1698, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May 14, 2001 (12:48)", "body": "World War Two comedy drama Knickers. Bridget a spy? LOL. ...\" will be made in Britain next Spring. Maybe she'll stay on for EOR. Though her price has soared because of the success of Bridget Jones, Hooray! She deserves it. Hope her co-star's has too;-)"}, {"response": 1699, "author": "rustynation", "date": "Mon, May 14, 2001 (19:26)", "body": "(KarenR) Speaking of which, the charity book (originally for Comic Relief), Bridget Jones's Guide to Life, is now on sale in bookstores in the US. Saw it at Borders. The cover said $1 of every sale would go to an African charity. I'm in Boston, and have read this in bookstores for three weeks now. (mild spoiler) Shag: Hugh Grant. Marry: Mr. Darcy, because as much as I dislike him, he has 10,000 a year (and beeyootiful hair). Throw off a cliff: Ayatollah Khomeini."}, {"response": 1700, "author": "Echo", "date": "Mon, May 14, 2001 (20:43)", "body": "(and beeyootiful hair) Poor child... Enjoy it whilst it lasts... ;-)"}, {"response": 1701, "author": "rustynation", "date": "Tue, May 15, 2001 (00:41)", "body": "me(and beeyootiful hair) Poor child... Enjoy it whilst it lasts... ;-) child...child? umm, actually I guess that counts. Actually, the character of Mr. Darcy will permanently have a full head of beeyootiful hair. As for Mr. Firth, I don't think he'll go farther down than nine years anymore, so with a difference of 17, I'm out. Now if I use my parents' frequent flyer miles on British Airways to Heathrow or Gatwick during my March break next year...I might see his apparent lack of hair in person but I sincerely doubt it."}, {"response": 1702, "author": "rustynation", "date": "Tue, May 15, 2001 (00:43)", "body": "ahh, the ff miles aren't on any particular airline. must make that clear for some stooopid reason."}, {"response": 1703, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 15, 2001 (08:18)", "body": "Isn't this lovely? From Ananova: Bridget Jones's Diary set to become most successful British film Bridget Jones's Diary is still the number one film in the UK after five weeks on release. The film made another \ufffd1.3 million this weekend, making its total \ufffd29.5 million. It now looks set to overtake Notting Hill as the most successful British film ever. Captain Corelli's Mandolin stayed at number two with another \ufffd812,070. Of the new entries, only The Dish managed to make it into the Top 10 with \ufffd218,114 to take the number five position in the chart."}, {"response": 1704, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, May 15, 2001 (08:19)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1705, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, May 15, 2001 (08:39)", "body": "oops, I did it again...getting lost in cyberworld. I meant to respond to 126 above. So sorry. I think I will just remain a lurker. Will try to transfer the above to 126 and not act \"like an idiot most of the time\"."}, {"response": 1706, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 15, 2001 (08:45)", "body": "After you transfer it, I'll take it down from here. No big deal; there have been other 'spoiler' type messages posted here (e.g., HG's perspiration problem). And no need to resort to lurkerdom. Everyone here makes mistakes. Only a few are considered fatal. ;-D"}, {"response": 1707, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, May 15, 2001 (19:17)", "body": "a few are considered fatal [Thud] ;-P"}, {"response": 1708, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Tue, May 15, 2001 (23:49)", "body": "Bridget Jones' Diary (the film) was mentioned on \"The Fighting Fitzgeralds\" episode tonight. The bartender son and his date come in and say they've been to see it. When asked if they liked it, they say yes. When asked why, the son says something like \"I liked it mainly because Renee Zelweger is really hot\". No mention of CF, though."}, {"response": 1709, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 16, 2001 (06:54)", "body": "Is that an ABC show? ;-D"}, {"response": 1710, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, May 16, 2001 (10:27)", "body": "Wotcha all. (Breathing through little pipe poking through work avalanche...moan, moan..) Hello again to friends MarkG and Moon. We must meet more often. Have started reading Mr Moon's book. Will report in due course. Have also seen BJD. Liked it v. much...for the most part. Some misgivings, however (i) had seen all the best bits in trailers. Why do they show everything in advance? It's bloody annoying. (ii) I must confess to having some mild sympathy with the long review posted above (thanks, Maryou). BJ is obviously no Elizabeth Bennet (Lizzie would have been running the whole company, if she'd chosen to). This doesn't matter that much - the film was based on BJD, not on P&P directly. But the Bridget of the film was much more ditzy, and less quick-witted, than I remembered her from the book. (iii) One comment on Our Times.....In Pride and Prejudice, it was the moral failings of the protagonists that needed reforming before love could take hold. Hence the title. In the modern version, BJ's weight is presented as the main barrier to getting the man. What piffle. Even allowing for C.19 bashfulness about physical attraction, we are a pretty shallow age by comparison. None of this, of course, detracts from The Firth's performance."}, {"response": 1711, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 16, 2001 (10:40)", "body": "Hello again to friends MarkG and Moon. We must meet more often. Have started reading Mr Moon's book. Will report in due course. As it is fratello sole, sorella luna, Mr. Moon's book should be Mr. Sun. ;-) LOL! Do let me know. we are a pretty shallow age by comparison. Mr. Sun and Mrs. Moon strongly agree. had seen all the best bits in trailers. Why do they show everything in advance? I hate this too. This shows the filmakers insecurities and it feeds their peverted need to keep cutting the film up to the last minute in accordance with the reactions of their test screenings."}, {"response": 1712, "author": "Ann", "date": "Wed, May 16, 2001 (11:13)", "body": "Is that an ABC show? ;-D Surprisingly, it's NBC. I do hate all that incestuous and sly advertising that goes on inside the Disney world, though. --- This shows the filmakers insecurities and it feeds their peverted need to keep cutting the film up to the last minute Usually director have absolutely nothing to do with the trailers, which are often made in advance of a final cut--so the ad editors have no clue what the film editors will cut out. The ads are made by the marketers and PR people, who seem to have a stupid notion that giving everything away in the trailer is the best way to sell a film. Makes some directors angry, but unless they are big-name, they can't do much about it."}, {"response": 1713, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 16, 2001 (12:12)", "body": "a few are considered fatal [Thud] That reminds me, what happened to Arami? Where has she gone? We miss her so much."}, {"response": 1714, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 16, 2001 (14:41)", "body": "(Ben)But the Bridget of the film was much more ditzy, and less quick-witted, than I remembered her from the book. I understand where you're coming from, Ben...but the wit was all in the narrative, not her activities ;-)I rather applaud Sharon Maguire.A few of us has misgivings that Bridget would turn out of be a little \"Chaplinesque\". I'll take ditzy any day;-)"}, {"response": 1715, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 16, 2001 (15:06)", "body": "She was always Lucyesque to me, especially in the columns."}, {"response": 1716, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Wed, May 16, 2001 (19:03)", "body": "I was in Target today when I heard Shelby Lynne singing \"Killin' Kind\". I looked around and found that the monitor in the music/video section was playing the song, accompanied by scenes from BJD. There wasn't anything new in the scenes--most were from trailers and clips shown when the film opened. But at least we know that if all Targets across the country are playing the clips they should raise awareness a little. Does anyone know if there is a music video playing somewhere for this song? That would be a nice addition to the Bucket collection, n'est-ce pas?"}, {"response": 1717, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, May 16, 2001 (19:05)", "body": "what happened to Arami? Where has she gone? We miss her so much. Maybe you should try an Ouija board? :-D"}, {"response": 1718, "author": "rustynation", "date": "Wed, May 16, 2001 (19:25)", "body": "oops...I reread BJ's Guide to Life, and the first three names for shag/marry/throw off a cliff are: Russell Crowe, Mr. Darcy, Hugh Grant. that now makes shag: Crowe, marry: Darcy, throw off a cliff: Grant. Haven't really liked the latter since I saw \"Nine Months.\" How long has that been? Can everyone tell me the best reasons not to buy BJ:TEOR? I find myself drawn to it even though I hated it the first time I read it, as soon as it came out in the States."}, {"response": 1719, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Wed, May 16, 2001 (22:28)", "body": "Sorry, I can't help you there. I thought that TEOR was just as funny, if not more so, than BJD, especially the CF interview. Also, there was so much more of Mark Darcy, so I could picture CF in those scenes to my heart's content. I can't wait for the film. I have a general question for all of you about BJD. Is the phrase \"Ding Dong\" (used to greet tall, gorgeous MD at the beginning of BJD) a quote from somewhere, or just a colloquial British expression of approval? Also, what type of accent involves putting an \"r\" sound on the end of words ending in \"w\", like \"saw\"? Bridget does this in the interview she does where she asks Heaney \"Did you fancy Kafir the first time you \"sawr\" him.\" (Sorry, don't know how to spell it phonetically.) I'm asking because I was watching another film the other night (this time a really old one from the 30's) and an elderly English actress pronounced \"saw\" the same way. I'd heard it before but never really wondered where it came from. As an American, the closest I've ever come to it was in southern Louisiana, where people put \"r\" sounds into words with \"oi\" in them, like \"oil\" and \"point\". I'd appreciate it if one of you would answer these \"burning questions\". Thanks."}, {"response": 1720, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Wed, May 16, 2001 (22:48)", "body": "er... don't forget the \"r\" in \"warsh\" (Arkansan), as in, \"I'm gonna go warsh the clothes now...\""}, {"response": 1721, "author": "JennyM", "date": "Wed, May 16, 2001 (23:15)", "body": "I was just surfing around the internet today when I came across a site that was listing what different stars were doing for vacation. And guess who was listed right along with some of the biggest stars around . . . CF!!! Here's what they said: Colin Firth: The Bridget Jones's Diary star says it's going to be family time for him after wrapping The Importance of Being Earnest with Rupert Everett and Reese Witherspoon. \"I want a vacation,\" says Firth, who has a 10-year-old son by ex-love Meg Tilly and a new baby with wife Livia Giuggioli. \"We're both over the moon about our new baby boy. It feels unnatural to be away; our time will be spent with him.\""}, {"response": 1722, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 16, 2001 (23:27)", "body": "Yes, Jenny, that was in People Magazine. We have another topic where we talk about general Colin news. There are other choice tidbits that you might enjoy. :-) http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/143/new"}, {"response": 1723, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, May 17, 2001 (01:19)", "body": "(Louise) . As an American, the closest I've ever come to it was in southern Louisiana, where people put \"r\" sounds into words with \"oi\" in them, like \"oil\" and \"point\". Yes, you're right. Southern US dialects have preserved a few of the linguistic features one normally finds in British English. Granted, Southern dialects have also taken a life on its own, and incorporated other things. New England has also retained some features of Brit English. Take, for example, \"soder\" (\"soda\"). Scandinavian languages have had an impact on Midwest USA dialects too (just think \"Fargo,\" and you'll see/hear what I mean)."}, {"response": 1724, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, May 17, 2001 (06:55)", "body": "\"Ding Dong\" is not standard - just Helen Fielding, I believe. When I first read it, I thought Ding Dong? what does that mean? but then I tried it a couple of ways and once I said Ding DONG to myself, I understood it - which may mean that I had heard it somewhere before. Hard to be sure. The \"r\" insertion is quite interesting: in British English and most other accents, it gets put in as a \"liaison\" between two vowels where the first is a vowel with a low ending (as in saw, pa, area, her, sure) Remember we don't normally pronounce those r's at all. This makes some foreigners confused because their name may end up pronounced as, say, Ursularandress, and they don't understand the middle \"r\". Then London English starts dropping its h's and \"saw him\" becomes \"sorim\" - this has pervaded many other accents including Renee's RP. It remains more commonplace in strong London accents, so Renee might sometimes say \"saw him\" and other times \"sorim\", whereas an Eastender will always say \"sorim\". Sorry, I meant interesting ... to me."}, {"response": 1725, "author": "Echo", "date": "Thu, May 17, 2001 (08:21)", "body": "The \"r\" insertion ...gets put in as a \"liaison\" between two vowels I remember it from my language studies (quite a long time ago - it's a wonder I can still remember anything about it at all... ;-)). It's known as the linkig \"r\" and has always been a feature of certain regional variations, but not the so called Standard English (RP). Ursularandress You mean Usularundress...? (A very old one, I know... Just testing my memory! ;-p ;-D )"}, {"response": 1726, "author": "Echo", "date": "Thu, May 17, 2001 (08:23)", "body": "Linking!!! Linking \"r\". Drat. Fingers going limp as well... ;-P"}, {"response": 1727, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, May 17, 2001 (13:13)", "body": "\"Underneath the Mango tree, my honey....\" The perfect analysis from Mark. There is a difference between the r elision ahead of the vowel (\"afteRall\") and the one ahead of the h (\"afteR'im\"). I haven't heard of Ding Dong. But I will use it, where appropriate from now on. e.g., on spotting Jennifer Ehle in a sundress..DING DONG."}, {"response": 1728, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 17, 2001 (13:27)", "body": "Someone has fond recollections of Dr No ;-D"}, {"response": 1729, "author": "Echo", "date": "Thu, May 17, 2001 (13:54)", "body": "There is a difference between the r elision ahead of the vowel (\"afteRall\") and the one ahead of the h (\"afteR'im\"). And the difference is...? :-) Come on, master of suspension, out with it! :-D"}, {"response": 1730, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, May 17, 2001 (14:58)", "body": "(Ben) on spotting Jennifer Ehle in a sundress..DING DONG. Clearly, my dear, you haven't seen her in \"Design for Living,\" have you? I've never heard anyone use, \"Ding Dong.\" I suppose it could end up replacing the over-used \"HELLO!\""}, {"response": 1731, "author": "caribou", "date": "Thu, May 17, 2001 (16:32)", "body": "Re: Ding Dong I'm thinking that was a Richard Curtis insert. I have heard it before on something British but don't know now if it was Blackadder or Vicar of Dibley."}, {"response": 1732, "author": "rustynation", "date": "Thu, May 17, 2001 (16:45)", "body": "Re: Ding Dong I could have sworn BJ said it in her actual diary, but now I can\ufffdt find any references to it. BTW, my keyboard has just gone Spanish on me just for this page and I can\ufffdt do HTML anymore. Gaaaaaaah!"}, {"response": 1733, "author": "Echo", "date": "Thu, May 17, 2001 (16:45)", "body": "Right. Inquisitive as I am, since had heard the expression long before the book and film, have checked my trusty Oxford Dictionary (as non-native Eng. speaker) and \"ding-dong\" is a legit colloquial Brit. Eng. usage, actually originating in the 16th c. Am surprised no one ponders possibility of some connection, however vague, with BJ's meaning. Passing the Chardonnay bottle on along the line."}, {"response": 1734, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May 17, 2001 (16:50)", "body": "\"ding-dong\" is a legit colloquial Brit. Eng. usage, actually originating in the 16th c. Am surprised no one ponders possibility of some connection, however vague, with BJ's meaning. Now I'll be having strange thoughts everytime my doorbell rings. Passing the Chardonnay bottle on along the line. I prefer, it's time for a Cosmopolitan Martini. ;-)"}, {"response": 1735, "author": "Echo", "date": "Thu, May 17, 2001 (16:53)", "body": "Passing the Chardonnay... Am keeping Martini for myself. Hick. ;-)"}, {"response": 1736, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 17, 2001 (16:53)", "body": "Please check for 'rama lama'. Perhaps is related in origin."}, {"response": 1737, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, May 17, 2001 (17:09)", "body": "Emily - Re: Ding Dong I'm thinking that was a Richard Curtis insert. I have heard it before on something British but don't know now if it was Blackadder or Vicar of Dibley. Ben and Mark will probably be able to put me right but didn't, bounder-playing British actor (see 'Doctor' movies) , Leslie Phillips have \"Ding Dong\" as his general response to catching sight of the ladies? Normally swiftly follwed by an \"I say \" or two. It seems slightly strange to hear a female voice uttering the words but she even has his inflection!"}, {"response": 1738, "author": "Echo", "date": "Thu, May 17, 2001 (17:55)", "body": "\"Rama lama\" seems strictly American usage only. You may think it's a joke? Well, consider the possibility of derivation of \"rama\" from Scottish slang \"rammy\" and \"lama\" (American, not Tibetan) from colloquial \"to lam\". The general meaning of \"rammy\" and \"to lam\" neatly coincide with the British \"ding-dong\"!!! And now despise me if you dare. ;-)"}, {"response": 1739, "author": "Echo", "date": "Thu, May 17, 2001 (18:04)", "body": "Yes, yes - should be \"coincides\", I know. Why can't this program have a spell-check and preview functions? It would help to avoid many unnecessary ding-dongs. ;-)"}, {"response": 1740, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Thu, May 17, 2001 (18:56)", "body": "MarkG: Thanks for the information. I've never received a reply from an authentic film star before. It was nice of you to take the time to enlighten me."}, {"response": 1741, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, May 18, 2001 (02:19)", "body": "Uh-oh. Echo will be reaching for her dictionary to check the exact definition of \"star\". I think Tracy is right ... it's very easy now to imagine Leslie Phillips saying Ding DONG! But I'm sure HF used it somewhere in the books or columns too. Echo, surely the BR Eng slang meaning is a fight (CF and HG had a right old ding-dong in the street)? Surely that can't be related to fancying someone?"}, {"response": 1742, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, May 18, 2001 (05:36)", "body": "Echo...the difference is simply that only in certain accents are aitches dropped. To a cockney \"him\" starts with a vowel anyway, so there's no difference between eliding ahead of \"him\" or \"all\". For others, the aitch is pronounced, so there's no elision. Re:Ding-dong. Mark's right - I've only ever heard it to mean a fight. However, what it DOES remind me of is Sarah Brown, in Guys and Dolls, after Sky Masterson whisked her off to Havana: \"Ask me how do I feel, Ask me now that we're cozy and clinging, Well sir all I can say is if I were a bell, I'd be ringing. From the moment we kissed tonight, That's the way I just got to behave. Boy if I were a lamp I'd light, And if I were a banner I'd wave. Ask me how do I feel, Little me with my quiet upbringing, Well sir, all I can say is if I were a gate I'd be swinging, And if I were a watch I'd start popping my springs, Or if I were a bell I'd go ding, dong, ding, dong, ding!\""}, {"response": 1743, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, May 18, 2001 (08:41)", "body": "(Mark) But I'm sure HF used it somewhere in the books or columns too. Yup, she did. More than once, I'm sure. (Echo) Why can't this program have a spell-check and preview functions? Gee, isn't that your job?"}, {"response": 1744, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, May 18, 2001 (10:44)", "body": "(Winter) I've never heard anyone use, \"Ding Dong.\" I suppose it could end up replacing the over-used \"HELLO!\" Or the proverbial \"hubba hubba.\" :-)"}, {"response": 1745, "author": "CheriM", "date": "Fri, May 18, 2001 (12:07)", "body": "Hi everyone! I'm a longtime fan and lurker. I just read BJD again yesterday and I found a \"Ding Dong\" on page 303 (Hardcover UK version). It's near the end of the whole Mom/Julio mess. \"I looked out of the window and nearly jumped out of my skin. There was Mark Darcy slipping, lithe as a whippersnapper, across the lawn and in through the French windows. He was sweating, dirty, his hair was unkempt, his shirt unbuttoned. Ding-dong!\" Geez, I get hot just thinking about it!"}, {"response": 1746, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 18, 2001 (12:42)", "body": "Loved that description from the book and wished we had him playing SAS commando. Thanks for delurking, Cheri. Do it more often."}, {"response": 1747, "author": "dina", "date": "Fri, May 18, 2001 (14:38)", "body": "Just a few words... In the final scene, when Bridget is apologizing (\"I was stupid you see, so I didn't mean what I meant...veramente!\") ...the italian word for \"indeed!\" does not appear in the script. An other reference to the fact that a certain gentleman's wife is Italian is at the end of UK version: \"at least, she's not foreign\" (says Pam), which reminds me one of Bridget's remark at the end of CF's interview in TEOR about \"her not being English [...]\". In the book, MD is a blend of Mr.D and CF. What are the mixing percentages in the film? On the drooling side, I like the moments when he is transfixed by her under-dressed silhouette. At the tarts and vicars party he is completely besotted by the bunny, and stays aloof from Una Alconbury's dialogue with Penny Husbands-Bosworth. In front of the store, at the end, he glances her knowingly, but can't keep his eyes from sliding down from her face towards... What other moments did you notice? :-)"}, {"response": 1748, "author": "rustynation", "date": "Fri, May 18, 2001 (19:51)", "body": "(Cheri) ...I found a \"Ding Dong\" on page 303 (Hardcover UK version). It's near the end of the whole Mom/Julio mess. In case anyone cares, it's on page 264 of the US paperback version, which is what I have. The phrase is italicized. BTW, I have Ren\ufffde-as-Bridget on the cover. Has the book changed in any way besides the cover?"}, {"response": 1749, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, May 18, 2001 (21:47)", "body": "My local newspaper has a special weekend supplement with movies and other stuff that's going on. I was pleased to see that, in addition to the ad for BJD, they had a photo from the movie (Mark and Bridget in the snow outside her apt). Considering how many newer movies there are, this made me v. happy. Have not seen BJD in two weeks. GAH! Must find another friend who hasn't seen it as excuse so that DH does not have me committed... Hi, Ben, I love your reference for Ding Dong!"}, {"response": 1750, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, May 19, 2001 (13:08)", "body": "(dina) An other reference to the fact that a certain gentleman's wife is Italian is at the end of UK version: \"at least, she's not foreign\" (says Pam), Probably means \"she's not cruel Japanese\", meaning MD's first wife?"}, {"response": 1751, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sat, May 19, 2001 (20:28)", "body": "(Mark)Uh-oh. Echo will be reaching for her dictionary to check the exact definition of \"star\" Alas, poor me. Alas and alack. The gaps in my vocabulary must be too obvious. ([aside] Mark, if they say you're a star - you're a star, OK? :-)) (Ben)only in certain accents are aitches dropped Indeed, sir - but, of course, it doesn't apply to the mainstream (or is it \"standard\"?) English while the linking \"r\" may appear in the standard British pronunciation. Or so I'm told. I have found the relevant passages with \"Ding dong\" in BJD and am now of the opinion that it probably means something like \"Uh-oh!\" Or \"Attention!\" You know, the sort of \"prick up your ears\" sensation you get when you hear a door bell or any warning bell. Am I getting any nearer or is it back to the classroom? ;-) (Echo) Why can't this program have a spell-check and preview functions? (---) Gee, isn't that your job? Gee, I've been paid off."}, {"response": 1752, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Sun, May 20, 2001 (15:36)", "body": "BJD expected to fall to 5th place in weekend box office receipts in the US, with an estimated $3.8 million http://movies.yahoo.com/hv/boxoffice-latest.html . This would bring total US receipts to approx $56.6 million - not bad for a film which only cost an estimated 30 million GBP (a bit over US$43 million) to make. Haven't been able to find any estimates/rankings for the UK for this weekend yet..."}, {"response": 1753, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, May 20, 2001 (17:27)", "body": "Thanks for the stats. Am always interested in BJD's progress. What's with this Shrek? And I figured Angel Eyes would knock BJD down a rung but JLO is so over-exposed, her film may be a one week hurrah. Afraid Pearl Harbor will keep BJ down next week."}, {"response": 1754, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Sun, May 20, 2001 (18:04)", "body": "Someone complained about CF's lack of sideburns in \"Conspiracy\", which reminded me of the scene in BJD where Bridget tells Mark Darcy he should grow his sideburns longer. I thought CF's blank look was hilarious. Did anyone else notice this?"}, {"response": 1755, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, May 20, 2001 (18:29)", "body": "I believe BJD cost only about $25 million to make (plus marketing costs, of course). Between the UK and NA box office, it must be close to $100 million in revenue already--quite a tidy profit and it's still relatively early in the game."}, {"response": 1756, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sun, May 20, 2001 (22:31)", "body": "Snuck out on Saturday to see BJD again. It's on fewer (and smaller) screens around here, a sign that it may be on its last weeks. Only three other people in the theater. It was a sunny Sat afternoon, so most people were in their gardens or playing golf or something. But not me. I was at the movies. I have never, never, never gone to see a movie more than twice. And this was my sixth viewing (I think, but am losing count). The three other women had not seen BJD before, and I think only one of them knew who CF is (\"He was in Pride and Prejudice, right?\"). I said that when they saw him in BJD, they would know why I'd seen it several times. So after the first sight of him, I turned around and said \"See?\" And they nodded. At the end, they said they liked it. The one who know about P&P2 said that I should rent that. Hello? am already proud owner of boxed set. I didn't even mention FP, SIL, et al as they were beginning to look at me as if I were a strange, obsessed person. They probably think I was heading home to a bottle of Chardonnay, my P&P2 tapes, and a couple of Alsatians. Gotta say, the look in the rowboat still melts my heart. So wistful. So when does the video come out???"}, {"response": 1757, "author": "dina", "date": "Mon, May 21, 2001 (01:01)", "body": "I arrived at the movie later (the scene with \"woman of substance with little skirt\") ... at the door I had a little argument with the vendor because \"there was not place left\" (the guy was looking on some kind of screen) and he refused to sell me a ticket. He finally did sell me one, marked \"Golden Bowl\" ($8.25) - that was in the other projection room, but it did not matter. I've entered to see Bridget and the theater was packed ... finally spotted one place left in the corner. Better experience than yours, Kate F."}, {"response": 1758, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 21, 2001 (07:27)", "body": "It's on fewer (and smaller) screens around here, a sign that it may be on its last weeks. I can't imagine Miramax taking BJD out when they still Chocolat out there."}, {"response": 1759, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 21, 2001 (08:18)", "body": "Yes, BJD landed in 5th, but it couldn't hold out against the others. Very respectable though. In the UK, it was knocked out by the Mummy, which took in an estimated \ufffd6m."}, {"response": 1760, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, May 21, 2001 (08:25)", "body": "Karen, are these just the weekend figures? If so what are the week's figures like? I imagine that kids go and see their movies on the weekend while grown ups who go to see BJD also go during the week. Or am I just wrong about this. It is just that the only figures I see here for the US box office only quote the weekend gross."}, {"response": 1761, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 21, 2001 (08:36)", "body": "All are weekend grosses and that's how they determine box office rankings. Daily figures are reported in the US, but the rankings are determined by the weekend. From what I see, the kids go during the week as well. They are lined up at the box offices for late afternoon shows."}, {"response": 1762, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May 21, 2001 (09:27)", "body": "I've been looking at the weekday figures for BJD, and it's been steadily pulling in about a half million dollars a day--very good. I've noticed no pull back in my area--it's still playing in the same number of theaters and in several cases on 2 screens. This one has staying power and will be around for awhile."}, {"response": 1763, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, May 21, 2001 (10:05)", "body": "BJD is \"not yet scheduled\" to open in Portuguese theatres, according to one of our magazines (Elle)."}, {"response": 1764, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, May 21, 2001 (11:31)", "body": "With a bit of luck it will go on playing for months to come and just as they are about to pull it the video will be released ;-)"}, {"response": 1765, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Mon, May 21, 2001 (12:31)", "body": "From your lips to God's ears, Lizza! Esp. a DVD version with all of the outtakes included... and perhaps some cast interviews as well... just received my DVD player via UPS. Can't wait to wack a CF DVD into it! Must rent one tonight... perhaps FP, since there are some \"clothing-free\" shots in that one... mmmmm..."}, {"response": 1766, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, May 21, 2001 (18:29)", "body": "Actually, am glad Shrek won the weekend (yep, saw it and laughed like a banshee) however, and Karen will probably want to have words with me, I took my daughter to see BJD on Sunday, and can I tell you that she laughed her butt off!!! The fight scene she was the only one who was cheering for Mr. Darcy (when HG sucker punched him, Rebecca's reaction was \"that is SO NO right!\")... What can I say a child after my own heart! She LOVED the movie and told me to tell Karen that she covered her eyes during the part on the floor (because it was gross!);)"}, {"response": 1767, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, May 21, 2001 (18:30)", "body": "Oh the reason why I'm glad Shrek won the weekend is because I can't stand J.Ho... I mean J. Lo..."}, {"response": 1768, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Mon, May 21, 2001 (19:35)", "body": "Ok, another obsessive niggling point about BJD that just occurred to me. Did they change the phone ring in the \"Hello, Mum/Dad\" scene in bed w/ DC between the UK and US versions? I was just looking at the clip on The Bucket, and noticed it sounded differently than what I heard in the theater. Seems sorta silly; after all, the ring pattern is different, but surely people would figure out it was a phone, no? :)"}, {"response": 1769, "author": "Ann", "date": "Mon, May 21, 2001 (20:37)", "body": "I still wonder what happened with the \"Mum/Dad\" thing. The commercials have \"Dad\", but the movie has \"Mum\". Was that scene longer with both parents calling, but only half of it was used?"}, {"response": 1770, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 21, 2001 (23:29)", "body": "(LauraT) Did they change the phone ring in the \"Hello, Mum/Dad\" scene in bed w/ DC between the UK and US versions? To my knowledge, the only difference between the US and UK versions is the ending. In the script, it says Dad and ends there. Could be they changed it to Mum after editing and the department store demo scene was next. Having Mum call right before would make more sense. Someone check her lips in the movie and see what they say. (Laura) I took my daughter to see BJD on Sunday *shaking head* ;-D"}, {"response": 1771, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, May 22, 2001 (06:35)", "body": "the only difference between the US and UK versions is the ending. What exactly, please? (Sorry if I've missed any previous comparisons)."}, {"response": 1772, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 22, 2001 (06:46)", "body": "The credits sequence. Did not mean the kiss in the snow scene."}, {"response": 1773, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 22, 2001 (06:57)", "body": "The Stoke Park Club was Hotel of the Week in Sunday's Independent: WHERE IS IT? Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire, 20 miles from London between the M4 and M40. Within sight of Windsor Castle. WHAT'S IT LIKE? A Grade 1 Palladian mansion created in the late 18th century by James Wyatt. The estate goes back to before the Norman Conquest, and part of the 16th-century manor is still visible. The grounds, landscaped by both Capability Brown and Humphry Repton, are now largely given over to a 27-hole golf course, designed in 1908 by Harry Shapland Colt. James Bond and Goldfinger played a crucial round here; Hugh Grant and Renee Zellweger just played around, in Bridget Jones's Diary. AMBIENCE? Feels like a film set even when the movie cameras are not around. The mainly sporting clientele makes the atmosphere quite informal in the many grand public rooms. Mansion and grounds have been expensively refurbished, with original marble fireplaces and artworks. SERVICE? Efficient, discreet, and lots of it. Foot and mouth having scared away the Americans, staff hugely outnumbered guests. ROOMS? The 20 antique-filled rooms, some with four-poster beds, are lavishly decorated in silk damasks. The vast bathrooms, clad in granite and marble, have heated mirrors which never mist up. Our junior suite cost pounds 365 a night; club rooms start at pounds 245. Daniel and Bridget's Pennsylvania Suite is pounds 1,100. Prices include breakfast and transfer from Heathrow. FOOD? Head chef Jerry Davies pulls off a difficult feat, satisfying both hungry sportsmen who just want a steak and school pudding, and diners who demand more elaborate cooking. While our neighbours happily downed prawn cocktail, sirloin and treacle tart, we were marvelling at pan-fried scallops with a crab and leek tartlet, and terrine of foie gras, duck, bacon and pistachio. The simpler club menu is pounds 19.85 for two courses and pounds 24.85 for three. CLIENTELE? Americans and Japanese come to worship at the shrine of Harry Colt. Also much in demand for weddings and business conferences. Reported sightings of Robbie Williams, Geri Halliwell, Caprice and Pierce Brosnan. THINGS TO DO? Golf (hotel guests pay green fees of pounds 75 on weekdays and pounds 100 at weekends), tennis, and fishing. Next year an pounds 8m health and beauty spa opens. Walk to the 800-year-old churchyard of St Giles, Stoke Poges, where Thomas Gray wrote his Elegy. A vast memorial to the poet contrasts dramatically with his humble grave. ADDRESS? Park Road, Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire SL2 4PG (tel: 01753 717171; www.stokepark club.com)"}, {"response": 1774, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, May 22, 2001 (07:44)", "body": "RZ is still being featured in our magazines. In a recent interview she was asked if HF gave her any advice when visiting the BJD set and she replied \"No...Helen was too busy chatting up Colin and Hugh\" (in that order, am pleased to note!)"}, {"response": 1775, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, May 22, 2001 (10:23)", "body": "Thanks for the article on Stoke Park, Karen. 1,100 pounds is a tad steep for my budget. Anyway, would not want to sleep in Gnat's bed. I love to go to movie locations, though. Sometimes it can be disappointing. The interiors of the Grand on Macinac Island (where Somewhere in Time was filmed) looked better in the movie. Scattered over this board are references to Bridget location visits. Who's the expert? Could someone do a recap? (in case I can convince the DH to do a Bridget tour when we go to London next winter)"}, {"response": 1776, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 22, 2001 (10:31)", "body": "This was posted on VV. I don't know how accurate. Courtesy of RoP. \"The Darcy home, according to something I saw from Miramax, is Wrotham Park, Barnet http://wrothampark.com (Look at the interiors shots and see if it seems to match your memories of the film.) Also, the mini-break hotel was the Stoke Park Club: http://www.stokeparkclub.com/spc/film_locations/bridget_jones.html (interesting link to James Bond film also) The Jones home scenes were Snowshill, Gloucestershire http://www.completely-cotswold.com/snowhill/info/info.htm (Does anyone know the exact houses for the Jones's or for the Alconberry's?) Other places for London scenes include: The Cantina restaurant, part of a Conran complex, Shad Thames (date with Daniel) Tate Modern Royal Courts of Justice Southwark neighborhood apartment (Daniel), Clink St. St. Pancras Station Liverpool St. Station King's Cross Tower Bridge Globe Tavern in Borough (exterior of BJ's apartment)\" I love to go to movie locations, though. Sometimes it can be disappointing Arsenal wasn't, or Paul's neighborhood. And I didn't even like the film!!"}, {"response": 1777, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, May 22, 2001 (10:56)", "body": "Excellent, Evelyn. Personally I think the key (recognisable) places in London are: The Globe Tavern in Borough, (Bedale St SE1) for the exterior of BJ's apartment and scene of the fight The Montblanc shop in Royal Exchange Buildings EC3, scene of the diary purchase & the kiss Clink St, SE1 for Daniel's apartment The Royal Courts of Justice, the Strand WC2 Restaurant interiors: The Cantina, the Tate Modern, apparently Outside central London, travellers could visit: Wrotham Park, Barnet (North London) Stoke Park Golf Club, Buckinghamshire Snowshill, Gloucestershire (but I couldn't recognise the actual houses - I think there was plenty of movie trickery going on there) I don't think the stations were used in the final cut, and there's not much point going to Haymarket to see the \"Pemberley Press\" building."}, {"response": 1778, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 22, 2001 (11:05)", "body": "(Evelyn) This was posted on VV. I don't know how accurate. It should be because it came right off the Bucket. All those locations, precisely in that order, were described in the Production Notes section (from the press kit). See \"Press\" tab. While you're back in tour guide mode, Mark, did anything look like Hoxton to you? Remember, there were mentions that they filmed there."}, {"response": 1779, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 22, 2001 (13:02)", "body": "It should be because it came right off the Bucket. Oops sorry.I didn't check, and the poster didn't give you credit. (They seldom do) BTW, I was surprised they didn't film in Notting Hill. Inasmuch as the book made so much of the area.Were there neighborhood objections?"}, {"response": 1780, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Tue, May 22, 2001 (13:16)", "body": "An interesting tidbit: in a meeting this morning, one of my colleagues was complaining that she had planned a \"date\" with her husband Saturday night to go see BJD, and that they were in line for movie tix, but a bunch of teenagers managed to talk their way into line in front of them, and by the time they got to the front of the line, BJD had sold out . V. v. bad for her and her husband, but v. v. good for BJD! (And I have a feeling that she'll go to see it in the end...)"}, {"response": 1781, "author": "Ann", "date": "Tue, May 22, 2001 (13:47)", "body": "Golf (hotel guests pay green fees of pounds 75 on weekdays and pounds 100 at weekends), Yet another reminder of why I only watch golf in TV and never actually play the thing."}, {"response": 1782, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 22, 2001 (14:03)", "body": "Yet another reminder of why I only watch golf in TV Ann, surely you jest?!"}, {"response": 1783, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Tue, May 22, 2001 (14:53)", "body": "Is Wrotham Paek really the Darcy's home ? It looks far too big to me. When BJ was pullling up in front of it, with her Mom and Dad, I remember thinking it was rather like Longbourn, the Bennet home in Pride and Predudice. That ( like the Darcys' house in the movie ) only had a couple of windows either side of the front door and none of those big fancy pillars."}, {"response": 1784, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May 22, 2001 (15:11)", "body": "See, Ann, if you had HBO you wouldn't have to watch golf.;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 1785, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, May 22, 2001 (15:14)", "body": "Thanks for the tour info, Evelyn and Mark. BTW, Mark was it you who said the Clink museum wasn't good? DH and I went there a few years ago and found it fun--every trip we try to do something VERY touristy (as in not to be taken seriously, but good for a giggle). Must get out British Tourist Bureau info from files and start planning route for BJD tour..."}, {"response": 1786, "author": "Ann", "date": "Tue, May 22, 2001 (15:25)", "body": "Yet another reminder of why I only watch golf in TV Ann, surely you jest?! But I like watching golf!!! Played with my dad once this past year. I can hit a mean 5 iron and have a decent swing--dad was impressed ;) And they have a Golf Network on the radio too! Tthough that's a bit much...now, tennis on the radio is fun--you can tell who is hitting by the different grunts!)"}, {"response": 1787, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Tue, May 22, 2001 (15:25)", "body": "Question for MarkG: Which fellow are you in the scene where DC picks up BJD in the convertible? Are you the fellow who walks by towards the end of the scene in a blue suit?"}, {"response": 1788, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, May 22, 2001 (16:18)", "body": "He is, he is! The star himself! ;-)"}, {"response": 1789, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 22, 2001 (16:28)", "body": "Are you the fellow who walks by towards the end of the scene in a blue suit? The Burberry Man, himself;-))"}, {"response": 1790, "author": "JenniferR", "date": "Tue, May 22, 2001 (16:31)", "body": "From today's Guardian: Proof that males go to see Bridget Jones, or just another campaign ploy? ;) \"Speaking at the preview of the ad in the Criterion theatre in London's West End, Mr Byers was asked what the last movie he had seen was. After several seconds' pause, and prompted by an aide, he revealed it was Bridget Jones's diary, which he \"quite enjoyed\". Asked what he thought of the film's anal sex scene, he replied: \"Er, that's outside my departmental responsibilities.\" He also refused to be drawn on whether he preferred the Hugh Grant or Colin Firth character.\""}, {"response": 1791, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, May 22, 2001 (17:19)", "body": "Bridget has lose her #1 position in the Uk Box Office but still managed a creidtable 1.3million pounds to come 2nd, giving an incredible total so far of 32+million pounds for the 6 weeks. Incidetnally Heat magazine recently ran a poll on the \"Best Bridget Moments\" and Heat readers voted the Darcy snog in the final scene the Best Bridget Moment, followed by the fight scene and \"All By Myself\" in 3rd place, Yippee."}, {"response": 1792, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, May 22, 2001 (17:46)", "body": "Who's Mr Byers? I'm asking because I'm not quite sure whether I should rejoice at, be in awe of, or deplore his tastes - or the fact that they are plastered all over the Guardian... :-)"}, {"response": 1793, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, May 23, 2001 (03:43)", "body": "Must be Stephen Byers, Secretary of State for Trade & Industry. Yes that's me, Sarah, just after the growl, blue suit, faux-casual gait."}, {"response": 1794, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, May 23, 2001 (07:20)", "body": "Oh, THAT Mr Byers. Of course. Silly me."}, {"response": 1795, "author": "JenniferR", "date": "Wed, May 23, 2001 (12:27)", "body": "Sorry, sorry, thought I had included Stephen Byers title. Must learn to re-read these things before I post. Mark is, of course, right--Mr. Byers is the secretary of state for trade and industry. He was unveiling some negative campaign ads at the time, which for some reason led to the discussion of what movie he had last seen. Now, an OT question--being an American, I'm unfamiliar with what type of paper the Guardian is. Is it a rag, or is it a not-quite-as-intense-as-the-NY Times type of paper? I seem to recall some discussion in one of the books (TEOR, maybe?) about what papers Mark Darcy and Bridget read, adn I seem to recall the Guardian being mentioned."}, {"response": 1796, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, May 23, 2001 (14:28)", "body": "National broadsheet, serious, socialist-democratic leanings."}, {"response": 1797, "author": "TrinaLouise", "date": "Wed, May 23, 2001 (14:44)", "body": "Hello All, I used to lurk around and occasionally post a couple of years ago, but haven't been here in a while. However, the release of BJD has inspired me to return! I've seen the movie four times now, and as I was driving home from viewing number 4 yesterday I was trying to figure out why I enjoy the movie so much (apart from the obvious), and then I realized--this is the FIRST movie I've seen on the big screen with CF as the leading man! I've seen The English Patient, A 1000 Acres, and Shakespeare in Love on the big screen, I own P&P and FP on DVD, and just about everything else he's done on video, but this is the first time I've seen him in a \"leading man\" role on the big screen--there's just no comparison! All those close-up shots of his velvety brown eyes, and his dented chin. I have to say I think this is my favorite role--I like his hair, his clothes (exception: reindeer jumper and snowman tie, of course), etc. etc. He really is a wonderful actor--I don't think I've ever seen someone use facial expressions the way he does (or maybe I just don't stare so obsessively at any other actor's face...) The scene that makes me laugh the hardest every time (shows you my sense of humor): in the bar with the friends the night before the launch. Shazzer says something like, \"This is Daniel Cleaver, he's in publishing and comes...\" Bridget: \"All over your face!\" I laugh hysterically every time! It's been a while since I've read the book--is that line in it?"}, {"response": 1798, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, May 23, 2001 (18:16)", "body": "(Trina)It's been a while since I've read the book--is that line in it? No, it isn't. I don't remember seeing it. I just finished reading the book myself. And maybe you all have discussed this previously, but I noticed on pgs. 92-93 a very small \"homage,\" not to Mr. Darcy, but to Paul A. in FP. Bridget has discovered that she is now 119 lbs. (a goal, maybe-no pun intended ;-))and is elated that she is finally thin, but all her friends can say to her is that she looks \"tired and flat (chestwise).\" She feels empty and bewildered about this and starts to do a very familiar rant of: \"Eighteen years--wasted. Eighteen years of calorie- and fat-unit-based arithmetic. Eighteen years of buying long shirts and sweaters...Eighteen years of struggle, sacrifice and endeavor...\" Seems like her friends are not that understanding about her joy in this(sort of like Sarah is to Paul). But I really think this is HF gently paying homage to Colin Firth here for another one of his wonderful leading roles. What do you think? Sorry if you've already discussed this ;-D. I did love/enjoy the reference, though ;-)"}, {"response": 1799, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, May 23, 2001 (20:39)", "body": "Trina. did you see him in Valmont. It's my favorite."}, {"response": 1800, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (04:56)", "body": "Very clever, Lora. I, for one, had not noticed. BJD has brought us many interested and interesting new people (and returns). V.v. good :-)"}, {"response": 1801, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (06:44)", "body": "General question for Firthettes: does liking Firth also require you to hate Huge Grant, or is it just coincidence? Is it displaced loyalty (you support Stalin by opposing Trotsky)? Is it because they are genuinely rivals? Or does everyone hate the poor Gnat? Anyway, I secretly wonder whether, if you were actually sitting next to HG on a bar stool, and peering into his eyes, you would be quite so haughty and dismissive as you are in print. As long as uncle Joe didn't find out, you might even allow youself some light flirtation with Leon."}, {"response": 1802, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (07:24)", "body": "(Lora) But I really think this is HF gently paying homage to Colin Firth here for another one of his wonderful leading roles. What do you think? Hmm. Think BJD was written somewhere around '95 and FP came out in UK in March of '97. *knocking cobwebs out of memory bank* So I don't think so. Was surprised to see *two* commercials for BJD last night. This time CF has close up (zeroing in for kiss attempt, mmmmmm) and name mention. Hurrah! Genius promo people saved best for last. Hugh who? ;-) Speak of the devil: (Ben) Or does everyone hate the poor Gnat? Hate is a strong word. Dislike, not care for, find repugnant....but Hugh is a wonderful actor. As long as Richard Curtis writes the script. He's SAS trained, after all. ;-)"}, {"response": 1803, "author": "Echo", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (07:41)", "body": "does liking Firth also require you to hate Huge Grant LOL! you support Stalin by opposing Trotsky Ben!!! How flippant can you get! (No, don't answer that... ;-D) you might even allow youself some light flirtation Of course. But seriously (?): speaking as a Firthist - not Firthette! - personally I don't dislike Grunt as an actor, he delivers and is very enjoyable (probably could do more IF he really wanted to make a better effort of it), but his public image is not to my taste. Virtually all his answers to interviewers' questions are now invariably on a scale from tongue in cheek to disparaging. I can understand that it may be a defensive style he developed in the wake of his Divine publicity, but it's all becoming tedious now and makes one think he despises the whole business which feeds him so handsomely, thank you very much. Apart from that, he still loves being seen and admired, is a bon-vivant, raconteur and an engaging party animal. A totally, starkly different personality from Colin. Not that I disapprove in general: flirting? yes, why not, but when it comes to plain old-fashioned girly-womanly *fantasizing* of an *ideal* male friend or even partner, Huge would be very low at the bottom of my list. :)"}, {"response": 1804, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (07:41)", "body": "but Hugh is a wonderful actor. As long as Richard Curtis writes the script. He's SAS trained, after all. ;-) LOL! Talk about a character actor! Hugh only has one."}, {"response": 1805, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (07:46)", "body": "Apart from that, he still loves being seen and admired, is a bon-vivant, raconteur and an engaging party animal. A totally, starkly different personality from Colin. Au contraire! That sounds very much like Colin in his private life by accounts we have read from people that know him. Consider too that Colin and Hugh were born a day apart. That maps out their natal horoscopes pretty evenly. ;-)"}, {"response": 1806, "author": "Echo", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (07:58)", "body": "(Lora) ...HF gently paying homage to Colin Firth... FP On the first publication of BJD (the book) in 1996 Nick Hornby gave it a glowing review - quoted on the cover of the second edition. On the balance of probabilities, it could be that it was NH who \"paid homage\" to the character of BJ in his subsequent book. No, it's not to do with Colin on this occasion."}, {"response": 1807, "author": "Echo", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (08:03)", "body": "Au contraire! That sounds very much like Colin in his private life by accounts we have read Sorry - I didn't mean to imply that Colin is a morose recluse! But Hugh's photos are plastered en masse all over every gossip column in every Hello! OK! News Of The Underworld and The Sunk there possibly can be... while Colin chooses to enjoy himself discreetly."}, {"response": 1808, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (08:16)", "body": "(Eileen)Think BJD was written somewhere around '95 and FP came out in UK in March of '97. Okay, but BJD was published in 1996 (don't know the month) and FP was being made sometime in 1996, and I had read that HF visited the set of FP so maybe she caught that scene on her visit to the set;-). Then right before the manuscript was submitted she inserted the \"weight loss rant.\" Okay, I know that's stretching things a bit, but Bridget did seem to lose that weight quite suddenly and out of no where and the rant was so reminiscent of CF's in FP... Thank you, Gi, for your support of this theory, but I guess maybe the dates don't allow it. We would have to ask HF herself to see if it was a reference at all. Pretty ironic, though, if it's not."}, {"response": 1809, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (08:28)", "body": "Of course, having spent an evening with Colin (looks nonchalantly at nails, as if was everyday occurence) I can tell you he is a bon viveur. But I agree absolutely that his distrust of celebrity adoration speaks highly of CF and, by contrast, less well of HG. Huge is vainer. I was only reacting to the severity of the attacks seen early on in the BJD season. Like lionesses devouring a (floppy-haired, slightly unathletic) wildebeast."}, {"response": 1810, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (08:30)", "body": "(Echo)On the balance of probabilities, it could be that it was NH who \"paid homage\" to the character of BJ in his subsequent book. (I think our postings crossed). Aha, that could be it! It could be the other way round! Although what year was FP published? Could HF have gotten the idea from the book? Was the 18 years rant in the book? My chronological order of things is off since I didn't pay attention to dates and saw FP 5 times *before* reading BJD. Made mental note to pay better attention to dates of publications ;-)."}, {"response": 1811, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (08:34)", "body": "(Ben) I was only reacting to the severity of the attacks seen early on in the BJD season. This had more to do with the *perception* that Huge was the star of the movie, when we all know that this movie would be nothing without Colin. v. simple."}, {"response": 1812, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (08:45)", "body": "(Ben)Like lionesses devouring a (floppy-haired, slightly unathletic) wildebeast. LOL, will have to look for a Gnat look alike on my next Safari ;-) ;-). CF is allowed to have fun in his life and he chooses to do that in private, which is very commendable and respectable. He's much more a family man than HG, which makes him very endearing to me. Plus he concerns himself with his craft and making that his number one priority instead of his popularity (like HG). Now that I know, I can't wait to go see BJD for he 4th time and look for you in the convertible scene ;-)!"}, {"response": 1813, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (09:19)", "body": "Here's something fun, the song \"Woman Trouble\" (when Bridget's coming home to fix birthday dinner) won an Ivor Novello Award today for Best Dance Song."}, {"response": 1814, "author": "Echo", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (09:30)", "body": "Could HF have gotten the idea from the book? Was the 18 years rant in the book? My chronological order of things is off I'm not sure myself now, no time to check, but I think that on the whole it would be more to do with writing than acting."}, {"response": 1815, "author": "TrinaLouise", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (09:30)", "body": "(Alyeska) Trina. did you see him in Valmont. It's my favorite. Funny you should mention that because Valmont is the very first movie I saw him in--I rented it years ago and really thought he was adorable. I just wasn't crazy about the hair, but it's still definitely in my top 5 favorites."}, {"response": 1816, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (09:43)", "body": "closing tag Trust me, is now done...even if you can't see it. ;-D"}, {"response": 1817, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (09:44)", "body": "HG has always been part of the \"in\" group at Working Title.We should have guessed that they would work him into the BJD script...and they'll repeat it for EOR, I bet.Still, it was a disappointment to all of us to see ODB upstaged at the beginning. But not for long...;-) Personally, an actor's private life doesn't impact on his acting abilities. They are not role models...it's a job. And Huge does it v. well. He worked his floppy head off criss-crossing the pond to promote the film.Gotta give him credit for that...self-serving or not."}, {"response": 1818, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (09:48)", "body": "Eileen, your dates as to when P&P came out is way off. P&P was shown in the UK in '95 (October-November, I believe). It was shown in the US in 1996 in January. P&P was filmed in '94. (CF was 34 and JE was about 24). It is widely known that HF got the idea by watching P&P... BJD started in 1995 (I don't think she necessarily thought of going the route of P&P when she was doing weekly columns)."}, {"response": 1819, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (10:07)", "body": "(Laura) Eileen, your dates as to when P&P came out is way off. P&P? Who's talking about P&P? Wasn't the question to do with BJD? Lora, I've read FP the book and the movie is quite different. There is no Paul and no Sarah, so I am doubtful of an '18 years' rant in the book. Your notion of an homage is a stretch, IMO, but it appears you have yourself convinced. Whatever! ;-D"}, {"response": 1820, "author": "TrinaLouise", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (10:37)", "body": "(Alyeska) Trina. did you see him in Valmont. It's my favorite. Funny you should mention that because Valmont is the very first movie I saw him in--I rented it years ago and really thought he was adorable. I just wasn't crazy about the hair, but it's still definitely in my top 5 favorites."}, {"response": 1821, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (10:40)", "body": "(Eileen)Your notion of an homage is a stretch, IMO, but it appears you have yourself convinced. Whatever! ;-D So maybe Echo is right--that it was NH who paid homage to BJD. Who knows... Alas, which came first the chicken or the egg? Such is the journey of the creative process which gives birth to dear readers who love to pick apart and analyze ;-);-)! I did get a chuckle, though, when I read the \"eighteen years\" part in BJD ;-D."}, {"response": 1822, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (11:03)", "body": "Ben - for what it's worth, I don't harbor any particular dislike of HG. I was heartily sick of seeing him in the same exact role over and over, but then, nobody is forcing me to go and see his movies (which is why I haven't seen many of them). On a personal level, he seems to have a delightfully wicked sense of humor, and I'm sure I'd find him to be a fun companion for an evening on the town or at a party. He does say himself, though, that he's pretty \"high-strung\", so I doubt I'd want to spend loads of time with him. You'll notice that I haven't posted anything nasty about him here, though. I think he's suffered quite sufficiently for one lousy blowjob, thank you very much. I feel kinda sorry for him for that, and I think he's handled it quite well, considering. Who can blame him if he's now a bit sarcy with the press? I'd be far more resentful than he is, in his place. Just my 2 cents..."}, {"response": 1823, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (11:03)", "body": "My Gnattacks were mostly driven by concern that Colin, being the far less squeaky wheel, would not get his due. Prior to the film's release, every squeak--be it SAS training, Princess Margaret, or having a stroke--was like Chinese water torture. Then lo and behold, the film opens, CF gets good reviews, and message boards around the web start buzzing with, \"like, who is this guy, he's like really totally gorgeous.\" (Their hearts were in the right place.;-) Clouds parted and the next week, Mr. Sunshine came sauntering over doing the talk show rounds, being all nice and friendly and unrehearsed and articulate, and yes, gorgeous, followed by quotes in all the major publications, culminating in People's crowning him as one of 50 most wonderful human beings ever. It was heady stuff, I tell you.;-) So there really hasn't been much to complain about and the need to swat gnats has abated. But wait, there's trouble brewing over on 143. Reports of new BJD commercials without Colin. Urge is resurfacing to make comments about the recent announcement of yet another new film role for Huge, accompanied by observation that at least the British stage seems safe for another year. Will cooler heads prevail? Will Eileen tell me what channel she's watching that shows the new commercials with Colin? Or, in anticipation for next year's slights, will I be forced to start running comparison shots of Rupert Everett and Abe Lincoln? Stay tuned, gentle reader . . .:-)"}, {"response": 1824, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (11:13)", "body": "(Mari) culminating in People's crowning him as one of 50 most wonderful human beings ever Did I miss that issue? ;-D recent announcement of yet another new film role for Huge Quite. I don't see our press all agog about Colin's being wanted for MOB, if that's true. I'll only be content when Colin's name is vetted in the press in the same manner as Huge's and Ralph's for every conceivable role that could involve an Englishman. Then, if he worked on his American accent, he could be up for even more... Wishful thinking."}, {"response": 1825, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (11:40)", "body": "I thought his American accent in ATA was quite passable -- certainly far better than it was in Playmaker. I have to admit, though, I very much prefer his natural, English accent. I suppose if I were English, it wouldn't be quite so appealing to me, but there you go. As for the press being agog over Colin, he hasn't played them the way Hugh has, and let's face it, they're gonna prefer the fellow who makes himself readily available to them for witty repartee, etc. That's just the business of theater/movies. Colin obviously has better things to do than to whore himself out to every journalist on both sides of the pond. I think we may have to resign ourselves to the fact that Colin may never be the \"media darling\" that Hugh has become, simply because of his having a life of his own, outside of the movie business..."}, {"response": 1826, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (11:43)", "body": "Actually, I prefer his Playmaker to ATA accent. But, don't mistake my meaning, I don't want Colin to be a Hugh - more in the RF mode, an actor people sit up and take notice of and want for serious, important films."}, {"response": 1827, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (11:46)", "body": "Don't get me wrong - I hold no candle for Huge Gnat. [joke: What's the similarity between Denise Brown and students? They all blow grants.] I just wondered whether he has more enemies amongst Firthettes (and Firthists) than the population at large. And, as too often, I succumbed to flippancy. Anyway, I rather like lionesses. Raaargh! One additional question: suppose the only choice were between (i) CF as he is: distrustful of fame and reticent about pushing his film career, OR (ii) pushy on all fronts - getting good roles, smothered all over the press and appearing weekly, leather-clad, in Hello. Which would you have?"}, {"response": 1828, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (11:46)", "body": "(Karen) I'll only be content when Colin's name is vetted in the press in the same manner as Huge's and Ralph's for every conceivable role that could involve an Englishman. Then, if he worked on his American accent, he could be up for even more... Wishful thinking. OK as long as we're doing Wishful Thinking...I'll only be content when I hear him introduced as they did KB at the Tony's: \"And here to present the award is \"The Great British Actor, Colin Firth\". And he comes out resplendent in a Hugo Boss tux....*sigh* Sorry, I sorta winced when Kelly Rippa went on'n'on about the \"Sexy Colin\" or the Brit Hunk. Hey...he deserves a better recognition than that... (Sorry this is OT for this channel)"}, {"response": 1829, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (11:52)", "body": "Ben there is an \"in-between\" your 1 & 2. He's getting there.... Sarah...I too liked his Playmaker American accent...ATA , not. His voice loses resonance when he does an American accent. Needs a coach."}, {"response": 1830, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (11:55)", "body": "Could HF have gotten the idea from the book? Was the 18 years rant in the book? There's a philosophical first-person cri de coeur in FP the book about how none of your ambitions about normal life can stay constant for 18 years, whereas your football aspirations do. Personally I take my hat off to HG for making the diffident Englishman lovable in 4WAAF; then I put it back on again when he steals my scene with his lousy growling! Incidentally, homage is one of those words pronounced, I believe, wonderfully differently across the pond - here in the UK, it's hommidge, there in the US it's o-mahzh (correct me if I'm wrong)."}, {"response": 1831, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (12:14)", "body": "I pronounce it hommidge, but then, I tend to have a funny amalgam of different accents, made up of growing up in the US, having lived for 3 years in Australia, and dating several british guys. Makes for a strange style of speech, let me tell you. I'm also prone to picking up accents, so that, if I'm speaking to people from the Carolinas, I soon pick up a southern twang (within about 20 minutes). I'm kinda like Zelig... ;-) I tend to pronounce things according to who I'm speaking to (Australian: toe-mah'-toe, American: toe-may'-toe). This was developed as a defense mechanism to being laughed at for my \"funny pronounciations\". ;-)"}, {"response": 1832, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (12:19)", "body": "MarkG - right again. It was a while before I realised that o-mazh was hommidge. Or, in fact, that 'erb was herb, parsta pasta and orEggano oreGAHno. In repayment, every SINGLE waiter in the US willfully refused to see that a glass of wah-ter was, in fact, the same thing as a glass of \"warder\". As for the difficulties with my surname, do NOT get me into that."}, {"response": 1833, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (12:24)", "body": "CF as he is: distrustful of fame and reticent about pushing his film career Personally, I feel he's gotten over this and is willing to do more about it. (Evelyn) I'll only be content when I hear him introduced as they did KB at the Tony's Exactly. Or nominated for an Academy Award. (Mark) here in the UK, it's hommidge, there in the US it's o-mahzh (correct me if I'm wrong). Can't go by Terry Gross. She said it both ways in her interview with CF. Most people (I've heard) pronounce it as though it were a French (ha ha) word, but the dictionary says hom\ufffdij is the preferred pronunciation, with om\ufffdaj shown second. BTW, heard another extra 'r' but this time in Pameler (said by Jim Broadbent)."}, {"response": 1834, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (13:16)", "body": "(Mari) Will Eileen tell me what channel she's watching that shows the new commercials with Colin? It was HBO...kidding! Kidding! No, think it was during ET so it was CBS. Or could have been just after Tom Brokaw so was NBC...don't remember. Or, in anticipation for next year's slights, will I be forced to start running comparison shots of Rupert Everett and Abe Lincoln? *snort* Moon'll take umbrage...;-D (Karen) I'll only be content when Colin's name is vetted in the press in the same manner as Huge's and Ralph's for every conceivable role that could involve an Englishman. Ooh. Happy thought indeed! (Karen) I feel he's gotten over this and is willing to do more about it. Agree. Remember when we used to whine about his refusal to appear on television? This may still be true in the UK but am sure Katie Couric would welcome him back on the Today Show any time. hommidge vs. o-mahzh I only started hearing the latter pronunciation in the last year or two. Must be a H'wood thing, in manner of an affinity for sprouts and restricting dairy. ;-)"}, {"response": 1835, "author": "chrisycram", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (14:27)", "body": "(Eileen--from 143) Really? I posted earlier on the BJD board that I had seen the new commercial twice last night (on either CBS or NBC--CF is included and his name is mentioned. I'm in the DC market area. Well, that is reassuring. I'm in the Texas market. Think it was on NBC. Very odd that they are running different trailers. But I'm not kidding--it's as if he not even in the movie. *huffing with indignation* (Sarah) I thought his American accent in ATA was quite passable...though, I very much prefer his natural, English accent. Ah, too...er...distracted to pay attention to accent though I did not find it UN-American....yes indeed, prefer the natural accent and that voice ...*melt*"}, {"response": 1836, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (15:34)", "body": "Sorry, Mark and Ben, that I have thought you were one and the same in manner of Jack and Ernest or something;-);-)...I will look for *you*, Mark, when I view BJD for the 4th time ;-D!"}, {"response": 1837, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (19:22)", "body": "Evelyn: Sorry, I sorta winced when Kelly Rippa went on'n'on about the \"Sexy Colin\" or the Brit Hunk. Hey...he deserves a better recognition than that... <rant>I winced far more when Chevy Chase asked him if he ate the placenta! UGH!! What an ijit! It made me want to apologize on behalf of the entire United States... I think Colin was far more offended by that than the ditzy \"sexy Colin\" thing...</rant>"}, {"response": 1838, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (21:50)", "body": "\"hommidge vs. o-mahzh\" Personally, I have always pronounced it more like \"ommidge\" (no h sound) and don't remember hearing a lot of \"omahzh\" except from persons attempting to sound French. However, must admit it's not a word one hears every day (rather like abhorrence). Colin vs. Huge Huge is O.K. as actor, although one gets very tired of his perennial adoloscent roles. Don't know if it's just his public persona, but he comes across as the type who might be amusing in the short term, but who would wear very much on the nerves in the long run (whether being dithery or bitchy). As for Huge's acting, he always plays variations on the same guy, so I don't really know if he can act (except in that narrow range). I just can't imagine him as any kind of Nazi (except in Hogan's Heroes), or as an injured war veteran, or as a twisted theater owner, or as soccer coach/fanatic, or as a smolderingly sexy, 19th century English heart throb who starts out acting obnoxious and ends up winning the hearts of every intelligent woman in the vicinity. And I really can't imagine his being able to play all of the above roles, and more, so convincingly that some people have trouble recognizing him from one to the next. If he is capable of such roles, he has managed to keep it a deep, dark secret. As for Colin Firth--I first noticed him in \"Another Country\" and \"A Month in the Country\" and started watching out for him in movies, although I didn't really think of him as a \"heart throb\" until he matured a little bit and started playing non-youthful type roles. By the time I heard that P&P2 was being filmed, I knew that he was an excellent actor and had seen quite a few of his films (even remember watching \"The Secret Garden\" and wishing he had had a much bigger role). He has always seemed to me to go after the most personally challenging roles rather than the ones he thought would make him more popular with the movie-going public (unlike HG). Therefore, even if I didn't know anything about either CF's or HG's personal lives, I would still consider CF to be far superior as an actor. And as for HG's \"private\" persona, well, let's just say he ain't my type. I prefer someone who would not dream of exposing someone he cared about to possibly dangerous STD's, ridicule, etc. just for a brief moment of pleasure--in short, someone capable of behaving like a grown-up and being faithful to his partner of many years even on long trips to Hollywood. Although it is remotely possible that CF is secretly a womanizing lecher, somehow I doubt it, since the tabloids would surely have managed to find evidence by now if it existed. Until they do, I'll just accept him at face value--as a happily married man who also happens to be an excellent actor as well as being sexy, funny and gorgeous in his spare time."}, {"response": 1839, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (23:02)", "body": "O Lordy, there is so much I want to respond to here, but my normal way of copy and pasting, isn't working here on Drool, so I can't reproduce the parts of posts that I want to. Is there another way, that I am not aware of, to reproduce text ? Thanks."}, {"response": 1840, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, May 24, 2001 (23:22)", "body": "\"hommidge vs. o-mahzh\" I prefer o-mahzh, especially if the homage is to Sal-MAHN."}, {"response": 1841, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, May 25, 2001 (03:03)", "body": "Lora - I am no film star. I had to go back and see BJD a second time because no-one told me where to look. But there is Mark, looking damned cool. As he says, Huge growls all through the scene, so you can't hear him (Mark) saying \"Mr Grant, I served with Colin Firth. I know Colin Firth. Colin Firth is a friend of mine. Mr Grant, you're no Colin Firth.\" What's that about the placenta? Sounds revolting. I've seen sheep do it. But they haven't invented foie gras and Margaux '76 and, indeed, are thoroughly uncivilised."}, {"response": 1842, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 25, 2001 (07:46)", "body": "From Empire: Record-Breaking Bridget Cinema audiences are at a 26-year high this year, and cinema chains are thanking Bridget Jones's Diary [BJD] for the blip in their figures. Figures released this week by the Cinema Advertising Association show that more than 3 million cinema tickets a week are being sold.... The success of BJD seems set to continue. The film may have slid to the number two position in this week's UK box office charts - but its continuing popularity has helped BJD to beat its Working Title stablemate Notting Hill in the box office stakes. So far the film, which cost an estimated $26 million to make, has raked in \ufffd30.9 million in the UK - a fraction over Notting Hill's \ufffd30.4 million total. [Bethanne: meet me at Topic 61 to talk about your C&P problems or email me.]"}, {"response": 1843, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, May 25, 2001 (08:13)", "body": "(Ben) What's that about the placenta? Have a peek at the transcription of 'Live with Two Total Idiots' er, 'Live with Regis and Kelly' available at (in?) Karen's Bucket. *warning* Wait one hour after eating before you read it. ;-D The success of BJD seems set to continue. Pearl Harbor is projected to bring in $100M this weekend here in the US. Yikes! Kind of puts things in perspective, doesn't it? Too bad it's critical crap in manner of Armageddon."}, {"response": 1844, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, May 25, 2001 (09:31)", "body": "Yes, Pearl Harbor will rake in the bucks. But I've seen some pretty lousy reviews of it. I get the feeling they've stressed the \"story\" (as in fiction) over history in manner of Titanic. But I love how BJD's ad people have dealt with the opening of Pearl Harbor this weekend. This morning's paper had a print ad for BJD. The banner at the top said, \"THIS WEEKEND GET BOMBED WITH BRIDGET\" v. clever, and just a little bit sassy. Ben, Eileen is not kidding about not eating before you read the gross transcript. But read the transcripts of other appearances and it will help the nausea pass."}, {"response": 1845, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May 25, 2001 (09:54)", "body": "I hope \"Pearl Harbor\" makes it..Touchstone Films is part of the Disney family. They'll need that money for TIOBE ;-) Push for BJD this weekend.They added a movie theatre in my market...6 now."}, {"response": 1846, "author": "chrisycram", "date": "Fri, May 25, 2001 (10:18)", "body": "(KateF) This morning's paper had a print ad for BJD. The banner at the top said, \"THIS WEEKEND GET BOMBED WITH BRIDGET\" v. clever, and just a little bit sassy. Same ad in our paper--should get a good holiday boost; front page of movie section, gigantic headline \"Pearl Harbor bombs out: trying to be a love story and war story, film fails on both fronts\" **/*****. Which brings us to Evelyn's comment: I hope \"Pearl Harbor\" makes it..Touchstone Films is part of the Disney family. They'll need that money for TIOBE Well, I detest Ben Affleck and would dearly like to see this film flop, but I don't think you need to worry, Evelyn--the Disney marketing machine worked overtime for this one. Am off to see family for the holiday. Have selfishly--uh, graciously--invited sister to see BJD, which will be viewing #5. Do you think I've reached the edge of reason? ;-) Happy weekend y'all!"}, {"response": 1847, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, May 25, 2001 (10:39)", "body": "(Evelyn) They'll need that money for TIOBE ;-) You know something we don't? Got a lead on a massive promo campaign for TIOBE? I'm thinking Jack/Ernest dolls (half Jack, half Ernest in manner of Phantom of the Opera), I'm thinking Happy Meals served in handbags, I'm thinking paste-on Algie mustaches...actually, they really must focus away from the kiddies. OK, I'm thinking sing-a-longs sponsored by Manor Care, I'm thinking AARP bus trips to country houses, I'm thinking Lady Bracknell impersonation contests, I'm thinking cucumber sandwich cooking contests... (Kate) \"THIS WEEKEND GET BOMBED WITH BRIDGET\" v. clever, and just a little bit sassy. Love it. Vvg!"}, {"response": 1848, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 25, 2001 (10:54)", "body": "(Eileen) ...I'm thinking Lady Bracknell impersonation contests, I'm thinking cucumber sandwich cooking contests... I'm thinking two-for-one lobotomies, I'm thinking high school pep rallies and marching bands... ;-D (will shut up now)"}, {"response": 1849, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May 25, 2001 (11:11)", "body": "Eileen)I'm thinking Jack/Ernest dolls (half Jack, half Ernest in manner of Phantom of the Opera), I'm thinking Happy Meals served in handbags...I'm thinking sing-a-longs sponsored by Manor Care, I'm thinking AARP bus trips to country houses ROTFLMAO! So funny, Eileen. *Wiping tears* The Manor Care one in particular did me in. WSJ headlined its Pearl Harbor review with \"Snore-a, Snore-a, Snore-a\";-)"}, {"response": 1850, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, May 25, 2001 (11:33)", "body": "(Eileen)I'm thinking cucumber sandwich cooking contests... Wonderful idea, dearest Eileen! (Am sending you air kiss in matter of Gwendolyn and Cecily) (But really, my dear, don't you think the half-Jack-half-Ernest doll is a bit pervy?)"}, {"response": 1851, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Fri, May 25, 2001 (12:09)", "body": "(But really, my dear, don't you think the half-Jack-half-Ernest doll is a bit pervy?) Only if it's anatomically-correct... ;-)"}, {"response": 1852, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May 25, 2001 (12:32)", "body": "ROTF Eileen.Karen, Mari...a little respect here for The Handbag Kid;-).But a hint of truth here 'n there. Didn't they give out passes at some Senior Citizen center for MLSF? Well, I detest Ben Affleck and would dearly like to see this film flop . He's not a fave of mine, but I'm indebted to him and Gwynnie for getting out there to publicize SIL. We (along with the cast) were v. worried about that film and those two kids worked every talk show in spite of the fact that he had almost a cameo part.They made that film a \"go\"."}, {"response": 1853, "author": "odessa", "date": "Fri, May 25, 2001 (13:58)", "body": "So there will be a sequel? But He won`t be in it? or RZ? BTW, this is how the movie is presented here in Finland: starring:Colin Firth, Jim Broadbent, Ren\ufffde Zellweger, Hugh Grant, Gemma Jones"}, {"response": 1854, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Fri, May 25, 2001 (14:20)", "body": "Ben: After seeing Colin's interview with Chevy Chase and Kelly Ripa, I was hoping we might be able to vote Chevy off the continent... you should have seen the horrified, disgusted look on poor Colin's face! GAAAAAAAAA! You know how some moments are just so incredibly awkward that you feel embarrassed for the people?? That was definitely one of them..."}, {"response": 1855, "author": "Ann", "date": "Fri, May 25, 2001 (18:16)", "body": "\"THIS WEEKEND GET BOMBED WITH BRIDGET\" I don't know. Using the word \"bomb\" in a movie ad doesn't strike me as entirely a good idea. My first interpretation when I saw that was that it was saying the film was a real bomb (and not as in, \"Man, that pic is da bomb!\"). Until I saw the comments above, I didn't even concider it in relation to PH."}, {"response": 1856, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 25, 2001 (22:24)", "body": "In re: o-mazh vs. hommidge I just remembered that word *homage* was said twice in 3DOR (second act) by Colin and David Morrissey, who were both playing Americans, and they pronounced it o-mazh. It's in the scene where Theo produces a sketch that not only resembles Farnsworth House, but is Farnsworth House."}, {"response": 1857, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Fri, May 25, 2001 (22:54)", "body": "Well, I've done my bit to enhance the BJD coffers. I just saw BJD again for the sixth time. Since I already had the sequence of scenes down pat (and most of the dialogue \"memorized\") I was able to concentrate even more on CF's subtle changes in expressions when someone else was speaking. Gosh, he's good, but you know something, so is RZ. They're both very good \"listeners\"--the emotions come and go on their faces like ripples on a pond when they're listening to someone else and reacting to what they're saying. It's a pleasure to watch. I've always loved TIOBE. I saw it on TV way back, but can't remember who was in it. Have seen the British film version with Michael Redgrave and Edith Evans. Am looking v. much forward to this version due to the great talent involved--it should be hilarious. I can even quote a line from it after lo, these many years--Lady Bracknell, referring to Jack's orphaned status: \"To lose one parent may be considered a misfortune. To lose both sounds to me like carelessness.\" I can remember my older brother going around quoting that for several days. That's always been one of my favorite Wilde lines. It will also be interesting to see Reese Witherspoon with accent similar to RZ. I guess if she could lose her Tennessee accent (which she had as a kid in \"The Man in the Moon\"--first film I saw her in--very good if you're interested in a very good \"girl coming of age\" film), she should be able to pick up the queen's English in reverse Vivien Leigh fashion. She has been a very good actress since she was a teenager, but I haven't seen anything she's done since growing up where she had a decent role. She's had to compete with all the other early 20's actresses out there, and hasn't risen to the top of the Hollywood food chain yet. Maybe it's better if she never does--she'd end up doing the same role over and over like the rest of them. I just received my tapes of WOF and MLSF, so I'm off to watch WOF. I'm really looking forward to this one, from what I've heard about it over at 126. I'll probably be very bleary-eyed tomorrow from slo-mo repetition of certain scenes. I can hardly wait!"}, {"response": 1858, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Fri, May 25, 2001 (23:23)", "body": "Louise, if you are interested in seeing a Reece Witherspoon movie, where she has \"grown up\", try renting Election. Its about 2 years old and co-stars Matthew Broderick. She plays a high school senior, but I think she was 20 odd when she made it. If memory serves, she was nominated for a Golden Globe as Best Actress and there were early rumours of an Oscar nomination, but the movie had nothing like a Harvey/Miramax type publicity machine behind it, so it all came to nothing. I saw her in Cruel Intentions and thought she was kinda' wooden and stilted. I hope that the script of an Oscar Wilde comedy of mannners, will make hera bit more more animated."}, {"response": 1859, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Sat, May 26, 2001 (00:02)", "body": "Have put BJD on my waitlist on Netflix, and the release date is listed as \"Nov 2001\", so it does look like they're going for a Christmas release. Too bad, I'm hoping to be in Oz by Nov..."}, {"response": 1860, "author": "dina", "date": "Sat, May 26, 2001 (14:02)", "body": "(Louise)I was able to concentrate even more on CF's subtle changes in expressions when someone else was speaking. Gosh, he's good, but you know something, so is RZ. They're both very good \"listeners\"--the emotions come and go on their faces like ripples on a pond when they're listening to someone else and reacting to what they're saying. It's a pleasure to watch. Indeed. But always bothers me the discarded sequence when he is supposed to show some reaction and we never get to see it, just because his part was masacrated in editing. I'm talking about: Sharon: So-Mark-why did your wife leave you? (Tiny pause - is he going to be sensitive about it?) [Here you would expect his reaction...] Bridget (cutting her off): Come on-eat up! Two whole lovely courses to go. Extremely grateful to read on spring that there was one, but left out (Mark: She was Japanese. Exceptionally cruel race.) I think Harvey and other people endowed with scissors really hate Colin."}, {"response": 1861, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sat, May 26, 2001 (14:30)", "body": "(dina)I think Harvey and other people endowed with scissors really hate Colin. I disagree. I think the \"cruel race\" remarks are funny when they come from Bridget's mother, who never met the woman in question. But I don't think it's what Mark would probably say, and I'm not sure it would have come out funny. I think it would have been better to see Mark hesitate, as if looking for an answer, and then have Bridget \"save\" him by saying \"Come on, eat up...\" Karen, how many times did you see 3DOR? I was too busy watching Colin to remember what he said!!!"}, {"response": 1862, "author": "dina", "date": "Sat, May 26, 2001 (14:47)", "body": "(KateF)the \"cruel race\" remarks are funny when they come from Bridget's mother Indeed, I do not try to save THAT particular phrase, which BTW is abominable, I'm only telling that him not showing any reaction at all made the dullness coefficient of his character soar up to the sky... quite disappointing, because I really like the Mark character (just as he is). Who's to blame for the part missing (Kate F: it would have been better to see Mark hesitate, as if looking for an answer, and then have Bridget \"save\" him by saying \"Come on, eat up...\") ?????!!!! Really, the public blames the actor for not having done his duty, and we know that he is not to blame!!!"}, {"response": 1863, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sat, May 26, 2001 (14:56)", "body": "Do people blame the actor? I'm more inclined to blame the writer(s) and director, which isn't fair either. BJD certainly shows the impact of the editing--they cut Mark's response to Bridget's arrival at the T&V party, which results in a similar \"dullness\" effect."}, {"response": 1864, "author": "dina", "date": "Sat, May 26, 2001 (15:05)", "body": "(KateF)Do people blame the actor? ...my boy friend did. (KateF)they cut Mark's response to Bridget's arrival at the T&V party ...sorry, I did not find that bit. Is it included at the \"editing room floor\" at bucket?"}, {"response": 1865, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sat, May 26, 2001 (15:30)", "body": "Does anyone remember hearing Mark's line at the start of the T&V party? I think I saw it in a clip shown during an interview? As I recall, they see Bridget, and Natasha says something like \"Funny what attracts men these days.\" And Mark replies something like \"yes, isn't it.\" But it's the flustered way he says it that shows you he isn't disgusted (as Natasha is) and he isn't really agreeing with her. Karen, should this be on 126?"}, {"response": 1866, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 26, 2001 (16:03)", "body": "Right, Mark's response is (\"yes\" - long beat - \"yes\") shown in the trailer clips. It's very similar to the boating scene \"agreement\" with Natasha. There was no reason to snip it out; it didn't affect anything else. If Mark had answered the 'cruel race wife' thing, you'd wonder how he knew to say that. Had he ever overheard Mrs Jones? Not to the audience's knowledge. Yes, he could do the beetroot cube and gravy bit because Pam and Una were doing their little act right in front of him. Perhaps the director and the others realized it just didn't work when they saw it all put together. Or there could be feedback from test audiences that it was out of character for Mark. That's how movies are put together. I don't think anyone has it in for Colin. And, Dina, you do realize that I concentrated on Mark Darcy scenes for the Bucket's page. Plenty of other scenes were cut or changed involving every character."}, {"response": 1867, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sat, May 26, 2001 (17:05)", "body": "(dina)So-Mark-why did your wife leave you? (Tiny pause - is he going to be sensitive about it?) [Here you would expect his reaction...] I just saw BJD for the 4th time and it was this time that I felt that *Sharon's* question needed to be cut as well (I cringed when she asked it, but I guess it was because I knew the answer after P&P2 and multiple viewings of BJD!). It is not only out of character for MD not to be sensitive about the question and to have no reaction to it, but it also might have been a chance for him to reveal, too soon, the lie that Daniel had told Bridget if he had *really* answered the question. So why didn't they just cut out Sharon's question, too? That would have solved his lack of reaction. I want to say more, but that probably needs to be on 126. Also I have just finished reading EOR, and it was soooo funny. I found myself laughing out loud a lot more than I did when I was reading BJD. Anyway, are we allowed to discuss it yet? And if so, where would we discuss it? I think I've found an \"o-mazh\" in it, and this time the dates work...I think! Also, Mark G, you looked great in your blue suit from an aerial point-of-view! ;-);-)"}, {"response": 1868, "author": "dina", "date": "Sat, May 26, 2001 (20:35)", "body": "(Lora)I felt that *Sharon's* question needed to be cut as well (I cringed when she asked it [...] It is [...] out of character for MD not to be sensitive about the question and to have no reaction to it [...] That's exactly my feeling! Because Sharon's reaction was so clearly stated, logically there is not excuse not to include a close up with Mark's reaction - and no need for words! As my friend put it, in the editing room one should enter not with scissors but with a little logic of the scene and a bit of good sense! Otherwise you just sabotage your actor's performance and if it's not consciently done then it's pure stupidity."}, {"response": 1869, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, May 26, 2001 (21:08)", "body": "In the Karen gets no respect department: Entertainment Weekly's \"Tear and Save\" EW Recommends: Bridget Jones's Diary ( http://bridgetjonesdiary.msn.com ) \"Another place to cheer on Renee Zellweger's endearing Everygirl. B+\" They'd have to give Karen's an A+"}, {"response": 1870, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sat, May 26, 2001 (21:53)", "body": "Tonight just after the noons on ABC, I heard Renee's name mentioned (actually they said Renee Zellweger and Hugh Grant from BJD) in conjunction with Live with Regis and Kelly. From Live's website, here is what is says about Monday: Today, LIVE's got the biggest celebrities from some this year's biggest blockbusters: ANTONIO BANDERAS, RENEE ZELLWEGER, CHRIS ROCK, HUGH GRANT, JULIANNE MOORE and BRENDAN FRASER. Sounds like one of their pasted-together compilations. Note that ODB's interview with dumber and dumbest is not on the list--can't imagine why ;-) But if you didn't se HG or RZ promoting BJD on Live, it's another chance to learn about Hugh's commando training or how many times Renee had to \"upgrade\" at Vic Secret. Oh well, at least BJD is one of \"this year's biggest blockbusters\" v.v. good!"}, {"response": 1871, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sat, May 26, 2001 (21:54)", "body": "GAH! am spaz typist-- make that the NEWS on ABC"}, {"response": 1872, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Mon, May 28, 2001 (16:47)", "body": "OK - another pronounciation that I wonder about. How do you (in the UK) pronounce the word \"dour\"? At the end of Fever Pitch, Colin says this word, and he says it kinda like \"doo-r\". I was under the (perhaps mistaken) impression that it is pronounced as \"dow-er\" by all and sundry..."}, {"response": 1873, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Mon, May 28, 2001 (19:49)", "body": "BJD took 6th place in the weekend box office with an estimated $4 million, bringing the movies US total take to $62.2 million. And my prediction is that it will pass up JLo's \"Angel Eyes\" next weekend. From the looks of the stinkers that are supposed to open next weekend, that may put BJD back into 5th place. I'll be really pissed off if \"The Animal\" beats BJD, even on its opening weekend. It looks to be the worst of the summer releases, IMHO."}, {"response": 1874, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Mon, May 28, 2001 (19:56)", "body": "Oops. Just realized that Moulin Rouge opens next weekend - so that'll be the top in the US. Still, BJD will undoubtedly overtake Angel Eyes, so it should still wind up 6th, by my reckoning."}, {"response": 1875, "author": "Ann", "date": "Mon, May 28, 2001 (23:21)", "body": "I'll be really pissed off if \"The Animal\" beats BJD } But moronic, childish films tend to do well. ick!"}, {"response": 1876, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Mon, May 28, 2001 (23:37)", "body": "Sounds like BJD is over $100 million world wide (between U.S., Canada and England) and it hasn't even opened in most overseas venues. Sure hope that the sequel comes out soon. Can't wait for CF in \"bedroom\" scenes."}, {"response": 1877, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, May 29, 2001 (02:57)", "body": "Re:dour I've always pronounced it \"durr/doer\", but I suppose I've heard the \"dower\" pronunciation more often. People used to say \"poor\" the same way - with a kind of dipthong. The Scots still use both."}, {"response": 1878, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, May 29, 2001 (05:28)", "body": "On the \"cruel race\" remark, I think CF's character would probably have used it only in an ironic sense. This is partly a generational difference. His mother would have been more in earnest. One of my grandfathers, for example, spent three years in various Japanese PoW camps, including the notorious one at Kanchanaburi (whose inmates contributed to the Burma/Siam \"death\" railway of River Kwai fame). He, like most of his generation, was not the greatest fan of the Japanese."}, {"response": 1879, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, May 29, 2001 (09:42)", "body": "re: dour I, too pronounce this \"doo-r,\" but I tend to think of this as a British word. I don't think Americans use this word a lot. To go back to homage, here's another aspect of the word. I asked my DH about how he says homage, and he claims not to know the use of it as \"an homage to something.\" Academic type that he is, he ran to the dictionary, where the only definition was as 'resect' as in 'pay homage to.' (pronounced HOMmidge) Any time I've heard someone \"Pay homage to\" something, it was pronounced \"HOMmidge.\" That's what I've always said. Yet when something is \"an homage to something,\" I say ohMAHGE. It's almost as if they've become separate words? Maybe it's the article \"an\" that does it? Does one say \"an HOMmidge?\" Perhaps is time to write to William Saffire, guru of words for NYTimes? p.s. to Ben--first time I heard my English cousin say \"or eh GAH no\" I thought she was going to make Japanese food!"}, {"response": 1880, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 29, 2001 (09:45)", "body": "...or fold paper."}, {"response": 1881, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, May 29, 2001 (13:00)", "body": "(Karen)...or fold paper. LOL!!! I think I pronounce it \"or eh GAH no\"; but then again, I'm from Bahstin. ;) Where I Pahk the cah... ;)"}, {"response": 1882, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, May 29, 2001 (15:30)", "body": "Speaking of homages, I've only just begun reading \"Fever Pitch\" (much better book than the film, IMHO) and lo and behold, on page 98, under WEMBLEY III- THE HORROR RETURNS: \"It is a truth universally acknowledged that ticket distribution for Cup Finals is a farce (...)\" Loved it."}, {"response": 1883, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, May 29, 2001 (18:05)", "body": "Gi, I loved what you found in \"Fever Pitch\" (the book). So it looks like HF has a great love for paying homage to NH or to projects CF is associated with. Have you read EoR yet? There is a great reference to FP (the movie) in it. Do you know if it's okay to discuss it here on 145? Or would it not be okay to discuss it at all, since some may not have read it yet?"}, {"response": 1884, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 29, 2001 (18:20)", "body": "Of course, you can discuss TEOR here. We used to discuss the old columns here as well as the books when they were first published."}, {"response": 1885, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Tue, May 29, 2001 (19:40)", "body": "Lora - don't know if you are aware, but Fever Pitch was written by Nick Hornby."}, {"response": 1886, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, May 29, 2001 (21:11)", "body": "Yes, I am very aware that \"Fever Pitch\" was written by Nick Hornby (and that he also did the screenplay for the movie of the same name). I was just noting above in response 1883 that I think it is very endearing the way Helen Fielding makes references in her book, TEOR, to the movie \"Fever Pitch\" and CF's role in that movie. You all may have discussed this before, but I noticed a very definite mimic of the Sarah/Paul \"each one doesn't realize what the other one is talking about\" conversation between Bridget and Mark on pgs. 95-96. Bridget thinks Mark has called to say he is sorry for the misunderstandings that occurred during their weekend at Rebecca's, but Mark thinks that Bridget is being understanding and sorry because his team didn't win the football match. Sound familiar? And I think Gi was noting that HF used a NH line for the very first line of BJD;-D \"It is a truth universally acknowledged...\" (isn't that one of the first lines of the movie when Bridget is walking in the snow?) On an unrelated aside, I saw the end of a segment today on \"Inside Edition\" about \"women in power\" at the box office this year. They talked about Angelina Jolie being the \"women action figure,\" and they interviewed a women,an editor, (of a magazine, I think, but I didn't catch the name) who said that Renee Z. was getting women to come back to see BJD again. I thought she was very good in the movie, but I think it's CF who's causing *that* phenomenon. ;-D"}, {"response": 1887, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, May 29, 2001 (21:30)", "body": "Sarah, sorry if I wasn't clear in response 1883. The references between the books and the movies of both authors is a little difficult to keep straight. I'm learning to keep the dates of publication in mind to see who imitated who. ;-) Also, Karen, thanks for the okay to talk about TEOR.;-)"}, {"response": 1888, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Tue, May 29, 2001 (22:58)", "body": "Oh, that's OK. I just wondered if you realized that Jane Austen was the first to pen \"It is a truth universally acknowledged...\" (in P&P), and that both NH and HF were actually quoting Austen..."}, {"response": 1889, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 29, 2001 (23:00)", "body": "Well... ;-D They both are paying homage (pronounced homage) to Jane Austen who wrote that very famous line as the opening to P&P. We shouldn't underestimate the relevance of that book on both authors. It is a standard text in their schools so even a NH would be very familiar with it. When HF wrote her first set of columns in The Independent, there wasn't a P&P story line and neither did the second set in The Telegraph, which formed the basis for TEOR. HF took her columns and adapted them to the P&P story for BJD and then did the same for TEOR using Persuasion. In fact, when we heard that TEOR was going to use Persuasion, we couldn't quite see how it would work. She made major changes from the columns to the book and it all worked beautifully IMO."}, {"response": 1890, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, May 30, 2001 (04:39)", "body": "Re: homage. My little Collins dictionary lists two meanings: 1. a public show of respect or honour towards someone or something (esp. in the phrases pay or do homage to) 2. (in feudal society) a. the act of resepct and allegiance made by a vassal to his lord, b. something done in acknowlegement of vassalage 2 means that homage is French - the Normans gave us feudalism - but only a thousand years ago. We are certainly not obliged to pronounce it in the same way now. I think 1. covers both your senses, Kate. In England, we would probably tend to use \"tribute\" more often, or \"in homage to\", when talking about, say, an imitative quote or film scene. Either way, it is always pronounced hommidge over here. To change the subject slightly, one of the things that amused me always when in the US was the different words for EVERYTHING to do with the car: bonnet = hood boot = trunk windscreen = windshield petrol = gas indicator = ? gear stick = gear lever (?) Eventually, I was surprised on finding any car-related word in common. \"You mean you call it a 'wheel' as well? Cool.\""}, {"response": 1891, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, May 30, 2001 (08:02)", "body": "(Karen) They both are paying homage (pronounced homage) *pfffft* I think we're getting off on a tangent (pronounced tangent)... Lora, HF's BJD columns are available at Karen's Bucket. You'll enjoy them. There's a great Christmas shopping exchange between BJ and MD in one. ;-)"}, {"response": 1892, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Wed, May 30, 2001 (09:21)", "body": "Ben: indicator = turn signal We have a lot of different words for food-related stuff as well: chips = french fries (or just \"fries\") tomato sauce = ketchup (or catsup) serviette = napkin jelly = jello jam = jelly lemonade = sprite or 7up or similar tea - to us, tea is usually iced tea, hardly anybody drinks what we call \"hot tea\" these days :-)"}, {"response": 1893, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 30, 2001 (09:28)", "body": "I had a feeling it was going to go this route...please use 136 (odds & ends)"}, {"response": 1894, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, May 30, 2001 (09:31)", "body": "Love the British/American \"translations.\" Whenever we rent a car in England, we shift into Brit English and say bonnet, boot, etc. Who was it that said that we are two nations divided by a common language? IMPORTANT SAFETY ALERT Finally got my car CD/radio back from the shop, so celebrated by playing BJD CD while I was out doing errands yesterday. Discovered something v. important in terms of safety. During \"All By Myself,\" one should NOT attempt to play air drums, as can lead to accidental honking of horn... (also, do not attempt \"the kick\" in a compact car, especially in sandals. oww!)"}, {"response": 1895, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, May 30, 2001 (12:43)", "body": "Sorry. Aimlessly drifting into trivia. Here, by way of recompense, is news on BJD's ranking (still at no.2): http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/entertainment/film/newsid_1359000/1359268.stm Still, the competition is hardly fierce. Here's the Guardian on my countrymen's number one film of the moment (the Mummy Returns): \"Forget trying to follow the plot (something about a stolen bracelet that awakens the armies of Anubis). It's just a convenient peg on which Sommers hangs a chain of action set pieces (desert battle, jungle shootout, British Museum blow-out) that soon blur into monotony. \"All of this was pre-ordained 5,000 years ago,\" explains one character midway through. Maybe so, but that still doesn't excuse it.\""}, {"response": 1896, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, May 30, 2001 (16:16)", "body": "\"All of this was pre-ordained 5,000 years ago,\" explains one character midway through. Maybe so, but that still doesn't excuse it.\" LOL!"}, {"response": 1897, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 30, 2001 (16:48)", "body": "I've seen worse."}, {"response": 1898, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Wed, May 30, 2001 (20:52)", "body": "The above discussion re English/American usage reminded me of some dashboard stickers I saw in an auto parts magazine back when I had a Volkswagen. They were supposed to give the German equivalent of the switches/levers in the car: English \"German\" turn signal = turnenblinken headlights = glimmerdimmen windshield wipers = drizzelflippen I always got a laugh out of those."}, {"response": 1899, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 30, 2001 (22:49)", "body": "LOL! Those are incredible. What was that word used in VW ads way back when? Anyway, Lora, I've just posted a Q&A article with Nick Hornby on 136, where he lists Jane Austen as one of his favorite middlebrow authors."}, {"response": 1900, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Wed, May 30, 2001 (23:44)", "body": "Funkengroovin is the word I think you're looking for, Karen. ;-)"}, {"response": 1901, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May 31, 2001 (07:30)", "body": "Funkengroovin kind of our theme here, I think! :-D"}, {"response": 1902, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 31, 2001 (09:53)", "body": "Or Firthendroolin.:-)"}, {"response": 1903, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, May 31, 2001 (11:27)", "body": "No, it was Fahrvugnugen or something like that."}, {"response": 1904, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, May 31, 2001 (13:16)", "body": "(Mari) Or Firthendroolin.:-) LOL! Am picturing the little VW stick figure with droplets dribbling from its mouth..."}, {"response": 1905, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Thu, May 31, 2001 (13:30)", "body": "I like the firthendroolin one. Can we make up a graphic for it? ;-)"}, {"response": 1906, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Thu, May 31, 2001 (13:31)", "body": "Fahrvergnugen (with umlaut on the u which my keyboard cannot do)"}, {"response": 1907, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Thu, May 31, 2001 (14:05)", "body": "Fahrvergn\ufffdgen"}, {"response": 1908, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May 31, 2001 (15:16)", "body": "Ah, yes, the old \"Fahrvergn\ufffdgen.\" Which means?"}, {"response": 1909, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, May 31, 2001 (15:40)", "body": "Caught the end of another BJD commercial this a.m. but did not hear if CF was mentioned. Will pay more attention tomorrow."}, {"response": 1910, "author": "chrisycram", "date": "Thu, May 31, 2001 (16:29)", "body": "FYI, my BJD soundtrack is enhanced with some still images from the film (none that cant' be found at Karen's site, however), a short interview with HF (text), a Bridget Jones quiz, Shelby Lynne's video for \"Killin' Kind\" (no film images) and links to the Miramax and Island Records websites. When I poped it in, I was hoping for something...more extraordinary than all that, though. ;-) (I hadn't noticed this tidbit mentioned here or on 126. If I've missed it, apologies for being redundant.)"}, {"response": 1911, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Thu, May 31, 2001 (16:45)", "body": "Argh, the BJD soundtrack CD multimedia bit is horrible! Bad interface design, crap content, odd pictures (RZ doesn't even look like herself, imo)... Having the first chapter of EOR available was a savvy marketing call, though. Is it worth getting the UK version of the soundtrack? I know there's a couple extra songs on it."}, {"response": 1912, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Thu, May 31, 2001 (16:46)", "body": "Moon Dreams, It means the \"pleasure of driving\". Quite banal."}, {"response": 1913, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, May 31, 2001 (16:51)", "body": "Ah, yes, the old \"Fahrvergn\ufffdgen.\" Which means? Spa\ufffd am Fahren ;-) Entschuldigung - ooops! It is \"enjoying driving\" or \"having fun driving\". E come si dice in italiano? And now back to the .... topic."}, {"response": 1914, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, May 31, 2001 (17:04)", "body": "The biggest disappointment on the soundtrack is that it isn't Van Morrison's rendition of \"Someone Like You,\" although I knew about that before I bought it. When I bought my CD, they guy who waited on me said that a woman who looked at it told him she wanted the \"other version\" with Van Morrison on it. She's probably still out there, looking..."}, {"response": 1915, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Thu, May 31, 2001 (17:55)", "body": "*lol* I just bought a used copy of the BJD soundtrack CD, and am planning to \"enhance\" it by copying the songs I like onto another CD, along with several of the songs that are missing (\"Woman Trouble\", \"Don't Get Me Wrong\", \"Respect\", and, if I can find a copy \"Ain't No Mountain\") -- that way, I'll have the soundtrack CD I *really* wanted from BJD..."}, {"response": 1916, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Thu, May 31, 2001 (17:55)", "body": "Oh, and of course, Van Morrison's \"Someone Like You\"..."}, {"response": 1917, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May 31, 2001 (19:46)", "body": "It is \"enjoying driving\" or \"having fun driving\". E come si dice in italiano? Il piacere di guidare. What I love about German is that it is all one word. Thanks Lassie and Renate. Is it worth getting the UK version of the soundtrack? I know there's a couple extra songs on it. Laura, I have the UK version. I don't care for the CD, and I hate \"It's Raining Men\" way too disco for my taste. The best songs on the CD are Love by Rosie and Dreamsome by Shelby Lynne. I don't know if those two are on the US CD. I am a fan of some of the others such as Pretenders, Aretha, Chaka, Sheryl Crowe and even liked RW \"Have you seen Miss Jones\" but the rest is pure garbage (pronounced the French way). ;-)"}, {"response": 1918, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 31, 2001 (21:02)", "body": "Yes, both of those are on the US CD. Now, if only there were a perfect blend (pronounced in manner of Peter Sellers doing Inspector Clouseau) of the two: with Van Morrison and without Andy Williams. ;-D"}, {"response": 1919, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Thu, May 31, 2001 (21:39)", "body": "Moon Dreams, *Love* is also my favorite on the CD. I can listen to it over and over again. And I do!"}, {"response": 1920, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Jun  1, 2001 (03:00)", "body": "Interesting how tastes differ. I favour Gabrielle, Geri, Pretenders and Alisha's Attic. Hey, whatever happened to Todd Rundgren?"}, {"response": 1921, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun  1, 2001 (07:27)", "body": "You have good taste, Lassie. As for Mark? Hmm. I now have visions of Mark in his Burburry suit, disco dancing with the wild crowd at Annabelles. ;-) Todd Rundgren had nothing to do with the CD, unfortunately."}, {"response": 1922, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jun  1, 2001 (10:22)", "body": "Todd Rundgren had nothing to do with the CD, unfortunately. ] Heh, he's doing free concerts in Boston now... wonder what happened to his career.. The soundtrack is crap. I've listened to it and hate that Shelby Lynne song (hate country anything music); Van Morrison is the only saving grace (as well as my wedding song that and At last, which WAS NOT IN THE MOVIE and that would've been decent!). BTW, you have to hear RW do 'We are the Champions' on the 'A Knight's Tale' soundtrack, ICK!!!! He is NO Freddie Mercury! Sorry, I didn't like soundtrack to this movie at all, too incidental for me."}, {"response": 1923, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun  1, 2001 (11:11)", "body": "Heh, he's doing free concerts in Boston now... Yeah? Todd isn't giving it away for free in Philly (his hometown, BTW). I just got tickets for July; he's appearing with Alan Parsons and John Entwistle. Should be good. I'd pay extra, actually, though I've seen him a gazillion times already, going back to the old Utopia days. And forgive me for not being more sympathetic to the moaning about no Aretha/Respect and no Van. What true music fan doesn't already have these 5 times over in his/her collection?;-)"}, {"response": 1924, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun  1, 2001 (11:18)", "body": "I'm chuckling over how the BJD ads continue to take shots at Pearl Harbor. The new one today is headlined, \"This weekend, celebrate the historic battle over Bridget.\" Then we have the standard poster pic of the 3, but with handwritten notes and arrows pointing to each character. Mark/Colin's note says \"Heroic Fighter.\" BJ/RZ's is \"Bombshell.\" DC/HG's is \"Dashing Rogue.\" Personally, I'd have written \"Stink Bomb\" above Cleave's but, again, I was not consulted.;-)"}, {"response": 1925, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  1, 2001 (11:49)", "body": "(Mari) Personally, I'd have written \"Stink Bomb\" above Cleave's but, again, I was not consulted.;-) You do have a fax machine, don't you? ;-D"}, {"response": 1926, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  1, 2001 (11:59)", "body": "On second thought, since Pearl Harbor is so, like, yesterday, if I were Miramax, I'd have an ad showing CF's pic with this penciled in \"voulez-vous couchez avec moi?\" ;-)"}, {"response": 1927, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun  1, 2001 (12:08)", "body": "(Laura), I've listened to it and hate that Shelby Lynne song (hate country anything music) There are two by her Dreamsome does not sound \"country\" at all. (Mari), And forgive me for not being more sympathetic to the moaning about no Aretha/Respect and no Van. What true music fan doesn't already have these 5 times over in his/her collection?;-) Agreed! The same could be said about The Pretenders, Chaka, Sheryl Crowe... not a great soundtrack for that reason and the fact that the new ones were not very good. Todd isn't giving it away for free in Philly (his hometown, BTW). I just got tickets for July; he's appearing with Alan Parsons and John Entwistle. Should be good. I'd pay extra, actually, though I've seen him a gazillion times already, going back to the old Utopia days. Only Utopia, Mari? I'm younger than CF but I still love his earlier stuff. Are Alan Parsons and (the great), John Entwistle part of his band? I want to hear all about it."}, {"response": 1928, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun  1, 2001 (12:11)", "body": "if I were Miramax, I'd have an ad showing CF's pic with this penciled in \"voulez-vous couchez avec moi?\" ;-) LOL! Sounds like a great contest to me. Quick, Karen, send the fax. ;-)"}, {"response": 1929, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Jun  1, 2001 (13:15)", "body": ", if I were Miramax, I'd have an ad showing CF's pic with this penciled in \"voulez-vous couchez avec moi?\" ;-) ROTFLMAO!!!! Good one, Karen."}, {"response": 1930, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Jun  1, 2001 (13:18)", "body": "(Karen) Pearl Harbor is so, like, yesterday Sure is! The ad in my paper has the headline \"Get Bombed AGAIN with Bridget.\" What nitwit placed that ad????? If they wanted to tweak a competing movie in the BJD ad, what about \"Animal?\" It opens this weekend, doesn't it? Perhaps the note by HG could have said \"rat,\" RZ's label would have to be \"bunny,\" they could even show Lara and label her \"stick insect.\" But what animal would we use to label CF? Would have to be something magnifenct and fierce, like a tiger?"}, {"response": 1931, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Fri, Jun  1, 2001 (13:54)", "body": "But what animal would we use to label CF? Would have to be something magnifenct and fierce, like a tiger? Polar bear? Kinda stand-offy, but a great hunter and beautiful. Hehe. :)"}, {"response": 1932, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  1, 2001 (13:57)", "body": "Reindeer or moose, take your pick. ;-D"}, {"response": 1933, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  1, 2001 (14:01)", "body": "...but I hardly think BJ is after the same audience as Animal."}, {"response": 1934, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jun  1, 2001 (14:14)", "body": "Todd Rundgren and John Entwistle and (gag) Alan Parsons'???? ick, where's the soundtrack, I think I need to listen to Shelby Lynne again... Moon, all those country singers are trying to sound poppish, but they just sound country... ick..."}, {"response": 1935, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Jun  1, 2001 (14:16)", "body": "(Karen)...but I hardly think BJ is after the same audience as Animal. True, but the point of ads that tweak other movies is to be witty and \"ooze intelligence\""}, {"response": 1936, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  1, 2001 (14:24)", "body": "(Kate) \"ooze intelligence\" LOL! Except that there are persons over the legal driving age who will go see PH just to see Ben (the new Burt Reynolds) Affleck, when they could be seeing the lurverly Colin. Am off to interview Aghani Heaney, whoever that is. ;-D"}, {"response": 1937, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Fri, Jun  1, 2001 (14:32)", "body": "Colin as a moose ? Colin as a reindeer ? I'm thinking a big, black, powerful stallion. Remember that magificant animal in Pride and Predudice ??? The horse was kinda cute too....LOL.... But seriously folks, remember that magnificant horse he was riding when he came across Lizzie strolling about Rosings....then there was the gorgeous one he rode over to Lambton Inn to see her on. I mean, the symbolic significance has gotta stand for something, right ?"}, {"response": 1938, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun  1, 2001 (15:10)", "body": "if I were Miramax, I'd have an ad showing CF's pic with this penciled in \"voulez-vous couchez avec moi?\" ;-) LOL! Perfect, Karen! Above RZ's head, we'll write in \"Marmalade,\" and above Hughie's, \"Gitchi, gitchi, ya, ya, da, da.\" ;-) Karen, be sure to ask Aghany Heaney when she first started to fancy Khafir. ;-) Only Utopia, Mari? I'm younger than CF but I still love his earlier stuff. Are Alan Parsons and (the great), John Entwistle part of his band? I want to hear all about it. I meant the first time I saw him in concert was when he had Utopia, but I've been a fan since Nazz and Runt. The tour is called \"A Trip Down Abbey Road.\" During the first half, they will each do their own sets of their own music, then in the second half, a Beatles jam. Parsons (who of course engineered the Abbey Road album--which is about as far away as you can get from \"gag,\" Missy Laura!--is honchoing the tour. Todd is also supposed to be doing some solo concerts in between these tour dates, but I don't have any details. Moon, Entwistle occasionally plays the NYC blues clubs--a friend of mine is going up to see him later this month."}, {"response": 1939, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  1, 2001 (15:43)", "body": "Actually over RZ's head, I'd just write her trademark: Mmmmmmm But some people might remember (ahem, Laura) my using that song with another character named Darcy. ;-D"}, {"response": 1940, "author": "chrisycram", "date": "Fri, Jun  1, 2001 (17:21)", "body": "Sorry to interrupt this music discussion, especially since I think it it began with my mention of the dreadful multimedia on the soundtrack, but...was just at GQ site because I heard Colin was listed as a Man of the Year choice for acting in BJD and what do I discover?! Hugh Grant is a choice for Best Actor, Comedy and Colin is listed as a *supporting* actor choice!!! Why, why, why?! Too distraught to continue..."}, {"response": 1941, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jun  1, 2001 (21:17)", "body": "But some people might remember (ahem, Laura) my using that song with another character named Darcy. ;-D ] Which is why it disgusts me to no end that Christina Aguilera re-did it! I can't think of anyone else but LaBelle doing it!!! (and of course fantasizing about Helena and (ahem) Darcy! ;) The Abbey Road tour is coming to Boston as well... However, it's not selling out (playing at an outside pavilion, which is right on Boston Harbor and is quite beautiful). I was never a fan of Alan Parsons Project (I think of the song from the '80s that they did, that is now a staple for all Planetarium shows.)"}, {"response": 1942, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun  2, 2001 (11:33)", "body": "I was never a fan of the Alan Parsons Project either, Laura. And I can't say I would be attracted to an Abbey Road tour without the original four. (Mari), Todd is also supposed to be doing some solo concerts in between these tour dates, but I don't have any details. Moon, Entwistle occasionally plays the NYC blues clubs Now that's more for me. But so far Miami is not on their schedule. :-( Hugh Grant is a choice for Best Actor, Comedy and Colin is listed as a *supporting* actor choice!!! Christine, don't be distraught. You must realize what a big step it is for Colin to be listed at all. We already know of several roles that have been offered to Hugh after BJD, but what about Colin???"}, {"response": 1943, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun  4, 2001 (15:59)", "body": "Bridget still going strong in New York.. BJD showing in 66 theatres in New York area (NY, NJ, Ct.) Big billboard on 7th Ave..three storeys high. NY Times \"Battle of Bridget\" ad one-quarter page.Commercials on NY televisions still going daily ;no mention of Colin :-( NY Times still gives BJD a * \"denotes a highly recommended film\". (Moulin Rouge, Pearl Harbor, Angel Eyes, Knight's Tale don't get any.) \"Mr. Grant (even better here in his serpentine mode ,than as a male ingenue) and Mr. Firth (grimly heroic but with a redeeming twinkle) are just about perfect as the Mr. Wrong and Mr. Right ..\""}, {"response": 1944, "author": "chrisycram", "date": "Mon, Jun  4, 2001 (16:56)", "body": "(Moon) You must realize what a big step it is for Colin to be listed at all. Of course, you're right. We must be happy for the little morsels as well. :-) Glad to hear BJD's still going strong in NYC, Evelyn. Two of our local theatres have pulled it in favor of \"Pearl Harbor\". No more TV ads running either. I would never have put \"Mr. Grant\" and \"ingenue\" in the same sentence (\"serpentine\", yes)."}, {"response": 1945, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Mon, Jun  4, 2001 (17:12)", "body": "Would love to see that billboard...sigh"}, {"response": 1946, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jun  4, 2001 (18:39)", "body": "Welcome back, Evelyn! Hope you gave your regards to Broadway.;-) BJD is still playing in close to 30 theaters in my area--a cutback from weeks past, but still no shortage of places to see it. I was talking to the local theater manager when I went today and he mentioned that he's never had so many people walk out of a movie and demand refunds as he's experienced with Moulin Rouge. If they leave within the first 20 minutes, he'll give 'em their money back. (Moon, your hubby would like that policy.;-) I haven't seen it yet, but will."}, {"response": 1947, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Jun  4, 2001 (21:40)", "body": "OOH! A billboard on 7th ave! What cross street, Evelyn? I may be in NYC on Wed, and hope to see BJD again on the BIG screen, as opposed to little screen at the local theater. Would have to take a picture of the billboard to show to non Firthfan sister-in-law!"}, {"response": 1948, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun  4, 2001 (22:29)", "body": "A billboard on 7th ave! What cross street, Evelyn? On 7th about 49th/50th.Above a building.Wide. Don't think BJD is playing on Times Sq. I passed the Zigfield Theatre, though..*sigh*. Think it's owned by Miramax."}, {"response": 1949, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Jun  5, 2001 (04:38)", "body": "That would have put the icing even more splendidly on our cake to see that poster too! I think Zigfield was feeling very loved last week ;-)"}, {"response": 1950, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun  5, 2001 (07:38)", "body": "Welcome back, *Ms. Broadway* Evelyn! If they leave within the first 20 minutes, he'll give 'em their money back. (Moon, your hubby would like that policy.;-) I haven't seen it yet, but will. LOL, Mari!"}, {"response": 1951, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jun  5, 2001 (08:28)", "body": "(Mari) BJD is still playing in close to 30 theaters in my area--a cutback from weeks past It's still playing all over in the suburban DC area, but the weekday screenings have been cut. Hope you had a nice trip, Ev."}, {"response": 1952, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Jun  5, 2001 (09:03)", "body": "BJD is still in theaters near me (NJ), but not as many theaters, and only evenings. No more sneaking out to the local matinee. My local theater has rooms/screens of varying size, and Bridget has been downgraded to the smallest one. Fortunately, BJD is still playing at 42nd St Loews, so I still hope to catch it tomorrow in NYC."}, {"response": 1953, "author": "toyce", "date": "Tue, Jun  5, 2001 (09:23)", "body": "Hi, this is Toyce (a newbie I'm afraid). I was in NYC a couple of weeks ago & planned to see it at the 42nd St. Lowes. It wasn't listed. I could have missed it, however. In my hometown, it's still in 1 theater (smallest screen, of course). Will hate to see it close!"}, {"response": 1954, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  5, 2001 (09:34)", "body": "Toyce! Glad to see you've made it here. BTW, BJD is still in many theaters here. At my usual place, it is down to two screens and there are still matinees every day. At the other place, it is only on one screen as that is where Moulin Rouge is playing (on 3 screens)."}, {"response": 1955, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jun  5, 2001 (10:13)", "body": "and it's doing absolutely briflliantly in the UK, having overtaken Men In Black to be the 7th biggest earner of all time in the UK box office. I couldn't believe how many were in the cinema last night, a Monday night, 8weeks after it opened, over half full and everyone really enjoyed it."}, {"response": 1956, "author": "toyce", "date": "Tue, Jun  5, 2001 (10:30)", "body": "Karen: Thanks for the big welcome!!"}, {"response": 1957, "author": "chrisycram", "date": "Tue, Jun  5, 2001 (10:40)", "body": "Here's my little welcome, Toyce! Don't be afraid of being a newbie--I'm still a bit wet around the ears myself, but everyone here is very nice and you can't beat the conversation. ;-)"}, {"response": 1958, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  5, 2001 (11:04)", "body": "From WeJustMakeUpPeopleNews [thanks, Eileen]: Hugh fears he may be eaten by Alsatian Actor reveals post-Hurley fears Hugh Grant, the debonair star of Bridget Jones's Diary, is worried that he will never find another partner and that this sorry state of affairs could result in him being consumed by a vast German shepherd dog. Speaking about the demise of his 13-year relationship with Elizabeth Hurley, Grant says: 'At first I thought, \"Hey, being on my own isn't all that bad\", but there are those dark, middle-of-the-night moments when you think, \"Bloody hell, this is all very well now, but in 10 years or 30 years - well, maybe, I'll end up being eaten by my German shepherd\"' - a concern expressed by his on-screen partner, Bridget Jones. The 40-year-old actor claims he fears ageing and says the passage of time is a constant worry. 'Some people have such strong personalities they can overcome such agitation by refusing to put up any defences in the first place,' he adds. 'My mother reckons a lot of Englishmen are about two gin and tonics under par in life. I think I might be one of those.'"}, {"response": 1959, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Jun  5, 2001 (11:35)", "body": "Iam surprised his mother is that kind about him in print! Witness the way he spoke about his parents in BBC Parkinson interview, I really felt sorry for them. ODB had a completely different approach to his as we all know from the Fresh Air interview. Know which kinda son I'd like!"}, {"response": 1960, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun  5, 2001 (11:59)", "body": "Welcome Toyce....glad to have you on board.We love newbies. No more lurking...you can't go back! Thanks for the welcome, gang.Happy to be back ...are you tired of hearing my yearly mantra??? I want Colin on B'way . A good Tom Stoppard play with meaty dialogue. Invention of Love should have won the Tony.But no role for him there."}, {"response": 1961, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Tue, Jun  5, 2001 (12:05)", "body": "I want Colin on B'way. A good Tom Stoppard play with meaty dialogue. Hey, has anyone read (or seen) Stoppard's Arcadia ? I just finished it the other day. CF would be great as Bernard Nightingale, or Septimus Hodge, or both :) . Gah, CF and good science in the same production - I might just swoon."}, {"response": 1962, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun  5, 2001 (12:35)", "body": "A big Firthette welcome, Toyce! Invention of Love should have won the Tony. I agree Evelyn! What I have seen of Proof did not impress me."}, {"response": 1963, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun  5, 2001 (14:20)", "body": "Invention of Love should have won the Tony. (Moon)I agree Evelyn! What I have seen of Proof did not impress me. Proof was more accessible. (read: less cerebral). Forgot to mention that Invention of Love was performed by an American cast with flawless British accents.Hey, we can do it!! As good as Kate Bekinsale's American in Pearl Harbor and Golden Globe. (Sorry boss if this is OT.)"}, {"response": 1964, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Jun  5, 2001 (14:56)", "body": "I thought Richard Easton was well known British actor?"}, {"response": 1965, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Jun  5, 2001 (15:19)", "body": "(Lizza J) Witness the way [Hugh Grant] spoke about his parents in BBC Parkinson interview Ha! We're getting this interview next sunday, is it worth watching? (for film clips and/or CF references, naturally)"}, {"response": 1966, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Jun  5, 2001 (16:11)", "body": "It depends if you can spare the time ;-) I think that there is only one CF mention and I won't spoil it for you, no film clips of ODB either. I think it was interesting to see him, as I had also seen him on TV in New York and in the flesh (shudder), and wanted to compare. Also we now have the Fresh air tape which also throws up interesting contrasts! If you do decide to watch it then stay with it all, I found HG's behaviour when other celebs came on interesting too (he is first!). Look forward to hearing your opinions next week."}, {"response": 1967, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun  5, 2001 (16:24)", "body": "I thought Richard Easton was well known British actor? Oops.Program said he came via the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, Off-B'way,Regional theatre in Williamstown. No mention of UK. LOL.No wonder his accent was so good!! Anyway, young Housman, Rob't Sean Leonard, in an interview talked about working on his British accent."}, {"response": 1968, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Jun  6, 2001 (06:10)", "body": "Hey, has anyone read (or seen) Stoppard's Arcadia Wonderful, wonderful play. One of Stoppard's best. The first time I saw it was also the first time I had set eyes on Rufus Sewell who played Septimus Hodge in the original National Theatre production. He was delicious. But I fear that tho ODB could have done it then, he is definitely too old now. It is a part for a very young man IMO."}, {"response": 1969, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  6, 2001 (12:14)", "body": "According to upcomingmovies.com, BJD will be out on video on September 18th, 2001. (The news is as of 6/4)"}, {"response": 1970, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Jun  6, 2001 (18:38)", "body": "Hurrah! Sept 18 release is sooner than I expected. I wish they would bring it out on Sept 10 instead. ;-) Saw BJD again in NY. I think this is number 7, guess I'm losing count. It is still on 2 screens at the 42nd St Loews. v good. Didn't get to see the billboard on 7th ave, though. Took my best friend, who was too buried with work to see it earlier. So nice to see Colin on a big screen. My friend is a Hugh fan (but I like her very much, just as she is). Even so, she had to admit that Colin looked good. Her image of Colin is as Wessex, so Mark Darcy was quite a change from what she expected. She loved the fight scene, and laughed when one of them said \"Ow! Ow! Ow!\" I still can't tell which of them says it."}, {"response": 1971, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Wed, Jun  6, 2001 (22:38)", "body": "After watching the clips of BJD on the bucket (as a poor substitute for seeing the film again tonight), I have an extremely trivial question for you all: why is it that Huge was allowed to fall into the lake in BJD (and even come up spewing lake water) with no apparent problems, while CF was not allowed to dive into the lake at Pemberley due to risk of infection with some sort of bacteria (and even stunt man was only allowed by insurance co. to dive in once)? Was the lake at Pemberley especially polluted for some reason? I was just wondering. Evelyn: I enjoyed your quote from NYTimes re Mark Darcy: \"grimly heroic but with a redeeming twinkle\". I love it when CF has that gleam of humor in his eye, inviting us to chuckle along with him. \"A good Tom Stoppard play with meaty dialogue. \" Agreed. I think Mr. Stoppard owes him one--he didn't give him any of the really good lines in SIL."}, {"response": 1972, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  6, 2001 (23:10)", "body": "How about: \"You are allowed to show your pleasure.\" I would've taken him up on it. ;-D"}, {"response": 1973, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Wed, Jun  6, 2001 (23:20)", "body": "Yeah, that one was a good one. I think that there would have been a very long line to take him up on it, if the truth were told in that movie."}, {"response": 1974, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  6, 2001 (23:26)", "body": "True, it was such a fiction. But I did like the scene on the stair, when Nursey is attempting to bar his way through \"are you bringing your laundry woman?\""}, {"response": 1975, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  6, 2001 (23:29)", "body": "...and he had the best looking codpiece. ;-D"}, {"response": 1976, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Wed, Jun  6, 2001 (23:35)", "body": "\"...and he had the best looking codpiece.\" True--there are some things even the best costumer can't disguise. At least, not without a suit of armor."}, {"response": 1977, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Fri, Jun  8, 2001 (19:18)", "body": "I wondered what everyone else thought about this week's ad for BJD, which was a take-off on Shrek: The heading was: \"America's Other Surprise Hit Fairy Tale!\". This was followed by the usual picture of CF, RZ and HG, except that CF's picture has donkey's ears and \"Smart Ass\" title, RZ has crown and \"Confused Princess\" title, and HG has, er, ogre's horns and \"Dashing Ogre\" title. I don't know much about Shrek, so could one of you who has seen it tell me who gets the princess at the end of the movie? I think I liked last week's ad better. How about you?"}, {"response": 1978, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun  8, 2001 (19:27)", "body": "I had a different ad: THER MAY BE A FEW BLOCKBUSTERS, BUT THER ISN'T ONE *BRIDGET-BUSTER*!"}, {"response": 1979, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun  8, 2001 (19:30)", "body": "cont'd See for yourself why for 8 smash weeks people still can't get enough of the hilarious Ms. Jones!"}, {"response": 1980, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun  8, 2001 (19:34)", "body": "Louise, my area has the same ad as you described, along with \"9th smash week.\" Did you notice that they also have buck teeth drawn on Colin/Mark??? LOL! A direct take-off on the donkey that Eddie Murphy voices in Shrek--check the Shrek ad--the teeth match. I think it's pretty funny, better than the Pearl Harbor riffs, actually."}, {"response": 1981, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Fri, Jun  8, 2001 (19:57)", "body": "I was afraid that HG was getting the better end of the joke than CF, since he was named after the main character of Shrek. Now, if they'd said \"Nice ass\", it would at least have been true (literally and figuratively)."}, {"response": 1982, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Jun  8, 2001 (20:59)", "body": "(LouiseJ)Now, if they'd said \"Nice ass\", it would at least have been true (literally and figuratively). DING DONG!!!!"}, {"response": 1983, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Jun  9, 2001 (10:40)", "body": "(Louise)Now, if they'd said \"Nice ass\", it would at least have been true LOL! I'm with you, honey."}, {"response": 1984, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 10, 2001 (18:31)", "body": "(Kate) Sept 18 release is sooner than I expected. I agree. It's only just opening in Australia I think in August. Seems way too soon. (Kate) laughed when one of them said \"Ow! Ow! Ow!\" I still can't tell which of them says it. I'm pretty sure it's Daniel for 2 reasons: Mark lands his punches and Mark is too stoic to say something hurts. Besides, Mark only apologizes to diners, something Daniel would never do. ;-D (Louise) Now, if they'd said \"Nice ass\", it would at least have been true (literally and figuratively). When, oh when, is Miramax going run its advertising ideas through us???"}, {"response": 1985, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Jun 11, 2001 (20:03)", "body": "Saw our favorite interviewer, Kelly Rippa, on the cover of a magazine today (think it's Good Housekeeping). There's a contest, in which you can win a chance to meet Kelly in person! Wonder if Colin wants to enter?!?!?"}, {"response": 1986, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 12, 2001 (07:52)", "body": "From Variety: After a smash run in the U.K. ($53.3 million through its ninth lap), \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" crossed the Channel to Spain, ranking No. 1 with $1.3 million in three days on 224. The film was similarly strong in Holland ($476,000 in four days on 100) and Poland ($443,000 in three days on 43). [those second numbers refer to screens]"}, {"response": 1987, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jun 12, 2001 (08:18)", "body": "well I was supposed to see BJD again on Saturday night in Boston, with Genette, Maria, Jimmy and Dr. Dave, however, it was SOLD OUT! . No one could believe it..."}, {"response": 1988, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jun 12, 2001 (08:18)", "body": "why did I put a period at the end of an exclamation point???? UGH!"}, {"response": 1989, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Tue, Jun 12, 2001 (09:26)", "body": "And here they think June is not a good month to release a new film, neither is July or August, so let's wait till September! Grrr"}, {"response": 1990, "author": "chrisycram", "date": "Tue, Jun 12, 2001 (14:05)", "body": "Wow! Sold out in Boston--that's great. According to USA Today, BJD is still hanging on at #10 in movie grosses with $67.4 M. in 9 weeks of release. Sadly, think the release of Tomb Raider this weekend will knock it right off. :-( Still a very respectable showing for our girl Bridge. Just going OT a bit--I saw Moulin Rouge over the weekend and thought it was dreadful, IMO. Just hated it. Okay, I'm done with that now. Thought some of you would want to save your $7.50-10.00! ;-)"}, {"response": 1991, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Jun 12, 2001 (15:47)", "body": "(ChristineC)Thought some of you would want to save your $7.50-10.00! ;-) Thanks for the tip, although that wasn't my intended next movie. There's this Renee Zellweger flick that I've heard is good..."}, {"response": 1992, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Thu, Jun 14, 2001 (19:58)", "body": "Sticking head in door and looking around: Boy, it sure is empty in here. Is everybody on vacation or something? I just realized that BJD has been out for two months in U.S. as of yesterday. I wanted to wish it a Happy Anniversary. It has made $122.9MM so far, and I don't think that includes most of Europe, Japan, etc. Here's hoping that it makes at least another $30MM or so, so they'll hurry up with the sequel--with lots more of ODB on view (the obligatory towel and bedroom scenes of course, what did you think I meant?) By the way, I found a world wide box office site and decided to see what BJD is called in other languages (hey, there's no one to talk to around here and TV is a rerun). France: Le Journal de Bridget Jones - pretty straightforward translation Germany: Bridget Jones - Schokolade zum Fr\ufffdhst\ufffdck - sounds pretty kinky, but if my memory of German class serves me correctly it means chocolate for breakfast (please feel free to correct my translations). Was this from the scene where Bridget is missing MD and eating chocolate out of a jar? Or is there somewhere that Bridget devours a Milk Tray for breakfast? Those two were all I could find on the web site I was using. Does anyone else have any other interesting translations? Sometimes the titles in other languages are pretty strange. Hoping to hear from you all again soon."}, {"response": 1993, "author": "dina", "date": "Thu, Jun 14, 2001 (21:44)", "body": "Sehr gut, LouiseJ. BTW(reading older posts), where are Renate and the other G.ladies? A quote from CLASSICS: 51.540: Bethan (lizbeth) * Fri, Nov 21, 1997 (09:59) * 9 lines [...] BRIDGET JONES' DIARY Renate, have you finished reading this yet? The story of Mark and Bridget is continuing in the Daily Telegraph (Helen Fielding has a new column) There was also an intervening year when she was writing in the Independent. So there's a lot more of Mark Darcy! Am probably getting carried away by enthusiasm here ( and the part will go to Hugh Grant, just to spite me!) but I think Colin will be an ideal Mark Darcy. If I can't have a replay of Mr Darcy, circa 1813, I'll settle for Mr Darcy, circa 1997( ie a rich handsome sexy barrister)!!"}, {"response": 1994, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 14, 2001 (23:08)", "body": "(Louise) It has made $122.9MM so far, and I don't think that includes most of Europe, Japan, etc Quite right, it only expanded outside of the UK and US/Canada this past weekend and to not all that many more screens in the Netherlands, Poland and Spain. It hasn't hit Australia or Japan yet, which should be big markets. Was this from the scene where Bridget is missing MD and eating chocolate out of a jar? Or is there somewhere that Bridget devours a Milk Tray for breakfast? How about the chocolate croissants she either defrosts or picks up on the way to work?"}, {"response": 1995, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Jun 15, 2001 (09:30)", "body": "I fear that BJD is winding down in the US. The ad in my paper today is small, and there seem to be fewer locations in my area. This weekend's ad headline is: THERE MAY BE A FEW BLOCKBUSTERS, BUT THERE ISN'T ONE BRIDGET-BUSTER! Dumb. Is this ad running in other markets, too?"}, {"response": 1996, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 15, 2001 (10:05)", "body": "That ad ran in my paper last week.I think it's sorta cute. Miramax gets a big hand for changing those almost weekly. But this week BJD is gone. Still nine weeks for a British film is a record around here."}, {"response": 1997, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 15, 2001 (10:19)", "body": "Bridget has changed theaters here. None are considered second run (or discount) places, except one...but they charge nearly as much as the first run places and it's within walking distance of me. Think I'll be taking in another viewing on Discount Tuesdays...unless I can't hold out till then. ;-D"}, {"response": 1998, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jun 15, 2001 (13:16)", "body": "um, is this a record? I mean this topic started 3/1/01 and it's 6/14/01. Has Bridget Jones beat Colin Firth's record of garnering 1999 posts?????"}, {"response": 1999, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Jun 15, 2001 (16:33)", "body": "Well, record or not, I wish to state for the record that BJD spelled the demise of my 24-yr old Toyota Celica GT. I was eager to see \"just one more time\", though it had left the \"local\" cineplex (24 mi. away) but was still in a further one about 60 miles away. Unfortunately, the long upward grade in the last lap of the journey REALLY overheated the car and blew the main gasket. It was Sunday so nobody was open, so I stayed the night in a motel. Monday, after discussion, decided to leave it there and get home via a shuttle service. It was really not worth salvaging, so on Wednesday told the guy to dispense of it (*sob!*). Am learning, painfully, to use the local bus service. The relevant part of this is, though I had to walk about one and a half miles from my motel there (in the rain), I nonetheless took the opportunity to see BJD two more times before slogging it back again. And I do not blame the excellence of this film for my misfortune ... I almost feel it was fated. Believe it or not I still remember the LAST last scene with a warm glow -- it seemed to make up for everything! Thanks ODB! Karen drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 1450, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 146, "subject": "Stephen Dillane", "response_count": 182, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Sun, Mar 11, 2001 (08:18)", "body": "I thought I would open up this topic with a great pic of SD as Hamlet that I found on the web."}, {"response": 2, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 23, 2001 (22:26)", "body": "There's an interview with Jemma Redgrave in Saturday's Times, about her cultural life (various categories). Under City, it has the following: I am torn between New York, Paris and Rome for my favourite city, but if you held a gun to my head, I'd plump for Rome. I love the way the Romans live on and around their monuments. And I love the steaminess of it all: sexiness just seems to hang in the air there. Maybe it's because Italians generally live at home until they are into their thirties, so they are forced to do their courting outdoors. I discovered Rome without a map and it was an amazing experience. I spent three weeks there in 1993 filming an Italian television drama and on my days off I would wander around aimlessly with my co-star, Stephen Dillane. My mother went to school in Rome and so I'd heard all about it, but nothing prepares you for the intense beauty of it all. You walk into a square and suddenly, there's the Pantheon. You hear the rush of water and look, there's the Trevi Fountain. That said, I haven't been to Venice yet and I suspect all those gondolas might make me change my mind. http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,342-101996,00.html"}, {"response": 3, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Sun, Mar 25, 2001 (02:13)", "body": "(Jemma Redgrave) on my days off I would wander around aimlessly with my co-star, Stephen Dillane Note to self: must change occupation. (She must have been talking about the movie La Chance, which of course, we will never get to see.)"}, {"response": 4, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 25, 2001 (07:27)", "body": "What happened to that movie?"}, {"response": 5, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Sun, Mar 25, 2001 (08:35)", "body": "(Karen) What happened to that movie? Dunno. Must have been shown on TV in 1994 and then quickly disappeared. It's an Italian backed film listed in IMDB."}, {"response": 6, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 17, 2001 (23:14)", "body": ""}, {"response": 7, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 16, 2001 (07:07)", "body": "From Ananova today: ] New Alan Partridge series will be the last, says Coogan Steve Coogan says the next Alan Partridge series will be the last, because he finds the character so annoying. He says thinking like the failed chat-show host for the nine months it takes to write a series is hard to bear. Coogan is currently at the Cannes Film Festival promoting his forthcoming film, The Parole Officer."}, {"response": 8, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Wed, May 16, 2001 (08:38)", "body": "(Karen) Steve Coogan says the next Alan Partridge series will be the last, because he finds the character so annoying. He says thinking like the failed chat-show host for the nine months it takes to write a series is hard to bear. Hee hee. How refreshingly honest. That guy is annoying. Coogan is currently at the Cannes Film Festival promoting his forthcoming film, The Parole Officer. Speaking of Cannes, here's an interesting tidbit from Variety, 1997: Would there be a Cannes Film Festival without the British theater? Of course, but greatly diminished, particularly in a year in which a May 10 fashion parade of theater-trained British talent (Rufus Sewell, Emily Watson, Jude Law, etc.) atop the Palais du Festival managed, however momentarily, to steal attention away from the Spice Girls. Consider the evidence: In \"Welcome to Sarajevo,\" Stephen Dillane tackles the main role of English journalist Michael Henderson with a restrained, matter-of-fact authority that embodies the precisely judged, understated cool of Michael Winterbottom's ultimately searing film. \"Who is this guy?\" people were heard to ask after a screening. The answer would be known to any British theater devotee. From the original Royal National Theater cast of Brian Friel's \"Dancing at Lughnasa,\" where he twirled Brid Brennan's withdrawn Agnes around the garden in a jaunty version of \"Anything Goes,\" through to his self-mocking, cynical Hamlet for Peter Hall on the West End, Dillane has been a theatrical mainstay for much of the last decade. As recently as the week before Cannes, Dillane was playing Artie opposite Rupert Graves (another in the so-called \"New Wave\" parade of English talent May 10) in the Old Vic production of David Rabe's \"Hurlyburly.\" In \"Welcome to Sarajevo,\" he inherited a part once intended for Jeremy Irons. *********************************************** So Irons opted out of Welcome to Sarajevo and SLOW. *snort* He was too busy filming Lolita."}, {"response": 9, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 30, 2001 (08:25)", "body": "From Ananova: Joanna Lumley 'overwhelmed' by work making debut as producer Joanna Lumley says she was overwhelmed by the work involved in producing a new BBC1 period drama. The actress co-produced the six-hour saga The Cazalets. She is best known for her roles in Absolutely Fabulous and The New Avengers. Joanna says: \"Acting is a doddle, a holiday compared to producing. I've never known so many things to have to be carried around in the head. \"We had 65 actors and it was like a phenomenal 3-D game of chess.\" The \ufffd3 million drama was shot at Home Place in Surrey and Luton Hoo, Bedfordshire. Joanna says she tried to buy the rights for the Elizabeth Jane Howard novels but discovered veteran programme-maker Verity Lambert, who has worked on Minder, Dr Who and The Naked Civil Servant, had bought them already. \"The same day I inquired about the TV rights, I discovered a message on my answer machine from Verity asking if I'd like to join her in making it,\" she says."}, {"response": 10, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 30, 2001 (13:08)", "body": "More on an SD project: Billy Elliot director to make new film in Leicestershire Stephen Daldry's new film will be partly shot on location in Leicestershire. The Hours will star Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep and Julianne Moore and is based around the life of Virginia Woolf. According to the Leicester Mercury the Great Central Railway in Loughbrough will be used for some of the main scenes in the film. It says Kidman and Daldry have visited the Railway to look it over before filming begins. The film's producers will hold an open casting session for 100 extras for the shots at the station. Graham Oliver, chief executive of the railway, says it will boost the local economy: \"We are pleased producers have chosen the railway as the set. This is the only working mainline steam railway in the country and we offer authentic rolling stock and facilities available nowhere else.\" The Hours is the story of three women from different eras who are affected by the works of Virginia Woolf, who is played Nicole Kidman."}, {"response": 11, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Wed, May 30, 2001 (15:37)", "body": "The film's producers will hold an open casting session for 100 extras for the shots at the station. Ahem, will a certain Burburry-suited gentleman please get thee to the station and give us a blow-by-blow? And it will help if you're dressed in the appropriate period attire. :-) Nicole is scheduled to be on The View this Friday. Hope the gals get a chance to talk about more than just Moulin Rouge and Tommy."}, {"response": 12, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, May 31, 2001 (03:01)", "body": "Ahem, will a certain Burburry-suited gentleman please get thee to the station and give us a blow-by-blow? And it will help if you're dressed in the appropriate period attire. :-) Hey, c'mon. When it's 10 minutes from my office, let me know - 150 miles is more than I can manage."}, {"response": 13, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 31, 2001 (07:19)", "body": "What's 150 miles of good road? ;-D"}, {"response": 14, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 11, 2001 (11:42)", "body": "Also from Baz's column in last Friday's paper in an item about Nicole Kidman: The actress is appearing in a fictionalised chapter of Virginia Woolf's life in Stephen Daldry's film The Hours. Nicole has what she terms a supporting role, although it's her story that binds the film's three distinct sections - the others feature Meryl Streep and Julianne Moore - together. ...she has been busy shooting scenes with Stephen Dillane, who plays Leonard Woolf, Miranda Richardson as Vanessa Bell, and Linda Bassett as the Woolf's housekeeper. This particular part of the film is set in 1923, when Woolf was writing her novella Mrs Dalloway.... Filming on The Hours will continue for a further two weeks. Producers Robert Fox and Scott Rudin (the same men behind the movie Iris, starring Judi Dench and Kate Winslet) hope to release the picture in America at the end of the year, where it's bound to be an important Academy Award contender...."}, {"response": 15, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 11, 2001 (14:07)", "body": "\"...the movie Iris, starring Judi Dench and Kate Winslet\" Judi Dench must be in every single Brit movie shooting this year.. Enough already...."}, {"response": 16, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 11, 2001 (14:14)", "body": "Whaddaya you care? It's not as though she's taking roles from JE. ;-) Also, there's a pic of Nicole in Virginia Woolf mode in this week's Time, which just arrived. (Psst, it's in the mail too.)"}, {"response": 17, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 11, 2001 (14:23)", "body": "Whaddaya you care? It's not as though she's taking roles from JE. ;-) What can I say? I'm involved with the family... ...there's Rosemary, y'know."}, {"response": 18, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Mon, Jun 11, 2001 (15:58)", "body": "The Cazalets -- BBC1, Friday 22 June, 21:00 to 22:00 Drama series focusing on a family which is transformed by the tumultuous events of World War II. As the storm clouds of war gather over Europe in 1938, the Cazalet brothers and their families retreat to their parents' country home. Hugh remains scarred by the events of World War I, Edward (Stephen Dillane) is risking his marriage with a series of clandestine affairs, and Rupert's wife is growing impatient with his artistic lifestyle."}, {"response": 19, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 11, 2001 (18:55)", "body": "Great! I wonder when it will start playing in the US. Next fall? Next spring? Just saw this, an Indiewire report on the Newport Intl Film Fest: The 4th edition of the Newport International Film Festival came to a close Sunday night in Rhode Island. A handful of awards were doled out during the fest, with Harata Marada's Berlin 2001 entry, \"Inugami,\" having its U.S. premiere at the festival, winning for Best Feature and French documentary \"Avant de Partir\" by Paul De Laubier, nabbing the prize for Best Doc. Other big winners included Michael Kalesniko's \"How to Kill Your Neighbor's Dog,\" which won the Audience Award and a youth jury prize in the narrative competition, and Gillian Grisman's Jerry Garcia/David Grisman portrait \"Grateful Dawg,\" which world premiered at the fest, taking home the Audience Award for documentary. Special Jury Prizes went to Lukas Moodysson's \"Together\" and Matthew Testa's documentary \"The Buffalo War,\" and a Best Director award went to partners Billie Eltringham and Simon Beaufoy for their work on the UK feature \"The Darkest Light.\""}, {"response": 20, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Sat, Jun 16, 2001 (15:34)", "body": "This description of The Cazalets from Radio Times: \"It is 1938, and the storm clouds of war are gathering over Europe. But the prospect of conflict seems very far away for the Cazalet dynasty as they gather for a country-house weekend. The family is cocooned by snobbery, complacency and privilege in an Elysian England where the sun always seems to shine. Of course, things are not what they seem in the first episode of this major six-part series based on Elizabeth Jane Howard's novels. Behind the facade, the Cazalets are driven by deceit and prejudice. The whole sweep of human life is here. As you would expect from such an obviously expensive undertaking, The Cazalets look fabulous, so if your mind does start to wander, you can always look at the scenery and the clothes before getting back to the workings of this singular and quixotic family.\" Speaking of prejudice, Miss Bingley is in it. Since she's not listed as a Cazalet, I'm thinking she might be one of Edward's mistresses."}, {"response": 21, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 20, 2001 (23:24)", "body": "From the June 16 Independent: A new wartime saga from the BBC looks familiar by Gerard Gilbert It seems to be the year that television has reconnected with the family saga. The Nancy Mitford adaptation, Love in a Cold Climate; the 13-part (an almost unheard of luxury for non-genre drama) In a Land of Plenty; Stephen Poliakoff's Perfect Strangers - each has taken the family both as its subject and as a way of exploring the times. Families have always been at the heart of soaps, of course - but in the competitive world of soap operas, the ceaseless search for novelty has largely obliterated the slower moving sagas of kith and kin. Families are fodder for the next plot twist. Phil Mitchell used to have Grant Mitchell down the barrel of a gun one week and be sharing a drink with his brother the next, as if nothing had happened. Soap families are largely without memory, even in the shortest term. However the role of memory in the family was the subtext of both In a Land of Plenty and Poliakoff's Perfect Strangers. The Cazalets, BBC1's big, new, Joanna Lumley-produced costume drama, is an altogether more straightforward affair. Faithfully adapted from Elizabeth Jane Howard's quartet of books, The Cazalet Chronicles, it's both a semi-autobiographical recherche du temps perdu by Howard (one-time wife of Kingsley Amis), and a look at how English life - in particular English upper-middle-class life - changed through the Second World War years. The story journeys from 1937 to 1947, during which period the Cazalet family are big in the timber business. Eldest brother Hugh (Hugh Bonneville) is scarred by his experiences in the First World War, middle son Edward (Stephen Dillane) is a philandering cad, and the youngest, Rupert (Paul Rhys) is an artist-cum-socialist, resisting his father's efforts to bring him into the family firm. Lesbianism, dead cats, sadistic German housemaids, the cruelty of children and lines such as \"a bit of shrapnel's better than half a brain\" also feature in this week's introductory episode, but the tumultuous times and country house milieu are hardly the most original fictional material. The Camomile Lawn, Channel 4's adaptation of Mary Wesley's similar wartime saga, is the series with the most obvious parallels - especially the surprisingly frank sex scenes that litter the opening episode. The male characters are almost defined by the way they bed their women. But there are elements also of Howards End (the casual anti-semitism of the pre-war years), Love in a Cold Climate (the dotty, autocratic father), and of the endless other evocations of this much-mined era. The telly-literate will also clock the early use of Ray Nobel's 1934 ditty \"The Very Thought of You\" - the recurring incidental music from Dennis Potter's The Singing Detective. That's quite a bold, or foolhardy, comparison to invite at the very s art of a new television series. 'The Cazalets' starts on Friday at 9pm on BBC1. ~~~~~~~~ Hmmmmm, wouldn't you think the cad would feature in those scenes that litter the first episode? ;-)"}, {"response": 22, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 21, 2001 (18:01)", "body": "Looks like The Cazalets is on PBS' fall schedule. From Masterpiece Theatre's newsletter: COMING THIS FALL Summer officially begins this week, but before you head off on holiday, take a minute to read ahead for details of our coming season. Highlights include Trevor Nunn's 20th-century take on The Merchant of Venice [with Henry Goodman!]; the next installment of the American Collection, Eudora Welty's The Ponder Heart (starring Peter MacNicol of Ally McBeal fame); and a sweeping look at pre-World War II Britain in Elizabeth Jane Howard's The Cazalets. The Cazalets In the idyllic summer of 1937, the Cazalet family unites as always at Home Place, their large ancestral home in Sussex. When war breaks out, the annual summer holiday becomes a permanent evacuation. The Cazalets follows the family's fortunes before, during, and after World War II. Douglas Livingstone has faithfully adapted the story from the books of Elizabeth Jane Howard, who spent seven years writing the series after the collapse of her 15-year marriage to author Kingsley Amis. Starring Hugh Bonneville (Take A Girl Like You), Stephen Dillane (Anna Karenina), Ursula Howells (A Rather English Marriage), and Lesley Manville (David Copperfield)."}, {"response": 23, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Fri, Jun 22, 2001 (12:31)", "body": "Cazalet *** SPOILER *** below: (description from Radio Times) The notable rotter in this hardly prepossessing bunch is Edward (a vulpine Stephen Dillane), an ostensibly happily married family man whose frequent \"business lunches\" have nothing to do with business or lunch, though there is always a very particular set menu. Viewers' immediate dislike of Edward will turn to outright revulsion during a disturbing scene towards the end of the episode when he returns home with his nubile daughter Louise after they have both celebrated her birthday with dinner at the Cafe Royal. The young woman is thrown into appalled shock and confusion by his subsequent actions. Quite apart from being a debauched, louche snob, Edward is also an anti-Semitic, racist, anti-intellectual who dismisses George Bernard Shaw as \"an Irish, vegetarian, teetotal Commie. Not my idea of fun.\" And we are all familiar by now with Edward's idea of fun."}, {"response": 24, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 22, 2001 (12:35)", "body": "Uh oh. I bet we don't see those scenes on Masterpiece Theatre."}, {"response": 25, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 22, 2001 (13:49)", "body": "Is SD a \"method actor\"? If so, wonder what experiences he's digging up for this role;-)"}, {"response": 26, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 27, 2001 (22:37)", "body": "The Cazalets, BBC1 Independent on Sunday - United Kingdom; Jun 24, 2001 BY THOMAS SUTCLIFFE Pre-war platform rendezvous- complete with slam-door carriages and clouds of steam. Source: The Cazalets. An unusual instance of this mass-produced television trope, in that the \"Sid\" who eventually appears, after an agony of apprehension on the part of the waiting Rachel, turns out to be a woman. The Cazalets may yet turn out to deliver other minor surprises - since the conventional disclaimer in the credits about no resemblance to persons living or dead (poignantly redundant in the case of so much costume drama) is preceded by a concession that the narrative \"was loosely inspired by the author's own family\". On one level this adaptation of two of Elizabeth Jane Howard's Cazalet novels is the kind of sumptuous dramatic antique we've seen many times before on British television, full of dinner-jacketed chaps who smoke their cigarettes underhand and dash orf to the country for weekend hice parties. The air is alive with the cries of peacocks, the crunch of gravel, and the indefinable vintage rustle given off by a newspaper which bears the headline \"Hitler and Mussolini form Alliance\". I say, old man, isn't that the sound of a storm cloud gathering over Europe? On the other hand there's no cheap veneer in its construction. The thing is solid mahogany and built to last - from the quality of the acting to the visual polish with which it is filmed. There are also enough sharp edges to ensure that you can't just take its presence for granted. Stephen Dillane, for instance, plays the family beast - casually anti-Semitic and assiduously unfaithful - but also, it seems, trembling on the brink of an incestuous assault on his daughter. Rachel, meanwhile, looks bound to end up consummating her vaporously platonic passion for Sid. All this and eiderdowns, too. I confess I began watching with a determined detachment and a slight curl to the lip but more than once since I've caught myself wondering what happens next. Damn!"}, {"response": 27, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 29, 2001 (09:00)", "body": "A review of the Spy Game's script. No mention of SD's role, but it is very positive."}, {"response": 28, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Jul  8, 2001 (05:11)", "body": "This from Saturday's The Times, describing the 4th episode to be aired July 13th. The Cazalets continues to be the treat of the week. By now, we have had time to get used to the minute attention to detail. The language, too, has become more familiar, so that exclamations such as \"It\ufffds really too tiresome. You can\ufffdt even have a little fun without those beastly Germans trying to spoil it\" seem to have developed a naturalistic ring. One also knows by now that death, disease and sex are part of the package. But it is the sudden flashes of inspired acting that catch you unawares. Watch out tonight, for example, as Edward Cazalet (Stephen Dillane) reacts to his wife\ufffds indignation down the telephone."}, {"response": 29, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (09:56)", "body": "From a very interesting article about British TV and Film in The Guardian: The bigger example is The Parole Officer, a film to be released on August 10, starring Steve Coogan, one of the most easily identifiable TV brands of recent years: a comedy character actor known through his incarnation of existentially troubled broadcaster Alan Partridge and, among others, lowlifes Paul and Pauline Calf. The Parole Officer is a comedy with an original screenplay by Coogan and gives him his first starring role in a feature film. The premise: honest but inept probation officer witnesses a serious crime and is framed for murder. The only way to clear his name is to break into a bank vault where the crucial piece of evidence is stored. Will it be a success? Of course it will, not least because there is some heavyweight talent behind Coogan. Co-writer is Henry Normal who helped Caroline Aherne script the Royle Family; it's directed by industry regular John Duigan (Lawn Dogs, Sirens) and produced by two of the most canny British film producers, Duncan Kenworthy and Andrew Macdonald. But, more than anything else, the film's commercial success is underwritten by the strength of Coogan the brand. Like many British films, the brand was established on TV and its transfer to cinema is a safe bet. Will the film be any good? It hardly matters. http://film.guardian.co.uk/features/featurepages/0,4120,520492,00.html"}, {"response": 30, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (10:23)", "body": "Not a mention of SD... What is he...a potted plant in the film? Sheech..."}, {"response": 31, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (10:30)", "body": "The article is principally about British television."}, {"response": 32, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (14:00)", "body": "This excerpt from an early review: \"Quite old-fashioned in feel, \ufffdThe Parole Officer\ufffd contains the almost obligatory \"knob\" (in an art gallery; perhaps a nod to Woody Allen) and puke (Simon vomits a curry over kids on a roller-coaster) gag. However, it also possesses some priceless visual gags and some good lines: \"I saw a man strangle a human being\ufffdwell an accountant\" (Simon). The acting is uniformly respectable, even if heavyweight British talents Lena Headey (magnificent in \ufffdAberdeen\ufffd and pictured) and Stephen Dillane (\ufffdThe Darkest Light\ufffd) are slightly under-used, and there are a couple of bonus cameos from Jenny Agutter and Omar Sharif. However, it is Steve Coogan\ufffds incredible comic timing that keeps the film afloat.\" under-used... :-("}, {"response": 33, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Tue, Jul 24, 2001 (08:56)", "body": "From today's Radio Times: \"Friday 27 July, 2001, 21:00 to 22:00 BST Oh darling, Friday nights just won't be the same without The Cazalets, which finishes tonight. And there are no plans for another series which is a truly wretched shame. So, Cazalets converts, make the most of what is left of this entertainingly arch drama series, an oasis of gentility and civility, which ties up a few of its loose ends tonight.\" Darlings, pages with pics and snappies: http://fp.enter.net/~purrfect/cazalet.htm http://fp.enter.net/~purrfect/cazalet2.htm"}, {"response": 34, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 24, 2001 (10:18)", "body": "Can't wait for this one.Like the pics...esp. the one in the tux!!"}, {"response": 35, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Tue, Jul 31, 2001 (05:48)", "body": "Look who appeared in Remington Steele! I actually remember seeing this episode when it first aired (1985). Remington, armed with a bunch of fake passports, goes to London in search of his father. Of course he didn't in this episode. Hmmm, can't remember if he ever did..."}, {"response": 36, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Tue, Jul 31, 2001 (05:52)", "body": "I meant Remington didn't find his father in this episode."}, {"response": 37, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 31, 2001 (07:54)", "body": "Omigod! I used to watch that show all the time and the reruns a few years ago. About the father, wasn't Daniel (Efrem Zimbalist) revealed as his father when he died??"}, {"response": 38, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Tue, Jul 31, 2001 (09:36)", "body": "Had to look up the answer: Yes. The truth was revealed in the last season. Steeled With A Kiss Part 1&2 02/17/87 Written by:Brad Kern and Robin Bernheim Guest Stars: Daniel Chalmers:Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. || Marisa Peters:Barbara Babcock || Kemadov:Stephen Yardley || Fitch:Ronald Leigh-Hunt || Petrossian :Jeremy Clyne || Mikeline O'Flynn:Derry Power || Inspector O'Brien:Alan Devlin || Bridgit:Eleanor Feeley || Bartender:Brendan O'Duill Synopsis: The Irish castle Steele inherited seems to be the perfect hiding place for Tony until he can prove he's not a double agent. Meanwhile, Daniel Chalmers must deliver Tony to the KGB as part of a scam he is running. We learn that Daniel Chalmers is Steele's father, but he dies before we learn Steele's real name. Laura and Steele apparently consummate their relationship amid Tony's promises not to give up on Laura."}, {"response": 39, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 31, 2001 (10:00)", "body": "Wow...wonder what happened to all that beautiful black (!) hair)!!! Such a pity...:-("}, {"response": 40, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  1, 2001 (00:00)", "body": "From Screendaily: The Parole Officer July 31, 2001 Dir: John Duigan. UK. 2001. 90 mins. Few television comedians manage to become film stars, and fewer still succeed outside their home turf. But The Parole Officer should serve lengthy time at the British box-office on the strength of Steve Coogan's huge popularity as a stand-up comic and small-screen character actor, compounded by the anticipation attending his first major film role. A sunny future domestically also awaits on video further down the line. Lacking major international names in the supporting cast, the film's overseas prospects are more uncertain (though there is an amusing cameo from an unbilled Omar Sharif). Still, Coogan's own profile may rise after the release of 24 Hour Party People early next year, Michael Winterbottom's forthcoming film about the vibrant Manchester music scene from the late 1970s to early 1990s, in which Coogan takes the lead role. Certainly The Parole Officer represents a much sturdier commercial prospect for DNA Films following the company's disappointing debut production Beautiful Creatures. Coogan could easily have chosen to spin a feature-length character out of one of his successful TV sketch personae: the yobbish Paul Calf, smarmy lounge singer Tony Ferrino or the blazer-wearing failed talkshow host Alan Partridge. Instead, he has created a new alter ego who bears a recognisable resemblance to his stablemates but is considerably more likeable and credible than his predecessors in the Coogan canon. Like them, Simon Garden is a mildly irritating loser: a well-meaning but nerdy probation officer who has only ever rehabilitated three prisoners in his entire career and who, forcibly relocated from the seaside resort of Blackpool to the tough big city of Manchester, finds himself slightly out of his depth in these murkier waters. His mettle is put to the test when a crooked police chief (Stephen Dillane) frames him for murder and he is forced to prove his innocence by robbing a bank vault containing an incriminating CCTV surveillance video. To do so, he urges his three reformed crooks (Om Puri, Ben Miller and Steven Waddington) to return temporarily to a life of crime, much to their reluctance and astonishment. Also along for the ride is one of Simon's new clients, a feisty teenage ramraider (Emma Williams). The central gag is the idea of a klutz from the Social Services attempting Secret Service style derring-do, and Coogan proves himself fully up to the exacting physical demands of the role, performing many of his own stunts. Most of the hit-and-miss humour relies heavily on pratfalls and slapstick and is definitely on the unsophisticated side: in one typical scene, for instance, Simon breaks the oversized phallus off a fertility statue in an exhibition of erotic art, and escapes detection by faking acute diarrhoea in the gallery toilet. Some inconsistencies in the plotting also suggest that Coogan and co-writer Henry Normal haven't yet mastered the move from sketch-length to feature-film scripts. As Coogan himself remarks of Simon: \"You'd buy him a drink but you wouldn't want to spend the whole evening with him,\" and the film wisely does not allow itself to become a one-man-show. Heavyweight dramatic actors such as Puri and Dillane bring heft to the secondary roles, while Lena Headey, in her first major comic turn, projects a cool intelligence as the film's romantic interest, a sexy policewoman who finds herself drawn to Simon's unlikely charms. John Duigan's direction gives all these actors the space to develop the relations between the seven or eight major characters."}, {"response": 41, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  1, 2001 (00:00)", "body": "Here's the url: http://www.screendaily.com/shtml_files/left_bar_redirect.shtml"}, {"response": 42, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  1, 2001 (08:15)", "body": "Well, maybe he hasn't RSVP'd yet... From Ananova: Steve Coogan to attend premiere of his new film Steve Coogan will be at the premiere of his new film The Parole Officer in London next week. He not only stars in the film but also co-wrote it. Other cast members expected at the premiere on August 8 include Ben Miller, Om Puri who starred in East Is East, and the film's director John Duigan. The Parole Officer is released in the UK on August 10."}, {"response": 43, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  1, 2001 (09:13)", "body": "The movie poster:"}, {"response": 44, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug  1, 2001 (09:37)", "body": "Thanks Karen. Would someone pl.help me find Stephen in the poster? Is he the one with the hard hat holding the pizza? ;-) Sounds like a winner....in UK. :-("}, {"response": 45, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Thu, Aug  2, 2001 (14:27)", "body": "Excerpts from a long review of The Cazalets: \"You are much more likely to have seen the trailers for The Cazalets than to have seen The Cazalets. In them, no expense has been spared to put us off the show itself. Here it is, they seem to say, and you have seen it all before: the steam trains, the black-tie dinner parties, the frumpy wife wittering about her husband's business meeting, the quick cut to his rumpy-pumpy back in town...\" *hee hee* \"...This six-part serialisation of Elizabeth Jane Howard's Cazalet Chronicles novels has production values coming out of its ears, but its adaptor, Douglas Livingstone, has written a screenplay that makes you concentrate on character, not costume...\" \"...most scenes are stolen by Stephen Dillane as the womanising second brother, Edward. Dillane gives him the most deliciously self-satisfied laugh...\" full article"}, {"response": 46, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  8, 2001 (09:10)", "body": "Still missing from the guest list, but we'll have our fingers crossed anyway, from Ananova: Starry premiere for Coogan film Stars will gather in London tonight for the world premiere of comedian Steve Coogan's first feature film, The Parole Officer. The creator of such classic characters as Alan Partridge and Paul Calf, has co-written the comedy with long-time collaborator Henry Normal. The films tells the story of Simon Garden, a mild mannered Parole Officer, played by Coogan, who is forced to turn to crime to clear his name after he is framed for murder. Among those expected to attend the glittering premiere are Helena Bonham Carter, Amanda Holden and Atomic Kitten, whose current number one single Eternal Flame, is taken from the film's soundtrack. Also starring in the film are Om Puri, from East is East, and Steven Waddington, who appeared in Sleepy Hollow. It is directed by John Duigan and produced by Duncan Kenworthy, who produced Notting Hill and Four Weddings and a Funeral. The film opens in the UK and Ireland on Friday."}, {"response": 47, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  8, 2001 (14:36)", "body": "Info on SD's character from the DNA Films' website: http://www.dnafilms.com/flashhome.htm \"Burton is a bent cop, unscrupulous and habitually corrupt,\" says Dillane of the character he portrays. \"He also seems to be quite a popular figure on the force.\" To the people of Manchester, DI Burton is the policeman who is about to receive the Police Federation Bravery Award for rescuing 15-year-old Kirsty from a burning Porsche. Only we know he set the Porsche alight himself. If Simon can't pull off the bank job. nobody will ever know better. From the bio section: More familiar with serious dramatic roles, THE PAROLE OFFICER has offered Dillane his first chance to try out the screen tradition of playing the \"baddie\" in a comedy. A fan of John Duigan's celebrated 1990 film FLIRTING, Dillane was thrilled to have an opportunity to work with the director on THE PAROLE OFFICER. You can also see the trailer Quicktime (which is downloadable and screen-capturable); the Windows Media option did not work for me. Plus the official site (uip.co.uk) only has the trailer in Quicktime too. http://www.uip.co.uk/ There are some review snippets on the uip site: Empire ***** Combining all the best elements of homegrown romcoms and gangster capers, this breathes fresh life into both genres, emerging as one of the most entertaining Britflicks you're likely to see all year. If it can hold its own against the blockbusters, it's got serious box office potential. UNCUT **** \"A great English caper - the Italian job with bicycles.\" \"A cracking blend of James Bond stunts and Alan Partridge stumbles.\" \"Best British comedy since The Full Monty.\" TOTAL FILM **** This summer, the nation's favourite hero will be wearing corduroy trousers. Lottery-funded movies have been in the dock recently, but The Parole Officer is their Get Out Of Jail Free card. It's a brilliantly polished, very funny script that catapults one of Britain's best TV comedians into a whole new cinematic sphere. LOADED (8/10) Coogan has a new comic creation to equal Alan Partridge's finer moments."}, {"response": 48, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Wed, Aug  8, 2001 (15:29)", "body": "Among those expected to attend the glittering premiere are Helena Bonham Carter With or without monkey suit? :-)"}, {"response": 49, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Wed, Aug  8, 2001 (22:06)", "body": "The Times liked the film. An excerpt: \"The well-meaning but hopeless Garden witnesses a murder perpetrated by crooked police officers, led by a deliciously nasty Stephen Dillane , who then proceeds to frame Garden for the crime.\" Full review at: http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,142-2001272711,00.html"}, {"response": 50, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  8, 2001 (23:53)", "body": "Not so hot from The Independent: http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/film/reviews/story.jsp?story=87849 Plus a good one from the Financial Times: Partridge plus a dash of ham: CINEMA: Despite some reservations, Nigel Andrews is won over by Steve Coogan's largely successful first venture into film The phrase \"Ealing comedy\" goes numb on our lips after events of recent days. What a place for a bomb. The home of comfy laughter turns to Armageddon, W5. Where once cameras turned to catch well-loved actors playing nincompoop crooks, they now purr to catch real would-be killers spectrally hugging their anonymity on midnight pavements. The Parole Officer comes somewhere between the two extremes. As Alan Partridge might say in one of his anything-for-a-link flights of ill taste, it isn't a bomb; but it isn't halcyon Ealing either. (The makers themselves have clamoured for the comparison by invoking The Lavender Hill Mob). Besides, in 2001 do we still have the innocence for comedies of innocence? And if we do, is Steve Coogan the right comedian? He must be tired of being told - but let's tell him again - that he is brilliant as Partridge and pass-grade in other comic incarnations, from Paul Calf to Tony Ferrino. His TV/radio compere with the slick hair and slicker vacuity is a stupendous creation: a swaggering twerp with a faux pas for all occasions, a retro dandy who would walk straight past Emporio Armani into Lillywhites, a man who thinks of the smart thing to say too late but still says it. Ealing could never have invented something so cruelly funny, so showbiz-naff: a man in whom innocence is what is left after you discount normal adult wit, judgment and intelligence. Half a Partridge is better than none and Coogan's Simon Garden, probation officer, boasts some of the same surreal, self-absorbed twittishness. He will think nothing of opening and eating a bag of crisps while \"silently\" staking out the storeroom where a bent detective (Stephen Dillane) is about to murder his cocaine-scam accomplice. (This leads to the plot: our hero recruits three ex-jailbirds to raid the bank where Dillane has deposited the incriminating security video. Why didn't Dillane just destroy it? Silly question: no movie). And Coogan/Garden, like Coogan/ Partridge, cannot accept that the world does not fall silent on proper occasions in respect for his ego. Frogmarching his quarry up the aisle at a climactic police awards convention, he spouts off about citizenly justice but has to turn at one point and say, \"I can't believe there are some people talking at the back.\" Oddly, Coogan looks less like Partridge here than like Ben Elton, his bete noir of the alternative/satirical circuit. Metal-rim specs, cropped hair and out-there facial expressions. Did someone tell him to act larger for the movie camera? The film goes wrong whenever it goes broad. Garden's pompous early speechifyings about his vocation are mockingly accompanied by Elgarian music: too obvious, too hammy. Falling off a tilted chair is barely funny once, let alone twice. And though we laugh at the scene where Garden snaps the phallus off a museum fertility symbol, it is mainly because anything is a relief during romantic interludes with woman policeperson Lena Headey. The film's goodheartedness, though, finally vanquishes audience grouchiness. And Coogan does reach the finishing post still in the saddle. Think of the TV comics who entered the Great Cinema Steeplechase - Hancock, Frankie Howerd, Morecambe and Wise - and collapsed at an early fence in a chaos of legs, limbs and horse's hindquarters."}, {"response": 51, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  9, 2001 (00:17)", "body": "v.g. review from Shadows on the Wall, but no mention of SD: http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/rcline/swparoff.htm Have seen a bunch of pics from the premiere, including some group shots. Someone's missing. :-("}, {"response": 52, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  9, 2001 (08:44)", "body": "Report, review and gallery of photos from the premiere at Empire, but no SD. Also Lena Headey appears to be missing. http://www.empireonline.co.uk/features/theparoleofficer/default.shtm"}, {"response": 53, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Mon, Aug 13, 2001 (14:14)", "body": "The Parole Officer will actually be released in the US in November! Yippee! While the comedy has been getting mixed reviews, SD has been walking away with the kudos for his supporting role. Some more excerpts: Coogan, who co-scripted with regular collaborator Henry Normal, plays bumbling hero Simon Garden, who witnesses a murder committed by a bent copper (Stephen Dillane, whose repellent smoothie is much the classiest turn here). Sunday Independent and Dillane, especially, is splendid as the smooth, smiling police villain. Reuters/Variety"}, {"response": 54, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 14, 2001 (23:42)", "body": "Parole Officer checks in at the UK box office UK TV comedian Steve Coogan launched himself on the big-screen at the weekend with The Parole Officer. Pulling in a strong $1.3m (\ufffd902,028) from 288 sites, the comedy saw a site average of $4,468 \ufffd better than either Jurassic Park III or Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within. Arriving at number five in the UK chart the healthy figures came despite mixed reviews for the film. The film also stars Lena Headey, previously seen in Gossip with X-Men\ufffds James Marsden and Kate Hudson and soon to be seen in Neil LaBute\ufffds Possession which stars Gwyneth Paltrow, and Om Puri. Puri, who as well as starring in many Bollywood productions was recently seen in 1999 UK hit East Is East. However, The Parole Officer was unable to secure box office dominance. With the wide release, growing from one to 382 sites, Columbia TriStar saw its Final Fantasy take fourth place with $1.4m (\ufffd954,488) from 382 sites. Meanwhile Cats & Dogs, Rush Hour 2 and Jurassic Park III held their previous week\ufffds top three places. Most impressive of the three leaders was box office champ Warner Bros\ufffd canine/feline feud flick Cats & Dogs, which dropped off a mere 11% from its opening three-day total."}, {"response": 55, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (10:59)", "body": "Can now report on \"The Parole Officer\" if anybody wants."}, {"response": 56, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (11:03)", "body": "(Mark) Can now report on \"The Parole Officer\" if anybody wants. Are you kidding? Spill it ;-)"}, {"response": 57, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (11:29)", "body": "Well, it's a very Britcom film, and plainly not as likely to internationalise as The Full Monty. Having said which, I found it ranged between a bit amusing and very funny. Steve Coogan as Simon Garden is not really sympathetic enough for you to actually like him, but his situation and friends are so hopeless as to give a real sense of the underdog. As the reviews state, the plot is held together with sticky-tape, and the attempted scope is too broad, but the film is quite deft, if that's possible, at slapstick and smut (not to everybody's taste). Most of the support cast is leadenly two-dimensional, with the honourable exceptions of SD, Om Puri and the two girls. I know Lena Headey may not have been to the critics' taste, but I thought she was good, though possibly outshone by newcomer Emma Williams. SD was a thinking man's cold-hearted villain, very cruel but quick on his feet. All in all, this undiscriminating viewer thought quite a lot of the film. Will play well on TV for years in due course."}, {"response": 58, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (11:36)", "body": "at slapstick and smut (not to everybody's taste). The statue bit? Will play well on TV for years in due course. Ah! The Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval. ;-) Steve Coogan's a total unknown in the US. I don't think the Alan Partridge series has ever been shown here (whether that's a pro/con I don't know). The film will have to stand on its own and won't have any popular figure coattails to ride on here."}, {"response": 59, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (11:50)", "body": "(MarkG) smut (not to everybody's taste) Guaranteed to be a winner in the US. SD was a thinking man's cold-hearted villain, very cruel but quick on his feet. Ah, I love my villains cold-hearted and quick on their feet. Hope he's well dressed like Hans Gruber. :-) this undiscriminating viewer thought quite a lot of the film If it's good enough for Burburry man, then it's good enough for me. :-)"}, {"response": 60, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (12:03)", "body": "(MarkG) Will play well on TV for years in due course. (Karen) Ah! The Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval. ;-) ROTF (Karen) I don't think the Alan Partridge series has ever been shown here I think only one season was aired on BBC America earlier this year. Someone said that it was actually the last season. It was where Alan (Steve Coogan) was living in a motel and working on the radio. He was pathetic and annoying, and I thought very funny. His relationships with the hotel workers, his secretary, and some other characters were a hoot. But in the last couple of episodes, he hosted a TV show and all the action was in the studio, and I thought those episodes were not that funny."}, {"response": 61, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 24, 2001 (08:45)", "body": "From THR (Aug 24, 2001, by Zorianna Kit): Ricci sights on 'Gathering' for Granada Films Christina Ricci is toplining Granada Films' supernatural thriller \"The Gathering\" for director Brian Gilbert and Samuelson Prods. The project, budgeted at about $17 million, is slated to go into production Sept. 3 in England. The project reunites Gilbert and producers Peter and Marc Samuelson, the latter of whom produced the Gibson-directed features \"Wilde\" and \"Tom & Viv.\" \"Gathering,\" written by Anthony Horowitz, also stars Ioan Gruffudd, Kerry Fox and Stephen Dillane. Set in rural England in present day, \"Gathering\" centers on a first century church that is unearthed near an English countryside town, where a remarkable and sinister mural is found. At the same time, a young American backpacker (Ricci) traveling through an English village finds herself involved in a car accident and gladly accepts help from a female driver and her family only to become drawn into their troubled lives. In the aftermath of the accident, the girl begins to hallucinate and believes terrifying strangers are following her, putting into question as to whether the images are from a concussion or a newly found gift of second sight, both of which might be connected to the church. Granada head of film Pippa Cross also is producing the project with the Samuelsons. Steve Christian, Simon Franks, Anthony Horowitz, Zygi Kamasa, Patrick McKenna and Duncan Reid are executive producing \"Gathering,\" with Rachel Cuperman associate producing. International sales for the film are being handled by Capitol Film, with presales in place at Helkon SK for the United Kingdom and Helkon AG for Germany. The film is equity financed by the Isle of Man Film Commission, Granada Film and Ingenious Media. Following the completion of \"Gathering,\" Ricci will make her directorial debut on the indie feature \"Speed Queen,\" a dark comedy in which she will star (HR 8/20). The financing is being finalized. Ricci produced and stars in Millennium Films' \"Prozac Nation,\" which will have its world premiere next month at the Toronto International Film Festival. She also stars in and produced through her production company, Blaspheme, the MGM/American Zoetrope feature \"Pumpkin,\" slated for release next year. The actress, repped by ICM, recently wrapped shooting the Film Four feature \"Miranda\" for director Marc Munden and producer Laurence Bowden. The Samuelsons most recently produced \"Arlington Road.\" Granada most recently produced \"Ghost World,\" \"House of Mirth\" \"My Left Foot\" and the upcoming feature \"The Hole.\""}, {"response": 62, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Fri, Aug 24, 2001 (14:08)", "body": "the girl begins to hallucinate and believes terrifying strangers are following her OK, he was a marvelous cad in Cazalets, a scrumptious scoundrel in Parole Officer. But I will not accept terrifying stranger! :-/"}, {"response": 63, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 24, 2001 (15:25)", "body": "He could be female driver's (Kerry Fox??) family...or not. Ioan is too young to be Kerry's husband."}, {"response": 64, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Mon, Aug 27, 2001 (19:08)", "body": "The Cazalets will air on PBS, Mondays, October 22 - November 19, 2001."}, {"response": 65, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 27, 2001 (19:25)", "body": "Whoopee! Roll on October! On Saturday I saw a big screen trailer for Spy Games due out November 2001. Looks like November will be SD month!"}, {"response": 66, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  4, 2001 (09:53)", "body": "Empire has an item about Nicole Kidman from the UK premiere of MR with Stephen Daldry. Love it when the journalists haven't done their homework as the question was about her working with Meryl Streep and Julianne Moore. ;-) Empire Online however had more professional queries to make of Ms. Kidman. Noting that the actress had come to the party on the arm of director Stephen Daldry, we asked Nicole when she had filmed her role in Daldry's next movie, The Hours. 'A couple of months ago,' she explained. 'He\ufffds really great to work with and I\ufffdd love to do something else with him. He really pushed me artistically, which is good.' Kidman's co-stars in the movie, Meryl Streep and Julianne Moore, are both powerhouse actresses, so how were they to work with? 'Well I know Meryl, we\ufffdve worked together and Julianne I\ufffdve met before. But we never met while filming. I have no scenes with either of them. When you see the film, you\ufffdll see why.' The project clearly had a lot of appeal for Kidman, who went on to say that 'the great thing about that film is there\ufffds three really strong female characters and it\ufffds based on such a unique book. Michael Cunningham wrote such a great book, and David Hare managed to do an adaption of a book that was very difficult to adapt. But I think his screenplay was really strong and really solid.' http://www.empireonline.co.uk/news/news.asp?3366"}, {"response": 67, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Tue, Sep  4, 2001 (12:33)", "body": "Was finally able to see PO. I thought it was a funny, decent flick. Had its share of ha-ha moments. Definitely worth a repeat viewing, and from what I've read, it's light years better than the L-word being discussed elsewhere, LOL. I'm not sure how it will play in the US. If the star were American, I would say that this is about as funny as some of John Candy's films. There are parts where you really belly-laugh, some where you smirk, and some moments when you want the plot to move along. But overall, I'd give it thumbs-up. And the critics were right on the money regarding SD's performance. He was fab as a baddie. I love his style. When he really wants to intimidate the \"hero\", he lowers his voice and talks quietly and gently. Very effective. No method-acting histrionics for him, nosiree. :-)"}, {"response": 68, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep  4, 2001 (13:45)", "body": "When do we get to see this in US....Spy Games is November. Glad to hear it's a winner."}, {"response": 69, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Tue, Sep  4, 2001 (14:10)", "body": "Spy Games is November So is PO, according to IMDB."}, {"response": 70, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep  9, 2001 (17:35)", "body": "FRom sunday's NY times: Films to watch for; \"SPY GAME\" Ready to retire from the international espionage business, a C.I.A. agent (Robert Redford) is called back on the job when it appears that his prot\ufffdg\ufffd, Brad Pitt, has gone over to the dark side. Directed by Tony Scott. Nov. 21.\" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ But no mention of The PO."}, {"response": 71, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep  9, 2001 (19:56)", "body": "I saw the previews, but no sign of SD. Is he really in it?"}, {"response": 72, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Thu, Sep 27, 2001 (04:36)", "body": "This from NY Daily News, August 26, 2001: Spy Game Stars Robert Redford, Brad Pitt, Catherine McCormack, Stephen Dillane, Kimberly Paige. Directed by Tony Scott. Scheduled opening: Nov. 21. Here's a mother-daughter's night-out action film if there ever was one \ufffd Redford and Pitt as mentor-pupil spies: \"You take the old blond, mom, I'll take the young one.\" Father-son teams should like it, too. It's got that old bull, young bull appeal. Redford plays a CIA agent who, on the eve of retirement, discovers that his protege (Pitt) has been arrested in China for espionage. As he heads to the Far East, he recalls tutoring the young agent and their years as smooth-as-silk partners and the woman (McCormack) who had to choose between them."}, {"response": 73, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Oct  5, 2001 (04:04)", "body": "Start saving DonnaDL:-)) From Baz, Daily Mail - 5.10.01 Watch out for Stephen Dillane who will lead a new drama by Australian playwright Hannie Rayson called Life After George into the West End next year. Mr Dillane, who won acclaim in Tom Stoppard\ufffds The Real Thing, will play George, an academic whose brand of Seventies radical idealism gradually went out of fashion. Now, though, with folk rebelling against the frivolity and decadence of the Nineties, George is back in style. Celebrated director Michael Blakemore, whose Kiss Me Kate opens soon, will stage the play in the New Year."}, {"response": 74, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  5, 2001 (08:09)", "body": "Sounds v. interesting and with an excellent director. I like that Stephen is taking risks with this new play."}, {"response": 75, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct  5, 2001 (08:36)", "body": "Whoopee!!Now we have to find out when!Big time director too! Way t'go Stephen!"}, {"response": 76, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Fri, Oct  5, 2001 (15:22)", "body": "With their track record, we might be looking at a return to Broadway too. :-)"}, {"response": 77, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct  5, 2001 (15:55)", "body": "Was Michael Blakemore the one who gave the \"I Love Broadway/I Love America\" speech at the Tony's 2000?"}, {"response": 78, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Fri, Oct  5, 2001 (15:55)", "body": "*** SPOILER *** below. Found this review of The Cazalets. Things hot up in this Thirties potboiler now that it has been established that Edward (Stephen Dillane) is a first-class shit, having snogged his daughter and turned her into a frightful frump. Meanwhile, Ed's good brother - an artist so he must be right about everything, including not having to work - has also noticed his own daughter's burgeoning beauty, but instead of shoving his tongue down her throat, he paints her portrait. Now we see why he has to live off the family billions - completely talentless but posh. Enter the Bloomsbury Group, stage right. The Enid Blyton lesbians are also quite amusing. Incredible to think this is all 50 years before Brookside."}, {"response": 79, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Fri, Oct  5, 2001 (15:58)", "body": "Was Michael Blakemore the one who gave the \"I Love Broadway/I Love America\" speech at the Tony's 2000? Yes, that was he. Roy Dotrice loved Americans. :-) It's a mutual admiration society."}, {"response": 80, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Oct  5, 2001 (17:12)", "body": "Just thought you would all like to know that SD has NOTHING to fear from Neil Pearson in the current revival of TRT. AS they say in advertising \"Good, but not that good.\""}, {"response": 81, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct  5, 2001 (18:01)", "body": "it has been established that Edward (Stephen Dillane) is a first-class shit, having snogged his daughter and turned her into a frightful frump. Oh, sh... do we need this? Again? Why can't these writers transcend themselves???"}, {"response": 82, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Fri, Oct  5, 2001 (18:46)", "body": "Review of Pearson's TRT. No comparisons to the Dillane/Ehle version. Independent The Real Thing, Bristol Old Vic, Bristol By Toby O'Connor Morse 22 September 2001 In the past theatre critics have tended to focus on the more tangential aspects of Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing. This is hardly surprising, since it contains some punchy speeches about the meaning of (good) writing and the role of the writer. For those who spend too much of their lives scribbling in notebooks in darkened auditoria, any discussion of words and theatre is going to gain a magnified importance. However, for the ordinary theatregoer who is not riveted by the esoterica of all things theatrical, The Real Thing is primarily a play about love. The central character, Henry (Neil Pearson) is a playwright. He is also a romantic, a man who has a strong belief in what constitutes love: faithfulness, trust, total immersion in \"the real thing\". Confronted with both a first and a second wife who have a different view about what makes relationships tick and the importance of fidelity, he is reduced to striving for dignified cuckoldry. In the end love strips all of us of our dignity and our sophistication, and so the curtain could comfortably fall on Henry's anguished cry of \"please don't\" after Annie (Geraldine Alexander) has gone off to see her lover once again, eliminating the final scene with its suggestion of a tolerable modus vivendi. While this would lend a gratifying emotional bleakness to the piece, it would erase the final conclusion in Stoppard's dissertation on love, an intellectual exercise which does not strive for empathy, but for edification. There is a sense that the characters are merely being used to illustrate hypotheses, walking embodiments of conflicting propositions. The female characters are all as beguiling, amoral and blindly lacerating as an Evelyn Waugh heroine, and slightly two-dimensional as a result. This does not help create any sense of electricity between Henry and Annie. Love may be hard to write about, as Henry claims, but it is also hard to act. Alexander's performance is too mannered, too theatrical, and Pearson's too polished to truly suggest a passionate fire raging between them. Nonetheless, Pearson is beautifully cast as Henry, since he does quick-witted charm very well, but also has a firm grasp on sincerity and anguish. His recent TV performance as John Diamond in A Lump in My Throat showed that his light touch and deadpan delivery are an excellent medium for communicating that uniquely British concoction of emotional turmoil simmering below a crust of eloquent wit. It's his performance that comes closest to tempting the audience to become emotionally involved and empathise. Ultimately, however, one is left with the sense that the characters we have been watching are really lab rats in Dr Stoppard's loquacious laboratory of emotion. As a result, The Real Thing ends up offering food for the intellect rather than the soul."}, {"response": 83, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct  6, 2001 (10:55)", "body": "Telegraph review:\"Alexander's performance is too mannered, too theatrical, and Pearson's too polished to truly suggest a passionate fire raging between them\" Sounds like the Jeremy Irons/Glen Close version."}, {"response": 84, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, Oct  6, 2001 (13:35)", "body": "I have to say that I think she was truly awful, her voice grated but she does not know how to use her body and move when on stage, often seeming ill at ease and arkward. Thanks for finding that review Lauren, I hadn't read it before."}, {"response": 85, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct  6, 2001 (16:43)", "body": "I just hope Steverino doesn't disappoint us all by getting a case of \"my worst fears were fulfilled\".... :-((("}, {"response": 86, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct  6, 2001 (21:41)", "body": "From Richard Brooks' Biteback column in the Sunday Times: Not all's well, I hear, with Stephen Daldry's next film, The Hours, based on Virginia Woolf and her book Mrs Dalloway, and starring Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman. The Billy Elliot director is having to recut to make it good enough for release."}, {"response": 87, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 11, 2001 (10:27)", "body": "From \"What's on Stage\": Dillane Returns as Professor George??? 10th October 2001 Stage and screen star Stephen Dillane is being tipped to appear in the West End early next year, in Life after George by Melbourne playwright Hannie Rayson. The play concerns a charismatic professor whose three wives meet up to arrange his funeral. The trio of women represent the fulcrum of the Professor's free-loving life, from the carefree 1960s to the present day. Dillane began his working life as a journalist before attending the Bristol Old Vic School. His theatre credits include the lead in Peter Hall's 1994 production of Hamlet and Angels in America. Dillane later received an Olivier nomination and a Tony Award for his role in the revival of Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing, originally at the Donmar Warehouse in 1999. His TV breakthrough came with the series The Rector's Wife, while subsequent films have included Sarajevo and Firelight. Life after George is due to be directed by Michael Blakemore (whose recent credits include award-winning productions of Copenhagen and Kiss Me Kate) and produced by Mich el Codron.\" Michael Blakemore won two Tonys in 2000 for Copenhagen and Kate. Codron produced Copenhagen, I think. I bet Steverino is B'way-bound with that team. Wonder who the three wives are going to be???? Exciting times!!!"}, {"response": 88, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 13, 2001 (10:15)", "body": "Anybody see the trailer for \"Spy Games\" last night on ET? Guess who came on screen.... Donna already has posted the pics http://fp.enter.net/~purrfect/spygame.htm http://fp.enter.net/~purrfect/dillane1.htm"}, {"response": 89, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 13, 2001 (10:22)", "body": "&^%$* If you right click, then \"View Image\" you'll get the pic...."}, {"response": 90, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 13, 2001 (10:29)", "body": "Wow! That was fast. Ev, you can't post an .htm It has to be the .jpg or .gif That's why it isn't showing up."}, {"response": 91, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 13, 2001 (10:37)", "body": "Ev, you can't post an .htm It has to be the .jpg or .gif That's why it isn't showing up. Well it's Donna's fault then;-)Grrrrr"}, {"response": 92, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Tue, Oct 16, 2001 (15:15)", "body": "They're showing Firelight on French TV right now. I wish I'd known about it sooner. It's dubbed though, unfortunately. It's called Le lien secret in French;-)"}, {"response": 93, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Tue, Oct 23, 2001 (07:05)", "body": "NY Times had a nice review: http://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/22/arts/television/22JAME.html?searchpv=past7days The PBS buggers edited the series again! A few short scenes cut, which would have added texture to some of the characters. After Edward (SD) molested his daughter for the first time, she runs up the stairs and closes her bedroom door behind her. The UK version showed a Potemkin-like sequence of door-close, door-close, door-close, which was missing from last night's broadcast. The next morning, after Edward and Louise are having breakfast and she can't look at him, the UK version has her scrambling through the house trying to find a key that will enable her to lock her bedroom door. I think they also cut a scene between Rupert (the artist) and his daughter. It showed the healthiness of their relationship as compared to Edward and Louise's relationship. Other small scenes cut between the chauffeur and cook, and the children listening to Zoe having her first baby (the one that died, fathered presumably by the date-rape doctor). Did they show the funeral procession for the dead cat that was strangled by the German maid? I can't recall, but it was a humorous moment. Duchy played the funeral march on the grand piano, while the family, children and adults, followed the procession dressed appropriately in black armbands. Am so fed up with PBS for tinkering with these productions and editing scenes out. They did the same thing when they aired the UK version of Anna Karenina."}, {"response": 94, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Oct 23, 2001 (07:35)", "body": "Well, what a soap opera this one is! I couldn't tell the adulterers without a scorecard.;-) So many cliches here. If a woman has illicit sex, sure enough, next scene we see her vomiting and we just know she's pregnant. Doesn't anybody just vomit for the hell of it on these shows? ;-) Two close female friends can't just be friends, they have to be lesbians. A father and daughter can't enjoy a grown-up night out together; no, he has to try to sexually assault her. A woman can't have negative thoughts about her baby; no, she must be punished and the baby killed off. And shouldn't Edward's last name be Cad-zalet?;-)"}, {"response": 95, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 23, 2001 (07:48)", "body": "Well, what a soap opera this one is! I couldn't tell the adulterers without a scorecard.;-) Sounds awful!"}, {"response": 96, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 23, 2001 (08:53)", "body": "(Mari) I couldn't tell the adulterers without a scorecard.;-) LOL! Definitely would've helped. Was the Olympics of adulterers. ;-) But I got confused with the babies. Whose baby was in the backseat of Edward's car when he was with Duckface? Thanks for the missing pieces, Lauren. I was wondering what was snipped out so that we could hear Russell Baker give his background spiel."}, {"response": 97, "author": "aishling", "date": "Tue, Oct 23, 2001 (09:21)", "body": "Whose baby was in the backseat of Edward's car when he was with Duckface? Edward and Duckface's"}, {"response": 98, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 23, 2001 (09:26)", "body": "That's what I kind of thought, but when was she pregnant or even mentioned that she might be?"}, {"response": 99, "author": "aishling", "date": "Tue, Oct 23, 2001 (09:38)", "body": "I don't recall any mention of her pregnancy. The baby was just there. It does become clearer that he is theirs."}, {"response": 100, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 23, 2001 (09:45)", "body": "Ah! Good. Thought I was going to have to have my hearing tested. ;-)"}, {"response": 101, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 23, 2001 (09:48)", "body": "So what's Rupert's problem...or will that be revealed in a later episode? I mean all these Cazalet brothers are fathering children left and right, and Zoe gets pregnant by Dr Date Rape?"}, {"response": 102, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 23, 2001 (10:26)", "body": "(Mari). Doesn't anybody just vomit for the hell of it on these shows? ;-) Druggies and anorexics . Whose baby was in the backseat of Edward's car when he was with Duckface I thought it was her (and presumably her husband's). Despite all the holes (thanks to PBS) and cliches....I like this production.This period (pre-WWII )is v. appealing . Reminds me of \"Cammomile Lawn\"with Jennifer.I enjoyed taking a peak into their lives. People behaved differently in those times. Not gripping...but perhaps that 's what I like about it. And Edward is an appealing cad. I saw lots of same mannerisms as in \"The Real Thing\". He does the best eye-rolls!!Not bad in the steamy scenes, either;-))"}, {"response": 103, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Oct 23, 2001 (11:02)", "body": "Whose baby was in the backseat of Edward's car when he was with Duckface I thought it was her (and presumably her husband's). So did I. She tells Edward's wife that she has 3 kids, including the 3-month old. I just assumed they were all her husband's already, before she met Edward. I guess we can't tell paternity without a scorecard either. ;-) People behaved differently in those times. Yes, apparently they never heard of condoms. ;-)"}, {"response": 104, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov  4, 2001 (14:49)", "body": "I just saw my tape of Cazalett Episode II.. Lots of Stephen in this one.... See Stephen singing Christmas Carols.(Has a sonorous voice.) See Stephen in an RAF uniform.Yummmm See Stephen in bed with Duckface!!!She's defintely a \"brown bagger\".Couldn't they find a prettier actress to play a femme fatale? See Stephen in theatre with Duckface...pinching her boobs!! Gorgeous house.World War II has just started, and the family will go through tragedies, I fear. Good series.Great acting. (Hey, I don't embrace moral standards from TV shows;-) Butler is excellent."}, {"response": 105, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Tue, Nov  6, 2001 (08:45)", "body": "Did you recognize the actor who played Michael Hadley, the painter? He's the bearded chap who is starting to romance Louise, Edward's daughter. He will play a larger role in the next 2 episodes. Anyhow, that's the actor who originally played Billie in TRT at the Donmar!"}, {"response": 106, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov  6, 2001 (09:09)", "body": "Didn't see TRT at the Donmar, but I have caught up on my Cazelets. What a soap! Poor Louise. First her father hits on her, then she sees him with another woman. Now she getting involved with this Hadleigh guy, who is bound to be a real jerk."}, {"response": 107, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov  6, 2001 (10:00)", "body": "Hadley sure has grown up since Billy. Looking at Cazalet 3 last night I thought of the country-western song: \"Looking for love in all the wrong places\" If they weren't all so repressed and show a little genuine affection life would be kinder to them. Looks like poor Louise is about to enter a minefield with the artist. Rachael is already regreting her steamy relationship with Sid. Duckface is losing Edward to the RAF chick. I only like Hugh and Sybil and she's about to check- out with cancer!! All of these situations are so predictable. Still, I'm hooked."}, {"response": 108, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Tue, Nov  6, 2001 (10:31)", "body": "(Evelyn) I only like Hugh and Sybil and she's about to check- out with cancer!! LOL. Actually I thought those 2 little kids were awfully cute. Nothing like a little naked boy singing \"doing the Lambert walk - oi\"! :-)"}, {"response": 109, "author": "staeuber", "date": "Tue, Nov  6, 2001 (15:51)", "body": "About the pic of the singing/dancing little naked boy: Did you notice the black rectangle covering his pelvic area? Wonder if the Brits covered that part, or just Masterpiece Theatre. Or maybe it was just my TV doing it."}, {"response": 110, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Tue, Nov  6, 2001 (16:04)", "body": "(Yippy) Wonder if the Brits covered that part, or just Masterpiece Theatre LOL, the British broadcast had the same thing. I think it was the stragetically placed latch on the door. Loved the look on the maid's face. :-)"}, {"response": 111, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 14, 2001 (13:36)", "body": "From Ananova, there must've been a press release: Stephen Dillane returns to West End in Life After George Stephen Dillane returns to the West End next February to play the title role in Life After George. The play's central character is a dead person called George whose three ex-wives have gathered together to discuss his funeral arrangements. It takes the form of a series of flashbacks showing George at various stages of his academic career. It was written by Australian playwright Hannie Rayson. Michael Blakemore directs and the supporting cast includes Cheryl Campbell and Joanne Pearce."}, {"response": 112, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Nov 14, 2001 (14:05)", "body": "Really good supporting cast, sounds like one to catch."}, {"response": 113, "author": "aishling", "date": "Thu, Nov 15, 2001 (04:20)", "body": "15th November 2001 - What's on Stage News Blakemore Brings Dillane & George to Duchess Award-winning stage and screen actor Stephen Dillane (pictured) will return to the West End in February to star in Life After George, a new play by Australian playwright Hannie Rayson. The production, directed by Michael Blakemore follows Joe Penhall's Blue Orange into the Duchess Theatre from 19 February 2002. Life After George concerns a charismatic professor, Peter George, whose three wives meet up to arrange his funeral. The women represent the fulcrum of the professor's free-loving life, from the carefree 1960s to the present day. The play unfolds in a series of flashbacks, told from the perspectives of the women who shared in three different eras of his life. Dillane will play the deceased professor, while Cheryl Campbell and Joanna Pearce will feature as two of his wives. Other casting has not yet been announced. Dillane began his working life as a journalist before attending the Bristol Old Vic School. His theatre credits include the lead in Peter Hall's 1994 production of Hamlet and Angels in America. He was last seen opposite Jennifer Ehle in the 1999 Donmar Warehouse revival of Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing, which later transferred to the West End and Broadway. The much-lauded production garnered numerous accolades, including a Tony Award and Olivier nomination of Best Actor for Dillane. On television, the actor has appeared in The Rector's Wife, while films have included Sarajevo and Firelight. Director Michael Blakemore is currently enjoying great success with the transfer of his multi award-winning Broadway hit Kiss Me Kate at the Victoria Palace. His other recent credits include the National's Copenhagen (another multi award winner, on both sides of the Atlantic), Alarms and Excursions and Mr Peters' Connections. Life After George is produced by Michael Codron."}, {"response": 114, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 15, 2001 (07:58)", "body": "Given Blackmore's history of taking shows back and forth across the Atlantic, wonder if this one stands a chance of coming to NY since its never played there. I suppose it will depend on how well it is received and if Anita and/or Harvey like it. ;-)"}, {"response": 115, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 15, 2001 (12:54)", "body": "Gaah! It just hit me (must be rather slow today) that Stephen's play might have been going on when we were *supposed* to be in London for something else. Rats! Double Rats!! :-("}, {"response": 116, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Nov 15, 2001 (13:32)", "body": "Much Gnashing of teeth from both sides of the pond Karen :-("}, {"response": 117, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Nov 15, 2001 (21:12)", "body": "Oh, now I have to get depressed all over again. Am not a happy camper about sitting home come February. This one sounds like great material for Stephen. Brings back fond memories of seeing TRT, laughing myself silly, and meeting Jennifer afterwards. BTW, is this a good time to admit that I've stuck with The Cazalets and that it's really grown on me?;-) Still soapy, but very interesting soap! Can't believe Edward hit on his daughter again. And was that dear-but-apparently-not-departed Rupert I saw in the preview for the final episode? His wife's character (Zoe?) has really grown and matured."}, {"response": 118, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 15, 2001 (22:21)", "body": "I've stuck with it too. Couldn't believe it either that Eddie hit on Louise again. What a letch (sp?)!"}, {"response": 119, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Fri, Nov 16, 2001 (03:17)", "body": "Couldn't believe it either that Eddie hit on Louise again. She should have just closed her eyes and enjoyed it. ;-) Joanna Pearce on left (playing Ophelia with Branagh), Cheryl Campbell on right"}, {"response": 120, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Fri, Nov 16, 2001 (03:36)", "body": "I misspelled a name, it is Joanne Pearce, not Joanna. Joanne\ufffds recent theatre credits include: \ufffdAncient Lights\ufffd, \ufffdA Place at the Table\ufffd, \ufffdShang-a-lang\ufffd, \ufffdUnsuitable for Adults\ufffd and \ufffdLove Field\ufffd and \ufffdArcadia\ufffd. Her work with the Royal Shakespeare Company includes: \ufffdLittle Eyolf\ufffd, \ufffdCymbeline\ufffd, \ufffdHamlet\ufffd and \ufffdHenry IV\ufffd. Television includes \ufffdSilent Witness\ufffd, \ufffdLovejoy\ufffd and \ufffdWay Upstream\ufffd. Film work: \ufffdMorons From Outer Space\ufffd, \ufffdWhoops Apocalypse\ufffd, \ufffdMurder East, Murder West\ufffd, and \ufffdFalling Star\ufffd. Here's another pic of Cheryl Campbell and some good reviews of her in The Seagull: http://members.aol.com/dramaddict/ETTcgull.htm (Notice Mark Bazaley (Cazalets and original Billy in TRT) on that page.)"}, {"response": 121, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 16, 2001 (10:26)", "body": "Mark Bazeley looks different with a beard (Michael Hadley (artist in Cazalets). I too think Cazalets are intriguing. Though I wonder where all the relationships are going. I really like that era. A review of Gosford Park commented: ..\" illuminates a society and a way of life on the verge of extinction\". A real turning point in the British class system.It was never the same after War."}, {"response": 122, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Nov 20, 2001 (11:30)", "body": "Did anyone watch the end of The Cazalets last night? Talk about an abrupt ending! We're never told if Rupert made it back. And wasn't Zoe's reaction to receiving his note a bit nonplussed? \"Oh, good, he's alive.\" That was it. Lots of plot points left hanging. Are they doing more episodes??"}, {"response": 123, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Tue, Nov 20, 2001 (12:11)", "body": "Are they doing more episodes?? This was posted at VV: The BBC had originally planned on airing 11 hours, with the first 6 filmed in 2000 and aired this year. The remaining 5 hours were to have been filmed this year and aired next year, and would have tied up the loose ends. But the project was cancelled after the first 6 hours were filmed and before they were broadcast in the UK. No real explanation was given, so we don't really know whether it was due to budgets, perceived ratings, or availability of actors, or other."}, {"response": 124, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 20, 2001 (14:55)", "body": "(Lauren)The BBC had originally planned on airing 11 hours,..... But the project was cancelled after the first 6 hours were filmed and before they were broadcast in the UK. You'd think they'd have the decency to tell us that at the beginning. One of the B's in BBC must stand for \"Bahstards\"!"}, {"response": 125, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov 20, 2001 (17:31)", "body": "I knew there was a reason for me not to watch. I would be fuming too!"}, {"response": 126, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 20, 2001 (18:17)", "body": "Haven't caught up on my Cazelets yets so will shield my eyes (wot?! incomplete storyline!) No glimpse of SD at the LA premiere of Spy Game on E! News Daily. Wonder if there will be a \"Making of...\" on one of the cable channels. Nothing listed that I can find through the end of November, but that doesn't preclude it being shown after Dec 1 sometime."}, {"response": 127, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 21, 2001 (10:23)", "body": "French website has three exclusive clips (Quicktime) from Spy Game: http://www.cinemovies.fr/films/spy_game/ba/dossier/main.htm plus this pic:"}, {"response": 128, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Nov 21, 2001 (13:12)", "body": "Thanks for the info, Lauren. Hard to believe they'd film only a portion of the books. If anyone here has read them, can you tell me if Rupert comes back and if so, does he go back to Zoe? What about the injured fellow she's been reading to? Does Edward's wife discover his philandering? Does the daughter's marriage to the artist work out?"}, {"response": 129, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov 24, 2001 (10:44)", "body": "I just caught up with The Cazalet gang last night, and I didn't think the ending was all that elusive. Rupert obviously is still alive...recovering in France from his broken leg. He and Zoe will reunite.Clary believes it.The veteran in hospital loses out on Zoe, but is recovering from surgery. The pacifist kid is recovering with the dog.Louise and Michael get married. Sybil checks out as we all knew. Rachael and Sid will have to deal with a platonic relationship.Mrs Cripps (maid)and Tonbridge are going to hook -up. Edward will go on to new conquests and Villy (stupid woman) will let him. Diana will deal with baby and chuck Edward. What struck me as I finished 5 hrs of this stuff...is what a vacuous existence they all lived.Did they just spend their days walking around the grounds , waiting for the next meal? Actually, I was glad BBC didn't expand it to 12 episodes. I had enough. Going to see Spy Games this weekend."}, {"response": 130, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Nov 25, 2001 (06:44)", "body": "Look forward to your report on that one Evelyn. Had mixed reviews, especially for RR here."}, {"response": 131, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 26, 2001 (09:50)", "body": "Saw Spy Games this weekend. Really enjoyed it. Not subtle, but a rapid-fire action, US variety spy-thriller...car chases, buildings blown-up. Robert Redford, even with the craggily face, has not lost that charisma; still this is not a \"pretty -boy\",drooly movie despite Brad Pitt. SD plays a smug and arrogant young administrator with CIA.Interesting trans-Atlantic accent. Reminded me of RF's in \"Quiz Show\". Superb acting all around.Has gotten v. positive reviews in the US, but it's the type of film that would go here."}, {"response": 132, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Mon, Nov 26, 2001 (10:27)", "body": "Snippets of reviews: The Mail - \"Particularly impressive is another Brit, Stephen Dillane, playing an ambitious, humourless CIA apparatchik. Dillane's American accent seems a little wobbly at first but his facial expressions are an understated treat: delicious and, I hope, careertransforming.\" Independent - \"sniffy superior Stephen Dillane\", \"dastardly Dillane\" The Times - \"a marvellously slimy Stephen Dillane\" MSNBC - \"The movie has a deck of good actors, like Stephen Dillane\" THR - \"At Langley, the good cop/bad cop routine is played expertly by Larry Bryggman's Troy Folger and Stephen Dillane's Charles Harker, one an old-school spy and the other a sharp bureaucrat.\" Variety - \"Supporting actors are mainly cast for their faces and the attitudes they can quickly convey. Most crucially, given their significant time on-camera, Stephen Dillane, as Muir's chief agency adversary, and Larry Bryggman, as a more sympathetic inquisitor, register extremely well.\""}, {"response": 133, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Mon, Nov 26, 2001 (11:10)", "body": "Saw \"Spy Games\" this weekend and enjoyed it v. much also. Had no idea SD had so much screen time! I'm also a big fan of Larry Bryggman, so it was a really enjoyable experience. Not your run-of-the-mill spy movie."}, {"response": 134, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 26, 2001 (13:00)", "body": "Had no idea SD had so much screen time! I know! You could not even tell by the previews that he was in the movie."}, {"response": 135, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 26, 2001 (13:06)", "body": "(Meredith) Had no idea SD had so much screen time! Yeah...he had a lot more than Catherine Mc Cormack. Got gypped on the fourth billing. BTW how come this film got an R rating? I didn't see any R-stuff;-(("}, {"response": 136, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 26, 2001 (14:51)", "body": "(Evelyn) Not subtle, but a rapid-fire action, US variety spy-thriller...car chases, buildings blown-up Interesting! The little bit I've read (so as not to spoil) has indicated that this is more character-driven and less action-oriented. More in the LeCarre mode of spymanship than a Bond film. R stuff can also be language and violence. Will go to see it this week."}, {"response": 137, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 26, 2001 (18:25)", "body": "(Evelyn) Not subtle, but a rapid-fire action, US variety spy-thriller...car chases, buildings blown-up )Karen)Interesting! The little bit I've read (so as not to spoil) has indicated that this is more character-driven and less action-oriented. More in the LeCarre mode of spymanship than a Bond film. Like \"Traffic\" it takes place in several locations.Langley and China simultaneously. Berlin, Viet-Nam, Beirut,Hong Kong, London,in flash-back. The director constantly swishes you around to these places.The dialogue is clever,but this is Nathan Muir's (RR) picture. He gets the best lines."}, {"response": 138, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Nov 26, 2001 (19:41)", "body": "Thanks for the Spy Game reviews. Sounds like one I can take my son to see? The R rating can really be misleading sometimes. Not always easy to find films that hold your and your kids' interest. I liked K-Pax for that reason, but then again anytime Spacey and Bridges are on screen, it's a good thing. :-)"}, {"response": 139, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 27, 2001 (10:10)", "body": "(Mari)Sounds like one I can take my son to see? Hmmmmm. A little violence, no graphic sex ; I think he might be a little young for the subject matter.I'm liberal at this sort of stuff. Anybody else have an opinion?"}, {"response": 140, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Tue, Nov 27, 2001 (11:10)", "body": "(Evelyn) no graphic sex Pffft, no sex whatsoever! ;-) The R is mainly for language, I would think. Some violence, but if your son has seen other action flicks, this one is no different. But the storyline is not as straightforward as other action flicks, so a younger person might have trouble following the plot twists. Nevertheless, he would probably enjoy it. And *** SPOILERS *** are below regarding how The Cazalets ended. Someone had sent me this: THE CAZALETS - *** SPOILERS **** Rupurt stays in France through the war, living with the French farmer (seen in the last episode). He has a sexual/love relationship with the woman (whom we saw)and delays his return several months past the time when he could have come back. The British army actually calls him on the carpet for not coming back and not getting in touch with officials while he was in France. He actually did not want to come back. He arrives home and he and Zoe begin to readjust. They have a very difficult time and almost do not make it. While Rupurt was away, Zoe fell in love with the injured soldier, who eventually committed suicide (in the book, his name was Jack but I don't think that is what he was called in the series - or it was another man she loved which was in book 3. She never forgot him or ceased loving him, more than she ever did Rupurt. She realized her love for Rupurt was immature, etc. Eventually, however, she and Rupurt adjusted and began laying the foundation for the rest of their lives together. Louise and Hadleigh stay together about 4 years. While visiting N.Y. she realizes that she cannot stay with him. And he was making out with someone else. A couple other men unsuccessfully groped her. She was supposed to be a great beauty. She returned to England, leaving their child (whom she never wanted) with him. She took a bedsit apt. in London, got a job as a clerk and was looking into studying to try to get a better job. Diana began and continued to nag Edward to leave Vily and live with her. She now has 2 children - oldest maybe Edward's, 2nd one definitely his. She did not mention marriage for some time, but eventually included that in the nag. He promised and then never mentioned it to Vily, giving Diana various excuses. Eventually, he and Vily bought a smaller home in London and moved there with Roly. He never lived there and never intended to. On moving in, he told Vily he was leaving her and was going to move in with Diana immediately. Vily was taken completely by surprise. She had not a clue that he was philandering. She was devastated. In the last scene with Edward, he is sick in bed in his new home which he has bought for Diana. She has hired several servants and is spending like mad. He is having to dip into his principal to finance her and Vily. He has suffered a ruptured appendix and has been at death's door, but is now improving and able to sit up in bed but not get around. She has complete control over him and his visitors and has refused to let Louise visit him for several weeks. Eventually, Louise visits unannounced and gets in to him. He is wan and depressed looking. He brightens up when he sees Louise. He gives her his war medals and tells her to hide them and tell noone. Apparently Diana has him essentially as a prisoner. She comes in and tells Louise to leave and gives Edwards his orders. He is not a happy camper, and it doesn't look like it will get any better. Before he got sick, he was staying late at work and on business trips; she was calling to check his hotel, etc. Well, you know, what goes around, comes around. The Brig has died and all move away from Sussex. Clary sort of floats around, having deep thoughts and feelings, and getting pregnant by some young hippie who is living with and laying several girls. In the very end she realizes she is in love with Archie and he has found his love for her the same week. Archie is Rupurt's army buddy who visited the Cazalets at Sussex at the end of the series. He has developed as sort of a family confident. They are to get married."}, {"response": 141, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 27, 2001 (14:21)", "body": "WOW...looks like we missed the best part of this soap. IMO BBC should have just give a voice -overnarrative for the beginning and televised the last 5 episodes. Zoe was really after Rupert's money from the beginning.And Rupert was lonesome for his deceased wife. Maybe Hugh and Villy hooked up. Wonder what happened to the pacificist? Am glad for Clary:-)) Thanks Lauren."}, {"response": 142, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Tue, Nov 27, 2001 (14:59)", "body": "LOL. My friend just sent me the last installment of The Cazalet SPOILERS: *** SPOILERS *** Vily lived til end with Roly & the old governess. She whined and complained and eventually grouped with Sid and Rachael in setting up some sort of clothing store. Was much happier and doing quite well. She felt liberated. Hugh remained a grieving widower for years. Eventually began to have feelings for a new secretary in his part of the family business. He and Edward were never close after he (Hugh) tried to talk Edward out of the affair with Duckface. Implications were that he would come alive again and marry the secretary. The pacifist cousin more or less petered out. He lived in a camper and did good things and thought good thoughts. There were some side treks to Duckface's retarded brother, his employment in Edward's business; and Edward's son Teddy who married an American tart - 10 years his senior. He worked for the business but was paid minimum. Edward could not and would not help him more as they both were selfish and spoiled and Edward was feeling pinched in the funds dept. In the end (& to everyone's relief) Teddy's tart-wife left him to return to the good-ol-U S of A."}, {"response": 143, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 27, 2001 (17:03)", "body": "\" Edward's son Teddy who married an American tart \" Would this have been the baby that was born to Edward and Villy or Edward and Duckface? Pl thank your friend, Lauren.I feel you should send this ending to PBS and have them put it on their website. Think of all the viewers who are in total misery;-)"}, {"response": 144, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Tue, Nov 27, 2001 (19:49)", "body": "I feel you should send this ending to PBS and have them put it on their website. LOL, in that case we need to add more smut. :-) Teddy was a teenage boy in the family when the story began, so he was Villy's son. He was only briefly seen because he was usually away at school."}, {"response": 145, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  2, 2002 (08:33)", "body": "Martin Grove's column in THR goes over the year's film release schedule: October: Films based on best selling novels come into the marketplace with added familiarity that's helpful in attracting media attention. That will add to the potential for Paramount's drama \"The Hours\" (Oct. 4), based on a book that imagines a link between Virginia Woolf writing in London in 1923, a bored L.A. housewife in the '50s and a third woman who's a present day poet in New York. Directed by Stephen Daldry, its all-star cast includes Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore, Ed Harris and Claire Danes."}, {"response": 146, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  2, 2002 (08:35)", "body": "(Ooops, should've kept reading before I posted...continuing the October rollouts) Remakes of hit movies always attract media attention, but they also can attract unfavorable comparisons. That was, for example, exactly what happened with Sydney Pollack's 1995 remake of \"Sabrina,\" starring Harrison Ford, Julia Ormond and Greg Kinnear. The 1954 original, of course, was directed by Billy Wilder and starred Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn and William Holden. Universal's dark comedy \"The Truth About Charlie\" (Oct. 11), a remake of the classic 1963 comedy thriller \"Charade,\" will give critics a new opportunity to praise or damn. The new film is directed by Jonathan Demme and stars Mark Wahlberg, Thandie Newton and Tim Robbins. The original, directed by Stanley Donen, starred Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, Walter Matthau and James Coburn."}, {"response": 147, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 16, 2002 (09:38)", "body": "The Parole Officer available to buy in March Steve Coogan's The Parole Officer will be available to buy from March 11. The film is being released on both video and DVD. The Parole Officer is available to pre-order with a 10% discount from Ananova's ecommerce partner Blackstar at \ufffd12.89 on video and \ufffd16.69 on DVD. http://www.ananova.com/entertainment/story/sm_496518.html?menu ="}, {"response": 148, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Feb 22, 2002 (03:11)", "body": "Review by Michael Coveney of Daily Mail. Verdict: Theatrical surprise in tale of an academic Lothario 4 star rating Peter George, the academic hero of Hannie Rayson\ufffds award winning Australian play, is a colonial cousin of Malcolm Bradbury\ufffds womanising History Man. He is also the son of a Newcastle miner, and is now dead, having crashed his light aircraft on Flinders Island, near Melbourne University, where he has taught history since 1969. Life after George recaps his life with three wives and one daughter at the moment they gather to remember him. Michael Blakemore\ufffds involving and alertly performed production is the first real surprise package of the new West End season. At its heart is a furious row between George and his second wife, Lindsay (deep-voiced, lip-trembling Joanne Pearce), about what is happening in universities all over the world. Students are allowed to choose vocational courses. George erupts in fury. Instead of educated citizens, the university is producing corporate fodder. This is the centre of Stephen Dillane\ufffds unshowy yet hypnotic performance as the philandering George, a man for whom hope is a moral responsibility and sensuality a proof of existence. Cheryl Campbell and Ann Wilson-Jones as the other wives \ufffd one wise and embittered, the other dewy-eyed with devotion \ufffd come at him in a pincer movement of affection and accusation. A bright new play, a feast of good acting. Bravo! Pic of a bearded Stephen with Anna Wilson-Jones"}, {"response": 149, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Fri, Feb 22, 2002 (04:45)", "body": "Doing naked dance of joy."}, {"response": 150, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 22, 2002 (07:01)", "body": "Wow! Sounds great. (What is it with these male critics and their fixation on lip-quiverers?) ;-)"}, {"response": 151, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 22, 2002 (09:24)", "body": "\" This is the centre of Stephen Dillane?s unshowy yet hypnotic performance as the philandering George, \" [My bolds] Way to go Stephen!! Psst...Stephen...how about getting a \"normal guy\" role some time"}, {"response": 152, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Feb 26, 2002 (10:48)", "body": "Thanks for posting the reviews. Can't wait ;-)"}, {"response": 153, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 27, 2002 (08:18)", "body": "A quasi-review (mainly just effusive impressions vs a review) of The Hours at AICN: http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=11614 Absolutely no mention of SD or the storylines, just how brilliant all the actresses are and this: \"Being a woman myself, I'm not 100% sure how men will respond to the film. I saw a lot of men leaving the screening, shaking their heads. I was shaking mine too, but it was to try and stop crying. What an amazing women's picture!!!\""}, {"response": 154, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 10, 2002 (08:20)", "body": "Three write-ups of the first test screening of The Truth About Charlie (Charade remake) held in Philly. No mention of SD but plenty of dissing of Wahlberg, like that's a surprise. http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=11958"}, {"response": 155, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Wed, Apr 10, 2002 (22:39)", "body": "Well Thandie better be wearing a gorgeous wardrobe, or I'll really be upset. :-/"}, {"response": 156, "author": "susanne", "date": "Thu, Apr 11, 2002 (11:01)", "body": "There is a review of The Hours at Oscar Central. http://www.oscarcentral.com/"}, {"response": 157, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 11, 2002 (17:42)", "body": "WOW ! Glowing review.But hey we wanna know about our Stephen!!"}, {"response": 158, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 19, 2002 (08:43)", "body": "Our thanks to Aishling who found this in today's Daily Mail...from Baz (who else?) \"Trevor Nunn this week started rehearsing the large ensemble cast, led by Stephen Dillane, of Tom Stoppard's trilogy The Coast of Utopia at the National Theatre. The playwright told me his plays follow a group of Russian immigrants in the 19th century. The works are called Voyage, Shipwreck and Salvage, and the trilogy beings June 27th - although there will be occasions when all three plays are staged in one day\" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TS has been writng this one for years. Much anticipated. Way to go Steverino....\"large ensemble cast\"....I'm all ears."}, {"response": 159, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 19, 2002 (08:47)", "body": "Don't you think SD's previous experience portraying Karenin should help out? ;-D All kidding aside, this sounds wonderful. After how well SD did with the role of Henry in TRT, I wouldn't be surprised if Stoppard considered him the actor most likely to portray his alter ego characters. Many writer/directors have established such relationships with actors. To be known as Stoppard's hand-picked actor would be a real coup."}, {"response": 160, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 25, 2002 (10:19)", "body": "Another test screening review of All About Charlie: http://www.the-trades.com/column.php?columnid=1111 Interesting that the reviewer makes no mention of original film and how it was able to blend suspense with \"believable\" romance. Loved how he says about Wahlberg: \"His character seems so flat and predictable, which is hard to comprehend since his character is supposed to be so multi-layered. He hinders the progress of the film.\" But then, he completely misses the boat when he makes this statement: \"The story was interesting and suspenseful, but a few key elements detracted from making \"The Truth About Charlie\" a memorable film. First, at least two key characters had several different names in the film, and none of them were clearly defined, nor did the audience get to know just what these characters' cohorts knew about them and their different pseudonyms.\" Who can forget the ending of Charade when Audrey Hepburn says, \"I love you Adam, Alex, Peter, Brian, whatever your name is.\" Plus how cute it was each time he would tell her a new name and she would ask if there was a Mrs. Whatever. No mention of Charlie again."}, {"response": 161, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 25, 2002 (12:29)", "body": "Anna Karenina is going to show on my PBS on May 20 &27."}, {"response": 162, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 26, 2002 (07:58)", "body": "From Ananova: Tom Stoppard trilogy to play at the National Stephen Dillane will head the 30-strong cast of a trilogy of plays by Sir Tom Stoppard at the National Theatre this summer. Under the title The Coast Of Utopia, the trilogy focuses on three people over 25 turbulent years in 19th century Russia. The cast will also include John Carlisle, currently appearing in The Forsyte Saga on TV, Eve Best, Guy Henry, Douglas Henshall and Janine Duvitski. The plays will be staged both separately and together on special seven-hour trilogy days."}, {"response": 163, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 26, 2002 (09:04)", "body": "...together on special seven-hour trilogy days. Bring a cush for your tusch;-) Would love to see this. Go Steverino!"}, {"response": 164, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May  1, 2002 (08:10)", "body": "A friend sent me this: Top Stoppard Trilogy At The National 29/04/2002 by Paul Webb One of Britain's most distinguished playwrights, Sir Tom Stoppard, will return centre-stage with the production of the trilogy of plays that Trevor Nunn commissioned him to write for the National. Under the overall heading of The Coast of Utopia, the three plays - which Nunn will direct - are: Voyage, Shipwreck and Salvage. These three sequential plays tell an epic story of romantics and revolutionaries caught up in the struggle for political freedom in Tsarist Russia, beginning in the reign of Nicholas I - a ruler noted for his repressive attitude to politics and intellectual freedom. The main characters are the idealist and anarchist Michael Bakunin (played by Douglas Henshall) who was to challenge Marx (played by Paul Ritter) for the soul of the masses; Ivan Turgenev (played by Guy Henry) author of some of the most enduring works in Russian literature; the brilliant, erratic young critic Vissarion Belinsky (played by Will Keen) and Alexander Herzen (played by Stephen Dillane, who won the 1999 Evening Standard Best Actor award for the revival of Stoppard's The Real Thing at the Donmar Warehouse), a nobleman's son and the first self-proclaimed socialist in Russian history, who become the main focus of a drama of politics, love, loss and betrayal. The action, involving more than fifty characters, takes in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Paris, Nice and London. The epic nature of the plays and the intellectual and political ideas that are represented within them rely on the erudition of the playwright as well as his skill with words, and Stoppard's extraordinary ability to write about philosophy and abstract ideas, bringing in discussions of rareified artistic movements or mathematical probabilities into challenging but witty and well-plotted plays, makes him uniquely suited to this task. That he has a lightness of touch that makes a string of literary and cultural allusions enetrtaining, in the exact opposite of the current trend for dumbing down in order to make literature 'accessible', was demonstrated in Shakespeare in Love, the multiple Oscar-winning film starring Joseph Fiennes and Gywneth Paltrow, (which earned Stoppard an Oscar for the screenplay and Judi Dench one for her role as Elizabeth I), about a fictional romance between the young Shakespeare and an Elizabethan lady, which sparks the writing of both Romeo and Juliet and Twelfth Night. Shakespeare was the inspiration for Stoppard's first commecial success, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead; with his customary intellectual and verbal fireworks he imagined Hamlet as seen from the perspective of two hapless minor characters who lose their lives in the course of Shakespeare's greatest play. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead was produced, in 1967, by the National Theatre (then at the Old Vic), thus beginning an association with the National that further developed in the 1970s with the NT's productions of Jumpers and Travesties. Stoppard's other plays have included his sophisticated spoof on The Mousetrap and similar plays, The Real Inspector Hound (seen last year in a 1960s double bill at the Comedy Theatre with Peter Shaffer's Black Comedy). More recently, Arcadia, set in a Regency country house and looking at the nature of literary critcism, poetry and mathematics, and Indian Ink, a play which looked at the inter-action between British and Indian cultures, and was partly based on his wartime evacuation as a child to India. For all his Englishness, the product of a middle-class childhood in colonial Singapore and the British Raj, Stoppard was born in Czechoslovakia, and there is a very central European feel to his interest in philosophy and the world of ideas. This connection also resulted in a passionate interest in the plight of dissidents behind the Iron Curtain during the period of Communist regimes in Eastern Europe, and he worked closely with organisations like Index on Censorship and Amnesty International. Few playwrights would have the background or interest to write a trilogy based on Imperial Russian history and literature. Stoppard, however, is certain to justify Trevor Nunn's commission, and the act of commissioning is in itself a proof that the idea that Nunn has somehow lowered the tone at the National by produccing a handful of hit musicals (including Oklahoma!, South Pacific and My Fair Lady) is clearly unfair. This collaboration between two of the most distingusihed men in their fields over the last thirty-five years has produced the most eagerly-awaited (intellectually) heavyweight plays in London, and is likely to prove one of the highlights of Nunn's period as Director of the National, as well as giving theatre audiences a triple-whammy of Sir Tom Stoppard's sparkling and thought-provoking stagecraft. Previews for Voyage start on 27th June, Shipwreck on 8 July, and Salvage on 19th July. Press day for the trilogy is 3rd August. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chat "}, {"response": 165, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (08:14)", "body": "An early review (sort of) on The Hours: http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=12328"}, {"response": 166, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (08:39)", "body": "\"Sort of\" is right...\"Great perfomances, stately camera movements, atmosperhic music, one of the ten best....but won't sell\" huh??"}, {"response": 167, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (09:09)", "body": "A more detailed commentary on The Hours at AICN, but this might be an earlier version of the film. http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=12387"}, {"response": 168, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 24, 2002 (14:17)", "body": "Coast of Utopia page is up: http://fp.enter.net/~purrfect/coast.htm It seems Tom Stoppard has been writing this play for years....5? Sounds like his most ambitious yet. The plays will no doubt join the canon of British greats.A coup for Stephen to play Alexander Herzen in the inaugural production."}, {"response": 169, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (09:33)", "body": "Another test screening review of The Hours at AICN: http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=12614 The acting in this movie is, as expected, phenomenal on everyone\ufffds part. Everyone is a well thought out, intense, character. Everyone stands out in this movie, men and women. Nicole is completely unrecognizable under the makeup job they did. The only reason I knew it was her was because I checked out who she was playing before hand. She takes on a total transformation in body and voice. Everyone gives an oscar caliber performance. This movie is full of oscar moments. Everyone does something amazing in this movie."}, {"response": 170, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (10:35)", "body": "\". I liken this movie to Schindler?s List. It?s a movie I enjoyed thoroughly, but will never watch again for fear of killing my self. Get what I?m saying? Heavy, heavy stuff.\" OMG. This one sounds like a winner.Courageous of this cast to take this one on. David Hare script, Phillip Glass music....WOW"}, {"response": 171, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  5, 2002 (09:16)", "body": "National Theater Stages Stoppard Marathon Sat Aug 3, 6:33 PM ET LONDON (Reuters) - The National Theater on Saturday completed a nine-hour, three-part play in a marathon sell-out session, ending with three curtain calls and a standing ovation, a theater spokeswoman said. With meal breaks, the world premiere of a new work by the Czech-born, British playwright Tom Stoppard lasted a punishing 12 hours. An estimated 1,000 people attended all three parts of the trilogy in the 1,300 seat Olivier auditorium, with others coming to watch just one or two of the play's parts, the spokeswoman said. The atmosphere at the end of the performance was \"exhausted but elated,\" she added. Stoppard's \"The Coast of Utopia\" is made up of three self-contained, but sequential plays which trace a group of 19th century Russian radicals caught in a struggle for political freedom. The production, described by theater bosses as \"unbelievably demanding,\" saw 30 actors playing 70 parts. Backroom staff fitted 416 costumes and 96 wigs. Stoppard, whose other works include \"Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead,\" said his latest work had snowballed from an original idea for a single play. \"I began to think I would need two plays,\" he told the Daily Telegraph. \"Then I thought, let's go for broke.\" The back-to-back performance is booked for another eight appearances, though those lacking the nerve for an all-day event can catch each part of the trilogy in separate shows."}, {"response": 172, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Mon, Aug  5, 2002 (21:58)", "body": "An exquisite review in the Financial Times by Alastair Macaulay. Some excerpts: ... I find this trilogy beautiful. Watching it for the first time, I found many passages when, while watching, I could not have said what each play was \"about\", where I could not see where Stoppard was heading; but, after the first play's first half-hour or so, I was happy just luxuriating in the sheer texture of the scenes Stoppard sets before us... I fell in love with the trilogy during a scene in Act One of Voyage (Part One) when eight different characters are spread across the stage, sitting and talking, all on different wavelengths, about poetry, the weather, philosophy, romance, and the history of a penknife. The scene becomes important later when Belinsky bursts into a passionate speech, but I was already in its thrall. \"It restores one's faith in theatre\", said my companion. Trevor Nunn's National Theatre production is superlative... Virtually all the acting is of a very high order, and most of the leading roles take their actors to new peaks in their careers. Guy Henry (Turgenev), Will Keen (Belinsky), Douglas Henshall (Bakunin), John Carlyle, Eve Best, Lucy Whybrow, Charlotte Emmerson, Raymond Coulthard, Felicity Dean all do superbly, and Stephen Dillane, apparently acting with that complete relaxation that Gielgud said was crucial to great acting, makes Herzen the heartbeat of the trilogy, as marvellously natural when he is just listening in a chair as when he is racked by the most powerful emotion. The meanings of the play cohere as you watch, not as narrative but as poetry, and keep growing in recollection."}, {"response": 173, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  5, 2002 (23:12)", "body": "and Stephen Dillane, apparently acting with that complete relaxation that Gielgud said was crucial to great acting, makes Herzen the heartbeat of the trilogy, as marvellously natural when he is just listening in a chair as when he is racked by the most powerful emotion. This is wonderful to read, being singled out like that. Douglas Henshall (Bakunin) Oh dear, he's playing a Russian again. Wonder if he's tamed his Scottish accent this time. ;-)"}, {"response": 174, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug  6, 2002 (09:26)", "body": "\"makes Herzen the heartbeat of the trilogy, \" What an accolade for an actor. \"Coast\" sounds like a winner all around.So happy for him after the creepy reviews Life After George received. Matt Wolf come through yet with a review? SD is his poster boy. Nice to have a critic who appreciates your work."}, {"response": 175, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Tue, Aug  6, 2002 (10:36)", "body": "(Karen) Wonder if he's tamed his Scottish accent this time. ;-) ROTF. (Evelyn) So happy for him after the creepy reviews Life After George received. LOL. Alastair Macaulay is the same critic whose review of LAG was entitled \"Play not good enough for its star\"."}, {"response": 176, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (08:40)", "body": "Part of a review of Simon Russell Beale's Uncle Vanya at the Donmar. Simon has been getting wonderful notices, as is this one from the Financial Times. But the critic also had a nice mention of Stephen's production from 1998. THE ARTS: Praise for a beloved 'Uncle' By Alastair Macaulay Financial Times; Sep 24, 2002 Simon Russell Beale comes to the role of Chekhov's 47-year-old Uncle Vanya only 12 years after he played definitively, with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the 25-year-old Konstantin in The Seagull. The wonderful irony about Russell Beale is that, as Vanya (and Konstantin, and in many other roles), he is lovable even where he is unloved. His Vanya has warmth, pathos, humour, vulnerability, practical good sense, sweetness. When he loses control and runs amok with a gun, it wrings the heart. And he has the imagination that distinguishes the finest actors. London has seen first-rate Vanyas in the past 14 years - Michael Gambon, Ian McKellen, Stephen Dillane - and there have been others elsewhere (notably Wallace Shawn in Vanya on 42nd Street). I don't give Russell Beale first prize among these stars - the memory of Dillane's motionless pain in the final act of Katie Mitchell's 1998 Young Vic is still fresh in my memory..."}, {"response": 177, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (09:39)", "body": "Nice mention? I'd say more than that. So many of Stephen's stage appearances have left indellible images on the critics minds. v. impressive"}, {"response": 178, "author": "EllenAsh", "date": "Sun, Nov 24, 2002 (16:20)", "body": "Oh, thank heaven. A discussion board for someone who is intelligent, wry and handsome in an off-kilter way. :) I liked him lots in \"The Rector's Wife.\" I saw part of \"Firelight.\" An old Rickman fan, I applaud the daring theatre roles -- even though I can't hop a plane to London. Nice to know someone else uses both heart and head, as well as the rest of himself. Keep the reviews coming. :) Is it just me, or do the photos at the top of this board refuse to load for other people? Even after hitting \"Refresh\"? Please check the links. Thanks."}, {"response": 179, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 24, 2002 (16:44)", "body": "It's very possible that the pics were taken down from the other site, where they originated. If, when you right click, to \"view the image\" and you get an error message page, then you know the pic isn't there anymore."}, {"response": 180, "author": "EllenAsh", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (11:50)", "body": "\"Duckface\" wouldn't happen to be an actress I'd recognize from \"4WA1F\" or \"Gosford Park\"?"}, {"response": 181, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (15:55)", "body": "4 Weddings, yes.Not Gosford Park... Miss Bingley in P&P, Glynnis in WAGW,"}, {"response": 182, "author": "susanne", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (12:07)", "body": "Excerpt from a review of The Hours. The review can be found at: http://www.thehotbutton.com/today/hot.button/index.html \"As great as the trio of actresses is, it is the supporting performances that really shine here. Alison Janney, Claire Danes and John C., Reilly are great. But Stephen Dillane , Miranda Richardson, Ed Harris and Collette are each worth the price of admission all by themselves.\" drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 147, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 148, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 149, "subject": "Bridget Jones's Diary - nowhere near the edge of reason (Part 4)", "response_count": 1635, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Fri, Jun 15, 2001 (23:58)", "body": "Always wanted to be either #1 or #1999 on one of these things, so here's my chance. Sorry to hear about your car, KJArt, but at least you had ODB to comfort you. Just imagine yourself and CF in rain after your car died, with CF wrapping his raincoat protectively around you. Now there's an image to warm your cockles--and some other parts as well!"}, {"response": 2, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, Jun 16, 2001 (14:45)", "body": "Yes and I am sure you weren't \" Ever so slightly less elegant under pressure.\" either Moon. Hope someone retreived your headscarf;-D"}, {"response": 3, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Jun 16, 2001 (16:27)", "body": "(LouiseJ) Just imagine yourself and CF in rain after your car died, with CF wrapping his raincoat protectively around you. Now there's an image to warm your cockles--and some other parts as well! Yes, I believe it was something like that... My cockles are truly toasty!! Thanks, Louise! ;-) KJ"}, {"response": 4, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Jun 17, 2001 (17:35)", "body": "A piece of advice: If your cockles get too overheated, rub them gently with dry ice! ;-) KJ"}, {"response": 5, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Jun 18, 2001 (12:39)", "body": "Sorry about your car KJ, and having to brave all that discomfort. I hope you get a new car soon. Only a Toyota - or a Rolls - would live 24 years anyway ;-)"}, {"response": 6, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Wed, Jun 20, 2001 (15:15)", "body": "Well, I had a serious BJ moment yesterday - I just got a new cellphone that has a clippy-dealie that you can use to clip it on your waistband or whatever. I had it clipped on my pocket as I was leaving work; I had to get home, grab some stuff, and drive up to SF for a concert. As I was quickly walking down the street, with my regular bag and bag of cellphone paraphenalia and remains of my lunch, the cellphone kept on slipping around so it would get sideways on my pocket. I felt so needlessly pretentious trying to arrange my cellphone and everything, and \"Shut up please, I am very busy and important\" kept going through my head. :)"}, {"response": 7, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Wed, Jun 20, 2001 (15:25)", "body": "I was hoping there'd be BJD calendar this year from the folks at calcom.uk.com (they make those huge UK calendars) but I just got this reply: I am sorry, but I don't think we will have a Bridget Jones Calendar or Colin Firth for 2002. Our preliminary lists from the suppliers do not include either of these titles. We have never had a Colin Firth calendar on our listings, but do keep an eye on the website once the new products are added (a little later in the year), just in case something is added to the list as a late arrival. V. sad. I had high hopes for this one. And it looks like this will be the last week for BJD in its last 2 theatres in Edmonton. On the bright side, I'll save money going to the cheap theatres; or not save money and see the movie twice as often!"}, {"response": 8, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Jun 21, 2001 (09:35)", "body": "(Bryonny)I'll save money going to the cheap theatres; or not save money and see the movie twice as often! I know what my choice would be! Actually, for me, it isn't so much about how much money I'm spending to see BJD, it's the ridicule I have to take from my friends. My DH is very patient about this, but I think he'll be glad to see BJD leave the theaters. However, he does expect that I will be glued to the TV as soon as the video/DVD comes out! I think BJD is at the end of its run in NJ, too. It's in very few theaters, with only one or two showings each day. I live in an area of huge malls and multiplex theaters, and I don't think there are any \"second-run\" theaters near me to take BJD through another viewing cycle. (My sister-in-law says that the second-run theater near her already has Pearl Harbor, but not BJD. I'm not sure what that means, though.)"}, {"response": 9, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Jun 21, 2001 (09:38)", "body": "And about calendars--I doubt that ODB would go for that. He has a jaundiced view of fame, and I think he'd feel strange knowing that he was on a calendar. He might be willing to be part of a BJD calendar, as it wouldn't be just him (OK, so for us, it is all about HIM). Actually, he might not have a choice about BJD-related merchandising. Can't the movie producers can do what they want with anything from the film??"}, {"response": 10, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun 21, 2001 (11:02)", "body": "he might not have a choice about BJD-related merchandising. That's right, bring on the MD, BJ and DC dolls! And make them anotomically correct. ;-))))))"}, {"response": 11, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jun 21, 2001 (16:39)", "body": "BJD is still at number 4 in the UK Box Office and still showing at almost the same number of screens as a few weeks go. At \ufffd38.6million it seems set to overtake \"The Full Monty\" as the most successful British movie ever. BJD the Book is still at No 1, and TEOR is up to No 4 (nice to see that a lot of people are discovering that TEOR is a very enjoyable read...it got undeservedly poor (jealous?) reviews when it first came out. The soundtack is also, I think, number 1. For once, we're actually supporting our own. \"The Mummy\", by contrast, has only taken \ufffd18 million."}, {"response": 12, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 21, 2001 (17:16)", "body": "Congratulations Bethan.I bet Renee is really smiling away. After all the early whining from the press ,who could have guessed that the UK public would keep that film up there. Incredible.They should be commended."}, {"response": 13, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun 21, 2001 (18:42)", "body": "I think BJD is at the end of its run in NJ, too. What part of our fair state do you live in, Kate? Or should I say, what exit? Yuk, yuk, yuk, a little Jersey humor there.;-) Down here, it's still playing in 15 theaters; the only difference from last week is that a few that were showing it on 2 screens are now down to one. Still getting decent crowds. Bethan, those UK numbers are phenomenal. I think it's close to $70 million here, which is considered very very good for a film of this type, but proportionately those UK figures are stratospheric. Let's see, that's about $130 million or so combined so far--on a film that cost in the mid $20 million range to make. It has to be one of the most profitable films out there this year, if not *the* most profitable. I hope hope hope CF does more Working Title films--for the most part, they make good, smart movies that the public actually wants to pay to see."}, {"response": 14, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Jun 21, 2001 (21:10)", "body": "(Mari)Or should I say, what exit? I HATE THAT JOKE!!!! I generally have a sense of humor about being from NJ (northern), but I really hate that particular joke! (Moon)That's right, bring on the MD, BJ and DC dolls! And make them anotomically correct. ;-)))))) Hmmm. I forsee a whole new round of Hugh-bashing. We might have to forgo the nickname \"Huge\"!!! ;-)"}, {"response": 15, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Jun 22, 2001 (05:57)", "body": "Who could have guessed that the UK public would keep that film up there. Incredible.They should be commended. Evelyn commends the UK public! Never thought I'd see the day ... but it is interesting - if you assume no repeat viewings, ONE IN TEN of our population has been to the cinema and seen the film, not just the 18-24 year olds who normally make up 50% of the cinema-going public but the whole population (babies and grandpas too). Maybe that 50% demographic will be different for 2001. Obviously the stars and the director and producers take credit, but I seriously think that this audience has been \"earned\" most by HF, who infiltrated BJ's character into the national consciousness over several years. The character, like the film, has been more of a word-of-mouth hit than a promotional coup. And that whole word-of-mouth thing builds up into a snowball effect. Here in London, in many circles, people have to \"confess\" to NOT having seen the film, and explain why!"}, {"response": 16, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 22, 2001 (09:02)", "body": "(Mark)Evelyn commends the UK public! Never thought I'd see the day .. ROTF, Mark. See how fair 'n square I am??? But watch this space when TIOBE is released;-))"}, {"response": 17, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Jun 22, 2001 (10:21)", "body": "(Mark)Here in London, in many circles, people have to \"confess\" to NOT having seen the film, and explain why! Bridget Jones, already a legend! :-)) Checked my paper this AM to find that BJD is still going in NJ, but on fewer screens. No theater in my county or any adjacent county still has it. Summer's here, kids are out of school. Atlantis, Shrek, and other such kid-friendly films are pushing r-rated Bridget out. Still, my newspaper still has the capsule review and a small ad. This week's ad says \"THIS WEEKEND, GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR INNER BRIDGET.\" the photo is just RZ, which is a good thing, because if they reduced the photo of the three stars to fit this ad, ODB's mother probably wouldn't recognize him!"}, {"response": 18, "author": "caribou", "date": "Fri, Jun 22, 2001 (14:52)", "body": "No ad, no picture, only one theater in our medium city. Sigh.:-( A girl could get used to seeing his picture in her newpaper every week."}, {"response": 19, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, Jun 22, 2001 (18:46)", "body": "6/22/01 No. of times seen BJD to date: 8 v.g. but must make resolution NOT to see it again until out on DVD ;-) BJD has now moved to the 32 seat theatre in my cineplex. Was actually a lot of fun, (since I seem to have memorized the f$%^ing movie ;-D) to observe audience reaction \"up close\" and personal. Theatre was reasonably full, and many patrons enjoyed it v. much and got caught up in the movie. Especially the guys. Many audible gasps during finger snapping episode. There was one \"oh sh*t\" from a female patron when DC showed up at birthday dinner. V. funny. I do have one observation and question: Doesn't MTV give annual awards for things like \"best screen kiss\" and the like? The ending snog in this movie absolutely would win hands down! Since I'm in that over 40 CF demographic, I am not up on MTV, so would appreciate a heads up from you younger folk, so that I can tape the awards show. ;-D"}, {"response": 20, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jun 22, 2001 (19:32)", "body": "(Mari) Or should I say, what exit? Yuk, yuk, yuk, a little Jersey humor there.;-) Stoppit. You are making me homesick. ;-) DH went moping off to see Pearl Harbor tonight. I refused (alas, BJD is no longer playing at that theater or I might have struck a deal with him). I saw absolutely nothing in the movie listings I cared to see--that is, down here at Exit 33 off the Beltway. ;-)"}, {"response": 21, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jun 23, 2001 (10:02)", "body": "Meredith, I think the current MTV awards are \"awarding\" earlier films like Gladiator. Maybe next year for BJD if that kiss has staying power for the MTV generation. I know it does for the VH-1 generation. BJD's been out of my area for 2 weeks now though it's still in one theater in the next county. Movie pickin's are very slim outside of the larger cities."}, {"response": 22, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Mon, Jun 25, 2001 (11:02)", "body": "Well, BJD is still in our big theatres even though more recent movies like \"Evolution\" have already been moved! I know I've seen BJD too much because I now spend most of my time watching all the background to see if I've missed anything. I laugh out loud during the \"book launch party\" as Natasha asks Salman Rushdie if his books are autobiographical. He says something along the lines of \"What an interesting question. No one has ever asked me that before.\" I'm sure he's been asked that plenty of times. He's either humoring her, or trying to hit on her. And I'm obviously desperate to find even more reasons to see the film again. ;-) Plus, I rented \"Nurse Betty\" the other day, and the Olivier \"P&P\"! I'll watch any obscure connection now to CF and BJD. :-)"}, {"response": 23, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Jun 25, 2001 (11:08)", "body": "(Bryonny)I know I've seen BJD too much because I now spend most of my time watching all the background to see if I've missed anything. I'll bet there are still *some* scenes where you haven't spent much time on the background! I'm thinking newspaper delivery, I'm thinking omelets, I'm thinking snogging in the snow... ;-)"}, {"response": 24, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Mon, Jun 25, 2001 (15:56)", "body": "I'll bet there are still *some* scenes where you haven't spent much time on the background! I'm thinking newspaper delivery, I'm thinking omelets, I'm thinking snogging in the snow... ;-) LOL! This is very true. I can't wait to be able to rewind with a remote control!I've been watching the 'good' parts of RV lately, and that rewind button is very handy. :-) Also, the fast forward during the rest of it!"}, {"response": 25, "author": "JenniferR", "date": "Tue, Jun 26, 2001 (07:30)", "body": "I visited my local Olsson's bookstore today to kill time, and what do I see as I'm leaving but a huge (no, not Hugh--*huge*) cardboard cutout advertising the BJD soundtrack. I of course promptly turned around and ran (no joke) back into the store. The clerk was quite helpful when I asked if I could claim it, until I said that I simply had to have it because Colin was on it. She then promptly burst out laughing. You would think that a person who works at Olsson's would appreciate ODB, as it is kind of the \"thinking person's bookstore\" of the DC area--or so I'd been led to believe. At any rate, the cardboard cutout was successfully claimed, so the whole experience was well worth it."}, {"response": 26, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 26, 2001 (08:40)", "body": "From Ananova: Nominees announced for Hollywood movie awards Bridget Jones's Diary, Pearl Harbor, Shrek, Moulin Rouge, Memento and Blow have all been nominated for the Movie of the Year Award at the Hollywood Film Festival. The winner will be decided by the public who can vote online at the Entertainment Tonight website or Variety online from July 1. For Actor of the Year the nominees are Johnny Depp, Colin Firth, Anthony Hopkins, Ben Kingsley, Ewan McGregor and Guy Pearce. Kate Beckinsale, Penelope Cruz, Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore and Renee Zellweger are all nominated for Actress of the Year. The winners will be announced at the Hollywood Movie Awards Gala Ceremony on August 6."}, {"response": 27, "author": "toyce", "date": "Tue, Jun 26, 2001 (09:30)", "body": "Yippee! I knew our ODB should be tops! Now, if only the everyone else thinks so as well."}, {"response": 28, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 26, 2001 (09:35)", "body": "What a line-up! He's gonna win it hands -down. Hollywood Movie Awards Gala Ceremony on August 6. Oh,Oh...he won't show -up..he'll be on vacation."}, {"response": 29, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Jun 26, 2001 (09:42)", "body": "Hurrah! Well-deserved recognition at last. Mark your calendars for July 1 and get out there and vote. Or as they say in Jersey City, \"vote early, vote often.\""}, {"response": 30, "author": "toyce", "date": "Tue, Jun 26, 2001 (10:16)", "body": "Hopefully, we'll be able to vote often, if they haven't been smart enough to detect the multiple votes!"}, {"response": 31, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 26, 2001 (10:21)", "body": "Am making plans to reroute my driving patterns to go by the only Hollywood Video I know, plus I have some quality time coming up at a cable-modem-connected house. ;-)"}, {"response": 32, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jun 26, 2001 (14:56)", "body": "(Kate)Or as they say in Jersey City, \"vote early, vote often.\" I HATE THAT JOKE! Kidding!!!!! LOL! Full press release posted on 143. Evelyn, you took the words out of my mouth; he's just going to have to come back sooner from vacation.;-) We have to get the vote out for this one, gang. It's not a slam dunk."}, {"response": 33, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 26, 2001 (15:06)", "body": "The winners are notified in advance and they do show up for this one. Can't imageine him winning this one and begging off because he's lollygagging around Italy. Of course, cannot imagine him winning this anyway. ;-)"}, {"response": 34, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 26, 2001 (15:07)", "body": "\"vote early, vote often.\" Since when did Jersey City appropriate the Chicago city motto (is embroidered on our flag, you know, beneath the three stars)? ;-)"}, {"response": 35, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 26, 2001 (17:24)", "body": "(Mari)It's not a slam dunk. Karen) Of course, cannot imagine him winning this anyway. ;-) I do. IMO his big competition is Johnny Depp. And he consistently plays weirdos ."}, {"response": 36, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun 26, 2001 (19:03)", "body": "Can't imageine him winning this one and begging off because he's lollygagging around Italy. Of course, cannot imagine him winning this anyway. ;-) Someone's finally got himself a publicist! I will be in Italy when this thing happens. I don't see him going to LA early in Aug. for this especially since he will probably accompany Will back home after the Holidays. He can always send a tape from beautiful Umbria. Since when did Jersey City appropriate the Chicago city motto (is embroidered on our flag, you know, beneath the three stars)? ;-) Something to be proud of, right, Karen? ;-)"}, {"response": 37, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 26, 2001 (20:54)", "body": "(Moon) since he will probably accompany Will back home after the Holidays. After what holidays? Labor Day? Don't the kids start school before that? Besides, the kid has probably flown by himself quite a bit. (Moon) Something to be proud of, right, Karen? ;-) Absolutely, from the city that gave the country JFK as president! ;-)"}, {"response": 38, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Jun 26, 2001 (22:32)", "body": "(Karen)Since when did Jersey City appropriate the Chicago city motto (is embroidered on our flag, you know, beneath the three stars)? ;-) Trust me, The dead Democrats vote in Jersey City, too. There aren't as many as in Chicago, though. I just hope that the voting at the video stores doesn't invove punch cards and chads."}, {"response": 39, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 26, 2001 (22:46)", "body": "Our cemetaries have their own precincts. ;-)"}, {"response": 40, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jun 27, 2001 (08:24)", "body": "(Karen) Since when did Jersey City appropriate the Chicago city motto Uh uh uh, Kate, Karen's right about this one. Though JC has plenty of its own charms about which to boast. ;-D (Kate) I just hope that the voting at the video stores doesn't invove punch cards and chads. *Heehee* (Karen) Don't the kids start school before that? Depends on the region. In the northeast they don't. In the south and midwest they do. Am not sure about LA--Jana? Winter?"}, {"response": 41, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Wed, Jun 27, 2001 (12:11)", "body": "Per their web site, classes in Los Angeles Unified School District start September 5 (day after Labor Day), but I suspect CF's son is in a \"private\" school, which may not follow the same schedule."}, {"response": 42, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jun 27, 2001 (14:31)", "body": "Even if it's public school, it may not be LA. Friends of ours just moved to Southern. Cal and their kids go year round--3 weeks on, 1 week off, 3 weeks on, etc. Apparently more school districts are pushing for this, as they're finding that they lose too much time trying to bring the kids back up to speed after the usual 2.5 month break, which was really designed to accomodate the agrarian society of days long gone. Must make it tough for working parents to have to arrange child care that way, though. Our cemetaries have their own precincts. ;-) LOL! Same here. We have voters (generally Dems, I must admit) who haven't had a pulse since the Coolidge Administration.;-)"}, {"response": 43, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Jun 27, 2001 (18:32)", "body": "Also, the Malibu/Santa Monica area has its own school district. From what I remember, Meg Tilly lives in the Malibu area, so they are likely not to be LAUSD (which is in big financial trouble, BTW)."}, {"response": 44, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 28, 2001 (07:39)", "body": "I received this info by email, but no source as to where it came from. The Bridget Jones' Diary DVD will be released October 9 at $29.99. The disc will contain a commentary by the director, a Featurette, Music videos, deleted scenes, original diary columns and more."}, {"response": 45, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jun 28, 2001 (09:05)", "body": "Thanks, Karen. Sounds credible to me (don't fall over onto your keyboards, everyone ;-P)."}, {"response": 46, "author": "rachael", "date": "Thu, Jun 28, 2001 (16:00)", "body": "Karen, do you know if the video will be the same as the DVD? ie will it have the same bonuses?"}, {"response": 47, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 28, 2001 (16:03)", "body": "Videos generally don't have any *extras*. You have to get the DVD to see all the extra stuff, that's part of the popularity of them, plus the higher quality picture and sound."}, {"response": 48, "author": "rachael", "date": "Thu, Jun 28, 2001 (16:43)", "body": "ack - that means I have to buy a DVD thing. Sigh. Anyone think of any (legal) ways to make some extra money? Preferably not the way the wee boy suggested in MLSF? ;)"}, {"response": 49, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Thu, Jun 28, 2001 (18:45)", "body": "One can rent one, can't one, from Blockbuster et al? I dunno, I always went over to my friends' places to use a DVD player, until I sneakily moved in w/ a boyfriend who had one. ;)"}, {"response": 50, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Jun 28, 2001 (18:59)", "body": "You obviously have high standards in men, Laura. Good for you! My DH already knows that I intend to buy a DVD this fall. I recently told him that I would get a DVD for Bridget. He wasn't a bit surprised."}, {"response": 51, "author": "toyce", "date": "Fri, Jun 29, 2001 (09:51)", "body": "Kate: BJD is what is going to prompt me to get a DVD player too. By the way, is there any advantage to getting a multi-regional player, and if so, where does one purchase same?"}, {"response": 52, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Jun 29, 2001 (12:05)", "body": "Oh, Toyce, you're asking the wrong person. I'm just starting to research this--after all, I have until October to make up my mind. If I didn't spend so much time at Drool, I'd be checking out manufacturer's websites. ;-)"}, {"response": 53, "author": "dina", "date": "Fri, Jun 29, 2001 (12:24)", "body": "I saved this from RoP board: Elaborate on region-coding or on the P&P R2 set? Written by keeba (5/14/2001 10:32 p.m.) in consequence of the missive, Region 2?, penned by Haley [Back to Board] DVDs are coded by region, [Are you new?] North America [except Mexico] being region 1, Europe - region 2, Asia - region 3, Australia - region 4, etc. DVDs coded for one region will not play on players coded for another region. If you have a multi-region player you can get around this hardware restriction. But you also have to deal with PAL vs. NTSC. The cheap Apex player that I told people about last year is both multi-region and multi-format. You can no longer get this player but there are others on the market. The R2 P&P set includes a making of documentary and apparently, a much better DVD transfer than the existing R1 set. But A&E is expected to remaster the R1 set, presumably to match the contents of the R2 set."}, {"response": 54, "author": "toyce", "date": "Fri, Jun 29, 2001 (12:58)", "body": "I've been told to try Circuit City, although I'm sure it would have to be special ordered. I want one, just like you, to get all the extra goodies on BJD."}, {"response": 55, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Sat, Jun 30, 2001 (11:50)", "body": "RE: multi-region DVD players - it is apparently now illegal to sell or purchase multi-region DVD players in the US. (This is how much power the movie-makers have in this country!) It didn't stop me from buying one, of course. If you'd like to do some research on multi-region DVDs, one of the best places is at DVDcity.com ( http://www.dvdcity.com/codefree/codefreeindex.php3 ) where they are referred to as \"code free DVDs\". I went with the SMC DVD330s for a number of reasons. It's the least expensive It plays PAL on NTSC tvs, NTSC on PAL tvs, and all region DVDs It's 110/240 so I can take it if I move overseas It got great reviews It has been working great for me since I got it about 6 weeks ago. If you'd like further info, please feel free to email me (click on my user id above)."}, {"response": 56, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 30, 2001 (20:51)", "body": "it is apparently now illegal to sell or purchase multi-region DVD players in the US Not quite true. The only ones that are illegal are those which disable anti-copying mechanisms. Being multi-format in and of itself is not illegal."}, {"response": 57, "author": "toyce", "date": "Sun, Jul  1, 2001 (16:22)", "body": "Sarah: Thanks for the info. My gosh! Are there players that do both VHS and DVD? Did I read your post correctly? If so, I'm buying one within the next day or two."}, {"response": 58, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  3, 2001 (09:15)", "body": "As we've all done so brilliantly on the BJD campaign, I think we should toss our names into the mix: Miramax veteran Granata leaving top publicity post NEW YORK -- Miramax Films president of publicity and corporate communications Marcy Granata on Monday announced plans to exit the company after seven years to \"dedicate more time to her family for the next year.\" Granata, who said she will continue to maintain a \"close relationship\" with the mini-major, joined the company in 1994 from Columbia TriStar, where she had served as vp publicity for six years. Los Angeles-based senior vp publicity Janet Hill will act as head of the department during the company's search to replace Granata, who will depart Miramax after Wednesday. Miramax said Monday that its publicity activities will continue to be headquartered in New York once a replacement for Granata is found. \"I've traveled a very satisfying road for the past seven years, and I cannot imagine a better professional experience or a more talented group of people than those I leave behind in Miramax's publicity department,\" Granata said. \"Harvey and Bob (Weinstein) have been wonderful in understanding that I've recently started a family and want to devote full-time attention to them now.\" Added Miramax co-topper Harvey Weinstein: \"Marcy revolutionized the Miramax publicity department and led some of the most successful campaigns in the company's history, including 'Pulp Fiction,' 'Il Postino,' 'The English Patient,' 'Shakespeare in Love' and 'Life Is Beautiful,' through our recent boxoffice success with 'Bridget Jones's Diary.' She is one of the most talented publicity executives in the business.\" The development comes after a flurry of staffing moves within the Miramax publicity division, including the recent promotion of Matthew Hiltzik to vp corporate communications (HR 6/21), and the appointment of Daniel Scheffey as senior vp publicity (HR 6/28). Elizabeth Clark will remain as head of publicity for Miramax genre arm Dimension Films, which recently tapped former CBS executive Emily Bear as a vp publicity."}, {"response": 59, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Tue, Jul  3, 2001 (14:41)", "body": "Posted this on 150 too \ufffd Sam West\ufffds replies to a questionnaire his fans sent him: If you had been offered a part in Bridget Jones' Diary, which role would you choosen? Haven't seen it. Umm... Anything that Colin does is probably worth coveting. (He's doing Hamlet next, which is nice) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SamWest/message/4508 His answers are very amusing."}, {"response": 60, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  3, 2001 (18:46)", "body": "OK, the BJD DVD info for the US has been released at a DVD website, and remember that VHS tapes are typically released on the same date. Note, that we're going to get to see the UK ending too!! Keeping up with the Joneses A true sleeper hit at the box office this past spring (to the tune of over $50 million and counting) Buena Vista will release a DVD special edition of Bridget Jones's Diary on 10/9. Features include an anamorphic widescreen transfer, English 5.1 surround and English and French subtitle tracks, an audio commentary with director Sharon Maguire, a making-of featurette, deleted scenes with optional commentary, two music videos, the international end credit sequence, the original Bridget Jones's Diary columns, and trailers. A very nice package, and retail is $29.95."}, {"response": 61, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul  3, 2001 (19:13)", "body": "I don't want the UK ending.Sounds gross. Why, oh why, do they do this. I *hate* the US CD soundtrack too. Can't get it to work on my CD ROM. Can't wait to buy the UK version."}, {"response": 62, "author": "DanielleL", "date": "Tue, Jul  3, 2001 (19:31)", "body": "Excellent news, Karen! I'll put that date down in my calendar. the international end credit sequence... Is that the 'Have you met Miss Jones?' sequence that we saw in the US or the vignettes as seen by our friends in England? If it's the vignettes then I'm with Evelyn and will skip over that segment. However, I'll be ready to purchase my BJD as soon as it comes out!"}, {"response": 63, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Tue, Jul  3, 2001 (20:03)", "body": "Don't you think that \"international end credits\" means as an optional bit, the US DVD will have the UK credit sequence. Like a featurette, trailers, etc. If they only knew, that in a smallish corner of cyberspace, they could charge LOTS more... Just tell me where to pre-order ;-) Off to watch SLOW, which I recorded this AM."}, {"response": 64, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jul  3, 2001 (20:09)", "body": "Thanks for the info, Karen. I don't mind seeing the alternate ending, as long as they also include the paddling pool end credits as well--that was in the original script, after all. I dislike the idea of the film ending with yet more of you-know-Hugh. Wonder why they did that--maybe they thought the original that we saw here was too cute. \"Cute\" plays better in America than elsewhere, I guess. The paddling pool brings it full circle, explains what we've previously heard in earlier scenes, and puts the focus back on the central relationship--BJ and MD--which apparently was a love match from the start.:-) I don't want to complain too much though--am delighted that they're putting in some extras. And what $50 million? Try $70 million here and well over $50 million in the UK--and still counting."}, {"response": 65, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jul  3, 2001 (20:32)", "body": "Don't you think that \"international end credits\" means as an optional bit, the US DVD will have the UK credit sequence. Like a featurette, trailers, etc. Yes, I agree, Meredith. It seems they listed the things that are \"extras,\" meaning in additon to what we've already seen in the theaters."}, {"response": 66, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  3, 2001 (21:16)", "body": "Right, all those things are *extras* The movie will be just as we saw it and then you go to the menu to watch the other stuff."}, {"response": 67, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jul  4, 2001 (01:50)", "body": "I think BJD has just crossed \ufffd40 million in the UK, making it *the* most successful ever British film. Has easily beaten NH and 4 Weddings."}, {"response": 68, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Jul  4, 2001 (09:39)", "body": "(Bethan)I think BJD has just crossed \ufffd40 million in the UK, making it *the* most successful ever British film. Has easily beaten NH and 4 Weddings. And just wait until the DVD comes out. Those things will fly off the shelves! They better do a huge batch (whatever the DVD equivalent of a press run is)."}, {"response": 69, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Wed, Jul  4, 2001 (12:02)", "body": "Re the total box office of BJD: the following quote is from the Box Office Mojo site, which predicts that the foreign box office will be over $100 million. That, together with the U.S. $70 million and the DVD/video sales should make quite a tidy profit for somebody (wasn't the cost about $25 million?). I wonder if HF has a percentage? It looks like Bridget Jones's Diary should pass the century mark by the end of its foreign market campaign, with huge thanks to the U.K.'s $54.8 million (and still going strong) and several other markets. In Spain, it eased by 22%, retaining the top spot, and penning $3 million in 10 days. In Poland it has an excellent $1.1 million in 10 days and $1 million in 11 days in The Netherlands, where the market is falling."}, {"response": 70, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul  4, 2001 (15:20)", "body": "I wish we could get some of the foreign reviews."}, {"response": 71, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul  4, 2001 (17:25)", "body": "And translated too??? BJD has only opened in The Netherlands, Poland and Spain. There's been quite a lot in the Australian press, as it opens shortly. I'm sure either Ann or Cathey will post the relevant reviews from Australia. And, in terms of box office, wait until it hits Japan; it should do boffo business as they say. ;-)"}, {"response": 72, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul  5, 2001 (09:36)", "body": "(E)I wish we could get some of the foreign reviews. (Karen)And translated too??? Am I asking too much of you?? ;-)) Anybody see \"Bridget\"last night in Philly reading The Declaration of Independence? I missed the british accent;-)"}, {"response": 73, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jul  5, 2001 (11:13)", "body": "I watched it last night, Evelyn. I thought it was moving and unique. Kevin Spacey in particular is a wonderful orator, isn't he? If he were advocating a coup, I'd *still* follow him.;-) And tell the truth, who had better fireworks, Philly or NY?;-)"}, {"response": 74, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jul  5, 2001 (12:27)", "body": ".;-) And tell the truth, who had better fireworks, Philly or NY?;-) BOSTON!!!! hee hee:)"}, {"response": 75, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jul  5, 2001 (14:19)", "body": "BJD is still at number five (or six?) in the UK Box Office charts, after sixteen weeks. BJD the book is still topping the charts, selling about 25,000 copies a week. It's not going away."}, {"response": 76, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Thu, Jul  5, 2001 (22:34)", "body": "Just saw BJD for eighth and probably last time in regular theater. It was a good crowd--mostly women. Several (including self) knew all the \"in\" jokes. Heard several more chatting afterward about how good it was and how they wanted to read the book. One of them hadn't heard about it until her friend asked her to go tonight. I wonder which rock she's been hiding under? I suspect that many more \"literarily and cinematically challenged\" will discover the film on video, which bodes well for the sequel. One of the more subtle references to P&P2: I still love BJ's line to MD during the ruby wedding heart-to-heart: \"you should seriously consider changing the length of your sideburns\". Too funny. Sept 18th can't come too soon (\"only\" 75 days)."}, {"response": 77, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Jul  6, 2001 (10:31)", "body": "(Louise)One of them hadn't heard about it until her friend asked her to go tonight. I wonder which rock she's been hiding under? I ran into one of those at about week 7, and had the same thought. I really had to bite my tongue--wanted to say \"Durr! Where have you been all this time, sieving your gravy or cutting up beetroot cubes?!?\" I think I've already seen BJD for the last time. I had hoped that it might return for a stray week in a theater near me, but I could find it in only one theater about 2 hours away. And my local paper has no ad at all for it, which is disappointing, as I'd hoped to see them do something cute with the ad for this weekend, to go up against \"legally blonde.\""}, {"response": 78, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jul  6, 2001 (11:08)", "body": "OKay, I have a really stupid question, Karen, I think you can answer it for me. I have printed out from archives all of the BJD weekly installments, but it ends in Sept. '98. Now, didn't it go until December of '98? How do I go about printing the next three months? AND no, I threw mine away when I did major house cleaning... Oh, am proud new owner of 1984 528e BMW (auto), that b/f bought for me yesterday!!!! (Ford Taurus that I had for one month died...)"}, {"response": 79, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul  6, 2001 (11:23)", "body": "Go to the Bucket's BJD site http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjdcols.html and you will find links to the rest of the columns. The Telegraph changed its naming system and somehow these are out in limbo, but available if you know how to find them. ;-)"}, {"response": 80, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jul  6, 2001 (11:52)", "body": "muchas gracias, Karen. I knew I could count on you! All my friends are clamoring for them. (I should start charging!);)"}, {"response": 81, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Fri, Jul  6, 2001 (12:51)", "body": "you should seriously consider changing the length of your sideburns That reminds me, I was home sick, and The Pretender was on TV, and that phrase kept on going through my head. I swear, why do otherwise attractive men wear extremely strange haircuts and facial hair (cf the guy in The Invisible Man on scifi)? However, to bring this back on topic sorta :) CF has never had what I'd call bad hair, and in BJD I thought it was lovely. Perhaps cause he gets his hair done at that fancy salon mentioned a while ago. :)"}, {"response": 82, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul  6, 2001 (13:31)", "body": "CF has never had what I'd call bad hair, and in BJD I thought it was lovely. Too dark. I prefer light brown , his natural color. Like in WOF."}, {"response": 83, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jul  7, 2001 (07:41)", "body": "(Louise) I still love BJ's line to MD during the ruby wedding heart-to-heart: \"you should seriously consider changing the length of your sideburns\". That line was always a sure laugh-getter. I find it amusing too that Mark didn't take Bridget's advice. Sideburns are just as long when he returns from NYC. And after I just gave that spoiler away ;-), I hope it won't be much longer before all of our overseas cohorts have seen the film and will jump in. Gi, any hope?"}, {"response": 84, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Sat, Jul  7, 2001 (08:44)", "body": "You know you've seen BJD too many times...when you are curious about the tiniest detail, such as: What is it that the \"urban family\" is drinking when they meet to discuss the \"just the way you are\" episode. It looks a little like beer (or perhaps lager), but they are drinking it with straws. Some bizarre foreign drink? ;-D"}, {"response": 85, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Sat, Jul  7, 2001 (11:48)", "body": "Heide: I find it amusing too that Mark didn't take Bridget's advice. Sideburns are just as long when he returns from NYC. Interesting. . . I always thought Bridget meant that Mark should grow them even longer so that he would look even more like FD in P&P2! This was the only reference I could find in the film version to BJ's literary obsession with Darcy in P&P2. Does anyone else have any others?"}, {"response": 86, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jul  7, 2001 (14:24)", "body": "BJD is still showing at 272 screens in the UK , not very much down on the 400 plus for blockbusters, and holding on to the number 5 spot. Hughie was in the news today, attending an Elton John charity bash. Hughie was in the company of Jemima Khan, and his new girlfriend, somebody Lauren. He moves in very starry circles! Would expect the DVD to do very well if it includes extra scenes!"}, {"response": 87, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul  7, 2001 (22:51)", "body": "Trust me, this has some relevance to this topic. ;-) From the Sunday Times: Costume dramas 'failing Britain' Richard Brooks, Arts Editor KIM HOWELLS, the new films and tourism minister, has called on movie-makers to make fewer period dramas because they fail to present the right image of modern Britain. He wants more realism, with film-makers addressing subjects such as the foot and mouth crisis rather than the bonnets and country houses of Jane Austen. In his first interview on the film industry, Howells said: \"I'm not a fan of heritage movies. We're still cashing in too much on our heritage in our movies. It's the easy option.\" \"Heritage\" films have been a hallmark of British movie making for the past 20 years, with productions such as Sense and Sensibility, Mrs Brown and Howards End either winning or being nominated for Oscars. However, Howells, a former art student and ex-Communist but now an enthusiastic supporter of new Labour, said film-makers needed to look more at society today: \"That includes political issues in the widest sense. When are we going to have, for example, the first film about the foot and mouth crisis? \"I just heard on Friday morning a repeat of Jack Lemmon on Desert Island Discs. He said his best film was Missing - the one about a father's search for his missing son in Chile. It is political, but popular and well-made - the type of films we should be making.\" Howells also believed Britain was making too many \"arty-farty\" films. He said: \"Too many film writers are allowed just to be literary. There is too much reliance on what I call the Cambridge Footlights and Rada school of film-makers.\" The MP for Pontypridd said he could not think of a British film he had really admired since The Commitments, which was made in 1991. He was not a fan of The Full Monty, which he called \"clich\ufffd-ridden\", nor of Four Weddings and a Funeral or Notting Hill. \"I suppose I did quite like Bridget Jones, though,\" he said. Some tourism experts warned that his criticism of heritage movies, a genre made popular by the film-makers Ismail Merchant and James Ivory, could be counterproductive. The British Tourist Authority (BTA) said overseas visitors still regarded our heritage as the prime reason for coming to Britain. English Heritage said visits to Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, where Queen Victoria stayed, increased by 25% in the year after Mrs Brown. Visits to Kirby Hall in Northamptonshire also went up when it was a location for Mansfield Park, the 1999 film version of Jane Austen's book. Kenwood House in north London, another English Heritage-owned property, which was used in both Notting Hill and 101 Dalmatians, also saw a rise as a result. A gritty modern film such as Trainspotting, however, will not have brought visitors rushing to see the seamier side of Edinburgh. Both the BTA, which has been trying to counter adverse publicity from the foot and mouth crisis, and English Heritage said Howells was entitled to his views. Both bodies report to the culture department where Howells is a minister. \"Britain is not a heritage theme park,\" said Sandie Dawe, marketing director of the BTA. \"But tourists do enjoy our heritage, Americans in particular.\" Dawe said he thought the problem lay more with screen versions of \"class issues\" rather than heritage. \"Too much of that has given the impression that we are a snobby society.\" Howells is expected to outline his views on the types of films Britain should make at a meeting tomorrow with Alan Parker, the film director and chairman of the Film Council. Howells, like Parker, is proposing that money should be directed towards better scripts and mini Hollywood-style companies. \"I once went to Hollywood to look around and was hugely impressed with the way that their writers forgot about their egos and just wrote, rewrote, rewrote and rewrote again until it was right,\" said Howells. \"What I admired was the factory idea. An industrial process, if you like.\" Later this week the Film Council will announce funding for seven film companies, which already have proven business and creative records. ~~~~~~~ All of which proves that communists have no financial sense. I can see them queuing up to see films about foot and mouth disease. ;-)"}, {"response": 88, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jul  8, 2001 (03:38)", "body": "However, Howells, a former art student and ex-Communist but now an enthusiastic supporter of new Labour, said film-makers needed to look more at society today: \"That includes political issues in the widest sense. When are we going to have, for example, the first film about the foot and mouth crisis? We spend our lives coping with the problems of \"society today\". Most people go to the movies to be entertained/amused/transported into other worlds. There's certainly a place for docu-drama, social reality, political commentary (perhaps more on television), but don't expect the crowds to queue up. Perhaps TIOBE should include some background shots of sheep culling, or how about the odd dead cow?"}, {"response": 89, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul  8, 2001 (09:24)", "body": "\"The British Tourist Authority (BTA) said overseas visitors still regarded our heritage as the prime reason for coming to Britain. \" Oh yeah...:-))))) \"A gritty modern film such as Trainspotting, however, will not have brought visitors rushing to see the seamier side of Edinburgh.\" How about Hammersmith??? I dunno...I plan to take the BJD tour ;-)"}, {"response": 90, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul  8, 2001 (09:24)", "body": "Closed....sorry"}, {"response": 91, "author": "studybees", "date": "Sun, Jul  8, 2001 (12:14)", "body": "There are some of us who want to see something inbetween glossy blockbusters, literary adaptations and arthouse films. BJD isn't deep, but is much more ... real than the likes of NH and Four Weddings even. The Full Monty WAS cliche ridden and patronising where the likes of Brassed Off was genuinely affecting and reflected Britain's social history. Literary adaptations have their place, but it is really an easy cop-out for filmmakers as they know the films will have an audience (unless they make a very poor film) and sell internationally. The class thing is a big deal especially over here. RZ being prepared to look less than her best wouldn't have happened in an American blockbuster. I don't mean weight either... look at Julia Roberts in Erin Brockovich. Poor and tired white trash, essentially, but she was a glossy version thereof. Designer rags, perfect makeup etc. Not worn down by the kids, poor skin, cig hanging out of the mouth and so on. You wouldn't see her shaving her legs unless it was eroticised in some way. CF in FP - scruffy, not designer scruffy, looked like an ordinary football fan. That's good. Not gritty social realism, and should have been *more* popular. But why is it the UK produces reams of literary adaptations and gritty rubbish (usually made by patronising posh Tarquins and Tristrams anyway) and poor gangster films (bored already, and why glamorise it?). Look at me, I've delurked and probably annoyed lots of you :( Oh well, I've been reading for ages. I was waiting to post until I could say something proper and it's all long and rambly."}, {"response": 92, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jul  8, 2001 (15:57)", "body": "Welcome Penny, you have not annoyed anyone I am sure, keep posting. Do I take it that you are from the UK as I am myself, and I agree FP should have been more popular and I can't quite understand why it wasn't as it had great reviews and on the 3 occasions I went to see it at the cinema the cinema was full and everyone seemed to enjoy it!!"}, {"response": 93, "author": "studybees", "date": "Sun, Jul  8, 2001 (16:10)", "body": "I am indeed from the UK :) Thank you for your welcome"}, {"response": 94, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul  8, 2001 (16:11)", "body": "(AnnW)I agree FP should have been more popular and I can't quite understand why it wasn't That's news to me. I was lead to believe that FP was v. popular in UK. A hit. Welcome Penny.I like your social- conscious films... Billy Elliot, DQ. I have a hard time understanding some of the Scottish accents though. (Penny)The class thing is a big deal especially over here. We don't understand that mode here...find it boring."}, {"response": 95, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jul  8, 2001 (16:24)", "body": "Fever Pitch did okay at the box Office but not brilliantly but made up for it when it went to video where it did quite well but no it didn't do as well as expected at the Box Office."}, {"response": 96, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul  8, 2001 (16:27)", "body": "Penny!! I've delurked and probably annoyed lots of you You haven't annoyed me, as probably 99% of the people who participate here agree about the sorry state of films. I go to many films and very few of the blockbuster variety. However I would disagree with you about Julia Roberts and her designer look in EB. She's an actress who is not afraid to do without makeup and I've seen it numerous times. Granted, she didn't gain the weight for her upcoming release \"American Beauties\"??? but I don't know how much of the film actually deals with the time when her character was supposed to weigh 60 lbs more. In terms of the flashy trailer trashy look for Erin B, all you have to do is look at the real woman she played and that's how she looked. She is a good looking woman, who wore flashy clothes and who put her boobs out on the front lines! ;-) Anyway, delurking is good for one's health. I can't imagine keeping one's comments about CF to oneself (although hiding them from one's family is not unusual)."}, {"response": 97, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sun, Jul  8, 2001 (21:47)", "body": "(Karen)Anyway, delurking is good for one's health. I can't imagine keeping one's comments about CF to oneself (although hiding them from one's family is not unusual). Absolutely! I only delurked a few months ago, and I wish I'd done so sooner. It's a treat to be able to obsess knowing that others will understand. My sister-in-law, on the other hand, has been mumbling something about interventions..."}, {"response": 98, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (01:52)", "body": "Spare us from ministers who \"know\" their subjects! Just when we've all been having a good laugh about the new sports minister who can't name any sportsmen, we get a film-buff Films Minister who hasn't seen a good \"British\" film since The Commitments (er, I daresay it was a co-production, but I suspect the Irish will be spitting chips). Here's a hint why there may be so many period dramas, Kim - stories that have stood the test of time often make good films. (Of course updates of good stories can work too, like BJD)"}, {"response": 99, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (02:00)", "body": "Welcome, Penny! I found your comments very interesting. (Penny) There are some of us who want to see something inbetween glossy blockbusters, literary adaptations and arthouse films. BJD isn't deep, but is much more ... real than the likes of NH and Four Weddings even. I agree and wish there were more films \"in between\". Oftentimes after a grueling work week I can't find the mental energy to spend two hours with a hugely challenging arthouse film, but it usually seems the only alternative is a something silly and unmemorable. I also agree that BJD was a nice in between movie. Women and men from all walks of life seem to be able to relate the characters and situations which provides a more memorable experience than typical of fluffy rom-coms. (Penny) where the likes of Brassed Off was genuinely affecting and reflected Britain's social history. Ahhhh, I really, really enjoyed this film - so did my DH. It's one of those I can watch over and over again. There are so many finely drawn characters, great acting and a really poignant script that makes you feel the pain of losing ones livelihood through no fault of ones own. I wish more movies like this one were made!"}, {"response": 100, "author": "MysteryMan", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (07:26)", "body": "Delurking. Brassed Off was a gem of a movie. My favourite."}, {"response": 101, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (07:39)", "body": ""}, {"response": 102, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (07:57)", "body": "simply can't wait to see it;o)"}, {"response": 103, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (11:07)", "body": "Welcome Penny, Mystery Man and Diane! (Mark), Here's a hint why there may be so many period dramas, Kim - stories that have stood the test of time often make good films. (Of course updates of good stories can work too, like BJD) Actually, there arent't many new period dramas being filmed. Nothing in comparison to the \"trailer trash\" \"gritty gansters\" \"modern day grunge\" films that are being made in UK. The \"Foot and Mouth\" may deserve a documentary, but it's not the Potato Famin, the Holocust, the Desaparecidos, the Balkans, etc. to warrant stories filmed. I subscribed to BBC/America thinking I would get period dramas and good documentaries, instead, the programming is quite the opposite. Let's not forget that BJD is partly a US production. (Penny) where the likes of Brassed Off was genuinely affecting and reflected Britain's social history. And it had music as a main character. That always helps."}, {"response": 104, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (11:54)", "body": "(Moon) I subscribed to BBC/America thinking I would get period dramas and good documentaries, instead, the programming is quite the opposite. Wot!? You don't like to watch Men Behaving Badly 24/7? ;-) Be prepared for the next bit of British fluff to come down the pike... Greenfingers. Saw it last year and is nothing; totally forgetable IMO. However, you really should see Sexy Beast, not for the story or the ultra-stylish direction, but for Ben Kingsley's performance. Ray Winstone isn't bad either, but Kingsley's is a standout."}, {"response": 105, "author": "toyce", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (12:14)", "body": "I've seen the Sexy Beast trailer. I'm hooked already. Can't wait for it to show up locally."}, {"response": 106, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (12:34)", "body": "I watch some cooking game show on BBC America... with Ainsley Harriott (who I recall had a cooking/talk show here in the states for a bit). Most of the time, it's just a rehash of stuff I've already seen. I do wish they'd show ABFAB, LOVED that show!"}, {"response": 107, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (12:55)", "body": "(Moon)I subscribed to BBC/America thinking I would get period dramas and good documentaries, instead, the programming is quite the opposite. I agree. BBC-America came with my new digital cable package, and I haven't been excited about what I've seen so far. On the 4th they ran the six most popular Monty Pythons. OK, so I love the Spanish Inquisition and the Dead Parrot Sketch, but really, haven't we seen these enough?!? They do run some British movies, so I'm hoping to catch something with ODB in it. Who knows, maybe DQ may make it to BBC-America, not that I'm holding my breath. I will confess, sometimes I watch BBC-America just to hear the accents. BTW, was ABFAB a BBC production? Somewhere I read there's a new series being made."}, {"response": 108, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (13:08)", "body": "Yep, it was a BBC production. They only did a few shows per year. Weird schedule. I would LOVE if there is a new series being made with the orginal cast:) Perhaps, they'll do a weekly BJD series. That would be cute."}, {"response": 109, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (13:09)", "body": "It would indeed;OD"}, {"response": 110, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (13:24)", "body": "They only did a few shows per year. That's the norm with most British television shows. They only do about 6 compared to 20+ which is a full season here."}, {"response": 111, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (13:25)", "body": "(Penny)The class thing is a big deal especially over here. (Evelyn) We don't understand that mode here...find it boring. I dunno, I love it. Especially since American filmmakers seem unable to deal with issues of socioeconomic class without resorting to tired cliches and racial stereotypes. That was one of the things I loved about Brassed Off , like others have mentioned. Speaking of the Potato Famine, Moon, has anyone read My Dream of You ? It would make a good movie, kinda in the mold of Possession, with the current-day story contrasted with the historical story. ObBJD: BJD is still playing at 8 theatres in the Bay Area, mostly second-run cheaper places. I think I'll have to get one more viewing in before it disappears from the screens."}, {"response": 112, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (14:48)", "body": "(LauraT), Speaking of the Potato Famine, Moon, has anyone read My Dream of You? It would make a good movie, kinda in the mold of Possession, with the current-day story contrasted with the historical story. That's an idea! I would see it. (Karen), Wot!? You don't like to watch Men Behaving Badly 24/7? ;-) Can someone please explain to me who the audience is for that show? \"Ugly People Behaving in Their Usual Way.\" To think that the BBC is promoting in that US? (Laura), I do wish they'd show ABFAB, LOVED that show! If it's \"Absolutely Fabulous\" they do show it in the evenings. I do manage to sit through \"Changing Rooms.\" It's fun to see what decorators can do on a small budget."}, {"response": 113, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (14:56)", "body": "(Penny)The class thing is a big deal especially over here. (Evelyn) We don't understand that mode here...find it boring. (LauraT), I dunno, I love it. I love it too! I don't think they find it boring here, it is just not part of the culture. They're fascinated by royalty because they have become such a prt o the media and everyone knows who they are. But an understanding of the Upper class and the Lower class in a Monarchy would not interest most \"politically correct\" Americans. Yours truly is a royalist. :-)"}, {"response": 114, "author": "studybees", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (14:56)", "body": "Thank you all for welcoming me. Hey, I *like* Men Behaving Badly. But not for the men... I think Caroline Quentin is hilarious. She's usually good- in Jonathan Creek and Kiss Me Kate also. I would post some more about BJD and CF, but I have just swapped rooms with my sister (she is away at uni, I chose to study closer to home, her room is bigger) and have been moving furniture. I put something in the wardrobe before I moved the television to a more secure position on the IKEA shelving unit... bad move. Telly crashed down onto the back of my heel. Telly fine, heel KILLING. AAAAArgh I screamed. And then cried some :( Might watch my BJD pirate video later to cheer me up."}, {"response": 115, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (15:00)", "body": "(PennyB) Hope you'll get better, I think CF will do the trick...;o)"}, {"response": 116, "author": "studybees", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (15:03)", "body": "Thank you all for welcoming me. Hey, I *like* Men Behaving Badly. But not for the men... I think Caroline Quentin is hilarious. She's usually good- in Jonathan Creek and Kiss Me Kate also. I would post some more about BJD and CF, but I have just swapped rooms with my sister (she is away at uni, I chose to study closer to home, her room is bigger) and have been moving furniture. I put something in the wardrobe before I moved the television to a more secure position on the IKEA shelving unit... bad move. Telly crashed down onto the back of my heel. Telly fine, heel KILLING. AAAAArgh I screamed. And then cried some :( Might watch my BJD pirate video later to cheer me up."}, {"response": 117, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (15:06)", "body": "AB FAB is absolutely Fabulous. Just shortened it as it's easier. Brits like that only 6 shows? I'd go nuts! I watched Ballykissangel when it first aired on PBS a few years back, really liked it. But like everything else, it became a soap opera;) I think I've only seen Jonathan Creek once, the guy who plays him is quite funny."}, {"response": 118, "author": "studybees", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (15:08)", "body": "sorry about the double post, my PC crashed :("}, {"response": 119, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (16:33)", "body": "(Moon)I do manage to sit through \"Changing Rooms.\" I love Changing Rooms! They made an American version of it that's on HGTV now that's sorta entertaining too. They're so much more realistic than most of the other home dec shows - I wish I had that much money and that much space and that much time! PennyB, hope your foot improves, oww. A good viewing of CF will cure most anything. ;) BTW, I just got Pride, Prejudice, & Jasmin Field from WH Smith and was reading it at lunch, and it's amazing how much it's like BJD. CF and RZ could slip right into the main roles (except RZ would have to dye her hair dark and gain weight again)."}, {"response": 120, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (16:42)", "body": "(Penny)The class thing is a big deal especially over here. (Evelyn) We don't understand that mode here...find it boring. (LauraT), I dunno, I love it. (Moon)I love it too! I don't think they find it boring here, it is just not part of the culture. OK. *I* find it boring. .. I'm a cultural boor. * Scratching head..wondering which last \"class thing film\" was a big commercial success....* Except for RV of course;-)"}, {"response": 121, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (17:59)", "body": "Two quickly come to mind. The one with Emma Thompson and Anthony Hopkins (forget the name) Plus, \"A room with a View.\""}, {"response": 122, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (18:00)", "body": "\"Howard's End\""}, {"response": 123, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (20:23)", "body": "(Laura)I watched Ballykissangel when it first aired on PBS a few years back, really liked it. But like everything else, it became a soap opera;) It is running its final year in the US now, and the original writer/producer came back. It's less soapy."}, {"response": 124, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (20:46)", "body": "From Screen Daily: Ladies Day: Lara & Bridget rule UK Who says there are no good roles for women? Films with female leads dominated the box office in the UK at the weekend. Computer-game icon Lara Croft demonstrated her pulling power taking $5.4m (\ufffd3.8m) in her first big screen venture: Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. Played by Hollywood hot-property Angelina Jolie, Lara Croft achieved a stunning $12,184 site average from 444 sites. The figures included one-day previews of $547,433 (\ufffd389,225). Meanwhile in fifth position and dropping just 19% from the previous week, despite being on release for 13 weeks, Bridget Jones's Diary continued to make a significant entry. The local favourite, starring Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth and Hugh Grant, has now taken $56.4m (\ufffd40.1m) at the UK box office. The comedy is only the sixth film ever to pass the \ufffd40m mark in the territory, behind Titanic, The Full Monty, Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace, Jurassic Park and Toy Story 2."}, {"response": 125, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Tue, Jul 10, 2001 (13:38)", "body": "There will be an interview with Hugh Grant in the Danish magazine Eurowoman, witch is out from 26th of july, propably on the BJD-subject, as BJD is released in Denmark the 27th of july... I'll try to translate it to you when I get my hands on the magazine:o)"}, {"response": 126, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Tue, Jul 10, 2001 (17:31)", "body": "which even"}, {"response": 127, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Wed, Jul 11, 2001 (19:19)", "body": "Being not objective AT ALL about this movie (and CF), I'd be interested in any opinions expressed by those NOT obsessed with CF. What did your friends, who do NOT know the background of P&P2, mentions in the book BJD, etc. think of CF and the movie? Did they have the \"ding-dong\" reaction, and \"who is this guy?!\" or were they more interested in Hugh Grant? Just wondering about the general public's reaction to CF. If Katie Couric's reaction was any indication...;-)"}, {"response": 128, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Wed, Jul 11, 2001 (19:51)", "body": "A friend of mine, after we saw BJD, compared her reaction to CF to my reaction to Johnny Depp - very attractive, but not quite her type. Several of my female friends think that P&P2, and CF's performance in it, were a little too calculated-ly 'repressed Englishman to have fantasies about'. My boyfriend thinks I'm nuts. But that's nothing new. ;)"}, {"response": 129, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Jul 11, 2001 (21:10)", "body": "My best friend has teased me for ages about Colin. When we watched the video of SIL together, she told me that every time Colin is on screen I smile. And she's right. The first two times I saw BJD, my face hurt from smiling. Now, when I hear \"Have you Met Miss Jones?\" I remember how good I felt at the end of the move and I grin all over again. When I finally took this friend to see BJD, her reaction was similar to Laura's friends. Nice, but not her type. I think she was amused at my reaction to Colin. I almost smacked her when she said that Hugh Grant looked good. But hey, she's a big Kevin Costner fan, so Colin is clearly not her type. Several other women I know who didn't know much about Colin (they're not close friends, or they'd have heard LOTS about him from me!) are now fans. Not perhaps, as rabid as we are, but new fans are always appreciated. Another friend who saw BJD with me is a already big Colin fan. On the way to the theater, she said that she couldn't imagine that he looks better than he did as Darcy. I promised her that he does, and when she saw him, she squealed \"Omigod! You're right! He's even better!\""}, {"response": 130, "author": "Becka", "date": "Wed, Jul 11, 2001 (21:15)", "body": "As I posted here before, some of my friends couldn't understand why I liked CF, with his 'lactose intolerant' looks and all. And more than one of them also complimented Hugh's performance - one said he looks so much better as he aged. They prefer the funny Brit to the stiff Englishman - but I told them just think about what is under all that repression!!! ;-P"}, {"response": 131, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (08:38)", "body": "My youngest sister had no comments about CF but said HG was perfect in his role. Humph. As Seinfeld says, 'too much chlorine in the gene pool.'"}, {"response": 132, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (10:01)", "body": "Well, HG was the perfect Daniel. The first time you see him, the elevator doors open and he does this shifty-eyed thing that's almost reptilian. But how much acting did that take? Nobody involved in the film said \"Oh, Hugh is so different from Daniel.\" But several people did comment that Colin is much more pleasant, livelier, etc. in person than he was as Mark. As the Master Thespian would say, \"ACTING!\""}, {"response": 133, "author": "toyce", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (10:10)", "body": "Hugh wasn't acting (at least not all that much) when it came to Daniel. I believe he was only doing what came naturally!"}, {"response": 134, "author": "rachael", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (12:24)", "body": "my work mate (who is aware of my firthaholism) said she much preferred Daniel to Mark as Mark is boring (mind you, her taste in men ...??? I knew her last 2 boyfriends *ouch*) and Colin's sideburns are too long! However to be fair, when we watched SiL at her house a few weeks ago, she did catch on that she had to shut up every time Colin appeared on screen ..."}, {"response": 135, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (16:21)", "body": "BJD is about to open in Australia. Although its *official* debut is 26 July, most cinemas seem to be having advanced screenings commencing around 19 July; guess what I'll be doing on the weekend of 21/22 July? ;-) That's after I go on the evening of 19 July of course! A friend in Perth won tickets to a very advanced screening (over a week ago) and she tells me that we have the Hugh ending over here, rather than the USA ending. This is what I expected but was still hoping .... Nevermind, the kiss is still there ;-) I'm thinking of putting an announcement up at work to say \"yes I know Colin is in a new film; yes I will be going to see it (even though I have seen it twice already; once with Colin in attendance)\". At least they all seem to know who he is now. Once upon a time they would have said \"Colin who?\". Although I'm not a big magazine reader, I have been keeping one eye open for any *new* articles. I also have a friend looking for me too but as yet, there doesn't seem to be anything major; except for the Sun Herald article which Karen posted a little while ago. If I do find anything, I'll be sure to let you know."}, {"response": 136, "author": "caribou", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (18:46)", "body": "RE: What non-obsessed people think of CF.: My friend commented on him during the boating scene; she said, \"He is so jealous.\" She gets it! She gets it! How great he is at communicating without saying a word. :-)"}, {"response": 137, "author": "Echo", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (19:02)", "body": "HG was the perfect Daniel. The first time you see him, the elevator doors open and he does this shifty-eyed thing that's almost reptilian. In fact I thought it was an interesting twist with another - intentional? - link to P&P: this scene reminded me of the first few times we see Fitzw. Darcy in P&P - a total sourpuss... only Darcy transforms and Daniel remains the same."}, {"response": 138, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (19:20)", "body": "I didn't think Daniel was sour. More like sneaky, untrustworthy, wonder-what-sort-of-trouble-I-can-get-into-today kind of guy."}, {"response": 139, "author": "Echo", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (19:23)", "body": "I didn't mean that he *was* sour, merely that he *looked* sour in that opening shot."}, {"response": 140, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (19:50)", "body": "No, Daniel definitely looks shifty. What is so funny about his introduction is that because he looks so shifty you know that Bridge shouldn't get involved with him, yet his shiftiness is appealing to women who think low of themselves, AND Hugh Grant is delicious (yes, delicious, I wouldn't kick him out of bed if he asked!)"}, {"response": 141, "author": "rachael", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (06:09)", "body": "a while ago, a bloke mate of ours asked why women didn't go for the nice guys but \"the bastard with the twinkle in his eye\" - we said, the twinkle, of course!! This, I think, is Daniel's appeal - Mark is the nice steady guy, sweet and kind, but women are drawn to the naughty twinkle Daniel has"}, {"response": 142, "author": "Echo", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (08:54)", "body": "OK, shifty AND sour, then. ;-) And I don't find HG tempting in the least. Or feel like I wanna go for bastards with the twinkle in their... whatever. But there just aren't enough Mark Darcys in the world to go round, my dears... or are they all drawn to little blondes with big busts and small brains? Typical men, eh? ;-)"}, {"response": 143, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (09:13)", "body": "First of all, most guys that are bastards don't allow you to see that until WELL into the relationship. And if I recall, Mark Darcy is a bastard just as well, he's definitely not perfect (Rebecca, anyone???). Mark Darcy cannot communicate his feelings, so he comes across as cold. (I'm talking of the books, articles, rather than CF's portrayal of him in movie). I see a blurring here. Mark does not clean up after himself, he steals flowers rather than purchase them and yes he's come round to Bridge's JUST FOR SEX!!!"}, {"response": 144, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (11:01)", "body": "(Laura)because he looks so shifty you know that Bridge shouldn't get involved with him, yet his shiftiness is appealing to women who think low of themselves Yes, it is. I've seen this too often with women I know (not me, I'm way too arrogant to put up with a creep just because he's cute). You want to tell them, \"You can do better than this.\" So often, they find this out for themselves too late. Partly it's because such men don't show themselves for the bastards they are, and partly it's becaues the women refuse to see it. Bridget knows from the start that Daniel is not a nice guy. In the diary, she resolves not to get involved with a long list of characteristics that are exemplified by Daniel. And then she seems to regret email flirting with \"office scoundrel.\" So she has a clue about him, but ignores it anyhow."}, {"response": 145, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (11:11)", "body": "Daniel is paying attention to her. She's flirting, he's flirting, she's vulnerable. I mean Bridge mentions in her diary the type of person she wants to stay away from, but like a moth to flame, she can't deny the sexual attraction that she has to these \"bastards\". There is part of us that like the guy who isn't exactly what he appears to be. Think James Dean, Marlon Brando. I think we all have fantasies of being dominated at one point or another."}, {"response": 146, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (11:29)", "body": "(Laura) Think James Dean... And what has he to do with the subject?"}, {"response": 147, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (11:34)", "body": "And what has he to do with the subject? As the bad boy...and the good girls who adored him..."}, {"response": 148, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (11:43)", "body": "Sorry, but that was not his persona. Are you thinking about, perhaps, Cal Trask in East of Eden or Jett Rink in Giant? Certainly not Jim Stark in Rebel Without a Cause. I wouldn't equate any of characters with the Daniel Cleaver cad type, nor would I put him in that category. Wearing a leather jacket doesn't mean one is bad boy."}, {"response": 149, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (11:45)", "body": "Wearing a leather jacket doesn't mean one is bad boy. No??? Damn;) But YOU get my point!!! I bet had JD lived long enough he'd have played a cad, so it's now hypothetical:)"}, {"response": 150, "author": "rachael", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (16:29)", "body": "but Laura, even in the books, Mark may be unable to communicate but is esentially caring whereas Daniel is just a user - and the \"user\" bit comes across well in the film, IMO, when he turns up at Bridget's birthday dinner - total contrast to Mark who has tidied up the kitchen while she's cleaned herself up then he helps her (also does this in the book although the dinner party scenes are different)"}, {"response": 151, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (23:14)", "body": "I agree with both Laura (Daniel definitely looks shifty) and Echo (I don't find HG tempting in the least). I wouldn't have either HG or DC on a silver platter. As my granny used to say, \"Handsome is as handsome does.\" I wouldn't waste my valuable time on someone who would probably enjoy Divine Brown's company as much as mine--more, probably, as she doesn't need to be wined and dined."}, {"response": 152, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 16, 2001 (22:44)", "body": "Ah this news items returns to BJD like a little boomerang... ;-0 From The Sunday Observer: My Left Foot and Mouth... and other tasteful tales by Euan Ferguson Almost enough fun has been had since 7 June at the expense of MPs who know nothing about their jobs - transport supremos who can't drive; sports Ministers who assume Formula One is the stuff sitting in a grim pool behind the Grecian 2000; Harriet Harman - but one that slipped under the net was Kim Howells, the new films and tourism Minister, who said last week that the country's film industry should now address its vast talents to contemporary issues. 'When are we going to have, for example, the first film about the foot and mouth crisis?' Not soon enough, Kim, obviously: but the trouble here is that you're giving us no guidelines. The problem isn't simply the idea of a British film about how a bovine virus caused varying levels of microeconomic destabilisation within the parameters of an already complex European farming returns policy - Hollywood lives for little else - but which type of British film, for we do, of course, only three. A soft orange light washes Cotswold stone. The strains begin of Richard Robbins' haunting 'Ode to Repeating The Same Five Gentle Lucrative Chords in Different Orders for Merchant-Ivory Forever and, Stunningly, Getting Away With It Rather Than Landing In Pokey'. Charles Dance, tenderly hefting his traditional farming tools across his broad shoulders - an ancient hoe on one, on the other his trusty Sturmey-Archer Brainfever III bolt-gun - turns to Maggie Smith with a sigh. 'In India, you know, cows are sacred.' She purses her lips, makes some acerbic reference to his father's sexual abilities, and we... Cut to: India. A soft orange light washes Delhi stone. Jeremy Irons, Helena Bonham-Carter and Emma Thompson engage in a wittering three-hour longeur about social mores and someone eventually takes off a petticoat by a river in the sunshine. We see some carvings of cows. Another two hours pass. Suddenly, nothing happens. Or we could, getting more modern, pull in Richard Curtis. Pretty American Girl in church, acting slightly archly: 'But, look... how can I come and live here while you've got this... cow thing?' Hugh Grant (after 10-second goldfish-mouth thing): 'Gosh. Um... yes. Um... no. Um... Josh?' Other Floppy-Haired Type, but fatter and richer: 'Not a problem, gorgeous. It only affects poor people.' Everyone laughs. Hugh kisses Pretty American Girl, to the haunting strains of in-jokes about Colin Firth and Helen Fielding. The audience smiles appreciatively, being composed wholly of Time Out and Guardian film reviewers who live next to each other. Or do we truly modernise, go the whole hog, pull in the Trainspotting team? A farmer shoots up into a distended green vein while standing by a silo of infected cowshit. Twa dabs and he's away with it. Blasted his jammy wee crozzle intae orbit. Up comes his wife and pukes on him and they slip right intae the shit an start choking on it. Robert Carlyle arrives, dressed as a Maff inspector and carrying a shotgun. The farmer gasps, his face a mask of blood and snotters and shit and puke, and begs: 'End it! Jist end it all, now!' Actually, Kim, maybe you're on to something."}, {"response": 153, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (10:02)", "body": "Lord Karen, that was just tooooooo funny, for words. I especially loved the Merchant Ivory bit \" Suddenly nothing happened \"....."}, {"response": 154, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (14:36)", "body": "That sounds very nice, but \"Lady Karen\" would be better still."}, {"response": 155, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (22:46)", "body": "Long article about HG from the Melbourne paper about BJD: http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/2001/07/16/FFXXB4R47PC.html"}, {"response": 156, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 18, 2001 (09:52)", "body": "Thanks Karen. That's a hysterical article.The guy is a natural DC. Didn't know HF had been a former girlfriend. Helen gets around;-) \"And Grant is now one of Britain's highest paid actors, commanding about $US 8 million a film, plus a nice percentage of the box-office profits.\" He'll make a bundle with BJD. Think Colin is getting a cut of the BO? Which would account for his willingness to publicize."}, {"response": 157, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 18, 2001 (22:21)", "body": "I found this little bit interesting in the Australian article: Some of the film's most outr\ufffd dialogue comes when Grant's blue language surfaces in the script (and boy, can he do blue). In the pivotal seduction scenes with Bridget, we get the unabridged Grant going through the gamut, from naughty (\"Silly little skirt, silly little shoes, f... me, absolutely enormous pants\") to frankly risqu\ufffd (\"Turn over and let me abominate you\"). That last line is definitely *not* in the US version. I wonder if it's in the UK one. Someone wrote me that had seen both and mentioned that the 'wild dogs' done in voiceover twice are Alsatians in the UK version, as were in the book. Does the 'abominate' line appear in the UK version?"}, {"response": 158, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 18, 2001 (22:29)", "body": "From USA Today (7/18): Hollywood dreams of sequels By Josh Chetwynd USA TODAY It's a Hollywood tradition: A good, old idea is usually better than an untested one. If a movie is a blockbuster (or sometimes if it just turns a profit), studio execs usually aim for a sequel. While those efforts don't always work out (Basic Instinct 2 appeared a go before casting problems, among other glitches, nixed it), Hollywood is always on the lookout. A few potential sequels that hope to cash in on their reps: * Bridget Jones's Diary. Early stages. Working Title, which produced Diary, has the movie rights to Helen Fielding's follow-up book, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. But there have been no specific talks."}, {"response": 159, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Jul 19, 2001 (02:49)", "body": "In the UK version, we had \"Alsatians\" twice (accompanied by pictures of Alsatians, which don't look particularly wild to me, sniffing around a body). And definitely no \"abominate\"."}, {"response": 160, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Jul 19, 2001 (04:09)", "body": "I'll second that having just come from yet another screening! This was the funniest so far. I was sitting next to two ladies, and as the opening scene in Snowshill unfolded commented on the \"luvlay\" swans in the Jones' garden. I knew I was in for non stop comments. Phew! When they saw ODB at the TCB, they said \"Is that Colin Firth? Is he Luvlay?\" but were totally won over and I had to endure sighs and swoons from them. They kept repeating \"No but he is gorgeous\" and enjoying reading out all the slogans, labels etc to be seen in the film. The only time they were silent was when MarkG makes his entrance, so at least I could get my own back!! Why didn't I move ? Happy to say that even in week 14 the cinema was pretty full."}, {"response": 161, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jul 19, 2001 (11:48)", "body": "Happy to say that even in week 14 the cinema was pretty full It's still going strong (number 5 ?), taking more per screen than Pearl Harbour and the Mummy which opened later. The HG Melbourne article appeared first in the Telegraph magazine. All the initial promo in the UK concentrated on RZ (naturally) and \"sexy Hugh\". I remember seeing a BJD trailer on Channel 4 (target audience) and CF wasn't even in it. I'm not sure if this was a marketing ploy (keeping CF in reserve as the secret weapon, which, actually, doesn't amke sense) or whether HG was predicted to be the automatic draw, with CF as the also-ran. But after BJD opened, CF seemed to get equal ranking, and then more mentions than Hughie!"}, {"response": 162, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Thu, Jul 19, 2001 (12:04)", "body": "It was the same Stateside before the movie came out. I saw several trailers that didn't even feature CF at all, but Hughie was all over the place in them. I'm not surprised that happened in the States, coz HG is much better known over here, than Col, but I'm pretty shocked that it happened in the UK too."}, {"response": 163, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jul 19, 2001 (12:38)", "body": "BJD is actually at no 6 - it took \ufffd269,00 at the weekend, after 14 weeks. Hughie \"riding high on his success in BJD\" (quote)i s reported to have been offered the role of Gilderoy Lockhart in the next Harry Potter movie. That makes about the fifth role for Hughie I've read about! News of CF soon please!!!"}, {"response": 164, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Jul 19, 2001 (13:41)", "body": "Oh and I caught The Gnat on the cover of \"Hello\" or \"OK\" this week with Kate Winslet, so he's doing the celeb circuit, still resplendant with the \"Tiggywinkle\" cut."}, {"response": 165, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 19, 2001 (15:27)", "body": "Do we post film commitments for RZ here or on O&E? Or #150 (-; I've read about 3.Next is White Oleander.The latest on 7/17: FRom Variety: HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Renee Zellweger, star of \"Bridget Jones's Diary\", is in talks to star in \"13 Going on 30,\" which is described as a female version of \"Big\". The director has not been assigned yet."}, {"response": 166, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jul 19, 2001 (15:55)", "body": "From an Australian review.... For some strange reason, Firth has spent much of his recent career portraying buffoonish cuckolds who lose their women to one or another fellow named Fiennes, from Lord Wessex in SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE to the ill-fated Geoffrey Clifton in THE ENGLISH PATIENT. Yet Firth has more sex appeal in his pinky than either of those guys, and than Hugh Grant, and if BRIDGET JONES is redeemed by anything, it's that Our Boy Colin finally gets the girl."}, {"response": 167, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Jul 19, 2001 (15:57)", "body": "From an Australian review.... I love it, Bethan. Where is it from?"}, {"response": 168, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 19, 2001 (16:37)", "body": "In case anyone wants to watch the trailers in German (Colin in German?? ugh), here you go: http://trailer.uip.de/bridgetjones/trailers.html"}, {"response": 169, "author": "Echo", "date": "Thu, Jul 19, 2001 (17:17)", "body": "Have read today that RZ is in advanced stages of negotiations for the BJD sequel."}, {"response": 170, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Thu, Jul 19, 2001 (19:13)", "body": "Really Echo, where ? Is it a reliable source ?"}, {"response": 171, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Jul 19, 2001 (20:00)", "body": "(review) Yet Firth has more sex appeal in his pinky than either of those guys, and than Hugh Grant, and if BRIDGET JONES is redeemed by anything, it's that Our Boy Colin finally gets the girl. OOH! A reviewer with excellent taste in men!!!! Firth has spent much of his recent career portraying buffoonish cuckolds who lose their women to one or another fellow named Fiennes This is the image many people had of Colin if they hadn't seen P&P. But before he was losing women, he was getting plenty of them--two out of three sisters in ATA, the serving wench in HotP (and the gypsy girl fancied him, too, I think), etc."}, {"response": 172, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 19, 2001 (20:01)", "body": "\"Just curious\", Echo, where?"}, {"response": 173, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Fri, Jul 20, 2001 (02:32)", "body": "Does the 'abominate' line appear in the UK version? I'm going to my first \"Australian\" viewing tonight, so I will pay particular attention and let you know next week whether its there or not. Its Friday for me and I'm not back at my computer until Tuesday."}, {"response": 174, "author": "Echo", "date": "Fri, Jul 20, 2001 (06:50)", "body": "(A chorus of curiosity) Where? Where? Where? ;-) Daily Express, probably the best quality tabloid in the UK... but they are citing \"Hollywood trade paper Variety\" as their source."}, {"response": 175, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jul 20, 2001 (09:31)", "body": "I guess the 30 going on 13 one will have to wait. This sounds good and both these ladies are among my faves. From Ananova: Renee Zellweger to star in comedy film Renee Zellweger and Toni Collette are to star in a new comedy movie, Why Can't I Be Audrey Hepburn? Ryan Murphy will write, produce and direct the \ufffd25 million film, set against the backdrop of the acting world in New York. The project has been in development for more than four years, with Tea Leoni once marked down to play the starring role. Ashley Judd and Buffy star Sarah Michelle Gellar were also keen to portray the would-be stage star who falls for a Broadway producer. Zellweger, who starred in Bridget Jones's Diary, has just finished making the drama White Oleander. Australian star Collette found fame in The Sixth Sense, and has just completed Stephen Daldry's The Hours with Nicole Kidman and Claire Danes. Filming of Why Can't I Be Audrey Hepburn? starts in the autumn."}, {"response": 176, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 20, 2001 (10:13)", "body": "(Mari) guess the 30 going on 13 one will have to wait. Since it doesn't even have a director attached, I would think so... Besides, RZ will probably need a couple of months off to be with her dog. ;-)"}, {"response": 177, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jul 20, 2001 (10:22)", "body": "\"13 Going on 30,\" which is described as a female version of \"Big\" Yeeccch. That's been sooo, like, done . Why Can't I Be Audrey Hepburn?...set against the backdrop of the acting world in New York...would-be stage star who falls for a Broadway producer Better."}, {"response": 178, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Jul 20, 2001 (20:58)", "body": "I just saw \"America's Sweethearts,\" and as the trailer shows, there is a fight scene. But it isn't much--no birthday cake, no \"It's Raining Men,\" no crash through a window. And something else was missing, too... After the vigil we all kept watching for interviews and articles about Colin and BJD, I found the scenes of the press junket interviews very funny, especially noticing how anecdotes kept changing."}, {"response": 179, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sat, Jul 21, 2001 (16:39)", "body": "Has anyone seen \"Legally Blonde\" and wondered where the idea of the bunny costume (as seen in the previews on TV) came from? The storyline behind the reason for inserting the bunny costume gag is pretty familiar, too ;-). Oh well, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. The movie is actually very funny, and RW is very good in it. Reese's boyfriends in the movie reminded me of two other boyfriends, but as Kate says above, something was missing...no body plays the noble, helpful boyfriend better than Colin!"}, {"response": 180, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jul 21, 2001 (17:03)", "body": "BJD is actually back up at number 4 (from number 5 last week)in the London Box Office! If there's a sequel, what happens to Hughie? Daniel's role in TEOR is only a cameo. Major re-write, or do RZ and CF carry the show?"}, {"response": 181, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Sat, Jul 21, 2001 (23:21)", "body": "My guess is Hughie pops up again in the sequel, if they are able to write him in. He is after all, a bigger \"star\" than Colin and, movie producers always have an eye on the drawing power of their actors. Plus, I think he earned some new fans with his bad boy image in BJD and, Hughie him self would probably want to capitalize on that. I for one, hope he comes back. I'm not a huge fan of his, but I thought he was very funny in BJD."}, {"response": 182, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Jul 22, 2001 (00:08)", "body": "(Bethan) If there's a sequel, what happens to Hughie? Daniel's role in TEOR is only a cameo. Major re-write, or do RZ and CF carry the show? I guess it will be the major re-write. I can already see where the bad boy Daniel Cleaver could fit in: as the one who hides the drugs in Bridgets luggage. With many others I hope there will be more of Bridgets friends this time, which should be easy, because EOR was modelled after Persuasion. Now I wonder how it will go on after that since HF has not written a third part... I'm speculating: it will go to television, with some actors one has never heard of before, and will be made into an endless series. ;-)"}, {"response": 183, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 22, 2001 (11:13)", "body": "Have just found out that Husbands-Bosworth is the name of a village in Leicestershire. How funny. ;-) Here are some aerial shots: http://www.skyfilmsnational.fsnet.co.uk/husbands_bosworth.htm"}, {"response": 184, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Jul 22, 2001 (14:56)", "body": "Iread somewhere that JK Rowling used to collect unusual place names ready for her books. Maybe HF does too!"}, {"response": 185, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 23, 2001 (08:18)", "body": "Review of BJD from the Sydney Morning-Herald, which says: \"There's a delicious irony to the casting of Firth, the only actor alive who can look interestingly grim and not just snotty.\" http://www.smh.com.au/news/0107/23/entertainment/entertain25.html"}, {"response": 186, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Jul 23, 2001 (09:42)", "body": "Thumbs from Down Under! Won't do any more spoilers save to say LOL at the bit about Hughie not just acting with his hair, c'mon , it wasn't the hair , was always the eyelids ;-) Thanks for sharing Karen"}, {"response": 187, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Mon, Jul 23, 2001 (22:02)", "body": "I always thought it was the hair which caused the eyelids to blink rapidly, which distracted HG and caused him to stutter."}, {"response": 188, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jul 23, 2001 (22:05)", "body": "test post"}, {"response": 189, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Mon, Jul 23, 2001 (23:16)", "body": "I've been trying to figure out who would be the best person to play swingy-haired, Mark Darcy-purloining Rebecca in the sequel to BJD. Rebecca reminds me greatly of Sigourney Weaver's character in \"Working Girl\", but I can't figure out who could play her. All of the actresses I come up with who would be perfect (Uma Thurman, Gwynneth Paltrow, Cameron Diaz) are all used to being leading ladies, so they are out. Have any of you given any thought to casting BJD2? Just curious."}, {"response": 190, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Jul 23, 2001 (23:28)", "body": "(Louise)but I can't figure out who could play her What do you think about Elizabeth Hurley as Rebecca? Maybe the script could be rewritten to have her (EH) end up with Daniel (Hugh) instead of Mark's friend (who Bridget helps out with the woman problem). Therefore giving Hugh a bigger part (but not the best part ;-)). It might be pretty interesting."}, {"response": 191, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Mon, Jul 23, 2001 (23:42)", "body": "Excellent choice! However, I would definitely miss seeing Rebecca ending up with fat old rich guy instead of luscious MD. I love the scene in the church where she's trying to get MD back. She might not be so desperate if she had DC in reserve. Also would hate to see HG trying to steal ODB's limelight. He should be left in a cameo role (if any), where he belongs. Who do you think should play Vile Richard and Simon?"}, {"response": 192, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 24, 2001 (07:49)", "body": "This weekend's foreign box office report: After scoring a phenomenal $58.4 million in the U.K. and a lusty $8 million in Spain, \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" saw sexy figures in Sweden ($581,000), Norway ($465,000) and New Zealand ($207,000). Its foreign total is $74.6 million from just seven countries."}, {"response": 193, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jul 24, 2001 (09:53)", "body": "(Louise)I would definitely miss seeing Rebecca ending up with fat old rich guy instead of luscious MD. You're right about that. Maybe HG could be the one to gain weight this time for the movie ;-). Do you think HG would do the movie if he has just a tiny cameo like in the book? As for Vile Richard and Simon, I haven't a clue. But I'm glad you asked, Louise, since I was just thinking about who might work as Rebecca. I also think Cate Blanchett could handle Rebecca quite well. She'd give her all the appropriate nuances here and there."}, {"response": 194, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Tue, Jul 24, 2001 (12:48)", "body": "Yes, she could definitely act the part. But the role definitely calls for swingy hair, and I always think of her with non-swingy hair (as in Elizabeth). Perhaps her real hair is swingy (can't remember enough about what her hair looked like in \"Pushing Tin\"), or she could wear a swingy wig."}, {"response": 195, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jul 24, 2001 (13:44)", "body": "Could this girl get any hotter? Super cast, if it comes to pass. From ET online, where you'd better all be casting your votes for Colin, RZ, and BJD today!!:-) REN\ufffdE IN CHICAGO July 24, 2001 | REN\ufffdE ZELLWEGER is in talks to join CATHERINE ZETA-JONES and KEVIN SPACEY in the movie version of the BOB FOSSE musical, Chicago. KATHY BATES is also on board for the adaptation executive produced by CRAIG ZADAN and NEIL MERON, the team responsible for recent musical TV hits \"Annie\" and \"Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows.\" Jones, who began her career in musical theater, will play Velma - the role originated by CHITA RIVERA in 1977."}, {"response": 196, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 24, 2001 (15:44)", "body": "Hot news on the BJD front. Looks like we have a date for the UK video release. It's Dec 3rd. I expect the delay has to do with the very slow rollout across Europe and other PAL countries. Wouldn't do to have the PAL video on the market when it is still in theatres. It can be preordered for \ufffd13.59 (\ufffd16.99 list) from: http://www.choicesdirect.co.uk/cgi-bin/ChoicesDirect.storefront/1338807406/Product/View/69296"}, {"response": 197, "author": "rachael", "date": "Tue, Jul 24, 2001 (16:25)", "body": "BJD still showing on the multiplex near me, 4 times a day - Pearl Harbour down to 1 a day, Captain Corelli long gone - still haven't managed my ambition of having the whole cinema to myself for a totally exclusive experience *LOL* guess I'll just have to go again. how about Gwynnie for Rebecca - swingy hair, can do a Brit accent ;-)"}, {"response": 198, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Tue, Jul 24, 2001 (20:45)", "body": "How about Madonna ? Her English accent is pretty much flawless now and she ain't even acting......I'm kidding, I'm kidding.....runs to avoid bricks being thrown at my head...."}, {"response": 199, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jul 25, 2001 (09:32)", "body": "Three very positive reviews for BJD at Urban Cinefile, a very thorough Austalian Film website and can you believe BJD is #2 in the Box Office and it is only previewing!wonder where it will be next week. Thanks Karen for the information re the relase of the video in the UK, is that the date for the DVD as well and do you know if there are any extra's for the UK. I hear there are quite a lot of extra's with the US DVD. Definitely going on my Christmas list."}, {"response": 200, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Wed, Jul 25, 2001 (15:13)", "body": "I went to see BJD again (and got grief from the BF! the rudeness! ;)). It seems to me that the little things are what elevate this movie from just fun to really good - Natasha's uncomfortable look during the 'single 30yo women' conversation at the dinner party; Bridget's nervous \"okay\" before she started on the conversation with Mark by the Xmas tree; Shaz's little wave from the car near the end; etc., etc.... But am I the only one who finds the American ending credits bit kinda icky? I dunno, there's something about the kiddos mirroring what will happen in the future that just creeps me out. Everyone else in all the theatres I've been in sure thought it was cute, though. :)"}, {"response": 201, "author": "toyce", "date": "Wed, Jul 25, 2001 (15:53)", "body": "I'm sort of like you. It's cute, but I'm not exactly fond of it myself. I like them using the song, but I think they could have left both the party and interview credits off. Not that I've seen the other version, though."}, {"response": 202, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Jul 25, 2001 (19:08)", "body": "I love the home movies at the end! The whole paddling pool thing comes up several times in the film, so it's fun to see what *really* happened in the pool. From what I've heard, the home movies are better than the interviews (I never did like that park a bike/balance a pint of beer line)."}, {"response": 203, "author": "rachael", "date": "Wed, Jul 25, 2001 (19:10)", "body": "never saw the home movies bit, being a Brit - if I go when in Oz will I see a different ending?"}, {"response": 204, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Wed, Jul 25, 2001 (20:49)", "body": "I loved the home movies ending also. I kept thinking that Mark was thinking of his eighth birthday party with fond memories every time he saw Bridget--and especially at her birthday party. She hadn't changed much and neither had he, really, not underneath where it counts--they were still soul mates. Hee, hee."}, {"response": 205, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (09:17)", "body": "(Kate, LouiseJ) I love the home movies at the end! Me three. Was v. glad RC (assuming it was his idea) elected to look back, not into the future like he did in both 4W and NH. Would've hated seeing BJ and MD cavorting with their child or reading in the park over a preganant abd."}, {"response": 206, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (10:19)", "body": "(Louise)they were still soul mates (Kate, LouiseJ,Eileen) I love the home movies at the end! The home movie was such a pleasure to watch and see that their relationship really did have such a tender start, especially after watching them \"re-find\" each other in the main movie. They became soul mates early on, whether they realized it then or not. As I watched the home movie ending, even the first time, it also reminded me of the TV couple, Dharma and Greg, who are very similar to Bridget and Mark. Clever Lucy-like blonde with tall, dark, and handsome attorney/barrister. D & G also had a soul mate beginning when they ran into each other on a subway as children while with their parents. Someone jokingly mentioned BJD as a series in the UK, maybe D & G could be used as a model, *hee hee*."}, {"response": 207, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (12:49)", "body": "I thought the home movie was really cute too, it didn't bother me at all."}, {"response": 208, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (12:49)", "body": ""}, {"response": 209, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (15:42)", "body": "(Rachael) never saw the home movies bit, being a Brit - if I go when in Oz will I see a different ending? Sorry Rachael, you will have to get the USA video or DVD, we have the same ending over here as you guys. Seems to be the trend; we had the same MLSF as you too."}, {"response": 210, "author": "rachael", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (16:11)", "body": "there's a different MLSF? in what way? oops looks like I need to spend some more evening reading old boards"}, {"response": 211, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (16:30)", "body": "(Rachael) there's a different MLSF? in what way? Yup, again the ending. However, the video in the UK *is* the US version. You would've had to have seen the movie in the cinemas in order to see the UK/Aussie ending (which also omitted the waltzing in the rain bit). You would probably see a discussion of the MLSFs on the Spoiler board but way back."}, {"response": 212, "author": "rachael", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (16:35)", "body": "aha. I have the video - ex rental from Blockbuster - curiously, the branch I usually go to had sold their copy of SLOW, (curses!) another branch in town is still renting it, and the other had never had it - something to do with culture and location I guess. ooh if I tried hard I could sound like Natasha *slaps self, opens bottle of Chardonnay*"}, {"response": 213, "author": "dina", "date": "Fri, Jul 27, 2001 (15:52)", "body": "\"in my 32th year..\"; \"...you're forty...\"; \"I was eight and you were four\"; pray tell how can all these statements go together? (don't throw tomatoes, no nasa scientist here) :-("}, {"response": 214, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jul 28, 2001 (09:41)", "body": "Where did I miss \"...you're forty...\" ? I don't remember Mark's age being mentioned at all."}, {"response": 215, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Sun, Jul 29, 2001 (15:43)", "body": "I don't remember Mark's age being mentioned at all. Me neither; I guess I'll have to go again tomorrow now, just to make sure ;-) Such hardship!!!"}, {"response": 216, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 30, 2001 (08:01)", "body": "Yesterday, Cathy and I carefully reviewed whether it is mentioned that MD is 40 and didn't hear it anywhere. Seems like Price Waterhouse was brought in to carefully check the movie before it was released. ;-)"}, {"response": 217, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jul 30, 2001 (08:36)", "body": "According to Teletext BJD is #1 in Australia, well done CathyP and everyone in Oz. who went to see Bridget & friends."}, {"response": 218, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Jul 30, 2001 (09:31)", "body": "(dina)\"in my 32th year..\"; \"...you're forty...\"; \"I was eight and you were four\"; pray tell how can all these statements go together? Dina, I think it was all the publicity that we were reading when BJD hit the screens (and during its run) that always mentioned that CF was 40 that was in your (our) mind during the movie because I remember thinking during the kitchen part of the birthday scene (probably on the 3rd or 4th viewing) -- \"Okay, CF is playing someone younger than he is...that's not hard for him to do at all\" ;-)."}, {"response": 219, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Mon, Jul 30, 2001 (11:05)", "body": "I think Bridget says, \"...you're 40\" to Mark at his parents' Ruby anniversary party, when she takes him aside to say that she likes him too."}, {"response": 220, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 30, 2001 (11:55)", "body": "(Marianne) I think Bridget says, \"...you're 40\" to Mark at his parents' Ruby anniversary party, when she takes him aside to say that she likes him too. Nope, we checked."}, {"response": 221, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Jul 30, 2001 (14:26)", "body": "I think Bridget tells him he's haughty, not forty."}, {"response": 222, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 30, 2001 (14:37)", "body": "Brilliant, Mark, I think you've cracked it. She does tell him he's haughty. BTW, we waved at you."}, {"response": 223, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Mon, Jul 30, 2001 (14:56)", "body": "Yup, I think Mark is right. I have no recollection of Mark's age being mentioned in the movie, other than him saying he was 8 and Bridge was 4 during the infamous paddling pool \"incident\"."}, {"response": 224, "author": "Echo", "date": "Mon, Jul 30, 2001 (16:51)", "body": "Which makes him about 37 in the film. Effortlessly believable. \"Okay, CF is playing someone younger than he is...that's not hard for him to do at all\" ;-). And he has played lots of such roles from his earliest days - in AC, Dutch Girls, Tumbledown..."}, {"response": 225, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Mon, Jul 30, 2001 (19:35)", "body": "Obviously, I wasn't paying attention ... will just have to back and see BJD yet again."}, {"response": 226, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Mon, Jul 30, 2001 (21:14)", "body": "I wanted to place an advance order for BJD on Amazon (along with the new P&P2 dvd), but they are not showing that BJD is due out on Sept. 18. Please tell me that Amazon is just being foolishly dilatory in not raking in advance sales, and that someone else will have BJD available on that date. Has anyone found it offered elsewhere?"}, {"response": 227, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 30, 2001 (22:24)", "body": "(Louise) but they are not showing that BJD is due out on Sept. 18. I doubt the date is any good. The DVD will be out on 10/9. Both are typically released on the same date."}, {"response": 228, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Mon, Jul 30, 2001 (23:27)", "body": "Darn. It was going to be part of my birthday present to me, but Oct 9 is too late. Here's hoping they're not kidding about P&P2 on Sep. 25. Must remember that will have Londinium in early Sept, P&P2 in lated Sept, and BJD on Oct 9. Talk about a hat trick. Am going to splurge on DVD player. My VCR's slo-mo/pause just doesn't do justice to ODB."}, {"response": 229, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Tue, Jul 31, 2001 (15:48)", "body": "According to Teletext BJD is #1 in Australia, well done CathyP and everyone in Oz. who went to see Bridget & friends Thanks Ann. My opening line when I meet anyone I even remotely know is \"have you been to see BJD yet? its a great movie, you must see it. If you need someone to tag along with you, just give me a call; I'll be available\" Must be working ;-)"}, {"response": 230, "author": "studybees", "date": "Wed, Aug  1, 2001 (06:56)", "body": "So it's not just me who did that tagging along line ... ;)"}, {"response": 231, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Aug  3, 2001 (12:05)", "body": "Update on the BJ DVD, from DVD reviews. Hmmm . . .no mention of deleted scenes. Am certain is oversight.;-) Take a peek at Bridget Jones's Diary August 1, 2001 One of the biggest box office surprises of the year has been the romantic comedy that kickstarted Renee Zellweger's career, Bridget Jones's Diary. The film, based on the Helen Fielding novel, pulled in over $71 million, and now it's coming to DVD from Miramax. This hilarious romantic comedy is the story of Bridget Jones (Zellweger), a 32 year old \"singleton\" who decides to take control of her life by keeping a diary. With a taste for adventure and an opinion on every subject - from her circle of friends, to men, food, sex and everything in between, she's decided to turn the page on a whole new life. Despite her efforts to get her act together, she finds herself caught between two men - a man who's too good to be true, Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) and a man who's so wrong for her he could be right, Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). The new DVD will come with an anamorphic transfer and Dolby Digital 5.1 audio tracks in English and French. The disc will also contain an audio commentary with director Sharon Maguire, a behind the scenes featurette, music videos for Shelby Lynn's \"Killin' Kind\" and \"Out of Reach\" by Gabrielle, International End Credit Sequence, and original Bridget Jones Columns. \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" has been a crowd pleaser in theatres. On October 9th, the film will come home to DVD."}, {"response": 232, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Aug  3, 2001 (12:10)", "body": "Here's the cover:"}, {"response": 233, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Fri, Aug  3, 2001 (13:30)", "body": "Sign up here to have the Sharon Maguire's audio commentary replaced by one of Col's......well, shoot we can hope can't we."}, {"response": 234, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Tue, Aug  7, 2001 (14:12)", "body": "I think, as a minimum, one of those round table discussions, like the cast of \"The Winslow Boy\" did on the DVD, would be most agreeable..."}, {"response": 235, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug  7, 2001 (17:32)", "body": "From THR: \"The United Kingdom record industry had its best-ever second quarter this year as releases from acts including Dido, Stereophonics, Travis and Destiny's Child drove album revenue up year-on-year by almost 18% to #227.8 million ($325.6 million), the Bitish Phonographic Industry said Monday. Total revenue from U.K. recorded music in the April-June period was up 14.1% to #254.5 million ($363.8 million) over last year. Other albums that helped boost sales included new releases by Shaggy and R.E.M.;compilations from Billy Joel and Eddy Grant; \"Now 48,\" an all-star compilation of artists from EMI, Virgin and Universal; and the the soundtrack from the film \"Bridget Jones's Diary. \""}, {"response": 236, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  8, 2001 (09:15)", "body": "With this, I'd say we can put any sequel filming to rest for some time. From Variety: Renee Zellweger is poised to join Catherine Zeta-Jones as the larcenous murdering dancer-singers who topline \"Chicago,\" the Miramax version of the Tony-winning Bob Fosse musical being prepped for an early 2002 shoot. While Zellweger wouldn't seem the most obvious choice for a song-and-dance film, the actress has been eyed for some time by the studio that distributed her last hit, \"Bridget Jones's Diary.\" Zellweger showed off her talents to the film's director, Rob Marshall, in Gotham late last week and demonstrated enough singing and dancing ability to win an offer for the role of Roxie. She accepted, and the dealmaking is commencing. http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010808/en/film-zellweger_1.html"}, {"response": 237, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug  8, 2001 (09:52)", "body": "Good for Renee..going for muscial comedies.The only singing I've heard was the Christmas party in BJD. Doubt that would have gotten the Roxie role in Chicago;-)"}, {"response": 238, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Aug 13, 2001 (13:45)", "body": "Hmmm, I dunno about this. I love RZ, and I hope she does well, but can she and CZ-J handle the dancing? The original choreography was Fosse, and the revival was based on his choreography. Fosse dancing is a definite style, and (I've read) not easy to learn. I've seen plenty of musicals where they've dubbed the singing, but you can't dub the dancing. Well, you could body-double, but I doubt the producers would do that."}, {"response": 239, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Mon, Aug 13, 2001 (17:26)", "body": "Karen-have almost *exploded* from inability to ask this question in the last 24 hours ;-) On your Locarno page at The Bucket, what question is CF answering when he refers to the \"sequel\"? I assume that he's talking about the book (EOR), but for a brief, irrational time, I thought it might be the movie. Was v. excited and overwrought. Am calm now... ;-) So glad to have the conferences back!"}, {"response": 240, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Aug 13, 2001 (19:28)", "body": "Well, CZJ started out as a dancer, doing musicals since her teens. As for RZ, this kid is fearless and an incredibly hard worker. She's not afraid to put herself out there and take risks. And Spacey and Bates are to be in this one, too? I'll be there when they open the doors! :-)"}, {"response": 241, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Aug 13, 2001 (21:48)", "body": "Rene Zellwegger is going to be on one of the talk shows this week. I know. I saw it on http://www.tvreviewer.com"}, {"response": 242, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Tue, Aug 14, 2001 (16:42)", "body": "I see that amazon.uk is selling a Bridget Jones's Diary Karaoke VHS tape on Aug. 27. Does anyone here know what that might be? And Renee will be on a rerun of the View on Aug.21. I don't think I've seen that one."}, {"response": 243, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Tue, Aug 14, 2001 (23:44)", "body": "Don't know about the karaoke part. Unless they mean Bridget singing \"All by Myself\" in her jammies, \"I Can't Live (if living is without you)\" at Christmas party, and Happy Birthday sung during fight?"}, {"response": 244, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 14, 2001 (23:46)", "body": "A guess, purely a guess, on my part is that you can buy karaoke versions of most of the songs on the soundtrack to play at parties, etc. Do people do that???"}, {"response": 245, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Aug 15, 2001 (13:24)", "body": "Saw this while thumbing through this week's Newsweek. It gave me a chuckle. Romancing New Readers To woo young women, bodice-rippers try to get hip By Jane Spencer NEWSWEEK Aug. 20 issue \ufffd In \ufffdSee Jane Date,\ufffd a soon-to-be published novel, the heroine is a 28-year-old Manhattan publishing assistant who dreams about DKNY sweaters, frets about her hip measurements and goes through men almost as fast as she goes through Marlboro Lights. She spends her weekends drinking cosmopolitans at trendy TriBeCa bars and fantasizes about her Pierce Brosnan-esque boss. But even though the book is being published by Harlequin Enterprises Ltd., the reigning champion of supermarket trash, there are no Fabio look-alikes, wealthy cowboys or amnesiac brides anywhere within its 284 pages. \ufffdSEE JANE DATE\ufffd represents the cheeky new face of the $1.4 billion romance industry. In an effort to seduce younger readers, romance publishers are expanding into the exploding \ufffdchick lit\ufffd genre. The new titles aim to surf the commercial wave created by Penguin\ufffds \ufffdBridget Jones\ufffds Diary,\ufffd a British import that sold more than a million copies in the United States and spawned a recent hit Miramax film. The loyal following of shows like HBO\ufffds \ufffdSex and the City\ufffd also convinced romance publishers that they needed to freshen their image. In recent months they\ufffdve started peppering their plots with career-driven heroines, spicier sex scenes and urban settings. Harlequin is taking things a bit further, launching a new imprint called Red Dress Ink. \ufffdThey\ufffdre edgy, they\ufffdve got attitude and a certain hipness to them,\ufffd says Margaret Marbury, editor of the series. \ufffdSee Jane Date\ufffd by Melissa Senate, due to hit stores this November, is the first book in the line. Harlequin intends to distance the new line from the lowbrow stigma associated with romance fiction. The name Harlequin won\ufffdt appear anywhere on the book jacket. (Harlequin will continue to publish its traditional offerings as well.) While eying the attractive new demographic, the traditional romance market is not about to fizzle out. Nearly 20 percent of all books sold are romances, and industry profits increase dependably each year. In the mid-\ufffd90s, however, many supermarkets and drugstores dropped their romance lines in favor of megasellers by authors like Stephen King and Danielle Steel. The change dramatically reduced the number of outlets stocking romance novels and considerably tightened competition in the field. Romance sales are also particularly weak among readers under 35, as titles like \ufffdThe Widower\ufffds Folly,\ufffd and \ufffdOutlaw\ufffds Bride\ufffd may not strike a chord with the Bridget Jones crowd. To lure those readers, publishers are kissing the traditional romance-plot formula goodbye. Until now, novels followed a very familiar story line, says Harold Lowry, president of Romance Writers of America: \ufffdBoy meets girl, boy loses girl because of a problem of some sort, and then they work it out and live happily ever after.\ufffd All romances conclude with the promise of marriage, if not an actual walk down the aisle. (Publishers of gay and lesbian romances make a few necessary gender adjustments.) Harlequin\ufffds Red Dress Ink books might be best described as \ufffdgirl meets boys\ufffd stories, and they promise no tidy endings. Many in the romance world believe the uncertainty will resonate better with younger readers. \ufffdThey might have trouble seeing a 28-year-old heroine settling down at the end for happily ever after,\ufffd says Hope Tarr, who writes romances for Jove\ufffds Seduction line. In hitting the singles scene, romance publishers are once again showing their ability to target extremely narrow markets. Existing romance subgenres include Regency historicals (set in 19th-century England with titles like \ufffdThe Prude and the Prodigal\ufffd)[ ed. note: Pfft! ], Westerns (populated by strapping Texan ranch hands), inspirationals (spiritual themes and no consummation of love) and Rubenesques (heroines are not perfect 10s). But in this instance, romance writers face ample competition from literary publishers and each other. \ufffdPersonally, I think they\ufffdre getting there a little late,\ufffd says Donald Maass, president of the Donald Maass Literary Agency, which represents roughly 100 commercial-fiction authors. \ufffdThere have been so many \ufffdBridget Jones\ufffd imitations about neurotic women dealing with bad bosses.\ufffd And there has been some grumbling in the romance world over the break with tradition. However, many view the chick-lit invasion as simply the latest twist in a field that has been growing and changing since the day Jane Eyre laid eyes on Mr. Rochester at Thornfield Hall. \ufffdIf we have a nuclear war, the only things left would be cockroaches and romance novels,\ufffd says Jennifer Crusie, a best-selling romance author for St. Martin\ufffds Press. \ufffdYou just can\ufffdt kill it.\ufffd Here's a link to the article and a poll (sorry, Ev) where you can vote for your favorite \"chick lit\" book. http://www.msnbc.com/news/612298.asp"}, {"response": 246, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 15, 2001 (13:41)", "body": "Westerns (populated by strapping Texan ranch hands) Oooooh!! Visions of tight jeans. Any titles provided?? ;-) \ufffdIf we have a nuclear war, the only things left would be cockroaches and romance novels,\ufffd ROTFLOL!"}, {"response": 247, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Wed, Aug 15, 2001 (14:33)", "body": "and Cher"}, {"response": 248, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 15, 2001 (16:42)", "body": "(Eileen)Here's a link to the article and a poll (sorry, Ev) where you can vote for your favorite \"chick lit\" book. LOL. OK ,I voted....just because the *others* looked like \"cockroaches\". Bridget Jones's Diary\" 31% \"Girls' Guide To Hunting and Fishing\" 11% \"Sex and the City\" 26% \"Mr. Maybe\" 2% Other 30%"}, {"response": 249, "author": "Becka", "date": "Wed, Aug 15, 2001 (18:12)", "body": "The Prude and the Prodigal??!!! LOL! Now that is funny!!!"}, {"response": 250, "author": "odessa", "date": "Thu, Aug 16, 2001 (14:14)", "body": "BJD is been advertised on tv now, but there`s only a short glimpse of Colin (from behind).Yet lot`s of HC. Was it like that in UK too?"}, {"response": 251, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Aug 16, 2001 (15:49)", "body": "Aha! Just voted in the chick lit poll. As a matter of research, I visited the site a second time. In case anyone is curious, yes, it is a \"cookied\" poll. (Odessa)BJD is been advertised on tv now, but there`s only a short glimpse of Colin (from behind). Depending on the shot, that isn't all bad. If it's the shot from first time we see him at the turkey curry buffet..."}, {"response": 252, "author": "caribou", "date": "Fri, Aug 17, 2001 (15:13)", "body": "I really liked those glimpses from behind. I think that is how Andrew Davies added the Darcy element. It happens several time in P&P, too."}, {"response": 253, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Aug 22, 2001 (09:54)", "body": "BJD is winning a lot of new converts to P&P! I enjoyed reading this (posted at IMDB) :-) \"Brilliant - I only wish I'd caught it first time round. I recently read Pride and Prejudice, having read and enjoyed Bridget Jones and knowing that it is based on P+P. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, although it took a long time to get through as the writing is such good quality. I remembered the series being shown in 1995, and although I was too young to watch it or have any interest then, I still remember the way it captured the hearts of the whole nation in a way that nothing else had done before or has done since. I managed to scab the video off a friend, and settled myself down one evening to start watching it with my mum. I was expecting it to be good, but - what can I say, it blew me away. We watched about 2 hours that night, and the next day I was so impatient to see the rest that I watched the next 3 hours in one go, without my mum, who wasn't best pleased with me... All of the humour of the book was captured perfectly. The characters of Mr and Mrs Bennet, Miss Bingley, Lydia and Mary were all hillarious, although I must admit, there were times when all I wanted was to see Darcy! (That lake scene... I have never seen anything quite so erotic!) You could feel the sexual tension and chemistry between Elizabeth and Darcy, they must be one of the best screen pairings ever. Not many others could say so much with one look. I recommend this very VERY highly, although I do bitterly disappoint having missed out on the frenzy of 6 years ago. Hopefully some other such thing will come along soon. :-)\""}, {"response": 254, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Aug 22, 2001 (10:55)", "body": "(IMDB post)although I do bitterly disappoint having missed out on the frenzy of 6 years ago This fan seems to think the frenzy was something that took place 6 years ago and is now over. Little does she know..."}, {"response": 255, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Aug 22, 2001 (17:15)", "body": "Who's going to tell her? :-)"}, {"response": 256, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (09:33)", "body": "From Ananova: Bainbridge blasts 'chick lit' women's fiction Beryl Bainbridge has denounced women's stories about the search for Mr Right. Feminist writer Doris Lessing agreed and asked why women write such \"instantly forgettable\" books. However, Helen Fielding - creator of Bridget Jones's Diary - said critics had missed the point and the book was not meant to be taken seriously. Popular author Bainbridge, favourite to win the Booker Prize for fiction, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: \"It is a froth sort of thing. What is the point writing a whole novel about it? \"As people spend so little time reading it is a pity they perhaps can't read something a bit deeper, a bit more profound, something with a bit of bite to it.\" Lessing said: \"It's a pity that so many young women are writing like that. I wonder if they are just writing like this because they think they are going to get published. \"It would be better, perhaps, if they wrote books about their lives as they really saw them and not these helpless girls, drunken, worrying about their weight and so on.\" Fielding said: \"Sometimes I have had people getting their knickers in a twist about Bridget Jones being a disgrace to feminism and so on. \"But it is good to be able to represent women as they actually are in the age in which you are living.\" Feminist and author Jeanette Winterson defended the \"chick lit\" genre: \"I am unashamedly high art. There is such a thing and we need it in our lives,\" she said. \"But I also like entertainment. Chick lit? No problem. Bridget Jones's Diary? Love it, just great, and I feel completely easy with all that.\" And former Booker winner Pat Barker said reading such books was just a phase readers grew out of. \"Young people, because they have an insecure sense of their own identity, love reading books that confirm that identity,\" she said. \"I think as people get older they need that from their reading less and less and most of us end up much broader minded about what it is we are prepared to read.\""}, {"response": 257, "author": "studybees", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (09:44)", "body": "Pat Barker said: Young people, because they have an insecure sense of their own identity, love reading books that confirm that identity,\" she said. \"I think as people get older they need that from their reading less and less and most of us end up much broader minded about what it is we are prepared to read.\" My response to that, as someone not yet twenty one, is \"F*** off, you patronising cow\". (sorry) She may well have written Regeneration etc but that does not put her in a position to comment on the reading habits of young people. I read books I enjoy, whether high or low art (I'm with the excellent Winterson on this)."}, {"response": 258, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (09:45)", "body": "Another possible appearance??? Dinard film fest arranges date with \"Bridget\" \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" will make its French debut at the 12th Dinard Festival of British Film (Oct. 4-7), whose highlights this year include a tribute to the late John Gielgud."}, {"response": 259, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (10:06)", "body": "Penny, love yuor response to the Pat Barker comment! \"As people spend so little time reading it is a pity they perhaps can't read something a bit deeper, a bit more profound, something with a bit of bite to it.\" Maybe if you can't see the underlying depth in something like BJD, it's you who's not so profound, Ms Bainbridge. And if you make \"chick-lit\" more \"deep\" (trans: dull), people will spend even less time reading. Sad jealousy, IMO. Jeanette Winterson's viewpoint is as usual refreshing, and HF herself is serenely calm and non-defensive."}, {"response": 260, "author": "studybees", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (10:21)", "body": "Ms Bainbridge is clearly just desperate for publicity so she can get a Booker prize. She's probably just bitter that Booker didn't give her one of her Cash 'n' Carry cards so she has to pay full price for her Chardonnay and ciggies and decided to go all pretentious and gobby instead of taking the Bridget route."}, {"response": 261, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (10:21)", "body": "BBC News' take on same article. A few more quotes and more filler between them: Female fiction 'dumbs down' Has chick lit reached the end of the line? By arts correspondent Rebecca Jones Women are spoilt for choice. Go into any bookshop and there will be a pile of paperbacks, written by women, about women, who are invariably searching - for men. Among those on offer is a sweeping tale of love between cousins on an Argentinian ranch. Another is about a frustrated florist whose life \"isn't coming up roses\" and yet another promises to be \"an eye-wetting read\" about a smart single girl. Women buy more books than men and the publishing world is falling over itself to sell them what's become known as \"chick-lit\". But a literary row is brewing. The novelist Beryl Bainbridge has dismissed chick-lit as \"a waste of time, this froth sort of thing\". Beryl Bainbridge is one of the most influential writers of her generation, and is favourite to win this year's Booker Prize. On Friday she will be speaking at the Edinburgh Book Festival, discussing her new novel According to Queeney, about the last years of Dr Johnson. She despairs of literary dumbing down. \"As people spend so little time reading it's a pity they perhaps can't read something a bit deeper, a bit more profound, something with a bit of bite to it,\" she says. The writer and feminist icon Doris Lessing agrees. And she cannot understand why women want to write what she calls instantly forgettable, poor literature. \"It's a pity that so many young women are trying to write that,\" she says. \"I wonder if they're just writing like this because they think they're going to get published? \"It would be better perhaps if they wrote books about their lives as they really saw them, and not these helpless girls, drunk and worrying about their weight.\" The godmother of the genre is arguably Helen Fielding, who created Bridget Jones's Diary - about a single girl's struggles with sex and slimming. It has sold more than 1.5 million copies. Helen Fielding thinks critics of Bridget Jones have missed the point: the book is not meant to be taken seriously. \"It's good for women to be able to be funny about women and not to be afraid to be funny,\" she says. \"Sometimes I've had people getting their knickers in a twist about Bridget Jones being a disgrace to feminism and so on. \"But the point is, it's good to be able to represent women as they actually are in the age you're living when you're a writer.\" But if Bridget Jones, and the hundreds of pale imitiations she has spawned, merely hold a mirror up to women's lives, they will never expand horizons or stretch intellects in the way serious literary fiction can. Surprisingly perhaps, the writer and feminist Jeannette Winterson, does not think that matters. \"Look, I'm unashamedly high art, there is such a thing and we need it in our lives,\" she says. \"But I also like entertainment. I have no problem with chick lit, I love Bridget Jones's Diary, it's just great. \"It's all the muck in the middle I mind. I hate anything that's middle brow. Let's have art or let's have entertainment.\" And Pat Barker, a former winner of the Booker Prize says that type of entertainment is just a phase - ultimately it is something readers should grow out of. \"I think chick lit and lad lit are to do with age,\" she says. \"I think young people, because they have an insecure sense of their own identity love reading books which confirm that identity, which mirror their lifestyle choices back to them. \"I think as people get older they need that from their reading less and less - most of us end up much broader-minded about what it is we're prepared to read.\""}, {"response": 262, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (11:21)", "body": "\"I think chick lit and lad lit are to do with age,\" she says. \"I think young people, because they have an insecure sense of their own identity love reading books which confirm that identity, which mirror their lifestyle choices back to them. ] and I read PG Wodehouse and EM Forster does that mean I want to live in Victorian (Georgian?) England? I read for escapism. Reading about the escapades of Bridget or Elizabeth or whoever is WHY I read the books, should they mimic my life at the time, is purely coincindental and I will not sue;)"}, {"response": 263, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (11:25)", "body": "Sacrilege!! He should be erased from the movie and soundtrack. Is veritable slap in the face of all Bridgetophiles. ;-) (from the WeMakeUpPeopleNews site) Robbie in chocolate row: Singer turns down Milk Tray job Many women might swoon at the idea of Robbie Williams swooping through their bedroom windows armed with a box of chocolates and a cheeky grin. This image, however, will have to remain in the imagination for now \ufffd the former Take That singer has turned down an offer to be the new Milk Tray man. Cadbury offered the resurrected role to the singer, but angered him when they issued a statement advertising the fact. A source close to Robbie said: 'It looks like they deliberately linked their name with Robbie's for a bit of free publicity.' A Cadbury's spokesman said: 'Our offer remains \ufffd we'd still love him to be the Milk Tray man.'"}, {"response": 264, "author": "odessa", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (11:35)", "body": "Every magazine seems to have somekind of article about BJD/RZ/CF (because the premiere is tomorrow). One interview was made with the same style as Bridget`s interview with Colin. The interviewer was sorry that Colin`s shirt wasn`t more transparent, admired his voice, etc. (The actual situation had been very professional, I think)"}, {"response": 265, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (12:48)", "body": "My response to that, as someone not yet twenty one, is \"F*** off, you patronising cow\". Pfft! Love it, Penny--I'm with you. Helen Fielding rules!:-)"}, {"response": 266, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (13:29)", "body": "Hey Mark, something that is deep is not neccessarily dull. Take in our film discussions some day. ;-) \"As people spend so little time reading it is a pity they perhaps can't read something a bit deeper, a bit more profound, something with a bit of bite to it.\" I like to do both."}, {"response": 267, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (14:02)", "body": "Lord this condescending attitude of Beryl Bainbridge is so annoying. Why must we all be labeled as being shallow simply for liking BJD and such ? I hate it when the media has to put restricting lables on people and categorize them as only one sort of another. I have a stack of books by my bed that contains Jane Austen, Anthony Trollope,Charles Dickens, Paul Theoroux, Judith Krantz, and Helen Fielding. Sometimes I am in the mood for something heavy, sometimes I want the mindless escapism of Princess Daisy. Is that wrong of me ? Does that make me shallow ? I really don't think so. I strongly resent it when it is implied that I am some weak willed little doormat of a woman, simply binding time until my Prince Charming arrives to take me away to his castle, just by reading light fiction from time to time. Get over yourself, Beryl."}, {"response": 268, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (14:28)", "body": "Not that I would ever intentionally point ppl toward literary theory ;) but there's an interesting body of work on the symbolism of the 'romance' and its development in modern culture. Some of the older books are painfully classist highbrow vs lowbrow stuff; later stuff is more accessible (if it isn't too academic), like the collection of essays edited by Jayne Ann Krentz (Dangerous Men & Adventurous Women: Romance Writers on the Appeal of the Romance, sez amazon). My point, slowly arrived at :), is that there's a lot more going on in romances than a literal 'search for a man', and these critics might see that if they weren't so determined that chick-lit is fluff before they even start reading."}, {"response": 269, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (19:43)", "body": "these critics might see that if they weren't so determined that chick-lit is fluff before they even start reading. You don't think that these literary snobs have actually read any so-called \"chick-lit\", do you? The closest they have ever come to it is probably reading the sales figures for \"chick-lit\" and getting their knickers in a knot because the C-L figures are geometrically greater than their own \"award-winning\" book sales. It's \"libris\" envy, that's all."}, {"response": 270, "author": "ommin", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (21:06)", "body": "A few months ago I tried to read Beryl Bainbridge - I found her pretentious and utterly boring needless to say I did not finish the book. I too have Trollope, Austin, Dickens etc. amongst my many books. The 'Booker' prize in my opinion is a bit of a farce - have any of you tried to read Salman Rushdie."}, {"response": 271, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (22:04)", "body": "Nope, I did try Ben Okri's The Famished Road though, does that count ? Am not at liberty to divuldge if I got any further than Bridget did."}, {"response": 272, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (23:03)", "body": "(Louise) It's \"libris\" envy, that's all. LOL! (Anne) The 'Booker' prize in my opinion is a bit of a farce - have any of you tried to read Salman Rushdie. Aw, I wouldn't condemn the Booker, as there have been many fine books/authors honored by its panel. (Possession won it!) However, I find it amazing that Bainbridge took out after chick lit, when she shares the shortlist with Nick Hornby's How to Be Good. While that's a good book, an enjoyable read that approaches philosophical issues, a literary agent I know in NYC, a veteran of the world of publishing, said that such a book would never be nominated for our Pulitzer, PEN Faulkner, National Book, or National Book Critics Circle Award."}, {"response": 273, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Aug 24, 2001 (02:53)", "body": "Moon: Hey Mark, something that is deep is not neccessarily dull. Take in our film discussions some day. ;-) I know this (and the film discussions confirm it). It's Beryl's definition of deep that I was translating as dull. (But I did spot the winkie) ;-)"}, {"response": 274, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Aug 24, 2001 (06:46)", "body": "(Karen), Aw, I wouldn't condemn the Booker, as there have been many fine books/authors honored by its panel. (Possession won it!) Although P is a slow starter, IMO, that is the only exception. Have you tried the others? ZZZZ How to Be Good. While that's a good book, an enjoyable read that approaches philosophical issues, Philosophical issues ala Hornby? LOL!"}, {"response": 275, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Aug 24, 2001 (09:49)", "body": "(Louise) It's \"libris\" envy, that's all. (Anne) A few months ago I tried to read Beryl Bainbridge - I found her pretentious and utterly boring I think Beryl could use a good...*never mind* ;-)"}, {"response": 276, "author": "rachael", "date": "Fri, Aug 24, 2001 (12:23)", "body": "good response from Jenny Colgan in today's G2 about the whole chick lit thing - if you can't get it via the web site I'll type it out for anyone who wants it"}, {"response": 277, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 26, 2001 (22:58)", "body": "From Variety: In Germany, the video game-inspired picture [Final Fantasy] reaped about $1.69 million over three days, ahead of \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" which took about $1.29 million. In Austria, \"Bridget Jones\" took top spot with about $171,000, while \"Final Fantasy\" took $153,000."}, {"response": 278, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Aug 27, 2001 (07:06)", "body": "BGD is still playing at a couple of theaters in Austin. Any idea on the DVD release date? I want to offer it on our website."}, {"response": 279, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Aug 27, 2001 (09:34)", "body": "\"It's Raining Men\" is very popular in Italy this summer, even my boys know it. The original is so much better."}, {"response": 280, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 27, 2001 (23:06)", "body": "Back on the Beryl Beat... from The Times last Thursday: Q&A: chick lit Beryl Bainbridge, whose novel According to Queeney has been nominated for this year's Booker Prize, has denounced chick lit as \"froth\". Melissa Katsoulis, The Times Deputy Literary Editor, offers a guide to the genre. What is chick lit? It's cheap and cheerful, easy-to read fiction by, for and about thirtysomething women. Usually focusing on the quest for the perfect man / job / flat / hairdo. The warts and all successors to Jilly Cooper and Jackie Collins. Who invented it? Helen Fielding was the star of chick lit with Bridget Jones's Diary, but of course women's writing about finding a man is hardly a 20th-century phenomenon. Who are the big chick-lit authors? Marian Keyes has made her fortune with novels like Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married and Sushi for Beginners, and Wendy Holden has just followed the successes of Simply Divine, Bad Heir Day and Shell Shock with a new contribution, Pastures Nouveax. Other big names are Louise Bagshawe, billed as a young Jackie Collins, Anna Maxted and Freya North. What are the cheap imitations? You could say that the whole genre is a cheap imitation of writers such as Fay Weldon, Margaret Atwood and Angela Carter, all of whom have written about women's lives with real intellectual panache. Anna Maxted made her name as a writer of sex guides before segueing in to fiction with Running in Heels. Can men write chick lit? I think not. Realistic, affectionate, funny writing about the truth of women's lives today is something women do best. Plus many female readers want to read books by other women because turning to a book is like turning to a girlfriend - someone who automatically understands you and doesn't think less of you for crying over a dodgy haircut. Is there a trick to writing chick lit? The diary format of Bridget Jones was key to its success, but it has not been widely imitated. The trick seems to be having a flawed heroine - a woman whose life is not perfect and to whose anxieties about work, family and self-image we can all relate. Do any authors admit to writing chick lit? Not to my knowledge. I don't think women even refer to themselves as chicks these days, do they? How popular is it? The bestseller charts have been chick-lit-heavy for the last few years, and of course as many books are lent and borrowed as bought. So we can assume that most women under 40 are at least acquainted with the genre. Are there problems with defining chick lit as a genre? Men are probably put off, but I fear that their reading books about needy, scheming, thirtysomething women would only put them off women as well. One problem with the genre is the kind of jazzy, lower-case, pink-themed cover designs that suggest primary school reading schemes rather than grown-up fiction. Why is Beryl Bainbridge so critical of chick lit? Bainbridge is an important literary figure of many years' standing. Even if she does sit around fretting about her carbohydrate intake and dreaming about Colin Firth, she is not likely to consider such trifles the stuff of great literature. Writers are as diverse as any other profession and there is room for everyone - spring chicks as well as old mother hens. Is there an equivalent \"lad lit\"? Recently writers such as Tony Parsons and Toby Litt have joined Nick Hornby on the bestseller lists with books about thirtysomething men facing roughly the same problems as Bridget et al. So far these exponents of \"lad lit\" have not been received with the same degree of disdain - Parsons, Litt and Hornby are all good writers. But as the genre grows there will be more room for bad books. That's when the claws will come out."}, {"response": 281, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Aug 28, 2001 (07:40)", "body": "she does sit around fretting about her carbohydrate intake and dreaming about Colin Firth LOL! Now she's hitting on a universal theme."}, {"response": 282, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 28, 2001 (08:25)", "body": "I can see the next iteration of this story. The headline will read: Bainbridge A Fraud!!! The Times discloses she's a rabid calorie counter and obsessed with Colin Firth. ;-)"}, {"response": 283, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 28, 2001 (08:59)", "body": "From THR: Bridget Jones's Diary\" will have its French premiere when it opens the 12th Dinard Festival of British Film on Oct. 4, organizers said Monday."}, {"response": 284, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Tue, Aug 28, 2001 (13:00)", "body": "I don't think women even refer to themselves as chicks these days, do they? I dunno, I do. In a rather ironic way, anyway. \"Stop the PCing of language - reclaim yourself as a chick!\" - ? There's a wink-wink-nudge-nudge Darcy reference in the Earlene Fowler book I'm reading; I'll type it in when I'm at home."}, {"response": 285, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, Aug 28, 2001 (18:22)", "body": "I don't think women even refer to themselves as chicks these days Well... in this context I'd have to refer to myself as old bird - and that I absolutely refuse to do. ;-P"}, {"response": 286, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Tue, Aug 28, 2001 (22:27)", "body": "There was an article in the Canadian news today about how the Toronto-based Atlantis-Alliance film company is turning a profit this year with much thanks to BJD. I don't know what their share of the money was since there were so many companies represented in the opening of the film (Studio Canal, Universal, etc.). That reminded me of all the people given credit for \"Romeo and Juliet\" in SIL. Meanwhile, BJD is still playing here albeit in the cheap theatres, but many films have come and gone since BJD's release. The prints must be absolutely shredded by now. Maybe I should go and check. Or can I hold out for the DVD? I suppose I should get a DVD player :-)"}, {"response": 287, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Aug 29, 2001 (07:24)", "body": "Wednesday August 29 4:06 AM ET Bullock, Grant pair for laffs By Dana Harris HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant will star in an untitled romantic comedy targeted a Christmas 2002 bow in theaters. Bullock will play a successful but somewhat neurotic attorney, with Grant as her enchanting, reckless and moneyed boss. Bullock's Fortis Films will produce the picture. Shooting will begin next February on location in Gotham. The Castle Rock/Warner Bros. project was written by Marc Lawrence, who will make his directing debut on the film. His writing credits include Castle Rock's ``Miss Congeniality,'' starring Bullock, and ``Mickey Blue Eyes,'' starring Grant. Bullock and Grant are coming off strong box office performers, ``Miss Congeniality'' and ``Bridget Jones's Diary,'' respectively. Castle Rock's next release is ``Hearts in Atlantis,'' a coming-of-age tale starring Anthony Hopkins. It is set for a Sept. 28 release."}, {"response": 288, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Aug 29, 2001 (07:42)", "body": "Thanks, Mari. We now know of several HG films post BJD. What about ODB? Why is he not able to make a killing after the success of BJD? We need to get some psychology expert here to explain this phenomenon. ;-)"}, {"response": 289, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 29, 2001 (08:18)", "body": "Let's put this in perspective. Huge has only made one film since Bridget (AAAB) and Colin has done the same (TIOBE). The only difference is that Huge's name has been floated in the press as being up for a number of movies, none of which is apparently being made as yet. We should be hearing something soon and it will likely be going under production far sooner than Feb. *fingers, legs, toes and eyes crossed*"}, {"response": 290, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Aug 29, 2001 (10:11)", "body": "Karen, I pray you're right. **Novena card in hand** I think Moon is just bracing for the letdown that some of us have experienced all too often. Moon, ah feel yo pain, honeychile.;-) Helen Fielding is listed as a guest on David Letterman's show this Friday. Not sure if it's a re-run--I don't recall her being on before. And speaking of Letterman, sorry, but I can't resist posting last night's top ten list: Top Ten Ways Gary Condit Can Improve His Image 10. New campaign slogan: \"Oh, like you've never killed anybody!\" 9. Blame everything on his idiot brother Jeb Condit 8. Stop screaming at reporters, \"Holy crap! I'm actually getting away with it!\" 7. Get himself really cool nickname, like \"G. Conditty\" 6. Release lengthy list of former interns he did not kill 5. Announce he hasn't been the same since the break-up with Nicole Kidman 4. Grow a full, reassuring, Kenny Rogers-style white beard 3. Confess, resign, serve 50-to-life 2. Focus on the 25% of voters who don't think he's a loathsome prick 1. Have sex with Monica Lewinsky"}, {"response": 291, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 29, 2001 (10:38)", "body": "HF on Letterman? Interesting. Letterman isn't on reruns this week (although Leno is). (Mari) bracing for the letdown Wot! You know something I don't, like which project?? He's got to go back to work some time. Documentary filmmakers don't make all that much to support his lifestyle's requirements. ;-)"}, {"response": 292, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Aug 29, 2001 (11:20)", "body": "No inside info here. It's called fearing to hope for the best while preparing for the worst.;-) Hey, I'm a lifelong Phillies fan, after all. He's got to go back to work some time. Well, he does have those \"film commitments\" come . . . January."}, {"response": 293, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Aug 29, 2001 (12:13)", "body": "(Variety) The Castle Rock/Warner Bros. project was written by Marc Lawrence, who will make his directing debut on the film. His writing credits include Castle Rock's ``Miss Congeniality,'' starring Bullock, and ``Mickey Blue Eyes,'' starring Grant. Two films with wonderful premises but awful scripts, IMO. Am glad CF is not attached to this new one. (Letterman) 7. Get himself really cool nickname, like \"G. Conditty\" ROTF! Too funny!"}, {"response": 294, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 29, 2001 (12:26)", "body": "My personal favs are: 6. Release lengthy list of former interns he did not kill 5. Announce he hasn't been the same since the break-up with Nicole Kidman 2. Focus on the 25% of voters who don't think he's a loathsome prick (Mari) Well, he does have those \"film commitments\" come . . . January. Could be December or February too, but you know how it is on those hush-hush projects that no one else seems to have..."}, {"response": 295, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Wed, Aug 29, 2001 (12:49)", "body": "Gee, another romantic comedy for Hugh G, now THERE'S a shocker !!! It's nice to see Hughie stretching himself artistically. I can see him now, smiling bashfully at the judge, hair flopping O so endearingly into his eyes as he mumbles \" Actually your honour, I'm terribly sorry but if its all right with you, I'd like to object. \" Hysterical top ten Mari. Ya gotta love that Dave. But I have to ask, do a whopping 25% of Californians NOT think G Conditty is a loathsome pr*ck ? Who are these people and should we take up a collection to help pay for the medical care they obviously need ?"}, {"response": 296, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Aug 29, 2001 (13:13)", "body": "Funny, Mari! I might cheer up at his birthday bash. Top 10 Reasons why Colin can't attend his Birthday Bash: 10. Filming in Penn. 9. Filming in OK 8. Filming in NJ 7. Filming in D.C. 6. Filming in LA 5. Filming in Canada 4. Filming in London 3. Filming in Rome 2. Filming in Chicago 1. Filming in Miami *Hey, he just got that video cam. and Luca is sooo cute* ;-) Documentary filmmakers don't make all that much Calling her a DF is an exageration, please!!!"}, {"response": 297, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 29, 2001 (13:20)", "body": "Now, those wouldn't be my \"worst fears\" hehehe"}, {"response": 298, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Aug 29, 2001 (13:42)", "body": "Love the list, Moon. Think #3 needs to drop to #10. ;-D"}, {"response": 299, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Aug 29, 2001 (14:25)", "body": "I just assume he was traveling, Eileen. ;-)"}, {"response": 300, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Aug 29, 2001 (15:48)", "body": "Bullock will play a successful but somewhat neurotic attorney, with Grant as her enchanting, reckless and moneyed boss Enchanting? I thought that Hughie was going to play a tennis pro who falls in love with an American during the Wimbledon fortnight (yawn, yawn). Or is that another project? Mark Herman's CV at PFD lists \"New Cardiff\" (in development Buena Vista/Fragile Films))as his current 2001 project (Writer/Director), which makes it sound pretty definite, for him at least!"}, {"response": 301, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 29, 2001 (22:10)", "body": "From Screendaily: Bridget Jones's Diary records $100m Robert Mitchell in London On a weekend that saw a sharp disappointment for UK box office hopeful Lucky Break, UK mega-hit Bridget Jones's Diary passed the $100m international box office mark, having debuted in several territories, including Germany, Switzerland, Hungary and Finland. Distributed in most international territories by UIP, the romantic comedy has taken a massive $104.1m to date and clearly has a long life ahead of it, with several major territories including Hong Kong and France still to receive the feature. Starring Texan actress Renee Zellweger and leading British talent including Hugh Grant, Colin Firth and Jim Broadbent, the film has seen strong numbers in most territories. Last weekend's releases saw Bridget beat off fellow opener Planet Of The Apes in Switzerland where the film managed $181,217 from 35 screens. Although losing out to Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within in Germany, the comedy scored $1.96m, placing it ahead of five-week German box office leader Der Schuh Des Manitu. Hungarian and Finnish audiences awarded the film with the leading position in their charts where it grossed $110,078 from 24 screens and $295,921 from 36 screens respectively over the three-day weekend. Bridget's good legs in other key territories include the UK ($60.5m) where it dropped out of the top 15 for the first time in 20 weeks at the weekend; Spain ($11.3m), Australia ($8.9m), The Netherlands ($4.9m), Sweden ($3.3m), Norway ($3.1m), Poland ($3m) and Denmark ($1.6m). The Working Title produced film opened to number one positions in all of these territories. Bridget Jones's Diary should easily surpass the $117m achieved internationally by Brit hit Four Weddings And A Funeral, but has a long way to go to match The Full Monty (over $210m) and Notting Hill (more than $245m)."}, {"response": 302, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Aug 29, 2001 (22:48)", "body": "Bridget Jones is only a half Monty."}, {"response": 303, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Aug 30, 2001 (03:09)", "body": "Karen, does the figure of $210m for the Full Monty and $245m.for Notting Hill include the US because I am sure the the figure for BJD of $104.1m does not and the $70m. or so it made in the US would certainly bring it nearer to TFM & NH."}, {"response": 304, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Aug 30, 2001 (06:07)", "body": "From Now magazine: \" Hugh wants to be a millionaire Huge Gnat is to pit his wits against Chris Tarrant on a special edition of Who Wants to be a Millionaire. The Four Weddings star is a big fan of the show, and hopes to win money for charity. TV company Celador are hoping to sign up one other big-name star for the special edition of the quiz.\" Hmm, an intelligent and well-informed celebrity rival for HG? Nope, nobody springs to mind.... ;-)"}, {"response": 305, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 30, 2001 (07:36)", "body": "(Ann) does the figure of $210m for the Full Monty and $245m.for Notting Hill include the US Haven't a clue, but the intl figures for BJD given above surely do not. You might want to write Screendaily. Celador are hoping to sign up one other big-name star for the special edition of the quiz.\" Ooooh! I'd pay extra to see that. ;-) BTW, Huge has talked about how he's a Millionaire addict on our chat shows."}, {"response": 306, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Aug 30, 2001 (09:47)", "body": "Finally seen BJD last evening. It has been advertised on newspapers in the last two weeks \"Cold - Unavailable - Always ready for a romp\" - who do you think this means? Because none of the main characters can, IMO, be thus described. Anyway. Went with my best friend, who laughed all through it, and at the end said she wasn't fond of any of the 3 main actors but enjoyed the movie and could relate to a number of situations. She said she'd take Daniel over Mark, adding I knew what poor taste she had in men. Had read only one review. Sorry, Ev, I'm not going to translate the whole thing, but what it came down to was, \"much of the book's edge has been lost in this adaptation\", and the fault is strangely but indubitably HF's, who had control over everything - from writing the script with ex-boyfriend Richard Curtis and Andrew Davies to choosing pal to be director from controling the cast. Don't ask me where they got the idea from. Now to the movie: I loved it. Must see it again, of course, although I was already aware of much that was going on thanks to everybody's comments here (thanks, ladies!). I never looked for C B-C. But of course I looked for MarkG, and excitedly told my friend about you just as you were moving across the screen. Many scenes wee much better than I expected, namely, the whole birthday dinner sequence and the fight scenes. Hugh's lines are great. Like in P&P2, where I liked Wickham very much for a while and then... not, while Darcy grew on me, this is exactly how I felt about Daniel and Mark (I'm not talking about Hugh and Colin). Hugh seems to be a great kisser... Colin is getting better though ;-) I got the \"international credits\" at the end, and liked them mainly because of Daniel ending up with a transvestite... Oops! But I suppose everybody has already seen this movie so this is no spoiler anymore. Please forgive me if I'm wrong. Also saw MLSF which has come out directly on video. A nice movie but didn't do much for me, I liked SLOW better ;-) On the Edward-&-Heloise-in-the-barn-question, my take is, nothing happened beyond a few unwanted kisses and petting. If she had been raped, she would not say such a lame thing as \"Don't ever do this again; You're behaving like a child\". She gets angrier later, when she mulls over it, more because of what she considers his hypocrisy. I know. Wrong topic. But this is all I wanted to say anyway :-) This and Welcome to all recent arrivals, hope you will enjoy it here."}, {"response": 307, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Aug 30, 2001 (11:11)", "body": "Mark Herman's CV at PFD lists \"New Cardiff\" (in development Buena Vista/Fragile Films))as his current 2001 project (Writer/Director), which makes it sound pretty definite, for him at least! Bethan, what's PFD--I'm blanking here. So, Charlie the weirdo Webb isn't adapting his book for the screen? And Mark Herman is the same guy who did Little Voice (which I really enjoyed)? If so, I'm feeling much better about this one!"}, {"response": 308, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Aug 30, 2001 (11:31)", "body": "(Ann) does the figure of $210m for the Full Monty and $245m.for Notting Hill include the US Apparently they don't, Ann. I was just checking the box office figures at the imdb and it looks like the figures above are close to the figures shown for \"non-USA\". BTW, very positive user comments for BJD continue to come in on imdb--nice to see so many people from around the world embracing it!:-) Hello, Gi!"}, {"response": 309, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 30, 2001 (12:14)", "body": "Mari, PFD is an agency. Surely, you remember the Mark Herman bit. That's who Nick Hornby had told me was attached to the movie."}, {"response": 310, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Aug 30, 2001 (13:03)", "body": "BTW, Huge has talked about how he's a Millionaire addict on our chat shows. Our chat shows, Karen? hmm I wonder when BJD will be in Italy. The Venice Film Fest. starts this weekend. Has anyone checked? I have a feeling it might be there. (If they got to the Italian translation yet) ;-)"}, {"response": 311, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Aug 30, 2001 (13:32)", "body": "Surely, you remember the Mark Herman bit. That's who Nick Hornby had told me was attached to the movie. I honestly don't. Was struck down with apoplexy upon hearing \"no Hamlet\"--everything else about that conversation is a blur, I'm afraid.;-)"}, {"response": 312, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 30, 2001 (14:23)", "body": "True, it was posted during the early stages of Nohamlet trauma at: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/150.186 Mark Herman was also the writer/director Brassed Off."}, {"response": 313, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Aug 30, 2001 (14:59)", "body": "Hallo Mari :-)"}, {"response": 314, "author": "caribou", "date": "Thu, Aug 30, 2001 (15:19)", "body": "(Karen) Documentary filmmakers don't make all that much to support his lifestyle's requirements. ;-) I have a tacky question: does anyone know how much CF was paid for doing BJD? I think Huge got $4M and Renee got $2M so, could ODB have gotten at least $1M?"}, {"response": 315, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Aug 30, 2001 (15:47)", "body": "so, could ODB have gotten at least $1M? If he did we can expect him to take a very long holiday...:-("}, {"response": 316, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Thu, Aug 30, 2001 (16:26)", "body": "Well, I'm crossing my fingers for New Cardiff given the director's previous work and the descriptions of the book I've seen. One can always hope."}, {"response": 317, "author": "Echo", "date": "Thu, Aug 30, 2001 (17:20)", "body": "could ODB have gotten at least $1M? Yes, he definitely could. Why not? The question is, did he?"}, {"response": 318, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Aug 31, 2001 (02:06)", "body": "Didn't he get that for SIL? For BJD he may have got more."}, {"response": 319, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Aug 31, 2001 (03:36)", "body": "Gi: It has been advertised on newspapers in the last two weeks \"Cold - Unavailable - Always ready for a romp\" - who do you think this means? I suspect that \"Aloof. Unavailable. Ice-queen. Hmm, fancy a shag, though\" doesn't translate too clearly into Portuguese."}, {"response": 320, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Aug 31, 2001 (05:15)", "body": "Mari, thanks for the info re Box Office nos., however, don't you think it is odd that they don't include US Box Office figures."}, {"response": 321, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Aug 31, 2001 (05:55)", "body": "The BJD Box Office figures must be for non-US markets only. If combined BJD must surely be over $170 million by now? Well, I'm crossing my fingers for New Cardiff given the director's previous work and the descriptions of the book I've seen. One can always hope. Regardless of who gets the lead role, I think that this will be an easy movie to sell, in the UK at least. We've had a very successful stage revival of \"The Graduate\" (still going strong, loads of publicity) and if you combine this with \"Director of \"Brassed Off etc\", you'll spark press and public interest. One of the reasons BJD did so well in the UK was that it was extremely well promoted...everyone knew that the movie was coming. \ufffd40million is really fantastic....especially when you look at the performance of the recent string of small British movies (good reviews too) which are taking about \ufffd1million and then disappearing. Didn't he get that for SIL? For BJD he may have got more. I can remember seeing various figures in the press (whether they're accurate is another matter!)........for BJD, HG $8million, plus a share of profits (oh lucky man!), RZ $3million. I know the original (pre-Hughie) budget quoted for BJD was only $8million, so go figure! SIL...Geoffrey Rush (with his Oscar) was quoted as earning $300,000.....I don't think ODB would have been in the same league!"}, {"response": 322, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Aug 31, 2001 (09:43)", "body": "SIL...Geoffrey Rush (with his Oscar) was quoted as earning $300,000 Maybe my memory is playing tricks but I thought GR got $2m and CF $1m. $300,000 doesn't sound much for an Oscar winner does it?"}, {"response": 323, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Aug 31, 2001 (12:12)", "body": "Would this be pounds or dollars?"}, {"response": 324, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Aug 31, 2001 (12:36)", "body": "$$$$"}, {"response": 325, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Aug 31, 2001 (12:51)", "body": "don't you think it is odd that they don't include US Box Office figures. Ann, it seems to me that these articles resulted from a press release that the non-US distributor (Universal/UIP) put out, and therefore would only include figures for the countries in which it had distribution rights. Miramax distributed over here, and apparently UIP doesn't/can't report on those numbers. I agree, it's misleading when the press prints it as a worldwide figure. BTW, BJD is still playing in a theater near me and I'm sure elsewhere, though Miramax has stopped reporting its figures for the purposes of those box office charts. It will be interesting to see what the final tally will be. It will do very, very well in video rentals, I predict. One of the reasons BJD did so well in the UK was that it was extremely well promoted...everyone knew that the movie was coming. \ufffd40million is really fantastic It certainly is. Just goes to show, give the people something they want to see, in a quality production, and they'll come out for it. Good for the UK audiences for supporting it so fantastically. Regardless of who gets the lead role, I think that this will be an easy movie to sell, in the UK at least. We've had a very successful stage revival of \"The Graduate\" (still going strong, loads of publicity) and if you combine this with \"Director of \"Brassed Off etc\", you'll spark press and public interest. I just read the Graduate is being brought to Broadway with Kathleen Turner reprising her London role; should do well. Mark Herman's work has gotten good reviews here and has done decent box-office too. I'll have to get hold of the book. Do you think CF would commit to filming in Vermont, though? I'm not trying to be a wiseacre here, it's just that clearly he has committed to working close to home. On the other hand, I suppose they could film in England, as large parts of New England look like parts of England."}, {"response": 326, "author": "studybees", "date": "Fri, Aug 31, 2001 (13:00)", "body": "I saw Kathleen Turner in The Graduate, with the excellent young Welsh actor Matthew Rhys (has had a run of poor UK movies, not his fault, but great on stage and TV and is Ioan Gruffud's best friend and flatmate). Great production, crap set. Well, I didn't like it, anyway. We had a spare ticket and sold it outside the theatre no problem, tickets were that hot."}, {"response": 327, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Aug 31, 2001 (13:01)", "body": "Do you think CF would commit to filming in Vermont, though? And I just turned an invitation to Vermont for the leaves changing! AKA Autumm. When would this start production? Vermont air good for Luca, not the winter, it is d... cold."}, {"response": 328, "author": "MysteryMan", "date": "Fri, Aug 31, 2001 (13:29)", "body": "New Cardiff will be filmed in Canada."}, {"response": 329, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 31, 2001 (14:31)", "body": "Canada's rather large. Will it be in BC? And when?"}, {"response": 330, "author": "Becka", "date": "Fri, Aug 31, 2001 (15:11)", "body": "CF maybe be coming to Canada?! Pray, someone get me my smelling salts!!"}, {"response": 331, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 31, 2001 (15:40)", "body": "Having forgotten my fiduciary reponsibilities to stem potential hysteria and garden-variety rumor-mongering... (MM) New Cardiff will be filmed in Canada. Pray tell, how do you know this?"}, {"response": 332, "author": "MysteryMan", "date": "Fri, Aug 31, 2001 (16:40)", "body": "British Film Institute"}, {"response": 333, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 31, 2001 (16:56)", "body": "Please elaborate. Plus there was a question of where in Canada and when in addition to the more relevant one of is CF in it."}, {"response": 334, "author": "Echo", "date": "Fri, Aug 31, 2001 (18:17)", "body": "(MM) Oh, heck. These are my real life initials, but I'll be damned if anyone tries to pin this one on me as well (since I traditionally get blamed for most of the mischief around here). Fortunately (in this particular case only!) I have no links to BFI. Pray, continue, MM."}, {"response": 335, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Sep  1, 2001 (04:07)", "body": "MarkG, thanks for explaining - that sounds more like it."}, {"response": 336, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Sep  1, 2001 (09:22)", "body": "Yeah! Gi, I'm so glad you saw it finally . Is Portugal the last country in the world to finally unveil Bridget? It was well worth the wait. Hugh seems to be a great kisser... Colin is getting better though ;-) Ooooh, quite so. Go see it again and again."}, {"response": 337, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep  1, 2001 (10:41)", "body": "so, could ODB have gotten at least $1M? (Allison)If he did we can expect him to take a very long holiday...:-( Not with his lifestyle...think homes in at least two countries, think air-fares,think school fees... So glad you finally got to see BJD, Gi. Has DH seen it? Approved?LOL . I fondly remember YDH saying he was no longer 'objective' on CF projects. Dear man:-))"}, {"response": 338, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep  1, 2001 (11:38)", "body": "Is Portugal the last country in the world to finally unveil Bridget? It is not out in Italy. Gi, I can't believe you like SLOW better than MLSF. Is BJD dubbed or did you get it with subtitles? In Italy, it will be dubbed. :-("}, {"response": 339, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep  1, 2001 (13:53)", "body": "BJD will be available to rent at Blockbusters as of Oct. 9th."}, {"response": 340, "author": "rachael", "date": "Sat, Sep  1, 2001 (17:20)", "body": "I like SLOW much much better than MLSF In fact, I was going to ask, I really like the music in SLOW, and since its hardly likely to be available as a soundtrack album ;-) does anyone know if the bands who did the music for the film have released anything?"}, {"response": 341, "author": "rachael", "date": "Sat, Sep  1, 2001 (17:22)", "body": "oops wrong place, sorry, thought I was in topic 150 note to self ... *concentrate* get off drool boards, get back to writing shower scene for Beth .... *ROFL*"}, {"response": 342, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Sep  2, 2001 (05:41)", "body": "(Heide) Gi, I'm so glad you saw it finally (...)It was well worth the wait. Indeed it was :-) (Evelyn) So glad you finally got to see BJD, Gi. Has DH seen it? Approved?LOL . I fondly remember YDH saying he was no longer 'objective' on CF projects. Dear man:-)) No, I saw it with a (female) friend; and really doubt whether DH will be willing to see it. He was told that it was \"a film for women, not for men\" :-( Perhaps he'll be curious enough, though... (Moon) Gi, I can't believe you like SLOW better than MLSF. Oh definitely. Edward is too much of a clown for my taste, also (possibly because events are seen through a child's eyes) the characters are shallow and the plot underdeveloped. In SLOW, the marriage arrangements, the hyerarchical distinctions, the cultural surprises, were quite believable, and Matthew was very attractive. Is BJD dubbed or did you get it with subtitles? In Italy, it will be dubbed. :-( We never get dubbed unless it's animations meant for children. Thank the gods! It would be unpardonable to miss out on some actors' voices ;-) I once saw part of a Mel Gibson movie on spanish television - dubbed - and half his charm wasn't there."}, {"response": 343, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Tue, Sep  4, 2001 (03:38)", "body": "Actually Rachie-poo, I was kinda' hoping for a sequel to the burnt out coffee pot scene. I was thinking maybe a burnt out oven or a microwave..... But hey, I'm not one to stiffle someone else's....ahem..... artistic impulses, so a shower scene will perfectly ok."}, {"response": 344, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Tue, Sep  4, 2001 (22:39)", "body": "I was just checking Amazon.com and noticed that BJD is #24 in sales rank and P&P2 DVD is #34, and they're not even available yet. They also seem to be making an effort to get more of ODB's \"classic\" films in stock, although they seem to be running out rather quickly. Hmmmmm. Do you think maybe their ordering \"wizards\" have figured out that people can't buy it if you don't have it? Someone should give them an award for figuring out the obvious. Maybe some of those \"hard-to-get\" videos like AMITC will appear soon. I'll keep you posted."}, {"response": 345, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  5, 2001 (09:02)", "body": "Another article analyzing BJD's potential for end-of-year awards from THR's Martin Grove: Looking at the rest of what's already opened this year doesn't present a wealth of likely nominees, but there are more worth mentioning than you might at first think. In April, for instance, there was Miramax and Universal's well-liked \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" for which Renee Zellwegger is a likely Globes nominee for best actress (musical or comedy) and a possible best actress Oscar nominee, although comedies often don't get the respect they deserve from Academy voters. On the best picture front, \"Bridget's\" best prospects are in the Globes where it could compete for best picture (comedy or musical). With the right campaign -- emphasizing its story's more serious side -- and sufficient other awards sizzle, it might have best picture Oscar potential, as well. \"Bridget's\" prospects are attractive on the writing front for its screenplay adaptation by Helen Fielding and Andrew Davis and Richard Curtis from Fielding's novel. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hollywoodreporter/columnists/grove/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1040573"}, {"response": 346, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Sep  5, 2001 (10:44)", "body": "I thought there was a conspiracy of silence here not to talk about the O****s for fear of hexing the film Is there a Best Extra category?"}, {"response": 347, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  5, 2001 (11:18)", "body": ""}, {"response": 348, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  5, 2001 (11:19)", "body": "Silence has the least relevance to the Oscars. One must create buzz and throw big bucks at the media in order to secure even a nomination. Will start campaign for Best Extra. Off to look for AMPAS' email addy. How would you like your name shown, Burberry Man? ;-)"}, {"response": 349, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Sep  5, 2001 (13:27)", "body": "(Karen) One must create buzz and throw big bucks at the media in order to secure even a nomination. Go Harvey! Go Harvey! Never mind all that stuff we wrote about you when MLSF came out. We think you are brilliant. ;-D HarVEY! HarVEY!"}, {"response": 350, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep  5, 2001 (16:48)", "body": "What else does Miramax have coming out? I know he sunk big bucks into Gangs of New York."}, {"response": 351, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep  5, 2001 (17:36)", "body": "Lord of the Rings is another Weinstein Bros."}, {"response": 352, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Sep  5, 2001 (20:36)", "body": "Miramax has The Shipping News (Kevin Spacey, Judi Dench, Julianne Moore)coming out on Christmas Day. Director is Lasse Halstrom. That and Gangs Of NY will get a huge Oscar push. RZ too. New Line is the studio behind Lord Of The Rings. Did anyone see Helen Fielding on the Letterman show last week? She was funny and adorable as usual. I think that's the nicest I've ever seen Dave be toward anyone; he was truly charmed. They mentioned her script of BJD a number of times; methinks HF is prepping for awards season, and good for her. Dave briefly held up a copy of Cause Celeb--which was published eons ago--but they didn't even talk about it, so there really was no other logical reason for her to be on."}, {"response": 353, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  5, 2001 (22:25)", "body": "(Mari) methinks HF is prepping for awards season Very possibly. They need to get her name out there, just as in the Martin Grove article. I thought Helen was extremely nervous and Dave was completely rooting for her to do well. It was obvious that he was a big fan of the book (BJD, that is). He knew his stuff and he knew the topics that would go over well."}, {"response": 354, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Fri, Sep  7, 2001 (15:13)", "body": "(Mari)Did anyone see Helen Fielding on the Letterman show last week? I had the impression that Dave just recently read the book and enjoyed it. In the past he's had authors on if he likes the book. And he didn't seem to like the movie as much when RZ was on his show. Helen was v. sweet and I'm sure she'll be back. Then Paul Shaffer plays \"It's Raining Men\" and makes a few more dollars, since he cowrote it. By the by, BJD is gone from all my theatres as of today. So sad :-("}, {"response": 355, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Fri, Sep  7, 2001 (16:42)", "body": "The music guy from Letterman cowrote It's Raining Men? How very bizarre. I wondered where the heck that song came from."}, {"response": 356, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep  7, 2001 (20:55)", "body": "Paul Shafer is best known for his extraordinary wit. He also manages to write a few good songs."}, {"response": 357, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Sat, Sep  8, 2001 (14:54)", "body": "Does he actaully display this wit on Dave ? I tended to equate him with that grinning buffoon on Leno...Kevin somethingorother. So I may have to revise my opinion..LOL Though mind you, that was pretty jaw droppin stuff when he asked Julia Roberts if she was \"getting any\", just after she broke up with BB."}, {"response": 358, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep  8, 2001 (17:07)", "body": "Paul has set Dave up on many occasions. I wish Dave used him more like he did in the early days."}, {"response": 359, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep  8, 2001 (17:07)", "body": "This might be OT..do we do HF stuff here? The October issue of PREMIERE has just arrived. \"A Woman's Touch :What would Hollywood movies be like if women called all the shots?We asked three female writers to reimagine a scene from some classic \"guy\" films. Hold onto your skirts\" HF re-writes \"Pearl Harbor\"with a tinge of Bridget. v. cute. Too long to type;-))"}, {"response": 360, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (12:13)", "body": "Cindy Adams' column in teh NY Post says RZ is *confirmed* to star in Chicago with Catherine C-Z which films in Toronto."}, {"response": 361, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (20:17)", "body": "in Chicago which films in Toronto. No comment. Maybe we could get Ewan McG to write a letter.;-)"}, {"response": 362, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 10, 2001 (22:59)", "body": "From the 10 Sept Guardian, an article about Best Movies about Life in the Office: Bridget Jones's Diary For any girl who's had an endless run of duff boyfriends and boring jobs, this year's great hit, BJD, will have you grinning in sympathy. Renee Zellweger plays the plump singleton in search of a life, whose relationship with vodka, cigarettes and the local gym are more meaningful than those with her boyfriend. Hugh Grant does a fine job as the posh publishing rat while Colin Firth is the well-starched, but badly dressed barrister with a heart. Look out for a special Bridget Jones video/ Office Hours giveaway on October 15."}, {"response": 363, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Sep 15, 2001 (11:50)", "body": "During this week, I'll take any good news I can get. So, good news : BJD ffffiiiinnnaaallly made it to our dollar theater. Am hoping to go with a friend this coming week. I don't think she's seen it yet but she was the first person I knew that had heard of CF, had a copy of Nostromo, and would indulge me while I talked of him. She is not infected with Firth Fever, like yours truly, but she can at least understand."}, {"response": 364, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (17:34)", "body": "From Screendaily (16 Sept) by Robert Mitchell: Bridget Jones's Diary crosses $200m worldwide Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary was set to cross the $200m barrier in worldwide box office this weekend as it continues to pull in audiences across the globe. With an international running total of $125.4m to add to its $71.5m North American receipts, the romantic comedy needed to make just $3.05m internationally over the three-day weekend to cross the mark, a feat Bridget should have taken in its stride. Having taken number one spots in nearly every territory where it has been released, including both Switzerland and Germany last weekend, although after three weeks on release having opened at a lower position, the film also claimed another lead last week, opening in Hong Kong on September 6 to take a seven-day gross of $459,705 from just 24 screens and achieving a massive $19,154 screen average. Other strong international territories include the UK ($59.6m), Spain ($11.3m), Australia ($10.5m) and Germany ($9.99m), all of which are still clocking up the numbers. Foreign-language territories account for 43% ($54m) of the international takings and the Working Title production has yet to open in several major markets, including France and Italy. The comedy stars Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth and Hugh Grant and is directed by first timer Sharon Maguire. The film is based on Helen Fielding\ufffds best-selling novel of the same name. The DVD details have already been announced for the US release on Oct 9 and UK on Dec 1 \ufffd which will include deleted- and behind-the-scenes material as well as a running commentary from Maguire to accompany the film."}, {"response": 365, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (20:44)", "body": "Wouldn't it be something if CF had points on it?"}, {"response": 366, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (16:38)", "body": "Impressive figures! How would BJD rate in a league for net profitability? Fairly high, I would think.If it cost $20million to make and (guessing)had a $10million budget for promotion, then (counting on fingers) it has a net profit so far of $170million, plus all video/dvd rentals/sales to come. Other movies have much bigger gross returns, but they often cost $100million to make and have a promotion budget of $30million or more. Big posters up for BJD in local video store, plus a row of BJD flags around the counter. Can't miss it!"}, {"response": 367, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (17:43)", "body": "I have just read the BJD has it's French Premiere in Paris tomorrow, I wonder if Colin will attend."}, {"response": 368, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (17:49)", "body": "So it looks like Italy will be last. I am very curious to see how the French will like it."}, {"response": 369, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (10:17)", "body": "Must have been backlash against Beryl Bainbridge for her dismissal of chick-lit. The odds-on fav for the Booker's short list didn't make it."}, {"response": 370, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (10:45)", "body": "Which just goes to show what a tight-knit mafia the book industry is in England."}, {"response": 371, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Wed, Sep 19, 2001 (20:55)", "body": "I found this description of BJD at Rogers Video site: \ufffd Sex/Nudity: sexual conversation, comments and innuendoes; people have sex; animals mate; a woman\ufffds bare buttocks; scantily clad women; someone groped \ufffd Drugs/Alcohol: excessive drinking; people get drunk; excessive smoking; a child drinking (suggested) \ufffd Violence/Scariness: fist fights; someone thrown through a window; fatal shooting on television \ufffd Objectional Words/Phrases: Approx. 55 I think that pretty much covers the movie! I couldn't remember animals mating, at first. \"people have sex\"--barely, I say. And there are 55 objectionable words? Does 'Cleaver' count? :-) You might want to check this site out for CF movies, including a trailer for Advocate that I hadn't seen before: http://www.rogersvideo.ca/search.asp"}, {"response": 372, "author": "rachael", "date": "Wed, Sep 19, 2001 (16:24)", "body": "hmmm if only I'd realised it was that saucy when I saw it *ROFL* animals mate, and fatal shooting? does bare buttocks mean the knickers scene? *desperately trying to remember crucial chunks of film*"}, {"response": 373, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 19, 2001 (16:27)", "body": "Almost read that as \"people have sex with animals.\" Again, Cleaver might count there as well. ;-)"}, {"response": 374, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Wed, Sep 19, 2001 (19:31)", "body": "fatal shooting? I don't remember that, when did that happen? Had almost forgotten about the animals mating bit on tv."}, {"response": 375, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 19, 2001 (19:35)", "body": "Glenn Close"}, {"response": 376, "author": "Girl", "date": "Thu, Sep 20, 2001 (08:55)", "body": "I found BJD really quite refreshing... I don't know about most people, but I'm certainly no supermodel. I found it unique in representing a relatively 'normal' person. Things go wrong all the time, with very embarrassing outcomes, and (I'm cringing here) I related to BJ quite well. (I haven't read many earlier postings, so I don't know what your consensus is.)"}, {"response": 377, "author": "maryw", "date": "Thu, Sep 20, 2001 (10:21)", "body": "(Carrie)(I haven't read many earlier postings, so I don't know what your consensus is.) As far as consensus is concerned - I vote with my purse..I'm still contributing heavily to the phenomenal box-office draw of BJD, having not seen it for the zillionth time and possible more. (Carrie)I related to BJ quite well. I must say that I wish I can **relate** much better to ODB rather than BJ (hee hee)"}, {"response": 378, "author": "maryw", "date": "Thu, Sep 20, 2001 (10:23)", "body": "Ooops.. having not seen it for the zillionth time and possible more. That was meant to be having *now* seen it..."}, {"response": 379, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Sep 20, 2001 (15:58)", "body": "Welcome Minkee and Carrie! I'm sort of still a newbie myself (from April), still learning the ropes and the initials ;-). But you all seem comfortable with posting already and you'll find everyone on the board very helpful. Enjoy!"}, {"response": 380, "author": "Girl", "date": "Fri, Sep 21, 2001 (02:11)", "body": "Thanks Lora! This is probably an outdated question, but what's everyone's favourite part?? :-)"}, {"response": 381, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Sep 21, 2001 (04:36)", "body": "Ah, my favourite part, Carrrie, and I am glad you asked, is when Mark arrives at Bridget's flat just before the other's arrive, paper in hand, dimples in place and the most gorgeous cute smile, he is congraulating her on her article."}, {"response": 382, "author": "Girl", "date": "Fri, Sep 21, 2001 (04:43)", "body": "Ann, that part is priceless, isn't it? The way his eyes laugh ever so slightly is really great! I think I have to see it again before I make my final decision though. It's only just been released in Germany (luckily there's an English cinema just around the corner - can't miss that voice!) so I might consider another little trip tomorrow night! :-)"}, {"response": 383, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Sep 21, 2001 (08:14)", "body": "(Carrie)This is probably an outdated question, but what's everyone's favourite part?? :-) Never an outdated question...as you can see we never tire of discussing and re-discussing these things ;-). I loved CF in his barrister's suit and the endearing look he gave BJ in the A-H interview when he was wearing it. Also what he does with his winter coat at the end of the movie is simply the best! It's just what I think my subconscious was thinking he needs to do, and then he does it! And who but ODB could do a more sexy scene with clothes on?"}, {"response": 384, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 21, 2001 (09:55)", "body": "And who but ODB could do a more sexy scene with clothes on? Yes, but just think, Lora... ;-)"}, {"response": 385, "author": "maryw", "date": "Fri, Sep 21, 2001 (10:30)", "body": "Carrie: the complete answer is - all of the last 3/4 hour which contain the dinner scene, the Ruby Wedding scene and the Snow scene..but I can manage to provide further and better particulars as follows and in order of OBD intensity: 1 when he wraps his coat around BJ in the very last scene 2 when he bends down and nuzzles BJ's neck in the doorway 3 the 2nd attempt at a kiss in the same doorway...especially as he moves from stage right to middle, bows head a bit and encourages BJ to lift head for kiss.(I am flabbergasted as to why she walked away!!!! Knickers or no knickers - he would have been flat against the wall, if that was me!!! - \"I don't want to be unkind to our sex..but there it is\" -Lizzie Bennett) 4 while stirring the blue soup - delivering his funny lines with glorious deep dimples on cheeks appearing 5 2 tied for 5th place - short sequence \"Goodbye Bridget\" then walks/runs up the steps\" after delivering \"just as you are\" lines tied with His \"walk\" - as he strides away from BJ's flat. 6 \"my wife...my heart\" this is the ZEN of all deliveries IMO Maybe the more appropriate question is : which scenes did we like least?? I know I will be attacked for heresy here but I did not like the early part of \"just as you are\" scene until he delivered the lines \"what I'm trying to say very inarticulately\" So Carrie - I recommend that you print this out and go back to the theatre and study the whole movie again to assess whether there is any merit to what me and the other ladies have been saying. I believe just one more viewing is not enough to do this task justice - try another 2 at least!!!"}, {"response": 386, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Sep 21, 2001 (16:30)", "body": "(Minkee) I know I will be attacked for heresy here but I did not like the early part of \"just as you are\" scene until he delivered the lines \"what I'm trying to say very inarticulately\" You're not supposed to \"like\" them. They are meant to parallel the backhanded compliments in the first proposal scene in P&P2, I believe. ;-) KJ"}, {"response": 387, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Fri, Sep 21, 2001 (17:46)", "body": "I think my favorite moments are MD's brief discomfiture as Bridget's friends show up for the birthday dinner, and \"alright, outside\". He's so funny before the fight, like \"I can't believe I'm doing this, but I just have to\"."}, {"response": 388, "author": "maryw", "date": "Fri, Sep 21, 2001 (18:41)", "body": "(KJ) - You're not supposed to \"like\" them. They are meant to parallel the backhanded compliments in the first proposal scene in P&P2, I believe. ;-) KJ Yeah - that was fairly obvious - what I meant was I did not like how he played it...that's the heresy."}, {"response": 389, "author": "WinniePeg", "date": "Fri, Sep 21, 2001 (19:05)", "body": "My faves are when he wraps his coat around her at the end and when he and Bridget are calling each other Pam and Una over the lumpy gravy... Also liked the remark he made about loving her Lewisham fire hall report..."}, {"response": 390, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Sep 21, 2001 (23:11)", "body": "(Minkee)Maybe the more appropriate question is : which scenes did we like least?? Any scene with HG instead of ODB, of course!!! The coat-wrapping thing is the BEST. And the smile when he delivers the paper is good, too. And the way he pauses and looks at Bridget during the interview (when he says something about E Heany doing all this \"for the man she loves.\") Another favorite of mine is the scene in the boat when he looks longingly at her as she laughs at HG. V. subtle, but v. sweet."}, {"response": 391, "author": "rachael", "date": "Sat, Sep 22, 2001 (11:13)", "body": "favourite scenes: agre with lots of ones listed above, especially coat scene, nuzzling in the door way scene (Minkee, I'm with you absolutely, who would even think about their knickers in that situation??), turning up on the door step with the paper; but I think my favourite is the birthday party, where Tom says \"we like her just as she is\" and they toast her - the look in Mark's eyes over his wine glass *swoon* *thunk* :-)"}, {"response": 392, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep 22, 2001 (11:47)", "body": "For me it's the nuzzling in the door way scene and when he tells her he likes her \"just as you are.\""}, {"response": 393, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Sep 22, 2001 (12:04)", "body": "I concede he does need Moon's kissing lessons but he has perfected the art of nuzzling. I'm thinking SLOW; I'm thinking, L'dumb; I'm thinking, especially, BJD. :-) Favorite scene: All of the above. As usual, his scenes are the best in any movie."}, {"response": 394, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sat, Sep 22, 2001 (19:28)", "body": "Blue food recipes in NY Times! I finally got around to reading last Sunday's NY Times Magazine, and discovered an article about blue and white--dishes, decor, etc. But what about food? Apparently, the Times has decided that there isn't enough blue food. \"'There are no blue foods,' says Hank Thomashevski, the private caterer who devised the recipes below. 'Even blueberries turn purple. So I played with the idea of blue and white.'\" He then provided a recipe for blue angel cake (angel food cake with frosting colored blue by the addition of blue curacao--which is blue only because they put food coloring in it!!) In the article, the frosting on the cake is about the color of Bridget's soup. Also a receipe for, are you ready for this... BLUE SOUP! It's a pretty typical potato soup, only you use blue potatoes. I do not know where you're supposed to get blue potatoes. I know they exist, as I've had the blue potato chips. But I've never seen blue potatoes in the supermarket. No photo of the soup. If anyone really wants to know the recipes, I'll post them, if that's legal. (Don't want the Spring to be sued by NY Times!)"}, {"response": 395, "author": "Girl", "date": "Sun, Sep 23, 2001 (03:34)", "body": "Okay - okay - I've decided, apart from \"all\" those mentioned above, I love the part during her B'day dinner, when they're on (the 2nd course, I think?) and he says something along the lines of \"No, this really is the most incredible S**T\" and then laughs. The laugh looks SO cute!! Of course, the coat, nuzzling, cooking and fighting scenes were all wonderful too. What also cracks me up is when BJ goes to great lengths at her work function to introduce Darcy 'correctly' and then he, naughtily, introduces her as someone who used to play naked in his paddling pool!"}, {"response": 396, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Sep 23, 2001 (09:12)", "body": "(Kate) BLUE SOUP! ... If anyone really wants to know the recipes.. Just tell me this - does the recipe mention string? ;-) I've never seen blue potatoes either."}, {"response": 397, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Sun, Sep 23, 2001 (10:38)", "body": "have any of you ever had terra chips? There are, I think, blue potatoes in there..."}, {"response": 398, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 23, 2001 (16:16)", "body": "You can get blue potatoes in fancy grocery stores or farmers' markets where they have stands for organic ($$$$$) farmers. They're like $3/lb."}, {"response": 399, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sun, Sep 23, 2001 (21:07)", "body": "$3/lb?? Food coloring is cheaper! (No string in the recipe I saw)"}, {"response": 400, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 23, 2001 (22:36)", "body": "(Kate) $3/lb?? Food coloring is cheaper! Yup. There are all sorts of new trendy potatoes, including these \"finger\" ones, which must resemble the fingers of arthritic people. ;-)"}, {"response": 401, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Sep 24, 2001 (09:47)", "body": "(Karen) new trendy potatoes, including these \"finger\" ones, which must resemble the fingers of arthritic people. Ewww... Not what I wanted to read about first thing in the morning..."}, {"response": 402, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 25, 2001 (08:44)", "body": "Looks like BJD has finally opened in Japan: \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" wooed an estimated $3 million in three days in Japan, where data were sketchy due to a public holiday Monday. The Renee Zellweger starrer was reckoned to be No. 2 behind local toon \"Spirited Away,\" which sailed through its 10th weekend. The romantic comedy overshadowed \"Captain Corelli's Mandolin,\" which whistled up a modest $860,000 in two days. \"Bridget's\" estimated foreign total reached $138 million, including Germany's fab $14.4 million, where it ruled in its fifth outing. \"Corelli's\" has earned $18.3 million in eight territories: Factoring out the U.K.'s $13.5 million indicates skimpy results in countries including France, Australia and Belgium."}, {"response": 403, "author": "Anek", "date": "Wed, Sep 26, 2001 (09:33)", "body": "I like all the moments with CF described in above messages. One of my favourites is at the launching party. MD is looking on BJ, stops the conversation with N, turns round, wants to approach BJ when suddenly she's surrounded by DC. And that look of MD when they're leaving the party. And at this scene his silhouette takes almost all the screen. (Minkee)Maybe the more appropriate question is : which scenes did we like least?? I dislike the scene at the hotel between BJ and DC when she asks him if he loves her. Every moment I see BJD I found this moment and DC's answers in the film quite disgusting. I know it supposed to be funny but it has always the opposite effect on me."}, {"response": 404, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Sep 26, 2001 (09:53)", "body": "I'm glad you've said that, Aniutek! I thought that perhaps I was - strangely - too old-fashioned in my views and wasn't getting something supposedly \"modern\" in the film when I found some scenes unnecessarily deprecating towards Bridget in particular and the female kind in general. I thought she was supposed to be quite intelligent but some of her desperate attempts at attaching herself to DC were below par IMO."}, {"response": 405, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 26, 2001 (12:30)", "body": "but some of her desperate attempts at attaching herself to DC were below par IMO. I agree! I also thought some of the outfits she wore to the office were as well. It made BJ seem too lower class when she's not. I wonder why Sharon did that? And I agree with whomever posted that BJ seemed to have a better on-sreen chemistry with DC than MD."}, {"response": 406, "author": "maryw", "date": "Wed, Sep 26, 2001 (12:56)", "body": "(Moon)nd I agree with whomever posted that BJ seemed to have a better on-screen chemistry with DC than MD. In particular - rewind your brain back to when she interviews Mark for Sit Up Britain - he hesitates for a few seconds in the middle of his sentence, after saying \"the woman she loves..\" and \"looks\" at BJ (in manner of \"aha - I'm realising that I might really like you!)\". BJ was supposed to look back in same vein. But the effect did not quite work on the screen methinks. And yet, on the balcony at her bday dinner when Daniel tries to con her back into the relationship, it was not difficult for the viewer to imagine she was about to fall again."}, {"response": 407, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Sep 26, 2001 (17:37)", "body": "I don't think it was so much lack of chemisty Minkee, in the \"Sit up Britian\" interview so much as bad editing and I loved the chemisty between CF & Renee in the very last kiss \"oh yes they f----- do\" scene."}, {"response": 408, "author": "maryw", "date": "Wed, Sep 26, 2001 (18:09)", "body": "Won't complain about THAT last kiss Ann! Manna from heaven. But I still think RZ had a more intuitive positive reaction to HG's kiss (Arghh!) Hmmm...another good reason to watch again!!"}, {"response": 409, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Sep 26, 2001 (19:34)", "body": "I wonder why Sharon did that? I think she/they (writers/producers) were trying to make it as funny as they dared. On the whole they have succeeded, of course, but not without pushing some scenes to the brink of an over-the-top farse. The public is in hysterics, but when one starts analysing it seriously, one gets this \"now, wait a minute...\" kind of second reaction. The film is amusing and well made, but one is not supposed to analyse it too seriously. Apparently."}, {"response": 410, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Thu, Sep 27, 2001 (13:17)", "body": "Could it have also been an attempt to get a particular response from the audience about the Bridget/Daniel relationship? After all, it was funny, but would anyone actually want to have a long-term relationship with someone where that was the main type of conversing? I dunno, I got that 'cute, but no substance' reaction."}, {"response": 411, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Thu, Sep 27, 2001 (16:02)", "body": "I know this is late (not new for me) but I thought I'd add *one* of my many favourite parts of BJD. Its when Mark comes back from New York and asks Bridget if she is available for weddings and bar mitzvahs etc. I thought he looked absolutely gob smacking gorgeous and the they way he looked at her and his voice ....... Argh, I want a Mark Darcy for Christmas!"}, {"response": 412, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Thu, Sep 27, 2001 (16:09)", "body": "LOL Cathey, get in line !! Lord A'mighty, just imagine getting up on Xmas morning to find Him lying under the Christmas tree. I can't decide if I want him decked out in the bunny rabbit flannel PJ's I bought him, or that reindeer jumper, or ( dare I say it ) wearing nothing at all but a smile .... sigh...decisions, decisions..."}, {"response": 413, "author": "maryw", "date": "Thu, Sep 27, 2001 (16:17)", "body": "(Cathey)Its when Mark comes back from New York and asks Bridget if she is available for weddings and bar mitzvahs etc. I'm with you Cathey - that scene sets off some serious heart flutters. With TIOBE not scheduled for release til mid 2002 (is this correct?) and NC maybe a few months after that - it will be a long time between drinks for us wouldn't it? Even Paul Ashworth only had a couple of months to wait in between seasons. Life is tough for Firthettes!"}, {"response": 414, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Thu, Sep 27, 2001 (16:34)", "body": "\"*excellent* speech\" with that little half-grin... swoon."}, {"response": 415, "author": "rachael", "date": "Fri, Sep 28, 2001 (02:14)", "body": "ooh yes, I agree, that \"excellent\" is AFG!! so, anyway, I've flown half way round the world just so I can tell you what the inflight BJD is like *LOL* hmmmm as we knew, Shazza becomes \"a journalist who likes to say 'freak' alot\" and there are all sorts of other changes - how much do you want me to say? Not exactly spoilers cos I'm not giving away a story since we already know it, but do you want to know all the changes?"}, {"response": 416, "author": "maryw", "date": "Fri, Sep 28, 2001 (02:20)", "body": "Rachel - Which airline is showing it - some of us might want to fly halfway round as well. (or do all airlines show the same movies at the same time?) BTW what's \"AFG\"?"}, {"response": 417, "author": "rachael", "date": "Fri, Sep 28, 2001 (02:34)", "body": "Minkee I flew on Emirates AFG is Absolutely F***ing Gorgeous!! Or, in the case of the airline BJD, Absolutely Freaking Gorgeous"}, {"response": 418, "author": "Echo", "date": "Fri, Sep 28, 2001 (07:00)", "body": "Am not too enthusiastic about playing to the gallery by overusing the \"f***ing\" epithet. F***ing cheap and nasty."}, {"response": 419, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 28, 2001 (08:03)", "body": "Cutting in. Rachael, I would love to hear all about it."}, {"response": 420, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Fri, Sep 28, 2001 (12:12)", "body": "yeah, what about the \"Daniel comes...\" bit during the friends' dinner?"}, {"response": 421, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Sep 28, 2001 (16:04)", "body": "Sadly BJD ended here yesterday, pulled to make way for Enigma etc Luckily managed to see it for the final time with a BJD virgin (had to pick myself up off the floor too!). I got quite emotional having to say goodbye to that whisk for thelast time on the big screen. boo hoo. During the Summer I saw a live performance from Alistair McGowan (impressionist with a show on BBC 1) I was more that amused to see him discussing how Huge Gnat's delivery is like a \"helicopter\" and he proceeded to give several examples by improvising Huge talking to \"Darcy\". Got very appreciative laugh from large audience, so am wondering if any BJD dialogue will make it into his \"Xmas Special.\""}, {"response": 422, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Sat, Sep 29, 2001 (20:29)", "body": "BJD is also coming to an end in Australia, although I have found one cinema resonably close that is still showing it once per day; and that's where I'm off to this afternoon. I think I'll take tissues, just in case it hits me that I may not see it on the big screen again"}, {"response": 423, "author": "rachael", "date": "Sun, Sep 30, 2001 (02:23)", "body": "hi Moon and Laura re changes - some are just blurred over, I can't remember what \"Daniel comes\" is changed to, will have to watch again when flying home, oh what a hardship ;) the oddest one is when Bridget's on the phone to Jude - \"he's a big nobody with no body\" errr what?? \"a very bad man within my reach\" when on the phone to Mum/Dad at the end of the fight, where in the film Daniel calls Mark a w***er , on the flight version its changed to \"coward\" - which changes the whole meaning IMO will go and look at my book to remember more :-) (Yes, I made notes, yes I'm sad)"}, {"response": 424, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sun, Sep 30, 2001 (18:40)", "body": "Ewww, I hate it when they dub movies. I think the old days of just blanking out objectionable words was better. (OT comment: I remember seeing one of the Lethal Weapon movies on TV, and when Mel says \"Now I'm really pissed!\" It came out \"Now I'm really miffed.\" Miffed???? Who are they kidding.) When I saw BJD in a hotel on ppv, it had the original dialogue. Back to blue potatoes. I found some at the farm market this morning, so I tried the blue potato soup. It came out pale blue, sort of gray. Tasted fine, but looked ucky. Definitely did not come out \"Bridget Blue.\" And no, I did not screw up the recipe, as am something of a genius in the kitchen. Sorry, Karen, was planning to photograph it and post a bowl of it as a belated birthday gift."}, {"response": 425, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sun, Sep 30, 2001 (20:24)", "body": "Re Blue Potatoes - we tried them - the greengrocer suggested we used them for making 'french fries' they were delicious! But wouldn't want to mash or boil them. Re: BJD still in four cinemas in Perth and environs - but came off most cinemas last Thursday - children are on holidays so lots of kids films instead."}, {"response": 426, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 30, 2001 (22:38)", "body": "(Kate) I hate it when they dub movies Who doesn't? But I believe the airlines do it because it has to be brought down to a more general audience rating level. Hey, the kiddies get headsets too."}, {"response": 427, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct  1, 2001 (13:46)", "body": "I'm starting to see full page color ads in the magazines for the BJD DVD. Same poster we've seen in the US before, of CF, RZ and HG, with a \"post-it\" indicating the extras. They're promising deleted scenes--hurry October 9!:-)"}, {"response": 428, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Tue, Oct  2, 2001 (14:26)", "body": "MTV just ran a delicious ad for the BJD DVD.....mainly Renee, but a teeny, tiny, delicious snippet of Col."}, {"response": 429, "author": "caribou", "date": "Tue, Oct  2, 2001 (15:02)", "body": "I hope its not too late for another blue potato story. I have to agree with Mark Darcy - there isn't enough blue food. Six years ago, I served mashed potatoes with blue food coloring in them because there were six children and only four adults at dinner. It was hilarious to see the other adults barely able to put them in their mouths- the kids loved it. I would suggest it, if you're feeling bored but only if your friends love you as much as Bridget's."}, {"response": 430, "author": "Anek", "date": "Wed, Oct  3, 2001 (03:34)", "body": "I read yesterday in October edition of FILM about BJD DVD premiere in Poland. It is set on November (no exact day given) so it'll be earlier in Poland than in UK. I had thougth that it would the opposite so I was going to buy it through Amazon. Luckily not only will it be cheaper here but also no shipment costs. It is to be a widescreen version and it will be distributed by Columbia Tristar. Up to know, I know nothing about extra material. I wish they would include both endings, cutting scenes, interviews with main actors, \"The Making of BJD\" and etc.. One can dream, can't he? BJD is still on in 7 cinemas in my city. In total, it collected around 980 000 viewers for 13 weeks. It may seem not much to you, but the statistical Pole goes very rarely to the cinema. So it's a very good result and much more than Pearl Harbour did and on the similar level as Shrek."}, {"response": 431, "author": "Anek", "date": "Wed, Oct  3, 2001 (03:36)", "body": "The number of viewers refers to the whole Poland's audience (not 1 city)."}, {"response": 432, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct  3, 2001 (07:36)", "body": "I have a feeling they will do a pre-Xmas release in Italy. That might give Colin a chance to attend a premiere if there is one. :-D"}, {"response": 433, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct  3, 2001 (13:29)", "body": "Have gotten an email that my BJD DVD was shipped already!!"}, {"response": 434, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct  3, 2001 (15:19)", "body": "Anybody see ET last night? Apparently RZ and George Clooney are dating. \"Quiet little dinners at his place\". Hmmmmm.He is a hunk, but has left a string of broken hearts behind."}, {"response": 435, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Oct  3, 2001 (23:19)", "body": "The place to order Bridget Jones Diary for the Spring to get credit: http://www.vstore.com/cgi-bin/pagegen/vstoredvds/springdvd/page.html?mode=itempage&file=/page/itempagev4/itempage.spl&prodID=1640106&catID=128999"}, {"response": 436, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Oct  4, 2001 (15:48)", "body": "The \"George and Renee\" show made it , \"world exclusive\" to the front of one of our magazines too. Bet George doesn't watch as many re runs of BJD as we do!"}, {"response": 437, "author": "Anek", "date": "Fri, Oct  5, 2001 (07:09)", "body": "According to Annanova UK BJD DVD will include the director's commentary, a behind-the-scenes featurette, Bridget Jones articles, music videos and deleted scenes. Does it mean they'll include pool ending or not?"}, {"response": 438, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct  5, 2001 (07:41)", "body": "Is the DVD available for rent too?"}, {"response": 439, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  5, 2001 (08:10)", "body": "(Moon) Is the DVD available for rent too? Absolutely."}, {"response": 440, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  5, 2001 (08:19)", "body": "From Ananova: Hugh Grant attends French Film Festival Hugh Grant has attended a screening of Bridget Jones's Diary at the Dinard Film Festival in France. The film opened the 12th Dinard Film Festival. The screening was followed by a banquet at the local Casino Grand Hotel. The festival includes a special tribute to Sir John Gielgud. Bridget Jones is available to reserve on video and DVD now at discounted prices. [blackstar.co.uk]"}, {"response": 441, "author": "odessa", "date": "Fri, Oct  5, 2001 (09:08)", "body": "BJD is now this year`s second most watched movie in Finland"}, {"response": 442, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  5, 2001 (15:59)", "body": "Drool is kicking off its Annual Fund-Raising Drive. Spring needs money in order to operate and we appreciate whatever people can send to help keep this place online every single day of the week, barring screw-ups by Terry when he's trying to make untested changes on a live server. ;-) This year, I've made arrangements with Tracy in the UK to collect funds, which she can then easily send on to me. For other countries, we have alternatives that have worked fine in the past. Our Drool boards are a source of enjoyment for many people, participants and lurkers alike. So if you'd like to make a contribution, please contact me for information, as no addresses will be posted on this board."}, {"response": 443, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct  6, 2001 (17:44)", "body": "As Bridget would write: Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck! My DVD arrived today and I immediately ripped it open. Not one deleted scene with Colin, just more of that Huge Gnat. What a huge huge huge disapppointment. The Behind the Scenes Featurette is made up of lots of bits we've seen before from both US and UK TV stuff. There are few new comments here and there. The other ending is shown with deleted scenes. I didn't see any Colin in it, just Hugh and a girl, Hugh and another girl, etc. Bloody waste of time...."}, {"response": 444, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct  6, 2001 (17:57)", "body": "Soory to hear it, Karen! Lora and I were planning to see it on Thursday. You did know that the other was only HG with other girls, didn't you? Someone write to Sharon and tell her to get it right. We want the left-out Darcy scenes!"}, {"response": 445, "author": "WinniePeg", "date": "Sat, Oct  6, 2001 (18:00)", "body": "Nooooooo!"}, {"response": 446, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct  6, 2001 (19:46)", "body": "Bummer. He was screwed again. But he gets extra scenes in the P&P DVD and a solo cover;-) I hear the \"Lizzie look\" at Pemberley has been shortened considerably. Win some...lose some....."}, {"response": 447, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sat, Oct  6, 2001 (20:29)", "body": "Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck! Huge grunt."}, {"response": 448, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Oct  6, 2001 (23:18)", "body": "Karen, are there *any* deleted scenes (other than the Huge Gnatified end credits)?"}, {"response": 449, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct  7, 2001 (00:15)", "body": "Yes, there are 7 deleted scenes: (1) Have you met Miss Jones - the train station opening scene with homeless people. (2) BJ - Marketing Genius - shows her doing a presentation to author and HG (3) Dad - Not VG - probably one of the scenes *before* the ringing dustbin, as Dad has come over to talk about problems with Mum. (4) Phone Message: Not VG - when Bridge leaves phone message for Daniel (5) How to Attract a Man - Magda giving Bridge advice, with all the friends' advice on being \"aloof, unavailable ice queen\" as Daniel is hovering near her desk. (6) The Perfect Relationship - Bridge and Daniel watching various sports on couch (suggestive language) and her wanting to go on minibreak (7) And Finally - the other end credit sequence"}, {"response": 450, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Oct  7, 2001 (08:58)", "body": "Oh Karen \"Crikey\" what a bummer. Did you like the Mr and Mrs Darcy scene in the end sequence?"}, {"response": 451, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct  7, 2001 (09:23)", "body": "No dustbin scene? He commented in an interview that they were going to shoot that scene the next day."}, {"response": 452, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Oct  7, 2001 (09:32)", "body": "Maybe they are saving the dustbin scene for the sequel EOR and maybe they are using other Colin deleted scenes, not the exact scenes, but the theme for EOR."}, {"response": 453, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Oct  7, 2001 (09:54)", "body": "From today's Sunday Times: \"Collecting two of the inaugural Whitaker awards for staggering sales last week, BJ's creator recalled seeing someone being asked \"What is the title of the fictional diary by Helen Fielding?\" in the US version of the Weakest Link. \"The Diary of Anne Frank?\" was the plaintive reply."}, {"response": 454, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct  7, 2001 (11:26)", "body": "I've just watched the movie with Sharon Maguire's audio commentary going throughout. Only a few good Colin bits in her commentary. As I've suspected all along, she's a Huge person. (1) When we first see Mark at the Turkey Curry Buffet, Sharon does a \"a ha!\" and \"ding dong.\" She says that her direction to Colin was always \"more haughty\" then she talks about how the reindeer jumper was the star of the scene and how the crew would always laugh at the shots where it was featured. (2) Sharon does another well-timed 'ding dong' when car pulls away from curb and Burberry Man strides purposefully into view. (3) During the entire Kafir Aghani bit, with interview, Sharon doesn't comment at all on the scene and instead drones on and on about how HF started writing the column. Blech! (4) At end of \"Someone Like You\" speech as Mark is being called away by Natasha, Sharon does another 'ding dong.' (5) During most of the birthday party, she talks about creating a balance between romance and comedy and how they strove to get more comedy in. *rolling eyes* (6) Dialogue was improvised during the birthday party dinner, e.g., Colin's line \"the most incredible shit\" was his and that was real laughter. (7) Rather than making relevant comments on Colin's punches, Sharon emphasizes how punchable Hugh's face was because of the sneers. (8) She says that she got a lot of letters about how people wanted to see more of the friends, but she replies that they had to economize and that a rom-com shouldn't be anymore than 90 minutes long. (9) Now the good stuff, her commentary for the ending scenes - Sharon's direction for the meeting between Bridge and Mark at the car. They're in a trance and should give the impression of wanting to 'rip each other's clothes off.' When he bends down to nuzzle her neck, Sharon does a 'oh, he's so sexy' and 'he's a tiger under all that aloofness.' For the final kiss, she says they did lots of takes 'mainly for my enjoyment.' And Mark's last words should give a hint that he isn't the polite goody goody he has appeared to be."}, {"response": 455, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Oct  7, 2001 (11:47)", "body": "that a rom-com shouldn't be anymore than 90 minutes long. Excuse me, Ms Expert after-one-film-director. And Mark's last words should give a hint that he isn't the polite goody goody he has appeared to be. What's so bad about MD being a goody goody. Who would care about a c word MD? When he bends down to nuzzle her neck, Sharon does a 'oh, he's so sexy' and 'he's a tiger under all that aloofness.' That worked for me. Too bad it was too short. for the meeting between Bridge and Mark at the car. They're in a trance and should give the impression of wanting to 'rip each other's clothes off.' I didn't get this from that scene, but will watch attentively for it. Why would B want to waste time changing bloomis if she really wanted to rip his clothes off a minute before? That scene never worked for me."}, {"response": 456, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Oct  7, 2001 (12:14)", "body": "Thanks Karen for all those details. I could see she was a Huge fan in those clips of them on the sofa, where she is sitting next to him and flirting and giggling with him.ODB at the other end of the sofa didn't get a look in, and probably wasn't meant to. I loved the revelation about the dialogue in the dinner scene, he delivers it so naturally! And after he has said it he sort of hesitates for a nanosecond and laughs in that wonderful half self conscious way. How could you NOT comment about the Kafir Ahgani scene. Beats me."}, {"response": 457, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct  7, 2001 (12:15)", "body": "Thanks Karen. I think that DVD is a renter. (Ann)Maybe they are saving the dustbin scene for the sequel EOR They're gonna get a thin Bridge next time. She says she won't put all that weight on again."}, {"response": 458, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct  7, 2001 (12:19)", "body": "Yo, Lizza! Sharon said that one of the restaurant scenes (North African decor) was at Momo's. Didn't you tell me you'd been there? It's been on my list for a long time. (Lizza) How could you NOT comment about the Kafir Ahgani scene. Beats me. No kidding! It is pivotal and she doesn't say anything about what is going on between BJ and Mark and the looks he's giving her, the things she's saying and whether they refer to Mark or Kafir. Utter waste. Sharon really let down *our* side. She needs to get some feedback."}, {"response": 459, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct  7, 2001 (12:23)", "body": "(Karen)Sharon really let down *our* side. She needs to get some feedback. How? Email? Snail mail? Am ready for battle.... One would think that HF would have had some input....inasmuch as they are best friends and HF is such a fan of ODB. Disgusting."}, {"response": 460, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Oct  7, 2001 (12:26)", "body": "Exactly! Well said, we need to bombard her with feedback. She seriously needs to rethink the length of her faux fur sweater collars, if you ask me.! Re Momo, I think it was Moro I went to (It was the most overpriced incredible s%$&!). Seriously tho' yes Momo is listed inall the guides and the decor was what they were looking for."}, {"response": 461, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Oct  7, 2001 (12:27)", "body": "Let battle commence......!"}, {"response": 462, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct  7, 2001 (12:30)", "body": "Letter writing to Sharon c/o Working Title and I think Miramax deserves to get an earful as well. Pathetic, truly pathetic. IMO most of the deleted scenes were ones that had been in the version shown to the critics."}, {"response": 463, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct  7, 2001 (12:37)", "body": "Addresses Have pen in hand. Am watching P&P on Marathon.At least A&E still appreciates him. If only he'd realize that was his best role yet."}, {"response": 464, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Oct  7, 2001 (12:48)", "body": "If only he'd realize that was his best role yet. OK, ladies, everyone at my house for coctails and P&P. We'll wrap it up with a fun dinner and The Emmys. (I am working on a new drink, the ultimate cuckholtail). ;-)))"}, {"response": 465, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Oct  7, 2001 (14:03)", "body": "the ultimate cuckholtail). PFFT! Moon's a roll today--LOL!"}, {"response": 466, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Oct  7, 2001 (14:03)", "body": "Actually, she's on a roll today, too. ;-)"}, {"response": 467, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Oct  7, 2001 (14:06)", "body": "Cheers, count me in. Am green at your marathon. Happy greatcoat viewing everyone."}, {"response": 468, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct  7, 2001 (14:26)", "body": "(Moon)OK, ladies, everyone at my house for coctails and P&P. We'll wrap it up with a fun dinner and The Emmys. (I am working on a new drink, the ultimate cuckholtail). ;-))) Be there in a minute. *Getting on my broomstick*;-)"}, {"response": 469, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Oct  7, 2001 (15:36)", "body": "Be there in a minute. *Getting on my broomstick*;-) LOL! I'm happy to report that Evelyn arrived safely! For a moment there, I thought she might be landing in the pool, phew! Actually, she's on a roll today, too. ;-) Mari, to this compliment I must say that you are an inspiration, in fact, this place rocks. Now, back to the cuckholtail. Hic!"}, {"response": 470, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Oct  8, 2001 (06:25)", "body": "In defence of Sharon: I think she's very brave to regard her first feature film as \"just rom-com, must be kept to 90 minutes\" - many British directors have fallen into the trap of thinking that each of their films is the defining moment in the genre, and made them too long and too dull; thus getting trounced by Hollywood's more production-line, give-the-public-what-it-wants fare. And she didn't do badly for Ms Expert after-one-film director. As to her clearly preferring HG over CF: (1) it's not unknown(!), (2) CF's stealing of the film, under the nose of the director and crew, is even more to his credit than when he was just pinching it from Hugh."}, {"response": 471, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct  8, 2001 (07:36)", "body": "many British directors have fallen into the trap of thinking that each of their films is the defining moment in the genre, and made them too long and too dull; True, but Sharon had much to work with here and she had an audience of readers that wanted more. The dustbin scene should have been added. Our major complaint as we waited for the expanded DVD is that she left out CF and added more HG. And she didn't do badly for Ms Expert after-one-film director. Yes and no. ;-D"}, {"response": 472, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct  8, 2001 (08:40)", "body": "I wouldn't give Sharon all that much credit. The 90-minute dictum would've been laid down by the US studios. We all know that's the maximum length of time Harvey can sit. Just a couple of days ago, I read Harvey told Martin Scorcese to trim about a half hour from Gangs of NY. My main complaint is that the they failed to supply anything worthwhile as an extra. None of the deleted scenes added much to the package in the way that other DVDs have done. Shoot, even Notting Hill showed Sally Philips' deleted scene."}, {"response": 473, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct  8, 2001 (12:50)", "body": "Just a thought on the DVD: Sharon might not have been given much of a budget to work with. Disney squeezes a nickel 'til the buffalo sh*ts. Maybe she felt she couldn't do much more than what was on the critic's screener."}, {"response": 474, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct  8, 2001 (14:54)", "body": "Humph. What a disappointment. Agree with Evelyn, it's a renter. :-/ Thanks for the run-down of Sharon's comments, Karen. AnnW--there isn't even a script for EOR yet, let alone a director or star(s). I highly doubt they're already 'saving scenes' for it."}, {"response": 475, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Oct  8, 2001 (15:07)", "body": "it was just a thought Eileen, as it came from the EOR second book. (a very hopeful thought as I would love them to do the sequel)"}, {"response": 476, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Oct  9, 2001 (16:03)", "body": "My dvd was shipped today, according to the email from amazon, so I rented the tape. (am v. impatient) I am watching on the TV in my office as I type this. It occurs to me that, if SM did lots of tapes on the greatcoat scene, we wouldn't have minded more of that footage as an extra! BTW, the first thing on the video is the trailer for Serendipity. Arrgh! as if I haven't seen THAT ten times already!!!!"}, {"response": 477, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Wed, Oct 10, 2001 (10:53)", "body": "Big disappointment here yesterday. The Canadian BJD DVD was delayed a week probably due to shipping from the US. But the video came, and Thank God the Serendipity trailer wasn't on ours (small favours). We got Lord of the Rings and that Leonardo and Daniel Day Lewis film."}, {"response": 478, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 10, 2001 (14:44)", "body": "Pretty glum picture of the present and future of the British film industry (so what else is new?) FRom the Evening Standard: BRITISH FILMS ARE STILL A LOTTERY \"The clear winner has been Bridget Jones's Diary, with over \ufffd41 million gross. Bestsellerdom and good word of mouth, plus an entertaining film, explain this jackpot; but also the fact that it was backed by an American studio through its British partner, Working Title, and most of the profits will go to Hollywood. But even Working Title couldn't deliver the expected grosses with their other \"bestseller\" project, Captain Corelli's Mandolin. Bad word of mouth and a turgid film that fell far short of filmgoers' expectations, have ratcheted up a \"mere\" \ufffd9.3 million so far. \" ....."}, {"response": 479, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 10, 2001 (14:45)", "body": "Entire article: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/html/hottx/film/top_direct.html"}, {"response": 480, "author": "caribou", "date": "Wed, Oct 10, 2001 (16:06)", "body": "(Evelyn)...and good word of mouth... I think Karen and Drool is appropriately being given credit. I took a moment at the video superstore today to enjoy 62 pictures of CF all in one place at one time. It was definitely a Firth first for me."}, {"response": 481, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 10, 2001 (17:11)", "body": "Yeah, right. LOL!"}, {"response": 482, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Oct 10, 2001 (18:11)", "body": ""}, {"response": 483, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 11, 2001 (10:01)", "body": "From a report in the Guardian about the Festival du Film Britannique in Dinard: Royalty, in the shape of Edward and Sophie attended once. But generally British stars are the focal point for the autograph hunters, and almost every famous name has been to Dinard at one time or another. This year, the attraction was Hugh Grant, whose most important task, apart from supporting a screening of Bridget Jones' Diary, was to take part in the hard-fought Britain versus France golf match. He won his contest 4 up and 3 to play, and thus became an instant hero, enabling the match to be an honourable draw. [...] No one, however, could honestly say that the competition, or indeed the whole programme, was strong this year even though the presence of Bridget Jones' Diary, representing Britain most obvious international success, and Ken Loach's The Navigators, representing one of our most prestigious film-makers, ensured some excitment.... http://film.guardian.co.uk/features/featurepages/0,4120,566118,00.html"}, {"response": 484, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 11, 2001 (10:16)", "body": "\"and Ken Loach's The Navigators, representing one of our most prestigious film-makers, ensured some excitment.... \" But apparently not enough; it's going to television. Thanks K."}, {"response": 485, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 11, 2001 (14:53)", "body": "Hugh Grant, whose most important task, apart from supporting a screening of Bridget Jones' Diary, was to take part in the hard-fought Britain versus France golf match. Did we have to know this, Karen? ;-)"}, {"response": 486, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 11, 2001 (14:59)", "body": "Lora and I watched the BJD/DVD and can join everyone in the disappointment of not having more MD. The snuggle scene is till a killer even at slow speed. ;-)))"}, {"response": 487, "author": "maryw", "date": "Thu, Oct 11, 2001 (16:25)", "body": "The snuggle scene is till a killer even at slow speed. ;-))) Still on the BIG SCREEN where I am. Saw it again (!) last night with a friend who was hiding under a rock somewhere and have never seen it before. Sparse audience but made up of seemingly CF die-hards (all that giggling and swooning) and appreciative males around too. Nice to have like-minded audience."}, {"response": 488, "author": "rachael", "date": "Thu, Oct 11, 2001 (16:45)", "body": "hey Minkee, so you finally managed to find a fellow-obsessive to go with?? what on earth are you doing on the computer at this time? shoudln't you be having your breakfast? I'm about to go to bed! a couple more changes I noticed from the (third) in-flight viewing - when Daniel falls in the lake, Bridget says \"you're stupid ... oh!\" which i suppose does the right mouth shapes but sounds odd; also, re changes, the publishers party is one of the biggest: the whole chunk from the end of \"I am the intellectual equal of everyone here\" through the \"where's the loo\" scene is wiped, so it leaps from \"I am the equal ..\" to \"can't get any worse\" then she sees Mark - but if you hadn't seen the film before, you'd be wondering why it couldn't get any worse; then the whole speech about best book/ well, one of the best books and the scan round the room spotting famous authors is lost, so it goes straight into \"and definitely one of the top 30 books of our time\" - not only does it sound odd, it also removes the justification for Mark to say later on \"you really are an appallingly bad public speaker\" - we haven't heard Bridget speak in public so how would we know? someone asked about the \"Daniel comes\" speech - it's cut - Shazza's line is cut at \"and Daniel\" and it hops straight to the next bit. I think that's all, apart from odd little things here and there. Go and fly, then you'll see!"}, {"response": 489, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 11, 2001 (16:52)", "body": "\"you really are an appallingly bad public speaker\" This stems from her introduction at the book launch party."}, {"response": 490, "author": "rachael", "date": "Thu, Oct 11, 2001 (17:08)", "body": "(R) \"you really are an appallingly bad public speaker\" (Moon) This stems from her introduction at the book launch party. yes - which as I said, is cut from the airline version of the film."}, {"response": 491, "author": "maryw", "date": "Thu, Oct 11, 2001 (22:19)", "body": "(Rachael)hey Minkee...what on earth are you doing on the computer at this time? shoudln't you be having your breakfast? I'm about to go to bed! Not normally this obsessive with Drool but actually haven't been to bed (for 2 nights)as working on big project. Drool and another viewing of BJD with co-obsessed friend was my \"break\" from work. Will go to sleep tonight at last - hopefully to dream about...."}, {"response": 492, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Thu, Oct 11, 2001 (23:42)", "body": "I still can't believe that the blurb on the back of the BJD DVD barely mentions CF. They go on and on about RZ (understandable) and HG (not), but hardly anything about CF. Grrrr. Don't they know by now that a lot of the return business in theaters was due to Darcy fans? I know that some of you don't think much of NC, but I hope it does really well. Then they'll have to accept that CF is the reason. Or do you think they'll say the success was all down to Oliver Platt?"}, {"response": 493, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct 12, 2001 (07:25)", "body": "some of you don't think much of NC, but I hope it does really well. Louise, we all want NC to do really well. We all feel that Colin is leading man material. (Rachael)which as I said, is cut from the airline version of the film. Why would they cut from the launch party? That scene is vv funny. I can understand them cutting the anal scene and hope they did because it was so unnecessary, did they?"}, {"response": 494, "author": "rachael", "date": "Fri, Oct 12, 2001 (08:51)", "body": "Moon, I don't know - I thought it was very funny too, both the \"where's the loo\" and with her spotting various authors and digging herself into a deeper hole the more she tried to get out of it - I can't see why that had to go, no justification as far as language ... and now its missing, it makes that segment of the film rather odd. And no, the anal scene stayed! I can't see the logic in that set of decisions."}, {"response": 495, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 12, 2001 (09:00)", "body": "(Louise) some of you don't think much of NC, but I hope it does really well As Moon said, we *do* want NC to do well and will of course go see it and support. You might not remember but all of us who have read the book have said it was cute, enjoyable, well-written, etc. Our only quibble is that it is lightweight stuff...again. And for that we are disappointed. It is not a Hamlet. Period."}, {"response": 496, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Oct 12, 2001 (11:35)", "body": "Interesting what you said about DVD cover Louise! I suppose I should learn but here I go again getting mad at Colin being so sidelined in all the vid publicity. \"Entertainment Today\" had a feature from LA on the vid release this morning on TV. The article had been running for several minutes before Colin appeared in a bit of his interview, don't even think he was in any clips either, apart from 2 seconds! Then the Guardian reviews it today wittering on about how wonderful in the role Huge is and finally mentions ODB in the SAME sentence as Neil Pearson! Pleeeeze! It's like he only has ten lines too and is a minor player. Guess the weekend papers will be gearing up for more of the same, so I will try and remain calm."}, {"response": 497, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Oct 12, 2001 (12:08)", "body": "From the \"this is more like it\" department . . . If it's any consolation, BJD is the featured DVD at the IMDB today: BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY Renee Zellweger is the thirty year old British \"singleton\" in this adaptation of Helen Fielding's best-selling novel. Sort of a modern reworking of Jane Austin's \"Pride and Prejudice,\" she's torn between her charismatic but manipulative boss (Hugh Grant) and the stiff, conservative Barrister (Colin Firth) who hides a passion beneath his snobby exterior. What luck the film had in landing Firth, who virtually reprises his role of Darcy from the BBC Pride and Prejudice mini-series. Brit romance specialists Andrew Davies (who also scripted Pride--another coup) and Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral) help Fielding adapt her novel to the screen with plenty of snap and verve, and Zellweger is appropriately daffy and cynical and charming as the chain-smoking , overeating career woman. And her British accent is just fine. Gemma Jones plays Bridget's matchmaking Mum, Jim Broadbent is her Dad, and Shirley Henderson, Embeth Davidtz, and Honor Blackman co-star. Director Sharon Maguire opens her own diary in a commentary track and the DVD features a behind-the-scenes featurette, deleted scenes, Helen Fielding's original \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" columns, two music videos, and the trailer. DETAILS: Lbx (2.35:1, 16x9), 5.1 Dolby Digital, with optional French soundtrack. R. Miramax."}, {"response": 498, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, Oct 12, 2001 (12:34)", "body": "Only slightly off-topic: I've wondered about the uproar about RZ's casting, and her accent, vs. Reese Witherspoon (another frightful American ;-) in TIOBE. Not a whimper about that one. And actually, was there *really* an uproar? Or more publicity stunt than uproar? Is it just because Bridget was the quintissential British character, and SO popular, main character, etc. I guess TIOBE part is pretty low on the radar?"}, {"response": 499, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Oct 12, 2001 (12:46)", "body": "I, too,(as Moon mentioned above) am disappointed in the very little \"extras\" we get of Colin in the BJD DVD. So since I've now found the zoom button on my remote (Moon, you have to rewatch with the zoom ;-)) I've been watching and rewatching his scenes and have come up with three new things about him in this movie. 1. In the scene on Bridget's balcony, after Daniel has interrupted her birthday dinner, DC is trying to recharm BJ and is about to get her to kiss him. But where the empty space remains between them is a perfect fit for MD/CF's face and aura at a distance. With his presence there when he comes to say goodbye, he foils the kiss. It's a great shot because he is not standing between them, he's between them at a distance. Ah, *sign*, great foreshadowing ;-). 2. In the final coat scene I love the way CF deftly puts his great coat around RZ while *still* holding the diary in his gloved hands. He has to transfer the diary from one gloved hand to the other as he holds each edge of the coat as well! I hadn't noticed how well he does this before. I guess it could have taken many takes, but the one in the movie makes it look like quite masterful. 3. The third thing I've noticed is a line which I wish was there but is not. After MD helps BJ get the A-H interview, I wish that when he came to her birthday party that she would have thanked him for what he had done for her (much like Elizabeth does to Mr. Darcy on the walk at the end of P & P2 - for helping with Lydia). There is no thank you at all (she even had a picture of herself in the paper over it). It could have been one line, and MD would have been so touched by it ;-)."}, {"response": 500, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Fri, Oct 12, 2001 (12:47)", "body": "Got and watched the DVD last night - what was with the interface design for the menus and that hideous music? Icky. I liked the non-U.S. credits bit in the deleted scenes, cute and sarcastic. I got my bf to watch it too, and he actually liked it, shocker. :) Somebody had already commented on the audio commentary thing - is it worth listening to?"}, {"response": 501, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct 12, 2001 (13:01)", "body": "(Lora) I wish that when he came to her birthday party that she would have thanked him for what he had done for her (much like Elizabeth does to Mr. Darcy on the walk at the end of P & P2 - for helping with Lydia) *Breathlessly* \"Mr. Dahcy, please..please allow me to thank for your kindness( to my sistah) in helping me get the interview.\" and then he would have said: *gazing into her eyes* \"Not at awl...I did it only for *you*\" *sigh*...*swoon*"}, {"response": 502, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 12, 2001 (13:08)", "body": "(LauraT) what was with the interface design for the menus and that hideous music? Icky. You said it, sistah! More Andy Williams-type, Bridget's parents and their friends' theme music! What were they thinking??? Am convinced the marketeers for BJD are clueless."}, {"response": 503, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Oct 12, 2001 (13:16)", "body": "(Evelyn) *Breathlessly*...\"Not at awl...I did it only for *you*\" *sigh*...*swoon* Stoppit! Stoppit, you're killin' me here! ;-D"}, {"response": 504, "author": "maryw", "date": "Fri, Oct 12, 2001 (13:39)", "body": "(Lora) But where the empty space remains between them is a perfect fit for MD/CF's face and aura at a distance. First time I saw this scene in BJD, it reminded me of the ball at Sir Williams' where Lizzy and Charlotte are talking in the foreground of the screen and Mr Darcy enters from screen right in the background then stands between the two ladies' faces in the shot and then stare at them."}, {"response": 505, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct 12, 2001 (13:45)", "body": "(Evelyn) *Breathlessly*...\"Not at awl...I did it only for *you*\" *sigh*...*swoon* You're right it would have been purrrfect! Moon, you have to rewatch with the zoom ;-)) Lora, I would love to zoom in on the snuggle. Must find the time. :-D Is it just because Bridget was the quintissential British character, and SO popular, main character, etc. I guess TIOBE part is pretty low on the radar? BJD is popular culture. Oscar Wilde is literature. What luck the film had in landing Firth, who virtually reprises his role of Darcy from the BBC Pride and Prejudice mini-series. Luck indeed!!! Remember he debated doing MD? (Rachael), And no, the anal scene stayed! I can't see the logic in that set of decisions. That's incredible! Must be men making that decision. :-("}, {"response": 506, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Oct 12, 2001 (14:29)", "body": "Ahhhhhh! Going green with envy here. Still at least we can rent it from blockbuster from Monday..... in the version starring Neil Pearson of course!"}, {"response": 507, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Oct 12, 2001 (15:36)", "body": "(Evelyn)*Breathlessly* \"Mr. Dahcy, please..please allow me to thank for your kindness( to my sistah) in helping me get the interview.\" and then he would have said: *gazing into her eyes* \"Not at awl...I did it only for *you*\" *sigh*...*swoon* LOL! Maybe Rachael can come up with a few modern lines for a thank you scene at Bridget's apartment and put it in fanfic! (You are very creative, Rachael :-)). It is *so* missing from the movie. I kept waiting for it to be said, and it would have been a great interaction between them. (Minkee)First time I saw this scene in BJD, it reminded me of the ball at Sir Williams' where Lizzy and Charlotte are talking in the foreground of the screen and Mr Darcy enters from screen right in the background then stands between the two ladies' faces in the shot and then stare at them. You're right, it is very similar, though in BJD it's a love triangle ;-)."}, {"response": 508, "author": "rachael", "date": "Fri, Oct 12, 2001 (16:32)", "body": "(Lora) You are very creative, Rachael *blush* you are too kind! Not sure if I can weave this request into what remains of the saga, but will see what I can do!"}, {"response": 509, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Oct 12, 2001 (16:53)", "body": "(Use if you're redeeming a promotional certificate or coupon.) Returning customer? Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering. (We'll set one up for you) View my Wish List Bridget Jones's Diary (2001) List Price: $29.99 Our Price: $22.49 You Save: $7.50 (25%) Used Price: $19.99 Availability: In stock Rated: Not for sale to persons under age 18. Starring: Ren\ufffde Zellweger, Colin Firth, et al. Director: Sharon Maguire 1 collectible from $30.00 1 used from $19.99 I have one to sell! Edition Details: \ufffd Region 1 encoding (US and Canada only) \ufffd Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen \ufffd ASIN: B00003CXT7 Click here for more technical details about this edition... Other Formats: VHS, Theatrical Amazon.com Sales Rank: 6 Rate this item to get personal recommendations. Average Customer Review: Based on 106 reviews. Write a review. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Customers who bought this DVD also bought: Someone Like You (2001) DVD ~ Ashley Judd Heartbreakers (2001) DVD ~ Sigourney Weaver A Knight's Tale (2001) DVD ~ Heath Ledger Explore similar items -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Editorial Reviews Amazon.com Featuring a blousy, winningly inept size-12 heroine, Bridget Jones's Diary is a fetching adaptation of Helen Fielding's runaway bestseller, grittier than Ally McBeal but sweeter than Sex and the City. The normally sylphlike Ren\ufffde Zellweger (Nurse Betty, Me, Myself and Irene) wolfed pasta to gain poundage to play \"singleton\" Bridget, a London-based publicist who divides her free time between binge eating in front of the TV, downing Chardonnay with her friends, and updating the diary in which she records her negligible weight fluctuations and romantic misadventures of the year. Things start off badly at Christmas when her mother tries to set her up with seemingly standoffish lawyer Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), whom Bridget accidentally overhears dissing her. Instead she embarks on a disastrous liaison with her raffish boss, Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant, infinitely more likeable when he's playing a baddie instead of his patented tongue-tied fops). Eventually, Bridget comes to wonder if she's let her pride prejudice her against the surprisingly attractive Mr. Darcy. If the plot sounds familiar, that's because Fielding's novel was itself a retelling of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, whose romantic male lead is also named Mr. Darcy. An extra ironic poke in the ribs is added by the casting of Firth, who played Austen's haughty hero in the acclaimed BBC adaptation of Austen's novel. First-time director Sharon Maguire directs with confident comic zest, while Zellweger twinkles charmingly, fearlessly baring her cellulite and pulling off a spot-on English accent. Like Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill (both of which were written by this film's coscreenwriter, Richard Curtis), Bridget Jones's stock-in-trade is a very English self-deprecating sense of humor, a mild suspicion of Americans (especially if they're thin and successful), and a subtly expressed analysis of thirtysomething fears about growing up and becoming a \"smug married.\" The whole is, as Bridget would say, v. good. --Leslie Felperin --This text refers to the Theatrical Release edition. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Customer Reviews Avg. Customer Review: Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers. Awesome, October 9, 2001 Reviewer: Peter Diotte from Janesville, WI United States This is one the best movies I've ever seen. Rene is terrific as are the gents. Funny. You'll be laughing within minutes. Was this review helpful to you? Grab this one!, October 9, 2001 Reviewer: funnybookworm (see more about me) from WV USA I think this movie may have just moved up to one of my favorites. I saw it in the theater and counted the days until I could buy it. For those of you who read the book - watch the movie, it is just as good if not better. And even if you didnt read the book, the movie will make you want to. Was this review helpful to you? The DVD, October 9, 2001 Reviewer: A viewer from Oakland, CA Found this review at amazon.com.....should be forwarded to whosoever decided on the content of the DVD! Don't they realise that extra CF scenes equals extra sales. Where's the mobile phone scene? Binned? ......... I heard that the DVD does not contain any deleted scenes with Colin Firth. I'm trying to confirm this, before I decide whether to order it. I still might, since I liked the movie so much. However, the movie was severly edited and there weren't enough scenes with Firth to give us much of a clue as to why BJ would be interested in him. Although I'd give the movie close to 5 stars, if there's no more Firth, that's really stupid and it will decrease my rating on the DVD"}, {"response": 510, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Oct 12, 2001 (16:56)", "body": "Oh gawd, sorry. Only meant to cut and paste the last review, but somehow I've given you all of it. Just scroll down!"}, {"response": 511, "author": "maryw", "date": "Fri, Oct 12, 2001 (16:59)", "body": "No worries! Interesting read anyway. Am glad to see people publicly speaking out re lack of CF. Do you think anything will come of it?"}, {"response": 512, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Fri, Oct 12, 2001 (19:02)", "body": "(Minkee)where Lizzy and Charlotte are talking in the foreground of the screen and Mr Darcy enters from screen right in the background (Lora)You're right, it is very similar, though in BJD it's a love triangle ;-) Hmmm, there's a fanfic idea.... =) (Though I'm sure it's been done somewhere...)"}, {"response": 513, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Fri, Oct 12, 2001 (19:51)", "body": "I did not mean to imply that those of you who think NC is \"lightweight\" do not want it to do well. But I guess I just have a somewhat different view of what might actually help CF's career the most. As I see it, to the average movie/TV producer, CF is on a semi-roll: he had a starring role in a bona fide hit movie (BJD) and had an award-nominated supporting role in a critically-acclaimed cable program (Conspiracy). However, to the average non-CF fanatic producer, it might seem that the success of these two projects was due to others (RZ, HG, KB, ST, etc.) If you assume that CF wants to improve his chances of getting good meaty roles in \"serious\" films, what is the best thing for him to do next? I think that if CF has one or two \"hits\" in \"lightweight\" films in which he is the \"star\", he will have a better chance to do the more serious roles he wants to do. In an ideal world, he would get to do serious roles in \"important\" movies because he's such a good actor. But in the real world, good actors have a better chance at serious roles if they've been in a couple of successful movies--and not just in supporting roles like TEP and SIL. Personally, I'd rather see CF mix in more \"commercial\" films with his serious films if that's what it takes. But not drivel like \"L'dumbium\". And even though a critically well-received performance in Hamlet might have some effect in England, would it necessarily get him lead roles in British films? If this is how things work, why is it that Hugh Grant seems to be in every other film made in England? It's because he has been successful in \"lightweight\" comedies, not because he played Hamlet to glowing reviews. And what if CF's Hamlet didn't get glowing reviews? It's not like there haven't been any successful productions of it lately. What if the critics decided that it was just another Hamlet among many? Would that do CF's career any good? Somehow, I don't think so. The few thousand people who got to see it in England might think it was the greatest thing since sliced bread, but would that help him to get starring roles in great movies made by American producers? I guess what I'm trying to say is that none of us knows why CF chose NC. Who knows, maybe it was on Hornby's recommendation. And maybe he never really had a chance at BB, so he took NC as the best offer he had. Heaven knows, it's better than \"L'dumb\". I guess I'm just easy to please, but to me, any reasonably good starring movie role that might give CF a chance at better things in the future is OK with me. So sue me (ducking brickbats)."}, {"response": 514, "author": "maryw", "date": "Fri, Oct 12, 2001 (20:42)", "body": "And maybe he never really had a chance at BB, so he took NC as the best offer he had. Heaven knows I'm going to put 2 and 2 here...Remember what Mystery Man said about be on the lookout for NC news in Oct and then BB? And then I think it was Evelyn who recently posted after the no-CF-in-BB news that CF would be wanting family friendly locations and skeds. Well, methinks that CF did indeed have a serious chance at BB, but after the WTC attacks and general decline in safety worldwide, he then backed out of BB. Didn't Jolie say that she has been asked to report in December to an Asian location? Anyway, just another theory in a chain of them going around this Board. And you're quite safe from brickbats, Louise (at least from me);0)"}, {"response": 515, "author": "maryw", "date": "Fri, Oct 12, 2001 (20:44)", "body": "Oops - I think you and I posted in wrong topic Louise!"}, {"response": 516, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 13, 2001 (10:35)", "body": "So sue me (ducking brickbats). I don't throw brickbats...I just scroll through them. Like I've said...everyone is entitled .... That's why we pay for the real estate."}, {"response": 517, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Oct 13, 2001 (15:34)", "body": "From UK's \"Best\" magazine.. \"Plenty of fans would welcome another Bridget Jones movie, but a sequel is still a long way off. We hear the film company is further ahead on the soundtrack for Bridget 2, no doubt motivated by the fact that the first, which included tracks from Robbie and Geri, waas such a moneyspinner. Soundtracks are often released ahead of films - but could we actually end up with a CD without the movie?\" \"Bridget 2\" sounds hopeful...and if they're already working on the soundtrack, there must be a film, surely?"}, {"response": 518, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct 13, 2001 (16:32)", "body": "How materialistic! Who's ever heard of doing the soundtrack first? I am totally disgusted by this and hope it is not true."}, {"response": 519, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Sat, Oct 13, 2001 (16:39)", "body": "Hey, if it's an incentive to get cracking on BJD2, I'll *buy* that CD ;-) Just \"listened\" to EOR, and am suffering MD withdrawal, despite having received my DVD this week. ;-)"}, {"response": 520, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 15, 2001 (16:09)", "body": "Warning : Votes Solicitited if you are so inclined :Colin ,Sharon Maguire, and BJD Two weeks to go Empire online: Vote for the People 's Choice segment of the European Film Awards http://www.empireonline.co.uk/news/news.asp?3461"}, {"response": 521, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Tue, Oct 16, 2001 (16:44)", "body": "Got my Canadian BJD DVD today! Hurrah! Inside is a piece of paper (no booklet) listing chapters on one side (in French on the other side). Anything better in the US version? Am also re-reading the BJD book. Bridget talks about seeing a pic of Colin and Jennifer in a meadow (modern day luvvies) in the Standard. Does anyone know if this was a real photo. CF w/pencil moustache? Please post if you have a copy. (I'm thinking Murph might have in her amazing collection?)"}, {"response": 522, "author": "Becka", "date": "Tue, Oct 16, 2001 (19:56)", "body": "This is from Jennifer's website http://members.tripod.com/djwan_2/jen_misc.html"}, {"response": 523, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 16, 2001 (20:04)", "body": "Tripod won't allow you to pinch their pictures. Let's see....is this the one you were looking for Rebecca?"}, {"response": 524, "author": "Becka", "date": "Tue, Oct 16, 2001 (21:16)", "body": "Thanks Evelyn. It appeared briefly for a minute, but I'm glad it's not my horrible HTML skills."}, {"response": 525, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Oct 17, 2001 (14:42)", "body": "Is it the one also known as \"in the Blue Peter Garden\" taken at BBC?"}, {"response": 526, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 17, 2001 (15:32)", "body": "Is it the one also known as \"in the Blue Peter Garden\" taken at BBC? I never heard that one. It's from Meluchie's FOF website and originally it was known as the \"Bill & Hilary\" pic. It was taken by BBC however."}, {"response": 527, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Wed, Oct 17, 2001 (15:51)", "body": "Thanks for the photo! I have to admit I was picturing something much more romantic (and attractive). I don't blame Bridget with being disappointed at seeing her favourite characters as real people :-)"}, {"response": 528, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Wed, Oct 17, 2001 (16:51)", "body": "Oh dear, I'm having trouble getting that photo out of my head now. Didn't CF film CoF before P&P? Was he with JE before P&P? Or do I have the timeline mixed up? At least I'm hoping he has that moustache for CoF."}, {"response": 529, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Oct 17, 2001 (20:13)", "body": "Is it the one also known as \"in the Blue Peter Garden\" taken at BBC? That's where it was taken. Actually there are two photos (two different poses) which were taken at that time. The other one is b/w, they are sitting on the grass, she between his knees. Didn't CF film CoF before P&P? Yes, and also \"The Widowing Of Mrs Holroyd\". Was he with JE before P&P? I don't believe so, though they had met before."}, {"response": 530, "author": "Becka", "date": "Wed, Oct 17, 2001 (22:10)", "body": "That's where it was taken. Actually there are two photos (two different poses) which were taken at that time. The other one is b/w, they are sitting on the grass, she between his knees I haven't seen this one! Is there a copy of it floating around somewhere?"}, {"response": 531, "author": "Echo", "date": "Thu, Oct 18, 2001 (09:25)", "body": "I can't find it at the moment... but if you're prepared to be patient, there's a chance that the Three Deers might oblige one day...;-)"}, {"response": 532, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Oct 18, 2001 (10:48)", "body": "BJD video was out in the UK on Monday. Went to local video shop on Tuesday and couldn't see a copy. Was told that they had 65 copies and all had been rented within the first hour. Fortunately, one copy had been returned. But that's pretty impressive for a movie that most people have already seen!"}, {"response": 533, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Thu, Oct 18, 2001 (23:35)", "body": "I just noticed that when he shows up on Bridget's door step at the end of BJD, and keeps trying to kiss her but keeps getting interrupted, CF stands in the gutter while RZ is on the sidewalk, so that he doesn't tower over her quite so much. (I seem to have height on the brain tonight.) I was finally able to show BJD to my mom (she doesn't do movie theaters). She agreed with me that no one in her right mind would choose DC over MD and found the film very entertaining. She particularly liked the dinner preparation scene (that's my Mom!) and laughed out loud when MD spooned up the \"green gunge\". She also laughed at Bridget's sideburns remark at the ruby wedding party. I explained to her that it was an \"inside joke\" referring back to P&P2. Did I dream it, or did Shazzer say in the voiceover commentary that HG's wardrobe came from Saville Row but that CF's came from (couldn't hear it but she said it was a cheap store). If that's really true, the cheap guys should pay CF to model their stuff, as he makes it look like a million bucks. ;-)"}, {"response": 534, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct 19, 2001 (09:18)", "body": "HG's wardrobe came from Saville Row but that CF's came from (couldn't hear it but she said it was a cheap store). She said that HG wanted his suits tailored and that he wanted Cloin to wear cheap clothes. But she decided to get him nice ones too."}, {"response": 535, "author": "Echo", "date": "Fri, Oct 19, 2001 (20:18)", "body": "Cloin ........... ;-)"}, {"response": 536, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Sat, Oct 20, 2001 (23:41)", "body": "Earlier, I rewatched the fun parts of the DVD (i.e. little DC, much MD), and had the following thought - at the end, outside the stationary (?) store, shouldn't MD's \"Oh, yes, they f*&!ing do\" have some sort of response from Bridget, a smile or something? I realize she was mesmerized by his studliness ;), but still... It seems odd not to have some sort of response. Must agree with whoever earlier said that the coat-wrapping-around move was very slick, and probably required much practice :)"}, {"response": 537, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Sat, Oct 20, 2001 (23:52)", "body": "shouldn't MD's \"Oh, yes, they f*&!ing do\" have some sort of response from Bridget, a smile or something? I believe her immediate reponse was to lock lips with him--she probably figured she should take care of the most important stuff first--time for smiling and talking later--much later. Personally, I'd have dragged him back to the flat as soon as possible, if not sooner. Then again, I'd have dragged him into the bedroom as soon as the front door closed behind us when he showed up on my doorstep, tiny knickers or not, especially when he started nuzzling my neck. I guess I'm just not into \"romantic\" delays. ;-)"}, {"response": 538, "author": "maryw", "date": "Sun, Oct 21, 2001 (01:10)", "body": "Romantic delays....If Fielding/Shazza thought they were compensating for the lack of lips-locking at end of PP2 by longer snogging at end of BJD - they've now just created another source of frustration...Heavens's above!! Why anyone would think about putting on any size of knickers when CF/MD is already nuzzling one's neck is beyond me. Shouldn't it be about taking it off, rather than putting it on? BJ needed some talking to from the Firthettes!!"}, {"response": 539, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sun, Oct 21, 2001 (18:45)", "body": "Minkee, Louise, I agree completely. Having watched that \"chapter\" of my DVD a *few* times, I find it frustrating. I haven't listened to SM's commentary, but Karen said that SM's direction when they have the conversation in the snow and then go inside was supposedly to look like they wanted to tear each other's clothes off (or something like that). I don't see that in Bridget, but Mark's attempts at nuzzling are very seductive. I certainly couldn't resist! Bridget still doesn't get the point. If he likes her just as she is, he'll like her just as she's dressed... Two details that seem different from the movie. When Bridget is on her way to the booklaunch, the last time we see her outside, she is clearly fussing with her scary-stomach-holding-in pants. I don't remember that much adjusting in the movie. The other is the introduction to Shazzer \"Likes to say f**k a lot.\" In the DVD, there's a pause before \"a lot,\" but I don't remember that pause in the movie."}, {"response": 540, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Mon, Oct 22, 2001 (06:18)", "body": "I think the pauses might have been \"muffled\" by laughter in the theatre. They may have seemed shorter with an audience."}, {"response": 541, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 22, 2001 (09:07)", "body": "Renee Zellweger starrer \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" penned $275,000 in two days in Italy's key cities (representing some 30% of the nationwide box office)."}, {"response": 542, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Wed, Oct 24, 2001 (22:45)", "body": "For those of you who don't own a DVD player, can't afford the \"rental price\", and have access to Pay per view: BJD is on next month (around Thanksgiving, I believe, how appropriate--blue soup and turkey). Anyway, here's the link for the schedule: http://www.tv-now.com/stars/firth.html And if you haven't seen Relative Values, it's on about a zillion times on Starz."}, {"response": 543, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Oct 25, 2001 (07:16)", "body": "'Cinderella' pic casting spell on Zellweger By Zorianna Kit LOS ANGELES (The Hollywood Reporter) --- Renee Zellweger is in negotiations to star opposite Russell Crowe in Universal Pictures/Miramax Films' \"The Cinderella Man\" for director Lasse Hallstrom. The project is expected to go into production in August. \"Cinderella\" reunites Zellweger with the two studios that co-produced \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" in which she starred. \"Cinderella\" also continues to strengthen the Zellweger's relationship with Miramax, for which she's currently prepping to star in \"Chicago\" (HR 8/29). Crowe, who received the offer on \"Cinderella\" last week, is negotiating to star in the film as real-life heavyweight boxing champ Jim Braddock. During the 1930s, Braddock was an aging boxer who made a comeback while trying to save his family during the Depression. Zellweger, whose deal is subject to Crowe closing his, will star as his supportive wife. Cliff Hollingsworth and Charlie Mitchell wrote the screenplay for the project. Zellweger, repped by CAA and manager John Carrabino, recently wrapped Warner Bros.' \"White Oleander\" with Michelle Pfeiffer and Robin Wright Penn. Zellweger won a Golden Globe this year for her performance in USA Films' \"Nurse Betty.\" Miramax declined comment."}, {"response": 544, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 25, 2001 (09:40)", "body": "See Renee with Tom Cruise in Cold Mountain... See Renee with Russell Crowe in Cinderella.... What else? Wha'appened to the spy one she was going to do in London ? Along with too many Hamlets...too many Renees."}, {"response": 545, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Thu, Oct 25, 2001 (10:39)", "body": "(Evelyn) See Renee with Tom Cruise in Cold Mountain... See Renee with Russell Crowe in Cinderella.... What else? See Renee in Chicago."}, {"response": 546, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Oct 25, 2001 (11:26)", "body": "Wha'appened to the spy one she was going to do in London ? The one with Banderas and Williams? The financing fell through. Is Cold Mountain a go, or is it still in the planning stages? Some of these films take forever to develop, even though the wish-list cast is announced early on."}, {"response": 547, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 25, 2001 (12:25)", "body": "Zellweger, whose deal is subject to Crowe closing his, will star as his supportive wife. Smart cookie, this one. She doesn't exactly give off that cunning vibe when you hear her speak. (Evelyn),Along with too many Hamlets...too many Renees. LOL! You're right. Must be the repeated viewings of BJD. ;-) (I still don't like her voice)"}, {"response": 548, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 25, 2001 (13:29)", "body": "Not yet! But it could be. This is the final week of our Annual Drool Fundraising Drive. Please contact me to get information on how to make your contribution. If you haven't received an acknowledgment from me, then I haven't received it yet. There are still quite a few people who emailed me, but from whom I haven't received anything yet. So, if it's slipped your mind, now is the time to get that checkbook out. We are nowhere near the $1,300 raised last year. We all find Spring's Drool boards very entertaining and some even consider them an important part of the day. What if they wasn't there anymore? Every little bit helps."}, {"response": 549, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Oct 27, 2001 (11:25)", "body": "BJD is still unavailable at local Blockbusters \"due to incredible demand\". I've really enjoyed scrutinising it on video. One thing you realise that in the actual script, the cards are all held by HG (good lines etc). CF does most of the acting with his eyes."}, {"response": 550, "author": "odessa", "date": "Sat, Oct 27, 2001 (11:40)", "body": "\"The making of BJD\"(or how is it called in English)was on tv today and I didn`t notice it:( Tell me that I didn`t miss much?"}, {"response": 551, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, Oct 27, 2001 (11:47)", "body": "Funnily enough Bethan, Blockbuster did a BJD mailshot thro' my letterbox this morning. The review says \"The plot? If you don't know already it's Pride and Prejudice for the 21st century as we follow Bridget's entries as she rebounds from one man to the next like a horny ball- bearing on a testosterone fuelled pinball table. Zellweger fits the Jones tights perfectly while Colin Firth and Hugh Grant are ideal as the rival suitors. Utterly brilliant.\" Hee Hee. CF does most of the acting with his eyes Well HG couldn't convey emotions as well without speaking as ODB!"}, {"response": 552, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Oct 27, 2001 (17:31)", "body": "Well HG couldn't convey emotions as well without speaking as ODB! CF, as ever, does a lot with (relatively speaking) very little. The Daily Telegraph (not known for singing CF's praises!) review of the video said that \"CF does far more than you realise with the role of MD\". Why CF is not a star...!! From a review at amazon.com... \"Renee is wonderful, Hugh played a fabulous slime ball and the real star of the show was the guy who played the keeper.. Name? I can't remember! I was too enthralled in the end scene.\" BTW I'm wondering what will happen re the sequel, assuming there is one. Apparently the 2nd Harry Potter starts shooting in November (ie exactly a year after the first) Stuart Little 2 was filmed almost immediately, ditto the Scream movies. It seems that if a movie is popular (and can provide a natural sequel) there's no delay these days."}, {"response": 553, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 27, 2001 (20:59)", "body": "(Bethan)BJD is still unavailable at local Blockbusters \"due to incredible demand\". Come to Houston, Bethan. Last night I counted a wall full of BJD (84). Only 20 were checked out :-((("}, {"response": 554, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Sun, Oct 28, 2001 (15:09)", "body": "Do not despair! 'Tis obvious that the intelligent people in Houston simply bought a copy, and therefore did not need to rent one! Very thrifty."}, {"response": 555, "author": "AnnieZ", "date": "Mon, Oct 29, 2001 (13:12)", "body": "Evelyn: Come to Houston, Bethan. Last night I counted a wall full of BJD (84). Only 20 were checked out :-((( I have to add to this with my own ;-) The Blockbuster near where I live has 30 copies of BJD VHS and 40 copies of DVD. To my disappointment (and pleasure too) for last two weekends, they were all checked out, every single one! I talked to the manager and he said that they ordered more. Hopefully I can get it on the next weekend."}, {"response": 556, "author": "AnnieZ", "date": "Mon, Oct 29, 2001 (13:18)", "body": "Oh, one more thing. There are an half shelf of MLSF and the other half FP right underneath BJD (the shelves are in the back center of store face the main entry). Oddly RZ's NB were located in the corner on the other side of store. Anyway I'm so pleased ;-)"}, {"response": 557, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Mon, Oct 29, 2001 (16:25)", "body": "Looks like BJD will be on Pay-per-view this month in the US. Must suppress urge to \"rent\", as own personal copy of DVD ;-D"}, {"response": 558, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Tue, Oct 30, 2001 (19:58)", "body": "*Bridget Jones story sent by Ananova \"Bridget Jones's Diary has broken this year's record for the number of video rentals. Almost 800,000 copies of the film were rented in its first week of release. The previous first week record holder was Gladiator, which was hired out 837,020 times on its release last year.\" Is this just for the UK? Am not familiar with rental volumes in the US to be able to tell. This warms my heart, as I was NOT a Gladiator fan (JMO, of course)."}, {"response": 559, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 31, 2001 (09:14)", "body": "Someone on Virtual Views posted that a new BJD 2 soundtrack has been released in UK including Van Morrison's \"Someone Like You\" and \"Ain't No Mountain High Enough\". The slugs!"}, {"response": 560, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 31, 2001 (09:20)", "body": "And you believed it?! ;-) There's no Van Morrison \"Someone Like You\" on it. Check the song listing at amazon.co.uk. http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005RC8Y/o/qid=1004541548/sr=8-2/ref=sr_aps_pm_2_2/026-1979821-5113220 IMO, this CD isn't worth it. Hardly *any* were featured in the movie or were barely discernable in the background and some were likely background in parts that were cut out. This is money-grubbing pure and simple."}, {"response": 561, "author": "studybees", "date": "Wed, Oct 31, 2001 (11:52)", "body": "No, that's a mistake on the part of Amazon. I saw the real life CD the other day and Van Morrison sings Someone Like You and Elvis Costello does My Funny Valentine. And I'm not lying, I sell CDs as part of my job."}, {"response": 562, "author": "studybees", "date": "Wed, Oct 31, 2001 (11:53)", "body": "Oh and En Vogue do My Lovin' - Never Gonna Get It."}, {"response": 563, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 31, 2001 (12:14)", "body": "Thanks for the update, Penny. Still not worth it IMO since I already have a custom CD with the Van Morrison version plus the original Weathergirls!"}, {"response": 564, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Oct 31, 2001 (12:55)", "body": "The figure re BJD rentals is spot on! I saw the figures too, to put it into context, the second most rented video on the list for the UK (which I have convieniently forgotten!) was about 110,000 so that's a huge difference."}, {"response": 565, "author": "rachael", "date": "Wed, Oct 31, 2001 (13:07)", "body": "re the BJD2 CD - saw it advertised on TV the other night - interesting to note, in the ad, there are movie clips of BJ with MD but not DC; also the shot of MD looking at her straight after \"1 in 3\" - so does this mean MD is a bigger selling point than DC? (at last)"}, {"response": 566, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov  1, 2001 (09:34)", "body": "I found a listing of video rental ratings at Rotten Tomatoes. BJD is in 5th place, having grossed $4.88 million cumulatively in its second week, doing about the same as it did during the first week. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/videodvd/top_rentals.php"}, {"response": 567, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Thu, Nov  1, 2001 (20:28)", "body": "Yep, I was at Blockbuster on Wednesday night, and all of the DVD and VHS copies were out (although I would have thought they'd have more of them, there were only about 10 of each)."}, {"response": 568, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov  3, 2001 (15:07)", "body": "Another one for Renee: \" Ren\ufffde Zellweger is getting \"Down with Love\". Zellweger is in talks to play a feminist writer who falls for her exact opposite: a chauvinistic journalist. Bring It On helmer Peyton Reed is slated to direct for Fox 2000. \""}, {"response": 569, "author": "maryw", "date": "Sat, Nov  3, 2001 (18:32)", "body": "Hhmmmm...does Our Man do \"chauvinistic journalist\"? Surely, it wouldn't be difficult to imagine waves of loathing emanating from the audience then!"}, {"response": 570, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Mon, Nov  5, 2001 (16:59)", "body": "After listening to SM's commentary on the BJD DVD I had to look this up: http://www.artnet.com/ag/fineartdetail.asp?wid=51810&aid=1655&page=1&group=&max_tn_page=2 \"When I was young, I never needed anyone...\""}, {"response": 571, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov  5, 2001 (17:26)", "body": "v.g. Bryonny. Sharon did evoke the same image. Doubt, however, that the girl in Knightsbridge was bemoaning loss of Huge Gnat though. ;-)"}, {"response": 572, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Nov  6, 2001 (11:33)", "body": "From an article in today's This is London on Andrew Davies: \"But he is adapting The Edge of Reason, the second Bridget Jones. Davies is doing the first draft. So Renee Zellweger has signed up to put on several stone again? \"She understandably doesn't want to put on all that weight again, so I'm trying to make fewer references to Bridget's weight.\""}, {"response": 573, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Nov  6, 2001 (11:43)", "body": "Sounds v. positive! Good news!"}, {"response": 574, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Nov  6, 2001 (11:43)", "body": "Andrew Davies is also a very fast worker."}, {"response": 575, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Nov  6, 2001 (13:05)", "body": "He lives in Cardiff I believe, that's old Cardiff to you and me;-)"}, {"response": 576, "author": "Becka", "date": "Tue, Nov  6, 2001 (14:45)", "body": "Here is the full article: Return of the bodice ripper by Jasper Rees It's like a festival in the religious calendar, a secular saint's day. Round it comes every year, the mid-November Sunday when the BBC launches its annual instalment of Andrew Davies. They ought to call it St Davies Day, to celebrate the patron saint of classical adaptation. Last year it was Take A Girl Like You. The year before, Wives and Daughters. Before that, Vanity Fair. This year, he's serving up a dollop of Trollope. (As in Anthony, not Joanna.) You could see Davies in a monk's habit, with his pinkish face, his white crew-cut and his paunch. Only he famously doesn't have a monk's habits, what with his obsession with putting all the sex back in that the Victorian novelists left out. \"I'd like it very much if any controversy about The Way We Live Now doesn't centre on 'Has he dragged more sex in than was in the book?'\" he says, before explaining how he has done just that. The Way We Live Now is Trollope's door-stopping account of a Victorian England besieged by its own greed. It's a sort of prototype Bonfire of the Vanities. David Suchet, as the monstrous financier Melmotte, joins the queue of actors, including Ian Richardson, Colin Firth, Juliet Aubrey and Natasha Little, who have given the performances of their career in a script by Davies. \"It wasn't my idea,\" Davies says. \"But I guess what struck me was it was utterly unlike my mental picture of Trollope, a bit long-winded, a bit gentle, a bit cathedral-closey. Trollope was deeply disillusioned when he wrote the book. He had been abroad and came back and suddenly looked at London and England with a fresh eye and thought, it's all so corrupt. I just thought you could do this in quite a bold expressionist kind of way.\" Trollope boom in the Nineties, in which John Major's fandom was deemed significant. Davies thinks the High Tories were seduced by the Palliser novels in which \"you have the sense that things would probably work out all right in the end because we're all British. In this one the British are a lot of greedy acquisitive bastards, just as bad as anybody else.\" Davies's monopoly of the market is a bit like Man U winning the title every year. He has such a stranglehold, to use his own word, on the genre that there are now more than enough shows to start an Andrew Davies channel on satellite, showing endless reruns of A Very Peculiar Practice and the iffy sitcom Game On alongside Middlemarch and co. After Darcymania, ITV was persuaded that it might be worth its while to do the odd classic too, and who did it hire? Next month Davies's modern version of Othello, set in the Metropolitan Police force, is on ITV. And it's entirely possible that Davies will be scheduled against himself next year, when his BBC Daniel Deronda and ITV Dr Zhivago will both be made. \"It's very nice to be regarded as the top adapter. It means I'll get more nice jobs at an age where most writers, especially for film and television, are regarded as being well past it. I could, in the manner of somebody refusing a drink that he loves, say, 'No no, I won't do it this year. I'm going to write something original.' And indeed I think I ought to do more original stuff. But then these tempting things come along. I find it much easier doing this than thinking up a good story. I don't mind if the dialogue is crap or the plot doesn't quite work. It's always easier to fiddle with something that's already there.\" Davies lives with his wife in a Victorian semi in Kenilworth, near Warwick, where he used to teach at the university before he gave up to write full time. It's exactly the kind of street where you feel his work is appreciated, even if the BBC1 poster at the end of the road advertises Walking With Beasts. There's a Lexus in the forecourt, but no other signs of great wealth, although he did buy and knock through to the house next door. He works there. You look at the books casually cast around his diningroom and assume that's what you'll be watching on TV within a couple of years. There's a Le Carr\ufffd, Motherless Brooklyn by Jonathan Lethem, and an Italian dictionary, none of which he is adapting. But he is adapting The Edge of Reason, the second Bridget Jones. Davies is doing the first draft. So Renee Zellweger has signed up to put on several stone again? \"She understandably doesn't want to put on all that weight again, so I'm trying to make fewer references to Bridget's weight.\" Occasionally, people tell him what he should adapt next. A woman in a shop told him Villette was the best novel by a Bronte (whom, as with Dickens and Hardy, he has never adapted). He read it and it confirmed his view that the Brontes' novels are \"little more than young girls' fantasies\". I tell him if he's so hard he should have a crack at War and Peace. It would be a good way to see in his 65th birthday. \"You think two things about that at the same time: 'Wow, that would be great', and 'I'd love to see the finished product'. But the "}, {"response": 577, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Tue, Nov  6, 2001 (16:08)", "body": "An interesting review of BJD: http://www.chicklit.com/paperjam/paperjam16.html I disagree w/ several points, but might be nice for discussion."}, {"response": 578, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Nov  6, 2001 (16:11)", "body": "Ooops! The person who told me he lived in Cardiff won't be getting any CF \"exclusives\" again from me ;-)"}, {"response": 579, "author": "maryw", "date": "Wed, Nov  7, 2001 (00:12)", "body": "(Mari) : \"But he is adapting The Edge of Reason, the second Bridget Jones. Davies is doing the first draft.\" Was lurking on one of the other CF boards on the w/e. There was a post from somebody who wrote to HF enquiring about sequel. Apparently, HF recently wrote back to say that there is definitely going to be a sequel and EoR adaptation is now being drafted. Sorry - couldn't remember which board it was on."}, {"response": 580, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov  7, 2001 (07:42)", "body": "They'll probably change the title to BJD2 ;-)"}, {"response": 581, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov  7, 2001 (08:22)", "body": "BJD has received a nomination for Best European Film by the European Film Academy. Full listing on 148. The previous nominations were for popularity, audience-type awards to be voted on by the public. These are academy members."}, {"response": 582, "author": "Merryanne", "date": "Wed, Nov  7, 2001 (13:08)", "body": "Just had to come out of lurkdom to say I just bought a DVD and the main reason I did was to watch BJD. my poor daughter just shakes her head and says \"Again\" :). I think I've watched it everyday for the last two weeks. ;) I just love this movie. If I don't have my MD fix before going off to work, the day just drags by. I miss some of the posts off and on so just wanted to ask, sorry if's it been mentioned already. Is CF going to do the second one? Does anyone know? I do remember someone saying that MD and BJ split up in the second one, if so how much of Colin are we to see if they do? It won't be as good if he's not there."}, {"response": 583, "author": "funnylas", "date": "Wed, Nov  7, 2001 (20:43)", "body": "I just discovered this web site about my fav actor, CF. I can't believe how many women are crazy about this man. I have eight pictures of him on my desk to get my motor started each day. I go through the video stores looking for movies to rent. How can that be at my age? I'm a grandmother for heavens sake! I just watched A Thousand Acres this past weekend, but missed his accent. He was lovely to look at none the less!"}, {"response": 584, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Wed, Nov  7, 2001 (22:19)", "body": "Welcome, ladies. It's always a pleasure to have new droolers come aboard. Especially those who know how to start the day right! In the beginning of the second book, Bridget wakes up early just to watch MD sleep so she can drool without interruption. A kindred spirit, n'est-ce pas? If they don't put that scene in the movie, it'll be a crime, IMO. And if CF isn't in the second movie, well, it just won't be Mark Darcy, will it? We must just trust that Andrew Davies (and whoever else works on the script) will do such a superlative job of writing it that ODB wouldn't dream of turning it down. (And we must also light the votive candles just in case.) ;-)"}, {"response": 585, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov  7, 2001 (22:59)", "body": "Don't fret. Colin will do it. What else has he got lined up? ;-)"}, {"response": 586, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Thu, Nov  8, 2001 (01:13)", "body": "Yeah, but I'm gonna sacrafice a few dead chickens, get out the voodoo dolls and incense and make a trip to Lourdes just in case."}, {"response": 587, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov  8, 2001 (08:45)", "body": "WELCOME SANDEE We love new members. Don't worry about age...several grands around;-) This is an \"Equal Opportunity\" board!! (Louise)We must just trust that Andrew Davies (and whoever else works on the script) You better light a few candles for Richard Curtis too, Beth. The first time around AD couldn't make it on his own."}, {"response": 588, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov  8, 2001 (08:52)", "body": "(Evelyn) The first time around AD couldn't make it on his own. Didn't he say at the U of W that he was only called in to work on a couple of scenes? Welcome Sandee! Come join us on 155 to talk about your Firthfatuation. :-)"}, {"response": 589, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Thu, Nov  8, 2001 (09:31)", "body": "Can anyone tell me when and in what newspaper Bridget Jones first appeared? Thanks"}, {"response": 590, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Thu, Nov  8, 2001 (14:57)", "body": "It first appeared in The Telegraph back in the autumn of 1997....am I right in saying '97 fellow Firthologists ? There is a link to the original columns in the BJD section of Karens wonderful site, The Bucket"}, {"response": 591, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov  8, 2001 (16:20)", "body": "Actually that's not the case."}, {"response": 592, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov  8, 2001 (16:23)", "body": "(Evelyn) The first time around AD couldn't make it on his own. (Karen)Didn't he say at the U of W that he was only called in to work on a couple of scenes? Ad hoc he wuz CUA;-)))"}, {"response": 593, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Nov  8, 2001 (19:05)", "body": "I think prior to the publication of BJD -- the book, the columns appeared in the Independent. Haven't found an online site for those yet. Has anyone else?"}, {"response": 594, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Nov  9, 2001 (05:05)", "body": "Yes, the columns ran in the Independent each week for about a year, and then transferred to the Daily Telegraph. The book (both books) re-used a fair amount of stuff from the columns, although they were obviously more fully plotted."}, {"response": 595, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Nov  9, 2001 (13:01)", "body": "(KJ) Haven't found an online site for those yet. Has anyone else? You don't have to look very far--Karen has links to the columns up at the Bucket. Click on the BJD page. The one with the Christmas shopping discussion is my all-time fave. ;-)"}, {"response": 596, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Nov  9, 2001 (13:07)", "body": "Whoopsie, I'm wrong. Karen has links to the Telegraph columns only."}, {"response": 597, "author": "maryw", "date": "Fri, Nov  9, 2001 (15:03)", "body": "Eileen - Crhistmas shopping dialogue was classic. If I recall, did not make that to EoR. Wonder whether they will resurrect for the script. If not, hope they retain the scene in the book where R Finch telephones and interrupts a very *critical* moment bet BJ and MD. LOL when MD answered! ;~)"}, {"response": 598, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov  9, 2001 (17:34)", "body": "The Independent never put the columns online. *fools*"}, {"response": 599, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Fri, Nov  9, 2001 (21:53)", "body": "The one with the Christmas shopping discussion is my all-time fave. ;-) Mine too. That would be such a great scene for BJD2--a classic: \"It's very hard!\" Swooooon!"}, {"response": 600, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Sat, Nov 10, 2001 (04:04)", "body": "Tanks for the information about the link. I'm going to read the column as soon as I find the time for it."}, {"response": 601, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Thu, Nov 15, 2001 (15:51)", "body": "(Thanks to LizzieD for this!) http://www.womencentral.msn.com/beautystyle/articles/aj_1029.asp Five holiday fashion mistakes 1. Abuse of white and cherry red. White shoes, white tights, white angora sweaters with satin applique and glittery bits hanging off them, white blouses with pie-crust collars and mutton-chop sleeves. Red satin skirts, red overcoats with little black velvet buttons (a la Princess Beatrice), big fat red ribbons (a la Bakery window) worn on too-tight cavalry pony tails. Stop right there. 2. Tartan and velvet in the same outfit. 3. Clothes with Christmas motifs printed, embroidered or knitted onto them. Remember that ghastly moose sweater in Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary? 4. Christmas accessories like look anything like tinsel or bulbs. 5. Fluffy hair. And Bryonny says, \"Excuse me, but his mother gave it to him! He's a good boy.\" :-)"}, {"response": 602, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Nov 15, 2001 (16:24)", "body": "That was his excuse for the sweater, but what about the fluffy hair? ;-)"}, {"response": 603, "author": "rachael", "date": "Thu, Nov 15, 2001 (16:56)", "body": "(Moon) That was his excuse for the sweater, but what about the fluffy hair? ;-) tugging sweater on and off while fighting with his Mum \"no I won't wear it\" \"oh yes you will\""}, {"response": 604, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Nov 15, 2001 (18:33)", "body": "(rachael)tugging sweater on and off while fighting with his Mum \"no I won't wear it\" \"oh yes you will\" LOL! Cue to inspirational background music, \"Aint No Mountain High Enough...\" ;-)"}, {"response": 605, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 16, 2001 (11:34)", "body": "Ananova reports that BJD has been nominated for the British Comedy Awards 2001 category of Best Comedy Film, along with Best In Show and Shrek."}, {"response": 606, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Nov 18, 2001 (03:49)", "body": "(Minkee -- from 148.1279) Did we throw a bday party for Bridget Jones herself? Have not kept up with all the posts but we may have overlooked BJ's own birthday last November 9! Was watching BJD video a few days ago and noticed calendar on her desk just before the High Court scene leading to the blue soup bday dinner. This date was also announced in the voiceover just before she was assigned the Agani/Heeny trial. Wasn't BJ's Birthday sometime in March for the book? (Don't have a copy, so can't double check -- depending on failing memory here). She had her friends over and messed up a shepherd's pie dinner, but was taken out to a restaurant by her whole gang of friends, including Magda, etc. Wasn't the November dinner party (including the blue soup and stuff) devised by BJ and friends as an excuse to invite Darcy over, after her blowing the date (literally) with the loud hair dryer, and then being granted a reprieve for it with the interview offer? The same night of *that* party was when she got the call from her Dad about her criminal Mom! I was kind of disoriented when they combined the two events and moved the birthday up to November in the movie. Maybe we should ask Helen Fielding which birthday we should honor as the *official* one!"}, {"response": 607, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 18, 2001 (09:35)", "body": "You're quite right, KJ. Bridget's birthday is March 21 in the book is labeled as such. That's when she stepped into a pan of mashed potatoes. The second was November 21 but not so much a thank you for the interview but that she needs to make the next move as she's blown the date."}, {"response": 608, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Nov 18, 2001 (11:24)", "body": "Oh, good! Nice to know I haven't become completely senile! Thanks, Karen!"}, {"response": 609, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Sat, Nov 24, 2001 (23:32)", "body": "Have just finished taping BJD on PPV, even though I have the DVD. I do have a legitimate reason, though. My VCR is in the bedroom, while the DVD player is in the living room, so if I want to see MD in bed (so to speak), now I can! So I don't really need therapy."}, {"response": 610, "author": "maryw", "date": "Sun, Nov 25, 2001 (01:08)", "body": "(Louise)...so if I want to see MD in bed (so to speak), now I can! So I don't really need therapy. ROTFL When MDH is away, I take my PC notebook to bed and play the FreshAir interview. Louise, *YOU* see MD in bed; *I* listed to ODB in bed, next to me! *YOU* think you don't need therapy. *I* think I most definitely do!! I say again : \"I shall conquer this! I shall!!\" - Methinks am in the denial stage of really bad dose of Colinitis."}, {"response": 611, "author": "maryw", "date": "Sun, Nov 25, 2001 (01:09)", "body": "oops... listed supposed to be listen"}, {"response": 612, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Mon, Nov 26, 2001 (00:09)", "body": "The following article appeared in last week\ufffds TV Week in Australia. I don\ufffdt think it has been reproduced here but if it has I apologise for duplicating. There is also a photo which is similar to others that we have seen. I will try to arrange for a copy of it to be scanned in; I know you *need* to see it ;-) \ufffd COMING UP IN: The sequel to Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary \ufffd will he or won\ufffdt he? Renee Zellweger may have turned down the lead role, but the word is that Colin is close to signing on the dotted line to reprise his role as Bridget Jones\ufffd shy, diffident suitor Mark Darcy in the follow-up, which is currently being penned by Helen Fielding. BACK STORY: In the fickle streets of Tinseltown, 41 year old Colin has only just been discovered, but he has been plying his trade there for some years. He played the Vicomte de Valmont in Valmont (1989) and had a prominent role in the 1995 hit Circle of Friends . Colin also starred in The English Patient (1996). A Thousand Acres (1997), the very British Fever Pitch (1997) and Shakespeare in Love (1998). Colin\ufffds wet shirt scene as Mr Darcy in the saucy and hugely popular UK TV adaptation of Pride & Prejudice (1995) launched him as a sex symbol. With his role in Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary , the label seems to be sticking.\ufffd"}, {"response": 613, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Nov 26, 2001 (03:44)", "body": "The reindeer sweater turned up, being worn by the male host of BBC1's Saturday morning kids' programme The Saturday Show this weekend. Don't know why, as I only saw the last minute of it. Did anybody (or their kids) see more and know why he had it (and if it was a replica)?"}, {"response": 614, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Nov 26, 2001 (05:31)", "body": "Thanks for the article Cathey, look forward to the photo. Mark, you can't fool us with your nonchalent Reindeer sweater remarks, we know that cast members are priveledged to insider info ;-) Anyone caught the BJD \"to buy\" campaign on TV yet? It's the Dinner party scene with blue soup featuring heavily and MD saying \"excellent\", for once no HG at all!"}, {"response": 615, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 26, 2001 (07:44)", "body": "Renee Zellweger may have turned down the lead role, When? I thought she was the first one to agree to do it, but not to lose the weight. Frankly they did such a good job with stuffing Julia Roberts (in that film with C Zeta Jones), that I'm sure they can work something out for Renee. the word is that Colin is close to signing on the dotted line And if he's smart, he'll negotiate points. ;-) Thanks for posting it, Cathey! (Mark), The reindeer sweater turned up, being worn by the male host of BBC1's Saturday morning kids' programme Who will want it now?! LOL! It's hard to believe that there would only be one such sweater."}, {"response": 616, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Nov 26, 2001 (10:17)", "body": "(TV Week) the word is that Colin is close to signing on the dotted line Yeah, right. This is a ways off, folks. Unless CF is now into signing before reading the script--he used this approach for L, after all. ;-)"}, {"response": 617, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Nov 26, 2001 (12:45)", "body": "(Eileen) This is a ways off, folks Yes, it all sounds like 3rd hand information, 2 months old. Another indicator which is currently being penned by Helen Fielding. Wasn't there that article on Andrew Davies with a direct quote from him saying *he* was at work on EOR?"}, {"response": 618, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Nov 26, 2001 (13:53)", "body": "Yes, there was. And by Jasper Rees who is pretty dependable on his facts, even if he *does* tend to \"posit\" above and beyond the call of duty (\"pulling a Jasper\" was what we used to call it, I think) ;-) http://www.thisislondon.com/dynamic/lifestyle/londonlife/top_review.html?in_review_id=471694&review_text_id = (3rd paragraph up from the bottom)."}, {"response": 619, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Mon, Nov 26, 2001 (14:50)", "body": "(Lizza)for once no HG at all! Well, that's refreshing. I saw a pay-per-view commercial for BJD the other day, and there was no footage of CF at all, just RZ and HG. Very disappointing. :)"}, {"response": 620, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 27, 2001 (09:52)", "body": "Here's the photo accompanying Cathey's article: It's from the same photoshoot as a layout used by the Evening Standard's magazine of June 9, 2000. http://www.spring.net/karenr/articles/es060900.html Other than looking up Colin's filmography, did the writer do any current follow-up? I don't think so."}, {"response": 621, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Nov 27, 2001 (12:05)", "body": "Just noticed from watching again that the funky music on the BJD DVD during the main menu is music that is played in background at the launch party when Bridget enters party room and goes up to Rushdie group and Mark Darcy. I know we discussed this silly little music before but not sure if we discussed it being in the movie as well."}, {"response": 622, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Nov 27, 2001 (13:59)", "body": "(KarenR) It's from the same photoshoot as a layout used by the Evening Standard's magazine of June 9, 2000 And if it seems to look a little funny, that's because they reversed the image. Compare with the full-face at the top of Karen's article..."}, {"response": 623, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Nov 27, 2001 (16:16)", "body": "OOops, more news on the BJD tv campaign, there's the reindeer sweater bit as another ad and also Colin in the boat as another (sadly they had to let HG in on the act eventually). Seems like they have done several different adverts hopefully a different on every night until Dec 1st."}, {"response": 624, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Tue, Nov 27, 2001 (16:28)", "body": "Wait, does that mean that pic is the same as what CF sees in the mirror each morning (i.e. reversed)? I remember reading somewhere that that's why most ppl think they look a bit odd in photographs, cause they're used to seeing themselves in the mirror."}, {"response": 625, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 27, 2001 (18:36)", "body": "(KJ) that's because they reversed the image That occurred to me too--that they flipped it. I was checking out the little curl of hair at the top to see if it matched."}, {"response": 626, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 28, 2001 (14:29)", "body": "Miramax website: http://www.miramaxhighlights.com/ \" BJD will return to select NY & LA theatres Friday Nov. 30th.\" Pushing for Award Nominations?? Hip, Hip, Hooray"}, {"response": 627, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Wed, Nov 28, 2001 (14:32)", "body": "Ok, now here's an off-the-wall parallel. My bf has this thing about Robotech, and he was watching some of the recently-released DVDs of the show. There was a scene almost exactly like the scene in BJD at the Ruby Wedding, or at least the version in the script where she actually says I love you. One female member of the triangle comes up to the other two (it's in the middle of some apocalyptic battle for Earth, of course) and says goodbye, I have to go off on an intergalactic mission to find the evil alien masters, have a nice few years, cya later, oh, and [guy], I just have to say, I love you. There is much twittering and drama, she runs off, etc. Ok, maybe this should go in the \"You Know You've Been Watching Too Much BJD When\" section..."}, {"response": 628, "author": "caribou", "date": "Wed, Nov 28, 2001 (15:51)", "body": "Re Celebrity Special Photo: His hands, Louisa!"}, {"response": 629, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Nov 29, 2001 (09:05)", "body": "(Evelyn) Pushing for Award Nominations?? You betcha."}, {"response": 630, "author": "Merryanne", "date": "Thu, Nov 29, 2001 (14:39)", "body": "I've had my own experience lately with \"Having watched BJD too much\". My daughter has started using the line \"Come the f..k on Bridget\" when she was tired of waiting for me. ;)"}, {"response": 631, "author": "Merryanne", "date": "Thu, Nov 29, 2001 (15:05)", "body": "I was wondering if someone on the list could help me. I'm trying to buy all of ODB films. The problem being, I haven't seen them all. And some of course are having trouble even renting. Where I need the help is figuring out which to buy first. I'm unfortunately not independently wealthy so have to pick and choose which to get at any given time. What I would like is if it's possible to have a list of his films in order of his appearance. ie: Fever Pitch is pretty much all Colin, him being the main star. Shakespeare in Love, however, he only comes in once in a great while. While it's a great movie,I think, he isn't in it much. I would live to get the films he's in most first. Is it possible for someone on the list who has seen them to send me a list from most to least.?"}, {"response": 632, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov 29, 2001 (15:22)", "body": "Me...I like \"Camille\";-)) He stars in Femme Fatale,Apt Zero, The Advocate,Playmaker, (not great...except for the steamy scenes:-)))))All available from the online video websites or ebay. Unfortunately, his best starring projects were on British TV and are not easy to find. But you can catch them for sale occasionally on ebay.Worth persevering. Good luck!"}, {"response": 633, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 29, 2001 (17:57)", "body": ""}, {"response": 634, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Fri, Nov 30, 2001 (19:31)", "body": "\"Come the f..k on ....\" LOL, that has become on of my sayings too. Must admit I get some looks when I use it a work ;-)"}, {"response": 635, "author": "Echo", "date": "Fri, Nov 30, 2001 (20:27)", "body": "Unfortunately, his best starring projects were on British TV and are not easy to find. But you can catch them for sale occasionally on ebay.Worth persevering. Have you seen the prices for Tumbledown and Lost Empires recently? And surely these are just copies of copies... Try to befriend a CF fan with a well stocked video library and copying facilities. Copies may not be first class, but the costs will. :-)"}, {"response": 636, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Dec  1, 2001 (11:58)", "body": "Just wanted to report that Bridget shaking her bunny bottom made it to the new Coke commercial they are showing in theaters. V.G."}, {"response": 637, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Dec  2, 2001 (03:07)", "body": "Does anyone get the Sundance Channel (I don't). ODB won the People's choice award for Best European Actor for BJD, but wasn't present, so Sharon Maguire accepted (in Berlin). Can anyone get the telecast of it and check out what his \"speech\" was to have been?"}, {"response": 638, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Dec  2, 2001 (03:21)", "body": "From Sundance's own homepage: http://www.sundancechannel.com/schedule/ Sundance Channel: Sat, Dec 1. 09:00 PM European Film Awards 2001 Original Production ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Live from Berlin's Tempodrom, the European Film Academy presents the 2001 European Film Awards. Rebroadcasts: Sunday 12.02.2001; 3:30PM Wednesday 12.05.2001; 10:30AM Wednesday 12.05.2001; 10:30PM Saturday 12.08.2001; 5:00PM Tuesday 12.11.2001; 11:00AM Wednesday 12.12.2001; 1:00AM Friday 12.14.2001; 2:00PM"}, {"response": 639, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec  2, 2001 (08:24)", "body": "Thanks, KJ, I've been wondering about that one. Saw some news items about who was attend and saw Jude Law's name and figured he was to receive the People's Choice actor award instead of CF. How nice!"}, {"response": 640, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec  2, 2001 (08:28)", "body": "Plus he beat out the Huge Gnat! *hee hee*"}, {"response": 641, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sun, Dec  2, 2001 (08:41)", "body": "Huge Grunt... ;-)"}, {"response": 642, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sun, Dec  2, 2001 (11:46)", "body": "Miramax is definitely getting into the pre-nomoinations push. Today's NYTimes had several movie ads (all Miramax) that had a tiny line at the bottom saying ACE, ADG, ASC, BAFTA LA & BAFTA NY [and many more initials] members would get in free by whoing membership card. One of the ads was for BJD. There is a \"special return engagment\" in NY. It would appear that they're pushing RZ and the movie primarily. The ad says \"BRIDGET's BACK!\" The photo shows only RZ. KJ, I get Sundance. I'll check it out this afternoon good thing the Giants have a \"bye\" week and I won't have to fight DH for the TV that has digital cable!"}, {"response": 643, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Dec  2, 2001 (12:13)", "body": "For our UK contingent, according to European Film Awards site: The Awards will be complemented by an extensive weekend programme, and will be broadcast in the UK by FilmFour/ Channel Four... but I don't have a schedule."}, {"response": 644, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sun, Dec  2, 2001 (15:24)", "body": "I watched the start of the European Film Awards. Colin's was the first one, so I stopped at that point. Sharon's acceptance on his behalf is posted on 155."}, {"response": 645, "author": "Andie", "date": "Thu, Dec  6, 2001 (03:07)", "body": "The UK edition of the BJD DVD has been released this month, and I wonder if there is any difference from the US edition. I noticed on the Amazon UK website that there are 9 deleted scenes included, but I remember reading somewhere that there are only 7 in the US version. Hmmm, could there be a reason to hope that there is more of CF in the UK version? Maybe the protests abt the US version did register somewhere? Would really appreciate if anyone who has the UK version could kindly enlighten on this, and also whether this has the home movie (with little Mark and Bridget) ending. BTW, saw that this is no. 1 on the DVD sales rank in Amazon UK."}, {"response": 646, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec  6, 2001 (09:48)", "body": "Aishling has it..."}, {"response": 647, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  6, 2001 (16:41)", "body": "The list of 7 \"coulda-stayed-deleted\" scenes from the US DVD are about 200 messages back."}, {"response": 648, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Dec  7, 2001 (03:26)", "body": "And ... same scenes are on UK DVD. Only difference: as well as the US ending, there are some extra scenes in UK-ending-style."}, {"response": 649, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  7, 2001 (08:16)", "body": "(Mark) there are some extra scenes in UK-ending-style. So there are scenes of other people commenting on Bridget & Mark that were cut out? If so, the big question (drum roll) are there any with Colin? *looking for large knife*"}, {"response": 650, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Dec  7, 2001 (10:03)", "body": "So there are scenes of other people commenting on Bridget & Mark that were cut out? If so, the big question (drum roll) are there any with Colin? *looking for large knife* The DVD that I saw had the added scenes from the UK ending plus more that were not included in the film but they were mostly Hugh additions, no Colin. I commented to Lora the same thing the time we saw it."}, {"response": 651, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  7, 2001 (10:12)", "body": "But, from what I've heard, the UK ending *had* additional shots of other people, including Colin, talking. I believe they are on the Asian bootleg copies (VCD or the downloadable internet version). In fact, I've got a screen capture of Colin during one of those bits that didn't make it."}, {"response": 652, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec  7, 2001 (12:02)", "body": "(Karen) I've got a screen capture of Colin during one of those bits that didn't make it. Bwaaaaaaaa. I wanna see the scene at the rubbish bin."}, {"response": 653, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  7, 2001 (15:55)", "body": "Nag, nag, nag... but since I've got a new bag of pecans... ;-) They're not too good. I would imagine we'll get better ones now that the UK DVD is out and someone should be able to do screen captures over there. What does he say?"}, {"response": 654, "author": "Jackie2", "date": "Fri, Dec  7, 2001 (16:06)", "body": "Where is that scene from, Karen?"}, {"response": 655, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Dec  7, 2001 (17:01)", "body": "Never saw that one! Why would it be on an Asian bootleg? Is it in the British version?"}, {"response": 656, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Dec  7, 2001 (17:18)", "body": "Thanks for putting that up Karen. Not in the British version I'm afraid Moon :-( I prefer the Ziegfield version best;-))"}, {"response": 657, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  7, 2001 (17:40)", "body": "Right! It would've been in the version that critics saw (started at the train station with homeless people) and is the one being bootlegged out of Asia. It almost seems like all the deleted scenes (US & UK DVDs) are ones that had been on that version. In other words, they didn't give compiling the DVD too much thought. Just picked up the most recent scraps."}, {"response": 658, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec  7, 2001 (17:48)", "body": "(Jackie) Where is that scene from, Karen? BJD;-) (Karen) Nag, nag, nag.. LOL. The only way....Thanks Boss. (K)they didn't give compiling the DVD too much thought Screwed again...like the CD soundtrack. Slugs:-(("}, {"response": 659, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  7, 2001 (18:56)", "body": "Not just us, but everyone. They never went back for better scenes."}, {"response": 660, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Dec  8, 2001 (08:33)", "body": "It would've been in the version that critics saw (started at the train station with homeless people) and is the one being bootlegged out of Asia. I want one of those. How can I get one?"}, {"response": 661, "author": "Andie", "date": "Sat, Dec  8, 2001 (09:16)", "body": "Many thanks to Karen for putting up the pics, and everyone for sharing the info on the different versions. The BJD VCDs are widely available here, just saw them at the supermart today. These are not the pirated ones (btw, there are lots of crackdown on piracy over here these days). Am very tempted to get my hands on the VCD now that Karen has put up the pics. Hmmm, nice outfit. But what I really want is the DVD (with max CF/MD exposure), though now it seems that there is no difference betw the UK and US versions in terms of the most important things. So much for waiting so long :(( But how to justify to my DH for buying both the VCD and DVD of the same movie? Oh gosh, this is getting complicated."}, {"response": 662, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Dec  8, 2001 (11:38)", "body": "(Karen) What does he say? I have just been concentrating on the very great pleasure a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow."}, {"response": 663, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec  8, 2001 (12:15)", "body": "(K)It would've been in the version that critics saw (started at the train station with homeless people) and is the one being bootlegged out of Asia. (Moon)I want one of those. How can I get one? Stanley Market in Hong Kong. And China Town, street corners in NYC."}, {"response": 664, "author": "katimichele", "date": "Sat, Dec  8, 2001 (12:28)", "body": "Does anybody know if there will be a third installment in the Bridget Jones book series?"}, {"response": 665, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 11, 2001 (09:21)", "body": "*Have fallen off chair!!!!* Miramax is actually putting Colin's name forward on the 'For Your Consideration' ads that go in the trades for BEST ACTOR, with the Gnat in the supporting category. OK, we know this isn't going to happen, but I reached for the defibillator just the same. ;-)"}, {"response": 666, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 11, 2001 (09:23)", "body": "Notice at the bottom how Miramax has highlighted Colin's win at the European Film awards (must say People's Choice in the small print)"}, {"response": 667, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 11, 2001 (09:26)", "body": "Hooray!! Don't you love seeing the \"Best Actor European Film Awards\"featured!!"}, {"response": 668, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Tue, Dec 11, 2001 (11:01)", "body": "Karen-Am not convinced that this is not just one of the most excellent \"doctoring\" jobs one sees in these parts. 'Fess up now ;-) It cannot be true! We are all astonishment! ;-D"}, {"response": 669, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Dec 11, 2001 (12:37)", "body": "Karen, pass me those defib paddles when you're done. ;-) Hmmm, should we look for re-tooled TV ads featuring CF instead of HG? =8-D"}, {"response": 670, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Dec 11, 2001 (13:23)", "body": "Oh dear! I am wondering if this is a way of getting a nomination for the Gnat. It was a substantial supporting part for which he received many plaudits. As a main part, Mark Darcy was insubstantial (tho completely droolworthy, it goes without saying). If they want as many gongs as possible, that would be the way to go. What are the rules about what is a supporting actor?"}, {"response": 671, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 11, 2001 (13:39)", "body": "(Allison) What are the rules about what is a supporting actor? Other than rules surrounding dates and circumstances of release, original use of material, etc., actor vs. supporting actor issues are rather flexible. More than one actor with a lead role has been pushed into the supporting actor category to improve his/her chances of getting the award. However, in this situation, Miramax is targeting the Golden Globes, which has two different categories for its awards: Drama and Comedy/Musical. Bridget's going to be nominated for Best Comedy/Musical and RZ and going to get nominated for Best Actress in a Comedy/Musical. (She won last year for Nurse Betty in this category). Miramax is pushing Colin's name for the same. However, the GG's supporting categories combine both Dramas and Comedy/Musicals, so the likelihood of Huge getting very far is dubious at best. As we all know, the Oscars rarely acknowledge comedy performances, although RZ's got a chance because of the dearth of female acting parts worthy of note. They could be scrapping the bottom of the dramatic barrel this year."}, {"response": 672, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Dec 11, 2001 (14:22)", "body": "What's her name in Memento was very good. Other than that, I can't think of anyone else..."}, {"response": 673, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 11, 2001 (15:00)", "body": "(Laura)Other than that, I can't think of anyone else... Wait til \"Charlotte Gray\"....This is gonna be Cate Blanchett's year. And then there's KW coming in \"Iris\""}, {"response": 674, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec 11, 2001 (20:47)", "body": "Thanks for the ad, Karen--what a nice surprise! I think you've called it: CF has an outside shot at a Golden Globe nom for Best Actor/Comedy or Musical. Also, I think the Gnat *might* have an outside shot at a supporting actor nom for Oscar. So, maybe they've positioned the two guys where tyhey think they might have the best chance. It's so tough to predict this year, as they've held back most of the \"quality\" releases even longer than usual, so it's difficult to determine who the competition will be. The studios seem only concerned with getting the one week run in NY and LA in, to qualify for Oscar. So, who will CF's competition be in the Comedy/Musical category? I'm thinking Ewan McWhiner for Moulin Rouge. Gene Hackman for The Royal Tenenbaums. The Gnat could very well slip in there, no matter how they position him in the ads. Maybe Cusack or Crystal for America's Sweethearts (which stank, IMO). Cusack for Serendipity? Jackman for Kate & Leopold? Early reviews on that one are not good. Other than those, am drawing a blank. Any thoughts? Who am I missing?"}, {"response": 675, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 11, 2001 (22:35)", "body": "Miramax has put in a half-page black and white FYC ad for Colin in the trades. Here's a portion of it from an eBay auction. You LA folks should be thumbing through the papers on a regular basis. Maybe they'll spring for a color one shortly. ;-) (Mari) So, who will CF's competition be in the Comedy/Musical category? I've got an article about the entire GGs, with lots of possibilities named. Unfortunately, it was put together in November *before* the hideous reviews for Kate & Leopold. From THR: In the Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Comedy or Musical category, Ewan McGregor, as the crooning writer in \"Moulin Rouge,\" would seem a shoo-in. Gene Hackman, as the presiding patriarch of \"The Royal Tenenbaums,\" offers the tempting prospect of a dramatic actor doing a comic turn. Clooney, who walked off with the prize last year for his performance in \"O Brother, Where Art Thou?\" could make a repeat visit, possibly with co-star Pitt in tow. Hugh Jackman, the romantic lead in \"Kate & Leopold,\" is a possibility as is John Cameron Mitchell from \"Hedwig\" and John Cusack from \"America's Sweethearts.\" No mention of KNW but that is what the ads are for."}, {"response": 676, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 11, 2001 (22:39)", "body": "On Supporting Actor (which is a mixed category): The struggle for supporting actor, in contrast, is a regular free-for-all. The big titles all include prominent actors who regularly score come awards time: \"A Beautiful Mind\" includes Ed Harris as a CIA agent; \"Ali\" promises a toupeed Jon Voight as sportscaster Howard Cosell and Jamie Foxx as cornerman Drew Brown; \"The Majestic\" features Martin Landau as a small-town theater operator; the troops in \"Black Hawk Down\" include McGregor and Tom Sizemore; and among the fellowship in \"The Lord of the Rings\" are such denizens of Middle Earth as Viggo Mortensen, Ian Holm and Elijah Wood. But smaller movies are also expected to figure in the equation: Ben Kingsley has already earned a critical thumbs-up for his gangster portrayal in \"Sexy Beast,\" as have Jude Law in \"A.I.,\" Joe Pantoliano in \"Memento\" and Tony Shalhoub in \"The Man Who Wasn't There.\" But before any of them can be considered a lock, they all must withstand a new wave of competition from such year-end openers as \"Iris,\" which co-stars Jim Broadbent; \"The Shipping News,\" which features Scott Glenn and Pete Postlethwaite; and \"Last Orders,\" which is a virtual who's who of British actors such as Bob Hoskins, Tom Courtenay, David Hemmings and Winstone. Finally, just to throw a curveball, DreamWorks is even talking up the suggestion that Eddie Murphy deserves a supporting nod for giving voice to a donkey in \"Shrek.\""}, {"response": 677, "author": "maryw", "date": "Wed, Dec 12, 2001 (07:31)", "body": "Thanks Karen for the GG news. Sure - only FYC at the moment but sure beats being the \"invisible man\". LOL! It now seems only such a short time ago when seeing news footage showing ODB walking behind someone being interviewed on camera sent this whole board delirious! Look at him now! WOW - very unimaginative unoriginal word, I know - but all I can say in stunned but ecstatic amazement at Miramax campaign. Does this make up for shortcomings re MLSF and SIL. ;~) Who's in charge of lighting candles? Am also very admiring of the *old-timers* on this Board, lurkers or otherwise, who have stuck with ODB through the \"lean\" years."}, {"response": 678, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 12, 2001 (10:06)", "body": "(Mari)\"Ewan McWhiner for Moulin Rouge\" ROTF. THR\"John Cusack from \"America's Sweethearts.\", Oh puhleeze.Lousy movie, lousy performance.And not a mention of Ray Winstone for Sexy Beast.Or the Memento guy. Nobody from Gosford Park???"}, {"response": 679, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec 12, 2001 (10:24)", "body": "Ev, remember we're talking about the Comedy/Musical category. Otherwise, *none* of these guys would have a shot. Drama will be a whole other ballgame. Also, see 155 for my opinion of THR's opinions. ;-) Am surprised to see they consider Ocean's 11 a comedy?"}, {"response": 680, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 12, 2001 (10:26)", "body": "Just keep in mind that THR is very establishment-oriented and for that matter so is the very small group of people who comprise the H foreign press corps that selects the GGs. They are into celebs, not acting. Shoot! The awards show is put on by Dick Clark of all people. What does tell you? ;-) (Evelyn) And not a mention of Ray Winstone for Sexy Beast.Or the Memento guy. Nobody from Gosford Park??? That was the Best Actor in a Comedy/Musical category. Sexy Beast, Memento and Gosford Park would be in the Drama category."}, {"response": 681, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 12, 2001 (12:08)", "body": "Looks like we posted at virtually the same time. ;-) (Mari) Am surprised to see they consider Ocean's 11 a comedy? I have heard it is funny and not at all done as a serious *caper* movie."}, {"response": 682, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec 12, 2001 (15:32)", "body": "Looks like we posted at virtually the same time. ;-) Great minds!:-) Re Ocean's 11: I have heard it is funny and not at all done as a serious *caper* movie. I'm going to try to see it this weekend. I love Georgie Porgie to bits, you know, but he already has a well-deserved Comedy GG from last year (for the excellent \"Oh, Brother, Where Art Thou?\"). Give somebody else a chance. I want Colin in that Lead Comedy category, and that's final. ;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 683, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 12, 2001 (18:32)", "body": "Oceans 11 is hilarious. V. unsoderbergh.Lots of good cinematic techniques.And Georgie was born to wear a tux."}, {"response": 684, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec 12, 2001 (18:43)", "body": "And Georgie was born to wear a tux. Oh, you're makin' me drool!:-) That's my weekend movie. Well, I'd be very happy to see Jorge get another GG nom, but then someone else will have to drop out to make room for CF.;-) Speaking of the likely competition, did anyone see Hugh Jackman on Leno last night? Jeez, could Jay have raved any more about Kate & Leopold? I could have done without HJ's charming anecdote about peeing his pants on stage.:-( He did a good job on SNL last week, though. HJ is a real schmoozer, you can tell, very outgoing, gregarious, confident; I'm sure he has those GG people salivating. So let's see, McWhiner will get the third slot. Hackman the fourth. Spots are dwindling .. . .:-("}, {"response": 685, "author": "Becka", "date": "Wed, Dec 12, 2001 (22:27)", "body": "Mari - I'm sure you saw the clip they showed. Another Darcy rip-off with 'the' white shirt and light coloured breeches. Pfft. As much as Hugh is adorable, I want ODB! The role is not a stretch, but doesn't he know what breeches does for his career?!"}, {"response": 686, "author": "Jackie2", "date": "Thu, Dec 13, 2001 (05:28)", "body": "Mari, you love George to bits? Did you know George and gorgeous have the same latin origin? Just a bit of trivia ;-) Do you love him more than you love Colin ? Sounds like it. Fess up. ;-)"}, {"response": 687, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Dec 13, 2001 (09:23)", "body": "*swatting nasty cyberpests* *swat* *swat*"}, {"response": 688, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Dec 13, 2001 (11:16)", "body": "Jackie, my mommy always told me to date a lot of boys and not tie myself down to any one in particular too soon. So, Colin is still my # 1 boyfriend and always will be, but if he can't take me to the prom, then I'm asking George. And if George can't go, then I'm asking Jermey Northam. So, I think I'm set. Oh, but then there's the ring dance and the sock hop to worry about . . .:-)"}, {"response": 689, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 13, 2001 (11:58)", "body": "*lower lip stuck out* But HE'S my boyfriend! He has asked ME to go steady. ;-)"}, {"response": 690, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Dec 13, 2001 (12:17)", "body": "Whoa...it's a Firth fight, a *real* Firth fight...the tomatoes should be easy to duck since their SLOW, but watch out for those bahnahnahs that, yes, we *do* happen to have today, and strawberries, well, they make a real mess, especially on white shirts ;-)!"}, {"response": 691, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Dec 13, 2001 (12:29)", "body": "But *I* am wearing his ring!:-) Alright, Rosenberg, outside. I should have done this years ago. ;-)"}, {"response": 692, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 13, 2001 (15:27)", "body": "Aw, you can have him. I'm done with him. There's a much more interesting guy I've met at the movies... Gotta go. Love being an usherette. ;-)"}, {"response": 693, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 13, 2001 (16:29)", "body": "*swatting nasty cyberpests* LMAO. We seem to have had a few this week.Good riddance;-) LOL. We've never had a Firthfight before...firthtime!"}, {"response": 694, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Dec 13, 2001 (16:38)", "body": "Poetry, anyone? Mari and Geo-orge sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G. First comes love Then comes marriage Then comes George Jr. in a baby carriage! Well, it was the kiss of death in my playground days."}, {"response": 695, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Dec 13, 2001 (18:50)", "body": "(Evelyn)We've never had a Firthfight before...firthtime! Have you got eggs? ;-)*this time keeping the Firthfight on topic* :-) (and above, their should be they're -yikes, it always looks right until *after* I submit :-\\)"}, {"response": 696, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Dec 14, 2001 (14:36)", "body": "LOL Ladies!! I'm not bothering to go to the movies this w/e , you are all more fun! Take a collective bow as you collect your Oscar, but don't fight over it."}, {"response": 697, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 27, 2001 (08:24)", "body": "Are they nuts? (Although I do use the phrase from #4 all the time) From Ananova: A scene from Bridget Jones's Diary has been voted the top movie moment of all time. The memorable scene sees Bridget's boss Daniel Cleaver encounter her huge pants. The survey involved more than 1,000 UK filmgoers. It was carried out by www.yell.com. The Top 10 Movie Moments were: 1. Bridget Jones's Diary: When Bridget's granny knickers are exposed on her date with sexy boss Daniel Cleaver. 2. The Matrix: When Neo stops the bullets and becomes The One towards the end of the film. 3. Braveheart: When William Wallace cries: \"You'll never take our freedom\" as he fights for his cause. 4. Pretty Woman: When Vivian returns to the shop where the assistants were rude to her, expensively dressed and oaded with shopping bags and says: \"Big Mistake. Huge.\" 5. Gladiator: When Maximus kills Commodus in the last fight in the gladiatorial ring, exacting revenge on the man responsible for the death of his family. 6. The Italian Job: When Charlie says: \"You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!\" when they are practising explosions for the bank raid they were planning. 7. Breakfast at Tiffany's: When Holly is window shopping at Tiffany's in an evening dress and with a croissant in her hand after having been out all night on a date. 8. Pulp Fiction: The scene when Vincent Vega is dancing with the wife of Marsellus Wallace, played by Uma Thurman, in a club's dancing competition. 9. American Beauty: When Jane and Ricky are watching the film Ricky has made of a plastic bag being blown about in the wind. 10. Saving Private Ryan: The opening battle scene of the D-Day landings."}, {"response": 698, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Thu, Dec 27, 2001 (12:00)", "body": "So many moments...so little time. Hmmm...wonder who they asked ;-) Note to self, must make list of favorite moments in BJD, then rank. V. difficult task! But research part pleasant."}, {"response": 699, "author": "odessa", "date": "Sat, Dec 29, 2001 (09:33)", "body": "I found this old interview and decided to try and translate it. It was in a Finnish magazine in August, but it seems it was done in March. I did type the whole interview but then managed accidentally to delete it, so I retype parts of it. (Warning:May contain spelling mistakes) \"Date with BJD\" Sun 18 March I`m going to L.A to interview CF, the mr Darcy from PP.Actually, I`m going to interview couple of others too: RZ,HG,director SM and author HF.And the subject isn`t mr Darcy, it`s BJD. 10pm Yes, the movie was hilarious. Now I\ufffdm even more excited to meet CF, because in this movie too he was just like mr Darcy, looking sullen. You\ufffdll remember that scene where Darcy comes from the lake with his shirt all wet. I hope he`ll be wearing very thin shirt tomorrow. Mon 19 March 9.02am Mmmm. I\ufffdll meet CF today. Mmm 9.15am But first there`s director SM, whom I know nothing about. I read that she has done many awarded documents. And she`s also a friend of HF. I see. 1.30pm I`m interviewing SM. She\ufffds wearing very open orange dress and for some reason she keeps fingering a vitamin container. 1.55pm Sharon haven`t got a ring. But she`s wearing push-ups. Every female reporter agree me on this. 2.30 Oops. HG is sitting next to me. 2.33pm HG keeps joking all the time. He claims he doesn`t think that he`s good looking, and that he`s not wearing any make up at the moment and that he has never considered going to a plastic surgery. 2.40pm I don`t think Hugh is a joker. `By covering you reveal something`. I`m very irritated. A Norwegian reporter giggles every time he says something funny. Finally she askes:\"Hugh, how does it feel to be a sex symbol?\" 2.45pm I decided to ask whether H can identify himself to Bridget`s problems. \"Which one?\" \"Well...being a single...and desperate?\" \"No\" he says and drinks cherry vichy. 2.55pm Haa! The Norwegian reporter tries to get into the same photo with HG, but the camera won`t work. 4pm RZ steps in. Oh she`s so beauiful and so small. She has fully lips and honey blond hair. 4.01pm Everybody knows that R is Jim Carreys ex-girl friend. I`d like to ask how was it to kiss his rubbery lips, but instead I ask which one was better kisser, HG or CF? She doesn`t answer. \"People would make conclusions.\" I just hate diplomatic people. 4.15pm R reveals that she can bake Norwegian pastrys. Her Emis-father is from Norway and mother from Switzerland. They met on a ferry from Denmark to Sweden. That must have been love at first sight because the trip only takes 1 hour. 4.23pm I read that R is loosing her weight with Ally McBeal thecnique: No carbohydrates. That`s horrible. 4.30pm CF, OOH! 4.32pm \"Colin, why do all the women get a crush on Mr Darcy?\" Oh no! 4.32pm CF doesn`t get mad.No, he`s smiling.Unfortunately his shirt isn`t that thin. 4.45pm \"I\ufffdts difficult to know when people like me or when they like my role. That`s why you just have to rely on yourself.\" 4.50pm Question:\"Can you identify yourself as a man to Bridget`s problems?\" (Hey, I can`t think anything else) \"Absolutely!\" Colin Answers and describes how lonelyness is the plague of modern society. There you go, Hugh! 4.55pm I could listen Colin`s soft English till the next earthquake. He says that he doesn`t need status symbols anymore. He`s not one of those guys who pack themselves into too small sport cars. I`ll ask what car he drives. He smiles:\"Volkswagen Golf.\" 5pm CF has gone. OOH!"}, {"response": 700, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 29, 2001 (09:55)", "body": "Thank you for translating and posting this, Odessa. You did very well. The humor came through. I especially liked the catty push-up comment. LOL!"}, {"response": 701, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec 29, 2001 (10:02)", "body": "Thank you Odessa for taking the time to translate and type -up the interview. I think your reporter asked interesting questions without being intrusive. Well Done!! CF\"He says that he doesn`t need status symbols anymore.\" Er...a...except for Van Cleef Arpels \"Zanzibar\"@ $43.bucks a bottle;-))"}, {"response": 702, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Dec 29, 2001 (19:46)", "body": "I ask which one was better kisser, HG or CF? She doesn`t answer. \"People would make conclusions.\" I just hate diplomatic people. Well here we have definite opinions on the subject. ;-) Thanks for posting Odessa."}, {"response": 703, "author": "maryw", "date": "Sat, Dec 29, 2001 (21:51)", "body": "The Sun-Herald, one of 2 major Sunday papers in Sydney, voted RZ as their choice of Best Actor (Female)for 2001. \"The world was stunned when American RZ was hired to play Britain's most famous modern fictional heroine. But the Jerry Maguire star was the perfect fit for author HF's \"singleton\". RZ had the guts to stack on the kilos and actually look like a normal woman. She nailed that Pommy accent. She captured the drunken singing of a home-alone spinster. And she proved that real women have curves - sexy ones - and a sense of humour.\" Hounourable mentions : J Binoche (Chocolat); S Bullock (Miss Congeniality); Rose Byrne (The Goddess of 1967)"}, {"response": 704, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Mon, Dec 31, 2001 (00:44)", "body": ".....spits coffee all over computer screen.....have been away from a computer for nearly a month...did I REALLY just read that Col has rubbery lips....or am I just seriously jet lagged and sleep deprived ?"}, {"response": 705, "author": "odessa", "date": "Mon, Dec 31, 2001 (07:59)", "body": "Not Colin, Jim Carrey ;) (of course I don`t know, maybe he has too)"}, {"response": 706, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan  4, 2002 (08:14)", "body": "Item about the international box office take by studio had the following: Universal scored with a number of heavy-hitters, including a record five pictures that crossed the $100 million mark. The Mummy Returns hit $228 million; Bridget Jones's Diary, $208.5 million; Hannibal, $184 million; Jurassic Park III, $183 million; and American Pie 2, which has reached $131.5 million with six territories recently opened and three as yet unfurled. DreamWorks' Shrek also registered an almighty $202 million as the studio posted an international box office of $537.5 million. The success of Universal's slate \"shows the strength and the depth of our films and our marketing and distribution effort,\" said Randy Greenberg, the studio's senior VP of marketing and distribution. He singled out the worldwide marketing campaign for \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" and star Renee Zellweger's willingness to travel the world plumping the picture as key to its success."}, {"response": 707, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan  4, 2002 (09:27)", "body": "\" star Renee Zellweger's willingness to travel the world plumping the picture as key to its success.\" And thereby opening doors to more roles;-)What director and producer doesn't love a star like that!"}, {"response": 708, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Jan  4, 2002 (10:59)", "body": "plumping the picture as key to its success I thought she already did this by gaining the 20 pounds. ;-)"}, {"response": 709, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan  4, 2002 (16:40)", "body": "The London Film Critics' Circle Award nominations were announced today, but this is the only item I can find and it's ridiculously incomplete. What shoddy reporting by Teletext: London critics ignore Harry Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe does not figure in the nominations for the 22nd Awards of the London Film Critics' Circle. But co-star Rupert Grint does. He is one of five nominees for British Newcomer of the Year. British Actress nominees include Helena Bonham Carter for Planet Of The Apes and Judi Dench for Iris. Michael Caine (Last Orders) and Ewan McGregor (Moulin Rouge) are up for British Actor. Best Actor (international) nominees include Jeff Bridges (The Contender), Jack Nicholson (The Pledge) and Ryan Gosling (The Believer). Stephen Frears (Liam), Ken Loach (Bread And Roses) and Michael Apted (Enigma) are among British Director nominees. Best British Film nominees include Bridget Jones's Diary and Gosford Park. Film Of The Year may be Amelie, The Others or Lord Of The Rings."}, {"response": 710, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jan  4, 2002 (17:24)", "body": "(Karen)But co-star Rupert Grint does. He is one of five nominees for British Newcomer of the Year. I thought he was the best out of the lot AND it was his first role EVER. Good for him! and Yeah for Bridget, but waht about CF for British Actor???? huh????"}, {"response": 711, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Jan  6, 2002 (12:29)", "body": "Rupert Grint was singled out in quite a few reviews here along with the actress who plays Hermione, acted the socks off Harry."}, {"response": 712, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan  7, 2002 (09:16)", "body": "More incomplete information on the London Film Critics Circle Awards from THR today. Why hasn't anyone published a complete listing????? Film of the Year The Man Who Wasn't There Moulin Rouge Amelie The Others The Fellowship of the Ring Best screenwriter category Joel and Ethan Coen, (The Man Who Wasn't There) Kenneth Lonergan (You Can Count on Me) Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Guillaume Laurant (Amelie) Michael Haneke (Code Unknown and The Piano Teacher) Alejandro Amenabar (The Others) Best Director Joel Coen (The Man Who Wasn't There) Aljandro Amenabar (The Others) Peter Jackson (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring) Baz Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge) Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (Amores Perros) Best Actor Billy Bob Thornton (The Man Who Wasn't There) Jeff Bridges (The Contender) Jack Nicholson (The Pledge) Ryan Gosling (The Believer) Javier Bardem (Before Night Falls) Best Actress [Ed note: A major slap in the face!] Joan Allen (The Contender) Reese Witherspoon (Legally Blonde) Audrey Tautou (Amelie) Nicole Kidman (Moulin Rouge and The Others) Isabelle Huppert (The Piano Teacher and Merci pour le chocolat) British film of the year (Ed note: none of which apparently garnered any nominations!) Last Orders Bridget Jones's Diary Enigma Gosford Park Iris The ceremony also includes awards for foreign language film, British newcomer of the year, British screenwriter, British actor, British actress, British actor in a supporting role, British actress in a supporting role and British director. [No names provided.] The awards will be handed out in a Feb. 13 ceremony at London's Dorchester Hotel. ~~~~~~~~ Isn't there someplace to call to get the full list????"}, {"response": 713, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jan  7, 2002 (10:34)", "body": "Best Actress [Ed note: A major slap in the face!] You're not kidding. Seems like these critics still haven't gotten over it. Either that, or they can't admit they were wrong. How small.:-("}, {"response": 714, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan  7, 2002 (11:12)", "body": "Boo hiss. Major shut-out for our Bridge::(( So where's Sexy Beast? Thanks Karen."}, {"response": 715, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan  8, 2002 (09:55)", "body": "A spy within WT says that the sequel is definitely in the works and that both RZ and CF has signed on to appear in it."}, {"response": 716, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jan  8, 2002 (10:23)", "body": "YIPPPPEEEE!!!! Have decorated office in manner of Thai jail cell, while dancing in bra and singing \"Like A Virgin.\" ;-) ;-) Bring on the towel scene! Bring on some no-towel scenes! Lizza, the whisk, please!:-) Many thanks to you and the WT deep throat, Karen.:-) \" . . .touched for the very first time. Like a vir-er-er-er-gin. When your heart beats. . . next to my-ine.\""}, {"response": 717, "author": "Becka", "date": "Tue, Jan  8, 2002 (10:33)", "body": "Where is my Chardonnay for a toast?! :-P Great news Karen!"}, {"response": 718, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan  8, 2002 (11:06)", "body": "Time to Party!"}, {"response": 719, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jan  8, 2002 (12:15)", "body": "Normally I'd be questioning this report (wot? CF signing earlier than the day before shooting begins?) *but* anyone with half a brain could see a sequel without RZ and CF would be doomed. Dooooomed! Thanks for the info, Karen. Am sure you'll keep pressing said spy for details as they emerge."}, {"response": 720, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan  8, 2002 (12:32)", "body": "Happy about the news, too! I bet they sgned on for points too. ;-) Best Actress [Ed note: A major slap in the face!] (Mari), You're not kidding. Seems like these critics still haven't gotten over it. Either that, or they can't admit they were wrong. How small.:-( Majot, major slap!!! The British have a tendency to do that. It happens with the Booker Prize too. Why is Amelie there, when it should be in the Foreign film category? Che pasticcio Bridget Jones!, What a mess BJ!, appears to be the title of the second book in Italy."}, {"response": 721, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Jan  8, 2002 (14:44)", "body": "Excellent news Karen! I'm whisked into a frenzy already Mari! Here we come again Zeigfeld;-) Omigod but that does mean \"BJD 3, The Soundtrack.\" Bet we can guess what they'll choose already...... time for a top ten list ladies;-0"}, {"response": 722, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jan  8, 2002 (16:21)", "body": "Here we come again Zeigfeld;-) Yes! (But *someone* had better implement some family planning techniques in advance!;-)"}, {"response": 723, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan  8, 2002 (17:13)", "body": "Yes! (But *someone* had better implement some family planning techniques in advance!;-) LOL! It is too much to ask. ;-)"}, {"response": 724, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Jan  8, 2002 (17:24)", "body": "Happy news. Hope he's booking his appointments now with the Trainer to the Stars. I want that towel scene. Ooh,and perhaps we'll get to see him ski too so we can add to our collection of Firth sports moments. (Jumping the gun? Who me?)"}, {"response": 725, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Jan  9, 2002 (10:54)", "body": "Super news! Presumable HG is not needed, as all that happens to him in EOR is a punch in the face from Mark Darcy, if I remember correctly - and he's had that already! I will rely on your spies, Karen, to try and get me enough info to barge in on the filming of the sequel.... Now, who will play the jellyfisher Rebecca?"}, {"response": 726, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan  9, 2002 (11:57)", "body": "I will rely on your spies, Karen, to try and get me enough info to barge in on the filming of the sequel.... Dust off the suit, Burberry Man! And waddamean \"barge in\"? You're a pro now. (You're really clear in the DVD Mark. Mucho better that in the VHS)"}, {"response": 727, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Wed, Jan  9, 2002 (18:18)", "body": "Geez! Took me this long to figure out what \"WT\" was. And I call myself a moviegoer ;-) Excellent news (and connections), Karen! One can develop serious hope!"}, {"response": 728, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jan 10, 2002 (09:19)", "body": "(Mari, on topic 148) I doubt if BJD2 will start filming any time soon Is the script even finished? Has it hit the mandatory final writer (RC) yet? We know HF and AD have had their turns."}, {"response": 729, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan 11, 2002 (16:04)", "body": "From Ananova. (And it was \"Can't Live\" that was screeched; she didn't make a sound on ABM!): Chicago song and dance act a big challenge for Rene Zellweger Renee Zellweger says her forthcoming role in the film version of Chicago is one of the biggest challenges of her career. She says it is a long time since she had to sing and dance. Zellweger will star alongside Catherine Zeta Jones and Richard Gere in the big screen version of the hit musical. She last sang on screen when she screeched out the ballad All By Myself in the opening sequence of Bridget Jones's Diary. Zellweger told Ananova: \"That was meant to sound pretty grim.The stuff I have to do now is slightly more serious. \"I don't think, Bridget apart, I have had a bigger challenge than this. It has been a long time since I have sung and danced. \"I did dance class when I was a kid but I quit and stormed out because they made me shake my butt to silly music. \"I was, as Bridget might have said, dead stroppy. But I wasn't going to be a bimbo.\" Director Rob Marshall is convinced Zellweger is the right actress to play the role of Roxie Hart. He said: \"Trust me, she sings beautifully and she moves very well.\""}, {"response": 730, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 13, 2002 (22:47)", "body": "February 5 is the sell-through date for new BJD videos. List will go down to $14.99."}, {"response": 731, "author": "elizh", "date": "Thu, Jan 17, 2002 (08:29)", "body": "VCR alert for North America!! E!TV features Bridget and ODB on their Behind the Scenes program at 3:00PM EST, Friday, 17January. I think it's the \"Making of...\" feature; my daughter says she saw it when it was on earlier this week."}, {"response": 732, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jan 18, 2002 (10:22)", "body": "Friday is the 18th. I just checked the schedule, it is on this afternoon. Thanks for the tipoff, Elizh. Hmm. Is this the one in which HG hogs the conversation and ODB looks as though he'd rather be taking a trip to the moon? Or was that the one on VH1? :-/ Will tune in."}, {"response": 733, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 25, 2002 (08:08)", "body": "The nominations for Empire's awards: Best Debut Radcliffe/Grint/Watson - Harry Potter Billy Boyd/Dominic Monaghan - The Lord of The Rings Orlando Bloom - The Lord of The Rings Sharon Maguire - Bridget Jones's Diary Keira Knightley - The Hole Best British Actress Olivia Williams - Lucky Break Helena Bonham-Carter - Planet of The Apes Kate Winslet - Enigma Rachel Weisz - The Mummy Returns Catherine Zeta Jones - Traffic Best British Actor Hugh Grant - Bridget Jones's Diary Sean Bean - The Lord of The Rings Ewan McGregor - Moulin Rouge Tim Roth - Planet of The Apes Sir Ian McKellen - The Lord of The Rings Best British Film Mike Basset: England Manager Bridget Jones's Diary The Parole Officer Enigma Lucky Break Independent Spirit Award Jean Pierre Jeunet - Amelie Gael Bernitz - Amorres Perros Terry Swigoff - Ghost World Alejandro Amenabar - The Others Best Actress Renee Zellweger - Bridge Jones's Diary Nicole Kidman - Moulin Rouge Frances O'Connor - A.I. Artificial Intelligence Audrey Tautou - Amelie Nicole Kidman - The Others Best Actor Elijah Wood - The Lord of The Rings Viggo Mortensen - The Lord of The Rings Billy Bob Thornton - The Man Who Wasn't There Benicio Del Toro - Traffic Haley Joel Osment - A.I. Artificial Intelligence Best Director Peter Jackson - The Lord of The Rings Baz Luhrmann - Moulin Rouge Steven Spielberg - A.I. Artificial Intelligence Steven Soderbergh - Traffic Cameron Crowe - Almost Famous Best Film The Others The Lord of The Rings A.I. Artificial Intelligence Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone Moulin Rouge"}, {"response": 734, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Jan 25, 2002 (13:55)", "body": "Just caught a really funny snippet on Radio 4's comedy programme, Samuel Pepys diary done in the style of BJD. v v good"}, {"response": 735, "author": "kattas", "date": "Sat, Feb  2, 2002 (17:47)", "body": "I'm normaly a lurker, but I felt I just had to post this! Kat Celebrity News : 1st February 2002 Lead Stars Back For Bridget Jones's Diary Sequel Ren\ufffde Zellweger, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth are reuniting for a sequel to hit movie comedy Bridget Jones's Diary. The film's script is currently being completed, and while it will be based on Helen Fielding's second Bridget Jones book The Edge Of Reason, it will be amended to feature Grant's devilish character Daniel Cleaver - as he does not feature in the follow-up novel. An executive on the new production explains, \"We needed the lead trio back for the second film to work.\" Zellweger has accepted to reprise her lead role on the condition the script is an improvement on the massively successful first instalment. While she has agreed to pile weight back on for the part of a thirty-something British singleton, it will not be as much as the 20 pounds she gained last time."}, {"response": 736, "author": "kayasp", "date": "Sat, Feb  2, 2002 (23:12)", "body": "Maybe this is in very earlier posts, but... does anyone know the name of the designer that made Renee's dress for the London premiere of BJD?"}, {"response": 737, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Sun, Feb  3, 2002 (19:21)", "body": "Kay: ...does anyone know the name of the designer that made Renee's dress for the London premiere of BJD? Azzedine Alaia http://www.peoplenews.co.uk/delivery/common/parties/index/party/0,2443,1-4560-24,00.html"}, {"response": 738, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  4, 2002 (07:47)", "body": "BJD won two awards at the Evening Standard British Film Awards held last night: Best Screenplay and Peter Sellers Award for Comedy (Hugh Grant). Here are the other categories: Best Film: Gosford Park Best Actor: Linus Roache (for Pandaemonium) Best Actress: Kate Winslet (for Quills, Enigma and Iris) Carlton Television Most Promising Newcomer: Ben Hopkins (for The Nine Lives of Tomas Katz) Best Screenplay: Bridget Jones's Diary Peter Sellers Award for Comedy: Hugh Grant Technical Achievement: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Special Achievement Award: Christopher Lee ********* Tony Blair was a surprise guest at the Evening Standard British Film Awards for 2001 - but the Prime Minister got a surprise of his own. It was mischievously suggested that Mr Blair was the \"sizzling\" inspiration for the Mark Darcy portrayed by Bridget Jones's Diary heart-throb Colin Firth. Richard Curtis and co-writer Helen Fielding collected the Evening Standard Best Screenplay award from the Prime Minister, who said he had enjoyed the \"shrewdly observed\" film immensely. In return, Curtis said that like Mr Darcy, Mr Blair was \"full of intelligence, fighting for justice here and abroad - and sizzling with repressed sexuality\". The Prime Minister looked suitably abashed. They joined a host of British film's finest - and a smattering of Hollywood visitors - at The Savoy for the ceremony, presented by Jack Dee. Introducing the awards, outgoing Evening Standard editor Max Hastings said: \"It is a pleasure to see such a dazzling assembly of talent, the men and women responsible for giving us some of the greatest entertainment on earth.\" The audience, including Sir Ben Kingsley, Charles Dance, Terry Gilliam, Jade Jagger, Kate Winslet, Anna Paquin, and Timothy Spall roared their approval of Robert Altman, 76, the American director whose Gosford Park won the Best Film Award, and veteran actor Christopher Lee, who received the Special Achievement Award. Lee, 79, whose roles have included Bond villain Scaramanga in The Man With The Golden Gun, was presented with his award by the British super-spy's current incarnation, Pierce Brosnan, 48. Kate Winslet took the Best Actress prize, despite the strong claims of Dame Judi Dench and Kelly Macdonald-She was presented with her award by Mick Jagger, producer of Enigma, who said she \"brings an intelligence to every part she plays\". Jagger jokingly referred to her roles in Iris - which opens with her swimming underwater - and Titanic, saying: \"Her ability to act well in water always astounds me.\" Winslet was honoured for her part in three films, Enigma, Quills, and the hot Oscar tip Iris. Linus Roache won the Best Actor award for Samuel Coleridge in Pandaemonium, but was abroad filming and unable to collect the award in person, which was presented by Hollywood actors Anna Paquin and Jake Gyllemhaal.... Greta Scacchi presented production designer Stuart Craig with the Best Technical Achievement Award for the magic he has woven in the first Harry Potter film. Hugh Grant was a hugely popular winner of The Peter Sellers Award for Comedy for his portrayal of the hapless cad Daniel Cleaver in Bridget Jones's Diary, opposite Renee Zellweger. Grant, 41, sent a message from Los Angeles via video in typically self deprecating style: \"The whole project for me was a little bit scary because, as you probably know, I like on the whole as an actor to play exactly the same part in every single film I do.\" Ewan McGregor, presenting director Ben Hopkins, 32, with the Carlton Television Best Newcomer award for his compelling vision of London The Nine Lives of Tomas Katz. The ceremony will be screened tonight on Carlton at 11.30pm."}, {"response": 739, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  4, 2002 (07:56)", "body": "Article about how the awards were determined by the panel (Neil Norman, Alexander Walker of the Evening Standard, Derek Malcolm of The Guardian, Angie Errigo of Empire magazine and film journalist and film-maker Richard Jobson). In the Peter Sellers comedy category, there was only one candidate. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/dynamic/hottx/review.html?in_review_id=495251&in_review_text_id=455416"}, {"response": 740, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Feb  4, 2002 (08:06)", "body": "(Gnat) as you probably know, I like on the whole as an actor to play exactly the same part in every single film I do.\" *snort* Touche!"}, {"response": 741, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  4, 2002 (08:19)", "body": "Tony Blair making the presentation to Helen and Richard:"}, {"response": 742, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Mon, Feb  4, 2002 (08:45)", "body": "Is there any confirmation about CF and RZ doing the sequel? I read in a Swiss paper (quoting peoplenews) filming was to start in 7 weeks."}, {"response": 743, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  4, 2002 (09:27)", "body": "7 weeks?! Oh my, something appears to have gotten lost in the translation or is a perfect example of that party game where you whisper a rumor to a person and see how it ends up at the close. Here's the source of all these news items, Baz's column from Friday's Daily, which Aishling provided: Renee will pile on the pounds for a new date with Hugh Comeback for Bridget and her men Renee Zellweger and her big-screen lovers Hugh Grant and Colin Firth will get back together to film the Bridget Jones movie sequel this autumn. Screenwriter Andrew Davies is writing a screenplay based in part on Helen Fielding's second Bridget Jones novel, The Edge of Reason, although those close to the production of Working Title and Universal tell me the movie's plot will not entirely follow the book's storyline. Ms Zellweger said that as long as the script improves upon the original, she will be happy to recreate the role of the Chardonnay-swigging 'singleton' and will spend two or three months before filming starts preparing for the picture. That will include piling on the pounds--although I understand not as much as the stone-and-a-half she had to gain for the original movie, which was released last year and took close to \ufffd45 million in the UK alone and $300 million globally. When I saw the actress in the US several days ago, she was as slim as can be for her role as a killer chorus girl in the movie musical Chicago, which she and Catherine Zeta Jones are filming in Toronto. Renee then moves on to a romantic comedy with Ewan McGregor, and following that she may take a role in Anthony Minghell's film of Cold Mountain with Tom Cruise-although Cruise may not be the right man for that project. If Davies can complete his draft screenplay within the next six to seven weeks--and if everyone concerned agrees on it--then the Bridget Jones sequel could begin filming later this year. Otherwise it will go before the camera in 2003. 'We needed the lead trio back for the second film to work--even though Hugh's character, Daniel Cleaver, doesn't feature in the second book,' an executive told me in LA. The floppy-haired Grant, who normally plays the romantic lead, was the personification of an English bastard in Bridget Jones and received rave reviews for playing so convincingly against type. He plays another bastard-though this time one with a few more redeeming qualities than the odious Mr Cleaver--in his next film, About a Boy, based on the novel by Nick Hornby. I predict the picture, due out in Spring, will be a box-office hit and may garner Grant the nomination for Best Actor in the Orange-British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards which he was denied this week for Bridget Jones (Zellweger and Firth were nominated). 'The script for the sequel has got to be better than the first, otherwise the whole thing will be suspect,' an executive connected to the Bridget sequel told me. 'There's no point in re-hashing--we have to be better!' ~~~~~~~~~~ I am going to repost Mari's assessment of this article as I think it's spot on: (Mari) My old PR instincts (you didn't know I was Puerto Rican, eh?) ;-) tells me this is \"non news,\" planted by Huge's people because he's stung over not getting a BAFTA nom, when RZ and CF did. When you think about it, it *is* embarrassing and HG isn't used to taking a back seat. The \"executive in LA\" is probably his publicist. The article is careful to emphasize how important HG is to the sequel and then goes on the About A Boy tangent, with the \"prediction\" that he'll get a nom next year. Very transparent to me."}, {"response": 744, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  5, 2002 (13:35)", "body": "I guess the online voting wasn't successful...From Ananova: Kate Winslet and Ewan McGregor have been named Britain's top acting talents for a record fourth time by moviegoers at the Empire Film Awards. The pair have been named best British actress and actor for more than half of the seven years which the magazine has been running its annual event, voted for by readers.... Box office hit Bridget Jones's Diary was named best British film but missed out on any other prizes. The Empires are the only major British movie awards voted for by moviegoers themselves. The full list of winners is as follows: Best debut - Orlando Bloom (Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring). Best British actress - Kate Winslet (Enigma). Best British actor - Ewan McGregor (Moulin Rouge). Best British film - Bridget Jones's Diary. Independent spirit award - Alejandro Amenabar (The Others). Best actress - Nicole Kidman (Moulin Rouge). Best actor - Elijah Wood (Lord of the Rings). Best director - Baz Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge). Best film - Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. Empire inspiration award - Michael Mann. Empire lifetime achievement award - Christopher Lee."}, {"response": 745, "author": "kattas", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2002 (05:30)", "body": "Well, here's more from Sharon McGuire, director of BJD: Bridget Jones's Diary director confirms sequel Director Sharon Maguire has confirmed there will be a sequel to Bridget Jones's Diary. Maguire says work on the film version of The Edge Of Reason is at an early stage. She has refused to confirm reports that Hugh Grant's part will be expanded from the book. Grant played Daniel Cleaver in the first film. Bridget's creator, Helen Fielding, feels he has to be given a bigger role than the one he has in the book. She told www.empireonline.co.uk: \"'They have to write him in because he was so fantastic in the first one. \"He only has about four pages in the second book, but you can't confine Hugh to two scenes or something so there definitely needs to be more.\" Story filed: 11:00 Thursday 7th February 2002"}, {"response": 746, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2002 (07:59)", "body": "Thanks, Kat. Yeech. Can't think of any way to expand the role of DC without altering the book all together. Hmmm. Maybe it will be DC who meets them in Thailand and plants the drugs in their bags (though I'd prefer it if they drop that particular storyline). (HF) They have to write him in because he was so fantastic in the first one. As if *HG* was the reason people loved this movie... :-/"}, {"response": 747, "author": "kattas", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2002 (16:06)", "body": "Right. As if *he* was the sole start of the show. But I think Mari is right (see response #743) - HG's publicist is probably making a splash to highlight their client. That's OK with me, though, as it's given us more news about the sequel! Kat"}, {"response": 748, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2002 (16:30)", "body": "Actually, is the same news chewed up and spit out again at a different site. You should read the spin the Guardian has put on the same nonstory. These people must be chowing down on burritos before bedtime. ;-)"}, {"response": 749, "author": "kattas", "date": "Sat, Feb  9, 2002 (12:44)", "body": "Have also been hearing Colin Firth's going to be in \"Le Divorce\" and Merchant Ivory Productions has denied that, too. Seems to be a lot of stuff floating around out there. Must be slow days for news! Kat"}, {"response": 750, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb  9, 2002 (13:07)", "body": "Kat, why don't you check topic 155 for other CF news. That's where news on Le Divorce and other rumored projects is discussed. BTW, you will see Mari's original post from MI there."}, {"response": 751, "author": "Becka", "date": "Tue, Feb 12, 2002 (06:38)", "body": "RENEE DID IT!!! WOO HOO!"}, {"response": 752, "author": "kayasp", "date": "Tue, Feb 12, 2002 (08:50)", "body": "Yeah Renee'!!!!!!!!! Totally deserved nomination!! Let's keep our fingers crossed."}, {"response": 753, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Feb 12, 2002 (09:14)", "body": "Have you met Miss Jones???? YIPPPEEEE!!! So very happy for Renee--well deserved! More Oscar chat on 148."}, {"response": 754, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 12, 2002 (09:27)", "body": "For Renee...the whole cast,Sharon Maguire ,Helen Fielding,& all the guys from Working Title who believed she could do it. Renees Revenge: A Big Buzzy Bronx Cheer to all you said \"A Texan couldn't play Bridget\"."}, {"response": 755, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 12, 2002 (10:08)", "body": "Miramax has scenes of BJD on their website for the Academy's consideration. Here is the \"Just as you are\" trailer... http://www.miramaxhighlights.com/bridgetjonesdiary/mom_justasyouare.html"}, {"response": 756, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Feb 12, 2002 (13:27)", "body": "Well done Rene! She deserves it! From imdb.com....I liked this! 4 February 2002 Summary: Oh, this is so much fun!! I watched this movie unwillingly--a friend encouraged me to see it, since I thought it was just going to be a sex-diary sort of movie. As a fan of Zellweger's from \"Nurse Betty,\" I really enjoyed seeing her in this film. She looked like a \"normal\" woman, and the humor was wonderfully down-to-earth. I've never been a fan of Grant's, but I was happy to finally seeing him playing the greasy playboy I've always thought he was, and happy that he DIDN'T get the girl! (Drove me nuts that he kept playing stuttering nice guys in all these period movies, getting all dressed up and looking innocently lost. Gag.) But the guy who DID get the girl... \"Ummm,\" I thought (since I was unable to really get out a coherent thought :), \"Who IS this guy?!\" He gets the girl in this movie opposite two well-known movie stars, and I've never heard of him before!? So I wandered over to the IMDb and discovered Colin Firth (and \"Pride and Prejudice\"! WATCH THIS MOVIE!! :), and have never been the same since. :) People wrote articles ask ng the question: \"Grant or Firth?\" and I snort. Firth, of course. Hands-down. No competition, and there never was. Grant is just an overly-confident British guy with a posh accent. Firth...is worth admiring. The final sequence of the film with him in that great coat and turtleneck and look oh so...um... Anyway, that whole sequence makes up for all of the grating you have to endure for Bridget's sake to get through the Grant parts to the really good parts at the end of film, when Grant's character is finally out of the picture."}, {"response": 757, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Feb 12, 2002 (14:20)", "body": "Okay. Own up. Which of you wrote that? :-))"}, {"response": 758, "author": "maryw", "date": "Wed, Feb 13, 2002 (14:08)", "body": "Wow - good to come back to fantastic news. Congrats Renee. Well deserved. I feel like she's won already even if she does not actually get the statue. MDH's only remark after seeing BJD was...\"It's good to see normal looking women on the big screen\". I say - it's good to see normal looking women getting nommed. Oh my - I hope she looks \"normal\" when she attends the Oscars. But maybe I'm asking too much."}, {"response": 759, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb 13, 2002 (15:15)", "body": "Renee's current look is very, very, very skinny. But I am looking forward to her Oscar outfit. I loved the yellow vintage gown she wore last year."}, {"response": 760, "author": "elizh", "date": "Wed, Feb 13, 2002 (15:43)", "body": ""}, {"response": 761, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb 14, 2002 (06:19)", "body": "From Ananova: Bridget Jones writers confident Zellweger will reprise role in sequel The writers of Bridget Jones's Diary say the sequel is \"looking good.\" Andrew Davies has already written two drafts of the second film, to be called Edge Of Reason. His writing partner Richard Curtis says he's pretty sure Renee Zellweger will star in the film. \"She's an Oscar nominee for the first one. We're f***ed if she doesn't,\" Curtis told Ananova. Curtis and Davies refused to comment on whether Hugh Grant's role would be expanded in the sequel. But speaking at the London Film Critics' Awards, where they won the Best British Screenwriters award, they did say they had a \"very cunning\" way around the dilemma they face over Colin Firth. In Helen Fielding's book, Bridget Jones interviews the real-life actor Firth, who is expected to star again in the film as Mark Darcy."}, {"response": 762, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb 14, 2002 (06:40)", "body": "Top 10 \"very cunning\" ways around the dilemma they face over Colin Firth. 10. Colin Firth plays himself. 9. Colin Firth plays himself. 8. Colin Firth plays himself. 7. Colin Firth plays himself. 6. Colin Firth plays himself. 5. Colin Firth plays himself. 4. Colin Firth plays himself. 3. Colin Firth plays himself. 2. Colin Firth plays himself. And 1. Colin Firth plays himself. Hey dude where's my edge of reason? ;-)"}, {"response": 763, "author": "aishling", "date": "Thu, Feb 14, 2002 (07:00)", "body": "\"very cunning\" way around the dilemma they face over Colin Firth Hey Mari - remember when KarenR overcame this *dilemma* a couple of years ago. He can play all three parts. Seems logical IMO."}, {"response": 764, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 14, 2002 (07:41)", "body": "confident expected pretty sure LOL! They've backed off from the \"will be back\"...unless someone forgot the \"we hope\" bit. Richard Curtis being mentioned is new though, but \"expected.\" ;-) \"Cunning\" way around it? Uh oh, call in Baldrick. ;-)"}, {"response": 765, "author": "kattas", "date": "Thu, Feb 14, 2002 (07:57)", "body": "So, KarenR, how did you propose they get around the \"dilemna?\" Kat"}, {"response": 766, "author": "AnnieZ", "date": "Thu, Feb 14, 2002 (08:52)", "body": "Just read this about Oscar: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Oscar Reax: Shock, Shameless Dancing Wed Feb 13, 8:58 PM ET (E! Online) So much for British decorum. Ren\ufffde Zellweger let it all hang out upon hearing the news of her nomination for Best Actress for Bridget Jones's Diary . \"I'm shocked, honored and grateful and shamelessly laughing and dancing around the apartment,\" said the petite Texan, who turned into a pudgy Brit for the role. \"I'm just happy, so happy.\" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I'm very happy for her and Bridget too ;-) Also, on intertops.com where people bet for Oscar best Actress winner, the current result is: Closing Date: Mar 24, 2002 21:00 Bet Selections Win Odds Bet! Sissy Spacek -167 Halle Berry +215 Nicole Kidman +250 Judi Dench +800 Renee Zellweger +1500 (Minkee): MDH's only remark after seeing BJD was...\"It's good to see normal looking women on the big screen\". I say - it's good to see normal looking women getting nommed. I'd say that it's good to see a normal looking woman gets an unusual handsome man ;-) BTW, I think that RZ is very pretty and adorable."}, {"response": 767, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb 14, 2002 (11:45)", "body": "From your friends at cunningsolutions.com Bridget Jones, the new face of British public affairs, heads to Rome to interview Colin Firth (with whom she longs to have a private affair). At the airport, Bridge is subjected to a full 10-piggy search by the shoe removal police upon their discovery of myriad holes and runs in her pantyhose, surely signifying ample hiding places for explosives. The delay causes her to miss her 10 a.m. flight, so she hops on the 11, arriving in the Eternal City, oh, noonish. Racing to the car rental agency, Bridget is confronted with the intricacies of IST (Italian Standard Tikme), meaning they haven't yet opened for the day. Finally hailing a cab driven by a Bond girl, BJ arrives at the appointed meeting place, Ristorante Nohamletta. Tragically, she finds that Mr. Firth has already departed, having left word with the maitre 'd that he had other film commitments. Distraught, Bridget rings Mark Darcy on her mobile, sobbing out her predicament: BJ: \"Oh God. I'll be sacked.\" MD: \"I have a plan.\" A photographer is dispatched to Darcy's office, where Mark discards his barrister's suit in favor of a \"Fela Kuti Rules\" T-shirt borrowed from a client. The photo is snapped, BJ files her \"story,\" and no one is ever the wiser. ;-)"}, {"response": 768, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 14, 2002 (12:55)", "body": "Ristorante Nohamletta...having left word with the maitre 'd that he had other film commitments. Mark discards his barrister's suit in favor of a \"Fela Kuti Rules\" T-shirt borrowed from a client. ROTFLMAO!! Naturally, the maitre 'd resembled Baldrick who hadn't bathed since Elizabethan times. ;-)"}, {"response": 769, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Feb 14, 2002 (15:29)", "body": "(Mari) Finally hailing a cab driven by a Bond girl Mari, you had me up until \"Bond girl\" - LOL! Then I had to reread from the top and am still LOL holding my sides! cunningsolutions.com cunningly slipped right by me :-/ Btw, who is Baldrick? Am not familiar with this character as yet...or am I? Has he cunningly slipped by me as well? Thanks :-)"}, {"response": 770, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 14, 2002 (15:38)", "body": "Mari...you had *me* til... she finds that Mr. Firth has already departed, having left word with the maitre 'd that he had other film commitments LMAO , along with the wet shirt...the guy will never live that one down.... serves him right;-)"}, {"response": 771, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Feb 14, 2002 (16:02)", "body": "Am sitting in cubical of new job trying desperately not to laugh hysterically over this, *snort* to funny Mari! :-) my favorite bit was the \"I have a plan\" LOL! btw Lora, Baldrick is the flunky in the Blackadder series..."}, {"response": 772, "author": "kattas", "date": "Thu, Feb 14, 2002 (16:10)", "body": "Mari, that was too, too funny! Loved it! Kat"}, {"response": 773, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb 14, 2002 (16:14)", "body": "*smoosh* Mari! LOL!"}, {"response": 774, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Feb 14, 2002 (16:27)", "body": "(SB)Baldrick is the flunky in the Blackadder series... Ah ha, thanks for that. I haven't seen that yet. Does Colin play two parts in that series? Is that why Baldrick is being mentioned here?"}, {"response": 775, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 14, 2002 (16:46)", "body": "Because Richard Curtis is one of the writers/creators of Blackadder and Baldrick always has a \"cunning\" solution."}, {"response": 776, "author": "rachael", "date": "Thu, Feb 14, 2002 (16:48)", "body": "Colin was Shakespeare in Blackadder Back and Forth, which was the Millenium special. Baldrick (Blackadder's idiot sidekick) always used to say \"I have a cunning plan\" which inevitably was either stupid or disastrous, or indeed both."}, {"response": 777, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Feb 14, 2002 (17:05)", "body": "Now I get the picture. Thank you, Karen and Rachael, for the explanations. Let's just hope that Curtis and Davies have a plan that isn't stupid or disastrous. Wish there was a way for Mari to submit her plan for their consideration ;-D"}, {"response": 778, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 16, 2002 (09:43)", "body": "Apparently, the Pandora (gossip) column in the Independent has printed its own version of the sequel situation. Talk about going from Point A to Point B via Timbuktu ;-) Hugh Grant, who starred as the cad Daniel Cleaver in Bridget Jones's Diary, was apparently so good that Bridget's life is going to be re-written to accommodate him in the sequel. \"He only has about four pages in the second book,\" the book's author, Helen Fielding, tells Empire magazine, \"but you can't confine Hugh to two, so there definitely needs to be more. He was so fantastic in the first one.\" It sounds as though Grant has displaced Colin Firth, Fielding's original crush for whom the character of Mark Darcy was written, in the author's affections, but Firth still gets to appear again too."}, {"response": 779, "author": "kattas", "date": "Sat, Feb 16, 2002 (12:23)", "body": "Ah so Firth gets to appear, too, does he? Awfully big of them! Actually, a couple of other BJD fans and I have been speculating just how does Daniel Cleaver get to play a bigger role in the sequel? My idea: He could be the one who meets her in Thailand and gets her in jail for possessing drugs. He'd be sleazy enough to use her in such a fashion."}, {"response": 780, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Feb 16, 2002 (14:21)", "body": "Ah so Firth gets to appear, too, does he? Awfully big of them! Oh, no! Are we back to this? If Hugh was so good, where's the Bafta nom? Colin should fight for his part to be BIG this time. But we all know that he doesn't. :-("}, {"response": 781, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sat, Feb 16, 2002 (15:08)", "body": "(Kat)He could be the one who meets her in Thailand and gets her in jail for possessing drugs. He'd be sleazy enough to use her in such a fashion. True he's sleazy, but that part is not that big either. Plus I could do without the Thailand episode in the sequel. Has anyone here seen the movie \"Brokendown Palace?\" The Thailand part of EoR is exactly that movie condensed. We don't need to see it again. I think Hugh should take the part of the collegue of Mark's (though he doesn't have to be his collegue anymore) who has an affection for Bridget but ends up nursing poor Rebecca back to health after her fall. He then falls in love with Rebecca (who could be played by Liz Hurley ;-)heehee). That would put him at the country house where lots of the action takes place. Then everyone could end up happily ever after :-). Whatdaya think?"}, {"response": 782, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sat, Feb 16, 2002 (15:54)", "body": "oops...make that \"colleague\" \"Brokendown Palace\" was with Claire Danes and Kate Beckensale, btw, to help you remember it."}, {"response": 783, "author": "kattas", "date": "Sat, Feb 16, 2002 (17:02)", "body": "Yes, but how would one explain away his uncanny resemblance to Daniel Cleaver? Com'on, that would be two uncanny resemblances to explain away in the film! I think Hugh should take the part of the collegue of Mark's (though he doesn't have to be his collegue anymore) who has an affection for Bridget but ends up nursing poor Rebecca back to health after her fall. He then falls in love with Rebecca (who could be played by Liz Hurley ;-)heehee). That would put him at the country house where lots of the action takes place. Then everyone could end up happily ever after :-). Whatdaya think?"}, {"response": 784, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Feb 16, 2002 (19:41)", "body": "(Pandora) It sounds as though Grant has displaced Colin Firth, And to think I had just managed to finally calm down hysteria in other quarters about this... >:-( It sure does SOUND that way! But remember the remarks of the writers and the director for this second film to the contrary, and also remind yourself that Ms. Fielding is neither one of these (which Pandora has neglected to point out). She is only giving out strong hints in the direction of her own personal desires at this point, and the media just love to grab this ball and run with it. Considering that HF doesn't really have much power or say on the pruduction this time around, I think we needn't run into the night screaming just yet."}, {"response": 785, "author": "kattas", "date": "Sat, Feb 16, 2002 (19:57)", "body": "I guess I'm puzzled. Why would there be hysteria about this? EOR almost totally does away with Daniel Cleaver, and I cannot quite see how they could bring him back in a much bigger role in the story. Colin Firth's being in the sequel's a given, so... You're right, it's all in the very preliminary stages and Helen Fielding isn't taking an active part in the script writing at this point. And to think I had just managed to finally calm down hysteria in other quarters about this..."}, {"response": 786, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 16, 2002 (21:00)", "body": "Well, if there was any hysteria here, thanks for dealing with it, KJ. :) Sorry, Lora, I would doubt that they'd have the Gnat play a character other than Daniel. Perhaps, they'd have Bridge bring Daniel to some function that Mark is attending with Rebecca to make him nuts...sort of in manner of young whippersnapper. Bringing Daniel back is unfortunately a financial decision on Working Title's part. My fear is that they'll remake the first movie, instead of taking the Bridget-Mark relationship further as was done in the book and letting \"Another Woman\" break it up. If we have two guys and a gal again, the critics will be relentlessly pointing out that it's the same story, different animal jumper. ;-)"}, {"response": 787, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Feb 17, 2002 (08:31)", "body": "remind yourself that Ms. Fielding is neither one of these (which Pandora has neglected to point out). She is only giving out strong hints in the direction of her own personal desires at this point That's the puzzle, KJ. Why would HF do that? I thought she loved CF? What has changed her mind? Did CF ignore her recently? Did he not invite her to Luca's Christening? I think it should be two gals and a guy this time. Of course, the way Pandora thinks, they'd have to get Julia Roberts to be the other gal. That would satisfy their marketing dept. :-("}, {"response": 788, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Feb 17, 2002 (08:36)", "body": "Okay, sorry I wasn't clear about this idea. Daniel is Daniel not the colleague anymore but with the same part as the colleague (the one who has a sort of affection for Bridget but ends up nursing Rebecca). He could be a tag-a-long to the weekend in the country somehow. He solicits Bridget's help with women (since he also has trouble with this - like the colleague character), Rebecca falls, Daniel becomes her caretaker and falls in love with her. This would keep it like Persuasion, but give him the more pivotal part in the sequel he wants (the one who redirects Rebecca away from Mark). Thus the happily ever after thing."}, {"response": 789, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 17, 2002 (08:41)", "body": "(Moon) Why would HF do that? I thought she loved CF? What has changed her mind? All HF has said is that he would have a bigger part than the book, in which he only appeared for four pages. Pandora has come to the unsuppportable conclusion that that Huge would edge out Colin completely."}, {"response": 790, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Feb 17, 2002 (09:01)", "body": "Pandora has come to the unsuppportable conclusion that that Huge would edge out Colin completely. HF is only giving out strong hints in the direction of her own personal desires at this point. 1+1=2 HF has said is that he would have a bigger part than the book In order for Hugh to sign on, he will have another big part in the sequel. I think it's a shame that HF did not stick up CF and TEOR as she should have in the press."}, {"response": 791, "author": "kattas", "date": "Sun, Feb 17, 2002 (09:37)", "body": "Yes, I can see this scenario working. He's still ending up with blondes, except it's Rebecca,the jellyfisher. So, now, who would be good to play Rebecca? Kristen Scott Thomas, perhaps? Kat Okay, sorry I wasn't clear about this idea. Daniel is Daniel not the colleague anymore but with the same part as the colleague (the one who has a sort of affection for Bridget but ends up nursing Rebecca). He could be a tag-a- long to the weekend in the country somehow. He solicits Bridget's help with women (since he also has trouble with this - like the colleague character), Rebecca falls, Daniel becomes her caretaker and falls in love with her. This would keep it like Persuasion, but give him the more pivotal part in the sequel he wants (the one who redirects Rebecca away from Mark). Thus the happily ever after thing."}, {"response": 792, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Feb 17, 2002 (10:12)", "body": "(Kat)He's still ending up with blondes, except it's Rebecca,the jellyfisher. So, now, who would be good to play Rebecca? Kristen Scott Thomas, perhaps? Rebecca, the jellyfisher, exactly! That's why I thought it would be interesting for Rebecca to be played by Liz Hurley. Even though Huge is more the jellyfish than she, symbolically and IRL they represent a couple who have helped each other through tough (controversial) times (90's style) sort of like the couple who end up together in the Persuasion scenario (more 18th century style). It's another Escher-like portrait ;-). Plus LH has swingy hair and could easily flirt with and divert Mark D., for the moment at least ;-)."}, {"response": 793, "author": "kattas", "date": "Sun, Feb 17, 2002 (19:23)", "body": "Interesting and I like it, but when is Liz's baby due? Wouldn't they have to film around her pregnancy? Kat Rebecca, the jellyfisher, exactly! That's why I thought it would be interesting for Rebecca to be played by Liz Hurley. Even though Huge is more the jellyfish than she, symbolically and IRL they represent a couple who have helped each other through tough (controversial) times (90's style) sort of like the couple who end up together in the Persuasion scenario (more 18th century style). It's another Escher-like portrait ;-). Plus LH has swingy hair and could easily flirt with and divert Mark D., for the moment at least ;-)."}, {"response": 794, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Feb 17, 2002 (21:52)", "body": "People.com says she's due in April, so by the summer or fall she should be in fine shape ;-). Isn't it sometime then that they think production may begin and not before? We'll see if she even gets considered for the part, though. There's still lots of time before that will be decided. They're still working on the script, right?"}, {"response": 795, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 18, 2002 (13:25)", "body": "Roger Ebert on \"Oscar Noms\": \"The academy is notorious for its short attention span, and films have the best chance at nominations if they open in the last three months of the year. That the academy reached back to April to single out Zellweger's work in \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" is noteworthy. Zellweger's casting as the heroine of the popular British comic novel was controversial--Winslet was reckoned the obvious choice--but even London critics said she was wonderful in the role, for which she put on 25 pounds. This year's Oscar ceremony, emceed by Whoopi Goldberg, is scheduled for Sunday, March 24, at the academy's new headquarters on Hollywood Boulevard.\""}, {"response": 796, "author": "kattas", "date": "Mon, Feb 18, 2002 (16:30)", "body": "(Lora) People.com says she's due in April, so by the summer or fall she should be in fine shape ;-). Isn't it sometime then that they think production may begin and not before? We'll see if she even gets considered for the part, though. There's still lots of time before that will be decided. They're still working on the script, right? Yes, they're still working on the script, and of course nothing has been announced beyond that. I didn't know when Liz's baby was due; I didn't even know she was pregnant until last week! Goes to show you how little I keep up with celebrities. LOL Had lunch with a friend from work who's a real Colin Firth fan; she's got just about every film he's done on tape. Kat"}, {"response": 797, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 19, 2002 (07:45)", "body": "From THR: British video sales leaped 20% to a record 34.3 million units in December, according to figures released Monday by the British Video Assn. \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" took the top slot for the month, shifting some 1.9 million units, followed by \"Shrek\" with 1.5 million and \"Cats & Dogs\" with 1.4 million. Other million-sellers in the month included \"The Mummy Returns\" (1.2 million) and \"Pearl Harbor\" (1 million)."}, {"response": 798, "author": "kattas", "date": "Wed, Feb 20, 2002 (04:27)", "body": "I'm a relative newcomer, and so was catching up on the posts on the earlier BJD conferences. What particularly caught my fancy in one thread was the comment that going to see BJD numerous times can be like going to see the \"Rocky Horror Picture Show\" (which I did the play in London back in the 1970s and the movie several times), Another film that seems to elicit the same reaction from the audience is \"Animal House\" which I saw when I was in grad school. The audience was full of students wearing togas and they were echoing lines along with actors and threw packets of catsup and sugar at the screen during the food fight scene. All of which led me to speculate to a male friend of mine just what one would wear to a BJD screening. A bunny outfit? A micro mini? A see-through blouse with a black bra? The workout sweats? The underwear and cardie? Well, I told him what I would wear would be the pajamas. As for him, (he's seen the film twice), he'd wear Hugh Grant's outfit - the unbuttoned shirt, and he'd spray some water on himself before going into the theatre. LOL I'd hoped that since Renee is up for an Oscar, Miramax might distribute the film again to theatres, but I don't think that's very likely. Does anyone else know anything about that? Kat"}, {"response": 799, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 21, 2002 (15:27)", "body": "Here's something rather humorous and fairly clever and well-done. It is an account of the birthday party and subsequent street fight told from Tom's perspective. Please don't read it if you have no sense of humor and take all this Bridget/Darcy stuff too seriously: http://www.fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=513995"}, {"response": 800, "author": "rachael", "date": "Thu, Feb 21, 2002 (15:43)", "body": "too funny Karen!! what an interesting, ummmm , turn in the tale!"}, {"response": 801, "author": "kattas", "date": "Thu, Feb 21, 2002 (15:54)", "body": "Yes, it's a quite interesting turn, isn't it? I thought it was hilarious. Kat"}, {"response": 802, "author": "odessa", "date": "Fri, Feb 22, 2002 (04:38)", "body": "help,help! link to that Tom-story isn`t working (or is it just my computer?)"}, {"response": 803, "author": "kattas", "date": "Fri, Feb 22, 2002 (04:49)", "body": "(Odessa) help,help! link to that Tom-story isn`t working (or is it just my computer?) The whole site seems to be down right now. You might want to try again later. Kat"}, {"response": 804, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Feb 22, 2002 (12:23)", "body": "*snorting with laughter* Tom story is Too Funny! Thanks for the link Karen :-)"}, {"response": 805, "author": "odessa", "date": "Fri, Feb 22, 2002 (13:45)", "body": "you`ll never know what can happen...LOL!"}, {"response": 806, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Feb 22, 2002 (18:30)", "body": "Definitely a \"twist\"... (even if it was extremely predictable;))... Karen, thanks for sharing..."}, {"response": 807, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Feb 22, 2002 (18:51)", "body": ""}, {"response": 808, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Feb 24, 2002 (15:22)", "body": "And CONGRATULATIONS to our very own BAFTA winner, Mark G !!! His shoes were the focus of our favourite BJD clip. Better luck at the Oscars Mark, next time your whole body should make the cut."}, {"response": 809, "author": "HeatherLynn", "date": "Mon, Feb 25, 2002 (16:11)", "body": "Hey! I open up my browser and what's front & center? Bridget Jones' Style! W/ a photo of Renee'! Yay! Here's the link: So cool! Its a nice little page about how they put together the 'Bridget look' but I enjoyed it!"}, {"response": 810, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb 28, 2002 (06:27)", "body": "For you LA folks (thanks to Diana): Helen Fielding is scheduled to appear at Book Soup on Thursday, March 14th, at 8 pm to promote the paperback release of Cause Celeb. Book Soup 8818 Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069 310-659-3110"}, {"response": 811, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Feb 28, 2002 (21:15)", "body": "Marianne! Jana2! Are any of you going?"}, {"response": 812, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Fri, Mar  1, 2002 (12:12)", "body": "winter: Are any of you going? Sure, why not."}, {"response": 813, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar  1, 2002 (13:25)", "body": "Glad to hear to it! I wish I could join you for another BJD reunion. Remember to ask questions about the sequel, and... if she's considering a third BJD book."}, {"response": 814, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Mar  2, 2002 (01:02)", "body": "Marianne Sure, why not. Yay! Now here's the bad side... I can't! (I'm *finally* in Indonesia) But be sure to give us juicy details of her visit, and remember to ask that gratutitous \"What's Colin Firth up to these days?\" Book Soup may have her appear at the Bev. Hills library. The store's WAY too small."}, {"response": 815, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Mar  3, 2002 (02:42)", "body": "(winter:) Are any of you going? (Marianne) Sure, why not. As of now it looks like my work schedule has me in town that week (have been traveling a lot) so I will try and make it too! Marianne, I'll keep my eyes peeled so we can hopefully sit together. (Moon) I wish I could join you for another BJD reunion. Me too. Thinking optimistiaclly, we'll just have to make a date right now to meet up for the premiere of TEOR. Surely your DH won't mind knowing what a fan he is of ODB ;-). (winter) Book Soup may have her appear at the Bev. Hills library. The store's WAY too small. Ahhh, brings back fond memories of the last time we saw HF at the Nick Hornby book signing (not to mention John Cusack..... heart is still beating faster over that one.) Winter, we will miss you but hope you are enjoying your time in Indonesia."}, {"response": 816, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  5, 2002 (07:35)", "body": "From an item in THR about summer overseas releases, it mentioned BJD's total grosses at an \"astounding $278.2 million worldwide -- $206 million of which came from international markets.\" (UIP execs were hoping About A Boy will duplicate such results)"}, {"response": 817, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar  5, 2002 (08:35)", "body": "(UIP execs were hoping About A Boy will duplicate such results) I'm willing to put down a bet that it won't. The BJD trio will negotiate a hefty salary for TEOR. Lucky them!"}, {"response": 818, "author": "rachael", "date": "Tue, Mar  5, 2002 (12:19)", "body": "Saw the trailer for About a Boy last weekend - Huge looks better with short hair than floppy, IMO; trailer was very short and doesn't say much about the story. Released here 26th April"}, {"response": 819, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Mar  5, 2002 (13:20)", "body": "Have been a few stills released in a magazine, Hugh with baby, Hugh with child.. ... high grossing? We think not and we know not;-)"}, {"response": 820, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Mar  5, 2002 (14:43)", "body": "I loved the book, I think it will and can bring in the money. Rachel Weisz is becoming well-known in the states, and I think everyone (well everyone I know) really likes Toni Collette. As for Hugh, I think he'll play a great Will. They'll definitely target the female genre (i.e., most men griped about seeing BJD, but once they did, they really liked it because it wasn't a \"dumbed down\" chickflick, (a term I hate!); I definitely would like to see this. I think it'll be a great date movie! (now, I just have to find a guy I like....hmmmmm)"}, {"response": 821, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Mar  5, 2002 (15:44)", "body": "Great book I agree Laura, but the publicity and hype won't be generated to the same degree that BJD was here, caught the imagination long ago in the newspaper columns etc Could be a great date movie ..... loads of places to keep your eyes closed when HG is on too;-) Oops taking an affectionate swipe at the Gnat dies hard, especially on this topic. Plus it's always hard to cheer along a NH project that doesn't have ODB ( or the class of John Cussack) hee hee."}, {"response": 822, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Mar  6, 2002 (01:41)", "body": "This movie may be more popular in the States. I get the impression that here (in the UK)it is not only some of us diehard CF fans who a bit sceptical about HG. How else could Stephen Fry dare to raise a laugh about the Huge Grunt at the BAFTAs?"}, {"response": 823, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Mar  6, 2002 (15:03)", "body": "It will be interesting to see how successful the Nick Hornby/HG combination will be in the UK, and how the publicity fanfare compares with that for BJD. According to the Telegraph, Nick Hornby has just completed a screenplay, co-authored with Emma Thompson. It's a romantic comedy about two totally incompatible people (now there's an original concept!)"}, {"response": 824, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Sat, Mar  9, 2002 (18:21)", "body": "Since there isn't much Bridget news lately and I'm having a slow day, I thought I'd add this for all you BJD/Lord of the Rings fans: http://freespace.virgin.net/speedy.russell/myweb/thepurist/bridget_baggins_diary2.htm Anyone see the episode of Family Guy a few weeks ago that had a preview of Hugh's next movie? It was called \"What's My Appeal?\" and had a v. cute stammering cartoon Hugh. It was probably supposed to be insulting but I thought it was a compliment for him to be mentioned."}, {"response": 825, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar 10, 2002 (07:21)", "body": "(Bethan)According to the Telegraph, Nick Hornby has just completed a screenplay, co-authored with Emma Thompson. It's a romantic comedy about two totally incompatible people (now there's an original concept!) Fever Pitch"}, {"response": 826, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar 12, 2002 (10:34)", "body": "Found this blurb on \"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason\" at movies.com This sequel to Bridget Jones's Diary picks up four weeks after the end of the first film, when Bridget is trying to cope with living with another person and the arrival on the scene of Rebecca, a beautiful man-hunter."}, {"response": 827, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Mar 12, 2002 (11:23)", "body": "Hmmmm... wonder who will play Rebecca???? (and Mark and Bridge didn't live together!)"}, {"response": 828, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Mar 12, 2002 (11:36)", "body": "Wonder how movies.com got this scoop since script is tippy-top secret. :-/ (Laura) (and Mark and Bridge didn't live together!) Well, Mark and Daniel didn't beat eachother up in the book version of BJD either. You know how it is when books morph into movies. wonder who will play Rebecca? Ooh, is it time to have a guess-fest like we did with Bridget?"}, {"response": 829, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Mar 12, 2002 (14:35)", "body": "Well, Mark and Daniel didn't beat eachother up in the book version of BJD either. You know how it is when books morph into movies. ] true, but five weeks after dating??? how many people move in with each other after five weeks????? ] In regards to Rebecca she better be beautiful and bitchy!"}, {"response": 830, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 12, 2002 (16:38)", "body": "(movies.com) when Bridget is trying to cope with living with another person And we're jumping to the conclusion that it is Mark? Could be Gary. ;-D Wonder if I can run this one-liner past one of my sources for a confirmation of sorts..."}, {"response": 831, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Mar 12, 2002 (17:16)", "body": "And we're jumping to the conclusion that it is Mark? Could be Gary. ;-D ] I still say that HF blew that one out of the water. Gary could've been a good foil for Mark when he was with Rebecca. but noooooooooooo she had to make Gary out to be a stalker! Stupid git:)"}, {"response": 832, "author": "kattas", "date": "Wed, Mar 13, 2002 (06:13)", "body": "(Laura) I still say that HF blew that one out of the water. Gary could've been a good foil for Mark when he was with Rebecca. but noooooooooooo she had to make Gary out to be a stalker! Stupid git:) Interesting viewpoint. :-) Hmmm... I can just see it: Mark ditches Bridget and Bridget ditches Gary. Then Gary in retaliation, sends the bullet to Bridget. Yes, it would have worked. Wonder why HF had to do the Thailand thing? I remember thinking it was so out of place when I first read EOR."}, {"response": 833, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Mar 13, 2002 (18:11)", "body": "(Kat) she had to make Gary out to be a stalker! Stupid git:) I thought Gary sent her the bullet over her reporting him for leaving the hole in the wall and doing no work. No Thailand in that, I thought (though, indirectly, HF did the Thailand thing for Bridget to regain faith in her own abilities, and she reported Gary out of renewed self-esteem)."}, {"response": 834, "author": "kattas", "date": "Thu, Mar 14, 2002 (04:11)", "body": ""}, {"response": 835, "author": "kattas", "date": "Thu, Mar 14, 2002 (04:17)", "body": "(KJArt)I thought Gary sent her the bullet over her reporting him for leaving the hole in the wall and doing no work. No Thailand in that, I thought (though, indirectly, HF did the Thailand thing for Bridget to regain faith in her own abilities, and she reported Gary out of renewed self-esteem). (Sorry about hitting the key too soon there) Yes, you're right. I went back last night and re-read those passages as it'd been a while since I'd read the book. I dunno about the reason for the Thailand thing. If I remember corrretly, the EOR story columns in The Telegraph , Bridget doesn't go to Thailand, Mark dumps Bridget in front of her apartment building, and the three have a confrontation in the apartment. No mention of Gary or a bullet in that scene. Maybe that would have made EOR too short?"}, {"response": 836, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 14, 2002 (07:29)", "body": "(Kat) If I remember corrretly, the EOR story columns in The Telegraph, Bridget doesn't go to Thailand Actually, Bridget did go to Thailand and Mark did save her, but that happened while HF was still writing for the Independent. Quite a bit was changed though from the Telegraph columns for the book, especially as it concerned Gary."}, {"response": 837, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Thu, Mar 14, 2002 (23:15)", "body": "Just got back from the reading/Q&A/book signing for Helen Fielding\ufffds book Cause Celeb . It was fantastic, I really enjoyed myself \ufffd but he wasn\ufffdt there. As far as I could tell, there were no celebrities in sight. She read two excerpts from CC(Nadia - the model and the refugees, and meeting O\ufffdRourke for the first time) and one from The Edge of Reason (the bad haircut). Frantically trying to remember things, before my mind turns to mush \ufffd I asked her was the script finished? No, Andrew Davies was still writing it. He\ufffds wonderful at adaptations, and that he\ufffds very good about writing for Mark Darcy. She\ufffds good at Bridget and Richard Curtis is good at romantic comedy. Will there be a sequel to the EOR? No, she\ufffds currently writing something on the Caribbean \ufffd and that she\ufffds only page 4, but you never know \ufffd And has her roof been fixed? Yes, big smile of relief on her face, then she brings up Bridget\ufffds troubles with Gary and the hole in the wall. So I ask, Gary will be in the movie? Maybe \ufffd No one wants to commit until they\ufffdve seen the script. But shooting may begin this summer??? She did say jokingly that O\ufffdRourke\ufffds line of \ufffddirty bitch\ufffd was inspired by Hugh Grant. Would she like CC to be made into a movie, and who would play Rosie and O\ufffdRourke? It would be difficult as the story is set amidst famine, but if it was made into a movie, Russell Crowe. Will Bridget\ufffds interview with Colin Firth be in the movie? She\ufffdd like it to be in there \ufffd she said that CF should play himself in a beard and mustache??? About Daniel? She said that got in trouble for joking about having to make HG\ufffds part bigger. Who will play Rebecca? Gwyneth Paltrow? Cate Blanchett? She didn\ufffdt really answer so much as say that she was envious/annoyed? with women who could toss back their long beautiful hair. Will she be attending the Academy Awards? No, but she has been invited to a party. She didn\ufffdt say, but it must be the Miramax party. Some of the questions were stuff we\ufffdve already heard and read about. Like what was your reaction to the casting of RZ? Why did RZ have to put on weight, cause Bridget wasn\ufffdt fat? HF replied that she never said how tall Bridget was and that everyone thinks they\ufffdre fat anyway. If Cecilbee was at the Q&A, maybe you could add more information that I missed. And I wish I had made a list of questions to ask her and bought the book :("}, {"response": 838, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Fri, Mar 15, 2002 (01:01)", "body": "Remembered a few more anecdotes related to BJD and EOR \ufffd She was asked if she got to appear in the movie? No, but did you think she was the tall thin one? Who\ufffds going to direct? No one mentioned yet. Will she be participating in this one? Only if shooting will involve the trip to Thailand."}, {"response": 839, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Mar 15, 2002 (01:43)", "body": "Hurrah MArianne! Good sleuthing! Asked all the good questions too! Were you the one to ask about the roof? LOL..."}, {"response": 840, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 15, 2002 (07:01)", "body": "Excellent questions, Marianne. You really tried to nail her down. She seems to give real answers when the questioner knows her stuff, as you sure do. (We train well here!) The other, neophyte types get blown off with her usual soundbites. she said that CF should play himself in a beard and mustache??? Haven't we been saying that for ages? ;-D"}, {"response": 841, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Mar 15, 2002 (07:52)", "body": "Marianne, you asked great questions. One of our top \"CNN\" reporters, really :-)! (Marianne)I asked her was the script finished? No, Andrew Davies was still writing it. He\ufffds wonderful at adaptations, and that he\ufffds very good about writing for Mark Darcy. She\ufffds good at Bridget and Richard Curtis is good at romantic comedy. Interesting answer as to how each writer has a subject that he's best at. But there doesn't seem to be an expert writer for Daniel/Hugh! Maybe his part is not bigger after all or he can just get the leftover lines ;-). Well done, Marianne!"}, {"response": 842, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar 15, 2002 (08:28)", "body": "Thanks, Marianne. *clapclap* Capital! Capital! (Karen) She seems to give real answers when the questioner knows her stuff, as you sure do. (We train well here!) The other, neophyte types get blown off with her usual soundbites. Good point, v. true. We've taken the advanced course. ;-) IMO it's great that HF supplies new info when asked the right questions, even if it's a little vague. For example, it's good to know the script isn't finished at this point. It helps put newsie bits (such as that movies.com 'leak') in perspective. (Lora) But there doesn't seem to be an expert writer for Daniel/Hugh! Maybe his part is not bigger after all or he can just get the leftover lines ;-). Note HF's comment regarding that issue: (Marianne) She said that [they?] got in trouble for joking about having to make HG\ufffds part bigger. Aha! Ahahaha!"}, {"response": 843, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Fri, Mar 15, 2002 (08:34)", "body": "Thanks for all the praise, but I can't take all the credit for getting all the answers. There was one other lady there (Cecilbee???) who got the ball rolling by asking about HG's role, he is only in about 2 or 3 scenes, and some other good questions. HF's reply was that joke about making his part/piece bigger ... she just laughed and laughed, full of innuendo there."}, {"response": 844, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Mar 15, 2002 (09:09)", "body": "(Eileen)Note HF's comment regarding that issue: (Marianne) She said that [they?] got in trouble for joking about having to make HG\ufffds part bigger. Aha! Ahahaha! (Marianne)HF's reply was that joke about making his part/piece bigger ... she just laughed and laughed, full of innuendo there. Innuendo, exactly. Was it really a joke? Or is it now another comment to throw us off the path again? They seem to like to keep the well-trained ones guessing ;-). I just don't think HG will take a small part in this sequel. It will be an equal one or none at all. Remember how he said he counted the lines last time? (he said it with a winkie or did he? ;-))"}, {"response": 845, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 15, 2002 (09:17)", "body": "(Lora) But there doesn't seem to be an expert writer for Daniel/Hugh! I think it's safe to say that Richard Curtis takes care of Hugh. Coincidentally, this is on Empire's site today: As if Tony Blair didn\ufffdt have enough problems, now he's got a new Hugh Grant film to worry about. Grant will take the part of the Prime Minister in a new comedy penned by \ufffd surprise! - Richard Curtis. According to Grant, who said shooting would begin this autumn, Curtis will also direct the still-unnamed project. Grant, who is in New York filming his next rom-com with Sandra Bullock, spilled the beans during a taping session for US TV series Inside the Actors\ufffd Studio. 'To my horror,' he deadpanned, '[the script] was really good, which means I\ufffdll have to do it.' Presuming that what he said during the show, which is only screened in the US, wouldn't get back to Blightly, Grant was fairly harsh on his homeland when the show's host asked why English humour was so 'sublime'. 'You\ufffdve got to have something to be funny against...the average English person is in an agony of embarrassment 24 hours a day. It's the awfulness of being English.' The session ended with a personality-based round of questions during which Grant revealed that he hopes God is a luvvie. Asked if he did eventually make it to the Pearly Gates, what he would want to hear from the Supreme Being, Grant replied; 'Fabulous, darling!'"}, {"response": 846, "author": "odessa", "date": "Fri, Mar 15, 2002 (09:53)", "body": "just something that was on newspaper today... (my translation, see the book cover here: DISCOVERY: BRIDGET JONES`S LEGS Did you think that those legs on the cover of Bridget Jones`s Diary belong to some professional model or RZ who plays Bridget in the movie? Wrong! The legs on the cover of Finnish version belong to Leena Fyrqvist, 26 year-old day nursery assistant. About 4 years ago she had a summer job at her aunt`s shop. One day, someone from the opposite photo shop came and asked her to borrow her legs. BJ wasn`t yet a world famous singelton, but Leena agreed right away. \"I laughed with my friends that they wanted my legs! I never have had thin legs!\" A couple of years ago Leena`s legs were borrowed again, to the cover of the sequel. You could think that her legs have become famous. But no: \"Nobody has recognized them yet!\""}, {"response": 847, "author": "odessa", "date": "Fri, Mar 15, 2002 (09:54)", "body": "so the link wasn`t working :( http://www.booknet.fi/kirjat1998/luokat/03/03.0302.html"}, {"response": 848, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar 15, 2002 (13:49)", "body": "Well done, Marianne! This is the first time we get better answers from HF. Thank you! (Lora) But there doesn't seem to be an expert writer for Daniel/Hugh! (Karen), I think it's safe to say that Richard Curtis takes care of Hugh. So I ask, Gary will be in the movie? Maybe \ufffd Maybe HG will play Gary with a beard and a mustache. ;-) what he would want to hear from the Supreme Being, Grant replied; 'Fabulous, darling!' I guess he's not tired of that line. As if Tony Blair didn\ufffdt have enough problems, now he's got a new Hugh Grant film to worry about. Grant will take the part of the Prime Minister in a new comedy penned by \ufffd surprise! - Richard Curtis. Wasn't this role talked about in the press for Colin? Maybe this was something Colin was waiting for, thinking, I've worked with RC, we are on good terms, etc. etc. Now Hugh gets the part. (picture Big Sucker here)"}, {"response": 849, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Mar 15, 2002 (14:45)", "body": "What a lot of information. Good memory. Thanks Marianne! How much fun that must have been to be part of the evening. And, I concur, your questions were well thought out and got excellent responses."}, {"response": 850, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Mar 18, 2002 (09:45)", "body": "Bridget made the front cover of Romantic Times this month!! almost fell over in shock when i saw it (had insane, mind-numbing hope that HF had slipped a 3rd BJ to the publisher w/o us knowing about it, before sanity returned) -normally RT only puts new releases on the front, but there was BJD headlining for a feature on \"Chick Lit\" a new genre of woman's literature. Article sighted HF as leading the 'new' craze, list other authors who have similar styles. Only one i personally think comes close to being as enjoyable as HF is Jenny Colgan (Amanda's Wedding/Talking with Addison) -But there is a list of 'like reads' listed, for any one who's interested."}, {"response": 851, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 18, 2002 (14:44)", "body": "(Moon) Wasn't this role talked about in the press for Colin? Not the same production. The other one was to be developed by the BBC as more of an \"inside politics\" type thing. Can't seem to find the article in my Rumor/No-Go file..."}, {"response": 852, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Mar 20, 2002 (10:20)", "body": "Great questions, Marianne and co-questioner. Fantastic work to catch HF on the hop before she's got her soundbites down pat, as Karen remarks. Wonder how many times we'll hear the \"beard and moustache\" line from here on in? I'm still wondering whether HG will make the film at all. Taking Mari's smart read on the previous story as pure HG publicity (begging for a role), maybe they're following the book and leaving him out. In which case I'd still love to see Liz Hurley given a shot at Rebecca (just for the in-joke, not the acting talent)."}, {"response": 853, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 20, 2002 (10:36)", "body": "(Mark) In which case I'd still love to see Liz Hurley given a shot at Rebecca (just for the in-joke, not the acting talent). Actually, I think she would be v.g. in the role. She looks the part and can do the right attitude. I saw her in that devil role (hey, it was on TV!) and she's could be a formidable Rebecca, one that could make RZ's Bridget easily feel inadequate."}, {"response": 854, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 20, 2002 (11:00)", "body": "she could be a formidable Rebecca, one that could make RZ's Bridget easily feel inadequate. Especially if she wears those tight Versace dresses she's so very fond of."}, {"response": 855, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Mar 20, 2002 (12:39)", "body": "um, but one thing you guys are neglecting??? She's preggers!!!! :)"}, {"response": 856, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Mar 20, 2002 (13:13)", "body": "(Laura) She's preggers! EoR won't shoot for months and months. Surely she'll have the baby by then...unless she's expecting an elephant. :-P"}, {"response": 857, "author": "kattas", "date": "Wed, Mar 20, 2002 (15:16)", "body": "(Eileen) EoR won't shoot for months and months. Surely she'll have the baby by then...unless she's expecting an elephant. :-P Just looked her up on Internet Movie Database and the baby's due 02 April, so there's plenty of time."}, {"response": 858, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Mar 20, 2002 (20:22)", "body": "Yeah, but one who has had a baby, doesn't necessarily mean that kid is coming on 02 April....:)"}, {"response": 859, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar 20, 2002 (20:31)", "body": "unless she's expecting an elephant. :-P Judging by the looks of Bing-Laden, she's delivering a Baby Huey. ;-) Sorry, but that guy is a pig. I feel bad for Liz, but she's really shown some grace and guts throughout this, IMO. Would love to see her as Rebecca. Mark, nice to hear from you!:-)"}, {"response": 860, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Mar 21, 2002 (06:38)", "body": "Are there any pix of a pregnant Liz??? I haven't seen any."}, {"response": 861, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar 21, 2002 (06:38)", "body": "(Mari), I feel bad for Liz, Please! If anyone could turn the phrase dumb blond into dumb brunette, she's the one."}, {"response": 862, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 22, 2002 (06:47)", "body": "Ah, Moon, you know what a softie I am. ;-) Nice article in today's New York Post: WHY ZELLWEGER DESERVES THE OSCAR By JONATHAN FOREMAN -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- March 22, 2002 -- IT'S infuriating but true: Ren\ufffde Zellweger has almost no chance of winning the Oscar for Best Actress. In fact, she was lucky to have been nominated at all for \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" given the Motion Picture Academy's strange allergy to comedic performances. Still, if there were any justice in these things, the plucky young Texan will be taking home a statuette on Sunday night. Because with the possible exception of Judi Dench's turn as Iris, Zellweger's performance as the bouncy, awkwardly endearing British \"singleton\" was simply a far more impressive achievement than any of the others nominated. It's not than any of them were bad - though Nicole Kidman does very little actual acting in \"Moulin Rouge.\" It's just that in an age when the standard of Hollywood acting is so much higher than the standard of Hollywood writing, you expect competent professional performances in roles that don't require tremendous skill or effort. In \"In the Bedroom,\" Sissy Spacek, who continues to be the favorite (though Halle Berry is surging), was fine in what was really a supporting role. All she had to do was look like she was bottling up her rage at the loss of her son and at one point shout at Tom Wilkinson. There wasn't much else to her character. Berry's role in \"Monsters' Ball\" was more demanding and certainly showier: This preternaturally gorgeous actress was required to weep, shout, sulk and writhe around half-naked with Billy Bob Thornton. But - and it wasn't her fault that the screenplay was so clunky and clich\ufffd-ridden - there was no subtlety or nuance in the role. She carried out what was required of her with the competence you would expect from the star of TV's \"Introducing Dorothy Dandridge\" but no more. Zellweger was more than competent as \"Bridget.\" She was terrific. It wasn't just that she took the risk incredibly rare among Hollywood actresses of allowing herself to appear much less conventionally attractive than in real life by packing on the pounds. Nor was it just that she caught a specific foreign accent more precisely than any technician since Meryl Streep in \"Sophie's Choice\" (as someone educated in the U.K., I can attest to its perfection.) She did all these things and, at the same time, transformed a comic persona - one miles away from any character she'd attempted before - into a real, believable, wholly winsome person. Comedy is really, really difficult to do well, as anyone can tell from the vast numbers of failed comic exercises that come out of Hollywood. And it's absurd and unfair that those who pull it off, like Ren\ufffde Zellweger, should so often come second to actors playing heart-tugging, afflicted characters."}, {"response": 863, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar 22, 2002 (08:23)", "body": "Comedy is really, really difficult to do well, as anyone can tell from the vast numbers of failed comic exercises that come out of Hollywood. And it's absurd and unfair that those who pull it off, like Ren\ufffde Zellweger, should so often come second to actors playing heart-tugging, afflicted characters. Words of wisdom. Thanks, Mari!"}, {"response": 864, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Mar 22, 2002 (08:34)", "body": "Very good article, Mari, thanks for sharing it. The writer is so right. Those are my sentiments exactly. Wish the voters appreciated and understood what she accomplished. I think they will vote for the spectacular display of Nicole and MR instead. Hollywood seems to be more impressed with that, and lets face it many of them are voters :-(."}, {"response": 865, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 22, 2002 (08:52)", "body": "If that journo wanted to have any impact, this article should've been printed WEEKS ago!! Then, it could've been used by Miramorons to spearhead some kind of publicity campaign. There are so many accurate statements about the other actors' performances that it might have served to instill a little guilt in Academy voters minds about their propensity to go for the showier, dramatic performances. To wit: Nicole Kidman does very little actual acting in \"Moulin Rouge True. Berry's role in \"Monsters' Ball\" was more demanding and certainly showier...But...there was no subtlety or nuance in the role. Precisely."}, {"response": 866, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar 22, 2002 (09:19)", "body": "Ditto, ditto, thanks for sharing, Mari. RZ's nom doesn't even get mentioned in many of the Oscar run-up speculation shows. :-/ That aside, I find myself v.v. disgruntled about the Oscars. Am sure this cr*p goes on every year (though those in the know say the campaigning has reached an all time high) but...unless Congress passes an Oscar campaign reform bill along with the other campaign reform bill (quick! Get McCain on the phone) things will only get worse. I haven't seen many of the films so I won't be making any guesses myself. Regardless, I will be glued to the set on Sunday. Can't wait to see what Steve Cojo (whatever his name is) is wearing. Anyone else think he's getting to look more and more like Michael Jackson?"}, {"response": 867, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar 22, 2002 (09:38)", "body": "LOL, Eileen! Reforms are needed in so many places. I don't know who Steve Cojo is. ( Karen), To wit: Nicole Kidman does very little actual acting in \"Moulin Rouge True. Berry's role in \"Monsters' Ball\" was more demanding and certainly showier...But...there was no subtlety or nuance in the role. Precisely. And what he says about Sissy is spot on. Don't be blinded by the melodrama of ITB."}, {"response": 868, "author": "Becka", "date": "Fri, Mar 22, 2002 (12:05)", "body": "I want to kiss Jonathan Foreman! Perfect! Wonder what the NK lovers are going to say when I post this at Gold Derby! ;-) ;-P"}, {"response": 869, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 22, 2002 (12:22)", "body": "Am I the only one who thinks Renee has a chance? They're chumps if they rubber stamp the other awards.Surprise the audience."}, {"response": 870, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Mar 22, 2002 (13:40)", "body": "I wish I could make myself believe Renee has a prayer - at least she'll have mine."}, {"response": 871, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, Mar 22, 2002 (15:38)", "body": "And we know who we'd vote for \"best extra\" ;-)"}, {"response": 872, "author": "kattas", "date": "Fri, Mar 22, 2002 (15:40)", "body": "(Mark G.) I wish I could make myself believe Renee has a prayer - at least she'll have mine And mine as well. However with a family who worked Hollywood (my Dad was in PR and my mum was in film processing in Techincolour for many years) I can tell you the members of the Academy vote on pure sentiment and not on merit. I haven't watched the Oscars in many years but I intend to look out for the Best Actress award, and keep my fingers crossed for Renee. :-)"}, {"response": 873, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 22, 2002 (16:49)", "body": "Let me tell you...no one thought Jennifer had a prayer for the Tony two years ago. If you see the tape, Cherry Jones was primping her hair getting ready to go on stage for her award....when Matthew Broderick called out Jenn's name I nearly fell off the chair. Karen and I (on the phone) whooped and hollered. The audience surprise was audible. There's always hope."}, {"response": 874, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Mar 22, 2002 (16:58)", "body": "It's so ironic that comedy has always been spoken of by those in the business as the hardest to do and get right. How many quotes have I heard from actors and others about this? Yet, they seem to be reluctant to recognize a superb comedy performance at awards time. Still, RZ was nominated. That's something I suppose and while I haven't seem any of the other performances, hers was v. good! And, between the male and female actor/supporting actor catagories, the females are the ones that seem to have more surprises when the envelopes are opened. Keep fingers crossed. Toes too! :)"}, {"response": 875, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, Mar 23, 2002 (06:35)", "body": "With all this talk of Renee deserving her Oscar (gets my vote) , thought I'd share with you all our very own BJD tour which took place last weekend, and believe me we prayed for you Renee every step of the way!! We went to Borough market and were lucky enough to encounter a film crew there, so gave us a feel of what it would have been like when the real thing was happening.......! That's the bit she wanders thro' dejected and sobbing in her bunny girl outfit (should there be anyone reading this who didn't know ;-) ) We also stood outside Bridget's flat and the antiques shop which doubles as the Greek Restaurant is right across the street. Among our group we were lucky enough to have someone with a talent for can ferreting out people who know ODB, and we were fortunate to meet a lovely lady who was part of the BJD crew. She said Colin was a lovely man, charming etc and great to work with , as was Renee , who was delightful. It had been a great experience to work on the film , lots of fun etc, she couldn't praise ODB enough. It was generous of her to spare so much time to talk to us as she was working with a film crew and took time out for us."}, {"response": 876, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, Mar 23, 2002 (06:41)", "body": "From there we passed the spot where MD walks , jacket over shoulder after the fight and then went to the \"diary shop\" and the street corner of the final scene. Our contact told us that filming outside had been very difficult, with limited time to do so and therefore a lot had been shot in the studio. It was a great way to spend a few hours in London. Thanks to our favourite BJD extra for directional assistance and to that blonde bombshell for making it happen ;-) Way to go Renee!"}, {"response": 877, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 23, 2002 (10:08)", "body": "LOL.For anyone going to London...it's a fun tour. Thanks Lizza . BTW we toasted \"absent friends\"."}, {"response": 878, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Mon, Mar 25, 2002 (21:07)", "body": "HF is having another discussion/book signing for her book tomorrow. Are there any questions you might have for her?"}, {"response": 879, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Mar 26, 2002 (06:53)", "body": "Where is the signing going to be held?"}, {"response": 880, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Tue, Mar 26, 2002 (09:32)", "body": "oops sorry, Barnes & Noble in Encino, CA, 7:30 pm"}, {"response": 881, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 26, 2002 (10:50)", "body": "Marianne, you are an expert and know exactly what we want to know, the thing is to trick her into committing to an answer. ;-) Looking forward to your report."}, {"response": 882, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 26, 2002 (10:54)", "body": "OK, Marianne, ask Helen if she'd like to test out her new book on a group of very intelligent readers? Focus group type stuff."}, {"response": 883, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Mar 26, 2002 (13:24)", "body": "(Karen) ask Helen if she'd like to test out her new book on a group of very intelligent readers? Focus group type stuff LoL - excellent idea Karen!! i'll volunteer :-)"}, {"response": 884, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Wed, Mar 27, 2002 (15:38)", "body": "Sorry for the delay ... I eavesdropped on a conversation before HF arrived, and it went like this: BJD, the movie is nothing like the book, the book is about Bridget and HG. [Ugh!] I wish I had something new to report \ufffd but it was the same excerpts and quips as before. There was lots of laughter, sometimes drowning out HF, except when she read the part about western women being thin and dressing like refugees. [Was I the only one who wanted to giggle? You had to be there.] This time I took notes \ufffd cause I couldn\ufffdt think of anything to ask. \ufffd BJD was inspired by Jane Austen\ufffds \ufffdPride & Prejudice.\ufffd The program was very popular in England. HF asked the audience if they\ufffdve seen it? Very few have [I guess A&E is not available in Encino]. \ufffd How did she get started? She was always writing. She worked at a newspaper, and wrote an article about the Squidgeygate scandal [Princess Diana\ufffds affair w/ James Gilbey]. She quit when her copy was changed. She met JG a few weeks later at a party, was about to apologize, when he said that he liked the story \ufffd \ufffda bloody good article!\ufffd \ufffd Did she have a choice in the CF/HG/RZ? She insisted on CF, but stood back on the casting of Bridget. \ufffd Is RZ how she pictured Bridget? Her Bridget looks like the cover of the British book, and she finally met her the premiere. \ufffd Her next book will be like CC \ufffd broader canvas. It\ufffds coming along, but another story may crop up. She spent 5 hours on it today. It\ufffds set in L.A., about Hollywood. She went to a Hollywood party a few days ago, hosted by Brian??? She politely asked the person next to her how he knew Brian. His nervous reply was, WHY do you want to know? \ufffd WHO are you? [It was terribly funny.] All she could think was ka-ching. \ufffd Does she have any rituals? She does a lot of rewriting, making up, taking notes and writing dialogue. \ufffd What was the reception of BJD? Big in the UK, but was warned not to try the US. It turned out well. She also spoke about a complaint about BJD not being a good role model, her reply was that her first book was about famine relief and nobody read it. \ufffd Will the CF interview be in the movie? Don\ufffdt know, but he should play it with beard and mustache. Although he does have \ufffdan attractive younger brother.\ufffd \ufffd Bridget\ufffds mum is like her mum in some ways. She spoke about her mum and her question [to the accountant/taxman?] \ufffdDo you know to make a brioche? \ufffd [My favorite] Who is your MD and does he mind your writing about him? MD has always been CF. She said that she knows him well \ufffd socially. When she sees him with his wife, she wants to say, [hope I quote this correctly and the way she said it \ufffd conceding but not gracefully] \ufffdOk, you can have him.\ufffd \ufffd When does she know she\ufffds done? When it\ufffds on sale \ufffd explained that she knows she can always rewrite stuff and push deadlines back. \ufffd BJD was primarily cut and paste. She laid out her columns and matched it up with the P&P plot. \ufffd Any favorite characters? She doesn\ufffdt really think they\ufffdre funny as she\ufffds doing them. \ufffd What does she think of the movie? Relieved. She came and went during the script process. She did the first draft, then Andrew Davies \ufffd who did P&P [no reaction], then Richard Curtis \ufffd who did FW&AF [lots of ahhs]. \ufffd What did she think of RZ? Fantastic. They were furious in the UK, but since then, no complaints. \ufffd She was an English major at Oxford, but she can\ufffdt spell or correct her punctuation. She always wanted to be a writer. She talked about being \ufffdFires of Zanzibar\ufffd being rejected by Mills & Boon. But she\ufffds been vindicated cause Mills & Boon is trying the BJD format now. \ufffd The book she was trying to write prior to BJD is about the Caribbean cultural divide, cash customers vs. poor hotel workers. \ufffd She didn\ufffdt attend the Oscars. But she did go to the Vanity Fair party. Her invitation said if she was going solo, to go at 11, if as a couple, then 12. She loved it. Celebrity watching is like being in a safari. I did actually ask something at the very end \ufffd why wasn\ufffdt she on the dvd commentary? It was only Sharon Maguire. She said she did record something for the dvd. [I\ufffdm turning red and am confused.] Then she said if must have been the day she had an awful haircut, and that\ufffds all she could concentrate on. [Still confused.] Of course, she\ufffds only the writer, not really important. I purchased CC so she could autograph it and I could ask 2 other questions. She kept munching on M&M\ufffds as she signed books and dvd\ufffds. How about Elizabeth Hurley for Rebecca? She made polite noises as if considering it, then said she can toss her hair. Then I made the big mistake of saying that EH would have been perfect for Lara/Suki. She looked at me. I told her Lisa Barbuscia played her in the movie. HF: that was Natasha. Me: umm, no that was Embeth Davidtz. [Really quiet all around, and the sales assistant was giving me a really strange look]. I decided to end it there, thanked her for the signed book and made a hasty exit."}, {"response": 885, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 27, 2002 (21:11)", "body": "No flies on you, Marianne. I suppose one tall, thin woman with baby giraffe legs looks like another. Per all the entertainment shows, the Vanity Fair party is the hardest one to get invited to. Interesting about arrival times. Wonder why? Are all singles supposed to pair up in the first hour so they don't hit on the group with dates and/or spouses or both? ;-D HF asked the audience if they\ufffdve seen it? Very few have [I guess A&E is not available in Encino]. LOL! Am amazed the same people actually made it to a bookstore. Was this at a mall? ;-D Don't think Livia has anything to worry about... *snort* You done good."}, {"response": 886, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar 28, 2002 (07:51)", "body": "Great report, Marianne--thanks! I have one question: the movie is nothing like the book, the book is about Bridget and HG. Was she talking about the first movie or the sequel? I thought Daniel Cleaver was barely in the 2nd book. Did she mean--gasp--that the 2nd movie is all about Cleaver? *Shudder* HF: that was Natasha. Me: umm, no that was Embeth Davidtz. [Really quiet all around, and the sales assistant was giving me a really strange look]. I decided to end it there, thanked her for the signed book and made a hasty exit. LOL! Ya gotta know when to hold, and know when to fold.;-) Well done, M, and great anecdotes!:-)"}, {"response": 887, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar 28, 2002 (08:50)", "body": "Thanks, Marianne!"}, {"response": 888, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Thu, Mar 28, 2002 (20:31)", "body": "Mari: Was she talking about the first movie or the sequel? the first movie"}, {"response": 889, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Mar 31, 2002 (17:23)", "body": "Marianne, thanks for the great report on meeting HF again. So sorry I didn't read about it until this weekend or I would have gone with you. I can't believe that HF came all the way to my neck of the woods and I missed seeing her. (Marianne) The program was very popular in England. HF asked the audience if they\ufffdve seen it? Very few have [I guess A&E is not available in Encino] LOL! Well, it is the home of the Valley girls after all ;-)."}, {"response": 890, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr  1, 2002 (07:16)", "body": "Again, meaningless stuff, considering its source...but from an interview with the Huge Gnat promoting AAB: At the Polish Club, we order beers with Bison Vodka chasers. I ask if he is going to do the sequel to Bridget Jones's Diary, as rumoured. He says only if he would be letting everyone else down by not doing it. 'I certainly don't want to do it, to be absolutely honest; it's like getting back into wet swimming trunks. And I'm not sure Ren\ufffde is ever going to pile on those pounds again.' http://film.guardian.co.uk/interview/interviewpages/0,6737,676459,00.html"}, {"response": 891, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr  1, 2002 (09:54)", "body": "\"Even if I don't really fancy the actress, I always get a stirring\" ROTF. Thanks Karen..hilarious interview. He's a clever guy, found his niche as an actor and ran with it."}, {"response": 892, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr  1, 2002 (13:59)", "body": "I do frequently fancy the girls I'm working with, particularly if I have to snog them. There's something so fabulous about two strangers being made to kiss. I think being on set is a very sexy atmosphere. Extremely sexy. Even if I don't really fancy the actress, I always get a stirring.' LOL! Somehow, I don't see the chemistry between him and Sandra Bullock. I wonder if that happens to other actors. (Maybe that's why our married DB had become such a prude. ;-) Thanks for posting that, Karen. It's 4pm by me and I have been celebrating my wedding anniversary (one champagne bottle down) :-) Well, we had a flourless chocolate cake with the kids at snack time and you know how well champagne and chocolate mix. ;-)"}, {"response": 893, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr  1, 2002 (17:49)", "body": "'I certainly don't want to do it, to be absolutely honest; it's like getting back into wet swimming trunks. I can understand that. It's not *the* starring role and why repeat yourself? Unless there's nothing better on offer. ;-) Reading this article reminds me that I saw Jamie Grant, Huge's bro, at our office last week. He has, as my mother used to say, A Big Job, with a New York investment banking firm whose name I won't reveal other than to say it begins with the letters Goldman-Sachs. ;-) He's much darker than Huge, very nice looking, and apparently very well-regarded in that biz."}, {"response": 894, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr  2, 2002 (07:49)", "body": "I would bet none of them want to do EOR; despite the fact that CF has said he \"loves Bridget\" and would do it depending on the script.Sequels are seldom as dynamic as the original. Renee seems to be branching out into more dramatic roles and Hugh always has a slew of offerings."}, {"response": 895, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr  2, 2002 (08:09)", "body": "Very true about sequels, although there are a few exceptions where the sequel was better than the original (Godfather and Babe) or at least as good. I noticed you didn't say what CF has been up to. ;-D"}, {"response": 896, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr  2, 2002 (10:57)", "body": "(Karen) I noticed you didn't say what CF has been up to. ;-D *snort* Don't ask me. Ask Fortunato ;-))"}, {"response": 897, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Apr  2, 2002 (13:10)", "body": "ROTF! It is bad news for CF if there is no TEOR. The other two will not be affected."}, {"response": 898, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Apr  2, 2002 (13:59)", "body": "Neither RZ and HG \"need\" TEOR....I'm hoping that TIOBE and \"Hope Springs\" will boost CF so he doesn't \"need\" it either.....but I still hope they'll do it. It will be interesting to see how \"About a boy\" fares. Promotion has already started in the UK, and it's very much a HG vehicle, without the advantage of a major leading lady. I don't think UK audiences will be queueing up. To be honest, the main theme (rich 40-ish immature playboy type hangs out with 12 year old boy) has never really struck me as particularly \"real\". If AOB isn't wildly successful, HG may be less sniffy about TEOR ( and don't forget he was the only cast member to be honoured with a share of the profits for BJD...a very nice little earner, thank you!!). Yes, I agree that HG and RZ are forging ahead regardless...and what has Mr Firth on offer, I wonder?! Hardly any films are being made in the UK at the moment, so if he's missed (or turned down) the Hollywood boat, theatre seems to be the most obvious (only?) option. Cate Blanchett is reported to be playing Sylvia Plath in the BBC film. Keeping my fingers crossed that they go for a bone fide Yorkshireman fot Ted Hughes (Firth is a West Yorkshire name). Also, just to cheer you up (!) a French site has Maid of Buttermere (\"avec Colin Firth\") scheduled for release in France in 2005!!"}, {"response": 899, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Apr  2, 2002 (14:17)", "body": "(Bethan) Hardly any films are being made in the UK at the moment Why is that? just to cheer you up (!) a French site has Maid of Buttermere (\"avec Colin Firth\") scheduled for release in France in 2005!! Oh, not that old warhorse...;-) Funny that it's 'scheduled for release' when the darn thing seems to be having so much difficulty getting made."}, {"response": 900, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr  2, 2002 (15:46)", "body": "(Bethan)just to cheer you up (!) a French site has Maid of Buttermere (\"avec Colin Firth\") scheduled for release in France in 2005! Not exactly the bounce we were especting after BJD. Anybody check the Italian websites;-)"}, {"response": 901, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr  2, 2002 (16:25)", "body": "LOL!"}, {"response": 902, "author": "mariel", "date": "Wed, Apr  3, 2002 (09:13)", "body": "I just found this from Sky News , and I don't think it's been posted: \"Hugh Grant plans to quit acting - because the pressure of performing is \"torture\". Grant told the Daily Express he hopes to retire in 2004 - the 10th anniversary of Four Weddings and a Funeral, which propelled him to stardom. \" I think 10 years would be a good time to finish, and it's eight now, so I'd only have to make one or two more films,\" he said. The 41-year-old star said he is overcome with fear whenever he steps in front of a camera. 'It's torture' \"For me it's physiological. The pressure's so great. It's torture. It's been like that for years and it's getting worse.\" Grant said when he gives up his acting career he intends to: \"have a relationship, have some children, write my book, make my own film, stop faffing around.\" I hope it was just an April's Fool Joke"}, {"response": 903, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  3, 2002 (09:52)", "body": "If this were true (and not something taken completely out of context), it would be bad...because???? ;-D"}, {"response": 904, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr  3, 2002 (10:07)", "body": "Huge has been \"threatening\" that for as long as I can remember. Take with a large grain of salt. Cate Blanchett is reported to be playing Sylvia Plath in the BBC film. So, Gwynnie is out of the picture? Well, Cate would be a good choice, too, but she seems to have a rather full dance card these days. (\"avec Colin Firth\") scheduled for release in France in 2005!! At this rate, it will be Grandmaman of Buttermere. ;-)"}, {"response": 905, "author": "mariel", "date": "Wed, Apr  3, 2002 (10:22)", "body": "If this were true (and not something taken completely out of context), it would be bad...because???? ;-D Hehee. For some of us though, there was Hugh before there was Colin ;)"}, {"response": 906, "author": "AnnieZ", "date": "Wed, Apr  3, 2002 (11:18)", "body": "(Megan) For some of us though, there was Hugh before there was Colin ;) But I thought they were born in the same month of the same year ;-O just have to say it out loud"}, {"response": 907, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Apr  3, 2002 (12:42)", "body": "\"About a boy\" will be released in the UK in a couple of weeks. Great timing! \"Hugh to quit\" \"'I've had enough' says tortured Hugh\" \"'Why I want a baby' by Hugh Grant\"....the tabloids will love it!"}, {"response": 908, "author": "mariel", "date": "Wed, Apr  3, 2002 (13:45)", "body": "\"Hugh to quit\" \"'I've had enough' says tortured Hugh\" \"'Why I want a baby' by Hugh Grant\"....the tabloids will love it! Hehee. Problably they'll be so estatic about the wanting a family bit, that immediatly the press will pair Liz and Hugh back together."}, {"response": 909, "author": "caribou", "date": "Wed, Apr  3, 2002 (14:03)", "body": "I just came back from visiting www.tiffany.com. Am I the last person on the planet to realize that Bridget's necklace can be ordered so easily? It's called the Elsa Perreti Open Heart Pendant and costs $110. I think Bridget's was the 1\" medium on a 18\" chain in sterling silver. It's even cooler when I think that CF (in the character of Charles Gould) mentions Tiffany silver."}, {"response": 910, "author": "mariel", "date": "Wed, Apr  3, 2002 (14:34)", "body": "(Caribou) I just came back from visiting www.tiffany.com. Am I the last person on the planet to realize that Bridget's necklace can be ordered so easily? It's called the Elsa Perreti Open Heart Pendant and costs $110. I think Bridget's was the 1\" medium on a 18\" chain in sterling silver. From experience, I know it's not the Elsa Perreti Open Heart 1\". I ordered the Medium (7/8 of an inch) for my birthday (sweet 16 today, yay!) thinking it was the one Bridget had. When I recived it last week though, the heart was much MUCH larger than her's. I've sent it back for the small, which should be the size Bridget has. Also, if any one has seen The American Embassy on Fox Monday nights, it looks like the main character also has the 'Bridget' necklace, if I'm not mistaken."}, {"response": 911, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Apr  4, 2002 (08:37)", "body": "Sterling silver for $110?? Yikes! Here's what you're paying for: T-i-f-f-a-n-y. Hmmm. Must rifle through my jewelery box. This type of necklace was quite popular in the '70s or '80s."}, {"response": 912, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Apr  4, 2002 (10:57)", "body": "Your right, Eileen. That heart necklace has been around for decades. I was surprised to see it on Bridget as films usually promote new trinkets. Happy Birthday Megan!"}, {"response": 913, "author": "caribou", "date": "Thu, Apr  4, 2002 (11:03)", "body": "(Eileen) This type of necklace was quite popular in the '70s or '80s. It's possible that this is the necklace that started that trend and it has either never left the Tiffany offerings or was discontinued and recently brought back. Tiffany also features designs by Picasso's daughter and Louis Comfort Tiffany (widely known for the lamps) both of which seem to be from years ago. Megan, let me know what you think of the small. I saw one and it looked very small and the large is very large."}, {"response": 914, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Apr  4, 2002 (11:43)", "body": "(Moon) I was surprised to see it on Bridget as films usually promote new trinkets. Think it was meant to be symbolic (dangling heart, get it?). Bet they didn't lay down 110 clams... ;-)"}, {"response": 915, "author": "mariel", "date": "Thu, Apr  4, 2002 (19:29)", "body": "(Caribou) Megan, let me know what you think of the small. I saw one and it looked very small and the large is very large. My friend has the small one, and I agree that it looks smaller than Bridget's, which is why I went for the medium, but there's no doubt in my mind that the medium is too large. (Eileen)Think it was meant to be symbolic (dangling heart, get it?). Bet they didn't lay down 110 clams...;-) At the InStyle website they said they chose the heart because it looked like something she would have gotten for her 21st birthday, and was symbolic of Bridget's romantic fantasies."}, {"response": 916, "author": "caribou", "date": "Fri, Apr  5, 2002 (14:12)", "body": "(Eileen) Think it was meant to be symbolic (dangling heart, get it?). The necklace's name is the Open Heart Pendant - which would fit Bridget: single, looking for love with a open heart. I love touches like that in movies. The only other heart I've seen in BJD is the red, heart-shaped pillow on her couch. I love that - wish they had done more. Thanks, Megan."}, {"response": 917, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Apr  5, 2002 (19:23)", "body": "There was a post today at Dregston on the Pant Board referring to a quote by RZ at the Oscars about the BDJ sequel and how excited she was to be working with a certain co-star, the implcation being CF. I went to the link and scanned the column and, of course found nothing. Here it is for anyone who can find it! http://www.eonline.com/Gossip/index.html?fdnavgos"}, {"response": 918, "author": "mariel", "date": "Sat, Apr  6, 2002 (12:03)", "body": "I didn't see anything on the page you gave, but I did find this bit about Renee talking about the sequel in last weeks's The Awful Truth: \"Ren\ufffde Zellweger, looking very grown up (and very un-Bridget Jones in her too-together Carolina Herrera strapless satin), announced: \"You guys are crazy!\" I think the purty Texan had finally had enough of the on-the-record roundup, which included, interestingly enough, eager proclamations to do the Jones sequel, something she had not been as hyped about last time we chatted, thanks to cold 'n' dreary London weather.\" Could that possibly be it?"}, {"response": 919, "author": "mariel", "date": "Sat, Apr  6, 2002 (12:18)", "body": "Shoot. Forget the end tag."}, {"response": 920, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr  6, 2002 (12:41)", "body": "I wouldn't believe *anything* in a Ted Casablanca column, and now they've got him in person on E! News Daily."}, {"response": 921, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr 11, 2002 (05:25)", "body": "In Marilyn Beck's column today: April 11, 2002 Dear Marilyn: Are there any plans to do the sequel to Bridget Jones's Diary, Bridget Jones: Edge of Reason? If so, will it be the same cast? Krista, Lexington, New York Dear Krista: Working Title Films, the company that produced Bridget Jones's Diary, does have the rights to Helen Fielding's follow-up, Bridget Jones: Edge of Reason. And there has been talk that they plan to make a big-screen production of the latter novel. However, that is still a long way off, and none of the original cast members--Ren\ufffde Zellweger, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth--have been signed. Fielding, who created the role of Bridget's uptight lover, Mark Darcy, specifically for Firth, has made it clear she'd love him to return for the sequel."}, {"response": 922, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 11, 2002 (07:00)", "body": "I'd say her answer covered all the relevant points, Mari, except perhaps that they have at least one draft of a script, possibly more by this time. ******** Something to put into your \"Visit England\" files: A new website has been launched offering film fans the chance to visit movie locations by rail. The site features more than 100 classic movie locations, and encourages travellers to use the railways to visit them. The locations includes settings from Goldeneye, Gladiator, Brief Encounter, Harry Potter and Bridget Jones's Diary. www.reeltorail.co.uk has been launched by the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC). It was launched by Pierce Brosnan's stunt double, Douglas James. A spokesman said: \"Reel to Rail offers you the chance to retrace the steps of your favourite film stars. \"Using the UK's extensive rail network gives you access to Britain's top film locations. With on-line ticketing and travel advice available anytime, you can put your feet up and look forward to a fuss-free ride.\" The website features Film Finder and Travel Planner services to allow film fans to track down the locations where their favourite scenes were shot, and plan their rail journeys accordingly. The locations featured on the website include the Nene Valley railway, the setting for the famous train-top chase in Goldeneye. They also include Alnwick Castle, which was transformed into Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone, and Snowshill in Gloucestershire, which was used in Bridget Jones' Diary."}, {"response": 923, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 11, 2002 (08:48)", "body": "Thank you Karen. BJD can be done by tube...cheaper. Rail travel in UK is expensive. I've emailed them and asked them to include the locations for Pride and Prejudice. Lyme Park (Pemberley) is a stinker to get to."}, {"response": 924, "author": "annas", "date": "Thu, Apr 11, 2002 (09:36)", "body": "BJD video is being released in Australia with extra footage, does anyone know what this footage is? If it's HG then I will stay with ex rental copy."}, {"response": 925, "author": "iluvdarcy1", "date": "Thu, Apr 11, 2002 (22:50)", "body": "I don't know if the footage is the same but I own the USA BJD DVD with additional scenes and it's ALL HG. No CF anywhere! I hope the Australian version is better."}, {"response": 926, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 12, 2002 (06:54)", "body": "There is a list of the deleted scenes on the US DVD way back when on this topic (September?? when the DVD came out). You can find it by backing up with the redisplay box below (putting in -100 etc)"}, {"response": 927, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Apr 19, 2002 (07:21)", "body": "From the BBC: Friday, 19 April, 2002, 07:25 GMT 08:25 UK Grant not keen on 'Bridget' sequel Grant doubts he will team up with 'Bridget' co-stars Hugh Grant has said he doubts there will ever be a sequel to hit UK movie Bridget Jones's Diary. The actor was speaking at a press conference of his latest film About A Boy, where he stars as an irresponsible adult who befriends a young boy. Bridget Jones was a huge worldwide hit, taking more than \ufffd40m in the UK alone and earned leading lady Ren\ufffde Zellweger an Oscar nomination. Bridget Jones author Helen Fielding's follow-up novel, Edge of Reason, has already been the subject of sequel rumours. But Grant, who starred as the devious Daniel Cleaver in the movie, said he \"would not put money\" on a sequel being made. He said: \"The people who are keen to make the sequel are Working Title (Bridget Jones's producers) because they see dollar signs flashing in front of them. \"I'm a little bit equivocal to tell you the whole truth. I don't feel particularly keen. \"I don't want to let everyone else down if they want to do it. Having said that I don't think Ren\ufffde is that keen to be fat again.\" In his new film, About A Boy, Grant teams up with directing brothers Chris and Paul Weitz, the duo behind the hit comedy American Pie. Rachel Weisz, Toni Collette and Victoria Smurfit co-star in the movie which is based on Nick Hornby's best-selling novel. The film is released in the UK on 26 April and in the US on 17 May. But Grant is not happy with the movie's trailer on TV across the Atlantic. He is to tell BBC Radio 4's Back Row programme on Saturday that the movie's producers are trying to push a romantic element in the movie, instead of the main storyline about his relationship with the boy. \"They're trying to make it like Notting Hill. I don't know if they are right. I think in marketing terms they are trying to sell the film down the river slightly. \"They make it look like every other American movie, instead of allowing it to be a bit different.\" Grant said he was shocked by the attitude of some UK screenwriters who make the transition from TV to the big screen. He told the radio programme: \"There are some who know what they are doing, but there are others who have an extraordinary kind of arrogance. They come out of television and they think they can do this. \"It is a craft and needs to be learnt and learnt the hard way.\" The Four Weddings and a Funeral star was also scathing about the handout of National Lottery money to UK film production. \"If you fund more productions, you don't get more good films, you get more bad ones. \"I would have invested all that money into the film industry, the right kind of film school or screen writing academy. \"People who actually learn to write for the big screen and not just television. It's not the same thing at all.\" The interview with Hugh Grant is on Back Row, BBC Radio 4 on Saturday at 1730 BST"}, {"response": 928, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 19, 2002 (07:50)", "body": "C'mon Hughie...\"we\" need the money."}, {"response": 929, "author": "maryw", "date": "Fri, Apr 19, 2002 (09:06)", "body": "The Grunt is not keen on the sequel because his character is hardly in it!"}, {"response": 930, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Apr 19, 2002 (09:32)", "body": "I think in marketing terms they are trying to sell the film down the river slightly. \"They make it look like every other American movie, instead of allowing it to be a bit different.\" HG has learned a thing or two. C'mon Hughie...\"we\" need the money. Don't worry, Evelyn, he has his friends looking out for him. ;-)"}, {"response": 931, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 19, 2002 (09:42)", "body": "Thanks, Mari, for posting the Gnat's comments. I'm sure they will stir things up as they get republished everywhere. While I don't take anything he says seriously as a rule (the man has more canned quips than...), he has made some very critical comments about how AAB is being promoted in the US which are, unfortunately, true. Those marketing types are notorious for putting together misleading trailers, TV spots and ad campaigns. Whether he deigns to appear in the sequel will likely have more to do with the role (size and significance) than anything else. I find it interesting that he's commenting on RZ, but I'd put that in the \"trained by the SAS\" category."}, {"response": 932, "author": "annas", "date": "Fri, Apr 19, 2002 (10:07)", "body": "Obviousy the gnat is down playing the sequel because he identified so well with Daniel Cleaver, and he would rather be remembered as the guy that got the girl. This is just more dirty politics. I've read AAB, and I thought what a pathetic twerp the character was. Mind you I had in mind how ODB would play it, and I could not see a career advancement there. So was glad to hear the gnat took it Has the final kitchen scene in the sequel been discussed before? That's what I'm hanging out for. (or does this belong to droolfic :])"}, {"response": 933, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Apr 19, 2002 (10:20)", "body": "(Anna), I've read AAB, and I thought what a pathetic twerp the character was. Mind you I had in mind how ODB would play it, and I could not see a career advancement there. So was glad to hear the gnat took it ROTFLOL!"}, {"response": 934, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Fri, Apr 19, 2002 (10:23)", "body": "I wonder about HG not being 'keen' to be DC again when he seemed so happy to be the bad guy when BJD was released. Maybe he just wants his role expanded in the sequel? We've heard that they're working on a script so I'm still optimistic about seeing EoR. As for AAB, it has received very little press coverage here. I have never seen the trailer on TV. And when Hughie shows up to publicize it, all the press wants to do is talk about LizH. I saw him at the new Sandra Bullock premiere on TV and I think he's about ready to slug someone. Meanwhile, the Earnest trailer is getting lots of showings on my TV!"}, {"response": 935, "author": "annas", "date": "Fri, Apr 19, 2002 (11:16)", "body": "I will go back to lurkdom after this but what do I (we?) want to see in EoR? Yes Mr Darcy in the kitchen sans PJs. Will that happen? Subject to seeing Hope Springs (and this is the big but) how are the scenes handled ? ODB in latest bucket vogue pic looks slim but is he toned? Do we care? Just show us the dimples. Do we have a vote for dimples?"}, {"response": 936, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Apr 19, 2002 (12:15)", "body": "but what do I (we?) want to see in EoR? Yes Mr Darcy in the kitchen sans PJs. He wouldn't do it, IMO. Do we have a vote for dimples? It's a thumbs up . ;-)"}, {"response": 937, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 19, 2002 (12:24)", "body": "(Bryonny) As for AAB, it has received very little press coverage here. It doesn't open in the US/Canada until May 17 (same day as TIOBE in NY/LA) but should be a fairly wide release. I am seeing commercials for it on TV already, plus it's in every magazine. (AnnaS) but what do I (we?) want to see in EoR? No need to go back to lurkdom, but just keep in mind there is no collective we in this place. Many of we have differing opinions and views. :-)"}, {"response": 938, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Apr 19, 2002 (12:39)", "body": "As to the EoR-You have my vote for dimples,Mr.Darcy in the kitchen sans PJs, and of course his fight with Bridget wearing only a towel."}, {"response": 939, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 19, 2002 (12:49)", "body": "That towel scene alone is what keeps me going. ;-D HF was pleased to acknowledge it when she signed that week's Telegraph column for me. But, if you've read New Cardiff, there's a towel scene in it too."}, {"response": 940, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Apr 19, 2002 (13:06)", "body": "(Karen)I was not going to read New Cardiff until after I saw HS-however, now that I know there is a towel scene-I'll go out and buy it NOW! I think I read that part in the EoR a thousand times. Thanks, everyone, for the warm welcomes!!!It's great to finally be here."}, {"response": 941, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Apr 19, 2002 (13:31)", "body": "Sounds like sour grapes from HG. And rather disloyal to Working Title who have provide him with all his success and a terrific publicity machine. To be honest, do we really, really need him in TEOR? (Especially if it's an Andrew Davies script with no tweaking by Richard Curtis) Why can't RZ and CF carry it, backed up, very ably by Jim broadbent and Gemma Jones, and also \"the friends\" who were rather wasted in BJD. Sally Phillips and James Callis are excellent comedy actors and could easily fill any void left by HG. But for some reason HG is regarded as having the Midas touch (although he's had several movies that have tanked) and he's a bona fide glam movie star! :-( Earlier this week, the Daily Mail carried an article on RZ and how thin she is now (I actually agree, she *is* too thin). The article stated that RZ would be starring opposite HG in TEOR. No mention of CF. I can't think of any other example where the real romantic lead is ignored! Who cared about Wickham? :-) It will be v. interesting to see how AOB fares at the Box office in the UK. I can't see a major rush, but Hughie's been getting non-stop publicity for the last couple of weeks so I could be wrong!"}, {"response": 942, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Apr 19, 2002 (13:38)", "body": "(bethan)I was disappointed when I read that a part was being created in EoR for HG. I don't have a problem with him, but I would have liked to see CF and RZ carry this off. The DC part in the book is so small, I am surprised that they are going to expand something that isn't there for the film-just to have HG around."}, {"response": 943, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Apr 19, 2002 (13:40)", "body": "BTW HG was paid \ufffd7.5million for BJD. Or maybe it was dollars. Either way, he was way ahead of his co-stars. Plus a percentage of the profits. I'm not quite sure what he's complaining about!"}, {"response": 944, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 19, 2002 (13:48)", "body": "(Bethan)(Especially if it's an Andrew Davies script with no tweaking by Richard Curtis) I have just seen the Trollope thing on TV scripted by Andrew Davies...He doesn't always have the midas touch either; more a hit 'n miss. I'll put my money on Richard Curtis; he has more hits. And HG has more starring hits than ODB ...but who wants to be objective. Hey...Drool is fantasy-land;-) I am surprised that they are going to expand something that isn't there for the film-just to have HG around. $$$$$$$$$"}, {"response": 945, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Apr 19, 2002 (13:48)", "body": "I was disappointed when I read that a part was being created in EoR for HG (linda) The problem with creating a large (presumably) part for HG, is that it will distort the story-line, and TEOR could end up being just a retread of BJD."}, {"response": 946, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 19, 2002 (13:49)", "body": "Closed tags, sorry"}, {"response": 947, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Apr 19, 2002 (13:51)", "body": "The problem with creating a large (presumably) part for HG, is that it will distort the story-line, and TEOR could end up being just a retread of BJD I agree. Hopefully that won't happen. I loved BJD-book and film, but I think the EoR is excellent-I hope the script won't disappoint."}, {"response": 948, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 19, 2002 (13:51)", "body": "TEOR could end up being just a retread of BJD. Most sequels are. But I would like to see ODB get this. The $$ is bound to be good. And hey, I don't see anything better in the \"Trans-Siberian pipeline\"."}, {"response": 949, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Apr 20, 2002 (10:41)", "body": "TEOR has the best chance if they stick to the book. I saw an article about how hard it is to make room for a man after you have become a successful career woman with a life full of interests and friends. The movie can focus on that and be just as relevant as BJD was for addressing \"Why are there so many unmarried women in their 30's?\""}, {"response": 950, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 21, 2002 (08:46)", "body": "Wonder who that other guy is? No name is given. The second glimpse of I Saw You (Tuesday, ITV), though, was rather good, mainly because of Fay Ripley, who is probably the best romantic light comedienne on the box at the moment...and also because of a script that I found witheringly funny....Her co-star, Paul Rhys, isn\ufffdt quite so winning. Principally because he seems to be constantly doing an imitation of Hugh Grant whispering. Indeed, his character has Hugh Grant written all over him. Now I come to think of it, the whole thing\ufffds not unlike Bridget Jones, and the other romantic-interest bloke bears more than a passing resemblance to Mr Darcy. I wonder if they did it on purpose? I wonder if they\ufffdve noticed?"}, {"response": 951, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Apr 22, 2002 (01:55)", "body": "The \"other guy\" in I Saw You is played by Alexander Armstrong, and does not IMO \"bear a passing resemblance to Mr Darcy\", except inasmuch as he is rich and from a very posh background. In fact he's a lord. Neither does the series bear much resemblance to BJD - its heroine is a struggling mum in a dismal relationship with Paul Rhys's optician (who is not very much like HG). Fay Ripley meets her lord at a wedding where she was singing in the band, and gets relentlessly pursued by him, while Paul Rhys starts dating his dentist. No singletons, not much angsting from the heroine, no deliberate slimeball. The only thing I agree with the reviewer on is that Fay Ripley is quite good and makes the show worth watching. But then I've only seen one episode..."}, {"response": 952, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 22, 2002 (08:18)", "body": "Thanks, Mark. Am looking around for pics of this guy but only one that's in profile. (Apparently was in The Birthday Girl too.) However, the series sounds interesting. Perhaps if it gets as popular as Cold Feet, we'll get it here. Huge's comments have been printed in the Sun and picked up by Ananova now. So we should expect to hear something from the folks at Working Title soon. ;-D"}, {"response": 953, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Apr 22, 2002 (09:09)", "body": "Huge's comments won't exactly please Working Title! Given that Daniel Cleaver barely features in TEOR, and that there's an established cast, I wonder if HG has the power to scuttle the whole project (ie it's not my party, so I'm not playing, and no-one else is either)?"}, {"response": 954, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Apr 22, 2002 (09:25)", "body": "HG also mentioned that he thought RZ would not want to do the TEoR because of the weight gain. I thought that was a little presumptive on his part. I read that she would consider the role if she didn't have to pack on as many pounds, but overall she was in favor of doing it. I'm furious that he probably read the same article, and decided to comment as though it's already been decided."}, {"response": 955, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Apr 24, 2002 (07:01)", "body": "Huge is casting grave doubts on TEOR. :-( I heard the tail end of a radio interview with him yesterday (promoting AOB). Am paraphrasing. The interviewer asked him about a sequel to BJD, and Huge said that he didn't think it would happen. He said he was reluctant to reprise the role of Daniel Cleaver as there was nothing to be regained by re-visiting it - it was like putting back on a wet swimsuit. The interviewer (male) said that it was a pity because HG and RZ made a great couple and added that it wouldn't matter for Hugh because he must have lots more irons in the fire. Huge said \"Yes, absolutely\". Huge is getting rave reviews for AOB, and must be even more bankable now. Unfortunately it seems as though TEOR can't be made without him. Makes me fume though. If AOB was tailor-made for HG, them TEOR was tailor-made for CF. I would have thought that the reaction to BJD hould have given CF some credibility as a leading man!!"}, {"response": 956, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Apr 24, 2002 (07:40)", "body": "From deja.com From UPI Hollywood Digest By Pat Nason UPI Hollywood Reporter From the Life & Mind Desk Published 4/23/2002 4:09 PM THAT'S ONE WAY TO HANDLE IT Colin Firth -- who starred with Ren\ufffde Zellweger and Hugh Grant in \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" -- is actually a character in novelist Helen Fielding's Bridget Jones sequel, \"The Edge of Reason,\" prompting the question: Who will play Firth in the movie version? First things first, though. Firth isn't sure there will be an \"Edge of Reason\" movie. \"I can't really answer that question informatively,\" he told United Press International. \"I don't know. As far as I'm concerned it's all rumor.\" Firth said there had been talk of a movie, but it has quieted down. \"I just think it's probably a very difficult thing to mount,\" he said, \"three actors who have to be available at the same time and a script that would have to be good enough.\" But if there were a movie, who would play the character of Colin Firth? \"He won't be there,\" said Firth. \"He'll become George Clooney or something.\" Bridget becomes a journalist in \"The Edge of Reason\" and interviews Firth. Director Sharon Maguire -- who had been talked about as a possible director for the project -- reportedly said Firth would play himself, as well as reprise his role as Mark Darcy from \"Bridget Jones's Diary.\""}, {"response": 957, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 24, 2002 (08:06)", "body": "The interviewer (male) said that it was a pity because HG and RZ made a great couple *snort* From the only person in England not to have seen the movie. ;-D Interesting item, Bethan. Must have been from the press junket. Colin's just doing a little dance, as nothing's been signed and sealed. Typical. But if there were a movie, who would play the character of Colin Firth? \"He won't be there,\" said Firth. \"He'll become George Clooney or something.\" Nonnegotiable contract point? ;-D Although I'd bet WT would love to do the in-joke, they are notorious for having surprise cameos, and Clooney would be a good one to do the interview."}, {"response": 958, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Apr 24, 2002 (08:52)", "body": "I'm going to think positive and hope that TEoR will be a go. I don't quite understand the reasoning that it can't be made with out HG. The book was certainly a great read without his character. Has anyone given any thought to who might play Rebecca if this project gets off the ground? Would love to hear some ideas."}, {"response": 959, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Apr 24, 2002 (09:00)", "body": "I'm thinking positive too...despite the negative vibes. As Karen says...nothing's signed and sealed yet. I seem to remember similar negative vibes about BJD...at one point it was all off, then there was the fuss about casting BJ, the script wasn't up to scratch, HG to play MD etc!"}, {"response": 960, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Apr 24, 2002 (09:16)", "body": "HG playing MD? I didn't hear that, and thank goodness it didn't happen that way.As far as HG, I just heard him say,two days ago, that he would like to do just one or two more films then write his book, have children, etc. Now he has several things in the fire? I think all of his negative talk about TEoR is due to the fact that he knows the book was all about BJ and MD, and even if they expand his part-it's not about HIM!"}, {"response": 961, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 24, 2002 (09:29)", "body": "WT would love to do the in-joke, they are notorious for having surprise cameos, and Clooney would be a good one to do the interview. That might be Colin's way of hinting at whom he would like. I agree, Karen, it would work for me.BTW, who is WT? I think the script is in the making, we should relax. ;-)"}, {"response": 962, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 24, 2002 (09:37)", "body": "Working Title. Remember how they had Alec Baldwin in NH? They like cameos (all the authors at the launch party)."}, {"response": 963, "author": "caribou", "date": "Wed, Apr 24, 2002 (13:20)", "body": "(Bethan) I just think it's probably a very difficult thing to mount,\" he said Can't be harder than a greyhound, which we here at Spring have seen! :-) Thanks to everyone who has reported news--I am beginning to relax a little but am still anxious for 3 talk shows, a radio interview and more articles than I can read in a day."}, {"response": 964, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Apr 26, 2002 (05:19)", "body": "Have just posted over at Odds and Ends (at last!! :-)) re bad reviews for AOB and Huge. May cause Huge to have a rethink on the BJD sequel, if he is genuinely having doubts. I'd be surprised if AOB performs as well as BJD (\ufffd40million in the UK takes some beating) and if it falls well short, then a reprise of Daniel Cleaver (for a huge sum of money) may seem an attractive option. Certainly Working Title would prefer an already successful formula."}, {"response": 965, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Apr 26, 2002 (07:49)", "body": "Following Mari's wily assessment of one of the early sequel rumours at #743, I am convinced that every mention of this film is being organised by HG, specifically to suggest that he is essential to the winning BJD formula. My guess is that, true to the book, DC is largely/totally ignored in the first screenplay draft (which HG probably hasn't even received). Hence all he wants to do is shout his name, express his \"reluctance\" to appear again on the assumption that in itself that will make producers/writers(/public) think he's crucial. Of course in the process he's jeopardising all the chances for the sequel being made at all. He's done his research though - having read that Renee was reluctant to move to London and put on weight again, he is using a llittle bit of public info to justify his posturing. I admire the way he works (and even his work), but I do urge everyone to see how manipulative this is - IMHO. This includies the potential makers of EOR - you do not need the Gnat!"}, {"response": 966, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 26, 2002 (07:51)", "body": "While I hadn't taken these comments to their logical conclusion, it had occurred to me that Andrew Davies' script would be fairly faithful to the book. He is an adapter of novels. He may add a bit of spice here and there, but he hasn't created his own storylines in the past."}, {"response": 967, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Apr 26, 2002 (08:35)", "body": "Good point, Mark. EOR can very well be the two girls one guy script. But I'm afraid Colin is not seen as someone that could carry a whole movie, yet. We will have to see if the release of Hope Springs, (Karen firmly believes Colin is the main character ;-), and if that film gives him the push to get the green-light for EOR to be made without HG. EOR could be Renee, Colin and Julia R. With JR it would get made. Just putting these thoughts out in the Universe. ;-)"}, {"response": 968, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 26, 2002 (09:17)", "body": "(Moon)But I'm afraid Colin is not seen as someone that could carry a whole movie, yet. Moon, I admire your courage for saying this on this board;-) Don't you think WT knows that? Hey, they aren't fools. UK has not been kind to any film that ODB has starred in so far. Remember four in a row have tanked. I agree with Mark, I admire HG's acting (not the persona) and his willingness to promote; moreover, in the US he and RZ *made* BJD. I think our British friends think that ODB is as popular in the US as on this board. Wrong-o. EOR needs a third actor ( A or strong B) to make it a go; male or female. Bridget and her friends : DOA. She's pretty savy, I don't think she would do it with just Colin."}, {"response": 969, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Apr 26, 2002 (09:18)", "body": "Karen,can't we do an e-mail/letter/anything campaign to WT on this issue? I really think Mark's take on this is dead on concerning HG. HG also knows that Colin got excellent reviews from BJD. I think he may have been a little more than surprised by that-especially with the various nominations that Colin received."}, {"response": 970, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Apr 26, 2002 (09:56)", "body": "Re Mark's comments about HG - I agree absolutely. We must remember that HG is a seriously bright man. He knows exactly what he is about. However I agree with all the other analyses, Colin could not carry a film stateside. It seems that you need starring names to make a film a go there. That is not always the case here but they are not going to make a film about the very British Bridget Jones unless you lot over there like it. (What is the emoticon for someone grinding their teeth while smiling sweetly?)."}, {"response": 971, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 26, 2002 (10:47)", "body": ""}, {"response": 972, "author": "maryw", "date": "Fri, Apr 26, 2002 (11:23)", "body": "I love the way the showbiz publicity machine works. For a story that apparently carries a serious question mark of making it to the big screen - the press (general as well as trade) on both sides of the Pond do not seem to have any problem at all dedicating many many column inches to the story - peppered with direct quotes from apparently reluctant lead actors too! LOL."}, {"response": 973, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sat, Apr 27, 2002 (09:48)", "body": "(Moon) Karen firmly believes Colin is the main character ;-) She's not the only one. (Mark) I do urge everyone to see how manipulative this is - IMHO. This includies the potential makers of EOR - you do not need the Gnat! I agree, however, surely WT knows how the game is played--include the Gnat in a cameo role (i.e., pay him a princely sum for a day's work), then publicize him as the star to get bums in seats. Is done all the time. (Evelyn) UK has not been kind to any film that ODB has starred in so far. Remember four in a row have tanked. Yes, but in all fairness, said films ranged in quality from average (MLSF and RV--and he really wasn't the star of that one, it was JA's pic) to below average (SLOW) to celluloid toilet paper (L). C'mon."}, {"response": 974, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 29, 2002 (08:14)", "body": "No mention of sequel, but it appears Sharon has a full plate: \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" helmer Sharon Maguire has come aboard to develop and direct the English-language remake of the German film \"Alles Bob!\" (\"Everything Bob!\") for Ridley Scott and Tony Scott's Scott Free Prods. There is no start date for the project, although it is on the fast track. \"Bob!\" is a modern comedy that follows the adventures of Bob, a philanderer who is about to give up his bachelor life to marry a beautiful, wealthy and well-connected woman whom he doesn't truly love. When he meets and unexpectedly falls in love with an older woman with three children, he begins to realize that true love may be more important than money. Helkon released the Otto Alexander Jahrreiss directed film in Germany to rave reviews and tepid boxoffice during summer 1999. Intermedia acquired U.S. remake rights more than a year ago for Scott Free. (HR 2/15/01) Rob Perez wrote most recent draft of the English-language version for Scott Free, which has a second-look deal with Intermedia. Scott Free's first-look deal is with Bruckheimer Films. Giannina Facio, who brought the project to Scott Free, will produce the project with the company. Maguire is repped by ICM. She began her career as a writer and then became a documentary filmmaker. She segued into commercial directing before making her feature directorial debut on \"Bridget.\" Maguire is currently developing the romantic comedy feature \"Mail\" for U.K. production company Archer Street and FilmFour."}, {"response": 975, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr 29, 2002 (10:30)", "body": "Empire mentions the sequel.:-( From Bridget To Bob 29/04/2002 Although Hugh Grant may have poured cold water on the prospect of there being a Bridget Jones's Diary sequel (read our interview with him here), director Sharon Maguire seems quite happy to keep herself busy with all manner of new projects. This morning, she's been announced as the director of a new romantic comedy, which - the Hollywood Reporter adds - will be produced by Ridley and Tony Scott's production company Free Prods. Bob! is a remake of the successful German film Alles Bob, in which a philanderer's cunning plan to swap batchelorhood for a marriage with a rich woman he doesn't love, comes undone when he meets a single mum that he does. It's the latest in a number of projects that the English director has recently signed for, including an all-British teaming with Oscar-winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes for the film adaptation of the Anthony Trollope novel Eustace Diamonds."}, {"response": 976, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Apr 29, 2002 (11:05)", "body": "Hmm, what with Sharon, Huge and Rene being so much in demand for new projects after the success of BJD, it's difficult to see TEOR taking off. :-( Unless these other projects are longer term. Will Andrew Davies' script be wasted? Come on, Colin, sign up for something, please! Even one project would suffice! Doesn't Trollope's \"Eustace Diamonds\" feature a handsome barrister (the heroine's brother)?"}, {"response": 977, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Apr 29, 2002 (14:18)", "body": "Am answering my own question! It does...the handsome barrister (also a member of Parliament) is effectively the hero of the novel. If Sharon is looking for someone to play a handsome lawyer in a period drama, surely someone will spring to mind! (But I still hope we'll get more of MD!)"}, {"response": 978, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, May  3, 2002 (03:09)", "body": "Report in today's Daily Telegraph says that RZ has agreed to do the BJD sequel. The source is her body double Melinda Whiting who says that she has been asked to stand in again for Rene in the sequel which starts shooting at the end of this year"}, {"response": 979, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, May  3, 2002 (03:47)", "body": "Hurrah! Oh Holy Bliss! (with caution)"}, {"response": 980, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May  3, 2002 (06:40)", "body": "Didn't I tell everyone to relax. :-)"}, {"response": 981, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, May  3, 2002 (10:17)", "body": "*happy dance*"}, {"response": 982, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, May  3, 2002 (12:21)", "body": "Good news! And Renee will be slimmed down for this role?"}, {"response": 983, "author": "kattas", "date": "Sun, May  5, 2002 (09:05)", "body": "From The Telegraph site: Zellweger in Bridget Jones II THE Hollywood actress Renee Zellweger is to revive her starring role in Bridget Jones's Dairy to film the Helen Fielding sequel Edge of Reason at the end of the year. A follow-up had been in doubt because Zellweger was reluctant to put on weight again for the role. But Melinda Whiting, her body-double in the film, said she had been asked to appear in the sequel. 03-May-2002 So, I'm thinking if Ms. Whiting is the body double from BJD, RZ will be putting on at least a few pounds, if not as many as before."}, {"response": 984, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May  5, 2002 (21:19)", "body": "The Baftas evidently had some kind of glossy program. If you go here, there are a few little piece about BJD. I've only skimmed through, but BJD is either mentioned or the topic of: Being Bridget Jones, Keeping Up with the Joneses, and Taking Things Literary. Could be others. Can't copy and paste from a Flash setup here, so you'll have to read there: http://www.bafta.org/Brochure/BAFTA2002/index.htm"}, {"response": 985, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, May  5, 2002 (23:31)", "body": "RZ will be putting on at least a few pounds, if not as many as before I saw a picture of RZ in the NY Post today that was taken yesterday at a 3K race for charity and she looks stick thin. I think if she turned totally sideways she'd disappear while we looked right at her. If she doesn't gain weight easily, she might want to start eating now to be the proper weight for filming."}, {"response": 986, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May  6, 2002 (06:48)", "body": "I think she's said that she is willing to put on weight, just not as much as before. I agree RZ looks stick thin."}, {"response": 987, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, May  8, 2002 (15:01)", "body": "Comparing AAB with BJD... Huge's AAB has apparently now taken \ufffd7.6million at the Box Office after about 12 days. At the same point, BJD was somewhere between \ufffd15 million and \ufffd22million, and still going strong. I don't see AAB competing with this, despite a major publicity push."}, {"response": 988, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May  8, 2002 (15:20)", "body": "I don't see AAB competing with this, despite a major publicity push. Plus, the previews are awful. Not enticing in the least."}, {"response": 989, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 16, 2002 (12:39)", "body": "The language seems a tad too inflammatory to me, but it would be true about their accepting the script. Here's the latest courtesy of Silvie: Bridget Jones sequel in jeopardy? Colin Firth has revealed that he's concerned about the dramatic weightloss of his 'Bridget Jones' co-star Ren\ufffde Zellweger. Speaking to Now magazine, the housewives' favourite said: \"A few extra pounds would suit her fantastically. I thought she looked gorgeous as Bridget. She got to a size 12 and looked lovely. She doesn't need to worry about her weight.\" However, while there are plans to follow-up Bridget Jones's Diary with a sequel based on Helen Fielding's second book, Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason, Colin warned that the film mightn't actually happen, if Ren\ufffde decides she doesn't want to put the weight back on to play the heroine of the piece. \"[The film] will be a tricky beast to bring into being,\" Colin warned. \"You're going to have to find the three actors available at the same time - Ren\ufffde, Hugh Grant and myself - who disposed to doing a sequel. It'll be a possibility if the quality of the script is exceptional, otherwise you fall into sequel hell. And it will only be possible if Ren\ufffde accepts that she needs to get back to how her figure looked.\" However, Ren\ufffde says she isn't willing to get dumpy for the sequel, stating recently: \"There is no way I'm going to put all that weight on again. No way - I hated it! They're not going to make me do it - I refuse!\""}, {"response": 990, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 16, 2002 (12:40)", "body": "Ooops, forgot the link: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/020516/242/cz3fw.html"}, {"response": 991, "author": "iluvdarcy1", "date": "Thu, May 16, 2002 (13:13)", "body": "OMG. She really does look awfully thin in recent pics. \"A few extra pounds would suit her fantastically. I thought she looked gorgeous as Bridget. She got to a size 12 and looked lovely. She doesn't need to worry about her weight.\" My DH said the same thing!Makes me feel good.I am a size 12!!!! I knew he liked women with curves. (Despite the tiny wife). Desperately hope there will be a sequal but more concerned about her healh and distorted body imaage."}, {"response": 992, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, May 16, 2002 (16:49)", "body": "I will think positive, I will think positive... When I saw pictures of RZ at the BJD premieres she had already lost the weight. I think if she gains as little as 10-15lbs it will make a big difference because she is so thin. Obviously she doesn't have a problem taking it off. I thought I read recently, that Andrew Davies said that he would do the script without all the emphasis on the weight because of RZ's reluctance to gain. I am not going to fret about TEoR this week. It has been too glorious a week to ruin."}, {"response": 993, "author": "elizh", "date": "Thu, May 16, 2002 (16:55)", "body": "Meanwhile, I was particularly struck by how thin ODB himself looked in the latest pictures posted. And I think I recall reading someone's earlier comment that he was even thinner (and more good looking) in person."}, {"response": 994, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, May 16, 2002 (21:36)", "body": "(CF) \"A few extra pounds would suit her fantastically. I thought she looked gorgeous as Bridget. She got to a size 12 and looked lovely. She doesn't need to worry about her weight.\" I remember reading an old interview of his where he mentioned he didn't prefer stick women. Not sure, though, if RZ would appreciate him stating what size she got to unless she said it herself or it were published somewhere."}, {"response": 995, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 16, 2002 (21:39)", "body": "Yes, the dress size was printed numerous times last year. Of course, to a Hollywood stick insect, a size 12 would be the height of obesity. Didn't Lisa's story of BJ in LA have it in the Plus Size section of the store? ;-D"}, {"response": 996, "author": "airstream", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (16:29)", "body": "This was listed on Movie.go.com--upcoming movies This sequel to Bridget Jones's Release Date 2003 Diary picks up four weeks after the end of the first film, when Bridget is trying to cope with living with another person and the arrival on the scene of Rebecca, a beautiful man-hunter. Starring Hugh Grant, Ren\ufffde Zellweger, Colin Firth Studio TBD"}, {"response": 997, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (17:50)", "body": "Here we go again."}, {"response": 998, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (17:56)", "body": "I wish someone would tell CF,HG, and RZ about this"}, {"response": 999, "author": "odessa", "date": "Sat, May 25, 2002 (05:27)", "body": "when Bridget is trying to cope with living with another person I hope that person isn`t Daniel ;)"}, {"response": 1000, "author": "airstream", "date": "Sat, May 25, 2002 (20:08)", "body": "Nah--you remember. The opening of EOR she is with MD."}, {"response": 1001, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Thu, Aug  8, 2002 (06:04)", "body": "Just had to share that I was walking to my recruitment agency in London today when I suddenly realized I was crossing the road at the Royal Exchange shops where the last scene of BJD was filmed! I can share this almost nowhere else, who else appreciates this. This, after yesterday I purposely took a walk to Kensington Park Rd. to see 192 and Cafe Rouge. On top of that, the agency is also just around the corner from Gracechurch Street - yes, I can admit to being in Cheapside very happily. I really should start my own tour company for Drool folks now that I am here...too cool."}, {"response": 1002, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Aug  8, 2002 (06:12)", "body": "Hey, Emma, don't forget to go South over London Bridge one time and take the first right to see Bridget's flat, the fight scene, and the market she walks through as a bunny."}, {"response": 1003, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Aug  8, 2002 (12:18)", "body": "What a lucky girl you are Emma. Enjoy, and please keep us up to date."}, {"response": 1004, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (11:49)", "body": "MarkG, thanks for the tip (again!) -- do you know the street names so I don't get lost?! I've only been here since Monday, I still can't believe how much stuff I have seen either on purpose or accidentally. Keeping me occupied until real life (job, flat, etc.) starts."}, {"response": 1005, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (15:05)", "body": "(Mark) Hey, Emma, don't forget to go South over London Bridge one time and take the first right to see Bridget's flat, the fight scene, and the market she walks through as a bunny. (Emma) MarkG, thanks for the tip (again!) -- do you know the street names so I don't get lost?! Mark might be away, but these are the directions he gave me when I was there in March. Don't miss it ..it's fun.The pub is open on weekdays only. We were told that Bridget and her pals were filmed inside. Bridget's flat and the fight scene: Cathedral Street (beside Southwark Cathedral) - her flat is the private door of a pub, opposite the 'Greek restaurant', which is now an art gallery. The market is right under the bridge."}, {"response": 1006, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 19, 2002 (08:51)", "body": "From Ananova: Bridget Jones actress willing to feature in sequel Shirley Henderson says she would be willing to appear in the planned sequel to Bridget Jones's Diary. Henderson played Bridget's friend Jude in the film, although the part in the film was greatly reduced from the book. Work on the script to the sequel is currently underway. \"I've not heard anything about the Bridget Jones sequel,\" Henderson told Ananova. \"But I'd be willing to do it if they asked me. It depends if they're doing it as the book. \"I think I preferred The Edge Of Reason, it depends on what they want to show.\""}, {"response": 1007, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Aug 19, 2002 (13:37)", "body": "Wait, I thought she played Shazzer??????"}, {"response": 1008, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Aug 19, 2002 (20:41)", "body": "I prefer TEoR too-provided they stick to the book. Hopefully, the \"it's all gone very quiet\" is suddenly getting a little noisey!"}, {"response": 1009, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 19, 2002 (20:51)", "body": "(Linda) I prefer TEoR too-provided they stick to the book. Funny, you should say that...actually that's my new mantra.... \"I won't like it , if they don't stick to the book\";-)"}, {"response": 1010, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Aug 19, 2002 (22:47)", "body": "Actually, I have to admit that I wouldn't be very unhappy if they diverted from the book before going to Thailand. Reaching that part of the book was like hitting a literary brick wall for me. Seemed like she stuck it in from another book just to make it a bit longer. It fit the bill as far as the requisite \"Mark saves Bridget and her honor/Darcy saves Elizabeth's honor\" part, but I found it out of place. Maybe it's where it was set and the dilemma. Maybe if it had been somewhere else and with a different problem I would've liked it better. It got back on track for me at the end. BTW Karen, I'm surprised not to see TEoR book in the Boutique."}, {"response": 1011, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 19, 2002 (23:36)", "body": "Gah! Will rectify that glaring omission. Must've been the Chardonnay. ;-)"}, {"response": 1012, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Aug 20, 2002 (00:02)", "body": "I'm with you about Thailand, Dorine. I could do without that. But we will needless to say demand fidelity to the book when it comes to scenes involving MD in a towel (or less than a towel). Thing is, if HG's going to be in the sequel then they can't stick to the book (unless his involvement is very limited, really just a cameo)."}, {"response": 1013, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Aug 20, 2002 (00:27)", "body": "(Rika) But we will needless to say demand fidelity to the book when it comes to scenes involving MD in a towel (or less than a towel). It does indeed go without saying, although we keep saying it again and again. Hey HF, et al.....are you listening?"}, {"response": 1014, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Aug 20, 2002 (00:28)", "body": "Gah! Think I forgot to close."}, {"response": 1015, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 20, 2002 (13:41)", "body": "(Dorine) I'm surprised not to see TEoR book in the Boutique. You scared me there. But I've checked and it is listed in the Fielding Collection...first! However, I am going to add the DIY amazon.co.uk instructions today, plus a link to The DWG's amazon shop, where there are tons more book titles, especially of all those Austen sequels. http://TheDWG.com/amazon.htm Feel free to use the links on that page too, as it all benefits Spring."}, {"response": 1016, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Aug 20, 2002 (15:14)", "body": "Sorry Karen! Overlooked that area I guess. When I saw BJD in the top section without TEoR, just figured it wasn't there."}, {"response": 1017, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 20, 2002 (15:37)", "body": "We are counting out chickens before they are hatched, huh? Putting TEOR in the Firth Collection before it actually is??? ;-)"}, {"response": 1018, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Aug 20, 2002 (22:49)", "body": "(Karen)We are counting out chickens before they are hatched, huh? Putting TEOR in the Firth Collection before it actually is??? ;-) Never underestimate the power of positive thinking, and uh, the cry of those of us desperate for the towel, and let us not forget the kitchen scene!!!!"}, {"response": 1019, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Aug 21, 2002 (11:28)", "body": "Quick question: which book has the scene where Bridget, Shaz and Jude make a list comparing the pros and cons of Mark Darcy vs. Mr. Darcy - anyone remember??? (i've lent out my books, and cant look it up for myself...)"}, {"response": 1020, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Aug 21, 2002 (14:23)", "body": "Isn't that in the first book, probably some time after Mark asks Bridget out to dinner?"}, {"response": 1021, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Aug 21, 2002 (22:13)", "body": "(Rika)Isn't that in the first book, probably some time after Mark asks Bridget out to dinner? You are probably correct, but I thought it was TEoR. Gives me a strong excuse to go back and re-read these two. Sorry SB, that doesn't answer your question."}, {"response": 1022, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 21, 2002 (23:01)", "body": "Unless there's another scene, I paraphrased this bit in GSD. However, the original can be found in Book 1, October 15: \"Jude just called and we spent twenty minutes growling, 'Fawaw, that Mr Darcy.' I love the way he talks, sort of as if he can't be bothered. Ding-dong! Then we had a long discussion about the comparative merits of Mr Darcy and Mark Darcy, both agreeing that Mr Darcy was more attractive because he was ruder but that being imaginary was a disadvantage that could not be overlooked.\" I think the last part is a posted 'Note' on the early BJD webpages."}, {"response": 1023, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 22, 2002 (19:52)", "body": "From SHOW BIZ bUZZ: \"RENEE'S NEW RANCH: Renee Zellweger is moving away from the humble days she spent as a waitress in Texas. The actress has ponied up $6.8 million for a 6,400 square foot Bel-air spread. The gated manse was listed at $8.9 million in March 2001 and was on and off the market over the months. Zellweger's new seven-bedroom home, designed by architect Paul williams , has a library, maid's quarters, workout room, pool and gardens, according to the \"Los Angeles Times\". That's quite an upgrade from the former $1.8 million Hollywood Hills pad\" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bet she doesn't have a problem getting a mortgage;-)"}, {"response": 1024, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (11:19)", "body": "Then we had a long discussion about the comparative merits of Mr Darcy and Mark Darcy, both agreeing that Mr Darcy was more attractive because he was ruder but that being imaginary was a disadvantage that could not be overlooked. Thanks Karen! that's just the line i was looking for! :-D"}, {"response": 1025, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Sep  3, 2002 (09:03)", "body": "I agree with you Dorine and Rika. Wasn't fond of the Thailand episode. Mark must have his towel or less scenes. Daniel got his bed scenes, now it's Mark's turn. I think the plot will be rewritten to accommodate HG. I can't imagine them giving him a cameo as the three leads were such a successful team. Perhaps Daniel will be the nemesis Mark has to save her from, in lieu of Thailand. Or could his character actually change? I don't know, just a thought. Hopefully we can trust the actors as they all said they wouldn't do it unless the script was good and better than the first. So here's hoping. I hear RZ is getting accolades for Chicago roll, and that film is v.g. Something to look forward to, perhaps."}, {"response": 1026, "author": "airstream", "date": "Wed, Sep  4, 2002 (18:21)", "body": "if RZ is concerned about the weight issue, they might include the Thailand bit-- so she wouldn't have to gain so much (not that she looked bad)."}, {"response": 1027, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Sep 19, 2002 (04:45)", "body": "From today's Letters to the Daily Telegraph: SIR - Bloody cheek! Re: MP David Willetts's claim that \"Bridget Jones is a Tory at heart because essentially she wants to settle down\" - was most startled to discover that the criteria for being a Tory is essentially a romantic, dating matter - had always believed in the past it was something to do with politics, economics, methods of running country etc. Mr Willetts has got the whole thing completely back to front - since one of the things which most threatened to prevent Bridget settling down with or even going out with Mark Darcy was the horrifying discovery that he voted Tory. Bridget Jones: the Edge of Reason (January 31 entry): \"Realise when start a relationship with a new person there will be differences between you ... but had never, ever in a million years suspected I might have been sleeping with a man who voted Tory. Suddenly felt I didn't know Mark Darcy at all, and for all I knew, all the weeks we had been going out he had been secretly collecting limited edition pottery miniature pottery animals wearing bonnets, from the back pages of Sunday supplements, or slipping off to rugby matches on a bus and mooning at other motorists out of the back window.\" \"So I vote Tory, what's wrong with that? What's the problem?\" said Mark Darcy. \"If I voted Tory I'd be a social outcast,\" I said. \"It would be like turning up at Caf\ufffd Rouge on a horse with a pack of beagles in tow, or having dinner parties on shiny tables with side plates.\" \"The point is you are supposed to vote for the principle of the thing, not the itsy bitsy detail about this per cent and that per cent. And it is perfectly obvious that Labour stands for the principle of sharing, kindness, gays, single mothers and Nelson Mandela, as opposed to braying bassy men having affairs with everyone shag-shag-shag left, right and centre and going to the Ritz in Paris then telling all the presenters off on the Today programme.\" Bridget is not just on a desperate quest to settle down. Like all self-respecting modern women she is struggling to balance her post-feminist independence and economic power with the human, not just female, need to love and be loved. She is torn between rosy images of Brad Pitt loading the dishwasher naked and oiled and feeding her ice-cream with a little spoon and the reality of living with a real man who still wants his supper cooked even though she's working just as hard as he is, and thinks washing up means twiddling a fork under the tap and then being heaped with gratitude and awe-struck praise. Besides - if everyone who had a partner or husband voted Tory they's have won the last election, wouldn't they? Probably. Helen Fielding"}, {"response": 1028, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 19, 2002 (08:00)", "body": "LOL. Thanks Mark.I thought that one made one of the columns. (HF)\"She is torn between rosy images of Brad Pitt loading the dishwasher naked and oiled and feeding her ice-cream with a little spoon ...\" ROTF. I'm surprised she didn't say CF;-)"}, {"response": 1029, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 19, 2002 (08:02)", "body": "LOL! Good to see Helen is still in there, actively defending her creation's character and with the same humor, although I know she could've come up with a better example for this: rosy images of Brad Pitt loading the dishwasher naked and oiled and feeding her ice-cream with a little spoon ;-) Thanks Mark"}, {"response": 1030, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 19, 2002 (08:21)", "body": "Now there should be a letter in response to HF's, quoting chapter and verse of both previous books, about whom Bridget would fantasize."}, {"response": 1031, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Sep 19, 2002 (09:10)", "body": "Thanks Mark and Helen. Good to know Bridget is still in peoples' thoughts. Might help getting her back on the screen. Would be nice."}, {"response": 1032, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 19, 2002 (11:10)", "body": "Am thinking letter to the editor should question whether HF's letter was a fake and cite both books as proof as Bridget never mentions Brad Pitt fantasies even once. ;-)"}, {"response": 1033, "author": "maryw", "date": "Thu, Sep 19, 2002 (11:33)", "body": "\"I'm thinking towels. I'm thinking dancing nekkid. I'm thinking nessie.\" Gasp - what fantasies! Who can we be thinking of, Helen?"}, {"response": 1034, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Sep 19, 2002 (11:35)", "body": "HF must have been influenced by living in Hollywood. Doesn't she realize that \"Phwaw.... that Brad Pitt\" just doesn't work? Thanks for the article, Mark!"}, {"response": 1035, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Thu, Sep 19, 2002 (12:40)", "body": "http://www.femail.co.uk/pages/standard/article.html?in_article_id=139113&in_page_id=119 Cannot believe it! George Clooney wants to date me! Bridget Jones is set to be the envy of sad singletons everywhere - by scoring a date with Hollywood hunk George Clooney in her next film. Clooney is being lined up for a part opposite Renee Zellweger in Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, the planned sequel to Bridget Jones's Diary. It will be a case of art imitating life because Clooney and Zellweger once enjoyed a few dates of their own. The plans were revealed today by writer Andrew Davies, who is working on the script for the sequel. In Helen Fielding's book, Bridget is sent to interview actor Colin Firth - a man she has lusted after ever since his appearance in Pride and Prejudice. But Firth played Bridget's boyfriend Mark Darcy in the first film and is set to reprise his role in the sequel - leaving scriptwriters with a problem. The solution was to find another heart-throb actor to play the object of Bridget's desire and Clooney is the ideal choice. Davies said: \"We're hoping to substitute George Clooney for Colin Firth because we want Colin to play Darcy again. \"I've written four drafts and the latest version is with Renee Zellweger. We are just waiting for her reaction. \"Reactions have been very good all the way along and we want to start filming it this year.\" Typically for Bridget, her meeting with Firth in the book goes disastrously wrong and hopes of a romance are cruelly dashed. Zellweger, 33, is said to have briefly dated Clooney last year after splitting from fellow Hollywood star Jim Carrey. The actress put on a stone-and-a-half playing the Chardonnay-swigging Bridget in the first film, which was a hit on both sides of the Atlantic. She soon slimmed back down to a tiny size six, prompting concern about her health. Luckily for Zellweger, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason will not require her to pile on so much weight a second time. Davies explained: \"This time the script doesn't require her to bulk up all that much. The plot involves her doing time in a Thai jail which means she actually has to lose weight.\" Davies, whose credits include adaptations of Pride and Prejudice, plus the forthcoming dramas Dr Zhivago and Daniel Deronda, is co-writing the screenplay with Richard Curtis."}, {"response": 1036, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 19, 2002 (12:47)", "body": "Let's keep the BJD discussion here. I was just going through the BJD page and saw an article from Empire in Feb 2001, in which George Clooney was also discussed. Cute comment from Richard Curtis: He is excited about the finished product and said \"We are all very pleased with the final cut, it's everything we hoped it would turn out to be.\" But there's bad news for fans of George Clooney, who have heard the rumours that he was to appear in a dream sequence. Curtis explained \"I'm sorry for everyone hoping to catch a glimpse of George Clooney in a dreamy haze but that was never going to happen. He is a hunk, but we have our very own hunks in the film. Both Colin and Hugh are ample match.\" So how did the rumour get started? \"I don't know where that story came from but we never intended to put Ren\ufffde through that disappointment. George was never approached\ufffdthat whole dream thing was just a dream, dreamt up by some outsider.\" However, there might be hope for the future, as Curtis added \"But then maybe it will happen in Bridget Jones 2! No, we have no intention of doing a follow up\ufffdat least not yet!\""}, {"response": 1037, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Sep 19, 2002 (13:09)", "body": "AD \"I've written four drafts and the latest version is with Renee Zellweger. We are just waiting for her reaction...Reactions have been very good all the way along and we want to start filming it this year.\" V. Good news! Was worried it was just being put off, but if they're actively working on it, then am hopeful for something to happen in the near future!! *happy dance*"}, {"response": 1038, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Sep 19, 2002 (13:15)", "body": "Yay! Colin hinted numerous times about Clooney subbing for him as BJ's interviewee. Oh man, Colin Firth and George Clooney up on the big screen, for the price of one admission! Bring me the smelling salts!"}, {"response": 1039, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Sep 19, 2002 (13:19)", "body": "What is it with all these substitute objects of lust for Bridget today? Brad Pitt, George Clooney - who next? \"Reactions have been very good all the way along and we want to start filming it this year.\" . This year, as in 2002? That's not consistent with what we've been hearing."}, {"response": 1040, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 19, 2002 (15:09)", "body": "Davies said: \"We're hoping to substitute George Clooney for Colin Firth because we want Colin to play Darcy again. I've written four drafts and the latest version is with Renee Zellweger. We are just waiting for her reaction. (Mari),Colin hinted numerous times about Clooney subbing for him as BJ's interviewee. That's art imitating life. ;-) \"This time the script doesn't require her to bulk up all that much. The plot involves her doing time in a Thai jail which means she actually has to lose weight.\" So will Colin be using that private jet I gave him for his birthday to go on location? :-D Thanks for posting, Mark. BTW, I never did ask if you bragged to your co-workers about your appearance in the BJD movie?"}, {"response": 1041, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Sep 19, 2002 (15:34)", "body": "I mentioned it eventually, Moon, but I don't know if it's really braggable - though my DW likes to tell people! Some friends say \"was that all?\" when they see it, but others say they were looking in the background and didn't realise I'd be such a camera-hog!"}, {"response": 1042, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Sep 19, 2002 (16:03)", "body": "Thanks Marianne for the article on EOR & GC, however,this does seem contrary to what Hola Lola wrote today on the CF topic that EOR had been put back, which presumably means filming will be delayed still further. Would love to hear Lola's comments re this article."}, {"response": 1043, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 19, 2002 (16:04)", "body": "others say they were looking in the background and didn't realise I'd be such a camera-hog! You were absolutely perfect! I hope you get to reprieve your role. We count on it. :-D"}, {"response": 1044, "author": "dalec", "date": "Thu, Sep 19, 2002 (19:11)", "body": "Andrew Davies did not mention Hugh, could that mean he's out? (MarkG) Some friends say \"was that all?\" when they see it, but others say they were looking in the background and didn't realise I'd be such a camera-hog! were you in BJD as an extra? how cool, which scenes were you in?"}, {"response": 1045, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Sep 19, 2002 (19:44)", "body": "Am thinking letter to the editor should question whether HF's letter was a fake and cite both books as proof as Bridget never mentions Brad Pitt fantasies even once. ;-) EXCELLENT OBSERVATION BOSS Mark, how exciting. Please tell us where you are so we can see you too. Thanks. Marianne thank you for article. It's good news. Cloony would be perfect, but I will kind of miss the CF interview as it is one of the funniest things I have ever read and can so clearly see RZ and CF doing it so extremely well. Also loving Fitz Darcy as I do, I can understand her passion with her interview. Was really looking forward to that. Can't see where interaction with GC would be as clever or as funny as the interview about Darcy. But only my opinion. But after further thought BJD the movie does not really indicate that she has a passion about P&P or Darcy, as in the books, so it might work. It was just so funny. I really enjoyed it and I can just visualize CF's facial reactions to her interview. Very funny stuff. Whatever, I know it will be a great movie and am now lighting candles. Come on Renee give it the green light, please!!! In one of your Oscar night interviews you said you loved Bridget, I do too."}, {"response": 1046, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 19, 2002 (20:31)", "body": "We made sure everyone at the Ziegfield Theater at the NY premiere knew about Mark. You should've seen the three of us gasping and pointing to the screen as Mark strode past. Betcha Harvey took notice. ;-)"}, {"response": 1047, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 19, 2002 (20:45)", "body": "(Karen)You should've seen the three of us gasping and pointing to the screen as Mark strode past. In unison: \"THERE'S MARK!!\""}, {"response": 1048, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Sep 19, 2002 (22:02)", "body": "(Mari)Yay! Colin hinted numerous times about Clooney subbing for him as BJ's interviewee I read that too, he has said it several times. I am sorry though, that the interview will be different. It was truly hilarious in the book. What did I say last night about those candles. It works, it really works-eh, I hope."}, {"response": 1049, "author": "LizJP", "date": "Thu, Sep 19, 2002 (22:52)", "body": "Here's another article about Helen Fielding's response to the Tory hijacking of her Bridget Jones character. It was on the Boston.com (Boston Globe) web site: Author protests as Conservatives enlist 'Bridget Jones' for pro-marriage campaign By Associated Press, 9/19/2002 13:42 LONDON (AP) Author Helen Fielding has accused the opposition Conservative Party of hijacking her popular Bridget Jones character in its bid to promote marriage and the family. Fielding's best-selling book, ''Bridget Jones's Diary,'' is about the romantic disasters of a 30-something single woman. In a letter published Thursday in The Daily Telegraph, Fielding took exception to a senior Conservative's remark that Bridget Jones was a Tory at heart because she hopes to marry and settle down. David Willetts, the party's spokesman on work and pensions, invoked the fictional character in a speech Wednesday in which he extolled the value of marriage and family life. While many young people are now marrying later, he said, increasing numbers of people follow Bridget's hit-and-miss romantic career before finding the right partner. ''If anything, we have higher hopes of marriage than ever before. We are taking longer to find the right partner, but still searching for that person with whom we want to spend the rest of our lives just ask Bridget Jones,'' said Willetts. Fielding protested that Willetts ''has got the whole thing completely back to front'' because one of the biggest threats to Bridget Jones' relationship with Mark Darcy ''was the horrifying discovery that he voted Tory.'' At the end of the novel, Bridget gets her man. Bridget, she said, ''is not just on a desperate quest to settle down. Like all self-respecting modern women she is struggling to balance her post-feminist independence and economic power with the human, not just female, need to love and be loved.'' Willetts' speech to a Conservative think-tank follows a fierce debate within the party over the extent to which the Tories should embrace alternative lifestyles in an attempt to make themselves more appealing. Willetts said the party should promote marriage as the ideal environment for children, while accepting that many young people prefer to cohabit in long-term relationships. ''Bridget Jones's Diary'' was turned into a hit movie in 2001 starring Renee Zellweger and Hugh Grant. Forgot someone there, didn't they? Liz"}, {"response": 1050, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Sep 19, 2002 (22:57)", "body": "This reminds me of all the foolishness with Dan Quayle and Murphy Brown."}, {"response": 1051, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 19, 2002 (23:27)", "body": "*hint hint* Mark is the one in a Burberry suit. Can't miss him. (Rika) This reminds me of all the foolishness with Dan Quayle and Murphy Brown. It sure does. While many may be disappointed that Colin won't be playing himself and doing the interview, I can understand his wanting to keep all that out. Clooney is a good substitute in my opinion. He has such a good sense of humor and quick wit that Bridget's interview is bound to be hysterical. OK, no repeated mentions of a wet shirt and being sprayed by water, but at least it will mean Colin will reprise his role. A small price IMO. But he better not throw out the towel!!!"}, {"response": 1052, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Sep 20, 2002 (03:16)", "body": "For anyone who hasn't read the old topics: When Renee gets in the car, and Huge \"growls\" at her - then that's li'l old me walking down the street. (I think the extras director got excited about the fact I had a suit on: he told me to assume that I was walking home from work - and didn't know how accurate that was)"}, {"response": 1053, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 20, 2002 (09:37)", "body": "Aw...don't be so modest. He couldn't pass up a handsome man in a Burberry suit.You brought us day by day reports of BJD.You are a real trouper, Mark.:-)))"}, {"response": 1054, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Sep 20, 2002 (11:30)", "body": "(Evelyn) You brought us day by day reports of BJD.You are a real trouper, Mark.:-))) Indeed -you aways had fun facts to share Mark. I always got excited when i saw you had posted! :-)"}, {"response": 1055, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 20, 2002 (13:43)", "body": "Would it be OK to post pics of The Burberry Man here? ;-)"}, {"response": 1056, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Sep 20, 2002 (18:39)", "body": "(Karen)But he better not throw out the towel!!! Well, I can live with the towel being thrown out:-)But I fear that will not be the case. Nor do I think the kitchen scene will be filmed as written.*sigh*. However, I will defer(?)to ODB's choices, just make the film, already."}, {"response": 1057, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Sep 20, 2002 (18:50)", "body": "(lindak) Nor do I think the kitchen scene will be filmed as written.*sigh*. Linda, I agree that we will be lucky to see that scene filmed as written in the movie...wasn't Mark Darcy nekkid? I don't have the books in front of me, but I think that is what I remember (if that's not the case, then I just pictured him that way...). We can always hope."}, {"response": 1058, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Sep 20, 2002 (19:47)", "body": "(Tress)wasn't Mark Darcy nekkid? Yup. Nekkid."}, {"response": 1059, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Sep 20, 2002 (20:44)", "body": "Nekkid just isn't gonna happen - I'd put a lot of money on those days being in the past.... but I'm going to hold out hope for a towel scene. That actually would be a good trade for the interview scene."}, {"response": 1060, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Sep 20, 2002 (20:59)", "body": "I have no objection to a towel scene....I would take towel over interview anyday (unless the interview was done nekkid)."}, {"response": 1061, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Sep 20, 2002 (22:05)", "body": "(Tress)unless the interview was done nekkid Now this sounds like the best of all possible solutions!"}, {"response": 1062, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Sep 21, 2002 (00:12)", "body": "Thanks for article Liz. Thanks for info Mark. Will watch you this weekend. Candles are lit and glowing brightly."}, {"response": 1063, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sat, Sep 21, 2002 (12:23)", "body": "(Rika)That actually would be a good trade for the interview scene. Yes, I'd call it a \"Fair Trade\" since he supports that! Maybe he can even hold a cup of coffee when he's wearing the towel with \"Fair Trade\" printed on the mug. Hmmm, maybe that would get him to do the towel scene in the first place! Hey, anyone from TEoR production reading this?"}, {"response": 1064, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Sep 21, 2002 (13:31)", "body": "(Lora)Maybe he can even hold a cup of coffee when he's wearing the towel with \"Fair Trade\" Maybe he'll even do the kitchen scene, nekkid-if they use Fair Trade coffee on the counter for product placement. C'mon, how about it, Colin? Lets play fair."}, {"response": 1065, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Sep 21, 2002 (15:14)", "body": "(lindak) Maybe he'll even do the kitchen scene, nekkid-if they use Fair Trade coffee on the counter for product placement. They could do some very clever 'product placement' and he could hold the cup in front of him during the kitchen scene....we would all remember that and never buy anything except Fair Trade coffee! It would be etched into our subconcious forever...."}, {"response": 1066, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Sep 21, 2002 (21:49)", "body": "(Tress) They could do some very clever 'product placement' and he could hold the cup in front of him during the kitchen scene Rather like that photo Lisa found a while back of the guy \"wearing\" the teacup. Works for me."}, {"response": 1067, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, Sep 22, 2002 (01:21)", "body": "Ah, the blush of first love (lust?). A BJD night. Blue soup. Just the way you are. Reindeer jumpers. Yes they f***ing do. It's all MarkG's fault, had to find him but of course had to watch the whole thing. Gonna go light a candle for TEoR."}, {"response": 1068, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Sep 22, 2002 (05:36)", "body": "Good to relive those Ziegfeld moments! I believe we even mentioned Mark to the waiting British press outside in a casual \"Give me a free pass, damn you, I know someone in this film\" kind of a way;-) And then Barb you will just have to watch it with friends in order just to point Mark out, it can be a never ending scenario.....:-)"}, {"response": 1069, "author": "treseg", "date": "Mon, Sep 23, 2002 (09:54)", "body": "i'm thinking i need the dvd as a b-day present to myself, anyway i'll take clooney if that is how the film is going to get made, but the best part of the interview for me is that cf is so stand offish about being a sex symbol in real life and could just hear and see his reactions in my mind when i read it, i think george knows and accepts (and probably like) being a sex symbol, it just won't be the same but i always have the book to read over and over (at least after i get it back from my friend)"}, {"response": 1070, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Mon, Sep 23, 2002 (20:08)", "body": "Why not have CF grow his hair out a la FP and shoot that part first? I do hate it that the wet shirt schtick will have to go by the wayside. Clooney seems to have enough of a sense of humor to pull it off, though."}, {"response": 1071, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Sep 23, 2002 (20:43)", "body": "I think it would add to the humour and whole bit of him already playing Darcy if he played himself too...it could work...."}, {"response": 1072, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Sep 23, 2002 (21:00)", "body": "I have heard it said that CF could play the interview in costume, as if the interview were occurring on a set....in particular, think dressed as Wessex. Of course they would not be able to do Wessex but, what a joke, he could do virtually any costume, Regency thing. I would hope they would include boots of course though. (That would be, uh, purely personal preference...) But now I think of it, what a nightmare the whole thing would be...P&P being a major \"prop\" for TEoR, a whole back-story that is too delicious for those who know it but miles above the head of the average movie patron, a nightmare of releases and copyright acknowledgments that would have little or no benefit to the average movie goer. Rats...gotta believe it will never happen. (Note to self...buy more candles.)"}, {"response": 1073, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Sep 23, 2002 (21:12)", "body": "I'm not happy with the interview being done by someone else. That was a hilarious part of the book. I agree with Lisa and Elizabeth. I think they could have found a way with a beard etc. to film that scene. Then Bridget could realize why she's crazy about Marc-because he looks like Darcy. I wish they would have consulted me about the script. Oh, well if it gets made and gets Colin in a towel-what the heck."}, {"response": 1074, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 23, 2002 (21:34)", "body": "(Lisa), I think it would add to the humour and whole bit of him already playing Darcy if he played himself too...it could work.... That's my take too. Besides, he can dress as his sloppy self for the interview, a definite change from the dapper MD. If they get GC as another love interest, that would free HG from the project. He knows that Daniel is nothing in TEOR. And CF and GC together in a film is... sing it Mary Poppins... \"supercallyfragalistic..."}, {"response": 1075, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Sep 23, 2002 (21:52)", "body": "I don't think that setting up Colin as two different people is so much the issue. I think the general public can understand using the same person as two different people. I think it would be harder for those who wouldn't be and aren't familiar with the in-joke with the P&P connection. It's hilarious to us because we all know about that and the references to Livia. I would think it would completely fall flat to those out-of-the-know. People would wonder why interviewing Colin would be significant enough to be a part of the movie. At least with GC, he and his work is more generally known I think and there wouldn't have to be a big setup. If they had mentioned Bridget's P&P/CF obsession in the first movie it wouldn't be such a big deal to continue with it in TEoR. Of course, this all is IMHO."}, {"response": 1076, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Sep 23, 2002 (21:59)", "body": "(Lisa), I think it would add to the humour and whole bit of him already playing Darcy if he played himself too...it could work.... If ODB played MD and himself, I think it could open up a few 'fantasy/dream' scenes as well...imagine Mr. Darcy (in wet shirt and riding boots of course) emptying BJ's dishwasher (wasn't there some quote regarding Brad Pitt emptying Bridget's dishwasher?) or Bridget done up in regency clothing talking to Mr. Darcy at Pemberly... George Clooney is a good second for the interview sequence (he is truly hilarious when interviewed), but I think that the whole P&P obsession in the books is too funny...there really isn't a GC movie that caused that kind of a fuss, is there?"}, {"response": 1077, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep 23, 2002 (22:31)", "body": "Colin has said many times he wouldn't play himself, and that they'd get someone like George Clooney to be BJ's object of fandom. Plus, it's an in-joke and they can't build movies on in-jokes. CG is known in every nook and cranny of the globe, and they go for the global audience (and I can't blame them). Even the first movie made no reference to BJ liking P&P--that connection was pretty much removed altogether. Plus, how realistic would it be for BJ to be pining away for someone who caught her fancy 8 years ago? Err, strike that last question; we're all still here.;-)"}, {"response": 1078, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 24, 2002 (08:47)", "body": "Plus, how realistic would it be for BJ to be pining away for someone who caught her fancy 8 years ago? Err, strike that last question; we're all still here.;-) LOL! But we're really here because of the friends we've made thanks to him. ;-) (Dorine), I would think it would completely fall flat to those out-of-the-know. People would wonder why interviewing Colin would be significant enough to be a part of the movie. Good point. not that I care for those not ion the know. ;-)"}, {"response": 1079, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Sep 24, 2002 (09:32)", "body": "But we're really here because of the friends we've made thanks to him.;-) An excellent point, Moon. I find the society here quite pleasing.:-)"}, {"response": 1080, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Sep 24, 2002 (10:08)", "body": "(Dorine), I would think it would completely fall flat to those out-of-the-know. You're absolutely right...I will go hide now. I am just a huge fan of the interview scene...but I did say eariler that I would trade that for the towel scene anyday...and I would. I'm just being greedy....I want both!!"}, {"response": 1081, "author": "dalec", "date": "Tue, Sep 24, 2002 (10:37)", "body": "(Dorine), I would think it would completely fall flat to those out-of-the-know. (Tress)You're absolutely right...I will go hide now. I am just a huge fan of the interview scene...but I did say eariler that I would trade that for the towel scene anyday...and I would. I'm just being greedy....I want both!! yeah, i agree too. maybe they'll do the GC and ER angle, GC didn't really get popular until ER which could possibly be a substitute for Colin's Mr. Darcy phenomenon. my friend borrowed my BJD books just a few months ago. she had no clue as to the whole Mr. Darcy/wet shirt/P&P2 thing but she nonetheless enjoyed the books immensely because of Bridget and Mark. she had not seen BJD the movie yet but she knew who was in the movie so all the while as she was reading the books she kept picturing Hugh as Mark Darcy!"}, {"response": 1082, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Sep 24, 2002 (10:57)", "body": "(Mari)An excellent point, Moon. I find the society here quite pleasing.:-) Me too, ever so much. (Tress) I am just a huge fan of the interview scene...but I did say eariler that I would trade that for the towel scene anyday...and I would. I'm just being greedy....I want both!! Me, too. As I really think it is one of the funniest things in the book and one of the funniest things I have ever read. But Dorine is right, those who are not in the know wouldn't understand her passion and as I said earlier being that it wasn't alluded to in the first movie it would seem to be coming out of left field. So to appease the masses would be better to go with Clooney or some other high-profile celeb. Just will miss such a very very funny scene. I can really picture Colin and Rene's facial expressions while doing this. Absolutely hysterical."}, {"response": 1083, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Tue, Sep 24, 2002 (11:29)", "body": "(dalec) all the while as she was reading the books she kept picturing Hugh as Mark Darcy! Ack!! I really need that emoticon for dry heaves (Karen, are you listening?). You did set your friend straight, right???? Sit her down for a P&P2 session; doubt she'll make that mistake twice."}, {"response": 1084, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Tue, Sep 24, 2002 (11:55)", "body": "You mean .... she umm thought... er er that... yeah yeah right... oh...of course that Hugh was... yah ok well um.....;-) Bring on that emoticon for dry heaves and fast!"}, {"response": 1085, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Sep 24, 2002 (12:08)", "body": "GAG.... glad I read this before lunch and not after. (shudder)"}, {"response": 1086, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Sep 24, 2002 (18:46)", "body": "(Dorine)I would think it would completely fall flat to those out-of-the-know. People would wonder why interviewing Colin would be significant enough to be a part of the movie I hate it when you're right:-) (Mari)An excellent point, Moon. I find the society here quite pleasing.:-) Quite pleasing indeed. Thank you, ladies. I enjoy every moment here."}, {"response": 1087, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Tue, Sep 24, 2002 (19:10)", "body": "Hmmm. Interview? Or towel? Interview? Or towel? (as if we have a choice...I suspect we will get neither.) OK, then, I'll vote for the towel, and insist that they shoot the interview just for fun and make it a DVD extra. How's that for magical thinking? :) Truly this is the most civilized and amusing society to be found anywhere."}, {"response": 1088, "author": "dalec", "date": "Tue, Sep 24, 2002 (19:37)", "body": "(moonstar) You did set your friend straight, right???? Sit her down for a P&P2 session; doubt she'll make that mistake twice. i did, she's still not a CF fan though. don't know if there's still hope for her. she did watch SIL again when i told her Colin was in it and said he looked so much better as Mark Darcy. she still finds it hard to believe that Wessex was played by Colin."}, {"response": 1089, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Sep 24, 2002 (19:44)", "body": "(Elizabeth) OK, then, I'll vote for the towel, and insist that they shoot the interview just for fun and make it a DVD extra. How's that for magical thinking? :) I love this idea! But.........yeah, right. :-) (Pam) As I really think it is one of the funniest things in the book and one of the funniest things I have ever read. Me, too! Maybe second only to Lisa's story of her discovery of her employer's scripts for mutes, er, mute characters. ;-) (Mari) I find the society here quite pleasing.:-) Yes, indeed! Thanks everyone! A little tidbit I'd like to see included too would be the part where Bridget gets a message from Colin on the answering machine to arrange a time for the interview. Just"}, {"response": 1090, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Sep 24, 2002 (19:48)", "body": "Oops, hit the button before I was ready.As I was saying.... A little tidbit I'd like to see included,too, would be the part where Bridget gets a message from Colin on the answering machine to arrange a time for the interview. Just as they rewind, Tom calls and says, \"Hello, you pretty little things, it's Mr. Darcy here just calling to see if anyone could help me out of this wet shirt.\" Would be funny to watch them all freak out. That guy that played Tom was a riot to me. :-)"}, {"response": 1091, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Sep 24, 2002 (21:20)", "body": "(dalec) she had not seen BJD the movie yet but she knew who was in the movie so all the while as she was reading the books she kept picturing Hugh as Mark Darcy! Oh, the sacrilege!!! But at least she wasn't picturing him as Mister Darcy!"}, {"response": 1092, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Sep 24, 2002 (22:12)", "body": "(Dorine) Just as they rewind, Tom calls and says, \"Hello, you pretty little things, it's Mr. Darcy here just calling to see if anyone could help me out of this wet shirt.\" Would be funny to watch them all freak out. That guy that played Tom was a riot to me. :-) Oh, yes, would HATE to lose that. Well, I suppose they could Clooney-ize that moment somehow and include it."}, {"response": 1093, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Sep 25, 2002 (09:16)", "body": "(Elizabeth) OK, then, I'll vote for the towel, and insist that they shoot the interview just for fun and make it a DVD extra. How's that for magical thinking? :) In total agreement. Was thinking of this myself. (Dorine) That guy that played Tom was a riot to me. :-) I agree. I loved all her urban family very very much. Great characters and great friends. Hope they're on screen more in EOR. (Kathy) Oh, the sacrilege!!! But at least she wasn't picturing him as Mister Darcy! GOD FORBID!! One could be burned at the stake for that error."}, {"response": 1094, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Sep 25, 2002 (09:31)", "body": "(Dorine) That guy that played Tom was a riot to me. :-) (FanPam) I agree. I loved all her urban family very very much. Great characters and great friends. Hope they're on screen more in EOR. One of my absolute favorite scenes in TEoR is when Tom's phone goes missing and Bridget has to hunt for it in the trash....I was a LOL moment for me...I hope as well that her urban family gets more screen time this time around...."}, {"response": 1095, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Sep 25, 2002 (14:09)", "body": "They filmed the dustbin scene for the first movie, right? And then (sigh) it got cut."}, {"response": 1096, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Sep 25, 2002 (16:39)", "body": "(Rika) They filmed the dustbin scene for the first movie, right? And then (sigh) it got cut. Did they??? Now I'm really bummed. I liked that scene so much in the book. And I am sure they won't re-do it for TEoR...Although, from the sounds of things the movie will be quite a bit different. Wish they had included it in the deleted scenes."}, {"response": 1097, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Sep 25, 2002 (23:21)", "body": "Tress, check out this page on The Bucket: http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjdcut.html It's got some scenes and dialogue from the screenplay that did not appear in the film. The dialogue for the dustbin scene is there. When they cut the dustbin scene, they also had to change a line in the book launch party scene. Originally when Mark introduced Bridget and Natasha, his introduction of Bridget made reference to the phone in the dustbin, not the paddling pool."}, {"response": 1098, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Sep 26, 2002 (09:49)", "body": "Thanks for link Rika. Hadn't seen this before."}, {"response": 1099, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Sep 26, 2002 (09:56)", "body": "(Rika) It's got some scenes and dialogue from the screenplay that did not appear in the film. The dialogue for the dustbin scene is there. Thanks Rika! As you can tell I still haven't found all the little goodies on The Bucket. I'm sorry the scene at the hotel (the mini-break scene) didn't make it as well. That was funny!"}, {"response": 1100, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 26, 2002 (10:24)", "body": "In case it is not clear, the deleted scenes included on that page were Mark Darcy's only and one involving the friends. Some people seem to think that only Colin's scenes were cut from the final version of the film. Not so. I just didn't choose to put the others up."}, {"response": 1101, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Sep 26, 2002 (11:21)", "body": "Now I have a silly question...were these scenes actually filmed (and if so, does anyone know why they didn't include them in the deleted scenes) or were they only in the original script and changed prior to filming? I did notice that the MD line about the paddling pool (at the launch party) was dubbed in after the fact (on my DVD, there is a noticable change in the sound quality and ODB is off camera)."}, {"response": 1102, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 26, 2002 (11:30)", "body": "The script I have is labeled a \"shooting script\" and I expect they did film most, if not all of it and more. It is very obvious that the lines were dubbed at the launch party and that Natasha's followup line makes no sense."}, {"response": 1103, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Sep 26, 2002 (14:34)", "body": "(KarenR) It's always fun to see a 'shooting script'...I've seen a few (of movies that I didn't care too much about), but this is interesting because a scene that was dropped from the script ended up being in the book (TEoR). Thanks for sharing."}, {"response": 1104, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Sep 26, 2002 (15:19)", "body": "Karen, I love the goodies you have on The Bucket - it was so interesting to see what didn't make it onto the screen. I recall from the pre-release publicity for BJD that a surprising number of the clips shown at that time didn't make it into the movie (like the \"a shame about the thighs\" comment at the Tube station). I know what Sharon Maguire said in the director's commentary about keeping rom-coms to 90 minutes, but I can't see that another ten minutes (the RIGHT ten minutes, anyhow) would have destroyed the structure of the film. Speaking of goodies on The Bucket, I was really glad that I had read the Telegraph columns before the older ones vanished. I wish I had saved some of them (like one at the holidays where Mark and Bridget verbally seduced one another without the parents catching on)."}, {"response": 1105, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Thu, Sep 26, 2002 (15:32)", "body": "Lots of the publiciyt here contained shots from the clips that didn't make it .... got very confusing when taking people along to their first (my umpteenth) showing."}, {"response": 1106, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 26, 2002 (16:14)", "body": "(Tress) a scene that was dropped from the script ended up being in the book (TEoR). Cart before the horse. The dustbin ringing was in TEOR, which was written before the script. In fact, HF told the dustbin ringing story numerous times during her first book tour of the US, as an example of real-life situation that happened to a friend, and it was in the weekly columns. I'm going to have to see what's going on at The Telegraph, whether they've merely changed their links (AGAIN!!) or if the content is no longer archived. Grrrr...."}, {"response": 1107, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Sep 26, 2002 (16:20)", "body": "I'm going to have to see what's going on at The Telegraph Woohoo...all this talk, I've only just discovered the links to the original stuff, what there is of it that is. Thought I had missed the chance when I found the bad links. Maybe a chance the boss will make it all better! Lighting another candle for good links. (House is looking very gothic with all the candles going...)"}, {"response": 1108, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 26, 2002 (16:49)", "body": "If the links don't exist, I may just delete it. The columns that do appear (Oct onward) are ones I typed up myself since a previous archive conversion at The Telegraph lost those last few months."}, {"response": 1109, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Sep 26, 2002 (21:26)", "body": "The columns that do appear (Oct onward) are ones I typed up myself since a previous archive conversion Archive conversion sounds ominous. I'm hearing Darth Vader saying \"It's useless to resist\" however I cannot miss the \"typed up myself\" part. What you do for us, especially those come late to the obsession, it is amazing. We are not worthy...thank you for what there is of it..."}, {"response": 1110, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Sep 26, 2002 (21:41)", "body": "Karen, I was so glad you typed up the ones you did! I meant to tell you about the bad links a month or so ago when I first discovered them but it slipped my mind (as so many things were doing back then)."}, {"response": 1111, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 26, 2002 (22:51)", "body": "I wasn't aware the links were bad until now. The search engine doesn't seem to be working at The Telegraph. Not only did NO results turn up but there wasn't any kind of explanation. So, I've dumped it on the support guys at the Telegraph and sent them all the urls I want and will see what they say. Last time around, they did respond by saying that the Oct-Dec columns would be converted to the new system later (I never checked up). We shall see. Right now, I'm more concerned with the messed up file permissions in my subdirectories...the reason why images are missing. Good thing I printed off the old columns when they were first published. ;-)"}, {"response": 1112, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Sep 27, 2002 (00:00)", "body": "(Karen) Good thing I printed off the old columns when they were first published. ;-) Oh, you clever girl!"}, {"response": 1113, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 27, 2002 (00:20)", "body": "It wasn't that I was so clever, but that I didn't have a home computer at that time. However it was so fun. Many of us on this side of the pond would get online on Friday night, when the Telegraph uploaded the next day's paper, so that we could comment on the column right away. It was a nasty weekend when HF didn't publish her column. If you go back to the first BJD topic, you will see."}, {"response": 1114, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 27, 2002 (09:05)", "body": "Oh, you clever girl! Do take the credit, Karen. I too am grateful for all you do. You are the fun-Firthette leader. 3 Cheers!"}, {"response": 1115, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Sep 27, 2002 (13:59)", "body": "(Moon) 3 Cheers! Hear Hear! Thank you Karen! :-)"}, {"response": 1116, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Sep 27, 2002 (15:40)", "body": "Bravo, Karen. You're the best."}, {"response": 1117, "author": "kattas", "date": "Fri, Sep 27, 2002 (16:41)", "body": "I posted here a few times this past winter and spring, but then life (namely my job) intervened and so I haven't had much time to do anything off hours. However one thing I did a few months ago was copy and paste all the Telegrah columns Karen linked to, and put them in a Word document. If anyone would like the doc, feel free to email me and I'll send it to you. A word of warning: it's a big file, 425K in size. I'm going to email the doc to Karen so she can put them back up on the Bucket as she sees fit if the tech support people at the Telegraph can't reestablish the links."}, {"response": 1118, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Sep 27, 2002 (20:37)", "body": "Cool!!!! Thanks, Kattas!"}, {"response": 1119, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (00:25)", "body": "HAPPY, HAPPY, BIRTHDAY, KAREN AND MANY MANY MORE. YOU ARE THE GREATEST!!!"}, {"response": 1120, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (13:41)", "body": "A big cheer to Kathy for her coming to our rescue with the column. I thank you, the readers thank you and most of all my poor, tired fingers thank you. :)"}, {"response": 1121, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (15:55)", "body": "Where will I find the column posted? Please forgive ignorance. Thank you."}, {"response": 1122, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (16:20)", "body": "The old Telegraph columns were linked from my BJD page at the Bucket; however, the links are broken right now. Until I hear from the paper on whether this is permanent or temporary, I'm not planning on uploading Kathy's doc yet."}, {"response": 1123, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (16:22)", "body": "OK Thank you."}, {"response": 1124, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (16:35)", "body": "Here's the page where they would be... http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjdcols.html The only ones you can still read online are from Oct 3 to the end."}, {"response": 1125, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (21:39)", "body": "(kattas) I'm going to email the doc to Karen so she can put them back up on the Bucket (Karen) A big cheer to Kathy for her coming to our rescue with the column I'm not one to accept praise where it isn't due. Alas, I'm not the thoughtful rescuer. The honor belongs to Kattas (Response 1117). Altogether too many K names around here -- just adds to the confusion!"}, {"response": 1126, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Sep 29, 2002 (00:10)", "body": "Thanks Karen. Read available ones and enjoyed immensely. Looking forward to reading others when available."}, {"response": 1127, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 29, 2002 (09:08)", "body": "Actually kattas' name is Kathy, but I believe she used to post under the name of kats before. ;-)"}, {"response": 1128, "author": "kattas", "date": "Sun, Sep 29, 2002 (11:20)", "body": "(Karen) Actually kattas' name is Kathy, but I believe she used to post under the name of kats before. ;-) I was hoping to avoid confusion. ;-p I've never forgot the time I was in a Girl Scout troop and there were three other 'Kathys' and they had to call me Kathleen Anne. I now go by 'Kat' but others still call me 'Kathy.' I've never thought my mum was original in naming us girls. Re: the doc, you're welcome. :-) As a database programmer who's had to deal with data mishaps during our long migration process, I never take any kind of data for granted, especially stuff I don't want to lose. And that includes anything do to with CF. LOL"}, {"response": 1129, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Oct  2, 2002 (22:44)", "body": "IMO there are way too many Kathies out there. I had two best friends in college with the same name. Very confusing! I've noticed on old topics that there was also another Kathy F. I should have gone with a pseudonym! Too late now, I guess."}, {"response": 1130, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Thu, Oct  3, 2002 (12:26)", "body": "Noticed that Helen Fielding has added her voice to the Oxfam Fair Trade campaign: Helen Fielding Author, UK \"The coffee market is no longer bearing fruit for the farmers. Our cappuccino pleasure should not be at their expense.\" http://maketradefair1.srv.poptel.org.uk/celebs.asp?subcat=1&cat=1&select=3"}, {"response": 1131, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Oct  3, 2002 (20:56)", "body": "Thanks for report Emma."}, {"response": 1132, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (13:19)", "body": "Drool is kicking off its Annual Fund-Raising Drive. Spring needs money in order to operate and we appreciate whatever people can send to help keep this place online every single day of the week. For this year's campaign, I'm hoping that the contributions will cover our operating expenses through the end of the year. As Terry has explained in the past, it costs approximately $300 a month to run Spring, which includes the conferences, The Bucket (firth.com) and austen.com, home to the Derbyshire Writers' Guild. Also, when we exceed our contractual allowance for bandwidth, there are variable charges for the excess. From our usage statistics, we all know Drool is very popular but is financially supported by a small fraction of those who visit. Whether you have registered or read the boards in a public mode, it costs Spring money. We prefer to keep Drool open to the public and can only do so through your generosity and giving whatever you can to keep this wonderful place open. This year, I've made arrangements with Lizza in the UK to collect cheques, which she can then send on to me. For other countries, we have alternatives that have worked fine in the past. Our Drool boards are a source of enjoyment for many people, participants and lurkers alike. So if you'd like to make a contribution, please contact me at nomdedrool@yahoo.com for information, as no addresses will be posted on this board."}, {"response": 1133, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (16:07)", "body": "From IMDb. Don't remember if this was posted before... \"Renee Refuses To Gain Weight for 'Bridget Jones' Sequel Hollywood beauty Renee Zellweger is refusing to gain weight for the sequel to hit movie Bridget Jones's Diary. The 33-year-old star has insisted that no amount of money would persuade her to be overweight for eight months again, and the movie's writer Andrew Davies has responded by revealing that the follow up, The Edge Of Reason, will actually require her to lose rather than gain pounds to her already skinny figure. The sexy star insists, \"I don't want to go through that experience again.\" But Davies explains, \"This time the script doesn't require her to bulk up all that much. The plot involves her doing time in a Thai jail, which means she actually has to lose weight.\""}, {"response": 1134, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Oct  9, 2002 (15:53)", "body": "Thanks for the report Evelyn. I can't say I blame her. She's in demand and probably wouldn't have the time to lose the wait after shooting."}, {"response": 1135, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Oct  9, 2002 (17:35)", "body": "Thanks for the report, Evelyn. Too bad the Thai jail story remains in the script. But what really puzzles me is how she can lose any more weight. IF she does, she'll disappear! IF they have to keep the jail scene, I hope they keep the IF poem (Kipling) in the script. Doesn't she have that in jail with her because Mark gives it to her before she goes away? Will go and recheck."}, {"response": 1136, "author": "kattas", "date": "Wed, Oct  9, 2002 (17:58)", "body": "(Lora): Doesn't she have that in jail with her because Mark gives it to her before she goes away? Yep, in EOR, she goes to Jerome's poetry reading at her parents' and afterwards, Mark drops by with his father (who's drunk). He sits at a table to write something and knocks over a vase (I think). He then rushes out with his parents, leaving the paper with the 'IF' poem on it. Bridget leaves for Thailand the next day. It's a scene taken directly out of Jane Austen's 'Persuasion.'"}, {"response": 1137, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Oct  9, 2002 (18:23)", "body": "(Lora) But what really puzzles me is how she can lose any more weight. In White Oleander and the trailer for Chicago, I didn't think she looked as thin as she was at one point. But now that I think of it, she did WO and Chicago prior to this spring I believe, which is when I saw the pic of her in the paper where she looked ghastly thin to me. Maybe she fluctuates a lot. I hope they keep the IF poem (Kipling) in the script. (Kattas) He sits at a table to write something and knocks over a vase (I think). He then rushes out with his parents, leaving the paper with the 'IF' poem on it I do too. I can easily imagine him doing that bit of physical comedy. Maybe they can do something with that Thai jail scene to make it gel better in the movie than it did in the book. And if they leave this in and leave out the towel scene......*shaking head in disbelief*. It's enough they are already altering the funniest thing in the book."}, {"response": 1138, "author": "kattas", "date": "Wed, Oct  9, 2002 (19:35)", "body": "(Dorine) Maybe they can do something with that Thai jail scene to make it gel better in the movie than it did in the book. And if they leave this in and leave out the towel scene......*shaking head in disbelief*. It's enough they are already altering the funniest thing in the book. Well, I'm not surprised, considering they veered so much from the book in bringing BJD to the screen. I'm sure they'd do the same with EOR, which is a shame, as I thought EOR was funnier than BJD."}, {"response": 1139, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Oct  9, 2002 (21:24)", "body": "(Dorine)I hope they keep the IF poem (Kipling) in the script. (Kattas) He sits at a table to write something and knocks over a vase (I think). He then rushes out with his parents, leaving the paper with the 'IF' poem on it I loved that part in the book. I do hope they keep it in. I can just see him doing that."}, {"response": 1140, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Oct  9, 2002 (22:01)", "body": "They'd better really streamline the whole Thai jail thing. It was certainly the weakest part of the book and I think it would be the same in the movie. Like Dorine said, they'd better not sacrifice the towel scene for more Thai jail stuff!"}, {"response": 1141, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Oct 10, 2002 (14:06)", "body": "(Rika) the whole Thai jail thing... was certainly the weakest part of the book and I think it would be the same in the movie true, but must admit that Renee (as Bridget) in sarong, pointy bra and tampon microphone singing Madona to Thai prostitutes would be funny. (and probably be nominated for MTV movie awards) :-) (Kattas) I thought EOR was funnier than BJD Me Too!"}, {"response": 1142, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 15, 2002 (09:03)", "body": "Andrew Davies is apparently talking to all the newspapers and mags these days. Ananova has picked up the same \"RZ/weight\" story, which it got from Heat mag: http://www.ananova.com/entertainment/story/sm_690077.html?menu ="}, {"response": 1143, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Oct 15, 2002 (20:53)", "body": "I saw White Oleander today and I thought Renee did a good performance, moving from sanity and the good life to a downfall. Michelle Pfeiffer was remarkable, but an even more stunning performance was turned in by Alison Lohman who plays the young girl Astrid. Academy Award for Best Acctress? I'd say she'd have to be the leading contender. Both Robin Wright Penn and Renee Zellwegger play Astrid's foster moms. Pheiffer is her real mom, who is in prison. Ebert has praise for Zellwegger. \"Astrid's best foster experience is with Claire (Zellweger), whose performance is the most convincing in the movie. She plays a onetime horror star, married to a director who is usually absent, and we believe the scenes she has with Astrid because they come from need and honesty.\" And Ebert craves for more reality (though I don't, I thought the unreality suited the movie): The performances are often touching and deserve a better screenplay. I don't hold the beauty of the actresses against them, but I wish the movie had not been so pleased with the way the sunlight comes streaming through their long blond hair and falls on their flawless skin and little white summer dresses. More Ebert on Zellwegger role as Astrid's foster mom: They also inspire the best scenes between Astrid and her mother; Pfeiffer finds just the right note between jealousy and perception when, on visiting day at the prison, she observes, \"You dress like her now.\" Later she tells her daughter, \"I'd like to meet her.\" \"Why?\" \"Because you don't want me to.\" And later: \"How can you stand to live with poor Claire? I would rather see you in the worst kind of foster home than to live with that woman.\" The scenes involving Claire most clearly inspire Astrid's developing ideas about her mother.\" http://www.chicagosuntimes.com/output/ebert1/wkp-news-white11f.html My conclusion, go see it and take my favorite movie reviewer with a grain of salt."}, {"response": 1144, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Wed, Oct 16, 2002 (12:26)", "body": "Thanks Terry. Do we know how long we have to wait for it here?"}, {"response": 1145, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Oct 16, 2002 (20:10)", "body": "Where's here? I don't know anything about the release schedule. I think it's generally released, but maybe it's on limited distribtuion. I like Ebert, I went to school with him, but he's off the mark in his review. I think this is a movie with an academy award winning performance by the girl who plays Astrid. And maybe best supporting for Renee, though that's more of a stretch."}, {"response": 1146, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Oct 18, 2002 (06:56)", "body": "In today's Austin American Statesman: http://www.austin360.com/statesman/editions/friday/life_entertainment_1.html A working mother's 'Bridget Jones' By Sharyn Wizda Vane AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF Friday, October 18, 2002 Meet Bridget Jones, five years down the road. Her name is Kate Reddy, married mother of two, and she has a similarly high-class job in London (hedge-fund manager vs. Bridget's publishing), a similarly annoying social nemesis (the Muffia, a cabal of superior stay-at-home moms, vs. Bridget's Smug Marrieds) and a similarly quotidian approach to life (Sisyphean to-do lists vs. Bridget's diary entries). Bridget, the heroine of Helen Fielding's \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" spawned a whole slew of chick-lit imitators, from Jane Green's \"Jemima J\" to Wendy Holden's \"Farm Fatale.\" Kate, the chaotic center of Allison Pearson's \"I Don't Know How She Does It,\" brings us a fresh new version of the genre -- working-mom lit. Pearson expertly charts the never-ending guilt of her heroine, stretched between a workplace rife with boors and a home full of family desperately seeking more Kate. Fair warning: This is not a cheeky, uplifting novel about how to do it all. This is a novel that sheds comic yet painful light on the hazards of trying. a lot more at http://www.austin360.com/statesman/editions/friday/life_entertainment_1.html"}, {"response": 1147, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Oct 18, 2002 (07:46)", "body": "She was just here in Boston to promote her book. I e-mailed my girlfriend (another thirtysomething single mommy) and she ran out and bought it!"}, {"response": 1148, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct 18, 2002 (10:52)", "body": "I saw the author interviewed on Today show.V.much like HF British, funny articulate(except more glam;-) \"BJ five years later\" was Katie Couric's remark too. BTW the book has already been commissioned for a film.Not cast yet."}, {"response": 1149, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Oct 18, 2002 (11:38)", "body": "Let's pray ladies that Bridget gets made before Kate does. Could possibly be too much competition if they come out at the same time."}, {"response": 1150, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (15:44)", "body": "Thanks to Sharon: Renee set for a new Diary date by BAZ BAMIGBOYE, Daily Mail After months of intense negotiations, an agreement is 'virtually in place' for Renee Zellweger to star in the Bridget Jones movie sequel. It's the most confident that people on both sides - Ms Zellweger's negotiators and executives connected to the film - have felt all year about luring the actress back to the role that made her an international star. 'We've virtually agreed a deal. In fact, there's an agreement in place and I don't see any reason why it won't happen,' says someone close to movie chiefs at Working Title, who are thrashing out the details. Renee's fee for the sequel - The Edge Of Reason - will soar. She could make $8-10 million dollars for reprising her role as the neurotic, calorie-counting heroine. 'She'll be paid considerably more than she got for the original movie,' was all one insider would say. It's understood that Renee's negotiating team kept asking for more money to be put on the table. Then it wanted a bigger slice of revenues from DVD and video sales. 'The money wasn't actually a problem,' I was told. 'It was more to do with the fact that, now she's a big star, she's got dozens of offers out there - so when will she have the time? Time was the problem.' The reality is that executives are keen to get the film shooting by next summer - which is already several months later than they would originally have liked. 'Frankly, whenever the cameras start rolling on this one, I'll be happy,' one consultant told me. Renee should receive a script by the end of November. Writers Andrew Davies, Helen Fielding (author of the diaries) and Richard Curtis have all had a hand in it. Once Renee and others have approved the script and she is safely on board, then the rest of the cast - expected to include Hugh Grant and Colin Firth - will be contracted. Several directors, including original Bridget Jones filmmaker Sharon Maguire and Beeban Kidron (Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit), are on the shortlist."}, {"response": 1151, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (16:08)", "body": "Yeah! Several directors, including original Bridget Jones filmmaker Sharon Maguire She was all gushy over ODB. Bet she'd make sure there's a towel scene somehow."}, {"response": 1152, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (16:08)", "body": "And BTW, thanks Mari and Sharon! :)"}, {"response": 1153, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (16:10)", "body": "Thanks Mari and Sharon. Good ole Baz. Don't blame her for asking for more money. WT made way over $100.M on Bridget. In UK actors don't get residuals on videos etc...but they do in the US. So she can't be blasted for asking for her share. Besides she has a new $6M pad ;-)"}, {"response": 1154, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (19:03)", "body": "Oh, I'm dancing in the streets. Thank you Mari and Sharon. Think towel, think towel, think towel. Think kitchen, think kitchen, think kitchen"}, {"response": 1155, "author": "kattas", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (19:16)", "body": "Thanks, Mari and Sharon! Good news indeed. Agree with Evelyn re: Renee being entitled to ask for more money. I only hope Colin got more this time as well."}, {"response": 1156, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (19:25)", "body": "Thank you for the info Mari and Sharon.....I agree CF *should* get a big hunk of dough for this one, but will it happen? Guess I should read TEOR now!"}, {"response": 1157, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (20:40)", "body": "Lisa, it's definitely worth reading just to imagine CF in the MD scenes! In fact, I feel like reading it again."}, {"response": 1158, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (21:00)", "body": "Maybe we will actually get to start *another* new topic...The Edge of Reason, Part 1!"}, {"response": 1159, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (21:10)", "body": "Lisa, it's definitely worth reading just to imagine CF in the MD scenes! In fact, I feel like reading it again. I'll second that. I think I'm going to start a re-read tonight. Rika, thank you for those pictures on our old homestead."}, {"response": 1160, "author": "LizBeth", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (22:20)", "body": "IMO, I liked it better than BJD. Of course, I read them both within the same 24hour sitting. Ah, finals week, it's not just for studying anymore! LizBeth"}, {"response": 1161, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (22:52)", "body": "(LizBeth) Ah, finals week, it's not just for studying anymore! Ah, the exquisite irony, as I sit here reading Drool when I'm supposed to be writing the midterm exam I'm giving on Tuesday."}, {"response": 1162, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (00:20)", "body": "(LizBeth) Ah, finals week, it's not just for studying anymore! (Rika) Ah, the exquisite irony, as I sit here reading Drool when I'm supposed to be writing the midterm exam I'm giving on Tuesday. It would seem higher education has improved since my last experience with it!!"}, {"response": 1163, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (09:38)", "body": "(Evelyn)Don't blame her for asking for more money. Me neither, she'd be foolish not to. Without her, they don't have a movie. BJD earned $208 million worldwide in box office--and that doesn't count video, DVD, or TV broadcasting rights. This franchise is a license to print money."}, {"response": 1164, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (11:07)", "body": "I am curious to see what Colin is able to negotiate. Scratch that, I would lovce to know what he will get for it. We know HG had secured points too. He's the one that's made the most last time and naturally, both RZ and CF will have to compete. I wonder what HF is waiting form to write another BJD?"}, {"response": 1165, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (12:26)", "body": "(Evelyn)Don't blame her for asking for more money. (Mari)Me neither, she'd be foolish not to Don't you know WT is furious to have to deal with Hollywood types.They're used to paying the British actors pittance.I am sure CF's sticker price has gone up...if he's firm. But RZ is crucial...they could write the guys out...but she's pivotal. (No fire alarms...I'm not out to cut Colin out...Trust me.)"}, {"response": 1166, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (14:41)", "body": "(Evelyn)Don't blame her for asking for more money. Of course she should get what she wants. Not to mention she is pivotal to the remake. Agree with Evelyn without here there is none. Hope all get a really fair shake from what is sure to be another extremely, very profitable experience. They'd be foolish not to, and to accept the excuse that English films pay pittance is pathetic in this day and age. The money is made world-wide and contracts should be based on that. I hope they all go for profits from video and DVD sales. They'd be foolish not to. This could be enough to prompt HF to her third book. Let's hope so. I'd like to see what happens to Bridget later on, unless of course they decide to take care of that in this screen play. You never know. But am so happy its finally coming to fruition. Can't wait to see it. Thanks Mari and Sharon for report."}, {"response": 1167, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (06:44)", "body": "From UPI. No news but some new quotes: FIRTH WON'T PLAY FIRTH IN 'BRIDGET 2' British actor Colin Firth says if he co-stars in a sequel to the smash romantic comedy, \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" which was based on the book of the same name, he will reprise his role as the austere, yet sexy attorney, Mark Darcy. He says, however, he will not play a character based on himself as appears in novelist Helen Fielding's follow-up, \"Bridget Jones: Edge of Reason.\" Noting that Colin Firth, star of the British Broadcasting Corp. version of \"Pride and Prejudice\" and object of the fictional Jones' obsession, is an actual character in Fielding's second Bridget adventure, Firth swore that part of the book will not be transferred to the big screen. \"He'll become George Clooney or something,\" he told United Press International. The actor then revealed he helped Fielding pen the hilarious scene in the book where Jones makes a fool out of herself interviewing none other than Colin Firth. First, the actor inspired Fielding by recalling some of his worst encounters with the press. Then, he and the author acted out the interview scene with Fielding as Jones asking Firth, as Firth, inane questions like, \"What is your favorite color?\" and \"How many times did you have to change your shirt while filming 'Pride and Prejudice'?\" Asked if he has ever had an interview go quite that badly, Firth exclaimed, \"Oh, I would say so.\" \"I've had much worse experiences than that. The worst ones, actually, are the ones that seem to go very well until you read it afterwards,\" he confessed. \"It's like you weren't (at the same interview) and this smiling, friendly person in front of you had obviously loathed you.\" The World Entertainment News Network reported Renee Zellweger was close to inking a deal to reprise her role of Bridget in a sequel. Her performance in the original movie earned her an Academy Award nomination last year."}, {"response": 1168, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (08:48)", "body": "Good one, Mari. Interesting to hear about the source of the questions. I'd always thought HF came up with the wetting the shirt one, along with one about his Italian girlfriend. ;-)"}, {"response": 1169, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (10:09)", "body": "(Karen), I'd always thought HF came up with the wetting the shirt one, along with one about his Italian girlfriend. ;-) So then the rest was made up by Colin? He has a writer's itch. ;-)"}, {"response": 1170, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (11:17)", "body": "The actor then revealed he helped Fielding pen the hilarious scene in the book where Jones makes a fool out of herself interviewing none other than Colin Firth. I liked it more when I thought the interview in the book was a surprise to him!"}, {"response": 1171, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (13:18)", "body": "Thanks Mari, this is one of my favorite parts of the book. An excellent collaboration between character and author. Well done."}, {"response": 1172, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (14:58)", "body": "I don't get the impression that he made up the questions--he probably just got her rolling by relating some press stupidity he'd encountered over the years. I wonder why UPI interviewed him now? Maybe he's over here doing magazine interviews/photos for London Calling promo. They usually need a few months lead time."}, {"response": 1173, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (15:16)", "body": "(Mari) Maybe he's over here doing magazine interviews/photos for London Calling promo Should I be on the lookout when in the city? ;)"}, {"response": 1174, "author": "AlFor", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (19:06)", "body": "Maybe she could interview Tim Pigott-Smith ( The Jewel In The Crown , The Remains Of The Day , etc. http://us.imdb.com/Name?Pigott-Smith,+Tim ) or Nigel Havers ( The Charmer , Chariots Of Fire , and now Manchild ; http://us.imdb.com/Name?Havers,+Nigel )..."}, {"response": 1175, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (19:47)", "body": "Think I'll hang in there with George Clooney."}, {"response": 1176, "author": "AlFor", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (19:59)", "body": "What about John Cleese?"}, {"response": 1177, "author": "kattas", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (03:39)", "body": "Why not George Clooney? He may not be the best actor but he is well-known and would be a good interview target for Bridget. The two you mentioned are not well-known in the US and film-goers wouldn't get the point of the scene, whicn is that Bridget gets so flustered over interviewing Colin Firth the famous and sexy actor that she messes up the interview. And George Clooney is a handsome charmer who could pull it off. I can just see him playing the scene with a twinkle in his eye and charming the pants off Bridget (not like Colin could, I hasten to add)."}, {"response": 1178, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (12:01)", "body": "(Sam Blob) Maybe she could interview Tim Pigott-Smith (The Jewel In The Crown, The Remains Of The Day, etc. He always gave me the creeps! :-( Can't imagine anyone having a crush on him, which is necessary for the scene to work, IMO."}, {"response": 1179, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (12:03)", "body": "I think the whole irony of the book is ruined if she doesn't interview Colin Firth. The whole thing about Bridget meeting a Mr. Darcy and his having the same qualities as Jane Austen's Mr. Darcy; then Colin Firth portrays him with absolute perfection and her absolute misidentification of the two men CF/FwD is the humor of it all. Who cares about George Clooney?"}, {"response": 1180, "author": "kattas", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (12:15)", "body": "Laura: I think the whole irony of the book is ruined if she doesn't interview Colin Firth. The whole thing about Bridget meeting a Mr. Darcy and his having the same qualities as Jane Austen's Mr. Darcy; then Colin Firth portrays him with absolute perfection and her absolute misidentification of the two men CF/FwD is the humor of it all. I agree, but Colin has said he doesn't want to play himself in that scene, hasn't he? So I'm sure if they want him to do TEOR, they'll have to find someone else, and so George Clooney enters the picture, so to speak."}, {"response": 1181, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (12:31)", "body": "(Laura)Who cares about George Clooney? Many millions worldwide. Me included.;-) Except for very fleeting references, they never laid the P&P/Mr. Darcy foundation in the first movie so they're not about to do it in EOR--which will be released about 8 years after the show first aired. So fuggedaboudit.;-) Sam Blob, we surveyed 1,000 women about your suggestions. 99% never heard of Tom Pigott-Smith, 98% never heard of Nigel Havers, 92% did hear of John Cleese and think he's funny but can't for the life of them figure out why BJ would have a fluster-inducing crush on him.;-)"}, {"response": 1182, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (15:42)", "body": "What about having Jonathan Firth play Colin Firth? I think it'd be perfect (a parody!)"}, {"response": 1183, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (15:50)", "body": "What about having Jonathan Firth play Colin Firth? Nah! Jon is not in on the joke. Besides, George Clooney is better. :-D"}, {"response": 1184, "author": "kattas", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (15:51)", "body": "(Mari) Sam Blob, we surveyed 1,000 women about your suggestions. 99% never heard of Tom Pigott-Smith, 98% never heard of Nigel Havers, 92% did hear of John Cleese and think he's funny but can't for the life of them figure out why BJ would have a fluster-inducing crush on him. LOL I've got to stop reading this at work; I almost spilt my tea on my keyboard. (LauraM) What about having Jonathan Firth play Colin Firth? I think it'd be perfect (a parody!) What's wrong with Clooney? He's funny and personable and can carry it off. Besides he's more well-known than Jonathan and I'm sure 95% of American audiences wouldn't get the inside joke if they used Jonathan. Let's face it, what we find funny in that scene would fall flat for most of the people in the US who would see it. Out of all of my friends, relatives and acquaitances I can only count two who have seen P&P although more saw BJD. I'm trying to win more converts, though!"}, {"response": 1185, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (16:11)", "body": "He's funny and personable and can carry it off. Yes to all of the above! And, I'd like to hear from people in the UK on this, but my impression is that Clooney is far more well-known there than Colin is. Not a knock on ODB whatsoever, just an observation. Another consideration is that fully one-third of the box office for BJD came from outside the US and the UK. Major movies nowadays are tailored to a worldwide market."}, {"response": 1186, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (16:57)", "body": "(Laura) I think the whole irony of the book is ruined if she doesn't interview Colin Firth.... I agree as it was so well done in the book, and think it also was the point. However, if it comes down to the two rolls, I'd much rather have the screen time with Mark Darcy. Also agree that Clooney would be well known worldwide and an attraction. Also he has a good sense of humor and would give Bridget a run for her money. Unless of course they could get Pierce Brosnan, but I doubt it. Wouldn't mind seeing him interviewed by Bridget."}, {"response": 1187, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (17:36)", "body": "(FanPam)Unless of course they could get Pierce Brosnan I was thinking about him, today. I can imagine him playing it very much like Colin would if he were doing the interview scene. Flustered, annoyed, slightly amused at how nutty Bridget is, and an overall-I just want to get out of here now attitude. I like George Clooney, but I think Pierce would be just as good if not better, IMO, of course. As much as I would have loved to see Colin do both, I don't think most would get the inside joke and the P&P connection. Here at Drool, we live and breathe the connection everyday, it comes natural to us, but not for the rest."}, {"response": 1188, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (18:11)", "body": "(Laura) I think the whole irony of the book is ruined if she doesn't interview Colin Firth. This is the movie.... (FanPam)Unless of course they could get Pierce Brosnan Not young enough... I prefer Georgie-poo."}, {"response": 1189, "author": "kattas", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (19:23)", "body": "I agree w/ Evelyn that G. Clooney is the right age. Nothing against Pierce Brosnan, but I somehow don't see Bridget going ga-ga over him; maybe it's because he seems a bit old for her. I think George will be better."}, {"response": 1190, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (20:21)", "body": "I would think the problem will be finding someone suitable who is willing to do a cameo (and doesn't ask kazillions of $ to do it). I love GC and PB, so either would be great, IMO. I can think of others who are swoon-worthy, but probably not well-known enough worldwide. Probably the most perfect candidate I can think of (from a Bridget goes gaga standpoint) would be Brad Pitt, who I personally don't care for that much, but apparently millions of women do."}, {"response": 1191, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (21:19)", "body": "I had been in the 'Colin should play himself AND Mark Darcy Camp' but now I'm not so sure. Modern day books are *never* made as they were written, and many times the original story is barely recognizable. Think of BJD and how the ending and many other bits were changed. (Sometimes I think that hectic ending with Mrs. Jones coming downstairs for Christmas dinner with her bouse on inside out would have been a hoot.) So, I guess my point is, it will probably turn out just as good. And, how many movie goers will have read TEOR anyway??? I haven't read it yet. Someone put up a quote a few days ago that was originally when Colin, during an interview, threw out the name GC. Has anyone else connected with the project ever mentioned GC seriously? I kind of got the impression from reading the excert that it was off the top of his head to say him, like it could be anyone. They filmmakers may not have even gotten to that part of it all yet."}, {"response": 1192, "author": "kasey", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (21:53)", "body": "Hi there. It's been quite a while since I've posted anything, but I've been enjoying the posts. Re: Who could play the interviewee... While I'd LOVE ODB to do it I agree that it would be to much an inside joke. So, who could get Bridget all drooly and flustered, is not too old, and has a good recognition factor in the US, UK AND worldwide?? If he's not there yet, I think it's a short time before Hugh Jackman could fit that description. Could she have gotten hooked on his Curly (would Bridget even go see a musical?? (He did win the Olivier after all.) Or maybe she fell for him in Kate and Leopold? Not a terrific flick, but he DOES fill a set of breeches rather nicely, no? Or is X-Men or Swordfish more her speed?? I personally an looking forward to The Boy From OZ making it to Broadway, and was disappointed that he wasn't able to reprise Curly in Oklahoma! here."}, {"response": 1193, "author": "LizBeth", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (22:20)", "body": "I just had a wine-induced inspiration - why not Richard Gere? He's international recognized as someone who can soak the panties of women from ages 20 - 120. No contest, but maybe too pricey? I have friends who are lesbians who would denounce their faith for him. LizBeth"}, {"response": 1194, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (22:40)", "body": "(Kathy C) Not a terrific flick, but he DOES fill a set of breeches rather nicely, no? Oh yes, he does! Makes K&L worth watching (more than once)! :-) (LizBeth) why not Richard Gere? He's international recognized as someone who can soak the panties of women from ages 20 - 120. No contest, but maybe too pricey? I have friends who are lesbians who would denounce their faith for him. A most persuasive argument, and he HAS aged well! Like fine wine. However, he always seems so in-control (in interviews, at least) that I can't imagine him getting the least bit ruffled or annoyed."}, {"response": 1195, "author": "kasey", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (22:52)", "body": "Sorry, truth in advertizing alert. Hugh Jackman was NOMINATED for the Olivier for his Curly in Oklahoma!."}, {"response": 1196, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (22:54)", "body": "(LizBeth) He's international recognized as someone who can soak the panties of women from ages 20 - 120. No contest, but maybe too pricey? I have friends who are lesbians who would denounce their faith for him. You had me going there for a minute, he can do \"bemused\" as good as anyone, but I keep coming back to George Clooney. He has a high \"fun\" factor. RG is married now and that takes something away. I KNOW, CF is too and I think it even factored in the book interview but (decidedly) single without explanation might play better. If it can't be CF, I want to see GC's eyes crinkle in amusement. The one thing I am glad of, is I've not heard anyone want to venture into any Risky Business and make a Mission Impossible out of it. After all, there are more than A Few Good Men. (Won't even say the name...bad karma)"}, {"response": 1197, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (23:57)", "body": "(Barb S)(Won't even say the name...bad karma) Oh, good point. How much money d'ya think we'd need to bribe them to put a version of the interview with CF and the dialogue from the book on the DVD as one of the extras? I know, I know, won't happen..... but wouldn't it be lovely?"}, {"response": 1198, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (00:01)", "body": "(Rika) I know, I know, won't happen..... but wouldn't it be lovely? We can always dream. I was a big supporter of the CF interview...will be very sad that it is not in the movie, but can understand the reasons for having someone else do it. I think GC is a perfect 'second best'. He is very funny when interviewed and very recognizable. I thought that he was already 'a sure thing' (or very close to it) in regards to doing it...(or am I just confused because he was mentioned by CF?? I thought Andrew Davies also said something about it though....)"}, {"response": 1199, "author": "Leah", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (04:46)", "body": "Hi, I'm new here, but have spent months catching up on all the reading. Just a thought (my wish) - what about B interviewing MR D?"}, {"response": 1200, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (07:27)", "body": "Welcome, Leigh! And welcome back KathyC! (Leigh), Hi, I'm new here, but have spent months catching up on all the reading. Just a thought (my wish) - what about B interviewing MR D? Can you be more specific? (Lisa), Colin, during an interview, threw out the name GC. Has anyone else connected with the project ever mentioned GC seriously? It was mentioned in an article posted here not so long ago. GC has definitely heard about it by now. I can see Hugh Jackson but not Richard Gere."}, {"response": 1201, "author": "maryw", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (07:39)", "body": "Hugh Jackman - Moon. If it ain't going to be ODB playing ODB - I'd go along and cast my vote for GC - will have boxoffice pull more than Hugh Jackman....but wonder whether the combined presence of HG and GC sink ODB's? Hello all - like KathyC, have dropped back in too. I see we've had some \"renovations\" and \"additions\" done to the CoolDrool place. Glad to see the humour and the wit are still first class from all. Off now to to do some heavy drooling and revision at the other threads."}, {"response": 1202, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (07:53)", "body": "(Minkee) wonder whether the combined presence of HG and GC sink ODB's? I don't think necessarily, Minkee. GC did a 3 scene cameo in Welcome to Collinwood and I don't think he overshadowed anyone there. And it wouldn't have been hard in that movie despite the presence of William H. Macy. Welcome Leigh and Kathy C! And nice to see you check in Minkee!"}, {"response": 1203, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (08:34)", "body": "I just had a wine-induced inspiration - why not Richard Gere? You think Pierce Brosnan is old.... Hi Leigh & Kathy C"}, {"response": 1204, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (09:07)", "body": "I'm sticking to my guns and I think that having Colin Firth dressed up as Mr. Darcy (17th century) with the sideburns, etc... it can be pulled off."}, {"response": 1205, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (09:14)", "body": "(Laura) I think that having Colin Firth dressed up as Mr. Darcy (17th century) with the sideburns, etc... Why would he need to be dressed like that?"}, {"response": 1206, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (10:01)", "body": "(LauraMM) - I think the whole irony of the book is ruined if she doesn't interview Colin Firth. The whole thing about Bridget meeting a Mr. Darcy and his having the same qualities as Jane Austen's Mr. Darcy; then Colin Firth portrays him with absolute perfection and her absolute misidentification of the two men CF/FwD is the humor of it all. Laura, I'm with you...Why can't they just play with camera angles, showing mainly the back of his head and mainly showing BJ's face, we would still have the voice...There is no suitable substitie IMHO..."}, {"response": 1207, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (10:23)", "body": "Why can't they? Because *he* won't do it. He's made that very obvious in his interviews and also by the elimination of any reference to him or to the character in the first movie."}, {"response": 1208, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (10:48)", "body": "Here they are! These donors have been very generous in supporting Spring and helping us reach our goal. However, there are still pledges outstanding and, if I have not personally emailed you, then I haven't received it or notice of it. Please keep those donations coming in. If you don't know how to do so, contact me at nomdedrool@yahoo.com. Even Colin knows a good thing when he sees it!"}, {"response": 1209, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (12:00)", "body": "FYI, Al Fore is just a trouble-making troll that plagues various conferences. I've asked Terry to delink this topic from movies so that he won't be posting here as well. It is best not to answer him, as he has no interest in this topic or knowledge."}, {"response": 1210, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (12:06)", "body": "How about Jonathan Firth playing Colin Firth who gave the adored portrayal of Mr. Darcy? I much prefer either Richard Gere or Hugh Jackman; I almost forgot Pierce Brosnan who was also mentioned, to that lumox, George Clooney. Still, I'm probably in a minority in not liking GC, many people do which can translate in to box office, as noted."}, {"response": 1211, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (12:28)", "body": "(Tress) I think GC is a perfect 'second best'...I thought that he was already 'a sure thing' (or very close to it) in regards to doing it...(or am I just confused because he was mentioned by CF? No, you are correct. It very likely is a 'a sure thing.' The information that was in the news probably came from GC's publicist. However, expect others, like Colin or AD, to hedge, as it is *not* their role to issue such info. That belongs to the studio."}, {"response": 1212, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (16:23)", "body": "I still think that HE should rethink the whole idea. It's funny. Why can't he just be humble and do it? It's an extremely funny scene in the book. The reason why I say he should be dressed as Mr. Fitz Darcy is because that is how Bridget treated him as Mr. Darcy and NOT Colin Firth. Get it???"}, {"response": 1213, "author": "kattas", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (17:01)", "body": "Well, of course we get it. But HE wants to shake off Darcy and has been adamant about not doing the scene. I don't think it's a matter of pride so much as he'd like to be remembered for other roles besides Mr. Darcy."}, {"response": 1214, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (17:52)", "body": "It has less to do with that then it's not appropriate for an actor at this stage in his career. When he's in his 70s or 80s, then it's OK to do a parody of oneself."}, {"response": 1215, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (17:56)", "body": "LOL Karen I had just typed a post to say the same thing and lost it. I even had parody in the text. I think it's a smart move on his part. He knows when enough is enough."}, {"response": 1216, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (18:10)", "body": "I can only think of one exception and that would be if he hosted Saturday Night Live. ;-)"}, {"response": 1217, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (19:19)", "body": "I'm laughing at the very thought, Karen! And if P&P had been the phenomenon here that it was in England, that might have been a possibility back then. I can see him now coming out to do the intro, sopping wet, with oversized mutton-chop sideburns. (Though I find myself building the episode in my mind with the 1970's cast, which I guess shows my age. I'm presently imagining John Belushi as Mr. Darcy's \"Samurai Valet\".) I agree about the interview. Much as I'd love to get the chance to see it, and much as I hate to cede any screen time to yet another well-known actor (especially when they've got to fit HG into this movie too, grumble, grumble), it makes sense for them to line up someone else. HEY! Maybe HG could do the interview, and then they could leave Daniel out of the movie but still advertise that HG was in it. :-)"}, {"response": 1218, "author": "kasey", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (20:24)", "body": "Rika, I thought about HG doing it and then losing the Daniel character too. I mean would any of you even THINK about going back to Daniel after Mark?? Oh, wait, we're talking about the brilliant one who made him wait while she went for some genuinely tiny knickers (v. v. silly girl!!) Karen, why did no one tell William Shatner about the age limits on self-parody?? Can you switch channels quickly enough when one of his Priceline commercials come on?"}, {"response": 1219, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (20:24)", "body": "(Kathy C) I personally am looking forward to The Boy From OZ... I was \"askeert\" there for a minute until I realized you weren't talking about the bigmouthed bratty Oscar-winning Kiwi-born leg-over merchant. (Put down the guitar, back away from the barbecue...) I adore Mr. Jackman, myself, but if it can't be CF then I must admit I don't much care, as long as he's not overtly objectionable. Welcome (or back as the case may be) to Kathy C and Leigh! This one looks somewhat Mark Darcy-like, so ought to be topical enough."}, {"response": 1220, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (20:30)", "body": "Ah Elizabeth, one of my favorite pictures...positively dimplicious!"}, {"response": 1221, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (20:32)", "body": "Elizabeth, You posted one of my all-time favourite CF pics! Ummm, let's see to stay on topic, was he at the BJD premire in this??? (Insert contrite winkie)"}, {"response": 1222, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (23:15)", "body": "(Elizabeth S) This one looks somewhat Mark Darcy-like, so ought to be topical enough. It should look Mark Darcy-ish -- this was the RV premiere to which he was late because he was filming BJD too, that night."}, {"response": 1223, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (23:24)", "body": "Oh, that was the night they were filming the Kafka's Motorbike party, right? (Barb S) dimplicious! I love what Drool has done for my vocabulary. (Kattas) I mean would any of you even THINK about going back to Daniel after Mark?? That's one thing I like about TEOR. She thinks about it, but only in a moment of weakness, and she reaches the right conclusion pretty quickly."}, {"response": 1224, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Oct 26, 2002 (02:49)", "body": "Thanks for the picture Elizabeth. It's a good one. Can understand why Colin doesn't want to do interview. It would be making a parody of himself and he doesn't want that. And as everyone has said alot of people would not get it, so it's better off being done with someone else that more people would know."}, {"response": 1225, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Oct 26, 2002 (07:33)", "body": "(Rika)HEY! Maybe HG could do the interview, and then they could leave Daniel out of the movie but still advertise that HG was in it. :-) Positively brilliant, Rika. Somehow though, I don't think HG would agree. However, he did say in an interview (during his AAB publicity) that maybe they shouldn't do the sequel-he said it would be like putting on a wet bathing suit. Perhaps a cameo would appeal to him. Bridget could trip him, and they could have him falling into the fountain."}, {"response": 1226, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct 26, 2002 (08:11)", "body": "LauraM),I still think that HE should rethink the whole idea. It's funny. Why can't he just be humble and do it? Let's not forget that Colin almost did not sign to play MD. It was torture back then to think that he would not sign because it was such an in-joke. (Karen), It has less to do with that then it's not appropriate for an actor at this stage in his career. When he's in his 70s or 80s, then it's OK to do a parody of oneself. I don't see it that way. I always thought that he could go as Paul, the FP slob. It would be a contrast to proper MD. It can be done. He doesn't want to, and IMO, he's wrong."}, {"response": 1227, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 26, 2002 (11:09)", "body": "(Laura) I think that having Colin Firth dressed up as Mr. Darcy (17th century) with the sideburns, etc... (Dorine)Why would he need to be dressed like that? Yeah...around Trevi Fountain?Giving Bridge a tour of Rome in that get- up...please. (Moon). I always thought that he could go as Paul, the FP slob... On the other hand, if he did Paul the slob, and Allen Portland, the ED jerk,he could do elegant Darcy."}, {"response": 1228, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct 26, 2002 (11:47)", "body": "(Evelyn), Yeah...around Trevi Fountain?Giving Bridge a tour of Rome in that get- up...please. LOL! We would demand that he enter the Trevi Fountain and give us the white shirt all over again! ;-)"}, {"response": 1229, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Sat, Oct 26, 2002 (13:11)", "body": "EOR reference - there is a program on Channel 4 in the UK tonight all about IF by Kipling, I had no idea of its popularity in this country... 8:30 'The Art Show' The enduring appeal of Rudyard Kipling's famous 1910 work If, which was written at the tail-end of the British Empire and was recently voted the nation's favourite poem. The programme follows contemporary writers Bunmi Ogunsiji, Sophie Wooley, Owen Sheers and Selima Hill as they attempt to create their own 21st-century versions of the celebrated work. Wonder if they will mention that great work we read it in..."}, {"response": 1230, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Oct 26, 2002 (14:33)", "body": "(Emma)Wonder if they will mention that great work we read it in... Maybe they will, another scene from the book that I hope they leave in."}, {"response": 1231, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Sat, Oct 26, 2002 (15:51)", "body": "lindak: Maybe they will... Alas no - it was a serious poetry show about modern reworkings inspired by Kipling. Interesting though. I really like the inclusion of that poem as well - though I get a little confused as to how MD thought it was a note and not the poem he gave Bridget. It's good inspiration for her, all except for the 'you'll be a man, my son!' part - but it was a certain time when it was written I suppose."}, {"response": 1232, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Sat, Oct 26, 2002 (15:51)", "body": "oh crap closed tag"}, {"response": 1233, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Oct 26, 2002 (23:55)", "body": "(LindaK, expanding on my suggestion for HG in TEOR) Perhaps a cameo would appeal to him. Bridget could trip him, and they could have him falling into the fountain. Do you think if we took up a big enough collection this could really happen? I'd pay a fair amount of money to see this!"}, {"response": 1234, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Oct 27, 2002 (13:26)", "body": "Don't know how reliable this is, but I found this: http://www.videoeta.com/news/1284 If you click on the Bridget Jones 2 link, you will see George Clooney and ODB listed, but not Hugh Grant."}, {"response": 1235, "author": "kattas", "date": "Sun, Oct 27, 2002 (14:08)", "body": "Movies.com has EOR listed with Colin, Renee, Hugh and George Clooney (\"rumoured\") being in the cast: http://movies.go.com/movies/B/bridgetjonestheedgeofreason_2003/index.html The Internet Movie Database only has the title up, nothing about the cast yet, but I've found IMDB to be slow about updating its listings."}, {"response": 1236, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Oct 27, 2002 (18:50)", "body": "(Rika)I'd pay a fair amount of money to see this! I'd pay extra."}, {"response": 1237, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Sun, Oct 27, 2002 (22:02)", "body": "OK, I'm now sold on the Clooney idea. They ran video clips on the huge outdoor screens during the rain delay at the race I attended today, and you should have heard the pack of women behind me oooh and ahhh when he appeared on screen in the \"Man of Constant Sorrow\" video. If it'll get more paying customers out to see the movie, he'll do just fine. Now if only CF would get a percentage too..."}, {"response": 1238, "author": "Leah", "date": "Sun, Oct 27, 2002 (23:05)", "body": "Okay, I'm back after the weekend. My wish to see Bridge interview Mr D (P&P2) is going to remain in my dreams then!?"}, {"response": 1239, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (07:28)", "body": "(Tress) Don't know how reliable this is Given that it says Miramax, I'd say not very. Remember, many of these websites (e.g., the IMDB) use information provided by people like you and me, so they are not terribly authoritative and frequently uncurrent."}, {"response": 1240, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (18:20)", "body": "I'm almost finished re-reading TEoR. I am surprised at all the ER, and Clooney references in there that I missed the first time. I guess that's one of the reasons his name came up in the first place. Duh! *slapping self*"}, {"response": 1241, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (07:24)", "body": "LOL, Linda! I wonder who HF has a crush on now? ;-)"}, {"response": 1242, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (10:25)", "body": "I was just over at Murph's page and saw the close-up of the ending kiss in BJD...didn 't realize her little hand was on his chin....sweet."}, {"response": 1243, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (10:56)", "body": "Thank you Evelyn (and Mary)! I noticed the hand going to the chin a while back...one of my favorite little things about that scene. I just love the coat sharing....Gawd! The moment when he opens up his coat to invite her in (good thing I'm sitting down)...it's still early here, so this is a great way to start my day."}, {"response": 1244, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (19:09)", "body": "(Tress)one of my favorite little things about that scene Must we talk about the ending scene of BJD? You all know what it does to me. Please, am v. important and have work to do.:-)) Thank you Evelyn, for mixing up my priorities yet again. Seems to happen to me at least once a day around here."}, {"response": 1245, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (21:19)", "body": "This is one of my favorite scenes too. I watch it over and over and then can't talk for a while. Does amazing things to me too, Linda."}, {"response": 1246, "author": "kattas", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (01:00)", "body": "As we were going out of the theatre after seeing BJD, I overheard one woman sayto her husband,'Now why can't you be like that ?' Must say that scene still has the power to make me feel tingly all over."}, {"response": 1247, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (11:56)", "body": "(Kattas) As we were going out of the theatre after seeing BJD, I overheard one woman sayto her husband,'Now why can't you be like that?' Poor guy - what an impossible standard to live up to!"}, {"response": 1248, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (18:22)", "body": "As I mentioned the other day, I'm re-reading TEoR. Just discovered that there is a second towel scene. I almost like this one better than the first (if that's possible)This one I hope they must leave in. It's when he is in the bath at Bridget's and Daniel comes by, drunk. Marc jumps out of the bath and punches out Daniel. There is even a reference that the towel almost slips off. Can you imagine...HG getting his lights put out by a dripping wet, towel clad, CF. I can't believe, how much I just glossed over the first time I read this."}, {"response": 1249, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (18:29)", "body": "Sadly, I have to point out that decking him as he comes around drunk is very much like the BDJ scene. Do you think they'd keep it?"}, {"response": 1250, "author": "kattas", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (19:44)", "body": "Actually, I'd much rather they kept the first towel scene in Mark's kitchen than the fight with Daniel. You're right, a second fight would not go over well, IMHO."}, {"response": 1251, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (19:58)", "body": "It wasn't a fight,like in BJD. Mark just punches him, and then apologizes, Daniel leaves. I'm more interested in the towel, the bath, and the scene that follows,not the punch."}, {"response": 1252, "author": "LizBeth", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (21:42)", "body": "Linda, are you thinking of the naked scene as a towel scene, where (towards the end) they are both screaming at each other in surprise? 'Cause HF clearly uses the word NAKED in that scene. (Have page ear-marked and \"Naked\" underlined.) Hope you didn't miss that because it is a key scene for me - I know CF won't do it the way it's written, but it sure is nice thinking about it. Must go watch \"The Advocate\" and get in proper frame of mind.) LizBeth"}, {"response": 1253, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (22:05)", "body": "(Kattas) Actually, I'd much rather they kept the first towel scene in Mark's kitchen than the fight with Daniel. You're right, a second fight would not go over well, IMHO. (lindak) I'm more interested in the towel, the bath, and the scene that follows,not the punch. (LizBeth) Linda, are you thinking of the naked scene as a towel scene, where (towards the end) they are both screaming at each other in surprise? 'Cause HF clearly uses the word NAKED in that scene. The kitchen scene was definitely nekk'd. The towel scene at the end can lose the punch, but I want the rest to stay!!! The part with the police coming to Bridget's rescue because she was 'frantically pressing the panic button' is hilarious!"}, {"response": 1254, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (23:23)", "body": "(Kattas) Actually, I'd much rather they kept the first towel scene in Mark's kitchen than the fight with Daniel. The first towel scene is at Rebecca's weekend party, you know, when he's striding around in barrister mode, trying to deal with having walked in on Bridget kissing the Whippersnapper."}, {"response": 1255, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (23:59)", "body": "The towel scene that Linda is thinking of is later on. The kitchen scene is at Mark's house while she's staying there while they try to figure out who sent her the bullet. Once Gary the Builder has been apprehended, they go back to Bridget's, Mark takes a bath, and Daniel shows up. Mark bounds down the stairs in a towel and punches Daniel in the nose. No fight, actually - just one punch and Daniel's down. There's a third towel scene too, now that I think of it. Later that night when the police answer the \"panic button\" Mark goes to the door wrapped in a towel."}, {"response": 1256, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (04:33)", "body": "(Rika)There's a third towel scene too You're right Rika, but I re-read the bath scene, doesn't say anything about a towel, he just goes down the stairs and hits Daniel. I assumed he had a towel because he was in the bath. The scene that comes later, he wraps a towel around himself, because of the panic button, he and Bridget were having a shag.."}, {"response": 1257, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (09:52)", "body": "(Karen) The first towel scene is at Rebecca's weekend party, you know, when he's striding around in barrister mode, trying to deal with having walked in on Bridget kissing the Whippersnapper. I completely forgot about that part of the book (I really need to re-read it). (Rika)There's a third towel scene too (lindak) You're right Rika, but I re-read the bath scene, doesn't say anything about a towel, he just goes down the stairs and hits Daniel. It keeps getting better...they can't possibly cut out THREE towel scenes! They have to give us at least one! I know, I know....he won't do it...but we can dream. ;-) (lindak) The scene that comes later, he wraps a towel around himself, because of the panic button, he and Bridget were having a shag.. And as the police leave, the towel begins to slip...HF must have been in full blown CF obsession mode when she wrote this stuff (lucky us)! ;-)"}, {"response": 1258, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (13:03)", "body": "I'm praying for at least one towel scene but he seems to be reluctant. And even if he does consent, lets hope it doesn't end up on the cutting room floor as so much of the good stuff does. Any towel scenes in WSAGW? Just hoping."}, {"response": 1259, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (16:39)", "body": "Linda, you're right about the Mark-bounds-down-the-stairs scene. It actually doesn't say what he's wearing - I've just always imagined MD in a towel there. I wonder why? :-) (Pam) Any towel scenes in WSAGW? Just hoping. I assume you mean WAGW. Seems verrrrrry unlikely."}, {"response": 1260, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (17:50)", "body": "(Rika)I've just always imagined MD in a towel there. I wonder why? :-) I think it's called the power of positive thinking. I, too assumed he was wearing a towel, because of the bath. Hey, maybe he went down nekkid but, I think Bridget would have told us that."}, {"response": 1261, "author": "kasey", "date": "Tue, Nov  5, 2002 (21:33)", "body": "Leaving the towel behind for a moment... don't we all wish he WOULD leave the towel behind... Wait, where was I? My mind seems to have wandered. Anyway, I read today that GC's new movie Solaris is expected to get an R rating because of a certain male actor's naked posterior. If Bridget is made to be as nuts over GC as she was (quite rightly) over ODB imagine the interview when she ends up questioning him about THAT scene. It could have possibilities."}, {"response": 1262, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (07:28)", "body": "Sorry if this has already been discussed, but do you think they will refilm the lake scene with GC so it can be in TEOR? Just rereading TEOR and seems crucial to have the video in the movie..."}, {"response": 1263, "author": "Leah", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (07:34)", "body": "Somebody is going to HAVE to do a wet shirt scene - the *whole* interview is about the shirt - and the wetness of it. Lets hope..."}, {"response": 1264, "author": "kattas", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (07:38)", "body": "(MariaT) Sorry if this has already been discussed, but do you think they will refilm the lake scene with GC so it can be in TEOR? Just rereading TEOR and seems crucial to have the video in the movie... Well, they'd have to make some reference to something GC's been in (or they could make something up). Doesn't have to be P&P. Remember they didn't refer to the BBC production of P&P or Colin Firth as an object of Bridget's obsession in the first film."}, {"response": 1265, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (08:01)", "body": "I doubt they would try to fit GC into the Darcy/P&P premise. All they need to do is convey fixation with any GC scene in any video (even potentially manufactured for the purpose.) And then for the interview, all she needs to do is be star-struck and hit a topic single-mindedly. If GC would let them use it, they have the perfect set-up, former girl friend Celine Balitran just commented on his skill as a lover, I forget what she said exactly, but I believe the word shattering was used: BJ: Do you have any comment on the remarks by former girlfriend (whatever) that you were a \"shattering\" lover? GC: (embarrassed laugh) Um, no, I guess, well, I'm certainly gratified by the praise, but let's just say I'm not a \"kiss-and-tell\" kind of guy. BJ: You're gratified? (whispered aside--Sounds more like she was.) OK then, let's see, your next project...umm...shattering hmmm? (Pause) You know, I was just wondering, if you WERE shattering, what is it you DID, do you suppose, that made you shattering? GC: (beginning to look uncomfortable)... OK, I'll stop now, I'm beginning to have too much fun with this, but you see what I mean. As much as it adds to the humor and irony for all of us, if GC in the role has any echo of CF or P&P, I will be amazed."}, {"response": 1266, "author": "Leah", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (08:04)", "body": "Now I understand."}, {"response": 1267, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (08:38)", "body": "(BarbS)BJ: Do you have any comment on the remarks by former girlfriend (whatever) that you were a \"shattering\" lover? GC: (embarrassed laugh) Um, no, I guess, well, I'm certainly gratified by the praise, but let's just say I'm not a \"kiss-and-tell\" kind of guy. BJ: You're gratified? (whispered aside--Sounds more like she was.) OK then, let's see, your next project...umm...shattering hmmm? (Pause) You know, I was just wondering, if you WERE shattering, what is it you DID, do you suppose, that made you shattering? GC: (beginning to look uncomfortable)... LOL! Way to go Barb! I like your tack...Leave GC to be GC without trying to echo any hint of CF...Hey, they watch videos of ER in the book too so not so far off..."}, {"response": 1268, "author": "maryw", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (09:17)", "body": "As the 2 subjects of this article has 6 degrees or closer to BJD, I am putting this article here...okay Boss? Published today on the ninemsn website Down here, from \"New Weekly\" ... Liz lures gorgeous George She's one of the world's sexiest women, he's Hollywood's most eligible bachelor - meet the hottest A-list couple. Actress Liz Hurley is dating George Clooney following a determined campaign to win his heart. The 37-year-old first set her sights on sexy George, 41, shortly after the birth of her son, Damian, in April and now sources say they are the new Hollywood 'It' couple. \"We are falling for each other. He's everything I am looking for in a man,\" Liz has told friends. Dared by a pal, she got George's attention by sending a fax to his office which read, \"It's right what they say, you are the sexiest man alive - love Liz xxx.\" And the move paid off, with sources revealing the pair have enjoyed several romantic dinners since. Just two weeks ago they met at a swanky French restaurant in LA. \"They were very close and were whispering all night,\" reveals an onlooker. \"It's early days but there is a definite buzz between them,\" reports a source close to Liz. \"They are enjoying getting to know one another and having a romantic time of it.\" This follows a tough period in the new mum's life, which left her unsure if she would ever find Mr Right. She has been photographed with a couple of men recently, but insists the guys in question are just good friends. \"Liz is really quite man-hungry right now,\" continues the source. \"Ever since she had her baby, she's found it more difficult to meet up with a man who she's attracted to and likes as a potential mate.\" According to the pal, it was about three weeks ago that the British beauty set about trying to change her luck with the opposite sex. \"Liz came across George Clooney's personal phone numbers, including his direct cell, home number, and home and office faxes,\" explains the friend. \"You must remember, Hollywood is a very small town. Everybody who's anybody knows exactly what everyone else is up to.\" So, egged on by her gal pal, Liz - who's constantly jetting back and forth between London and LA, where George lives - scrawled her flirtatious fax and sent it off. But it nearly all went horribly wrong. Seeing the fax, George's personal assistant - no doubt familiar with love letters being sent to the Hollywood heart-throb - picked it up and read it. She thought the document was sent by another famous Liz - 70-year-old Elizabeth Taylor. Still, despite the age gap, George decided to call the elder Liz. \"He had to chuckle when Taylor told him, 'I couldn't possibly have dinner with you - you're too sexy and way too young,'\" reveals Clooney's close friend Tommy Hinckley. Fortunately George soon realised the fax was from Liz Hurley and picked up the phone for a second time to arrange a meeting. While they've been spotted enjoying each other's company on a number of occasions since, the pair are yet to be photographed together, so we mocked up a photo to see how they look as a couple. Liz's friend adds that the Serving Sara star always thought Clooney was totally gorgeous, but was also very aware of his wild reputation. \"She's not bothered by that. She knows he's a playboy, so it's not a man of stability she's looking for in him,\" the source explains. \"She knows - bottom line - that a night out with George would be fun.\" While they're both similarly wealthy and attractive, the odds are out on whether this relationship will last. A confirmed bachelor, the Ocean's Eleven star has been linked to a string of women, including Renee Zellweger and French model Celine Balitran, but has reportedly vowed never to tie the knot again (he was married to actress Talia Balsam for three years) or have children. Meanwhile, Liz is well known for her shaky relationships, which have included British actor Hugh Grant and American billionaire Steve Bing, who is also the father of her child."}, {"response": 1269, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (09:33)", "body": "(Minkee) Actress Liz Hurley is dating George Clooney following a determined campaign to win his heart. A confirmed bachelor, the Ocean's Eleven star has been linked to a string of women, including Renee Zellweger... ...Liz is well known for her shaky relationships, which have included British actor Hugh Grant... Thanks for the article Minkee! LOL...should everyone sign for TEoR, the set could be real cozy! All those exs. It has the potential to be like the set of the Jerry Springer show!! And Barb! You should be a screenwriter. Your GC interview is v. v. funny!"}, {"response": 1270, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (09:44)", "body": "\"...She knows he's a playboy, so it's not a man of stability she's looking for in him,\" Well I'm sure the baby would find *that* reassuring for his future. Thanks, Minkee. Hey, don't be a stranger! :-)"}, {"response": 1271, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (11:57)", "body": "Another topic option for the GC interview could be the bathtub scene from Out of Sight. Talk of naked GC to distract BJ? A possibility... (Tress) should everyone sign for TEoR, the set could be real cozy! LOL! My thoughts, exactly!"}, {"response": 1272, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (12:18)", "body": "And GC did do one at least one wet-shirt scene on ER - the time Ross rescued the kid in the water."}, {"response": 1273, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (12:52)", "body": "(Moonstar)Another topic option for the GC interview could be the bathtub scene from Out of Sight. Or the locked-in-the-car-trunk with J.Lo scene! Hot stuff . . . Enjoyed your script, Barb! \"...She knows he's a playboy, so it's not a man of stability she's looking for in him,\" (Dorine)Well I'm sure the baby would find *that* reassuring for his future. Pfft! My thoughts exactly. The 37-year-old first set her sights on sexy George, 41, shortly after the birth of her son, Damian, in April Yup, that would the first thing on the typical woman's mind too after giving birth. \"Let's see if I can hook up with yet another man who won't marry me.\""}, {"response": 1274, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (14:39)", "body": "\"Liz came across George Clooney's personal phone numbers, including his direct cell, home number, and home and office faxes,\" explains the friend. Oh, please! Came across? LOL! Still, despite the age gap, George decided to call the elder Liz. \"He had to chuckle when Taylor told him, 'I couldn't possibly have dinner with you - you're too sexy and way too young,'\" That's a cute story. But I am surprised at LT. Go for it girl! LOL! Thanks, Minkee!"}, {"response": 1275, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (15:16)", "body": "\"Liz came across George Clooney's personal phone numbers, including his direct cell, home number, and home and office faxes,\" explains the friend. (Moon) Oh, please! Came across? LOL! LOL...this is happening to me all the time! I go home after work or going out and I find fax and cell numbers of famous people stuffed into my pockets and in my purse! I just hate that! Wish they would stop hiding them on my person! Funny they don't return my calls... ;-D"}, {"response": 1276, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (18:31)", "body": "I've been worried about the interview scene, especially after re-reading TEoR. I thought,(horrors), maybe they would just throw out the whole scene. First, because when Bridget is sent on the interview she's specifically told to interview CF about his new movie, FP. She then lapses into the whole Darcy/wet shirt thing, with CF becoming very uncomfortable. I kept thinking this is hilarious for a number of reasons, but mostly because it mirrors real life so well with CF trying to shake the Darcy factor. Look at all the articles, even recently, about him that have Darcy in the title. I felt if CF didn't do the interview then the humor of it all would be lost until......I read Barb's version with GC. Now, I know it can work. They do watch ER videos all the time in the book, the P&P viewings could easily be transfered to ER. Thanks, Barb, you've given me a new perspective."}, {"response": 1277, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (19:18)", "body": "(Linda) I read Barb's version with GC. Now, I know it can work...Thanks, Barb, you've given me a new perspective. Thank you but actually I'm v. sorry to hear that. Actually, I WAS having too much fun with it and did some of my own fixating. Once I'm done channeling BJ and I get leave to subvert our fan fiction topic, I might post the results. And I'm ashamed to say, I could not leave out \"echoes\" of ODB....maybe, if the interview can't be the way it was written, it will bridge the gap."}, {"response": 1278, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (19:41)", "body": "Barb, if you're worried about putting it on fanfic, just post it here! I'm sure you'd get no complaints!"}, {"response": 1279, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (19:50)", "body": "(BarbS) I might post the results Barb, please don't say *might*! You must! I'm glad you're channeling BJ. The tidbit you gave us this morning was very good and I want more...(please)... ;-)"}, {"response": 1280, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Nov  7, 2002 (02:54)", "body": "Thanks Barb for a very very funny scenario. Let's hope the EoR writers are as clever. Thanks for a really interesting item Minkee. LH seems to have a one tract mind where men are concerned."}, {"response": 1281, "author": "maryw", "date": "Fri, Nov  8, 2002 (06:50)", "body": "You're welcome! Glad I could contribute something in return for hundreds of hours of entertainment from you guys. (Dorine) Thanks, Minkee. Hey, don't be a stranger! :-) Come over to O&E - I'll tell you about being a stranger"}, {"response": 1282, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (11:05)", "body": "An excerpt from an article about RZ's body double, sent to me by Aishling. I'll post the whole thing (which is v. interesting) later at The Bucket: Of course, one of the greatest perks of the job was working with Hugh Grant and Colin Firth. 'They're both lovely men,' Melinda admits. 'When I first met Colin, I thought, \"Oh no, you can't be married with children. It's just not fair!\" He really is everyone's ideal man. He is level-headed and easy to talk to, and was encouraging when I told him how much I wanted to act myself. But he was more reserved than Hugh,' who, according to Melinda, seemed similar to his alter ego Daniel Cleaver. 'Or, at least, that was my perception of him...."}, {"response": 1283, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (13:25)", "body": "v. interesting - thanks, Karen! Looking forward to reading the whole thing. He really is everyone's ideal man. Cloning is looking more and more necessary all the time."}, {"response": 1284, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (16:05)", "body": "(Melinda)He really is everyone's ideal man. Hey Rika, maybe he is perfect after all;-) Thank you, Karen for the exerpt, I look forward to reading it on The Bucket."}, {"response": 1285, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (16:13)", "body": "Thanks Aishling...glad you're still out there sleuthing..."}, {"response": 1286, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (16:35)", "body": "He is level-headed and easy to talk to... As I suspected. Of course the ladies from TDoR could vouch for that I would expect. It is nice to hear poeple who have had contact with him in a 'working' environment say things like that. Better, stop, getting off topic."}, {"response": 1287, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (01:17)", "body": "(Melinda) He really is everyone's ideal man. (lindak) Hey Rika, maybe he is perfect after all;-) Truly, a man without fault... ;-)"}, {"response": 1288, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (09:27)", "body": "I've put up the complete article here: http://www.firth.com/bjd/bjdsupp6.html Some staggering revelations if I do say so myself!"}, {"response": 1289, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (10:25)", "body": "Thanks, Karen! Some staggering revelations if I do say so myself! I'm as surprised as you are. Actors are overpaid, IMO."}, {"response": 1290, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (10:35)", "body": "Thanks Karen! Interesting. I just always assumed it was Renee's writing in the diary (silly me)! And the legs on the scale must have been Melinda as well...she did a good job. She can walk just like Renee! They better tell M soon whether she is to be a size 8 or a size 12 for TEoR....it's easy to pack the pounds on, but harder to take them off...."}, {"response": 1291, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (10:46)", "body": "In the end, Melinda became Ren\ufffde?s body double throughout the film. Spoiler:-(( Melinda) He really is everyone's ideal man. (lindak) Hey Rika, maybe he is perfect after all;-) (KJ)Truly, a man without fault... ;-) \"Not always\"...."}, {"response": 1292, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (11:18)", "body": "(Ev) \"Not always\".... That's a quote from Livia, isn't it, as I recall? ;-)"}, {"response": 1293, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (11:42)", "body": "Thanks, Karen! As others have commented, I had no idea body doubles did that much stuff for the stars. I wonder if this is true of lower-budget films too? I suppose it probably is, if the whole point is to get things done faster and thus save money."}, {"response": 1294, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (14:05)", "body": "Excellent article, thanks so much Karen. I found Melinda's story to be very interesting. It sounds like she spent more time with HG than CF. Now the 'legs running in the snow' scene. That's the full-length backside shot with the sweater flapping behind her? Also want to have another peek at the dogs sniffing scene. Surely if she can't tell where she stops and RZ begins, then I won't either. Also, picked up on gobsmacked, a bit of British lingo to file away for future reference."}, {"response": 1295, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (15:13)", "body": "Ev) \"Not always\".... That's a quote from Livia, isn't it, as I recall? ;-) Correct-o. The response to a Firthette who was looking down on ODB from the balcony of the Donmar lobby. She:\"Isn't he won-der-ful\"? Wife: \"Not always\" [Isn't that typical?]"}, {"response": 1296, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (18:49)", "body": "(Evelyn) Correct-o. The response to a Firthette who was looking down on ODB from the balcony of the Donmar lobby. She:\"Isn't he won-der-ful\"? Wife: \"Not always\" Off topic, but....*In my best Lady Bracknell voice* ... \"I am glad to hear it.\" ODB wouldn't be any fun if he were too perfect. It's much more amusing to mix-it-up a bit every once it a while. Good to hear he keeps LD on her toes (and I hope she does the same for him)! ;-)"}, {"response": 1297, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (21:28)", "body": "Thank you, Karen for the article. V. interesting. (Tress)ODB wouldn't be any fun if he were too perfect Correct. I'd love to know how, when, where, and what \"not always\" means."}, {"response": 1298, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Nov 30, 2002 (18:13)", "body": "When I saw the credits for BJD last night (I had to check out the doubling-part) I noticed, that ODB had a bodydouble as well. Does anybody know, where he was \"used\"?"}, {"response": 1299, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec  1, 2002 (08:42)", "body": "He was used for the same type of thing, where Colin didn't have lines and was shot from the rear. Didn't I post a message here at one time about if we had questions for the double? I know someone who knows him."}, {"response": 1300, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sun, Dec  1, 2002 (13:26)", "body": "Oh my, I have to think. Where, where would he be in the film? Some bits of the fight scene? Surely not when he was running up the stairs?? ;)"}, {"response": 1301, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Dec  1, 2002 (14:26)", "body": "(Lisa) Surely not when he was running up the stairs?? ;) Oh, no, certainly not then! We can't have been worshipping the wrong Stairmaster! :-D"}, {"response": 1302, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sun, Dec  1, 2002 (16:56)", "body": "(Lisa) Surely not when he was running up the stairs?? ;) (Rika) Oh, no, certainly not then! We can't have been worshipping the wrong Stairmaster! :-D I certainly hope not! I feel the need to go do some extensive research, involving BJD and MLSF (and maybe P&P2 thrown in for good measure)! Oh, the trials of being a Stairmaster student! ;-)"}, {"response": 1303, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Dec  1, 2002 (17:02)", "body": "I'm with Rika, it just could not be the stairs-scene. I am afraid, that perhaps he was used \"walking in the snow\". That would be a big turn-down to me, because I just love his walk, and find that scene v.g. (in fact - it courses (now I'm having trouble spelling again) vibrations). As to the fight scene, I just heard HG today on E saying, that they locked away all the stuntmen and did the entire fight-scene themselves. But, perhaps Karens contact could clear that up?"}, {"response": 1304, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sun, Dec  1, 2002 (17:16)", "body": "(Annette) (in fact - it courses (now I'm having trouble spelling again) vibrations). Your spelling is close enough. Causes vibrations, indeed! I can certainly relate."}, {"response": 1305, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Dec  1, 2002 (17:28)", "body": "Kathy Thank you, its nice to know, that you don't have any doubts, as to how my mind hops about. Now, I'm off to Bedfordshire (here it is 0.30 a.m. - thank you Rika)."}, {"response": 1306, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec  1, 2002 (17:30)", "body": "(Kathy F) involving BJD and MLSF (and maybe P&P2 thrown in for good measure)! Oh, the trials of being a Stairmaster student! ;-) Oh Stairmaster Wonder..pl. don't tell me if you find there was a Mr. Darcy double."}, {"response": 1307, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Dec  1, 2002 (17:45)", "body": "(Annette)I am afraid, that perhaps he was used \"walking in the snow\". Well I know what Karen said about using the double when he was shot from the rear with no lines...but, I can't imagine that the walking in the snow scene was the double. That walk was too perfect, too CF. IMO, of course. But, yeah, that might have been a good question to ask...Can we still ask? I'm with you Annette, I might not want to know the answer.;-)"}, {"response": 1308, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Dec  1, 2002 (20:04)", "body": "ILinda) but, I can't imagine that the walking in the snow scene was the double. That walk was too perfect, too CF. IMO, of course. Agreed. It's just so distinctive - verrrry long stride, arms swinging in just the right way, the sauntering feel to it. If it wasn't him, it was an excellent mimic. Okay, now, in the first scene, that WAS his rear view that Bridget responded to with a \"Ding Dong\", right? Right? Please? Oh, I don't even like thinking about this."}, {"response": 1309, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Dec  1, 2002 (20:10)", "body": "(Rika) Oh, no, certainly not then! We can't have been worshipping the wrong Stairmaster! :-D (KathyF) I certainly hope not! I feel the need to go do some extensive research, involving BJD and MLSF.... I've been all out of sorts today wondering about where the CF double was used (I know the fight scene. Going through the window, and I understand that need for that)! Okay. I can handle the stairs prior to the discovery of Cleaver and his wife. The hand opening the door was probably the double as well (although, that was a naked HG according to Sharon Maguire). It was probably a hand double stirring the congealed green gundge....but the whisk! Had to be ODB as the camera pans up (I will believe this even if I hear otherwise)...and the snow walk! I don't want to know!!! Had to be ODB. Actually watched BJD today (weather here turned to cr*p and it was the only movie to get me out of my funk). The snow walk had to be ODB...those strides, that swinging coat!! I may never recover if I hear it wasn't him!! :-("}, {"response": 1310, "author": "audiogirl", "date": "Sun, Dec  1, 2002 (21:58)", "body": "Oh that walk of ODB just has to be him. No double! That walk is too unique to have someone else copy. Those long strides, the arm swinging, I get all verklemped just thinking about it!"}, {"response": 1311, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec  1, 2002 (21:58)", "body": "Our man on the scene (\"Burberry Man\") was there the day they shot the fight scene and saw two men, with padding, and wearing the same clothes as CF & HG. Those were \"stunt doubles\" not body doubles or stand-in, which are used for other purposes. I've never asked specifically which shots, but certainly the hand on the door wouldn't have been Colin's. The snow stride would likely be him, as you saw him from head to toe and you can't mistake that walk. (Rika) in the first scene, that WAS his rear view that Bridget responded to with a \"Ding Dong\", right? Right? Please? If I had to bet on it, NOT. But I haven't asked."}, {"response": 1312, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec  1, 2002 (22:02)", "body": "(Karen)and saw two men, with padding, and wearing the same clothes as CF & HG. Those were \"stunt doubles\" not body doubles or stand-in, They would have gone through the restaurant window. But the rear view of MD walking away with his jacket over his shoulder had to be ODB."}, {"response": 1313, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Dec  1, 2002 (23:31)", "body": "(Rika) in the first scene, that WAS his rear view that Bridget responded to with a \"Ding Dong\", right? Right? Please? (Karen) If I had to bet on it, NOT. Was just thinking how silly that would be to have a double for just that little shot, but then I realized how long it can take to film a shot like that and how Colin could be in another part of that set/house filming his dialogue with Bridget or his mother or whatever at the same time. Or somewhere else completely."}, {"response": 1314, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sun, Dec  1, 2002 (23:31)", "body": "But the rear view of MD walking away with his jacket over his shoulder had to be ODB. For sure...he talks and walks, no cut away. And agree with the snow scene. Problem is there aren't that many scenes where he could be doubled. A hand here and there but not too many. And I always wondered, since we are all wondering!, did they fly him to NY to do the shot outside the airport or was it done in the UK? They have American taxis in that shot, don't they?"}, {"response": 1315, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Dec  1, 2002 (23:41)", "body": "(Rika) in the first scene, that WAS his rear view that Bridget responded to with a \"Ding Dong\", right? Right? Please? (Karen) If I had to bet on it, NOT. But I haven't asked. Oh, please...don't tell me I've been 'Ding Donging' the wrong man!!! Aughhhh! ;-( To think I have been staring at that behind thinking it belonged to ODB! To have it be an impostor?!?"}, {"response": 1316, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec  1, 2002 (23:41)", "body": "It was filmed at Stansted airport. Definitely not an American airport. Times shown are military type and the signage was laughable. ;-)"}, {"response": 1317, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Dec  1, 2002 (23:43)", "body": "(Lisa) And I always wondered, since we are all wondering!, did they fly him to NY to do the shot outside the airport or was it done in the UK? They have American taxis in that shot, don't they? I believe that Sharon Maguire said (on the DVD commentary) that it was all done in the UK because they didn't have the budget to fly there for that tiny sequence."}, {"response": 1318, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (05:31)", "body": "I'd better start this with a big spoiler allert in case you would like to stay ignorant on some subjects. I had some unexpectet time on my hand and had to choose between cleaning the house or do some extensive research. I chose the latter. This is a faithful narrative of my dealings with BJD: The Ding-dong scene: I have to agree with Karen. I think his neck seems to be different from the shot were he is talking to his mother. IMO the backside of the reindeer sweater is a double (sigh!) Tarts and Vicars party: Perhaps the walk away with Natascha (anyway, who cares). The stairs in the hallway: Yueeepeeee (that means hurrah or something) it was taken in one shot, so it definitely is ODB running up those stairs (flashing leg!). The kitchen: The hand, that stirs the blue soup and the concealed green gunge, I can\ufffdt tell. I don\ufffdt know his thumb that well. Perhaps, when we have seen GWAPE , we can decide. (Sidemark: I certainly hope, they will shoot the scene, with Vermeer caressing Griets face). The fight: I have to believe, that it actually is ODB punching HG. And I didn\ufffdt find anything to prove me wrong. Beside HG didn\ufffdt have a double and I don\ufffdt think they would shoot the scene with one of each (actor and double). The part where they go through the window was done by the stunts. I believe that was the stuffed ones, Karen mentioned. The doorway scene in the flat: I know, no need to check for doubles, but just for my own benefit I had to rewind it several times. How anyone could walk away from that man is beyond me! Sorry \ufffd back to research The walk we see from Bridgets window could be a double. The next scene (my favourite walk), you see Colin look to the right. IMO it most certainly is him. The last walk \ufffd again I can\ufffdt tell if its a double. And now \ufffd back to the cleaning (perhaps if I put on Lady come down, that can get me going)."}, {"response": 1319, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (07:54)", "body": "Thanks for the research, Annette! The myth has been broken and we will from now on check for the double. :-("}, {"response": 1320, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (08:12)", "body": "OK I had a look and while I haven't viewed BDJ more than maybe 25 times tonight I decided that the hand on the door when he caught Cleaver and his wife was a bad double for ODB. Too fat. It was ruddy but that could be attributed to the lighting. My sons had fun freeze-framing it to catch the padded suits flying through the window too."}, {"response": 1321, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (09:11)", "body": "Annette)The fight: I have to believe, that it actually is ODB punching HG Better be, he sure blabbed about it enough on all the talk shows. ."}, {"response": 1322, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (09:33)", "body": "Let me clarify. The stunt doubles only went through the window. Colin and Hugh did their sissy fight scene themselves, as far as I know. When you check the credits, Colin did have the full \"star\" treatment on this film. He had a double, a stunt double, a stand-in and a driver, all listed in the credits. OK, no personal hairdresser or makeup artist, but you rarely see that for the men. ;-)"}, {"response": 1323, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (12:28)", "body": "(Rika) in the first scene, that WAS his rear view that Bridget responded to with a \"Ding Dong\", right? Right? Please? (Karen) If I had to bet on it, NOT. But I haven't asked. You do realize you've just broken my heart. (Annette) The doorway scene in the flat: I know, no need to check for doubles, but just for my own benefit I had to rewind it several times. I know the feeling! I have some wonderful DVD captures of that scene (some of them posted here not long ago). (Karen) OK, no personal hairdresser or makeup artist, but you rarely see that for the men. ;-) Except Rupie in TIOBE. :-)"}, {"response": 1324, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (12:44)", "body": "(Rika)You do realize you've just broken my heart. Double or not, it is ODB when he turns around, not that that's all that matters, but I will choose to believe it is Colin from the rear as well, though I must say, on closer inspection, I think the shoulders are slightly broader, but that could be the sweater, too. On further inspection, the butt does seem to be as tight as ODB's... It's a very hard one to call. (Rika)Except Rupie in TIOBE. :-) LOL."}, {"response": 1325, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (13:48)", "body": "Okay, y'all KNEW I was going to go off and capture the evidence, right? I think it's him in the \"Ding DONG\" shot. Here it is: This is followed by a close-up of the back of Mark Darcy's head that sure looks like CF's hair (the waves, and the little point in the back center that often impinges on his collar), but that isn't relevant to the case I'm building since it's a different shot. Then Pam Jones takes Bridget over to see if Mark fancies a gherkin. She calls Mark's name. Here's the sequence of shots: These two are almost certainly the same person as shown in the first photo above - note the drape of the sweater and trousers. And the two above were a continuous shot. So that means that all three of these are almost certainly the same person. So, from that slight bit of profile, is that him? At this point it's clearly him. See the little curl that's sitting on top of his ear? I think I see it in the shot above as well. That seems a detail that would be tough to reproduce with a double. And in that case, if you believe the logic I've set out above, he's the person in the \"Ding Dong\" shot. At least that's my story and I'm sticking by it. Oh, okay, so I didn't need this one. But I love the little unruly curl that's sticking out. :-)"}, {"response": 1326, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (14:31)", "body": "(Rika)...And in that case, if you believe the logic I've set out above, he's the person in the \"Ding Dong\" shot. At least that's my story and I'm sticking by it. Thank you Rika!!! I'm sticking by your story too! No one can persuade me otherwise....Ding Dong! And many thanks for the last photo. I DO think it was a needed shot. The third shot...the line of the jaw and the ear (as well as that curl you mentioned) seem to belong to ODB. Also, note the flat spot on the back of his hair (prior to the unruly curl), toward the back...it can be seen in the last two shots. I didn't need a lot of convincing. I will continue to suck my breath in when I see this scene. ;-)"}, {"response": 1327, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (14:40)", "body": "(Rika) But I love the little unruly curl that's sticking out. :-) LOL....perhaps the same unruly curl held back by a clip in the Making of TIOBE?"}, {"response": 1328, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (14:44)", "body": "Rika \"Holmes\" I shall know call you. Indeed, if you check the trouser creases in the posterior as you watch your frames progress you will see they are constant. Same person, IMAO. (In my amatuer opinion.)"}, {"response": 1329, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (16:00)", "body": "(Karen) OK, no personal hairdresser or makeup artist, but you rarely see that for the men. ;-) I just remember reading a while back about a hair or/and makeup artist, who had listet Colin Firth in American Girl in his/her resume. It was before they changes the name of the movie. (Perhaps that indicates, that he is finally getting the attention, he deserves. I don't know, how to express, what I mean. It is something in the line of getting on top of the billing or whatever it's called. (Rika)...And in that case, if you believe the logic I've set out above, he's the person in the \"Ding Dong\" shot. At least that's my story and I'm sticking by it. Rika, you wonderful girl, I will never again doubt, that the ding-dong shot is made with ODB and ODB alone. Later, I will go back to check up the doorway-captures. I'll wait until I have my boots and bucket ready (thank you Karen)."}, {"response": 1330, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (17:52)", "body": "(Rika)...And in that case, if you believe the logic I've set out above, he's the person in the \"Ding Dong\" shot. At least that's my story and I'm sticking by it. (Tress) Thank you Rika!!! I'm sticking by your story too! No one can persuade me otherwise....Ding Dong! And many thanks for the last photo. I DO think it was a needed shot. It certainly appears to be one continuous shot. Why go to all the expense and bother of a body double when CF had to be in the shot, anyway? IMO, Ding Dong is definitely ODB and not some lame imposter. The only reason we see him from the back is so that when he turns around we see...the reindeer jumper. Hey, what was wrong with BJ anyway? I swear I wouldn't have noticed the reindeer with CF's face there to gaze upon!"}, {"response": 1331, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (19:46)", "body": "(Rika)...And in that case, if you believe the logic I've set out above, he's the person in the \"Ding Dong\" shot. At least that's my story and I'm sticking by it. Well, I'm sticking to your story, too...and in the words of Jack Worthing \"deny it if you dare\". (Tress)And many thanks for the last photo. I DO think it was a needed shot. Absolutely, ditto. It really makes the investigation complete. But, then again, Holmes was always thorough. BTW, Rika, thank you for those rear shots, I certainly enjoyed your investigations. I bet your heart isn't broken now. Now, shall we investigate the walking in the snow scene? Ahem, I mean as long as we're investigating;-)"}, {"response": 1332, "author": "Leah", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (23:46)", "body": "I too watched BJD last night, and am glad to see that at least some of my dreams remain intact. As I read the postings yesterday I had images of nightmares of staring at someone else's butt!"}, {"response": 1333, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Dec  3, 2002 (00:33)", "body": "(Linda) Now, shall we investigate the walking in the snow scene? Unfortunately, still shots don't really help as much in this case, because it's seeing him in motion that makes me think it's The Man Himself. But here's a bit of evidence - note the long stride, the swinging left arm, and the flying coattails below:"}, {"response": 1334, "author": "annea", "date": "Tue, Dec  3, 2002 (05:15)", "body": "(KathyF)It certainly appears to be one continuous shot. Why go to all the expense and bother of a body double when CF had to be in the shot, anyway? I'm with you - I don't know much (well, anything really) about the movie making process, but surely this would have all been one take - Stand there then turn around ?? Wouldn't make sense to have a double there."}, {"response": 1335, "author": "BarbaraT", "date": "Tue, Dec  3, 2002 (05:42)", "body": "From the gossip column in today's Daily Express: Bridget Jones fans will be disappointed. George Clooney ... has denied rumours that he is starring opposite another ex-flame, Renee Zellweger, in the sequel to Bridget Jones's Diary. At the post-premiere party of his film, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind ...George claimed to be baffled by reports he is to play the part of a lusted-over actor whom Bridget is sent to interview. \"I am good friends with Renee and she hasn't mentioned it to me,\" says George. \"Am I starring in it? Not to my knowledge.\""}, {"response": 1336, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Dec  3, 2002 (07:31)", "body": "says George. \"Am I starring in it? Not to my knowledge.\" Ahhh....but starring in it and making a cameo or doing one little scene are two different things. A little doublespeak on his part, perhaps? How's *that* for rationalization?"}, {"response": 1337, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Dec  3, 2002 (07:39)", "body": "George claimed to be baffled by reports he is to play the part of a lusted-over actor whom Bridget is sent to interview. \"I am good friends with Renee and she hasn't mentioned it to me,\" Aaannnd...I would expect his agent or studio people to be talking to him, not her. ;-)"}, {"response": 1338, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Dec  3, 2002 (07:53)", "body": "Maybe with all this talk of body doubles etc, all he (GC) will have to do is a voice over... My suggestion for interviewing the P&P2 Mr Darcy still stands."}, {"response": 1339, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  3, 2002 (08:23)", "body": "(KathyF) It certainly appears to be one continuous shot. Why go to all the expense and bother of a body double when CF had to be in the shot, anyway? (AnneR) I don't know much (well, anything really) about the movie making process, but surely this would have all been one take - Stand there then turn around ?? Wouldn't make sense to have a double there. You'd both be surprised at how long it takes to do anything. Hours and hours to set up a single shot, shoot it, review it, redo it, again and again. And a single \"take\"?? Naw. Thanks for the news, Barbara, re George. Again, it could just be that it's not his place to talk about it. Lots of evasion and doublespeak IMO."}, {"response": 1340, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Dec  3, 2002 (14:27)", "body": "We've had \"Colin-speak\" and now we've got \"George-speak\"!!!!! I agree with Karen, (not that I have any expertise.) RE: The Snow Walk Surely that's part of what they *paid* for when they hired CF to play MD. The stride, the gait, the billow! I would vote for it being him."}, {"response": 1341, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Dec  3, 2002 (15:26)", "body": "Great comments ladies. Thanks for the very interesting information Ashling, Karen and Barbara. What wonderful pics as usual Rika and is proof enough for me. Heard on the radio this morning that RZ is now one of the highest paid actors in Hollywood earning $10 mill per picture. Good for her!! Wonder if she got that for EoR and if so would similar salaries apply to the male leads? I wonder."}, {"response": 1342, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (15:38)", "body": "Back to the body double bit for a moment...Happened across the CV for ODB's stunt double (as well as a CV for his hairdresser in what looks like at least 3 movies) that includes a small photo..He is the same height, and has a cleft...Well..look for yourselves..I have to believe that Rika's research at least proves it was him in crucial scenes... http://www.stuntnet.co.uk/action/Joss_Gower.htm"}, {"response": 1343, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (15:39)", "body": "Oops, to clarify, Him meaning ODB..."}, {"response": 1344, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (15:48)", "body": "(MariaT) He is the same height, and has a cleft...Well..look for yourselves..I have to believe that Rika's research at least proves it was him in crucial scenes... I also choose to believe the evidence provided by Rika. And furthermore, if I understand some of what differs between stunt doubles and body doubles, then this guy is only used going through the window. The hand on the staircase and the other parts, that we allow ourselves to believe could be someone other than ODB must be the bodydouble. Does anybody now, what he looks likes? (That is face forward, off course)."}, {"response": 1345, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (15:54)", "body": "Quite right, Annette. The stunt double went through the window. The body double's parts were filmed for various shots in the movie. A stand-in does just that, he/she stands in for the actor while a shot is set up (lighting and camera put into place to everyone's satisfaction); truly boring work, but person is not not filmed even though will resemble actor to a significant degree (height, weight and color so that the lighting is done appropriately)."}, {"response": 1346, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (16:18)", "body": "clearing throat and tapping wine glass with a silver dessert spoon Uh Hum... Single women in the UK, that stunt double was a pretty good looking fellow. At the very bottom of his website he lists his mobile number. (Why do I assume he would be single?)"}, {"response": 1347, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (16:40)", "body": "Uh Hum... Single women in the UK, that stunt double was a pretty good looking fellow. At the very bottom of his website he lists his mobile number. (Why do I assume he would be single?) Ahem! A single woman in the US noticed that right off the bat and was thinking along those lines, too!"}, {"response": 1348, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (16:46)", "body": "(Lisa and Dorine) Uh Hum... Single women in the UK, that stunt double was a pretty good looking fellow. At the very bottom of his website he lists his mobile number. (Why do I assume he would be single?) I am repeatedly telling myself: I am a happily married woman, I am a happily married woman........"}, {"response": 1349, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (21:47)", "body": "Hmmm. So that's the guy who went through the window. (MariaT) He...has a cleft. But sadly, he's not showing the one I want to see... ;)"}, {"response": 1350, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (10:11)", "body": "(Lisa and Dorine) Uh Hum... Single women in the UK, that stunt double was a pretty good looking fellow. At the very bottom of his website he lists his mobile number. (Why do I assume he would be single?) (Annette) I am repeatedly telling myself: I am a happily married woman, I am a happily married woman........ Poor fellow, I'm afraid if I called him it would very likely end up like the BJ/CF interview in Rome...I would have one agenda...all CF related. He would probably change his number after I was through with him..."}, {"response": 1351, "author": "townranny", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (17:52)", "body": "If the cast is signed up for EOR, who is playing Rebecca? Still hoping for Liz Hurley. Think she would be perfect w/ CF, RZ and HG. Two women fighting over CF. Very good indeed. Don't know how HG will be worked in but he certainly can't hurt the movie."}, {"response": 1352, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (19:21)", "body": "No, but he can suck up screen time."}, {"response": 1353, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (22:11)", "body": "(Rika)No, but he can suck up screen time. Please, lets not go there."}, {"response": 1354, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Dec  6, 2002 (13:36)", "body": "(Rika)No, but he can suck up screen time The major concern I have with HG, is that his inclusion in the movie, makes for major changes in the storyline. - His role is pretty minor in the book. Let's hope ALL the scenes we're anticipating with ODB remain intact! (I'm lighting a candle for the two towel scenes)."}, {"response": 1355, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Dec  6, 2002 (15:34)", "body": "(Janet)(I'm lighting a candle for the two towel scenes). I'm lighting candles for the two towel scenes AND, the kitchen scene. And for all the scenes that HF wrote making Mark Darcy a bit of a tiger in the bedroom. In TEoR, there are many references to Mark and Bridget shagging. I hope they keep them in."}, {"response": 1356, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Dec  6, 2002 (16:39)", "body": "The kitchen scene - ah, if only.... but I have to believe he's going to be wearing boxer shorts at the very least, and more likely PJ's."}, {"response": 1357, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec  7, 2002 (10:23)", "body": "What questions would like to ask of Colin's double from BJD? My friend will pass them on."}, {"response": 1358, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Dec  7, 2002 (12:30)", "body": "Can you ask if which scenes he was involved in (or is that too general)?....Or...Did he do the snow walk? Have we been \"ding dong-ing\" him or Colin?...and if it is him in the reindeer jumper, what is his cell phone number? ;-) And you may know this answer, has he doubled for ODB before? Which films? And is he scheduled to do TEoR??"}, {"response": 1359, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec  7, 2002 (13:36)", "body": "What was his [double]role in the fight scene?"}, {"response": 1360, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Dec  7, 2002 (14:32)", "body": "Another couple of questions....sorry Karen. I've been thinking about this (and never had the opportunity to ask a 'body double' anything before....) (1) Did he have to gain/lose weight to be a BD for ODB? (2) How did he prepare for it? Did he have to cut or grow his hair? Study tapes, go to the set and watch? ODB has an unusual gait, and I was just curious to know if he had to work on it or if it came natural to the BD. Thanks...sorry if these questions seem a bit stupid, but I am v. interested in what he did...."}, {"response": 1361, "author": "townranny", "date": "Sat, Dec  7, 2002 (14:56)", "body": "Whoo-Hoo! What an opportunity!!!What I really want to know I could only ask Renee :), but herewith other burning questions. Wouldn't want to be piggy. Don't expect answers to all. Please edit. 1) Were there any scenes w/Colin cut? I've heard the dustbin scene was filmed, any others? 2) Any bloopers to report? 3) Is Colin introverted or extroverted? 4) Does Colin improvise a lot or go by the script? Have heard he improvises. 5) How many takes on the last smooching scene?"}, {"response": 1362, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sat, Dec  7, 2002 (15:59)", "body": "Yeah any little tidbits and trivia that hormonal women would like to read will be fine! Actually, kind of as a recap of above, maybe he could say which scenes he knows he was in. Gee, what an opportunity, as I would expect, I'm tongue tied!"}, {"response": 1363, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Dec  7, 2002 (16:34)", "body": "(Linda)And for all the scenes that HF wrote making Mark Darcy a bit of a tiger in the bedroom. In TEoR, there are many references to Mark and Bridget shagging. I hope they keep them in. I am pessimistic about this, as I fear the interference of a long red nail here . . .:-( Re: double questions--will this guy dish any good dirt on any of the 3 principles?;-)"}, {"response": 1364, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Dec  7, 2002 (21:17)", "body": "(Mari)I am pessimistic about this, as I fear the interference of a long red nail here Well I am too, but heck we're not asking for the full axminster. We just want to see some action.(the operative word being, some) And as Rika said, maybe he can wear boxers or something. I'd vote for those grey ones from FP. Anyone got a pair of nail clippers?"}, {"response": 1365, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec  8, 2002 (14:21)", "body": "I'll put together the questions and see how far we get. But you can see the double in another scene and you'll be kicking yourself for missing how closely he resembles (sort of) Colin. In the US, it is in the Deleted Scenes, the UK ending, the first bit with Daniel with a blonde at a bar. Look at the other guy standing at the bar, with the long sideburns. ;-) Not sure, how this features on the intl editions of the DVD, as that was the ending you saw in the cinemas."}, {"response": 1366, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec  8, 2002 (14:28)", "body": "And then again, with a cluster of people at the bar (face showing) during Daniel's last pickup of Claudia."}, {"response": 1367, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Dec  8, 2002 (17:44)", "body": "(Karen)And then again, with a cluster of people at the bar (face showing) during Daniel's last pickup of Claudia. I had promised myself, that I would take a break from posting, since I almost every time make myself look like a complet idiot. BUT I just have to say, after checking the bodydouble at the bar, that he (the double off course) leaves me absolut cold. No vibrations, nothing whatsoever. I can understand, that he can be used from his backside and from a distance, and the occasionally hand-job but I won't start kicking myself. Not for that particular reason anyway. btw I saw the guy, who used to post here (Mark, was it?) He looked very nice (in fact, I liked him even better, than ODB's double)."}, {"response": 1368, "author": "neshacat", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (05:46)", "body": "Today's local paper here has a cute article about a store in Huber Heights, a suburb of Dayton, that sells British items. I checked their web site and found many of the items from BJD, both the movie and the books. I've always wondered what Cadbury Milk Tray was. The web site has pictures. Article: http://enquirer.com/editions/2002/12/11/tem_food11lede.html Store site: http://www.wisechoiceuk.com/store.asp"}, {"response": 1369, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (09:19)", "body": "Mary, thanks so much for that info! What a fun site! My DH -- a long time Dr. Who fan -- will have Jelly Babies stocking stuffers and I found a couple of other things as well for some hard-to-buy-for anglophiles. Thanks!"}, {"response": 1370, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (10:04)", "body": "Thanks Mary! What a great site!! Found some things I hadn't seen in a very long time!"}, {"response": 1371, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (15:50)", "body": "Interesting article posted at CFFW site about RZ, her weight and EOR.. http://www.icircle.com/html/DIET/Celeb_diet_and_fitness/ARTICLE/11920.html"}, {"response": 1372, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (19:47)", "body": "The movie is going to START with the Thai jail thing? Huh? (Karen) But you can see the double in another scene and you'll be kicking yourself for missing how closely he resembles (sort of) Colin. Visual aid for the DVD-less: As someone else said, he does nothing for me."}, {"response": 1373, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (20:00)", "body": "(Rika)The movie is going to START with the Thai jail thing? Huh? Maybe it will be a flashback of some sort? I was hoping they would cut most of the Thai stuff altogether--and give us more towel time."}, {"response": 1374, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (20:06)", "body": "(Rika)The movie is going to START with the Thai jail thing? Huh? (lindak) Maybe it will be a flashback of some sort? Drat, double drat! I was hoping they would open the film just like the book...ODB in bed...being stared at by Bridget. \"Hurrah, the wilderness years are over!\" and all that!"}, {"response": 1375, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (20:14)", "body": "You know I gotta read TEoR....... And, the sideburns Louisa....check them out. Did he grow them for the part and if so why????"}, {"response": 1376, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (20:19)", "body": "(Lisa)You know I gotta read TEoR....... I just re-read it. The second time around was wonderful."}, {"response": 1377, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (20:29)", "body": "(Lisa) And, the sideburns Louisa....check them out. Did he grow them for the part and if so why???? LOL! You think the body double should rethink the length of his sideburns? Ooooohhhh and you MUST read TEoR! There are some great moments in that book (that will most likely never make it to the screenplay)!"}, {"response": 1378, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec 12, 2002 (07:32)", "body": "(lindaK)I was hoping they would open the film just like the book...ODB in bed...being stared at by Bridget. \"Hurrah, the wilderness years are over!\" and all that! Maybe they'll end with it?"}, {"response": 1379, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Dec 12, 2002 (10:46)", "body": "Thanks Mary and Maria for the interesting articles. Cadbury's is the best. Love their Easter Eggs. Brought back alot of memories from the 3 years I spent in England. Thanks. Can't blame RZ for not wanting to gain the weight, so am not surprised they are starting after prison release. Movie will be good no matter where they start. Can't wait."}, {"response": 1380, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Dec 12, 2002 (11:40)", "body": "(moon)Maybe they'll end with it? They more or less started and ended with it in the book. I'm not in the mood to give anything up!!!"}, {"response": 1381, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Dec 12, 2002 (16:15)", "body": "(moon)Maybe they'll end with it? I hope they keep that in, such a cute scene. Actually, I want them to keep every scene in. I wouldn't mind a loooong movie for a change. Yeah, I know they like to keep the rom-coms short. Sheesh."}, {"response": 1382, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (13:02)", "body": "Lisa has just started a Bridget story on Fan Fic Topic 172 message 54. Not to be missed."}, {"response": 1383, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (13:41)", "body": "This whole weight issue is ridiculous. First off, she was NOT fat when she played Bridget the first time around. Being a thin, tall person, if I weighed 130lbs, I'd be happy!!!! Personally, Renee looks better voluptuous, and there is nothing wrong with that. I struggle to gain weight and keep it on. Hollywood (and others) emphasize way too much on weight and not on inner beauty of health. RZ doesn't look very healthy (imo). She needs to start eating bangers and mash w/ LOTS of gravy!!! (am getting hungry!)"}, {"response": 1384, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (20:40)", "body": "(Laura) Hollywood (and others) emphasize way too much on weight and not on inner beauty of health. RZ doesn't look very healthy I agree 100%. I thought she was adorable in BJD. She is so pretty and I think looks a bit too gaunt right now. But then we don't know what the producers expect of the actors and she's obviously in great demand now so IMO doesn't have the time to be going up and down the scale. But I agree she doesn't look healthy, neither to alot of the other actors either. IMO"}, {"response": 1385, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (20:47)", "body": "Possibly not the place for it, but glowing praise for the British items store Mary mentioned above...her posting just ran on Wednesday, I placed my order, received goods (reg shipping!) today after call yesterday from delightful owner who called to confirm order. Will be able to watch BJD with Milk Tray to go with chardonnay (as well as yummy whisky fudge!) Article: http://enquirer.com/editions/2002/12/11/tem_food11lede.html Store site: http://www.wisechoiceuk.com/store.asp"}, {"response": 1386, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec 14, 2002 (09:44)", "body": "(Barb) but glowing praise for the British items store Mary mentioned above. But they don't have Arsenal mugs and key chains;-((("}, {"response": 1387, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Dec 14, 2002 (10:11)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1388, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Dec 14, 2002 (10:23)", "body": "(Evelyn) But they don't have Arsenal mugs and key chains;-((( Like this? Here's the link - unfortunately you'll probably see it split across two lines and so you may have to copy and paste it to a browser window for it to work. http://www.arsenal.com/sportsappcontroller.jsp?command=forwardOnly&nextPage=/shopping/superstore.jsp"}, {"response": 1389, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Dec 14, 2002 (10:24)", "body": "Actually it wasn't split on my screen after all; it worked fine...."}, {"response": 1390, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec 14, 2002 (12:03)", "body": "Thanks Rika...I've been giving Birthday prezzies from there for a loooong time;-) Actually went to the Arsenal gift shop. Nice neighborhood;-)"}, {"response": 1391, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Dec 15, 2002 (17:48)", "body": "Thanks for the link, Rika. I may treat myself to some Christmas gifts."}, {"response": 1392, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (23:13)", "body": "From the \"From the horse's mouth\" department: At a Q&A with GC last night, he stated he has not been approached about TEoR, doesn't know why his name has been mentioned by Andrew Davies, among others. When it was mentioned that the part would be a small, but funny part, he said the size of the part (in any movie) doesn't matter if he likes it and wants to do it. Well now what?"}, {"response": 1393, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (07:07)", "body": "Sock puppet with sideburns??"}, {"response": 1394, "author": "townranny", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (07:57)", "body": "LOL Sock puppet with sideburns? Too bad Shari Lewis is gone. Maybe Lambchop had a brother. Sounds better to me than George Clooney. A little Cro-Magnan for my taste. I will duck now."}, {"response": 1395, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (09:47)", "body": "Maybe we're going to lose the interview all together??!! Yikes! Just when I had come to terms with GC doing it instead of ODB!"}, {"response": 1396, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (11:18)", "body": "(Tress) Maybe we're going to lose the interview all together??!! Could be....it doesn't work unless it's a high-profile celebrity. A \"no-name\" bombs."}, {"response": 1397, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (12:08)", "body": "just found this on IMDb Renee Dreads Aussie Spread American Renee Zellweger is dreading a trip Down Under for the Australasian premiere of new film Chicago - because the last time she went there she ballooned in size. The Bridget Jones's Diary star admits she's a huge fan of the Australian lifestyle, and she let it go to her stomach. She says, \"I was 17 and I went there for a long break and when my brother came to pick me up at the airport he didn't recognize me. His first words to me were, 'I guess the food was good!'\" Meanwhile, the Texan actress has hit back at comments made recently by Sir Elton John that she's too thin. Renee insists a recent bout of food poisoning in Romania, where she has been filming Cold Mountain, made her look painfully thin, but now she's healthy again. She rants, \"I can't control what people think and he's gonna say that and it's going to be read by however many millions of people and I can't meet all those people and explain the circumstances about my life. I've been running up and down mountains in Transylvania for six months, herding cattle and building fences and I ended up with really bad food poisoning because I was dumb enough to eat the chicken salad after it had been sitting out on the table for eight hours.\""}, {"response": 1398, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (12:27)", "body": "Now who can we sub for GC. Thanks for headsup Dorine, you lucky girl to see him in the flesh. How gorgeous is he? Could we recommend Pierce Brosnan? Now I think he would do, don't you? Thanks for article Laura. Very interesting. Seems RZ is very comfortable with the way she is, and that's all that matters IMO."}, {"response": 1399, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (13:35)", "body": "(Pam) How gorgeous is he? Very! ;-) Seems RZ is very comfortable with the way she is, and that's all that matters IMO. Not sure Karen Carpenter, among others would agree."}, {"response": 1400, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (13:44)", "body": "I think she looks too thin and I'm thinner and taller than she is. She looked perfect as Bridge. She looked great in Jerry Maguire and in that tear-jerker movie (where her mom has cancer, can't remember name of it)."}, {"response": 1401, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (14:46)", "body": "IMO, they overdid the weight gain in BJD, which is partially causing this to-do now. In the books, BJ is not overweight--she only obsesses that she is. That's the point that people seem to miss. At one point in the first book, she's less than 120 pounds; for a woman of average height, that's slender. And wasn't it reported that the producers admitted they overdid it, but by that time camwras were ready to roll and they had no choice? That imdb \"interview\" was taken straight from Access Hollywood the other night. She is *not* dreading Australia--that whole thing was said laughingly. She was very graciuos--as she always is--about comments made by people like Elton John. Hey, Elton--I think your wig is hideous, your clothes are ugly, and you have a face that only a mother could love. How's that feel?"}, {"response": 1402, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (15:06)", "body": "ROTF, Mari! On a serious note, we are still waiting for a TEOR confirmation. Will HG be in it? How large will his part be? I would love to get my hands on AD's script."}, {"response": 1403, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (15:34)", "body": "I recall her being interviewed on morning radio when she came out to promote BJD, about a year and a half ago, so she's been here since! Interesting point Mari. I must re-read BJD and see if that comes through. You may be very right. ;)"}, {"response": 1404, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (15:39)", "body": "Mari is right. We never get a physical description of BJ; she's the every girl. Who thinks she's too fat, tits too small, etc...; that she's too dumb to get the rich handsome lawyer, so she settles for the two-bit boss who just uses her for a quickie. He was never serious about her. We've all been there."}, {"response": 1405, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (18:38)", "body": "(Tress) Maybe we're going to lose the interview all together??!! Yep, I wouldn't be surprised especially because it was written for Bridget's obsession with Mr. Darcy,(and HF's obsession for Mr. Darcy/Colin) and because Colin said he wouldn't do the interview scene. But, GC would have been the obvious next choice because of all the ER references. However, if I'm reading Dorine's post correctly, he hasn't said he wouldn't do it, he hasn't been asked to do it. I would think he would have been approached by now, though. Sorry to be answering my own questions."}, {"response": 1406, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (16:30)", "body": "Hey, Annette, thanks for your comment back at #1367. That'll teach me not to fail to check in for 3 weeks. I seem to remember mentioning that CF's \"double\" didn't resemble him the night I saw him - although I also remember that he didn't seem to resemble his own publicity pic (to me). I'm still trying to work out how to lose the weight I've put on since the original for the sequel (in case I can blag my way on as an extra again) - and Renee thinks she has problems! Still she just got her GG nom, maybe there'll be a celebratory binge, and she'll get back up to a weight acceptable to Sir Elton."}, {"response": 1407, "author": "AnnieZ", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (12:30)", "body": "Renee Zellweger arrives at the premiere screening of the film 'Chicago' at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences in Beverly Hills, Calif., Dec. 10, 2002. She looks fine to me ;-)"}, {"response": 1408, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (12:41)", "body": "A camera's lens can \"add 10 pounds\". Whatever she is now, all I can say is in Chicago, there was one scene where it was easy to see she was quite thin. I'm not going to argue \"too thin\", or whatever. But I will say too, that at another screening, I overheard the people next to me talking about how distractingly thin she was to one of them and made a comment about camera lenses adding weight, so she must have been thinner than she appeared. (Their words, not mine) Everybody's perception can be different. And that's not even comparing her directly to CZJ which was easy to do in the last scene. They are 2 different sized people."}, {"response": 1409, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (17:25)", "body": "\"You can't be too thin, or too rich\""}, {"response": 1410, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Dec 23, 2002 (08:10)", "body": "(MarkG)(in case I can blag my way on as an extra again) I would find it most wonderful, if you could find a way back. From what I've read about the filming of BJD, your reports from the set were v.g."}, {"response": 1411, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Dec 24, 2002 (03:24)", "body": "I haven't posted in an age since I always seem to be about three weeks behind on reading the posts. Real life is severely impinging on my drool time but I do lurk and try and keep up with what's going on. I read the following in the LA Times today and it made me think about BJD TEOR. Could there be a connection to GC's possible appearance as Bridget's Interview subject? Probably not but it doesn't take much for me to make the leap to Firth ;-). This long article was about how the movie studios often insist that when signing on to a film, an actor agree to give the studio an option to require the actor to appear in a future film for that studio. Here's the part that referred to George Clooney. \"But superstar status doesn't eliminate worry about options. First-time director Clooney was determined to cast Sam Rockwell as 'Gong Show' host Chuck Barris in 'Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.' Miramax was fielding inquiries from better-known stars who wanted the part. The studio relented on Clooney's choice only when Clooney gave Miramax several options, he says. One called for Clooney to appear in a cameo in a Miramax film and another gave Miramax an opportunity to co-produce movies made with Clooney and partner Steven Soderbergh's production company. (Clooney's publicist says Miramax later forgave the options when he added Julia Roberts and Drew Barrymore to his 'Confessions' cast.)\" I'm probably dreaming, but the first thought that occurred to me was that the planned cameo might have been for TEOR. But now that GC is being non-committal about it in public obviously it's not confirmed."}, {"response": 1412, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Dec 24, 2002 (08:56)", "body": "Jana, I still think he's going to do the part. GC can keep a secret really well. Remember when Doug Ross made a cameo return appearance in ER when nurse Hathaway (can't remember her first name) left for Seattle? No one knew he had filmed it, except the few involved with the scene."}, {"response": 1413, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Dec 24, 2002 (13:20)", "body": "(LisaJH) I still think he's going to do the part. GC can keep a secret really well. Remember when Doug Ross made a cameo return appearance in ER when nurse Hathaway (can't remember her first name) left for Seattle? No one knew he had filmed it, except the few involved with the scene. Exactly what I've been thinking! All ER fans had been hoping, but nobody spilled the beans and it came as a surprise to all. Let's hope lightning strikes twice!"}, {"response": 1414, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 24, 2002 (13:55)", "body": "(Jana) Could there be a connection to GC's possible appearance as Bridget's Interview subject? Probably not but it doesn't take much for me to make the leap to Firth ;-). Good going, but so far TEOR isn't a Miramax production. Strictly Universal's baby. But I do think that GC wouldn't be confirming the rumor anyway: (a) is not his place and (b) is not his place. ;-)"}, {"response": 1415, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jan  7, 2003 (10:08)", "body": "I remember reading about the auction of the reindeer sweater, but I was amused to find this photo floating around and didn't recall seeing it posted, so I thought I'd share:"}, {"response": 1416, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan  7, 2003 (10:46)", "body": "Good pic, Rika. Too bad you couldn't get those heads out of your shot. Maybe if you'd have stood. ;-) Pity though that they couldn't have found a better model. ;-)"}, {"response": 1417, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jan  7, 2003 (11:35)", "body": "If they'd found a better model, I would have done more than just stand..... ;-)"}, {"response": 1418, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Jan  7, 2003 (17:11)", "body": "Just a thought - were there any information, if the sweater had been to the cleaners before the auction? Something tells me, that the price would go through the roof if it came straight from ODB. Perhaps someone will invent a \"scent-distributor\" to our tv in the future - I know that would take my drooling to an even higher level ;-)"}, {"response": 1419, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jan  7, 2003 (17:47)", "body": "No information to that effect.... but I think you're on to something! Here's a link to the page where I found the photo - it shows some other things that were auctioned (including, from the looks of it, one of FOC's dresses from TIOBE): http://www.nftsfilm-tv.ac.uk/News/Archive/Foundation/Auction_01/Auction_01.html"}, {"response": 1420, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan  7, 2003 (17:54)", "body": "Yes, it was FOC's dress from the end. Someone had found and posted the listings (and pics) from Christie's site. The dress was shown as shot from the movie, but the sweater was just laid out. I have it somewhere..."}, {"response": 1421, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jan  7, 2003 (23:22)", "body": "Love the Wallace and Gromit model. :) Surprised that went for so much more than the sweater. On second thought, maybe not. ;)"}, {"response": 1422, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Jan  8, 2003 (00:01)", "body": "Has anyone seen the new Jenny Craig commercial? It starts with a voiceover: \ufffdWant to change your underwear this year?\ufffd First, one sees a pair of large granny pants on a clothesline; thereafter a ruffled, skimpier pair of (genuinely tiny) knickers next to the granny pants. I wonder where they got the idea? ;-)"}, {"response": 1423, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Jan  8, 2003 (02:05)", "body": "And similarly, a new British TV ad features a (less amusing) reindeer sweater being worn by a rueful Dad after Christmas. Ah, the innovative advertising industry..."}, {"response": 1424, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Wed, Jan  8, 2003 (17:01)", "body": "After the excessive snowfall in London today, the anchor on the news prefaced the weather report by drawing comparison to \"the final snog scene in Bridget Jones' Diary\" -- a woman after my own heart."}, {"response": 1425, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Jan  8, 2003 (19:24)", "body": "(Emma)the anchor on the news prefaced the weather report by drawing comparison to \"the final snog scene in Bridget Jones' Diary\" -- a woman after my own heart. Thanks for sharing that, Emma. Very nice. Have fun in the snow and be on the look out for foot prints with long strides ;-)."}, {"response": 1426, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (11:53)", "body": "After the excessive snowfall in London today, the anchor on the news prefaced the weather report by drawing comparison to \"the final snog scene in Bridget Jones' Diary\" -- a woman after my own heart. ] we here in Boston, have had our fair share of snow. Haven't quite snogged in it;)"}, {"response": 1427, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (01:50)", "body": "Hot off the Presses From IMDB: Celebrity News : 17th January 2003 (a lot of this is rehash of what we have heard before, but this sounds more definite than ever... ) Renee Agrees to Bridget Jones Sequel After months of speculation, Hollywood star Renee Zellweger has finally agreed to appear in a sequel to 2001 hit movie Bridget Jones's Diary - even if it means she must put on weight. Plans for a second installment were scuppered last year when the slim star insisted \"There is no way I'm going to put all that weight on again. I hated it.\" But it seems her on screen love interest, British actor Colin Firth, has persuaded her to reprise her role as the frustrated singleton. Renee says, \"I'm ready, willing and able. Bridget's a character I really identify with. I'll put the weight back on with pleasure.\" And on Firth's influence, she adds, \"To work with Colin again would be fantastic.\" The actress may not have to bulk up quite so much as she did in the first movie. Writer Andrew Davies explains fans will see a more streamlined Bridget in the follow up. He says, \"This time the script doesn't require her to bulk up all that much. The plot involves her doing time in a Thai jail, which means she actually has o lose weight.\" http://us.imdb.com/PeopleNews/"}, {"response": 1428, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (02:03)", "body": "It's 8am London time and my radio station just announced it...oh happy day!!"}, {"response": 1429, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (02:34)", "body": "It's 9.30 am Copenhagen time and I can only agree - Oh happy day!!! It is also nice, that for once it is Colins name mentioned instead of HG (this should make your day as well, Rika) I just wondered about when we would here news the other night watching Shirley Henderson and Gemma Jones(?) in Harry Potter. (btw - I loved SH as Mourning Murtle)"}, {"response": 1430, "author": "Leah", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (02:45)", "body": "(KJArt)\"To work with Colin again would be fantastic.\" I'm glad that he *persuaded* her to take up the role again. Things are looking good. I hoping that the Thai jail plot won't take over the whole movie."}, {"response": 1431, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (07:46)", "body": "Thanks, KJ! \"To work with Colin again would be fantastic.\" You'd think she could have said will be fantastic . Now we just need the official confirmation with the cast list. ;-) Colin talking her into it must mean that he is aggresively pursuing doing this movie. ;-)"}, {"response": 1432, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (08:40)", "body": "Excellent, excellent! And for Colin's name to be so prominently featured...am thrilled!"}, {"response": 1433, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (09:06)", "body": "From Baz, today\ufffds Daily Mail. \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdWe were all at the Tavern On The Green, a landmark restaurant (with so-so food) in Central Park, for the National Board of Review awards ceremony. After it was over I asked Renee when she was going to reprise her role in the phenomenally successful movie comedy Bridget Jones. \ufffdHoney\ufffd, she drawled, \ufffdwe\ufffdre working on it. The script\ufffds not done yet. People are working on that and we\ufffdre hoping to do it. It\ufffdll happen.\ufffd"}, {"response": 1434, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (09:56)", "body": "Also from the IMDB, there's a messageboard for TEOR and someone, who says she is a publicist at Working Title, has been posting info. Here's her latest: Hey It's me again. Wow, I didn't expect all this response from my post. It's great to know that there are lots of dedicated Bridget fans. I can't peek at the script sorry. It's top secret and Rich Curtis won't even let me ask questions! Though I have found out some stuff about the script. I can't reveal much though. Yes, they are planning to enlarge Hugh Grant's part. Expect him to turn up on Bridget's vacation to Thailand and some scenes at her home at the end. The script is considerably longer than the last one. It's about 200 pages so expect to movie to go over 2 hours, girls! I have some sad news to report though. Charmian May, who played Mark Darcy's mum, has passed away recently. No word on the recast for that. As for nude scenes . . . They are apparently throwing tons of money at Colin Firth to show his bottom for the film so only time will tell. As for the casting of Rebecca, expect a BIG name star to take the role. Renee Zellweger will get a reported $10 million to do the film. That's all for now. If you wish to ask me any additional questions, just post 'em and I'll try to find the answers for you. ~ Tracey http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0317198/board/thread/577034"}, {"response": 1435, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (10:06)", "body": "They are apparently throwing tons of money at Colin Firth to show his bottom for the film YEAH BABY!!!! Let's start a collection, and contribute to the cause. C'mon, Colin, show us what you're made of! Actually, he already has; but I'd pay WAY extra for a full frontal.:-) Thanks, Karen and Aishling."}, {"response": 1436, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (10:08)", "body": "\"They are apparently throwing tons of money at Colin Firth to show his bottom for the film so only time will tell\" They're barking up the wrong tree...Throw $$$ at the Red Finger-nailed one. If he's so eager to do this film, perhaps he'll consent to the interview. Interview and bare bottom...whoa!!!"}, {"response": 1437, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (10:11)", "body": "(TEOR messageboard) They are apparently throwing tons of money at Colin Firth to show his bottom for the film so only time will tell. Should we start up a collection??? Thanks KJArt, aishling and Karen! This is great news!!"}, {"response": 1438, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (10:30)", "body": "What was that amount that was mentioned before??? $6 million???"}, {"response": 1439, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (10:49)", "body": "Ooops, sorry, that was the amount for Love Actually."}, {"response": 1440, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (10:52)", "body": "Wow! Love all this news. Thanks all. Hope they don't give Hugh too much of a role though. I like him a lot (will be watching my new DVD of \"About A Boy\" today), but I'd like CF to get the press for a change."}, {"response": 1441, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (11:01)", "body": "(Mari) but I'd pay WAY extra for a full frontal.:-) Keep dreaming. Not in an R-rated film. \"Full frontal male\" automatically gets the Orange County parenting (ooops, I mean, MPAA) NC-17 rating. Ain't gonna happen, but I know what you mean. ;-)"}, {"response": 1442, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (11:02)", "body": "\"They are apparently throwing tons of money at Colin Firth to show his bottom for the film so only time will tell\" Oh, my! Now there's a thought to get me going on a VERY cold morning! LOL, if they could pull that off, well, I'd better start saving up now for all those screenings I'll be attending. Wonder if I could get a special rate? Thanks for all this positive news!!!!"}, {"response": 1443, "author": "odessa", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (11:05)", "body": "well, he was ready to make a naked Darcy scene in P&P, so maybe this time it will come true..."}, {"response": 1444, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (11:12)", "body": "If it's true, I bet it's for the kitchen scene near the end. Mark wouldn't seem nearly so vulnerable and sweet screaming in abject terror when Bridget startles him if he were wearing black plaid flannel PJ's. Maybe Andrew Davies is still trying to make up for the fact that Darcy wound up fully clothed in the pond scene in P&P2! :-)"}, {"response": 1445, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (12:53)", "body": "(Odessa) well, he was ready to make a naked Darcy scene in P&P, so maybe this time it will come true... (Rika) Maybe Andrew Davies is still trying to make up for the fact that Darcy wound up fully clothed in the pond scene in P&P2! :-) Excellent compensation! But don't forget, there was something, er, someone..... missing from the picture at that time. ;-) ;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 1446, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (12:57)", "body": "What wonderful news! I'd settle for the towel slipping off his backside and that long, lean body (ala Playmaker) for all to see on the big screen! I wonder if Daniel will be the drug smuggler or involved in some way with BJ's stay in the Thai prison?"}, {"response": 1447, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (13:29)", "body": "(Lisa), I wonder if Daniel will be the drug smuggler or involved in some way with BJ's stay in the Thai prison? This sounds very plausible, coming from our resident FF writer. ;-D Thanks for all the info! Mari, sweet dreams are made of this... but there's the harpy with the red fingernails. :-("}, {"response": 1448, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (13:56)", "body": "The Wilderness Years are over... I can't believe it...Oh I'm dancing in my seat. And this very day is my first anniversary of BJD. I'm all set to watch it tonight. It even snowed like last year...which is why I rented it in the first place. Wot a present. (Odessa)well, he was ready to make a naked Darcy scene in P&P, so maybe this time it will come true... True, but he would have been showing off his bottom for JE not LD. Quite a different kettle of fish, I'm sure. They are apparently throwing tons of money at Colin Firth to show his bottom My check is in the mail, I'm with you Mari, I'd pay extra. (Evelyn)They're barking up the wrong tree...Throw $$$ at the Red Finger-nailed one. LOL, Evelyn...this should be very interesting. If this is true, I'm dying to see who wins. Thanks, everyone, for this v. good news."}, {"response": 1449, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (15:08)", "body": "I'd be interested to see who plays Rebecca and I hope they include more of the friends!!!! Shirley Henderson was great as Moaning Myrtle:) She played it perfectly!!!"}, {"response": 1450, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (15:16)", "body": "THANK YOU ALL for this most wonderful news. Come on Colin, strut your stuff. Take the money and show those dimples. Am really curious to see who will be Rebecca. A very BIG name, and a two-hour movie. This has really exciting potential. It's time to get out the candles and light them girls, with the cold weather they'll serve dual purpose. IMO if Renee is getting her going $10 million rate plus what they will have to pay the Big name, they've got the money to really make this a big success. And a win for Renee on Sunday would be a big boost too. HURRAY!!!"}, {"response": 1451, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (16:20)", "body": "(FanPam) Take the money and show those dimples. I know which dimples you're talking about! ;-) This is all very good news! I hope HG's part isn't too big. (Laura) I'd be interested to see who plays Rebecca and I hope they include more of the friends!!!! Shirley Henderson was great as Moaning Myrtle:) She played it perfectly!!! I, too, would love to see more of the friends. Thought they all were wonderful."}, {"response": 1452, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (17:18)", "body": "As I was out all afternoon, I wondered about the bare bottom scene and have to agree it would have to be the kitchen one, the only one that is necessary from a ...um.....er....plot standpoint. ;-) Uma"}, {"response": 1453, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (18:35)", "body": "How about Rebecca = Liz Hurley? Now wouldn't that be a delicious little bit of back story to chortle over? Though I've not heard anything else about her and GC."}, {"response": 1454, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (19:11)", "body": "(Barb)Though I've not heard anything else about her and GC. No, but there are rumors of LH and HG possibly back together again...so maybe LH would play Rebecca. (Karen)I wondered about the bare bottom scene and have to agree it would have to be the kitchen one, the only one that is necessary from a ...um.....er....plot standpoint. ;-) Butt of course. That scene was meant to be played nekkid... There are also plenty of shag scenes in the book...Oh Gawd, I can't think straight just thinking about it. If he opts out of the bare bottom, then I hope from a \"plot standpoint\" that we have at least two towel scenes...towel low on the hips, slipping way down, almost falling off. Hey, it's better than nothing!"}, {"response": 1455, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (22:26)", "body": "Excellent news and great posts! (barb)How about Rebecca = Liz Hurley? Yes, she's been mentioned before. Is she considered a Very big name? And, is a qualification for casting being able to actually act? If not, she's a shoo-in! (kathyf)I hope HG's part isn't too big. Is it the Daniel Cleaver bad boy thing that is too tempting 'not' to revisit, or is it the drawing power of the actor they want? (Evelyn)Throw $$$ at the Red Finger-nailed one. Yes, better make that lira! (lisaJH)...that long, lean body (lindak)Butt of course. You both said it. By the time I get around to reading TEoR, it'll be filmed and out in cinemas! ;)"}, {"response": 1456, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (23:03)", "body": "Re: Liz Hurley I too think she would be perfect, but she doesn't meet my definition of a \"big name.\" And I hate to say it, but it probably means Rebecca will be played by an American actress, someone who is known by her first name. Maybe a Cameron. Someone who can make RZ look like a sack of potatoes. But they seem to have gone with contrast before, a brunette, so...."}, {"response": 1457, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Jan 18, 2003 (09:58)", "body": "(Karen)...it probably means Rebecca will be played by an American actress, someone who is known by her first name...But they seem to have gone with contrast before, a brunette, so.... Well, CD could dye her hair, as could Gwenyth Paltrow. Hmmm, other Americans known by their first names: Cher? Madonna (help me God--no more movies, please!)? Winona? ;-)"}, {"response": 1458, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jan 18, 2003 (10:01)", "body": "Liz Hurley was who I pictured as Rebecca when I read the book, way back then. (Evelyn)Throw $$$ at the Red Finger-nailed one. (Lisa), Yes, better make that lira! That's Euros now. Needless to say that kitchen scene has to be naked. But I would take it back to MD descending the stairs to get to the kitchen. ;-) Lisa, I beg to have you write a scenario, with Colin, Livia and his agent discussing doing the scene naked. ;-D Just how much money are they throwing at him to do it?"}, {"response": 1459, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sat, Jan 18, 2003 (11:13)", "body": "Madonna for Rebecca!?! AAAAACCCCKKKK!! OMG, and she is right there too. Oh please no! Surely not, but then if ability to act is not important.... Big name? Julia Roberts, but surely not but if GC is in it and she decides to do it for a lark...(but they said VERY big, not huge...) I keep thinking of someone who could do a Caroline Bingley with successful sex appeal....who else?"}, {"response": 1460, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jan 18, 2003 (11:23)", "body": "I can't get past thinking of Liz Hurley. She's the one who came so strongly to mind while reading the book. It would be essentially typecasting for her, but who cares. Not like she has a huge range. I could see Nicole Kidman, but she'd be too big I think. I believe another suggestion was made quite a while back who I could see, but can't remember now and no time to check. CD? Yuch! I like her in a few things, but I think someone who has a deeper voice than her would be better. More sultry maybe?"}, {"response": 1461, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Jan 18, 2003 (13:53)", "body": "(BarbS)How about Rebecca = Liz Hurley? Or CZJ? She and RZ worked well against each other ib Chicago. Although, I guess she will have a very young infant at the time filming is to start..."}, {"response": 1462, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Jan 18, 2003 (15:09)", "body": "(LisaJ) Hmmm, other Americans known by their first names: Cher? I'm sure no one else will agree with me, but have imagined CF playing opposite Cher. I feel she would be one who could definitely shake that aristocratic exterior and would be great fun watching him react to her. Plus IMO she CAN act. But would opt for GP. LH would be a great physical attraction, as evidenced by my sons, but I too feel she lacks any acting prowess. Everyone in this ensemble can act, and is so good that IMO it would be detrimental to cast someone who was not up to par and I pray casting thinks so too. (Kathy) I, too, would love to see more of the friends. Thought they all were wonderful. Me too. Thought they were marvelous and oh so good. Would really like to see their rolls expanded as so much fun to watch. (Lisa) Is it the Daniel Cleaver bad boy thing that is too tempting 'not' to revisit, or is it the drawing power of the actor they want? IMO I think its both. Even CF in interview said it needed the same actors to work for sequel. And I have to give credit when due. I think he played Daniel exactly as he was meant to be. They worked very well off of each other."}, {"response": 1463, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sat, Jan 18, 2003 (16:36)", "body": "(Kathy) I, too, would love to see more of the friends. Thought they all were wonderful. (FanPam) Me too. Thought they were marvelous and oh so good. Would really like to see their rolls expanded as so much fun to watch. Hear hear! Weren't they simply hilarious? To paraphrase: \"Fight! It's a real fight!\" \"Well, f*** me!\" \"But this is a man you hate, right?\" \"No pressure Brig, but your entire future happiness depends on this one night!\""}, {"response": 1464, "author": "dalec", "date": "Sat, Jan 18, 2003 (16:44)", "body": "This s very exciting news! Been trying to catch up on all the comments. What would be considered alot of money for Colin to do TEOR if they are paying Renee 10 million? I recall reading how much they got for BJD but can't remember the numbers. I was wondering, if they get an american actress to play Rebecca, would they then make the character american too?"}, {"response": 1465, "author": "audiogirl", "date": "Sat, Jan 18, 2003 (19:30)", "body": "When I read EOR I always pictured a redhead, like a Nicole Kidman or the girl that played Colin's love interest in Circle of Friends. Anyone else? LH seems a bit too, too, glamourous, IMO."}, {"response": 1466, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jan 18, 2003 (20:13)", "body": "I also think LH is great for the role, but I loved Rosamund Pike (Agent Frost) in Die Another Day. She isn't a big name but certainly looks the part. Here you go for a look at her. http://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hc&id=1804544482&cf=pg&photoid=455862&intl=us"}, {"response": 1467, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Jan 18, 2003 (23:07)", "body": "I always saw LH as Rebecca, but.... (lindak) I also think LH is great for the role, but I loved Rosamund Pike (Agent Frost) in Die Another Day. I think, RP would be v. v. good! Good call Linda! She has that ice princess thing down!!"}, {"response": 1468, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Jan 19, 2003 (14:30)", "body": "Have just caught up and this is really great news! (moonstar) LOL, if they could pull that off, Really thought you were going to say \"the towel\" in the next part of that sentence! ;-) (Karen)Ooops, sorry, that was the amount for Love Actually. But if LA brings him a possible $6 million, then TEoR might bring him close to what Renee is getting. Of course LD would need to approve, BUT(T) MONEY TALKS!"}, {"response": 1469, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Jan 19, 2003 (14:32)", "body": "oops, sorry, closing tags too excited"}, {"response": 1470, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Jan 19, 2003 (14:33)", "body": "closing"}, {"response": 1471, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Sun, Jan 19, 2003 (16:03)", "body": "(lindak) I hope from a \"plot standpoint\" that we have at least two towel scenes...towel low on the hips, slipping way down, almost falling off. Oooh, what a mental image you've put in my mind!!! It's getting powerful warm in here ***fanning self*** I, too, thought of LH when I was reading TEOR, but if they've gotten a \"big name\", I'm not so sure it would be her. Rosamund Price is a great candidate, but she doesn't have a lot of name recognition in the U.S. I think CZ-J would be a great choice; I bet she could do ice-queen, and she certainly is gorgeous. Has she completely killed her Welsh (?) accent? The character doesn't have to be American. Lighting candles for 1) not too much of HG 2) big bucks for CF 3) CF nekkid scene (or at least the aforementioned low-slung towel)"}, {"response": 1472, "author": "BarbaraT", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (06:55)", "body": "The news about Renee agreeing to do a sequel has made it onto the front page of today's Times! Actress lands a weighty role in Bridget Jones: the sequel By Alan Hamilton Good news for all frumpish thirtysomething singletons. In fact, v.g. news. Renee Zellweger, the Hollywood stick insect who piled on the pounds to star in Bridget Jones's Diary, has finally agreed to appear in the sequel. After months of dithering, the diminutive actress has agreed to take the lead in The Edge of Reason, based on Helen Fielding's second Bridget Jones novel. It has to follow one of the most successful British films, which took \ufffd1.7 million on its first day alone in 2001, after hitting the G-spots of a whole female generation of city-dwelling chardonnay-swiggers. \"I'm ready, willing and able; Bridget's a character I really identify with,\" Ms Zellweger confirmed at a press conference for her latest vehicle, Chicago. \"I'll put the weight back on with pleasure.\" She had to fatten up by nearly 20lb for the original role. Barely a year ago, the prospect of a second Bridget Jones film seemed doomed when Ms Zellweger declared: \"There is no way I am going to put all that weight on again.\" According to Hollywood gossip, she was persuaded by Colin Firth, her on-screen lover in the first film, who is expected to reprise his role as Mark Darcy. \"To work with Colin again would be fantastic,\" Ms Zellweger said. The script may also have had a bearing. Andrew Davies, who is writing the screenplay with Richard Curtis in between costume-drama adaptations, promised a more streamlined Bridget. \"The script doesn't require her to bulk up all that much. The plot involves her doing time in a Thai jail for drug-smuggling, which means she actually has to lose weight,\" he said. In a television interview earlier this month, Ms Zellweger said: \"I'll do it if it's worthy of Helen Fielding and the character Bridget embodies.\" The Edge of Reason is expected to be released in the summer of 2004. Fans will have to wait until then to discover whether Bridget has sharpened up her dress sense and substituted a thong for those awful Zeppelin-sized knickers."}, {"response": 1473, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (09:49)", "body": "Excellent! Front page of The Times. And it's being reported by Ananova too: http://www.ananova.com/entertainment/story/sm_741537.html?menu = Thanks Barbara"}, {"response": 1474, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (14:57)", "body": "Hey, I was kidding about Cher, Madonna and Winona. Didn\ufffdt you see my winkie? ;-) LH does seem like the heir apparent for the role of Rebecca, but I agree with the idea of Nicole Kidman being an interesting choice\ufffd. Speaking of casting, although I was very sorry to hear that the actress who played Elaine Darcy had recently died, I always thought she was miscast\ufffdthat Mark\ufffds mum should have been a bit more elegant in appearance. (Moon) Lisa, I beg to have you write a scenario, with Colin, Livia and his agent discussing doing the scene naked. ;-D Which Lisa did you have in mind? There are two of us, you know.;-) I vote for LisaL, as she is far more versatile and prolific\ufffd."}, {"response": 1475, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (20:00)", "body": "(LisaJH) Speaking of casting, although I was very sorry to hear that the actress who played Elaine Darcy had recently died, I always thought she was miscast\ufffdthat Mark\ufffds mum should have been a bit more elegant in appearance. I agree totally. She was probably a lovely woman, but she looked strangely masculine in BJD . Every time I watch it I wonder how Mr. and Mrs. Darcy could have produced a son as gorgeous as Mark!"}, {"response": 1476, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (00:37)", "body": "I have to say I find it rather odd that it is supposedly *Colin* who has talked *Renee* into EoR vs the other way around, or someone else entirely. Especially since he also expressly said he wasn't interested in doing it (of course unless the script was good.....blah, blah, blah). Must be some amazing script! Must be excellent deals being made. Not just regarding money necessarily either."}, {"response": 1477, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (09:17)", "body": "(Dorine), Must be excellent deals being made. Not just regarding money necessarily either. I tend to think it is all about the money."}, {"response": 1478, "author": "townranny", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (22:08)", "body": "Sorry to hear about Mrs Darcy. She looked like a very respectable stiff upper lipped kind of lady. I'm sure the hair and makeup didn't help her much. I nominate Dame Edna for the role. Would love to see her and Gemma Jones together in TEOR scenes. I like Ms Hurley too. Would like to see the poster as CF in middle of two women (similar to TIOBE). Any chance with RZ as big a star as she is now?"}, {"response": 1479, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (07:42)", "body": "There's apparently a double page spread in today's Daily Mail entitled Renee Zellwegger's Diary. Can anyone get hold of this for us? Thanks to Pam for this news."}, {"response": 1480, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (09:49)", "body": "Soonest I could get my hands on it would be tomorrow. Is it worth it?"}, {"response": 1481, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (12:57)", "body": "Saffron Burrows could make a good Rebecca; I definitely don't think she should be American. I had the perfect person, but for the life of me, I can't think who... Oh, now I know. Rachel Weisz!"}, {"response": 1482, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (13:52)", "body": "From People Daily News online: January 21, 2003 Thin Renee to Beef Up for Bridget Role STEPHEN M. SILVERMAN Renee Zellweger, a svelte vision in a black gown at the Golden Globes Sunday night, may have looked in tip-top shape, but soon the \"Chicago\" star will be packing the pounds back on. Zellweger, 33, who was named best actress in a musical or comedy at the Globes, says she is preparing to reprise her comic role as the put-upon Londoner Bridget Jones in \"The Edge of Reason,\" a sequel to 2001's popular \"Bridget Jones's Diary.\" (Both films are based on Helen Fielding's novels.) \"I'm ready, willing and able,\" Zellweger tells the London Times. \"Bridget's a character I really identify with. I'll put the weight back on with pleasure.\" The Texas-born Zellweger gained about 20 pounds and a convincing English accent to play the role of Bridget the first time out. Those who've seen \"Chicago,\" however, can see a bone-thin Zellweger. (During one song in the movie, \"Roxie,\" she convincingly parodies Marilyn Monroe -- minus Monroe's trademark voluptuous curves.) Zellweger wasn't always so excited about playing Bridget again. The New York Post reports that last year, she told a reporter there was \"no way\" she'd put the weight on again. The Post says the actress ultimately was swayed by her costar, Colin Firth, who is expected to reprise his role as Mark Darcy, Bridget's love interest. (No word on whether the new film will also include Hugh Grant, who played her heel of a boss.) \"The Edge of Reason\" is slated for a mid-2004 release, and since Zellweger is now said to command $20 million per picture, she'll ostensibly be paid $1 million a pound to gain for the role. Then again, maybe she won't have to put on all that weight this time. For a long stretch of \"Reason,\" Bridget is shown rotting in a Thai jail, accused of drug smuggling. For a long stretch of \"Reason,\" Bridget is shown rotting in a Thai jail, accused of drug smuggling. Oh, I hope not... Trying to keep positive thinking about what Hola Lola said regarding specific scene speculations"}, {"response": 1483, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (14:10)", "body": "is now said to command $20 million per picture thanks, Linda. This is like \"whispering down the lane.\" The original Times article reported $10 million, then yesterday's NY Post decided to double that to $20 million, so now that's what is getting reported. Re: spread in Daily Mail. It's cute, but not a must have. Has pics of RZ with funny \"diary entries\". E.G., pic of RZ and CF embracing at BJD premiere, with copy reading something like \"Are you sure these are *all* the muscles you have?\""}, {"response": 1484, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (15:02)", "body": "is now said to command $20 million per picture Yeah, I doubt that figure too. $20 million is a Julia number and, I think THR listing, also put Cameron Diaz in that figure."}, {"response": 1485, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (15:21)", "body": "But if Reese Witherspoon gets 18 mil for Legal Blond 2, why not Rene for 20? I think these actors are so over paid."}, {"response": 1486, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (15:26)", "body": "'Cause you have to bring 'em in under the drawing power of your name only, which Reese did for Legally Blonde, etc."}, {"response": 1487, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (15:50)", "body": "For a long stretch of \"Reason,\" Bridget is shown rotting in a Thai jail, accused of drug smuggling. (Linda) Oh, I hope not... You and me both! Was hoping they'd ditch most of that and come up with something else. Zellweger is now said to command $20 million per picture, (Mari) The original Times article reported $10 million, then yesterday's NY Post decided to double that to $20 million Yes, but she won a Golden Globe on Sun in between the two reports, didn't she? Not sure of the timing actually. Granted not an Oscar, but now virtually assured a nom I bet. If she hadn't signed on the dotted line yet, I imagine it's conceivable she could ask for a raise that quick. Maybe not fair, but conceivable. Ben Affleck was talking about a similar situation with Jennifer Garner for Daredevil on the Dinner with Five (or whatever it's called) show on IFC channel. They were in negotiations with her and in the meantime she won a GG last year for Alias. He joked that he hoped she had been locked in. (Moon)But if Reese Witherspoon gets 18 mil for Legal Blond 2, why not Rene for 20? I think these actors are so over paid. Agreed. Rather see Renee than Reese get it though. And Colin is a bigger part of EoR than BJD, surely he must be getting a pretty penny. Also, can't believe they'd really give him $6 mil for a role in LA which has such a large ensemble. Maybe for EoR. Giving HG a huge payday for LA I can see. He has that cache. Who knows. It's all a lot more money than I'll see in a lifetime."}, {"response": 1488, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (16:00)", "body": "(Doreen), And Colin is a bigger part of EoR than BJD, surely he must be getting a pretty penny. The bigger role is yet to be seen. Don't forget they wrote HG a bigger role for TEOR. I am curious as to his salary for that reason. ;-)"}, {"response": 1489, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (16:13)", "body": "Just courious: Have there been any mentioning in the US-papers of TEOR or is it \"just\" UK (no offence whatsoever)?"}, {"response": 1490, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (17:40)", "body": "Zellweger is now said to command $20 million per picture, (Mari) The original Times article reported $10 million, then yesterday's NY Post decided to double that to $20 million Inside Edition had a short mention of TEOR last night. They quoted the $20 million figure. Also mentioned the 20 lbs. she is said to be gaining. My guess is that they got their info from the NY Post. Possible they pushed the date back to give her time to gain the weight? She probably won't try to pack it on until after the Oscars (just a guess)..."}, {"response": 1491, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (19:08)", "body": "(Tress) Possible they pushed the date back to give her time to gain the weight? She probably won't try to pack it on until after the Oscars (just a guess)... That sounds quite plausible, too, esp if she doesn't tend to gain weight fast. If I'm not mistaken she works out quite a bit, and her metabolism probably runs pretty fast. And she could stand to gain a few pounds by the Oscars."}, {"response": 1492, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (00:33)", "body": "(Tress) Possible they pushed the date back to give her time to gain the weight? She probably won't try to pack it on until after the Oscars (just a guess)... Good point. Thought also might be delay with script. Would like to see Renee getting the $20 mil as I think she's comparable to RW. Figure IMO probably between $10-$15 perhaps."}, {"response": 1493, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (06:00)", "body": "Sydney Morning Herald, running the news about TEoR taken from The Times. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/01/22/1042911436091.html"}, {"response": 1494, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (11:03)", "body": "That story is all over the place...even my home town newspaper. WT has started the publicity wheels running."}, {"response": 1495, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (11:39)", "body": "(Evelyn)That story is all over the place...even my home town newspaper Yes, our local news did a bit on it this morning, and the same story appeared in our newspaper as well. I know the focus is on RZ right now, and rightly so...but I would assume that eventually we'll hear from the others"}, {"response": 1496, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (21:01)", "body": "In mine they also included the CF bit."}, {"response": 1497, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 24, 2003 (17:53)", "body": "That's because UPI picked up the story on the 22nd: RENEE SIGNS ON FOR 'BRIDGET 2' Renee Zellweger has ended months of speculation by announcing she will reprise her role in a sequel to the smash hit, \"Bridget Jones's Diary.\" \"I'm ready, willing and able. Bridget's a character I really identify with,\" the Golden Globe winner told reporters. \"I'll put the weight back on with pleasure.\" The petite \"Chicago\" star is expected to again pack on about 20 pounds to play a plump 30-something Londoner looking for love. She'll have plenty of money for pizza and Twinkies, though. The New York Post estimates her paycheck for the performance will be $20 million. The 2001 film was based on Helen Fielding's hilarious novel \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" which she followed with the popular sequel, \"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason\" and on which the second Bridget film reportedly will be based. Co-starring British heartthrob Colin Firth, the second film is expected to hit theaters in the summer of 2004. http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20030121-051533-6334r"}, {"response": 1498, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 2003 (14:00)", "body": "Nice to see diminishing mentions of Hughie. If his role is buffed up too much, we'll just get a re-run of the BJD love triangle. I'd like to see Bridget and Mark moving on, and more of Rebecca, the friends, even Giles and fat Nigel!"}, {"response": 1499, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 2003 (20:06)", "body": "(Bethan) Nice to see diminishing mentions of Hughie. If his role is buffed up too much, we'll just get a re-run of the BJD love triangle. I'd like to see Bridget and Mark moving on,... As I would too. But this is a very well casted and profitable trio for Miramax and IMO they will have much screen time. Not such a tragedy as they were so very good together in BJD. IMO a very successful formula which the audiences obviously enjoyed."}, {"response": 1500, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Jan 27, 2003 (02:40)", "body": "Sunday, 26 January. There is reportedly a two-page interview with Renee Zellweger about TEOR in the UK Now Magazine. Anyone care to check?"}, {"response": 1501, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Jan 27, 2003 (08:29)", "body": "There are quite a few RZ articles around in the UK at the moment, tying in the GG success with TEOR. The one in Now majored on her love life history, explaining that she still sends presents and cards to the parents of Sims Ellison (?), the former boyfriend and singer who committed suicide. Nothing new about TEOR. There was an article in a tabloid last week however, quoting and making fun of her acceptance speech at the GGs. Obviously didn't sound too bad to the ear, to judge from the mentions at #168."}, {"response": 1502, "author": "BarbaraT", "date": "Mon, Jan 27, 2003 (10:06)", "body": "There was an interview with RZ in last week's issue of Now which is probably the one KJ has seen a reference to - it can't have been the article Mark has seen as it didn't mention her late boyfriend. She talks quite a lot about TEOR and it seems to be the source of the \"ready, willing and able\" quote and thus all the other news items that came after it. She talks about it being her duty to put some weight back on and how she empathises with Bridget. The interviewer mentions the problem re CF and the interview scene to which RZ replies that she's sure there are ways round that and then says it will be fantastic to work with Colin again and she would like to return to England as she enjoyed her time here before. No mention of George C and no pics of CF."}, {"response": 1503, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Jan 27, 2003 (10:21)", "body": "Oops SOrry, I must have been reading one of the papers. Thanks Barbara."}, {"response": 1504, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Jan 27, 2003 (23:12)", "body": "Thanks Barbara and Mark. Does the NOW article add anything to what's been reported, or cover her ideas about the new movie plot or script or anything? Anything worth transcribing, or is it online somewhere?"}, {"response": 1505, "author": "BarbaraT", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (09:37)", "body": "I don't think the Now article really adds anything new to what has already been reported, certainly nothing about the plot or script. A lot of it is taken up with RZ explaining how difficult it is for her to put on weight i.e. denying she has an eating disorder, but that she regards it as part of the job when it comes to playing Bridget. The only mention of CF was with regard to the problem posed by the Rome interview, to which she replies, \"I'm sure that there are ways around that!\" followed by \"To work with Colin again would be fantastic. I really enjoyed my time in England and I'd like to return. I like Bridget. I understand her fears about the dating game and the stresses of her job. You reach the age of 30 and suddenly start wondering whatever happened to your twenties.\" I could type the rest out for you if you really want to see it, but as I say, I don't think it adds anything new. I don't think Now is available online, but couldn't say for certain. The interview appeared in the issue dated 22 Jan and has a picture of the Osbournes on the front. It is no longer in the shops in the UK."}, {"response": 1506, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (13:15)", "body": "Thanks Barbara and Mark for all the up-dates. Is there any mention anywhere of Hope Springs?"}, {"response": 1507, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (01:44)", "body": "Thank you so much Barbara. I really appreciate your thorough reportage. 8-D"}, {"response": 1508, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (08:09)", "body": "In response to Empire magazine's Top Ten Film Kisses poll, The Sun today prints its own list, in which No 7 is: Ren\ufffde Zellweger and Colin Firth in Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary (2001). It may have been cold outside \ufffd and Renee may have been wearing dodgy pants \ufffd but this snog between Bridget and dashing Mark gave cinemagoers a warm, fuzzy feeling inside."}, {"response": 1509, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (08:37)", "body": "7, huh? Am surprised it was so high. ;-) Where was the Steve McQueen-Faye Dunaway one from the Thomas Crown Affair?"}, {"response": 1510, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (10:05)", "body": "Ah...short memories....(Also being v. nationalistic ;-) Harrison Ford and Gretta Sacchi in Presumed Innocent Kevin Costner & Susan Sarandon in Bull Durham"}, {"response": 1511, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (14:02)", "body": "(Karen)7, huh? Am surprised it was so high. ;-) Well, in my book it belongs as no 1. (I am a very fanatic fan ;-))"}, {"response": 1512, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (18:06)", "body": "(Mark)but this snog between Bridget and dashing Mark gave cinemagoers a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. Still does, thanks Mark. I'd stand in RZ's sneakers anytime, with or without the kissing lessons;-)"}, {"response": 1513, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (19:52)", "body": "Hi all, just popping in for a quick question, i remember awhile back someone posted a blurb about there being a Bridget Jones tour (maybe walking tour?) in London. Anybody have any info on that? i'd really appricate any help, Thanks! :-)"}, {"response": 1514, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (22:59)", "body": "(Linda) Still does, thanks Mark. I'd stand in RZ's sneakers anytime, with or without the kissing lessons;-) Thanks Mark, me too. I'd even wear those pants just to touch those lips."}, {"response": 1515, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (08:24)", "body": "(SBRobinson)...Bridget Jones tour (maybe walking tour?) in London. Anybody have any info on that? You could do the cheap and dirty Emma version. Drop me an email and I can show you some sites! =)"}, {"response": 1516, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (10:35)", "body": "EmmaB: You could do the cheap and dirty Emma version. Drop me an email and I can show you some sites! =) I expect the cheap and dirty Emma version is classier and cleaner than the original MarkG version. My tour would have taken in the locations for Bridget's flat/Borough market/the fight scene (a REAL fight), Daniel's flat, Tower Bridge, and the site of the kiss. For those who love to practise their driving on the left, I can also give you directions for the lake scene, and Bridget's parents house!"}, {"response": 1517, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (10:47)", "body": "Oh, Mark - why am I never going to England. This would be such a treat. But - when I get older, loosing my hair, many years from now (da da da da da) will you still be giving me a Bridget Tour, fighting scenes and bottles of wine ..........."}, {"response": 1518, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (13:08)", "body": "Aishling, Lizza, Donna and I will vouch for the original Mark's tour;-) At Bridget's flat site , you can have lunch at the pub where they filmed the pub scene with friends. (closed on Sunday) The Kiss site*sigh*"}, {"response": 1519, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (16:43)", "body": "Very clever and entertaining Annette."}, {"response": 1520, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (08:15)", "body": "\"But - when I get older, losing my hair, many years from now (da da da da da) will you still be giving me a Bridget Tour, fighting scenes and bottles of wine ...........\" Brilliant, Annette! Det er fantastisk! \"...I could be handy growling at Hugh When your sight has gone You can talk to Darcy by the fireside Sunday mornings go for a ride Rowing the lake on your mini-break Who could ask for more? Will you still see me, will you still freeze me Outside Bridget's door?\""}, {"response": 1521, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (09:03)", "body": "K\ufffdre Mark, hvor har du l\ufffdrt at skrive dansk? I tried to think up a clever way to continue this little \"battle of words\", but the only song, that springs to mind right now, thinking of ODB is \"Underneath your clothes, theres and endless story...\" Unfortunately, I'm in no position to claim the knowledge, that follows...."}, {"response": 1522, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (09:05)", "body": "and endless story...\" sorry, this should off course be: \"an endless story\". And I totally forgot to express my admiration. You are quite clever with words!"}, {"response": 1523, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (09:42)", "body": "(MarkG) I expect the cheap and dirty Emma version is classier and cleaner than the original MarkG version... No way Mark, you trump me completely! I never found Daniel's apartment (where is it?), and anything outside of London is beyond my scope (so far). However, I did get to take Tanja around to the other places. And I am always willing to show around anyone else who finds themselves here. Just today I passed by the Royal Courts of Justice after a meeting and smiled about the photographers milling about outside - it is still just *so* cool to be here. Kiss site not to be missed, you are so right Evelyn!"}, {"response": 1524, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (10:03)", "body": "Emma: I never found Daniel's apartment (where is it?), Ah well, hmmm. I think I know the right block in Clink St for where the interior is, though obviously I haven't been inside - but my guess for the outside glimpses is that they were filmed near Shad Thames. Annette, let's not stretch my Danish vocabulary beyond breaking-point online - not when your English is so good."}, {"response": 1525, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (11:12)", "body": "Ah, Annette and Mark: the new Lennon and McCartney! ;-) If you two decide to record, maybe I can get the file uploaded to the Bridget site for all to enjoy. (da da da da) Bravo!"}, {"response": 1526, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (11:25)", "body": "Well done, Annette and Mark!"}, {"response": 1527, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (18:25)", "body": "Uh Oh... http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/02/07/1044498961987.html"}, {"response": 1528, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (18:49)", "body": "Sounds like some certain somebodys had better get their b**** in gear, get a script done (fer gawd's sake how long can it take?) and give it to the principles so they can get excited and sign on the dotted line. And, throw money at a certain Love God to trot around sans towel."}, {"response": 1529, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (18:51)", "body": "...feeling like I'm in the twilight zone where things are not what they appear!"}, {"response": 1530, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (19:02)", "body": "(Barb)...feeling like I'm in the twilight zone where things are not what they appear! What the #@&*# is going on here? How can this be. What about all the chatter supposedly from her that was being thrown around last week, and the money she supposedly agreed to? Huh? Somebody, quick, help! Anyone free to fly to Hawaii and find Lola?"}, {"response": 1531, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (19:52)", "body": "(lindak) Anyone free to fly to Hawaii and find Lola? If she's not on her honeymoon, she's close! Some things are sacred!"}, {"response": 1532, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (20:51)", "body": "How can they have shoot schedule if there is no movie? I'm very confused."}, {"response": 1533, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (21:07)", "body": "(a) Don't believe everything you read (b) It's normal to schedule filming in advance to ensure the availability of resource. Don't you make reservations at restaurants?"}, {"response": 1534, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (21:10)", "body": "(FanPam)How can they have shoot schedule if there is no movie? Good question. It was stated that there was a shooting schedule, wasn't it? I got a funny feeling when it was mentioned that neither RZ nor HG had been signed/seen a script. There was no mention of CF, as if he was an afterthought! What was ever mentioned about a finished script? Was it assumed? Sorry, but the money angle and RZ sounds more likely. Still, would she expect BIG BIG money for a project like this, or merely BIG money and some % of the profits? After all, I suspect it's more than Peter O'Toole and CF that do some for the dough and some for the role. Everyone has an ego that gets pulled into a project that is wildly successful due to, a certain extent, their presence in the film. One would think it would be tempting based on the success of BJD. Of course, without a script, there is no project. *sigh*"}, {"response": 1535, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (08:54)", "body": "Now the Guardian has gotten into the act: Cinema's Top Love Scenes by Rebecca Allison Cheesy love scenes are nothing new in the world of film but it takes a certain magic formula to melt the hearts of British cinema-goers, who appear to require a hefty dose of sadness to get that stiff upper lip wobbling. Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze's famous pottery scene in Ghost has been voted the most romantic film moment of all time in a survey of film lovers by UCI Cinemas. Their clinch, when ghost Sam reveals himself to grieving Molly at the pottery wheel, received more than 22% of 3,010 votes cast across Britain in the poll of the best heart tugging moments in film history. Ali McGraw's death scene in the classic weepie Love Story was second in the poll. Among the other moments with romantic appeal were Hugh Grant's upper class Charles declaring his love for Andie MacDowell's Carrie in Four Weddings and a Funeral, and the famous farewell scene in Casablanca. \"The favourite film moments chosen here by our guests are a really interesting mix of tear jerkers, passionate declarations and scenes to make you smile, which all go to prove that us Brits are really a romantic nation at heart,\" said UCI spokeswoman Lianne Chenery. The average attendance went up by 13% last Valentine's Day, and UCI is anticipating a similar rise this year, she added. Top 10. From Ghost to Titanic 1 Ghost pottery wheel scene (Demi Moore, Patrick Swayze) 2 Love Story Jenny's death in Oliver's arms (Ali McGraw, Ryan O'Neal) 3 Four Weddings and a Funeral love of timid, upper-class Charles for charming American girl Carrie (Hugh Grant, Andie MacDowell) 4 Pretty Woman the Rodeo Drive shopping spree (Richard Gere, Julia Roberts) 5 Casablanca Ilsa and Rick's airport farewell(Humphrey Bogart,Ingrid Bergman) 6. Brief Encounter Laura returns to her husband to sound of Rachmaninov (Celia Johnson, Cyril Raymond) 7 Gone With the Wind kiss between Rhett and Scarlett after the fall of Atlanta (Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh) 8 From Here to Eternity the clinch on the beach (Burt Lancaster, Deborah Kerr) 9 Bridget Jones's Diary reunited in the snow (Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth) 10 Titanic Rose and Jack at the prow with arms outstretched (Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet) ~~~~~~~~ Am confused how the shopping scene in Pretty Woman fits in."}, {"response": 1536, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (09:06)", "body": "(Karen)Am confused how the shopping scene in Pretty Woman fits in. Well, my guess would be when he takes her back to the shop, where they had \"refused\" to serve her, and really rubbed their noses in, the filthy amount of money, he was going to spend. It is kinda romantic, when somebody \"stands up\" for you, isn't it. Still No 9 on the list is my favourite."}, {"response": 1537, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (09:22)", "body": "At that point in the movie, he's not in love with her though. When he punches out Stuckey, now, that's a sign. ;-)"}, {"response": 1538, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (09:29)", "body": "(Karen)When he punches out Stuckey, now, that's a sign. ;-) LOL, you are quite right. Boy, have I spend to much time watching these movies (over and over and over........)"}, {"response": 1539, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (10:26)", "body": "OH, Karen, i can't believe you don't put the American President up there;)"}, {"response": 1540, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (10:28)", "body": "Those aren't my lists. I'm only posting them."}, {"response": 1541, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (10:30)", "body": "So create your own list!"}, {"response": 1542, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (11:43)", "body": "Their clinch, when ghost Sam reveals himself to grieving Molly at the pottery wheel, It's been a while, but unless I'm really confused, that's not what happened. The pottery wheel scene took place before he died. You'd think they could get this stuff right while writing articles about it....."}, {"response": 1543, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (15:47)", "body": "(Rika) It's been a while, but unless I'm really confused, that's not what happened. The pottery wheel scene took place before he died. You'd think they could get this stuff right while writing articles about it..... Oh, thank heavens you said that! I thought I was having a senior moment! ;-)"}, {"response": 1544, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (21:31)", "body": "(Rika) The pottery wheel scene took place before he died. You'd think they could get this stuff right while writing articles about it..... (Kathy) Oh, thank heavens you said that! I thought I was having a senior moment! ;-) Having experienced senior moments can understand, but we're not wrong in this case, they are."}, {"response": 1545, "author": "BarbaraT", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 2003 (10:38)", "body": "Going back to the discussion a few days ago about BJD film locations, by coincidence the Daily Mail had a short feature in its property pages yesterday about the flat used for the interior shots of Daniel's flat. As Mark said, it is in Clink St. - to be exact, Flat B, Clink Wharf - and is shortly to be put on the market. If anyone here has \ufffd2.45 million to spare, it could be yours to own. Alternatively, it might be available to rent for a mere \ufffd1,800 a week!"}, {"response": 1546, "author": "kattas", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (06:20)", "body": "The item about Renee denying the existence of a script was in the 'Scoop' column of MNBC: http://www.msnbc.com/news/870143.asp?0dm=C14TL Nothing new, just the same thing. But it makes me wonder: is she holding out for more money? Sounds a bit coy to me. But then it could be that she's playing by the rules, letting the studio take the lead in making any announcements. Kat"}, {"response": 1547, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (08:34)", "body": "She's probably waiting for the Oscar nom announcements tomorrow. Price surely went up after GG, even further for an Oscar, even if it's just a nom."}, {"response": 1548, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (08:47)", "body": "$$$$$$$"}, {"response": 1549, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (09:43)", "body": "While not necessarily relevant to how anything BJ would do in the UK, this is how the industry views the Gnat. From Reuters today: The Hugh Grant factor helped catapult romantic comedy \"Two Weeks Notice\" to No. 1 in the U.K., fetching an estimated $4.3 million from 414 situations. That was 39% up on co-star Sandra Bullock's \"Miss Congeniality,\" Warner Bros. said Sunday."}, {"response": 1550, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (11:57)", "body": "Sunday's Miami Herald copied that info about TEOR being on hold and might not get made, same quotations from Berlin. I wonder if it will make the rounds. Time to e-mail Harvey en-masse."}, {"response": 1551, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (12:08)", "body": "(Moon)Time to e-mail Harvey en-masse. I think that's a splendid idea."}, {"response": 1552, "author": "kattas", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (08:55)", "body": "Now that she's been nominated - for Best Actress, no less! - wonder if her price will go up even higher? I'd be surprised if the tab for her to do TEOR didn't send the budget rocketing up. Might lessen the amount of $$ for ODB and HG."}, {"response": 1553, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (12:47)", "body": "(KathyS)Now that she's been nominated - for Best Actress, no less! - wonder if her price will go up even higher? I'd be surprised if the tab for her to do TEOR didn't send the budget rocketing up Maybe, but she already has a best actress nomination for BJD...that should count for something. If RZ does TEoR you know she's going to fill the seats."}, {"response": 1554, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (15:31)", "body": "(Linda) Maybe, but she already has a best actress nomination for BJD...that should count for something. If RZ does TEoR you know she's going to fill the seats. I agree. She's had 3 GG noms winning 2 and 2 consecutive Oscar noms in three years. She's hot and they know it. She probably has many offers and unfortuntely for EoR IMO will take the ones that meet her price. You can't blame her as time spent at top of the game is fleeting IMO. She will fill seats in whatever vehicles she's in."}, {"response": 1555, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (16:33)", "body": "She might be getting better offers too.Ones that she doesn't have to leave the country and doesn't have to gain weight for. (What happened to Cinerella Man with RC?)"}, {"response": 1556, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (15:07)", "body": "Not sure if this is related... http://www.ananova.com/entertainment/story/sm_751036.html?menu ="}, {"response": 1557, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (15:23)", "body": "LOL, Karen The 5 months is from now till TEOR hopefully starts shooting (they most be in desperate need of an actor for that part;-))"}, {"response": 1558, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (16:51)", "body": "Good one, Karen! You made me look!"}, {"response": 1559, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Feb 16, 2003 (10:51)", "body": "(Rika) Good one, Karen! You made me look! Me too. LOL Karen"}, {"response": 1560, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (23:59)", "body": "From imdb: Bridget Jones Sequel Still in Preparation The author of Bridget Jones's Diary, Helen Fielding, says that the sequel to the film of her book is proceeding at a snail's pace. Impatient fans are desperate to see the further adventures of the unlucky in love Londoner, but are, unfortunately, in for a long wait. Fielding jokes, \"The film is on schedule for release in 2027. It will be entitled Bridget Jones Gets Her Free Bus Pass.\" According to the film production company, Working Title, Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason is \"in development.\" But Hugh Grant - who starred as Daniel Cleaver in the original film - says, \"They've been trying to get that script together for so long that I don't think it's ever going to happen.\""}, {"response": 1561, "author": "odessa", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (05:35)", "body": "I`d be happy to go to see a movie with no other plot than Bridget and Mark together. Or maybe just Mark, sleeping, eating, taking a shower,...;)"}, {"response": 1562, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (08:15)", "body": "It will be entitled Bridget Jones Gets Her Free Bus Pass.\" LOL! Should I make up a page for this one? ;-) Thanks, Mari"}, {"response": 1563, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (09:37)", "body": "Hilarious, Mari. Jeeze, I think they're all too old now."}, {"response": 1564, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (10:49)", "body": "Thanks Mari.. Anyone know where we can get a nice 2027 calendar? This does'nt happen too often...My DH and I in the car last night and I (probably foolishly) said something or other which made him say \"You must think I am a complete idiot\". All together now ladies, I am quite sure you know what my EXACT response was to him and whose voice I had in my head coaching me along... I know this was supposed to have been a tense married moment but instead after getting such a perfect setup I pooh-poohed it all and made it all better..."}, {"response": 1565, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (11:23)", "body": "It will be entitled Bridget Jones Gets Her Free Bus Pass.\" Can picture it now: Tom runs \"Meals on Wheels\" from that little car of his; Daniel is taking part in clinical trials for a Viagra substitute that doesn't cause excessive eye-blinking; and Bridget and Mark have been granny-dumped by their ingrate kids. ;-)"}, {"response": 1566, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (12:02)", "body": "LOL, Mari! Mark of course becomes poster boy for the Men's Hair Club. ;-) Just think, the good news is that he's doing a thriller with an unknown director. What has happened?"}, {"response": 1567, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (12:16)", "body": "LOL, Moon! Wasn't there a comment here when speaking about doubles that it wasn't RZ writing in the journal near the end as we look over her shoulder? Was thinking while watching it this weekend (a few times), that if that's the case, her double has doubled her writing style as well. She does write like that or v.v. similar.......at least on my book she did."}, {"response": 1568, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (12:17)", "body": "The article talked about how the double had to learn how to write as the Art Director wanted Bridget's handwriting to look. Doubt RZ had to do that."}, {"response": 1569, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (12:27)", "body": "That's right, let's not let them work too hard for their millions. :-("}, {"response": 1570, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (12:56)", "body": "(Moon) That's right, let's not let them work too hard for their millions. :-( Waddsamadda you turning into a socialist or somethin'? Me thinks you've been looking at DQ too much;-)"}, {"response": 1571, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (13:06)", "body": "(Evelyn) Jeeze, I think they're all too old now. So, maybe they'll be in the film version of Helen's next book about swinging Senior singletons in Santa Monica. Shhhhhhhhhhhhush!"}, {"response": 1572, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (13:20)", "body": "I know, I know...but I'm just happy to see HF say the sequel is proceeding... (odessa)Or maybe just Mark, sleeping, eating, taking a shower,...;) Wearing a towel, not wearing a towel...shagging, snogging... What could be so hard about writing a script around that?"}, {"response": 1573, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (14:15)", "body": "(Evelyn), Waddsamadda you turning into a socialist or somethin'? I am a Royalist! Noblesse Oblige. IMO, it is the duty of an overpaid actor to go the extra mile. That's not Renee's hand, that's not Renee's body in the poster where she's bending over, etc. etc... please! All actors have their acting coaches on set with them holding their hands telling them what and how to do it. To top it off they develop huge egos too! TEOR script was finished a while ago. These are the actors acting up for changes to be made. We know that only Colin is happy with the script. Hugh probably wants a bigger role and Renee has a problem with the weight and probably wants lots of $$$$. Curtis is back at it trying to accomodate the actors. That IMO, is what's going on. I say get Kate Winslet for Bridge and replace Hugh too. And do it fast, before HF has them taking the bus. ;-)"}, {"response": 1574, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (14:30)", "body": "(Maria) All together now ladies, I am quite sure you know what my EXACT response was to him and whose voice I had in my head coaching me along... Absolutely! Was watching BJD last night while in chat with a couple of cohorts, and when we got to this scene one of them typed, \"Okay, can we recite this entire thing from memory, complete with the inflections?\" I know I could! (Moon) I am a Royalist! Noblesse Oblige. IMO, it is the duty of an overpaid actor to go the extra mile....To top it off they develop huge egos too! I'm with you, Moon."}, {"response": 1575, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (14:55)", "body": "(Moon)Mark of course becomes poster boy for the Men's Hair Club. ;-) LOL! And here's Bridge stumbling drunkenly out of the cab: \"Help! I've fallen . . . and I can't get up!\" ;-) IMO, saying there's no script would be tough to lie about, as it's too easy for the producers to refute. We all know that scripts go through many permutations before they're polished enough to go forward. Anyway, will wait for Lola to get back from honeymoon for the real scoop."}, {"response": 1576, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (15:10)", "body": "IMO, saying there's no script would be tough to lie about, as it's too easy for the producers to refute. We all know that scripts go through many permutations before they're polished enough to go forward. Anyway, will wait for Lola to get back from honeymoon for the real scoop. I wouldn't take Huge too seriously. He's been giving interviews in the UK for \"Two weeks notice\" and saying that he's had enough of acting, wants to give up, blah blah. There must be a near-perfect Andrew Davies/Richard Curtis script by now. And anyway, the book itself would surely make an excellent screenplay, if it didn't have to have a major re-write to accommodate Huge."}, {"response": 1577, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (15:39)", "body": "(Moon)All actors have their acting coaches on set with them holding their hands telling them what and how to do it And they have the nerve to look down on the stage actors. Fergodsake, they're puppets."}, {"response": 1578, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (08:51)", "body": "Heads Up: Renee will be interviewed on 60 Minutes *tonight* at 9:00 PM, Eastern time. Charlie Rose will do the honors. Sorry to hear your mum is unwell, Bethan."}, {"response": 1579, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (08:57)", "body": "I just had the honour of meeting resident movie star MarkG and the lovely SBRobinson and her cousin for lunch around the corner from Bridget's house (alas she couldn't join us as she is too busy waiting for more $$/deciding whether or not to eat lots of pizza). Also am going to take the Californian girls for Mark's BJD walking tour on Sunday, and we may do a bit of star gazing at the Bafta's."}, {"response": 1580, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (09:26)", "body": "(MariaT) I am quite sure you know what my EXACT response was to him LOL! You didn't tell him you were thinking of another man when you said it, did you ;D (odessa)Or maybe just Mark, sleeping, eating, taking a shower,...;) (lindak) Wearing a towel, not wearing a towel...shagging, snogging... D'you think I could get a bulk rate on tickets to that? I'd need one for the zillion screenings I would be attending (***sigh***) (EmmaB) we may do a bit of star gazing at the Bafta's. Any word on who will be presenting awards? Wondering if you-know-who will be there..."}, {"response": 1581, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (09:30)", "body": "Please check O&E (168) for Bafta news and discussion."}, {"response": 1582, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (11:42)", "body": "Emma: the honour of meeting resident movie star MarkG and the lovely SBRobinson and her cousin The honour was of course all mine. If I can get my act into gear I might manage to check the Pemberley Press location for you before the w/end."}, {"response": 1583, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (13:08)", "body": "(Emma) the honour of meeting resident movie star MarkG and the lovely SBRobinson and her cousin What fun! Am v. jealous as I look out the window at mounds of snow."}, {"response": 1584, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (13:51)", "body": "Oh how fun, Emma! ....and Mark, SB, etc..... I have to say when I got my new BIG screen TV, Mark you were quite vivid in that scene. Such a confident walk and shiny shoes! :-)"}, {"response": 1585, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (14:38)", "body": "Wonderful news from all of you in the UK. Am frightfully jealous just now. If I should arrive next December, as almost planned...will you all indulge me and give me the pleasure of a walking tour as well? ...Need to find activity for DH and daughter for the day, but I promise to be resourceful and send them on a fun excursion:-)"}, {"response": 1586, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (14:42)", "body": "Thanks, Mari, for the RZ alert. (Emma) the honour of meeting resident movie star MarkG and the lovely SBRobinson and her cousin (Rika)What fun! Am v. jealous as I look out the window at mounds of snow. I second that, Rika. :-)"}, {"response": 1587, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (15:59)", "body": "Thanks, Mari, for the RZ alert. Me too! It will compete with \"Birds of Prey\". :-( (Emma) the honour of meeting resident movie star MarkG and the lovely SBRobinson and her cousin How lovely, Emma! Say hello from me if you see them again."}, {"response": 1588, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (19:07)", "body": "(Emma) the honour of meeting resident movie star MarkG and the lovely SBRobinson and her cousin Emma and Mark I think this is so great. Hope between the two of you, to hear of many wonderful sightings of CF. You can be the Nick and Nora Charles of Firthdom. What fun, and as Rika, I am stuck in looking at mounds of snow."}, {"response": 1589, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 2003 (14:30)", "body": "Just back from London, and must report that lunch with Mark and Emma was great fun :-) Mark provided us with locations and Emma, Jeanette and i trooped all around London on a BJ walking tour. I even got a pic of Mark infront of Bridget's door :-) You guys were wonderful, thanks so much for making my vacation extra special!"}, {"response": 1590, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 2003 (21:26)", "body": "Bridget Jones' Body Double Confirms Sequel The sequel to hit film Bridget Jones's Diary will go ahead with star Renee Zellweger - according to her body double. Despite Zellweger's insistence that she has yet to see a script for The Edge Of Reason, as well as co-star Hugh Grant's prediction that a sequel will never happen, a body double has already been booked for filming. Melinda Whiting, who worked on the massively popular original, confirms that she will work on the new movie - intimating that Zellweger will reprise her role as the luckless British singleton. A source reasons, \"Melinda's definitely booked up to feature as Renee's double again and she is certain Renee is due to appear, otherwise why would they want her?\""}, {"response": 1591, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (10:22)", "body": "Thank you, Mari. Looks like there is reason to be hopeful...with this and Lola's post...not putting away the candles just yet, though."}, {"response": 1592, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (11:03)", "body": "Mari, love the lovely body double news. I'm thinking towel, I'm thinking naked scene on kitchen floor, I'm thinking...."}, {"response": 1593, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (11:34)", "body": "As long as it's her body double and not his. ;-) Thanks, Mari."}, {"response": 1594, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (11:47)", "body": "Thanks, Mari! Combined with Lola's news this sounds good. (Dorine) As long as it's her body double and not his. ;-) Well, yeah, absolutely!"}, {"response": 1595, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (20:12)", "body": "Thanks for most encouraging news Mari. Fingers crossed."}, {"response": 1596, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (20:39)", "body": "Hurrah! Great news, thanks Mari! :-)"}, {"response": 1597, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 2003 (15:44)", "body": "I'll believe it when I see it! ;) (I hope they do a sequel and keep it semi-faithful to the book!); but then again, I want to see MORE FRIENDS!!!!"}, {"response": 1598, "author": "airstream", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (19:26)", "body": "I hope you all caught Marge's bookclub on the Simpsons. They discussed \"Bridget Jones' Diary\" and why they didn't read it. Helen Fielding was in the group. :)"}, {"response": 1599, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (20:36)", "body": "Alas no, but LOL! Holy cow Amy! What's been up? :-)"}, {"response": 1600, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (20:09)", "body": "RZ will be interviewed on Sunday March 9th at 8PM Eastern time on Bravo's \"Inside the Actor's Studio\"hosted by James Lipton"}, {"response": 1601, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 2003 (10:01)", "body": "Moved from 165 Response 1869 of 1869: Janet (janet2) * Tue, Mar 4, 2003 (09:45) * 7 lines I was watching BJD on Sky TV last night (I know, I have it on tape and DVD, but I just can't help myself), and started wondering about the music that would be used on TEOR if it ever gets made, that is! Any suggestions? BTW, I always though Billy Joel's 'Just the Way you Are' would have fitted perfectly in BJD."}, {"response": 1602, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 2003 (11:33)", "body": "I was thinking about this and I have a few songs for a TEOR soundtrack (and BTW, please feel free to mock my choices. I'm tough. The DH is constantly laughing at my music): Badly Drawn Boy (\"All Possibilities\") Texas (\"Put Your Arms Around Me\") Van Morrison (\"Have I Told You Lately?\") I feel there must be some VM on the soundtrack! Etta James (\"At Last\") I feel this song should be on all soundtracks ;-) Norah Jones (\"Cold Cold Heart\" or \"One Flight Down\") Can't choose..both great songs Shakira (\"Objection (Tango))\" Good song for the Rebecca/Mark/Bridget issue OR Shakira (\"Underneath Your Clothes\") Because we are talking about ODB, right?"}, {"response": 1603, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 2003 (12:04)", "body": "(Karen)BTW, I always though Billy Joel's 'Just the Way you Are' would have fitted perfectly in BJD. I've always told anyone who ventures to watch BJD with me, and who has also read TEoR that Billy Joel's Just the Way You Are should be playing during Jude's wedding reception when Bridget (standing behind the pillar) overhears Mark tell Rebecca that he needs Bridget...then he asks Bridget to dance. I have threatened to e-mail HF about it as well...not that it would get me anywhere, but...Everyone thinks I'm too sappy? Oh well."}, {"response": 1604, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 2003 (12:26)", "body": "(Karen)BTW, I always though Billy Joel's 'Just the Way you Are' would have fitted perfectly in BJD. *cough cough* (emulating Camille here) That was Janet's suggestion, not mine. Doubt any Billy Joel song (or Elton John) would be on my list for a soundtrack. ;-)"}, {"response": 1605, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 2003 (13:07)", "body": "Van Morrison's 'Have I told you Lately' is so overdone (esp. if they use Rod Stewart's version, ick!) There are so many great VM songs, my fave is 'and it stoned me, Into the Mystic, oh I could go on and on and on!)"}, {"response": 1606, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 2003 (13:10)", "body": "I could see 'and it stoned me' used in the soundtrack. Perhaps a Pink Floyd (with Roger Waters). Etta's At Last is THE LOVE song of the century (regardless if people think it's Whitney Houston's (I will always love you)personally, like Dolly Parton's orginal better!"}, {"response": 1607, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (16:46)", "body": "(Tress) Etta James (\"At Last\") I feel this song should be on all soundtracks ;-) (Laura) Etta's At Last is THE LOVE song of the century Mmmmm Yes. Would love to see Bridget and Mark dance to this, snog to this, shag to this.... *sigh*"}, {"response": 1608, "author": "Jacqui50", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (20:11)", "body": "(Tress) Etta James (\"At Last\") I feel this song should be on all soundtracks (Laura) Etta's At Last is THE LOVE song of the century (SBRobinson) Mmmmm Yes. Would love to see Bridget and Mark dance to this, snog to this, shag to this.... *sigh* I fourth that opinion...I love that version, so sexy...Perfect for their love song running thru the entire picture off and on...*big sigh*"}, {"response": 1609, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (08:52)", "body": "Anybody catch Renee's interview on Bravo's \"Inside the Actors Studio last night? At one point James lipton asked her about the sequel to Bridget and she coyly said: \"Maybe\". After last night's latest award for Roxie, Working Title is going to have to dig deep to afford her. I found the hour-long interview v. interesting. She is no ditsy blond...unless she was putting on an act. Lots of depth of character there. Spoke glowingly about Hugh and all his help on Bridget....never mentioned YKW:-(( Of course Hugh had been interviewed on that program last year, so they showed clips about her accent. \"Liar\" she called him. Hugh was hilarious mimicking her Queen Mum accent at the beginning. V. good interview. Wish they could nab Colin for one of those."}, {"response": 1610, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (08:57)", "body": "I'm going to have to catch the whole thing on rerun, but I did see her answer to the BJ2 question and the clip before. Then it seemed to turn into a Making of Chicagofest???"}, {"response": 1611, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (09:05)", "body": "(karen)..but I did see her answer to the BJ2 question and the clip before. I got the feeling that there was more to her answer about Bridget...check it out. I read an interview with James Lipton and he said that \"class\" is three hours long. They edit the program down to one hour. Possibly the rest of the BJD answer was flushed out."}, {"response": 1612, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (09:53)", "body": "(Evelyn)I read an interview with James Lipton and he said that \"class\" is three hours long. They edit the program down to one hour. Possibly the rest of the BJD answer was flushed out. I was going to say the same thing, Ev. That show is very tighlty edited, and sometimes it's obvious. And blame Lipton, not her, for putting the emphasis on HG. Sharp gal, very genuine."}, {"response": 1613, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (12:20)", "body": "They also spent a lot of time on the Q&A."}, {"response": 1614, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (12:28)", "body": "Would it not have been wonderful to see all 5 (FIVE) hours of his original interview before we got the hour's worth of pithy editing? RZ is a Texan?! I guess I got so far out of the loop I never knew. I thought Hugh Grant's comments on her accent were very funny. Pity CF ended up on the cutting room floor... if he was mentioned at all."}, {"response": 1615, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (17:45)", "body": "I found her \"maybe\" answer to the question on whether or not Bridget would come to the screen again, very encouraging. At least she didn't say I haven't seen a script, I haven't heard anything about it."}, {"response": 1616, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (10:24)", "body": "(marcia)RZ is a Texan?! I guess I got so far out of the loop I never knew Huh? Weren't you here when the tabs went crazy over the fact that Bridget was going to be a \"Yank\" ...and *worse*....she was a Texan! Like it was a disease;-)"}, {"response": 1617, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (13:55)", "body": "(Evelyn) I read an interview with James Lipton and he said that \"class\" is three hours long. They edit the program down to one hour. Possibly the rest of the BJD answer was flushed out. I too was of the impression that alot had been cut out. Possibly comments she had made regarding CF were cut as well. Some times they let the show go for two hours as with Robin Williams and Mike Myers. Had hoped they would have done the same with Renee. Agree Lipton chose HG comments as he had been a guest previously. All in all thought interview was very very good and she is not by any means \"a dumb blond\". So glad she won SAG. IMO very well deserved."}, {"response": 1618, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (04:44)", "body": "Baz - Daily Mail 14 March Renee Zellweger has been persuaded to stick with the Bridge Jones movie sequel. And if she likes a new script being worked on now and due to be finished in a matter of weeks, then the film could be before cameras by the end of the summer. High-priced screenwriter Adam Brooks has been paid a fortune to \ufffdpolish\ufffd existing drafts of the script, which will be shown to Renee and others connected to the production next month. He has been brought in to \ufffdiron out\ufffd problems with earlier drafts of Helen Fielding\ufffds Bridget Jones 2: The Edge of Reason, written for the screen by award-winning Andrew Davies. Recently, there had been concern that all was not well with the project \ufffd a follow-up to one of the most successful British comedy films in years. The original director wasn\ufffdt involved, there were script worries and leading lady Renee wasn\ufffdt signing on the dotted line. \ufffdWe\ufffdre workin\ufffd on it\ufffd, she told me, adding: \ufffdWe\ufffdre not there yet\ufffd. If the new script passes muster with Renee and other key players such as Colin Firth, Hugh Grant and new director Beeban Kidron, then the project will be \ufffdfast-tracked\ufffd and will go into production late this summer, those close to the project inform me. \ufffdRenee had the title role and her name above the title with Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary and she won her first Academy Award nomination for it. So the bar has been set high. You only want to do a second film if the bar is raised just as high, if not higher,\ufffd an executive explained. Another film chief told me: \ufffdIt\ufffdll happen. Adam Brooks did a script called Wimbledon and everyone likes it, and he\ufffdll do a great job on The Edge of Reason. This is a movie people want to see and Renee knows that.\ufffd"}, {"response": 1619, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (07:05)", "body": "High-priced screenwriter Adam Brooks has been paid a fortune to \ufffdpolish\ufffd existing drafts of the script he did a script called Wimbledon and everyone likes it This is ridiculous. So no one liked HF or AD's script? Hard to believe. new director Beeban Kidron But... why? And who the hell is he? Thanks, Aishling!"}, {"response": 1620, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (07:15)", "body": "Thanks for the article Aishling! (Moon Dreams)new director Beeban Kidron But... why? And who the hell is he? Beeban Kidron British filmmaker Beeban Kidron began directing feature films in the late 1980s. While still a teen, she earned a prize for her photography. Following studies at the national Film and Television School, she directed documentaries and went on to make films for the BBC. Kidron first attracted notice with her award-winning TV movie Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit (1990), the story of a young lesbian's acceptance of her sexuality. Later it played on the festival circuit and won a British Academy Award. Her next feature film was Antonia & Jane (1991). Most of Kidron's films are about off-beat relationships. In 1992, she made a respectable Hollywood debut with the comedy-drama Used People. In 1995, Kidron had her first U.S. hit with the flamboyant road-comedy To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide"}, {"response": 1621, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (08:33)", "body": "ooh, I've seen all of those movies! oranges are not the only fruit is excellent with Maggie Smith and the late Charlotte Coleman. She was very good in that!"}, {"response": 1622, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (08:34)", "body": "Sorry, not Maggie Smith... Geraldine McEwan!"}, {"response": 1623, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (08:53)", "body": "Thanks Aishling!! Good to see something \"new\" about the project in the papers, instead of the same old, same old. FYI, Helen has never been associated with writing this script; only Andrew Davies and Richard Curtis. But this Adam Brooks? The Wimbledon project was the one the Huge Gnat was supposed to do (he didn't; its been made with someone else who I can't remember). In 1995, Kidron had her first U.S. hit with the flamboyant road-comedy To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar That was a very cute movie, with \"The Full Axminster\" (Patrick Swayze) and John Leguizamo in drag. then the project will be \ufffdfast-tracked\ufffd and will go into production late this summer That corresponds to the dates we've been given."}, {"response": 1624, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (08:54)", "body": "Renee is calling the shots....it's her character and hers to lose if the sequel doesn't measure up to the original. Not many actresses have that power...I say: \"Stand Firm, Renee\""}, {"response": 1625, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (09:28)", "body": "Yes, but it's still hard to believe that AD and RC did not get it right. This is weird."}, {"response": 1626, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (11:59)", "body": "....but it's still hard to believe that AD and RC did not get it right. Why...they don't always hit 'em out of the ball park. Hey...all I heard around here was how much people disliked the dialogue in\"Notting Hill\". And AD's Vanity Fair wasn't exactly a hit."}, {"response": 1627, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (18:27)", "body": "new director Beeban Kidron Wonder what happened to Sharon? Thanks Aishling. TEoR sounds more promising this week than it did last month."}, {"response": 1628, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (15:41)", "body": "(Evelyn) Renee is calling the shots....it's her character and hers to lose if the sequel doesn't measure up to the original. Not many actresses have that power...I say: \"Stand Firm, Renee\" I'm with you Evelyn. Renee hold that bar high. It'll payoff really well in the long run. Good for her. (Maria/SB) Most of Kidron's films are about off-beat relationships. Thanks for info on Kidron Maria. She should be able to do this film justice given her past experience. Thanks for info Aishling. Maintaining all good thoughts for this project."}, {"response": 1629, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 2003 (08:09)", "body": "From IMDB March 17, 2003 'Bridget Jones 2' Back on Track Insiders on the second Bridget Jones film are confidently predicting the project will go into production by the end of the summer. The second installment of the luckless singleton's adventures has suffered a number of setbacks - leading lady Renee Zellweger and cast mates Hugh Grant and Colin Firth are all yet to sign on to do it. They are reportedly waiting until a finished version of the script is available before they confirm. Also, original director Sharon Maguire will not resume her duties, she has been replaced by To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar director Beeban Kidron. However, things are now improving for the project, screenwriter Adam Brooks has agreed to polish the script , Andrew Davis' adaptation of Helen Fielding's book The Edge Of Reason. A source says, \"Renee had the title role and her name about the title with Bridget Jones' Diary and she won her first Academy Award nomination for it. So the bar had been set high. You only want to do a second film if the bar is raised just as high, if not higher.\" An insider adds, \"It'll happen. Adam Brooks did a script called Wimbledon and everyone likes it, and he'll do a great job on The Edge of Reason. This is a movie everyone wants to see and Renee knows it.\""}, {"response": 1630, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 2003 (11:16)", "body": "Do we know why Sharon Maguire is not returning as director?"}, {"response": 1631, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 2003 (13:04)", "body": "(Meredith) Do we know why Sharon Maguire is not returning as director? Nothing has been said yet, though it is sure to come out. Could be as innocuous as she's working on something else. The trades had her helming another project after BJD came out, but I haven't seen anything since then on it."}, {"response": 1632, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (11:40)", "body": "I hate to overreact or stir up unfounded hysteria, but this was up at the Blockbuster UK site, with a pic from the premiere: FIRTH: I WON'T DO ANOTHER BRIDGET JONES 30/04/2003 COLIN FIRTH has piled more doubt onto the future of the BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY sequel by announcing he will not reprise his role of MARK DARCY - because, \"it's the kind of film that can only be done once.\" Movie executives have frantically been trying to persuade lead star RENEE ZELLWEGER to sign up for a follow up movie to the massively popular 2001 original - but the Texan is reportedly wary of gaining the weight necessary to play the role again. And now Firth, who coincidentally appears as a character himself in author HELEN FIELDING's follow up novel BRIDGET JONES: THE EDGE OF REASON, has confirmed he is not interested in appearing in a sequel. He says, \"I loved Bridget Jones. Working with Renee Zellweger was a joy but I don't think I'll be doing it again. \"I just think it's the kind of film that can only be done once.\" http://www.blockbuster.co.uk/news/details.asp?s=&AID=UK17608&did=4/30/2003#18025 It would appear that Blockbuster gets its news items from WENN (world entertainment news) which is the same source used on IMDB."}, {"response": 1633, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (11:54)", "body": "Nooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!! *throwing body on ground and having tantrum in the manner of 3 year old*"}, {"response": 1634, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (12:05)", "body": "Maybe, maybe not. Either this means the project is tanked and \"I'm saying this to exhibit a measure of free-will on the matter\"...or this is saying the whole thing is a shade less ambiguous than it was before and it's time to start jockeying for pre$$. (Did I really just type that?)"}, {"response": 1635, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (12:24)", "body": "(YKW) \"I loved Bridget Jones. Working with Renee Zellweger was a joy but I don't think I'll be doing it again Lunch is sitting awful heavy right now; I wish I hadn't eaten :( drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 15, "subject": "Nonsense", "response_count": 108, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "----", "date": "Thu, Dec 12, 1996 (04:59)", "body": "First of all, thank you, Mari, I suppose you read what I wrote in amy's board. Now, let's start looking at it from Mrs. Reynolds point of view: first, Lizzy came as one of the usual visitors in Pemberly, and there was no reason to pay her much attetion, except, of course, the fact that she knows the master. But then, something strange happends! that contry girl is invited to dinner at Pemberly!!! and I dare say that she heard at least some of what happend that evewning in servants' gossiping, so I think she WILL be astonished (It's impossible not to be), but not as much as I first s pposed."}, {"response": 2, "author": "LauraM", "date": "Thu, Dec 12, 1996 (21:25)", "body": "Yes, but then this topic will become sooo big that no one will post anymore. I like to think of The wedding night wonder how much Darcy would be struggling then. Okay bad choice, but it could be interesting. Laura"}, {"response": 3, "author": "Arnessa", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 1996 (07:43)", "body": "It's an interesting question, ----. I wanted to say something on the BB but we were told it couldn't handle that much. I mean, it's posssible Mrs. Reynolds would be angry and think Lizzy was being crafty by saying she knew the master only \"A little.\" Maybe Mrs. Reynolds wouldn't trust anything Lizzy says after that. Maybe she'll think Lizzy was a spy for Mr. Darcy to find out what the servants said about him."}, {"response": 4, "author": "Saman", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 1996 (08:37)", "body": "Perhaps not nonsensical, but related to Mrs Reynolds, is that her hiding behind Mr Bennet in the final scene when he says \"So it would seem\"? I've tried looking at it in slow motion but my tape quality isn't very good so it's all jumpy. If it's not Mrs Reynolds it's an extra who looks remarkably like her!"}, {"response": 5, "author": "amy2", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 1996 (19:26)", "body": "Would a housekeeper have been invited to the Master's wedding held at such a distance? OK, here's a real shocker from the depraved wilds of Hollywood -- I know there's been much speculation on Darcy's er. . .state prior to his marriage. But how about Lizzy's? I think we can all vouch for her purity, but. . .do you think she's ever been kissed before? Had any prior suitors ever (besides the odious Mr. C.)? Just askin'."}, {"response": 6, "author": "Anna", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 1996 (22:39)", "body": "do you think she's ever been kissed before? No Had any prior suitors ever (besides the odious Mr. C.) No. Admirers certainly, but none that got to the stage of being suitors. I offer no evidence; just my own opinions"}, {"response": 7, "author": "amy2", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 1996 (23:11)", "body": "I agree with you, Anna. I suppose if Lizzy had ever had any other suitors in her past, Lydia and her mother would have mentioned it every unbearable second."}, {"response": 8, "author": "elder", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 1996 (01:15)", "body": "Re prior suitors for the Bennet daughters -- the only one we \"hear\" about is the one who fell in love w/ Jane when she was visiting at the Gardiners' house (when she was only fifteen). This information is given by Mrs B when she visits her sick daughter at Netherfield. I agree that any previous (serious) suitors of Lizzie would probably have been mentioned by Lydia at least!"}, {"response": 9, "author": "amy2", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 1996 (17:02)", "body": "Yes, I can't imagine Lydia or Mrs. B. holding their tongues in company on such a delightful subject! But has Lizzie never come into contact with anyone she considers \"eligible\" prior to D.? I take it she would not have gone into town often, due to finances..."}, {"response": 10, "author": "kendall", "date": "Sat, Dec 21, 1996 (18:55)", "body": "Mrs. Reynolds and what she thinks: I always wondered if she was suspected young ladies of using the custom of 'opening up great houses to casual visitors' to throw themselves in Mr. Darcy's path? She might have thought Lizzy very sly."}, {"response": 11, "author": "kendall", "date": "Sat, Dec 21, 1996 (19:06)", "body": "Early suitors: Jane and Lizzy must have had early admirers. Every boy in their acquaintance must have had a crush on one or the other of them at some time! Perhaps a beau not in a position to marry does not count with Lydia and Mrs. Bennet? Did children play together? Would young men and women in the same neighborhood or with the same family connections know each other from having been together as children? And would they be allowed to continue to be friends or would a magic moment come when all friendships stopped and were re-organized according to adult standards? Charles Hayter and Henrietta Musgrove must have been childhood friends and then teenage sweethearts. I am thinking-out-loud here. Does anyone have an idea of how the transition from childhood to adulthood affected male-female relationships?"}, {"response": 12, "author": "cat", "date": "Mon, Dec 23, 1996 (01:25)", "body": "It is most likely the same as today except eighteenth century style. Most girls would think the boys are gross in childhood. Maybe some would be friends with the oppisite sex. I know I have had friends that were boys since first grade but then in fourth, fifth, and sixth grades they thought \"You can't play with a girl!\". But in seventh grade there was an outcast who was short and nice. He has been one of my best friends eversince."}, {"response": 13, "author": "amy2", "date": "Mon, Dec 23, 1996 (17:31)", "body": "I wonder if some of Charlotte's brothers were early admirers of Lizzy & Jane?"}, {"response": 14, "author": "Arnessa", "date": "Sun, Dec 29, 1996 (19:30)", "body": "Charlotte's brothers were very young, no? I always had the impression that Charlotte was the oldest in the family, but maybe she was just the oldest girl."}, {"response": 15, "author": "amy2", "date": "Tue, Dec 31, 1996 (04:49)", "body": "She mentions that her brothers are afraid of her dying an old maid, but that's about it. You're probably right -- if they were of age, we would have seen them at all of the local gatherings, along with Charlotte."}, {"response": 16, "author": "Mari", "date": "Thu, Jan  2, 1997 (21:44)", "body": "In order to inject more nonsense into this topic, I propose the following questions, which I feel should initiate a new thread to rival the legendary ''daggy'' thread. We will start with a quote from CF himself; ''I thought to myself: 'This is where he wants to go across the room and punch someone. This is where he wants to kiss her. This is where he wants sex with her right now.' I'd imagine a man doing it all, and then not doing any of it. That's all I did.'' I MUST know, I SHALL know; which scene(s) was he thinking of where he 'wants sex with her right now'? I expect substantiating evidence, at the least. When we have exhausted this phrase (or it has exhausted us), we will move on to 'where he wants to kiss her' and 'where he wants to go across...' There you are... go to it!"}, {"response": 17, "author": "Anna", "date": "Thu, Jan  2, 1997 (21:48)", "body": "the ballroom scene at Netherfield could provide the first and the last of the list..."}, {"response": 18, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Jan  2, 1997 (21:53)", "body": "After getting out of the bathtub, he walks to the window and sees her. Now what do you think he wanted at that moment??!!!!"}, {"response": 19, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Thu, Jan  2, 1997 (21:54)", "body": "Oh Mari, how good of you to think of us! This does, perhaps, more properly belong in the drooling topic, but I have no compunction about spreading drooling material all around the place and so shall dive on in! \"This is where he wants sex with her right now.\" It is, of course , the famous LOOK scene at Pemberley. He is gazing at her with undisguised admiration, longing, and lust . You know that moment during THE LOOK when he has a slight smile playing about his lips? That is the moment when he wants sex with her right now. Well, there is my opinion on the matter, anyone else?"}, {"response": 20, "author": "jane", "date": "Thu, Jan  2, 1997 (21:57)", "body": "Mari, this cracks me up! But the daggy thread is impossible to rival---an immortal thread, and one I LOL just thinking about. Still, I admit that after reading that quote from CF, I can't help wondering which of the choices he is thinking at each point. The Look, for example... we know he doesn't want to go punch her... Jane"}, {"response": 21, "author": "jane", "date": "Thu, Jan  2, 1997 (21:59)", "body": "Hi Cheryl! You have of course, true to your wonderful reputation around here, have a more forceful opinion than I on this point! Bravo! Jane"}, {"response": 22, "author": "Inko", "date": "Thu, Jan  2, 1997 (22:35)", "body": "Thanks Mari for opening this up for us! I've often wondered which scenes he was thinking of : I'm with Cheryl - obviously \"the look\" indicates he wants sex right now.;-) I also think he wants to take her into his arms and kiss her tears away while she's so upset about Jane's letter at the Inn. As for punching someone - I think the most obvious place is when he says \"what\" to Duckface."}, {"response": 23, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Thu, Jan  2, 1997 (22:37)", "body": "oh dear, oh dear...please, please no one tell my mother about my \"reputation\" here! ;-)"}, {"response": 24, "author": "Mari", "date": "Thu, Jan  2, 1997 (22:54)", "body": "Cheryl, I want you to know that I did indeed consider putting this query under drooling, but this topic seems to me to lend itself to the speculation that we do so well about the motives and feelings that are implied by the characters. Here, of course, we are taking it one step further, to the motives implied by the actor in his quest to become the character. I want to add my own speculation to the above... When Bingley and Darcy come to Longborne after Bingley and Jane's engagement, when he is asking ''Should we not go for a walk'', Darcy is giving Lizzy an look that absolutely penetrates! This is my favorite look of the entire production."}, {"response": 25, "author": "Anna", "date": "Thu, Jan  2, 1997 (23:16)", "body": "for punching, how about when Darcy is walking out of the Parsonage immediately after Lizzy has rejected his first proposal (I can't quite decide whether he wants to punch her, or himself...)"}, {"response": 26, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Fri, Jan  3, 1997 (00:07)", "body": "I've always felt that it was Mr. Collins whom Darcy wanted to punch at the Netherfield dinner. Mr. Collins goes over to Mr. Darcy to inform him of his aunt's health without having been properly introduced! Shocking! Darcy slowly rises, towering over the shrinking, sniveling Collins and says, so very quietly and menacingly, \"And whom might you be?\" Watch your back Mr. Collins!"}, {"response": 27, "author": "Anna", "date": "Fri, Jan  3, 1997 (00:21)", "body": "I thought Mr Collins was too slimy for Darcy to want to punch him; Darcy wasn't wearing gloves at the time. Besides, Collins doesn't deserve that much attention."}, {"response": 28, "author": "Tay", "date": "Fri, Jan  3, 1997 (00:44)", "body": "I always thought so too! The way he slowly rises up, and looks literally down his nose at the still cowering Collins! Hilarious-o!"}, {"response": 29, "author": "jwinsor", "date": "Fri, Jan  3, 1997 (01:24)", "body": "It is, of course, the famous LOOK scene at Pemberley. He is gazing at her with undisguised admiration, longing, and lust. I would beg to disagree with you here, Cheryl dear, I see this as the moment when Darcy's admiration and longing first moves beyond mere hormonal attraction and begins to acquire a richness and depth of emotion that had not been possible to develop during the time in which Lizzie herself was so actively unreceptive to his overtures. Now, besides being an object of longing and lust, she has also been very kind and attentive to his shy little sister and has become his ally in protecting her f om acute embarrassment, and he can actually begin to visualize her as a member of his own dear family circle. I think this is a moment win which he would wish to kiss her most tenderly and have a long and intimate discussion with her in which he would tell her in great detail what she has come to mean to him. [sigh]"}, {"response": 30, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Fri, Jan  3, 1997 (02:56)", "body": "] I think this is a moment win which he would wish to kiss her most tenderly and have a long and intimate discussion with her in which he would tell her in great detail what she has come to mean to him. [sigh] Yes, Joan. I am quite of this opinion. This looks a lot more like love than lust."}, {"response": 31, "author": "Anna", "date": "Fri, Jan  3, 1997 (03:23)", "body": "to me the 'look' just before the second proposal walk showed determination rather than lust"}, {"response": 32, "author": "panache", "date": "Fri, Jan  3, 1997 (06:14)", "body": "]This is where he wants to kiss her. More than once, I think! maybe pinkyring twisting is a cue? a) Rosings near piano, with half-smile playing on his lips; b) walking graceful-thighed up Pemberley steps, glancing shyly sideways and asking her to meet G.; c) any other soft-eyed CF moment. ]This is where he wants sex right now. a) when he's standing in the dance line, staring piercingly across at E.- (the first time I saw that look and the way the camera then focused on their hands meeting was electrifying to watch! b) when he's staring silently at her at Hunsford, before walking to her and the colonel, he looks like he's scamming her thoroughly (and even crossing his legs to keep himself under control!); just maybe c) the billiards room, subliminally; and d) the way he gulps/gapes at her at the pond scene looks like spontaneous kissy sex potential. (whoa! too much!)"}, {"response": 33, "author": "Becks", "date": "Fri, Jan  3, 1997 (08:47)", "body": "Girls, he wants sex when he is fencing and says \"I shall conquer this!\". Oooo, baby, the way you thrust your foil..... I won't get anymore obscence"}, {"response": 34, "author": "alfresco", "date": "Fri, Jan  3, 1997 (15:43)", "body": "I think when he leans back in his chair, letter writing scene, he's extremely frustrated (\"blue\") with sexual tension (which probably had been with him since his unsuccessful proposal hours earlier). In fact, just look at his proposal entrance body language, eyes and sounds, then awkward speech- all the result of a rational man hopelessly desiring to have her \"put an end to his suffering and agony\" right then even but having to instead ask for marriage civilly. A Wickham would have just grabbed er, since nobody else was home except a servant or two."}, {"response": 35, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Fri, Jan  3, 1997 (21:57)", "body": "Maybe after a surprise assessment in the billiard room (sublimanily), surely when he is fixing her intently (his eyes definitely moving from top and then lowering below) after her \"not knowing any\" reply."}, {"response": 36, "author": "amy2", "date": "Sat, Jan  4, 1997 (00:10)", "body": "Ann, I think what he wanted upon getting out of the bath was a nice Turkish towel (not!). I agree with daggy Cheryl -- THE LOOK has got to be the main point where he wants sex with her right then. Ditto when he's scowling at her from the corner at the Netherfield Ball. As far as punching -- how about when dear Caroline is criticizing his Lizzy at Pemberley, even down to her teeth? KAPOW!"}, {"response": 37, "author": "Anne3", "date": "Sat, Jan  4, 1997 (05:09)", "body": "All this talk about the legendary daggy thread is very frustrating to those of us who never saw the old Board. The more I hear about it the more I pant. Is it archived somewhere?"}, {"response": 38, "author": "Amy", "date": "Sat, Jan  4, 1997 (05:13)", "body": "legendary daggy thread... Is it archived somewhere? ___ I don't know if anyone has ever pulled out the daggy entries specifically. A nice job for somebody, though. Ann (Milwaukee Ann). Ann a -- man, this gets confusing, keeps the archives. aprice@mail.newcastle.edu.au"}, {"response": 39, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Sat, Jan  4, 1997 (09:02)", "body": "Amy...I believe that the \"ledgendary daggy thread\" is well worth digging up and given a permanate home here at Spring! Besides, it is rude to speak of a \"private joke\" in front of those not \"in the know!\""}, {"response": 40, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sat, Jan  4, 1997 (15:25)", "body": "And maybe put it in a very special room where we can indulge fully :)"}, {"response": 41, "author": "Linda409", "date": "Sat, Jan  4, 1997 (17:44)", "body": "I think that I have the \"daggy\" thread. I followed each thread and came up with about 5; many had duplicate posts, of course. Unfortunately, I cannot locate those right now. I have located each separate response, though. I will try to e-mail what I have to Amy, ASAP, but probably not today. Linda"}, {"response": 42, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Sat, Jan  4, 1997 (21:48)", "body": "You know, we have spoken of the \"legendary daggy thread\" so much that I am afraid that new comers will be disappointed when they finally see it! Things are always much more amusing in our memory than they are in real life...although this may be an exception! :-)"}, {"response": 43, "author": "candace", "date": "Sun, Jan  5, 1997 (03:02)", "body": "Cheryl -- As one of the original participants of the \"Daggy\" Thread, I agree with you. I believe that this was the first time that we let our hair down and finally said some things about our Mr. Darcy which everyone only had the nerve to think about quietly to themselves beforehand. I am proud to say that everyone hence have pulled out all the stops and have proceeded to a much Daggier level. The first thread may now seem a bit tame -- but oh, how fun it was!"}, {"response": 44, "author": "Mari", "date": "Tue, Jan  7, 1997 (20:11)", "body": "And now for ''This is where he wants to kiss her.'' What about the scene where he brings Georgiana to the Lambton Inn to introduce her to Lizzy. The look he gives her when she first enters the room, as well as the soft, fond look, with the head tilted ever so slightly and wistfully to the side, when he says ''Miss Bennett, my sister has a request to make of you.'' Plainly what he means to say is 'Miss Bennet, my dearest, lovliest Elizabeth, would you like to step behind a tree in the middle of this field of buttercups and allow me to explore your lips, e , I mean your apparent change of feelings since our last meeting?'"}, {"response": 45, "author": "Inko", "date": "Tue, Jan  7, 1997 (21:56)", "body": ""}, {"response": 46, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Tue, Jan  7, 1997 (23:04)", "body": "Mari: \"This is where he wants to kiss her.\" Oh Mari, I don't know that we can narrow this down to one scene...I think there were many times that Darcy wanted to kiss her. But I'll try to confine myself to one moment (besides The Look, which is too easy!) How about when he is helping her into her carriage after the accidental meeting at Pemberley? He almost won't let go of her hand, it's as if he wanted to pull her back out of the carriage and hold her and kiss her and never let her leave \"his beautiful grounds\" again! *sigh*"}, {"response": 47, "author": "Elaine", "date": "Wed, Jan  8, 1997 (21:03)", "body": "Speaking of the Lambton Inn, why wasn't Bingley allowed to wait with the rest of the party?"}, {"response": 48, "author": "Amy", "date": "Wed, Jan  8, 1997 (21:17)", "body": "The musical parody suggests he was in a closet. See ... well shoot I can't connect to it this morning. But It is also linked from my Links page: http://www.bluemarble.net/~amyloo/wwwboard/links.html If you want to get back to it."}, {"response": 49, "author": "Anna", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 1997 (04:46)", "body": "why wasn't Bingley allowed to wait with the rest of the party? it doesn't happen quite that way in the book (Lizzy is at the inn when the Pemberly party arrives, and Bingley follows close behind the Darcys), so I suspect it was just because it was thought that it would 'play' better if he wasn't there at the beginning."}, {"response": 50, "author": "jwinsor", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 1997 (07:03)", "body": "why wasn't Bingley allowed to wait with the rest of the party? I suspect it was just because it was thought that it would 'play' better if he wasn't there at the beginning. I suppose that technically he had not been included in the \"invitation\" - Darcy had asked permission to bring his sister to call, but not any of the Bingleys. It's clear though that there was no serious thought of his being turned away - just playing by the proper rules of ettiquette."}, {"response": 51, "author": "amy2", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 1997 (00:41)", "body": "Another Want To Punch -- when D. spots Wickham talking to Lizzy that first time in Meryton. To the moon!!"}, {"response": 52, "author": "Inko", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 1997 (01:55)", "body": "Joan too, you're probably right as to why Bingley wasn't waiting for Lizzy in the sitting room at the Inn - but I've always thought that he was in the \"Pub\" part of the Inn for a quick pint!;-)"}, {"response": 53, "author": "----", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 1997 (04:43)", "body": "amy2, you stole what I meant to say!"}, {"response": 54, "author": "maud", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 1997 (13:48)", "body": "Re: 93:41--\"I think that I have the 'daggy thread'....I will try to e-mail what I have to Amy but not today\" [1/4] As yet another \"not in the know\" I was wondering whether there was any progress on this front. Just thought I'd get a word in before what seems like a giant reorganizing project set for Friday. BTW, Fri. at 1:00 is bad for me, but could help some other time."}, {"response": 55, "author": "Amy", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 1997 (14:32)", "body": "Thanks Maud. I did get communication about the Daggy thread -- at least 20 posts have been saved by Linda. I think there may be more, but her files will give me a better clue as to where to look in the archives. I just haven't gotten back to her about it. On the list though, sorry."}, {"response": 56, "author": "Ann2", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 1997 (23:56)", "body": "Inko wrote: -\"why Bingley wasn't waiting for Lizzy in the sitting room at the Inn - but I've always thought that he was in the \"Pub\" part of the Inn for a quick pint!;-) \" LOL - how well it fit's with his character Inko ! Now for one 'wanting to kiss her' moment: After their animated debate on tendencys to evil at Netherfield, Lizzy comments on his propensity to hate everybody (Darcy to himself: Not you my sweet lady...)Replies with a smile \"and yours is wilfully to misunderstand them\". And then you can see he would love to *do* something, much to his own surprise maybe)and Austen says that after a few moments' recollection Darcy welcomed the pianomusic(chap 11,end)as he began to feel the danger... As for sex wanted I consider the first moment to be at Neth.Ball when he has been haughtily taking a turn about the dancers and stops to watch Lizzy's pleasing body and dark curls dancing. He looks as if he can barely control his face and certainly not his thoughts... So he asks her to dance with him."}, {"response": 57, "author": "kendall", "date": "Sat, Jan 11, 1997 (00:55)", "body": "Joan too, you're probably right as to why Bingley wasn't waiting for Lizzy in the sitting room at the Inn - but I've always thought that he was in the \"Pub\" part of the Inn for a quick pint!;-) love it!!!! Saw our dear Mr. Bingley playing Charles without money or position on a re-run of the Highlanders yesterday. Humble, self-effacing, currying favor. Very sad sight indeed! No wonder he needed the pint."}, {"response": 58, "author": "kendall", "date": "Sat, Jan 11, 1997 (00:57)", "body": "\"...at Neth.Ball when he has been haughtily taking a turn about the dancers and stops to watch Lizzy's pleasing body and dark curls dancing. He looks as if he can barely control his face and certainly not his thoughts... \" I have GOT to rewatch that ball. I always feel so miserable anticipating what is in store for Lizzy at the end that I miss the lovely beginning!"}, {"response": 59, "author": "amy2", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 1997 (18:54)", "body": "Ann2 -- right on, sister! Darcy's dark scowling at the Neth Ball as he scopes out Lizzy from behind the sevants is a _sizzler._ Please also note, ladies, the penetrating look he gives her after Mrs. Bennet & c. have arrived at Netherfield to check on Jane. Smokin'!"}, {"response": 60, "author": "sld", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 1997 (17:37)", "body": "Keep on drooling, Girls! I have always thought the first \"I want her NOW\" moment was, like Ann2 points out, when they are bantering in the Netherfield drawingroom on the tendencys of evil. Consider that before that point, 1) he has not been able to keep his eyes off of her, 2)he has asked her to dance twice (the second time in the book, in a round about way - the Scottish Reel), and she has blown him off three times (both dances and the billiard room in the film), 3)he still cannot take his eyes off of her, 4) the stands naked and watches her from the bathroom in the film, and then right before the bantering, 5) he closes his book (which Caroline could not induce him to do) and admires her figure (ie, hot bod) walk around the room. (In the film he has the slightest little smile). Now here is a guy ready to explode! It even goes that he was ready to punch someone at that moment (after the debate in the film he is pretty up-tight) because it is still the last thing he wants to feel for her. As Ann2 points out above, he was glad for the diversion of music ( so he could cool off), and in the book, he avoided her after that, even sitting in a room a half-hour alone with her with out saying a word to her. He was glad to see her go. Then at the ball, it just started up all over again. -----"}, {"response": 61, "author": "amy2", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 1997 (19:05)", "body": "I believe he only spoke \"ten words to her the whole day\" of her departure from Netherfield so she wouldn't think she could \"influence his felicity\" in any way. I think it just made her glad to get the hell out of there!"}, {"response": 62, "author": "sld", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 1997 (00:20)", "body": "She sure was glad! It was her idea to get the h*** outta there. She was \"positively resolved\". But \"To Mr. Darcy it was welcome intelligence - Elizabeth had been at Netherfield long enough. She attracted him more than he liked-...Steady to his purpose, he scarcely spoke ten words to her though the whole of Saturday, and though they were at one time by themselved for hald- an-hour, he adhered most conscientiously to his book, and would not even look at her.\" Sounds to me like he is trying a little too hard."}, {"response": 63, "author": "Anna", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 1997 (00:49)", "body": "]he is trying a little too hard. tee hee! This rich, powerful, aristocratic man is trembling before a country girl without family, connection or fortune!"}, {"response": 64, "author": "sld", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 1997 (01:14)", "body": "It is what makes him so adorable! Can you imagine his heart pounding and his palms sweating?"}, {"response": 65, "author": "amy2", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 1997 (16:57)", "body": "And all that resolve for nothing!"}, {"response": 66, "author": "Ann2", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 1997 (21:43)", "body": "//tee hee! This rich, powerful, aristocratic man is trembling before a country girl without family, connection or fortune! // LOL at your picture and way of summarizing, Anna! //can you imagine his heart pounding and his palms sweating?// Yes Sharon I shall love to do that! Almost lost the grip on his book I'm sure. And certainly had no idea what he was reading...Such flutterings...!"}, {"response": 67, "author": "sld", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 1997 (22:01)", "body": "Ann R: How about this. Remember in the book first became an 'object of some interest' in his eyes and wanted to get to know her? He stalked her all over the party! \"..as a step towards conversing with her himself, attended to her conversations with others.\" He was afraid to talk to her! If it was embarassing for him when he was first interested in her, just imagine how he felt when he was in love."}, {"response": 68, "author": "Ann2", "date": "Sun, Jan 26, 1997 (16:51)", "body": "How he felt before he even knew he was in love, is another interesting subject, Sharon. That evening in the Neth drawing room when Jane was recovered and was conversing with Bingley, Mr Hurst was asleep and his wife occupied in playing with her jewellery ; Mr Darcy did hide from both Caroline and Lizzy behind his book. Elizabeth, at work(?) in the opposite corner...when at last miss Bingley manages to get Lizzy to walk with her, //Mr Darcy looked up. He was as much awake to the novelty of attention in that quarter as Elizabeth herself could be , and unconsciously closed his book.// The sentence boldmarked puzzles me, though it has been discussed earlier. Will someone please enlighten me! I love the way he can't pretend being involved in reading anymore as soon as 'Lizzy is on stage'."}, {"response": 69, "author": "Amy", "date": "Sun, Jan 26, 1997 (17:02)", "body": "Mr Darcy looked up. He was as much awake to the novelty of attention in that quarter as Elizabeth herself could be, and unconsciously closed his book Ann2, I could be wrong, but I always thought it meant: Darcy was no less surprised than Lizzy was to see Caroline behaving so strangely -- inviting Lizzy to walk with her? She who is obviously no friend of Lizzy's. It must be some kind of trick."}, {"response": 70, "author": "Donna", "date": "Sun, Jan 26, 1997 (17:11)", "body": "The fact that something new and unusual was happening other then Jane and Bingley and Mr. and Mrs Hurst. As for Elizabeth the idea that Miss Bingely would have her walk with her was unusual."}, {"response": 71, "author": "sld", "date": "Sun, Jan 26, 1997 (19:37)", "body": "Ann R: I am of similar mind as Amy - what INITIALLY got his attention was that Caloline's civility to Elizabith. But Caroline KNEW that Elizabeth could excite HIS attention. Yes, he was not indifferent at all, and unconsciuosly, was probably well on the way to being head over heels in love with her. It is very shortly after that, at the end of that evening, that he begins to be CONSCIOUSLY aware of the 'danger' he was in. (It is okay with ME if we rehash somethings! I have been reading the book off and on for twenty years and I always come away with a new idea from it.)"}, {"response": 72, "author": "Ann2", "date": "Sun, Jan 26, 1997 (21:38)", "body": "okay with ME if we rehash somethings!// That's great Sharon. And thanks to Amy, Donna and You for help in interpret. Must admit that I had rather hoped it meant something more complex and romantic. Silly-me. Well then Lizzy at work not needlework? Does it just mean occupied...?"}, {"response": 73, "author": "sld", "date": "Sun, Jan 26, 1997 (22:05)", "body": "'Must admit that I had rather hoped it meant something more complex and romantic.' That Lizzy it was Lizzy that could induce him from his 'inflexily studious' reading of his book after Caroline had been so unsuccessful at it is complex and romantic enough for me. 'Well then Lizzy at work not needlework? Does it just mean occupied...?' That is as good of a guess as I could come up with."}, {"response": 74, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sun, Jan 26, 1997 (23:25)", "body": "Going back a little ways on this one. Joan, too in #29: I AW that The Look is a lot more about love than lust. For me, it clearly showed a deepening of his feelings, although it did also convey that he had to have her in his life. (Your explanation is much better.) Becks in #33: Yes, yes, the fencing scene. If that wasn't a man trying to work off raging sexual tension, then I haven't seen one. Amy2 in #51: I also thought the main reason Darcy rode away when he encountered Wickham and Lizzy talking with the others was that he was going to jump off his horse and pulverize him if he didn't leave posthaste."}, {"response": 75, "author": "Anne3", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 1997 (00:37)", "body": "OK, here is another snippit from the Sunday Telegraph interview with CF (the other is in the Drooling topic). I thought, considering this topic's history, that it more properly belonged here. It is sort of an elaboration of something discussed a few weeks ago. 'On Pride and Prejudice , Andrew Davies took it on himself to help me by giving some rather audacious stage directions. During one scene, he suggested that Darcy probably had an erection. During another, when Darcy's looking ver disapproving, he wrote, \"Darcy looks as if someone's farted.\" They're crude examples, but he has a point. Darcy's an animal really.' Okay, go to it guys!"}, {"response": 76, "author": "sld", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 1997 (00:58)", "body": "ROTFLOL!!!!! Great find, Anne! \"Darcy looks as if someone's farted.\"...... When Mr. Collins came up and introduced himself during supper at the Netherfield Ball. \"Darcy probably had an erection.'......... Well, he was sitting with his cross-legged with a book over it in the parlor at Netherfield, during his banter with Lizzy about vanity. But for sure when he was watching her from the bathroom..SCHWING!"}, {"response": 77, "author": "Inko", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 1997 (02:08)", "body": "Another ROTFLOL Anne3. I'm with Sharon - the fart when he gets up from the table at Netherfield and looks down his nose at Collins - \"What is this smell down there?\" And the erection - I vote for the bathroom scene watching Lizzie definitely!;-) I love AD's sense of humour!"}, {"response": 78, "author": "Susan", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 1997 (03:20)", "body": "Couldn't agree more, although I think he pretty much had a hard time of it when- ever he was with Lizzie or thinking of her!"}, {"response": 79, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 1997 (04:58)", "body": "]Darcy looks as if someone farted. . . This has to be when he sees Wickham in Meryton, chatting to Lizzie! ]...has an erection... Perhaps when they're dancing together at the Netherfield ball? He does have a pained look about him!"}, {"response": 80, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 1997 (07:02)", "body": "Unbelievable, Lots Lots of Laughs"}, {"response": 81, "author": "Ann2", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 1997 (07:46)", "body": "This is really...no not too much ..but very funny. For one further fart suggestion: When he has just entered the assembly room at Meryton and realises the kind of people and goings on that he is expected to be part of. And for that hard object : I must once again draw your attention to his expression, when he has taken a turn to watch the dancers at Netherfield Ball and ends up, eyes following Lizzy. He is in anguish and decides that he shall askher to dance with him at least... at the very least ;-) ! //Schwing !// Sharon LOL."}, {"response": 82, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 1997 (07:59)", "body": "Ladies! I am shocked! Shocked and grieved...that you have been discussing this without me! ROTFLOL!! Ok, I'll give it a go...the farting scene--this is so obvious I cannot believe none of you have said it! It is when he first emerges from the carriage for the Meryton assembly ball! Caroline sidles/slithers up to him and says, \"Shall we be quite safe here Mr. Darcy?\" Erection...so many options, so many...I'll go for when he is listening to Lizzy sing at Pemberley...he gets this little secret smile on his face...his hands are folded in his lap...need I say more? ;-)"}, {"response": 83, "author": "Amy", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 1997 (12:34)", "body": "] Erection...so many options, so many...I'll go for when he is listening to Lizzy sing at Pemberley...he gets this little secret smile on his face...his hands are folded in his lap...need I say more? ;-) __ Really, Cheryl? I hate to be so Pollyannaish, but I almost hope his feelings were more chaste at that moment."}, {"response": 84, "author": "Mari", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 1997 (15:39)", "body": "At last! I now know the reason he has to go face away from the general company and gaze out of windows so often!"}, {"response": 85, "author": "Ann2", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 1997 (19:53)", "body": "Must not pretend to be more experienced than I am, but I too think that Pemberley music smile and the later return to that room for sweet remembrance are both caused by more serene feelings. Sorry to disappoint you Cheryl dear. You know though,that most of the time I will follow wherever you lead(Vain, ignorant, idle and absolutely uncontroulled [Austen spelling, not Swedish this time]) BTW,what think you of that occasion when Mr Collins complained screamingly to his wife...'he's hard upon my heels!'?"}, {"response": 86, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 1997 (22:03)", "body": "Ann2: BTW,what think you of that occasion when Mr Collins complained screamingly to his wife...'he's hard upon my heels!'? Ann, Ann, Ann!!! and people say that I am bad! Shocking! ;-) Well, ok...seems I need to find another erection scene...it is no hard task, I assure you...;-) Ok...my choice then is when he is visiting Lizzy at Hunsford with the Col. He is sitting, ignoring Mr. Collins, staring at Lizzy, fairly squirming in his seat, tugging at his collar...the only problem with this is that he soons stands up and he would never dare to do so if he were really...well...you know... ;-)"}, {"response": 87, "author": "sld", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 1997 (23:54)", "body": "I have to agree with my Patroness, 'The Look' does seem to include a little schwing included. Notice how he seems to be trying keep from smiling. I don't deny that there are some very tender emotions, there. But there could very well be a little happy, tingley action goin' on."}, {"response": 88, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 1997 (03:47)", "body": "Sharon dearest...ROTFLOL!!! (you naughty girl you!)"}, {"response": 89, "author": "Susan", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 1997 (04:17)", "body": "#84 Mari, now we know what was so inviting about those windows, huh? Love that explanation. I still think the most likely place for a schwing was when Lizzy was playing at Lady C's and flirting with Darcy. Did you notice how he kept his front up against the pianoforte? Sometimes the men probably wished their coattails were in the front!"}, {"response": 90, "author": "sld", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 1997 (05:17)", "body": "' when Lizzy was playing at Lady C's and flirting with Darcy. ' Any attention he could get from her probably got him going!"}, {"response": 91, "author": "Inko", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 1997 (23:04)", "body": "Another possibility for the hard choice: when Lizzie enters the dining room at Netherfield and Darcy is hanging on to the chair-back! He'd earlier seen her all muddy from her walk, with eyes brightened by the exercise--now he saw her a little tidied up - poor guy just can't help himself!! No wonder he looked at Mr. Hurst with disgust when he interrupted with his talk of \"sport today.\" SRC=\" http://www.spring.com/~amy/gsmile.gif\" >"}, {"response": 92, "author": "sld", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 1997 (01:35)", "body": "Good one, Inko!"}, {"response": 93, "author": "alfresco", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 1997 (03:10)", "body": "Then of course there is the famous pond scene. I mean, here he is, nicely cooled off and probably \"minimized\" by the bracing cold water, when lo and behold, Miss Breathless Bennet veers into view and Darcy probably can't help coming to attention , something I think she noticed since her gaze instantly plummeted as his incoherent babble commenced...no wonder the poor man had to rush away and change in private (I can hear Robin Williams now \"Down, boy! I have no controls...!\") (another startling segment of the \"Dr. France\" call-in show, this time sponsered by e.p.t.)"}, {"response": 94, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 1997 (03:24)", "body": "If engagements generally lasted 2-3 months, then on his ride to Pemberley, Darcy must have been thinking: \"If only I had not made an ass of myself, I might be bringing her here now!\" Certainly he was thinking of her on that ride!"}, {"response": 95, "author": "Susan", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 1997 (04:39)", "body": "...coming to attention...Down, boy... I love it! Surely it must have been quite a shock to him, and yes, he had to be thinking of all the time he had inadvertently wasted."}, {"response": 96, "author": "Becks", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 1997 (05:18)", "body": "Come on girls, did anyone look down during the wedding scene? My best friend noticed something very interesting........ He was eager in anticipation of the night before him!!!"}, {"response": 97, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 1997 (06:46)", "body": "France: I mean, here he is, nicely cooled off and probably \"minimized\" by the bracing cold water Are we speaking of \"shrinkage\" here? ;-)"}, {"response": 98, "author": "Amy", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 1997 (06:51)", "body": "Oh, I feel so sorry for guys. Imagine not being able to keep your arousal a secret."}, {"response": 99, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 1997 (07:21)", "body": "Amy: Oh, I feel so sorry for guys. Imagine not being able to keep your arousal a secret. Like, we are doing such a good job of hiding our arousal! ;-)"}, {"response": 100, "author": "amy2", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 1997 (17:45)", "body": "Ladies! What about when he's sitting cross-legged at Hunsford looking at Lizzy flirting with Fitzwilliam? And what about all that heat during the first Proposal scene? NO WONDER the poor man had to stalk around the room!!"}, {"response": 101, "author": "Mari", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 1997 (19:01)", "body": "I agree;; the first proposal scene has that very important stage direction written all over it!"}, {"response": 102, "author": "Amy", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 1997 (22:08)", "body": "Can this still be posted to? Let's see."}, {"response": 103, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 1997 (06:02)", "body": "There is a conspicous absence of any women names in the topics in this conference."}, {"response": 104, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 1997 (06:11)", "body": "Who would you propose Terry ?"}, {"response": 105, "author": "genie", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 1997 (22:14)", "body": "I have been lurking aroiund some of these topics for a while now and will offer one more suggestion. What about the quick shot of Darcy when Elizabeth enters the ballroom with Jane and Bingley, eagerly searching for Wickham, and an officer moves slightly sideways to reveal Darcy. He sees her and turns. The look on his face at that moment seems to say it all! I think that one look is one of the most erotic of them all. Just MHO."}, {"response": 106, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 1997 (03:39)", "body": "Uh oh, now I have to make a proposal!"}, {"response": 107, "author": "Anna", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 1997 (10:47)", "body": "] now I have to make a proposal! pre-empt the dag-mistresses Terry; start a new topic. Or do you think a whole new conference needed for usually intelligent men to get together and drool about female movie stars?"}, {"response": 108, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 1997 (14:23)", "body": "There isn't enough critical mass at this stage. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 150, "subject": "Colin Firth (Part 10)", "response_count": 785, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Fri, Jun 29, 2001 (04:02)", "body": "Regarding accents, it has always seemed to me that some Americans (from the South) are a little better at English accents and English actors are a little better at deep Southern accents, due to the de-emphasis of both on the \"r\" sound. However, as far as the generic \"American\" accent goes (i.e., the ones who pronounce their \"r's\"), I've noticed over the years that the mistake most English actors make is going overboard on the hard \"r\" sound (or whatever it is called). In other words, they overpronounce it. I recently saw a film called \"Judas Kiss\", which starred Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson. Much as I love both of them, their accents were not totally convincing. Rickman came off a little better because he was doing a \"southern\" accent. But every now and then he would come out with an \"rrrrrr\" sound (like \"harrrd\"). I've never heard anyone from the U.S. who actually pronounces r's that way. Emma, bless her heart, tried very hard, but did not sound at all \"natural\" to me. However, I must admit they sounded as good as the non-Southern American actors whose Southern accents varied from poor to fair. I guess my point is that not everyone is good at accents, and some American accents are easier than others. Something I noticed recently when I re-watched \"A Thousand Acres\" was that CF's accent reminded me a lot of someone, but I couldn't decide who. It took me a while to figure it out, and it finally came to me--he sounded like Johnny Carson (a native Iowan). Although I've never read the book, presumably it is set in Iowa or some nearby state, so whoever coached CF did an excellent job. The only trouble was, I love CF's English accent so much that hearing something else coming out of his mouth caused a kind of harmonic dissonance in the auditory centers of my brain. It was like he was being dubbed. Of course it's possible that someone from Iowa would disagree with me, but I found his accent quite good. And the visuals were not bad, either."}, {"response": 2, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun 29, 2001 (11:30)", "body": "I guess MOB will have to be put on hold as Annova reports that Catherine McCormack is to take over from Nicole Kidman in the erotic thriller The Cut opposit Geoffrey Rush."}, {"response": 3, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Jun 29, 2001 (14:18)", "body": "(LouiseJ)I've noticed over the years that the mistake most English actors make is going overboard on the hard \"r\" sound Yes, I think that Colin does that, too. Perhaps it's because the British accent generally drops so much of the r sound (except if you're from Cornwall), causing them to overcompensate. I found the overpronounced r a bit distracting when I saw 1000 Acres. And he used the same accent in 3DOR. I can't wait for Hamlet, when (I assume) he'll be using his own accent."}, {"response": 4, "author": "sblake", "date": "Fri, Jun 29, 2001 (21:24)", "body": "Spending another productive day at work, I noticed the two items on eonline that were amusing. I have been reading through the old posts since finding this place, so the little piece of fan fiction that the first item relates to is fresh in my mind, but probably 3 years old for regular posters \"Assante has been working on a stage version of the life of Paul Gauguin, focusing on the years the 19th-century French painter spent in Tahiti. He hopes to follow up the play with a big-screen biopic about the artist.\" The next item on the page was about Meg Tilly Tilly gave up her career for marriage and motherhood after tying the knot with Sony Pictures chieftain John Calley in 1995. She has two teenage children by her ex-husband, producer Tim Zinnemann, and a 10-year-old son by actor Colin Firth. Tilly, who starred in such pictures as The Big Chill and Agnes of God, has made it clear: \"For me, family comes first.\" I know that for people who have never come across drool fan fiction, the first item has nothing to do with Colin Firth, but I thought it was a funny coincidence to have those two items on the same page of gossip...i wasn't even looking for a firth fix Shannon (forgot to post my name previously)"}, {"response": 5, "author": "rachael", "date": "Sat, Jun 30, 2001 (23:44)", "body": "some assorted questions from a dim-bulb latecomer: 1) is Conspiracy being shown in the UK or have I missed it completely? all I can find is press for HBO 2) in a similar vein, what's the score with Londinium re UK viewings? 3) just watched SLOW for the third time in 3 days *sigh* then read the \"Bucket\" notes on the film (top site BTW) where it says that Matthew has had a heart attack whilst up to naughty stuff with someone elses wife, hence he is in South of France to recover/hide out - how do you know? where is this in the film? When Rev. Fola reads out from the newspaper its clear that Matthew is a bit of a dodgy character re other people's wives, and when he is found outside Nimi's house someone says \"it says in the paper its his heart\" but I must've missed the MI bit 4) entering a comp to try and win a DVD player to benefit from all the potential BJD extras - wish me luck - party at my house if I win!!!"}, {"response": 6, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul  1, 2001 (01:59)", "body": "Here's the place to vote on ET online: http://www.etonline.com/html/page_meter/hff2001/"}, {"response": 7, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Sun, Jul  1, 2001 (04:08)", "body": "I just voted. So far, so good. CF is leading with 36% of the vote, RZ is also ahead with 42%, and BJD has the lead with 33%!"}, {"response": 8, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sun, Jul  1, 2001 (04:15)", "body": "I just voted, too. Colin is up to 38%. It says that only your first vote counts. Next time I visit my father, I'll vote on his computer, too. Hmm, who else do I know who'll let me \"borrow\" his/her computer for a few minutes???"}, {"response": 9, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Sun, Jul  1, 2001 (07:15)", "body": "Up to 48% now. Gotta love a committed fanbase. :) In my recent CF completist mode (I blame y'all), I rented A Thousand Acres and watched it last night. Wow, what an intense story. Has anyone read the book? Jess was an interesting character; in a way, the least developed of any of the main-ish characters. You don't get a real sense of why he does anything he does, which is frustrating. I thought CF did pretty well w/ an American accent, but it sounded weirdly flat and not very Iowan to my midwestern ears. But all the possible faults of this movie aside, the scenes w/ CF in nice tight jeans make it all worthwhile. ;) I didn't see any archived discussions of ATA at firth.com - would anyone else be interested in discussing it in detail?"}, {"response": 10, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jul  1, 2001 (08:54)", "body": "I guess MOB will have to be put on hold as Annova reports that Catherine McCormack is to take over from Nicole Kidman in the erotic thriller The Cut opposite Geoffrey Rush. The Cut isn't going to be filmed until the winter, and datesare still tentative. I'm sure MOB will go ahead. Up to 48% now. Gotta love a committed fanbase. :) I voted (it's about time he actually won something, enough of all this \" the under-rated Colin Firth\" stuff) and it was 47% - so voting does count! She has two teenage children by her ex-husband, producer Tim Zinnemann, Are Meg Tilly's children the grandchildren of Fred Zinneman (\"High Noon\" \"From here to Eternity\" \"Day of the Jackal\" \"A Man for all Seasons\" etc)? Possibly *the* greatest Hollywood director. MLSF is still showing on \"Front Row\" cable TV - gets a very good review as well, \"delightful\", \"charming\". Rachel, I also like SLOW! Conspiracy and Londinium haven't been shown in the UK. I would expect that the BBC will show Conspiracy sometime. Londinium seems to have completely disappeared....which I find disappointing, in view of the absolute tosh (unknown Brit actors, dreadful reviews) that gets released every week. The cast of CF,IJ, Stephen Fry and Jack Dee is a good one (in the UK context). Oh well, ...:-( There was a very large spreadof photos (a continuation of the Daily Mail theme) of CF in Now magazine a few weeks ago. Also a mention of \"Hamlet\"...CF has told friends that he \"misses appearing live on stage\". I also think CF will be aware of the \"competition\" in Hamlet and the inevitable close scrutiny of our unkind critics, and will not have undertaken this lightly - it's not a vanity project. He'll be very well prepared. Dr Zhivago - I know this is TV, but I like the format - 2 100 minute films (not a series) at \ufffd10 million - \ufffd5million per TV film...comparable to MLSF, and way over the budgets for SLOW, RV and FP!!!"}, {"response": 11, "author": "rachael", "date": "Sun, Jul  1, 2001 (08:55)", "body": "Just voted - Colin well in the lead! I love ATA too, both book and film, and would be happy to discuss both. The book gives a much better sense of Jess's motivations, IMO, and his background is explained more, whereas in the film he just appears and floats about without much explanation. Not that I have any complaints about watching Colin float about in jeans - should've stuck to the book description for his run tho - go check it out! Glad I'm not the only recent completist round here!"}, {"response": 12, "author": "rachael", "date": "Sun, Jul  1, 2001 (13:17)", "body": "from today's paper: Fever Pitch will be shown on FilmFour next Saturday at 8pm - blurb \"An Arsenal supporter falls for a non-football fan\" well if that isn't minimalist I don't know what is! Part of their Capital Cinema season, films about London. Also \"Hornby and Thompson team up for comedy on career girl's blues\": Nick Hornby, the novelist famous for portraying the obsessions of British male culture, is writing a film about the dilemmas of a successful career woman. His co-author is the actress Emma Thompson who may also play the leading role. In the film Fast Forward, Lara, a thirty-something TV executive, is confronted with the choices facing millions of women torn between married motherhood and a career, after she sees a video of her future. From the Sunday Times - will type up the rest if anyone wants me to! Wonder if Lara will have a love interest? hmmmm wonder if Nick Hornby's Arsenal supporting actor friend might play it ;-)"}, {"response": 13, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul  1, 2001 (14:12)", "body": "(Rachael) he is in South of France to recover/hide out - how do you know? where is this in the film?... No, you didn't miss all these things. They were probably cut out. The production notes were written long before this movie came out and it underwent lots of editing. **Have located the cookie file for the ET voting and deleted it. But so far am still unable to revote. However, if you have both Netscape and Internet Explorer, you can vote with both of those...at least once! (Laura T) I didn't see any archived discussions of ATA at firth.com - would anyone else be interested in discussing it in detail? Actually, it was done but I haven't gotten around to editing it yet."}, {"response": 14, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul  1, 2001 (15:10)", "body": "BTW, have you all seen the front page link on ET to vote for the awards? A little biased! There's an animated image showing the award logo plus Nicole Kidman and Johnny Depp! Pathetic..."}, {"response": 15, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Jul  1, 2001 (16:40)", "body": "I just voted and it said 46% for CF and RZ. It said 43% for BJD. All three are well in the lead! Very exciting! Thanks, Karen for the link. (rachael)hmmmm wonder if Nick Hornby's Arsenal supporting actor friend might play it ;-) I don't think CF is much of an Arsenal or football fan, only his character in FP (I read that in one of the articles on him), but I would love to see him in a male leading role like that, too ;-)! Most of Emma Thompson's stuff plays in the UK as well as the US, so it would be easy to view and review ;-). --------------------------------------------------------------------------------"}, {"response": 16, "author": "rachael", "date": "Sun, Jul  1, 2001 (18:53)", "body": "Lora, I thought I'd read somewhere that although CF isn't a mad keen footie fan he's been persuaded by NH to go to Arsenal games sometimes. Could be wrong, could just be some dreamt up newspaper blurb."}, {"response": 17, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Jul  1, 2001 (20:11)", "body": "C.F. 55% R.Z. 55% BJD 54%"}, {"response": 18, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Mon, Jul  2, 2001 (02:16)", "body": "(KarenR)Actually, [discussion of ATA] was done but I haven't gotten around to editing it yet. Cool; I look forward to reading it when it's up. Rachael, I'll look for the book version at the library when I get a chance."}, {"response": 19, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Jul  2, 2001 (14:52)", "body": "C.F. 55% WOW! This is wonderful, but a bit scary, too. Such a strong lead so early could spur voting by fans of the others. Must watch the numbers, and if he's slippng, go to friends houses and use their computers to vote extra times!"}, {"response": 20, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Jul  2, 2001 (15:00)", "body": "CF now 49%. Keep voting."}, {"response": 21, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul  2, 2001 (15:12)", "body": "It would appear that Ewan MacGregor's fans are starting to make themselves known...and Colin's lead will quickly dissipate. Remember, guys, you can vote twice if you open another browser. Deleting that cookie didn't seem to help. Need some technical know-how here."}, {"response": 22, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jul  2, 2001 (19:15)", "body": "Deleting that cookie didn't seem to help Remember to empty your recycle bin.:-) Are Meg Tilly's children the grandchildren of Fred Zinneman (\"High Noon\" \"From here to Eternity\" \"Day of the Jackal\" \"A Man for all Seasons\" etc)? Possibly *the* greatest Hollywood director. Yes they are. Tim Zinnemann, Meg's ex-husband, is Fred's son."}, {"response": 23, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Mon, Jul  2, 2001 (19:31)", "body": "KarenR: Deleting that cookie didn't seem to help. Need some technical know-how here. Well, I don't know how technical this is, but try this: 1. On Internet Explorer, select Tools, Internet Options, Delete Files, OK This should delete most of your temporary internet files. 2. Then select Tools, Internet Options, Settings, View Files 3. Select Edit, Select all, File, Delete This clears out the \"stubborn\" temporary files. When I did this, I was able to go back to the site and reach the \"vote\" section again. I'm not sure if it counted my second vote, but I believe it did. You might also get rid of your \"history\" files before casting another vote: Select Tools, Internet Options, Clear History, OK Assuming they haven't figured out a way to identify you without cookies, etc. I think this should work."}, {"response": 24, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Jul  2, 2001 (19:56)", "body": "Karen, how many cookies did you delete? ET online is VERY sneaky. They put TWO cookies into your temp internet files. So scroll down through your temp internet folders until you find the second one. That's all I had to delete. didn't have to delete the files for all the downloaded images, either. I hate to do blanket deletions of every file, as there are cookies that I don't want to bother reloading/resetting. But I do wander through Windows Explorer every so often and delete any cookie that I don't find helpful/friendly. When I did that today, I discovered the second ETonline cookie. Interestingly, it does not show up in the same place in the list of files because their filenames are different enough to not be in alpha order. Never underestimate the determination of a Drooleur!"}, {"response": 25, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jul  2, 2001 (22:33)", "body": "I was wondering if there was any news of new projects for CF? Or at least possible roles? Radio 5 has a \"From the Movies\" spot, and over the weekend there was a report on how the success of BJD has made RZ and HG very much in demand - Huge is linked with at least three new roles, ditto RZ. No mention of CF. I know there's MOB, but that dates back pre-BJD."}, {"response": 26, "author": "rachael", "date": "Tue, Jul  3, 2001 (00:26)", "body": "oh my ... Virgin have a sale on and I picked up English Patient for a fiver *sigh* what a film, gets better every time I see it; Colin's scenes in the taxi, wordless, watching katherine come and go, are stupendous; sometimes I think he acts better when he doesn't speak than when he does (or is it sacriledge to say that around here?) Not that I mean he doesn't act when he speaks, merely that he is better than anyone else I can think of at letting an emotion flicker across his face and the audience sort it out for themselves. oh crikey, I think I'm going to have to go and see BJD again!"}, {"response": 27, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Jul  3, 2001 (00:49)", "body": "(Rachael) Colin's scenes in the taxi, wordless, watching katherine come and go, are stupendous Yes, it's wonderful. I think I read somewhere that the director cast Colin with that scene in mind, because he knew that Colin could convey so many feelings without saying a word."}, {"response": 28, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  3, 2001 (14:19)", "body": "BTW, I caught a showing of Conspiracy a couple of days ago on one of HBO's other channels (Signature, the *women's* channel) and they played a much longer intro piece before the movie, where not only do KB and ST talk but Colin did as well plus the director."}, {"response": 29, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jul  3, 2001 (16:23)", "body": "News of casting of \"Forsyte Saga\" in the Telegraph. Damian Lewis as Soames, plus Ioan Grufyyd and Rupert Graves. I'd love to see Colin getting another meaty dramatic role, like Soames. He only seems to be offered lightweight/ supporting roles these days. Perhaps \"Hamlet\" will remind casting directors that he can *act*! Sorry to sound miffed...but I can't understand why in five years he's not been offered something substantial on screen!! I think \"Hamlet\" is very much his own initiative...perhaps out of frustration at not being offered challenging roles."}, {"response": 30, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  3, 2001 (16:46)", "body": "Bethan, that information about the Forsyte Saga's casting was posted on Odds and Ends several days ago as it has *nothing* to do with Colin."}, {"response": 31, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul  3, 2001 (17:17)", "body": "Neither does Dr. Zhivago."}, {"response": 32, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jul  3, 2001 (18:00)", "body": "Sorry, I'm hopeless at checking Odds and Ends. The \"something\" to do with CF is just my heartfelt hope to see him in a strong serious dramatic role once again, where he has scope to develop acharacter and demonstrate that he's a fine actor. And I just feel disappointed when other actors \"get the gravy\". I won't mention Dr Zhivago again."}, {"response": 33, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Tue, Jul  3, 2001 (19:40)", "body": "Posted this on 149 too \ufffd Sam West\ufffds replies to a questionnaire his fans sent him: If you had been offered a part in Bridget Jones' Diary, which role would you choosen? Haven't seen it. Umm... Anything that Colin does is probably worth coveting. (He's doing Hamlet next, which is nice) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SamWest/message/4508 His answers are very amusing."}, {"response": 34, "author": "caribou", "date": "Tue, Jul  3, 2001 (20:07)", "body": "Re SLOW: I am thankful. :-) Re casting: I wish there was a way we could find out what Michelle Guish is casting ahead of time. She seems to be credited with casting CF the most. She seems to be a woman with impeccable taste who knows the scope of Firth."}, {"response": 35, "author": "rachael", "date": "Tue, Jul  3, 2001 (21:34)", "body": "Caribou, heehee re SLOW - I found this group of women here, see how God had buttered my bread! And even if someone came with ten cans of sardines, you couldn't take my obsession away from me :-)"}, {"response": 36, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  3, 2001 (23:36)", "body": "Holy moly! Another actor who corresponds directly with his cyberfans. *pout* Cute, nonserious answers though. Didn't have any idea he went to Dartmouth. Thanks, Marianne. (Caribou) I wish there was a way we could find out what Michelle Guish is casting ahead of time. She seems to be credited with casting CF the most. So the idea would be to ensure that *other* casting directors take notice. There really seem to be only two important ones in the UK: Guish and Celestia Fox. Don't mean to put a damper on things, Bethan. We all have our pet projects and take notice of news of other actors being cast in what may be desirable projects but we tend to talk about them on O&E. Just a little housekeeping for duplicative posts."}, {"response": 37, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jul  4, 2001 (07:11)", "body": "Don't mean to put a damper on things, Bethan. Oh, I'm not easily dampened....but am not very happy about casting (in general) in British TV/movies. Sam West (an excellent actor, who we see too little of...he would have been very acceptable as Soames) said recently in an interview (have posted this before) that the theatre had given him a second chance as once you were over 35, it was difficult to get good parts. I think he has a point....especially British movies, and often TV drama. (The casting of \"Forsyte\" is very youthful) Which is why I hope CF's appeal is now more global! I'm very interested in seeing what kind of offers he gets post BJD... (enough of Hughie and RZ!!)"}, {"response": 38, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Wed, Jul  4, 2001 (07:41)", "body": "(Marianne) Sam West\ufffds replies to a questionnaire his fans sent him: Thanks, Marianne. I enjoyed Sam's responses a lot and am glad to know he thinks well of CF. Since we know it is highly unlikely Colin would ever participate in a fan-chat I guess this is the next best thing :-)."}, {"response": 39, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul  4, 2001 (14:36)", "body": "(Jana)Since we know it is highly unlikely Colin would ever participate in a fan-chat I guess this is the next best thing :-). Ya' never know....;-)) Jonathan emailed the editor of his website and sent good wishes to all of his fans.. http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Theater/3782/index.html I remember someone telling Colin that brother communicated with his fans.... Was it you Mari?"}, {"response": 40, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul  5, 2001 (13:36)", "body": "Now, this looks interesting or at least would seem to have possibilities. Too bad Ananova keeps referring to it by the wrong name with the wrong url. But I've found it at: http://www.heritagetheatre.com Classic stage productions to be recorded for posterity Classic stage productions are to be recorded for posterity by Heritage Theatre and sold on DVD and video. The first releases will include the Royal Shakespeare Company's The Winter's Tale. Other productions to be featured include Bristol Old Vic's world premiere of Denial by Arnold Wesker, and Betty Buckley live at the Donmar Warehouse. Heritage Theatre, which was set up last year by a group of former BBC employees, aims to build a catalogue of videos of live performances to sell across the English-speaking world. Further details are available at www.heritagetrust.com. ~~~~~~~~~~~ A pity that they weren't around a couple of years ago, as these people have a relationship with the Donmar. But perhaps they can be persuaded to record another great performance next February at the Riverside??? info@heritagetheatre.com"}, {"response": 41, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul  5, 2001 (13:39)", "body": "From the \"Are They Kidding?\" Department of Ananova: Dame Judi's play affected by her filming schedule Several performances of The Royal Family have been cancelled due to the film commitments of its lead, Dame Judi Dench. The production is due to open at the Theatre Royal in London's Haymarket in October ....Dame Judi will by then be at the tail-end of filming The Importance Of Being Earnest, in which she plays Lady Bracknell."}, {"response": 42, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jul  5, 2001 (15:09)", "body": "I remember someone telling Colin that brother communicated with his fans.... Was it you Mari? Boy, it sure sounds like something I'd say.;-) But no, that was someone else. Jon sounds like a sweet guy. I know Mickie has periodically sent fan questions to him and he always responds. She says his agent is nice too, very responsive (not like the guard dogs at ICM.;-) Karen, I think Ananova gets its scoops from peoplenews.;-)"}, {"response": 43, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jul  7, 2001 (13:03)", "body": "(LauraT) But all the possible faults of this movie aside (ATA), the scenes w/ CF in nice tight jeans make it all worthwhile. ;) Amen, sister. The sweats weren't too bad either. However, I most liked Jess framed in a doorway - The film ends for me after the courthouse scene."}, {"response": 44, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jul  7, 2001 (13:10)", "body": "He was hiding. Here he is -"}, {"response": 45, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul  7, 2001 (14:45)", "body": "Sideburns were rather longish, don't you think? ;-)"}, {"response": 46, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sat, Jul  7, 2001 (16:59)", "body": "Yum Thanks for the picture, Heide! That long, limber frame in a lovely relaxed pose. Tousled curls. Sigh. I loved the way he looked in ATA. And no, Karen, I think his sideburns are just fine. I like them just as they are."}, {"response": 47, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jul  7, 2001 (18:43)", "body": "Another \"Hamlet\" has just opened in London - a version by Steven Berkoff, who has re-written most of the Bard's lines. It's a two-hander (just Hamlet and Ophelia) and (to quote the review) the two of them share a love that makes Romeo and Juliet seem half-hearted. More from the review... 'Can you credit Ophelia asking Hamlet to furrow her fertile fields, or a now-randy prince talking of his sap rising, his lava pouring into her, or Ophelia comparing his testicles to persimmons which she wants to squeeze...' The real thing will seem quite tame by comparison! Clearing away some books, I found I had a Heinemann Educational copy of TIOBE (aimed at schools) with an excellent introduction by Sir John Gielgud (who played Jack Worthing). He obviously took playing Jack just as seriously as he did playing Hamlet. It's too long for me to type out, but a couple of quotes give the flavour.. \"It is not easy to achieve the style, the lightness, the apparent ease the play demands. Above all it is hard to act it with a deadly seriousness, yet with an inner consciousness of fun - the fun with which one plays seriously a very elaborate joke. The pace of the comedy must be leisurely, mannered: and everybody must, of course, speak beautifully - but the wit must appear spontaneous, though self-conscious. The text must be studied and spoken so as to arouse a cumulative effect of laughter from the audience.\" Gielgud offers several observations on how to play Jack. Catherine McCormack is appearing in a Sam Shepard play at the Donmar. It's an ensemble performance by a cast of six, and her role sounds like one of the smaller ones, not particularly crucial."}, {"response": 48, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul  7, 2001 (20:25)", "body": "Remember the discussion about the vein in Conspriracy, well, looks like it's his own:"}, {"response": 49, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jul  7, 2001 (21:31)", "body": "Can anyone translate Danish? Why Hugh Grant? And is there a problemene? August regisserer kostymedrama Den danske regiss\ufffdren Bille August skal regissere \"The Maid Of Buttermere\". Av: Linda Lorentzen ( 19.04.2001 11:00:55) Filmen er et kostymedrama fra Englands Lake District og bak prosjektet st\ufffdr det spanske produsentselskapet Lolafilms. Filmen er basert p\ufffd en bok av Melvyn Bragg og handler om en kjekk kjeltring som forf\ufffdrer rike unge piker. Problemene starter da han forelsker seg i en vakker pike i landsbyen. Ingen skuespillere har forel\ufffdpig blitt linket til prosjektet. Innspillingen vil starte til h\ufffdsten og har et budsjett p\ufffd 90 millioner kroner. Prosjektet var opprinnelig i hendene p\ufffd det store Hollywoodselskapet MGM, og de hadde b\ufffdde Colin Firth og Hugh Grant i tankene, men n\ufffd har alts\ufffd Lola overtatt. August har allerede jobbet med prosjektet en stund. Han har tidligere hatt stor suksess med filmer som \"Pelle eroberen\", \"\ufffdndenes hus\" og \"Fr\ufffdken Smilas fornemmelse for sn\ufffd\". Hans siste film, den norsk-svenske \"En sang for Martin\", g\ufffdr n\ufffd p\ufffd norske kinoer. Tilbake"}, {"response": 50, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul  7, 2001 (22:12)", "body": "I've put it up at the Tea Room where there are some Danes, but looking at the date of this news item, it is precisely when Bille August's name was released as being associated with this project. If anyone is at the Karlovy Vary (sp??) film fest going on right now in the Czech Republic, they can ask him what's doing, as I saw his name and that film (Song for Martin) are there."}, {"response": 51, "author": "ursula", "date": "Sat, Jul  7, 2001 (22:25)", "body": "hello I'm new but I think I can help, my Danish isn't great but here goes: Bille Agust has been put in charge of Maid of Buttermere, which has been taken over by the Spanish Lolafilms. The film is based on the book by Melvyn Bragg, blah...the problems start when he falls in love with a country girl...No film stars have promised themselves to the project, shooting will start in the autumn and has a budget of 90 m Dkr (thats about \ufffd9m I think)The project was originally in the hands of MGM which has stars like Colin Firth and Hugh Grant in their grasp(?) but now Lola's taken over...then there's stuff about Agusts previous film works eg Smillas feeling for Snow."}, {"response": 52, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul  7, 2001 (22:40)", "body": "Amazing! A translation in less than an hour. Thanks so much, Ursula, for doing a great job and even doing the currency conversion, although the last Ananova item set it at \ufffd6m. ;-) *I know currencies fluctuate*"}, {"response": 53, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul  7, 2001 (23:00)", "body": "Welcome Ursula: Quite a debut!!Thank you. \"No film stars have promised themselves to the project\", Ah ha....There is still hope....;-) But they better hurry.Autumn is almost here. The vein picture!!Sideburns need trimming...actually he needs a trim job all over. Great pic though..he looks so happy. Renee is congratulating him on son."}, {"response": 54, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sun, Jul  8, 2001 (00:46)", "body": "And Huge is picking his nose. ;-)"}, {"response": 55, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jul  8, 2001 (08:43)", "body": "Thanks for the translation, Ursula!"}, {"response": 56, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul  8, 2001 (14:16)", "body": "(Bethan)Catherine McCormack is appearing in a Sam Shepard play at the Donmar. It's an ensemble performance by a cast of six, and her role sounds like one of the smaller ones, not particularly crucial. Darren Daglish \"The London Theatre Newsletter\" A LIE OF THE MIND at the Donmar until 1 September \"The acting is of the highest quality. Catherine McCormack is exceptional as 'Beth'. The first scenes when she is in hospital unable to talk or walk properly were painfully realistic\""}, {"response": 57, "author": "Gabski", "date": "Sun, Jul  8, 2001 (18:56)", "body": "De-lurking Swede here that admires the great translation from danish by Ursula but thought that I'd add my little bit to it too (as danish is quite like swedish). The danish text hints that MGM was thinking about starring either Colin (oh why, o why didn't they? ) or Hugh but instead this Spanish company took over and that probably means that Colin is out of the picture. *sigh* /gabriella"}, {"response": 58, "author": "rachael", "date": "Sun, Jul  8, 2001 (20:43)", "body": "as a relative newbie, and at the risk of sounding cheekily pushy, I was wondering if there was a date when droolers are heading for Hamlet, as I'd like to get a ticket and it would be cool to meet up with some fellow firthaholics, as I don't have any mates who can tolerate my obsession enough to have a trip to Londinium with me!"}, {"response": 59, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul  8, 2001 (21:45)", "body": "Ursula and Gabriella! I didn't want anyone to feel left out and I want to encourage you both to continue posting, regardless of whether we have Danish news items requiring translation. ;-) (Gabriella) The danish text hints that MGM was thinking about starring either Colin (oh why, o why didn't they? ) or Hugh but instead this Spanish company took over and that probably means that Colin is out of the picture. *sigh* Actually, that's the first mention that MGM ever had this property. It is definitely possible as books are optioned all the time. However, I'd sooner believe this writer got his/her facts a bit mixed up because it was the Spanish company (Lola) that had Colin's name associated with the producted in April 2000. A year later, the director was changed and the film company apparently still wanted CF to play the part with Catherine McCormack, but there's never been any confirmation of his interest in doing this... (thank god)"}, {"response": 60, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (12:28)", "body": "Is there *another* product of Hamlet????? I suspect that Ophelia will become the main character: From Ananova: Angelina Jolie 'to play Ophelia in London' Angelina Jolie is reported to be planning to appear in London's West End. The Tomb Raider star is considering playing Ophelia in a stage production of Hamlet, to be directed by her brother James Voight. It would be the first time Jolie has acted on stage. www.entertainment.news.com.au reports Jolie's father, Jon Voight who plays Lara Croft's dad in Tomb Raider, said: \"I'm sure if she decides to play Ophelia she will be a success.\""}, {"response": 61, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (12:41)", "body": "Hey...testing...is anyone there??"}, {"response": 62, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (12:42)", "body": "For those unfamiliar with Reese Witherspoon's work or the regard in which she's held by critics, take a look at these comments from Todd McCarthy in his review of Legally Blonde: Beaming star wattage out of every pore, not to mention her hair, Witherspoon once again proves herself a comedienne worthy of comparison to such golden era greats as Carole Lombard and Ginger Rogers. Seemingly at the center of every frame of the picture, the actress possesses an evanescence that floods everyone and everything in its proximity and here dignifies and elevates material that proves more appealing conceptually than it generally manages to be in the playing. Like her character, who will let nothing, least of all her own limitations, stand in her way, Witherspoon isn't about to let spotty dialogue and some directorial clumsiness prevent her from showing what she's made of... At this point, Witherspoon is one of a very small number of screen actors one wants to see in anything she does. If you want to read the full review, it is here: http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010709/en/review-filmblonde_1.html"}, {"response": 63, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (12:46)", "body": "doesn't seem like it...hm... Anyway I'm glad to be part of this 'conference', as I am a great fan of CF. I simply can't wait until the premiere of 'Bridget Jones Diary' (in Denmark;oD)"}, {"response": 64, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (12:54)", "body": "ups..."}, {"response": 65, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (12:56)", "body": "Dinah, your posting has worked but this is not a chatroom. People post messages and often go away for periods of time. So do not expect to be able to carry on a chat-type discussion here. But you are very welcome here and we have lots written about BJD on Topic 149 and its predecessors which have been filled up with messages (145, 131 and 80, where it all started many years ago). We also have a Spoiler topic where people who have seen the movie have been discussing it in greater detail. That is Topic 126. Hope to see you joining us regularly. :-)"}, {"response": 66, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (13:03)", "body": "Thank you for telling me... there was a slight misunderstanding there, but now it is quite solved:o) I wonder what CF is doing after the BJD-movie... could anybody tell me?"}, {"response": 67, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (13:09)", "body": "He worked on Conspiracy with Kenneth Branagh, which was shown on the US cable channel HBO in May (and is still showing) and has just finished making The Importance of Being Earnest with Rupert Everett, Judi Dench, Reese Witherspoon and Frances O'Connor. He is now officially *on vacation* You can lot of information by reading the older messages here, which I suggest you do. This is the main Drool page, where you will see all the topics that are full of information. Also, you should check The Bucket site, where all the news on CF's works are kept, organized by project. http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/main.html"}, {"response": 68, "author": "Echo", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (14:42)", "body": "He is now officially *on vacation* Where is this info from? I.e., how official is it? (Just curious.)"}, {"response": 69, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (14:45)", "body": "Am back. Have been very busy mounting my own production of Hamlet (why not, everyone else is). ;-P Thought you'd like to know ODB's still in the lead over at the ET site (38%). RZ and BJD are also still leading their respective categories. Welcome, newbies! (Karen) take a look at these comments from Todd McCarthy in his review of Legally Blonde See Todd gush. See Todd fawn. See Todd gush some more...though I agree, RW's a great actress. Am sure she'll do wonders with Cecily. (Anawedon'tnova) Several performances of The Royal Family have been cancelled due to the film commitments of its lead, Dame Judi Dench. The production is due to open at the Theatre Royal in London's Haymarket in October....Dame Judi will by then be at the tail-end of filming The Importance Of Being Earnest Hmm. Maybe she'll be looping that tricky handbag line. ;-)"}, {"response": 70, "author": "toyce", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (14:48)", "body": "Eileen: Do they mention any dates for The Royal Family? I'll be over then and would love to see a production of it w/Dame Judi in it."}, {"response": 71, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (15:53)", "body": "(Karen)Remember the discussion about the vein in Conspriracy, well, looks like it's his own Thanks for the picture, Karen. Since our Conspiracy discussion of it, I had also noticed it in the restaurant scene at the end of WoF, when Brian is sitting at the table with Valentin (before he goes up to the juke box). And also in FF in the bedroom scene, but in those two places it wasn't the bluish color, it was just visible. \"Despite appearances\" (of it), I like him, just as he is ;-)! (Evelyn) Great pic though..he looks so happy. Renee is congratulating him on son. I agree it is such a sincere and genuine greeting. He really has a great respect for Renee. I noticed it also in the (BJD promo) VH 1 interview, too. He didn't say much in the interview (Huge and Sharon M. did), but when Renee was talking, the camera included him looking at her with great respect and admiration. Evelyn you are so clever to put it all together with the timing of the London premiere, the birth of his baby, and their greeting. I had forgotten. Or maybe you were there and overheard it ;-)?"}, {"response": 72, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (16:16)", "body": "Welcome Ursula and Gabriella and Diane! Too many Hamlets is not a good thing. You'll have all the men wanting to see Angelina and all the women going to see Colin! LOL! Reese knows how to steal a scene, but will he let her? I can't wait to see TIOBE."}, {"response": 73, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (16:47)", "body": "Evelyn you are so clever to put it all together with the timing of the London premiere, the birth of his baby, and their greeting. I had forgotten. Or maybe you were there and overheard it ;-)? LOL. I wish.... I was just returning from the NY Premiere where he was Not! But I do remember the boss telling us that's what he was saying at the post London Premiere party at Mezzo's;-) He is now officially *on vacation* (Echo)Where is this info from? I.e., how official is it? (Just curious.) *Official* like out of his own mouth. He said in a post BJD interview that he was going to take a vacation to be with his family. Do they mention any dates for The Royal Family Check with Albemarle theatre website, you can get your tickets from them too. but I believe it's November. Previews late October."}, {"response": 74, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (17:08)", "body": "just saw the translation of danish... If you have such problems another time... well, I'm a Dane:oD And would be glad to help... If I find any Danish articles I'll translate them and send them to you:o)"}, {"response": 75, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (17:58)", "body": "Welcome to Diane, Ursula, and Gabriella. We're glad to have you on board! (Moon)Reese knows how to steal a scene, but will he let her? I can't wait to see TIOBE. I have noticed that about her so many times (even in the previews for Legally Blonde)and you are so right, the interplay between them will be terrific to watch. He won't likely let her get away with too much though ;-). I think Reese will also draw a whole other audience (male and female) to TIOBE and therefore to Colin (in a handsome and debonaire role, not to mention clever) and this conference center will be buzzing by June next year! Hope new roles will abound as well ;-)."}, {"response": 76, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (18:36)", "body": "(Eileen) Have been very busy mounting my own production of Hamlet (why not, everyone else is). ;-P Pffft! Will it be set in Joisey? ;-) I really think the Jolie-Voight thing is missing an opportunity of a lifetime if they really have to pursue doing Hamlet. Think of it, Angelina would be Gertrude and brother James can play Hamlet. *smooch smooch* ;-) Frankly, I think Angie is a little old to be playing Ophelia. Methinks she would be better suited for a Lady MacBeth or a gentleman of Verona. ;-) (Echo)Where is this info from? I.e., how official is it? (Just curious.) (Evelyn) *Official* like out of his own mouth. He said in a post BJD interview that he was going to take a vacation to be with his family. Not to mention that personal email that I sent around... (Lora) and this conference center will be buzzing by June next year! What do you mean \"will\" be buzzing? ;-) This place gets lots and lots of visitors but most lurk."}, {"response": 77, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (18:51)", "body": "(Karen) Will it be set in Joisey Nope. They wouldn't let me set it there 'cause they don't like the way Danes are being represented. ;-) Actually, am having a hard time keeping up with the competition. Will be tough to outdo that production Bethan mentioned. Not to mention that personal email that I sent around... You mean CF's completed vacation request form, right? ;-D"}, {"response": 78, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (19:19)", "body": "This place gets lots and lots of visitors but most lurk. Been a while since we had any stats from Terry. How many hits/day since Bridge? And how many for The Bucket? For a while there you were off the chart! \"Just curious\";-)"}, {"response": 79, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (19:22)", "body": "(Eileen) You mean CF's completed vacation request form, right? ;-D Exactly, it was completed, sent in, received all the proper approvals and put in his personnel folder right behind the doctor's note supporting FMLA request."}, {"response": 80, "author": "Echo", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (19:24)", "body": "(Evelyn) *Official* like out of his own mouth. He said in a post BJD interview that he was going to take a vacation Yes, but has anyone thought of asking him again the following day? He usually has a different answer then... ;-)"}, {"response": 81, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (19:32)", "body": "(Evelyn) *Official* like out of his own mouth. He said in a post BJD interview that he was going to take a vacation (Echo)Yes, but has anyone thought of asking him again the following day? He usually has a different answer then... ;-) LOL. Poor guy. He's got so many dependents now on different continents to consider.So many people to please....including *us*:-)"}, {"response": 82, "author": "Echo", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (23:51)", "body": "So many people to please....including *us*:-) Ooooh, and I'm extremely hard to please... ;-)"}, {"response": 83, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jul 10, 2001 (01:14)", "body": "(Karen)What do you mean \"will\" be buzzing? ;-) This place gets lots and lots of visitors but most lurk. Sorry, Karen, I should have said \"will be buzzing *even more*!\" He'll be so good as Jack that he's bound to get more to join in and to delurk! Just like after BJD!"}, {"response": 84, "author": "JenniferR", "date": "Tue, Jul 10, 2001 (11:57)", "body": "Right--first order of business is dropping the superfluous \"-Jen\" that I've been using. It's been making me feel like the missing Mouseketeer. Can I just change names like that, Karen? Second (and most important)--Nick Hornby will be live online with the Washington Post today at 1:30 EDT. I swear this is not OT, as we can shower Mr. Hornby with questions about working with ODB, both in a film and as an author. Here's the link: http://discuss.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/zforum/01/author_hornby071101.htm Am off to draft a question for Mr. Hornby...submit early and often!"}, {"response": 85, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Tue, Jul 10, 2001 (15:41)", "body": "Nick Hornby is also being interviewed on Fresh Air today. (NPR)"}, {"response": 86, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Tue, Jul 10, 2001 (18:11)", "body": ""}, {"response": 87, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 10, 2001 (18:20)", "body": "To minimize the duplication, I've moved LauraT's comments about NH (even though they mention CF) to O&E."}, {"response": 88, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Tue, Jul 10, 2001 (18:21)", "body": "(Or he could be the offbeat English friend who thinks baseball is stupid and prefers soccer.) actually I can better relate to that :D"}, {"response": 89, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Tue, Jul 10, 2001 (19:29)", "body": "(Karen)Angelina Jolie is reported to be planning to appear in London's West End. The Tomb Raider star is considering playing Ophelia in a stage production of Hamlet, to be directed by her brother James Voight. Egads! And I was just going to ask if any Ophelia's have been suggested for CF's Hamlet. And if Hamlet is 40ish, how old does that make Ophelia? Let's just put AJ in CF's play and imagine the publicity that would get, minus some credibility ;-) And while I'm here, I've found a perfect work opportunity for CF! I'm, of course, referring to the Harry Potter movies. Apparently they'll be filming the sequel very soon and the casting so far has been quite perfect. And if I had a 10 year old son, I'd love to do a film that he'd love to see. So who should he play? Snape would've been fun but Alan Rickman has that. I'm thinking Professor Lupin, or Sirius Black. Plenty of sequels to be in, as well! Anyone else hereabouts read the series?"}, {"response": 90, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Tue, Jul 10, 2001 (19:35)", "body": "(Anyone else hereabouts read the series?) Am about to begin, because my little sister collects the books:)"}, {"response": 91, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jul 10, 2001 (20:21)", "body": "Am I the only one who likes Angelina Jolie? I think she's a fantastic actress."}, {"response": 92, "author": "rachael", "date": "Tue, Jul 10, 2001 (20:31)", "body": "Having read all the Harry Potter books, and consulted my 12 yr old, who is an expert, we think Sirius Black is a good idea, as he's quite heroic, and only in books 3 and 4, or Lupin, in book 3, who is meant to be very handsome (she says); her other suggestion is Mr Weasley who is in books 2 3 and 4, father of Harry's mate Ron, has red hair and is an all-round good guy (very clever, works in the Ministry of Magic)!"}, {"response": 93, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jul 10, 2001 (20:52)", "body": "Having read all the Harry Potter books, and consulted my 12 yr old, who is an expert, we think Sirius Black is a good idea, as he's quite heroic, and only in books 3 and 4 There was an item on the radio a few weeks ago and Hugh Grant was said to be up for consideration as Lupin and CF as Sirius. Haven't actually read this anywhere though. CF would make an excellent Sirius...he initially seems to be the bad guy but he turns out to be Harry's protector and godfather."}, {"response": 94, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Tue, Jul 10, 2001 (22:31)", "body": "(Bethan)There was an item on the radio a few weeks ago and Hugh Grant was said to be up for consideration as Lupin and CF as Sirius. I love that you've heard this! I'm not sure if I care for HG as Lupin, but I'm happy to hear that someone else is thinking of CF. And I'd imagine that Rowling wouldn't object since she seems to be a sensible girl. Want to bet that she's seen P&P2 once or twice? I don't know if she has a say in casting but she has been working with the production. Rachael mentioned CF would be a good Lupin as well, and I'd agree. And Lupin will be returning to the series in the next book. CF as Mr. Weasley would be hilarious, as he has some of the funniest lines while being a wonderful, eccentric father. Reminds me a bit of MLSF, without the lusting! But Black has the most to do in the long run, I think, so I'll vote for him. Do you think CF would commit to so many sequels?"}, {"response": 95, "author": "rachael", "date": "Tue, Jul 10, 2001 (22:49)", "body": "my original thought was Sirius, mainly for the reasons bethan said, but Mr Weasley was 12yo's idea and I think, a great one; I told her to think who Colin could play (she knows who he is!) and she said the problem with him playing Sirius is that at first he has to be ugly *ROFL* I think the commitment thing would be a major problem (being serious for a nno-second) Bryonny's comment about Mr Weasley being a really funny role reminds me of something I was thinking about on the drive home - I think Colin has really good comic timing and would love to see him in something really funny - I always saw Wessex as a comic figure as much as the bad guy, and his line that makes me laugh out loud is when he meets Lady Viola on her way to church, and asks her to go riding, she declines because it isn't her riding day, and he says \"bless me, I thought it was a horse\". Cracks me up every time!! Also in Relative Values, although I didn't particularly like the campness, I thought the timing and phrasing of some of the lines and gestures was spot on - I love the last scene where Colin and Julie Andrews lean over, perfectly synchronised, to watch Nigel go up the steps. any suggestions?"}, {"response": 96, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Tue, Jul 10, 2001 (23:20)", "body": "Rachael's daughter has a point about Sirius's looks, but that's only because he's been in prison for a long time, the poor dear. We're supposed to be afraid of him at first but I imagine he's darkly handsome once he cleans up and gets some food in him. Another chance for Colin to dye his hair black again ;-) The more I watch RV, the more I laugh (of course, I only taped the relevant parts). The whole \"Here's looking at you\" dialogue has me on the floor. If only the Baldwin would stop shadowing the star of the movie! And I love the girl guides. Anyone know exactly what CF says to the girls while they're having their photo taken? I can't figure out the last sentence."}, {"response": 97, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Jul 11, 2001 (04:21)", "body": "any suggestions? I thought that he showe a flair for comedy in Fever Pitch. I loved the goofy look he got on his face when she told him he couldn't smoke but he could stay the night if he wanted to."}, {"response": 98, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jul 11, 2001 (16:19)", "body": "I love that you've heard this! I'm not sure if I care for HG as Lupin, but I'm happy to hear that someone else is thinking of CF. And I'd imagine that Rowling wouldn't object since she seems to be a sensible girl. Actually I got the wrong L... - it was Hughie for Lockhart (the vain \"matinee idol\" type in Book 2! Joanne Rowling may well know CF. She's a good buddy of Nick Hornby - in an newspaper interview for \"Speaking with the Angel\" he mentioned her as a friend who made a very generous donation, and he also thanks her in the Acknowledgements in the book. I think the commitment thing would be a major problem (being serious for a nno-second) I think Sirius is a pivotal role but there's not really much screentime - a very significant cameo! Definitely a child-friendly project though. But I've only heard this on the radio -it's probably just conjecture."}, {"response": 99, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 11, 2001 (18:26)", "body": "*What* does Harry Potter have to do with Colin. Can I talk about Moses now?"}, {"response": 100, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jul 11, 2001 (18:56)", "body": "Ahh, there's nothing like summer, the season when speculation runs rampant... 1. Is CF on vacation? 2. What will his next project be? MoB? Harry Potter? Moses? 3. Will Moon see him in Umbria? 4. How much hair is left in back of his head? Don't know about you, but that last one keeps me up at night. ;-P"}, {"response": 101, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Wed, Jul 11, 2001 (20:00)", "body": "(Eileen)Ahh, there's nothing like summer, the season when speculation runs rampant... And being a newbie in love, I'm speculating all over the place :-) Can't pick up a book without casting CF in some role!"}, {"response": 102, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jul 11, 2001 (20:47)", "body": "3. Will Moon see him in Umbria? LOL, Eileen! How about, Will he come to Lake Como? I read that Brad, Jennifer, and George Clooney were just there. It's time he comes to Northern Italy."}, {"response": 103, "author": "rachael", "date": "Wed, Jul 11, 2001 (22:44)", "body": "I phoned Riverside for tickets for Hamlet today, and the girl on the phone said they're not on sale until 1st August - they were on sale a while ago but then suspended, she said, but I didn't get a chance to ask why cos I was interupted."}, {"response": 104, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (02:00)", "body": "Mariel Hemingway just said that Londinium will be on HBO on Sept 2nd! (they will be showing TSM and L back to back)"}, {"response": 105, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (02:01)", "body": "(Eileen) How much hair is left in back of his head? Gah! I try very hard to NOT think about that one."}, {"response": 106, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (02:35)", "body": "Karen, where did Mariel say this? An HBO promo in between shows? Great to finally have a date! I think I'll tune in for only the second half of the Binder-a-thon. Speaking of \"thons,\" is that Labor Day weekend? Poor Jerry's Kids don't stand a chance.;-)"}, {"response": 107, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (03:33)", "body": "Yup, is Sunday before Labor Day. Mariel was on Larry King Live and they showed a clip. Am going to tape at next repeat in a half an hour. Don't know if I can take another hour of her talking about her sister, grandfather, suicides, etc."}, {"response": 108, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (03:58)", "body": "An emailed HOT TIP!! There's a program on MTV called Diary, which is showing a day in the life of Reese Witherspoon. Well, the day filmed is during the shooting of TIOBE and Colin can be glimpsed. The program will be shown again over the next few days: Thursday at 6:30 pm, Friday at 2 pm, Saturday at 9:30 a.m. and Sunday at 1 pm (all times Eastern)"}, {"response": 109, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (13:04)", "body": "There is at least one Emmy nomination for Conspiracy. I saw on E! the category on the screen for Best Actor Miniseries, etc. and Conspiracy was there. No name, but is probably KB"}, {"response": 110, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (13:34)", "body": "(Karen) Londinium will be on HBO on Sept 2nd! On a Sunday?? Huh. is Sunday before Labor Day That explains it. Wonder if SitC and 6Ft's new episodes will be over by then--otherwise the great Binder marathon will occur during the day and exactly 5 non-Firth fans (those 5 being Binder's family ;-)) will take the time to watch. Conspiracy was there. No name, but is probably KB Grrr. Suppose it would be wishful thinking to have CF nommed over Kenny. Good lord, I hope it's not Stanley! (Kate) I try very hard to NOT think about that one. A little north-of-the-Pulaski-Skyway humor, sweetie. ;-)"}, {"response": 111, "author": "JenniferR", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (13:45)", "body": "Colin's been nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Miniseries!!!!! Whoo hoo!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 112, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (13:50)", "body": "wheee!!!:oD"}, {"response": 113, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (13:52)", "body": "Cinematography, editing and direction nominations. Finally have scrolled to Supp Actor category and Tucci was also nommed, along with Alan Alda and Ian Holm."}, {"response": 114, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (13:55)", "body": "Plus Best Made for TV movie!! with the Arturo Sandoval Story, Neil Simon's Laughter on the 23rd Floor, Wit, 61*"}, {"response": 115, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (13:56)", "body": "(Jen)Colin's been nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Miniseries Wishful thinking indeed! *jumping around room, getting funny looks from dog* Tucci was also nommed Fix! Fix! I thought he was OK (as opposed to those of you who didn't care for his performance at all) but it was hardly Emmy-worthy."}, {"response": 116, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (13:57)", "body": "But for Colin's nom!!!"}, {"response": 117, "author": "JenniferR", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (13:57)", "body": "Ten nominations, total! Am thrilled!!! Alas, no one at work understands my excited yelping and whooping."}, {"response": 118, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (14:01)", "body": "This is soooooooo exciting. He'll have to be there for the show in September. Won't be much publicity here for this category, but still is incredible!! I'd say the British press will turn this into front page material though."}, {"response": 119, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (14:06)", "body": "Oh my God!!! T'is true!!!! That new performance of his paid off! Congratulations, Colin! Winter, you must start planning to attend."}, {"response": 120, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (14:06)", "body": "(E! piece on noms) Overall, HBO topped the network scorecard with 94 nominations Aha! Is as it should be. Noms are noms, though--let's see how the voting goes. (Jen) no one at work understands my excited yelping and whooping. Take a quick drive up CT to GA and we can yell and whoop together! Wheeee! (Karen) He'll have to be there for the show in September. *fingers and toes are already crossed*"}, {"response": 121, "author": "JenniferR", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (14:11)", "body": "Eileen, was that *you* shooting off those fireworks over the city a few minutes ago? May have to organize an Emmy-watching party--diversions can include: Where's Colin? Why didn't they interview Colin on the Red Carpet? Where's Winter? etc. Office-mate is still giving me strange glances...how can she *not* be excited???"}, {"response": 122, "author": "Echo", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (14:27)", "body": "I'd say the British press will turn this into front page material though. Keep your fingers crossed."}, {"response": 123, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (14:48)", "body": "Oooh, I knew he could not be so talented for nothing! I'm thinking Colin on the red carpet, I'm thinking Colin and Livia in Armani, I'm thinking Colin being interviewed on live worldwide TV. How many different \"red carpet\" shows are there? Must plan ahead--do I have enough TV/VCRs in the familiy to catch them all???????"}, {"response": 124, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (14:50)", "body": "Our resident Hottie is on a roll!! Thrilling!"}, {"response": 125, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (14:55)", "body": "(Kate F) I'm thinking Colin on the red carpet, I'm thinking Colin and Livia in Armani, I'm thinking Colin being interviewed on live worldwide TV. How many different \"red carpet\" shows are there? Must plan ahead--do I have enough TV/VCRs in the familiy to catch them all??????? *lol* one must use all means in the struggle for a glimpse of Colin...WE WANT HIM IN THE SPOTLIGHT!!!;oD"}, {"response": 126, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (14:55)", "body": "*So happy I could spit!* YIPPPEEE! Well done, Colin, and well deserved! Wheeee! The way they have the noms listed on the Emmy site is a bit confusing--so Colin has more competition than we thought; Brian Cox was also nommed for Nuremberg (and he was awesome--*and* used a German accent;-) plus Victor Garber for Life With Judy Garland. Here's how the category reads: Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Miniseries or Movie: Club Land--Showtime Alan Alda as Willie Walters Conspiracy--HBO--An HBO Films Production Colin Firth as Stuckart Conspiracy--HBO--An HBO Films Production Stanley Tucci as Eichmann The Last of the Blonde Bombshells--HBO--Working Title in association with HBO Films Sir Ian Holm as Patrick Life With Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows--ABC Victor Garber as Sid Luft Nuremberg--TNT Brian Cox as Hermann Wilhelm Goering"}, {"response": 127, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (16:53)", "body": "Congrats, ladies. I doubt that the news will make the UK front pages - the Emmys are not taken very seriously (by the Press) here. If Tucci was as bad as everyone says, he's the best co-nominee possible, as one of the competition is already virtually eliminated. I saw \"Last of the Blonde Bombshells\" and I an Holm was acted off the screen by Judi Dench. So that's two down, three to go."}, {"response": 128, "author": "Becka", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (18:22)", "body": "And Colin is still leading by 36% at the Hollywood Movie of the Year Awards!!!Although we have to make sure that Ewan and his clan don't get too close to us! Get your friends, enemies and co-workers to vote! Colin is HOT! HOT! HOT!"}, {"response": 129, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (19:04)", "body": "(MarkG)I saw \"Last of the Blonde Bombshells\" and Ian Holm was acted off the screen by Judi Dench. Hmm, Ian Holm is a pretty good scene-stealer himself. I was worried about him as competition. Dame Judi can act anybody off the screen. OK, ALMOST anybody. Still, it's a good thing she won't be in all of Colin's scenes in TOIBE!!"}, {"response": 130, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (19:20)", "body": "I didn't see Alda's or Holm's performances so can't judge. I did like Tucci's performance, but wouldn't rank it with Colin's. Cox, as I said , was superb. It's unfortunate that both CF and ST were nommed in the same category as that generally means they'll cancel each other out. But, hell, this is a day to celebrate, and it *is* an honor to be nominated! Conspiracy got the following 10 nominations: Outstanding Made For Televison Movie Lead Actor--Kenneth Branagh Supporting Actor--Colin Firth, Stanley Tucci Direction--Frank Pierson Writing--Loring Mandel Cinematography--Stephen Goldblatt Camera Editing--Peter Zinner Sound Editing Sound Mixing"}, {"response": 131, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (19:26)", "body": "Here's the AP's list of the nominees in the major categories; supporting actor/movie is second from the bottom. http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/20010712/en/emmys_short_list_3.html"}, {"response": 132, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (20:50)", "body": "Now, aren't we glad he didn't do Armadillo? ;-)"}, {"response": 133, "author": "MysteryMan", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (21:01)", "body": "You are very funny, Karen! Armadillo was *small beer*"}, {"response": 134, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (21:17)", "body": "Sorry, but Armadillo would have been great, Karen. Has the filming wrapped? He could have done it and it would have been a starring role instead of a supporting role."}, {"response": 135, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (21:19)", "body": "I might add that Colin has finally got himself one great US publicist. At last!!!"}, {"response": 136, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (21:21)", "body": "Moon, if he had done Armadillo (which no one in the US would've seen), he wouldn't have been able to do Conspiracy for a major television station that everyone watches! Get it?? ;-)"}, {"response": 137, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (21:26)", "body": "I knew what you meant, Karen. I asked if Armadillo had wrapped, is it being filmed at all? He might have been able to do both. Get it? ;-)"}, {"response": 138, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (22:06)", "body": "My handicapping of the category: Club Land--Showtime: Alan Alda as Willie Walters A snowball would have a better chance. Did anyone see or even hear of this movie? Conspiracy--HBO--An HBO Films Production:Colin Firth as Stuckart He's \"very well-known,\" taller than anybody else in production, stood up to Jabba and was most memorable character. Also looks lovely in tux. Conspiracy--HBO--An HBO Films Production: Stanley Tucci as Eichmann Has won before. Move on... The Last of the Blonde Bombshells--HBO--Working Title: Sir Ian Holm as Patrick Was shown so long ago. Besides, will give award to Judi; therefore, can't have too many old people on stage. Big turnoff to viewer audience when winners are all old enough to be grandparents. Life With Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows--ABC: Victor Garber as Sid Luft Was excellent performance. Very credible competition. Nuremberg--TNT: Brian Cox as Hermann Wilhelm Goering Another fantastic performance, but was shown quite a while ago. Emmy voters may prefer to give award to shorter and more recent Nazi film. (Mark) I doubt that the news will make the UK front pages - the Emmys are not taken very seriously (by the Press) here. Anytime a Brit gets anything in the US, it seems to be magnified beyond belief. That being said, so far, all I can find is the BBC online news with a report, highlighting the Brits nommed in the Best Actor categories (not supporting). Am now operating on theory that press is scouring the hills of Italy looking for Colin in order to get a quote for tomorrow's papers. ;-) [can't possible admit that Mark just may be right] Armadillo was being shot at the same time. So he couldn't do both."}, {"response": 139, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (22:20)", "body": "Looks like Britannia will rule the drama Emmy's:-) KB, Emma Thompson, Colin or Brian Cox (big competition!),Brenda Blethyn."}, {"response": 140, "author": "caribou", "date": "Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (23:22)", "body": "Just when I think it might be safe to go on vacation, its time to celebrate! Yessss! Colin's da bomb! Oh, yeah! Oh, yeah!"}, {"response": 141, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (00:15)", "body": "(Karen)Also looks lovely in tux. Anticipating a red-carpet moment?!?!? So it looks like it's down to one of three really in the running. Garber was excellent, but a celeb bio may not be considered \"serious\" enough, especially up against two very serious movies. \"Conspiracy\" is a unique movie (Nurenberg has been done before, after all). Maybe the strength of the production will haunt voters and make them think of Colin just that extra bit. (Karen)Am now operating on theory that press is scouring the hills of Italy looking for Colin in order to get a quote for tomorrow's papers. Poor reporters. He may be hard to catch. Don't forget that Livia drives like a Bond girl. ;-)"}, {"response": 142, "author": "Echo", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (00:17)", "body": "(MysteryMan) Armadillo was *small beer* Why do I get this funny feeling here... Who do you think MM wants us to imagine he really is? Tease...? ;-)"}, {"response": 143, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (01:32)", "body": "(Kate) Garber was excellent, but a celeb bio may not be considered \"serious\" enough Then you didn't see \"Me and My Shadows.\" It was incredible and Judy Davis has got to be Emma's strongest competition. Garber played Sid Luft; it was a strong role and bound to have ties to Academy voters. (Kate) Poor reporters. He may be hard to catch. Don't forget that Livia drives like a Bond girl. ;-) Especially as she's probably off to look for a dress for the awards show. ;-)"}, {"response": 144, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (02:02)", "body": "I had forgotten about Garber in my earlier post; he is very strong competition indeed. And that show got tons of noms, even more than Conspiracy. It's a strong field, as are all the film acting categories. Bad for the nominees, but good for the viewers.:-) Whatever, I feel very proud of Colin--this is well-deserved, a wonderful performance of great, substantive material *and* the Emmys are very prestigious. I'd bet he is delighted to be recognized for his dramatic chops and for something other than a Darcy. Karen, thanks for the tip on Reese's MTV Diary show and TIOBE. Colin looks adorable! Very very nice, beautifully outfitted in varying soft beige shades. Lovely hair. And no \"gap\" that I could see.;-) Nice that Reese mentioned Colin specifically. Did you hear Judi's bellowing of \"WHERE IS THAT BABY???\" I was hoping for \"A HANDBAG,\" but you can't always get what you want.;-) Seems like they were having a good time on the set; did you notice that little dip (*very* Peter in RV;-) he does while they're all yucking it up?"}, {"response": 145, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (02:16)", "body": "I'd bet he is delighted to be recognized for his dramatic chops and for something other than a Darcy. I bet he's thrilled...all actors like to be acknowledged. Remember how incensed we all were when he was passed over for SIL Oscar noms...everyone except Colin and the dog got nominated that time. I remember he even mentioned that at the Berlin press conference... he was representing the unnominated contingent or words to that effect. Speaking of Darcy...except for Hornblower,I didn't see a costume period drama in the bunch."}, {"response": 146, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (02:24)", "body": "Oh, I *knew* this day had been going too well. Newsflash from Mickie: Anne Rosen can't get on line so she has called me on the phone to send this message to you all ASAP. She just got back from a book signing of Nick Hornby in Wash D.C. She asked him what Colin was up to and he mentioned a few things and Anne said of course he is doing Hamlet and he said no it's been CANCELLED!! Anne asked why and he said too many other Hamlets showing at the same time -Sam West's and Simon Russell Beales. Anne will add all other info when she can get on line tomorrow."}, {"response": 147, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (02:32)", "body": ""}, {"response": 148, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (02:36)", "body": "and he said no it's been CANCELLED!! That better be an example of his form of humor. :( (Mari) the Emmys are very prestigious. Absolutely, the coverage for this is probably 100x that of the Tonys. Weren't those shots from TIOBE fun! You really have to slo-mo the whole thing. Is so much better. Then that dippy move at the end. Looks like a rooster-y walk a friend of mine used to do to look silly."}, {"response": 149, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (03:01)", "body": "(Mari) Did you hear Judi's bellowing of \"WHERE IS THAT BABY???\" I heard her say \"PRISM, WHERE IS THAT BABY???\" Yes, not quite a HANDBAG moment, but we'll take whatever we can get of such great material."}, {"response": 150, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (08:51)", "body": "From Page 6 of the Daily Mail by Nadia Cohen British teenager takes on big names of US TV in Emmy awards A British teenager has been nominated for one of America\ufffds top television awards for her moving portrayal of Anne Frank. Hannah Taylor Gordon, 14, is one of five nominees for best actress in a mini-series or a film category in the annual Emmy awards\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd... \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd..Colin Firth, Sir Ian Holm and Brian Cox are all up for best supporting actor\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd"}, {"response": 151, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (09:10)", "body": "Hamlet cancelled - confirmed :-("}, {"response": 152, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (09:30)", "body": "and he said no it's been CANCELLED!! That better be an example of his form of humor. :( Could be Nick's dry humour...or, possibly things are really, finally happening for CF and he just can't afford to block out offers (which may not be repeated)by being unavailable for several months. I thought that in the interviews CF gave just before starting filming BJD, he sounded rather \"down\" about his career... \"haunting the margins\" etc. And he'd had some (undeservedly) bad reviews for MLSF and SLOW. Perhaps at the time the theatre seemed the only way of *proving* that he was a good actor, not a wetshirt. Now, things really seem to be \"on the up\". The Emmy nomination is great news..and BJD's success is incredible, especially in the UK (NH, SIL can't compare). And I think it's always possible to do good roles in the theatre (although maybe there's an age limit for Hamlet). But maybe Nick *was* joking!"}, {"response": 153, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (10:05)", "body": "(Karen) That better be an example of his form of humor. :( I'm afraid not. Definitely cancelled. Riverside had confirmation yesterday. Box Office chap read me the statement he had from Colin but was too fast and too long for me to write it down. The gist is that it clashes with filming commitments. Riverside will be writing to everyone who booked by credit card today."}, {"response": 154, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (10:17)", "body": "This is the reply to an e-mail I sent. Thank you for the e-mail. Unfortunately due to circumstance beyond our control the production of Hamlet has been cancelled due to Colin Firth's work commitments. This was a decision taken by Concentric Circles and not Riverside Studios. If you have purchased tickets we will be contacting you over the next couple of weeks to arrange a full refund. As you may appreciate we have a lot of people who booked with us in advance so this may take some time. If you have any queries concerning yor refund please contact the Box Office Manager on 020 8237 1027. May I take this opportunity to aplogise on behalf of Riverside Studios for any inconveinience caused. With Regards, Louise Rose Reception"}, {"response": 155, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (10:40)", "body": "If you've already seen this, just ignore completely. And apologies if it's already posted. Some interesting points.. Production and Post on HBO's 'Conspiracy' By Bob Fisher May 23 2001 04:44:00:000PM How do you tell a story about the most horrific crime of the century, and maybe of the ages? What do you do to grab and hold the attention of the audience and leave them with a memorable impression? How do you do justice to that story within the confines of a television screen? Those questions must have been rolling through Stephen Goldblatt's ASC, BSC mind when he was asked to shoot \"Conspiracy.\" \"Conspiracy\" is a Home Box Office (HBO) special (now airing check HBO schedule) that zeroes in on a meeting held on January 20, 1942, when 15 Nazi bureaucrats gathered at an ornate mansion in Wannsee on the outskirts of Berlin. They were there to plan the Holocaust. Those at the meeting included Reinhard Heydrich (Kenneth Branagh), SS major Adolf Eichmann (Stanley Tucci), Friedrich Kritzinger (David Threlfall) and Dr. Wilhelm Stuckart (Colin Firth). They arrived in limousines and were greeted by butlers and aides who served a sumptuous buffet and attended to their needs. The bureaucrats sat around a conference table where they discussed and argued about the details of the \"final solution\" to Germany's Jewish \"problem.\" The exercise resulted in horrific executions of some six million men, women and children. You couldn't make this up. The film is faithful to the meticulous minutes of the Wannsee Protocol preserved in the archives of the German Foreign Office. \"Conspiracy\" was directed by Frank Pierson, who won an Oscar for his \"Dog Day Afternoon\" screenplay, as well as nominations for scripting \"Cool Hand Luke\" and \"Cat Ballou.\" He has directed such memorable features as \"A Star is Born\" and many telefilms, including HBO's \"Citizen Cohn\" and \"Truman,\" which earned an Emmy for the director. Pierson shared executive producer credits with Peter Zinner (\"The Winds of Wars,\" \"War and Remembrance\" and \"The Enemy Within\") and Frank Doelger, who won Emmys for \"A Child Betrayed: The Calvin Mire Story\" and \"Dead Drunk.\" They chose Goldblatt to photograph the story. At the beginning of his career, Goldblatt was a news and rock 'n roll photographer in London. He subsequently segued into shooting documentaries, commercials and ultimately narrative films. Goldblatt's distinguished body of work includes Oscar nominations for \"Batman Forever\" and \"The Prince of Tides.\" His other notable credits include \"The Cotton Club,\" \"The Hunger,\" \"Young Sherlock Holmes,\" \"Lethal Weapon\" and \"The Pelican Brief.\" The cinematographer considered the possibility of shooting in digital HD format, but the cameras were too big and cumbersome and he didn't want to be tethered to cables. Neither did he wish to abandon the look of film. HBO was planning to release \"Conspiracy\" in HD and standard video formats, but also as a 35mm film that would premiere at the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. \"We'd have to convert the video to film anyhow, so I didn't even see a cost advantage,\" Goldblatt says. \"If you make a film like this, you don't want to compromise.\" Goldblatt ASC, BSC (photo by Douglas Kirkland) Goldblatt had only three weeks to prepare and 23 days to shoot a 120-page script. He envisioned recording the story almost like a theatrical play and structuring the shooting schedule with as much continuity as possible. Goldblatt had shot \"a million feet\" of 16mm and Super 16 film during his days as a documentary cameraman. \"I wanted to bring that feeling to 'Conspiracy.' I did not want the film to have a Hollywood gloss,\" he explains. He planned to shoot 10 to 12 pages at a time with the camera providing a subjective perspective. Goldblatt recalls that his concept was music to Pierson and the actors' ears. He shot with two handheld Aaton cameras with 35mm Zeiss prime lenses. The Super 16 format allowed him to expose 10 minutes of film with each camera without stopping to change magazines and that in itself only took a few seconds. He shot some make-up and costume tests and also checked the lenses for color matching and the bodies for steadiness. Goldblatt explains that there's no room for error with 16mm and Super 16 film. \"We had a fright when a lab in Denmark reported steadiness and sharpness problems,\" he says. \"It gave me sleepless nights until we found the problem was with the gate in the (Philips) Spirit (DataCine). My experience is that the thing you don't check because you're lazy or exhausted is the thing that goes wrong. I can't allow myself to take shortcuts.\" The main set was built at Shepperton Studios near London. There are big windows in the meeting room set that motivates natural daylight. The exterior is a painted backdrop. Goldblatt used part of his prep time shooting tests to see how far the backdrop should be from the window for a natural look. \"We shot the interior at T2.8 and the backing between 4.0 and 5.6,\" he says. \"We h"}, {"response": 156, "author": "rachael", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (11:12)", "body": "Hamlet cancelled - obviously that's why the girl told me ticket sales were suspended when I called on Wednesday *sigh*"}, {"response": 157, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (11:23)", "body": "If there is a bright side to Hamlet being cancelled, it must mean there ARE film commitments. This will mean more opportunity to see CF on screen. Especially nice for those of us who don't get out much ;-)"}, {"response": 158, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (11:32)", "body": "It's disappointing, but he can *always* work in British theatre, at any time of his choosing, and probably in any lead role (and maybe \"cancelled\" is \"postponed\"). Those opportunities don't disappear. It would be more disappointing, I think, to read that he had been offered a terrific Oscar-potential screen leading role, and turned it down. I'm just hoping that the phone is finally buzzing for him (\"Hi, Spielberg here\"!) Anyway, here's hoping those \"work commitments\" mean that something very good is in the offing (Crowe says no to Henry) :-)"}, {"response": 159, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (13:10)", "body": "Hamlet cancelled - confirmed :-("}, {"response": 160, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (13:29)", "body": "Riverside had confirmation yesterday. And Nick, who has been in the US for days, knew all about it. This was sent to another lady, who gave me permission to post it here: Dear Ms X, I am very sorry to confirm that the production of Hamlet with Colin Firth in Feb/Mar 2002 has been cancelled. Please find enclosed the official cancellation letter, which you will receive shortly through the post. Yours sincerely, Christine Eriksen Assistant Box Office Manager HAMLET - RIVERSIDE STUDIOS - SPRING 2002 We are very sorry to inform you that the production of HAMLET at Riverside Studios has been cancelled due to a change in the film commitments of Colin Firth. This disappointing development is wholly beyond the control of both Riverside Studios and the company presenting the project, Concentric Circles. \"My worst fears were fulfilled when my filming schedule for early next year changed meaning that I would have to withdraw from Concentric Circles production of HAMLET. We are now exploring other possibilities of working together in the future.\" Colin Firth At present there is no definite plan to revive the project so we feel that the simplest course of action is, to refund your tickets. The amount that you paid will be refunded directly to your credit card over the next couple of months and we will write to you again with confirmation of the refund. We apologise for any inconvenience and the undoubted disappointment that this cancellation may have caused. Concentric Circles will now present its planned production of PHEDRE with Sheila Gish during Spring 2002. Yours sincerely William Burdett-Coutts Artistic Director Riverside Studios"}, {"response": 161, "author": "JenniferR", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (13:33)", "body": "Wow, talk about wide-ranging emotions. Was elated yesterday, am crushed today. I guess there's some kind of cosmic balance, but it's still a cruel way to start my Friday. Must break the news to my recently converted friend..."}, {"response": 162, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (13:38)", "body": "Just to rub it in ;-). Sorry for the double posting. I thought the repost on \"refresh\" was a Netscape feature but obviously isn't."}, {"response": 163, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (14:10)", "body": "From The Independent: Teenager takes on Hollywood greats at Emmys A TEENAGER will go head to head with Emma Thompson and Dame Judi Dench for one of the year's most prestigious acting awards. Hannah Taylor Gordon, 14, from London, was last night nominated for an Emmy award for her leading role in the American mini-series Anne Frank, in which she played the Jewish girl forced into hiding with her family by the Nazis.... Anne Frank, a two-part drama, which has not been shown in Britain, drew critical acclaim in the US when it was screened earlier this year and Hannah Taylor Gordon was praised for her performance. Emma Thompson was nominated for her part in mini-series Wit, while Dame Judi received the nomination for her part in Last of the Blonde Bombshells. The mini-series category was dominated by British actors, with Kenneth Branagh and Gandhi star Ben Kingsley in contention for the best actor awards and Colin Firth, Brian Cox and Sir Ian Holm all nominated in the best supporting actor section. Kingsley's nomination is for his role as Otto Frank, Anne's father, in the drama, while Branagh was honoured for playing the lead part in mini-series Conspiracy. The British 18th-century naval drama Hornblower, which stars Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd, received a series of nominations, including best mini-series, art direction, costume, make-up and special effects. Veteran stage actor Sir Derek Jacobi was nominated for best guest appearance in a comedy for a part in Frasier when he played a washed-up Shakespearian actor in the hit American sitcom. The BBC's Walking With Dinosaurs is almost certain to win one Emmy at the awards ceremony in Los Angeles on 16 September, as it is the only nominee for outstanding animation lasting more than one hour. [Then, four sentences about The Sopranos] ;-)"}, {"response": 164, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (14:14)", "body": "(Evelyn) Remember how incensed we all were when he was passed over for SIL Oscar noms Ah...we were? I don't remember that, but I do recall grumbling [read: bitching and moaning] quite a bit when CF was passed over for his 3DOR work at BAFTA time. Ooh, so disappointing to read the unfortunate Hamlet news. I wasn't planning to see it but I know how so many of you were looking forward to it. *But* IMO Nick hit the nail on the head. Here a Hamlet, there a Hamlet, everywhere a Hamlet Hamlet... (Meredith) If there is a bright side to Hamlet being cancelled, it must mean there ARE film commitments. Yes, we must focus on this. Since Riverside sold so many advance tickets (Rachael, selling had been suspended for months before you called), production clearly wasn't cancelled due to lack of sales as a side effect of Hamlet market saturation. I'd love to know what he's got going that's been 'schedule changed.' Yew hew, Mari! Time to call his wonderful agent! (Wanna bet he says 'nothing is confirmed at this time'?) :-/"}, {"response": 165, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (14:26)", "body": "You know, maybe this means that Colin is working on a sequel to BJD next year???"}, {"response": 166, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (14:29)", "body": "Riverside had confirmation yesterday. And Nick, who has been in the US for days, knew all about it. *But* IMO Nick hit the nail on the head. Here a Hamlet, there a Hamlet, everywhere a Hamlet Hamlet... I agree! Colin knew he was coming in on the heels of \"the greatest Hamlet\" Beale recently. Why change his mind now, Angelina Jolie? ;-) Will someone please call his Agent and get info. on the \"film commitment\"? It sounds like an excuse to me. But I will happily be contradicted. I'm leaving for Italy tomorrow and wish everyone a happy summer. Buone vacanze a tutti! I will as always keep my eyes out for ODB. :-D"}, {"response": 167, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (14:41)", "body": "(Moon) Colin knew he was coming in on the heels of \"the greatest Hamlet\" Beale recently. However, when it was first announced, there weren't plans to bring SRB's back to the National as is now happening. IMO, no film commitment caused the cancellation. Will someone please call his Agent and get info. on the \"film commitment\"? Complete waste of time."}, {"response": 168, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (15:04)", "body": "SRB is only back for ten performances or so. Also Sam West's production didn't get particularly good reviews. And CF must have known about the \"opposition\" when he first agreed to go ahead. And he wanted to do it. Nothing has changed. Why back out now? Also, critics like to see different interpretations of \"Hamlet\"....there's no restriction on the number of productions. The problem might lie with the paying public, but CF's \"Hamlet\" was guaranteed a sell-out (no fear of unsold tickets) at the Riverside. And when I rang both Malvern and the Oxford Playhouse, I was told there was tremendous excitement at the prospect of CF playing Hamlet...both would have been sell-out performances. And the original news announcement at Ananova said that the producers had been discussing this project with CF for some time, but it had been difficult so far because of his other commitments (I'm paraphrasing!)"}, {"response": 169, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (15:06)", "body": "(Karen) Complete waste of time. Spoilsport. ;-P Heck, we've got nothing to lose (except cost of call). Arrivaderci, Ms. Moon! Have a wonderful time."}, {"response": 170, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (15:47)", "body": "GAH!!!! How can he do this to us?!? I had second row seats!! And no matter how close you sit to the TV or movie screen, it isn't the same as Colin LIVE. I just hope that he cancelled Hamlet to do something wonderful. If it is a sequel to BJD, there would be pressure to get that moving quickly so that it could come out in time to ride the wave of interest in BJD. Come to think of it, won't his son be teething by next winter? Perhaps he's just saving his energy for walking the floors at night?"}, {"response": 171, "author": "studybees", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (15:52)", "body": "I had FRONT row seats. And I've never seen Colin live before :("}, {"response": 172, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (16:17)", "body": "This is too depressing. Time to break out the Chardonnay, Milk Tray, and P&P videos."}, {"response": 173, "author": "Echo", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (16:34)", "body": "This is truly a black Friday for Firthfans everywhere... I think that Angelina J. and brother must have been the straw that broke the camel's back and ODB has thrown a wobbly... Btw, has everyone seen the message on the Darcy thread?"}, {"response": 174, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (16:35)", "body": "(Kate)This is too depressing. Time to break out the Chardonnay, Milk Tray, and P&P videos. And Chakka Khan. What do I care about all the Hamlets...(read #%^&),this guy spoiled my trip. (Not feeling v. altruistic...and don't want anybody to raise my spirits..so don't even try..)"}, {"response": 175, "author": "toyce", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (16:38)", "body": "We'll just commiserate with you. It's a bummer for sure!"}, {"response": 176, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (16:51)", "body": "sorry, Evelyn, I already did try on #148...but maybe ODB really does \"have a plan\" ;-)!"}, {"response": 177, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (16:57)", "body": "There isn't much to say that will lessen the intense disappointment of those who were Riverside-bound, but I have to think (yes, *me*, the eternal cynic) something good will come out of this film-wise. Who knows? Bond? Batman? MLSF II--The Postwar Years? ;-D"}, {"response": 178, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (17:02)", "body": "BATMAN?????????????????? I'm thinking Colin in spandex... (Or is the batsuit made of vinyl or rubber?) At least the mask wouldn't hide his dimples!"}, {"response": 179, "author": "studybees", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (17:23)", "body": "Colin in moulded latex costume .... Peeling moulded latex off sweaty Colin... Oh dear! :)"}, {"response": 180, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (19:18)", "body": "I haven't posted in a dog's age, and I apologize for that. Too busy with RC and OW, but I have been keeing up with Colin news, and am SO happy for the Emmy nom and so sorry for those who planned to see his Hamlet. Anne R has further news at Firthden on Nick Hornby's statements re Colin. **************************** Okay, now I have some good news. Colin may indeed be working on a new film next year. Hornby told me that he recently read a new novel called New Cardiff by Charles Webb, the man who, back in the Sixties, wrote The Graduate. He really liked it and recommended it to Colin as a good read. Colin read it and liked it, too, and said that he'd really like to play the leading character (who, coincidentally, is named Colin) if it ever got filmed. Well, completely independently of this, the novel was optioned for the movies, and the people who bought the rights offered Colin the part. Naturally, he accepted. That's all Hornby said about this project, but when I first asked him what Colin was doing, he said that he has absolutely nothing coming up. I'm interpreting this to mean that the film project is still in the very early, nebulous phase, which means that it might be filmed next year or three years from now or never. Putting a film together is a very iffy business--for one thing, they have to raise the money, and Colin is not the kind of star who is considered \"bankable,\" and this is Webb's first novel in 25 years (The Graduate may have been a big hit, but that was in 1967). So I would not regard this as definite by any means. But it's nice to know that it's a possibility. Hornby also mentioned that Colin is in Italy now (\"at Livia's house\" is what he said, and I assume that means her parents' retreat in Umbria). TIOBE has finished filming. He was upset by the paparazzi pictures of Colin and Luca--very intrusive. I was rather sheepish when I asked him about Colin's activities, but he didn't laugh at me or even grin; he said, oh, he lives very close to me and we know each other quite well. But the woman standing next to him laughed, and I suspect that she's heard that question from a few other people before. ;-) In the Q&A session following Hornby's reading from his new novel How To Be Good, someone asked how much he had edited the stories in SWTA. He said very little, but that \"the author who needed the most hand-holding was--understandably--Colin Firth.\" He went on to say that Colin had always wanted to write, but his story as originally submitted was too long--it would have been the longest story in the book if it had been published as it was. Obviously that wouldn't have been good, since the other contributors were all professional writers, many of them well known. He didn't say anything about the actual editing process, however. When he mentioned Colin's name, there was a little flutter among the 400 or so people present; you could tell that they recognized the name and were excited about hearing it mentioned. As Mickie said to me last night, that wouldn't have happened a few years ago! In fact, while I was waiting on line to get to Hornby to have him sign my books and chat, I heard several young people (mostly male) talking about Colin and mentioning his movies. So, he's definitely getting better known in the U.S. That's all he said about Colin. I'll post again on the non-Colin part of the evening. ******************** Finally for a needed laugh. I am starting to read the new Mitchem bio by Lee Server, and was looking through the photos first. Here is what I found:"}, {"response": 181, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (19:56)", "body": "The film companies appear to be Fragile and Buena Vista."}, {"response": 182, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (20:05)", "body": "and they bought the rights a year ago, so it may be coming together now as BV financed the sale."}, {"response": 183, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (20:52)", "body": "(Hornby)\"the author who needed the most hand-holding was--understandably--Colin Firth.\" As Hornby said, this is understandable. It's hard to write to a predetermined length, and it's very difficult to cut your own stuff (or even to watch someone else cut it). If the story has a personal meaning to you (which I think this did for Colin, what with his grandparents dying), cutting it down to fit can be a painful task. Plus, Colin probably knew who the other writers would be, and was aware that he was the only previously unpublished writer. Add to that the fact that he was doing this for a friend's special cause (remember the interview in which he said that writing this was a \"gentleman's agreement\"?). No wonder he was nervous. It shows he took the committment seriously."}, {"response": 184, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (22:10)", "body": "The film companies appear to be Fragile and Buena Vista. Fragile produced TIOBE, didn't they? \"New Cardiff\" was published a couple of months ago in the UK, to very good reviews - a gently satirical romantic comedy. Sounds very filmable. A talkie movie. It's about an English artist who decides to move to a new life in New England, after a failed love affair (sort of Henry James in reverse). The film rights were sold for a substantial sum. Well, if CF does this, he'll have to spend a couple of months in the US!"}, {"response": 185, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sat, Jul 14, 2001 (00:06)", "body": "Yet another romantic comedy??? Give me strength. *** Mitchum DROOLETTES - very good! So we aren't very original, then. (Btw, love the wallpaper. ;-))"}, {"response": 186, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 14, 2001 (02:11)", "body": "I went to see Nick Hornby tonight and \"Being Not So Good,\" I feigned ignorance about Hamlet and asked what Colin was doing before that. Nick answered that \"he thought\" that Hamlet was canceled. Looking suitably shocked (put my name forward for an Evvy, thank you very much), I managed to utter \"what? why?\" to which he said the bit about too many Hamlets. So I countered, \"so he backed off because of Angelina Jolie?\" He said that there was Sam West...and I interrupted and said, \"yes, all those were out there before while Colin was still *doing* Hamlet but that just a day or so ago, news came out that Angelina Jolie might going to be doing another production in the West End.\" He looked very surprised. So I asked if there was anything else, and he offered up the info about New Cardiff that Colin was *interested* in doing. \"Was this going to take the place of Hamlet?\" \"no, he didn't think it was far enough along for that.\" So that's that. The latest and virtually worthless Colin update. Except that he volunteered that Mark Herman was working on the New Cardiff project. I've looked Mark Herman up in the IMDB and he was the writer/director of Brassed Off and Little Voice. Not too bad. BTW, when I approached the table, I came out of the closet and announced myself as a Colin Firth fan. [One step down. Eleven to go.] His asst laughed and said, 'isn't everyone?' And I said, any right-minded person would be. Nick volunteered the same info about Colin's being in Italy, Colin had just finished TIOBE (to which I said that I liked the Earnest line in his book and his eyes twinkled), yadda yadda. Had tons of other questions...Will relate other, non-Colin related stuff on O&E. Oh yes, he said that Mark Herman was working on the New Cardiff project and I've just looked"}, {"response": 187, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 14, 2001 (02:13)", "body": ""}, {"response": 188, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 14, 2001 (02:33)", "body": "From Screen Daily: Film Council hands development sums to UK six-pack The Film Council\ufffds development fund has announced slate development deals with six UK production companies, worth $1,767m (\ufffd1.262m) from its annual coffers of $7m (\ufffd5m). Long term deals have been struck with Fragile Films, Archer Street Tiger Lily, Kuhn & Co, Autonomous, Dragon Pictures and The Jim Henson Company. [...] Fragile Films, headed up by producer Barnaby Thompson, was awarded $280,000 (\ufffd200,000). The company will this summer release UK comedies Lucky Break and High Heels And Low Lifes, and is currently in post production on The Importance Of Being Earnest. [...] The formation of a cash-rich development fund was well-received in the UK, which has an oft-criticised dearth of development culture. \"The gap in the industry for providing development funding for bigger budget projects has been an historic problem in the UK,\" said Michael Kuhn, \"and it is really important for companies with ambitions in this direction to get an eye in early on a project, to secure big cast names, etc. This type of funding aims to give companies that ability.\" ~~~~~~ $280,000? That wouldn't even cover a catering budget."}, {"response": 189, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sat, Jul 14, 2001 (03:46)", "body": "(Karen)$280,000? That wouldn't even cover a catering budget. Might pay for Colin's salad lunches?"}, {"response": 190, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Sat, Jul 14, 2001 (04:04)", "body": "Might pay for Colin's salad lunches? Oooooh! Salad lunches=love scenes! That definitely sounds like \"funding for the arts\"! Tried to find \"New Cardiff\" in the U.S. Naturally it isn't available here yet. It sounds like a great book that would transfer well to film. Nick Hornby's review quoted at Amazon.UK makes it sound like just the thing for ODB: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/books/0316856991/reviews//202-0284655-3683043 I hate that movies take so long to go from book/concept to completed product. Here I am ready to see the film and I can't even rush over to Barnes & Noble to buy the book yet. Sigh... I'd certainly be willing to buy shares in the film production if it would help to speed things up. BTW, CF, RZ and BJD are losing ground to the Moulin Rouge crowd over at ETonline. They're only ahead by 10% now. If you want to go over and support the cause, here's the place: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/books/0316856991/reviews//202-0284655-3683043 http://etonline.com/html/page_meter/hff2001/index.htm"}, {"response": 191, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Sat, Jul 14, 2001 (04:05)", "body": "Sorry. Don't know how that link got in there twice."}, {"response": 192, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Sat, Jul 14, 2001 (04:41)", "body": "Quote from review of New Cardiff--\"charming, uncloyingly romantic and witty\" Now who does that remind you of??? No wonder they thought of CF for the part."}, {"response": 193, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jul 14, 2001 (09:39)", "body": "Yet another romantic comedy??? Give me strength. Those are my words.... Louise's review is better...\"Witty and uncloyingly romantic\". And it's satirical! The latest and virtually worthless Colin update. Thanks for trying, Karen! \"New Cardiff\" apart, I'm sure that CF must have other irons in the fire...he never seems to sign until the last minute. And information about his projects s never seems to be available (from his agent etc) until he actually starts work, or the day before! I would think Nick was willing to talk about \"New Cardif\" because he had mentioned it to CF in the first place. Probably even he doesn't know what CF is going to do next. As for \"Hamlet\", Perhaps the most disappointing (and mismanaged) aspect is that tickets went on sale so early, raising false hopes and expectations. I'm sure CF wanted to do it, but I'm wondering if he could actually afford to do it *now*? (working for \ufffd200 a week/turning down other work) He must be \"hot\" at the moment in terms of work offers ....but the moment may not last forever. There's always time for stagework, and he's obviously still considering it. I'm sure there'll be ample opportunities to see him live! The point about \"too many Hamlets\"...I'm not sure about this. I remember reading that actors are often reluctant to commit to theatre, because they're always waiting for other projects to be greenlighted and can't plan ahead."}, {"response": 194, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 14, 2001 (14:00)", "body": "A Colin mention in the SF Chronicle (Ruthe Stein's column) yesterday: In London, where I just was, the Brits are in a dither over Reese Witherspoon arriving on their shores to play one of them in a screen adaptation of \"The Importance of Being Earnest.\" Wait a minute. What about the slew of British actors impersonating Americans in Hollywood movies? My pounds are on Witherspoon to sound every bit as upper crust as co-stars Rupert Everett and Colin Firth."}, {"response": 195, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Jul 14, 2001 (14:08)", "body": "I love Karen's Importance of Being Earnest page. Weren't they in a similar dither over Rene Zellwegger? She sure showed them! This play has a special place in my heart and it must be that way for many others; it was one of the best plays we had at my high school in St. Louis and one of my girlfriends, Helen, played in one of the lead roles. I am really looking forward to seeing this, can't wait!"}, {"response": 196, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 14, 2001 (15:47)", "body": "Karen, ole buddie, I share the Evvy Award with you....Proud of you. Did you write your script first;-) \"New Cardiff\" sound like a fantastic project.Great writers, tremendous budge. Shorter hours,better pay, like you say Bethan,no touring, no fencing or having to face those hordes of fans nightly. Yuck, those seedy dressing rooms at the Riverside. Absolutely , hands-down,no- doubt -about -it, better than Hamlet. And no doubt he didn't \"shake hands\" with the director, like he did with NH before he signed on...don't you think?"}, {"response": 197, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Jul 14, 2001 (18:15)", "body": "I feigned ignorance about Hamlet and asked what Colin was doing before that. . . .\"Was this going to take the place of Hamlet?\" \"no, he didn't think it was far enough along for that.\" Good job, Karen, definitely Evvy-worthy.:-) Re, the above, might I suggest that if anyone plans to call ICM in the near future that you inquire about exactly what these \"film commitments\" are. If they are using that as the official reason for Hamlet cancellation, then they should be prepared to respond. No doubt you'd get the \"nothing firm yet\" line, and my question would be, if nothing is firm, then how could that be used as the reason for him being otherwise occupied during those months? Bethan, I was also wondering about the way-in-advance ticket sales. My take is that they were going to use the advance sales to fund the production. Normally, funding would come first, then they'd hope to at least recoup their expenditure, and then some, via subsequent ticket sales. Also, I'm hearing that there's a Riverside press release quoting Fettes and that it sounds as though Concentric Circles (the producer) and Fettes/Firth are one and the same. Anyone have the full release they can share here?"}, {"response": 198, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sat, Jul 14, 2001 (18:35)", "body": "it sounds as though Concentric Circles (the producer) and Fettes/Firth are one and the same It's very likely. I wouldn't be surprised - in fact I myself suspected something like that. And the abrupt way in which the ticket sales were halted must have marked the point at which something didn't add up for them."}, {"response": 199, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jul 14, 2001 (20:50)", "body": "And the abrupt way in which the ticket sales were halted must have marked the point at which something didn't add up for them. I may be talking through my hat here, as I really don't know much (anything)about this, but most British theatre is heavily subsidised (The National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare etc) and smaller theatres like the Donmar rely heavily on fundraising. Maybe \"Concentic Circles\" found that they couldn't actually afford to mount the production, and the \"too many Hamlets\" might refer to a failure to secure any kind of Arts Council grant. (Wot, another Hamlet?) Perhaps CF needs some angels. The RSC were suppposed to be giving well-known actors the opportunities for short contracts, but I should think it's a closed shop. Am I talking rubbish?"}, {"response": 200, "author": "rachael", "date": "Sat, Jul 14, 2001 (22:18)", "body": "The RSC are completely restructuring the way they put together production runs, where they do them and how they offer contracts, partly as a way of getting in better known actors - since the current contract arrangement precludes many actors from signing up - the commitment required by the RSC has been longer than many are prepared to give so the new proposals should, in theory at least, enable high profile actors to work for the RSC for shorter periods of time. They have been criticised for this, in terms of \"star gazing\" ie re-organising purely in order to get the big names in. So, I don't think it is a closed shop as such, although whether this new way of working for the RSC actually works out in practice will be interesting to see."}, {"response": 201, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (00:13)", "body": "Poor Nick Hornby, here he is trying to promote his NEW book, and all people are asking him about is Colin Firth!!!! He's probably on the phone to his publicist telling him to promote HIM!!! :)"}, {"response": 202, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (01:40)", "body": "Maybe \"Concentic Circles\" found that they couldn't actually afford to mount the production... a failure to secure any kind of Arts Council grant. (Wot, another Hamlet?) ... It is all very possible and quite likely - as are several other considerations including the fact that it would be a big time gamble as far as professional theatre critics are concerned. We know that Colin would be bloody brilliant and playing to full houses, but those critics can be unpredictable and merciless. Not that it could be one of the actual reasons for abandoning the project, but this kind of reflection *might* have made the decision easier."}, {"response": 203, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (03:36)", "body": "The RSC were suppposed to be giving well-known actors the opportunities for short contracts, but I should think it's a closed shop. I have a big picture of Colin giving Trevor Nunn the shaft like he did Christopher Fettes. ..but those critics can be unpredictable and merciless. Not that it could be one of the actual reasons for abandoning the project, but this kind of reflection *might* have made the decision easier. Chicken...he decided to bolt because he was afraid of the critics.."}, {"response": 204, "author": "MysteryMan", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (04:17)", "body": "Rubbish! He is an actor. He can deal with the critics! Where do you come up with that stuff?"}, {"response": 205, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (04:19)", "body": "Ooof, did you ever stumble into the wrong place to say that?! (Some are very protective of the gentleman in question!)"}, {"response": 206, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (08:34)", "body": "Chicken...he decided to bolt because he was afraid of the critics.. *He* is the one who wanted/decided to do this..it's *his* project, together with his mentor Christopher Fettes. He knows what the critics are like and that \"heat-throb actors\" can be unfairly savaged. But he's a very good actor, who always gives a good performance. SRB has had very good reviews, but no-one else has had good reviews recently for any Shakesperean performance. But they still perform, and audiences still go to see them! If actors worried about the critics, they'd never do anything! Perhaps we're reading far too much into all this. NH's \"Too many Hamlets\" could just be a glib throw-away comment. As the Man Himself said, he has film commitments (why are we doubting this?- dates often seem very fluid and unpredictable, but once it's all go, it's all go)) and he is looking into other possibilitities of working with Concentric Circles. Which could mean rescheduling Hamlet to a more convenient date. I would hope that he really has some good film offers and we'll see him in the leading roles on screen which he deserves. And then, \"Hamlet\". I have a big picture of Colin giving Trevor Nunn the shaft like he did Christopher Fettes. I'm sure that Christopher Fettes will have supported CF in his decision and they'll have discussed it together. If, for once, CF is finally getting some decent screen offers, he should take them (they may not come again) and establish himself as a bona fide leading man (not a cameo player to the Fiennes). He can then do as much theatre work as he wants. Finally (my last word! :-)) I can't believe CF will be happy about this. What did he say?... \"my worst fears have been fulfilled\". Why should we think otherwise?"}, {"response": 207, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (08:47)", "body": "Why should we think otherwise? I do agree with what you say Bethan. I am sure that Colin would not be scared off by the possibility of the critics alone. Though this is a critical point in his career I imagine and to give up on lucrative and high profile film work at this time to appear in a potentially \"interesting\" Japanese influenced production of Hamlet in what is not much more than a shed in W6 might be considered foolish. I suspect that Colin underestimated the effect of BJD and Conspiracy and the Hamlet was an idea to show that he was more than Darcy as well as being a part he had always longed to play professionally. The stakes are just too high right now. The fact that he might have underestimated the effect of his recent work is to his credit. Surely we like him because of his lack of vanity and ego."}, {"response": 208, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (09:35)", "body": "I suspect that Colin underestimated the effect of BJD and Conspiracy and the Hamlet was an idea to show that he was more than Darcy as well as being a part he had always longed to play professionally. I think you've hit the nail on the head, Allison. BJD could easily have gone the other way for him (the BJ backlash)and I'm sure he would have anticipated/expected this - mediocre box office returns and \"Colin Firth reprises Darcy...\"yawn\" \". As it is, the success of BJD in the UK alone is staggering (\ufffd40million and still drawing in the crowds) and the Emmy nom for \"Conspiracy\" means that he is taken seriously as an actor. Japanese influenced production of Hamlet in what is not much more than a shed in W6... I had wondered if he was \"underselling\" himself in terms of location (unless Riverside offers more flexibility for staging.) Most \"stars\" head automatically for the West End, and short runs are possible (any production headed by Colin Firth and Geraldine James would sell out). By contrast, the Malvern Theatre and Oxford Playhouse are both \"conventional\" theatres...Malvern seats 800."}, {"response": 209, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (10:00)", "body": "(Bethan) NH's \"Too many Hamlets\" could just be a glib throw-away comment. That was my take on the comment too. he has film commitments (why are we doubting this?- Because he didn't have film commitments when he planned his stage appearance. No one did, not even the A-list stars. The strike was pending and nothing was set for 2002. Whether he has a film commitment now is almost irrelevant. The point is that he didn't when all the wheels were set in motion for his stage appearance, and commitments were made by the theater, director, the production company, tickets were sold, etc. Time and money were expended by individuals and businesses. But I guess that's the cost of doing business. dates often seem very fluid and unpredictable, but once it's all go, it's all go As opposed to theater, where it's only a go until a better offer comes along. He can then do as much theatre work as he wants. It's not as if all the theaters and directors are just waiting for Colin to pick up a phone and give them a call. He hasn't paid his dues in serious theater for a long time. 3DOR, while good theater and receiving good reviews, wasn't considered a serious work in London, rightly or wrongly, that's a fact. It didn't get stellar reviews or important awards. It was a great step for Colin, an important one, but it still didn't legitimize him as an important or serious theater performer. Whether he ever achieves that image (similar to Ralph Fiennes or Kenneth Branagh) remains to be seen. But the material point is that he certainly won't have theater doors open to him because of his body of work and his professionalism. They may be open to him because of his star power, but then let's not complain about stunt casting in the future. Had he mounted a successful Hamlet, then he could have written his own ticket, imo. Many of the theater heavyweights (RF, KB) can call of lot of their shots, because they've formed long-term friendships and alliances with directors and companies. There's an element of trust, not to be underestimated. Perhaps the likes of RF, KB, Dench, Jacobi, etc. have backed out of commitments at this stage, and if they have, then I shall stand corrected and publicly apologize. But a commitment is a commitment. If we, his fans, are taken aback by his pull-out, then consider what theater insiders must be thinking. They've watched from the sidelines and seen Riverside get burned. We don't know the details, but I suspect Riverside took it in the shorts, so to speak, financially. (Allison) this is a critical point in his career I imagine and to give up on lucrative and high profile film work at this time to appear in a potentially \"interesting\" Japanese influenced production of Hamlet in what is not much more than a shed in W6 might be considered foolish... Surely we like him because of his lack of vanity and ego. Seems that his lack of vanity and ego would have caused him to honor his commitment rather than go for the $. Just imo."}, {"response": 210, "author": "ursula", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (10:26)", "body": "Hello there. I am very upset too about this Hamlet business, I had tickets for the second night. Humph. And I feel sorry for the Riverside as well. But I was wondering, if Nick Hornby knew about the cancellation so quickly, it's possible that CF's filming commitment is something high-profile and widely discussed - ie BJD2?"}, {"response": 211, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (11:07)", "body": "It looked to me as if this was very much a Firth/Fettes production. This was not a case of the National Theatre putting on a production and inviting Colin. This was something cooked up between CF and his old mentor. Hence the location. The only people put out are those who had already booked seats. That's not to underestimate that but to talk of his ratting on producers, theatre companies etc is probably overreacting to what actually has happened."}, {"response": 212, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (11:49)", "body": "(Allison) The only people put out are those who had already booked seats. That's not to underestimate that but to talk of his ratting on producers, theatre companies etc is probably overreacting to what actually has happened. I hope you are right. But there are lots of hidden costs involved, and if Firth/Fettes reimburses those, then they are to be commended. I wouldn't have used the word \"ratting\", because Colin is an honorable man. I'm just disappointed that he pulled out of the production. I'm just curious who will reimburse Riverside for the cost of issuing the tickets, fees paid to FirstCall, credit card processing fees, etc. And if Riverside's statement about upgrading their computer systems is true, then the timing begs certain questions. Would they have gone through that expense now if they knew that they'd have to return all the money so soon? Did the unexpected rush for tickets and revenue accelerate their capital expenditure plans? Would they have severed their ties with FirstCall otherwise? Why will it take up to several months for people to get their refunds? Was the ticket money spent to cover other costs? And now Riverside (or someone) has to secure funds to refund everyone?"}, {"response": 213, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (11:53)", "body": "For my taste there are too little facts known to make a good speculation. But I'm convinced that he must have had *very* good reasons to back out. He - or any professional actor - would not cancel such a (pet?) project lightly, let alone after making it public. My guess is that it is BJD II that came in the way. It cannot be made without him and Renee Zellweger, or can it? Work schedule clashes with RZ? Oh, now I *am* speculating ;-)."}, {"response": 214, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (11:53)", "body": "It looked to me as if this was very much a Firth/Fettes production... Colin.......to talk of his ratting on producers, theatre companies etc is probably overreacting to what actually has happened. Again, I agree. The only person he'll be disappointing will be himself, and of course, everyone who was looking forward to his performance. But I see no reason why he shouldn't re-schedule at a more convenient date. Seems that his lack of vanity and ego would have caused him to honor his commitment rather than go for the $. Just imo If he's been offered a high profile screen role, why shouldn't he take it? He has a family to support. Roles in DQ and off-West End productions won't even pay his food bills. He needs high profile film roles to subsidise theatre roles. And he's 40....time he had his breakthough! 3DOR... didn't get stellar reviews or important awards. It was a great step for Colin, an important one, but it still didn't legitimize him as an important or serious theater performer. It *did* get stellar reviews. And CF has paid his dues in the theatre...initially he was better known as a stage actor than a \"movie actor\". Can we please give the poor man a break?!!!. I'm sure that he'll do his best to give us \"Hamlet\" at a later date. BTW, There's a review of \"Cymbeline\" at the Globe, which might indicate what sort of production \"Hamlet\" could be. Cymbeline is low-budget (6 performers only, doubling up for smaller parts, all dressed in white). \"There's a distinct Japanese flavour...a battle in a series of stylised poses, whiterobed musicians in the background striking gongs, the setting for each scene is announced (minimal scenery etc)...\"the main effect is to stress the purely narrative element in the play, and this makes for unusual clarity\". If Fettes and CF were thinking along these lines, I think they would have had a successful production, without the need for sponsorship,...and I very much hope we still see it. Maybe later in the year. I rest my defence!! :-)"}, {"response": 215, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (12:25)", "body": "It *did* get stellar reviews. And CF has paid his dues in the theatre...initially he was better known as a stage actor than a \"movie actor\". I can't let this go by, Lizbeth. Six (6) productions on stage in 20 years of acting does not constitute paying one's dues in the theatre. If it were 15 (anywhere!) I might call Colin a stage actor. His media are film and television."}, {"response": 216, "author": "ursula", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (12:56)", "body": "Well I think it's a damn shame. And it's not *just* a drool thing, it's a drama thing too. He would have been a fabulous Hamlet. A part which involves standing around aloofly with a lot going on under the surface - now who can we think of who could carry that off well I wonder? If it is BJD2 he is doing instead - by God, there had better be a LOT of Mark-Darcy-in-a-towel scenes to make up for this disappointment."}, {"response": 217, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (13:54)", "body": "I don't think it has anything to do with being afraid of what the critics *might* say about his performance, but the reality of a glut of Hamlets over the course of the year. Since most of you haven't spoken with Nick Hornby, I didn't get sense that this was a \"throwaway\" line. When he's being cute, it shows in his face and in the tone of his voice. (Ursula) if Nick Hornby knew about the cancellation so quickly, it's possible that CF's filming commitment is something high-profile and widely discussed - ie BJD2? If there had truly been a high-profile film commitment, why haven't we heard anything? Names are always floated for big productions coming from this side of the Pond. There are always leaks. There's no way it's BJDII. He has no *firm* commitment on that one. He has to see the script first and there isn't one. (Donna) But the material point is that he certainly won't have theater doors open to him because of his body of work and his professionalism. They may be open to him because of his star power, but then let's not complain about stunt casting in the future. Had he mounted a successful Hamlet, then he could have written his own ticket, imo. I definitely agree with this. He hasn't paid his dues in theatre and won't achieve the regard accorded RF or KB or any of the actors he's stated in the past that he admires (the old boys) with this stunt. (Donna) but I suspect Riverside took it in the shorts, so to speak, financially. They sure did. BTW, I don't read the Fettes' statement as saying that he and Colin *are* Concentric Circles, only that CF's production was to launch *his* company. Fettes' partner is Alpha Hopkins."}, {"response": 218, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (14:17)", "body": "(Bethan)The only person he'll be disappointing will be himself, and of course, everyone who was looking forward to his performance. You can throw in Riverside...and if you don't believe it, give 'em a call. They'll give you an ear full. Some folks have. (Bethan)...if he's been offered a high profile screen role, why shouldn't he take it? He has a family to support. Roles in DQ and off-West End productions won't even pay his food bills. He needs high profile film roles to subsidise theatre roles. And he's 40....time he had his breakthough! I would think he would have more integrity than that, Bethan. That's a pretty hard indictment . He *knew* what the Hamlet salary was when he signed up for it. Though I do agree (sadly) with your premise....he did it for the Almight Dollah! When the good prospects come knockin'....commitments go out the window. Whoppee..let the good times roll!"}, {"response": 219, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (14:28)", "body": "(Bethan)I can't believe CF will be happy about this. What did he say?... \"my worst fears have been fulfilled\". If you believe *that*...I have a bridge to sell you;-) (Bethan)Why should we think otherwise? Because he has a habit of changing stories ;-) (Chris)Six (6) productions on stage in 20 years of acting does not constitute paying one's dues in the theatre. If it were 15 (anywhere!) I might call Colin a stage actor. His media are film and television. Agree...he is a TV actor ..principally. Trying desperately to break into films as a leading man.($$$$)Theatre is not his forte.Why am I surprised that he dumped the production??"}, {"response": 220, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (14:49)", "body": "Maybe he's committed to another film with Mike Binder. *snort*"}, {"response": 221, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (16:12)", "body": "or he's been offered that plum role of the masturbatory village pervert... and really could any of us blame him for snapping that up?"}, {"response": 222, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (16:33)", "body": "Click here"}, {"response": 223, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (17:26)", "body": "ROTF...Too funny. I needed that laugh. Also like your caption under Hamlet graphic and on front page: \"Tis not to be\"...Brilliant. If Moon was here we could do Ten Reasons Why.... Too Many Hamlets....Too Many Hamlets...Too Many Hamlets.."}, {"response": 224, "author": "rachael", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (17:30)", "body": "teehee loved the Hamlet graphic and the jumping pooh bears! Like you, Evelyn, I needed the laugh. Hope you've had a good birthday weekend"}, {"response": 225, "author": "rachael", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (17:37)", "body": "Ten reasons why its not so bad that Hamlet's cancelled: 1, Hamlet keeps his shirt on all the time; 2, there's no need for anyone to ride a horse; 3, only Ophelia gets to fall in a river and get her clothes wet; 4, everybody dies 5, because if it was brilliant you'd have to bankrupt yourself going to London every weekend to see it; 6, we'd all have to start incorporating Shakespeare dialogue into our everyday language; 7, in a film you can at least replay the good bits; ummmm ... help me out!"}, {"response": 226, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (17:52)", "body": "Karen, loved the Pythonesque graphic. We'll probably never know Colin's top ten reasons for not doing Hamlet. productions get cancelled for all sorts of reasons. Maybe the \"schedule conflict\" was a discreet way out of some other problem with the production. If he does have a film lined up for that time, I just hope it turns out to be really good!"}, {"response": 227, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (18:15)", "body": "I forget who brought up the point of Riverside being out of pocket due to the Hamlet production being cancelled ( re refunding booking, credit card fees etc etc ) However my sister works in theatre and, she told me most theatres have insurance that limits out of pocket expenses, if a planned production doesn't get off the ground. Also I think we are forgetting how uncertain and fickle the world of theatre can be. Nothing and I do mean nothing is taken for granted until the curtains come up on opening night. My sister is a very highly thought of Costume Designer and she goes thru a constant process of being offered work, having it cancelled, or dates changed and all kind of messing that we, in predictable 9 to 5, jobs would probably find unbearable. It doesn't bother her however, she just knows that it is the nature of the beast. What happened with Riverside is not all that unusual, althought I admit letting it get to the stage that tickets had already gone on sale, before cancelling, is unusual. I would imagine that the powers that be in any theatre ( not just Riverside ) that hires famous actors/heart throbs/national icons for their productions, always HAVE to keep one eye on the fact that their star may have other demands on their time, that may conflict with their stage work. This has to be especially true when the actor in question is Britan's favouite smouldering hunk of repressed passion. N'est pas ? Yes its awful that this got cancelled after so many of you had bought tickets and planned trips, myself included. However, I don't think its fair to accuse CF of selling out to the Almight Dollar, that's just not right. Movie and TV work have been his bread and butter for the past 20 years. What's so wrong about his continuing in that vein, especially now that his movie star has never burned brighter ?"}, {"response": 228, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (18:29)", "body": "Ten reasons why its not so bad that Hamlet's cancelled: ummmm ... help me out! How about: 8, Although Hamlet mentions \"country matters\" he doesn't actually get to partipate in any (i.e., no love scenes). 9, CF's fans who either don't live in UK or can't afford to fly over to London to see Hamlet will get to see him in whatever film he makes instead."}, {"response": 229, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (18:30)", "body": "By the way, can someone tell me what has happened to Topic #112 the Darcy Drool ? I can't see it listed in the Topic List anymore. Has it used up all of its 1999 posts and been retired ?"}, {"response": 230, "author": "MysteryMan", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (18:41)", "body": "Beth, I agree with you. This bashing is totally unfair."}, {"response": 231, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (19:06)", "body": "The above is not *bashing* It is merely people stating their opinions, which is allowed here. Some of us don't buy the official statement. That is our prerogative. In addition, not everyone believes there's a monetary factor behind the motives. However, those who do are free to believe that. We've been very tolerant of anonymous people coming here and rendering judgments on our discussions without contributing anything themselves. But there are limits...and I've reached it."}, {"response": 232, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (19:33)", "body": "I agree with you. This bashing is totally unfair. However, I don't think its fair to accuse CF of selling out to the Almight Dollar,that's just not right. Why? I'm giving my opinion.It's not libelous.Folks have different opinions on his motives for giving Hamlet the finger.Me? I think it's bucks.Like Bethan says, he's 41, has a family, needs the money, fame doesn't last forever... So there. You don't like it..Bethanne, Mystery Man , anybody else?...scroll through it."}, {"response": 233, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (19:45)", "body": "(Beth)By the way, can someone tell me what has happened to Topic #112 the Darcy Drool ? I can't see it listed in the Topic List anymore. Has it used up all of its 1999 posts and been retired ? I've been writting something reasently...try under last-weeks-posts. It is not filled up yeat:)"}, {"response": 234, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (19:48)", "body": "last-week-thing I meen activity-within-the-last-7-days-button (yeat=yet, sorry)"}, {"response": 235, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (19:49)", "body": "Ack, now I'm in trouble for DEFENDING Our Darling Boy. Who woulda thunk ????? No hard feeling people, we are all entitled to our opinions."}, {"response": 236, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (19:54)", "body": "(Beth)Ack, now I'm in trouble for DEFENDING Our Darling Boy. Who woulda thunk ????? don't understand it eather...well, I wouldn't have had the chance to see that play anyway...but of cource I'm sorry for those who did, and I do think some bitterness is entitled..(God, if I had had a ticket,I would have been devistated too!!!)"}, {"response": 237, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (20:15)", "body": "Diane, I was planning a trip to London to see it too, but I suppose my disappointment is alieviated by my knowing how fickle the theatre world can be. But I would gladly sacrafice my 3 hour thrill ride of watching Colin strut his stuff on stage, if it means he can get another BJD type megahit under his belt. Generous of me isn't it ? Smacks self on the head and runs screaming from the room......."}, {"response": 238, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (20:33)", "body": "(Beth) What happened with Riverside is not all that unusual, althought I admit letting it get to the stage that tickets had already gone on sale, before cancelling, is unusual I wonder if the play was announced and tickets went on sale as early as they did because someone decided to capitalize on the popularity of BJD. the theater is not exactly a stable business. We subscribe to Roundabout Theater in NYC, and each year, when the renewall comes, some of the schedule of 6 plays is TBA. We just cross our fingers that we'll like what they do. I think they announced \"Cabaret\" twice and didn't do it before they finally got the production together. (Once, I think it was because they couldn't find the right space to do it in. another time, I think they said that they had casting problems.) Meanwhile, they substituted other plays. And once they did get \"Cabaret\" together, it was a hit (won Tonys and is and still running). So maybe Hamlet will eventually get its run (maybe even in a westend theater), or maybe he'll find some other play to do."}, {"response": 239, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (20:34)", "body": "(Beth)Smacks self on the head and runs screaming from the room....... LOL!!! Well, at least a BJD-type megahit, would be something one could rewind:o) Believe one should always see everything in a positive light (easy for me to say, some of you might think..yes I know...I really do!!:o\\)"}, {"response": 240, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (20:35)", "body": "(Evelyn)Chicken...he decided to bolt because he was afraid of the critics Sorry, no, I DID NOT say that! I said, \"NOT that it could be one of the actual reasons\" and this kind of reflection MIGHT have made the decision easier. (MysteryMan)Rubbish! He is an actor. He can deal with the critics! LOL! You are teasing again, MM, are you not? Actors are particularly sensitive about criticism by their peers and their circles. Deep down at heart the praise from the professionals is what really counts. What would you rather hear: \"Never mind, you were fantastic but the dumb buggers didn't get it...\", or \"The crowds loved it, but, darling, you were (the production was) such crap!\" ? (Bethan) If actors worried about the critics, they'd never do anything! Believe me, actors DO worry. Sometimes terribly. But they soldier on: - it's part of the package of being an actor. (Allison)to appear in a potentially \"interesting\" Japanese influenced production of Hamlet in what is not much more than a shed in W6 might be considered foolish. (Bethan)Most \"stars\" head automatically for the West End, and short runs are possible Precisely! You've got it! By Jove, they've got it! There are reasons why SUCH a production at THIS time in particular COULD be viewed as an unwise move. (Donna DL)If we, his fans, are taken aback by his pull-out, then consider what theater insiders must be thinking. They've watched from the sidelines and seen Riverside get burned. Theatre insiders will have known more about the real reasons - which we don't. Not yet, anyway. And Riverside is only a space rented to various art and entertainment companies, they're used to cancellations. his lack of vanity and ego would have caused him to honor his commitment rather than go for the $ Whether we like it or not, we must accept that ultimately his commitment was only to himself. (Those unable to accept it will have to consider crossing over to someone else's fan club...;-P) And I don't think he lacks vanity and ego - this is like saying he's superhuman - he is simply exceptionally good at supressing them. :-) (Donna) there are lots of hidden costs involved, and if Firth/Fettes reimburses those, then they are to be commended No doubt all the costs will be sorted out by the production company in question according to their legal obligations. Why should this worry us here? (Bethan) I'm sure that he'll do his best to give us \"Hamlet\" at a later date. If he waits much longer, we'll all be looking forward to his King Lear soon... ;-P ;-D (MysteryMan) This bashing is totally unfair. Are you Colin's agent, by any chance, MM? The we all have something to say to you... ;-)"}, {"response": 241, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (20:41)", "body": "(Beth) Ack, now I'm in trouble for DEFENDING Our Darling Boy. Who woulda thunk ????? Oh, hon. You're not in trouble. Say what you like. I'm of the opinion that, just because you admire an actor, doesn't mean he has to be treated as though he's infallible. If we sometimes criticize him here, it's only because we want him to do better and be better recognized for his talents. Hamlet was just such a role. And, let's not forget, this isn't a situation where the Riverside hired him to be in the play. When you post at Drool, we don't ask you to check your brain at the door...that is, unless you are staying up nights dreaming up clever aliases to use."}, {"response": 242, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (20:51)", "body": "unless you are staying up nights dreaming up clever aliases to use. How about those with the knack of inventing clever aliases on the spot?"}, {"response": 243, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (20:58)", "body": "Say again?"}, {"response": 244, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (21:22)", "body": "just because you admire an actor, doesn't mean he has to be treated as though he's infallible. If we sometimes criticize him here, it's only because we want him to do better and be better recognized for his talents. Amen.We have never spoken as \"one\" on this board. Because we admire his work, does not mean that we light candles at his feet and condone everything he says and does; whether we agree with it or not. That's not a fan club..that's a cult.I separate his acting abilities with his persona. He is a fabulous actor. I go to great lengths to see his work & will continue to do so. We all want the best for him. To voice my opinion of his actions or choices does not diminish my admiration for his performances. Kindly do not misconstrue what I say."}, {"response": 245, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (22:06)", "body": "I confess that if I had had the time off work and the money, and had already made arrangements to go to London to see CF, I would be bitterly disappointed, too. However, maybe there are circumstances that we know nothing about that caused CF to cancel Hamlet. And if they are fairly personal, we may never know them. The thing that I always try to remember about film and/or stage projects of my favorite performers is that if you don't know all of the facts (as known to the actor), then you can't really know why they choose/don't choose to do the projects you would like them to do. Even their public statements about the matter can only give the bare bones of what are sometimes very complicated matters involving legal commitments, schedule conflicts, etc. It might even be that CF had a once-in-a-lifetime chance to work on a film with someone, or about something, that he just couldn't afford to pass up (either professionaly or monetarily). So I guess what I'm trying to say, is that we should assume that CF had very good reasons for doing what he did, until it is definitely shown otherwise. Or have we given up on the \"not guilty until proven otherwise\" presumption? Just my 2 cents' worth."}, {"response": 246, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (22:10)", "body": "(Karen) Say again? Ooops. Just a silly aside... ;-) ;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 247, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (22:12)", "body": "(Echo) No doubt all the costs will be sorted out by the production company in question according to their legal obligations. Why should this worry us here? Wait to see how long it takes to get your money refunded. :-)"}, {"response": 248, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (22:23)", "body": "That's the ticket office business. Unless Riverside goes bust there should be no problem. :-)"}, {"response": 249, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (22:27)", "body": "(Echo) No doubt all the costs will be sorted out by the production company in question according to their legal obligations. Why should this worry us here? (Donna)Wait to see how long it takes to get your money refunded. :-) Hey, that's why I'm calling Mastercard tomorrow early. To alert them to the situation at Riverside and get the wheels grinding on my refund, which I expect to see reflected in my next month's bill. (I was the banker... so we're talking 270. UKP) I feel sorry for those guys, but they've kept my money long enough. They are not a subscription theatre, like the Donmar (or Roundabout in NYC) They have no endowment.I hope they have insurance. But if they go bankrupt, your money is lost.Incidentaly, that's why ticket prices keep going up...the consumer ultimately pays for the insurance costs. Period."}, {"response": 250, "author": "kolin", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (22:32)", "body": "\"Hey, that's why I'm calling Mastercard tomorrow early. To alert them to the situation at Riverside and get the wheels grindingon my refund, which I expect to see reflected in my next month's bill. (I was the banker... so we're talking 270. UKP) \" I would like my money back also, but can you explain what can the credit card company do if Riverside does not post the refund? What is it what we can tell the credit card company which would facilitate the refund? Any good idea would be appreciated."}, {"response": 251, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (22:34)", "body": "that's why ticket prices keep going up...the consumer ultimately pays for the insurance costs. Period. That applies to everything, not only theatre."}, {"response": 252, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (22:37)", "body": "From Riverside's cancellation letter signed by the director: \" The amount that you paid will be refunded directly to your credit card over the next couple of months and we will write to you again with confirmation of the refund.\""}, {"response": 253, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (22:43)", "body": "Never mind \"the next couple of months\" bit...they can do better than that. I will let you know what the credit card co says to me."}, {"response": 254, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (23:19)", "body": "Another thought occurs to me. I mean CF's career choices DO occupy far more of my brain cells, than dull trivial stuff like earning a living, paying bills etc etc Anyhoo, this \"other project\" that is preventing Col from doing Hamlet....maybe he comitted to THAT before he committed to doing Hamlet and, he is doing the honourable thing by sticking with it, as opposed to following his hearts desire and doing Hamlet. So maybe he isn't such a cad after all. ( Jeez, I can't believe I just said that or even thought it. ) This film that he will be working on may have has its production date messed with, coz of the threat of the screenwriters strike hanging over the entire industry. It may have been posponed ( as a bunch of stuff was ) until the potential strike issue was resolved. Now that it has been and they are all set to start production, maybe it's just Colin's bad luck that they planned it during Hamlets run. The prep work/financing that goes into movies is far, far longer and more detailed than theatre productions. It could well be, that Col had been approached and agreed to star in the movie, simply AGES before Hamlet at Riverside was even thought about. So once Col had the decision to make, of which one to cancel, I can't really blame him for picking Hamlet. Telling the movie people to bugger off, may not be the wisest move for an actor who earns 99.9% of his living doing TV and fim work, especially if he HAD committed to that first. Pointless conjecturings maybe, but hey, we just talked at length, about the value of long socks versus short ones didn't we, over at the Bridget topic ?"}, {"response": 255, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Jul 15, 2001 (23:41)", "body": "(Evelyn) Never mind \"the next couple of months\" bit...they can do better than that. I think in the US, there's a legal time limit on how long a company can retain your funds if you are entitled to a refund. I'm not sure how that would work with international sales, but it might be worth asking about that from the credit card company. And I'm not sure when the clock starts. Whether it is from the time that you are notified by Riverside (and who knows how long that will take), or the time that you notify Riverside, or something else."}, {"response": 256, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Jul 16, 2001 (00:58)", "body": "Please, Beth, I beg of you--no more about socks!"}, {"response": 257, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Mon, Jul 16, 2001 (01:08)", "body": "I agree Kate. It's time to pick a different piece of CF underwear to analyse and discuss. Ideas anyone ?"}, {"response": 258, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Mon, Jul 16, 2001 (05:03)", "body": "It's time to pick a different piece of CF underwear to analyse and discuss. First nominations for CF underwear (Round 1): my favorites--Arsenal boxer shorts in \"Fever Pitch\" versus \"nothing at all\" in P&P2 (per CF's comments on Fresh Air re the \"failed\" underwear attempts for wet shirt scene). Personally, I would have to go with \"nothing at all\", but some purists might argue that this does not qualify as a \"piece of CF underwear\". What do you think?"}, {"response": 259, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Mon, Jul 16, 2001 (13:19)", "body": "O it counts, believe me it counts. CF in the raw has to be the best kind of underwear at all. I'm gonna go with whatever he was wearing under those rust colour breeches he wore, while walking around the grounds at Pemberley with Lizzie."}, {"response": 260, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Mon, Jul 16, 2001 (13:39)", "body": "(Beth)I'm gonna go with whatever he was wearing under those rust colour breeches he wore, while walking around the grounds at Pemberley with Lizzie. LOL...I can well believe it;o)"}, {"response": 261, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jul 16, 2001 (14:05)", "body": "*stacking bushel baskets full of sour grapes* Had I been Hamlet-bound, I suppose I would have been quite disappointed as well. Speculation as to what really happened makes for interesting discussion. It seems to me there *were* too many Hamlets (c'mon, even my dog was doing Hamlet). It also seems to me that cancelling so far in advance is not extraordinary. I do agree with those who are of the opinion that the 'film commitments' rationale is as phoney as MysteryMan's alias. I would love to hear how CF's agent would wiggle out of that one. Time will tell, as always. *twiddling thumbs*"}, {"response": 262, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 16, 2001 (14:16)", "body": "I have contacted my credit card company. They suggest I fax acopy of billing statement to Resolution Dept for \"dispute over transaction due to cancellation\".They only take such disputes 60 days after billing statement which is the end of this week for me. Rep said Riverside can refund sooner than a few months. I'm done.... ~~~~~~~~~~ MOVIN' ON DEPT......(no remarks;-D) Last night I saw a trailer on HBO for Madonna's concert on August 26. I'm thinking in the next few weeks we'll see one for Londinium. Whatta think, boss? Pl. God...they don't show SM first during the Max Binder Adoration Festival, or no one will tune into L."}, {"response": 263, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 16, 2001 (14:21)", "body": "Speaking of HBO, I caught the tail-end of an HBO commercial about all their Emmy noms. Looked like they were highlighting each and every major nomination. Was Colin shown? The shorter ad (after SATC and 6ftunder) didn't go into the detail as the pre-show one."}, {"response": 264, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jul 16, 2001 (15:38)", "body": "Colin was shown!!! I saw it;)"}, {"response": 265, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jul 16, 2001 (15:39)", "body": "And also told Bill that next time Conspiracy is on I WANT TO WATCH it. He saw it and said it was excellent, then changed the station on me!"}, {"response": 266, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Jul 16, 2001 (16:04)", "body": "Back online after technical problems, couldn't have been worse news to find. It's such a shame for everyone involved, especially those who had planned to come from overseas. I am sorry not to be seeing ODB as Hamlet. I recently saw Sam West (dismissed in someone's post \"as not having good reviews\") in fact I think it was The Sunday Times who recommended it as one of the top 5 plays to see . I thought it was a really good performance,( that has undoubtedly matured since the early, less favourable reviews) on an enlarged new stage at Statford, without any scenery at all. You have to be some actor to carry the soliloquies off in that setting! And SW can, believe me. I remember thinking how wise it was of CF to choose a more intimate setting for his first foray into Shakespeare for so long! 'Nuff said, I have had my say, as has everyone else, so am happy to move on.... After a brisk encounter with a vodka bottle and some branston pickle that is."}, {"response": 267, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jul 16, 2001 (16:36)", "body": "(Evelyn) MOVIN' ON DEPT...... 'Fraid not. Lots of people have been away from their computers since Friday. I'll be watching the windows when AnnW finds out. :-( (Karen) I caught the tail-end of an HBO commercial about all their Emmy noms. (Laura) Colin was shown I'm glad to hear it. I must've missed the Emmy plug entirely; by the time I tuned in they were touting their fall premium movie line-up (Battlefield Earth? Honestly...)."}, {"response": 268, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Jul 16, 2001 (16:41)", "body": "(Evelyn)fame doesn't last forever... So maybe CF's decision to cancel Hamlet was influenced by our discussion of WoF on #98 ;-) ;-)! Sorry, I know you've changed the subject, but I wasn't able to contribute to the postings yesterday."}, {"response": 269, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 16, 2001 (16:45)", "body": "(Evelyn) MOVIN' ON DEPT...... (Eileen)'Fraid not. Lots of people have been away from their computers since Friday. Hey, I'm not a DC (Drool Cop). I don't speak for everyone on this board. I mean\"t *me*!I'm movin on [this board] But ...*emails*...different story. Lots goin on *there*. *hee, hee*. PS. Ann W knows...She's in shock.There is a current malaise known as \"Hamlet Misery\". But we'll get over it.Hey, we're a tough bunch. PPS. I called the agent....But like I said...\"I'm moving on\" ;-D"}, {"response": 270, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Jul 16, 2001 (16:52)", "body": "Well I won't be defeated by a mind changing Dane or a stick insect actress playing Ophelia.... just need time...... hic hic."}, {"response": 271, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jul 16, 2001 (16:52)", "body": "(Evelyn) I mean\"t *me*! Sorry, I interpreted your capital letters for SHOUTING. ;-P we'll get over it.Hey, we're a tough bunch. Of course. Heck, it took me awhile to get over the Flashman debacle. *snort*"}, {"response": 272, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 16, 2001 (16:57)", "body": "(Evelyn) MOVIN' ON DEPT...... (Eileen)'Fraid not. Lots of people have been away from their computers since Friday. Feel free to comment. The window to vent has no spleen. ;-) signed, Mrs Malaprop"}, {"response": 273, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jul 16, 2001 (17:07)", "body": "It's okay Eileen I'm cool ( and if you believe that you'll believe anything!!) but why do these things always happen to COLIN FIRTH Fans (and I am shouting and pulling my hair out what little there is!). Perhaps I should become a Raffe Feinnes or Kenneth Branagh fan (not). Oh well I am glad we had a little reunion in New York in March and I was able to meet up with you Eileen and so many other lovely ladies. There will be another time I am sure, not today not tomorrow but soon. hee hee life goes on."}, {"response": 274, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Mon, Jul 16, 2001 (17:33)", "body": "Evelyn-I'd love to hear what the agent said, if repostable. Chances are \"Hamlet who?\" :-D"}, {"response": 275, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jul 16, 2001 (18:27)", "body": "Thanks for posting the Riverside Press Release at the Bucket, Karen. I hope I'm not being inbearably optimistic, but there seem to be some grounds for hope that we may see \"Hamlet\" at a late date, when CF is less \"hot\", and also Concentric Circles (Fettes/Firth) seem to have longer-term plans (other productions?), not just a one-off. If it's any consolation, Alan Rickman played Hamlet at Riverside at the age of 45, to mixed reviews, but to a sell-out and, I'm sure, very enthusiastic audience. (Do reviews really matter in the long run?) CF is a youthful 40...time is still on his side! HAMLET Riverside Studios, London W6 Opened 15 September, 1992 Reviews on these pages are meant primarily to recommend or to warn off potential theatregoers, and in this case whatever I say will make no difference the show was completely sold out long before it opened, on the strength of culture-hunk Alan Rickman in the name part . Which may be as well, because it's not actually very wonderful at all. Georgian director Robert Sturua was one of producer Thelma Holt's eye-opening cultural imports over a decade ago, but he fails to invest this play with freshness or energy; the flatness is exacerbated by extensive but clumsy use of a T-shaped stage gallery and a sound score that could be jettisoned wholesale without injuring the production. Rickman gives a competent but uninspired reading as the Prince: moderately, not corrosively, sardonic and seldom overwrought either in his agonies of thought or fiery bursts of action. The other principals, however, fall well short of the mark: Geraldine McEwan's Gertrude is irritatingly mimsy, Michael Byrne's Polonius begins shrewdly but loses his way, and Adrian Rawlins' Laertes wants to be Gerard Murphy. After the one interval (late, at the two-hour mark), Sturua's erratic cutting leads to an unsettling scramble towards the most terse duel I've ever seen: blink and you miss Gertrude's poisoning, Hamlet's fatal wounding and Laertes' suicide \ufffd suicide? Nobody realistically expects a major revelatory Hamlet these days, but we still have that nagging hope; and from a team of such pedigree, this is a sadly underwhelming experience. ....................... Moving on, well, I saw copies of \"New Cardiff\" in Waterstones today and was tempted to buy one. (Okay, I know, I know, tempting fate, but I've never had any regrets about buying the \"Flashman\" novels -all are a terrific read. \"New Cardiff\" looks good, and is, I think, one of those books that you can instantly envisage as a movie. It's set (mainly)in small town Vermont. It's rather confusing to have a main character called Colin. Colin (fictitious)enjoys sex! Review from alphabetstreet.co.uk London artist Colin Ware and his lifelong companion Vera first 'met' when they kicked together as their pregnant mothers sat next to each other in the doctor's waiting room. They became like Siamese twins. They had great sex. They were getting married - until Vera sent Colin an invitation to her marriage to someone else. Escaping to America, Colin discovers in New Cardiff, Vermont, an innocence, warmth and eccentricity that seduces and transforms him. With a passionate kiss in the Revolutionary War Monument he falls hopelessly in love with Mandy, an attendant on break from the local care home, and in Colin\ufffds motel room they explore each other culturally as well as sexually. So when Vera arrives to reclaim him - profuse in her explanations and apologies for the 'wedding' that sent him on his journey - it's a very different Colin she encounters. Poignant and acutely comic, with a mesmerising fairy-tale quality, New Cardiff begins with a broken heart."}, {"response": 276, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 16, 2001 (18:42)", "body": "*What* does Alan Rickman's review have to do with Colin? Like who gives a s*** about Alan Rickman.Do I post RF reviews or the current SW reviews? Jeeeez. \"New Cardiff\" sounds like a winner though. (Evelyn-I'd love to hear what the agent said, if repostable. Not a chance , sorry.I'm done. But apparently some poor PA at ICM drew the short straw today;-)"}, {"response": 277, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jul 16, 2001 (19:10)", "body": "*taking Evelyn's virtual blood pressure* Yikes! (Bethan) Moving on, well, I saw copies of \"New Cardiff\" in Waterstones today and was tempted to buy one. While you're at it, buy one for Evelyn so she can put it on her nightstand. *ducking* ;-P he falls hopelessly in love with Mandy, an attendant on break from the local care home Aha! Ahahaha! CF is a shoe-in for this part. What better project to follow TIOBE? ;-D"}, {"response": 278, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Jul 16, 2001 (19:19)", "body": "Just a reminder--has everyone voted at etonline? Ewan is moving up at 27% and Colin is at 36%. I know we're a little pissed off at Colin at the moment, but we still want him to win, don't we?"}, {"response": 279, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 16, 2001 (20:17)", "body": "(Eileen)*taking Evelyn's virtual blood pressure* Yikes! LOL. I'm perpetually low...along with my spirits at the moment. (Bethan) I saw copies of \"New Cardiff\" in Waterstones today and was tempted to buy one. (Eileen)While you're at it, buy one for Evelyn so she can put it on her nightstand. No need to duck....Neelie,Actually, I'm gonna buy one as soon as the boss finds a place that doesn't charge postage .*sucker E.* \"..he falls hopelessly in love with Mandy, an attendant on break from the local care home\" \"local care home?\" Omigod...another nursing home movie?? Now he's even gonna shoot in one!"}, {"response": 280, "author": "rachael", "date": "Mon, Jul 16, 2001 (20:41)", "body": "Mrs slow-off-the-mark part 2 - is the Reece Witherspoon diary thing with TIOBE bits in it going to be shown on MTV UK, does anyone know? or have I already missed it? all I could find was a J-Lo diary which aired today"}, {"response": 281, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Jul 16, 2001 (20:41)", "body": "It's his DQ sequel! I can hear that Van Morrison soundtrack reprise coming thro' loud and clear."}, {"response": 282, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 16, 2001 (20:53)", "body": "I'm gonna buy one as soon as the boss finds a place that doesn't charge postage. LOL! Why don't we just send Aishling to Tescos to buy in bulk? ;-) Are we going to start posting reviews of this book already, even though nothing has been confirmed? I hope not. But I did get a kick out of one in the Telegraph that ended like this: And New Cardiff is slight in more ways than one. By cunningly inserting double-spacing between the paragraphs, the publishers have transformed a slim novella into a hefty volume which they can sell for \ufffd12.99. Call me old-fashioned, but I do like the words in novels to go right down the page. And I don't like being duped into buying half a book at full price. Evidently since it's all dialogue, adapting it to screen should be a no-brainer. ;-) (Kate) I know we're a little pissed off at Colin at the moment, but we still want him to win, don't we? Anyone want to ask worthless, lying agent whether Colin would appear if he won or they *said* he won?"}, {"response": 283, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Jul 16, 2001 (23:51)", "body": "Because we admire his work, does not mean that we light candles at his feet and condone everything he says and does; whether we agree with it or not. 100% agree. ...Now, as soon as I *find out* what he's said and done, I'll let you know what I think about it... ;-) ;-) **very sad and content to lurk until all is serene again** .. KJ"}, {"response": 284, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (01:05)", "body": "(KJ)...Now, as soon as I *find out* what he's said and done, I'll let you know what I think about it...;-) ;-) Where have you been? Read Press release on The Bucket. http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/hamlet2.html"}, {"response": 285, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (02:57)", "body": "Maybe the reason *is* fame doesn't last forever. CF is hot right now with BJD and the Emmy nomination for Conspiracy. If he's committed to Hamlet, film producers and directors will assume he is not available for movies during those 7 months. As a result, he'll be omitted from a lucrative market when he's the most marketable. He (and his agent presumably) might feel like he will forego lucrative opportunities if he does Hamlet. He can always do Hamlet later, when he \"cools off\" a little. After all, the movie producers want to get their product out as soon as possible, especially if they're counting on ODB's sizzle to help sell their movies. On the other hand, Hamlet isn't likely to get stale as a possible role for someone like ODB. You know the saying: \"Get it while your hot, because you'll be cold for a long, long time.\" (We know that law of nature doesn't apply to CF, but can he really know that???) He's probably thinking of his financial obligations to his family as well. I realize that the change in his plans is unfortunate for many. I hope you are all able to get your money back easily and soon. I would be upset, too, if I had purchased tickets."}, {"response": 286, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (08:17)", "body": "And it's NOT just ODB that some of us are upset at not seeing, Colin is part of , but not the whole equation for some of us ;-)"}, {"response": 287, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (12:34)", "body": "Hamlet isn't likely to get stale as a possible role for someone like ODB. No, but the opposite will eventually apply... I think he is human, after all! :-) But apart from Rickman who was 45 when he - apparently clumsily - grabbed his opportunity, Laurence Olivier himself was about 43 or 44 when making his famous film version. Colin still has very youthful looks - there is still time."}, {"response": 288, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (13:12)", "body": "The news has hit Ananova: Hamlet starring Colin Firth is cancelled A proposed production of Hamlet starring Colin Firth has been cancelled due to the actor's film commitments. The production was due to take place at London's Riverside Studios in the spring of next year. A spokesman for the production company Concentric Circles described the situation as disappointing. Colin Firth said: \"My worst fears were fulfilled when my filming schedule for early next year changed, meaning I would have to withdraw from Concentric Circles' production of Hamlet. We are now exploring other possibilities of working together in the future.\" Fans who bought tickets for the production will have their money refunded. Artistic director Christopher Fettes said: \"Colin and I had talked about Hamlet for sometime and it appeared to be the ideal production with which to launch a new theatre company, Concentric Circles. \"We all knew the risk of film schedules changing but had hoped that we could make these dates work.\""}, {"response": 289, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (14:16)", "body": "Wait til the press calls ICM and asks the name of the film.... They'll get: \"No comment\". (They're not gonna get their hands dirty)"}, {"response": 290, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (14:19)", "body": "Item in NY Post's Page Six column: Big winner FRIENDS of Colin Callender are still toasting the head of HBO's movie division on his Emmy nominations. Just a year after moving from New York to Beverly Hills with his lovely lawyer wife Elizabeth Gaine, Callender won four of the five TV movie nominations, for \"Conspiracy,\" \"For Love or Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story,\" \"61*,\" and \"Wit.\" Stars Kenneth Branagh, Andy Garcia, Barry Pepper, Judi Dench, Emma Thompson, Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci were all nominated, pushing the HBO total to 94, swamping runner-up NBC, which had 76."}, {"response": 291, "author": "toyce", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (14:20)", "body": "Well, I'm going to be real generous here or probably awfully naive. Maybe there's more than one project out there and no commitment to any of them. He's got so much choice he can't make one!"}, {"response": 292, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (14:41)", "body": "Karen, you are way ahead of Ananova! (Ananova)\"Colin and I had talked about Hamlet for sometime and it appeared to be the ideal production with which to launch a new theatre company, Concentric Circles. Am imagining who would have came to *that* launch party ;-) (Ananova)\"We all knew the risk of film schedules changing but had hoped that we could make these dates work.\" Ah, the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. I hope all will feel better soon ;-). There are a lot of things worse than this."}, {"response": 293, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (14:52)", "body": "(toyce)Well, I'm going to be real generous here or probably awfully naive. Maybe there's more than one project out there and no commitment to any of them. He's got so much choice he can't make one! Why not be optimistic! It may be raining screenplays! And not being able to make a choice would be very Hamlet ;-D"}, {"response": 294, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (15:01)", "body": "Wait til the press calls ICM and asks the name of the film.... A spokesperson for Colin Firth announced today that the actor is set to star in a new film, \"No Comment.\" Sources also indicated that the production company, Parallel Lines, is tipping the actor for the sequels, \"We Don't Have That Yet\" and \"Lots Of Irons In The Fire.\" All are based on the \"Obfuscation\" trilogy of books penned by Paul Lyin' Maris, Roger's brother. ;-)"}, {"response": 295, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (15:05)", "body": "Stop that Mari, I nearly peed my self I laughed so hard."}, {"response": 296, "author": "toyce", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (15:05)", "body": "Mari, Excellent summation of situation! No one could put it any better!"}, {"response": 297, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (15:12)", "body": "(Mari) All are based on the \"Obfuscation\" trilogy of books penned by Paul Lyin' Maris, Roger's brother. LOL! Am checking amazon next. Make room on your nightstand, Ev. ;-) BTW, they all sound like Oscar material to me. *snort*"}, {"response": 298, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (16:17)", "body": "Will Obfuscation be available on DVD and will it feature cast interviews ?"}, {"response": 299, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (16:38)", "body": "Send that to the tabs, Mari.I'm sure they're digging. Do you have the \"Obfuscation\"page ready for the Bucket yet? I'm thinking...foggy...hazy ,murky background. To be filmed in the Moors, of course. Lots of mist there. Now you see it, now you don't..."}, {"response": 300, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (17:15)", "body": "The mists part to reveal our hero ( clad in a billowing white shirt ) striding purposely up the moor, clutching a riding crop and a credit card refund form. He is devestatingly handsome and is undoubtidly one if the most famous literary figures to ever come out of...er....literature. Who could it be, Heathcliff, Mr Darcy ??? Hearts all accross the globe begin it pound in earnest....the mists hide his face, all we can see is a delicious dimpled chin. The mists begin to part again. Could it be, could it possibly be ???... O my God....nah, its just some boring Danish guy with a bad haircut. Lose the skull babe, it ain't exactly a chick magnet."}, {"response": 301, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (17:41)", "body": "*clap clap* Good one, Mari!"}, {"response": 302, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (17:49)", "body": "(Mari) A spokesperson for Colin Firth announced today that the actor is set to star in a new film, \"No Comment.\" I thought it was supposed to be \"New Cardiff.\" Don't do this to me, Mari! You had me going for a minute there! Oh, Beth, have you considered a career in screenwriting?!? It sounds like the trailer for Colin's new movie, \"Concentric Circles Spiral Downward.\""}, {"response": 303, "author": "rachael", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (18:13)", "body": "change of topic (had to, otherwise I'd wet my pants laughing at the stuff above) wrote to the BBC to ask when they're going to show \"Conspiracy\" since its an HBO/BBC co-production and its got lots of Emmy nominations; here is the (fairly useless) response: \"Thank you for your e-mail. As you are aware the film 'Conspiracy 2000' which stars Kenneth Branagh and Colin Firth is in fact a joint production with HBO productions who also distribute the film. At the present time we cannot confirm whether or not we will be purchasing the rights to broadcast it. I do hope this clarifies the position for you. Thank you once again for taking the time to contact us.\" I've written back to say that, essentially, no the position is not clarified and since I contribute to funding the BBC then shouldn't I be able to see things that they fund and co-produce? will let you know what response I get."}, {"response": 304, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (18:31)", "body": "'Attagirl Rachael. It IS indeed pretty stupid for the Beeb not to know if/when they are going to show a production, that they paid for."}, {"response": 305, "author": "toyce", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (19:13)", "body": "How much you want to bet they'll come back with \"No Comment.\""}, {"response": 306, "author": "studybees", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (19:18)", "body": "well earlier attempts at emailing the Beeb from this corner had them telling me that they'd never HEARD of Conspiracy!"}, {"response": 307, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (19:20)", "body": "Firth things first: Bethanne and Rachael, get thee to a pharmacy to buy some Depends! Can't stand the thought of you nice people catching a chill . . .;-) Will Obfuscation be available on DVD and will it feature cast interviews ? At this point it is premature to divulge DVD content, but the audiobook of the Obfuscation trilogy--read by Congressman Gary Condit--is available wherever fine books are sold.;-) The Foreword as been authored by Bethanne. In other news, Rachael will be penning a history of the Beeb entitled \"Sweet Clarity.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 308, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (19:26)", "body": "Thanks Mari, I do have a lot of living to do after all....not as much as I was planning on doing from Row 3 Seat 14 next Spring, but there you have it."}, {"response": 309, "author": "toyce", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (19:38)", "body": "read by Congressman Gary Condit Come on, Mari, that's a low blow!"}, {"response": 310, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (20:07)", "body": "Beth (Bethanne) The mists part to reveal our hero ( clad in a billowing white shirt ) striding purposely up the moor, clutching a riding crop and a credit card refund form. He is desparate and mourns the loss of his best friend... ... the Great Dane, who fell victim to foot-and-mouth-disease."}, {"response": 311, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (20:09)", "body": "(Toyce) Come on, Mari, that's a low blow! I know. But Gary's got to find something to do in between lie detector exams. ;-D C'mon Mari! More! Rachael, have you dug into the old posts to read the saga of Bethan and the BBC re: DQ? And the Beeb *had* the broadcast rights to that production."}, {"response": 312, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (20:11)", "body": "As opposed to us who are falling victim to Footing the Credit Card bill disease. It can be pretty deadly ya know ?"}, {"response": 313, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (20:11)", "body": "(Renate) He is desparate and mourns the loss of his best friend... ...for a minute there, I thought you meant Lassie."}, {"response": 314, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (20:15)", "body": "I was worried for a sec too, I thought she meant Mr Bingey until I saw the pic. I mean, Darcy and Bingley are THAT close are they ?"}, {"response": 315, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (20:16)", "body": "Oops that should be \"aren't\" that close.....O the horror !!!!"}, {"response": 316, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (20:25)", "body": "... the Great Dane, who fell victim to foot-and-mouth-disease LOL!!! But I feel you're all very hard on that poor Dane (must protect my fellow contrymen a little...)"}, {"response": 317, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (20:59)", "body": "Beth (Bethanne) The mists part to reveal our hero ( clad in a billowing white shirt ) striding purposely up the moor, clutching a riding crop and a credit card refund form. As Van Morrison sings \"My Worst Fears were Fulfilled\" from the hit album \"Exploring Possibilities and Other Fantasies\""}, {"response": 318, "author": "rachael", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (21:27)", "body": "Eileen, no I didn't see the DQ correspondence - when it got a Bafta nomination I wrote to the BBC saying when are you going to repeat it since it got nominated and Colin is a big hit in BJD, and they wrote back saying \"no plans\" for repeats on either digital or normal TV. When you see the tosh that's on there most of the time it makes me really annoyed to think of the good stuff they've got that they don't repeat."}, {"response": 319, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (22:30)", "body": "DQ (aaargh...red rag to a bull!)..the Beeb have no plans to release it as a video either (although several other lesser dramas shown on the BBC over Christmas are now available on video). So if you missed it, tough. If you want to buy it, tougher still. BBC Films (one of the many, many departments in the labyrinth) had heard of \"Conspiracy\" (well, they made it) and told me that it would be shown on TV. But I'm afraid I have no faith! I did see a mention of \"Conspiracy\" on a Dutch site though, with September as the date when it would be seen (if my guesswork translation was correct). Maybe you'll be lucky in Holland!"}, {"response": 320, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (22:40)", "body": "After consulting my Guru Richard Curtis, I've put the cancellation of Hamlet in its proper perspective. Life's real cruelties involve third-world debt, earthquakes in the Far East, testicular cancer and people starving in the Sudan. But those may be a few years old. ;-)"}, {"response": 321, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Jul 18, 2001 (00:54)", "body": "if you missed it, tough. If you want to buy it, tougher still. You can always try begging, borrowing or stealing."}, {"response": 322, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jul 18, 2001 (02:56)", "body": "Obfuscation Trilogy cover artwork:"}, {"response": 323, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 18, 2001 (03:15)", "body": "LMAO! Gotta get my Windex and clean this monitor. Too too funny, Mari."}, {"response": 324, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Jul 18, 2001 (07:20)", "body": "You can always try begging, borrowing or stealing. You forgot recording, multiplicating and circulating. ;-) Which we would never do, I must add! But just imagine how much money BBC would loose if we did. Tsk, tsk... I think they should release the DQ video without any further delay."}, {"response": 325, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Jul 18, 2001 (08:50)", "body": "I think they should release the DQ video without any further delay. I think the whole DQ fiasco shows all the faults of the BBC. I had always been in favour of the BBC licence fee (that's the annual charge every television owner in the UK has to pay and from which the Beeb is funded)but this is leading me to change my mind. Can any one imagine a commercial company allowing this to happen? It stars one of the hottest British actors, it has award winning performances, it was universally praised by the critics and yet they, apparently belatedly, squeeze it into the schedules with no fanfare and now seem keen to drop it like a brick. Incredible. Like the Tory party (sorry for all these UK references) they are so keen to dumb down and chase the Sun reader audience that they have forgotten what they are there for. End of rant."}, {"response": 326, "author": "rachael", "date": "Wed, Jul 18, 2001 (11:16)", "body": "Allison I so agree with you!! DQ and now the Conspiracy thing, why do I pay my licence fee??? Would it be worth lots of us emailing them do you think, they're not to know who is UK based from most email addresses. They haven't answered my 2nd Conspiracy query yet."}, {"response": 327, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Jul 18, 2001 (12:34)", "body": "You forgot recording, multiplicating and circulating. ;-) Moi? Nevah!!! ;-) Would it be worth lots of us emailing them do you think Writing heartfelt and well reasoned pleas to independent publications could have a better effect - at least the letters would have a better chance of getting noticed. Complaining to the culprit directly will be ignored as usual. Target film, TV, entertainment publications and national (and maybe some local, e.g. London) newspapers where Colin's name has been mentioned favourably. Shall we start a directory list of key addresses firth?"}, {"response": 328, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 18, 2001 (13:31)", "body": "From THR (a little more salt into the wounds): HBO Programs BAFTA/LA Nod Citing HBO Original Programming for recognizing British talent and aiding the United Kingdom's industry, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Los Angeles has selected the cable network's production unit for its Britannia Award for Excellence in Television. The honor will be bestowed at BAFTA/LA's 11th annual Britannia Awards on Nov. 10 at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, with HBO Original Programming chief Chris Albrecht accepting the award. \"We are delighted to be honoring HBO, truly one of the leading suppliers of innovative programming for the past 25 years,\" BAFTA/LA chairman Gary Dartnall said. \"The premium cable network has long embraced Britain's most creative talent, and we recognize and honor HBO for its expansive support of our industry.\" HBO filmed the upcoming 10-part miniseries \"Band of Brothers\" in England. \"Band,\" which focuses on an elite World War II U.S. Army unit, is executive produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg. HBO projects shot in England in recent years using U.K. talent include \"The Last of the Blonde Bombshells\" starring Judy Dench and Ian Holm; \"Wit\" starring Emma Thompson; and \"Conspiracy\" starring Kenneth Branagh. As previously announced, the Stanley Kubrick Britannia Award for Excellence in Film will be presented to George Lucas (HR 6/6)."}, {"response": 329, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jul 18, 2001 (13:51)", "body": "(Evelyn) As Van Morrison sings \"My Worst Fears were Fulfilled\" from the hit album \"Exploring Possibilities and Other Fantasies\" LOL! 'Atta girl, Ev. (Mari) Obfuscation Trilogy cover artwork *guffaw* (Karen) a little more salt into the wounds Ooh, I'll say."}, {"response": 330, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 18, 2001 (14:22)", "body": "(Karen) a little more salt into the wounds. Ahem...when do we start the countdown for Londinium on Sept 2nd;-)) *dodging tomahtoes from across the pond* (Mari)Obfuscation Trilogy cover artwork: LMAO, Mari.Paul and his henchmen! May I be in charge of the soundtrack? I have a few more songs that would be a propos. Never heard of BAFTA/LA Britannia awards. Wonder who else they honor. HBO deserves it."}, {"response": 331, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 18, 2001 (14:39)", "body": "Have received an email from someone in the UK, saying she received the cancellation letter from the Riverside this a.m."}, {"response": 332, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 18, 2001 (14:55)", "body": "saying she received the cancellation letter from the Riverside this a.m. Screw the letter...I want the refund."}, {"response": 333, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jul 18, 2001 (15:16)", "body": "Karen, I can top that, I recieved TWO cancellation letters from Riverside, do you think I will get two refunds?! hee hee Incidentally it says that the money will be refunded directly to the credit card over the next couple of months and that they will write to us again with confirmation of the refund. So with a bit of luck we should be refunded by Colin's birthday. Would still rather see Colin live and meet up with friends,boo hoo."}, {"response": 334, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jul 18, 2001 (17:24)", "body": "(Evelyn)May I be in charge of the soundtrack? As long as it includes Ain't No Mountain High Enough . . .the job is yours, m'dear.:-) I've heard of the Britannia Awards from BAFTA/LA. I'm pretty sure Spielberg is a prior winner. BTW, Band Of Brothers features several hundred parts--vast majority played by British actors including some of the leads. No wonder he's Sir Steve.;-) BAFTA/LA always throw a big pre-Oscar bash--wonder if they'll do the same for the Emmys? They should--British actors have a nice shot at sweeping the TV movie acting categories. Plus the Emmy people always have a big luncheon for the nominees. I'm sure HBO will be feting their folks. Colin should plan on spending a couple of party weeks here, easily.:-) Ann, I'd hold out for the double refund, absolutely!:-) From What's On Stage: Firth Cancels Hamlet Due to Film Commitments Colin Firth has cancelled his involvement in an upcoming stage production of Hamlet due to ongoing film commitments. The actor was due to star in a version at London's Riverside Studios at the start of next year but has now withdrawn after a filming agenda was altered. The production company behind the venture, Concentric Circles, have expressed their disappointment but are believed to be talking to Firth about future projects. Firth has commented that his \"worst fears were fulfilled when my filming schedule for early next year changed\". Concentric Circles is a new theatre company and they had hoped to launch their works with Firth in Hamlet. However, they have admitted to being aware of the risks involved with film productions and the demands on their star's time. Firth was, ironically, originally discovered whilst playing Hamlet at the Drama Centre in north London. His first major stage role came as Guy Bennett in the original West End production of Another Country. The actor later received a BAFTA nomination for his portrayal of Mr Darcy in the TV adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. A refund will be provided for customers who have already purchased tickets for Hamlet, which was to have opened on 30 January 2002. Concentric Circles will now present its planned production of Phedre with Sheila Gish during spring 2002. Fresh from her success this year in the Edward Albee double bill (Finding the Sun/Marriage Play) at the Royal National Theatre, Gish will be working with director Christopher Fettes once more. It is 20 years since they last collaborated on an acclaimed production of Berenice at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith. No confirmation has been signalled yet for what might take Hamlet's place on the Riverside's programme. - by Gareth Thompson"}, {"response": 335, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 18, 2001 (18:02)", "body": "ongoing film commitments Those sound very specific. ;-D For Evelyn's approval, a few Van Morrison selections for the Obfuscation soundtrack: It's Too Late to Stop Now album: -Ain't Nothin' You Can Do -I've Been Working -Bring it on Home To Me Wavelength: -Take It Where You Find It Into the Music: -You Know What They're Writing About -It's All in the Game A Sense of Wonder: -If You Only Knew Hymns to the Silence: -Why Must I Always Explain -Village Idiot -Take Me Back Too Long in Exile: Tell Me What You Want How Long Has This Been Going On: -Your Mind Is On Vacation -Don't Worry About a Thing -That's Life -Heathrow Shuffle The Healing Game: -It Was Once My Life -Sometimes We Cry The Philosopher's Stone: -Don't Worry About Tomorrow -I Have Finally Come to Realize"}, {"response": 336, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 18, 2001 (18:44)", "body": "Re: DQ & Conspiracy on BBC Why don't you guys go for the big fish and email Alan Yentob. At one time his email was: alan.yentob@bbc.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hey..thanks for all the titles for songs...I like \"Sometimes We Cry\"... Wanna be my co- muscial director?"}, {"response": 337, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 18, 2001 (18:46)", "body": "(Elton Evie) Wanna be my co- muscial director? Whaddaya think I am, \"The Fool on the Hill\"? ;-)"}, {"response": 338, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 18, 2001 (18:47)", "body": "MEDIA ALERT ~~~~~~~~~Press Release from Parallel Lines Production Co.~~~~~~~~~ The star of the film \"No Comment\" is also the composer of the song \"Ah Feel Yo Pain\" which he sings with an accent (Grammy's take note), dedicated to his fans and back -up group, Concentric Circle. Riverside Studios declined the honour"}, {"response": 339, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jul 18, 2001 (19:09)", "body": "I succumbed to temptation and bought a copy of \"New Cardiff\". It's an absolute hoot! Haven't read it all yet, but every page has \"film me\" written on it. Reads more like a (very funny) screenplay. Even if it isn't made into a movie (and it has to be) I wouldn't regret buying it."}, {"response": 340, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Jul 18, 2001 (19:27)", "body": "LOL Ladies, for the place to come for blues dispelling mirth, this place can't beat. Thanks ! Agree with all your Brit comments Allison. It's so therapeutic reading a good rant now and then :-) Seems like we all got our Riverside letter today. Go for double Ann!"}, {"response": 341, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 18, 2001 (19:48)", "body": "Hope you can put that letter to good use (e.g., line the bottom of a bird cage). Has Madame Eileen checked her crystal ball lately?"}, {"response": 342, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jul 18, 2001 (20:42)", "body": "(Karen) Has Madame Eileen checked her crystal ball lately? *tsk* Sorry. Ms. Moon borrowed said ball and took it to Italy. She mumbled something about Rupie and serendipity. ;-) a few Van Morrison selections for the Obfuscation soundtrack LOL! I think the How Long Has This Been Going On Album has the most relevant selections."}, {"response": 343, "author": "rachael", "date": "Wed, Jul 18, 2001 (20:49)", "body": "Evelyn you're on - an email will be going to Alan Yentob shortly, citing DQ, Conspiracy, and the BAFTA HBO thing mentioned above. I'll let youse all know if/when I hear anything (but I'm not holding my breath) - oh, and I might just bung Londinium in there - and send a note to FilmFour about Londinium too - they're supposed to support innovative British drama after all *sound of hysterical laughter in the background*"}, {"response": 344, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Jul 18, 2001 (21:16)", "body": "Just saw a trailer advertising what's up and coming on Film Four. Can you believe something about London as seen thro' the eyes of film!! *double hysterical laughter* Karen, lining a bird cage is too good for said sheet. Will have to come up with a \"Ten uses\" list :-)) As a certain lady said about ODB \"Just give me time.. give me time.\""}, {"response": 345, "author": "rachael", "date": "Wed, Jul 18, 2001 (21:45)", "body": "Lizza, the film four \"trailer\" about a weekend of London film actually was for the weekend of 6/7/8 July (Fever Pitch went out on the Saturday) so its already been and gone - their July trailers are way out of date. Have emailed Alan Yentob re DQ and Conspiracy, have emailed Sunlight about Londimium - feedback as and when ... and, oooooohhhh I just went to the official Londinium site and printed off the big version of the \"Colin by himself\" still - now I don't normally go for facial hair, but, that pic is right in front of me and I can hardly type, he is No.1 AFG bloke! (Absolutely F***ing Gorgeous) but then you all knew that anyway .... just had to share *g*"}, {"response": 346, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 18, 2001 (22:36)", "body": "No.1 AFG bloke! (Absolutely F***ing Gorgeous) Thanks Rachael...Newest acronym to add to the list around here....(mine anyway) Others: AAA= Apologies All Around DC = Drool Cop (Rachael)oh, and I might just bung Londinium in there - and send a note to FilmFour about Londinium too Did you send them the Londinium URL?Helps. I always include an URL if there is one."}, {"response": 347, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 19, 2001 (03:10)", "body": "Here's a film fest lineup with possibilities ;-) The Locarno International Film Festival (August 2-12) will have a showing of BJD in the Piazza Grande (open-air screenings for noncompetition films)."}, {"response": 348, "author": "rachael", "date": "Thu, Jul 19, 2001 (12:57)", "body": "got New Cardiff today, only read ch 1 but I can see it as a film - only thing is, having the main character called Colin, and knowing the discussion here (which prompted me to buy it in the first place) its impossible to read it without hearing his voice or imagining him in the scenes - so do I like it cos I imagine ODB in it, or do I think its good anyway?? Both, I think. hmmm"}, {"response": 349, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jul 19, 2001 (13:49)", "body": "OK, Moon has FedEx'd crystal ball back to me (won't tell you what she said ;-)). Am gazing now. What will Colin do next? I see a small, light blue and white box with blue lettering...A..C...U...V...U...ohmigod! Nooooooo! Nooooooooo! That's Sean Bean's job! Wait--I put ball down in front of a box of my contacts. Let's try again. *shaking ball in manner of paperweight* It's hazy, very hazy. What's that? A martini? Shaken, not stirred? ;-D That's all for now. Must get ball over to DC police, missing persons division."}, {"response": 350, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Thu, Jul 19, 2001 (14:54)", "body": "LOL Eileen, toooo funny !!! Anyone else catch Sean Bean on the Vicar of Dibley last weekend, on PBS ? It ws only a small cameo part, but it was very funny."}, {"response": 351, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Jul 19, 2001 (15:44)", "body": "Given your choice for cover artwork for Obfuscation Trilogy, you really must also consider these songs for soundtrack: I'm Not Your Stepping Stone (could be sung in manner of soliloquy in regard to Concentric Circles) Daydream Believer I'm a Believer Take the Last Train to.....Umbria ;-)"}, {"response": 352, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 19, 2001 (15:57)", "body": "Thank you, Lora. elton evie and Parallel Films are taking all suggestions into consideration for soundtracks of Obfuscation Triology. (\"You want me to do *three* films?\") Additional song: \"In Your Dreams\""}, {"response": 353, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 19, 2001 (16:01)", "body": "This \"Obfuscation\" project has really gotten to be too big for a feature film. I'd feel much better if it were put into the BBC's hands. ;-)"}, {"response": 354, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Thu, Jul 19, 2001 (16:32)", "body": "thus guaranteeing that we will nevah, evah get to see it, coz as soon as the Beeb sign on the dotted line, they will forget that they even own the righs to the darn thing and it will be consigned to oblivion forever....sound familiar ?"}, {"response": 355, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jul 19, 2001 (17:53)", "body": "Yahoo reports that HG has been offered the role of Gilderoy Lockhart in the next Harry Potter movie. I only mention this because the original report mentioned Hughie as likely to play Lockhart and CF Sirius Black (Sirius doesn't appear until Book 3)"}, {"response": 356, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Jul 19, 2001 (18:20)", "body": "oh, my, I can't believe I forgot to include that Davey Jones classic, \"I Wanna Be Free.\" Must add that to the list above ;-P"}, {"response": 357, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Jul 19, 2001 (18:35)", "body": "Yes hand the project over to the BBC. Of course it will sink without trace, but only for a while, when at short notice it will resurface as a beeb \"Xmas Special\""}, {"response": 358, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Jul 19, 2001 (18:37)", "body": "Then we could have such classics as \"All I want for Christmas...\" and \"I saw Mummy kissing...\" but probably \"In the bleak Mid-Winter.\""}, {"response": 359, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jul 19, 2001 (20:26)", "body": "You people have truly been doing excellent work on the soundtrack for the trilogy \"O\" (to be released in France as \"Eau\" ;-) Keep it going . . .we've got 3 CDs-worth to fill! Here's a thought re: distribution. If the Beeb isn't interested, we can always sell it to Miramax, which will circulate, oh, 22 prints for the entire continent should do it.;-) Interesting article on Hugh Jackman in the London Times today--talks about having to strike when the iron is hot, leaving the theater for film work, of reaching a level where you get more choices opening up to you, the necessity of traveling to where the work is--and getting a sharp agent and publicist. Perhaps it could be included with the \"O\" CD liner notes?;-) As opposed to the OCD liner notes. As opposed to the OCD liner notes. As opposed to te OCD liner . . . sorry, I get that way when I miss a dose.;-) ;-) Bethan I read the HG Harry Potter rumor too, but today his \"spokeswoman\" is saying it isn't true. Still, where there's smoke . . ."}, {"response": 360, "author": "rachael", "date": "Thu, Jul 19, 2001 (20:28)", "body": "advice please - have been browsing at Amazon, have got or seen most of the CF videos they list (which isn't a great selection in total) - the only 2 I haven't seen are Nostromo and Turn of the Screw, would people recommend investing in either?"}, {"response": 361, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 19, 2001 (20:56)", "body": "Re: Credit Card Refunds. Do not discard any correspondence you receive from Riverside Studios re: the cancellation. The credit card company wishes to have this evidence for a refund.As per a telephone call I just received from the rep handling the disputed charges."}, {"response": 362, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 19, 2001 (20:58)", "body": "(Mari) Interesting article on Hugh Jackman in the London Times today Read that last night too (did ya notice the movie is on its third title?)...especially the part about how plans for him to reprise Curly on B'way have been cancelled. ;-) (Rachael) I haven't seen are Nostromo and Turn of the Screw, would people recommend investing in either? Colin's only in the first couple of minutes of TTOTS, so the answer is a big NO WAY, Josefina. You will probably get mixed reports about Nostromo. It's not *that* bad. I love the score, the pgymy horses, the way most of the cast looks like their dialogue has been dubbed, among other things."}, {"response": 363, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Jul 19, 2001 (21:14)", "body": "The best thing about Nostromo is that Colin had a tan. He freckles adorably. And that scene in the mine is good, too. Rachael, do you have access to a library that has a video collection? I think my library has Nostromo. Perhaps one near you does, too. It's \"literature,\" after all."}, {"response": 364, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 19, 2001 (21:29)", "body": "Emmy Awards will be bestowed Sept. 16 in a ceremony to be broadcast on CBS-TV. Hope he comes. Nostromo: I go for the mine scene. It's worth the cost of the video. And then there's Albert Finney who probably told him the story there about doing Hamlet at 20 or 40;-)"}, {"response": 365, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Thu, Jul 19, 2001 (23:35)", "body": "Yup, the mine scene does makes Nostromo worth the purchase, provided its not too expensive as it was rather dark in the mine and, we don't really see all that much...but all the sweaty groaning and panting was fun to listen to. I wonder it was really theirs, or dubbed in later. I also liked it for the lovely, exotic, steamy locations. I can just see myself, clip board in hand, specs perched sexily at the end of my nose as I go about my job of Production Assistant, catering to every need and whim of the director....when suddenly my eye catches the lambent chocoalte pools of the leading man, looking incredibly sexy on a pygmy horse, that any other actor other than Mini Me, would look ridiculous on. Our two hearts beat as one when all of a sudden....damm it, I'm woken up by my bloody cat looking for its dinner....O well, a girl can dream can't she ?"}, {"response": 366, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Jul 20, 2001 (00:36)", "body": "(Beeth)I can just see myself, clip board in hand, specs perched sexily at the end of my nose as I go about my job of Production Assistant, catering to every need and whim of the director....when suddenly my eye catches the lambent chocoalte pools of the leading man, looking incredibly sexy on a pygmy horse, that any other actor other than Mini Me, would look ridiculous on. Our two hearts beat as one when all of a sudden.... Beth, you should be writing romance novels!!!"}, {"response": 367, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Fri, Jul 20, 2001 (00:48)", "body": "Sorry Kate, but thats one plot-line someone else thought of before me, including the requisite happy ending, an idyllic farm house in Tuscany and a boucing baby boy to complete the picture of domestic bliss."}, {"response": 368, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Fri, Jul 20, 2001 (00:52)", "body": "Or is Livia from Umbria ? I can never remember."}, {"response": 369, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jul 20, 2001 (01:37)", "body": "(Karen) (did ya notice the movie is on its third title?)...especially the part about how plans for him to reprise Curly on B'way have been cancelled. ;-) Yes, what's it called now--Someone Like Your Husband's Animal? ;-) HJ is on to greener $$$ pastures; too dry in Oklahoma!:-) (Evelyn) Emmy Awards will be bestowed Sept. 16 in a ceremony to be broadcast on CBS-TV. Hope he comes. Peer recognition for excellence in a dramatic role--he'll be there. I guarantee it. He's proud of this one. ODB has been smelling the Starbucks, alright. And now, having almost recovered from the traumatic prospect of a Daneless winter of our discontent (ok, so I mix 'n match 'em;-), I think Colin is doing absolutely the right thing in turning to film at this point. Timing is right for him. It's the smart move. Go for it, Colin! (Beth) incredibly sexy on a pygmy horse, that any other actor other than Mini Me, would look ridiculous on. \"Mini Me, are you hungry--would you like a hot pocket? They're breathtaking.;-)\" Too funny, Beth. Hey, this Hollywood Movie Awards line-up looks very credible to me. From a Variety article on the Fest: \"The event will culminate with the Hollywood Movie Awards ceremony Aug. 6 at the Beverly Hilton. Presenters and guests include directors Michael Apted, James L. Brooks, Anthony Minghella, Sydney Pollack, Ridley Scott, Tony Scott and Penny Marshall; and actors Sandra Bullock, Harrison Ford, Sally Kellerman and Charlize Theron.\" C'mon and vote, folks! Colin's lead over You-in is only 36% to 27%. Too close for comfort, and God knows what they'll try to pull with the alleged balloting available at Hollywood Video stores. They'd better not pull a Katherine Harris.:-( www.etonline.com Go to lower right and click on H'Wood Movie Awards"}, {"response": 370, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jul 20, 2001 (15:16)", "body": "Rachael, Nostromo is worth the price of the video as long as you don't pay more than a buck three eighty for it and you only watch the house tour and mine scenes (OK, throw in the wet shirt scene too). That leaves...oh, about five hours and fifty minutes worth of tape that'll make you want to go for a swim with bars of silver in your pockets. ;-) (Karen) the part about how plans for him to reprise Curly on B'way have been cancelled Ooh, have been away from NYC for too long. My first thought was 'there's a play about the Three Stooges?' :-P"}, {"response": 371, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jul 20, 2001 (16:42)", "body": "Have just voted. Here are the standings: Johnny Depp 13% Colin Firth 35% Anthony Hopkins 17% Ben Kingsley 2% Ewan McGregor 27% Guy Pearce 5%"}, {"response": 372, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 20, 2001 (17:49)", "body": "Now that we have all voted...we need to ask family and friends to vote...and alternate places. I voted at the library this AM. That's not a commancing lead. BTW anybody have any luck voting at Hollywood Videos? I went to two and they never heard of the Best Actor contest. You think he'll attend a function in LA on August 4th?"}, {"response": 373, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 20, 2001 (18:17)", "body": "(Evelyn) You think he'll attend a function in LA on August 4th? Related question, when are the Emmy ballots due in? Surely, he *must* understand by now that a certain amount of (cough cough) campaigning in the form of 'being seen' and 'networking' is required to actually win an award...and it's not like he's going to do the talk shows again without a movie to promote."}, {"response": 374, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jul 20, 2001 (18:19)", "body": "(Evelyn) You think he'll attend a function in LA on August 4th? Heck no. Should CF win, I see two possible scenarios: a) They'll show a videotaped acceptance speech featuring Colin, poolside. He'll start by saying something like 'I drove all morning just to tape this here.' b) The presenter will say 'Colin Firth could not be here tonight due to a change in his film schedule.' Sorry, Col, you're still in the doghouse."}, {"response": 375, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 20, 2001 (18:21)", "body": "Have just looked it up: week of July 30: tapes mailed out August 17: deadline for at-home judging (is there \"not\" at-home judging??)"}, {"response": 376, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 20, 2001 (20:31)", "body": "The August 6th date is for the Hollywood Awards...not Emmy. Emmy's are Sept 16th (Eileen)They'll show a videotaped acceptancespeech featuring Colin, poolside. He'll start by saying something like 'I drove all morning just to tape this here.' Then, he'll launch (no pun intended) into: \"My worst fears were fulfilled...\" Hey, it worked once. That story has legs by now."}, {"response": 377, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Jul 20, 2001 (20:48)", "body": "LOL boss, you crack me up!"}, {"response": 378, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Fri, Jul 20, 2001 (22:15)", "body": "In case anyone is interested in increasing Colin's chances at the Hollywood Film Awards: If one were inclined to do such a thing as to 'stuff the virtual ballotbox' for the ETOnline contest, this would be how one would go about doing it: Click on \"Start > Find > Files or Folders\" on your windows desktop type in \"cookies.txt\" and click \"Find Now\" When the \"cookies.txt\" file is found, right-click the name and drag it and drop it on your desktop. This will bring up a dialogue box - select \"Create Shortcut(s) Here\" Double-click the new shortcut to open the cookies file in Notepad. Click \"File > Save As\" and save this file as something different (like \"save_cookies.txt\"), if you want to save your cookies Once you have saved the file as something else, close it. Once again, double-click on the shortcut to cookies.txt. Highlight everything EXCEPT the first three lines in the file (which start with \"#\") and delete it. Now save the file (with only the first 3 lines). Close it. Open your Netscape browser to http://www.etonline.com/html/page_meter/hff2001/index.htm (to save time and clicks, I have this set as my home page). Vote for your favorite choices. Close your browser. Repeat steps 7 through 11 until your arm feels like it's going to fall off. Please remember, this is a theoretical list of steps. I would never do this myself, nor would I encourage anyone else to do so... Once the voting ends, of course, one would then rename the saved cookies file back to \"cookies.txt\" and their cookies would return..."}, {"response": 379, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sat, Jul 21, 2001 (01:52)", "body": "Sarah, why so complicated? I have a PC, and all I have to do to get rid of cookies is to delete them from temprorary internet files via Windows Explorer. I routinely get rid of cookies that are not related to frequently visited websites. It's all quite innocent, really. What's the last day for voting? I have a meeting in NYC next week and a few of the people there will let me vote on their computers. (Evelyn)I voted at the library this AM. Clever girl!!!!"}, {"response": 380, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Sat, Jul 21, 2001 (01:58)", "body": "Hi Kate, Well, if you don't care about the old cookies, you can skip most of the steps, but some folks on here said they didn't want to lose their cookies (so to speak). ;-) I've found that deleting the cookies and not the file itself seems to work better on my computer for some unknown reason. Having to create a cookie file over and over seems to cause memory problems for my computer. But whatever works for you, go for it. :-) Last day of the contest is July 25."}, {"response": 381, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 21, 2001 (05:05)", "body": "Lucky Australians! Not only is BJD finally opening, but Donovan Quick is being shown again on your ABC on Tuesday night, the 24th, at 11:00p http://www.abc.net.au/tvpub/schedule/sheds/p20010724.htm"}, {"response": 382, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 21, 2001 (05:19)", "body": "I think Sarah's method allows you to do continuous voting, without having to manually delete the etonline cookie each time. Or am I wrong about that?"}, {"response": 383, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Sat, Jul 21, 2001 (05:46)", "body": "Actually, you would be manually deleting the etonline cookie (for Netscape only) by following those steps."}, {"response": 384, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sat, Jul 21, 2001 (16:01)", "body": "I have to delete the etonline cookie each time. But what I do as part of regular file clearing is scroll through the list of cookies and take out the ones I don't want, one by one (leaving any Spring cookies intact, of course!)"}, {"response": 385, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Sat, Jul 21, 2001 (17:52)", "body": "Colin and BJD are losing ground to Ewan and Mouline Rouge, although RZ seems to be holding her own against Nicole (for now). I wonder how the voting at the video stores is going for our candidates. ET usually publicizes these things on their show at some point, so this will probably happen the final week of the vote. We'll be better able to see how the general public votes at that point."}, {"response": 386, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 21, 2001 (21:29)", "body": "(Louise) I wonder how the voting at the video stores is going How?? Have you actually found a video store that had ballots or knew about this? I see...in my crystal ball...an armored truck pulling up in front of the Hollywood Film Festival offices after collecting the ballots from Palm Beach County. What? They hanging chads indicate votes for Pat Buchanan?! Argh!"}, {"response": 387, "author": "rachael", "date": "Sat, Jul 21, 2001 (23:01)", "body": "Colin's snuck up 1 point to 36% - child has agreed to go on all computers in the library at school on tuesday and I'm going to see what I can do from work ...."}, {"response": 388, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Sun, Jul 22, 2001 (04:13)", "body": "It seems we're besieged on more than one front. Here's another revolting development: over at this BJD site, the vote for \"who is cuter--Mark Darcy or Daniel Cleaver?\" is currently 62% in DC's favor. Yuuuck! Are these people mad? Or, more likely, the vote is being rigged. If your clicking finger isn't too tired, go here and vote for ODB. http://ninemsn.com.au/bridgetjones/info.asp?blipid=5481"}, {"response": 389, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Sun, Jul 22, 2001 (04:34)", "body": "P.S. There are some v.g. clips at this site--interviews with cast, director and HF about the film. Maybe some of you have seen them, but I had not, so I was v. interested in what they had to say."}, {"response": 390, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 22, 2001 (14:44)", "body": "I believe the clips were the ones shown in the UK \"Making of\" program, aren't they? Don't you think voting for the Hollywood FF Awards a little more important? I do."}, {"response": 391, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sun, Jul 22, 2001 (14:57)", "body": "Cads seem \"cuter\" to bimbos."}, {"response": 392, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Sun, Jul 22, 2001 (16:07)", "body": "I guess I must not be a bimbo, then, as I have never liked the TV and film stars who were \"bad boys\" in real life. Don't you think voting for the Hollywood FF Awards a little more important? I do. Oh yes, they are definitely more important, but I try to vote against injustice wherever I find it."}, {"response": 393, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jul 22, 2001 (17:32)", "body": "got New Cardiff today, only read ch 1 but I can see it as a film.. Have you read any more, Rachael? I can *always* enthuse (hey, I'm very keen on both MOB and TIOBE!), but if I had to put my money where my mouth is, this is the one that would get my life savings. Even as I was reading it I could *see* the scenes being played out on film. Hope it comes through -it will be a winner-and that CF plays Colin! The blurb on the book cover actually states that film rights have been purchased by Fragile Films who own Ealing Studios."}, {"response": 394, "author": "rachael", "date": "Sun, Jul 22, 2001 (22:50)", "body": "Bethan, I finished the book now. Saw the fragile films note; thought the book was a little odd although can see how it could be a film. good twist in the middle (won't say any more at risk of planting a spoiler); interesting that there's almost no description (we don't actually know what Colin, Mandy et al look like, really) but its nearly all dialogue so presumably wouldn't be hard to turn into a screenplay; I can see why it might appeal to ODB as its got that certain quirkiness that seems to characterise a number of things he's done, and you'd assume that as its written by the guy who wrote \"The Graduate\" that it would be a seller ... so. one funny thought - if the main character is called Colin, being played by someone really called Colin, would it be hard to remember which Colin to be and when to stop pretending? ;)"}, {"response": 395, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Mon, Jul 23, 2001 (01:28)", "body": "Which ever Colin he plays will be just fine and dandy with me."}, {"response": 396, "author": "robertson77", "date": "Mon, Jul 23, 2001 (07:04)", "body": "Hello Everyone, I have been \"lurking\" for ages and, having greatly enjoyed all your comments - it has often been a major source of enjoyment for me after a hard day's work. I therefore felt I should finally make a contribution, especially since this rather amusing article appeared yesterday in the Sydney Sun Herald (\"Bridget Jones\" has just opened here and is getting a lot of publicity). I apologise in advance if any of your other Australian contributors have already sent this article. As I sadly don't have a scanner, I can't send the delightful drawing which accompanied it (it showed CF as Mr Darcy, lying back and drinking a martini and was labelled \"007th Heaven\". But I have re-typed the article below, if any of your readers would enjoy it. #Double oh, Colin There's a bond between Mr Darcy and a tuxedo dream. LADIES, brace yourselves: it is my happy duty to report that Mr Darcy is set to be the next James Bond. Whoof! Colin Firth, he of the skin-clinging, soaking-wet white shirt in the ABC's \"Pride and Prejudice\", is said to be \"desperate\" to give the 007 tuxedo a bit of a turn. The mind boggles. If costume drama-Darcy to secret agent seems a bit of a leap, then consider Firth's current Darcy outing as Mark Darcy, the highly eligible human rights lawyer in the movie \"Bridget Jones's Diary\". Strong willed, out to get the baddies and most definitely a ladies' man, he has a surprising amount in common with Bond. Take away the reindeer jumper (go see the move, you'll know what I mean), Santa ties (another movie in-joke, sorry) and legal get-up, add a concealed weapon and a martini - and voila! Most definitely licensed to thrill. \"I'd go for it, absolutely!\" Firth has said of the chance to replace Pierce Brosnan on the Bond perch. \"I'd love the idea.\" It's hard to think of a more dashing 007 candidate. When it comes to being a bona fide screen god, Firth's credentials are impeccable: * Smouldering eyes and a tendency to come over a bit dark - tick. * Ability to look mouth-watering in clothes of any style or era - tick (he even gets away with sideburns, for heaven's sake). * Screen smooch rating - extremely high (sorry, it's that film again!) Who better to step into the shoes of one of the screen's most suave operators? Judging by how women are howling out loud at his \"Bridget Jones\" appearance (not me, of course), there can be no doubt that Firth's Bond would be a winner. He's not without competition, however. Russell Crowe is said to be taking aim at the 007 part, too. A source in the Firth camp said: \"He's realistic about his chances and admits that Russell Crowe is probably the favourite.\" I beg to differ. Crowe certainly wore his \"Gladiator\" togs well and no-one does the brutish, bad-boy act better. But Bond? Nah. One glimpse of Firth in his \"Bridget Jones\" sharp suits and crisp tailoring and it's clear that he was born to be on Her Majesty's Service. Ooh. I fell shaken AND stirred already.# I had a smile on my face as I read this - hope you all liked it too. Nellie"}, {"response": 397, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Jul 23, 2001 (11:26)", "body": "Welcome Nellie, great to have you with us at last! Thanks for posting the article. We are always getting \"shaken and stirred\" by ODB here, so I'll raise a dry martini to your next post ;-) I always enjoy these articles where the jounalist is under the spell too! Thanks for sharing."}, {"response": 398, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Jul 23, 2001 (11:28)", "body": "Or even journalist! OOh am I shaken up, it's the images conjured up in your article!"}, {"response": 399, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 23, 2001 (13:01)", "body": "Welcome Nellie!! Great to see you delurk and happy that Bridget has finally made it to your shore. Join us on 126 when you'd like to share your Bridget experience. ...now back to this Mr Bond thing! Ooof, those *journalists* make me nuts. Have they no shame? It was a cute little article though. But, come on, who really believes he that? There's a bond between Mr Darcy and a tuxedo dream. Tuxedo dream? Must be the same as a pipe dream. ;-) Judging by how women are howling out loud at his \"Bridget Jones\" appearance This, I'd love to have seen/heard. ;-) Plus that drawing... surely someone has a scanner downunder. *foot tapping*"}, {"response": 400, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jul 23, 2001 (13:30)", "body": "(Karen) Ooof, those *journalists* make me nuts. *Heehee* Am sure Aussie readers will recognize that the author's tongue is set firmly in her cheek and not mistake this little fluff piece (thoroughly researched at the PeopleNews site ;-)) for bonafide news. Plus that drawing... surely someone has a scanner downunder. Yes, yes! Cathey? Anyone? Welcome, Nellie! Keep posting!"}, {"response": 401, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 23, 2001 (13:50)", "body": "Hi Nellie...good to have you on board.Cute article. *I * can see Colin as Bond, but I thought it was already decided. Some obscure Irish (?) actor?? (Rachael)..thought the book was a little odd Wait til you hear about the author;-))"}, {"response": 402, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 23, 2001 (13:54)", "body": "(Evelyn) but I thought it was already decided. Some obscure Irish (?) actor?? Yes, Pierce Brosnan, although I'd hardly call him obscure. ;-)"}, {"response": 403, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Jul 23, 2001 (14:30)", "body": "Ever since they ran out of \"real\" Bond stories--those written by Fleming, the Bond movies have been getting ridiculous. There used to be a delightful toungue-in-cheek nature to them. And I think Colin's \"interest\" is a remark he made in a similar vein. Now Bond has become a caricature. I'm not sure he'd really do Bond. After all, Colin fights like a girl. ;-))"}, {"response": 404, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Jul 23, 2001 (14:36)", "body": "And that was only when he was trying to do \"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.\" OOPs sorry Karen! Don't want to incur your wrath even more than Aussie journalists. Anyway by his own admission he's got his ownn Bond girl at home, why bother going on screen to find one."}, {"response": 405, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 23, 2001 (14:44)", "body": "(Lizza) OOPs sorry Karen! Don't want to incur your wrath ???????????????????????????????????????????????"}, {"response": 406, "author": "toyce", "date": "Mon, Jul 23, 2001 (15:25)", "body": "Welcome Nellie!! I'm a newbie myself and even though I don't post that much, I love to read what everyone else posts."}, {"response": 407, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Jul 23, 2001 (15:43)", "body": "Karen, CTHD, is I know one of your all time fave films! See, I remembered this time ;-D"}, {"response": 408, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 23, 2001 (17:11)", "body": "Catherine Zeta -Jones was a guest on Larry King Sat. night. She talked about how difficult it was for her to be taken as a serious actress in UK after television.[ I know, I know...some of you don't like her...] Oddly enough, she didn't even mention 'Out of the Blue\" with Colin;-) And I think Colin's \"interest\" is a remark he made in a similar vein. Now Bond has become a caricature. I'm not sure he'd really do Bond. C'mon...Bond is *every* guy's fantasy...doctor, lawyer or Indian Chief."}, {"response": 409, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Mon, Jul 23, 2001 (17:52)", "body": "Colin as JB, Good Lord !!! What tosh !!! Although, I do so love the idea of his deadpan expression of complete distain, when one of the Bond hotties, siddles up tp him and tell him her ridiculously improbable name, in a breathy, bedroom whisper. I always loved it when Pussy Galore or Plenty O'Toole would introduce themselves to Sean Connery. He would barely raise an eyebrow, but would growl sexily \"Of course it is..... \" or \" Naturally..... \" Gets me every time...sigh.....over to you Col"}, {"response": 410, "author": "rachael", "date": "Mon, Jul 23, 2001 (17:59)", "body": "I thought the James Bond thing was ruled out for Colin ages ago ... article in the guardian, I think, comparing the merits of various actors - I'll try and find it. re our earlier discussion of Conspiracy, here's a copy of an email received today from BBC info (not had an answer from Alan Yentob yet) \"Thank you for your further e-mail regarding 'Conspiracy'. I am sorry that you feel my previous answer was somewhat vague, however, we cannot confirm future schedules and I would not want to give you a misleading answer. It may well be that at some point we will be showing this production however, as I have stated I am unable to confirm this. Please be assured that your interest in seeing this broadcast has been made available to BBC management. Thank you once again for contacting us. Regards Richard Carey BBC Information\" so now you know who to write to ...."}, {"response": 411, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jul 23, 2001 (18:15)", "body": "(Richard Idon'tCare-y) Please be assured that your interest in seeing this broadcast has been made available to BBC management. LOL! 'Has been made available ...'? BBC management? Har har! (Rachael) so now you know who to write to .... You mean who *not* to write to."}, {"response": 412, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 23, 2001 (18:33)", "body": "(Rachael) I'll try and find it. Really, no need to do so. Perhaps I should open a topic for JB to post all the manufactured news. Pierce Brosnan is doing the next Bond. He's under contract. Beyond that (2-3 years' time), it's anyone's guess...unless he starts looking like the grandfather that he is... ;-) (BBC) we cannot confirm future schedules Face it, this is policy as they've often said. They *will* not confirm future schedules. All you can do is make your wish known to BBC management."}, {"response": 413, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Mon, Jul 23, 2001 (18:55)", "body": "I was over at JN\ufffds egroup and I saw this site entitled \ufffdThe Boyfriend of the Week.\ufffd http://www.megwood.com/ Of course, I had to check out the past boyfriends, and happily found that she had made CF \ufffdBoyfriend of the Week\ufffd twice. The article is long. Apologies if it has already been printed. http://www.megwood.com/boyfriend.html April 23, 2001 Well, hell, people. This is a first, ain't it? I had a really swell NEW Boyfriend all ready to go for this week -- I'd even made you guys sit and stew for seven days to build up the suspense, right? And the plan was to wrap up this short series with one last oldie but goodie. I even had a special little twist to give you -- one that I'm SURE you would've fully enjoyed. Yet instead, you're all here, totally boggled by the fact that up on the screen right now is a face that looks pretty dang familiar, if you do say so yourselves. In fact, familiar, nothing, that's no new Boyfriend up there! Meg's recycled an archive! What kind of scam is this girl trying to pull, anyway? Now, granted, it's been a few years since I first featured Colin Firth. But still, it just makes no sense, I know. I've NEVER gone back for seconds before. I NEVER have that second cup of coffee at home. And yet, boggled or not, here we all are again! Taking a step back into the past to take a second look at an old favorite. What the heck is going on? And, perhaps even more importantly, you're thinking, how do I get my money back? Oh stop it, all of you. You never paid anyway, you cheapskates. You're worse than those people who stole Stephen King's e-book chapters without sending him the buck. I was too couth to ask for money, yet I can see King was right -- psshhh. You guys don't do anything unless you have to. Well, fine. And anyway, I can tell you what's happened and, what's more, I can do it using only three words: \"Bridget Jones's Diary.\" If that isn't enough to tell you all you need to know about my motivations this week, than you must not have hit the theaters yet. Yep, I just saw the movie (which is based on a book I totally loved) and when I left the theater, Mr. Darcy had done it again. I was (and am still) swooning like crazy, y'all. I just cannot, CANNOT, resist this man. So, here we are again. And, the good news is that this makes for a very simple write-up for me. Because, the old write-up says everything about the \"Pride and Prejudice\" Mr. Darcy that I loved so much (P&P was also rerunning on A&E last week -- so I've definitely had Darcy on the brain). And, as you may know, in \"Bridget,\" Colin plays a different character who is also named, not so coincidentally, \"Mr. Darcy.\" What you may not yet realize, however, is that they are really the SAME character, right down to the sexual tension they both create with their scowls, insults, and poor attitudes and their totally delicious and stomach-flipping kisses that seem to take over six torturous hours to arrive. So, if you loved him in P&P, you'll love him in Bridge. I quite happily report that nothing has changed. Excuse me for a moment -- I've got to go scream \"ARRRRRRRGH!\" at the top of my lungs. Whew. Okay. So, here's the old write-up, but before you get to it, let me just tell you that I'm raising Colin Firth's MacGyver Factor Score, also a first, which you'll see when you get to the bottom of the original column. Long live Mr. Darcy! Whether he's in classic old-time British gent clothes or that lovely green reindeer sweater, he's still the man you can't help but just. totally. lust after. I mean, right this very moment, about 30 minutes after I left the theater from my Bridget screening, my stomach is still going \"ugh ugh ugh!!\" in absolute painful, ugh-y desire over Colin Firth. Almost like there is a string connected from my stomach to Colin and he's tugging on it. Well, babe, PULL HARDER! And if all else fails, I'll expect you at my place soon for my own special encore presentation of the final five minutes of \"Pride and Prejudice,\" which I now have on tape and thus can rewind over and over as many times as I damn well please. Thank you GOD for modern technology! (And you can trust that as soo as it's available on video, I'll have a copy of Bridget Jones's Diary all set for the same action.) *************OLD WRITE-UP BELOW!**************** I was laying around in bed the other night, daydreaming and listening to \"X Minus One\" on the Golden Radio Classics show when I happened to tilt my head to the side (just as some guy was being kidnapped by aliens who were going to destroy the earth because the U.S. had dropped an atomic bomb -- I love the 50's) when SUDDENLY, I realized I hadn't made Colin Firth a Boyfriend of the Week yet! Mary, Mother of God! See, I have about four pictures of Colin taped to the side of my bookcase. Why? BECAUSE I LOVE HIM. Duh. Have you guys seen the BBC production of Pride and Prejudice? Oh my god, you would love it. It's so amazingly wonderful, even I cannot believe it. Colin plays Mr. Darcy, of course, and he"}, {"response": 414, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Jul 23, 2001 (18:56)", "body": "Caught a snippet on Tv with Sandy Gall, ex ITV newsreader and reporter. (OK OK I am getting to the point!) He has written a book about the African Bushmen being displaced from their homeland and mentioned the work of Survival International several times in connection with this, a project we know ODB is passionate about and has had direct experience of. Apparently HRH has done the foreward and is also concerned about their plight. SG said that Survival hold a candlelit vigil at the Botswanan Embassy every week to highlight the situation. Whether anyone in a fur trimmed parka or even a suspect mac has been seen there......"}, {"response": 415, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jul 23, 2001 (19:33)", "body": "I thought the James Bond thing was ruled out for Colin ages ago ... article in the guardian, I think, comparing the merits of various actors - I'll try and find it. (Rachael) Wasn't that the article which said that CF would have been Ian Fleming's ideal choice? If you returned to the spirit of original books, circa early 1960s, CF would be in contention, but not now, in the post Mission Impossible 2 era. Would you just take a look at \"The English Patient\" and \"Shakespeare in Love\" for a moment? A few scenes, all too short and none of them involving ANY sexual tension WHATsoever. I mean, what is the point, I ask you? Why cast Colin Firth is you're just going to waste that face like that. I need frustration! I need tension! I need. . .kissing! LOL!! (Am in agreement with this!) Perhaps the men in suits might have noticed that whereas the Fiennes bros multi-Oscared TEP and SIL took \ufffd11 million and \ufffd20 million respectively at the UK Box Office, BJD is still going strong, at over \ufffd40million."}, {"response": 416, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 23, 2001 (20:10)", "body": "(Bethan) Wasn't that the article which said that CF would have been Ian Fleming's ideal choice? If you returned to the spirit of original books, circa early 1960s, CF would be in contention Respectfully, I beg to differ."}, {"response": 417, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Jul 23, 2001 (20:33)", "body": "\"oooohhh, it's a fight, a real fight.\" Only joking Ladies ;') Rather the Welsh Bard for you Karen. Sorry but I loved Wessex. Am in minority, but I did go to the exibition and touch that doublet and hose not to mention other items of apparel. Still luckily they don't worry about CCTV cameras too much in that part of Wales. Just think how commonplace the \"sexual tension\" would become without a few superbly played comic roles now and again! Actually we don't have to, we've lived without our share of \"ST\" over the years at this board."}, {"response": 418, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 23, 2001 (21:14)", "body": "(Tom) \"oooohhh, it's a fight, a real fight.\" That's right. \"Outside, Bethan. Bring your sword and pistol.\" (This really *is* something I should've done long ago) LOL!! Lizza ;-)"}, {"response": 419, "author": "rachael", "date": "Mon, Jul 23, 2001 (21:31)", "body": "what?? where in Wales did you touch that kit, Lizza?? I'm going to Wales, I like Wessex too!! *LOL*"}, {"response": 420, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Jul 23, 2001 (21:44)", "body": "There was a special costume show from SIL at Chepstow castle, with about half a dozen or so costumes, the only one of ODB's was the green one he wears at court (I am sure you know the one). The bad news Rachael is that was in Autumn 1999. If I remember correctly it was a touring thing so it went on to other venues. Curiously the lady at the desk had met Colin at a wedding some years previously, her best friend's son and Colin were at school (I think that was it!) and she said what a nice man he was and what a lovely family he had etc"}, {"response": 421, "author": "rachael", "date": "Mon, Jul 23, 2001 (22:04)", "body": "rats! well, that's me, Lizza, mrs slow-off-the-mark. I might just have to go and watch SIL again to make up for the disappointment! \"It was your eyes, no, your lips\" who cares, just give us a snog ROFL"}, {"response": 422, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 23, 2001 (22:30)", "body": "(Tom) \"oooohhh, it's a fight, a real fight.\" (K)That's right. \"Outside, Bethan. Bring your sword and pistol.\" HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU Too funny. And I'll take all comers.. I like Bond...\"just as he is\"... And... I like the Fiennes bros too"}, {"response": 423, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Jul 24, 2001 (04:22)", "body": "(Lizza)Sorry but I loved Wessex. Don't apologize! I loved Wessex, too. When he strides into the theater and calls out \"Shakespeare!\" and draws his sword, Mmmmm, that commanding voice."}, {"response": 424, "author": "rachael", "date": "Tue, Jul 24, 2001 (08:48)", "body": "and where they're doing that swinging round dance thing, where the man picks the girl up and swirls her right round .... ooh can you imagine ... little Fiennes doesn't look strong enough to pick anyone up but Wessex could certainly sweep you off your feet ...."}, {"response": 425, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 24, 2001 (12:22)", "body": "plus Gwynnie even smiles/laughs when he lifts her (IMO she's enjoying herself immensely), but nothing when JF does. ;-)"}, {"response": 426, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 24, 2001 (12:31)", "body": "A REMINDER We're into the home stretch now (awards voting ends tomorrow) so as Paul Ashworth would say, \"Come on you useless shower. Get stuck in.\" ;-) Become a master over your cookies: http://www.etonline.com/html/page_meter/hff2001/index.htm"}, {"response": 427, "author": "rachael", "date": "Tue, Jul 24, 2001 (13:32)", "body": "work computers won't let me do it!! am currently trying to persuade my colleagues to go home and vote tonight - on the basis that its their patriotic duty ;-)"}, {"response": 428, "author": "horrible", "date": "Tue, Jul 24, 2001 (14:13)", "body": "WHERE IS MARCIA????? anyone see the Wahinie?"}, {"response": 429, "author": "Anek", "date": "Tue, Jul 24, 2001 (14:36)", "body": "Hello everyone, I've been popping in here for the whole last week before finally decided to put sth in writing. I'm a great fan of CF and it began so long ago that as FD: \"I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun.\" So, I don't remember which CF's film as the first caused my heart beat more rapidly. The only thing I know that it was before Valmont cos I remember being very excited about Formans' choice. Then, seven years were gone before I was able to see it on some TV channel (only Frear's version released in our cinemas). CF isn't very popular here, no articles, no interviews, in reviews of BJD was either not mentioned, or his name only mentioned or his part described in two words. When I was telling my friends in May that I couldn't wait to BJD's release in June because my favourite actor starred in it, everybody thought of HG. Next time I was more precise to put it that I didn't mean HG, but somebody who is definitely handsomer and more talented. Yet, in comparison with the past there have been quite a lot of opportunities to see CF'work recently, as MLSF was released in cinemas (misleading translation of the title - the First Enchantment), second run of P&P2 (morning hours on Mondays), and TTOTS was shown on C+. By the way, BJD is doing very well at the cinemas, 7 weeks 3rd place in box office and is on 14 cinemas in my city. (Nellie) Your article was great. But I don't think that anybody thinks seriously of CF as Bond, but they could offer him a part of some baddie similar to Jonathan Pryce in Tomorrow Never Dies. Entertainment weekly presented their choice of the next Bond. http://www.ew.com/ew/report/0,6115,168192~10~0~ewpicksnextjames,00.html (Rachael) I know that Karen discouraged you from the purchase of TTOTS and it is true that CF's screen time in this film is rather short, but to my mind, he's simply great in this film and his scenes with Jodhie May are ones of my favourites of all. I rewinded them on my VCR many times. Seduction and passion in his voice and nobody wears period costumes better than HIM. Just the same, as nobody wears worse than HG in Sense and Sensibility (he looked and walked like a complete disaster). Moreover, TTOTS is a good film as a whole (I like gothic stories). I also like the previous film version of Henry James'book with Deborah Kerr as a governess and James Mason as a master."}, {"response": 430, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Tue, Jul 24, 2001 (18:55)", "body": "ODB made \"Men We Love\" list in July/August issue of More magazine. \"More salutes the grooviest men on the planet. How did they make it onto our list? As Brian Wilson sings: It's our imagination running wild.\" CF's category was \"men we'd like to spend a long, rainy afternoon with. . .\" This category also included Tom Cruise, Mel Gibson, Robert Redford, Denzel Washington, Harrison Ford, Andy Garcia, Liam Neeson, and Kevin Spacey."}, {"response": 431, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 24, 2001 (20:45)", "body": "Hot news on the BJD front. Looks like we have a date for the UK video release. It's Dec 3rd. I expect the delay has to do with the very slow rollout across Europe and other PAL countries. Wouldn't do to have the PAL video on the market when it is still in theatres. It can be preordered for \ufffd13.59 (\ufffd16.99 list) from: http://www.choicesdirect.co.uk/cgi-bin/ChoicesDirect.storefront/1338807406/Product/View/69296"}, {"response": 432, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Tue, Jul 24, 2001 (20:56)", "body": "I have tracked down a copy of the Sydney Sun Herald referred to by Nellie and will get the photo scanned ASAP."}, {"response": 433, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 24, 2001 (22:19)", "body": "Ooops, forgot to issue a big Welcome to Aniutek! Glad to see that you've posted. Several times you've mentioned \"where you live,\" \"here\" and similar. What country are you in? the Netherlands? (Cathey) I have tracked down a copy of the Sydney Sun Herald...and will get the photo scanned ASAP. You're a doll! Will put this cartoon in my Rogues Gallery, next to the the Daily Mail's rendition of the Prince of Denmark. ;-)"}, {"response": 434, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Jul 25, 2001 (00:01)", "body": "Aniutek sounds Slavonic... Welcome, wherever you're from."}, {"response": 435, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Wed, Jul 25, 2001 (02:25)", "body": "Gaaahhh! I fear that the You-in fanatics over at Etonline.com will overcome us in the end! I just finished voting for about an hour, but they are up to 32% versus only 34% for Colin and it didn't look like I even made a dent. It looks like we current Colin voters are too few and too late. What a shame."}, {"response": 436, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Wed, Jul 25, 2001 (03:44)", "body": "I guess I'm the only one around tonight. I just finished another voting session. I'm off to soak my hand due to severe trigger finger tendinitis. Those of you who have spare time tomorrow might want to give it another try. Unfortunately, I can't vote from my work computer, so I fear this will have to be my last effort (unless the voting lasts until tomorrow night at midnight). At least I tried. Sniffle."}, {"response": 437, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jul 25, 2001 (04:37)", "body": "You're not alone, Louise. I've been watching it go down the tubes all evening. Wwhat a shame, is right. We are being outnumbered and outmaneuvered. All of a sudden there's this huge surge for Moulin Rouge/McGregor/Kidman. Where were these people before? It's not like it's a new movie (or even a particularly successful one--BJD did a lot better). I presume the voting ends at midnight Wednesday. And I have yet to talk to anyone who has found a ballot at a Hollywood Video store. What a crock."}, {"response": 438, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 25, 2001 (05:40)", "body": "No, you're not alone, Louise. I have mastered eating and brushing one's teeth with one hand. ;-) I'll be glad when this is over (and Johnny Depp/Nicole Kidman win) just so that this strange person named CLAIRE010242@aol.com will stop emailing me with Colin voting alerts and exhortations to tell my *buddies* to vote. (Mari) Where were these people before? Writing a program to vote while they slept. ;-)"}, {"response": 439, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 25, 2001 (05:57)", "body": "BTW, the official Moulin Rouge site has a popup window that takes you to the etonline ballot page. They're participating in it, and it wouldn't surprise me if they're generating the votes themselves. http://www.clubmoulinrouge.com/mr1.htm Does Miramax or the MSN sites have anything comparable? Don't waste your breath. These people are cyberincompetents. :-("}, {"response": 440, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Wed, Jul 25, 2001 (07:33)", "body": "Can we say RIGGED boys and girls?? I thought we could. I sure hope they look at the statistics on this poll before making the final selection. Seems just a TAD suspicious to me that Colin/Renee/BJD have been LEADING this poll for a full MONTH by a margin of at least 9% and in a matter of a few HOURS on the LAST DAY of the poll, Ewan/Nicole/MR pull ahead... this is obviously not kosher. I do hope the folks who are running this poll take a close look at this..."}, {"response": 441, "author": "Anek", "date": "Wed, Jul 25, 2001 (07:55)", "body": "(Karen)What country are you in? the Netherlands? A little more on the right. Thank you for your quick reply to my e-mail and your very useful tips. (Echo)Aniutek sounds Slavonic... Welcome, wherever you're from. Wow! Echo you're great. I'm really a Slav, to be exact a Pole from Warsaw. (Louise)I just finished voting for about an hour, but they are up to 32% versus only 34% for Colin and it didn't look like I even made a dent. I know it was very depressing. I spent last evening voting and deleting cookies, and only once I saw some sort of effect - when BJD dropped to 35% and after my continuous voting rose to 36%. When I finished voting after midnight the results were RZ-38, CF-36, BJD-36. So, the MR maniac must've been very active this night. I wish I could vote at work, but I haven't got the access to polling pages. Though I'm aware of being desperate I'll keep trying after work. Maybe there's a slight chance, Colin win."}, {"response": 442, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Jul 25, 2001 (12:21)", "body": "(Mari)Where were these people before?"}, {"response": 443, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Jul 25, 2001 (12:25)", "body": "(Mari)Where were these people before? GAH! Am so upset that I screwed up and hit submit before I was done! I have been afraid of this. OK, so it sounds paranoid, but I think there was a voting block (or program) that sat back until the last minute when any competition wouldn't be able to catch up. V.V. SNEAKY. Too bad you can't post comments when you vote. BJD was way more successful than MR. Hey, MR, show us the money!"}, {"response": 444, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Jul 25, 2001 (12:51)", "body": "Wow! Echo you're great. Thanks, Aniutek - it takes one to know one... ;-) I'm really a Slav, to be exact a Pole... So am I. :-)"}, {"response": 445, "author": "kolin", "date": "Wed, Jul 25, 2001 (13:23)", "body": "Another Slav here, originaly from Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia)"}, {"response": 446, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 25, 2001 (13:24)", "body": "Am as disgusted as you all because when I went to bed last night, EMcG had just tied Colin. Now I see the results are far worse. Have had this confirmation, although the producer keeps saying \"Cinemax\" (while owned by the same company as HBO is a *different* channel). Plus Londinium is going to be on late at night!! \"Londinium\" is confirmed for a Cinemax World Premiere on Sunday, September 2, 2001 at 10pm pst. Cinemax (HBO) will air \"The Sex Monster\" by Mike Binder directly before this at 8pm. He also says that it will be shown in France, Germany and the Benelux countries. But no details."}, {"response": 447, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jul 25, 2001 (14:30)", "body": "*tsk* So the Hollywood Movie Awards are no better than the 'My Favorite Man' voting booth. Can we really put that much faith in something so easily rigged (face it, we were rigging it ourselves)? I started having my doubts when all our votes failed to change CF's percentage--and I doubt votes for the other nominees were coming in at exactly the same rate. :-/ Londinium will be aired on Cinemax? Phooey. That's one of the few I elected not to purchase. :-("}, {"response": 448, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 25, 2001 (15:40)", "body": "Londinium will be aired on Cinemax? Phooey. Double phooey. Not as prestigious as HBO . 10 PM..not exactly prime time.And following The SM, people will think it's in the same category.S***.They'll miss out on all tht beautiful scenery of the Southbank ;-) I am so surprised that anyone would think this *wasn't* rigged.It's a given. C'mon kids. We've been doing this for over four years. Though I thought it would be rigged his way, because he's so hot. He also says that it will be shown in France, Germany and the Benelux countries. But no details. No UK? Isn't that a lottery money film?"}, {"response": 449, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 25, 2001 (15:47)", "body": "(Evelyn) No UK? Isn't that a lottery money film? Goodness! No. Whatever gave you that impression?"}, {"response": 450, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 25, 2001 (15:55)", "body": "Evelyn) No UK? Isn't that a lottery money film? (Karen)Goodness! No. Whatever gave you that impression? I dunno. They've given money to worse...."}, {"response": 451, "author": "Becka", "date": "Wed, Jul 25, 2001 (16:16)", "body": "G'ah! I don't believe this voting fiasco! What the hell happened? I've called MDH in and his friends at work, but I don't think it will make much of a difference! What about the Hollywood Video votes? Will it help our cause?"}, {"response": 452, "author": "rachael", "date": "Wed, Jul 25, 2001 (17:28)", "body": "forget the monkey, go straight for the organ grinder - email received earlier today - first paragraph refers to DQ, 2nd to Conspiracy: \"Many thanks for your email. It is just not feasible to release every film on video I'm afraid - in due course however it may well be repeated. If you are desperately keen to see it again we will loan you a copy if you are prepared to collect and return. In answer to your second inquiry, Conspiracy is a co-production with BBC2 and will of course be transmitted on the BBC. So will Band of Brothers and Wit. Last of the Blonde Bombshells has already been shown on BBC1. Alan Yentob\" Anyone want to pop over to Broadcasting House?"}, {"response": 453, "author": "toyce", "date": "Wed, Jul 25, 2001 (17:42)", "body": "Actually I'm surprised that they would offer to loan you a video of it. I don't a network here in the US would be that generous. Take them up on it. Who knows what else they could come up with!"}, {"response": 454, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 25, 2001 (17:56)", "body": "(AY) we will loan you a copy if you are prepared to collect and return. Ask if he can drop it off on the way home from work. ;-) Bravo, Rachael! *clap clap clap* I have a whole list of BBC videos I'd like to borrow (and get clean conversions off)."}, {"response": 455, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jul 25, 2001 (18:08)", "body": "Alan Yentob I'm impressed, Rachael! Thanks! It is just not feasible to release every film on video I'm afraid Well, it might have sold a few more copies than a BBC thriller starring Ken Stott, and a Billy Connolly drama shown last Christmas....both appear in the latest ChoicesDirect video catalogue!! What puzzles me is how, on the one hand the media promotes CF as a national heart-throb, but on the other hand you can't buy videos of any of his recent films, or even see them! And is \"Londinium\" so desperately, excruciatingly awful, and so badly acted by a talented cast that we can't even see it in the UK! (must be all those shots of the British Museum, South Bank complex, London parks in the sunshine etc!) \"Conspiracy\" is good news though!"}, {"response": 456, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jul 25, 2001 (18:10)", "body": "(Evelyn) And following The SM, people will think it's in the same category.S***. They'll miss out on all tht beautiful scenery of the Southbank Yeah. And the weather was so sunny and everything. ;-) I am so surprised that anyone would think this *wasn't* rigged.It's a given. C'mon kids. We've been doing this for over four years. You know how I feel about these things. However, I did think these awards were a step above the ole' Voting Booth as they were on the ET site and Anthony Andrews wasn't in the running. ;-) (Rebecca) What about the Hollywood Video votes? Will it help our cause? Nobody here (who's posted, anyway) has been able to find a H'wood Video store whose employees have heard of these awards. Hmmmm..."}, {"response": 457, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Jul 25, 2001 (18:17)", "body": "Too many conflicting interests, evidently. To us, Colin may be the one and only. To them, he's just one of many..."}, {"response": 458, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Jul 25, 2001 (18:18)", "body": "(I was commenting on Bethan's remarks.)"}, {"response": 459, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 25, 2001 (18:29)", "body": "(Rachel)Anyone want to pop over to Broadcasting House? Same tube stop as Riverside Studios...you could give them my condolences. Congratulations Rachael...you gotta a friend . Ok...now you're the official contact for BBC. (Toyce) I don't think a network here in the US would be that generous. Depends ... you gotta get the right \"organ grinder\";-)) (Evelyn) And following The SM, people will think it's in the same category.S***. They'll miss out on all tht beautiful scenery of the Southbank (Eileen)Yeah. And the weather was so sunny and everything. ;-) Best summer we had in England;-)"}, {"response": 460, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Wed, Jul 25, 2001 (18:30)", "body": "Am devestated by Colin's loss in the poll. Who was in charge of counting the vote, the Florida legislature ? I feel personally responsible, coz I didn't vote, not even once....gulp, I know, I know I feel awful. I am the resident computer retard here at Drool and, all that talk of cookies and cleaning files out put me off voting. Sorry Colin......slinks off into corner......"}, {"response": 461, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 25, 2001 (18:33)", "body": "(Bethanne)I am the resident computer retard here at Drool and, all that talk of cookies and cleaning files out put me off voting Aw..don't feel badly. I didn't do the cookie- cleaning either, but all my family and friends voted and I hit every free computer in town."}, {"response": 462, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jul 25, 2001 (18:36)", "body": "(Beth) Who was in charge of counting the vote, the Florida legislature? Have figured it out. H'wood Movie Award pollsters had tickets to Hamlet. Anyway, who are all these Ewan voters? Star Wars fans? Jar-Jar Binks?"}, {"response": 463, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Wed, Jul 25, 2001 (19:07)", "body": "Jabba the Hut pronably, that dirty slug will stop at nothing...."}, {"response": 464, "author": "alicen", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (00:30)", "body": "Hi, this is my first time in here. I was just so disappointed (like all of you)that CF/RZ/BJD are on the verge of losing the Hollywood Film Festival awards. I even sent an email this morning to HFF: Dear Hollywood Awards, I was just comparing the ETonline voting tally of yesterday, 7/24 to today 7/25. I find it hard to believe the dramatic swing of votes for Nicole Kidman/Ewan McGregor/ and Moulin Rouge compared to Renee Zellweger/Colin Firth/Bridget Jones Diary on the last day of voting. Especially when Bridget Jones Diary was leading for a full month. I think your future awards may lose credibility with voters if Moulin Rouge wins. This was their reply: In advance thank you for your opinion. We have no control over who votes. However, we have a \"cookie\" installed so that whomever votes can only do it once. Therefore, the voting is accurate regarding one person/computer one vote. As such whatever is the final vote we have to honor it. Some explanation for the voting activity may be the result of last minute voting (people normally wait to the end to vote - today, July 25, at midnight we will stop the voting), as well as the fact that yesterday we had a national press release distributed to all media, an ad in the national issue of \"The New York Times,\" and we launched an internet campaign encouraging the public to vote for their favorite. Once again thank you for your interest. Sincerely, John Jacobson I still think Colin Firth deserved to win."}, {"response": 465, "author": "rachael", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (00:43)", "body": "alice, well done for sending the email. I think even when we suspect the likely outcome, we should still bung out as many emails as poss - after all, we got a result from the BBC eventually. kind of."}, {"response": 466, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (01:04)", "body": "Welcome, Alice. I called the Hollywood Awards people today and got the same replies--verbatim-- that you did, though Jacobson wasn't the person I spoke to. They certainly had their ducks lined up. Here's how I replied: the fact that yesterday we had a national press release distributed to all media, I told him that they had sent out other press releases earlier in the month, so yesterday's should be no different, and besides, it was *not* picked up by the general media that the average person would read. However, we have a \"cookie\" installed so that whomever votes can only do it once. I wanted to laugh but made no comment. His naivete appalled me. an ad in the national issue of \"The New York Times,\" I replied that I sincerely doubted that the average NY Times reader would be the type to hit the online celebrity polls at ET. and we launched an internet campaign encouraging the public to vote for their favorite. I have no idea what this means, but I do know that Fox, the studio that produced Moulin Rouge, sent out e-mails to all the people who had previously registered at their site seeking info on the film, urging them to vote for MR/Kidman/McGregor. Miramax, as we have seen time and again, is useless unless it's running an Oscar campaign. I also told him that there were no paper ballots at any Hollywood Video store that I or my friends across the country visited. I then called Entertainment Tonight and talked to the guy who is their liason with the website operator. I suggested the possibility of computer-generated block voting and that their programmers might be able to detect that. He agreed that such a large, late surge seemed unusual and said he'd look into it. Hey, we tried.:-( BTW, I did *not* mention Colin, Renee, or BJD in either conversation."}, {"response": 467, "author": "Becka", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (01:43)", "body": "Round of applause for Alice and Mari! There is no doubt that this thing has been rigged in some technical way - hopefully ET will look into, but I still doubt that it will change the outcome."}, {"response": 468, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (01:44)", "body": "Speaking of on-line voting: what was the magazine we all voted for Colin to be on the cover of and when is it supposed to come out? Was it GQ, Esquire? I've forgotten, I just know it was a \"men's\" magazine. I'm hoping that the vote there is more \"democratic\"."}, {"response": 469, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (01:56)", "body": "Nice to see you've delurked Alice and made your statement to the HFF folks. Good going, Mari! I replied that I sincerely doubted that the average NY Times reader would be the type to hit the online celebrity polls at ET. But that could account for the large surge in Ben Kingsley's numbers. He's now at 2%. ;-D Fox, the studio that produced Moulin Rouge, sent out e-mails to all the people And poor Miramax, who has Microsoft running all the *official* BJD sites around the world, didn't lift a finger. I suggested the possibility of computer-generated block voting and that their programmers might be able to detect that. He agreed that such a large, late surge seemed unusual and said he'd look into it. But of course those *cookies* would prevent such things in manner of massive bandwidth overload programs that have brought Microsoft to its knees. *am losing my cookies right now* Psst, Louise!! It was GQ."}, {"response": 470, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (02:04)", "body": "Thanks. I just looked it up. It doesn't appear until the November issue. Hmmmm. . . guess we'll just have to wait for the Emmies and hope for the best. At least the rabid Stanley Tucci fans probably won't be stuffing the ballot box."}, {"response": 471, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (04:47)", "body": "(Louise) At least the rabid Stanley Tucci fans probably won't be stuffing the ballot box. Never underestimate the clout of the vertically and follicly challenged. ;-) OK, as Cathey posted yesterday, she has tracked down the CF as Bond fantasy article and has scanned it in. I must say this cartoon artist (generous nomenclature) must not have a clue as to what CF looks like. I much preferred the last fantasy cartoon of CF as Hamlet. Here it is, with thanks to Cathey:"}, {"response": 472, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (05:28)", "body": "Eeek, that's scary. I sure don't remember Mr. Darcy showing that much chest with his shirts on..."}, {"response": 473, "author": "sumo", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (07:36)", "body": "Hello, I am relatively new here, only posted once before. I thought u guys might be interested in the BJD situation in Japan (or would it be topic 149?). BJD will open in Japan nationwide in September. On Jul-16 RZ (and one of the producers) went to Japan for the premiere and publicity. The questions in the press conference centered around her \"gaining weight, losing weight\" and how she identified with BJ...etc. No formal mention of Colin, only that she said the guys were wonderful to work with. The producer mentioned sth on the line of casting RZ and HG, but none on CF. He said they were dead set on casting an English girl for the role, but when RZ showed up in London for the audition, she was exactly the BJ that they have imagined, save the accent. So, they immediately offered her the role. As for HG, it had taken them a long time to convince him. The following day after HG had committed to the role, he called the producer saying that he didn't know how to play the role coz he didn't know anyone resembling Daniel. The producer simply told him to look i the mirror and he would find the perfect model. Well, the only interesting thing was that CF got a higher billing than HG on the posters and publicity materials, right after RZ and ahead of HG. I will keep track of any news and will post again if anything remotely connected with CF showed up in Japan. On the Hollywood video voting saga......coming from entertainment industry background (in Asia), I know most of these minor awards' results are fixed. I would not be surprised if the tip towards MR's favor was the entire doing of ETonline. Typically, they would offer the award to whoever committed to show up, or whichever studio that would care to twist their arms. So, let's all hope that CF will show up at the Emmy and will actually win sth that he long deserved."}, {"response": 474, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (13:11)", "body": "Hi Alice. Welcome to our group. Wonderful to hear news from Japan. Keep it coming. Hooray for Renee, for showing up in Japan.She went to Australia too. (Alice)Typically, they would offer the award to whoever committed to show up, I've been saying that for years. And I don't blame them...do you? You set up a big event and then the winner mails in a canned video acceptance speech. If the award means anything to him/her...they'll show. Thanks Cathey and Karen for the Darcy -as- Bond.LOL..I'll go for it. Love the martini.Needs a hair cut though."}, {"response": 475, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (13:44)", "body": "(Alice) BJD situation in Japan (or would it be topic 149?). For consistency (and lurkers who are only interested in BJD), I'd go with 149 in the future. :) Very interesting news, Alice. Sounds like it was all the same trip (Australia and Japan), but that many of the intl press also attended the big press conference with all the cast in LA back in March. I thought a lot of the comments sounded like Sharon Maguire (the director's) usual and customary soundbites. We've read the comment about the HG looking in the mirror a number of times. (Alice) I know most of these minor awards' results are fixed. Gasping, am shocked!! ;-) I would not be surprised if the tip towards MR's favor was the entire doing of ETonline. Typically, they would offer the award to whoever committed to show up, or whichever studio that would care to twist their arms. Well, the voting sure had the backing of Fox, the MR distributor. I say we expose them on Access Hollywood! Another David Manning situation, fake testimonials and now this!! ;-) Vindication for Evelyn."}, {"response": 476, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (14:08)", "body": "Ooh, and I thought that PeopleNews-CNN comparison was funny! Am ROTF over that cartoon--the artist clearly has a sense of humor. (Alice) coming from entertainment industry background (in Asia), I know most of these minor awards' results are fixed Welcome and thanks, Alice. I've long suspected this. Sooo, ta-da, the winner of the HFF (presumably, have not checked) is Moulin Rouge's publicists. Thanks for writing/calling the folks at HFF, Alice F and Mari. I was also ROTF (this is a big floor day) about the cookie b'ness. Now, ladies, I am curious. How can you (as applicable) be outraged about the results when many of you were multi-voting (myself included)? How can you cry 'fix' when we were trying to 'fix' it ourselves? Yes, a win would have been nice publicity for CF but the Emmy nom is eons more credible. And ODB might even show up for that ceremony. ;-)"}, {"response": 477, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (14:14)", "body": "(Eileen) How can you (as applicable) be outraged about the results when many of you were multi-voting The ends justify the means."}, {"response": 478, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (14:19)", "body": "(MachiaKaren) The ends justify the means *Heehee* OK, just don't go postal because CF didn't win."}, {"response": 479, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (15:02)", "body": "Is strictly a matter of keeping one's hypocrisies straight in one's head. An organizational skill. Now, don't you feel like a Foolish Antelope? ;-)"}, {"response": 480, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (15:20)", "body": "(MamaNimi) Now, don't you feel like a Foolish Antelope? ;-) Nope. Can't outrig a rigger. ;-P"}, {"response": 481, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (15:59)", "body": "Hey Eileen, Karen is Machia and I'm Velli.:-) In my mind, there is a huge difference between the small-scale efforts of the little people (Yea!) vs. systemetized last-minute shenanigans of the big and powerful (boo, hiss!). That's my story and I'm sticking to it.;-) Rachael, good for you for getting a favorable response from the Beeb. I actually think it was very decent of Mr. Y to offer a loaner. At least he is trying to be accommodating and it's good to hear they have Conspiracy on their docket. Glad that somebody had some luck around here yesterday."}, {"response": 482, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (16:03)", "body": "Hollywood Movie Of the Year Awards, Take One: The Scene: The L.A. offices of the esteemed accounting firm Dewy, Cheatem & Howe. \"We will now begin the count of the paper ballots submitted by the 1,800 Hollywood Video stores: One . . .two. Tally is hereby certified at two.\""}, {"response": 483, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (16:13)", "body": "Hollywood Movie Of the Year Awards, Take 2: The Scene: Somewhere in Italy. \"But you promised we were gonna do something fun for a change today, Dad.\" \"We are.\" \"But you promised we were gonna bake cookies!\" \"We are. Now lower your voice or you'll wake the baby.\" \"Pfft! Yeah right, like he ever sleeps anyway.\" \"Shshhh and pay attention. Watch what I'm doing. You simply click on Ewan McGregor, then hit Submit. Now here's the tricky part . . . see what I did? Now you can go back again and Click . . . Submit.\" \"Why are we voting for him? He sucks!\" \"Do you want us to have to cut our vacation short? Well? Answer me.\" \"I'm thinkin', I'm thinkin'.\" \"Don't think. Just bake.\""}, {"response": 484, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (16:18)", "body": "LOL! I've been having visions of CF sitting in front of the computer voting against himself all month. But having the kid do it is better. ;-)"}, {"response": 485, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (17:30)", "body": "(Mari)In my mind, there is a huge difference between the small-scale efforts of the little people (Yea!) vs. systemetized last-minute shenanigans of the big and powerful (boo, hiss!). That's my story and I'm sticking to it.;-) I'm with you, Mari--Power to the [little] people! Loved your scenarios. Do you think Colin is computer-savvy enough to know about the cookie thing? Kids always know more about this stuff than their parents do. I would suggest the following dialogue: \"Damn! This stupid thing gives me only one vote! How am I going to get rid of that 9 percentage-point lead?\" \"Duh, Dad! That's easy. Just find the cookie they left on your computer.\" [looks behind monitor and on top of CPU] \"Where? Doesn't that get crumbs into bad places?\" \"Let me show you. See, here's how you get rid of the cookie. Now go back to ETONLINE and you can vote again.\" [clicking mouse slowly] \"Ah, so how many times will I have to do this?\" \"Dad! Stop! Too slow! Too slow! Let me do it!\" [cue \"Ain't No Mountain High Enough\"]"}, {"response": 486, "author": "rachael", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (17:49)", "body": "how many times will I have to do this? ROFLMAO love both scenarios, ladies"}, {"response": 487, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (17:58)", "body": "(Mari) \"But you promised we were gonna bake cookies!\" *howling with laughter* Good one!"}, {"response": 488, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (18:02)", "body": "O Lord, that cartoon was toooooooooo funny. Thanks for scanning it."}, {"response": 489, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (19:19)", "body": ""}, {"response": 490, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (19:20)", "body": "\"Dad! Stop! Too slow! Too slow! Let me do it!\" [cue \"Ain't No Mountain High Enough\"] *Reaching for the Windex* Waaaaay too funny!"}, {"response": 491, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (19:24)", "body": "Kate and Mari, you are so funny. You ought to be writing screenplays for ODB;-) The visions your dialogues evoke are hysterical and plausible! But it's all the funny business going on with MR and ETonline that makes me think that we've been laboring under a great misapprehension ;-(."}, {"response": 492, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (20:33)", "body": "(Eileen)Now, ladies, I am curious. How can you (as applicable) be outraged about the results when many of you were multi-voting (myself included)? How can you cry 'fix' when we were trying to 'fix' it ourselves? Have to agree with Madame .Let's face it. They just marshaled a bigger and better army of \"riggers\" than we. Loathe on -line polls. {Lucie, our resident poll-lover, where are you?)"}, {"response": 493, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (20:56)", "body": "OOps, sorry. Yech, Nicolas Cage. Oh well, I shall continue to vote for him just to show my support."}, {"response": 494, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (21:00)", "body": "Don't know what happened to the first part but there was a definite stench when I clicked on ETONLINE this morning. IHe is till ahead in the sexiest poll though. As I said I hope this is not rigged to make Nicholas Cage the winner."}, {"response": 495, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 26, 2001 (22:45)", "body": "Not that anyone here would really care, but Moulin Rouge will be in the same category as BJD for the Golden Globes. Remember, there is \"Dramatic Films\" and then there is \"Comedies and Musicals\" (one category)...so RZ's shoe-in may not be the case if MR gains some momentum. However, Supporting Actors all fall into the same category, i.e., no division between the genres."}, {"response": 496, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jul 27, 2001 (00:16)", "body": "[looks behind monitor and on top of CPU] \"Where? Doesn't that get crumbs into bad places?\" LOL, Kate! You have submitted an excellent Take 3.:-) You're right, the kid might have been the brains behind this one. But, sadly, there is a cost associated with such computer prowess: Hollywood Movie Of The Year Awards, Take 4: \"Hello. You have reached the offices of the Screen Actors Guild member services. Please listen to the menu options, then make your selection. For complaints that your trailer isn't big enough, Press 1. For complaints about your co-star, director, agent, or masseuse, Press 2. For complaints about the press being too intrusive, Press 3. For complaints about the press ignoring you, Press 4. For complaints about SAG's refusal to pay for the damages you inflicted upon your hotel room in Cannes, Press 5. For help with \"extreme exhaustion,\" Press 6. For emergency detox, still Press 6. For help in turning your banalities into epigrams, Press 7. For questions about your SAG medical plan benefits, Press 8.\" \"Ah, that's the one I need, number 8. I can always do 7 later on.\" \"Good morning, SAG Benefits Department.\" \"Yes, I'd like to know if SAG will cover treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome for me and my son.\" \"Is it a work-related injury, sir?\" \"Um . . . you might say that.\" \"Hey, wait a minute . . . is this Mr. Hopkins again?\" \"No.\" \"Mr. Pearce?\" \"Er, no.\" \"Mr. Kingsley?\" \"Try again.\" \"Well, you sound coherent, so I know it isn't Mr. Depp.\" \"Could you please just answer the question?\" \"Ok, lemme look at my list. Hmmm . . . no carpal tunnel here. We do have one called repetitive stress injury.\" \"That's it--I'll take it!\" \"Hold on . . . that'll work for you since it's job-related, but not your son.\" \"Oh, I hadn't thought of that.\" \"No problem. Everybody puts their relatives on the payroll. Just have them pencil in the kid for your next film's budget. Call him your personal assistant.\""}, {"response": 497, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Fri, Jul 27, 2001 (01:08)", "body": "ROTFLMAO Mari.....I love it."}, {"response": 498, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 27, 2001 (01:33)", "body": "I've finally put up some screen captures from the MTV Diary program on Reese that show the cast. Sorry, but most of them (especially CF) didn't stand still very long and we couldn't get the chicken dance he does at the end. :-( http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/earnest2.html"}, {"response": 499, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Jul 27, 2001 (02:07)", "body": "(Mari)Hollywood Movie Of The Year Awards, Take 4: Too funny! *wiping tears*"}, {"response": 500, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 27, 2001 (03:36)", "body": "Hmmm, it appears that Fever Pitch is debuting on American TV: Thu Aug 2 12:55A HBOE3- HBO Signature Thu Aug 9 01:45P HBOE3- HBO Signature Sun Aug 12 12:50A HBOE3- HBO Signature Wed Aug 15 03:00A HBOE- Home Box Office Wed Aug 15 10:00A HBOE3- HBO Signature Wed Aug 22 04:25A HBOE3- HBO Signature Wed Aug 29 07:15P HBOE3- HBO Signature"}, {"response": 501, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Fri, Jul 27, 2001 (03:41)", "body": "Yeah. But why the hel-- er, heck are they putting most of the showings on in the middle of the night? Are they trying to cater to night shift workers or something? Don't they know that millions of BJD fans would love to see this movie? Sheesh."}, {"response": 502, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Fri, Jul 27, 2001 (03:53)", "body": "I don't have HBO, but the TV's in my apartment complex gym do, but its just the main HBO channel. Is that what Fever Pitch is showing on ? Ain't nothing like pumping iron in the middle of the night, to give you a good nights sleep."}, {"response": 503, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 27, 2001 (03:55)", "body": "I think this one is the *regular* HBO. Take a nap in the afternoon. ;-) Wed Aug 15 03:00A HBOE- Home Box Office"}, {"response": 504, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 27, 2001 (03:57)", "body": "Have you checked the previously viewed vids at Blockbuster. Fever Pitch must be down to $6.99 by now and, if they're running a Take $2 Special, well, it's fairly criminal IMO to leave it on the shelf."}, {"response": 505, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Fri, Jul 27, 2001 (04:01)", "body": "Kewl, thanks....runs to get out some sweatpants that aren't in moth balls. I've looked in my local Blockbusters for FP, but it hasn't shown up yet."}, {"response": 506, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Jul 27, 2001 (07:07)", "body": "Just a thought and maybe I have come up with this one just to cover my guilt for not having mastered my cookies but do you think it possible that the powers that be thought it unsuitable for a Brit film to win the awards at the Hollywood Film Festival?"}, {"response": 507, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jul 27, 2001 (08:07)", "body": "MR has yet to open across Europe (opens September).\"Hollywood Movie of the Year/Actor/Actress of the Year\" emblazoned across all the promotional ads will give it a timely boost at the Box Office. BTW how can a film which \"only\" took $50 million at the US Box Office (and which cost the same to make) be the movie of the year? It's a fix! And what about all the phantom Video Stores \"votes\"? Mari)Hollywood Movie Of The Year Awards, Take 4: Too funny! *wiping tears* Agreed!"}, {"response": 508, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 27, 2001 (13:04)", "body": "Oh my! They're doing a remake. Probably 4 years ago, I said I would like to see CF in the GG role. Unfortunately Madonna will be in it, and they'd cast CF in a minor role as the husband. Director Guy Ritchie and wife Madonna are set to work together on the big-screen for the first time, with a remake of Lina Wertmuller's 1975 movie \"Swept Away.\" Madonna will take the lead role as a spoiled rich woman who goes on a yachting holiday with friends in the Mediterranean and gets entangled in an unlikely romance with a communist sailor. [Ed note: perfect!]... Wertmuller's original Italian-language movie starred Mariangelo Melato and Giancarlo Giannini. Few details are available of Ritchie's production, which has been kept firmly under wraps, but the picture is understood to be scheduled to shoot this fall...."}, {"response": 509, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jul 27, 2001 (13:10)", "body": "Hang on, Mari's on a roll! I *love* this: For help with \"extreme exhaustion,\" Press 6. For emergency detox, still Press 6. Goody, have multiple dates with Paul (except airings in middle of night; have already seen FP *mumble* times). And [American] football season is just around the corner! Am still ticked about Londinium's switcheroo to Cinemax but 10 p.m. PDT (1 a.m. here) is a laughable time slot for a 'world premiere.' Hahahaha."}, {"response": 510, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 27, 2001 (13:30)", "body": "but 10 p.m. PDT (1 a.m. here) is a laughable time slot for a 'world premiere.' Would be at 10 pm ET too. Remember ET and PT go together, while CT and MT are the same."}, {"response": 511, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Jul 27, 2001 (14:09)", "body": "(Karen)Unfortunately Madonna will be in it, and they'd cast CF in a minor role as the husband. Not another role as the husband who loses his wife! This doesn't sound like a good opportunity. Working with a diva who's directed by her husband? Even Colin, who is a gentleman and NEVER complains about coworkers, would be driven to phone to SAG, pressing 2 repeatedly! (then, of course, 8 to report the injury caused by pressing 2 over and over again!)"}, {"response": 512, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 27, 2001 (14:26)", "body": "I think this one is the *regular* HBO. Take a nap in the afternoon. ;-) \"It's the accent stupid\". They'll need a nap to understand it;-) Took me two tries and the screenplay.[ No remarks about being dense...gotta watch this crowd]. Besides maybe soccer players stay up later than most. 10 p.m. PDT (1 a.m. here) is a laughable time slot for a 'world premiere.' Esp. since they're giving priority to SM which isn't a 'world premiere'. (Allison) the powers that be thought it unsuitable for a Brit film to win the awards at the Hollywood Film Festival? Could be. But this is a Miramax film, backed with US money.I think it's more like Karen said... who is willing to attend ...We'll see."}, {"response": 513, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jul 27, 2001 (16:25)", "body": "Re: Londinium's time slot. Is savvy counter-programming move against the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon.;-) At this point, I'm just glad to get to see it; am too weak to complain. Events of the past days have left me a broken, defeated woman.:-( an unlikely romance with a communist sailor. [Ed note: perfect!]... LOL! Wasn't there a rumor floating around about a year ago that Colin was in line to be in a Madonna flick? Agree with Kate--# 2 would get a workout.:-) do you think it possible that the powers that be thought it unsuitable for a Brit film to win the awards at the Hollywood Film Festival? My gut reaction is no, as the list of nominees was weighted in favor of British actors. But then again, I was naive enough to think that this \"contest\" was on the up-and-up. The whole thing stinks to high heaven. A disgrace. Looks like the Kidman forces lost no time in trumpeting their \"win.\" This is from today's reel.com column by Jeff Wells in which he takes a *very* early look at possible Oscar candidates among actresses: \"Best Actress: Nicole Kidman, Moulin Rouge (winner of just-announced Hollywood Film Festival poll re: potential Best Actress winners); Ren\ufffde Zellweger, Bridget Jones's Diary (possibly the token comic-performance contender, despite a declaration by an editor friend that Jones \"is not an Oscar movie, good as she is\"). . . If I had to guess, I would say throw out Kidman because Moulin Rouge has settled into mainstream Hollywood consciousness as a provocative failure that made your head feel like it was going to explode during the first 20 minutes.\""}, {"response": 514, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 27, 2001 (16:35)", "body": "winner of just-announced Hollywood Film Festival poll So they've counted up the ballots ballot. ;-)"}, {"response": 515, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Fri, Jul 27, 2001 (17:08)", "body": "Oh. My. Gawd! NOT A M*D*NNA PICTURE! Look what happened to Willem Dafoe after only one exposure. They must be offering CF a king's ransom."}, {"response": 516, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Fri, Jul 27, 2001 (17:13)", "body": "My email to Jeffrey Wells: Dear Jeffrey, I think you should know that the Hollywood Film Festival Poll was rigged. I kept an eye on it for the whole month that it was up, and the results, for the entire month, up to the very last day of the poll, showed a decided majority for Colin Firth/Renee Zellweger/Bridget Jones Diary by a margin of 9% or more on every single day except the last one. On the last day of polling (actually, about the last 12 hours), Ewan McGregor/Nicole Kidman/Moulin Rouge suddenly came from WAY behind to overtake the BJD votes. ETOnline claims there was no way the poll could have been rigged - \"We checked for cookies!\" they say. Cookies (as anyone who has owned or operated an internet-enabled computer for more than two days can tell you) are easily deleted, and when they are, \"VOILA!\" one is able to vote again! (I tested this on the ETOnline.com poll, and it was quite easy to delete the cookies and vote again, which is obviously what Moulin Rouge's publicists were doing.) I think you should blow the whistle on this \"poll and tell the public that it was rigged. I'm seriously considering setting up a website to do just that."}, {"response": 517, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 27, 2001 (17:25)", "body": "(Louise) Look what happened to Willem Dafoe after only one exposure. What happened to him? Serious Oscar contention, usually in the Supporting Actor category??? Hon, Colin hasn't been linked to this project. Years ago, I thought this would an interesting part for Colin in the GG role, going against type, playing a dirty, bourgeoise-hating (ok, that part isn't against type) sailor, lots of un-PC type behavior, plus super-snogging on the sandy beaches and little clothing...most of it falling into tatters. My guess is Benicio Del Toro for the GG role as he's worked with Guy before."}, {"response": 518, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sat, Jul 28, 2001 (03:08)", "body": "(Wells)Moulin Rouge has settled into mainstream Hollywood consciousness as a provocative failure that made your head feel like it was going to explode during the first 20 minutes Sounds like a movie LOTS of people would vote for!?!?!?"}, {"response": 519, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jul 28, 2001 (16:06)", "body": "Yikes, all these HBOs 1,2,3,E,X,Y and Z. I don't know which ones I have. Will take strategic planning to catch Fever Pitch in August, then switch to Cinemax for Londinium in September. Is there a doctor in the house who can tell me why I have this need to see his old films on TV even though the videos are sitting there free for the watching? Or why I'd buy FP at Blockbuster, lurid cover and all even though I'd have to put a bag over my head first? I dont' even think I'd draw the line watching a rerun of Nostromo. Well , maybe The Secret Garden. ;-)"}, {"response": 520, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sat, Jul 28, 2001 (19:03)", "body": "(Heide)Or why I'd buy FP at Blockbuster, lurid cover and all I know how you feel. I rented it at Blockbuster, and I was grateful that I could leave the original box on the shelf and take the tape in its \"plain black wrapper\" up to the desk. I doubt that whoever did the cover art for the US video ever saw the film. The good thing about Secret Garden is that, once you've seen it, you know which part of the tape to watch."}, {"response": 521, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jul 28, 2001 (23:27)", "body": "...and leave the tape permanently at that spot. Can't say I've watched it too recently. ;-) Film is good though if you want to make your own compilation tape featuring \"my that man looks good in uniform\" or \"kisses from A to Z\" or \"most wooden performances\"."}, {"response": 522, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sun, Jul 29, 2001 (20:52)", "body": "Whose wooden performances? Surely, discussions of wooden performances do not belong on this board. :)"}, {"response": 523, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 31, 2001 (21:45)", "body": "Question: Has anybody in UK taken Alan Yentob up on his generous offer to lend DQ tape? Just curious."}, {"response": 524, "author": "rachael", "date": "Tue, Jul 31, 2001 (22:03)", "body": "Evelyn - I wrote back to say yes please but since I don't live in London how do I do it, and am awaiting response."}, {"response": 525, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, Jul 31, 2001 (22:32)", "body": "And ask them to lend us a good copy of Tumbledown at the same time."}, {"response": 526, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 31, 2001 (23:49)", "body": "I did ask Rachael to include that--and others--in her request. Put in a P.S. about an NTSC copy while they're at it. ;-)"}, {"response": 527, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug  1, 2001 (00:03)", "body": "Can I put my bid in for Lost Empires?Mine is doggy;-)"}, {"response": 528, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Aug  1, 2001 (00:32)", "body": "I don't think that was a BBC production."}, {"response": 529, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Aug  1, 2001 (00:35)", "body": "There's a chap in the US who has a reasonable copy (I'm told) and sells homemade copies for quite a steep price. Greedy b*****d. Do you want his details?"}, {"response": 530, "author": "Anek", "date": "Wed, Aug  1, 2001 (12:25)", "body": "Question: Does anybody know a place on the web when one can buy a PAL copy of SLOW at a reasonable price? I found SLOW at Black Star (L66,97)and at Bensons World (L59,35). Yet, I found their prices sort of exorbitant and anyway why this VHS is so expensive? I could get some DVDs or even more VHSs for this sum. Grateful in advance. I imagine Colin must be browsing some gripping scripts in Umbria. How long can one stand sunbathing in Italy, even if one have your family on your side? I hope Karen will get some info soon."}, {"response": 531, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  1, 2001 (12:55)", "body": "I have been told that Colin was interviewed on Australian TV yesterday morning. There aren't anymore details as yet. It might be some footage from the LA junket or even the UK's \"Making of\" program. Will hear more later and will have pictures. Yippee!! (Aniutek) PAL copy of SLOW at a reasonable price? So far the only place to get them in the UK has been the ex-rental (previously viewed) bin at video stores. Maybe one day the price will be reduced or a more reasonable DVD will be issued."}, {"response": 532, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Aug  1, 2001 (16:49)", "body": "I imagine Colin must be browsing some gripping scripts in Umbria Sure hope so! We're planning on spending a few days in the Lakes, so I phoned to ask about MOB, just incase they were filming! Does not sound like a goe-er. Has been \"delayed\" and \"they don't know what's going to happen\". I asked if they would start filming before the end of the year and the reply was \"Hopefully\". He added that they would have to re-cast as the first one \"went down the drain\". The only way of getting cheaper copies now of SLOW and MLSF in the UK is recording them if/when they're on Cable TV. SLOW was...MLSF is currently...(on Front Row...retained for the third month, so someone must be paying!)"}, {"response": 533, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug  1, 2001 (18:12)", "body": "(Bethan) He added that they would have to re-cast as the first one \"went down the drain\". Ah ha...I've got it . Just read an interview with Penelope Cruz . Interviewer: \"And what are you going to do next\" PC \"I'm going to rest, study some more photography until about February when I might be starting a new movie which I can't talk about.\" That's it...MOB. Lola Films, espanol...get it? \"The accent\" you ask. Hmmm, well, there might be a little problem there. But after Renee, the British public is v. forgiving;-) I know, boss, this should be at O&E.But felt I had to pound the last nail in the MOB coffin;-) BTW...anybody wanna buy my MOB book? Cheap. I'll throw in Armadillo. AND ..Hamlet."}, {"response": 534, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Aug  1, 2001 (18:15)", "body": "I asked if they would start filming before the end of the year and the reply was \"Hopefully\" Did you tell him about Misan Sagay's credit card? ;-D He added that they would have to re-cast as the first one \"went down the drain\". Ooh, doesn't sound as if CF will do this one. That sound you hear is Evelyn and Karen celebrating. :-) Looking forward to those pics, Karen. Thanks in advance."}, {"response": 535, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Wed, Aug  1, 2001 (18:18)", "body": "Story about TIOBE on Excite News - it's hit the big time. Director Revisits Oscar Wilde"}, {"response": 536, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  1, 2001 (18:31)", "body": "Huge sigh of relief ;-) Thanks, Sarah. Possible Christmas release in one or two cities? Hmmmm, Miramax wants Oscar consideration for Judi again??"}, {"response": 537, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Aug  1, 2001 (18:38)", "body": "Bethan, it could be that Catherine McCormack has backed out of MOB and not Colin, she is very busy at the moment. Also looking forward to the pictures Karen, how do you do it, many thanks, things have been so quiet lately."}, {"response": 538, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Aug  1, 2001 (18:47)", "body": "(AP article) Says Firth, the movie \"offers you the opportunity to escape the cliches of the play.\" Thank goodness. (Karen) Possible Christmas release in one or two cities? Hmmmm, Miramax wants Oscar consideration for Judi again?? Betcha. Otherwise, it won't go into wide release until the spring? I can't remember when a movie opened then vanished completely for months. Usually it's only a matter of weeks, isn't it?"}, {"response": 539, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Wed, Aug  1, 2001 (18:52)", "body": "Huh ? The movie offers you the opportunity to escape the cliches of the play ? So Hamlet is \"cliched\" now.....who woulda' thunk ? Poor Will Shakespeare, I bet he is turning in his grave. No seriously Eileen, where is the rest of that article, was it in a newspaper ?"}, {"response": 540, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  1, 2001 (19:08)", "body": "(Eileen) I can't remember when a movie opened then vanished completely for months. Isn't that done all the time? They open the movie in 1 theatre in LA and 1 in NY, just so that it qualifies for the Oscars. Usually it opens sometime later in January, but some are held for longer. (Beth) The movie offers you the opportunity to escape the cliches of the play ? So Hamlet is \"cliched\" now Think CF is referring to the play, The Importance of Being Earnest. The article is linked above in Sarah's message, but you can find it at anyplace that does AP stories, like Yahoo: http://dailynews.yahoo.com/htx/ap/20010801/en/wkd_going_wilde_1.html"}, {"response": 541, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Wed, Aug  1, 2001 (19:22)", "body": "Gotcha Karen, thanks."}, {"response": 542, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  1, 2001 (19:58)", "body": "Oh dear! Have just noticed that this news item says Colin is 41. :-("}, {"response": 543, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug  1, 2001 (19:59)", "body": "(Firth)Says Firth, the movie ``offers you the opportunity to escape the cliches of the play.'' Aw...you mean Cecily isn't going to say: \"I could never marry anyone whose name isn't Ernest\". Way to go Oliver..."}, {"response": 544, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Aug  1, 2001 (20:04)", "body": "\"I could never marry anyone whose name isn't Ernest\". I think she will say that but it will be because she has his name tatooed on her body (I wonder where?). I am so looking forward to the look on Jack's face when he sees it and realises that he really will have to be Ernest!"}, {"response": 545, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Aug  1, 2001 (20:05)", "body": "Sorry forget tags!"}, {"response": 546, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Aug  1, 2001 (20:05)", "body": "test"}, {"response": 547, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Aug  1, 2001 (20:06)", "body": "Help :-("}, {"response": 548, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  1, 2001 (20:08)", "body": "You did fix it."}, {"response": 549, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Aug  1, 2001 (20:14)", "body": "(Karen) Isn't that done all the time? They open the movie in 1 theatre in LA and 1 in NY Durr, I know that , I was referring to the time lag. As you point out, wide release usually follows within a month. The article said 'spring', so we're talking March at the earliest. Have just noticed that this news item says Colin is 41. I noticed too. Close enough, I suppose (how many days until CF's birthday? Where's the countdown when you need it ;-))."}, {"response": 550, "author": "Anek", "date": "Wed, Aug  1, 2001 (20:47)", "body": "(Karen, Beth) Thank you for your advice regarding SLOW purchase. I have only one problem. I don't live in the UK and don't plan any trips there in the nearest future. I was thinking about buying SLOW through Internet. Are ex-rentals sold in this way? They're releasing AIH in Poland at the end of this month, so maybe I'll see TIOBE in two years' time."}, {"response": 551, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Wed, Aug  1, 2001 (20:54)", "body": "I came across this article in a back issue of Film Review. I'm sure it has been posted previously but I thought new people (plus people like me who can't remember everything she reads) might be interested http://www.visimag.com/filmreview/f128display.htm"}, {"response": 552, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  1, 2001 (21:05)", "body": "(Eileen) I was referring to the time lag. As you point out, wide release usually follows within a month. Durrr! Of course, you'd know that. There have been a few. Going back to last year, I've found a few: Pollock played for one week only in NY/LA from Dec 15; then went \"Wider\" on Feb 16. Vatel (another they had Oscar hope for) opened in NY and LA on 12/25/2000; then went Wider (although I don't think it came here) on 2/23/01 I think Enemy at the Gate actually did the same and then opened on March 16. Appears phenom associated with mainly *art house* flicks. ;-)"}, {"response": 553, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Wed, Aug  1, 2001 (22:01)", "body": "(re Cathey's Film Review link) I bought the print mag when I found it in a bookstore here (ick, import mag prices), but I hadn't seen the online version yet. Great tagline(?) to entice ppl to read the article: The saturnine hunk of brooding manliness that is Colin Firth explains what it was like to effectively return to the role that made him a national hero, and holds forth on the joys of punching Hugh Grant. Oh. Yeah. I am now going to refer to CF as SHoBM."}, {"response": 554, "author": "rachael", "date": "Wed, Aug  1, 2001 (22:20)", "body": "an AFG SHoBM *ROFL*"}, {"response": 555, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Wed, Aug  1, 2001 (23:09)", "body": "Perfect! :)"}, {"response": 556, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Thu, Aug  2, 2001 (00:01)", "body": "\" Saturnine hunk of brooding manliness \" O Cathy, I LOVE it !!!!"}, {"response": 557, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  2, 2001 (12:53)", "body": "Ananova has picked up the Matt Wolf TIOBE article with the title: \"Director admits new Oscar Wilde film may not please everyone\" Excellent way to sell this film. http://www.ananova.com/entertainment/story/sm_365492.html?menu ="}, {"response": 558, "author": "rachael", "date": "Thu, Aug  2, 2001 (18:04)", "body": "Empire online (movie mag) has just started their \"Ultimate film poll\" - vote for best actor, film, director, etc etc http://www.empireonline.co.uk/ultimatemoviepoll/ lets get cracking!"}, {"response": 559, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  2, 2001 (19:52)", "body": "You are joking, aren't you? How cruel when we're the walking wounded. ;-)"}, {"response": 560, "author": "rachael", "date": "Thu, Aug  2, 2001 (20:03)", "body": "maybe I'm naive but this one seems a bit more reliable than the last crew - no awards ceremony to be bribed over, and you have to fill in your personal details when you vote so would be hard to set up cookies or whatever to rig it. And there's no \"running score\" thing as far as I can tell so you can't see who has what percentage, its totally open nominations rather than \"pick from a limited list\" I've done it, anyway"}, {"response": 561, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Aug  2, 2001 (20:25)", "body": "Good news that TIOBE is getting an early release - looks as though it's going to be well promoted! On the non-acting front CF is listed as a patron of the organisation AVID Association Visitors to Immigration Detainees. They have a very informative site at http://www.aviddetention.org.uk Fellow patrons are Lord Russell (son of Bertrand Russell, the philosopher) and Sir Stephen Tumin, High Court Judge - very auspicious company. If you scroll down the index to AVID Periodical No 1, you'll find a very interesting interview with CF's mum."}, {"response": 562, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  2, 2001 (20:45)", "body": "Bethan, please check your email at usa.net. I have something important."}, {"response": 563, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Thu, Aug  2, 2001 (20:48)", "body": "Ok, this is a great organisation and much deserving of our support.... but did anybody else chuckle at all, over CF's mom's involvment in all this, especially when you consider the Agani/Heaney plot line in BJD ? I really don't mean to trivialise a very important issue, really I don't. I jsut thought it was funny, not to mention ironic."}, {"response": 564, "author": "rachael", "date": "Thu, Aug  2, 2001 (21:45)", "body": "Beth this is a brilliant link, thanks a million. Where I live, we have a load of Albanian/Kosovan refugees, and I've seen some of the lads come in for some sickening abuse in town, and now I'm just in awe of Mrs F, what a woman. To have her courage, oh boy. I'd always assumed that Mark Darcy was written as a Human Rights lawyer to catch onto CF's interest in HR issues ... or maybe I'm reading more Machiavellian impulses into Helen Fielding than is strictly necessary"}, {"response": 565, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Fri, Aug  3, 2001 (00:22)", "body": "I don't think Helen F. met Colin, or got to know him well enought to know his beliefs and family background, until she was introduced to him, while he was filming Fever Pitch ( remember the hilarious BJ column ). The characters of Bridget Jones and Mark Darcy ( and what MD did for a living )already exhisted by then. So I'm thinking it's just a coincidence. Then again, was MD a human rights barrister in the book, or just a non specific barrister ? I'm remodeling my book shelves and can't find my copy of the book, to check, gosh darn it."}, {"response": 566, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  3, 2001 (14:05)", "body": "Wonder if either of these has potential: Miramax signs Jacobs to sweet multifilm deal Building off their successful collaboration on \"Chocolat,\" Miramax Films has signed a multipicture writing/executive producing deal with the film's Oscar-nominated screenwriter, Robert Nelson Jacobs. Up first under the deal, Jacobs will adapt David Liss' \"Conspiracy of Paper,\" a thriller set against the beginnings of the stock exchange in 1720s London. \"Chocolat\" helmer Lasse Hallstrom and producing partner Leslie Holleran are on tap to produce the project, with an eye toward Hallstrom directing [Ed note: bleech].... \"Bob (Weinstein) and I have always appreciated how important a great writer is to a film's success, and Robert is one of the best,\" Miramax co-topper Harvey Weinstein said. \"Robert has an extraordinary ability to develop screenplays that provide this blueprint for great films.\" [i.e., Oscar films, with Oscar-nominated actors] Jacobs is at work writing two other feature projects for Miramax. He is adapting \"Solomon Grundy,\" based on British writer Dan Gooch's novel, which Danny Boyle is set to direct for producer Richard Gladstein, and \"The Water Horse,\" based on Dick King-Smith's children's book, to be produced in the United Kingdom by Sarah Curtis and Douglas Rae...."}, {"response": 567, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  3, 2001 (14:22)", "body": "Have just read descriptions of these at amazon. Definitely not the second, but the first would be an interesting *character* part."}, {"response": 568, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Aug  3, 2001 (14:35)", "body": "Leslie Holleran are on tap to produce the project, with an eye toward Hallstrom directing [Ed note: bleech].... LOL! I see you are still having fun. Greetings from Lake Como! See you at the end of August. The temp. in Umbria and Tuscany is 40 degrees, I wonder how ODB and baby are putting up with it? Cheers!"}, {"response": 569, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Aug  3, 2001 (16:56)", "body": "The temp. in Umbria and Tuscany is 40 degrees Big whoop. Where I'm vacaying, here at Undisclosed Location, it's 90.;-) Good to hear from you, Moon! Well, can autumn be far behind if Miramax is already sending up pre-Oscar trial balloons with friendly journalists? That AP article on TIOBE appeared on the same day as a letter from Baz B. in Jeff Wells's column touting Judi as award-worthy for Iris, whuch Miramax will also release."}, {"response": 570, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Fri, Aug  3, 2001 (18:33)", "body": "1720's London Karen.....I like it, I like it. Lots of billowing white shirt and britches potential there."}, {"response": 571, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Fri, Aug  3, 2001 (18:37)", "body": "By the way, I've only been back here a couple of months, after a 6 month computerless absence. Whatever happened to the Maid of Buttermere movie ? Did Colin ever commit to it, or was it just our wishful thinking that I remember reading about ? Now that Catherine whatsherface has pulled out, is the whole thing a no-go, or are they gonna re-cast and plough ahead ? Sorry if I'm rehashing an old topic, but like I said, I was away for a bit."}, {"response": 572, "author": "rachael", "date": "Fri, Aug  3, 2001 (19:17)", "body": "Beth - got it!! - Jan 8th entry for BJD, Tom says \"Mark Darcy? But isn't he that famous lawyer - the human rights guy?\" so he was an HR lawyer in the book as well as the film. so your theory is right and as usual I'm off beam ;-)"}, {"response": 573, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Fri, Aug  3, 2001 (19:30)", "body": "Nah Rachael, we still love you....now get thee to thy computer and 'git cracking on the rest of that shower scene."}, {"response": 574, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug  4, 2001 (15:32)", "body": "(Beth) Whatever happened to the Maid of Buttermere movie ? Did Colin ever commit to it, or was it just our wishful thinking that I remember reading about? Our? Who is this collective \"our\"? ;-) Once upon a time, a script was sent to Colin. He read it and slammed it down on the table and said, \"Sh*t! Another one of those period pieces with ruffly white shirts.\" He called his agent to complain about the quality of scripts being sent to him. \"Come on, Paul, there's got to be something else out there for me to do that doesn't require a white ruffly shirt. Besides, I'd have to get my kit off for this one all the time and, you know, I'm getting a little too old for that. Besides, the book is by that prat Bragg.\" Paul explained that Carlos Saura was the director and he could probably work with him about the latter concern and that it would be filmed in the Lake District during the summer, when the weather and the vistas would be beautiful. \"What's Saura done?\" Colin asked. Paul replied, \"Not very much in English. His work is pretty obscure and arty.\" Colin consulted his diary, thinking the Lake District might be a nice place for a vacation for the boy, something his mother would like for him (back-to-nature stuff). Unenthusiastically, Colin agreed to do it as a mortgage payment was due. The film company, Lola, enthusiastically publicized the coup by mentioning it in the final line of the final paragraph of press release about another one of its directors. Then it rained for forty days and forty nights. Ooops, wrong story. Much time passed--actually a year--when Lola announced a new director had been attached to direct the Maid. Since Colin's commitment was tied to the original director, Saura, once that guy abandoned ship, Colin was free to pursue other interests. Lola tried to entice Colin back to the project, floating his name and Catherine McCormack's in the press. Colin told his agent to convey his regrets to the people at Lola but Harry Potter beckoned."}, {"response": 575, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug  4, 2001 (15:37)", "body": "Hot news!! The new A&E DVD can be preordered and may begin shipping at the end of August. Check out A&E's site. The emphasis is ALL Colin. Sorry, Ev, but JE is not even mentioned by name and look how she's been relegated to the background of the DVD cover and made an equal of Jane. Shocking! ;-) \"With a masterful script, deft direction and a star-making performance from Colin Firth (Bridget Jones' Diary, Shakespeare in Love) PRIDE AND PREJUDICE transports viewers to Georgian England, where affairs of the heart are an exquisite game, and marriage the ultimate prize.\" http://store.aetv.com/cgi-bin/ae.storefront/0/Ext/OutsideFrame/UT/32/Product/70254"}, {"response": 576, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug  4, 2001 (16:19)", "body": "ROTF. Hilarious MOB scenario redux, boss. (Karen) Sorry, Ev, but JE is not even mentioned by name and look how she's been relegated to the background of the DVD cover and made an equal of Jane. Shocking! ;-) Yeah. Like who held those six episodes together;-D Hmmm. Makes it look like he's trying to decide between Jane and Lizzie. Like old cover mobetta'."}, {"response": 577, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Aug  4, 2001 (16:59)", "body": "Hi all! It's good to be back. It really wasn't safe to go on vacation - first an Emmy nomination followed by the Hamlet cancellation then, the loss at the poll and now a new DVD. What a roller coaster! All new fans of Colin should be warned. :-) I have yet another attack of Firth Fever to report: I went to see Princess Diaries yesterday. Caroline Goodall says to Julie Andrews, \"Even though things didn't work out between me and your son, I want you to know I did love him.\" And, being a true Firthette, I thought, \"No, you mean her nephew.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 578, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Sat, Aug  4, 2001 (18:50)", "body": "I noticed that A&E lists BJD prominently after CF's name--they know from whence many of their new P&P2 purchasers are to come."}, {"response": 579, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug  4, 2001 (22:29)", "body": "(Louise) \"No, you mean her nephew.\" ;-) LOL! Well, she hardly saw him...or Little Eddie. ;-) Two guesses who took a day off from his vacation to do a little work:"}, {"response": 580, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug  4, 2001 (22:32)", "body": "BTW, Moon is having a conniption fit. ;-)"}, {"response": 581, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Sun, Aug  5, 2001 (01:06)", "body": "Following is an article from an Australian Magazine. It appeared a couple of weeks ago, and also had the photos of Colin and Luca which appeared in a UK newspapger some time back. Sorry its taken me so long to get around to sharing it with you. He\ufffds tall, dark, handsome and he loves kids! Could Colin Firth, alias Mr Darcy, be the perfect man? OK, so it\ufffds confusing fantasy and reality, but doesn\ufffdt the sight of Mr Darcy going clucky over his newborn son make you feel all gooey? Hey Bridget, here\ufffds the perfect man\ufffd Of course, it\ufffds actor Colin Firth wheeling his real-life son, four-month-old Luca, around their north London neighbourhood. But the author of Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary, Helen Fielding, has seen to it that Colin will for ever be Mr Darcy in the minds of the world\ufffds singletons. Colin, 40, became a pin-up after playing the brooding Mr Darcy in the top-rating 1995 TV adaptation of Jane Austen\ufffds Pride & Prejudice. In a copycatting tribute, Helen wrote the Bridget Jones character of Mark Darcy with Colin in mind. \ufffdIt\ufffds very complicated,\ufffd Colin says. \ufffdI\ufffdm playing somebody who\ufffds based on a character in a book, who\ufffds based on a role that I played, who\ufffds based on a character in a book!\ufffd Colin broke hears when he married Italian film-maker, Livia Guiggioli, 31. Now they have Luca, his second son - he has a 10-year-old, William, from a relationship with US actress Meg Tilly - and he\ufffds busy making time between films to be a family man. \ufffdI want a break\ufffd, he says. \ufffdToo many Darcys could be dangerous!\ufffd"}, {"response": 582, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Sun, Aug  5, 2001 (02:09)", "body": "ROTFLMAO at you Karen, you are beyond funny......O my goodness....... That DVD cover is to die for. I'm gonna buy it, even though I don't even have a DVD player. I do feel bad for Jennifer Ehle though, if she ever sees this, she'll wonder if she was even in the darn thing. I know it is being marketed at the droves of post BJD Colin Frth fans, but still.... it does seem a wee bit unfair to her, doesn't it ?"}, {"response": 583, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug  5, 2001 (02:16)", "body": "(Bethanne) I do feel bad for Jennifer Ehle though, if she ever sees this, she'll wonder if she was even in the darn thing. Nah, she won't care...*she* won the BAFTA;-) ~~~~~~~~~~ Hey Karen...those are some pics. The ole boy is really getting the hang of publicity. \"Keep smelling the coffee, Colin.\" Don't miss 'em gang...they're on The Bucket."}, {"response": 584, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Sun, Aug  5, 2001 (02:44)", "body": "LOL Evelyn, I'm sure looking at that BAFTA on her bookshelf, made filling in all those Waterstone job applications, less of a chore. By the way, is that Colin's ear and sideburn in that pic ? I'm sorry but I'm totally lost."}, {"response": 585, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Sun, Aug  5, 2001 (02:48)", "body": "Ignore that last question....just found the pix."}, {"response": 586, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sun, Aug  5, 2001 (02:51)", "body": "love your sense of humour Karen. Anne"}, {"response": 587, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Sun, Aug  5, 2001 (02:58)", "body": "O my Good Sweet Lord ( excuse the blasphemy ) but he looks incredible in black......sigh, drool, slobber........kinda reminds me of how great he looked in all black in P&P ( piano scenes at Pemberley and Rosings mainly )"}, {"response": 588, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Sun, Aug  5, 2001 (02:59)", "body": "loved, loved, loved, the really short hair too."}, {"response": 589, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Sun, Aug  5, 2001 (04:11)", "body": "O.K., I have the following burning question for you experts: will I get the P&P2 DVD earlier if I order it from A&E, or can I save $10 and order it from Amazon, and get it just as quickly (or nearly so)? If, as you say, A&E is sending it out in late August, it sounds like I can get it earlier there if I pay the \"bounty\" to A&E. I don't mind waiting a couple of days, but if Amazon can't send it out until the \"release date\" of Sept. 25, well, I don't think I can wait that long. I just bought a DVD player today, so I need to get P&P2 at the earliest possible availability. I am dying to see CF with much greater clarity than ever before. (By the way, I just found Fever Pitch and Relative Values on DVD at Amazon for very reasonable prices. My recollection from the last time I looked over there was that FP wasn't available on DVD and that RV was incredibly expensive. But they are winging their way to me even now! What was the name of that movie? \"Can't Hardly Wait\"? Ungrammatical, but all too true!)"}, {"response": 590, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Sun, Aug  5, 2001 (04:16)", "body": ""}, {"response": 591, "author": "sarahmccoy", "date": "Sun, Aug  5, 2001 (04:25)", "body": ""}, {"response": 592, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Sun, Aug  5, 2001 (04:29)", "body": ""}, {"response": 593, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Sun, Aug  5, 2001 (04:30)", "body": ""}, {"response": 594, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Sun, Aug  5, 2001 (04:31)", "body": ""}, {"response": 595, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  5, 2001 (04:42)", "body": "Glad you liked the pics. There might be another conference for tech discussions, but remember, this isn't like a chatroom."}, {"response": 596, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Sun, Aug  5, 2001 (04:44)", "body": ""}, {"response": 597, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Sun, Aug  5, 2001 (04:46)", "body": ""}, {"response": 598, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Sun, Aug  5, 2001 (04:53)", "body": ""}, {"response": 599, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  5, 2001 (05:42)", "body": "Please email each other in the future. Thanks"}, {"response": 600, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Aug  5, 2001 (08:15)", "body": "Don't miss 'em gang...they're on The Bucket. Oh Karen, those pics were well worth the effort;-) Wonderful, breathtaking. Thank you so much."}, {"response": 601, "author": "tamzin", "date": "Sun, Aug  5, 2001 (12:52)", "body": "Fantastic pictures - he looks so well and rested. Thank you Karen. Wonder how Sharon M felt being interviewed alongside him like that remembering what she said when she had to stand in for Renee opposite him and say \"I love you\"."}, {"response": 602, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  5, 2001 (14:07)", "body": "(Cathey) Following is an article from an Australian Magazine. Thanks for taking the time to type out the article. Always nice to see a little hype for our boy. A shame they had to publish those pics under the guise of BJD publicity. A bigger shame is that a Holier-Than-Thou webmistress posted the article and the pics. While she constantly takes things from here without giving credit, I never thought I'd live to see the day she did this... :-("}, {"response": 603, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug  5, 2001 (14:28)", "body": "I'm thinking Colin showed off his Italian during the press conference...don't you think? Thanks Cathey for taking the time to type the article.We always enjoy the publicity from your neck of the woods. A bigger shame is that a Holier-Than-Thou webmistress posted the article and the pics. Thank you boss, for taking the high road on Spring.We all know he was upset over those pics. I thought that's why we have Springfolks. (Bethanne)LOL Evelyn, I'm sure looking at that BAFTA on her bookshelf, made filling in all those Waterstone job applications, less of a chore. Hey pal...you forgot your *winkie*;-)"}, {"response": 604, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Sun, Aug  5, 2001 (16:22)", "body": "Fox News reprinted the AP article by Matt Wolf from a few days ago, pictures are of CF & FO, and JD and director, Oliver Parker. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,31400,00.html"}, {"response": 605, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug  5, 2001 (17:24)", "body": "Pardon my bad manners, Moon. Grazie for giving Karen the Lucarno FF heads-up.Trans Atlantic! What a team... You made our weekend."}, {"response": 606, "author": "alicen", "date": "Sun, Aug  5, 2001 (20:02)", "body": "The pictures at the Locarno Film Festival just took my breath away! I just shook my head and said \"he is too good-looking!\" This is all very odd for me - I am a 30+ year old happily married woman with kids and a career and I have a crush on colin firth after seeing BJD."}, {"response": 607, "author": "odessa", "date": "Sun, Aug  5, 2001 (20:58)", "body": "On Finnish Cosmopolitan cover:COLIN FIRTH -SEX SYMBOL AGAINST HIS WILL I didn`t have time to look at the article, but I`m going shopping tomorrow:)"}, {"response": 608, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Aug  5, 2001 (23:04)", "body": "I haven't been keeping up on the TIOBE news, but I checked on the Fox site. Thanks, Marianne. And my oh my, those Locarno shots. Ding dong, indeed! But what's with the PC dribble Sharon's spouting? (Hope you don't mind me filching this quote from your site, Karen:) At the end Bridget chooses the more reliable (Firth) but as the director said, \"They are two different types, one to marry and the other to have as a lover. It would be lovely if one woman could have both even in real life.\" I know she was just trying to be nice to Hughie as well as molto Italiano but Ms. Maguire, you can't honestly mean Mark couldn't fulfill both roles quite satisfactorily. What techie stuff did I miss? I haven't got my DVD yet and could use the advice."}, {"response": 609, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  5, 2001 (23:49)", "body": "Great Earnest pics, Marianne. Thanks. I've added a couple of links to Real Video and audio from Locarno. The video is mainly Sharon Maguire with the movie trailer, but hang in there as Colin is shown being interviewed as well. Unfortunately, there is Italian narration over the whole thing, as in the Audio interview link which is a Q&A session with Colin. Gaaah :-( http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjdlff.html If anyone would like to take a stab at translating Colin's interview back into English, feel free. ;-) I'm sure there's another Conference on Spring more appropriate for a discussion of DVD features/prices or email."}, {"response": 610, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Mon, Aug  6, 2001 (04:09)", "body": "Yummy video, thanks Karen. I admire SM for obviously being able to answer the journalists questions, 'wot with being pressed up against Col's chest like that, sharing a microphone. If it were me, I'd be hyperventilating and stuttering to beat the band. If I remember right in BJD and The Edge of Reason, Shazzer and Jude were just as smitten by Mr Darcy/Colin, as Bridge was. I wonder if working with him every day filming BJD, cured her of all that, or if she still gets butterflies in her tummy, when she is up close with him ? O to be SM during that press conference...."}, {"response": 611, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Aug  7, 2001 (07:22)", "body": "Where is everybody? I know those pics from Locarno were devastating but surely everybody has recovered now;-) O to be SM during that press conference.... I have a horrid feeling SM might be more of a Huge girl:-(. I thought her comments about a girl needing a Daniel type as a lover and a Mark as a husband probably reflected her own views and were not just her being diplomatic. After all Colin is a smug married while HG is a famous flirt."}, {"response": 612, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  7, 2001 (12:55)", "body": "(Allison) I have a horrid feeling SM might be more of a Huge girl:-(. Very true. Even though she may have been part of the group that came under the spell while watching P&P, she probably liked Huge from way back when. It's that or she felt an overwhelming need to stroke his ego by playing up to him in all the press. BTW, Terry has set up several DVD topics, one of them is in Movies, so go to it."}, {"response": 613, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Aug  7, 2001 (15:32)", "body": "(Allison) Where is everybody? Am back from vac and reporting for duty, ma'am. ;-P Am sure many others are still away. People tend to do that sort of thing in August. Karen, loved your hilarious Official MoB Fairy Tale. Was ROTF. Thanks also for the FF pics (hats off to Moon!). Have super-duper zoomed in on that pink piece of paper in CF's hand. It says 'call Karen ASAP, for hot role tips'. So did he call? ;-D"}, {"response": 614, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  7, 2001 (17:37)", "body": "(Eileen) It says 'call Karen ASAP, for hot role tips'. Gaah! Have been on the phone all a.m. Probably has been trying to call. ;-)"}, {"response": 615, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Tue, Aug  7, 2001 (18:10)", "body": "Well if he left you a message, plueeeze don't do what Bridge did in E of R and erase the darn thing with an incoming call. Do you have any friends called Tom ? If you do, e mail him and, tell him not to call you under ANY circumstances. Am dying to hear if you remained calm, cool and collected in manner of detatched ice queen, while you were on the phone with him."}, {"response": 616, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Tue, Aug  7, 2001 (19:22)", "body": "Found this little item in this week's The National Enquirer . THAT SPECIAL TOUCH: Gay actor Rupert Everett ad-libbed two weird moves that stunned co-star Colin Firth while filming \"The Importance of Being Earnest.\" In a scene where they're supposed to shake hands, Rupert swept Colin into his arms and KISSED HIM on the cheek! And in a shot that called for Rupert to slap Colin on the back - he slapped him on the ass instead! Both times, Colin's stunned reaction cracked everyone up! After viewing the scenes, the director elected to keep them - and Colin agreed!"}, {"response": 617, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug  7, 2001 (19:32)", "body": "LOL.That's Rupee, the \"scene -stealer\". Sounds hilarious.Definitely not in the play;-)"}, {"response": 618, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  7, 2001 (19:40)", "body": "(Marianne) Found this little item in this week's The National Enquirer. Was the line very long at the grocery store? ;-) (birdcage liner) After viewing the scenes, the director elected to keep them - and Colin agreed! Wot, no pictures??? Hopefully, the latter scene was while Jack is getting out of the tub. *hee hee*"}, {"response": 619, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Aug  7, 2001 (20:29)", "body": "Pffft! Who wants to bet we'll be reading this at Ananova or PeopleNews (assuming latter is still operating) tomorrow? Homophobic Firth Stunned by Gay Costar [content same as National Birdcage Liner's but without exclamation points and with a misappropriated quote or two.] Am glad they decided to keep the scenes as is. Is worth the price of admission. ;-)"}, {"response": 620, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  7, 2001 (21:06)", "body": "(Evelyn) That's Rupee, the \"scene -stealer\"....Definitely not in the play;-) As was done by \"The Man Born to Do Oscar Wilde,\" I'm sure it should've been. ;-)"}, {"response": 621, "author": "caribou", "date": "Tue, Aug  7, 2001 (21:40)", "body": "RE: Film Festival Pics I'm glad this is the place to drool because pictures of CF just keep getting better and better and better. Doesn't he know he's over forty and can stop looking so gorgeous now? Not even a bald spot showing. Now how did that happen?"}, {"response": 622, "author": "rachael", "date": "Tue, Aug  7, 2001 (22:01)", "body": "Caribou, absolutely!! AFG or what? corrr .. if only I could work out why my sound card isn't working I could listen to the Locarno stuff, instead of watch and lip read - but then, what lips to read *thud* oops fell off chair"}, {"response": 623, "author": "Becka", "date": "Tue, Aug  7, 2001 (23:53)", "body": "It's offically a fix! Just saw the Hollywood Movie Awards coverage on ET. Guess who was at the awards? Loved the question to NK about how many people were 'touched' by the film to vote for it. Ya right. Sure they were touched - by cookieitis."}, {"response": 624, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Wed, Aug  8, 2001 (01:37)", "body": "Yup, I saw it too......talk about a fix, sheesh !!"}, {"response": 625, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Wed, Aug  8, 2001 (03:41)", "body": "Marianne: Rupert swept Colin into his arms and KISSED HIM on the cheek! And. . . slapped him on the ass instead! Both times, Colin's stunned reaction cracked everyone up! After viewing the scenes, the director elected to keep them - and Colin agreed! Well, if they do indeed keep those scenes in the film, we'll know who the playwright's alter ego is meant to be (as if we didn't already). The question is, will Cecily \"know\" that Algy's pendulum swings both ways? This film may be historic for the subtext alone--if the actors play the scenes the opposite of the literal meaning of the words. I can hardly wait to see Judi Dench flirting with CF and RE. Imagine how she can put new meaning into the term \"recumbent position\". ;-)"}, {"response": 626, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Wed, Aug  8, 2001 (03:59)", "body": "Oh, excuse me, that would be \"semi-recumbent posture\", wouldn't it? (I sort of like mine better, as far as double entendres go)."}, {"response": 627, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Wed, Aug  8, 2001 (04:16)", "body": "So when Rupee smacked Col on his posterior, do we actually see his hand make contact, or is it a face shot and we merely see Col's reaction to aforementioned butt smack ? Hmmmmmm, enquiring minds need to know."}, {"response": 628, "author": "Becka", "date": "Wed, Aug  8, 2001 (04:24)", "body": "Hey if you can catch the Tonight Show, Caroline Rhea is on and she talks about Colin's visit to Rosie and how he didn't 'get' her joke about it being down to her or Renee for the role. Of course dear Jay didn't know who ODB was - thought he was from Notting Hill! ;-P Bloody hell I am in heaven tonight - a Colin mention and my bloody fave band!!!!"}, {"response": 629, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  8, 2001 (04:25)", "body": "(Rebecca) Loved the question to NK about how many people were 'touched' by the film to vote for it. That was funny, wasn't it? Am picturing the scene if the BJD crowd had been there. Colin would be standing there awkwardly (in manner of EMcG), while Julie Moron only spoke to RZ, with strange, silent person (film's director) standing on other side. Colin would then obliging mumble two words about seeing his co-star again. Back to RZ. Hmmm, have just noticed that Valmont is on TV tomorrow night (AMC). Is this a first? Feels like an event to me...might have to put aside my James Dean tape fest... Carolyn Rhea is on Leno right now and has been telling her CF story. Leno wasn't understanding who he was (argh, said Notting Hill) and CR said, \"no, no, he's the gorgeous one from BJD.\" Went over badly."}, {"response": 630, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Wed, Aug  8, 2001 (04:48)", "body": "Is there somewhere I can send flowers to Caroline Rhea at ? Major, major props to her, for mentioning ODB on national TV and generally spreading the disease of Firthitis amongst the masses. ( Who needs West Nile Virus when we have Firthitis ? ) What a shame Leno had to spoil it....gahh !!! What time is Valmont on ?"}, {"response": 631, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug  8, 2001 (15:23)", "body": "FRom one of the London Theatre websites: \"6th August 2001 Dame Judi Dench, Colin Firth, Reese Witherspoon and Rupert Everett are expected to star in a new movie version of Oscar Wilde's classic play The Importance of Being Earnest. The comedy has been filmed before, with Michael Redgrave and Edith Evans in the leads, back in 1952. However, Parker's version (due for Christmas release) may yet ruffle a few feathers with the director stating, \"The spirit of Earnest demands something different... something wonderfully light but anarchic\". A stage version, starring Patricia Routledge enjoyed a West End run earlier this year having initially played at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket in 1999. Dame Judi played Lady Bracknell in the National Theatre's 1982 production\" ~~~~~~~~~~ From the reports of Rupee's antics on the set, sounds like anarchy is alive and well on the set of TIOBE;-)Roll on Christmas. *evelyn , who is walking the streets looking for anyone who take Cinemax*"}, {"response": 632, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Aug  8, 2001 (16:48)", "body": "are expected to star Ooh, crack reporting. Film is in can. :-/ evelyn , who is walking the streets looking for anyone who take Cinemax Can't you subscribe for just a month? I remember others doing that in the past, when RV was broadcast on Starz. (Beth) Is there somewhere I can send flowers to Caroline Rhea Send 'em with a note informing her that he *did* get her joke."}, {"response": 633, "author": "rachael", "date": "Wed, Aug  8, 2001 (18:08)", "body": "Blackadder Back and Forth is on Sky One (UK) tonight at 10 pm (just in case anyone's checking in here in time)"}, {"response": 634, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Aug  8, 2001 (22:57)", "body": "Carolyn Rhea is on Leno right now and has been telling her CF story. .... Went over badly. Good, maybe she'll take that story out of her bag of tricks. Love her to death for calling him gorgeous on national TV but she makes ODB sound like humorless prig. Ooh, thanks, Karen, for the headsup on Valmont. 10:00 pm tonight, EST. I may actually still be awake. Nice of Terry to have set up a DVD topic. Shall I meet you other girls there?"}, {"response": 635, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Thu, Aug  9, 2001 (02:16)", "body": "Valmont is on now, Valmont is on now.......ahhhhhh !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 636, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Aug 13, 2001 (18:28)", "body": "We're back! Thanks for helping us, Koti! koti@spring.net got us running again."}, {"response": 637, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Aug 13, 2001 (18:39)", "body": "If you want to email your thanks to Koti, I won't mind!"}, {"response": 638, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Aug 13, 2001 (18:51)", "body": "Hurrah! I just came back from vacation, and this morning my pseudonym was shown as \"unprivileged user.\" Scared me silly! I thought I was being thrown off for not having posted for more than a week. I couldn't find an internet cafe anywhere we were, so I had to make do with just one picture of Colin for almost two weeks. (A friend made a bookmark with his face on it. So I use that as the bookmark in my diary, thus I have an excuse for carrying Colin with me) I missed reading all the posts and seeing the pictures at the Bucket. Going back to take another look at those, now!"}, {"response": 639, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Aug 14, 2001 (01:37)", "body": "The New York Post has an online ballot on which you can cast your vote/prediction for the Emmys. At the risk of being ridden out of here on a rail, I must point out that this is not a contest. ;-) http://www.pagesix.com/emmys/emmys.htm Karen, the Locarno pics and report are breathtaking! Ding Dong, indeed!:-) What a find--big kudos to you and Signora Luna."}, {"response": 640, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Tue, Aug 14, 2001 (02:43)", "body": "If there's a spot for write-in votes, I have a premonition that \"Red Mill\" will win. Again."}, {"response": 641, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 14, 2001 (04:35)", "body": "Signora Luna would rather have a Cosmopolitan rather than a kudo. ;-) Hmmm, can you possibly think of anything better than to watch BJD under the stars with a certain bellringer around... BTW, are people aware that Fever Pitch is being shown on HBO late Tuesday/early Wednesday morning. Colin's films are finally making it to our television. Unfortunately, the TV Guide (the real one, not newspaper supplement) showed the film as starring Luke Aikman and Beatrice Guard. Was that the mother??????"}, {"response": 642, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Aug 14, 2001 (09:20)", "body": "are people aware that Fever Pitch is being shown on HBO Holly Aird (who was in FP) featured in this week's Sunday Times glossy mag. She mentions CF.....\"He's sexy because he's an extremely nice man.\""}, {"response": 643, "author": "studybees", "date": "Tue, Aug 14, 2001 (09:47)", "body": "there's more than one film called Fever Pitch...are you sure it's not the non-CF one?"}, {"response": 644, "author": "aishling", "date": "Tue, Aug 14, 2001 (10:55)", "body": "Definitely CF version. LA is young Paul and BG Paul's sister who must have starred for all of five minutes:-)"}, {"response": 645, "author": "studybees", "date": "Tue, Aug 14, 2001 (11:37)", "body": "Bizarre!"}, {"response": 646, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 14, 2001 (12:27)", "body": "Thanks, Aishling, for identifying Beatrice. I was too lazy to look it up, but of course recognized Luke's name, plus there's the year/country of origin and film description which all matched. The only thing missing was the name of the STAR of the film. :-)"}, {"response": 647, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 14, 2001 (12:37)", "body": "Here's the link to the Sunday Times article about \"New Brits on the Lot\" where she says 'sexy because he's a really nice guy': http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2001/08/12/stimazmaz02005.html?999 [Didn't know that Holly was in the Flame Trees of Thika as a child.]"}, {"response": 648, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Aug 14, 2001 (12:43)", "body": "Hello. I've been away for a while. Followed interestedly the discussion about CF's withdrawal from Hamlet. I won't add anything, except to say that it's a shame no Firthettes will now be visiting London. Almost entirely off the subject, I preferred Sam West to SRB. Back on the subject, I will offer only a dismissive sneer at the decision to relegate JE to the background of the DVD cover. The favourable comparison with Jane - the abundance of flesh crammed into one sister's neck is rather more attractively distributed in the other - is all the starker."}, {"response": 649, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 14, 2001 (12:51)", "body": "Speaking of Fever Pitch, Empire has an item (from the Mirror) about the American remake of the film which I shall put on Topic 148...even though Empire has a pic of CF accompanying the article. Nice to see you back, Ben. However, fortunately, for you, the British DVD shows a very equal JE and CF on its cover. Besides, art should not be judged by the amount of cleavage shown."}, {"response": 650, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 14, 2001 (21:44)", "body": "From the same people who don't know when to broadcast Conspiracy: Spielberg drama loses BBC1 primetime slot Steven Spielberg's Second World War drama Band of Brothers has lost its primetime BBC1 slot in a schedule change. It was not considered mainstream enough for primetime broadcast and will appear instead on BBC2. The show was directed by Spielberg and actor Tom Hanks. Its \ufffd7million price tag makes it the most expensive programme ever bought by the BBC. BBC1 controller Lorraine Heggessey told the Media Guardian: \"It's a fantastic, quality piece of drama. \"It looks like a movie. But I didn't think it was broad enough for a mainstream audience.\" The BBC bought the series before Heggessey took control, but their decision to play down the drama coupled with its high price tag could spark controversy. *shaking head*"}, {"response": 651, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 14, 2001 (21:53)", "body": "Here's the full article from the Media Guardian: http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,7493,536820,00.html But do click on this for the Guardian's suggestions for alternative ways to spend the \ufffd7million (especially #2): http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,7493,536934,00.html"}, {"response": 652, "author": "rachael", "date": "Tue, Aug 14, 2001 (21:59)", "body": "Interesting that this week the Guardian reckons 7 million = 7 hours of P+P when an article last week about the return of Only Fools and Horses quoted P+P as costing 750,000 quid an hour ... maybe they could use some of it to film some of the \"sequels\" in fanfic *ROFL*"}, {"response": 653, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 14, 2001 (22:14)", "body": "maybe they could use some of it to film some of the \"sequels\" in fanfic *ROFL* Yes, they'd be more costly to film. Think of all the ripped shirts and laundry expense! ;-) Another Colin mention in The Times yesterday: http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,622-2001281173,00.html"}, {"response": 654, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Aug 15, 2001 (02:07)", "body": "Speaking of Fever Pitch, Empire has an item (from the Mirror) about the American remake of the film Yes, and they've totally fabricated Nick Hornby's reaction; we know the truth because people here heard it. Shades of Helen Fielding being allegedly miffed over BJD casting. :-( Another Colin mention in The Times yesterday More inaccuracy--wot's that nonsense about his name being tiny on the BJ posters here? He had higher billing than in the UK! I can't get over how they just make this stuff up. While I'm in a good mood ;-), I may as well weigh in on the P&P DVD cover. While I'll happily display it next to my boxed video set . . . this isn't right. It's all about marketing; A&E knows it'll sell more this way. He was wonderful, but it's Jennifer's show all the way. To see her relegated to the background with Jane . . . ridiculous. If the Lizzie portrayal isn't right, the whole show goes down the tubes. I expected better from A&E. On a brighter note, Apartment Zero will be on Starz this Thursday evening, 10 p.m."}, {"response": 655, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Wed, Aug 15, 2001 (02:59)", "body": "So where do we send our suggestions for which Fan Fic story to be filmed first, with the excess 7 million quid ? I'm going to nominate that story about Arabella's conception, when Darcy and Lizzie...er....\"do it\" half way up a tree. I'm not slighting the works of our other talened authors, really I'm not It's just that the Beeb wouldn't exactly have to cough up mega bucks for sets, now would they ? Safety nets and bug spray are far cheaper than hiring out stately homes as locations. I have also read quite a bit about British ire, that recent World War 2 movies focus more on American participation in the war, than that of the British. So I wouldn't be at all surprised if that was a factor, in the Beeb giving it a less prestigious time slot. While Saving Private Ryan was a fabulous movie, I know some British Veterans Association's noses were a little out of joint at the plot which they felt implied the American involvemnt in D Day was more important than theirs was. I never got that impression from Saving Private Ryan, but then again I didn't risk my life 56 years ago on the beaches of Normandy....so what do I know ?"}, {"response": 656, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 15, 2001 (04:27)", "body": "Not to minimize the incredible English effort in fighting the Axis powers (fairly single-handedly for many years) and enduring the bombings, Saving Private Ryan was strictly about the landing at Omaha Beach. You guys landed on another beach, where they weren't slaughtered. This movie isn't about anybody winning an entire war. It's about a senseless little mission to find one little guy. Please, let's not overblow this one. As I read in one of your newspapers some time ago, if you want to showcase your history, then you're going to have to make the movies. Don't blame us if we concentrate on American contributions. Just look at the project Russell Crowe is going to direct. It too is WWII, but about an Aussie unit. My whole point was: you don't get more mainstream than Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks. It's not possible. Lorraine just tossed your money away."}, {"response": 657, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Wed, Aug 15, 2001 (04:40)", "body": "But do click on this for the Guardian's suggestions for alternative ways to spend the \ufffd7million (especially #2) I'll second #2 (as long as extra P&P2 scenes involve ODB), and if I may, I'll cast yet another vote for #6. I just love Jack Frost."}, {"response": 658, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Wed, Aug 15, 2001 (08:14)", "body": "Sorry Karen, I didn't mean to imply that that I wanted to stir up the WW2 controversy, mentioned in the Guardian article. I just remember reading/hearing a fair bit about it, over the past year or so, thats all. I have no feelings on the matter myself. The county I come from, didn't even fight in WW2 so I'm not really informed enough to have an opinion, one way or another."}, {"response": 659, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Aug 15, 2001 (09:44)", "body": "I agree about SPR - great film, and never intended to portray the entire Allied effort. (There were three British beaches, btw, and a fair number of casualties on them, including my own grandfather.) People get pissed off not so much with ommissions as with clear fabrication - (U-571, the Patriot, etc.) Of course, for inventiveness, nothing beats Fleet St. - the exaggeration of NH's reaction should come as no surprise. As a three-year visitor at Fenway, I am looking forward to the film. (With due apologies to both, there is definitely a similarity between the moaning of the Arsenal and BoSox fans.) As for JE, I freely admit that my objection to her relegation on A&E's cover had nothing to do with art."}, {"response": 660, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 15, 2001 (13:42)", "body": ""}, {"response": 661, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 15, 2001 (13:45)", "body": "No need to apologize, Beth. I probably shouldn't have gotten on my soapbox. (Ben) People get pissed off not so much with ommissions as with clear fabrication - (U-571, the Patriot, etc.) Quite. I don't condone messing around with the facts. Again, I don't wish to minimize or trivialize the British effort, except that the Germans were there to meet the US landing at Omaha in great strength and covered the other beaches where they thought the landing might occur to a lesser degree. (Ben) nothing beats Fleet St. - the exaggeration of NH's reaction And I thought you guys understood irony. ;-)"}, {"response": 662, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Aug 15, 2001 (16:17)", "body": "What price CF? \ufffd7m for seven hours means a million an hour for P&P. Colin on screen for, say, one third of the time? That's 50G per Colin-minute. It SEEMS a lot. But wait! Let's give it a worldwide audience of 20 million (does someone have a more accurate figure?), each of whom (judging by present company) has seen it at least twice, on average. That works out at less than 0.2 cents per Colin-minute per woman. I call that a good deal."}, {"response": 663, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Aug 15, 2001 (17:44)", "body": "Two years and three months of free biscuits and tea for everyone at the BBC Heehee. Brain food. (Karen) My whole point was: you don't get more mainstream than Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks. It's not possible. Lorraine just tossed your money away. After seeing HBO's (somewhat melodramatic, IMO) promo, Band of Brothers strikes me as 'SPR II.' So I see your point, Beth. I agree with Karen that the Beeb should have considered the issue of mainstream-ness before they signed the cheque for 7M."}, {"response": 664, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Aug 15, 2001 (18:56)", "body": "Here's what I don't understand about the Band of Brothers/BBC \"controversy\": Doesn't the same audience who gets BBC1 also get BBC2? In other words, doesn't it have the potential to reach the same number of people? Regardless, the series cost $80 million to produce. Presumably, a fair chunk of that was plowed into the local English economy, in terms of acting jobs, crew, craftspeople, location access fees, lodging, meals, transportation, etc. Surely much more than 7 million worth. So, it's gone out of one pocket but right back into the other. Seems like good business--and good public policy--to me, no matter what channel eventually shows it."}, {"response": 665, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Aug 15, 2001 (19:04)", "body": "Had my date with Paul this morning on HBO Signature (wish the blonde with the shrill voice didn't show up too ;-)). *sigh*"}, {"response": 666, "author": "rachael", "date": "Wed, Aug 15, 2001 (19:04)", "body": "Mari, the same audience get BBC 1 and 2 - everyone gets it - but traditionally, BBC1 is regarded as the populist mainstream channel and BBC2 is for the arts, and less obviously mainstream stuff. This whole BBC/HBO business is extremely annoying when the BBC can't even say when they'll screen things they co-produced!! as discussed earlier, why do we pay our licence fee? *rant*"}, {"response": 667, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Wed, Aug 15, 2001 (19:15)", "body": "(Karen)BTW, are people aware that Fever Pitch is being shown on HBO late Tuesday/early Wednesday morning. Colin's films are finally making it to our television. Unfortunately, the TV Guide (the real one, not newspaper supplement) showed the film as starring Luke Aikman and Beatrice Guard. Was that the mother?????? In a bizarre coincidence (or not), FP will be showing next Tuesday on the Canadian Showcase channel. The TV Guide description sounds the same as yours; i.e. no mention of CF. And one of our movie channels (CEN) starts running RV next week. Maybe I'm on a roll and they'll actually show something I haven't seen! Conspiracy hasn't made it here yet."}, {"response": 668, "author": "MysteryMan", "date": "Wed, Aug 15, 2001 (19:18)", "body": "BBC had been led to believe there would be much more to which a British audience could relate. It will now go on a more culturally elitist channel (BBC 2) It will still be shown."}, {"response": 669, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Aug 15, 2001 (20:23)", "body": "Thanks for the clarification on the Beebs, Rachael. As for Conspiracy, my guess is they'll schedule it soon after the Emmy Awards; if it does well in the Emmys, then that's an extra \"hook\" for reporters/critics to put into their articles i.e., \"the award-winning film, Conspiracy.\" Miss Teryman/Mister Eman) BBC had been led to believe By whom? The book by Stephen Ambrose on which the series is closely based was published almost 10 years ago. I can't see how there could be any confusion about its content. Anyway, my original point was actually to cut the BBC some slack as I felt that the press carping was unjustified. But, I know things often look differently to outsiders."}, {"response": 670, "author": "rachael", "date": "Wed, Aug 15, 2001 (20:46)", "body": "Mari, the same audience get BBC 1 and 2 - everyone gets it - but traditionally, BBC1 is regarded as the populist mainstream channel and BBC2 is for the arts, and less obviously mainstream stuff. This whole BBC/HBO business is extremely annoying when the BBC can't even say when they'll screen things they co-produced!! as discussed earlier, why do we pay our licence fee? *rant*"}, {"response": 671, "author": "rachael", "date": "Wed, Aug 15, 2001 (20:47)", "body": "oops!! sorry, don't know how I did that twice!"}, {"response": 672, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 15, 2001 (22:32)", "body": "BBC had been led to believe (Mari) By whom? By the same person who kept DQ on the shelf, but of course. *snort* (Rachael) BBC1 is regarded as the populist mainstream channel and BBC2 is for the arts, and less obviously mainstream stuff. Thanks for the clarification. So BBC2 is where you'd go to watch reruns of \"I Love Lucy,\" right?"}, {"response": 673, "author": "Becka", "date": "Wed, Aug 15, 2001 (23:08)", "body": "Bryonny: Are you in Canada? Cause I was curious about the channel you mentioned (CEN) playing Relative Values. I haven't seen it yet! :-("}, {"response": 674, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Aug 16, 2001 (13:50)", "body": "(Mari) Miss Teryman/Mister Eman LOL! Ah, but MysteryMan sees all, knows all. *snort* (Rachael) the same audience get BBC 1 and 2 What's the difference in viewership? Just curious--I want to be prepared when I hear that Conspiracy will air on BBC2. ;-)"}, {"response": 675, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Thu, Aug 16, 2001 (16:05)", "body": "Well, I'll say this for MysteryMan, at least he/she can write a graceful sentence without ending it with a preposition."}, {"response": 676, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 16, 2001 (16:16)", "body": "It never don't make no difference to me;-)"}, {"response": 677, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Thu, Aug 16, 2001 (16:45)", "body": "Ooh, my favorite Churchill quote, re ending sentences with a preposition: \"A pedantry up with which I will not put.\" Um, Band of Brothers. I'm actually frightened that someone thought that filming a Stephen Ambrose book was a good idea. God bless him, but after a while you feel bludgeoned by his point of view, even with the books."}, {"response": 678, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Thu, Aug 16, 2001 (16:57)", "body": "Rebecca: Yes, I'm in Western Canada and CEN is one of the cable movie channels not on basic cable. I don't know if the East is different. All the vid stores here have RV however, so I've rented it. And if you happened to copy only the CF scenes, by the way, which I'm sure I'd never do, it only takes 30 minutes of space!"}, {"response": 679, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Aug 16, 2001 (17:09)", "body": "(Evelyn) It never don't make no difference to me ;-) Me neither. *sniff* Though I abhor dangling gerunds. *sticking my nose in the air* Wish there was CF news."}, {"response": 680, "author": "rachael", "date": "Thu, Aug 16, 2001 (17:30)", "body": "Eileen the top rated programmes on BBC1 (soaps, big football matches, big comedies) will get between 12-14 million viewers, a major one off event might get 18 million viewers; the top stuff on BBC2 will get around 4-5 million, but most BBC2 programmes will be less than this"}, {"response": 681, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 16, 2001 (17:42)", "body": "Grammar: 1 Content: 0"}, {"response": 682, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Thu, Aug 16, 2001 (18:44)", "body": "Reads frantically thru all archived posts to check my grammer.....ack, ack, ack, don't like what I see."}, {"response": 683, "author": "Eljanfor51", "date": "Fri, Aug 17, 2001 (03:42)", "body": "Correct me if I am wrong. Hamlet was cancelled because it \"conflicted with Mr. Firth's filming schedule.\" I know you ladies to be crack detectives (among your many other talents), yet we know nothing of any filming with which to conflict. My obsession is in need of food."}, {"response": 684, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Fri, Aug 17, 2001 (04:19)", "body": "Just caught Apartment Zero on Starz East. I can't believe TV Now didn't even mention it. Can it be that Starz changed their schedule from that originally planned due to CF's popularity? Maybe they have been deluged with e-mails demanding more movies starring Colin Firth. And only a couple of weeks to go until Londinium. It's good to be a cable subscriber (with multiplex) right now. ODB was so adorable in AZ. You just wanted to cuddle him when his mum died. Except he would have probably climbed straight up the wall if you tried, due to his particular neuroses. What a performance. \"If that's a mask. . .\" Sigh."}, {"response": 685, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Aug 17, 2001 (15:59)", "body": "I watched it last night also, Louise. It's among my Firth faves. And isn't this timely--an interview I've never seen before from '89, in which CF talks about it. Many thanks to Lisa, who sleuthed this one out. Enjoy!:-) ACTOR ON THE RUN: FROM `VALMONT' TO `APARTMENT ZERO' -- COLIN FIRTH'S EFFORTS INCLUDE A VERSION OF `DANGEROUS LIAISONS' (BY) JOHN HARTL 09/10/1989 The Seattle Times Can Colin Firth be ``a sexier bad guy'' than John Malkovich? According to this month's Premiere magazine, that's what it will take if Milos Forman's ``Valmont,'' the latest and most expensive film version of ``Dangerous Liaisons,'' hopes to match or top the success of last year's Oscar-winning adaptation of the story. Firth plays the title role - the Malkovich part - in the $36 million production, which opens in mid-November. To many moviegoers, Malkovich was the chief problem with last year's version, and the success or failure of the Forman film will most likely rest on the actor playing Valmont. ``Milos' version is going to be incredibly different,'' said the 28-year-old Firth during a trip to Seattle this week. ``The characters have the same names, the story is still about sexual manipulation, but that leaves room for a lot of differences. ``Our emphasis is not on overtly decadent behavior. `Valmont' has more to do with what it is that works when you manipulate someone. There are hearts beating inside these characters, and you should leave the theater with questions about Valmont's true feelings. If you're not convinced that he can persuade this woman that she's changed him, if that doesn't work, the audience will laugh.'' While Firth is gearing up for the publicity push that will inevitably surround the release of ``Valmont,'' he was actually in town to talk about another movie: Martin Donovan's extraordinary thriller, ``Apartment Zero,'' which opens Friday at the Egyptian. At the Seattle International Film Festival three months ago, it won the audience awards for best picture and director. Firth plays the very un-Valmontlike part of a repressed, neurotic Buenos Aires film buff named Adrian, who is so obsessed with movies that he declares at one point that he can't be friends with anyone who's never heard of Geraldine Page. When Adrian takes in an American roommate of questionable background (Hart Bochner), their relationship and the film start to function on increasingly complicated psychological-political levels. ``Adrian's only reference point is film,'' said Firth. ``He only understands film language. When Jack (the Bochner character) turns up, it's as if he'd just stepped off the screen and into Adrian's life. Adrian is such a pitiful creature, so transparent; he sees himself as a David Niven character, the perfect English gentleman, but he's really quite pathetic.'' Firth based his characterization on a couple of people he knows, and a ``precious, brittle movie-obsessive'' he once observed at a British art house. He thinks the character's speech patterns ``come out of constipation''; during the shooting of the film, he and Donovan decided to include several scenes in which Adrian talks to himself, once in Spanish. ``I think I gave Adrian a certain neurotic fastidiousness that is not in the script, but Hart had the more difficult job,'' he said. ``He had to appear to be a boring fellow, and it's tough to play that kind of superficially easygoing character. He was very intense about getting it right. I know very few English actors who ever take the job as seriously as Hart did.'' During the three months he stayed in Buenos Aires, Firth became increasingly aware of the political focus of the script, which makes frequent references to the recent repressiveness of the Argentine government. ``Just five years ago, they were scooping people up off the street,'' he said. ``I loved the country, which has such an air of sophistication that you can't see why they're repeatedly susceptible to fascism. But it's a very badly damaged place.'' When he returned to England, he was so concerned that he joined Amnesty International. Born in Hampshire, Firth spent some of his youth in Nigeria and St. Louis before returning to England, where he joined the National Youth Theatre and moved on to the Drama Centre. After playing the lead character, Guy Bennett, in the London stage production of ``Another Country,'' Firth made his movie debut playing Guy's communist friend, Judd, in the 1984 film version. ``I still get the bulk of my fan mail because of that picture, especially from Japan, where there's a cult for it,'' he said. Firth has also starred in the excellent ``A Month in the Country,'' the best-forgotten 1984 American TV remake of ``Camille,'' and several British television series, including ``The Lost Empires,'' which was shown here on Masterpiece Theatre. He's just finished another picture, ``Wings of Fame,'' in which he plays the assassin of a movie star played by Peter O'Toole. Most of the picture takes place in the afterlife, at a "}, {"response": 686, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 17, 2001 (16:19)", "body": "To many moviegoers, Malkovich was the chief problem with last year's version Hmmm, I thought everyone considered Malkovich's performance wonderful. Oh, I see he said moviegoers, not critics. ;-) (CF) you should leave the theater with questions about Valmont's true feelings. Haven't we argued this one numerous times? (CF on WoF) \"I begged them to put me in that movie,\" he said. \"I'd never seen a script like it. There are no real effects, no `Beetlejuice' makeup, and it's much murkier and less obvious than that picture. But I think it's quite extraordinary. Don't we know that? ;-) \"I really need to stop. I'm always working on the next picture even if I'm not actually shooting it. I have to find out if there is a life between movies.\" He has."}, {"response": 687, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 17, 2001 (16:20)", "body": "Thanks, Mari, for posting the article from Lisa. Loved it."}, {"response": 688, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Aug 17, 2001 (17:17)", "body": "CF on WoF)``I begged them to put me in that movie,'' he said. ``I'd never seen a script like it. There are no real effects, no `Beetlejuice' makeup, and it's much murkier and less obvious than that picture. But I think it's quite extraordinary. VERY extraordinary! I enjoyed our discussion of WoF. I wish we could ask Colin about some of the interpretations we kicked around. Thanks for finding that article, Mari. I loved his comment about \"life between movies.\" So, OK, Colin, you've had some \"in between\" life. Now, tell us what you're doing NEXT!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 689, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Aug 17, 2001 (17:59)", "body": "Thanks, Lisa and Mari. I love reading new comments about old projects. Firth based his characterization on a couple of people he knows He's used this several times, most recently about Mark Darcy. He thinks the character's speech patterns ``come out of constipation'' Heehee! Am sure Moon will enjoy that. ;-) \"I really need to stop. I'm always working on the next picture even if I'm not actually shooting it. I have to find out if there is a life between movies.\" (Karen) He has. And how!"}, {"response": 690, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 17, 2001 (18:51)", "body": "Thank you Mari and Lisa.I don't think we had those quotes when we discussed those films. Too bad the interviewer didn't think to ask him to decipher the mystery of Bianca;-: (CF interview)\"`Our emphasis is not on overtly decadent behavior' \" Whoa....Valmont and Cecile was pretty pervy ;-)"}, {"response": 691, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 17, 2001 (19:13)", "body": "Whoa....Valmont and Cecile was pretty pervy ;-) Through today's eyes. Cecile was getting married to the much-older (than Valmont) Gercourt a short while."}, {"response": 692, "author": "Becka", "date": "Fri, Aug 17, 2001 (20:38)", "body": "This is from the E!Online site, Marilyn Beck's column. I was waiting for this.. As Jack Frost, I wish he would nip at my nose....;-P Dear Marilyn: What can you tell me about Colin Firth? Is he married? Any new projects coming up? Jessica, Boston Dear Jessica: The six-foot-one, 40-year-old actor hails from Hampshire, England, and is married to Livia Giuggioli, a production assistant he met in 1996 on the set of the BBC drama Nostromo. They have a son, Luca, born in March. (He has another son, William, 10, with actress Meg Tilly). Firth's passion for drama started early. As a kid, he played Jack Frost in a Christmas pantomime. He joined a drama workshop at age 10 and, by 14, had decided on acting as a profession. In 1980, he was accepted at London's prestigious Drama Centre, where a casting agent caught him in a production of Hamlet and recommended him as a replacement for Rupert Everett in the Queen's Theatre production of Another Country. Firth went on to star in the 1984 film version and hasn't stopped working since. His films include The English Patient, Valmont, Shakespeare in Love and Bridget Jones's Diary. The Mark Darcy character he plays in the latter film was inspired by Firth's turn as the dashing Mr. Darcy in the popular BBC miniseries Pride and Prejudice. His latest project is a big-screen version of The Importance of Being Earnest, with Rupert Everett, Judi Dench and Reese Witherspoon."}, {"response": 693, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 17, 2001 (20:59)", "body": "(E)Whoa....Valmont and Cecile was pretty pervy ;-) (Karen)Through today's eyes. Cecile was getting married to the much-older (than Valmont) Gercourt a short while. The *former* was pervy....the latter was disgusting. Cecile and Danceny was \"mainstream\";-)"}, {"response": 694, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sat, Aug 18, 2001 (02:19)", "body": "(Marilyn Beck)As a kid, he played Jack Frost in a Christmas pantomime. Perhaps that's where he got the snowman tie?????????????????? Becka, I wish you hadn't made that remark about Jack Frost nippin' at your nose. Now I'll have that Christmas Song stuck in my head for a week."}, {"response": 695, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Aug 18, 2001 (06:25)", "body": "Whoa....Valmont and Cecile was pretty pervy ;-) } And that scene was even edited from the original theatrical release. Bravo altered that scene too when they showed it, but AMC's alterations were more subtle."}, {"response": 696, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 18, 2001 (14:41)", "body": "(E)Whoa....Valmont and Cecile was pretty pervy ;-) } (Ann)And that scene was even edited from the original theatrical release. You mean there's *more* than what was on the video?Like TA vs. THOTP? WOW. BTW, the scene was consensual ( not exactly a rape).I'm not a big prude here...hey, I'm the guy lighting candles that they next film he makes is \"R\" rated;-)"}, {"response": 697, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sat, Aug 18, 2001 (16:23)", "body": "(Evelyn)I'm the guy lighting candles that they next film he makes is \"R\" rated;-) Lighting candles for an R-rated movie? I can sense the fierce Sister Margaret (Sunday School teacher) turning over in her grave!!!! Ann, as you appear to be our resident expert on *that* scene in Valmont, did Bravo and AMC show less than the tape does?"}, {"response": 698, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Aug 18, 2001 (17:22)", "body": "You mean there's *more* than what was on the video? } Both AMC and Bravo altered that scene (differently). As far as I know the commercial tape is the original version. I'm one of the very few people who saw V in a theater when it first came out, and only saw the icky DL a couple years ago on tape."}, {"response": 699, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 18, 2001 (18:07)", "body": "(Evelyn)I'm the guy lighting candles that they next film he makes is \"R\" rated;-) Lighting candles for an R-rated movie? I can sense the fierce Sister Margaret (Sunday School teacher) turning over in her grave!!!! *blowing out candles* In deference to the good Sister;-) How about joss sticks;-) And I don't mean Londinium...although any film about ED is bound to be;-) I hear that Cinemax is running an ad on Londinium.As part of a Max Binder (pardon the expression)series? Anybody see it?"}, {"response": 700, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 19, 2001 (13:33)", "body": "OK, Teenage Fanclub may not be performing, but I'd say it had possibilities... Stars line up for asylum seeker concert Top actors are teaming up with musicians from the world of classical music for a concert supporting asylum seekers and refugees. Emma Thompson and Michael Palin will take part in the event at London's Royal Festival Hall on November 19. The stars of Truly, Madly, Deeply - Alan Rickman and Juliet Stevenson - will also be reunited for the night. The concert was put forward by human rights charities the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture and the Prisoners of Conscience Appeals Fund. Ms Stevenson is directing a segment of the gala, while the second half will feature the London premiere of a choral work by composer Richard Blackford. Bournemouth Symphony Chorus commissioned the work and will perform accompanied by a 20-piece ensemble from Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, including soloists Robert Tear and Paul Whelan. Others taking part include actress Fiona Shaw, comedian Jeremy Hardy and poet Tony Harrison."}, {"response": 701, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Sun, Aug 19, 2001 (14:09)", "body": "There is a short BJD interview with ODB in the Swiss Sonntagszeitung. It is in German, but if someone would like to translate it, I could type and e-mail it (I am not very good at translating)."}, {"response": 702, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 19, 2001 (14:25)", "body": "OK, it wasn't too difficult to find the Sonntagszeitung article online, as a pic of BJ is on the front page. The CF interview doesn't look too long (no pic), so if you can, Nita (or Renate or Carola or Teresa or our many lurking Germans), here's the link to the interview: http://www.sonntagszeitung.ch/sz/szFeinRubrik.html?ArtId=117440&rubrikid=116&ausgabeid=1630 and the general BJD article: http://www.sonntagszeitung.ch/sz/szFeinRubrik.html?ArtId=117438&ausgabeid=1630&rubrikid=116"}, {"response": 703, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Aug 19, 2001 (15:06)", "body": "Cinemax has the September schedule up for Londinium (thanks to Diana for spotting): Title: LONDINIUM Rating Minutes Color Sound Genre TVMA 87 Color Dolby Surround Sound Romance, Comedy Advisories: Adult Content, Adult Language, Brief Nudity Cast: MIKE BINDER, IRENE JACOB, COLIN FIRTH, MARIEL HEMINGWAY, CHRISTOPHER LAWFORD, STEPHEN FRY Description: This breezy romantic comedy traces the romantic ups and downs of two couples involved in the London television world. Very British Allen produces a sitcom for his American actress wife Carly. American Ben, a Seinfeld-bred writer for the show, meets French makeup artist Fiona on the set. Ben and Fiona fall in love just as Allen and Carly are losing interest in each other...but nothing is as simple as it seems. With Mike Binder (HBO's The Mind of the Married Man), Irene Jacob (Othello), Colin Firth (Bridget Jones's Diary), Mariel Hemingway (The Contender). All Showings, All Channels Date Time Channel Sun, Sep 2 10:00 pm MAX East Sun, Sep 2 1:00 am MAX West Wed, Sep 5 8:30 pm MAX East Wed, Sep 5 11:30 pm MAX West Thu, Sep 13 10:00 am MAX East Thu, Sep 13 1:00 pm MAX West Tue, Sep 18 3:00 pm MAX East Tue, Sep 18 6:00 pm MAX West Mon, Sep 24 4:45 pm MAX East Mon, Sep 24 7:45 pm MAX West Sat, Sep 29 1:00 pm MAX East Sat, Sep 29 4:00 pm MAX West"}, {"response": 704, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 19, 2001 (16:05)", "body": "Brief Nudity Our luck, it would be Stephen Fry. ;-)"}, {"response": 705, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug 19, 2001 (16:44)", "body": "\"Brief Nudity \" (K)Our luck, it would be Stephen Fry. ;-) No he's the psychologist. *Putting up the joss sticks;-)* Thank Mari and Diana.I can't wait...."}, {"response": 706, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Aug 19, 2001 (16:56)", "body": "I have started to translate the SonntagsZeitung interview, but have to go now, sorry. Hope I can do it tonight."}, {"response": 707, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 19, 2001 (17:19)", "body": "*Putting up the joss sticks;-)* Based on TSM, it wouldn't be Mariel or MB (shorts only). My bet is Irene Jacob, probably in a scene with MB. Argh :-("}, {"response": 708, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Sun, Aug 19, 2001 (19:10)", "body": "Candles ? Joss sticks ? Sheesh, I'm going out now to find a chicken to saccrafice. Now if only I could find my voodoo handbook ? O well, I suppose one the spells from one of my nieces Harry Potter books will do."}, {"response": 709, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Aug 19, 2001 (19:17)", "body": "Here's the translation - forgive me if it is buggy, my favourite proof reader hasn't seen it yet ;-). I can do that look in my sleep Colin Firth about his role as Mark Darcy SZ: Colin Firth, you were Mr. Darcy in the TV film of Pride & Predjudice, now you are Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones. Aren't you fed up with that role? CF: No, because Darcy is not really important in my life. Except when talking with [to?] journalists. SZ: And the female fans... CF: I rarely meet the fans. And my friends don't call me Mr. Darcy. Only the press is bothering [expr? transl = punching] me with always the same questions about this role. SZ: If you are rehearsing the dark Darcy-look in the mirror? CF: Yes, in that style. SZ: And, do you rehearse it? CF: Come on! Not at all. I know that look by heart, I don't need to rehearse it. It's boring. SZ: And still, you have accepted the role of the brooding Mark Darcy in BJD? CF: Yes, because I liked to spoof my Mark Darcy popularity. SZ: It sounds almost as if it is bothering [irritating] you. CF: I have to admit that up to now I don't understand what it is based on. As a preparation to BJD, I have rewatched all episodes of P&P. SZ: And? CF: It is ok. The series is a tidy [clean] piece of tv. Nothing more, and nothing less. I don't get it why some women are so obsessed about it. SZ: You are playing a girl's dream without understanding what makes the girls drool? CF: That's the material point. You can't play other people's dreams. You can only play somebody who you can relate to yourself. That is why I originally refused the Mr. Darcy role. SZ: And then accepted nevertheless. Why? CF: Because one day I discovered something in myself that helped me understanding this man. SZ: What? CF: I cannot explain. It is very personal. It has something to do with my own fears. SZ: Was the contemporary Darcy in BJD easier to understand than Jane Austens aristocrat of the 18th century? CF: Not necessarily. In a leatherjacket, that looks exactly like my own, it is more difficult to feel like a different person. In an eighteenth century costume and high on a horse it just happens [by itself]. Interview: Ewa Hess"}, {"response": 710, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Sun, Aug 19, 2001 (20:02)", "body": "LOL, I love it \" no need to rehearse THE LOOK. I know it by heart \" O so do we Col, so do we....slobbers all over keyboard. And belive me babe, we don't find it boring, far from it."}, {"response": 711, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 20, 2001 (01:19)", "body": "\"CF: I have to admit that up to now I don't understand what it is based on. As a preparation to BJD, I have rewatched all episodes of P&P. SZ: And? CF: It is ok. The series is a tidy [clean] piece of tv. Nothing more, and nothing less. I don't get it why some women are so obsessed about it.\" Hey, pal...USA Today called it \"The Triumph of Television\", whether you like it or not. Get over it."}, {"response": 712, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Mon, Aug 20, 2001 (02:58)", "body": "ODB sounds grumpy in that interview. Perhaps Luca is teething and keeping them up at night?"}, {"response": 713, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 20, 2001 (03:22)", "body": "Thanks, Renate, for the translation. Only the press continually bothers me with the same questions about this role. Doesn't this pretty much sum it up and the entire interview? I mean, really, how many times is the name Darcy mentioned? Poor guy. He really should stick to US-based journalists who don't give two hoots about P&P."}, {"response": 714, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Mon, Aug 20, 2001 (13:21)", "body": "ODB sounds grumpy in that interview. Remember, this is the translation of a translation. The original answers may have been quite a bit different."}, {"response": 715, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Aug 20, 2001 (15:01)", "body": "(CF)I don't get it why some women are so obsessed about it. What? Don't you have any mirrors in your house, Colin? He does sound cranky. But it could have been worse. At least the interviewer didn't ask him about the wet shirt!"}, {"response": 716, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Aug 20, 2001 (15:35)", "body": "Psst, Colin. If you're promoting a movie in which you play a character named Darcy, who is based on another character you played named Darcy, then the press is going to ask you questions about . . . wait for it . . . Darcy! P&P and now BJD are how the general public knows you. Be gracious. And if it annoys you so much, let's see you go after the roles that have the potential to eclipse Darcy in the public's mind."}, {"response": 717, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Aug 20, 2001 (15:45)", "body": "I recall CF giving similar responses to similar questions way back when BJD publicity was gearing up and articles were starting to come out (March?). I wonder if this interview was actually conducted at that time and is just coming out now."}, {"response": 718, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Aug 20, 2001 (16:24)", "body": "This interview seems different, though. In the ones he did around the time of BJD's US opening, he had a sense of humor about the whole Darcy thing. Of course he was on a general high at the time because of the new baby. To be fair, I can see how he must be tired of the same questions about Darcy. To Colin, even BJD must feel like old news. Since then, Conspiracy has been on and he's been nominated for an Emmy (for work that he feels is more 'valuable' than what he did in BJD). He has finished work on TIOBE. But everyone is still talking about Darcy. Mari's suggestion of a role that can eclipse Darcy is a good one. But Darcy will probably never go away entirely. If people remember other good things he's done, Colin should be able to deal with Darcy being forever a part of his credits list."}, {"response": 719, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Aug 20, 2001 (16:56)", "body": "As Nita mentioned, don't base your opinion on this re-translated translation! We don't even know if and how much the original interview was edited, and if the translation hit the tone in the first place. And my translation... it is difficult enough to hit the right words or phrases, let alone the right tone. Further, in the german-language countries - and I think in whole continental Europe - Colin's name is almost unknown, except for a handful of fans we know by name. Oh, I almost forgot: there must be also an unknown number of women who have seen P&P, when it was aired at 9.03 in the mornings. ;-) We've been to the BJD preview, and there was, in a packed theatre, definitely! an audible collective sigh at Colin's first closeup. I conclude, there must be a huge group of secret fans. Almost all BJD reviews (it is to open in Germany on Aug. 23) write about RZ and HG, but Colin is hardly ever mentioned except for his also being in the film. BTW, the reviews are all very good. No Colin-relevant information yet in German press."}, {"response": 720, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 20, 2001 (17:17)", "body": "Darcy is the only starring role he's done worth writng about.It created a craze in his home country. What does he expect? They're not going to ask him about Matthew Fields, Peter Marshmallow, or, godferbid, the Beared One in Nostromo. Thanks Renate for taking the time to type this up."}, {"response": 721, "author": "rachael", "date": "Mon, Aug 20, 2001 (17:32)", "body": "I like \"the bearded one in Nostromo\" those legs, those boots, phew *thud* oops tumbled over :-) but I think Mari's spot on - he must've known what was going to happen with BJD and earlier interviews did seem to have more humour about them. Fingers crossed he's been reading some good scripts over the summer. If not we should have a fanfic conference and write one for him ;-)"}, {"response": 722, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Mon, Aug 20, 2001 (18:26)", "body": "I'm with Nita and Renate, lets not accuse him of churlishness regarding the Darcy thang, when the interview is a translation. It can be hard for humour and irony to come across in a translated version. The interviewer may not have even known who CF and was just asking the same tired old questions, that he knew to ask from reading the bio, and got a tired response from Col as a result. I must confess to having a soft spot for Nostromo ( covers face in shame ). I don't know if its the mine scene or the boots......sigh... How stooooopid he looks on those ridculous, runty little horses, almost obliterates the good bits, but not quite."}, {"response": 723, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 20, 2001 (18:33)", "body": "(Beth)I must confess to having a soft spot for Nostromo ( covers face in shame ). No need to do that....I'm one of three people on this board who likes Camille.... (No coughing from the gallery. You see how well I know all of you;-) Let's just say Colin had a \"bad hair day.\""}, {"response": 724, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Aug 20, 2001 (18:45)", "body": "(Kate) In the ones he did around the time of BJD's US opening, he had a sense of humor about the whole Darcy thing. You're right. I was thinking about a time just a week or two earlier, at the start of the BJD press onslaught. Have checked Karen's article archive (v. useful page ;-))at the Bucket; this is what I'm talking about: From the Guardian, March 31, 2001 Twice Shy, by Susie Steiner Colin Firth says everything is all right. Really, it's fine\ufffdas if someone just bumped the back of his Volkswagen. \"I don't mind it at all.\" He's talking a bit like Gareth Southgate does when the subject of penalties crops up. \"I think I've been saying all the time: 'It's all right. It's fine.' How convincing can you be when you say, 'I'm not het up'?\" The thing Firth is fine about (so we can all stop feeling guilty) is being a Sex God. He doesn't mind the tight breeches thing, or having to talk in detail about That Pond Scene for the past six years, or knowing that millions of women fantasise about the way his wet shirt clung to his chest, or the way his bushy sideburns fluttered outside Pemberley. \"If I spent 20 years training to be an astronaut, the headlines would still say Darcy Lands On Mars!,\" he says, laughing. But, to be honest, he looks pissed off. And another: from Film Review, May, 2001 Love at Firth Sight, by Anwar Brett /.../ \"In a way I think I should just say, 'Okay, I hate talking about it',\" he sighs. \"But I never do have to talk about it unless a journalist is asking me those sort of questions. It is one of those things where my actual life has nothing to do with this subject. People I know just don\ufffdt bring it up, and it never encroaches on my everyday life. \"It's only when I get into a room with a journalist that they'll say, 'you really hate this don't you? You want to shake it off?' But I don't. It doesn't do anything for me one way or the other, so it's fine. But I'll still read that 'Colin Firth is still trying to shakeoff Darcy' and this only perpetuates it.\" *** See what I mean? I also recall we had exactly the same reaction as we're having now. Ooh, it's like deja vu all over again."}, {"response": 725, "author": "rachael", "date": "Mon, Aug 20, 2001 (18:50)", "body": "he had a bad hair day in Camille? what's done to his hair makes a big difference, I think - look at him in TEP, where its tamed and parted - he looks very young (as Geoffrey was), much younger than All-mushy when in fact CF is older than RF. also he had a parting in Nostromo and his hair looked as if it had blondish streaks - effect of the sun? compare with \"Woolly and Wild\" in Fever Pitch ;-)"}, {"response": 726, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Aug 20, 2001 (18:51)", "body": "(Evelyn) I'm one of three people on this board who likes Camille.... There's three of you? ;-D No coughing from the gallery Harharheehee! A Camille 'in-joke.' *cough*"}, {"response": 727, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 20, 2001 (19:07)", "body": "Good finds, Eileen. Those old interview bits look like they've been reworked into this interview. Agreed, the problem is one of language. *coughing and clutching camellias to chest* ;-)"}, {"response": 728, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 20, 2001 (19:16)", "body": "LOL. Rachael, the bad hair day had to do with the interview. Sorry, I forgot the winkie ;-)) Evelyn) I'm one of three people on this board who likes Camille.... (Eileen)There's three of you? ;-D Yeah...wise guy;-) Moon and Nan...so there;-) evelyn who keeps trying to recruit new members in the Camille club...with no luck :-(( BTW Wonder what The Divine One feels about Armand. We know he doesn't like Ross and SLOW."}, {"response": 729, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 20, 2001 (19:22)", "body": "(Evelyn) Wonder what The Divine One feels about Armand. Are you referring to MysteryMan? ;-)"}, {"response": 730, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 20, 2001 (19:27)", "body": "(K)Are you referring to Mystery Man? ;-) ROTF. \"Person\", pl...let's not get sexist here;-D"}, {"response": 731, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Mon, Aug 20, 2001 (20:08)", "body": "I have never even seen Camille ( am getting a stiff neck from constant hanging head in shame ) However if ODB wears frilly white shirts and breechs in it ( and I'm thinking he would, if its a period piece ). I'm gonna move heaven and earth to finds a Blockbuster that rents it. So Evelyn may just have herself a 4th member of the Camille fan club.... na na na na na"}, {"response": 732, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Aug 20, 2001 (20:42)", "body": "Beth, Colin looks absolutely gorgeous in Camille, very young and willowy, worth to have a look. ;-) Perhaps it helps if you turn off the sound: the music is awful, as are some performances of his costars. Greta Scacchi was ridiculously miscast."}, {"response": 733, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Aug 20, 2001 (20:48)", "body": "I haven't seen \"Cecile\", though I refuse to hang my head in shame for that. How is it pervy? Talking of which, it is rather jarring to switch (as I confess I have been, half hanging my head in shame) between Fantasy Darcy stories on this website, and Fantasy Archers stories on the Radio 4 message board. Just substitute Lynda and Robert Snell for Elizabeth and Darcy and you'll see what I mean (with apologies to the vast majority of you who don't listen to the Archers.) They probably share some of the same authors, which just goes to show how flexible the human imagination is. BTW, when are we going to get to see Conspiracy over here? Does anyone know?"}, {"response": 734, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 20, 2001 (20:55)", "body": "Can't remember any *frilly* shirts but here's the book cover: Plus there are some fun little bits: But mainly, many of us tend to have this scene etched in our brains... BIG SPOILER!!! LOOK AT OWN RISK!!!"}, {"response": 735, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Aug 20, 2001 (21:00)", "body": "Ooh, goody, the scene where the makeup crew resorts to using White Out. I'd watch it before you na na na anyone, Beth. *cough* ;-) Which are you talking about, Ben, Valmont or Camille? We're multitasking our discussions today."}, {"response": 736, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 20, 2001 (21:20)", "body": "Yes, that ghostly White Out pallor. ;-) *cough cough* And that music (la duh duh da, la duh duh da--up an octave--la duh duh da, la duh duh da) is really the pits."}, {"response": 737, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 20, 2001 (21:49)", "body": "Thank you boss...for *all* the pics. He looks adorable; big head of light brown hair.Tight breeches, yeah, yeah. Filmed in 1984 for Hallmark Hall of Fame TV , Gretta Scacchi was 18 years younger and 25 pounds thinner than she is now. Marguerite was supposed to be older than Armand.It's a sweet love story.Heavy cast... John Gielgud plays the a Duke and Ben Kingsley plays Duval, the dad . Beautiful Paris & french countryside scenery. Gorgeous costumes. And I cried at the end. Don't know about Blockbuster stocking it, but for a little more amazon or reel.com was running a special a year ago. Romance Cable Channel shows it about once a year And that music.. Alright...so don't get the soundtrack;-)"}, {"response": 738, "author": "rachael", "date": "Mon, Aug 20, 2001 (22:41)", "body": "oh my goodness, what a wee boy! doesn't he look young? I'm with Beth on this one, never seen it but wouldn't mind. Local video shop has 5 films for 5 nights for a fiver so I have SLOW from now til Saturday wooo hoooo; but then again, why don't they just sell it to me??? hello Ben, enjoyed reading your posts on the old boards, interested to see your post the other day re Hamlet - I saw SRB in July and have tix for Sam West in Stratford in a couple of weeks. Methinks CF made the right decision, i.e. there are too many Hamlets around and SRB and SW are getting top class rave reviews. but Linda and Robert Snell as L+D??? oh Ben *sigh* you've gone down in my estimation ;-)"}, {"response": 739, "author": "Echo", "date": "Mon, Aug 20, 2001 (23:27)", "body": "Well, I don't dislike Camille generally, but I have a problem with Greta. She ruined practically every other scene with Colin - and the dying scene in particular - am surprised ODB didn't lose his patience and slap her in the end. Too much of a gentleman, as always, and not yet sufficiently experienced as a professional actor at that point. He was doing his best to act sort of \"around her\", bless him, but she just carried on as if he hadn't been there at all... So much for an illusion of a great romance... But I do like Colin in Camille. Don't know if it's enough to be admitted to the Camille club, though."}, {"response": 740, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 21, 2001 (00:22)", "body": "Poor Greta is toast at this point in time and Colin is on a roll....she had her moment in Camille.(Actually she had her Big Moment with Harrison Ford in \"Presumed Innocent\" ..on the desk....WOW...a steamer.)"}, {"response": 741, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Aug 21, 2001 (01:16)", "body": "Isn't Greta the one who is married to/living with/making babies with her first cousin? Ew. :-( I know we've had some wishful thinking here about \"Beyond Borders\" and how it would be right up CF's alley as a strong dramatic role of social relevance. Saw this bit on the Jolie connection, so I can see why she's signed on: Angelina Jolie is to become a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. To prepare for her new role she is visiting Pakistan to see refugee camps housing thousands of people who have fled the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. Angelina said: \"I'm going there to learn a bit more about the situation. I've already been to Sierra Leone and Cambodia with the UNHCR. \"I'm just learning a lot about refugee situations around the world before I'm made goodwill ambassador.\" The star donated almost \ufffd700,000 to the UNHCR from her Tomb Raider earnings after visiting Sierra Leone earlier this year."}, {"response": 742, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Aug 21, 2001 (01:17)", "body": "(Eileen)Ooh, goody, the scene where the makeup crew resorts to using White Out. I think they also used white-out to gray his hair for the scene at the end, when he's supposed to be older. Much as I love Colin, if you want to see Camille, I'd recommend the really old B&W version with Robert Taylor and Greta Garbo. (But then, I was brainwashed by my mother, for whom Robert Taylor was a huge hearthrob.)"}, {"response": 743, "author": "Becka", "date": "Tue, Aug 21, 2001 (01:54)", "body": "Conspiracy is finally being shown in Canada. It will air on September 8 - goodie!!"}, {"response": 744, "author": "Becka", "date": "Tue, Aug 21, 2001 (01:55)", "body": "....and it will be shown on TMN (The Movie Network), which seems to get HBO movies at a snail's pace!"}, {"response": 745, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Tue, Aug 21, 2001 (04:06)", "body": "So do I rent Camille or not ? No,no let me rephrase that.....do I get into my bunny rabbit PJ's one night, have a pint of mint chip ice ceam and a box of Milk Tray for dinner, get absoluley rat arsed drunk and THEN watch it ? Bear in mind, I will have a tape of P&P and a puke bag close at hand, if Gretta Scacci ( or the Milk Tray )is too much for my dainty stomach to take. O Lord, decisions, decisions......sigh...."}, {"response": 746, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 21, 2001 (04:53)", "body": "An article about Barnaby Thompson, the Fragile Films producer of TIOBE from This is London: There is a good reason why producer Barnaby Thompson named his company Fragile Films. \"It takes 1,000 calls to make a film happen,\" he says with feeling. \"And only one to make it fall apart.\" The additional inference, expressed later in the conversation, is that British critics should be kinder to the indigenous product. One bad review can kill a delicate blossom, nurtured by people such as himself over a period of many months, sometimes years. \"Why aren't you critics more supportive of the industry?\" he asks with some heat. To which one can only reply that it is not our business. Being a man of sound mind and no little intelligence, he eventually concedes my point. But he doesn't like it. For better or worse, Thompson is one of the new breed of UK film producers aiming to create a sound commercial infrastructure for a film industry that has in the past lurched from imminent catastrophe to potential crisis. The advent of Lottery funding and the rise of a gung-ho attitude among a generation of ambitious, profit-oriented film-making mini-moguls has had an undeniable effect on British cinema in the past couple of years. Just how beneficial has yet to be measured. Yet if track records are anything to go by, Thompson can put his mouth where his (or other people's) money is. On one level, it may be easy to scoff at the aesthetic legitimacy of Spice World, Kevin and Perry Go Large and High Heels and Lowlifes; yet there is no denying that they all found their target audience, to a greater or lesser degree, and might all be considered commercially successful. And if you add to that canon An Ideal Husband, Lucky Break and The Importance of Being Earnest, Fragile Films begins to look a more interesting proposition - a model of juxtaposing junk fodder for Cro-Magnon teenagers with respectable middlebrow movies first created by Miramax Films. [Ed note: Hmmm, must add that Cro-Magnon part to my review, huh? *smacking lips*] It has taken some time for Thompson to wise up to the realities of producing movies. Having slaved at the coalface of British documentaries in his youth, Thompson slipped off to America to join Lorne Michaels, veteran film and television producer and creator of Saturday Night Live. Five years later - and with a production credit on Wayne's World and WW2 under his belt - Thompson returned to the UK with an entirely different world view. Suddenly, the audience reaction took precedence over everything else. \"To discover movies that had this sudden lease of life above and beyond reviews was intoxicating. Before that, you'd live for the reviews.\" Basically, he had a Damascene conversion which opened his eyes to the words \"seats\", \"bums\" and \"on\". \"We've all sat in films in full cinemas and been in cinemas with five people. Which would you rather have?\" [Ed note: Allison?] My immediate answer is that it depends on the film. But that's the essential difference between critic and producer. Yet even the most austere critic must admire the recklessness and chutzpah in his latest venture. In collaboration with two other media partners and one real-estate company, Thompson has acquired the legendary Ealing Studios. And his hard nose for business suddenly softens as he reflects on the dewy-eyed romance of such an adventurous acquisition. \"It started off as a mad dream,\" he says. \"I grew up watching those films and most of the movies I've made are inspired by Ealing comedies. We are trying to create a community as a mini Hollywood studio. We have to develop a variety of different disciplines. If we can regenerate the brand we can progress from being less of a facility and more of a studio in the Hollywood manner, albeit smaller.\" Given the history of those past valiants who have tried and failed to perform a similar resurrection job on the much-loved studios, the latest scheme might be considered folly were it not for the fact that Thompson has covered all bases in his bid to restore Ealing to something of its former glory. Within the consortium which has acquired the site from the National Film and Television School are San Francisco-based digital development company The Idea Factory and the Manhattan Loft Company - which will manage the building and property aspect of the site. Clearly, it is very early days, but the newly acquired studio has already had one high-profile visitor. \"George Lucas rented it out for the latest Star Wars picture for two weeks,\" Thompson says with some satisfaction. \"We're very proud of that.\" Meanwhile, he is busy keeping the middlebrow torch alight with the Oliver Parker-directed Importance of Being Earnest, the \"sequel\" to An Ideal Husband. At least he is safe enough with the script, credited to one O Wilde. \"The main thing that Lorne Michaels taught me was about the script,\" says Thompson. \"Whether it is good or bad is irrelevant. The only question you must ask is: 'Does it work?'\""}, {"response": 747, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Aug 21, 2001 (09:13)", "body": "BTW, when are we going to get to see Conspiracy over here? Does anyone know? Conspiracy is finally being shown in Canada. It will air on September 8 - goodie!! BBC2 have just announced their \ufffd96 million Autumn schedules, which include Band of Brothers \"dropped\" by BBC1. Comedies, dramas, documentaries, blah, blah.......no mention of \"Conspiracy\". I've very little faith in the BBC! (actually, no faith). If they had bought \"Conspiracy\" surely there would have been a mention of the Emmy-nominated drama starring KB and CF? Also the Beeb are showing at least three films at the Edinburgh Film Festival (a natural showcase for \"Conspiracy\", and, I would have thought, last year's DQ). Hope I'm proved wrong. The \"highlight\" of the schedule seems to be a new comedy series called \"'orrible\" starring Johnny Vaughn. Can hardly wait."}, {"response": 748, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Aug 21, 2001 (16:13)", "body": "\"The main thing that Lorne Michaels taught me was about the script,\" says Thompson. \"Whether it is good or bad is irrelevant. The only question you must ask is: 'Does it work?'\" Huh? How can a script be \"bad\" but still \"work?\" Ah, Mr. Michaels, an elegant arbiter of good taste..."}, {"response": 749, "author": "Becka", "date": "Tue, Aug 21, 2001 (16:15)", "body": "It was brought to my attention that CF and HG were up for 'Best Fight' at the Seventeen Teen Awards (I think they were on last night). I think they lost to Save the Last Dance. Hmmm wonder if it was worth me bribing a few of teenage cousins? Nah!"}, {"response": 750, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 21, 2001 (16:19)", "body": "(Kate)Much as I love Colin, if you want to see Camille, I'd recommend the really old B&W version with Robert Taylor and Greta Garbo. Blasphemy...*shudder*. I don't wanna see Camille.It's a schmaltzy story. The only reason is ODB.I never see alternate movies that he plays in. Except the German Conspiracy. Seems so disloyal;-) (Mari)I know we've had some wishful thinking here about \"Beyond Borders\" I have strong vibes on that one for him....But I fear it gonna take more than candles & joss sticks."}, {"response": 751, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Aug 21, 2001 (17:12)", "body": "(Beth) So do I rent Camille or not ? No,no let me rephrase that.....do I get into my bunny rabbit PJ's one night, have a pint of mint chip ice ceam and a box of Milk Tray for dinner, get absoluley rat arsed drunk and THEN watch it? Yes, yes, yes and yes. This is a fine film to watch with a bottle of Chardonnay. You might even think it's a comedy. ;-)"}, {"response": 752, "author": "rachael", "date": "Tue, Aug 21, 2001 (17:28)", "body": "(Beth) do I get into my bunny rabbit PJ's one night, have a pint of mint chip ice ceam and a box of Milk Tray for dinner, get absoluley rat arsed drunk and THEN watch it? heehee Beth, like your style of movie-watching, glad there's someone else out there :-) but is Camille rentable? I've never seen it anywhere - is it going to be in the cult or world movie section?"}, {"response": 753, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 21, 2001 (18:14)", "body": "(Rachael)but is Camille rentable? I've never seen it anywhere I didn't think Camille ever made it to PAL. Any of the \"cognoscenti\" know? Where is Ann W.? She recently got a copy of Camille. (At my recommendation, *hee, hee*) If I could get Emma out of lurkdom, I bet she likes it...story of La Traviata. (To the \"coughers\" in the gallery...that's an opera;-D"}, {"response": 754, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Tue, Aug 21, 2001 (18:20)", "body": "Runs into kitchen to check if there is any Milk Tray left, to counter the effects of a possible ( gulp ) bad Colin Firth experience. ( Went home to Ireland last month and brought an empty suitcase for all the choccy I was bringing back to the States with me ) Boxes of Roses and Quality Street:check Flakes: check, Minstrals: check Twirls: check. Aeros: check Chunky Dairy Milks: check Chunky Fruit and Nut: check Yorkie Bars:check OMG, no Milk Tray !!! Who stole my Milk Tray ? My house insurance bloody well better cover this horrendous crime. I wonder if I can get my Mom to FedEx me some ? It just doesn't feel right commiting to the Camille advenure with out it."}, {"response": 755, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 21, 2001 (22:13)", "body": "This is the cover of the UK DVD.Thanks to Tineke who posted it on VV I've never even seen this pic before."}, {"response": 756, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Aug 22, 2001 (00:29)", "body": "Pride and prejudice personified, face to face, staring each other out. Everything's fine, except that he reminds me of Elvis..."}, {"response": 757, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Wed, Aug 22, 2001 (00:46)", "body": "Thanks, Rebecca, for the Conspiracy alert. Now I must explain to my brother how I'm a big WWII buff and need him to tape it for me! Wonder if he'll doubt my motives. I found Camille in my local library--must be considered v. educational:-) I enjoyed it but it reminded me of a spoof that Carol Burnett would do. \"Oh, I have a cough. What could it mean?\" Happened to see Moulin Rouge a few days after finding Camille and noted the similarities. At one point in Camille they even mention the Red Windmill. So I tried to picture CF in the Ewan role and failed. Karen, I love that Camille book cover! But is the P&P DVD cover two photos pasted together, or one photo? What lovely, thick hair (and I don't mean her's)."}, {"response": 758, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Wed, Aug 22, 2001 (01:22)", "body": "So I tried to picture CF in the Ewan role and failed. Wow, that's food for thought. Hrm. Can O(AFG)DB sing? I can't imagine him doing the earnest naive innocent thing now, but maybe earlier in his career?"}, {"response": 759, "author": "Becka", "date": "Wed, Aug 22, 2001 (01:45)", "body": "Come on Darce, get a little closer, don't be shy! Love that cover!"}, {"response": 760, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Wed, Aug 22, 2001 (02:14)", "body": "LOL Echo, I'm gonna have Burning Love in my head all night long now. Thank you VERY much !!! Still.....\"I'm just a hunka', hunka' burning love\" is pretty apt in this instance isn't it, with emphasis on the \"hunk\" bit. Sing it to me Colin. Love, love, love that pic. Should Col be of the same height as Jennifer in it ? He really is a good bit taller than her and, I think towering over her all dark and broody looking, would be rather yummy. Still, I suppose you would lose the impact of them eye balling each other, nose to nose, if they were not at the same height."}, {"response": 761, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Wed, Aug 22, 2001 (02:47)", "body": "Lizzie appears to be standing a couple of steps up from Darcy on the stairs (assuming the pic is not a composite), so that explains the \"eye to eye\" bit. They are wearing the same outfits as on the back cover of \"The Making of P&P\", so presumably this pic was taken at the same time (Lizzie's full length gloves in broad daylight are a dead giveaway). Darcy is towering over Lizzie all right (how tall is she, anyway?), but is looking less \"broody\" and more pleased with life in general, so it must be \"after\" their engagement and/or wedding. As for the \"Elvis\" look, it never looked so good on \"E\", IMO. CF would probably cringe mightily at the comparison. (Or maybe he's a closet R&R fan???) Wouldn't mind seeing him shake his booty, though. Maybe a night club scene in BJD2? He could wear tight jeans. . . Drool. . ."}, {"response": 762, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Wed, Aug 22, 2001 (03:12)", "body": "How about the black leather jump suit from the 1968 comeback special ? Or there is always one of those awful ( but form fitting ) white 1970's jumpsuits. No, no, I have it.....what about those skimpy swimming trunks from Blue Hawaii ? thud......keels over."}, {"response": 763, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Wed, Aug 22, 2001 (03:23)", "body": "Have not seen Blue Hawaii in recent memory, but thought of speedo on CF just caused heart palpitations. Is that the movie that \"I can't help falling in love with you\" is from? I think that's my favorite Elvis song. It's sort of appropriate for a P&P theme, don't you think (as sung by Darcy--not that he would ever let go enough to sing it)? Anyway, I think that CF could definitely sing \"I did it my way\" and mean it. But I must draw the line at '70's style jump suits. They always make me want to laugh at the wearer."}, {"response": 764, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Aug 22, 2001 (14:58)", "body": "Just got this--looks like it was sent to a number of us who had inquired: Dear Friends of Firth & \"Londinium\" Sunlight Productions, the filmmakers of LONDINIUM, thank you all for your support and kind interest in the film. We are pleased to announce the U.S. debut of the film on CineMax, HBO's pure movie channel. The Premiere takes place on Sunday, September 2nd at 10:00pm Pacific Standard Time (Hollywood). (Following our earlier Comedy release \"The Sex Monster\" at 8pm and also starring Mariel Hemingway and Mike Binder. \"Londinium\" stars Colin Firth, Mike Binder, Mariel Hemingway, Stephen Fry, Jack Dee, Stephen Marcus and Christopher Lawford. Kindly inform your U.S. and Canadian friends. Unfortunately, we do not have the release dates as of yet for France, Germany and Benelux which was sold last summer. The United Kingdom has been slow to take up the charge, however, we continue to do our best and hope to have news to report soon. Feel free to let your U.K. companies know you want your \"Londinium\"!! We will put any Video Release dates or DVD Release dates on the Website as soon as they occur- which we expect shortly as.... Mike Binder, the writer, director, and star also appears in HBO's \"The Mind of The Married Man\" television series comedy from Sunlight Productions on Sunday, September 16th at 10:00pm following Tom Hanks \"Band of Brothers\" (on HBO) Mike Binder also recently appeared opposite Tom Cruise in Stephen Speilberg's \"Minority Report\". Please look to the soon to be updated and redesigned Sunlight Productions site at: http://www.sunlightproductions.com for further news on \"Londinium\" , our latest film \"The Search For John Gissing\" starring Mike and Alan Rickman and Janeane Garofalo, which we have just completed. We appreciate your time and enthusiasm and regret that we cannot reply to individual e-mails as we are engaged in the making of the films themselves on a daily basis. Thank you for your understanding and continued support of our films. Warm regards Jack Binder Producer On behalf of the Filmmakers and Talent Sunlight Productions"}, {"response": 765, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Aug 22, 2001 (15:48)", "body": "(Echo)Everything's fine, except that he reminds me of Elvis... Hmm, maybe he should rethink the length of his sideburns. JE must be standing on a higher step. She is fairly short. When I saw her in \"Design for Living\" in NY it was during the AIDS campaign and she was in the lobby with other cast members collecting money after the play. I'd guess she's about my height (5'3\"), maybe a bit taller."}, {"response": 766, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Aug 22, 2001 (16:22)", "body": "Hmmm, I've stood right next to JE a couple of times, once when we were both in flat shoes and she's slightly taller than me, so I'd guess 5'7\" or so. LOL at the Elvis comparisons, ladies; thank you, thankyouverymuch for the laughs.:-) The Blue Hawaii imagery works for me, Beth. Can picture the final scene in which 'ol Darce is floating on a barge, decked out in one of Marcia's leis, warbling, \"This . . .is . . . mah pledge.\" :-) On the opposite shore, his bride Lizzie awaits, barefoot, adorned in a snug sarong, long hair floating about her shoulders and back (down, Ben ;-)"}, {"response": 767, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Aug 22, 2001 (17:13)", "body": "British Stage Tough on U.S. Imports By Matt Wolf LONDON (Variety) - British boards are laden with a new crop of hit American imports of late, a circumstance that would seem to back up the notion that American and Brit legit have a mutual admiration society. Neil LaBute's ``The Shape of Things'' did so well at London's Almeida Theater at King's Cross that it returned this summer for an encore engagement. Across town at the Hampstead Theater, Donald Margulies' Pulitzer Prize-winning ``Dinner With Friends'' played to near-capacity in the 174-seater and was extended for three weeks; it may get a commercial West End stand after Christmas. ``A Lie of the Mind'' is at the Donmar Warehouse, the Sam Shepard play's second major London showing in 14 years, while Russell Lees' 1995 off-Broadway entry ``Nixon's Nixon'' opened July 20 at the Comedy. And over on Shaftesbury Avenue, 73-year-old American songstress Barbara Cook is back in town, this time to sing Sondheim; a major revival of Tennessee Williams' ``Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,'' starring Brendan Fraser and Ned Beatty, follows her into the Lyric Theater, starting previews Sept. 5. A closer look reveals that the transatlantic love affair seems decidedly one-sided, however. ``There's great respect for British plays'' when they come to New York, said Wendy Wasserstein, the Tony- and Pulitzer-winning scribe of ``The Heidi Chronicles.'' ``Martin McDonagh and 'The Weir' get a wonderful reception (in New York) and they may well deserve it, but there's an openness to the response, and I don't always feel the reverse is true.'' Lynne Meadow, artistic director of off-Broadway's Manhattan Theater Club, has watched several of her venue's plays die in London (''Sylvia,'' ``Collected Stories,'' ``Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune''); only one -- Richard Greenberg's ``Three Days of Rain'' -- saw any real success. ``There seems to be a certain kind of work that just is not embraced'' in London, she shrugged. Pulitzer winner Marsha Norman ('''night, Mother'') cited ``a reluctance in London to give American work a fair shake, while American audiences and critics tend to think British imports are better than anything we could possibly do.'' Norman most recently was repped on the West End by her book for the musical ``The Secret Garden,'' a Broadway long-runner that flopped at the Aldwych Theater early in June. ``I would think more than twice,'' said Julian Schlossberg, the New York producer (''Vita and Virginia''), ``before I would want to open a play in London. The economics are very good -- still much better than New York -- but the attrition rate is even higher.'' Even a Pulitzer Prize doesn't guarantee you won't suffer abroad -- as ``The Heidi Chronicles,'' ``Rent,'' ``How I Learned to Drive'' and ``Wit'' all did, to varying degrees. London isn't necessarily impressed by New York kudos: ''Breathtakingly vacuous,'' wrote one London paper of the 1997 West End preem of Terrence McNally's ``Master Class.'' Sure enough, the New York Tony winner was a speedy London goner -- at a loss of about $550,000. FLOPS TOPS Ironically, sometimes it's the New York flops that are best reviewed in England. Neil Simon's Broadway fast-fade ''Proposals'' won him some of his most admiring British reviews when it opened at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds. Wasserstein said one of the best notices anywhere for her recent Lincoln Center entry ``Old Money'' came from London's Sheridan Morley in the Spectator: He called the comedy ''brilliantly nostalgic and infinitely charming.'' Americans Christopher Shinn, Naomi Wallace and Rebecca Gilman possess a high profile in London, partly because each has premiered work here rather than waiting for a New York imprimatur that may not, in fact, be helpful. THE UNKNOWN AMERICANS On the other hand, American faves such as Paul Rudnick, Christopher Durang and Kenneth Lonergan are just three of the well-regarded American playwrights who are virtually unknown in England. ``Side Man'' got a so-so response on the West End, while ''Hedwig and the Angry Inch'' flopped. The transatlantic relationship, said Simon Curtis, director of London's current ``Dinner With Friends,'' ``is a very complicated thing: Everyone loves America and yet is also sort of nervous about it. There's so much American culture in our faces that people want theater to be protected from it.'' As executive producer of the Donmar Warehouse, Caro Newling and her artistic director, Sam Mendes, have programmed numerous U.S. works into their Covent Garden venue over the past nine years, starting with Stephen Sondheim's ``Assassins'' in 1992. This year's lineup has been top-heavy with American work, from Sondheim's ``Merrily We Roll Along'' and David Mamet's ''Boston Marriage'' -- the latter transferring to the West End in December -- through to ``A Lie of the Mind'' at present and a revival of Lillian Hellman's ``The Little Foxes'' in September. SECRECY KEY? What, then, is Newling's recipe for American t"}, {"response": 768, "author": "rachael", "date": "Wed, Aug 22, 2001 (17:16)", "body": "No! no jumpsuits! I forbid it! and even speedos *shudder* there was a very funny article in a Sunday paper recently about what men should wear on the beach, Rod Stewart illustrated why men should NEVER wear speedos! Now, a nice pair of shorts, (no, not RF pencil legged ones) showing off a trim waist and flat abs, and nice tanned legs *thud* oops where was I? O(AFG)DB sings a little ditty in SIL - not chart topping stuff! In Edge of Reason there's a bit of dancing at Rebecca's house party"}, {"response": 769, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 22, 2001 (17:34)", "body": "Is this a new article by Matt Wolf? It is nearly identical to another he wrote about a month or so ago. What, then, is Newling's recipe for American theatrical success in the U.K.? \"The best way to open an American play is literally tiptoe it in and present it,\" said Newling. The Donmar programmed \"Three Days of Rain\" several seasons ago as part of a spring season of American imports; unheralded, the play opened to rave reviews and was brought back for a second run that averaged a hefty 95% attendance across eight weeks. Funny (strange) that she failed to mention 3DOR's was part of an American Import series and that only that play got the attendance numbers. Shucks, wonder what differentiated it from the two others? ;-)"}, {"response": 770, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Aug 22, 2001 (17:41)", "body": "Thanks for sharing Jack's Londinium correspondence, Mari. (JB) We are pleased to announce the U.S. debut of the film on CineMax, HBO's pure movie channel. Translation: Cinemax, HBO's pure old, dead movie channel (I'm telling ya, they still air Sixteen Candles in prime time). The Premiere takes place on Sunday, September 2nd at 10:00pm Pacific Standard Time (Hollywood). (Following our earlier Comedy release \"The Sex Monster\" at 8pm and also starring Mariel Hemingway and Mike Binder. Chuh. Programming genius. :-/ \"Londinium\" stars Colin Firth, Mike Binder, Mariel Hemingway, Stephen Fry, Jack Dee, Stephen Marcus and Christopher Lawford. How convenient that CF's name is listed first, before that of the writer, director and STAR, Mike Binder. No dummy, that Jack. ;-) And I'm shaking my head at this one: (Variety article) SECRECY KEY? What, then, is Newling's recipe for American theatrical success in the U.K.? ``The best way to open an American play is literally tiptoe it in and present it,'' said Newling. The Donmar programmed ``Three Days of Rain'' several seasons ago as part of a spring season of American imports; unheralded, the play opened to rave reviews and was brought back for a second run that averaged a hefty 95% attendance across eight weeks. Aargh! Aargh! It was the star, stupid!"}, {"response": 771, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Aug 22, 2001 (20:28)", "body": "(M. Wolf article)a major revival of Tennessee Williams' ``Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,'' starring Brendan Fraser and Ned Beatty, follows her into the Lyric Theater, starting previews Sept. 5. Ned Beatty as Big Daddy I can see, but Brendan Fraser? As Brick? I dunno. Yes, the star of TDOR had a lot to do with its success. How many multiple-ticket sales were Drooleurs responsible for? I saw it only once, as it's rather a long commute to the Donmar from where I live (alas). But that play was good on its own merits. I'd like to see it again, even without ODB."}, {"response": 772, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 22, 2001 (20:31)", "body": "Jennifer is 5'8\". You almost got it Mari. Thanks for the correspondence from Jack... \"We appreciate your time and enthusiasm and regret that we cannot reply to individual e-mails as we are engaged in the making of the films themselves on a daily basis. \" Sounds like h'e the chief cook and bottle washer. Agree with Eileen, it's a shame they dumped Londinium on Cinemax. On the other hand, we *are* grateful, given the alternative.Think:SLOW British Stage Tough on U.S. Import How true, remember how they butchered Lion King, and gave the Olivier to that fairy tale musical that played for a few weeks at the National? PS LK is still the hottest ticket in London. RE: Donmar playing to 95% capacity.Not that he couldn't fill the Colosseum, but they neglected to say that the Donmar seats 250 people. Most HS auditoriums do better than that."}, {"response": 773, "author": "rachael", "date": "Wed, Aug 22, 2001 (20:41)", "body": "have written to my mate at the BBC ;-) as well as C4 and FilmFour, suggesting they pick up Londinium - will let you know if interesting responses arrive."}, {"response": 774, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (01:34)", "body": "Is this a new article by Matt Wolf? Seems to be; was dated today. The transatlantic relationship, said Simon Curtis, director of London's current ``Dinner With Friends,'' Is this the fellow who's married to Elizabeth McG? She's in this, right? BTW, the film version of DWF is HBO's original movie this month, with Dennis Quaid, Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette and Andie MacDowell. V.v. good--I highly recommend. Agree with Eileen, it's a shame they dumped Londinium on Cinemax. On the other hand, we *are* grateful, given the alternative.Think:SLOW I think it will make it to HBO eventually--even TSM did. But, they don't want it to debut there, as then it's branded as one of \"their\" films and it's not."}, {"response": 775, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (01:35)", "body": "I meant to add, I'm glad you wrote your pal and the others, Rachael.:-) It can't hurt. Sunlight is a small operation; I can't imagine that they had many resources to put into marketing it abroad."}, {"response": 776, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (04:03)", "body": "Knew it sounded very similar and was probably posted here before because it at least mentioned CF and the cast of 3DOR. Matt Wolf's previous article appeared in the Observer on 6/24. He's not the first journalist to get a lot of mileage from a single interview or series of interviews: http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4209230,00.html"}, {"response": 777, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (06:59)", "body": "The transatlantic relationship, said Simon Curtis, director of London's current ``Dinner With Friends, Yes this is E McG's husband and she is init. It is a very good play. I would definitely recommend it. It is currently at the Hampstead Theatre in London."}, {"response": 778, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (12:48)", "body": "have written to my mate at the BBC ;-) as well as C4 and FilmFour, suggesting they pick up Londinium - will let you know if interesting responses arrive. Well done Rachel....you never know your luck! And if not, it looks as though we'll get it (eventually) on DVD. (Dumb question...is DVD universal, ie no problems with format according to region?) I hope \"Conspiracy\" doesn't suffer the same fate. I found this review at the University of California SB site. It sounds unmissable.... Stunning, utterly memorable HBO production, THE CONSPIRACY Earlier this week, HBO showed its original-made 90 minute film, THE CONSPIRACY---a brilliantly written, dazzlingly acted Anglo-American work based on authentic records that survived of the Nazi's Wansee Conference that was held in 1942, where the various heads of the party and main bureaucratic agencies agreed on the Final Solution of the \"Jewish Problem\" . . . that is, the agreed-upon extermination of the Jews throughout Europe, who were to be hunted down, rounded up, shipped off to extermination camps, where, the head of the conference (SS General Heydrich, second-in-command of that dreaded organization filled with German Ph.D.s) boasted that they could destroy 2400 Jews an hour. An hour? asks one of the incredulous members at Wannsee, the head of the Gestapo (if I recall rightly). Yes, 2400. Colonel Adolf Eichmann, Heydrich's assistant there---charged with the implementation of the diabolical scheme---was then given the right to speak, and he brought out his log of statistics (the Nazis were keen on detailed notes, detailed bureaucratic notetaking, detailed and punctual carrying out of orders . . . no sloppiness, no lack of discipline were tolerated) and showed that this would mean 62,000 or so Jews a day, 365 days a year, or 21 million in a year, \"always assuming that there might be that many Yids in Europe,\" he added. In fact there were about 9 million practising Jews from Soviet Asia across all of Europe, including Britain (about 1.5% of the European popultions in total), but since the Nazis used racial criteria, not religious, they naturally were determined to root out \"half-Jews\" and \"quarter-Jews\" and the like, something discussed in detail by the Wannsee members. The HBO production is an overwhelmingly, emotionally wrench work of virtuoso talent from start to finish . . . not one thing to reproach in it. Fully worthy of Shakespeare's greatest plays, it's one of the 2 or 3 most stunning memorable works I've ever seen on tv in this country or Europe. The grisly, nefarious exchanges at the Wanseee conference are all the more effective for being delivered by some of the best actors in the English-speaking world including that great Irish actor, Kenneth Branagh who plays Heydrich complete with blonde-dyed hair and, believe me, looking like Heydrich to judge by the photos we have of this nice German guy. No one gets too emotional, everyone goes about his business as though he and the others were talking about a boost in munitions output to help the boys at the front, there are breaks for lunch and drinks, then a nice dinner, where of course the petty envies and professional jealousies come out (though everyone fears the SS, even the Gestapo head, if any challenges the SS timetable and methods . . . not for moral reasons, you understand, all were fervent believers in the Germanic mission to destroy European Jewry and make Europe ready for pure German blood as rule and Germanic culture, but they were worried about protecting their bureaucratic turfs)........"}, {"response": 779, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (14:14)", "body": "DVD is not universal. even the Gestapo head, if any challenges the SS timetable and methods . . . Seems he got his characters mixed up."}, {"response": 780, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (15:22)", "body": "(Conspiracy review) even the Gestapo head, if any challenges the SS timetable and methods . . . (Karen) Seems he got his characters mixed up. Seems he also missed CF's performance: No one gets too emotional Thanks for this, Bethan, but didn't we say it was unmissable back in May? ;-) (Evelyn, re: Londinium on Cinemax) On the other hand, we *are* grateful, given the alternative.Think:SLOW Yes, yes. Too true. I thought about that yesterday after I posted. (Evelyn) but they neglected to say that the Donmar seats 250 people We won't quibble with the details. ;-) Yet it blows me away that the Donmar staff can't or won't credit CF for putting all those bums in the seats."}, {"response": 781, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (17:17)", "body": "Bethan, here's info on the various DVD regions. As you can see, it's even more convoluted than the picture for videos: Region 0: Universal for cartoons, older films and educational titles. Region 1: Canada, United States and its territories. Region 2: Japan, Europe, South Africa, Middle East. Region 3: South-East Asia, East Asia. Region 4: Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Central America, Mexico, South America, Caribbean. Region : Former Soviet Union, Indian Subcontinent, Africa (also North Korea, Mongolia). Region 6: China. Multi-region DVD players are available on the Internet, but they are very expensive. As a counter move, the film distributors are close to implementing technology which would make DVDs unplayable on a multi-region unit. It's all about fighting piracy."}, {"response": 782, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (18:23)", "body": "(Eileen), Yet it blows me away that the Donmar staff can't or won't credit CF for putting all those bums in the seats. Well, you can't have EMcG husband read that and he might be a big sponser for the Donmar some day. ;-) Cheers everyone, I'm back! Had a lovely time in Italy, blah, blah... was most upset that Colin had visited (the wrong lake), Lago Maggiore, instead of my beautiful Lake Como. He does look great in those pictures from Locarno. Imagine my surprise when I read about it Italy! Lucky for me, ODG Karen's phone line was free! Don't have much time now to catch up on everything, but I will. Smoochxxx"}, {"response": 783, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (19:00)", "body": "Welcome home, Moon! *smooch right back at 'cha* Many thanks for the Locarno tip! Tsk. Too bad CF missed you again."}, {"response": 784, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (19:09)", "body": "Benvenuto!! So glad you're home and probably just in time for our long anticipated news of the heart-wrenching film commitment that superceded il Hamleto. ;-)"}, {"response": 785, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Aug 23, 2001 (19:26)", "body": "Moon, welcome back, Smoochacha! :-) drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 151, "subject": "Ioan Gruffudd", "response_count": 43, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (16:37)", "body": "In 'Titanic' even, as fifth officer Lowe, who finds Kate in the cold water. Here's an excellent page, with a lot of pictures: Http://www.ioangruffuddinternational.com"}, {"response": 2, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (16:41)", "body": "Found another great page: Http://www.ioan.palacecreations.com"}, {"response": 3, "author": "rachael", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (17:06)", "body": "Diane what a great idea to have a board for Ioan!! He's a sweetie!! There have been a few articles in the press about him recently, have you seen them?"}, {"response": 4, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (17:29)", "body": "Don't think so... last I've heard is that is to play Bosinney in 'The Fortsyte Saga'... Yes, he is a sweetie...oh my...the heart is going ballistic:oD"}, {"response": 5, "author": "rachael", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (17:33)", "body": "There was an article about him and Nick thingy who was in \"Lock Stock ...\" in one of the weekend papers recently - couple of neat pics. If I haven't recycled it, I'll try to scan the pic in for you."}, {"response": 6, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (17:35)", "body": "Would you??? THat would be great, thanks! :oD"}, {"response": 7, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (18:53)", "body": "actually, we don't get much news of him, here in Denmark :o( Except from the internet of course... It's the same with Colin Firth..."}, {"response": 8, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (19:03)", "body": "When translated into English does \"Ioan Gruffudd\" mean \"John Griffith\" or \"Handsome Welsh Actor\"? He is wonderful."}, {"response": 9, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Mon, Jul  9, 2001 (19:08)", "body": "Yes, it is him;oP A Welsh actor and veeeeeeery nice!"}, {"response": 10, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Wed, Jul 11, 2001 (15:43)", "body": "testing...."}, {"response": 11, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Wed, Jul 11, 2001 (15:50)", "body": "here he is (I hope)"}, {"response": 12, "author": "rachael", "date": "Wed, Jul 11, 2001 (16:53)", "body": "corrrrr!! nice one Diane!"}, {"response": 13, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Wed, Jul 11, 2001 (17:23)", "body": "Yeah..isn't it??;oD It's from 'Warriors'."}, {"response": 14, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Fri, Jul 13, 2001 (03:45)", "body": "I have one of these days (again)...searching the net thin for some new pictures, to drool over;o) Don't you just love his voice(accent)!!"}, {"response": 15, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Mon, Jul 16, 2001 (01:54)", "body": "Horatio Hornblower 2 got 7 Emmy nominations: Art direction Costumes Harstyling Makeup Single camera sound mixing Speciel visual effects Outstanding miniseries Just thought you should know:o)"}, {"response": 16, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 16, 2001 (09:19)", "body": "No best actor? No director? How insulting."}, {"response": 17, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Mon, Jul 16, 2001 (09:29)", "body": "Think so too, but one must admit that seven is quite many...Now if it doesn't get any prices in spite of the many nominations, THEN It'll be disapointing!! Well...lets be positive and believe that it'll get them all;o)"}, {"response": 18, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Jul 16, 2001 (12:55)", "body": "Here's to gorgeous Welshman!"}, {"response": 19, "author": "rachael", "date": "Mon, Jul 16, 2001 (15:39)", "body": "Mrs. slow-off-the-mark here ... I saw the Westlife \"Uptown girl\" video today and actually watched it (instead of making sick noises), and, wehehey, isn't that our lovely Welshman sitting there, as one of the posh blokes, next to a rather yummy looking short haired Crispin B-C? or am I having delusions after being so struck down with despair after the Hamlet cancellation?"}, {"response": 20, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Mon, Jul 16, 2001 (16:47)", "body": "(rachael) isn't that our lovely Welshman sitting there, as one of the posh blokes, next to a rather yummy looking short haired Crispin B-C? or am I having delusions after being so struck down with despair after the Hamlet cancellation? No, you're not having delusions:o) It is indeed Ioan and Crispin...and looking good;oD"}, {"response": 21, "author": "rachael", "date": "Mon, Jul 16, 2001 (17:43)", "body": "Diane, you know that means I'm going to have to watch VH1 all day til I tape it, to add to the VH1 BJD/geri/gabrielle collection?? ah who cares about earning a living ?!"}, {"response": 22, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Tue, Jul 17, 2001 (02:03)", "body": "LOL....when theres such guys to watch, you are entitled to forget everything else around you ;oD"}, {"response": 23, "author": "FilleIrlandaise", "date": "Fri, Oct 26, 2001 (19:59)", "body": "Ioan Gruffudd fans might want to wend their way over to Fan Fiction for a peek--I'm currently working on a story starring Captain Horatio Hornblower involving some pretty racy scenes...just a little FYI..."}, {"response": 24, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (16:45)", "body": "Gee almost a year to the date that someone has posted on this topic. And with Ioan in FS and all! OK here's the deal. Someone over in the Tea Romm posted that Ioan Gruffudd is going to be in the City (Sydney that is) on the 29th for an appearance at an ABC shop. ABC shops sell lots of BBC videos, DVD's, books ect (that they show on their channel) and they carry the Hornblower series. Possibly FS too. So, should I shlep down there, just over and hour on the train, to catch a glimpse of a perfectly gorgeous Welshman? PGW.......AGW......might be better...... Whew! Does it for me......"}, {"response": 25, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Nov 29, 2002 (04:04)", "body": "Well, I let my boys take the day off of school and go into the City with me for Christmas shopping and to a book signing that Ioan Gruffudd was doing at an ABC Shop. The signing was at 12:30 and we were wandering around and didn't go up to the shop until 12. By that time there was already something of a line, or queue, and we got into it. They roped us off at one point as the line started getting quite long. At 12:40, with everyone's attention directed towards the stairway closest to the store, he comes walking up from the other direction. Very casual in faded jeans, a light shirt and a navy baseball cap. As soon as he reached the line, he took the cap off and ran his hand through that gorgeous hair (not quite as long as in Hornblower). He also offered up a very sheepish grin as he passed by. (Very attractive) The girls in the front of the line could be heard in a collective \"Oooh and Ahhh\" as he went into the store. He had five or six people with him, none looking like a girlfriend with him. Then the PR people went to work and got the line moving pretty fast. There were about 40 people in front of us, mostly young girls (18-22) but also a smattering of young guys (I make no comment here) and right in front of me, a grandmother possibly the most excited in the crowd. We only had to wait about ten minutes before we were right at the table where he was sitting inside the store. He was there by himself although there were two chairs so everyone who had brought cameras (sorry I didn't) went around and sat next to him and had a photo or two taken. Very casual atmosphere. Very Australian. I overheard him say to someone in front of us that this was his first book signing. When it was our turn, my two sons stepped up and even though I had primed them with some excellent questions, including \"Did you get seasick when you were filming on the ships?\" they were rather quite. Ioan was very nice to them both. They were the only kids in the line. Now to what really matters. He looked really good. No, I mean, he looked Really Good . I thought he looked quite young, I don't know how old he is. His hair was just wonderful. Easily could have jumped across the table and done a little fingerwork on it. It was perfectly tossled in just the right way. He didn't say a lot when we were at the table but as I listened when we were close by I could hear an absolutely heavenly accent. Of course he seemed to be in good shape. And he was very nice and polite to everyone. Some of the people had given him little gifts. I saw some carmello bears and a jar of Vegemite! And, boy when he was smiling for pics, man, a 1000 watt smile was shining!"}, {"response": 26, "author": "Leah", "date": "Fri, Nov 29, 2002 (04:28)", "body": "When it was our turn, my two sons ... were rather quiet. And when you want them to keep quiet ... I'd have been sorry that I didn't have a camera."}, {"response": 27, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 29, 2002 (09:03)", "body": "I overheard him say to someone in front of us that this was his first book signing. What book was he signing ?"}, {"response": 28, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Nov 29, 2002 (09:25)", "body": "(Evelyn), What book was he signing ? LOL! We need to give CF anothier quotation. Thanks, Lisa."}, {"response": 29, "author": "paddyblue", "date": "Fri, Nov 29, 2002 (12:54)", "body": "Here his interview on ABC by following the following links http://www.abc.net.au/sydney/stories/s737491.htm There is also a reference to our (other) dear boy in the interview. Should point out that the interviewer went to mush on her program every Monday morning after an episode of \"Hornblower\" (shown here on Sunday night)"}, {"response": 30, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Nov 29, 2002 (13:03)", "body": "Oh Paddy now that I think about it I heard someone in line mention he had been interviewed earlier in the morning on the ABC. He was signing *anything* that he was associated with. Videos, DVD's and books from Hornblower, FS, GE....he signed very slow and made an interesting little symbol under his name!"}, {"response": 31, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 29, 2002 (15:43)", "body": "There were about 40 people in front of us, mostly young girls (18-22)...and right in front of me, a grandmother possibly the most excited in the crowd. ROTFLOL!! Why doesn't that surprise me. ;-D"}, {"response": 32, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (14:26)", "body": "I know there must be some other Horatio Hornblower fans around here. Remember to watch the 2 new episodes tonight and tomorrow night on A&E. More info here (and a contest to win DVD player or VHS tapes): http://www.aetv.com/tv/shows/horatio_hornblower/index.html"}, {"response": 33, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 2004 (16:58)", "body": "I've been away from this board for far too long, time for a return. So far as I've been able to understand, Ioan is going to play Lancelot in some new King Arthur movie...is this true?"}, {"response": 34, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 2004 (17:00)", "body": "Oh God...I've forgotten simply EVERYTHING about how things work in here... got to read the guidelines once again (That's baaaaaaaad!)"}, {"response": 35, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 2004 (17:16)", "body": "Yes, this is true. In fact, the movie opens in the US tomorrow. We've had some discussion of it (articles, reviews, etc.) over on the Clive Owen board."}, {"response": 36, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 2004 (17:22)", "body": "over on the Clive Owen board You have a CLIVE OWEN board??? yum.... *runs off in search of Clive*"}, {"response": 37, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 2004 (17:25)", "body": "10 in front of this one: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/141/new And Mary Murphy, who has the great Clive Owen website at www.murphsplace.com is kind enough to leave some tidbits there when she's not too busy."}, {"response": 38, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 2004 (04:41)", "body": "Ladies and gen...well ladies, I present to you: Lancelot ;)"}, {"response": 39, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 2004 (04:42)", "body": "Can't wait to see the movie, all the action, Ioan and Clive.....:P~~~~"}, {"response": 40, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 2004 (10:44)", "body": "Guesss Ioan will be busy in front of the blue screen soon;-) 20th Century Fox has cast Michael Chiklis (TV's The Shield) to play Ben Grimm/The Thing, Ioan Gruffudd (King Arthur) as Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic and Chris Evans (Cellular) as Johnny Storm/the Human Torch in its Fantastic Four adaptation. Variety also says that Jessica Alba, currently shooting Dimension's Sin City, has emerged as most likely to play Sue Richards/the Invisible Woman, though Rachel MacAdams and Keri Russell are also candidates. \"We see 'Fantastic Four' as the last great jewel in the comicbook crown,\" said Fox production president Hutch Parker. \"The casting has been extremely important in terms of fulfilling expectations of an audience that's been incredibly loyal to these characters for over 40 years.\" The $85 million-$90 million adaptation of the Marvel comic is headed for an August or September start in Vancouver. The planned release date is July 1, 2005, when it will face off against Paramount's Mission: Impossible 3. Tim Story is directing from a script by Simon Kinberg."}, {"response": 41, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 2004 (10:48)", "body": "Ioan is cute, but a superhero?? Hm....It will take some time for me to picture him as Mr. Fantastic....."}, {"response": 42, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 2004 (18:16)", "body": "Dunno, looks pretty fantastic in that picture from King Arthur ;-)"}, {"response": 43, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (01:59)", "body": "Yeah...well....I have a weakness for men in armor (it's 'the knight in shining armor' syndrome) I can't wait to see him fight with those to swords....\"Give them hell Lance!\" drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 152, "subject": "Jumbo Jets crash in to World Trade Center", "response_count": 779, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (10:01)", "body": "NEW YORK \ufffd Two planes crashed into the upper floors of both World Trade Center towers minutes apart today in what President Bush said was an apparent terrorist attack, blasting fiery, gaping holes in the 110-story buildings. There was no immediate word on deaths or injuries. The president ordered a full-scale investigation to \"hunt down the folks who committed this act.\" The twin disasters happened shortly before 9 a.m. EDT and then right around 9 a.m. EDT. In Washington, officials said the FBI was investigating reports of a plane hijacking before the crashes. Heavy black smoke billowed into the sky above the gaping holes in the side of the 110-story twin towers, one of New York City's most famous landmarks, and debris rained down upon the street, one of the city's busiest work areas. When the second plane hit, a fireball of flame and smoke erupted, leaving a huge hole in the glass and steel tower. \"Today we've had a national tragedy,\" Bush said. He called it \"an apparent terrorist attack.\" Ira Furber, former NTSB spokesman, discounted the likelihood that it was an accident. \"I don't think this is an accident,\" he said on CNN. \"You've got incredibly good visibility. No pilot is going to be relying on navigational equipment.\" \"It's just not possible in the daytime,\" he added. \"A second occurrence is just beyond belief.\" The towers were struck by terrorist bombers in February 1993, killing six people and injuring more than 1,000 others. All New York City-area airports were shut down, and several subway lines were immediately shut down. Trading on Wall Street was suspended. \"The plane was coming in low and ... it looked like it hit at a slight angle,\" said Sean Murtagh, a CNN vice president, the network reported. \"I was watching TV and heard a sonic boom,\" Jeanne Yurman told CNN. \"The side of the World Trade Center exploded. Debris is falling like leaflets. I hear ambulances. The northern tower seems to be on fire.\" Thousands of pieces of what appeared to be office paper came drifting over Brooklyn, about three miles from the tower. A senior government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the agency is pursuing reports that one or both of the planes were hijacked and that the crashes may have been the result of a suicide mission. The source stressed that the reports are preliminary and officials do not know the cause of the crashes. \"It certainly doesn't look like an accident,\" said a second government official, also speaking on condition of anonymity. In 1945, an Army Air Corps B-25, a twin-engine bomber, crashed into the 79th floor of the Empire State Building in dense fog. In Sarasota, Fla., Bush was reading to children in a classroom at 9:05 a.m. when his chief of staff, Andrew Card, whispered into his ear. The president briefly turned somber before he resumed reading. He addressed the tragedy about a half-hour later. from AP report"}, {"response": 2, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (10:05)", "body": "It is being reported that one of the towers has collapsed. The White House and other national offices are being evacuated."}, {"response": 3, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (10:34)", "body": ""}, {"response": 4, "author": "maryw", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (10:42)", "body": "TO ALL OUR FRIENDS AT DROOL IN THE US FROM YOUR FRIENDS IN AUSTRALIA WE ARE THINKING AND PRAYING FOR YOU ALL DURING THIS HORRIBLE MOMENT IN HISTORY. TAKE CARE ALL OF YOU!!! GOD BLESS ALL OF US!!"}, {"response": 5, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (10:42)", "body": "Now, there's a report of another hijacked plane headed toward Washington DC. Both World Trade Centers have totally collapsed !"}, {"response": 6, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (10:43)", "body": "This is like the Pearl Harbor of the world's terrorists."}, {"response": 7, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (11:00)", "body": "Topic 1180 [current]: Terrorist attack on the World Trade Center #84 of 98: Kim Bassett (kimage) Tue Sep 11 '01 (07:52) 26 lines I've been watching ABC coverage through both collapses. Judging from the commentary plus live pictures: - There does not appear to have been a third plane impacting the WTC towers. If there is a third plane, ABC hasn't mentioned it in the last 30 minutes. - For the first collapse, the top floors above the point of impact began collapsing, the stress and failure cascading downwards all the way to the bottom. The second collapse appeared to start from the lower floors, upper floors dropping downwards. - Neither tower toppled significantly to the side; there was worry of a triage center being taken out in the second collapse, but both towers *predominantly* slid downwards. No info about damage or harm to adjacent buildings. - One small plane confirmed hit the pentagon. Scattered talk of a car bomb outside the State Department, including a smoke plume visible in the background of shots of White House evacuations. - No casualty figures as yet. The numbers are likely to be horrifying, from the plane hijacks alone."}, {"response": 8, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (11:01)", "body": "From the NYT, reporting on Bush's statements: Mr. Bush who was said to be on his way back from a visit from Sarasota, Fla., to Washington has ordered that \"the full resources of the federal government\" be used to carry out a full investigation to find out who was responsible for the World Trade Center attacks. \"Terrorism against our country will not stand,\" he said, before ending by leading a prayer for victims of the attacks."}, {"response": 9, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (11:01)", "body": "By Charles Babington washingtonpost.com Staff Writer Tuesday, September 11, 2001; 10:10 a.m. Minutes after two airplanes crashed into New York City\ufffds World Trade Center towers this morning in a what appears to be the gravest terrorist attack ever in America, a large airplane-caused explosion and fire took place at the Pentagon and explosions were reported at the Capitol and the State Department. At about 10 a.m., one of the 110-story World Trade Center towers collapsed, and the second tower collapsed about 30 minutes later. The tragedies stunned the nation and prompted officials, fearing still more attacks, to evacuate the Capitol, the White House, State Department and other federal buildings. Flights were canceled at all major airports in the nation. At about 10:20 a.m., the Associated Press reported the a car bomb explosion outside the State Department, senior law enforceement officials said. Shortly before the Pentagon fire ignited, President Bush called the New York disasters \"an apparent terrorist attack on our country.\" He hastily departed from Florida, where he had scheduled an education speech, and returned to Washington. Early details were sketchy, but the New York attacks seemed certain to cause heavy losses of life and many injuries. There were reports that an American Airlines 767 had been hijacked earlier today on a scheduled flight from Boston to Los Angeles, and apparently was one of the planes flown into the giant towers that dominate lower Manhattan\ufffds skyline. The second crash, which touched off a giant fireball in one of the tower\ufffds upper floors shortly after 9 a.m. EDT, took place as many Americans watched live on television. New York\ufffds airports were quickly closed, the New York Stock Exchange was evacuated, and millions of Americans watched in horror and disbelief as news of the Pentagon fire soon followed. In Florida, Bush pledged to use \ufffdthe full resources of the federal government government to help the victims and their families\" and \ufffdto hunt down and find those folks who committed these acts.\""}, {"response": 10, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (11:03)", "body": "Topic 1180 [current]: Terrorist attack on the World Trade Center #101 of 101: Gallatin (rickmoffat) Tue Sep 11 '01 (08:00) 3 lines Big explosion at the London Stock Exchange? I'm getting all this via super-slow web feeds, but we've got video footage of huge smoke plumes there? Can anyone confirm? We got the footage off http://news.bbc.co.uk"}, {"response": 11, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (11:04)", "body": "This is like the Pearl Harbor of the world's terrorists."}, {"response": 12, "author": "maryw", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (11:07)", "body": "Terry Where are you located? Are you safe? I am in Sydney and watching CNN International and Fox News Cable. It is now 11 am NY time (1 am 12 Sept/Wed Syd time) - they are reporting and showing on screen - 2 Towers now collapsed (I watched the 2nd one collapse!) Am flabbergasted - what can one do?"}, {"response": 13, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (11:07)", "body": "Topic 1180 [current]: Terrorist attack on the World Trade Center #105 of 106: Colin Brayton (blindone) Tue Sep 11 '01 (08:02) 11 lines I saw the second attack from an elevated subway station in Brooklyn. The plane just veered into the building and the explosion shot through the building. We all gasped, people were weeping, dude I gave spare change to mutters, \"Tragedy day ...\" My friend Velma was working in the South Tower of the WTC. I just pray that she has not returned from Chicago today. Cannot reach her. Cell phone communications are out here. The plume of smoke is blowing east and south across the river, with fragments of debris shimmering in it: I thought at first it was a fantastic flock of seagulls ... BBC (www.bbc.co.uk) is about the only online news I can get ... I am going downtown Brooklyn to donate blood ... God help us."}, {"response": 14, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (11:08)", "body": "I'm in Austin, Texas, Mary, our airport is shut down. All planes in the air have been ordered to land at the nearest airport, nationwide, not just in Austin. I'm here with a bunch of folks at work watching Fox News. No work is getting done today, or very little. The horror is mounting and we're staying calm, but this is the worst tragedy in my lifetime in this country."}, {"response": 15, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (11:09)", "body": "\"What can one do?\" Stay calm and pray."}, {"response": 16, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (11:10)", "body": "FAA confirms that there are several planes that are currently unaccounted for (evidently hijacked). No telling where this thing is going."}, {"response": 17, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (11:13)", "body": "I got through to MSNBC. Definitely not new, but here's what they are saying: NEW YORK, Sept. 11 \ufffd Americans reeled in horror Tuesday as the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history sent planes crashing into the World Trade Center in New York, toppling the twin 110-story towers. An explosion later rocked the Pentagon in Washington. The White House, the Pentagon and the Capitol building were evacuated. Military jets patrolled the skies above both cities. The FAA grounded all civilian aircraft nationwide, but not before reports of another large aircraft crashing in Western Pennsylvania. President Bush vowed to \ufffdhunt down the folks who committed this act.\ufffd THE FATE OF those in the twin skyscrapers was not immediately known. Authorities had been trying to evacuate the thousands of people who work in the twin towers, but many were thought to be trapped. \ufffdI swear I\ufffdve never seen anything like this,\ufffd said MSNBC\ufffds Ashleigh Banfield. \ufffdThis whole place is like a complete war zone.\ufffd At the Pentagon, eyewitnesses saw an aircraft crash into part of the sprawling complex. Walls were later seen to have collapsed. An earlier report of a car bomb exploding outside the State Department was later denied. In New York, the aircraft struck minutes apart, starting fires and sending smoke billowing out of the skyscrapers. The top of the south tower later collapsed onto the street below. The first crash happened shortly before 9 a.m. ET. MSNBC.com reporter Martin Wolk, who was inside one of the towers, said the lights flickered and then a loud bang was heard. People panicked and started to flee the building. When they reached the lobby, smoke started to fill the building and people could see debris falling and many cars outside were damaged. \ufffdIt was sheer pandemonium, people were screaming and crying, afraid to go outside because of the falling debris,\ufffd Wolk said. \ufffdWe looked up and it looked like the top 20 floors were in flames.\ufffd Another bystander described a barrage of debris raining down on the sidewalk below. Advertisement Shortly after 9 a.m., a second aircraft was seen crashing into the other tower. Broadcast cameras already watching the scene filmed the second plane as it slammed into the tower and exploded in a huge fireball. A half hour later, President Bush made a brief statement to reporters, calling the disaster a \ufffdnational tragedy\ufffd and attributing it to terrorists. He did not cite any specific terrorist groups but vowed to \ufffdhunt down the folks who committed this act.\ufffd U.S. military jets reportedly took to the skies to shoot down any unidentified aircraft, and congressional leaders were taken to secure locations. A plane was reported to have been circling the Capitol building before the evacuation. American Airlines later acknowledged that one of its flights had been hijacked Tuesday morning shortly after leaving Boston en route to Los Angeles. In the wake of the crashes, New York airports and the Lincoln Tunnel were closed as precautionary measures. The stock exchanges in New York also did not open. Large holes were visible in sides of the 110-story buildings. The tops of the twin towers were obscured by the smoke. Thousands of pieces of what appeared to be office paper came drifting over Brooklyn, about three miles from the tower, one witness said. Click on the image for reports of the terrorism attacks. In an earlier terrorist attack, the center was bombed on Feb. 26, 1993, killing six people and injured more than 1,000 others. Terrorist Ramzi Yousef and three others were convicted of orchestrating the attack. Three other indicted co-conspirators remain at large. Traffic entering New York City from New Jersey was at a standstill approaching the Holland Tunnel as motorists stood outside their cars watching the fire. Across the country, highrises like Chicago\ufffds Sears Trade tower were being evacuated as a precaution. Buildings were also being evacuated in London. The Associated Press contributed to this report."}, {"response": 18, "author": "maryw", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (11:14)", "body": "Terry Our own Australian Prime Minister is in Washington DC. Am staying calm but busy collecting news. Cannot get on to BBC.UK - for those Spring readers who want a confirmation on the bombing in London."}, {"response": 19, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (11:16)", "body": "I'll post it as soon as I get it. Some of this stuff may be unconfirmed, read all this with caution. I lot of wild stuff is floating around. I'll post it all and you decide."}, {"response": 20, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (11:18)", "body": "rc3.org: September 11, 2001 Part of the Pentagon has collapsed. There are reports that Osama bin Laden warned the U.S. three weeks ago that we would suffer an unprecedented attack. Still awaiting more details on this. ABC is reporting that there was not a car bomb at the State Department after all. The BBC is now reporting that F-16s have been sent to intercept a hijacked plane that is headed for Washington, DC. This must be the plane mentioned earlier. The plane from Pittsburgh that crashed in Somerset County is not the plane that is being intercepted. The BBC is reporting that the plane that crashed in Pennsylvania was a 767, not a 747. According to a correspondent in Greece, I hear the following (none of this have I confirmed myself): The first plane was a 747 from American Airlines (capacity 158). (This doesn't sound quite right, 747s hold more than that. Perhaps this plane was a 737 or 767.) The second plane was a 767 from United Airlines. (The BBC is reporting that the UA plane is a 737B.) The plane that hit the Pentagon was a small passenger plane. Another 747 out of Pittsburgh was hijacked, tailed by U.S. fighters, and crashed at Somerset County Airport in Pennsylvania. This may be the plane that I mentioned earlier as being hijacked. (Some are reporting that this plane was shot down.) Both towers of the WTC have now collapsed. No idea whether this was due to further explosions or loss of structural integrity caused by the original explosions. The 911 control center for New York City is (was?) in the World Trade Center. Needless to say, it's down. Yet another plane has been hijacked and is reportedly headed toward Washington DC. All international flights approaching the U.S. have been diverted to Canada. Congressmen have been evacuated to an underground bunker. I've heard many comparisons to Pearl Harbor at this point. Explain to me again why we pump all that money into the NSA and CIA? How did we have no idea that this was coming? A car bomb has exploded outside the State Department. I've now heard from a number of sources that the second tower collapsed completely after it was hit by a third plane (the second to hit that tower in particular). This was just a rumor, there was no third plane to hit the WTC. I'm finding it hard to get to online news sites. You can get a live audio stream from the BBC World Service at Yahoo Broadcast, that's what I'm listening to. Latest news : all flights in the U.S. are grounded, and all planes were ordered to land at the nearest airport. One of the two towers of the WTC has collapsed (at least partially). According to the news, there can be up to 100,000 people in the WTC at any given time. Terrorists have attacked the World Trade Center and Pentagon by deliberately crashing planes into them. One of the planes that crashed into the WTC was a hijacked American Airlines 767 out of Boston, I don't know about the others."}, {"response": 21, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (11:19)", "body": "From Indiatimes.com: 'Bin Laden warned of US attack' LONDON: Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden warned three weeks ago that he and his followers would carry out an unprecedented attack on US interests for its support of Israel, an Arab journalist with access to him said on Tuesday. Abdel-Bari Atwan, editor of the London-based al-Quds al-Arabi newspaper said Islamic fundamentalists led by Bin Laden was \"almost certainly\" behind the attack of the World Trade Center in New York. \"It is most likely the work of Islamic fundamentalists. Osama bin Laden warned three weeks ago that he would attack American interests in an unprecedented attack, a very big one,\" Atwan told Reuters. \"Personally we received information that he planned very, very big attacks against American interests. We received several warnings like this. We did not take it so seriously, preferring to see what would happen before reporting it.\" Atwan has interviewed Bin Laden and maintains close contacts with his followers. ( REUTERS )"}, {"response": 22, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (11:27)", "body": "NHK sez that CBS reports that 11 planes total have been hijacked, and four are still whereabouts unknown."}, {"response": 23, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (11:28)", "body": "This topic has been linked to drool, geo and other conferences here temporarily while this story is unfolding. It will be eventually unlinked."}, {"response": 24, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (11:30)", "body": "FORT WORTH, Texas American Airlines confirmed today that it lost two aircraft in tragic incidents this morning. American said the flights were Flight 11, a Boeing 767 en route from Boston to Los Angeles with 81 passengers, nine flight attendants and two pilots; and Flight 77, a Boeing 757 operating from Washington Dulles to Los Angeles with 58 passengers, four flight attendants and two pilots."}, {"response": 25, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (11:32)", "body": "This is something that we will all remember in future years, like when JFK was shot, we'll remember where we were and what we were doing when this happened. I was in my car heading to Austin on 183 listening to a sports show when Bucky Goldbolt broke the news and I switched to the local news station to hear more. I was coming up on North Lamar."}, {"response": 26, "author": "maryw", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (11:33)", "body": "11.28 AM NY Time/1.28 am (Wed 12 Sep)Sydney Listening to AustBroadcastingCorp (AustBC) - a CNN reporter getting live feed (can hear in the background). Reporting follows : United Airlines NY to San Francisco has crashed. in addition to those that were reported on the media earlier... Washington to LAX and Boston to LAX."}, {"response": 27, "author": "aishling", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (11:34)", "body": "I have been listening to our news in UK since this terrible news broke and the London Stock Exchange and Canary Wharf have been evacuated as a precautionary."}, {"response": 28, "author": "maryw", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (11:39)", "body": "11.36 AM NY Time/1.36 am (Wed 12 Sep)Sydney AustBC is reporting that the Talliban is reported to have announced that they will be holding press conference soon."}, {"response": 29, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (11:51)", "body": "Colin Powell time."}, {"response": 30, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (11:55)", "body": "An aside: US attacks slam eurostocks; insurers hit, oil climbs By Sophie Walker and Louise Ireland LONDON, Sept 11 (Reuters) - A series of deadly attacks on U.S. landmark buildings sent European stock markets into a nosedive on Tuesday, with insurance shares taking the brunt of the pressure while investors scrambled to scoop up oil stocks."}, {"response": 31, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (12:03)", "body": "Some street celebrations in Palestine."}, {"response": 32, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (12:08)", "body": "I got through to MSNBC. Definitely not new, but here's what they are saying: NEW YORK, Sept. 11 \ufffd Americans reeled in horror Tuesday as the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history sent planes crashing into the World Trade Center in New York, toppling the twin 110-story towers. An explosion later rocked the Pentagon in Washington. The White House, the Pentagon and the Capitol building were evacuated. Military jets patrolled the skies above both cities. The FAA grounded all civilian aircraft nationwide, but not before reports of another large aircraft crashing in Western Pennsylvania. President Bush vowed to \ufffdhunt down the folks who committed this act.\ufffd THE FATE OF those in the twin skyscrapers was not immediately known. Authorities had been trying to evacuate the thousands of people who work in the twin towers, but many were thought to be trapped. \ufffdI swear I\ufffdve never seen anything like this,\ufffd said MSNBC\ufffds Ashleigh Banfield. \ufffdThis whole place is like a complete war zone.\ufffd At the Pentagon, eyewitnesses saw an aircraft crash into part of the sprawling complex. Walls were later seen to have collapsed. An earlier report of a car bomb exploding outside the State Department was later denied. In New York, the aircraft struck minutes apart, starting fires and sending smoke billowing out of the skyscrapers. The top of the south tower later collapsed onto the street below. The first crash happened shortly before 9 a.m. ET. MSNBC.com reporter Martin Wolk, who was inside one of the towers, said the lights flickered and then a loud bang was heard. People panicked and started to flee the building. When they reached the lobby, smoke started to fill the building and people could see debris falling and many cars outside were damaged. \ufffdIt was sheer pandemonium, people were screaming and crying, afraid to go outside because of the falling debris,\ufffd Wolk said. \ufffdWe looked up and it looked like the top 20 floors were in flames.\ufffd Another bystander described a barrage of debris raining down on the sidewalk below. Advertisement Shortly after 9 a.m., a second aircraft was seen crashing into the other tower. Broadcast cameras already watching the scene filmed the second plane as it slammed into the tower and exploded in a huge fireball. A half hour later, President Bush made a brief statement to reporters, calling the disaster a \ufffdnational tragedy\ufffd and attributing it to terrorists. He did not cite any specific terrorist groups but vowed to \ufffdhunt down the folks who committed this act.\ufffd U.S. military jets reportedly took to the skies to shoot down any unidentified aircraft, and congressional leaders were taken to secure locations. A plane was reported to have been circling the Capitol building before the evacuation. American Airlines later acknowledged that one of its flights had been hijacked Tuesday morning shortly after leaving Boston en route to Los Angeles. In the wake of the crashes, New York airports and the Lincoln Tunnel were closed as precautionary measures. The stock exchanges in New York also did not open. Large holes were visible in sides of the 110-story buildings. The tops of the twin towers were obscured by the smoke. Thousands of pieces of what appeared to be office paper came drifting over Brooklyn, about three miles from the tower, one witness said. Click on the image for reports of the terrorism attacks. In an earlier terrorist attack, the center was bombed on Feb. 26, 1993, killing six people and injured more than 1,000 others. Terrorist Ramzi Yousef and three others were convicted of orchestrating the attack. Three other indicted co-conspirators remain at large. Traffic entering New York City from New Jersey was at a standstill approaching the Holland Tunnel as motorists stood outside their cars watching the fire. Across the country, highrises like Chicago\ufffds Sears Trade tower were being evacuated as a precaution. Buildings were also being evacuated in London. The Associated Press contributed to this report."}, {"response": 33, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (12:11)", "body": "Terror attacks paralyze Washington, New York By Shelley Emling and Marilyn Geewax Cox News Service Tuesday, September 11, 2001 WASHINGTON \ufffd An apparently coordinated series of terror attacks struck the nation's capital and its largest city this morning, destroying both towers of the World Trade Center in New York and shutting down most government operations. An airliner struck the north tower of the 110-story World Trade Center about 8:45 a.m. EDT, followed about 18 minutes later by a second apparently deliberate crash into the south tower. A little more than hour later, the south tower collapsed, and the north tower folowed it. In the capital, a fire forced the evacuation of the Pentagon, reportedly after another aircraft struck the building. A car bomb explosion and fire was also reported at the State Department, which was evacuated along with the Capitol and the White House. The Federal Aviation Administration suspended all aircraft takeoffs across the country. It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the attacks. According to unconfirmed reports, a Palestinian group has claimed responsibility for at least one of the attacks. \"There will be hell to pay in the weeks and months ahead,\" said Neil Livingstone, a terrorism expert in Washington. \"This basically amounts to a declaration of war.\" President Bush, visiting an elementary school in Sarasota, Fla., said, \"I've ordered that the full resources of the federal government go to help the victims and their families and to conduct a full-scale investigation to hunt down and to find those folks who committed this act. Terrorism against our nation will not stand.\" The sound of sirens on Capitol Hill added to the tension as vehicles headed to emergencies in the city. Downtown streets were gridlocked as an air of panic began to spread among workers who poured from buildings. Smoke billowed from the Pentagon, just across the Potomac River from the District of Columbia. \"I saw the tail of a large airliner. . . . It plowed right into the Pentagon,\" said an Associated Press Radio reporter. \"There is billowing black smoke.\" Shortly after the Capitol building was evacuated, Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., said there was an \"unauthorized plane\" in airspace in the Washington area. \"People are trying to figure out where it is. That's all I can tell you right now,\" Kerry said. In New York, black smoke poured from the international landmark, and paper and debris rained onto the streets. By 9 a.m., thousands of people already were at work on the upper floors of the World Trade Center. Casualties were impossible to determine immediately, but were likely to number at least in the hundreds. Ira Furman, a former spokesman for the National Transportation Safety Board, said it was unlikely the acts were caused by pilot or navigational error. \"It is beyond belief,\" he said. \"Planes can come within a few miles of the World Trade Center, but a pilot would never come this close.\" One witness, Mary Cozza, said she heard a loud \"boom\" before seeing the crash. \"I looked up and saw a plane that looked like it was flying too low,\" she said. \"It looked like it was aimed right at the World Trade Center. We saw the crash. Shattered glass was pouring down. It didn't look like a giant airliner. It didn't look like it was swerving out of control or anything.\" The World Trade Center has been the target of terrorism before. In February 1993 a terrorist bomb rocked the Manhattan skyscrapers. The World Trade Center is one of the nation's most well-known structures located in the heart of the U.S. financial district, one of the city's most heavily populated areas. Many major financial and technology companies are housed here and it's only a 10-minute walk from the U.S. Stock Exchange. The stock exchange suspended trading just after the crash."}, {"response": 34, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (12:17)", "body": "cnn.com (hard to get to now): AMERICA UNDER ATTACK World Trade Centers collapse after planes hit, 10,000 emergency workers head to scene Plane hits Pentagon, part of the Pentagon collapses American, United both confirm losing two planes each Bush calls trade center crashes terrorist act Federal buildings, United Nations evacuated FAA grounds all U.S. flights, sends trans-Atlantic flights to Canada Israel evacuates embassies U.S.-Mexico border closed Non-essential NATO employees asked to leave Brussels HQ"}, {"response": 35, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (12:18)", "body": "NEW YORK (CNN) -- Terrorists struck the United States Tuesday morning in harrowing, widespread attacks that included at least three commercial jet crashes into significant buildings. \ufffd In the first attack, a plane hit the north tower of the World Trade Center in Manhattan shortly before 9 a.m., followed by another plane into the second tower about 20 minutes later. Both towers later collapsed. \ufffd About an hour later, a plane crashed into the Pentagon, part of which later collapsed. \ufffd American Airlines told CNN that it lost two planes in \"tragic accidents:\" Flight 11 from Boston with 81 passengers and 11 crew aboard and Flight 77 from Washington Dulles airport with 58 passengers and six crew aboard. Both planes were en route to Los Angeles \ufffd United Airlines Flight 93 airliner headed from Newark, New Jersey, to San Francisco, crashed near Somerset, Pennsylvania -- police said initial reports indicated no survivors. United also confirmed the crash of Flight 175 from Boston to Los Angeles. \ufffd The Pentagon, the White House, the State Department, the Justice Department, the Capitol, the CIA and all other government buildings in Washington evacuated. \ufffd President Bush cancelled an appearance in Florida to return to Washington, calling the crashes \"apparent terrorist attacks\" and \"a national tragedy.\" \ufffd In the first ever national ground stop of aircraft, all flights nationwide have been stopped at their departure airports. \ufffd All international flights were diverted to Canada. \ufffd Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef, the Taliban ambassador to Pakistan, said in reaction to the news of the terror attacks that \"we want to tell the American children that Afghanistan feels your pain and we hope that the courts find justice.\" \ufffd In New York, more than 10,000 rescue personnel rushed to the scene. The entire downtown area of Manhattan was evacuated as far north as Rockefeller Center, according to an official at an emergency command post. \ufffd Israel has evacuated all its missions around the world. \ufffd The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta was evacuated. CDC was preparing bioterrorism teams in case they become necessary. \ufffd Philadelphia landmarks were also evacuated. \ufffd In Chicago, the Sears Tower was evacuated; United Nations in New York evacuated. \ufffd The New York Port Authority said it had closed all bridges and tunnels into the city. \ufffd U.S. stock markets were closed after the New York attacks. \ufffd NATO sent home all non-essential personnel from its Brussels, Belgium, headquarters. \ufffd Border between the United States and Mexico closed."}, {"response": 36, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (12:25)", "body": "Nation: United plane crashes near Pittsburgh; 3 other flights missing The Associated Press PITTSBURGH (September 11, 2001 11:59 a.m. EDT) - A United Airlines plane crashed Tuesday morning just north of the Somerset County Airport. United said it was also \"deeply concerned\" about another plane, Flight 175, a Boeing 767, which was bound from Boston to Los Angeles. American Airlines said Tuesday it had lost two planes with a total 156 people aboard, Agence-France Presse reported. The United Boeing 757 was enroute from Newark, N.J. to San Francisco. The United plane crashed about 10 a.m. about 8 miles east of Jennerstown, according to county 911 dispatchers, WPXI-TV in Pittsburgh reported. \"It shook the whole station,\" said Bruce Grine, owner of Grine's Service Center in Shanksville, about two and one-half miles from the crash. \"Everybody ran outside, and by that time the fire whistle was blowing.\" United identified the plane as Flight 93. The airline did say how many people were aboard the flight. On behalf of the airline CEO James Goodwin said: \"The thoughts of everyone at United are with the passengers and crew of these flights. Our prayers are also with everyone on the ground who may have been involved. \"United is working with all the relevant authorities, including the FBI, to obtain further information on these flights,\" he said. The Somerset County airport, about 80 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, in a small, rural facility that does not handle such aircraft. Because of the attacks, the Federal Aviation Administration had ordered all departing flights canceled nationwide, and any planes already in the air were to land a the nearest airport. The plane crashed shortly after the order was issued. The crash came the same morning that terrorists crashed two planes into the World Trade Center in New York City and the twin 110-story towers collapsed. A plane also hit the Pentagon in Washington"}, {"response": 37, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (12:26)", "body": "By BETH GARDINER, Associated Press LONDON (September 11, 2001 12:02 p.m. EDT) - Terrorist strikes in the United States quickly reached a global audience Tuesday, with leaders around the world watching live coverage of an aircraft hitting the World Trade Center. Audiences were transfixed by the awful images from New York, where both World Trade Center towers collapsed. Key indexes sank on world stock markets and some European airlines canceled flights to the United States and recalled planes already in the air. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences to the American people over the terrorist attacks, calling the \"terrible tragedies,\" the Kremlin press service said. \"This mass terrorism is the new evil in our world today,\" said Prime Minister Tony Blair, who canceled a speech at a trade union conference. \"It is perpetrated by fanatics who are utterly indifferent to the sanctity of human life, and we the democracies of this world are going to have to come together and fight it together.\" President Jacques Chirac of France, in a nationally televised statement, called the attacks in the United States \"monstrous\" and expressed his solidarity with the American people. \"France has just learned of these monstrous attacks, there is no other word for it, that have hit America,\" Chirac said from Rennes, in the western region of Brittany. Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and his top aides followed the events at his seaside office in Gaza City, gathered around a TV set. \"I send my condolences to the president, the government and the people for this terrible incident,\" Arafat said. \"We are completely shocked. It's unbelievable.\" In Berlin, Foreign Ministry officials huddled in a crisis meeting, and Parliament's vice speaker Anke Fuchs told lawmakers a \"terrible catastrophe\" had happened. Virtually all German TV channels switched to live coverage. \"This is pure mass murder,\" one commentator said. Scandinavian Airlines System, SAS, rerouted three airplanes bound for New York and one for Washington from Norway, Denmark and Sweden. Flights to the United States were suspended from Portugal, and the Belgian airline recalled two flights on the way to the United States, diverted others to Canada and canceled all planned flights to the United States. In Thailand, Suranand Vejjajiva, a spokesman for the office of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said they were watching the news in disbelief. A spokesman for Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said: \"The president has been monitoring the events since an hour ago and she condemns what is obviously the worst terrorist attack on a leader of civilized society.\" Broadcasters around the world broke into programming to show images of the disaster. \"It's incredible. I thought I was watching a Hollywood movie,\" said Hong Kong school teacher Doris Tang."}, {"response": 38, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (12:27)", "body": "Agence France-Presse MOSCOW (September 11, 2001 12:15 p.m. EDT) - Russian President Vladimir Putin told President Bush on Tuesday that the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington \"must not go unpunished\", the Interfax news agency reported. \"The series of barbaric acts directed against innocent people fills us with indignation and revolt,\" said Putin in a telegram to Bush. \"Such inhuman acts must not go unpunished,\" he said."}, {"response": 39, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (12:30)", "body": "(September 11, 2001 11:18 a.m. EDT) - Timeline of U.S. Attacks - Plane crashes into tower of World Trade Center in lower Manhattan, shortly before 9 a.m. Eastern. - Second plane crashes into the second tower of the World Trade Center, shortly after 9 a.m. Eastern. - President Bush, in Sarasota, Florida, calls the crashes \"an apparent terrorist attack\" and a \"national tragedy.\" - An aircraft crashes near Pentagon, just outside of Washington D-C, in Northern Virginia, about an hour after the attacks in New York. - Government buildings in Washington, including the Capitol and the White House, are evacuated with officials citing a credible threat of a terrorist attack. - The Federal Aviation Administration shuts down all aircraft takeoffs nationwide. - Shortly after 10 a.m. Eastern, one World Trade Center tower in New York collapses, about an hour after being hit by plane. - American Airlines says one of the planes that crashed into the Trade Center was American Airlines Flight 11, hijacked after takeoff from Boston en route to Los Angeles. - Senior law enforcement officials say car bomb explodes outside of State Department in Washington, D-C. Federal protective services later denies car bomb attack occurred. - Financial markets suspend trading in the wake of the attacks. - Officials at Somerset County Airport say a large plane crashes in western Pennsylvania, about 80 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, at about 10:00 a.m. - The second tower of the World Trade Center collapses at 10:28 a.m. Eastern. - Fourth explosion rocks the collapsed remains of the World Trade Center, at about 10:38 a.m. - Authorities across the country go on alert, tightening security at strategic facilities and evacuating high-profile buildings. U.S. monuments and museums in Washington DC are closed. - Securities and Exchange Commission says all financial markets are closed for the day."}, {"response": 40, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (12:50)", "body": "Dan Rather reports Bush is going to make a statement from an Air Force Base in Louisiana in a few minutes."}, {"response": 41, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (12:51)", "body": "All 4 flights that crashed were apparently bound for California. When did the airlines first realize that something was wrong? The plane from Boston that crashed into the WTC was bound for Los Angeles. Topic 1180 [current]: Terrorist attack on the World Trade Center #199 of 199: Jerry (jmcarlin) Tue Sep 11 '01 (09:47) 6 lines CNN says 4 plans lost/missing: 2 American and 2 united. They said that they *think* that one of them might be one that hit the Pentagon. CNN is also reporting that bin Laden is increasingly being blamed."}, {"response": 42, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (12:51)", "body": "Salon confirms military is at Delta. http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2001/09/11/bombings/index.html There is no higher military alert than Delta."}, {"response": 43, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (13:04)", "body": "I'm on Long Island, 40 miles east of the city...was at work when this happened. several of my friends work in NYC, one of them in 7 World Trade, a building next to tower 2. i'm so scared right now... how could anyone do something like this?! 10K people work(ed) in each of those towers, not counting the tourists, people on the streets, etc. i feel sick."}, {"response": 44, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (13:09)", "body": "I hope your friends are ok Liz."}, {"response": 45, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (13:10)", "body": "People have been comparing this to Pearl Harbor. Most of us were not born at the time of that event. The feeling today's events conjures in me is the fear I lived through in 1962 during the Cuban missile crisis. At that time, only one man stood between us and WWIII. If we could trace these attacks to one country, we would now be at war. And I doubt that even JFK could prevent it."}, {"response": 46, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (13:11)", "body": "Incidentally, 45-50 thousand people work in the two WTC buildings...not 10K."}, {"response": 47, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (13:18)", "body": "unidentified source: Friend of mine in Scotland, who is monitoring a lot of news feeds and has a bunch of friends in US military bases, is giving me info that I can't find _anywhere_ else- he claims that 12 (!) planes are still en route to the US, not all over the Atlantic, and that are not responding to hails. Anyone know anything about this?"}, {"response": 48, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (13:19)", "body": "Incidentally, 45-50 thousand people work in the two WTC buildings...not 10K."}, {"response": 49, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (13:21)", "body": "I think I heard somewhere that 55,000 or so were killed in the Vietnam war, the toll here is going to be horrorific."}, {"response": 50, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (13:26)", "body": "yes, charlotte..what I meant was 10K per tower in just the offices, minimum capacity. full capacity is closer to 20-25K per tower. it doesn't matter the toll; one life is too much. thanks, terry. I'm praying for all who have friends or relatives in downtown."}, {"response": 51, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (13:40)", "body": "Colin Powell said: \"A great tragedy has struck our country and it will not affect the nature of our society,'' he said. ``We'll find out who's responsible for this and bring them to justice.''"}, {"response": 52, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (13:48)", "body": "Agreed, Liz. Sorry I misunderstood. Also sorry my post appeared twice. Must have been cause I \"refresh\"-ed. Terry, thank you for making this site available when it is impossible to get news elsewhere."}, {"response": 53, "author": "sociolingo", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (14:00)", "body": "Yes, Terry, thanks for the email about the topic ..I'm in the UK, we turned on the TV just after the first plane hit and have been following the news since. Our prayers and thoughts are with all those concerned and I hope that my friends on Spring get good news about people they know. In the City of London the Stock Exchange closed, and several major buildings were evacuated and the City closed. All US banks and institutions here are on high alert. There were reports an hour or so ago about another plane crash in Pittsburg which appeared to be related. Also a report of another hijack plane heading for Washington ..... sorry I don't have any details ...anyone else have any news??"}, {"response": 54, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (14:03)", "body": "In Hawaii, on the Bis Island, all schools are closed as is the airport (throughout the state, actually). On Oahu, all military personnel are to report to their stations, Pearl Harbor all ships staffed. Arizona Memorial closed. This is ghastly. Beyond anything Hollywood could dream up. Be calm, stay home, donate blood if you can, (even call for it here) and PRAY. Thanks Terry!"}, {"response": 55, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (14:03)", "body": "There's news of this above in this topic. The other hijacked plane went down, it was the same plane that went down in Pittsburgh. \ufffdI JUST SAW the building I work in come down,\ufffd said businessman Gabriel Ioan, shaking in shock outside City Hall a cloud of smoke and ash from the World Trade Center behind him. \ufffdI just saw the top of Trade Two come down.\ufffd MSNBC.com producer Steve Johnson, standing about six blocks from the towers in lower Manhattan, was also an eyewitness to the collapse. \ufffdAbout five minutes before the tower fell you could see people jumping from the upper floors. I watched six either fall or jump ... The police rolled up [in] vans. Suddenly the top of [the tower] just shattered into tens of thousands of pieces. You could see the walls peel away. The whole thing just disappeared. Then the smoke came up. The cops started yelling, \ufffdGet back! Run! Get away!\ufffd I ran inside a hotel, and it went black outside because of the dust.\ufffd Nearby a crowd mobbed a man on a pay phone, screaming at him to get off the phone so that they could call relatives. Dust and dirt flew everywhere. Ash was 2 to 3 inches deep in places. People wandered dazed and terrified. \ufffdI was in the World Financial Center looking out the window,\ufffd said one woman. \ufffdI saw the first plane and then 15 minutes later saw the other plane just slam into the World Trade Center.\ufffd Firefighter Jimmy Grillo, with Ladder 24, had blood running down his face from an injury to his nose. Grillo was in the lobby of the World Trade Center after the first blast and when the second blast came, he was trapped in the debris. \ufffdWe crawled in the debris toward the light\ufffd. There\ufffds a bunch of guys still trapped in there,\ufffd Grillo told MSNBC.com\ufffds Johnson. \ufffdPEOPLE SCREAMING ... DIVING FOR COVER\ufffd Another eyewitness, AP newsman Dunstan Prial, described a strange sucking sound from the Trade Center buildings after the first building collapsed. \ufffdWindows shattered. People were screaming and diving for cover. People walked around like ghosts, covered in dirt, weeping and wandering dazed.\ufffd \ufffdIt sounded like a jet or rocket,\ufffd said Eddie Gonzalez, a postal worker at a post office on West Broadway. \ufffdI looked up and saw a huge explosion. I didn\ufffdt see the impact. I just saw the explosion.\ufffd Morning commuters heading into Manhattan were stranded as the Lincoln Tunnel was shut down to incoming traffic. Many left their cars and stood on the ramp leading to the tunnel, staring in disbelief at the thick cloud of smoke pouring from the top of the two buildings. On the streets of Manhattan, people stood in groups talking quietly or watching on television at ground-level network studios. Terror attack on the U.S. \ufffd Main story \ufffd MSNBC's Wolk: On the scene in Manhattan \ufffd Witnesses describe terror in the towers \ufffd World reacts with horror \ufffd Markets, airports, U.S. border shut after terror \ufffd Newsweek: An icon destroyed \ufffd Exodus in Washington \ufffd Live video coverage \ufffd Discuss the attacks on MSNBC's bulletin board Joan Goldstein, communications project leader for The Associated Press, was on a bus from New Jersey at about 8:50 a.m. when she saw \ufffdsmoke pouring out of the World Trade Center building. We said, \ufffdOh, my God! The World Trade Center\ufffds on fire!\ufffd Perhaps 10 minutes later, \ufffdAll of a sudden, there was an orange plume, a huge explosion. It shot out the back of the building. Everybody on the bus was just moaning and gasping,\ufffd said Goldstein, who wept and trembled as she spoke. The plume was from the second plane, but she didn\ufffdt see the plane because of the thick smoke. She tried to call friends who work there, but couldn\ufffdt get through. \ufffdIt was the most horrible thing I\ufffdve ever seen in my life,\ufffd said Goldstein. GIVING BLOOD At St. Vincent\ufffds hospital in Greenwich Village, people waited in long lines to give blood. They were taken according to blood type. Hundreds of donors \ufffd perhaps as many as a thousand \ufffd looked like a tapestry of New York citizenry. \ufffdThere are all kinds of people \ufffd young and old, black and white, students and professionals waiting to give blood,\ufffd said Harry Barandes, a graduate student at New York University. Ambulances continued to arrive intermittently. The shock on people\ufffds faces was shaken free only by the sirens that blared in the background. Meanwhile, volunteers wandered among those waiting in line, asking if anyone was hungry or thirsty. \ufffdThere are really kind citizens passing out food and water,\ufffd said Barandes. \ufffdThe outpouring of goodwill is amazing.\ufffd Further from the disaster scene in upper Manhattan signs went up that blood drives had begun. SURREAL SCENE, EERY CALM \ufffdThere\ufffds a huge smell of char in the air. People are walking with masks, with their shirts off. People trying to get out [of the area] any way. People are crying, watching in disbelief. [It\ufffds] total shock.\ufffd \ufffd MICHELLE PRELI MSNBC.com producer In Brooklyn, across the East River from Manhattan, \ufffdthe situation is chaos,\ufffd MSNBC.com producer Michelle Preli reported. \ufffdThe Manhattan Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge are "}, {"response": 56, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (14:03)", "body": "German stock exchange threatened by bomb attack. They are closing."}, {"response": 57, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (14:04)", "body": "\ufffdTHERE HAVE BEEN the most terrible, shocking events taking place in the United States of America within the last couple of hours,\ufffd British Prime Minister Tony Blair told union leaders in Brighton, southern England. \ufffdWe can only imagine the terror and carnage there and the many, many innocent people who have lost their lives.\ufffd Blair, who had been due to deliver a key policy speech, cut short his visit and said he wanted to return immediately to London to monitor the unfolding events. He sent his deepest condolences to Bush and the people of America."}, {"response": 58, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (14:05)", "body": "\ufffdThis mass terrorism is the new evil in our world today. It is perpetrated by fanatics who are utterly indifferent to the sanctity of life,\ufffd he said. Russian President Vladimir Putin described the attack as a terrible tragedy, according to Kremlin spokesman Alexei Gromov, and convened a special meeting of his defense and security officials. Putin also offered his condolence to the United States. France\ufffds president, Jacques Chirac, in a live televised address, condemned the attacks and expressed his solidarity with the American people. Advertisement \ufffdFrance has just learned of these monstrous attacks \ufffd there is no other word for it \ufffd that have hit America,\ufffd Chirac said from Rennes, in the western region of Brittany. In Berlin, Foreign Ministry officials huddled in a crisis meeting, and Parliament\ufffds vice speaker, Anke Fuchs, told lawmakers a \ufffdterrible catastrophe\ufffd had happened. Virtually all German TV channels switched to live coverage. \ufffdThis is pure mass murder,\ufffd one commentator said. German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder convened an unprecedented meeting of his security council, and air traffic authorities said all European flights to the United States had been suspended. The council meets rarely and is the government\ufffds main body in times of crisis. Besides Schroeder, it includes the foreign, defense and interior ministers and several others. MIDEAST REACTS Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and his top aides followed the events at his seaside office in Gaza City, gathered around a TV set. \ufffdWe completely condemn this serious operation. ... We were completely shocked. It\ufffds unbelievable, unbelievable, unbelievable.\ufffd An anonymous caller told Abu Dhabi television earlier on Tuesday that a radical Palestinian group was responsible for the attacks, but the group later denied any involvement. Israeli Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer told Israel\ufffds Army Radio it was \ufffdsimply a tragedy.\ufffd"}, {"response": 59, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (14:06)", "body": "The Pittsburgh plane crash is the one they believe was also headed for Washington DC, with some speculating that it might have either the Capitol (building) or White House as its target. How they could come to that, I'll never know. Two planes were targeted at the WTC (one at each tower). The Pentagon is an enormous building (sq ft-wise). All the planes (4) had California as their destination which would give them the maximum amount of fuel any aircraft would have onboard."}, {"response": 60, "author": "loveliz", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (14:11)", "body": "Hi, just heard that a passenger from the PA crash had a cell phone in the bathroom and reported that they were being hijacked...\"this is not a hoax\". guess not. Also heard that there were 6-8 planes in the air that would be allowed to land at the Nashville airport. My daughter's fiance's sister is an intern at St. Vincents. She is alive. Just heard that there were over 100 victims there, 2 dead, but I had heard earlier that the vestibule was stacked with fatal burn victims. Hope that was a rumor. love,Eliz"}, {"response": 61, "author": "ToSch", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (14:11)", "body": "All the German and European people want to express their condolence to the people of the United States! Our prayers are with the victims and their families! God bless you! Your Tobias"}, {"response": 62, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (14:23)", "body": "From the eyewitness reports on the BBC it appears that the second plane flew slowly and directly into the south tower of the WTC. Its likely that the terrorists flew the planes. CNN is talking about the lead time that air traffic controllers had that the planes were off course. One made a sharp turn at Albany and headed south. They are also talking about the tapes of the controllers trying to talk to the planes. Just speculation right now - the tapes are not yet available."}, {"response": 63, "author": "BlackB", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (14:24)", "body": "My thoughts and prayers are with those whose families are affected by these tragedies. All German TV channels do reports now. Something however disturbs me in some way: in the first chapter of Tom Clancy's novel \"Executive Orders\" a plane crashes into the capitol and kills everyone inside. Seems like the wrong people read that book.... BlackB"}, {"response": 64, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (14:27)", "body": "BlackB, I've had the same thoughts about giving the truly warped mentally bad ideas for their terrorism in books and movies. FCC, federal agencies shut down after terrorist attacks Along with most other federal agencies, the FCC has closed its offices and sent its employees home in the wake of apparent terrorist attacks this morning in New York City, Washington, DC, and elsewhere. The FCC has issued no emergency declaration nor other special instructions to the Amateur Radio community. The ARRL has advised amateurs to stay alert to instructions from local authorities. President George W. Bush has announced that the US military is on high alert in the US and abroad. US air traffic was shut down after two airliners struck the twin towers of the 110-story World Trade Center in New York City this morning within a short time of each other. The building's towers partially collapsed in the wake of the collisions. An aircraft subsequently crashed into the Pentagon, and another aircraft crashed near Pittsburgh, reportedly after being hijacked. American Airlines and United Airlines both have acknowledged that they have lost planes this morning. More than 260 died in the crashes. Thousands were believed injured in New York City; there's no estimate on the number killed. New York City-Long Island Section Emergency Coordinator Tom Carrubba, KA2D, said there has been no request for any Amateur Radio Emergency Service response at this time, although hams have been requested to assist the American Red Cross. New York City's emergency management offices are located in the World Trade Center. He said he was alerting all amateurs, especially ARES and Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service personnel, to get prepared and to stand by. Carrubba said he's in the process of setting up a command channel on a linked repeater system that will cover the area from New York City into Long Island's Suffolk County. Kenneth Goetz, N2SQW, reports New York State RACES is operational on 3.993.5 and 7.248 MHz handling emergency and governmental-type traffic. He asked amateurs to avoid these frequencies. In the Washington, DC, area, Virginia SEC Tom Gregory, N4NW, says Virginia ARES has been put on alert but has not yet been activated. ''I've asked everyone to monitor the emergency frequencies and to keep a full tank of gas.'' He said the attack on Washington has resulted in a massive traffic jam as workers in DC attempt to leave the capital; cellular telephone communication was next-to-impossible. While no emergency nets are in operation yet, Gregory said all repeaters would be available as well as 7.243 MHz and 3.947 MHz on HF. Virginia RACES reportedly has been activated at the state emergency operations center at Virginia State Police headquarters in Richmond as a precautionary measure. The FCC's Riley Hollingsworth today suggested that the amateur community remain calm but ready. He invited amateurs monitoring any suspicious radio activity to contact him, and he will relay relevant information to the FCC duty team. He advised monitors to tape such radio traffic, if possible. Should a state of war be declared, Amateur Radio would not automatically be shut down. This requirement was eliminated prior to the Gulf War."}, {"response": 65, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (14:38)", "body": "first chapter of Tom Clancy's novel \"Executive Orders\" The kamikaze plane attack on the Capitol Building was the plot of the book before that one: Debt of Honor. The pilot was part of the plan, which took out the entire government. You don't need eyewitness reports on BBC. The second plane attacking the WTC is on video on every news channel. You could probably have watched it live, just as you could watch both towers crumble. It is very likely the terrorists took over flying the planes as no US pilot - even with a gun pointed at his/her head - would steer into any occupied building."}, {"response": 66, "author": "Becka", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (14:53)", "body": "Karen: my Mom mentioned the book this morning. Ominous. I cannot explain my grief and sadness. My thoughts are with all those people, so, so many lives that are forever changed. I can't get out of my head that some people actually saw the horrified faces of those passengers in those hijacked planes - waiting to die in vain. And all those people who went to work and never came back. God bless us all."}, {"response": 67, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (15:04)", "body": "I'm in Atlanta. The area around CNN Center which is in downtown Atlanta, has been sealed off and all public access to CNN Center itself has been stopped. I guess as lots of the the world gets it global/US news coverage news via CNN, it is a facility the authorities don't want messed with. All malls, schools and universities here etc are closed. At 3pm Eastern, 10-12 international flights are still in-bound to the US and have been given clearance to land. They are all from the Pacific Rim countries in bound to West Coast Cities."}, {"response": 68, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (15:09)", "body": "President Bush just landed at Straegic Airforce Command in Nebraska. So it appears the President and his advisors, are not going to orchestrate a response to this catastrophe from the White House."}, {"response": 69, "author": "ToSch", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (15:12)", "body": "German TV Broadcasting stopped for 15 Minutes!!! \" A moment of silence for our Brothers and Sisters in the USA!!!\""}, {"response": 70, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (15:19)", "body": ""}, {"response": 71, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (15:41)", "body": "Inbound planes from the Orient are being allowd to land in Honolulu if they have gone beyond the point of no return, but with a fighter escort from Hickam AF Base. Nothing is outbound. Even the tour planes are grounded. Nothing is in the air!"}, {"response": 72, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (15:42)", "body": "More stuff about the cellphone call, from an AP News story: \"An emergency dispatcher in Westmoreland County, Pa., received a cell phone call at 9:58 a.m. from a man who said he was a passenger locked in the bathroom of United Flight 93, said dispatch supervisor Glenn Cramer. \"We are being hijacked, we are being hijacked!\" Cramer quoted the man as saying. The man told dispatchers the plane \"was going down. He heard some sort of explosion and saw white smoke coming from the plane and we lost contact with him,\" Cramer said.\""}, {"response": 73, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (15:42)", "body": "So it appears the President and his advisors, are not going to orchestrate a response to this catastrophe from the White House. No. The book on these types of situations calls for moving the president, et al, around to *secure* locations. Unfortunately, our wonderfully free press is publicizing all the known locations for government backup ops. Why don't they just give the addresses?"}, {"response": 74, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (15:43)", "body": "The airports are closed until noon tomorrow BTW."}, {"response": 75, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (15:47)", "body": "Thanks Tobias and all who have expressed condolences. Actually we are all one little world. We need to relearn the art of getting along on a tiny planet. This American appreciates your concern very much!"}, {"response": 76, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (15:48)", "body": "Why don't they just give the addresses? I know! Geez, here they are saying he's in a secret location, in NEBRASKA??? hello???? They evacuated all of Boston today. The one question I ask, that no one an answer is HOW THE HELL DID HIJACKERS GET PAST SECURITY AT LOGAN????????????? (Makes one wonder about the security personnel at the airport now?)"}, {"response": 77, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (15:49)", "body": "Karen, exactly so. The set the plane down and suddenly we all knew exactly where he was! I hate that!!! The media needs to learn some responsibility!"}, {"response": 78, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (16:06)", "body": "stratfor.com: The Intelligence Failure 1745 GMT, 010911 By George Friedman As of this moment, what is clear is that a substantial number of civilian aircraft were hijacked this morning by pilots with sufficient ability to maneuver those multi-engine aircraft into collisions with major buildings. The flights originated at a number of airports. Each incident required the presence of at least one and probably more hijackers, each prepared to die in the attack. Mounting an attack of this sort is not simple. In the case of the World Trade Center, the collapse of the towers indicates massive delayed explosions. This means either the planes were loaded with explosives or that massive explosive charges were planted in the buildings to go off later. This is supposition, but a secondary explosion is a necessary factor for explaining the collapse. This means many individuals had to be involved in the operation. There had to be a coordinated effort spanning several continents, timed to occur at roughly the same time. At best guess, dozens of people had to be involved. Messages had to flow, coded or otherwise. Yet no human intelligence sources appear to have been among or near the conspirators. No significant messages were intercepted or decoded. For U.S. intelligence to have missed an operation of this magnitude indicates one of two things. First, the competence of U.S. intelligence is overrated or the willingness of policymakers to heed warnings has declined. In either case, the system is badly broken. Alternatively, the sophistication of terrorist counter-intelligence has improved to such an extent that the prior level of expertise bought to bear is simply no longer sufficient. Whether we are facing a decline in U.S. intelligence capability or an increase in counter-intelligence blocking the United States, Sept. 11, 2001, will go down as one of the major intelligence failures in U.S. history. George Friedman is the founder and chariman of STRATFOR."}, {"response": 79, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (16:15)", "body": "From salon.com Sam Skinner, former transportation secretary under George Bush Sr., directed a \"security enhancement task force\" after Pan-Am flight 103 was shot down in 1988 over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing 270 people. I'm looking back on my experience after Pan Am flight 103. We created offices for security in several departments and we enhanced the methods at every airport, so I'm very, very surprised that they were able to accomplish this. The fact that they could get through three airports on four flights without anyone picking it up, shows that this was a very well-organized attack -- probably with some inside help. We've concentrated most of our time and energy on international aircraft. We focused on that threat because they may have been coming in from international airports where security was lax, or going to international locations, in which it would be easier to hide people who would profile as terrorists. So the fact that four domestic flights were hijacked is entirely shocking. I don't know of any scenario that allowed for this. This is not an amateur performance. It must have had support from strong organizations or governments. You would have had to have at least four inside people, at airports with access to planes with full fuel loads. You'd have to have them plant weapons at the same moment without being detected. And I find it hard to believe that any American pilot would deliberately fly into the building, so I also have to assume that they managed to get an experienced pilot on board. The timing of it is also amazing. All the planes were close to their targets but the crashes occurred at around the same time. This was very well-executed, and as a result, security measures as we know them today will be enhanced substantially. What that will be is too early to tell. But there will a lot of money spent on devices; I also think there will a higher scrutiny of employees and of cargo. You can get pretty draconian, and I think we'll see that whole new level of scrutiny. This is different than what we've ever seen in the past. This isn't just blowing up airplanes, this is using airplanes as a tool of death."}, {"response": 80, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (16:17)", "body": "Covering the Attack An Eyewitness Speaks By Ed Hashey Special to Poynter.org [Editor's note: Ed Hashey is a member of Poynter's visiting visual journalism faculty and an affiliate of Mario Garcia New Media Group.] I keep playing this back in my head. It just did not seem real, nor would I ever have imagined such a series of events happening this morning. It is true: Everything seemed to be in slow motion. I arrived here Sunday night with my wife. She was going to spend the whole week with me for my birthday. I reported to work yesterday as a consultant at The Wall Street Journal. Monday we just came up with the work load for the next few weeks. I came back to the hotel at midtown Manhattan, had dinner with my wife, Jeanne, where we discussed our day's events and plans for tomorrow. Jeanne said she want to come in with me to the downtown area on Tuesday morning and visit the top of the World Trade Center. She found a two-dollar discount coupon. The next morning we both ate breakfast and my wife decided she was not feeling well enough to join me this morning. So I left for work this morning at 8 a.m. I got on the number 9 train from Times Square, and read a chapter in my book. Before you knew it, it was 8:40 a.m. and I was at the World Trade Center station at Cortland Street. I got off the train, walked up to the street exit, and right as I saw daylight, I heard a huge explosion and then many pieces of metal debris, some the size of car hoods, were falling all around me and a very large crowd of people. We all responded by trying to go back in the train station exit, but there were too many people trying to exit, and so we all squeezed against the side of the World Trade Center. After a while, the debris stopped falling. We crossed Liberty street, and looked up and saw the first tower engulfed in flames. Eyewitnesses said a plane had crashed into the building high up. Then to my horror, I started seeing people jump to their deaths. As each person fell, I started praying. Many people fell, and we were not sure where to go or what to do. Then a loud noise of an aircraft became apparent, and I remember seeing a large airline jet smash into the next tower, followed by many flaming pieces falling all around us and many people being struck by debris and burning wreckage. I ran into an entryway of the building across the street and saw debris take out windows. A large crowd of pedestrians outside was hit as they were on their way to work. At that point the police ordered a mass evacuation, and I remember thinking this was a terrorist act. It was just too coincidental too be anything else. I decided to just start running north up Broadway. By the time I reached Chambers Street, I kept trying phones to call my wife and say I was OK, but nothing was working, all circuits busy, my cell phone did not work. So I just got on a train and ran to my hotel room. My wife was in tears, and I was shaking like a leaf. I as still shaking and very sad, then I witnessed the towers falling on the news channel, and I just stood there in disbelief. I am sad, angry, nervous, happy to be alive, but humbled by others' deaths today. I can't stop seeing the visions of bodies falling. I still pray for their families, but the world will never be the same again. I'm very sorry to be writing this."}, {"response": 81, "author": "rachael", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (16:18)", "body": "UK news is saying that the US President has gone to Nebraska because that's HQ when the USA is on a war footing. To all my old friends in the US, and the new ones I've made here on Spring recently, my thoughts and prayers are with you on this dreadful day. Take care, all of you."}, {"response": 82, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (16:27)", "body": "HOW THE HELL DID HIJACKERS GET PAST SECURITY AT LOGAN????????????? Well, considering these were domestic flights, I suspect that security is a little more lax. I remember listening to an NPR story not too long ago about how airport security employees have such a high turn-around, and most aren't unionized.... I'm in LA where things are eerily quiet. Schools are still in session, but they've cancelled a lot of events tonight (the Madonna concert, Latin Grammys, MLB games, etc..). Some production studios (the major ones anyway) have also shut down for the day. I'm trying to get work done, but it's just too difficult."}, {"response": 83, "author": "autumn", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (16:27)", "body": "Alas, Babylon... Maryland has been declared a state of emergency. The military post S. works on is at its highest security level, there are massive amounts of agent stored there. Schools, colleges, programs, everything is closed. Hospitals have canceled all elective surgeries to stay ready for victims. I was in D.C. on Monday, sight-seeing with my aunt from Dallas. She tried to call us all afternoon, but there were no available circuits until 3:30. It is so quiet--there's not a car on the road (everyone's watching TV I guess) or a plane in the sky. Weird. I can't even process it all yet."}, {"response": 84, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (16:28)", "body": "pastebomb alert -- bruces *8-( that peculiar parade-going-in-the-wrong-direction has passed ... maybe we'll find out what that was, at some point ... people are now out of their offices for lunchtime, still almost no traffic, but the shops are open and people are hanging out watching the clouds of smoke ... the view towards the south is unimaginable ... much more jet activity ... -Ken ______________________________________________ SPECTRE list for media culture in Deep Europe Info, archive and help: http://post.openoffice.de/mailman/listinfo/spectre NYC, Fifth Avenue & 19th St. ... people are walking in large crowds in the middle of Fifth Ave., heading south, as if in a parade. Many more have been standing, looking south, for hours now, as if waiting for something else to happen. It's just clouds of smoke now where the WTC used to be... Some people have radios, portable tvs. Few people's cell phones are working. Apart from the downed antennae, the circuits are just jammed, regular phones are jammed, too. The only traffic seems to be ambulances. Apart from the sirens, it is eerily quiet for midday ... fighter jets are flying overhead now ... -Ken ______________________________________________ SPECTRE list for media culture in Deep Europe Info, archive and help: http://post.openoffice.de/mailman/listinfo/spectre another meaning for spectre.... Pandemonium envelops reporters incapable of expressing much more than shock. The highways in lower Manhattan are loaded with an exodus of refugees escaping downtown. Electricity has been shut don in lower Manhattan. Airports are in chaos. Everything has a surreal siege status. No official word other than a short statement from Bush early this morning. His plane from Florida will not go to Washington where Chaney is \"in charge\" at the White House. more soon, Tim ______________________________________________ SPECTRE list for media culture in Deep Europe Info, archive and help: http://post.openoffice.de/mailman/listinfo/spectre i can just report, that here at ZKM in karlsruhe we are also totally shocked, following the news on German tv and CNN for hours and don't know really what to say as angst is emerging of the events. what will happen now? will this event to exponentiate the use of terror between south and north, between east and west? most embarassing seems the clean, totally emotion-less face of G.W. Bush. cannot believe that this is an eqiuvalent reaction of his. (is he in drugs?) best to all, anke ______________________________________________ SPECTRE list for media culture in Deep Europe Info, archive and help: http://post.openoffice.de/mailman/listinfo/spectre ______________________________________________ SPECTRE list for media culture in Deep Europe Info, archive and help: http://post.openoffice.de/mailman/listinfo/spectre The national guard has been called up in NYC -- Its like a war zone, they are predicting the death toll as being in the thousands -- 40,000 people work in the two towers and were in the process of arriving for work when the first plane struck -- I witnessed the collapse of the second tower, from a roof about a half mile away-- the city is shut down -- there are still three or 4 more planes unaccounted for -- the pentagon was also attacked and severely damaged -- with large lost of life-- a plane was brought down near camp David -- I placed part of the blame for this turn of events on the Bush administration's failure to intervene in Palestine, his failure to send observers and his failure to condemn Israel's policy of assination against Palestine leaders. This is truly a horror. Saul ______________________________________________ SPECTRE list for media culture in Deep Europe Info, archive and help: http://post.openoffice.de/mailman/listinfo/spectre . y"}, {"response": 85, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (16:31)", "body": "Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ bruce -- i'm putting together a piece for tomorrow's paper on how the internet reacted/helped/hurt in the face of this disaster. i need help. if you see or hear anything that would feed into this story, please let me know. if you've got anything to say, please give me a quote. i am working out of my home. 540 347 1960. garreau@well.com or garreauj@washpost.com. i'll need to start writing 4-ish eastern time, although i can push later than that for good stuff. please pass the word to anybody else who can help. thanx. joel Joel Garreau The Washington Post 202 334 6269 voice 202 334 5587 fax garreauj@washpost.com \"But I keep hitting these typewriter keys. What a magician is the subconscious. If only it would work regular hours.\" -- Raymond Chandler, \"The Long Goodbye\" 21ST CENTURY DETERRENCE AND TODAY'S ATTACKS Washington, D.C., September 11/PRNEWSWIRE/ -- Responding to today's attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, Robert David Steele, author of ON INTELLIGENCE: Spies and Secrecy in an Open World (AFCEA, 2000), said: \"The tragedy of today's coordinated attacks against the World Trade Center and the Pentagon--with other targets expected shortly--must be regarded as the Pearl Harbor of the 21st Century. Our national leaders have wasted ten years since the end of the Cold War, failing to understand that it is instability, poverty, oppression, disease, and cultural conflict that require the USA to expend billions of dollars on stabilizing and nurturing the Whole Earth.\" Mr. Steele goes on to note, \"\"As Robert McNamara and others have pointed out, 'at least two thirds of the world's people--Chinese, Russian, Indians, Muslims, and Africans'--see the United States as the single greatest threat to their societies, because of our 'intrusive, interventionist, exploitative, unilateralist, hegemonic, hypocritical practices' of 'economic imperialism' and 'intellectual colonialism'.\" The capitalist party is over. It is time to give Colin Powell what he needs to save the world--only by saving the world can we save America.\" On this occasion Steele and Professor Stephen Cimbala have re-released their earlier warning on the need for a new concept of deterrence in the 21st Century. Their joint communiqu can be downloaded quickly (539 words) from http://www.oss.net/Papers/white/TodaysAttacks.doc . Mr. Steele concludes: \"America is the greatest country in the world, but we have lost sight of our moral foundations, failed to listen to our great strategists Zbigniew Brzezinski and Stephen Metz, and completely closed down the U.S. Department of State and our foreign assistance endeavors. It is time for a Global Marshal Plan that respects the fact that the Whole Earth is a closed system; that does not trivialize today's attacks as terrorist events; and that wakes up to the fact that money cannot buy security in a world where asymmetric power is now in the hands of the people that we have been ignoring and sidelining for over a century.\" Mr. Steele is available for telephone interviews at (703) 242-1700. His high-resolution photograph can be downloaded from http://www.oss.net/Papers/white/AuthorPhoto.gif . Various white papers on the 21st Century threat and what to do about it are at http://www.oss.net/White.html . SOURCE: Open Source Solutions, Inc. -0- 09/11/2001 /CONTACT: Robert Steele, OSS CEO, 703-242-1700, or bear@oss.net/ /Web site: www.oss.net"}, {"response": 86, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (16:35)", "body": "Ted Olsen's wife Barbara, ironically, was on the plane that crashed into the Pentagon. ABC News reported that a KAL airliner had been \"forced down\" and boarded by the military in Canada - not sure when. Barbara Olsen was able to contact her husband by cell phone, and reported that all the passengers had been herded to the rear of the aircraft."}, {"response": 87, "author": "rachael", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (16:41)", "body": "Apparently its being suggested now that the 4th plane, that crashed near Pittsburgh, was intercepted and brought down by US forces after it failed to respond to air traffic control and refused to identify itself, and it was on a heading for Camp David - am in UK but have just had this from a friend in Chicago - does anyone know if this is true?"}, {"response": 88, "author": "moulton", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (16:42)", "body": "Bush is at Offutt AFB in Omaha, home of the Strategic Air Command. Boston has not been evacuated. Logan Airport has been closed and people have been asked to leave. The only aircraft flying over Boston today are delta-wing military aircraft, perhaps an F-15 or F-16. I'm gonna guess that the hijackers somehow disabled the crew, perhaps with gas, which would be easy enough to get through security, and then took over the controls of the plane. This is just my own personal speculation. I expect our nation will now enter a phase of crisis fatigue."}, {"response": 89, "author": "rachael", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (16:44)", "body": "Apparently its being suggested now that the 4th plane, that crashed near Pittsburgh, was intercepted and brought down by US forces after it failed to respond to air traffic control and refused to identify itself, and it was on a heading for Camp David - am in UK but have just had this from a friend in Chicago - does anyone know if this is true?"}, {"response": 90, "author": "moulton", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (16:45)", "body": "I have heard no reliable reports of how the fourth plane went down near Pittsburgh, but it's possible that it was forced down by an interceptor, as this plane was on a considerably later timetable than the first three. The military would have had time to respond."}, {"response": 91, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (16:45)", "body": "A govt spokesperson has just refuted that rumor about shooting down the plane."}, {"response": 92, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (16:46)", "body": "Rachael, all the info I've heard about the Pittsburgh plane has been unconfirmed, but I've also heard the same thing. Hopefully there will be more details later."}, {"response": 93, "author": "moulton", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (16:46)", "body": "Terry, is your server on GMT?"}, {"response": 94, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (16:46)", "body": "Outside Omaha, Nebraska is the Strategic Air Command. Then there is Norad just outside of Colorado Springs. Been there. They don't welcome stangers!"}, {"response": 95, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (16:48)", "body": "from unidentified source: An attorney named Tom Humphries is being interviewed by Jennings now. He was on the 57th floor in one of the buildings--they cut into the interview in progress so I'm not sure which one--oh, it would have been the first building hit. 57th floor. Took him 45 minutes to get down the staircase. He said people were calm, and helping each other. Asked about whether there were lights, he said, \"Last time there weren't, this time there were.\" (God. \"Last time.\") Only one stairwell was open, the others were blocked by smoke. The first building took some time before it imploded, and he thinks a large number of people got out. (The second building got hit later and collapsed sooner. I hope they were already evacuating after the first building was hit.) Jennings: \"I must say I'm amazed how calm you are, after having been in the first bombing in 1993 and now this.\" Humphries chuckles briefly. \"I'm happy to be here.\" Humphries says the evacuation down one narrow stairway was \"a recipe for disaster\" but everyone's calmness kept it from becoming one. He talked to someone from Tower 2, who was on the 88th floor. They started evacuating after Tower 1 was hit, and that person got out. He says, \"I think the tragedy is, the police and fire people who were trying to help people were right under the building when that happened\"--the collapse--\"They were at ground zero.\" I think this simple interview has started to break through my wall of shock. Listening to a very calm man who was in the building and walked down 57 floors with thousands of heroically self-composed people describe that. I am, goddamnit, starting to believe this."}, {"response": 96, "author": "moulton", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (16:49)", "body": "Terry, is your server on GMT?"}, {"response": 97, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (16:49)", "body": "Yeah, I need to fix that again. I keep setting it for CST and it reverts to GMT."}, {"response": 98, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (16:53)", "body": "More unidentified reports: source a: Some terrorism experts are saying that the only ones who could pull this off are the CIA-trained fundamentalist terrorists in afganistan... we taught them to take down the local great satan -- the USSR -- and now they are turning their attention to the rilly rilly great satan. They do not have headquarters. they do not have known leaders. they are good with technology. They can organize. they are willing to die. they don't care if someone else takes the blame. This second hand from someone who is interviewing experts and pundits. source b: My guess is that the hijackers flew first class, maybe spent some time in the Red Carpet Club before boarding the flights, and didn't appear to be palestinian freedom fighters. Maybe Japanese businessmen if the announcement by the Japanese Red Army is accurate. And another report: BBC News reporting that a building close to the site of the WTC is at risk of collapse as a result of the towers collapsing."}, {"response": 99, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (16:55)", "body": "Outside Omaha, Nebraska is the Strategic Air Command. Then there is Norad just outside of Colorado Springs. Been there. They don't welcome stangers!"}, {"response": 100, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (16:57)", "body": "They are identifying it as Building 7"}, {"response": 101, "author": "rachael", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (17:00)", "body": "BBC suggested that the hijackers were probably domestic passengers not international, ie boarded in the US, because passports aren't needed for internal flights (obviously)"}, {"response": 102, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (17:00)", "body": "This just in, in a day full of \"this just in's\" BBC News reporting that a building close to the site of the WTC is at risk of collapse as a result of the towers collapsing. So is NPR. BBC now reporting that the building is the 40 storey Sallmon Bros building. And that it has collpased now."}, {"response": 103, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (17:07)", "body": "No other building has collapsed yet."}, {"response": 104, "author": "rachael", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (17:08)", "body": "blood donor centres running low - all who can are urged to donate as a matter of urgency"}, {"response": 105, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (17:25)", "body": "The third building (#7) has collapsed. CNN just confirmed. Also says there are fears about another (#5). CNN is interviewing Tom Clancy now."}, {"response": 106, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (17:26)", "body": "I don't know if you have seen this: Knives on Board (techstudies2000) Sep 11, 16:49 Tuesday Sept. 11, 2001; 4:35 p.m. EDT Flight Attendants Stabbed Aboard Twin Tower Kamikaze Plane A violent struggle with knife-wielding terrorists took place outside the cockpit of one of two hijacked planes before it slammed into the World Trade Center Tuesday morning, a flight attendant on board reported to American Airlines before her death. \"A flight attendant on that plane was apparently able to call the American Airlines operations center to tell them that two flight attendants had been stabbed and that the perpetrators had broken into the flight deck,\" ABC Radio News reported. The plane was enroute from Boston to Los Angeles when it was commandeered by terrorists for its kamikaze mission."}, {"response": 107, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (17:28)", "body": "That last building was 47 stories tall."}, {"response": 108, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (17:31)", "body": "CNN is now showing some new closeup footage (from PAX TV) of the second plane hitting. What it shows is the plane going right into the building and possibly coming through the other side."}, {"response": 109, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (17:32)", "body": "As to the Pittsburgh plane being brought down \"intentionally\"....I heard that its suspected target was Camp David and, that fighter jets took it down before it could reach its target. I have no problem understanding how these terrorists and their weapons, could get past airport security at Logan and Dulles, if their security is anything like it is here in Atlanta. Totally disinterested kids, poorly trained and motivated man the security check points here. It would take very little effort to \"sneak\" something past them. The security level at US airports here in the US is very, very, very minimal compared to that at European airports. In Europe, only passengers can enter the Departure Concourse and Lounges. You can not meet someone directly off a plane in Europe, the way you can over here. Also, in Europe you go thru many, many checkpoints and security before you get on your flight. I just wish to God, US airports were as fussy. Twoyearsago I flew from the US to Ireland via London, but I flew back via Glasgow. As I was sitting in the airport in Glasgow, waiting for my flight to Chicago,I was paged on the airport intercom to report back to the American Airlines desk. I was then grilled by the security forces for 2 hours in a tiny little room, which terrifed me witless. Apparantly, an Irish person entering the UK thru one airport and exiting thru another, raised a red flag on some security services computer and I was deemed a \"terrorist threat\". As the IRA was very active in the UK at the time, I did my best to understand that these were just people who were doing their job. After my nerves and heart rate returned to normal, I was actually kind of happy that the security forces were taking such \"extreme\" steps to ensure the safety of airline passengers. I would love to see US airports be equally vigilant. Sorry if I am waffleing....I'm just at a loss, like the rest of you, in trying to comprehend the horror of this carnage."}, {"response": 110, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (17:49)", "body": "ABC's Claire Shipman reporting the President is on his way to Washington and will make a statement tonight; \"We're told he's angry about what happened and very much wants to make a statement\". Congressional leaders also returning from their safe haven, also will make statements. \"There's apparently a real premium here in Washington among the leaders of presenting a face of business as usual,\" she says. The leadership has been warned of the risk but feels it's important to be in Washington. The President will be landing in D.C. where they feel the airspace is as safe as anywhere in the nation. Vice President Cheney will then be removed from the White House as a precaution, though the First Lady is expected to join her husband."}, {"response": 111, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (17:53)", "body": "To: \"Red Rock Eater News Service\" Subject: [RRE]attack From: Phil Agre Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2001 13:58:22 -0700 Here are some more URL's relating to the attacks this morning. a backup site that generally works when cnn.com does not http://robots.cnn.com/ video of the second plane in New York high bandwidth: http://www.nytimes.com/library/national/091101plane1-large.html low bandwidth: http://www.nytimes.com/library/national/091101plane1-small.html people's stories http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGAVZWE2IRC.html Hotline from the National Journal can be accessed today for free http://hotlinescoop.com/web/content/hotline.htm http://nationaljournal.com/pubs/hotline/extra/lastcall/ this site will register people who are safe http://do.millennium.berkeley.edu/ you can query this site to search for people http://do.millennium.berkeley.edu/find.php military analysis http://www.janes.com/ photos from Brooklyn of the buildings collapsing http://www.indigo23.com/ an architect discussing how the buildings collapsed http://home.actlab.utexas.edu/pipermail/discuss/2001-September/000226.html Engineers Shocked By Towers Collapse http://chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-010911kamin-towers.story"}, {"response": 112, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (17:54)", "body": "a great archive of World Trade Center stuff at"}, {"response": 113, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (17:58)", "body": "7 WT is the one that just collapsed. I was in that building just a few months ago, visiting my friend. He works (or worked...I don't know if he's ok yet...I hate this) for the city Office of Emergency Management. He took me into the \"Bunker\" where the command center was. it was built to withstand the blast of a nuclear bomb, a category 5 hurricane, and some other disasters. I don't think they ever thought that tower 1 would collapse onto it. they have cut us off on Long Island. The only way we can get off (if we needed to) are the 2 Connecticut ferries from Pt. Jefferson and Orient Point. They have closed all of the highways, and most of the schools. People are panicing, unfortunately...long lines at the supermarket, gas stations (which I did myself), etc. If this is what war feels like... *sob* thank you all for being here and reading this, and for all of your thoughts. it helps more than you know."}, {"response": 114, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (17:58)", "body": "Regarding the stability of the towers: From Before foundation excavation began, the 500 x 1,000-ft site was enclosed by a 3-ft-thick, 70-ft-high concrete cutoff wall built by the slurry trench wall method and keyed 3 ft into rock. Excavation was complicated by two nearby subway tubes that had to be supported without service interruption. A six-level basement was built in the foundation hole. Excavation of 1.2 million cu yd of earth and rock created $90 million of real estate for project owner, the Port of New York Authority. Instead of being trucked off for disposal, spoil was used to create 23 acres of fill in the Hudson River adjacent to the WTC site. It has since been developed as Battery Park City. The twin towers had the world's highest load-bearing walls. Seattle-based structural engineer Worthington, Skilling, Helle and Jackson designed them as vertical cantilevered steel tubes. Exterior columns are 14-in. square hollow box sections spaced 39 in. center-to-center. Spandrels welded to the columns at each floor make them into huge Vierendeel trusses. Each tower is 208 x 208 ft with a column-free interior between the outer walls and the 79-ft x 139-ft core."}, {"response": 115, "author": "rachael", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (17:58)", "body": "further to Beth's post above about security, here's an article from the BBC comparing security at US and UK airports - having been pulled over twice in the UK as a frequent UK/Ireland flyer, one body search, one bag search, I'd agree its annoying at the time, but then you think you'd rather be safe and you're glad it happens ... http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/americas/newsid_1538000/1538682.stm"}, {"response": 116, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (18:01)", "body": "There are explosions in Kabul now. Missiles, tracer fire. Antiaircraft fire."}, {"response": 117, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (18:08)", "body": "4 F-16s just flew over my house... and now Kabul... Lord help us all."}, {"response": 118, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (21:48)", "body": "Some incredible photos. http://www.alternet.org/graphics/story_hirez/terrorist1.jpg http://www.alternet.org/graphics/story_hirez/terrorist2.jpg http://www.alternet.org/graphics/story_hirez/terrorist3.jpg http://www.alternet.org/graphics/story_hirez/terrorist4.jpg http://www.alternet.org/graphics/story_hirez/terrorist5.jpg http://www.alternet.org/graphics/story_hirez/terrorist6.jpg http://www.alternet.org/graphics/story_hirez/terrorist7.jpg http://www.alternet.org/graphics/story_hirez/terrorist8.jpg http://www.alternet.org/graphics/story_hirez/terrorist9.jpg"}, {"response": 119, "author": "WinniePeg", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (21:50)", "body": "I am still in shock over today's events and wondering how this could have happened. I am in Canada and think this is the first time I have EVER heard of the Cdn/USA border being closed. I am amazed at how much security has gone into place so quickly. All airports shut down (only taking diverted overseas flights that were to land in U.S.) In our small city, streets to airport are all blocked--no one allowed into or out of airport. Extra police/customs are in place at border already. Cdn.fighter jets had to escort two Korean Air/Lines into Whitehorse airport today when they did not respond to hail. In a total state of disbelieve! HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN??"}, {"response": 120, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (21:54)", "body": "San Francisco Bay and its bridges and industries and Alameda are all being partolled by AWACS planes this night. There are frightened citizens there, and I worry for them, as well. We are ALL in a state of total disbelief. They have stopped selling stuff on QVC and HSC out of respect... That has to be a first."}, {"response": 121, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (22:06)", "body": "It happened because we didn't answer many wake up calls. It happened because minimum wage people do security at airports. It happened because we were thinking about a missle defense system instead of tightening up our obvious security holes. Ebay is full of people selling ghoulish mementos and wtc related domain names. I'm still in shock, I've been channel surfing the major networks, ABC is the only one that hasn't given this whole thing a big garish name. Peter Jennings and Diane Sawyer are doing some pretty good, calm, balanced coverage. Bush's speech made it clear we won't just go after the terrorists but those harboring the terrorists. This is the beginning of a campaign on worldwide terror."}, {"response": 122, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (22:08)", "body": "http://news.mpr.org/features/200109/11_newsroom_terrorist/ has photos and also live radio clips. The image of the plane slicing through (from the other side of the building) is shocking. It's in the national images slideshow, the caption reads: \"An amateur photographer was snapping a photograph of the damage to one World Trade Center tower at the instant when a second airliner crashed into the other tower. (credit pending) \" From: info@kauf.com Date: Wed, 12 Sep 2001 02:47:49 +0200 To: david@trufun.com Subject: Press release: Help for terror victims by Internet Ladies and Gentlemen Victims and their relatives of the terrorist attacks can get help by Internet. At http://www.wtchelp.com or http://66.33.42.252 they can add a special notice for searching a person and get further information. The Internet page was developed by the company Kaufcom for the WTC Help Organization. Within shortest time, further information and auxiliary functions will be provided to offer a fast and easy help. The WTC Help Organization was found at the 11th of September 2001. Our goal is it to support the victims and their relatives with the best possible help by using the new medias. The WTC Help Organization stays in contact with many other organisations. Patrick Hofer WTC-Help Organization Neue Winterthurerstr. 30 CH-8305 Dietlikon Switzerland Fax: +41 1 888 43 16 Email:hofer@kaufcom.ch"}, {"response": 123, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (22:15)", "body": "Orrin Hatch said a month a go they knew there was going to be a big attack. Barbara Walters is reporting this and Peter Jennings is appealing on him to explain this more clearly. Hatch is saying he has the real data that Ohsama Bin Ladin did this. He's saying we have about 24 hours to act and round up the terrorists before they go underground."}, {"response": 124, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (22:40)", "body": "There is not a message board anywhere that has not talked about this. Every single Yahoo club to which I belong is talking about it. Mostly how numb everyone feels. Non-US people reacting with sadness and condolences and the same determination to win this match. Don't mess with those I love. I am ready to do what must be done!!!"}, {"response": 125, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (22:53)", "body": "From Reuters"}, {"response": 126, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (22:54)", "body": "http://reuters.com/ go look at the large photo... it is astounging!"}, {"response": 127, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (23:09)", "body": "Subject: report from NYC... Date: Tuesday, September 11, 2001 5:36 PM From: Michael McDonough To: Bruce Sterling It started at 8:45 AM with the missile-like scream of something flying too low and fast across the city's heart, followed by a thump that shook the ground. Something is wrong. Minutes later, a second thump. The city empties into the streets. TVs come alive with live video feeds of the planes striking the south sides of the towers. I photograph the fires from my SoHo roof, capturing the north sides on film. The fire has penetrated the towers and is licking up the facades, bright orange tongues through inky black smoke. But the towers are not the towers, they are one tower and one smoky billow the size of an atomic cloud. People are jumping from the upper stories of the remaining tower. A short time later, now on the streets, my wife and I are talking to strangers, exchanging information got from blaring car radios. Mid-sentence, the second tower implodes before our eyes, only a few blocks away, glass shards blowing out from the smoky, collapsing core. Like nightmarish snow, they glisten and sparkle, then disappear. On a normal day, over 100,000 persons pass through the WTC. We have just seen a large number of them vaporized. Debris, chunks of the buildings the size of city buses and automobiles rain down onto the streets of Lower Manhattan. The collapses at first take the tops of the towers. In a matter of seconds, the remaining, lower reaches are infernos. The facades of the towers have fallen onto the surrounding streets. A woman in the hotel next to the towers reports seeing legions of firefighters, police, and medical personnel disappeared beneath the rubble in an instant. Now the explosions have killed not only those in the towers, but those trying to save them on the ground. Elsewhere in the city, as the day grinds on, businesses and shops are closed, locked tight with security gates in place. All civilian vehicular transportation in and out of the city stops. The tunnels are sealed off and empty. The bridges are available for those who want to hike out of the city. At early evening I walk the police cordons around lower Manhattan. On the local streets, urgent laser printed pleas for blood donations are taped to mailboxes and street lamps. Black SUVs with darkened windows scream through intersections in long lines, with sirens and flashing lights. Ambulances from New Jersey and Long Island, and Upstate New York--townships 60 miles and more outside of New York City--course the streets; 20, 30 at a time, they move, heading north to hospitals and triage centers. Military planes dart overhead, then disappear. The city is an uneasy silence broken on occasion by piecing, crackling sounds, warnings and urgent communications. Thousands of people stare blank-eyed and quiet as they watch the buildings all over downtown burn. Dozens of construction workers loaded on trucks--welding kits, steel barriers, men and material--head south, to ground zero. Fire engines line the west side arterial roads, empty, their occupants fighting the out-of-control fires on foot. Military vehicles start to appear. The trucks and cars near the center are shattered, crushed, lost in a hail of ash and metal and concrete. New fires start. Smoke billows easterly, against white smoke against the blue sky of our mid-September day. More buildings are burning. Another flaming, 40 story pile falls. We are helpless; we watch. Cars are burning. Mercury from a million fluorescent lights, PCBs from miles of electrical components, dioxin from football fields of synthetic carpets and miles of PVC piping placed throughout the complex, a toxic, now gray soup belching from the flaming, collapsing hulks. It is as if the city has lost its arms, and is staring blankly at where they used to be, finding flaming, smoking voids in their stead. Michael McDonough New York City 9/11"}, {"response": 128, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (23:15)", "body": "from another board: scutmonkey Posted On 09/11/01 07:55PM I have a friend that works for Delta Airlines HQ here in Atlanta that person had a couple things to say. One is that the plane over Pennsylvania was intentionally run into the ground by the pilot. All four of those aircraft had radio communications and were describing what was happening at least in the beginning. They issued special emergency codes as well. The pilots locked the cabin doors, but there is a key with the flight attendants that is hidden in a different place on each flight. The terrorist began stabbing crew members and passengers until someone told them where it was. The crew believed that this was a typical hostage and ransom situation and gave up the keys. When the pilots of the Pennsylvania plane realized it wasn't from the other incidents they crashed the jet."}, {"response": 129, "author": "laughingsky", "date": "Tue, Sep 11, 2001 (23:36)", "body": "I went into a hospital meeting at 7:30am and came out at 9:00am (CST) this a.m., only to discover that the world was suddenly going to hell! Here in middle Tennessee, the lines are growing longer outside the gas stations...the small town streets are crowded with cars trying to fill up and beat the iminent gas hikes that are rumored to occur by morning. A neighbor works close to the Tennessee/Alabama line and was told that gas in Alabama had shot up to $10.00 a gallon.....jeez....BTW, Thanks to all of you who have expressed condolences on this board. Your support is greatly needed and appreciated!"}, {"response": 130, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (01:56)", "body": "The Boston Herald is breaking some amazing details: WAR: Hub terror suspects ID'd: Bush vows retaliation after devestating attack by Ed Hayward, Tom Farmer and Cosmo Macero Jr. Wednesday, September 12, 2001 Authorities in Massachusetts identified at least five Arab men as suspects in yesterday's terror attacks launched from Logan International Airport, seizing in the central parking garage a car laden with Arabic-language flight training manuals, sources said last night. Two of the men, whose passports were traced to the United Arab Emirates, were brothers, one of whom was a trained pilot, a source told the Herald, speaking on condition of anonymity. At least two other suspects flew to Logan yesterday from Portland, Maine, where authorities believe they had traveled after crossing over from Canada recently. Once in the air, the hijackers in one plane began killing flight attendants in order to lure a pilot from the cockpit and seize the plane, said one source. ``They started killing stewardesses in the back of the plane as a diversion. The pilot came back to help and that is how they got into the cockpit,'' said the source. The source could not specify whether those events took place on the American Airlines flight that left Logan, or the United Airlines flight. Both planes were plunged into the World Trade Center roughly an hour after they departed Boston. The suspects had no guns, but used shaving kits and other carry-on luggage to smuggle knife-like weapons made up of plastic handles embedded with razor blades, sources familiar with last night's developments said. That finding is consistent with reports of a flight attendant's cell-phone call from one of the doomed airliners. ``People were calling from the plane saying they were getting killed, calling 911,'' said one source. ``One stewardess called her husband to say goodbye.'' Authorities were led to the rental car by a civilian who got into an altercation with several Arab men as they were parking their car, identified by sources as a Mitsubishi sedan. The man, whose name was not available last night, called state police from an out-of-state airport after his own flight landed yesterday and he learned planes hijacked from Logan had been involved in attacks that toppled the World Trade Center's twin towers, crippled the Pentagon and downed another airliner in Pennsylvania. The car, rented from National Rental Car, was secured yesterday by the FBI and authorities have prepared a search warrant. It was unclear when the warrant would be served. State police interviewed more than 130 people at the airport yesterday, as America launched what is expected to be the largest criminal investigation in its history. Investigators suspect the two brothers identified by Bay State investigators were aboard United Airlines Flight 175. The terror plot included the hijacking and crashing of four airliners, including one into the Pentagon, where the Arlington, Va., fire chief estimated the death toll at up to 800. In New York last night, Mayor Rudolph Guiliani told reporters some people are alive in the rubble of the trade center complex, and there was an unconfirmed report of a cop being pulled out alive last night. There was also a report that survivors trapped in the collapsed buildings were making cell-phone calls. A horrified nation witnessed the shocking carnage as the World Trade Center's ``North Tower'' burned and exploded after it was struck just before 9 a.m. by Los Angeles-bound American Airlines Flight 11, which departed Boston's Logan Airport at 7:59 a.m. with 81 passengers, two pilots and nine flight attendants. A second jet - United Airlines Flight 175, that left Logan for L.A. at 8:14 a.m. carrying 56 passengers, seven attendants and two pilots - was captured on video as it sliced through the ``South Tower'' and unleashed a massive fireball just after 9 a.m. Just moments before the first crash, air traffic controllers heard the lone voice of the terror plot speaking from the cockpit of one doomed aircraft. ``We have more planes, we have other planes,'' a voice alleged to be that of a hijacker could be heard saying through a microphone activated by a pilot of American Airlines Flight 11, the Christian Science Monitor reported on its Web site. Establishing the death toll could take weeks. The four airliners alone carried 266 people, none known to survive. At the Pentagon, as many as 800 people could be dead, including plane victims. Roughly 50,000 people worked at the World Trade Center and there was an hour available for evacuations. But the toll already appeared staggering for the men and women who worked to save lives. A firefighters union official said an estimated 200 firefighters had died. An estimated 87 police officers were missing. Within two hours of the initial Trade Center crash, the fiery nightmare gave way to mind-numbing grief, as both towers imploded, raining thick dust, glass shards, metal chunks and human remains on the streets below. As t"}, {"response": 131, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (03:43)", "body": "This is beyond words, and beyond understanding. I'm still trying to find words to tell you what I feel about the unspeakable, unimaginable. My thoughts are with all who suffer, the innocent victims, and their families and friends, and with the American people. I send my heartfelt condolences from Germany - we are all with you. Whatever the intention was of this senseless killing, it goes empty: it will unite - has already united - all freedom-loving people all over the world. Take care all of you. Renate"}, {"response": 132, "author": "Anek", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (04:44)", "body": "I was at work yesterday when my colleague called me to tell that WTC in NY collapsed and that Pentagon was on fire. I couldn't believe in it. I thought he told me a stupid joke. Everything reminded of some films or books, but not real life. But then I went to news website and the truth struck me with shock. Today I've read your news reports and can't stop thinking about the people trapped in the burning building and those who were caugh in the hijacked planes. The senseless cruelty and detailed preparation of the operation is sth beyond my understanding. I'm joining in grief with everyone and I do hope than anything like this will not happen again."}, {"response": 133, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (04:47)", "body": "More on United Flight 93 from today's Miami Herald: Passenger called wife from cell phone shortly before Pittsburgh crash By Paul Rogers and Lisa Fernandez Knight Ridder SAN JOSE, Calif. (12:30 a.m. EDT) -- It might have been the final resistance of a doomed pilot. Or a heroic struggle by a Bay Area passenger. Or a miscalculation by terrorists. But if there was one glimmer of good news amid the numbing enormity of Tuesday's terrorist attacks, it shined in the wreckage of a United Airlines 757, a flight once bound for San Francisco and instead now strewn across a remote field in the coal country of southwestern Pennsylvania. Unlike three other commercial jets that were purposely slammed into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, United Flight 93, for some reason yet unknown, did not hit a terrorist's target Tuesday morning and did not kill thousands of people. The flight crashed instead at 10:06 a.m. EDT in a wooded area 70 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, two hours after it left Newark, N.J. All 45 people on board were killed, said Bill Crowley, a special agent with the FBI in Pittsburgh. Among them were 38 passengers, five flight attendents and two pilots. Minutes before the fiery impact, at least two passengers telephoned from the plane. One man phoned 911, yelling to dispatchers \"We are being hijacked! We are being hijacked!'' before the signal was lost. The other, Tom Burnett, 38, the vice president of a Pleasanton, Calif., medical devices company and father of three children, called his wife, Deena, and may have indicated he and other passengers were about to attempt to overpower the hijackers. Burnett told his wife that somebody on the plane had been stabbed, said Father Frank Colacicco, of St. Isidore's Church in Danville. \"We're all gonna die, but three of us are going to do something,'' Burnett told his wife, according to Colacicco. He added: \"I love you honey'' before the call ended. FBI agents were interviewing members of the family Tuesday night. The FBI said that 40 agents and more than 150 other investigators were combing the crash site as darkness fell, including agents from the Department of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, the FAA and the Pennsylvania State Police. Like the three other doomed jets that took off, and then suddenly veered off course, United Flight 93 sharply turned south after nearing Cleveland. One Congressman told Knight Ridder that some investigators believe the plane's hijackers were attempting to crash into either Camp David, the presidential retreat located 80 miles south of the crash site, at Thurmond, Maryland, or the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. \"There was concern that it was heading in the direction of Washington, D.C.,'' said Rep. Jim Moran, D-Virginia. Moran said that Capitol police named the two potential targets in a briefing he received from them. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-California, described Tuesday as a national tragedy and the scope is only just beginning to sink in. \"At Pearl Harbor, there were 2,000 people killed,'' Feinstein said. \"This could be tens of thousands.'' United Airlines did not release the passenger list from Flight 93 on Tuesday. At least one other Bay Area resident was confirmed dead, a female student at Santa Clara University. The name of the woman, a junior, was not being released, pending notification of her family, said Barry Holtzclaw, a spokesman for the university. \"I'm shattered by this,'' said Holtzclaw. \"''The scale of it, the enormity of it, the buildings and the loss off life. The mood of the campus tomorrow will be very very somber.'' It may be weeks before it is known what happened in the doomed flight, experts said. \"It fits the same pattern of the other ones,'' said a high-ranking FAA official. \"The moves of the plane are similar to what you would see if a struggle or some violent problem occurred in the cockpit.'' Gary Joseph, who co-pilots United 747-400 flights from San Francisco to Shanghai, said he believes the pilots aboard Flight 93 tried to prevent the terrorists from taking control of the aircraft. \"They train you to do whatever they say, but that only goes so far,'' Joseph said. \"If he had any idea what they were planning, I'm sure he tried to fight them off.'' Joseph said a pilot may try to make sharp turns and dive . . . much the way initial radar records show the plane did in its final minutes in the air . . . to throw a would-be hijacker off balance. \"There's been cases where they do that and get control back of the plane. But a jet can only take so much of a dive before it starts to fall apart, I don't know.'' Joseph said it wasn't clear whether the crew was a San Francisco-based one or a New York-based group, because the airline has crews stationed in each city. No family members showed up at San Francisco International Airport to greet the passengers at its normal 11:15 a.m. arrival time, said Ron Wilson, spokesman for San Francisco International Airport. That is possibl"}, {"response": 134, "author": "AotearoaKiwi", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (06:10)", "body": "Hi all First off, I extend my deepest sympathy to all who lost loved ones in today cowardly attacks. Second I call for a cool headed response (NOT one of a deranged lunatic hopping around like a crazed devil barking orders). I know that many of you are outraged and that some want war, but BELIEVE ME WHEN I SAY THIS: HASTE NEVER HAS AND NEVER WILL PAY OR BEGIN TO PAY FOR WHAT HAPPENED. Be patient and let the United States Government establish it's priorities and wait until they find AND confirm the culprits. Then AND ONLY THEN, will it be safe to let the Pentagon of the leash. I am still coming to grips tonight some 14 hours after Mum tipped me off that the WTC twin towers had been destroyed by a 767 and a 757 and that the Pentagon had been hit by another 767. Although I now understand what happened the SHEER scale of planning that must have gone into the attacks, tell me one thing only: The person/s who masterminded this evil have a monumental hatred for all things American. They are the sort of people who should be put on show trial in front of the whole nation, and assuming they are found guilty, should be executed in public. Rob"}, {"response": 135, "author": "olzuza", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (09:42)", "body": "Hello everyone, I am from Poland, when I heard the news yesterday I was stunned - I thought it was a kind of a joke and all those pictures which looked like taken from some movie. I am still in shock as well as my family and friends. I extend my sympathy too all Americans and people who lost someone important and loved. It's a tragedy for whole world and I hope that nothing else like this would never take place. take care all of you who are in the middle of this tragedy and please,remember that whole civilizated world is with you. Love, Alexandra"}, {"response": 136, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (10:18)", "body": "\"Taliban rulers deny bin Laden's involvement\" http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2001/09/11/taliban-reax.htm Olzuza, we are all feeling the sadness today, yesterday we were numb with the shock of this horrible attack on America. This is unprecedented, the biggest thing that has happened in my lifetime. unidentified source: \"there's a specific code (7700) a pilot dials in when being hijacked, which causes all sorts of bells and whistles to go off on a controller's screen. *That* would be the reason those guys made them turn them off. Not stupid, at all. Vile, despicable cretins, yes. A plane goes off course, there's a time lag to 1) notice it, 2) inquire, 3) request correction or further explanation, 4) decide there's a threat, 5) measure its gravity, and 6) take action. The first five steps are covered by dialing-in 7700, a motion in the cockpit that's not inconsistent with any other miscellaneous fiddling with knobs and switches necessary to fly the plane."}, {"response": 137, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (10:28)", "body": "http://www.wi2600.org/mediawhore/mirrors/sept-11-problems/asu/www.asu.net/wtc/otherpics/wtc35.jpg http://www.wi2600.org/mediawhore/mirrors/sept-11-problems/asu/www.asu.net/wtc/otherpics/ This one is horrible: http://www.wi2600.org/mediawhore/mirrors/sept-11-problems/asu/www.asu.net/wtc/otherpics/wtc55.jpg A tower about to fall:"}, {"response": 138, "author": "curious", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (10:45)", "body": "To find out more about donating online, check: Red Cross and Helping.org"}, {"response": 139, "author": "curious", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (10:46)", "body": "oops, typo, the Red Cross is located at http://www.redcross.org/"}, {"response": 140, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (11:11)", "body": "I just can't watch TV anymore. I have to take a break from the unending surreal shots of the planes hitting the towers. Those of you at Drool know I'm from the NY area. As a child, I watched the towers go up. Yesterday I watched them come down. Like Liz, I know people who worked there and in the nearby Wall St. area. If you've ever visited downtown NYC, you saw the size of these buildings. If you went up to Windows on the World, the public restaurant, you experienced how high they were. Yesterday, one of our local newscasters felt himself important enough to provide encouragement by declaring 'we made it through Oklahoma City and Columbine and we'll make it through this.' Not to minimize those other tragedies, but the enormous numbers of victims who lost their lives yesterday cannot be compared to those other incidents. I now live outside DC (quite a distance from the Pentagon). Our normally quiet skies were filled with military aircraft yesterday. All's quiet again today. My sister works in upper Manhattan. I'm still trying to find out if she made it out of the city last night. I'll be back to the TV soon because I am fascinated by reports about the many calls made from the planes, how the FBI is progressing in their investigation (too much too little too late, IMO), information as to how these sociopaths pulled this off and stories from the survivors. Lastly, I am trying to wrap my mind's eye around a picture of the NYC skyline without the towers. I drove past them on the Jersey side every day for years. I could see them from almost every town in which I've lived. I saw them this past Sunday and thought 'it's good to be home'. Their absence will forever be a reminder of yesterday's events and the lives lost."}, {"response": 141, "author": "curious", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (13:04)", "body": "Dear Heavenly Father, We are moved by the alarming news and crisis that our country is facing. This, the greatest nation, founded in the belief that \"In God We Trust\" and the \"Land of the Free\". Please have mercy on those suffering, hurting and in fear, and give wisdom & strength to those who are assisting. May the forces of evil be broken by your power and may we humble before thee, our strength and refuge. Give wisdom to our President and all our leaders and bring your comforting peace through the power of your Holy Spirit. Help us here to reach those that have been affected by this tragedy. In the name of our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus. Amen. (Please send this to all your friends and create a prayer chain throughoutthis nation.)"}, {"response": 142, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (14:13)", "body": "Another batch of URLs from Phil Agre: -- Wall Street Journal coverage (appears to be available without a subscription) http://interactive.wsj.com/pages/terattack.htm Yahoo links to news stories etc http://dailynews.yahoo.com/fc/US/Terrorism/ eyewitness accounts http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/talking_point/newsid_1537000/1537530.stm online mechanisms for donating to the Red Cross http://www.amazon.com/paypage/PKAXFNQH7EKCX http://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/gen/relief-outside legal coverage http://www.law.com/ mailing list to connect people who can volunteer or provide resources http://207.22.68.76/911volunteers.html aircraft flight tracks http://www.aviationnow.com/avnow/spSec/wtcst.jsp front pages of 50 newspapers' coverage of the attack http://www.poynter.org/terrorism/pdf1.htm Current Awareness via Streaming Audio/Video http://gwu.edu/~gprice/audio.htm Speech/Transcripts/Statements from US and Foreign Leaders http://gwu.edu/~gprice/speech.htm Anonymous Remailer Operators Start to Take Remailers Offline http://www.inet-one.com/cypherpunks/current/msg00272.html Middle East Newswire http://www.middleeastwire.com/newswire/ Two Planes Hit Twin Towers at Exactly the Worst Spot http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-000073606sep12.story Security Experts Knew a Major Attack Was Possible http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A14031-2001Sep11.html Insurance Cost for Terrorist Attack to Near $1 Billion http://www.siliconvalley.com/docs/news/depth/insure091201.htm Reports: Boston Investigators Find Evidence in Attacks http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010912/ts/attack_suspects_dc_2.html civil engineering aspects of the building collapse http://www.civil.usyd.edu.au/wtc.htm online discussion site for pilots http://www.pprune.org/ Rescuers Struggle at Pentagon http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/americas/newsid_1539000/1539839.stm Why the Killers Threaten World Prosperity http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/business/newsid_1538000/1538958.stm In Shock, Teachers Downplay Tragedy http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-000073649sep12.story EBay Cancels Auctions of Attack-Related Items (some idiots were actually gathering rubble in order to sell it on eBay) http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-000073609sep12.story"}, {"response": 143, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (14:19)", "body": "From abcnews.com ABCNEWS has learned that officials have identified all the hijackers, and estimated there were three to five for each of the four passenger planes involved. At least two of the hijackers were on the Immigration and Naturalization Service \"watch list,\" and it's still unclear whether the individuals entered the United States illegally or whether they entered before their names were placed on the list. Most if not all of the hijackers were Egyptian or Saudi nationals, sources said. In Washington, State Department officials said they have intelligence information that connects the attacks on the twin towers in New York and on the Pentagon to fugitive Saudi millionaire Osama bin Laden."}, {"response": 144, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (14:31)", "body": "Well it's here in Boston. This is ridiculous..."}, {"response": 145, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (14:43)", "body": "http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/binladen/who/bio.html A bio on Bin Laden from pbs.org. Read the disclaimer that the source is unnamed and the info differs from other bios. Seems his father is from Yemen but moved to Saudi years before Osama (one of 50 children? boggles the mind...) was born in '57. Father made his money in Saudi as a construction mogul, from humble beginnings. http://msnbc.com/news/190144.asp?cp1=1"}, {"response": 146, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (14:52)", "body": "Subject: Yesterday's bombings [4x] Date: Wednesday, September 12, 2001 4:12 PM From: nettime's compiler Reply-To: \"nettime's compiler\" To: Table of Contents: The Media: As an Attack Unfolds, a Struggle to Provide Vivid Imag es to Homes John Armitage WTC/Pentagon attac folks@arthide.de (folks) Re: New York City Andrew Ross It was supposed to be such a beautiful day \"Ivo Skoric\" ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 12 Sep 2001 11:42:35 +0100 From: John Armitage Subject: The Media: As an Attack Unfolds, a Struggle to Provide Vivid Imag es to Homes THE NEW YORK TIMES SEP 12, 2001 http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/12/national/12MEDI.html?pagewanted=print The Media: As an Attack Unfolds, a Struggle to Provide Vivid Images to Homes By FELICITY BARRINGER and GERALDINE FABRIKANT Television's broadcast networks and many of its cable channels - both news and entertainment - scrapped their regular schedules yesterday. Radio stations took live television news feeds. Two dozen newspapers published special editions and Web sites threw out their advertising and in some cases stripped down to basic text and still images to help their overtaxed computers handle a demand for news unlike any they had experienced. Between the moment when perplexed morning news broadcasters began fielding calls from Greenwich Village residents who saw a low- flying plane crash into One World Trade Center and the moment more than an hour later when New York's twin towers crumbled into Roman candles of smoky debris, the country's media outlets geared up to become the public stage of a national emergency. By noon, all four major television networks had agreed to share video images. By midafternoon, almost all of AOL Time Warner's cable channels, like TBS and TNT, were carrying CNN; Viacom's CBS News feed was being carried by Viacom's music channels, VH1 and MTV; and Peter Jennings of ABC News was appearing not just on his network, but on Disney's ESPN channel and all ABC radio stations. Most of the networks used variations of the title adopted by CNN: America Under Attack. Images of billowing smoke from lower Manhattan and the low, smoldering profile of the Pentagon, hit, like the Trade Center towers, by a hijacked commercial jetliner, were dominant on all networks. Referring to the unusual agreement to share images among the bitterly competitive news divisions of the networks and CNN, the Fox News president, Roger Ailes, said: \"All the networks decided that this is a national emergency. We're not keeping score today.\" Nor were they making much money, as they largely scrapped commercial advertising. In Washington, where the downtown had become a ghost town after the federal government was shut down, delivery trucks for The Washington Post headed for suburban 7- Eleven stores carrying a special edition dominated by a two-inch headline, \"Terror Hits Pentagon, World Trade Center,\" with a lead editorial headlined \"War.\" Special editions were also published by The Los Angeles Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Newark Star-Ledger, The Charlotte Observer in North Carolina, The Austin American-Statesman in Texas, not to mention small dailies like The LaCrosse Tribune in Wisconsin. Traffic at news Web sites soared, with 10 times or more the usual number of users trying to log on, clogging the Internet and slowing response time. Because New York was not just ground zero of the opening attack but also the heartland of the media industry, some of the most dramatic early accounts were from correspondents working at or near their homes. Don Dahler, an ABC News correspondent who covered recent civil wars in Africa, was getting dressed for work in his third-floor apartment in Tribeca, perhaps half a mile from the World Trade Center, when he heard the first plane hit. \"I heard what is a very familiar sound anywhere else in the world, in war zones,\" Mr. Dahler said. \"It sounded to me like a missile, a high- pitched scream and a roar followed by an explosion, my mind was telling me it's a missile. Then I saw this gaping wound in the World Trade Center. I called into `Good Morning' immediately and started reporting,\" standing on his sixth-floor rooftop with a cellular telephone. Mr. Dahler, just one of the network's sources, was not on the air when he felt the first of the two towers collapse. \"When it collapsed I could feel a rumble, and I tried to interrupt to say that something was happening right before my eyes,\" he said. \"The building collapsed. I was telling them it looks like its coming down, it looks like it's coming down. They switched to me right after it had fallen.\" If there were a few stutter-steps like that, it was not surprising. It was one of the rare instances when television brought disaster into American homes in real time. The radical changes in the technology of news delivery, however, along with the quality of video imagery gave most of the day's news broadcasts the feeling of an epic disaster movie. The only genuinely grainy imagery came from the"}, {"response": 147, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (14:55)", "body": "The White House and ABC News have confirmed that the intended target of the plane that crashed in DC, was NOT The Pentagon. It was The White House. OMG !! The White House have also confirmed that Air Force One and The President, were also intended targets. They have not revealed what brought them to this conclusion. Thank God these other attacks didn't take place and, that the Secret Service took the evasive measures with Air Force One, that they did."}, {"response": 148, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (14:55)", "body": "From today's Vancouver Sun: \"Wednesday, September 12, 2001 OTTAWA (CP) - Thousands of Canadians from coast to coast responded to calls for blood donations to help American victims of Tuesday's catastrophic attacks in New York and Washington. The hotline set up by Canadian Blood Services for those wishing to donate has been tied up almost permanently, said spokeswoman Lorna Tessier. She urged people to persevere, even though no request for blood has been received from U.S. authorities. ``We've had such an overwhelming response that the 1-888-2-DONATE line has been very difficult to get through on. ``Right now, clearly, the clinics are overwhelmed and we are putting on additional hours and additional clinics, but we don't want people to get discouraged. ``We are going to need their blood. We're anticipating that the need will come up.'' She said the agency doesn't have statistics yet on the number of people who have come forward, but it is in the thousands.\" I'd point out that nobody's actually asked us for blood yet, but people just felt the need to do something to help. From the National Post: Canadians offer homes to stranded 400 international jets diverted across country Wednesday, September 12, 2001 TORONTO and VANCOUVER - International passenger jets crammed Canadian tarmacs yesterday after all United States airports were closed in the wake of the terrorist attack that levelled the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York. About 400 planes were expected to be diverted throughout the day, pouring 10,000 people into Halifax alone. By late afternoon, Vancouver International Airport had received 34 planes diverted from North American destinations, carrying as many as 6,000 people. Another 25 planes were expected at Lester B. Pearson International Airport in Toronto. St. John's International Airport closed its runways after taking in 27 aircraft with 5,000 passengers. Fifty-seven flights were expected to land into the night at the airport in Gander, Nfld. At least 100 controllers and other staff were pulled out of courses and called in on their time off to help handle the deluge of international flights, said Paul Hornbeck, a spokesman for Nav Canada, the agency that handles air traffic control at Canadian airports. International arrival terminals across the country were choked with people while departure areas were virtually deserted -- all outbound flights across Canada were cancelled, except for humanitarian or search-and-rescue missions, police and military flights. Passengers stood in line with their luggage, waiting for hours to be searched before they could be permitted to leave. Bev Aurich, a traveller from Sydney, Australia, who had been headed to Anchorage, Alaska, before being grounded in Vancouver, said she did not mind the inconvenience. \"We shouldn't be upset about missing a little trip, when there is such devastation in the United States. We're better to be delayed and be comfortable than to keep to our schedule and risk something,\" she said. In Toronto, some airport hotels reacted to the situation by increasing their rates to the maximum legal tariff. Meanwhile, concerned residents around the country showed up at airports to offer their homes to travellers. \"I had to take the energy I felt and direct it,\" said Ena Bendon, a Vancouver woman who showed up at the airport to offer accommodation. \"I thought of someone with kids here, terrified. I had to do something.\" Lufthansa pilot Axel Algner was flying a passenger jet from Frankfurt to Chicago when he was told there had been an incident in Manhatten and all planes were being grounded. It wasn't until he landed his plane in Toronto that he was informed of the details. \"What I thought is that it was a joke. I couldn't believe it, it's still hard to believe. It just gives me goosebumps even talking about it,\" he said. Another pilot said he was instructed to lock his cockpit after being told the news. On the ground at Pearson, the airport began a news blackout at 10:30 a.m., according to one passenger. Travellers grouped around fellow passengers with cellphones to learn the details of what had happened. Others lined up to use payphones. Rabbis and Roman Catholic priests were brought in to counsel passengers. In Calgary, which took at least ten diverted flights, every hotel room was filled by early afternoon, but tourism officials said residents were opening up their homes to travellers. In Winnipeg, hotels were also booked solid by early afternoon, prompting the city to invoke its emergency measures plan, transforming public buildings into makeshift dormitories equipped with camp cots, said Penny McMillan, of Tourism Winnipeg. The airport took in 14 diverted domestic flights and three international ones -- generating 1,500 overnight guests. At Vancouver International Airport, Layne Daggett, the airport chaplain, said he placed 500 people, but others still needed accommodation. \"I have a strong faith that God is in control even in these ki"}, {"response": 149, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (15:54)", "body": "Thanks for the links, Terry. I found the one about the buildings' structural aspects fascinating. Engineers suggested that the south tower of the World Trade Center collapsed first...because the plane hit the corner of the building, rather than the center, where there is more structural support. When you watched the head-on film, you wondered why the plane was aimed at the side when it could've been placed more centrally. But you have to wonder about the following statement: The planes might have done more damage if they had hit the buildings lower, but they had to fly at a height of about 60 stories to clear nearby buildings. More damage than what????"}, {"response": 150, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (19:42)", "body": "Even what was left standing is now crumbled into the pit from whence it arose. And thanks for telling future terrorists where exactly to hit a building to do the most damage, media people. I still cannot believe it crumpled like a toy like that. They all did. And so did their inhabitants. I turned on NPR this morning for a break from the news, and they were playing dirges. It was too much! Thanks, all, for your support in what seemed like a cold world before this happened. I wonder what I will feel when the numbness and disbelief wears off..."}, {"response": 151, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (21:40)", "body": "Will the numbness ever really wear off. Someone posted on Ramble that her neighbors and their 2 children were on the plane that crashed into the Pentagon."}, {"response": 152, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (21:46)", "body": "from email: \"In the days and weeks ahead, it's important for Microsoft and for each of us individually to think about how we can help. As a company, Microsoft is today making a $10 million contribution to assist those who have been impacted by the tragedy. We are contributing $5 million in cash to the September 11 Fund, created by the United Way of New York City and The New York Community Trust. In addition to cash, we are also contributing people and expertise. We have committed up to $5 million in technical assistance, including Microsoft Consulting Services and software to assist in the recovery effort. We also are in contact with business customers who have been severely impacted by yesterday's tragedy to see what we can do to assist them.\""}, {"response": 153, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (22:32)", "body": "Penn Station and the Empire State Building being evacuated."}, {"response": 154, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (22:45)", "body": "Bomb threat - no bomb found. People allowed back in. They now take all threats seriously!!!"}, {"response": 155, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (22:50)", "body": "Thursday 13 September 9:14 AM Bin Laden under house arrest: report Afghanistan's ruling Taliban militia had placed alleged terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden under house arrest in the wake of the suicide attacks on the United States, an Arabic online newspaper reported. Quoting \"fundamentalist Arab sources\", Ilaf said the \"Taliban have arrested Osama bin Laden before placing him under surveillance with several of his assistants,\" including the head of the Egyptian branch of Al-Jihad Ayman Al-Zawahri and bin Laden's military commander, Muhammad Atef Al-Makni. \"A number of Afghan fighters are under house arrest along with bin Laden,\" said the report late Wednesday. But a diplomat at the Taliban's embassy in Abu Dhabi said he could not confirm the report. \"All we know is that he (bin Laden) is somewhere in Afghanistan, but we are not aware if he is under house arrest,\" the diplomat said. Bin Laden and commander Atef have been indicted for the 1998 bombings of the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. Bin Laden has emerged as the prime suspects in yesterday's kamikaze hijacked passenger jet strikes on New York and Washington."}, {"response": 156, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (22:53)", "body": "I don't know how true this is or not. It was posted on yahoo.com in Australia. http://au.dailynews.yahoo.com/headlines/20010913/aapworld/1000336445-1141825578.html I don't know why there's not mention of this on CBS, which I'm watching as I write this."}, {"response": 157, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (23:06)", "body": "More information all over the net. status of the investigation http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A16714-2001Sep12.html Flight 93 Passenger Said He Planned Action http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/pit/news/stories/news-95780920010912-110907.html Controllers' Tale of Flight 11 http://www.csmonitor.com/earlyed/earlyUSA4.html FBI Agents Search Hotels; Arrests Made http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/957448/detail.html animation of the routes of flights 11, 193, and 175 http://pull.xmr3.com/p/29594-9681/22024263/aal11.html http://pull.xmr3.com/p/29594-9681/22024277/ual193final.html http://pull.xmr3.com/p/29594-9681/22024274/ual175_aal11.html Somerset Crash Scene Searched; \"Hero\" May Have Aborted Terror Mission http://www.post-gazette.com/breaking/20010912somersetp3.asp Cell Calls From Planes Reveal Horror http://msnbc.com/news/627214.asp How the World Trade Center Fell http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/americas/newsid_1540000/1540044.stm role of the Internet Net Offers Lifeline Amid Tragedy http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-7132246.html World Trade Center Staff Sent E-Mails After Planes Struck http://www.itn.co.uk/news/20010912/business/12cantor.shtml Help Sites Spring Up in Aftermath of WTC Assaults http://www.bizreport.com/article.php?art_id=2113 response Terrorism and Children http://www.ces.purdue.edu/terrorism/children/ http://www.news.cornell.edu/releases/Sept01/Garbarino.kids.bombing.lgk.html comment Chronic Underfunding of US HUMINT Plays Role in Intelligence Failures http://www.janes.com/security/international_security/news/jdw/jdw010911_1_n.shtml Michael Moore's commentary http://www.michaelmoore.com/2001_0912.html On the Bombings, by Noam Chomsky http://www.lbbs.org/chomnote.htm The Best and Worst From Our Leaders During Crises http://www.workingforchange.com/article.cfm?ItemID=11909 Terrorists Are Made, Not Born http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2001/09/12/blowback/ The Rhetoric of War (with examples from editorial pages) http://www.marginalia.org/war.html an example of that rhetoric http://www.nationalreview.com/kudlow/kudlow091101.shtml background background on the Mt. Weather bunker where the politicians were probably taken http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/usa/c3i/mt_weather.htm outline of relevant anti-terrorism etc laws http://news.findlaw.com/legalnews/us/terrorism/laws.html Airport Access Control (one of the security reports that was never properly acted on) http://cas.faa.gov/ig5.pdf news Arab newspapers http://www.the-saudi.net/arab-world/media/newspapers-links.htm http://www.amin.org/jourmag/ French language news sources on the attack http://www.tv5.org/nyc/ Nous Sommes Tous Americains http://www.lemonde.fr/article/0,5987,3222--221600-,00.html worldwide news in English http://www.kidon.com/media-link/english.shtml Thousands of Newspapers on the Net http://www.onlinenewspapers.com/ end"}, {"response": 158, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (23:17)", "body": "Be happy you don't live in Hawaii. We Get NO MAIL until the flights resume."}, {"response": 159, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (23:24)", "body": "I'm not going to be happy I don't live in Hawaii, that's too much to ask!"}, {"response": 160, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (23:31)", "body": "a report from Afghanistan: http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/13/international/asia/13AFGH.html ABUL, Afghanistan, Sept. If there are Americans clamoring to bomb Afghanistan back to the Stone Age, they ought to know that this nation does not have so far to go. This is a post-apocalyptic place of felled cities, parched land and downtrodden people. The fragility of this country was part of the message the Taliban government conveyed in a plea for restraint issued late tonight. It said in part, \"We appeal to the United States not to put Afghanistan into more misery because our people have suffered so much.\" Whatever Afghanistan's current cataclysm, its next one seems to require little time to overtake it. Wars fought by sundry protagonists have gone on now for 22 consecutive years, a remorseless drought for 4. Since 1996, most of the nation has been ruled by Taliban mullahs whose vision of the world's purest Islamic state has at least as much to do with controlling social behavior as vouchsafing social welfare. The accused terrorist Osama bin Laden has found a home here, angering much of the world. In 1998, America fired a volley of more than 70 cruise missiles at guerrilla training camps reportedly operated by the Saudi multimillionaire. Now, there seems to be the prospect of another barrage, with Afghan hospitality to the same man as the cause. As fear of an American attack mounted, the Taliban's senior spokesman in Kandahar, Abdul Hai Mutmain, called the few foreign reporters here to issue the statement, which in part defended Mr. bin Laden: \"These days, Osama bin Laden's name has become very popular and to an extent it has become a symbol. These days, even to the common people, Osama bin Laden's name is associated with all controversial acts. Osama bin Laden does not have such capabilities. We still hope sanity prevails in the United States. We are confident that if a fair investigation is carried out by American authorities, the Taliban will not be found guilty of involvement in such cowardly acts.\" The statement also said, \"Killing our leaders will not help our people any. There is no factory in Afghanistan that is worth the price of a single missile fired at us. It will simply increase the mistrust between the people in the region and the United States.\" Whatever else there is to say about this entreaty, one part that is indisputably true is that this land-locked, ruggedly beautiful nation is in absolute misery. Here in Kabul, the capital, roaming clusters of widows beg in the streets, their palms seemingly frozen in a supplicant pose. Withered men pull overloaded carts, their labor less costly than the price of a donkey. Children play in vast ruins, their limbs sometimes wrenched away by remnant land mines. The national life expectancy, according to the central statistics office, has fallen to 42 for males and 40 for females. The prolonged drought has sent nearly a million about 5 percent of the on a desperate flight from hunger. Some have gone to other Afghan cities, others across the border. More than one million are \"at risk of starvation,\" according to the United Nations. Famine is the catastrophe Afghans are used to hearing about. Few yet know of the threat of an American reprisal. The Taliban long ago banned television, and the lack of electricity keeps most people from listening to radio. The nation's 100 or so foreign aid workers suffer no such telecommunications handicaps, however, and today many of them began to flee their adopted home, fearing either the havoc of American bombs or the wrath of subsequent Afghan outrage. Around noon, a special United Nations flight evacuated the first of the expatriates. The remaining foreigners are expected to leave on Thursday, as will three, and perhaps all four, of the American parents here to observe the trial of their children, among eight foreign aid workers accused by the Taliban of preaching Christianity. As foreigners left, the Taliban took unusual precautions: they began searching every vehicle entering government compounds. Visitors were carefully frisked. But however much the Taliban hierarchy was beginning to fret, streets and bazaars were a picture of normality. Word has spread slowly about the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. And even when everyday Afghans heard the news, there were no accompanying video images to sear the horror into their memories. Personal conversations only carried the dull stimuli of abstract words: hijacked planes and collapsed buildings. Khair Khana, a man selling fertilizer in a market, knew just a bit about the attack. He thought a plane had crashed into the White House. And he considered the perpetrators, whoever they are, to be \"enemies of God,\" though he also felt \"Americans should look into their hearts and minds about why someone would kill themselves and others\" in such a way. He had not thought much about an American retaliation against Afghanistan. When he did consider it, standing in a ramshackle col"}, {"response": 161, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (23:32)", "body": "You're not any different, Marcia. Mail is not going between cities on the mainland either."}, {"response": 162, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (23:33)", "body": "I heard mail wasn't going over 300 miles from it's point of origin. The airlines carry most of the mail but they may not be allowed to carry it any more."}, {"response": 163, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (23:35)", "body": "Yup, back to barge and 2-week mail. From the west coast. It is nice to know there is company in the misery of Paradise."}, {"response": 164, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (23:42)", "body": "This very thought provoking piece was written by the impassoned Gerard Van der Leun, who has been on the scene all along in lower Manhattan. All day the images have repeated themselves on television while the smell of the smoke persisted in my rooms. Off and on, all day, I walked to the promenade to look at the reality of it and watch the smoke that didn't stop. It will now play itself out, over and over again in my mind, until the day of my own death. Television and reality. It is very difficult to separate the two, and when one has no reality, television is the thing that replaces it. And because it is through television that those responsible for this monstrous act receive their impression of this country I believe they have made a fundamental miscalculation about the deeper nature of the United States. A miscalculation that will cause to be visited upon them what I pray will be a terrible lesson; a lesson that will make the survivors envy the dead. If you look at television and the endless products of pap and nonsense that are piped out of the media centers of the United States, it is easy to see us as a weak, self-obsessed and foolish people. And many of us are that, even if we pretend to be other than weak, self-obsessed and foolish. We have sitcoms and MTV. We have endless opinions about things which are not really central to serious life questions and serious policy decisions. Our young people look foolish in their vanity and their fashions. Our military institutions are often ridiculed. Our entertainments are light and vapid. Many in positions of influence give short shrift to millions more with deeply held religious and traditional political convictions. Our \"major\" issues on a day by day basis rarely rise above the level of fretful worry about the \"safety of restaurants that allow smoking,\" or whether or not a flower will be threatened by an oil well. These are serious issues to many Americans, and it is easy to see why such wet and weak concerns would lead others elsewhere in the world to hold us in contempt as a weak and decadent society that cannot defend itself against attack. They see our men as feminine and our women as masculine and, to the fundamentalist mind, this signals a weakness in the blood and bone of the nation.They believe that they can attack such a society with a kind of impunity, or with the expectation of a careful and delicate response. They even note that our President is a man who communicates in a clumsy way, who is an illegitimate ruler, and who does not have the support of many of the ruling elites of the country. They hold him to be easily frightened and stupid. And perhaps he is many, if not all, of these things: clumsy, weak, illegitimate, frightened and stupid. But it will not, in the long run, matter. And I pray it does not avail them. That is all the television America. But there is and always has been another America, and it is this America that I hope will emerge from this day and remind all those who seek to harm us that we can be a nation that is as terrible as it seems foolish. That we are a country of deep resolve and capable of striking back in cold anger without compassion or regret. That we are, as the Japanese knew and were to discover, a sleeping giant and you wake us at your own risk. And once woken we will destroy you, and then rebuild you. The Japanese had their lesson and have learned. Germany had it's lesson and has learned. Now it is the turn of a number of nations in the middle east. We will first tend to our dead. Many funerals will take Place over the next month or so. At the same time we will also prepare for our vengence and I pray it will be terrible and without hesitation or compassion until all terrorists and all the villages, cities, and nations that support them are reduced to rubble. This will be an America whose anger is not hidden beneath grief and the committment to save those not yet dead in the rubble of New York and Washington. This is the America you see when you watch the head of the Fire Department of New York try to express his feelings at losing 300 men in one terrible moment. This is the America of the thousands of rescue workers on the job tonight trying to dig through the rubble. This is the America of terrible resolve that you can read on the face of the Head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff when he states the military is ready to do whatever is required of it. \"Whatever is required of it\",and I pray we require them to visit horror on our enemies that is a thousand fold worse than what we saw today. You see, it doesn't really matter \"who\" is the President. It matters only that there is a President. The President is only one man and in times like this he does not really have to lead. He has only to follow and get out of the way. After that what takes place will be done by many, many others in the hundreds and thousands. These people will not be a group of lame celebrities with their puling little concerns whose lives are just "}, {"response": 165, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (23:55)", "body": "More from Gerard. attack.20.430: Gerard Van der Leun (boswell) Tue 11 Sep 01 08:20 I watched this happen. The enormity of it cannot be communicated. Vile and bestial. We need to destroy any and all capacity anywhere to do anything like this happening ever again. There were thousands in those buildings. Thousands. There is no justice swift enough or sure enough. But all that we have must be brought forward and used without restraint. This is an act of war beyond Pearl Harbor. Military jets overhead again. More ash on the street. attack.20.465: Gerard Van der Leun (boswell) Tue 11 Sep 01 08:34 I am cooled down. Way down., This is pure evil. attack.20.725: Gerard Van der Leun (boswell) Tue 11 Sep 01 12:33 There is no more World Trade Center visible from the Promenade. But you can smell it from there a sort of burnt stench as if someone lit newspaper in a trash can and then poured water on it. That kind of wet burnt stench. It is bright in the sunshine now except for where the Trade Centers stood and there is still a plume of thick brown smoke mouldering up from there and making the sun behind it look dim. Just now I saw three large military helicopters land across the river from the Heights on the big pad at the foot of Wall Street. People on the streets are talking quietly man of them on cells now that some of those nets are back up. Everything is as quiet as it was this morning When I got up and began to take a shower. Showering I felt a vibration shake my building in Brooklyn Heights like a subway train passing deep underneath the structure. I didn't think much of it. I've felt similar vibrations before. Getting out I was dressing and I heard the second explosion from the second plane striking the buildings. I turned on the radio and found out what was happening. I dressed and left the house and walked a block to the Promenade at the edge of Brooklyn Heights and saw both towers in flames sending huge gouts of smoke into the air. You don't know what to think. You don't know what to feel. You are just reacting. The promenade was jammed with people with more arriving. Then as I watched the first tower just imploded and plunged, it seemed to me, straight down and a huge brown and black rolling cloud of smoke came boiling through all the streets between the building and surged upward and took over the sky. You could see bright shiny bits of metal squares tumbling up and down and drifting out of the smoke that moved up and blew out to the south east... it was like confetti or stuff tossed out of windows in a ticker tape parade. I felt the sound before I heard it and it shook everything around me. I heard gasps and screams around me. People were turning away. Everyone with children was leaving the promenade. Some were moving closer. The smoke took over everything. I knew that anyone in that building was dead and I started to shake and to weep and to look around at the others who were in all states of reaction. And I had to go back to my house to regroup. After I was in the house for a few minutes I heard another larger explosion. I went back out and down to the promenade again but this time I couldn't see the sky as I had before. This time the whole sky had been darkened and, the wind having shifted, this fine white ash was swirling down the street. Not heavy, but everywhere around me and it was settling down lightly on all the surfaces. When I got to the promenade again the entire southern tip of Manhattan was enveloped in a dirty brown cloud, No buildings visible at all. Nothing. It filled the sky and made it dark. Turning the corner if you looked uptown past the Brooklyn Bridge which was filled with hordes of people walking towards the Brooklyn shore you could see the buildings start to emerge from the smoke. People were sparse on the promenade now although down towards the end there were more and if you walked down there you could see a little bit into the downtown section of Wall street. And there were ferries moving out of the smoke at high speed. And then I started to hear the military jets but I didn't see them. But no other planes are to be seen. Now it is still smoking there. The trade centers are just gone. Erased. 50,000 people they say work there and 150,000 pass through. What do I feel? I don't know what I feel except that I want vengeance and complete vengeance. I want everything this country possesses put onto the people who did this, and the people who supported this act, and the people who believe this is the way in which political ends are achieved. I want there to be a war and a big war until these people are eradicated who ever they are and where ever they are. I want it made clear that anything even approaching this evil act will be met with utter destruction - people, families, villages, cities, nations. This is an act of war and war must be the response. We will be having a long series of mass funerals for many weeks. I only hope that this country finds the stomach and the resolve to carry "}, {"response": 166, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (23:55)", "body": "that's exactly how I feel. i found my friend who works for oem, btw. he's ok. he was evacuated when the mayor was from 7 WT. he told me about some of the things he saw... i started to cry. he's still in shock. God bless America."}, {"response": 167, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Wed, Sep 12, 2001 (23:59)", "body": "terry, what address are you finding this on??"}, {"response": 168, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (00:00)", "body": "Wow Liz, I'm so glad he's safe. Aren't these words from Gerard pregnant with feeling from someone who's been there, smelled and tasted the horror first hand? Powerful, heartfelt words."}, {"response": 169, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (00:03)", "body": "Gerard posted this at well.com and gave me permission to repost. It's not on a public web address. More . . . Gerard Van der Leun (boswell) Wed 12 Sep 01 08:05 To answer leroy, I am back at my absurd day-job. So far I'm just about the only one here. Maybe eight people out of 200+. I don't know quite why I am here, but then, in truth, I'm never sure why I am ever here other than that my personal life obligations require me to be here. That may have to change. At any rate, I woke up and could only take about five minutes of the endlessly repeated images of disaster, and having, literally nothing better to do, decided to try and come in. I first walked to the Promenade to see where the Towers were. The vile smoke blooming across the river was still there as it has always been, probably as it always will be in my mind where I will see it first as that moment when the first tower went down carrying thousands to a death I cannot imagine. Still there. And the faint smell lingers too. And there were small clumps of people standing around, one couple even posing for a picture against the new skyline. Then I walked through streets in the Heights that barely had any people on them. Usually full and bustling even on holiday weekends. Now just some elderly people moving slowly and a few clots of Jehovahs Witnesses in their cleaned and pressed clothing going down to put out what I am sure will be an especially \"We told you so\" issue of the Watchtower. Clark Street station shut down with a few police directly people to the Jay street station. Buy a New York Post because I've read the Times. Walk to Jay Street in the heart of the Brooklyn government center across streets with few pedestrians and no traffic except for police, fire and security vehicles cruising aimlessly about or parked at the curb. Security in front of the courts and the city offices lounging in the bright sunshine of this second day of Indian Summer weather. Down into the Jay Station and a very sparsely occupied A train. We set off on a slow, very slow trip into Manhattan. Several people are reading bibles but most of the 15 or so people are just staring into space and looking vaguely alarmed whenever the train halts between stations -- which is often. I spend this time reading the New York Post which has, inside, a picture of the exterior of one of the towers just before it collapsed. In this picuture I can count around 24 people poking their heads out of the windows or actually on the outside of what has to be the nintieth floor of the towers. All of them, ALL OF THEM, about to ride this building down into oblivion and you know that THEY ALL KNOW THIS. Next to this is a picture of the side of the Tower and a large empty space on the left which is thin air. In this space, close to the tower you can see five to seven people falling with nothing but space above and below them, falling straight down into doom rather than be burned alive. Finally, the train pulls into 23rd Street and halts. After a minute or so you can hear the announcer telling us that we will be held in the station for some time because of a \"police investigation\" in Penn Station, my destination. I get out and go up to the street to walk the rest of the way. An I walk into a Manhattan I have never seen in the almost 30 years that I've been here. Streets almost utterly clear of traffic for as far uptown or downtown as you can see on 8th Ave. Nearly the same thing on 7th. A smattering of pedestrians that grows somewhat thicker as you approach Penn Station. A nail salon open but with nobody getting their nails done that I can see. Extortionate parking lots that are usually jammed with cars almost empty and with nobody there to collect the money. On the street parking? Oh, we've got it now. Everywhere the hush. Everywhere. Like a ghost town with real ghosts now walking among us. People just standing around, people talking softly on cell phones, and people talking to themselves. On every corner small groups walking slowly into the street or ambling along the sidewalks as if nothing they normally do on Wednesdays in New York City is really all that important after all."}, {"response": 170, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (00:05)", "body": "Gerard Van der Leun (boswell) Wed 12 Sep 01 19:05 On blood and the giving of it in New York. It is important to do this, but no longer because of the need. It is pretty clear at this point in the evening of day 2 in New York that the city has more than enough of what it needs to cover for this present emergency. Still, people should give because it is something than they can give. That is the need it fills. As for blood for the wounded and the suffering, there is now a sufficient quantity. And sadly this is because, with the exception of a few miracles that I hope will happen over the next few days, there will not be large numbers of injured beyond those who are already receiving treatment. We are now starting to see the bodies emerge and they will continue in a ghastly parade of orange body bags for weeks now. Soon, tomorrow and over the weekend, the funerals and the memorials will begin. And they will go on and on and on. We will have, if we are *fortunate* 10,000 funerals in this city in the coming weeks. Let me say that again: Ten *thousand* funerals. Try, right now, to close your eyes and visualize this number of funeral ceremonies of every type and description and religion. You cannot do it because the enormity of it is too much for the human mind and soul. But we will have them, one by one and in groups. And here is another fact that comes along behind this number. We do not have enough graves. We do not have enough crematoriums. Many will go unburied for weeks. Many will be burned because that will be the only choice. Many will have to be moved by train, plane, or van to some other place in the state, country, or the world. And we will bury a thousand, and then another thousand, and another. And still the orange body bags will come up out of the pile and the pit one by one by one and lie in rows. And this will go on for weeks if not months. Think about what this will be like. Just stop and try to really see it. And then think this: No matter what many may feel now about the wisdom or the goodness or the morality of retribution, there will come a time during this parade of our dead when this country, already uniting in a way I cannot remember in my 55 years, will have even a greater sea-change of spirit and rage. Many of those who do not really feel this now, for whatever enlightened or unenlightened reason, will feel this change and become part of it. There will be those who do not, a smaller and smaller part of us as the days go by, and they will in the end be left behind. But by far the most of us will be changed by this, even if now we are not. Ten thousand funerals. We cannot imagine it, and yet we will live it. And I hope that each one of us can bear witness to as many as we can bear. It is the least of our duties."}, {"response": 171, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (00:19)", "body": "Thanks for that Terry. G's first post is amazing. It says beautifully the resolve and structure of America. Thanks for sharing it."}, {"response": 172, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (00:29)", "body": "And his second one is even more powerful. Beware the wrath of righteous indignation."}, {"response": 173, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (00:50)", "body": "Thank you, Gerard, for speaking so eloquently what we were all feeling. Ten THOUSAND is the size of a good-sized town. Imagine your entire city dead..."}, {"response": 174, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (00:59)", "body": "The NY Port Authority is now putting the potential death toll at 20 thousand. I shudder to think what made them increase this up from the earlier figure of 10 thousand. Hopefully, it is just pure conjecture, as the figure of 20 thousand, is just beyond comprehension."}, {"response": 175, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (01:36)", "body": "Never forget!!! Hawaii was shocked into action by terrorist acts thousands of miles away yesterday, putting isle military bases on highest alert, grounding air traffic and sending many residents to blood banks and churches. U.S. Navy warships were patrolling the West Coast and Hawaii, ready to respond to any terrorist threat. Lt. Cmdr. Jeff Gordon, a Pacific Fleet spokesman at Pearl Harbor, said the 15 ships patrolling Hawaii waters were deployed or redirected as a precautionary measure, not because of a specific threat. Military bases in Hawaii remained closed today to those without military identification for the second straight day after yesterday's plane hijackings and crashes. More http://starbulletin.com/2001/09/12/news/"}, {"response": 176, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (01:43)", "body": "Actually, 20,000 was about what I had imagined from the beginning, given the capacity of the two buildings, number of people per floor, etc. Over 200 floors. There could be easily 100 people per floor, despite the steady stream of people getting out after the first attack. I remember one newsperson saying that highest number of American casualties on a single day was in the Civil War battle of Antietam, where about 23,000 were killed."}, {"response": 177, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (01:53)", "body": "I wonder if we will ever get an accurate accounting. The fires continue to burn deep inside the hole made by one of the towers. It will simply have to burn itself out since it is too hot and too dangerous to get to now. Frightening! I was asked to post this and so I shall: Flags Across America To show those terrorists that we Americans stick together, FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 14 is \"Flags Across America.\" All Americans are asked to display the American flag either in their homes or cars. Let's keep the meaning of UNITED in \"United States\". Pass this onto as many people as you know. THANK YOU."}, {"response": 178, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (01:58)", "body": "I know Karen, I know... When that figure of 10,000 was initially announced, I thought it was too low, considering the massive amounts of people in the 2 towers. But after a trajedy like this, it is easy and comforting to stick your head in the sand and try to pretend the worst is not going to happen. All too soon, the cold hard reality will get to you, no matter how long you try to put it off."}, {"response": 179, "author": "curious", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (02:12)", "body": "This is YOUR LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM, a free newsletter sharing life, love and laughter, published by Steve Goodier. http://www.lifesupportsystem.com I asked for it! I invited a response and now am flooded with mail! It may take days to go through it all. Today I printed some of YOUR words in lieu of my usual message. I hope you feel encouraged by the spirit in which they were written. ~ Steve _________________From the Mailbox__________________ Write to Publisher@LifeSupportSystem.com I want to express my great condolence to people of America. I want to say aloud my personal absolute negative expression about the terrorist attack innocent people in New York and Washington. Dostoevsky said there are no great goals to justify the crime if it costs a little tear of child, and how many tears (were shed by) this outrage act? ~ Your subscriber (Kiev, Ukraine) Know that the pain and suffering of Americans is also felt across the mass of water here in Australia. ~ Joanna (Perth, Australia) Let those of us who can, hold a vision of peace, even between ourselves and those who would destroy us. Let those of us who can see the Light, be the Light. ~ A friend Everything came to a standstill here (South Africa) yesterday afternoon at about 3.00 p.m. our time when we first heard the news of the horror! What I do want to say, from our small space, far away from you all in America, is that we grieve for the whole nation and all of you are in our prayers and thoughts -- constantly. ~ Caroline (South Africa) The Canadian People Send Their Deepest Condolences to Our American Friends. We are shocked and horrified, as most Americans are, as soon as we heard the news many rallied, giving blood to the Canadian Red Cross in anticipation of the need by those that might need it. America is our fiend and neighbour, and those that hurt America hurt us. We hope that we never see another tragedy as this again. ~ Doug (Canada) Thank you! Even with all that you and your family have been going through, you have still managed to send inspiration to those of us in need! With all of the negativity out there yesterday, and the \"Nuke 'EM\" attitude among a lot of Americans that called into CNN and the radio stations here in Chicago, I began to find myself getting more upset about them than the tragedy that caused their feelings. Thank you for reminding the many people who forget in times like this that we are all one -- most humans do NOT believe that the killing of innocents is right, no matter what race! Here in Chicago, an Arab education meeting was hit with a molotov cocktail -- this is exactly what we DON'T need! Thanks again for your call to Americans to see the truth and work through our grief with LOVE! ~ Kelli (Chicago, Illinois) I, like so many of us in the US, live complacently from day to day without fear of danger. Then a tragedy like this occurs and reminds us of the fragility of life and how important it is for us to set aside our differences and all join hands in common bond. ~ Mal (Pasadena, Texas, USA) I live in Barbados, a small island in the West Indies (Caribbean). The tragedy of yesterday shook us here as well. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in the States. May God continue to strengthen your nation and be with every one of your leaders as they make decisions and try to rebuild the country. ~ Marie (Barbados) A great gloom has descended on Australia today and will remain for a while to come. The streets were empty in peak hour this morning as people stayed home to watch in horror as the event was broadcast across the nation. And this gloom has remained the whole day, with the attack being just about the only thing on peoples minds. America is far from alone in its hurt and sorrow and we will do whatever we can to help our fellow humans. ~ Nikki (Gold Coast, Australia) I hope that from yesterday events we may learn at least one lesson: that hate only brings violence and destruction. \"Love thy enemy\" was not written in vain. I pray that the hurt we all feel today does not develop into hate and desire for revenge. ~ Olga (Puerto Rico, USA) My thoughts from South Africa are with you in this dark hour. But I know that you are a country of strong people. People that will support each other and together stand up to become even stronger. ~ Ronelle (Gauteng, South Africa) I am thankful to you always for the positive, uplifting words. I look forward to my daily emails. I never needed them more than I needed them today. I was one of hundreds in Jersey City, at Exchange Place, who watched this event unfold to our shock, horror and disbelief. Thanks for giving me something to hold on to. ~ TL Everything has changed today. Our nation, our world, our civilization. If we are not extremely careful, we could surrender our future to these terrorists in exchange for the perception of peace and security. The terrorists demonstrated that the United States is a free and open country. We have paid a price for having an accessible society. Ac"}, {"response": 180, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (03:43)", "body": "In addition to thousands of Americans killed they are now saying there were hundreds of UK citizens. My son (he works for a US bank in London) has just got back from spending a week working in NY. He was in the WTC every day. The world really is a global village. What happens to the US happens to us all."}, {"response": 181, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (08:37)", "body": "http://tibet.com/NewsRoom/hhdl-letter.htm The Dalai Lama speaks."}, {"response": 182, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (09:05)", "body": "The world really is a global village. What happens to the US happens to us all. Let's hope this unity works in the hard task ahead. There are some flights flying into Miami. They seem to be flying lower than usual. Where once we could barely hear them now they are very loud. Very scary. :-("}, {"response": 183, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (09:47)", "body": "Thank goodness that your family was spared, Allison. I was thinking about Ben's brother. Isn't he in NYC and probably in that part of it?"}, {"response": 184, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (09:55)", "body": "Ben's brother works (I believe) for Morgan Stanley, who have (had) 21 floors of the South WTC tower, although it's not their head office in NYC. MS reported yesterday that over 85% (and growing) of their WTC staff had survived. So his odds are good."}, {"response": 185, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (10:08)", "body": "Thanks, Mark, for the update. The other night I was watching BBC news' coverage on one of my PBS channels and they were talking about all the foreign nationals who worked in the financial sector."}, {"response": 186, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (10:23)", "body": "That's right, Karen. Just like here in London, the NYC financial services industry is one of the most multi-national workforces around. Obviously, the BBC is concerned to take some time focusing on the number of Britons involved, but there will be many nationalities amongst the dead, along with the thousands of Americans. A colleague of mine reports that his NY counterpart works in a suburb in which nearly everybody commutes to Manhattan. Every few doors down the street there was a worker who never came home on Tuesday. Personally, three of my four previous firms had offices in the WTC. It brings the tragedy close to home, but not as close as for the family members and friends of the 20,000."}, {"response": 187, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (10:58)", "body": "(Mark) MS reported yesterday that over 85% (and growing) of their WTC staff had survived. So his odds are good. Yes, I heard that about MS also. They credit a 'split second decision to evacuate' after the first plane hit the other tower. It seems to me alot more people got out than you might expect (credit the '93 bombing for that). Yet the stories of those searching for their loved ones, who called before 9 a.m. to say they were OK but who worked above the 90th floor, are absolutely heartbreaking. This will continue for weeks. (Beth) The White House and ABC News have confirmed that the intended target of the plane that crashed in DC, was NOT The Pentagon. It was The White House. OMG !! The White House have also confirmed that Air Force One and The President, were also intended targets. They have not revealed what brought them to this conclusion. I'll tell you--this is spin. Georgie's being criticized for not returning to DC until late afternoon. The plane which hit the Pentagon, the press sec'y says, circled over the White House first. They may have more 'clear and convincing' evidence that the White House and Air Force One (a plane? They're going to hit a plane with a plane with so many other gov't targets around? George was on the ground in Fla. at the time of the attacks) were targeted, but I'm not biting. Though they could've indeed gone for the White House and done far more damage to the country--Dick Cheney was at his desk. ;-P"}, {"response": 188, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (11:01)", "body": "On Doomed Flight, Passengers Vowed to Perish Fighting By JODI WILGORENand EDWARD WONG They told the people they loved that they would die fighting. In a series of cellular telephone calls to their wives, two passengers aboard the plane that crashed into a Pennsylvania field instead of possibly toppling a national landmark learned about the horror of the World Trade Center. From 35,000 feet, they relayed harrowing details about the hijacking in progress to the police. And they vowed to try to thwart the enemy, to prevent others from dying even if they could not save themselves. More: http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/13/national/13NEWA.html"}, {"response": 189, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (11:04)", "body": "Austin's Stratfor.com intelligence reports are some of the best: Situation Reports European markets stabilized in trading Sept. 12, helping to calm the major Asian markets entering the trading day Sept. 13. AFP reports that Tokyo, Hong Kong, Sydney and South Korea all posted minor gains after steep losses the previous day, though all markets remain fairly below pre-attack levels. Singapore dropped marginally, and Malaysia, Thailand and Taiwan -- which were closed Sept. 13 -- posted losses of between 4 and 7 percent. 1519 GMT, 091301 The Afghanistan opposition Northern Alliance, which opposes the ruling Taliban, has appointed a new military chief to replace leader Ahmad Shah Masood, Reuters reported. Masood was replaced with a general named Mukhammad Fakhim on Sep. 11, a few days after Masood was wounded in an attack. Conflicting reports have stated that Masood was actually killed in the attack. 1501 GMT, 091301 The Washington Post reports that the Bush administration is continuing to gather support for a possible strike against Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden and his supporters in Afghanistan, pressuring neighboring Pakistan for intelligence and logistical backing after winning full NATO support Sept. 12. Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has pledged his country's full cooperation in the probe into the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, VOA news reported, while Saudi Arabia has also reportedly offered its support. The Chinese government is appealing to the United States to consult with countries beyond Europe before launching an attack, BBC reported. 1430 GMT, 091301 Fox News reports that almost all of the hijackers involved in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks have been identified on flight manifests, including many Saudi and Egyptian nationals and one known supporter of Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden, considered a prime suspect in the attacks. The news agency, citing law enforcement officials, said that a flight manifest from one of the four flights included the name of a suspected bin Laden supporter, while one person has also been arrested in connection with the attacks in Hamburg, Germany. 1427 GMT, 091301 U.S. authorities said at least one hijacker on each of the four planes used in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks was trained at a U.S. flight school, AP reported. Overall, 50 people may have been involved in the operation. Attorney General John Ashcroft said 12 to 24 hijackers commandeered the four planes, and a government official said another two dozen or so are believed to have assisted them, AP reported. The Los Angeles Times reports that about 40 of the men have been accounted for, including those killed in the suicide attacks, but 10 remain at large. The Times also reported at least one of the suspects receiving advanced flight training in Florida was a commercial pilot from Saudi Arabia. 1417 GMT, 091301 The Associated Press reports that a former employee at Huffman Aviation school in Venice Venice, Fla., said FBI agents told him that Mohamed Atta, who stayed in his home while training at the local flight school, was involved in the attack on the World Trade Center Sept. 11. The Miami Herald, citing federal authorities, reports that Atta was one of four suspects who died on American Airlines Flight 11, the first jetliner to crash into the center. A second student at Huffman Aviation, identified as Marwan Alshehhi, is also a suspect. 1410 GMT, 091301 Afghanistan's ruling Taliban Sept. 13 dismissed reports linking Osama bin Laden to terrorist attacks on the United States earlier on the week, and reiterated that they would not hand over the Saudi dissident, AFP reported. Reports had surfaced the previous day claiming that the Taliban had arrested bin Laden. The Taliban is reportedly preparing for a possible U.S. attack, sending its top leader into hiding and repositioning its military hardware throughout the country, The Washington Post reported, citing reports from Pakistani intelligence sources.1405 GMT, 091301 Federal aviation officials said they would allow air travel in the United States to resume Sept. 13 morning. U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft said authorities were deploying hundreds of U.S. marshals and other agents to airports and airplanes to increase security with the gradual resumption of commercial flights, AP reported. 1400 GMT, 091301 The Times of India has published a report originally carried by an Arabic online newspaper, saying that the Taliban has placed Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden and several of his assistants under house arrest in Afghanistan. A diplomat at the Taliban embassy in Abu Dhabi could not confirm the report. 2318 GMT, 091201 Armed sky marshalls and/or company security officials will accompany flights in the United States for at least a short period of time, possibly indefinitely, according to airline industry officials and the Department of Transportation. 2240 GMT, 091201 Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage told Pakistani Ambassador Ma"}, {"response": 190, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (11:05)", "body": "Koppel said a Pakistani news agency quoted the taliban saying they do not have Bin Laden under house arrest or any other kind. Frontline is going to show an updated version of their documentary on Bin Laden on thursday. They also have an extensive website http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/binladen/"}, {"response": 191, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (11:05)", "body": "The LA Times has a detailed story FBI Identifies Team of 50 Attackers http://latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-091301terror.story"}, {"response": 192, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (11:16)", "body": "(Eileen) I'll tell you--this is spin. Georgie's being criticized for not returning to DC until late afternoon. I thought the same thing and said so to Ev last night. Bush was in Florida. Symbolically they might have wanted to hit the White House, but this is a crock to deflect newspapers' criticism. Unfortunately, most Americans do not realize that getting key government functions, including the President, to safety means taking them out of Washington and into bunkers and I'm sure the disaster scenarios for the presidency would involve moving him around. The hijackers wouldn't even have known he eventually went up in Air Force One or where it was headed. Totally idiotic. I bet we never see this 'credible' evidence."}, {"response": 193, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (11:20)", "body": "http://www.rand.org/hot/newslinks.html#terror This is the URL for a Rand report on the state of U.S. anti-terrorism policy as of 2000. Executive summary: we don't have one. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/binladen/ This is a joint PBS/NYT site on bin Laden, dating from a little after the first WTC bombings."}, {"response": 194, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (11:30)", "body": "The die has been cast. The lead story in the Thursday edition of the Washington Post is a detailed description of US negotiations with Pakistan and Tajikstan to provide a staging area or at least safe passage for a mission to track down Osama Bin Laden in Afghanistan. www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A20862-2001Sep12.html The second story starts by saying that Pentagon officials are keeping a tight lid on deployments and planning options, then proceeds to spill the beans extravagantly about the range of plans and preparations in progress for the effort to find and deal with Osama Bin Laden. www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A20806-2001Sep12.html"}, {"response": 195, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (11:31)", "body": "Plans underway for massive invasion of Afghanistan: http://www.guardian.co.uk/wtccrash/story/0,1300,551079,00.html"}, {"response": 196, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (11:37)", "body": "A wired story reports that FBI agents are busy installing carnivore on ISPs http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,46747,00.html"}, {"response": 197, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (11:38)", "body": "Anti-Attack Feds Push Carnivore By Declan McCullagh 2:00 a.m. Sep. 12, 2001 PDT WASHINGTON -- Federal police are reportedly increasing Internet surveillance after Tuesday's deadly attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Just hours after three airplanes smashed into the buildings in what some U.S. legislators have dubbed a second Pearl Harbor, FBI agents began to visit Web-based, e-mail firms and network providers, according to engineers at those companies who spoke on condition of anonymity. An administrator at one major network service provider said that FBI agents showed up at his workplace on Tuesday \"with a couple of Carnivores, requesting permission to place them in our core, along with offers to actually pay for circuits and costs.\""}, {"response": 198, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (11:44)", "body": ""}, {"response": 199, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (11:48)", "body": "From the Guardian article: Nato is now drawing up an emergency plan for a massive attack on Afghanistan if proof emerges that Osama bin Laden, the wanted Saudi-born terrorist sheltered by Afghanistan, was responsible for the attacks. What do they mean by if? A signatory to a treaty is a signatory to a treaty. Also, they are making it sound like it's an obscure passage of the treaty. That it hasn't been invoked isn't relevant IMO. It is the backbone of the NATO alliance. Only the enemy has changed."}, {"response": 200, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (12:14)", "body": "http://www.janes.com/security/international_security/news/misc/janes010911_2_n.shtml The hunt for Bin Laden begins."}, {"response": 201, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (12:15)", "body": "According to NYPD radio scan police are reporting that Grand Central Station is right now being evacuated and strett traffic has been closed off in the last 10 minutes in that area. there were reports that a transit officer was approached by two passengers that a male dressed in tan was seen with a backpack with wires coming out of it and something attached around his waist. Police have not as of this minute located any peson matching this description. Now the report is that the package or backpack was left on a train from Greenwich, and that the terminal is completely evacuated."}, {"response": 202, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (12:31)", "body": "(Eileen)Though they could've indeed gone for the White House and done far more damage to the country--Dick Cheney was at his desk. ;-P Oh Eileen, I am laughing in spite of myself, one of the few good laughs in days. Agree that it's spin, but who cares? The fragility of this country was part of the message the Taliban government conveyed in a plea for restraint issued late tonight. It said in part, \"We appeal to the United States not to put Afghanistan into more misery because our people have suffered so much.\" They should have thought of this before they harbored and supported terrorists. And at whose hands have they suffered? They are asking us to show more caring for their people than they themselves have. And this culpability doesn't stop at the Afghan border. I really wonder if the world has the resolve and stomach to do what needs to be done in order to protect and preserve the greater good."}, {"response": 203, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (12:56)", "body": "I really wonder if the world has the resolve and stomach to do what needs to be done in order to protect and preserve the greater good. We have lost some of our freedom. It will never be the same. In Miami one of the thoughts is that Castro might have supported these terrorists. Could you imagine also going after Castro? That would put Miami at a very high risk for attacks."}, {"response": 204, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (13:22)", "body": "(Mari) Agree that it's spin, but who cares? It annoys me. Surely the White House has more pressing problems than Bush's political standing. We appeal to the United States not to put Afghanistan into more misery because our people have suffered so much ...as they pull out their AK-47s. Who are they kidding? Phooey."}, {"response": 205, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (13:27)", "body": "(Mark) Ben's brother works (I believe) for Morgan Stanley...although it's not their head office in NYC... So his odds are good. I checked with Ben yesterday. You're right, Mark. His brother was midtown, and not in the WTC at the time, thank god. I tuned into a segement of the \"Howard Stern\" show yesterday morning... for some unknown reason. It's really very frightening at how \"trigger happy\" many people are after all this. It's understandable to want to express anger, but there were people calling in ready to invade the Arab/Muslim/South Asian neighborhoods, ready to take revenge. There have alrady been reports of violence. It's complete, total ignorance on their parts, and those callers represent a demographic of this country I'm very ashamed of."}, {"response": 206, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (13:43)", "body": "(Mari) Agree that it's spin, but who cares? (Eileen) It annoys me. Me too, but not because of the political standing concern. Rather than make up lies, just tell the American public the truth of what they were doing and why and that is is SOP in such situations. Surely people would understand that. (Winter) those callers represent a demographic of this country I'm very ashamed of. Until/unless they violate someone's civil liberties or commit criminal acts, we have to tolerate such things as that is what our country's democracy is all about, i.e., standing up for people's rights to say the most vile things."}, {"response": 207, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (14:55)", "body": "More from stratfor: U.S. Must Identify State Sponsors 0120 GMT, 010912 Summary The attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., have sent shockwaves across the nation. While international Islamic terrorists organizations linked to Osama bin Laden's Al-Qa'ida group remain the top suspects, some have suggested nations opposed to U.S. global hegemony may also have been involved. Historically, international terrorism has needed state sponsorship in order to be successful. But such involvement would be tantamount to declaring war on the United States, and although the suspect list is long, there is little evidence at the moment that singles any one country out. Analysis The attacks on New York and Washington achieve a number of objectives for the perpetrators. On a strategic level, they demonstrate the vulnerability of the United States. In one fell swoop, the sophisticated and well-coordinated operation paralyzed New York City and the U.S. financial sector, sent the nation's government spiraling into chaos and struck terror in the hearts of the American public. Such a feat, accomplished with only four airline hijackings, is almost impossible to comprehend and will impact U.S. defense and foreign policy for decades to come. By immobilizing the U.S. financial sector, the strike threatens to push a nation, already suffering from a downturn, into recession. This will have ramifications for U.S. influence throughout the globe. It could also damage U.S. markets abroad as well as numerous other nations with economic ties to the United States. Understanding the impact of the attack is important for identifying likely suspects. There is good reason to suspect international terrorist organizations linked to Osama bin Laden's umbrella group, Al-Qa'ida. More important, however, is the question of which, if any, states might also have been involved. The article goes on in much more depth and there are several other articles worth reading at http://www.stratfor.com"}, {"response": 208, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (15:59)", "body": "From my son - his intraoffice email: The official word from the FAA about the new airport security procedures is as follows: Increased passenger and baggage security screenings at all airports. Passengers should plan to arrive at the airport a MINIMUM OF TWO HOURS prior to departure. Passengers must check their luggage at the ticket counter, no curbside check-in allowed. Only passengers holding an electronic ticket receipt, travel agency itinerary, airline ticket card, boarding document, internet printout or paper ticket will be allowed past the security check point. Passengers without receipts of any sort will need to stand in line at the airport ticket counters to obtain a receipt. (You may also contact TI and they will mail, fax or email a receipt to you prior to departing to the airport) Aircraft and airport security sweeps similar to those conducted during the Persian Gulf war. Vehicles will be inspected at terminal parking entrances. Unattended vehicles are banned near the terminals and will be towed. No knives of any size, or made from any material, are permitted on flights. The sale of knifelike items has been banned at all airports. Heightened vigilance for unattended bags. Searches of aircraft cargo and passenger compartments. An increase in number of uniformed law enforcement and military personnel. Random searches of service personal, flight crews and equipment. Reduces access points to secure areas at airports."}, {"response": 209, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (16:26)", "body": "Thanks for the info. MArcia. I'm curious to know what the procedures are for our friends in other countries. How do these security measures compare to Europe/Australia/Asia/etc.?"}, {"response": 210, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (16:28)", "body": "Is this the end of Duty-Free shopping? I must say I am very happy about about the carry-on luggage ban. The size of those things were getting too large."}, {"response": 211, "author": "toyce", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (16:37)", "body": "I think you will still be allowed carry on items, but just the curb side check service is gone."}, {"response": 212, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (16:53)", "body": "I thought they said wallets and purses only."}, {"response": 213, "author": "toyce", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (16:59)", "body": "O.k. I just didn't see that in the above post. It's quite possible that they will limit it to that."}, {"response": 214, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (17:10)", "body": "Where does it say anything about limiting carry-ons to wallets or purses? Just no curbside check-in per above. Can you imagine turning over your camera to the airlines to check in cargo? I don't think so."}, {"response": 215, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (17:13)", "body": "Wonder about laptops carry-ons. I suspect that they will be banned, as well. I guess we carry a well examined purse and a book to read. Who about nail files? knitting needles? Dental floss? The list is endless if one gets tryly inventive. Even a leather belt! El Al, The Israeli airlines makes inspections like you would not believe. They have the tightest security in the world and NO ONE complains."}, {"response": 216, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (17:15)", "body": "This also from my son about colleagues travelling and caught in this mess: froma memo: We have heard from the rest of our traveling staff. DK is making his way to Chicago from Midland, Michigan via automobile. He is with SS and R. They hope to get on a morning flight to San Francisco out of Chicago. DM, who was on personal travel, is also in Chicago trying to get on a flight or take a Greyhound bus."}, {"response": 217, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (17:20)", "body": "At Last the Aggressors Themselves Are Able to Wedge In a Word Or Two *8-/ Subject: Islamic Jihad, what is next ? Date: Thursday, September 13, 2001 1:53 AM From: felipe rodriquez Reply-To: \"felipe rodriquez\" To: ISLAMIC JIHAD, what is next ? (c) Felipe Rodriquez INTRODUCTION The attack on the World Trade Center in New York is a new phase in an ongoing global religious and ideological conflict. This conflict started in 1990, with the gulf war. The mother of all wars, as Saddam Hussein called it, and is unlikely to end for some time. To understand this conflict, we must look at the Western world's exploitation and colonization of Saudi Arabia and other Muslim nations . Economic and geopolitical moves that benefit only the western democratic capitalist structures are the primary cause of this terrible conflict. USAMA BIN MUHAMMAD BIN IN LADEN The Taliban consider Osama Bin Ladin to be a holy man, because of his incredible service in the Afghani war against the Russians, and the reconstruction of Afghanistan. Osama Bin Ladin has fought hundreds of battles in Afghanistan, and has been wounded numerous times. He went to Afghanistan around 1982, and took with him a large amount of construction equipment, and a team of engineers, to rebuild the war torn country. Consequently he became involved in many battles, and was wounded many times. He is a devout Muslim, and answers to Allah and certain important Islamic teachers, such as Sheik Safar Ibn `Abd Al-Rahman Al-Hawali. He founded the \"Al Qaeda\" movement, with Muhammad Atef. The movement was initially setup to record the movements of Mujahedin in Afghanistan. Later the goal changed to driving the United States forces out of Saudi Arabia, where the US setup a military base since the beginning of the Gulf War. Many devout Muslims see this as a hostile invasion of the Islamic holy land, comparable to the invasions of the crusaders in the past. Some years later the goal changed once again, into what it is now; to attack Israel, the US and its allies wherever it can. The justification of these acts, in the mind of the Muslim activist, comes from the foreign occupation of the holy cities; Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. It is simplistic and short sighted to assume that Osama Bin Laden is the great leader behind the attacks on the WTC, the Nairobi and Dar Es Salaam US embassies, the hit on USS Cole in Yemen and various other terrorist attacks. Islamic religious activism is the glue that binds this global terror movement together. Removing Osama Bin Ladin from the scene will not remove this global movement, and will not end terror. Killing him will only motivate thousands of Muslims to volunteer for the ultimate sacrifice. The Islamic radical movement resembles a hydra, A serpent represented as having many heads, one of which, when cut off, is immediately succeeded by two others. The movement cannot be eradicated by violence and retaliation, such deeds will only make it stronger and increase popular support in the Islamic world. To understand how this works, lets look at Hizbollah and Hamas. These Islamic organizations have been setup in such a way that they are almost impossible to eradicate. There is always double redundancy in the leadership, because any leader can expect to be assassinated by their enemies at any time. The effectiveness of this redundancy is demonstrated by the fact that Hizbollah and Hamas still exist today, despite the fact that many of its leaders have been assassinated by Israel and others. We must assume that the leadership of the organization that hit the WTC, and other targets in the past, is organized in a similar way, building on the experience of Islamic organizations in Lebanon, Palestine and elsewhere. Hamas and Hizbollah have integrated Islamic thought in their society by providing numerous services to their communities. Schools and hospitals are provided for free or at cost. And they materially support families, widows and orphans that have been victims of aggression by their enemies. Hizbollah operates numerous businesses, that together with donations fund the activities of the organization. These social activities provide the organizations with enormous popular support, it is an effective way of disseminating the virtues of Islam, and strengthening its base. It has also created a strong platform to recruit martyrs for the violent Jihad (Holy War) against Israel and its allies. >From documentation that was seized in Africa, after the Nairobi bombing, there is a strong indication that a cell structure was used to limit the risks to the terrorist organization that hit the African embassies, allegedly the same organization that hit the WTC in 2001. A cell structure is often used by violent groups. It is implemented in such a way that cell members only know a limited amount of members of the organization, and only have limited access to information about the planned activities of the group. Typically cell members only know the coordinator of the"}, {"response": 218, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (17:21)", "body": "http://interactive.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/Tenant-List.htm is a list of building tenants with status reports on tenants and business."}, {"response": 219, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (17:25)", "body": "I really hope these security precaustions are permanant. I hope to God, they aren't eased up on when people start complaining about the inconvenience. According to the FAA, they claim they have been calling for all airport security personel to become federal employees and trained and paid accordingly, for quite some time. Thet were trying to enforce this, but backed off when all the airlines began protesting."}, {"response": 220, "author": "rachael", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (17:35)", "body": "(Marcia) Only passengers holding an electronic ticket receipt, travel agency itinerary, airline ticket card, boarding document, internet printout or paper ticket will be allowed past the security check point winter, you asked about procedures in Europe - the above has always been the case in the UK to my knowledge - certainly any time I've flown, whether within the UK, within Europe, or to North America (USA and Canada) you cannot get into the departure lounge without a boarding pass which is issued at check-in (and passport for international flights); non-passengers are not allowed past that point. Then at the boarding gate you must show your pass again. If a checked-in passenger does not board, but has put luggage on the plane, the plane will not fly until the luggage has come off. Check in times for USA/Canada have been two hours minimum every time I've done the trip; within Europe its usually an hour; I know someone who checked in 30 minutes before a flight to Dublin (thus was technically late) and was not allowed to board because she'd breeched security regulations. what is curb side check in?"}, {"response": 221, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (18:07)", "body": "There are skycaps at the entrances (curb) who will take your bags and they are put on the plane. You have to produce a valid ticket and photo identification. This is only for domestic flights. Plus you have to tip these guys per bag."}, {"response": 222, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (19:42)", "body": "Science@NASA is based in the United States, but among our many subscribers are a substantial number of readers from other countries. In recent days many of them have written to us expressing their sympathies and horror at the events of Sept. 11th. Their messages, attached below, reveal how the heart-breaking loss of life in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania touches everyone. The staff of Science@NASA extend our heartfelt condolences to the many victims of Tuesday's tragedy, and we thank our friends overseas for their kind messages of support as we resume, later today, our regular schedule of scientific story-telling. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- TO: Ron.koczor@msfc.nasa.gov FROM: inna_mar@XXXXXXXX.ru Dear Mr. Koczor, All of us are shocked by the awful events that have occurred yesterday in New York and in Washington and we wish to extend our sympathy to you and your colleagues. If there is any way that we can help, please let us know. Sincerely, Inna Mardanyan Moscow, Russia **************************** TO: Ron.koczor@msfc.nasa.gov FROM: gushat@XXXXXXX.ru Dear friends, Your colleagues from Paleontological Institute of Moscow are with you. Our sympathy, thoughts and support are yours. And will always be. Best regards, Alexei Rzanov, Galina Ushatinskaya, and all colleagues from Moscow **************************** TO: Ron.koczor@msfc.nasa.gov FROM: snassopoulou@XXXXXXX.gr Dear Ron, We are very sorry and really left astonished and speechless with terrorism struck US yesterday. We sincerely wish and hope that everything is OK for you and all the American colleagues and families. Yours, Sophia Athens, Greece **************************** TO: phillips@spacescience.com FROM: tony.taggett@XXXXXXX.uk Dear Dr Phillips As my only point of contact with the United States is through your science@NASA website, I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the American people, our thoughts and prayers especially go out to the relatives and friends of those who perished in the awful events that occurred yesterday Yours Sincerely Tony Aggett United Kingdom ***************************** TO: ron.koczor@msfc.nasa.gov FROM: mmazzolini@XXXXXX.au We would like to offer our deepfelt sympathy, concern and prayers to our friends and colleagues in the US at this dreadful time, Margaret and Alex Mazzolini Melbourne, Australia ***************************** TO: ron.koczor@msfc.nasa.gov FROM: omaro@XXXXXX.kz We are absolutely shocked by horrible events in the U.S. It is unbelievable...Accept my condolences...Today our world has changed. What will happen to our world? Take care, Prof Omarov Alma Aty, Khazakstan ***************************** TO: ron.koczor@msfc.nasa.gov FROM: cofXXXXX@home.com As the President of CANADIAN Environmental Science and Research Group and on behalf of the Team of CESAR Group I would like to send our heart felt sorrow to those family members who lost relatives in these vicious and despicable attacks on democracy. God Bless America! Jack Pender Canada ***************************** From: Rafael C\ufffdrdenas Santacruz To: Ronald.J.Koczor@msfc.nasa.gov Sincere greetings Dr. Koczor, Ron Together with my family, we feel very sorry for the regrettable incidents in New York. We are with you with all our hearts. Rafael Cardenas Santacruz Scientific Technician Bogota, Columbia ***************************** TO: Ron.koczor@msfc.nasa.gov FROM: jarl.ahlbeck@XXXXX.fi In the 1930's Stalin deported and murdered 25,000 Finns that were peacefully living on the Soviet side of the border. It was a blind terror action against civilians, a complete ethnical cleaning of the Karelia county. Without successful defensive fight in the following winter war 1939 when Stalin tried to invade Finland (5 of my uncles were killed, my father injured), we would, according to recently discovered documents from Moscow, all have been deported to Siberia, and I would not sit here and study your website. These terrorists try to create a world of that kind. We do not want this world anymore! All the best for you in the USA Jarl Helsinki, Finland **************************** Necochea, 11/9/01 TO: ron.koczor@msfc.nasa.gov NASA: Hi\ufffd, My name is Maria. I am aware of the attack that has been perpetrated against your country, and I am very sad. I live in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I am 14 years old and there is not much that I can do to help, but I profoundly admire you and you have my moral support. I would like to ask you a favor. Please reach an agreement without wars, but I hope those responsible are found, so that peace will be extended throughout the world. Sincerely, Maguie. ***************************** From: Jonathon Dugdale To: patrick.meyer@msfc.nasa.gov Sent: 9/11/01 12:37 PM Subject: Condolences On behalf of all the employees and stakeholders of ApexMail I would like to say that we share in your shock, grief and pain resulting from today's unspeakable and cowardly assault. Our thoughts and prayers "}, {"response": 223, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (20:06)", "body": "(Marcia) El Al, The Israeli airlines makes inspections like you would not believe. They have the tightest security in the world and NO ONE complains. Right on, Marcia. Below is a fascinating article from today's Philly Inquirer on airport security in Israel. Take a moment to read this, everyone. IMO, *this* is the type of dialogue we should be having, and people need to think now about the balance of personal freedoms and civil liberties vs. much more aggressive security measures. How much of the former are you willing to give up in order to achieve the latter? A little? A lot? I don't have the answers but this is the type of thing I meant before when I wrote that I wondered if people would have the stomach for doing what may be required in the new world order. Military retaliation is only part of it. How Israel remains a model of airport security By Michael Matza INQUIRER STAFF WRITER JERUSALEM - As the United States moves to tighten security at its airports, it may look to the world's model of truly tough airport defense: Israel. Here, any trip on Israel's national airline, El Al, involves not only metal detectors but luggage searches, armed in-flight guards, and a personal grilling by a specially trained antiterrorism officer. Security agents routinely \"profile\" passengers to single out for extra attention Arabs or foreigners who fit ethnic or other parameters. Any foreign visitor who has taken off from Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv knows the drill: arrive two hours before departure, pass all luggage through a monster of a metal detector; open carry-on bags, which sometimes have to be unpacked on a stainless-steel table; and submit to interrogation by a no-nonsense screener. Where have you been in Israel? Whom did you meet? Did you go to the occupied territories of the West Bank and Gaza? Whom did you talk to there? Did you pack your own bags? Are you carrying any gifts? Did anyone give you anything to carry? Do you speak Hebrew? Can you read Hebrew? Have you ever studied Hebrew? Do you understand that I am asking these questions because what may seem like a gift to you may actually be an explosive device? Passengers of Arabic extraction say the questioning can last a very long time and often feels like harassment. Israelis tend to think of it as a necessary evil. In the United States, \"profiling\" would not pass constitutional muster. \"I think that 99 percent of the passengers understand very well the need for security arrangements, and there are not many complaints,\" said Pini Schiff, spokesman for the Israeli Airport Authority and former head of airport security. \"I can tell you, in general terms, that in two or three minutes of questioning, the screeners are doing their best to learn the passenger's aim for coming to Israel,\" Schiff said. \"All the flight checkers are hired by us and trained by us. They go through extensive background checks. All of them have served in the Israeli army and have to pass several tests to make sure that they have the capabilities to do the job.\" When a passenger's answers don't add up, he is denied a boarding pass. Schiff declined to say how often that happens. By questioning passengers, guards quickly can spot those who appear nervous, said Leo Gleser, a former El Al security officer and head of ISDS, a security-consulting firm. In the case of Tuesday's hijackers in the United States, \"not all of them would have made it onto the plane\" if the Israeli approach to security had been used, Gleser told the Associated Press. \"If you detect one, you can start to ask questions\" that might lead to the other members of the group. As another security measure, Ben Gurion passengers are taken by waiting buses to the planes, which are parked far from the terminal on guarded runways. And, although official sources in Israel would not confirm it, it is widely believed that armed, undercover security guards ride aboard every El Al flight. \"We've provided information in the past to other airlines and other airport authorities, and we will continue to share our expertise,\" said Nachman Kleiman, spokesman for El Al. Kleiman declined yesterday to say whether El Al had consulted with the Federal Aviation Administration on the new U.S. measures. \"I can tell you that El Al maintains a high level of security for its passengers by not discussing its procedures in the media,\" he said. Israeli Transportation Minister Efraim Sneh predicted that Tuesday's attacks would lead to security changes. But instead of bringing more high-tech responses, he said, they likely would reinforce the low-tech methods. \"Our screening method is based on identifying the suspect traveler and concentrating on the characteristics of the person,\" Sneh said. \"Screening for explosives only works when the terrorists are using explosives.\" As the world now knows, for Tuesday's terrorists, the plane was the bomb."}, {"response": 224, "author": "nky", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (20:21)", "body": "Hi everyone! I just like to say that I used work on Wall Street and now am working in midtown. Unfortunately I still have many clients from the downtown location especially in the twin towers. The downtown area is my playground. I know every building and every street. I can name most of the businesses with their building address. I've been watching the news and they're flashing the names of all the businesses in the twin towers and it is devastating to see all the names that I know and was conducting business with. I'm in the buildings couple of times a week for meetings and I was very lucky for not being in the area the day it all happened. My heart and sympathy goes out to all my clients and their families. I can't even begin to say how I feel and have been feeling the past couple of days. I like to also thank all of you for all your wonderful support."}, {"response": 225, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (20:23)", "body": "Sorry to spend so much time on the airport security issue... I've heard conflicting reports about what can now be accepted as \"carry on\" baggage. Some have said that purses and wallets only (what to do with backpacks?), others have said that there are no changes except that curbside check in is now banned. Am leaving for Indonesia next month (will live there for a year), packing a laptop, videocam and 35mm camera, books, files, clothes, etc.. Oh dear."}, {"response": 226, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (20:25)", "body": "Thanks for that, Mari! When I board a plane I want to get to my destination in one piece with my nervous system intact. I have nothing to hide. Search us all and put the fear of a real God in them!"}, {"response": 227, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (20:29)", "body": "The web grows larger and larger. Germany and Italy to name two."}, {"response": 228, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (20:45)", "body": "re: Carry-ons, they suggest we had better be prepared to turn on our laptops if we carry them on. Take photos with our digitals and so on. If you are using a standard camera, I'd suggest an empty one so they can open it and see it is just a camera. I am flying to my son's wedding next month. I am just as concerned as you are. I am heading over a very deep ocean and heading for San Francisco. I want to get there intact. I only have one child! I want to attend his wedding!"}, {"response": 229, "author": "wolf", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (20:57)", "body": "G O D B L E S S A M E R I C A ! ! !"}, {"response": 230, "author": "wolf", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (20:57)", "body": "(of course the flag didn't show up--hang on)"}, {"response": 231, "author": "wolf", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (20:58)", "body": ""}, {"response": 232, "author": "wolf", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (21:02)", "body": "let's try again---"}, {"response": 233, "author": "wolf", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (21:08)", "body": "as an american, it is heart-warming and pride-inducing to hear and feel the goodwill coming across this computer, the tv, and looking out the window. please keep it up. we have friends in the pentagon and know how close to home this has come for us. GOD BLESS YOU ALL! and please, please remember, that anger will not fix this tragedy, will not bring anyone back. feel it but don't act on it. the majority of foreigners who have come here have come for the same reason our pilgrims did so long ago. i am angry, appalled, and very saddened by these events. pray for the leaders of all the countries of the world. please display your flag, put your lights on when you're driving around running errands and take the time to thank your servicemen and women of all walks...this is what they train for."}, {"response": 234, "author": "wolf", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (21:15)", "body": "did you see London playing our National Anthem? i had goosebumps! thank you, that was very moving!! ABC needs to play it again!!"}, {"response": 235, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (21:18)", "body": "Re: Israeli airline security I know many people who have gone through it for years. You live with it. In the United States, \"profiling\" would not pass constitutional muster. It's done right now at the airports at customs on your return.... Has a smuggler sued on that basis???"}, {"response": 236, "author": "wolf", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (21:29)", "body": "i think that security at airports will make honest people feel safe but bad guys do think, how would airports prevent the bad guys from hiring in? and who's to say that that hasn't happened already. after all this destruction, the news just reported that several people are in custody from JFK and the G airport (i can't spell it at all). i don't know. we all know how bits of info turn into other things and then we have to go back and amend what was reported."}, {"response": 237, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (22:19)", "body": "its LaGuardia. They arrested 5 people at JFK and 4 at LGA. all were of middle east extraction, sporting phony pilots licenses, demanding to get on those flights. They were arrested. Apparently, a group of 3 men tried to get on a flight on Tuesday at JFK, the pilot was suspicious, called port authority police and then the 3 men vanished..."}, {"response": 238, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (22:24)", "body": "Suspicious stuff was detected at check-in and the guys vanished. No pilots were involved. However, I just heard that a pilot and some flight attendants just tested our new airport security with a pocket knife, a corkscrew and false identification and walked right through and then turned around and told the security personnel. :-("}, {"response": 239, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (22:27)", "body": "Oh Karen!!! I am happy I have a month before my flight."}, {"response": 240, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (22:38)", "body": "Two groups got arrested/detained today trying to board airplanes with fake id's and knives. Peter Jennings was just talking to Senator Joseph Biden, pressing hard to get him to comment on whether or not we're still under attack. He said these guys were the second string and the crisis was over, but he looked visiably shaken and wasn't very convincing. An astrounding comment he made was that he was afraid where Jennings was going to go next and both of them looked shaken. Cheney was moved to Camp David today. Washington was evacuated. > >Whoever's running around with the suitcase nuke or the biological weapon has to be found and stopped before a far worse scenario unfolds."}, {"response": 241, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (23:23)", "body": "The collapse of the WTC towers was detected as a M2.5 on the Richter."}, {"response": 242, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (23:28)", "body": "Not a surprise since each of those floor slabs weighed 300 tons."}, {"response": 243, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (23:37)", "body": "Perhaps it is time to relearn the 4th verse of the National Anthem of the United States. I much prefer it to what we sing now! Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand Between their loved homes and the war's desolation! Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just, And this be our motto: \"In God is our trust.\" And the star-spangled banner forever shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!"}, {"response": 244, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (23:48)", "body": "http://www.cnn.com/2001/US/09/13/jfk.airport.detained/index.html about today's two hijack attempts."}, {"response": 245, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Sep 13, 2001 (23:53)", "body": "I know many people who have gone through it for years. You live with it. My point exactly. It's done right now at the airports at customs on your return.... Has a smuggler sued on that basis??? Karen, you know they're talking about profiling on the basis of ethnicity--not picking on middle-class ladies who come off the flight from Milan carrying too many Ferragamo bags.;-). Re: the Jennings/Biden interview. I saw that too, Terry. Was that the most bizarre interview you've ever seen, or what? Now, it's emerging that these guys were all trying to board flights to the west coast (i.e., planes loaded with fuel); armed with knives; and carrying pilot training certs from the same school in Fla. that the Tuesday bombers had attended. Same M-0! Yet, earlier today, the FAA says it's safe to fly and opens the airports. Now, oops--not NY! The FAA is totally incompetent, IMO, and should be removed immediately from having jurisdiction over whether the planes can be permitted to fly. However, I just heard that a pilot and some flight attendants just tested our new airport security with a pocket knife, a corkscrew and false identification and walked right through and then turned around and told the security personnel. :-( See my FAA comment above. It's like Groundhog Day. We keep doing the same thing over and over again, sending out the same poorly-trained minimum wage personnel to do a job that other countries employ highly trained people to do. When I saw the new FAA \"security procedures,\" I'd have laughed if it weren't so pathetic. No plastic knives, huh? Well, that's ok, since they never cut through the crummy food they give you anyway.;-) Seriously, this is *so* primitive! Unbelievable--as I'm typing this, Ted Koppel is interviewing a passenger from the JFK flight. He said they were ready to take off, then about 20 SWAT team members rushed aboard shouting at everyone to hit the floor, and they pulled 3 people off the flight, one of whom was violently resisting arrest. But hey, let's open those airports. :-( I'm at a loss."}, {"response": 246, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (00:20)", "body": "NASA released aerial shots today, of lower Manhatttan taken from outer space. The pre-collapse smoke eminating from the twin towers, is clearly visible. So is the big gaping gap where the twin towers used to be, once they collpased. It was surreal seeing the pictures."}, {"response": 247, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (00:22)", "body": "you know they're talking about profiling on the basis of ethnicity--not picking on middle-class ladies who come off the flight from Milan carrying too many Ferragamo bags.;-). LOL! Am reminded of my astonishment that my own parents were not strip-searched many many years ago on their return from Hong Kong. They must be the only people on the face of the earth who bought nothing. Who would've believed that? ;-) But seriously, ethnic and other profiling is routine at security/customs checkpoints now. Take drugs for example...or the chubby white guy with Rolexes up and down his arm. Have just heard back from my cousin, an air traffic controller in Miami. He too says there's no likelihood that any plane would've been a threat to Air Force One. What shocked him is the return to DC. Even after the 4th plane crashed in PA, there were still thousands of planes still in the air. That's why he couldn't go back to DC."}, {"response": 248, "author": "AotearoaKiwi", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (05:28)", "body": "Hi all I may have upset one or two people when I said \"Why do many Americans want war?\" for which I apologise but these people did not care who got hit and some people thought the Libyans should be bombed even though Muhammad Gadaffi (right person??)condemned the attacks. If Libya did have a role then they deserve to get hit but I am only seeing stuff about the Osama bin Laden monster who resides in Afghanistan and whom should be extradited and tried anyway, OR if he is the mastermind, bombed into the ground. Bombs away if they are implicated, and GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOD BLESS FREEDOM AND GOD BLESS HUMANITY!!!!!!!!! Rob"}, {"response": 249, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (09:29)", "body": "Could you unlock your Cap Lock key? Thanks."}, {"response": 250, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (09:49)", "body": "My sister sent this to me, I think it's in wide circulation on the net. Subject: From: \"Nadia Zierke\" TRIBUTE TO THE UNITED STATES This, from a Canadian newspaper, is worth sharing. America: The Good Neighbor. Widespread but only partial news coverage was given recently to a remarkable editorial broadcast from Toronto by Gordon Sinclair, a Canadian television commentator. What follows is the full text of his Trenchant remarks as printed in the Congressional Record: \"This Canadian thinks it is time to speak up for the Americans as the most generous and possibly the least appreciated people on all the earth. Germany, Japan and, to a lesser extent, Britain and Italy were lifted out of the debris of war by the Americans who poured in billions of dollars and forgave other billions in debts. None of these countries is today paying even the interest on its remaining debts to the United States. When France was in danger of collapsing in 1956, it was the Americans who propped it up, and their reward was to be insulted and swindled on the streets of Paris. I was there. I saw it. When earthquakes hit distant cities, it is the United States that hurries in to help. This spring, 59 American communities were flattened by tornadoes. Nobody helped. The Marshall Plan and the Truman Policy pumped billions of dollars into discouraged countries. Now newspapers in those countries are writing about the decadent, warmongering Americans. I'd like to see just one of those countries that is gloating over the erosion of the United States dollar build its own airplane. Does any other country in the world have a plane to equal the Boeing Jumbo Jet, the Lockheed Tri-Star, or the Douglas DC10? If so, why don't they fly them? Why do all the International lines except Russia fly American Planes? You talk about Japanese technocracy, and you get radios. You talk about German technocracy, and you get automobiles. You talk about American technocracy, and you find men on the moon - not once, but several times - and safely home again. You talk about scandals, and the Americans put theirs right in the store window for everybody to look at. Even their draft-dodgers are not pursued and hounded. They are here on our streets, and most of them, unless they are breaking Canadian laws, are getting American dollars from ma and pa at home to spend here. When the railways of France, Germany and India were breaking down through age, it was the Americans who rebuilt them. When the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central went broke, nobody loaned them an old caboose. Both are still broke. I can name you 5000 times when the Americans raced to the help of other people in trouble. Can you name me even one time when someone else raced to the Americans in trouble? I don't think there was outside help even during the San Francisco earthquake. Our neighbors have faced it alone, and I'm one Canadian who is damned tired of hearing them get kicked around. They will come out of this thing with their flag high. And when they do, they are entitled to thumb their nose at the lands that are gloating over their present troubles. I hope Canada is not one of those.\" Stand proud, America! Wear it proudly!! This is one of the best editorials that I have ever read regarding the United States. It is nice that one man realizes it. I only wish that the This is one of the best editorials that I have ever read regarding the United States. It is nice that one man realizes it. I only wish that the rest of the world would realize it. We are always blamed for everything, and never even get a thank you for the things we do. I would hope that each of you would send this to as many people as you can and emphasize that they should send it to as many of their friends until this letter is sent to every person on the web. I am just a single American that has read this, I SURE HOPE THAT A LOT MORE READ IT SOON."}, {"response": 251, "author": "kolin", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (09:53)", "body": "\"Tribute to the United States\" This was written by Gordon Sinclair in 1973 regarding the Vietnam war. Gordon Sinclair died in 1984, but his sentiments resonate powerfully today. Canadians mourn with the Americans and are prepared to help any way they can. Anywhere between 50-500 Canadians are expected to be among the casualties of this horrific act. We are going to have a nationwide memorial service and moment of silence today. This attack was against all of us no matter where we live or come from."}, {"response": 252, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (10:11)", "body": "\"you know they're talking about profiling on the basis of ethnicity..\" I can just see the suits now on the basis of racial discrimination . We are a litigious society. This would never be tolerated. For years I was searched at Heathrow; someone on the Most Wanted List must have looked like me. I never minded. But this would never be done in the US."}, {"response": 253, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (10:12)", "body": "Yes, that email is making its rounds."}, {"response": 254, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (11:24)", "body": "Two of the world's most impressive structures have been taken down and over 10% of New Yorks office space has been eliminated. You get a sinking feeling when you read Bin Laden's biography and read that he has a degree in 1979 from King Abdul Aziz University in ... Civil Engineering. He has been running a construction company for over a quarter of a century. Meanwhile . . . WASHINGTON (Reuters) - About 20 police officers, many in SWAT gear, stormed an American Airlines jetliner at New York's Kennedy Airport on Thursday, subduing one man and handcuffing two others, possibly thwarting a hijacking attempt, a passenger aboard the plane told ABC News. http://us.news2.yimg.com/f/42/31/7m/dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010914/ts/attack_tradecenter_report_dc_1.html More (from CNN): 10 people arrested, getting on two planes -- one in JFK, one in LaGuardia. Some were trained in piloting at the same school as the hijackers on Tuesday. Some got caught at checkpoints, some made it onto planes. \"WASHINGTON, NEW YORK (Reuters)\" ... \"The Defense Department asked Bush to authorize the activation of tens of thousands of military reserve troops for ''homeland defense'', defense officials said.\" \"Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld planned to activate between 30,000 and 50,000 reservists to provide ``strike-alert'' jet fighter protection and perform other duties at domestic military bases.\" ... \"Afghanistan's ruling Taliban movement, which shelters bin Laden, warned of revenge ``by other means' if the United States attacked their country in retaliation for Tuesday's attacks.\" ... \"An ABC News/Washington Post poll released on Friday showed that nearly nine in 10 Americans approved of Bush's job performance -- a huge leap in the aftermath of Tuesday's terror attacks.\" \"Nearly seven out of 10 Americans supported military action against the groups or countries responsible for the attacks, even if that meant a long war with heavy U.S. casualties, the poll found.\" http://us.news2.yimg.com/f/42/31/7m/dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010914/ts/attack_dc_40.html"}, {"response": 255, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (11:27)", "body": "http://islamicsupremecouncil.org/Condemnation/support/bin_ladens_nukes.htm BIN LADEN'S NUCLEAR WEAPONS \ufffd ex-Soviet Warheads Become Fuel for Portable Terrorist Nuclear Bombs \ufffdArab-funded terrorists smuggle nuclear warheads, purchased from the Russian mafia with opium and cash out of Russian territory, reaching Khost overland via secret routes through Uzbekistan. There, former Soviet scientists remove the active uranium to be processed and placed in backpack-sized nuclear bombs\ufffdready for transportation to the West undetected\ufffdto explode in a blast of nuclear terror. Al-Watan al-Arabi, an Arabic language newsmagazine, reports that worldwide terrorist mastermind Usama bin Laden has used two tons of opium and $30 million to purchase over twenty nuclear warheads. Bin Laden has hired an international team of rogue nuclear scientists working in a secret underground base to convert warheads stolen from former Soviet republics into miniature portable nuclear devices capable of striking targets around the globe. The newsmagazine further states that bin Laden developed ties with the mafias of former Soviet republics during the Afghan War which provided him the key to obtaining nuclear missile warheads from the disintegrating USSR. The Arab Afghans, as bin Laden\ufffds fighters are often called, have established extensive bases and networks in many of the Central Asian and Caucasian republics where, due to the weakness of the central government and the minimal security, they are able to thrive unhindered. These terrorist groups operate under the cloak of extremist Islam claiming to oppose the local governments on religious grounds. However, in addition to their calls for the overthrow of \ufffdcorrupt Islamic governments\ufffd these groups serve as a channel for bin Laden to trade Afghani opium to the Russian mafia in exchange for stolen nuclear warheads. Al-Watan\ufffds sources reveal that bin Laden recently sent a delegation representing himself and the Afghani mafia to meet with the mafias of the former Soviet republics. These mafia groups share a common extremist ideology and have disguised their criminal activities under the name of Islam. These mafias have terrorized the governments of the newly-formed Central Asian republics intending to destroy them and replace them with those following their fierce, extremist ideology. This meeting of mafias was a prelude to bringing bin Laden out of Afghanistan and into power in one of these Central Asian"}, {"response": 256, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (11:28)", "body": "http://www.smh.com.au/news/0104/30/world/world8.html http://www.msnbc.com/news/295108.asp"}, {"response": 257, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (11:39)", "body": "I may have posted this before, but it's significant, this is what makes these attacks possible. Osama Bin Laden is using web encryption - from an article published months ago in USA Today http://www.usatoday.com/life/cyber/tech/2001-02-05-binladen.htm I hate to use the term, but Bin Laden and the terrorists are a global, virtual community, they don't have to be in one physical place to survive, they can disperse to the far corners of the earth and still maintain contact using 128 bit encryption. That's the scariest part of all this this, they are invisible to all our current monitoring technology. They are extremely difficult to pinpoint and attack. This is what scares me the most about all this."}, {"response": 258, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (11:39)", "body": "WASHINGTON \ufffd Hidden in the X-rated pictures on several pornographic Web sites and the posted comments on sports chat rooms may lie the encrypted blueprints of the next terrorist attack against the United States or its allies. It sounds farfetched, but U.S. officials and experts say it's the latest method of communication being used by Osama bin Laden and his associates to outfox law enforcement. Bin Laden, indicted in the bombing in 1998 of two U.S. embassies in East Africa, and others are hiding maps and photographs of terrorist targets and posting instructions for terrorist activities on sports chat rooms, pornographic bulletin boards and other Web sites, U.S. and foreign officials say. from the above url"}, {"response": 259, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (11:40)", "body": "\"Uncrackable encryption is allowing terrorists \ufffd Hamas, Hezbollah, al-Qaida and others \ufffd to communicate about their criminal intentions without fear of outside intrusion,\" FBI Director Louis Freeh said last March during closed-door testimony on terrorism before a Senate panel. \"They're thwarting the efforts of law enforcement to detect, prevent and investigate illegal activities.\" A terrorist's tool Once the exclusive domain of the National Security Agency, the super-secret U.S. agency responsible for developing and cracking electronic codes, encryption has become the everyday tool of Muslim extremists in Afghanistan, Albania, Britain, Kashmir, Kosovo, the Philippines, Syria, the USA, the West Bank and Gaza and Yemen, U.S. officials say. It's become so fundamental to the operations of these groups that bin Laden and other Muslim extremists are teaching it at their camps in Afghanistan and Sudan, they add. \"There is a tendency out there to envision a stereotypical Muslim fighter standing with an AK-47 in barren Afghanistan,\" says Ben Venzke, director of special intelligence projects for iDEFENSE, a cyberintelligence and risk management company based in Fairfax, Va. \"But Hamas, Hezbollah and bin Laden's groups have very sophisticated, well-educated people. Their technical equipment is good, and they have the bright, young minds to operate them,\" he said. U.S. officials say bin Laden's organization, al-Qaida, uses money from Muslim sympathizers to purchase computers from stores or by mail. Bin Laden's followers download easy-to-use encryption programs from the Web, officials say, and have used the programs to help plan or carry out three of their most recent plots: Wadih El Hage, one of the suspects in the 1998 bombing of two U.S. embassies in East Africa, sent encrypted e-mails under various names, including \"Norman\" and \"Abdus Sabbur,\" to \"associates in al Qaida,\" according to the Oct. 25, 1998, U.S. indictment against him. Hage went on trial Monday in federal court in New York. Khalil Deek, an alleged terrorist arrested in Pakistan in 1999, used encrypted computer files to plot bombings in Jordan at the turn of the millennium, U.S. officials say. Authorities found Deek's computer at his Peshawar, Pakistan, home and flew it to the National Security Agency in Fort Meade, Md. Mathematicians, using supercomputers, decoded the files, enabling the FBI to foil the plot. Ramzi Yousef, the convicted mastermind of the World Trade Center bombing in 1993, used encrypted files to hide details of a plot to destroy 11 U.S. airliners. Philippines officials found the computer in Yousef's Manila apartment in 1995. U.S. officials broke the encryption and foiled the plot. Two of the files, FBI officials say, took more than a year to decrypt. \"All the Islamists and terrorist groups are now using the Internet to spread their messages,\" says Reuven Paz, academic director of the Institute for Counter-Terrorism, an independent Israeli think tank. Messages in dots U.S. officials and militant Muslim groups say terrorists began using encryption \ufffd which scrambles data and then hides the data in existing images \ufffd about five years ago. But the groups recently increased its use after U.S. law enforcement authorities revealed they were tapping bin Laden's satellite telephone calls from his base in Afghanistan and tracking his activities. \"It's brilliant,\" says Ahmed Jabril, spokesman for the militant group Hezbollah in London. \"Now it's possible to send a verse from the Koran, an appeal for charity and even a call for jihad and know it will not be seen by anyone hostile to our faith, like the Americans.\" Extremist groups are not only using encryption to disguise their e-mails but their voices, too, Attorney General Janet Reno told a presidential panel on terrorism last year, headed by former CIA director John Deutsch. Encryption programs also can scramble telephone conversations when the phones are plugged into a computer. \"In the future, we may tap a conversation in which the terrorist discusses the location of a bomb soon to go off, but we will be unable to prevent the terrorist act when we cannot understand the conversation,\" Reno said. Here's how it works: Each image, whether a picture or a map, is created by a series of dots. Inside the dots are a string of letters and numbers that computers read to create the image. A coded message or another image can be hidden in those letters and numbers. They're hidden using free encryption Internet programs set up by privacy advocacy groups. The programs scramble the messages or pictures into existing images. The images can only be unlocked using a \"private key,\" or code, selected by the recipient, experts add. Otherwise, they're impossible to see or read. \"You very well could have a photograph and image with the time and information of an attack sitting on your computer, and you would never know it,\" Venzke says. \"It will look no different than a photograph exchanged between two friends or fami"}, {"response": 260, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (11:42)", "body": "\"I can tell you that El Al maintains a high level of security for its passengers by not discussing its procedures in the media,\" he said. HEAR, HEAR! Am I alone in believing that far too much information is given to terrorists, criminals, enemies in the name of \"freedom of speech\"?"}, {"response": 261, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (11:48)", "body": "And as a follow up to the above, from zdnet news The hunt for suspects in Tuesday's terrorist attacks has moved online. America Online has handed the FBI e-mail records for accounts belonging to the suspected hijackers, according to a report on CNN's Web site Thursday. AOL spokesman Andrew Weinstein declined to comment on any matters involving the investigation. AOL Time Warner's online division stores logs of when instant messaging users are on the network; it also can access e-mail correspondence under certain situations. \"We are cooperating with (the FBI) in this ongoing investigation,\" Nicholas Graham, spokesman for Dulles, Va.-based AOL, said Wednesday. Although Graham wouldn't provide details, he denied reports that the company had agreed to install a Carnivore surveillance system. The FBI developed Carnivore, now renamed DCS1000, to allow it to wiretap communications that go through Internet service providers. \"We are able to provide them with information on an immediate basis,\" he said, stressing that such an ability made Carnivore unnecessary. On Wednesday, EarthLink also acknowledged that it is working with the FBI to turn over specific information that may be relevant to the case. EarthLink's vice president of communications, Dan Greenfield, confirmed that the Atlanta-based ISP was served with a warrant under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) to turn over information. FISA limits the ability of intelligence and law enforcement agencies--essentially the FBI, the CIA and the military information-gathering National Security Agency--from spying on the American public. The warrant covers investigations relating to the leakage of information to a foreign government and requires less burden of proof than a warrant in a criminal case. The directors of the FBI and the CIA as well as the secretaries of state and defense are the only government officials allowed to request a FISA warrant. Calling the warrant \"equivalent to a wiretap,\" Greenfield also denied that the company had let the FBI install a Carnivore system. \"We are not installing any equipment,\" he said. \"We are cooperating with a very specific request. There are concerns from our customers that we are giving arbitrary access to our network, and we are not.\" Most of the clues that have turned up so far in the hunt for suspects have been dug up through typical investigative footwork, not high-tech sleuthing. Authorities are searching for the accomplices of a well-organized group of suicide hijackers who commandeered four commercial jets Tuesday, effectively turning them into flying bombs. Two flattened the World Trade Center, while a third seriously damaged the Pentagon. The fourth plane crashed in a field. Some of the victims on hijacked aircraft used cell phones to describe the attacks to people on the ground. In addition, a review of the passenger lists has offered some leads. So far, five Arab men have been identified by Massachusetts authorities as suspects, according to two Boston newspapers. Authorities have also seized a rental car containing Arabic-language flight-training manuals at the city's Logan International Airport, where two of the hijacked planes originated, the papers reported. U.S. agents served warrants on homes and searched businesses in south Florida; they also issued alerts for two cars in connection with the attacks, local media reported. Jack Mattera, director of computer forensics for The Intelligence Group, which specializes in corporate investigations and crisis management, stressed that information technology will likely play a crucial role in finding out who planned the suicide attacks. \"Using high-tech to investigate is critical,\" he said. \"There are some things that gumshoe work is just not going to find.\" Security experts described Tuesday's attack as low-tech, with reports of knives being used as the primary weapons in the hijackings. Nevertheless, many suspect computers and the Internet may have played a critical role in planning the complex and highly coordinated operation. In February, George Tenet, the director of the CIA, warned members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence that terrorists were using the Internet and high-tech tools to communicate. \"International terrorist networks have used the explosion in information technology to advance their capabilities,\" he told the committee. Mark Mansfield, spokesman for the CIA, declined to explain what tools the agency was bringing to bear, saying \"it would be ill-advised for us to talk about (our methods). It would not be a prudent thing to do.\" Both the NSA and the FBI declined comment as well. However, The Intelligence Group's Mattera said he believed that the requests for online information may be to check out the people who posted suspicious information in public chat rooms or online. \"I think there is some indication that there may have been some information posted to different groups that didn't specifically alert people at the time,"}, {"response": 262, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (11:51)", "body": "Gerard is still talking to us from on the ground in NYC. Gerard Van der Leun (boswell) Fri Sep 14 '01 (08:37) 45 lines Early this morning, looking out the window at the street, I suddenly started to see in my mind a whole chain of images from the last week. This was the first day when I had nothing in front of me that I had to do, and I just started to run the images... the rumble in my building, the confused chatter on the radio, the television images of the second plane coming in... the street outside my house with dozens all running toward the promenade to see the horro across the river.. the twin towers tall in the crisp and bright morning with the flames and smoke streaming up like obscene claws coming out of the building. and the sound and the sight of the first tower just going down and going down and the blast of dust up and spewing out of the canyons of wall street and the screams and wails around me as what we saw was so far beyond our ability to comprehend the enormity of it that we could have been just ants gazing at the sole of a descending boot... and the sick wet rumble that came across the water like a screaming beast having its innards torn out and the smoke, the immense plume of smoke that darkened the sun and went on and still goes on... and the rest of the day a dim numb blur i had i think something to eat and i went to get coffee in the bright sunlight with a friend and i called my daughter and found she was safe and far uptown, except of course she was not safe, as none of our children will ever be safe again until that thing that caused this is crushed and killed and ground to dust and sent down into the pit of oblivion forever."}, {"response": 263, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (11:59)", "body": "Gerard Van der Leun (boswell) Fri Sep 14 '01 (08:43) 28 lines and going back to my place and watching the endless repeats and the endless parade of the doomed and the wounded and the hordes of people in the distance jamming the bridge, the brooklyn bridge on which two large american flags fly, these people all going one direction, one direction only... out and away from the stench and the terror and the death... and somewhere in there the second tower came down down on thousands trying to escape and down on hundreds of what have to be the bravest and most noble souls in the world, the fireman, the fireman who were going up the stairs... up the stairs... UP THE STAIRS... we cannot know what sort of human spirit that takes we can never know... i have no humanity and no manhood and no courage when compared to these men, none of us do none of us... do you all understand that they went into this building and up the stairs?"}, {"response": 264, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (11:59)", "body": "I am ready and willing to give up my civil liberties if it means that we can remain safe here in the US and the rest of the world. People need to realize that right now, and not complain about it, as they inevitably will."}, {"response": 265, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (12:04)", "body": "Gerard Van der Leun (boswell) Fri Sep 14 '01 (08:56) 50 lines and the day went on and went on... inside to television.. outside into the reality... and the smell of it got stronger and the white ash of concrete ash of steel ash of paper ash of human beings drifted over me and everythingand everyone around me and settled white and obscene on everything and the smoke went on and the streets were filled with people whose faces were filled with fear and with grief and with anger and nobody spoke except to whisper to those next to them that they knew or perhaps did not know but knew now in this terrible day at some point i began to take pictures of the skyline which was not there any more, of the lives that weren't there any more... of little things... but it wasn't any use... it was pointless... feeling grief was pointless... only rage seemed to have a point, rage and hate, and it seemed important, very very important to retain that rage and hate as a wall against the pain and the despair... i walked out again and again to look across the river and to smell the smoke and to see the dust because i knew that nothing would ever be the same again, i knew that something had killed my world and the world of those i loved... of the world of all of us...and that no matter what we did that world would never be returned to us... that we could and we must honor and remember it.. that we must take terrible and complete vengence on those whose evil took it from us no matter what the cost... but that world, that indian summer world, would not be returned anymore than the lives of those who went up the stairs in the burning and collapsing tower would be returned. this morning for the first time i have been weeping, weeping not in tears but in a kind of dry low screaming agony that sweeps up in my chest. it comes and shakes me and then it goes away. i'm going to go out into this world now to tend to the little needs of my little day in my little world. i can't bear to remember anymore of this week for now even though I remember it all."}, {"response": 266, "author": "kolin", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (12:41)", "body": "Over 100,000 people participated at the memorial service in Ottawa, with speeches by Jean Chretien, US ambassador Paul Celluci and Governor General Adrienne Clarkson. Chretien expressed the resolve of Canada to fully supprt U.S at this difficult time."}, {"response": 267, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (14:06)", "body": "Tony Blair's speech to the special session of Parliament was carried on FOX. He also expressed the support and allegiance to the US in tracking down the terrorists by every means available. Eloquent and sincere. Much appreciated."}, {"response": 268, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (14:13)", "body": "Am I alone in believing that far too much information is given to terrorists, criminals, enemies in the name of \"freedom of speech\"? You are walking a very thin line here. But I agree with you. The thought of them having the possibility to make \"backpack nuclear bombs\" is a scary one. God bless us all!"}, {"response": 269, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (14:33)", "body": "President Bush gave a very inspiring speech at the National Cathedral as did Billy Graham. I was reduced to tears. My friend Jean is still awaiting word of her sister who was at the WTC for a conference."}, {"response": 270, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (14:33)", "body": ""}, {"response": 271, "author": "rachael", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (14:49)", "body": "we had a three minute silence and a candle-lit vigil at work today, at 11am, led by our chaplain. It was very moving and I'm glad I was there, although it feels such a small thing to do in the face of such enormity. Tony Blair said we (in the UK) stand shoulder to shoulder with the USA; NATO said an attack on one of us is an attack on all of us; we know now that this is true, that along with thousands of Americans were hundreds of British citizens, Irish, Canadians, Australians, and more, and this event will touch many of us, world wide. My father, my uncle, and my grandfather were all firefighters. The loss of some of New York's finest is keenly felt in this home, many miles away. I'm lucky, my friend escaped, my cousin's colleagues and friends are safe. My heart goes out to those not so lucky, and I just hope the prayers we said and the thoughts we had, at 11am this morning in the UK, go some way to comfort those shouldering terrible burdens. I think I read somewhere that at 7pm tonight, US time, candles will be lit. 7pm in NYC is midnight here; I'll be lighting a candle then. Shoulder to shoulder; an attack on one of us is an attack on all of us. God bless you"}, {"response": 272, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (15:10)", "body": "(Mari) When I saw the new FAA \"security procedures,\" I'd have laughed if it weren't so pathetic. No plastic knives, huh? Well, that's ok, since they never cut through the crummy food they give you anyway.;-) Seriously, this is *so* primitive! B'ness as usual: 1. Panic. 2. Create specific reactive measures instead of broad proactive measures (golly gee, all 18+ hijackers answered the 'did you pack you own suitcase' question truthfully and they probably skipped curbside check-in). 3. Panic some more. Aargh! I was also LOL about the knives. Whatever will they do in first class, where the cutable food is served? Wait until someone chokes and sues. Or maybe they'll just ban airline food all together, or restrict it to the likes of those Otis Spunkmeyer cookies served by SouthWest. ;-) Winter, by the time you leave for Indo the carry-on requirements might be better defined. You could also look into shipping some of those items ahead."}, {"response": 273, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (15:24)", "body": "posted to a listserve Dear Friends, The following was sent to me by my friend Tamim Ansary. Tamim is an Afghani-American writer. He is also one of the most brilliant people I know in this life. When he writes, I read. When he talks, I listen. Here is his take on Afghanistan and the whole mess we are in. -Gary T. Dear Gary and whoever else is on this email thread: I've been hearing a lot of talk about \"bombing Afghanistan back to the Stone Age.\" Ronn Owens, on KGO Talk Radio today, allowed that this would mean killing innocent people, people who had nothing to do with this atrocity, but \"we're at war, we have to accept collateral damage. What else can we do?\" Minutes later I heard some TV pundit discussing whether we \"have the belly to do what must be done.\" And I thought about the issues being raised especially hard because I am from Afghanistan, and even though I've lived here for 35 years I've never lost track of what's going on there. So I want to tell anyone who will listen how it all looks from where I'm standing. I speak as one who hates the Taliban and Osama Bin Laden. There is no doubt in my mind that these people were responsible for the atrocity in New York. I agree that something must be done about those monsters. But the Taliban and Ben Laden are not Afghanistan. They're not even the government of Afghanistan. The Taliban are a cult of ignorant psychotics who took over Afghanistan in 1997. Bin Laden is a political criminal with a plan. When you think Taliban, think Nazis. When you think Bin Laden, think Hitler. And when you think \"the people of Afghanistan\" think \"the Jews in the concentration camps.\" It's not only that the Afghan people had nothing to do with this atrocity. They were the first victims of the perpetrators. They would exult if someone would come in there, take out the Taliban and clear out the rats nest of international thugs holed up in their country. Some say, why don't the Afghans rise up and overthrow the Taliban? The answer is, they're starved, exhausted, hurt, incapacitated, suffering. A few years ago, the United Nations estimated that there are 500,000 disabled orphans in Afghanistan--a country with no economy, no food. There are millions of widows. And the Taliban has been burying these widows alive in mass graves. The soil is littered with land mines, the farms were all destroyed by the Soviets. These are a few of the reasons why the Afghan people have not overthrown the Taliban. We come now to the question of bombing Afghanistan back to the Stone Age. Trouble is, that's been done. The Soviets took care of it already. Make the Afghans suffer? They're already suffering. Level their houses? Done. Turn their schools into piles of rubble? Done. Eradicate their hospitals? Done. Destroy their infrastructure? Cut them off from medicine and health care? Too late. Someone already did all that. New bombs would only stir the rubble of earlier bombs. Would they at least get the Taliban? Not likely. In today's Afghanistan, only the Taliban eat, only they have the means to move around. They'd slip away and hide. Maybe the bombs would get some of those disabled orphans, they don't move too fast, they don't even have wheelchairs. But flying over Kabul and dropping bombs wouldn't really be a strike against the criminals who did this horrific thing. Actually it would only be making common cause with the Taliban--by raping once again the people they've been raping all this time So what else is there? What can be done, then? Let me now speak with true fear and trembling. The only way to get Bin Laden is to go in there with ground troops. When people speak of \"having the belly to do what needs to be done\" they're thinking in terms of having the belly to kill as many as needed. Having the belly to overcome any moral qualms about killing innocent people. Let's pull our heads out of the sand. What's actually on the table is Americans dying. And not just because some Americans would die fighting their way through Afghanistan to Bin Laden's hideout. It's much bigger than that folks. Because to get any troops to Afghanistan, we'd have to go through Pakistan. Would they let us? Not likely. The conquest of Pakistan would have to be first. Will other Muslim nations just stand by? You see where I'm going. We're flirting with a world war between Islam and the West. And guess what: that's Bin Laden's program. That's exactly what he wants. That's why he did this. Read his speeches and statements. It's all right there. He really believes Islam would beat the west. It might seem ridiculous, but he figures if he can polarize the world into Islam and the West, he's got a billion soldiers. If the west wreaks a holocaust in those lands, that's a billion people with nothing left to lose, that's even better from Bin Laden's point of view. He's probably wrong, in the end the west would win, whatever that would mean, but the war would last for years and millions would die, not just theirs but ours. Who has the bel"}, {"response": 274, "author": "Becka", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (15:33)", "body": "Rachael - My father, too, was one of the head Fire Chiefs in Toronto. Two of my uncles are currently Captains (it seems to run in families, doesn't it?) I am totally devastated by the deaths of those brave men. My Dad is crushed, and he just had a cornea transplant which makes his pain even worse. My Dad had meet those chiefs who died in NYC on a couple of occassions at international events. If it had been here, in Toronto, I probably would have lost a few members of my family. I am trying to help my Dad's department organize something here cause like many, I really want to help. At the moment I have had to turn the TV off as they are putting faces on the dead, and it is breaking my heart. Here in Canada 100,000 people showed up at Parliament Hill in Ottawa for a memorial ceremony - that is a huge number. I am so proud of Canadians, so proud for the world for sharing in this grief."}, {"response": 275, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (15:43)", "body": "Had the TV on all morning, sobbing. Each story is more heartbreaking than the next."}, {"response": 276, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (16:15)", "body": "Washington Post New York Airport Suspects Cleared By Donna De La Cruz Associated Press Writer Friday, Sept. 14, 2001; 11:12 a.m. EDT NEW YORK \ufffd\ufffd About a dozen travelers of Middle Eastern descent who were detained at two New York airports have been cleared of any connection with this week's terrorist attacks, federal authorities said Friday. One person, however, remained in custody, said Barry Mawn, head of the FBI's New York office. That person had not immediately been charged and may be released, Mawn said. The incidents Thursday caused the region's three major airports \ufffd Kennedy, LaGuardia and Newark, N.J. \ufffd to close again just hours after service had been restored because of the attacks. Authorities had been investigating whether the two groups \ufffd detained at Kennedy and LaGuardia \ufffd were more would-be hijackers or people related to the attack trying to flee the New York area. Sen. Joseph Biden, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told CNN the arrests were based on suspicions that the men were linked to Tuesday's attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. One man was arrested because he was belligerent, while the others were merely detained and questioned, according to the senator's chief of staff, Alan Hoffman. Biden said there were explanations for the suspicions. One man was originally thought to be traveling with a fake pilot's license. Biden said the man was a pilot who also had his brother's identification. \"His brother happened to live in an apartment complex that was one in Boston where some of these people had actually been,\" said Biden, D-Del. Others were traveling to a Boeing Co. conference, either because they work for the airline manufacturer or were invited, Biden added. \"The folks at the airport thought, 'Hey, wait a minute, are they impersonating crew?' And they weren't.\" Mawn said he could not verify reports that the individuals had been taken forcibly off a plane. ---------------------------- I saw an interview on Good Morning American. A passenger said the pilot - after talking with those on board - told them to buckle up because they would soon be taking off. About 20 minutes later, men with guns drawn, in full riot gear, came in the rear and took the suspects away."}, {"response": 277, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (16:21)", "body": "This is incredible stuff - world wide empathy and support feels very good, indeed. Lest anyone mistake Rob's comments in Caps, I want to assure you that he is a very special friend; conservative, itelligent and thoughtful. He is not given to overstatement nor emotionalism. Emphasis is what those Caps were for, and, Rob, many warm thanks for your doing so."}, {"response": 278, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (16:49)", "body": "Tamim Ansary. Tamim is an Afghani-American writer. Wonder what this guy is doing to help his country except write emails?"}, {"response": 279, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (16:55)", "body": "Washington Post New York Airport Suspects Cleared By Donna De La Cruz Associated Press Writer Friday, Sept. 14, 2001; 11:12 a.m. EDT NEW YORK \ufffd\ufffd About a dozen travelers of Middle Eastern descent who were detained at two New York airports have been cleared of any connection with this week's terrorist attacks, federal authorities said Friday. One person, however, remained in custody, said Barry Mawn, head of the FBI's New York office. That person had not immediately been charged and may be released, Mawn said. The incidents Thursday caused the region's three major airports \ufffd Kennedy, LaGuardia and Newark, N.J. \ufffd to close again just hours after service had been restored because of the attacks. Authorities had been investigating whether the two groups \ufffd detained at Kennedy and LaGuardia \ufffd were more would-be hijackers or people related to the attack trying to flee the New York area. Sen. Joseph Biden, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told CNN the arrests were based on suspicions that the men were linked to Tuesday's attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. One man was arrested because he was belligerent, while the others were merely detained and questioned, according to the senator's chief of staff, Alan Hoffman. Biden said there were explanations for the suspicions. One man was originally thought to be traveling with a fake pilot's license. Biden said the man was a pilot who also had his brother's identification. \"His brother happened to live in an apartment complex that was one in Boston where some of these people had actually been,\" said Biden, D-Del. Others were traveling to a Boeing Co. conference, either because they work for the airline manufacturer or were invited, Biden added. \"The folks at the airport thought, 'Hey, wait a minute, are they impersonating crew?' And they weren't.\" Mawn said he could not verify reports that the individuals had been taken forcibly off a plane. ---------------------------- I saw an interview on Good Morning American. A passenger said the pilot - after talking with those on board - told them to buckle up because they would soon be taking off. About 20 minutes later, men with guns drawn, in full riot gear, came in the rear and took the suspects away."}, {"response": 280, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (17:00)", "body": "Womack Diary, Day 3 *8-/ Subject: Day 3, and this morning Date: Friday, September 14, 2001 9:10 AM From: Womack, Jack Our secretary Heather (who just moved here from Alaska, two weeks ago) and myself are the only people on our floor so far this morning. Yesterday we were essentially told the building would be open, but after that it was up to us. And, as my ISP is down in the Closed Zone (I called them \"control zones,\"), I can't do email from home (and so won't be writing again till Monday), here I am, at least for a couple of hours. This morning it's raining, very hard, a frog-strangler. I don't think it's rained this hard this consistently all year. My pants are still wet and the tie's soaked through. This has made rescue attempts pretty much impossible, today, not that at this point anyone is really expecting survivors -- they were saying on the news that the dust down there, wet, has the consistency of oatmeal; and that with every half-inch of rain that falls, several additional tons of weight begin pressing down on everything. The subways down there have also all flooded, even before this, what with water main breaks in evidently several locations (This water of course is also soaking into foundations throughout the area). It's also turning much cooler -- somewhere in the 60s today, and yesterday afternoon it got up to the mid-80s, I think, and was humid enough to notice. It came to me this morning that the reason 30,000 body bags are on hand for what appears will be 5,000 casualties is that the 5,000 are all in pieces, and each piece of course will need to be bagged separately. There was a drawing in the Daily News today showing the outlines of all the buildings surrounding where the Trade Towers stood, and noting that at least 9 of them have suffered major structural damage. The Milennium (sic) Hotel and 1 Liberty Plaza I mentioned yesterday. Among the others in bad shape is one of my favorites, the 1927 Bell Telephone building at the corner of Barclay & West. It stands next to both the North Tower and 7 WTC, both of which collapsed. It's a Ferris-silhouette art deco beauty, and the building is built over the sidewalk on the Barclay St. side, a stone arcade running the length of the block. Cool in the summer. It looks like the only residential area fully evacuated was Battery Park City, where Ellie lives (she is still staying with patrick & Teresa, I am hoping she's been able to get some sleep soon). No word on when that'll open back up but I can't imagine it'll be anytime soon. THis morning, coming out of the subway, I was maybe one of three or four people. After yesterday, which at moments almost felt like a normal day (or, rather, a day in the gone world), today seems much more like Wednesday did, except far more grim due to the rain. As all of you know in the rain New York's color goes, essentially, gray. Very gray. And that's how it looks today. With luck, it will at least finally clear the dust out of the atmosphere (it struck me yesterday that one of the many interesting things we've all been breathing in the past few days are bits of infinitesimally powdered glass). But if the other buildings start falling, the cloud will come back. In this sort of weather in the past, of course, the cloud cover overlying NY would generally be so low as to hide the Trade Towers for view, and it was pleasant to be able to fantasize, at such moments, what downtown NY used to look like when they weren't there. I was reading, somewhere, that some European is already saying that he & others will get all European nations to help rebuild at least one of the towers if not both, bigger and taller and clearly even more of a hideous target. Thank you Europe, but no, please. Here are the ongoing bigger or more interesting changes in the event, both onsite and in media, that I'm noticing. I talked about some of these last night with Clute. 1. The first media memorial teddy bear site appeared. In Union Square, which is right at 14th Street where the No-Traffic Zone begins. Some workmen brought up a piece of steel from the Trade Towers and wrapped it around a stele, or flagpole, or something -- they never pan up of course to show you what the thing is, focusing instead on the flowers being left. The one good thing is at this point, no teddy bears have appeared. It's mostly single flowers and pictures of missing people, so I'm actually not sure that a media-driven Mourning Zone will take hold. I suspect because everything in New York is a Mourning Zone, and everyone here is too much in shock, still, to even be thinking of those goddamned teddy bears. 2. The dawning awareness of New Yorkers, such as myself & Ellen Datlow (who I met for a couple of drinks last night, down in Chelsea, as she was finally able to get above 14th.), that this is actually being paid attention to out in the country. A very funny thing, this -- the sense I think held to varying lengths of time by people who live here that what has happened is in some "}, {"response": 281, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (17:08)", "body": "Evelyn, Tamsin is an Afghani-American who has been living here for 35. His country is America. Thank you for posting Tamsin's letter. We're flirting with a world war between Islam and the West. My husband is Italian and he has been saying this for years, that it would happen. This is their holy war, this is just what they want. Americans and the international community believe they will be going to war to fight against terrorist, but they will be fighting the holy war."}, {"response": 282, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (17:26)", "body": "Marcia, I wasn't at all offended by Rob's use of capital letters. He only used them to emphasize one particular thought in his post. It is a time of high emotion and different people express themselves differently. As it is also a time of high stress, some may react to certain things more strongly than would be the norm. It would seem that no harm was meant either by Rob or those who had been put off by his use of upper case letters. I've been able to contact my friends living in New York. Everyone is physically fine, but they say that they feel emotionally sick and bruised. So do I for that matter. Lastly, the Pennsylvania crash site isn't all that near Pittsburgh. It lies about 80 miles to the southeast, near the Maryland border, about 35 miles SSW of Johnstown. Pittsburgh is the largest city near it, and more people have an idea of where Pittsburgh is than were Johnstown, PA is. The plane crashed in Somerset county which is a very rural area. It came down in a cornfield. Fortunately no one on the ground was hurt."}, {"response": 283, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (17:37)", "body": "Last night one network (I forget which) reported that they had \"found\" 10 policemen on the 2nd underground level...one of them had reached his wife via cel phone. Has anyone heard more about this? Is it confirmed? I could find nothing about it on any of the other networks."}, {"response": 284, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (18:03)", "body": "It was a hoax. Friday September 14 11:36 AM ET NY Mayor Asks Media for Accuracy By DAVID BAUDER, AP Television Writer NEW YORK (AP) - Mayor Rudolph Giuliani (news - web sites) asked the news media to be more careful reporting about the World Trade Center rescue operation Friday, saying wrong information is raising false hopes and endangering workers. ``Some of it can be very dangerous and emotionally damaging,'' he said. He cited false reports that a potential survivor had been in contact with people by cell phone, and that 10 or 15 people were trapped alive in a store. Media outlets reported Thursday that five firefighters trapped since Tuesday had been rescued from the trade center rubble. It later turned out that only two who were trapped in an air pocket for several hours Thursday were found alive. Not only does false information play with the emotions of people with missing friends and relatives, it can send rescue workers on dangerous, fruitless chases, he said. He urged news organizations not to report such details until confirmed by police and FBI (news - web sites). ``If we could all be a little more patient and verify information before we put it out, we won't raise people's hopes unnecessarily,'' Giuliani said. CNN anchorwoman Paula Zahn, responding on the air to Giuliani's request, noted that it has been difficult to get accurate information out of the rescue site. ``We're all trying to heed this advice,'' she said. ``Unfortunately, everybody is being given conflicting information.'' ABC, CBS, NBC and the cable networks were into their fourth day of exclusive devotion to the story on Friday. News executives say they're keeping in mind television's role as a national gathering place in times of emergency. Network news chiefs uniformly expressed pride in how their profession has performed this week. ``There's really been a careful approach to the story that combines aggressiveness in getting information out with the awareness that we should not be speculating and we should not be alarming people,'' said CBS News President Andrew Heyward. NBC is being careful in its wording to not equate Islam with extremism even if some of the religion's believers masterminded the attack, network news President Neal Shapiro said. Until Giuliani announced Thursday that 4,763 people were missing at the World Trade Center, networks had generally been careful not to guess on the number of casualties. An exception: network reports that as many as 800 people died at the Pentagon; the estimate is now 190. There were also widely varying reports on the number of body bags brought to the World Trade Center site. News organizations also made different decisions when confronted with video depicting victims jumping from the World Trade Center to certain deaths; CBS showed it, ABC refused. ``It was not some sort of gratuitous, individual tragedy where we were exploiting someone's personal pain for some kind of sensational purpose,'' Heyward said. ``Quite the opposite. This was absolutely germane to the context of the story and vividly conveyed the sheer horror in a way that was journalistically appropriate.'' Offered the same video, ``without any hesitation we turned it down,'' said ABC News President David Westin. ``I don't believe that showing actual human beings leaping to their deaths was helpful.'' CNN showed images of things falling from the World Trade Center, but they weren't necessarily identifiable as humans, CNN Chairman Walter Isaacson said. NBC showed footage of a body falling once and decided not to anymore. The same was true at Fox News Channel. ``I don't think it's an easy call,'' NBC's Shapiro said. ``I don't condemn anybody who chose to run it.'' At least two networks were planning specials to help children cope. Peter Jennings will anchor a one-hour ABC special for youngsters Saturday morning, and Nickelodeon will present ``Nick News : Kids, Terrorism and the American Spirit'' with Linda Ellerbee on Sunday night. ---------------------------------------- If someone who knows how would delete my double post, I would be grateful. -- I think I hit reload and it sent all again - at least it shows on my computer."}, {"response": 285, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (18:07)", "body": ""}, {"response": 286, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (18:18)", "body": "Thanks, Suzee. (I only saw one copy of your post, by the way.)"}, {"response": 287, "author": "wolf", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (19:27)", "body": "we are skating on thin ice in this topic by venting our anger here. this will not help anyone. the afghani-american writer above makes sense, IMMHO. the Holy War is what these people want. and they sure as heck are trying hard to get it too. it's all around us, look at Israel, look at the Serbs, look at Ireland, for goodness sakes. this is ridiculous. ok, the service today was wonderful though i was a bit worried about all those people in the same place. tonight at 7, please light a candle!! and if you've flown a flag today, thank you so much. my sub-division either didn't have the flags or were too afraid to show them but to those who did, thank you very much!!"}, {"response": 288, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (21:00)", "body": "My candle is lit and sitting vigil at the base of my flagpole.. 7 PM was 1 PM here and it is broad day light. The candle will remain as long as it burns. The flag at half staff is coming down at sunset to rise then lower to half staff again tomorrow. Fighting amongst ourselves just plays into their hands. Come on world, we're better than that!!! Terry, MSNBC ran the Bin Ladin interview this afternoon again. You sure you want to see this man?"}, {"response": 289, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (21:04)", "body": "a new CNN article which explains how the Taliban are trying to defend Bin Laden and turn this into a religious war: http://www.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/asiapcf/central/09/14/afghan.denial/ _Prepare for Holy War_ \"Now, the third empire of the world wants to impose an attack on us,\" [supreme Afghan leader Mullah Mohammed Omar] said. \"As you know better, it is not because of Osama [bin Laden]. This is the demonization of Islam.\" Well, this idiotic move does nothing more than confirm their role as a Bin Laden conspirator."}, {"response": 290, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (21:21)", "body": "... To insistent chants of \"U.S.A.! U.S.A.!\" from the crowds of workers, Mr. Bush took hold of a small bullhorn and climbed atop a small pile of rubble. He then shouted over a chorus of cheers that he wanted the rescuers to know that all America was deeply grateful for their efforts. \"This nation stands with the good people of New York City, and New Jersey and Connecticut, and we mourn the loss of thousands of our citizens\" he said. To cries of \"George, we cant hear you!\" the President replied: \"I can hear you! I can hear you!\" \"The rest of the world hears you,\" he added. \"And the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon!\" ... more at: http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/14/national/15CND-BUSH.html"}, {"response": 291, "author": "wolf", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (21:36)", "body": "that was wonderful--the chanting and that he went straight in there...but because of the whole security issue where he is concerned, the operation slowed down. did anyone else get that impression? yes, terry, The Holy War between the west and islam."}, {"response": 292, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (21:44)", "body": "Please, just do not make a martyr of Osama Bin Ladin. I am pleased with how America is responding. Makes me all gritty determination mixed with misty patriotism. I will do without, I will do what is necessary. Just do it right! Go to website and see the pics in all 4 sections. Humbling, maddening, speechless... This should never have happened. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/photo/attack/newyork/6.htm"}, {"response": 293, "author": "wolf", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (21:45)", "body": "that was wonderful--the chanting and that he went straight in there...but because of the whole security issue where he is concerned, the operation slowed down. did anyone else get that impression? yes, terry, The Holy War between the west and islam."}, {"response": 294, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (22:19)", "body": "No one's making a martyr of Bin Laden. He's dispicable. They keep saying he's worth $300 million. The Banks aren't very top notch in Afghanistan. Where's he keeping this money. We should find out and confiscate all his money. NBC is now reporting that a couple of guys with box cutters were arrested off an Amtrak train in San Antonio, the cops thought they were drug dealers because they had a lot of cash. Now they're thought to be major players in this terrorist network. It's been getting a lot of local attention, now it's starting to break nationally. US officials are in the Caymans investigating a letter warning about a major terrorist act against the US involving airlines. It was treated as \"merely speculation\" by the government (whose?, the Caymans?). Three men are being held in the Cayman Islands."}, {"response": 295, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (23:35)", "body": "This Cayman's connection sounds like that's where they might have a bank account. That should be investigated. the Holy War is what these people want. We are going back to the Crusades. There has been a major influx of Muslims all over Europe and in some cases such as Rome, they insist on having a mosque built. I would like to see in which Muslim country one can go live at and insist they build a Catholic church. It would never happen."}, {"response": 296, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 14, 2001 (23:37)", "body": "Sebastian Mendler (smendler) Fri Sep 14 '01 (20:26) 83 lines Subject: groping towards a solution (fwd) Hi, friends -- Okay, let's see here... tell me if I am incorrect in any of the following points, or in the reasoning that I am trying to distill from them. 1. Unless I remember wrongly, the Japanese were seen during WWII much the same way as the Islamic Extremists are being seen now -- driven by religious fervor, unable to be reasoned with for that reason, not afraid to die for their cause. 2. This religious fervor was defused after the war by Hirohito shedding his divine status, and a constitutional monarchy being established in Japan. 3. The majority of Japanese had little or no problem making the transition. This probably had something to do with the fact that the most fervent believers in the old system were, well, dead. 4. The huge occupation force in Japan both respected many traditional Japanese institutions, and defanged the more troublesome ones. 5. At the same time, the Americans in that force brought back to the US awareness of many aspects of Japanese and Asian culture that had hitherto been little-known in the US. 6. They also brought along some wives. 7. The Afghani people are in dire straits indeed -- so dire, some say, that bombing them would be pointless, there's nothing worth bombing. The resulting weakness is one reason why the Taliban have not been tossed out on their turbans. 8. As the saying goes, you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. 9. The point of the globalist movement -- which one assumes includes Bush, Powell, et al. -- is that Our Way of Life is the best one, so we need to get everybody involved in it. At least, that's sorta what they'll tell you if you ask. 10. The Japanese, rebuilt, became an economic powerhouse, and a key player in the world economy. It liked the results. The former militarist viewpoint, while still maintained by a few bitter conservatives, lost its former stranglehold on the soul of the nation. 11. So perhaps it makes more sense, not to try a purely military operation, but rather to try more of a *cultural* invasion. Think of the liberation of Pepperland from the Blue Meanies by the Beatles in _Yellow Submarine_. Restore color, light, and music to a dark, silent, depressed land. Wall-to-wall carpeting, not carpet bombings. PT Cruisers, not cruise missiles. Water, not napalm. Perfume, not tear gas. 12. Such an operation would still have its military aspects, and they would be huge. All the invading force of aid workers, fashion designers, educators, doctors, chefs, musicians, jugglers, car dealers, etc. would need to be protected while they did their jobs. Any attacking forces would be squelched, stomped, eradicated; but in the absence of attacks, life would get better and better for the folks that cooperated. This force would be much more like a police force than an army. (Sometimes, the best defense is to not be offensive.) 13. At the same time, we would not repeat the Soviets' mistake of trying to eradicate the fundamentalists. Chase them into the hills, and let them live their lives the way they want to. In fact, make sure they do; protect them from *all* outside influences, and protect the outside from theirs. Do not try to follow them into the mountains. 14. In this scenario, there would be plenty of opportunities for the more bloodthirsty among us to kick some righteous butt -- the beachheads (so to speak) will be tough to establish -- but these opportunities would ultimately be in the service of the healers. 14. At the same time, there are transformations to be effected within the Western world -- but maybe we should save that for another time... Am I on a promising track here? / /skip"}, {"response": 297, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Sep 15, 2001 (00:05)", "body": "Terry, Dear, you were not the one I thought might martyr this sick man and his followers. Unhappily we need give them no more reasons to hate Americans and want to kill them. His followers need little urging to create mayhem, it seems. *HUGS* (despicable is the nicest thing I have heard him called all week!)"}, {"response": 298, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Sep 15, 2001 (00:07)", "body": "Bin Laudin is an ex-Saudi. He just about holds the ruling house ther hostage for letting us land jets in Saudi Arabia during the gulf war. I am certain Swiss accounts are numerous, too."}, {"response": 299, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Sep 15, 2001 (00:14)", "body": "Oh Skip, if only it were that simple. We are discussing a belief system here not a political one. Too many serf in both instances. How long do you think the dress designers would last in a land and religion which hides their women and treats them as chattel (not to mention mutillation, so I won't mention it.) Our do-gooders would be deader then doornails as soon as they landed. This is an other world. They are not insular, this cell system of radical Islamists! They infiltrate every layer of society and in OUR country of dress desingers, and still loathe us enough to kill us in cold blood - civilians!!! Think some more... I'm listening!"}, {"response": 300, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Sat, Sep 15, 2001 (00:26)", "body": "Well seeing as Bin Laden is as good as he is, at keeping his movements and his intentions hidden, I doubt if hiding $300 million in a series of international bank accounts, would be all that hard for him. If it is stashed away in Swiss bank accounts, I'm not holding my breath that it can be found and confiscated any time soon. How long did it take for the Swiss banking authorities to finally cooperate, in tracking down loot stolen by the Nazi's....45, 50 years ?"}, {"response": 301, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep 15, 2001 (00:37)", "body": "The Japanese, rebuilt, became an economic powerhouse, and a key player in the world economy. This was the way that the Brigate Rosse terrorists in Italy where defeated as well. And did you know that Baywatch is the number 1 TV show in Iran? Unfortunately, the world has not acted on this before and now things have gone too far. Their Muslim radical power works on the poor because religion thrives in poor countries. The Jihad has started. I only pray that no atomic bombs will be used from either side."}, {"response": 302, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep 15, 2001 (00:38)", "body": "If it is stashed away in Swiss bank accounts, I'm not holding my breath that it can be found and confiscated any time soon. It is different now. There no longer is secrecy in Swiss banking."}, {"response": 303, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Sat, Sep 15, 2001 (01:26)", "body": "ROTFLMAO Moon.....Baywatch is the Number 1 rated program in Iran ? Are you serious ? Yikes, I bet the late Ayatollah Khomeni is just thrilled to bits, not to mention David Hasslehoff....LOL Thanks for that Moon, I needed a good laugh after this weeks trauma. By the way, what are #2 and #3 Three's Company and Charlie's Angels ?"}, {"response": 304, "author": "laughingsky", "date": "Sat, Sep 15, 2001 (09:28)", "body": "I have never experienced such a massive show of patriotism as I have in the last few days. Last week, I admit that I would have passed many American flags with my thoughts absorbed in something else, never really and truly acknowledging the stars and stripes and for what that flag stands for. Somehow, in times past, the word \"patriotism\" has always rattled a little nerve in the \"government-is-out-to-get-us\" leftist side of me. Today, though, I am beginning to look at that flag and the word \"patriotism\" in a different light. Don't get me wrong - I'll still be looking over my shoulder, but, I am feeling a great sense of togetherness with this \"patriotism\" attitude. It is only saddening to realize what it has taken to get me to this place."}, {"response": 305, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Sep 15, 2001 (09:42)", "body": "http://pain.outloud.org/gary/thankyou/ These are photos from around the world of people stopping and praying, lighting candles, etc. big page but worth the wait time. There's a photo of Arafat giving blood. And this link is to a Yahoo! \"slide show\" of 20+ photos of newspaper front pages from around the world after the attack. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?p=news&g=events/ts/091201newspapers&e=1&tmpl=sl&nosum=0&large=0?tamp=1000366704\",610,580) ; This was an attack on the world trade center and it was an attack on the world, that building housed so many nationalities and religious types, I'd like to see a breakdown. BBC morning news reports that Pakistan is not going to allow an assault from bases in their country, we'll have to stage from India? Or Dushanbe? The Russians may be advising us on how to invade Afghanistan, do you see the irony in this? We're going to need a multi-faceting approach with not only air strikes but covert activity and ground troops. And at the same tiem we're going to have to bolster our homeland defense, unlike the Gulf War where there were only air strikes and no danger at home."}, {"response": 306, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Sep 15, 2001 (10:18)", "body": "Pakistan won't allow flights originating from their land but they'll most likely allow flyovers. The European community may offer some support but not likely overwhelming, though I'm comforted by Tony Blair's statements and actions, they've been courageous. Russia and India will be our staunchest allies. Need a million or so soldiers? India has 'em and would probably put them out on to the battlefield. An alliance with Russia will minimize China overnight. I just hope I'm wrong about lukewarm Euro participation. This is the first war of this century in a millenium that started out looking like it would belong to China and Asia. Now that balance may be changing and it will become the century of global, English speaking democracies lead by America, India, Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand. This may have the effect of changing the balance of power for a century to come. We're lost the symbol of our Western global economy, but in the processed it's galvanized the global English speaking democracies in a way we would never have done spontaneously. Think about this in your little cave, Osama. Think about a wealthy, technologically advanced, English speaking India ruling the region. Think about about a total global power change that will transform tragedy in to a brighter future for all mankind. India and Russia may need this kind of power boost from the US, they're struggling and they need to be galvanized and energized in the direction of becoming sane, technologically advanced democracies."}, {"response": 307, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 15, 2001 (11:04)", "body": "\"English\" is not the tie that binds when it comes to India's involvement."}, {"response": 308, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep 15, 2001 (11:16)", "body": "Tha Russians did rather poorly in Afghanistan and I doubt that India would would be heavily involved. I would like to see what those tradionally \"leftist\" European countries do."}, {"response": 309, "author": "toyce", "date": "Sat, Sep 15, 2001 (11:17)", "body": "As for the lukewarm European leaders' response, didn't they learn from the 1930's that appeasement did not change any outcome?"}, {"response": 310, "author": "toyce", "date": "Sat, Sep 15, 2001 (11:18)", "body": "Karen is right. If India joins this, it will probably be for Hindu revenge against the Muslims."}, {"response": 311, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Sep 15, 2001 (11:51)", "body": "FBI Press Response September 14, 2001 Washington D.C. FBI National Press Office The following is a list of the nineteen (19) individuals who have been identified as hijackers aboard the four airliners that crashed on September 11, 2001, into the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon, and Stony Creek Township, Pennsylvania. Information listed for each hijacker differs, but may include date of birth, address provided, or visa status. This is the extent of the information available at this time. The FBI requests that anyone who may have information about these individuals-even though they are presumed to be dead- to immediately contact an FBI filed office or call the toll-free hotline at 1-866-483-5137. American Airlines #77 Boeing 757 8:10 am departed Washington Dulles for Los Angeles 9:39 am crashed into the Pentagon 1) Khalid Al-Midhar - Possible residence (s) : San Diego, California and New York, New York; Visa Status: B-1 Visa, but B-2 Visa had expired. 2) Majed Moqed - No information available. 3) Nawaq Alhamzi - Possible residence (s) : Fort Lee, New Jersey and Wayne, New Jersey and San Diego, California. 4) Salem Alhamzi - Possible residence (s) : Fort Lee, New Jersey, and Wayne, New Jersey. 5) Hani Hanjour - Possible residence (s) : Phoenix, Arizona and San Diego, California. Believed to be a pilot. American Airlines #11 Boeing 767 7:45 am departed Boston for Los Angeles 8:45 am crashed into North Tower of the World Trade Center 1) Satam Al Suqami - Date of birth used: June 28, 1976; Last known address: United Arab Emirates. 2) Waleed M. Alshehri - Dates of birth used: September 13, 1974/January 1, 1976/ March 3, 1976/ July 8, 1977/ December 20, 1978/ May 11, 1979/ November 5, 1979; Possible residence (s) : Hollywood, Florida/ Orlando, Florida/ Daytona Beach, Florida; Believed to be a pilot. 3) Wail Alshehri - Date of birth used: July 31, 1973; Possible residence (s) 4) Mohamed Atta - Date of birth used: September 1, 1968; Possible residence (s) : Hollywood, Florida/ Coral Springs, Florida/ Hamburg, Germany; Believed to be a pilot. 5) Abdulaziz Alomari - Date of birth used: December 24, 1972 and May 28, 1979; Possible residence: Hollywood, Florida; Believed to be a pilot. United Airlines #175 Boeing 767 7:58 am departed Boston for Los Angeles 9:05 am crashed into South Tower of the World Trade Center 1) Marwan Al-Shehhi - Date of birth used: May 9, 1978; Possible residence: Hollywood, Florida; Visa Status: B-2 Visa; Believed to be a pilot. 2) Fayez Ahmed - Possible residence: Delray Beach, Florida. 3) Ahmed Alghamdi - Possible residence: Delray Beach, Florida. 4) Hamza Alghamdi - Possible residence: Delray Beach, Florida. 5) Mohald Alshehri - Possible residence: Delray Beach, Florida. United Airlines #93 Boeing 757 8:01 am departed Newark, New Jersey, for San Francisco 10:10 am crashed in Stony Creek Township, Pennsylvania 1) Saeed Alghamdi - Possible residence: Delray Beach, Florida. 2) Ahmed Alhaznawi - Date of birth used: October 11, 1980; Possible residence: Delray Beach, Florida. 3) Ahmed Alnami - Possible residence: Delray Beach, Florida. 4) Ziad Jarrahi - Believed to be a pilot. Topic 14 [attack]: Events of Sept 11, 2001 #54 of 65: Bruce Sterling (bruces) Fri Sep 14 '01 (21:26) 85 lines *Every Time I Hear \"A New Era for Humanity\" Announced, I Really Have to Wonder If It Can Last Even Six Months *8-/ Subject: Yann Moix: A New Era for Humanity Date: Friday, September 14, 2001 11:52 AM From: Patrice Riemens Reply-To: Patrice Riemens To: A New Era for Humanity by Yann Moix Liberation (Paris), September 14, 2001 original in French at http://www.liberation.com/ny2001/actu/20010914venze.html Bingo, folks! The World will never go at war again, and yet it will be at war always, period. War and non-war, there shall be no difference any more. From the 11th of September 2001, all will be war, even peace. Peace shall no longer be the opposite of war, but its context, its natural environment, its ecosystem, its scene, its background, its screen-saver. War and peace shall no longer be each others contraries (that was in the good old manichean East vs West times), but they shall be imbricated the one in the other, like the two connected faces of the same reality. Peace shall be a kind of specific sub-case of war. War shall henceforth be everywhere and nowhere. War shall be waged in the dustbins of the Paris railtermini, war shall be waged above our heads in the air of the metropolises. War shall be permanent. War shall be open for business 24/24, 7/7 , just like CNN. There shall be intermissions, but no reprieve. It shall be a war blind, yet precise, fuzzy, yet targeted. Because never before has the distortion been so stark between fuziness of the causes and the acuurateness of the strikes. The First HyperWorldWar has started. It is a war where all pretenses will fly, and where acts will be used as statements of purpose afterwards. Let's call this a hyperwar: a world where "}, {"response": 312, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep 15, 2001 (11:52)", "body": "The Tamil Tigers in India have caused thousands of deaths because of terrorist attacks. As you see this is truly a Holy War. Those \"leftist\" European Countries have lost their religion and have become homocentric. There is -0 population growth because young couples even if they bother to get married are not interested in having children. They prefer the material to the spiritual. It will be interesting to see what kind of allegiance those countries give the US."}, {"response": 313, "author": "toyce", "date": "Sat, Sep 15, 2001 (11:57)", "body": "Just heard Netenyahu (sp?) on Fox. He made a good point. The reporter tried to make a comparison between the communists and the terriorists with regard to nuclear weapons. He said that was incorrect. He said the communists put their lives above their ideology. These people put their ideology above their lives."}, {"response": 314, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Sep 15, 2001 (12:13)", "body": "A chronology of strikes by Laden on US interests NEERAJ SAXENA TIMES OF INDIA NEWS NETWORK NEW DELHI: A glance at the chronology of terrorist attacks made on the US in the past one decade would indicate that the destiny of the US and its one- time bete noire Osama bin Laden have almost become inextricable. If the US is to be believed, almost all the attacks have been carried out or aided by bin Laden. However, the US has been harsh with its usual suspect just once. The missile attacks on his safe haven in Afghanistan and Sudanese factory was the only time when the US displayed its military might in retaliation. In 1996, former President Bill Clinton had even signed a secret order that authorised the CIA to use any and all means to destroy Laden's network, but the world's most powerful state has not been able to ensure this. In August, 1996, a secret grand jury investigation began against bin Laden in New York. He was quick to sign and issue a declaration of jihad on August 23 against the US and UAE, outlining his organisation's goals. CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS December 29, 1992: A bomb exploded in a hotel in Aden, Yemen, where the US troops had been staying while en route to a humanitarian mission in Somalia against guerilla leader Muhammed Aidid. The blast killed two Austrian tourists as the US soldiers had already left. RESPONSE: Two Yemeni Muslim militants, trained in Afghanistan and injured in the blast, arrested later. US intelligence agencies said this was the first terrorist attack involving bin Laden. February 26, 1993: A car bomb went off in the basement parking of the now fallen World Trade Centre, killing six people and injuring over 1,000. RESPONSE: Six accused, including the mastermind and confidante of Laden -- Ramzi Yousef -- sentenced to 240 years in prison for the bombing, for plotting to destroy WTC, the UN headquarters and to plant bombs on airliners flying out of the east coast. Ramzi was extradited from Pakistan and had close links with Laden according to the US. October 3, 1993: Eighteen US troops killed in a guerilla attack in Mogadishu, Somalia. American law enforcement, intelligence and national security officials are divided as to whether, as a Federal indictment charges, bin Laden and his associates trained and armed Somalia warlord Aidid's men. RESPONSE: Over 300 rebels claimed to have been killed by the US Rangers. April 19, 1995: A US government establishment in Oklahoma city bombed by an explosives laden truck parked in the car park of Alfred P Murrah building, killing 168 people, and wounding over 500. RESPONSE: Initially, the US suspected Osama bin Laden to be behind the bombing, but a 27-year-old misguided youth Timothy McVeigh was captured later, convicted and later executed. A key witness Terry Nichols sentenced for life. November 13, 1995: Five Americans and two Indians killed in the truck bombing of a US-operated Saudi National Guard training center in Riyadh. RESPONSE: The US accuses bin Laden. He denies involvement, but praises the attack. June 25, 1996: A large truck bomb devastates the US military residence in Dhahran called Khobar Towers, killing 19 servicemen. RESPONSE: The US military initially Laden had a hand in the attack, but now believes that a Saudi Shiite group was responsible. But US investigators still believe Bin Laden was somehow involved. August 7, 1998: US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania bombed by a suicide bomber, killing over 230 people and leaving over 4,500 injured. RESPONSE: US retaliates swiftly on August 20 by firing 70-80 `Tomahawk' Cruise missiles at alleged terrorist training camps in Khost, Afghanistan and the Al-Shifa pharmaceutical plant in Khartoum, Sudan saying it was a chemical weapons factory. Several of Osama Bin Laden's alleged co- conspirators put behind bars in the US. October 12, 2000: A small dinghy laden with explosives rammed into US warship USS Cole in Aden Harbour, Yemen, killing 17 US sailors and injuring 39 others. RESPONSE: Besides blaming Laden, the US has not done much by the way of a retaliation so far."}, {"response": 315, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Sep 15, 2001 (12:19)", "body": "335 newspaper front pages -- 189 from the day after the attack and 146 extra editions published on the day of the hijackings. http://www.poynter.org/index.cfm"}, {"response": 316, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Sep 15, 2001 (13:06)", "body": "On the topic of bin Laden's money, Forbes has some info: http://www.forbes.com/2001/09/14/0914ladenmoney.html Highlights: Although bin Laden's been kicked out of Saudi Arabia and his citizenship revoked, much of his money is 'tied up in businesses' in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. He also has access to 'charitable foundations,' not named, that are 'unregulated and untaxed.' Following a description of the abject poverty of Afghanistan, it talks about how bin Laden and other expatriate Saudis live there and pay 'a lot of rent.' You can afford a private army for $35,000 a month as you don't have to pay people much. Money is transferred from country to country via an informal network called \"Hundi,\" basically just individuals transferring money among themselves. Very difficult to track."}, {"response": 317, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Sep 15, 2001 (15:07)", "body": "We could probably solve the airline hijack issue with the installation of an \"auto lander\" which could over ride the pilots and land the plane if it deviated off course and the pilots did not respond with a password or other test. The airline doors need to be strengthened and pilots shouldn't be able to open them during flight, and anyone on the passenger side of the door or doors (two or three makes more sense) would absolutely be unable to penetrate them. The problem is solvable. But there are so many other unsolved procedures we need to put in place for so many as yet undreamed of scenarios."}, {"response": 318, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Sep 15, 2001 (15:21)", "body": "From http://www.janes.com , a global security website, has issued a list of the places that are known to have involvement with Al-Qaeda, bin Laden's organization Algeria Egypt, Morocco Turkey Jordan Tajikistan Uzbekistan Syria Xinjiang in China Pakistan Bangladesh Malaysia Myanmar Indonesia Mindanao in the Philippines Lebanon Iraq Saudi Arabia Kuwait Bahrain Yemen, Libya Tunisia Bosnia Kosovo Chechnya Dagestan Kashmir Sudan, Somalia Kenya Tanzania Azerbaijan Eritrea Uganda Ethiopia The West Bank and Gaza."}, {"response": 319, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Sep 15, 2001 (16:32)", "body": "Correct me if I am under a misconception, but do we not worship the same GOD ultimately? How can they call it a Holy War and worship God? I have a copy of the Q'ran and it says nothing of the kind they are espousing. It is an excuse for greed and warped minds in which to find reason for their vengeance."}, {"response": 320, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sat, Sep 15, 2001 (17:16)", "body": "it is just like anything else, cultish behavior brainwashing persons wishing to belong to anything. islam is a peaceful religion. i was told that the women wear the abayaah to protect themselves from being leered at by men. when they are home, the abayaah is removed. much like the latino community, arabians are family oriented and often house extended families. at no time did i feel like i was a piece of garbage while in Kuwait. the stares that i received were because i am different from what they are used to seeing. men and women of all walks live and work there. these people are just like us, have the same concerns as we do. i witnessed one father rewarding his child for a job well done at school. so please, do not assume that the arabian community is strange and should be feared. there are radicals in all communities, look at the guy in montana, he was american! look at the KKK, hello, people! sadly, there are scams out there to get your money all in the name of this tragedy. do not give to these telemarketers because there is no campaign to gain donations this way. something interesting: the taliban first mumbled that this was terrible, then pleaded that we do not bomb this poor country, then threatening surrounding neighbors that if they support the U.S., they will be attacked by holy warriors."}, {"response": 321, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep 15, 2001 (19:48)", "body": "but do we not worship the same GOD ultimately? You must go back to the Crusades, Marcia to get your answer. i was told that the women wear the abayaah to protect themselves from being leered at by men. Women are barely seen in the streets. They are second class citizens if at all. A western woman respectfully travelling in those countries (as I have found myslf on occassion), better not get the urge to go to the bathroom outside their hotel."}, {"response": 322, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Sep 15, 2001 (19:53)", "body": "The assassination of Massoud was no coincidence. It was most likely a signature attack by Bin Laden to eliminate Afghanistan's greatest anti-Taliban fighter. He was killed by explosives hidden in a belt or camera the day before the WTC attack. http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/15/international/asia/15MASS.html http://frontierpost.com.pk/main.asp?id=8&date1=9/15/2001 I'm unclear if Pakistan will or will not allow us to use their country as a staging area. If someone hears about this will they post it here? GERMAN OFFICIALS have asked the FBI and the Securities and Exchange Commission to look into whether bin Laden\ufffds associates may have \ufffdsold short\ufffd stock in a Munich, Germany, company that holds secondary insurance on the World Trade Center. http://www.msnbc.com/news/629380.asp The stock market will open at 9:30 pm EST on Monday. Biggest losers: airline stocks Biggest winners: military, cellular, security, tech stocks Other big losers: insurance stocks, hotels Other winners: teleconferencing systems, construction companies, fractional aircraft. Ramzi Yusef, architect of first World Trade Center bombing, carried plans for airliner suicide crashes: http://www.worldtribune.com/wta/Archive-2001/me_terrorism_09_13.html"}, {"response": 323, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Sep 15, 2001 (19:54)", "body": "I slipped with Moon."}, {"response": 324, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sat, Sep 15, 2001 (21:17)", "body": "in case there is any confusion, i was told by a kuwaiti man why the women wear an abaayah. yes, there are countries in which arabian women are treated as third-class citizens. but, it was witnessed by me, women were treated with respect, no walking 6-ft behind the man or anything. they drove, ran businesses, walked with their similarily clad men, wearing gold jewelry, etc. i can only relay what i saw in kuwait. these men wait until they are well into their 30's before marrying in order to prove that they are worthy of a wife, to care for her financially and whatever children they have. one arabian man said it clearly, the Koran (sp?) condemns behavior such as this. the muslim community needs to stand up to bin laden and use the word to show him as being wrong. several islamic people were interviewed and again reiterated that the Koran doesn't suggest anything of this nature. in fact, the Koran refers to all religions, christianity and judaism, not as being infidels, but as those included in the book, and infidels being those who do not believe at all (athiests). bin laden may see this as a holy war, but, it is not, because the religion he proclaims to be an interpretor of, would not allow this. again, it's based on perception. another thing i find interesting is that all the time, we are referred to as the devil, evil, etc. isn't that what we're doing? the deed was evil but we cannot condemn a whole peoples because of that. yes, i believe the guilty should and will pay. and so, i pray that the countries vowing support and our country do not do anything irrationally. that we think through whatever our actions may be. yes, we are angry, that is a step in grief, but let us take our time and move through this. anyway, who am i to say anything..... i think this discussion is healthy. *HUGS* to all!!!"}, {"response": 325, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sat, Sep 15, 2001 (21:22)", "body": "oh yeah, this may be the least of their worries right now, but....has anyone started piling up the mass of paper that flew out of the WTC? i wonder if any of the accounts and such could be put back together with what was left of that? and, how come the paper didn't incinerate?"}, {"response": 326, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Sat, Sep 15, 2001 (22:34)", "body": "Totally changing the subject for a sec.....I saw on CNN yesterday that the major US airlines lost $300 million per day, when they were grounded for 3 days. I am puzzled by this. I can understand why they may lose money in future, from a drop off in bookings. But surely every person who booked a flight from Sep 11-13, would have paid for it in advance. Who here of us, goes some where with out having booked and paid for it weeks, if not months in advance ? So wouldn't the airlines have the money from all those grounded flights, already in the bank ? I can see where they would lose money from the refunds they gave some people. But news reports showed most people waiting the delay out and not getting refunds. So where did this $300 million loss come from ? Sorry if I sound mercenary and trivial. I am the daughter of an airline man, so I suppose curiosity about them, is in my blood."}, {"response": 327, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Sep 15, 2001 (23:11)", "body": "Hugs to both Wolfie and Moon. You are both right. I just talked to a close friend who is Lebanese Muslim. She says depending on your sect, the rules vary as does status in the community make for variations. You also don't show the soles of your feet and you do not eat with your right hand....they do not shake hands - you wipe off human waste with that hand... and on and on. We need no acrimony....we are dealing with people who do not even understand each other!"}, {"response": 328, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Sat, Sep 15, 2001 (23:13)", "body": "The losses were not from this week's flights. The airlines have already received most of the money for this week's tickets. But they also sell tickets on a daily basis for next week, next month, next year, etc. Apparently they would have sold $300M worth of these tickets per day. Because of the crisis, they could not, because they did not know when, or if, they would be able to fly again. Even now that flights have resumed, they apparently anticipate a substantial reduction in the number of tickets sold, due to fear of flying, longer delays at airports due to security, etc. From now on, it's going to be an uphill battle to sell tickets to people who don't \"need\" to fly. This is why they expect to lose a lot of money. They still have the same number of planes to pay for, airport lease facilities to pay for, etc. So--the same fixed expenditures going out with much less in ticket sales coming in. The only \"flexible\" spending they have in the short run is employees, so they have to lay people off. And they were already hurting big time from the increase in fuel prices. Not many glimmers of hope for them."}, {"response": 329, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 15, 2001 (23:26)", "body": "Kuwait is not Afghanistan. Kuwait does not have a fundamentalist theocracy. Afghani Muslims are not Arabs. Perhaps you're not aware of what the Taliban has done to women since taking over there. I believe I've heard that 60% of the airlines costs are fixed (paid out regardless of whether they fly or not). As you must be aware, the airlines don't make any money on those tickets to poor idiots like us, who get discounted fares. The full-fare tickets for business flyers subsidize the rest of us. *HUGS* to all!!!"}, {"response": 330, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Sep 15, 2001 (23:32)", "body": "Thanks Karen and yes, we are not dealing with an easy problem. I had one guy IM me today he was so angry he just tore up a remote highway at 100 mph (yeah, in the Cobra) We need to bond not feud and if we do not hug one another, we are doomed. \"Group Hug\" sounds so foolish but I think it is warranted. *HUGS TO ALL*, as Karen put it so well!"}, {"response": 331, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (00:19)", "body": "For those of you who hear of phophesies, please look at this page before leaping onto the pyre: http://www.snopes2.com/inboxer/hoaxes/predict.htm"}, {"response": 332, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (00:40)", "body": "The full plan: 1. Destroy the World's Financial hub (succeeded beyond wildest dreams of terrorists) 2. Take out the military center of the US (very partial success) 3. Take out the President or Congress (failed) Good thing they only partially succeeded, if they had gone 3 for 3 we'd be in very, very serious trouble right now. This is not World War III, not yet anyway. This is about a band of criminals who are holding a decimated country in fear and trembling. The link for the Canada piece that Alice, my sister, sent me is http://www.rcc.ryerson.ca/schools/rta/ccf/personal/hof/sincla_g.html Gordon Sinclair wrote it, he died in 1984, the piece was written in '73 and was inspired by the criticism of America during the Vietnam era. I'll send this to my sister so she understands the context. It's in very wide circulation. From what I've read, I think the best approach would be to work cooperatively with the Afghan resistance and with India/Pakistan against the Taliban, one which allow a democratic state to emerge comprised of native Afghans."}, {"response": 333, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (00:40)", "body": "slippage again."}, {"response": 334, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (00:54)", "body": "Gee thanks CNN, the whereabouts of Britany Spears is foremost in my thoughts these days. CNN has a news ticker across the bottom of their screen and it is all really serious stuff...Bush speech extracts, Talaban declarations, death toll estimates, etc etc Then all of a sudden this appears....\" Pop Princess Britany Spears is stranded in Australia, due to the FAA ban on all international flights. She has cancelled all her European engagements at this time. \" I mean hello CNN.....who gives a rats a$$ ? By the way, what is this about a ban on incoming international flights ? It's the first I have heard of it ? Is it true, or did I read the ticker thingy wrong ? I guess I was just distracted by the plight of poor lil' Britany....LOL"}, {"response": 335, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (01:05)", "body": "1. Destroy world's financial hub ( suceeded beyond wildest dreams ) Did they really ? A lot of companies have ( in a purely logistical sense ) been put to a lot of expense and inconvenience. But has the world's financial hub really been destroyed ? Several buildings have gone down, but the infrastructure remains intact, bruised and bloody to be sure, but still intact. New York is one huge financial colossus, it is a many headed beast, with many, many tentacles. As devestating as the loss of the WTC is ( in human and monetary terms ). It is just one of these heads, the main body of the beast remains alive. ( Sorry, didn't mean to make that sound like something from a horror flick. ) As an example, the HQ of American Express were in Tower #1. They occupied 1 million sq ft of office space on many floors. However, they ( bless 'em ) took their butts across the river to temporary quarters in Jersey City. They now expect to be up and running ( at granted, very limited capacity, for now ) by Monday."}, {"response": 336, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (01:11)", "body": "It would have been more appropriate to say the world's financial *symbol* has been erased, we will remain strong as an economy. The 1-2-3 knockout would have been devastating had it succeeded, knocking out the White House would have pretty demoralizing on top of the World Trade. I'm glad those heroic passengers took action."}, {"response": 337, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (01:27)", "body": "Yup Terry, spot on....devestating doesn't even begin to describe what could have happened if they went 3 for 3 By the way, thanks so much for starting up this topic. It has been a much appreciated source of information, fellowship and goodwill since the horrors of Tuesday morning."}, {"response": 338, "author": "AotearoaKiwi", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (05:29)", "body": "Hi all Marcia, a question regarding a couple well known pieces of classical music? First of, does the military drum beat of Mars: Bringer of War mean anything significant at the moment?? Second \"I vow to thee my country\" is the chorus associated with Jupiter: Bringer of jollity. Patriotism is presumably alive and kicking at the moment in the United States and soldiers, sailors and airmen are thinking, \" I vow to thee my country\"?? Yes?? Finally, I listened to Sprach Zarathustra on Friday night, and wondered if the ominous opening bars mean anything with regards to the few terrifying seconds before the wayward jets that were aimed at the WTC, struck. Do you wonder?? Rob"}, {"response": 339, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (07:05)", "body": "Gerard Van der Leun (boswell) Sat Sep 15 '01 (23:18) 107 lines Patrick writess: > Boswell, from the bottom of my heart, please, log off and go and do something positive. Go and hug your daughter. Go and enroll in an anti- terrorism class. Go and make a speech on the corner. Go and pray. And I thank you for that advice. Actually, today, I did log off in the morning. Then I did something positive by attending the funeral of Father Michael Judge, the Chaplin of the New York Fire Department (I have made a pact with myself to attend as many of the 300 funerals of the NYFD members as I physically can). Father Judge, who had decades of service in the NYFD, was as you may know, killed in the collapse of the towers as he was giving the last rites to citizens killed in the attack as other firemen were going UP THE STAIRS. If anyone here thinks that I have terrible convictions about this and is shocked or dismayed at my hate and rage, they might spend some time in front of one of the many churches of New York in the coming weeks and look into the eyes of the police and firemen and everyday workers from Queens, the Bronx, Brooklyn or the other bouroughs and tell me then how much mercy they can see there. These are the men who are dealing with this now, and by and large these will be the type of men who will be fighting this war abroad and here on our land -- and there *will* be more of this here in our land -- in this city and in your cities -- and you or someone you know will be maimed or die from it. So start to understand what is happening now and what is going to happen when the truck with the explosives in it drives onto the Golden Gate Bridge and the driver of that truck tells the other truck at the foot of Mission that he's all set to light it up. Then you will be standing in front of a church (if you are lucky, as I was), and you will find yourself weeping as I did (and you will not be alone in this), and then you will understand what you do not understand now. And for this I weep for you. So the pipes played and this great and good man was carried away. And then, yes, I did go into the church and although I am not a religious man, I did pray. Then I walked to 14th street where my daughter works and I saw her and I did hug her. I shopped for some vegetables at the Green Market and walked into the crazy quilt memorials and peace and chanting maze that Union Square has become .. a kind of bizarre Princess Di Death Monument, overwhelmed in it's peace and love adornments with page after page and image after image of what we are now politely calling \"the missing\" -- as in 'most of these real people from many nations are now atomized. Then I came home to care for my dear and sick friend. Then, as she slept, I logged on here and saw what one always sees -- the sleepers and the dreamers and the few trying to make sense of things, and those who say \"if only we had done this,if only we had done that\"... Those who still cannot grasp that everything is, in the words of the poet, \"changed utterly. A terrible beauty is born.\" But none of this or anything else I may place here is really for anyone other than myself. This is my journal put out in the raw as I think it. I really don't have any other purpose than that. People can make of it it what they will. So, Patrick, that's what my day was like. Strangely it filled most of your requirements without even knowing what they would be. I even made a speech of sorts on the street. When the hearse bearing the body of Father Judge was passing down the street behind the flag and through two lines of pipers playing, I noticed that a goodly number of people lining the streets were just watching or, even more odious, taking photographs. I've never spoken out on the streets since Berkeley in the 60s, but quite to my surprise I found myself saying, I think, \"Citizens. A great man is passing. We do not take pictures. We salute him.\" And placing my right hand over my heart in a gesture I haven't used in well over 40 years, I did so. Some others did as well. Strange that we have forgotten how do do this, isn't it? Perhaps we should start to remember this and some other things as well."}, {"response": 340, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (09:14)", "body": "The American Red Cross in New York is calling for help from the IT community. \"The New York American Red Cross is in dire need of technology equipment and services,\" Joe Leo, assistant director of the American Red Cross in New York, told NewsBytes. \"The field workers and rescue sites have little, if any, means of communication, and the central office is processing way too much on completely paper systems. Any help in acquiring these resources would be greatly appreciated,\" he said. Leo highlighted an immediate need for Citrix server engineers and Microsoft- certified consultants to help with setting up systems that will aid the rescue process. Laptops, wireless networking cards, printers, CD burners and other equipment are also required. \"Essentially, anything you can give us, we can use,\" Leo said. Other IT requirements include the need to develop a single system for tracking missing people. A database is in the process of being complied containing pictures, dental records and descriptions of the missing. ... Joe Leo at the American Red Cross can be phoned at (212) 875-2409 or e- mailed at jleo@arcgny.org. Donations of equipment can be sent to his office: 150 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10023. Mr Leo asked that only those who want to volunteer contact him directly."}, {"response": 341, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (10:28)", "body": "you're correct, Karen, Kuwait is not Afghanistan, of that I am well aware. I am also aware that not all Muslim sects observe the same ideals or practices. My intention was not to make a broad statement about the treatment of Islamic women and I'm sorry if some of you read it that way. Generalizations are being made, stereotypes being set or reaffirmed. My point was that I personally witnessed a part of Islam that I was not aware of before my visit to Kuwait. Fine, Saudi, Afghanistan, Turkey, etc., have harsher views, that point is well known and well taken. My point was that an idea I had about this religion was changed."}, {"response": 342, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (10:28)", "body": "marcia, thank you for that website about predicition hoaxes!"}, {"response": 343, "author": "laughingsky", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (12:19)", "body": "I second that thanks to Marcia!"}, {"response": 344, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (13:08)", "body": "From an account of Congressional testimony given in 1998: Since taking power, the Taliban militia group, which now controls much of Afghanistan, has placed Afghan women under virtual house arrest. The Taliban has decreed that women and girls can no longer attend school; women are banned from employment; women are not allowed to leave their homes unless accompanied by a husband, father, brother, or son; women who do leave their homes have to be covered from head to toe in a \"burqa,\" with only a mesh opening to see and breath through; the windows of homes with women occupants are required to be painted opaque so the women inside cannot be seen; women are prohibited from being treated by male doctors; and women are banned from wearing white socks and shoes that make noise as they walk. \"Women are being beaten, shot at, and even killed for violating these draconian decrees -- for merely trying to go to work, leaving their homes alone, or violating the Taliban's extreme dress orders,\" stated Leno. Leno also shared a report from journalist Jan Goodwin that girls at the state orphanage in Kabul have not been allowed to leave the building to go outside since September of 1996 -- although the boys go outside every day to attend school and to play. \"The abuses of women and girls in Afghanistan have been justified in the name of religion and culture. However, the Taliban's decrees are foreign to the religion, the culture, and the people of Afghanistan,\" said Leno, who related that before the Taliban took control schools were co-educational, 70% of teachers were women, 40% of doctors were women, and Afghan women did not cover themselves with the burqa. For additional information the gender apartheid going on in Afghanistan: http://www.feminist.org/news/pr/pr030298.html http://www.cnn.com/2000/ASIANOW/central/07/13/afghan.women/ http://www.rawa.org/"}, {"response": 345, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (13:37)", "body": "It's incredible that you would have to post this information, Karen. I have known this for years and I thought it was common knowledge. :-( Please read this letter that was posted by someone who was on the first flight out of Logan Airport. You will understand the new security procedures. http://www.pemberley.com/bin/ramble/ramble.cgi?read=37767"}, {"response": 346, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (13:45)", "body": "I posted it for those who were unaware of the situation and did not realize what the Taliban has been doing."}, {"response": 347, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (16:24)", "body": "Thank you for posting that Karen. I knew that the women were forced to completely cover themselves, but I had no idea it was so horrible. I hope we can help them in some way through all of what is to come."}, {"response": 348, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (16:34)", "body": "I heard from one of the talking heads on Sunday monring tv that Afghanistan is 70% women, can someone confirm that?"}, {"response": 349, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (17:11)", "body": "MSNBC and CNN report that Pakistan has delivered an ultimatum to the Taliban: turn over Bin Laden within 72 hours or face military attack from Pakistan. From Pakistan . We've scared the hell out of them. Another article: http://www.charleston.net/pub/news/commentary/dillar0913.htm However, the '90s cutbacks in intelligence - in a time of growing complexity in the world - was a critical misstep that laid the groundwork for the failure to foresee the events of Sept. 11, 2001. These cuts have prevented our intelligence agencies from acting on complete information. Terrorist organizations, as well as those groups that would proliferate weapons of mass destruction, can only be effectively countered with a robust and well-funded human intelligence capability . . . I heard on MSNBC that El Al has been sealing off the cockpits of their planes for the last 25 years."}, {"response": 350, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (17:26)", "body": "A whole lot of intelligence information on Afghanistan comes from the CIA Factbook, I've compiled in this web location: http://www.spring.net/afghan We may be developing a special section of the Spring to deal with the coming world conflict and we may even add a conference on this or expand more topics in the news conference. Here is a proposed topic list: 1 coping with the crisis 2 the attack 3 what can we do? 4 where were you when you heard? 5 racism 6 information on the net 7 hindsight 8 what will change? 9 world response 10 local impact where you are 11 economic impact 12 President Bush 13 travel in the post attack world 14 Osama Bin Laden 15 What will become of Civil Liberty? 16 media coverage 17 thinking like the enemy, what next? We can either add these to news, all or some of them, or we can create a new conference called? attack? terror? I think we already have a conference called InternationalConflict or something like that, it never got used much."}, {"response": 351, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (17:28)", "body": "SJ Mercury news has some numbers on the international casualty toll at WTC... 100 Britons confirmed dead, final toll expected to be higher 250 Indians feared killed, injured and missing a dozen Mexican nationals, of over 100 citizens working at WTC 100 Russians missing 50 Bangladeshi confirmed dead, more missing 8 Australians confirmed dead, 80 others missing 100 Japanese unaccounted for other nationals believed lost include Canadians, S. Koreans, Zimbabweans, Taiwanese, Italians, colombians and Filipinos, but no numbers reported. The number that worries me are the 250 Indian nationals, given Pakistan's ties to the Taliban, not to mention the Indian/Pakistani conflicts over, say, Kashmir, or their nuclear arms race."}, {"response": 352, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (17:29)", "body": "Here are the \"official\" figures: International casualties in the \"attack on america\" (preliminary official figures): Argentina: 2 missing Australia: 9 confirmed dead, 85 missing Bangladesh: 50 confirmed, more missing Belgium: 60 missing Brazil: 5 missing Canada: 2 confirmed, 100 missing (est) Chile: 1 missing China: 4 confirmed, 30 missing Colombia: 6 confirmed, 116 missing Denmark: 15 missing Dominican Republic: 3 missing Egypt: 1 confirmed, 3 missing El Salvador: 1 confirmed, 18 missing Finland: 41 missing France: 81 missing Germany: 4 confirmed, 700 missing Great Britain: 100 confirmed, 400 missing (est) India: 250 missing Indonesia: 1 confirmed, 1 missing Ireland: 4 confirmed Israel: 1 confirmed, 150 missing Italy: 8 missing Japan: 2 confirmed, 100 missing Lebanon: 1 confirmed, 2 missing Malaysia: 7 missing Mexico: 150-500 missing (est) Norway: 15 missing Pakistan: 3 confirmed, more missing Paraguay: 2 missing Peru: 5 missing Philippines: 7 missing Portugal: 3 confirmed, 20 missing Puerto Rico: 1 missing South Africa: 1 confirmed, 2 missing South Korea: 1 confirmed, 27 missing Spain: 9 missing Sweden: 1 missing Switzerland: 4 confirmed, 10 missing Taiwan: 9 missing Zimbabwe: 6 missing (data collected from newspapers and government websites. ) http://hem.passagen.se/eff/2001_09_01_bot-archive.htm That's nearly 3,000 people from 40 nations confirmed dead or unaccounted for."}, {"response": 353, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (17:35)", "body": "An invaluable resource: http://www.sabawoon.com/afghanpedia/Afghanistan.shtm"}, {"response": 354, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (18:08)", "body": "And here's a list of many web sites about Afghanistan: http://www.abyznewslinks.com/afgha.htm"}, {"response": 355, "author": "laughingsky", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (18:22)", "body": "Open letter from Saddam Hussein to the American peoples and the western peoples and their governments. http://www.uruklink.net/iraqnews/enews8.htm"}, {"response": 356, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (19:46)", "body": "As this excerpt from a New Yorker article from a while back shows, we have to be careful in how we conduct air strikes against terrorist camps in Afghanistan and other places. These camps are undoubtedly dispersing physically and forming virtually in cyberspace as we speak. \" http://www.newyorker.com/PRINTABLE/?FROM_THE_ARCHIVE/010917fr_archive07 The American war against bin Laden has affected United States policy throughout much of the Islamic world, particularly in South Asia and the Middle East. Memorably, on August 20, 1998, the Pakistani Army's chief of staff, General Jehangir Karamat, was playing host in Islamabad to his American counterpart, General Joseph Ralston, the vice-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Around ten o'clock in the evening, as the two men were having dinner, Ralston looked up from his chicken tikka, checked his watch, and informed his host that in ten minutes some sixty Tomahawk cruise missiles would be entering Pakistan's airspace. Their destination, he said, was Afghanistan, where bin Laden was believed to be operating four training camps. General Karamat was stunned, and appalled. \"It was a 'This is happening as we speak' kind of conversation,\" an American intelligence official told me. \"Ralston was there, on the ground, to make absolutely certain that when the missiles flew across Pakistan's radar screen they would not be misconstrued as coming from India and, as a consequence, be shot down.\" The intelligence official paused for a moment, and then said, \"This is one hell of a way to treat our friends.\" By the following day, General Karamat's anger\ufffdand that of the government he served\ufffdhad turned to rage. A number of the Tomahawks either had been poorly targeted or had not fallen where they were aimed. Two of the four training camps that were hit and destroyed, in the Zhawar Kili area of Afghanistan's Paktia province, were facilities of Pakistan's own intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence, or I.S.I. According to a highly placed official, five I.S.I. officers and some twenty trainees were killed. The government of Pakistan was not only furious but embarrassed, because it had not been taken into Washington's confidence. Why had there been only ten minutes' notice? And why had General Karamat been notified, instead of the Prime Minister? Pakistan wasn't our only affronted ally. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority\ufffdindeed, much of the Islamic world\ufffdexpressed dismay. The United States had reason to be embarrassed as well. For, despite President Clinton's claim, in a televised address a few hours after the missile strikes, that a \"gathering of key terrorist leaders\" had been expected to take place at one of the target sites, bin Laden and his top lieutenants were more than a hundred miles away when the missiles struck. The meeting that Clinton referred to had occurred a month earlier, in Jalalabad."}, {"response": 357, "author": "Echo", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (20:25)", "body": "I have just returned home (to the UK) from a short trip abroad during which I had no access to the Internet, therefore wish to take this opportunity to register my deepest sympathy and untold horror and revulsion at the recent events in America."}, {"response": 358, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (20:36)", "body": "I thought this map might be valuable to those of you who are having trouble figuring out the geography of all of this \"flyover\" \"staging area\" stuff. I find the tiny shared border with China to be rather interesting. I wasn't aware of that. http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/middle_east_and_asia/sw_asia_pol00.jpg The story JoAnn refers to says that Cheney and others in the Pentagon weren't notified of the hijacking until 35 minutes after the air traffic controllers had contacted the military, and well after U.S. jet fighters were in the air. Unforuntately, the fighters were dispatched from a base 130 miles away, rather than Andrews, 15 miles away Subject: [archivists] Attack Archive: Please suggest sites Date: Sunday, September 16, 2001 9:48 AM From: Brewster Kahle To: Cc: Please help build a Web Archive of the Sept 11 Attack ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Internet Archive in collaboration with Alexa Internet, and SUNY, Library of Congress and UWashington is archiving pages and sites relating to the terrorist attacks in the NY and DC. Where we are archiving sites and pages all the time, we are concentrating the crawlers to make sure there is a solid historical record of this time. If you would like to help, we can build a better archive. Here is how you can help: Suggest sites and pages to archive: * This can be done by sending URL's to attackarchive@alexa.com (this is a list of the crawl engineers at Alexa and the researchers at SUNY and UW) * Surf with the free Alexa Toolbar on. Every night new sites and pages are discovered by processing the day's usage logs from the Alexa Toolbar. These are sanitized to eliminate cgi and other URL's that might contain personal information and then those sites are crawled for the archive. Help build a page in mid-October that will help guide people through relevant materials. This could be similar to the Election 2000 webpage (http://archive.alexa.com), or something else completely. We would like to make this public at the end of October or early November. Datamine the web archive to find past pages and sites that might be relevant. This takes programming skill and will be more difficult for Alexa to support, but if you are interested, please write a proposal in the web section of the www.archive.org site. Thank you. Please repost, but don't spam. -brewster Director, Internet A \"In 2000, catastrophes claimed more than 17,400 lives and caused overall financial losses - not counting indirect economic damage - of almost USD 50 billion. According to Swiss Re's definitive statistics, the burden on the insurance industry was comparatively low at USD 10.6 billion.\" Note that this is world-wide. For more details, go to http://www.swissre.com/, then go to research&Publications, and click on the pull-down item \"sigma insurance research\". On that page, the item Catastrophe losses in 2000 (under \"latest sigma\") will bring you to the data. How does it compare to the damage from the last big earthquake in Japan. For Kobe: \"Current estimates of the repair costs in this earthquake have been reported in the range of U.S.$95 billion to U.S.$147 billion\" Source: http://www.eqe.com/publications/kobe/economic.htm Dateline's report on the phone call from Jeremy Glick to his wife from Flight 93 was extraordinarily well-done. The call lasted for 20 minutes, and followed Mr. Glick's revelation of what was actually happening, and what he had to do. He used his butter knife from breakfast as a weapon. Here's the story: http://www.msnbc.com/news/629077.asp"}, {"response": 359, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (21:11)", "body": "May we please keep to topic here and not to views of Islam. That is covered in Cultures in a topic all its own. I think it belongs there and not here where we discuss our national tragedy and honor those who have risked their lives in order to save others. Please! Let us not disintegrate into other divergences."}, {"response": 360, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (21:21)", "body": "this was forwarded to me: Following is an article from the Miami Herald. R/Scott Published Wednesday, September 12, 2001 The Miami Herald Leonard Pitts We'll go forward from this moment. It's my job to have something to say. They pay me to provide words that help make sense of that which troubles the American soul. But in this moment of airless shock when hot tears sting disbelieving eyes, the only thing I can find to say, the only words that seem to fit, must be addressed to the unknown author of this suffering. You monster. You beast. You unspeakable bastard. What lesson did you hope to teach us by your coward's attack on our World Trade Center, our Pentagon, us? What was it you hoped we would learn? Whatever it was, please know that you failed. Did you want us to respect your cause? You just damned your cause. Did you want to make us fear? You just steeled our resolve. Did you want to tear us apart? You just brought us together. Let me tell you about my people. We are a vast and quarrelsome family, a family rent by racial, social, political and class division, but a family nonetheless. We're frivolous, yes, capable of expending tremendous emotional energy on pop cultural minutiae -- a singer's revealing dress, a ball team's misfortune, a cartoon mouse. We're wealthy, too, spoiled by the ready availability of trinkets and material goods, and maybe because of that, we walk through life with a certain sense of blithe entitlement. We are fundamentally decent, though -- peace-loving and compassionate. We struggle to know the right thing and to do it. And we are, the overwhelming majority of us, people of faith, believers in a just and loving God. Some people -- you, perhaps -- think that any or all of this makes us weak. You're mistaken. We are not weak. Indeed, we are strong in ways that cannot be measured by arsenals. IN PAIN. Yes, we're in pain now. We are in mourning and we are in shock. We're still grappling with the unreality of the awful thing you did, still working to make ourselves understand that this isn't a special effect from some Hollywood blockbuster, isn't the plot development from a Tom Clancy novel. Both in terms of the awful scope of their ambition and the probable final death toll, your attacks are likely to go down as the worst acts of terrorism in the history of the United States and probably, the history of the world. You've bloodied us as we have never been bloodied before. But there's a gulf of difference between making us bloody and making us fall. This is the lesson Japan was taught to its bitter sorrow the last time anyone hit us this hard, the last time anyone brought us such abrupt and monumental pain. When roused, we are righteous in our outrage, terrible in our force. When provoked by this level of barbarism, we will bear any suffering, pay any cost, go to any length, in the pursuit of justice. I tell you this without fear of contradiction. I know my people, as you, I think, do not. What I know reassures me. It also causes me to tremble with dread of the future. In the days to come, there will be recrimination and accusation, fingers pointing to determine whose failure allowed this to happen and what can be done to prevent it from happening again. There will be heightened security, misguided talk of revoking basic freedoms. We'll go forward from this moment sobered, chastened, sad. But determined, too. Unimaginably determined. THE STEEL IN US. You see, the steel in us is not always readily apparent. That aspect of our character is seldom understood by people who don't know us well. On this day, the family's bickering is put on hold. As Americans we will weep, as Americans we will mourn, and as Americans, we will rise in defense of all that we cherish. So I ask again: What was it you hoped to teach us? It occurs to me that maybe you just wanted us to know the depths of your hatred. If that's the case, consider the message received. And take this message in exchange: You don't know my people. You don't know what we're capable of. You don't know what you just started. But you're about to learn."}, {"response": 361, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (21:23)", "body": "(sorry for the length) does anyone know the amount of rubble pulled out so far? (last i heard was 20,000 tons, just 2% of the estimated total)"}, {"response": 362, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (21:23)", "body": "Terry, I think it might be appropriate to open another topic about all of this... perhaps \"post 9-11-01\" or something like that...I'm not sure what to call it; \"new world\" or something like that sounds too trivial. But I think that there are so many issues that will stem from last tuesday's events, that they should all be housed under one topic. I am using the right phrase here, right? topic would be the larger theme, and then boards are under topics, correct?"}, {"response": 363, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (21:24)", "body": "thank you marcia!"}, {"response": 364, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (21:30)", "body": "thanks for posting that, Wolf. That is a great article!"}, {"response": 365, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (21:35)", "body": "Great article, indeed. I am looking for the Wall Street Journal's Friday editorial. It came highly recommended to me. I heard 22,000 tons of out of something like 460,000 tons!!!"}, {"response": 366, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (21:40)", "body": "Here is the lastes results of an AOL survey. Should the World Trade Center towers be rebuilt? Yes 609742 59% No 224927 22% It's too soon to decide 187317 18% Total votes: 1021986 And here is an article that expresses my thoughts: \"Make it green \" September 14, 2001 BY ROGER EBERT If there is to be a memorial, let it not be of stone and steel. Fly no flag above it, for it is not the possession of a nation but a sorrow shared with the world. Let it be a green field, with trees and flowers. Let there be paths that wind through the shade. Put out park benches where old people can sun in the summertime, and a pond where children can skate in the winter. Beneath this field will lie entombed forever some of the victims of September 11. It is not where they thought to end their lives. Like the sailors of the battleship Arizona, they rest where they fell. Let this field stretch from one end of the destruction to the other. Let this open space among the towers mark the emptiness in our hearts. But do not make it a sad place. Give it no name. Let people think of it as the green field. Every living thing that is planted there will show faith in the future. Let students take a corner of the field and plant a crop there. Perhaps corn, our native grain. Let the harvest be shared all over the world, with friends and enemies, because that is the teaching of our religions, and we must show that we practice them. Let the harvest show that life prevails over death, and let the gifts show that we love our neighbors. Do not build again on this place. No building can stand there. No building, no statue, no column, no arch, no symbol, no name, no date, no statement. Just the comfort of the earth we share, to remind us that we share it. Copyright \ufffd Chicago Sun-Times Inc."}, {"response": 367, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (22:36)", "body": ""}, {"response": 368, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (23:28)", "body": "I've heard that the Wakhan Corridor is pretty much deep in the Hindu Kush mountains, and isn't of much tactical value unless you're a terrorist looking for a hideout."}, {"response": 369, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (23:40)", "body": "Date: Sun, 16 Sep 2001 20:38:28 -0700 From: Lena M. Diethelm lendie@rawbw.com Subject: Fwd: Real Justice Rabbi Michael Lerner, Editor TIKKUN Magazine | 09.12.2001 There is never any justification for acts of terror against innocent civilians-it is the quintessential act of dehumanization and not recognizing the sanctity of others, and a visible symbol of a world increasingly irrational and out of control. It's understandable why many of us, after grieving and consoling the mourners, will feel anger-and while some demagogues in Congress have already sought to manipulate that feeling into a growing militarism (more spies, legalize assassinations of foreign leaders, increase the defense budget at the expense of domestic programs), the more \"responsible\" leaders are seeking to narrow America's response to targeted attacks on countries that allegedly harbor the terrorists. But though the perpetrators deserve to be punished, in some ways this narrow focus allows us to avoid dealing with the underlying issues. When violence becomes so prevalent throughout the planet, it's too easy to simply talk of \"deranged minds.\" We need to ask ourselves, \"What is it in the way that we are living, organizing our societies, and treating each other that makes violence seem plausible to so many people?\" We in the spiritual world will see this as a growing global incapacity to recognize the spirit of God in each other-what we call the sanctity of each human being. But even if you reject religious language, you can see that the willingness of people to hurt each other to advance their own interests has become a global problem, and it's only the dramatic level of this particular attack which distinguishes it from the violence and insensitivity to each other that is part of our daily lives. We may tell ourselves that the current violence has \"nothing to do\" with the way that we've learned to close our ears when told that one out of every three people on this planet does not have enough food, and that one billion are literally starving. We may reassure ourselves that the hoarding of the world's resources by the richest society in world history, and our frantic attempts to accelerate globalization with its attendant inequalities of wealth, has nothing to do with the resentment that others feel toward us. We may tell ourselves that the suffering of refugees and the oppressed have nothing to do with us-that that's a different story that is going on somewhere else. But we live in one world, increasingly interconnected with everyone, and the forces that lead people to feel outrage, anger, and desperation eventually impact on our own daily lives. The same inability to feel the pain of others is the pathology that shapes the minds of these terrorists. Raise children in circumstances where no one is there to take care of them, or where they must live by begging or selling their bodies in prostitution, put them in refugee camps and tell them that that they have \"no right of return\" to their homes, treat them as though they are less valuable and deserving of respect because they are part of some despised national or ethnic group, surround them with a media that extols the rich and makes everyone who is not economically successful and physically trim and conventionally \"beautiful\" feel bad about themselves, offer them jobs whose sole goal is to enrich the \"bottom line\" of someone else, and teach them that \"looking out for number one\" is the only thing anyone \"really\" cares about and that anyone who believes in love and social justice are merely naive idealists who are destined to always remain powerless, and you will produce a world-wide population of people feeling depressed, angry, unable to care about others, and in various ways dysfunctional. Luckily most people don't act out in violent ways-they tend to act out more against themselves, drowning themselves in alcohol or drugs or personal despair. Others turn toward fundamentalist religions or ultra-nationalist extremism. Still others find themselves acting out against people that they love, acting angry or hurtful toward children or relationship partners. Most Americans will feel puzzled by any reference to this \"larger picture.\" It seems baffling to imagine that somehow we are part of a world system which is slowly destroying the life support system of the planet, and quickly transferring the wealth of the world into our own pockets. We don't feel personally responsible when an American corporation runs a sweat shop in the Phillipines or crushes efforts of workers to organize in Singapore. We don't see ourselves implicated when the U.S. refuses to consider the plight of Palestinian refugees or uses the excuse of fighting drugs to support repression in Colombia or other parts of Central America. We don't even see the symbolism when terrorists attack America's military center and our trade center-we talk of them as buildings, though others see them as centers of the forces that are causing the"}, {"response": 370, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Sep 16, 2001 (23:43)", "body": "More on the shared border. The only reason it's Afghanistan is that there was obviously a concerted effort to prevent a common border between India and Russia back in the 1800s. This is the very most farthest extension of ecotourism: http://www.concordiaexpeditions.com/tartary_trip.html This trek takes us to Northern Chitral and runs on the edge of the famous Wakhan Corridor. The corridor was deliberately made as a buffer zone to curtail the advancing Russian influence into British India during the 18th century. Here many spies were sent on both sides who mingled with the local populace as if they were natives. This is the place of the Great Game which was played between the Russian 'Bear,' the English 'Lion,' and the Chinese 'Dragon.' The three empires jockeyed for land, position and influence for the strategic heart of Central Asia."}, {"response": 371, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (00:41)", "body": "Hey ya'll. I was just talking to my sister in Seattle, a litle while ago. I was telling her about me and my buddy going shopping for supplies for the rescue workers in NY ( saline solution, bottled water, work boots, mens underwear etc etc ) She has heard about none of this, except for the Red Cross blood drive. Do any of you know of any websites that I can tell her about, that give out info on what supplies are still needed ? I tried the Red Cross website, but didn't get much info. Here in Atlanta, massive semi rigs are parked in many of our supermarkets. People are coming and filling them up with supplies, that will be then driven to NY when they are full. I guess not much of this is being done on the West Coast, coz it is a weeks drive from NY."}, {"response": 372, "author": "AotearoaKiwi", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (02:42)", "body": "Hi all Msg 352 - Terry: Here are the \"official figures Rob: Some bad news. New Zealand can be added to the list as 1 New Zealander is confirmed dead and at least a dozen are missing. *weeps* Initially more than 200 New Zealanders were in the area, but I do not know how many have been accounted for - except that there is definitely at least one body. Rob"}, {"response": 373, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (08:22)", "body": "I have been looking for an article that expresses the European point of view and this is it. It is secular as can be expected. For the arrogance of power, America now pays a terrible price By JONATHAN POWER September 12, 2001 LONDON - The American nation appears not only immensely distressed and angry about the bombings but surprised too. It cannot understand why anyone should be moved by such hatred against it and, inured from the rest of us by the isolationism of most of its political representatives and its media, it has little idea of the currents swirling against it. An event of this magnitude was not only unimagined, it was unimaginable. Yet long before George Bush became president with his forceful in-your-face, take-it-or-leave-it attitude to the world outside on issues as diverse as global warming and anti-missile defences, America has been turning in on itself, to the point of self-destructiveness. William Pfaff, the astute American commentator, wrote recently that \"America is a dangerous nation while remaining a righteous one\" and America's pre-eminent foreign policy observer, George Kennan, ambassador to the Soviet Union during Stalin's time, wrote quite a few years ago, \"I do not think that the United States civilization of these last 40-50 years is a successful civilization. I think this country is destined to succumb to failures which cannot be other than tragic and enormous in their scope.\" And later added that for Americans \"to see ourselves as the centre of political enlightenment and teachers to a great part of the rest of the world [is] unthought-through, vainglorious and undesirable.\" It would be misunderstanding human nature to believe that most Americans want to hear such thoughts played back to them on their day of grief, victims of an evil deed that compares with the worst of the blood-stained twentieth century. Yet they have to know that action produces reaction and not for nothing is anti-American resentment on the increase all over the world, not least in Europe where there is some astonishment at the way the new American administration has ploughed ahead with its self-interested agenda as if no one else has a legitimate opinion or could perhaps view the same situation in a different light. Foreign observers do not miss the reports that come out of Pentagon think tanks of America's need to use this special moment after the defeat of European communism and the break up of the Soviet Union to make sure that America is militarily superior the world over, and that no one, not even its closest allies, should be in a position to tell it what to do. The U.S. began the new millennium as the most heavily militarised nation on earth. It is the U.S., which poses the military threat to others. At the outbreak of the Second World War the U.S. army was only 174,000 men. Today it has 1.4 million in its \"standing army\" and a ready reserve and National Guard numbering 2.5 million. Despite the end of the Cold War, under President Bill Clinton the U.S. made only a paltry effort to wind down the nuclear arsenals of the superpowers, and instead provocatively insisted on expanding Nato close to Russia's borders. The Bush administration with its declared ambition to abandon the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, solemnly signed by Richard Nixon and Leonid Brezhnev, seems unconcerned that this will set in motion events that will unwind hard won international norms on ending nuclear testing and on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, even hinting that it will understand if China has to increase its nuclear forces or test new nuclear weapons. I have talked to a range of ordinary Europeans in the last 24 hours and they all say, in the face of the earnest shoulder-to-shoulder rhetoric of their leaders, that America has got itself into this hole by its own disregard for what others think. The first law of holes, of course, is to stop digging - which, of course, is what Washington should firmly have told Israel six presidents ago when it started its foolish and counterproductive policy of building settlements on what everyone knew was Palestinian land. Amazingly, the policy continues with apparent understanding from the Bush administration. While Arab governments ring their hands, and young Palestinians fight one of the best trained armies in the world with stones, there are the inevitable few attached to the Palestinian cause who are moved towards serious violence - the suicide bombers and, we don't know yet, although it is the most likely explanation, the destroyers of the World Trade Centre. In every political movement - whether it be the Palestinians or the globalisation protestors in Genoa there are fringe elements that advocate violence. This does not mean the mainstream of that movement is wrong. It might or might not be. But, right or wrong, there will always be powerful elements of truth contained within it, or the passions and purpose would never be ignited. To meet it eye for eye and tooth for too"}, {"response": 374, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (09:32)", "body": "The UK Guardian is reporting that bin Laden has abandoned his main base near Kandahar and has moved to an undisclosed place in the mountains. His four wives and numerous children are with him. What if the Pakistanis persuade the Taliban regime to hand him over? Will be martyrized? The UK Guardian coverage on this is at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/wtccrash/story/0,1300,553156,00.html"}, {"response": 375, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (09:38)", "body": "From: Patrice Riemens Reply-To: Patrice Riemens To: A New Era for Humanity by Yann Moix Liberation (Paris), September 14, 2001 original in French at http://www.liberation.com/ny2001/actu/20010914venze.html Bingo, folks! The World will never go at war again, and yet it will be at war always, period. War and non-war, there shall be no difference any more. From the 11th of September 2001, all will be war, even peace. Peace shall no longer be the opposite of war, but its context, its natural environment, its ecosystem, its scene, its background, its screen-saver. War and peace shall no longer be each others contraries (that was in the good old manichean East vs West times), but they shall be imbricated the one in the other, like the two connected faces of the same reality. Peace shall be a kind of specific sub-case of war. War shall henceforth be everywhere and nowhere. War shall be waged in the dustbins of the Paris railtermini, war shall be waged above our heads in the air of the metropolises. War shall be permanent. War shall be open for business 24/24, 7/7 , just like CNN. There shall be intermissions, but no reprieve. It shall be a war blind, yet precise, fuzzy, yet targeted. Because never before has the distortion been so stark between fuziness of the causes and the acuurateness of the strikes . The First HyperWorldWar has started. It is a war where all pretenses will fly, and where acts will be used as statements of purpose afterwards. Let's call this a hyperwar: a world where the ordinary, natural context of societies is no longer peace, but war. A hyperwar is not a classic world war with opposite fighting sides. It is a 'non-Euclydian', non-catalogised war, without rules and principles others than its own logic. Hyperwar cannot be localised in space. Nor in time. It is a kind of magnum opus of terrorism,its _best of_ or rather its _worst of_: plane hijacks, crashes, bombs, kamikaze operations. In fact it was the 20th century as a whole that was fast-forwarded in just a couple of minutes on the 11th of September, 2001. And that will be the birth certificate of the 21st Century, like (the 31st of July) 1914 was it for the 20th. But it are no longer states which are waging war, but wars that are making states. But then, unheard of sort of states: non-nation-states, states without teritorry, without citizens or borders, without (elected) governements, nay, these are virtual states, scattered war-states, fuzzy, networked octopus-states, community-states whose only borders are ideological. These states, just like virusses, evolve, adjust, mutate, invent and reinvent themselves everyday. Sometimes, their size is reduced to that of a lone individual who is an ideology, an army, a clear and present danger all unto himself. And a walking bomb. After the era of the statesmen comes the era of the state-men. The political state has become undistinguishable from the biological state. Over these past days, we have been bombarded with the metaphor of Pearl Harbour: nothing could be further from the truth. Pearl Harbour was an episode within a war. The 11th of september was the definition of an other type of war, the starting point for a new era in human history. The human element is now being affected all over the planet, since hyperwars feeds itself on the psychoses it creates by the permanent menace it exerts on all. Psychosis has become the continuation of war by other means. It gnaws at the individual, it eats up her/his mind, it shatters her/his rational structure. It is a war on the 'may be/ may be not' mode, whereby the horror is mainly a potential one. And thus, it is a war that may have a beginning, but no end. Hyperwar is built for the long run. It thrives in totality, that of the universe and of eternity. (Halelujah! - tr -) (Q&D translation by yours truly) Reposted without permission whatsoever # distributed via : no commercial use without permission # is a moderated mailing list for net criticism, # collaborative text filtering and cultural politics of the nets # more info: majordomo@bbs.thing.net and \"info nettime-l\" in the msg body # archive: http://www.nettime.org contact: nettime@bbs.thing.net"}, {"response": 376, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (09:40)", "body": "A good Robert Scheer op-ed on the \"unleash the CIA\" blather can be found in today's LA Times at: http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/editorials/la-091701scheer.column an editorial today in the LA Times raises another question about unsavory allies: http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/editorials/la-000074763sep17.story?coll=la%2Dnews%2Dcomment%2Deditorials"}, {"response": 377, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (09:44)", "body": "From: William Meyers To: , , , , Date: 9/15/01 3:12PM Subject: after the hit Dear Everyone, Here's an important document issued yesterday that we should all keep in mind: Human Rights Watch Response to Attacks on the U.S. Civilian Life Must Be Respected (New York, September 12, 2001) -- We profoundly condemn yesterday's cruel attacks in the United States and express our condolences to the victims and their loved ones. This was an assault not merely on one nation or one people, but on principles of respect for civilian life cherished by all people. We urge all governments to unite to investigate this crime, to prevent its recurrence, and to bring to justice those who are responsible. Last night, President Bush said that the United States \"will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbored them.\" Yet distinctions must be made: between the guilty and the innocent; between the perpetrators and the civilians who may surround them; between those who commit atrocities and those who may simply share their religious beliefs, ethnicity or national origin. People committed to justice and law and human rights must never descend to the level of the perpetrators of such acts. That is the most important distinction of all. There are people and governments in the world who believe that in the struggle against terrorism, ends always justify means. But that is also the logic of terrorism. Whatever the response to this outrage, it must not validate that logic. Rather, it must uphold the principles that came under attack yesterday, respecting innocent life and international law. That is the way to deny the perpetrators of this crime their ultimate victory. And here's the letter from HHDL to GWB that got released to the public yesterday: 1. The Dalai Lama's letter to the President of the United States of America --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Your Excellency, I am deeply shocked by the terrorist attacks that took place involving four apparently hijacked aircrafts and the immense devastation these caused. It is a terrible tragedy that so many innocent lives have been lost and it seems unbelievable that anyone would choose to target the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington D.C. We are deeply saddened. On behalf of the Tibetan people I would like to convey our deepest condolence and solidarity with the American people during this painful time. Our prayers go out to the many who have lost their lives, those who have been injured and the many more who have been traumatized by this senseless act of violence. I am attending a special prayer for the United States and it's people at our main temple today. I am confident that the United States as a great and powerful nation will be able to overcome this present tragedy. The American people have shown their resilience, courage and determination when faced with such difficult and sad situation. It may seem presumptuous on my part, but I personally believe we need to think seriously whether a violent action is the right thing to do and in the greater interest of the nation and people in the long run. I believe violence will only increase the cycle of violence. But how do we deal with hatred and anger, which are often the root causes of such senseless violence? This is a very difficult question, especially when it concerns a nation and we have certain fixed conceptions of how to deal with such attacks. I am sure that you will make the right decision. With my prayers and good wishes The Dalai Lama September 12, 2001 Dharamsala, India And, for contrast, here's a little excerpt from today's Times about what life is like here today: The three major metropolitan airports in the New York region reopened in the late morning, but confusion reigned as schedules were strewn with cancellations, bags were searched and passengers were questioned aggressively. And in the evening, the three airports were closed because of the arrests at Kennedy and La Guardia. As for the rest of New York, it was to be a day of return to relatively normal life, with schools, theaters and many businesses reopening, and commuters traveling on bridges and through tunnels that had been closed. But instead of a nearly normal day, countless New Yorkers endured yet another psychological roller coaster. First came disheartening news. After days of vague but ominous estimates, Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani announced in the late morning that 4,763 people were believed missing in the trade center rubble, bringing the possible death toll in the coordinated attacks to nearly 5,000 \ufffd more than double the 2,390 Americans lost at Pearl Harbor. The mayor said that only 184 bodies or body parts had been found, and that only 35 of them had been identified. Among the missing were 300 firefighters and 60 police officers. Three hours later, even as hope seemed to fade for those buried under the collapsed trade center, there were re"}, {"response": 378, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (10:03)", "body": "Also in the Independent an interesting analysis by Robert Fisk, their Beirut correspondent. He has lived the last 23 years in the Middle East, and he received the Brirish International Journalist of the Year award seven times. \"Bush is walking into a trap\" ... \"President Bush appears to be heading for the very disaster that Osama bin Laden has laid down for him.\" ... \"But this crime was perpetrated - it becomes ever clearer - to provoke the United States into just the blind, arrogant punch that the US military is preparing.\" \"Mr bin Laden - every day his culpability becomes more apparent - has described to me how he wishes to overthrow the pro-American regime of the Middle East, starting with Saudi Arabia and moving on to Egypt, Jordan and the other Gulf states. In an Arab world sunk in corruption and dictatorships - most of them supported by the West - the only act that might bring Muslims to strike at their own leaders would be a brutal, indiscriminate assault by the United States.\" ... \"\"America was targeted for attack,'' Mr Bush informed us on Friday, \"because we are the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world.'' But this is not why America was attacked. If this was an Arab-Muslim apocalypse, then it is intimately associated with events in the Middle East and with America's stewardship of the area.\" ... \"I will take a tiny risk and say that no other British newspaper - certainly no American newspaper - will today recall the fact that on 16 September 1982, Israel's Phalangist militia allies started their three-day orgy of rape and knifing and murder in the Palestinian refugee camps of Sabra and Shatila that cost 1,800 lives. It followed an Israeli invasion of Lebanon designed to drive the PLO out of the country and given the green light by the then US Secretary of State, Alexander Haig which cost the lives of 17,500 Lebanese and Palestinians, almost all of them civilians. That's probably three times the death toll in the World Trade Centre. Yet I do not remember any vigils or memorial services or candle-lighting in America or the West for the innocent dead of Lebanon; I don't recall any stirring speeches about democracy or liberty. In fact, my memory is that the United States spent most of the bloody months of July and August 1982 calling for \"restraint\".\" ... \"But America's failure to act with honour in the Middle East, its promiscuous sale of missiles to those who use them against civilians, its blithe disregard for the deaths of tens of thousands of Iraqi children under sanctions of which Washington is the principal supporter - all these are intimately related to the society that produced the Arabs who plunged America into an apocalypse of fire last week.\" ... \"Every effort will be made in the coming days to switch off the \"why'' question and concentrate on the who, what and how. CNN and most of the world's media have already obeyed this essential new war rule.\" ... \"I repeat: what happened in New York was a crime against humanity. And that means policemen, arrests, justice, a whole new international court at The Hague if necessary. Not cruise missiles and \"precision'' bombs and Muslim lives lost in revenge for Western lives. But the trap has been sprung. Mr Bush - perhaps we, too - are now walking into it.\""}, {"response": 379, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (10:20)", "body": "Thanks Moon. I too wondered when that kind of sentiment was going to hit the press.They never have anything good to say about the US except when they need help."}, {"response": 380, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (10:22)", "body": "Dow down over 600, probably under 9000."}, {"response": 381, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (10:48)", "body": "Slate answers the question \"What does bin Laden want?\" Bin Laden and his followers are alarming because they don't want anything from us. They don't want our sympathy. They want no material thing we can offer them. They don't want to participate in the community of nations. (They don't really believe in the nation-state.) They are motivated by religion, not politics. They answer to no one but their god, so they certainly won't answer to us. http://slate.msn.com/Assessment/01-09-13/Assessment.asp"}, {"response": 382, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (10:49)", "body": "I have been looking for an article that expresses the European point of view and this is it. It is secular as can be expected. Moon, before we label this \"the European point of view\" let's step back and ask any Europeans on this board if they agree. I did read that the BBC ran a panel discussion the other evening and the \"audience members\" reflected many of this article's views. However, the Beeb was flooded with more than 2,000 calls of protest from viewers who felt that there was a disproportionate amount of anti-Americanism espoused and that it did not reflect the feelings of the average person. BTW, our ambassador was on the program and was to said to have been reduced to tears. Greg Dyke, head of the BBC, later apologized to him. It is true that the foreign press tends to be very critical of America, and even in the calmest of times, resorts to cheap shots--but I am interested in finding out what the average person thinks. For which publication does Jonathan Powers write?"}, {"response": 383, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (11:39)", "body": "Mari, we are talking here of the media...print,audio and visual.The Fourth Estate.Not the ordinary guy on the street. The tone of that article is \"We told you so..\".Almost with glee. They have short memories of who pulls them out of binds. And , sadly,so do we ."}, {"response": 384, "author": "Echo", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (11:45)", "body": "Articles in the British press today suggest that the terrorist attack on America may have been meant not merely as a \"punishment\" but primarily to provoke American wrath and powerful military response which would then serve as a means of turning moderate Muslims against America and the Western world. If there is no response, they may attack again. Catch 22."}, {"response": 385, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (11:57)", "body": "Sad when people think the US response would be carpet bombing of Afghanistan. Even that I would protest as a waste of my taxpayer money. Judicious use of our resources may already be having effect. Yesterday I heard that assets were being frozen worldwide (even Swiss accounts) of known enemies, including government ministers of the Taliban. A bit of motivation for turning bin Laden in? There must be a response as history has shown us that appeasement is not acceptable when you are dealing with fanatics. People seem to have forgotten that."}, {"response": 386, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (12:21)", "body": "For which publication does Jonathan Powers write? He is a syndicated columnist based in London. I read it in The Miami Herald. the Beeb was flooded with more than 2,000 calls of protest from viewers who felt that there was a disproportionate amount of anti-Americanism espoused and that it did not reflect the feelings of the average person. I read this too, but the reason was that the people thought it was way to soon and therefore in very bad taste. The US Ambassador was brought to tears, FGS. They felt that the BBC should have taped and edited instead of airing it live. The unfortunate reality is that in general, there is a very strong anti-American sentiment in Europe. If there is no response, they may attack again. Catch 22. I would say, they will attack again. This is not a good situation to be in, but we're in it. I have said this before, it's the Crusades all over again. There must be a response as history has shown us that appeasement is not acceptable when you are dealing with fanatics. People seem to have forgotten that. England, Ireland, Spain and Italy have suffered greatly from terrorist attacks."}, {"response": 387, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (12:23)", "body": "The tone of that article is \"We told you so..\".Almost with glee. I know, and that's very hurtful, but it's nothing new. But, if I could have one or the other, I'd rather have the support of the guy in the street. Not to mention the guy at 10 Downing. What I was trying to explore: is there one monolithic European viewpoint, and the answer of course is no. They have short memories of who pulls them out of binds. And , sadly,so do we. You can't keep throwing it up to people, or get into a pissing contest over who has paid the highest price. It's counterproductive, especially now."}, {"response": 388, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (12:30)", "body": "And the world was a *perfect* place when America was isolationist?"}, {"response": 389, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (12:33)", "body": ""}, {"response": 390, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (12:44)", "body": "I think that we (America) need to re-examine all of our foreign policies, keeping in mind what our intentions are towards that nation (as the policies have always been), but also how we may be perceived by those governments. I know that is not exactly how most people would like for us to be- reactionary instead of proactive- but I think looking at the stark contrast of opinions in just the messages the presses of the two countries are putting out, is astonishing (perhaps less so to the rest of the world than to us). I don't think that America can afford to continue in the pseudo-isolationist way that we've been for the last however many years. I personally do not agree with the current administration's take it or leave it attitude towards the world. It is quite obvious to me, at least, that we have ignored serious concerns that the rest of the world seems to see and understand. I know that not a lot of people agree with me, or would voice this opinion if they have it, but I do not think that we should be backing (or as we appear to be backing) Israel in the way we are right now. I understand the historical ties there, and all that they entail, but when we sit back and just remove ourselves entirely from the situation, what does that say? It says \"it's ok for you all to kill each other; we'll just sit back and wait.\" That's not right. There is no justification for the loss of any life there, Israeli or Palestinian, just as there is no justification for the loss of life here in NY, or in other parts of the Middle ast, Ireland, Asia, etc. Here is a very good article from The Economist magazine from last week's web addition. I can't find the URL...I emailed it to myself... AMERICA'S PLACE IN THE WORLD The devastation wrought on September 11th will shape the debate about American foreign policy for years to come A TABOO has been broken. The attacks on New York and Washington, DC so dwarf earlier examples of terrorism in the United States that they are, in effect, the bombing of mainland America that even the Japanese and the Nazis did not achieve during the second world war. For some time to come, most attention in the United States will be focused on the most pressing questions. Who perpetrated the attack? How to strike back at the culprits? How to protect America from another such terrorist atrocity? But once these questions are addressed, an even larger question will have to be faced: what is America's proper role in the world? Indeed, in a confused fashion, the debate on that question has already begun. While the administration has been determined to present a united front, and has largely succeeded, the very complexity of the task facing it has elicited statements which seem to point in different directions. Both George Bush and his secretary of state, Colin Powell, have emphasised that America is looking to its allies for support in an effort to launch a global fight against terrorism. They have spoken of the attacks on New York and Washington as attacks on freedom-loving people everywhere, not just on the United States. And yet, at the same time, they have made it clear that America will defend itself, implying it will retaliate alone if necessary. Although the administration would clearly like to build a Gulf war-style coalition to support its next steps, America's allies are rightly nervous that they will have little influence over an aroused and angered United States. American television and newspapers have been full of commentators calling for declarations of war or military intervention on the one hand, and calm restraint on the other. Some have said that it is essential to look to America's allies for support, others that America must take decisive action soon, no matter what the concerns of its friends abroad. Some have claimed that America's terrorist opponents can be crushed, and that any governments thought to have harboured terrorists should be attacked, whether or not it can be shown that they had anything to do with the assault this week. One NEW YORK TIMES columnist absurdly insisted that Congress should make a general declaration of war, even if it cannot say which country America is actually at war with. Others have argued that dropping bombs elsewhere in the world can never make America safe from another such attack, and that preserving civil liberties at home and expanding diplomatic, as well as military, efforts abroad is the only long-term approach. A NEW WORLD OF DISORDER What is clear is that the self-confidence which prompted George Bush senior, the father of the current president, to speak boldly about a \"new world order\" more than a decade ago, and which spawned such optimistic paeans to American values and the triumph of liberal democracies as Francis Fukuyama's \"The End of History\", will now look like the relics of a distant age. America may have won the cold war, and just completed a decade of unparallelled prosperity. But it evidently now lives in a much more dangerous and com"}, {"response": 391, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (13:46)", "body": "Moon, this is the article I referred to. Again, I was commenting on viewer reaction--not the BBC's excuses. BBC sorry over anti-US TV audience LONDON (Reuters) - The head of the BBC, Greg Dyke, has apologised for broadcasting a live discussion programme in which audience members blamed U.S. foreign policy for Tuesday's terror attacks. More than 2,000 viewers complained after seeing the former U.S. Ambassador to Britain, Philip Lader, brought close to tears after attempts to express his sadness over the attacks were shouted down by people expressing anti-American views. \"On balance, I think it was an inappropriate programme to broadcast live just two days after the attacks in the United States and I would like to apologise to viewers who were offended by it,\" Dyke said in a statement. The scenes on the Question Time programme on Thursday night prompted Dyke, the BBC's Director General, to add: \"With hindsight this programme should have been recorded and edited before it was broadcast.\" \"I have today spoken to Philip Lader, and apologised for any distress the programme may have caused him,\" Dyke said. One audience member had asked whether the attacks were the result of a failure of US foreign policy \"with millions of people around the world despising the American nation,\" according to the Independent newspaper. Mr Lader, who was slow hand clapped by some members of the audience, was tearful. \"I find it hurtful that you are suggesting that a majority of the world despises the United States,\" he said according to news sources. The Sun newspaper said that one Arab woman replied: \"It is the American government which is talking about war.\" The programme's presenter, David Dimbleby, struggled to control the discussion and tempers became raised, according to the BBC. The Corporation said that many of those who complained about the programme said the audience seemed to contain a disproportionate number of people with anti-American views. The BBC said that the programme tried to pick audiences with a broad range of views and had hoped to stage a frank discussion about the attacks."}, {"response": 392, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (14:24)", "body": "Mari in the balance of things, there is a stronger anti-American view in general, therefore the balance was probably tilted correctly. A NEW WORLD OF DISORDER Globalization is a far off ideal. This is the real world, I hope world leaders get hip to the beat. I am just waiting to see when the call comes to the European \"allies\" who will respond. An interesting article, Liz. And I don't usually agree with the views of The Economist."}, {"response": 393, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (15:10)", "body": "So many articles I have read this morning, talk about how Bush and his \"take it or leave it\" arrrogant approach to world affairs, is partially responsible for the horrors of last Tuesday. Aren't these authors forgetting, that the ball for the horrific events of Sep 11, started rolling long before Bush came to power ? These hijackers were tucked away at their Florida flight schools when Bill Clinton was still in power and Bush Jr was just another politican. Clinton by the way, did a damm sight more to end terrorism than any other US President in history, in my homeland of Ireland. Pro US feelings probably run higher in Ireland, than in any other European country."}, {"response": 394, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (15:18)", "body": "Everyone, I can assure you that from what I have heard, discussions on the radio, television, with people, ordinary people in the street, Politicians of all parties, no one is anti- American, you have our full and unqualified support, of that I am certain, I have heard no dissenters. Everyone in the UK is appalled and shocked by last week's tragedy, who would not be."}, {"response": 395, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (15:55)", "body": "Ann, One can have anti-American views and be appalled and shocked by last week's tragedy. The point is that in general that's the feeling in Europe. Pro US feelings probably run higher in Ireland, than in any other European country. Agreed! Aren't these authors forgetting, that the ball for the horrific events of Sep 11, started rolling long before Bush came to power? I agree again,Beth, but don't forget that the majority of the media in Europe is secular and socialist. That says it all!"}, {"response": 396, "author": "rachael", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (16:15)", "body": "Moon, in general, what's the feeling in Europe? anti American? as a European, I beg to disagree. Maybe there aren't as many Europeans on this board as on some of the other groups I'm in, but the out-pouring of feelings from all over Europe, indeed the world, has been amazing to see. And does questioning what a government does make you anti that govt? I don't think so, in fact I think its the essence of democracy. However it must be noted that it is no more correct to say \"Europeans think ...\" than it would be to say \"Americans think ...\" and to say that there is a sole European view would be incorrect. I suggest, very hesitantly, that there might be differences between English speaking and non English speaking nations - Beth would you say that's fair? BTW the mainstream media in the UK is far from socialist, despite what the Daily Bellylaugh would have us believe."}, {"response": 397, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (16:19)", "body": "\"The Corporation said that many of those who complained about the programme said the audience seemed to contain a disproportionate number of people with anti-American views. \" \"Anti- people\" are the ones that are mostly motivated to appear on those shows and most of them have hidden agendas. Ann, I know that the majority of the UK friends don't have those feelings. I have been listening to TV this aft and now is the time that all the special interest groups are gonna come out fighting.Get ready to hear from: the environmentalists, the animal rights people,pro -life, NOW, the various political parties, the extreme religious right. This is after all a democracy. Everyone has an opinion. This came yesterday from a British Theatre Newsletter: \"To all of our US subscribers, I know I speak for everyone else when I send you our deepest sympathies. Whether one agrees with US foreign policy or not, no one can condone mass murder or be unmoved by the scale of the tragedy which has struck your nation. I love New York and have many friends there. I am unable to express the depth of my horror at what has happened. Today, as I drove near my home, I saw some young children had set what in the UK we call a \"jumble sale\" on a grassed area. They were selling their toys and books to raise money for the American Red Cross and a US flag flew over the tables. I think that says far more than I can.\" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We don't all agree with every foreign policy decision that is made, but to say we deserved the tragedy as that article intimated is barbaric."}, {"response": 398, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (16:25)", "body": "Moon, in general, what's the feeling in Europe? anti American? as a European, I beg to disagree. One can have anti-American views and be appalled and shocked by last week's tragedy. The point is that in general that's the feeling in Europe. I will stop repeating myself here as this point does not seem to get through. And does questioning what a government does make you anti that govt? I don't think so, in fact I think its the essence of democracy. To be truly \"democratic\" you should present both points of view. Unfortunately, and again I repeat, the majority of the media in Europe is secular and socialist. And it comes off very one-sided. I will add that I am very familiar with the Italian and French Media."}, {"response": 399, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (16:31)", "body": "Rob, my sympathies. Warmest Hugs on New Zealand's loss. Sorry you multinationals, but rolling over and playing dead will just play into their hands. If we don't stop it, they will take over the world. Good luck! Perhaps you don't want our help next time YOUR war starts?! I think I will go back to geology and astronomy where some rationality reigns."}, {"response": 400, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (16:49)", "body": "I think I will go back to geology and astronomy where some rationality reigns. LOL, Marcia! I don't wish to be misunderstood. I think everyone should join forces with the US to fight this war. I would like it to be a united effort and I was only questioning whether it will be. Whether the European allies will join the US? I hope to God that they will. There is no socialist/secular blood in my veins!"}, {"response": 401, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (17:01)", "body": "I really think at this stage, most Americans look on the candle light vigils and the expressions of sympathy and support as really nice and up lifting. However, ( those who are in favour of military action ) believe that while expressions of support are wonderful, it is time for European governments to put their money where their mouth is and show their support in more concrete terms. Italy said yesterday for example, that while they condemm the terrorist attacks, they will not coperate with the US in any military actions the US takes. They think that this is America's fight and not their own. I wonder will they still think that, if the next plane to be hikacked is an Italian one ? So having a nation wide moment of silence in your country is a lovely thing, it ISnot going to get the job done against the terorists. I don't think pro or anti American feelings are causing European nations to react as they do to possible military actions. I think it is simply whether or not they are willing to get their hands dirty to wipe out a threat that affects us all. Some will be, some won't be....simple as that. Plus I really feel a lot of this so called anti-American sentiment is based largely on resentment, based on America wealth and power. They resent America for having such an abundance of riches when they are living, if not a hand to mouth exhistance, at least a less luxurious one. America is percieved as the big, ugly kid in the corner who can boss people around simply because they can. Then are then disliked and picked on, when in fact they may be simple and peace loving as the rest of us. Every time I go home to Ireland, I get little digs from friends and family about my jet set life style and my fabulous standard of living, simply beacuse I live in America. I mean it is ridiculous. They have no clue what my life is really like and, that it is on many levels, just as hard as theirs. But that little bit if resentment is always there. It drives me nuts. I really think a lot of this sentiment has its roots in WW2 too. The USA bailed Europe out of a big ole nasty mess 50 years ago, and then gave Europe a ton of money to rebuild itself. This messed with Eropeans sense of their own self worth as they needed a vulgar, upstart of a nation to save their butts 50 years ago. No one likes the feeling of being permanantly beholden to someone. If they can take a little dig at America and how messed up its foreign policy is, then maybe in some sad little way, it ressures them that they are not just one tiny, little European country.....but that they are still the great colonial power from 100 years ago. They hate the fact that the US has a larger role to play in world affairs than they do and resent them as a result. I'm sorry if my thoughts sound vague or disjointed. I'm getting ready to go to an Aerosmith concert, as I type. I had been looking forward to it for weeks, but now I'd give anything not to go. Concerts seem so trivial now...... somehow....sigh....."}, {"response": 402, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (17:38)", "body": "Excellent summation, Beth. I've thought that for a long time. Makes them appear even more petty in my mind. I doubt the US wants all the countries/peoples of the world that we've help to feel beholden to us, but at least they can act like friends rather than enemies, sniping at everything we do. Try factoring in a longer-term perspective. There have been many world powers, countries whose influence has extended beyond their borders. Some have conquered other peoples. Some only exert economic influence. These date back to the beginning of time. The US's standing as a global power has only been for a mere 50 years or so. Think about how long there was a British Empire or a French empire. If our culture has overwhelmed others, at least it is not due to military occupation. This afternoon, while driving around, I was trying to come up with equivalents, i.e., if the commercial jetliners had crashed into symbols of other countries. I thought about Italy or France but could only come up with symbols of their past. If our so-called allies do not support us, this is one time I would definitely advocate picking up our ball and bat and going home. Rots a ruck."}, {"response": 403, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (18:07)", "body": "This afternoon, while driving around, I was trying to come up with equivalents, i.e., if the commercial jetliners had crashed into symbols of other countries. I thought about Italy or France but could only come up with symbols of their past. I thought of this too. The only place would be a football match, perhaps a qualifying World Cup Match. That thought is scary. Milan's stadium holds 84,000 people. Italy said yesterday for example, that while they condemm the terrorist attacks, they will not coperate with the US in any military actions the US takes. That was a rumour. I believe that the Italian Gov. has stated that they will support the US with their military, planes, ships etc. Berlusconi supports Bush and the US. Luckily, his coalition have a majority in the Senate and the House. This would not have been the case had the Socialist won the last election."}, {"response": 404, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (18:16)", "body": "Moon One can have anti-american views and be appalled... Moon, it's not just that at least not in the UK, Tony Blair has repeated time and again in interviews that the UK Government is behind the US in whatever it takes and I do believe that this time the UK Public is right behind the government, urging caution, not just because of the US but for democracy and the fact that what happened in NY could happen in London. In fact it wasn't many years ago that the John Major cabinet in Downing Street was attacked by Rockets fired by the IRA."}, {"response": 405, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (18:41)", "body": "Ann, I never doubted the UK's backing or Italy's for that matter. I am more worried about France, Belgium, etc."}, {"response": 406, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (20:26)", "body": "(Moon)The only place would be a football match, perhaps a qualifying World Cup Match. That thought is scary. Milan's stadium holds 84,000 people. But a football match, while upping the casualty toll, is not symbolic. Two days before the WTC and Pentagon were hit, there were three major sports events taking place within a few miles of eachother--nearly 80K at a Jets game in East Rutherford, thousands at the US Open Tennis Tournament in Queens, and I believe the Yankees played at home in the Bronx. Yankee Stadium holds about 60K. You've got around 175,000 people concentrated in three easy-to-hit targets within less than 20 miles. bin Laden wasn't going for large numbers of people."}, {"response": 407, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (20:49)", "body": "Italy said yesterday for example, that while they condemm the terrorist attacks, they will not coperate with the US in any military actions the US takes. At today's press conference with Secretary Powell, a journalist told him that rumor and he denied it. Said his Italian counterpart would be in Washington in a few days."}, {"response": 408, "author": "AotearoaKiwi", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (21:04)", "body": "Hi all I got BAD news for anyone worried about the Taliban response. According to our local daily the Taliban is moving Scud missiles (the sort that hit Israel in the Gulf War)around and has called up 20000 fighters to fight any ground war. Are you sure you got the right targets, because God help the Western world and anyone who fell into cahoots with the United States if you have not. There are two kinds of war - the undeclared war like this one where military strikes are carried out but no official declaration of war, and a general war involving the mobilisation of the armed forces and the cancellation of diplomatic relations by declaring war. On to other things. Let me be absolutely clear, I am not trying to undermine the greiving process or the determination to retaliate when I write the following. I support the impending war insofar as the right targets are hit and that it give the appearance of the international coalition being united. What I do not support is an all out war (a world war would not be impossible in this case), because I am pretty certain no one wants mushroom clouds and radioactive darts doing a sinister ballet across the skies. You may ask what has Colombia got to do with anything at the moment, but have you honestly ever considered the fact that unwanted involvement on the part of the CIA and Pentagon in places like Colombia has fuelled the conflict there to the point that it has the capacity to possibly engulf neighbouring countries? Or how about the International Monetary Fund in African countries where the nebulous Multinational Corporations that have corporate HQ in New York ply their trade at dirt cheap rates? The IMF will not allow financial aid to these countries while corruption and other problems are rife in them. Fair enough. But to sort out those problems in part requires IMF help. So what does all this have to do with anything? Well, that coupled with things like the $30 billion National Missile Defence system and things like withdrawing from international environmental protocols (I know that the Climate Protocol is dogged by not knowing whether warming is cyclical or not), has a few countries fuming (pro-US and anti-US)because they see the United States as using them for it's own gain and every western country including New Zealand is guilty to some extent. Still not a reason to attack the WTC, but the faceless cowards that did probably used something like this to justify their attack. Maybe Bush can soften his stance on trade and thing like the environmental protocols since they are designed to protect our offspring, and open dialogue with North Korea before Kim Il Jong decides to restart the missile programme that crippled his nation. I may lose some friends for this, but it is my honest opinion (one that existed well before Bush came to power, but has come to the fore because he has it in his power if he wants to, to change a few things). I do not advocate a general change in foreign policy or a reduction on arms spending and certainly don't want to open the United States to something even worse, but I would look at a couple things long and hard. Rob All arguments to my e-mail. I am certain Marcia did not intend Geo to become a warzone."}, {"response": 409, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (21:45)", "body": "Do any of you know of any websites that I can tell her about, that give out info on what supplies are still needed ? I tried the Red Cross website, but didn't get much info.(Beth) Here are a couple of info sites about how to help. http://www.time.com/time/covers/1101010924/help.html http://www.helping.org/"}, {"response": 410, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (21:45)", "body": "20,000 fighters? Is that a typo? The $30 billion National Missile Defense system has been rendered less relevant. This might better be spent on counter bioterror measures."}, {"response": 411, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (22:10)", "body": "Rob, you may post anything any time in anything I have anything to do with. Your statistics are staggering. Columbia, of course!!! We have a long litany of nefarious deeds in the name of \"Patriotism\". Anthrax, anyone? What a horrible way to die! It will be conventional because any other kind of war will kill mankind and every other living thing... That is why I posted a ribbon on Geo's front page..."}, {"response": 412, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (22:34)", "body": "Subject: Monday morning Date: Monday, September 17, 2001 12:57 PM From: Womack, Jack Yes, Monday morning. Took longer than usual to go as far as 72nd as the local is now running on the express tracks and the express is running on the local tracks. Have assumed, as with everything that has so far occured, that this condition is now permanent. Here at work my colleague Dee Dee is back at work today; she came in with her husband, Gavin. It's a typical story, now: he was on the 104th floor of the South Tower. When the first plane hit the other tower three guys in his office got up and immediately went downstairs, catching the elevator to 75 and then taking the express down. By the time the three guys got to the lobby the second building had been hit. Her brother-in-law called her sister twice, the second time to say smoke was filling the floor and he was on his way down. \"He fucked up,\" Dee Dee's brother kept saying. He was working in the World Financial Center, across the West Side Highway from the Trade Towers, was outside when the second plane hit. Says that dozens were jumping, you weren't sure what they were at first. When the first tower collapsed everybody, he said, started to run. Uncontrolled mass panic on the part of everyone, swarming up along the river walk to the highway. (There've been plenty of reports of injuries suffered by people trampled in the two stampedes away from the collapsing buildings). By the time he got to the Village, the second tower collapsed. As you might imagine he's got a combat-level thousand yard stare; I'd forgotten but now remember older brothers etc. looking like that, back in the late 60s and early 70s, after they came back from Vietnam. My neighbor, across the hall, a young Latina woman (and her seven-year-old son) is fine, although she worked in a building across the street from the Towers. Again, she was outside when the first one started to come down; her particular crowd streamed eastward as far as they could go, then up. \"I guess you'll be seeing me around the apartment the next few weeks.\" Friday night Valeria read what I'd written so far. \"You are describing events,\" she told me. \"Not emotion.\" And she's absolutely right. So let me say how I'm feeling this morning, and how I've been feeling. The first thing I want to make clear is how gratified I was to know that V was all right, last Tuesday; how overwhelmed with happiness, how comforted. We weren't sure we were going to see each other that day, but once the trains to Brooklyn began, she was able to get back. We have spent as much time as we have together, since. I feel deeply blessed, and feel as guilty. When I think of what Ellen and Ellie & all those of our friends who live south of 14th went through (and in the case of Ellie, still going through; her place might not be accessible again for weeks, at the least; she's headed up to New Hampshire.) I know we came out very, very lucky. We came out easy, in fact. I'm feeling terrible nostalgia for buildings that I never found attractive, except sometimes at a distance. I think of all the times I went through the mall underneath the towers, on my way to the PATH station to go visit Valeria when she still lived in Jersey City. During the past three years I became very familiar with everything down there. I remember V & I meeting her mother down there, at the head of the escalators that went up from the station. She'd stand and wait in front of Godiva, which was next to an HSBC branch. I remember being down at the Border's WTC back in June (last time I was there, in fact) when Gaiman had his tour kickoff appearance. I remember walking with Katya & Carrie & Robert Legault across the bridge that led between the towers & World Financial Center, en route to Ellie's apartment, for the wake after the memorial service for Jenna, April 6. The orchid show was going on, and the bridge and Palm Court downstairs (also destroyed, pretty much, though the palms are still standing) were full of orchids. On our refrigerator is a little card of a Boston bull terrier Carrie sent us a month or so ago, thanking us for brunch; she'd bought the card in the mall underneath with Ellie. Any of us might have been there, and but for the grace of God, or synchronicity, or something, we weren't. Not this time, at least. This isn't a comforting feeling, still. Familiar landmarks vanish constantly in NY -- they're getting ready, or have been getting ready, to build a new Columbia building around the corner from me at 110th where D'agostino was -- but never before have so many vanished so quickly, so awfully. I cannot begin to imagine what the place will look like, once it has finally been cleared. I haven't looked at a newspaper since Saturday morning except just to glimpse headlines & pages(I did save them, though); I haven't turned on any of the news programming except at the request of others when they've come to visit. The more I saw the worse I was feeling -- jittery, irritable, unable to focu"}, {"response": 413, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (22:36)", "body": "Subject: The Weekly PoliTicker Date: Monday, September 17, 2001 9:49 AM From: PoliticsOnline To: Special Edition: Analysis of the Role of the Internet and the Attack on America Note From: Phil Noble (phil@politicsonline.com) President, PoliticsOnline 843 853 8190 office phone 843 296 1490 mobile PoliticsOnline has received many calls from journalists and others about what role the Internet is playing in the current crisis. To respond we have 1) developed this Special Report that outlines the six key points in understanding the developments and, 2) created a special section on our web site (www.PoliticsOnline.com) to track these developments and provide a research and reference source. The attack on the Pentagon is indeed ironic when we remember that it was the Army that started it all way back in 1969 with a project called ARPNET. They wanted to design a system that would allow computers to communicate in times of national disaster. They were planning on missile attacks from the Russians, not civilian airplane attacks from terrorists. As one analyst noted, during this crisis people turned to the Internet for what they needed and wanted, just as they began doing with the telephone many years ago. Recently the focus has been on the crash of the tech stocks and the success and failures of e-commerce. This week the Internet stories were about the technology was incorporated into the daily life of average citizens in these extraordinary times. This week the Internet truly became The People's Channel. 1. What the Net does best is Communications and Connections In this crisis, the Internet did what it does best - communicating and connecting. For those personally caught up in the crisis, it was a means of communications when other means failed. People stranded in the World Trade Center Towers sent e-mails and instant messages to their loved ones; Blackberrys and pagers came through when mobile phones and land lines failed. Hundreds of online groups formed to do all the things people wanted to do - reach out to each other, share their grief, search for friends and loved ones. * NY.com (www.ny.com) created an interactive database listing survivors from the Trade Center collapse. Within 24 hours they had 2,600 listings. * Hundreds of people posted prayers, related prayer circles and discussions groups on Beliefnet (www.beliefnet.com), a popular non-denominational site. * United (www.ual.com) and American Airlines (www.americanairlines.com) posted information and listed phone numbers for people to call looking for more information on their crashes. * People used Yahoo Groups to create numerous discussion groups to share information, express grief and vent their anger. Survivor Databases Offered by NY.Com and Prodigy (InternetNews) Ny.com, a Web site that calls itself the \"paperless guide to New York City\" and Prodigy, the national ISP, are offering interactive databases listing survivors of Tuesday's World Trade Center collapse. http://www.internetnews.com/bus-news/article/0,,3_882651,00.html Web Offers Both News and Comfort (New York Times) The major news Web sites were quickly overloaded. Many links to the not-so- major news Web sites stopped working. But more than news, what people all over the world craved in the wake of yesterday's terrorist attacks was connection to each other, and many of them found that most easily achieved by going online. http://www.internetnews.com/bus-news/article/0,,3_882651,00.html After Attack, the Net Reassures and Informs (USA Today) As phone systems faltered in the aftermath of Tuesday's terrorist attack, the nation clung to the Net, reaching out to friends and loved ones, praying, spreading accusations and gossip, and overwhelming news and information sites. http://www.usatoday.com/life/cyber/tech/2001/09/12/more Net Offers Lifeline Amid Tragedy (CNET) People in New York City and around the globe turned to the Internet on Tuesday to communicate with their families and to grasp the horrific sequence of terrorist attacks that transformed the World Trade Center and the Pentagon into disaster zones. http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-7132246.html Internet Performs Global Role, Supplementing TV (Online Journalism Review) History expands. Terribly. In 1914, two bullets fired at an automobile driving through the streets of Sarajevo killed the Archduke Franz Ferdinand and Sophia, his wife. Their deaths led to World War One. http://ojr.usc.edu/content/story.cfm?request=637 Web Acts as Hub For Info On Attacks (CNET) Moments after airplanes separately crashed into both towers of the World Trade Center, and then later the Pentagon, Web sites for the major news outlets were swamped by an overflow of traffic. http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-7129241.html E-Mail Indispensable as Phone Systems Jam (Atlanta Journal-Constitution) As the World Trade Center collapsed and planes plunged from the sky, sending and receiving e-mail -- the most popular Internet activity -- became the indispensable com"}, {"response": 414, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Sep 17, 2001 (22:55)", "body": "Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2001 22:18:52 -0700 From: William Meyers To: terry@spring.net, paul@spring.net Subject: more Paul, Here's another fragment: As soon as we got to work that morning word went around that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center -- and soon after that, another one. Then the rumor took flight that there were five more hijacked airliners in the air. There was the distinct thought in the collective mind that at any moment we could be vaporized too -- that so far we were simply among the lucky ones, and no different from those whose luck had just run out. I took a walk around midtown Manhattan at mid-day, through the herds of people streaming up the avenues and through the park toward their uptown apartments -- strangely silent and subdued, preoccupied and fearful, many stopping off and lining up at their ATMs to tank up for future uncertainties. Down at the end of Sixth and Fifth Avenues, where the twin towers used to be, a thick volcanic cloud of smoke and ash was roiling up in a dome -- falling like a gray snow on downwind Brooklyn later in the afternoon. All the cops you could see were already wearing flak jackets -- not a one without one -- and carrying shotguns. Hundreds of firefighters and medical rescuers were killed after the first blast when rushing to help -- that was the most disturbing part. Not that the thought of those poor people trapped in those planes was any less disturbing. I was in my office most of the day, listening to people's radios and checking the Internet bulletins/images on my computer. We knew our building could just as easily have been on fire and crumbling to the ground. It was a day of palpable grief, most of those who showed up leaving early, and work moving along at close to a standstill -- very heavy emotions welling up in everyone. \"It could just as easily have been me\" was the prevailing compassionate thought for all the victims. heavy emotions welling up in everyone. \"It could just as easily have been me\" was the prevailing compassionate thought for all the victims. At any rate, enough fear and grief was inflicted to keep the anguished and vengeful spirits who perpetrated the deed happy in their disembodied misery. What did they prove, though, but that even at the Pentagon they're just another bunch of vulnerable protoplasmic beings wishing they were happy. Luckily we had made our reservations for another round-trip flight to San Francisco just the day before -- we couldn't have managed it any later. They were for a Thanksgiving trip. Maybe by then we'll start to feel better again about flying. There's a new, more explicit message from the Dalai Lama today, calling for a nonviolent response to the tragic events. But I can't send that on to you until tomorrow. Wm"}, {"response": 415, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (00:13)", "body": "Italy said yesterday for example, that while they condemm the terrorist attacks, they will not coperate with the US in any military actions the US takes. It wasn't exactly a rumour - maybe a partial misquote: Italian defence minister rules out Italian troop role ROME, Sept 16 (AFP) - Italian Defense Minister Antonio Martino on Sunday said Italian troops would not take part in any US retaliation after the terror attacks and that use of the term \"war\" was inappropriate. \"The term 'war' is inappropriate. It is not a conflict between states and Italian troops will not go anywhere,\" Martino told the RAI television station. \"I feel I am in a position to categorically exclude calling on the army,\" he said. The defence minister warned that \"nobody had better strike randomly,\" adding that 100,000 Italian soldiers were involved in various peacekeeping missions abroad. He said the US would certainly take military action once the perpetrators of the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and Pentagon had been identified, and only then \"will we see what we are called upon to do.\" Asked about Saudi-born extremist Osama bin Laden's role in the attacks, Martino said \"the idea that one man is behind this tragedy is misguided.\" In an interview with the daily Il Messaggero published Sunday, Martino urged the US not to act alone in the event of a military operation. _________________ Monday, 17 September, 2001, 09:01 GMT 10:01 UK Italy ready to retaliate against terrorists The Italian defence minister has made it clear that his armed forces are ready to take part in any action that may be agreed in retaliation against the attacks on the United States. The minister, Antonio Martino, told the BBC that he was misquoted when he appeared to have suggested yesterday Sunday that no Italian troops would take part in such operations. Mr Martino said that intelligence would first have to show clearly who the real culprits were, but once that was done, Italy's commitment would be total and absolute. From the newsroom of the BBC World Service"}, {"response": 416, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (00:34)", "body": "I am beginning to burn out on this. I put a ribbon on my front page (Geo's) Please feel free to borrow it for wherever you wish to place it."}, {"response": 417, "author": "AotearoaKiwi", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (02:41)", "body": "Hi all IT IS WAR. OFFICIAL. THE TALIBAN HAS DECLARED A HOLY WAR IN AFGHANISTAN AGAINST THE UNITED STATES. 20000 FIGHTERS STAND READY TO DIE FOR WHAT THEY PERCEIVE TO BE A GREATER CAUSE AND WHAT WE PERCEIVE TO BE MADNESS. Source: Television One New Zealand. See http://www.stuff.co.nz for more on the New Zealand coverage. I absolutely had to post this for everyone to read. See more at Stuff.co.nz - Canterbury (not sure where under Canterbury it will get posted). It was written by a nine year old school boy and featured on the front page of the Press edition for September 18, 2001. by Charles MacDonald, a pupil at Mount Pleasant Primary School In America on a Tuesday morning An EVIL force struck without warning Planes hit the buildings, people screamed A terrible accident so it seemed The towers and Pentagon both took hits The 1st tower fell and smashed to bits. The terrified bystanders choked by the smoke While the Palestinians thought it a joke Reality of it all came clear As another plane smashed in the middle of nowhere The fear and drama continued hour after hour As down came the 2nd tower The attack had cost many lives Heart-broken men cry for their wives. We DON'T want war but PEACE instead only to feel safe in our bed. Rob"}, {"response": 418, "author": "AotearoaKiwi", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (03:01)", "body": "Sorry my friends, but this appears to be war. The Taliban has said ANYONE HARBOURING UNITED STATES BASES ARE ALSO ON THE HIT LIST. Marcia, dear, the drumbeat of Mars is getting louder, the brass is getting more and more menacing. I for once think the possibility of a big Middle East war involving EVERYONE is not so far of after all. Rob"}, {"response": 419, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (09:42)", "body": "More from William Meyers CALCUTTA, India, Sept 17 (Reuters) - Tibet's exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama urged the United States on Monday not to respond militarily to last week's devastating attacks, saying only nonviolence could combat international terrorism. \"While I express my sympathy, I have appealed to the U.S. president not to respond with more violence as violence is not an appropriate answer,\" the Tibetan Buddhist leader told a news conference in Calcutta. The Dalai Lama fled from his homeland to India with thousands of followers in 1959, nine years after the Chinese army entered Tibet and overthrew the Buddhist theocracy there. The 1989 Nobel Peace Prize laureate's comments came after Pope John Paul appealed on Sunday to the world not to allow the attacks on New York and Washington to lead to more violence, and not to allow \"a spiral of hate and violence\" to prevail. The United States has pledged to avenge the attacks by hijacked airliners that slammed into the twin towers of New York's World Trade Center and the Pentagon near Washington last Tuesday. NONVIOLENCE ONLY ANSWER \"Most cases of violence only cause destruction...these things will have to be prevented the nonviolent way. Only nonviolent means can counter terrorism in the long-term,\" the Dalai Lama said. The United States has said Islamic militant Osama bin Laden, harbored by Afghanistan's Taliban rulers, was the prime suspect behind the attacks in which some 5,000 people were killed or are missing. Bin Laden, a 44-year-old multimillionaire, has denied he was responsible, saying Afghanistan would not permit it. The Dalai Lama said he believed there were numerous causes for the attacks. \"Every event has many causes...you can't just pick up one individual -- Osama bin Laden -- and say he was responsible. That is not realistic,\" said the Dalai Lama, whose exiled government accuses China of repression in Tibet. \"The economic gap between the rich and poor nations is one factor (that could have been responsible),\" he said. But the Dalai Lama said the attacks could not have been sanctified by any religion. \"The essence of all major religions is compassion, forgiveness, contentment, self-discipline and brotherhood,\" he said. \"Some people may only be using the name of religion to justify their actions.\""}, {"response": 420, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (10:19)", "body": "\"Niaz Naik, a former Pakistani Foreign Secretary, was told by senior American officials in mid-July that military action against Afghanistan would go ahead by the middle of October.\" http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/south_asia/newsid_1550000/1550366.stm That's not the only rumour coming out of Pakistan : \"Reuters news agency quoted a Pakistani army captain as saying the Taliban had moved a large number of weapons, including missiles, to positions near the Pakistani border.\" http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/south_asia/newsid_1549000/1549700.stm"}, {"response": 421, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (10:53)", "body": "Who would've ever thought watching Dave Letterman would be a gut-wrenching experience as it was last night. And to see Dan Rather break down twice. Really makes you wonder how those newscasters have managed over the past week. It's apparent to me that, in working 18+ hrs a day, they've been unable to deal with it on a personal level."}, {"response": 422, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (11:18)", "body": "Dan Rather is human. He's 70 years old. Taliban declares a jihad against the US: \"I would like to tell my people that our jihad will be formally resuming against the Americans,\" the deputy chairman of the Taliban Council of Ministers, Mullah Mohammad Hasan Akhond, said in a speech broadcast late on Monday. Akhond said it was unimaginable that the \"terror attacks\" against the World Trade Center and the Pentagon had been committed by the Taliban or by Osama bin Laden. Also from MSNBC:"}, {"response": 423, "author": "toyce", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (12:03)", "body": "This is just a subjective thought on my part, but I feel strongly about this. I think that bin Laden has a politcal agenda that is much larger than just getting the US out of the Middle East region. He's using religion to \"cloak\" that agenda. Has anyone thought what he might do if his first objective was ever realized? I think he would then turn his \"holy wrath\" to Middle Eastern governments who did not agree with him. The first one would probably be Saudi Arabia, since he is supposedly persona non grata there. I feel that his utlimate aim is to create a Middle Eastern theorcracy with himself, his son, or lieutenants at the helm."}, {"response": 424, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (12:17)", "body": "I disagree, Toyce. This is Jihad. And it is against the West. The Italian defence minister has made it clear that his armed forces are ready to take part in any action that may be agreed in retaliation against the attacks on the United States. Is Italy the first allied country to offer this? Where are the other allies? Bin Laden has many cells in Europe. The French intelligence discovered a plan to blow up the Eiffel Tower recently and where able to stop it. As Karen has said, in Europe there are many buildings that they could blow up but not as many people would die because they are not skyscapers. The Vatican on Sunday when the Pope holds his outdoor mass. That would be disastrous. Italy is on high alert."}, {"response": 425, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (12:29)", "body": "Terry, you miss my point. (Moon) As Karen has said, in Europe there are many buildings that they could blow up but not as many people would die because they are not skyscapers. You also miss my point."}, {"response": 426, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (12:37)", "body": "You also miss my point. It's two against one, Karen. ;-) So will you leave us hanging?"}, {"response": 427, "author": "rachael", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (13:29)", "body": "re toyce's comment, I read one explanation about Bin Laden's actions that said something like (and I paraphrase) its not as simple as a Holy War because he's not just anti the west, he's anti other Muslim nations who don't agree with his particular brand of totalitarianism. Dunno if that's right, but it does make a bit of sense in the light of his exile from Saudi Arabia. the thing that puzzles me is, he's said to be so phenomenally rich, where did all that dosh come from? And maybe I'm being dim here, but isn't a contradiction in terms to be a multi-millionaire and be anti capitalism?"}, {"response": 428, "author": "toyce", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (13:32)", "body": "Rachael. I doubt he can explain it either."}, {"response": 429, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (13:44)", "body": "(Moon) As Karen has said, in Europe there are many buildings that they could blow up but not as many people would die because they are not skyscapers. (Karen) You also miss my point. I get your point. Moon, did you see my last post? These terrorists were not merely after mass casualties."}, {"response": 430, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (14:08)", "body": "Moon, did you see my last post? I did. And I agree with you, Eileen. The Twin Towers were a symbol as the Eiffel Tower and the Vatican are. Had the Twin Towers been struck later in the day the casulaties would have been higher. I do think that countries would have a stroger reaction to deaths of their citizens rather than the destruction of a symbolic building empty. The worse case is for both at once as in the Twin Towers or God forbid, the outdoor mass at the Vatican. Hugh stadiums in Europe have also become symbols and that is why I used that example yesterday."}, {"response": 431, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (15:16)", "body": "Europe may not have as many huge skyscrapers as we do over here, but they do have some. A hit on Canary Wharf in London for example, would probably result in thousands of deaths. However, to Londoners, that is just a very tall building. It lacks the national symolism that a hit on something like Buckingham Palace would have. Jeez, I can't believe I am sitting here calming talking about blowing up buildings as if I'm playing battleships or something....this is all very weird. Rachael....bin Laden is the son of a Saudi construction billionaire. His father was the Donald Trump of the Arab world in the 40's and 50's and is/was filthy rich. His family in Saudi Arabia have apparantly long since disowned him, but we presume he was still able to get his hands on some of the family loot, to use for his evil purposes."}, {"response": 432, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (15:35)", "body": "Quite right, Eileen and Beth, the targets had to be symbolic (financial evils or government evils), with loss of life secondary. That's why the Eiffel Tower hardly qualifies or a mere football stadium. (Moon) Had the Twin Towers been struck later in the day the casulaties would have been higher. Ensuring the timing of the attack was first and foremost, as opposed to hitting the towers at peak occupancy. They did that by using the first transcontinental flights of the day where the likelihood of delays was minimized. All the planes had to be in the air at approximately the same time and not sitting on runways waiting for approval to take off."}, {"response": 433, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (15:49)", "body": "Rob, thanks for your eloquence as usual. Nothing is as deadly as a \"holy War\" whhx makes it so terrifying. From the crusdades onward ([probably before that, too) we have fought over which of Abraham's sons was his rightful heir. We have missed God in all this infighting. Tha same Father but human sons who continue to perpetuate animosity and death in His name. The West will certainly suffer. What can be done other than arguing with former friends and wringing hands. It is not time to be divisive. Surely our survival supercedes all the little dlaws one sees in the other's interpretations of all that is too horrible to contemplate. God help us even if you don't believe..."}, {"response": 434, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (16:18)", "body": "(Karen) All the planes had to be in the air at approximately the same time and not sitting on runways waiting for approval to take off. Yet for all their in-depth research, the terrorists couldn't get the flight from Newark in the air with the others. It pulled away from the gate at 8-ish (same as the other flights) but waited in line for takeoff for more than 30 mins. This type of delay is so common at EWR one has to wonder if this was built into their plan or if it had an effect on the outcome. I get a strange sense of comfort from the latter. I also read or heard early flights were likely selected because they were relatively empty--less passengers to control."}, {"response": 435, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (17:24)", "body": "(Karen), That's why the Eiffel Tower hardly qualifies That is a symbol of the industrial revolution, which in a sense started us on this Godless path. I would say it is a symbol."}, {"response": 436, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (18:11)", "body": "(Moon)Is Italy the first allied country to offer this? Where are the other allies? This is long, but an excellent round-up of countries and reactions. Key Nations' Reactions to Attacks Tuesday September 18 9:32 AM ET Countries Take Action on US Attacks By The Associated Press, International actions and events connected with the U.S. campaign to find and punish those responsible for attacks on New York and Washington. EUROPE: - ALBANIA: Declared it stood on the side of the United States and its Western allies in the fight against terrorism, offered use of Albanian airspace, ports and airports to the United States and its allies. - AUSTRIA: Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel said his country would allow the use of Austrian airspace and provide whatever support it can, but Austrian soldiers would not become involved in military action because that is banned by Austria's constitution. - BELARUS: President Alexander Lukashenko, who had often lashed out at the United States, sent his condolences to the American people. Belarus did not join Russia and other European nations in observing a moment of silence last week, and some officials said the terror attacks had been prompted by arrogant U.S. policies. - BELGIUM: Organized an anti-terrorist sweep following the attacks, holding two suspects on charges of possible involvement in planning an attack on U.S. interests in Europe. As current president of the European Union (news - web sites), it has also played host to emergency meetings of EU foreign ministers to show support for the United States. - BOSNIA: Stepped up security for U.S. citizens and property. ``This country will offer any kind of assistance the United States government may ask for,'' said Foreign Ministry spokesman Amer Kapetanovic. - BRITAIN: Urged its citizens to leave parts of Pakistan amid fears that U.S. retaliation might target neighboring Afghanistan (news - web sites). Prime Minister Tony Blair (news - web sites), who has pledged British support for U.S. action against the terrorists, called President Bush (news - web sites)'s handling of the attack and its aftermath ``absolutely right'' and praised the U.S. administration's consultations with allies. BRITAIN: The Bank of England cut its key lending rate by 0.25 percentage points to 4.75 percent as part of a coordinated global effort to boost consumer borrowing and spending in the wake of last week's terrorist attacks. Prime Minister Tony Blair (news - web sites) spoke by telephone with Chinese President Jiang Zemin (news - web sites) in an effort to build support for international action. BULGARIA: Prime Minister Simeon Saxcoburggotski pledged support for an international campaign against terror. Foreign Minister Solomon Pasi said his country, which is applying for NATO (news - web sites) membership, was ``ready to act as a (virtual) NATO ally'' in the campaign. -CROATIA: Supports United States against terrorism. However, Prime Minister Ivica Racan expressed concerns Monday that the European Union countries may now seek to impose tougher measures on their borders to prevent entry of potential terrorists, isolating non-members, including Croatia. CZECH REPUBLIC: Security was increased at the country's airports and other sensitive points such as nuclear power plants and dams. All unscheduled flights were forbidden. The government expressed its full support to the United States for military action against the terrorists. - DENMARK: As a NATO member, Denmark supports a joint action against terrorism, and the government asked intelligence agencies to track down possible supporters in Denmark. The Faeroe Islands and Greenland, both semiautonomous Danish territories, sent letters of condolence late Tuesday and held two minutes of silence on Friday. - ESTONIA: Was quick to condemn the airborne attacks, and the Foreign Ministry said the nation was ``prepared to provide to the United States any assistance within the scope of its capabilities.'' Estonia and its Baltic neighbors Latvia and Lithuania also expressed concerns that the crisis might put NATO enlargement on the back burner. FINLAND: Has beefed up security at borders, airports and outside embassies and increased air surveillance. Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen said ``the likelihood of terrorist attacks against Finland or Finnish targets abroad is very small.'' - FRANCE: Defense Minister Alain Richard said France was confident the United States would react responsibly to last week's terror attacks, but he cautioned against using force alone to retaliate. ``We must use it in a way that doesn't provoke other elements of instability,'' he said. - GEORGIA: Officials have said they were ready to offer any help to the United States in its efforts to find and punish the perpetrators of the attacks. - GERMANY: Interior Minister Otto Schily called for a review of ``our entire intelligence strategy'' after three men who lived quietly in Hamburg for years were implicated in the terror attacks in the United States"}, {"response": 437, "author": "rachael", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (18:28)", "body": "excellent and useful summary, thanks suzee UK news today has been reporting Blair doing major diplomatic stuff to get countries to agree to united action (in particular 6 African states, and China); also that he will be in the US to meet Bush on Thursday, clear implication being discussing military action. Top brass military have apparently been in Downing St. what hasn't been on the news, but I'm not the only one noticing it, a couple of friends have said the same in other parts of the country, there's been lots more movement of military aircraft around here the last couple of days than would be normal."}, {"response": 438, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (18:46)", "body": "ITS HARD TO BELIEVE WE HAVE CRETINS LIKE THIS IN BUSINESS IN AMERICA People like what? People like one Bill Schrempf. He's the CEO of NCCI Holdings, Inc. in Boca Raton, Florida. NCCI is a company that compiles workers compensation insurance data. How exciting. They have about 850 employes in its Boca Raton offices. It seems that some of the NCCI employees are proud of their heritage and proud of their country. In the wake of the terrorist attack some of these NCCI employees decided that they wanted to display an American flag on their desks. At that point the dynamic Bill Schrempf swung into action. The orders went out to his managers and they immediately fanned out throughout the workplace confiscating the American flags. Schrempf, it seems, is afraid that some of the workers in the NCCI offices might find the display offensive. So, NCCI boss Bill Schrempf finds himself in the same rouges gallery as John Smeaton, the vice provost of student affairs at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. Smeaton ordered flags removed from campus busses for fear that foreign students might be (gasp!!!!) offended!!! The one difference between Lehigh and NCCI is that at Lehigh there was someone above Smeaton who actually possessed an ounce of sense and some feelings of patriotism. Smeaton's order was countered in minutes. At NCCI Schrempf is the boss! There IS nobody above him (unless the Board of Directors calls a quick meeting.) How's this for a workplace rule. Nobody works here who is offended by the American Flag. Period. If the American Flag offends you then you are a virtual cancer in this workplace. Pack your stuff and don't let the door knob hit you in the ass on your way out. Let me put it another way. If I have a flag on my desk and you try to confiscate it because you are offended -- then you have a damned good chance to be the subject of one of those statistical records that NCCI collects. DAMN -- this just pisses me off. Sorry, can't hide it. I wish I had the money to buy that company just so I could send Schrempf packing. Now -- it just happens that I don't have any need for a company that compiles workers compensation data. In the interest of all fairness -- since I have slammed Bill Schrempf and his company -- don't you think its only fair that I list the company name and phone number? I mean -- just in case you happen to agree with Bill Schrempf and would like to call and congratulate him! So, for that purpose only .... NCCI HOLDINGS INC 901 PENINSULA CORP CIR BOCA RATON, FL (561)893-1000 And here's a link to the story from the Palm Beach Post. http://www.gopbi.com/partners/pbpost/epaper/editions/saturday/business_3.html ANY CONNECTION TO THIS NCCI? Last evening (Sunday) I spent a good amount of time trying to find an Internet site for NCCI. No luck. This caused me to expand my search and, with the help of a Nuze reader came with some interesting items. We found two websites this morning. One, ( http://www.ncci.com ) appears to be for the Palm Beach company. The other, ( http://www.ncci.sa.com/ ) is for the NCCI (National Corporation for Cooperative Insurance) that was established by Royal Decree No. M/5 of 17/4/1405H as a Saudi Joint Stock Company. That's right --- a corporation wholly owned by the government of Saudi Arabia. It seems this Saudi Arabian company is in the same business -- insurance. In searching both websites I could find no interlocking references. This doesn't mean no connection exists --- but the coincidence is somewhat amazing. Both with the \"NCCI\" in their name, both in the insurance business. I wonder who the stockholders of the Palm Beach company are?"}, {"response": 439, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (20:36)", "body": "Every possible resource has been posted on a special page by Google.com plus important contacts and news sources world wide. http://www.google.com/news/"}, {"response": 440, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (20:38)", "body": "This page is an excellent resource. I'm going to make it my home page."}, {"response": 441, "author": "wolf", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (21:10)", "body": "marcia, you may post the ribbon in all of our conferences--and terry, can we get it on our main page?"}, {"response": 442, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (22:38)", "body": "Sure thing!"}, {"response": 443, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (23:24)", "body": "Date: Tue, 18 Sep 2001 10:56:24 -0700 (PDT) From: Lauren Weinstein Subject: The Big Picture? Cc: lauren@pfir.org \"You will say you lose your freedom. Freedom is an illusion. All you lose is the emotion of pride.\" -- Colossus \"Colossus: The Forbin Project\" (1970) \"There seems to be a definite pattern emerging.\" -- The Psychiatrist (G. Wood) \"Harold and Maude\" (1971) An interesting pattern does seem to be emerging. I do not suggest that it's the result of a conspiracy, but rather the result of long-term trends that have been self-reinforcing. Still, like the images in a kaleidoscope, complex-appearing structures can seem to easily appear from independent actions. We start with media consolidation on a grand scale. The range of content providers and distribution operations -- TV, cable, newspapers, magazine, Internet, and so on, are primarily in the hands of a tiny cadre of gigantic firms. This consolidation seems likely to continue to even more intense levels. Such concentration of media power provides the ability to present a highly unified message both to the population at large and to Congress through lobbyists. A slogan like CNN's \"America's New War\" can be applied across a range of related properties and environments, instead of merely being sandwiched between \"EnerX\" commercials. Next step: Institute a mindset and legal structure that marginalizes all rights to information except those of copyright holders (most of the widely-used content will be under the control of those few media conglomerates we discussed above, of course). The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) helps enormously at this stage to accomplish this goal. Send violators to prison along with the rapists, murderers, and terrorists. Finally, a way to fill those jail cells being emptied out in California from the new \"treat drug offenders rather than jail them\" program. Gotta keep the momentum going. Outlaw the sale or providing of *everything* --hardware, software, communications, impure thoughts, or what have you-- relating to digital technologies that cannot be directly controlled by those concentrated media forces. The SSSCA (Security Systems Standards and Certification Act) should do nicely. To sweeten the deal, point out that since only SSSCA-approved security systems would be legal, it could provide a dandy mechanism to make the use of strong encryption in the private sector illicit. All that's needed is to ensure that such strong crypto systems are not compatible with the SSSCA-approved mechanisms (or refuse to certify anything that contains those undesirable systems). The approved security system will of course contain the appropriate backdoors for data access by the powers-that-be (and sufficiently resourceful hackers). The level of civil disobedience likely to result will probably be the highest since prohibition, but hey, prohibition didn't have any nasty side-effects that weren't trivial to control, right? And to tie this all up in a nice neat bow, be ready to take advantage of any catastrophe, tragedy, or horror to assert your agenda while emotions run high and knee-jerk reactions are the order of the day. Voila! Mission accomplished. --Lauren-- Lauren Weinstein lauren@pfir.org or lauren@vortex.com or lauren@privacyforum.org Tel: +1 (818) 225-2800 Co-Founder, PFIR - People For Internet Responsibility - http://www.pfir.org Moderator, PRIVACY Forum - http://www.vortex.com Member, ACM Committee on Computers and Public Policy \"Reality Reset\" Columns - http://www.vortex.com/reality"}, {"response": 444, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (23:25)", "body": "Subject: [risks] Risks Digest 21.66 Date: Monday, September 17, 2001 10:13 PM From: RISKS List Owner Reply-To: risko@csl.sri.com To: RISKS-LIST: Risks-Forum Digest Monday 17 September 2001 Volume 21 : Issue 66 FORUM ON RISKS TO THE PUBLIC IN COMPUTERS AND RELATED SYSTEMS (comp.risks) ACM Committee on Computers and Public Policy, Peter G. Neumann, moderator ***** See last item for further information, disclaimers, caveats, etc. ***** This issue is archived at and by anonymous ftp at ftp.sri.com, cd risks . Contents: 11 September 2001 in retrospect (PGN) Abridged info on RISKS (comp.risks) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2001 16:27:43 PDT From: \"Peter G. Neumann\" Subject: 11 September 2001 in retrospect *********************************** *********************************** ** 11 September 2001 ** *********************************** *********************************** \"THE RISKS ARE OBVIOUS.\" BUT PERHAPS NOT OBVIOUS ENOUGH. 11 September 2001 will be painfully remembered by most of the planet's population for the coordinated hijacking of four jetliners and the ensuing surprise attacks on New York City's World Trade Center and the Pentagon, with thousands of lives lost and enormous consequential after-effects. Our hearts go out to everyone close to those who were so irrevocably affected -- including the crash victims, the firemen and other emergency workers in New York City, and especially the UA93 passengers whose efforts evidently saved the lives of others. We are once again reminded how fragile our lives and civic infrastructures are, and how interdependent we all are. Although violent and sudden large-scale termination of people's lives has previously been all too familiar in many countries of the world, many of us have hitherto largely taken too much for granted. Hopefully, the aftermath of this fateful day will dramatically increase public awareness of some of the vulnerabilities in our lives and risks to our freedom. However, the events should come as no surprise, because many warnings have been widely ignored. For example, the President's Commission on Critical Infrastructure Protection of the previous U.S. Administration identified serious vulnerabilities in telecommunications, electric power and other energy sources, transportation, financial services, emergency services, and government continuity. It noted how interdependent these critical infrastructures are, and how they are all related to information technologies. It also observed difficulties in coordination among and within different infrastructures, and perhaps most relevant, a general lack of public awareness. In many respects, complacency has been seen across the board in response to that report. In addition, the White House Commission on Safety and Security (the Gore Commission) identified many serious risks in aviation. (Also, see my paper , presented at the January 1997 International Conference on Aviation Safety and Security, co-sponsored by that commission and George Washington University.) Various analyses of commercial aviation and air-traffic control over the past 18 years within the Department of Transportation have identified potentially serious vulnerabilities that merit closer attention. More recently, a U.S. General Accounting Office report identified many serious problems in airport security. But, perhaps because the risks and threat levels seemed low, or possibly because institutional bureaucracy is so deeply entrenched, very little action was deemed necessary. Unfortunately, some of the issues recognized therein have now come home to roost. As a society, we in the U.S. seem to be unwilling to take certain prudent precautions -- perhaps because they would cost too much, or be too inconvenient, or would seriously degrade service. Apparently, we suffer from a serious lack of foresight. The Risks Forum has persistently considered risks associated with our technologies and their uses, but we often note that many of the crises and other risk-related problems have resulted from low-tech events, misguided human behavior, or malicious misbehavior. In short, the typical search for high-tech solutions to problems stemming from social, economic, and geopolitical causes has frequently ignored more basic issues. Over-endowing high-tech solutions is riskful in the absence of adequate understanding of the limitations of the technology and the frailties and perversities of human nature. Whereas there are high-tech solutions that might be effective if properly used, we should also be examining some low-tech and no-tech approaches. One pervasive theme in the Risks Forum over the past 16 years has been the ubiquity of systemic vulnerabilities relating to security, reliability, availability, and overall survivability, with respect to human enterprises, society at large, and to systems, applications, and enterprises based on information technologies. Evidently, we still have much to learn. Le"}, {"response": 445, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (23:26)", "body": "Subject: To the day Date: Tuesday, September 18, 2001 11:07 AM From: Womack, Jack As I start to write this, I look at my watch and realize that one week ago, just now, I'd just seen the first tower go down. Here in the new world it seems like a year, two years, a hundred years. Time has taken on a rubbery quality. Toward the end of Burn's The Civil War documentary, years ago, there was a single phrase read aloud; written by either a Yankee or Confederate some time after the war, thinking back on his experience, and I keep hearing it in my head: \"Were these things real?\" Even as I go through each day, so much of it still refuses to settle into anything remotely resembling reality. Last night we watched Letterman, who was on for the first time after the late news, and it was extremely strange, and vaguely unsettling. He didn't make any jokes, of course, but this most hard-shelled of all contemporary performers revealed depths of sadness, and fear, and uncertainty, and anger; and then Dan Rather came out as his guest and broke down in tears twice. Extremely unreal. Yet, on the other hand, V & I went over to Jersey City late yesterday afternoon to have dinner with her mother and celebrate the new year (praying, as every year, to have one more year). While I expected huge backups at the bus terminal, we somehow managed to hit it right, and got from Port Authority to Summit Ave. in Jersey City in half an hour. On the way, as we went up Palisades Avenue, which runs along the top of the Palisades (which, in this area, are utterly urbanized) and so I saw all of lower Manhattan from the Jersey side, and the absence of the Towers, and the smoke that continues to rise therefrom. That, conversely, now seemed normal. Valeria's mother, who is 68, was extremely happy to see us. Jersey City has a large Arab population (and Indian, and Phillipine, and...) and she was more than usually suspicious -- relating stories of how two had been arrested (I have heard this on the news as well), etc. She's holding up very well, though; of course, this is a woman who grew up in Soviet Russia during the Second World War, and under Stalin, and didn't leave the USSR until 1981, so she's had considerable experience, living life under conditions that are only now beginning to become imaginable. Besides the absence of the Towers from a distance there are many things that are beginning to seem normal to me now. Leaving the house fifteen minutes earlier because my subway now becomes express at 96th, and therefore no longer stops at 50th (unless I transfer). Seeing at least one policeman at every subway station, and many more at the larger stations. Hearing, along with the occasional airplane (I gather airports are becoming rather ghostly, at present), the occasional F-16. Phone service, especially long-distance & cellular, that comes and goes. Police barricades along Fifth, metal barriers at the Channel Gardens at Rockefeller Center, the sight of US flags everywhere, attached to car aerials, hanging from windows, photocopied and taped onto doors. The occasional Army humvee parked on Broadway. New York crowds, thinned out to a level I haven't seen since the late 70s and early 80s, when no one wanted to come to NY on a bet, save for the likes of me and my people. I'd recommend the new New Yorker. The cover is by Spiegelman, and brilliant. In the News, this morning, an article about NY's Afghan restaurants, and how no one is eating at them, and how they're quickly going to go broke; the people who run them are, of course, in nearly all cases immigrants who came here to escape the war during the 80s, or the Taliban since. And the new total of people still missing is a little over 5,400 -- evidently the additional 700 weren't reported until yesterday; I imagine many relatives, companies, etc., were still holding out hope. A friend in Australia has told me 100 Aussies have been killed; a friend in Germany says anywhere up to 200-some Germans were killed; and of course 500 Brits. 100 Russians. And U.S. citizens who, being New Yorkers, were of every possible background, every color and creed. Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus.. An attack on Civilization, period. I need to talk to my father again tonight, to see how he is doing. Two weeks ago, tomorrow, my stepmother suddenly died, as you and some others know (she was 52). Her funeral was September 8, and then 3 days later...thoughts of her vanished from my mind, mostly, since last Tuesday, and that makes me feel sad, but even so I can only move forward. I know I didn't come close to processing her death, but at some point I suppose I will -- or maybe I already have, in this new world. I honestly don't know. I'm not as scared today as I was yesterday. I can't imagine this will last; today is Ros Ha'shanah, NY is quiet yet again -- this time, for better reason then has recently been the case -- and, clearly, something is in the air. But I don't know what, and until that something occurs, I can only do wha"}, {"response": 446, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (23:27)", "body": "*Arthur Kroker Vents His Feelings With Such Untoward Eloquence That They Threaten To Make Common Sense *8-/ Subject: Event-scene 97 - Terrorism of Viral Power Date: Tuesday, September 18, 2001 2:18 PM From: CTHEORY EDITORS Reply-To: CTHEORY EDITORS To: _____________________________________________________________________ CTHEORY THEORY, TECHNOLOGY AND CULTURE VOL 24, NO 3 Event-scene 97 09/18/01 Editors: Arthur and Marilouise Kroker _____________________________________________________________________ Terrorism of Viral Power ======================== ~Arthur and Marilouise Kroker~ The 20th century took place under the sign of nuclear superpower: a cold war with bloc to bloc political confrontations; a military rhetoric of graduated escalating respnses; a strangely comforting illusion of \"mutually assured destruction.\" Deterrence was everywhere. Dissuasion was the code. A bored culture living in the shadowland of apocalypse now. That ended September 11th. The field of power flipped. The triumphant era of the last superpower suddenly gave way to the contagious logic of viral power. In place of the certainty principle of nuclear stalemate, there emerges now the radical uncertainty of the terrorism of micro-power. The always suspended fantaticism of technological holocaust is challenged by the fanaticism of religious zealotry. The logic of deterrence no longer functions. Deterrrence only works in a deadly game in which adversaries have a primary interest in preserving their own lives. Sacrificing one's own life is the first gambit, and real psychological fuel of suicide commandos. Dissuasion is inoperative. Again, the code of dissuasion is intimately linked to a politics founded on preserving territory. However, viral power is terroristic precisely because it occupies only the imaginary territory of symbolic exchange. The religious ecstasy of a sudden, unexpected, devastating strike against the symbolic capital of the American empire: the trinity of the World Trade Center, Pentagon and the airlines of America. The terrorism of the new age of viral power has these symbolic qualities: It is a micro-power, not a superpower. It is low tech, not high tech--and thus invisible to the optical scanners of the ruling technological regime. Paradoxically, the (technological) weakness of viral power is its strength. It is subterranean, secretive--driven by a crusading spirit equal to the religious zeal of the Middle Ages. Breaking the rules of publicity culture, it claims no responsibility and thus speaks clearly to the cultural imagination of the suppressed and powerless everywhere. It is a matter of biological violence, not physics. Flowing invisibly through the rhetorical screen of the 'anti-ballistic missile system,' viral power adopts the strategy of the attacking parasite: invading the body of the host (the American homeland), bleeding its tactical intelligence (those flight schools in Florida), circulating in its commercial bloodstream (American airlines), and imploding in a violent fatal metastasis that has as its aim the infiltration of the mediascape through its apocalyptic effects. Viral power avoids conflict with the real military assests of the host nation because its actual intention is a strategic media strike. Viral power is understandable only in the language of the media: the twin spectacles of sadness and terror; the doubled language of fascination and dread. In the days ahead, the media spectacle will shift to the viral language of rage and revenge. Tragically, the real missiles were those American people taken hostage in the air. The real targets were not hardened missile silos, but the dominant symbols of American power. The real terrorism was the destabilization of the American government. The real war is the coming war on civil liberties as the price for combating terrorism. The real 'ground zero' was provoking America to acts of vengeance that will only fast-feed the future rage of viral power. The scenario of terrorism, then, as a mutating virus that copies itself to American rage on its way to revenge against the host-scapegoat. Viral power goes into the sea, the sky, the earth. It cannot be defeated by the normal methods of nuclear warfare. It can only be copied. The virus of terrorism is about to enter the American bloodstream, taking democracy hostage. Listen to House of Representatives Minority Leader Richard Gephardt: \"We are in a new world. We have to rebalance freedom and security. We can't take away people's civil liberties. But we're not going to have all the openness and freedom we have had.\" The implosion of American democracy, then, as the ultimate objective of the suicide commandos. The 'war on terrorism' may have finally begun, but the first casualty may well be American freedom as it was envisioned before September 11, 2001. _____________________________________________________________________ Arthur and Marilouise Kroker are the editors of CTHEORY."}, {"response": 447, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (23:27)", "body": "From: Stewart Brand Subject: not-terrorism Dave, the following set of thoughts is from Kevin Kelly, who spent four months in Afghanistan in the late 70s, more months in northern Pakistan, and a long time in Iran (during its revolution). I think its balanced inquiry might be of interest to IPers. --Stewart Brand The Taliban are kind of like Nazis to the Afghanis, but we should remember that while the Nazis had resistance and passive obedience among the Germans, they also had supporters. And so do the Taliban. But it's true most of the Afghanis, like the Germans, are just getting screwed. The other important point is the the Taliban are not bin Laden, and bin Laden not the Taliban. Bin Laden is a foreigner who is barely tolerated by most rural Afghanis, since the Afghanis are very xenophobic. I think bin Laden is far more sophisticated, complex, and cosmopolitan than the Taliban. Few Taliban have ever left their home province. Bin Laden is a world savvy. For another thing, he is brilliantly creative, and known among his supporters as 'imaginative.\" You can't say that about the Taliban. HIs idea of using American know-how to bomb itself, using no resources of his own, is sheer genius. He is one of the few Islamics to bridge the great cultural gulf between and among the Arabs. Remember that the Afghanis are NOT Arabs. They are Caucasians, their language is \"Indo-European\" and they are culturally Persians. The Afghanis don't even like Arabs. Yet bin Laden is able to speak to and appeal to them as well as North Africans, Lebonese, Egyptians, Iraquis, Palestinians, Iranians, Pakistanis, Kashmiris -- which is simply remarkable. More so, he has bridge the religious differences among the Muslims, although he still has a way to go. Just getting Shiite and Suni Muslims in the same room is itself a remarkable achievement. That fact that bin Laden appeals to married, 43-year old residents of America with pilot licenses willing to give their lives, says to me there is something large and non-marginal about this. Bin Laden may be Hitler, but it does no good to think of Hitler, or bin Laden, as \"fringe\" or even as a terrorist. This is a main stream, middle of the road skirmish. Radical Islam will become the new communism, if it isn't that already. It has a deep appeal, even to those subjugated to it. There are aspects about that even supporters don't like and can't stand, but they will submit to it because they believe it is better overall than the alternative of \"western capitalism.\" And like communism it will be very hard to eradicate it, should we attempt to. The Arab countries we are now asking to take sides, will probably take sides with us, but this will kill and maim them because they are essentially taking sides against many of their own citizens, who may be better organized and committed than the government itself. The key question for me is: will this revolutionary style -- a sort of mafia, suicidal, networked, globally guerilla insurgency -- be imported by other non-muslim radicals? Will bin Laden become the Che Guevera of this century? Will the resident antipathy towards America in other spheres be cast in the same style. Will all anti-global-capitalism become clones of bin Laden? Like communism this can spread. And like communism I think its a very bad idea in practice, though it sounds good in theory. So I am in favor of halting it, and I believe that it needs to be combatted early and often. But the danger of radical Islam becoming the new communism is that anyone who is not against them becomes branded a communist, or \"terrorist,\" themselves. That worries me because I am not so eager to label bin Laden a \"tinpot terrorist.\" He is not second rate, and he may not even be a terrorist. This is a new kind of war. There has been no demands made, like in most terrorism. There is nothing we have that they want. Their intent is not to terrorize. This is only a side product. Their intent is to destroy the prevailing mono-system. But they are not a state government, but a pan-national network that is growing. We've done little to eradicate them in 20 years. They are stronger now then ever before. At first I thought that the World Trade airbombing would need to be followed through by another attack to have lasting meaning, but as the depth and sophistication of the network of the radicals is revealed I think we have already reached a critical moment. I think we need a new framework for understanding them. I would ban the use of the words \"terrorists\" and \"terrorism.\" A better old word is \"revolutionary.\" Our chief concern should be that there is nothing we have they want. They don't want recognition. They don't want our trade. They don't want our culture. They don't want our aspirations -- democracy, free choice, high technology. They don't want our values. They don't want our wealth. Actually, they would like our literacy (for males) and health care, but that is not enough. I think we need to enlarge western civilizati"}, {"response": 448, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (23:28)", "body": "Suicide terrorism: a global threat Traditionally viewed as a problem affecting the Middle East and South Asia, the threat posed by suicide terrorism is spreading around the globe. Rohan Gunaratna assesses the nature of the threat, preventive and reactive security measures, and examines future trends. (...) The threat Suicide terrorism is the readiness to sacrifice one's life in the process of destroying or attempting to destroy a target to advance a political goal. The aim of the psychologically and physically war-trained terrorist is to die while destroying the enemy target. In the 1980s suicide terrorism was witnessed in Lebanon, Kuwait and Sri Lanka. In the 1990s it had spread to Israel, India, Panama, Algeria, Pakistan, Argentina, Croatia, Turkey, Tanzania and Kenya. With enhanced migration of terrorist groups from conflict-ridden countries, the formation of extensive international terrorist infrastructures and the increased reach of terrorist groups in the post Cold War period, suicide terrorism is likely to affect Western Europe and North America in the foreseeable future. There are now 10 religious and secular terrorist groups that are capable of using suicide terrorism as a tactic against their governments and/or foreign governments. They are: the Islam Resistance Movement (Hamas) and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad of the Israeli occupied territories; Hizbullah of Lebanon; the Egyptian Islamic Jihad (EIJ) and Gamaya Islamiya (Islamic Group - IG) of Egypt; the Armed Islamic Group (GIA) of Algeria; Barbar Khalsa International (BKI) of India; the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) of Sri Lanka; the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) of Turkey; and the Osama bin Laden network (Al Quaida) of Afghanistan. There were also four pro-Syrian, Lebanese and Syrian political parties engaged in suicide terrorism in the 1980s, but they are currently inactive in the terrorist front. These groups staged around 25 suicide attacks in Lebanon. As more than one group claimed some of the attacks, perhaps to diffuse the threat to the group, it is difficult to identify the group responsible. The groups engaged in suicide operations in Lebanon alongside Hizbullah were the Natzersit Socialist Party of Syria; the Syrian Nationalist Party; the Lebanese Communist Party; and the Baath Party of Lebanon. There are two types of suicide operations: battlefield and off the battlefield. In battlefield operations, suicide bombers are integrated into the attacking groups. Most off-the-battlefield operations have involved single suicide bombers. In the case of the LTTE and Hamas, there have been multiple suicide bombers. The targets have been static and mobile, against infrastructure and humans. Suicide bombers have destroyed military, political, economic and cultural infrastructure. They have committed terrorist attacks by killing civilians in buses, crowded places and in buildings. Suicide bombers have also assassinated political and military VIPs. Key characteristics Examination of suicide terrorism across a range of groups has revealed that terrorist groups use suicide bombers when they are both strong and weak. In terms of military and economic power, Hizbullah and the LTTE lead the list of suicide operations. In terms of numbers, the LTTE has conducted the largest volume of suicide operations, followed by Hizbullah, Hamas and the PKK. In terms of range, only some of the groups have operated beyond their territories. As well as abortive attempts to conduct suicide operations in Israel, Hizbullah has successfully conducted suicide operations in Argentina. The LTTE has conducted one suicide operation in India. It is the only group to have killed two world leaders - the former prime minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi, and the president of Sri Lanka, Ranasinghe Premadasa - using male and female suicide bombers. The Egyptian groups have conducted suicide operations in Croatia against a police station and in Pakistan against the Egyptian embassy. Al-Qaeda used at least one Egyptian suicide bomber in the 1998 East African embassy bombings. All the other active groups have conducted suicide operations within their own territory. The PKK has threatened to conduct suicide operations in Germany where there is a large Kurdish diaspora. All the suicide terrorist groups have support infrastructures in Europe and in North America. Leaders and members of these groups are known to travel to the West, and key activists live either in Europe or in North America distributing propaganda, raising funds, and in some instances procuring weapons and shipping them to the various theatres of conflict. Suicide-capable groups differ in form, size, orientation, goal and support. A review of the key characteristics of the 10 suicide-capable groups reveals that any group can acquire suicide bomb technology and engage in suicide terrorism: a Al-Qaeda is a mix of several associate groups that are internationally dispersed. From Afghanistan, Bin Laden provides the overal"}, {"response": 449, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (23:29)", "body": "Below is a list of STICTLY FORBIDDEN items to be carried on board the cabin of any BA flight. DRS pages are being updated individually, but you can use this as a guideline when informing clients. Most are for obvious reasons, but something most of us never thought of previously. * Toy or replica guns (plastic or metal) * Household cutlery * Knives with blades of any length (including steel nail files) * Paper knives * Razor blades (shaving or other) * Tradesmen's tools * Darts * Scissors of any size * Hypodermic syringes* * Knitting needles * Sporting bats (including rackets, cricket bats and golf clubs) * Billiard, snooker, or pool cues * Catapults (slingshots) * Corkscrews with blades attached *Customers who require the use of hypodermic needles for medical reasons (for example, diabetics and customers with allergies), will be asked for proof of medical need. Please be advised that customers carrying any of the above items (with the exception of hypodermic needles) will be asked to place it in their hold baggage. Customers carrying hand baggage only will be asked to surrender the item for disposal."}, {"response": 450, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (23:36)", "body": "Breakdown of people who are missing and presumed dead by nationality (per Reuters): Australia 78 Bangladesh 50 Brazil 30 Britain 300 Canada 78 China 53 Columbia 199 Ecuador 34 Egypt 4 El Salvador 73 Finland 50 Germany 104 Honduras 1 Indonesia 16 Ireland 103 Italy 5 Japan 24 Lebanon 3 Mexico 166 Philippines 435 Russia 100 South Africa 25 South Korea 18 Switzerland 288 Thailand 3 The remainder are Americans."}, {"response": 451, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (23:36)", "body": "Link for the Reuters casualties by nationality figures above: http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/nm/20010918/wtc_casualties_graphic.gif The original source of the numbers is FEMA as of 9/17."}, {"response": 452, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 18, 2001 (23:44)", "body": "I hope not, but here's the rumor: http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGAGB8LISRC.html Relevant section: \"Authorities have grown increasingly certain - from intelligence intercepts, witness interviews and evidence gathered in hijackers' cars and homes - that a second wave of violence was planned by collaborators. They said Sept. 22 has emerged as an important date in the evidence, but declined to be more specific. Tuesday's attacks were \"part of a larger plan with other terrorism acts, not necessarily hijacking of airplanes,\" said Sen. Bob Graham, D-Fla., chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee. \"Those acts were going to occur in the United States and elsewhere in the world.\" The FBI said it has issued an advisory to fire departments across the country to increase security and guard against the theft of any ambulances or fire trucks, which could be used in bombing attacks. The bureau said the warning was precautionary. \" For more on your air travel safety, go to this site and read ALPA Security Alert Bulletin 2001-2, detailing such important items as the use of the emergency axe in the cockpit against suicidal hi-jackers and planning for emergency depressurizations and violent aircraft maneuvers to disable and disorient hi-jackers: http://www.awalpa.org/"}, {"response": 453, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Wed, Sep 19, 2001 (04:12)", "body": "World Leaders List Conditions on Cooperation New York Times September 19, 2001 by PATRICK E. TYLER and JANE PERLEZ (Excerpt) WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 \ufffd After a week of unconditional support from abroad, the Bush administration confronted its first significant difficulties today in building a broad international coalition to support using military power and other means against a still-faceless terror network rooted in Afghanistan and elsewhere. A procession of world leaders was either on the way or on the phone to Washington seeking to convince the White House that only a multilateral approach based on consultation, hard evidence and United Nations support would justify the use of military power in response to the devastating attacks last week. Today, President Jiang Zemin of China telephoned Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain and President Jacques Chirac of France as each prepared for meetings with President Bush. He admonished his Western counterparts to tell Mr. Bush that \"any military action against terrorism\" should be based on \"irrefutable evidence and should aim at clear targets so as to avoid casualties to innocent people,\" according to official news reports from China. Mr. Jiang also telephoned President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, and although the two leaders denounced \"terrorism in all its forms,\" they spoke just of cooperating with each other and the United Nations to \"develop a mechanism for fighting terrorism,\" the reports said. As the Bush administration sought through White House consultations and overseas missions to strengthen the sinews of an antiterror effort whose scale and objective remain unknown, a number of countries began to calculate the potential cost of their taking part, and to try to exact a price for it from the United States. For a number of Middle Eastern countries, the price was straightforward. The United States has to become more deeply involved in ending the violence and in reinvigorating the Israeli-Palestinian peace effort. But it was clear that a convulsion in Israel, the West Bank or Gaza could threaten Washington's efforts to maintain support in moderate Arab countries, a problem that Mr. Bush's father faced in the 1991 coalition that defeated Iraq in Kuwait. \"The people that we expect to work with closely in combating terrorism,\" a spokesman for the State Department, Richard A. Boucher, said, are \"interested in the Israel- Palestinian situation,\" and their attitudes toward America's war on terrorism are \"linked in people's minds\" to America's commitment to Arab-Israeli peace. Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal of Saudi Arabia, is due to arrive on Wednesday with a large contingent of Saudi intelligence officers and their files on Osama bin Laden and his Al Qaeda network. But other potential American allies raised urgent economic and political agendas that officials said Washington was beginning to address. Pakistan, in exchange for whatever bases or rights to fly in its air space that it provides, would like an agreement to end 11 years of sanctions, to restore the flow of American arms and to reduce a punishing debt load. Russia, if it is called on, has a clear set of grievances over NATO expansion toward its borders and criticism of its military campaign in Chechnya. Foreign Minister Igor D. Ivanov arrives on Wednesday. Administration officials said they were eager to establish Moscow's price to open the northern corridor to Afghanistan through Tajikistan, a former Soviet republic. A number of Russian generals have questioned whether Russia could join an American-led antiterror campaign whose operational objectives remain unclear. One high- ranking military officer told a newspaper, Vremya Novestei, that \"fighting terrorists is like trying to rid oneself of roaches in a block of flats.\" \"You do it in one flat,\" the officer said, \"and they go to another.\" Nowhere was the sense of alarm over American plans more apparent than in the warning of one of America's staunchest Middle East allies, President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt. In remarks broadcast on Monday night, he implored the United States not to undertake military action that might kill innocent civilians, divide Christians against Muslims and further inflame attitudes against American policy in the region. Mr. Mubarak, like Mr. Jiang, urged that \"hard evidence\" be the basis for any military action and that \"countries not be punished\" for the actions of \"individuals.\" He called on the United Nations to organize an international convention against terrorism that would develop a common program of action for all countries. His remarks were echoed by other leaders in the region where Washington has yet to establish a firm diplomatic beachhead in dealing with intractable and volatile conflicts. While Egypt and Jordan were both crucial allies in the 1991 coalition against President Saddam Hussein of Iraq, diplomats from both countries said they did not expect to be called on to provide bases or other direct military support."}, {"response": 454, "author": "AotearoaKiwi", "date": "Wed, Sep 19, 2001 (04:17)", "body": "Hi all MSG 436 sums up just about every country capable of providing aid bar New Zealand. Do we not exist? Last I looked 3.81 million New Zealanders, 46 million sheep as well as Kiwis, Takahe's Pukeko's Kaka, Kereru, among other birds, reptiles, fish, spiders and insects can be found on two large islands and a host of smaller islands grouped together under the popular name \"Godzone\". On to more relevant matters though. New Zealand has offered intelligence assistance but nothing else as we seem to be preoccupied with Air New Zealands struggle to stay afloat and the fact that our armed forces have been degraded so badly that the East Timor peace keeping operation is about as far as we would get anyway. We could have offered more if so much money was not being lost in ideological changes to governing structures for everything everytime Labour and National swapped places in the Beehive. I mean ideally we could have bought the 28 F-16s the United States was prepared to give us but Helen Clark's excuse was they have never been used so why keep them? So what if they were not used, having them meant our servicemen were technically competent, that we could participate in defence exercises and have a small but modern air combat force. We could have gotten one or two frigates that Labour was talking about but I suspect they sold out to the Greens. Typical. So here we are with a poorly equipped airforce that just lost the \"force\", and a downsized Navy. Great. Rob"}, {"response": 455, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Sep 19, 2001 (09:20)", "body": "(Rachael) what hasn't been on the news, but I'm not the only one noticing it, a couple of friends have said the same in other parts of the country, there's been lots more movement of military aircraft around here the last couple of days than would be normal. It's the same over here. The skies over the greater DC area are humming."}, {"response": 456, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 19, 2001 (09:55)", "body": "Thanks for the lengthy list of positions by country, Suzee. Everybody, time to put those tax refunds back in the mail to Washington. It's going to cost us jillions to *morally* convince some of these countries. :-("}, {"response": 457, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 19, 2001 (10:28)", "body": "Tamim Ansar (cited above) is supposed to be on Charlie Rose sometime and was on NPR being interviewed by Bill Moyers the other night. Pat Holt has a piece on him http://www.holtuncensored.com/members/index.html Robert McNeil who left the Newshour in 95 has come out of retirement to help with their coverage. His first interview was today http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/foreign_correspondence/july - dec01/terrorism_9-18.html dec01/terrorism_9-18.html> One exchange: ROBERT MACNEIL: Steve Erlanger, how is Mr. Bush's leadership and his rhetoric perceived where you are, in Germany? STEVE ERLANGER: A little worrying, quite honestly. People are being very polite, but they see, often, the kind of terror in Mr. Bush's eyes when he goes off of his script. They worry he will feel too much political pressure to react too soon and in the wrong way. They are hopeful that he will listen to his senior advisers, and they think that he will, and they have a little bit of odd relief, almost, that for an administration that, so far, has regarded relations with Europe as very much secondary, if not tertiary, it is now discovering that, as usual, in a crisis America's best friends are on this continent."}, {"response": 458, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 19, 2001 (10:56)", "body": "Robin McNeil interviewed four overseas New York Times bureau chiefs. McNeil: Can I ask each of you how Washington's leadership and behavior is perceived where you are? Warren Hoge, after the first wave of solidarity and sympathy [the British bureau chief had said the British felt particularly targeted by the attack, with some 300 UK citizens probably dead], which was so apparent in western Europe, and particularly in Britain, where the queen led a service in St. Paul's-- You've all reported some degree of second thoughts, backpedaling, a little--voices of caution raised. How has that been affected by Mr. Bush's leadership, his rhetoric, the actions he's taken so far. Does that inspire confidence and reassurance? Hoge, NYT London Bureau Chief: I think Colin Powell inspires more confidence. Many Britons have said to me they feel much more comfortable with George W. Bush now that Colin Powell seems to be permanently at his side. Colin Powell speaks the language of diplomacy; he is somebody who understands both the capabilities and the limitations of military power-- this is what the British think. So they have a much higher degree of comfort with his kind of talking than the more bellicose language of President Bush. So, they're hoping for Bush, they're behind Bush--this is a very pro-American place in Europe--but there's a little bit of worry that he's untested, and also that he's surrounded by some other people who might have a little more hotheaded reaction to what must be done now than Colin Powell seems to be having. McNeil: And Steve Erlanger, how is Mr. Bush's leadership and his rhetoric perceived where you are, in Germany? Erlanger, NYT Hamburg Bureau Chief: A little worrying, quite honestly. People are being very polite. But they see, often, the kind of terror in Mr. Bush's eyes when he goes off of his script. They worry that he will feel too much political pressure to react too soon, and in the wrong way. They are hopeful that he will listen to his senior advisors, and they think that he will. And they have a little bit of odd relief, almost, that for an administration that so far has regarded relations with Europe as very much secondary, if not tertiary--it is now discovering that as usual, in a crisis, America's best friends are on this continent. McNeil: And in Moscow, Michael Wines, how is the Washington leadership under Mr. Bush perceived? Wines, NYT Moscow Bureau Chief: Well, I think that there has been a great deal of uneasiness with the unilateralism that the Russians think that the United States has displayed, mostly in the last year, but again going back to Yugoslavia. And I think in this case there is great hope, among, certainly among Russian people, and among the leadership, that this will turn out to be something of a turning point in American-Russian relations: a chance for the Americans to consult with the Russians in reality, for a change. The Russians here feel like they're somewhat ignored in national relations. And so they're hoping for a much more cooperative attitude. But, I have to say, so far, there's great suspicion, and I think they're waiting for the Americans to come up with a plan. And when they see that plan, I think they'll have a better idea. McNeil: And in Cairo, Neil McFarquhar, how is Mr. Bush's leadership perceived there? McFarquhar, NYT Cairo Bureau Chief: Across the Middle East the one exception in this thing has been Iraq, which has been attacking the United States, what it calls its \"cowboy policies\". But the one thing that's upset the Arabs is, apparently, in one speech Mr. Bush used the words \"crusades\", and that word is fraught with a lot of terrible memories in the Middle East, because of course the Crusades were used to attack the region. So there has been a lot of discussion, that if this is a new Crusade, they don't want to be part of it"}, {"response": 459, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 19, 2001 (11:08)", "body": "I couldn't believe Bush used the words crusade! Reminiscent of Dan Quayle there. Thanks for the lengthy list of positions by country, Suzee. Everybody, time to put those tax refunds back in the mail to Washington. It's going to cost us jillions to *morally* convince some of these countries. :-( Yes, Thank you Suzee. The U$ barganing table is open and the odd thing is that the price of gold is not reacting. Is there a conspiracy to keep the price of gold stable? What is going on there? My very good friend lost a friend on the Fl#11 and my brother has many friends that are missing at WTC. And now we are told that Sept. 22nd is a date to watch out for. :-( I do not sleep well at night."}, {"response": 460, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 19, 2001 (17:57)", "body": "A Washington Post article on the threat of bio-terrorism: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A41225-2001Sep16.html"}, {"response": 461, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Sep 19, 2001 (17:58)", "body": "Wolfie, I tried, and since I am not listed on your other conferences as having access, I could not add them. I did put it on SpringArk. I like the ribbon on that Google.com site, too. I wish it lead back to that site and I would install it in a second. Terry, the programming in my cfconfig file is easy enough to copy and paste. Have at it!!"}, {"response": 462, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Sep 19, 2001 (18:00)", "body": "Breakdown of people who are missing and presumed dead by nationality (per Reuters) Does that include confirmed dead? A young Polish woman journalist died there, too, on her honeymoon. Her husband is fighting for his life in a NY hospital."}, {"response": 463, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Sep 19, 2001 (18:03)", "body": "on the threat of bio-terrorism The unexplained, mysteriously spreading and still not defeated outbreak of foot and mouth in the UK may be a testing ground."}, {"response": 464, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 19, 2001 (18:06)", "body": "http://www.observer.co.uk/international/story/0,6903,552749,00.html Comprehensive and unreported in US news sources."}, {"response": 465, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 19, 2001 (19:09)", "body": "As for Afghanistan, check out: http://www.iranian.com/Opinion/2001/June/Afghan/index.html for a brilliant description of that country by an Iranian film make"}, {"response": 466, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 19, 2001 (19:50)", "body": "Why? from The Independent (London), by Robert Fisk, 8/29/01: http://www.independent.co.uk/story.jsp?story=91066 and again, eighteen days later, 9/16/01: http://www.independent.co.uk/story.jsp?story=94254"}, {"response": 467, "author": "rachael", "date": "Wed, Sep 19, 2001 (19:57)", "body": "interesting to read what Warren Hoge said - I think its fair comment; have to say, one of the things that impressed me in the first few days was the way that very senior people seemed to make themselves available for lengthy and open press conferences - I'm not sure you'd see that here (in the UK). And yes I'm impressed with Colin Powell - the fact that he has such experience makes him seem very reassuring - don't know if Americans feel the same. for info (mainly to UK people) today's paper hads a full page ad for the World Trade Centre Disaster Fund www.wtcfund.org.uk and says \"This is an hour of need for our friends in America. Let's show them that our actions are as loud as our words\" If you're not already a Red Cross contributor, the website might be worth a visit. One of the saddest things I read today was about the families of some of the British victims flying into NYC, and my heart goes out to all those of whatever nationality who are dealing with this unimaginable heartbreak. My 12 y o was in NYC with her father a couple of months ago, and has been very distressed this week - tonight she said \"I can't believe that something I've seen that was so big and amazing just isn't there now\"."}, {"response": 468, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Wed, Sep 19, 2001 (20:10)", "body": "There is a quote in this weeks edition of Newsweek by a Wall St employee \" I never thought I'd see the day when the World Trade Center would pass me by in a dump truck \" It's funny in a sad, sad, kind of a way. AOL is reporting that the actor James Woods was on Flight 11 Boston to LA on Sep 4th, the same one that crashed, a week later. He was in first class with only 4 other passengers. They were all Arabs. They spoke to no one, ate nothing, drank nothing, read nothing and watched no movies. He said they all just sat in their seats starring off into space. It creeped him out, so he mentioned it to a stewardess. She shrugged if off, but when they got to LA, he reported it to the FBI. The FBI in LA are confirming this. So it looks like they did a \"test run\" the week before."}, {"response": 469, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 19, 2001 (20:28)", "body": "Peggy Noonan writes about how \"we live in such unprecedented comfort! But can it last!\" http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/pnoonan/?id=95001157 During the summer, when you were a kid, your dad worked a few towns away and left at 8:30; Mom stayed home smoking and talking and ironing. You biked to the local school yard for summer activities--twirling, lanyard making, dodgeball--until afternoon. Then you'd go home and play in the street. At 5:30 Dad was home and at 6 there was dinner--meat loaf, mashed potatoes and canned corn. Then TV and lights out. Now it's more like this: Dad goes to work at 6:15, to the city, where he is an executive; Mom goes to work at the bank where she's a vice president, but not before giving the sitter the keys and bundling the kids into the car to go to, respectively, soccer camp, arts camp, Chinese lessons, therapy, the swim meet, computer camp, a birthday party, a play date. Then home for an impromptu barbecue of turkey burgers and a salad with fresh Parmesan cheese followed by summer homework, Nintendo, and TV --the kids lying splayed on the couch, dead eyed, like denizens of a Chinese opium den--followed by \"Hi Mom,\" \"Hi, Dad,\" and bed. Life is so much more interesting now! It's not boring, like 1957. There are things to do: The culture is broader, more sophisticated; there's more wit and creativity to be witnessed and enjoyed. Moms, kids and dads have more options, more possibilities. This is good. The bad news is that our options leave us exhausted when we pursue them and embarrassed when we don't. . . . If someone does the big, terrible thing to New York or Washington, there will be a lot of chaos and a lot of lines going down, a lot of damage, and a lot of things won't be working so well anymore. And thus a lot more . . . time. Something tells me we won't be teleconferencing and faxing about the Ford account for a while. The psychic blow--and that is what it will be as people absorb it, a blow, an insult that reorders and changes--will shift our perspective and priorities, dramatically, and for longer than a while. Something tells me more of us will be praying, and hard, one side benefit of which is that there is sometimes a quality of stopped time when you pray. You get outside time."}, {"response": 470, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Sep 19, 2001 (20:39)", "body": "Answers hidden in lost former black Seminole village By SCOTT MCCABE, The Palm Beach Post An AP Member Exchange BUSHNELL \ufffd Forty-five minutes west of Walt Disney's make-believe history, archaeologists dig for real artifacts. Hunched over a shallow, square excavation, they search for Peliklakaha, the largest Black Seminole village known to historians, a place where different cultures joined in a fight for freedom more than 200 years ago. Until now, say University of Florida archaeologists, Peliklakaha existed only in the writings of military leaders and a painting commissioned by the U.S. general who had burned it down. Archaeologists hope to unearth clues that documents can't provide, secrets about the life of a hidden people. They hope Peliklakaha will reveal whether the inhabitants developed a unique lifestyle with their new status as free people in Florida. \"The story of the Black Seminoles is a tremendous story about a successful effort by slaves gaining their freedom before the Civil War,\" said Delray Beach archaeologist Bill Steele, who discovered the site in 1993. \"That's why Peliklakaha is so significant.\" The dig could establish a new focus in archaeology on cultures that combine African and Native American influences, said Terry Weik, the UF graduate student heading the excavation. more... http://www.naplesnews.com/01/09/florida/d648785a.htm"}, {"response": 471, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 19, 2001 (21:28)", "body": "The James Woods thing, if real, has all kinds of ramifications? When did he callthe FBI? What date? Was this a dry run or an aborted attempt? Did the hijackers make any calls on their Airphones? And were any of these men on the actual suicide hijacking missions? Now James Woods will be a witness if any of these men are apprehended, after sitting on a flight with them he could surely identify them. Pretty creepy, alright."}, {"response": 472, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 19, 2001 (21:30)", "body": "Subject: Waiting Date: Wednesday, September 19, 2001 11:29 AM From: Womack, Jack Waiting, today, for whatever is going to happen next. It does seem as if considerable thought is going into whatever the response will be. Reports from Indian & Pakistani newspapers are saying that the special force units (Rangers, SEALS, Green Berets, several other groups including one we have never heard of before, \"Night Stalkers.\" -- this goes into my phrasebook of new terms, along with \"Frozen Zone\") are already moving into place. I suspect something along the lines of the following will happen, whenever it happens: 1. Ground forces at this stage will consist solely of those guys, or some of those guys. More are preparing to go over, it's said, but I can't help but think that the US is keeping in mind what happened to the USSR during their ten-year war. (It would be absolute madness to send a large number of soldiers into Afghanistan, but that doesn't mean it won't happen, sooner or later.) 2. Bombing from the air will occur prior to the guys going in; I have a suspicion that for appearance's sake if nothing else, this will be Dresden/Tokyo-size bombing although there isn't much left to bomb. From today's Times: \"When we looked at Afghanistan before, the sense was we were going to bomb them up to the stone age,\" said one former Clinton administration official familiar with the planning of past military strikes against Mr. bin Laden's terrorist network. The FBI is now saying that not long prior to the event, the pilot of the plane that first struck the Towers met with an Iraqi intelligence agent. Iraq is vigorously denying this and evidently claiming this story came from the UK. If they're in the process of ascertaining that Hussein was in any way connected (it's hard not to suspect that he is, if only because the opportunity to get back at Bush Sr. by way of Bush Jr. would I think be pretty hard to pass up) they're keeping it *way* under wraps. Because -- 3. If Hussein was even minimally involved, it's a pretty safe bet Baghdad will also get the Dresden/Tokyo treatment, and totally without warning. After that, it's anyone's guess -- anything from ongoing small operations for the next five, ten, twenty years, to World War III. One view in the Russian papers is that if this were to be handled in the traditional Central Asian way, the Taliban themselves would kill bin Laden, and then turn over his body claiming that Western intelligence forces did it. Ah, the Russian mind....being capable of Russian-level cynicism, and possessed of the ability to endlessly extrapolate negative transactions, it's easy for me to imagine one scenario being the US setting off a nuclear bomb in northern Afghanistan in the midst of ground assaults, air bombing, etc.; thereafter claiming that the bomb belonged to the terrorists, that we found out about this just in time, clearly they were going to use it, and that therefore we have ample cause to do whatever the hell we want, beginning with taking out the capitals of Iraq, Iran... It is, of course, fortunate that I am not President. Enough punditizing, and back to the home front: the windows of the stores on Fifth & 57th filled with flags, or memorial bunting, or black curtains. Police cadets (having not yet been graduated) keeping an eye on traffic in midtown, and regular police as ever, everywhere. Military humvees heading down Fifth Avenue along with delivery trucks and stretch limos. I saw my therapist yesterday for the first time in two weeks (I see her on Tuesdays, but had no Sept. 11 session), and talked to her about depression, anxiety, the new numbness of being which I am beginning to think may have a certain permanence about it, now; about my stepmother's death the week prior to last, forgotten in the rush of events; about anger, and rage. (A minor interruption just now as a workman came into my office. \"Just checking your electric outlet,\" he said. \"The plates.\" Then, as he leaves. stated from over his shoulder, \"Don't want you to get blown up.\") I've always been an *extremely* angry person. For most of my life I automatically turned this inward, with the result being (as noted yesterday, I think) fairly deep and ongoing depression (which is also, at least partially, hereditary/chemical) With four years of therapy, beginning after I came out of the hospital back in 1997, I have managed to be able to get a lot of what was in, out; and feel much better for it. For the past year I've been doing much better at getting anger out before it becomes internalized rage. Unfortunately, if anger has no ready focus; or if anger rises toward a number of situations, or people, or whatever, very suddenly, it can't help but be turned inward, at least initially. And it grows, and it grows, and it grows; and it either stays inside, and becomes depression (which is what has been happening, I'm sure not only to me) or comes out in -- well, random acts of senseless violence. And on a national scale... But I am"}, {"response": 473, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Wed, Sep 19, 2001 (21:42)", "body": "Terry, I am gonna e mail you the James Woods article. My copy and paste fuctions never work here at Drool. Its very odd. So I'll just e mail it to you and, you can decide if you want to post it here."}, {"response": 474, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 19, 2001 (21:44)", "body": "I found something on http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover.shtml Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2001 9:38 a.m. EDT Twin Tower Terrorists May Have Made Dry Run Did terrorist hijackers who slammed two Boeing 767s into New York's Twin Towers on Tuesday stage a dress rehearsal a week before the attack? That's the intriguing question raised by the account of actor James Woods, who is reportedly telling friends that he saw a suspicious group of Middle Eastern men behaving in a \"clandestine\" manner during the earlier flight from Boston to Los Angeles. Exactly a week before the devastating attacks, Woods boarded a plane at Boston's Logan Airport, the same departure point the terrorists used. Woods sat in first class, according to friends, two of whom repeated his account to the New York Post's Cindy Adams. He was alone except for four other passengers - all Middle Eastern males. The actor immediately noticed the men behaving \"bizarrely.\" They neither drank, nor ate a morsel nor spoke out loud for the entire flight. There was no reading, no slouching, no nodding off. \"They were clandestine. Spoke only to each other in audible tones. And stared straight ahead,\" Adams was told. \"They were clearly very uptight,\" Woods' friends quoted him as saying. The actor was sufficiently troubled by their behavior to report it to a flight attendant - but she shrugged the incident off. When Woods landed he informed authorities on the ground, who reportedly \"seemed unwilling to become involved.\" The day after the attacks on New York and Washington, Woods called the FBI. At 7 a.m. Thursday investigators summoned the actor for an immediate interview."}, {"response": 475, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 19, 2001 (16:56)", "body": "I don't quite understand how they could not speak out loud and speak to other other in audible tones at the same time. I'm still wondering how authentic this story is, waiting for Bethanne's email to find out more. It should be in the Ne York Post in Cindy Adams column it sounds like."}, {"response": 476, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 19, 2001 (17:28)", "body": "From the horses mouth, NY Post gossip columnist Cindy Adams: September 18, 2001 -- Actor's travel tale is plane-ly chilling MOVIE STAR James Woods met with the FBI this week on the events that happened last week. It was a real-life scenario. It was chilling. Jimmy is devoted to his mom, whom fans will recall was his date at the Oscars. She lives in Boston. He lives in Los Angeles. He sees her often. He thus makes the Logan-LAX run regularly. Exactly one week before Terrorist Tuesday, Jimmy made the identical flight from Boston's Logan Airport to L.A. He related this episode to two friends of mine Sunday. Both repeated it to me almost verbatim. As we go to press I have been unable to reach James Woods, whom I know. I therefore repeat this story using his words as they were told to me. James Woods sat in first class. The section was empty except for four other passengers. All male. All Middle Eastern. He was acutely aware of them because of what he termed their \"bizarre\" behavior. On this entire flight which crosses the whole country not once did one of them partake of a single morsel. Not one even had a sip of water. They did not read. Did not nod off for an instant. Did not slouch down. Did not make themselves comfortable. Did not say a word to the attendants. Did not speak aloud. They were clandestine. Spoke only to each other in inaudible tones. And stared straight ahead. Jimmy is quoted as saying, \"They were clearly very uptight.\" An actor reads body language. An actor is trained to see into someone. To silently probe their psyche. An actor's laserlike slice into the heart of a foreign situation or human being is what enables him to don the mantle and play that other person. An actor's insight into behavior and manner can be as telling as a photograph. Award-winning James Woods felt uneasy. Sufficiently concerned to mention what he'd noticed to a flight attendant who shrugged it off. He also mentioned it to ground authorities who seemed unwilling to become involved. Wednesday, the day after the World Trade Center hit, Jimmy rang the FBI to report his experience. They said thousands of tips were coming in and they're checking all out as fast as they can. Thursday, 7 a.m., they called and said they're coming to see him. Like now. A team arrived at his door. They said something to the effect of, \"We cannot tell you anything. We cannot answer any of your questions. You can think whatever you choose to think. Now tell us every detail you remember.\" As is now known, not the airlines, not Logan security - which Woods supposedly said, \"was so lax that I particularly noted it\" - not our own intelligence operation picked up vibes in advance of Terrorist Tuesday because, ostensibly, the strike was so swift. However, this would appear that, in fact, somebody should have picked it up because it was not so swift. Because these men had made a dry run exactly the week before. Multiple men. Non-American nationals. Traveling in one group. Arabic names. Foreign passports. Reportedly paying cash. This does not trip some computer somehow, somewhere, someplace? And barring an omniscent all-seeing, all-noticing James Woods being a fellow passenger, might similar advance teams not have replicated this same type trial run on at least four other planes?"}, {"response": 477, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Wed, Sep 19, 2001 (17:30)", "body": "I watched all ofthe PBS programs last night. It wasn't exactly the most cheerful evening - I am going to try to be less attentive to the tv tonight. The White House has been trying to backtrack on the \"crusade\" comment. The root-em-toot-em cowboy image seems to have been reinforced by the \"dead or alive\" comment also. Even Blair seems less than thrilled with that one. Tuesday September 18 3:46 PM ET White House Apologizes for Word WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush (news - web sites) regrets using the word ``crusade,'' with all its historical connotations of religious war, to describe his campaign against terrorists, his spokesman said Tuesday. Bush only meant to say that his is a ``broad cause'' to stamp out terrorism worldwide, White House press secretary Ari Fleischer (news - web sites) said. http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/20010918/us/attacks_crusade_3.html ---------------- No 10 fails to echo 'dead or alive' call By George Jones, Political Editor (Filed: 19/09/2001)(The Telegraph) BRITAIN refused yesterday to endorse President Bush's declaration that he wanted Osama bin Laden \"dead or alive\". Tony Blair's official spokesman said the Prime Minister wanted those responsible for the atrocities \"brought to account\". http://portal.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2001/09/19/nbrit19.xml"}, {"response": 478, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 20, 2001 (00:26)", "body": "Feedback for Freedom We find ourselves surrounded by cries for retribution ringing out in response to the attacks on the East coast. Fanned by the media, this primitive urge to make others suffer equally or more will have its political and military effect. We are probably on the horrific spiral envisioned by the perpetrators of the attack. My engineering experience warns me that this is not a \"converging\" situation - it will not settle out in stability, but will thrash madly about until so much is destroyed that nothing can continue. If we want the situation to achieve stability we should consider some principles of feedback design. An engineer designing a feedback system takes an \"active element\" capable of exerting the maximum force needed and tames it by placing it within an environment that guarantees operation within the intended parameters. For an oscillator, the environment will say: \"do anything you want, but only at this frequency\". For an amplifier, the message is \"do anything you want, but only if the output is in this proportion of the input\". Taking this metaphor further, if we want a world of stability we must surround those elements capable of exerting force with environments in which the force is limited and directed. Not by meeting force with greater force, but by depriving force of support when wrongly directed. This applies not only to obvious kinds of military force but also to all the sorts of power which leave people at a disadvantage in their lives. Applying this approach, it is clear that the US should be applying massive pressure upon Israel and the Palestinian Authority to settle up, even if it's not the ideal unattainable by either side. This would remove a serious motivating and disrupting factor from the situation. We should be applying all possible means to change the environment in Afghanistan so that the people are empowered to overthrow the Taliban. Foreign invaders do not fare well in that country - the only people who can effect change are the Afghanis themselves. We should turn many of the billions appropriated by Congress to the alleviation of poverty in the poor nations of the world, especially the Mideast, through education and micro-lending, for example. Work from the bottom up, changing the political and economic environment for the better. And the \"we\" here also means we as individuals and groups, not simply the government. Citizen initiative can be powerful. We can use it to make cracks in the image of a monolithic passive, compliant populace perpetuated by the media. Cracks like this have a way of propagating. All of this would be profoundly subversive to systems of power. That is the point. Building feedback loops around those power structures will protect not only ourselves but our world. (Lee Felsenstein, , is an electronic design engineer and EFF Pioneer Award winner who played a part both in the early development of personal computers and in the Free Speech Movement in Berkeley. Permission is granted to reproduce this work only in its entirety, including this notice.)"}, {"response": 479, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Thu, Sep 20, 2001 (02:36)", "body": "I wonder how many \"test runs\" these guys made. James Woods Reports Suspicious Passengers to FBI September 19, 2001 Reuters Woods declined to publicly discuss his experience, first reported by New York Post columnist Cindy Adams and confirmed by his spokeswoman, Susan Madore. In a brief statement, the actor said, \"I think it prudent not to comment on this and let the FBI continue do their job ...\" Article: http://www.reuters.com/news_article.jhtml?type=entertainmentnews&StoryID=231786"}, {"response": 480, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Thu, Sep 20, 2001 (02:43)", "body": "Secret Plans for 10-year War THE TIMES (LONDON) THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 20 2001 BY MICHAEL EVANS, DEFENCE EDITOR Generals rule out 'D-Day invasion' AMERICA and Britain are producing secret plans to launch a ten-year \ufffdwar on terrorism\ufffd \ufffd Operation Noble Eagle \ufffd involving a completely new military and diplomatic strategy to eliminate terrorist networks and cells around the world. Despite the mass build-up of American forces in the Gulf and the Indian Ocean, there will be no \ufffdD-Day invasion\ufffd of Afghanistan and no repeat of the US-led Operation Desert Storm against Iraq in 1991, defence sources say. The notion that a US-led multinational coalition would attack Afghanistan from all sides for harbouring Osama bin Laden, the wealthy Saudi dissident leader and prime suspect for the terrorist outrages in New York and Washington, has been rejected in Washington and London. The sources also say that the planned campaign is not being focused on just \ufffdbringing bin Laden to justice\ufffd. The build-up of firepower by the Americans in the region, notably the two aircraft carrier battle groups that are to be joined by a third carrier, USS Theodore Roosevelt, is seen as a major display of available military capability. While it is important for these assets to be in the right place in case of a political decision to launch a strike, there are no plans for a \ufffdshort-term fix\ufffd. The dramatically different anti-terrorism campaign is being planned to meet what is now regarded as the most dangerous threat to global security, known as asymmetric warfare. \ufffdWe\ufffdre expecting it to last from five to ten years,\ufffd one source said. New ideas are needed to counter small groups armed with the minimum of weaponry, whether conventional or non-conventional. Such groups have the capability to attack a nation as powerful as the United States, which is equipped with the full range of modern weapons and professional Armed Forces. Old doctrines for fighting wars, based on lining up tanks and artillery and layers of troops, are being thrown out and replaced by a more subtle and wide-ranging doctrine which seeks to defeat the enemy at its own game. \ufffdThe aim is not to go for the enemy\ufffds strengths, but its weaknesses,\ufffd one source said. American and British planners are working on the basis that military strikes will take place only as part of a broader global counter-terrorist operation, embracing every other type of international action \ufffd diplomatic, economic and political. Most of the focus of the ten-year campaign plan, the sources say, is on using military action as a potent back-up to all the other strands of Operation Noble Eagle. However, President Bush, conscious of the demand for \ufffdrevenge\ufffd from the American public, might sanction shorter-term military operation by special forces, or airstrikes, but only if there is sufficient intelligence to guarantee a sucessful outcome. \ufffdThere\ufffds no point in firing a lot of missiles at bin Laden if they miss their target, or launching Tomahawks at bin Laden training camps if they are empty,\ufffd one source said. Complete Article: http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,2001320010-2001325231,00.html"}, {"response": 481, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 20, 2001 (09:46)", "body": "From Screendaily: US theatres plan Sept 11 charity day next Tuesday (Mike Goodridge in Los Angeles) Theatre circuits across the US are banding together to create a \"Victims Benefit Day at the Movies\" next Tuesday (Sept 25) on which 100% of ticket and concession sales will be donated to the September 11th Fund of the United Way and the American Red Cross. 50% of the proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross and 50% to the United Way. Among participating circuits are AMC, Carmike Cinemas, Cinemark USA, Hoyts Cinemas Corp, National Amusements, Regal Cinemas and United Artists Theatre Co. \ufffd Joe Roth\ufffds Revolution Studios has announced that it will donate all proceeds from the planned re-release of America\ufffds Sweethearts this weekend to the September 11th Fund; the company is also adding its summer comedy hit The Animal to the re-release at selected sites."}, {"response": 482, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 20, 2001 (10:04)", "body": "An article in the Nation reports that Russian television has been saying that Russian security services believe the next attack will be on a nuclear power plant: http://www.thenation.com/docPrint.mhtml?i=special&s=bivens_wtc_20010916 We better step up security at our nuclear facilities. Now."}, {"response": 483, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 20, 2001 (10:05)", "body": "In other news, BBC is reporting that the Afghanistan shura (meeting of clerics) has decided to ask Osama bin Laden to voluntarily leave the country. But who would take him?"}, {"response": 484, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 20, 2001 (10:08)", "body": "It is now being reported that Mossad warned the Bush Administration in August that about 200 people on their watch list of suspected terrorists were slipping into the United States, and that a \"big target\" was going to be hit."}, {"response": 485, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 20, 2001 (10:31)", "body": "The James Woods story gets a notch more credibility. Unfriendly Skies for James Woods By Scott Huver, Hollywood.com Staff Hollywood.com Exclusive! Actor may have shared \"trial run\" flight with terrorists The always-intense actor James Woods may have found himself near the center of the real-life drama that led to the terrorist attacks on New York's World Trade Center. The 54-year-old actor was questioned by the FBI following his report that while on a commercial flight from Boston's Logan Airport to Los Angeles one month prior to the devastating attack, he may have shared the first class section with the same box cutter-wielding terrorists responsible for hijacking American Airlines Flight 11. The four men are now believed to have been enacting a \"trial run\" of their suicide assault on NYC. According to Woods in a story confirmed by his publicist, he was on a flight back to L.A. after visiting his mother's home in Boston. He was alone in the first class section, except for a quartet of Middle Eastern men who, in Woods' estimation, were behaving bizarrely. The actor noticed that they never ate or drank, never spoke to the flight crew and only addressed each other in hushed tones. For the majority of the cross-country flight the men sat and stared stone-faced straight ahead. Perhaps playing all those movie bad guys and killers gave the Oscar-nominated actor some kind of subtle insight: After picking up on the group's odd demeanor and tense body language, Woods actually mentioned it to a flight attendant, who dismissed it, and reported it again to airline authorities on the ground, who didn't seem to want to pursue it. It wasn't until about a month later, on the Wednesday following the attack, that Woods again called authorities--this time the FBI--to report his experience once more. This time, in less than 24 hours, Federal agents arrived on his doorstep looking to examine every detail of his story. Although the agents didn't share any information on their investigation with the actor, out of the thousands of tips the FBI received, they certainly seemed to take Woods' tale extremely seriously. The actor kept his experience quiet until it was leaked to a New York Post columnist, who mistakenly reported that it occurred only one week prior to the deadly attack. \"I think it is prudent not to comment on this and let the FBI continue to do their job, which they seem to be doing superbly right now,\" Woods said in a statement to Hollywood.com. Laura Bosley, a spokeswoman for the FBI in Los Angeles, could neither confirm nor deny this report, but she did tell Hollywood.com that many individuals nationwide are coming forward with information and that the FBI is taking all these reports into account. Woods recently starred in Scary Movie 2 and appears in the upcoming Drew Barrymore film Riding in Cars With Boys. He recently signed to play former studio head Alan Hirschfield in the film version of David McClintock's book Indecent Exposure, which chronicles David Begelman's check-forging scandal while heading Columbia Pictures in the late 1970s."}, {"response": 486, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 20, 2001 (11:13)", "body": "the Afghanistan shura (meeting of clerics) has decided to ask Osama bin Laden to voluntarily leave the country. But who would take him? If OBL gave himselp up, it would aid all those cells he has all over by centruting the attention on him. This is so complicated because it is not just him. In Israel everyone has gas masks, I think it would be prudent on our side to to the same."}, {"response": 487, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 20, 2001 (11:15)", "body": "centruting should be concentrating."}, {"response": 488, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 20, 2001 (12:07)", "body": "The Taliban have issued an edict that asks OBL to leave Afghanistan: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/010920/80/c4q2r.html"}, {"response": 489, "author": "AnnieZ", "date": "Thu, Sep 20, 2001 (12:20)", "body": "I work for an airline company. It's the saddest day in my company today. 25% of people in my department are leaving (most of them have already left by now). I've survived at this time but don't feel happy at all! People, whom I worked with for years and some of them became very good friends, are let go. Tears in many people's eyes no matter they stay or go. I'm feeling so depressed. It feels like an airplane just hit the building when I work (which is the headquarter of the company). Just think that we had several new positions opening for hire a week before the attack. I may survive for this cut but who knows the next time I'd survive?"}, {"response": 490, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 20, 2001 (12:24)", "body": "janes.com: 19 September 2001 Who did it? Foreign Report presents an alternative view Israel\ufffds military intelligence service, Aman, suspects that Iraq is the state that sponsored the suicide attacks on the New York Trade Center and the Pentagon in Washington. Directing the mission, Aman officers believe, were two of the world\ufffds foremost terrorist masterminds: the Lebanese Imad Mughniyeh, head of the special overseas operations for Hizbullah, and the Egyptian Dr Ayman Al Zawahiri, senior member of Al-Qaeda and possible successor of the ailing Osama Bin Laden. The two men have not been seen for some time. Mughniyeh is probably the world\ufffds most wanted outlaw. Unconfirmed reports in Beirut say he has undergone plastic surgery and is unrecognisable. Zawahiri is thought to be based in Egypt. He could be Bin Laden\ufffds chief representative outside Afghanistan."}, {"response": 491, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Sep 20, 2001 (12:46)", "body": "Re: the James Woods story Just because something is repeated does not, in itself, make a story credible. Let's look at who the 'reporters' are. Cindy Adams: a gossip columnist, relating heresay. I do not doubt James Woods saw what he saw and reported it as described, but how can it be concluded these *were* the same terrorists? Or even terrorists at all? Did he positively ID them? 'Reportedly paying cash'--how does James or Cindy know this? She also blames Logan Security when security at the Portland, Maine airport is also culpable. Scott Huver, Hollywood.com (c'mon, H'wood.com? We're not exactly talking 60 Minutes here): Scott essentially re-writes Cindy's story except he states Woods took the flight one month before 9-11 whereas Cindy said it was one week. He then embellishes with some common knowledge quotes. IMO one should not jump to conclusions based on this level of reporting and should use the term 'credible' with care."}, {"response": 492, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Thu, Sep 20, 2001 (13:24)", "body": "Just because something is repeated does not, in itself, make a story credible... IMO one should not jump to conclusions based on this level of reporting.(Eileen) Good point, but I think it applies to every \"level of reporting\" right now. (Especially right now.) There have been quite a few stories circulated that turned out to be incorrect even in the \"main stream\" press. I do think it makes sense that the terrorists would have made \"trial runs\" to check out the exact conditions on the flights."}, {"response": 493, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Sep 20, 2001 (13:38)", "body": "(Suzee) I think it applies to every \"level of reporting\" right now. Good point right back at 'cha, but I'd like to think things are settling down in the true mainstream press. Last week it was mass hysteria."}, {"response": 494, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Thu, Sep 20, 2001 (13:46)", "body": "Just because something is repeated does not, in itself, make a story credible... IMO one should not jump to conclusions based on this level of reporting.(Eileen) Good point, but I think it applies to every \"level of reporting\" right now. (Especially right now.) There have been quite a few stories circulated that turned out to be incorrect even in the \"main stream\" press. I do think it makes sense that the terrorists would have made \"trial runs\" to check out the exact conditions on the flights."}, {"response": 495, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 20, 2001 (14:23)", "body": "I'm taking the Woods story with the grain of salt it deserves, but if true has much broader consequences. This is an article on the international system used to move money to the terrorists and the moves to stop it. http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/20/business/20MONE.html"}, {"response": 496, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 20, 2001 (15:58)", "body": "Finally, a major, reputable news source has picked this James Woods thing up. Reuters. http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010919/en/people-woods_1.html Pretty much the same information in this Reuters piece with the exception of this elaboration: Woods declined to publicly discuss his experience, first reported by New York Post columnist Cindy Adams and confirmed by his spokeswoman, Susan Madore. In a brief statement, the actor said, ``I think it prudent not to comment on this and let the FBI continue do their job, which they seem to be doing superbly right now.'' Woods, 54, who studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology before pursuing an acting career, is best known for playing heavies and misfits."}, {"response": 497, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 20, 2001 (16:10)", "body": "It's now being reported the Woods flight was a month before not a week as reported in the gossip column."}, {"response": 498, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Thu, Sep 20, 2001 (20:29)", "body": "At least two of the \"hijackers\" supposedly found alive and well. Doubts emerge over identities of hijackers in US attacks WASHINGTON, Sept 20 (AFP) - US officials are investigating whether some or all of the 19 hijackers on the four hijacked aircraft used in last week's terror attacks used stolen identities, possibly complicating efforts to link them to Osama bin Laden. The doubts started to emerge when at least four men with names matching those on an FBI list of the hijackers turned up alive in Saudi Arabia and Tunisia, according to newspaper reports. An unnamed senior US official told Thursday's Washington Post that there was now uncertainty over the list of names. \"There may be some question with regard to the identity of at least some of them,\" he said. ......... FBI director Robert Mueller said last week as he released what he said were the names of the hijackers that his bureau had \"a fairly high level of confidence\" that they were their true identities. But at least one Arabic newspaper, the Saudi-owned Asharq al-Awsat, said this week it had found two of the Saudis named on the list, Abdelaziz al-Omari and Said Hussein Gharamallah al-Ghamdi, alive and well. Article: http://asia.dailynews.yahoo.com/headlines/technology/afp/article.html?s=asia/headlines/010920/technology/afp/Doubts_emerge_over_identities_of_hijackers_in_US_attacks.html"}, {"response": 499, "author": "wolf", "date": "Thu, Sep 20, 2001 (21:39)", "body": "i heard about the stolen identities too. prayers and love to all...."}, {"response": 500, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Thu, Sep 20, 2001 (22:29)", "body": "Plus the families of two of the hihackers have said, their relative was not one of the hijackers, including this Mohammad Atta dude. They are claiming identity fraud too. A bit hard to belive when you consider Atta has been on the FBI's list of suspected criminals, for a long time."}, {"response": 501, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Thu, Sep 20, 2001 (22:37)", "body": "(Rob)MSG 436 sums up just about every country capable of providing aid bar New Zealand. Do we not exist? - I copied that information from a couple of different sites. It is entirely possible that I missed New Zealand :-( -- or it was not on the lists I used -- but I looked around and found this: NEW ZEALAND: Has offered the use of Special Air Services commandos and New Zealand intelligence resources in any action against those responsible for the terrorist attacks. ----------------- Here's to New Zealand: \ufffdGod of nations at Thy feet In the bonds of love we meet. Hear our voices, we entreat, God defend our Free Land. Guard Pacific's triple star\ufffd And why if it \"can be found on two large islands and a host of smaller islands\" is it called \"triple star\"? (Gee, I hope the lyrics are correct!)"}, {"response": 502, "author": "maryw", "date": "Thu, Sep 20, 2001 (22:49)", "body": "This is really spooky I just received by email : a.. A flight number from one of the planes that hit one of the twin towers was Q33NY. b.. In MS Word or Wordperfect, type in that flight number (in capitals) - Q33NY c.. Enlarge the font size to 26 and then change the font to Wingdings or Wingdings1"}, {"response": 503, "author": "maryw", "date": "Thu, Sep 20, 2001 (22:49)", "body": ""}, {"response": 504, "author": "maryw", "date": "Thu, Sep 20, 2001 (22:50)", "body": "This is really spooky I just received by email : a.. A flight number from one of the planes that hit one of the twin towers was Q33NY. b.. In MS Word or Wordperfect, type in that flight number (in capitals) - Q33NY c.. Enlarge the font size to 26 and then change the font to Wingdings or Wingdings1"}, {"response": 505, "author": "maryw", "date": "Thu, Sep 20, 2001 (22:51)", "body": "Sorry..for phantom postings"}, {"response": 506, "author": "AotearoaKiwi", "date": "Fri, Sep 21, 2001 (01:48)", "body": "Hi all I thought I would post this as my own perspective on the Taliban, the case with the Muslim population world wide, the case of the Middle East and the possible effect on the world economy. My perspective comes from having talked to Mum and Dad who have been to Pakistan and Afghanistan, from learning and research I did on my own accord on the Middle East powder keg, from Political Science and from Geography where we examined the United States foreign policy (not as applied to a Middle Eastern nation). In 1979 the country of Nicaragua was ripe for revolt, with a regime in power despised by the people and in command of a military that was beginning to lean toward the people. The regime was recognised by the United States among other countries and it allowed environmentally unfriendly practices to be maintained by foreign companies of mainly Western origin. A politician named Sandinista however began a revolution the following year that swept him into power with the support of the people of Nicaragua. It was a socialist government (NOT COMMUNIST)that formed and immediately began instituting sweeping reform basic social welfare, health, education, and economic programmes the latter of which were based on principles of environmental sustainability. The program involved the passing of the first ever environmental laws for the country which restricted the amount of forest that could be logged and set standards for mines. Someone in the Ronald Reagan found out and pressed the President into allowing the CIA to wage government sponsored crime in the country by burning down the forests, and funding anti Sandinista factions to topple the government. The secretly funded war that CIA agents waged in the country crippled Nicaragua at the one time when it was making it's first substantial economic progress ever. The same President decreased spending on just about everything to fund a huge programme of capital expenditure on the United States military which had operatives in Afghanistan fighting the Soviets, who were immediately withdrawn without any gratitude to Afghanistan (or Pakistan from where they were based) as soon as the Soviets withdrew. Pakistan inherited many problems created by the sudden United States departure which to some extent the Pakistani government could not have satisfactorily sorted out itself. That upset many Muslims and since the United States is a powerful ally of Israel whose Jews are age old foes of the Muslims, the United States became a target of anger. None of this ever justified terrorism on ANY scale let alone the scale of last weeks attacks, but it may have been part of a trigger for the strikes on New York and Washington D.C. Osama bin Laden has begun a holy war and I suspect that the Middle East with it's sharp divisions between Arabs and Israelis, Muslims and Jews has the capacity to become a giant conflagration of war if certain issues are not sorted out. The entire Western World is at fault to some extent (United States, Britain, Australia, France, Germany, Canada, New Zealand and like countries)on this issue. We take the oil of those countries to drive our economies while putting minimal investment back in by mploying people at dirt cheap rates in some cases and this is not an exaggeration NZ$1 (US$.44c) a day. We treat their environments with contempt and make no effort to clean up the mess, and we contribute to the cycle of poverty that ensures these countries STAY poor. New Zealand is at fault because we get shirts and clothes really cheaply from Indonesia (a Muslim nation with 200 million people), and probably places like Pakistan and India. We expect them to be democratic and freedom when we can at TIMES hardly call the governments of our nations freedom loving either. I think there is a low but very REAL chance that a showdown sometime in the next few decades between the West and Islam is looming, and I think it may engulf at least the entire Middle East when it does come. So how did this mess come about?? In part Western consumerism is to blame for the economic ills and lack of investment in the countries where we have set up Multi-national corporations, and in part to misguided policies passed by the governments of those nations who have large Muslim populations. What can we do?? All countries have a role to play in this though the largest role will be that of the United States, because it takes the most out of the Islamic nations. United States Foreign policy on things like trade is going to have to change or it risks permanently damaging relations with the entire Islamic world. Changes need not be sweeping but they need to be on things like free trade (without tariffs), and a concept of \"fair trade\" that involves trade deals that disadvantage neither side are being promoted by some. How the Department of State sees environmental protocols will have to change as it is hurting traditional European friends/allies as much as it hurts poorer nations. People, I know that th"}, {"response": 507, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Fri, Sep 21, 2001 (05:25)", "body": "Secret memo reveals US plan to overthrow Taliban regime Friday September 21, 2001 The Guardian The US government is pressing its European allies to agree to a military campaign to topple the Taliban regime in Afghanistan and replace it with an interim administration under United Nations auspices. Diplomatic cables from the Washington embassy of a key Nato ally, seen by the Guardian, report that the US is keen to hear allied views on \"post-Taliban Afghanistan after the liberation of the country\". The embassy cable reveals that the US administration is bent on force to evict the Taliban from power because of the shelter it has offered Osama bin Laden, named by the White House as prime suspect for the New York and Washington atrocities on September 11. The Guardian has also learned that two large US Hercules transport aircraft landed in Tashkent, capital of the former Soviet republic of Uzbekistan, on Tuesday loaded with surveillance equipment to be installed along the northern Afghan border. The secret landing represented a radical departure since it appeared to herald the deployment of squadrons of US fighters at Uzbekistan's sprawling airfield at Termez, directly on the border. Such a build-up would incur the wrath of Russia which views the central Asian republics as its backyard. .......................... The US strategy to depose the Taliban regime is based on more than military thinking. A further plank appears to entail supporting the campaign of the exiled 86-year-old monarch of Afghanistan, King Zahir Shah, to return to power by encouraging the guerrilla army of the Northern Alliance opposition to fall in behind him. Complete article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/wtccrash/story/0,1300,555530,00.html"}, {"response": 508, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 21, 2001 (08:35)", "body": "At the end of the day we Westerners are going to have to make some sacrifices to our material wealth, because plainly to stop the social conditions that support this sort of evil, nothing less will do. Good point, Rob. the US is keen to hear allied views on \"post-Taliban Afghanistan after the liberation of the country\". Some people may find this statement very arrogant. From syndicated columnist JONATHAN POWER Is it possible for America to say 'Sorry'? September 20, 2001 LONDON - How should the United States fight Osama bin Laden? It could start by saying sorry. Despite two centuries of rapid immigration pulling in people from all over the world, America remains a predominantly Christian nation. It is not a Jewish one and certainly not an Islamic one. It draws its inspiration from another book, mightier, it believes, than the Old Testament or the Koran, although it shares common roots with both these religions and worships the same God. If Christianity is not about saying sorry and turning the other cheek what, at the end of the day, is so special about it? We have a lot to be sorry for. After all it was Christian societies that practised slavery. It was a Christian society that tolerated the long persecution and then the obliteration of the Jews. (Islamic societies, even in their worst times, have never set about the extermination of the Jewish people.) And in a more recent era it is Christian societies which stirred up war in Africa in their quest for Cold War allies, destroyed Afghanistan, the scorched refuge of bin Laden, in a misplaced and unnecessary attempt to aid the resistance to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and allowed the legitimate desire of the Jewish people to own their own state to degenerate into the contemporary world's worst example of military occupation and imperialistic land acquisition. Perhaps it seems extraordinary that a political writer should have nothing better to say than \"say sorry\". In a week when innocent bodies in New York and Washington are being buried, when children cry all night for their lost parents, when lonely widows and widowers ask themselves how they will ever take another step forward through life, is this the time for contrition? It is hard to make the argument, that I know. But where does hatred take us, where does revenge, where does it end if, as President George Bush says, \"there are no rules\"? Do we want to make the situation worse or do we want to take a momentous leap of imagination and reach out to make it better? The military solution, however sympathetically one looks at it, appears at the very least counterproductive. As a recent publication by the hard headed International Institute for Strategic Studies argued it, going after the Taleban regime in Afghanistan will likely destabilise its friendly neighbour Pakistan and throw a nuclear-armed country into the hands of the militants. Beyond that, what would be the point of inflaming Islamic societies everywhere if it led to the fall of the fundamentalist (but friendly) government of Saudi Arabia? If Saudi Arabia were ruled in a fashion true to its Wahhabi ultra- fundamentalist creed not only would there be no U.S. troops on Saudi soil, it would be an end to the (uneasy) coalition against Saddam Hussein, there would be a cataclysmic shortfall in western oil supplies, and the turning of Saudi missiles from pointing towards Iraq in the direction of Israel instead. It would also probably push Saudi Arabia to develop nuclear weapons to put on the nose of its nuclear-capable rockets it bought from China, and this to threaten Israel with. Is America going to occupy Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to forestall that scenario? Then the house would really fall in. The reason America has reached this fork in the road is because, as with so many other issues, America has put off biting the bullet on hard problems. Politicians and the media have connived to keep the populace ignorant of what is going on in the world. Only in extreme times of emergency - such as the current one and the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait- is there an intense effort made to educate public opinion, and then that is done at a fever pitch with truth and objectivity being given short shrift. Yet all over the world there are silent emergencies that have continued to be combated half heartedly, whilst they have developed a head of power that in the end steamrollers all modest solutions. This is as true of global warming as it is of the Israeli settlement policy on Palestinian land. This is as true of the spread of AIDS and other highly infectious diseases as it is of the West's over-consumption of energy. This is as true of the proliferation of nuclear weapons, for want of a disarmament lead from the ex-Cold War nuclear powers, as it is of the Western tolerance of child labour in factories making their consumer goods. This is as true of children dying in Africa and other Third World countries for want of pure drinking water and the lack of education o"}, {"response": 509, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 21, 2001 (09:03)", "body": "Did anyone see a teleprompter last night for Pres. Bush? He couldn't have memorized and delivered the speech so well. It was the best he's ever done live."}, {"response": 510, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Sep 21, 2001 (09:35)", "body": "MaryW: A flight number from one of the planes that hit one of the twin towers was Q33NY. Don't let Wingdings experts mess with your head, Mary. The flights that hit the towers were numbered 11 and 77, the other two hijacked flights 175 and 93. Also, the Nostradamus lines being broadcast around the Web (\"twin brothers shall be rent in fire, yadda, yadda\") are made up."}, {"response": 511, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Sep 21, 2001 (09:42)", "body": "Sorry? I haven't read the above article and don't feel the inclination to. We have Jesse Jackson trying to get monies to the offspring of slaves? I'm sorry, but that is the stupidest idea I've ever heard. If that's the case then, perhaps we should start doling money out to every Japanese American who were sent into camps during WW2 or the Koreans during the Korean War? Hell, we should pay Britain for \"allowing\" us to win the war in 1776. Why should WE say sorry? We are a nation built on different ethnicities and backgrounds. Slavery made this country, it built our civil rights, and our Bill of Rights, out of bad, some good may come. What we have is a nation (Afghanistan) who is run by fundamentalist nutjobs. The Taliban is EVIL. They are trying to infiltrate as many countries as they can with their idealogy mumbo jumbo. They are not Muslims? They are whacked out religious freaks who say they speak the word or Allah. And Allah comandeered them to take our airplanes, use them as missiles, against CIVILIANS, who were just working, like the rest of the world. Not plotting to overtake a government, or throw their religious beliefs on everyone else. I know I'm just ranting, but we don't owe anyone an apology. Our governmental policies are in use because they work. Iraq says it's our fault. Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell (GO AWAY BOTH OF YOU) blame our moral values. They said it was our fault. No one, absolutely NO ONE, deserves to die the way helpless civilians dies on September 11, 2001. end of rant."}, {"response": 512, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 21, 2001 (09:56)", "body": "A summary of OBL's finances in The Times http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,2001320010-2001325324,00.html"}, {"response": 513, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 21, 2001 (10:03)", "body": "David Kline: If we end up bombing the Afghan capital (or other populated targets), it'll be because Washington lacked the patience and willingness to ally with freedom-loving Afghans in the country and gather the human intelligence needed to locate Bin Laden and his Taliban benefactors. In other words, it'll be a de facto admission of defeat. If you really want Bin Laden, you have to: * Use local people to locate him. * Move swiftly without alerting him or his Taliban supporters (which probably means employing a joint US-Afghan (anti-Taliban) team. If we just start flying around in Bin Laden's general area, using electronic intelligence gathered from his communications to hone in on him, he'll be gone before his tea gets cold. And I mean *gone.* In that part of the country -- a lot like Utah only hotter and more difficult to traverse -- there are thousands of little cave hideouts and hundreds of Taliban-dominated villages where he could hide out and slink away. The borders near Quetta, Pakistan are completely porous -- even if the Pak's tried with all their might to seal them, it couldn't be done. There are also nomadic tribespeople moving in caravans constantly across both Iran's and Pakistan's borders with Afghanistan where a guy in a turban with a half-dozen bodyguards could easily blend in. So \"chasing\" Bin Laden on the run won't work. You've got to find him and move in quickly, **before** he runs, and for that you need anti-Taliban Afghan intelligence. There's simply no other way to attack him effectively. Of course, if Washington just wants to blow off steam and waste a few hundred or thousand innocent Afghans, then none of the above applies. It'll look good on TV, maybe, but it won't get Bin Laden or the Taliban. A finger of David Kline reveals: I'm a journalist and author, former war correspondent (until, genius that I am, I finally figured out I should find something safer to do) and sometime business strategy consultant. I used to be a HotWired columnist and Upside columnist till they gave me the boot for ideological impurity. But I'm still a commentator on NPR's \"Marketplace\" business program and I'm still writing books. So I guess I'm not a complete screw-up. My first book was published by Dutton in 1995 -- \"Road Warriors: Dreams and Nightmares Along the Information Highway.\" My latest will be published by Harvard Business School Press in the Fall of 1999 -- \"Rembrandts in the Closet: Wielding Intellectual Property for Competitive Advantage.\" I would add that he's been on the scene in Afghanistan as a war correspondent."}, {"response": 514, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Sep 21, 2001 (10:07)", "body": "(Moon) It was the best he's ever done live. Practice makes perfect and so does good coaching. I was grateful he didn't appear to be sounding out the words as he has in earlier speeches. (Laura) perhaps we should start doling money out to every Japanese American who were sent into camps during WW2 Psst, Laura, it was done. You've never heard of reparation? =8-O"}, {"response": 515, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 21, 2001 (10:32)", "body": "David Kline (dkline) Thu 13 Sep 01 08:30 I'd like to try to clear up some mis-information about how the US supposedly \"supplied\", \"trained\" or \"created\" Bin Laden. I reported from Afghanistan from 1979-1987, and I can tell you absolutely that such was not the case. The US supplied arms & money to a variety of factions of the mujahadeen, but did so only through the Pakistani intelligence serevices (SIS), which funneled most arms to Gulbadin Hekmatyar, an ideological precursor to the Taliban and types like Bin Laden. Pakistan had its own reasons for doing so -- these fanatics did very little fighting against the Russians (unlike genuine leaders like Ahmed Shah Massoud), preferring to fight other resistance factions -- and I and others warned US officials of the consequences of allowing arms to be directed towards the fundamentalists. But US officials insisted their \"hands were tied\" in this matter, and whether true or not, there it is. How did the Taliban win? Consider that Afghan society, almost entirely tribal rather than \"national\" toi begin with, was utterly destroyed by the Soviets durinbg the war. 1-tenth the population killed; 1/3 of the survivords forced to flee as refuygees. The systematic destruction of Afghan intelligentsia by Soviet-directed police forces resulted in a statistical decline in the literacy rate. Into this vacumn the Taliban, financed and armerd by Saudi extremists, entered."}, {"response": 516, "author": "admin", "date": "Fri, Sep 21, 2001 (10:37)", "body": "A lot more of David Klines thoughts on this: http://www.spring.net/dkline.html"}, {"response": 517, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 21, 2001 (10:44)", "body": "Hey, that Jonathan Power is some dude. Am I reading: Get a Marshall Plan organized for Afghanistan? Wonder how many votes that would get. *shaking head*"}, {"response": 518, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 21, 2001 (14:23)", "body": "[from the Hollywood Reporter] Studios tighten security following FBI terror alert Sep. 21, 2001 Terrorists leveled threats Thursday against Hollywood's major film studios, prompting each to seriously reconsider existing security measures that suddenly seemed far too mild for the current political climate. Some studios partially evacuated their facilities late in the afternoon. Internal memos, usually in the form of an e-mail issued by high-ranking studio executives, buzzed throughout Hollywood on Thursday, warning of threats of mass destruction, presumably from Islamic terrorists. Insiders said studio heads first learned of the threat from MPAA president Jack Valenti, who was briefed by U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, who specifically mentioned a threat of a suicide bomber. An FBI statement released late Thursday, though, was more vague about the exact nature of the threat. The threat's purpose, though, was specifically laid out by the FBI: If the U.S. attacks Afghanistan, a studio will be bombed. \"Today the FBI provided a threat advisory to the major movie studios in Los Angeles,\" FBI spokesman Matt McLaughlin said. \"The uncorroborated threat states that a film studio in California could be the target of a terrorist bombing attack in retaliation for any possible bombing attacks by the United States against Afghanistan. In an abundance of caution, the FBI has provided this threat advisory. The FBI is working closely with the studios regarding this matter.\" Insiders said that those making the threat will target a major film studio because American values and culture -- anathema to fundamentalist Islamic terrorists -- are distributed throughout the world via Hollywood movies."}, {"response": 519, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 21, 2001 (14:25)", "body": "Here is a report that Osama has been rushed toward the Chinese border by the Taliban: http://www.frontierpost.com.pk/main.asp?id=2&date1=9/21/2001 This one indicates that he left even before the shura met. http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/sep2001-daily/21-09-2001/main/main2.htm"}, {"response": 520, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 21, 2001 (15:58)", "body": "http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/ Last summer, while the American media kept the people distracted with \"All Condit All The Time\", the US Government was informing other governments that we would be at war in Afghanistan, no later than October! How lucky for our government that just when they are planning to invade another country, for the express purpose of removing that government, a convenient \"terrorist\" attack occurs to anger Americans into support for an invasion. Sound impossible? Not when you consider that accused terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden is actually an employee of the CIA, who trained and financed him. And guess who paid for the training of the Hijackers? YOU DID, according to NEWSWEEK and MSNBC. From Alleged Hijackers May Have Trained at U.S. Bases The Pentagon has turned over military records on five men to the FBI By George Wehrfritz, Catharine Skipp and John Barry NEWSWEEK Sept. 15 U.S. military sources have given the FBI information that suggests five of the alleged hijackers of the planes that were used in Tuesdays terror attacks received training at secure U.S. military installations in the 1990s. Leonard Pitts column: http://www.contracostatimes.com/opinion/columnists/pitts/stories/xxpitts_20010921.htm \"LET'S GET something straight. The events of Sept. 11 did not happen because we did something wrong. Or because we somehow \"deserved\" them. In recent days, I've heard that argument or variations thereof from several friends and dozens of e-mail correspondents. This must be what \"they\" feel like when we bomb \"them,\" says one. Perhaps they acted out of deep hurt, says another. Maybe this is necessary payback for American arrogance, says yet another. And then, of course, there's the ever-reliable Jerry Falwell, who said on \"The 700 Club\" last week that the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon represent God's verdict on gay rights, feminism, abortion and the ACLU. In a word, no. To all of the above, to all the tortured reflection and moral distress: no. Hell no.\".... \"Last week happened, pure and simple, because certain religious extremists hate us. They hate us because our foreign policy has been supportive of Israel. They hate us because we helped repel Saddam Hussein from Kuwait in 1991. But in the larger sense, they hate us because their children want blue jeans, Britney Spears videos and the chance to be like Mike. They hate us because we consume bacon and beer. They hate us because American women wear bikinis and speak their minds. They hate us because we are the biggest, the wealthiest, the most influential, the most powerful. They hate us because we are not them and, moreover, because they are not us. They hate us because they think the deity requires it. They hate us because.\""}, {"response": 521, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Fri, Sep 21, 2001 (16:46)", "body": "It may be true that James Woods saw the hijackers: 09/21/2001 - Updated 03:07 PM ET Investigators: Hijackers repeatedly scouted flights By Kevin Johnson, Toni Locy and Richard Willing, USA TODAY The terrorists who staged last week's murderous attacks apparently practiced for months by repeatedly riding the flights they later hijacked, learning jet crews' patterns, counting passenger loads and testing airline security, the FBI now believes. The 19 hijackers, probably aided by accomplices who are still alive, began scouting for flights to hijack and making dry runs as early as April, law enforcement sources say. Some of the hijackers are believed to have entered the USA then. Authorities confirmed the finding by checking flight manifests and airport security camera tapes. They also interviewed airline employees. Investigators had suspected that the four hijacked flights \ufffd two from Boston and one each from Newark, N.J., and Dulles International Airport in suburban Washington \ufffd had been carefully chosen, in part because each was full of fuel for a cross-country trip and had a relatively light passenger load. The lack of passengers would have made it easier for the four or five Muslim extremists on each jet to keep those aboard under control and overwhelm the cockpit crews. Authorities say they also now believe that the killers scouted other flights as hijacking candidates but eliminated them from consideration. The findings add texture to the portrait that is emerging of the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. The hijackings, sources say, were meticulously planned and required large sums of money, dozens of helpers and coordination among teams. Investigators have not ruled out the possibility that a central figure who set the attacks in motion still could be at large. \ufffd Copyright 2001 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2001/09/21/hijackers-usat.htm"}, {"response": 522, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Fri, Sep 21, 2001 (17:06)", "body": "From the NY Times, more on the hijackers' identities: September 21, 2001 Confusion Over Names Clouds Identities of Attackers on Jets By NEIL MacFARQUHAR CAIRO, Sept. 20 \ufffd Many of the 19 hijacking suspects in the terror attacks last week remain shrouded in confusion, with almost nothing known about some and up to five apparent cases of mistaken identity. The F.B.I. list of hijacking suspects does include the names of at least six missing Saudi Arabian men who left their country, ostensibly to join the Islamic fighters battling the Russians in Chechnya, plus four others whose parents have lost contact with them. But the lack of the details about the suspects, plus the assertions of mistaken identity, have left their parents refusing to mourn and Saudi Arabian officials dismissive of the entire list. \"The haste in publishing the names of suspects in the attacks has made the media fall into the error of involving innocent people, especially Saudis,\" Prince Mit'eb bin Abdullah, the deputy commander of the Saudi National Guard, complained to reporters in Riyadh. The use of wrong names and pictures may indicate that the hijackers filched the identities of fellow Saudis. In the United States, Robert Mueller, the director of the F.B.I., acknowledged Thursday that there were questions about the identities of several of the hijackers on the list. \"We have several hijackers whose identities were those of the names on the manifest, we have several others who are still in question,\" Mr. Mueller said while touring the crash site in Pennsylvania of one hijacked plane. An official at the Saudi Embassy in Washington said there were five mistaken identities on the list, adding that all the men were alive and living abroad. Saudi officials say part of the problem stems from the proliferation of similar names in Saudi Arabia, as well as the numerous varieties of spelling them in English. One of the most common surnames on the F.B.I. list is Alshehri. But in English various members of the clan might spell it Alshahri or Alshehiri or Al-Shehri, entangling search efforts. Far more difficult is the fact that the country's huge tribes repeat the same names over and over again. Saudis use at least three names: their given name, their father's name, and their tribal name. Between the father's name and the tribal name, many also insert the name of a fourth, favored ancestor. But even brothers do not always choose the same name. To narrow the search to specific individuals, Saudi officials said they needed at least one and preferably two middle names. What they are given to work with now is a lot of Joe Smiths. For example, there might be thousands and thousands of people with the name Waleed Alshehri, one of the men whose name appears on the list of suspects who rammed the first plane into the World Trade Center. For a while, suspicion focused on the son of a Saudi diplomat with that name who had studied at Embry- Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida, but his father said he was alive and working as a pilot for Saudi Arabian Airlines. The confusion apparently stems from the fact that the F.B.I. is matching the names on the passenger manifests to students who have trained in flying. In the southern Saudi town of Khamis Mushait, however, there is an established businessman named Mohammed Al-Shehri who is missing 2 of his 11 sons. One of them is Waleed Mohammed Al-Shehri. Mr. Waleed, 21, was studying to be a teacher, while his brother Wail, 26, already had a degree in physical education and was teaching, their father told the Saudi newspaper Al- Watan. The older brother was suffering from psychological problems and kept seeking the help of clerics to perform a kind of religious exorcism to cure him, the father said. Both men disappeared in December while on a trip to seek yet more help and have not been heard from since. They had grown increasingly religious before their disappearance and spoke often about joining the fight in Chechnya, the paper quoted family friends as saying. Their pictures match those released by the F.B.I. To try to eliminate confusion, Saudi officials said they had repeatedly asked for more information on the suspects, especially longer names, but they had yet to receive it. Plus, in a few cases it appears the hijackers resorted to outright deception. A passenger using the name Abdel Aziz Al-Omari and the birth date of December 24, 1972, is listed on the manifest of the flight that hit the towers first. But a man with the same name and birth date turned up alive in Riyadh, where he told the Al Sharq Al Awsat daily that he had studied electrical engineering at University of Denver. His passport was stolen there in 1995. http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/21/international/middleeast/21IDEN.html?pagewanted=print"}, {"response": 523, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Sep 21, 2001 (18:02)", "body": "(Suzee) It may be true that James Woods saw the hijackers: James Woods appears to be a straight shooter. If the story were materially false, I believe he would have disowned it by now. For those who are unaware of his background, he is quite intelligent and attended MIT. He left a few credits shy of graduation. He has articulately debated against Bill Bennett, the former drug czar, on Face the Nation."}, {"response": 524, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 21, 2001 (18:40)", "body": "Here are some interesting stats. Get out your little pad and pencil or rev' up your Excel or MS Works spreadsheet and play with these numbers. What do you se? In 1940, the US population was 132 MM, the GNP was 100 BB in constant dollars. In 1940 the US military was 500K men, maybe 300 ships, a few thousand planes. In 1945, the US military was 13.5 million men & women, we had 6000 vessels and 200K aircraft. We had spent nearly $400 BB, nearly twice the 1945 GDP. In 2001, the US military has somewhat less than 200K men & women, 300 ships, a few thousand planes. We have a population of 280 MM and a GDP of $10 trillion. Congress just appropriated $40BB for this war, half of which is earkmarked for NYC. Vietnam cost $140 BB year pop gnp military ships planes year millionsbillionsmillion thousands 1940 132 100 0.5 300 3 1945 ? 400 13.5 6000 200 2001 280 10000 0.2 300 Sorry for the gaps. It looks we need more ships, men and planes. Our gnp is now 10 trillion."}, {"response": 525, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 21, 2001 (18:43)", "body": "I was there when the first Taliban units were seen in Afghanistan circa 1986. They were all composed of Saudi and other foreign volunteers, and few took them very seriously since they did little actual fighting against the Russians. But they quickly allied with Gulbuddin Hekmatyar's Hezbi Islami group -- i.e., the fundamentalist wing of the Afghan resistance -- which was receiving the bulk of US arms and aid via Pakistani intelligence (SIS). Then, amidst the confusion and infighting within the resistance following the Soviet withdrawal, the Pak's chose to channel almost all their material support to the Taliban, who used it to gain power over a divided resistance movement and a peoiple utterly exhausted by war. I'd wager that if a free & fair referendum were conducted in Afghanistan today, the Taliban would receive fewer than 5% of the votes. Their army is largely conscript, their most fervent supporters are unsophisticated teenagers insulated in Taliban religious schools. Nothing they say or do has any relationship to historic Afghan customs & attitudes."}, {"response": 526, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 21, 2001 (18:45)", "body": "Kathy Rockel was amazed when her United Airlines flight last weekend began with an extraordinary message from the pilot: He informed passengers how to rise up and fend off hijackers. ``If anybody stands up and is trying to take over the plane, stand up together, take whatever you have and throw it at their heads,'' she quoted the pilot as saying. ``You have to aim for their faces so they have to defend themselves.'' The pilot also said passengers could fight hijackers by throwing blankets over their heads, wrestling them to the ground and holding them until he landed, Rockel said. And referring to the ``we the people'' preamble to the Constitution, she recalled, he said, ``We will not be defeated.'' ``Everybody on the plane was applauding,'' said Rockel, a medical transcriptionist traveling from Denver to Washington, D.C., Sept. 15 on United's Flight 564. ``People had tears coming down their faces. It was as if we had a choice here, that if something were to happen we're not completely powerless.'' Continued @: http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/20010921/us/attacks_taking_charge_1.html"}, {"response": 527, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 21, 2001 (19:22)", "body": "A few new topics have been created in the news conference to deal with some more specific aspects of the World Trade Center attack and the ensuing global conflict: 43 526 Jumbo Jets crash in to World Trade Center 44 0 Media coverage of WTC attack and the aftermath 45 0 What can we do? What should we do? 46 0 suspension of civil liberties as a response to terrorism 47 0 coping with terrorism and a world gone to war 48 0 economic consequences of global war and terrorism 49 0 Finding Osama Bin Laden 50 0 What is the impact of the wtc crisis where you live?"}, {"response": 528, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 21, 2001 (22:41)", "body": "\"A lot of thinking needs to be done, and perhaps is being done in Washington and elsewhere, about the ineptitude of American intelligence and counter- intelligence, about options available to American foreign policy, particularly in the Middle East, and about what constitutes a smart program of military defense.\" - Susan Sontag \"As for America's friends, they have rallied around us with alacrity. On Wednesday, the NATO allies, for the first time ever, invoked the mutual- defense clause of the alliance's founding treaty, formally declaring that \"an armed attack\" against oneQand what happened on September 11th, whether you call it terrorism or war, was certainly an armed attackQconstitutes an attack against all. This gesture of solidarity puts to shame the contempt the Bush Administration has consistently shown for international treaties and instruments, including those in areas relevant to the fight against terrorism, such as small-arms control, criminal justice, and nuclear proliferation. By now, it ought to be clear to even the most committed ideologues of the Bush Administration that the unilateralist approach it was pursuing as of last Tuesday is in urgent need of revaluation. The world will be policed collectively or it will not be policed at all.\" - Hendrik Hertzberg Both of these from the recent New Yorker."}, {"response": 529, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 21, 2001 (23:25)", "body": "A couple of notable quotes from other pieces: In the decade since the end of the Cold War, the human race has become, with increasing rapidity, a single organism. Every kind of barrier to the free and rapid movement of goods, information and people has been lowered. The organism relies increasingly on a kind of trust -- the unsentimental expectation that people, individually and collectively, will behave more or less in their rational self-interest. -- Hendrik Hertzberg How do you take \"massive military action\" against the infrastructure of a stateless, compartmentalized \"army\" of fifty, or ten times fifty, whose weapons are rental cars, credit cards, and airline tickets? The scale of the damage notwithstanding, a more useful metaphor than war is crime. The terrorists of September 11th are outlaws within a global polity. They may enjoy the corrupt protection of a state (and corruption, like crime, can be ideological or spiritual as well as pecuniary in motive). But they do not constitute or control a state and do not even appear to aspir to control one. Their status and numbers are such that the task of dealing with them should be viewed as a police matter, of the most urgent kind. As with all criminal fugitives, the essential job is to find out who and where they are. -- Hendrik Hertzberg But fly again we must; risk is a price of freedom, and walking around Brooklyn Heights that afternoon, as ash drifted in the air and cars were few and open-air lunches continued as usual on Montague Street, renewed the impression that, with all its failings, this is a country worth fighting for. Freedom, reflected in the street's diversity and daily ease, felt palpable. It is mankind's elixir, even if a few turn it to poison. -- John Updike"}, {"response": 530, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 21, 2001 (23:34)", "body": "James Woods was shown tonight answering telephones on the \"America: A Tribute to Heroes Telethon\". A lot of these rock stars and musicians looked heartbroken as they played and spoke. Paul Simon just sang bridge over Troubled Water and the parade of stars rolls on. Star studded is an understatement."}, {"response": 531, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Sep 22, 2001 (01:29)", "body": "David Kline again: The Taliban cannot be negotiated with. The council of clerics is more afraid of the Taliban than they are of the U.S. -- the Taliban, after all, are within actual rifle range and constitute a real and present threat, whereas the U.S. is (in their eyes) only a distant and vague *potential* threat. Hence the Council of Clerics decision. These councils, btw, historically have tended to defer to whomever had the biggest and nearest sword. Council of Clerics' decisions tend to drift with the winds of power, and have generally been considered by Afghans to be as binding and as relevant as, say, a Berkeley resolution declaring the city a \"nuclear free zone.\" Anyone seriously wishing to capture Bin Laden or otherwise deal with the Afghan aspect of this problem effectively should not pay much attention to either Taliban or Council of Clerics edicts."}, {"response": 532, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Sep 22, 2001 (02:16)", "body": "Without reading through a lot of posts to see if anyone answeed Laura, rhetorical question, we did pay reparations to the Japanese Americans we interred in WW2...$25,000 each."}, {"response": 533, "author": "AotearoaKiwi", "date": "Sat, Sep 22, 2001 (06:31)", "body": "Hi all Jonathan Power, MSG 508: To lay all these problems at America's feet is to ignore Europe's culpability. The older Continent, if only on occasion wiser and better informed about the rest of the world, has only intermittently done much better. Now it must wake up too. Rob: I always wondered if Britain had anything to gain from it's loyalty to the United States, aside from being assured of assistance when it got into it's own troubles. I mean, what is there to gain from always supporting the United States sanctions on Iraq, the unconditional following of the United States when it attacks the Myanmar military regime politics and so on? Does Britain have a rule of basing it's foreign policy on the United States foreign policy? The few exceptions I have noted were the Kyoto Climate Protocol, for the sake of the Protocol, Britain did not have a choice since Bush was determined not to participate and it's relationship with European nations was at stake. This is however one time when I think European were dead on target, and that Japan was wise to support the protocol. Perhaps the best thing the European nations can do is deliver warnings to their embassies in the United States, on things where a potential split is likely, and back it up with a rebuke or rebuttal (call it what you may)of the United States stand if it clashes. The foreign policy of European nations need not be blindly tied as is possibly the case in Britain, with the United States on everything. Surely in one of the most civilised areas of the world, there are people who can give their nations original foreign policy. However, the best thing that can happen is Bush dropping his very arrogant \"take it or leave it\" attitude which is causing splits among countries that are usually closely tied. Russia and the United States share more in common than they probably think, but Russia has a valid point on the 1972 ABM Treaty, as does Beijing on the missile shield as a whole. I would normally not agree with them on this sort of thing, so this is quite significant coming from me. The worst thing that can happen on this issue is if North Korea decides to restart it's missile program. If this happens the United States has only itself to blame, because Clinton managed to break the ice. Finally, however, Europe can bring itself and the United States to their senses by taking a hard line on things like the Missile shield (which I think is going to restart the arms race and probably bring on a limited form of Cold War). I have absolutely no time for the $30 billion white elephant it may become. So, Europe is as much at fault as it's American neighbour. Rob"}, {"response": 534, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Sep 22, 2001 (09:06)", "body": "The today's climate of terrorism, missile shields seem like overkill, don't they Rob? It wouldn't have helped us 9/11. This is likely to thaw out the US now that we need an international coalition, that's the only way we can combat worldwide terrorism. For a map of how countries are taking sides in this coming global conflict, see 52 1 How do the world's countries line up in the terrorism war? in the news conference."}, {"response": 535, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Sep 22, 2001 (09:35)", "body": "Much of the Afghan intelligentia was systematically slaughtered between 1978-1982 by KGB-trained Afghan puppet police force. So many, in fact, that it was said to produce a statistical decline in the literacy rate of that country. Many of those that survived and did not flee the country -- e.g., stayed and fought with the resistance -- were then systematically butchered by the Taliban when they began to consolidate power. It's really a shame. There once were several million educated and modern-thinking Afghans like Tamim Ansary, the author of that wonderful article last week on why the Taliban do not respresent Afghanistan."}, {"response": 536, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Sep 22, 2001 (10:19)", "body": "The above should have been attributed to David Kline."}, {"response": 537, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 22, 2001 (10:45)", "body": "Both of these from the recent New Yorker. Hendrik Hertzberg, Susan Sontag, John Updike,..... I only read The New Yorker for their cartoons & fiction features. I don't think that fiction authors know any more about international stategies than you or I."}, {"response": 538, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 22, 2001 (12:34)", "body": "LOL! Add to that list Harold Pinter..."}, {"response": 539, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep 22, 2001 (13:07)", "body": "I don't think that fiction authors know any more about international stategies than you or I. Well said, Evelyn! Now that the number of missing/dead has gone up, could someone please post a current list with the total numbers by nationalities."}, {"response": 540, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Sep 22, 2001 (13:45)", "body": "Absolutely moon, I'll take Christianne Amanpour over Susan Sontag any day as a political commentator."}, {"response": 541, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Sat, Sep 22, 2001 (14:37)", "body": "Fox News has an excellent page with around the world dead and missing, but it has not been updated with the latest figures. http://www.foxnews.com/projects/americaunited/wtc_maps/worldinfo.htm The most recent information: Saturday, September 22 10:33 AM SGT US toll put at 6,818 as countries report more missing NEW YORK, Sept 21 (AFP) - The death toll from the attacks on the United States stood at 6,818 Saturday after 11 more bodies were pulled from the ruins of the World Trade Center. New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani said Friday the number of missing could still fluctuate as officials cross check reports of missing people. More than 60 countries have now reported citizens dead or missing, mostly in New York, one of the world's most cosmopolitan cities. But despite continuing round-the-clock rescue efforts, there was now next to no chance of pulling survivors from the rubble of the World Trade Center. UNITED STATES officials have given tallies that add up to 6,818 dead or missing in all the attacks of September 11, but they have still not established the total number of their nationals among the victims 11 days after the attack. In New York, 6,585 people were killed or listed as missing from the World Trade Center disaster (comprising 252 confirmed dead and 6,333 missing, presumed dead). Workers have identified 183 bodies, including those of 34 firemen. At the Pentagon, 189 people are confirmed dead or missing. So far, 117 bodies have been recovered, of which 52 have been identified as of Friday. The Department of Defense said search and recovery operations would continue. The missing figure at both sites include the 157 passengers and crew of the two hijacked aircraft that crashed into the World Trade Center and the 64 on the one that flew into the Pentagon. Adding the 44 on the hijacked plane that crashed in Pennsylvania, the number of people on the four planes is given as 265. (American Airlines flight 11, the first to hit the twin towers of the WTC, was carrying 92 passengers and crew; United Airlines flight 175, which hit the second tower, had 65 people on board; American Airlines flight 77, which crashed into the Pentagon, was carrying 64 people; and United Airlines 93, which crashed in Pennsylvania without reaching its target, had 44 on board.) ARGENTINA said four of its nationals were missing. AUSTRALIA said three of its nationals were confirmed dead. Another 20 who were in the top floors of the World Trade Center were missing, presumed dead, and consular staff in Canberra and New York were looking for another 32 Australians reported as missing. AUSTRIA said around 40 of its nationals were missing, one of them a 25-year-old woman named only as Alexandra H. who worked in a bank in the World Trade Center. BANGLADESH said at least 50 Bangladeshis were presumed killed in the carnage at the World Trade Center, where many worked in restaurants and offices. BELGIUM said one of its nationals was missing. BRAZIL said at least 55 of its nationals were missing. BRITAIN lost around 250 of its citizens, according to New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. BULGARIA said that one of its citizens was missing. CAMBODIA said it feared that some 20 of its nationals were missing following the attacks. CANADA said three of its nationals were confirmed dead and between 35 and 40 were still missing. CHILE's New York consulate said two of its nationals were missing and feared dead, although more than 250 have been reported missing by relatives. CHINA said two Chinese nationals were killed and another was missing. A man and woman, both in their 60s, died aboard the plane that crashed into the Pentagon. Chinese authorities originally said three people had died, but the foreign ministry revised the figure, saying that a man, Chen Xiaobing, had been rescued from the lower floors of the building. A 41-year-old Chinese was reported missing. COLOMBIA's consulate in New York said two of its nationals were killed -- one aboard an American Airlines plane that slammed into the side of the twin towers -- while 10 others were missing. Earlier, Colombia's Red Cross had said that 295 people were reported missing. While 17 people worked in the twin towers, others may have been present in the area at the time. The CZECH REPUBLIC said 56 of its citizens who had been in the United States were unaccounted for. Of those, up to 15 nationals were thought to have been in New York or Washington at the time of the attacks, according to the foreign ministry. DENMARK's foreign ministry said that all of its citizens previously reported missing had turned up safe and sound and that there had therefore been no Danish casualties in the attacks. The DOMINICAN REPUBLIC said one citizen, a paramedic, was found dead and 30 are missing, according to the country's consulate in New York. ECUADOR listed seven citizens as dead, including one who was a passenger on a hijacked airliner, and 29 missing. EGYPT's ambassador to the United States said four Egyptians were feared dea"}, {"response": 542, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Sep 22, 2001 (23:52)", "body": "Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2001 12:25:26 -0400 From: \"cpmcnel@usit.net\" To: \"terry@www.spring.net\" Subject: RE: WTC - How do you feel? [ The following text is in the \"iso-8859-1\" character set. ] [ Your display is set for the \"US-ASCII\" character set. ] [ Some characters may be displayed incorrectly. ] Hi Paul, Carol Nelson here. I am in south Florida baby sitting my grandchildren. We drove down The Farm last week through hurricane Gabriella. My Daughter Kim McCusker and her husband Paul are in NYC, ground zero. They are part of the search and rescue team deployed from the Miami-Dade Area. They are both highly trained K-9 search and rescue fire fighters.They have been there about a week already and will probably not retutn until the end of next week. So we are getting first hand info on a daily basis. Not Good! I have a friend that works around the block on Broad street. She called me after the first hit and we were on the phone when the second plane hit. You could hear and feel it thru the phone lines. I heard Michael Gavin's cousin was in one of the bulidings and is missing. All the talk of WAR is so bad. So hard to hear and think about. All I can do is continue to pray for peace. Peace Carol"}, {"response": 543, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Sep 22, 2001 (23:58)", "body": "Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2001 15:23:33 -0700 From: Gerald Wheeler To: Paul Terry Walhus Subject: Re: WTC - How do you feel? it is now about midnight sept. 21, 2001...autumn equinox, i am in oakland california, i just finished watching the a's beat seattle in the first game of a three game series, between innings i flipped over a channel to watch what most everyone else that was watching television tonight was probably watching, the fund-raiser and tribute to those who died ten days ago in the attacks on the wtc and the pentagon and the final plane that was brought down most likely by a group of courageous passengers who took on the hijackers and crashed that plane in a field in pennsylvania, so many heroes keep emerging from the center of the tragedy, and what a powerful assembly there on the tv, i am moved by the sense that we as a nation, for the first time in my memory, have been brought together like never before, and it's real and it's full of power and authenticity and i catch a glimmer of something inside of me that suddenly says that america really is worth saving, and i let that glimmer grow into more of a flame and i see that for all of its' faults, there just isn't anything or any other place like this place and the freedom that it provides everyone of us who share its' soil...i think about what to do about achieving justice and how it is a good idea to take the time to let things settle in the mind and calm that which cries out for revenge, because revenge is knee-jerk and full of anger and confusion and does not offer real satisfaction because its' results are uneven and because an uneven response creates more suffering...i think about who or what the enemy really is and i come to the conclusion that the enemy is not the taliban or hezbollah or the islamic jihad or osama bin laden or fundamentalist christians or fundamentalist jews or fundamentalist moslems or jerry falwell or yassar arrafat or north korea or chevron oil or suicide bombers or the bible or the koran...it is evil...the real enemy is simply evil, evil in whatever form and shape it may incarnate into at any time or place, and i think about how it is imperative that we learn to recognize evil in all its' forms and whenever and wherever it appears, and that we take sufficient care to respond in ways in which its' effects are cancelled and diffused, and this applies to the everyday, right under our nose kinds of evil, out to the broader, affecting all of humanity kinds as well, and that how we respond will determine the outcome of events in the future, and i think about what that means to me individually and i am reminded of how grateful i am that i have a way to get calm, that i learned how to meditate thirty years ago and try to practice on a regular basis, oh it doesn't always prevent one from getting caught in the cross-fire but sometimes it seems like it helps slow down the bullets so that you can see where to not step, non-action thru action, and makes you aware that everything begins in the mind, everything, so the key is to tame the fury of the mind, and transform pain and hardship into compassion and real strength by doing so, we individually hold the answer to our situation but to see that clearly we must first conquer the fury...om mani padme om! --all the best, gerald wheeler"}, {"response": 544, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Sep 23, 2001 (00:59)", "body": "David Kline (dkline) Sat Sep 22 '01 (12:11) 49 lines There's also a difference between saying the US \"created\" Bin Laden and the Taliban and saying -- much more correctly -- that our policies *contributed* (mostly indirectly) to their emergence and rise to power. The US funded the already-fighting Afghan resistance to Soviet occupation beginning in the early 1980s -- as well it should have. But the problem was, beginning in about 1983-84 and despite warnings from many people (l'il ol' me included), the US allowed the Pakistani intelligence services (SIS) to channel the great bulk of that aid to the fanatical fundamentalist wing of the resistance, called Hezbi Islami. (And just to be clear, the fundamentalists did almost NO fighting against the Russians during the war. They concentrated their fire on rival resistance groups such as Ahmed Shah massoud's \"Northern Alliance.\") The Paks had their own reasons for doing this, of course, including influence within SIS from Pakistan's own emerging fundamentalists (Jamiatt Islami), as well as a desire to see a liberated but weak Afghanistan. But still, it was our guns and money, and we should have funneled it equally to all forces actually fighting for liberation from the USSR, or if we were really smart, mostly to forces (such as Massoud or Mr. Rabbani or even the Gailani clan) with whom we could expect to have a civil conversation and normal state relations in a post-Soviet Afghanistan. But Washington claimed its hands were tied and it couldn't intervene in Pakistan's \"internal affairs.\" Remember, during the 80s the US was very concerned to keep Pakistan within the anti-Soviet orbit, even if it meant looking the other way re: nuclear development or how much arms & money went to which rebel forces. I'm not saying that was right -- in fact, I urged responsible officials to stop allowing our aid to be channeled to the fundamentalists before they became too strong. But this sort of \"Realpolitik\" was very much SOP for Washington during the 1970s and 80s. As the Soviets neared defeat in Afghanistan in 1985-86, Saudi fanatics such as Bin Laden and other foreign Arab volunteers began pouring in to Afghanistan. By 1987-88, the Soviets were gone and the US (in another stupid move) swung its aid pendulum to the other extreme and basically abandoned the Afghan people to starve. In the years that followed, then, the emergent Taliban were aided and abetted both by Afghanistan's small fundamentalist wing (Hezbi Islami) as well as by the Pak SIS, now dominated by Jamiat Islami (Pakistani fundamentalist) forces. And in the end, the Taliban filled the vacumn left by 20 years of a near genocidal war against the Soviets. The rest is history. Sorry to be a broken record on this, but it just riles me to hear people spout half-truths about who the Taliban are and how they emerged -- as if Washington's myopia circa 1984-85 justfies what happened at the WTC."}, {"response": 545, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Sep 23, 2001 (01:02)", "body": "September 22, 2001 THE INVESTIGATION Tape Reveals Wild Struggle on Flight 93 By JAMES RISEN and DAVID JOHNSTON ASHINGTON, Sept. 21 \ufffd A desperate and wild struggle took place aboard the hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 before it crashed in southwestern Pennsylvania, according to the plane's cockpit voice recorder, law enforcement officials said today. The recording has been played for Attorney General John Ashcroft and the F.B.I. director, Robert S. Mueller III, the officials said. And while it did not provide a clear or complete picture, it seemed certain that there was a chaotic confrontation that apparently led to the crash of the jet. In another development, American intelligence officials said today they believed that the assassination of the leader of the anti- Taliban alliance in Afghanistan on Sept. 9 was probably carried out by associates of Osama bin Laden. The assassination appears to have been the first step in the terror plot that culminated in the attacks on the United States two days later, the officials said. The voice recorder picked up scuffling sounds as well as shouts in Arabic and English, the officials said, but listeners have not been able to discern what was happening or who among the passengers, crew members or hijackers was involved in the struggle. In the past week, officials have said that the passengers appeared to have stormed the cockpit after the four hijackers commandeered the flight. That account has been based primarily on cellphone conversations between passengers and people on the ground. Technical experts are continuing their efforts to enhance the sounds from the cockpit listening device, which uses microphones in the headsets of the pilots and mounted on the cockpit ceiling. Mr. Mueller visited the crash site on Thursday after he received a preliminary briefing on the recorder's contents. He said that the passengers heroically prevented the hijackers from striking their target, an undetermined site in Washington. \"I think both of us here and \ufffd both the attorney general and I and the attorney general of Pennsylvania have indicated we believe those passengers on this jet were absolute heroes and their actions during this flight were heroic,\" he said. \" continued at http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/22/national/22INQU.html?todaysheadlines"}, {"response": 546, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Sun, Sep 23, 2001 (02:45)", "body": "A Former Pakistani Prime Minister Weighs In By Benazir Bhutto Friday, Sept. 21, 2001 Little in life springs from whole cloth. That is especially true of Sept. 11, 2001, a date stained into the calendar of civilization. This was a calamity two decades in the making. At the end of 1979, the Soviets invaded Afghanistan, hoping to strengthen their position in Central Asia and develop proximity to the resources and warm ports of the Gulf. Almost immediately an indigenous insurrection developed to challenge the Soviet occupation. The freedom fighters were called the \"Mujahadeen\" and were composed of seven different factions. In its early days, the Reagan administration made a decision that would shape the course of history. It backed the one faction most likely to successfully challenge the Soviets on the battlefield. Working with their counterparts in the Pakistani Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), the CIA armed, trained, and empowered the most extreme, anti-modernity, anti-Western zealots within the Mujahadeen. This propelled the extremists to a leadership position in the war of resistance and in the politics that followed. The war in Afghanistan caused one of the great refugee migrations in modern history. Nearly three million Afghans crossed into Pakistan to escape the fighting. Almost immediately scores of special Islamic schools, called Madrassas, sprang up. The boys that were sent there by their parents to be nourished and educated were taught extremism, intolerance, subjugation of women, and violence. All of these elements are antithetical to the Holy Book and to the teachings of the Prophet. When the children were not being brainwashed, they were trained in hand-to-hand combat, the use of weapons, and terrorist strategy. These schools became the recruitment centers for the fanatic administration that ultimately took control of Afghanistan after the Soviet exit. The new political movement was named after the schools themselves. The word \"Talib\" means student! I became prime minister of Pakistan in 1988 during the waning days of the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. The last Soviet troops were airlifted out of Afghanistan on Feb. 15, 1989. The international community quickly turned its attention to events in Europe and the fall of the Berlin Wall. I was left concerned at the lack of a post-Soviet plan for the reconstruction and governing of Afghanistan. I was also concerned at the go-at-it-alone attitude of the extremist factions that wanted the government, and ultimately they prevailed. I suspected that having defeated one superpower, the zealots felt invincible and divinely empowered to take aim at another. As a moderate, progressive, democratically elected woman prime minister of Pakistan, I was a threat to the fundamentalist zealots on multiple levels and targeted by them in both my governments. They had the support of sympathetic elements within Pakistan's security apparatus and the financial support of people like Osama Bin Laden. I had closed their training university in Peshawar and was targeted for that. I had tracked down and extradited the Ramzi Yousef, the perpetrator of the 1993 attack on the World Trade Center, and was targeted for that. My government was destabilized. Money was pilfered and laundered from state banks to fund the campaigns of opposition parties. We learned from Ramzi Yousef before he was extradited to the United States that I was the object of two separate assassination attempts in 1993. Osama Bin Laden personally spent over $10 million in late 1989 in support of a motion of no confidence to topple my government. And ultimately, with the active support of elements of the Pakistani ilitary, my two democratically elected governments were sacked and elections rigged to ensure that my party would not return to power. Beware the power of zealots who are well-funded, well-armed, and supported by elements of your own government! That brings us to the present. A complex and well-funded terrorist network executed the most inhuman terrorist attack in history. The target was America, but it was also the values of freedom everywhere. It seemed Osama and his cohorts read Professor Samuel Huntington's The Clash of Civilizations and wished to provoke its thesis into reality. Their goal is for the Muslim world to see U.S. retaliation as an act of aggression against Islam. Sept. 11 was the bait. Sadly, this is not over. The United States responded quickly in declaring a fight against international terrorism and cautioned it will be a long process. Asked to assist the U.S. effort against terrorism, Islamabad responded positively. It did this despite elements within the military intelligence complex that have sympathy for the Taliban. Pakistan is saddled with $38 billion in international debt, with $4 billion owed to America. With Egypt and Jordan, the United States has repaid political support with debt retirement in the past. Islamabad expects the same treatment. It also expects the repeal o"}, {"response": 547, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Sep 24, 2001 (17:35)", "body": "For some idea of what the rest of the world is up against, I recommend this little essay of a book report with thanks to JSK for suggesting I read it: PROPHETS, CULTS AND MADNESS http://www.cix.co.uk/~acampbell/bookreviews/r/stevens-price-2.html"}, {"response": 548, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 25, 2001 (00:11)", "body": "From: William Meyers To: tincanman99@aol.com, paul@spring.net, melvyn@freewwweb.com, mmc@well.com, moon93@aol.com, pgribbin@megs.inet.net, malysaght@aol.com, dfrohman@aol.com Subject: a subway ride Postapocalyptic Meditations 23 September 2001 Thursday morning of last week I was taking the subway to work as usual, about nine in the morning, down from Morningside Heights to our office on 62nd Street, across from Lincoln Center. The train was packed full of people, as it always is in the morning rush hour, and I found a nook in which to tuck myself, next to the motorman's small compartment, at thefront of the train. There was enough space around me there to hold up my copy of the day's newspaper and read the first paragraphs of the stories on the front page, but only by keeping the paper folded in half. BUSH ORDERS HEAVY BOMBERS NEAR AFGHANS; DEMANDS BIN LADEN NOW, NOT NEGOTIATIONS That was the headline on the Late Edition of Thursday's Times. At the 96th Street station, where the local train shares the platform with the express and much movement of people from one train to the other goes on, a moment of panic suddenly struck. Shouts of alarm, screams of terror grabbed everyone's attention in the car where I was still standing. Outside the window people were running past the front of the train and toward the 94th Street exit. Inside the car people were yelling, \"What's happening? What's going on?\" Outside on the platform, they were too busy trying to get away to hear anything but their own terrified voices. It occurred to me that at that moment, or any succeeding one, a blinding white flash and explosion could instantly obliterate me and everyone around me. I waited for that to happen, as one moment succeeded the next. The crush of beings outside the train kept struggling for the exit. Then the door of the motorman's compartment opened, and the motorman -- tall and commanding, studded with communications gear -- emerged to assess the scene. I was thinking, \"Just keep moving, man!\" But I couldn't utter a word. He spoke something into his intercom about how there was \"an altercation\" on the platform that needed to be investigated. Then he got back into his compartment and shut the door. I prayed that that would be the end of it and the doors of the train would close. The doors closed, and the train moved out. The south end of the platform slipped by, and the lights of the station fell behind us, overtaken by the darkness of the tunnel. People looked at each other in fear and relief. At some point before we reached the next station, 86th Street -- a local stop -- I realized how much adrenalin had been pumping through my body. Slumping against the door of the motorman's compartment, I closed my eyes and waited for the enormous rush of energy to pass. By the time we reached 66th Street, where I exited the subway, I was thinking that the story of whatever had happened back there would be emerging in the media soon and that I should be on the lookout and looking closely for it. The person in the token booth at 66th Street had no idea what had happened back up the line. It was still too early, I thought. What could have happened? What did \"altercation\" mean? Had a fistfight broken out? Had it been \"to the death\"? Did one or both of the fighters look Arabic? Had one of them pulled a gun, or a bomb, or a flask of anthrax? Nothing was reported later in the media. At least nothing came within range of my own sensors. Apparently it had been just another routine incident -- one of all too many that have been occurring in our lives here for the last couple of weeks. I think it would be safe to say that the stressload in Manhattan has been reaching a maximum tolerance level. But it's the new reality. -- Wm"}, {"response": 549, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 25, 2001 (15:18)", "body": "Today, in a short while, on All Things Considered. 09.25.01 The Bin Laden Group is a diversified corporation with an estimated $5 billion in annual revenue. It's owned and run by the Saudi family of accused terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden. The allegations against the \"black sheep\" of the Bin Laden family have created serious trouble for the family business as partners and associates are backing away. Hear about the Bin Laden Group, Tuesday on All Things Considered."}, {"response": 550, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Sep 25, 2001 (19:15)", "body": "I received the following from my advisor, who used to work for Amnesty International in the UK. He's got friends working at the BBC, and this memo came out recently: -----Original Message----- From: Internal Communications Sent: Friday, September 14, 2001 2:19 PM Subject: CNN USING 1991 FOOTAGE This email is being sent to all staff ------------------------------------------- There's an important point in the power of press, specifically the Power of CNN. All around the world we are subjected to 3 or 4 huge news distributors, and one of them - as you well know - is CNN. Very well, I guess all of you have been seeing (just as I've been) images from this company. In Particular, one set of images caught my attention: the Palestinians celebrating the bombing, out on the streets, eating celebration sweets and making funny faces for the camera. Well, THOSE IMAGES WERE SHOT BACK IN 1991!!! Those are images of Palestinians celebrating the invasion of Kuwait! It's simply unacceptable that a super-power of communications as CNN uses images which do not correspond to the reality in talking about so serious of an issue. At the BBC here, we have these footages on videotapes recorded in 1991, with the very same images. But now, think for a moment about the impact of such images. Your people are hurt, emotionally fragile, and this kind of broadcast has very high possiblity of causing waves of anger and rage against the Palestinians. It's simply irresponsible to show images such as those. Russell Grossman | Head of Internal Communication | BBC Third Floor | London Broadcasting House | LONDON W1A 1AA"}, {"response": 551, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Sep 25, 2001 (19:53)", "body": "Patriotism, athletics go hand in hand 09/24/2001 Dave Kindred The Sporting News A brilliant day, a Friday in the fall, the sun warm on our backs, we walked to the south portico of the United States Capitol. From that high place we saw in the middle distance the Washington Monument, and we saw, at the far end, the Lincoln Memorial. When we saw all that before us on a beautiful day in a fall of sadness, my friend Verenda said, \ufffdWow.\ufffd Because we live in Washington, we have seen these places a thousand times. But Verenda had it right. Wow. To see these places now, to see them after September 11, is to see them anew. So we walked from the Capitol, and we walked for hours. We saw the bronze of a Civil War general on horseback, soldiers hanging onto an artillery caisson clattering to his side. We saw our faces in mirrored black granite that moans of Vietnam dead. We stood in a marble temple and read on a wall a president's words: \ufffdThe brave men, living and dead, who struggled here . . .\ufffd We stopped in a museum to see the Star-Spangled Banner. By the dawn's early light of September 14, 1814, the massive flag yet waved over Baltimore's Fort McHenry. Americans had outlasted a British siege that (a survivor said) \ufffdthrew at least 1,800 shells among us. We were like pigeons tied by the legs to be shot at.\ufffd The lawyer Francis Scott Key saw that flag and in a poem called his nation \ufffdthe land of the free and the home of the brave.\ufffd We saw three helicopters descend to the White House, always three to confuse an enemy, the three flying under the thunderous cover of fighter jets. We saw flowers left on the Mall by some people from Mongolia who have embraced America. We saw a president's words cut into purple stone: \ufffdThe only thing we have to fear is fear itself.\ufffd The night before our walk, Lisa Beamer came to the Capitol. Her husband had risen against fear. When hijackers thought to fly to Washington -- to destroy the White House? the Capitol? -- Todd Beamer did the kind of brave, selfless thing that is the beating heart of a nation made and sustained by brave, selfless people. Passengers knew planes had crashed into buildings. Beamer and three other men decided to act. Ten years ago, he had been a basketball guard and baseball shortstop/centerfielder at Wheaton College in Illinois. \ufffdGood athlete with good speed, batted second for us, led off sometimes . . . a very solid leader . . . deeply religious . . . very unselfish,\ufffd said his old baseball coach, Ron Frank. \ufffdWhat he did is in total keeping with the man he was.\ufffd Beamer couldn't reach his wife by phone. He asked a GTE Airfone supervisor to recite with him the Lord's Prayer and to call his wife. The last words the supervisor heard from Todd Beamer were these: \ufffdAre you guys ready? Let's roll.\ufffd United Flight 93 soon crashed into the Pennsylvania countryside, apparently taken down in a struggle between passengers and hijackers. Nine days later, Lisa Beamer came to the Capitol to hear President Bush address the nation. \ufffdSeeing the Capitol lit up, it's just glorious,\ufffd she said. \ufffdLawmakers all thanked me for what Todd did. Not only the lives saved, but imagine the emotional devastation to this nation if the Capitol no longer existed.\ufffd Let's roll. Saturday morning, going to a football game in Annapolis, we turned toward Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, turning on Farragut Road, named for the sailor who 137 years ago said, \ufffdDamn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!\ufffd Such men, such a nation. If ever you need reminded of what America is and what it can be, turn down Farragut Road and spend a Saturday afternoon at a Navy football game. There you might talk to a retired captain, Dick Riley of Des Moines, Iowa, class of \ufffd42 with 26 years of active duty. He's 81 years old and on a Saturday in Annapolis he says, \ufffdWe graduated 12 days after Pearl Harbor, 563 of us, and we lost 28 in the war. I pray that today's Midshipmen, special kids each and every one, have as thoroughly fulfilling experiences as I did serving our country.\ufffd Thirty thousand people came to a stadium where even the walls speak of courage: IWO JIMA, MIDWAY, NORMANDY, INCHON, QUANG TRI. The thousands saw a fighter jet fly-over. They heard Francis Scott Key's poem sung a cappella. Just before noon, linebackers Mike Chiesl and Dan Ryno led Navy onto the field in an all-out sprint. They carried high an American flag. No one had ever done that for a Navy game. But never before had there been a September 11, 2001. At dinner Friday night, Chiesl and Ryno had seen the flag in a corner of a hotel lobby. Permission, sir, to liberate the flag. Granted. \ufffdWe wanted to do that for the Naval Academy,\ufffd Chiesl said. \ufffdAnd we were doing it for all of America.\ufffd He's a Texan, a big one, and he stood tall. His eyes were those of a happy young man with journeys to make. When he smiled, he was as handsome as a flag seen by the dawn's early light. Dave Kindred is a contributing writer for The Sporting News. Email him at kindred@sportingnews.com."}, {"response": 552, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 25, 2001 (21:04)", "body": "It's simply unacceptable that a super-power of communications as CNN uses images which do not correspond to the reality in talking about so serious of an issue. Welcome to real world. :-( Mr.Orwell we need you)"}, {"response": 553, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 25, 2001 (21:30)", "body": "Memo to BBC. That footage was shown by all the TV stations, not just CNN. They sure sound high and mighty."}, {"response": 554, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Sep 25, 2001 (23:27)", "body": "Don't make the mistake of watching CBC new on C_SPAN. I came as close to hurling something through my television as I ever have. If we are so loathesome give us back our aid and cease trading with us. As for the media....don't you wonder whose side they're on?! Whose best interest in mind? Other than their own?! Let me hasten to add that I know more nice Canadians than I do Canadian Broadcasting writers... It just infuriated me. The BBC has gone down the tubes I hear from local UK'ers. even they hunt for a more reliable source of news."}, {"response": 555, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 26, 2001 (00:16)", "body": "MSNBC did a real good story tonight on the Taliban and the Afghan Northern Alliance. They showed some good footage of Massoud (referenced earlier in this topic) who has been pleading with the West for years to give him just a little bit of aid. He said words to the effect that \"give me a little help and I'll take care of Bin Laden for you, otherwise their will be grave consequences for the West. What better indication of Bin Laden's guilt than the assasination of Massoud just one day for the World Trade Center attack?"}, {"response": 556, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 26, 2001 (00:18)", "body": ""}, {"response": 557, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Wed, Sep 26, 2001 (02:48)", "body": "Message 550:\" In Particular, one set of images caught my attention: the Palestinians celebrating the bombing, out on the streets, eating celebration sweets and making funny faces for the camera.\" \"Well, THOSE IMAGES WERE SHOT BACK IN 1991!!! Those are images of Palestinians celebrating the invasion of Kuwait!\" --------------------------------- CNN statement about false claim it used old video Brazilian university statement says no fact to original claim September 20, 2001 Posted: 4:02 PM EDT (2002 GMT) CNN asks that you copy and e-mail this statement to whomever asks about it.) There is absolutely no truth to the information that is now distributed on the Internet that CNN used 10-year-old video when showing the celebrating of some Palestinians in East Jerusalem after the terror attacks in the U.S. The video was shot that day by a Reuters camera crew. CNN is a client of Reuters and like other clients, received the video and broadcast it. Reuters officials have publicly made the facts clear as well. The allegation is false. The source of the allegation has withdrawn it and apologized. It was started by a Brazilian student who now says he immediately posted a correction once he knew the information was not true. This is the statement by his university -- UNICAMP -- Universidad Estatal de Campinas-Brasil. Again, please read this -- and copy it -- and send it to anyone you know who may have the false information. Thank you. OFFICIAL STATEMENT by Universidad de Campinas-Brasil 17/09/01 UNICAMP (Universidad Estatal de Campinas-Brasil) would like to announce that it has no knowledge of a videotape from 1991, whose images supposedly aired on CNN showing Palestinians celebrating the terrorist attacks in the U.S. The tape was supposedly from 1991, and there were rumors that the images were passed off as current. This information was later denied, as soon as it proved false, by M\ufffdrcio A. V. Carvalho, a student at UNICAMP. He approached the administration today, 17.09.2001, to clarify the following: -- the information he got, verbally, was that a professor from another institution (not from UNICAMP) had the tape; -- he sent the information to a discussion group e-mail list; -- many people from this list were interested in the subject and requested more details; -- he again contacted the person who first gave him the information and the person denied having the tape; -- the student immediately sent out a note clarifying what happened to the people from his e-mail list. The original message, however, was distributed all over the world, often with many distortions, including a falsified by-line article from the student. He affirms that a hacker attacked his domain. Several E-mails have been sent on his behalf and those dating from 15.09.2001 should be ignored. Among the distortions is the fact that UNICAMP would be analyzing the tape, which is absolutely false. The administration considers this alert definitive and will be careful to avoid new rumors. http://www.cnn.com/2001/US/09/20/cnn.statement/ ------------------------------------- Nevertheless, there have been many(talking heads,\"experts\", writers)who have questioned exactly how that videotape came to be - not that it did not happen, rather, was it staged? who exactly were the people? where exactly was it?, etc."}, {"response": 558, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Wed, Sep 26, 2001 (04:18)", "body": "People, I live in Atlanta ( the home of CNN )and I have many friends ( including the Senior Copy Editor for CNN Headline News ) who work at CNN Center downtown, so I gotta speak up on their behalf. CNN would NOT stoop to such a shabby, lazy and downright dishonest tactic, of showing 10 year old footage, while claiming it was current. CNN got taken to the cleaners a couple of years ago, about a story they ran (about biological warfare ) that later turned out to be false. Many, many heads rolled as a result and the public perception of CNN being the first place we all turn to for \"accurate\" breaking news, took a major, major hit. As a result, they double check, triple check and quadrupile check the veracity of ALL stories/film footage BEFORE it is broadcast. Also, it is worth noting.....ALL the major US networks ( ABC, Fox, CBS, NBC )broadcast this footage of the Palestinains dancing in the streets, it wasn't just CNN."}, {"response": 559, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Sep 26, 2001 (07:09)", "body": "(Marcia) Without reading through a lot of posts to see if anyone answeed Laura, rhetorical question, we did pay reparations to the Japanese Americans we interred in WW2...$25,000 each. Aside from the fear factor that was going around after the Pearl Harbor attack, there were politicians and business people who took advantage of the situation and actually fanned the fire, which ultimately led to the internment. The J-Americans happened to reside on land that is now considered prime real estate in Southern California (think of areas like Santa Monica and Orange County). While the general public viewed the internment as safeguarding America, little did the public know that there were those behind the scenes who had a hidden agenda and who helped manipulate the hysteria and sought to profit from the situation by taking over the real estate (shades of the movie Chinatown and water rights). While some survivors received reparations, it was a mere pittance compared to the value of the land that they lost, where EACH parcel is worth several millions today. These J-Americans had to endure humiliation and financial ruin, and were the victims of ugly racisim and greed, yet they picked up the pie es of their shattered lives and continued to live as proud Americans."}, {"response": 560, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 26, 2001 (10:32)", "body": "Had no idea their property was confiscated. How on earth was that done legally...in this country?"}, {"response": 561, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Sep 26, 2001 (13:19)", "body": "How on earth was that done legally...in this country? I have the same question. Thanks to Suzee for posting the article debunking the story about the CNN photo. It smelled like urban legend to me, right from the start. Am quickly learning that while the Internet is a great place to share opinions, the facts often suffer."}, {"response": 562, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 26, 2001 (13:30)", "body": "There's emminent domain for when a government entity wants property for the public good (debatable) in which owners receive some compensation though not anywhere near market value. It has been used for the railroads, schools and other public-private development efforts. Saw a piece on a news magazine show recently on how some town is trying to use it to acquire a whole neighborhood for a Target store. People are up in arms."}, {"response": 563, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, Sep 26, 2001 (13:31)", "body": "How on earth was that done legally...in this country? How on earth was internment of citizens -- not foreign nationals -- U.S. CITIZENS, done legally in this country? Where was the evidence of a threat to national security?"}, {"response": 564, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 26, 2001 (13:40)", "body": "Not to excuse anyone's behavior and the complete lack of reason and illegality, people tend to go a little hysterical when a country's military installation is attacked. There are numerous examples in our history...unfortunately. When there is a threat from a foreign country, people turn xenophobic just as is occurring now. It is interesting to me that we've learned from our past when I see the PR campaigns to educate the ignorant members of our society."}, {"response": 565, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 26, 2001 (13:53)", "body": "It is interesting to me that we've learned from our past when I see the PR campaigns to educate the ignorant members of our society. Better late than never. Will they go back to being their ignorant selves once the Fall TV season starts?"}, {"response": 566, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 26, 2001 (15:48)", "body": "Depends on their diet of *reality* TV and idiotic night-time quiz shows."}, {"response": 567, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 26, 2001 (18:50)", "body": "From: Gerald Wheeler Subject: well worth considering i'd recommend this to all: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2001/09/26/ED69828.DTL"}, {"response": 568, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 26, 2001 (19:28)", "body": "Jerome Karabel is a professor of sociology at the University of California at Berkeley and a senior fellow at the Rockridge Institute You want *me* to take some academic from *Berkeley* serious??? Those dudes consistently make government - bashing their #1 indoor sport."}, {"response": 569, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Sep 27, 2001 (01:40)", "body": "Ah yes, Angela Davis taught there, no? Does she still? Kiddies go do your homework!"}, {"response": 570, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Thu, Sep 27, 2001 (02:11)", "body": "......How on earth was that done legally...in this country? .... The US government started to lay the groundwork for controlling subversive activities prior to Pearl Harbor (but in anticipation of joining the war) by passing a slew of new laws. These included the Smith Act, basically intended to suppress \"disloyalty.\" Roosevelt signed an Executive Order in 1942, giving the army broad power to \"exclude\" questionable persons from certain areas. A month or so later, he signed a bill passed by congress making it criminal to disobey the order. I think the legal basis for the internment was the \ufffdAlien Enemies Act\ufffd passed 150 or so years before. It allowed alien internment during wartime. At first, some people tried to move to other locations, but there was really no place to go. Wherever they tried to go, the fear and outcry was so great that the government then disallowed it and started to round them up. Those being removed were given 5 days notice and told to dispose of property. The government made some kind of vague offer to store property for them, but at the same time refused to be liable for it. They sold what they could, but obviously many had to \ufffdabandon\ufffd their homes, boats, businesses, etc. Japanese-Americans lost millions in property and income and it was not just the Japanese. Germans and Italians were interned, as were some conscientious objectors. I hope Karen is right that we have learned from our past history. I am not yet sure. You can read Executive Order 9066 here: http://www.foitimes.com/internment/EO9066.html"}, {"response": 571, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 27, 2001 (08:29)", "body": "The more I research the foundations of the al-Qaeda movement, the more depressing it gets. Take a look at the article from which this quote is taken. It's from the work fo a Harvard prof who was researching schools in Pakistan that teach jihad. Here's a quotation from her article: This is some research regarding the4 al-Qaeda movement by a Harvard Professor who researched schools in Parkistan that teach jihad as a discipline. \"I want to talk to you as I would talk to my own daughter,\" he suddenly said. \"You believe too much in science. Science turns a cheap thing like a piece of metal into something valuable, like an airplane. \"Have you ever thought that you could become precious yourself? The way for a human being to become precious is to obey the principles of the one who created us. The way to become precious is through jihad. Nobody knows when he will die, so you must start the journey toward Islam,\" he told me kindly. http://www.bullatomsci.org/issues/2001/jf01/jf01stern.html Here's another excerpt from that article: What happens to families whose children become martyrs? Most of the mothers I interviewed said they were happy to have donated their sons to jihad because their sons could help them in the next life--the \"real life.\" Syed Qurban Hussain, the father of a martyr, said, \"Whoever gives his life in the way of Allah lives forever and earns a place in heaven for 70 members of his family, to be selected by the martyr.\" Families of martyrs become celebrities after their children die. \"Everyone treats me with more respect now that I have a martyred son,\" Hussain added. \"And when there is a martyr in the village, it encourages more children to join the jihad. It raises the spirit of the entire village.\" http://pakistannation.net/ActionAlerts/Alert_pakwar.htm"}, {"response": 572, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Sep 27, 2001 (18:41)", "body": "From what I have read lately about the Bin Lauden siblings, they want nothing whatever to do with him - no matter his status!"}, {"response": 573, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 28, 2001 (09:32)", "body": "The Al Queda organization has been ripped open and exposed by ABC News. Inside Al Qaeda Bin Laden Defector Ties Hijack Suspect to Training Camp Sept. 26 \ufffd A defector from Osama bin Laden's terrorist organization, al Qaeda, has told ABCNEWS that one of the men accused of hijacking the planes used in the Sept. 11 attacks trained with him at one of the terrorist mastermind's camps in Afghanistan. MORE ON THIS STORY FULL COVERAGE \ufffd America Attacked VIDEO \ufffd Former bin Laden Soldier Speaks Out \ufffd A Nation United: Full Video Coverage COMMUNITY \ufffd ABCNEWS' John Miller on Meeting Bin Laden RELATED STORIES \ufffd John Miller Interviews Bin Laden (May 1998) \ufffd FBI Releases Photos, Seeks Public Tips \ufffd Inside the Taliban \ufffd Pilot Arrested in London Instructed Suspected Hijackers \ufffd The Other Victims of Sept. 11: Pets \ufffd Can New Buildings be Built Any Stronger? The defector said he trained for six months at a camp in Afghanistan to become an intelligence agent for bin Laden. When shown photographs of the 19 hijackers, the defector said he recognized one of them, a man federal investigators have identified as Majed Moqed, a possible Saudi national. \"Yeah \ufffd He was with my class ... I could recognize him from his face,\" the defector said. \"He is from Saudi Arabia, and he is about 25 to 30 years old.\" The Department of Justice has identified Moqed as one of five men suspected of taking control of American Airlines Flight 77 and crashing the plane into the Pentagon. If the defector is right, he may have provided an important link between bin Laden and the hijackers. Federal investigators have said they have concrete information linking one or more of the hijackers to al Qaeda but they have not publicly linked any of the suspects directly to bin Laden or his camps. The defector, who is now living outside Afghanistan, said he was shocked by the attacks, but not surprised that the attackers were willing to give their lives for bin Laden and his cause. \"Yes, I was shocked, but I know them better than that. They are not only 19 people. There are a thousand people who want to sacrifice themselves for bin Laden, not only 19. There are more than a thousand. All of them \ufffd in Europe, in Canada or in Saudi Arabia \ufffd all of them want to do this kind of actions. Terrorist actions.\" He said there were 18 other students in his class at the training camp. He said he received training in how to conduct surveillance and how to gather detailed information on potential targets. He said he heard people talk of hijacking airliners, but that he never heard anything about a plot to crash jets into buildings in New York and Washington. He said bin Laden spoke to his class several times, warning that the United States and Israel wanted to destroy Islam, and that they must be destroyed first. He said his 18 fellow students were sent home to cities in Europe, the Middle East and Canada where they were to wait \ufffd as sleeper agents \ufffd for instructions. He said he had no doubt his fellow students would obey any instructions that came from bin Laden. \"If bin Laden asked [you] to put a bomb on your body and explode it, they won't say no. They will do that,\" he said. After two years in bin Laden's organization, the defector said he became disillusioned with so many plots that targeted innocent civilians. He has defected from al Qaeda and is now cooperating with the U.S. government. He doubted that the U.S. military, or even special forces, would be able to capture bin Laden in Afghanistan. \"It is impossible to find bin Laden. Bin Laden has many, many places in Afghanistan. You cannot find him,\" he said, adding that bin Laden is still guarded by a cadre of heavily armed bodyguards, including three of his sons."}, {"response": 574, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 28, 2001 (10:10)", "body": "Thanks for all the background, Suzee. Actually, the part that I found hard to believe was the loss of property. Internment I could see how they would achieve. In the US, there are probably greater safeguards on property than human life from a legal standpoint. :-("}, {"response": 575, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Sep 28, 2001 (11:37)", "body": "loss of property The internees were sometimes given as few as 2 days to handle their affairs before they were shipped off to the camps. They had to leave everything behind. Those that sold, received not pennies on the dollar, but fractions of pennies on the dollar, as vultures were standing in line ready to take advantage of the situation. While interned, no income was generated, so if people held onto their property, they ultimately could not make mortgage payments or pay property taxes. There were no grace periods, only quick foreclosures. The economic loss was estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars. All of this was documented in a recent government publication. Some of the literature that has been written about this episode preface the actual internment with a history and description of the location of the real estate occupied. A few expressions come to mind, like follow the money, do the math, or as John McCain recently said about the war we've just entered, \"get a map.\" Most people don't realize the art that automakers had in the demise of the US railway system. Likewise, most people don't understand the machinations that went on behind the scene during the internment process. And I believe reparations were only $20,000, not $25,000 as earlier reported."}, {"response": 576, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Fri, Sep 28, 2001 (22:58)", "body": "...(Donna) And I believe reparations were only $20,000, not $25,000 as earlier reported...... I think it *was* $20,000 -- $20,000 and an apology! There were some reparations paid in about 1948 \ufffd a pittance that amounted to about 5 cents on the dollar. And non-Japanese real estate speculators did grow rich on land bought from Japanese-Americans for next to nothing and sold later at sky-high prices. Japanese-Americans lost property in many ways. Besides having it confiscated and losing equity (hard to make payments from \ufffdcamp\ufffd), homes and businesses were vandalized and destroyed and also condemned whether they deserved it or not. What is that quotation about evil prevailing when good men do nothing? ...(karen) In the US, there are probably greater safeguards on property than human life from a legal standpoint. :-( The truth is that it could happen again right now. The Federal government has enormous power, and the President can do almost anything with the Executive Order(new or existing). The process totally by-passes Congress. He/she can declare martial law, take property, take over power companies, education facilities, airports, manpower, supplies and services as \"needed.\" It can be used for good or bad. Andrew Jackson used it to remove Cherokee Indians from their land; Lincoln suspended certain legal rights, closed newspapers opposed to his policies; Roosevelt issued the previously mentioned 9066; FEMA was created by E.O.; Truman integrated the US armed forces; Eisenhower sent troops to aid integration in Little Rock. In the 1930's an E.O. required all gold to be turned in to the Federal treasury. I'm losing count of the wars we've fought without war being declared. Bush used an E.O. this week to freeze terrorists' assets. He signed one in June covering the Balkans, prohibiting US companies from doing business with certain individuals and \"blocking the property and interest in property\" of persons threatening stabilization efforts there. In the right atmosphere of fear and panic, etc., all these things can combine to allow rotten things to happen. Throw in a \"real\", declared war and the sky's the limit. It's sure a heck of an argument for paying *very* close attention to what your government is doing -- not to mention what we ourselves are doing as citizens. National Archives and Records Administration Federal Register - Executive Orders http://www.nara.gov/fedreg/eo.html"}, {"response": 577, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 29, 2001 (10:46)", "body": "In the right atmosphere of fear and panic, etc., all these things can combine to allow rotten things to happen Well Suzee,that's why I'm glad that I live in a democracy with elections. We can always throw the bums out and the next guy can rescind those EO orders if the public deems it so. Sadly, minority groups seldom have that leaverage (Japanese). Hopefully, we're wiser now . I was happy to see that our representatives are respecting the law-abiding Muslim citizens in our country by going to mosques, including Muslim reps at services.Now it has to filter down to Joe Sixpack. But it is inconceivable that any president would repeat the error of the Japanese internments."}, {"response": 578, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Oct  1, 2001 (10:21)", "body": "A poll released Friday by Ekos Research Associates for the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. and two newspapers found 63 percent of the 1,228 respondents said they felt ``a closer sense of shared values and interests with the Americans'' since the attacks. Fifty-nine percent supported giving up some ``national sovereignty'' to increase North America's security. In sharing the world's longest undefended border and world's largest trade partnership with the United States, Canadians realize the relationship that has bolstered their economy and guaranteed military defense now carries new demands and responsibilities. http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/20011001/ts/attacks_follow_the_leader_1.html"}, {"response": 579, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Oct  1, 2001 (10:31)", "body": "David Kline's comments posted in news 54: People have been saying here that the Taliban brought peace out of chaos in Afghanistan and how do we know that the Northern Alliance or anyone else would be better? For the answers, see the rest in the news conference topic 54."}, {"response": 580, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Oct  1, 2001 (11:29)", "body": "Militants storm J&K Assembly, 25 killed SRINAGAR: In a daring suicide attack, an explosive-laden car was blown up by militants on Monday near the entrance of the Jammu and Kashmir state legislature. At least 26 people were feared killed and 50 injured in the attack. Pakistan-based militant group, Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed responsibility for the attack. http://www.timesofindia.com/"}, {"response": 581, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Oct  1, 2001 (15:05)", "body": "ABC News reports. Taliban Taunt Says U.S. Doesn't Have Courage for Afghan War Oct. 1 \ufffd Afghanistan's ruling Taliban militia said Osama bin Laden is under their control \ufffd but the United States \"doesn't have the courage\" to come get him \ufffd Taliban Says U.S. Doesn't Have Courage for Afghan War \ufffd FBI Foils Possible Sears Tower Attack \ufffd Will Sept. 11 Change our Apolitical Youth? \"Americans don't have the courage to come here,\" Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar said in an interview with Taliban-run Kabul radio. He recalled the failures of Soviet and British forces to subdue Afghans, and repeatedly warned the United States to \"think and think again before attacking Afghanistan.\" The fiery words came a day after a Taliban official, Abdul Salam Zaeef, said the regime was willing to negotiate over bin Laden's surrender, if U.S. officials present evidence of his involvement in the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon."}, {"response": 582, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Oct  1, 2001 (21:42)", "body": "I spoke with a Canadian man today about their media. He was not surprised at their comments. Apparently their press is even more \"liberal\" than ours was before this ghastly event unfolded."}, {"response": 583, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Oct  2, 2001 (09:46)", "body": "Cruising in to Austin this morning I tuned in to NPR and heard that NATO just passed a resolution that put's us all in this together and another one time great Afghan fighter has joined our side. Haven't had a chance to check in on http://www.google.com/news yet and look around on CNN, Fox, NYTimes, ABC, etc. but I'll do that later. Sounds like airports are starting to get beefed up security, National Guard, etc. Canada needs to round up the terrorists lurking in the shadows up there, I hope they're mobilizing for this."}, {"response": 584, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Oct  2, 2001 (10:05)", "body": "Blair: Attack Coming British Prime Minister Warns Taliban; Bush Looks At Economy, Security Issues Oct. 2 \ufffd As the U.S. military dispatched another aircraft carrier in the war against terrorism, British Prime Minister Tony Blair is reportedly set to announce that a military attack on Afghanistan's Taliban regime is \"now imminent and will be devastating.\" Blair will say he has seen strong evidence linking terrorist Osama bin Laden to the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States, and will tell a Labor Party conference in Brighton, England today that the Taliban, which has been harboring bin Laden, will be made to pay for its actions, according to the British Broadcasting Corporation. The leaders of NATO have also been convinced, after a meeting with U.S. Ambassador-at-Large Francis X. Taylor. \"The facts are clear and compelling. The information presented points conclusively to an al Qaeda role in the 11th of September attacks,\" NATO Secretary-General Lord Robertson said today. \"We know that the individuals who carried out those attacks were part of the worldwide terrorist network al Qaeda headed by Osama bin Laden and his key lieutenant and protected by the Taliban.\" He said that the information Taylor presented to NATO proved that the attack was directed from abroad, meaning it is covered by NATO's Article 5, which states that an armed attack on one or more NATO nation is to be considered an attack against all of them. \"I want to reiterate yet again today that the United States of America can rely on the full support of its 18 NATO allies in the campaign against international terrorism,\" he said. source ABCnews.com"}, {"response": 585, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Oct  2, 2001 (18:54)", "body": "You and me too, Terry in regards to getting Canada up to speed on this. The only positive note from e politician north of the border that I have heard was from a former Prime Minister. Heaven help us! --------------- A positive Look at 9-11-01... By now everyone has been hearing the death toll rise and reports of the destruction from the terrorist attacks on the US. These were deplorable acts that we will never forget. But now is a time to look at the other side of the numbers coming out of New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. The sad but somewhat uplifting side that the mainstream media has not reported yet -- the SURVIVAL RATES and some positive news about the attacks. The Buildings The World Trade Center The twin towers of the World Trade Center were places of employment for some 50,000 people. With the missing list of just over 5,000 people, that means 90% of the people targeted survived the attack. A 90% on a test is an 'A.' The Pentagon Some 23,000 people were the target of a third plane aimed at the Pentagon. The latest count shows that 123 lost their lives. That is an amazing 99.5% survival rate. In addition, the plane seems to have come in too low, too early to affect a large portion of the building. On top of that, the section that was hit was the first of five sections to undergo renovations that would help protect the Pentagon from terrorist attacks. It had recently completed straightening and blastproofing, saving untold lives. This attack was sad, but a statistical failure. The Planes American Airlines Flight 77 The Boeing 757 that was flown into the outside of the Pentagon could have carried up to 289 people, yet only 64 were aboard. Luckily 78% of the seats were empty. American Airlines Flight 11 The Boeing 767 could have had up to 351 people aboard, but only carried 92. Thankfully 74 % of the seats were unfilled. United Airlines Flight 175 Another Boeing 767 that could have sat 351 people only had 65 people on board. Fortunately it was 81% empty. United Airlines Flight 93 The Boeing 757 was one of the most uplifting stories yet. The smallest flight to be hijacked with only 45 people aboard out of a possible 289 had 84% of its capacity unused. Yet these people stood up to the attackers and thwarted a fourth attempted destruction of a national landmark, saving untold numbers of lives in the process. In Summary Out of potentially 74,280 Americans directly targeted by these inept cowards, 93% survived or avoided the attacks. That's a higher survival rate than heart attacks, breast cancer, kidney transplants and liver transplants--all common, survivable illnesses. The Hijacked planes were mostly empty, the Pentagon was hit at it's strongest point, the overwhelming majority of people in the World Trade Center buildings escaped, and a handful of passengers gave the ultimate sacrifice to save even more lives."}, {"response": 586, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Oct  2, 2001 (19:02)", "body": "Subject: \"Monday Vs Tuesday\" On Monday there were people fighting against praying in schools On Tuesday you would have been hard pressed to find a school where someone was not praying On Monday there were people who were trying to separate each other by race, sex, color and creed On Tuesday they were all holding hands On Monday we thought that we were secure On Tuesday we learned better On Monday we were talking about heroes as being athletes On Tuesday we relearned what hero meant On Monday people went to work at the world trade centers as usual On Tuesday they died On Monday people were fighting the 10 commandments on government property On Tuesday the same people all said 'God help us all' while thinking 'Thou shall not kill' On Monday people argued with their kids about picking up their room On Tuesday the same people could not get home fast enough to hug their kids. On Monday people picked up McDonalds for dinner On Tuesday they stayed home On Monday people were upset that their dry cleaning was not ready on time On Tuesday they were lining up to give blood for the dying On Monday politicians argued about budget surpluses On Tuesday grief stricken they sang 'God Bless America' On Monday we worried about the traffic and getting to work late On Tuesday we worried about a plane crashing into your house or place of business On Monday we were irritated that our rebate checks had not arrived On Tuesday we wanted to give it all back. On Monday some children had solid families On Tuesday they were orphans On Monday the president was going to Florida to read to children On Tuesday he returned to Washington to protect our children On Monday we emailed jokes On Tuesday we did not It is sadly ironic how it takes horrific events to place things into perspective, but it has. May God help us with the lessons learned this week, the things we have taken for granted, the things that have been forgotten or overlooked, the ruts that we have allowed ourselves to follow. It may well be better for us not to get back to normal. On Monday - pray and be thankful! On Tuesday - pray and be thankful! On Wednesday - pray and be thankful! On Thursday - pray and be thankful! On Friday - pray and be thankful! On Saturday - pray and be thankful! On Sunday - pray and be thankful!"}, {"response": 587, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Oct  2, 2001 (19:08)", "body": "Marcia, thanks for posting that 'positive view' of Sept 11 - gave me chills to read those numbers. *big hug* btw- *grin*"}, {"response": 588, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Oct  2, 2001 (19:19)", "body": "*Big Hugs!!! EsBee, I have missed you! I'll be in your area at the end of this month! My son is finally gonna tie the old proverial knot. Imagine riding a 100+ story building as it collapsed and emerging alive? Or worse still, going down all those stairs fro 2 1/2 hous to reach ground level just as the rest of the building collapses and you have just made it out! Talk about There, but for the Grace of God, go I..."}, {"response": 589, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Oct  2, 2001 (19:34)", "body": "Your going to be in Cal???? will email you - we HAVE to get together this time!!! Congrats to David btw!!"}, {"response": 590, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Oct  2, 2001 (21:36)", "body": "Thanks for the congrats. Your two emails are already on their way!"}, {"response": 591, "author": "Anek", "date": "Wed, Oct  3, 2001 (07:36)", "body": "I'm not sure if it was published here. Even more doubts if I shoul put the below message here. Film about Osama bin Laden in production Guardian Unlimited Monday October 1, 2001 It was only a matter of time before it happened, but many will be surprised to hear that a fictional film about Osama bin Laden is already in production. The film rights to British writer and former SAS officer Andy McNab's book Crisis Four have been bought by Miramax and according to the books publishers Corgi, \"The process is already several stages down the line.\" The book tells the story of a \"steel-willed\" British woman who is recruited by bin Laden to work her way into American security, blow up the White House and kill the president. The book's hero Nick Stone, a former SAS man who McNab says is \"partly autobiographical\" has the task of hunting down the woman. McNab is aware that the film will attract criticism when so many studios are avoiding any mention of terrorism or the World Trade Centre but insists he is not jumping on the bandwagon as the book was first published in 1999. \"Many people have bought the book since September 11 because of the coincidences,\" he told the Daily Telegraph. \"It shows that you don't have to have a beard and a turban to be working for bin Laden.\" Mystery surrounds the identity of the real Andy McNab as he writes under a pseudonym and there are no photographs of him although his books which lift the lid on the secret world of the SAS have been hugely successful worldwide. His 1994 novel Bravo Two Zero about his unit's experiences in Iraq during the Gulf war sold over a million copies in the UK alone I was afraid that someday there will be somebody who will try to produce a film about bin Laden to make money out of the tragedy. But I didn't imagine that it's already happening."}, {"response": 592, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Oct  3, 2001 (10:29)", "body": "*More Short Skirts and Dancing, Advises Prominent Fatwa Victim *8-/ Fighting the Forces of Invisibility By Salman Rushdie Tuesday, October 2, 2001; Page A25 NEW YORK -- In January 2000 I wrote in a newspaper column that \"the defining struggle of the new age would be between Terrorism and Security,\" and fretted that to live by the security experts' worst-case scenarios might be to surrender too many of our liberties to the invisible shadow-warriors of the secret world. Democracy requires visibility, I argued, and in the struggle between security and freedom we must always err on the side of freedom. On Tuesday, Sept. 11, however, the worst-case scenario came true. They broke our city. I'm among the newest of New Yorkers, but even people who have never set foot in Manhattan have felt its wounds deeply, because New York is the beating heart of the visible world, tough-talking, spirit- dazzling, Walt Whitman's \"city of orgies, walks and joys,\" his \"proud and passionate city -- mettlesome, mad, extravagant city!\" To this bright capital of the visible, the forces of invisibility have dealt a dreadful blow. No need to say how dreadful; we all saw it, are all changed by it. Now we must ensure that the wound is not mortal, that the world of what is seen triumphs over what is cloaked, what is perceptible only through the effects of its awful deeds. In making free societies safe -- safer -- from terrorism, our civil liberties will inevitably be compromised. But in return for freedom's partial erosion, we have a right to expect that our cities, water, planes and children really will be better protected than they have been. The West's response to the Sept. 11 attacks will be judged in large measure by whether people begin to feel safe once again in their homes, their workplaces, their daily lives. This is the confidence we have lost, and must regain. Next: the question of the counterattack. Yes, we must send our shadow- warriors against theirs, and hope that ours prevail. But this secret war alone cannot bring victory. We will also need a public, political and diplomatic offensive whose aim must be the early resolution of some of the world's thorniest problems: above all the battle between Israel and the Palestinian people for space, dignity, recognition and survival. Better judgment will be required on all sides in future. No more Sudanese aspirin factories to be bombed, please. And now that wise American heads appear to have understood that it would be wrong to bomb the impoverished, oppressed Afghan people in retaliation for their tyrannous masters' misdeeds, they might apply that wisdom, retrospectively, to what was done to the impoverished, oppressed people of Iraq. It's time to stop making enemies and start making friends. To say this is in no way to join in the savaging of America by sections of the left that has been among the most unpleasant consequences of the terrorists' attacks on the United States. \"The problem with Americans is . . . \" -- \"What America needs to understand . . . \" There has been a lot of sanctimonious moral relativism around lately, usually prefaced by such phrases as these. A country which has just suffered the most devastating terrorist attack in history, a country in a state of deep mourning and horrible grief, is being told, heartlessly, that it is to blame for its own citizens' deaths. (\"Did we deserve this, sir?\" a bewildered worker at \"ground zero\" asked a visiting British journalist recently. I find the grave courtesy of that \"sir\" quite astonishing.) Let's be clear about why this bien-pensant anti-American onslaught is such appalling rubbish. Terrorism is the murder of the innocent; this time, it was mass murder. To excuse such an atrocity by blaming U.S. government policies is to deny the basic idea of all morality: that individuals are responsible for their actions. Furthermore, terrorism is not the pursuit of legitimate complaints by illegitimate means. The terrorist wraps himself in the world's grievances to cloak his true motives. Whatever the killers were trying to achieve, it seems improbable that building a better world was part of it. The fundamentalist seeks to bring down a great deal more than buildings. Such people are against, to offer just a brief list, freedom of speech, a multi-party political system, universal adult suffrage, accountable government, Jews, homosexuals, women's rights, pluralism, secularism, short skirts, dancing, beardlessness, evolution theory, sex. These are tyrants, not Muslims. (Islam is tough on suicides, who are doomed to repeat their deaths through all eternity. However, there needs to be a thorough examination, by Muslims everywhere, of why it is that the faith they love breeds so many violent mutant strains. If the West needs to understand its Unabombers and McVeighs, Islam needs to face up to its bin Ladens.) United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan has said that we should now define ourselves not only by what we are for but by what we "}, {"response": 593, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Oct  3, 2001 (10:33)", "body": "I heard an account on the radio this morning about a Greyhound Bus terrorist action where the bus driver got his throat slit. CNN reporting at least ten people dead. Minimal info on the nutcase from one of the passengers: ----- Carly Rinearson, a passenger on the bus, said in a phone call to CNN affiliate WTVF that a man kept asking if he could have her seat near the front of the bus. She said he appeared agitated and kept asking what time it was. Rinearson said when she refused to give up her seat, \"He just went up to the bus driver and like slit his throat. And the bus driver turned the wheel and the bus tipped over.\" She did not describe the man further or say what kind of weapon he had."}, {"response": 594, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Oct  3, 2001 (16:20)", "body": "Another hijacking. MUMBAI TO DELHI PLANE HIJACKED EW DELHI: A Boeing 737 belonging to India's state-run Alliance Air, with 52 people on board, was hijacked just after take off from Mumbai early Thursday, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Shahnawaz Hussain said. The Minister said a hijack distress call had been received by the Air Traffic Control (ATC) in New Delhi where the plane had landed at around 1 a.m. The aircraft, on its way to Delhi, was hijacked after passing Ahmedabad, initial reports said. The plane, with 46 passengers and 6 crew on board, departed from Mumbai at 11:15 pm. The Alliance Air is a subsidiary of the Indian Airlines. The plane is now parked at an isolated bay runway 27 of the airport. Police and fire vehicles have rushed towards the site. (AFP/PTI) Times of India is the source."}, {"response": 595, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Oct  3, 2001 (21:16)", "body": "from Times of India: NEW DELHI: After more than four hours of anxious moments, Union Civil Aviation Minister Shahnawaz Hussain said the supposed hijacking of the Alliance Air was a creation of confusion caused by false alarm received at the ATC Ahmedabad. http://www.timesofindia.com/articleshow.asp?art_id=1331366505 The bus throat slitter was probably a lone nut copycat."}, {"response": 596, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Oct  4, 2001 (18:08)", "body": "More weird people will think of copy cat crimes against humanity. It always seem so to be this way, unhappily. I understand an Arnold Swartzeneger movie was pulled before premier because of similarity to real events. I hope we are all spared such movies!"}, {"response": 597, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Oct  4, 2001 (18:33)", "body": "From a greatly-esteemed gentleman of my acquaintance: Re Bin Lauden: Give him a sex change operation and send her back to Afghanistan"}, {"response": 598, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Oct  4, 2001 (22:59)", "body": "A popular thing amongst fire departments to collect money was to have \u201cFill the Boot\u201d campaigns. Firemen in uniform and wearing their helmuts, with the engine nearby would stand at busy interesections. They would hold one of their large turnout boots to collect donations. It caught on with contagious enthusiasm around here. Our 7 station dept designated one day to do this. Our crew felt a little on the awkward side to solicit money from the public. It wasn\u2019t a natural thing for us to do. There were three of us. I made three signs from a cardboard box that I cut up. Before sunup, we got to a busy intersection at Fuerte and Avocado in El Cajon/ La Mesa, Calif. I took the center island for the turn lane. I wasn\u2019t there for 30 seconds before I got my first dollar bill donation. From then on we got busier and busier as the rush hour approached it\u2019s peak. To beat the stop lights, I literally had to run almost constantly. People had their arms outstretched waiting for me. The only way I can reach them wa to be on a constant juking and jiving trot, as I dodged thru the lanes of cars. Eventually the cars between each light stacked up to about 30 car lengths. I was getting very tired, but I couldn\u2019t stop. People were eager to give their donations. It got so hectic that people were wadding up paper money and throwing it in our direction as they drove by. I was literally dodging traffic. There\u2019s a popular video game called \u201cFrogger\u201d. The object is to get a frog across a multi-lane road to the other side without getting ran over. The frog moved back and forth to avoid the cars. This was exactly what I was doing. There were several moments when I couldn\u2019t help relating myself to that frog. A smile would come to my face when I did. Some folks who weren\u2019t able to give money at the stop light, would pull over and get out of their cars and meet us along the side of the road. Some people who stopped and couldn\u2019t get our attention, simply left money on the seats of the engine. That morning we found over 50 on the seats. A lot of people wanted to thank me and give condolences for the NY fire fighters. Some folks had tears. They were so sympathetic for the NY fire fighters, that it was obvious that they wanted to express this somehow. Being firefighters ourselves, in their hearts we were the conduit to express this emotion to them. It was genuinely heart rendering. We have a large arab community within our district, and it was soothing to see these people making sincere donations along with the rest of the community. After that one day, our dept collected over $65,000 and the tally is still being counted. It will all go to the families of the fallen NY firefighers. For us who dodged the traffic to collect money for them, it was a very satisfying and emotional experience to go thru. I am greatful to have not retired before I could experience such an event. I only regret the loss that made it possible. George Zay La Mesa, Calif. San Miguel Fire Dept."}, {"response": 599, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Oct  5, 2001 (10:34)", "body": "http://abcnews.com Oct. 5 \ufffd At least 1,000 U.S. Army soldiers are headed to the former Soviet republic of Uzbekistan today, as Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld visited leaders there to shore up support for an attack on neighboring Afghanistan. Troops from the U.S. 10th Mountain Division are expected to arrive today in Uzbekistan, where American military officials would like to stage personnel, bombers and jets for any attack on suspected terrorist leader Osama bin Laden and Afghanistan's ruling Taliban militia. Uzbek President Islam Karimov this morning gave permission for U.S. troops to use one airbase for search-and-rescue and humanitarian aid missions. He said he was not ready at this time to let offensive troops use the facility, however. there's more at http://abcnews.go.com/sections/us/DailyNews/WTC_MAIN.html"}, {"response": 600, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Oct  5, 2001 (10:35)", "body": "http://cnn.com Allies press for support British Prime Minister Tony Blair and U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld are meeting with leaders overseas today, working to shore up support for the campaign against terrorism. Meanwhile, Pentagon officials tell CNN about 1,000 troops from the 10th Mountain Division are headed to Uzbekistan to provide security at an airfield, which will be used for humanitarian purposes. more at http://www.cnn.com/"}, {"response": 601, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Oct  5, 2001 (14:44)", "body": "(Marcia)From a greatly-esteemed gentleman of my acquaintance: Re Bin Lauden: Give him a sex change operation and send her back to Afghanistan ROTFLOL - that made me laugh so hard co-workers came around to see what was so funny. :-) All agree is an excellent idea!"}, {"response": 602, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Oct  5, 2001 (16:21)", "body": "(I liked it, too! Payback is a B**** and then you die!) Terry, I'd be much happier and feel a whole lot more secure if our media kept their noses out of the military maneuvers and let it remain as secret as possible..... or did you wish to inform out enemies of where we are at all times so more atrocities could be committed on our best and brightest? I also wish they would stop telling us how to commit bio-medical and chemical mayhem. I KNOW the evil people can find out for themselves or invent new ways to kill us. It is the giving the ideas to the lone and warped like the one who slit throats on the Greyhound bus that bothers me. I refuse to participate in this dissemination of comfort and information to those who would do us harm. *end of rant*"}, {"response": 603, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Fri, Oct  5, 2001 (19:22)", "body": "I completely agree, Marcia! Whenever it was that they were in Boston about to try to get some suspects, the media caught on, and practically gave them a head start to get out of there before the FBI could get to them... We don't need to know everything!!! Tell us when it is over!"}, {"response": 604, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Oct  5, 2001 (21:43)", "body": "I read \"The first casualty of war is truth, somebody said, and we know that disinformation is a key part of this stragedy. Therefore the quest for reliable info is extra-essential . . . \""}, {"response": 605, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Oct  5, 2001 (22:22)", "body": "Judiciously, Dear Terry. Moderation and wisdom, not tell-all and know-all. Sometimes it is best to know after it is all over! The following was sent to me from a really surprising source. I like it! Subject: LETTER FROM GOD From: GOD To: My Children on Earth RE: Idiotic Religious Rivalries My Dear Children (and believe me, that's all of you), I consider myself a pretty patient guy. I mean, look at the Grand Canyon. It took millions of years to get it right. And about evolution? Boy, nothing is slower than designing that whole Darwinian thing to take place, cell by cell, and gene by gene. I've been patient through your fashions, civilizations, wars and schemes, and the countless ways you take Me for granted until you get yourselves into big trouble again and again. I want to let you know about some of the things that are starting to tick me off. First of all, your religious rivalries are driving Me up a wall. Enough already! Let's get one thing straight. These are YOUR religions, not Mine. I'm the whole enchilada; I'm beyond them all. Every one of your religions claims there is only one of Me (which by the way, is absolutely true). But in the very next breath, each religion claims it's My favorite one. And each claims its bible was written personally by Me, and that all the other bible's are man-made. Oh, Me. How do I even begin to put a stop to such complicated nonsense? Okay, listen up now. I'm your Father AND Mother, and I don't play favorites among My children. Also, I hate to break it to you, but I don't write. My longhand is awful, and I've always been more of a \"doer\" anyway. So ALL of your books, including those bible's, were written by men and women. They were inspired, remarkable people, but they also made mistakes here and there. I made sure of that, so that you would never trust a written word more than your own living heart. You see, one human being to me, even a bum on the street, is worth more than all the Holy Books in the world. That's just the kind of guy I am. My Spirit is not a historical thing, it's alive right here, right now, as fresh as your next breath. Holy books and religious rites are sacred and powerful, but not more so than the least of you. They were only meant to steer you in the right direction, not to keep you arguing with each other, and certainly not to keep you from trusting your own personal connection with Me. Which brings Me to My next point about your nonsense. You act like I need you and your religions to stick up for Me or \"win souls\" for My sake. Please, don't do Me any favors. I can stand quite well on my own, thank you. I don't need you to defend Me, and I don't need constant credit. I just want you to be good to each other. And another thing: I don't get all worked up over money or politics, so stop dragging My name into your dramas. For example, I swear to Me that I never threatened Oral Roberts. I never rode in any of Rajneesh's Rolls Royces. I never told Pat Robertson to run for president, and I've never EVER had a conversation with Jim Baker, Jerry Falwell, or Jimmy Swaggart! Of course, come Judgment Day, I certainly intend to... The thing is, I want you to stop thinking of religion as some sort of loyalty pledge to Me. The true purpose of your religions is so that YOU can become more aware of ME, not the other way around. Believe Me, I know you already. I know what's in each of your hearts, and I love you with no strings attached. Lighten up and enjoy Me. That's what religion is best for. What you seem to forget is how mysterious I am. You look at the petty differences in your Scriptures and say, \"Well, if THIS is the truth, then THAT can't be!\" But instead of trying to figure out My Paradoxes and Unfathomable Nature, which by the way, you NEVER will, why not open your hearts to the simple common threads in all religions. You know what I'm talking about: Love and respect everyone. Be kind, even when life is scary or confusing, take courage and be of good cheer, for I am always with you. Learn how to be quiet, so you can hear My still, small voice (I don't like to shout). Leave the world a better place by living your life with dignity and gracefulness, for you are My Own Child. Hold back nothing from life, for the parts of you that can die surely will, and the parts that can't, won't. So don't worry, be happy (I stole that last line from Bobby McFerrin, but who do you think gave it to him in the first place?) Simple stuff. Why do you keep making it so complicated? It's like you're always looking for an excuse to be upset. And I'm very tired of being your main excuse. Do you think I care whether you call me Yahweh, Jehovah, Allah, Wakantonka, Brahma, Father, Mother or even the Void of Nirvana? Do you think I care which of My special children you feel closest to - Jesus, Mary, Buddha, Krishna, Mohammed or any of the others? You can call Me and My Special Ones any name you choose, if only you would go about My business of loving one another as I love you. How c"}, {"response": 606, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Oct  5, 2001 (22:27)", "body": "I thought we paid our politicians to do a good job for us. Truth is not sacrificed - safety of the polulace is. We have a good governmental system. Mob rule nearly destroyed France. I don't need to know where the mountain troops are in Usbekistan! I trust our elected officials. Heaven help them if they do not live up to our newly-rigorous demands!"}, {"response": 607, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Oct  5, 2001 (23:58)", "body": "They say now that there is a 100% chance that they will strike again but can't say where."}, {"response": 608, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Oct  6, 2001 (01:23)", "body": "Indeed, they successfully revel in our tragedy. We are all \"infidels\" in their cultish belief structure, which is so against true Islam. They are not sane people. They kill for their rewards. I wonder how long before they kill off all of their devotees. Not soon enough, I fear. Be safe, Lucie! ...and everyone!"}, {"response": 609, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct  6, 2001 (12:35)", "body": "The first death of Anthrax in Forida is now believe to have been intentional. :-("}, {"response": 610, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Oct  6, 2001 (18:20)", "body": "Saturday October 6 4:41 PM ET Anthrax Case Puzzles Investigators By AMANDA RIDDLE, Associated Press Writer LANTANA, Fla. (AP) - Relatives of a Florida man who contracted a fatal case of anthrax are being given antibiotics as a precaution and his co-workers have been tested and cleared, health authorities said Saturday. The search to find out how 63-year-old Bob Stevens contracated the rare and extremely lethal inhaled form of the disease expanded one day after his death. More than 50 health and law enforcement officials have fanned out across Palm Beach County to track his movements over the past two months and look for other possible cases. Officials are also going over medical records in four North Carolina counties that he might have visited recently. ``We have a long chronology of common activities we need to pursue,'' Florida epidemiologist Dr. Steven Wiersma said. ``We don't have any really hot leads at this time.'' Investigators are awaiting test results from soil and other specimens. The results could take days. No other cases of anthrax have been reported in the area. Wiersma said several of Stevens' co-workers at the supermarket tabloid The Sun have been tested, but results were negative. Antibiotics are being given to close family members. Officials have said there is no evidence that Stevens was the victim of terrorism. Wiersma said tests of Stevens' blood helped confirm that belief because the anthrax in the sample responded to penicillin. Anthrax developed by some countries as a biological weapon could be resistant to the antibiotic, he said. More... http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/20011006/us/anthrax_case_27.html Moon, do you have a source for your scary news? I'd love to get a few sources!"}, {"response": 611, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Oct  6, 2001 (18:21)", "body": "This man also visited North Carolina where he might have contracted it. Many leads to follow before the media needs to fighten us any more than we are already!"}, {"response": 612, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct  6, 2001 (18:51)", "body": "From The Miami Herald Florida man dies from anthrax Search is on for source and other possible cases BY LARRY LEBOWITZ, LISA ARTHUR AND WILLIAM YARDLEY A Palm Beach County man died Friday from inhaled anthrax, but health officials continued to assure an anxious state that he was stricken with an isolated case of the deadly disease -- increasingly feared as a bioterrorism weapon -- though how he contracted it remains a mystery. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Doctors want direction in preventing infection So far, the search in S. Florida for other anthrax cases is negative Terrorism alert led to diagnosis of rare, fatal disease Previous coverage Friends, relatives wonder how S. Florida man contracted anthrax What is anthrax? Anthrax Q&A Graphic: Unseen perils -- Chemical and biological weapons Is nation prepared? Is U.S. prepared to battle germ weapons? Experts fear U.S. plan against bioterrorism is inadequate Chemical, biological war front particularly difficult to defend Florida response State scrambles to respond to possible biowarfare attack Hijacker looked into crop-duster in Florida Gas masks fly off store shelves Water systems well prepared for disasters, managers say More coverage Latest developments regarding terrorist attacks -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Florida man diagnosed with anthrax -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ``I don't want to give anyone the slightest inkling that we know what caused this,'' said Steven Wiersma, the state's chief epidemiologist. ``We're looking at any possible physical way this could have happened.'' A day after Robert Stevens' condition became public, doctors in South Florida and at several hospitals across the country received orders or decided on their own to reexamine certain cases, this time looking for traces of inhalational anthrax, a strain of the disease that is nearly always fatal. The last case of inhaled anthrax reported in the United States was in 1976. Even as health officials urged calm in Florida, they aggressively pursued doctors' reports of possible new cases -- including a 75-year-old Miami-Dade resident -- all of which had proved false on Friday, said Wiersma. ``Three cases have gotten our attention and we feel very comfortable that they are not anthrax. . . . We had several leads that were highly suspicious that we've ruled out,'' he said, adding that ``each passing hour that we don't turn up a new case . . . is very good news.'' Wiersma said an alliance of investigators from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the FBI, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the state Health Department and the Palm Beach County Health Department had ``cast a very wide net.'' By lunchtime Friday, investigators were inspecting Stevens' Lantana home behind crime-scene tape. In the back of the investigators' Ford Explorer: plastic coolers filled with supplies, boxes of latex gloves and a small manual, Emergency Response to Terrorism Job Aid. The six investigators working at the Stevens house were one of three teams officials said had been deployed to investigate the case. One team planned to trace Stevens' travels, habits and lifestyle over the last 60 days -- considered the maximum incubation time for anthrax. The other investigative teams began poring through South Florida hospital records and medical examiner records across the state, looking for suspicious symptoms or unexplained deaths since the terrorist attacks Sept. 11. Several of the suspected terrorists trained as pilots in South Florida and lived within 10 miles of the Stevens home. Officials acknowledged Friday they were in uncharted territory, responding to the anthrax case with unprecedented investigative scope as concern over bioterrorism has surged following the attacks. BAFFLING CASE Palm Beach County Health Department spokesman Tim O'Connor, stationed for most of the day at the county's emergency operations center, said even experienced investigators are feeling challenged by the Stevens case. ``They've never had one like this,'' he said. Inhalational anthrax in people -- caused by breathing anthrax spores in the air -- is extremely rare nationwide. Only 18 inhalational cases were documented in the United States in the 20th Century. A less serious form of anthrax, caused by skin contact with anthrax spores and usually resulting in skin lesions that can be treated with penicillin, was last reported in the state in 1974. The same form was reported in Texas earlier this year. The skin disease is usually contracted by people who work with infected farm animals. Anthrax has not appeared in Florida livestock for half a century. In addition to state and local investigators, the CDC has dispatched 12 staffers to work on the investigation in Florida. BIOHAZARD BAGS After 2 1/2 hours at the Stevens house, investigators hauled away seve"}, {"response": 613, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Sat, Oct  6, 2001 (21:22)", "body": "(Marcia) Letter from God: \"I hate to break it to you, but I don't write. My longhand is awful, and I've always been more of a 'doer' anyway...\" I never doubted it for a minute! LOL \"I swear to Me that I never threatened Oral Roberts. I never rode in any of Rajneesh's Rolls Royces. I never told Pat Robertson to run for president, and I've never EVER had a conversation with Jim Baker, Jerry Falwell, or Jimmy Swaggart!\" I would love to send this to Falwell and the others. Thanks for this Marcia!"}, {"response": 614, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Oct  6, 2001 (22:03)", "body": "Thanks Moon for the article. I could not find one and your is great. Suzee, I loved that Letter from God. I can think of a lot of people who need to read it! Happy news for me since I use this airport in about 2 weeks to attend my son's wedding: Honolulu Airport is one of the best-protected airports in the country during this time of heightened national security, said the airport's federal security manager. Allen Agor, who reports to the Federal Aviation Administration's assistant administrator for security, said new high-tech explosive detection machines, six canine detection teams, increased security measures and a \"battalion strength\" of military, federal, state and civilian law enforcement officers provide a highly visible armed deterrent to criminal acts against civilian aviation. \"It's safer to fly now,\" Agor told legislators reviewing Hawaii's terrorism readiness yesterday. \"(Security) is a notch above what it was on Sept. 11.\" Agor added that plans for federal control of security at state airports will likely take place in the next six months. State and federal officials say Hawaii continues to prepare for possible acts of terrorism, although it can never know what, if anything, may be a target. Edward Correa Jr., adjutant general of the state Department of Defense, said assessment teams reviewed critical state and county buildings yesterday, as well as other infrastructure, to see how they could be protected. Key to all this readiness, Correa said, has been the close communication and coordination developed among all agencies over the past 18 months. Along with state airports, security at Hawaii's waterways has improved, state harbors manager Barry Kim said. Honolulu Harbor has been closed to recreational vessels while the Coast Guard patrols waters near the airport reef runway. Also closed is the Aloha Tower observation deck. And all state harbors have been closed indefinitely to pole fishing, Kim said. State Public Safety Director Ted Sakai said he is reassessing manpower needs at the state courts, prisons, state buildings including the state Capitol, and state airports. The department's budgets are being reviewed with an emphasis on health, safety and security. http://starbulletin.com/2001/10/06/news/"}, {"response": 615, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Oct  6, 2001 (23:03)", "body": "Lucie sent this and I consider it important enough for all to read! Even if I may have posted this before, read it again. I need to do so! A message from the pilot! Worth reading if you are going to be flying anytime soon. The following is from a letter by a professional friend and her return flight to D.C. this week. \"I just wanted to drop you all a note and let you know that I arrived safe and sound into Dulles Airport tonight [9/15] at about 6:00. It was an interesting flight. The airport in Denver was almost spooky, it was so empty and quiet. No one was in line for the security check point when I got there so that went fairly quickly, just x-ray of my bags and then a chemical test to be sure nothing explosive was on them. Then I waited 2 1/2 hours to board the plane. What happened after we boarded was interesting and thought I would share it with you. The pilot/captain came on the loudspeaker after the doors were closed. His speech went like this: \"First I want to thank you for being brave enough to fly today. The doors are now closed and we have no help from the outside for any problems that might occur inside this plane. As you could tell when you checked in, the government has made some changes to increase security in the airports. \"They have not, however, made any rules about what happens after those doors close. Until they do that, we have made our own rules and I want to share them with you. Once those doors close, we only have each other. \"The security has taken care of a threat like guns with all of the increased scanning, etc. Then we have the supposed bomb. If you have a bomb, there is no need to tell me about it, or anyone else on this plane; you are already in control. So, for this flight, there are no bombs that exist on this plane. \"Now, the threats that are left are things like plastics, wood, knives, and other weapons that can be made or things like that which can be used as weapons. \"Here is our plan and our rules. If someone or several people stand up and say they are hijacking this plane, I want you all to stand up together. Then take whatever you have available to you and throw it at them. Throw it at their faces and heads so they will have to raise their hands to protect themselves. \"The very best protection you have against knives are the pillows and blankets. Whoever is close to these people should then try to get a blanket over their head--then they won't be able to see. Once that is done, get them down and keep them there. Do not let them up. I will then land the plane at the closest place and we WILL take care of them. \"After all, there are usually only a few of them and we are 200+ strong! We will not allow them to take over this plane. \"I find it interesting that the US Constitution begins with the words 'We, the people'--that's who we are, THE people and we will not be defeated.\" With that, the passengers on the plane all began to applaud, people had tears in their eyes, and we began the trip toward the runway. The flight attendant then began the safety speech. One of the things she said is that we are all so busy and live our lives at such a fast pace. She asked that everyone turn to their neighbors on either side and introduce themselves, tell each other something about your families and children, show pictures, whatever. She said \"For today, we consider you family. We will treat you as such and ask that you do the same with us.\" Throughout the flight we learned that for the crew, this was their first flight since Tuesday's tragedies. It was a day that everyone leaned on each other and together everyone was stronger than any one person alone. It was quite an experience. You can imagine the feeling when that plane touched down at Dulles and we heard \"welcome to Washington Dulles Airport, where the local time is 5:40.\" Again, the cabin was filled with applause. Last night I saw a program with college students where one of them said that at their campus there are no more hyphenated titles, i.e., African-American, etc., everyone is just an American. No one will ever be able to take that pride away from us."}, {"response": 616, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Sun, Oct  7, 2001 (03:35)", "body": "Liz K) Whenever it was that they were in Boston about to try to get some suspects, the media caught on, and practically gave them a head start to get out of there before the FBI could get to them... The postscript to this incident: The day after the bombing, three Saudis in their early twenties traveled to Boston to visit their father, who was being treated at a hospital there. Their bill at the Westin Hotel was being paid by the fiancee of one of them -- a man whose name is similar to that of Mohamed Atta, one of the hijackers. After a hotel clerk tipped the FBI, agents swarmed the hotel. An agent saw one of the women outside her room and pointed a gun at her, according to the family's attorney, Jonathan Shapiro. She tried to run away but he grabbed her and hit her across the mouth, he said. The three were released after five hours, and the Saudi Embassy called it a \"humiliation.\" http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A37533-2001Sep27.html and: .......on Wednesday, a young Saudi woman in traditional garb, her face veiled, stepped out of her room at the Westin Copley Place Hotel, which had become a second home for her family during numerous trips to Boston to accompany their ailing father for medical treatment here. The plan was to meet her sister-in-law and brother-in-law at the elevator bank. She would barely get past her hotel room door. As she stooped to pick up a newspaper, a man in plain-clothes pointed a handgun at her as he grabbed her, dragged her down the hallway, and handcuffed her, barking demands that she silence her screams, according to her lawyer, Jonathan Shapiro. Thus began a five-hour ordeal for the woman and her family, in which, Shapiro alleges, she suffered a 6-inch scratch across her face, her sister-in-law was kicked in the head, and the whole family was detained for hours by authorities -including the FBI, Boston police, and Immigration and Naturalization Service officials - without the right to an attorney. Boston police referred all questions about the incident to the FBI, which declined comment. The family members, who asked that their names be withheld for fear of their safety, are well-connected Saudis with business interests in the region. Shapiro, a local criminal defense attorney, said he suspects they were targeted by law enforcement officials last week because the woman's fiance shares a name nearly identical to Mohamed Atta, one of the suspected hijackers in Tuesday's attack. The fiance had visited the family at the hotel but had left before the Wednesday incident. The interrogation, which followed a stake-out of the hotel and a raid by a Boston police SWAT team, FBI, and State Police detectives, took place in a climate of fear and anger the day after the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Law enforcement sources later confirmed that there was no connection between the family and the hijackings, saying that it was a case of mistaken identity. The family yesterday permitted their attorney to speak on their behalf in the hope, Shapiro said, of highlighting the danger of indiscriminate targeting of Arabs. http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/259/nation/Saudi_family_accuses_agents_of_abuse_in_case_of_mistaken_identity+.shtml"}, {"response": 617, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Oct  7, 2001 (07:35)", "body": "\"Fatima\", in the Afghani resistance group called RAWA, a women's-rights organization in which any member pretty much faces an automatic death sentence, was asked about the Northern Alliance by Salon: \"Do you support the Northern Alliance?\" \"We condemn the cooperation of the United States with the Northern Alliance. This is another nightmare for our people -- the Northern Alliance are the second Taliban. \"The Northern Alliance are hypocrites: They say they are for democracy and human rights, but we can't forget the black experience we had with them. Seventy-year-old grandmothers were raped during their rule, thousands of girls were raped, thousands were killed and tortured. They are the first government that started this tragedy in Afghanistan.\" http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2001/10/02/fatima/print.html I'm adding Salon to my list of news sources at http://www.spring.net/news They've been fearless in their coverage."}, {"response": 618, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Oct  7, 2001 (18:48)", "body": "I see where attackes on Afghanistan have begun. It's been a non - news day for me so far. But I'll do a scan of the usual sources soon and turn on the tv, see what's been doing on."}, {"response": 619, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Oct  7, 2001 (23:19)", "body": "Non-news??? I've been glued since 7AM Hawaiian time when we were looking for pre-game football. Afghanistan women tear my heart. NO one should be so treated. Thanks for the link! Sometimes you have to make deals with the Devil to catch a greater EVIL...!"}, {"response": 620, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct  8, 2001 (12:48)", "body": "I will remain calm. From The Miami Herald: Published Monday, October 8, 2001 Second case of anthrax found at South Florida tabloid BY MANNY GARCIA and LARRY LEBOWITZ The Boca Raton offices of American Media Inc. were shuttered Monday after a second employee showed signs of the rare anthrax bacteria that killed a 63-year-old photo editor for the Sun supermarket tabloid last week. The second employee, a 73-year-old man initially hospitalized for pneumonia, has not been determined to have anthrax, although a nasal swab showed signs he had been exposed to it, a state health official said. FBI spokeswoman Judy Orihuela said the man, whose name has not been released, is in stable condition at an undisclosed South Florida hospital and is expected to survive. More than 300 employees of the National Enquirer, the Star, the Globe, the Sun and the Weekly World News who work for AMI are being asked to go to the health department offices in Delray Beach for antibiotics and further testing. On Monday, Florida Health Secretary John Agwunobi urged any employees or visitors ``who have spent more than an hour'' in the AMI building, 5401 NW Broken Sound Blvd., since Aug. 1, to go to the Delray Beach Health center. The health department has also set up a hotline, 1-800-342-3557, for anyone employed in the building or who has visited the building since Aug. 1. Agwunobi said a sample in the building tested positive for anthrax ``within the work area frequented by the first case.'' He said he believed the sample was from the computer keyboard of Bob Stevens, a Sun photo editor who died Friday of inhaled anthrax. FBI and health department officials said the second case was confirmed late Sunday night after nose swabs on a co-worker of Stevens showed signs of the bacteria that causes pulmonary anthrax. Tim O'Connor, spokesman for the Palm Beach County Health Department, said the man did not have a ``full blown'' case of anthrax, but the nasal swabs showed signs of the same bacterial spore that led to the fatal case of inhalation anthrax that killed Stevens and led to widespread fears -- so far unconfirmed -- of a bioterrorist attack. An environmental test inside the American Media building in Boca Raton also confirmed the presence of the bacteria, O'Connor said. Agwunobi said the person was found to have anthrax ``within his nasal cavities.'' He has not shown any symptoms of clinical anthrax, Lt. Gov. Frank Brogan said. State health officials received a ``preliminary positive indication'' of anthrax Sunday afternoon and confirmation ``was obtained late in the evening,'' Agwunobi said. ``The building has been secured for the purpose of further environmental public health testing and we have begun to contact employees,'' he said. ``Our intent is to have the employees come to a centralized site in the Palm Beach County area so we can test them, so we can provide them with education, and so that we can provide them with prophylactic antibiotics.'' Brogan said the FBI is ``in control'' of the investigation, and that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is working with the bureau. American Media is attempting to re-create visitor logs dating back to Aug. 1 as well as a complete list of former employees who may have been inside the building, in an office park near Glades Road, west of Interstate 95, as recently as Aug. 1. The company started notifying employees Sunday evening that they were not supposed to show up for work in Boca Raton. Many were initialy instructed to work at the offices of a sister publication, the Spanish language supermarket tabloid Mira! in downtown Miami. A growing team of investigators from the federal Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, working with the FBI and the state and local health departments, are continuing to re-create Stevens' personal and work habits and travels in hopes of identifying the source of the infection. At least five units from the Boca Raton police department started to block off parking lots, and shutter buildings of America Media Inc. Delivery people and FedEx trucks that usually do business in the building were turned back throughout the morning. Police and security personnel from American Media refused to say whether the health department had returned since finding out swabs taken from offices of the tabloid were positive for anthrax. Directly across the street, in a Broken Sound Boulevard office park, Peter Amodeo paced back and forth smoking a cigarette. He works for Paz Building Management, which runs an office across from American Media. ``Some people in our building are really freaking out. This is very scary. It's not like they raise chickens or anything in that building across the street,'' said Amodeo. ``And that building makes a lot of enemies because of the things they put in the paper. They have bomb scares all the time. They're always standing in our parking lot because the building is being searched. I think we're all just a little bit anxious today.'' Amodeo said "}, {"response": 621, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct  8, 2001 (14:36)", "body": "There goes Florida's tourism :-(("}, {"response": 622, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Oct  8, 2001 (14:59)", "body": "Moon, please wash your hands a lot! No rubbing your nose or eyes when out in public (yes, I know you know better!). Appatently this got transmitted to the second man with a contiminated computer keyboard. At least that is what we are hearing way out here 6 hours behind Florida! Hugs, Moon! We need you to be well and safe! And everyone else, too!"}, {"response": 623, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Oct  8, 2001 (15:02)", "body": "Speaking of tourism, Hawaii's has become nil since it requires long distance flying to get here and not commercial craft are being allowed in port other than the usual ones - and they get a complete inspection before being allowed in. There are advantages and disadvantages living out here so remotely. My island has NO strategic importance and little population. However, we have become self-sufficient by necessity!"}, {"response": 624, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct  8, 2001 (16:18)", "body": "Hugs, Moon! We need you to be well and safe! And everyone else, too! Thanks, Marcia! It appears some people in the Miami area have been sent envelopes containing a white powder. One man threw it out and it caused sparks and he suffered a burning sensation in his hand. Had to call paramedics and his family were all checked into the hospital."}, {"response": 625, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Oct  8, 2001 (17:52)", "body": "Speaking (further) of tourism... My departure date to go to Indonesia (Bali) has been set back indefinitely. I was set to leave this month, to begin my dissertation research. A number of other scholars have been flown back to the US, as there have been numerous threats of \"sweeping\" tourist hotels for American and UK citizens. Ah well..."}, {"response": 626, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Oct  8, 2001 (18:01)", "body": "Indonesia is the largest Islamic country in the world. Be safe, Winter, Dear. Hilo is nice this time of year...! =)"}, {"response": 627, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Oct  8, 2001 (18:12)", "body": "Marcia Indonesia is the largest Islamic country in the world Yes, although my research is in Bali, which is over 95% Hindu. BUT it also happens to be host to the densest population of Western tourists in the whole nation, so there's the possibility of the island still being targets of anti-US \"sweeps.\" Thanks, MArcia. I will be safe, by waiting this out a few more weeks."}, {"response": 628, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Mon, Oct  8, 2001 (20:40)", "body": "Suzee, I didn't know the rest of the story. Thanks for sharing that...how awful for them! I think the point I was trying to make is still there, however- a lot of people will be questioned and interogated, both innocent and guilty. I'm not saying that violent treatment by authorities is ok by any means. But I don't think that the media should be following every single little detail of the hunt. \"yellow journalism\" of sorts is not what we need right now, and I'm frankly scared that the media/the entertainment industry is going to give some would-be terrorist ideas as to what to do next, or let them know and give them warning that we're coming to get them in the next few minutes. Sorry, Terry...I know that belongs in another topic."}, {"response": 629, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Oct 10, 2001 (14:29)", "body": "Statement by USGS Director Chip Groat on World Disaster Reduction Day Today, October 10, is World Disaster Reduction Day--a term that in the past has applied largely to natural disasters. But this year, in the wake of the September 11 attacks on the United States, it has taken on a new meaning. Unnatural disasters, those caused by hatred and intolerance, may seem an even more daunting challenge to our society than the earthquakes and floods we have faced before. However, the lessons we have learned from a century of battling natural hazards can help us in this new fight. Over the past 100 years, we've gotten much better at saving lives. In 1900, a hurricane hit Galveston, Texas, without warning, taking at least 6,000 lives and perhaps twice that many. In 1902, an incandescent cloud of volcanic gas and ash swept down the flanks of Mont Pelee, in Martinique, wiping out a city of 30,000 people. In 1906, a great earthquake struck San Francisco, taking hundreds to perhaps thousands of lives. From those disasters, we learned, and those lessons have saved lives throughout the 20th century. Terrorism has become another of the hazards we face, and we can use many of our approaches to dealing with natural hazards as we begin to deal with this unnatural hazard--approaches such as monitoring the warning signals, understanding the problem, sharing information, educating the public to take steps that protect themselves and their loved ones. It will take a long-term commitment from all sectors of our society, but we have made progress against the threat of natural disasters with these tools and we can use them to reduce the threat of terrorism as well. Many of the steps we have taken to mitigate one natural disaster have provided unexpected benefits for others--building codes that protect from ground shaking also strengthen buildings against strong winds and landslides. In the same way, actions to reduce risks and losses from natural disasters-- such as improved communication structures, better notification systems, strengthened infrastructures--can help protect us against attack, and actions to reduce vulnerability to terrorism can help in the fight against natural disasters. USGS capabilities have already been critically important as we respond to the disaster and prepare our Nation for the future. The USGS geospatial data set is the Nation's only national coverage of our infrastructure--our dams, bridges, highways, airports, and urban areas. These maps and images have contributed significantly to the efforts to understand the scope and focus resources as needed for recovery. Looking to the future, ongoing work on real-time water quality may prove invaluable in monitoring public water supplies to ensure our water is safe to drink. The geophysical techniques used to monitor earthquakes may be useful in response and recovery. These are only a few of the possibilities that can be envisioned. We need to bring the full impact of science and technology to bear on the hazards we face, whether terror in the skies or tremors in the Earth. The USGS stands ready to play our part in the struggle to ensure a safe and secure future for our children and our world. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kathleen K. Gohn U.S. Geological Survey Public Affairs Specialist Office of Communications 703-648-4242 phone 119 National Center 703-648-4466 fax Reston, VA 20192 kgohn@usgs.gov"}, {"response": 630, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Oct 10, 2001 (15:25)", "body": "I happen to agree with Rush on this totally! Liberals among us, I read your posts. Afford me the same respect! From Rush's Page: On Monday, I received a note from the editrix of The Limbaugh Letter, Diana Schneider. I had not been watching PMSNBC this morning. I'd been flipping around to some other channels. Diana wrote the following: \"Rush, it seems that the peaceniks may have their atrocity that you advised them to wait for. All morning on PMSNBC there was nothing but moaning and wailing about four United Nations workers who reportedly were killed yesterday. These four were the only hope that poor, starving Afghan people had, we're being told. It's been wall-to-wall television grief. A U.N. spokesbabe came out and gave a snide lecture to the allied forces that combatants should be more careful to distinguish between soldiers and innocent civilians.\" Now, three or four people removing land mines during a war? Is that not what they were doing? This is the residue of the Princess Di legacy, here. These people didn't know enough to get out of the way. They're out in the middle of a war removing land mines, for crying out loud! This is not what I call intelligence! They're removing land mines in the middle of a war, and unfortunately, they go up and give 'em some orange vests! They pretend they're quarterbacks at a National Football League in practice or whatever, where they'd get red vests, so we won't target them. You know, there are some people - I'm not one of them, I want to stress this - who will say that the United Nations would not be above placing these people in this situation for this express purpose, just to cause this. I'm not one of them, but I think that you probably know that there are people who are, or who could hold that opinion. I've received another note from a friend who has an interesting perspective on these peaceniks, the U.N.-types who really think you can win wars with good vibes - the types who think a few U.N. workers dying is a tragedy, but that six thousand Americans dying isn't. Folks, the timing of the peaceniks couldn't be better for demonstrating exactly who and what they are. What they first and foremost are is anti- American. We hadn't even done anything yet, and they were demonstrating. They switched that one anti-WTO protest in Washington D.C. on a dime to being an anti-war protest, because what they are primarily is anti-American and anti-America's policies. If these people were to be patient, and wait for things they can call atrocities - like if we happen to bomb a building Mullah Omar calls a baby milk plant, or whatever - they might get some sympathy. You know what, I wonder if in Afghanistan they have abortion caves instead of hospitals. \"Rush, you're flirting dangerously here. You're risking offending people.\" Well, I'm just wondering. If we happen to hit a Mullah Omar cave or something or whatever, there'd be sympathy. I mean, they're trying to gin up an excuse to say we killed civilians - which they'll say no matter what. It's just not working. There was a conflicting story Monday that Mullah Omar, through a spokesman, told the world that 20 civilians had been killed in the first wave. Suddenly, they care about civilian casualties, now that we're bombing their strongholds around the clock. Day, night, clouds, sun, snow, pollution, clear as a bell - it doesn't matter. We're just hitting round the clock. There is no break from it. So they put out this news that 20 civilians were dead. Well, they got their signals crossed because they went to the hospital and the hospital said, \"Nope, nobody here.\" They had no reports of casualties in the hospitals or anywhere else! They're putting out false information, which is no surprise to us, but just bewilders the media and liberals. The point is that the protesters in this country, the peaceniks, ought to be waiting for us to do something bad before protesting. Instead, the minute we move to defend ourselves, the minute we take a defensive procedure, they go into action. They were in action as soon as we lost those five or six thousand people, as a matter of fact - and there's only one conclusion: they hate America, and they're so blinded by that hate, they aren't even aware of it."}, {"response": 631, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct 10, 2001 (16:01)", "body": "Yeah, Marcia! I watch Italian TV via satellite and am disgusted by the thousands of protesters out with the red communist flag. They are nothing but trouble makers with no original thoughts of their own."}, {"response": 632, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Wed, Oct 10, 2001 (17:43)", "body": "~~~~(Liz K)I'm frankly scared that the media/the entertainment industry is going to give some would-be terrorist ideas as to what to do next, or let them know and give them warning that we're coming to get them in the next few minutes.~~~~ I didn't intend to disagree with your point - I don't want any leaks to create problems for the police, armed forces, etc., either as they capture (hopefully) these crazies. I do want them to exercise some caution. The incident in Boston happened the day after the attack on the WTC in a charged atmosphere. But I'm not as trusting of the government as some (maybe I've been on the receiving end of \"non-truths\" from too many different administrations). I like the idea of all the checks and balances and I want to know *everything* as soon as it is safe. I would prefer that neither the government nor the press nor the police (FBI, etc.) have free reign to do amything without being accountable. I like Walter Cronkite's idea about press coverage below (and I'm sorry, too, if this should be posted in the other topic-it's kind of a mixed bag). Cronkite, 84, believes the current generation of network anchors has been \"first-rate\" in their coverage ....With the potential of the United States waging war in Afghanistan and elsewhere, Cronkite cautions journalists not to become overly manipulated by the military. \"We can't let what happened in the Gulf War happen again, when the Pentagon wouldn't allow cameras to cover the war on the ground,\" he says. \"That doesn't mean you simply broadcast live from the battlefield so the enemy a mile away knows what American troops are doing. You work with the military about what information gets released when. We did that during World War II, and it worked just fine. The public has a right to know what really goes on.\" http://www.tvguide.com/magazine/robins/011008.asp An odd, but interesting story about the involvement of the entertainment industry (giving the government ideas!!): U.S. Army turns to Hollywood for theories By Guylaine Cadorette, Hollywood.com Staff HOLLYWOOD, October 9, 2001 -- Government intelligence specialists have been secretly appealing to Hollywood filmmakers and writers for terrorist scenarios, Variety reports. The U.S. Army ordered a special committee to gather at the University of Southern California last week to brainstorm possible terrorist targets and schemes in the U.S. and to offer possible solutions to those threats. The ad hoc committee was formed in August 1999 after the Army awarded a five-year contract to USC to create the Institute for Creative Technologies. The ISC was to enlist the entertainment industry, video game makers and computer scientists to improve virtual reality and simulation training for soldiers. Screenwriters Steven E. de Souza (Die Hard), Paul De Meo and Danny Bilson (The Rocketeer) are involved in the committee, as are directors David Fincher (Fight Club), Spike Jonze (Being John Malkovich), Randal Kleiser (Grease) and Mary Lambert (The In Crowd). One USC insider told Variety the group was focused on short-term threats against the country and had already met twice via telephone conference with the Pentagon. James Korris, ITC creative director, confirmed that meetings with the Army were taking place but did not elaborate on any specific committee recommendations. http://www.hollywood.com/news/detail/article/1093259"}, {"response": 633, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 10, 2001 (20:46)", "body": "Walter Cronkite:The public has a right to know what really goes on.\" While I agree with him, IMO the journalists today are not in the same category as the ones in WW II. They seem to be more agressive & self-serving. And in some ways disdainful of the administration and the armed forces.They never got over Viet- Nam. Not many Ernie Pyles around."}, {"response": 634, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Oct 10, 2001 (21:31)", "body": "Yup, Evelyn. You are sadly correct. It is all show business now, and ratings! Be safe, My Dear! *HUGS* Tornadoes!!! NO playing Helen Hunt, please! We love you!"}, {"response": 635, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Oct 11, 2001 (10:31)", "body": "It's been one month now. The changes wrought to our society and way of life have been enormous. But life will go on. India helped FBI trace ISI-terrorist links MANOJ JOSHI TIMES NEWS NETWORK NEW DELHI: While the Pakistani Inter Services Public Relations claimed that former ISI director-general Lt-Gen Mahmud Ahmad sought retirement after being superseded on Monday, the truth is more shocking. Top sources confirmed here on Tuesday, that the general lost his job because of the \"evidence\" India produced to show his links to one of the suicide bombers that wrecked the World Trade Centre. The US authorities sought his removal after confirming the fact that $100,000 were wired to WTC hijacker Mohammed Atta from Pakistan by Ahmad Umar Sheikh at the instance of Gen Mahumd. Senior government sources have confirmed that India contributed significantly to establishing the link between the money transfer and the role played by the dismissed ISI chief. While they did not provide details, they said that Indian inputs, including Sheikh\ufffds mobile phone number, helped the FBI in tracing and establishing the link. A direct link between the ISI and the WTC attack could have enormous repercussions. The US cannot but suspect whether or not there were other senior Pakistani Army commanders who were in the know of things. Evidence of a larger conspiracy could shake US confidence in Pakistan\ufffds ability to participate in the anti-terrorism coalition. \" continued at http://www.timesofindia.com/articleshow.asp?art_id=1454238160 and why and how osama escaped our 75 missiles: \" \ufffd98 attack: Tip off to Osama cooked ISI chief\ufffds goose"}, {"response": 636, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Oct 11, 2001 (11:12)", "body": "More recent comments on the terrorism issue from Woods today, courtesy Amy Reiter's Salon.com gossip column: ---------------- \"I won't get on an airplane unless it's an absolute necessity,\" Woods tells the Calgary Sun. And that's just one of the ways the creepy actor has seen fit to adjust his life in light of the recent terrorist attacks. \"I won't go into a stadium, and I won't attend a big public event,\" he says. He's also refusing to travel to New York for the premiere of his new movie, \"Riding in Cars With Boys,\" despite a specific request from Mayor Giuliani. \"I think too few people have grasped the reality we're totally and irrevocably at war,\" Woods opines. And though he refuses to comment even now about the four Middle Eastern-looking men he told the FBI he encountered a few months back, he will say this. \"I've spent a great deal of time lately talking to the FBI and have learned some startling things. I'm convinced, as they are, that there will be more horrific acts of terrorism.\""}, {"response": 637, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Oct 11, 2001 (13:46)", "body": "I was absolutely delightedly stunned to see the Prime Ministers of Pakistan and India cooperating and greeting one another on the news last night. War breeds strange alliances. Perhaps there might be some good out of the ashes of this very frightening time. On Art Bell's show last night they were longing for the good old days of the checks and balances of the Cold War era. Who could have imagined!"}, {"response": 638, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Oct 11, 2001 (14:03)", "body": ""}, {"response": 639, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Oct 11, 2001 (20:03)", "body": "The White House and the media have agreed not to turn Bin Laden's video releases in to tv wallpaper, playing them round the clock in their entirety. The idea, as I get it, is that these tapes may contain coded instructions to sleepers waiting to wreak destruction. Makes sense. An example is the statement that doesn't make sense about the \"80 years\" as the period of oppression. I mean, nothing really happened in 1921 that relates to this, or does it? The lead story now is that there may be additional terrorist attacks over the next several days, according to the FBI. The President is going to speak in about 15 seconds."}, {"response": 640, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Oct 11, 2001 (20:25)", "body": "Finally sanity. It got so nauseating to see him speak on tv that I shut it off. as for 1921: Anglo-Afghan Treaty of 1921 Also called \" Treaty of Kabul\" because it was negotiated and signed at Kabul by Henry R. C. Dobbs, the British envoy, and Mahmud Tarzi, chief of the Afghan delegation, after arduous, eleven month negotiations. The treaty restored \"friendly and commercial relations\" between the two governments after the third Anglo-Afghan War and negotiations at the Mussoorie Conference and Rawalpindi. The negotiations proceeded in four phases: During the first session, January 20 to April 9, 1921, the Afghan Amir unsuccessfully demanded territorial concessions, while Britain wanted the exclusion of Russian consular offices from southeastern Afghanistan. In the second phase, from April 9 to mid-July, 1921, Britain asked Afghanistan to break the newly established diplomatic with Russia in exchange for a subsidy of 4 million rupee and weapons, as well as guarantees from unprovoked Russian aggression. When in the third stage, from mid-July to September 18, the British foreign office informed the Italian government that it was about to conclude an agreement which would, \"admit the superior and predominant political influence of Britain\" in Afghanistan, the Afghans refused to accept an \"alliances.\" An exclusive treaty was impossible after Afghanistan announced ratification of the Russian-Afghan treaty of 1921. In the fourth and final stage of negotiations, from September 18 to December 8, 1921, the British mission twice made preparations to return to India, when finally an agreement was signed at Kabul on November 22, 1921. Ratifications were exchanged on February 6 of 1922. In the treaty both government \"mutually certify and respect each with regard to the other all rights of internal and external independence.\" Afghanistan reaffirmed its acceptance of the boundary west of the Khaibar, subject to minor \"re-alignment.\" Legations were to be opened in London and Kabul, consulates established in various Indian and Afghan towns, and Afghanistan was permitted to import arms and munitions through India. No customs duties were to be charged for goods in transit to Afghanistan and each party agreed to inform the other of major military operations in the frontier belt. Representatives of both states were to meet in the near future to discuss conclusion of a trade convention, which was signed in June 1923. more... http://www.afghan-network.net/Culture/treaties.html"}, {"response": 641, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Oct 11, 2001 (23:42)", "body": "Bush gave one of his best tv appearances tonight. He was eloquent, this whole crisis has moved him to a level many didn't feel he was capable of acheiving. He asked every child in America to send a dollar to a child in Afghanistan."}, {"response": 642, "author": "AotearoaKiwi", "date": "Fri, Oct 12, 2001 (07:15)", "body": "Hi all Marcia, a cartoon wizard by the name Garrick Tremain lives in New Zealand. I will send you a copy of the October 12, 2001 cartoon in the Press. ITS BRILLIANT!!!!! If you can wait a few days more, you will also get some photos from me of my house and it's residents. I have some ready to go, but have not yet dispatched them. Rob"}, {"response": 643, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct 12, 2001 (14:55)", "body": "Perhaps there might be some good out of the ashes of this very frightening time. True unification for peace. It is a dream, let's hope it becomes a reality. As for 1921 could be 1+9=10 the month October and 21 the date. It could be a date to watch for."}, {"response": 644, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Oct 12, 2001 (19:45)", "body": "Moon!! That is My Son's Wedding day!!! Salvation Army Team Emergency Response Network update One month into its disaster relief support operation in New York City, Salvation Army Team Emergency Response Network (SATERN) volunteers are holding up well. SATERN Amateur Radio Liaison Officer Jeff Schneller, N2HPO, says his current team is doing a fantastic job, and the operation could run for several more weeks. SATERN is now ''making do'' with at least six Amateur Radio volunteers per day, from about 9 AM until 11 PM, primarily to support the Salvation Army World Trade Center canteen operation. Operators have come from all over, including New Hampshire, Ohio, North Carolina, Florida and Missouri, and Schneller said he even had offers of help from England and Canada. Two local groups--the Broadcast Employees Amateur Radio Society (BEARS) and the Electchester VHF Club have been providing exclusive use of their repeaters since Day One. Schneller, who's in the fire alarm and sprinkler business, also has been involved from the start, and--with the understanding and support of his customers--has been logging some long hours. He said most of the volunteers' employers have been supportive as well. Carlos Varon, K2LCV, has been Schneller's backup and is in charge of scheduling volunteers. SATERN radio volunteers have been handling base station duties at Salvation Army Headquarters on 14th Street in Manhattan as well as providing communication at key field sites, aboard supply trucks and at the distribution warehouse. Schneller thanked the dozens of Amateur Radio operators who have turned out to assist. He also said he appreciated the many other offers to help. SATERN now is limiting its fresh volunteers to those available from the Greater New York City area. Schneller strongly advised all Amateur Radio operators to prepare for the future by first getting acquainted with and joining their local ARES or SATERN teams, then by taking the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course. More information about SATERN is available on the SATERN Web site, http://www.satern.org . Information on the ARRL's emergency communications course is available on the ARRL Web site, http://www.arrl.org/cce/ ."}, {"response": 645, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Oct 12, 2001 (21:27)", "body": "In SLATE someone did a back calculation from Osama bin Laden's citation of \"80 years\" of Islamic suffering. Using the Islamic religious calendar, not the solar or secular 365-day calendar, 9-11-01 turned out to be the exact 80 year anniversary of the ending of the Caliphate by Ataturk. Which makes the most sense of anything."}, {"response": 646, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Oct 12, 2001 (21:38)", "body": "yup!!! Just please not the 21st of October...! I wonder if the antibiotics I am taking now will protect me from anthrax future? Probably not..."}, {"response": 647, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Oct 12, 2001 (21:49)", "body": "11 Sept. 2001 = 23 Jumada Al-Thani 1422 23 Jumada Al-Thani 1342 = 29 January 1924 The Caliphate was abolished on 3 March 1924. http://www.mfa.gov.tr/grupk/history.htm"}, {"response": 648, "author": "AotearoaKiwi", "date": "Sat, Oct 13, 2001 (06:35)", "body": "Hi all Marcia: yup!!! Just please not the 21st of October...! Rob: And I suppose it is not an option to shift the wedding to a certain spot in Hilo or even better, to a certain city on the east coast of the South Island?? Get a hint?? Rob"}, {"response": 649, "author": "AotearoaKiwi", "date": "Sat, Oct 13, 2001 (06:40)", "body": "Why?? There are some advantages to being in a little country like New Zealand. Save perhaps for Fiji, and maybe Australia we are too small to annoy the hell out anyone enough that they would decide to attack the country. Last country we annoyed was France, and they sent two government agents to blow up the Rainbow Warrior (flagship of Greenpeace), in Waitemata Harbour, Auckland. Some Kiwis have never forgiven the French for that and some probably never will. Rob"}, {"response": 650, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 13, 2001 (11:55)", "body": "Well, it looks like no one is gonna pull any atrocities in China: This from AP: CHINA BLOCKS MIDDLE EAST TICKET HOLDERS \"Beijing authorities have instructed Chinese airlines in HK to halt tickets sales to nationals of 19 countries , mainly in the Middle East. China National Aviation Corp , the sole agent of 10 mainland airlines in HK, told travel agents to stop selling tickets to China to holders of certain passports and to refund purchased tickets...for \"safety reasons\". The memo added tht there would not be a \"total ban\" ..wording that may have been meant to allow room for diplomats or dignitaries to travel.\""}, {"response": 651, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Oct 13, 2001 (16:03)", "body": "Evelyn.....thanks for posting that. I had no idea...!!! Rob, it has been suggested that we claim independence from the US as overthrown Hawaiian nationhood and all that. Rather nasty suggestion, actually. There is not much difference in the poor classes and women status of old Hawaii and old Afghanistan when you get down to the ugly truth. In any case, Mme Pele would love to bless their wedding and I am certain would the loveliness of Christchurch. What a wonderful excuse to go way-down-under!"}, {"response": 652, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Oct 13, 2001 (16:11)", "body": "Another thought on China and forbidding sales of tickets to the Mideast. Our terrorists came in from Canada, from other outside the US places. They took flying lessons and got credentials. For all I know, the pilot of the plane taking me to my son's wedding is a licensed professional pilot bent on sending me to eternal damnation and he to the 20 virgins waiting for him. China is so vast it would be easy to get there illegally!!!"}, {"response": 653, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Oct 13, 2001 (16:40)", "body": "Oh no Marcia, please have faith that you will arrive safely to your son's wedding. The US/Canadian border is so long, is there anyway that it can possibly be effectively controlled? I think that I'd read something some time ago about the Chinese government being very wary of the possiblity of Islamic fundamentalist groups within China. There are provinces in western China were the population is largely not ethnically Chinese and Muslim. This, of course, doesn't mean that all of the Islamic citizens of China want to create their own Islamic republics. I haven't come across the topic since."}, {"response": 654, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Oct 13, 2001 (17:14)", "body": "Cheryl!!! *HUGS* welcome back! I cannot imagine patrolling China's borders if we cannot control the distances involved on our Canadian border. Unhappily, I think we are just restricting law-abiding citizens. The truly evil will find way to accomplish their nefarous ends. Just like gun laws. Thanks for the good thoughts on my son's wedding. My phamacist, yesterday, said she has very good vibes that all would be well. I'm hanging onto that thought!"}, {"response": 655, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Oct 14, 2001 (09:44)", "body": "Going after the big fish (financial): http://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/13/international/13ASSE.html"}, {"response": 656, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Oct 14, 2001 (20:50)", "body": "Now, in the \"if this turns out to be true\" department: XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX SAT OCT 13, 2001 15:29:42 ET XXXXX MAG: U.S. FAILED TO KILL TALIBAN LEADER WHEN HE WAS IN SIGHT DURING FIRST NIGHT OF WAR; RUMSFELD FURIOUS The U.S. military failed to kill Taliban leader Mullah Omar when he was in its sights during the first night of the war, the NEW YORKER is planning to report on Monday. According to publishing sources, Seymour Hersh has filed a story quoting top intelligence-community members claiming to be 'crestfallen' about the incident. MORE Reaction in Washington to the failure to strike immediately was fierce, Hersh reports. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was \"kicking a lot of glass and breaking doors,\" one military official said. An unmanned Predator reconnaissance aircraft operating in the Kabul area identified a convoy carrying Mullah Omar as he fled the capital. The Predator is armed with two anti-tank missiles, but under the rules of engagement in effect Sunday night the C.I.A. could not order such a strike. Although the precise sequence of events could not be fully learned, Hersh reports, General Tommy R. Franks, the commander in charge at the United States Central Command in Florida reported that 'Judge Advocate General, a legal officer', doesn't like this, so we're not going to fire.' It was decided to target a few cars in front of the building to perhaps scare Mullah Omar out of the building to take a look. Omar did leave the building, but not immediately. Soon after he left, Hersh reports, the building was targeted and destroyed by F-18s, too late to kill Omar. \""}, {"response": 657, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Oct 14, 2001 (20:57)", "body": "\"According to the intelligence report, the U.S. tipped off Israel last week that bin Laden's al Qaeda cells and networks in Lebanon were complete and ready to launch strikes in Israel. They operate under the command of Imad Mughniyeh, terrorism and intelligence consultant to Iranian spiritual leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said the report. As former head of the Lebanese militant Hezbollah's security apparatus in the 1980s, Mughniyeh was responsible for the 1993 bombing of the U.S. Embassy and Marine barracks in Beirut and the blasting of Israeli locations in Argentina.\" http://www.freeman.org/m_online/may01/debka.htm \"Following the kidnapping last October of the four men P three soldiers on the Lebanese border and Tannenbaum outside the country -J DEBKAfile revealed for the first time that the notorious Lebanese hostage-taker Imad Mughniyeh was behind the snatch P not the Hizballah. This now ties in with another surprising development, recently pieced together by US intelligence in the course of its investigation of the terrorist-bombing of the US Cole in Aden harbor in the same month as the kidnappings: Iranian spiritual ruler Ayatollah KhameneiUs personal security service, which is headed by Mughniyeh, has struck a deal with Bin LadenUs al Qaeda for an operational partnership against US Gulf and Middle East targets as well as Israeli and Jewish interests worldwide.\" http://www.debka.com/TERRORISM/body_terrorism.html"}, {"response": 658, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Oct 14, 2001 (21:07)", "body": "CHINA BLOCKS MIDDLE EAST TICKET HOLDERS Incredible! But there might be something to it. In Italy there was an anti-war march from Perugia to Assisi there were more than one hundred thousand people. In other cities in Europe there were also anti-war protests. It turns out that Milan is the main European hub for muslim terrorists. Five were arrested today that had planned to bomb the US Embassy in Rome. Which is on Via Veneto. The US better get the ground troups in there and do what they're supposed to do. What is holding them up?"}, {"response": 659, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Oct 14, 2001 (21:13)", "body": "Take a look at David Kline's comments on ground troops in news 54. It strikes at the heart of our survival."}, {"response": 660, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct 15, 2001 (09:31)", "body": "(Moon)In Italy there was an anti-war march from Perugia to Assisi there were more than one hundred thousand people. In other cities in Europe there were also anti-war protests. Yes, I saw some of them interviewed, talking about the need to resolve this through \"peaceful negotiations.\" I'd like to know--what planet do these people come from? Negotiations with whom--with people who do not even value their own lives? Their naivete is appalling."}, {"response": 661, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 15, 2001 (10:24)", "body": "They are Communists, Mari. Unfortunately, Umbria is a predominantly communist region in Italy. They have no clue. They should just stick to their great wines and mineral waters. I thank God that in Italy we now have a center-right governement after years of abuse from the secular left."}, {"response": 662, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Oct 15, 2001 (17:14)", "body": "Amen, Moon. Oh, I'm taking the \"Story of Yew' on my plane trip upcoming in three days. I understand it is very good and a good diversion for what will be a tense flight. I hope we all wish to get to our destination with lives intact."}, {"response": 663, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 15, 2001 (18:00)", "body": "I will be thinking of you on Oct. 21st. My very best wishes to you, your son and his bride. :-D"}, {"response": 664, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Oct 15, 2001 (18:44)", "body": "Thanks for your good wishes. I have forwarded them to the Bride and Groom. More at Geo 40 so I don't add too much bliss to a serious topic. Please be careful, Moon, dear! You are not replaceable!!! What a great reason for not opening junk mail!"}, {"response": 665, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Oct 16, 2001 (11:47)", "body": "\"Rumseld, fielding reporters' questions at the Pentagon, ridiculed Taliban claims of hundreds of civilian casualties in Afghanistan. The ruling militia escorted American journalists around a crater-pocked area near the village of Karam over the weekend to buttress their claim. But the defense secretary said the targets in that case were underground caves suspected of being used to store weapons. Gen. Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters that a secondary fire touched off by the bomb ``went on for three and a half to four hours.'' Said Rumsfeld: ``They were not cooking cookies inside those tunnels... You do not spend that kind of money and dig that far in and store that many weapons ... unless you have very serious purposes for doing it.'' He said the individuals in the vicinity ``clearly were connected to those activities.'' http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Attacks-Washington.html It was a tv reporters insertion that said Rumsfeld said the amunition may have caused destruction in the small commuity."}, {"response": 666, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 16, 2001 (13:04)", "body": "The media is running the risk of becoming a great propaganda machine. Someone should pull the plug."}, {"response": 667, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Oct 16, 2001 (15:25)", "body": "YES, Moon! I will not watch some stations for that very reason. I am back to listening to NPR... Thank you for posting in the 666 position. Hardly demonic, I think!"}, {"response": 668, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 16, 2001 (17:23)", "body": "Thank you for posting in the 666 position. Hardly demonic, I think! LOL! That's alright Marcia, in college my PO Box # was 0069. T'is true!"}, {"response": 669, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Oct 16, 2001 (19:01)", "body": "In college my phone number was extension 1234. When a guy asked for it, and I gave it to him, he often looked at me sideways and asked me to tell him if I was not interested in him. Numbers are curious things. In Hebrew characters, the characters can either be letters or numbers!"}, {"response": 670, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Oct 17, 2001 (16:45)", "body": "From Fox: Terrorists Failed in Their Ultimate Mission Wednesday, October 17, 2001 Glenn Harlan Reynolds Five weeks have passed since the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and from what we have learned in that time I think it's fair to pronounce the attacks a near-total failure. True, they caused unprecedented death and devastation. But the attacks were not, really, about death and devastation. They were about terror, which is why those who perpetrated them are called terrorists. The goal, as now seems clear, was to provoke a frightened and inflamed United States to lash out indiscriminately, create a split between the Islamic world and the West and to deliver some existing regimes ? chiefly in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Algeria ? into the hands of Islamic fundamentalists. At the same time, the U.S. would collapse under domestic fear and quickly sue for peace, abandoning Israel and offering a complete withdrawal of its influence from North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia as the price it would pay to prevent similar attacks from happening again. It seems pretty clear that this was the terrorists' plan, and when measured against these objectives, it is also clear that this plan failed. Understanding why the terrorists ultimately failed means understanding the true nature of the United States' core strength. The plot failed in part because of the immediate response by the government to quickly ground flights ? most likely preventing additional hijackings ? and by the passengers of United Airlines flight 93 who bravely overtook the hijackers and probably saved the Capitol and/or the White House from destruction. It failed more fundamentally because the U.S. did not react the way that Usama bin Laden's followers expected. Having apparently watched the Denzel Washington movie The Siege ? a film that depicted mass hysteria incited by Islamic terrorist attacks in New York ? one too many times, bin Laden's men overestimated the likelihood that the U.S. would panic and overreact. They also learned the wrong lesson from previous cases when a few casualties caused the U.S. to withdraw from foreign commitments; hitting Americans on American soil isn't the same thing. But most significantly, the terrorists misjudged the reaction of American women. In the past, American women have been far more reluctant to see the nation go to war than men. But this time, American women seem to be, if anything, more bellicose than the men. Part of this hawkish reaction by American women stems from the attack being on American soil, killing civilians, parents, children, and spouses. But part of it also stems from the fact that these attackers represent a culture that brutally oppresses women. When I remarked to a friend that my Web site was generating more bellicose e-mail on the war from women than from men, he compared their reaction to what could be the expected response of African Americans if the U.S. had gone to war against apartheid South Africa. I think he's onto something. Media targeted at women seem to be bearing this theory out: The most recent issue of the Star tabloid features a special 12-page section on the war emphasizing the role of women in combat from the Gulf War, to women serving today on aircraft carriers. There is a feature on the \"defiantly lipstick-wearing\" female anti-Taliban guerrillas in Afghanistan and a sidebar on 17-year-old British female sailor Jodie Jones of HMS Illustrious who declares, \"I'm ready for action!\" A profile of a female three-star general concludes, \"as the nation launches an all-out counterattack on Usama bin Laden and his evil henchmen, we couldn't be in better hands.\" In America and Europe, the emotional and political tone is largely set by middle-class married women. These women ? who never much thought about the Taliban and Islamic regimes ? are thinking about them now, and they don't like them. American and European women are likely to be far more supportive of military action against the misogynist regimes of radical Islamic states than of other kinds of military action. They're also likely, even after the war, to keep pushing for female emancipation throughout the Islamic world. The liberation of Islamic women is the thing, I think, that bin Laden and his ilk fear the most. But as a majority of voters in the world's richest and most powerful countries, American and European women are likely to eventually get what they want. It may take a couple of decades, but a direct consequence of the Sept. 11 atrocities may be the liberation of women throughout the Islamic world. For bin Laden, the Taliban and their supporters and followers, that would be a failure. A colossal failure."}, {"response": 671, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 17, 2001 (23:14)", "body": "American and European women are likely to be far more supportive of military action against the misogynist regimes of radical Islamic states than of other kinds of military action. Hell hath no fury like women seeking to liberate other women forced to wear ugly fashions. ;-)"}, {"response": 672, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Oct 18, 2001 (00:34)", "body": "YES!!! Karen! Right on. Gazooks what they have conceived for us to wear... we must be roundly hated by the male fasion pundits. arrgh!"}, {"response": 673, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Oct 18, 2001 (00:36)", "body": "Not to mention those spooky garment which hide women of certain faiths. Their men must be very insecure!"}, {"response": 674, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Oct 18, 2001 (23:19)", "body": "A Boston trauma expert arrived in NYC shortly after September 11th. At the conclusion of his visit, he observed \"starting around the Thanksgiving holiday and through the New Year, a major mental health crisis will emerge in the city and surrounding area.\" Indeed, doctors and mental health experts are already observing the psychological fallout from the disaster rippling out from ground zero. Those at highest risk were personally exposed to the events, especially those threatened with injury or death. The second ripple includes those who lost friends, loved ones, or coworkers and those involved in recovery work. For the rest of us who spent days glued to our TV sets as the horror unfolded, even this exposure can trigger disabling symptoms, particularly in those with preexisting problems with anxiety, depression, or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). With these encouraging words: \"Most people will recover as long as we maximize the normal recovery process,\" another expert encouraged everyone experiencing i trusive mental or physical anguish from the attack to seek help. For more information, check out http://www.psych.org and click on \"Coping With a National Tragedy.\" from www.femailhealthnews.com"}, {"response": 675, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Oct 19, 2001 (08:02)", "body": "One of my coworkers suggested we train women in combat and send them in dressed in traditional women's garb with veils and all, they could move in to areas our troops couldn't reach easily and they could pack quite a bit of concealed ammo and weapons under all that clothing."}, {"response": 676, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Oct 19, 2001 (16:34)", "body": "Hmmmm!!! That sound better than the email making the rounds suggesting every plane take off with a baby pig aboard. If a Muslim is buried with swine (\"unclean\") they believe they are doomed to Hell. Then, do the suggested air drops of 100,000 swine into Afghanistan... Perhaps there is merit to this after all."}, {"response": 677, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Oct 21, 2001 (01:38)", "body": "What's up with this? October 20, 2001 THE AMBASSADOR Don't Doubt Steadfastness of Taliban, Envoy Insists By JOHN F. BURNS http://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/20/international/asia/20STAN.html?todaysheadlines \"He was asked how it was that Mullah Omar had declared a \"holy war\" against the United States \ufffd and had said it was the duty of all Muslims to rally to the Taliban's side \ufffd but that not a single government among the 56 Muslim nations had rallied to the Taliban's cause. \"Inshallah,\" or God willing, he said, \"there will be a lot of Muslims joining us.\" And if not, he added, it is hardly the Taliban's part to persuade them. \"All of our actions are according to the Shariah law,\" he said, invoking the Islamic legal code. \"We do not argue with people, and we do not reason with them.\" But the most evocative response came with a resounding laugh from the mullah and a kind of thigh-slapping comicality from his interpreter, a huge man with an eyepatch. Toward the end of the 40-minute audience, he was asked if the anthrax attacks in the United States had been masterminded by Mr. bin Laden. \"Anthrax?\" he said, and then paused as if for theatrical effect. \"We don't know about this. We don't know what it is.\" Across the garden, many of the 150 reporters from across the world joined in the burst of laughter, drowning out the birds chirping at the approach of dusk.\""}, {"response": 678, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Oct 21, 2001 (15:54)", "body": "Do you detect more than a little sadism in this press conference? We are permitting our thoughts to be diverted by press giving space and credibility to such rantings? Pathetic!"}, {"response": 679, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Oct 21, 2001 (16:56)", "body": "Greek Americans join relief effort Greek Orthodox Church also helps open funds in support of victims of September 11 terrorist attacks on USA With thousands of innocent civilians having perished in the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, and many remaining homeless and jobless since the collapse of the World Trade Center, the Greek-American community and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese are joining nationwide relief efforts. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America has asked that all parishes conduct a memorial service tomorrow to commemorate the 40 days that have passed since thousands of people were killed that Tuesday morning. \"On this solemn occasion let each and every one of us light a special candle for the September 11 victims, the proceeds of which should be sent to the Sept. 11 Relief Fund of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America,\" an encyclical instructed. The relief fund and the Sept. 11 Relief Center at the St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, located close to the disaster site in New York City, were founded by the Archdiocese. Contributions to the fund presently total $1.2 million and have been generated by organizations, individuals and parishes from across the country and around the world. Moreover, the newly established Department of Philanthropy of the Archdiocese, headed by Archimandrite Antonios Paropoulos, is also expected to play an important role in relief efforts. Both the Greek Orthodox Church and the Greek-American community suffered losses that Tuesday morning last month, as several Americans of Greek descent died while at work in the Twin Towers and St. Nicholas Church was crushed under the falling debris. The Archdiocese announced that the church will be rebuilt once rescue workers have completed their work and construction crews have cleared the debris from the area. In a gesture of support and concern over the destruction of St. Nicholas Church, Martin Kaplan, chairman of the American-Jewish Committee (AJC), this week donated $10,000 of AJC funds to the Archdiocese for the church's reconstruction. \"This gesture is a treasure, a movement of the heart,\" Archbishop Demetrios of America said after the meeting. In addition to the relief efforts of the Archdiocese, there is a similar campaign by the Greek-American community organized by the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA). AHEPA Supreme President Andrew T. Banis announced recently that the association was launching an international fund-raising drive to raise $100,000 for disaster relief needed as a result of last month's terrorist attacks. This announcement builds upon a previous call directed to its chapters and members to provide disaster relief by organizing blood drives and donating blood. \"As our nation prepares for a sustained campaign against terrorism the Greek-American community must stand side-by-side with this effort, offering our resources for the protection of democracy, freedom, and humanity,\" Banis said. \"Therefore, I am calling on the AHEPA family to focus all its energy in this effort to raise a minimal amount of $100,000 by November 1.\" According to Banis, once the fund-raising goal is achieved, the funds will be allocated to one or more of the charitable organizations assisting with disaster relief, including the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and the Firefighter's Fund. The $100,000 raised will be in addition to the financial contribution provided by AHEPA to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Established in 1922, AHEPA is the largest Greek-American association in the world with its own chapters in the USA, Canada and Greece, as well as sister chapters in Australia. MIRON VAROUHAKIS More... http://www.ekathimerini.com/news/content.asp?aid=104435"}, {"response": 680, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Mon, Oct 22, 2001 (02:06)", "body": "(Karen)Hell hath no fury like women seeking to liberate other women forced to wear ugly fashions. ;-) ****** ROTFL"}, {"response": 681, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Oct 23, 2001 (22:03)", "body": "David Kline (who has his own topic in the news conference): We'll get to a real war footing, eventually, but pyschologically right now I think folks are still hopinmg against hope that it'll somehow turn out to be a movie-of-the-week sort of war. A temporary disruption, that's all. But soon enough, I'm afraid, casualties won't make the news unless they're double or triple digit. And the American people will be expected -- indeed, *required* to make and accept daily sacrifices as normal. War lite. Perfect."}, {"response": 682, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Oct 26, 2001 (08:55)", "body": "It's those darn liberals again ;-)B http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2001/10/21/stiusausa02030.html October 21 2001 TERRORISM ULTRA ZEALOTS: If you think Bin Laden is extreme - some Muslims want to kill him because he's soft IF YOU thought Osama Bin Laden's brand of Islamic fundamentalism was as extreme as it gets, think again. A rival group of Muslim terrorists exists which regards him as an infidel who has sold out. Bin Laden's declaration of war against the West has failed to impress Takfir wal-Hijra, an ultra-hardcore group that has won a reputation for unbridled savagery in Egypt and Sudan. Hamza: even he's shocked Its fundamentalism is so extreme that members have embarked on killing sprees in mosques against fellow Muslims in the belief that a pure Islamic state can be built only if the corrupt elements of the last one are wiped out. In this they see Bin Laden and his followers as pragmatists who are \"excessively liberal\". To drive the point home, four of its members pulled up in a pick-up truck outside his house in Sudan in 1995, spraying it with bullets in an effort to kill him . . . \"They are nothing but a bunch of extremists,\" said Abu Hamza, the claw-handed radical preacher at Finsbury Park mosque in north London, who outraged public opinion in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center by describing them as an act of \"self-defence\"."}, {"response": 683, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Oct 26, 2001 (09:30)", "body": "\"The world's most wanted terrorist suffered a setback as first word of a fatality among the top ranks of his Al-Qaeda network was reported on Thursday by a London-based Islamic group. ...The Islamic Observation Center said in an e-mailed statement to The Associated Press that an Egyptian militant, identified by his nom de guerre Abu Baseer al-Masri, was killed by a bomb on Sunday near Jalalabad in eastern Afghanistan.\" Source: http://www.ecola.com/go/?f=&r=as&u=www.hindustantimes.com"}, {"response": 684, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Oct 26, 2001 (15:14)", "body": "Reacting to the news of Abdul Haq's execution today by the Taliban: Oh man, this is a real tragedy -- on the scale of Massoud's death. He was Pashtun, one of the few with enough credibility and respect to be able to potentially rally fellow tribesmen away from the Taliban. And he was quite simply a great guy. Educated, funny, always playing practical jokes, a lover of poetry and music, and incredibly brave. He lost a foot to a land mine and thereafter hopped (literally) into battle. He was also kind. Western reporters who travelled with him and his fighters always had the feeling that Abdul Haq was looking after them, personally. Very solicitous of other's needs; very respectful of women. Abdul Haq was no toady of the U.S., either. He could be very critical of imperial behavior by the U.S., and indeed criticized the current bombing effort as potentially galvanizing of Taliban resistance. I could tell you stories about him. One time he flirted with my girlfriend just to see my reaction (wink wink, nod nod, then he burst out laughing at my obvious discomfort). And he loved to trade good natured insults -- \"You feeble Americans, even our women walk faster than you ... \"Yeah, no shit Abdul, with guys like you after them, no wonder!\" I don't know what else to say. Maybe it's not true. But it probably is. - David Kline"}, {"response": 685, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Oct 26, 2001 (15:14)", "body": "More on the bin Laden death story: http://www.nationalreview.com/interrogatory/interrogatory102501b.shtml"}, {"response": 686, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Oct 26, 2001 (21:19)", "body": "More from a shocked and dismayed David Kline: I really am finding this hard to believe: the two greatest living Afghans, Massoud and Abdul Haq, both murdered in less than two months by the Taliban. And it's difficult to explain how much these men symbolized hope for Afghanistan, even in their personal manner. Massoud spoke French, loved literature and led his men quietly, almost shyly. Abdul Haq was a poet with the charisma of a warrior, a big (teddy) bear of a man who laughed easily. They were cosmopolitan, sophisticated about the ways of both the West & the East -- not at all the sort of \"warlord\" the media is so fond of presenting these days. It has become easy, of course, to shake our heads and tsk tsk the Afghans for all the ways that they are screwed up. But you could never think such things in the presence of Massoud or Abdul Haq. They were truly *impressive.* And their vision was wider and deeper than you might expect of people who had lived in caves and mountain redoubts for so long. Each imagined a liberated Afghanistan with schools for all, electricity for all, a new class of women doctors trained to give medical care to all, and economic development schemes that were rather well thought out. But mostly, they imagined peace. Just peace. For a people who hadn't had it in 25 years. I just spoke to the woman who was my girlfriend then (she did refugee work along the Afghan border at the time) and she reminded me that our first date was very traditional -- \"dinner and a movie\" -- except for the fact that it was at Abdul Haq's house. The dinner he cooked himself (no lie), and the movie was (of course) video of anti-Soviet fighting. We played cards (Poker and Fish), told jokes, arm wrestled, and recited poetry to each other. It was from Abdul, in fact, that I first learned to recite the traditional Pasthun landay (rhyming couplet) that goes like this: Your face is a rose, your eyes candles Faith, I am lost! Should I become a butterfly or a moth? Now he's gone. They're all gone, really -- the only ones who could deliver the Afghans from their present misery. Who else has anywhere near the stature these men had? Ismael Khan maybe, but he's probably too regional. Anyway, I keep holding the thought that societies usually end up producing exactly the leaders they need. So maybe there are others, unknown as yet, who will one day take the place of Massoud and Abdul Haq. Wow, I thought I was soooo cool about Afghanistan. I'd seen a lot of shit there, stuff that I didn't at the time think I was strong enough to see. I thought nothing about that country could shake me up anymore. But here I am, simply stunned. I have a hard time believing it's real."}, {"response": 687, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Oct 26, 2001 (21:25)", "body": "We all have a hard time believing it is real. Until the stuff starts hitting your neighbors or in your yard, it is somehow remote. In Hawaii, it seems like another planet. But, then, so does all of the rest of the world. War lite. Too bad they aren't all like that..."}, {"response": 688, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Oct 26, 2001 (21:53)", "body": "That was very, very tough news for David, who knew these guys intimately from his years as a war correspondent in Afghanistan. He has been very obviously shaken by the death of these two leaders who were so critical to Afghanistans future. I can feel his despair and pain. An excerpt from an ABCnews.com report today gives the Afghanis a glimmer of hope for a peaceful future: D U S H A N B E, Tajikistan, Oct. 25 \ufffd Like so many children in Afghanistan, 13-year-old Ahmed Massoud lost his father in the fighting that has engulfed the country for more than 20 years. But Ahmed's loss was also a loss for the country. His father, Ahmed Shah Massoud, was a brilliant military leader who helped the Afghans throw out the Soviet invaders in the 1980s. For the last few years, he had led the Northern Alliance's military efforts against the repressive Taliban who control most of Afghanistan. Then \ufffd two days before the attacks on New York and Washington \ufffd Massoud was assassinated by suicide bombers posing as a television news crew. Northern Alliance officials believe the assassins were sent by Osama bin Laden to eliminate the Taliban's most formidable enemy. Although Massoud led a life of war, he was grooming his son to lead the Afghan people on a path he hoped would lead to peace. \"My father never talked to me about war,\" Ahmed told me shortly before his father's memorial service. \"He did not want me to follow a military education. He said that the world would be peaceful when I grow up, so I have to be ready for this peaceful world.\" Ahmed lives with his mother and four sisters in Tajikistan, safely away from the fighting in northern Afghanistan's Panjshir Valley. He is barely a teenager, but members of his father's anti-Taliban forces already treat him with incredible deference and respect. He is very quiet, but carries himself with the self-assurance of a grown man. When he met with us, he strode across the room to shake our hands, then calmly took his seat for the interview. His movements and his bearing are exactly like his father's. Meeting a Warrior I met Ahmed Shah Massoud a year ago when I traveled to northern Afghanistan, where he was nearly surrounded by the Taliban and fighting desperately to keep his supply lines open for the winter. To reach him in his mountainous headquarters, we first flew in an ancient Russian helicopter over the 18,000-foot peaks of the Hindu Kush range. We continued by pick-up truck over rough dirt roads, then crossed a river Afghan-style: on a raft of cow hides sewn together and inflated. The technique worked for the army of Alexander the Great, and it worked for us. It was hard to believe that these were the same people who had defeated the mighty Soviet military, but they were. Many believe it was because Massoud was a brilliant strategist whose guerilla tactics bled the Soviets for 10 years until they finally gave up and left. Massoud's battlefield success is legendary \ufffd and not lost on the Taliban commanders. Although no evidence has emerged of Taliban involvement in his assassination, many suspect they knew that to control all of Afghanistan they needed to take him out. more at http://abcnews.go.com/sections/primetime/DailyNews/junger_feature.html"}, {"response": 689, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Oct 27, 2001 (22:12)", "body": "*I've thought of worse suggestions...* This was forwarded to me by several people. A little ancient female wisdom in an otherwise-bleak situation... Take all American women who are within five years of menopause -- train us for a few weeks, outfit us with automatic weapons, grenades, gas masks, moisturizer with SPF15, Prozac, hormones, chocolate, and canned tuna -- drop us (parachuted, preferably) across the landscape of Afghanistan, and let us do what comes naturally. Think about it. Our anger quotient alone, even when doing standard stuff like grocery shopping and paying bills, is formidable enough to make even armed men in turbans tremble. We've had our children, we would gladly suffer or die to protect them and their future. We'd like to get away from our husbands, if they haven't left already. And for those of us who are single, the prospect of finding a good man with whom to share life is about as likely as being struck by lightning. We have nothing to lose. We've survived the water diet, the protein diet, the carbohydrate diet, and the grapefruit diet in gyms and saunas across America and never lost a pound. We can easily survive months in the hostile terrain of Afghanistan with no food at all! We've spent years tracking down our husbands or lovers in bars, hardware stores, or sporting events...finding bin Laden in some cave will be no problem. Uniting all the warring tribes of Afghanistan in a new government? Oh, please ... we've planned the seating arrangements for in-laws and extended families at Thanksgiving dinners for years ... we understand tribal warfare. Between us, we've divorced enough husbands to know every trick there is for how they hide, launder, or cover up bank accounts and money sources. We know how to find that money and we know how to seize it ... with or without the government's help! Let us go and fight. The Taliban hates women. Imagine their terror as we crawl like ants with hot-flashes over their godforsaken terrain. I'm going to write my Congresswoman. You should, too!"}, {"response": 690, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Oct 28, 2001 (22:00)", "body": "An amazing story. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A56956-2001Oct26.html You watching TV?\" Rick Rescorla was calling from the 44th floor of the World Trade Center, icy calm in the crisis. When Rescorla was a platoon leader in Vietnam, his men called him Hard Core, because they had never seen anyone so absurdly unflappable in the face of death. Now he was vice president for corporate security at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co., and a jumbo jet had just plowed into the north tower. The voices of officialdom were crackling over the loudspeakers in the south tower, urging everyone to stay put: Please do not leave the building. This area is secure. Rescorla was ignoring them. \"The dumb sons of bitches told me not to evacuate,\" he said during a quick call to his best friend, Dan Hill, who had indeed been watching the disaster unfolding on TV. \"They said it's just Building One. I told them I'm getting my people the [expletive] out of here.\" Keep moving, Rescorla commanded over his megaphone while Hill listened. Keep moving. \"Typical Rescorla,\" Hill recalls. \"Incredible under fire.\" Morgan Stanley lost only six of its 2,700 employees in the south tower on Sept. 11, an isolated miracle amid the carnage. And company officials say Rescorla deserves most of the credit. He drew up the evacuation plan. He hustled his colleagues to safety. And then he apparently went back into the inferno to search for stragglers. He was the last man out of the south tower after the World Trade Center bombing in 1993, and no one seems to doubt that he would've been again last month if the skyscraper hadn't collapsed on him first. One of the company's secretaries actually snapped a photo of Rescorla with his megaphone that day, a 62-year-old mountain of a man coolly sacrificing his life for others. It was an epic death, one of those inspirational hero-tales that have sprouted like wildflowers from the Twin Towers rubble. But it turns out that retired Army Col. Cyril Richard Rescorla led an epic life as well. In this time when heroes are being proclaimed all around, when brave actions are understandably hailed as proofs of character, here was a man whose heroism was a matter of public record long before Sept. 11."}, {"response": 691, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Sun, Oct 28, 2001 (23:22)", "body": "The New Yorker Magazine has put together a collection of links to all of the magazine's coverage of the attacks and the aftermath plus older relevant articles: http://www.newyorker.com/FROM_THE_ARCHIVE/PREVIOUS/"}, {"response": 692, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Oct 28, 2001 (23:24)", "body": "Thanks Terry... I have chills just reading this account of Col. Rescorla. He personifies Hero in my book! There were many heroes that day..."}, {"response": 693, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 29, 2001 (08:34)", "body": "This is a something my son found and made me LOL! Enjoy this treat. http://www.madblast.com/binladen.htm"}, {"response": 694, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Oct 29, 2001 (09:56)", "body": "October 29, 2001 U.S. 'guard down' due to anthrax attacks By Daniel F. Drummond THE WASHINGTON TIMES Terrorist groups are using anthrax attacks as a diversion and taking advantage of an overburdened law-enforcement system to plan more attacks on America, federal law-enforcement and intelligence sources say. The sources, all of whom are either working on or have close knowledge of the investigations of both the anthrax and Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, said that regardless of whether Osama bin Laden or the al Qaeda terrorist network are behind the anthrax attacks, they are taking advantage of the FBI and other law-enforcement agencies' dedication to solving and dealing with the anthrax attacks as well as hoaxes and scares. \"Our guard is down now because we are looking at mail,\" one intelligence source said. Indeed, FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III told a group of the country's mayors that more than 7,000 of its 11,000 agents and support personnel are working on investigations relating to the Sept. 11 and anthrax attacks. \"There is just too much going on,\" an FBI source said, adding that agents are working on the investigations almost simultaneously by asking about both the anthrax and Sept. 11 attacks with those they question. \"We still have to deal with the hoaxes.\" More at: http://www.washingtontimes.com/metro/20011029-26230978.htm"}, {"response": 695, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Oct 29, 2001 (13:35)", "body": "I love the way the media is working with the enemy in their effort to \"keep us informed.\" I think, in the interests of America, they should to be a lot less headline grabbing. This is so tiresome, I have ceased to watch the news!!!"}, {"response": 696, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Oct 29, 2001 (22:23)", "body": "Ashcroft has given out a \"terrorist warning advisory\" to state, national and local agencies (see NYTimes) today. What's also tiresome is how little informed we are of the details of stories like this. Why? Why now? I've been thinking about the possibility of some sort of threat during Halloween. This is an awful thought...the worst of the worst-- but what about the possibility of our children being harmed? But why hasn't the media discussed any precautions parents might take (candy, trick-or-treating, etc)? I hate to give into paranoia... but I'm handing out stickers this year."}, {"response": 697, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Tue, Oct 30, 2001 (01:20)", "body": "here in the NY metro area, that is all that seemingly has been on the news- what to check for in candy, areas that should be avoided, etc. I think that it should be put on the national news... If I had kids, I'd be wary of having them go out at all, unless I were with them, and even then, I wouldn't be very comfortable. also heard that all proceeds from this year's UNICEF (those little boxes that kids have in their trick-or-treat bags to collect $), will go to the Afghan children... apparently this is unprecedented in that never has the entire collection gone to one single cause."}, {"response": 698, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 30, 2001 (08:20)", "body": "What's also tiresome is how little informed we are of the details of stories like this. I agree. It is not enought to warn us. They must give us whatever details they have."}, {"response": 699, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Oct 30, 2001 (09:24)", "body": "They're probably not giving out too many details because it would tip off the terrorists that we know how to tap in to their communication channels. They're going to be offering \"candy\" in the form of false threats to see if we can intercept their messages over wire, the net, etc."}, {"response": 700, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Oct 30, 2001 (12:59)", "body": "They're not giving us details because they don't have them. What sparked this latest alert is an increase in the amount of \"noise\" among the terrorists communications networks, similar to what was observed immediately prior to September 11. The government is damned if it does, damned if it doesn't. IMO, they issue these warnings to us because, with law enforcement departments throughout the country being placed on high alert, word is bound to get out that something is afoot. If they don't issue a warning--albeit a general one--people would complain that they're covering up the info. So they issue the alert to the public, and the public complains it's not enough info. Believe me, I'm as frustrated as anyone, but the government has an incredibly difficult situation they're trying to deal with, and so I think we need to have a bit more patience and understanding and not be so quick to second guess."}, {"response": 701, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Oct 30, 2001 (15:06)", "body": "Mari, I absolutely agree with you! I'd rather evacuate from 1,000 tsunami warnings than be drowned by one which was not issued to spare us the trauma. This goes for what we face now. Be safe and keep on doing what you were meant to do. Live your lives as best you can. Attend games and parties. If we don't we will die inside and they will have provided the means for this death. I am not willing to give up so easily! My son was just married. I am looking forward to the possibility of another little generation of people to inhabit a most wonderous world."}, {"response": 702, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Oct 31, 2001 (10:17)", "body": "Interesting piece from the New York Times: October 26, 2001 We Are All Alone By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN Let me see if I've got this all straight now: Pakistan will allow us to use its bases Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; provided we bomb only Taliban whose names begin with Omar and who don't have cousins in the Pakistani secret service. India is with us on Tuesdays and Fridays, provided it can shell Pakistani forces around Kashmir all other days. Egypt is with us on Sundays, provided we don't tell anyone and provided we never mention that we give the Egyptians $2 billion a year in aid. Yasir Arafat is with us only after 10 p.m. on weekdays, when Palestinians who have been dancing in the streets over the World Trade Center attack have gone to bed. The Northern Alliance is with us, provided we buy all its troops new sandals and give U.S. passports to the first 1,000 to reach Kabul. Israel is with us provided we never question the lunacy of 7,000 Israeli colonial settlers living in the middle of a million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Kuwait would like to be with us, it really would, since we saved Kuwait from Iraq, but two Islamists in the Kuwaiti Parliament spoke out against the war, so the emir just doesn't want to take any chances. You understand. The Saudis, of course, want to be with us, but Saudis are not into war-fighting. That's for the household help. Don't worry. Prince Alwaleed has promised to rent us some Bangladeshi soldiers through a Saudi temp agency \u2014 at only a small markup. The Saudi ruling family would love to cooperate by handing over its police files on the 15 Saudis involved in the hijackings, but that would be a violation of its sovereignty, and, well, you know how much the Saudis respect sovereignty; like when the Saudi Embassy in Washington rushed all of Osama bin Laden's relatives out of America after Sept. 11 on a private Saudi jet, before they could be properly questioned by the F.B.I. And then there's my personal favorite: All our Arab-Muslim allies would love us to get bin Laden quickly, but the Muslim holy month of Ramadan is coming soon and the Muslim \"street\" will not tolerate fighting during Ramadan. Say, do you remember the 1973 Middle East war, launched by Egypt and Syria against Israel? Remember what that war was called in the Arab world? \"The Ramadan war\"; because that's when it was started. Oh, well. I guess the Arab world can launch wars on Ramadan, but not receive them. My fellow Americans, I hate to say this, but except for the good old Brits, we're all alone. And at the end of the day, it's U.S. and British troops who will have to go in, on the ground, and eliminate bin Laden. Ah, you ask, but why did we have so many allies in the gulf war against Iraq? Because the Saudis and Kuwaitis bought that alliance. They bought the Syrian Army with billions of dollars for Damascus. They bought us and the Europeans with promises of huge reconstruction contracts and by covering all our costs. Indeed, with the money Japan paid, we actually made a profit on the gulf war; Coalitions \"R\" Us. This time we'll have to pay our own way, and for others. Unfortunately, killing 5,000 innocent Americans in New York just doesn't get the rest of the world that exercised. In part we're to blame. The unilateralist message the Bush team sent from its first day in office: get rid of the Kyoto climate treaty, forget the biological treaty, forget arms control, and if the world doesn't like it that's tough; has now come back to haunt us. And who can blame other countries for wanting to shake down U.S. taxpayers when Dick Armey and his greedy band of House Republicans are doing the same thing; pushing a stimulus bill with more tax breaks for the rich, lobbyists and corporations, and virtually nothing for the working Americans who will fight this war? My advice: Try not to focus on any of this. Focus instead on the firemen who rushed into the trade center towers without asking, \"How much?\" Focus on the thousands of U.S. reservists who have left their jobs and families to go fight in Afghanistan without asking, \"What's in it for me?\" Unlike the free-riders in our coalition, these young Americans know that Sept. 11 is our holy day; the first day in a just war to preserve our free, multi-religious, democratic society. And I don't really care if that war coincides with Ramadan, Christmas, Hanukkah or the Buddha's birthday; the most respectful and spiritual thing we can do now is fight it until justice is done."}, {"response": 703, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Nov  1, 2001 (13:02)", "body": "The Italians have also committed to send troups. It was reported on Italian Rai TV news that 10 American soldiers have been captured in A. Has it been reported here? Also in Italy, a Muslim has been found living in a metal container with computer and maps of all Italian airports and Canadian airports. He is in custody and the FBI is on its way."}, {"response": 704, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Nov  1, 2001 (15:18)", "body": "Nothing on the capture on ABC or CNN's websites. And nothing about the Muslim living in the dumpster."}, {"response": 705, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Nov  1, 2001 (15:58)", "body": "White House says capture story is completely false."}, {"response": 706, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Nov  1, 2001 (21:34)", "body": "And more comments from David Kline: Wow, today's NY Times also has an excellent piece on \"Afghan Art Dispersed by the Winds of War.\" http://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/01/arts/design/01PILL.html I may have mentioned before how wonderful and unique Afghan art is, and how proud Afghans have always been of it (a further indication that the Taliban are completely alien to traditional Afghan culture and tradition). Anyway, my movie script -- a love story set against the Afghan war -- also centers around a plot to steal precious Afghan art. I sold the script 10 years ago (to Tom Selleck of all people), but when the Gulf War broke out he decided not to make the movie. So the rights reverted back to me. I'm thinking about resurrecting this script and trying again -- one thing's for sure, I'd be the first up to the plate with an Afghan script. Anyone know any agents or producers to steer me to?"}, {"response": 707, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Nov  1, 2001 (23:06)", "body": "The atrocities inflicted on the antiquites of Afghanistan were reported in Geo - archeologist world-wide are outraged. Little did they know that these people are willing to kill of the whole specied to their eternal glory."}, {"response": 708, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Tue, Nov  6, 2001 (17:13)", "body": "Twenty-six-year-old Palestinian-American poet and political activist Suheir Hammad has published a book of poems, BORN PALESTINIAN, BORN BLACK, and a memoir, DROPS OF THIS STORY, and is prominently featured in LISTEN UP! AN ANTHOLOGY OF SPOKEN WORK POETRY. Recipient of the Audre Lourde Writing Award from Hunter College, the Morris Center for Healing Poetry Award, and a New York Mills Artist Residency in Minnesota, Hammad is a frequent reader at New York reading venues, including numerous radio appearances, and has performed with The All That Band and Rhythms of Aqua. She has produced a documentary film, HALF A LIFETIME, and is writing a film entitled FROM BEIRUT TO BROOKLYN, based on her memoir. Naomi Shihab Nye has called Hammad's work \"a brave flag over the dispossessed.\" First Writing Since 1. there have been no words. i have not written one word. no poetry in the ashes south of canal street. no prose in the refrigerated trucks driving debris and dna. not one word. today is a week, and seven is of heavens, gods, science. evident out my kitchen window is an abstract reality. sky where once was steel. smoke where once was flesh. fire in the city air and i feared for my sister's life in a way never before. and then, and now, i fear for the rest of us. first, please god, let it be a mistake, the pilot's heart failed, the plane's engine died. then please god, let it be a nightmare, wake me now. please god, after the second plane, please, don't let it be anyone who looks like my brothers. i do not know how bad a life has to break in order to kill. i have never been so hungry that i willed hunger i have never been so angry as to want to control a gun over a pen. not really. even as a woman, as a palestinian, as a broken human being. never this broken. more than ever, i believe there is no difference. the most privileged nation, most americans do not know the difference between indians, afghanis, syrians, muslims, sikhs, hindus. more than ever, there is no difference. 2. thank you korea for kimchi and bibim bob, and corn tea and the genteel smiles of the wait staff at wonjo the smiles never revealing the heat of the food or how tired they must be working long midtown shifts. thank you korea, for the belly craving that brought me into the city late the night before and diverted my daily train ride into the world trade center. there are plenty of thank yous in ny right now. thank you for my lazy procrastinating late ass. thank you to the germs that had me call in sick. thank you, my attitude, you had me fired the week before. thank you for the train that never came, the rude nyer who stole my cab going downtown. thank you for the sense my mama gave me to run. thank you for my legs, my eyes, my life. 3. the dead are called lost and their families hold up shaky printouts in front of us through screens smoked up. we are looking for iris, mother of three. please call with any information. we are searching for priti, last seen on the 103rd floor. she was talking to her husband on the phone and the line went. please help us find george, also known as adel. his family is waiting for him with his favorite meal. i am looking for my son, who was delivering coffee. i am looking for my sister girl, she started her job on monday. i am looking for peace. i am looking for mercy. i am looking for evidence of compassion. any evidence of life. i am looking for life. 4. ricardo on the radio said in his accent thick as yuca, \"i will feel so much better when the first bombs drop over there. and my friends feel the same way.\" on my block, a woman was crying in a car parked and stranded in hurt. i offered comfort, extended a hand she did not see before she said, \"we're gonna burn them so bad, i swear, so bad.\" my hand went to my head and my head went to the numbers within it of the dead iraqi children, the dead in nicaragua. the dead in rwanda who had to vie with fake sport wrestling for america's attention. yet when people sent emails saying, this was bound to happen, lets not forget u.s. transgressions, for half a second i felt resentful. hold up with that, cause i live here, these are my friends and fam, and it could have been me in those buildings, and we're not bad people, do not support america's bullying. can i just have a half second to feel bad? if i can find through this exhaust people who were left behind to mourn and to resist mass murder, i might be alright. thank you to the woman who saw me brinking my cool and blinking back tears. she opened her arms before she asked \"do you want a hug?\" a big white woman, and her embrace was the kind only people with the warmth of flesh can offer. i wasn't about to say no to any comfort. \"my brother's in the navy,\" i said. \"and we\"re arabs.\"\"wow, you got double trouble.\" word. 5. one more person ask me if i knew the hijackers. one more motherfucker ask me what navy my brother is in. one more person assume no arabs or muslims were killed. one more person assume they know me, or that i rep"}, {"response": 709, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Nov  6, 2001 (20:43)", "body": "I have known a young geology student in Islamabad for several years. My heart aches for him now. He worries about me. I am far from harm's way, and he is just starting out on life and the study of how precious and special this planet really is. This is incredibly sad, especially when it beomes highly personal."}, {"response": 710, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Nov  6, 2001 (22:42)", "body": "A friend, Koti, sent me this today. From MAILER-DAEMON Tue Nov 6 21:26:30 2001 Date: 06 Nov 2001 21:26:30 -0600 From: Mail System Internal Data Subject: DON'T DELETE THIS MESSAGE -- FOLDER INTERNAL DATA X-IMAP: 1005103590 0000000000 Status: RO This text is part of the internal format of your mail folder, and is not a real message. It is created automatically by the mail system software. If deleted, important folder data will be lost, and it will be re-created with the data reset to initial values. From terry@www.spring.net Tue Nov 6 17:12:54 2001 -0600 Status: R X-Status: X-Keywords: Return-Path: Received: from localhost (koti@localhost) by www.spring.net (8.11.1/8.11.1) with ESMTP id fA6NCpA52010; Tue, 6 Nov 2001 17:12:51 -0600 (CST) (envelope-from koti@spring.net) Date: Tue, 6 Nov 2001 17:12:50 -0600 (CST) From: Koti Nandipati To: gdegamo@lucent.com cc: wayne.branagh@motorola.com, terry@spring.net Subject: Hijackers' Meticulous Strategy of Brains, Muscle and Practice (fwd) Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII NY Times article detailing the sept 11th event execution...--koti Hijackers' Meticulous Strategy of Brains, Muscle and Practice November 4, 2001 By DON VAN NATTA Jr. and KATE ZERNIKE American Airlines Flight 11 was in line for takeoff from Logan International Airport, the passengers already reminded to turn off personal electronic devices, when Mohamed Atta, in seat 8D in business class, dialed his cellphone for the last time. The call rang aboard another sparsely occupied jetliner a bit farther back on the same tarmac, on a cellphone belonging to Marwan al- Shehhi, in seat 6C on United Airlines Flight 175. The conversation between the two men, so close that they called each other cousin, lasted less than one minute - just long enough, investigators say, to signal that the plot was on. That simple communication was the culmination of months of meticulous planning and coordination that by 10 o'clock on the morning of Sept. 11 would become the worst terrorist attack in history. With all the suspects dead and no conclusive evidence, as yet, of any accomplices, investigators have been left to recreate the architecture and orchestration of the plot largely from the recorded minutiae of the hijackers' brief American lives: their cellphone calls, credit card charges, Internet communications and automated teller machine withdrawals. What has emerged, nearly two months into the investigation, is a picture in which the roles of the 19 hijackers are so well defined as to be almost corporate in their organization and coordination. Investigators now divide the 19 into three distinct groups: Mr. Atta, considered the mastermind, and three other leaders who chose the dates for the attack and flew the planes; a support staff of three who helped with the logistics of renting apartments, securing driver's licenses and distributing cash to the teams that would take the four planes; and beneath them, 12 soldiers, or \"muscle,\" whose main responsibility seems to have been restraining the flight attendants and passengers while the leaders took over the jets' controls. The leaders had researched their plans so well that they knew just when each of the four cross-country flights would reach its cruising altitude - the moment, investigators say, when the hijackers stormed the cockpits to confront the pilots with box cutters. The coordination was so thorough that each of the four hijacking teams had its own bank account, and each team's A.T.M. cards used a single PIN. The slightest misstep could trigger intense frustration: more than once last summer in Florida, when money transfers from abroad had not arrived on the expected dates, security cameras captured several hijackers glaring impatiently into A.T.M. screens. The hijackers made a true technophile's use of the Internet, online chat rooms and e-mail. But when it came to their most crucial communications, they did what Al Qaeda's manual on terrorist operations instructs: they met in person. They chose as their meeting place the same locale where generations of American conventioneers have met to exchange information about their crafts: Las Vegas, where investigators say the most crucial planning in the United States occurred. But unlike traditional conventioneers who cluster in casino hotels that replicate the Pyramids or the New York City skyline, the leaders and their logistics men stayed at the seediest end of the famous Las Vegas Strip, next to the \"Home of the $5 Lap Dance,\" at a cheap motel guaranteed not to have surveillance cameras. They stayed briefly, only as long as it took to exchange important information, and apparently did not visit the casinos or any of the other purveyors of easy vice in America's City of Sin. Most of the 19 hijackers, perhaps all of them, spent time in Osama bin Laden's Afghan training camps, investigators now say. Some of the Sept. 11 soldiers appear to have met there. And like Mr. Atta and the other pi"}, {"response": 711, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Nov  9, 2001 (10:38)", "body": "Al Qaeda Takes Cues From Asimov? The Ansible ( http://www.dcs.gla.ac.uk/SF-Archives/Ansible/a172.html ) and Locus Online ( http://www.locusmag.com/2001/News/News11Log.html ) Web sites both reported on the rumor of a possible connection between Al Qaeda, the Islamic terrorist network purportedly masterminded by Osama bin Laden, and, of all things, Isaac Asimov's classic SF novel Foundation, the first in his well-known series of the same name. Ansible quoted SF writer China Mi\ufffdville--author of King Rat, Perdido Street Station and Macmillan's upcoming The Scar--as saying, \"My supervisor, an expert in the Middle East, told me about a rumor circulating about the name of bin Laden's network. The term al qaeda seems to have no political precedent in Arabic, and has therefore been something of a conundrum to the experts, until someone pointed out that a very popular book in the Arab world--Arabs apparently being big readers of translated SF--is Asimov's Foundation, the title of which is translated as Al Qaeda. Unlikely as it sounds, this is the only theory anyone can come up with.\" At least one post on a Russian message board ( http://www.cdi.org/russia/johnson/5491-4.cfm ) speculated that bin Laden might be taking cues from Asimov's book, about an uprising against a Galactic Empire led by a single-minded revolutionary and his band of fighters against overwhelming military odds, Locus reported. For the record, the PBS Frontline Web site reported that al qaeda is \"an Arabic word meaning 'the base.'"}, {"response": 712, "author": "pmnh", "date": "Fri, Nov  9, 2001 (11:07)", "body": "...and asimov was jewish bin laden's form of fundamentalism is remarkably malleable, when he wants it to be"}, {"response": 713, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov 10, 2001 (14:48)", "body": "FBI: Sender of anthrax letters a guy, a loner Saturday Nov. 10 By Chris Mondics and James Kuhnhenn Knight Ridder Newspapers WASHINGTON -- FBI officials said Friday that they believe the person who mailed several anthrax-filled letters is probably a U.S.-based male loner with a scientific bent, possibly like Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, whose letter bombs mystified law enforcement for nearly two decades. Federal officials have been speculating for weeks that the anthrax attacks were not connected to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, but the FBI's announcement Friday was the strongest endorsement yet of that theory. Even so, FBI officials said they had not ruled out the possibility that Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida network is behind the anthrax attacks. But they said the wording of the three known anthrax-laced letters suggests a domestic source. \"We are not ruling anything out, but we are certainly looking in that direction,\" said one FBI official, who spoke to reporters on condition that he not be identified. The officials hope the public will help identify the culprit. In related developments, traces of anthrax spores were found in four more central New Jersey post offices, President Bush boosted the National Guard presence at the nation's airports, and top administration officials offered assurances that security measures taken since Sept. 11 have made the nation safer. Whoever sent the letters \"did not select his victims randomly,\" the FBI source said. Based on analysis of the handwriting on the letters, they said the anthrax attacker likely was nursing a grudge and probably had a high degree of technical training. The officials believe, too, that he decided to increase the potency of the anthrax he put into the letters as one attack led to another. So far, four people have died after inhaling anthrax spores, and 13 more got sick from anthrax exposure. The officials said that they could detect no political agenda from the letters and their sender's known actions. Each of the three known letters were photocopies, not originals, likely used to help him evade pursuers. The FBI profile of the likely anthrax attacker suggests that he probably avoids public situations. If he has a job, they said, it likely does not involve contact with many people. They suspect he underwent a significant behavioral change as the letters went out, becoming focused on his mission to spread terror, and might have struck acquaintances as increasingly remote. FBI officials said they doubt the letters were sent by Middle Eastern terrorists because they do not resemble other such letters sent in the past. One official said that such letters typically include some Arabic text, but these do not. The FBI's new profile of the likely anthrax-attacker doesn't bring them any closer to solving the case. Law enforcement authorities spent nearly two decades trying to capture the Unabomber and did not succeed until Ted Kaczynski's brother turned him in. The FBI appealed openly to the public to help them identify possible suspects, knowing they probably will have to rely on an informant to finger the person responsible. In a potential break in the hunt for the suspect, anthrax tests detected traces of the bacteria in four more post offices in central New Jersey, authorities said Friday. The small satellite offices all feed a regional processing center that handled three tainted letters sent to Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle's office in Washington and to the New York offices of NBC and the New York Post. The new evidence could help narrow down possible sites from where the letters were sent. Meanwhile, the Bush administration sought to reassure an anxious public that it was safeguarding the nation's airports, mail system and water supplies against new terrorist attacks. President Bush announced a 25 percent increase in the number of National Guard troops assigned to protect airports during the busy holiday season. The increase, effective immediately, will boost by 2,000 the 6,000 guard troops that already have been stationed at airports since the Sept. 11 suicide hijackings. \"These are temporary measures and we believe they will help a lot,\" Bush said. With no new reports of anthrax infections, Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge expressed hope that the threat of anthrax was subsiding. His optimism came as two postal workers who had been treated for the often fatal inhalation form of the disease were released from their hospital beds and sent home. \"We're prayerful, we're hopeful, we hope that this is the last we ever see and have to deal with it,\" Ridge said. Meanwhile, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christie Todd Whitman said her agency was working closely with water companies and other federal agencies to protect drinking water from contamination. \"The good news here, if there is good news, is that it takes more than a teaspoon or a cupful of a biological or chemical agent to disrupt a water supply and to jeopardize or threaten the"}, {"response": 714, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Nov 12, 2001 (15:52)", "body": "Another plane crash today. Anyone heard any news on this?"}, {"response": 715, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Nov 13, 2001 (11:01)", "body": "Kabul. Northern Alliance troops have taken control of Kabul amid scenes of chaos and jubilation. In a dramatic overnight advance, Northern Alliance units entered the Afghan capital after Taleban fighters fled towards their southern stronghold, Kandahar. Troops were backed by rockets and US bombing There was a vacuum of authority in the city after the Taleban withdrew, with reports of looting, but the BBC's William Reeve says the atmosphere is now less tense. Taleban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar is reported to have urged his troops to regroup and fight. He is quoted by the Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press as telling his men to obey their commanders and not to desert. Some Arab volunteers serving with the Taleban were summarily shot and a BBC camera crew was attacked as opposition troops entered Kabul. from the BBC.co.uk website."}, {"response": 716, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Nov 13, 2001 (17:03)", "body": "Yup, watched the sorry structural failure that caused the small community of Rockaway even more pain. I they buried 12 members of their community with the WTC disaster. This is truly tragic. Yup, an American is sick enough to have created an atmosphere scary enough to cause 32,000 of his fellow citizens to take antibioitcs and kill a few others. There is really not a punishment which fits this crime. I'd make it as slow and as painful as possible. I am throroughly disgusted with apologists and terorists making excuses for why WE deserve to die. Time for payback !"}, {"response": 717, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Nov 14, 2001 (06:48)", "body": "On NPR this morning they were discussing the formation of a \"tribunal for terrrorists, something usually reserved for overseas cases, but now being positioned for domestic used. The Bush administration is faced with the scary thought of a Court system that might result in, say, a hung jury for a Bin Laden. I'll look for details on the web today, it's early and I haven't been to the news web sites yet. Meanwhile, there is music in the streets of Afghanistan. I had a fantasy about a bunch of rock musicians going there and throwing a big, free Woodstock sytle concert for the Afghan people. I fantasized this while I was cleaning the garage."}, {"response": 718, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Nov 14, 2001 (06:55)", "body": "David Kline's thoughts on the Taliban and freeing of Kabul. And no laughter in public. Until yesterday, if the religious police (who all carry plastic foot-long whips) caught you on a street in Kabul laughing at a friend's joke, you would be whipped. They also patrolled the soccer stadium during games -- yes the same stadium where public executions were held -- and if they saw fans applauding or rooting too hard for their team, they would be whipped. No public display of humanity was allowed. These people are so much worse than backward, I can't find the proper words to describe them. Their leaders and top cadre must all be killed. Period. . . . let's not get too excited about a few executions and a certain amount of disorder. This isn't the new Mayor of New York being sworn in here -- these are tribal people who've lived with nothing but savage war for 25 years. A few reprisals is to be expected. But I'll bet anything that it will be limited, and that order and a broad-based transition regime will be put in place soon. There's too much at stake. And this time the world is watching, acting as a stabilizing influence. Since my first post here on 9/12 or so, I have argued that the only way to oust the Taliban is to help and assist the Northern Alliance and other forces take the initiative. This is now what's happening. Seven days ago when some here wondered whether NA forces were too timid to fight -- \"We don't like to train in the rain,\" said one commander -- I urged people not to underestimate them. They may not be the smartest fighters around, but they're surely the toughest. And it's true, they've taken a good number of casualties and plunged ahead with American help. I now worry a little about the Taliban's sudden withdrawal from Kabul. It is such an Afghan move -- Massoud invented and used it 7 times to butcher Soviet armored columns trying to move into his Pansjir Valley redoubt. Could they be laying a suck 'em in and then envelope 'em scheme? We'll soon see. But now with the Herat-Kabul line established and the Taliban apparently retreating to their last-stand defense perimeter, my guess (today) is that two things are going to happen: 1) Pashtun (not Arab) Taliban commanders in the south will begin putting out defection feelers. Leaders to replace Abdul Haq will emerge. 2) The fighting is going to get a lot more bloody because these fucking Arabs really can't wait to die and we can't wait to help them die. Unless, miracle of miracles, the Taliban simply collapses and they head for the border. We better have a brigade and every Pashtun speaking agent we have standing at that Quetta border. They should look for a \"woman\" in burqa sitting atop a horse-drawn wagon (to conceal \"her\" true height) trying to mosey on through the border."}, {"response": 719, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Nov 14, 2001 (07:01)", "body": "Kline: . . . it's a very smart move to leave some open leeway for fleeing Taliban forces. Because the point is to encourage defections -- which are now going to begin en masse, you can be sure -- and thereby separate the Arab from the Pashtun Taliban. That could bring a swift collapse of the regime. Or, if the Arab legions head for the hills to try and wage guerrilla warfare against a post Taliban authority, then the most effective way to root them out will be to send people after them who are a) even tougher than the Arabs; and b) know the mountains even better than the Arabs. IOTW, the Pashtun Afghans who grew up in those damn mountains. Watch for defections increasing by the day. Because the tide has turned. (Unless the retreat from Kabul really is some sort of suck-em-in trap.)"}, {"response": 720, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Nov 14, 2001 (07:03)", "body": "http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A24744-2001Nov13.html \"Bush said the tribunals are needed because \"mass deaths, mass injuries and massive destruction of property\" from future terrorism could \"place at risk the continuity of the operations of the United States government.\" It is \"not practicable,\" he said, to require the tribunals to abide by the \"principles of law and the rules of evidence\" that govern U.S. criminal prosecutions. .... Bush's order promises \"a full and fair trial\" and access to lawyers, but there is no provision for an appeal to U.S. civil courts or international tribunals. Only Bush or the secretary of defense, if the president so chooses, will have the authority to overturn a decision. .... The order says defendants could include past or present members of al Qaeda or anyone involved in acts of international terrorism intended to have \"adverse effects on the United States, its citizens, national security or economy.\" It also targets anyone who has \"knowingly harbored\" such terrorists.\""}, {"response": 721, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Wed, Nov 14, 2001 (10:49)", "body": "my guess (today) is that two things are going to happen: 2) The fighting is going to get a lot more bloody because these fucking Arabs really can't wait to die and we can't wait to help them die. All I can say is bring it on... #2 is a great line."}, {"response": 722, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Nov 14, 2001 (15:23)", "body": "I find that statement frightening. How does one deal with people who WANT to die?? I was most delighted last night to watch the enforced beards being shaved off men. I had hoped to see a liberated woman or two, but that did not happe. We are far from done with this war. Rob mentioned to me that geologists had studied OBL's most recent movies and determined that he was not in Afghanistan. The rock forming his cave were not the kind found in Afghanistan. That had not occurred to me!"}, {"response": 723, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Wed, Nov 14, 2001 (19:53)", "body": "New York Times November 14, 2001 Bush to Subject Terrorism Suspects to Military Trials By ELISABETH BUMILLER and DAVID JOHNSTON ASHINGTON, Nov. 13 \ufffd President Bush signed an order today allowing special military tribunals to try foreigners charged with terrorism. A senior administration official said that any such trials would \"not necessarily\" be public and that the American tribunals might operate in Pakistan and Afghanistan. At the same time, the Justice Department has asked law enforcement authorities across the country to pick up and question 5,000 men, most from Middle Eastern countries, who entered the country legally in the last two years. Both actions are part of a sweeping government effort to expand the investigation into Al Qaeda's network and clear the way for the more aggressive prosecution of anyone charged with terrorism. Mr. Bush signed the order allowing for the military tribunals shortly before leaving this afternoon for his ranch in Crawford, Tex. White House officials said the order did not create a military tribunal or a list of terrorists to be tried. Instead, they said, it was an \"option\" that the president would have should Osama bin Laden or his associates in Al Qaeda be captured. If the tribunals were created, it would be the first time since World War II that such an approach was used, officials said. Under the order, the president himself is to determine who is an accused terrorist and therefore subject to trial by the tribunal. The order states that the president may \"determine from time to time in writing that there is reason to believe\" that an individual is a member of Al Qaeda, has engaged in acts of international terrorism or has \"knowingly harbored\" a terrorist. http://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/14/national/14DETA.html ================================================================================ Wednesday November 14 01:13 PM EST Some Warn of Too Much Police Power By Oliver Libaw ABCNEWS.com After Sept. 11, are police getting too much power? Secret property searches, detaining individuals without charges, jailing people on secret evidence, even military tribunals - such powers may seem far-fetched, but law enforcement agencies have them, and are using them to press their campaign against terror. The Patriot Act, as the sweeping anti-terrorism legislation recently signed into law is officially known, is part of an unprecedented effort to catch those responsible for the Sept. 11 attacks \ufffd the worst acts of terrorism ever \ufffd and prevent future assaults. President Bush added to those powers Tuesday, signing an executive order that allows suspected high-level terrorists to be tried in greater secrecy by the military. The enforcement measures have provoked a wide-ranging debate about how to safeguard civil liberties without overly constraining investigators, but many civil liberties advocates say the government has gone too far. Secret Evidence Some point to what they say are problems with earlier anti-terror laws as proof the system may be abused, especially by holding people on secret evidence. This week, the federal government appealed a lower court ruling concerning the power to hold immigrants for long periods based only on such evidence. The case involves Mazen Al-Najjar, a Palestinian professor at the University of South Florida, who was held by the Immigration and Naturalization Service for more than three years based on evidence that was never shown to him or his attorney. A federal judge in Miami had found that Al-Najjar's rights were violated. Al-Najjar had lived in the United States for 20 years and headed a charity that officials suspected was a front for a Palestinian terrorist group, but the exact allegations and evidence against him have not been revealed. Al-Najjar, who was never charged with a crime, was released in December 2000. His case is one of some two dozen in which immigrants have been held for months or years based entirely on secret evidence, but were never prosecuted. \"If these folks were such serious threats, why weren't they prosecuted criminally?\" asks Susan Akram, a Boston University law professor who represents another secret evidence detainee, Anwar Haddam. The Dangers of Expanded Power Expanding government agencies' surveillance powers is also dangerous, says David Kairys, a constitutional rights lawyer and professor at Temple University in Philadelphia. \"It's easily open to abuse,\" he says, pointing to problems in the past, such as the so-called Palmer Raids carried out by President Woodrow Wilson's attorney general in the early 1900s. Between 1918 and 1921, A. Mitchell Palmer pursued and smashed union offices and Communist and Socialist Party headquarters, spurred on by growing fears of radical foreign agents. In 1919, he seized more than 200 resident aliens believed to have radical political views and put them on a ship bound for the Soviet Union. The FBI also famously pursued Martin Luther King Jr. as a national security threat in the '50s"}, {"response": 724, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Wed, Nov 14, 2001 (20:06)", "body": "Tracking bin Laden: Still a lot of caves to hide in Nov. 14, 2001, 4:58PM By SALLY BUZBEE Associated Press WASHINGTON -- The United States is pursuing Osama bin Laden and Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar, believed to be on the move in the shrinking but still difficult parts of Afghanistan that their forces control. Sharpening the focus on the war's primary targets, American special operations troops are questioning Taliban defectors and prisoners, dangling millions in reward money and hoping for a communications slip-up. Warplanes focus more bombing on mountain hide-outs and caves where Omar or bin Laden might try to disappear. The two men, both expert in guerrilla warfare, have plenty of those remote caves and mountain tunnels -- and enough friends and supplies along the Pakistani border -- to make the chase difficult. \"We still have a ways to go\" in tracking them, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld cautioned today. U.S. intelligence officials believe bin Laden and Omar are still in the region of Afghanistan not under northern alliance control, said a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity. Each is moving around, but they aren't believed to be together. It isn't thought likely that bin Laden will try to leave the country, because such movements could expose him to capture. A Taliban official said today that Omar and his \"guest\" bin Laden were \"safe and well.\" Omar claimed in a radio address Tuesday that he was in the Taliban's southern stronghold of Kandahar, the site Wednesday of sporadic fighting between Taliban and rebel Pashtun leaders. The United States is bombing areas in the south and in the east, especially around Jalalabad, where bin Laden is known to have hide-outs. \"Bunker-buster\" bombs can dig under the surface and explode in a tunnel. Fuel-air explosives can produce tremendous heat and suck out a cave or tunnel's oxygen. Defectors and prisoners are probably the best hope for information on where bin Laden is now, said a former senior U.S. intelligence official with experience in South Asia. Even rumors or hints -- about something such as a recent supply run to a cave, for example -- could prove a breakthrough. In addition, \"It may very well be that money will talk at some point,\" Rumsfeld said, referring to the millions in reward money the United States has offered. Or, Taliban troops and commanders on the run might take fewer precautions with radios and phones, allowing U.S. eavesdropping aircraft to pick up communications and thus get hints to bin Laden's location. U.S. special forces also have been watching roads in southern Afghanistan to see who passes by, Rumsfeld said, and \"to stop people that they think ought to be stopped.\" Bin Laden is believed to move from cave to cave -- some a three days' walk into the mountains -- with only a group of highly trusted aides. The amount of support he can still muster among thousands of past supporters is key. The Taliban may fracture, with some commanders deciding to become guerrilla fighters in mountainous southern Afghanistan, and others making peace with the Pashtun leaders now taking power, said another U.S. official. Afghan fighters have a history of retreating from cities but then waging effective guerrilla warfare in mountains for years afterward, essentially thwarting an enemy's larger goals, said Charles Fairbanks, a central Asia expert at Johns Hopkins University. \"Particularly if they fled to the east, that's a very difficult situation,\" Fairbanks said. \"They have so many sympathizers in Pakistan, and Pakistan really has no control of the situation there.\" Such supporters could keep bin Laden and Omar supplied with food, guns and hiding places, said Andrew Hess, an expert on Pakistan and Afghanistan at Tufts University. In addition, the former guerrilla leader who took control of Jalalabad from the Taliban, Mullah Yunus Khalis, has long-standing ties with bin Laden's Arab followers. Bin Laden is believed to have camps in the mountains near there. Most U.S. officials and outside experts do not think Omar would ever give bin Laden up, despite what Rumsfeld called signs of strain between the two. In his most recent interview, bin Laden said he was \"ready to die.\" Chillingly, he predicted the war against America would continue even if he were gone. http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/special/terror/front/1133127"}, {"response": 725, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Nov 14, 2001 (21:21)", "body": "NPR talked about music in the streets of Kabul today, and the women are liberated, yet they still completely shroud themselves in clothing."}, {"response": 726, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Nov 14, 2001 (21:36)", "body": "David Kline (dkline) Wed Nov 14 '01 (09:54) 43 lines The number of reprisals is unbelievably limited by historic Afghan standards. I am convinced the Northern Alliance intends to do things right this time, and to unite democratically with the southern Pashtun tribes. Pashtun tribes, by the way, who at this moment are rising up spontaneously to fight the Taliban with no leadership other than village elders to guide them. These unorganized Pashtun farmers have already seized the Kandahar airport to prepare the way for U.S. and Northern Alliance activity. And now a more personal note: We have all of us discussed and learned a lot in the past two months, especially in the last month since the war in Afghanistan began. Just two weeks ago many were thinking these Northern Alliance warlords are too timid to fight, that no one supported them, and that surely the Taliban had to have mass public support else they wouldn't be in power, right? I am so grateful to have been able to have these discussions with you because it brought up a deep and long-buried sympatico I feel for the only people I met in my round-the-world travels whom I ever completely loved and admired (despite all their screwy fractiousness). Most anyone who has ever been to Afghanistan feels the same way. Remember how I said from Day 1 that the Taliban are NOT the Afghans? In Kabul today, the NY Times reports a man standing atop a building waving in the air one of those foot-long plastic whips used to beat women -- and crowds cheering him in joy. Burqas are being tossed. Kites are flying. And music -- remember I described how the mujahadeen once outfitted a captured Soviet tank with tape deck and speakers? -- music is playing again! Anyway, I want to say thank you all so much for bearing with my sometimes arrogant certainty of victory for the Afghans. And for sympathizing with me in such a gentle and compassionate way the loss of my friend Abdul Haq. And especially for being not only deeply interested in a little-known people half a world away but also for being absolutely the smartest and most insightful group of people that I have ever \"spoken\" with. The battle is finally being won. Afghanistan will be liberated at last! I can't even describe how happy I am, and how much it meant to me to be able to share all this with you. Thank you all."}, {"response": 727, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Nov 14, 2001 (21:37)", "body": "An awesome statement by one of the most insightful commentators on Afghan Life, thanks David Klein."}, {"response": 728, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Nov 14, 2001 (21:39)", "body": "David Klein: To me, the next big challenge is how to slowly win the trust of the broad masses of Muslims worldwide and isolate the extremists who serve as recruiting ground for the Bin Ladens of this world. We've got to: 1) Apologize for Mossadegh and the Shah of Iran 2) Pledge henceforth our support of democratic reform in Muslim nations ruled by elites 3) Break legs if we have to in order to cool down or even hopefully solve the Palestinian question 4) Offer massive economic aid to Pakistan and other key Muslim states facing fundamentalist threats 5) And finally, in a televised address to the whole world, announce that we want to work with Muslims of good faith everywhere to solve our mutual problems That's how you end the scourge of Islamic terrorism, and not simply snuff Al-Queda. I don't imagine the US will take all the above steps immediately, but we humans are pretty adaptive -- we'll learn eventually that if we want to end terrorism that's what we'll need to do."}, {"response": 729, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Thu, Nov 15, 2001 (03:11)", "body": "Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA) November 13, 2001 Appeal to the UN and World community The people of Afghanistan do not accept domination of the Northern Alliance! Now it is confirmed that the Taliban have left Kabul and the Northern Alliance has entered the city. The world should understand that the Northern Alliance is composed of some bands who did show their real criminal and inhuman nature when they were ruling Afghanistan from 1992 to 1996. The retreat of the terrorist Taliban from Kabul is a positive development, but entering of the rapist and looter NA in the city is nothing but a dreadful and shocking news for about 2 million residents of Kabul whose wounds of the years 1992-96 have not healed yet. Thousands of people who fled Kabul during the past two months were saying that they feared coming to power of the NA in Kabul much more than being scared by the US bombing. The Taliban and Al-Qaeda will be eliminated, but the existence of the NA as a military force would shatter the joyful dream of the majority for an Afghanistan free from the odious chains of barbaric Taliban. The NA will horribly intensify the ethnic and religious conflicts and will never refrain to fan the fire of another brutal and endless civil war in order to retain in power. The terrible news of looting and inhuman massacre of the captured Taliban or their foreign accomplices in Mazar-e-Sharif in past few days speaks for itself. Though the NA has learned how to pose sometimes before the West as \"democratic\" and even supporter of women's rights, but in fact they have not at all changed, as a leopard cannot change its spots. RAWA has already documented heinous crimes of the NA. Time is running out. RAWA on its own part appeals to the UN and world community as a whole to pay urgent and considerable heed to the recent developments in our ill-fated Afghanistan before it is too late. We would like to emphatically ask the UN to send its effective peace-keeping force into the country before the NA can repeat the unforgettable crimes they committed in the said years. The UN should withdraw its recognition to the so-called Islamic government headed by Rabbani and help the establishment of a broad-based government based on the democratic values. RAWA's call stems from the aspirations of the vast majority of the people of Afghanistan. http://rawa.fancymarketing.net/na-appeal.htm RAWA Main Page: http://rawa.fancymarketing.net/index.html RAWA documents and statements: http://rawa.fancymarketing.net/documents.htm"}, {"response": 730, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Nov 15, 2001 (07:12)", "body": "I was just musing, in my early waking hours this morning, about how great it would be if there were on outpouring of love for Afghanis from America and the world, the country can grow and prosper now that the evil regime is on the run. The job is far from finished, but the pieces have started to fall in place."}, {"response": 731, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Nov 15, 2001 (08:12)", "body": "The story of how the eight religious aid workers were released by the Taliban, plucked from a field near Ghazni by a local Pashtun commander and the Red Cross, and flown by US helicopter to a Pakistani air base is going to be quite the blockbuster. http://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/15/international/asia/15WORK.html"}, {"response": 732, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Thu, Nov 15, 2001 (16:09)", "body": "By Molly Moore Washington Post Foreign Service Thursday, November 15, 2001; 1:08 PM Excerpt: The German workers today provided dramatic details of their escape, while the two American women, Heather Mercer, who grew up in Vienna, Va., and Dayna Curry, of Thompson's Station, Tenn., and two Australians spent the day in seclusion.................... Georg Taubmann, who headed the Kabul office of the German-based Shelter International Now, provided dramatic details of an escape he called \"horrifying.\" While many details of the past two days remain murky, this is the story as he told it. On Monday night, as the Taliban began fleeing Kabul, soldiers forced the eight detainees from their Kabul jail cells, loaded them in cars and joined the convoy of tanks, pickups and other vehicles streaming southward toward Kandahar. When the convoy reached the neighboring province of Wardak, soldiers led the eight out of the car and locked them in a large steel container. \"It was terribly cold,\" Taubmann said. \"They wanted to lock the container and leave us in there until the morning. We had no blankets. We were freezing the whole night through.\" The next morning they pushed on and were deposited in a prison in the southeastern city of Ghazni. Taubmann described it as the worst of the five prisons in which the group had been housed during the past 3\ufffd months. Shortly after arriving the walls rattled as U.S. aircraft dropped bombs nearby. The detainees then heard heaving gunfire and loud shouting outside the prison. Some time later they heard the doors of the prison cells clanging open. When their cell door burst open, a soldier stood in the doorway gripping a gun. The detainees believed he was a Taliban soldier who might kill them. Instead the soldier stared at them wide-eyed, apparently stunned to find foreigners in the prison. He then shouted, \"Azad! Azad!\" Free! Free! \"We walked into the city and the people came out of the houses and they hugged us and they greeted us,\" said Taubmann. \"They were all clapping. They didn't know there were foreigners in the prison.\" \"It was like a big celebration for all those people,\" he said. A local commander who was among town citizens who rose up against the Taliban then found shelter for the eight at the local offices of an aid organization. With the International Committee of the Red Cross acting as an intermediary, messages were dispatched to the U.S., German and Australian embassies in Islamabad. Because of the difficulty in relaying messages and answers, it took nearly 24 hours to organize the rescue efforts by U.S. special forces based in Pakistan, according to the aid workers and diplomats. Meanwhile, in Ghazni, some local villagers expressed opposition to freeing the aid workers, believing they could be ransomed to their governments for large sums of money, rescuers apparently told the aid workers. On Wednesday night, with the city under a curfew and with some villagers agitating to hold on to the detainees, the eight were led to a field where U.S. special forces helicopters were supposed to pick them up. The aid workers said, however, that the helicopters could not locate them. With the helicopters thumping in the distance, angry villagers who allegedly wanted to hold the workers for ransom running toward them, and fearful that hostile Taliban troops were still in the area, the increasingly desperate aid workers began building a signal fire, first burning the women's headscarves, then sweaters and jackets. \"We burned everything we had \ufffd clothes, everything \ufffd to make a big fire,\" said Taubmann. Special forces teams led the eight into helicopters and flew them to Pakistan, according to diplomats here. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A34986-2001Nov15.html"}, {"response": 733, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Nov 15, 2001 (19:50)", "body": "Terry, you're right about love and accepting warmth for those still struggling to regain some sense of security in Afghanistan. They will make mistakes. All new forms of government do. We just need to let them explore what is best for them and keep the crazies from killing them all while they do so. It is a long tedious process. We're still in the process! *Hugs* I wish it were this easy!"}, {"response": 734, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Nov 22, 2001 (16:53)", "body": "Lethal Mouth Fresh from his ground war against New York taxi drivers, Lethal Weapon lead Danny Glover once again establishes why it's bad for actors to run their mouth without a script: As guest speaker at an anti-death penalty forum at Princeton University, Glover said America was the one to blame for bombing and terror around the world. \"Yes -- Yes!\" Glover said when asked if American forces should spare the Saudi terrorist's life. \"When I say the death penalty is inhumane. I mean [it's inhumane] whether that person is in a bird cage [jail] or it's bin Laden.\" Lethal Pap at http://www.zwire.com/site/Danny_Glover.html Life in the Cave: Intercepted email As the hunt for bin Laden narrowed as of Wednesday, November 21, the following email appeared in our inbox: ----- Original Message ----- From: Bin Laden, Osama Sent: Monday, November 19, 2001 8:17 AM To: Cavemates Subject: The Cave Hi guys. We've all been putting in long hours but we've really come together as a group and I love that. Big thanks to Omar for putting up the poster that says \"There is no I in team\" as well as the one that says \"Hang In There, Baby.\" That cat is hilarious. However, while we are fighting a jihad, we can't forget to take care of the cave. And frankly I have a few concerns. First of all, while it's good to be concerned about cruise missiles, we should be even more concerned about the scorpions in our cave. Hey, you don't want to be stung and neither do I, so we need to sweep the cave daily. I've posted a sign-up sheet near the main cave opening. Second, it's not often I make a video address but when I do, I'm trying to scare the most powerful country on earth, okay? That means that while we're taping, please do not ride your razor scooter in the background. Just while we're taping. Thanks. Third point, and this is a touchy one. As you know, by edict, we're not supposed to shave our beards. But I need everyone to just think hygiene, especially after mealtime. We're all in this together. Fourth: food. I bought a box of Cheez-Its recently, clearly wrote \"Osama\" on the front, and put it on the top shelf. Today, my Cheez-Its were gone. Consideration. That's all I'm saying. Finally, we've heard that there may be American soldiers in disguise trying to infiltrate our ranks. I want to set up patrols to look for them. First patrol will be Omar, Muhammed, Abdul, Akbar, and Richard. Love you lots. Osama"}, {"response": 735, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Nov 22, 2001 (16:53)", "body": "Name that President \"He walked into history an obscure, flat footed, bantamy little fellow in a light gray suit, the inhabitant of an eloquence-free zone who gave boring speeches in a flat voice. He was not compelling. This was more obvious because he followed a charismatic leader who did big things and filled the screen. He was quickly defined and dismissed by the opinion elite as \"a first-rate second-rate man.\" And maybe at the beginning he feared the appraisal was correct, for when he became president he said very frankly that he felt the moon and the stars had fallen upon him.\" Okay, who is this guy? Answers at http://opinionjournal.com/columnists/pnoonan/ One More Reason to Give Thanks Out: Yellow Ribbons. In: Flags Surveying the reaction to September 11, Father Richard John Neuhaus asks, where have the yellow ribbons gone? Where did the flags suddenly come from? \"Nobody decreed that it should be so,\" he writes in the December issue of First Things; \"it just happened, and its happening is likely to be of great significance.\" First appearing in the Iranian hostage crisis two decades ago, the ribbons were \"too often a symbol of self-pity and maudlin sentimentality.\" But they've been replaced by \"a buoyant patriotism unprecedented in living memory.\" http://opinionjournal.com/columnists/rbartley/?id=95001487 \"I Have A Dream\" The hallucinations brought on by living with shrapnel inside your skull continue among the Taliban \"leadership:\" \"Recent reports suggested that Mullah Omar, facing almost certain defeat, had agreed to surrender Kandahar. But yesterday Ahmad Karzai, whose brother Hamid has been negotiating with the Taliban for the surrender of the city, said Mullah Omar had changed his mind because he had had a prophetic dream in which he remained in power. \"I have had a dream in which I am in charge for as long as I live,\" Mr. Karzai quoted Mullah Omar as saying.\" For as long as you live, Omar? Okay. Start the countdown clock at mission control! http://news.independent.co.uk/world/asia_china/story.jsp?story=105801 Duh as in 'Diplomat' The editors of The New Republic on why Colin Powell and his elves should back off and give victory a chance. \"Just how brilliant do the diplomats of the United States think they are? They seem to believe that they can calibrate a place that is infamous for its lack of calibration. Their thinking about the political conditions for a military victory in Afghanistan has become rigid and dogmatic: they foolishly attempted to delay the fall of Kabul until their own plans for it could be met, once again giving Osama bin Laden the impression that we are reluctant warriors and hesitant victors. What happened in the North this week was not the United States unleashing the Northern Alliance; it was the Northern Alliance surprising the United States. And the United States could not bring itself to concede that this was a pleasant surprise.\" http://www.tnr.com/112601/editorial112601.html This Week's Conventional Media Wizdum THIS war is in trouble. We're bogged down, getting nowhere and staring at a Vietnam-style quagmire. The Taliban's grip on the country remains total. These famously tough warriors of iron resolve are unlikely to be. . . Whoops, sorry, that was last week. Just let me punch up this week's Conventional Media Wisdom. Ah, here we go. Things are moving too fast. There's a dangerous power vacuum. The Taliban, being famously tough, etc, have pulled off a brilliant double-bluff by abandoning every major city and lever of government. Their grip on selected southern and western caves remains total. The Northern Alliance are too vicious, unfairly targeting enemy soldiers instead of just killing unarmed women and homosexuals. The collapse of the burqa market will devastate the Afghan fashion industry. .,"}, {"response": 736, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Nov 22, 2001 (16:53)", "body": "http://www.dailytelegraph.co.uk/dt?ac=006605705660173&rtmo=V1PPjumx&atmo=rrrrrrrq&pg=/01/11/17/do02.html Can't We All Just Get Along? The New York Times reports that the \"spiritual ' leader of the Taliban is appealing to the world to just forgive and forget: Syed Tayyab Agha, spokesman for Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar, also told a news conference that it is time to ``forget'' about the Sept. 11 terror attacks in the United States, as they have been superseded by the U.S.-led war on Afghanistan. ``You should forget the Sept. 11 attacks because now there is a new fighting against Muslims and Islam, and the international and global terrorists like America and Britain, they are killing daily our innocent people,'' he told journalists in the Afghan border town of Spinboldak. All in favor of inviting this guy to Thanksgiving dinner, send email to caveguys@screweinstan .com And Next on the USA's Christmas List Is.... An end to Saddam's regime would be a major defeat for terrorism and would give us great leverage in getting others-Iran and Syria, Saudis and Palestinians-to shut down terrorist movements. Winter, some say, is a bad time for war in Afghanistan. Everyone agrees that winter is a good time for war in Iraq. The time may come soon for George W. Bush to say again, \"Let's roll.\" Michael Barone at U.S. News http://www.usnews.com/usnews/issue/011126/politics/26pol.htm"}, {"response": 737, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Nov 22, 2001 (19:41)", "body": "This is really great stuff on a day full of stuffing. Thanks! Harry Trumanm is my guess for Prez in the first part, but I am still hungry and preparing sacrifices for Mme Pele for later in the day."}, {"response": 738, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Nov 22, 2001 (22:08)", "body": "\"For the time being, the reasons behind the advance on Kunduz remain unclear.\" ... \"Even as the advance began some northern commanders continued to insist that a surrender was still possible.\" \"The BBC's Jon Sopel outside Kunduz said the military advance may indicate a battle for control of the town between different factions of the Northern Alliance.\" http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/south_asia/newsid_1669000/1669567.stm"}, {"response": 739, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Nov 26, 2001 (21:27)", "body": "I heard a blockbuster rumor today. Basically, there is a French book being published which recounts the FBI's investigation of Osama Bin Laden and his cohorts. which says that they were hot on the trail of all of the terorists and were then pulled off the case by the State Department just before 9/11. Reportedly, the chief of the FBI investigation quit over the interference from the State Department. I'll try and substantiate this with some facts and sources."}, {"response": 740, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Nov 29, 2001 (19:12)", "body": "Interesting! I'll check too..."}, {"response": 741, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Nov 30, 2001 (09:11)", "body": "They may fave found Bin Laden's hideout. See topic 49 in the news conference. There's a picture of this mountain fortress."}, {"response": 742, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Dec  3, 2001 (00:56)", "body": "I didn't know where else to put this. My Daughter-in-law sent it to me. I think it sums up my feelings as well as hers and my son's. Giving Thanks for What We're Not http://www.ncpa.org/edo/pd/2001/pd111901.html"}, {"response": 743, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Dec 10, 2001 (14:57)", "body": "dkline Mon Dec 10 '01 (09:49) Meanwhile, today's NY Times has a very encouraging front page article on the demoralizing effect the Afghan Jihad has had on the Swat Valley region of Pakistan (home to Shangri-La, believe it or not). 15,000 men were \"volunteered\" by their local mullahs to go fight -- \"the militant leaders mostly stayed home, or crossed the frontier only long enough to declare themselves holy warriors before hastening back,\" notes the article -- and as many as 3,000 have never returned. The reason I say it's encouraging is that the great losses suffered by these poor uneducated people are surely weakening the hold over them that the fundamentalists have until now enjoyed. As one disillusioned local put it: \"So a lot of innocent people have died, and Sufi Muhammad (the local religious boss) and other religious leaders are responsible for this. They sent people who had no training whatsoever to war, and then they stayed back in Pakistan. They are still alive, while so many others have died.\" One day we're going to be shocked to discover just how much control -- top to bottom -- the fundamentalists really had in Pakistan, a country with several ready-to-use nuclear weapons. The war, thank God, will hopefully allow us (and Mushareff) to break the grip these fanatics have on such a strategic country. There's a book here, for anyone brave enough to do it. Read the full article at: http://www.nytimes.com/2001/12/10/international/asia/10JIHA.html?searchpv=nytToday"}, {"response": 744, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Dec 11, 2001 (09:25)", "body": "I was driving down the highway to work this morning and most of the radio stations did a memorial national anthem at the same time the Sept 11 attacks took place just 3 months ago. It's hard to believe that 3 months have gone by. As Bush spoke on the radio at a service, I was passing by the exact spot where I first heard the news as he was saying \"we will all remember where we were on that day.\" Where were you? How did you hear the news? How has your life changed since then? How has it affected your world?"}, {"response": 745, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Dec 11, 2001 (15:51)", "body": "Has anyone else heard this? I got it in an email from a friend, yesterday: *The extended bin Laden family is building a trade center in Lebanon that's an image of one of the twin towers.* If this is the case, what a horrific way to memorialize it."}, {"response": 746, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Dec 11, 2001 (15:57)", "body": "The WTC was attacked at 2AM Hawaiian time. I was awakened the next morning (about 5 hours later) with the news and turned on the television. I still can't (or don't want to) believe the devastation it unleashed. I still look at the images on TV. My mind recoils from watching, but I know I must not forget, so I watch. I can see the buildings falling down even with my eyes open."}, {"response": 747, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Dec 11, 2001 (16:06)", "body": "It has affected my world by making a routine inter-island commute into a 4 hours ordeal. Two hours on each end to have all things gone through carefully, walking around in a seemingly armed camp surrounded by rifles at the ready National Guard Troops. We also are forbidden fishing from the breakwaters, and the piers are sealed off by customs inspectors. Hawaii is considered a war zone, so we are also partolled by gunships - both US Navy and Coast Guard. When we went to the summit of Kilauea for Thanksgiving dinner, we noted that the Kilauea Military Rest Camp there hand armed guards where none had existed before, and a heavy metal gate had been installed across each entrance. I think we will never be the same again. Our childhood has been taken away from us, and we must be adults like all the rest of the world has had to be for so long. My delight is the determined comradship I find in my friends who were not all that friendly before. The \"we take care of our own\" attitude has been replaced by \"you AR our own.\" I hope that part lasts."}, {"response": 748, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Dec 11, 2001 (18:00)", "body": "This is very strange. I wish I knew what factory was at the bottom of the picture. No, I don't believe it.... http://www2.justnet.ne.jp/~kiti/Ufo/wtc/wtc.htm"}, {"response": 749, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Dec 11, 2001 (21:51)", "body": "Tom Clancy on why the CIA didn't catch the 9-11 terrorists O'REILLY: Was there a reason that Turner and Carter -- was their a reason why Turner and Carter wanted a weaker [CIA]? CLANCY: It's politically correct. O'REILLY: Simple as that? CLANCY: I think so. The political left is, you know, they deal in symbols rather than reality. The general difference between conservatives and liberals is liberals like pretty pictures and conservatives like to build bridges that people can drive across. And conservatives are indeed conservative because if the bridge falls down, people die. Where as the liberals figure, oh, we can always build a nice memorial to them and make people forget it happened and it was our fault. They're very good at making people forget it was their fault, all right. The CIA was gutted by people on the political left who don't like intelligence operations, and as a result of that, as an indirect result of that, we've lost 5,000 citizens last week."}, {"response": 750, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 11, 2001 (23:37)", "body": ""}, {"response": 751, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Dec 13, 2001 (22:15)", "body": "The Tape http://www.cnn.com/2001/US/12/13/ret.bin.laden.videotape/ CNN has posted a transcript in pdf format http://i.cnn.net/cnn/2001/US/12/13/transcript/binladentape.pdf David Kline (dkline) Thu Dec 13 '01 (09:20) 32 lines Yep, I just saw the Bin Laden tape and it is unbelievable. The man is toast. No doubt he did it (although there will always be 250 people in the world who think the tape is doctored or whatever). And no doubt his callous admissions and disregard for others will hurt his image greatly. Especially his laughter. People hate smug assholes, and OBL is one. Not a lot of things are truly \"chilling\" to me. This tape was. I was also interested to notice the same sort of ass-kissing by OBL subordinates that I remember from my old political days. Only in this case, it was OBL's henchment vying with each other for the most vivid or predictive or praiseworthy (of OBL) dreams that they were pretending to have had. These schmucks were all claiming had these vivid dreams which were all just a bit too pat and synchronous to real-world events for my taste. And they were competing with each other to tell comrade Bin Laden about the praiseworthy meaning of their dreams. What pathetic fucks. I'll tell you what, though. It confirms my sense that OBL was laughing at us during the bombing-only phase of our campaign. Bombing was what they expected us to do. They did not expect us to get on the ground and help the Northern Alliance. And they certainly did not expect that cooperation would lead to the total military collapse of the Taliban in 4 weeks. So who's laughing now, Bin Laudenam? I'll tell you, though, I feel sorry for anyone watching this tape who lost family or loved ones in 9/11. It must be so hurtful to see a low-life like OBL laughing at the murder of innocents. God. The transcript in html http://www.cnn.com/2001/US/12/13/tape.transcript/ and it is in real video at http://video.c-span.org:8080/ramgen/fdrive/ter121301_osama.rm?mode=compact Sulayman ((Abu Guaith)): ... So I went back to the Shaykh (meaning UBL) who was sitting in a room with 50 to 60 people. I tried to tell him about what I saw, but he made gesture with his hands, meaning: \"I know, I know\ufffd\" UBL: He did not know about the operation. What an amazing tape excerpt -- seen at the CNN site. Questions: CNN said it was not taped in chronological order, rather than saying the tape had been edited/dubbed. Strange. Is that just spin? It would have had to have been edited by someone to be out of order, right? Odd. I think the stakes are too high to fake a tape like this. I think it is real, and chilling. I wonder what made them delay releasing it. The propaganda value for those in the Western world who were uneasy about proof is unmistakable. I am very curious how this will play in the Pakistani press and on al-Jezeera tv. I wish we had an arabic speaker who could translate/paraphrase what the commentary and lead-ins are like there. Or a good arabic media critique site (in english) for the same purpose. David Kline (dkline) Thu Dec 13 '01 (11:27) 66 lines > One thing that struck me was the way the visiting \"Saudi cleric\" kept > > saying \"thanks be to Allah...by the grace of Allah\" in practically every > other sentence, while UBL smiled in a way that made me think he finds > other people's devotion to Allah amusing and useful, but that it's not > something he particularly shares. Thank you, Jake. That's a very good point -- and very typical behavior for the top leader of a movement that also functions like a personality cult. The henchmen kiss ass. The leader starts believing the worshipful. And he starts looking down at his henchmen who then worship him even more. Anyway, a few points: 1) WHEN THE TAPE WAS MADE? The Tape was made probably the same day that US chopper lost a wheel and was abandoned (or shot down). Anyone remember what day that was? It was right around the mid-October time of the special forces PR raid. Anyway, this was also the time when US fortunes in Afghanistan looked their bleakest. It seemed all we were doing was bombing Red Cross hospitals and everyone talked about how we'd under-estimated the strength of the Taliban. Even I was a bit demoralized by our lack of progress, and kept wishing we'd just put some SF guys on the ground with the NA and stop all this futile if not counter-productive bombing. The point being, the tape was shot when it appeared to Bin Laden that the US was doing exactly as he expected -- i.e., come in and bomb from a safe height, but not get our boots dirty with on-the-grouned fighting. So he was feeling supremely confident in his ultimate and total success, probably more confident than at any time before or since. 2) WHY THE TAPE WAS MADE? We look for savvy thinking, for conspiratorial 3-steps-ahead planning, in the behavior of Osama bin Laden. But the fact is he was simply suffering from great hubris at the time (see my point #1 above), and allowed the local hosts of that dinner party (which was probab"}, {"response": 752, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Dec 14, 2001 (06:39)", "body": "This is Aljazeera 's account today from the above url cited by David Kline."}, {"response": 753, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Dec 14, 2001 (06:40)", "body": "Bin Laden: Attackers Knew About The Operation Just Before They Boarded The Planes The Pentagon released Thursday a video that it says implicates Osama Bin Laden in the 11 September attacks on New York and the Pentagon. The 40-minute recording is of very poor audio and visual quality. The tape was recorded on November 9 in Kandahar, Afghanistan. US officials disclosed they found the videotape in a private residence in Jalalabad. According to the CNN, Bin Laden and the other three men seated with him make numerous references to various al Qaeda members having dreams of planes hitting tall buildings at least a year before the attacks. Speaking of the hijackers, bin Laden states, \"They were trained and we did not reveal the operation to them until they are there and just before they boarded the planes.\" Additionally, he had turned on his radio in advance to listen to coverage of the attacks and that he had underestimated the damage that would be inflicted on the World Trade Center. Bin Laden is quoted as saying: \"We calculated in advance the number of casualties from the enemy, who would be killed based on the position of the tower.\" This comment referred to hijacked airliners, which hit and destroyed the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York. \"We calculated that the floors that would be hit would be three or four floors. I was the most optimistic of them all,\" he added. http://www.wbur.org/special/specialcoverage/feature_aljaz.asp"}, {"response": 754, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Dec 14, 2001 (20:32)", "body": "I LIKE DAVID KLINE. He says things I would not dare but think, anyway! I refuse to offend my eyes by looking at that man. I watched to be informed but that is all. Is there doubt? Not even for the criminally insane person that he is!"}, {"response": 755, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Dec 14, 2001 (23:24)", "body": "Mutual. David Kline hits home with his poignant observations, based on years in Afghanistan."}, {"response": 756, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Dec 14, 2001 (23:52)", "body": "Indeed. I can feel the intensity of David Kline's anguish and love for Afghanistan in his eloquence. Thanks, Terry, for your continuing posts of his comments. I still worry about that idiot who called Art Bell last night suggesting OBL be set free because we do not punish the criminally insane. Art cut him off, and the following phone calls with creative ways to deal with a captured live OBL gave me much comfort. We have developed a wry sense of the ridiculous when dealing with the actuality of the current war, but are we angry? committed? determined? You'd better believe it!"}, {"response": 757, "author": "AotearoaKiwi", "date": "Sun, Dec 16, 2001 (18:25)", "body": "Hi all I am wondering if it might be better to set a trap for bin Laden with bait of some sort to lure him out. I am not sure how you would do this but it is obvious to me that bin Laden will not be caught in a specific place if he does not to be. Because everyone is climbing a tree called Afghanistan, he may have quietly climbed a tree called Pakistan or Kazakhstan or something like that. I also wonder if assuming Bush decides to move into Somalia and North Korea, if the world coalition will fragment. Even your staunchest ally Britain is rumbling in world media about setting limits as to how far they are prepared to go. I think you need the UN's permission before you set foot on the soil of any other country. Many think America can gain those countries co-operation by offering aid. I urge extreme caution in any decision to expand the war for several reasons: 1)Prove their connections to terrorism 2)Accept that there are more peaceful alternatives to sanctions or military movements in countries like North Korea and Somalia. Humanitarian aid to the former may encourage the former to be more open and possibly allow a thawing of international relations with the North. 3)Another round of diplomacy to reassure key players like the Russians, your European allies and Britain. 4)Don't send the CIA to play the role of the agitator in countries that are preoccupied with internal problems unless the Federal government is prepared to accept some responsibility for wrong doings. 5)Arabs and Muslims have the jitters at the moment over the Palestinian question. Which suggests to me that some \"unthinkable\" things will have to be done to calm them down and stop an escalation of the war. Rob"}, {"response": 758, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Dec 18, 2001 (20:40)", "body": "We've captured Tora Bora but no Osama. David Kline (dkline) Tue Dec 18 '01 (13:55) 23 lines Wait a minute ... you mean there are people here who really believe that the Pakistani border could be sealed tight if only we really wanted to -- and that maybe we don't really want to? Un . . . believable! Not all the world is as secure as a Safeway parking lot, you know. I have spent a good deal of time in those Tora Bora mountains, and crossed that border several times whilst on the run from Russian special forces units and the Pakistani military and intelligence services. Plus I covered the heroin traffic in that region, and I recall how once when the Pakistani government wanted to meet with tribal leaders, they only way they could get them to sit down and talk was to bring in artillery. What's rally happening here, I suspect, is that naive conspiracy-mongering at work here again. You know, the notion of the United States as all-knowing and all-powerful and able to control all events in the world as it chooses. Makes for real good Chomsky, to be sure. But it hardly conforms to the way the real world works. Just ask the Vietnamese. Or Osama bin Laden."}, {"response": 759, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Dec 23, 2001 (12:15)", "body": "From today's New York Times report on the swearing in of Hamid Karzai: \"Adding to the optimism and calm that pervaded the capital today was the show of unity by two Afghan military commanders who had been expected to snub the ceremony: General Rashid Dostrum ... and Gen. Ismail Khan.\" The most moving part of the ceremony, said the Times, was when the Belgian foreign minister Louis Michel made areference to slain Alliance leader Massoud Ahmed Shah that \"captured the combination of grief, exhaustion and aching hope\" that Afghans are feeling today. \"I am sure,\" Michel said, \"that Mr. Massoud is proud of his nation today.\" According to the Times, \"That single sentence sent tears rolling down scores of weathered, wrinkled and scarred cheeks in the audience.\" Really wonderful. And for me as an interested outside observer, especially so. I've literally waited 22 years for this day - David Kline"}, {"response": 760, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Dec 23, 2001 (12:16)", "body": "And Kline adds this: There's certainly cause for hope and optimism re: Afghanistan, but it's also important to be aware of the dangers ahead as well. I can think of many mistakes that the new government could make that would jeopardize Afghan peace and unity: 1) Karzai must not get involved in another muddle with the US (such as the one over amnesty for Mullah Omar) thaty makes him look like a US puppet. 2) Karzai must firmly suppress by armed force if necessary any warlordism or lawlessness or resistance to the government -- at least from middle- or lower-level military, political, religious or tribal figures. 3) But Karzai must never use suppressive methods (an Afghan tendency) against high-level military, political, religious or tribal dissenters. Always compromise should be sought; negotiations conducted. The above are just three things to worry about. I can think of many more potential roadblocks ahead that Karzai will need to skillfully negotiate. Hopefully he can do it. But it's not at all certain he can."}, {"response": 761, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Dec 25, 2001 (11:50)", "body": "David Kline: I have waited (I kid you not) 22 years for this day! -- but even apart from my personal attachment to that country I do believe that something of great import for the world is now taking place in Afghanistan. You cannot push a people through much more suffering and disaster than that which the the Afghans have experienced in recent years, yet now we are witness to a rebirth of hope that many though impossible. Will it succeed? We'll soon know. But the subtext for this inauguration ceremony, as Barb suggests, is really the question of whether hope and rebirth is possible for the larger world as a whole. If the Afghans can save themselves, after all, then maybe we can, too."}, {"response": 762, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Dec 25, 2001 (23:15)", "body": "Poor Afghanistan. I truly hope those people can live in peace and not become a global battlefield. There is so much to hope for, now...!"}, {"response": 763, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Dec 28, 2001 (11:03)", "body": "Mr. John Reid the shoe bomber really is part Jamaican apparently a small time criminal who converted to Islam while in prison. Details here: http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,2001570016-2001595137,00.html That article links him to Zacarias Moussaoui, the \"20th hijacker\". What next? Body cavity bombs?"}, {"response": 764, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Dec 28, 2001 (16:26)", "body": "It does not take much plastique as far as I know. Scary, indeed! When will the dental record become necessary, too?!"}, {"response": 765, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Dec 28, 2001 (17:18)", "body": "Swiss-led campaign to rebuild the destroyed Bamiyan Buddhas: http://www.msnbc.com/news/661589.asp http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20011121/sc/attack_afghan_statues_dc_1.html http://www.portal.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2001/11/18/wbud18.xml&sSheet=/news/2001/11/18/ixhomer.html More on what's been lost/missing in Afghanistan: http://portal.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fnews%2F2001%2F11%2F23%2Fwkab223.xml http://www.dallasnews.com/science/STORY.ea3e5c965f.b0.af.0.a4.6e84a.html http://dsc.discovery.com/news/briefs/20011112/taliban.html"}, {"response": 766, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Dec 28, 2001 (17:19)", "body": "A number of artifacts are being recovered from the WTC site: http://www.nydailynews.com/2001-11-15/News_and_Views/City_Beat/a-132149.asp"}, {"response": 767, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jan  4, 2002 (15:06)", "body": "http://www.timesofindia.com/articleshow.asp?art_id=380255744 Indo-Pak war raging in cyberspace SIDDHARTH SRIVASTAVA TIMES NEWS NETWORK NEW DELHI: Pakistani hackers have made several attempts to hack into Indian sites--especially those containing data on sensitive information relating to nuclear test management--to access sensitive information related to the country's security, said sources in the Intelligence Bureau. The sites targetted include those of Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), the Nuclear Science Centre (NSC) and the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). Although these three sites have been repeatedly hacked in the past, according to IB officials, the recent attempts were aimed at accessing crucial data secured under severely firewalled servers. \"It is quite apparent that the new breed of hackers are much more equipped and trained,\" say sources in the IB. Officials also say that there could have been at least a couple of successful attempts to break the codes of the sites. \"There have been as many as seven attempts to hack into the BARC data since the attack on Indian Parliament on December 13. We are also on the lookout for spy programs that might have been installed,\" says an official. The IB has already written to the defence and the home ministry about the issue. The two ministries have, in turn, sought the help of cyber security firms to shore up the sites. The hackers, according to officials, may be on the payroll of Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence. There has been a history of infiltration into Indian sites with sensitive information by Pakistani hackers. The first infiltration into BARC was in 1998, when it was hacked by three members of Milworm, a Pakistan-based hacker group. Ever since, BARC servers have been favourite targets of Pakistani hackers. \"This year alone, at least one spy program has been detected in a BARC mail server,\" says an official. The first intrusion into IGCAR was reported in January last year when G-Force, a Pakistani hacker group, defaced its main server. Subsequently, other servers in IGCAR have been repeatedly hacked by G-Force. Indian intelligence officials have identified one hacker as Rsnake, who is said to have copied the master database from IGCAR and provided some data to Pakistani intelligence as proof of his access. The ISI, in turn, has realised the importance of hackers after BARC was hacked in 1998. The first Pakistani hacker group-Pakistani Hackers Club-was formed by two 'hacktivists' who used the pseudonyms DoctorNuker and Mr Sweet. DoctorNuker took to hacking when he was a computer science student at Karachi University. Along with fellow hacker Dizasta (real name: Fahad Shamshek Khan), he started hacking into critical Indian and US servers. DoctorNuker, say IB officials, was the first hacker whose skills were recognised by the ISI and under the latter's directives, focused on critical Indian government servers (especially those relating to nuclear and atomic establishments). But sources say the most active Pakistani hacker in the recent past has been a person impersonating as Rsnake, who started hacking from the Netherlands where he was working with a group of portals. Inspired by DoctorNuker, he started the hacker group G-Force from Holland. The ISI has now got him to Pakistan to coordinate other hackers targeting Indian websites, claim IB officials."}, {"response": 768, "author": "Matt", "date": "Fri, Jan  4, 2002 (16:30)", "body": "Its all The Same,War, not good for any one"}, {"response": 769, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jan  5, 2002 (00:58)", "body": "There never HAS been a \"good\" war. However, if our ancestors had not fought for your right to say what you said, perhaps you would not have the right to do so. Soem causes have to be bought more preciously than others. Or would you rather be speaking German or Japanese, now? Alas, war is not a simple case of right or wrong when there are two sides."}, {"response": 770, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Sat, Jan 12, 2002 (02:18)", "body": "(739 - Paul Terry Walhus (terry)I heard a blockbuster rumor today. Basically, there is a French book being published which recounts the FBI's investigation of Osama Bin Laden and his cohorts. which says that they were hot on the trail of all of the terorists and were then pulled off the case by the State Department just before 9/11. Reportedly, the chief of the FBI investigation quit over the interference from the State Department. *************************** CNN AMERICAN MORNING WITH PAULA ZAHN Explosive New Book Published in France Alleges that U.S. Was in Negotiations to Do a Deal with Taliban Aired January 8, 2002 - 07:34 ET - CNN January 8, 2002 - 07:34 ET THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED. PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Time to check in with ambassador-in- residence, Richard Butler, this morning. An explosive new book published in France al leges that the United States was in negotiations to do a deal with the Taliban for an oil pipeline in Afghanistan. Joining us right now is Richard Butler to shed some light on this new book. He is the former chief U.N. weapons inspector. He is now on the Council on Foreign Relations and our own ambassador-in- residence -- good morning. RICHARD BUTLER, FMR. U.N. WEAPONS INSPECTOR: Good morning, Paula. ZAHN: Boy, if any of these charges are true... BUTLER: If... ZAHN: ... this... BUTLER: Yes. ZAHN: ... is really big news. BUTLER: I agree. ZAHN: Start off with what your understanding is of what is in this book -- the most explosive charge. BUTLER: The most explosive charge, Paula, is that the Bush administration -- the present one, just shortly after assuming office slowed down FBI investigations of al Qaeda and terrorism in Afghanistan in order to do a deal with the Taliban on oil -- an oil pipeline across Afghanistan. ZAHN: And this book points out that the FBI's deputy director, John O'Neill, actually resigned because he felt the U.S. administration was obstructing... BUTLER: A proper... ZAHN: ... the prosecution of terrorism. BUTLER: Yes, yes, a proper intelligence investigation of terrorism. Now, you said if, and I affirmed that in responding to you. We have to be careful here. These are allegations. They're worth airing and talking about, because of their gravity. We don't know if they are correct. But I believe they should be investigated, because Central Asian oil, as we were discussing yesterday, is potentially so important. And all prior attempts to have a pipeline had to be done through Russia. It had to be negotiated with Russia. Now, if there is to be a pipeline through Afghanistan, obviating the need to deal with Russia, it would also cost less than half of what a pipeline through Russia would cost. So financially and politically, there's a big prize to be had. A pipeline through Afghanistan down to the Pakistan coast would bring out that Central Asian oil easier and more cheaply. ZAHN: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) as you spoke about this yesterday, we almost immediately got a call from \"The New York Times.\" BUTLER: Right. ZAHN: They want you to write an op-ed piece on this over the weekend. BUTLER: Right, and which I will do. ZAHN: But let's come back to this whole issue of what John O'Neill, this FBI agent... BUTLER: Right. ZAHN: ... apparently told the authors of this book. He is alleging that -- what -- the U.S. government was trying to protect U.S. oil interests? And at the same time, shut off the investigation of terrorism to allow for that to happen? BUTLER: That's the allegation that instead of prosecuting properly an investigation of terrorism, which has its home in Afghanistan as we now know, or one of its main homes, that was shut down or slowed down in order to pursue oil interests with the Taliban. The people who we have now bombed out of existence, and this not many months ago. The book says that the negotiators said to the Taliban, you have a choice. You have a carpet of gold, meaning an oil deal, or a carpet of bombs. That's what the book alleges. ZAHN: Well, I know you're going to be doing your own independent homework on this... BUTLER: Yes. ZAHN: ... to see if you can confirm any of this. Let's move on to the whole issue of Iraq. The deputy defense secretary, Paul Wolfowitz, at one time was considered one of those voices within the administration... For the complete transcript, go to the following URL: http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0201/08/ltm.05.html ************************ U.S. Taliban Policy influenced by Oil by Julio Godoy Inter Press Service English News Wire, 16 November 2001 Centre for Research on Globalisation (CRG), globalresearch.ca 17 November 2001 A new book by two French intelligence analysts claims that at the behest of U.S. oil companies, the Bush administration initially blocked FBI investigations into terrorism, while it bargained with the Taliban for the delivery of Osama bin Laden in exchange for political recognition and economic aid. In the book \"Bin Laden, la verite interdite\" (\"B"}, {"response": 771, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Jan 13, 2002 (05:55)", "body": "Wow, that was like a big spoiler alert after the text bomb. I'm glad Mahfouz is under arrest We need to know the truth of the events leading up to September 11 so is this a piece of the puzzle, the whole puzzle, or is it a distortion. Obviously Paula Zahn thinks it's worthy of probing, let's see where this story goes."}, {"response": 772, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jan 14, 2002 (17:51)", "body": "The war will end in 2008, now we know. Pentagon warns of war lasting six years By David Wastell in Washington (Filed: 13/01/2002) AMERICAN military chiefs believe that the global war against terrorism will last at least six years. Pentagon officials are being advised to draw up budgets and plans to buy new equipment on the assumption that the struggle against al-Qa'eda and other international terrorist groups will endure until 2008, and perhaps even longer. \" continued at http://www.portal.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;$sessionid$MO5SHXQAAECK5QFIQMGSFF4AVCBQWIV0?xml=/news/2002/01/13/wtal213.xml&sSheet=/news/2002/01/13/ixnewstop.html"}, {"response": 773, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jan 14, 2002 (21:22)", "body": "Happy Us. We KNOW when the war will end. How very peculiar!"}, {"response": 774, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Jan 17, 2002 (04:51)", "body": "More from the same article: Donald Rumsfeld, the defence secretary, has won President Bush's backing for a sharp increase in military spending. Extra money will be allocated for more of the weapons that have proved useful in Afghanistan, such as unmanned surveillance and attack aircraft. The increased spending will continue whether or not Osama bin Laden is found soon. It follows signs that the Pentagon is wearying of the intense public interest in the hunt for the al-Qa'eda leader, and Mullah Omar, the Taliban leader. John McCain, a senator and former chairman of the armed services committee, said on his return from a trip to the Afghan region that he felt frustrated that bin Laden was still at large. He added, however: \"He's on the run now. I think he's a threat so long as he's alive, but it's a far different scenario than the one where he had sanctuary and was able to operate with a financial network and a network of terrorists throughout the world.\" After four weeks in which the Pentagon and the media were constantly on tenterhooks for the imminent capture of bin Laden, a change of tack ordered by Mr Rumsfeld has become evident. Officials say that they will no longer even hint at where they think he might be. There have also been reports of clashes between the Pentagon and the CIA over the quality of intelligence emanating from Afghanistan. Some military officials feared there was a \"missed opportunity\" when the Pentagon ordered US Central Command to rely on local Afghan forces rather than US troops to try to intercept and capture bin Laden after the assault on al-Qa'eda's Tora Bora mountain hideouts. Not only did bin Laden apparently escape, but so have a series of Taliban leaders over the past two weeks, almost certainly including Mullah Omar, raising questions about the competence or possible corruption of the Afghan forces. Although no politician is yet prepared to risk publicly differing with Mr Bush over the administration's handling of the war, some advisers fear that public patience over the failure to catch bin Laden will evaporate if the hunt drags on too long - or if there is a fresh terrorist attack on the US."}, {"response": 775, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jan 18, 2002 (12:30)", "body": "Osama bin Laden may be on the verge of winning a round, the Saudis are said to be on the verge of asking the Americans to leave Saudi Arabia: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A64536-2002Jan17.html This was Bin Laden and Al Quaeda's aim, and it will vindicate Bin Laden to the Islamic world. I hate to see it take this turn. More later as I learn more."}, {"response": 776, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jan 18, 2002 (12:33)", "body": "US Envoy Plays Down Reports of Strains with Saudi January 18, 2002 09:34 AM ET Email this article Printer friendly version RIYADH (Reuters) - A senior U.S. envoy played down U.S. media reports of tensions with Saudi Arabia over the presence of American troops in the kingdom, an Arabic newspaper reported on Friday. \"I did not come to the kingdom with any demand, instead I came as an ally and a friend,\" U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Lincoln Bloomfield told the London-based daily Al-Hayat. \"Our cooperation is very important and is not only about (fighting) the terrorist al Qaeda organization but also for the sake of long-term regional security,\" he said. The New York Times reported this week that senior officials in Congress and at the Pentagon had called for the pullout of U.S. forces from Saudi Arabia because of what they see as its tepid support for the U.S. war on terrorism and restrictions on U.S. military operations. Bloomfield said he had not discussed with Saudi officials the presence of U.S. troops at a Saudi air base, which an influential U.S. senator has said may have to end because of restrictions imposed on them by Saudi Arabia."}, {"response": 777, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jan 25, 2002 (10:13)", "body": "David Kline (dkline) Thu Jan 24 '02 (10:44) 63 lines I had lunch yesterday with the nephew of the legendary Afghan hero Abdul Haq, and it was rather interesting to hear his views on issues that have something to do with this discussion. First, a bit of background. Khushal Arsala is the son of Abdul Haq's brother. During the anti-Soviet war, the two brothers fought side by side and promised each other that if either died, the other would raise the deceassed's children as if they were his own. And that's what happenned -- Abdul Haq raised Arsala and his siblings as if they were his own kids. So as you might imagine, Arsala has enormous love and hero worship of Abdul Haq, who as you might recall was captured and executed by the Taliban only a few weeks before a sufficient critical mass of popular revolt started the Taliban crumbling. A sad irony, indeed. Anyway, Arsala spoke to two issues that have been very controversial here in the USA: the treatment of Guantanamo prisoners, and the bombing campaign in Afghanistan. On the first issue -- treatment of prisoners -- he said he could understand America's dilemma vis. a vis. the Geneva conventions and other legal issues. He had no real suggestions to offer. But he did want to stress, \"in case you Americans forget,\" that by and large the people detained in Guantanamo are \"beyond the pale\" of anything \"Americans are used to facing.\" They are relentless, he said, and \"they will kill you at the first chance. You Americans are not used to people like this, people with no standard of decency and humanity such as you try to have.\" I guess his point was to be sympathetic to our dilemma, but to also remind us that we are afflicted with akind of naivete and \"sense of fair play\" that while important for us to maintain, may blind us to the utter and implacable hatred of our enemies. Point No. 2 concerned the bombing. Like his uncle Abdul Haq, Arsala opposed the US bombing campaign in Afghanistan. He totally supported our special forces teams working with the Northern Alliance and other opposition forces to oust the Taliban, but he felt much of the bombing, at least, did not serve to aid that effort but merely alienated some of the population owing to the civilian casualties that resulted. What about the continued bombing of suspected Al Queda positions in Paktia province? He said that we definitely had to go in there and kill those people, but by employing bombing, we ended up killing too many innocent civilians when ground action would accomplish the job without such civilian losses. Overall, though, he said that Afghans today overwhelmingly welcome the US presence in the country, but that this could change overnight if a) too many more civilians are killed; or b) we do not deliver immediate aid to help the country get back on its feet. \"How much does it cost for one or two bombing missions?\" he asked. \"That money could provide salaries to thousands of civilservice employees.\" He also said: \"I do not feel that by asking for American economic aid we are asking for charity. Thousands and thousands of our people died to battle first your enemy the Russians and now your enemy Al Queda. And we warned you year after year after year -- Abdul Haq warned you -- that the Taliban and Al Queda would attack America from their bases in Afghanistan. We asked you to help us defeat them, but you refused.\" The above is close to an exact quote. His views are pretty interesting, I think. . Great observations from Abdul Haq's son and David Kline."}, {"response": 778, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Jan 26, 2002 (03:16)", "body": "This is some not good news. In fact, horrible news *if true*. Al Qaida moving into Gaza, may join fight against Israel ANKARA \ufffd Western diplomatic sources said Al Qaida insurgents have infiltrated the West Bank and Gaza Strip in an effort to determine whether the movement should make the Palestinian areas into their new home. The sources said Al Qaida appears to prefer the Gaza Strip over more distant locations such as Somalia. http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/breaking_7.html"}, {"response": 779, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Sat, Feb  9, 2002 (23:40)", "body": "The Sunday Telegraph I come face to face with the Taliban leaders (Filed: 10/02/2002) CHRISTINA LAMB in Baluchistan, meets senior members of the regime who escaped the American armed forces and are now living relatively comfortably across the border in Pakistan. They tell her of their plans to regain power. The telephone call came shortly after breakfast. \"The carpet has arrived,\" said a voice. \"It's a very valuable one and we can't keep it here long for security reasons.\" It was the strangest feeling. For most of the past five months since September 11, I have been in Pakistan and Afghanistan writing about the evil Taliban regime and meeting one after another of its victims, from Hazara women whose husbands were burnt to death in front of their eyes, to a Kandahar footballer whose hand was cut off in a public amputation at which officials then discussed whether to also chop off a foot. Now this coded telephone message meant that I would soon be meeting some of the regime's key members in their hiding places in Pakistan. Four hours later I was taken down a rubbish-strewn alley where I entered a house through the women's quarters. Finally a bearded old man in a swan-white turban summoned me through the curtain into a room where two former Taliban ministers were sitting on floor cushions along with our go-between. For a moment I was taken aback. For the past few months the combined might of the American armed forces have been hunting the former leaders of the Taliban regime who presided over a reign of terror in Afghanistan. Those Taliban leaders that have been caught have been shipped off to Camp X-Ray in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for interrogation about their links with the al-Qaeda network. Yesterday Mullah Abdul Wakil Muttawakil, the Taliban's foreign minister, surrendered to Afghan officials and was turned over to US forces, becoming one of the highest ranking members of the deposed rulers to be detained in the war in Afghanistan, the US military said. Muttawakil was being held in the former Taliban stronghold of Kandahar for questioning that the United States hopes will yield intelligence about fleeing leaders of the Taliban and the allied al-Qa'eda guerrilla network. But as The Telegraph can reveal today, a large number of Taliban leaders have managed to escape and are now hiding out in the Pakistan province of Baluchistan, apparently unhindered by the attentions of the Pakistani security authorities. It took me a few moments to come to terms with the fact that I was sitting cross-legged in front of some of the world's most wanted men. With their beards trimmed short, they looked surprisingly young. I knew the Taliban leadership were mostly in their thirties, but somehow I had thought of them as bigger and older - and more malevolent. One of the two men, Maulana Abdullah Sahadi, the former deputy defence minister, was only 28 and looked vulnerable and slightly scared, greeting me with a wonky Johnny Depp-like smile. It was the first time he had ventured out of his hiding place since escaping Afghanistan after the fall of Kandahar two months ago. The other minister, a burly man in his mid-thirties who agreed to meet only on condition of anonymity and is responsible for some of the acts that have most horrified the Western world, looked defiant. Later that day I would also meet the director-general of the passport office who had issued Afghan visas to some of the Arab fighters who are now on America's most-wanted list. The news that at least two prominent former Taliban ministers are safely hiding in Pakistan, while American troops continue to hunt for them just across the nearby Afghan border, will severely embarrass President Pervez Musharraf, who makes an official visit to Washington this week at which he will have talks with Vice-President Dick Cheney and lunch with President George W. Bush at the White House. \"If these are senior Taliban officials, maybe the Pakistani authorities should be arresting them,\" said one US official. My interviews took place in Baluchistan, a vast smugglers' land of desert, mountains and earth tremors, much of which is governed by tribal law, where women are kept locked away and federal government officials fear to tread. It was here in the madrassas, or religious schools, that the Taliban originated and, perhaps not surprisingly, it is where they have taken refuge after surrendering their last stronghold of Kandahar on December 7. \"We shaved off our beards, changed our turbans from white Taliban to Kandahari [green or black with thin white stripes], got in cars and drove on the road across the border,\" says Maulana Sahadi, adding, \"My beard was as long as this.\" He gestured down to his chest. The Pakistani authorities, he claims, turned a blind eye. While US special forces based in Kandahar continue to go on daily operations in the Afghan mountains searching for al-Qaeda and Taliban, just across the border it is an open secret that senior Taliban ministers are sheltering in "}]}, {"num": 153, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 154, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 155, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 156, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 157, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 158, "subject": "Colin Firth - Film Discussions (part III)", "response_count": 1063, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Jan 10, 2002 (12:28)", "body": "Unless my watch has gone completely lulu, isn't this the day that we are starting the RV movie discussion? I just got home from work and thought that I would miss the beginning, but I guess I am the first. And since Karen's bold heading says that indeed we will begin today and on Topic 158 (not 98), I'll post here. Hope that's okay. I enjoyed RV, and the more times I watch it the more entertaining it becomes. CF is wonderful as Peter (and am so glad that he doesn't play the lover in the middle this time ;-)). I love his mannerisms and many of his lines. I like his scenes with Sophie Thompson when he's trying earrings on her and handing over a flask to her to help her get through the evening. LOL! Some of my favorite lines: I've gone quite giddy with relief. Like bees to a honey pot. The one about his watch (see above). And what does he say to Lady Marshwood (while taking her hand) when Nigel and Miranda arrive? Is it \"untax the mast\"? Another Navy reference perhaps meaning full speed ahead? Not really sure about that line, but it's very funny the way he says it and very sweet the way he takes Julie Andrew's hand.:-) Will post more ruminations later."}, {"response": 2, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Jan 10, 2002 (13:12)", "body": "I also like the line: Leave him to me, dear, I'll soon have him back in the saddle. CF/Peter says this when he goes outside, at Lady Marshwood's request, to cheer up Don Lucas. I like the way Peter is always stirring things up a bit (with Lady Marshwood) in order to change or direct the outcome. Right before Peter goes out to the garden to cheer up Don Lucas, you can see his lovely Tux-adorned reflection in the glass of the door that Don Lucas has just gone out of - he's sitting on the arm of a chair. It's quite nice :-). Stephen Fry has some great moments and lines, too. I love when both he and Don Lucas are both speaking 'English', but the Hollywood \"bum\" can't understand a word that the English butler is saying. *hee hee* I think SF/Crestwell says it all when he explains the plan to Moxie and says: No, no, it's more a question of status than of actual achievement. This describes many of the characters who have gathered at Marshwood except of course for Moxie who doesn't really want to live a lie. She's got a lot of moxie, hasn't she! :-). And I love Alice the maid. She would definitely find herself on drool if she was around today! ;-)"}, {"response": 3, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 10, 2002 (13:33)", "body": "Good for you Lora....good start. \"Relative Values\"... \"Gosford Park -lite\". Like you Lora, I love this little gem and don't know why it did so poorly in the BO in UK. Of course, it didn't have a target audience. Or, the guys who usually go to see this kind of film, rent them instead. Anyway, ODB has the greatest lines in this film. I've watched it several times, once just to watch his grimaces. Little scene stealers!Watch him, even when other actors are speaking. Those little noises he makes,LOL. He never goes out of character, consistent body language,raised eyebrows.The legs crossed, the little hand suspended in the air.He's a hoot. Hate to say this, but I can see why he pursued this role.And they had so much fun making it. Fave line when he's walking down the corridor about to meet Don Lucas...aside: \"Be still my beating heart\""}, {"response": 4, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Jan 10, 2002 (13:45)", "body": "(Evelyn) Fave line when he's walking down the corridor about to meet Don Lucas...aside: \"Be still my beating heart\" Or, \"I've gone quite weak at the knees.\" (As he tries to turn back, but Moxie pulls him back next to her!) LOL! Wouldn't we do the same (or try not to do the same - like you managed to do, Evelyn, so I've read) if we were ever about to meet him! :-)"}, {"response": 5, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 10, 2002 (14:26)", "body": "from IMDb and I know we would agree: \"the best scene in the film with Baldwin, aping scenes from Casablanca.\" LOL at the reviewer's recommendations: http://us.imdb.com/Title?0210943"}, {"response": 6, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Jan 10, 2002 (16:23)", "body": "Lovely to hear my fave ;lines again. I also love \"The fleet's in and I'd hate to disappoint.\" which he ays to Caroline while playing the piano, right at the start. I have the cd and that line is almost lost, unless you know what you are listening for. I love this film, frothy and funny. Didn't the Times say he had a wonderful way with one liners (C,mon KJ you will know the exact quote:-) I remember keping the paper open on my desk at work re reading it ! Think he had a lot of fun with it (well he had a script for a start!). And I love Alice the Maid I saw Rv in Wales the first time and of course she virtually got a standing ovation at the end, she got the most laughs, after oDB of course! In fact I found the audience needed to warm to his performance and then he began to get laughs further into the film, whereas Stephen Fry was getting them from the word go."}, {"response": 7, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 10, 2002 (17:09)", "body": "(Lizza) In fact I found the audience needed to warm to his performance and then he began to get laughs further into the film, whereas Stephen Fry was getting them from the word go. Really? I wonder why. At times, I have a problem understanding Moxie when she speaks rapidly. And would someone pl. tell me, what's with the maid running those dogs up and down the lawn;-) Of course, we haven't even started on the scene with the Girl Guides...another fave"}, {"response": 8, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Jan 10, 2002 (19:57)", "body": "(Lizza) Didn't the Times say he had a wonderful way with one liners (C,mon KJ you will know the exact quote:-) Yeah, but I consult the Other Karen for it: 'Colin Firth, as Coward's acid-stripping alter-ego, has a way with one-liners that's almost indecent. ' \ufffd James Christopher, The Times (Other remarks on:) http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/rv4.html"}, {"response": 9, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 10, 2002 (22:47)", "body": "Promise I'll be with you guys tomorrow. Am channeling Noel Coward..."}, {"response": 10, "author": "elizh", "date": "Fri, Jan 11, 2002 (01:18)", "body": "I love watching ODB show off his stuff in this film. Another huge character shift and such a complete characterization package. Every line inflection, every little gesture and look is authentic and true to his creation of Peter. All smouldering, dourness, humorlessness, and haughty indignation has been erased. What an ideal fantasy man Peter is! (Well, my ideal fantasy man, anyway!) He is oh-so-good-looking in a dinner jacket. He is the compleat gentleman, he spouts sparkling repartee, he is unashamedly playful, he's comfortable tossing off sophisticated tunes on the piano at a party, has perfect manners, always knows which fork to use, loyal to his family, kind to household staff, regular church goer and he even looks like Colin Firth. All except for one personal preference....oh, well, wouldn't he be a fun guy to pal around with? I've also had fun thinking about some of the many ironies in this film:...here's is gay character modeled after famous gay man being played by He Who Must Be Drooled Over and in very droolable manner, I must say, yet the character he creates is spot on. Here is ODB's character in starstruck awe of Brother Baldwin's character in garden scene, when in fact just tell me who has more stature as a film star? Well, off to Bedfordshire, to dream up more thoughts on ODB in order to make valuable contributions to this important forum tomorrow."}, {"response": 11, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Jan 11, 2002 (15:45)", "body": "(Evelyn)Really, I wonder why? I think Stephen Fry is perceived here as an instantly funny guy. Colin doesn't have that reputation (and only droolers are going to be saying, Lord Wessex will have no problems making this role funny) and so it takes a little longer. I disagreed with the reviews that said he was too camp etc I loved his interpretation. (KJ)I consult the Other Karen for it Thanks for coming up trumps, and the link didn't fool me;-))"}, {"response": 12, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Jan 11, 2002 (16:58)", "body": "Nigel and Miranda's drive to Marshwood reminded me of Bridget and Daniel's weekend mini-break drive. Same accessories in manner of Grace Kelly, though scarf didn't fly off but maybe it should have! And Mark you and your suit were missed. There were nice choices for music,too, especially during credits: Almost Like Being in Love :-)"}, {"response": 13, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 11, 2002 (17:50)", "body": "Thank for starting us off, Lora. Lots of good fav lines, which I admit I adore myself. They're all so devilishly delivered by Colin. -\"I've gone quite giddy with relief\" -\"Just leave him to me, dear, I'll soon have him back in the saddle.\" -\"Be still my beating heart\" -\"We might arrange that for after dinner\" (responding to Moxie's comment about Miranda needing a good bottom-smacking) Actually, that prelude to and the actual meeting between Peter meeting Don Lucas is hysterically funny, rating right up there with Peter answering the phone and talking to Nigel before he arrives (\"Hello, you naughty boy...swanning about the Riviera, giving away your hard-earned title...\"), the beginning piano playing repartee with Caroline, the Casablanca scene...but one of the best is when Miranda comes into the drawing room after resting up and is going on and on. Peter is making all sorts of mocking gestures as he stands next to Felicity. Two fav lines of mine are delivered by others: -Moxie when she yells at her sister, \" If you can hear the sound of Bow Bells from Sidcup, you must have the ears of an elkhound.\" -Nigel's \"We say riding in England. The horseback is taken for granted.\" RV is actually very entertaining and nearly everybody has great comedic timing for the material. (Evelyn) \"Relative Values\"... \"Gosford Park -lite\" Since you're going to be seeing it this weekend, you're going to be amazed at some of the similarities, especially as it related to how a star is received in a grand old house. (Lizza) \"The fleet's in and I'd hate to disappoint.\" which he says to Caroline while playing the piano, right at the start. Actually I like his teasing line to Caroline just before that. \"Drinking a chap's champagne is tantamount to kissing him without permission.\" If he were straight, that would be a come-on line, but you have to wonder why he would say that. Since it isn't in the play, I feel like they put it in to make sure the audience knows he plays for the other team, as they say, and that everyone knows it. (Lora) And I love Alice the Maid She is a hoot. There's the scene when Don Lucas arrives and she stands frozen to the spot. He and Crestwell have their conversation in the library and, when Sir Freddie (ha ha) comes out, she's still there and hasn't moved a muscle, except for some outrageous facial changes. Being in the company of Hollywood movie stars is just too much for this gal. She even gapes unashamedly while holding a towel for Miranda. (Evelyn) And would someone pl. tell me, what's with the maid running those dogs up and down the lawn ;-) One of the great mysteries of this film--along with the real significance of the Japanese Room--especially as you never see the dogs inside. (Elizh) He is oh-so-good-looking in a dinner jacket. With the exception of the skinny ascot (tie being taken for granted), Colin has some of the best looking (and fitting) wardrobe we've seen in some time. Those suits were cut rather nicely. woo woo (BTW, Elizh, what shall we call you here?) (Elizh) starstruck awe of Brother Baldwin's character in garden scene I've thought a lot about Billy Baldwin's casting as the screen idol and it always seems so inappropriate. Alec, yes, but Billy, I dunno. Does he really seem like an early-1950s film star? I'd hate to have to dig my Pictorial History of the Talkies or Screen Idols books out from the box... (Evelyn) Really, I wonder why? (Lizza) I think Stephen Fry is perceived here as an instantly funny guy. Colin doesn't have that reputation So true. In most people's eyes, Colin is Darcy and that's not a funny part. He hasn't made his reputation, like SF has, on being a comic actor. (Lizza) I disagreed with the reviews that said he was too camp etc I loved his interpretation. The more I look at, the more I do agree it was very camp. But I don't think the reviewers disliked that at all and it works for me."}, {"response": 14, "author": "rachael", "date": "Fri, Jan 11, 2002 (18:03)", "body": "On my first viewing, I disliked it because Colin was so good at being camp On my second, I picked up on many more of the funny lines (I did like the \"drinking a chap's champagne\" one, and thought the girl and the dogs on the lawn very funny). Maybe it takes more than one look, and that's why cinema audiences didn't laugh in all th right places. I'm not aware of it being released on cinema round here (though I do live in one of the more philistinical areas of the country - and if that isn't a word already, it should be) Will be renting at the weekend for another good look :-)"}, {"response": 15, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 11, 2002 (18:25)", "body": "(Rachael) I'm not aware of it being released on cinema round here It opened BIG for your country. For some reason, the 80+ rings a bell. This was promoted like a H'wood movie, very unique, with a wide opening. I remember all this being discussed on the other topics, and I posted weekly lists of the cinemas it showed at."}, {"response": 16, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Jan 11, 2002 (18:47)", "body": "(Karen)One of the great mysteries of this film--along with the real significance of the Japanese Room--especially as you never see the dogs inside. Actually, you do see one of the dogs in Lady Marshwood's room when Moxie is doing her hair and Lady Marshwood has asked her what's on her mind. The dog enters the room about then. (Karen)-Nigel's \"We say riding in England. The horseback is taken for granted.\" Karen, he did do that one well! I liked it too. It was also funny when he told her that she couldn't take the train -- not because he didn't want her to go, but because it had two stops!!! When Nigel loses interest he can't even hide it."}, {"response": 17, "author": "rachael", "date": "Fri, Jan 11, 2002 (19:37)", "body": "I have no recollection of it opening here at all, but then, I told you I live in a crap place ;-) and I also wasn't hookd on ODB then *shock horror* But anyway, I think it benefits from repeated viewings, once doesn't allow one to pick up the nuances and, especially, the cleverness and sharpness of Coward's language - after seeing Private Lives with the sublime partnership of Alan R and Lindsey D, I appreciate the perfect delivery of a good line."}, {"response": 18, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 11, 2002 (20:39)", "body": "once doesn't allow one to pick up the nuances and, especially, the cleverness and sharpness of Coward's language - I've been reading the play, and actually, most of those lines are not Coward's .But humorous, nevertheless. Edward Attherton bothered me more than Billy Baldwin. I thought EA was the weak link in the cast. Lora, I thought the train line was a winner too."}, {"response": 19, "author": "elizh", "date": "Fri, Jan 11, 2002 (22:55)", "body": "I didn't like BB, EA, or JT, for that matter. EA because he almost disappears, and BB and JT because of their jarring one dimensional performances. Maybe they're supposed to me cringe to emphasize their \"low class\" American-ness. But IMHO BB and JT are never convincing to me either as a couple, or as film stars. I just find them terrible and yucky and it's hard for me to watch them. The other thing I find irritating is that Dave Brubeck \"Take Five\" sound- alike tune that's played over and over again. There are so many songs from that era (LIKE \"Almost Like Being in Love\")that could have added to the story. But instead, they use that same tune repeatedly, which at times gives RV the feel of a cheap little sitcom or B movie. BTW, you can just continue to call me elizh...quicker than typing out the whole name, and there may be more than one of us..."}, {"response": 20, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sat, Jan 12, 2002 (01:15)", "body": "I'm very disappointed. Had wanted to see this movie and thought I would go rent it and then intellectually contribute to the discussion. Wrong! Neither of my video shops,(only 2 around my small town) carry RV! Shocking and unbelievable I say! Anyways, will continue to read and enjoy your comments and while I mentally conjure up delightful images of CF in a well cut tux as he says \"Just leave him to me, dear, I'll soon have him back in the saddle.\""}, {"response": 21, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 12, 2002 (08:46)", "body": "That's a shame, Lisa. (BTW, I've never seen it at my Blockbuster either) Anyway, I've emailed you."}, {"response": 22, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jan 12, 2002 (08:47)", "body": "Shocking and unbelievable I say! Though not unexpected, I suppose. This film goes into the black hole of everyone's career, I'm afraid. Even Julie Andrews' \"Long-Anticipated Return to Films\" has been eclipsed by The Princess Diaries. Am curious as to what makes one delightful piece of fluff stand out from another delightful piece of fluff. ;-) BB's character reminded me of Kirk Douglas. Never did a thing for me but I suppose was considered a sex symbol in his time. (elizh) But IMHO BB and JT are never convincing to me either as a couple, or as film stars. I just find them terrible and yucky and it's hard for me to watch them. Agree. They key is \"film stars\" since we see plenty of evidence neither can act. (I did mean their characters can't act. ;-)). The acting in 50s films was rarely that affected. I also thought they were deliberately mismatched as lovers in the film because you know there's no way in hades they're going to make it as a couple. Ditto, ditto, ditto on everything everyone said about Colin and his role. the best male role in the film."}, {"response": 23, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jan 12, 2002 (09:35)", "body": "(Karen), With the exception of the skinny ascot (tie being taken for granted), Colin has some of the best looking (and fitting) wardrobe we've seen in some time. Those suits were cut rather nicely. woo woo Yes, indeed! Which only goes to prove that it can be done. ;-) It was also funny when he told her that she couldn't take the train -- not because he didn't want her to go, but because it had two stops!!! This line is not just fluff, it is quite telling of his character. Colin's character can be dissected for the fluff/camp lines and the funny ones which describe his real character. Had he played it less camp, it would have been a perfect performance. Julie Andrews' \"Long-Anticipated Return to Films\" has been eclipsed by The Princess Diaries. Am curious as to what makes one delightful piece of fluff stand out from another delightful piece of fluff. ;-) The audience. Noel Coward gives us much better dialog but it has a more audience. I didn't think much of TPD, but my boys liked it."}, {"response": 24, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jan 12, 2002 (09:37)", "body": "That should be: Noel Coward gives us much better dialog but it has a more limited audience."}, {"response": 25, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 12, 2002 (10:00)", "body": "Even Julie Andrews' \"Long-Anticipated Return to Films\" has been eclipsed by The Princess Diaries. Am curious as to what makes one delightful piece of fluff stand out from another delightful piece of fluff. ;-) The difference:target audience.\"Princess Diaries \"really appealed to the pre-adolescent... who go to movies It was a cute film; I saw it. The Noel Coward bunch are renters or tv viewers.We always laugh around here and call it \"a nursing home movie\".In an interview for TPD, Julie Andrews refered to RV as a \"little film that went no where\". Sad. I thought it was entertaining. I'm not a fan of either JT or BB, but do you think their yucky phoniness, unconvincing chemistry was an indication of their characters as two egotistical shallow movie stars.And the director wanted the roles portrayed that way ? I'm trying to figure out why Felicity gave that drinks party on Friday(?) night. What was the occasion? On Saturday, Miranda and Nigel came waltzing in."}, {"response": 26, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 12, 2002 (11:21)", "body": ""}, {"response": 27, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 12, 2002 (11:29)", "body": "[Admin Note: To make my life a little easier, could everyone add the name of person being quoted when they cut and paste and italicize, as I've shown below. I copy off these discussions for subsequent editing and uploading and it can be time consuming to have to search for the source names. Thanks.] (Lora) And what does he say to Lady Marshwood...when Nigel and Miranda arrive? Is it \"untax the mast\"? Try using the closed-captioning option (if available) to decipher it. I've listened to it and \"untack\" might make a little more sense, but I can't find that phrase anywhere. (Lora) Actually, you do see one of the dogs in Lady Marshwood's room.... Thanks, Lora, I hadn't noticed them. But still those references to the Japanese Room are leading IMO without any payoff. Felicity first suggests it as Moxie's new room. Moxie looks horrified and says that it is for \"special people who stay for ages,\" which prompts Crestwell to suggest the Chintz Room as a more suitable alternative. Then later, Felicity suggests the Japanese Room for Don Lucas and everyone's eyebrows shoot right up as though there were some hidden meaning here. From they way everyone reacts, I would've guessed that the room had some special properties, e.g., next door to Miranda's or with a connecting door or similar. But nothing is ever made of it. (Rachael) once doesn't allow one to pick up the nuances and, especially, the cleverness and sharpness of Coward's language (Evelyn) I've been reading the play, and actually, most of those lines are not Coward's. I hadn't read the play for ages but when I went to look for the mast line (above), I was amazed at how different the play actually is. (elizh) Maybe they're supposed to [make] me cringe to emphasize their \"low class\" American-ness. I think that's exactly what's going on. It's the staid, British perception of Americans, their directness, disregard for class, etc. As two recent CF-related books have pointed out, Europeans think we \"smile too much.\" ;-) (elizh) The other thing I find irritating is that Dave Brubeck \"Take Five\" sound- alike tune that's played over and over again. Funny, but the score and the theme music don't bother me at all. It could be that more real period songs were not used because licensing their use might have been too expensive. (Heide) BB's character reminded me of Kirk Douglas. Never did a thing for me but I suppose was considered a sex symbol in his time. Good connection, he does kind of remind you of a young but gaunt Kirk. But Kirk had a well-developed bod. I can just picture him in those early '50s films. BB seems too rail-like to be plausible as an idol from that period. BB's bad acting and overemotive actor remind me of Burt Lancaster. ;-) (Lora) It was also funny when he told her that she couldn't take the train... (Moon) This line is not just fluff, it is quite telling of his character. Colin's character can be dissected for the fluff/camp lines and the funny ones which describe his real character. True statement, but that is Nigel's line. ;-)"}, {"response": 28, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 12, 2002 (14:05)", "body": "(Karen) But still those references to the Japanese Room are leading IMO without any payoff. Felicity first suggests it as Moxie's new room. Moxie looks horrified and says that it is for \"special people who stay for ages,\" which prompts Crestwell to suggest the Chintz Room as a more suitable alternative. That last part isn't in the play. The Japanese room reference : Felcity tells Don:\"You haven't got any feeling about being in a Japanese Room, have you? I mean you weren't in the Pacific or anything.\" Don: \"No ma'am\" Fel:\"I'm so glad. It isn't all tht Japanese anyhow...just the wll paper and rather a washy looking painting of some carp.... It has a lovely view and when it's clear you can see Dover castle. Have you ever been to Dover Castle.\" I think Coward is just making fun of British remarks about the Japanese (\"cruel race\";-)"}, {"response": 29, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 12, 2002 (14:58)", "body": "Thanks for the lines from the play. It had relevance there but no longer does and is noticeable IMO."}, {"response": 30, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jan 12, 2002 (15:02)", "body": "It used to be very chic to name rooms in certain foreign styles by designing them or adding art work. Japanese fans were used on walls, and the pottery placed in dramatic corners. Actually, this is still very much in vogue. Indian and Chinese styles are also favourites."}, {"response": 31, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sat, Jan 12, 2002 (15:48)", "body": "(Evelyn)I'm not a fan of either JT or BB, but do you think their yucky phoniness, unconvincing chemistry was an indication of their characters as two egotistical shallow movie stars.And the director wanted the roles portrayed that way ? I definitely agree with you here, Evelyn, and this portrayal is even illustrated to the audience (us) when Don and Miranda end up at the pool and Don proclaims his true love for Miranda. They appear to be playing what looks like a scene from one of their movies as most of the staff watch from the downstairs kitchen windows. It's like the downstairs staff is watching them in a movie! But that's their real life. So when are they truly out of character? Not sure, maybe for little bits at the end. But it sure is hard to tell. (Karen)Try using the closed-captioning option (if available) to decipher it. I've listened to it and \"untack\" might make a little more sense, but I can't find that phrase anywhere. Karen, I think you're right, I don't have the above option (or couldn't find it), but it must be \"untack\" since Peter uses a lot of Navy references. He also tries to convince Moxie to follow the plan about gaining the inheritance by saying something like - please listen (or follow) her ladyship's request at least until we can see the way the land lies. And come to think of it, that skinny ascot is also a very I'm-about-to-step-onto-the-yacht outfit! *heehee* Peter has a Naval obsession alright, and it's not the kind you find below short tops on young ladies - not that you would find any of those showing in the 50's ;-). And as for the dogs, what's a country manor without dogs running around? And I agree with Evelyn that the Japanese room might have a negative connotation post WW11. Moxie didn't want it, but Don didn't seem to mind. He just wanted to stay and try and get Miranda back. This movie cannot be watched enough times (boy am I wasting a lot of time ;-)). Every time I watch it I find another little gem. Like at the dinner table when Miranda has gone off to what she thinks is a Life magazine interview and Peter says, \"Looks like a leopard doesn't change it's spots\" and Nigel yells back at Peter but Nigel has some food stuck to his upper lip. LOL! He just isn't in control of things. He's meant to be the weak link of a character. Notice even in the last scene at the church, Peter and Felicity are at it again trying to oversee the situation when Caroline reappears. Love that synchronized upper torso bending they do! Also is it possible that Don Lucas is meant to be a parody of Gary Cooper in High Noon? Don does do that High Noon-ish scene (when he walks out to go after Miranda). And that was a movie Grace Kelly was in where Gary Cooper's character was about to lose his wife (GK) if he didn't go after her and forget about being the sheriff of the town. Don, like GC, does ultimately go off to find his true love ;-). Though JT is no GK, just a parody. But GK does at the time of the play date or marry royalty. Help, tooooo many levels to think about here!"}, {"response": 32, "author": "elizh", "date": "Sat, Jan 12, 2002 (16:41)", "body": "Lora, I think you're absolutely right about the Don and Miranda pool scene! I missed that completely. Next time I watch RV I'll make sure I look at the pictures they show of Don and Miranda movies at the beginning and see if any more of these are replicated in their later \"real life\" scenes. This is a big a-ha! for me. My complaint about RV sometimes looking like a cheap 'n cheesy B movie may be a reaction to something that was done on purpose. Of course, RV has never been filmed before and original versions wouldn't have had the problem of Don and Miranda cheapening up the whole production with their bad movie acting because it was played on the stage."}, {"response": 33, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Jan 12, 2002 (17:04)", "body": "(Karen) I've thought a lot about Billy Baldwin's casting as the screen idol and it always seems so inappropriate. Alec, yes, but Billy, I dunno. Does he really seem like an early-1950s film star? ( (Elizh) But instead, they use that same tune repeatedly, which at times gives RV the feel of a cheap little sitcom or B movie. These statements along with the movie's reference to Casablanca leads me to think that Don Lucas was based on Humphrey Bogart. He wasn't a typical 50's screen star and he did make B movies. I would say, therefore, it is ironic that his have been some of the most-watched and best-loved to come from that era, but since Americans don't understand irony, I'll pass. ;-) Just have to take a moment to droll over the fact that CF starts and ends RV with the same word... Caroline dear and...Good Morning, Caroline. Since that is close to what I am called when I am not called Caribou, I have to agree: This movie has his best dialogue! :-)"}, {"response": 34, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 12, 2002 (17:39)", "body": "(Lora) And as for the dogs, what's a country manor without dogs running around? Bingo. Coward making fun of stereotypical country manors."}, {"response": 35, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 13, 2002 (08:54)", "body": ""}, {"response": 36, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 13, 2002 (08:56)", "body": "(Evelyn) do you think their [JT and BB] yucky phoniness, unconvincing chemistry was an indication of their characters as two egotistical shallow movie stars. And the director wanted the roles portrayed that way? Good question. I'd agree with the intentional shallowness of the characters. But does it necessarily follow that shallow people are incapable of being in love with anyone (other than themselves)? (Lora) They appear to be playing what looks like a scene from one of their movies as most of the staff watch from the downstairs kitchen windows. It's like the downstairs staff is watching them in a movie! But that's their real life. Great observation. Now it reminds me of another movie where an actor is always using dialogue from his films in real life situations and is caught. I can't remember which one. Will drive me crazy. (Lora) And I agree with Evelyn that the Japanese room might have a negative connotation post WWII. In the play, definitely, but that's all been surgically removed from the film and IMO goes nowhere for no reason, i.e., Much Ado About Nothing. ;-) (Lora) Also is it possible that Don Lucas is meant to be a parody of Gary Cooper in High Noon? Doubtful, as High Noon was several years later. (Lora) Though JT is no GK, just a parody. But GK does at the time of the play date or marry royalty. There's a long history of American actresses who went to England and married titles. Oh gosh, there's even a famous quote Alaister Cook uses during his Lost Empires remarks about this. (elizh) My complaint about RV sometimes looking like a cheap 'n cheesy B movie may be a reaction to something that was done on purpose. To clarify, \"B pictures\" are something very specific. RV is very representative of a feature film of that period. Even the Don Lucas-Miranda Frayle movies shown wouldn't be B pictures, given what \"big\" stars they were supposed to be. A B movie is \"a low-budget production usually designed as part of a double bill or to support a more important feature.\" They were gone by the end of the '40s. Think westerns, serials like The Three Stooges, Abbot & Costello, Charlie Chan, the Bowery Boys, etc. (Caribou) These statements along with the movie's reference to Casablanca leads me to think that Don Lucas was based on Humphrey Bogart. He wasn't a typical 50's screen star and he did make B movies. Gaah! No, on both accounts. First off, Bogie (or Gary Cooper) didn't make B movies. Second, they would've been too old in the early 1950s to generate the kind of idol worship that Alice and the Girl Guides represented. Think, covers of Photoplay magazine, matinee idols, younger guys. Actors like Kirk Douglas, William Holden, John Derek, Tyrone Power, Tab Hunter, Tony Curtis, Cornel Wilde, Gregory Peck, Jeffrey Hunter, Montgomery Clift.. There are loads of possibilities of actors who had their moment in the sun at that time, but didn't last. How does this list look to someone who remembers that time period????? (Caribou) CF starts and ends RV with the same word... Caroline dear and...Good Morning, Caroline. Since that is close to what I am called when I am not called Caribou, I have to agree: This movie has his best dialogue! :-) A movie with a personal tie-in. How lovely. Have the box bronzed. ;-)"}, {"response": 37, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan 13, 2002 (09:11)", "body": "(Caribou), but since Americans don't understand irony, I'll pass. ;-) LOL! I always wondered why? Good thing there's a select group that does. ;-)"}, {"response": 38, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Jan 13, 2002 (09:27)", "body": "(Evelyn)Julie Andrews refered to RV as a \"little film that went no where\". Sad. I thought it was entertaining. Evelyn, I wonder if JA is refering here to one of her last lines of the movie where she says: when you think about it nothing much has happened. So maybe she was refering to the plot of the film not its success as a film.;-) (Moon)Indian and Chinese styles are also favourites. I got to see Gosford Park last night and one of the servants mentioned that one of the guests would be staying in the Chinese room. Probably would never have noticed the line if not for our discussion of RV! Moon, you are right when you point out that these were motifs of rooms in manor houses (even in 30's). Probably post WW11, the Japanese room was not on the top of everyone's list. Maybe that's why eyebrows were raised - they might have been scared to sleep there! I think Don, however, could have cared less - he was so drunk anyway (he fell asleep with his clothes on). Moxie's speech in the room where they are hatching the plan is in definite contrast to the characters of JT and DL. She says she cannot and will not \"play a part\" of a character she's not. Which is why she must blurt out the truth in the way that she does."}, {"response": 39, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Jan 13, 2002 (09:40)", "body": "Karen, our posts crossed. Nix the GC/GK parallel. But in those notes that Lizza or KJ posted on the film, doesn't JT compare her character to GK? They were both probably composites of many actors/actresses (like the ones you mentioned) of the time."}, {"response": 40, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Jan 13, 2002 (09:52)", "body": "(Lora)They were both probably composites of many actors/actresses (like the ones you mentioned) of the time. They meaning Miranda and Don."}, {"response": 41, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan 13, 2002 (09:57)", "body": "(Lora), I wonder if JA is refering here to one of her last lines of the movie where she says: when you think about it nothing much has happened. So maybe she was refering to the plot of the film not its success as a film.;-) A double entendre. Very good Lora! (Lora), But in those notes that Lizza or KJ posted on the film, doesn't JT compare her character to GK? But those actresses are not as thorough as Karen is. ;-)"}, {"response": 42, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jan 13, 2002 (10:07)", "body": "(me) Am curious as to what makes one delightful piece of fluff stand out from another delightful piece of fluff. ;-) (Moon) The audience. (Evelyn) The difference:target audience Astute observations, ladies, and oh so familiar. I was thinking more along the lines of something supernatural - like the misalignment of the stars. ;-) (elizh) Maybe they're supposed to [make] me cringe to emphasize their \"low class\" American-ness. (Karen) It's the staid, British perception of Americans, their directness, disregard for class, etc. And exaggerated in the same manner as the friends of Felicity's are - American perception of the British upper class = rigid, frosty, pompous. Miranda, by virtue of her Hollywood royalty status, thinks she should fit in, though underneath she's insecure. The class distinctions she grew up with are hard to shuck. (Karen) As two recent CF-related books have pointed out, Europeans think we \"smile too much.\" ;-) Can not help but hear Mr. Darcy in that line. And yet despite that critique, we are all still \"sweet girls\". (Karen) But still those references to the Japanese Room are leading IMO without any payoff. I like the quirkiness of these kinds of deliberate non sequiturs in film. At least I hope it's deliberate. (Karen) Felicity first suggests it as Moxie's new room. Moxie looks horrified and says that it is for \"special people who stay for ages,\" Surprised that's not Peter's room then. ;-) Amazed at how much dialogue I've missed as quoted in this discussion. Agree with Evelyn who said Moxie talks so fast it's hard to decipher what she's saying. My RV does not have the subtitle option, darn it."}, {"response": 43, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Jan 13, 2002 (10:07)", "body": "(Moon)But those actresses are not as thorough as Karen is. ;-) So true, so true!:-)"}, {"response": 44, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jan 13, 2002 (10:11)", "body": "Forgive me. Anyway, I agree about the composite characters for DL and Miranda. I just think Miranda was too showy for Grace Kelly, though we know what a little tiger GK was behind that virtuous facade. '-). Miranda's more Ava Gardner to me. Fun comparing though."}, {"response": 45, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 13, 2002 (10:54)", "body": "(Lora) Nix the GC/GK parallel. But in those notes that Lizza or KJ posted on the film, doesn't JT compare her character to GK? I don't see anything there comparing Miranda to GK. Maybe it was at the IMDB link posted by Evelyn?? The Times reviewer does say however that Miranda's \"career is on the skids,\" and GK left at the height of her career. I doubt there's one actress Coward used as a model. I like Heide's comparison to Ava Gardner. (Heide) Am curious as to what makes one delightful piece of fluff stand out from another delightful piece of fluff. ;-) In a way, Relative Values reminds me of The Philadelphia Story--another stage play adapted to film, with the musical remake (High Society) starring Grace Kelly--but RV doesn't have the ex-husband trying to get her back. It does have Caroline though.... ;-D (Heide) And exaggerated in the same manner as the friends of Felicity's are - American perception of the British upper class = rigid, frosty, pompous. ...by another Brit in order to satirize them. (Heide) Surprised that's not Peter's room then. ;-) Naw, he was staying in the Wilde Room. ;-)"}, {"response": 46, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 13, 2002 (11:16)", "body": "Another good Miranda Frayle-like star could be Rita Hayworth (Ali Khan) and then there was Lana Turner. BTW, the play was originally first staged in 1951."}, {"response": 47, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan 13, 2002 (11:28)", "body": "(Heide), I was thinking more along the lines of something supernatural - like the misalignment of the stars. ;-) That too! I like to think of this little group as being aligned with the stars. ;-) (Karen) As two recent CF-related books have pointed out, Europeans think we \"smile too much.\" ;-) But keep all the emotions inside. Great line in Gosford Park when the sister is crying because her brother is dead and her husband says to her, \"Stop crying or they'll think you're Italian.\" (Karen), I like Heide's comparison to Ava Gardner. Works for me too!"}, {"response": 48, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Jan 13, 2002 (12:00)", "body": "(Karen), I like Heide's comparison to Ava Gardner. So maybe Don Lucas has a little Frank Sinatra in him. I believe Frank once flew abroad to be with Ava who was filming somewhere in Europe only to find her romancing another. (Moon)Great line in Gosford Park when the sister is crying because her brother is dead and her husband says to her, \"Stop crying or they'll think you're Italian.\" It was her brother-in-law who I think she was also having an affair with. I'm not sure if it's appropriate to put this in our RV discussion, but I must say after having seen GP after a lot of viewing of RV, I prefer RV. I'm wondering what was the exception and what was the rule of how Lords and Ladies treated their staff. I find it endearing how Lady Marshwood and Peter went out of their way to help a loyal staff member and in turn the staff cared a great deal for each other. There was no fighting or jealousy in the Marshwood manor. Does anyone know what the norm was between master and staff during the 20th century? GP was a little depressing in that regard, but maybe it told the truth."}, {"response": 49, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan 13, 2002 (12:15)", "body": "I believe Frank once flew abroad to be with Ava who was filming somewhere in Europe only to find her romancing another. And he turned out to be a Spanish torero. ;-) Ol\ufffd! I find it endearing how Lady Marshwood and Peter went out of their way to help a loyal staff member and in turn the staff cared a great deal for each other. There was no fighting or jealousy in the Marshwood manor. Does anyone know what the norm was between master and staff during the 20th century? Rules were very strick and delineated. But overstepping in either direction, whether too harsh or too lenient with the staff was an exception to the rule. Both RV and GP are good examples of the two extremes."}, {"response": 50, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Jan 13, 2002 (13:18)", "body": "(Moon)Rules were very strick and delineated. But overstepping in either direction, whether too harsh or too lenient with the staff was an exception to the rule. Both RV and GP are good examples of the two extremes. Thanks for the info. Very helpful. How interesting to view them both at the same time."}, {"response": 51, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 13, 2002 (14:26)", "body": "(Lora) So maybe Don Lucas has a little Frank Sinatra in him. I believe Frank once flew abroad to be with Ava who was filming somewhere in Europe only to find her romancing another. It's funny, but I originally had Frank in my list but took him out because so much of his following was as a result of being the singer. Until From Here to Eternity (horse head, anyone??), he was pretty much in lame-brain, shlocky movies. (Lora) Does anyone know what the norm was between master and staff during the 20th century? GP was a little depressing in that regard, but maybe it told the truth. (Moon) Both RV and GP are good examples of the two extremes. There was 20 years difference between the two movies and one huge war--the great equalizing war--that brought down much of the class structure. One thing I just adore about RV is how you can really see the physical changes Colin adopts in creating a character. He is swishy, without being too swishy. His posture becomes ramrod straight at times and then dissolves with girlish flutter. The wrists, the pinkie finger, the way he sits in a chair and crosses his legs are all so perfect. This must be his Laban training from the Drama Centre. When he's going after Don Lucas (\"back in the saddle\" comment), it almost looks to me like he's turned his pelvis out to create that walk, something a ballet dancer would do."}, {"response": 52, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Jan 13, 2002 (16:18)", "body": "Yeah sublime mover! It's nice to be able to sit back and revel in it after some contrasting roles we've seen of late, oops Be still my lurching heart;-0"}, {"response": 53, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jan 15, 2002 (12:25)", "body": "(Me/Lora)Moxie's speech in the room where they are hatching the plan is in definite contrast to the characters of JT and DL. She says she cannot and will not \"play a part\" of a character she's not. Which is why she must blurt out the truth in the way that she does. I just wanted to clarify exactly what it is that Moxie says here. She's troubled by \"this idea of play acting\" and pretending to be what she's not. She declares, \"I am what I am.\" She is the opposite of her sister and DL and can only be herself. At the end of the scene, Felicity says to her: Courage, Moxie. Both words are definitions for each other. Moxie needs a double dose to try to be someone she's not. Also just had to say that I love Crestwell's response to Lady Marshwood's: Crestwell, how much do you know? He takes it in a general sense and answers: In common with most of the human race, I know very little, but imagine I know a great deal. LM of course meant how much does he know about Moxie. Are these lines in play I wonder? And not to leave ODB out of this posting just wanted to mention that what he says to Nigel at the end: Roast Beef for lunch, Nigel...and Yorkshire Pudding? He says it so deliciously snide but at the same time in a kindly way, as only he can do. Isn't this a common British expression for being embarrassed about something and having it show? I apologize if I've got this all wrong. Please feel free to fill me in on this :-). Just loved the way CF said it! (Also made me think of blue soup, eggs, marmalade, and green gunge ;-))"}, {"response": 54, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 15, 2002 (13:41)", "body": "The Lady Marshwood/Crestwell bit about how much he knows is definitely in the play. Moxie's speech--while I haven't checked it word for word--is pretty much there as well. This idea of play-actinb and pretending to be what I'm not won't settle anything. I'm what I am and I haven't got anything to be ashamed of. There's quite a bit more in subsequent speeches between \"Oh, Moxie.\""}, {"response": 55, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 15, 2002 (13:54)", "body": "Having just seen GP, there is quite a contrast between the relationship bet. Felicity and Moxie and Mary and Lady Constance . Of course GP takes place 20 years earlier. But if Constance had asked Mary to do an impersonation, I doubt Mary would have declined. BTW I couldn't find Sophie Thompson in GP. I know she was in the downstairs crowd somewhere."}, {"response": 56, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Jan 16, 2002 (11:55)", "body": "Karen: Now it reminds me of another movie where an actor is always using dialogue from his films in real life situations and is caught. I can't remember which one. Will drive me crazy. Was this possibly Greg Kinnear in Nurse Betty?"}, {"response": 57, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 16, 2002 (12:18)", "body": "Very good, Mark. That works, but I don't think that was the one. I'd bet it's been done a number of times (actors using movie/TV dialogue in supposed real life situations)."}, {"response": 58, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Jan 16, 2002 (16:58)", "body": "V.V good Mark, it's impressive that you know your co-stars back catalogue so thoroughly;-)"}, {"response": 59, "author": "sandym", "date": "Wed, Jan 16, 2002 (17:16)", "body": "Am delurking for a moment... I think I may have an answer regarding the significance of the dogs running all over the place - in the very first scene where the dogs are charging across the lawn, you can hear the hapless woman they're towing yelling at them \"Peter... Miranda... slow down!\" I took this to mean that the dogs were named Peter and Miranda, although you never hear their names mentioned again. I believe Lady Marshwood addresses the dog that enters her bedchamber as \"Good morning my darling.\" I resist the urge to comment on why the dogs would have the same names as two of the main characters. As to what Peter is saying when referring to the mast (Lora thought it might be \"untax the mast\" and \"untack the mast\" was also mentioned), I believe he is saying \"hang tight to the mast\", another nautical term referring (I think) to sailors who have been caught out on deck in a storm. Another observation regarding Lady Marshwood... When she explains to Don Lucas what \"Girl Guides\" do, I couldn't help thinking that she was also commenting rather slyly onthe behavior she had observed between DL and Miranda in the garden-- their \"artificial respiration\" and \"starting fires with damp twigs\"-- ;-) I also thought ODB had most of the really great lines. So many of my favorite's have already been mentioned but here is one that I really loved that I don't think has been mentioned. It is when he is wedging himself into the throng of Girl Guides to be closer to DL... \"Let's be honest girls... isn't he the most delicious thing you've ever seen?\" Perfectly captions my own opinion of ODB. :-D Will go back to the shadows now..."}, {"response": 60, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Jan 16, 2002 (17:25)", "body": "Noooo, stay Sandy. Your observations are wonderful. I love your explanation about what LM says about the Girl Guides and how it relates to DL and Miranda's outdoor activites! :-) I always thought she was trying to tell them something with that Girl Guide explanation, but I couldn't put my finger on it. Welcome and post again. You're a triumph (as Peter says to Moxie)!"}, {"response": 61, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 16, 2002 (23:09)", "body": "(Sandy) Will go back to the shadows now... Don't you dare!!! :-) You've added so much. Love that scene where they're taking pics with Girl Guides. If you have the DVD, you can zoom in on Colin basking in the limelight. A while back, I posted some info from one of the girls who appeared in that scene. At the gate, she was the one who asked DL to take off his sunglasses. OK, tomorrow, I'll get back in the saddle again. ;-)"}, {"response": 62, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 17, 2002 (10:29)", "body": "(Sandy) Will go back to the shadows now... There's no going back, Sandy. Thank you."}, {"response": 63, "author": "caribou", "date": "Thu, Jan 17, 2002 (16:02)", "body": "(Lora) Moxie who doesn't really want to live a lie. She's got a lot of moxie, hasn't she! :-). This comment led to ruminations about the characters names. Her full last name is Moxton so we could say she has a TON of MOXie! Peter's last name is ENGLETON and makes comments that Coward may be saying would be made by a TON of ENGLish. Lady MARSHwood is going through less-than-solid ground, socially. CRESTWELL would do WELL for Lady Marshwood if he had a CREST. Miranda FRAYLE has a FRAIL career, facade and social standing. DON Lucas: like a Spanish DON when he is actually only Hollywood royalty. Now, for the ones that are a real stretch: ALICE finds herself in a Wonderland (of stars). Nigel spelled backwards is LEG IN which is what he is giving to Miranda, soically. Although, my DH did point out it should be a leg up or a foot in but I don't think Pugel or Nitoof would have worked as well. :-) (Karen) Have the box bronzed. ;-) Hee. Hee."}, {"response": 64, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Jan 17, 2002 (21:25)", "body": "(Caribou)This comment led to ruminations about the characters names. LOL at all your explanations of names! They're great! It's been said that not a minute was wasted in this film (that there's meaning in everything) so I think you've definitely discovered another source for extracting meaning here. :-) What about Caroline, your namesake? Maybe she represents a LINE from the beginning of the movie to the end (it is her face and name that we see and hear in the first few frames and then again in the last ones), with nothing but histrionics in between. But she remains a constant and when Nigel sees her at the church he seems to sing with joy (CAROL). ;-)"}, {"response": 65, "author": "caribou", "date": "Fri, Jan 18, 2002 (16:22)", "body": "(Lora) Maybe she represents a LINE from the beginning of the movie to the end (it is her face and name that we see and hear in the first few frames and then again in the last ones), with nothing but histrionics in between. But she remains a constant and when Nigel sees her at the church he seems to sing with joy (CAROL). ;-) Well done, Lora! I like that. It works for me. ;-) (Karen) If you have the DVD, you can zoom in on Colin basking in the limelight. For those of us who don't, can you show us? Have we discussed the British vs. American aspects yet? I will confess, I am busted. The scene where Don Lucas fills his glass to overflowing with ice is just like me. Ice is very important in my life. I relish it. It is cool and refreshing and the ultimate in low-cal. I go to a particular burger place because they have the best ice machine. The ice comes out in small and soft pieces; easy to chew without fear of what it will do to my teeth. I try to keep the right mix of diet Coke and ice while I drink so that each drink (and bite) is perfect. When the ice runs low, I go back to the counter and ask for a courtesy cup or two of more ice. While I am confessing, it doesn't end there. I have kitchen equipment. I have a ice crusher that turns cubes into chunks and I have an ice shaver that makes the ice for snowcones. One of my favorite treats is to freeze orange juice in the ice cube trays. They are the best on summer afternoons. And, it doesn't end there. I, of course, enjoy ice cream, popsicles, and because of my English roots, iced tea! So, you see, dear European friends, it is worse than you could have imagined. Someone working on RV had noticed that Americans want ice in drinks, but they may not have known how much some of us really, really enjoy it. :-)"}, {"response": 66, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sat, Jan 19, 2002 (09:24)", "body": "(Lora/Me)sing with joy (CAROL). ;-) I've been thinking that it's really Felicity who does this. She even looks up to the sky. ;-) (Caribou)The scene where Don Lucas fills his glass to overflowing with ice I must confess that all that ice and liquid made me very thirsty for an iced tea (which is probably what they were drinking)! And he drank it right after Moxie drank her full cup of '32 ;-). With the sound effects it made me pause the video and get a cold drink for myself the first or second time I watched it. ;-) (I like to chew on ice, too :-)) There's something about the way Miranda comes down the stairs at the end of the film. With each floor she seems to lose another layer of facade. She starts on the top floor with Nigel with lots of dramatics, but with some realizations. Then she encounters her sister, Dora, on the next landing and she apologizes to her. While Dora in turn forgives her. Then she gets to the first floor (and bumps into the staff member with the hair oil ;-)), goes out to the pool, and seems to finally admit that she doesn't passionately love Nigel and would be making a mistake. I don't think she and Don would stay together forever either, but that's another story. So for the Marshwood family, at least, all's well that ends well. ;-) And Miranda has been honest with herself for the first(and probably the last)time, with the help of Lady Marshwood and her household."}, {"response": 67, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Jan 19, 2002 (12:00)", "body": "(Elizh) re: BB & JT Maybe they're supposed to me cringe to emphasize their \"low class\" American-ness. I also cringed and fast-forwarded through most of their performance but there is also more to it than that (as Lora has been good at pointing out). It is easy to dismiss Miranda for her \"American-ness\" but she isn't American. She is British pretending to be a successful American film star and aspiring to be an upper class British Lady. I keep forgetting this and have to remind myself. And it is even further complicated by the fact that the character is played by an American (I have always thought of JT as American so if she isn't I have been duped and another layer is added). I think ODB would say that it is like an Escher drawing. When I separate Don Lucas from Miranda, I am more sympathetic to his character. He really isn't pretending to be something he isn't. When he doesn't understand Crestwell, he says \"Huh?\". He doesn't think overly highly of himself so, he doesn't understand that Crestwell is calling him Sir. He is honest and consistent emotionally. He comes to grip with his lose, follows his heart (to the determent of his career) and goes after what he wants.(That part does seem American to me.) He can distinquish between the movies and reality. (Peter tries to cheer him up by telling him about his success with the Mexican gunslingers and the girl. He responds \"But, that was the movies.\" ) (Lora) There's something about the way Miranda comes down the stairs at the end of the film. With each floor she seems to lose another layer of facade. Thanks for pointing this out. That is good film making and visually captures what Noel Coward was expressing, though the stage production probably didn't involve stairs. (Karen) As two recent CF-related books have pointed out, Europeans think we \"smile too much.\" ;-) Guilty as charged there, too. One guy didn't know my name and said, \"You know, that girl that smiles all the time\". :-) Americans didn't smile in their photographs in the early 1900's. But, now, with the prices we pay for dental care and orthodontics, we are teaching our children to smile, smile, smile when someone is taking a picture."}, {"response": 68, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 19, 2002 (14:36)", "body": "Americans didn't smile in their photographs in the early 1900's Bad teeth.And it was considered sophisticated and good form to supress happiness. Mobetta to be a sour-puss....or an ice-queen."}, {"response": 69, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 19, 2002 (16:06)", "body": "Love your name game, Caribou, especially \"DON Lucas: like a Spanish DON when he is actually only Hollywood royalty.\" The Don title always sprang to mind. Don't know why though. Perhaps Zorro was lurking in the shadows. ;-) And your Alice is not really a stretch IMO. The Wonderland connection has been done before, most recently in the little-seen movie of that name that I adore. In RV, it might not necessarily mean land of movies stars, but everything turned upside down (through the looking glass). (Lora) I just wanted to clarify exactly what it is that Moxie says here. She's troubled by \"this idea of play acting\" and pretending to be what she's not. She declares, \"I am what I am.\" In the movie, Moxie seems to fear that she \"can't carry it off\" and then adds that she is what she is. She sure does need a lot of \"liquid courage.\" Bothers me to no end that Moxie can fit into LM's gown, a strapless gown to boot! There must be some really fine seamstresses employed by that household who could take in a gown like that so quickly so that it wouldn't fall down. Did they have double-stick tape in the 1950s? ;-) (Sandy) I resist the urge to comment on why the dogs would have the same names as two of the main characters. It's at times like these that close-captioning or the film script would come in very handy. I too can't imagine why the dogs would be so named, especially as that is an addition and not in the original play. (Sandy) As to what Peter is saying when referring to the mast (Lora thought it might be \"untax the mast\" and \"untack the mast\" was also mentioned), I believe he is saying \"hang tight to the mast\", another nautical term referring (I think) to sailors who have been caught out on deck in a storm\" Here's another thought. \"Mast\" might be \"mask.\" A mask is definitely what Lady Marshwood needs to hide behind for her first meeting with Miranda. (Caribou) Have we discussed the British vs. American aspects yet? The most obvious contrast to me is between Don Lucas and Nigel at the end. Nigel is standing on ceremony as DL and MF are going to drive off, but DL cuts through the crap and tells him like it is. \"Face it, buster, she doesn't love you and is going off with me and, if you say another word, I'll punch your lights out.\" (paraphrasing the dialogue) *hee hee* (Caribou) When I separate Don Lucas from Miranda, I am more sympathetic to his character. He really isn't pretending to be something he isn't. The more I look at the Don Lucas character, the more I find him not so bad. He's realistic and he does appear to love Miranda, despite what's she done to him and to herself. I've watched that opening segment again, reading the headlines and paying closer attention to the background dialogue. Looks to me that Don Lucas has always been a big star. Miranda landed a role in which she co-starred with him (lesser billing) and they became an item. Then they co-starred in a few films and she became a celeb, but they had a fight during their last film and took off to the Riviera and didn't even attend the premiere. While in Cap d'Antibes, Miranda meets the Earl, etc. etc. But it's evident to me, from the way she talks to DL on the phone in the hotel, that she's still in love with him. If you were totally broken up, you'd hang up. Nigel's behavior deserves some comment. I find it unrealistic the way he responds to Miranda's unmasking at her bedroom door. Is he supposed to be in shock? It can't be that she's of lower class origins? Or is it that she's related to a servant and he can't handle that?"}, {"response": 70, "author": "sandym", "date": "Sat, Jan 19, 2002 (16:54)", "body": "(Karen) Nigel's behavior deserves some comment. I find it unrealistic the way he responds to Miranda's unmasking at her bedroom door. Is he supposed to be in shock? It can't be that she's of lower class origins? Or is it that she's related to a servant and he can't handle that? I vote for the latter. I found it very ironic that when LM \"explains\" to Nigel how Moxie is now staying at the house not as a maid but as a social equal and convince him to treat her as such, he acted like a snobbish boor, finding it \"preposterous\" to treat her differently just because she'd inherited some cash, while at the same time foisting Miranda, another commoner by birth, onto his mother and expecting that she should be welcomed with open arms without so much as a blink because she makes movies. He doesn't change his opinion when Miranda reveals the sordid details of her \"fantasized\" London Cockney childhood, complete with Bow Bells and jugs of beer. Talk about a double standard. Only after he realizes that Moxie and Miranda are sisters, does his interest in his fiancee begin to cool."}, {"response": 71, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 22, 2002 (09:27)", "body": "Lookee, Lookee...RV is touring UK and What's on Stage is offering free tickets... Win Tix to Hampshire in Coward's Values on Tour The Offer: Eighteen pairs of tickets are up for grabs to see Susan Hampshire in Noel Coward's classic stiff-upper-lip comedy, Relative Values, about to launch a two-month UK tour. Must enter by 23 January 2002. The Pitch: Emmy Award-winning actress Susan Hampshire (pictured) - star of television's The Forsyte Saga, The First Churchills, Vanity Fair and Monarch of the Glen - recreates her acclaimed performance as the Countess of Marshwood (which she brought to the West End in 1993) in a new touring production of Noel Coward's classic, Relative Values. Set in the early 1950s, Coward's comedy highlights a delightful collision between starry Hollywood and stiff-upper-lip England. The news that the Earl of Marshwood is to make a Hollywood movie starlet his second wife comes as a great shock to both his mother, the Countess, and her maid Moxie. It transpires that the hussy is actually Moxie's long-lost sister whom she has not seen for over 20 years. The Countess feels duty-bound to force matters to a hasty conclusion. Directed by Joe Harmston, Relative Values opens in Malvern on 28 January 2002 and then continues to the end of March, visiting Newcastle, Richmond, Canterbury, Bath, Oxford, Woking, Milton Keynes and High Wycombe. Whatsonstage.com has 18 pairs of tickets to give away, two pairs for each stop on the production's schedule. To win a pair, please fill in your contact details and answer the following question. Competition ends 23 January 2002. http://www.whatsonstage.com/dl/page.php?page=comp&id=148"}, {"response": 72, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jan 22, 2002 (13:55)", "body": "(Evelyn)Lookee, Lookee...RV is touring UK and What's on Stage is offering free tickets... Directed by Joe Harmston, Relative Values opens in Malvern on 28 January 2002 and then continues to the end of March, visiting Newcastle, Richmond, Canterbury, Bath, Oxford, Woking, Milton Keynes and High Wycombe. Thanks for posting! If CF reprised his role (from the movie) this is what he would/could be doing instead of Hamlet ;-). Oh well, I guess he wouldn't want to do all that touring even within his own country (when he's living there). He must have said to himself: a star of my caliber, touring and doing commercials, I find this not only hard to believe but quite appalling. ;-);-) **************************************** I am wondering about the scene in the Library after Moxie is introduced to Miranda (love her line in response to calling her Miranda - 'I should adore to' and Peter/CF's empathetic expressions behind Moxie). They all go to the sitting area and Miranda says: 'After all, none of you know what I'm really like. You have to judge by appearances and appearances can be very deceptive.' Then we hear the following line as a voiceover: 'How very true.' This line doesn't sound like Peter or Nigel and it sounds like an American accent. One would think that it's Peter's line because he knows about Moxie's deception but it doesn't sound like him. And Nigel doesn't know that anyone is not who they appear to be yet (he thinks that Moxie has inherited cash). So is it an anonymous voiceover to acknowledge many layers of deception, especially on the part of Miranda who spoke the lines in the first place? Listen to and replay that line - it sounds like a voice that was put in later."}, {"response": 73, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, Jan 22, 2002 (14:50)", "body": "I guess he wouldn't want to do all that touring I believe he toured with The Caretaker and Chatsky."}, {"response": 74, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Jan 22, 2002 (15:27)", "body": "He didn't have two sons and a wife and a comfortable house back then. I happened to go to theatre in Bath when Susan Hampshire was there touring last year, was only non senior citizen in audience. RV will go down a storm there!"}, {"response": 75, "author": "Echo", "date": "Tue, Jan 22, 2002 (15:36)", "body": "He didn't have two sons and a wife and a comfortable house back then. Only one son, probably a girlfriend and a three-bedroom flat, to be exact. (Not that I know it from rummaging through his dustbin, mind you.) And he was younger. But I'm sure that if something firmly grabbed his, erm, imagination, he'd be on the road again in no time at all."}, {"response": 76, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 22, 2002 (15:52)", "body": "Thanks Lora, I'll be on the look-out for that \"voice-over\". Interesting similarities with GP. Felicity and Lady Trentham both have v. low esteem for Hollywood and film actors. Reminded me of a story about HG's mom who was seated next to someone at a dinner table and remarked: \"I have two sons; one is a banker, and one is a film star\". To which the man replied: \"Really? Which bank?\""}, {"response": 77, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 22, 2002 (18:13)", "body": "(Lora) Then we hear the following line as a voiceover: 'How very true.' This line doesn't sound like Peter or Nigel and it sounds like an American accent. Sure does, Lora. Very bizarre. It doesn't sound like any of them and would've been done in ADR. I've checked the play, and no one says that actual line, although quite a bit of the dialogue here is fairly intact. Very sloppy filmmaking."}, {"response": 78, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jan 22, 2002 (19:42)", "body": "(Karen)would've been done in ADR. Sorry I'm not very up on the filmmaking lingo...what's ADR stand for? BTW, is Eric Styles the director related to Ryan Styles from 'Whose Line is it Anyway?' Ryan spent time on the British 'Whose Line?' but is Canadian or American, I think. I'm guessing that Eric is from somewhere in Great Britain, but maybe not. Could they be cousins? Just wondering, I really think Ryan is hilarious and very clever when performing improv."}, {"response": 79, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 22, 2002 (22:12)", "body": "Additional Dialogue Replacement (when they fix the sound afterward) Eric kind of looks like Bob Hoskins if that helps. He brought Dreaming of Joseph Lees to Chicago right before RV and did the Q&A."}, {"response": 80, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jan 22, 2002 (22:50)", "body": "Ah, Additional Dialogue Replacement. I'll use that term from now on when I notice it. ;-) (And I was thinking it was A Director's Right :-)) (Karen) Eric kind of looks like Bob Hoskins if that helps Thanks. Ryan is quite the opposite - very tall and thin (he's the tall guy on The Drew Carey Show). **************************************** As Nigel is returning from riding can he hear his mother and Don Lucas talking about how Miranda still loves Don? It's very hard to tell. His expression makes me think he does, but it's not clear that he's even near where they are walking. He angrily jumps \"out of his saddle\" but doesn't confront Lady Marshwood about it specifically. Meanwhile Don Lucas seems to be getting \"back in the saddle\" at this point ;-)"}, {"response": 81, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 23, 2002 (10:15)", "body": "(Sandy) Talk about a double standard. Only after he realizes that Moxie and Miranda are sisters, does his interest in his fiancee begin to cool. I agree with you on this. While you might wonder whether Nigel's figured out that Miranda doesn't love him and is nothing more than a golddigger, that final scene at the church demonstrates he hasn't changed at all. He's still the irresponsible foolhardy lad whose head can be turned by the merest smile. You can see it in Peter's reaction that says, \"oh yes, our boy is back.\" Speaking of Nigel, at the beginning, he tells a reporter that \"being an earl is a tremendous responsibility\" and that \"Miranda will make a wonderful Lady M.\" He's obviously given it a lot of thought. ;-) At LM's party, that boorish guest asks her if Nigel would be allowed to marry Miranda. LM's response is politically correct, but then later with Peter, her confidant, she acknowledges her own application of the double standard: \"someone of her own class.\""}, {"response": 82, "author": "caribou", "date": "Wed, Jan 23, 2002 (12:01)", "body": "(Lora/Me)sing with joy (CAROL). ;-) I've been thinking that it's really Felicity who does this. She even looks up to the sky. ;-) And, her FELICITY (happiness) is restored. :-) (Lora) Then we hear the following line as a voiceover: 'How very true.' I always assumed that it was Moxie. I think she appears making a guppy-like face shortly afterwards. I think she could say it tight-lipped like that and it would then sound even odder than the rest of her speech. (Sandy)Only after he realizes that Moxie and Miranda are sisters, does his interest in his fiancee begin to cool. Do you think Felicity's speech to Peter about Nigel's feelings toward Moxie would be relevant here? (I never could see what it was relevant to before.) She describes a closness between Nigel and Moxie when he was young. Maybe he thought of Moxie as a mother figure. If that is the case, then marrying Miranda would be like marrying his aunt. ;-) (Evelyn)Interesting similarities with GP. Felicity and Lady Trentham both have v. low esteem for Hollywood and film actors. Both movies also show that only the lower classes who would be attracted to and interested in such things. In GP, the only one who shows appreciation for the actor's singing is the one who is so common and poor that she must wear the same dress twice. (Egads!) In RV, the only ones who show any interest are the lower servants. Even Crestwell is above such rubbish. (Lora)He angrily jumps \"out of his saddle\" but doesn't confront Lady Marshwood about it specifically. Meanwhile Don Lucas seems to be getting \"back in the saddle\" at this point ;-) Like that analogy, Lora. Nigel seems to be trying to throw a fit but not doing a very good job of it. ;-)"}, {"response": 83, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 23, 2002 (13:09)", "body": "In the play, Nigel wasn't such a babe in the woods. He had been married before and I think has a child. His wife's name was Joan. Felicity talks about having had to share Marshwood with her. So, the play puts a \"loser\" perspective on him....rather than the film's naive young earl seduced by a H'wood star."}, {"response": 84, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Jan 23, 2002 (14:49)", "body": "(Caribou)I always assumed that it was Moxie. The voice over is too masculine sounding to be Moxie's or even Lady Marshwood's, though you're right it would have been a good line for Moxie (or Lady M) to say! (Evelyn)He had been married before and I think has a child. So, the play puts a \"loser\" perspective on him....rather than the film's naive young earl seduced by a H'wood star. Interesting difference here between the play and the movie in terms of Nigel's past history, though Nigel seems like a loser in the movie as well. Lady M has doted on him and guided him throughout his life. I think Nigel wanted to show that he could make a decision on his own, however rash, so he proposed to Miranda. At the same time, he seems scared by the prospect of his mum leaving him alone with his new bride and going abroad with Moxie. I don't think he can function without her. But he's trying to show some independence and fails miserably. Even though he looks over his shoulder at them in the church scene and is always saying 'Oh, mother', I think he's glad that they are always there to back him up ;-). BTW, what is the French expression that Peter uses (facetiously) at the dinner table when Miranda says she is not making any more movies? What does it mean? Is it another navy reference?"}, {"response": 85, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 23, 2002 (15:05)", "body": "quel dommage What a pity"}, {"response": 86, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 23, 2002 (16:12)", "body": "What a crowd ..don't these people work? At least in GP there were some deals going on. But the RV bunch don't turn a hand, except for the Americans and the servants. Interesting relationship beween Crestwell and Felicity. In the play Peter says to Felicity:\"You should marry Crestwell\" Talk about being dependent."}, {"response": 87, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Jan 23, 2002 (16:50)", "body": "(Karen)quel dommage What a pity Thanks, what a pity I only know Spanish. (Evelyn)In the play Peter says to Felicity:\"You should marry Crestwell\" It's in the movie too. Peter says it would solve everything. But I think Crestwell is really fond of Moxie, don't you? He listens at the door when she's seeing her sister as the new Moxie, he's a shoulder to cry on, and then at the end he's there to carry her suitcase back in the house :-)."}, {"response": 88, "author": "caribou", "date": "Thu, Jan 24, 2002 (12:01)", "body": "(Lora) Nigel and Miranda's drive to Marshwood reminded me of Bridget and Daniel's weekend mini-break drive. Also, DL talking to Miranda. He says, We belong together and tries to establish physical contact but she shys away. Reminded me of the Bridget/Daniel conversation at the party. DL even interrupted her at dinner like Daniel did. (Karen)Love your name game, Caribou, especially \"DON Lucas: like a Spanish DON when he is actually only Hollywood royalty.\" The Don title always sprang to mind. Don't know why though. Perhaps Zorro was lurking in the shadows. ;-) Thanks, Karen. You are right. They were working on us subliminally. At the pool scene where DL is with Miranda, right before he says the big line, I love you, the music stops and a Spanish guitar resumes with softer sounds. Ahhh! Caribou)I always assumed that it was Moxie. (Lora)The voice over is too masculine sounding to be Moxie's or even Lady Marshwood's, though you're right it would have been a good line for Moxie (or Lady M) to say! Right you are. I posted in haste and repented in leisure. When I took your advice and actually listened to that scene it was clear as a bell that you are absolutely right. It must have been ADG as agreed on earlier. (Lora, thanks for being kind in your reply.) As a dyed-in-the-wool Darcymaniac, I would like to take this opportunity to express how much I enjoy that one scene of Peter, poolside, talking to Felicity. He is wearing a darker jacket (ignore the ascot) and light tan pants. When he sits and crosses his legs and folds his hands it reminds me of the early morning visit to Elizabeth on the day before he proposes. Re: the dogs being named Peter and Miranda. Makes it funnier when DL call Miranda, Pooooooch! I am also enjoying the Noel Coward insults: DL called Nigel: Mr. Hootie, Tootie, Snootie Moxie called Miranda: an affected little mutt (?), out for what she could get Felicity called Miranda: trumped-up (?) colonial floosie Nigel called DL: a bourbon-soaked oaf Who needs profanity when we have such great playwrites?"}, {"response": 89, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Jan 24, 2002 (12:44)", "body": "(Caribou)Also, DL talking to Miranda. He says, We belong together and tries to establish physical contact but she shys away. Oh, I agree with you here, I thought the same thing. Did Helen Fielding, Sharon Magire, and Andrew Davies watch RV for helpful hints? ;-) And what about at the beginning of the film when Caroline asks Peter if Nigel is going to 'marry that ghastly American actress' her statement had the same tone and attitude as 'American stick insect.' ;-) (Caribou)At the pool scene where DL is with Miranda, right before he says the big line, I love you, the music stops and a Spanish guitar resumes with softer sounds. Ahhh! Good catch! I hadn't noticed the Spanish guitar before! It's perfectly placed. Maybe he's named Don for Don Juan. (Caribou)As a dyed-in-the-wool Darcymaniac, I would like to take this opportunity to express how much I enjoy that one scene of Peter, poolside, talking to Felicity. He is wearing a darker jacket (ignore the ascot) and light tan pants. It was one of the only scenes in the movie which reminded me of Mr. Darcy too. Especially because of the way he says to Lady M: Someone of his own class, in fact. Sounded just like Darcy at a prideful moment."}, {"response": 90, "author": "caribou", "date": "Fri, Jan 25, 2002 (11:48)", "body": "(Evelyn)What a crowd ..don't these people work? Obviously not unless you count \"opening something\", drinks parties, concert and church attendance. This makes it even funnier that one of Nigel's objections to accepting Moxie is \"it will be ackward for her and for us to have her lolling about the house all day and knocking back dry martinis\".:-) (Lora)Lady M: Someone of his own class, in fact. Sounded just like Darcy at a prideful moment. Sounds slightly more acceptable from Darcy for some odd reason.;-) Another P&P moment was when Peter breathlessly asks DL \"Will you be staying in England long?\" Sounded just like Lizzy asking Bingley when he has returned for the hunting party. (Lora) Did Helen Fielding, Sharon Magire, and Andrew Davies watch RV for helpful hints? ;-) Hope they have for TEoR, too. Miranda (as Bridget points out about Rebecca during their weekend at the country estate) makes a good run at the Miss America title. Arrives in Grace Kelly-style traveling suit with scraf, goes directly to the bathing suit competition, proceeds to the evening gown and ends up with a lovely, yellow pant suit and fur jacket for her casual, going-away look. :-) I have found much to enjoy, smile and laugh about in RV but the other day, finally the sadness got through to me. LM tells Moxie (while she is doing her hair) she wants to know what is bothering her. But Moxie doesn't have to answer because before she can find the courage to say, the dog comes into LM's dressing room and she interrupts Moxie to ask the dog if he had his breakfast? So sad-this servant that she declares she can't do without is less important than one of the dogs. Relative values. :-("}, {"response": 91, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Jan 25, 2002 (21:28)", "body": "(Me/Lora)Sounded just like Darcy at a prideful moment. (Caribou)Sounds slightly more acceptable from Darcy for some odd reason.;-) I really ought to have said that it sounded like his Darcy at a prideful moment. :-) And you're right it does sound slightly more acceptable from Darcy. Maybe it's because Peter isn't prideful at all. He's like a companion and friend to Moxie. He helps her choose her \"disguise,\" gives her some \"liquid courage,\" and socializes with her as if they were equals (especially the playful way they prepare themselves to meet Don Lucas). He also calms her down when Miranda leaves the dining room to powder her nose and Moxie becomes hysterical over what Miranda (not knowing that her sister is actually across the table) has just said about her. Moxie gets up from the table and says, 'Drunk am I? Dead am I...' LOL! I love that scene. Later they also do a cute little pantomime together at the table as if they were talking about and making fun of Nigel (with Nigel right behind them).*heehee* So it is out of character for Peter to sound like (his) Darcy. But he's probably perceiving how Lady Marshwood is feeling rather than feeling that way himself."}, {"response": 92, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 26, 2002 (10:37)", "body": ""}, {"response": 93, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 26, 2002 (10:38)", "body": "(Caribou) Both movies also show that only the lower classes who would be attracted to and interested in such things...Even Crestwell is above such rubbish. But is he really? I think he shows disinterest to the staff because they are wasting time and he's in charge and wants them to get on with their work. But you see Crestwell take surreptitious looks at the magazine and at himself in the mirror (after chastising the other guy for fussing with his oiled hair). Crestwell needs to project an image of being above all that. However, he really fails at the end when you see him driving up in the MG and DL compliments him on his \"shades.\" Crestwell looks very pleased with himself. (Evelyn) What a crowd...don't these people work?...But the RV bunch don't turn a hand, except for the Americans and the servants. Doesn't the play refer to Peter being a travel agent? Am a bit foggy here. (Evelyn) Interesting relationship between Crestwell and Felicity. In the play Peter says to Felicity: \"You should marry Crestwell\" Talk about being dependent. While I agree Felicity is incredibly dependent on him, I think Peter is referring to the fact that both are of one mind in their outlook, views or beliefs. A great example of Felicity's dependence is the one morning when she didn't have Moxie to fix her hair. The woman was incapable of getting that front section in place. Sheesh! ;-) (Caribou) Who needs profanity when we have such great playwrights? There's nothing quite like a comment dripping in sarcasm. It would be interesting to see if all the ones you've highlighted are actually Coward's though. (Caribou) So sad-this servant that she declares she can't do without is less important than one of the dogs. Relative values. :-( And LM finally realizes that fact and more when she tells Peter that she really doesn't know Moxie after 20 years. (Lora) Maybe it's because Peter isn't prideful at all....and socializes with her as if they were equals...But he's probably perceiving how Lady Marshwood is feeling rather than feeling that way himself. Hmmm. I have different take. Peter is socially an equal. I recall in the play's cast list, he is shown as 'The Honourable Peter Ingleton.' His function in the play is what we'd now call the \"girlfriend\" or in his case, \"the fag hag.\" He is LM's sounding board and he comforts her. Also, I believe he's the one who proffers the \"your own social class\" as the root of her problem with Miranda. He is making Felicity face up to the ugly truth behind her comments. I didn't see any evidence that he was unhappy about the social situation and hoped it would go away."}, {"response": 94, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 26, 2002 (11:28)", "body": "Wasn't Peter supposed to be \"the voice of NC\"? Who certainly wasn't born into the upper classes."}, {"response": 95, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sat, Jan 26, 2002 (11:41)", "body": "(Karen)I think Peter is referring to the fact that both are of one mind in their outlook, views or beliefs. I thought Peter said that because then Felicity would be able to stay the Lady Marshwood of the house since she would be the new bride! (Though she has no interest in doing that). Wouldn't that trump a marriage between Nigel and Miranda? Plus Crestwell is so loyal and keen about knowing what's really going on in the house before it's explained to him, he'd be a good partner ;-). (And Peter could retire as the 'girlfriend' ;-)). (Karen)A great example of Felicity's dependence is the one morning when she didn't have Moxie to fix her hair. The woman was incapable of getting that front section in place. Sheesh! ;-) Yet how is someone as spoiled and princess-like as Miranda able to do her own hair after a swim and a nap? I couldn't figure out how her hair looked just as good as it did before the swim. Maybe that's why Lady Marshwood was so horrified when she said she was taking a swim. Who would do her hair ;-)? I don't think there were blow dryers until the 60's ;-). (Karen)I didn't see any evidence that he was unhappy about the social situation and hoped it would go away. But he did enjoy poking into Miranda's past at every opportunity in order to out the truth. I love his questions (and he has no qualms about asking them and Felicity doesn't seem to stop him from doing so): 'And were you all alone, with no father, brother...or sister ?' Or, when he asks Miranda what became of her sister. Heehee, he knows he'll be exposing something about Miranda's past and true social situation (even though it's not as bad as she says it is, he exposes her lies) when he asks those questions. He is indeed the catalyst for outing the truth via Moxie because of the questions he asks."}, {"response": 96, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 26, 2002 (12:04)", "body": "(Evelyn) Wasn't Peter supposed to be \"the voice of NC\"? Who certainly wasn't born into the upper classes. Believe or not, I don't think it inconsistent for Peter be the voice of NC and still uphold the class system. Don't we see this all the time? The servants maintain stringent class rules. Even today, there are still issues of class structure and an acceptance of it. NC wasn't a closet socialist or anarchist, was he? ;-) (Lora) I thought Peter said that because then Felicity would be able to stay the Lady Marshwood of the house since she would be the new bride!...Wouldn't that trump a marriage between Nigel and Miranda? I can't say that I am totally following your line of reasoning here. But, no, a marriage between Crestwell and LM wouldn't trump Nigel's marriage. The title stems from the male line, Felicity's dead husband. Nigel is already the Earl and his mother stays at the house because he allows her to. She will, however, always retain the title. (Lora) Plus Crestwell is so loyal and keen about knowing what's really going on in the house before it's explained to him, he'd be a good partner ;-). But does the movie not show that Crestwell does indeed know what's going on at all times? He had even figured out that Moxie's secret. Crestwell is the omniscient member of the cast. BTW, I think that Peter enjoys being Felicity's girlfriend. ;-) (Lora) Yet how is someone as spoiled and princess-like as Miranda able to do her own hair after a swim and a nap? Perhaps, as in GP, she was assigned a housemaid to fill in as a personal maid. You know, like Emily Watson had to do for the Wilby's wife, the one without a sufficient wardrobe? Maybe it was Alice...but I'm sure she'd be too nervous. ;-) (Lora) But he did enjoy poking into Miranda's past at every opportunity in order to out the truth. I too loved how he prodded her and the looks Felicity gave him. Peter, as NC's alter ego, tossed barbs every which way. Just before he takes Felicity outside at the beginning, he tells some guy to go bore some others. Love the flip way he tosses off those lines."}, {"response": 97, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 26, 2002 (12:16)", "body": "(Lora)spoiled and princess-like as Miranda able to do her own hair after a swim and a nap? I couldn't figure out how her hair looked just as good as it did before the swim. LOL. I saw that the first time I saw it on TV. Or how could she have such a wardrobe in a small suitcase!"}, {"response": 98, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sat, Jan 26, 2002 (12:28)", "body": "(Karen)Crestwell is the omniscient member of the cast. This is what I meant too. Sorry if I didn't get this point across. I should have said that Crestwell was very keen when figuring things out, not that he was keen about doing so. :-)"}, {"response": 99, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 27, 2002 (11:28)", "body": "(Evelyn) Or how could she have such a wardrobe in a small suitcase! LOL! Don't get me started on this? It's the same in all movies. Ever notice how light those suitcases appear? How easily everyone carries them? Could it be they are empty as well? ;-) Speaking of film gaffes, anyone notice that Felicity is clearly not wearing a slip in the scene where she's returning to the house after cutting the roses? The sun is behind her, and it makes her dress transparent. Moxie must not be all that good a personal maid. ;-D When Moxie is introduced to Miranda in the drawing room, she reminds me a great deal of Eliza Doolittle's first outing in society, i.e., the very stilted charmed-to-meet you's."}, {"response": 100, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan 27, 2002 (12:37)", "body": "Saw ODB do one of his \"eye rolls\"( \"there he goes again\") at the end as Nigel and Caroline are going into the church. Shades of \"eye rolling\" in several scenes of P&P; esp. when Mrs. Bennet is speaking."}, {"response": 101, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Jan 27, 2002 (13:46)", "body": "(Karen)Felicity is clearly not wearing a slip in the scene where she's returning to the house after cutting the roses? The sun is behind her, and it makes her dress transparent. I noticed that, but that outfit was clearly the most flattering on her in the whole movie. She looked very nice in it and the transparent look didn't bother me. It made her seem more open to helping Moxie with her problem. And indeed Moxie did become 'transparent' to Lady Marshwood when she tried to hide it. 'It was the army lorry...' ;-) Btw, speaking of dresses, the one Moxie ends up wearing could have been from Lady M's wardrobe from when she was younger. We know she was a lot smaller in her Mary Poppins days ;-). (Karen)When Moxie is introduced to Miranda in the drawing room, she reminds me a great deal of Eliza Doolittle's first outing in society, i.e., the very stilted charmed-to-meet you's. Yes she does sound like ED, but her voice was most stilted and stammering when she said hello to Nigel. She called him your L-L-L-Lordship at first and tried to catch herself since she was now supposed to be a friend of the family and not a maid. She was used to calling him that and forgot she would need to change her greeting to him until it was out of her mouth. Lady M noticed, but Miranda didn't notice the faux pas at all (sort of like Don Lucas didn't realize that Crestwell wouldn't be a sir...*sheesh* such uninformed Americans ;-)). So no harm done in front of Miranda...yet ;-). And of course, Nigel probably understood she was making a transition (even though he was not in on the true reason for it)."}, {"response": 102, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 27, 2002 (22:04)", "body": "Interesting article about butlers: http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4343340,00.html"}, {"response": 103, "author": "caribou", "date": "Tue, Jan 29, 2002 (20:37)", "body": "(Karen)Crestwell is the omniscient member of the cast. I love how NC has had most of these characters decribe themselves for him. Felicity asks him, \"What do you know?\" His answer is priceless. \"In common with most of the human race, I know very little but imagine myself to know a great deal.\" :-) Even Felicity does this when asked, \"How are you, dear?\" she says \"Happy as a lark\". mI RANda does this when she is confessing to Felicity, \"I ran to America...\" At one point Moxie is referred to as Mrs. Moxton, does anyone know what happened to hubby? (Karen)When Moxie is introduced to Miranda in the drawing room, she reminds me a great deal of Eliza Doolittle's first outing in society, i.e., the very stilted charmed-to-meet you's. And that is exactly the same thing they tried to do for Moxie but only had a few hours to affect the transformation. (Lora) ..but Miranda didn't notice the faux pas at all (sort of like Don Lucas didn't realize that Crestwell wouldn't be a sir...*sheesh* such uninformed Americans ;-)). Things like that and Nigel explaining riding in England makes it hard for me to keep remembering Miranda isn't American. Seems the film makers kept forgetting too. I think her character is made a total a** in the play, as Felicity said, because she is British trying to act American-unthinkable and unforgivable. But, she is somewhat successful with the act because everyone keeps forgetting her English roots."}, {"response": 104, "author": "rachael", "date": "Wed, Jan 30, 2002 (08:08)", "body": "(Caribou) because she is British trying to act American I thought it wasn't so much the nationalities, but that she was trying to be what she was not, that's why she's portrayed as an a** - she's not only denying her original nationality, but also telling fibs about her lowly background"}, {"response": 105, "author": "caribou", "date": "Tue, Feb  5, 2002 (17:03)", "body": "(Guardian Article)The deference that a butler is supposed to show to his employer is tempered by the fact that, Jeeves-like, he also spends an inordinate amount of his time teaching his boss how to behave. Like many of the other things said about butlers this one applys to Crestwell because he was the one who came up with the plan to say that Moxie had inherited a fortune. Interesting that he could see what would change her social standing instantly. (Rachel)but also telling fibs about her lowly background She makes it more of a \"rags to riches\" story than it actually was. That would probably appeal more to Americans. Maybe she was using the same line she had used in the US but it didn\ufffdt impress her British \"audience\". Felicity tells Nigel that if he had any sense of nobless oblige he would ask Don Lucas to be his best man. Is that statement off-the-wall or is there truth hidden in that jest? (I like how the movie makers show Felicity\ufffds nobless oblige-she sends the butler and maid out to the gate with lemonade for the Girl Guides. Reminded me of wassailing.:-))"}, {"response": 106, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (10:45)", "body": "Differences between Hour of the Pig and The Advocate During the rooster scene, there's a shot where you an actually see Richard standing behind Maria just before Mathieu calls out \"Are you alright?\" After that scene, the following sequence was cut: The cock crows. We then see a naked Courtois sitting contentedly, writing at his desk. Maria, with her shirt on (and nothing else) comes across and asks, \"Can you teach me to read?\" He smiles, takes his quill, lifts up the shirt and writes on her bare bottom. He draws a large cross and something else. Then there's this dialogue: MARIA: What is it? RICHARD: My hand, my seal... MARIA: My arse! RICHARD: (glancing out window at the castle) You ever been up there? MARIA: Oh yeah. At Michaelmas and sometimes...at Michaelmas. She starts to get dressed. He looks back at his work. RICHARD: How is he, the Seigneur? Are the stories true? Cut to Richard riding up to the castle, which is in The Advocate. * * * * * At the end of the first meeting with Nicol Williamson, he walks outside, and then there is this: Richard climbs on his horse, looks up at the castle wall and says, \"Good God!\" We see that he is looking at several dead birds grotesquely strung up. A young man standing nearby speaks to him. YM: They're butcher birds. If they make a kill when they're not hungry, they fill up their larder for another day. Richard just looks, then rides away. The young man smiles at him and waves. Then there's a shot of the witch standing on a cart being taken to her execution. Then back to the inn. Richard is standing behind Maria, holding her breasts and kissing her neck. MARIA: (hearing the bells tolling) Do you hear? They're going to hang Jeannine. He lets go and walks to the table. RICHARD: Are you going? MARIA: (coming up behind him and hugging him) Oh yeah! You can have these later. (no response) Oh, he doesn't like them anymore! You said I've got tits like a milk cow. RICHARD: (thinking about this) No, I didn't. MARIA: Didn't you? (she's obviously mixed him up with someone else) Then we go to the hanging of the witch, and Richard in bed with Maria while she describes the scene. * * * * * In the following scene, Richard is looking out from the balcony at night, watching an owl and some mice. There's another cut here. Inside his room, a breeze that blows his hair also knocks over a candle onto some of his papers, which start to burn around the model of his house. Outside, a peasant passes and Richard addresses him: RICHARD: (referring to night birds) Can you hear them up there, on the wind? PEASANT: Every breath. Every black and sinful word. But these walls of Babylon will fall, for the waters are poisoned with wormwood. Wormwood and gall! Richard glances again at the owl (this shot is in The Advocate). Inside the papers still burn, but now a cup of wine falls and the spilt wine douses the flames. Richard leaves the balcony and returns to his room. He looks with surprise at the burnt mess and looks for an intruder. The he goes to relight a candle and Samira enters as in The Advocate. * * * * * A few scenes later, Colin goes to the gypsy camp (this is in The Advocate), but the scene is longer. Samira goes off with her goat through the undergrowth. They sit down and have a chat. He asks her where she comes from. Then there is an abrupt cut to a courtroom scene, but in Hour of the Pig, the continues with the two looking at each other for a long moment. Then they are naked and in bed in the dark, making love. He calls her name, Samira, and then rolls over, and we see it is Maria he has been making love to and she is not happy. MARIA: Maria. RICHARD: Hmm? MARIA: My name's Maria. RICHARD: What did I say? * * * * * Then the court scene. Immediately after the court scene is another scene at the gypsy camp. Richard and Samira are wading at a leisurely pace through the stream. He is naked. She is wearing some clothing. A man on the riverbank picks up a quill feather and then starts to watch them from a distance. RICHARD: You should undress to bathe. The other women do. SAMIRA: I'm not other women. RICHARD: No, do you tell lies? SAMIRA: Yes. Not about the pig. RICHARD: Well, it doesn't look good. No witnesses, no story. I can only win by disputation. (She looks at him) Argument, fine words. And Pincheon sits there like a hawk in a tree, watching. What he's like when he spreads his wings, I don't know. Two small gypsy children talk in their own language. We next see Samira and Richard lying on the grass. He bends over to kiss her, but she puts a flower over her mouth to stop him. RICHARD: When you came to my room... SAMIRA: Not now. You'd think it was for the pig. RICHARD: I'd take the chance. They are disturbed. A young gypsy is startled by a figure lurking in the woods. He is being stalked and runs in fear. Richard and Samira get up and hear the sounds. They run to look. They see two men, one with aimed crossbow. He waves to them. The boy runs into the arms of the priest Albertus, who is wal"}, {"response": 107, "author": "treseg", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (12:14)", "body": "thanks for the list Karen"}, {"response": 108, "author": "sandym", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (16:07)", "body": "Thanks so much for posting this. I always wondered what the differences were. Now I know!"}, {"response": 109, "author": "dalec", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (18:26)", "body": "thanks Karen. have to watch \"The Advocate\" agian and try to fill in the gaps with your list. it will be hard to find a copy of THOTP."}, {"response": 110, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (18:34)", "body": "Dang, now I want this instead of the sanitized one I've got. GRRRRRR"}, {"response": 111, "author": "airstream", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (20:16)", "body": "Thanks Karen. It sems silly that these cuts were made (but haven't actually seen them). There were bits of the Advocate that seemed disjointed--now I know why. (Were there cuts in Playmaker?! ;))"}, {"response": 112, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (20:51)", "body": "(Dale) it will be hard to find a copy of THOTP. Not really, but the piggie movie was only released in PAL format so conversions are all that can be found, and you won't find that at a video store. (Amy) There were bits of the Advocate that seemed disjointed--now I know why. While Hotpig will never be a great film, it is better than The Advocate, whose editing really hurt it. Cuts in Playmaker?? No doubt. We are still trying to track down the cameraman. ;-D"}, {"response": 113, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (09:08)", "body": "Those interested in acquiring the piggie movie should contact me at the office (nomdedrool@yahoo.com)"}, {"response": 114, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Tue, Jun 18, 2002 (19:31)", "body": "Karen, I heard that \"playmaker\" was released under the name \"private teacher\" in Japan, do you know if this is the same cut?"}, {"response": 115, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 18, 2002 (21:10)", "body": "That's news to me. But it's not unusual for titles to be translated, and the term playmaker wouldn't mean much v. likely in translation. I know there's a VCD of Playmaker (which comes out of Asia somewhere), but I don't know anybody who's seen it."}, {"response": 116, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Jun 30, 2002 (18:38)", "body": "I finally saw The Advocate last night, and was glad I could refer to the list of differences. Thank you, Karen! It explained a lot (including why the editing seemed so abrupt and choppy). I'm not sure what to make of this film. I liked the idea of an advocate for the people in that period of history. Courtois is tremendously appealing - intelligent, idealistic, energetic, charming, and utterly gorgeous. The movie has a certain quirky charm as well. But still, I can't say that I liked it. I'm not trying to start a full-blown discussion of the film (that is, unless others would be interested in doing so, in which case count me in) - I'm sure there's been one in the past, though I couldn't find much about it in the archived topics. But I did want to ask, is this a film that grows on you with repeat viewings? I intend to watch it again, but I'm wondering if familiarity will breed appreciation or contempt. And I simply must inquire about one thing. In the post-bath scene where Courtois and the priest are sitting around talking about the fine shadings of morality, are my eyes playing tricks on me, or is the camera set dangerously low when it's on CF?"}, {"response": 117, "author": "audiogirl", "date": "Sun, Jun 30, 2002 (23:28)", "body": "Rika. What version of The Advocate did you see? i believe that there are two different ones. I saw the one subtitled The Hour of The Pig, and it was very revealing shall i say. A very nude Colin in a very hot scene with the girl at his inn. i really enjoyed Colin's character inthis film. Quirky but as usual, his fine acting shines through"}, {"response": 118, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul  1, 2002 (12:25)", "body": "(Rika) I liked the idea of an advocate for the people in that period of history. Advocate is merely another term for lawyer. I'd equate him with a defense lawyer in the US system, but as we learned during our discussion of this film, the legal system at that time bore no resemblance to ours. Courtois' idealism is central to the plot, as he leaves the corrupt and cynical Paris to go amongst the pure people of the country. He's so naive. Good thing he has Mathieu with him, as he doesn't even realize the true nature of his living accommodations. ;-D though I couldn't find much about it in the archived topics. That's because it was the first one we did and \"would've\" been in Topic 67 before we lost them due to the ineptness of moi. However, all is not lost as I had edited all those discussions (I have the raw content stored off-line too) and they will be going back up on firth.com as soon as I can get to them. I'm wondering if familiarity will breed appreciation or contempt I like it, as a satire. Plus you see more in it each time you watch. I don't know of too many people who have said outright that they dislike it. is the camera set dangerously low when it's on CF? This bears checking out. I haven't watched it in a long time. I'll report back later. (audiogirl) I saw the one subtitled The Hour of The Pig, and it was very revealing shall i say. As I tried to explain above, the film is known throughout the world as The Hour of the Pig. Only in the US, was the title changed to The Advocate. Also, HOTPig doesn't have all that much more in the way of \"revealing\" shots, except as noted above, where you can see Colin standing behind Maria. *woof woof* I wouldn't count the river scene as it was shot from about 100 yds away."}, {"response": 119, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul  1, 2002 (13:07)", "body": "(Karen)I wouldn't count the river scene as it was shot from about 100 yds away. And probably was a double. I'm wondering if familiarity will breed appreciation or contempt I can tell ya' the leading ladies don't get any better looking.*woof,woof*;-) Real brown-baggers.Sally, the pig is cute though. And have you ever seen a scruffier group of people.You can almost smell 'em.Yuck!"}, {"response": 120, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jul  2, 2002 (01:24)", "body": "(Karen) Courtois' idealism is central to the plot, as he leaves the corrupt and cynical Paris to go amongst the pure people of the country. He's so naive. And that's a part of what makes him so appealing. He means so very well but doesn't have a clue what he's up against. Good thing he has Mathieu with him, as he doesn't even realize the true nature of his living accommodations. ;-D I loved that! I'm surprised there weren't enough stray noises behind doors to make him suspicious. Maria's behavior wouldn't have been enough on its own - I think plenty of female servants in more ordinary lodgings would have agreed with her \"waste not, want not\" philosophy, at least where a guy that gorgeous is concerned! On the absence of an Advocate film discussion in the archives: That's because it was the first one we did and \"would've\" been in Topic 67 before we lost them due to the ineptness of moi. However, all is not lost as I had edited all those discussions (I have the raw content stored off-line too) and they will be going back up on firth.com as soon as I can get to them. Thank you! I look forward to it! I've enjoyed reading the other discussions, though it's so frustrating to want to jump in, but of course it's years too late. Have you put other archived discussions on firth.com? I've been there several times to check out all the wonderful stuff, but hadn't noticed any discussion archives. (Rika) is the camera set dangerously low when it's on CF? (Karen again) This bears checking out. I haven't watched it in a long time. I'll report back later. Needless to say, I'm not talking the Full Monty or anything (it's far less than we see of a couple of the women), but I think the camera strays ever so slightly into Monty's general neighborhood.... :-P"}, {"response": 121, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  2, 2002 (08:13)", "body": "(Rika) but I think the camera strays ever so slightly into Monty's general neighborhood.... :-P Moving this chore higher on my list of to-dos. ;-D The old archive at firth.com had edited and illustrated versions of Three Days of Rain, A Month in the Country, Dutch Girls, Fever Pitch, Hostages, Hour of the Pig, Nostromo, Playmaker, The English Patient and Valmont. I hadn't gotten around to editing Apartment Zero, A Thousand Acres, Femme Fatale, Relative Values, Tumbledown or Wings of Fame yet. They will all go back up as soon as I can get around to it."}, {"response": 122, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  2, 2002 (08:14)", "body": "Plus, we can do another film discussion. Summer isn't a particularly good time, with everyone on vacation, and if Hope Springs does come out in Sept, then we'd be running up against everyone wanting to talk about it then. Such scheduling problems! ;-D"}, {"response": 123, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jul  2, 2002 (18:59)", "body": "I'd love to do a film discussion at some point. I bet there are other newer people here who missed old discussions but have stuff they'd love to talk about, if the veterans were willing to put up with it! But it does sound like now is not the time, what with the recent and upcoming opportunities to see CF on the big screen instead. A rather nice problem to have..... I wish that we would always find ourselves beset with that problem......"}, {"response": 124, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul  3, 2002 (08:38)", "body": "Absolutely, we can a film discussion here this summer of either sort if there are others who are interested. It can be a revisit or a new one."}, {"response": 125, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul  3, 2002 (09:19)", "body": "I'm an \"oldie\", but I'm in. Newbies always bring new insights and comments. But you can't bail out;-) We've had problems before with folks who say they want to discuss a film , post once and then bolt to lurk."}, {"response": 126, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Jul  3, 2002 (11:05)", "body": "I've never been in a film discussion before, but have accummlated many movies in the past few weeks and watch them all, good or bad, so would love to become a part of discussions whenever you're ready to start. Looking forward to it and promise not to drop out as I really enjoy Drool and it's discussions. Favorites by rank are P&P, Fever Pitch, BJD, The Advocate, and My Life So Far but would enjoy discussing anything."}, {"response": 127, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul  5, 2002 (09:05)", "body": "I've put up the first of the older discussions--the Hour of the Pig--here: http://www.firth.com/filmdis/thotp/thotp-part1.html We may want to do more with this one. Seems fairly lightweight in comparison to what we've done later. ;-D"}, {"response": 128, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Jul  5, 2002 (13:48)", "body": "HotP sounds good to me. And, Evelyn, I promise not to bolt! Any chance of seeing the original HotP beforehand? I know it's not that different from The Advocate (and Karen's been kind enough to share the list of differences), but I'd still be curious to see the real thing. Thanks for posting the previous HotP discussion, Karen! I enjoyed reading it."}, {"response": 129, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Jul  5, 2002 (16:32)", "body": "Thanks Karen for the write-up. Will study and watch movie again and again so I can intelligently contribute to discussion. Looking forward to it. Thanks everyone."}, {"response": 130, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul  5, 2002 (16:48)", "body": "Whoa! I didn't say we'd do HOTPig but that it could be redone. There are lots of films that we haven't touched on at all. Regardless, check out #113 above."}, {"response": 131, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Jul  5, 2002 (17:13)", "body": "Oh, sorry - misunderstood. Which ones haven't been done?"}, {"response": 132, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul  6, 2002 (10:35)", "body": "Lots haven't been done. What we like to do is select a film that is accessible to many, which for now generally eliminates his rarer works. Here's a list of ones we've never discussed: Another Country Camille (but we have to wait for Moon on this one) 1919 (rare one) Lost Empires Tales from the Hollywood Hills (rare one) The Secret Garden (I think we can skip this one or else it will be the shortest discussion on record) Out of the Blue (rare) Circle of Friends Master of the Moor (fairly rare) The Deep Blue Sea (rare) Widowing of Mrs Holroyd (rare) My Life So Far Shakespeare in Love Secret Laughter of Women Blackadder (another skip) Turn of the Screw (potential skip, although is a very discussable story) Donovan Quick Londinium BJD Conspiracy Let's hear comments, preferences, etc."}, {"response": 133, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sat, Jul  6, 2002 (12:29)", "body": "Thanks, Karen, for providing the list above. I hadn't realized that there were some very memorable oldies but goodies still to discuss! I would love to discuss SIL, CF is so wonderful as Wessex. The discussion would be so interesting since there are so many stories within stories and parts within parts. I've viewed it recently and one of the scenes between Colin and Dame Judi remind me of the interview scene in TIOBE. But, I am getting ahead of myself here ;-). Suffice it to say, I long for a CF movie discussion and I will go to it! Just tell me when I am allowed to show my pleasure ;-)!"}, {"response": 134, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul  6, 2002 (13:03)", "body": "OMG, you've memorized the dialogue from this one too? LOL! But you shan't be allowed to bring your laundry woman."}, {"response": 135, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sat, Jul  6, 2002 (13:41)", "body": "Heehee...it takes one to know one ;-). I love SIL and CF's part in it. But I'm willing to get a consensus first. What do you think, dear drooleurs, out there in Firthland? Will you come anon :-D?"}, {"response": 136, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Jul  6, 2002 (13:41)", "body": "I get the impression from reading past topics that most people would prefer to skip \"Londonium\" as well - I've never seen it but it appears to be widely loathed. I'm personally very interested in DQ, having not seen it yet but having read the critical raves for the film and for CF's performance. But I'd enjoy discussing SIL too, and it's more widely available, so I'm happy to go along with Lora's suggestion."}, {"response": 137, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sat, Jul  6, 2002 (15:55)", "body": "Karen, I'm glad you brought this up as I was going to ask you about it myself. The videos/DVD's I have access to here in the middle of nowhere (2 hours from Sydney) are The Secret Garden (I agree with you), Circle of Friends, SIL, and BJD. After missing out on the RV talk, I'm really hoping to get in on this one. If one is chosen that I need to get a copy of, can you give me time to get it shipped here? (and I will use airmail.) :)))))))"}, {"response": 138, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Sat, Jul  6, 2002 (15:57)", "body": "I'll play, too. I could certainly enjoy SIL, but I'll cast an obscure vote for MLSF...I've always had a soft spot for that one, and it seems to be relatively easy to get, too, at least in the US. Must be the pajamas. Yeah, that's it, the pajamas and the preaching. :) DQ would absolutely be my first choice if it were more widely available. (I received it myself only with a significant assist.) And the L-word would be fun, in a warped sort of way. Not enough fun to nag Cinemax for another run, though... I notice HBO is cranking up Conspiracy for another round starting on Sunday, if anyone missed it."}, {"response": 139, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul  6, 2002 (17:34)", "body": "I'm leaning toward MLSF myself, possibly because Colin *is* the lead in this one. Besides, do you really want to hear me go on and on about how fantastic Joe Fiennes was in SIL? ;-D"}, {"response": 140, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul  6, 2002 (17:44)", "body": "(Elizabeth) but I'll cast an obscure vote for MLSF. Not so obscure... MLSF is my vote because it's his film & I love the scenery;-). PS.Leave me out of L'dum."}, {"response": 141, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jul  6, 2002 (21:11)", "body": "Oh excellent! A film discussion I can participate in! I love reading the previous ones. I wouldn't be a one-poster either...I tend toward the gabby side when so motivated. (I am not of an unsocial, taciturn disposition, unwilling to speak, unless expected to say something that will amaze the whole room ;-)) Hopefully I'll have something a wee bit insightful to say. (Karen) Besides, do you really want to hear me go on and on about how fantastic Joe Fiennes was in SIL? ;-D If it was TEP, I'd be on about Ralph Fiennes. (Bet that's not a popular thing to say ;-D) Actually I need to watch it again with my new-found awareness of ODB. I have to see if I can find MLSF to rent somewhere. I'm also up for SIL or DQ as well. Haven't seen SIL since it was in theaters."}, {"response": 142, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Sat, Jul  6, 2002 (23:13)", "body": "Evelyn murmured: PS.Leave me out of L'dum. I wouldn't want the MB to get his ego pumped up, either, any more than I suspect it already is...but the catty wench in me would love to spend some time skewering it to its face. Meooooowwww...the mind of the sexist man."}, {"response": 143, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sat, Jul  6, 2002 (23:25)", "body": "I think my first choice would be DQ, if enough people have access to it, because there's so much going on in it. Colin's part in SIL is not the lead, but he's wonderful in it, so I'd be happy with SIL. MLSF is an OK third choice (must dig out that tape and watch it again)."}, {"response": 144, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Jul  7, 2002 (00:35)", "body": "Sorry Karen, misunderstood about The Advocate. At any rate read reference to your list of the differences between HOTP and the Advocate. Could you tell me where to find it as I would be most interested. Have seen COF MLSF SIL BA CONSP BJD from list so just let us know what you decide. Anything is ok with me."}, {"response": 145, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul  7, 2002 (08:14)", "body": "(Dorine) If it was TEP, I'd be on about Ralph Fiennes. Am covering my eyes I have to see if I can find MLSF to rent somewhere. Purchasing might be more cost effective. At one time, you could get MLSF on the previously viewed shelf at Blockbusters for $5 (less $2 during those promotions). Bet someone on eBay or half.com has a previously viewed one for cheap. (Elizabeth) Meooooowwww...the mind of the sexist man. LOL!! v.g. Perhaps with a few margaritas or similar (it being summer here), I might be able to watch it. And, Lisa, have no fear; we will give ample advance notice on the film and its start date and do our best to ensure that everyone who \"swears to participate\" will have access to said film."}, {"response": 146, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul  7, 2002 (08:45)", "body": "Dorine) If it was TEP, I'd be on about Ralph Fiennes. (Karen) Am covering my eyes LOL.Dorine, I'm with *you*;-)"}, {"response": 147, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Jul  7, 2002 (11:14)", "body": "MLSF is not a bad choice, and those of you who have said that CF is the lead in this one make a valid point (as opposed to the supporting role of Wessex in SIL). Plus it is easily rented or bought (and that's a good thing for the BB ;-)). (Ebeth)Must be the pajamas. Yeah, that's it, the pajamas and the preaching. :) The pajamas are a lure (as well as the moss ;-)). But we still have to deal with the dreaded MEM ;-P. [MLSF - Moss Lures Sisters (of drool) to Firth ;-D] I agree DQ would be a good choice too (going to check the BB for it as can't remember if one can buy it there)."}, {"response": 148, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Jul  7, 2002 (11:25)", "body": "Oh well, DQ isn't on BB list, but I see that MLSF can be bought as a DVD. Someone might have discussed this already, but do we know if there are any extras such as deleted scenes, interviews, etc. on the MLSR DVD? That would certainly make it worth the purchase :-)!"}, {"response": 149, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, Jul  7, 2002 (11:48)", "body": "I've seen MLSF and would love to participate in a discussion on it. I wouldn't even mind MEM, got some cussing -- I mean discussing, I could do on her too. If we do this one, I'll go back and reread their dual interview so I can get my dander up all over again. Good idea about half.com, think I'll go check it out before a Drool run on his videos drives the price up! And ditto to the question above about the DVD...any additional value in it?"}, {"response": 150, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jul  7, 2002 (11:52)", "body": "(BarbS) I've seen MLSF ....I wouldn't even mind MEM....I'll go back and reread their dual interview so I can get my dander up all over again. Oooo, I'm impressed at your dedication. Not sure if I can subject myself to that article again. ;-)"}, {"response": 151, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Sun, Jul  7, 2002 (17:22)", "body": "Lora and Barb both inquired re: ...I see that MLSF can be bought as a DVD..do we know if there are any extras such as deleted scenes, interviews, etc. Sadly, there are none on the US version I own, although there is a bait and switch to a series of Miramax trailers! Grrrr. But I prefer the DVD format so am just happy to have found it in the first place. I could be on about either RF or JF but greatly prefer CF in all cases. HAW on the L-dumb disaster...I don't drink, so you must have one for me. I can only do it because of the mere presence of you-know-who. The upside is that I could punch MB out just fine without having to resort to a trip to the pub."}, {"response": 152, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul  7, 2002 (17:23)", "body": "(Lora) do we know if there are any extras such as deleted scenes, interviews, etc. on the MLSR DVD? Surely you jest? This is a classic Miramax/Disney DVD. Totally bare bones, not even the theatrical trailer. Much like the promotional campaign for the film. But it was cheaper to buy than the tape when they first came out."}, {"response": 153, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Sun, Jul  7, 2002 (19:20)", "body": "Hi all, I would be glad to participate in a discussion, and anything sounds fine by me. I will be gone for the next 3 weeks, but will check back 08/01/2002."}, {"response": 154, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Jul  7, 2002 (23:02)", "body": "I agree. I didn't care for the dual article with MEM either. She's got an attitude. However, since they're such long-time friends he sees other things in her character, obviously. Am trying to locate movies. My Blockbuster has nothing. Will try half.com sounds good. Found someone who wanted to sell Hostages for $40.00. I thought that was a little high. Am I correct. I paid $40.00 for Gone With the Wind, new. Let me know if I'm wrong, Karen. Thanks. Did anyone catch the streaker at Wimbledon this morning! I looked up and there he was!"}, {"response": 155, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul  7, 2002 (23:42)", "body": "A little high? Outrageously high."}, {"response": 156, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (11:35)", "body": "(scratching head in bewilderment).. You know... we REALLY need an acronyms list or something for people like me! (heaven forbid) Maybe it's just part of being a newbie, but 3/4 of the time I see an acronym I have to sit back and really study it to figure out what the heck some of them stand for. Who is MEM? (giggling at own ignorance) Maybe I should go back into Karen's archives and read more of the articles. Of course, I really have no room to complain since I added \"HWMBA\" to the many names we give CF/ODB. LOL!"}, {"response": 157, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (11:36)", "body": "i'm going to vote for SIL, but only because i liked it better than MLSF. :-) -or what about Circle of Friends?"}, {"response": 158, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (14:10)", "body": "MEM = Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio (did not look up spelling, I would have to care, but I think I got it right.) She was his costar in MLSF and she mentioned in the infamous interview in question that he had worked with her husband and they went way back (A Month in the Country?) I know Karen has the article in question on The Bucket, it was in German Vogue last year."}, {"response": 159, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jul  9, 2002 (11:03)", "body": "Ok, I'll put my two cents in...I cast my votes for MLSF/COF. Would love to participate in the film discussions. His role in COF was not that big, but certainly worth discussing."}, {"response": 160, "author": "maryw", "date": "Tue, Jul  9, 2002 (15:33)", "body": "Just to complicate it...how about SLOW - he looked very fine, indeed in that one. So that takes care of the visual aspects. And there were some interesting takes on topical issues : interracial relationships, migration/refugees, \"open\" relationships, and to lighen it up a bit, well there are comic book characters, antelopes, and don't forget those tomatoes.... Or, A Month in the Country. Oooohh - this ones gives me the goose pimples just thinking of those drooly eyes when he looks at her as she hands him the apples Oops...just checked Karen's list - this has been done. Pity. Otherwise, if had to vote for the popular choices so far : I'd vote for DQ, MLSF, Conspiracy - in any order."}, {"response": 161, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  9, 2002 (16:53)", "body": "Minkee! Clean out your inbox. Hotmail says it is full and you can't be emailed."}, {"response": 162, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Jul 10, 2002 (21:57)", "body": "I HATE living in Siberia. ::::sigh:::: Just back from a lovely evening out with the DH (he is intrigued by multi-national nature of drooleurs, wants to know my kudos of him are reaching multiple continents) which included my second viewing of TIOBE in the *one* theatre in Indianapolis showing it. Sign in the window...\"Our copy of The Impportance (sic - sigh) of Being Earnest has a scratch through the first 30 minutes.\" I feel SO abandoned...just leave me in a handbag somewhere. But...about 30 very appreciative people of mixed ages (no blue hairs, they must have all been in bed) laughed in all the right places. The two couples in front of us were really enjoying it. And the 5 ladies of a \"certain age\" who sat down toward the front may well be lurking here as we speak. What a nice evening!"}, {"response": 163, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (15:07)", "body": "So are we reaching any consensus on the film to discuss? I haven't spoken up about it lately because I'm open to pretty much anything, as long as I can get a copy of it, but we seem to have a lot of different preferences. But I cast a vote against TEP, given Dorine's threat to drool over RF :-D."}, {"response": 164, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (15:53)", "body": "Will tally up results/preferences/threats/bribes and the like this evening."}, {"response": 165, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (16:15)", "body": "SIL (unashamedly voting twice)"}, {"response": 166, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (17:54)", "body": "But he has such a small part Esbee...and doesn't get the girl and Karen will drool over the other Fiennes guy ;-)) And will you stay til the end of the discussion....hmmmmmm????;-)"}, {"response": 167, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (18:22)", "body": "(Minkee) Just to complicate it...how about SLOW - he looked very fine, indeed in that one. And there were some interesting takes on topical issues : interracial relationships, migration/refugees, \"open\" relationships, and to lighen it up a bit, well there are comic book characters, antelopes, and don't forget those tomatoes.... Minkee the brave! I actually wanted to suggest that myself, but thought I'd be hissed off the board as I gather it's not a favorite. And yes indeed, he did look fine :-P! I also figured the discussion would digress to centering on how bad that kid was. I actually thought it could have been a great film addressing all those issues you mentioned, if the script had been developed past what appeared to be a first draft. Or, A Month in the Country. Just managed to find that today for rent. I get it for a week...I can watch it enough to have it memorized. But as you say, it's been done. (Rika) But I cast a vote against TEP, given Dorine's threat to drool over RF :-D. I'm not a fanatic over RF, but he was pretty steamy in TEP (Sorry, Karen!) and esp The End of the Affair. ;-) My votes are in no particular order: DQ, SIL, SLOW, Conspiracy (abbr ?), MLSF (just have to get it....someone had it rented today), or BJD (but there's several boards on that already)."}, {"response": 168, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (18:29)", "body": "(Evelyn) and Karen will drool over the other Fiennes guy ;-)) No, I won't drool, but I will expound on how wonderful he was in that role and how he made the movie for me. When he spoke... At least, with all this input, I can create a list of upcoming discussions, which can include those more obscure ones possibly."}, {"response": 169, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (19:28)", "body": "I'll vote for SIL or MLSF, both are easily available. But SIL is my first choice - I'm with you Esbee on that one. All of the characters are great and I realize our discussion will have to include them too, but I would wager 50 pounds that we'll have enough material to discuss about Wessex ;-)! (And I stick around till the end!)"}, {"response": 170, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (20:57)", "body": "Bribes, did I hear(read) that bribes were being accepted? I'll just recast my votes (actually, double voting for MLSF or COF. But, I'll go along and stick around-whatever the outcome."}, {"response": 171, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (22:54)", "body": "(Karen) No, I won't drool, but I will expound on how wonderful he was in that role and how he made the movie for me. When he spoke... I'm with you on this. He was perfect. I couldn't believe he didn't get an Oscar nomination."}, {"response": 172, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Jul 12, 2002 (01:10)", "body": "Have not been able to see SLOW as my video store does not carry it but have seen Consiracy, BJD, RV FP Blackadder, MLSF SIL ATA TEP P&P COF Advocate WOF Valmont AZ AMC DG willing to discuss any of the above."}, {"response": 173, "author": "odessa", "date": "Fri, Jul 12, 2002 (05:08)", "body": "Donovan Quick ! Saw it some time ago and would love to hear what you think of it. BTW I`m now very proud: have managed to see 10 of ODB movies/series."}, {"response": 174, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Jul 12, 2002 (11:07)", "body": "(Lora) I would wager 50 pounds that we'll have enough material to discuss about Wessex ;-)! i agree! Wessex has a large enough role to spur a great deal of conversation (and if all else fails, we can have a Cod Piece spoting competition) ;-) And Yes Evelyn, if we go with SIL i'll stick around for the whole discussion ;-P *eyeing the heavens for bolt of lightening*"}, {"response": 175, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 12, 2002 (14:01)", "body": "(Esbee) And Yes Evelyn, if we go with SIL i'll stick around for the whole discussion ;-P *eyeing the heavens for bolt of lightening* LOL. Now, now...you can't be a sore loser :-D"}, {"response": 176, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 12, 2002 (18:40)", "body": "Despite a last minute appeal by the Florida contingent to count some hanging chads (regardless of which side they were hanging on), MLSF is the film-elect for the summer. I'd say we start this discussion one week from Monday, which will be July 22. So start watching your tape or DVD, making notes or check your mailboxes. :-)"}, {"response": 177, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Jul 12, 2002 (18:50)", "body": "*pouting* ;-P"}, {"response": 178, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Jul 12, 2002 (20:57)", "body": "*double pouting* ;-(( Wessex might have asked, \"How was this to end?\" Answer: As a movie must when Shakespeare's denied, with moss and a journey through the highlands. ;-);-) Don't worry I'll be there for MLSF discussion...wouldn't miss it! (But I'll be out of town the week of July 22, so I'll try to post on a lap top if I can. If not, I'll be back the next week.)"}, {"response": 179, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 12, 2002 (21:40)", "body": "Our judicial system at work...even working some overtime! I've been notified that the matter is to be taken up by the Florida Appellate Court. High-level whinging and whining much in evidence. This will delay our start date to the week following: July 29. (Next complainer gets a gift case of moss toiletry items: perfume, soap, shampoo, ungeunts, deodorant) ;-D"}, {"response": 180, "author": "kasey", "date": "Fri, Jul 12, 2002 (22:08)", "body": "And while they are deliberating, will someone be checking to see if the chads hang to the left or to the right? Glad you've picked a work that I have access to. Will review thoroughly and hope to have at least a comment or two to contribute as the discussion unfolds. I don't get a lot of time out here so most of it is spent enjoying everyone else's pithy or just plain LOL funny comments. Hope to have something to contribute."}, {"response": 181, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Jul 12, 2002 (23:30)", "body": "(Karen)I've been notified that the matter is to be taken up by the Florida Appellate Court. High-level whinging and whining much in evidence. Have accepted outcome gracefully ;-) (though can't grow beard like Gore ;-D) (Karen)This will delay our start date to the week following: July 29. Thanks, Karen, for moving the date. I'll be 'curling' up for MLSF discussion on the 30th :-)."}, {"response": 182, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jul 13, 2002 (08:37)", "body": "(Kathy C)And while they are deliberating, will someone be checking to see if the chads hang to the left or to the right? How does that song go?...England swings like a pendulum do. Could replace England with chads, or certain parts of the male... Eh sorry, just a little giddy over the election outcome. Getting back to your request, Kathy, I always check the chads thoroughly. Swinging to the left most of the time. Karen, even though I'm not complaining, can I still get the gift set? Also, for those of us who are new to film discussions on Spring-will you give us all the ins and outs before the 29th?"}, {"response": 183, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 13, 2002 (09:08)", "body": "Excellent question, Linda! In fact, I was going to say that the postponement will allow all our newbies to learn the necesssary skills for a film discussion. This is the only topic where following a set format is very much desired for a couple of reasons, namely, it make it easier for me when I'm editing but also it makes it easier to understand the train of thought and maintains the sources. In film discussions, we follow this setup: (name) text from comment being addressed specifically No line of space and then your comment in normal font. It is very easy to do italics, although it seems harder to stop doing them. ;-D There are very good and easy to understand instructions here for how to do italics: http://austen.com/tutorial/index.html Many of us used Ann's tutorial and are now great proficients. ;-D You can practice to your heart's content on Topic 61 (Help) and you can get assistance there, as we \"oldies\" will stop by."}, {"response": 184, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Jul 13, 2002 (21:58)", "body": "Looking forward to discussion of MLSF as I love that movie. Also looking forward to any instructions you care to give as long to be an active participant. Thank you. Will try to follow all rules as best I can. I know this is a silly question but whose name goes in italics, my name or the name of the person whose comment I am responding to. Please bear with me. Thank you."}, {"response": 185, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Jul 13, 2002 (23:26)", "body": "Karen, thanks for the format rules. Any other ground rules us newbies should know about?"}, {"response": 186, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 13, 2002 (23:40)", "body": "When you are responding to someone else's comment, then that person's name goes in the parentheses. Ground rules, ground rules, ground rules. Let me think... Oh yes, no hitting below the belt and let's play two today (sorry, I grew up with Ernie Banks)."}, {"response": 187, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (14:16)", "body": "okay - will quit whinning and being a sore loser (although would love a complementary gift set) will attempt to locate another copy of MLSF (my copy is being held hostage by my grandparents -who being in their 80s and of Scottish decent are enthralled with it) btw - who is Ernie Banks?"}, {"response": 188, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (15:11)", "body": "(EsBee) okay - will quit whinning and being a sore loser (although would love a complementary gift set) In lieu of that, may I turn the proceedings over to a gentleman who wishes to propose a toast? To EsBee, whose gracious acceptance of the inevitable has touched my heart. (I had a photo of Edward Pettigrew all set to use, but I thought you might prefer MD :-D) btw - who is Ernie Banks? Baseball Hall of Famer - played for the Chicago Cubs."}, {"response": 189, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (15:49)", "body": "LOL - Thank you Rika! (and you're right -i do prefer Mark Darcy. Isn't he yummy!?!)"}, {"response": 190, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (20:24)", "body": "(ESBee)i do prefer Mark Darcy. Isn't he yummy!? IMO-the yummiest! Thanks for the MD photo, Rika-I'm very much enjoying it in honor of EsBee's gracious acceptance. Still waiting for the gift set, Karen *toe tapping lightly on the floor*"}, {"response": 191, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (14:22)", "body": "(Me)Have accepted outcome gracefully :-) Please know I have accepted outcome gracefully, hope you didn't think I hadn't since I had put a winkie after 'gracefully' before. I was making a (bad)joke in regard to Gore after the election...sorry about that. (EsBee)okay - will quit whinning and being a sore loser (although would love a complementary gift set) Me, too small and would love one of Rika's yummy pics, too, *she says meekly and feeling left out ;-( *"}, {"response": 192, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (14:33)", "body": "(Karen)It is very easy to do italics, although it seems harder to stop doing them. ;-D Is addictive. On behalf of everyone who has made this mistake, mea culpa! one tag closed, both tags closed. (Just practicing.) Will mark my calendar for July 29."}, {"response": 193, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (14:41)", "body": "oops, wanted that small and instead didn't close tags"}, {"response": 194, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (14:45)", "body": "yikes...hope they're closed now. Look forward to July 29 and MLSF discussion. Back to html tutorial ;-)"}, {"response": 195, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (21:19)", "body": "(Lora) Me, too small and would love one of Rika's yummy pics, too, *she says meekly and feeling left out ;-( * Lora, Lora, please don't feel left out. I believe there's a gentleman here who would like to recognize your team spirit by proposing a toast to you as well...... \"To Lora, just as she is.\""}, {"response": 196, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (21:30)", "body": "Gosh, Rika, (she says shyly) I feel v. left out. *snif*"}, {"response": 197, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (21:44)", "body": "(Rika) I believe there's a gentleman here who would like to recognize your team spirit...... I feel so much better :-). That picture is quite the remedy! Thanks, Rika! Here's to getting ready to discuss MLSF :-D!"}, {"response": 198, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (22:03)", "body": "(Lindak)Gosh, Rika, (she says shyly) I feel v. left out. *snif* Linda, Linda, Linda. These pictoral toasts were intended as rewards for the dissenting voices who generously agreed to cease their wailing and gnashing of teeth over the selected film for discussion. But there still is one more wine-drinking moment in BJD.... so here he is, back by popular demand - Don't ya just love DVD's?"}, {"response": 199, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Jul 17, 2002 (00:30)", "body": ""}, {"response": 200, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Jul 17, 2002 (11:18)", "body": "Lovely, lovely pics Rika *smooch* made my morning :-)"}, {"response": 201, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jul 17, 2002 (20:15)", "body": "Oh, Rika, Rika Thanks so much for that lovely gift of MD. Sorry to put you on a guilt trip. I must confess I voted for MLSF-so I wasn't gnashing or wailing. I just wanted a toast to call my own. *she says ever so graciously*"}, {"response": 202, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Jul 17, 2002 (21:21)", "body": "Linda, happy to oblige! It's certainly no great penance to spend a bit of time with my BJD DVD every now and then. So now, thanks to your request, I have the complete Mark Darcy Holding a Wine Glass and Looking Droolicious Collection - it should come in handy on festive occasions in the future."}, {"response": 203, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Jul 17, 2002 (21:34)", "body": "(Rika) it should come in handy on festive occasions in the future. I'll drink to that!"}, {"response": 204, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Jul 23, 2002 (07:50)", "body": "I know, I know our discussion doesn't begin for a few days still. But, to build the anticipation and get everyone in the mood, I thought I would quote Colin's first lines from MLSF. \"Woof, woof. Excellent. I knew all those early years struggling to learn his craft in acting classes would pay off!!!!!"}, {"response": 205, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Jul 23, 2002 (14:12)", "body": "LOL! Lisa! *rolling eyes*"}, {"response": 206, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 23, 2002 (15:26)", "body": "Plus you could tell he was attracted by the quality of the writing."}, {"response": 207, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jul 23, 2002 (15:30)", "body": "I think the real attraction was that this time he could jump in the lake himself without having to involve a stunt man!"}, {"response": 208, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Jul 23, 2002 (16:35)", "body": "I was waited on by an Elvis impersonator this weekend (who sells furniture between pilgramiages to Graceland) and all i could think of, the entire time he was doing his schpeel, was Colin's stunt man \"looking like Elivs as you last saw him\" i gave up furniture shopping and went home to watch P&P :-D (much more satisfing and less costly than a new couch anyway)"}, {"response": 209, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jul 23, 2002 (21:34)", "body": "Did he sell furniture in Elvis mode? Or did he just tell you he was an Elvis impersonator? I can just imagine.... \"This couch matches my blue suede shoes..... thank ya verra much.\" Isn't it amazing the things that can lead us back to P&P?"}, {"response": 210, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 23, 2002 (22:16)", "body": "Your moss gift baskets are on their way. No fighting over them. ;-D"}, {"response": 211, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Jul 23, 2002 (22:37)", "body": "Good job on the gift set Karen. Can't wait for discussion to start."}, {"response": 212, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (08:21)", "body": "OHHHHH, thanks, Karen. I thought you were pulling my leg about the backorder problem. I, too can't wait for the discussion."}, {"response": 213, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (12:41)", "body": "OOOuuuu! Thanks for the lovely Moss Gift Set Karen! ;-) i'm in moss heaven (Rika) Did he sell furniture in Elvis mode? Alas yes. V. distracting, could carcely keep my countance. :-D kept thinking -Gah! he's not going to start singing, is he?"}, {"response": 214, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sat, Jul 27, 2002 (04:25)", "body": "It's nearly the 28th here in Minkeeland, about 29 hours to go, and counting, until the discussion officially begins. Planning to view MLSF again tonight, with paper and pen (trying to keep up with lindak) and also check that my husband really was telling the truth when he said the new VCR was tuned in for recording. (DQ on Tuesday night!) Will try and keep a count of all types of glances, looks and leers for comparison!"}, {"response": 215, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jul 27, 2002 (08:10)", "body": "Way to go, Lisa. The only reason I made so many notes is because I have a very short attention span, and I do think there is a lot of undercurrent in this film that I want to ask our experts about. See you Monday!"}, {"response": 216, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Jul 27, 2002 (12:09)", "body": "Lisa, I'll have my fingers crossed for your VCR and DQ - I'm so envious! Regarding MLSF, Just a little something to whet our appetites in preparation for the 29th (which arrives sooner for some of us than for others):"}, {"response": 217, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 27, 2002 (13:20)", "body": "Ah, who can forget the looks on his face at the end. Thanks, Rika! Lisa, might I suggest you have a friend perform taping as backup or at least do a trial run to make sure your DH has not programmed it for wrestling or similar. ;-)"}, {"response": 218, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jul 27, 2002 (21:32)", "body": "Ah, Rika you always come through with the great pictures. May I have that look? I think there may be room for a little more bribery. Thanks for the picture."}, {"response": 219, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Jul 28, 2002 (09:33)", "body": "Looking forward to tomorrow ladies. I just love him in this movie. And the looks at the end, forget it. The best. I wish you girls could make copy of DQ for us to copy. Lucky girls. Enjoy."}, {"response": 220, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Jul 28, 2002 (15:34)", "body": "Linda, you shared back-seat limo duty with me, so I'll share the look with you. It was hard to pick just one from that astonishing array of emotions he manages to communicate in the last 30-40 seconds of the film, but I love the bittersweet quality of the one I chose. And here's today's installment - a photo essay on what was probably one of the bravest moments of CF's career to date: BRRRRRR! I'm sure the shiver in his voice when he's encouraging the boys to follow him into the water was entirely authentic."}, {"response": 221, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 28, 2002 (15:44)", "body": "Just a gentle reminder before we start MLSF. Pl. do not take personal offense if someone disagrees with your opinion on the film or a character. It all gets down to: Some of us say \"tomaytoes\" and some say \"tomahtoes\". So pl. don't \"pick up your marbles and go home\", if there's a dissenting opinion. Stay with us, OK?"}, {"response": 222, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 28, 2002 (16:12)", "body": "You are a true photojournalist, Rika! That composition says just so much. I'd like to reiterate what Evelyn has posted, which applies not only to film discussions but to any other topic at Drool. We all have opinions and there's no need preface your comments (ever) with \"getting ready to be stoned\" or \"ducking for cover\" or similar. We're adults and can discuss things rationally (and irrationally). Naturally there are going to be differences of opinion. The only thing to avoid is to make it personal. We don't attack anyone's beliefs here. OK, am taking my wet blanket to another room to dry out. ;-)"}, {"response": 223, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jul 28, 2002 (19:35)", "body": "(Evelyn)So pl. don't \"pick up your marbles and go home\", if there's a dissenting opinion. Don't worry about me, I lost my marbles a long time ago. However, if you all beat up on Edward tomorrow, I might just have to leave *snif* and a winkie.(don't have time to learn how do winkie graphically) (Karen)OK, am taking my wet blanket to another room to dry out. ;-) Please do! another word winkie."}, {"response": 224, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jul 28, 2002 (19:39)", "body": "BTW, Rika, Rika, Rika. You keep those images comin, honey and I'll share all aspects of the assignments with you. You little coffee wench, you."}, {"response": 225, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jul 28, 2002 (19:42)", "body": "Eh, too excited over Rika's images. Just closing tags now"}, {"response": 226, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sun, Jul 28, 2002 (19:48)", "body": "You know...it is the 29th here! :))))"}, {"response": 227, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 28, 2002 (22:19)", "body": "Then, go right ahead and start us off, Lisa. I believe you had some comments about the dialogue? ;-)"}, {"response": 228, "author": "Andie", "date": "Mon, Jul 29, 2002 (04:34)", "body": "Our 29th day is coming to the nite... I've just got my MLSF DVD from Amazon over the weekend (ordered thru the Boutique of course, and RV too). Amazing how fast it got here, just ordered a little over a week ago. Had a quick first view and like the film quite a lot. Do so look forward to a very intelligent discussion over here! (actually I have questions/comments abt the appearance or rather non-appearance of a certain kilt, but guess it doesn't really fall under the category of an intelligent film discussion, so I thk I better keep quiet now and observe first)"}, {"response": 229, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Jul 29, 2002 (05:01)", "body": "Oh no, Andie, while I cannot speak for the masses, I think any and all topics that relate to the film should be thoroughly hashed out. The young boys sure do wear them! And I did notice that Uncle Morris wore tartan pants when he was walking with Grandma MacIntosh and berating poor old Edward. At least GMacI was shown to understand at that point that the property was meant to be a family home and not necessarily a business! Don't keep quiet, I have only watched one and a half times and have not really caught onto anyting yet...waiting for comments here to go back and look at specific scenes. :))))"}, {"response": 230, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jul 29, 2002 (06:26)", "body": "(Andie)actually I have questions/comments abt the appearance or rather non-appearance of a certain kilt I'm not sure what you mean by this. Are you saying that you hoped you would see Colin in a Kilt and didn't? If so, check out the scene of the Halloween party, when the boys begnin to fight and Edward breaks it up-he's wearing a kilt.. (Lisa)At least GMacI was shown to understand at that point that the property was meant to be a family home and not necessarily a business! I agree. I also think GMacI stopped to think about the inheritance several times-especially when Fraser asks her what will become of them when Uncle Morris inherits Kiloran and they are made to leave. I think she knew it was a matter of doing the done thing and leaving it to her son,(which I think he desperately wanted for purely selfish reasons-IMO) or the right thing and leaving it to Moira and Edward. I think she questions Morris's motives too. Does he really want Kiloran because it belonged to his father, did he really need another business(he was a millionaire already), or IMO, because he wants to contiune to belittle Edward, as he does, every chance he gets."}, {"response": 231, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Jul 29, 2002 (09:21)", "body": "I think a lot of Morris's motive has to do with being \"better\" than Edward. And few actors do nasty/snotty better than MMcD. I wonder if part of GMacI's decision to leave the house to Edward and Moira was for her grandchildren. Morris has no children, so if she's looking for long-term family posession of the property, then better to leave it to Edward and Moira, who certainly have produced lots of heirs (speaking of fully functional...). Loved Frasers's early explanation for the large family--lots of rooms to fill! I did notice Colin's kilt. He even wore the sporran [sp?], which hides anything we might be curious about (ditto the towel when he was running to the lake). In the Halloween scene, when the kids were dancing, did you notice that the little girl wore a kilt? Anyone here up on the rules of kilts/tartans? I thought that, traditionally, women did NOT wear kilts, only men did. If women wanted to wear the tartan, they wore just a sash. BTW, in case anyone wants to know how crazy Edward is about the moss, I checked up on sphagnum (have 10 credits in botany, and still have the books). Yes, sphagnum moss is real. In US we pronounce it \"sfagnum\" but I noticed that in the movie, Colin says \"spagnum.\" The moss grows in just about any freshwater area. In bogs, it grows in mats across the water and can actually accumulate enough debris, bits of soil to form a mat that a lightweight person could walk on. Anyhow, eventually it dies and falls to the bottom and becomes compressed. This is \"peat\" as in peat moss and peat bogs. The dead compressed peat is what Edward was mining. when dried, it can be burned for fuel, if it has been compressed enough (very Irish). Also, it IS true about the bandages in WWI. Sphagnum, even dead, is able to absorb a huge amount of water in proportion to its own mass, so it was used in bandages. I could find no reference to its use in soap or unguents. The only use it would have in soap would be for an aroma, and I don't think it has much of an aroma. (All you need to make soap is a fat of some sort and lye--sphagnum wouldn't be an essential part of that process) Nevertheless, the gift bags were lovely, Karen. Thank you so much!"}, {"response": 232, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 29, 2002 (10:15)", "body": "What in the world did Heloise see in Morris? I think Malcolm Mac Dowell must have been a friend of the producer to get the role...he was far too old to be Moira's brother.More like Gamma's generation. (Kate) I think a lot of Morris's motive has to do with being \"better\" than Edward. \"Better\" because he thought Edward was a \"buffoon\", and was ruining Kiloran with his off the wall inventions, and was not using the property to the best advantage. Planting Norweign pines for commercial purposes. Do you think there was a class distinction here? I read the book, but I don't remember if Sir Denis Forman's family were upper crust. You must admit dear Edward was \"different\", but endearing. And have you ever seen bigger dimples *sigh*."}, {"response": 233, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Jul 29, 2002 (10:21)", "body": "Linda, I'm short of time right now but am very interested in discussing the inheritance and the Edward/Morris dynamic. I'll post about this tonight (and hope to read others' thoughts too). Andie, I agree with Lisa that we don't need to restrict our range of topics. Like her, I'm speaking only for myself, but Men in Kilts seems perfectly appropriate to me! And the beauty of it is, it can take either a serious or an entirely frivolous tone. Or both. So, first on the serious side. Does anybody know anything about kilt-wearing practices at that time? I noted that the boys wore kilts frequently, and the men only rarely (just at the Halloween party, maybe?) And at the Halloween party, the Pettigrew boys are in kilts but most of the other boys are in knee-length shorts. I wonder if this is a statement of family ties and social position, since the MacIntosh family is probably among the more prominent in the area (and possibly of old lineage). And now on to more frivolous things. I've had a few rather silly ideas for illustrating certain topics for the film discussion. I had intended to save this one for later, but since Andie brought it up, I'll present for your viewing pleasure...... A Bonnie Lad in a Kilt is Hard to Find (but here's one!)"}, {"response": 234, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Jul 29, 2002 (10:57)", "body": "I have to watch the film again, but I got the impression that Fraser wore a kilt more often than his brothers did. I don't know what that means... It's possible that the other kids at the party weren't in kilts because their families didn't have tartans. One didn't wear just any tartan, one wore one's FAMILY tartan. Of course, now you go to the \"tartan centre\" in Scotland and type your name in a computer and it finds \"your\" tartan/family crest, etc. (no offense meant to any Scots posters, but I really did see such a place in Scotland many years ago.) Perhaps Edward wore the kilt to the party because the family of the \"manor\" hosted the local children, including children of miners or estate workers, as would be appropriate for the upper class to do. By wearing the family tartan, he would be acting in accordance with his role as the master of the estate. Yes, Ev, the dimples were deep. Unfortunately, it's because the cheeks were a bit chubby. *I know I don't have to duck, but am ducking anyhow...*"}, {"response": 235, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jul 29, 2002 (11:35)", "body": "(Kate)ditto the towel when he was running to the lake. WHAT am I missing? After Rika's pictures yesterday, and now your post, Kate-am I the only one here who has the version of Colin in a bathing suit running for the lake. There is no towel, no eye candy in my version. What gives? I want a refund. Anyway...not relavant. (Evelyn)...he was far too old to be Moira's brother.More like Gamma's generation The first time I watched this I was very confused. I actually thought Morris was Gamma's brother. I couldn't figure out why he thought the estate should be his. It was his age that set me on the wrong path. I must have missed the exchange between Morris and Fraser(because I was watching the dimples)when Morris says to Fraser...so you think my little sister is beautiful. Rika, I look forward to your take on the Edward/Morris inheritance. Lots going on there. A little digression into expressions. I love the one at the dinner table, after the loft, when Eloise and Edward are sparring about morals and christianity. Notice the very slight shake of Edward's head and the look(glare?) on his face when Eloise says \"You can't do a bad thing, and be a good man, you can't have it both ways.\" Gorgeous-kilt or no kilt! Many more in this film, we will discuss later, I'm sure."}, {"response": 236, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jul 29, 2002 (11:36)", "body": "OH, %$#%$#, closing tags"}, {"response": 237, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 29, 2002 (12:28)", "body": "(Kate). Unfortunately, it's because the cheeks were a bit chubby LOL. Not just his cheeks;-) Actually, I think he looks handsomer with a few more pounds . Had forgotten that Kelly Mac Donald was Elsbeth...she grew up to be Maggie Smith's maid in Gosford Park. And what do you all make of Gabriel, Emperor of the Air?How did he fit into the story? And that bizarre \"Hairy Man\"popping in...."}, {"response": 238, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Jul 29, 2002 (13:59)", "body": "I think Gabriel is there for irony. The day he shows up, Edward is testing a model of an airplane. What Edward is trying to do, Gabriel is doing. Also, I thought it was sad that everyone (including Edward) forgot about the model when the real thing flew over, and the model crashed. Only Fraser seemed to notice it, and he didn't seem bothered. Maybe this means that they're all used to Dad's little experiments going awry? On another note, isn't Colin adorable with the kids? He seems to drop all reserve and become one of them. (OT, but I have to add that one of my fave scenes in Valmont is the fake duel with Cecile, for that same reason.)"}, {"response": 239, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Jul 29, 2002 (14:11)", "body": "Lunch meeting cancelled, so I have some time here.... and I should have written \"bonny lad\", not \"bonnie,\" before. Oops. (Kate). Unfortunately, it's because the cheeks were a bit chubby. (Evelyn) LOL. Not just his cheeks;-) Actually, I think he looks handsomer with a few more pounds. True, he's not at BJD weight, but I think \"chubby\" is a stretch. Anyhow, now I know which photo-essay I'll be posting tomorrow. :-) (LindaK) WHAT am I missing? After Rika's pictures yesterday, and now your post, Kate-am I the only one here who has the version of Colin in a bathing suit running for the lake. There is no towel, no eye candy in my version. Yeah,the boys are in towels, and he's in that silly bathing suit. Most unfortunate. I think what Kate meant is that the way he carries the towel occasionally inteferes with closer analysis of the.... fit of the suit. Here - visual aid: Kate, thanks for the information on sphagnum moss. Regarding its use (or non-use) in soap, I thought it odd that Heloise kept talking about how much she liked the scent of the moss, because I didn't think it would have much of one. I had one question - I understand about its benefits as a wound dressing because of its absorbency, but wouldn't there have been a greater danger of bacterial contamination than with cotton? Linda, you keep bringing up the exact things I want to talk about. All those wonderful facial expressions! Yes! You almost have to watch his close-ups (and there are so many) in slow motion to really appreciate everything that's going on. This is tempting me to put together a little close-up gallery.... hmmm. And, yes, I noted the little head shake - but more on that later, as it relates to a Big Topic which we'll have to get to eventually. Evelyn and Linda, I agree that Morris's age confused things, as he looked nearer Gamma's age than Moira's. Then again, Moira looked older than Edward, and Edward looked too young to be Elspeth's father. And in the book, didn't Flora and Adam Forman have to wait quite a while before they got married? So perhaps the ages are muddled all around. Regarding Edward vs. Morris, I agree with what's been said so far. Morris thinks Edward is a buffoon (and sometimes he is), and he thinks Edward isn't managing the estate's finances properly (which seems to be true). I like Evelyn's suggestion about possible class distinction, which is related to what Kate says about Morris seeing himself as better than (or maybe \"above\") Edward. Edward and Morris are well entrenched in their dysfunctional relationship at this point, and they remind me of two adolescent siblings who just can't get along. Morris, due to his sophistication and cynical outlook, gets the better of Edward most of the time. Edward's reaction is that of a petulant younger brother who knows from long experience that he can't win a war of words. So he pouts and glowers, and sometimes tries to throw in an \"Oh, yeah? Well you're not so great!\" sort of response. But the poor fellow is utterly ineffectual; Morris just aims that disdainful smirk at him and turns his remarks against him later on. I can't imagine how years of this sort of treatment would wound a man of Edward's pride and thirst for praise and attention, and I'm sure that played a big role in driving Edward's actions (but again, we have so many topics on the table right now that I won't open that one). So, what about Kiloran, their big battle ground? Morris never seems to question that one day it will be his, and he acts as the absentee landlord, arriving and departing as he chooses and dispensing advice and orders during his visits. Edward takes the \"Possession is nine-tenths of the law\" view - he lives there, so he just tries to survive Morris's visits and then returns to what he wants to do (as when Morris notices the elderly servant he fired, but whom Edward re-hired later). Except, of course, Gamma is in the mix too, and she's a force to be reckoned with. She's ruefully fond of Edward, and she knows how utterly devoted to him Moira is, so she's relatively tolerant of his eccentricities. And as somebody pointed out, she's aware of Morris's threat to kick out the Pettigrews when he inherits. It's not like Morris needs the place, while it's all that Edward and Moira and Gamma's grandchildren have. So while tradition favors Morris inheriting, and while pretty much everyone seems to expect that to happen, Gamma would certainly have concerns. But I think the most important point is that Edward loves Kiloran as a home, while Morris appreciates it as a financial asset, and Edward's view is much more in keeping with Gamma's. I love the scene after church when Edward and Fraser, sitting on the large rock and gazing across the fields, reflect on their home as a sort of heaven on earth. Morris sits down, gazes across the fields, and immediately envisions the money they could make in the lumber business. Gamma tries to explain the difference to Morris in the next scene (as Edward whizzes by in his s"}, {"response": 240, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jul 29, 2002 (14:14)", "body": "(Kate)Only Fraser seemed to notice it, I thought I noticed a wistful look on Edward's face as he turned to see his model crash-realized, though, nothing could be done about it. He didn't seem like the type to dwell on his failures. (Karen)And that bizarre \"Hairy Man\"popping in.... I don't know what he was there for other than, maybe, to highlight the boogy-man aspect/things that go bump in the night, and scare children. I don't recall anyone being around each time Fraser sees him-the only time he is spoken about is when they find his body in the river. No explination on how it got there either."}, {"response": 241, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jul 29, 2002 (14:29)", "body": "(Rika)Edward loves Kiloran as a home, while Morris appreciates it as a financial asset True, but I think the driving force behind his motives is do Edward out of it. I don't think it ever crosses his mind that his sister and her children would be driven from the home they love. As you mentioned, Rika, eventually Gamma sees the handwriting on the wall. (Rika)but more on that later, as it relates to a Big Topic which we'll have to get to eventually. I assume you are speaking of the loft scene and its many implications. I am waiting patiently for that to begin. I agree with you all the way on the Morris/Edward conflict. I think some of the best scenes and dialogue between these two are at the curling event when they begin to talk about the bet.(Morris: \"What do you have that I might want to take from you in a bet\") Another put-down IMO. However, we all know that Edward has already won-or has he? More on that later."}, {"response": 242, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Jul 29, 2002 (14:34)", "body": "(Linda) I thought I noticed a wistful look on Edward's face as he turned to see his model crash-realized, though, nothing could be done about it. He didn't seem like the type to dwell on his failures. That scene always makes me sad too, but you're right, nobody really seems to dwell on it. On the Hairy Man, I wonder if that made more sense before the several rounds of editing the film supposedly went through after production. Isn't there a reference to him at dinner - someone is reported as \"seeing Jesus Christ on the lawn.\" From the discussion, I thought it was the Hairy Man, and Fraser seemed to think so too."}, {"response": 243, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Jul 29, 2002 (14:34)", "body": "(Rika)I love the scene after church when Edward and Fraser, sitting on the large rock and gazing across the fields, reflect on their home as a sort of heaven on earth. Morris sits down, gazes across the fields, and immediately envisions the money they could make in the lumber business. Yes! Excellent point. Morris does throw a bucket of cold water on a sweet moment. I agree with your analysis of the relationship between the men. Edward's reaction to a lot of what Morris says is rather childish, which can only serve to increase Morris's sense of superiority. On the sphagnum, I assume that it would have been packed inside gauze to make thick absorbent bandages, so it would not actually touch the wound. Thanks for the visual aid. That was exactly what I meant. @#$%^&* towel!"}, {"response": 244, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Jul 29, 2002 (15:24)", "body": "Rika...So while tradition favors Morris inheriting, and while pretty much everyone seems to expect that to happen, Gamma would certainly have concerns. Exactly, but the viewer is never let on to what will happen when she is gone. We have to wait for the end. And, isn't it a shame, in a way, when it does come about and Edward finally has his chance to get one up on Morris, that everything else hits the fans and his moment is blown? Grams does get angry and tell him to stop blowing up the hillside to harvest the moss and Morris sees this a step towards his way of thinking. Then, as I mentioned, she tells Morris that his father/her husband had the view of Kiloran as a family home first, not a business, which then gives them one point each, so to speak. Linda...but I think the driving force behind his motives is do Edward out of it. I do too , although planting the trees and making another few million are a close second. On that note, I really tried to see signs of Morris's marriage to Eloise as simply another prize for him to flaunt, as he is shown as rather unemotionally caring, i.e. kicking his sister out when he inherits. Can't say I did, but I haven't viewed is as much as others. Now, all these comments about kilts and tartans has peaked my curiousity. The tartan pants Morris is wearing during the lake scene with Grams are a darker print and clearly not the same as the one that Edward and the boys wear. One would assume that each is from their own family. I, too, would like to know more about when the kilt is worn. The sash comment above is interesting. Is there any scenes with the women wearing them? And, finally, I was a little confused as to who Morris was on the first viewing too, and thought he was Grams brother! As far as CF looking young, he very often does look younger to me than his age, depending on the angles of the camera and his weight. He also has a tendency to hold his head and look like a frog if he is in exactly the right position. Really, I can think of several times I've seen this. Thankfully, I can remember no frog shots in MLSF!"}, {"response": 245, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 29, 2002 (16:46)", "body": "(Lisa) I really tried to see signs of Morris's marriage to Eloise as simply another prize for him to flaunt,... Or as a point that he is no longer a philandering bachelor ,but ready to settle down with a young wife...possibly have a family...and be ready to be the owner of Kiloran when the time arises. Rika you make some excellent comments about the Morris/Edward relationship. This film is one of my favorites and I haven't watched it in three years. What a treat. Agree that Moira looks older than Edward.[IRL MEM is older]. But maybe it was difficult casting for a dowdy young actress. *meow*"}, {"response": 246, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 29, 2002 (17:20)", "body": "Can't wait to jump in, but have been buried here and am not a multi-tasker. :-("}, {"response": 247, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Mon, Jul 29, 2002 (19:48)", "body": "(Evelyn) What in the world did Heloise see in Morris? IMO, a father figure; she allows him to call her his 'child bride' and objects to Edward's initial come-on as \"acting like a child.\" Some, although not all, of her behavior, comes across as a wish to remain childlike. She relates better to the children than she does to the adults. And I do think Morris is marrying only to acquire something else (a wife) he thinks he ought to have. I love the actor who plays the Emperor of the air, BTW...he's worth checking out if you encounter him in other productions. The shot where he flies in as the paper airplane is about to be launched is absolutely beautiful to me. This strikes me as the story of not one, but two males growing up, one a child and the other long since a legal, if not an emotional, adult."}, {"response": 248, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Jul 29, 2002 (20:13)", "body": "(Elizabeth)This strikes me as the story of not one, but two males growing up, one a child and the other long since a legal, if not an emotional, adult. Well said! Edward is quite childish, or perhaps childlike, at times. He watches his son and Heloise throw moss at each other and then Heloise kissed Fraser. Later, Edward throws moss at Heloise and expects a kiss. You can almost hear him think, well, that's what she did with Fraser, so why not with me? (Evelyn)Agree that Moira looks older than Edward.[IRL MEM is older]. But maybe it was difficult casting for a dowdy young actress. Moira looked deader than the corpse at the wake."}, {"response": 249, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jul 29, 2002 (20:40)", "body": "(Kate)Edward throws moss at Heloise and expects a kiss. I agree with your take on this, but when I watched last night I realized that at first, Eloise played along-she threw the moss first at Edward. I'm wondering how child-like she really was. Was she totally in the dark about Edward's attraction to her? I don't think so. I think she was a bit of a tease. (Kate)Moira looked deader than the corpse at the wake I thought she looked bad during most of the film. The outside shots with the hats were better. I think looking older was also part of the film...Moira seems to become concerned with her appearance after Eloise comes on the scene. Eloise is young, pretty and doesn't have eight or nine kids (I lost count)Edward's attraction is obvious from the beginning when she's playing the cello, and he gives her the look. Moira noticed it too. Perhaps she's made to look really bad on purpose. The dowdy, approaching middle-aged mother of 8 or 9 with a husband that is still very good looking. Brings out the attraction of Edward to Eloise a bit stronger to the audience as well as to Moira."}, {"response": 250, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Mon, Jul 29, 2002 (20:42)", "body": "Heloies outright calls him a child, and Fraser is saying the same thing with \"YOU'RE the one who...\" Then there's Edward's apology to his wife. \"I've been a child.\" It's as if he finally realizes he's taken the license the family gives him to be eccentric and pushed it too far. He saves his son's life with his ability to 'speak dog', but once the boy begins asking more mature questions, he retreats into platitudes and loses the ability to communicate. I'm thinking of more than just the \"what's an orgy\" business here, although that stands out. He lets Morris get a childish rise out of him on more than one occasion. And only a childish man would be jealous of a child getting that kind of attention from a perceived romantic rival. The final scene, where he walks away, shows more than one person growing up, too."}, {"response": 251, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jul 29, 2002 (21:04)", "body": "(Kate)Moira looked deader than the corpse at the wake (Linda) I thought she looked bad during most of the film. The outside shots with the hats were better. I think looking older was also part of the film...Moira seems to become concerned with her appearance after Eloise comes on the scene. Eloise is young, pretty and doesn't have eight or nine kids (I lost count). Actually, I think it was 10! Egads! Who wouldn't look like death warmed over with all of them. She seemed like she might be a hands on, or at least pretty attentive mom, despite having all those servants and workers around."}, {"response": 252, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jul 29, 2002 (21:08)", "body": "Ooops! Too many things going on at once"}, {"response": 253, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Jul 29, 2002 (22:07)", "body": "Re Girls wearing Kilts Being Scottish, I hope I can clarify this. Up until the 60/70's it was quite common for young girls to wear kilts (more accurately half-pleated tartan skirts with kilt pins). Boys very rarely wore kilts, although some Boy Scout Troops did as part of their uniform. The choice of tartan is down to the individual, although many WILL wear their Clan, if they have one! The landed gentry and the Royal family have always favoured them for any occasion distinctly Scottish. -( Hallowe'en has been celebrated in Scotland for hundreds of years). Nowadays, many Scottish men and boys from any social class will wear one to weddings, etc. - At a family wedding recently, there were around 60 with kilts, and they all did a conga round the floor! Quite a sight to behold!!"}, {"response": 254, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Tue, Jul 30, 2002 (00:03)", "body": "Moira looked deader than the corpse at the wake I agree and I think it is to add credibility to Edward having a wandering eye. I think his primary motivation for his pass at Heloise is one-up-manship with Morris, but what on earth would prompt this man to use this particular tactic. Gamma speaks of how Moira adores Edward and how devoted he is to her. Fraser speaks of Edward telling Moira how beautiful she looks and perhaps they should slip upstairs. At the end, Fraser talks of how his father finally remembered how to make his mother laugh. So they have obviously been demonstratively affectionate and loving to each other. To my way of thinking, it is one of the flaws of the film that there is just not sufficient foundation laid for his attraction to Heloise."}, {"response": 255, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Jul 30, 2002 (00:29)", "body": "This is great fun. I agree with everything. How many kids did she actually have? I lost count too. Most really intelligent people such as Edward lack people skills, i.e. maturity, common sense. They can't have everything. It's just that they are so into their own little world of inventing, and discovery that they seem to ignore the every-day, which would retard emotional growth. Also he had a high-opinion of himself in that it was his way or the high-way i.e. no jazz music allowed, no frivolity unless he saw fit, etc. and the fact that he preached fire and brimstone every Sunday further elevating himself in his eyes over the common person. All things to feed the higher egotistic. He was very pleased with himself. Some signs of a real control freak. Yet when he received the estate in the will did he accept it graciously and in an adult manner. No he threw it in his brother-in-laws face in a childish manner, and then went to insult the sister-in-law on top of it, which really didn't gain or prove anything. So he definitely needed alot of work in human relations which he was beginning to achieve at the end. Thank God for the Grandfathers books so Frazer had a chance to learn different things. How I laughed whenever I saw him reading the books and then the open discussions he would have about them seeing them as absolutely normal topics, typical of a very young man and reminding e of my sons as they explored life early on. Also keeping in mind we are analyzing something from a time era most of us don't know about, therefore seeing things through a more modern perspective. What great fun this is. Looking forward to more. Absolutely adore Frazer and saw him and Edward on the same level many times over, which was why Edward was jealous of him. Great acting job done by Frazer and so realistic. Loved the last scene. He was in his glory. Totally oblivious to everything around him, doing everything he shouldn't. How great is that. And when Edward finds him, brought tears to my eyes. They were smart to have no dialogue. Didn't need it. Frazer's happily wiggling feet, and Edward's smile said it all. Great direction too. Love this. Look forward to tomorrow."}, {"response": 256, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jul 30, 2002 (00:39)", "body": "(Sandy) I think his primary motivation for his pass at Heloise is one-up-manship with Morris, but what on earth would prompt this man to use this particular tactic. Where else would Morris be vulnerable enough for Edward to strike at? I'm sure they all question her motivation for marrying such an older man."}, {"response": 257, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jul 30, 2002 (01:50)", "body": "Karen, I got SUCH a laugh at the \"Gird your loins\" caption on the photo on the Drool main page (and am so honored that my little DVD capture is on display there). Gosh, there are so many good comments - it's hard to decide what to respond to. It's terrific to have a Scot in our midst - thanks so much for the kilt/tartan information, Janet! (Linda) I think some of the best scenes and dialogue between these two are at the curling event when they begin to talk about the bet.(Morris: \"What do you have that I might want to take from you in a bet\") Another put-down IMO. I mentioned earlier some of the subtle little Edward/Morris things. I wanted to mention two that it took me a few viewings to notice. First, during the dinner party scene, there's some background dialogue while Gamma is getting snockered on the sherry trifle. We don't see Morris or Edward, but we hear Edward say something about sweet sherry. Morris cuts him off in his usual superior tone and says, no, no, it's amontillado, Father would NEVER have sherry in the house. They may be discussing the contents of the trifle - it's not clear - but as always Morris has to get the last word with Edward. The second one is in the scene when the hunting party is getting ready to set off. Edward and Morris are standing near one another, basically in the center of the group. Edward looks vaguely unhappy but it's not clear why - probably just his usual look when Morris is in the vicinity. Here's what happens: Andrew: \"Well, if you're ready, sir, I'll lead off.\" (Edward nods in agreement - he assumes Andrew is talking to him. And it's unclear at this point - maybe Andrew was acknowledging Edward, or maybe not - but now Andrew looks at Morris and says:) Andrew: \"Mr. McIntosh?\" Morris: \"We're ready, Andrew, you just give the word.\" (Edward flashes an annoyed look in Morris's general direction. Andrew blows a whistle and sets off. Morris moves ahead, motioning other members of the hunting party forward. Edward stands there awkwardly for a moment and then follows the others down the road. He's turning away so you can't see much of his face, but he lets out a heavy sigh, and there's a distinct tightening in his jaw muscles as he walks off.) Now I don't think Morris even knew that Edward perceived a slight here. Morris just thinks of himself as the master of Kiloran, and he just takes for granted that he would be the host of a hunting party. But for Edward, it's one more perceived insult to store up, one more reason to be jealous of Morris. It's also an example of the kind of wonderful stuff CF does with so many of his characters that's so subtle and delicate that it's easy to miss if you aren't paying close attention. (Lisa) We have to wait for the end. And, isn't it a shame, in a way, when it does come about and Edward finally has his chance to get one up on Morris, that everything else hits the fans and his moment is blown? And sadly, he blows the moment all by himself. He gloats, and he shoots off his mouth about the \"bet.\" But that's Edward's childish nature in a nutshell. I agree with all the comments about how childish he is. I got the sense that CF was playing Edward as a 12-year-old in a man's body (at least, until, as Lisa says, it all hits the fan). I even collected a few DVD captures of petulant and pouty expressions that looked all too familiar to me from past experience with 12-year-olds :-). Most of them are from arguments with Morris, but my favorite is this one, from when Gamma scolds him for blowing up the hillside: And don't you think Edward's childish nature was both his greatest strength and his greatest weakness? It gave him an endearing energy and a zest for living, and it made him unconcerned about looking ridiculous. I can entirely see how Moira, who seemed shy and tentative, would have been swept off her feet by his energy and his big (if impractical) dreams. But of course the downside, as people have already pointed out, was that he was selfish and willful and emotionally immature. He craved attention, and most of the time he was the king of his little world and so was happy, but he sure didn't respond well to competition! Re: number of kids. It was hard to tell, because I think some of the children who hung around weren't Pettigrews (for example, Andrew's son and daughter were there a lot). I thought I finally counted five - two girls (Elspeth and the one with the long red hair), Fraser, and two brothers (since three boys went swimming in the loch with Edward)."}, {"response": 258, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Jul 30, 2002 (07:18)", "body": "(Sandy) I think his primary motivation for his pass at Heloise is one-up-manship with Morris, but what on earth would prompt this man to use this particular tactic. Keeping in mind I have only viewed 1 1/2 times so far, the feelings I captured in those moments in the moss were certain, definite and undeniable desire from Edward. (The poor man needed so lessons in suave.) He didn't have the calculating manner about him that would imply revenge. He did, as someone has earlier stated, show a childish jealously towards his son and the attention he had been receiving. Have I missed another aspect? (Rika) And sadly, he blows the moment all by himself. He gloats, and he shoots off his mouth about the \"bet.\" One particular aspect of this scene has stayed with me, and I would go and review it now, but I have the VCR set to tape DQ, and I'm sure not gonna mess with that. So if I don't get it quite right, correct me. When everything begins to fall apart in the room, after the will is read, something happens with Fraser and both Morris and Heloise, (she actually grabs Fraser and pulls him away from Edward), tell him to stay away from his father. I find this a very provoking action. No one tells someone else's children to do that. Edward gets upset about it and rightly so. But, I wonder of Moira's POV. As the mother of the chld involved and the wife of the husband who has had a wandering eye towards the very woman who is grabbing your son, I would think she would have been urged said something to the effect, \"Git your grimey paws off me boy.\" Sort of remarking her territory instinctually. I don't think she'd want Heloise around. :)))) Excellent comments everyone, too many to reply to. Much better than what I can offer. Thanks!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 259, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Jul 30, 2002 (07:53)", "body": "I'll have to watch the fight scene again, don't have time this AM (must work some time, sigh). But I recall that Edward does yell something about \"let go of my son\" or words to that effect. I wonder if it's meant as \"unhand my child\" or \"get away from my rival\"? I hadn't noticed how passive Moira was through the fight. But then, she's pretty passive/quiet throughout most of the film. And I hadn't noticed that until your comment, Lisa. Most of the time, she's overwhelmed/overshadowed by Edward's larger-than-life personality. Another comment on Morris and the estate. Early on, Fraser asks Morris if he has to do everything Gamma says. Morris says \"yes,\" but you wonder if he really means it. Nice bit of foreshadowing--he WILL have to do what his mother says in her will, and let Edward and Moira have the estate."}, {"response": 260, "author": "maryw", "date": "Tue, Jul 30, 2002 (09:31)", "body": "This is intermission feature ********** I would like to share a MLSF experience...please bear with me. When we decided on MLSF as the movie to discuss, I shivered a little because it meant that I had to get out my copy of MLSF to review. I did not look forward to doing this because the tape is incomplete. It was incomplete because I started taping it at about 1 am Sydney time on Wed morning Sept 12 as it was being shown on our Fox cable tv. That was about 10 am Tuesday morning Sept 11 in New York. And we all know what happened at that time, on that day. :-( I kept switching back and forth bet the Fox cable channel showing MLSF and CNN the live news feeds of the horrible event that was taking place in NY at that time. My tape of MLSF has got the ticker messages at the bottom of the screen, spelling out news alerts on the tragedy as it took place. In the end, I felt ill doing what seemed such a frivolous thing as taping MLSF while this awful tragedy was unfolding that I stopped taping in the middle of the movie. That's how I ended up with an incomplete MLSF tape with \"souvenir\" ticker news alerts of a history making event. Bell is ringing - back to your seats ladies - the discussion of MLSF is about to resume soon. Thank you for your attention to the intermission feature."}, {"response": 261, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 30, 2002 (09:33)", "body": "Glad you like, Rika. I had another one prepared, but when I was watching the movie last night, I knew this had to be the one. I'd better jump in here quick! The discussion is already 15 pages long. I'll never catch up. :-("}, {"response": 262, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jul 30, 2002 (10:06)", "body": "Getting back to the fight scene, after the funeral-Heloise says to Fraser(after Edward tells him not to speak to an adult like that) \"Don't listen to your father, he's a (blank) man\". I have replayed this several times and cannot make out what she said. Does the DVD version have subtitles? Even though Edward does blow it after he reads the will...I love this exchange between Morris and Edward: Edward: This is my damned home and I'll be damned if I let you throw your weight around here any longer Morris: You're a shabby little lothario, you're a joke.(pow! right in the kisser) I see this as Edward's first sign of growing up, granted it was not done in the best of ways, but had he stood up for himself earlier against all of Morris's snide remarks, the anger and humiliation that drove him to taking the prize IMO that Morris valued most(child bride to boost his aging ego)might have not reached the boiling point. Better late than never.,I also think Heloise was another way that Morris might have wanted to degrade Edward-he wasn't blind-he could see that middle-age was setting in with his sister-but, I think this backfired on the two of them. (Lisa)I wonder of Moira's POV. As the mother of the chld involved and the wife of the husband who has had a wandering eye towards the very woman who is grabbing your son My thoughts on this are that Moira was trying to keep a lid on the whole mess, mainly the attraction between Edward and Heloise-probably because of the children, and perhaps, if you turn a blind eye-it will go away type of snydrome. After the fight, when she has her say to Edward(while he's still sitting on the floor)I notice that when she looks over at her children, she has a horrified look on her face. Almost as though this is the very thing she was trying to protect and now she has aired the dirty laundry in front of many people. One more thing about this whole scene- when Edward says \"I won the bet months ago\" that leads us back to the loft. What actually happened or didn't happen there. I won't open it up now in case we're not ready to go there yet. Loved the picture, Karen, glad to know my version is the same as everyone else's."}, {"response": 263, "author": "Andie", "date": "Tue, Jul 30, 2002 (11:54)", "body": "Thanks, Lisa and Rika, for your encouraging comments abt the kilt discussion. And Rika, great pics of the kilt scene. Thanks so much! I can see it more clearly now. That scene appeared rather dark on my DVD, and I could hardly see the kilt. Quite disappointed initially, as was hoping to see the kilt in its full glory ;-). (Linda)I have replayed this several times and cannot make out what she said. Does the DVD version have subtitles? Went back to that scene on my DVD. But what the sub-titles show is \"Don't listen to your father, Fraser\", and then its Edward's \" Leave the...\". Could see that Heloise was whispering to Fraser (agree with Lisa that Heloise should not be doing this at all, who does she thinks she is?) but I can't make it out either. One of the scenes which had me really LOL was when Fraser made his little speech abt how his mumsie and auntie could help in the charity drive. But regretted at having laughed so loud afterwards, when saw how upset Fraser was, perhaps thinking that he has made a fool of himself, and the adults were laughing at him. Guess it made me one of those nasty adults too. Agree with everyone abt how inappropriate the choice of actor for Uncle Morris was. I think he looks more like Edward's uncle then Fraser's uncle. Does it say in the book how old Uncle Morris was? Am really enjoying reading all these discussion. Thank you all!"}, {"response": 264, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jul 30, 2002 (12:55)", "body": "Wow, Minkee, what a story! I have created a little piece of foolishness called \"Edward Pettigrew Speaks Out on a Weighty Question\". Here's the link: http://geocities.com/rika9150/cf/pettigrew.html (Linda)\"Don't listen to your father, he's a (blank) man\". I have replayed this several times and cannot make out what she said. Does the DVD version have subtitles? It does, but Heloise's dialogue isn't shown past \"Don't listen to your father.\" I agree that Moira probably isn't happy about Fraser's closeness to Heloise. In fact, there's a scene early in the movie where she finds them together at the piano - Heloise is playing \"Sunny Side of the Street\" (it's the scene that ends in the \"Red Red Rose\" duet). Moira comes in, finds them together, and almost immediately puts her arms on Fraser's shoulders. I do think there's a \"get away from my boy, you Jezebel\" feel to it. But what about Heloise's behavior towards Fraser in a more general context? As in the quote Linda mentioned above, she sometimes encourages Fraser to disrespect his father (just as Morris does), and that's out of line. But she's also always touching Fraser and almost fondling him. Maybe it only bothers me because we know that Fraser is starting to understand sexuality, and Heloise is probably unaware of the effect she's having on him, but it makes me uncomfortable. (Lisa) Keeping in mind I have only viewed 1 1/2 times so far, the feelings I captured in those moments in the moss were certain, definite and undeniable desire from Edward. (The poor man needed so lessons in suave.) He didn't have the calculating manner about him that would imply revenge. He did, as someone has earlier stated, show a childish jealously towards his son and the attention he had been receiving. Have I missed another aspect? I'm with you, Lisa - I don't think he went after Heloise in any conscious attempt to strike out at Morris. I could see her desirability to Edward being enhanced by the fact that she \"belonged\" to Morris, but I think that was at an unconscious level. After she kisses Edward, the progression of his emotions is so interesting. At first he just looks stunned but eventually the intensity of desire is frightening - he looks somewhat menacing. Check out the difference between these two expressions. The first is almost immediately after she kisses him; the other is from a few seconds later, when he starts to move towards her: In fact, I think I get a vibe of not just desire but also anger from him. She tempts him, and since the temptation doesn't square with his beliefs, he has to blame someone - so he blames her. Does that make sense?"}, {"response": 265, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Jul 30, 2002 (13:43)", "body": "Thanks for good incites everybody and thanks to Rika for link. Good Job!! However I disagree with thoughts in loft. He is the aggressor in this. Not her. Edward asks for the kiss. She doesn't bestow it willingly. I got the impression she did it to quiet him so she could get out of there. She did not want his attentions. The attraction is obviously one sided and she did not fuel it. IMO she was trying to handle a very awkward situation, caused by him, in the simplest and quietest way she could. I wouldn't call her a tease to him in any regard. When he asks where his kiss is, like the one she gave Fraser she tells him Fraser is a child that's why she kissed him. It's all on him and was from the first time he laid eyes on her. Pure animal attraction on his part alone. Remember Moira has picked up on this from day one so by the time they have the fight at the reading of the will, that's the straw that broke the camel's back. She's embarrassed by his behavior in public number one, and hurt by his publicly mentioning his feelings about Heloise. It's been building up for a long time and she had to get it out. Edward just pushed too far and she'd had it. Heloise, if you notice, was always more comfortable with the children, including the girls, probably being so much younger than the adults, so I don't think her identifying with or turning to them was so far out of line. Morris could be her father/grandfather for that matter. She did try to relate to Moira a bit, and Gamma thought of her and addressed her as a child and Edward once she realized where he was coming from, she just wanted to ignore, so there really weren't too many people other than the kids she felt comfortable with. I doubt very much Morris chose her to get at Edward. He just wanted a young wife, and more than likely one who would produce heirs which was customary in those days. I don't think Edward was even given a thought when he chose Heloise. Can't say I blame Moira for blasting him the way she did. She was so angry and hurt, look at her face and eyes when she's pointing at him, everything else is uned out. He's the one who brought it out in public first and she lost it, understandably. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do. He was lucky, although he was humiliated, albeit brought on by himself, she followed him and told him all she wanted was him publicly. So she allowed him to regain his dignity. He was a lucky man. Personally, I would have let him wallow in it for a week or so and let him be humiliated in front of people. He deserved it."}, {"response": 266, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jul 30, 2002 (15:09)", "body": "(Pam) However I disagree with thoughts in loft. He is the aggressor in this. Not her. Did someone suggest that she was the aggressor? I must have missed a post. I know some people have asked if Heloise might have been aware of Edward's interest and, if so, if she might have done anything to encourage him, but I didn't think anyone meant to suggest that she encouraged his behavior in the crucial scene. I agree with you - I think she kissed him reluctantly (and on the cheek), figuring it was relatively harmless and that if she granted his request he'd back down."}, {"response": 267, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Jul 30, 2002 (15:43)", "body": "(Rika) But she's also always touching Fraser and almost fondling him. Maybe it only bothers me because we know that Fraser is starting to understand sexuality, and Heloise is probably unaware of the effect she's having on him, but it makes me uncomfortable. It bothered me too and I was waiting to see where it was going to go. Perhaps it did what the director intended, showed the viewer Edward's jealousy towards his own son at the attention he received from her. It is also interesting that the one child Heloise relates to most is the boy on the verge of puberty as opposed to the girls who are closer to her own age. But, I did find her degree of touching over the top."}, {"response": 268, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 30, 2002 (16:56)", "body": "Cute MLSF page, Rika. I'll never catch up.But all the comments are fascinating. Pl. continue. I'm lurking."}, {"response": 269, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 30, 2002 (17:39)", "body": "Rika! I love your page on His Pudginess and am very appreciative of the way you've dived in to provide visual aids to stimulate the discussion. Big hand of applause to everybody here, as I attempt to catch up without being redundant. (BTW, Rika, I need one of Edward's fine, slim form casting the line back, sans kiddies, to illustrate GSD.) *wink wink*"}, {"response": 270, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Jul 30, 2002 (19:19)", "body": "Hello, I'm Kathy and I'm delurking (hopefully). Karen has tried so hard to help me log in that I feel I must post something. First, I believe Heloise said, \"Don't listen to your father, Fraser. He's a silly man.\" Unless my old ears were deceiving me. Secondly, I agree with everyone who thinks that Edward is not motivated by anything other than pure attraction, when it comes to his reaction to Heloise. We first see Heloise playing the cello, and Edward looks like a man who has just fallen hard and fast. Fraser later says, \"I've fallen head over heels with Heloise. I think everybody has.\" It seemed that the only people who didn't succumb to Heloise's charms were Moira and Gamma. Which brings me to the subject of Morris. Heloise may be marrying him for money, but I believe Morris is in love. When Fraser was in the kitchen, he repeated what he'd been told of Morris' first meeting Heloise, and how Morris proposed the next day over cream tea. If Heloise was only a trophy wife to Morris, I don't believe he would have told a bunch of boys such a romantic story. Lastly, thanks to Rika for the great pudgy page! I only wish you had included the scene at the start of the movie, where Edward is running up the stairs on his way to rescue Fraser. Rear views are fun, too. :-)"}, {"response": 271, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jul 30, 2002 (19:31)", "body": "(FanPam)I doubt very much Morris chose her to get at Edward. He just wanted a young wife, and more than likely one who would produce heirs which was customary in those days. I don't think Edward was even given a thought when he chose Heloise It was me who suggested that Heloise was another way that Morris used to put Edward down-I agree with your statement, but I'm coming from the POV that once he had chosen Heloise and brought her to Kiloran-it was another way to flaunt something else in Edward's face-far more subtly than the blatant verbal encounters. Edward, I think, picked up on this-but because of his childlike way of dealing with things-just plowed on ahead blindly, and almost blew the very things that were most important to him."}, {"response": 272, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jul 30, 2002 (19:40)", "body": "WELCOME, KATHY glad you're here. I enjoyed your post, and it gives me an opportunity to thank Rika for that wonderful page.(I need to thank her so she doesn't stop sending me wonderful pictures) Yes, I agree, I think Morris is in love with Heloise-and Edward knows it. It makes the bet all the more revengeful on his part. Who can forget the look Edward gives her upon their first meeting when she is playing the cello. I think he was truly attracted to her-physically, but I also believe there was a motivation there to get at Morris. Going after Heloise satisfied both."}, {"response": 273, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 30, 2002 (20:37)", "body": "(Linda) I think he was truly attracted to her-physically, but I also believe there was a motivation there to get at Morris. Going after Heloise satisfied both. IMO Edward was infatuated with Heloise...young, beautiful, French..,but he doesn't strike me as a calculating type ; childlike, yes."}, {"response": 274, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jul 30, 2002 (20:58)", "body": "(Evelyn)Edward was infatuated with Heloise...young, beautiful, French..,but he doesn't strike me as a calculating type ; childlike, yes infatuated-yes childlike-yes calculating-NO-but sick of being of being humiliated by Morris-probably for years. I guess it's because of the exchange at the curling match that makes me think Edward-though infatuated, from the outset, had something else going on. After several exchanges about what they would bet, Edward: Whats the millionaire got that he wouldn't want to loose...What means more to you than anything else? Morris: I suppose you're referring to my wife? Edward: What makes you think she's yours to bet, Morris? At this point, the loft encounter has already happened-so Edward knows exactly what he's doing."}, {"response": 275, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Tue, Jul 30, 2002 (21:08)", "body": "(Rika)She tempts him, and since the temptation doesn't square with his beliefs, he has to blame someone - so he blames her. Does that make sense? Perfect sense, and it squares with the line he throws at Fraser just before the mail comes bearing the catalog...\"Auntie Heloise is particularly French, and French ladies don't understand the first thing about moral fiber.\" It's interesting to me that Moira seems to be perfectly willing to let well enough alone until his attraction explodes in public, and then she doesn't scruple to bring it up in front of the children. She's either really angry or really sick of it. Welcome Kathy, do stick around!"}, {"response": 276, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Jul 30, 2002 (21:19)", "body": "(Kathy) I only wish you had included the scene at the start of the movie, where Edward is running up the stairs on his way to rescue Fraser. Rear views are fun, too. :-) I dunno, just a guess, but I'm thinking you'll fit right in! Welcome Kathy! As for MLSF, much of what I would say would be ditto but most especially to the (paraphrased) comment about this being a dual coming of age story....Fraser's obvious one and Edward's less obvious one. I've watched the movie twice and will watch again and follow along and if anything occurs to me that will astound the room, I'll pipe right up."}, {"response": 277, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jul 30, 2002 (21:42)", "body": "I'm surprised (for some reason) that no one has mentioned re the \"competition\" between Fraser and Edward for Heloise's attention, the scene before the loft when Edward and Fraser are showing Heloise around the moss fields(?). It was amusing, but sad actually, that Edward felt so threatened by Fraser that he had to physically shove him out of the way to get next to her as they were walking."}, {"response": 278, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Jul 30, 2002 (22:02)", "body": "Excellent link Rika...thanks very much, you are a clever girl. Now, I was expecting to roll in here tonight and see a very special pic of some bonny fine lads in kilts. In fact, I already had mine, lad that is, picked out! Where did it go???? :P"}, {"response": 279, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jul 30, 2002 (22:57)", "body": "I'm glad some of you enjoyed my photo essay on His Svelteness. I can't tell you what a hardship it was going through the movie, analyzing his physique to find appropriate shots! 8-) (KathyF) I only wish you had included the scene at the start of the movie, where Edward is running up the stairs on his way to rescue Fraser. Rear views are fun, too. :-) I agree about rear views, and I'd recommend the swimsuit photo on my page to all the tush connoisseurs out there - the lower part of the suit clings very nicely. Unfortunately, Kathy, the stair-climbing scene doesn't lend itself well to video capture - the lighting is dim, and he's moving so fast that he's blurred in most frames. But Linda will tell you I'm a sucker for photo requests, so how about a ladder-climbing photo instead? Consider it a little gift of welcome to our little loony bin: http://home.mindspring.com/~mamartin/pics/ladder.jpg (Karen)(BTW, Rika, I need one of Edward's fine, slim form casting the line back, sans kiddies, to illustrate GSD.) *wink wink* I'll see what I can do - watch your e-mail."}, {"response": 280, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jul 30, 2002 (22:59)", "body": "Let me try that again. The link works but I meant to post the image and not a link:"}, {"response": 281, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jul 30, 2002 (23:04)", "body": "(Lisa) Now, I was expecting to roll in here tonight and see a very special pic of some bonny fine lads in kilts. In fact, I already had mine, lad that is, picked out! Check response 233.... unless I'm misunderstanding you. Janet, are you still reading? You're the perfect person to ask one question I had: how are the non-Scottish actors' accents?"}, {"response": 282, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Jul 30, 2002 (23:11)", "body": "Ah, Rika, those were great, but the one I'm thinking of is a special treat. I think though, that a magical question has to be asked, so here goes....... What do Scotish men wear under their kilts???????? (Tapping foot, waiting for some visual evidence.....)"}, {"response": 283, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Tue, Jul 30, 2002 (23:18)", "body": "(hoary old joke) So, what really is worn under the kilt? 'Nothing is worn, everything is in perfect working order!' This young man deserves hazardous duty pay, IMO. To get back on the topic at hand...I suppose it's a good thing those scenes were shot indoors? :)"}, {"response": 284, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Jul 30, 2002 (23:25)", "body": "That brings up and excellent question and a way to get the subject diverted, even momentarily, into the gutter. When portraying Edward, just how authenic did CF go with the role? By that I mean, did he wear his kilt as a true Scot would?????"}, {"response": 285, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jul 30, 2002 (23:39)", "body": "(LindaK) I'm coming from the POV that once he had chosen Heloise and brought her to Kiloran-it was another way to flaunt something else in Edward's face-far more subtly than the blatant verbal encounters. Edward even kind of called Morris on it: \"You breeze in here with your exotic child fiancee less than half your age and you throw your weight around.\" Morris later on threw the words back in Edward's face by introducing Heloise to his friends as \"my exotic child fiancee\" (with a big smirk at Edward, of course). I guess it's because of the exchange at the curling match that makes me think Edward-though infatuated, from the outset, had something else going on. By then I think he did. Until after the moss factory incident I think his behavior towards Heloise was driven by his libido, his craving for attention, and very little else. But afterwards, I think it began to dawn on him that he now had some ammunition that could hurt Morris. (Elizabeth S, about Edward possibly blaming Heloise for tempting him) Perfect sense, and it squares with the line he throws at Fraser just before the mail comes bearing the catalog...\"Auntie Heloise is particularly French, and French ladies don't understand the first thing about moral fiber.\" That's right - I had forgotten about that. And Linda mentioned a little background head-shake of disapproval he gives her at the dinner table too, when she starts baiting him. (Lisa) What do Scotish men wear under their kilts???????? (Tapping foot, waiting for some visual evidence.....) I thought \"Braveheart\" settled that question once and for all! :-D"}, {"response": 286, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (00:16)", "body": "Thank you, Kate, for all the background on sphagnum moss. Having worked at a florist during college, I remember it well. And thank you, Janet, for the kilt/tartan explanation. You see, ladies, you are not wasting time here. It is highly educational. Sorry, we don't give out college equivalency credits. ;-) And welcome, Kathy, glad to see you've jumped in or as Edward would say, \"taken a cold plunge.\" Is excellent advice whether you're having unwholesome thoughts (or see nekkid pics) or just playing with us here on Drool. I'm going to try my best to catch up without being redundant or saying I agree with all the wonderful and insightful comments you all have made. And they have been great. Lengthy, but great. On the Edward-Morris dynamic, I tend to view Edward as trying to prove himself master of Kiloran, even though he was not. As the oldest son, Morris would be in that position and loves to lord it over Edward. Plus Morris is a highly successful businessman, Edward is quite the opposite. He's a dreamer, not a pragmatist like Morris. He's a child, not a responsible adult like Morris. But more importantly, Edward epitomizes family, whereas Morris has gone off and leads another life away from them. True, Gamma sees the differences in Morris and Edward and knows that Morris doesn't need Kiloran, but that doesn't mean (as she says herself to Fraser) that they wouldn't be adequately taken care of in her will. She chooses Edward IMO because he needs it more than Morris and will maintain it in the same manner as her dearly departed Samuel. (Evelyn) What in the world did Heloise see in Morris? (Elizabeth) IMO, a father figure; she allows him to call her his 'child bride' I'm going to be a cynic here and say she'd be drawn by his wealth and lifestyle, a Sugar Daddy. I don't think their shared interest in music was enough. ;-) (Evelyn) Do you think there was a class distinction here? I read the book, but I don't remember if Sir Denis Forman's family were upper crust. Yes, they were. Too tired to look it up though right now. (Linda) A little digression into expressions. I love the one at the dinner table...when Eloise and Edward are sparring about morals and christianity. There are so many incredibly expressive, though subtle, moments in this film and, in rewatching, I am more than awestruck at how wonderful the acting is by everyone and especially by Colin. (Evelyn) And what do you all make of Gabriel, Emperor of the Air? How did he fit into the story? And that bizarre \"Hairy Man\" popping in... (Kate) I think Gabriel is there for irony. (Rika) On the Hairy Man, I wonder if that made more sense before the several rounds of editing the film supposedly went through after production. I think both roles suffered tremendously in the editing room so that they now have little if any relevance. But it would seem they were supposed to be symbolic. Gabriel is the air/sky/heaven, which is pure fantasy and delightful to Fraser, while the Hairy Man is the earth (he often comes out of the ground, buried under leaves) and the realities and fears that go along with it. (Rika) I found myself paying more attention to Edward/Morris than to anything else. Their antagonistic relationship is fascinating (and occasionally very subtle), plus it's fun to see two fine actors squaring off against one another. I had the same thought. MMcD is a very fine actor and Colin really holds his own playing against him in scene after scene. In fact (despite other disparaging comments we make on other topics re: MEM and wallpaper), MEM is an excellent actress as well. Her brief scene in front of the mirror, sucking in her stomach, pulling that jacket tight, while speaking a few words of French, encapsulates everything she is feeling brilliantly. (Elizabeth) I love the actor who plays the Emperor of the air, BTW...he's worth checking out if you encounter him in other productions. I've seen him in a number of things, but most recently I saw him in Greenfingers, playing a drug dealer, where his romantic interest is Brenda Blethyn. And in this he's interested in Kelly McDonald, who is young enough to be his daughter. Eowww! (Elizabeth) This strikes me as the story of not one, but two males growing up, one a child and the other long since a legal, if not an emotional, adult. Absolutely. (Linda) [Heloise] Was she totally in the dark about Edward's attraction to her? I don't think so. I think she was a bit of a tease. Oh, there you go again! ;-) (Linda) Perhaps she's made to look really bad on purpose. The dowdy, approaching middle-aged mother of 8 or 9 with a husband that is still very good looking. Brings out the attraction of Edward to Eloise a bit stronger to the audience as well as to Moira. True, but is that not the reality, especially of that time? A woman who has had that many kids is going look a little worse for wear. But I think her own self image--as inferior to Heloise--is more critical than whether we understand the source of Edward's attraction. He"}, {"response": 287, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (00:19)", "body": "Phew!! Am now caught up and didn't miss a tag. Feel like I've really accomplished something today. Making tick mark on checklist."}, {"response": 288, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (00:54)", "body": "(Karen) Colin does some of his finest work running up stairs With those long legs he can take two or three steps at a time, and it's a thing to behold. For some reason this reminds me of one of Eddie Murphy's lines as the Donkey in \"Shrek.\" He's trying to locate a particular staircase, and he says to himself, \"Yeah, I'm gonna master those stairs. I'm the Stairmaster.\" That's ODB - the Stairmaster. In fact (despite other disparaging comments we make on other topics re: MEM and wallpaper), MEM is an excellent actress as well. Did I pick up somewhere that she gave some interview or other that ticked people off? There seems to be a negative vibe about her here and I've never been clear on the reasons. Her brief scene in front of the mirror, sucking in her stomach, pulling that jacket tight, while speaking a few words of French, encapsulates everything she is feeling brilliantly. Poor dear - she just keeps saying, \"Enchante\" while she looks at herself. Very poignant. And speaking of MEM, she can really sing. I won't yammer on about the potential vocal traps in that song - it's harder to sing well than you might think - but I was impressed. She's obviously had extensive vocal training. Anyway, it's nice to encounter an actor/actress in a movie who sings so well (no disrespect to CF and RE intended - they weren't supposed to sound good :-D)."}, {"response": 289, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (01:13)", "body": "Great Incites Ladies, Rika you are amazing!! Elizabeth, Outrageous!! Thank you so much. Under kilts, I dated a man in an Irish Bag-Pipe Band once. He wore regular jockeys and his sister's slip because the wool was itchy. Also one St. Patricks night I was working in the local diner when the bands came in from the NYC parade. One drummer stood up to show me what he wore under his kilt and I was prepared for a pleasant surprise only to find that he had a pair of bicycle shorts on underneath. Must say I was very disappointed. We had a good laugh though, but he did offer to show me what was really under there at another place and time. Those were fun nights to work. I think it was necessary for Moira to come out of her expected behavior to show just how upset and disappointed in him she was. She had had enough. Remember she not only had feelings for her husband, but the fight was with her brother whom she obviously cared for and on top of everything else she had just lost her mother, so to say she was in control of her actions and able to act as she normally would, I think would be expecting too much from her under the circumstances. I know I would not be my normal self in that situation. Also it made the audience aware of exactly how upset she was which was necessary for the story line. If she remained in character the audience wouldn't feel her reactions. She did a good job! Also it was already made public by Edward so at this point she couldn't squash it any more and just let herself go. I think it was necessary. If she hadn't released her anger at that time, she might not have gone to him and told him she wanted him which would have really complicated thin s and possibly ended it all. Remember in the Wedding movie the look on her face when Edward is taking her picture and she looks at him. She's really fed up then. So it had to come out and the fight was what did it. I'd say when she let loose she wasn't aware of anyone else in the room except Edward. After she exploded then she thought about what she had done. Good Job!! I love Fraser. Not to go off topic but has anyone seen him in anything else? What a good job he did. He reminds me of my sons. How old was he when they shot this film?"}, {"response": 290, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (01:15)", "body": "(Karen)Sorry, we don't give out college equivalency credits. ;-) WOT????? I recall some post-graduate degrees being offered on 162... Kathy) It seemed that the only people who didn't succumb to Heloise's charms were Moira and Gamma. (Karen) Not surprising. Women know women. Men are just taken in. Well said! Gamma didn't miss much, did she? Speaking of Gamma, I find it funny that, when Fraser goes into her room while she's asleep, she's more concerned about her mouth than being seen in her undergarments. Does she have her teeth out? (I can't see a glass on the nightstand.) Also, Fraser's worries about being thrown out by Morris when Gamma dies reminded me of Mrs. Bennet in P&P worrying about \"those Collinses\" throwing them out."}, {"response": 291, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (08:26)", "body": "Rika Regarding the authenticity of accents. CF's is actually very good. The scenes with the locals were Edward's attempts at 'being one of them'. But some actors try too hard. MEM to me sounded more Irish than Scots. - And MMcD was pretty hopeless, too. RH as Gamma's accent was OK. I think she was very good in the role which makes up for any shortcomings in the accent. Most of the other roles were taken by homegrown Scots, which is a refreshing change, and it WAS filmed in Scotland!! - Not like some other higher profile movies I could mention!!! And, yes, NOTHING should be worn under the kilt. BTW, I do love this film. -And ODB looks at his absolute best IMHO. Great discussion ladies, and I love the snappies. You clever people!!"}, {"response": 292, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (09:25)", "body": "(Karen) But I think her own self image--as inferior to Heloise--is more critical than whether we understand the source of Edward's attraction. Bundled up in this self image thing were the comments about the musical career put aside to marry and have babies. Ironic that when Edward's attentions do stray, it is to the accomplished Heloise. How much more galling to Moira? (Karen)Seems totally out of character for her to confront him in public. People like her do not do such things in front of friends and relatives even if they are grief-stricken. I too had a sense as I watched that \"that would not have happened.\" Maybe everyone stood and watched paralyzed with horror but I'm thinking most everyone would have been wishing themselves anywhere else and trying to get there as everything disintegrated. I saw it more as a cinematic device to highlight the breach and drive home the point that *this* time Edward's folly would not be glossed over. (Rika) That's ODB - the Stairmaster. Count me part of stairs fan club! I give extra points for boots or especially long, lean looks in Regency dress with tails flying!"}, {"response": 293, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (10:01)", "body": "(Karen)Gamma sees the differences in Morris and Edward and knows that Morris doesn't need Kiloran, but that doesn't mean (as she says herself to Fraser) that they wouldn't be adequately taken care of in her will. She chooses Edward IMO because he needs it more than Morris and will maintain it in the same manner as her dearly departed Samuel. Gamma's favorite was Fraser( did he remind her of Samuel who had acquired all those books;-)and by leaving Kiloran to Edward & Moira ,Fraser would eventually be the heir to Kiloran.That's MO anyway. MEM is an excellent actress and vocalist. She will play Dulcinea in the musical Don Quijote directed by Jonathan Kent next year on B'way. Rika MEM & CF gave an interview in German Vogue in which she was v. critical of America and our way of life. We were not enchanted . Welcome to the stairs club, Rika."}, {"response": 294, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (10:10)", "body": "The German Vogue article is here: http://www.spring.net/karenr/articles/vogue_ger1001.html (I was ashamed of her, especially as she's from the Chicago burbs and has a lot of relatives here. I felt like sending the article to the local papers.)"}, {"response": 295, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (10:42)", "body": "(Rika) She's obviously had extensive vocal training. Even operatic. She also sang in \"Limbo\" and had originally pursued a singing career. (Pam) so to say she was in control of her actions and able to act as she normally would, I think would be expecting too much from her under the circumstances. I know I would not be my normal self in that situation. But we have to keep in mind the time and place. Moira was from an upper-class family and they were trained to behave in certain ways. One didn't make scenes. One didn't show one's feelings under any circumstance. However, I do agree that it was done purely for cinematic effect and that she did a great job. (Pam) Remember in the Wedding movie the look on her face when Edward is taking her picture and she looks at him. She's really fed up then. Yes, if looks could kill. Speaking of which, did it look like Edward noticed? Fraser certainly did, but I don't recall if Edward was cognizant of that look. Must recheck. (Pam) I'd say when she let loose she wasn't aware of anyone else in the room except Edward. But she referred to her children in her accusation, so I think she was very much aware of who was there. (Pam) Not to go off topic but has anyone seen him in anything else? I'd have to check my files, but I thought I'd read that this was a one-shot thing for him (per his parents) at least for the present. This is from the presskit: \"Hugh Hudson and David Puttnam knew needed a child with unusual maturity and effortless craft to play Fraser Pettigrew, whose wide-eyed and shockingly wise epiphanies fill the story of MLSF. They found both in 11-year-old Robbie Norman, an Edinburgh schoolboy who had never acted professionally before. (Kate) WOT????? I recall some post-graduate degrees being offered on 162... True, but that's on 162. ;-) Speaking of Gamma, I find it funny that, when Fraser goes into her room while she's asleep, she's more concerned about her mouth than being seen in her undergarments. Does she have her teeth out? No kidding!! Yes, she is covering her mouth because her teeth must be out. But come on, she's wearing a Wagnerian (Brunhilde) type of undergarment that could easily put Fraser's eyes out. (Janet) Most of the other roles were taken by homegrown Scots, which is a refreshing change, and it WAS filmed in Scotland!! Very true. I'll never forget being contacted by the guy who coached them on the finer points of curling and who is actually in the movie as well. (BarbS) Ironic that when Edward's attentions do stray, it is to the accomplished Heloise. How much more galling to Moira? Great observation. Music is an important element of all their lives, yet she was unable to pursue it because of marriage and children."}, {"response": 296, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (13:44)", "body": "Thanks for information on Fraser Karen. He was only 11 and untrained!! I'm all astonishment. He's a natural. Parents seem to be very smart and caring of him. Have to respect that. What a great job. And so mature. I thought he was older than that. Most 11 year olds I know would have been giggling about the sexual content so much they wouldn't have been productive. Love comments about Gammas undergarment. Can just imagine what Fraser is thinking. The saving grace was that he was afraid she was dead which may have occupied him enough to not think about what she had on. I prefer CF with a little weight on. When he's too lean his elbows and knees are too angular and hurt my ribs when we snuggle. Love him in this movie and FP as well. Don't feel he's \"porked-up\" at all. It looks good on him. He's so tall that he can carry it off and the pants don't look so baggy either. Prefer him this way. Personally did not care for MEM's article at all. She was very unkind to her homeland and didn't feel comments like that were necessary. Also IMO do not see any real chemistry between CF and her, just going through the motions, but must admit she can act and sing. I wonder if they looosen up when they're socializing. I bet CF felt comfortable with leading lady who was a friend though. As I have stated before there is no man on the face of this planet who can take a flight of stairs like CF. He is the ULTIMATE STAIRMASTER. No one will ever equal."}, {"response": 297, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (15:10)", "body": "(Evelyn) MEM & CF gave an interview in German Vogue in which she was v. critical of America and our way of life. We were not enchanted . (Karen) ..(I was ashamed of her, especially as she's from the Chicago burbs and has a lot of relatives here. I felt like sending the article to the local papers.) I thought that we stressed on this board that people were allowed to have opposing opinions without aspersions being cast on them personally. I heard MEM on Regis explaining how she found her husband's environments of London and Ireland much more conducive and pleasant to raising her children than had been NewYork and suburbs. I could understand that. I think she should be allowed to express that preference, and to dislike certain aspects of suburban culture. I think a lot of that article was out of context, and willfully interpreted at this end as her being Un- or anti-American, and this had then been used as an excuse to put down her character. I didn't see it in the article. And even if she truly said negative things about US culture, she should be allowed to hold those opinions and express them ... I can think of all sorts of things in our culture that I have negative feelings about, too. I don't think that calls for one's character to be dumped on on a public board. IMHO, of course. :-)"}, {"response": 298, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (15:37)", "body": "Well, I had to have a look at that interview. I can really relate to one of her comments. One can live very comfortably in the United States, but when one leaves, it\ufffds hard to return. I see the extremes in the country much more distinctly right now... Ditto, I'm afraid, on both counts! This is not unlike the remarks that CF made recently about his uneducated fellow countrymen or his little foray into pommy polictics. This President! How can George W. Bush eliminate the Kyoto Treaty when he leads the nation that is the biggest polluter? An obvious offending bit... Besides, you couldn\ufffdt pay me enough to live in an American suburb, talking current wallpaper patterns with my interior decorator all day. Surely you could talk annuals and perennials to the gardener and the dinner menu to the cook just to break up the day! Sorry, that was catty. But irresistable. ;) Professionally, it was perhaps a mistake to move to London, but I love the city. One has to choose. I cannot give everything 100 percent. Now when I work, I get more enjoyment out of our profession. Everything is so easy. Someone brings me coffee. I don\ufffdt have to do anything myself. Comment. I was under the impression that this type of service was heaped upon actors on sets all over the world, not just in the UK."}, {"response": 299, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (15:41)", "body": "willfully interpreted ??? Since when are you inside our heads... Moving along...:) I have found two characters--Uncle Crawford and Aunt Eunice--rather perplexing. Does anybody have a sense of their blood relation? At times, I've thought it was Eunice (she's a basket case on the sofa after the funeral) but then again it might be Uncle Crawford, who has flashes of being like a son, helping Gamma. You see his reaction when Gamma falls through the ice and he shouts something like \"help her\" in a very take-charge way."}, {"response": 300, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (16:09)", "body": "(KJ)I don't think that calls for one's character to be dumped on on a public board. We can have opinions about her comments to the foreign media too ,KJ. Oddly enough, she's coming back to this country where she wouldn't live for work($$$)...why doesn't she just go work in the West End. And it wasn't her character we were dumping...I don't know anything about her morality etc. It was her comments ."}, {"response": 301, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (17:07)", "body": "(Pam) Under kilts, I dated a man in an Irish Bag-Pipe Band once. He wore regular jockeys and his sister's slip.... Well that's an interesting tidbit of information ;-) (Karen) Not surprising. Women know women. Men are just taken in. Very well illustrated in SC and your GSD as well. (MEM) Everything is so easy. Someone brings me coffee. I don\ufffdt have to do anything myself. NOW I understand why the path to my eternal happiness and piece of mind is blocked...I actually have to get MY OWN coffee, as well as the live with the horror of cooking my own meals, doing my own laundry, getting dressed myself. Now if I could only find my Prozac...and cheap help ;-D While reading other people's comments about the article, I remembered that she annoyed me too with her comments, but couldn't remember specifics, until this one was brought up. (Elizabeth) I love the actor who plays the Emperor of the air, BTW...he's worth checking out if you encounter him in other productions. (Karen) I've seen him in a number of things, but most recently I saw him in Greenfingers, playing a drug dealer, where his romantic interest is Brenda Blethyn. Karen, you mean Saving Grace? Did it have a different title somewhere else? Very funny little movie! He was also good in La Femme Nikita (the foreign film, not the show) and the little bit he was in The Patriot. Also, was Kiloran shut off news-wise from the rest of the world. How did Edward not know that a plane had been invented already? It didn't spring up overnight. (Rika) That's ODB - the Stairmaster What an apropos comment...I was just checking the board before heading to the gym to get on my favorite machine....THE STAIRMASTER! It's always a great workout, makes ya sweat! I've only used the one version...maybe I should get on a different model to see if I still get a good workout ;-D."}, {"response": 302, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (18:46)", "body": "You ladies are terrific and so thorough in your discussion of MLSF! There was a lot of catching up I had to do yesterday and today (from being away), and I felt I had to watch the film again since you all had brought forth so many things I had missed during my first and second viewings last week. Thanks, Rika, for your page on why we ought to appreciate His Svelteness just as he is ;-). Thanks, Kate, for your explanation of sphagnum moss. When Edward and Fraser are having their sex discussion and Fraser responds to his dad talking about the feeling of something welling up from the core of your being by asking, \"Like magma?\" (Which Andrew had told him about). Edward then answers, \"What'ssmagma?\" He slurs the words together and it sounds like he says sphagma. Are all these terms related in some way: sphagma, magma, sphagnum? And what exactly is Edward trying to get his three boys to clean by jumping in the freezing lake? (His youngest son declares to him that he's already clean and doesn't need to jump in). Edward says in his frozen voice while treading in the frozen lake something like, \"Crustination only intensifies the sensation of stuck (?) loins.\" Could that be smegma? ;-) (which, btw, is defined in the dictionary as detergent, soap, or ungent). Somehow they all seem related. Thanks, Janet, for explaining kilts, tartans, and the authenticity of the Scottish accents. Glad to know you think CF's is well done. (Elizabeth) This strikes me as the story of not one, but two males growing up, one a child and the other long since a legal, if not an emotional, adult. This struck me the second time I watched it. I even think the last name they chose for the family is very apt as well: Pettigrew. When broken down it could be shown to mean small growth or petite spurts - bit by bit, like Fraser says at the end of the film about Edward being let back into his mother's heart again. Thanks, btw, Elizabeth, for the revealing kilt pic ;-). And thanks, Pam, for solving the mystery of what some wear underneath ;-). One more question: Does anyone know the connection to the film's dedication to the memory of Ian Charleson in the ending credits? He was a wonderful actor, for sure (and of Scottish decent I believe), and he played the famous Scot, Eric Liddel, in \"Chariots of Fire\" (and got an Oscar nomination for that role as well, I think). Was he related to anyone from the movie, MLSF? I think he died of AIDS, but long before 1999 when MLSF was made. Thanks also, Karen, for the background information on Robbie Forman who played Fraser. He was excellent, and his portrayal pulled at my heart strings during so many moments of the film. Will view film again and report back later. Want to view it again to examine Heloise's and Morris's pivotal roles."}, {"response": 303, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (18:53)", "body": "Dorine, you're absolutely right. Saving Grace, not Greenfingers, both British gardening movies. ;-) The dedication to Ian Charleson is because MLSF was made by the same team as Chariots of Fire: Hugh Hudson directed and David Puttnam produced. Good to see you here, Lora. Was wondering where you were. :)"}, {"response": 304, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (19:07)", "body": "(Rika) That's ODB - the Stairmaster Those last scenes when he's on his way up to find Fraser...Breath-taking. I am amazed that most of us here get hooked on that action. Climbing stairs. He is the sexiest stairmaster there is. Funny how different films flash in your head when he does those very familiar moves. I immediately thought BJD. (Karen)Oh, there you go again! ;-) I know, I bet you think I've mixed up Heloise and Helena. Ok, I'll stick my neck out...does anyone else think that something other than just a kiss happened in the loft? My reason for confusion, you ask? Although we are not shown anything except a hasty kiss on the cheek why does everything else point to other things ocurring? Does all of this blow up because Edward wanted a kiss and got one on the cheek? At the dinner table Heloise's remarks \"You can't do a bad thing and be a good man, you can't have it both ways.\" Ok, maybe she is equating bad with the fact that he was attracted to her and behaving in a bad way for a married man. The curling scene that I mentioned yesterday (Edward) \"What's the millionaire got that he wouldn't want to loose...What means more to you than anything else? Kind of a strange remark if you got nothing more than a reluctant kiss-she goes off to marry Morris, and have a honeymoon anyway. The note she sends to Edward while she and Morris are on there honeymoon: \"All I want is to be your sister-in-law and your friend. Please let us forget what happened and what didn't happen. No one needs to know\". What does she mean by \"what happened and didn't happen\"? No one needs to know? Know what? That he had an attraction and she gave him a peck on the cheek? And finally Edward's words at the funeral: \"I won the bet months ago.\" Some heavy duty dialogue, actions, and ominous words for a kiss on the cheek. Have I missed something? Edward may be a child, but I think even he, after 8,9, or 10 children knows the difference."}, {"response": 305, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (19:21)", "body": "(Karen)The dedication to Ian Charleson is because MLSF was made by the same team as Chariots of Fire: Hugh Hudson directed and David Puttnam produced. Thanks for clearing that up! I didn't know who directed CoF. Maybe now I can get my DH to view MLSF next time around since CoF is his all time favorite movie. That should be \"descent\" above not \"decent\" though Ian was a very decent actor, too. Just wanted to say that I love the way everyone uses the terms \"mumsie\" and \"gamma.\" And I love Rosemary Harris's portrayal of Gamma. Her facial expressions are wonderful. I also love that Edward's mother-in-law n the movie is Jennifer Ehle's mom IRL :-). It's very funny how Edward and his crew eat the asbestos when it arrives. Edward seems to dig into anything new that appears at Kiloran and with a childlike fearlessness. Moira seems to have always let him indulge himself and let him do what he wants with his ideas and materials. I think Edward just thinks of Heloise as one of those things to \"examine.\" Though, he learns later, he goes too far here."}, {"response": 306, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (19:39)", "body": "(linda) Some heavy duty dialogue, actions, and ominous words for a kiss on the cheek. Have I missed something? Edward may be a child, but I think even he, after 8,9, or 10 children knows the difference. This is one of the things that drives me crazy about this movie. it all doesnt seem to add up correctly. (Lora) Edward seems to dig into anything new that appears at Kiloran and with a childlike fearlessness. Moira seems to have always let him indulge himself and let him do what he wants with his ideas and materials. I think Edward just thinks of Heloise as one of those things to \"examine.\" Though, he learns later, he goes too far here. I can see this -"}, {"response": 307, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (20:11)", "body": "SBRobinson This is one of the things that drives me crazy about this movie. It all doesn't seem to add up correctly. I seem to remember that the film was heavily edited, many thought unnecessarily, and its release delayed for over a year. I believe one of the main scenes to suffer was the barn scene,creating so much confusion over what actually took place. It certainly has been a major talking point on this board before!!"}, {"response": 308, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (20:33)", "body": "(Lora) Edward says in his frozen voice while treading in the frozen lake something like, \"Crustination only intensifies the sensation of stuck (?) loins.\" \"Procrastination only intensifies the sense of shock, boys.\" Love that caption option. (Lora) Fraser responds...\"Like magma?\" It almost seemed to me that Edward didn't know what magma was, very odd for a man with such a store of inventor's curiosity. There's a definite correlation with the granite source of the curling stones, which gets brought up twice that I can think of. I have wondered when the theory of plate tectonics first came out, though! In re the barn, I think Edward tried for more (the shriek) and didn't get it (the letter, \"what did and didn't happen\".) FWIW, my brother lived overseas for four years, grew quite negative about certain aspects of US culture while he was gone, had a pretty rough period of adjustment on his return, and still despises many of the more commercial aspects. I always thought it was because they got subjected to almost daily reruns of \"Dallas\" in their search for news on TV. :)"}, {"response": 309, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (20:44)", "body": "I just read the German Vogue article for the first time and didn't think it too awful, except for the generalizations about America and Americans, by both CF and MEM. This is as unfair as saying all Englishmen are distant, all Italian males are sexist pigs, all Frenchmen are jerks who love Jerry Lewis. Aside from that, an interesting article wherein both CF and MEM poked fun at their occupation by pointing out how spoiled most actors are, IMO. (S B Robinson) This is one of the things that drives me crazy about this movie. it all doesnt seem to add up correctly. I've now seen this film 13 times, the last 10 within the past two weeks. No matter how many times I watch it, it still doesn't add up. Not that I enjoy it any the less for its inconsistencies -- I love MLSF, and its enigma-like qualities are possibly one of the reasons I am so fond of it. I've never been able to watch it without analyzing it, but then I find \"difficult\" movies to be much more interesting than simple ones. Then there's the fantastic acting by every member of the cast. I can't think of anyone who is less than wonderful, and even the accents seem quite good. I'm surely not as familiar with Scottish accents as some of you are, but everyone sounds quite believable to me. It is rare to find a motion picture wherein everyone involved does such an excellent job. And Robert Norman is truly amazing! It is true that MMcD is too old IRL to be RH's son. I believe she would have had to been a 13-year-old mother. But if Malcolm had dyed his hair, would this have been an issue? Wonder why he didn't. Still, he is a great actor, and his scenes with CF are some of the best. So, when are we really going to talk about the burning question of the loft scene? I've a lot of thoughts on the matter, and a lot of questions, too. BTW, thanks, Rika, for the ladder scene. It might not be stairs, butt it's still nice! ;-)"}, {"response": 310, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (21:13)", "body": "I hate following my own post, but this one appeared while I was typing... (Elizabeth S) It almost seemed to me that Edward didn't know what magma was, very odd for a man with such a store of inventor's curiosity. I keep having this thought, too. He's a genius, and he doesn't know from magma?! But I suppose a knowledge of it would detract from what was a very cute scene, as he gets embarassed while trying to explain wet dreams to Fraser. I subjected several members of my family (80-year-old mother, brother) to MLSF this weekend, and this was definitely one of their favorite scenes, plausible or not."}, {"response": 311, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (21:14)", "body": "(Elizabeth)\"Procrastination only intensifies the sense of shock, boys.\" Whew, that makes a lot more sense. Thanks for clearing that up! (Elizabeth)I think Edward tried for more (the shriek) and didn't get it (the letter, \"what did and didn't happen\".) I agree with you that he tried for more but didn't get all he wanted. Plus there had to be some sort of struggle or tussle since Heloise lost her heirloom choker and both of them came back to the house with moss stuck to their hair and clothing. Later on, after the fight, Elsbeth tells Fraser (when he asks her) that their Dad didn't do the actual deed, but that he did touch Heloise. How does she put it again? Or is she just trying to protect Fraser?"}, {"response": 312, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (21:36)", "body": "(Linda)Funny how different films flash in your head when he does those very familiar moves. This happens to me a lot. At the beginning of the film when Edward goes into that little storage room looking for rope (I think) and something to help him get Fraser safely off the roof, it reminded me of the storage room in TIOBE where he locates the handbag! It's from another angle, but I could have sworn he was going to lift the handbag out of there too. :) I have to say, though, that his best Stairmaster (love that new Firthterm, Rika) scene is in SIL when he races down all those stairs from the top of the Rose Theatre to get to Queen Elizabeth. The Stairmaster scenes following the please, please, please scene in FP run a close 2nd. :) Okay, back to our discussion, so far ;-)"}, {"response": 313, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (21:42)", "body": "No matter how many times I watch it, it still doesn't add up. And we haven't even discussed the two endings.Yup...just like BJD..one for the US and one for UK."}, {"response": 314, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (21:43)", "body": "Today I was rewatching the infamous loft scene, and the aftermath. Strange, isn't it, that Fraser finds the choker DOWNSTAIRS by the door rather than upstairs in the loft! What does this mean? Would someone please, please, please, explain it to me!"}, {"response": 315, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (21:50)", "body": "(Evelyn) And we haven't even discussed the two endings.Yup...just like BJD..one for the US and one for UK. Two endings? What two endings? But I suppose we shouldn't go to the endings until we've done the middles. And so far (unless I missed it) nobody's done my favorite line from the beginning, which is, \"My Dad didn't want us to go into our attic, so he told us that was where the devil lurked. Ever since, I've been terrified of the word,'lurked.'\""}, {"response": 316, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (22:06)", "body": "(Evelyn) And we haven't even discussed the two endings.Yup...just like BJD..one for the US and one for UK. (Kathy)Two endings? What two endings? I didn't know that there were two different endings for each side of the pond either. Would love to know what the UK version was. Does it shed any more light on some of our questions? (Kathy)And so far (unless I missed it) nobody's done my favorite line from the beginning, which is, \"My Dad didn't want us to go into our attic, so he told us that was where the devil lurked. Ever since, I've been terrified of the word,'lurked.'\" You're the first one to mention it, but it caught my attention too as very apt to drooleurs :O---"}, {"response": 317, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (23:15)", "body": "(Pam) I bet CF felt comfortable with leading lady who was a friend though. I seem to remember Colin saying it was strange having to do a romantic scene with her because she is a friend and so is her husband. (Dorine) Also, was Kiloran shut off news-wise from the rest of the world. How did Edward not know that a plane had been invented already? It didn't spring up overnight. LOL! Kiloran is portrayed as a fantasyland, away from the real world, but I'm sure they knew airplanes existed. Didn't Edward invent a moss air filter? I think their reaction was one of awe at the plane being on their estate. (Rika) That's ODB - the Stairmaster (Dorine) I've only used the one version...maybe I should get on a different model to see if I still get a good workout ;-D Great ones, ladies. New and better ways to think of Colin. (Lora) And what exactly is Edward trying to get his three boys to clean by jumping in the freezing lake? Yep. Edward (patterned after Adam) is really into cleanliness. I'm going to have to type up the page from the book about Adam's bathing routines. They are very interesting. But we really got gypped. The towel did have a purpose in the original. Adam took his plunge nekkid as did the boys. Bwaaaaaaa! (Linda) does anyone else think that something other than just a kiss happened in the loft?...Although we are not shown anything except a hasty kiss on the cheek why does everything else point to other things ocurring? (Elizabeth) I think Edward tried for more (the shriek) and didn't get it (the letter, \"what did and didn't happen\".) I too am in the \"he tried for more\" camp but got shot down. Several reviewers claimed that a rape had taken place and they thought it was too dark an element for a movie like this. I've always thought more took place, but that it wasn't rape. How else would she have lost the choker? There had to have been a little struggle. Fraser hears a cry, in French, \"Arrete\" (sp), which means stop. Obviously, Edward hasn't just retreated to the corner to sulk about being rejected. He has tried to kiss her and had his hands on her. But then, he goes into the house and proceeds to antagonize Morris intentionally. You can see it in his body language. He goes into the study and hangs over him. He wants to be noticed and he wants to provoke him. Instead, Morris ridicules him over the moss hanging out of his clothes and sticking out of his hair, to which Edward attempts to tell him off but is interrupted by the guests' arrival. That whole scene seems like he is trying to bolster his ego, which has been bruised by Heloise's rejection. The curling scene bet and the comment after the funeral about having \"won\" the bet months ago are childish boasts (exaggeration) also meant to antagonize Morris, having no foundation in fact. While he may have had his hands on her, he didn't \"have\" her in the true sense of the word. (Lora) It's very funny how Edward and his crew eat the asbestos when it arrives. I've always been rather fond of the way Edward looks in that scene. In my top five. (Janet) I believe one of the main scenes to suffer was the barn scene, creating so much confusion over what actually took place. There certainly has been a lot of confusion about it and I was bound and determined to end our speculation when I asked Colin this question in the Donmar lobby. Unfortunately, his response was noncommittal and I didn't get a chance to follow-up. (I wasn't about to let him get away with a nonanswer answer!!) All he said was that they had similar discussions on the set. Baloney!! IMO, as an actor, he would've had to have known what transpired, when he filmed the subsequent scene. What was in his mind about what had occurred? (Elizabeth) It almost seemed to me that Edward didn't know what magma was, very odd for a man with such a store of inventor's curiosity. Don't you think it was just embarrassment over the discussion topic? (Lora) Plus there had to be some sort of struggle or tussle since Heloise lost her heirloom choker and both of them came back to the house with moss stuck to their hair and clothing. I used to think that too, but if you go back to check, they had thrown moss at each other earlier, which is the same moss in his hair and on his clothes later. (Lora) Okay, back to our discussion, so far ;-) Good one! ;-)"}, {"response": 318, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (23:54)", "body": "(Karen)I too am in the \"he tried for more\" camp but got shot down. I agree. When you see Edward walk in on Morris, Edward doesn't look at all embarrassed, or even smug. And given Edward's childishness, he'd be unable to avoid gloating. And the reference to \"exotic child bride\" would be more leering than disparaging if Edward had been successful with Heloise. Later, when Edward suggests to Morris that he had, in fact, been successful, I think that's a childish boastful lie. Part of Edward's \"oh, yeah?\" response to Morris. I find it interesting that in the discussion of lying 9at the dinner table), Edward says that it might be OK to lie to protect a loved one. That comment was aimed at Fraser, telling him not to rat out his father for the events in the barn. (Karen)What was in his [Colin's] mind about what had occurred? Good question! Actors like to know that stuff, even if it isn't in the script. Some directors give the actors that sort of \"background\" info, other times the actors work it out for themselves. But I don't see how he could play the subsequent scenes if he didn't have his own opinion of what had happened in the barn. Back to Moira's blowup. It certainlly was very emotional for someone unsually so contained. But sometimes you've just HAD IT and anyone in the vicinity had better look out. She was not happy with Edward's behavior for a long time. The wedding scene, already mentioned, shows that. But watch the dinner table scene again. At some point during dessert, Heloise addresses Edward just as Moira is putting her hand over his. He pulls his hand away, almost as if he's denying Moira, like a cheating husband with a band-aid on his ring finger--\"wife? what wife?\" (don't laugh, I actually saw this once!) That must have hurt, and Moira just carried all those little worries and slights around until they burst through the surface (like magma). And it didn't help that Edward probably had no idea that Moira was unhappy about anything. \"Wave to Mumsie.\" He smiled at her image on the screen. I think he loves Moira, but desires Heloise as a passing fancy. The two are totally separate to him by this time, and he has not guilt about anything (another childlike ability, shedding guilt). I don't know why Edward didn't know about magma. He was probably one of those people who would study something in depth if he was interested (Beethoven, moss), but dismiss other subjects as unimportant if he wasn't interested. I guess he didn't care for Earth Science, or maybe he wasn't interested in volcanoes, since they aren't a habitat for sphagnum. I don't think Scotland has any volcanoes. (BTW, plate tectonics first was proposed in 1910, not accepted for 50 years. But magma and lava had been known for a long time.)"}, {"response": 319, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (00:55)", "body": "Wow, has this ever been a long, stressful day. Nice to finally get her and do a little drooling! Janet, thanks for the information on the Scottish accents! And Karen, thanks for the link to the CF/MEM conversation. I had never read that one - I must have been too busy comparing wallpaper samples (while totally lacking in irony, of course). (Barb S) Bundled up in this self image thing were the comments about the musical career put aside to marry and have babies. Ironic that when Edward's attentions do stray, it is to the accomplished Heloise. How much more galling to Moira? That's an excellent point! Poor Moira. (Pam) Remember in the Wedding movie the look on her face when Edward is taking her picture and she looks at him. She's really fed up then. (Karen) Yes, if looks could kill. Speaking of which, did it look like Edward noticed? Fraser certainly did, but I don't recall if Edward was cognizant of that look. Must recheck. After Moira glares at Edward, the camera stays on close-up on Fraser, so we don't get to see Edward's reaction. That's one scene in which I love CF's expressions, as Edward looks at Heloise. Maybe that would be a good photo essay for tomorrow.... (Karen) I have found two characters--Uncle Crawford and Aunt Eunice--rather perplexing. Does anybody have a sense of their blood relation? That totally confused me. They seem to be around a lot, too - do they live there? (Dorine) THE STAIRMASTER! It's always a great workout, makes ya sweat! I've only used the one version...maybe I should get on a different model to see if I still get a good workout ;-D. A workout with the Stairmaster.... the mind reels (no Scottish pun intended :-D). (Lora) I even think the last name they chose for the family is very apt as well: Pettigrew. I love this! I wonder if it was intentional. (KathyF) And so far (unless I missed it) nobody's done my favorite line from the beginning, which is, \"My Dad didn't want us to go into our attic, so he told us that was where the devil lurked. Ever since, I've been terrified of the word,'lurked.'\" Thanks for bringing that up - I always laugh at that line, partly because of the way Robbie Norman says 'lurked.'"}, {"response": 320, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (01:25)", "body": "(Evelyn) What in the world did Heloise see in Morris? This is something I can't quite figure out either, like Michael Douglas and his exotic child bride. There is no accounting for some people's tastes! \"Auntie Heloise is particularly French, and French ladies don't understand the first thing about moral fiber.\" The irony is sublime! I prefer CF with a little weight on. When he's too lean his elbows and knees are too angular and hurt my ribs when we snuggle. Love him in this movie and FP as well. Don't feel he's \"porked-up\" at all. It looks good on him. He's so tall that he can carry it off and the pants don't look so baggy either. Prefer him this way. I couldn't agree more! In the reindeer jumper scene in BJD for example he looks positively Biafran. Give me a man with some meat on his bones! And in FP, he certainly didn't look \"porked-up\" to me. Check the scene in the kitchen when he tells Sara that calling football 'only a game' is the stupidest thing in the world to say. The long shots of his lean but not too thin form beat any stair claimbing, IMHO. (Karen) I too am in the \"he tried for more\" camp but got shot down. Several reviewers claimed that a rape had taken place and they thought it was too dark an element for a movie like this. I've always thought more took place, but that it wasn't rape. I agree that something more than the peck on the cheek happened. I can see Edward pressing his attentions in the hope and that they were not unwelcome but I don't see rape as fitting in with his character at all. (Evelyn) And we haven't even discussed the two endings.Yup...just like BJD..one for the US and one for UK. What two endings ... in BJD, I mean? Can someone enlighten me?"}, {"response": 321, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (01:39)", "body": "Regarding the moss loft scene: First, I agree with those who have said things just don't add up. I think it's because the story is told mostly from Fraser's POV, and so we often share his imperfect understanding of events. (KathyF)Today I was rewatching the infamous loft scene, and the aftermath. Strange, isn't it, that Fraser finds the choker DOWNSTAIRS by the door rather than upstairs in the loft! I also find this confusing. After we hear the sounds of a struggle, there's a shot of Heloise at the bottom of the ladder to the loft. She's a bit out of breath and says, \"You're behaving like a child.\" She doesn't appear to be wearing the choker, so evidently it has already fallen off. Fraser finds the choker a few steps closer to the doorway than the position of the ladder. So perhaps it was loosened, and fell off after she came downstairs. Or could the whole incident have taken place downstairs? When Heloise and Fraser are in the loft, you can see a sloped ceiling with wood beams, and that doesn't show up in the second scene... though it could just be a matter of camera angles. (Lora) Later on, after the fight, Elsbeth tells Fraser (when he asks her) that their Dad didn't do the actual deed, but that he did touch Heloise. How does she put it again? Or is she just trying to protect Fraser? Here's the dialogue: Fraser: \"What did Mumsie mean when she said Dad's had his hands on Auntie Heloise?\" Elspeth: \"Had carnal knowledge of her, like in the Bible.\" Fraser: \"Isn't that a dreadful sin?\" Elspeth: \"I don't know. Is it?\" Fraser: \"Elspeth, is it like a slank?\" Elspeth: \"No. That's something you do with somebody you love.\" So she just explains Moira's terminology; she doesn't express an opinion on whether or not the deed was actually done."}, {"response": 322, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (09:20)", "body": "Sandyw What two endings... In BJD, I mean? Can someone enlighten me? The end titles were different in the UK and US versions. The US showed the home movie scene when they were children, which we in the UK didn't see until the DVD was released. But apart from the Microsoft/El Nino?(not sure of spelling) question at the job interview, I believe the rest of the movie was the same."}, {"response": 323, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (09:59)", "body": "(Kate) At some point during dessert, Heloise addresses Edward just as Moira is putting her hand over his. He pulls his hand away, almost as if he's denying Moira...That must have hurt That's another, small but brilliant touch (or untouch, as the case may be) of rejection. Moira's face shows it all, while Edward's is fixated on Heloise across the table; he's aware of no one else. You definitely get the feeling that, even before he \"pulls away\" from her, Moira has more than an inclination something has occurred. She's frazzled. She doesn't even know what kind of soup they're eating and then gets up to do anything, including pushing the alcoholic minister to imbibe, in order to appear normal. A wonderful scene, which bears more discussion of all the dynamics at work. (Kate) and Moira just carried all those little worries and slights around until they burst through the surface (like magma). LOL! Had no idea that Scotland was in the Ring of Fire. ;-) (Rika) I think it's because the story is told mostly from Fraser's POV, and so we often share his imperfect understanding of events. I'm glad you said \"mostly\" because the film doesn't have a consistent POV, which may have been part of the problem in editing and they did the best they could to straighten that out. Fraser was not privy to many of the scenes, even though he is the narrator. (Rika) After we hear the sounds of a struggle...there's a shot of Heloise...She doesn't appear to be wearing the choker I paused at that point too but couldn't tell, as she was turned sideways. Maybe I need to zoom as well. Thanks for clarifying Elspeth's dialogue."}, {"response": 324, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (10:17)", "body": "(KathyF) And so far (unless I missed it) nobody's done my favorite line from the beginning, which is, \"My Dad didn't want us to go into our attic, so he told us that was where the devil lurked. Ever since, I've been terrified of the word,'lurked.'\" (Rika)Thanks for bringing that up - I always laugh at that line, partly because of the way Robbie Norman says 'lurked.' Am ashamed to say that the connection to lurking didn't hit until I read Kathy's post. What amused me about that line is the pause before he says 'lurked.' I thought for sure he was going to say 'attic,' which would be a much more typical child reaction. But Fraser is not an ordinary child by any means."}, {"response": 325, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (10:19)", "body": "(Rika) After we hear the sounds of a struggle...there's a shot of Heloise...She doesn't appear to be wearing the choker (Karen)I paused at that point too but couldn't tell, as she was turned sideways. Maybe I need to zoom as well. I rewound this one several times, and I can't tell, either. I wonder if this is intentional, so that the discovery of the choker later is a surprise."}, {"response": 326, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (10:33)", "body": "(Kate) I can't tell, either. I wonder if this is intentional, so that the discovery of the choker later is a surprise. However, Heloise is aware she's lost the choker when she looks in the mirror. Why doesn't she go back to the moss factory? Edward isn't there anymore. He left before her. Or do we have to chalk this convenient plot point up to post-traumatic shock disorder caused by the assault?"}, {"response": 327, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (10:55)", "body": "Pam) I bet CF felt comfortable with leading lady who was a friend though. (Karen)I seem to remember Colin saying it was strange having to do a romantic scene with her because she is a friend and so is her husband. On the Regis show MEM said Colin was an old family friend and she was glad they were cast as husband and wife and not lovers. (Karen)Unfortunately, his response was noncommittal and I didn't get a chance to follow-up. (Iwasn't about to let him get away with a nonanswer answer!!) All he said was that they had similar discussions on the set. Karen:\"Did Edward and Heloise get in \"on\" in the loft?\" Colin:*with gorgeous sly smile*:\"That was the burning question\" (Janet) BJD:The end titles were different in the UK and US versions. The US showed the home movie scene when they were children, which we in the UK didn't see until the DVD was released Pl. describe the original UK ending.We never saw it."}, {"response": 328, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (11:03)", "body": "(Karen) I'm glad you said \"mostly\" because the film doesn't have a consistent POV, which may have been part of the problem in editing and they did the best they could to straighten that out. Fraser was not privy to many of the scenes, even though he is the narrator. I was going to save my thoughts on this issue till the discussion was winding down, but what the heck. I think it would have been a much better film if they had given up any attempt to use Fraser's POV as the narrative focus. As others have noted, this movie is a coming of age story for both Fraser and Edward; however, Edward's journey is by far the more dramatically compelling of the two. I suppose they thought it would be interesting for us to see Edward's situation through Fraser's eyes, but the stuff that was going on between Edward, Morris, Heloise, Moira, and Gamma was simply too complex for a ten-year-old to fully grasp. As a result, unless they wanted the audience to be totally clueless (instead of just confused, as we are now) they had little choice but to shift POV periodically and show us things Fraser wouldn't have seen. I wonder if there were two different artistic visions for this movie on the part of the principals. I mean, how odd that a charming coming-of-age movie (which does seem to be what the film is trying to be most of the time) would have a scene that even hinted at the possibiity that a young woman was sexually assaulted by her future brother-in-law."}, {"response": 329, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (11:18)", "body": "I liked the ambiguity in the loft, the dinner table etc. Don't like to have things spelled out."}, {"response": 330, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (13:13)", "body": "BTW, the difference with MLSF is not merely US-UK. North America got one version and the rest of the world got the one described below for theaterical release. The video was the same all over, i.e., the North American one. As previously posted by AnneH: The four wheel drive sets off with the chauffeur in front and Fraser in the back. His mother has just informed him his father is waiting for him at the loch. At they loch they stop - and his Dad can be seen climbing out of the loch in the strange regalia of a tyre and waders. He comes up to Fraser to say goodbye and after a few pleasantries he informs Fraser he has looked up the word Fellatio and now knows its meaning and suggests to Fraser that he doesn't practice it at school!!!!!!! Fraser looks at his father in some puzzlement and is heard saying over - I can't remember the exact wording - but suffice to say he hadn't a clue to his father's meaning. [Cathey will I am sure give you the exact wording.] The four wheel drive then continues on, the chauffeur suggests Fraser comes and sits in front with him and they exchange caps and then music. I think I am right here - after all I have only seen it twice. Cathey's account: In the voice over Fraser says he is pleased his Dad has at last told him something useful, even though he doesn't have a clue what he means. This final scene starts off with Fraser saying goodbye to his mother and the servants. He asks his mother if it was his fault that his father's flying experiment didn't work earlier in the summer and she reassures him that is was not and that his father wasn't meant to fly, he was meant to stay with them \"all the animals in his zoo\". She is trying not to cry while she says goodbye to him. After the car drives off leaving Edward it shows Fraser climbing over the seat into the front and he and the chauffeur exchanging caps with Fraser saying (in voice over) \"so that is My Life So Far\". There is then some wording on the screen which I assume the American version also had. If not, let me know and I'll see how good my memory is. ~~~~~~~ Plus the other version did not have the waltz in the rain bit."}, {"response": 331, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (13:53)", "body": "If I thought I was confused before, am v.confused now. Two endings? Or, actually 3? Don't mind me, I just drove through Philadelphia, and this always happens. Saw a neat billboard for ice cream,in huge letters: DROOLING YET? I thought, you can't even begin to imagine. Ok, back OT. (Karen)That's another, small but brilliant touch (or untouch, as the case may be) of rejection I thought this was an excellent scene. I don't think it has to do with Edward being so infatuated with Heloise that he doesn't realize the action. I think it was an out and out rejection of Moira-at least at that moment.IMHPOV. Again, not to get off track, this scene made me sad because it almost confirmed, at least to me, that something more went on in the loft. It added to my confusion as well, because from the beginning, I never would have thought the movie was going to go in that direction-Edward and Moira seemed so perfectly happy and content with their life, children, and Kiloran. Good in a way that it catches you off balance. I thought the touch/untouch, and the look on both Colin's and MEM's faces were perfect.He doesn't skip a beat in the conversation and she has a melt down. Just another aspect of Edwards personality-He is sparring with Heloise at the table about morals, but it's almost as if he does not apply her words to his own actions. Thank you ladies for the recaps of the different endings."}, {"response": 332, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (14:18)", "body": "(Karen)Kiloran is portrayed as a fantasyland, away from the real world Does anyone also get the idea that it was a little like a prison for them at times? Don't Edward's and Frasier's pajamas resemble prison garb? It's ironic since Kiloran is such a great beautiful expanse of land, but I think it's isolation seemed to close in on them at times. Maybe that's why Morris stayed away so much and only thought of Kiloran as an asset. I also think Elsbeth thought of the Emperor of the Air as a one way ticket out of there, in a way. (Rika)Fraser: \"What did Mumsie mean when she said Dad's had his hands on Auntie Heloise?\" Elspeth: \"Had carnal knowledge of her, like in the Bible.\" Fraser: \"Isn't that a dreadful sin?\" Elspeth: \"I don't know. Is it?\" Fraser: \"Elspeth, is it like a slank?\" Elspeth: \"No. That's something you do with somebody you love.\" So she just explains Moira's terminology; she doesn't express an opinion on whether or not the deed was actually done. Thanks, Rika, for providing the exact dialogue. I had forgotten about the carnal knowledge line. So does carnal knowledge -like in the bible- mean just flesh or sexual intercourse? The dictionary defines carnal as flesh, but carnal knowledge as sexual intercourse. So our answer to the loft question may lie in this very dialogue that Rika has provided. Interesting how the children define \"slank,\" a slangish term, as something you do with someone you love (but that's how their dad refered to it, so maybe they think that's a positive thing). They also want to overlook, as children do with someone they love, whether it was an actual dreadful sin by never answering that question. Elsbeth answers Fraser's question about that with another question. So what would happen between an immature boy/man and an exotic about to be child bride in the moss loft? Just had a thought and will have to recheck Edward's clothing, but maybe given Edward's boyishness and impulsive behavior something happened to him (let's call it premature magma) before he could get very far in his endeavors. That would explain \"what happened\" but \"what didn't happen.\" Or how Heloise was able to get away from him and then tell him he was behaving like a child (by forcing himself on her). It definitely adds new insight to the magma discussion and Edward being uncomfortable with it. Love the way he pretends to blow his nose here. But this is all speculation. I know, I come up with the weirdest stuff, don't I? Does the book shed any light on this, and also, if anyone knows, what are the two endings for the film? Thanks again, Rika, for the dialogue."}, {"response": 333, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (14:30)", "body": "Sorry, Karen, I was still thinking through my post when you were providing the different endings. Will have to think about those. Does Edward blow his nose again during this last explanation? ;-) I guess he's already wet from being in the loch ;-P."}, {"response": 334, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (16:06)", "body": "(Lora) Just had a thought and will have to recheck Edward's clothing, but maybe given Edward's boyishness and impulsive behavior something happened to him (let's call it premature magma) before he could get very far in his endeavors. Oh my! It would appear our students of Crotchology have been asleep at the wheel if that's the case. ;-) (Lora) Does the book shed any light on this On what, specifically? Remember, there is no Heloise or mossloft incident in the book. The parents had a loving relationship, full of slanking. (Lora) Maybe that's why Morris stayed away so much and only thought of Kiloran as an asset. From the book, I have learned that there was an established Scottish business presence in Liverpool (port city), and many of the wealthy families had large homes in Scotland. The Smith family (Forman's grandparents) made their fortune in the cotton brokerage business. The grandfather was in partnership with his brother, but the brother eventually went into politics and the other took over running the business. He bought the estate, expanded it and developed everything on it from the lakes and streams to the trees and curling clubs. I get the feeling that the only place on the estate that was a prison to the six kiddies was the nursery, when they were required to take a nap each afternoon."}, {"response": 335, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (17:10)", "body": "(Linda) Saw a neat billboard for ice cream,in huge letters: DROOLING YET? I thought, you can't even begin to imagine. That's for sure! I did some big-screen drooling today, in fact (but I'll save that for 163). (Lora)So our answer to the loft question may lie in this very dialogue that Rika has provided. But Elspeth isn't in a position to know what happened in the loft. She just knows what Moira said about it. And even Moira doesn't state it as a certainty - she says, \"I suppose you've had your hands on her.\" They're guessing, just like we are. Just had a thought and will have to recheck Edward's clothing, but maybe given Edward's boyishness and impulsive behavior something happened to him (let's call it premature magma) before he could get very far in his endeavors. (Karen) Oh my! It would appear our students of Crotchology have been asleep at the wheel if that's the case. ;-) Unfortunately (from a Crotchology perspective), I'm pretty sure that Edward is shown entirely in close-ups (of his face - I know what some of you were thinking ;-0) during the moss factory scene. But I checked the following scene (in the library with Morris and the candlestick :-P), and the trousers show no signs of magma, premature or otherwise."}, {"response": 336, "author": "caribou", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (17:18)", "body": "We all know, procrastination only intensifies the sense of shock, and in this discussion, the sense of being overwhelmed as well! I knew I would be a couple of days behind but I had no idea it would amount to over 100 posts! I've read everything but may still be redundant--my apologies in advance. (Karen)Remember, there is no Heloise or mossloft incident in the book. The parents had a loving relationship, full of slanking. I am really glad they didn't \"go all the way\" with the Heloise incident. Edward was a respected man in his community, noble and upright of character, who had firm convictions and followed them to the best of his ability. I can appreciate that the moviemakers needed some dramatic tension but I am glad that they didn't totally trash his reputation. (Karen)I get the feeling that the only place on the estate that was a prison to the six kiddies was the nursery, when they were required to take a nap each afternoon. Hee! Hee! I have to agree. MLSF really does a great job of capturing memories of a childhood that has disappeared. A childhood spent in the remote Scottish highlands with memories of an eccentric father and a protective grandmother, of going to church,of fishing and curling, of things that caused wonder(Gabriel), of things that caused fear (the Hairy Man), and things that were hard to understand (relationships between adult men and women). (Elizabeth) This strikes me as the story of not one, but two males growing up, one a child and the other long since a legal, if not an emotional, adult. (Lora)This struck me the second time I watched it. I even think the last name they chose for the family is very apt as well: Pettigrew. When broken down it could be shown to mean small growth or petite spurts - bit by bit, like Fraser says at the end of the film about Edward being let back into his mother's heart again. Very good name connection which leads me to wonder about the choice of names since they didn't use the ones in the book. The one I had thought of for PETTIGREW is how Edward's wealth was PETITE at first but GREW after the reading of the will. MOIRA had MORe children and was MORe tired. (But was probably changed to Moira because it rhymes with Flora.):-) MORRIS because MORe is hIS--more money, more prestige, more houses. Gamma MACINTOSH because, like the coat, she provided the protective outer layer for the family and kept the storms of life away. FRASER who is in a particularly difficult \"FASE\" of life. GABRIEL is named after an angel which might also have wings and fly. HELOISE reminds me of HELen of Troy which was the cause of the downfall of the city and almost, of Edward."}, {"response": 337, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (17:49)", "body": "Could this movie get any more confusing? Why wouldn't they show the complete ending in our version? Makes no sense. So it actually ends with Fraser going off to school, not when Edward backs out of the room after seeing Fraser in all his glory, having a good time. Interesting. Well thanks for info. Would never have known otherwise. Are different endings for the same movie common practice? Why would they do things like that? I don't think these two endings had any cultural differences world-wide. Obviously, Edward attempted more than we see. But I honestly feel he didn't get anywhere. Definitely a struggle loosening choker which probably fell off as she was leaving loft. Men are so opaque. How customary for him to ignore wife as he obviously still tries to have some affect on Heloise after encounter although she totally refused him. I don't think Edward was aware of anything wrong with Moira during wedding photos, although Fraser certainly was. Typical of him though. I've known the band-aid on ring finger man too. I think he just found Heloise so inviting that he thought he had a right to persue regardless of consequences. I feel he didn't think there were any, as this was not a serious relationship to him, but more like an ego-building conquest. However, being refused shattered his ego so much that when they made the bet and had the fight he had to lie to make himself feel better. Again this demonstrates my previous statement of how childlike he is and how lacking in people skills, or as also described a \"Geek\". I can see a \"Geek\" reacting like this. At the end of the loft scene after he kisses her on the cheek and she backs off he still leans to her so we must assume he is not going to end it there. Good thing there weren't too many female visitors. Was watching today and laughed outloud when Fraser was reading a note written to his Granfather in one of the books where the writer, obviously a female acquaintance was stating she would like to introduce him to some new sexual favors, not in those words of course. Fraser concludes the book must be from a golfing buddy. How funny is that. So Grandfather was not above his dalliances either."}, {"response": 338, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (18:37)", "body": "(Rika)And even Moira doesn't state it as a certainty - she says, \"I suppose you've had your hands on her.\" They're guessing, just like we are. You make a good point here. I feel there are so many gaps in the film that I have a strong urge to fill in the gaps myself. This movie really frustrates me in this way. So, I must apologize for all the comments I make that come out of left field. Karen, thanks for all the references from the book you've provided. I was wondering if Edward was as childlike and immature in the book as he was in the film, even without Heloise? Even with all the flaws in his character, CF does an endearing portrayal of Edward, and, as many have pointed out already, MEM does an excellent job as the matronly mumsie. All the actors are wonderful, it's just all the things in between that are so confusing and don't add up. Caribou, I knew you'd have a field day with the names! Well done! (Pam)Obviously, Edward attempted more than we see. But I honestly feel he didn't get anywhere. Definitely a struggle loosening choker which probably fell off as she was leaving loft. Men are so opaque. How customary for him to ignore wife as he obviously still tries to have some affect on Heloise after encounter I agree that he attempted more than we see, but didn't get anywhere. But it's more that Moira has let him indulge himself in so many things that he doesn't feel guilty about this at all. It's more like he thinks he's entitled to what he wants like a spoiled child. He acts like he's Moira's first born more than her husband until he figures things out towards the end of the film. (Which makes Colin perfect for this part). (Pam)Fraser concludes the book must be from a golfing buddy. How funny is that. So Grandfather was not above his dalliances either. I heard Fraser say this too, but I was hoping that grandpa got the book during his courting days before he was married. Gamma seemed so devoted to him, and I don't think her character would have felt that way if there were dalliances. But maybe she didn't know about them, or maybe she and her daughter are a lot alike and very forgiving."}, {"response": 339, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (18:55)", "body": "I have just rewatched the loft scene that included Fraser, and the other \"loft\" scene that did not. I have come to the conclusion that the second \"loft\" scene -- the one we're all wondering about -- is not actually in the loft at all. My reason for thinking this is that in the first scene (absolutely in the loft), only two rungs of the ladder protrude above the opening of the loft. In the second scene, Heloise is shown standing in front of a ladder which keeps going on up, out of the frame. Therefore, she must be on a lower floor of the building. This would make it all even more strange -- because why would Edward make a pass at Heloise downstairs, right by the door? And that's where Fraser found the choker, so perhaps that is where the seduction attempt took place. I also wanted to mention something I find interesting in the first loft scene. After Edward makes Fraser leave, and gives Heloise the moss gift box, Heloise is touching her mouth. I seem to recall reading somewhere that touching the lips indicates sexual attraction -- subconsciously inviting the other person to kiss those lips. She just stands there touching her lips and gazing up at Edward. She doesn't looks as if she's thinking, \"what a stupid moss gift box.\" The more I watch MLSF, the more I feel we are meant to interpret Heloise as being attracted to Edward, although obviously unwilling to give in to her feelings. She finds him interesting -- earlier in the same scene she asks Fraser if the whole moss factory was Edward's invention, and comments that he is a clever man. And after he asks for a kiss as a reward for throwing moss, she refuses but then kisses him on the cheek, anyway. Why didn't she just leave well enough alone? She obviously has ambivalent feelings about him, IMO."}, {"response": 340, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (19:21)", "body": "(Lora) So, I must apologize for all the comments I make that come out of left field. Gosh, if we have to apologize for that, I have SEVERAL apologies I'd better make! ;-) (KathyF) I have just rewatched the loft scene that included Fraser, and the other \"loft\" scene that did not. I have come to the conclusion that the second \"loft\" scene -- the one we're all wondering about -- is not actually in the loft at all. My reason for thinking this is that in the first scene (absolutely in the loft), only two rungs of the ladder protrude above the opening of the loft. In the second scene, Heloise is shown standing in front of a ladder which keeps going on up, out of the frame. Therefore, she must be on a lower floor of the building. Kathy, I posted something about this last night in response to your comment about the choker being found downstairs. I'd love it if we could put our heads together and figure this out because it's confusing. So let me repeat what I wrote then: I also find this confusing. After we hear the sounds of a struggle, there's a shot of Heloise at the bottom of the ladder to the loft. She's a bit out of breath and says, \"You're behaving like a child.\" She doesn't appear to be wearing the choker, so evidently it has already fallen off. Fraser finds the choker a few steps closer to the doorway than the position of the ladder. So perhaps it was loosened, and fell off after she came downstairs. Or could the whole incident have taken place downstairs? When Heloise and Fraser are in the loft, you can see a sloped ceiling with wood beams, and that doesn't show up in the second scene... though it could just be a matter of camera angles. This would make it all even more strange -- because why would Edward make a pass at Heloise downstairs, right by the door? That was my precise thought - if they were downstairs, it would have been too public (or at least potentially public) for him to do anything at all. But the doorway doesn't show up in any of the footage before or after the kiss. So maybe they weren't downstairs then. Can anybody help out here?"}, {"response": 341, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (19:59)", "body": "(KathyF) I also wanted to mention something I find interesting in the first loft scene. After Edward makes Fraser leave, and gives Heloise the moss gift box, Heloise is touching her mouth. I seem to recall reading somewhere that touching the lips indicates sexual attraction You might be right about the significance of the lip touch, but I've always thought that mostly she's disturbed and confused by the way Edward treated Fraser, belittling him for not knowing about ecrevisse and then sending him away so abruptly. The more I watch MLSF, the more I feel we are meant to interpret Heloise as being attracted to Edward, although obviously unwilling to give in to her feelings. She finds him interesting -- earlier in the same scene she asks Fraser if the whole moss factory was Edward's invention, and comments that he is a clever man. I don't know if it's sincere or if she's just being nice to Fraser (who at this point pretty clearly worships his dad). But Edward's a dynamic man who puts his ideas (good and bad) into action, which probably makes him seem stronger than a lot of the men she meets. Plus, he's pretty darn cute and he's the StairMaster! And after he asks for a kiss as a reward for throwing moss, she refuses but then kisses him on the cheek, anyway. Why didn't she just leave well enough alone? She obviously has ambivalent feelings about him, IMO. I think she kisses him to placate him and because she thinks it's a harmless gesture. But I do think you might be right about her feelings because of their conversation leading up to the kiss. At first, when Edward is trying to impress her with his building plans, he's trying too hard and she's bored. But when the conversation turns to the moss and Morris's attitude, I sense a spark, or at least a bonding moment. That's why she throws the moss at him - there's a sense of closeness between them that allows her to be playful. Maybe she's just trying to be a friend to her future brother-in-law. Or maybe she feels sorry for him because Morris looks down his nose at Edward. But maybe there is some attraction there - not that I think she intends to do anything about it."}, {"response": 342, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (20:16)", "body": "Thanks to everyone for such well-thought out and interesting comments. Am desperately trying to keep up with the reading in the hopes of jumping back in tomorrow. Am really finding the loft/ladder/moss gift set discussion fun reading. For some reason I can't put my finger on, I don't think Heloise is all she appears in her seemingly innocent, unprovoking child/woman personna. I think, despite her protests, she probably got a kick out of Edward's advances and that leads me to think that, yes something else went on in the moss. But, to use Karen's fav. expression, no rumpy-pumpy! My vote leans to possible a very heated kiss with a little groping. And, I think she submitted willingly. Do I remember right, in that she doesn't really seem upset by anything afterwards, nor does she go out of her way to avoid Edward later on. I know I sure would, if my future BIL had tried to nail me in the moss loft and I didn't like it. And, first thing I would do is tell my fiancee, if I had nothing to hide and was ticked off. Especially, if I knew, which Heloise must, that said fiancee disliked the guy who made the advances. :))) All conjecture, keep going with the thoughts!!!!!!"}, {"response": 343, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (20:24)", "body": "(Kathy)The more I watch MLSF, the more I feel we are meant to interpret Heloise as being attracted to Edward,... I think you have something there. She sure seems to be flirting with different forms of body language, and nuances. (LOL... :\"Blame the woman\" syndrome;-)"}, {"response": 344, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (20:30)", "body": "(Rika) After we hear the sounds of a struggle, there's a shot of Heloise at the bottom of the ladder to the loft. She's a bit out of breath and says, \"You're behaving like a child.\" She doesn't appear to be wearing the choker, so evidently it has already fallen off. Fraser finds the choker a few steps closer to the doorway than the position of the ladder. So perhaps it was loosened, and fell off after she came downstairs. Or could the whole incident have taken place downstairs? When Heloise and Fraser are in the loft, you can see a sloped ceiling with wood beams, and that doesn't show up in the second scene... though it could just be a matter of camera angles. Rika, I remember reading your comments about the loft (or not loft) ceiling last night but totally forgot you mentioned the ladder. Mea culpa. In fact, I was careful to check out the ceilings today while rewatching these three scenes, and they look like different heights to me, too. As you said, the real loft has short stone walls and beams that come down at an angle. The lower room's stone walls appear to go all the way up to the ceiling. Could be camera angles, but I don't think so. Perhaps the room where the seduction attempt took place was supposed to be a little further in, and the ladder up to the loft in an entry way closer to the door. Surely Edward would not have kissed Heloise in front of the door."}, {"response": 345, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (21:00)", "body": "(Lisa) Do I remember right, in that she doesn't really seem upset by anything afterwards, nor does she go out of her way to avoid Edward later on. When she comes back in she seems pretty agitated (more so than she did when last we saw her in the moss factory, in fact). And she throws herself into Morris's arms, which is a bit odd considering that she does so in front of two people she's never met. So I think she's upset. And, first thing I would do is tell my fiancee, if I had nothing to hide and was ticked off. Especially, if I knew, which Heloise must, that said fiancee disliked the guy who made the advances. :))) If it involved a few unwanted kisses and nothing more, she may have felt it best to say nothing in the interests of family peace. But I bet she double-locked her bedroom door that night. If anything really major happened, she still might not tell Morris (perhaps fearing that she'd be blamed somehow), but I would think she'd come up with some other pretext to get Morris to take her out of there as quickly as possible. So I do think her behavior afterwards supports the kisses-but-nothing-more theory, but I don't think they were necessariy consensual."}, {"response": 346, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (21:31)", "body": "(Kate F) But watch the dinner table scene again. At some point during dessert, Heloise addresses Edward just as Moira is putting her hand over his. He pulls his hand away, almost as if he's denying Moira, like a cheating husband with a band-aid on his ring finger--\"wife? what wife?\" (don't laugh, I actually saw this once!) That must have hurt (Karen) That's another, small but brilliant touch (or untouch, as the case may be) of rejection. Moira's face shows it all, while Edward's is fixated on Heloise across the table; he's aware of no one else. I noticed this, too, and was fascinated by it. It's like being around someone you like, and wanting desperately to convey your attraction to him, but there's some other guy (say a friend) with you who takes that moment to act possessive. You want to scream, \"I'm not with him! Not like that!\" I felt that was what Edward was doing. So, yes, denying and rejecting Moira, and very publicly. I feel like I'm taking up too much space here, but I spend the whole day thinking about what I want to say, and then I have to hurry up and say it before my son reappears and tosses me off his computer."}, {"response": 347, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (22:46)", "body": "(Kathy)I'm not with him! Not like that!\" I commented on this scene earlier today. I was fascinated by the touch/untouch moment, but more amazed over Edward's obvious oblivion(sp) to the conversation about moral. He participated, but acts as though it never hits home. (Karen)Oh my! It would appear our students of Crotchology have been asleep at the wheel if that's the case. ;-) If it was there, I'd a seen it! Even in my sleep! (Kathy)And after he asks for a kiss as a reward for throwing moss, she refuses but then kisses him on the cheek, anyway. Why didn't she just leave well enough alone? She obviously has ambivalent feelings about him, IMO. This is another reason why this whole scene, and what follows is so confusing. I can't, no matter how convincing some of the posts are, believe that we aren't meant to think something more happened. Maybe not a complete slank, but close to it. Or, is all of the confusion simply due to the editing?"}, {"response": 348, "author": "caribou", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (23:08)", "body": "(Kate F) But watch the dinner table scene again. At some point during dessert, Heloise addresses Edward just as Moira is putting her hand over his. (Karen) That's another, small but brilliant touch (or untouch, as the case may be) of rejection. I interpreted that one differently. I'm working from memory here, so am quite possibly wrong, but doesn't Moira say\"...perfectly free of sin in their hearts\" right as she reaches for Edward's hand. Her body language here says to me \"just like my dear Edward\" and when he pulls his away his body language says, \"uh, let's not talk about that right now\". Consequently, I see this as the beginning of a guilty conscience on his part. Months later, as Halloween nears, Andrew comments to Fraser that he (Edward) had not been himself lately. So, he is not the same man after the encounter. If he truly believed what he preached, even what we saw him do in the loft would create a moral dilemma for the man."}, {"response": 349, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (23:13)", "body": ""}, {"response": 350, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (23:14)", "body": "About time you got here, Caribou!! I was going to email you. Love your interpretations of their names. Always entertaining and creative. Now, where is Bryonny? (Rika) As others have noted, this movie is a coming of age story for both Fraser and Edward; however, Edward's journey is by far the more dramatically compelling of the two I wonder if that's because we're a little (ahem) biased toward the Stairmaster??? ;-) There's another crucial element at work in the Fraser coming-of-age story that hasn't been mentioned yet, but is affected by what he does perceive about his father, regardless of whether it's accurate or understandable. MLSF is also a story of a son's separation from his father, where the father is finally seen as not only a mere mortal, but a very flawed one as well. Fraser starts out the movie worshiping his father (\"he's an inventor and a genius\") but, by the end, Fraser has embraced everything his father has preached against (jazz and the pseudo strong drink symbolized by the brandy snifter). (Linda) He is sparring with Heloise at the table about morals, but it's almost as if he does not apply her words to his own actions. Oh, the hypocrite. ;-) (Lora) Does Edward blow his nose again during this last explanation? ;-) I guess he's already wet from being in the loch ;-P. I've never seen that other ending, as it was only shown theatrically in the other countries. (Rika) But I checked the following scene (in the library with Morris and the candlestick :-P) LOL! Too bad he didn't hit him over the head with candlestick. (Caribou) I can appreciate that the moviemakers needed some dramatic tension but I am glad that they didn't totally trash his reputation. As I recall, Forman really seemed to hate his father, so I guess Edward came off pretty good. Probably wouldn't have fit into the Miramax mold to have a more antagonistic or hateful relationship in this kind of sweet movie. (Lora) It's more like he thinks he's entitled to what he wants like a spoiled child. I see this too. (Kathy) I have come to the conclusion that the second \"loft\" scene -- the one we're all wondering about -- is not actually in the loft at all. (Rika) So maybe they weren't downstairs then. Can anybody help out here? Edward is in the process of showing her his construction plans, so it is very likely he might be on the first floor. So who is going to write Hugh Hudson and ask? (Kathy) After Edward makes Fraser leave, and gives Heloise the moss gift box, Heloise is touching her mouth. I seem to recall reading somewhere that touching the lips indicates sexual attraction -- subconsciously inviting the other person to kiss those lips. She just stands there touching her lips and gazing up at Edward. She doesn't looks as if she's thinking, \"what a stupid moss gift box.\" Very true. A guy like Edward could get the wrong idea, couldn't he? He did have to look up that word. ;-) (Lisa) I don't think Heloise is all she appears in her seemingly innocent, unprovoking child/woman personna. I think, despite her protests, she probably got a kick out of Edward's advances and that leads me to think that, yes something else went on in the moss...My vote leans to possible a very heated kiss with a little groping. And, I think she submitted willingly. That was how I always interpreted the scene because that would give Edward the ability to claim having \"had\" Morris' woman. Well, sort of. (Lisa) And, first thing I would do is tell my fiancee, if I had nothing to hide and was ticked off. Especially, if I knew, which Heloise must, that said fiancee disliked the guy who made the advances. :))) Very logical and we know she didn't do it, otherwise Edward would've had a broken nose at a minimum. Either she felt culpable or she felt her position in this family was too new to cause problems. (Rika) When she comes back in she seems pretty agitated But isn't that when she realizes she has lost the family heirloom choker and, of course, makes no effort to go back and find it, the item she was planning to wear at her wedding? ;-) (Rika) And she throws herself into Morris's arms, which is a bit odd considering that she does so in front of two people she's never met. So I think she's upset. Didn't she glance at Edward first, before throwing herself in Morris' arms. I thought she did it specifically to show him."}, {"response": 351, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Aug  2, 2002 (00:29)", "body": "(lindak) This is another reason why this whole scene, and what follows is so confusing. I can't, no matter how convincing some of the posts are, believe that we aren't meant to think something more happened. Maybe not a complete slank, but close to it. Or, is all of the confusion simply due to the editing? I can't believe it was just a kiss. There had to have been something, if not slanking, then maybe a little roll in the moss, some grope and grab? There are several reasons to suspect something more intimate transpired. (Kate F) When you see Edward walk in on Morris, Edward doesn't look at all embarrassed, or even smug. And given Edward's childishness, he'd be unable to avoid gloating. And the reference to \"exotic child bride\" would be more leering than disparaging if Edward had been successful with Heloise. I thought Edward seemed quite mellow after returning to the house. It's true, he isn't gloating and that would seem called for, in light of Edward and Morris' relationship, had full-blown slanking occurred. However, when Morris points out the moss on his clothes, Edward just picks a little off and says \"can't get away from it.\" He doesn't even rise to the bait when Morris tells him to leave the alcohol for the guests, instead of putting it away to please Gamma. Edward actually bows to Morris and puts the alcohol back! I feel Edward must be somewhat satisfied with whatever has happened with Heloise. It seems to me that, had he been shot down entirely in his attempts with her, he would have returned to the house in a very angry mood. And the way he moves around Morris, hovering over him, seemed like he was almost toying with him. The only time Edward gets slightly riled is when Morris threatens him with cutbacks for the moss factory. And even then, Edward remains comparatively calm. And then there's the question of that moss... (Karen) ...they had thrown moss at each other earlier, which is the same moss in his hair and on his clothes later. It appears to me that Edward has considerably more moss in the later scene than he had right after Heloise threw the moss at him. Right after she throws it, you can see a little on the right side of his back. Later, in the house, it's in his hair, on the back of his collar, right lapel, left lapel, left shoulder. Lots more moss. Of course, this could be a continuity thing, or it could be an effort to fit with Morris' dialogue, which mentions hanks of moss hanging off Edward's clothing and hair. Add to all this the fact that Edward returned to the house first, and Heloise later. Had she been running away from him, she would have come in first. Instead, she just comes in and checks her image in the mirror and tries to straighten up a little, looking for her choker in her clothes. Not the actions of someone who has just been \"attacked.\" Strange, though, that Heloise isn't the least bit \"mossy.\" Perhaps she took more time than Edward to remove the moss, and that's why she came back later. Or not. Very confusing film. I think one thing one minute, and another the next."}, {"response": 352, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Aug  2, 2002 (00:51)", "body": "(Rika) When she comes back in she seems pretty agitated (more so than she did when last we saw her in the moss factory, in fact). And she throws herself into Morris's arms, which is a bit odd considering that she does so in front of two people she's never met. So I think she's upset. (Karen) But isn't that when she realizes she has lost the family heirloom choker and, of course, makes no effort to go back and find it, the item she was planning to wear at her wedding? Yes, worried about the choker. However, other than that, she sounds rather breathless and looks a little flushed and starry-eyed, like someone who just had a roll in the moss with the Stairmaster! ;-)"}, {"response": 353, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Aug  2, 2002 (01:03)", "body": "Remember ladies, Edward has a very high opinion of himself and obviously has his own justification for his actions. Therefore when Heloise is speaking of moral conduct he gives the opinion it would apply to the average person but not him as he feels he is of a higer morality. Also he doesn't feel he's done anything wrong. As Moira lets him persue whatever he wants, this persuit is just another prize to be gained. The choker could have just fallen off downstairs. Doesn't necessarily mean it fell off on physical contact. I think she was agitated as the first thing Morris says to her when she enters the room is \"are you all right?\" So he can see she's troubled. Then she touches her neck and realizes the choker is missing. I don't think she could have gone right back to the loft as the guests had just arrived. I also feel she didn't say anything to keep the peace because if she didn't care for the adults she certainly did care for those kids and wouldn't have hurt them. If Morris made an issue, which f course he would have done, and rightly so, the children would have been hurt as a result. Being that this was a relationship added for the movie and not in the book itself, there is no way of confirming any interpretations unless we can get it from the screen writer. So unfortunately all analysis is left to conjecture. Honestly, I don't think he got anywhere other than grabbing at her and she, atleast by the vocal rejections we heard wasn't having any of it. He just wanted her and that was that. And in ignoring Moira in front of her was his way of \"proving to her\" that he still wanted her. He had alot of growing up to do. I don't think they could have left because wasn't that the time they were getting married? So she couldn't really have Morris leave then so she was stuck. But it seemed a good amount of time had passed before they returned for the game. Edward was used to getting his way and winning. Obviously he couldn't do anything physically about it because she was gone. So suppose he worked up in his mind the loft as a partial success; he did physically touch her and kiss her no matter how it really was, which enabled him to consciously say he had won the bet months before and to have the guts to say so in public at the reading of the will. Which of course was a major mistake. But again, at all costs, he had to be proven the winner. Whether he did or not in reality, obviously is not the issue here. In his mind he did and was proud of the fact or he never would have boasted of it as he did. Another feather in his cap, better because it was Morris' feather, although initially this was not a factor. He was totally in awe of her from the first time he saw her, as was everyone else in the house so it seems, except for Moira and Gamma of course. Not unusual for a child of Fraser's age to want to do exactly what his father is against. Very natural and common behavior. Remember when Gamma was sloshed and said her husband thought all women were prostitutes in one way or another. His books and personal things were so well hidden. I'm not too sure he wasn't a dilly dallier."}, {"response": 354, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Aug  2, 2002 (01:22)", "body": "Another slight intermission... Currently watching La Femme Nikita with Tchecky Karyo - Gabriel in MLSF. Very well done movie! Limited dialogue (less subtitle reading required), but it wasn't needed. OK, back to the feature presentation...."}, {"response": 355, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  2, 2002 (08:13)", "body": "(Kate F) When you see Edward walk in on Morris, Edward doesn't look at all embarrassed, or even smug. And given Edward's childishness, he'd be unable to avoid gloating. (Kathy) And the way he moves around Morris, hovering over him, seemed like he was almost toying with him. As I said earlier, the body language tells me Edward wants to provoke Morris. I used to believe it was smugness, but am not sure. If I'd had to describe it to Colin in my follow-up question, it would've been \"trying to get in Morris' face.\" He wants to be noticed. Why? Because of the moss hanging all over him? Maybe. Who knows what he might have said to Morris if the guests had not shown up. He might have said, \"well, Morris, I've been rolling around in that worthless moss with your exotic child-bride. Nice way to spend an afternoon. I recommend it highly. Heloise certainly enjoyed it too.\" (Kathy) It appears to me that Edward has considerably more moss in the later scene than he had right after Heloise threw the moss at him....Of course, this could be a continuity thing I'd go with continuity to be realistic. ;-)"}, {"response": 356, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Aug  2, 2002 (08:48)", "body": "Was looking for a photo and came across this. I'm sure it's not new to a lot of you, but may be a first time for some! LA Times, August 10, 1997 About his character: \"You play some of these scenes and you wonder if there's any redemption to him at all,\" reflects Firth. \"There's a high level of play about Edward. He clearly has a love for his family, adores his life, thinks it's paradise. But his folly threatens it all. And at times you think he's unspeakable and lacks compassion. It's a fine line to walk.\" More from the LA Times interview Loch Eck, Scotland - Actor Colin Firth, clad in striped one-piece 1920s-style swimsuit, runs along the lake shore to a small wooden jetty with three young boys, white towels 'round their waist, in pursuit. Firth jumps into the bitterly chill water (estimated temperature 4-degrees Celsius), but the boys skid to a halt at the jetty's end. Teeth chattering and breathless with cold, he vainly urges them to join him. Then he emerges from the freezing lake to a hearty round of applause from director Hugh Hudson and his crew on \"World of Moss\". \"You''ve earned your money today Colin,\" says one. Firth nods mutely. He's been hearing about this scene all day in series of jokes from crew members. It's not only that Firth would have to brave the bitter cold of the icy loch; the other source of mirth is that he became a major name in Britain partly as result of another scene in which he got soaked."}, {"response": 357, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  2, 2002 (09:39)", "body": "Thanks for posting the article, Lisa. Great fun reading that account. And from that, we can assume he only did it once. estimated temperature 4-degrees Celsius I wonder if, in the US, a child actor would be barred from performing this stunt. Child labor laws???"}, {"response": 358, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug  2, 2002 (10:25)", "body": "Thanks Lisa for the article. I keep wondering why this film has never been shown on TV cable."}, {"response": 359, "author": "caribou", "date": "Fri, Aug  2, 2002 (16:20)", "body": "(Karen)As I recall, Forman really seemed to hate his father, I am all astonishment! The ungrateful brat!! Who his father was (as portrayed by MLSF) is very clearly why he is what he is -- opinionated: I guess he wanted to say to the world, \"You wouldn't believe my Dad!\" sentimental: unsentimental people don't look back at anything wistfully lover of music: different from Dad's but still a lover and, willing to work with emerging technology: became instrumental in that new-fangled business of TV. He owes a lot to his father whether he is willing to admit it or not. (Karen)...so I guess Edward came off pretty good. Probably wouldn't have fit into the Miramax mold to have a more antagonistic or hateful relationship in this kind of sweet movie. Definitely, very good in light of that news. Am so glad that Hugh Hudson and Miramax could appreciate the man more. More antagonistic and hateful wouldn't have fit with Fraser's age either, so it is best. (Karen)About time you got here, Caribou!! I was going to email you I wasn't very many days behind but many, many posts! Good to see such enthusiasm. Love your interpretations of their names. Always entertaining and creative. Many, many thanks. I have so much fun thinking of them and the best part is the writers will never tell me I'm wrong. (They will also never tell me I'm right, but that's beside the point!;-) )"}, {"response": 360, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Aug  2, 2002 (18:49)", "body": "Caribou, and anyone else, here is the link for the page where I copied the article excerpts from the LA Times. They have an interview with the author and go into his relationship with his father from his perspective and discuss his portrayal of their relationship in the book. http://colinfirthrolespage.tripod.com/mlsf.html"}, {"response": 361, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug  2, 2002 (19:58)", "body": "Thanks Lisa for the roles page articles CF:\" The movie is behind schedule, a nuisance since he had arranged to go on a trip in 2 days' time, which he has decided to make anyway. 'I've been a bit distracted sorting things out and packing up,' he explains.\" He was off to Italy.He got married a few weeks later. MEM later said in an interview that they all packed up after the shoot and took off to Cita de Pieve(sp?) Actually, I think he had to return during the summer to re-shoot some scenes."}, {"response": 362, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Aug  2, 2002 (21:30)", "body": "(Kathy)However, other than that, she sounds rather breathless and looks a little flushed and starry-eyed, like someone who just had a roll in the moss with the Stairmaster! ;-) Who wouldn't;-))) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------"}, {"response": 363, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Aug  3, 2002 (00:07)", "body": "Thanks for the link, Lisa. I followed that one to Lisbeth's Timeline and enjoyed that one, too. (Colin)It's a rigorously truthful film and any truthful story is a wonderful thing. Just had to quote that because I like it when he talks about storytelling. :-) (Hugh Hudson-director)...Edward is a child at play in the adult world. Probably explains why I like him so much. And, now ladies, if you are looking for a way to pamper yourself this weekend, of which even the ultra-clean Edward would approve, you should visit www.pamperingpotions.com. I did a product search for \"moss\" and came up with two pages. Soap, lotion, and even candles--all of them, as George in You've Got Mail would say: mossy! The Seamoss Energising Bath & Shower Therapy even has a Darcy connection. It also contains horsechestnut!:-)"}, {"response": 364, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug  3, 2002 (00:48)", "body": "(Caribou) but doesn't Moira say\"...perfectly free of sin in their hearts\" right as she reaches for Edward's hand. Her body language here says to me \"just like my dear Edward\" and when he pulls his away his body language says, \"uh, let's not talk about that right now\". Yes, that is what she says although it starts with \"dogs,\" which Edward is also like. ;-) Some might also construe his hand withdrawal as not wanting her help in this argument, as in \"Mumsy, I can do this myself.\" Another possibility, but he does look so intrigued with Heloise at the time. Right after that exchange is another humdinger for Moira. With these kind of hints, how could she not have figured out what had happened: E: The Christian faith is a very muscular thing, Heloise. It isn't damaged by ridicule. It's much stronger than . . . H: Temptation? Than duty? Than what? What is it much stronger than? Heloise really knows how to stick it to him! ;-) (Kathy) she sounds rather breathless and looks a little flushed and starry-eyed, like someone who just had a roll in the moss with the Stairmaster! ;-) True, or the moss factory was far away from the main house and she had to run, having missed the final moss cigar shuttle of the day. ;-) (Pam) Also he doesn't feel he's done anything wrong. Even someone with a high opinion of themselves would have to know he'd done something wrong, especially with the kind of morality that had been drilled into Edward. The real Adam Forman met the Smith brothers (aka MacIntoshs, not the cough drop guys) at school. The head master of that school was famous for the way he molded his boys to have the right Character, which was described as \"something between that of Arnold at Rugby and the concept of Scouting to be promoted in the next century by Baden-Powell....The Head's character requirements were that a boy be manly, truthful, pure and a sportsman.\" Each of these elements is described in more detail, but the one on purity is as follows: \"Purity must have meant freedom from sexual fantasies, avoiding masturbation and not getting into bed with other boys.\" (Pam) In his mind he did and was proud of the fact or he never would have boasted of it as he did. Another feather in his cap, better because it was Morris' feather, although initially this was not a factor. Good point, though, that the attraction was real and his pursuit of her was not to \"get Morris.\" (Caribou) He owes a lot to his father whether he is willing to admit it or not. I'm sure he'd acknowledge his family's love of music and the arts, but I think his dislike of his father had to do with religion (must peruse that section) and the rigidity of his attitudes."}, {"response": 365, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug  3, 2002 (00:51)", "body": "Also, by titling his book, \"Son of Adam,\" I think he is acknowledging his father's influence."}, {"response": 366, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sat, Aug  3, 2002 (10:10)", "body": "(Sorry, forgot who said this since I copied it, but then proceeded to catch up on posts from other topics)Very logical and we know she didn't do it, otherwise Edward would've had a broken nose at a minimum. Either she felt culpable or she felt her position in this family was too new to cause problems. I'm not sure Heloise didn't tell Morris about her moss encounter with Edward. Remember before Morris hits Edward he calls him a lothario. That's what made me feel that Heloise had told Morris something (though she may have not told him all just like the movie doesn't tell its audience all). There are no other examples in the movie to support Edward being a lothario, so I figured Heloise told Morris something."}, {"response": 367, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sat, Aug  3, 2002 (10:31)", "body": "Karen, I went back and saw it was your quote. Where would Morris get lothario from if not Heloise, or has Morris been figuring things out like Moira? Plus doesn't lothario mean more than one woman? Here we go again with all the gaps in this film ;-). (Karen)MLSF is also a story of a son's separation from his father, where the father is finally seen as not only a mere mortal, but a very flawed one as well. Fraser starts out the movie worshiping his father (\"he's an inventor and a genius\") but, by the end, Fraser has embraced everything his father has preached against (jazz and the pseudo strong drink symbolized by the brandy snifter). You make a very wise point here and this is also part of the process of a boy coming of age where one begins to separate and distinguish oneself from parents in order to more easily leave the nest. That makes the UK endings fit a lot better into what's happening in Fraser's life (going off to boarding school). His father's explanations have never made any sense to Fraser, even as he goes off to school. But will his questions better be answered out in the real world? Maybe when you compare that to Edward's way of answering his son's life questions. They really only communicated well when they woofed at each other. After that Fraser grew leaps and bounds above Edward in the way he tried to figure out life."}, {"response": 368, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sat, Aug  3, 2002 (10:41)", "body": "Lisa, thanks for that MLSF link. Very insteresting stuff and to go back in time to when it was being released. One of those MLSF posters reminded me of the poster from TIOBE with the picnic on the lawn scene (the one that Rika enlarged on her camera :-))."}, {"response": 369, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Aug  3, 2002 (12:30)", "body": "(Caribou) He owes a lot to his father whether he is willing to admit it or not. (Karen)I'm sure he'd acknowledge his family's love of music and the arts, but I think his dislike of his father had to do with religion (must peruse that section) and the rigidity of his attitudes. Let us know what the section says. His reaction to his father's religion is not uncommon. I often think of how we are formed in rebellion to and in conformity to our families. What we choose to rebel against and conform to makes us our own unique persons. I also think Denis can have strong opinions against religion because his father had strong opinions for . He is probably more like his father than he can see. (Karen)Also, by titling his book, \"Son of Adam,\" I think he is acknowledging his father's influence. Excellent point! Now I feel better. He has also portrayed his father truthfully (as CF points out), despite his feelings, and has recorded his father's life for each individual to judge as it suits them. (Karen)MLSF is also a story of a son's separation from his father, where the father is finally seen as not only a mere mortal, but a very flawed one as well. (Lora)You make a very wise point here and this is also part of the process of a boy coming of age where one begins to separate and distinguish oneself from parents in order to more easily leave the nest. That makes the UK endings fit a lot better into what's happening in Fraser's life (going off to boarding school). It always seems sad even though it's actually a natural and necessary part of everyone's life. Someone once told me, \"God knew you'd have a hard time letting go of your children so, he made them teenagers first.\":-) (Lora)They really only communicated well when they woofed at each other. I absolutely love that part of the movie! I know (at least) two very intelligent, eccentric men and one says \"Woof\" and the other \"Moo\"! BTW, Lisbeth's Timeline contains a quote from the book about an incident when Adam barked but wished he hadn't. It's worth searching for."}, {"response": 370, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Aug  3, 2002 (14:35)", "body": "Some might also construe his hand withdrawal as not wanting her help in this argument, as in \"Mumsy, I can do this myself.\" Another possibility, but he does look so intrigued with Heloise at the time. To me, it's this latter point. He doesn't acknowledge Moira with so much as a flick of the eye when he removes his hand. He is totally focused on Heloise and I think wants neither any distraction nor to be \"claimed\" by another woman in Heloise's presence. And I think those are precisely Moira's reasons for touching his hand to begin with - to try to bring Edward mentally back to her side of the table and to say to Heloise, \"This is MY husband.\" (Karen) E: The Christian faith is a very muscular thing, Heloise. It isn't damaged by ridicule. It's much stronger than . . . H: Temptation? Than duty? Than what? What is it much stronger than? Yes, even if Moira hadn't been suspicious before, this would have clinched it. I wonder if Gamma didn't notice something at dinner too. There's one close-up where she looks very disturbed, and nothing else is really going on that would cause her to be so. Maybe that's why she takes refuge in the sherry trifle. (Lora) I'm not sure Heloise didn't tell Morris about her moss encounter with Edward. Remember before Morris hits Edward he calls him a lothario. That's what made me feel that Heloise had told Morris something (though she may have not told him all just like the movie doesn't tell its audience all). There are no other examples in the movie to support Edward being a lothario, so I figured Heloise told Morris something. If she did tell Morris anything, I don't think she did it immediately, because if she had I really believe Morris would have beaten Edward to a pulp and taken Heloise away from Kiloran at once. She might have said something later on, I suppose. But in her letter to Edward she said, \"No one need ever know.\" I think Morris might have pieced together on his own that something had happened. I don't think he had a clue the night of the dinner - he seems to just be enjoying Heloise's baiting of Edward. I think Morris is also enjoying Heloise's very affectionate behavior towards him (not realizing that it's aimed at Edward). But maybe there were other hints later. And Edward's behavior at the bonspiel, with his comment, \"What makes you think she's yours to bet?\", might have been a big eye-opener."}, {"response": 371, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sat, Aug  3, 2002 (17:27)", "body": "(Rika)If she did tell Morris anything, I don't think she did it immediately, because if she had I really believe Morris would have beaten Edward to a pulp and taken Heloise away from Kiloran at once. She might have said something later on, I suppose. But in her letter to Edward she said, \"No one need ever know.\" I agree and should have been more clear that Heloise would have told Morris later after their wedding perhaps. The two of them definitely come back to Kiloran in the wintertime (for bonspiel) with a certain confidence in each other (that wasn't as apparent as before) and a newly formed bond, it seems. Maybe it was her sharing that with him, being (semi?)honest, that helped create that bond. When she writes, \"No one need ever know,\" I think she may be protecting herself and the trust she has created in her marriage, so that it goes no further. I think, at the time, she was also semi-curious about Edward. After all, he is handsome and younger (than Morris), and she's about to spend the rest of her life with a much older man. She does throw the moss at Edward first (in the second moss scene). But in the end, she must see how Morris can offer her a more stable, financially secure life (at a time when war is looming as well). She sees how Edward is so childish, hypocritical, and irresponsible with money. And at the end of the movie, we see that Edward has to sell Kiloran since he had managed it so poorly."}, {"response": 372, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sat, Aug  3, 2002 (17:57)", "body": "And at the end of the movie, we see that Edward has to sell Kiloran since he had managed it so poorly. My copy didn't end like that!"}, {"response": 373, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug  3, 2002 (18:24)", "body": "When the film ends, they tell you what happened to the family and to Fraser and how he grew up to be a big powerful man. But the first said: \"As the world moved towards war, Fraser's family was forced to sell their beloved Kiloran.\" Mismanagement is a possibility, taxes another. Could be others, but it does say \"forced.\""}, {"response": 374, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Aug  3, 2002 (19:46)", "body": "I watched several scenes of MLSF last night to see things I missed or misinterpreted. I have a different thought on the magma discussion. I know several posts talked about the fact that since Edward was an inventor etc. that it was surprising he didn't know what magma was. I replayed the exchange between Fraser and Edward several times, and I don't think Edward is asking what's magma. Fraser says it's like magma, only thicker. Edward says ah wot's like magma? I think he knows what Fraser is saying, but is embarassed to come right out and talk about-well you know... I also think Fraser, several times, knows exactly what he's asking his father to explain but is just trying to get a rise (no pun intended) out of him, because he knows the sex talk is a very difficult thing for him. I got the impression he already knows what an orgy is-he does quite a bit of reading before this scene, but he's actually trying to make his father squirm."}, {"response": 375, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sat, Aug  3, 2002 (21:29)", "body": "(lindak). I got the impression he already knows what an orgy is-he does quite a bit of reading before this scene, but he's actually trying to make his father squirm. Or testing his father to see if he'll tell Fraser the truth or side-step the issue. Part of his changing view of his father. Karen, I like your observation about Fraser's 180-degree change in his opinion of his father. Very much a part of growing up, although a greater amount of disenchantment than most kids have about their parents as they come to see the flaws. (Caribou)I did a product search for \"moss\" and came up with two pages. LOL! My town had a street fair today, and one of the crafters had hand-made soap. Well, of course I had to ask. At first the thought I meant seaweed. But I said, no, moss. He said he'd never heard of moss soap. He tried to be polite, but I suspect he thought I was insane."}, {"response": 376, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Aug  4, 2002 (00:37)", "body": "Caribou: What a wise person who gave the quote on teenagers. How relevant and accurate. Thanks for sharing. Sorry Karen, am trying to do italics and folowing instructions and using correct tags but it's not working."}, {"response": 377, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  4, 2002 (08:18)", "body": "I will email you, Pam. It's easiest that way."}, {"response": 378, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Aug  4, 2002 (14:39)", "body": "I wanted to make some comments about the music in the movie (probably TMI for most people, so I'll apologize in advance). I read somewhere that Harvey W. ordered a revised sound track before the film was released. I would have loved to have heard the original to see how it changed. Of course they had to include some Beethoven since it's one of Edward's passions. The Fifth Symphony is used, among other things, for the casting lesson and Fraser's fishing trips. And we just barely hear Fur Elise in the background during the scene where Fraser has pneumonia and catches Gamma with her teeth out. The choice of Fur Elise could have been a play on Heloise's name, but probably not, because it's used at a point in the film where she's not at the estate and not really driving anything that happens. The Appassionata Sonata is used to underscore Fraser's anger when Edward belittles him in front of Heloise and sends him away from the moss loft. A good choice - it's fiery, passionate music that matches Fraser's mood as he rejects his father and discovers the secret library. It's interesting that we see Fraser \"playing\" the sonata on a player piano - I'm sure most of the pianola rolls in the house were of Beethoven. Then there's the slow movement from String Quartet 135, which is used more or less as Edward's Angst Theme. I love this piece - it has so much depth of feeling and pathos. I believe it is first used when the letter from Heloise arrives in the mail, continuing through to the scene in Edward's study as he reads the letter. It is used again at the wake, near the end of Moira's rant (it starts when the camera lands on Edward in a tight close-up), and continues as Edward walks slowly down the stairs, and then sits in his study that night. They subtly wove references to Beethoven into a few other parts of the soundtrack, too. For example, when Fraser is on the roof and he and Edward are barking at one another, there's a repeated four-note motif in the music that has the same rhythm, and almost (but not quite) the same notes as the famous \"bmm bmm bmm BMM\" theme from the Fifth Symphony. And there's just a short quote of \"Fur Elise\" before Edward appears in the lake, wearing his wet-suit invention. I also like the way jazz music is used as a sort of unofficial theme for Morris. His early scenes are all underscored by jazz music, which serves to underline the breadth of the Edward/Morris conflict. They agree on so little \ufffd not even music."}, {"response": 379, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Aug  4, 2002 (16:04)", "body": "Okay, so I got way too serious talking about the music, so it's time to get entirely shallow and superficial. And I have just the thing. There's something that has not yet been mentioned in our discussion.... and yet it's hard to find a film discussion that doesn't at least briefly touch on this topic. So I invite you to visit a little homage to one specific aspect of Edward's clothing (and, no, I'm not talking about left vs. right ;-D): http://www.geocities.com/rika9150/cf/mssf.html"}, {"response": 380, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sun, Aug  4, 2002 (16:28)", "body": "(Lindak) Morris: You're a shabby little lothario, you're a joke (Lora) I'm not sure Heloise didn't tell Morris about her moss encounter with Edward. Remember before Morris hits Edward he calls him a lothario. That's what made me feel that Heloise had told Morris something (though she may have not told him all just like the movie doesn't tell its audience all). There are no other examples in the movie to support Edward being a lothario, so I figured Heloise told Morris something. (Lora) Where would Morris get lothario from if not Heloise, or has Morris been figuring things out like Moira? Plus doesn't lothario mean more than one woman? This line really bothers me, because up until Heloise appears on the scene, Edward seems totally in love with Moira. They are always cuddling and seem thoroughly happy, not at all like a couple in trouble. Shortly after Morris first arrives (sans Heloise), Gamma tells him, \"Edward worships Moira, and Moira adores him.\" If Edward were actually a lothario, wouldn't Gamma see it? Wouldn't Moira? (Rika) If she did tell Morris anything, I don't think she did it immediately, because if she had I really believe Morris would have beaten Edward to a pulp and taken Heloise away from Kiloran at once. She might have said something later on, I suppose. But in her letter to Edward she said, \"No one need ever know.\" An excellent point, because had Heloise actually told Morris, I don't think she could have sworn him to secrecy. And, had Moira suspected Edward of any previous flings, surely she would have brought them up when she was on a roll at the funeral. If she had more ammo, she would have fired it off, IMO. Perhaps Morris is using \"lothario\" in a broader sense -- referring to Edward's enthusiasm for slanking, and Moira's many pregnancies as evidence. Only Edward's boast of \"I've already won it. I'm not talking about the estate either, Morris. I won the bet months ago\" sends Morris over the edge. Until that moment, I don't think he had any idea that Heloise and Edward might have had a sexual encounter. Of course, he would have to be a complete idiot to miss Edward's infatuation with Heloise."}, {"response": 381, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Aug  4, 2002 (16:29)", "body": "I love your explanation of all the music, Rika. It's not too serious at all. It puts a lot more meaning into the sound of Beethoven in the movie than just the sound of God when he's sleeping. (Rika)The choice of Fur Elise could have been a play on Heloise's name, but probably not, because it's used at a point in the film where she's not at the estate and not really driving anything that happens. But I think you're right, it is a play on Heloise's name and perhaps used to signify her absence. It's in homage to her. Her absence is felt. Fraser even remarks that the house was so quiet. It was uneventful without her."}, {"response": 382, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sun, Aug  4, 2002 (16:29)", "body": ""}, {"response": 383, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Aug  4, 2002 (16:49)", "body": "Your link to Edward's socks really covers the long and short of it ;-). (Kathy)Perhaps Morris is using \"lothario\" in a broader sense -- referring to Edward's enthusiasm for slanking, and Moira's many pregnancies as evidence. I just don't see a proper use of the term lothario for activities with one's own wife. Like the children said it's something you do with someone you love. (Kathy)Only Edward's boast of \"I've already won it. I'm not talking about the estate either, Morris. I won the bet months ago\" sends Morris over the edge. Until that moment, I don't think he had any idea that Heloise and Edward might have had a sexual encounter. Of course, he would have to be a complete idiot to miss Edward's infatuation with Heloise. Their conversation and Edward's boast at the bonspiel is evidence that Morris could use to call him a lothario and suspect they had a sexual encounter. Although, when Heloise said at the dinner table that you can't do a bad thing and be a good man, you can't have it both ways - that might have helped Morris start putting it all together too (like Moira had already started doing). Maybe Morris was unsure how many times they were together, if Heloise had told him nothing."}, {"response": 384, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  4, 2002 (17:05)", "body": "Sock it to us, Rika! Love it and thanks for the great visual \"support\" (probably the knee-highs). Back later to comment on the weekend's gleanings, but am going to delete Kathy's repeat post to make it easier. No big deal. :)"}, {"response": 385, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Aug  4, 2002 (17:23)", "body": "RIKA Great stuff. Thank you so much. KATHY I think he meant it in the broader sense too. I watched it again this morning and I watched Morris' face when Edward told him he won the bet. There was a definite element of surprise before he punched him. Men view things differently from women. Morris may very well not have picked up on anything because he was so sure of Heloise because of the way she was with him that he didn't consider anything like that as a possibility. Edward and his ramblings I think Morris always took with a grain of salt, possibly not really hearing what he says, you know in one ear and out the other, as I have the impression he never gave any serious creedence to Edward or what he said or thought, so he would dismiss him. Still trying to figure out relationship of Uncle Crawford and his wife to Gamma. Must be lost in editing. But they are always there so I feel they are related and living there. In the opeing scene the wife is hugging Moira when Fraser is on the roof, and really visibly shaken at the funeral and sitting with the family as well as present at dinner party. And at the Bonspiel Fraser calls him Uncle Crawford. So obviously related somehow."}, {"response": 386, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug  4, 2002 (18:06)", "body": "(Rika) I read somewhere that Harvey W. ordered a revised sound track before the film was released. I would have loved to have heard the original to see how it changed. I seem to remember Harvey added the jazz. Great stuff on the music, Rika. I always think it's a great part of a film. Like in P&P *sigh*. Nice pic page. Ooops you caught him off guard with the towel flying.... Personally I always go for the blue suit at the dinner table. Actually, I think I acquired that in Keepsakes years ago."}, {"response": 387, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Sun, Aug  4, 2002 (18:14)", "body": "I adore the socks, Rika, thanks! (Totally OT, I'm a big fan of socks; they're actually fast and easy to knit once you master the knack of turning the heels. ) The description of the UK ending echoed something I wondered about the facts-of-life scene...it almost looked to me as if Edward didn't know what the f-word was when Frasier asked about it. Interesting!"}, {"response": 388, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sun, Aug  4, 2002 (19:16)", "body": "(Karen) Back later to comment on the weekend's gleanings, but am going to delete Kathy's repeat post to make it easier. No big deal. :) Sorry! It didn't seem to go anywhere the first time, so I attributed to PMS (Possessed Mouse Syndrome) and hit submit again. Will I ever conquer this? *groan* Rika, thanks for the music info. The soundtrack is so important to the feeling of this film, and your explanations were very enlightening. Also loved My Socks So Far (and the Stairmaster doing his thing. Now I think I'll go slomo that running with the towel scene."}, {"response": 389, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sun, Aug  4, 2002 (20:02)", "body": "Thanks, Rika for the music info. I've taken notes and will go search my CD's. I would love to have a soundtrack but I've never seen it available. Is that all of the Beethoven? Just 4 pieces, right? Is \"Sunny Side of the Street\" the only jazz we hear? Where would one find a copy of the one Moira sang? What did Heloise play on the cello? See, that wasn't TMI. I'm not sure that's possible when we explore all things Firth."}, {"response": 390, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Aug  5, 2002 (07:48)", "body": "Thank you, Rika, for the visuals and music info. As, always, you are a great source of enlightenment to the senses. (Evelyn)Personally I always go for the blue suit at the dinner table My absolute favorite as well. I think he looks especially handsome in that scene. I watched again last night and I was struck by another flashback/look-alike scene to BJD. When Edward is leaving the parlor after the funeral fiasco, and begins to walk down the steps-He looks exactly like Mark Darcy in the airport scene.(The part where he is walking toward the driver of the car in NY.) I have been thinking over Morris's remarks-calling Edward a lothario. I don't think if Heloise had told Morris that he would have let it go. I noticed a few looks toward Edward in various scenes that, IMO, seemed as though he saw Edward's attraction, but viewed it as everthing else concerning Edward-with amusement.(Morris, after all, is a millionaire, and we're supposed to view him as someone with a keen sense of things) I don't think he thought it had gone any further, because I think Morris would think Edward was incapable of it, because he viewed him as a joke, and because of Heloise's words-no one ever needs to know. On multiple viewings I get the sense that Morris might have even enjoyed Edward's silly attraction to Heloise, because he was the much older of the two with the 24-year old exotic child bride. It's only after the \"I won the bet months ago\" remark that it becomes clear that maybe it went beyond Edward's \"looks\" at Heloise. I, too, think he was taken totally off guard by the remark. Never in a million years would he suspect that Edward might have had his hands on her."}, {"response": 391, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Aug  5, 2002 (11:18)", "body": "More about the music. While I don't like some of the original music in the soundtrack (some of it sounds too overtly whimsical to me... I don't know if that makes sense but I can't think of another way to put it), I love the main theme used over the titles. I assume it was an original composition and not a reference to a Scottish folk tune - does anyone know? It has the slightly mournful sound of a traditional folk tune, and I think it does a wonderful job of conveying nostalgia. (Caribou) Is that all of the Beethoven? Just 4 pieces, right? Yes. A pity, IMHO - I would have liked for them to use more of it. Is \"Sunny Side of the Street\" the only jazz we hear? I know they use other songs, but I'm not familiar enough with jazz to recognize them all. (Two to check - about 14 minutes into the film when Morris is outside with his nephews, and just over an hour into the film when Fraser has his \"nice dream\".) Where would one find a copy of the one Moira sang? That's \"A Red, Red Rose,\" by Robert Burns. Here's a link to the lyrics: http://www.yoga.com/raw/readings/ARedRedRose.html I was curious about the origin of the melody and did a bit of research in preparation for our discussion. Burns originally set his lyrics to a different folk melody, but later a publisher set it to a traditional Scottish folk tune called \"Low Down in the Broom,\" and that's the setting that is best known today. If you'd like to hear an excerpt of a beautiful instrumental setting of the melody, try this link to Amazon: \"Celtic Memories\" CD on Amazon Scroll down to \"Listen to Samples\" - it's track #5. What did Heloise play on the cello? That's \"Le Cygne\" (The Swan) by Camille Saint-Saens, from a larger piece called (in English) \"The Carnival of the Animals.\" They cleverly connect this piece (and, thus, Heloise) to Fraser's secret books - at one point Fraser finds a photo of a naked lady with a swan. (Lora) But I think you're right, it is a play on Heloise's name and perhaps used to signify her absence. It's in homage to her. Her absence is felt. Fraser even remarks that the house was so quiet. It was uneventful without her. Lora, I love this explanation! Incidentally, there's a story that (if true) makes the piece an even more appropriate choice. I found this quote online from a book by William A. Palmer: \"Fur Elise is probaby the all-time hymn to unrewarded love. When Ludwig gave the song to Elise she said, 'It sounds like a funeral song.'\""}, {"response": 392, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  5, 2002 (11:41)", "body": "Just a quickie for now--because I need to spend some \"quality time\" at Fan Fic--but I believe I've another way to view the \"lothario\" reference. I too do not believe that Helosie ever told Morris about the mossloft incident. In common usage, lothario is a charming man who seduces and deceives women, a libertine, a rake. However, it comes from Nicholas 'Rowe's 1703 tragedy \"The Fair Penitent,\" where Lothario was the prototypical \"young seducer,\" a male deceiver, a man whose chief interest is seducing women. \"Young\" gave me the hint I needed, and I think this goes back to Adam Forman, who spent most of his school holidays at Craigielands (the real Kiloran). Denis' mother was named Flora, but called the \"Child,\" as she was the youngest and did hang out with her brothers and their set, of which Adam was part. When Adam was 18 and the Child was 14, they decided to become engaged. None of this pleased the family and they ultimately did not wed until she was much older (28 actually). Even at 17, the parents thought \"Adam Forman was a very good chap but completely untried in the matter of earning a living.\" And that is where I think Morris' comment is coming from. He views Edward as someone with no profession, who lives off his wife's family and his position on the estate is one of being a charming guy whose only job is to make Moira happy. Add to that Edward's bonspiel bet and Morris would think that being a womanizer is at his core....like magma. ;-) Back with more later."}, {"response": 393, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Aug  5, 2002 (11:42)", "body": "(Evelyn)Personally I always go for the blue suit at the dinner table (Linda) My absolute favorite as well. I think he looks especially handsome in that scene. Oh, good heavens, yes. He's not always as much \"to drool for\" in this movie as in, say, BJD, but in that suit in that scene...... sigh..... When Edward is leaving the parlor after the funeral fiasco, and begins to walk down the steps-He looks exactly like Mark Darcy in the airport scene. (The part where he is walking toward the driver of the car in NY.) Ooh - another excuse to watch again (both MLSF and BJD). Oh, and, Linda, you and I are in the back of that car preparing for limo duty, right? :-D (Linda) On multiple viewings I get the sense that Morris might have even enjoyed Edward's silly attraction to Heloise, because he was the much older of the two with the 24-year old exotic child bride. I see it that way too. He had such fun throwing those words in Edward's face in the library, and Morris seems to be having a fine ol' time at the dinner table that night. I've been reading everybody's remarks about what did or didn't happen between Edward and Heloise, and to what extent it was or wasn't consensual on her part, with interest. I started out believing that Edward managed to lay some serious kisses on her that we didn't see, but that she didn't cooperate at all. But many of you have offered good evidence to the contrary. For example, as I've re-watched Edward in the library afterwards, I've concluded that he acts neither like a man who was totally rejected, nor like one who got everything he wanted. And when Heloise runs into the library and throws herself into Morris's arms, that could be either out of horror at what happened (if she didn't consent) or out of guilt (if she did). But to me her behavior at dinner is entirely guilt-free. When Fraser mentions the lady's screams, Edward is shaken, but Heloise merely arches an eyebrow at him. Further, when Edward tries to shut Fraser up, Heloise does everything she can to continue and expand on the topic (with her veiled hints about temptation and the like). Wouldn't she be equally interested in changing the subject if she had been a willing participant? Sometimes I wonder if the reason we're having such a hard time figuring out what happened is because the cast didn't really know either. CF's noncommittal response to the question has already been mentioned. I would hope that, at the very least, he and IJ arrived at an agreement about what happened, but maybe it was ambiguous in their minds too. If so, we'll never figure it out."}, {"response": 394, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  5, 2002 (11:48)", "body": "Maybe Morris thinks Edward fits into Samuel's belief that \"we are all indeed prostitutes.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 395, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Aug  5, 2002 (12:27)", "body": "(Karen)He views Edward as someone with no profession, who lives off his wife's family and his position on the estate is one of being a charming guy whose only job is to make Moira happy. Add to that Edward's bonspiel bet and Morris would think that being a womanizer is at his core I suppose we could stretch that characterization to be called a L(l)othario, but I've also heard of that being called a sponge (hmmm, interestingly similar to the use of his moss in WWI, Edward's only successful contribution to society ;-)). (Karen)Maybe Morris thinks Edward fits into Samuel's belief that \"we are all indeed prostitutes.\" ;-) In some way or other, this description fits also. Edward services Moira, and in return gets to have his freedom with the Estate, and ultimately ownership of the Estate. As an aside, I seem to remember CF, IRL, rejecting being called a lothario in a magazine article since it had only been two co-stars with whom he had become involved ;-). Funny how his art imitates his life (and other movies) sometimes ;-)."}, {"response": 396, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Aug  5, 2002 (13:21)", "body": ""}, {"response": 397, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Aug  5, 2002 (13:23)", "body": "Ah jeez, forgot to close the blasted tags. Too busy thinking about the back of that car."}, {"response": 398, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  5, 2002 (13:57)", "body": "Am reposting Linda's from above, as the blasted tags weren't closed. No big deal. Response 396 of 397: lindak (lindak) * Mon, Aug 5, 2002 (14:21) * 9 lines (Lora)As an aside, I seem to remember CF, IRL, rejecting being called a lothario in a magazine article since it had only been two co-stars with whom he had become involved ;-). Lora, you took the words right out of my post. I was just thinking of that, I recall he was a bit testy when he was labled a lothario because of JE and MT. Didn't he meet Livia on the set of N? Just reminiscing...winkie-(haven't learned to do them yet.) (Rika) Oh, and, Linda, you and I are in the back of that car preparing for limo duty, right? :-D And where else would we be? Shall I make the coffee or do you want the first pot."}, {"response": 399, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  5, 2002 (13:58)", "body": "(Rika) I wonder if Gamma didn't notice something at dinner too. There's one close-up where she looks very disturbed, and nothing else is really going on that would cause her to be so. Maybe that's why she takes refuge in the sherry trifle. Getting drunk on that sherry trifle has been a bothersome point. I have images in my mind of some I Love Lucy episode (?), where everybody adds a hit of booze to some dish, not knowing that others have as well. How much could the poor kitchen maid have added that would cause Gamma to become soused and to get sacked the next day? It is amusing how Gamma mumbles under breath about how the cook has managed a good meal, something she rarely does. This has its origins in the book as well. The cook was universally acknowledged as being awful, except for baking. How does one keep a job as a cook if you can't cook? What does that say about Gamma's real skill in running a household? (Linda) I don't think Edward is asking what's magma. Fraser says it's like magma, only thicker. Edward says ah wot's like magma? I think he knows what Fraser is saying, but is embarassed to come right out and talk about-well you know... You know what? I agree with you. He's flustered and doesn't know how to broach this topic with the boy, his oldest. First time through for him. (Linda) I got the impression he already knows what an orgy is-he does quite a bit of reading before this scene, but he's actually trying to make his father squirm. (Kate) Or testing his father to see if he'll tell Fraser the truth or side-step the issue. Part of his changing view of his father. Very good observation. A test, which dad fails miserably. So Fraser is back to relying on Grandpa MacIntosh's private stash of erotica for this part of his education. Rika, loved your examination of the musical selections. It's always interesting when people bring their other interests to the fore to benefit all in these film discussions. Thank you. (Rika) I'm sure most of the pianola rolls in the house were of Beethoven. Were there not other busts of composers on display? From the book, the approved composers of \"manly music\" were: \"Bach (mathematical) and then leapt to Beethover (a ripper), Schubert (tuneful), Schumann (deep), Brahms (great) and above all Wagner.\" (Rika) I also like the way jazz music is used as a sort of unofficial theme for Morris. His early scenes are all underscored by jazz music, which serves to underline the breadth of the Edward/Morris conflict. They agree on so little - not even music. True. But Heloise seems to span the two, with her classical cello and jazz piano. (Kathy) because up until Heloise appears on the scene, Edward seems totally in love with Moira. They are always cuddling and seem thoroughly happy, not at all like a couple in trouble. But why do they have to be a couple in trouble? Men (or women for that matter) can have unexplainable, physical attractions to others. It's possible and it doesn't mean anything is lacking in one's spouse. (Pam) I watched Morris' face when Edward told him he won the bet. There was a definite element of surprise before he punched him...I have the impression he never gave any serious credence to Edward or what he said or thought, so he would dismiss him. (Linda) I don't think he thought it had gone any further, because I think Morris would think Edward was incapable of it, because he viewed him as a joke Makes sense to me. Not only that, he wouldn't have taken it seriously that Edward would attempt to seduce his wife, only that he was being childish. (Elizabeth) The description of the UK ending echoed something I wondered about the facts-of-life scene...it almost looked to me as if Edward didn't know what the f-word was when Frasier asked about it. Interesting! Since he had to look it up (for the UK ending), I'd say he and Moira had a very conventional sex life. Apparently, Gamma hadn't taught Moira anything that her dear Samuel had probably brought to their bed from his extensive reading. ;-) Unless that was his sole source of titillation or enjoyment. (Rika) He's not always as much \"to drool for\" in this movie as in, say, BJD, but in that suit in that scene......sigh. While the blue suit is magnificent, I beg to differ. I think he looks marvelous and highly droolworthy in a number of outfits, especially when his jacket is off and he's wearing a vest (flying the kite, eating the asbestos) and spectacles. Mmmmmm, very lovely. Not too shabby in those whites either! (Rika) Wouldn't she be equally interested in changing the subject if she had been a willing participant? Very logical. (Lora) but I've also heard of that being called a sponge (hmmm, interestingly similar to the use of his moss in WWI, Edward's only successful contribution to society ;-)). LOL! But a pure sponge wouldn't have to service his wife."}, {"response": 400, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Aug  5, 2002 (16:07)", "body": "(Karen) While the blue suit is magnificent, I beg to differ. I think he looks marvelous and highly droolworthy in a number of outfits, especially when his jacket is off and he's wearing a vest (flying the kite, eating the asbestos) and spectacles. Mmmmmm, very lovely. Not too shabby in those whites either! Didn't mean to cast aspersions on ODB's appearance. I don't find him undroolworthy, just a little less so than at his maximum (which to me is BJD). I realize it's a difference in the roles. His job in BJD was to be enormously attractive and remote at all times (I loved the line from one article, \"Even in a reindeer jumper, he is raw sex in a reindeer jumper\"), while here he's a much more complex character who has his gorgeous days and his foolish-looking days as well. But, yes, your examples are all very fine ones indeed!"}, {"response": 401, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Aug  5, 2002 (19:15)", "body": "(Karen) But why do they have to be a couple in trouble? Men (or women for that matter) can have unexplainable, physical attractions to others. It's possible and it doesn't mean anything is lacking in one's spouse. Of course it's perfectly normal for married people to find others attractive. Being married doesn't mean you are dead, and it certainly doesn't hurt to look. However, Edward definitely did more than look at Heloise. Obviously Moira didn't consider theirs an open marriage, and even if she had, would attempting to seduce your brother's fiancee be considered harmless? At any rate, in my original post, I was trying to explain why I didn't think Edward was actually a lothario, in the strictest sense of the word. I must not have done a very good job of explaining. ;-) (Linda) I don't think Edward is asking what's magma. Fraser says it's like magma, only thicker. Edward says ah wot's like magma? I think he knows what Fraser is saying, but is embarassed to come right out and talk about-well you know... (Karen) You know what? I agree with you. He's flustered and doesn't know how to broach this topic with the boy, his oldest. First time through for him. This brings up something I've been wondering about. Is Fraser the oldest? I don't think so, because there is that taller boy (name?) who definitely looks older than Fraser, and in the swimming scene he addresses Edward as \"Father.\" He is taller than Fraser, and his musculature is more well-defined, so I'm fairly sure he is older. In which case, why doesn't Edward have the answers ready for the birds and bees talk? Perhaps because Fraser is so precocious, and has been reading in the secret library, and the other boy hasn't. (Rika) Oh, good heavens, yes. He's not always as much \"to drool for\" in this movie as in, say, BJD, but in that suit in that scene...... sigh..... (Karen) While the blue suit is magnificent, I beg to differ. I think he looks marvelous and highly droolworthy in a number of outfits, especially when his jacket is off and he's wearing a vest (flying the kite, eating the asbestos) and spectacles. Mmmmmm, very lovely. Not too shabby in those whites either! How about the dynamite scene? Just after Morris says, \"What makes it yours to blow up, Edward?\" I hit pause on my DVD, and then slowmo through it, and CF is standing there looking sad, with the wind blowing through his hair. Oooh! And it lasts so long, I can do anything I want to with him! Yummy! ;-) Also, the running with the towel scene was great slowed down! I cannot stress this enough. Coming and going. My goodness!! Now if I only had zoom... Thank you, Rika, for making me take a second (and third, fourth, fifth) look at this."}, {"response": 402, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Aug  5, 2002 (19:15)", "body": "Excellent comments ladies. I like him best in his slacks, suspenders and button down shirt. I know. Personal preference though. Also like the blue suit at dinner. BJD I'd take him in everything, which is what we're supposed to do. Nothing in that to dislike. Class act all the way."}, {"response": 403, "author": "caribou", "date": "Mon, Aug  5, 2002 (19:17)", "body": "(Lora) .... the use of his moss in WWI, Edward's only successful contribution to society ;-)). At least he had one!;-) I just can't help but think how easy it would have been for him to be like Mr. Hurst in P&P who greatest achievement was appearing to be a gentleman. I am impressed by the level of routine and commitment the man continually showed. Especially, since his wife always seemed so sleepy. He didn't work as hard at business as Morris but he certainly worked on the things that interested him and provided a good example for his family. Thanks again, Rika, for more info on music. Delightful!"}, {"response": 404, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Aug  5, 2002 (19:48)", "body": "(Caribou) I am impressed by the level of routine and commitment the man continually showed. Especially, since his wife always seemed so sleepy. I'm glad you brought this up. She seems tired all the time. She also often has her arm across her stomach. I thought perhaps she was supposed to be pregnant, but she doesn't seem to get any larger through the film. I've never been sure of the time frame of all the events, though, but it must have encompassed several months. Maybe she's just tired out from having all those children. In a totally unrelated subject, another nagging question -- (when Edward and Fraser are watching the home movies of the wedding) how the heck does the Rotary Screen Mark III work? I bet one of you can enlighten me!"}, {"response": 405, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Aug  5, 2002 (21:12)", "body": "(Pam)BJD I'd take him in everything I'd take him in nothing., (KathyF)I can do anything I want to with him! Yummy! ;-) Exactly what do you have in mind? I also like him in the outfit when he's leaning over the couch explaining the under-the-lawn chimney to Moira and Gamma. Since he had his jacket off, I felt it was my duty to check out the right/left question. Sorry, ladies, the cut of the slacks hampered my investigation."}, {"response": 406, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Aug  5, 2002 (22:29)", "body": "(Lindak) Exactly what do you have in mind? Oh, I dunno (she said, innocently) :-) At the very least, I can get way up close and check out the color of his eyes. What do you do, when you get close to CF? As far as your \"investigation\" goes, there are other segments that merit study. The dynamite scene, wherein he is walking quickly toward Morris, is a good place to begin. But make sure to do it in slow motion. And as I said in an earlier post, Rika's suggestion of the bathing suit scene... well, check it out for yourself, but make sure to play it verrrry slowly, or better still, frame by frame, to enjoy it to the fullest extent. Hmmm... I must leave you now, as I feel further study requires me to watch more of MLSF with my trusty remote in hand."}, {"response": 407, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Aug  6, 2002 (00:29)", "body": "(Kathy) how the heck does the Rotary Screen Mark III work? I wondered about that. I assume Edward didn't invent it, but he made kind of a big deal about it when talking to Fraser. I suppose maybe he was just enamoured of new technology. Maybe she's just tired out from having all those children. There's a bit of basis for Moira's tiredness in the book - it's mentioned that she spent a lot of time during the day in bed, and the kids would go visit her there. This brings up something I've been wondering about. Is Fraser the oldest? I don't think so, because there is that taller boy (name?) who definitely looks older than Fraser, and in the swimming scene he addresses Edward as \"Father.\" I agree - I thought Fraser was the middle of three boys. I figured nobody but Edward's sons would have braved the cold of the loch with him, and I did think that one of the other boys looked older. So you'd think this wouldn't be Edward's first time dealing with a son who was becoming a man. Maybe Fraser was precocious. How about the dynamite scene? Just after Morris says, \"What makes it yours to blow up, Edward?\" I hit pause on my DVD, and then slowmo through it, and CF is standing there looking sad, with the wind blowing through his hair. Oh, goodness, YES! I slowed that scene down to collect some captures of that gorgeous close-up, and thoroughly enjoyed the breeze gently blowing his hair around. Made me want to run my fingers through it. Mmmmmmmm. Also, the running with the towel scene was great slowed down! I cannot stress this enough. Coming and going. My goodness!! Now if I only had zoom... Thank you, Rika, for making me take a second (and third, fourth, fifth) look at this. Glad to be of assistance. I think at first glance it's hard to see anything but the rather silly-looking striped top to the suit. But once you look past that, there are definite visual pleasures to be enjoyed! (Linda) Sorry, ladies, the cut of the slacks hampered my investigation. Sad, isn't it? I had hoped to provide a Very Special Photo Essay, but made the same discovery you did. Although I like Kathy's suggestion of looking for places where he's walking fast - those spots often yielded good things in P&P2. Ah, back to the movie - such torture...."}, {"response": 408, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Aug  6, 2002 (04:19)", "body": "Lord, you women are incorrigible. I love it. Keep your investigations going and report anything you find. I'm sorry to have nothing to contribute as of late, but I will screen MLSF again and then attempt to wade into right/left discussion better prepared. :))))"}, {"response": 409, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  6, 2002 (08:31)", "body": ""}, {"response": 410, "author": "audiogirl", "date": "Tue, Aug  6, 2002 (09:30)", "body": ""}, {"response": 411, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  6, 2002 (09:34)", "body": "Ooops, I've posted this item on the wrong topic and will move 409 and 410."}, {"response": 412, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  6, 2002 (12:25)", "body": "(Rika) Didn't mean to cast aspersions on ODB's appearance. No, of course, not. I didn't take it that way. :) When ranking his appearance in MLSF, I put a couple of others in front of the blue suit. My personal choices. Everyone would have their own. (Kathy) However, Edward definitely did more than look at Heloise. Obviously Moira didn't consider theirs an open marriage, and even if she had, would attempting to seduce your brother's fiancee be considered harmless? I don't believe I ever mentioned an \"open marriage\" ;-) But what you have is an immature man-child, given to impetuous behavior, one who is not hampered in anyway by thoughts of consequences to his actions. (Kathy) Is Fraser the oldest? I don't think so, because there is that taller boy (name?) who definitely looks older than Fraser...In which case, why doesn't Edward have the answers ready for the birds and bees talk? Perhaps because Fraser is so precocious, and has been reading in the secret library, and the other boy hasn't. Very likely, you're correct on both counts. I'd forgotten about the taller boy and Denis did have an older brother. But then, why is it Fraser who is going off to boarding school at the end of the other version? Shouldn't the older boy be away? Ah, these nagging questions. ;-) Now, as long as you've brought up the children again, I've always wondered why they are at dinner with the wedding guests? Fraser, the taller boy and Elspeth are seated with the adults, while there is a table off by the window with five children (not all of whom are Edward's and Moira's I believe). The kiddie table brings back fond memories for me. But didn't children eat separately? This wasn't just family, but adult guests. (Lora) .... the use of his moss in WWI, Edward's only successful contribution to society ;-)) (Caribou) At least he had one!;-) But not much of one, from a Scot's standpoint. :-("}, {"response": 413, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Aug  6, 2002 (12:59)", "body": "(Karen)The kiddie table brings back fond memories for me. But didn't children eat separately? This wasn't just family, but adult guests. I can remember every holiday sitting at a kiddie table at my Grandparents, but I also remember my brother (the oldest grandchild)getting the place of honor beside my grandfather at the adult table. As for the children being there at a family/other adults affair-probably had to do with the fact that it was a celebration in honor of a family wedding. Now, back to another viewing of those scenes in s l o w motion."}, {"response": 414, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Aug  6, 2002 (16:29)", "body": "On the subject of Fraser being precocious, I'd definitely agree. He's the one who seems to be paying the most attention to his father's experiments (some of which might be educational), and of course there's his \"research\" in the attic. (There's nothing like the improvement of one's mind through extensive reading!) It's possible that Edward was just as awkward at \"the talk\" with his eldest son (if he had done that already). What I loved about that scene with Fraser was at the end, when nothing has been explained, Edward acts as if he has explained everything. He says something like \"That's all right, then.\" But this raises another question. Did these kids go to a local school? Did they have a tutor? Was Edward teaching them? Was Moira? I'm enjoying the comments about the kiddie table. I'm an \"only,\" so I got to eat with the grownups. Must be why I have such impeccable table manners now. Oops, was that my sleeve in the soup?"}, {"response": 415, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Aug  6, 2002 (17:36)", "body": "(Kate) Did these kids go to a local school? Did they have a tutor? Was Edward teaching them? Was Moira? They were educated at home till it was time to go away to school (which sounded like it happened around age 12 for the boys, and a little older for the girls). Who did the teaching varied over time - their mother, Gamma, their father, tutors, or some combination of the above."}, {"response": 416, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Aug  6, 2002 (21:16)", "body": "(Lisa) Keep your investigations going and report anything you find. I'm sorry to have nothing to contribute as of late, but I will screen MLSF again and then attempt to wade into right/left discussion better prepared. (lindak) Now, back to another viewing of those scenes in s l o w motion. I don't want to seem hung up ;-) on a certain topic, but last night as I was trying to ascertain whether or not Fraser was the oldest, I went back to the start of MLSF to study the scene wherein he is on the roof. I thought perhaps I could get a clue from the other children in the opening sequence. I didn't succeed on that count. However, I realized that CF had a very nice stairmaster scene as he climbs the outside staircase on his way to rescue Fraser. And then, because I was moving verrrry slowly, I was able to see that CF's clothes were very lightweight (because it was summer, I suppose) and almost transparent. When the light is behind him (which it is as he enters the house), it's easy to see that he is in no way \"pudgy\" as he has been accused of being. (See Rika's clever page) And if it weren't for that accursed racket in his hand (what is it with this movie -- towels, rackets?!) some burning questions might have been answered. Still, a lovely shot as he opens the door -- shades of FD. Then, if ou keep slowmo-ing, there's the wonderful stair-climbing sequence. And, during a break from going slow, another of my favorite lines. As Fraser is on the roof, and the men are holding the net below him, \"Get the dogs out from under the net! They'll be crushed!\" Someone was quite the optimist. :-)"}, {"response": 417, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Aug  6, 2002 (22:21)", "body": "(Karen) But what you have is an immature man-child, given to impetuous behavior, one who is not hampered in anyway by thoughts of consequences to his actions. Not unlike Mark Darcy's impressions of the she-child Bridget. Ironic. I wonder if he ever thought about that during BJD."}, {"response": 418, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  6, 2002 (23:38)", "body": "*clap clap clap* You did it! :)"}, {"response": 419, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Aug  7, 2002 (00:24)", "body": "Kathy, your thirst for knowledge is an inspiration to us all! Ah, back to the DVD again......."}, {"response": 420, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Aug  7, 2002 (00:37)", "body": "(Rika) Kathy, your thirst for knowledge is an inspiration to us all! Ah, back to the DVD again....... Yes, if only I had been so dedicated in college! And yet, I suspect you possess at least an equal thirst for knowledge in this area. I bow to my superior!"}, {"response": 421, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Aug  7, 2002 (00:58)", "body": "I forgot about some notes I had made, being the serious student of film that I am... Rika, OMG DVDs are wondrous things! Check out the sequence (of which I am enamored!) when Edward goes up the stairs to rescue Fraser. Butt (why do I always misspell this word?!) this time take it to the top and then slowmo in reverse! CF is even better going down! Wait, I meant.... Take him down and then back up, then down, etc. Be still my heart... or something! :-)"}, {"response": 422, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Aug  7, 2002 (01:33)", "body": "(Rika) your thirst for knowledge is an inspiration to us all! Ah, back to the DVD again....... I find myself unable to turn off my DVD player. For some reason, I am drawn to the screen, like a moth to a flame. If only I weren't allowed to pause for an infinite amount of time!!... Would you PLEASE consider doing a screen capture of the scene wherein Edward comes through the door on his way to rescue Fraser -- you know, the one where you really can't see CF's face. :-( Yet there is something compelling... oh, yes, it's the fact that it's very like the wet shirt scene in P&P2 . (Can you say \"transparent clothing?\") A good look at CF's lovely, slim body, and we can only imagine... Oh, for heaven's sake! Please! Pretty Please, Rika, with a cherry on top!! ;-) A \"Hidden Treasure\" in a PG-13 film!"}, {"response": 423, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Aug  7, 2002 (01:35)", "body": "well, let's get rid of bold! Hopefully! Karen?"}, {"response": 424, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Aug  7, 2002 (01:36)", "body": "HELP!!"}, {"response": 425, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Aug  7, 2002 (07:32)", "body": "Oh my gosh, Karen! tried to fix those tags and then the whole computer crashed on me. Can you delete or whatever? So sorry! I'll try again. Rats!"}, {"response": 426, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  7, 2002 (10:12)", "body": "Uncle Crawford and Aunt Eunice intrigue me. They are among the viewing crowd when Edward is demonstrating his galvanized rubber pantaloons. Check out Eunice's dance on the loch's banks. She's like a Scottish cheerleader. Really makes me wonder how these people are related. ;-)"}, {"response": 427, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Aug  7, 2002 (11:52)", "body": "Kathy, I never thought of running it in slow-mo backwards..... now THIS should be interesting! As to the DVD-cap you've requested, I can never resist a direct plea. Check back later today. (Karen) Uncle Crawford and Aunt Eunice intrigue me. They are among the viewing crowd when Edward is demonstrating his galvanized rubber pantaloons. Check out Eunice's dance on the loch's banks. She's like a Scottish cheerleader. Really makes me wonder how these people are related. ;-) Yes, they're around a whole bunch. I wonder if the explanation of who the heck they are was lost in the editing process? They're in the group walking to and from church too, on at least one occasion. I suppose they must live at the estate. The book did talk about assorted aunts and uncles that lived there at times, didn't it?"}, {"response": 428, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Aug  7, 2002 (11:53)", "body": "Oops. Italics begone."}, {"response": 429, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Aug  7, 2002 (11:53)", "body": "Are they gone?"}, {"response": 430, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Aug  7, 2002 (13:13)", "body": "Kathy, I took a quick look at the scenes and I'm not positive to which shot you're referring. Can you give me a time stamp on the DVD? I'd hate to disappoint (even though the fleet's not in town). :-)"}, {"response": 431, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Aug  7, 2002 (15:06)", "body": "(Karen) Uncle Crawford and Aunt Eunice intrigue me. They are among the viewing crowd when Edward is demonstrating his galvanized rubber pantaloons. Check out Eunice's dance on the loch's banks. She's like a Scottish cheerleader. Really makes me wonder how these people are related. ;-) I brought this up several times too, but no one seems to want to discuss it. I thought an explanation was lost in the editing, too. They obviously seem close though. (Rika) Bring on the Butts please!!!!! Thanks Karen, Great Instructions."}, {"response": 432, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Aug  7, 2002 (15:39)", "body": "(KathyF)Wait, I meant.... Take him down and then back up, then down, etc. I know what you mean...I'd take him down and back up...getting carried away here. OH, please Rika, Rika please do the photo thing. You're the best. Where's that darn car???"}, {"response": 433, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Aug  7, 2002 (15:46)", "body": "(FanPam)I brought this up [Uncle Crawford and Aunt Eunice] several times too, but no one seems to want to discuss it. I don't think it's that we don't want to discuss it. We just don't know who the heck they are! At least that's my reason. (And I don't want to say anything about them that won't amaze the whole room.)"}, {"response": 434, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Aug  7, 2002 (15:47)", "body": "GAH! closing tags!"}, {"response": 435, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Aug  7, 2002 (17:51)", "body": "(Rika, quoted by Pam) Bring on the Butts please!!!!! I'm not sure who said this but I don't think I did. Not that my saying it would be at all out of character.... ;-D (Linda)OH, please Rika, Rika please do the photo thing. You're the best. Where's that darn car??? The staircase scene is a difficult one from which to do captures (trust me, I've tried). He's moving fast, which means he's at least slightly out of focus much of the time, and the stairs are dimly lit, which makes it worse. I did put a couple of staircase shots on my \"My Socks So Far\" page - I had to adjust the color somewhat to lighten them. But, Linda, anything for a fellow coffee wench - I'll give it another try."}, {"response": 436, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Aug  7, 2002 (18:38)", "body": "I'm noting that the more serious portion of our discussion seems to be winding down (not that I'm in the least opposed to doing some serious drooling before we finish up :-D). I did have a few minor points that I wanted to ask about: First, I got part of the title of one of the books Fraser read - I believe it was the one that had the inscription from the (snicker) golfing friend - but all I could see was \"Taboos and ??? Perils ??? the ???\". Could anybody make out the rest? I'd be curious to know if it was a real book of the time. Second, I found it odd that when Morris and Heloise arrived for the bonspiel, and Heloise was running up the stairs shouting for Fraser (\"my favorite nephew\"), he seemed to run away from her as fast as he could. All I could think was that his father's lecture about avoiding temptations of the flesh at all costs was in his mind, since it happened a very short time after their conversation in Edward's study. Or am I missing something? Third, a hypothetical question. Suppose that ODB had been unavailable to play Edward Pettigrew for some reason (preferably a lead role in a high-profile drama with Oscar written all over it that actually got PROMOTED by its studio.... hey, a girl can dream). I'm having a hard time thinking of alternatives for the role due to the range of situations and emotions it demands. Who could you imagine in the role besides CF?"}, {"response": 437, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Wed, Aug  7, 2002 (19:13)", "body": "(Rika) I got part of the title of one of the books Fraser read The rest of the tomes on the shelf seem to be law books, but the one he pulls down is clearly The Golden Bough, wildly controversial in its day. The author's name and nationality make for an amusing visual joke, too. Bio of James Frazer I think the tallest boy in the pack might belong to the mysterious aunt and uncle, which would explain a lot of things, wouldn't it?"}, {"response": 438, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Aug  7, 2002 (19:23)", "body": "(Rika) I took a quick look at the scenes and I'm not positive to which shot you're referring. Can you give me a time stamp on the DVD? I'd hate to disappoint (even though the fleet's not in town). :-) Well, of course this meant more exhaustive research. I think I may have thumb strain from yesterday. Anyway, the one I was referring to is at 02:39, just as he steps into the doorway of the house, and throws down that blasted racket. He's moving fast, so it's blurry, leaving a lot to the imagination. And I have a very good imagination! ;-) The nice outside stairs scene is at 02:31. (Kate F) I don't think it's that we don't want to discuss it. We just don't know who the heck they are! At least that's my reason. My excuse, also, for ignoring the comments about Uncle Crawford and Aunt Eunice. I'll try to pay more attention to them next time through, but I have a feeling they are destined to remain something of a mystery. They certainly are at Kiloran a lot, so must live very close by, if not in the house itself."}, {"response": 439, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Aug  7, 2002 (21:01)", "body": "(KateF)We just don't know who the heck they are! At least that's my reason. Mine too, actually. I must confess, that I paid them no attention at all until Karen brought it up. I knew they were there, but I thought they were just friends that maybe the children called aunt and uncle out of respect. I tend to become quite enthralled with other things during any CF movie, namely ODB himself, then of course those other aspects(ahem) that we tend to discuss. (Elizabeth)I think the tallest boy in the pack might belong to the mysterious aunt and uncle, which would explain a lot of things, wouldn't it? Yes, it would. It might also explain why Edward has no problem with dragging both boys to his study to discipline them after the fight during the Halloween Dance. I don't know, still so many things about this film remain a mystery, and probably always will unless someone can convince CF to join us in the discussion and clue us in. (He probably has no clue himself) Rika and I could practice our coffee wenching. -"}, {"response": 440, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Aug  7, 2002 (21:26)", "body": "(Elizabeth)I think the tallest boy in the pack might belong to the mysterious aunt and uncle, which would explain a lot of things, wouldn't it? (Lindak) Yes, it would. It might also explain why Edward has no problem with dragging both boys to his study to discipline them after the fight during the Halloween Dance. I think you are confusing two different boys. The boy in the Halloween fight is Donald Burns, brother of Cassie (Fraser's dancing partner) and son of Andrew Burns, who works for Kiloran (see the dynamite scene). The other boy (Fraser's older brother) can be heard in the swimming scene addressing Edward as \"Father.\" I'll admit the similarities between the two boys had me confused at first. Couldn't they have found boys who looked more different?"}, {"response": 441, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Aug  7, 2002 (21:37)", "body": "Thank you, Kathy. I stand corrected. I told you I am utterly distracted during CF films. At this point, I don't know who these people are."}, {"response": 442, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Aug  7, 2002 (21:44)", "body": "(Elizabeth S) The rest of the tomes on the shelf seem to be law books, but the one he pulls down is clearly The Golden Bough, wildly controversial in its day. Thank you for this information! It's fun to have people with all different types of expertise. The one whose title I got part of must have been from a later scene, then. (Kathy)The nice outside stairs scene is at 02:31. I watched the scene one more time just before dinner and I finally realized what you meant. Earlier when you said \"coming through the door\" I thought of the doors upstairs, later in the scene, and I couldn't see anything particularly noteworthy there. Anyway, I've got the pictures (I have some for you too, Linda) - I just need to convert them and upload them somewhere. (Linda) Yes, it would. It might also explain why Edward has no problem with dragging both boys to his study to discipline them after the fight during the Halloween Dance. The boy he drags in with Fraser is Donald Burns (Andrew's son). This business of the number of children is really puzzling, so I went to the closing credits to see if they would help at all. There are several character names (first names only) listed all together, so these might be the kids. (By the way, just for context, there's also a \"Baby Fraser\" listed later on.) Here are the names in order: * Elspeth * Rollo (and later in the credits there's a \"young Rollo\", so maybe he's the older brother.) * Finlay (there's no \"young Finlay\" or \"Baby Finlay\" listed in the credits. So I bet he's younger than Fraser - probably the youngest brother.) * Brenda (Later in the credits there's a \"baby Brenda\", who was probably the other one napping in the nursery at the beginning of the movie.) * Meg (Later it mentions a \"young Meg,\" so she'd have to be older than Brenda but younger than Elspeth (as there is no \"young Elspeth\" in the credits). Either Brenda or Meg must be the red-haired girl who took part in the fishing lesson. So maybe there were six children - three boys and three girls. Or maybe some of the kids belong to someone else. In the book Denis Forman had two sisters and three brothers, I believe."}, {"response": 443, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Wed, Aug  7, 2002 (22:38)", "body": "I counted eleven kids of various ages standing at the fence when the Emperor of the Air makes his first appearance. I got the idea that some of them definitely belong to someone else, too, but I'm not sure where that came from. ITA, all very confusing. Thanks Rika; I'm not an expert by any means, just blessed/burdened with a weird and wide-ranging store of largely impractical interests. :) The Golden Bough would have been heretical indeed to someone of Edward's 'manly' religious orientation. It's online at Project Gutenberg if anyone's interested. Was any reference made to Forman's reading material in the biography?"}, {"response": 444, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Aug  7, 2002 (22:39)", "body": "(Rika)Second, I found it odd that when Morris and Heloise arrived for the bonspiel, and Heloise was running up the stairs shouting for Fraser (\"my favorite nephew\"), he seemed to run away from her as fast as he could. All I could think was that his father's lecture about avoiding temptations of the flesh at all costs was in his mind, since it happened a very short time after their conversation in Edward's study. Or am I missing something? Hmmm, after his father's \"enlightening\" talk, Fraser may be confused about a lot of things. He is aware of tension between his parents, he knows that his mother was upset at finding the necklace. Perhaps Fraser sees Heloise as trouble in some unspecificied way. Calling for Mumsie may be a way of seeking comfort. Or maybe he's aware of more than I thought and he wants Mumsie to come downstairs so that Edward and Heloise won't have time to be alone together? I hadn't thought about this scene until you raised this point, Rika. But when you watch Fraser run up the stairs (I don't think it's worth slo-mo, ladies), he isn't shouting because he's thrilled that the guests have arrived, which is what you might expect from a child. Fraser is such a complicated child. I still can't believe that boy was not a trained actor."}, {"response": 445, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Aug  8, 2002 (00:15)", "body": "(Rika) Rollo (and later in the credits there's a \"young Rollo\", so maybe he's the older brother.) Great minds, etc. I did the credit thing, too, and came to the same conclusion, because he's listed right before Finlay, and Finlay is definitely the younger brother (Morris tells Finlay to hold his hat, in the scene where he tells the three boys about his engagement). Meg (Later it mentions a \"young Meg,\" so she'd have to be older than Brenda but younger than Elspeth (as there is no \"young Elspeth\" in the credits). Either Brenda or Meg must be the red-haired girl who took part in the fishing lesson. Surely the red-haired girl must be Meg, since Brenda was younger than Fraser. Of course, girls often mature faster than boys, so I guess she could be younger and still be taller. (Rika) Second, I found it odd that when Morris and Heloise arrived for the bonspiel, and Heloise was running up the stairs shouting for Fraser (\"my favorite nephew\"), he seemed to run away from her as fast as he could. All I could think was that his father's lecture about avoiding temptations of the flesh at all costs was in his mind, since it happened a very short time after their conversation in Edward's study (Kate F) I hadn't thought about this scene until you raised this point, Rika. But when you watch Fraser run up the stairs (I don't think it's worth slo-mo, ladies), he isn't shouting because he's thrilled that the guests have arrived, which is what you might expect from a child. Fraser is such a complicated child. Another perplexing scene! We would have expected Fraser to be excited to see Heloise, and yet he runs away. Every time I've watched MLSF, I've wondered about this, but until now I hadn't allowed myself to really think about it. I just rewatched this scene three times, and I still don't know. Both of you bring up good points. Certainly, the motivation for Fraser's action is not made clear. (Kate F) I still can't believe that boy was not a trained actor. Robert Norman was absolutely amazing!"}, {"response": 446, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Aug  8, 2002 (01:36)", "body": "(Rika) ... a hypothetical question. Suppose that ODB had been unavailable to play Edward Pettigrew for some reason (preferably a lead role in a high-profile drama with Oscar written all over it that actually got PROMOTED by its studio.... hey, a girl can dream). I'm having a hard time thinking of alternatives for the role due to the range of situations and emotions it demands. Who could you imagine in the role besides CF? It's much easier to think of who would not have been a good Edward. Certainly not Rupie! ;-) I don't think Russell C. Not Jeremy N, either, much as I love him. How about Kenneth B? After watching this thing 15 or 16 times, I can't really imagine anyone other than ODB. Does anyone find it strange that Morris would comment (to Suzi) about Billy's name (Her name's Lillian, but we call her Billy) and not mention Hector's name?! (Karen) I think he looks marvelous and highly droolworthy in a number of outfits, especially when his jacket is off and he's wearing a vest (flying the kite, eating the asbestos) Absolutely! How about the scene on the stairs, with Edward and Heloise, when he asks her if she's happy? He's gorgeous (and so slim) in that vest!"}, {"response": 447, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Aug  8, 2002 (11:40)", "body": "(Kathy) It's much easier to think of who would not have been a good Edward. I had the same reaction. I think it's a much more difficult role than it seems on the surface because Edward's personality is so complex and has so many contradictory elements. I can think of people who could have played one scene or another, but the whole of it is pretty daunting. And now, in answer to your request of yesterday, Kathy. Here are two pictures from the earliest part of Edward's mad dash to rescue Fraser. Kathy compared one aspect of this shot to the P&P2 wet-shirt scenes - and it certainly is interesting what the lighting does to this shirt. As Kathy said, we get some pretty clear evidence on the stocky-or-svelte debate. The second image is badly out of focus, but it illustrates the basic point rather well all the same:"}, {"response": 448, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  8, 2002 (12:18)", "body": "(Kathy) I was able to see that CF's clothes were very lightweight...it's easy to see that he is in no way \"pudgy\" as he has been accused of being. Perhaps it is that \"layering\" business that he alluded to on the Jeffrey Lyons interview that made him appear so, but his white tour guide jacket does IMO make him look pudgy and that was one in the official press pack. Not very flattering: Then, if you see his wedding pics (directly after filming), he looked a little too \"filled-out.\" But each of us has our preference. I happen to like his lean and hunger look now. :) (Pam) I brought this up several times too, but no one seems to want to discuss it. I thought an explanation was lost in the editing, too. They obviously seem close though. Like everyone, I guess we'll never know their relationship with any certainty due to the editing. My only hope is that one day, out of the blue, someone will contact me and give me the answer. It's been known to happen. ;-) (Rika) I'm noting that the more serious portion of our discussion seems to be winding down Hard to imagine that we've said everything there is to say in a week's time, when a number of our film discussions have gone on for a month. I'm going to try to tackle a recap of what topics have been covered later today. Might be next to impossible but I'll give it a go. I also have a running list of \"unanswered items\" and will check that over. (Rika) This business of the number of children is really puzzling, so I went to the closing credits to see if they would help at all. There are several character names (first names only) listed all together, so these might be the kids. Very good assumption. Also, there are some kids that have last names (like the two Burns kids) that need to be omitted, named Debs and Ruth Haig. They come right after Uncle Crawford and Aunt Eunice in the credits and there is a Young Debs Haig near the very end. I wonder if Haig might be Aunt and Uncle's last name, which would then make Eunice a sister of Moira and Morris. Need to check if Crawford and Eunice are in the scene when Fraser does his \"bad thing.\" * Finlay (there's no \"young Finlay\" or \"Baby Finlay\" listed in the credits. So I bet he's younger than Fraser - probably the youngest brother.) Oh yes, Morris calls him by name when their having some fun about \"slanking\" on the way back from church. Hmmm, another place to look, the church pews! (Kate) Perhaps Fraser sees Heloise as trouble in some unspecificied way. Calling for Mumsie may be a way of seeking comfort. (Kathy) We would have expected Fraser to be excited to see Heloise Maybe too excited?? I agree with everyone that it is a very odd reaction from Fraser, after Heloise had sent him the jazz record. And, while Fraser probably wouldn't heed any of Edward's warnings about the French lacking moral fiber, he might be worried that his pubescent body could react in another, altogether more embarrassing way if he sees Heloise. We already know what his dreams have produced. ;-) (Kathy) Does anyone find it strange that Morris would comment (to Suzi) about Billy's name (Her name's Lillian, but we call her Billy) and not mention Hector's name?! Maybe he thought it would save everyone some grief in dealing with Lillian. She could, in turn, tell the rest of the staff of the proper way to address Mister Billie. Speaking of staff, is it not odd that Fraser hangs around them so much in the kitchen and is waiting on them? Unless of course, this is something all the children had to do, teaching them some moral value. Have to check book. Maybe there's a hint. Interesting pics, Rika, which bear even further scrutiny... ;-)"}, {"response": 449, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Aug  8, 2002 (12:28)", "body": "(Karen)which would then make Eunice a sister of Moira and Morris I thought about this too, but they/Eunice seem so far removed from those scenes which deal with the estate-how it will be left, the running of, Edwards experiments which are causing damage, etc. I even thought that maybe the connection was on Gamma's side-nephew/niece. They seem to be too young to be her sister or brother. But, then again Morris's age doesn't seem to fit either."}, {"response": 450, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Aug  8, 2002 (12:35)", "body": "Oh, BTW, Thank you Rika, for the captures. You are a photo wench as well. And, Karen I happen to love the above picture in the white jacket. I, too, like his hungry,lean look of late---But as you know I'll take him lean or pudgy;-) After all, I liked him in his fur-trimmed hood black jacket too;-)))))!"}, {"response": 451, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Aug  8, 2002 (15:31)", "body": "(Karen) Speaking of staff, is it not odd that Fraser hangs around them so much in the kitchen and is waiting on them? Unless of course, this is something all the children had to do, teaching them some moral value. Have to check book. Maybe there's a hint. The book does talk about the kids' close relationship with the staff. It might be shown as even closer in the movie.... I don't have the book handy or I'd pull out a quote. Nice picture, Karen. I think you're right about the layers. Haven't people also found that his face can look thinner or more filled out depending on camera angle, clothing, and even hairstyle? Here's another bit of evidence regarding the \"thin or not\" question: Granted, he's stretching, but he looks like if you stood him behind a tree he'd vanish!"}, {"response": 452, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Aug  8, 2002 (15:58)", "body": "(Karen)Need to check if Crawford and Eunice are in the scene when Fraser does his \"bad thing.\" Eunice is holding Moira around her waist as Moira screams Fraser's name, as they are all watching Fraser crawling on the roof. I think Eunice and Crawford do look older and that one of them might be a sibling of Gamma's which would explain the fact that they live there and that Crawford was upset when Gamma fell through the ice (maybe he's her borther). Do we ever hear Gamma's maiden name as Haig? Finlay (there's no \"young Finlay\" or \"Baby Finlay\" listed in the credits. So I bet he's younger than Fraser - probably the youngest brother.) Oh yes, Morris calls him by name when their having some fun about \"slanking\" on the way back from church. Hmmm, another place to look, the church pews! Finlay is the youngest brother, and when Fraser does his very bad thing, I think Moira is pregnant with him. Her waist is wider (and she is barefoot in that scene). That's why I think there is no \"young Finlay.\" Thanks, Rika and Karen, for all the new pics and reasons to watch for them ;-). Also I know we talked before about Edward's coontribution to WWI with the moss, but something gives me the idea that he may have also invented the way young Brenda's crib rocks by itself and the interestingly intricate intercom that Gamma talks to the head cook with when she compliments her on the dinner. And, of course, those are just contibutions to the family and not society at large ;-). But he certainly loves being helpful around the house with his inventions. I also like the way Robbie Norman's name happens to rhyme with Forman, and it's also interesting that the man who wrote 'The Golden Bough' is named Frazer! Must be how they (the film people) decided on the name, Fraser!"}, {"response": 453, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  8, 2002 (17:20)", "body": "Here's a list (please don't consider this all-inclusive) of topics we've either touched upon or beaten to death: ;-) Topic Recap 1. Kilts and tartans: all the secrets 2. Why Edward gets Kiloran 3. The Edward-Morris rivalry: issues of class, superiority, and jealousy 4. Sphagnum moss: its contribution to the economy of Scotland 5. Why Heloise married Morris 6. Gamma's secrets, or how it is possible to have a son one's own age 7. How to run with a towel 8. The Mossloft Motel, or did Edward really win that bet? A scientific analysis of the amount and placement of moss on Edward's person 9. The Hairy Man and The Emperor of the Air: Why? 10. Do a few pounds equal pudgy? 11. MLSF: a coming of age film for two children 12. How much did Moira know and when did she know it? 13. Was Heloise a flirt? Did she have any \"moral fiber\" 14. How many children did Moira have and how much did that contribute to her appearance? 15. Edward's character: in-depth analysis 16. How educational were Grandpa M's books? 17. Who did Morris and Heloise think they were, telling a kid not to listen to his father? 18. Was Edward infatuated by Heloise or did he just want to get at Morris? 19. Authenticity of accents 20. More Gamma's secrets: teeth and undergarments 21. A case for Moira being \"trailer trash,\" or would a well-bred wife accuse her husband of philandering in front of the kiddies and neighbors? 22. Stairs (no further explanation required) 23. How are Uncle Crawford and Aunt Eunice related? 24. Why was Edward so amazed by the sight of an airplane? 25. Magna: new and subtle meanings 26. Different endings 27. How much did Fraser know about his father and Heloise before mother blurted it out? 28. Difficulties with the film's POV 29. Would you have learned anything from Edward's sex talk with Fraser? 30. Did Heloise tell Morris about Lust in the Loft? Was she really upset over it? And, if so, why? 31. The music 32. How did being a geek affect Edward's development and interpersonal relations? 33. Everything you ever wanted to know about being a lothario 34. The blue suit, or clothing makes the man 35. Sorting out all the children; who is a Pettigrew and who is not 36. What book was Fraser reading and where can I get it? 37. Why does Fraser flee from Heloise? 38. The inventions of Edward Pettigrew (beginning)"}, {"response": 454, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Aug  8, 2002 (17:20)", "body": "(Karen)Speaking of staff, is it not odd that Fraser hangs around them so much in the kitchen and is waiting on them? Unless of course, this is something all the children had to do, teaching them some moral value. Have to check book. Maybe there's a hint. I wonder if it's a form of being friendly, almost a game they play. They take care of him upstairs, he goes downstairs to return the favor? Plus, he may have learned that his parents will discourage any attempt to gossip about family, but the servants will love it. The other kids don't seem to go into the servants' area, so maybe this is one of Fraser's ways of trying to be different, maybe even to seek extra attention (attention that his sibs don't get)?"}, {"response": 455, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Aug  8, 2002 (17:25)", "body": "Great list, Karen! My personal faves: 6. Gamma's secrets, or how it is possible to have a son one's own age [perhaps she was born pregnant, like a Star Trek tribble?] 12. How much did Moira know and when did she know it? [and did Edward ever issue a non-denial denial?] 29. Would you have learned anything from Edward's sex talk with Fraser? [no, but I know a lot more about volcanoes now]"}, {"response": 456, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug  8, 2002 (18:00)", "body": "Hilarious list, boss.Though the film didn't expect them to be so funny. My fave: 6. Same as Kate: How could Gamma have son one's own age. Absurd. 9.The Hairy Man and Emperor of the air. why? And who cares. You missed one that has bothered me. Why was Heloise all over Fraser all the time. Couldn't keep her hands off him.Me thinks a little \"pervy\". How could Hugh Hudson with an Oscar under his belt for Chariots of Fire make such a disjointed film. Still it's one of my favorites, and I hope the discussion continues."}, {"response": 457, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Aug  8, 2002 (18:10)", "body": "Karen, what a thorough comprehensive list! Very well done! (Karen)18. Was Edward infatuated by Heloise or did he just want to get at Morris? I like the way you ask the question in this way. It brings me back to the theory, that Edward is really a child and as Heloise says at the end of that scene, \"Edward, you're acting like a child.\" Maybe that's the explanation of the loft scenes right there in that quote. Edward was like a child and he saw something that someone else had and he wanted to play with it himself (just like kids on a playground or in Nursery school). Usually what happens after someone grabs a toy from another is that they are told it is not theirs and to play with their own (unless of course by some chance they are told they can have a turn later ;-), not the case here). Heloise is like the teacher in this analogy, and she admonishes Edward about trying to have her his way (seems like he tried hard because of yelling and screams). But Heloise gets away because let's face it, Edward was childish, but he wouldn't physically hurt to get what he wanted so he would probably relent. Then like a child he hasn't learned to feel remorse yet (with Morris in the library), and he brags later on (at bonspiel) about having a girl he didn't have (teenage boys do this all the time). But it's really that he's used to getting his way and what he wants. Isn't it revealing too that Fraser knows when he's done a very bad thing (by age 10) and Edward does not. So I don't think he was really infatuated with Heloise, he just wanted Morris's toy and kept trying even though he kept being told to stop trying by Heloise. It wasn't until Moira gave him an ultimatum that he finally thought about it and realized he'd been a child. So maybe that's what happened (struggle in the loft) and what didn't happen (consummation)."}, {"response": 458, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Thu, Aug  8, 2002 (19:17)", "body": "(Karen) Perhaps it is that \"layering\" business that he alluded to... Every single pair of trousers is double-pleated, IIRC. (There's a very good reason why men of ample proportions generally avoid these.) Shirts and jackets weren't cut as close to the body then as they were later, or in more formal clothing. Lots of vests and sweater vests under the jackets, too. I think he looks just right in these clothes. FWIW, there's a huge sewing anomaly in the measuring scene; is Moira attempting to make up a kilt on a tailor's dummy? Wouldn't work at all; you'd have to baste it into its pleated form first, then adjusted to fit the individual. The list is a hoot! And there are many things left to cover."}, {"response": 459, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Aug  8, 2002 (20:01)", "body": "(Karen) Maybe he thought it would save everyone some grief in dealing with Lillian. She could, in turn, tell the rest of the staff of the proper way to address Mister Billie. Yes, but her girlfriend was Hector, and I've known girls named Billie, but never a female Hector. Although, of course, Hector was wearing a dress and Billie wasn't. (Lora) But Heloise gets away because let's face it, Edward was childish, but he wouldn't physically hurt to get what he wanted so he would probably relent. Then like a child he hasn't learned to feel remorse yet (with Morris in the library), and he brags later on (at bonspiel) about having a girl he didn't have (teenage boys do this all the time) Excellent point! I'd never thought about Edward as acting like a teenager before, but it makes sense. (Lora) So I don't think he was really infatuated with Heloise Really? I think he thought he was in love with her. Consider the expression on his face when she kisses him on the cheek, the way he agonizes in the study after he's read her note dismissing him as a friend, and more agonizing when he has to make his final decision to stay with Moira. (Aren't CF and angst a match made in heaven?!) (Karen)Speaking of staff, is it not odd that Fraser hangs around them so much in the kitchen and is waiting on them? Unless of course, this is something all the children had to do, teaching them some moral value. Have to check book. Maybe there's a hint. (Kate F) I wonder if it's a form of being friendly, almost a game they play. They take care of him upstairs, he goes downstairs to return the favor? Plus, he may have learned that his parents will discourage any attempt to gossip about family, but the servants will love it. The other kids don't seem to go into the servants' area, so maybe this is one of Fraser's ways of trying to be different, maybe even to seek extra attention (attention that his sibs don't get)? I think perhaps Fraser, being precocious, enjoys the company of adults on occasion. And in his dialogues with the servants, it is Fraser who is listened to. Nobody corrects him -- instead they treat him as a higher authority. I did think it strange, though, that he was waiting on them. Great list, Karen! And wonderful comments to the list from Kate F, Evelyn and Lora. Thanks for the pictures, Rika! This is the slimmest \"pudgy\" man I've ever seen. I just realized that in a post yesterday I referred to Sissie as Suzi. It must have been a brain short. I'm going to go watch again and see what else we can talk about."}, {"response": 460, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Aug  8, 2002 (20:48)", "body": "(Kathy)Consider the expression on his face when she kisses him on the cheek, the way he agonizes in the study after he's read her note dismissing him as a friend, and more agonizing when he has to make his final decision to stay with Moira. Could it be the expression of someone who thinks he is getting what he's desired? Take the child who wants someone else's toy. Their expression is one of complete desire for it and agony if they don't get it. Then they finally get hold of it and within minutes they've thrown it down for something else. So maybe it's infatuation to a certain extent, but not one that would deepen or amount to anything. What Edward goes through later when he finally grapples with what he's done and his childishness, is perhaps an agonizing learning experience about his life so far and that's the reason for his anguished expressions. He is also lucky that Moira has given him a second chance to do some growing up and to become more adultlike. And you're so right, Kathy, he really does angst so well. Nobody does it better ;-)."}, {"response": 461, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Aug  8, 2002 (21:07)", "body": "Fantastically, funny list, boss. My personal favorites 12. How much did Moira know and when did she know it? I'd say from the moment that little French tart entered the house. 13. Was Heloise a flirt? Did she have any \"moral fiber\" YES, NO respectively 22. Stairs (no further explanation required) 33. Everything you ever wanted to know about being a lothario. Actually, I like to know a wee bit more! And now, my most favorite: 23. How are Uncle Crawford and Aunt Eunice related? Who cares. Just who the hell are these people, and why are they there? If there is more to discuss, I would like to expand on #21: A case for Moira being \"trailer trash,\" or would a well-bred wife accuse her husband of philandering in front of the kiddies and neighbors?"}, {"response": 462, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (00:08)", "body": "I just slapped that together; I'm sure it can be improved upon. But: (Evelyn) You missed one that has bothered me. Why was Heloise all over Fraser all the time. Couldn't keep her hands off him. Me thinks a little \"pervy\". I had classified this one within #13. Was Heloise a flirt? Did she have any \"moral fiber,\" but you're correct it does deserve its own: 39. Is Heloise afraid of men her own age or just a little pervy?"}, {"response": 463, "author": "caribou", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (00:15)", "body": "(Karen)9. The Hairy Man and The Emperor of the Air: Why? I'll take my turn beating a dead horse. :-) Both of these characters really underscore for me the fact a child is telling the story. Especially, the way he has special names for them even though he knows their real names. These characters cause me to look back to my own childhood and see if I have any similiar memories. Growing up sixty years after Fraser, I can remember running like crazy from a man who frequently walked slowly down our country road--like Frazer ran from the Hairy Man. The other thing the Hairy Man does is show us one thing that happened to shell-shocked survivors of WWI. (AMITC shows us two different stories that were in danger of ending this way but didn't.) I also appreciate that inclusion because otherwise I would be tempted to think post-traumatic shock syndrome was a recent phenomenon. The Emporer of the Air also brings back memories of my childhood and the perspective I had then. A man came back to our neck of the woods, after flying in WWII, and set up a small airport just a quarter of a mile from where I grew up. It was always thrilling to hear the planes take off as he flew sight-seers around the area. If we had company, there was always discussion: did they want to take a ride and who would take a ride vs. who wanted to keep their feet on the ground. It was a privilege that we had to grow into and it was a lot of fun to wonder what the world would look like from up there. We all listened intently to anyone who had been in \"one of those things\" for any clue they could give us about what it was like. Not discussed, so far: how film discussions are like group therapy!!!;-) ;-) (Karen)23. How are Uncle Crawford and Aunt Eunice related? I don't know how they are related but they are used to forward the plot quite often. At the guilty-Edward dinner, Eunice says, Crawford saw Jesus Christ walking across the loch this morning etc, etc. We later find out it wasn't exactly Jesus walking but the Hairy Man drowning which is when we find out who he was. Then, the big fight is started because Crawford is \"going on and on about Jesus\". Fraser yells at him because to his concrete way of thinking, Uncle Crawford is telling a lie when he is speaking figuratively to comfort Moira."}, {"response": 464, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (00:42)", "body": "7. How to run with a towel Shame there was no chance to discuss the converse. ;-D 24. Why was Edward so amazed by the sight of an airplane? Was there ever a definitive answer that I missed? (Evelyn) You missed one that has bothered me. Why was Heloise all over Fraser all the time. Have to admit I didn't pay attention to that so much the first time , but after subsequent discussion and viewings, I found that very odd and more than a little pervy. 22. Stairs (no further explanation required) Breathin' heavy just thinkin about him...er, them. 29. Would you have learned anything from Edward's sex talk with Fraser? I would've wondered how a guy who seems so utterly clueless ended up with so many kids!"}, {"response": 465, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (04:30)", "body": "(Rika, quoted by Pam) Bring on the Butts please!!!!! I'm not sure who said this but I don't think I did. Not that my saying it would be at all out of character.... ;-D Apologies Rika. The wording is mine. (Rika) Second, I found it odd that when Morris and Heloise arrived for the bonspiel, and Heloise was running up the stairs shouting for Fraser (\"my favorite nephew\"), he seemed to run away from her as fast as he could. All I could think was that his father's lecture about avoiding temptations of the flesh at all costs was in his mind, since it happened a very short time after their conversation in Edward's study. Or am I missing something? I watched it again today. He is definitely trying to avoid her when she arrives. He may be realizing he has \"growing pain\" feelings for her and doesn't know quite how to deal with them. Also, after he told his dad he dreamed of Heloise and heard music for the first time, Edward says, \"Oh, God\" so Fraser could have picked up on that and felt a bit odd about being too close to her. Possible. I also noticed, maybe watching it so much, that his hostility towards his father seems to dissipate after the fight at the funeral. He seems to be more tolerant of him and explains how his father is trying hard to make his mother happy, which if he detested he wouldn't acknowledge. His \"acting-out\" at the end of the movie I took as growing pains, not necessarily hostility toward his father. Everyone does things like that as they're \"learning the facts of life\". Especially young men. If I remember correctly, Aunt Eunice is hugging Moira while Fraser is on the roof. They are there at so many different times of the year I was given the impression that they live there."}, {"response": 466, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (10:35)", "body": "(Lora) Could it be the expression of someone who thinks he is getting what he's desired? Take the child who wants someone else's toy........So maybe it's infatuation to a certain extent, but not one that would deepen or amount to anything. I agree that it's infatuation and not anything deeper, and I do think that her status as Morris's fiancee increased her attractiveness to Edward (especially later on). But I think what initially started things in motion was that she was so entirely outside of the limited scope of life at Kiloran. Young and exotic - those are the things Edward mentions to Heloise in the moss factory, and also to Morris afterwards, and I think they explain much of his obsession with her. (Pam) I also noticed, maybe watching it so much, that his hostility towards his father seems to dissipate after the fight at the funeral. He seems to be more tolerant of him and explains how his father is trying hard to make his mother happy, which if he detested he wouldn't acknowledge. Agreed. And that makes sense, because the root of the hostility was their rivalry for Heloise's attention (added to by Fraser's growing awareness of how it was hurting his mother). So when Edward went back to Moira (emotionally speaking), the root cause of the conflict no longer existed. But.... His \"acting-out\" at the end of the movie I took as growing pains, not necessarily hostility toward his father. Agreed. Even if Heloise is out of the picture, Fraser is still growing up and trying to become his own person, so he still has to break away. And I think Edward understands this at least to some extent, which is why he silently backs away and leaves Fraser as he is instead of insisting that he join the family for church."}, {"response": 467, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (11:46)", "body": "We haven't talked about corporal punishment either. I know I said before that Edward wouldn't physically hurt someone (in the loft), but I had forgotten about that scene behind the stained glass after the Halloween dance. That scene made me uncomfortable the first two times I watched it. But I suppose Edward didn't know how to discipline any other way given that he could never fully explain anything to Fraser. 24. Why was Edward so amazed by the sight of an airplane? When the Emperor of the Air first arrived the two older sisters talk about how he is like Daedalus and Icarus who fell from the sky. They then try to figure out which one was the Father and which one was the son (we are confused like this with Edward and Fraser at times) and which one flew too close to the sun (did Edward do so later in the loft, so to speak?). Fraser helps them out, but what struck me about the reference is that Daedalus was an architect who built a Labyrinth and with his son he tried to escape from it after they were imprisoned in it. It's Fraser who wants to go up in the plane and gives his father the idea at the moss factory. Does Edward sometimes feel imprisoned too and have a desire to escape from the confines of Kiloran, for just a little while? He's also been experimenting with flight, but hasn't come close to inventing anything that works, so maybe he's also a little envious of it when he sees the airplane. There must be more to the Daedalus/Icarus reference, but I keep finding myself flying in circles with it ;-/. Anyone else want to try to make sense if it? It also bothered me at first when he went up in the airplane with Moira since there was such a large family depending on them if something were to go wrong. But then I was happy for Moira that she got to have a little adventure in her life for once. Maybe he wanted the opportunity to escape for awhile"}, {"response": 468, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (12:02)", "body": "Sorry about that last line that I started and forgot that it was still there when I posted. Told you I was going in circles with it ;-)."}, {"response": 469, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (12:02)", "body": "(Karen) which would then make Eunice a sister of Moira and Morris (Linda) but they/Eunice seem so far removed from those scenes which deal with the estate-how it will be left Watched it again last night and zoomed and panned around for all family scenes, counting children among other things. These people are nearly everywhere, so as we've all finally concluded they do probably live at Kiloran with their children, whichever ones they are in the pack. Strangely I did pick out a few oddities: (1) Cassie Burns is sitting at the kiddie table. She's the daughter of an employee and wouldn't be there. I didn't see another child with a similar blonde bob at other strictly family scenes. (2) You don't see Aunt and Uncle at Gamma's deathbed. Morris is on her right and Moira is on the left. Granted you cannot see everyone at the foot of the bed (even with zoom), but as the people are filing out, you don't see them and Morris does close the door, so I assume everyone is out. If either was one of Gamma's children, wouldn't he/she be at the bedside as prominently as Moira and Morris? BTW, don't you love Edward's little endearment: \"It's time to go now, angel.\" *sigh* As far as Crawford and Eunice sharing in estate management, I think the book answers that question. Adam did not immediately move into Craigielands after his marriage to the Child. He did work for about four years and then Gamma invited him to be the estate's factor. Denis described the division of responsibilities as his grandmother ruling the household and everyone in it, his mother was in charge of the nursery and all small children and his father took care of the lands and estate. However, all the employees still knew that Mrs. Smith had the final word even on that. (Lora) something gives me the idea that he may have also invented the way young Brenda's crib rocks by itself and the interestingly intricate intercom that Gamma talks to the head cook with when she compliments her on the dinner. I'm pretty sure the dining room intercom is mentioned in the book. The self-rocking crib might be too, as most of his inventions were home improvements; he had given up on commercial ventures. (Lora) But Heloise gets away because let's face it, Edward was childish, but he wouldn't physically hurt to get what he wanted so he would probably relent. Then like a child he hasn't learned to feel remorse yet (with Morris in the library), and he brags later on (at bonspiel) about having a girl he didn't have (teenage boys do this all the time). But it's really that he's used to getting his way and what he wants. Isn't it revealing too that Fraser knows when he's done a very bad thing (by age 10) and Edward does not. Very good summary, but I do think he was infatuated with her. (Kathy) I think perhaps Fraser, being precocious, enjoys the company of adults on occasion. And in his dialogues with the servants, it is Fraser who is listened to. Nobody corrects him -- instead they treat him as a higher authority. Another excellent take. Fraser is constantly commenting in his voiceovers that he knows more than his father and others because of his extensive reading. It makes sense that he would enjoy showing \"anyone\" the breadth of his knowledge. 9. The Hairy Man and The Emperor of the Air: Why? (Caribou) I'll take my turn beating a dead horse. :-) Aw! I completely agree with you about their function within the story. The Hairy Man is fairly adequately dealt with, but not the Emperor, especially his return to Kiloran and his relationship with Elspeth (another pervy attraction IMO). [Warning!! Symbolism ahead!!] Another swan reference: At the bonspiel, Emperor says that Elspeth (who can barely stand up straight on the ice) moves like a swan. So we have a swan in Grandpa M's book on mythology, the cello music and now this. And so swans would symbolize what??? ;-) (Caribou) If we had company, there was always discussion: did they want to take a ride and who would take a ride. So what is your take on the childish Edward's hogging the plane ride, when it was Fraser who initially asked? Instead, Edward shoved him aside (as he would later on several occasions with Heloise), saying he's too young. Poor little Fraser only gets to wear the pilot's helmet, while Edward gets to soar. (Pam) his hostility towards his father seems to dissipate after the fight at the funeral. He seems to be more tolerant of him and explains how his father is trying hard to make his mother happy, which if he detested he wouldn't acknowledge. Maybe he is more tolerant, but I think it is because the father-son separation has occurred and his father is in the doghouse anyway. Fraser doesn't have to worry about being criticized by his father as the father is more inwardly focused at this time. (Rika) But I think what initially started things in motion was that she was so entirely outside of the limited scope of life at Kiloran. Young and exotic - those are the things Edward mentions to Heloise in the moss factory, and als"}, {"response": 470, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (12:07)", "body": "How funny that we both touched on the airplane ride at the same time, while I was offline composing."}, {"response": 471, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (12:53)", "body": "About swans: - In Greek mythology Zeus took the form of a swan to seduce Leda. The swan has erotic associations as an emblem of Aphrodite/Venus. The chariot of Venus can be drawn by swans. [More about Leda and the swan: http://www.loggia.com/myth/leda.html ] - One of the best-known children's tales, The Ugly Duckling, tells of an little \"duckling\" who doesn't look lilke the others, who are all very surprised when he grows up to become that most elegant of birds, the swan. On one level, this fable illustrates the deceptive nature of first appearances and teaches us that true beauty grows from within. Swan, in teaching us that we all have inner grace and beauty, teaches self-esteem. - Swan symbolizes grace and beauty on many levels. It is associated with love, music, and poetry. In Roman mythology Swan was sacred to Venus, the goddess of love. In Greek tradition, this bird was often pictured singing to a lyre."}, {"response": 472, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (13:17)", "body": "(Karen) Cassie Burns is sitting at the kiddie table. She's the daughter of an employee and wouldn't be there. I didn't see another child with a similar blonde bob at other strictly family scenes. I was rewatching last night, looking for Crawford and Eunice, and children (to try to find answers to those nagging questions). I noticed that in the church scene, C&E are sitting on the end of the pew in front of Fraser. Next to them are three girls. There was also a girl with short blond hair in the semi-submersible vulcanized pantaloons scene, who at first glance I thought was Cassie. However, she wasn't. Perhaps she belongs to C&E, and is the one sitting at the kiddie table. At first I thought it was Cassie, and had the same reaction you did. Even now, I'm not absolutely positive it wasn't Cassie. I agree that Cassie definitely would not belong at Kiloran for a formal dinner. (Again, why this tendency to cast people who looked so similar?) Another swan reference in the scene in which Fraser, Finlay and Brenda doing artwork or schoolwork (never have been sure) at a table, and Fraser asks Gamma if Jesus can really turn people into animals. Then Fraser says he would like to be a swan or a bull. Wonder why. ;-) (It just occurred to me how ironic it was, considering her demise, that Gamma replied she'd always wanted to be a polar bear.) Karen, thanks for the swan info. Very informative."}, {"response": 473, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (13:35)", "body": "(Kathy) Then Fraser says he would like to be a swan or a bull. Wonder why. ;-) True, he has just seen the bull in action, but Zeus also took that form to carry off the Phoenician princess Europa to Crete; she had two sons. (Kathy) (It just occurred to me how ironic it was, considering her demise, that Gamma replied she'd always wanted to be a polar bear.) Groan! ;-)"}, {"response": 474, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (14:07)", "body": "(Lora)We haven't talked about corporal punishment either. I know I said before that Edward wouldn't physically hurt someone (in the loft), but I had forgotten about that scene behind the stained glass after the Halloween dance. That scene made me uncomfortable the first two times I watched it. The more I watch that scene, I'm convinced he doesn't hit them at all. Yes, they come out rubbing their behinds, but they are laughing as well. As they leave, Edward says something like go on and behave yourselves or next time I'll take my cane to both of you. Go up and apologize to Mrs. Mc. (Karen)Watched it again last night and zoomed and panned around for all family scenes, counting children among other things.These people are nearly everywhere... I didn't mean that they weren't physically around. I never heard any discussion from them or to them concerning the inheritance of the estate-which is a constant conversation topic among Edward/Morris/Gamma. If one or the other of them was also a sibbling wouldn't they be part of the fray as well? (Karen)don't you love Edward's little endearment: \"It's time to go now, angel.\" *sigh* I get a chill everytime I watch/hear those words. I love it. The first time I watched the film, I thought at that point Edward had already come to his senses about Moira. (Maybe he has by this time-except for his-I won the bet months ago statement)Especially since he was so tender and gentle with her, I didn't expect the post funeral scene between Edward and Moira."}, {"response": 475, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (14:37)", "body": "(Lora)We haven't talked about corporal punishment either. (lindak)The more I watch that scene, I'm convinced he doesn't hit them at all. Ah, remember, corporal punishment was generally thought of in a different light than we think of it today. It was a character builder and a necessary means to discipline children for the majority of people. Back then, were someone to say they had to take a belt to their child, it would not be thought of twice, whereas today, were someone to do it, only a dense fool would mention it to others. But, I agree with Linda and might have to pull my video out today. I recall the boys were a little too chipper afterwards, and if Edward did indeed say that, perhaps it was a show of sorts. Did you get the impression that the boys were putting on some sort of show of their own at some point? Another point, by today's standards, who among us would even consider disciplining someone else child, especially in such a fashion???"}, {"response": 476, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (15:05)", "body": "(Karen) but not the Emperor, especially his return to Kiloran and his relationship with Elspeth (another pervy attraction IMO). At least she was of a somewhat reasonable age. Certainly at least 16, maybe 18? (Lisa) Ah, remember, corporal punishment was generally thought of in a different light than we think of it today. That's what I think too. And it was probably just a hand-smack on the rear for each - he specifically points out that he didn't use a cane. Heck, a spanking of that sort wasn't necessarily viewed in a bad light when I was growing up either, and that's a lot more recent than the setting of this movie. Another point, by today's standards, who among us would even consider disciplining someone else child, especially in such a fashion??? How true. But as we've been discussing, Donald and Cassie are around a fair amount, so they may be seen as surrogate Pettigrews in a way. Also, their status as children of one of Edward's employees may give him an authority over them that he wouldn't have over a neighbor's child."}, {"response": 477, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (15:18)", "body": "(Karen) True, he has just seen the bull in action, but Zeus also took that form to carry off the Phoenician princess Europa to Crete; she had two sons. Well, actually I was thinking about the Greek mythology book Fraser had been reading in the secret library, with the illustrations involving swans and bulls -- \"another of a lady named Pacify, who had a pet bull she loved hugely.\" That line just cracks me up! Somehow the bulling scene had slipped my mind. I didn't realize that about Zeus. I think it's time to peruse my mythology book again. 24. Why was Edward so amazed by the sight of an airplane? I thought the look on his face was more of aggravation. Something like, \"here comes this guy in a real airplane, ruining my big moment.\" Edward's experiments, with the exception of venting his chimney under the lawn, seem to do with making improvements (or trying to improve upon) already existing technology. I thought the model airplane was probably meant to be a test of a new design. Likewise, the strange car with the propeller behind it. I noticed last night for the first time (odd, after so many viewings). At the Halloween party, why are the other children made to take their shoes off as the enter the house (undoubtedly to save the floor), yet in the dancing scene, Fraser and Cassie have shoes on?"}, {"response": 478, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (15:22)", "body": "Well, he certainly didn't have a belt handy, that's for sure. ;-) And since we didn't hear him say, \"drop 'em,\" it wasn't a harsh spanking IMO. Only that he spanked Donald struck me as strange, but as Rika points out the Burns kids were part of the household. No one would think twice about it in those times."}, {"response": 479, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (15:25)", "body": "24. Why was Edward so amazed by the sight of an airplane? (Kathy) I thought the look on his face was more of aggravation. Something like, \"here comes this guy in a real airplane, ruining my big moment.\" My burning question still is why did he think it would be such a big moment? Was his invention designed to be a special type of plane or just a flying machine. As I think I said before, why would he be trying to invent something that obviously has been around for some time as they don't crop up overnight. Are they cut off from news of the outside world? Doesn't Edward keep up somehow with other scientific information? A scientist/inventor is by nature very inquisitive."}, {"response": 480, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (15:36)", "body": "(Karen) And since we didn't hear him say, \"drop 'em,\" it wasn't a harsh spanking IMO. LOL Karen, weren't the boys also wearing their kilts? It would have to be \"Raise 'em lads\"."}, {"response": 481, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (15:58)", "body": "(Dorine) My burning question still is why did he think it would be such a big moment? Was his invention designed to be a special type of plane or just a flying machine. As I think I said before, why would he be trying to invent something that obviously has been around for some time as they don't crop up overnight. Are they cut off from news of the outside world? Doesn't Edward keep up somehow with other scientific information? A scientist/inventor is by nature very inquisitive. I think I may have the answer from the book. Adam had lots of ideas to improve upon existing inventions or so he thought. He did not research the scientific basis for his schemes, which is why they mainly amounted to nothing. Very likely, there was something within that model that was his own invention. In fact, Adam's inventions are a major source of Denis' disillusionment. I also noted an unhealthy amount of snobbery in Denis' views and his own sense of superiority over his father's intellect. (Caribou, this might interest you as well from previous comments). I believe that I genuinely wanted to love and respect my father. All around me there were people who appeared to do so but to me he always remained a figure of fun and a source of aggravation. He goes on to describe his father's various experiments to improve the sound amplification of the wireless, which consisted of enlarging the horn to various sizes: \"But my father was not satisfied and decided to devise his own improved style of horn. Unfortunately for him he had never studied the theory of sound as it is affected by the shape of the horn. Nor had he ever heard, I think, of the exponential curse nor of the logorithmic curve, nor did he apply to his horn experiment any deduction from observing the bell of a fren h horn or any other wind instrument.\" Many other things about his father embarrassed him, including when he affected a strong Doris accent to speak with the estate workers. Denis knew his father meant well, but was very embarrassed, especially as he himself could do it flawlessly. He termed his father's \"music hall Scots,\" as his normal speaking voice was \"very English, almost Anglican\" and it upset Denis aesthetically."}, {"response": 482, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (15:59)", "body": "(Lisa) weren't the boys also wearing their kilts? It would have to be \"Raise 'em lads\". Ooops, I stand corrected. We have flesh against flesh. It would hurt."}, {"response": 483, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (16:26)", "body": "(Karen) Many other things about his father embarrassed him, including when he affected a strong Doris accent to speak with the estate workers. Like the dynamite scene, where he's showing off in front of Heloise? Another thing that's been bothering me: When Fraser goes to Moira's room with the RCA Victor catalog Heloise sent him, after he leaves to get the firelighters, Moira notices the scent of the catalog and then picks up the wrapper and smells it. Why? Doesn't she already know it came from Heloise? What is she comparing it to? Edward still has his letter with him, so it's not as if she has found evidence of something. I really don't understand the reason for this scene."}, {"response": 484, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (16:32)", "body": ""}, {"response": 485, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (16:34)", "body": "When he's showing her around his moss operation. No dynamite in that one. But there's an ooops again. It should read Doric accent, not Doris, who must be one of the children. ;-)"}, {"response": 486, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (16:55)", "body": "You're absolutely right! Must remember to actually think about what I'm typing. ;-)"}, {"response": 487, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (17:40)", "body": "(Lori) We haven't talked about corporal punishment either. I know I said before that Edward wouldn't physically hurt someone (in the loft), but I had forgotten about that scene behind the stained glass after the Halloween dance. That scene made me uncomfortable the first two times I watched it. But I suppose Edward didn't know how to discipline any other way given that he could never fully explain anything to Fraser. Don't forget we're watching 1920. In those days there was nothing wrong in spanking or hitting a child for misbehaving. It was common practice. It's only been in the last 15 years or so physical punishment has been frowned upon. I can still remember a few good spankings I received, and the reasons, justified, for them. I doubt many young people today can remember what and if they were punished for and the reasoning behind it. More's the pitty. (Kathy) Then Fraser says he would like to be a swan or a bull. Wonder why. ;-)True, he has just seen the bull in action, but Zeus also took that form to carry off the Phoenician princess Europa to Crete; she had two sons. I think there could be an even simpler reason. Look at Grandpas porn. There are two Lovely (?) ladies each posing with a swan and a bull. (Freddie) ...Did you get the impression that the boys were putting on some sort of show of their own at some point? To be honest, considering Fraser's latest pasttime and his enthusiasm for it, I don't doubt that he touched the girls behind, out of curiosity of course. The girl could have said something so the brother had to react. They both found the whole thing very funny, remained good friends, and got quite a kick out of Edward too. Cassie didn't seem overly upset either. They were all growing up in leaps and bounds. Good stuff, very interesting thoughts. Thanks ladies."}, {"response": 488, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (17:51)", "body": "closing tag"}, {"response": 489, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (20:25)", "body": "(Kathy)What is she comparing it to? Edward still has his letter with him, so it's not as if she has found evidence of something. I really don't understand the reason for this scene I don't think it was to compare. I think she knew the catalogue was from Heloise, but the scent probably brought back memories of Heloise-and allowed her to remember the unpleasant and uncomfortable times. She seems to have a wistful, far-off look as she brings it away from her face. Maybe she also realizes the scent lingering on Edward at some other time, and now realizes he may have had his hands on her after all."}, {"response": 490, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (20:33)", "body": "(Kathy) \"another of a lady named Pacify, who had a pet bull she loved hugely.\" That line just cracks me up! I love it too...and it's really Pasiphae, another taurine reference. The daughter of Helios and Perse, and wife of King Minos. She was the mother of Glaucus, Andogeus, Phaedra, and Ariadne. When Minos had the misfortune of insulting Poseidon, the god kindled a passionate love in Pasiphae for a bull. She had Daedalus design a construction so that she could mate with the bull, and thus she became the mother of the Minotaur."}, {"response": 491, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (20:49)", "body": "(lindak) Maybe she also realizes the scent lingering on Edward at some other time, and now realizes he may have had his hands on her after all. That's about the best thing I could come up with, too. It seems to be another one of those scenes that either should have explained more, or shouldn't have been there at all. As it stands now, it just seems to add to the confusion."}, {"response": 492, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (21:01)", "body": "(Elizabeth S) When Minos had the misfortune of insulting Poseidon, the god kindled a passionate love in Pasiphae for a bull. She had Daedalus design a construction so that she could mate with the bull, and thus she became the mother of the Minotaur. What kind of construction? All these mythological references make me desperate to find the box that holds my mythology books! And another Daedalus connection, too! And thanks for the correction on the spelling. :-)"}, {"response": 493, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (21:24)", "body": "A false bull, I believe. Sounds like a lotta bull to me! Wasn't your mistake, it was Fraser's, and added enormously to the joke IMO."}, {"response": 494, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (21:50)", "body": "Sorry, but I can't resist. So should Topic #40 be: Mythology and assorted bullshit? ;-)"}, {"response": 495, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (22:11)", "body": "Karen, thank you for the clarification of my burning question. That makes more sense to me."}, {"response": 496, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Aug 10, 2002 (00:43)", "body": "(Linda)I don't think it was to compare. I think she knew the catalogue was from Heloise, but the scent probably brought back memories of Heloise... Are we sure the catalog was from Heloise? I didn't think it was. My assumption was that the scent of Edward's letter from Heloise rubbed off on other pieces of mail in the day's bundle (such as the catalog). Moira, as suspicious as she already was, may have reached the same conclusion. (Karen) I also noted an unhealthy amount of snobbery in Denis' views and his own sense of superiority over his father's intellect. You've hit on something that bothered me about the book (or at least, the 50% of it I've read so far). He seemed rather disapproving of just about every adult he grew up with. He's got a lot of critical things to say about his mother, and he's even annoyed at Gamma a lot of the time. He talks about his list of ten people he wouldn't want to die, updated daily. His parents are never on the list, and Gamma only some of the time. He whines about latter-day children had it so much better in terms of family relationships. Sorry, but I felt not a shred of sympathy for him."}, {"response": 497, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 10, 2002 (09:15)", "body": "(Rika) Sorry, but I felt not a shred of sympathy for him. Now, aren't you glad they changed the story? That whole book (Son of Adam)is a big bore as is Sir Denis Forman. Don't bother with his second book...it's worse."}, {"response": 498, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 10, 2002 (10:19)", "body": "(Kathy) Even now, I'm not absolutely positive it wasn't Cassie. But you've made a far better case for it not being her. I congratulate your eyesight, DVD pan-and-zoom acumen, and persistence on this matter of doctrinal import. ;-) (Lisa) I recall the boys were a little too chipper afterwards, and if Edward did indeed say that, perhaps it was a show of sorts. Denis mentions getting beatings several times. He liked being thought of as a bad boy and intentionally provoked many people. \"To be beaten by my father was something to boast about. One could show the marks and cheekily imitate his sudden flurry as he went into action.\" However, I don't think this is how they portrayed Fraser in the film because that would've made him unsympathetic. (Kathy) At the Halloween party, why are the other children made to take their shoes off as the enter the house (undoubtedly to save the floor), yet in the dancing scene, Fraser and Cassie have shoes on? Only a supposition on my part, but the family held two parties a year for tenants' children, one was Halloween. Denis described them as uncomfortable events, where the boys wore \"damp-smelling tweed jackets and shorts and the girls the cheapest frocks....\" My guess is they didn't have party shoes either. (Linda)I don't think it was to compare. I think she knew the catalogue was from Heloise, but the scent probably brought back memories of Heloise... (Rika) Are we sure the catalog was from Heloise? I didn't think it was. We can't be sure, but it seems likely that she would continue to support Fraser's rebellious interest in jazz from afar. My take is that Moira recognized the scent (which must have been very strong given how the items were far from people's noses) and knew not only who had sent it but who was continuing to interfere with her family. (Rika) [Denis] seemed rather disapproving of just about every adult he grew up with...Sorry, but I felt not a shred of sympathy for him. I know what you mean. He had no respect for any of the adults at the main house but felt more at home with the farm workers and the main gamekeeper because he respected their way of life. They knew everything about their work, not like his father who dabbled in many things but was an expert in none. He commented specifically on the gamekeeper as being an expert in everything concerning the out of doors, even volcanoes. He's the prototype for Andrew Burns. I'm skimming through the book again, as I had read it long ago on library loan. When we were in London the last time, I found a used copy for a pound and had to buy it. There are far more little incidents and details from the book that were incorporated in the film in some way. But the greatest find has to do with our mystery couple. ;-) As other characters have their prototypes, so do Uncle Crawford and Aunt Eunice, who are based on Denis' Uncle Neil and Aunt May. Neil was one of Flora's brothers and closest to her in age. He was also a vicar in London, so he didn't live with them but did visit. While Crawford doesn't appear to have the same personality traits, Denis does tell the story about seeing Jesus on the lawn."}, {"response": 499, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Aug 10, 2002 (11:30)", "body": "(Rika) He talks about his list of ten people he wouldn't want to die, updated daily. His parents are never on the list, and Gamma only some of the time. He whines about latter-day children had it so much better in terms of family relationships. I'm glad that wasn't in the movie. It would have ruined Fraser for me who I love very much. What a nasty thing to do. This man had alot of issues from early childhood. I'm not blaming the parents for them either, unless the book says otherwise. Give me Edward anytime, if that's how Fraser is. I'd rather deal with his ego."}, {"response": 500, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Aug 10, 2002 (13:44)", "body": "Yes, Evelyn, I'm very glad they changed the story and some of the characters! Forman's self-pity and his disdain for almost everyone in his family is hard to take. Karen, thanks for the Uncle Neil/Aunt May information! That must be it. I remembered that Forman said that various family members lived at the estate at different times, but I couldn't recall any details. (Karen) There are far more little incidents and details from the book that were incorporated in the film in some way. It would be fun to identify as many as possible. I'm forgetting some that I had noticed - I may have to go check again. Here are some incidents that I remember having a basis in the book - 1. Fraser's climb on the roof 2. The visit from the tailor, calling out the measurements 3. The cold plunge in the loch (but in the book Adam wore only a towel) 4. Mrs. Henderson being a bad cook 5. Edward and Fraser competing for Heloise's attention (though in the book it's a general statement about competing for attention from \"female guests\") 6. Use of dog language 7. Moira's audition with Blanche Marchesi 8. Afternoon slanks 9. Edward's love for Beethoven and the Bible 10. Fraser using a mirror to see if Gamma was breathing I know there's lots more. Kathy, I have a question based on your in-depth study of the Stairmaster in the first scene of the movie. This question occurred to me when I read in Forman's book that Adam didn't wear any underwear in the summertime. So my question is, boxers, briefs, or au naturel? I have an opinion but I bow to your greater expertise."}, {"response": 501, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sat, Aug 10, 2002 (16:32)", "body": "(Linda)I don't think it was to compare. I think she knew the catalogue was from Heloise, but the scent probably brought back memories of Heloise... (Rika) Are we sure the catalog was from Heloise? I didn't think it was. (Karen) We can't be sure, but it seems likely that she would continue to support Fraser's rebellious interest in jazz from afar. My take is that Moira recognized the scent (which must have been very strong given how the items were far from people's noses) and knew not only who had sent it but who was continuing to interfere with her family. I assumed it was from Heloise because of the scent. After Fraser mentions that his mail smells good, Edward sniffs the letters he has, and doesn't seem to respond to any aroma, so I suspect that Heloise perfumed Fraser's letter, not Edward's--which furthers the notion that she's a bit pervy. My first thought about Moira noticing the scent on the catalog was that she had smelled the perfume on Edward. But she would already have smelled the perfume on Heloise herself, so any such revelation about Edward would have happened already. I like Karen's interpretation, that Moira was less than thrilled with Heloise being a sort of presence in the family, even when she wasn't there. Also, it reminds Moira that Heloise flirts with/interferes with TWO members of her family (pushy hussy!) I have to watch the ending again. When Edward left Fraser sitting there listening to jazz, was there a hint of a smile? I thought perhaps he was recognizing that Fraser was finding himself, and maybe respecting Fraser's choices (as opposed to just accepting them), even though they were so different from his own. I'm not an expert on kilts, but I think the traditional way to wear a kilt was with nothing underneath (I vaguely remember a rude song to that effect), but I suspect that most men now wear something under the kilt. Hmm, a reason to go to NYC for the St. Pat's parade--lots of pipe bands there. (A nearby high school has a pipe band, and I know the kids wear running shorts under their kilts.)"}, {"response": 502, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Aug 10, 2002 (16:58)", "body": "(Caribou) If we had company, there was always discussion: did they want to take a ride and who would take a ride. (Karen) So what is your take on the childish Edward's hogging the plane ride, when it was Fraser who initially asked? Instead, Edward shoved him aside (as he would later on several occasions with Heloise), saying he's too young. Poor little Fraser only gets to wear the pilot's helmet, while Edward gets to soar. Very poetically put and the way it is shown in the movie does highlight the friction between father and son. But, all of the children probably would have wanted to go also and it would have been an imposition on the Emporer of the Air to have to make that many trips. Also, a practical consideration would be the height of the seats. It seemed like even Moira was barely looking over the side. So, he really, truly might have been too young. (KathyF) Edward's experiments, with the exception of venting his chimney under the lawn, seem to do with making improvements (or trying to improve upon) already existing technology. I thought this was an improvement also, with the use of asbestos and the use of a horizontal draft. Our dryer vent goes horizontally for a very, short distance and then vertically to the roof. My LRTT (local, resident technical type) tells me his design would have worked if he had kept the horizontal distance shorter. :-) (KathyF) I thought the model airplane was probably meant to be a test of a new design. Doesn't Fraser say they are aeronautical studies? The airplane had been invented but it had a long way to go at that time. They had the basics but were not like our jets today. One necessary development was the Bernoulli principle. Wings of our planes are rounded on the top and flat on the bottom. The B principle is that the air flow under the flat part will be faster than the air going over the rounded top thus producing lift. (KathyF)Likewise, the strange car with the propeller behind it. That car is interesting because it is the shape of our airplane wings. My first impression was that it wouldn't be successful (we make our fast cars just the opposite--like a wedge.) However, my LRTT corrected me and said that Edward's would have been successful for what he was trying to do. Thirty to sixty mph was unheard of at that time and his shape would have been aerodynamically sound for those speeds. It is the shape a raindrop naturally assumes as it falls through the air at 30-60 mph. The propeller behind would have assisted without producing drag. (Karen) Very likely, there was something within that model that was his own invention. I'm assuming \"that model\" is the one on his desk when Heloise arrives for the bonspiel. It could have been the shape or even something as simple as the propeller in the back. I personally like the doors but LRTT says rounded and curved glass was not widely available at that time so, probably would have been without glass. :-) (Karen)He did not research the scientific basis for his schemes, which is why they mainly amounted to nothing. I can see how someone who wanted to do wouldn't want to take the time to read everything first. He would probably just go with the first idea after learning the first fact. (Karen)Unfortunately for him he had never studied the theory of sound as it is affected by the shape of the horn. Have to admit that a square amplifier was of no benefit. It's size probably made up a little for the error of it's shape. Sound is spherical, like soap bubbles, so what it travels through is better if it is round. Can you tell I was anxious for the discussion of inventions to get well under way? :-) (Karen) (Caribou, this might interest you as well from previous comments). I believe that I genuinely wanted to love and respect my father. All around me there were people who appeared to do so but to me he always remained a figure of fun and a source of aggravation. It's kind of sad really. I appreciate the truthfulness, though and that he presented an accurate enough view that years later I can be one who does admire his father."}, {"response": 503, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sat, Aug 10, 2002 (17:18)", "body": "This man had alot of issues from early childhood. I'm not blaming the parents for them either, unless the book says otherwise. So it would seem. I wish I had access to this book now to compare some things. But like New Cardiff, my local library branch doesn't have it. But, they are geting a real hoot out of me coming in and asking for these books! Of course, everyone being unique, would grow up with different perspectives and outcomes from any environment. While Sir Denis Forman experienced a rather more negative childhood in such circumstances, I wonder of the other children. What did they think of their years growing up in such a family and in such a place? I would bet my library card that there are some very different takes on their parents, Gamma, the Scottish country life, and their dear brother Sir Denis."}, {"response": 504, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Aug 10, 2002 (18:39)", "body": "Kate, A St Patrick's Parade is Irish , and what an Irishman wears under his kilt, I know not. But I can tell you emphatically that a Scotsman shouldn't wear anything under his!!!"}, {"response": 505, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Aug 10, 2002 (19:41)", "body": "(Kate F) When Edward left Fraser sitting there listening to jazz, was there a hint of a smile? More than a hint, in fact. I love the progression of expressions in that scene. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, follow this link for about 9,000 words on the subject: http://www.geocities.com/rika9150/cf/end.html"}, {"response": 506, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 10, 2002 (20:41)", "body": "It's the \"blue soup\" smile. Thanks Rika.Lovely."}, {"response": 507, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Aug 10, 2002 (21:01)", "body": "My, oh, my what that guy can do with a mouth and two eyes! Thanks so much for the pictures, Rika. I have really been enjoying them!"}, {"response": 508, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 10, 2002 (21:01)", "body": "Wonderful storyboard of the ending. Each pic says something different. Thank you, Rika."}, {"response": 509, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Aug 10, 2002 (22:42)", "body": "Well, I must say that it was quite a sacrifice, spending time sorting through dozens of gorgeous close-ups of ODB in order to select a subset for the web page. But I've never been one to shy away from a difficult assignment!"}, {"response": 510, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sun, Aug 11, 2002 (00:37)", "body": "EXACTLY!!!! The third in the series is the smile over the birthday dinner, just after the toast, before Mr. Fancy Pants comes along to spoil the night! Thanks Rika....................."}, {"response": 511, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Aug 11, 2002 (04:28)", "body": "Thanks Rika...the \"blue soup\" smile scene is probably my favorite scene in this movie, and one of my favorites in BJD as well!"}, {"response": 512, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 11, 2002 (09:36)", "body": "I'm going to pick up on an older thread: (Elizabeth) The Golden Bough would have been heretical indeed to someone of Edward's 'manly' religious orientation....Was any reference made to Forman's reading material in the biography? Very definitely. Two books in an unused den from his father's (not his grandfather's) school days were central to his development. The first was the Encyclopaedia of Ethics, which was his first source of information on sex; he learned the chapter on prostitution by heart and said none equaled it. The second was The Golden Bough. His reading of this book allowed him to understand the seeds of his cynicism toward many aspects of religion (e.g., divinity and faith) and emerge as a superior-thinking, rational atheist. It made him see his family (primarily the \"Trinity\"--his father, mother and grandmother) as backwards people, clinging to outmoded and illogical beliefs. Denis kept his views to himself until just before he went off to school at age 15. He wrote \"the Trinity would have been shocked and would not have believed me. They would have thought I was trying it on as an act just to get a reaction. This would not have been an unreasonable response and it might have been true, but for once it wasn't.\" During one Sunday lunch, when his father was discussing that morning's sermon, Denis openly challenged the family's faith. Following the initial shock, his parents attempted to counter his statements, but he continued to escalate it into a furious shouting match and drove his mother to tears. He expected some real retribution or punishment, but it never came. While he did express some regret on the impact it had on his mother, the incident did cause a huge rift. With all this and Rika's pictures in mind, here is the library scene from the book: The Sunday after the row my mother was in bed with a backache. Sheila had gone away and my father and I were the only two remaining regular members of the usually much larger church party. When it came near to church time I did not change into the kilt, our Sunday uniform. Instead I stayed in the library in my old clothes playing the gramophone. When my father drove to the front door in the Talbot he didn't see me in the hall or the vestibule. Hearing the gramophone he opened the library door and standing in the door frame slowly took in the scene. Satchmo was defiantly rasping out one of his scat vocals. It was a sound that my father particularly abhorred. Without a word he backed out of the library, closed the door and a moment later I saw the Talbot disappearing down the north drive. I was free, but at the price of serious displeasure. As you can see, the basis for the split was far more serious in ature and I doubt Adam would've been smiling at the door. Ah, but this needed to be a light movie in the Miramax mode, complete with a bit with a dog."}, {"response": 513, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Sun, Aug 11, 2002 (11:26)", "body": "(Karen relates) During one Sunday lunch...Denis openly challenged the family's faith...he continued to escalate it into a furious shouting match and drove his mother to tears. (and Forman wrote) They would have thought I was trying it on as an act just to get a reaction. Sounds very much like an attempt to get a reaction to me! He'd have done better to go away to school and just let it lie, but no, he just had to get back at them, didn't he? As if he was going to change their minds anyway? I'm far older than fifteen but still don't discuss religion or politics with my parents for very good reasons. Not only would it have been too 'heavy', they'd have had to take the characters over several more years, adding considerably to the length and expense."}, {"response": 514, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug 11, 2002 (12:21)", "body": "(Karen relates) During one Sunday lunch...Denis openly challenged the family's faith...he continued to escalate it into a furious shouting match and drove his mother to tears. Well,I say, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree....Moira certainly didn't *think* before she spouted off her little tirade at Edward after Gamma's funeral. That bratty kid probably was privy to other such scenarios."}, {"response": 515, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 11, 2002 (17:35)", "body": "(Pam) This man had alot of issues from early childhood. I'm not blaming the parents for them either, unless the book says otherwise. Of course the book says otherwise. ;-) It was written by the child, who laid everything at his parents' and grandmother's feet. Excellent start, Rika, on that list of incidents from the book that have been included in the movie. Here are some more: 11. Under the lawn flue for central heating furnace 12. Minister's name was Mr Finlayson 13. Edward's use of broad dialect for to speak to estate workers 14. Edward blew his nose during sex talks 15. Gamma loved sherry trifle (but had no idea there was any alcohol in it until she developed alcoholic poisoning 16. Discussion about animals going to heaven: dogs yes, but vermin no 17. Uncle who saw Christ on the lawn 18. Uncle Morris was rich, sophisticated, a natty dresser, did crossword puzzles, and had a friend who was a lesbian 19. How Uncle Morris met and proposed to Heloise (all the details match) 20. Story of a hotpot placed on the ice that fell through 21. Idea about how prostitution could help the church's finances 22. Sees a bull mating 23. Gathers fir cones, used to light his mother's fire (a penny a dozen) to buy records (Caribou) But, all of the children probably would have wanted to go also and it would have been an imposition on the Emporer of the Air to have to make that many trips Also, a practical consideration would be the height of the seats. It seemed like even Moira was barely looking over the side. So, he really, truly might have been too young. Good rationale, but he should've taken Fraser up with him (put him in his lap or whatever was required) since Fraser wanted to go and was his lab assistant. Most of the other kids looked like chickens to me anyway. ;-) Thanks for all the additional insights from your LRTT, Caribou. You might want to tell him, that putting the flue underground meant that nothing grew above it and there was a permanent brown stripe down the lawn as a result ;-) (Evelyn) Well, I say, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree....That bratty kid probably was privy to other such scenarios. Oh no! That bratty kid wasn't even able to see his mother or grandmother exiting from the loo, no matter how hard he tried. ;-) BTW, Denis was a great reader of Greek mythology and considered the stories far superior to anything in the Bible, making this comment: \"Jesus never turned himself into a bull or a swan so that he could have it off with ladies to whom access was difficult.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 516, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Aug 11, 2002 (20:12)", "body": "(Rika) Kathy, I have a question based on your in-depth study of the Stairmaster in the first scene of the movie. This question occurred to me when I read in Forman's book that Adam didn't wear any underwear in the summertime. So my question is, boxers, briefs, or au naturel? I have an opinion but I bow to your greater expertise. After watching this scene intently many times for obvious reasons, as he's rounding one set of stairs you can see an outline of what I would call briefs . Wishing of course for au natural, but definitely saw the outline against the pants. (Kate) I have to watch the ending again. When Edward left Fraser sitting there listening to jazz, was there a hint of a smile? I thought perhaps he was recognizing that Fraser was finding himself, and maybe respecting Fraser's choices (as opposed to just accepting them), even though they were so different from his own. Yes, there is a hint of a smile when he sees Fraser. Almost dimple action. Very cute, needless to say. Thanks for pictures Rika. They are droolable for sure. (Karen) Of course the book says otherwise. ;-) It was written by the child, who laid everything at his parents' and grandmother's feet. I realize the book was written in the child's point of view but wondered if there were statements from other family members to corroborate or refute his opinion, although he probably wouldn't say so now that I think about it. What an unhappy child he must have been, but only himself to blame for it. That's a shame."}, {"response": 517, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sun, Aug 11, 2002 (20:41)", "body": "(Karen)15. Gamma loved sherry trifle (but had no idea there was any alcohol in it until she developed alcoholic poisoning) Is that why she got \"drunk\" so easily or are there other symptoms of alcoholic poisoning? (Karen)You might want to tell him, that putting the flue underground meant that nothing grew above it and there was a permanent brown stripe down the lawn as a result ;-) Thanks, I will. Good thing we've never tried it, huh? If the leaking smoke was just for the movie, I'm so glad they added it -- I love that dancing scene! Dancing on a brown spot (even in the rain) would not have had the same effect! Oh, forgot about the delivery truck with cigar on top. When I told LRTT, he said, \"That must be the exhaust.\" Had never thought about what was making the little puffs. Also been thinking about those semi-submersible, inflatable, vulcanized-rubber pantaloons. I agreed with Fraser and Morris until I realized I paid $50 to buy similiar contraption for my 1-year-old non-swimmer. I think it was called Aqua-Baby and was a red bathing suit with an innertube inserted around the waist. No doubt the inflatable innertube was made of vulcanized rubber. So, another of Edward's ideas that is still around today. (Karen) but he should've taken Fraser up with him (put him in his lap or whatever was required) since Fraser wanted to go and was his lab assistant. Most of the other kids looked like chickens to me anyway. ;-) That definitely would have been the kinder course of action but parents can't always think of that on the spur of the moment. I agree. I think Fraser, as a middle child, probably was the most daring and adventuresome of the bunch. He would have treasured the memory and it might have softened his views. I still have to side with his parents though because they were also discovering who he was along with him. The book was written after Denis had 40 or 50 years to think about what all of this meant. His parents (like most other parents) were flying by the seat of their pants. :-) (Karen) During one Sunday lunch, when his father was discussing that morning's sermon, Denis openly challenged the family's faith. Really like how this is posted on a Sunday. Very apt! (Karen) As you can see, the basis for the split was far more serious in nature and I doubt Adam would've been smiling at the door. Smiling approval would have been against his character and his own better judgment."}, {"response": 518, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Aug 11, 2002 (21:07)", "body": "(Caribou) Also been thinking about those semi-submersible, inflatable, vulcanized-rubber pantaloons. When visiting near Mt. Hood, Oregon when I lived on the West Coast, I saw fisherman in lakes and ponds with something very similar. No paddles though. Logical for Edward as he was teaching them to fly fish later on."}, {"response": 519, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Sun, Aug 11, 2002 (21:29)", "body": "20. Story of a hotpot placed on the ice that fell through What I didn't get about that is that the curling scenes seemed to be on firm ground, in the garden surrounded by hedges that is shown in previous scenes. The hedges seem to be in place in the background on the falling through scene, too, but the loch appears to be on their other side, a considerable distance away. Could just be me, though..."}, {"response": 520, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Aug 11, 2002 (21:50)", "body": "Just got all set up on my lap top here on vacation at the Jersey shore. Boy you ladies were v.busy yesterday. Thank you, Rika for those pictures. You just keep getting better and better.Ah it was great to see the blue soup smile. Glad I brought BJD with me. Think it might need some watching tonight. (PAM)Wishing of course for au natural, but definitely saw the outline against the. Always looking for the au natural, of course, but sadly, I saw the outline of the briefs as well. I had another thought on the Halloween Party. I get the impression, after another viewing, that Fraser and his friend almost stage the fight to get out of dancing. Fraser is not pleased that he has to start the dancing of the gay gourdance in the first place. I suspect these two had done this sort of thing before. They seemed very pleased after what did or didn't happen in the study. Thanks for the interesting insights on the inventions, ladies."}, {"response": 521, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Aug 11, 2002 (21:52)", "body": "closing tags with this very unfamiliar lap top"}, {"response": 522, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Aug 11, 2002 (22:18)", "body": "(Lisa) The third in the series is the smile over the birthday dinner, just after the toast, before Mr. Fancy Pants comes along to spoil the night! Lisa, Dorine, Evelyn, Linda, and others who've mentioned the blue soup scene.... you know what this has me tempted to do, of course???? But I just got home from a very long day trip, so it'll have to wait till tomorrow.... plus of course it belongs in other topic. (Karen) 14. Edward blew his nose during sex talks Oh my gosh! I had wondered why on earth either the screenwriter, the director, or CF had made that choice. Never imagined it was from the book. (Pam) ....you can see an outline of what I would call briefs. Wishing of course for au natural, but definitely saw the outline against the pants. That was my opinion as well. I wouldn't have thought twice about it, had I not read the comment in the book that Adam Forman only wore underwear during the colder seasons. 20. Story of a hotpot placed on the ice that fell through That's something I've wondered about. Why was this such a surprising thing for them? Ice + Heat = Melting - and this was intense heat. I know the ice was thick, but still!"}, {"response": 523, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sun, Aug 11, 2002 (23:02)", "body": "I've been gone (out of town and computerless) since Friday night, and must now play catchup. My apologies if I miss anything or repeat anything someone else has said. I have a lot of postings to read... (Rika) Kathy, I have a question based on your in-depth study of the Stairmaster in the first scene of the movie. This question occurred to me when I read in Forman's book that Adam didn't wear any underwear in the summertime. So my question is, boxers, briefs, or au naturel? I have an opinion but I bow to your greater expertise. (FanPam) After watching this scene intently many times for obvious reasons, as he's rounding one set of stairs you can see an outline of what I would call briefs. Wishing of course for au natural, but definitely saw the outline against the pants. (lindak) Always looking for the au natural, of course, but sadly, I saw the outline of the briefs as well. (Rika) That was my opinion as well. I wouldn't have thought twice about it, had I not read the comment in the book that Adam Forman only wore underwear during the colder seasons. I was going to bring this up, as a new topic (Underwear, its uses or not?), but didn't get around to it. I'm voting au naturel. :-) In my slowmo studies, I've considered this a lot , and I think it is probably the tail of his shirt tucked in, but nothing else -- no visible pantylines of any sort. Maybe it's wishful thinking, but I believe it's a shirttail. And I know CF likes to be time-appropriate, insofar as his characters' clothing are concerned... I base this on some statement he made about P&P (can't tell you exactly what it was, or where I read it, but I thought, \"oh, my!\"). I'm going to go back to MLSF (once again), armed with my trusty remote, and make a thorough study. ;-) I'll let you know of my findings. Of course, there are several scenes to study, so it could take time... (Kate F) I have to watch the ending again. When Edward left Fraser sitting there listening to jazz, was there a hint of a smile? I thought perhaps he was recognizing that Fraser was finding himself, and maybe respecting Fraser's choices (as opposed to just accepting them), even though they were so different from his own. My feeling exactly! He sees himself in Fraser, even though their preferences in music are different. And the same for the \"facts of life\" scene. Edward doesn't seem too worried, until Fraser mentions hearing music. And then it's something like, \"my God. If you ever hear music in your dreams again...you must take a cold plunge.\" (sorry, I can't quote exactly, because in order to to gain access to the DVD player, I must surrender the computer to my son). Edward loves music, and music must equal sex for him, so if Fraser dreams of music, it must be a sexual dream. Thanks, Karen, for the list of incidents based on the book. I'll read it as soon as I can get my hands on it. Thanks, Rika, for the \"blue soup\" pictures. Isn't he adorable?! *sigh* Now I must do some research. Thanks, everyone, for the fascinating posts! Hopefully, I'll be caught up tomorrow."}, {"response": 524, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (09:02)", "body": "(Kathy) I'm going to go back to MLSF (once again), armed with my trusty remote, and make a thorough study. ;-) I'll let you know of my findings. Of course, there are several scenes to study, so it could take time... Your devotion to duty is commendable!"}, {"response": 525, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (09:22)", "body": "(Rika) Lisa, Dorine, Evelyn, Linda, and others who've mentioned the blue soup scene.... you know what this has me tempted to do, of course???? When you do that Rika, could you please throw in the \"On foot\"? smile. Because I think the \"Blue Soup\" smile is a spin-off of the former. (\"On Foot\" & the Lambton Inn are my fave scenes in P&P)"}, {"response": 526, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (11:57)", "body": ""}, {"response": 527, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (11:58)", "body": "(Pam) but wondered if there were statements from other family members to corroborate or refute his opinion, although he probably wouldn't say so now that I think about it. That's right. These are his views and, more importantly, of how they shaped his life, which he describes. He stated that it was this isolation that forced me to become a very private person, living inside the extrovert and effervescent boy that appeared in public....The private person was often perplexed and unhappy. The public person was all laughter and charm. As the two drew away from each other they formed a dichotomy which was to become permanent.... I have no doubt that this complete separation of the two people living inside one person is the result of those Craigielands years when the best way to get through life was to show a cheerful front at all times in the nursery, in the servants' hall, to the estate workers and above all tot he Trinity, who if they had had an inkling of the wilder sexual fantasies that were racing through my mind would almost certainly have sent for Dr Huskie--who would, in turn, surely have prescribed a cold bath on the hour, every hour. Actually, I found the book more interesting after having seen the movie and only from the standpoint of seeing how they took such source material and made it into a feel-good movie. I don't think it gives a better understanding of the film, except for its Where's Waldo aspects. As far as other children's views, he does mention that his older brother was closer to his father and doesn't share his opinion, but that his younger brother does. He also comments that his siblings (and cousins) were sexually repressed and that his oldest sister (Elspeth) never got married because she viewed all potential suitors as \"lecherous predatory male[s].\" (Caribou) Is that why she got \"drunk\" so easily or are there other symptoms of alcoholic poisoning? I believe she got spots. (Caribou) Smiling approval would have been against his character and his own better judgment. LOL! Clever girl. 14. Edward blew his nose during sex talks (Rika) I had wondered why on earth either the screenwriter, the director, or CF had made that choice. Never imagined it was from the book. Feeling a bit like Fraser/Denis, I recommend the section on the two sex talks (one about girls provided by their mother and the other by their father) starting on p. 153. Very amusing, especially as Adam's direction to his boys about wet dreams was \"The thing to do after a wet dream...is to get up, have a cold tub, eat your breakfast and think no more about it.\" The precocious child's POV questions aimed at portions of their explanations are quite funny. (Rika) That's something I've wondered about. Why was this such a surprising thing for them? Ice + Heat = Melting - and this was intense heat. I know the ice was thick, but still! Denis had only heard about this happening. Never witnessed it. (Kathy) Edward loves music, and music must equal sex for him, so if Fraser dreams of music, it must be a sexual dream. Never thought of it this way."}, {"response": 528, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (15:29)", "body": "(Kathy) Edward loves music, and music must equal sex for him They did a study....and it is for most people:-D"}, {"response": 529, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (15:46)", "body": "(Evelyn) When you do that Rika, could you please throw in the \"On foot\"? smile. Yes, that's an excellent suggestion! Rika, you could even have a montage of \"blue soup\" and \"on foot?\" smirks and smiles from throughout his career. I think there were some cute ones in TA/HOTPig, too. And it can be updated when TIOBE comes out. I can think of several good ones there. Aren't you glad I'm volunteering you for this? ;-D Do it myself if I could."}, {"response": 530, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (17:25)", "body": "Oh dear...what did I start? (Dorine)Aren't you glad I'm volunteering you for this? ;-D Do it myself if I could. You could help Dorine... Perhaps you could indicate *where* in each film BS smiles occur ;-D BS smiles are whimsical...the eyes have a twinkle. Different from the \"moony\" smile he gives Lizzie in the Pemberley parlor with the fixed adoring gaze. I prefer those to the big toothy smiles; which is my objection to Valmont. He smiles too much...too many teeth. (And then there's MT screeching:\"Valmon, Valmon\" with that pseudo- French accent).*shudder*"}, {"response": 531, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (17:51)", "body": "Whoa whoa whoa, Rika can only do ones from DVDs and ones that she owns. So let's be nice. :)"}, {"response": 532, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (18:58)", "body": "Oh, Rika, I would certainly help if I could too. What the heck is an On foot smile?"}, {"response": 533, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (19:06)", "body": "This is 'onfoot' and it's more of a smirk than a smile:"}, {"response": 534, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (20:17)", "body": "(Kate F) I have to watch the ending again. When Edward left Fraser sitting there listening to jazz, was there a hint of a smile? I thought perhaps he was recognizing that Fraser was finding himself, and maybe respecting Fraser's choices (as opposed to just accepting them), even though they were so different from his own. Fraser and Edward are so very different in tastes. Fraser has such a need to be independent and thought of as different. He sees himself as different from anyone else as he desires to be. Thanks to Karen for incites from book. It isn't as obvious in the movie. (I like the Fraser in the movie so much more than the Dennis in the book.) And whether he realizes it or not, this need to be independent and different is exactly the need of Edward. IMO there is no one more independent or different from the average person than Edward. He thrives on this and strives for it. Therefore, although he does not agree with Frasers opinions and choices he can respect and understand them. That is the bond they share. Again examined the stairmaster scenes. And still maintain outline in pants is from briefs as opposed to shirttail."}, {"response": 535, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (21:26)", "body": "(Rika) I have a question based on your in-depth study of the Stairmaster in the first scene of the movie. This question occurred to me when I read in Forman's book that Adam didn't wear any underwear in the summertime. So my question is, boxers, briefs, or au naturel? I have an opinion but I bow to your greater expertise. I spent much time (perhaps too much, as I stayed up too late and suffered severe thumb strain) last night doing extensive research on the GUQ (Great Underwear Question). I went frame by frame through the first three Stairmaster scenes, and the Laddermaster scene, while my evidence may not persuade all of you, I still favor the au naturel . Sore thumbs notwithstanding, I have enjoyed my exhaustive research to the fullest. It is, of course, very time-consuming, and on several occasions I have been forced to leave the film paused on closeups of CF's bum, whilst attending to various chores. So far, I have spent almost two hours going through the first five minutes of the movie, searching for evidence. It's a hard job, but somebody has to do it! In case anyone else wants to recreate my in-depth study and needs help on frame by frame -- on my DVD player, I find the scene I wish to view, then alternately press pause and slow forward, then pause and slow forward, etc. But I must keep hitting each button alternately, or it will just keep going slowly (not frame-by-frame). I position one thumb on pause, and the other on the slow forward button. If your reflexes are really fast, and the buttons conveniently placed, you might use the thumb and forefinger of one hand. You can also do frame by frame backwards, of course, by alternately pressing the slow reverse and pause buttons. As far as the burning question -- I'm sticking with my original opinion of au naturel because, in scenes where ODB's pants are stretched tightly over his butt, there are no visible lines. Only in scenes where the fabric is somewhat slack, does the \"briefs\" line appear. Also, the aforementioned line is very strange. It makes a not-quite-diagonal line from somewhere around the bottom of CF's cheeks (you know which ones) upwards toward his waist. There is no corresponding line heading toward his crotch. Believe me, I've looked :-) These would have to be very strange briefs indeed (something Italian?) to create those lines. And I believe CF would never allow one of his characters to wear something totally out of period. He cares too much for detail. Here are the scenes I used for my \"evidence\", and the time marker wherein each occurs: Outside stairs 02:30-02:31: Really nice indeed, as CF reaches for the banister on the left and rounds the stairs. Don't see lines on most of the shots. Gosh, he's purty! Four of these frames are just magnificent. Do yourselves a favor and check this out frame-by-frame if you can! As Colin reaches for the banister on the left, after the first short flight of stairs, hit pause, then go frame by frame for the next four frames. Yummmmmmm! Inside Stairs 02:59-03:00: At times, there is a line, and at other times there isn't. However, when his right foot is on the fourth step from the landing and his left foot is heading for the next step up, you can clearly see (if you freeze frame), that the hated line does not go all the way to the bottom of his butt. IMO It is clearly a shirttail. Hallelujah! As he turns left at the landing, there is the line, but it is below his cheeks, reinforcing my hypothesis that it isn't a telltale underwear line at all, but merely a wrinkle in his trousers caused by the shirttail. Inside Stairs 03:16-03:17: Up more stairs. Here's a nice closeup. Pants are stretched tight against cheeks, and there are no lines. Laddermaster scene 04:07: Rika has a capture of this in response 280. No line. In previous frames there is a faint line, but again I feel it is merely shirttail and not dreaded briefs. Well, I still have 91 minutes of MLSF to study, so I have much to do. This has been such a trial! Will Edward wear underwear in the winter? Does CF care what EP would wear? Does anyone think that the reason for our long right-left debate might be underwear-related? I mean, briefs would position *things* in a certain place, whereas boxers or au naturel might not... Does Kathy need to get a life?! Rika, I know you have your work cut out for you, but could you perhaps (at some point -- I don't want you to get stressed) get my evidence at 03:00 on the aforementioned fourth step? Now, to see who's posted while I've been composing this..."}, {"response": 536, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (22:15)", "body": "making sure tag is definitely closed... But I gotta tell ya, I'm laughing so hard now and I've got to print this out and keep it for posterity....or at least in my MLSF file folder. Kath- We're going to have to invent an award for you. Evelyn, start searching your image files!! The burdens we all have and the self-sacrifice the work entails. BRAVO!!!"}, {"response": 537, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (22:58)", "body": "Kathy, I'm ROTFL! Excellent dedication! (Dorine)Aren't you glad I'm volunteering you for this? ;-D Do it myself if I could. (Evelyn) You could help Dorine... Perhaps you could indicate *where* in each film BS smiles occur ;-D BS smiles are whimsical...the eyes have a twinkle. Different from the \"moony\" smile he gives Lizzie in the Pemberley parlor with the fixed adoring gaze. *heavy sigh* This could be a real chore, but guess I can try ;-D. In BS smiles he narrows his eyes, or sometimes seems to lightly squint while just turning up the corners of his mouth. I have been planning to buy a DVD player and a larger screen TV in a month or so, and silly me, I thought I'd just be watching movies on it. Never thought it would be employed as a research tool, too. ;-D"}, {"response": 538, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Aug 13, 2002 (02:34)", "body": "Wow, spend a few hours offline, and when you come back you've got all sorts of work to do! First things first. Kathy, I will be happy to collect the evidence you've requested just as soon as I stop laughing. I knew the GUQ was in good hands, but I didn't know just how good till tonight! Second, I collected a gallery of captures from the Blue Soup scene earlier today. I just need to go through and pick the best examples, and then we can debate the boundaries of the BS Smile category. I'll probably post on 149, since this is definitely drifting away from MLSF. As Natasha said, just give me time!"}, {"response": 539, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Aug 13, 2002 (09:27)", "body": "Kathy, you are a gem. Since I just ordered my DVD, I can't wait to get home from vacation and get to work. Watching VHS with this crowd is a no-no. How come we always end up in the same place-and you all know where I mean. Well it must be that great minds thing again. Rika, you are such a clever girl--Thanks for everything, ladies. This has certainly turned into more than just a film discussion. No telling where we'll end up"}, {"response": 540, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Aug 13, 2002 (10:01)", "body": "(Kathy) Inside Stairs 02:59-03:00: At times, there is a line, and at other times there isn't. However, when his right foot is on the fourth step from the landing and his left foot is heading for the next step up, you can clearly see (if you freeze frame), that the hated line does not go all the way to the bottom of his butt. IMO It is clearly a shirttail. Hallelujah! As he turns left at the landing, there is the line, but it is below his cheeks, reinforcing my hypothesis that it isn't a telltale underwear line at all, but merely a wrinkle in his trousers caused by the shirttail. Okay, here's my best effort. I hope I've got the right stuff. I have the left foot, not right, on the 4th step, though - have I counted wrong?"}, {"response": 541, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 13, 2002 (11:12)", "body": "Even if I lighten those up, it's awfully hard to distinguish between natural folds and the fabric as one is in motion, climbing too, and lines due to some undergarments. Nevertheless, this was very entertaining. :) (Pam) I like the Fraser in the movie so much more than the Dennis in the book. I wonder sometimes whether they tried to slip in a few book Denis moments. Gamma certainly has the view that Fraser is a bit of a bad boy. Doesn't she call him our \"wild animal\" like the stoat at the dinner table when tipsy? Then, when Fraser runs back, screaming \"I hate him\" from the moss factory after getting the boot from dad, Gamma says: \"He's getting out of control, Moira. His father had better take a firmer hand with him. One tantrum hot on the heels of another.\" We didn't get to see that tantrum, but we did get to see him run off and throw those Beethoven busts in the loch, another tantrum. I did a little zooming and freeze-frame advancing in a couple of other areas. First was the loch dip scene, since the book talked about the snorting noises and slapping around that Edward did. I wanted to see if Colin had attempted those mannerisms too, as he did the nose blowing. It was had to tell, but if you zoom in on Colin in the loch, his face looks very much in pain, as it was so cold. The second area was coming up the ladder in the moss factory, when he interrupts Fraser and Heloise. No underwear lines per se, but excellent zoom potential as he emerges from the ladder. ;-) Colin made the following comments about his character: \"There are certain things Edward does which are pretty close to irredeemable but I've grown to like him a lot. He changes for the better through the course of the film because it is hard for him to maintain his conventions when out of the mouth of his son come such obvious truths. Fraser constantly asks questions which challenge the orthodoxy of Edward's life and they are incredibly difficult to deal with because they come from innocence, not from a rival political point of view.\""}, {"response": 542, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Aug 13, 2002 (11:53)", "body": "(Rika) I hope I've got the right stuff. I have the left foot, not right, on the 4th step, though - have I counted wrong? I think it's the one to the left, although my screen is rather dark, to add to the darkness of the original shot (interior, etc.). Thanks! (Karen) Even if I lighten those up, it's awfully hard to distinguish between natural folds and the fabric as one is in motion, climbing too, and lines due to some undergarments. Nevertheless, this was very entertaining. Yes, I'll be the first to admit it's hard to differentiate. I wish I had a HDTV that was much bigger than my old 21-incher! (Karen) Gamma certainly has the view that Fraser is a bit of a bad boy. Doesn't she call him our \"wild animal\" like the stoat at the dinner table when tipsy? Then, when Fraser runs back, screaming \"I hate him\" from the moss factory after getting the boot from dad, Gamma says: \"He's getting out of control, Moira. His father had better take a firmer hand with him. One tantrum hot on the heels of another.\" We didn't get to see that tantrum, but we did get to see him run off and throw those Beethoven busts in the loch, another tantrum. Every time I watch, I wonder about Gamma's statement. We certainly don't see too much of the bad Fraser, except for his \"very bad thing\" at the start, when he runs back from the moss factory screaming, and the busts in the loch. Of course, the bust incident occurred after Gamma's statement, so all we had to go on was something that happened when he was three (?) and then another incident when he is 10. Of course, a knowledge of the book would clarify things, but the average person watching the movie wouldn't have read the book. (Karen) It was had to tell, but if you zoom in on Colin in the loch, his face looks very much in pain, as it was so cold. You can hear how cold he is in his voice, too, when he says, \"Procrastination only intensifies the sensation of shock.\" Interesting quote from Colin on his character. He seems to put so much thought into his portrayals."}, {"response": 543, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 13, 2002 (15:49)", "body": "(Kathy) As far as the burning question -- I'm sticking with my original opinion of au naturel because, in scenes where ODB's pants are stretched tightly over his butt, there are no visible lines. Only in scenes where the fabric is somewhat slack, does the \"briefs\" line appear. These would have to be very strange briefs indeed (something Italian?) to create those lines. You mean like this? Kathy)And I believe CF would never allow one of his characters to wear something totally out of period. He cares too much for detail. He didn't wear those nappie thingies in P&P:-)"}, {"response": 544, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Aug 13, 2002 (17:03)", "body": "Thank you, Evelyn -- this is very enlightening! And it opens up a whole new realm of possibilities. I must give it some serious thought. ;-)"}, {"response": 545, "author": "annea", "date": "Tue, Aug 13, 2002 (18:45)", "body": "Hi all - I have gone from being a lurker to a participant YEAH (thanks Karen!!)In the last few days have watched MLSF for the first and second times, so it's great to now know what you are all talking about !! Havent read the book so don't know much about the \"bad\" Edward, and don't know if this has been discussed before, but in the film he came across as a caring father - he was there 24 / 7 with his family and participated in their lives which would have been quite different from lots of men of that time. So what if he wasn't what Fraser (Denis) would have liked as an influence - who can honestly say that they want to be just like their parents when they grow up ?? My parents sent me to a high school where I didn't know anyone and took a long time to settle in - should I now blame them for my sometimes lack of social skills ?? As for being sexually repressed, obviously Edward invited Moira up for a slank, which I assume is sex, within the hearing of the children - I was obviously born decades later but never heard my parents discussing anything remotely like sex. Perhaps you have discussed this all before and sorry for being so long winded by have wanted to join in for a while now. Also, today is MY BIRTHDAY (keep it quiet - getting too old) but as I live in Australia it is the 14th here already, so it is still a day away for you"}, {"response": 546, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Aug 13, 2002 (19:23)", "body": "(Evelyn) You mean like this? I've given this matter quite a bit of consideration. In fact, I considered it all the way home from work. I'll probably be considering it into the night. Those clever Italians (or whomever). I really need a rear view, however, to help with my studies... After I posted last night, I moved along through MLSF at a snail's pace ;-) and managed to get through six minutes and 22 seconds of the movie. I might have made it further, but as usual I found something to interest me. 06:15 to 06:18: This is the scene that starts with Fraser on the roof holding the experimental airplane and Edward down on the ground, leaning against the big reel thing. The best way to watch this scene is to use the slowest frame-by-frame you have, and just let it run (instead of stopping at each frame). Watch CF crank. Hmmmm. Nessie and his two friends are there, and definitely on the left. :-) Nice action, Colin! (Really, really wish I had a larger television, though.) Welcome, Annea, and Happy Birthday!"}, {"response": 547, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Aug 13, 2002 (19:48)", "body": "Hello, Annea, Welcome Aboard. Happy B-day. Great work Kathy. However do not have all your technology so can only follow the VHS view with tracing of my finger along lines, which I must say was enjoyable. Evelyn you are outstanding. Great job. Being roll is so physical, common sense would dictate some protection for most endeared attributes. Wouldn't want any harm to come to the precious jewels."}, {"response": 548, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Aug 13, 2002 (19:48)", "body": "Evelyn, you don't know how close I came to seeking out a photo like that earlier today to illustrate another possible explanation for the smooth profile under the trousers! Lovely, just lovely. But I agree with Kathy - we need a rear view as well. Oh, and Kathy, I watched the flying experiment scene and I agree with your analysis. The left, without a doubt. Your attention to detail continues to be remarkable. (Annea)he was there 24 / 7 with his family and participated in their lives which would have been quite different from lots of men of that time. First of all, welcome! Second, this was my reaction too. Edward may have spent more time with his kids than Adam did in the book, but even so, Denis refers to going on \"field trip\" type educational excursions with his father. Sounded nice to me. So what if he wasn't what Fraser (Denis) would have liked as an influence - who can honestly say that they want to be just like their parents when they grow up ?? Right. I think most of us harbor some resentment or disappointment regarding our childhoods. We just don't all write books about it and thus indulge our whiny impulses like he did. And he didn't just stick to complaining about his folks. He griped about nearly everything they had to do as kids - taking tea in the drawing room, going to church, being in the nursery, and on and on. I could understand this sour attitude if he'd written the book at age ten, but you'd think an adult looking back would have a bit more sense. By the way, Anne, I hope you'll check the Odds & Ends topic in a bit - I'm heading there now to leave a little something for you."}, {"response": 549, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 13, 2002 (20:13)", "body": "ANNE AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY Glad you could join us."}, {"response": 550, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Aug 13, 2002 (20:33)", "body": "(Pam)Being roll is so physical, common sense would dictate some protection for most endeared attributes. Wouldn't want any harm to come to the precious jewels. And they are precious. Thank you Evelyn for that visual. I think they match a pair of shoes I saw around here. You are right, Rika- I had that same underwear thought in my head that Evelyn posted. WELCOME ANNEA, AND A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU."}, {"response": 551, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Aug 13, 2002 (21:13)", "body": "(Kathy) Watch CF crank. Hmmmm. Nessie and his two friends are there, and definitely on the left. :-) Nice action, Colin! (Really, really wish I had a larger television, though.) ROTF! Now, is this where we'd like to think he periodically pops in to read this board....or not? ;-D"}, {"response": 552, "author": "Megs128", "date": "Tue, Aug 13, 2002 (22:23)", "body": "Wow, I really need to buy the movie....it's time for a Nessie hunt of my own. :) Welcome Annea, hope you have as much fun here as I do! And Evelyn, I don't think that we have seen enough of that to get the idea....hahah...perhaps if we saw other colors and angles I'd understand more? ;-)"}, {"response": 553, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Aug 13, 2002 (22:23)", "body": "(FanPam) However do not have all your technology so can only follow the VHS view with tracing of my finger along lines, which I must say was enjoyable. I'm sure it was! :-) Perhaps I should try the \"hands-on\" approach."}, {"response": 554, "author": "annea", "date": "Wed, Aug 14, 2002 (19:13)", "body": "Hi - just keeping up to date. Watched MLSF last night with DH - thought that it might be too quirky for him, but he loved it - think perhaps because it is based on a true story. He can't believe that in the book Edward was portrayed so badly (neither of us have read it) and he said that he never wants to read it, as that would spoil the story. Am slowly but surely turning him into a CF fan, although the drooling will definitely not happen. Each time I watch a CF movie try to get some lines for everyday future life such as \"it's a real fight\" \"Jones\" \"please, please, please, please, please f..... f... off\" and now from MLSF \"right, well that's that then\" \"slank\" (hope that I quoted these correctly - usually takes a few viewings. Tried to check out the pants line and cranking scene, but they happened so fast !! It's back to the video shop tomorrow so perhaps one more viewing beforehand ???"}, {"response": 555, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Aug 14, 2002 (21:57)", "body": "I know that all of you know I have seen this film several times, but since the crank scene came up(ha)I've been on vacation without my new DVD. I got confused last night-are we talking cranking the car? Yet it seemed to be mentioned concerning the airplane experiment? I'm keeping track of all these must see parts now that I have it in DVD-will have to wait until the 24th to view though. (Dorine)ROTF! Now, is this where we'd like to think he periodically pops in to read this board....or not? ;-D Oh, God. We can always change the names to protect the innocent."}, {"response": 556, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Aug 14, 2002 (22:00)", "body": "As you know, I've been watching MLSF very slowly for the past couple of days. Although I have no new Nessie sightings to report (but I'm nowhere near the end of the movie), I've noticed a few interesting things: In the scene where Edward and the boys are running to the loch for their plunge, as they approach Gamma and Morris, RH doesn't look at CF at all as she steps to one side to let him pass. However, after he goes by, she turns and watches him (the boys haven't reached her yet). Is is possible that RH likes a rear view, too? ;-) We haven't said much about Fraser's hilarious prostitution proposal at the dinner table. The looks on everyone's faces are priceless, as everyone appears stunned, except Gamma, who appears positively pacific (probably owing to the sherry trifle). Then, as everyone else breaks into laughter, Gamma comes apart. (I just loved RH in this role.) I know this was on Karen's list of scenes that had a basis in the book, and I was wondering if (in real life) Fraser's comments were made in innocence, or did he have an inkling of what he was saying. This question just occurred to me today. Considering some of the comments about Denis Forman's personality, I began to wonder. I know it was supposed to be innocent in the film, because Fraser is completely mystified by everyone's reaction."}, {"response": 557, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 14, 2002 (23:04)", "body": "(Kathy) I was wondering if (in real life) Fraser's comments were made in innocence, or did he have an inkling of what he was saying. Let me clarify, he never brought the idea up in public. That was just something he thought up (prostitution to help the church); then it mentions that he went down to lunch, with his mind all in a turmoil. His thoughts, as they're expressed in the book, sound very much like someone who was genuinely innocent. Although I can't say the same about his questions at the sex talk. Seems like Fraser's books would've covered his first question pretty thoroughly. ;-)"}, {"response": 558, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Aug 15, 2002 (00:40)", "body": "(Kathy) Is is possible that RH likes a rear view, too? ;-) I think it's highly possible, though it all gets a little strange when one considers RH's daughter's former close acquaintance with that particular rear view. (Linda) are we talking cranking the car? No. When Fraser was on the roof waiting to release the plane, Edward had a large reel with rope on it, and he was cranking it. If you need a visual reminder, e-mail me and I'll send you one. (Karen)Although I can't say the same about his questions at the sex talk. Seems like Fraser's books would've covered his first question pretty thoroughly. ;-) Perhaps with the first question he was testing his theory that he knew more about sex than his father. But when he got to the thing that might have been an angel's trumpet, he apparently wasn't in possession of all of the facts! But if I'm remembering the description of the alternate ending, neither was Edward, at least at that point in time."}, {"response": 559, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Aug 15, 2002 (10:42)", "body": "(Rika) I think it's highly possible, though it all gets a little strange when one considers RH's daughter's former close acquaintance with that particularrear view. I know, this thought occurred to me, too. Seemed a little pervy. ;-) But, as I always say, it doesn't hurt to look! (Rika) No. When Fraser was on the roof waiting to release the plane, Edward had a large reel with rope on it, and he was cranking it. If you need avisual reminder, e-mail me and I'll send you one. And you aren't going to share it with the rest of us??! (Karen) His thoughts, as they're expressed in the book, sound very much like someone who was genuinely innocent. I was thinking perhaps the article he read wasn't terribly explicit, so he didn't really understand what prostitution entailed."}, {"response": 560, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 15, 2002 (10:50)", "body": "I'd like to go back to Colin's comment about his character, in which he says \"[Edward] changes for the better through the course of the film because it is hard for him to maintain his conventions when out of the mouth of his son come such obvious truths. Fraser constantly asks questions which challenge the orthodoxy of Edward's life and they are incredibly difficult to deal with because they come from innocence, not from a rival political point of view.\" Doesn't this seem to say that Edward is becoming more tolerant of other views, like jazz in that last scene and his son striking off on his own? Does this mean that Edward is no longer going to be that eccentric, child-like inventor? Is he not only going to settle down (having chosen Moira and atoned for his \"very bad thing\") and try to be a responsible estate owner, even though the end credits tell us that he was forced to sell it shortly thereafter? Also, a little bit more, this time from MEM on her character, which goes to the \"trailer trash\" topic. I believe she saw it a little differently than we did: a choice between no manners or erupting under the strain. \"Moira has a very domineering and rich mother, a highly eccentric husband and six funny children, so she could easily have been overshadowed in the story. But I wanted you to feel her presence throughout the film. She is the matriarch-in-waiting who keeps her peace until she really needs to bare her claws and fight for her family. And then she knows which battle to choose.\" Well, we certainly saw her bare that one pointy claw. ;-) (AnneA) As for being sexually repressed, obviously Edward invited Moira up for a slank, which I assume is sex, within the hearing of the children - I was obviously born decades later but never heard my parents discussing anything remotely like sex. I too found this rather incongruous. The parents obviously had a healthy sex life, yet Denis could not see the positive aspects of it. The source of his gripe is that they never discussed the subject or their answers were incomplete, pathetic and fairly laughable. (Rika) He griped about nearly everything they had to do as kids - taking tea in the drawing room, going to church, being in the nursery, and on and on. I could understand this sour attitude if he'd written the book at age ten, but you'd think an adult looking back would have a bit more sense. No argument about the \"griping,\" much of which is normal (as you said) from a child's perspective. But didn't you find some of the musings pretty humorous on how a child's mind works? For example, when his mother was attempting to explain menstruation (women get tired) and said the egg was expelled, he starts wondering where (their ears??) since his mother won't answer. Funny stuff. (Kathy) Is is possible that RH likes a rear view, too? ;-) LOL! Your frame-by-frame study is really paying off. ;-) (Rika) But when he got to the thing that might have been an angel's trumpet, he apparently wasn't in possession of all of the facts! But if I'm remembering the description of the alternate ending, neither was Edward, at least at that point in time. Don't you wonder where Edward went to look it up? And, if it was news to him, if it became part of their slanking repertoire? (Kathy) I was thinking perhaps the article he read wasn't terribly explicit, so he didn't really understand what prostitution entailed. He doesn't go into detail about what was in the encyclopaedia's entry for prostitution, but he says this: \"Good Lord! So did people really do things like that? How exciting - and in temples too, free of charge.\" From there, he goes on to speculate how it could raise money for his church. Kind of vague. Sounds like a biblical reference perhaps."}, {"response": 561, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Aug 15, 2002 (11:22)", "body": "(Rika) I think it's highly possible, though it all gets a little strange when one considers RH's daughter's former close acquaintance with that particular rear view. Oh I don't know. Mother's and daughter's often find they are attracted to the same type man. I know my daughter and I often agree on hot men and their attributes. Nothing wrong in a mother showing a little appreciation in daughter's choice or visa versa. Age is not a consideration in the appreciation of a glorious butt."}, {"response": 562, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Aug 15, 2002 (12:58)", "body": "(Karen) Doesn't this seem to say that Edward is becoming more tolerant of other views, like jazz in that last scene and his son striking off on his own? I was thinking along these same lines last night, while crawling through the movie. I came to the scene with the weird propeller car, when Edward says, \"jazz is sneaky, and treacherous, and downright effeminate.\" (Wasn't this a strange statement?! ) And yet, in that last scene he assesses the situation and decides the best course of action is no action at all, and leaves Fraser to his jazz, cigar and naked ladies. In an earlier post, you quoted from the book: \"Hearing the gramophone he opened the library door and standing in the door frame slowly took in the scene. Satchmo was defiantly rasping out one of his scat vocals. It was a sound that my father particularly abhorred. Without a word he backed out of the library, closed the door and a moment later I saw the Talbot disappearing down the north drive. I was free, but at the price of serious displeasure.\" I wonder, if he was so displeased, why his father didn't say anything to Denis. If he was the ogre Denis apparently made him out to be, it seems he would have blown up completely. (FanPam) Mother's and daughter's often find they are attracted to the same type man. I know my daughter and I often agree on hot men and their attributes. Nothing wrong in a mother showing a little appreciation in daughter's choice or visa versa. Age is not a consideration in the appreciation of a glorious butt. Considering how many less-than-glorious butts there are out there (too big, too bony, too flat), it's so nice to find one straight out of \"The Three Bears\" -- just right! And, by the way, my 80-year-old mother and I are in complete agreement about ODB. I guess she's one of those blue-hairs everybody's always talking about (although it's not blue)."}, {"response": 563, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 15, 2002 (17:48)", "body": ""}, {"response": 564, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 15, 2002 (17:49)", "body": "(book) Without a word he backed out of the library, closed the door and a moment later I saw the Talbot disappearing down the north drive. I was free, but at the price of serious displeasure. (Kathy) And yet, in that last scene he assesses the situation and decides the best course of action is no action at all, and leaves Fraser to his jazz, cigar and naked ladies. I wonder, if he was so displeased, why his father didn't say anything to Denis. If he was the ogre Denis apparently made him out to be, it seems he would have blown up completely. Ogre might not be the right word. Denis termed the three of them bigots. However, not saying anything would be in character if they had already had a big fight. In the book, they never spoke about it again, the parents believing that Denis was a hopeless case, an immoral boy, a bad lot and one who did so to gain attention. Not only was further discussion futile, but it would be likely to degenerate into a shouting match again. When he went into his father's office, expecting to be reprimanded, Adam only advised a cooling off period and time to think about what he had done."}, {"response": 565, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 15, 2002 (21:43)", "body": "He grew up to be a pretty handsome chap. The second book talks about his experiences in Italy. http://www.war-experience.org/archives/personal/forman.htm \"Sir Denis Forman was Chairman of Granada Television from 1974-87, and was particularly associated with programmes such as World in Action, and The Jewel in the Crown. He was appointed Deputy Chaiman of the Granada Group from 1984 to 1990, and he has played a part in developing the company's broadcasting interests in Europe and in British Sky Broadcasting. He was Deputy Chairman of the Royal Opera House (1981-91) and Chairman of the Booker panel of judges in 1990. He was made a Fellow of BAFTA in 1977, and of the BFI in 1993. He has written several books including Mozart's Piano Concertos - The First Movements.\""}, {"response": 566, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Aug 15, 2002 (21:51)", "body": "Vacation and stuff have prevented being part of the in-depth analysis you all have engaged in but I think I've caught up. While I have not participated much yet, I have certainly benefited from the \"thorough\" nature of the analysis and look forward to viewing the movie again with some of your \"insights\" in mind. If I'm a little \"behind\", I hope you will forgive me! On my initial viewing for purposes of this forum, I noticed one thing I've not seen mentioned and would like another opinion on what I saw. Perhaps no one else has observed what I saw as most observations have related to, how shall I put it -- more southerly areas? My observation is to the utmost north. Do we see here evidence of (dare I say it?) the dreaded MPB? The scene in question is after the main fracas after the funeral, Edward leaves and goes down the stairs to face the crowd at the bottom. He is apparently lit from overhead. He stops and turns to face Moira who is calling to him from the top of the stairs. Is it unkind lighting that makes the top of his head seem to glow somewhat lighter than the rest of his head before he turns or is it merely the aura he always seems to possess? It is almost easy to miss because otherwise his hair is so inviting in MLSF in its riot of unruly curls, but I think it's there all the same. Am I seeing things?"}, {"response": 567, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Aug 15, 2002 (22:16)", "body": "Evelyn, thanks for the link. He was a cutie! I'll probably never get around to reading \"To Reason Why,\" but found this brief summary of his war experiences interesting. I don't understand the Epidiascope cards, though. I don't mean the ones about the battle plans, but the ones that seem to have something to do with morale -- \"out of sight, out of mind\" and the other strange one with the smiling/crying soldiers. Apparently art was not Denis' strong suit. I loved The Jewel in the Crown and would really like to see it again sometime. Think I have an old tape of it somewhere..."}, {"response": 568, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Aug 15, 2002 (22:58)", "body": "(Barb S)Do we see here evidence of (dare I say it?) the dreaded MPB? I think so. But I have chosen to remain in denial. I mean, it could have been the lighting. (MEM)She is the matriarch-in-waiting who keeps her peace until she really needs to bare her claws and fight for her family. And then she knows which battle to choose.\" I like this interpretation. I never agreed with the \"trailer trash\" interpretation of this scene. I just thought Moira had reached the boiling point. I hadn't thought about the fact that her mother had, to some extent, been the lid that kept her from boiling over in the past. And given the way Heloise interferes, I can see Moira's need to fight for her family. Also, now that the house and estate are hers and not her brother's, perhaps she feels in a position of greater strength, and so becomes more assertive?"}, {"response": 569, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Aug 15, 2002 (22:58)", "body": "(Barb S) Do we see here evidence of (dare I say it?) the dreaded MPB? Barb, it's funny that you mention this because I noticed that on my initial viewing too. I even collected \"evidence\" of the LBS in the form of screen captures from two scenes, both shot from overhead. One was, as you mention, as he walks downstairs after the blow-up at the wake. The other is at the start of the movie, when he holds Fraser aloft after rescuing him on the roof. (Karen) Doesn't this seem to say that Edward is becoming more tolerant of other views, like jazz in that last scene and his son striking off on his own? Does this mean that Edward is no longer going to be that eccentric, child-like inventor? Is he not only going to settle down..... I came away believing that Edward acquires some measure of maturity. But on the other hand, \"he remembered how to make Mumsie laugh\", which may mean (in combination with the lovely dance in the rain) that his childlike charm survives. I hope so, since his energy and enthusiasm are endearing.... they just need to be tempered with more empathy for others and more self-control. And I think he'll always be eccentric, because that has as much to do with his unique intellect as with his childlike emotions. \"Moira has a very domineering and rich mother..... She is the matriarch-in-waiting who keeps her peace until she really needs to bare her claws and fight for her family. And then she knows which battle to choose.\" I was just recently thinking about how Gamma's death was the catalyst that made everything hit the fan. In large part that was because of the terms of her will, but I don't think that was 100% of it. Gamma was the boss, and as long as she was around, she was a stablizing force. Moira really was the \"matriarch-in-waiting.\" But suddenly Gamma was gone. So the Edward/Morris battle was finally free to erupt, instead of just simmering in the background, and Moira was suddenly the matriarch of a family on the verge of falling apart. This was the first time she was ever calling the shots - in fact, it was the only time in the movie that we ever saw her show any type of strength. Since it was a new experience for her, maybe it's not inconceivable that she would have lost her sense of decorum and done it in public. Thanks for the quotes, Karen - I hadn't read those before. (KathyF) And you aren't going to share it with the rest of us??! How did I know that question was going to arise? Here goes..... and, Kathy, I think it does support your left-sided theory (though it was more definitive before I reduced the size of the picture):"}, {"response": 570, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Aug 15, 2002 (23:36)", "body": "(Rika) How did I know that question was going to arise? Perhaps something about the mindset of Droolers. Thanks, Rika!! Your dedication warms the cockles of my heart, or something. I think it does support your left-sided theory (though it was more definitive before I reduced the size of the picture Yes, bigger is always better. There is always room for more study on this matter. A very little will not suffice. The cranking scene consists of 72 or 73 frames, which means that many positions to check out. Very tedious. I keep meaning to watch and see what that white dog is doing in the background, but somehow I keep forgetting... ;-)"}, {"response": 571, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Aug 16, 2002 (09:13)", "body": "(Rika) How did I know that question was going to arise? LOL! Well I seem to back as I left . ;-) Hello, hello, my little firthettes. I'm back. It will take my a while to catch up, as I have much to attend to in the next few days. xxxooo"}, {"response": 572, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Aug 16, 2002 (15:24)", "body": "Sorry I haven't been around. I've been busy with a project that needed completing, and when I come here I get nothing else done...though I did come to lurk from time to time just to try to keep up - and I see you have been busy with a remote while I was remote ;-)! Welcome home, Moon. You've been missed around here! Two thoughts on MLSF: I'm wondering if what happened in the loft can be compared to Edward's success, or lack thereof, with his inventions. When he tries to explore something that interests him, he usually finds someone has gotten there before him and his results are usually fruitless. But his household inventions are more successful like his relationship with Moira. I wonder if the failure to re-route the smoke underground was a foreshadowing that his relationship with Moira was about to go awry? I know Biblical references have been mentioned, but have we discussed that the title \"Son of Adam\" must be a Biblical reference, too? Craigieland?/Kiloran are like Eden - beautiful and idyllic. Do you think Denis/Fraser are trying to get a handle on the real world and a better understanding of the world through books and leaving for school (sources of knowledge) since they are frustrated with finding it at home? I know I am trying to talk about the book and the film at the same time. But I think the filmmakers were trying to capture the essence of the book even though they added things and changed names."}, {"response": 573, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Aug 16, 2002 (21:16)", "body": "(Rika) How did I know that question was going to arise? Doesn't it always?;-)Arise is the key word."}, {"response": 574, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Aug 16, 2002 (22:31)", "body": "Welcome back Moon. Hope you had a nice summer."}, {"response": 575, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Aug 17, 2002 (00:14)", "body": "Moon!! Welcome back!!"}, {"response": 576, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Aug 20, 2002 (22:51)", "body": "Okay, we seem to be at an impasse here, and this troubles me . Moon, Lora, Barb S and others (forgive me, for failing to get all the names) are back, and we have other people who haven't had a chance to make whatever comments they would like to make. True, the discussion has gone on at length. However, MLSF is a very difficult film, and I feel anyone's comments might be helpful. In our discussion of MLSF, we have bounced around from frame to frame, from beginning to end, without much thought about plot progression or character development. Previous comments are merely our ideas. Personally, I would welcome any new thoughts and comments about this film. To start it off, I'd like to mention the scene wherein Fraser joins Edward after church. Fraser asks Edward if heaven is a place where everyone has a house to live in. Edward says, \"heaven is like living in the place you love best, for all eternity.\" Then Fraser says, \"then it would be like staying here, then. Like not dying at all.\" And Edward says, \"Fraser, that's very poetically put, and it's very apt. I was thinking something along those lines, myself. About the nature of home.\" Then Morris arrives, and sits beside Fraser and Edward, and says, \"Norway pine, Sitka spruce.\" Fraser says, \"what?\" and Edward says, \"commercial softwoods.\" (and the camera focuses on CF, and his expression conveys the feeling that he has heard this before, many times, and it saddens him.) Then Morris says, \"what your father should be planting, instead of his damned moss.\" Every time I see this, I feel so sad for Edward. Kiloran is his home, and Morris wants to put a price tag on it. It's just heartbreaking."}, {"response": 577, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 20, 2002 (23:10)", "body": "Oh goodie! I was just mentioning to Evelyn tonight that it appeared our discussion had wound down and I hadn't even gotten to my favorite lines and numerous other little scribblings. I'll be ready to jump back in tomorrow. :)"}, {"response": 578, "author": "annea", "date": "Wed, Aug 21, 2002 (08:40)", "body": "I know that we are discussing MLSF and I am going to take another look at this tomorrow. Recently watched Apt 0 for the first time and found it a bit weird. However, on advice from some of you watched it again and appreciated it for the fine acting. Looked through the old discussion on this and it is amazing what people come up with and often others opinions just seem to make so much sense !! Anyway, really enjoy reading others POV and admire the dedication that some of you have to the tasks at hand !!"}, {"response": 579, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 21, 2002 (08:47)", "body": "Glad you enjoyed our AZ discussion. That's what we aim for. And sometimes we find things that I'm sure were never intended. ;-)"}, {"response": 580, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Aug 21, 2002 (11:44)", "body": "(KathyF) Every time I see this, I feel so sad for Edward. Kiloran is his home, and Morris wants to put a price tag on it. It's just heartbreaking. I agree with you - Edward's and Fraser's comments are sweet and poignant, and Morris just sits down and stomps all over the sentiment without even realizing he's done so. Some of the implications of this scene did come up early in the discussion. I suggested that it illustrates one reason why Gamma left Kiloran to Edward and Moira. Edward's view of Kiloran was in sync with Gamma's, while Morris's was not. She tried to explain to Morris that Kiloran was a home and not a business, but he didn't get it. On the other hand, Morris's ideas would probably have permitted Kiloran to stay in the family for longer than it did. I know what you mean that we kind of jumped around, but that seems hard to avoid without some sort of imposed structure, since everybody has different things they want to discuss. I was tempted once or twice to try to synthesize the evidence about the Roll in the Moss, because I think there are good arguments on both sides, but I just never got around to doing so."}, {"response": 581, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Aug 21, 2002 (12:00)", "body": "And sometimes we find things that I'm sure were never intended. ;-) And that's even more fun! I have been told this is s great discussion, but I don't have time now to join in as I would normally. I enjoyed this film. CF looks great and I love the clothing. The close-up of the smile at the end is so dreammy."}, {"response": 582, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 21, 2002 (12:05)", "body": "(Rika) I was tempted once or twice to try to synthesize the evidence about the Roll in the Moss, because I think there are good arguments on both sides, but I just never got around to doing so. Spill it now...we're listening. One of the charms of this film discussion is that there is no structure. I hate rules;-)"}, {"response": 583, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Aug 21, 2002 (14:17)", "body": "(Rika) I was tempted once or twice to try to synthesize the evidence about the Roll in the Moss, because I think there are good arguments on both sides, but I just never got around to doing so. (Evelyn) Spill it now...we're listening. Maybe this weekend, if I get my stuff done for school in time (I hate the start of the semester.... where did the summer go?). I have to go back through old posts to do it and that'll take some time. Anyone want to collaborate? I was assembling pictures for my final MLSF photo essay when I discovered that I had to do one more intermediate one.... and it's related to the Roll in the Moss issue. We've discussed several aspects of the dinner party scene, but until I started going through the captures that I had from it I didn't appreciate just how shamelessly Edward was flirting with Heloise. Slowing it down made it very vivid. If you'd like to see, here's the link: http://home.mindspring.com/~rika0519/cf/dinner/dinner.html There are quite a few photos, but I've done my best to keep the files small so I hope the download time won't be too bad. One of the charms of this film discussion is that there is no structure. I agree - all the stuff going on at once is fun. If Spring had a threaded discussion board format it would probably be easier to sort out the chaos, but that's life!"}, {"response": 584, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 21, 2002 (14:44)", "body": "Dinner photo essay brilliant, Rika. Thank you. Shirt collar is too big."}, {"response": 585, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Aug 21, 2002 (16:00)", "body": "Oh, Rika, Rika, Rika-You've done it again. I have several favorite scenes from this film, but the dinner table is my ultimate favorite. The picture just after Edward pulls his hand away from Moira-when he has his hand over his mouth-catch the smirk-v.sexy,almost taunting. I did notice that his gaze never leaves Heloise when I watched, but it is very powerful when you look at it out of context-at a much slower pace. So much goes on in this scene-most of it without words-none needed when CF is at his best."}, {"response": 586, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Aug 21, 2002 (19:25)", "body": "Great job Rika! Thank you. He is unabashedly flirting with her. Obviously not feeling the least bit uncomfortable whereas I think Heloise is. Which may be the reason he's doing it. Remember he didn't get what he wanted and in his child-like way of thinking he may feel he is getting a bit of his own back. Also he feels he didn't do anything wrong in going after something he wanted as he always has before and therefore he is not at risk and has nothing to lose."}, {"response": 587, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Aug 21, 2002 (20:22)", "body": "Lovely photo essay, Rika! This scene is one of the most fascinating, IMO. One thing has always bothered me. Right after Heloise says, \"You can't be a good man and do a bad thing. You can't have it both ways,\" Edward looks at her and shakes his head a little, with this strange smirk on his face (and we get a dimple, too). Every time I come to this part, I watch it over and over, trying to figure it out. I suppose Edward is trying to convey \"you shouldn't have said that\" or something along those lines. But it seems too obvious, in light of the fact that Morris is sitting right next to Heloise and surely would be aware of what was going on between the two of them. Of course, maybe this gets back to the fact that Morris feels secure in his \"ownership\" of Heloise, and isn't threatened by Edward."}, {"response": 588, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Aug 21, 2002 (21:45)", "body": "First of all, thanks to KathyF for inviting a continuation of the discussion. It was all I could do to catch up after vacation and hating to offer up \"ditto\" comments and feeling out of the flow, I was sensing that the MLSF comments were winding down and was not going to fight the tide. By her leave, I go back into the breach... (Fan Pam) He is unabashedly flirting with her. Obviously not feeling the least bit uncomfortable whereas I think Heloise is. Major dilemmas here and a re-watching of segments of the movie definitely called for. My original supposition: he had tried something (and more than what we saw) in the loft and was rebuffed (forcefully--the scream.) They returned. Heloise was agitated. He was contrite (my original interpretation of the removal of his hand from Moira--guilt or discomfort--ok, I'm reaching here.) The problem is, Rika's character study from the dinner table does NOT show contrite. There is no guilt there. Interesting that it would be played/directed that way. We've all commented on Edward's child-like qualities. A child who has had his hand slapped is sullen and/or shame-faced. Edward is neither. It's getting late and brain functions might be moving slowly but I'm building a mental case (indeed!) that there was no hand slap and Edward accomplished more than I originally thought and, from his dinner table demeanor (and later bragging at the funeral) was rather pleased about it. But the scream? (Rika) I was tempted once or twice to try to synthesize the evidence ...but I just never got around to doing so. (Evelyn) Spill it now...we're listening. (Rika) Maybe this weekend, ....Anyone want to collaborate? Not sure what you mean by collaborate, but I find myself about to send my son and DH off to scout camp for the weekend and I have a major chick-flick weekend planned anyway, what do you have in mind?"}, {"response": 589, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Aug 21, 2002 (21:55)", "body": "(KathyF)Edward looks at her and shakes his head a little, with this strange smirk on his face IMO, one of the best CF facial expressions of the film. I watch that little shake of the head over and over each time I watch the film. Getting back to the corporal/lack of corporal punishment scene. I know we discussed this before, but I had another thought on this. I truly don't think he struck the children because of the \"next time I'll take my cane...line. When I think of this now I am surprised that it wound up being such a lighthearted scene, almost as though Edward understands the ways of preteen boys. He dismisses them and lets them off with an admonishment, and has them go up to apologize to Mrs. Mc. It's almost as though he was making a big deal of dragging the boys off-just to make a big deal of disciplining them. Yet it is such a contradiction to his obvious discomfort in the sex talk scene with Fraser."}, {"response": 590, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Aug 22, 2002 (00:24)", "body": "Linda, I agree with your analysis of the punishment scene - but why does it contradict his behavior in the sex talk scene? (KathyF)Edward looks at her and shakes his head a little, with this strange smirk on his face (Linda) IMO, one of the best CF facial expressions of the film. I watch that little shake of the head over and over each time I watch the film. Incidentally, I apologize for the absence of that in the photo essay. I tried. I got several video captures of that second or two, but they were disappointing. I think it's the kind of thing that doesn't reproduce well in stills, because the movement of the head makes it work. (KathyF) Every time I come to this part, I watch it over and over, trying to figure it out. I suppose Edward is trying to convey \"you shouldn't have said that\" or something along those lines. That's what I think - I see the smirk as one of disapproval. His feelings for her really are interesting - lust and fascination and a significant measure of disdain or disapproval as well. (Barb S) The problem is, Rika's character study from the dinner table does NOT show contrite. There is no guilt there. I agree. And I didn't select those photos to prove a point; they're pretty much representative. I see fear on his face in the first photo, when Edward realizes that Fraser heard them in the moss factory. And he certainly does what he can to shut Fraser up (after all, he has no idea at that point how much more Fraser might have heard or seen). But once the verbal sparring starts with Heloise, he's totally focused on her - intense gazes, teasing smiles, dimples, you name it. Even the way his head is cocked to one side much of the time strikes me as a flirtatious pose. But then let's consider Heloise. When Fraser mentions the lady's scream, she doesn't look guilty or frightened of discovery. She shoots that challenging look at Edward, and contradicts him when he tries to get Fraser to be quiet (provoking Edward's little head-shake that is discussed above). She seems entirely at ease to me, which makes me think that she didn't do anything she's ashamed of. And we heard her say \"Stop\" (in two languages) in the moss factory. So I think whatever he got, he got without her cooperation. And I don't think he can have gotten that much. If he'd gotten anywhere near an actual roll in the moss that was non-consensual, I can't see how she could sit there calmly and bait him. And that's what she does - she asks all the taunting questions, and she goes out of her way to be affectionate with Morris while Edward just about bores a hole through the two of them with his eyes. So then why is he flirting instead of sulking? Hmmmm. Perhaps he doesn't fully recognize that she's baiting him, and takes it as encouragement. Maybe once she got him to back off, she said some things intended to keep peace in the family, and he chose to read some hope between the lines of her remarks. Maybe he's just really hard to discourage. Maybe the kiss(es) he perhaps did manage to get were enough to make him feel victorious. I don't know. Not sure what you mean by collaborate, but I find myself about to send my son and DH off to scout camp for the weekend and I have a major chick-flick weekend planned anyway, what do you have in mind? A lot of people have offered opinions on what happened in the moss, based on a things they've noticed from several different scenes. I wanted to scan back through the discussion and synthesize all the evidence people offered in one place, because I think a lot of us are still confused about this issue. There'd certainly be some MLSF-watching involved too, to clarify/check things...."}, {"response": 591, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Aug 22, 2002 (00:31)", "body": "(Rika) how shamelessly Edward was flirting with Heloise (Linda) The picture just after Edward pulls his hand away from Moira-when he has his hand over his mouth-catch the smirk-v.sexy,almost taunting. I did notice that his gaze never leaves Heloise when I watched, but it is very powerful This is in my top 2 or 3 scenes, also! It was intense with all the subtleties. (Kathy) Heloise says, \"You can't be a good man and do a bad thing. You can't have it both ways,\" Edward looks at her and shakes his head a little, with this strange smirk on his face (Barb) There is no guilt there. Forgive me if my comments repeat something someone already said... After looking at everyone's commments (unfortunately took my copy back to the video store), it occurred to me that, not only does he not appear to feel guilty, he may actually blame HER for the incident. Maybe he's shaking his head because she's saying he did a bad thing, but in his mind, it was her fault for \"egging him on\" by kissing Fraser. He might perceive (in his childlike manner), that it had been an invitation for Edward to act on his feelings and make advances. Sort of like a date rapist saying \"she was asking for it\". I think the knowledge from all my psych courses is failing me now."}, {"response": 592, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Aug 22, 2002 (01:10)", "body": "(Dorine) ...he may actually blame HER for the incident. Maybe he's shaking his head because she's saying he did a bad thing, but in his mind, it was her fault for \"egging him on\" by kissing Fraser. Or egging him on by (real or perceived) flirting. I agree with you."}, {"response": 593, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Aug 22, 2002 (07:37)", "body": "(Dorine) ...he may actually blame HER for the incident. Maybe he's shaking his head because she's saying he did a bad thing, but in his mind, it was her fault for \"egging him on\" by kissing Fraser. You make a good point, Dorine, and I agree too. However, I find her attitude at the table a bit off balance for someone who might have been in a very uncomfortable situation just hours before. She is almost too cool, calm, and collected. After Edward gets over the shock that Fraser heard something-I find that the two of them seem to be enjoying the sparring-just a bit too much. All this IMHO, of course. Please boss, jump in and give us your favorite lines and scenes from the film. I think we're all looking to chew the fat a little more on this one. We can't seem to let it go."}, {"response": 594, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Aug 22, 2002 (13:55)", "body": "(Linda) However, I find her attitude at the table a bit off balance for someone who might have been in a very uncomfortable situation just hours before. She is almost too cool, calm, and collected. (Rika) Or egging him on by (real or perceived) flirting. Yes her attitude does seem off considering the circumstances, but I would think she would feel more confident that she could get back at him verbally in the safety of the dining room with Morris and the rest of the family. They are her shield, as such."}, {"response": 595, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Aug 22, 2002 (17:39)", "body": "(Barb) He was contrite (my original interpretation of the removal of his hand from Moira--guilt or discomfort--ok, I'm reaching here.) I can only relate to this from a personal situation I was involved in. I was Moira reaching out for Edwards hand and Edward pulled away (my ex) because he didn't want the object of his affection who was sitting across the table from us to think that his attentions were not in earnest. He was trying to prove to her that he trully wants her. In my experience when the man is feeling contrite or guilty about something he over compensates to the party he feels he's hurt, obviously Moira. And he just isn't doing that in any way. As I say this is only my opinion because I was in a similar situation. (Rika) Maybe this weekend, ....Anyone want to collaborate? Sure just let me know what you want me to do. (Lindak) Getting back to the corporal/lack of corporal punishment scene. I know we discussed this before, but I had another thought on this. I truly don't think he struck the children because of the \"next time I'll take my cane...line. Perhaps he used his hand, because I think he did atleast spank them which would not be as sever as if he used an object. (Dorine) He might perceive (in his childlike manner), that it had been an invitation for Edward to act on his feelings and make advances. Sort of like a date rapist saying \"she was asking for it\". Edward IMO didn't feel he needed an invitation. He wanted her from the first time he saw her and was just waiting for the chance when they could be alone, invited or not. Neither did he require any encouragement from her, which I don't think she gave him. I also don't think he was blaming her for anything. He knows how much he wanted her, and in reality he knows he was the aggressor and he also was denied, so what is there to blame her for. He was the one who attempted to be alone with her. I think she feels secure because she knows he didn't get anywhere but she wants to let him know that his attentions and aggressive behavior are not acceptable. It boils down to the male ego thing. Although he was denied he wants her to know that he still wants her, which in his opinion is a compliment to her. Also I agree she feels secure with Morris and the rest of the family there. And you know she will never allow the situation to arise where they will be alone again."}, {"response": 596, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Aug 22, 2002 (21:10)", "body": "(Lindak)I truly don't think he struck the children because of the \"next time I'll take my cane...line. (Pam) Perhaps he used his hand, because I think he did at least spank them which would not be as severe as if he used an object. I agree, Pam. You can see the shadow of his arm moving, and you hear the impact - twice. So I think each boy got one whack. When Donald and Fraser leave the room, they're holding their butts as though they hurt a bit, but they also seem pretty amused by the whole thing so it can't have been too bad. I wouldn't be surprised if Edward's hand hurt more than their rear ends. OOH - major chills! This is OT, but I'm listening to a CD of Claudio Arrau playing Beethoven, and \"Andante Favori\" just started. This is the music Georgiana was playing at Pemberley during \"The Look\" in P&P2. SIGH....."}, {"response": 597, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Aug 22, 2002 (21:17)", "body": "(FanPam) he didn't want the object of his affection who was sitting across the table from us to think that his attentions were not in earnest. He was trying to prove to her that he trully wants her. And IMO that's exactly what Edward was doing here. And obviously, judging from Moira's reaction, that's the message she got when he removed his hand. I don't think she would have offered alcohol to the minister if she wasn't trying to somehow diffuse the whole situation. (FanPam) Although he was denied he wants her to know that he still wants her, which in his opinion is a compliment to her. He most certainly hadn't given up, and I'd say he isn't the least bit contrite."}, {"response": 598, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 22, 2002 (22:13)", "body": "(Lora) have we discussed that the title \"Son of Adam\" must be a Biblical reference, too? Unless Denis/Fraser slew his brother and went to live in John Steinbeck country, I'm not seeing a connection, and you know how much I love symbolism. Yes, the estate was a world unto itself, but the inhabitants did venture out and Denis/Fraser had contact with many who could \"fill in the blanks.\" ;-) (Lora) But I think the filmmakers were trying to capture the essence of the book even though they added things and changed names. Absolutely, but I think they downplayed Denis' bad boy antics and his deep-seeded problems with the Trinity. (Rika) If Spring had a threaded discussion board format it would probably be easier to sort out the chaos, but that's life! Bite your tongue!! ;-) It might be easier to sort out the chaos, but they're much harder to follow in the long run and an impediment to discussion. After you've been on Yapp, threaded message boards and discussions via email are like going back to the Stone Age IMO. *shivering* (Rika) So then why is he flirting instead of sulking? Hmmmm. Perhaps he doesn't fully recognize that she's baiting him, and takes it as encouragement. Quite right. He thinks she's continuing to flirt with him, instead of what she is actually doing. Ladies, ladies, what do women do best? Get revenge. Heloise is on the offensive. She's trying to expose him for the hypocrite he is. He tried to take liberties with her, his brother-in-law's fiancee, and she's going to get back at him in front of his family. She doesn't think she did anything wrong. Obviously she doesn't know what touching one's lips means or fondling a child. (Rika) Maybe the kiss(es) he perhaps did manage to get were enough to make him feel victorious. I don't know. I'd go with Pam's (?) view of teenage boys' boasting. (Dorine) not only does he not appear to feel guilty, he may actually blame HER for the incident. Maybe he's shaking his head because she's saying he did a bad thing, but in his mind, it was her fault for \"egging him on\" by kissing Fraser. Absolutely. He feels no guilt. She was the temptress in his mind. I'll go through my notes tomorrow. Am too tired to start anything new now."}, {"response": 599, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (09:46)", "body": "(Karen) Quite right. He thinks she's continuing to flirt with him, instead of what she is actually doing. It reminds me of the build-up to Darcy's first proposal in P&P. When he and Elizabeth had their verbal sparring matches, she was constantly firing thinly-veiled poisoned darts in his direction. To him I think it seemed like flirtation. But Darcy had a better excuse for misunderstanding than Edward did, since 99.9999% of the single women in England would have done everything in their power to encourage him. I'll go through my notes tomorrow. Am too tired to start anything new now. (sound of feet tapping impatiently as we wait) :-D"}, {"response": 600, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (10:45)", "body": "(Karen)Unless Denis/Fraser slew his brother and went to live in John Steinbeck country, I'm not seeing a connection, and you know how much I love symbolism. LOL! You are quite right here. But the title I was refering to is only from the book (even though I was talking about both) and didn't Denis consider himself to be \"bad\" and be thought of as \"bad\" because he disappointed his parents a lot (in terms of his views of religion)? (Karen) I think they downplayed Denis' bad boy antics and his deep-seeded problems with the Trinity. Yes, Fraser was not thought of as bad like Denis and they changed the names so the Adam thing couldn't work anymore. I could be stretching the Adam reference in the book, but it seems it would be a lot like Denis to be giving one last poke at his parents here. I have been enjoying all of the discussion from all of you about Edward and Heloise's sparring at the dinner table. I could never understand Heloise not being afraid to talk to Edward about his behavior (even though it is veiled). I thought it was bad editing again. But all of you have made a lot of sense of that dinner table scene (with Moira too). I have re-rented the tape again in order to re-watch and re-listen to that scene (and others). Thanks for all of your insight. And thanks to all the hard working and observant Firthettes who will conquer this confusing movie :-)!"}, {"response": 601, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (10:49)", "body": "(sound of feet tapping impatiently as we wait) :-D It was that or type up the Hello article (four jpgs ranging from 370-700K each); not fun. Rather than tapping, you might want to work on cloning. ;-) But am now thinking of working on dusting off GSD..."}, {"response": 602, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (13:45)", "body": "Thanks for all the great insights ladies. This is indeed a confusing movie."}, {"response": 603, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (15:40)", "body": "(Karen) It was that or type up the Hello article (four jpgs ranging from 370-700K each); not fun......Rather than tapping, you might want to work on cloning. ;-) But am now thinking of working on dusting off GSD... I sure hope we pay you a good enough salary for everything you do! :-)"}, {"response": 604, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (17:19)", "body": "(Lora) didn't Denis consider himself to be \"bad\" and be thought of as \"bad\" because he disappointed his parents a lot (in terms of his views of religion)? Not just for that reason, but that he acted out solely to gain attention. I know everyone is waiting with baited breath for my favorite lines in the film (ha ha!), so here they are: - \"Fraser, liberate your brother, will you?\" (Actually, I love that entire scene and, just like Kathy thought the way Fraser said lurked was funny, I feel the same about how he says \"the manly art of hunting fish) -\"You know how Mrs McIntosh feels about smoking around the house\" (Andrew, when the underground flue goes wrong) If we back up to the dynamiting scene, when Gamma and Morris arrive to stop another one of Edward's hare-brained schemes, Edward gets a dressing down not only by Gamma but by Morris as well. All of this is in front of Fraser and the estate workers. Edward tries his best to put a good spin on it, save some face, but Fraser looks upset to me. How do you think he reacts to seeing his father put in his place so publicly? And then, Morris will again criticize the father's lack of business acumen in front of the boy, when they're all sitting on the rock (commercial soft woods). Try looking at the dinner table through another's eyes, Heloise's. She makes a very interesting comment later, when Morris is explaining curling to her. She says, \"Ah, it's a game, I see.\" Game. Boys and their games. Could that be how she views Morris and Edward's actions? Could that explain why she wasn't more upset by the assault, didn't feel it necessary to say anything to Morris, and how she was baiting Edward now?"}, {"response": 605, "author": "caribou", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (18:46)", "body": "(Lora)I know Biblical references have been mentioned, but have we discussed that the title \"Son of Adam\" must be a Biblical reference, too? It reminded me of C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia in which the children are referred to as \"sons of Adam and daughters of Eve.\" It also seems to be a statement about how his father was First (Alpha) Man and how that all changed and when. (Lora)Craigieland?/Kiloran are like Eden - beautiful and idyllic. I agree. It seems that's the point of the discussion after church/before Morris interrupts. They even say they want to live there for eternity. (Lora)Do you think Denis/Fraser are trying to get a handle on the real world and a better understanding of the world through books and leaving for school (sources of knowledge) since they are frustrated with finding it at home? Interesting that you used the word knowledge because Adam and Eve were kicked out of Eden for partaking of the tree of knowledge of good and evil ! Isn't Fraser, who has been instructed in good, partaking of the knowledge of evil when he \"lurks where the Devil lurks\" (the attic)? Maybe his Dad knew what was in those books and wanted his children to stay away. The author also sets several things up as clearly good or evil; black or white. Beethoven is good; jazz is evil. Scots are good; French are evil. Moss is good; commercial softwoods are evil. (Or vice versa, if you agree with Morris.) Are there others? (Lora)I could be stretching the Adam reference in the book, but it seems it would be a lot like Denis to be giving one last poke at his parents here. He was probably very impressed when he first realized his father was named after the #1 guy but during teen rebellion (which I'm not convinced he ever outgrew) he seems to be saying \"That may be how Mr. Perfect was but look at how his offspring is.\" (Karen)Try looking at the dinner table through another's eyes, Heloise's. She makes a very interesting comment later, when Morris is explaining curling to her. She says, \"Ah, it's a game, I see.\" Game. Boys and their games. Could that be how she views Morris and Edward's actions? That's how I view her actions. She has decided to play along and the eye lock between Heloise and Edward is as they are confronting each other in battle. The first one to look away or blink loses. ;-)"}, {"response": 606, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (19:23)", "body": "(Karen) \"You know how Mrs McIntosh feels about smoking around the house\" One of my favorites, too! I always love a bad pun (low form of humor, I know). And right before that, Edward says, \"Damn and blast!\" which I find amusing for some reason. (Karen) If we back up to the dynamiting scene, when Gamma and Morris arrive to stop another one of Edward's hare-brained schemes, Edward gets a dressing down not only by Gamma but by Morris as well. I love the look on MMcD's face right after Gamma says, \"and besides, you'll frighten the sheep!\" He can't wait to jump in and criticize Edward. When he's finished humiliating Edward in front of everyone, he has this evil smirk. (Caribou) Are there others? Amontillado is good, sherry is evil? (Right before Gamma sticks her tongue out at Fraser, you can hear Morris say, \"utter nonsense, Edward. It's Amontillado. My father wouldn't have sweet sherry in this house.\")"}, {"response": 607, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (20:52)", "body": "(Karen) ...when they're all sitting on the rock (commercial soft woods). Has it occurred to anyone just how long it takes trees to grow to the point where they can be cut down and processed? Trees take forever to grow, so commercial soft woods would not be a quick-fix to the financial situation. I doubt they would uproot partially-grown trees to transplant in another location. This would also be an expensive proposition. A long-term practicality possibly, but in the short- term it just wouldn't be financially productive. I wonder if Morris considered this aspect? Obviously, not."}, {"response": 608, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (21:04)", "body": "Excellent point, FanPam! Perhaps Morris was not quite the astute businessman we thought. ;-) At least the moss was already there..."}, {"response": 609, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sat, Aug 24, 2002 (01:00)", "body": "I was watching MLSF tonight for the umpteenth time since we started our discussion, and I had a thought about Heloise's letter to Edward. (If someone has already mentioned this, I apologize for bringing it up again.) Why did she write it? I don't think she would have instigated the correspondence. Surely she wouldn't have wanted to open up that can of worms. So apparently Edward had written her, at least once. I also realized that Rika was positively right (way back on Aug. 10), when she said that the catalogue didn't come from Heloise, but had merely picked up the scent from Edward's letter in the same packet. (Somehow I either misread Rika's post, or didn't comprehend what she was saying.) That's why Moira was sniffing the letter and then looking at the wrapper. She was wondering why it should smell like Heloise. Well, that's one less scene for me to be confused about. Duh! (slapping forehead)"}, {"response": 610, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Aug 24, 2002 (01:25)", "body": "(Karen) - \"Fraser, liberate your brother, will you?\" (Actually, I love that entire scene LOL....that is my favorite line! I think it gets me because he says it so casually...he's doesn't seem annoyed or surprised. It also remind me of a friend's friend who went fishing, went to cast the line, and ended up with the hook on the side of his face. It doesn't sound all that amusing I suppose just reading about it, but the picture of it was hysterical! (Kathy) Why did she write it? I don't think she would have instigated the correspondence. Surely she wouldn't have wanted to open up that can of worms. So apparently Edward had written her, at least once. Good question. I had actually wondered about that myself."}, {"response": 611, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 24, 2002 (10:15)", "body": "My favorite scene is when Edward is trying to impress Heloise with the importance of moss and Fraser keeps interrupting. He then tells Fraser to go away because he's boring Heloise. Solid performance by all three actors; brilliant dialogue timing."}, {"response": 612, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Aug 24, 2002 (10:48)", "body": "(Evelyn) My favorite scene is when Edward is trying to impress Heloise with the importance of moss and Fraser keeps interrupting. He then tells Fraser to go away because he's boring Heloise. Solid performance by all three actors; brilliant dialogue timing Do you mean while they're out in the moss field or in the loft? (don't have a copy now to go reference exactly). My other favorite scene is the part where they are walking outside, where Edward is talking to Heloise and he pushes Fraser away behind him and Fraser pops up on the other side. Persistent little bugger! LOL"}, {"response": 613, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Aug 24, 2002 (12:07)", "body": "(KathyF)Amontillado is good, sherry is evil? (Right before Gamma sticks her tongue out at Fraser, you can hear Morris say, \"utter nonsense, Edward. It's Amontillado. My father wouldn't have sweet sherry in this house.\") Good one, Kathy. Morris couldn't let anything that Edward said go without contradiction. (FanPam)Has it occurred to anyone just how long it takes trees to grow to the point where they can be cut down and processed? Trees take forever to grow, so commercial soft woods would not be a quick-fix to the financial situation. Have just consulted local, resident technical type (LRTT).:-) The Norweigian Pine and the Sitka spruce that Morris was suggesting would have been grown in pots in a nursery for the first five years and then transplanted to a field. They originate from colder places than Scotland so, with Scotland's comparitively mild climate and rain, they would have been ready to harvest in six to ten years. As you said, Pam, definitely not a quick fix but not a horribly long investement. Because these were soft woods, they take less time to grow and harvest than the hard woods. It is not uncommon for a farmer to plant a field of walnut trees(hard wood) when a child is born and then harvest them to pay for the college education. Given the number of children, that would have been a good plan for Edward.;-)"}, {"response": 614, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Aug 24, 2002 (12:46)", "body": "Caribou, thanks for the hardwood vs. softwood report. So Morris did know what he was talking about, as long as the estate could have hung on for those six to ten years. (Dorine) My other favorite scene is the part where they are walking outside, where Edward is talking to Heloise and he pushes Fraser away behind him and Fraser pops up on the other side. Persistent little bugger! LOL I love that one too. I like it better than the scene that follows in the loft, because (although I agree with Evelyn that it's wonderfully acted) I hate that Edward's so cruel to Fraser. (Kathy) Why did she write it? I don't think she would have instigated the correspondence. Surely she wouldn't have wanted to open up that can of worms. So apparently Edward had written her, at least once. Kathy, I'm glad you brought that up because I've wondered about it too. I agree with your analysis - he probably wrote to her first. And I guess that's another indication (as in our discussion of the dinner party) of just how hard he is to discourage. That's why Moira was sniffing the letter and then looking at the wrapper. She was wondering why it should smell like Heloise. And I think there's another indication that the catalog wasn't from Heloise (which I didn't even think to mention before) in the scene when the mail arrives. If the catalog were from Heloise, Fraser would probably have said something like, \"Oh, it's from Auntie Heloise - and it smells like her too!\" instead of just remarking on the scent. But even more to the point, after Fraser mentions the scent, Edward sniffs the rest of the mail, sticks the bundle in his pocket, and says, \"Don't be ridiculous.\" If the scent came from the catalog, which came from Heloise, why the defensive reaction?"}, {"response": 615, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Aug 24, 2002 (18:33)", "body": "(Karen) If we back up to the dynamiting scene, when Gamma and Morris arrive to stop another one of Edward's hare-brained schemes, Edward gets a dressing down not only by Gamma but by Morris as well. I like this too, but it always makes me uncomfortable to watch. My favorite scene(s) besides the dinner, the funeral, and when Edward walks into the bedroom to apologize to Moira. I love the look on his face when he says I've been a child. It makes me want to hug him, among other things(that's not unusual) and tell him it will all turn out right in the end."}, {"response": 616, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Aug 25, 2002 (01:31)", "body": "(Kathy) Why did she write it? I don't think she would have instigated the correspondence. Surely she wouldn't have wanted to open up that can of worms. So apparently Edward had written her, at least once. Never actually got the impression that he wrote her. Always thought that she did it to clear the air because they would be meeting at family gatherings and did not want to be put in the position again, and was in a subtle way telling him to drop any aspirations he may have in that regard. Also attempting to pave the way for harmony when she and Morris do go there. Pam"}, {"response": 617, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Aug 25, 2002 (14:23)", "body": "(Linda) My favorite scene(s) besides the dinner, the funeral, and when Edward walks into the bedroom to apologize to Moira. I love the look on his face when he says I've been a child. It makes me want to hug him, among other things(that's not unusual) and tell him it will all turn out right in the end. Linda, I hope you realize I wouldn't have done this for just anybody the day before the semester started!"}, {"response": 618, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 25, 2002 (16:05)", "body": "(Caribou) The author also sets several things up as clearly good or evil; black or white. Beethoven is good; jazz is evil. Scots are good; French are evil. Moss is good; commercial softwoods are evil This attitude of good and bad comes right from the book and it was something that Denis found unacceptable about his parents and grandmother, why he considered them \"bigots,\" their intolerant attitudes toward everything. I had this portion marked: At Craigielands, in music as in everything else, there was a right and a wrong....The idea of black and white was applied to the arts without inhibition and this as much as anything else caused me to question the Craigielands creed. My mother's first judgment of people, as well as plays, books, music, was to decide whether they were good or bad. 'But is he a good man?' she would ask in perplexity when someone had been describing the nature of Ramsay McDonald, then a rising star in politics....Hamlet was an enigma, he seemed to be good and bad at the same time. The Greek myths were very puzzling because they didn't seem to distinguish between good and bad at all: all Gods behaved frightfully badly but they were Gods and so surely meant to be good. The B ble was much safer ground: here it was always possible to distinguish the good from the bad--except, possibly, in King Soloman and Pontius Pilate. With such pellucid simplicity did my mother view the world. (Kathy) Rika was positively right...when she said that the catalogue didn't come from Heloise, but had merely picked up the scent from Edward's letter in the same packet....That's why Moira was sniffing the letter and then looking at the wrapper. She was wondering why it should smell like Heloise. ... Duh! (slapping forehead) Slapping forehead here too. You've all convinced me of this point as well. The book would probably support it too, as Denis wrote for music catalogues himself. (Linda) My favorite scene...when Edward walks into the bedroom to apologize to Moira. I love the look on his face when he says I've been a child. It makes me want to hug him, among other things(that's not unusual) and tell him it will all turn out right in the end. I much prefer them dancing in the rain. I guess contrite isn't all that appealing to me. Besides, he looks rather dorky in those pyjamas. Or maybe if he were only wearing the bottoms, I might have a different opinion. ;-) (Pam) Always thought that she did it to clear the air because they would be meeting at family gatherings and did not want to be put in the position again, and was in a subtle way telling him to drop any aspirations he may have in that regard. Also attempting to pave the way for harmony when she and Morris do go there. Very well put. She was being diplomatic, but he undoubtedly expected something else by the way he reacted to its contents. We've come down very hard on Edward's childish behavior, but if you look at the bonspiel scene, it is Morris who instigates the situation, not Edward. Morris has been betting with others (estate workers, guests, whoever) throughout, but when Edward suggests a bet, it is Morris who makes it ugly, more significant than had been proposed."}, {"response": 619, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Aug 25, 2002 (16:08)", "body": "Oh, Rika thank you so much. It's as if you read my mind. Check out topic 160, and look at the plumb assignment I may have picked for the coffee wenches.:-))) I will have pleasant dreams tonight!"}, {"response": 620, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Aug 25, 2002 (16:18)", "body": "(Karen)he looks rather dorky in those pyjamas. Or maybe if he were only wearing the bottoms, I might have a different opinion. ;-) Okiedorky, boss have it your way, but I might have a different opinion if he were only wearing the tops:-)) (Karen)We've come down very hard on Edward's childish behavior, but if you look at the bonspiel scene, it is Morris who instigates the situation IMO, it is Morris who instigates the ugliness-most of the time. Yes, Edward is childish, but it seems to be an accepted way of life at Kiloran-all of his experiments and what have you. It's once Morris arrives on the scene that all of his behavior, (things that made people laugh and enjoy) becomes a source of contention and ridicule."}, {"response": 621, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sun, Aug 25, 2002 (21:30)", "body": "(Pam) Never actually got the impression that he wrote her. Always thought that she did it to clear the air because they would be meeting at family gatherings and did not want to be put in the position again, and was in a subtle way telling him to drop any aspirations he may have in that regard. Also attempting to pave the way for harmony when she and Morris do go there. I've been away from the DVD and the computer for two days, but I've been thinking about MLSF. I believe you are probably correct on this point, because how could Edward write Heloise, without Morris knowing it? Still, it makes me wonder why she would write him at all. Why not just wait until they meet again and hope he's given up by that time? (Karen) I much prefer them dancing in the rain. Me, too! I'm a sucker for happy endings. (Although the note at the end about them being forced to sell Kiloran somewhat diffuses the happiness.) (Linda) Yes, Edward is childish, but it seems to be an accepted way of life at Kiloran-all of his experiments and what have you.It's once Morris arrives on the scene that all of his behavior, (things that made people laugh and enjoy) becomes a source of contention and ridicule. Yes, everyone seems to turn from Edward to Morris for guidance, even Edward's children. That had to be galling."}, {"response": 622, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sun, Aug 25, 2002 (22:47)", "body": "(Karen quoting Son of Adam) At Craigielands, in music as in everything else, there was a right and a wrong....The idea of black and white was applied to the arts without inhibition... Excellent passage! We usually uncover all of the messages if enough of us dig long enough! :-) So, do you think Denis became like his mother or is he able to see the gray areas? (KathyF)(Although the note at the end about them being forced to sell Kiloran somewhat diffuses the happiness.) The movie would lead you to believe they had to sell because of Edward's foolishness. But, what if Gamma didn't leave them the money that she had used to keep it going. What if the estate went to them but the money went to someone else?"}, {"response": 623, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 25, 2002 (22:54)", "body": "(Caribou) The movie would lead you to believe they had to sell because of Edward's foolishness. But, what if Gamma didn't leave them the money that she had used to keep it going. What if the estate went to them but the money went to someone else? In some web surfing, I found that the family endowed scholarships at the school the boys all attended (Loretto)."}, {"response": 624, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Aug 26, 2002 (00:50)", "body": "(Karen) I much prefer them dancing in the rain. I guess contrite isn't all that appealing to me. Besides, he looks rather dorky in those pyjamas. Or maybe if he were only wearing the bottoms, I might have a different opinion. ;-) I adore the line reading on \"I've been a child,\" and I guess I'm fine with contrite (mostly because of the depth of feeling in his eyes). As to the PJ's, no question that removal of top (or bottom, as Linda suggested) would improve the look ;-P. I believe he's in the same PJ's in the dancing in the rain scene. Speaking of which, here ya go, boss -"}, {"response": 625, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 26, 2002 (08:20)", "body": "Thanks for the lovely pics, Rika. But don't you just wish he would unbutton a few buttons. ;-)"}, {"response": 626, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Aug 26, 2002 (09:19)", "body": "Yes, that would be very nice!"}, {"response": 627, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Aug 26, 2002 (16:49)", "body": "Thanks for pictures Rika. Great comments ladies."}, {"response": 628, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Aug 26, 2002 (18:39)", "body": "(Rika)I believe he's in the same PJ's in the dancing in the rain scene. Just to clarify my position on the PJ's...I wasn't looking at the PJ's. I was admiring that beautiful, sexy face as he delivers that \"I've been a child\" line."}, {"response": 629, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Mon, Aug 26, 2002 (18:41)", "body": "I love the pajamas myself, although he could remove either the top or the bottoms as the mood struck him and you wouldn't hear me complain. :)"}, {"response": 630, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Aug 27, 2002 (20:22)", "body": "(Linda) I was admiring that beautiful, sexy face as he delivers that \"I've been a child\" line. You and me both. I didn't really register what he was wearing. (Elizabeth)I love the pajamas myself, although he could remove either the top or the bottoms as the mood struck him and you wouldn't hear me complain. :) Or both. (Hey, a girl can dream.)"}, {"response": 631, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Aug 27, 2002 (21:02)", "body": "I have so many favorite scenes from this movie, it's difficult to pick any one as being my most favorite. Among my favorites is the Rotary Screen Mark III scene. The sad look on Edward's face, and then when Moira looks so angry and Fraser picks up on it... just always gets to me. And it doesn't hurt that CF looks great in the suspenders. Of course, I love all the stair scenes, too. :-) (Rika) Or both. (Hey, a girl can dream.) Amen, sister!! And thanks again for all your great screen captures!"}, {"response": 632, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Aug 28, 2002 (10:07)", "body": "Kathy, I'm with you - I love that scene (and the suspenders). The progression of emotion on Edward's face is particularly wonderful - a delighted smile at the first sight of Heloise which then turns wistful, then melancholy, and then to frustration. In fact, I've got a series of screen caps that show the progression - I won't impose them on everybody, but here's one just for you, Kathy!"}, {"response": 633, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Aug 28, 2002 (11:48)", "body": "Thanks, Rika! :-)"}, {"response": 634, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Aug 28, 2002 (18:33)", "body": "I have finally gotten around to re-watching MLSF and am 3/4's through it, but I have to say I am watching it this time with \"new eyes\" because of all the insights and observations of all of you who do such a great job of discussing, screen capturing, and analyzing this very confusing movie. Last time I posted I think I got a scene in the wrong sequence, but this time I've found some things I didn't see at all the other many times I watched it! Someone may have mentioned this, but talk about CF and his socks, the film is set in Argyll! And one of my favorite lines is Elsbeth's to Fraser when they are talking about Daedalus and Icarus, \"Don't use language like that...swimming trunks (as she shakes her head in amused/mock? disgust).\" Also this viewing I suddenly noticed that the piles of boxes on the stairway up to the attic and in the storage closet are marked \"Pettigrew\" and are probably a surplus of stock from the moss factory that are not being sold for lack of demand. So Uncle Morris is right that when he says \"the accounts are in shambles - a pittance\" in terms of income. Planting softwoods from the birth of the first child would have been a better investment. I noticed that the taller boy must be the older child, though not as precocious as Fraser, because he is allowed to accompany the men on the hunt. He is in a cap and coat holding the leash of one of the dogs. Fraser, the girls, and Finley stay at home. I noticed Uncle Crawford falls asleep during Heloise's first cello performance for the family, and his wife flicks his neck to wake him up! (heehee) For the first time, I noticed that when Fraser, Edward, and Heloise go on the outside tour of the moss being dried by the local townspeople, Fraser laughs nervously in front of Heloise when his dad tries to talk like them. I think Fraser is just as embarrassed over his dad's behavior (but rightly so) as Edward is over his son getting in his way! But young Fraser can see what a fool his dad is being in front of Heloise whereas Fraser is innocent in his behavior (\"Fraser's a child\"). Also before Heloise arrives, Fraser still respects and admires his dad. After the dynamiting scene (love that line, \"There'll be no more blasting today.\") and Gamma and Morris show up and Edward is berated, Fraser is upset for his dad and tells him in the next scene that \"Andrew Burns says it's a very good idea.\" But what Andrew actually says (to the children) when Gamma and Morris arrive, \"Master Morris, a right hard-nosed bugger and if I know Uncle Morris there'll be no more of this dynamiting nonsense. He'll not begin to see his inheritance blown to pieces.\" So Fraser tries to protect his father and after saying that Andrew liked the idea he also asks about Uncle Morris and his dad says that he lives far away and shows up once in a blue moon. When Fraser asks what a hard-nosed bugger and a blue moon are, his dad doesn't answer. Instead he starts with the dog talk and misses an opportunity of communicating with his very inquisitive son. Also, maybe someone already asked this, but where is Fraser's fishing pole after he finds the choker. He had it when he was outside and near the Hairy Man. But when he comes off the ladder from the loft and picks up the choker he finds on the main floor he doesn't have his fishing pole. Reminds me of Sarah Hugh's present from her class in FP. Where does it go?"}, {"response": 635, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Aug 28, 2002 (18:52)", "body": "(Lora) Fraser is upset for his dad and tells him in the next scene that \"Andrew Burns says it's a very good idea.\" But what Andrew actually says (to the children) when Gamma and Morris arrive, \"Master Morris, a right hard-nosed bugger and if I know Uncle Morris there'll be no more of this dynamiting nonsense. He'll not begin to see his inheritance blown to pieces.\" So Fraser tries to protect his father I've wondered why Fraser said Andrew thought it was a good idea. I'd never considered that Fraser might be trying to protect Edward by lying to him. where is Fraser's fishing pole after he finds the choker. He had it when he was outside and near the Hairy Man. But when he comes off the ladder from the loft and picks up the choker he finds on the main floor he doesn't have his fishing pole. Reminds me of Sarah Hugh's present from her class in FP. Where does it go? I never thought about it, but now I will. LOL Sara's present! One of those never-to-be-answered questions that annoys the daylights out of me every time I watch FP."}, {"response": 636, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 28, 2002 (21:42)", "body": "(Lora)Reminds me of Sarah Hugh's present from her class in FP. Where does it go? (Kathy)One of those never-to-be-answered questions that annoys the daylights out of me every time I watch FP. Another hole:How does she pay for the taxi when she's empty-handed."}, {"response": 637, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Aug 28, 2002 (21:54)", "body": "(Evelyn)Another hole:How does she pay for the taxi when she's empty-handed. That gets me every time."}, {"response": 638, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Aug 28, 2002 (22:10)", "body": "And who is driving the taxi when she and the cabbie are sitting on the hood, er, bonnet? Or am I hallucinating, and it isn't really moving?"}, {"response": 639, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (00:25)", "body": "Great observations, Lora! I noticed Uncle Crawford falls asleep during Heloise's first cello performance for the family, and his wife flicks his neck to wake him up! (heehee) Wow, I'm going to have to go check that. I'm so mesmerized by watching Edward watch Heloise that I don't tend to notice anything else in that scene. On Fraser trying to protect Edward, I'm glad you mentioned that because it's very sweet. Fraser is a very perceptive boy - early in the movie he seems very aware of, and concerned about, his dad's feelings, and then after his break with Edward that seems to transfer to his mother."}, {"response": 640, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (14:07)", "body": "(Lora)Reminds me of Sarah Hugh's present from her class in FP. Where does it go? (Kathy)One of those never-to-be-answered questions that annoys the daylights out of me every time I watch FP. (Evelyn) Another hole:How does she pay for the taxi when she's empty-handed. Have always wondered about these things too."}, {"response": 641, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (14:30)", "body": "You forget, she's wearing penny loafers. The money is in her shoes."}, {"response": 642, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (14:36)", "body": "(Karen) You forget, she's wearing penny loafers. The money is in her shoes. LOL! For sure, it wasn't in her bosom."}, {"response": 643, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Aug 30, 2002 (21:56)", "body": "(Kathy) LOL! For sure, it wasn't in her bosom. So very true. LOL! But will make sure next viewing."}, {"response": 644, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Sep  1, 2002 (22:32)", "body": "I'm not sure if we're done with MLSF or not, but things seem to be quieting down. Before we finish, I have one more photo essay, which is based on the wealth of wonderful close-ups of CF as Edward Pettigrew. It was hard to choose, and I apologize in advance if your favorite isn't included. I've already posted a few of these but most of them are new. Anyway, if you'd like to see \"The Many Faces of Edward Pettigrew\", here's the URL: http://home.mindspring.com/~rika0519/cf/closeups/closeups.html"}, {"response": 645, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sun, Sep  1, 2002 (22:52)", "body": "Yummy! Thanks, Rika!!"}, {"response": 646, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Sep  1, 2002 (22:56)", "body": "Nice Rika! My favorites are the dinner scene and the last scene. Thanks!"}, {"response": 647, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  1, 2002 (23:07)", "body": "Be-yew-ti-ful! Thanks, Rika."}, {"response": 648, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Sep  2, 2002 (10:50)", "body": "Rika, beautiful work. Your photos have made this a very memorable film discussion. Before we finish, just let me say I have totally enjoyed the discussions here. I have come away with so many things that would have escaped me had we not done this. So many comments inspired me to go back and watch again and again. Thanks, ladies, for a wild and interesting August."}, {"response": 649, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Sep  2, 2002 (16:54)", "body": "Thank you so much ladies for a wonderful first-time film discussion. It was thoroughly enjoyable and made subsequent viewings far more interesting. Thank you so much for all your lovely pictures Rika. Everything was great!"}, {"response": 650, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Sep  2, 2002 (21:44)", "body": "Linda and Pam, I want to second those comments. I'll never watch MLSF again without thinking about our discussion! Thoroughly enjoyable!!"}, {"response": 651, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Sep  3, 2002 (14:42)", "body": "Ok then, Wot's next?"}, {"response": 652, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Sep  3, 2002 (15:00)", "body": "Linda, as usual you took the words right out of my mouth! By the way, would a GWAPE group read be something we could do? After we get the green light, of course, and after interested people have had a chance to get the book."}, {"response": 653, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Sep  3, 2002 (18:17)", "body": "(Rika)After we get the green light, of course, Si, Si but, of course, only after the green light. Sounds like an interesting idea to me."}, {"response": 654, "author": "audiogirl", "date": "Tue, Sep  3, 2002 (20:21)", "body": "Rika, I've been reading GWAPE and I'm trying to picture ODB in this film. It sound like another brooding, aloof piece again. I was hoping for the SP/TH role with Gwynnie so that he could really show his stuff and get the exposure he deserves!"}, {"response": 655, "author": "willshakespeare", "date": "Mon, Sep 23, 2002 (10:00)", "body": "Hello people. Just thought I'd join in and say The latest film I've seen with CF in is THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ERNEST....I thought it was excellent...really funny, and just my type of film! I've seen the usuals with him in: Bridget Jones Diary; Pride and Prejudice; Shakespeare In Love; Conspiracy.....and as I have been writing that list I have realised that they are nearly all my favourite films......how did that happen I wonder??? ;) well, there yo go, thats my contribution to this drool conference. Might join in later (if I can find this conference again 'cos there are sooo many Colin Firth conversations......he is a popular one!)"}, {"response": 656, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Sep 24, 2002 (11:06)", "body": "(Aimee) The latest film I've seen with CF in is THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ERNEST....I thought it was excellent...really funny, and just my type of film! Mine too. Can't wait for the DVD. Yes indeed is a popular one!!!"}, {"response": 657, "author": "willshakespeare", "date": "Mon, Sep 30, 2002 (05:47)", "body": "yeah, I tried to get my boyfriend to go see it with me because I wanted to see it again, but he wanted to go see 'Signs'.....nevermind, my dad said he wants to see it so He'll take me. I have just been watching 'Pride & Prejudice' (yet again) and there is something I noticed about CF's horse! well, at the beginning when we first see him and Bingley riding up, Darcey's horse appears to be black, but on closer inspection it is actually brown. To me, that looks like colour symbolism reflecting Darcey's background, and how Lizzy sees it blacker than it is at first. Now, if your still not convinced, this is a bit more beleivable: After Darcey writes the letter to tell Lizzy of the truth, and the appearence of his character also changes for the better, we now see him on a white horse! Anyone else see what I mean? anyway, got to go now....I'm on the school computers. P.S. just started reading the book- I've been meaning to read it for ages. Bye!"}, {"response": 658, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Sep 30, 2002 (09:34)", "body": "Aimee, the black(brown)-horse, white-horse theory is fun but there's one small problem. When he returns to Hertfordshire at the end, he's back on the dark horse again (and Bingley has a white horse, as he did at the beginning). I hope you enjoy the book - it's my favorite novel. If you want to discuss it further we should probably move this to the Darcy Drool topic."}, {"response": 659, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 30, 2002 (09:45)", "body": "Very true. Aimee, we have all sorts of specialized topics here at Drool and this one, called Darcy Drool, is for P&P/Darcy exclusively: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/112/new On this topic 158, we conduct discussions of specific Firth films and, at times, people talk about others when they don't want to disrupt the General Colin topic on 163."}, {"response": 660, "author": "willshakespeare", "date": "Fri, Oct  4, 2002 (02:58)", "body": "I didn't notice about the change of horse again at the end- thats a shame...it was a nice idea...(I'm glad someone understood me though!) I might check out the darcey drool conferecne...thanx."}, {"response": 661, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (13:33)", "body": "Anybody up for a film discussion during January? I hope BarbS hasn't put a Forget on this topic. ;-)"}, {"response": 662, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (14:44)", "body": "Huh? Who? Me?! No way...it does, after all, bear HIS name in the title! ;-P But since this may be shaping up to be a test, maybe I better go try to remember what all I forgot (anyone who sees me wandering around aimlessly may thump me upside the head.) Oh, and the answer is yes."}, {"response": 663, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (16:30)", "body": "(Karen)Anybody up for a film discussion during January? Allways - though I have no idea, which film you will choose (perhaps TIOBE?). Anyway - do you ever return to some of the movies, that were discussed years ago? There seem to be some names in the old discussions, that I haven't seen recently, and vice versa."}, {"response": 664, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (18:53)", "body": "Count me in!"}, {"response": 665, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (22:05)", "body": "I'm game! I'll buy new batteries for the old remote, just for the occasion!"}, {"response": 666, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 21, 2002 (09:35)", "body": "Rather than revisit the old movies, there are still many which haven't been discussed even once. Let me see if I can construct the list of possibilities again: Another Country Camille 1919 Lost Empires Out of the Blue Master of the Moor The Deep Blue Sea Circle of Friends The Widowing of Mrs Holroyd Shakespeare in Love Secret Laughter of Women Donovan Quick L'dum (not officially, but have already talked about enough) BJD (not sure if should be on list, as is ongoing like P&P) Conspiracy TIOBE That should be it, except for very minor appearances in a few things"}, {"response": 667, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec 21, 2002 (11:08)", "body": "We promised Esbee that we would do SIL right aft MLSF. And you're gonna make me mad if you discuss Camille...*cough, cough*"}, {"response": 668, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Dec 21, 2002 (11:43)", "body": "I'm in! Personally I am in the mood for SLOW, DQ, or TIOBE. Though is it too soon for TIOBE? It's not available everywhere overseas, right? And the VHS version is still priced for the rental market, I think."}, {"response": 669, "author": "odessa", "date": "Sat, Dec 21, 2002 (12:17)", "body": "DQ,please..."}, {"response": 670, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Dec 21, 2002 (12:48)", "body": "I'm up for anything, except the dreaded L'dum , which I will admit I have taped over."}, {"response": 671, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Dec 21, 2002 (13:13)", "body": "I'll be happy to discuss anything but SIL would be fun I think."}, {"response": 672, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec 21, 2002 (13:23)", "body": "(Lisa)I'm up for anything, except the dreaded L'dum , which I will admit I have taped over. I second that; royal waste of time.I haven't taped over it....yet. But I know some long-time members of Drool who did. SLOW is a close second."}, {"response": 673, "author": "sandym", "date": "Sat, Dec 21, 2002 (13:30)", "body": "Count me in! I'd vote for DQ or SIL."}, {"response": 674, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sat, Dec 21, 2002 (14:51)", "body": "SIL or DQ (as long as the person who could translate some of the dialogue is still around.)"}, {"response": 675, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Dec 21, 2002 (15:55)", "body": "I cast my vote for SLOW or DQ since they both have large amounts of CF screen time."}, {"response": 676, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Dec 21, 2002 (18:14)", "body": "SIL, SLOW or DQ.... all sound good to me. Wouldn't mind AC or Conspiracy either."}, {"response": 677, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sat, Dec 21, 2002 (18:21)", "body": "Damn, I just voted, must have hit the wrong button! Any of these....are ok, but the ones I don't have are AC and SLOW. Is it an easy one to find and buy online? Did SIL get promised as next already?"}, {"response": 678, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Dec 22, 2002 (08:56)", "body": "Oh, I long for a movie discussion! My choice would be SIL (even though he's not in every scene, there is so much good stuff in the one's he's in!). SLOW and DQ would be excellent choices, but I don't own those and have never seen them at Blockbuster. But would they be made available through the Bucket? I seem to remember a discussion about making them more readily available, if they haven't been made so already...will have to check that out at the Bucket. Count me in!"}, {"response": 679, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Dec 22, 2002 (09:15)", "body": "Make that \"Bucket Boutique\" and \"there is so much good stuff in the ones (scenes) he's in\" And I didn't see DQ or SLOW on the Boutique list :-( Would we be able to get them in DVD form? We have become spoiled with the many visuals that enhance our discussions thanks to our DVDiva :-)! There are plenty of SIL DVD's available for purchase or rental!"}, {"response": 680, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 22, 2002 (09:25)", "body": "The Bucket's Boutique only has links into amazon, but if people (I mean persons) want to participate, there are means of ensuring they have the study materials. ;-)"}, {"response": 681, "author": "townranny", "date": "Sun, Dec 22, 2002 (14:17)", "body": "No access to 1919,OOTB,DBS,WOMH. COF and SIL (not enough screen time),no interest in discussing Gwynnie or Minnie(Will get mouth guard for teeth gritting at Hope Springs viewings). Could summon enthusiasm for AC(intensity), Camille(vulnerability), SLOW (AFG), DQ (cervantes comparisons), BJD (yowzer),Conspiracy (serious acting chops), L'dum (joke factor). Lost Empires would be my preference."}, {"response": 682, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec 22, 2002 (16:46)", "body": "(Kathleen)Lost Empires would be my preference. Mine too, but can't afford DVD right now.And only own lousy VHS. SIL (not enough screen time) But best acting of the lot."}, {"response": 683, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Dec 22, 2002 (16:49)", "body": "Lost Empires would be my least favourite: too long! I would love to do Marter of the Moor, but I don't think many have seen it. My own tape is missing the very begining. Have we done BJD? It feels like we've been discussing it forever. ;-) SLOW would not be bad to do. I don't know how much time I will have, but I will always contribute. :-D"}, {"response": 684, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Dec 23, 2002 (01:07)", "body": "(Rika)I'm in! Personally I am in the mood for SLOW, DQ, or TIOBE. Though is it too soon for TIOBE? It's not available everywhere overseas, right? You took the words right out of my mouth (imagin Meat Loaf singing). I don't have LE and am waiting for it to be available in R2. As Moon Dreams, I would also love to do Master of the Moor (really, really good). I love SIL, also nice to choose. To sum it up - almost anything goes!"}, {"response": 685, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 26, 2002 (10:03)", "body": "(Kathleen)Lost Empires would be my preference. (Evelyn) Mine too, but can't afford DVD right now.And only own lousy VHS. It makes your incredible financial support of Spring Drool ever so much more precious. Bless you. :) From the postings, it looks like DQ will be our next film discussion. Any objections, comments, concerns, grumblings or similar? OK, now as to starting dates? One week or two? 10 days?"}, {"response": 686, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Dec 26, 2002 (12:06)", "body": "For my .02, two weeks will be good. Maybe sometime the week of the 6th?"}, {"response": 687, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Dec 26, 2002 (12:24)", "body": "(Karen)From the postings, it looks like DQ will be our next film discussion. If this is the case, and anyone has dialogue that they simply cannot fathom, I would be happy to translate. - Or can most of you work it out!? Perhaps you could email me in advance of the discussion and I could list them in one post? - What do you think, Karen?"}, {"response": 688, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec 26, 2002 (14:23)", "body": "You will be very needed, Janet, thanks! (Karen), From the postings, it looks like DQ will be our next film discussion. Any objections, comments, concerns, grumblings or similar? Grumblings: Really? I thought SLOW had it. ;-) No discussion of DQ would be complete without reading Don Quixote, IMO. Are the cliff notes on line? ;-)"}, {"response": 689, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Dec 26, 2002 (15:31)", "body": "(Moon)Grumblings: Really? I thought SLOW had it. ;-) Me, too. I was hoping for SLOW...lots of nooks and crannies to explore in that one and easier to understand. Not to mention that Matthew Field is AFG. Well so is DQ...It's a very hard one to call. But I really did think SLOW was in there for the win. IMHO, of course."}, {"response": 690, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Dec 26, 2002 (15:46)", "body": "(Moon)No discussion of DQ would be complete without reading Don Quixote, IMO. Are the cliff notes on line? ;-) Good point Moon, but I swear, there ought to be some kind of freaking prize for ODB. As a result of this fascination (obsession?) I've read all of Jane Austen, know more about Vermeer than a sane person would think necessary, have read Wilde and now am googling for Don Quixote. Huge Gnat is looking better and better from a fandom perspective, my gawd, he's much less work! Point to all this being...found a link (got this to work once, can I luck into it again?)... http://www.adh.brighton.ac.uk/schoolofdesign/MA.COURSE/LDon02.html ...and it looks like the first place I will plumb. The synopsis of the story begins promisingly enough (is that a word?) A fifty year old `lean bodied' and `thin faced' rural gentleman... The age for ODB is certainly off and he is not so thin faced that the dimples don't show, but he's got that \"lean bodied\" thing down. And I vote for two weeks."}, {"response": 691, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 26, 2002 (15:49)", "body": "(Linda) It's a very hard one to call. Well, Tom... ;-) No, the vote was close (8-6), with DQ edging out. Lots of \"I don't cares\" or \"no preferences.\" Remember, I'm from Chicago and we know how to count our votes here. Is local strength. (Moon) I thought SLOW had it. ;-) I should've expected this of someone from Florida. ;-) I do have the Cliffs Notes for Don Quixote, but you can read the Sparks notes online here, if you want to get into it: http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/donquixote/ Another reason why this may more even more appropriate, is I saw a trailer of the upcoming documentary for the making of Terry Gilliam's Don Quixote film, one that has been beset by difficulties and resists being made. Looked quite funny and would be of course very Pythonesque. ;-) Re: Janet's translations of Clivespeak If you just want to post them here, during the discussion, it would be fine. If everyone who wants to participate and *will* participate has the viewing materials, then the week of Jan 6 is fine. If however these materials need to be acquired, then it we might want to hold off a bit longer for mailing purposes, etc."}, {"response": 692, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Dec 26, 2002 (16:19)", "body": "(Karen) Remember, I'm from Chicago and we know how to count our votes here. Will resist temptation to do recount and look for anyone voting \"Chicago\" style (more than once...) ;-D Jan. 6 hokay fine with me."}, {"response": 693, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Dec 26, 2002 (16:53)", "body": "Since I was a tad too late to vote (my own fault..too busy with tape and wrapping paper)and I'd hate to think that any grumblings may be due to me ;), may I submit a compromise? Could we do DQ in January and SLOW in February?"}, {"response": 694, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 26, 2002 (17:58)", "body": "Are you from Missouri? ;-) We don't do formal film discussions every month. Much too time consuming. Next time, there will be another ballot."}, {"response": 695, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Dec 26, 2002 (17:59)", "body": "(ADA)Could we do DQ in January and SLOW in February? Oh, now that sounds like a very good idea. It's going to be a long, cold few months, and two discussions would be nice, more than nice. So, I'm casting my New Jersey, Chicago style, Florida counted vote for SLOW at least sometime in the near future."}, {"response": 696, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 26, 2002 (18:08)", "body": ""}, {"response": 697, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Dec 26, 2002 (20:10)", "body": "I dunno, Karen - are you sure you counted the hanging chadd correctly? ;-) Seriously, DQ is fine with me. I'll just have to restrain myself from bringing in stuff from the Brian Stokes Mitchell \"Man of La Mancha\" revival that I saw not long ago."}, {"response": 698, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Dec 26, 2002 (20:42)", "body": "I was an \"I don't knower\" but DQ is fine with me. I have that one. I will need to procure SLOW before a discussion on that. **ducking for cover** I vote not to do the discussions to so quickly after each other. I found it hard to keep up with MLSF and once I was lost....that was it, I could never catch back up. It was a lot of work to follow all the posts. Actually I wouldn't mind at all LE sometime, based on the comments about it here, but I agree, the purchase of those DVDs is a big expense."}, {"response": 699, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec 26, 2002 (22:03)", "body": "(Moon) I thought SLOW had it. ;-) I should've expected this of someone from Florida. ;-) ROTF! But we had a great influence on that last \"vote.\" ;-) But truly, Miami is NOT like the rest of Florida. We are international, cosmopolitan, espresso is available everywhere.;-D Thanks for the links. I don't have time to read that wonderful book now, but I highly recommend it to those who have not yet had the pleasure."}, {"response": 700, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 27, 2002 (10:40)", "body": "Just so no one thinks they're at all deficient in some way because they can't understand so much of the dialogue in DQ, here's a very funny bit from Bill Bryson's book \"Notes from a Small Island\" about when he went to Glasgow. Although an American, he lived in Britain for 20 years, traveled extensively and even had a home for the last 7 years in rural Yorkshire. Fancying a drink and a sit-down, I wandered inside. It was a dark place, and battered, and there were only two other customers, a pair of men sitting side by side at the bar drinking in silence. There was no one behind the bar. I took a stance at the far end of the counter and waited for a bit, but no one came in. I drummed my fingers on the counter and puffed my cheeks and made assorted puckery shapes with my lips the way you do when you are waiting. I cleaned my nails with a thumbnail and puffed my cheeks some more, but still no one came. Eventually, I noticed one of the men at the bar eyeing me. \"Hae ya nae hook ma dooky?\" he said. \"I'm sorry?\" I replied. \"He'll nay be doon a mooning.\" He hoicked his head in the direction of the back room. \"Oh, ah,\" I said and nodded sagely, as if that explained it. I noticed that they were both still looking at me. \"D'ye hae a hoo and a poo?\" said the first man to me. \"I'm sorry?\" I said. \"D'ye hae a hoo and a poo?\" he repeated. It appeared that he was a trifle intoxicated. I gave a small, apologetic smile and explained that I came from the English-speaking world. \"D'ye nae hae in May?\" the man went on. \"If ye dinna dock ma donny.\" \"Doon in Troon they croon in June,\" said his mate, then added, \"Wi' a spoon.\" \"Oh, ah.\" I nodded thoughtfully again, pushing my lower lip out slightly, as if it were all very nearly clear to me now. Just then, to my small relief, the barman appeared, looking unhappy and wiping his hands on a tea towel. \"Fuckin' muckle fucket in the fuckin' muckle,\" he said to the two men, and then to me in a weary voice, \"Ah hae the noo.\" I couldn't tell if it was a question or a statement. \"A pint of Tennent's, please,\" I said hopefully. He made an impatient noise, as if I were avoiding his question. \"Hae ya nae hook ma dooky?\" \"I'm sorry?\" \"Ah hae the noo,\" said the first customer, who apparently saw himself as my interpreter. I stood for some moments with my mouth open, trying to imagine what they were saying to me, wondering what mad impulse had bidden me to enter a pub in a district like this, and said in a quiet voice, \"Just a pink of Tennant's, I think.\" The barman sighed heavily and got me the pint. A minute later, I realized that what they were saying to me was that this was the worst pub in the world in which to order lager, since all I would get was a glass of warm soapsuds, dispensed from a gasping, reluctant tap, and that really I should flee with my life while I could."}, {"response": 701, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jan  3, 2003 (06:50)", "body": "I am moving these missing posts here from the old server. Topic 158 of 172: 'Colin Firth - Film Discussions (part III)' Resp 701 of 718: Dorine (gomezdo) Fri, Dec 27, 2002 (12:22) 1 lines LOL! I'm actually in the middle of reading this book. Haven't gotten to this part yet. He had a similar problem somewhere in the English countryside as well. Topic 158 of 172: 'Colin Firth - Film Discussions (part III)' Resp 702 of 718: Evelyn (lafn) Fri, Dec 27, 2002 (18:41) 13 lines Karen)From the postings, it looks like DQ will be our next film discussion. (Janet)If this is the case, and anyone has dialogue that they simply cannot fathom, I would be happy to translate. - Or can most of you work it out!? Not only do we need you for the translation, but this is a v. political film and it helps to have someone with current British political savy around. I am not acquainted with all the British politicos outside of the PM. Could we do DQ in January and SLOW in February? Pl do SLOW (AKA \"Say My Name...\")when I'm away. Or you'll risk hearing a lot of flak from me;-))..Baaaaad movie. I too would like to do LE sometime after we all financially recover.I know it's long, but it belongs in the column of projects that ODB can be proud of. Thanks Boss for the Don Quijote notes and the hilarious Bill Bryson episode. Topic 158 of 172: 'Colin Firth - Film Discussions (part III)' Resp 703 of 718: Janet (janet2) Fri, Dec 27, 2002 (21:11) 6 lines Re Bill Brysen Book I don't know what part of Scotland he was in, but I think he was making extensive use of poetic licence. - That was unlike any Scottish dialect (never mind Glaswegian) that I have ever come across!!! Topic 158 of 172: 'Colin Firth - Film Discussions (part III)' Resp 704 of 718: Karen (KarenR) Sat, Dec 28, 2002 (09:55) 4 lines Janet: this is a humorous book and was first published in Britain. Humor often involves taking things to extremes, use of hyperbole, etc. However, to an untrained ear, this is what many a Scottish accent sounds like. The Telegraph wrote that the book is \"a splendid travelogue...that is part valedictory journey and part love letter to Britain and the British.\" Or you might like this from Newsday: \"A valentine to 'this small, enchanted island'...a journey into the British psyche and the heartland of its inhabitants...Bryson extrapolates from his experiences a deeper understanding of what makes Britain tick....He honors a hallowed English tradition: poking fun.\" These feelings definitely comes across throughout the book. Bryson loves the place. Topic 158 of 172: 'Colin Firth - Film Discussions (part III)' Resp 705 of 718: Evelyn (lafn) Sat, Dec 28, 2002 (10:42) 3 lines (Karen)These feelings definitely comes across throughout the book. Bryson loves the place. Agree. He never means to offend. The guy is a true anglophile.The book was given to me by a British friend before it was published in the US. Topic 158 of 172: 'Colin Firth - Film Discussions (part III)' Resp 706 of 718: FanPam (FanPam) Sun, Dec 29, 2002 (08:52) 1 lines Looking forward to DQ discussion. Thank you Janet for offer of translation. Your talents will be much needed. Topic 158 of 172: 'Colin Firth - Film Discussions (part III)' Resp 707 of 718: Annette (anjo) Mon, Dec 30, 2002 (06:11) 5 lines (Barb S)there ought to be some kind of freaking prize for ODB I totally agree. Both New Cardiff and GWAPE was easy reading, so I went to the library to borrow Don Quixote to be prepared for the discussion. What a shock! The books (yes, 2 volumes) weight 5 pounds and consistet of 1240 pages!!!!! I usually think of myself as a quick reader, but there is no way on earth that I will be able to have them read in time. I thought Possession was ok to read once I had consumed the first 100 pages, but I don't know about this one. Don't you think it would be possible to follow the discussion having only read the synopsis? Topic 158 of 172: 'Colin Firth - Film Discussions (part III)' Resp 708 of 718: KathyF (kathness) Mon, Dec 30, 2002 (09:35) 4 lines (Annette) The books (yes, 2 volumes) weight 5 pounds and consistet of 1240 pages!!!!! I usually think of myself as a quick reader, but there is no way on earth that I will be able to have them read in time. I knew there was some reason I hadn't read it. ;-) I certainly wouldn't make it through in time, unless I dropped everything else in order to do so. Guess I'll have to read those Sparknotes I've bookmarked, though I'd always rather read the book than cheat with a synposis. Topic 158 of 172: 'Colin Firth - Film Discussions (part III)' Resp 709 of 718: Karen (KarenR) Mon, Dec 30, 2002 (13:22) 1 lines So does that mean you readers would like a *bit* more time to get through Don Quixote before we start the discussion? ;-))))))))))))))))))) Topic 158 of 172: 'Colin Firth - Film Discussions (part III)' Resp 710 of 718: KathyF (kathness) Mon, Dec 30, 2002 (13:56) 3 lines (Karen) So does that mean you readers would like a *bit* more time to get through Don Quixote before we"}, {"response": 702, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jan  5, 2003 (17:22)", "body": "Thanks, Karen, for extending the film discussion to the 13th. I never read DQ either, but I will make use of the link to the notes online. I've been gone for a few days, and I'm glad to see that most of us have landed in the right place. Thanks, Terry and Karen"}, {"response": 703, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Jan  7, 2003 (18:35)", "body": "DQ on UK TV Alert Just in case anyone taking part in the discussion hasn't seen it, it is being shown on UK Drama (Cable and Satellite Channel) on Tuesday 14 January at 10.20pm."}, {"response": 704, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Jan  7, 2003 (18:36)", "body": "closing italics(I hope)"}, {"response": 705, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 12, 2003 (09:12)", "body": "A couple of prediscussion reminders: (1) Please remember to use our established format here, when you are responding directly to someone else's comment. Have the person's name in parentheses and the entire thing in italics, with your comment directly below. (Wanda) in driving the bus, he stood for Everyman Really, I thought he represented Ralph Kramden. The purpose of this format is to keep the discussion open . When you direct a comment to anyone individually by name (e.g., Wanda, what is Everyman and why did you capitalize it?), then it only appears to be for them. It is a subtle difference but effective. If you need any help with HTML codes, check out Ann's Tutorial: http://austen.com/tutorial/index.html and if you need to practice, please use Topic 61. Many people stop by there and can answer your questions. (2) Please try to pace yourselves. I noted in the last discussion a number of people commenting that there was too much, too quickly and that, if they didn't enter into the discussion on that first day, it would take a Herculean effort to catch up. Several opted not to. OK, that's all that occurs to me right now. If you have any questions about the process, let's hear them. Am getting out my changemaker... ;-)"}, {"response": 706, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (15:02)", "body": "Hey! It's the 14th here, so, being a day behind, it should be the 13th there! Have I missed something? I wouldn't be surprised. I thought though, we were to start today! (Karen) Please try to pace yourselves. I noted in the last discussion a number of people commenting that there was too much, too quickly and that, if they didn't enter into the discussion on that first day, it would take a Herculean effort to catch up. Several opted not to. I guess we are really pacing ourselves as there are no posts yet! Seriously, I didn't say anything, but I dropped out of the MLSF disucssion. After I missed a few days, I simply could not get back into it; there was too much to catch up on. The enthusiasm was great though and I did enjoy reading everyone's comments! So, hey, what's the story?"}, {"response": 707, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (15:07)", "body": "I was planning to Go into the belly of the beast ;-) but I'm turning my place upside down now. Could only be Grand Theft File Folder. Cannot find my DQ file folder!!! Bwaaaaaa"}, {"response": 708, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (15:09)", "body": ""}, {"response": 709, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (17:27)", "body": "Into the belly of the beast.... Love that line and wish I knew if it came from some other source. Sounds Biblical in a way, almost Daniel (coincidence?) in the lion's den or a David and Goliath situation. But wasn't Jonah the only character who was actually in the belly of a beast--a whale--and he didn't enter it on purpose, as Donovan does? Donovan comes to Port Clyde to battle the behemoth, having heard about the rail situation on the radio, or at least that was the impression I got from the introductory scenes of the radio call-in show and him pacing around. Here's a little factoid, the man calling into the radio, obsessed with the times of trains is the director, who the writer, Donna Franceschild, described as someone who is truly into trains, a trainspotter, as they say. This is not only a modern-day retelling of some of the Don Quixote legend with political allusion, but should also be viewed as a parable. I've always considered DQ one of my favorites and recommend it highly to anyone. The writing is sharp and intelligent, the production has style, the musical score doesn't get any better with those Van Morrison songs and the Spanish guitars punctuating the poignancy of a moment, and the acting! All of it is brilliant. Not a slouch in the bunch. I really can't understand how Katy Murphy did not win a Bafta, once it was finally aired; she was nominated. Then, of course, there's Colin, and there's never been in my mind a more gorgeous bus driver in the history of film, but then again, I do love his lean and lanky look. He does a fantastic job of delineating the two personas, something just ices up his face when he's Daniel that sets him apart."}, {"response": 710, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (17:28)", "body": "One more little Admin note: Please use the name Donovan or Daniel and not just DQ, unless you're talking about the whole production. Could get confusing. :)"}, {"response": 711, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (17:32)", "body": "(Lisa) I didn't say anything, but I dropped out of the MLSF disucssion. After I missed a few days, I simply could not get back into it; there was too much to catch up on. You weren't the only one. Having just completed my first full editing pass of the MLSF discussion doc (started out as 164 pages, streamlining the format took it down to 151, and is now 111 pages through the elimination of other stuff), there were a number of people who expressed the same inability to keep up. Others gave up as well."}, {"response": 712, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (17:39)", "body": "(Karen)He does a fantastic job of delineating the two personas, something just ices up his face when he's Daniel that sets him apart. This was one of the first things, that I noticed as well. Brilliant acting. Since this is my first filmdiscussion, I am not quite sure, how the right way to post is. But, I'll try: I saw the movie Donovan Quick before I read anything of the book. I won't lie and say, that I have read it to the end. I have not! I did however notice, that the movie Donovan Quick only has a few \"funny lines\", while what I have read of the book so far strikes me as rather amusing. This not to say that I prefer the book. I love the movie and can only agree in the total of Karens posting above."}, {"response": 713, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (18:16)", "body": "(Karen)Into the belly of the beast.... Love that line and wish I knew if it came from some other source. I love it too and the way he says it as he arrives in Port Clyde. And you took the words right out of my mouth when you started the discussion with them. I was going to use them too, but I've been getting knocked off line a lot today, and my posts don't get through. I thought of Jonah and the whale when he sid it. And really Donovan doesn't have a choice since he feels he must atone for his (Daniel's) previous sin/ways in any way where he'll see some results. I also loved the constant contrasts being shown in the film. For example, the way Donovan and Sandy made something out of nothing with the bus they fixed up whereas Clive couldn't even take the train to Glasgow for an interview. He was too afraid to even take the first step you could even hear the lump in his throat). I'll be back, but want to post before I get knocked off again."}, {"response": 714, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (18:54)", "body": "Sorry my connection doesn't allow me to linger, so please excuse my typos. It's getting fixed tomorrow... (Karen)I do love his lean and lanky look. I agree, love when he lifts the bicycle for the ballerina (she looks like one) and the baby carriage for someone else. Such agility :-). I wondered if Daniel's wife, shown in the background at the hospital when the Pannick's come to visit him and aren't allowed in, could be played by his real life wife - it kind of looked like her. There's no credit given at the end for 'wife at hospital.' Any background on that in your DQ file folder, Karen?"}, {"response": 715, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (19:46)", "body": "And we have an answer from a lurker, who I've been attempting to coax into participation. KathyW says the earliest reference she can find to \"the belly of the beast\" is in the Greek myth of Bellerophon killing the Chimaera. He throws a spear into the monster's mouth, which melts. The molten lead trickles down and enters \"the belly of the beast\". References to Jonah and the whale don't pre-date Greek mythology. Besides, in the King James Bible, the verse says \"the belly of the fish\" (Jonah 1:17). The fire-breathing mythological creature Chimaera (also spelled Chimera) is depicted in art as having a lion's, serpent's tail and a goat's body, and is first mentioned in Book VI of teh Iliad. Interestingly, the dictionary also defines a chimera as \"a vain or foolish fancy\" or \"the impossible.\" Cute, huh? ;-) Hmmm, Bellerophon rode Pegasus."}, {"response": 716, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (20:01)", "body": "(Karen)Into the belly of the beast.... (Lora) Love that line and wish I knew if it came from some other source. I took some notes last night, and the first thing I wrote is Into the belly of the beast...with a note to search my Sparknotes on Don Quixote (that I had just finihed browsing). I could kick myself for not writing down a page number. Looks like the quote has struck a chord, but to know where it came from might open a whole area of discussion for the film. I will keep searching. (Lora)He was too afraid to even take the first step you could even hear the lump in his throat). Yes, quite the opposite of his favoite line...No experience and no bollocks! (Karen)He does a fantastic job of delineating the two personas, something just ices up his face when he's Daniel that sets him apart. I think the one thing that struck me most about the two distinct personnas was Daniel on the train platform, at the end. The first time I watched this, the hairs on the back of my neck just wouldn't lie down. I don't know what upset me more, the fact that he had obviously gone back to being cold, corporate Daniel Quinn...kind of back into the belly of the beast in reverse, or that he wasn't going to acknowledge that he knew Lucy. You knew before he turned, just from the physical stance, that he was Daniel. The blank look on his face was pure ice. The body language and facial expressions for both Daniel and Donovan were so different...brilliant!"}, {"response": 717, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (07:56)", "body": "(Karen)I do love his lean and lanky look. In the second \"blue flashback scene\", when he watches the widow and kids get into the car at the cemetary he is standing by a tree and he looks extremely long and lean and lanky! I am surprised he did'nt get scouted for the NBA after this scene. It looks like he is on stilts...After this scene, female giraffes were caught at an internet cafe outside the San Diego Zoo trying to log into Drool to learn more about the handsome one with no tail, but legs a girl girafe would be proud to take home to the pride... There are so many great scenes and lines in this. Donovan \" For evil to triumph it requires only that good people do nothing.\" This is central to the story. I find myself rooting for Donovan, rooting for him to find a way to effect a change, one small change even for the better of this one family, this town, the world at large. The futility of his endeavor to do so is a huge part of the story to me and the hopelessness of fighting evil multinational corporations comes down to Lucy's line, \"If you charge 50p, they'll charge 50p\"... Donovan to Sandy, \"We must resist them. They may have bigger boots but we have more feet.\" At the end of this impassioned little speech, I am ready to join his army and fight the good fight!"}, {"response": 718, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (10:15)", "body": "(Linda) I think the one thing that struck me most about the two distinct personnas was Daniel on the train platform, at the end. The first time I watched this, the hairs on the back of my neck just wouldn't lie down. This was so chilling. Brilliant transformation and acting. The mean look in his eyes as he spoke to Lucy. Bravo and yet so tragic. (Maria) The futility of his endeavor to do so is a huge part of the story to me... But are his efforts futile? IMO he made this totally disfunctional family productive. Sandy is married, having a baby, and working. Lucy is sober and definitely improved and Clive is out of the picture. Lucy's son in functioning and relating to her. Perhaps he didn't achieve his possibly irrational and impossible goal, to best the big corporation, but he did succeed in turning this family around and IMO quite an achievement. His efforts did make the bus company sweat and effect change. The public was made aware that they could fight and stand up to big business, and they did. So this was not a total failure either. Donovan did succeed. But IMO the tragedy is that Donovan failed with himself. He helped so many other people, but failed with himself. Tragic."}, {"response": 719, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (10:54)", "body": "(FanPam) But IMO the tragedy is that Donovan failed with himself. He helped so many other people, but failed with himself. Tragic. Yes, the inevitability of his return to his Daniel persona though is maybe some of the sense of futility I felt. His inability to make atonement and therefore his gestures are to the extreme and overcompensatory. When he arrives as Donovan he has an almost hysterical optimism diametrically oppsed to his Daniel persona. Lucy is a drunk./He covers for her by blaming the loose tile and the dodgy pie. Sandy has a learning disability/ Twice he tells him he is a genius. Lucy is not always shown in the most attractive light./ He tells her she is beautiful. Lucy makes macacroni and cheese./ He compliments her as though he has just eaten at a Michelin starred restaurant. I like the way he says \"pasta\". Like fast-a vs. what I am used to hearing pah-sta."}, {"response": 720, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (12:12)", "body": "(Karen)He does a fantastic job of delineating the two personas, something just ices up his face when he's Daniel that sets him apart. Yes, when we see him as Daniel, he has his inscrutable \ufffdgame face\ufffd on: his corporate armor of sorts; whereas Donavan is open, animated and spontaneous\ufffdplenty of those dimpled smiles to go around, too. (Linda) I don't know what upset me more, the fact that he had obviously gone back to being cold, corporate Daniel Quinn\ufffd..or that he wasn't going to acknowledge that he knew Lucy. I wonder, did Daniel remember the entire episode as Donovan (as he was in a psychotic/manic state at the time), or if he did remember, was he just too mortified to acknowledge Lucy at first? I am assuming he reverted back to being Daniel as he was on medication (Lithium, or?). From what I know about bi-polar disorder, it usually takes a stressful event to trigger the psychosis, and I am assuming the event was the death of the man blocking the entrance which came about as a result of Daniel\ufffds orders. I, too, thought the writing was very clever, as both sides of Daniel/Donovan were indeed polar opposites, and both were tragic in their own ways."}, {"response": 721, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (12:25)", "body": "***Oh dear!! All this discussion about the platform at the end and what it all meant. Surely, we're not there yet, are we? (Annette) I won't lie and say, that I have read it to the end. I have not! I commend you though for even attempting to do so. (Lora) love when he lifts the bicycle for the ballerina (she looks like one) and the baby carriage for someone else. Such agility :-). And so unbelievable for me. Don't think I've ever seen a bus driver get off his/her seat for anything. Surely, the passengers would know something was dodgy? ;-) Definitely agile. Yum! (Lora) There's no credit given at the end for 'wife at hospital. That would be because she didn't have any lines. (Remember CB-C had no credit for BJD for the same reason.) No, I don't believe it is who you think it is. Sorry. :-( (Linda) with a note to search my Sparknotes on Don Quixote Do let us know what you find, if it has an interpretation. (Maria) In the second \"blue flashback scene\" It's strange, with all the films I see, it was only in DQ that I noticed the blue filter technique. Then, I noticed it again in Traffic and see it all the time. However, I did find it very effective in DQ, gave it another element of style that lifted it above the mundane. Donovan \" For evil to triumph it requires only that good people do nothing.\" (Maria) This is central to the story...rooting for him to find a way to effect a change What do you imagine he had in mind originally when he arrived in Port Clyde? Do you think he had a game plan? It didn't appear to me that he did. He just showed up, as if it were the place of battle but that he had no battle plan. (Maria) When he arrives as Donovan he has an almost hysterical optimism Interesting way of putting it. Hysterical? It does fit in more with everyone's perception of him, as having a screw loose, but I only saw it as enthusiasm and optimism, even joie de vivre, for someone who had waken from a dead, unfeeling existence. (LisaJH) whereas Donavan is open, animated and spontaneous--plenty of those dimpled smiles to go around, too. Excellent way of describing the differences. (Maria) Lucy makes macacroni and cheese./ He compliments her as though he has just eaten at a Michelin starred restaurant. One of my favorite lines (have many others), reflective of the fantasy life he's living, the gallant knight and his lady. ...time to turn place upside down again. Perhaps the Mission Impossible squad can locate the file folder. ;-)"}, {"response": 722, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (12:46)", "body": "(Karen) It does fit in more with everyone's perception of him, as having a screw loose, but I only saw it as enthusiasm and optimism, even joie de vivre, for someone who had waken from a dead, unfeeling existence. On reflection his enthusiasm struck me as hysterical when seen in contrast to the seemingly bleak, depressed and chaotic lives being led in Port Clyde.At one point I thought he DID have a plan on choosing that place, maybe even choosing that family. How? Hey I don't know, use your imagination. But after he had negotiated the room/board with Lucy and she offers to do room service, he says \" I think you are doing quite enough as it is.\" She looks confused, and I wondered to what he was referring."}, {"response": 723, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (13:36)", "body": "(Maria) At one point I thought he DID have a plan on choosing that place, maybe even choosing that family. How? Hey I don't know, use your imagination. I suppose I looked on the entire venture as \"quixotic.\" ;-) He heard the radio show and he just decided to go there, with no plan at all in mind. The Port Clyde commuters had a problem and he was off to the rescue. When he arrived, he saw the posting for room and board. But he had no idea what he was going to do there. It wasn't until he heard of Sandy's inability to get to his training center that he had any focus. (Maria) \" I think you are doing quite enough as it is.\" She looks confused, and I wondered to what he was referring. In Donovan's fantasy state of mind, he probably thinks he has the Royal Suite at the Ritz, complete with room service. I think that's what he means about Lucy's services."}, {"response": 724, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (15:11)", "body": "(Karen)\"the belly of the beast\" is in the Greek myth of Bellerophon killing the Chimaera. He throws a spear into the monster's mouth, which melts. The molten lead trickles down and enters \"the belly of the beast\". References to Jonah and the whale don't pre-date Greek mythology. Besides, in the King James Bible, the verse says \"the belly of the fish\" (Jonah 1:17). Interestingly, the dictionary also defines a chimera as \"a vain or foolish fancy\" or \"the impossible.\" Cute, huh? ;-) Hmmm, Bellerophon rode Pegasus Thanks for the Greek mythological explanation. It works well with what Donovan is about to do, i.e. something \"vain or foolish\" or \"the impossible.\" Makes me think of the wonderful song frm \"Man of La Mancha\" - \"To Dream the Impossible Dream:\" \"To fight the unbeatable foe, to bear with unbearable sorrow, to run where the brave dare not go.\" (Maria)I find myself rooting for Donovan, rooting for him to find a way to effect a change, one small change even for the better of this one family, this town, the world at large. Same here, Maria, especially during one of my favorite scenes in the movie when Donovan and Sandy are on the bus and Sandy confesses he is still confused about the fare and that he thought is was a pound every time. Donovan says to Sandy (and he says it at first like he's frustrated with him): \"Because it's brilliant, like all simple ideas, it's brilliant. The flat rate fare structure! You've done it again, Sandy, you're a genius!\" I love Sandy's priceless expression here perfectly timed with an enthusiastic Van Morrison song! We are right there with them, rooting for them all the way :-)."}, {"response": 725, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (16:17)", "body": "REMINDER DQ starting in 5 minutes on UK Drama."}, {"response": 726, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (16:25)", "body": "(Karen)In Donovan's fantasy state of mind, he probably thinks he has the Royal Suite at the Ritz, complete with room service. I think that's what he means about Lucy's services. This could very well be the case, but I just thought he referred to the menagerie in the sittingroom \"complete with tele\". There are so many observations/interpretations allready, and it is hard to respond to all of them, so I hope it is okay to respond \"in general\". My first thought of Donovan is also the knight in shining armour: kissing Lucy on her hand, carrying stroller and bike, not wanting to take advantage of Lucy in her vulnerable state and so forth. I love the scenes with Donovan and Sandy. I think there is some real magic between them. I also like the approach the movie has on mentally deficient people or as Lucy puts it \"learning disabilities\". I live next to a daycarecenter and I recognised their behavior in Sandy as well as Lucys telling him to keep his head down (which I'm sure she said to protect him). If I meet any of them at home, they keep their heads high and smile and joke around, but when I meet them in the town, I have to adress them before they lift their heads and return my hello. I also like the way Donovan \"guides\" Sandy to speak up, when he feels something, even though he gets hurt. As Sandy says: I allready am the laughing stock. He might have a learning disability, but he is no moron."}, {"response": 727, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (16:35)", "body": "I forgot to ask a question: His black driving-gloves, is there a metaphore in this? I haven't found any, butI thought it would be something, that someone more clever at this than me could make something of (the way he throws his glove (a duel?) at the companyman - I don't know how to spell his name). btw There has been some comments of the different way of portraing Donovan and Daniel. I also noticed the great difference in bodylanguage. Donovan is very lively while Daniel appears very stiff."}, {"response": 728, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (16:47)", "body": "I'm really pacing myself because this time around I'm having difficulty not only understanding Clive but Lucy also. Imagine...me...who always clamor for \"reality' in movies! The Glaswegian Scottish accent is a doozey. However, .At one point I thought he DID have a plan on choosing that place, I think so too...didn't the disc jockey mention Port Clyde in his report? Donovan was zeroing in on this target.Sandy happened to be the first chance he found to execute the plan.If it hadn't been Sandy, he would have found other means, IMO.Donovan was a zealot, but he didn't set out to rehabilitate the Pannick family.Though ultimately he did. Any film that features Van Morrison is a winner."}, {"response": 729, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (16:53)", "body": "(Evelyn)If it hadn't been Sandy, he would have found other means, IMO.Donovan was a zealot, but he didn't set out to rehabilitate the Pannick family.Though ultimately he did. I agree, he set out to \"fight the mighty Windmills\" and went to Port Clyde deliberately. But I am also of the impression, that at the moment he arrived, he didn't have an exact plan. It was formed as he went along (pardon my rotten english)."}, {"response": 730, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (17:29)", "body": "(Annette) There has been some comments of the different way of portraing Donovan and Daniel. I also noticed the great difference in bodylanguage. Donovan is very lively while Daniel appears very stiff. Yes Annette!! Absolutely!! In the first \"blue scene\" when the wife gets up from leaning over her husband's dead body with the medics to slap Daniel's face (quick aside, he looks to die for in this scene) he is the unmoved and stiff Daniel. He has come upon this horrible scene but carries himself as a man that makes weighty and important business decisions regardless of how lives are affected. Then as Donovan, when Sandy has the idea to buy the bus he is loosey-goosey, impassioned and goes to hug Sandy (God, he is an impossibly cute hugger! Same kind of hug in TIOBE.just love it..)an impulse that is hard to imagine ever striking Daniel."}, {"response": 731, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (18:01)", "body": "I am in the middle of such a busy time at work/in life right now, and I fear that I won't be able to take part in the discussion ongoing, so I just wanted to add some random thoughts. Thanks to Janet for giving me DQ only a short time ago - so generous! I am so glad that he made this movie, I *love* that he played this part. Sort of personal. First off I am (until Friday when I change jobs) a social worker for the local authority for adults with learning disabilities. This includes arranging transport for day services (a pain!). I'm a user of and believer in public transport. I am anti-corporate rule. Donovan rocks! =) I love that Donovan doesn't change the way he talks when he speaks to Sandy - no simplifying his language. Has complete faith in him. It's hard to find even closely accurate media/entertainment portrayals of learning disability. This one does a pretty good job. The Pannicks are a good example of the disasters and strengths of families all at once - resiliency of the family to survive whatever comes their way. I like that this movie isn't full of beautiful people. Just average or even not so nice looking people. Actually I really love the part where him and Sandy are strolling down the street handing out flyers and you can just tell the ladies (extras) walking by are like ''ooh it's Colin Firth!''. Envy! The aforementioned changes between Donovan and Daniel - even the subtle change in his hair and clothing make Daniel look creepy. Oh, and there are some good long strides in this film, and great hair =)."}, {"response": 732, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (18:09)", "body": "I haven't seen DQ in a couple of years, but in remembering back, and in reference to the \"Deus Ex Machina\" mentions in Odds and Ends for Adaptation, I got to thinking that Donovan was a \"deus ex\" for the Pannick family, in lots of ways."}, {"response": 733, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (18:14)", "body": "(Annette)My first thought of Donovan is also the knight in shining armour: kissing Lucy on her hand, And while Donovan, as a knight, has a fantasy of rescuing others, other characters seem to have a fantasy of being rescued. Lucy felt she was being rescued when she was seventeen by the man who took her away from Gran and Sandy for the day (and she came back pregnant with Jim), and Clive thinks he'll be rescued by the job that the Norwegian will give him. (Evelyn)but he didn't set out to rehabilitate the Pannick family I agree. But I think he picked their ad at the Newspaper store where the girl who Sandy had a crush on worked because it probably looked like the last one to be put up, it being underneath all the other ads. Therefore it would be the most recent and not already taken. I love Sandy's crush on Redika and how Donovan has to pull him gently by the arm out of the store after they deliver flyers because Sandy is standing there mesmerized by her ;-). Love CF's expression when he does that."}, {"response": 734, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (19:04)", "body": "(Pam)But IMO the tragedy is that Donovan failed with himself. He helped so many other people, but failed with himself. Tragic. And at the end of the film is Daniel (even though he has a high paying job) any different than Clive, who is also ruthless and unmoved by other people. Not only did Clive beat up Donovan physically (and take back his peace offering to Lucy) but he will continue hurting others who get in his way and remind him of his failures just like Daniel and Windmill Transport. I love the Spanish guitar that's played in the background during times of tension. Very Quixotic :-) (Emma)This includes arranging transport for day services (a pain!). I'm a user of and believer in public transport. I am anti-corporate rule. Donovan rocks! =) I love that Donovan doesn't change the way he talks when he speaks to Sandy - no simplifying his language. Has complete faith in him. You make such good points here. It's what makes Donovan so likable and trustworthy. And you would have been the perfect extra in this movie, if only!"}, {"response": 735, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (19:13)", "body": "(Karen)It wasn't until he heard of Sandy's inability to get to his training center that he had any focus. Yes, and I noticed at the beginning and even after he first arrives at the Pannick house he seems to be moving almost like a robot in a trance of some sort...the focus was not there...yet. (Evelyn)he didn't set out to rehabilitate the Pannick family.Though ultimately he did. By providing self esteem to a household where it was non-existant. But you're right that's not what he set out to do. (Annette)(the way he throws his glove (a duel?) After having just watched V yesterday, I noticed the throwing down of the gloves, too. Great observation, Annette, I didn't think of it as a duel, but you are correct."}, {"response": 736, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (19:14)", "body": "Figures I'd be the first to forget to close the tags"}, {"response": 737, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (19:25)", "body": "And at the end of the film is Daniel (even though he has a high paying job) any different than Clive, who is also ruthless and unmoved by other people. Sorry...I'm posting twice in one day...(don't want to pile up the posts which makes it overwhelming to others.) But help me out here boss...But didn't someone ask Colin about this ending and he said Daniel would not return to be the same person he was before."}, {"response": 738, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (20:11)", "body": "(Evelyn)But didn't someone ask Colin about this ending and he said Daniel would not return to be the same person he was before. Sorry, Karen, we're discussing the ending again! I felt that Daniel had returned to his previous persona, judging by the mobile phone call, but being confronted by Lucy, and the realising the changes he had made in their lives, made him think again - at least that's what I took out of his last long look back. BTW, I noticed Clive's nickname for Lucy was 'Peaches'. Where have I heard that before?"}, {"response": 739, "author": "Leah", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (01:05)", "body": "I have only watched DQ 2times,(Thanks Janet) the first just to look at and the second to pick up what was being said. All I can comment on so far is that I really enjoyed the 'I'll pay extra' scene and the 'macaroni cheese' scene."}, {"response": 740, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (09:14)", "body": "(Janet)I felt that Daniel had returned to his previous persona, judging by the mobile phone call, but being confronted by Lucy, and the realising the changes he had made in their lives, made him think again - at least that's what I took out of his last long look back. Maybe the update he got from Lucy would make him change, but would it last? Like you said he had just finished talking on his cellular about prying someones fingers off something in order to get him out of the way. His last long look was a tad hopeful but inconclusive about whether he would really make a turnaround for the better. Maybe that last frozen scene showed the moment when a person does have an opportunity to change for the better, but will that person take that more difficult road and \"run where the brave dare not go?\" It isn't an easy thing to do. And he wasn't \"a great madman\" anymore - as Donovan said to Lucy, \"after being returned to sanity, he was nothing.\""}, {"response": 741, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (09:40)", "body": "(Lora), His last long look was a tad hopeful but inconclusive about whether he would really make a turnaround for the better. as Donovan said to Lucy, \"after being returned to sanity, he was nothing.\" True. In the end, he had gone back. His fantasy was over, DQ was dead and gone."}, {"response": 742, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (13:25)", "body": "(Annette) This could very well be the case, but I just thought he referred to the menagerie in the sittingroom \"complete with tele\". Another perfect example of his fanciful view of the deluxe accommodations at Chez Pannick. *guffaw* (Annette) My first thought of Donovan is also the knight in shining armour: kissing Lucy on her hand...not wanting to take advantage of Lucy in her vulnerable state... Donovan's behavior epitomizes chivalry. He has placed his lady on a pedestal and will defend her honor. He abides by a strict code of ethical conduct, lacking in today's society in general, and expects others to respect that. As you mentioned about the glove, that is the proverbial \"throwing down the gauntlet,\" the chivalric challenge. I find it amusing that Mackie didn't have a clue as to what that meant. (Annette) I also noticed the great difference in body language. Donovan is very lively while Daniel appears very stiff. I've never noticed that in particular. Do we see Daniel move very much? (Evelyn) I think so too...didn't the disc jockey mention Port Clyde in his report? Donovan was zeroing in on this target. Whim, pure and simple. He heard of a some people having a problem on the radio and the little voices in his head said \"go there.\" (Lora) I love Sandy's crush on Redika and how Donovan has to pull him gently by the arm out of the store after they deliver flyers because Sandy is standing there mesmerized by her ;-). Love CF's expression when he does that. I know, it's gone in a nanosecond, but for some reason looks so real to me. (Linda) even after he first arrives at the Pannick house he seems to be moving almost like a robot in a trance of some sort...the focus was not there...yet. Quite right. He hovers in doorways, like he doesn't even know why he's there. Could they have picked any more appropriate song for Lucy to sing at the bar than \"I Will Survive\"? ;-) When Donovan first arrives at the Pannick house, he is viewed as a total nutcase by Lucy and Clive, but Lucy couldn't care less as he's able to pay. Practical to the core about Donovan, but not necessarily about Clive. You hardly get the impression that she \"loves\" him so much that she'd ignore the hard reality of their situation. She's a pity f@#k to him, and she's just so lonely and desperate to accept it at that level. Who wouldn't drowned themselves in booze with at life like that? Not being able to accept that anyone could like her for herself. This reminds me of one of my favorite bits of dialogue: Lucy: You must think I'm disgusting DQ: No. No. No. It just wouldn't be right to take advantage of your fragile state. Also I realize that you're spoken for. Lucy: By Clive? That's like saying that the household refrigerator is spoken for. It's just something you use. Something you stuff your salami in. DQ: So why do you let him... Lucy: ...park his salami? There's such a painful look on Donovan's face, which makes me wonder if he's always 100% Donovan at times or if Daniel's reality of understanding creeps in. I also noted that in the scene where he counsels Sandy about chat-up lines. Doesn't seem in-character for a Donovan, but certainly a Daniel would know all about that."}, {"response": 743, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (13:29)", "body": "Imdb has \"The Making of Donovan Quick\" Has anybody in the UK seen it? Going back to the plot....;-) Grann...some piece of work. Recognize her? She's one of the occupants in that crazy building in AZ! Didn't realize that Katy Murphy won Best Actress from the Royal Television Society for this. http://us.imdb.com/Tawards?0213623"}, {"response": 744, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (14:28)", "body": "(Karen)I find it amusing that Mackie didn't have a clue as to what that meant. True. But Mackie is more a part of Daniel's world of making the wheels turn which leaves no room for chivalry. Mackie has to answer to Ms. Gorman (and what's with that giant picture of her in his office, is she the Queen of the Railways? ;-)) who has the motto: \"It's not enough to succeed, others must be seen to fail.\" But Mackie does make one noble effort to help Clive by offering him an honest job even when Clive comes to try to get money from him for information. Love those lines between them: C: I'm a saturation diver M: Seeing as you've got experience with water, I'll give you a job washing buses. :-) When Mackie does this and what Donovan does for the Pannick family are some of the highest and most noble ways to help someone back on track to a stable life which allows them to continue from that point on their own. So I think Mackie isn't such a bad guy, he just has to answer to Queen Gorman. But of course Clive wouldn't think of taking that low level job. (Evelyn)Grann...some piece of work I love her character! I don't remember her from AZ, but I only saw it once - note to rerent. I love her always in her slip on the phone giving the schedule and saying to someone on the phone, \"Yeah, just stick out your hand and they'll pick you up.\" Donovan gives her something to live for at the end of her life instead of just watching cars on the telly. Hope I'm not posting too much. I love this story and have 8 pages of notes on it! Please just let me know if I'm saying too much at once or on the \"wrong track.\""}, {"response": 745, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (14:37)", "body": "(Karen) Practical to the core about Donovan(Lucy), but not necessarily about Clive. You hardly get the impression that she \"loves\" him so much that she'd ignore the hard reality of their situation. She's a pity f@#k to him, and she's just so lonely and desperate to accept it at that level. Who wouldn't drowned themselves in booze with at life like that? Not being able to accept that anyone could like her for herself. The Lucy/Clive shag scene is IMHO the most despair laden of the whole movie, allowing yourself to be worked at mechanically so you can be touched, the room dim (it seemed like a single bulb from the ceiling room) and miserable. I think I had to pour myself a drink after this scene to drown it out. And Clive going on about how \"experience counts for something\"... (EmmaB) I'm a user of and believer in public transport. I am anti-corporate rule. Donovan rocks! =) Whistles and cheers The Donovan/George Mackey scenes always get to me. It seems George knows he is in the ring with a competitor that has more character and mettle and that can best him so it becomes very personal to him, putting 15 or so buses on that route is overkill unless you are threatened. And the portrait of Kathleen Gorman on his wall with the ?lilies in front was almost deifying. GM was a despicable Gollum like character..."}, {"response": 746, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (15:19)", "body": "(Karen)I've never noticed that in particular. Do we see Daniel move very much? I can't put my finger down to give an example. It is just something, that I \"feel\" seeing the movie (though, when the widowed wife spits at him or waiting for the train in the ending scene could be some examples). (Karen)DQ: So why do you let him... Lucy: ...park his salami? I now the moment is quite sad but I can't help but laugh a wee bit. I like this line a lot. (Lora)So I think Mackie isn't such a bad guy, he just has to answer to Queen Gorman. I thought so too. He just seems to be one of those, who has gotten \"up the ladder\" in the company and now does what has to be done, not taking real pleasure in \"nailing\" the small companies."}, {"response": 747, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (15:51)", "body": "(Evelyn) Grann...some piece of work. Recognize her? She's one of the occupants in that crazy building in AZ! I thought Grann was Grann from MLSF!! Oops.. (Lora) (and what's with that giant picture of her in his office, is she the Queen of the Railways? We were on the same page here!! Like Lora I am sorry for posting so much, I swear just this last bit and I will take my verbal incontinence out for a walk...But there are 2 hair moments that bear mentioning...When the bus won't start and Lucy's son (Name Morris or Jim??) is enlisted to help, Donovan leans out the window and the rear view mirror is perfectly situated to highlight the little bald patch... also in the last scene on the platform while he is on the cell and the camera approaches from the rear, there it is again..."}, {"response": 748, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (15:52)", "body": "(Karen), makes me wonder if he's always 100% Donovan at times or if Daniel's reality of understanding creeps in. This is a good point. Can anyone think of other crossover times?"}, {"response": 749, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (16:12)", "body": "(Evelyn) Going back to the plot....;-) Really? I thought maybe we were discussing Memento? ;-) Really, I can't see how anybody can discuss the ending without thoroughly analyzing who the characters are, their relationships, the politics, social situation, etc. All of that has to factor into an understanding of what happened to Donovan/Daniel and it might alter your view. Oh well... (Evelyn) Didn't realize that Katy Murphy won Best Actress from the Royal Television Society for this. And she was nominated for a Bafta, along with the entire production for Best Drama. It also won something for its portrayal of the learning impaired. You all do know that David Brown, who played Sandy, is learning impaired himself, don't you? (Lora) But Mackie is more a part of Daniel's world of making the wheels turn which leaves no room for chivalry. But who hasn't heard the expression \"throwing down the gauntlet\"? Maybe if Donovan had slapped Mackie's face with the gloves, a direct challenge for a duel, then he might have better understood the action. (Lora) Mackie has to answer to Ms. Gorman (and what's with that giant picture of her in his office, is she the Queen of the Railways? ;-)) In a private business, it would be highly unusual to see an owner's portrait in executives' offices. However, you do see pictures like that in government offices, at least in the US, depending on the governmental unit (be it mayor, governor or president). I expect in the UK, there are portraits of the Queen in government offices. But this one stands for someone very specific: Margaret Thatcher. They've used a Margaret Thatcher lookalike for the role of Mrs. Gorman. In addition, there is a transport company, based in Scotland, called Stagecoach, run by a brother and sister, who employed methods very similar to Windmill when the system was privitized. I've never seen a picture of Ann Gloag, but she and Margaret serve double duty here. (Lora) But Mackie does make one noble effort to help Clive by offering him an honest job Did you take that seriously? As they say in the UK, he was taking the piss out of him. But then again, Clive was trying to shake him down; he didn't deserve anything more than what he got, which was insulted. (Maria) The Lucy/Clive shag scene is IMHO the most despair laden of the whole movie Can't get anymore dismal than that. Mechanical is the perfect word. Two people completing an act, without any feeling whatsoever. (Maria) It seems George knows he is in the ring with a competitor that has more character and mettle and that can best him so it becomes very personal to him I don't feel it is that exactly. George thinks he knows him for some reason. We can see Donovan is someone else when he bounds up the stairs at Windmill's office and bursts through the outer offices with the panache of a confident man who belongs there. When Mackie asks if he does know him, he answers, \"if you met me before, you'd remember\" (great line, great delivery). Donovan is clearly acting more in Daniel mode, it's basic and natural to him. I don't think it has anything to do with Donovan's higher goals or anything, but the confident appearance. (Annette) I now the moment is quite sad but I can't help but laugh a wee bit. I like this line a lot. No need for apologies, I love the lines myself and the refrigerator part too. ;-)"}, {"response": 750, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (16:21)", "body": "(Evelyn)Imdb has \"The Making of Donovan Quick\" Has anybody in the UK seen it? I haven't; it probably hasn't been shown since the programme was first aired in December 2000. - But I live 10 minutes from the studios in Glasgow where it was made, so I'll see if anyone there can help us out."}, {"response": 751, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (18:07)", "body": "(Lora)When Mackie does this and what Donovan does for the Pannick family are some of the highest and most noble ways to help someone I don't think that Mackie was noble. The first offer of the ten thousand for the bus, I'm sure, would have had to been approved by someone higher up, I don't think Mackie would have had the authority to make and pay that kind of offer. Later, I feel Mackie is somewhat smug when he tells Donovan that the offer has dropped to five thousand. I think he mentions something to the effect that the route isn't worth it...Yet it was worth it to saturate the route with several Windmill busses to get rid of Quick and Pannick in the first place."}, {"response": 752, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (19:53)", "body": "(Emma) I love that Donovan doesn't change the way he talks when he speaks to Sandy - no simplifying his language. Has complete faith in him. Yes, I found this to be very touching and poignant, for as a result of Donovan\ufffds madness, he didn\ufffdt discern any difference in Sandy and treated him with dignity and respect. Accordingly, Sandy\ufffds self-worth blossomed. Sort of reminds me of the concept that we can truly judge a person\ufffds character on how he treats those who are vulnerable: children, the poor, the elderly, the disabled, etc. (Karen)\ufffd which makes me wonder if he's always 100% Donovan at times or if Daniel's reality of understanding creeps in.. I think it makes perfect sense that Daniel\ufffds managerial and problem solving skills as an executive would turn up in Donovan, but manifested in a topsy turvy manner as a result of his madness/psychosis. Thus, Donovan sets about to start his bus company in a \ufffdresults driven\ufffd manner: he purchases and spruces up the dilapidated bus, outfits Sandy with a uniform from Oxfam or similar, has schedules printed, etc. The absurdity is that Donovan thinks he can defeat Windmill. It is Daniel\ufffds intellect but Donovan\ufffds filter (for lack of a better word) of the knowledge and experience. (Karen) I also noted that in the scene where he counsels Sandy about chat-up lines. Doesn't seem in-character for a Donovan, but certainly a Daniel would know all about that. I imagine Daniel as a smooth talker/letch with the ladies (and cheating on his wife) and used to getting what he wants. Again, this is Daniel\ufffds frame of reference, coming through Donovan in a different way, as Donovan is trying to help Sandy when his \ufffddamsel\ufffdwith this chat up line."}, {"response": 753, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (19:55)", "body": "Oops, my turn to close the italics."}, {"response": 754, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (21:42)", "body": "(Annette) I also noticed the great difference in body language. Donovan is very lively while Daniel appears very stiff. (Karen) I've never noticed that in particular. Do we see Daniel move very much? Not much, but I too think when he walks up as the man is laying on the ground and the woman is screaming he appears rather stiff. I agree about the facial expression, the neck, the walk. Even when standing at the cemetary. Maybe it's the facial expression that is so striking in Daniel vs Donovan. (Karen), makes me wonder if he's always 100% Donovan at times or if Daniel's reality of understanding creeps in..... Daniel\ufffds managerial and problem solving skills as an executive would turn up in Donovan, but manifested in a topsy turvy manner as a result of his madness/psychosis. ...that in the scene where he counsels Sandy about chat-up lines. Doesn't seem in-character for a Donovan, but certainly a Daniel would know all about that This question really struck me when Lucy was going through his things. I wondered whether he had looked at it since he became Donovan. If so, did he think it odd to have the card with someone else's name on it in a book he may or may not remember or realize he's reading. Maybe he didn't look at it or maybe it didn't phase him. I thought it odd that he could walk into Windmill's offices and not be snapped out of it. Or was he really in it? Also, in light of the questions of his \"psychosis\", I was curious what psychotic disorder he might actually have that he would seem to snap out of rather quickly and found this...... Acute Stress Disorder Diagnostic Criteria The person has been exposed to a traumatic event in which both of the following were present: the person experienced, witnessed, or was confronted with an event or events that involved actual or threatened death or serious injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of self or others the person's response involved intense fear, helplessness, or horror Either while experiencing or after experiencing the distressing event, the individual has three (or more) of the following dissociative symptoms: a subjective sense of numbing, detachment, or absence of emotional responsiveness a reduction in awareness of his or her surroundings (e.g., \"being in a daze\") derealization depersonalization dissociative amnesia (i.e., inability to recall an important aspect of the trauma) The traumatic event is persistently reexperienced in at least one of the following ways: recurrent images, thoughts, dreams, illusions, flashback episodes, or a sense of reliving the experience; or distress on exposure to reminders of the traumatic event. Marked avoidance of stimuli that arouse recollections of the trauma (e.g., thoughts, feelings, conversations, activities, places, people). Marked symptoms of anxiety or increased arousal (e.g., difficulty sleeping, irritability, poor concentration, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, motor restlessness). The disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning or impairs the individual's ability to pursue some necessary task, such as obtaining necessary assistance or mobilizing personal resources by telling family members about the traumatic experience. The disturbance lasts for a minimum of 2 days and a maximum of 4 weeks and occurs within 4 weeks of the traumatic event. The disturbance is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition, is not better accounted for by Brief Psychotic Disorder , and is not merely an exacerbation of a preexisting Axis I or Axis II disorder. This seems more likely than a true psychotic disorder which were generally marked by complete confusion of thought among other things. I looked for, but could not find on this site, Mood Disorder with Psychotic Features, which may be a more chronic state."}, {"response": 755, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (21:58)", "body": "(Karen) When Mackie asks if he does know him, he answers, \"if you met me before, you'd remember\" (great line, great delivery). I really loved that line and delivery, too! But it wouldn't be inconceivable that Mackie had heard about the incident with Daniel and someone had described him. Or seen a picture in passing, but didn't really pay attention to it, but the faint memory is triggered whenever he sees Daniel. I'm sure we all must have run into someone we met or saw before that we can't place right off when we see them again. I pulled the info above on the Acute Stress Disorder from the DSM-IV-TR. (Think I erased the source info when making a correction above)."}, {"response": 756, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (01:16)", "body": "(Lisa JH)It is Daniel\ufffds intellect but Donovan\ufffds filter (for lack of a better word) of the knowledge and experience I think this is a very understandable way of putting, who he is and when, and I totally agree. (Dorine)I wondered whether he had looked at it since he became Donovan. If so, did he think it odd to have the card with someone else's name on it in a book he may or may not remember or realize he's reading This puzzled me as well, yet I haven't figured out any answer to it. (Dorine)This seems more likely than a true psychotic disorder which were generally marked by complete confusion of thought among other things Agree, placing the flasbacks to happen in that time-frame, it seems more likely than a \"lifelong\" disorder. And judging from that last look, when he enters the train, I think we are allowed to hope, that perhaps a very small part of him has been \"touched\" by his time as a mad man."}, {"response": 757, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (09:14)", "body": "(Dorine)I pulled the info above on the Acute Stress Disorder from the DSM-IV-TR Thanks Dorine, the info on ASD certainly fits what Daniel is experiencing.I think we can see at least three or more of the symptoms associated with this disorder manifested in Daniel's behavior. The diagnostic criteria was definitely there as well. the person experienced, witnessed, or was confronted with an event or events that involved actual or threatened death or serious injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of self or others the person's response involved intense fear, helplessness, or horror"}, {"response": 758, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (09:28)", "body": "I rewatched DQ late last night and had a whole new outlook on it. (Karen) Donovan comes to Port Clyde to battle the behemoth, having heard about the rail situation on the radio, or at least that was the impression I got from the introductory scenes of the radio call-in show and him pacing around. What do you imagine he had in mind originally when he arrived in Port Clyde? Do you think he had a game plan? It didn't appear to me that he did. He just showed up, as if it were the place of battle but that he had no battle plan. ....But he had no idea what he was going to do there. It wasn't until he heard of Sandy's inability to get to his training center that he had any focus. (Evelyn).... didn't the disc jockey mention Port Clyde in his report? Donovan was zeroing in on this target. (Karen) Whim, pure and simple. He heard of a some people having a problem on the radio and the little voices in his head said \"go there.\" Did anyone see what it says at the bottom of the sign saying \ufffdWelcome to Port Clyde\ufffd at the beginning? It says, \ufffdHome of Windmill Transport\ufffd . *That* is the \ufffdbelly of the beast\ufffd and why he went initially, I bet. He\ufffds going to the source of the problem. Maybe Port Clyde just happened to have a problem for convenience of the story. Or it\ufffds ironic that Windmill is causing such problems in their own back yard and either doesn\ufffdt realize or care. But I don\ufffdt think he had a clue either of what his \ufffdcunning plan\ufffd would be. (That line, can\ufffdt remember the exact phrase right now\ufffd.. when talking to Sandy, always makes me laugh with a Blackadder flashback). He does a fantastic job of delineating the two personas, something just ices up his face when he's Daniel that sets him apart. When he\ufffds Daniel, he\ufffds almost squinting. He opens his eyes enough to see out, but not enough for anyone to see in. His mouth is also quite tense as Daniel. Just a straight line. With Donovan his eyes seem more open and rounded. A more relaxed mouth. With regard to his body language as each persona, it\ufffds been remarked a few times how lean and lanky he looks as Daniel. As Daniel he seems to be thinner, keeping within himself, not let anything or anyone get to him. He was probably the type of executive who made all the decisions and took suggestions from no one. As opposed to when he is Donovan, he appears almost to widen himself. He\ufffds more open to let people and ideas in. He doesn't really have to move at all or that much to see it. Colin did this too in Apartment Zero. What brilliant acting. So subtle. (Emma) Oh, and there are some good long strides in this film, and great hair Agreed! I\ufffdve decided too, I like his hair best with longer sideburns. Sometimes they\ufffdre shorter and I think the longer ones suit his long, lanky face much better. (LisaJH)...did Daniel remember the entire episode as Donovan (as he was in a psychotic/manic state at the time), or if he did remember, was he just too mortified to acknowledge Lucy at first? I am assuming he reverted back to being Daniel as he was on medication (Lithium, or?). I think he remembered everything. Matter of fact, after rewatching it, I don\ufffdt think he had a psychotic break at all. I think he was completely aware the entire time what was going on and what he was doing, but he couldn\ufffdt really let on who he was or what he was trying to do. I think he is just a supremely guilt-ridden man who was trying to right a serious wrong. And a bit misguided in his attempt. Just because he was \ufffdSectioned\ufffd doesn\ufffdt necessarily mean he was truly ill or that bad. Family,friends, and employers could say anything to help get him committed. Having him committed may help in a lawsuit too against the company as they can claim \"temporary insanity\" of Daniel and hang him out to dry while the company dodges taking responsibility. Maybe they were mortified that a man like Daniel would attempt to do something so nice (and out of character) as to try to rectify the situation (and assuage his guilt) by offering the widow money. (Pam)But IMO the tragedy is that Donovan failed with himself. He helped so many other people, but failed with himself. Tragic. (Evelyn) But didn't someone ask Colin about this ending and he said Daniel would not return to be the same person he was before. (Janet) I felt that Daniel had returned to his previous persona, judging by the mobile phone call, but being confronted by Lucy, and the realising the changes he had made in their lives, made him think again - at least that's what I took out of his last long look back. I guess in a way he did fail with himself to completely effect a change in attitude and personality, but there is obviously an awareness, and possibly even a longing for the \ufffdDonovan\ufffd attitude to emerge again as noted in the last look. He\ufffds just a defeated man and probably doesn\ufffdt have the strength to continue swimming against the tide, so he stays with the Daniel attitude. It\ufffds what he knows and what works. Less effort. Plus, God knows what they did to him or gave him in that "}, {"response": 759, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (09:39)", "body": "(Lora)So I think Mackie isn't such a bad guy, he just has to answer to Queen Gorman. I think it's so funny how he adjusts his necktie when he has to take her phone call. Donovan leans out the window and the rear view mirror is perfectly situated to highlight the little bald patch... also in the last scene on the platform while he is on the cell and the camera approaches from the rear, there it is again... I wouldn't call that a bald patch, I'd say his hair is thinnig a bit ;-). (Dorine)I wondered whether he had looked at it since he became Donovan. If so, did he think it odd to have the card with someone else's name on it in a book he may or may not remember or realize he's reading I think he knew quite well who he really was. After he's been beaten up by Clive he tells Lucy the story of Daniel and how he seeks atonement. In that scene I get the impression he knows who he is."}, {"response": 760, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (09:55)", "body": "(Dorine)I think he was completely aware the entire time what was going on and what he was doing, but he couldn?t really let on who he was or what he was trying to do. He certainly knew the police would come after him eventually. The first time the police brings Sandy home you can see his face behind the door of his room. I wish this film wasn't so dark. I realize the \"blue wave\" part has to be as well as the beginning to give the impression of his mental state,but why in the Pannick house?"}, {"response": 761, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (10:04)", "body": "(Evelyn)I wish this film wasn't so dark. I realize the \"blue wave\" part has to be as well as the beginning to give the impression of his mental state,but why in the Pannick house? It annoys me too, but at the same time, it underlines the sad, grey life of the whole family."}, {"response": 762, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (11:29)", "body": "..it underlines the sad, grey life of the whole family. And *mine* for having to squint through it. Adds to the \"crows feet\"."}, {"response": 763, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (11:47)", "body": "From my lurker KathyW... (I won't take credit for her excellent observations) She watched it for the first time last night and loved it and noticed a couple of important things relating to our discussion of whether Donovan knows who he really is: 1. He has actual flashbacks, as opposed to a director's technique to inform the audience of material. When Donovan experiences the flashbacks, notice his change in facial expression and breathing, indicating stress--he's aware and reliving experiences. 2. Noticed in the scene when Lucy helps Donovan up to his room after Clive beats him up that the _Don Quixote_ novel is lying out right on the window sill. He must have been reading it and, therefore, making conscious connections/parallels with himself."}, {"response": 764, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (13:02)", "body": ""}, {"response": 765, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (13:03)", "body": "(Linda) I don't think that Mackie was noble. George Mackie was Katherine Gorman's lackey. ;-) [Had to do this before Lora or Caribou jumped on it.] I saw no altruism in his behavior. He was part of that company and must have been fairly successful given his position, a regional manager. Mackie held the banner for \"It's not enough to succeed, others must be seen to fail.\" A person doesn't work at company that subscribes to such a malicious work ethic, unless he agrees with it. (LisaJH) it makes perfect sense that Daniel's managerial and problem solving skills as an executive would turn up in Donovan...The absurdity is that Donovan thinks he can defeat Windmill. It is Daniel's intellect but Donovan's filter...of the knowledge and experience. Good way of putting it. Obviously, he hasn't forgotten everything and reverted to some childlike state. Donovan's filter is idealism, which I think explains why he believes he can defeat Windmill, i.e., good will triumph over evil. (LisaJH) I imagine Daniel as a smooth talker/letch with the ladies (and cheating on his wife) Now, what would give you that impression about Daniel cheating on his wife? She look like cold fish to you? ;--) (Annette) I also noticed the great difference in body language. Donovan is very lively while Daniel appears very stiff. (Dorine) when he walks up as the man is laying on the ground and the woman is screaming he appears rather stiff....Even when standing at the cemetary. Think about the circumstances of those scenes, hardly the type where anybody would be loping around, crazily hugging anybody, with a huge grin plastered across their face. Facially, he's stiff, but again the circumstances dictate that as well. I don't think we've been giving enough of a basis. No big deal though. (Dorine) I wondered whether he had looked at it since he became Donovan. If so, did he think it odd to have the card with someone else's name on it in a book he may or may not remember or realize he's reading. He certainly would've had to open the bag, if only to get at the money. Moreover, when he ran out of money, he still had the American Express card and knew not to use it. Daniel would know it had either been revoked or he could be traced through it. (Dorine) Acute Stress Disorder Good research. I liked the diagnostic criteria and it seemed to match up perfectly, but I had a problem with the \"list of symptoms.\" Oh well, psych has never been my thing, except to apply Freudian interpretations to lit. ;-) Donovan tells Lucy that he was diagnosed with hypomania, a bipolar disorder. The screenwriter's husband works in a psychiatric hospital and she had written another television drama (Takin' Over the Asylum) about such a place. Doesn't mean they were right--especially as they've discounted the effect of the triggering event--but here's a definition of hypomania: Hypomania is a mood state which like mania is characterized by persistent and pervasive elated or irritable mood, and behaviors and thoughts that are consistent with such a mood state. It is distinguished from mania by the absence of psychotic symptoms and less impact of functioning. Hypomanic Episodes occur in some Mood Disorders. When an individual experiences a discrete episode of persistent and pervasive emotional hypomania, this term may be applied. Criteria for Hypomanic Episode A. A distinct period of persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood, lasting throughout at least 4 days, that is clearly different from the usual nondepressed mood. B. During the period of mood disturbance, three (or more) of the following symptoms have persisted (four if the mood is only irritable) and have been present to a significant degree: (1) inflated self-esteem or grandiosity (2) decreased need for sleep (e.g., feels rested after only 3 hours of sleep) (3) more talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking (4) flight of ideas or subjective experience that thoughts are racing (5) distractibility (i.e., attention too easily drawn to unimportant or irrelevant external stimuli) (6) increase in goal-directed activity (either socially, at work or school, or sexually) or psychomotor agitation (7) excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have a high potential for painful consequences (e.g., the person engages in unrestrained buying sprees, sexual indiscretions, or foolish business investments) C. The episode is associated with an unequivocal change in functioning that is uncharacteristic of the person when not symptomatic. D. The disturbance in mood and the change in functioning are observable by others. E. The episode is not severe enough to cause marked impairment in social or occupational functioning, or to necessitate hospitalization, and there are no psychotic features. F. The symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication, or other treatment) or a general medical condition (e.g., hyperthyroidism). [BTW, I claim absolutely no expertise in"}, {"response": 766, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (15:21)", "body": "(Karen) BTW, I claim absolutely no expertise in this area. ;-) We're all armchair psychiatrists for this one. I did though have the dubious duty of studying the DSM-III-R (I think that was the edition) in school as my major was based in psychology/psychiatry. But that was just around 10 years ago and some of the definitions have definitely been refined in many cases and I don't use the information on a daily basis anymore. I believe one of knows a good reference source she can ask. ;-) I'm glad the description of hypomania is posted as I had already posted about the Acute Stree Disorder before I rewatched it and the hypomania dx stood out to me as he said it. I wondered if that was really an accurate description of his condition or one that sounded good to the writer. Interesting to know about her husband and her previous project. The Acute Stress Disorder seemed to fit better if we were going under the assumption that he seemed dissociated from being Daniel as Donovan. That seemed to be the tone of the discussion at one time. (Nita) I think he knew quite well who he really was. After he's been beaten up by Clive he tells Lucy the story of Daniel and how he seeks atonement. In that scene I get the impression he knows who he is. I agree with you at that point he did. If nothing else, Clive beat him into sense as opposed to senseless. But again, up til then, the tone of our conversation seemed to indicated that we saw them as two very different people with the characteristics of one seeping into the other. I may have read it all incorrectly, too. (KathyW) Noticed in the scene when Lucy helps Donovan up to his room after Clive beats him up that the _Don Quixote_ novel is lying out right on the window sill. He must have been reading it and, therefore, making conscious connections/parallels with himself. Great observation! I missed that. Guess I need to rewatch again."}, {"response": 767, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (16:48)", "body": "So....are we thinking he does not have a mental illness...that he's playing out a \"fantasy\" as Moon said. Isn't that what Don Quijote did? Wow, this is the best discussion we've ever had...thanks gang."}, {"response": 768, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (18:05)", "body": "(KathyW) Noticed in the scene when Lucy helps Donovan up to his room after Clive beats him up that the _Don Quixote_ novel is lying out right on the window sill. In the scene where Lucy is angry with Donovan, (after Clive has been really abusive because he has left his wife and Lucy tells him to get out, she is blaming Donovan for all that has happend since he has arrived, and she asks him if he thinks he's a Don Quixote...Notice the body language. He seems to freeze in his tracks. I can't figure out if he is so startled by that remark that he begins to come back to reality/Daniel, or if he (Donovan)is surprised that she has unmasked him. (Dorine)The Acute Stress Disorder seemed to fit better if we were going under the assumption that he seemed dissociated from being Daniel as Donovan. I agree."}, {"response": 769, "author": "caribou", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (23:04)", "body": "(Karen)George Mackie was Katherine Gorman's lackey. ;-) [Had to do this before Lora or Caribou jumped on it.] How could I resist when so great a temptation is before me. I'm jumping in! Really good one, Karen. The only one I could come up with for George is that he is like a MACK truck, a little one, thus the diminuitive form MackIE. (Annette)Donovan is very lively... Great observation and very fit for the name game because QUICK in old English means alive. And if you break down his first name, you see DON O' VAN or knight of the bus to be more precise, in this case. :-) Kathleen GORMAN was a Gorgon! I don't really know what a Gorgon is like, but I am quite sure she is one. In any case, she is a monster...:-) LUCY Pannick was, as women go, rather loose u see? I just love how their names go together to make the bus company, Quick and Pannick. Especially when Windmill uses their livery and changes it to Pannick and Quick. Then, it's time to really panic, and quick! It was also very appropriate to have Van Morrison so prevalent on the sound track. When the story is about a Van, Mor is on! That concludes this episode of the name game but there are plenty left for other takers. Go to it!"}, {"response": 770, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (03:01)", "body": "Leaping in... I was wondering how the writer would have come up with the story in the first place. There seem to be three or four possible geneses: (a) Don Quixote - wanted to retell the Cervantes classic, and fitted the vehicle (!) around that (b) Politically motivated - so anti-privatisation that she wanted to point out its inhumanities - in this case the Don Quixote story is the vehicle (c) Wondering about whether a person with a psychiatric disorder could temporarily become a nicer person and do good (d) Keen to tell a story about a desperation-ridden, poverty-stricken travesty of a family life not being so hopeless after all (subject of many films, I saw one last night) Given Karen's information ( The screenwriter's husband works in a psychiatric hospital ), I tend to favour (c), in which case she may have just fitted her idea of a bad person to privatising the buses (and right-wing politics generally), which she sees as a bad thing. The good side of the character then develops naturally in fighting his previous role, and distributing good in a Don Quixote manner as he does it. There are parallels between (c) and As Good As It Gets, and probably other films I haven't seen - but it struck me that DF might have been aware of the possibility of this Acute Stress Disorder as a plot device with a potential morality twist. Caribou: DON O' VAN or knight of the bus to be more precise Magnificent!"}, {"response": 771, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (09:48)", "body": "Great observation Mark. I go for (b). Definitely anti-privatization. Wonder if George Mackie represented anyone on Margaret Thatcher's cabinet. Caribou this is your best yet...but me thinks you are giving DF more credit than she deserves."}, {"response": 772, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (12:16)", "body": "Brava Caribou, for your ingenious and insightful word play. I love this sort of thing. I would have to highlight your entire posting to point out my favorite bits.;-) I thought of one: Lucy = lu-cid or lu-cid-i-ty. Lucy never candy-coats the truth about her situation. And doesn\ufffdt Donovan have most of his lucid moments in her presence? Which made me think why does Donovan have to be either totally cognizant of what he is doing the entire time (as posited by Dorine in an intriguing and thought provoking view of DQ), or in a manic/hypomanic state, unaware of his actions and true identity? Why can\ufffdt it be both/and as opposed to either/or? IOW, why couldn\ufffdt Donovan be both aware of his past (as Daniel) and still be in a hypomanic state? Trying to gain additional insight, I turned to Websters for the following: psychosis: 1: profound disorganization of mind, personality, or behavior that results from an individual's inability to tolerate the demands of his social environment whether because of the enormity of the imposed stress or because of primary inadequacy or acquired debility of his organism especially in regard to the central nervous system or because of combinations of these factors and that may be manifested by disorders of perception, thinking, or affect symptoms of neurosis, by criminality, or by any combination of these -- distinguished from neurosis; compare insanity. 2 : extreme mental unrest of an individual or of a social group especially in regard to situational factors of grave import: war psychosis mass psychosis -- compare hysteria. Number two of the defintion intrigued me this time around, which led me to: hysteria: 1: a psychoneurosis that is marked by emotional excitability involving disturbances of the psychic, sensory, vasomotor, and visceral functions 2 : conduct or an outbreak of conduct exhibiting unmanageable fear or emotional excess in individuals or groups (could not fail to destroy his system, never very strong and pitched to hysteria from the first -- H.M.Ledig-Rowohlt; (weeping generously ... and wildly giggling, in a hysteria which she could not control -- Arnold Bennett; \"swept up into the systematized hysteria of the war -- Scott Fitzgerald. -- synonym see mania. Then I looked up: mania: Etymology: Middle English, from Late Latin, from Greek mainesthai to be mad; akin to Greek menos spirit. 1 : excitement of psychotic proportions manifested by mental and physical hyperactivity, disorganization of behavior, and elevation of mood; specifically : the manic phase of manic-depressive psychosis 2 a : excessive or unreasonable enthusiasm : a violent desire, passion, or partiality. craze:\"has a mania for building and transforming\" -- Arnold Bennett; \"seized by a mania for acquisition\" -- Erico Verissimo; \"enamel vases, for which our middle classes so long had a mania\" -- Albert Dasnoy: \"letters from citizens who had the mania of print\" -- Winston Churchill; b : something that is the object of a mania: \"prizefighting, horse racing, and dog racing are national manias\" -- T.H.Fielding; \"demobilization became the mania of the day\" -- Demaree Bess. So does Donovan\ufffds mania fit the first or second definition? Of course, there is always artistic license in a script, which could be why it is hard to pigeonhole what is going on with Donovan/Daniel. ;-P (MarkG) There are parallels between (c) and As Good As It Gets, and probably other films I haven't seen - but it struck me that DF might have been aware of the possibility of this Acute Stress Disorder as a plot device with a potential morality twist. Funny, I thought of the movie Regarding Henry, where the obnoxious attorney had to take a bullet in the brain to become a better husband and father."}, {"response": 773, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (12:59)", "body": "Sorry about the big space at the end. :-("}, {"response": 774, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (14:27)", "body": "Mark, Caribou, and Lisa...thanks for the brilliant insights. (Mark)There are parallels between (c) and As Good As It Gets, and probably other films I haven't seen - but it struck me that DF might have been aware of the possibility of this Acute Stress Disorder as a plot device with a potential morality twist. So much food for thought, I must think about this and Lisa's post. I have a dozen films swimming in my brain just now. However, I'm a bit breathless at the moment having just come from 165."}, {"response": 775, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (21:07)", "body": "What great observations everyone. Great discussion. As diverse as his personalities were brings the question to mind was Daniel himself such a healthy speciman? Was such a cold, unfeeling and calculating man healthy to begin with? I, too, feel he knew what he was doing. When he left the hospital he knew enough to liquidate his assets before they were frozen. Would he have known to do that if he had lost his true identity? He did not like who he had become and was determined to become a better man. This could not be achieved as Daniel in his mind though rationally it could. But he is not thinking rationally at this point so Donovan comes to life. But he is well aware of his true identity. Just some thoughts I had."}, {"response": 776, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Jan 18, 2003 (12:40)", "body": "Re the geneses, I want to choose: (e) all of the them. (MarkG)(a) Don Quixote - wanted to retell the Cervantes classic, and fitted the vehicle (!) around that I think she wanted to use this to keep the PLOT in order; much like Helen Fielding did with BJD. (b) Politically motivated - so anti-privatisation that she wanted to point out its inhumanities... This is her main MESSAGE in a movie that fits in several messages.(Which, sad to say, is why it probably didn't get picked up in Hollywood--they like their messages few and far between and hard to find.:-() ...in this case the Don Quixote story is the vehicle Agreed. (c) Wondering about whether a person with a psychiatric disorder could temporarily become a nicer person and do good This is AUXILLARY material to make the story fuller, richer, deeper and more interesting. (d) Keen to tell a story about a desperation-ridden, poverty-stricken travesty of a family life I see this as the truthful HUMAN CONDITION without which no one will bother to see the movie. not being so hopeless after all Puts the sweet in the bittersweet ending which I am glad both Cervantes did in the original and DF did here. (MarkG)Magnificent! :-)High praise indeed from the person who came up with one of my all time favorites: William Shakespeare's Hamlette ! (Evelyn)Caribou this is your best yet...but me thinks you are giving DF more credit than she deserves. Many thanks. I can't argue about credit; you have the greater knowledge because didn't you and Karen see and hear her at a screening? Was it easy to see how that person would right this? (LisaJH) I thought of one: Lucy = lu-cid or lu-cid-i-ty. Lucy never candy-coats the truth about her situation. Excellent, Lisa. I like this one better. Stark realism is key to Lucy's character. (LisaJH)And doesn\ufffdt Donovan have most of his lucid moments in her presence? Right, at times it seems that her realism is going to get through his idealism and make him see the TRUTH!"}, {"response": 777, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Jan 18, 2003 (12:42)", "body": "Sorry. Was it easy to see how that person would write this?"}, {"response": 778, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 18, 2003 (13:22)", "body": "Caribou and LisaJH: Loved your analyses of the names. :) Interesting that we seem to be concluding that Daniel might never have been \"mad\" (from whatever cause). The evidence keeps mounding up that he always knew who he was. It seems as though he was suffering from strong sense of guilt. Apparently, he sought out the novel (checked it out of the library), looking for inspiration on how to rectify his wrongs. As he might have remembered, the Don was a supremely noble being, believing himself to be fighting for just causes on the behalf of underdogs. Daniel strove to be same, \"great madman,\" but he was always cognizant in my mind of who he really was. (Dorine) Just because he was \"Sectioned\" doesn't necessarily mean he was truly ill or that bad. Quite right. Initially, he would've been admitted for observation (maximum of 72 hours). The UK Department of Health defines mental illness as: - more than temporary impairment of intellectual functions shown by a failure of memory, orientation, comprehension or learning capacity; - more than temporary alteration of mood of such degree as to give rise to the patient having a delusional appraisal of his situation, his past or his future, or that of others or to the lack of any appraisal; -delusional beliefs, persecutory, jealous or grandiose; -abnormal perceptions associated with delusional misinterpretation of events; thinking so disordered as to prevent the patient making a reasonable appraisal of his situation or having reasonable communication with others. Since Donovan/Daniel told Lucy he was \"Sectioned,\" it might have progressed to the next stage. Under the Mental Health Act of 1983, he could be involuntarily committed for assessment (lasting up to 28 days), if he were also deemed a danger to himself or others. I suppose giving away money could loosely be construed as a danger to others, i.e., his family. (Dorine) Having him committed may help in a lawsuit too against the company as they can claim \"temporary insanity\" of Daniel and hang him out to dry while the company dodges taking responsibility. There are differences between US and UK laws. This is clearly not a criminal case. In the US, there would be a civil suit, as we are the most litigious nation on the face of the earth. Daniel ordered the drivers not to stop and one clearly did not, hitting and killing Mr. Sapas. In the US, Mrs. Sapas would be suing the pants off of Windmill, Daniel Quinn, the driver and probably Mrs. Gorman. A civil suit would be bolstered by the fact that Daniel made the offer of money, which would be taken as an admission of culpability. However, when I consulted Drool's legal expert, she said it was a tricky situation. If he ordered the drivers not to stop, knowing that someone was likely to be hurt, then conceivably he could be charged with some kind of conspiracy, or aiding or abetting offence to murder or manslaughter. But it would very much depend on the circumstances of the events. (Evelyn) So....are we thinking he does not have a mental illness...that he's playing out a \"fantasy\" as Moon said. Isn't that what Don Quijote did? Is that what Don Quixote did? (Linda) [Lucy] asks him if he thinks he's a Don Quixote...Notice the body language. He seems to freeze in his tracks. I can't figure out if he is so startled by that remark that he begins to come back to reality/Daniel, or if he (Donovan)is surprised that she has unmasked him. I tend to think the latter, shock at being unmasked or that she has figured it out. (Mark) (b) Politically motivated - so anti-privatisation that she wanted to point out its inhumanities - in this case the Don Quixote story is the vehicle (c) Wondering about whether a person with a psychiatric disorder could temporarily become a nicer person and do good Good question. I'd have to go with these two actually, with (b) being the structure or \"vehicle\" as you punned (!) for the parable and (c) being a concurrent psychological study. DF's political leanings would've had, I think, a major part in Colin taking this role, besides it being so well written. Privatization was only an example--albeit an excellent one--of how the Thatcher government's policies of allowing unregulated capitalists to run over the little man or anyone in your path. (LisaJH) Which made me think why does Donovan have to be either totally cognizant of what he is doing the entire time...or in a manic/hypomanic state, unaware of his actions and true identity? Why can't it be both/and as opposed to either/or? IOW, why couldn't Donovan be both aware of his past (as Daniel) and still be in a hypomanic state? Gaaah! I really must watch again to check out all the little bits of evidence that I've never noticed before and to see if I can the answer is apparent, with this new perspective. In all the discussions we've previously had about DQ, this have never come up before. It was a \"given\" that Daniel was suffering from some psychiatric disorder, hypomania, a bipolar, etc. Bravo, ladies! Excellent"}, {"response": 779, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jan 18, 2003 (13:51)", "body": "(Karen), Interesting that we seem to be concluding that Daniel might never have been \"mad\" (from whatever cause). As he might have remembered, the Don was a supremely noble being, believing himself to be fighting for just causes on the behalf of underdogs. Daniel strove to be same, \"great madman,\" but he was always cognizant in my mind of who he really was. And in the end, he chose. But why that choice? Did he feel he was protecting Lucy and her family by doing so? Did he do it for them or for himself? (Evelyn) So....are we thinking he does not have a mental illness...that he's playing out a \"fantasy\" as Moon said. Isn't that what Don Quijote did? (Karen), Is that what Don Quixote did? Which coincides with what Lisa said: Which made me think why does Donovan have to be either totally cognizant of what he is doing the entire time...or in a manic/hypomanic state, unaware of his actions and true identity? Why can't it be both/and as opposed to either/or? IOW, why couldn't Donovan be both aware of his past (as Daniel) and still be in a hypomanic state? This seems clearer to me from this discussion."}, {"response": 780, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Jan 18, 2003 (15:29)", "body": "(MoonD) And in the end, he chose. But why that choice? Did he feel he was protecting Lucy and her family by doing so? Did he do it for them or for himself? As we are never made privy to his treatment and therapy IMO we are left to piece together ourselves what may have happend which can only lead IMO to conjecture and individual interpretaion. A really difficult and very individual conclusion to draw. IMO, and lacking any evidence, I think he honestly felt a complete failure as Donovan. He tells Lucy he was sorry he couldn't help her. His plans to overthrow the bus company failed. Sandy was hurt, in his opinion because of him. I honestly feel he thinks Donovan failed. I don't feel this way, but Daniel may have. This may be a reason the transition back to Daniel took place. On the platform he tells Lucy he's sorry for any trouble he caused them. He sees it as a failure. When in reality he didn't fail them at all. Gave them a new and so very needed lease on life. Hardly a failure IMO, but perhaps not enough in Daniels world."}, {"response": 781, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Jan 18, 2003 (16:12)", "body": "(FanPam) I honestly feel he thinks Donovan failed. This may be a reason the transition back to Daniel took place. Maybe it was that Donovan felt his failure gaining on him in his inability to make atonement, he knew his time was limited before his gig was up. The inevitability of his return to Daniel weighs on him. His desperation near the end when he wakes in a sweat and looks at the very little bit of money left and during the last visit to George Mackey where he talks as though he is still in the fight but much of his initial fire is gone as he knows he has lost and will be rejoining the \"machine\" as just another Mackey (lackey). In the end, he is unable to run away from himself or change decisions he has made in the past, especially decisions that have had such dire consequences as Daniel's.His success could be viewed as having been with the family and being the catalyst for their change. He has to avoid being too warm to Lucy on the platform as his fragile facade will come crashing down. Interesting that Lucy kept the name \"Quick & Pannick Tours\"."}, {"response": 782, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 18, 2003 (16:22)", "body": "Hypomania doesn't necessarily entail amensia (which can only result after a brain injury...it is not a condition. But this is fiction, not a documentary and DF can make it what she wants). So we have Daniel, who feels responsible for the death of the union picketer and tries to make amends to the family and by distributing money to the needy.In addition he creates this mythical Donovan, after his literary hero, to act out his fantasy of how the world should be.Since he only knows about buses he decides to go where the action is. But he finds that IRL this doesn't happen, he spends all his money,is caught by the police and returned to his family. Take it away....I ain't going back on that platform...."}, {"response": 783, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 18, 2003 (18:25)", "body": "Geez Louise!!!!! Are we back on the train platform? Surely, there are things about this film that interest you other than the ending? Favorite parts, the relationship of characters, favorite dialogue, the acting??"}, {"response": 784, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sat, Jan 18, 2003 (18:40)", "body": "Favourite character for me (besdies DQ, of course). The mother. Now, I haven't yet viewed this film recently, so bear with me when I try and describe the scenes. Her wanderings in various degrees of undress without the slightlest hint of concern. (Yes, she is affected mentally, and to some great extent that is the catalyst for her actions.) She was classic when she was working the phones. She has found something worthwhile to do and occupy her time, that is actually serving a purpose. It appears that doing something useful helps to pull her back into reality and some sort of a more cognizant way of living. Too funny. Even though the character has reason to be pitied, she offers comic relief to a film that has a lot of dark moments."}, {"response": 785, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 18, 2003 (20:11)", "body": "Thank you. *phew* Donovan actually related his past history to Sandy much earlier. When they take the bus out for the first time, before the \"discovery\" of the flat fare structure, he explains what they are doing: \"We're about to embark on a great mission, Sandy, a great quest. To fight the mighty Windmill. They'll try to defeat us, make no mistake about that, Sandy. They won't care who they hurt because there are no people in their equations, only customers, labor units, which exist just on paper, not in [painful swallow] flesh or blood. They keep the wheels turning. It doesn't matter if there's a man lying in the road in front of those wheels. A man of flesh and blood. [big pause] We need to stop the wheels, Sandy.\" There's passion in his words and delivery, and Colin even gives the appearance that he's visualizing Sapas' death while doing so. Wheels turning? A typical symbol of industrial progress. He really spits out that line. Progress has gone too far."}, {"response": 786, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sat, Jan 18, 2003 (20:28)", "body": "Thank you, *whew*, too. I find there is almost too much double meaning in this film and am trying desparately to keep my head above water."}, {"response": 787, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Jan 19, 2003 (00:51)", "body": "I tried viewing this film with \"my head\" having read all these brilliant observations, and I had a very hard time determining which observation fitted in every situation. As a result I got most confused, and thought I missed out on the soul of the movie. I then saw it again whit \"my heart\", putting the observations into the very back of my head. I found out, that a lot of the things I had diffilculty making fit together or make sense suddenly all just seemed to co-work and make the movie a \"whole\" again. This is probably the silliest comment on the movie and is not to take anything away of the many great observations made by everybody. Just to try to explain - very unarticularly - what made the movie work for me."}, {"response": 788, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan 19, 2003 (09:53)", "body": "(Karen), Geez Louise!!!!! Are we back on the train platform? LOL! Platform 4. ;-) The ending is so important! But so is the very beginning. And, there are ways they can be compared."}, {"response": 789, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Jan 19, 2003 (14:53)", "body": "(Annette)I found out, that a lot of the things I had diffilculty making fit together or make sense suddenly all just seemed to co-work and make the movie a \"whole\" again. I think you are right - this is the way to watch this film. Like Karen said, it is also a parable so every definition is not going to fit just right. It's an illustration of a moral lesson or truth, and imho it is a much better one than 'Pay it Forward.'"}, {"response": 790, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 19, 2003 (16:21)", "body": "(Lisa) The mother...Her wanderings in various degrees of undress without the slightlest hint of concern. Liz Smith is indeed brilliant here. I believe my favorite little bit is after the bus has been vandalized and Jim is repairing it. Gran is sitting in the driver's seat, in her ubiquitous slip, with a hat on, naturally, and Jim is telling her to start it up. As an aside, at one of my screenings, DonnaF was asked about Liz Smith, as she wouldn't be that well-known to an American audience. DF said she is an institution in British film and when they explained she would have to play the role mainly in her underwear, she responded, \"I wouldn't have it any other way.\" Then, they said she would be playing someone with a form of dementia, and she responded, \"oh, then I won't have to do any acting.\" (Annette) I then saw it again whit \"my heart\", putting the observations into the very back of my head. I found out, that a lot of the things I had diffilculty making fit together or make sense suddenly all just seemed to co-work and make the movie a \"whole\" again. Interesting approach, although I'm not quite sure how you do this? ;-) Anyway, I had another thought on your \"body language\" observation. It isn't off the mark at all and is consistent with the acting techniques that Colin uses. His drama school emphasizes creating a total package of a character, including physical movement. He may very well have developed a completely different carriage and posture for Daniel, but he just doesn't move enough to show it to me. My loss. I've been doing a little reading and it appears that the question \"Is Don Quixote Mad or Acting\" is right up there alongside Hamlet's Madness, which makes the answer it crystal clear to me, as I've never believed Hamlet was mad. So that fact that we're going back and forth on this is quite normal. For all those who take enjoy the \"macaroni cheese bit\" and his initial reaction to Chez Pannick, it too has its basis in the novel. In Chapter II, the Don sets out on his first quest and arrives at an inn, which he views as a great a castle. He is served a meager dinner of salt fish and moldy bread that he turns into a delicious repast of delicate trout and excellent bread. He is waited on by prostitutes, who he addresses as great ladies. Just as we find Donovan's responses humorous, so they were in the original book."}, {"response": 791, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Jan 19, 2003 (16:31)", "body": "And, Caribou, glad to have coaxed you into the discussion. You've done it again with the name game! DON O VAN - it's brilliant. Has anyone noticed the picturesque backgrounds of this seaside town and the way Donovan and Sandy are shown together walking, arm around the other, from the side or back? They greatly resemble the literary figures they are portraying especially in their difference in size."}, {"response": 792, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sun, Jan 19, 2003 (19:54)", "body": "I haven't joined in the discussion yet, as I haven't seen the movie multiple times, and didn't feel I had much to add. I did want to comment on a few posts, however. Sorry to be so late getting around to this. (Karen) As you mentioned about the glove, that is the proverbial \"throwing down the gauntlet,\" the chivalric challenge. I find it amusing that Mackie didn't have a clue as to what that meant. (Lora) But Mackie is more a part of Daniel's world of making the wheels turn which leaves no room for chivalry. (Karen)But who hasn't heard the expression \"throwing down the gauntlet\"? Maybe if Donovan had slapped Mackie's face with the gloves, a direct challenge for a duel, then he might have better understood the action. IMO Mackie knew exactly what Donovan was doing. He was merely adding to the insult by pretending not to, and by adding \"now, I won't make you throw in your gloves as well.\" On one of the major points of this discussion thus far, I agree totally with those who think Donovan knew he was really Daniel all along. His responses whenever Mackie seemed to recognize him, his explanation after the beating when he told Lucy about Daniel... he may have had some sort of a breakdown, but I think he knew who he was and had merely adopted another persona in an attempt to change things and himself. And although he may have felt like he failed in his quest, in the end he obviously helped the Pannick family break out of the prison of their existence. Favorite lines? I had lots of them, some of which have already been mentioned. Here are a couple that haven't been mentioned yet (unless I missed them): Clive: \"You need to have it here (flexes muscles) and you need to have it here (grabs crotch).\" Lucy: \"You need to have an erection?\" Clive: \"Balls, testically as the Norwegians say.\" Lucy: \"People are calling the house to get bus information, and my brother looks like a refugee from 'Sgt. Pepper'.\" IMO the entire cast was amazing! Besides CF and KM, I was especially impressed by David Brown and David O'Hara. I adored Liz Smith! (Karen) You all do know that David Brown, who played Sandy, is learning impaired himself, don't you? I didn't know that, and it makes his performance all the more amazing! (Karen) As an aside, at one of my screenings, DonnaF was asked about Liz Smith, as she wouldn't be that well-known to an American audience. DF said she is an institution in British film and when they explained she would have to play the role mainly in her underwear, she responded, \"I wouldn't have it any other way.\" Then, they said she would be playing someone with a form of dementia, and she responded, \"oh, then I won't have to do any acting.\" What wonderful quotes!"}, {"response": 793, "author": "Leah", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (06:00)", "body": "I watched DQ again and my favourite set of scenes is when Donovan and Sandy are playing with the train set. Sandy was playing on his own, a coach is derailed and Donovan is quick to fix it - after that, Sandy has to take a back seat and watch Donovan playing with the train. Even my husband had to agree that this it what usually happens when our son tries to play with his train set - daddy just takes over! (And I can just imagine Colin playing with his sons)"}, {"response": 794, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (11:30)", "body": "(Kathy F)but I think he knew who he was and had merely adopted another persona in an attempt to change things and himself. Agree. An attempt to make -up for his perception of an evil deed. And actually , if he had been charged with actually having caused the death of the picketer he would have been arrested and not sent to a mental health institution. (Leah) I watched DQ again and my favourite set of scenes is when Donovan and Sandy are playing with the train set. Wonderful close-up of Colin's hands....those aristocratic fingers. (sorry, I'm a \"hands and feet' person:-)) My favorite character, besides YKW , is Lucy. What facial expressions.Every emotion is seen vividly on her face. If Donovan is the messenger, she is realism personified not just to Donovan, but to Clive, Sandy,Jim,Gran. Saddest moment to me: when she explains to Donovan why she lets the guys shag her.A pathetic person who yearns for affection; Wonder if Dulcinea did this too."}, {"response": 795, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (11:47)", "body": "(Evelyn) Saddest moment to me: when she explains to Donovan why she lets the guys shag her.A pathetic person who yearns for affection I agree. As amusing as I find the refrigerator/salami analogy, the rest of the scene just tears me up. She knows men are using her but she is so lonely, and her life if so empty. Even though she sees Clive for the bastard/loser he is, she'd rather be with him than alone. So tragic!"}, {"response": 796, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (11:59)", "body": "(Evelyn) My favorite character, besides YKW , is Lucy. What facial expressions.Every emotion is seen vividly on her face. She is great! And as chaotic and desperate as her life is, there are the moments that her humanity shines through above it all. She has'nt known or experienced that much happiness, but she has affection for her brother and Gran, she buys him the Mars Bar knowing itt will make him happy and offers to make him a pizza to brighten his day. She keeps that whole family together but is unable to show herself the same kindness but showing Clive the door alot sooner. Her character can really tear you up... The only thing odd (out of place) in the whole movie to me is the nod to the movie Speed when the Q & P bus is trying to outrun the P & Q bus and the passenger says something like \" Will the bus blow up if we go below 50?\" IMHO It somehow does'nt fit in with the purity of the rest of the film....."}, {"response": 797, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (16:33)", "body": "(Karen)It isn't off the mark at all and is consistent with the acting techniques that Colin uses. His drama school emphasizes creating a total package of a character, including physical movement. I remembered this interview, given around the TIOBE release, which I think explains the \"body-acting\" part very well: Colin Firth on Paul Scofield: Um- it's not in anything one might in the crudest sense call acting. It's just there in his eyes. It's there in his voice. It's there in his stillness. And I think that was the thing that I - most wanted to pursue. (Evelyn)Wonderful close-up of Colin's hands....those aristocratic fingers. Oh yes, no need to analyze this - just pure enjoyment! (Karen)...with a hat on, naturally LOL I think this was a nice touch as well."}, {"response": 798, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (18:05)", "body": "D"}, {"response": 799, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (18:07)", "body": "A copy of DQ (I assume taped from TV) has just sold on Ebay for $39.99. Pretty steep, don't you think?"}, {"response": 800, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (18:30)", "body": "It is. Karen, there's a business there. ;-)"}, {"response": 801, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (18:43)", "body": "(Lora) Has anyone noticed the picturesque backgrounds of this seaside town Since this was mentioned, Janet, do you recognize any of the locations used in the film? (KathyF) Mackie knew exactly what Donovan was doing. He was merely adding to the insult by pretending not to, and by adding \"now, I won't make you throw in your gloves as well.\" How does \"pretending not to\" add to the insult? I don't understand (and I'm not pretending not to). However, I must go back and look at Mackie's face. To me, he looked perplexed, like he didn't understand. Then, later, when Mackie is talking to Clive, he says that he's a self-made man, which I took as someone who had worked his way up in the company and may not have had some posh university degree or exposure to the remnants of a long-gone era. Taken another way, with Mackie representing an unfeeling government bureaucrat, you wouldn't expect any knowledge of chivalry. (KathyF) Lucy: \"You need to have an erection?\" Love that one as well. Between that and \"experience and bollocks,\" she is a marvel with words. ;-) How about \"You work for Shell Oil, not the CIA.\" The dialogue in this film is so sharp and intelligent. (Evelyn) Wonderful close-up of Colin's hands....those aristocratic fingers. They are distracting, those long, slender.... (Evelyn) My favorite character, besides YKW , is Lucy. What facial expressions...If Donovan is the messenger, she is realism personified not just to Donovan, but to Clive, Sandy, Jim, Gran. Even though the Pannicks are portrayed as a dysfunctional family, there's a great deal that is, in fact, very realistic. Lucy is highly protective toward both Sandy and Gran. When she's angry or frustrated, she may be quick to point out their limitations (\"don't you think you should finish making the rocket from the squeezy bottle?\") or complain about her burdens, but she won't countenance anybody else, like Clive, calling her brother a moron or laughing at him. Within the family, it's alright but no one else would have that right. You see it in numerous scenes. But my favorite has to be when she comes home from the bar and trips over the \"loose paving stone.\" This is a great scene for several reasons. First off, Lucy makes the transition from a cynic to a more neutral player. As Donovan is starting to examine her foot, she asks, \"Are you some kind of pervert?\" She can't imagine that anyone would be concerned over her welfare. She imagines everyone has ulterior motives. This now starts to change. Second, her speech about potentially hurting her brother demonstrates to us and to Donovan the qualities she holds inside--the \"inner beauty\" that Donovan sees and remarks upon, which stun Lucy to the core. She starts off by laying into Donovan: \"If I find you've taken my brother for a sucker, I'll personally rip your face off.\" This may be a stretch, but at the bar, we hear this refrain from \"I Will Survive\": Oh no not I! I will survive! Oh, as long as I know how to love, I know I'll stay alive. I've got all my life to live, And I've got all my love to give, I'll survive, I will survive! She does \"know how to love\" deep inside and Donovan sees that, leading to the \"You are...you are quite beautiful' line, which she is, deep inside. Sorry for the ramblings, but you know me and lyrics. ;-) (Evelyn) A pathetic person who yearns for affection; Wonder if Dulcinea did this too. Hold on. Hold on. I'm researching this. (Maria) The only thing odd (out of place) in the whole movie to me is the nod to the movie Speed I love that bit. Thought it was a riot or call it a homage. ;-)"}, {"response": 802, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (19:11)", "body": "One of my favorite lines after Donovan returns his dishes after eating the mac and cheese, offers to wash up and then kisses Lucy's hand, Clive says, \"If that guy's not on drugs he should be.\" Just found it amusing."}, {"response": 803, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (19:17)", "body": "(Karen)Janet, do you recognize any of the locations used in the film? The locations used are along the coast on the Firth of Clyde (the river that runs from Glasgow, widening towards the west coast and the sea). This is a particularly scenic drive westward towards Greenock. Some of the filming looks to have been done in a small town called Bowling. BTW, although the Pannick family are depicted as being fairly poor, the house they live in is by no means typical of working class housing (usually rented from the local council). I believe they own they're house? - quite unusual in the circumstances."}, {"response": 804, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (19:19)", "body": "Yikes! My grammar fails me! Should have read 'their house'!"}, {"response": 805, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (19:25)", "body": "(Karen)the \"inner beauty\" that Donovan sees and remarks upon, which stun Lucy to the core I just watched DQ again, last night. I was really struck by this scene and took notes on it. I love the facial expressions on both Lucy and Donovan when she is going up to bed, walking out of the room, and Donovan says very slowly and distinctly \"You-are-quite-beautiful\" Yes, Lucy is shocked, but Colin's facial expression makes me melt. Sorry. I tried to work that in with something really deep to say, but that's the best I could do. I also looked for more Donovan knowing he his Daniel, moments or vice versa. At the very beginning, when Daniel is listening to the radio show, he is pacing and very agitated while Mackie is speaking. I took this to mean that he is Daniel and growing more frustrated with the company rhetoric that Mackie is spinning, the very belly of the beast that he was trying to escape or fix. Also, do we have any idea of a time frame? The flashback moments at the beginning seem to be in a room...possibly a hotel or bedroom. Then in other flasbacks, when Daniel has the suitcase with money it looks as though he is in a very nice house, which I assume was his. When was he sectioned? Did he walk out of his own free will, or did he slip away unnoticed? Obviously they were trying to locate him because of the police taking him away. More favorite lines: Lucy: If you go out wearing that you'll be the laughing stock of the neighborhood. Sandy: I already am. Love it when Sandy calls the newsstand guy a whenker(sp?)"}, {"response": 806, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (19:33)", "body": "(Lindak)Love it when Sandy calls the newsstand guy a whenker(sp?) - wanker I guess you'll all know the meaning(BJD)!"}, {"response": 807, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (20:28)", "body": "(Karen) How does \"pretending not to\" add to the insult? I don't understand (and I'm not pretending not to). However, I must go back and look at Mackie's face. To me, he looked perplexed, like he didn't understand. Then, later, when Mackie is talking to Clive, he says that he's a self-made man, which I took as someone who had worked his way up in the company and may not have had some posh university degree or exposure to the remnants of a long-gone era. Taken another way, with Mackie representing an unfeeling government bureaucrat, you wouldn't expect any knowledge of chivalry. I drew my conclusion from the fact that right before that Mackie had said he'd give Donovan 10,000 pounds for the bus and the ticket machine. Then when D. threw down one glove, M. handed it back and said \"gloves\" even though D. was still holding the other glove in his left hand. So my take on it is that M. was insulting D. further by appearing to take his challenge lightly, and refusing the gloves as part of the deal was his way of pretending that D. was actually going to take him up on the offer. (Sorry that's so incoherent, but I can't think of a better way to put it.) Of course, this is simply my opinion, and unfortunately I've only seen the film a couple of times. (Pam) One of my favorite lines after Donovan returns his dishes after eating the mac and cheese, offers to wash up and then kisses Lucy's hand, Clive says, \"If that guy's not on drugs he should be.\" Just found it amusing. So did I. In fact, it was in my notes of favorites. (Lindak) Lucy: If you go out wearing that you'll be the laughing stock of the neighborhood. Sandy: I already am. Another favorite. Sandy's reply is great because it shows a quality that is fairly typical of many learning disabled people. They are often amazingly astute."}, {"response": 808, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (21:25)", "body": "(Evelyn)Wonder if Dulcinea did this too. I see you're researching, Karen, but since I grew up listening to the \"Man of La Mancha\" record, I remember the song Dulcinea sings on the album and I think she is a lot like Lucy in terms of how and where she seeks comfort. Here are some of the words to her song: One pair of arms is like another, It's all the same. I go with you or with your brother, It's all the same It's all the same! (Maria)is the nod to the movie Speed when the Q & P bus is trying to outrun the P & Q bus and the passenger says something like \" Will the bus blow up if we go below 50?\" IMHO It somehow does'nt fit in with the purity of the rest of the film..... I'm so glad you mentioned this because this is one of the scenes where I just could not make out what the man was saying. Thanks for clearing it up. Ah, now I get it!!! Another man on the bus (during the ride where the people now know which bus -Q&P- to ride on) says something like he and his wife are going on vacation, but they're not going to the Netherlands because they don't want to see any Windmills! (heehee, very funny) (Karen)he says that he's a self-made man, which I took as someone who had worked his way up in the company and may not have had some posh university degree You know this was the line that threw me off about Mackie. The first couple of times I saw this scene, I did think Mackie was insulting Clive, but then this line made me think that maybe something else was happening here. Mackie was giving Clive the one thing he needed, a job. Clive was always dwelling on his past, but never loooking to the future. But he would never have taken such a low level job. But it was a job that was offered to him. Perhaps he could have worked his way up too if he had had any strength of character. But, no, he didn't have that. Sandy actually had 100% more character than Clive did! I also love the way Clive and Mackie discuss that he is a \"saturation diver.\" Clive tries to make it sound so important but really it illustrates what a \"low, bottom feeder\" he is. (Karen & Linda)\"You are...you are quite beautiful' line, which she is, deep inside. I love this scene so much too! Especially the way Colin says it to her so slowly and doesn't get to the \"you are quite beautiful\" part right away and she thinks he is about to say, \"You know what you are...you are...\" and she thinks he's about to say \"whore.\" She's very touched by what he says instead. :) Janet, thanks for explaining some of the locations used for the film. I also thought their house was very nice from the outside and that their location right on the water was probably not likely given their money problems. Although Lucy's mom had left it to her and Sandy. Could she have been in a better station of life back then? Are homes passed on to the children?"}, {"response": 809, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (00:45)", "body": "(Karen) You all do know that David Brown, who played Sandy, is learning impaired himself, don't you? (KathyF) I didn't know that, and it makes his performance all the more amazing! Sorry I haven't had much to contribute to the discussion. Haven't really seen the movie in several years. Haven't had time to see it now. But it reminded me that I had put up a page on an article in the Observer about Colin and David that came out just before DQ was shown (*finally*!) in the UK. You can find it at: http://www.geocities.com/kgjart/CFwDBrwn.html"}, {"response": 810, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (04:54)", "body": "Thanks very much for the link! The article was very interesting and especially timely for the film discussion!"}, {"response": 811, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (06:46)", "body": "(Lindak)Donovan says very slowly and distinctly \"You-are-quite-beautiful\" Yes, Lucy is shocked, but Colin's facial expression makes me melt. I always thought his face takes on an \"otherwordly\" almost angelic look in this scene... (Lora) I also love the way Clive and Mackie discuss that he is a \"saturation diver.\" Clive tries to make it sound so important but really it illustrates what a \"low, bottom feeder\" he is. Excellent point! (Lora) Especially the way Colin says it to her so slowly and doesn't get to the \"you are quite beautiful\" part right away and she thinks he is about to say, \"You know what you are...you are...\" and she thinks he's about to say \"whore.\" By the way she starts performing sobriety test actions, I thought the line here was \"drunk\".."}, {"response": 812, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (08:49)", "body": "Closing tags Karen)he says that he's a self-made man, which I took as someone who had worked his way up in the company and may not have had some posh university degree (Lora)You know this was the line that threw me off about Mackie. The first couple of times I saw this scene, I did think Mackie was insulting Clive, but then this line made me think that maybe something else was happening here... I think there is and we're not cracking it. DF put that clue in for a reason. I still think he is representative of someone else like Mrs. Gorman.Not just a prototype of a corporate manager of a local bus depot."}, {"response": 813, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (09:22)", "body": "Thanks KJ. I like how the article said Mrs Gorman was an Ann Gloag lookalike. I've only seen pics of the brother. How fun! Of course, Donna Franceschild would never say \"on the record\" that the story was based on any real-life characters or company due to libel laws, but she would laugh while saying it. ;-)"}, {"response": 814, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (10:39)", "body": "I believe they own they're house? Maybe I misunderstood something, but I thought somewhere at the beginning there was a scene when Lucy told her landlord :\" You'll get your money\". But maybe I got it all wrong."}, {"response": 815, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (10:47)", "body": "Maybe she had darker hair before? http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/people/famousfirst527.html But I wonder if the info on the brother might provide some insight in the character of Mackie: http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/people/famousfirst506.html \"Born in Perth, Souter took a diploma in Commerce at Dundee College of Technology. In 1980, he established the Stagecoach bus company in Perth with his sister, Ann Gloag (b.1942), using their father's \ufffd25,000 redundancy payment.\" For the Americans on this board, a redundancy payment is severance for being laid off. So, they came from modest origins and were self-made people. She only graduated from high school. His college is now known as the University of Abertay Dundee; seems more vocational."}, {"response": 816, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (14:30)", "body": "Thank you Janet for the location information. Good to know."}, {"response": 817, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (15:09)", "body": "(Maria)By the way she starts performing sobriety test actions, I thought the line here was \"drunk\".. You are so right! I just rewatched that part, and I saw I had totally missed the putting her finger on her nose and walk a straight line (not walk the streets) part. And everyone who metioned it before, yes, CF's face is totally angelic when he tells Lucy she's beautiful. Love the way he gives her that one slow closure and opening of his eyelids. Donovan Quick is a-ngelic (not a lunatic)!"}, {"response": 818, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (16:23)", "body": "The Mirror:\" Top Shakespearian actor Colin Firth..\" Whoa...there's a guy who didn't have tickets for Hamlet..... Thanks for the article, KJ. I've never read that one. OK...correction. Mrs. Gorman is Ann Gloag, not Margaret Thatcher!!(We were close!) Windmill IRL is Stagecoach Motor Transport Co. (Karen) But I wonder if the info on the brother might provide some insight in the character of Mackie: For sure. Oh goodie...we're unravelling the mystery. LOL. Also a reason BBC shelved it. But surely they would have known the plot when they approved the film."}, {"response": 819, "author": "caribou", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (17:58)", "body": "(KathyF)She knows men are using her but she is so lonely, and her life if so empty. Even though she sees Clive for the bastard/loser he is, she'd rather be with him than alone. So tragic! So, maybe for Lucy it was enough to just say, \" C !a live man\""}, {"response": 820, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (18:59)", "body": "(Lora)The first couple of times I saw this scene, I did think Mackie was insulting Clive, but then this line made me think that maybe something else was happening here... I still think Mackie was insulting Clive. I think the offer of washing busses after the discussion that Clive was a saturation diver and worked around water, was, IMO, a total put down. Mackie also tells Clive that he doesn't conduct business in car parks...further putting Clive in his place...in Mackie's mind, well below his own."}, {"response": 821, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (19:15)", "body": "(Lora)Are homes passed on to the children? Obviously, if the house was privately owned, the children would have inherited it. And if it was rented from the local council, any adult children, living in the house at the time of the parents' death, would take over the tenancy. So either way, they would keep the house."}, {"response": 822, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (03:56)", "body": "I would have thought the name Lucy was just the closest \"soundalike\" they dared to come up with for Dulcinea. Short of calling her \"Dulcie\"."}, {"response": 823, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (14:42)", "body": "A few more scenes where I think Daniel is overshadowing the Donovan character: All of these deal with Windmill beginning to fight for the Q&P bus route. 1. \"This is all so predictable\"...\"They put another bus on the line, standard proceedure\" (Daniel realizing that Windmill has put buses in front and behind the Quick and Pannick bus. And during the family meeting where Gran, Sandy, and Jim vote not to take the money but to stay and fight... 2.\"This is what they did in the East Midlands when they took over the Suburban Route Network...In South Hampton where they drove the Council buses off the road, and in Sussex where you won't see a bus without a Windmill logo from Brighton to London.\" All of this was probably public knowledge at some point, but the way in which the lines are delivered, IMO it's all Daniel. He speaks with an intimate knowledge of all of the Windmill tactics...he had been there, been a part of it."}, {"response": 824, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (15:10)", "body": "(Linda) Donovan says very slowly and distinctly \"You-are-quite-beautiful\" Yes, Lucy is shocked, but Colin's facial expression makes me melt. Sorry. I tried to work that in with something really deep to say, but that's the best I could do. No need to apologize; Colin's acting is a cornerstone of these discussions. His facial expressions are always so subtle. You can tell he's seeing her soul at this point and that's what he's referring to. Colin is so good with conveying deeper emotions with few words. (Linda) Also, do we have any idea of a time frame? The flashback moments at the beginning seem to be in a room...possibly a hotel or bedroom. Then in other flasbacks, when Daniel has the suitcase with money it looks as though he is in a very nice house, which I assume was his. When was he sectioned? Did he walk out of his own free will, or did he slip away unnoticed? Obviously they were trying to locate him because of the police taking him away. We're not given a whole of information, except for what Donovan tells Lucy after he's been beaten up by Clive. He was still a free man when he was trying to \"buy\" atonement either from Mrs Sapas or by giving away money to the needy. Therefore, looking into the attache case with money would've been at home, I would imagine. However, listening to the radio, could've been at the facility just prior to going AWOL, which is why the police could drag him back. (Kathy) Sandy's reply is great because it shows a quality that is fairly typical of many learning disabled people. They are often amazingly astute. At the very beginning, when the lodger walks out, Sandy asks Lucy to confirm that pinching things is wrong. Sandy knows his limits, but he's far from a moron. He understands right from wrong better than most. (Lora) I remember the song Dulcinea sings on the album and I think she is a lot like Lucy in terms of how and where she seeks comfort. I don't think there is anything in the novel to support this. There is no real Dulcinea; she is merely an ideal. When they have to put a face on her, Sancho points out some plain peasant girl, who the Don rationalizes has fallen under some necromancer's spell. However, I can't find anything about her love life. (Lora) he is a \"saturation diver.\"...\"low, bottom feeder\" he is. Good one! (Nita) but I thought somewhere at the beginning there was a scene when Lucy told her landlord :\" You'll get your money\". I expect you must mean when Donovan first shows up to see about the room Lucy initially mistakes him for someone sent to collect on money she owes. I can't make out everything she says (cue: Janet), but it isn't for rent to a landlord. Could be her bar tab? (Evelyn) Whoa...there's a guy who didn't have tickets for Hamlet..... *snort* (Evelyn) OK...correction. Mrs. Gorman is Ann Gloag, not Margaret Thatcher!!(We were close!) But in reality, they represent the same thing. (Karen) But I wonder if the info on the brother might provide some insight in the character of Mackie (Evelyn) For sure. But they're not one and the same. Mackie isn't the brother, although he may have background in common. Mackie bothers me for many reasons. Wish we could see his title on his office door. On the radio program, he is identified as a \"regional executive.\" We know Daniel's position in the company and I'm wondering where he stands relative to Mackie, who goes to meetings with Mrs Gorman as well. From my experience, if there were an incident involving a stopped train, the police wouldn't haul them into the offices of a top exec. Someone far lower down on the food chain would handle that. (Mark) I would have thought the name Lucy was just the closest \"soundalike\" they dared to come up with for Dulcinea. Short of calling her \"Dulcie\". Precisely. Going back to the \"park the salami\" scene, anybody remember exactly how they felt when they saw Lucy moving toward Donovan for a kiss? ;-)"}, {"response": 825, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (15:34)", "body": "(Nita) but I thought somewhere at the beginning there was a scene when Lucy told her landlord :\" You'll get your money\". (Karen)I expect you must mean when Donovan first shows up to see about the room Lucy initially mistakes him for someone sent to collect on money she owes. I can't make out everything she says (cue: Janet), but it isn't for rent to a landlord. Could be her bar tab? Just to clearify. The comment of the landlord is made in the shop, when Sandy asks for a Marsbar, and Lucy say \"we haven't gotten any money .....\" (Karen)Going back to the \"park the salami\" scene, anybody remember exactly how they felt when they saw Lucy moving toward Donovan for a kiss? ;-) I allways feel jealous af anyone close enough to move for a kiss - but I will have to rewatch this particular scene to give a proper answer. Having rewatched most of the movie again, I think I have come to the conclusion, that Daniel/Donovan isn't mad at all. As someone said earlier (Dorine?) perhaps he (Daniel) is just so very struck with guilt, that he takes on the identity of Donovan to make up for prior mistakes. (Linda)All of this was probably public knowledge at some point, but the way in which the lines are delivered, IMO it's all Daniel. He speaks with an intimate knowledge of all of the Windmill tactics...he had been there, been a part of it. An excellent example of Daniel having disguised as Donovan. Another little observation/suggestion. The trainset developes from very lousy, going off track, to smootly driven with all the sorroundings to make the perfect picture (even the people, Sandy make kiss eachother). Could this be a parallel to the Pannick family, slowly finding their way back on the tracks? ( I know I promised not to make apologies for my lousy english, but I really find it hard to express so complex observations/feelings as in this discussion. Nothing like drooling - I am never speechless in that direction ;-)"}, {"response": 826, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (15:56)", "body": "(Karen)Going back to the \"park the salami\" scene, anybody remember exactly how they felt when they saw Lucy moving toward Donovan for a kiss? ;-) Uh, would queasy be the right anwswer? I definitely enjoy his compassion and care of Lucy but can't list it as one of my top 10 erotic ODB moments in film...."}, {"response": 827, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (16:05)", "body": "Very good points about Daniel vs Donovan, Linda. (Linda) Donovan says very slowly and distinctly \"You-are-quite-beautiful\" Yes, Lucy is shocked, That is definitely a Donovan moment. ;-) And, going back to Karen's fav. scene: the ending. It's great to see Daniel at the train station. Bet he'll never ride a bus again. ;-))))"}, {"response": 828, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (16:23)", "body": "(Karen)Going back to the \"park the salami\" scene, anybody remember exactly how they felt when they saw Lucy moving toward Donovan for a kiss? ;-) (MariaT)Uh, would queasy be the right anwswer? I definitely enjoy his compassion and care of Lucy but can't list it as one of my top 10 erotic ODB moments in film.... I said out loud, \"Oh no, please, not that.\" :) No doubt, it was a knee-jerk reaction to Colin Firth kissing her more so than the character. However, DQ kissing Lucy also gave my stomach the flip-flops. Has the question been posed about how viewers felt about them waking in the morning? Wanting to discover just 'what else' had occured between them? What did it say for them to have done nothing more physical than exchange a kiss and lay next to each other? What would it have portrayed for them to have made love? (I haven't forgetten this have I? It stands out squarely in my mind that nothing else happened.) (Annette)Having rewatched most of the movie again, I think I have come to the conclusion, that Daniel/Donovan isn't mad at all. I would tend to be swayed by this. I think he is aware of the struggle he had with the madness overtook him, but for some reason I feel that, at this point, he is able to reflect back on it, more than letting it control him. And yet, there is so much discussion about 'seeing' the one personality vs. the other in Colin's acting. Maybe it is on a conscious level that he takes on one frame of mind vs. the other. (markG)....Lucy.... Very good catch. Not having read the book, these things would pass me right by. Are there more?"}, {"response": 829, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (17:28)", "body": "(Karen)Going back to the \"park the salami\" scene, anybody remember exactly how they felt when they saw Lucy moving toward Donovan for a kiss? ;-) I have to give a second answer to this, having watched the scene again. Karen, I noticed the winkie so perhaps this isn't what you asked for but, my immidiate feelings were Donovan feeling totally powerless and wanting to comfort Lucy. Nothing erotic at all. In Lucy I just see total despair and the need to be comforted. (Lisa)What did it say for them to have done nothing more physical than exchange a kiss and lay next to each other? What would it have portrayed for them to have made love? (I haven't forgetten this have I? It stands out squarely in my mind that nothing else happened.) That was my impression as well, also \"in thread\" with the interpretation of the post-\"park his salami\"-scene. I don't find it likely, that they would lie that way having made love and then put their clothes back on and just keep laying on top of the bed until next morning. To me the key-words are two people comforting each other. Then again, we all know what can happen. An embrase can lead to so much more..........."}, {"response": 830, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (18:04)", "body": "(Karen)Going back to the \"park the salami\" scene, anybody remember exactly how they felt when they saw Lucy moving toward Donovan for a kiss? ;-) Actually, I was repulsed at first, because she had just tossed her cookies. However, it doesn't bother me that much anymore. I think the more I watch it, the more I accept and admire the change in Lucy, and for a while, the change in Daniel. (Lora)It stands out squarely in my mind that nothing else happened.) I agree, and the fact that both were still fully dressed in the same clothes-helps me put the kiss in the proper perspective, as well. We know Daniel's position in the company"}, {"response": 831, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (18:08)", "body": "(Karen)We know Daniel's position in the company Sorry for leaving that out there in my last post. What was his position? I know it had to be several wrungs above Mackie, but do we know just how far removed he was from Mrs. G? I have paused the VCR several times on the computer screen after Mackie types in Daniel Quinn. But I can't read what is on the screen."}, {"response": 832, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (00:49)", "body": "(Lisa) Has the question been posed about how viewers felt about them waking in the morning? Wanting to discover just 'what else' had occured between them? What did it say for them to have done nothing more physical than exchange a kiss and lay next to each other? What would it have portrayed for them to have made love? (I haven't forgetten this have I? It stands out squarely in my mind that nothing else happened.) I agree. I don't think anything physical happend. He was beaten pretty badly and probably in alot of pain. I think comforting holding was all that was done."}, {"response": 833, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (11:14)", "body": "(Karen)I can't make out everything she says Lucy's comment when she first meets Donovan: Well, if you're working for Murdo, you can tell him to piss off, I huvnae(haven't) got the money this week. I've tried stripping down at the Central(local bar?), but the guys kept shouting \"Put them on!\" ( Lisa) Has the question been posed about how viewers felt about them waking in the morning? I thought I noticed several buttons undone on her blouse as she ran to the door when the police arrived. I agree though, I don't think they went as far as making love."}, {"response": 834, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (13:40)", "body": "(Nita) but I thought somewhere at the beginning there was a scene when Lucy told her landlord: \"You'll get your money\". (Annette) The comment of the landlord is made in the shop, when Sandy asks for a Marsbar, and Lucy say \"we haven't gotten any money .....\" I listened again and she only mentions not being able to pay utility bills (electric, gas). (Annette) The trainset developes from very lousy, going off track, to smootly driven with all the sorroundings to make the perfect picture...Could this be a parallel to the Pannick family, slowly finding their way back on the tracks? A very nice metaphor you've picked up on. (BTW, your English is easily understandable; no need for apologies; I'm thrilled you're making the effort to participate in something not in your native language.) (Maria) Uh, would queasy be the right answer?...can't list it as one of my top 10 erotic ODB moments in film Understatement of the year! I know I jerked back much quicker than Donovan on my first viewing. ;-) As far as the bed scene, there wouldn't have been anymore than some kissing, cuddling and holding. Practically speaking, they did have their clothes still on, the bed didn't look all that rumpled but more importantly, Donovan would've wanted to show Lucy that she didn't need to let someone shag her just to be held or touched. Now, what about that kiss? Too bad it was so dark but it didn't look like his \"chicken peck\" variety. What does this have to say about the character's motivations or was it all Lucy? (Annette) I have come to the conclusion, that Daniel/Donovan isn't mad at all. (Lisa) I think he is aware of the struggle he had with the madness overtook him, but for some reason I feel that, at this point, he is able to reflect back on it, more than letting it control him...Maybe it is on a conscious level that he takes on one frame of mind vs. the other. He may not be mad, but he does take leave of reality at times. Daniel would never have said to Mackie the bit about trying to privitize the railways, only to be corrected that it had happened. Bwwwah, I really want an org chart of Windmill. None of the relationships makes sense from my experience. As Dorine noted, there was a sign in Port Clyde that it was \"home to Windmill Transport,\" but at Mackie's office, the sign said Scottish Headquarters. From the meeting, he is in charge of all of Scotland region and his assistant (or next in command) attends a high-level management meeting with Mrs Gorman. If Windmill were HQ'd in the Glasgow area and Quick & Pannick were generating enough interest to be in the newspapers and on Good Morning Scotland, then you'd think a picture of Donovan would be recognized if he were at the same or a higher level within the company, even if his territory was the Home Counties. I've tried stripping down at the Central (local bar?), but the guys kept shouting \"Put them on!\" Thanks for the translation, Janet. It was funnier than I had expected."}, {"response": 835, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (14:22)", "body": "(Karen) Now, what about that kiss? Too bad it was so dark but it didn't look like his \"chicken peck\" variety. My notes said \"snog not too shabby\"... When Lucy first gets Donovan on the bed and is resting her hand on his, I marveled at how tiny it looked against his! (Karen) What does this have to say about the character's motivations or was it all Lucy? Annette's comments from above answered this for me, \"my immediate feelings were Donovan feeling totally powerless and wanting to comfort Lucy. Nothing erotic at all. In Lucy I just see total despair and the need to be comforted.\" I think he knew his Donovan days were numbered at this point.."}, {"response": 836, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (15:18)", "body": "Maybe it wasn't stated as clearly as it should... What does this have to say about the character's motivations or was it all Lucy? Looks to me like Colin is able to give a screen kiss that packs a bit more punch than his customary chicken pecks, but maybe it depends on the character he's portraying and the character's motivations. Or maybe it was just Lucy initiating a little tonsil hockey? ;-)"}, {"response": 837, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (18:22)", "body": "(Karen)Or maybe it was just Lucy initiating a little tonsil hockey? ;-) - Or maybe Katy Murphy was just enjoying her work!!"}, {"response": 838, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (18:32)", "body": "(Karen)I expect you must mean when Donovan first shows up to see about the room Lucy initially mistakes him for someone sent to collect on money she owes. I can't make out everything she says (cue: Janet), but it isn't for rent to a landlord. Could be her bar tab? I think Lucy may have thought Donovan was a 'heavy' sent by a moneylender (Murdo) to collect on a debt. (There is a problem of illegal moneylenders in some very deprived areas of cities)."}, {"response": 839, "author": "townranny", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (20:25)", "body": "Very late for this. So many good thoughts. Will just give my take on it. The first scene and final bed scene with Lucy say so much to me. 1st scene - Quinn hasn't been able to atone for his sin. The caller on the radio says to Mackey.\"You are the bastard that's responsible.\" Quinn flashes to Sappos wife. \"It's you. You killed him.\" At that moment Quinn transfers blame to Windmill. It relieves him of the pain temporarily. He goes off to fight Windmill like Quixote. For evil to triumph it requires good people to do nothing. As Quick, he includes himself among good people. Fantasy is working for him. Everyone at Pannic House is living in their own fantasy worlds and are willing to encourage him in his (like Quixote's sidekick). Lucy is the fly in the ointment. Her challenges to his fantasies provoke the flashbacks for Quick. Lucy confesses her pain to Quick after salami comments. Quick confesses what he did to Lucy (his pain). Says that he and Windmill were responsible. They forgive one another, heal one another with a kiss. But was Quinn redeemed? Quick in final scene says to Lucy, \" Don Quixote was a great madman Lucy but when he was returned to sanity he was nothing.\" Quinn went back to his old ways. Have other stuff but enough already."}, {"response": 840, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (23:29)", "body": "Good to see you've joined us, Kathleen. Lots of good observations that I plan to comment on tomorrow when my mind is functioning better. Annette's train metaphor is highly intriguing. Seems like we could build upon her description of how the train set's state of affairs and evolution parallel the Pannick family's changes, and most especially Donovan's role in it."}, {"response": 841, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Jan 24, 2003 (02:56)", "body": "It is crucial that nothing \"more\" happened when they slept together. Lucy explains how desperately she needs human contact (even to the extent of being used by Clive to get it) - and Donovan, being Don Quixote and satisfying the needs of those he comes in contact with, therefore provides exactly what she needs. Lisa: Not having read the book, these things would pass me right by. Are there more? I haven't read the book either, and indeed am indebted to Karen for the fascinating insight into the macaroni cheese scene being adapted straight from the novel - more please. However, the two main character names are obviously drawn direct (just in case it has passed anyone by somehow, Sandy Pannick is named for Sancho Panza, Don Quixote's loyal sidekick)"}, {"response": 842, "author": "Leah", "date": "Fri, Jan 24, 2003 (03:01)", "body": "Is everyone okay with the very close-up view of Donovan's (CF) face while he is explaining Daniel to Lucy? My feelings are that yes, I love when he takes up the whole screen, but boy, any closer and the camera would have touched his face!"}, {"response": 843, "author": "townranny", "date": "Fri, Jan 24, 2003 (09:31)", "body": "Mark - It is crucial that nothing happened when they slept together. Lucy needs human contact and Donovan provides exactly what (Lucy) needs. When I watched this I was looking at Colin's hands. She is touching him. He is not touching her. I think this scene is about a mutual healing (forgiveness), mostly his. She confessed her pain to him earlier. He now confesses his to her. After Clive beats him up while still on the floor. He says - It's over. (the fantasy). Is he Donovan or Daniel in the bed? I think Donovan is on his way out here. LeahP Yes it's amazing how riveting his face can be."}, {"response": 844, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 24, 2003 (10:16)", "body": "(Lisa) Not having read the book, these things would pass me right by. Are there more? Aside from the windmills? ;-) I did come across a brilliant one in Chapter 53, when the Don and Sancho meet up with the Arcadians (ideal society). DQ stands boldly in the highway, challenging to fight anyone who disagrees with this new society; he makes specific reference to the maidens, being the most courteous and beautiful. A company of horseman advance, warning him to get out of the way or their herd of bulls will trample him, which they do. DQ recognizes for the first time that they are but mere animals and not some kind of enchantment. This signals the beginning of his disillusionment return to sanity and, ultimately, to his death. Does this not sound like the vandals on the bus, who Donovan later calls \"bully boys\" to Mackie? Bringing in more metaphors, then, the Q&P bus would represent the new and better society, free of the evils Windmill represents, with all the passengers being enlightened people. Given the screenwriter's politics, it seems appropriate that their ultimate fare structure is to give whatever you want."}, {"response": 845, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Jan 24, 2003 (11:57)", "body": "(Karen)Does this not sound like the vandals on the bus, who Donovan later calls \"bully boys\" to Mackie? Oh, very good Karen. If this was mere coincidence, it shouldn't be. The term \"bully boys\" it seems to fit. Maybe this is a good question for our Scotish translator or others in the know with UK slang. Is \"bully boys\" a term that is heard often?"}, {"response": 846, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jan 24, 2003 (13:40)", "body": "(Karen)He may not be mad, but he does take leave of reality at times. Daniel would never have said to Mackie the bit about trying to privitize the railways, only to be corrected that it had happened. Agreed, that line about the privitization of the railways always confused me, until I think about it coming from Donovan not Daniel. (Kathleen)Is he Donovan or Daniel in the bed? I think Donovan is on his way out here. I think it was all Daniel in the bed scene. When he begins to describe the strike that caused the death of Mr. Sapros, he uses the term \"pathetic little strike\" I found it odd that Donovan would say something like that about a \"common man\" trying to go against the \"windmills\". Which leads me to another thought...as we get closer to the platform scene at the end...at this point was Daniel already returning to the man that he was? This fits with an earlier observation by kathleen...when he says \"it's over\" after Clive beats him. Donovan, it would seem, was gone for good before Lucy helped him off the floor. A little tidbit: I noticed that when Donovan and Sandy synchronize their watches in order to beat the Windmill bus to the route, Sandy uses the code Detla Quebec. I can't think of any reason for it except to further use the DQ initials. Just a little DQ trivia for down the road;-)"}, {"response": 847, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Jan 24, 2003 (15:41)", "body": "(Karen)However, listening to the radio, could've been at the facility just prior to going AWOL, which is why the police could drag him back. There are also bars shown on the outside of the window in view in one of the blue flashback scenes, which made me think that's when he's in the facility. (Linda)Sandy uses the code Detla Quebec I love when they do this and Donovan says, \"Let's synchronize our watches.\" And then Sandy replies, \"It's just like James Bond!\" Plus timing and time is a major theme in this movie. You always see the time on the clock in the Pannick kitchen, Gran is always giving the times of the Q&P bus over the phone, and Sandy is told by Lucy to wait \"under\" the clock when he gets back to the station where she picks him up (thought that might have a double meaning: stand there and don't be late). (Annette)Could this be a parallel to the Pannick family, slowly finding their way back on the tracks? I love this metaphor you've discovered! It's another fantasy thing (like James Bond) that they play at but that definitely has a lot of significance and meaning too. Also when Clive is waiting for the call from Lars at the Pannick house, but Gran is doing her job as schedule \"expert,\" I think there's a comparison being made between them. Clive says she's answering them with no clothes on. But Lucy ponts out that the customers don't know that. Whereas Clive cares more about what he looks like with push ups, muscles, and balls, (and I thought I heard about a haircut in the bar with Lucy) but he always thinks jobs are beneath him and he's too good to even do anything like that. He even changes his mind about the diving school and continues to borrow cash from Lucy."}, {"response": 848, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Jan 24, 2003 (16:50)", "body": "(Annette) The comment of the landlord is made in the shop, when Sandy asks for a Marsbar, and Lucy say \"we haven't gotten any money .....\" (Karen)I listened again and she only mentions not being able to pay utility bills (electric, gas). You are quite right, I mistook \"the lodger has gone without paying the rent\" with\" the landlord is going on about the rent\" - so I guess we can asume they own their house. (Janet)- Or maybe Katy Murphy was just enjoying her work!! LOL - I know I would, if I ever got such a chance! (Karen).. how the train set's state of affairs and evolution parallel the Pannick family's changes, and most especially Donovan's role in it. Some observations on that: Sandy, Donovan appoints him to something director Gran find her little niche answering the phone (love it, when she slappes Clive with the newspaper, when he tries to answer) Jim gets drawn into the buisness, when Donovan askes him if he is going to help him to get the bus startet or not. After that Jim takes over the drivers seat. Lucy - well I haven't yet found the precise \"turningpoint\" for her. Though I also think the relationship between Jim and her improves; they start talking to eachother and not just at. (Kathleen)Mark - It is crucial that nothing happened when they slept together. Lucy needs human contact and Donovan provides exactly what (Lucy) needs. I think so too. Oops - just remembered I have to pace myself, so must put a sock in it for now."}, {"response": 849, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Jan 24, 2003 (17:07)", "body": "Just wantet to throw in the towel (no gloves, mind you ;-) Having gotten to the point of the book DQ where DQ tells SP, that if he can't have the promised island, he can have Denmark! - well, lets just say, that from now on I will do with \"second hand\" observations from the book. Here's a little something from the illustrations of the book, which is very appropriate discussing Donovan Quick, fighting Windmill!"}, {"response": 850, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Jan 24, 2003 (17:39)", "body": "Great Pic Annette!! The Whirling Dirvish perhaps?"}, {"response": 851, "author": "townranny", "date": "Fri, Jan 24, 2003 (22:33)", "body": "Annette, Thanks for the drawing. I agree with you about the trains too.Flashes of it being improved while they are developing the bus company. I wanted to add something about why Donovan's madness fits and is encouraged in the Pannic House. -The border who leaves at the beginning (as have 3 in 6 mos.) says that the place is a looney bin. His is an outside, presumably objective opinion of the house. Mental problems in the house Sandy - learning disabled Gran - dementia Jim - depression, eats and sleeps can't work Clive - delusional (his ship will come in) Lucy - alcoholic (but has a grip of reality when not drinking) Didn't Don Quixote suit up with armor to fight the windmill, thought that glove was symbolic of that. They couldn't put him in a full suit ala Rupert here. I'd pay to do CFs laundry Could we sponsor a contest to have Colin wash a car (mine), like he washed the bus. I'm thinking August.....wet t-shirt..... I liked Gran too. Favorite lines re: Sandy, when he was born. \"I thought he was beautiful. The world is a cruel place Lucy.\" Lucy looks to her to maybe find some wisdom from an elder. And then Gran ruins it. Lucy tells her to get some clothes on and she says. \"I don't need my hat if I'm not going out.\" GAAAH!"}, {"response": 852, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 2003 (01:40)", "body": "(Kathleen)Could we sponsor a contest to have Colin wash a car (mine), like he washed the bus. I'm thinking August.....wet t-shirt..... LOL This was one of the things on my list as well - though I didn't have a car in mind, I think I myself could need to be worked on with lots of foam and a sponge... A question about Lucy: Do we know, if she has a job, and if she does what kind? And a question for Janet: In the platform scene (sorry Karen) does she really say, that Sandy and his wife have a baby on the way????"}, {"response": 853, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 2003 (09:14)", "body": "(kathleen)Could we sponsor a contest to have Colin wash a car (mine), like he washed the bus. I'm thinking August.....wet t-shirt..... (Annette)LOL This was one of the things on my list as well - though I didn't have a car in mind, I think I myself could need to be worked on with lots of foam and a sponge... I love it when we digress! Oh, and I'll be glad to help sponser the contest'-)"}, {"response": 854, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 2003 (10:01)", "body": "(kathleen)Could we sponsor a contest to have Colin wash a car (mine), like he washed the bus. I'm thinking August.....wet t-shirt..... How about no shirt? I'm up for that. (Annette)LOL This was one of the things on my list as well - though I didn't have a car in mind, I think I myself could need to be worked on with lots of foam and a sponge... Being foamed, sponged and hosed by Colin. It doesn't get better than that."}, {"response": 855, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 2003 (10:19)", "body": "(Annette) A question about Lucy: Do we know, if she has a job, and if she does what kind? Waddaya mean?...She's a chanteuse. Didn't you hear her belt out \"I Will Survive\";-) Wouldn't a family like that headed by single mum get gov't assistance?Rent, Mars Bars etc (I know, this ain't a documentary ...but IRL.)"}, {"response": 856, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 2003 (10:54)", "body": "Somewhere in this discussion I would like to for us to talk about the different range of emotions that Colin demonstrates in this film which ,for me, is what makes it a good film.(Certainly not the lighting!) The story is inconsequential. Obvioulsy he didn't sell himself out for the \"hunk\" factor which is a plus in his favor. Not a big challenge, but he needs to do more of these, IMO."}, {"response": 857, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 2003 (11:11)", "body": "(evelyn)Wouldn't a family like that headed by single mum get gov't assistance? Definitely, and while I'm going on Aussie factoids here, the systems at some point past or present have similarities. As a single mum she would get benefits for each child under a certain age. But, I think her kids would be too old for regular benefits like that. However, she would be getting entitlements as a main caretaker for a mentally challeneged dependent. She might be on some sort of disability pension. She would probably qualify for unemployment payments, as a long as she showed she was hunting for work. Although now, here, as I understand it, you can only do that for so long before they take you and train you for something. ;) (evelyn)Somewhere in this discussion I would like to for us to talk about the different range of emotions that Colin demonstrates... I would too, but I am really going to have to go watch this film again before I can offer anything up."}, {"response": 858, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 2003 (13:21)", "body": ""}, {"response": 859, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 2003 (13:23)", "body": "(Kathleen) The caller on the radio says to Mackey.\" You are the bastard that's responsible.\" Quinn flashes to Sappos wife. \"It's you. You killed him.\" At that moment Quinn transfers blame to Windmill. It relieves him of the pain temporarily. He goes off to fight Windmill like Quixote. This is probably the best explanation yet as to why Donovan heads for the giant (Windmill). However, I wouldn't go so far as to say he's transferring blame, but rather he's identified the real source not only for the Sapas death but the problems up in Port Clyde. (Kathleen) Is he Donovan or Daniel in the bed? I think Donovan is on his way out here. (Linda) I think it was all Daniel in the bed scene. Donovan has been on his way out since the bully boys incident on the bus. The idealism of the Quixote character was beaten out of him at that point, yet his loyalty to his lady (Dulcinea/Lucy), the highest calling for a knight-errant, is still there, as he defends her honor with Clive. Am going to try writing up something on the madness/acting angle, tying it into some information from the novel. (Linda) when he says \"it's over\" after Clive beats him. Donovan, it would seem, was gone for good before Lucy helped him off the floor. Pretty much, I would say, yet the tenderness and comfort he gave Lucy seem to indicate that some vestige remained. (Linda) when Donovan and Sandy synchronize their watches...Sandy uses the code Detla Quebec. I can't think of any reason for it except to further use the DQ initials. (Lora) \"And then Sandy replies, \"It's just like James Bond!\" Very cute and adds to the adventure/quest-like nature of the story. BTW, this is a standard phonetic alphabet that is used in aviation, the military and I'm sure many other places. Over and out, Lima Kilo and Lima Delta. ;-) (Lora) Plus timing and time is a major theme in this movie. I never noticed this motif, but what do you think it means? Are we getting into surreal territory? (Lora) I think there's a comparison being made between them. Clive says she's answering them with no clothes on. But Lucy ponts out that the customers don't know that. Whereas Clive cares more about what he looks like...but he always thinks jobs are beneath him and he's too good to even do anything like that. Good point. I've always liked Lucy's comment for what it says about her protectiveness toward family members, yet it also illustrates a voice of reality vs the fantasy lives of people in that house, or looney bin. Lucy's says later that she's always known that Clive was a loser, when he accuses her of dumping him for someone who has more money, but she too chose to live with it because of what little he gave her. Did it surprise you that Clive never went to see Lars in Aberdeen but lied about it? Fear of failure or hiding from something else? (Annette) Some observations...Donovan appoints him...director, Jim gets drawn into the business, when Donovan asks him.... Good observations and I think there are more as to how integral Donovan is in getting the Pannick family back \"on track\" and flourishing, like that train set. Is it not precisely because of Donovan's presence in the house that everyone's lives become fuller and are turned around? I have no doubt that Donovan put Gran on the phones too, where she could make a contribution without having to put on clothes. ;-) (Annette) Having gotten to the point of the book DQ where DQ tells SP, that if he can't have the promised island, he can have Denmark! Which reminds me of Sandy/Sancho comparisons. Sancho signs on as the Don's squire on the promise of a job, i.e., the governorship of an island. While I don't see too much more in common, other than loyalty, coming to share a vision and an innate sense of good judgment, Sandy too follows his master and gets a job in the process. (Kathleen) I'd pay to do CFs laundry LOL! But it takes me back to that case of his. Didn't appear that he had all that much that needed laundering. (Kathleen) Could we sponsor a contest to have Colin wash a car (mine), like he washed the bus. I'm thinking August.....wet t-shirt As Donovan says, \"no time like the present.\" ;-) (Linda) I love it when we digress! I'm surprised you haven't brought up the lovely Stairmaster shot. ;-) (Evelyn) I would like to for us to talk about the different range of emotions that Colin demonstrates in this film which ,for me, is what makes it a good film. Go right ahead. (Evelyn) The story is inconsequential. Obvioulsy he didn't sell himself out for the \"hunk\" factor which is a plus in his favor. I beg to differ on the story's significance. Something with this political message is bound to have appealed to Colin on a personal level and the excellent writing should've have appealed to him professionally, as I believe at that time he did still consider himself an actor. ;-)"}, {"response": 860, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 2003 (13:41)", "body": "( Evelyn) The story is inconsequential. Obvioulsy he didn't sell himself out for the \"hunk\" factor which is a plus in his favor. (Karen)I beg to differ on the story's significance... But it isn't to *me*. Sweet story and I like the Don Quijote gimmick,(hate the indoor underlighting,).. but I don't find the story riveting. With another actor, I change channels. Agree that it had all the ingredients of Colin's ideology and,don't forget...it was filmed only \"up the road a piece\"."}, {"response": 861, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 2003 (15:54)", "body": "(Karen)'m surprised you haven't brought up the lovely Stairmaster shot. ;-) Well now that you mention it...To digress a bit further, I love the smile when Donovan is on the street with Sandy handing out the advertisments for the bus route. The music, the smile, the energy of the walk. At that point I thought it was pure CF. I didn't see the trance like state of Donovan, or the seriousness of Daniel. It was a very uplifting moment in the film. IMHO."}, {"response": 862, "author": "townranny", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 2003 (16:23)", "body": "Evelyn - with another actor I change channels. I'm afraid I would have been with you on this one. This discussion has helped redeem it. Obviously a lot of thought was put into it after the basic premise. The public transportation metaphor isn't too accessible to me where I live because most everyone drives. (which you can tell by all our horrible traffic). Another multinational type of company might have helped to broaden it's appeal. I don't think of the bus company as an enemy. Then to mix that metaphor with Don Quixote seems like picking one from column A and one from column B to make a movie. After knowing some particulars about the creators I can see now how they came up with the film but it was hard to access it without that info. Colin was quite brave to take it on I think. It could have turned out differently. All of the actors helped it enormously. Am also thinking about Colins range of emotions, Evelyn. Karen - Re: Clive lying about going to see Lars. Lucy says that she thinks Clive isn't hireable because he is a drunk and Lars knows that. She hit a nerve there with Clive he gets very angry and goes into denial mode."}, {"response": 863, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 2003 (16:57)", "body": "(Linda)The music, the smile, the energy of the walk. At that point I thought it was pure CF. I didn't see the trance like state of Donovan, or the seriousness of Daniel. It was a very uplifting moment in the film. IMHO. I thought that way to. At this point, you could just lean back and enjoy HIM. I also think someone mentioned something about the extras in those scenes, you could almost sense some of the older ladies whispering: Oh look, it's Mr. Darcy. (Evelyn) I would like to for us to talk about the different range of emotions that Colin demonstrates in this film which ,for me, is what makes it a good film. I think there is plenty here to talk about. I think we se so many \"faces\" in very different situations. One example, when he enjoys the view from outside the Pannick house, waiting for Lucy to come home, so he can lend a room, he looks very relaxed, not tense at all. And when he is first confronted with Mackie at the trainstation, I see a little devil in his eyes, when he says Mackie surely would have remembered him. I could go on and on. I guess after about 20 viewings of the film you pick up a few expressions ;-) (Karen)Something with this political message is bound to have appealed to Colin on a personal level and the excellent writing should've have appealed to him professionally From what we have learned from his appearences and what he has chosen to reveal in articles, I think you are right."}, {"response": 864, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 2003 (17:17)", "body": "(Karen), Sancho signs on as the Don's squire on the promise of a job, i.e., the governorship of an island. While I don't see too much more in common, other than loyalty, coming to share a vision and an innate sense of good judgment, Sandy too follows his master and gets a job in the process. To Sandy his job was the Island. Did it surprise you that Clive never went to see Lars in Aberdeen but lied about it? Crossing the fact to fiction line again. Something with this political message is bound to have appealed to Colin on a personal level and the excellent writing should've have appealed to him professionally, as I believe at that time he did still consider himself an actor. ;-) ROTF! (Lora) Plus timing and time is a major theme in this movie. (Karen), I never noticed this motif, but what do you think it means? Are we getting into surreal territory? Daniel knows that Don will not last forever. DQ in fact dies at the end."}, {"response": 865, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 2003 (18:19)", "body": "(Annette)And a question for Janet: In the platform scene (sorry Karen) does she really say, that Sandy and his wife have a baby on the way???? Yes, she does. Dialogue: Sandy's married now. Wean (Scots for baby, pronounced 'wane') on the way as well."}, {"response": 866, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 2003 (21:15)", "body": "(Karen) Did it surprise you that Clive never went to see Lars in Aberdeen but lied about it? Fear of failure or hiding from something else? I was somewhat surprised, considering Clive's bragging to Lucy about Lars' faith in him, but it wasn't a total shock. After all, by that point in the film Clive's true self had been revealed over and over. I had already suspected that Lars might not be glad to see Clive. The biggest surprise was that Clive actually went so far as to go to the station. (Evelyn) The story is inconsequential. Obvioulsy he didn't sell himself out for the \"hunk\" factor which is a plus in his favor. (Karen) I beg to differ on the story's significance. Something with this political message is bound to have appealed to Colin on a personal level and the excellent writing should've have appealed to him professionally, as I believe at that time he did still consider himself an actor. ;-) I agree totally with Karen. IMHO, CF emotionally needs roles like DQ to balance more shallow rom-coms. He was raised in an environment where taking a political stand and being active in human rights issues was important. I believe he takes films like WAGW to pay the bills, but he chooses projects like DQ because they are close to his heart."}, {"response": 867, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 2003 (22:51)", "body": "As with everything, I am a bit late joining in.... (Linda) when Donovan and Sandy synchronize their watches...Sandy uses the code Detla Quebec. I can't think of any reason for it except to further use the DQ initials. And Donovan uses Sandy's initials...calls him something like \"Sierra Popeye\". I couldn't really make it out very well... (lindak) I love it when we digress! (Karen) I'm surprised you haven't brought up the lovely Stairmaster shot. ;-) Love the Stairmaster shot...and ODB saying \"Keep up Sandy!\" . Poor Sandy! I can imagine very few who could keep up! (lindak) I love the smile when Donovan is on the street with Sandy handing out the advertisments for the bus route. The music, the smile, the energy of the walk. At that point I thought it was pure CF. Did you notice the two younger dark haired girls? He hands a flyer to only one of them and it looks like she turns to her friend and says \"OMG\" as if she cannot believe Mr. Darcy handed her something. (KathyF) The biggest surprise was that Clive actually went so far as to go to the station. I thought so too! Clive was all talk and no action. I remember Lucy's reaction when Donovan tells her he will fix the paving stone in the morning. When she actually sees that it is fixed, she seems almost angry (Donovan is a man of his word, unlike Clive). There is a bit of dialogue that to me is really amazing. It is when Lucy finally states that she has a problem...and Donovan acknowledges it (or would this be Daniel? The remark, IMO, lets you know that Donovan is quite aware of the 'reality' of what is happening around him...at least at this point in the film). It is interesting to me that Clive continually tells Lucy she is a drunk, but it is Donovan's way of 'candy coating' it that makes her finally admit that she is drinking to much. L: It's your fault Sandys in hospital. Why did you tell him to chat that woman up for? If he had just shut up and kept his head down he'd been alright. D: He was in love. L: He was humilated. D: It happens in love. L: You wanna know something? You're worse than Clive. You think he's a bastard because he came here tonight and dragged me spitting and clawing onto the carpet. Well that's nothing to you coming here making me believe I deserved any better. I'm an alcoholic. I don't trip on paving stones. I don't eat dodgy pies. I get pissed. I fall down. I puke my guts up because I'm a drunk. D: I know. L: I wish you never came here."}, {"response": 868, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 2003 (23:54)", "body": "(Lora)Plus timing and time is a major theme in this movie. Fits in beautifully with a film that includes trains. \"On time\" has always been a very big deal when a train is concerned. It's almost stereotypical for the old station masters to been seen waiting by the track checking their pocketwatch. And, I believe, it was the railway companies that would present their retirees with a gold pocket watch. (Tress)L: You wanna know something? You're worse than Clive. She is more angry at the one who treated her well than all the others who treated her poorly. This seems to come from Dulcinea/Aldonza in the movie Man of La Mancha. She and Lucy don't want to be treated better because they don't believe it can continue after that one person is gone. Aldonza's song says: You have shown me the sky, But what good is the sky, To a creature who'll never Do better than crawl? I highly recommend renting Man of La Mancha if you haven't already. You would be able to easily enjoy it after knowing Donovan Quick as well as we all do now. DF has done a masterful job of taking Don Quixote, written over 400 years ago, and applying the basic story to her current environment. Since Karen could find no actual Dulcinea/Aldonza in the book, she seems to have also drawn from an intimate knowledge of the musical."}, {"response": 869, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sun, Jan 26, 2003 (05:33)", "body": "(Caribou)Aldonza's song says: You have shown me the sky, But what good is the sky, To a creature who'll never Do better than crawl? Thanks Caribou!! What a fitting tie in!!"}, {"response": 870, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 26, 2003 (09:51)", "body": "Quickie... (Tress) And Donovan uses Sandy's initials...calls him something like \"Sierra Popeye\". I couldn't really make it out very well... Very close. It was Sierra Papa. Over and out, Tango Mike. ;-) (Caribou) Since Karen could find no actual Dulcinea/Aldonza in the book, she seems to have also drawn from an intimate knowledge of the musical. She's an integral part of the book, the elevation of an ordinary peasant girl (Aldonza) to his ideal lady, the Empress of La Mancha. She symbolizes his immortality and perfection and is the source for his bravery, love and faith. She is based on a woman he did want to marry, Aldonza Lorenzo, but she is only a one-dimensional character. No one interacts with her. She exists mainly in his mind and, at times, Sancho will point out some village wench as Dulcinea. If DQ sees her as she is, then, he rationalizes that someone has put her under a spell. (Hey, maybe that evil necromancer is Clive? ;-)) However, it would appear that they've taken the musical's more flesh and blood representation of the ideal instead."}, {"response": 871, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan 26, 2003 (10:07)", "body": "(Karen), it would appear that they've taken the musical's more flesh and blood representation of the ideal instead. Agreed. I guess reading that big book didn't fit into her schedule. ;-) She symbolizes his immortality and perfection and is the source for his bravery, love and faith. And Don realizes that. If he can do this one noble thing, he will remain immortalized for Lucy and the others. (Lora)Plus timing and time is a major theme in this movie. (Caribou), Fits in beautifully with a film that includes trains. \"On time\" has always been a very big deal when a train is concerned. And at the end, he takes the train rather than a bus."}, {"response": 872, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 26, 2003 (12:22)", "body": "(Evelyn) with another actor I change channels. (Kathleen) I'm afraid I would have been with you on this one. This discussion has helped redeem it. Obviously a lot of thought was put into it after the basic premise. Glad you feel this way, Kathleen, because it is a worthwhile piece on its own, unlike some other CF fare which fits Evelyn's criteria far better channel changing. ;-) However, one thing that does disturb me (and detracts from the production) is use of the musical. It's somewhat analogous to me using the Cliff Notes here, something I'm forced to do from expediency, but wouldn't if I were doing something IRL, but actually worse because the screenwriter is then relying on someone else's creation, rather than the source material. There are many flaws in that approach, as all of us know from watching movies based on novels and the changes/liberties they take for cinematic effect. What if someone had only seen the Olivier-Garson P&P? I rest my case. ;-) (Karen) Clive lying about going to see Lars. (Kathleen) Lucy says that she thinks Clive isn't hireable because he is a drunk and Lars knows that. She hit a nerve there with Clive he gets very angry and goes into denial mode. He's been in denial from the very beginning IMO as he's made up excuses and lies all along. (KathyF) The biggest surprise was that Clive actually went so far as to go to the station. And probably wasted Lucy's money on a ticket, unless he planned on buying it onboard. (Can you still do that?) (lindak) I love it when we digress! (Karen) I'm surprised you haven't brought up the lovely Stairmaster shot. ;-) (Tress) Love the Stairmaster shot...and ODB saying \"Keep up Sandy!\" Mine's a different one. (Tress) There is a bit of dialogue that to me is really amazing. It is when Lucy finally states that she has a problem...and Donovan acknowledges it...The remark, IMO, lets you know that Donovan is quite aware of the 'reality' of what is happening around him... Glad you brought up this scene because it is one of the strongest in the film dramatically and where we are shown that Daniel has always been there. Yet, as I've said before, Daniel is still clinging to Donovan's ideals and is going to defend his lady's honor with Clive."}, {"response": 873, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan 26, 2003 (14:56)", "body": "(Evelyn) with another actor I change channels. (Kathleen) I'm afraid I would have been with you on this one. This discussion has helped redeem it. Obviously a lot of thought was put into it after the basic premise. (Karen)Glad you feel this way, Kathleen, because it is a worthwhile piece on its own, unlike some other CF fare which fits Evelyn's criteria far better channel changing. ;-) Agree that the discussion redeems it...(along with YKW),but without the discussion, translation of Scottish terms/slang, analogy to the classic ,personalities in the Scottish corporate world... it's still just a 'sweet' story. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. PS Also redeeming: Van Morrison."}, {"response": 874, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jan 26, 2003 (16:59)", "body": "(Tress) Love the Stairmaster shot...and ODB saying \"Keep up Sandy!\" (Karen)Mine's a different one OK, I give up. Which one? (Tress)D: He was in love. L: He was humilated. D: It happens in love. L I don't eat dodgy pies. I get pissed. I fall down. I puke my guts up because I'm a drunk D: I know. L: I wish you never came here. (Karen)Daniel is still clinging to Donovan's ideals and is going to defend his lady's honor with Clive Still Daniel, but delivered in the Donovan-like manner. Almost detached, non judgmental, gentle. I found this to be the way CF portrayed Donovan emotionally, a bit detached and aloof, with all of the emotion just below the surface."}, {"response": 875, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Jan 26, 2003 (22:09)", "body": "I have a few quick questions. I hope it hasn't been covered before, I am trying to keep up and did not see anything regarding this: How is it Donovan can drive the bus (does he have a license for this)? What are the laws in Scotland regarding passenger vehicles? I didn't hear any reference to it in the film, and was confused because I thought if Mackey/Windmill wanted him off the route, they could have him pulled over."}, {"response": 876, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sun, Jan 26, 2003 (23:29)", "body": "(Tress) How is it Donovan can drive the bus (does he have a license for this)? What are the laws in Scotland regarding passenger vehicles? I didn't hear any reference to it in the film, and was confused because I thought if Mackey/Windmill wanted him off the route, they could have him pulled over. Excellent point! I wondered about the license (or lack of it) when I watched the first time, but then forgot all about it. What are the laws in Scotland? In the U.S., one would need a commercial license (and special training) to drive a bus."}, {"response": 877, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 26, 2003 (23:58)", "body": "(Linda) OK, I give up. Which one? All three of them zipping up the stairs on the bus during the musical montage for the consumer boycott of Windmill. A winner IMO for multiple rewinds. ;-) (Tress) How is it Donovan can drive the bus (does he have a license for this)? At the beginning of the first montage (\"Wild Night\"), you see them coming out of the Traffic Commissioner's Office, before starting to plaster the town with their flyers. I expect this is where they are registering their bus company. As for the license, Mark once answered that you'd need to have a \"large vehicle\" license which requires a written test, but that many people have those license as well because they've had a need to drive large vehicles. Makes sense that a man in the transportation business would have such a licence. Any other thoughts from those in the know?"}, {"response": 878, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Jan 27, 2003 (01:15)", "body": "After watching DQ a few times, I've noticed a repetition of a visual effect in this movie -- the use of bars or grids in several scenes. In the first scene where we hear the radio call-in show about train schedules, Daniel is sitting in a room with venetian blinds that look almost like bars. In a later scene, Lucy talks to Sandy about the new train timetable (discovering that no trains stop between 7:12 and 13:56) and Donovan eavesdrops, as we see him through the staircase, shown as a series of vertical bars. In the following flashback scene, after Mr. Sappo is killed, Mrs. Sappo says to Daniel, \"It's you, isn't it? You killed him! It's you, it's you! You're the one!\" and behind him is a grid of bars, as if he were in a cage. Next we see Daniel in the facility, with actual bars on the windows. This scene blends almost seamlessly with the next shot, in which Donovan enters Sandy's room through some barred doors (with windows behind), to join Sandy in playing with the train set. There are other interesting visual repetitions -- arches, combinations of arches and verticals, that must have been intentional. These include such commonplace items as a laundry basket, shutters, stairs, etc. However, the bars and things that look like bars are probably most important to the plot. I was also struck by the similarity between the bed in Donovan's room at the Pannick house, and the bridge in the playground where Daniel confronts Mrs. Sappo (when he tries to give her the money). Has anybody else noticed these things, and if so, what are your thoughts as to their meaning?"}, {"response": 879, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Jan 27, 2003 (08:04)", "body": "(Tress) She is more angry at the one who treated her well than all the others who treated her poorly... In my opinion Lucy has suffered a life-time of mental and physical abuse. If not through a husband through those around her. When that happens it's very hard for someone to accept kind treatment. There's a comfort in dealing with what you are used to, giving credence to some of her life-choices i.e. Clive, alcohol, and an extreme discomfort in dealing with something you're not used to, even if it is something nice and for your betterment. She has to want to raise her standards."}, {"response": 880, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 27, 2003 (09:22)", "body": "I saw Lucy Pannick dancing at 10 Downing Street last night....anybody else see her :-)))))"}, {"response": 881, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 27, 2003 (09:35)", "body": "The people who did commented on Odds & Ends."}, {"response": 882, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Jan 27, 2003 (10:25)", "body": "Ah, but I saw Lucy Pannick masquerading as a hotel receptionist called Helen during an episode of Midsomer Murders on Friday."}, {"response": 883, "author": "caribou", "date": "Mon, Jan 27, 2003 (17:58)", "body": "(FanPam)In my opinion Lucy has suffered a life-time of mental and physical abuse. If not through a husband through those around her. I love her lines when she's explaining that her mother died and left her to care for Gran and her brother. She's says that they should have killed her right then and there and cut out the middle men. LOL! Probably every female caught in the \"sandwich\" feels that way from time to time. :-)"}, {"response": 884, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Jan 27, 2003 (18:13)", "body": "(Tress) How is it Donovan can drive the bus (does he have a license for this)? What are the laws in Scotland regarding passenger vehicles? I believe you need a PSV (Passenger Service Vehicle) licence, and have to possess a standard drivers licence, and then sit a separate driving test, to obtain one. At least my brother-in-law had to around ten years ago - don't know if the regulations have changed since then."}, {"response": 885, "author": "townranny", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (10:25)", "body": "Annette - Waiting for Lucy to come home, he looks very relaxed. I could see relaxed but also a little madness, mania. Thanks for all the info about MOLM tie-ins Karen. Adds another layer.I'm king of the world syndrome. Evelyn - Van Morrison also redeeming There are several CF films w/Van (I am big fan too). His music is as passionate as CFs films. A good match. Must be a coincidence. BJD, Fever Pitch and this one. Am I missing any? I was thinking about that bed scene w/Lucy again. After it, the Pannic household goes to the hospital and waits three hours to see DQ. They are filmed against a stark background. I read this as Donovan's dysfunctional family Vs. the real family (his wife) who is allowed to go right in to see him. Lucy looks as though in some strange sense she feels like his wife. Did anyone else get that idea? That some sort of tenuous relationship developed in her mind from the closeness (kiss) they shared in the bed scene? She looks disappointed to see that he has a wife."}, {"response": 886, "author": "townranny", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (10:31)", "body": "Oops. Meant King of the world syndrome to address description of Donovan looking at harbor before Lucy comes home . (Annette's comment). Not Karen's info. Annette- Waiting for Lucy to come home, he looks very relaxed. I could see relaxed but also a little madness, mania. I'm king of the world syndrome."}, {"response": 887, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (12:40)", "body": "During my most recent viewing of DQ, I heard a lot of background noises I hadn't noticed before: When Lucy is counting Donovan's money and Clive is simultaneously counting his push ups there's a vacuum cleaner noise in the background. Could Gran be vacuuming? Or maybe she's still watching her cars on the telly. ;-) I don't think it's a train going by. But there are always trains that can be heard going by just outside their house morning and night. When Donovan brings his Maccaroni Cheese dishes to the kitchen a train can be heard in the background and the kitchen clock says it's 6:05 (must be pm - since the Maccaroni would be dinner not breakfast). When Lucy is in her \"fragile state\" and Donovan helps her take \"little sips\" and tells her \"you look like you need looking after,\" you can hear wind blowing in the background (is he tilting at a windmill here? ;-P And when Clive comes to the Pannick house after not going to Aberdeen and lying about it, you can hear a clock ticking in the background. For Clive, time is about to run out for him in the Pannick house. I'm impressed with the way that Donovan/the script (after they synchronize their watches), has Sandy go to the bus yard to read the bus destinations - not Donovan. With every responsibility Donovan gives him, Sandy is more outspoken and resourceful. By the way there is an enlargement of an old movie poster (from the 20's?) in the antique store where Donovan and Sandy buy Sandy's portable ticket machine. Does anyone know what movie it is from? I thought it might have some significance."}, {"response": 888, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (12:49)", "body": "(KathyF) I've noticed a repetition of a visual effect in this movie...Next we see Daniel in the facility, with actual bars on the windows. I've gone back over and haven't seen any bars on windows. :-( But the production design was well thought out. We've all complained about the dark scenes within the Pannick house with a single point of light illuminating the action. But that was deliberate. At the Q&A session, DonnaF explained that the art director wanted the look of an Edward Hopper painting and don't those just scream loneliness, despair and isolation? One effect I particularly like is the use of reflective images in mirrors (rear view and side mirrors of the bus) and then again in the window of Mackie's office, where you can see Donovan's initial reaction to Mackie's buyout offer. (Kathleen) There are several CF films w/Van...BJD, Fever Pitch and this one. Am I missing any? Out of the Blue's opening credits are set to \"Real Real Gone.\" I'm pretty sure a second is used in it, but don't know the name. Have been meaning to identify it one of these days. (Kathleen) the Pannic household goes to the hospital and waits three hours to see DQ. They are filmed against a stark background. Another great visual. The antiseptic starkness of the impersonal world, which dwarfs them. (Kathleen) Lucy looks as though in some strange sense she feels like his wife....That some sort of tenuous relationship developed in her mind from the closeness (kiss) they shared in the bed scene? She looks disappointed to see that he has a wife. Wouldn't you? ;-) All kidding aside, though, if Lucy felt like there was something more than friendship with Donovan, then she'd have to acknowledge the truth in Clive's words (Do you think he'd take you home to meet his mummy, etc.?) Lucy's such a realist that I can't believe she fantasized to that degree. I would have, but... ;-) Speaking of Clive, right after he says he goes down with nothing in his stomach except liver salts, what's his next line, Janet? I've had David O'Hara groups ask me about it and they've debated it for ages."}, {"response": 889, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (13:27)", "body": "(Karen) One effect I particularly like is the use of reflective images in mirrors (rear view and side mirrors of the bus) and then again in the window of Mackie's office, where you can see Donovan's initial reaction to Mackie's buyout offer. I had the bit about the reflection in Mackie's office in my notes...I was going to say that I though the reflection had a bluish tint to it (but this may be fanciful thinking on my part as I don't know how they would make it blue)...I like that you can see Donovan's reaction, but it is very interesting if this was done on purpose, do you think both Donovan and Daniel are meant to be present at that moment (or are we just supposed to see how Donovan reacts to Mackie)?"}, {"response": 890, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (13:31)", "body": "(Kathleen) Lucy looks as though in some strange sense she feels like his wife. Did anyone else get that idea? That some sort of tenuous relationship developed in her mind from the closeness (kiss) they shared in the bed scene? She looks disappointed to see that he has a wife. Or perhaps, my opinion only, realizing and appreciating what he has done for her and her family and wanting to be there to support him out of gratitude. I do indeed believe she was surprised to learn of the wife but from the standpoint that he had never mentioned her rather than the fact that she felt she was his wife. Until the bedroom scene IMO they did not seem close enough to warrant that type of relationship. (Karen) All kidding aside, though, if Lucy felt like there was something more than friendship with Donovan, then she'd have to acknowledge the truth in Clive's words (Do you think he'd take you home to meet his mummy, etc.?) Lucy's such a realist that I can't believe she fantasized to that degree. I would have, but... ;-) I agree 100%. Lucy is an extreme realist and not a person given to fights of fancy or dillusions. To Lucy a spade is very much a spade. She is very well aware that they could never have a relationship. It would take much more than a night of comfort and a kiss to convince her of anything more."}, {"response": 891, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (13:47)", "body": "(Tress)do you think both Donovan and Daniel are meant to be present at that moment? Interesting observation!. It would be the only time they are \"on screen\" at the same time. Must rewatch for bluish tint in reflection! Never noticed that before. (Karen)I've gone back over and haven't seen any bars on windows. :-( The bars are not in every blue flashback scene, but they can be seen in one when Daniel is sitting on a bed (?). He is on the left side of screen and the window is right center, but I will watch again to give you exact time and place."}, {"response": 892, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (13:54)", "body": "(Lora), But there are always trains that can be heard going by just outside their house morning and night. When Donovan brings his Maccaroni Cheese dishes to the kitchen a train can be heard in the background So we can say that Don picked Lucy's house because of its proximity to the train station. An easy escape for DQ. Which might bring us to his DQ/Daniel state as a coherent choice for Daniel."}, {"response": 893, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (15:07)", "body": "Upon reviewing, the window with the bars is not in a blue scene after all. It's comes right after a blue scene which is realy a nightmare that Donovan is having in the \"Pannick\" room (a great name for the room to let ;-)). So it just looks like one. Donovan has just had a (blue scene) dream about his Daniel encounter with Sapas' wife when she is bending over her husband in the street. She turns to Daniel and says, \"It's you, isn't it?\" Then she slaps him, and then says, \"you killed him. It's you, it's you.\" Then you immediately see Donovan awake in bed at the Pannick house in a sweat. He's in the same pajamas that you see him in when he goes down to Sandy's train room (where, as Kathy pointed out, there are also bars to his left). And the bars of Donovan's window (at Pannick house) are visible again when Lucy goes to clean and snoop in Donovan's room. The film quality must have made me think it was one continuous blue scene. Karen, you are right when you said that you couldn't find any bars on the blue scene windows. The windows in the blue scene at the beginning of the film during the radio broadcast are in a different room with blinds and maybe that's his bedroom at his own house or the facility. Also the reflection of Donovan at Mackie's (second?) office (in the window) is amazing. Great find, Tress. It does have a bluish window tint to it and looks like Donovan coming face to face with Daniel, if only for a split second. It's as if Donovan has to look Daniel straight in the eyes (confront his past) in order to go on with the quest - to know that it is the right thing to do. Daniel might have taken the money Mackie offers to buy him out with, but Donovan feels that that's giving into the big corporation - and so the battle commences! Hope I haven't rambled too much. There is so much to try to articulate."}, {"response": 894, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (16:33)", "body": "(Tress) do you think both Donovan and Daniel are meant to be present at that moment? No, I don't think that's the purpose or even has a deep purpose. Just a cute technique. If anything, I'd say they wanted to get across the fact that we're seeing a reflection of a person. (Lora) And the bars of Donovan's window (at Pannick house) are visible again when Lucy goes to clean and snoop in Donovan's room. No older homes where you guy live? When he awakes at night, they may look like bars, but as you can clearly see when Lucy comes into to snoop, they are multi-paned windows."}, {"response": 895, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (16:45)", "body": "(Pam)It would take much more than a night of comfort and a kiss to convince her of anything more. Yes, as far as a relationship was concerned, but I think a night of comfort combined with Donovan's belief in their self-worth went a long way."}, {"response": 896, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (17:55)", "body": "(Karen)Speaking of Clive, right after he says he goes down with nothing in his stomach except liver salts, what's his next line, Janet? Dialogue: That's how good I am! Then: What am I going to do, peaches? BTW, Clive's accent is about as strong as you would get in the West of Scotland! But I have yet to meet a working class Scotsman with the name Clive - he just would never live it down! DF certainly didn't do her homework there."}, {"response": 897, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (18:12)", "body": "(Tress) do you think both Donovan and Daniel are meant to be present at that moment? (Karen)No, I don't think that's the purpose or even has a deep purpose. I think maybe I got too excited about the reflection in Mackie's office. Always looking for symbolism... Btw, why does Mackie have 2 offices? The first one that Donovan and Sandy go to after pulling the emergency cord is much smaller than the second one where Donovan sees his reflection. Is the first one a station instead where they have brought Donovan and Sandy and asked Mackie to meet them? Thanks, Janet, for all the helpful translations. Interesting about Clive's name not being typical. Why would he never live it down IRL? Does it mean something? It does rhyme with dive, like Mackie and lackey ;-)."}, {"response": 898, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (18:18)", "body": "(Lora) Interesting about Clive's name not being typical. Why would he never live it down IRL? Does it mean something? I just looked up Clive's name (meaning)...\"From a steep cliff\". Donovan (\"dark warrior\") and Daniel (\"God is my judge\")...I too, thought maybe it meant something else, if it is such an odd name in Scotland. Maybe something from Don Quixote. Does anyone know? I haven't gotten very far in the book. And thanks Janet...appreciate the help!"}, {"response": 899, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (18:32)", "body": "(Lora)Interesting about Clive's name not being typical. Why would he never live it down IRL? Does it mean something? It does rhyme with dive, like Mackie and lackey ;-). Hope I don't offend anyone! I think it's seen in Scotland as a typically English middle-class name, with no historical or other relevance in Scotland."}, {"response": 900, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (22:21)", "body": "(me) I've noticed a repetition of a visual effect in this movie...Next we see Daniel in the facility, with actual bars on the windows. (Karen) I've gone back over and haven't seen any bars on windows. :-( (Lora) Upon reviewing, the window with the bars is not in a blue scene after all. It's comes right after a blue scene which is realy a nightmare that Donovan is having in the \"Pannick\" room (a great name for the room to let ;-)). So it just looks like one. Like Lora, I was 'fooled' by the darkness of the scene, and thought it was part of a flashback. Either that, or I'm just blind. At any rate, I'm sorry if I caused you (or anyone else) to waste your (their) time. I was mainly interested in the repetition of bars and grids, and thought perhaps someone else might be, too. Guess not. ;-) But the production design was well thought out. We've all complained about the dark scenes within the Pannick house with a single point of light illuminating the action. But that was deliberate. At the Q&A session, DonnaF explained that the art director wanted the look of an Edward Hopper painting and don't those just scream loneliness, despair and isolation? That's interesting! And one of Hopper's most famous paintings is \"House by a Railroad.\""}, {"response": 901, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (12:59)", "body": ""}, {"response": 902, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (13:00)", "body": "Thanks, Janet, for the confirmation re: Clive's line. That was always my guess as well. (Lora) And when Clive comes to the Pannick house after not going to Aberdeen and lying about it, you can hear a clock ticking in the background. For Clive, time is about to run out for him in the Pannick house. Love this one. I will have to check this out. (Lora) an old movie poster (from the 20's?) in the antique store They look to be silent movie era actors, but I don't recognize any of them. Was there an actual movie poster? (Lora) Always looking for symbolism... Aren't we all. But as my erudite lurker keeps reminding me, sometimes a cigar is only a cigar. ;-) (Lora) why does Mackie have 2 offices?...Is the first one a station instead where they have brought Donovan and Sandy and asked Mackie to meet them? My guess is the security office. I've never found it particularly believable that someone of Mackie's rank would be called in to deal personally with two troublemakers, and Security would definitely not bring them up to his office. It just isn't done. (Tress) Maybe something from Don Quixote. Does anyone know? I couldn't find anyone even vaguely similar to Clive, which makes sense since Dulcinea isn't a real character. I thought he might be some sort of composite of DQ's various adversaries, but that doesn't help with the name. Perhaps he's based on someone from the musical too? BTW, I liked those definitions. v.g. (KathyF) I was mainly interested in the repetition of bars and grids, and thought perhaps someone else might be, too. Guess not. ;-) We're interested in all observations, as they always seem to lead us into all sorts of interesting areas. It turns out that yours might not be very far off anyway, especially with the Hopper info on House by the Railroad. I found this on the WebMuseum website: \"Hopper frequently used a straight. horizontal motif, usually a road or railroad track. to construct the space within the picture and to emphasize the division between the picture space and the viewer's world. Indeed, the more the viewer tries to penetrate the depths of a Hopper painting, the more impenetrable it becomes. What holds the viewer is that the artist's vision seems under control and yet, on closer inspection, the viewer realizes that the visible surface is a tissue of improbabilities and unreadable shifts in space. Hopper's view that nature and the contemporary world were incoherent contributed to his artistic vision.\""}, {"response": 903, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (13:26)", "body": "(Lora)For Clive, time is about to run out for him in the Pannick house. Good one..Someone pl. help me out here....(love the Scottish dialect, but have a real hard time making it out.) I know something is said about Clive's divorce. Does he go back to his wife?"}, {"response": 904, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (14:18)", "body": "(MoonD) So we can say that Don picked Lucy's house because of its proximity to the train station I thought he had picked the card with the Pannick address off the bulletin board in the shop before he saw its location. So would he have known that trains went by there?"}, {"response": 905, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (17:07)", "body": "(Evelyn)Does he go back to his wife? I'm pretty sure, that in one of his last scenes with Lucy he tells her, that he has left Caro. When Lucy sort of tells him, she doesn't want him, he asks something about where he is to go then. (I haven't seen it for a few days, and my memory isn't what it used to be). (Karen)But as my erudite lurker keeps reminding me, sometimes a cigar is only a cigar. ;-) I must admit, I have a tendency to follow that line as well. So many observations and suggestions as to what it all means. I enjoy it very much, just can't keep up for the time being. Janet - here's one for you. I think you asked earlier, where you had heard Peaches before. Well, I see this jar every time I open my refrigerator, and every day it makes me think of you (and Clive). Not together or anything - I hope you get the point ;-)"}, {"response": 906, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (17:44)", "body": "(Annette)I'm pretty sure, that in one of his last scenes with Lucy he tells her, that he has left Caro Yes, Clive does say that he has left Caro. He says something to the effect that he has given up everything for her, I assumed he meant his marriage. This scene always makes me want to tell his soon to be ex-wife how lucky she is."}, {"response": 907, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (17:59)", "body": "(Karen)They look to be silent movie era actors, but I don't recognize any of them. Was there an actual movie poster? You're right, it is not a poster just silent movie era actors who are just silent movie era actors ;-). (WebMuseum/Karen)to emphasize the division between the picture space and the viewer's world. Indeed, the more the viewer tries to penetrate the depths of a Hopper painting, the more impenetrable it becomes. Kathy, thanks for mentioning this painting and, Karen, thanks for posting it. Hopper's \"House by the Railroad\" has a lot of the same attributes as the Pannick house: beides the large window panes and being by the railroad, it is also a place that Donovan \"tries to penetrate\" in order to help those who live there to a better life, yet the more he tries the more his quest falls apart. But at the end of the film (with Lucy on the platform) maybe he has helped them become more successful. (Annette)every time I open my refrigerator Any salami parked nearby the Peaches? ;-);-) (sorry couldn't resist or maybe this is what you meant?;-))"}, {"response": 908, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (18:32)", "body": "I know how difficult it must be for any non-Scots to follow Clive's dialogue, but his wife's name is actually Carol. (It's pronounced something like 'Carow' in West of Scotland dialect.) (Annette)every time I open my refrigerator And I can't help smiling every time I hear Clive call Lucy 'Peaches', 'cos it reminds me of a certain other couple! - Perhaps a bit better matched in love?"}, {"response": 909, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (18:56)", "body": "Hey, I have been reading everything from the discussion, but I can't really offer new insights, so I want to say thanks for all the posts, I have really gotten a lot more out of this film from what I have learned from you all. Peaches! When I saw this film on TV and taped it, it was right when the chapter was being written about Peaches! And, I nearly changed the whole thing because of what it made me think of. I had forgotten that!"}, {"response": 910, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (19:10)", "body": "(Lisa)Peaches! When I saw this film on TV and taped it, it was right when the chapter was being written about Peaches! Ah, so this is what you all are referring to. Sorry, Lisa, I must read your stories. DH will think I've completely lost it, if I spend any more time here on the computer. So I've been putting it off even though I've heard they are so great. But there's no time like the present (staying on subject ;-)). Will have to move into 172."}, {"response": 911, "author": "townranny", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (06:15)", "body": "(Lora) Any salami parked nearby the peaches? Very funny Lora! (Lisa) Peaches! And, I nearly changed the whole thing bacause of what it made me think of. I can't think of a less appropriate nickname for Lucy. Poor Katy Murphy. I wonder if this film affected her own self-esteem, after the awful insults that were hurled at her day in and day out by the Clive character."}, {"response": 912, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (08:33)", "body": "(Lisa)I have really gotten a lot more out of this film from what I have learned from you all. Ditto. But I'm not sure I liked it more when I thought he was mad. Somehow re-inventing himself as Donovan doesn't have the same appeal; seems fraudulent... Charles Abingdale in Port Clyde;-)"}, {"response": 913, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (08:35)", "body": "(Lora)Ah, so this is what you all are referring to. Sorry, Lisa, I must read your stories. DH will think I've completely lost it, if I spend any more time here on the computer. So I've been putting it off even though I've heard they are so great. Thank you so much. I felt so stupid, not understanding any of the references to Peaches. Will also have to devote some time to fanfic. (Lora)Any salami parked nearby the Peaches? ;-);-) (sorry couldn't resist or maybe this is what you meant?;-)) LOL I didn't dare post anything about the salami after my little accident with play dough. After that we only have sliced salami in our fridge;-)"}, {"response": 914, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (11:02)", "body": "Just heard on the way home that Terry Gross will be interviewing Terry Gilliam today on \"Fresh Air\" (on NPR) about his movie on Don Quixote. I believe this is the film that Dorine posted about a while back. Thought it may add some insight our DQ discussion. It's on at 12 noon in South Florida."}, {"response": 915, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (14:48)", "body": "(Evelyn) But I'm not sure I liked it more when I thought he was mad. Somehow re-inventing himself as Donovan doesn't have the same appeal; seems fraudulent... I've been MIA for this discussion so far -- but as others have said, I've been following along and gaining lots from all of you...thanks! But I was googling yesterday (for something else entirely) and saw this quote ...I love serendipity... \"El es un entreverado loco, lleno de lucidos intervalos.\" (He's an intermittant fool, full of lucid intervals.) - Miguel de Cervantes, \"Don Quixote\" So Evelyn, if I'm following you, you're bothered by the possibility that Donovan was an act of Daniel's, put on with some deliberation. I'd have to re-read to see if that is the general consensus but it looks like the framework of the book will also support him moving back and forth between the two and allows for periods of Donovan being dominant and vice versa. I'm not saying two personalities. He knew to accomplish what his mania drove him to, Daniel needed to be hidden (they would be looking for him) so he created Donovan. During the discussion of him being sectioned, it occurred to me a catalyst for it might have been his apparent stalking of the family...isn't that what it looked like if you think about it? If the widow (sorry - I don't remember her name right) complained, that would have been a strong red flag he was in trouble. Also, the money he had was mentioned as an indicator he was lucid and knew what he was doing--liquidating his assets. But he had all that money he offered to the widow...withdrawing it to give it to her would not necessarily have been the work of a rational man. Do we know whether he had more than that? Perhaps that became his getaway stake."}, {"response": 916, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (15:50)", "body": "(Cervantes)(He's an intermittant fool, full of lucid intervals.) What a great summation of the Donovan/Daniel dilemma. Excellent points, barb. (Evelyn)Somehow re-inventing himself as Donovan doesn't have the same appeal; seems fraudulent... It would seem fraudulent if it were deliberate. I don't think it was. I don't think Daniel consciously re-invented himself as Donovan. Rather,the Donovan personna emerged to help Daniel cope with the trauma and grief that he was experiencing. I don't feel that Daniel was a raving lunatic either, and going back to the symptoms that Dorine posted at the beginning of the discussion, this was a temporary condition. It didn't necessarily mean that the Donovan/Quixhote character was in command like a multiple personality-type disorder, or that Daniel could turn it on and off at will. IMHO, of course."}, {"response": 917, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (15:50)", "body": "closing tags, sorry"}, {"response": 918, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (17:38)", "body": "\"El es un entreverado loco, lleno de lucidos intervalos.\" (He's an intermittant fool, full of lucid intervals.) - Miguel de Cervantes, \"Don Quixote\" Great find, Barb! Definitely worth the wait. Throughout most of the book, Quixote is made to look like the fool, but he later becomes a tragic hero. (BarbS) but it looks like the framework of the book will also support him moving back and forth between the two and allows for periods of Donovan being dominant and vice versa. I'm not saying two personalities. He knew to accomplish what his mania drove him to, Daniel needed to be hidden (they would be looking for him) so he created Donovan. I see Daniel as someone who is prone to \"flights of fancy.\" He is, by definition, quixotic, which doesn't mean he has forgotten everything he's ever learned or known but that he filters knowledge or reality through his imagination and rationalizes it within his own view of an ideal world. We all perceive things with our senses and that's our reality. Donovan sees things through his mind and make them into whatever he sees works within the framework of his ideals. When he's confronted with a wrong, he calls upon his noble identity because only a person like that has the moral fiber to deal with it. (BarbS) the money he had was mentioned as an indicator he was lucid and knew what he was doing--liquidating his assets. Just for the record, ladies, he didn't \"liquidate\" his assets; he withdrew his \"liquid assets.\" There is a difference. He took out whatever he had in the bank. (BarbS) withdrawing it to give it to her would not necessarily have been the work of a rational man. And then giving it away to whomever on the streets is precisely why Daniel's wife initiated proceedings to have him sectioned and the authorities would easily accept that as proof of some sort of insanity. (Linda) I don't think Daniel consciously re-invented himself as Donovan. Rather, the Donovan personna emerged to help Daniel cope with the trauma and grief that he was experiencing. But I think that runs counter to the original story of a man who read the books first and knew there were once people who fought for the oppressed and were guided by a strong sense of right and wrong, had ideals, had vision."}, {"response": 919, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (18:26)", "body": "(Linda) I don't think Daniel consciously re-invented himself as Donovan. Rather, the Donovan personna emerged to help Daniel cope with the trauma and grief that he was experiencing. Hmmmm interesting. So you think the Donovan persona was a catharsis...an atonement, perhaps. Rather than a vindication against Windmill. Could be. I rather like the ambiguity in all of this."}, {"response": 920, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (18:50)", "body": "(Karen)But I think that runs counter to the original story of a man who read the books first and knew there were once people who fought for the oppressed and were guided by a strong sense of right and wrong, had ideals, had vision. Not necessarily. From what we know and see, Daniel was going to cope with the trauma in some way outside of himself. Having read the book may have simply been the catalyst or the trigger in determining what type of personna was going to emerge to help him cope with this. That, combined with the type of incident that caused the trauma...enter Don Quixote/Donovan. How do we know that Daniel hadn't read the book earlier in life, before Windmill? Once the incident happens, the memory of DQ begins to surface and Donovan emerges? Just speculation, of course. (Evelyn)Hmmmm interesting. So you think the Donovan persona was a catharsis...an atonement, perhaps. Now that you put it that way, yes. Exactly. Thanks, Evelyn."}, {"response": 921, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (19:20)", "body": "(Evelyn)Hmmmm interesting. So you think the Donovan persona was a catharsis...an atonement, perhaps. Now that you put it that way, yes. Exactly. Thanks, Evelyn. I agree. IMO Donovan was Daniel's attonement. Although he did some irrational things, i.e. handing money out to poor. Could this not be the actions of a man totally devastated and guilt-ridden for what he had done. Further complicated by the fact that he tried to attone and his efforts rejected by his victim's family. Perhaps he realized he could not attone, or ease his guilt, in the Daniel personna. Therefore the arrival of Donovan. He planned with clarity his escape as well as the withdrawal of his liquid assets and I also feel he planned Donovan as a means of recouping himself and allowing himself the freedom to make attonement for the terrible wrong he had done. IMO he did not have two personalities. I feel he always knew who he was and what he was doing."}, {"response": 922, "author": "townranny", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (20:15)", "body": "(Barb)He's an intermittent fool, full of lucid intervals I was hoping someone else would bring this up (unless they already did) but wasn't Don Quixote supposed to be a comedy originally, where DQ goes off and has mad adventure after adventure (serialized) but returns to sanity in the village every so often? That ties in with Daniel/Donovan's comment about Don Quixote being a great madman but was nothing when he returned to sanity. Also I heard about a Sundance movie this year which was about trains described as a metaphor for the interconnections of people's lives. Bingo, DQ."}, {"response": 923, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (10:12)", "body": "(Pam)Perhaps he realized he could not attone, or ease his guilt, in the Daniel personna. Therefore the arrival of Donovan. Atonement was not acceptable (read: \"accepted\") as Daniel.Therefore, he goes into Donavan mode. Just as an afterthought, who else thinks that Daniel was 'missing a microchip too';-)"}, {"response": 924, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (12:29)", "body": "(Evelyn) Just as an afterthought, who else thinks that Daniel was 'missing a microchip too';-) I agree with you and posed same question earlier in discussion. I don't think Daniel was 100% to begin with."}, {"response": 925, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (18:32)", "body": "(Pam)I don't think Daniel was 100% to begin with. (Evelyn) Just as an afterthought, who else thinks that Daniel was 'missing a microchip too';-) How far back are we going with this question? Are you thinking he wasn't right even before the trauma?"}, {"response": 926, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (19:14)", "body": "I did get to listen to \"Fresh Air\" (with Barbara Bogave in for Terry Gross) and a couple things stood out to me in terms of helping with understanding DQ, the film: Terry Gilliam said that the novel Don Quixote is about a man's \"last chance to make the world as interesting as he dreams it to be.\" And that in the novel, Don Quixote saw the windmills as giants (i.e. giant people) which is another similarity between the novel and film with Windmill Transport being a giant corporation. Gilliam's film \"The Man Who Killed Don Quixote\" never got made because the man who was to play him got very sick (French actor, Jon Rushforte (sp?)). They wanted to wait for him because he was an excellent equestrian and that's what Gilliam wanted for the film. So maybe when they remake it (Gilliam wants to - just has to get the rights to the script again from the insurance company) why don't they ask CF who is an excellent rider? I don't think Daniel was 100% to begin with. I agree. Just look at the way he told drivers not to stop for strikers. Danie's our madman and, like Pam says, in his desire to finally atone for what he did he creates/becomes Donovan, his last chance to make things right."}, {"response": 927, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 2003 (10:31)", "body": "(Pam)I don't think Daniel was 100% to begin with. (Evelyn) Just as an afterthought, who else thinks that Daniel was 'missing a microchip too';-) (Linda)How far back are we going with this question? Are you thinking he wasn't right even before the trauma? I think a mental health professional would have to give you a proper answer. I won't try. Except to say that most[normal] people wouldn't give the original order nor respond to the consequences in that manner."}, {"response": 928, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 2003 (10:55)", "body": "(Evelyn) Except to say that most [normal] people wouldn't give the original order nor respond to the consequences in that manner. Good point, but then it also brings up the mental stability of the man who actually drove the bus! He needs a bit of help himself...sounds like the entire organization could use a 'mental health expert' on staff! ;-)"}, {"response": 929, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 2003 (12:01)", "body": "(Karen) But I think that runs counter to the original story of a man who read the books first and knew there were once people who fought for the oppressed and were guided by a strong sense of right and wrong, had ideals, had vision. (Linda) Not necessarily....Daniel was going to cope with the trauma in some way outside of himself. Having read the book may have simply been the catalyst or the trigger in determining what type of personna was going to emerge to help him cope with this. That, combined with the type of incident that caused the trauma...enter Don Quixote/Donovan. I think we're going to have to agree to disagree. The traumatic incident and resultant guilt, I believe, caused him to take refuge in the book (having read it before). He tried to emulate Quixote for the good he was attempting to do for the oppressed, all of which would help Daniel atone. Don Quixote was a \"great\" madman. (Lora) Terry Gilliam said that the novel Don Quixote is about a man's \"last chance to make the world as interesting as he dreams it to be.\" I'd be careful here. This is one man's interpretation of what DQ is about (like the musical Man of La Mancha) and may not relate at all to what the screenwriter thinks. I have some good comments from DonnaF that I was planning on unleashing fairly soon. (Pam) I don't think Daniel was 100% to begin with. (Lora) Just look at the way he told drivers not to stop for strikers. (Evelyn) most [normal] people wouldn't give the original order nor respond to the consequences in that manner. Lordy! Lordy! What are you talking about? Giving orders not to allow the strikers to impede their operation is not the sign of a person with a screw loose. That happens all the time when there are strikes or protests. First off, Daniel's order wasn't given directly to the driver; he wasn't even there when it happened. Daniel however did feel responsible, but he certainly didn't tell the driver to run somebody over. Protest lines are broken all the time. Usually, the people will back off when confronted with a heavy object like a truck. Upper management sets policy; it is up to others to deal with the tactical part. There are many tactical options that should've been explored and maybe had. Were the protesters on private property? Why didn't they have the police haul them away? Did Sapas throw himself under the wheels of the truck? There are such things as peaceful protests and nonpeaceful protests and people can get hurt in the latter. We don't know how this one went down. I've been mulling over Daniel's position at Windmill and decided that Mackie was actually higher up than him. At the beginning of the film, the radio guy calls Mackie a regional executive of the Port Clyde-based Windmill Transport. At the meeting with Mrs Gorman, Mackie has all of Scotland Region. This leads me to believe that Windmill was organized by regions. In which case, Daniel, who has the title of Executive Director - Home Counties Division, may have been part of a larger London (or SE England) Region, and the person heading up that region would've attended meetings with Mrs Gorman. Because the Home Counties Division itself may in all likelihood be more significant than all of Scotland Region given the population density, Daniel may actually have attended higher levels meetings at times with his boss or done presentations. That is how Mackie might have known him."}, {"response": 930, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 2003 (15:13)", "body": "(Karen) Giving orders not to allow the strikers to impede their operation is not the sign of a person with a screw loose. That happens all the time I've started to comment along these lines before but wanted to go back to hear the specific order first (which would not necessarily have been exactly what was communicated to the drivers in any case.) Management's general direction not to let the strikers stop the buses is not an unreasonable direction. I don't mean to over generalize, but any manager directing people can put a chain of events into motion which might end up being tragic and how would one react? For instance, as a Human Resources rep, I might advise a manager to put an employee on final warning for continued refusal to work overtime -- which we tell candidates is a condition of employment. What if that person did not work available OT because they were always home to meet their child's bus and there was an accident because they were not there that day? How would I react? I don't know. Maybe if I knew if and where I had specific microchips missing, I could guess. ;-) Karen's placement of Daniel as a more middle level manager adds to my sense of him as just someone filling their role and going about the normal course of business. Obviously somehow, for those involved, he became the face of Windmill and the focal point for their anger, and it seems as if Windmill left him to the wolves. They might want to disassociate from him and from the order because of the liability and the public relations stink. Anyway, enough on that point, I'm still kinda thinking it through and welcome other comments. On another point, I find it interesting that his real life and fantasy life initials were both DQ. I know there's been debate over whether he had read the book before. If he had, he must have made more than passing note that his initials and Don Quixote's were the same. I've been leaning toward him not having read it first though...his book was a library book and when Lucy opens it, there is a book mark in the middle of the book. Maybe he did not know how it ended? But does all this mean that if his name had been Ronald Hughes, he would have chosen Robin Hood instead? Just wondering. :-)"}, {"response": 931, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (10:58)", "body": "(BarbS) it seems as if Windmill left him to the wolves. They might want to disassociate from him and from the order because of the liability and the public relations stink. In what way did you get the impression that Windmill had \"left him to the wolves\"? Unfortunately, none of us had a photographic memory when we saw it on the big screen and could only take in a limited amount of information in the brief time shown. However, I found it interesting that Daniel's personnel record had a field labeled \"Medical Diagnosis\" and hypomania filled in. With all the privacy laws in the US, I wouldn't think you'd find such info in a personnel record, only something like Current Status: Disability (either long or short term) or Active. It is a shame that we couldn't find that field or another which might have shown Date of Separation, but it would appear that he could easily still be in Windmill's employ but on medical leave. (BarbS) I've been leaning toward him not having read it first though...his book was a library book I'd say he read it earlier, maybe in school. After the traumatic incident and his attempts to atone for his guilt, he might have recalled the valorous Don Quixote, went to the library and got the book, from which he drew inspiration (or ir created delusions). Just because he didn't own it, doesn't mean he hadn't read it. ;-) (BarbS) and when Lucy opens it, there is a book mark in the middle of the book. As Donovan would say, \"Barb, you are a genius!\" Is this not evidence that he is merely rereading it? Bookmark in the middle, yet he knows the ending? ;-) Does anyone else think that Lucy's advice (\"keep your head down, don't say nothing and keep on walking\") has a broader meaning?"}, {"response": 932, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (11:34)", "body": "(Karen)Does anyone else think that Lucy's advice (\"keep your head down, don't say nothing and keep on walking\") has a broader meaning? Other than the obvious as far as Sandy is concerned--Lucy just wants to make sure that he stays out of trouble, especially since he is probably teased a great deal in the neighborhood as it is. He makes the remark to her that they already make fun of him when Lucy is angry that he is wearing conductor's uniform. A broader meaning...I think this is the way Lucy felt about life in gerneral. She is quite loathe to the bus idea and the publicity surrounding it. She has no self-esteem, no feelings of self-worth, and therefore feels most comfortable with little to no contact with her surroundings. Her only real contact, except for her family, is Clive who just compounds her hopelessness. I get the impression she keeps him around just to remind her of how empty she really is. If you keep your head down you don't have to look anyone in the eye."}, {"response": 933, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (12:10)", "body": "(Lindak) Her only real contact, except for her family, is Clive who just compounds her hopelessness. I get the impression she keeps him around just to remind her of how empty she really is. Also there is a comfort in the \"known\" even if it is having a negative effect on your life. When Donovan enters the scene and shakes up that known world he turns it on end which is frightening for Lucy, although in the end may have been her saving grace."}, {"response": 934, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (17:19)", "body": "(Karen)Does anyone else think that Lucy's advice (\"keep your head down, don't say nothing and keep on walking\") has a broader meaning? I don't have much to add, except perhaps she wants to protect him from the outside world. Life hasn't been very kind to her, and she might think she somehow shelters Sandy this way. There could also be a connection to the point, where she's angry with Donovan for encouraging Sandy to approach Redika. She says something like it makes Sandy look like a fool, and Donovan answers, that it happens.... (sorry, my memory isn't the best and my vcr is spoken for at the moment, but I'm sure you all remember the sequence)."}, {"response": 935, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (20:25)", "body": "(BarbS) it seems as if Windmill left him to the wolves. They might want to disassociate from him and from the order because of the liability and the public relations stink. (Karen) In what way did you get the impression that Windmill had \"left him to the wolves\"? My impression only, based on the total lack of any apparent support (in the story) from upper management. Admittedly the logic is suspect, just because it was not shown does not mean it was not there, just my impression based on what was (not) shown. (BarbS) and when Lucy opens it, there is a book mark in the middle of the book. (Karen) As Donovan would say, \"Barb, you are a genius!\" Is this not evidence that he is merely rereading it? Bookmark in the middle, yet he knows the ending? ;-) If he knew the ending and had any inkling of it applying to his own situation, I did not see it. I've only watched it 3 times and each time with a different list of questions, perhaps I'll eventually absorb it all. If he did know how it ended, why did he bother, unless he had a few microchips missing? :-) As many times as I've read histories of Nicholas and Anastasia and Marie Antoinette and hoped just this once it would end differently, it never does."}, {"response": 936, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (20:29)", "body": "(Karen)Does anyone else think that Lucy's advice (\"keep your head down, don't say nothing and keep on walking\") has a broader meaning? It reminds me of instructions a commander may give his troops on a battleground: keep moving, stick together, keep your head down. I'm sure Lucy realized Sandy faced a battleground every day he stepped out the door. (LindaK)If you keep your head down you don't have to look anyone in the eye. If you approach an unknown animal, it is important to not look it in the eye because it is a challenge that can provoke an attack. This would be true even if the unknown animal was just a local \"bully-boy\".;-) It is possible that Sandy had a tendency to stare longer than other people were comfortable with because he was slow to think about what they had just said or slow to think of what he wanted to say. I think he does this when Donovan drags him away from Radhika. He and his new girlfriend in the hospital seem to do this."}, {"response": 937, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (23:49)", "body": ""}, {"response": 938, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (05:44)", "body": "(Evelyn) So you think the Donovan persona was a catharsis...an atonement, perhaps. This completely sums up what I think. Furthermore, I bet the writers would go some way with you on the idea that Daniel had a screw loose, or rather was not a complete human being, and might throw in Gorman and Mackie and anybody else in a sharp suit with minimised human compassion too. Donovan is what Daniel can be like when he acts with energy, courtesy, valour, kindness and integrity (see \"quixotic\") - and maybe it is a small tragedy that it takes hypomania to get him to act that way, and so enrich the lives of others around him in a way that he never manages in his day job as Daniel (when he is presumably enriching himself). Of course, I speak from the hypocrisy of my office in my sharp suit! (Well, casual today, but you know what I mean)"}, {"response": 939, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (07:42)", "body": "Of course, I speak from the hypocrisy of my office in my sharp suit! LOL, Mark! If all the \"suits\" were as quixotic as you..."}, {"response": 940, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (08:41)", "body": "(Linda)She is quite loathe to the bus idea and the publicity surrounding it. Lucy doesn't like her phone number on the leaflets either, and I noticed she did not include her phone number on the room-to-let advertisement - only the address. She wants as little contact with the outside world as possible. (Karen)I have some good comments from DonnaF that I was planning on unleashing fairly soon. Would love to see them! Would possibly help put us on the right \"track.\" I feel a little stuck on the express bus and feel like pulling emergency cord in order to get to a better understanding. ;-)"}, {"response": 941, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (09:32)", "body": "Re: Lora's suggestion about Colin taking Jean Rochefort's place in Terry Gilliam's \"Lost in La Mancha\" - Rochefort is 71 years old. ;-)"}, {"response": 942, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (09:33)", "body": "Hmmm, I just noticed that his hat has the same cutout as my Lladro DQ."}, {"response": 943, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (09:47)", "body": "(Karen)about Colin taking Jean Rochefort's place in Terry Gilliam's \"Lost in La Mancha\" - Rochefort is 71 years old. ;-) Thanks for the picture! I knew Rochefort was a lot older than CF (thanks for spelling), but can just picture Colin in that suit of armor. I think Colin is up for the challenge! He could be made to look older, but be young enough to put up with all the riding and hot armor in the desert location. Give him a distinguished salt and pepper beard and hair, he would be dazzling. And what a challenging role in so many ways! Plus Gilliam only films in Europe and hates Hollywood backing, and by the time he gets the rights again Colin should be closer to 50 ;-)."}, {"response": 944, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (10:05)", "body": "(Karen)Terry Gilliam's \"Lost in La Mancha\" \"Lost in La Mancha\" is the documentary made by Pepe and partner (see Karen's posting on 168) of Terry Gilliam's failed attempt to adapt Don Quixote to the screen which was entitled, \"The Man Who Killed Don Quixote.\" Hope it's okay to put this here."}, {"response": 945, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (10:07)", "body": "Ooops! Sorry, you're correct about the title. Need more coffee. ;-) (still too young)"}, {"response": 946, "author": "caribou", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (10:30)", "body": "(Karen)Hmmm, I just noticed that his hat has the same cutout as my Lladro DQ. Hat? A mere hat? That is the \"Golden Helmet of Mambrino\" but in real life has to have the cutout because it's, alas---a shaving basin. We have a framed print by M. Larrinaga of Don Quixote and it too has the cut out although less obvious because of the angle. I would be surprised if the the best dressed Don Quixotes were ever seen without their \"golden helms\". I'm glad DF didn't take the similarity even further and have Donovan turn the macaroni/cheese bowl upside down on his head!:-)"}, {"response": 947, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (10:36)", "body": "Having read that it was the inverted wash basin, I didn't really think about wha the the cutout was supposed to be. *leaning back for a rinse*"}, {"response": 948, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (11:02)", "body": "(Evelyn) So you think the Donovan persona was a catharsis...an atonement, perhaps. (Mark)This completely sums up what I think. I am leaning in that direction too. (a girl can change her mind, can't she?) A few more notes on the \"train in the attic\": At first, Sandy has a simple set of tracks with one train, and all the trails are bended. This could tell us how the members of the Pannick Family are all on their seperat off-courses. Donovan comes in at night, setting the trails right. Obvious meaning, he is starting the quest of getting the family back on track. Next the trainset developes, starting with a base for the trains. This could be the Pannick Household, where Donovan starts the business of busses. Then you see Donovan working with the trains alone, while Sandy is the bystander (the scene with the famous chat-up line). This is Donovan making his own little dynasti - lots of trains, rails and what have you (perhaps Daniels is sticking his head out?) At the end we see Sandy alone, one train running and paying more attention to the people on the set - could he be hoping to find love? Okay, this is very unorganized, but I would like to get it down, while I could remember some of my thoughts (and at the same time hoping to get dinner ready for the rest of the family)"}, {"response": 949, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (13:47)", "body": "(BarbS) I've only watched it 3 times and each time with a different list of questions, perhaps I'll eventually absorb it all. I've watched it numerous times, but this discussion is bringing out many new interpretations and I've done a 360 on many things. ;-) (BarbS) If he did know how it ended, why did he bother, unless he had a few microchips missing? :-) Because he had to. (Maria) When Donovan enters the scene and shakes up that known world he turns it on end which is frightening for Lucy, although in the end may have been her saving grace. (Annette) Donovan comes in at night, setting the trails right. Obvious meaning, he is starting the quest of getting the family back on track. Glad we came back to Donovan and the train set. He's the one who does get this family not \"back on track\" but on a different/better track. It is precisely because of Donovan that Lucy faces her problems, instead of drowning them in a bottle or clamping her legs around Clive, and becomes the person he envisions. In a related vein... (Karen) Does anyone else think that Lucy's advice (\"keep your head down, don't say nothing and keep on walking\") has a broader meaning? (Linda) I think this is the way Lucy felt about life in general....If you keep your head down you don't have to look anyone in the eye. (Annette) she wants to protect him from the outside world. Life hasn't been very kind to her, and she might think she somehow shelters Sandy this way. Lucy's credo isn't that of a realist. While life hasn't been good to her, she has chosen not to do anything to change her own circumstances or face up to it (see above). Moreover, she is skeptical about everything. Is it any coincidence that DonnaF and David Blair's (the director) production company is named Making Waves Productions? Seems to me like this work is intended to encourage people to make waves and to buck up against evil. As Donovan says, \"for evil to triumph, it only requires that people do nothing.\" Is that not what Lucy is saying and how most of society behaves?"}, {"response": 950, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (14:34)", "body": "(Karen)Seems to me like this work is intended to encourage people to make waves and to buck up against evil. LOL. Special interest groups all over the world will agree here.....but in this case....hmmmmm , not sure if having to provide train/bus transport for Sandy to go to a day center in Cannon Bridge was exactly evil"}, {"response": 951, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (15:15)", "body": "(Evelyn) not sure if having to provide train/bus transport for Sandy to go to a day center in Cannon Bridge was exactly evil From my lurker KathyW: \"Evil\" can be very clear-cut, but it can also be a matter of degree. It may depend on how personally involved one might be. A cancer may start with one lone cell, after all. Donovan *may* be resorting to hyperbole in using \"evil\", but that's what Don Quixote believed he fought, too. There is also a powerful quote from a Lutheran minister from Nazi Germany [about] when something becomes evil and about people remaining silent/uninvolved: \"In Germany they first came for the Communists and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me--and by that time no one was left to speak up.\" (punctuation exactly as written)"}, {"response": 952, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (15:30)", "body": "The web is full of info about Pastor Martin Niem\ufffdller (1892-1984) and the many variations of this quote. 'First they came for the Communists, but I was not a Communist, so I said nothing. Then they came for the Social Democrats, but I was not a Social Democrat, so I did nothing. Then came the trade unionists, but I was not a trade unionist. And then they came for the Jews, but I was not a Jew, so I did little. Then when they came for me, there was no one left to stand up for me.' http://www.history.ucsb.edu/faculty/marcuse/index.html"}, {"response": 953, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (16:38)", "body": "(Lurker:Kathy W)\"Evil\" can be very clear-cut, but it can also be a matter of degree. It may depend on how personally involved one might be. Is that the same as \"evil is in the eye of the beholder\";-)"}, {"response": 954, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (09:02)", "body": "(Evelyn) Is that the same as \"evil is in the eye of the beholder\";-) KathyW's answer: \"sometimes it is \"."}, {"response": 955, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (09:49)", "body": "(Evelyn) Is that the same as \"evil is in the eye of the beholder\";-) (Via Karen)KathyW's answer: \"sometimes it is\". You betcha'....:-))A v. subjective term. Some folks think I am evil because I take a glass of Chardonnay:-((("}, {"response": 956, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (10:04)", "body": "(Lurker:Kathy W)\"Evil\" can be very clear-cut, but it can also be a matter of degree. It may depend on how personally involved one might be. So the degree to which Daniel was involved in making the decision for the drivers not to stop made the action \"more evil\"? I'm confusing myself now with degrees of evil, it is hard to view it objectively because one usually feels very strongly about that which one views as \"evil\". Evelyn) Is that the same as \"evil is in the eye of the beholder\";-) Very interesting... (Evelyn) Some folks think I am evil because I take a glass of Chardonnay:((( Whaaaatt??!! Who?? I'll bean em with my drawer full of listless corks! I raise my glass and toast you (with whatever varietal I am drinking this week...)"}, {"response": 957, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (10:24)", "body": "(Maria) So the degree to which Daniel was involved in making the decision for the drivers not to stop made the action \"more evil\"? Kathy's said evil can be (1) clearcut, (2) a matter of degree, or (3) dependent on the degree of involvement. She didn't single any one out as it applied to this. Anyway... The \"evil\" discussion had to do with my comments about a broader meaning for Lucy's credo and Donovan's observations about \"for evil to triumph...\" and whether the filmmakers were making a statement about the effects of Thatcherism on society. As far as Daniel's views on the order not to stop, he believes himself part of that evil now, but certainly didn't then."}, {"response": 958, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (11:07)", "body": "Kicking the larger evil off to the side... ;-) Was anyone else bothered by Donovan's passivity when he was beaten up on the bus and again by Clive? Don Quixote was an old man in the novel, but he still fought against his foes. He may have lost a lot from what I gather, but he was more aggressive."}, {"response": 959, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (11:11)", "body": "(Karen)...by Donovan's passivity when he was beaten up on the bus and again by Clive? Yes, very much indeed. It is one of the notes on my list that I hadn't postet, because I couldn't explain why. I still can't, but it is nice to know, that some of you thought the same."}, {"response": 960, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (13:43)", "body": "(Karen) Was anyone else bothered by Donovan's passivity when he was beaten up on the bus and again by Clive? Don Quixote was an old man in the novel, but he still fought against his foes. He may have lost a lot from what I gather, but he was more aggressive. I was surprised and disappointed. IMO he was slow to make any real effort to stop the bullies, and then he just gave up. It was like he was resigned to it."}, {"response": 961, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (14:23)", "body": "(KathyF) IMO he was slow to make any real effort to stop the bullies, and then he just gave up. It was like he was resigned to it. Or that he had just realized the bullies were another weapon in the arsenal of Windmill, just like flooding the line with all the extra buses, and he was beginning to feel the effects of fighting against such a formidable foe. It took no real courage to hand down an edict from a shiny office, or to use words or money to influence people, but DQ (both) were unaccustomed to front line battle and it shows both when the widow slaps him and in this scene. (He'd probably still be counting in the aisle had they not shoved him down...)"}, {"response": 962, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (15:56)", "body": "(Karen)...by Donovan's passivity when he was beaten up on the bus and again by Clive? He thought he deserved it."}, {"response": 963, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (16:30)", "body": "(Karen)...by Donovan's passivity when he was beaten up on the bus and again by Clive? He regressed to Daniel who was a wimp."}, {"response": 964, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (16:50)", "body": "(Karen)...by Donovan's passivity when he was beaten up on the bus and again by Clive? (MoonD) He thought he deserved it. I agree. IMO he thought he deserved it for what he had done and the pain he had caused others to suffer. Perhaps his reasoning to experience in some measure pain as an act of atonement."}, {"response": 965, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (18:21)", "body": "(Karen)...by Donovan's passivity when he was beaten up on the bus and again by Clive? (Moon Dreams) He thought he deserved it. And (watch me 360 here...hope there are no whiplashes...) he knew it was coming because he had read the book ;-)and was resigned that he would lose in the end? Some sort of symbolic death wish? \"I can't beat them but I can die trying?\" As Pam put it he thought he deserved it ...to experience in some measure pain as an act of atonement."}, {"response": 966, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (13:57)", "body": "(KathyF) then he just gave up. It was like he was resigned to it. (Maria) Or that he had just realized the bullies were another weapon in the arsenal of Windmill, just like flooding the line with all the extra buses, and he was beginning to feel the effects of fighting against such a formidable foe. The tag-teaming buses didn't seem to faze him a jot; his self-confidence was fully intact and evident when he threw down the gauntlet to Mackie, came home singing \"We Shall Not Be Moved\" and then again when he mounted the consumer boycott campaign. As I mentioned earlier, I think this initial beating signified the end of Donovan and opened his eyes to reality. A \"beaten\" man, in more ways than one, went to see Mackie again. This man *waited* for the receptionist to say Mackie would see him now. (Marie) It took no real courage to hand down an edict from a shiny office, or to use words or money to influence people, but DQ (both) were unaccustomed to front line battle and it shows both when the widow slaps him and in this scene. Interesting observation. Daniel/Donovan was an \"idea\" man (brains but no brawn)? It has been suggested that physical responses catch him by surprise, like the driver hitting Sapas and Mrs. Sapas' slap. (Karen)...by Donovan's passivity when he was beaten up on the bus and again by Clive? (Moon) He thought he deserved it. Can't argue with that. (Pam) Perhaps his reasoning to experience in some measure pain as an act of atonement. Daniel's period of atonement had already ended before Clive's beating. Like Don Quixote, Daniel went out into the wilderness (where beasts live) and did his penance (rending of clothing, tearing of hair, hair shirt, beating head against rocks), but the bullies beat him back into sanity and it was over. From what I remember, Colin found doing that scene on the bus, where Sandy got beat, very difficult. Donna Franceschild related they were very sensitive to the parts where Sandy is called a \"moron\" and asked David Brown how he felt about it. He was ecstatic that he would get to yell the same at someone else. I feel myself heading for the train platform... ;-)"}, {"response": 967, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (18:48)", "body": "(Karen). A \"beaten\" man, in more ways than one, went to see Mackie again. This man *waited* for the receptionist to say Mackie would see him now. I didn't realize he waited for the receptionist this time. Interesting observation. I did note in this scene that he was a beaten man...especially when Mackie tells him that the offer was reduced to 5,000. The look of defeat is very evident in his face. (Karen)I feel myself heading for the train platform... ;-) Are we there already?"}, {"response": 968, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (16:45)", "body": "(Karen)Was anyone else bothered by Donovan's passivity when he was beaten up on the bus and again by Clive? Thanks for bringing this up. I am very bothered by these two scenes everytime I watch them. I think another reason why Donovan doesn't fight back is because he doesn't want to cause a bigger fight that would trigger the police to come and ask questions. Remember how he doesn't want Lucy to call for help (police/hospital) after Clive beats him up? Was also a little frustrated when I watched DQ with DH during these scenes and was secretly thinking, \"C'mon get up, Colin, get up and kick those bullys' butts this time!\" Meanwhile DH had such a smirk on his face as if to say, \"See, CF is such a wimp.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 969, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 2003 (13:54)", "body": "(Lora)Remember how he doesn't want Lucy to call for help (police/hospital) after Clive beats him up? I think the reason for not wanting Lucy to call for help was because he knew that his wife an police were looking for him. It is the police who come to Lucy's house--to take him away."}, {"response": 970, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (09:00)", "body": "Being \"in Italy\" over the weekend [winkie winkie] ruined my plans to take the train. But I'm going to try my best to get there later today."}, {"response": 971, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (15:32)", "body": "Going back to Evil again, very briefly, I found this quote from DonnaF in the Independent: Windmill Transport, a giant with many arms, is a good target for Donovan to attempt to stay,\" Franceschild continues. \"There's something noble about trying to fight such a massive foe against all the odds but for all the right reasons. I wanted to examine the lack of humanity in that system. I didn't want to write about bus deregulation as such, but create a situation where a little guy stands up to capitalism at its most rapacious.\" [...] Franceschild reckons Donovan could be a role model for anyone who wants to fire others into action. \"A lot of people now are politically cynical, as Labour have turned out to be Tories, Mark II. But when true opposition comes back, it will be because of a few lunatics who are never going to win but who make us think that things can be different. And I think we can all figure out that Evil in Ms Franceschild's mind is Capitalism, a beast with gaping jaws and a oracious appetite for only what's profitable. ;-) Windmill Rail apologizes for the delay and is ready to board all passengers for Glasgow on Track 2.... DonnaF mentioned that, when they shot the final scene on the platform, Colin came on set in that suit and she barely recognized him. She said he was \"metallic.\" Any ideas to what she meant? She told him then that she would write a different ending, but his reply was \"don't you dare.\" It took me a long time to accept that Daniel had been employed by Windmill, but even longer to understand that he was back at work for them now. Why else would he even be on a train platform in Scotland, if he hadn't just been at Windmill HQ in Port Clyde, meeting with his boss or similar. Maybe I get too concerned with the minutiae but, in Daniel's prior position (and there's no reason to assume that he would go back to it, more than likely he would not), he would've lived closer to the operations he managed. But, after the Sapas incident, when he's either shown at home or at the minimum security facility where he's been sectioned, he's listening to a local radio program. Would he get that in or near London? Doesn't it look like Daniel is working very hard *not* to react/respond to Lucy and what she's telling him?"}, {"response": 972, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (15:50)", "body": "(Karen)Why else would he even be on a train platform in Scotland, if he hadn't just been at Windmill HQ in Port Clyde, meeting with his boss or similar. Think Daniel and George Mackie now \"do\" lunch? I keep telling ya'..Frank Abagnale in Port Clyde.Now he goes to work for the opposition. Donovan was instrumental in turning the lives of the Pannick family around.(No easy feat) But did he get the train to stop at Cannon Bridge? So what is DF telling us? That although our original mission may never be attained, it always pays to \"fight the battle\" because there can be an ancillary reward."}, {"response": 973, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (17:15)", "body": "(Karen) She said he was \"metallic.\" Any ideas to what she meant? I take it to mean he was like steel, very emotionless and looking very focused on what he is or will be doing and detached from those around him. He did try to maintain a fairly flat or neutral aspect while talking to Lucy, well illustrated with your picture. And the facade only started to crumble as he stepped onto the train. He might have already been in character coming on to the set. Why else would he even be on a train platform in Scotland This confused me a bit after the second viewing. I assumed, obviously wrongly it appears, that he came from somewhere else and ended up there. Not that he actually lived and/or worked in the area which I presume he would if he was catching the train at that particular station. Does that make sense?"}, {"response": 974, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (18:44)", "body": "(Karen)Doesn't it look like Daniel is working very hard *not* to react/respond to Lucy and what she's telling him? The first time I saw this, I really thought he didn't recognize Lucy at first (due to his illness and obviouos cure). Then, of course, he apologizes for the trouble he's caused. Obviously he knows Lucy from the moment she says \"Donovan.\" I get the impression that if he does react to her, he fears he will crack, and will have to accept the life he has returned to. Maybe the metallic, emotionless, and unfeeling traits that Dorine describes are the very things that help him not to have to deal with this reality...Daniel's version of sanity. ."}, {"response": 975, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (18:51)", "body": "(Karen)But, after the Sapas incident, when he's either shown at home or at the minimum security facility where he's been sectioned, he's listening to a local radio program. Would he get that in or near London? If Daniel was back working for Windmill, maybe he was reassigned. I would assume that too many people would know who he was, and what happened after the Sapas incident. Sorry for the double post."}, {"response": 976, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (19:01)", "body": "(Karen), Capitalism, a beast with gaping jaws and a oracious appetite for only what's profitable. ;-) And sub-culture. (Karen)Doesn't it look like Daniel is working very hard *not* to react/respond to Lucy and what she's telling him? It's Daniel. He knows not Lucy anymore. Why else would he even be on a train platform in Scotland Daniel travels on trains. DQ travelled on the bus. It marks the contrast."}, {"response": 977, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Feb 13, 2003 (10:10)", "body": "Metallic Robotic, perhaps, kinda ... android. Why else would he even be on a train platform in Scotland? Excuse dumb question, as do not have a copy to rewatch: is the train platform definitely in Scotland? I felt there was huge change in Lucy's life ,evidenced by her smartness, and that maybe her new job and status had her going to London, or I suppose Glasgow (but i.e. out of her old, restricted environment)."}, {"response": 978, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 13, 2003 (12:00)", "body": "(Evelyn) I keep telling ya'..Frank Abagnale in Port Clyde. Now he goes to work for the opposition. He's not a con artist, merely a businessman, albeit fairly ruthless. (Evelyn) So what is DF telling us? That although our original mission may never be attained, it always pays to \"fight the battle\" because there can be an ancillary reward. I think that is very much her message. (Dorine) I take it to mean he was like steel, very emotionless (MarkG) Robotic, perhaps, kinda ... android. I too took it as like steel. Hard as steel, based on what we overhear of his phone conversation (\"we'll pry their fingers off\"). Maybe it's even armorlike. ;-) (MarkG) is the train platform definitely in Scotland?...maybe her new job and status had her going to London, or I suppose Glasgow (but i.e. out of her old, restricted environment). Initially, I felt it must be in Scotland, probably Glasgow because of the mention of the hotel pickups; I didn't think Port Clyde would have many of those. But I rewatched the last scene and it could indeed be somewhere else. The sign says \"Central Station\" and it is a more elaborate structure. Lucy then talks about seven coming off the Glasgow train and another nine on the Strand run [?]. So, Glasgow would be out. But one of the trains that pulls in bears the logo SPT, which actually exists: the Strathclyde Passenger Transport. [You really must read about this company; its stated role is to \"ensure that public transport is available for those who need it most, especially the elderly and disabled.\" http://www.spt.co.uk/About/index.html ] Your conclusions about the family having moved away and starting over make a great deal of sense."}, {"response": 979, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (11:50)", "body": "(Karen)Lucy then talks about seven coming off the Glasgow train and another nine on the Strand run [?]. So, Glasgow would be out. Definitely not Glasgow. More likely a regional station along the Clyde coast (where it was filmed), serving many small towns. Didn't the announcement state the next train arriving at the platform was for Ayr? (A Clyde Coast seaside resort). Not sure if us locals would agree with SPT's stated role. LOL! BTW, I believe they were still living locally."}, {"response": 980, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (12:05)", "body": "(Karen)Lucy then talks about seven coming off the Glasgow train and another nine on the Strand run [?] Sorry for the double post, but I've just listened to the dialogue. Lucy: ' ...and another nine on the Stranraer service at a quarter past ten'. This would tie in. Stranraer is a port that serves Northern Ireland, and is in the south-west of Scotland, south of Ayrshire. Quite a busy tourist route."}, {"response": 981, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (10:37)", "body": "(Janet) More likely a regional station along the Clyde coast...Didn't the announcement state the next train arriving at the platform was for Ayr? (A Clyde Coast seaside resort). This would tie in. Stranraer is a port that serves Northern Ireland, and is in the south-west of Scotland, south of Ayrshire. Quite a busy tourist route. Excellent! So there is a tourist trade in their region. Love it when the loose ends are tied up. All for Janet doing a transcript of the program, raise their hands. *waving wildly* (Linda) Obviously he knows Lucy from the moment she says \"Donovan.\" I get the impression that if he does react to her, he fears he will crack, and will have to accept the life he has returned to. Regardless of the elapsed time, I also believe that Daniel recognizes Lucy's call to Donovan and that he doesn't want to acknowledge her. \"Cracking\" is an interesting way of putting it, but I'd say he would have to let the mask completely slip off. His business executive mask. Daniel has been cured and returned to sanity, which requires he hide behind a mask and not let those more human feelings be exposed again. He has to stay with customers or labor units, no flesh and blood. I would guess that he quietly surrendered to his cure, especially as he was under the impression that he had ruined the Pannicks' lives when he was hauled away. Lucy hadn't minced words when she told him they were better off before he arrived, and I'm sure he believed it. Being human, caring about people, was painful and the results could backfire. People are not as black and white as a balance sheet is supposed to be. If one of his business strategies didn't pay off as expected, it would be written it off and maybe his bonus would o ly be a few pounds less that year. Did anyone catch possibly a glimmer of recognition when Lucy is telling him about Gran? Sadness tinged with amusement?"}, {"response": 982, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (11:48)", "body": "(Karen)Did anyone catch possibly a glimmer of recognition when Lucy is telling him about Gran? Sadness tinged with amusement? I had the same feeling, like a little movement around his mouth. Thank you Janet, for the \"translation\" and to all of your for your observations. I enjoy it a lot, but don't feel I have much more to contribute. I will follow the rest of the discussion closely, though."}, {"response": 983, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (12:39)", "body": "(Karen)Daniel has been cured and returned to sanity, which requires he hide behind a mask and not let those more human feelings be exposed again. ... I would guess that he quietly surrendered to his cure, Cured? Cured of what? Daniel willingly decided to impersonate a DQ by becoming Donovan as atonement for killing Sappas. When he ran out of money and saw that his crusade was futil, he became despondent and went back to his former self. I submit that DF is telling us that we don't realize the good we do when we take up a cause;even if we don't see evident results at the time."}, {"response": 984, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (13:46)", "body": "(Karen) Being human, caring about people, was painful and the results could backfire. People are not as black and white as a balance sheet is supposed to be. If one of his business strategies didn't pay off as expected, it would be written it off and maybe his bonus would o ly be a few pounds less that year. Did anyone catch possibly a glimmer of recognition when Lucy is telling him about Gran? Sadness tinged with amusement? Which brings us back to question the emotional state of Daniel from the beginning. Was he sound of mind to start off? Seeking solace and prtotection from human feelings in business strategies and balance sheets. IMO he knew Lucy right off and was just trying to avoid a confrontation as he felt he had failed them. He didn't know how to react to her so possibly felt by ignoring her any confrontation could be avoided. He definitely reacted when she mentioned Gran. I noticed that on first viewing. IMO I think he really had caring feelings for Gran. (Evelyn) Cured? Cured of what? Daniel willingly decided to impersonate a DQ by becoming Donovan as atonement for killing Sappas. When he ran out of money and saw that his crusade was futil, he became despondent and went back to his former self. I agree. I always had the opinion Daniel knew exactly what he was doing as Donovan and took on the Donovan persona to make atonement. He tried to atone as Daniel and was sectioned for his actions, so he had to become someone else. Sadly, he never got to realize till the very end that he had not failed the Pannicks. Perhaps if the police had not come to get him the Pannicks would not have stood on their own and succeeded as well as they did as they would have continuted to depend on him instead of themselves. And at this point Daniel had given up and didn't possess the strength or dependability that the Pannicks would have required from him. So all things being equal maybe things did work out for the best. Daniel returned to a life he was comfortable with and the Pannicks evolved into successful, functioning people."}, {"response": 985, "author": "townranny", "date": "Sun, Feb 16, 2003 (11:45)", "body": "(Karen)Doesn't it look like Daniel is working very hard *not* to react/respond to Lucy and what she's telling him? I see a big gulp (adam's apple action) when Lucy says \"Donovan\". Then I see nothing like Karen says. \"Come on it hasn't been that long\":Lucy He won't acknowledge her. Finally: \"I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused\". Donovan,asking for forgiveness (as he did for the bus incident) \"Don't be sorry Donovan\". Lucy being very human gives him forgiveness (as Sapos wife could have done)and tells him at the same time not to be sorry for the bus incident either. He looks over his shoulder as he gets on the train. Why? Gaah! The resolution of the whole movie. Does he realize that only he can forgive himself? He can't get it from someone else? He is human. Otherwise it is a sad little ending. He's gone back to his old ways. Really bad. Dragging people out of their offices by finger nails. Ewww!"}, {"response": 986, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Feb 16, 2003 (12:56)", "body": "(kathleen)He looks over his shoulder as he gets on the train. Why? Gaah! The resolution of the whole movie. Does he realize that only he can forgive himself? He can't get it from someone else? He is human. I need to look at the last moment of the ending...for his facial expression. I think he may get that realization (forgiving himself) at the very last minute. He had a longing in his eyes as he looks back at her. Not the same steely (metallic) look from our first glimpse of Daniel on the platform."}, {"response": 987, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 16, 2003 (12:57)", "body": "(Kathleen) Otherwise it is a sad little ending. He's gone back to his old ways. Like you said, Kathleen. \"He is human.\" You can't change the spots on an old leopard. But I don't think it's sad, he did rehab the Pannick family. And I bet he won't tell a bus driver to run over union activists again. This is a terrific film and had it not been peppered with undecipherable Scottish accents, IMO it would have found a distrib in the US. At least on cable."}, {"response": 988, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 16, 2003 (15:21)", "body": "(Evelyn) Cured? Cured of what? Daniel willingly decided to impersonate a DQ by becoming Donovan as atonement for killing Sappas. When he ran out of money and saw that his crusade was futile, he became despondent and went back to his former self. Finishing my last about-face, I'm back in the \"mad\" camp. I think he did experience some kind of dissociative personality disorder as a result of a traumatic experience (Mrs Sapas' accusations). While this doesn't cause amnesia, he was acting like another individual, one he selected by going to the library and getting the book, which he had read before, for inspiration. A great deal has been said about \"atonement,\" even by me, but the book Don Quixote is not about atonement. DQ doesn't go on his quest to atone for anything wrong he has done in life. There is a section which I've mentioned before where he goes out into the wilderness to atone, but that is specifically because he feels he has not been a good enough knight errant to Dulcinea. Maybe if we fold Mrs Sapas into the Lucy/Dulcinea symbolism, then it might work. Why do people go on quests? To atone? No, I don't think so. They go to find something. (Kathleen) I see a big gulp (adam's apple action) when Lucy says \"Donovan\". Then I see nothing like Karen says....He won't acknowledge her. But more importantly, he won't look at her. That takes supreme effort. (Kathleen) He looks over his shoulder as he gets on the train. Why? Gaah! The resolution of the whole movie. Does he realize that only he can forgive himself? He can't get it from someone else? He is human. (Linda) He had a longing in his eyes as he looks back at her. Not the same steely (metallic) look from our first glimpse of Daniel on the platform. It's a very hard, final look, don't you think? As Moon pointed out before, when Alonso Quixano dies, he renounces being Don Quixote. He went home and fell into a melancholy state, which people attributed to his being vanquished and not being able to restore Dulcinea. In bed he asks forgiveness for his sins, to which his niece asks what they are. His answer: \"My judgement is now undisturbed, and free from those dark clouds of ignorance with which my eager and continual reading of those detestable books of chivalry had obscured it. Now I perceive the absurdity and delusion of them, and am only sorry I am undeceived so late, that I have no time left to make some amends, by reading others that might help to enlighten my soul. I feel myself, niece, at the point of death, and I would fain so order it, as not to leave the imputation of madness upon my memory; for though I must confess I have been a madman, I would not confirm the truth of it at my death.\" To his friends he says the following: \"Give me joy, good gentlemen, that I am now no longer Don Quixote de la Mancha, but Alonso Quixano, for his virtues surnamed the Good! I am now an utter enemy to Amadis de Gaul, and the innumerable rabble of his descendants; now all the histories of knight-errantry are to me odious and profane: I am now sensible of my folly, and of the danger I was led into by reading them; and now, through the mercy of God, and my own dear-bought experience, I detest and abhor them.\" DQ then confesses to the priest and makes his will. He asks Sancho's forgiveness for making him into a madman as well and making him believe in knight-errantry. About three days later, he died. His epitaph: Here lies the valiant cavalier, Who never had a sense of fear; So high his matchless courage rose, He reckon'd Death among his vanquish'd foes. Wrongs to redress, his sword he drew, And many a caitiff giant slew; His days of life tho' madness stain'd, In death his sober senses he regain'd. Does this alter your view of the train station at all or reinforce it? DonnaF wanted the film to hinge on this question: \"Was DQ mad when he was destroying other people's lives or when he was healing them?\""}, {"response": 989, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Feb 16, 2003 (15:43)", "body": "DonnaF wanted the film to hinge on this question: \"Was DQ mad when he was destroying other people's lives or when he was healing them?\" The easy answer would be when he was destroying them, but don't be too sure. With the healing came as many lies as with the destroying. That look at the train station expresses this. He found himself in a no win situation. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. What sense would it make to acknowledge Lucy? None. His days of life tho' madness stain'd, In death his sober senses he regain'd. Daniel died for DQ. DQ died for Daniel. Where is the madness? Where is the sober senses? Don Quixote the novel is a put on of chivalry. It is made fun off. As he dies in the end, so does chivalry. We find ourselves back with Daniel."}, {"response": 990, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Feb 16, 2003 (21:32)", "body": "(Karen)Does this alter your view of the train station at all or reinforce it? For me, it re-enforces my view. It was easier to be metallic rather than have emotion and hurt penetrate. He fought the battle and lost, and therefore it re-enforced and justified, in his own mind, a reason to return to Daniel. I find it depressing that he did not know the extent of the good he had done for the Pannicks. (Karen)Why do people go on quests? To atone? No, I don't think so. They go to find something. To find out who he truly was? That's the sad part, he came away with Daniel and allowed Donovan to die."}, {"response": 991, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (01:15)", "body": "(Karen) Why do people go on quests? To atone? No, I don't think so. They go to find something. (Linda) To find out who he truly was? Sometimes they do both I think. Some people have done bad things and realize what a bad person they were (if that's the case), want to atone, then go on a quest to find themselves and where they fit might fit in better with society and possibly do some good along the way (as atonement)."}, {"response": 992, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (09:59)", "body": "I haven't come to any conclusion about the quest (yet!), but just thought of something in my little \"train-metaphore\"-line, that I wantet to post, while I could remember it (I am in the middle of preparing dinner, so please excuse me for any misspellings or typos!) The leaving lodger in the beginning pinched Sandy's traintransformer as well as one of the locomotives. This could symbolize, that Sandy (and others) was being robbed of his local traincompany and that the new company (Windmill)\"robbed\" him of his ride home aswell! Perhaps it's a bit far out, but it could make some sense, couldn't it???"}, {"response": 993, "author": "townranny", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (11:19)", "body": "(Moon)Don Quixote the novel is a put on of chivalry. It is made fun off. As he dies in the end, so does chivalry. I'm with Moon on this. And didn't we decide a while back that the film doesn't follow the book, that it is an interpretation of the DQ character? I'd go with Donna F's comment instead of realting the film back to Cervantes. (Karen) DonnaF wanted the film to hinge on this question: \"Was DQ mad when he was destroying other people's lives or when he was healing them?\" The question can't be answered, a case can be made for either side :).Well done. Atonement is only a part of that. Going back to bed scene when DQ says. \"When they returned him to sanity he was nothing\" (extreme closeup - must be very important to film) Also Karen's photo helped me with this interpretation:I don't think it is a hard look I think he is thinking about something she said or that something that occured to him as a result of something she said. I think that final freeze-frame says : Considering what Lucy said, maybe I am not nothing."}, {"response": 994, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (11:23)", "body": "(Kathleen)I think that final freeze-frame says : Considering what Lucy said, maybe I am not nothing. I will go along with this one as well. I didn't find the face that hard, but couldn't find a way to express it."}, {"response": 995, "author": "townranny", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (11:28)", "body": "(Annette)The leaving lodger in the beginning pinched Sandy's traintransformer as well as one of the locomotives. This could symbolize, that Sandy (and others) was being robbed of his local traincompany and that the new company (Windmill)\"robbed\" him of his ride home aswell! Very perceptive Annette! Was just reloading to tell you this. I thought it was a very strange thing to say at the beginning of the film, that the lodger pinched a model train car. It works in your context."}, {"response": 996, "author": "townranny", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (14:09)", "body": "A quote from Colin about Donovan Quick Firth thinks we have all got a touch of the Donovan Quicks about us. \"Like most powerful myths, it's universal. If there's anything I'm passionate about or decide to fight, it's usually a case of Don Quixote,a pathetically ineffectual human being taking on something which doesn't feel the blows at all and which is probably the wrong target anyway. Donovan never gets a punch in before he's flat on his back, but his spirit is winning and his courage is absolute. Donovan is never going to get the girl, he's never going to defeat the dragon, but he's going to keep going anyway. Is there a better way to describe the human condition?\""}, {"response": 997, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (14:34)", "body": "(Kathleen), Very perceptive Annette! Was just reloading to tell you this. I thought it was a very strange thing to say at the beginning of the film, that the lodger pinched a model train car. Aha! I had posted a long time ago to compare the message in beginning and the end of the film. Donovan is never going to get the girl, he's never going to defeat the dragon, but he's going to keep going anyway. Is there a better way to describe the human condition?\" A bunch of masochists, LOL! Colin, Colin , Colin! Some very underserving people win all the time. ;-)"}, {"response": 998, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (14:39)", "body": "(Kathleen) Lucy being very human gives him forgiveness (as Sapos wife could have done)and tells him at the same time not to be sorry for the bus incident either. Easier said than done for Mrs. Sapos. She lost her husband and her life as she knew it. Kind of a hard thing to forgive, especially at the immediate time of the action. Lucy and family benefited from any trouble he caused so IMO two completely different situations, therefore easy for Lucy to give forgiveness. I don't think they can be compared."}, {"response": 999, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (18:05)", "body": "I rewatched the beginning, the bed scene, and the ending. All of a sudden the dialogue in the bed scene took on a different meaning to me: L: Who's Daniel Quinn? D: You wouldn't have liked him. He was a businessman. And, uh, his business was destroying lives...He wouldn't have thought that about himself. He didn't care whose businesses he raided. He was too busy making money for himself and his company. One could read his business and his company in a couple of ways. The first several times I heard it I thought it was just loyalty to the transport business he worked for. As in: This is my business because it is the company I work for. But this time it popped right out to me to mean his own business. This time it sounded like he owned that franchise in Scotland during the Sappas incident before Windmill took over! While he talks to Lucy on the bed he has another blue screen flashback about Mrs. Sappas, where she screams, \"You're the one. It was you. You killed him!\" Then Donovan says to Lucy (on the bed), \"It was his company (Daniel's).\" As if to say - That's why I am responsible, it was my company at the time. Lucy asks him, \"Windmill?\" But he doesn't confirm that. The company had a different name before, but I don't know what it was. We only see a logo on the train at the beginning of the film when they cover it with the Windmill logo. So, do you think the old franchise in Scotland was a company owned by Daniel? Or am I reading this dialogue totally wrong? At the beginning of the film, the radio host mentions that Mackie is the man who is the regional director who has taken over the rail franchise in Scotland. At the end of the film, Daniel was probably hired back as a consultant (which is why he's probably on the platform in Scotland). From what he says on his cellular he's helping others to fail, i.e. coming at them with both barrels and prying fingers off. (Linda)I find it depressing that he did not know the extent of the good he had done for the Pannicks. And now that Lucy has told him of their success, he feels even worse that he has gone back to being ruthless Daniel. So the turnback expression (that Karen provided above) as he steps onto the train is total regret at who he is (even though deep inside he has to be happy for the Pannicks and what he did for them). Do you think the franchise in Scotland that Windmill took over used to be owned by Daniel Quinn? I had never viewed the movie in this light before my last reviewing of these scenes. Daniel's motivation to go to Port Clyde makes a lot more sense in this view, don't you think? And so does Mackie's position in the new company and why Donovan looks familiar to him."}, {"response": 1000, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (18:06)", "body": "closing tags, sorry"}, {"response": 1001, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (18:17)", "body": "(Linda) He fought the battle and lost, and therefore it re-enforced and justified, in his own mind, a reason to return to Daniel. Absolutely, as Moon put: damned if you do and damned if you don't. But maybe, just maybe, he did see the positive way in which he affected the Pannicks. It wasn't all that bad. Good could come of what our society's terms madness. (Annette) The leaving lodger in the beginning pinched Sandy's train transformer as well as one of the locomotives. This could symbolize, that Sandy (and others) was being robbed of his local train company and that the new company (Windmill)\"robbed\" him of his ride home as well! Perhaps it's a bit far out... Not far out at all. This movie operates on many levels and I don't think we're stretching credulity with these observations at all. (Kathleen) Going back to bed scene when DQ says. \"When they returned him to sanity he was nothing\" (extreme closeup - must be very important to film) He (Daniel) believes this. He is nothing (and I so agree that extreme close-up is definitely an indication of its importance, among other things) ;-) (Kathleen) I think that final freeze-frame says: Considering what Lucy said, maybe I am not nothing. Very good but I think the face is quite hard and why else would DonnaF have second thoughts about the ending? From all I've heard and seen about filmmaking, a sad or not upbeat ending is the toughest to sell. If we were to take away a glimmer of hope that he had changed, then that kind of ending would be considered desirable, easier to take. I don't think they went for the hopeful ending here. He may see that he has positively affected the family, but he's not headed down that track again. From the lady who whispers in my ear: (KathyW) A quest may be an adventurous journey, searching for something that might be unobtainable in the first place, but part of the concept of a quest, IMO, is the person's desire to test himself---physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Can one face the test of fire and come through it? A quest may be of value to the person who undertakes it and not to others, but that doesn't diminish the challenge or invalidate the worthiness of it, IMO. I wonder if Don Quixote's feelings of preferring sanity are wholehearted. Underneath his acceptance of (capitulation to?) the reality of his mundane world, might he not long for the freedoms and joys (the sense of being truly alive--of doing ) he experienced in his irrational period? I hope so, and I hope the same for Donovan. Without that hope, what are we left with except acceptance and submission? [P.S. I'm not ignoring your posting, Lora, but I prepared this one offline while yours went up.]"}, {"response": 1002, "author": "townranny", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (19:46)", "body": "(Pam)Easier said than done for Mrs. Sapos. She lost her husband and her life as she knew it. Kind of a hard thing to forgive, especially at the immediate time of the action. Lucy and family benefited from any trouble he caused so IMO two completely different situations, therefore easy for Lucy to give forgiveness. I don't think they can be compared. (Kathleen)Lucy being very human gives him forgiveness (as Sapos wife could have done)and tells him at the same time not to be sorry for the bus incident either. I didn't mean to compare the two.:-) I don't think Daniel intended what happened. It was an accident. We all have the capacity to forgive to different degrees. Mrs. Sapos \"could\" have forgiven him. I didn't mean to imply that she \"should\" have. She couldn't have been much less forgiving (spat in his face, accused him personally)and created as much guilt in him as she possibly could."}, {"response": 1003, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (21:51)", "body": "(KathyW),I wonder if Don Quixote's feelings of preferring sanity are wholehearted. Underneath his acceptance of (capitulation to?) the reality of his mundane world, might he not long for the freedoms and joys (the sense of being truly alive--of doing) he experienced in his irrational period? But what are we shown that would make us believe that? As Lora says, At the end of the film, Daniel was probably hired back as a consultant (which is why he's probably on the platform in Scotland). From what he says on his cellular he's helping others to fail, i.e. coming at them with both barrels and prying fingers off. How do we reconcile the two? We can't, a choice is made. DQ has died for Daniel."}, {"response": 1004, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (06:00)", "body": "I just came across a link by coinsidence. A few quotes catched my eyes: ..who is fighting mad and fighting back on his own terms. A man named Colin Firth is the mad-man who is fighting back. ..\"This threat has only strengthened my resolve to use this project as a stand on principles, the little guy against corporate greed.\" The link has nothing whatsoever to do with ODB, I just post because I think it is quite strange (in a funny way, - well not to some people) Will hurry back to work. Here is the link: http://www.starther.no/skole/showarticle.php?skole_id=214"}, {"response": 1005, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Feb 22, 2003 (13:12)", "body": "(Lora)D: You wouldn't have liked him. He was a businessman. And, uh, his business was destroying lives...He wouldn't have thought that about himself. (Moon) might he not long for the freedoms and joys (the sense of being truly alive--of doing) he experienced in his irrational period? Both of these statements make it difficult for me to accept the look and attitude of Daniel on the platform, before Lucy speaks to him. Regardless of the fact that Donovan was defeated, the platform scene suggests to me that at some point he made the rational decision to continue to live the rest of his life as Daniel, the businessman, before the Pannicks. Yet when he talks to Lucy in the bedroom, he seems to be denouncing Daniel and what he stood for. The statement \"he wouldn't have thought that about himself\" also suggests to me that he had realized the \"wrong\" about Daniel. Even though he might return to his old life, then the time spent in Donovan mode didn't bring about any type of change to his old ways. If he glimplsed the freedom and energy he had as Donovan, why was the pull to return to Daniel so strong? My question remains... What did the quest accomplish?"}, {"response": 1006, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (10:53)", "body": "This is the film that Lora and I are going to see tonight at the Miami FF: *** EL CABALLERO DON QUIJOTE (DON QUIXOTE, KNIGHT ERRANT) Quixote's quest forever magical BY MARTA BARBER Spain has the same obsession with Don Quixote as the noble gentleman has with his Dulcinea. Both are inspired by and devoted to fictional characters and are willing to battle windmills in the conviction that the figments of their dream can be made real. Manuel Guti\ufffdrrez Arag\ufffdn makes a good case of keeping the obsession alive with El caballero don Quijote (Don Quixote, Knight Errant), a film as magical as any version on the subject. When Don Quixote was published in 1605, it became an instant success; a second book was published in 1615. The film picks up the public's fascination and inserts episodes from the second book as Don Quixote rides again, always in the company of his loyal manservant Sancho. He is now motivated by the ideal of breaking the spell under which his beloved Dulcinea, whom he has never seen, lives. This concept of 17th century reality mixed with the book's fabled episodes and the timeless search for what is right gives Guti\ufffdrrez Arag\ufffdn's film a special tone accessible to modern filmgoers. The dialogue sounds current, though as spoken by Don Quixote (Juan Luis Galiardo), it carries the exaggerations of the old-fashioned man Cervantes created. Some things have changed. Sancho Panza (a lovable Carlos Iglesias) is neither dumb nor fat, and thus not prone to ridicule. Don Quixote is not quite as woeful, although, as his adventures continue, he begins to show the effects of ensuing disappointments and lack of food. There are still the images of the old ventas or country inns, filled with transient mule keepers, actors playing female parts, dukes and duchesses. The biggest change comes in the landscape, which immediately strikes you as having too many trees. The director claims that La Mancha, the arid steppes of Central Spain, suffered a climactic change in the 17th and 18th centuries, and the film's location is more in tune to what it looked like in Cervantes' days. The change of landscape works in a cinematography lush with appealing images, from the battle by the seashore to the scene in the black cave. Guti\ufffdrrez Arag\ufffdn doesn't intend to be totally faithful to the book, but his film feels closer to the concept and the era of Cervantes than any other. Those seeking literature won't find it here, but the entertaining film proves there's a reason why Don Quixote will remain a Spanish obsession."}, {"response": 1007, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (11:56)", "body": "Ohhhh I wish I were going to be with you. Sounds terrific. It's a period film, I gather and not contemporary. But with current dialogue?? Eager to get your report."}, {"response": 1008, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (13:50)", "body": "(Lora) But this time it popped right out to me to mean his own business. This time it sounded like he owned that franchise in Scotland during the Sappas incident before Windmill took over! Initially, I thought there was no way Daniel could've been working for Windmill. He acted like just too high-powered an exec to be in that company. But the fact that he's listed in Windmill's personnel database means he must work for them and we know in what capacity. BTW, the Sapas incident took place somewhere around London, which is consistent with Daniel's title that shows his territory to be the Home Counties. There's a sign at the playground when Daniel approaches Mrs Sapas which gives the postal code. W14 as I recall off hand. (Lora) At the end of the film, Daniel was probably hired back as a consultant (which is why he's probably on the platform in Scotland). I'd say he's still in full employ with Windmill. During all this time, he was off sick or on leave. Can't fire a person for health reasons. (Linda) Regardless of the fact that Donovan was defeated, the platform scene suggests to me that at some point he made the rational decision to continue to live the rest of his life as Daniel, the businessman, before the Pannicks. Yet when he talks to Lucy in the bedroom, he seems to be denouncing Daniel and what he stood for. The statement \"he wouldn't have thought that about himself\" also suggests to me that he had realized the \"wrong\" about Daniel. Completely with you up to this point. Yes, Daniel had understood the wrongs he had done, which is why IMO he embarked on his quest. He sought to do good and root out evil. (Linda) Even though he might return to his old life, then the time spent in Donovan mode didn't bring about any type of change to his old ways. If he glimpsed the freedom and energy he had as Donovan, why was the pull to return to Daniel so strong? Because he was totally unaware of the good he had done for the Pannick family, the turnaround he had caused. As I think Moon had said earlier, it was a damned if you, damned if you don't type of decision. He believed he had failed on all levels (social and human), which would make his return to the Daniel inevitably easier to accept. Daniel doesn't take into account the human factor; it's just all numbers to him. (film synopsis) timeless search for what is right Precisely. (Linda) My question remains...What did the quest accomplish? Just what was beginning to sink in during the final moments that his quest had ancillary benefits. KathyW has been needling me about DonnaF's message and the seemingly hopeless ending. If she is trying to show what happens with a \"keep your head down, say nothing and keep on walking\" attitude, then shouldn't Daniel's last look imply some hope? Could Donovan be a redeemer? (1) obscure/mystical/controversial origins (2) sacrificing/giving of strength/abilitites (3) saving souls or lives of others (4) battle against evil forces (5) waning of strengths (physical and mental) (6) 'death' of redeemer (7) rebirth/renewal after his death This would be consistent with Moon's recent comment about something must die for something new to be created or born."}, {"response": 1009, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (15:13)", "body": "Could Donovan be a redeemer? Donovan was Daniel's redeemer. With the Don Quixote book in hand, Don sets out to touch the lives of others battling against the evil forces responsible for his mental waning, and in turn, something mystical happens: he saves his soul. (Karen), I'd say he's still in full employ with Windmill. During all this time, he was off sick or on leave. Agreed. Can't fire a person for health reasons. In the UK and Europe that's true. But in the US?"}, {"response": 1010, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (15:35)", "body": "(Moon) Donovan was Daniel's redeemer So you wouldn't say that he saves the Pannicks? (me) Can't fire a person for health reasons. (Moon) In the UK and Europe that's true. But in the US? Well, this does take place in Scotland, but you can't do it here either."}, {"response": 1011, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (16:31)", "body": "(Moon)Don sets out to touch the lives of others battling against the evil forces responsible for his mental waning, and in turn, something mystical happens: he saves his soul. I have a problem with this...I don't know if he saves his soul if he goes back to being Daniel and prying peoples fingers etc. He does save the Pannick family, however.Which he doesn't realize til Lucy tells him.So I wouldn't call it all hopeless."}, {"response": 1012, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (17:00)", "body": "(Karen), So you wouldn't say that he saves the Pannicks? I consider that a side effect. (Evelyn), I don't know if he saves his soul if he goes back to being Daniel and prying peoples fingers etc. So does evil triumph at the end? No because Lucy tells him. In the end, things just go back to normal for him. Now, define normal? ;-)"}, {"response": 1013, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (19:54)", "body": "(Moon)So does evil triumph at the end? No because Lucy tells him. I can agree with this to a point, but his running into Lucy was pure chance. I have a hard time with his phone conversation and the prying of fingers remark. The impression that we're left with...except for those brief moments when Daniel and the audience see the \"new\" Pannicks, is that Donovan taught him nothing. He not only returned to his life as Daniel, which was probably going to happen anyway, given the fact that he had a wife who was looking for him, but he was ruthless as well."}, {"response": 1014, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (16:32)", "body": "(linda), that Donovan taught him nothing. He not only returned to his life as Daniel, which was probably going to happen anyway We must not lose track of the book. Donovan was DQ, not Daniel. Once Daniel returns back home he is back to his old self."}, {"response": 1015, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (18:57)", "body": "(Moon)Daniel returns back home he is back to his old self. I guess it is the quest that I'm referring to. His experiences as Donovan...I thought he would somehow bring away with him a small part of the good feelings/positive images. Before meeting Lucy on the platform, one can assume that the past experiences as Donovan hadn't happened, offered no effect at all. Was no part of Daniel's character affected by what had gone before?"}, {"response": 1016, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (23:04)", "body": "Was no part of Daniel's character affected by what had gone before? That's where the mental illness comes in. He can't recall."}, {"response": 1017, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 2003 (09:27)", "body": "Hey, Don Quijote is making the rounds;;-) From my London Theatre Newsletter: At the Barbican Theatre......... AY! QUIXOTE by Teatro Malandro Genre Drama from 11 Mar 03 to 15 Mar 03 Time: Tue 7pm , Wed - Sat 7:45pm Director: Omar Porras Producer: BITE 03 / Teatro Malandro Synopsis: Swiss theatre company Teatro Malandro visits London for the first time with Ay! Quixote, a fresh and astonishingly visual incarnation of Don Quixote's mythical quest for Dulcinea, the female ideal. Depicting a nostalgic world of romance and chivalry alongside the realities of unattainable desires, this epic tale is ravishingly brought to life by Colombian director Omar Porras. It's a production that traverses moments of contemplative stillness and fantasy sequences of amazing virtuosity. The fantastical experiences of Don Quixote's and Sancho Panza's mission are created through luscious combinations of mask work and text, presented amidst a set that transforms from intricately rich to simply beautiful. A gripping narrative guides us through the plethora of arresting images to the discovery of Dulcinea as the Virgin Mary, and a haunting penultimate depiction of a Pieta Length: 1hr 45min Other Info: ***Performed in French with English surtitles"}, {"response": 1018, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 2003 (09:30)", "body": "Was no part of Daniel's character affected by what had gone before? (Moon)That's where the mental illness comes in. He can't recall. But some of us don't think he suffered from a mental illness.(Admittedly, it makes a better story;-) He kept recalling Daniel experiences too conveniently. Erratic behavior problems , yes."}, {"response": 1019, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 2003 (11:10)", "body": "(Evelyn), But some of us don't think he suffered from a mental illness.(Admittedly, it makes a better story;-) He kept recalling Daniel experiences too conveniently. But who knows what happens to him when he is taken away at the end? to the discovery of Dulcinea as the Virgin Mary, and a haunting penultimate depiction of a Pieta I like this. :-)"}, {"response": 1020, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 2003 (11:29)", "body": "(Evelyn), But some of us don't think he suffered from a mental illness.(Admittedly, it makes a better story;-) He kept recalling Daniel experiences too conveniently. (Moon)But who knows what happens to him when he is taken away at the end? Ah...Thus the ambiguity.... For sure he didn't get any \"treatment\". Probably a mild tranquilizer,got counselling...told that he was not responsible for Sappas death... (after all, anybody who sets themselves up as a human shield against a bus has a microchip missing too)...and told to get on with his life. I am disappointed that he went back to work for Windmill; knowing they were sleazebags. But then that's what makes the story better."}, {"response": 1021, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 2003 (13:23)", "body": "(Moon) So does evil triumph at the end? No because Lucy tells him. So, the look at the end means what to you? (Linda) The impression that we're left with...except for those brief moments when Daniel and the audience see the \"new\" Pannicks, is that Donovan taught him nothing. Yes, until he says he is sorry for the trouble he caused (purely a polite comment IMO) and Lucy's answer, which is more important. Daniel's look may be hard but wouldn't you too have to take a hard look at yourself and what happened following such an encounter? (Linda) Was no part of Daniel's character affected by what had gone before? More guilt. (Moon) That's where the mental illness comes in. He can't recall. OK, I'm not a psychiatrist here, but I would've thought Daniel suppressed those thoughts because they caused pain. Just like he doesn't want to acknowledge Lucy on the platform because it brings back unpleasant memories. Remember, his attitude toward the Donovan experience would be tinged by what all the mental health professionals had to say and you know they'd be telling him he was out of his mind and he caused lots of trouble for everyone."}, {"response": 1022, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 2003 (13:57)", "body": "(Karen) I would've thought Daniel suppressed those thoughts because they caused pain. Do you mean consciously or unconsciously?"}, {"response": 1023, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 2003 (16:51)", "body": "(Dorine) Do you mean consciously or unconsciously? Consciously. Daniel wanted to put that episode out of his mind. But when Lucy told him about how their lives had changed for the better because of him, Daniel would have to rethink it. Signed, Dr. Karen, who is will start writing scripts soon ;-)"}, {"response": 1024, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 2003 (16:56)", "body": "(Dr. Karen)But when Lucy told him about how their lives had changed for the better because of him, Daniel would have to rethink it. Ah ha...that means there's a sequel coming... \"The Return of Donovan Quick\""}, {"response": 1025, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 2003 (17:07)", "body": "(Karen), So, the look at the end means what to you? It is a questioning look. \"Is she mad?\" or \"Am I mad?\" (Everyone knowsI don't mean angry) (Evelyn), Ah ha...that means there's a sequel coming... LOL! Let's take one sequel at a time, I'm waiting for TEOR. ;-)"}, {"response": 1026, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May  4, 2003 (17:23)", "body": "Here's the link to Joyce's transcript, which you should bookmark for reference and if you want to copy/quote anything important like... Looking around. Nail biting. Playing with lips, nose squeeze. Sip. http://www.firth.com/int/satint2.txt"}, {"response": 1027, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, May  4, 2003 (18:58)", "body": "Thank you, Karen and Joyce. Are we still a go for tomorrow, then?"}, {"response": 1028, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (09:35)", "body": "Is anyone having difficulty reading the transcript I uploaded? Do you have to scroll from left to right because it doesn't fit on the screen? Please let me know and I'll put up something different."}, {"response": 1029, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (09:47)", "body": "(Karen)Is anyone having difficulty reading the transcript I uploaded? Do you have to scroll from left to right because it doesn't fit on the screen? I had this problem at the gym, but here at work, it is fine..."}, {"response": 1030, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (09:52)", "body": "(Karen) Is anyone having difficulty reading the transcript I uploaded? Nope. Thanks Joyce for the big job. Hey , love the facial descriptions.Was that you,boss? You forgot \"Major bored look\""}, {"response": 1031, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (10:01)", "body": "(Karen)Is anyone having difficulty reading the transcript I uploaded? No problems here, boss."}, {"response": 1032, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (10:06)", "body": "Here's another version: http://www.firth.com/int/satint_wagw.html Let's postpone the starting date until next Monday, since I think we'll be busy with newspaper publicity for HS later this week."}, {"response": 1033, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (10:10)", "body": "1)Hmm. Actually at the moment your guess is as good as mine. You know I read yesterday that I was. I check the papers daily to see what I'm doing but um if it's a good script I would love to get back with the same people and have another go. Alex, I'll take Newspapers for $500...What is jockeying for position in TEoR?"}, {"response": 1034, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (10:11)", "body": "Oh, blast. I've already started."}, {"response": 1035, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (10:15)", "body": "Ha ha ha! No, that's OK, but I think the cateogory is Historical Newspapers ;-)"}, {"response": 1036, "author": "joyce", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (10:25)", "body": "The second version of the transcript is good for me. First was too wide. It sounds like some people needed extra time and so I think next Monday might be better for everyone too. I like the Jeopardy idea. Guess the questions to his answers. There may be a couple of interesting ones there. ; ) Nominate your favorite body (face or hand) expression. Are there any answers not in Colinspeak? What did the Dallas interviewer ask him that cracked him up? You can see a lot of depths to plumb. Oh yeah we could also look at it to see if there was any news in it! Right!"}, {"response": 1037, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (10:54)", "body": "Repetitive phrases for $200, Alex. And the answer is: \"It\ufffds just a very, very, very straightforward honest feel good fairy tale. It\ufffds, it\ufffds, it\ufffds, I suppose what\ufffds generically called a family film.\" Question: \"Can you describe this film's genre using a minimum of 20 words?\" Super job on the transcript, Joyce--thank you!"}, {"response": 1038, "author": "MonicaM", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (11:25)", "body": "My tape should be on its way as we speak (hopefully). Thanks to all the ladies who sent me Marshall's email address. And a big thanks to Joyce for her excellent transcription work!"}, {"response": 1039, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (13:43)", "body": "Thanks so much for the transcript, Joyce! Great job! And to Karen for getting it posted. Are you sure it was \"Lisa, Lisa, are you there, Lisa\"? I could have sworn he was saying \"Rika\". ;-)"}, {"response": 1040, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (13:53)", "body": "Joyce, what a great job you did putting that transcript together! Thanks to Moon (thank you, thank you, Moon) I've watched the interview! Your transcript is going to be major reference material during the discussion next week! You did an amazing job!"}, {"response": 1041, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (15:04)", "body": "(Rika)Are you sure it was \"Lisa, Lisa, are you there, Lisa\"? I could have sworn he was saying \"Rika\". ;-) No, I'm sure he said...Linda. If you take out the \"s\" in Lisa and just add an \"nd\"...It's the British accent that made you think he said Rika. Sorry to disappoiont. Also for next week...just a little tidbit to ponder...after the, \"Lisa, Linda, are you there, Linda/Lisa\" stuff, and the interview--he says \"that was a nightmare\". Now, was he referring to Lisa, the interview, or the technical difficulties???"}, {"response": 1042, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (17:32)", "body": "Thank you for putting up the second transcript, Karen. The first was also too wide (I didn't notice untill I had printed it to take home, so I have allready started practicing, guessing some of the lines ;-)) Onde again, Joyce. Thank you for typing it up. The mentioning of facial expressions are priceless:-)"}, {"response": 1043, "author": "soph", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (08:38)", "body": "i understand the jeopardy game is about to begin next monday, thanks to joyce's excellent transcription, right ? i am sure some of you clever girls will come up with interesting/hilarious/naughty comments, since there are still some shadowy bits, esp. in the off screen parts. can we also add 'off the record' running commentaries, kind of an MST3K rendition of the whole thing ???? i am suggesting this because his answers to question 34 has me howling with laughter at the subtext that could be added."}, {"response": 1044, "author": "joyce", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (07:58)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1045, "author": "soph", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (09:07)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1046, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (11:05)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1047, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (12:39)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1048, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (12:52)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1049, "author": "joyce", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (13:18)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1050, "author": "joyce", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (13:32)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1051, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (14:57)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1052, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (14:58)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1053, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (15:23)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1054, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (20:38)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1055, "author": "neshacat", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (21:06)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1056, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (07:49)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1057, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (08:06)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1058, "author": "joyce", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (09:39)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1059, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (09:55)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1060, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (10:11)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1061, "author": "joyce", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (10:26)", "body": "(Karen)Let's move this subject to 166... I'll copy the posts over there as well. Thanks Okay CP."}, {"response": 1062, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (18:43)", "body": "Ooooh, more initials to put after my name. T.K., C.P. Is like academic degrees or knighthood. ;-)"}, {"response": 1063, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (20:13)", "body": "Ooooh, more initials to put after my name. T.K., C.P. Is like academic degrees or knighthood. ;-) Ooooh, like Lady Karen perhaps or Doctor Karen?*,-) drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 159, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 16, "subject": "Alan Rickman", "response_count": 69, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Mari", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 1997 (17:01)", "body": "Did anyone here see him on stage as Valmont?"}, {"response": 2, "author": "amy", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 1997 (17:49)", "body": "No, did not know he played Valmont, but I can imagine. Where did you see it Mari?"}, {"response": 3, "author": "Susan", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 1997 (00:21)", "body": "I didn't even realize that was Rickman in Diehard. What a role reversal for Sense and Sensibility!"}, {"response": 4, "author": "Mari", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 1997 (17:19)", "body": "Amy; He was in 'Dangerous Liaisons', which is the Valmont story, on Broadway; I did NOT see it, more's the pity. They went with Malcovich when they went to film; a mistake, to my way of thinking. ;) Yse, Susan, another very versatile actor, although to me his voice gives him away. I love his adorable lisp."}, {"response": 5, "author": "Susan", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 1997 (22:24)", "body": "Was he not wonderful in his vulnerability caused by his love for Marianne? I thought his heartfelt looks heartbreaking!"}, {"response": 6, "author": "Amy", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 1997 (23:04)", "body": "] I thought his heartfelt looks heartbreaking! __ When he begged Elinor to give him some employment when Marianne was sick? Ahhhh..."}, {"response": 7, "author": "Susan", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 1997 (23:44)", "body": "Yes, \"give me an occupation or I shall run mad!\" LOVE it!"}, {"response": 8, "author": "Ann2", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 1997 (15:10)", "body": "And all his quick and maybe unintentional(from Brandon that is ,not Rickman) glances from aside at Marianne. The way he registered her infatuation with Willoughby , over and over again and attempted not to show his tortured heart...ooh, my heart aches for the dear Colonel. And Amy! His voice, so nasal and hoarse, does it not make your kneecaps melt?"}, {"response": 9, "author": "Amy", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 1997 (22:06)", "body": "Yes indeed, Ann2, my fellow admirer of voices. He does make my kneecaps melt, spring tingle, heart flutter, lips need licking -- all those things."}, {"response": 10, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 1997 (22:34)", "body": "and all you want to know about this wonderful actor : http://www.tnef.com/alan_rickman.html"}, {"response": 11, "author": "Susan", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 1997 (01:53)", "body": "#9 lips need licking Shocking! Simply shocking! But I bet it would cheer the Colonel right up..."}, {"response": 12, "author": "Kali", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 1997 (02:27)", "body": "I thought Alan Rickman was particularly charming whilst he and Greg Wise wallflowered at the Columbia/Tristar S&S Oscar party last year..."}, {"response": 13, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 1997 (14:57)", "body": "Johanne, those pictures are wonderful. But who is Ruby?"}, {"response": 14, "author": "Ann2", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 1997 (16:46)", "body": "\"spring tingle\" , now that calls for an explanation you might not be willing to give, Amy. I've never heard that before, is it a phrase you can use in drawingrooms? Synonyms will do... Thanks for abundance of pics Johanne, that one with Liam and the 'sneer' are my favourites today."}, {"response": 15, "author": "Amy", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 1997 (19:01)", "body": "I meant \"spine.\" My spring? Good name for something. I guess we coud add it to our secret vocab."}, {"response": 16, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 1997 (21:39)", "body": "If it makes the spring tingle, it's good."}, {"response": 17, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 1997 (11:08)", "body": "I know this will sound ridiculous, but I love it when is says to Elinor and Marianne that he wishes to issue and invitation to his house for a picnic. Watch his lips when he say picnic. definite \"spring tingling\" \"lips licking\" moment."}, {"response": 18, "author": "Susan", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 1997 (12:55)", "body": "I don't think it's ridiculous at all . . . I particularly like the way he pronounces \"issue,\" also. His voice is so mesmerizing, almost hypnotic. He definitely grew in my admiration."}, {"response": 19, "author": "Mari", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 1997 (14:42)", "body": "Mesmerizing, indeed. I only wish I had seen his as Valmont on stage. The menace of Malkovich and the charm of Firth. What a production that must have been!"}, {"response": 20, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 1997 (23:38)", "body": "Who's Ruby? Wish I knew..."}, {"response": 21, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 1997 (11:13)", "body": "Is Alan Rickman married? For a man who just turned 50, I would have thought him married."}, {"response": 22, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 1997 (13:55)", "body": "According to a 1994 article, he lives with his long-standing partner Rima Horton, an economics lecturer. They have no children."}, {"response": 23, "author": "elder", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 1997 (19:45)", "body": "Re: #13 and #20 -- Ruby may be Ruby Wax whom AR directed in a one-woman play a few years ago. I have heard her name mentioned recently by some of the gossip columnists on E! network (all right, all right, at least I don't buy the Enquirer). It s ounds like she has a London tv talk show (?) and recently interviewed Pamela Lee (Baywatch) and had some rather tacky comments to make about Ms Lee's, er, cleavage. (To be fair, the gossip mongers also said that Ms Lee invited Ms Wax to touch the silcone enhanced mammary glands!);-p"}, {"response": 24, "author": "rosarugosa", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 1997 (05:08)", "body": "I've only seen Rickman in a few things but he was sensational. Diehard -- does that even count? -- Rasputin -- he was amazing (attention, lustful ladies -- I have never seen anyone come so close to exposing himself!!!)and I think there was something else, but I'm not sure now. (The mind fails about5 hours of drool message boards. Anyway, he's a terrific actor, and I'd like to ask you what films of his you'd recommend."}, {"response": 25, "author": "elder", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 1997 (14:50)", "body": "Rhea -- \"Truly, Madly, Deeply\" with Juliet Stevenson is wonderful, and of course he is a terrific Col Brandon in \"Sense and Sensibility.\" There are several others which are also supposed to be quite good. You might want to check out a fan/appreciation location at http://www.fred.net/karina/rickman The guest book has a great deal of discussions about all things Rickman. And there are some marvelous photos."}, {"response": 26, "author": "bplaroch", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 1997 (17:03)", "body": "Yes, he is great in Truly, Madly, Deeply! He is also hilarious in the Kevin Costner version of Robin Hood. He plays the Sheriff of Nottingham. I saw a video at the store that I have not had time to check out. It's called Mesmer, and it looks like Alan Rickman is the lead actor. In S&S I love when he is reading to Marianne outside at the end of the movie and says he has to leave, and she says to him \"But you'll come again tomorrow, won't you?\" or something similar. I feel so thrilled to think how Brandon must be feeling at that time. That is when he is going to get her the pianoforte for a surprise. Also loved their wedding shots."}, {"response": 27, "author": "elder", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 1997 (17:17)", "body": "Alan Rickman actually made Col Brandon very romantic for me. I had always considered him a bit too \"dull\" for Marianne from reading (and rereading) the novel. But, even though Rickman was 10-13 years older than the Colonel, he made me feel that he was deeply deserving of her. Ahh. Happy endings."}, {"response": 28, "author": "Susan", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 1997 (19:49)", "body": "Barbara, I, too, felt glad for Brandon at that moment -- to finally have her act as if she wanted him in her life. What bliss it must have been for him!"}, {"response": 29, "author": "rosarugosa", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 1997 (05:01)", "body": "Thanks for the suggestions. Can't wait to see Truly Madly Deeply ANYway, since it is the only other A Minghella film. (I read that he and AR are close friends). But I should kick myself for forgetting the first time I saw AR: in Michael Collins. It was a very ho-hum movie, 5 on a scale of 10, but AR was terrific -- very intense, intellectual, agonized. And I said \"Who IS this guy\" I couldn't believe I had never heard of him before. And I've absolutely got to see S & S again!"}, {"response": 30, "author": "LKenn", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 1997 (17:28)", "body": "Ladies, I've got a question. Is \"Beth\" Col. Brandon's daughter in S&S?"}, {"response": 31, "author": "elder", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 1997 (18:56)", "body": "Linda -- No. \"Beth\" (who is a second Eliza in the book) is the daughter of the woman with whom the Col. was in love when he was a young man. The screenplay changed the story somewhat, but left in the basic info. From the novel: Col Brandon had nearly eloped with the first Eliza, but his father forced her to marry the Colonel's older brother. (Eliza had money, and the father wanted it for the estate.) Eliza was mistreated and left her husband, then she got preg nant and died. Col Brandon was the girl's guardian. (The Col. inherited the estate when his brother died.)"}, {"response": 32, "author": "LKenn", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 1997 (19:21)", "body": "Kathleen - thanks for the info on \"Beth.\" I couldn't remember how it was explained in the novel and someone suggested to me that Col. Brandon was the real father. That would have been quite shocking in those days, don't you agree!"}, {"response": 33, "author": "elder", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 1997 (19:39)", "body": "Shocking? Yes, more so than today certainly. But, in the book, Col Brandon says that he is aware that some people (probably Mrs Jennings ?) think that his ward is actually his daughter. And, don't forget that Harriet Smith in EMMA is an illegitimate child (\"the natural daughter of nobody knows whom\"). So, it wasn't unheard of (or unspoken of either)."}, {"response": 34, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (12:50)", "body": "Actually, being illegitimate was quite common especially with noblemen/noblewomen, well as least in France, and not scene so much under a puritanistic light. Wouldn't be the same in England?"}, {"response": 35, "author": "Inko", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (15:41)", "body": "Johanne, I think in England illegitimacy fell somewhere between France and America. More than in the U.S. and the Puritan influence, but less than in France and not found so much in the upper echelons of society. Actually, it is believed that anyone wit h \"Fitz\" in their name is descended from an illegitimate son of a former King or nobleman, so the Fitzwilliams were descended from, perhaps, an illegitimate son of William the Conqueror, or William III, or a nobleman named William."}, {"response": 36, "author": "bplaroch", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (13:45)", "body": "I saw Rasputin at the video store the other day. Is it worth renting?"}, {"response": 37, "author": "bplaroch", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (13:46)", "body": "I saw Rasputin at the video store the other day. Is it worth renting?"}, {"response": 38, "author": "bplaroch", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (13:51)", "body": "OOps! Didn\"t mean to post twice. This is OT for Alan Rickman, but you were talking about illegitimacy in the upper echelons of British society. It seems that even being illegitimately connected to royalty was not always a cause for shame. Fergie was touted as having \"royal\" blood when s he married Prince Andrew, but it was illegitimate from Charles III My great-grandfather's grandfather was George IV (The Prince Regent), and of course illegitimate, as he had no legal heirs. He was made a baronet (the illegitmate son), and the title has stayed in the family. (My mom's cousin will be the next barone t). It sounds impressive now (maybe, to some people), but the origin is quite shocking!"}, {"response": 39, "author": "elder", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (14:38)", "body": "Barbara: I saw Rasputin at the video store the other day. Is it worth renting? Yes, yes! It was a wonderfully acted movie -- AR was incredible. His eyes were practically wild-looking. There was a little hamming it up in places, but I was very impressed. Ian McKellan & Greta Scacchi were very good as the Czar & Czarina, too. I c ould kick myself that I didn't tape it when it was on HBO last year. (Cannot say how accurate the interpretation of events was, but I understand that there isn't a lot of factual information available.)"}, {"response": 40, "author": "Inko", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (15:08)", "body": "Re: Rasputin - Alan Rickman won the Emmy for his performance and I think also some other awards. Meant to be very good. Glad to hear it's available for rent, since we don't have HBO. I'll look for it."}, {"response": 41, "author": "elder", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (15:20)", "body": "I believe he also won the Golden Globe for Rasputin. It's a must see if you are a Rickman fan -- he is very believable."}, {"response": 42, "author": "LynnMarie", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 1997 (09:16)", "body": "Has anyone seen An Awfully Big Adventure? If I am not mistaken, Rickman is in this, too. I didn't like the movie well enough to even finish watching it, as seeing \"Colonel Brandon\" in sex scenes was too much, but it might appeal to others."}, {"response": 43, "author": "Amy", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 1997 (09:26)", "body": "Same thing happened to me, Lynn. I wasn't really in the mood for it the time I tried it, but I made a note to try again, because it did seem well put together."}, {"response": 44, "author": "bplaroch", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 1997 (15:30)", "body": "What did you all think of him as the Sheriff of Nottingham in Kevin Costner's Robin Hood? I though he was hilarious!"}, {"response": 45, "author": "LKenn", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 1997 (15:50)", "body": "Barbara - Loved him in Robin Hood. Thought he looked great with the long hair even though he was such a villian! The movie itself was great. We're often quoting more memorable lines from it around our house. \"Recognize this?\" or \"Because it's dull....It'l l hurt more you twit!\""}, {"response": 46, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 1997 (17:22)", "body": "My fave Sheriff quote \"Oh. And one more thing, cancel Christmas!\" ;-)"}, {"response": 47, "author": "bplaroch", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 1997 (21:07)", "body": "Yes, I loved the \"Cancel Christmas!\" and thought he looked great with long hair too! I also thought it was funny when he saw some girl in the hall and told her to come to his room, and then he adds as an afterthough, \" and bring a friend\" Actually I really liked the whole movie, which had another of my favorite actors--Morgan Freeman. Now I want to see this movie again!"}, {"response": 48, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 1997 (13:17)", "body": "Altough I did not like K. Costner's rendition of RHood, thanks to Alan Rickman, he save what was left. He was so funny, echoe those brilliant lines mentionnned above :) AL with long and dark hair! Thanks Inko, just love to learn anything related to history :) Barbara, for most of the aristocratie, sure is not a road paved of gold anymore. Yes do rent Rasputin and why not make it a double bill with Mesmer another in the same vein An Awfully Big Adventure : very interesting! Same reaction Amy and Lynn initially but was worth a second try. Consider it a very good movie even if it's neither happy nor sad, just in the middle which reminds me of some french films without beginning nor end. It does not leave you indifferent and lingers in your mind for a while. Loved Peter Firth as Bunny (have a soft spot for him anyway...). To be seen again"}, {"response": 49, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 1997 (13:36)", "body": "Biography cover At Golden Globe : In RHPoT:"}, {"response": 50, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 1997 (13:38)", "body": "Sorry didn,t quite came out as I thought..."}, {"response": 51, "author": "LKenn", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 1997 (16:22)", "body": "Thanks for the AR pics Johanne. I'm curious to know why you did not like KC's rendition of Robin Hood."}, {"response": 52, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 1997 (21:08)", "body": "Thanks for sharing, Johanne -- I'd forgotten what he looked like in that role, but these pics bring it all back."}, {"response": 53, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (12:17)", "body": "Kevin Costner came out all wrong : bland acting, could'nt take him seriously at all, and his accent was beyond anything remotely believable, all I could do was just to laugh. The movie looked like a cheap comical version especially after seeing Robin of Sherwood, a british TV series in the 80's. Even Morgan Friedman performance was diminished by association with Costner. And what about Christian Slater? the brother from the Br onx! I'm sorry to say I've seen it once and even twice for hubby) and the second time was too much. I longed to see a younger Robin Hood reminding me of Sean Connery's performance as the older one. I'll say it again, thanks to Alan Rickman, he was what was good in it. Micheal Praed (sp?) was a very believable Robin, and for a more funny RH, I'll let Errol Flynn bold and comical portrayal sweep me away. Sorry for being so bold, did'nt mean any offense to anyone, but I must speak as I think :) and it would'nt be fun if we had all the same opinion :)"}, {"response": 54, "author": "Susan", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (22:06)", "body": "]I'll let Errol Flynn bold and comical portrayal sweep me away. _________ Amen, sister!"}, {"response": 55, "author": "kate", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (23:43)", "body": "Johanne, I remember that BBC series, and I agree it was great - much more complex characters. I also liked the Robin Hood with Uma Thurman"}, {"response": 56, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (10:59)", "body": "Haven't seen that one yet but anything remotly connected to Robin Hood, Arthurian legends and Tintagel, and a favorite Tristan and Iseult. I'm very fond. For all the fans of that period may I suggest a master author in the field of anything related to Britany (on and off continent) : Jean Markhale Check this site : http://www.britannia.com/history/h12.html"}, {"response": 57, "author": "kate", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (12:00)", "body": "Johanne, the Robin Hood I'm thinking of also came out in 1991, but was only shown on TV in th US. It starred Patrick Bergin as Robin, Uma Thurman as Marian and Jereon Krabbe as the Sheriff. It was a lot more gritty than the Costner production - a lot more about Norman/Saxon rivalry, and more \"British\" in its feel. A much more independent and determined Maid Marian as well. You might like it."}, {"response": 58, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (12:30)", "body": "]more independent and determined Maid Marian as well. This I already like :) let you know my impression, thanks Kate"}, {"response": 59, "author": "humdog2", "date": "Mon, Dec 29, 1997 (19:00)", "body": "i adore alan rickman. i adore him to the point of speechlessness. he is the only movie star i have ever adored. i'm glad to hear that rasputin is rentable. i've never seen it around here, but maybe i can ask them to get it."}, {"response": 60, "author": "marshA", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 1998 (16:16)", "body": "Talk about unbelievable: because I checked out this particular drool topic, I found out the name of a movie I've been searching for for ages. Thanks for all the RHood talk. When I was about 8yrs old and lived in Russia, they showed this British Robin Hood miniseries on TV and I absolutely fell in love with them. I remember myself and my cousin totally gaga over this. I remembered some details but not the name, but it made me into a devoted Hoodophile :). Well, I've been looking for it, but I couldn't reme ber the name for 10yrs at least. But after a few of you ladies kindly mentioned \"Robin of Sherwood\", I realised that was it, after checking the IMDB, and have bought a copy and now am very happy :) Thanks, y'all! And since it is AE drool, I must admit that his Sheriff was the only thing that kept me watching Costner version of the story. And he did steal S&S as Brandon. Gratefully yours, marshA"}, {"response": 61, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 1998 (19:18)", "body": "Has he ever NOT stolen a movie? Could you take your eyes off of him in DIE HARD? I kept saying to myself, over and over again, \"Who is this guy?\" Has anyone seen The Winter Guest yet?"}, {"response": 62, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Sat, Aug  8, 1998 (16:24)", "body": "Man, that photo on the door is a scene stealer, Nanner! Every time it comes up, my eyes go straig for the man in the hat standing in the wheat field. Dontcha just wanna run out and hug him? The man is magnetic. Mezmerizing. There simply is no way around it."}, {"response": 63, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sat, Aug  8, 1998 (18:00)", "body": "(Charlotte) Dontcha just wanna run out and hug him? Only if he talks dirty in my ear ;-p OY! The voice! :-)~~~"}, {"response": 64, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (00:45)", "body": "Hi, girls, I finally made it here. So, who is Alan Rickman? Teach me! Ooh, I feel like such a virgin around here."}, {"response": 65, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (00:59)", "body": "Here you go, Riette... Interesting, no? I think you have to hear the voice to get the full effect. Oh, wait...if you like Kevin Costner, perhaps you saw Robin Hood ? Alan Rickman was the Sheriff of Nottingham."}, {"response": 66, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (01:00)", "body": "BTW, forgot to mention that the above photo came from Barbara's archives..."}, {"response": 67, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (01:20)", "body": "Oh yes, I do remember him! Didn't he have a moustache or a beard in Robin Hood?"}, {"response": 68, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (11:13)", "body": "Didn't he have a moustache or a beard in Robin Hood? Yes. If possible, rent Truly Madly Deeply , my 2nd favorite role, after Sense and Sensibility . He has a quiet magnetism that is both sexy and quiet. I guarantee that you'll be hooked after watching just these two films. Like most Americans, I first noticed him when he completely stole Die Hard from flashy action hero Bruce Willis. Whenever he was on screen, you simply were not able to take your eyes off him."}, {"response": 69, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (13:20)", "body": "Oh, he's the guy from Truly Madly Deeply? I thought it was a wonderful film! Bruce Willis has never really had the show in ANY of his films that I saw. I find him to be one of those actors who rely on action and special effects to make his perfomance worth watching. I only saw Die Hard III of the Die Hard films, and thought Samuel L. Jackson way way better than him. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 160, "subject": "Odds and Ends - Part 5", "response_count": 1999, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 14, 2002 (17:56)", "body": "Sorry, guys, that we haven't had our board available all day to post any Valentines, so I just took a digital snappy of how I feel:"}, {"response": 2, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Thu, Feb 14, 2002 (18:26)", "body": "Bwahahahaha! Picturing Karen at the Donmar waiting for ODB in the lobby :-D BTW, who does your hair? Happy Valentine's Day everyone!"}, {"response": 3, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 14, 2002 (20:33)", "body": "I would have known you anywhere;-) Thanks Boss.Happy Valentine's from lots of grateful Drooleurs."}, {"response": 4, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb 15, 2002 (06:24)", "body": "Bwahahahaha! Picturing Karen at the Donmar waiting for ODB in the lobby :-D BTW, who does your hair? Who did your dress? ;-) LOL! I hope everyone had a choco-filled Valentine's Day! I read this today and he me LOL! I think we can guess which sign Bond girl is ;-) You a Gemini? Drive carefully and get insurance SYDNEY, Feb 11 (Reuters) - Born a Gemini? Watch out on the roads and get insurance. Better still, have a Capricorn drive your car. A study released on Monday by Australian financial services group Suncorp Metway Ltd that ranked car accident claimants by star sign found the most accident-prone were Geminis, closely followed by Taureans and then Pisceans. \"Geminis, typically described as restless, easily bored and frustrated by things moving slowly, had more car accidents than any other sign,\" said Warren Duke, Suncorp's national manager of personal insurance. Taureans were thought to be obstinate and inflexible, while Pisceans could be risk-takers and dare devils, he said. Capricorns were the safest behind the wheel due to their patience and careful driving. The light-hearted study was based on 160,000 car accident insurance claims received over the past three years. Suncorp Metway said it had no intention to alter its premiums according to a person's star sign. The company listed car accident claims by star sign as follows, with the most accident-prone at the top: 1. Gemini, May 21-June 21 2. Taurus, April 20-May 20 3. Pisces, February 19-March 20 4. Virgo, August 23-September 22 5. Cancer, June 22-July 22 6. Aquarius, January 20-February 18 7. Aries, March 21-April 19 8. Leo, July 23-August 22 9. Libra, September 23-October 22 10. Sagittarius, November 22-December 21 11. Scorpio, October 23-November 21 12. Capricorn, December 22-January 19"}, {"response": 5, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Feb 15, 2002 (08:38)", "body": "Well that is an interesting study. I'm glad that I'm number 7;)"}, {"response": 6, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 15, 2002 (08:57)", "body": "The OLIVIERS have just been announced. BEST ACTRESS - Lindsay Duncan for Private Lives BEST ACTOR - Roger Allam for Privates On Parade BEST ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL (OR ENTERTAINMENT) - Martine McCutcheon for My Fair Lady BEST ACTOR IN A MUSICAL Philip Quast for South Pacific BEST NEW PLAY - Jitney BEST NEW COMEDY - The Play What I Wrote [Ed note: Congratulations KB!] OUTSTANDING MUSICAL PRODUCTION My Fair Lady BEST DIRECTOR Michael Boyd for Henry VI Parts I, II & III and Richard III"}, {"response": 7, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 15, 2002 (09:53)", "body": "Finally!! Six Feet Under's second season starts in early March. Might be on the 3rd."}, {"response": 8, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Feb 15, 2002 (11:09)", "body": "and of course, I got rid of HBO!!! argh! have to get it back!"}, {"response": 9, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Feb 15, 2002 (12:09)", "body": "I can't believe it--they actually did the right thing. Congrats to Jamie and David--well deserved!:-) Canadian skating pair awarded gold medal By STEVE WILSTEIN AP Sports Writer February 15, 2002 SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- The Canadian figure skating pair was awarded a gold medal Friday after the sport's top officials uncovered judging misconduct in a controversy that has dominated the Winter Games. The International Skating Union indefinitely suspended Marie-Reine Le Gougne, the French judge in the middle of the dispute. ``She acted in a way that was not adequate to guarantee both pairs equal condition,'' ISU president Ottavio Cinquanta said. ``We have declared misconduct.'' The French judge told the ISU she had been ``submitted to a certain pressure'' from her own skating federation and had signed a statement about how she reached her vote, Cinquanta said. There was no evidence of Russian involvement, he added. ``This pressure resulted in putting this judge in a condition not to give the gold medal'' to the Canadians, Cinquanta said, refusing to give further details about Le Gougne. ``The investigation is not concluded, but we have got enough evidence to take the first decision,'' Cinquanta said, referring to the suspension. He said he hoped to present Jamie Sale and David Pelletier with the gold medal on Thursday before the start of the women's program. The IOC executive committee voted 7-1, with one abstention, to accept the gold medal recommendation from the skating union. ``We took a position that is one of justice and fairness for the athletes,'' Rogge said. The controversy began when Sale and Pelletier were beaten by Elena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze of Russia in a 5-4 vote that surprised many observers. The Canadians skated flawlessly while the Russians made a few technical errors. The decision allowed the Russians to extend their streak of winning gold in the pairs in every Olympics since 1964. It is the fourth time the IOC has awarded a second gold medal. ``We hope it doesn't happen again,'' Rogge said. The move came just hours before the case was to be heard by an international arbitration panel for sport. Since Monday, there have been reports that Le Gougne was pressured to cast her vote for the Russians. The ISU had planned to review the scoring at a meeting next week, but the deal Friday allowed the matter to be settled in the swift manner the IOC had urged. Canadian officials said all along they didn't want the Russians stripped of the gold medal, but they believed Sale and Pelletier also should be rewarded if evidence of wrongdoing was uncovered. In 1993, the IOC awarded a second gold medal in synchronized swimming from the Barcelona Games to Canada's Sylvie Frechette. The IOC's executive board agreed that Frechette was placed second because of a judging error and should be awarded a gold. The decision came after the Canadian swimming federation protested because a Brazilian judge was not allowed to correct the 8.7 score she mistyped into her computer. The intended 9.7 would have given Frechette the gold. The IOC's decision did not affect Kristen Babb-Sprague of the United States, who was originally awarded the gold and kept her medal."}, {"response": 10, "author": "Suzanne08", "date": "Fri, Feb 15, 2002 (12:47)", "body": "Hooray for Jamie and David! Proud to be Canadian today, and always. They handled themselves with dignity and grace. I can't imagine how difficult it is to be the hottest media attraction at an event like the Olympics. Kudos to all the athletes, no matter what country you come from! :))"}, {"response": 11, "author": "Becka", "date": "Fri, Feb 15, 2002 (13:48)", "body": "HOORAY!!!! Proud to be Canuck as well! BTW, I found this great article in Newsweek. It's a roundtable of actors who gave fine performances this past year (Sissy, Nicole, Naomi, Billy Bob, Will and Tom) and chat about the movie biz. I would post the whole thing but it is a bit longish and there are some great pics and audio clips as well. http://www.msnbc.com/news/694126.asp"}, {"response": 12, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb 15, 2002 (14:31)", "body": "ISU president Ottavio Cinquanta is from Milan. ``submitted to a certain pressure'' from her own skating federation and had signed a statement about how she reached her vote, Cinquanta said. There was no evidence of Russian involvement, he added. I hope they continue to investigate."}, {"response": 13, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 16, 2002 (13:09)", "body": "(Moon) ISU president Ottavio Cinquanta is from Milan. Doesn't say very much about the Milanese, does it? :-( ~~~~~~~~ Thought this was cute: Oscar hopeful is keeping champagne on ice Full Monty star Tom Wilkinson celebrated his Oscar nomination with a plate of fish cakes. The British actor is in the running for the Best Actor award. But he says he didn't crack open the bubbly when he heard he'd been nominated. \"Forget about the champagne. All I wanted was a plate of fish cakes,\" he told The Mirror. \"It's such a great honour to be nominated for an Oscar. \"It hasn't really hit me. Half the thrill is the nomination, it is a reward to my going to Hollywood and taking a chance.\" [my italics] Tom, who played steel mill manager Gerald in The Full Monty, is up for an Oscar for his role in In The Bedroom with Sissy Spacek. But Russell Crowe is bookies' favourite to win and Tom doesn't think he'll win Best Actor. \"The competition in my group - oh my goodness. I think I know who is going to win it and his name isn't Tom Wilkinson,\" he said."}, {"response": 14, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Feb 16, 2002 (14:18)", "body": "(Moon) ISU president Ottavio Cinquanta is from Milan. (Karen), Doesn't say very much about the Milanese, does it? :-( He is Byzantine, of course, it goes with the territory. They should have made the Russians give back the gold and take the silver. That's the only right way. I hope this gets investigated. I think I know who is going to win it and his name isn't Tom Wilkinson,\" he said. But you're too busy playing golf in Scotland anyway. ;-)"}, {"response": 15, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Feb 16, 2002 (23:01)", "body": "Well as I haven't seen either movie, I really like Tom Wilkinson and I hope beyond hope, that they recognize him... Russell Crowe won last year... not another Tom Hanks!!! And fish cakes are awesome!!! :)"}, {"response": 16, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 17, 2002 (14:04)", "body": "See the movie (ABM) , Laura, you'll be blown away.I'm not a big RC fan, but his performance in this film is flawless. IMO Tom Wilkinson made the right decision to bolt for Hollywood, but he's awfully lucky to have gotten to the \"Top Banana\"category so soon. Good choices ;-)"}, {"response": 17, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 18, 2002 (08:15)", "body": "Knew it: Bypassing two of the year's most nominated Oscar movies, the American Society of Cinematographers gave its best feature film photography award to Roger Deakins on Sunday night for his atmospheric black and white work in \"The Man Who Wasn't There.\" Deakins' cinematography for the 1940s-style film noir directed by Joel Coen and co-written by Coen with his brother Ethan has been widely hailed, previously winning an award from the American Film Institute and receiving the film's only Oscar nomination. He beat cinematographers for \"The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,\" which received 13 Oscar nominations, and \"Moulin Rouge,\" which received eight Academy Award nominations."}, {"response": 18, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Mon, Feb 18, 2002 (13:27)", "body": "(Evelyn)IMO Tom Wilkinson made the right decision to bolt for Hollywood, but he's awfully lucky to have gotten to the \"Top Banana\" category so soon. Good choices ;-) Wasn't he in that Martin Lawrence medieval movie last year :-) It just proves that not only can British actors play a variety of roles (they sing, they dance, they speak other languages!) but if an actor makes a bad film, he can recover his reputation quickly. And success can come at any age. That's always nice to know."}, {"response": 19, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 19, 2002 (07:07)", "body": "A little something for Moon... Helen Mirren is to star with Dame Maggie Smith in a remake of The Roman Spring Of Mrs Stone. Robert Allen Ackerman will be directing the classic tale in Rome, from Martin Sherman's adaptation of the Tennessee Williams novel. In the 1961 original, an aging actress played by Vivien Leigh found romance in Rome with a gigolo played by Warren Beatty. French newcomer Olivier Martinez, 25, will take Beatty's role. Martinez recently starred in Bullfighter and the still-to-be-seen Unfaithful."}, {"response": 20, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Feb 20, 2002 (14:53)", "body": "Can we talk??? Joan Rivers heading for the West End Joan Rivers will make six appearances in the West End in April. She will appear at the Haymarket Theatre Royal on April 14, 21 and 28. The 90-minute show will also feature Kit And The Widow, and a celebrity guest."}, {"response": 21, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Feb 20, 2002 (22:44)", "body": "You know, I completely forgot... THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS ARE THE SUPERBOWL CHAMPS!!!! Sorry, just had to gloat;) (even if belated:))"}, {"response": 22, "author": "rachael", "date": "Thu, Feb 21, 2002 (16:57)", "body": "woooohooooo!!!!! Brits just got an Olympic gold!!! I haven't a clue about curling but even I could tell that this was top class sport!! So exciting to watch, and to win on the last stone too!! What a shot!! Congratulations to our team, and commiserations to the Swiss team, and the Canadians who came in third. Classic stuff (and reminds me to get out MLSF where they have a curling match ....)"}, {"response": 23, "author": "Becka", "date": "Thu, Feb 21, 2002 (19:43)", "body": "I am willing to conceed that medal to you, Rach! ;-) Although we didn't deserve it really. I am glad someone other than the favourites (being us, the only country that seems to really want to excel at this sport) won it! As my hubby is a Brit we got a call here around 6pm from a very excited mother-in-law who said the whole country was celebrating as it was the last winter gold since Torvill & Dean! So Congrats to you from one happy household to another (Bravo to our golden hockey girls!)"}, {"response": 24, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Feb 22, 2002 (04:58)", "body": "I haven't a clue about curling but even I could tell that this was top class sport!! I admire your enthusiasm, Rachel! I am glad there are some patriots left in this little island of ours;-) I thought it was right up there with watching paint dry as a spectator sport."}, {"response": 25, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 22, 2002 (09:18)", "body": "(Allison)I thought it was right up there with watching paint dry as a spectator sport Psst, Allison....A \"Gold is a Gold\"!! **Congratulations** from your colonial cousins!!"}, {"response": 26, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Feb 22, 2002 (09:50)", "body": "I would just like it duly noted that Paul Ashworth's girlfriend won a well-deserved gold in womens's figure skating last night.;-) (And that's all the \"hometown\" celebrating I'll do here.;-)"}, {"response": 27, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Feb 22, 2002 (09:56)", "body": "Paul Ashworth's girlfriend *snort* That fact went right by me, and I've only seen FP some *mumble* number of times. (Mari) And that's all the \"hometown\" celebrating I'll do here.;-) Me too. Some competition, huh? Though IMO it proves again that figure skating is a sport for teens."}, {"response": 28, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 22, 2002 (09:59)", "body": "Yikes, I knew that name seemed rather familiar. (Think exposure to L-dum has rotten brain) ;-)"}, {"response": 29, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb 22, 2002 (12:41)", "body": "IMO it proves again that figure skating is a sport for teens. I believe you have something there, Eileen. Loved her program."}, {"response": 30, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Fri, Feb 22, 2002 (14:47)", "body": "(Rachael)I haven't a clue about curling but even I could tell that this was top class sport!! So exciting to watch, and to win on the last stone too!! A humbled Canadian congratulates you, Rachael. And if you like curling, you should be here where it's on 2 or 3 times a day!! Gah! Not to mention the \"Men with Brooms\" movie ads that run during the breaks. And I will be going to that movie--Paul Gross is too cute (do ya think he looks a bit Colin-ish?) Yep, lots of curling. But will we see the BAFTAS? Noooo, according to the email I got today from Star!TV. I'm going to go cry now. Excuse me."}, {"response": 31, "author": "Becka", "date": "Fri, Feb 22, 2002 (15:29)", "body": "Yep, lots of curling. But will we see the BAFTAS? Noooo, according to the email I got today from Star!TV. I'm going to go cry now. Excuse me. Bryonny: Gaaaaahhhhhhh!!! I was wondering if they were going to show it! *wipes tear from eyes* You and me can both cry in our Chardonnay!!! Maybe we'll have a gold on Sunday to cheer us up!"}, {"response": 32, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 22, 2002 (15:41)", "body": "And if you like curling, you should be here where it's on 2 or 3 times a day!! Well, it's been on here too throughout the Olympics! Don't get me started on NBC's coverage. !@#$ games are one time zone over and we still only get to watch highlights (i.e., the top people) during prime time. Strange how the sun was shining at 9:00 at night during the downhill events. But, oh no! Everytime I turned to check what was on CNBC, it was either hockey or curling for hours and hours. I hate this. :-("}, {"response": 33, "author": "Becka", "date": "Fri, Feb 22, 2002 (22:59)", "body": "I must warn all you dear people to save yourself - save yourself from seeing 'Queen of the Damned'. It was soooo bad. The acting was as wooden as the vampire statues in the film. It was like an even worse MTV video."}, {"response": 34, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Feb 23, 2002 (06:59)", "body": "Thanks for the warning, Rebecca. I love vampire movies and liked the previews, but I will decline if it is so very bad."}, {"response": 35, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 23, 2002 (13:09)", "body": "Kate Winslet to wear diamonds to the Baftas Kate Winslet will be wearing \ufffd200,000 of diamonds at the Orange British Academy Film Awards. Winslet, who is nominated for Best Supporting Actress, will be wearing a diamond and gold bracelet with matching earrings, created by jewellers Mouawad. Saffron Burrows, who will be a presenter at the awards, will be wearing a \ufffd200,000 necklace, made up of marquise and round-cut diamonds, with matching large 5ct diamond stud earrings."}, {"response": 36, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Sat, Feb 23, 2002 (15:07)", "body": "(KarenR)Don't get me started on NBC's coverage.!@#$ I don't really understand why NBC isn't showing coverage during the day. They spent enough for the rights. But you guys did get more of the women's skating than we did. So thank you for that!"}, {"response": 37, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 23, 2002 (15:14)", "body": "Because the soap opera fans would go scream bloody murder if they were preempted for SPORTS for two weeks. Besides, the ratings game is all tied to prime time viewing (7-10 or 8-11, depending on your time zone). I think they could've shown the competitions live during the day and still done their highlight shows at night, as it would be a different audience entirely. But then it goes back to my first statement. ;-) We did see a little special segment last night about curling and how huge it is in Canada. Wonders never cease. I kind of liked Leno's comment about how the medal was won by a Ecuadoran cleaning team. LOL!"}, {"response": 38, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 23, 2002 (19:20)", "body": "Congratulations!! Well done Alain Baxter Britains first ever Olympic alpine medal."}, {"response": 39, "author": "Suzanne08", "date": "Sat, Feb 23, 2002 (21:26)", "body": "Canadian short track speed skaters--yummy! ;) Congrats to the Canadians for their great perfomance on the ice tonight."}, {"response": 40, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 24, 2002 (08:14)", "body": "For those in the UK with an aching desire to see some Hamlet in March, the BBC's new digital channel 4 will have the following for free: \"So, for example, on March 6, after news and chat, you can watch Peter Brook\ufffds recent production of Hamlet, starring Adrian Lester, then see Brook himself talking about it, followed by a documentary on Playing the Dane.\""}, {"response": 41, "author": "rachael", "date": "Sun, Feb 24, 2002 (10:39)", "body": "It's only free if you can afford to spend 4-500 quid on a fancy telly that's set up for digital, or if you already subscribe to a cable or digital package. If you're a mere licence payer with an ordinary telly, dream on. You're not deemed worthy of culture, which will henceforth be banished from terestrial TV. If it wasn't for the fact that I own lots of videos and would like to watch them, I'd throw my telly out the window and burn my TV licence. Oops, sounding off again. *slap* Will get back in box now."}, {"response": 42, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 24, 2002 (12:45)", "body": "Just like you are there, from Ananova: I won't post them here, but you can view two cleavage shots, the first proving that even a celeb can take a bad photo: http://www.ananova.com/images/entertainment/baftastepherndaldry_kidman410x463PA.jpg http://www.ananova.com/images/entertainment/halleberry410x455PA.jpg (According to Reuters, Jennifer Connelly has won for Best Supporting Actress and Gosford Park has won for Best British Film)"}, {"response": 43, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 24, 2002 (13:16)", "body": "Cleavage???That first shot looks like indecent exposure. Halle Berry looks cute. The gal behind her looks like Emily Watson. They wouldn't take her photo if she wasn't showing boobs. Hooray for Jennifer Connelly. After the scathing reviews for ABM, I didn't expect her to win. She was in heavy company too . Gosford Park has won for Best British Film) There went BJD:-((( Up to Renee and Colin..."}, {"response": 44, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 24, 2002 (13:37)", "body": "From Empire on line: The BAFTA Awards 2002 ? The List in Full Best Film: The Lord of the Rings Best Director: Peter Jackson ? The Lord of the Rings Best Actor: Russell Crowe ? A Beautiful Mind Best Actress: Judi Dench ? Iris Best Supporting Actor: Jim Broadbent ? Moulin Rouge Best Supporting Actress: Jennifer Connelly ? A Beautiful Mind Best Special Visual Effects: The Lord of the Rings Best Make Up and Hair: The Lord of the Rings The Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music: Moulin Rouge Best Sound: Moulin Rouge Best Original Screenplay: Amelie Best Adapted Screenplay: Amelie Best British Film: Gosford Park Best Production Design: Amelie Best Cinematography: The Man Who Wasn?t There Best Editing: Mulholland Drive Best Foreign Language Film: Amores Perros Best Costume Design: Gosford Park Best Short Film: About A Girl Best Animated Short: Dog BAFTA Academy Fellowship: Warren Beatty and Merchant Ivory Outstanding Contribution to British Cinema: Vic Armstrong Special Award: Eon Orange Film of the Year: The Lord of the Rings"}, {"response": 45, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 24, 2002 (13:38)", "body": "Sorry for the ???. Bad karma."}, {"response": 46, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 24, 2002 (13:57)", "body": "Bafta winner Broadbent is grateful for three movie roles Jim Broadbent says all three of his latest films helped him win his Bafta. He won the best supporting actor award for Moulin Rouge. Broadbent was also up for best actor for Iris and had a role in the acclaimed Bridget Jones's Diary. \"It's extraordinary. It's a great surprise,\" said Broadbent, who beat Hugh Bonneville, Robbie Coltrane, Colin Firth and Eddie Murphy to the best supporting actor honour. \"This whole awards season has been one long surprise. I'm just going with the flow. It's all a new experience and a learning curve. I think the reason I got this was partly because of Iris. \"Iris, Moulin Rouge are Bridget Jones's Diary are all so different. I have had three good films over one year and that combination helped draw a bit more attention to me.\" Broadbent added: \"I don't think this is really justified - as Don McAlpine said during the shoot 'As long as you keep pulling those wonderful faces, Jim. I'll be a happy man.'\" And he gave special praise to director Baz Luhrmann. \"Above all because he's a complete visionary genius without whom I'd have had a very dull two years and the whole world would have been a dull place without his Moulin Rouge,\" he said."}, {"response": 47, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Feb 24, 2002 (14:10)", "body": "Thanks for the latest! Now on to the p a r t y!"}, {"response": 48, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 24, 2002 (14:15)", "body": "Well, at least Robbie Coltrane didn't win...major shut-out for HP."}, {"response": 49, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 24, 2002 (14:54)", "body": "RC Best Actor for ABM; \"Crowe beat Jim Broadbent, Ian McKellen, Kevin Spacey and Tom Wilkinson to the award. After receiving the honour, he described Connelly as \"graceful, mischievous and mesmerising\". New Zealand-born Crowe said: \"I feel slightly on a roll. It's particularly gratifying the way the cricket's been going lately. \"I love my job. I don't think I do it very well but it's OK if you keep rewarding me,\" said Crowe. ~~~~~~~~~~~ He deserved it."}, {"response": 50, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 24, 2002 (14:59)", "body": "Lord Of The Rings is audience favourite \"Lord Of The Rings won more than twice as many votes as its nearest rival to take the Orange Audience Award. It received nearly 34,000 votes. Bridge Jones's Diary polled 15,602 to come second, with Harry Potter coming third with just over 13,000.\" ~~~~~~~~~ Whoa....Bridget took the Silver.!!"}, {"response": 51, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Feb 24, 2002 (15:09)", "body": "Well lots of clips to enjoy anyway. Renee came on with her head down a bit , naturally very nervous!"}, {"response": 52, "author": "rachael", "date": "Sun, Feb 24, 2002 (15:11)", "body": "I voted for BJD - has just dawned on me having seen almost very film mentioned (where they've been released) just how much time I've spent in a cinema in the last year - no wonder I don't have a life ;)) BTW how do films get nommed for this? Shipping News isn't on general release yet (saw the trailer this aft) but it was up there. I thought from the number of clips of ODB that he must be going up to present, they showed him almost as much as Keitel and Hoffman."}, {"response": 53, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Feb 24, 2002 (15:18)", "body": "Sugars the pill Rachael ;-))))"}, {"response": 54, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Feb 24, 2002 (15:53)", "body": "They should have matched up Renee with Colin for an award presentation. I can't believe it did not occur to anyone, especially since, as Evelyn says, BJD got the silver. He would not refuse to do that would he?"}, {"response": 55, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Feb 24, 2002 (16:01)", "body": "That would have been great Moon. It would have given her more confidence and she would have kept her head up then!"}, {"response": 56, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 25, 2002 (07:56)", "body": "Here's a pic of Renee, attempting to sidestep the foaming Red Carpet:"}, {"response": 57, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Feb 25, 2002 (08:14)", "body": "She looks v. pretty. Love the sleeve on that dress. But when she got out of the car did she exclaim, \"Where are all the tarps and slickers?\" ;-)"}, {"response": 58, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb 25, 2002 (08:25)", "body": "ROTF, Lora--good one! Thanks for the pic, Karen--seems that carpet took on a life of its own.;-) I haven't seen any other pics of RZ anywhere--just Nicole and her boobs, dressed for success.;-) A belated congrats to oour Canadian friends for the superb gold medal win in hockey! Well done, and well deserved. Now I can go back to rooting for LeClair, Roenick and Gagne on the same team.:-) Salt Lake City did a tremendous job, IMO. And what a party to end it all last night! (Loved the tribute to Torrino, site of the 2006!)"}, {"response": 59, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 25, 2002 (08:36)", "body": "It was a nice closing ceremony. My DH and I were laughing at tribute to Torino. To sing \"Volare\" and \"O Sole Mio\"!!! Nothing to do with Torino. The flag throwers at least are from Asti which is also in the Piedmont region. Salt Lake City brought in their hometown talents. The T Choir is awesome and their orchestra played so well. Did you notice that idiotic looking Italian orchestra director who took over for the Torino part? Those people usually do TV variety shows. The point was not to Illustrate Italy but to highlight Torino, badly done! They camera work at these games was outstanding too. Let's see what the RAI TV will pull off. They don't do a good with the soccer games. :-( Karen, thank you for posting the pictures. You know how curious we are here. :-)"}, {"response": 60, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 25, 2002 (08:40)", "body": "Nearly all the others were just headshots, but here's another: Peoplenews has lots of pics of those at the party. Plenty of Colin's professional associates (from Sue Birtwistle to Annette Bening to Harvey Weinstein to Saffron Burrows), although no letter signatories that I could see. ;-) Loved the tribute to Torrino Really, the fashion show? v. bizarre. Thought it was a great closing ceremony (high praise from someone who hates spectacle) but Lionel Ritchie's LA games closer is my all-time fav, bring-the-house-down number. ;-D"}, {"response": 61, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb 25, 2002 (08:58)", "body": "The flag throwers at least are from Asti which is also in the Piedmont region. I thought that was very cool! And I liked the fashion show, too.:-) And how in the world did they project all those images onto the ice? Everything from the Mona Lisa to the Sistine Chapel! LOL! The technology was very cool, and yes, maybe it wasn't Torino, but few viewers would know that. I liked that they took the trouble to incorporate the Italian imagery into the show. Lionel Ritchie's LA games closer is my all-time fav, bring-the-house-down number. ;-D Unforgettable! \"All night long . . .all night, all night . . .all night long . . .\""}, {"response": 62, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 25, 2002 (09:20)", "body": "I second the *Congratulations* to our neighbors to the North. Canada has an outstanding group of athletes. Talented and nice. The ice-skating couple were on the Today show this morning. Torino finale terrific; how about that ole Willie Nelson....\"an American icon\"! And did you join in singing \"Happy Trails to You\"?;-))"}, {"response": 63, "author": "Becka", "date": "Mon, Feb 25, 2002 (09:50)", "body": "Last night was something I will never forget. The unity and the pure joy on the faces of the thousands of people I partied with last night. As a Canadian we have an extra chromosome (sp?) for hockey in our genes. The gold means so much to us and I am so proud of our boys."}, {"response": 64, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 25, 2002 (09:59)", "body": "I second the congrats on the Hockey gold. Well deserved. (Evelyn), And did you join in singing \"Happy Trails to You\"?;-)) That was brilliant! It could/should have ended there."}, {"response": 65, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 25, 2002 (10:00)", "body": "Renee looks like she was having a very rough night, poor thing."}, {"response": 66, "author": "Suzanne08", "date": "Mon, Feb 25, 2002 (10:30)", "body": "Congrats on Hockey Gold to both the men and women of Canada!! Is it just me or was the outfit worn by Christina Aguillera (sp?) totally inappropriate for the occassion? Black leathery type thing with fake garters of some sort?? Not very Olympic...maybe I am just old fashioned at the ripe old age of 25 ;)"}, {"response": 67, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Feb 25, 2002 (10:35)", "body": "Karen, thanks for the pics of Renee. The dress and sleeves look better from the front. Would never have thought that the back part of the sleeves went across her back like that! She looks pretty all the same. I felt sad she had to come to the festivities alone in such an uncomfortable way. But had to laugh when it reminded me of tarts and vicars party (Mari, glad you laughed too :-)). Shows how well she embodied that character. But wish she could have had a Mr. Darcy to help her over those soapy puddles. :-)"}, {"response": 68, "author": "rachael", "date": "Mon, Feb 25, 2002 (12:44)", "body": "belated congrats to the Canadians, great stuff!! (Thought I'd posted that message once, but obviously I pressed the wrong button again ;) Thanks for the great pics - I thought Renee's dress was nice, and she was very good in her presentation - although it does sound odd to hear a Texan voice coming out of Bridget! Kevin Spacey had a dig about the goo on the carpet"}, {"response": 69, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 25, 2002 (12:59)", "body": "And how was Bjork?"}, {"response": 70, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Mon, Feb 25, 2002 (13:21)", "body": "Great coverage of Baftas here, thank you very much! I don't know why I bother searching the net when this is Awards Central. I thought it was odd that most of the news sites are showing the same photos. Very little variety. (Moon)And how was Bjork? Maybe Livia can borrow the swan dress next time and get more press coverage :-D Or put her dress on backwards, a la NK! Thanks for the congrats to the Canadian athletes! I get very little to brag about 'waaayyy' up here but the curling team and Sale&Pelletier both live minutes away from me and I couldn't be happier for them. Loved the Olympics finale! SLC can be very proud. And as an old Osmond fan, it was nice to see Donny&Marie. Pretty hard to avoid them in Utah :-)"}, {"response": 71, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 25, 2002 (19:20)", "body": "Jude Law offered Sherlock Holmes role Jude Law is set to play Sherlock Holmes in a new film, according to reports. He has been offered the detective role in Sherlock Holmes And The Vengeance Of Dracula. It has been described as the darkest Sherlock Holmes movie ever made. The actor had a small role in the TV series The Casebook Of Sherlock Holmes in 1990, reports the London Evening Standard. ~~~~~~~~~~~ Wasn't SH discussed at one time going to Colin? [Five years ago]. He'd be great in this role. Better than JL, who is too short."}, {"response": 72, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 26, 2002 (06:38)", "body": "Maybe Colin can play Dracula! I love vampires. That would be so hot!"}, {"response": 73, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 26, 2002 (08:16)", "body": "Oh dear, live show only did marginally better than late night broadcast of day old event. :-( From THR: Star-studded BAFAs attract low viewership LONDON -- Hollywood may have turned out in force for Sunday's Orange British Academy Film Awards, but the ceremony managed to draw only 4.8 million viewers in primetime on BBC1, the pubcaster's main channel. Representing a 21.6% audience share between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., the awards broadcast, presented by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, was well beaten by commercial web ITV's peak offerings of \"Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,\" \"Heartbeat\" and \"The Jury.\" \"Millionaire\" and drama series \"Heartbeat\" attracted 10.5 million viewers between 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., taking a 42% and 41.3% share, respectively, while drama \"The Jury\" pulled in 6.8 million and a 31% share between 9:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. The BAFAs' performance also compared poorly with the previous Sunday's programming. Live F.A. Cup soccer coverage reached 7 million viewers between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., and drama \"Outside the Rules\" attracted 4.6 million between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. For BBC1, the figures were a marked improvement on 2001, when a highlights package, screened at 10:40 p.m. the day after the event was shown live on satellite channel Sky One, attracted 3.1 million viewers."}, {"response": 74, "author": "caribou", "date": "Tue, Feb 26, 2002 (11:06)", "body": "(Lora) But wish she could have had a Mr. Darcy to help her over those soapy puddles. :-) The lovely lady who did have him was much more calm and elegant, wasn't she? Thanks so much to everyone for the BAFTA coverage. Without you I would be waiting for news that would never come."}, {"response": 75, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 26, 2002 (12:13)", "body": "For BBC1, the figures were a marked improvement on 2001, when a highlights package, screened at 10:40 p.m. the day after the event was shown live on satellite channel Sky One, attracted 3.1 million viewers. Well, they picked up another mil by making it live; that should make it encouraging. Still, it's a disappointing audience."}, {"response": 76, "author": "rachael", "date": "Tue, Feb 26, 2002 (14:24)", "body": "I don't think a 21% share for an awards show is that bad, when it's up against Sunday night warm goo (Heartbeat) and extremely popular quiz (Millionaire) on ITV - how much more did they expect?"}, {"response": 77, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 26, 2002 (14:58)", "body": "Mystery solved about Empire and the so-called live broadcast of the Baftas. There was a one-hour delay, which did allow them to edit the program. And BTW, while RC's actions were fairly extreme, I don't blame him. You don't do that to the winner of a major category. Have we forgotten last year, when Julia Roberts told the conductor to forget about cueing the music and that she intended to be up there for awhile? As we'd say, that was a bush league move of the BBC director and you can be sure Russell, and perhaps others, will stay away from future awards shows without assurances that it won't happen again. http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,7493,658381,00.html"}, {"response": 78, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 26, 2002 (16:29)", "body": "\" Mystery solved about Empire and the so-called live broadcast of the Baftas. There was a one-hour delay, which did allow them to edit the program. \" LOL. So it was more like \"live an hour ago\".Why edit it?...There were no commercials.Maybe they didn't like the fact that it was an Irish poem;-)"}, {"response": 79, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Feb 26, 2002 (16:31)", "body": "The Maximum Russell Crowe website has the transcript of Russell Crowe's entire, unedited acceptance speech. This is the speech: \"Western cultures are often criticised for their focus on performing arts. However, singing, dance, theatre, film and all forms of creative expression serve to ignite the intellect, propel emotional development and availability, and reward us all with stories of humanity and the triumph of the human spirit. I am grateful there is a Sydney, I am ecstatic there is a Sydney Opera House. I love my job. I don't think I do it that well. But keep on disagreeing with me if you like. \"Richard Harris, one of the finest of this profession, recently brought to my attention the verse of Patrick Kavanagh: 'To be a poet and not know the trade, To be a lover and repel all women, Twin ironies by which great saints are made, The agonising pincher jaws of heaven.'\""}, {"response": 80, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Feb 26, 2002 (20:06)", "body": "Western cultures are often criticised for their focus on performing arts Since when and by whom? Cheryl, what part did they cut? I agree it was a poor editing decision--the speech is not that long, and he *did* win the Best Actor award. But . . . the abusive tirade reported cannot be defended. It seems to me he's been on good behavior for some months now-- he *really* wants that second Oscar. But I had a feeling it wouldn't last. He's lucky the US entertainment shows didn't run the story tonight--all focused on tomorrow's Grammys."}, {"response": 81, "author": "AotearoaKiwi", "date": "Wed, Feb 27, 2002 (01:11)", "body": "Hi all New Zealand appears to have done well at the BAFTAS in which Peter Jackson, and his Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring picked up 5 awards. Lord of the Rings is still playing to full houses in the country where it was made as well as abroad, and Box Office takings to date have exceeded $1 billion. Rob"}, {"response": 82, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 27, 2002 (07:30)", "body": "If anyone's interested, there are a few shots and the poster from About A Boy up here: http://www.uip-netherlands.nl/aboutaboy.htm (looks to be designed by same person as BJD)"}, {"response": 83, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb 28, 2002 (06:04)", "body": "Here's one to cross off our list of potentials: Fiennes to Co-Star in 'Chambermaid' Thu Feb 28, 3:27 AM ET By Charles Lyons NEW YORK (Variety) - Ralph Fiennes is in line to co-star with Jennifer Lopez in Revolution Studios' \"The Chambermaid,\" a romantic comedy to be directed by Wayne Wang. The story, based on a John Hughes script, centers on a chambermaid working at a five-star New York City hotel who becomes romantically involved with a well-known eligible politician staying at the hotel. Hughes will produce along with Revolution's Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas and Julia Roberts' Shoelace Prods. Production begins in New York in April."}, {"response": 84, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 28, 2002 (07:17)", "body": "Omigod! He's doing a rom-com. (Am checking again for those sledders again!) BTW, they've moved it too. Was supposed to be set here (John Hughes' base of ops)."}, {"response": 85, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 28, 2002 (07:32)", "body": "And, more importantly, the male lead is now an American, when the original called for a Brit. From THR: \"She meets and falls in love with a handsome, debonair heir to an American political dynasty (Fiennes) who is staying there. The man mistakes her for a society woman, and she soon finds herself gaining insight into the life of a man she might otherwise have judged from a distance. When her real identity is revealed, however, the truth sets in about the disparity of their lives.\""}, {"response": 86, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb 28, 2002 (08:04)", "body": "Pffffftttttt! JLo and Rafe? Whatta match. Anyone else having a hard time picturing Jennifer as a chambermaid? ;-)"}, {"response": 87, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 28, 2002 (08:16)", "body": "Nope. I think she does an excellent job of portraying \"normal, everyday-type people\" when called for."}, {"response": 88, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb 28, 2002 (11:25)", "body": "Omigod! He's doing a rom-com I think Ralph is trying to broaden his image (and therefore the roles he's offered.) Remember his comment at the Golden Globes: \"My agent told me to smile or he'd kick my ass.\" I think she does an excellent job of portraying \"normal, everyday-type people\" when called for. Agreed. I liked her in Angel Eyes with Jim Caviezel. Speaking of whom . . .if anyone hasn't seen the new Count of Monte Cristo yet, RUN to it. Caviezel is not only gorgeous, but a terrific actor as well. This one is great swashbuckling fun. Grab a big bucket of popcorn and go!:-)"}, {"response": 89, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb 28, 2002 (11:32)", "body": "(Mari) Jim Caviezel Liked him in that convoluted fireman film he did with Dennis Quaid. (Karen) I think she does an excellent job The last thing I liked her in was the first thing she did. Thought she showed the acting range of a block of wood in The Wedding Planner. :-/"}, {"response": 90, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Feb 28, 2002 (11:37)", "body": "JLo seems right for the part, but Fiennes as an American politician? Doesn't work for me. Guess he'll have to use a posh my-family-arrived-on-the-Mayflower accent (as in Quiz Show). The movie sounds like 'The American President' meets 'Pretty Woman' ;-)"}, {"response": 91, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 28, 2002 (11:39)", "body": "Hmmm, didn't bother with the Wedding Planner with Matthew *gag me* McCan'tSpellIt. Am basing my assessmment on Angel Eyes and that one with George Clooney (Out of Sight??). (Mari) Caviezel is not only gorgeous, but a terrific actor as well. (Eileen) Liked him in that convoluted fireman film he did with Dennis Quaid. Frequency! Double your pleasure, double your fun. Quaid (who I've liked ever since Breaking Away) and Caviezel. I thought Caviezel was very impressive as the Count. Really aged well and grew more appealing with that age. Guy Pearce, on the other hand, was awful IMO."}, {"response": 92, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb 28, 2002 (11:50)", "body": "with Matthew *gag me* McCan'tSpellIt. LOL, Karen! I prefer them dark too. ;-) But you knw that. (Mari), if anyone hasn't seen the new Count of Monte Cristo yet, RUN to it. Caviezel is not only gorgeous, but a terrific actor as well. This one is great swashbuckling fun. Yes, it is. I enjoyed it very much. Revenge baby! Jennifer is very lucky to be working with RF. It will give her an air of respectability."}, {"response": 93, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Feb 28, 2002 (12:11)", "body": "(Caribou)The lovely lady who did have him was much more calm and elegant, wasn't she? I quite agree! Let's hope those pre-show entrances we want to see don't end up on the cutting room floor in the rebroadcast on E! I hope they don't cut them out because of the messy rain and suds. *said with worried look on face*"}, {"response": 94, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb 28, 2002 (13:18)", "body": "Fiennes as an American politician? . . . Guess he'll have to use a posh my-family-arrived-on-the-Mayflower accent (as in Quiz Show). LOL, Lora! A very accurate description! Great movie, though, and I found that to be his warmest performance ever. McCan'tSpellIt. Hee hee. Frequency! Double your pleasure, double your fun. Quaid (who I've liked ever since Breaking Away) Same here! BA is such a completely charming movie. Liked Frequency too. I thought Caviezel was very impressive as the Count. Really aged well and grew more appealing with that age. He really did, handling the character arc beautifully and subtley. I could see this one again. I think I'll do just that.:-) Guy Pearce, on the other hand, was awful IMO. Agreed. Terrible, IMO. Let's hope those pre-show entrances we want to see don't end up on the cutting room floor I don't think they were shown on the BBC, were they? (Just trying to spare you heartache, Lora;-) Anyway, apparently, we're getting the \"international\" version which will include the extra minute of Russell Crowe's speech. I wonder who they'll cut to make room.;-)"}, {"response": 95, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Feb 28, 2002 (14:01)", "body": "(Mari)I don't think they were shown on the BBC, were they? Wot, you mean there's no British version of the Joan and Missy show? ;-) Oh well, thought we might catch a glimpse of some of the arrivals. Thanks for the warning, Mari. (Mari) I wonder who they'll cut to make room.;-) It'll probably be Warren Beatty's speech that will lose some lines. He's not likely to get huffy about it at this point in his life. Plus he's got to be a good role model for his four children, and he tends to rattle on anyway ;-)."}, {"response": 96, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb 28, 2002 (17:00)", "body": "(Lora)It'll probably be Warren Beatty's speech that will lose some lines. He's not likely to get huffy about it at this point in his life. Plus he's got to be a good role model for his four children, and he tends to rattle on anyway ;-). Does he ever! I sort of like Warren and respect him, but jeez, he's a guy who, when asked what time it is, will tell you how a clock is made.;-) Well, whatever, we'll have to take what they give us. I'm still thrilled that CF was nommmed, that he attended, and that he looked so gorgeous while attending.;-)"}, {"response": 97, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Thu, Feb 28, 2002 (18:01)", "body": "Mari, I'm sorry about taking so long to get back to your question concerning which parts of Crowe's speech were edited out. My excuse is I have a horrible cold. The poem was definitely edited out. It would seem that the speech was longer than what is posted on the Maximum Crowe site and is supposed to be the entire speech. RC claims that the entire speech runs 1 minute and 50 seconds and that about 1 minute was edited out. As far as I can find out, all of RC's speech will be telecast on the E! broadcast. I got the following from a fellow RC fan. She didn't tell me the source of it. All she posted was that it is from the Australian media. It seems that RC has apologized to the British Academy but not to Malcolm Gerrie, the producer of the Baftas. ******************************************************************************* RUSSELL Crowe yesterday defended his haranguing of a British TV producer who cut part of his award acceptance speech from a broadcast that ran over time. But he said he apologised to the British Film and TV Academy if he had caused any embarrassment.The incident caused a tabloid furore in Britain.The New Zealand-born Australian actor, in Sydney for last night's premiere of the movie A Beautiful Mind, agreed that he had jabbed his finger at a BBC TV producer after winning BAFTA's best actor award on Sunday.He said he was annoyed because he had wanted to acknowledge his Australian background and to pay tribute to the actor Richard Harris in the TV broadcast. When he started to complain he was calm, but became heated when the producer showed no empathy and repeatedly patronised him by calling him \"fella\". \"I'm quite apologetic to the British Academy if I've brought any embarrassment towards them, but my argument is not with them or even the BBC . . . (but) with a producer who tells me it was his responsibility to make this decision,\" the Oscar nominee said. Edited from Crowe's BAFTA speech were scenes of gratitude for the existence of Sydney and the Sydney Opera House; thanks to mathematician John Nash, whom he portrayed in the award-winning role; and a short poem recommended by Harris. Crowe also defended the film against charges it ignored Nash's homosexuality, and said that Nash denied being gay and his biographer, Sylvia Nasar, had only \"proposed a question\" about his sexuality. He agreed with the film's director, Ron Howard, that it would have been irresponsible to portray Nash as gay.On his chances of winning an Oscar for the second successive year (following Gladiator), Crowe said that \"people are trying to create an energy of competition, but I don't think the actors respond to that, it was a great privilege to be nominated\".He said that Australia was \"the number one choice\" for locations when he comes to film his directorial debut, WWII story The Long Green Shore, set in PNG. The film will not go into production until at least 2003, but may use rainforest locations in northern NSW or Queensland."}, {"response": 98, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  1, 2002 (07:49)", "body": "Confirmation of what appeared inevitable, from Ananova: Gwyneth Paltrow is to appear in a movie version of her new play Proof. US film company Miramax has bought the film rights to the play specifically for the actress. She will make her West End debut at London's Donmar Warehouse for a six-week run in May. Gwyneth plays the daughter of a mathematical genius, trying to come to terms with his death and his legacy. The film version will be directed by John Madden, with whom she worked on the hit movie Shakespeare In Love. Miramax director Harvey Weinstein told the Daily Express: \"Gwyneth and I were so thrilled by the play that I bought the rights for her. John Madden will move on to the movie the minute she is free. They have amazing chemistry.\""}, {"response": 99, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Mar  1, 2002 (12:39)", "body": "Do you think the movie will be a British version (with John Madden directing)? Is Proof at the Donmar to be a British version? Or will the movie take place in Chicago as in the original play (which works quite well)? Too bad the male math PhD role is more in his late 20's than late 30's ;-( (but I imagined CF in the play in that role anyway when I saw it ;-D)."}, {"response": 100, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  1, 2002 (13:04)", "body": "As far as I know, they don't change plays to coincide with where they are staged. There was just \"A Streetcar Named Desire\" put on in London, and I would doubt it had been moved from New Orleans. Not knowing the play, is Chicago vital integral to the story or can NYC, for example, be substituted?"}, {"response": 101, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar  1, 2002 (14:18)", "body": "Cheryl, thanks for the latest on RC. I'll be interested to hear the speech tomorrow. Hope your cold is better!:-) Re: Proof--it doesn't have to take place in Chicago, although there are a lot of references to University of Chicago, Northwestern, surrounding towns, etc. Those could be substituted, of course, but I don't see why they'd do that. Too bad the male math PhD role is more in his late 20's than late 30's ;-( LOL, I was thinking the same thing when I saw it, Laura! Did you see it in NYC, or in a touring company? I saw it on Broadway with Jennifer Jason Leigh in the lead. She was pretty good, but I'd loved to have seen her predecesoor, Mary Louise Parker, who I believe won the Tony for it. And why do these people all have three names?;-)"}, {"response": 102, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar  1, 2002 (14:42)", "body": "Sorry, bad day, meant to type \"Lora\" not Laura. Gah . . . and I really do know how to spell predesecc . . .predecces . .pre . . .the person who came before her.;-)"}, {"response": 103, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Mar  1, 2002 (15:05)", "body": "(Mari)Did you see it in NYC, or in a touring company? I saw it in Miami in a theater that has always brought a lot of Broadway here (for 40 years or so). Sometimes the big names come (the ones from NY) and sometimes unknowns. This particular company were unknowns except for the director who was David Auburn, the author of the play. It was very well done, and the daughter was played by Anney Giobbe (only 2 names ;-))."}, {"response": 104, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Mar  1, 2002 (19:34)", "body": "(Karen) is Chicago vital integral to the story or can NYC, for example, be substituted? You would be able to substitute Chicago for another big city like New York or London, but you would need to have an old family house in a neighborhood near a major University with a good math department with another University across town. For some reason when I read that Gwyneth was going to do the play in London and then I read she would work with John Madden in the movie, I was hearing her British accent. You're right though there's no need to change the city. I was also thinking about how Nick Hornby's London has been changed to Chicago and Boston to suit the audience (and actors) ;-)."}, {"response": 105, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  1, 2002 (20:02)", "body": "The England-to-US thing is more common, unfortunately, when a US company buys the rights to an English book than the reverse. My guess is that, since Miramax bought the rights expressly for GP, and John Madden has a directorial agreement for a few more films with Miramax, they wanted to try out the material first onstage with the two of them. Given that Proof is playing in NYC and Madden is in England, they could easily do a short run at the Donmar, which has ties with the principals at Miramax and probably Anita Waxman. That's possibly much more than you'd ever want to know, but there are ties around all these people, a network so to speak. That locale take place in a number of cities. What was the supposed across-town university? Northwestern?"}, {"response": 106, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sat, Mar  2, 2002 (09:04)", "body": "(Karen)What was the supposed across-town university? Northwestern? Yes. It needs to be a significant commute away from family home. (hope I'm not spoiling this for anyone)"}, {"response": 107, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar  2, 2002 (09:21)", "body": "Ooof, I hadn't read Mari's message closely where she already mentioned NU. ;-D It is a fairly significant distance from Hyde Park to Evanston."}, {"response": 108, "author": "vze", "date": "Sat, Mar  2, 2002 (10:10)", "body": "If I may put in two cents about Proof (I saw the original Production at the Manhattan Theater Club) \ufffd I don\ufffdt think the setting could be changed to NYC nor London. There is a relevant dialogue about moving to NYC in the Claire \ufffd Catherine interaction. The location, in my opinion, is significant to the psychological make up of the characters (Claire\ufffds Brooklyn studio thing). Of course screen adaptations quite often significantly change characters, but it would be a shame. Once I\ufffdm here: I\ufffdve seen two awesome productions this past week in NYC (NYC\ufffds stage has been particularly generous this winter): The Crucible w/ Liam Neeson, directed by Richard Eyre at the Virginia Theater. If you like Miller, and you have the opportunity, this production is worth a trip to NYC (mind you, I saw a preview!). If you do come don\ufffdt miss Kevin Bacon in An Almost Holy Picture at the American Airlines Theater (Roundabout)."}, {"response": 109, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  4, 2002 (08:01)", "body": "Oscar contenders \"Gosford Park\" and \"A Beautiful Mind\"...won the top prizes Saturday during the 54th annual Writers Guild of America Awards ceremony held simultaneously in Beverly Hills and New York. Julian Fellowes earned the original screenplay laurel for USA Films' \"Gosford,\" director Robert Altman's social comedy about a weekend at an English country home. Akiva Goldsman won for adapted screenplay for Universal/DreamWorks' \"Mind,\" based on Sylvia Nassar's book about schizophrenic Nobel Prize-winning mathematician John Nash Jr. While the film winners should benefit in their quest for corresponding Academy Awards because Oscar ballots are in voters' hands, their wins are not necessarily an indicator of Oscar gold -- especially because such Academy-nominated screenplays as Christopher Nolan's original script for \"Memento\" and Rob Festinger and Todd Field's adapted screenplay for \"In the Bedroom\" were not eligible for WGA consideration because those films were not guild signatories."}, {"response": 110, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar  4, 2002 (10:21)", "body": "Sigh. I always pictured Colin in this role, opposite Gwynnie. Was half right.:-( From Ananova: Russell Crowe in line to play late poet Russell Crowe is being lined-up to play the late poet Ted Hughes in a play about his life, according to reports. The BBC film is centred around Hughes' real life love affair with Sylvia Plath. It is thought that Gwyneth Paltrow has been approached to play Sylvia. The \ufffd10 million movie has the working title of The Beekeeper's Daughter. It will be shot in the autumn by the BBC, reports the Sunday Times."}, {"response": 111, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  4, 2002 (11:28)", "body": "Each of these news services varies the level of commitment. The first I read of this, they were only \"approaching\" RC for this role. Check out the Sunday Times, as I recall. Besides, does he even have an opening for it in his busy schedule?"}, {"response": 112, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Mar  4, 2002 (13:07)", "body": "Pray all his windows of opportunity are firmly closed....please;-) Just like my Dylan Thomas rant Boss ;-)))"}, {"response": 113, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  5, 2002 (09:20)", "body": "Looks like London is going to be overrun by Cows on Parade this summer! Cow sculptures take over London Hundreds of sculptures of cows will be placed throughout London as part of an art event. CowParade London will be launched in June and run until September. Brighton, Jersey and Carlisle have also asked to take 20 cows each. More than 800 designs have been submitted for what will be the biggest exhibition of commissioned art ever held in the UK. Cow sculptures will be placed in streets, parks, outside major buildings and other high profile attractions in London. One painted cow, by Keith Wallace, has already been unveiled outside the National Gallery. CowParade is the world's largest public art event. It began in Chicago and New York in 1999 and has since expanded to Australia and Uruguay as well as London and other US cities. \"These bovine beauties are helping make a difference in our community. For each cow sponsored, donations will be made to Childline and Rural Relief,\" said a spokesman for the event. \"At the conclusion of the event, the cows will be sold at live and internet auctions, with proceeds benefiting Childline.\" Anyone interested in becoming an event sponsor or artist can contact clare@cornucopia-group.com."}, {"response": 114, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar  5, 2002 (10:23)", "body": "Since you started the cow trend, Karen, I will just have to share this. How important are cows in the Int'l political scene? A CHRISTIAN DEMOCRAT: You have two cows. You keep one and give one to your neighbor. Then you covet it. A SOCIALIST: You have two cows. The government takes one and gives it to your neighbor. You form a cooperative to tell him how to manage his. A DEMOCRAT: You have two cows. Your neighbor has none. You feel guilty for being successful. You vote people into office who tax your cows, forcing you to sell one to raise money to pay the tax. The people you voted for then take the tax money and buy a cow and give it to your neighbor. You feel righteous. Barbara Streisand sings for you. A REPUBLICAN: You have two cows. Your neighbor has none. So? A COMMUNIST: You have two cows. The government seizes both and provides you with milk. You wait in line for hours to get it. It is expensive and sour. A FASCIST: You have two cows. The government seizes both and sells you the milk. You join the underground and start a campaign of sabotage, which ultimately blows up the cows. CAPITALISM, AMERICAN STYLE: You have two cows. You sell one, buy a bull, and build a herd of cows. DEMOCRACY, AMERICAN STYLE: You have two cows. The government taxes you to the point you have to sell both to support a man in a foreign country who has only one cow, which was a gift from your government. AN AMERICAN CORPORATION: You have two cows. You sell one, lease it back to yourself and do an IPO on the 2nd one. You force the 2 cows to produce the milk of four cows. You are surprised when one cow drops dead. You spin an announcement to the analysts that you have reduced your expenses. Your stock goes up. A FRENCH CORPORATION: You have two cows. You go on strike because you want three cows. You go to lunch. Life is good. A JAPANESE CORPORATION: You have two cows. You redesign them so they are one-tenth the size of an ordinary cow and produce twenty times the milk. They learn to travel on unbelievably crowded trains. Most are at the top of their class at cow school. A GERMAN CORPORATION: You have two cows. You reengineer them so they are all blond, drink lots of beer, give excellent quality milk, and run a hundred miles an hour. Unfortunately they also demand 13 weeks of vacation per year. AN ITALIAN CORPORATION: You have two cows but you don't know where they are. While ambling around, you see a beautiful woman. You break for lunch. Life is good. A RUSSIAN CORPORATION: You have two cows. You count them and learn you have five cows. You have some more vodka. You count them again and learn you have 42 cows. You count them again and learn you have 12 cows. You stop counting cows and open another bottle of vodka. You produce your 10th, 5-year plan in the last 3 months. The Mafia shows up and takes over however many cows you really have. A SWISS CORPORATION: You have 5000 cows, none of which belong to you. You charge for storing them for others. If they give milk, you tell no one. A TALIBAN CORPORATION: You have all the cows in Afghanistan, which is two. You don't milk them because you cannot touch any creature's private parts. At night when no one is looking, you milk both of them. Then you kill them and claim a US bomb blew them up while they were in the hospital. A POLISH CORPORATION: You have two bulls. Several people are killed while attempting to milk them. A FLORIDA CORPORATION: You have a black cow and a brown cow. Everyone votes for the best looking one. Some of the people who like the brown one best vote for the black one. Some people vote for both. Some people vote for neither. Some people can't figure out how to vote at all. Finally, a bunch of guys from out-of-state tell you which is the best looking one. ENRON VENTURE CAPITALISM: You have two cows. You sell three of them to your publicly listed company, using letters of credit opened by your brother-in-law at the bank, then execute a debt/equity swap with an associated general offer so that you get all four cows back, with a tax exemption for five cows. The milk rights of the six cows are transferred via an intermediary to a Cayman Island company secretly owned by the majority shareholder who sells the rights to all seven cows back to your listed company. The annual report says the company owns eight cows, with an option on one more. ROTF! Everytime I read this."}, {"response": 115, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Mar  5, 2002 (10:24)", "body": "The one thing that i've always wondered, is -why cows? i mean not that i have anything against them, but it just seems an odd choice to me. were cows picked randomly from the animal kingdom? or is there a deeper meaning that i'm missing??"}, {"response": 116, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar  5, 2002 (10:30)", "body": "I assume it is because cows provide a large canvas to paint on. They are also peaceful and vegetarian. ;-)"}, {"response": 117, "author": "caribou", "date": "Tue, Mar  5, 2002 (10:52)", "body": "(SBRobinson)The one thing that i've always wondered, is -why cows? i mean not that i have anything against them, but it just seems an odd choice to me. were cows picked randomly from the animal kingdom? or is there a deeper meaning that i'm missing?? Must be to boost the market after last year's hoof and mouth disease. Not to be left out of the international art scene, we in New Mexico have the same thing going on but with painted horses. They are displayed at the Albuquerque Airport among other places. Wonder who had the idea first."}, {"response": 118, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Tue, Mar  5, 2002 (10:59)", "body": "I suppose it is written by an American capitalist ;)"}, {"response": 119, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  5, 2002 (12:03)", "body": "Actually, the cows originated in Zurich, but it appears the Chicago event was so large and spectacular that it garnered the most news. But, Tineke, it has now been entrusted to, yes, an American capitalist corp, CowParade WorldWide, Inc., headquartered in Hartford, CT. ;-D Loved the definitions, Moon. *moo*"}, {"response": 120, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Mar  5, 2002 (13:22)", "body": "Milton Keynes had them decades ago."}, {"response": 121, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Mar  5, 2002 (13:24)", "body": "LOL Moon, great reading. Thinking of the Italian one I could imagine it being \"You see a beautiful woman with a baby\" in CF's case, thinking of him in BC ;-)"}, {"response": 122, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar  5, 2002 (13:46)", "body": "Thanks for the udderly terrific laughs, Mooooooooon. ;-) Very funny stuff."}, {"response": 123, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar  5, 2002 (17:06)", "body": "Thanks for restoring me, Karen! I have missed drool..."}, {"response": 124, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Mar  5, 2002 (18:05)", "body": "MARCIA!!!! Hey Chica! How ya been??? *big hug*"}, {"response": 125, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Mar  6, 2002 (18:20)", "body": "They are also peaceful and vegetarian. ;-) ] If they were vegetarian, then why were they fed sheep with mad cow disease???? :)"}, {"response": 126, "author": "maryw", "date": "Thu, Mar  7, 2002 (02:55)", "body": "Marcia - finally you made it back. Moon - that's a classic. Thanks."}, {"response": 127, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar  7, 2002 (05:48)", "body": "If they were vegetarian, then why were they fed sheep with mad cow disease???? :) You answered your own question, Laura. They were fed."}, {"response": 128, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar  9, 2002 (07:11)", "body": "I noticed that the Bradford Film Festival has opened. Here's an opportunity for those living in the north to see some better films. There's even a rare screening of Richard Burton's Hamlet tomorrow for certain people who have been comparing Danes recently. http://www.bradfordfilmfestival.org.uk/filmdiary.asp"}, {"response": 129, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar  9, 2002 (09:55)", "body": "Continuing with this Shakespeare theme... if the film Scotland PA is playing in your area and you want a good laugh, go see it. The film is based on Macbeth, using the names and basic plot, but is set in the early 70s and in the vernacular. There are only a few lines from the actual play and they're spoken in the background. Totally a hoot, especially with the McDonald's allusions. Very updating."}, {"response": 130, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Mar  9, 2002 (11:51)", "body": "so the CD and LDC version of R&J wasn't any good???? *gag, HATE R&J anyway*"}, {"response": 131, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Mar  9, 2002 (11:52)", "body": "You're right, Moon, they were fed, but if they were vegetarians, wouldn't they complain?????? :)"}, {"response": 132, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar 10, 2002 (07:30)", "body": "If anyone is in London...beg, borrow or steal a ticket to see Jude Law in Marlowe's Dr. Faustus.(Sold out)And you won't have to pay $80 to see it either, like the B'way dramas....19\ufffd front row and center for a mesmerizing performance. Stage design by the same guy who did Lion King. And oh...for the Donmar gang...the Luna Nuova is closed. (Try not to cry, Boss;-))"}, {"response": 133, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 10, 2002 (08:19)", "body": "(Try not to cry, Boss;-)) OK, I'll mourn privately. ;-D Yeah!!! He's got it. Excellent news : Ron Howard has been honoured by the Directors Guild of America for A Beautiful Mind. The award is considered to be one of the most accurate indicators of Oscar success. In the 54 years since the guild began distributing its prize, the winner has gone on to win the best director Oscar all but five times. Howard said: \"I have my fingers crossed for the Oscars, but I'm just enjoying this award right now.\" He was the only American nominated for the award. The other nominees were Peter Jackson, Baz Luhrmann, Christopher Nolan and Ridley Scott. [which doesn't mirror the Oscar slate that has Altman instead of Nolan] Russell Crowe, who stars in A Beautiful Mind, also attended the awards, as did Nicole Kidman. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Big doings tonight with the SAG awards. It will be broadcast on TNT and there's a Red Carpet show with everyone's favorites, Joan and Missy, on E!"}, {"response": 134, "author": "Becka", "date": "Sun, Mar 10, 2002 (08:29)", "body": "YUCK! How could Ron Howard possibly beat out the other four nominees? I don't mind if ABM sweeps the acting awards, but best directing? Against LOTR, MR AND Memento? Even BHD? That's purely a safe choice for the DGA. Opie is such a nice guy, with a good body of work and they screwed him for Apollo 13. The reason why I hate Oscar as much as I love it, it has nothing to do with the acting body of work we speak of. Oh well, at least they have a great imagination - I mean John Nash's life is nothing like the film. I will retch if he wins on Oscar night, including best pic. I think there may be a backlash coming for ABM though - it's uniformally hated on GoldDerby."}, {"response": 135, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 10, 2002 (08:43)", "body": "One important thing to keep in mind about the Oscars is that the criteria for Best Picture has absolutely nothing to do with \"Critics Best\"-type lists. There is such a thing as a film that has Best Picture written all over it, and ABM does. It is precisely the type of film that would win and I think deservedly so. Howard's direction was outstanding and highly creative. I don't care one jot whether the bio was accurate or not. I don't rely on films for factual situations or, as Roeper/Ebert said last night, read the book for that. ABM isn't the first film to play fast and loose with a person's life and won't be the last. Actually, this so-called \"backlash\" is likely the result of one studio's dirty tricks campaign. Just FYI, sci-fi and fantasy films, no matter how epic in scope, are not Oscar fare. Loved how Roeper said last night that he hoped LOTR would get shut out completely. It topped his list of the one he wanted to see at the Oscars. Ebert's was for Altman to win. (I would imagine GoldDerby is populated by the same type of film geeks that frequent such places as AICN and who are major sci-fi and comic book types.)"}, {"response": 136, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 10, 2002 (09:19)", "body": "Wot a load of horse manure! Ben Kingsley is the 900 lb gorilla in the Supporting Actor category. From the Sunday Times: Hollywood patriots target Oscar Brits by John Harlow SOME of Britain\ufffds top actresses are set to lose out at the Oscar ceremony this year because America has been gripped by patriotic fervour and wants to reward its own stars. Oscar-nominated performers such as Helen Mirren, Kate Winslet, Maggie Smith and Judi Dench could be passed over because giving them gold-plated statuettes this year might be regarded as unpatriotic by American film fans scarred by last year\ufffds terrorist attacks. British men, by contrast, have been largely ignored by the Hollywood spin doctors behind the campaign. Sir Ian McKellen, who has been nominated for best supporting actor for his role as Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings, is believed to be unassailable. The 5,000 voters in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, who return their postal ballots next week for the most widely viewed awards ceremony in the world, are being wooed by teams of highly paid academics, studio bosses and marketeers. One studio economist estimated that \ufffd50m is spent on advertising, screenings and parties in the 12 weeks before the Oscars. Over the past few days promoters have broken cover with a technique known as \ufffdring o\ufffd roses\ufffd \ufffd phoning up old friends. A retired British director resident in Los Angeles said last week that he would complain after he was phoned at 11pm by a former studio executive who spent 20 minutes being rude about Gosford Park, a story of 1930s British life nominated for best film. \ufffdHe had forgotten I was a Londoner as he dismissed Maggie Smith and Helen Mirren as \ufffdLittle Englanders\ufffd and worse,\ufffd said the director, who asked not to be named. Another victim of whisperers is the Durham-born director Ridley Scott, whose film Black Hawk Down was welcomed by the White House as an endorsement for the Afghan war. Two months later, however, Oscar voters are worried by its overt warning about Americans underestimating Arab enemies. \ufffdNow we have American soldiers falling out of helicopters to be slaughtered on the ground, both in the film and on television news, it has become a bit too tough for us to deal with. It does not help that Black Hawk Down was made by a foreigner,\ufffd said one. Studio insiders say this Oscar race is the most jingoistic since 1960 when John Wayne, promoting his self-financed western The Alamo, declared that a vote for rivals such as Sons and Lovers, based on the DH Lawrence novel, and The Apartment, a sex comedy by Austrian-born director Billy Wilder, was a vote for \ufffddebauched foreign liberalism\ufffd. The Apartment swept the board. Today the Hollywood spin doctors are more subtle and effective. They include renowned promoters such as Tony Angellotti, who helped turn the little New York film-distribution firm of Miramax into a regular Oscar winner. His most famous coup was swinging victory for Shakespeare in Love over Steven Spielberg\ufffds Saving Private Ryan in 1999 by charming voters in neglected enclaves such as a retired actors\ufffd home. Oscar nominees receive \ufffdrule books\ufffd, vetted by psychologists who recommend key phrases to be repeated during interviews for maximum effect. This year\ufffds magic word, admitted one insider, is \ufffdAmerican\ufffd. Tom Wilkinson has been nominated for his role as a Maine doctor in the revenge thriller In the Bedroom, which is being promoted to voters as \ufffda film for an angry America\ufffd. A Beautiful Mind has already fallen victim to a whispering campaign, with the media alerted to unpalatable facts left out of the film version of the life of the schizophrenic mathematician John Nash. These include reports that the real Nash was anti-semitic. Homosexual voters have been stirred up by the exorcising of Nash\ufffds bisexuality from the movie. Overt polling of Oscar voters is banned by the academy, which shrouds voting lists in secrecy. However, the results of a sophisticated focus group analysis run by a leading studio that claims an 80% accuracy rate in predicting winners suggests The Lord of the Rings, based on the saga by JRR Tolkien, is set to win best picture. This may, however, be an exception. Dade Hayes, veteran columnist with the Hollywood trade paper, Variety, said: \ufffdThe mood is against the British. The films are too small and the events in the world too big. British actors are deeply respected, but this is not their year.\ufffd"}, {"response": 137, "author": "Becka", "date": "Sun, Mar 10, 2002 (09:35)", "body": "Karen - imaginative? I can't see it. Tell me we are seeing the same film?! My point about them leaving out a lot of Nashs' real life is that it is completely contrived and uninspiring. A lot of films are, that's the biz and that's what people generally pay for at the theatres, but when it is written with the intent to be an emotional, 'let's tug at the strings of Oscar voters' film I see nothing creative about that. To quote someone from Gold Derby who said it best 'White bread. Simple. Unassuming. Safe. Uninteresting. Causes blockage. Ron Howard's ABM direction.' I am sure that the DGA don't think this is his best work - we know it really has nothing to do with his current project but his body of work. He's also the only American nominated. Hmmm. GoldDerby is definitely not filled with sci-fi fans. It's run by Tom O'Neil who is the film expert on E! and a bunch of other critics from Entertainment Weekly, Newsweek and so far. It's actually a popularity war between LOTR and MR, with ITB thrown in. As much as I love LOTR, I would actually be happy if any of the other four films took home Oscar as they are deserving. Maybe ABM deserves a nomination, but it is most certainly not the best picture of the year."}, {"response": 138, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 10, 2002 (09:54)", "body": "Safe? I beg to differ. I've heard the comment about the story pitch and how the studios were salivating to make a film about a shizophrenic mathematician. ;-D That fact that it succeeded so well tells me that Howard did a brilliant job. He made the subject matter not only interesting but understandable (that games theory visualization was incredible), and unless you had read the book, you had no clue that the Paul Bettany and Ed Harris characters were in his imagination. He elicited superb performances from all his actors and put together a film that touched you at an emotional level. My bias is firmly against F/X films in case you haven't noticed. To me, they are not the mark of a great film. I look to great writing and acting as the key components and F/X films rarely have those in spades. I do feel MR was a fantastic film and a leading contender, although Luhrmann got the snub in his category. In the Bedroom does rate highly with me because of the aforementioned categories. And when I said that GoldDerby being populated by the younger geek crowd, that would apply to the people who post, not the person who runs it. BTW, I finally watched HP last night (someone gave me a tape) and was falling asleep by the end...and it was fairly early. ;-D [P.S. This is not arguing, merely a discussion.]"}, {"response": 139, "author": "Becka", "date": "Sun, Mar 10, 2002 (10:03)", "body": "I take no offense, Boss! I enjoy a lively film discussion. You should check out GoldDerby - you would be surprised. As many intelligent and articulate people there as there are here! I would love for Moulin Rouge to take it home because I adore Baz (I still can't believe they left him out), probably as equally as LOTR. You could say the same thing about Peter Jackson with his direction - have your read any of the Trilogy? It was quite a feat for him to turn such an complex book into a throughly enjoyable and intelligent film. Have you seen it yet? Cause you are also talking to someone who is not the greatest F/X film fan either. I waited two months to see it cause I was so prepared not to like it. It's magical. And you say the acting isn't great - it's uniformally excellent. Ian McKellan is superb and Elijah Wood brings so much heart to the film. I think it breaks the trend of films loaded with technical effects and not much else. I can only hope the remaining two films will be as good."}, {"response": 140, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 10, 2002 (10:56)", "body": "I haven't seen LOTR yet and was never interested in the books from way back. Regardless, I don't think Tolkien is Hollywood Oscar fare. Fantasy however good isn't likely to win. See 1939, possibly one of the greatest years in film-making for Hollywood. I try to separate what I like and what I think the Academy voters will go for. I'm not 100% accurate (Hillary Swank over establishment actress Annette Bening), but I am staunch in allowing the Academy to judge by its own criteria of \"Best\" vs my own or any other critic. A Best Picture is the sum of its parts. The fact that ABM is gathering in the best director, writing and possibly acting (we shall see tonight) awards is going to factor heavily in the way the Oscars go IMO. (I disregard the GGs as an indicator of anything BTW.) Plus I want ABM's score to win. It was so incredibly distinctive and perfectly showed the linkage between music and math. A great example is The English Patient. I didn't particularly like it, but walked out of the theater knowing I had seen the Best Picture of the year. On another note, on one of the infotainment shows, someone commented about the age factor and how very few women over X age had won Oscars within the last X number of years (had no affect on men however apparently). This bodes very badly for Sissy, which would make Halle the front runner (or Nicole)."}, {"response": 141, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar 10, 2002 (11:28)", "body": "It was quite a feat for him to turn such an complex book into a throughly enjoyable and intelligent film. I agree with you Rebecca about LOTR. And I would love for it to win. Baz (I still can't believe they left him out), Neither can I. I hope it wins Best Cinematography. The Man Who Wasn't There might be a strong contender here, but if these people had seen early German Expressionist cinema, they would know what can really be done with b&w film. (Karen), That fact that it succeeded so well tells me that Howard did a brilliant job. He made the subject matter not only interesting but understandable (that games theory visualization was incredible), That technical effect was well done, but, ABM is not RH's best film. Memento which also dealt with mental illness (in a sense), was a better film. Hollywood patriots target Oscar Brits Thank you for the interesting article, Karen. The Brit Press always complain. Maybe they can turn this into their new \"Cause Celebre\" and leave the Fortunato thing alone. ;-) Directors Guild of America [which doesn't mirror the Oscar slate that has Altman instead of Nolan] They were right in picking Nolan over Altman. Must we hear one more time how he doesn't direct? (calling John Nash...) ;-)"}, {"response": 142, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar 10, 2002 (11:30)", "body": "I want ABM's score to win. It was so incredibly distinctive and perfectly showed the linkage between music and math I agree! This bodes very badly for Sissy, which would make Halle the front runner (or Nicole). So you don't think Renee has a chance? I do."}, {"response": 143, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Mar 10, 2002 (12:57)", "body": "Oscar-nominated performers such as Helen Mirren, Kate Winslet, Maggie Smith and Judi Dench could be passed over because giving them gold-plated statuettes this year might be regarded as unpatriotic by American film fans Agreed, Karen, it is horse manure. I don't see why some writers persist in presenting everything in a \"us vs. them\" way. I was just looking at the Oscar noms to refresh my memeory, and 50%--yes, half--of the acting noms went to non-Americans. And lots of people were surprised that actors such as Billy Bob Thornton and Steve Buscemi got overlooked. Also, American film fans don't vote for the Oscars, and most could not care less about the nationality of who won, so this guy's argument is just plain stupid. Very glad for Opie! And yes, I saw both LOTR and MR. I liked ABM very much, and have been disappointed at the potshots it's now taking by certain members of the media--who, let's not kid ourselves, *always* have their own agenda-- who are serving as mouthpieces for the behind-the-scenes machinations of a rival studio. Too bad Todd Field has been overlooked for In The Bedroom. No pyrothechnics in that film, just brilliant writing, acting, and unconventional directorial choices in all the key scenes."}, {"response": 144, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Mar 10, 2002 (13:31)", "body": "I meant to add: with 2 more Rings movies due out, I suspect the DGA feels it will have ample other opportunities to honor Peter Jackson. As for Baz--MR is an amazingly directed film (some say over-directed, to the point of chaos). And I think that's the bottom line--a lot of people didn't like the movie."}, {"response": 145, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 10, 2002 (21:39)", "body": "The \"Vote America\" campaign certainly showed in the SAG awards. ;-D Let's see, Best Supporting Actress Helen Mirren hails from which of our 50 states? And what about Sir Ian McKellan? Or Russell Crowe, or for that matter Best Cast for Gosford Park. Hmmm, the only American to win, Halle Berry, was in the minority. For the time being, I've rationalized McKellan's win over Kingsley's as payback for not having won on Gods & Monsters. ;-D BTW, caught Inside the Actors Studio before the SAGs and they had an hour with Ben Kingsley. It was wonderful. Do try to catch it when it is replayed."}, {"response": 146, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 11, 2002 (08:01)", "body": "If LOTR wins, it will be because of this campaign of dirty tricks: 'Mind'-bending reports out of line, Uni claims By Gregg Kilday (THR) LAS VEGAS -- With Academy Awards voting entering its final days -- ballots are due March 19 -- a new attack launched this week against Universal/DreamWorks' \"A Beautiful Mind\" has led Universal Pictures chairman Stacey Snider to deplore what she considers unethical tactics used by some of the combatants in this year's Oscar contest. \"There's been a shocking absence of self-restraint,\" Snider said in an interview in Las Vegas, where she was attending ShoWest 2002, at which \"Mind's\" Ron Howard was named director of the year Thursday night. \"Lines that should be clear to all of us have recklessly been crossed. Filmmakers who have done honest work that was never engineered to win an award now are having to defend their intentions.\" The latest salvo in what many view as a no-holds-barred Oscar contest that has descended into mudslinging began Tuesday morning when Internet columnist Matt Drudge led his Web site with a headline declaring, \"Nash 'Jew Bashing' Left Out of Film.\" In the accompanying story, Drudge accused the filmmakers behind \"Mind\" of eliminating anti-Semitic remarks that the movie's real-life subject, Nobel Prize-winning mathematician John Nash Jr., made in 1967, for fear of offending Academy voters. An earlier Drudge report, published when the nominations were first announced, accused the filmmakers of ignoring Nash's adultery and alleged homosexuality. Drudge wrote, \"Producers who also wiped out Nash's homosexual past for the film were cognizant that the chances of winning Oscar gold would be lessened if their film's protagonist was a basher of a religion that is disproportionately represented in the Academy voting pool. Director Ron Howard and Co. apparently opted to create a composite schizophrenic whose illness would not offend the voting public.\" Said Snider: \"I've never met John Nash. But a 73-year-old man who has gone through hell and who agreed to entrust us with his life shouldn't have to go through these attacks. To take statements out of context, which were said at a time when he was a self-admitted schizophrenic, seems shameful. We never set out to sugarcoat his life, but I don't think it's a misrepresentation of that life to have concentrated on the facts that try to get to the essence of his life.\" Universal, which saw the Oscar prospects of its 1999 biopic \"The Hurricane\" damaged when that film came under attack for its historical accuracy, took a proactive stance when \"Mind\" was released in December, explaining up front that the movie was not intended as a literal recounting of Nash's life. But that hasn't prevented broadsides from being launched against the film. The latest volley picked up momentum Thursday when Roger Friedman, a columnist for FoxNews.com, reiterated Drudge's charges and went on to write, \"There's something weird about 'A Beautiful Mind.' It's a movie on autopilot for self-destruction. Between the revelations about Nash and Russell Crowe's bad behavior at the British Academy Awards, it's slowly becoming the Gary Condit of movies.\" \"The timing of these latest missives and their orchestration has to be calculated,\" Snider said. \"It can't be inadvertent.\" Asked if his story had been suggested by a rival Academy campaign, Drudge said, \"I'm not going to reveal my sources. I was approached by an Academy voter who knew about (the anti-Semitic remarks). I've been poring through the book and I took another look at it and it jumped out at me. I go where the action is. (Whether the latest charge originated in a rival Oscar campaign camp) is neither here nor there to me. Albeit I didn't name the Academy member, I have now heard from three members who said they switched their votes because of Nash's views regarding Jews.\" Snider declined to say where she suspects the attacks might have originated, but she did say she has spoken to rival studio executives, encouraging them to stick to the high road and discourage their staffs from launching stealth campaigns. \"I have chosen to try to appeal to our competitors on a personal level, to urge them not to tumble down this moral slope,\" she said. Saying that Howard \"feels wounded\" by the charges, she added: \"So many people among the moviegoing public at large have spoken to him about how meaningful the film was to them that there is a real dissonance between that reaction and what we are encountering now. The attacks are so inflammatory and easily reduced to sound bites. The movie has led to meaningful articles published about schizophrenia, but these are just tabloid headlines. If you are a responsible writer, you don't take statements out of context that someone made during a 35-year battle with schizophrenia.\" The decidedly nasty nature of this year's subterranean Oscar campaign -- which in some quarters has taken on the tone of a brutal political campaign -- has been a frequent topic of conversat"}, {"response": 147, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar 11, 2002 (11:42)", "body": "\"There should be a place for showmanship in the Oscar campaigns,\" Snider added, citing New Line's campaign on behalf of \"The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring\" for its approach toward celebrating that film's achievements. If LOTR wins it will be because of its accomplishments, which are not few. ABM has a happy ending and it is thanks to his wife. I guess that does not go down well with the ultra-liberal gay crowd. Why doesn't someone turn the tables and critize them for it? And now the Jews are not supposed to be voting for it either because of of JN? This thing is way out-of-hand, it's only a film telling the story it of the script."}, {"response": 148, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 11, 2002 (11:51)", "body": "\"SOME of Britain\ufffds top actresses are set to lose out at the Oscar ceremony this year because America has been gripped by patriotic fervour and wants to reward its own stars.\" Bunch of whiners....RC American? Aw...they just want to sell newspapers."}, {"response": 149, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar 11, 2002 (14:14)", "body": "The movie has led to meaningful articles published about schizophrenia, but these are just tabloid headlines. If you are a responsible writer, you don't take statements out of context that someone made during a 35-year battle with schizophrenia.\" Good for Stacey Snider for speaking out. Who do you think is behind this? Miramax? New Line? It's typical Matt Drudge slash-and-burn \"journalism.\" Here's some perspective from the woman who actually wrote the book; she doesn't seem to mind that they haven't filmed the book verbatim: Oscar Push Getting \"Dirty,\" Says Studio The writer of the book A Beautiful Mind: The Life of Mathematical Genius and Nobel Laureate John Nash has accused Internet gossip Matt Drudge and other columnists of writing \"untrue and very injurious things\" about Nash. In an interview with today's (Monday) Washington Post, Sylvia Nasar said that anti-Semitic quotes attributed to Nash were made by the mathematician while he was mentally ill, \"at a moment in time when he not only felt threatened by Jews and Israel, he thought he was Job and Esau and the emperor of Antarctica, and the messiah ... What he believed at that time were symptoms of his illness and paranoid delusions.\" The Post, suggesting that the Nash quotes were planted as part of a \"down and dirty\" campaign to smear Nash and hence the movie during the Oscar voting period, quoted Universal spokeswoman Terry Curtin as saying, \"It's out of control. ... It's unfortunate that some people are stooping to that level. It's gotten to be so dirty. The last pure place that you thought you could go is completely tainted: the Academy race.\""}, {"response": 150, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 12, 2002 (07:13)", "body": "(Moon) If LOTR wins it will be because of its accomplishments, which are not few. Oh, Moon, you have no idea how powerful that strategy could be. The Genome Project has identified precisely which chromozone houses our guilt gene. ;-D Hopefully, the Washington Post's expose will counter the effects. ~~~~~~~ In other news today... U.K. Actors Reach Contract Deal LONDON (Variety) - The phantom strike by British film actors is over. Actors union Equity voted Monday to approve a landmark film contract that gives Blighty thesps the right to residual payments for studio and indie pictures shot in the U.K. for the first time. \"This is one of the biggest achievements in Equity's history,\" said one union official. \"The contribution of U.K.-based performers to the financial success of feature films has been acknowledged.\" Equity has technically been on strike since its contract lapsed Dec. 1. But the union struck interim deals with individual producers, ensuring no movie was blocked by the labor dispute. Equity and PACT, which represents British producers, have agreed on two contracts -- for studio pics and for indies. For most independent films, actors will receive a flat 2% of net profits. However, there are more complex formulas for films budgeted between $1.4 million and $4.2 million, and those under $1.4 million. For studio movies, actors have won a share of worldwide video/DVD revenues, as well as a slice of TV income everywhere except in the U.S."}, {"response": 151, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 12, 2002 (10:49)", "body": "(Karen), The Genome Project has identified precisely which chromozone houses our guilt gene. ;-D The Human Genome Project (HGP) is an international research effort to characterize the genomes of human and selected model organisms through complete mapping and sequencing of their DNA, to develop technologies for genomic analysis, to examine the ethical, legal, and social implications of human genetics research, and to train scientists who will be able to utilize the tools and resources developed through the HGP to pursue biological studies that will improve human health."}, {"response": 152, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar 12, 2002 (11:11)", "body": "Here's the full Washington Post story on the dirty campaigning. It's not Miramax behind it apparently; Universal has exonerated them. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A5484-2002Mar10.html"}, {"response": 153, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar 12, 2002 (11:29)", "body": "One more, from Roger Ebert: Campaign directed against 'Beautiful' is ugly, unwarranted March 11, 2002 BY ROGER EBERT Chicago Sun-Times Judging by the attacks against it, \"A Beautiful Mind\" is the most reprehensible film of the year. Amazing it was made, let alone nominated for an Academy Award. The mugging of this film is the most disturbing element of this year's Oscar season. Ron Howard's film stars Russell Crowe as John Forbes Nash Jr., a schizophrenic who won the Nobel Prize for mathematics. We see him struggling with demons and fantasies, aided by a loyal wife (Jennifer Connelly). Like Nash, the audience is sometimes deluded about what's real in the story, and what is a phantasm. The film is well written, directed and acted. But the film's detractors see more, or less. They charge: * Nash has been whitewashed; the film suppresses the facts that he fathered a child out of wedlock, and refused to support it, was bisexual, and faced molestation charges after an incident in a public toilet. **A book about Nash reports him making anti-Semitic comments. Joy Behar on \"The View'' said the movie should have included that behavior. Would she have preferred a movie about an anti-Semite who wins the Nobel? * Russell Crowe, angry that the British Academy Awards telecast edited out four lines of poetry in his speech, pushed and shoved the director of the program. **Press Release: \"Claiming that the film 'A Beautiful Mind' distorts the life of John Nash, a coalition of 100 mental health advocacy groups issued a public statement today to Universal asking for an apology and retraction.\" The coalition is angry about a USA Today article reporting that \"this brilliant mathematician stopped taking antipsychotic drugs in 1970 and slowly recovered over two decades.'' My thoughts: **The movie is caught in the controversy between those supporting drugs in the treatment of schizophrenia, and those interested in other approaches. The coalition is really disturbed not because the movie changed the facts, but because it didn't change them enough; in the film, Nash speaks of \"newer medications\" that in real life he was not taking, so they should be calling for an apology from USA Today, not the studio. **A schizophrenic has a serious mental illness, yet Behar and others hold him to the standard of a healthy person. Who knows what he thought he was doing, or saying, during the episodes involving sex and anti-Semitism? In the film, he lives with imaginary characters for years. To say he should have \"sought treatment\" is to assume he was sane enough to do so, and to ignore his belief that medication would cloud his mathematical work. **Crowe has a hot head, but he also has a point. Awards shows are inflated with endless gassy lists of people the winners want to thank. Crowe read four lines by Patrick Kavanaugh that directly express his humility as an artist. Cutting them made his speech pointless. Are the attacks against \"A Beautiful Mind\" orchestrated? \"I'm not going to reveal my sources,\" says the Web's Matt Drudge, whose report on the anti-Semitic remarks caused an uproar. His statement tips his hand: He didn't find out about the statements himself, but was told about them. Isn't he missing the real story--that someone came to him with a vested interest in hurting the film? \"If you are a responsible writer,\" says shell-shocked Universal chairman Stacey Snider, \"you don't take statements out of context that someone made during a 35-year battle with schizophrenia.\" True. \"A Beautiful Mind\" is a parable about triumph in the face of disaster, not a drive-by shooting."}, {"response": 154, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Mar 12, 2002 (11:38)", "body": "Equity has technically been on strike since its contract lapsed Dec. 1. But the union struck interim deals with individual producers, ensuring no movie was blocked by the labor dispute. LMAO! Some strike! Glad they got what they wanted anyway."}, {"response": 155, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 12, 2002 (16:52)", "body": "It's not Miramax behind it apparently; Universal has exonerated them. Of course, what fool would think Miramax was behind it? One only has to look at which studio would most benefit: New Line or Fox. I'd put money on Fox."}, {"response": 156, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Mar 12, 2002 (17:22)", "body": "I'd put money on Fox. ] righto, they're even worse when it comes to the television show. So much that WB is dropping every Fox show...."}, {"response": 157, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 12, 2002 (21:49)", "body": "Yes, but we all remember the computerized voting at the last minute that overturned BJD's commanding lead in that Hollywood Films award that gave it to Moulin Rouge."}, {"response": 158, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar 12, 2002 (22:38)", "body": "what fool would think Miramax was behind it? LOL! Just ask the studios/producers that have been targeted by Miramax in the past. Ask Steven Spielberg.:-( Agree that's it's likely Fox and I also thought about their systematized cheating on the ET \"poll.\" Baz and Nicole were just on Leno's show, campaigning. Where is RZ? She's been the invisible woman in this contest, not that she ever really had a shot at a win anyway."}, {"response": 159, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 12, 2002 (22:50)", "body": "(Mari) Just ask the studios/producers that have been targeted by Miramax in the past. Ask Steven Spielberg.:-( But that only works if Miramax had a *real* film in contention. Besides, all they've done is lobby very hard and bought the nominations/awards. Have they gotten down in the dirt like this? Actually, the most similar situation was what happened to Denzel Washington for Hurricane."}, {"response": 160, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 13, 2002 (06:30)", "body": "(Karen), I'd put money on Fox. Well at least you have exonerated New Line. ;-) the most similar situation was what happened to Denzel Washington for Hurricane. This happens all the time. Is Smith's performance in Ali better than Guy Pearce in Memento? I think not."}, {"response": 161, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 13, 2002 (06:47)", "body": "(Moon) This happens all the time. Is Smith's performance in Ali better than Guy Pearce in Memento? I think not. My point was that there was a smear campaign against the film Hurricane because it did not give an accurate portrayal of Ruben \"Hurricane\" Carter. Denzel was a strong contender at the time the nominations were announced and then he dropped off the radar. IMO he should've won that year. (I haven't seen Ali)"}, {"response": 162, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 13, 2002 (06:54)", "body": "Ooooh! This should stir up lots of anti-GP sentiment. From Ananova: Gosford Park director says past Oscar winner was 'dreadful' Robert Altman has savaged two previous Oscar-winning films. He says Titanic was \"dreadful\" and has also criticised American Beauty. Altman is up for Best Director for Gosford Park. He told Los Angeles Confidential magazine: \"Titanic I thought was the most dreadful piece of work I've ever seen in my entire life. \"Another film that I think is equally bad was American Beauty. So badly acted and directed. But people like that.\""}, {"response": 163, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 13, 2002 (06:59)", "body": "The smear campaign is ugly, I agree. But I still think LOTR should win. Did you ever think that all this publicity might indeed give ABM the Oscar? Who was it that said there's no such thing as bad publicity?"}, {"response": 164, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 13, 2002 (07:03)", "body": "So badly acted and directed. But people like that.\" Like Mr. T, Mr. Altman? I have only liked two of his film MASH and GP. I am not a fan."}, {"response": 165, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar 13, 2002 (08:48)", "body": "Karen, take another look at the Post article. Miramax was the first one to talk to Drudge about ABM, and they worked the phones to bad mouth MR. Re: Denzel and Hurricane. The circumstances are somewhat similar, but Carter was a public figure and his trial a matter of public record, and therefore one could argue that it should be held to a different standard than John Nash's story. Characters and motives in H. were invented (such as crooked cops and DAs) so it wasn't just a matter of leaving some things out. One thing that I can't understand is the accusation that ABM is a whitewash. ABM contains some very negative stuff about Nash--the guy almost shot his wife and nearly let his child drown. Yet certain members of the media would have us believe that these \"incidents\" are somehow less damaging that an admission of alleged homosexual encounters. They certainly have their agenda; Moon you have converted me!;-) Re: Altman. I've said it from the start: he's an egomaniacal ass. Where does he get off publicly criticizing someone else's work at a time when 2 of his actresses are up for awards? He should be talking up GP and supporting his actresses--not needlessly infuriating potential voters with his meaningless pontifications. On a brighter note: did anyone see Dennis Quaid on Larry King's show last night? Yum! And he seems like a genuinely good guy, too."}, {"response": 166, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 13, 2002 (09:11)", "body": "(Mari), Where does he get off publicly criticizing someone else's work at a time when 2 of his actresses are up for awards? He should be talking up GP and supporting his actresses--not needlessly infuriating potential voters with his meaningless pontifications.he's an egomaniacal ass This is typical Altman. When he loses the BD Oscar, he'll have something else to whine about. Talk about setting up a scene!!! Yet certain members of the media would have us believe that these \"incidents\" are somehow less damaging that an admission of alleged homosexual encounters. They certainly have their agenda; Moon you have converted me!;-) It seems so obvious. Why isn't this issue addressed in the media? Because they are all chicken s... to be politically incorrect. See how far \"their\" agenda has grown. The right to freedom of speech has gone underground and I don't see anyone making paper chains around The Advocate's office. ;-) Thanks for understanding, Mari."}, {"response": 167, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 13, 2002 (09:46)", "body": "OK, I've reread and see the paragraph in question re Miramax's involvement. Still, it would make no sense to me, given ITB's poor chances and Miramax's releationship with Universal, co-partners on numerous films (like BJD). The elimination of homosexual references came out at the same time as the film. My take on this whole thing is not a gay conspiracy, but rather that the criticism based on these omissions was ineffectual and wasn't going to keep ABM from winning. Therefore, they pulled the R (not race, but religion) card. Trust me, this one would've done it with a large percentage of Academy voters. Waddaya mean the crooked cops and DAs were invented? Going to put my Bob Dylan album on now. ;-D"}, {"response": 168, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar 13, 2002 (10:55)", "body": "My take on this whole thing is not a gay conspiracy Oh, I don't think it's a gay conspiracy either. I do feel that many members of the media pounce on anything that is not politically correct, and the film's detractors therefore knew exactly what buttons to push. This is a film about a guy who said and did (or attempted to do) some nasty things when he was mentally ill. I don't have to like him (or like the person he was while he was ill) in order to enjoy the film. Was there an outcry from women's and children's advocacy groups, or more to the point, any attempt to orchestrate discontent about the film among these groups? No. Because their constituencies don't vote for the Oscars! Actually, I think you and I are saying the same thing. Moon and Karen, read Charles Krauthammer's column in the new issue of Time. It's excellent. It's about how political correctness is driving public policy in the area of airport security--and how self-defeating and potentially dangerous this is. Waddaya mean the crooked cops and DAs were invented? Dan Hedaya's character was a complete fabrication, nothing like the cop who actually worked the case who was, by all accounts, honorable and fair. But showing that in the film wouldn't stack the deck in Carter's favor, would it. Also, Carter never was exonerated--in fact, in all likelihood (and I'm being generous here), he was guilty. He got off on a technicality. It's a matter of public record. By the time he reached adulthood, he had a record of violent assault a mile long. As for Bob D's song, the answer my friend is blowin' in the sports pages.;-) Carter was a mediocre boxer at best, lost many of his fights, never in a million years would have been the champ, and was fairly beaten by Joey G.--he was not the victim of bias in that fight. But then again, that wouldn't make for a good song. :-("}, {"response": 169, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 13, 2002 (15:26)", "body": "As for Bob D's song, the answer my friend is blowin' in the sports pages.;-) LOL! (but Denzel was excellent, which is my point, and whose chances of winning were no better than a rolling stone ;-D once the critics took out after the movie's inaccuracies.)"}, {"response": 170, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Mar 13, 2002 (17:50)", "body": "The innuendoes are flying in here today!!!"}, {"response": 171, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar 14, 2002 (03:58)", "body": "[R. Altman]\"Another film that I think is equally bad was American Beauty. So badly acted and directed. But people like that.\" LOL.You 'n me both,Bob."}, {"response": 172, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 14, 2002 (08:00)", "body": "Monitoring the casting front Lord Of The Rings star Viggo Mortensen is in talks to star in a new film about the Borgias. Director Neil Jordan is planning to start work on the production in the summer. Mortensen is in line to play Cesare, a priest who furthers his family's power by plundering the nation. Also a Nash update John Forbes Nash, the schizophrenic mathematician whose story inspired the Oscar-nominated film A Beautiful Mind, is to talk publicly about the movie for the first time on US TV. The interview will be shown on the CBS network's 60 Minutes programme on 27 March. The Nobel Prize-winning mathematician has been the subject of a war of words recently, with US newspapers publishing claims and counter-claims about his alleged prejucides and adultery. Oscar-nominated director Ron Howard has defended the film for omitting certain episodes of Nash's life, saying he intended to capture the essence of Nash's life, not to produce a biography."}, {"response": 173, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 14, 2002 (08:41)", "body": ""}, {"response": 174, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 14, 2002 (08:44)", "body": "Ann Hope you have a marvelous birthday today and that it continues for a few more days. Wish I could be there. ;-D"}, {"response": 175, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Mar 14, 2002 (09:03)", "body": "Happy birthday, Ann!"}, {"response": 176, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar 14, 2002 (09:52)", "body": "A very Happy Birthday, Ann!"}, {"response": 177, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar 14, 2002 (10:45)", "body": "Jumped the gun...We celebrated Ann's B'day last night at The Ivy!! Lotsa' Chardonnay! Hope you had a super day, Ann."}, {"response": 178, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar 14, 2002 (11:08)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANN! I hope you're sending Evie home sober!:-)"}, {"response": 179, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Mar 14, 2002 (14:39)", "body": "Thanks everyone and a special thanks to Donna and Evelyn and especially to Evelyn, I would recommend The Ivy to anyone, the food is wonderful, Colin has good taste."}, {"response": 180, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Mar 14, 2002 (21:40)", "body": "Sorry to be a little late to wish you a very happy birthday, Ann. It's still March 14th on this side of the Atlantic so it's still your birthday here! Glad you got to celebrate with firth friends and good food!"}, {"response": 181, "author": "Becka", "date": "Thu, Mar 14, 2002 (21:48)", "body": "Happy Belated Ann! The Ivy is a great place....you guys must have had connections to get a reservation! Or know Elton John... ;-P"}, {"response": 182, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Mar 14, 2002 (21:54)", "body": "Happy birthday Ann. Hope it was the best one ever."}, {"response": 183, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Mar 16, 2002 (11:05)", "body": "Hey, if I can sneak in here before the topic changes, the ever-late Caribou can wish you many returns of the day, Ann. Wish we all could have been there to celebrate at Hamlet. Now, if they will just find a screenplay for CF to say that one in, we'll have a collection.:-)"}, {"response": 184, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, Mar 17, 2002 (05:44)", "body": "Being rather new to this site, some of the abbreviations used are beyond my ken. I can work out some of them,ODB,etc, but others I find impossible. Would it be possible to print out an list, or is this already available? Hope I posted this under the correct topic."}, {"response": 185, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 17, 2002 (07:34)", "body": "Unfortunately, there is no list. :-( Our abbreviations fall into two categories: standard internet and Drool or Colin specific. I'm not sure which baffles you. The standard type are ROTF(etc) or LOL type, which you can find at websites if you do a search for internet emoticons and acronyms. The Drool or Colin type mainly consist of initials that represent actor's or author's names or movie titles or similar. If you're in doubt, feel free to ask."}, {"response": 186, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 18, 2002 (09:01)", "body": "Review of \"About A Boy\" in ScreenDaily: Dirs: Paul and Chris Weitz. UK/US. 2002. 100mins Will Britain's latest semi-confessional romantic comedy be the new Bridget Jones's Diary? It certainly has the right ingredients: a powerful combination of best-selling novelist Nick Hornby, Hugh Grant and the confident, commercial touch which co-producers Working Title have brought to this genre in their three previous outings with Grant (Four Weddings And A Funeral, Notting Hill and Bridget Jones). Released in the UK on April 26, About A Boy has not - yet - been trumpeted by the massive media blitz which announced Ms Jones's arrival. But prospects look bright, thanks to all of the above elements, plus the film's overall polish and the apparently bottomless public appetite for this material: a BBC adaptation of Tony Parsons\ufffd Man And Boy, also about single fatherhood in North London, is broadcast later this month. It will be revealing to see how the film opens internationally without, as with the other films, a major American star or even a significant female character (it's released in the US on 17 May as ounter-programming to Star Wars: Episode II \ufffd Attack Of the Clones). Still, Grant, seeming to get better the further he's allowed to extend his range, delivers a terrific central performance, as acerbic but more complex than his sexy snake in Bridget Jones. Grant plays Will Freeman, the archetypal Hornby anti-hero: a commitment-phobic North Londoner in his thirties who prides himself on his terminal hipness. Living on the proceeds of a novelty Christmas hit written by his father years ago, he idles the days away in his gadget-filled apartment watching afternoon quiz shows, playing CDs and reading style magazines. \"I like to think I'm an island,\" he muses. \"I like to think I'm pretty cool. I like to think I'm... Ibiza\". There's a huge chasm between his suave self-image and the sad reality. Reasoning that single mothers are the perfect no-strings date, since they're panting for sex but prevented by their child from getting too involved with a man, Will joins a single parents' support group, inventing a young son for the purpose. Here, a chain of events leads him to Marcus (Nicholas Hoult). Marcus is 12, going on 40. His depressive mother, Fiona (Toni Collette), has raised him with hippy values and a grisly haircut which make him a target for bullying at his new school. Even the playground nerds reject him. When Fiona attempts suicide, Marcus realises that two is a dangerously small family unit and decides to expand it. Unfortunately for Will, he happens to be around on the fateful day. Working Title made Hornby's previous novel, High Fidelity, with a British director, Stephen Frears, and an Americanised story, transposed to Chicago. About A Boy takes the opposite tack. It returns to London (trendy Clerkenwell this time, rather than Hornby's grungier stamping grounds of Holloway and Finsbury Park). But the directors and co-writers are Americans. Paul and Chris Weitz, who previously made American Pie, seem at first an odd choice. But they keep the action moving along nimbly - often using wipes to zip between the various characters - and show an empathy for the British setting. Besides, American Pie was beneath the gross-out humour, a sweet-tempered comedy of embarrassment involving emotionally arrested males: in fact, not unlike this. Hornby's writing - so effortless on the page - presents a minefield for the screen adaptor, with its ambiguous mix of New Lad bravado and New Man anxiety. The film of Fever Pitch failed completely to capture it; High Fidelity used the uneasy device of having the protagonist speak straight to camera. About A Boy is even trickier, since the book is told from two points of view, with alternate chapters following Will and Marcus. The film weaves together their contrasting thoughts in voice-over and, while Will's inevitably dominates, Nicholas Hoult as the quirky, isolated Marcus definitely holds his own. It's elegantly done, though the film constantly threatens to turn into a male bonding two-hander, at the expense of the secondary roles. The smart screenplay is full of lines not in the original novel but exactly nailing its sentiments. The most fundamental change is the loss of a major subplot triggered by the 1994 suicide of Nirvana singer Kurt Cobain, presumably because the setting has been updated to the present - and also because the writers felt one suicide bid was quite enough for a light comedy. While well handled, their alternative is a little pat: the essence of a Hornby novel is the unresolved messiness of his people's lives. It also has the effect of marginalising a number of characters, including the most forceful female one, Marcus's rebellious schoolmate Ellie. Hornby's novels have always appealed to women, but translated to the screen, his female characters tend to come across as bit players (High Fidelity) or whining killjoys (Fever Pitch). It was a good move here to cast a powe"}, {"response": 187, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar 18, 2002 (09:47)", "body": "The smart screenplay is full of lines not in the original novel but exactly nailing its sentiments. Very critical. Poor NH. *** Angelina Jolie is quoted in the Miami Herald today saying that Beyond Borders is the best script she has ever read. Was Colin ever offered a role in this or not? Could he have turned it down?"}, {"response": 188, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar 18, 2002 (10:24)", "body": "\"I like to think I'm an island,\" he muses. \"I like to think I'm pretty cool. I like to think I'm... Ibiza\". Pfft! That's very funny, actually. I wonder if it's from the book. Sounds like Huge has himself a winner. I wonder what anecdotes he'll repeat ad nauseum this time on the talk show circuit.:-( I saw the Jolie quote in my local paper, too, Moon. Could he have turned it down? I don't even want to think about this possibility.:-( I keep coming back to the quote from the GQ article, post-BJD: \"I suppose I should have gone to LA and bagged something.\" Yep, you should have. Clive Owen sure did. Did anyone watch the 60 Minutes interview last night with John Nash? I liked Ed Bradley's piece on Judi Dench, and enjoyed seeing her in all those old clips; he did a much better job than Charlie Rose. They said Judi has work lined up through 2003. Amazing."}, {"response": 189, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 18, 2002 (10:44)", "body": "(Mari) I wonder if it's from the book. It doesn't sound like it, but I haven't read the book for a couple of years. I saw the Jolie quote in my local paper, too, Moon. Actually, I think the quote originated in a much longer article a few days back about how the Ethiopian govt was complaining because they were filming in Namibia. Let me see where that might have been...Be right back... Here it is: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20020315/ap_en_mo/angelina_jolie_3 I watched 60 Minutes last night as well and taped it for Ev. Didn't like that they showed Judi crying though. I wonder about the future work plans, as she's recently made statements about taking a break."}, {"response": 190, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar 18, 2002 (11:46)", "body": "Didn't like that they showed Judi crying though. That's always a tough call to make. In the context of the conversation, it wasn't exploitative. And it did add to the profile. I'd imagine if she objected, they'd have edited it out. I wonder about the future work plans, as she's recently made statements about taking a break. Her definition of taking a break probably differs from that of some others. ;-) Here's a woman who has worked 2 jobs simultaneously on more than one occasion, and who leaves herself 2 days off between projects. I think she absolutely loves what she does and, therefore, time off isn't the plum that it may be for some."}, {"response": 191, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar 18, 2002 (13:02)", "body": "I think the quote originated in a much longer article a few days back about how the Ethiopian govt was complaining because they were filming in Namibia. It did, I skipped that. I didn't want to bore anyone here with politics. ;-) Didn't see 60 Min. (Mari), Judi has work lined up through 2003. Amazing. The sad truth is that many other actors do too. Does anyone know anything about the play Madonna will be doing in London?"}, {"response": 192, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Mon, Mar 18, 2002 (13:32)", "body": "http://www.empireonline.co.uk/news/news.asp?3796 I see that Huge will be in another Richard Curtis film. Now what exactly is a 'luvvie'? I've heard certain other Brits use the term frequently but can't find a specific definition. I can't wait to see the Inside the Actor's Studio interview. I'm not fond of the host but it's a good forum for a witty actor."}, {"response": 193, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Mon, Mar 18, 2002 (13:56)", "body": "I found a definition: luvvie n. A luvvie is a rather overexuberant (and almost invariably gay) thespian. Referring to actors as luvvies or luvvie darlings is rather scornful and demeaning - it's true, though, that a few of the older, camper actors do indeed refer to each other as \"luvvie\". Seems to me it's more of an endearment these days."}, {"response": 194, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 18, 2002 (22:18)", "body": "Russell Crowe: Will Beautiful Acting Beat a Moody Mind? LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - He may be moody, rude, prone to outbursts of temper and a drink too many -- after the cameras have stopped rolling. But there is no question that Russell Crowe sure can act, not just act up. Crowe, the Australian-raised actor barely known to world audiences four years ago, could be on the brink of joining Hollywood's most beloved next Sunday by winning two best actor Oscars in a row -- an honor bestowed only on Tom \"Mr. Nice Guy\" Hanks, and curmudgeonly 1940s and 50s leading man Spencer Tracy. Three stellar performances in three years -- from the whistle-blowing tobacco executive in \"The Insider\" to the noble Roman soldier in \"Gladiator\" and now his riveting performance as schizophrenic math genius John Nash in \"A Beautiful Mind\" -- have brought Crowe his third consecutive Oscar nomination. Which should leave voters of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Science with a clear choice if, in a perfect world, the Oscars were only about top performances and best movies. But ever since the Academy Awards were invented in 1929 as a way of promoting the new talkies to a worldwide audience, the Oscars have been as much about image as talent. \"The movies and the performances are just part of what the Academy voters are looking at here. This is an award that decides who's in and who's out, who's cool and who's not,\" said Tom O'Neil, host of the goldderby.com Web site. [Rebecca's fav] OSCAR SUICIDE? And many industry experts are wondering if Crowe, 37, may have blown his chance to join that elite club because of an angry confrontation last month, seen by only a handful of people but reported round the world, with a BBC producer who cut a poem from Crowe's acceptance speech at a British Academy of Film and Television Awards broadcast. The ugly outburst seemed to confirm long-standing industry gossip about Crowe as a man with a reputation for loutish behavior and was reported just as ballots landed in the mail boxes of Academy voters. Crowe both apologized to the producer and testily dismissed the incident. \"The Oscars are supposed to be about the performance you've given. I'm not nominated for a Worst Argument with an English TV Executive,\" he told reporters at the Sydney premiere of \"A Beautiful Mind.\" Others are not so sure. \"It is possible he committed Oscar suicide -- the gladiator literally falling on his sword of hubris -- because your performance off the screen is as important as your performance on screen,\" said O'Neil. But as Time magazine critic Richard Schickel notes, the incident didn't affect his chances with the Screen Actor's Guild last week, where Crowe carried off a best actor award to add to those he has already garnered from the British Academy and the Golden Globes. \"It's a pretty damn good performance,\" said Schickel of Crowe's portrayal of the quirky, mentally ill Nobel laureate. \"At some point it may well be that they (the Academy) will just vote for the performance. I think people have already discounted the fact that he's hot-tempered and slightly vulgar fellow in his own self, and say okay, but he's still an awful good actor,\" Schickel said. WASHINGTON IN THE WINGS If Academy voters are looking instead to reward both a beautiful actor and a man of charm, they need look no further than Denzel Washington. Washington, a 6 foot, handsome, 47-year-old has politely displayed his versatility over the years in roles ranging from black activist Malcolm X in the 1992 movie of the same name, to a homophobic lawyer in the AIDS courtroom drama \"Philadelphia.\" He is nominated this year for his role as a cop gone bad in the violent \"Training Day.\" The role is a change of direction for Washington, an actor better known for playing strong but sympathetic characters that seem to reflect his own persona as a modest family man, father of four, and discreet worker on behalf of charities such as the Boys and Girls Club of America and the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund. Many felt he was robbed of an Oscar in 2000 for his powerful portrayal of boxer Rubin Carter in \"The Hurricane\", and with the Academy apparently eager this year to redress its past neglect of black movie talent, Washington would be a worthy candidate to succeed Sidney Poitier, the only other African-American to be awarded a best actor Oscar -- and that was in 1963. The Reel.com movie Web site said few actors had gone against type as spectacularly as the \"normally beatific\" Washington in \"Training Day.\" \"Rather than play it safe, Washington ditched his increasingly cliched, overly noble African-American hero persona and embraced his dark side. By doing so, he became the seductive nature of evil made flesh and his bravery should be rewarded,\" it said."}, {"response": 195, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar 18, 2002 (23:25)", "body": "Wow!!! Are they all this hard on Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington? Or is this well deserved? I need to go check their topics. I watched them get their awards and was captivated. Perhaps, I was only blinded by their personae?"}, {"response": 196, "author": "Becka", "date": "Tue, Mar 19, 2002 (08:58)", "body": "I my mind the Oscar should go to Tom Wilkinson, with Russell behind him. I am not too sure about rewarding Denzel for his past losses. He's a great actor, but a Best Actor this year? But yes, it is all about politics. I am sure the ABM stuff may actually help them not hurt them. Every best pic is taking pot shots so I don't know what the big deal is here."}, {"response": 197, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar 19, 2002 (10:46)", "body": "My vote would also go to Tom Wilkinson, Becka. If Russell loses (and I predict he will) it will not be because of the ABM bad-mouthing (people still like the film), but because of his behavior at the BAFTAs. Sure, it should be solely about the performance, but when you have human beings voting, they take personalitites into account. The irony, of course, is that sometime in the near future, Russell will be nommed again, and people will say, oh he got cheated out of it for ABM so let's reward him this year. ;-) Anyone want to do some Oscar predictions in the major categories? And also add who your vote would go to?"}, {"response": 198, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar 19, 2002 (11:04)", "body": "Murph's Crowe site (Prose and the Passion) is singled out in USA Today! Go to: http://www.usatoday.com/life/cyber/2002/03/18/web-celeb.htm"}, {"response": 199, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar 19, 2002 (11:45)", "body": "I thought this was cute, from the imdb. Evelyn, I wonder if \"wheelchair parts\" take center stage in nursing home movies? ;-) ;-) Age No Barrier In Dench's Hollywood Dame Judi Dench's recent Oscar successes keep her in movies - something that she is more than happy about. The Iris star believes that Hollywood provides more opportunities to older actors than the stage can. She says, \"There's more for people of my age in Hollywood, I think. There's always somebody shuffling across in the background. Wheelchair parts. I'm not proud anymore. Now real wheelchair parts - they're a real plus because you don't even have to learn the moves. Crikey. I could do with one now.\" Dench is up for another Oscar, this time for Best Actress, at the Academy Awards ceremony next Sunday having previously been named Best Supporting Actress in 1999 for her role in Shakespeare In Love."}, {"response": 200, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 19, 2002 (11:52)", "body": "Congrats, Murph! I just read that Penelope Cruz is co-starring with Jude Law in his next film. She'll get another chance to botch up a part. Anyone want to do some Oscar predictions in the major categories? And also add who your vote would go to? Oscar picks: BP, Moulin Rouge-- me LOTR BD, Opie-- me LOTR (forgot his name) BA, Russell C-- me RC Ba, Nicole K-- me NK B FF, Amelie-- me Amelie"}, {"response": 201, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Mar 19, 2002 (12:33)", "body": "Moon: She'll get another chance to botch up a part. LOL, I am in total agreement with you! I don't think I've liked her anything I've seen her in. Now, my oscar picks BP: LOTR (Peter Jackson); however, because this is a series, they may reward him later)(CNN stated that) BD: Peter Jackson (but because of what was stated above, could go to RH) BA: Denzel Washington (hands down)(Russell Crowe is too moody, and Spencer Tracy and Tom Hanks deserved those awards[being critical because I LOVE Spencer Tracy movies!]) Ba: Sissy Spacek (Musicals rarely get any big awards nowadays) Let the countdown begin...."}, {"response": 202, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Mar 19, 2002 (12:38)", "body": "Yes, congrats Murph! *clapclap* (USA Today) Plus, someone has been having a good time with Photoshop. Heehee! Indeed."}, {"response": 203, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar 19, 2002 (12:48)", "body": "Moon and Laura, give us your supporting acting pics, and screenplay choices, too. Here's a full list of nominees: http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nominees_index.html"}, {"response": 204, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Mar 19, 2002 (13:03)", "body": "ooh, I know this probably belongs on BJD, but maybe not Shirley Henderson (Shazzer) and Gemma Jones have signed onto Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. SH will play Moaning Myrtle (a ghost who haunts the girls toilet) GJ will play Madame Pomfrey (she's like the school nurse) Miriam Margolyes will play greenthumbed Professor Sprout. Sounds like some interesting casting; however, Moaning Myrtle was all of 14?????"}, {"response": 205, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Mar 19, 2002 (13:07)", "body": "Best Supporting Actor: Jim Broadbent (for Iris AND Moulin Rouge, even though the latter was nommed for that, it gives him an in). Best Supporting Actress: Helen Mirren (just because I adore her and she's married to Taylor Hackford) Animated Feature Film: Shrek, hands down, not competition there at all. Writing: Memento (it's unusual and brilliant)"}, {"response": 206, "author": "Becka", "date": "Tue, Mar 19, 2002 (13:20)", "body": "My Oscar Pics: BP - LOTR (my choice LOTR) BD - Opie - they will split both BP and BD between LOTR and ABM, could go either way (my choice Peter Jackson or even David Lynch) Actor - Denzel has a lot of support (TW for me) Actress - Halle has also gained (my dear Renee so deserves this) S Actor - Ian McKellen (love IK and JB had an amazing year or the brillant Ben Kingsley - don't ask me to choose, I would be happy with any of these three!) S Actress - Jennifer Connolly (would like KW or MT) Adapted Screenplay - LOTR Original Screenplay - Memento"}, {"response": 207, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 19, 2002 (13:43)", "body": "Oscar picks: BP, Moulin Rouge-- me LOTR BD, Opie-- me Peter Jackson BA, Russell C-- me RC Ba, Nicole K-- me NK (I am hoping that RZ pulls it off) BS actress Jennifer Connolly Best Supporting Actor: Jim Broadbent Adapted Screenplay - LOTR Original Screenplay - Memento Animated Feature Film - Shrek FF, Amelie-- me Amelie"}, {"response": 208, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar 19, 2002 (14:31)", "body": "Oooh, lots of MR and LOTR fans here, eh? Well, I'll change that. ;-) ;-) This is fun; we'll see who comes closest, and if we have any unanimous choices. Mine: Picture--will win: ABM. My Vote: In The Bedroom Director--will win: Opie. My vote: Richie Cunningham ;-) Best Actor--will win: Denzel Washington. My vote: Tom Wilkinson. Best Actress--will win: Sissy Spacek. My vote: Renee Z. (But knowing she doesn't have a chance, I'd be ok with Sissy). Supporting Actor--will win: Ian McKellan. My vote: Ben Kingsley. Supporting Actress--will win & my vote: Jennifer Connelly Adapted Screenplay--will win: ABM. My vote: In The Bedroom Original Screenplay--will win: Gosford Park. My vote: Memento (LOVE IT!) Animated Film--will win & my vote: Shrek Foreign language film--will win: Amelie. My vote: No Man's Land Song--Vanilla Sky (am including for one reason only and his name is Paul McCartney! Yeah, yeah, yeah!:-)"}, {"response": 209, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 19, 2002 (16:05)", "body": "The April 2002 Esquire Mag. has a very funny article on the Oscars and the current picks for Best Picture and then some. It is not on-line. :-( Mari you should read what he says about In The Bedroom. Here is the info: Page 62 The Screen Cameron Crowes all-thumbs attempt to be daring, why Shallow Hal beats the hell out of In the Bedroom, and several extra helpings of Gwyneth Paltrow: Esquires third annual Alternative Oscars. [ By Tom Carson ]"}, {"response": 210, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar 19, 2002 (20:47)", "body": "Latest on Cold Mountain according to the DM: Anthony Minghella directing , NK to play Ada....now that ex TC is out. If Jennifer Connelly gets Best Supporting , ABM gets BPic & Opie gets Best Director, that's an obvious slap to RC, and IMO diminishes the Academy's competence who ostensibly are supposed to judge talent and not behavior."}, {"response": 211, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 20, 2002 (06:17)", "body": "If Jennifer Connelly gets Best Supporting , ABM gets BPic & Opie gets Best Director, that's an obvious slap to RC, and IMO diminishes the Academy's competence who ostensibly are supposed to judge talent and not behavior. I agree! Most of the Academy members are not Saints. Plus, no actor likes to have his lines cut. I think they'll give it to RC. Welcome back, Evelyn!"}, {"response": 212, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 20, 2002 (07:36)", "body": ""}, {"response": 213, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 20, 2002 (07:40)", "body": "And the honors keep rolling in... ;-D Tom Wilkinson has been named best actor by American magazine Modern Maturity. Charlotte Rampling, Robert Altman and Shrek were also honoured. The magazine launched the awards in a bid to influence Hollywood to make more films for older moviegoers. They honour films that \"address the concerns and dreams of people over 50\". Full Monty star Wilkinson won a La Chaise d'Or award. He is also nominated for an Oscar for his role in the film In The Bedroom. Rampling was named best actress for Under The Sand, and Altman was named best director for Gosford Park. The best film was Australian movie Lantana, and animated film Shrek was named Best Movie for Grownups Who Refuse To Grow Up."}, {"response": 214, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 20, 2002 (07:51)", "body": "If Curtis is directing, he's not going to have a lot of time to work on a BJD script. More info from Screendaily: Working Title Films and National Lottery franchise DNA Films have teamed to produce leading UK writer Richard Curtis' directing debut, a romantic comedy in which Hugh Grant is to play the British prime minister. Grant is in talks to play a bachelor PM who falls in love on his first day in office with the girl who brings him his tea. Emma Thompson is also understood to be in talks to star in the film, which has the working title of Love Actually. The film interweaves ten separate stories about Londoners looking for love in the run-up to Christmas, climaxing on Christmas Eve. Shooting is scheduled for the autumn. \"I know Richard will make an excellent front-seat director!\" said producer and DNA Films co-chief Duncan Kenworthy. \"And with 20 leading roles in the film, it will be exciting to work with a really wide range of talented British actors.\" Having first teamed with Curtis on Four Weddings And A Funeral, Kenworthy went on to produce Curtis' Notting Hill, also with Hugh Grant, outside DNA. The franchise takes an in association credit on Love Actually, but is not investing in the production. Working Title co-chiefs Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner are also producing, making this their sixth film with Curtis. Along with Notting Hill and Four Weddings, Working Title collaborated with Curtis on Bean, The Tall Guy and Bridget Jones's Diary. \"We are excited about Richard channelling his comic brilliance into directing the same way he does into scripts,\" said Bevan. \"Let's hope there's fun in store,\" added Curtis."}, {"response": 215, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar 20, 2002 (08:43)", "body": "Tom Wilkinson has been named best actor by American magazine Modern Maturity. Hee hee. My mother in law gets that mag--I think it's published by AARP. They have excellent taste.:-) And with 20 leading roles in the film . . . Shooting is scheduled for the autumn. Hmmm, sounds like 19 too many.;-) How much do you want to bet . . . I'm guessing Curtis will have the BJD script long wrapped by the autumn. Maybe Helen's comment about the script still being worked on was a way to deflect further questions about it. Welcome back, Evelyn!"}, {"response": 216, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 20, 2002 (09:09)", "body": "And with 20 leading roles in the film . . . Sounds like a Love Boat episode. ;-D"}, {"response": 217, "author": "Becka", "date": "Wed, Mar 20, 2002 (10:13)", "body": "Woo Hoo, thanks Boss, just got your lovely Bafta tape! What in the heck where those things on their seat rests? Cans of beer (which would explain the loopy looks from some of the attendees)? But very nice, if only the Oscars could be this much fun. You weren't kidding about the camera liking Livia - I'm jealous! And Bryonny, hate to tell you this but after all my rewinding the tape for ODB's sightings, the quality is very ill indeed! ;-) ;-P"}, {"response": 218, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 20, 2002 (10:21)", "body": "And with 20 leading roles in the film . . . (Mari), Hmmm, sounds like 19 too many.;-) How much do you want to bet . . . Please finish your sentence, Mari. I enjoy a wager. (Karen), Sounds like a Love Boat episode. ;-D Sounds like he wants to be the next Bob Altman. ;-)"}, {"response": 219, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar 20, 2002 (10:55)", "body": "Sounds like a Love Boat episode. ;-D LOL, Karen, yes it does. Please finish your sentence, Mari. I enjoy a wager. Ok. I was going to write, \"How much do you want to bet that CF will play Captain Steubing?\" ;-)"}, {"response": 220, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 20, 2002 (10:57)", "body": "\"How much do you want to bet that CF will play Captain Steubing?\" ;-) I'd be willing to pay big money to hear him sing the theme song. ;-)"}, {"response": 221, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 20, 2002 (11:13)", "body": "(Moon) I'd be willing to pay big money to hear him sing the theme song. ;-) Fortunately, you'll only have to fork over about $9 to hear him warble again shortly... ;-D"}, {"response": 222, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar 20, 2002 (12:20)", "body": "\"Tony-winning Cabaret Emcee Alan Cumming has been cast in a new pilot for NBC. Entitled \"Zero Effect,\" Cumming will play Daryl Zero in the upcoming program, which is based on the Jake Kasdan film, also titled \"Zero Effect.\" David Julian Hirsh, who starred on the recent Showtime series \"Leap Years,\" is also among the cast.\" Whatever happened to the TV series RE was supposed to be in?"}, {"response": 223, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Mar 20, 2002 (12:42)", "body": "I should add that I get Modern Maturity too, and it's not because I want it. When working at Scudder, we managed their portfolio, and we all became instant members of AARP (even though I was 27 at the time); however, will only be 34 in a few weeks.... start playing the funeral march now.... (can you believe 34????) And my daughter will be 12... okay, enough rambling..."}, {"response": 224, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Mar 20, 2002 (16:21)", "body": "These are CNN's Paul Clinton's predictions for the Oscars this year. ******************************************************************************* Wide-open race for Oscar From hobbits to professors to singers, toss-ups for the golden statue March 19, 2002 Posted: 12:42 PM EST (1742 GMT) By Paul Clinton CNN Reviewer (CNN) -- Once again, Hollywood has set an all-time record for box office revenue, with more than $8 billion in ticket sales for 2001. Unfortunately, this does not necessarily translate into great films that will stand the test of time. As usual, Oscar-worthy movies were few and far between until the waning weeks of the year, when pictures with Academy Award potential hit the country's cineplexes like a tidal wave. This year is proving to be the most wide-open Oscar race in a long time, with no sure things in any of the major categories. But I'll stick my neck out anyway and make my usual predictions as to \"what should win\" and \"what will win.\" The great thing is that no matter how wrong -- or right -- I am, in a couple of weeks nobody will remember who won and who didn't -- except the winners, losers and their agents. Quick: Who won best supporting actor last year? See? (See end of story for the answer.) Best actor: Russell Crowe (\"A Beautiful Mind\"), Sean Penn (\"I Am Sam\"), Will Smith (\"Ali\"), Denzel Washington (\"Training Day\"), Tom Wilkinson (\"In The Bedroom\"). Once again, Crowe is one of the main contenders for the top prize, and winning best actor from the Screen Actors Guild and the Golden Globes are good signs. Oscar has agreed with SAG six out of seven times that the award has been available, and the Globes also have a good record. Crowe gives a masterful performance in this film based (apparently loosely) on the life of John Forbes Nash Jr., a mathematical genius, a schizophrenic, and a Nobel laureate. Crowe is one of the most powerful actors on screen today, and if he wins, he'll join the rarefied world of previous consecutive winners, most recently Tom Hanks for 1993's \"Philadelphia\" and 1994's \"Forrest Gump.\" If there's another odds-on favorite for best actor, it's Denzel Washington. Not winning the SAG Award could hurt, but he did win the American Film Institute Award. \"Training Day\" is the first time Washington has played an out-and-out villain, and his awesome power as an actor who can hold the screen like a vise is on full display. However, Oscar usually doesn't like bad guys. The other three nominees turn in excellent performances, but their chances are slim. Penn's highly sentimental film has not been very successful, and he's disdainful of the very concept of actors competing against each other. Smith's performance as Muhammad Ali is nothing short of miraculous, but not being nominated for a SAG Award is not a good sign, and his movie has not been a hit with critics or the public. And in this field, with these nominees, Wilkinson's nomination for \"In the Bedroom\" is a long shot to win. Will win: Washington Should win: Washington Clinton predicts Halle Berry will get the best actress Oscar for her role in \"Monster's Ball.\" Best actress: Halle Berry (\"Monster's Ball\"), Judi Dench (\"Iris\"), Nicole Kidman (\"Moulin Rouge\"), Sissy Spacek (\"In The Bedroom\"), Renee Zellweger (\"Bridget Jones's Diary\"). The favorites in this category are Kidman and Spacek, with Berry coming up quickly. \"Moulin Rouge\" was a highly risky venture and Kidman could have fallen flat on her beautiful face. Instead, she soared -- and scored -- as Satine, a French courtesan and nightclub performer at the infamous Moulin Rouge in Paris during the fading years of the 19th century. This is her first nomination. She's both sexy and funny in this tour-de-force performance. Spacek is not only a gifted actress of the highest order, she's also one of the nicest people in the business. This is her sixth nomination, all in the best actress category; she won in 1980 for her portrayal of Loretta Lynn in \"Coal Miner's Daughter.\" Spacek's carefully understated and layered performance in \"In the Bedroom\" as a mother who loses her son, and then has to fight for justice, is seamless in its complete perfection. Berry gives the best performance of her life in the deeply disturbing and intensely dramatic \"Monster's Ball.\" This is her first nomination, but her early best actress prize from the National Board of Review and then her surprise win as best actress at the SAG Awards make her a main contender. The other nominees -- Dench and Zellweger -- are long shots, though Zellweger has already bucked the odds by being nominated for a comedy. Will win: Berry Should win: Berry Clinton says Marisa Tomei's \"In the Bedroom\" performance is stronger than her 1992 Oscar-winning role in \"My Cousin Vinny.\" Best supporting actress: Jennifer Connelly (\"A Beautiful Mind\"), Helen Mirren (\"Gosford Park\"), Maggie Smith(\"Gosford Park\"), Marisa Tomei (\"In The Bedroom\") and Kate Winslet (\"Iris\"). This is often a wild-card category, and it's no differen"}, {"response": 225, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Mar 20, 2002 (16:34)", "body": "This is from the Associated Press. ******************************************************************************* The movie \"A Beautiful Mind,\" a front-runner for Oscar, has come under criticism for taking liberties with Nash's life -- but its makers say the criticism is part of a whisper campaign to hurt the movie's Oscar chances. LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- The makers of \"A Beautiful Mind\" have objected to what they say is a whisper campaign to hurt the Oscar chances of their movie, which is up for eight Academy Awards including best picture. Although no evidence has surfaced that proves a conspiracy, Universal Pictures, director Ron Howard and star Russell Crowe said they suspectsome Hollywood rivals of secretly badmouthing their film to sway academy voters. \"If there's an attack strategy, that's an impolitic tool,\" Howard said. \"It's not about reminding people of your virtues, it's about undermining the other candidate's credibility. That's a shame.\" Competing studios have denied involvement in the alleged smear campaign. Various news reports in recent weeks have noted that \"A Beautiful Mind\" leaves out some unflattering aspects of the life of John Forbes Nash, the Nobel Prize-winning mathematician whose life it chronicles. In a CBS \"60 Minutes\" interview, Nash and his wife, Alicia, denied allegations that he was gay, anti-Semitic or a poor father. And Sylvia Nasar, author of the 1998 biography, \"A Beautiful Mind,\" on which the film was based, wrote a commentary in the Los Angeles Times last week that accused many media outlets, including The Associated Press, of misstating details of Nash's life. The film, which stars Crowe and Jennifer Connelly as the Nashes, portrays them throughout Nash's decades-long struggle with mental illness and its eventual remission, culminating in his winning the Nobel Prize for economics in 1994. Among its Oscar nominations are best director, actor, supporting actress and adapted screenplay, for Akiva Goldsman. (Read the CNN review.) Changing things for the movie Both Nash and Nasar said his anti-Semitic remarks were made while he was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia. \"I did have strange ideas during certain periods of time,\" Nash, 73, said on \"60 Minutes.\" \"It's really my subconscious talking. It was really that. I know that now.\" Other aspects of his life not mentioned in the movie were a son he fathered by another woman before he married Alicia, and the fact that Nash and Alicia later divorced. The divorced couple lived together for many years and eventually remarried in 2001. Some reports, including one by the AP, implied that the affair took place while Nash was married, instead of before he was married, as Nasar wrote. Nasar also criticized some reports that said Nash was a homosexual. Despite a 1954 indecency arrest and allusions in her book to his flirtatious behavior with men, she said he is an avowed heterosexual. The indecency charge was later dropped, she said. Howard and screenwriter Goldsman said they changed some aspects of Nash's life to make the film more dramatic, and omitted other elements they considered unimportant to the story. Oscar voting concludes Tuesday and the Academy Awards are given out next Sunday. Crowe: Money 'takes people to a different place' Films that win major Academy Awards can usually count on significant extra box-office sales and a long shelf-life on video, and studios spend millions to promote their films to Oscar voters. Crowe said he believes the amount of money at stake leads to some dirty campaigning. \"As soon as they toss that much money, that takes people to a different place,\" the actor said. \"And this is supposed to be about the joy of filmmaking.\""}, {"response": 226, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Mar 20, 2002 (16:54)", "body": "Will Crowe go two for two (from canoe) Q: Will Crowe go two for two? (A: If he doesn't, he has only himself to blame) By LOUIS B. HOBSON -- Calgary Sun Take heed, all ye serfs. Julia, queen of all Hollywood, has decreed that the academy anoint Denzel Washington best actor at Sunday's Oscars. Having won best actress for Erin Brockovich, Julia Roberts will be handing out the best actor Oscar this year. She of the roving eye was practically tearful last month when she announced: \"I cannot absorb living in a world where I have an Oscar for best actress and Denzel doesn't have one for best actor. He should be on his third Oscar by now, and that might not be enough.\" Washington was nominated in 1992 for Malcolm X but he, and an equally deserving Clint Eastwood for Unforgiven, lost to Al Pacino's overwrought performance in Scent of a Woman. In 2000, Washington and Russell Crowe for The Insider were toppled by Kevin Spacey, who won for American Beauty. Roberts, who starred opposite Washington in 1993's The Pelican Brief, is right when she observes that Washington deserved an Oscar for either or both Malcolm X and The Hurricane, but she's out to lunch if she thinks he should be recognized for his performance in Training Day, which, by the way, is available on video and DVD today. It's exactly the same kind of hammy acting that swayed voters into Pacino's corner back in 1992. If Washington wins - and there's a good chance he could - it will be more for his continued excellence rather than for his corrupt cop in Training Day. It will also be because Crowe has been working overtime to convince academy members not to vote for the star of A Beautiful Mind. Crowe's temper tantrum at the British film awards did little to dispel the growing feeling in Hollywood that this is one bad boy whose ego is growing in proportion to his paycheque. Make no mistake, Crowe deserves to win back-to-back Oscars for his masterful performance as schizophrenic genius John Nash Jr. in A Beautiful Mind. Julia, dear, if anyone deserves to be getting his second Oscar in as many years, it's Crowe. The fact he's a troubled genius did not prevent him from getting the endorsement from your colleagues at this year's Screen Actors Guild awards. If Crowe loses this year, he has no one to blame but himself because he has been the frontrunner with critics since the film premiered in December. Like Crowe, British actor Tom Wilkinson is far more deserving of the best actor Oscar this year than Washington. As the grieving father of In the Bedroom, Wilkinson's quietly understated agony was often overshadowed by Sissy Spacek's and Marisa Tomei's understandable emotional outbursts. Wilkinson may be a relatively unknown quantity on this side of the Atlantic, but in his native Britain he is highly respected. His film and television performances have earned him five British film nominations, including his win in 1998 for best supporting actor in The Full Monty. Wilkinson is one of those revered character actors who can rise above his mediocre material in movies like Rush Hour and The Black Knight while turning in staggering performances in such little-seen British movies as Wilde, Priest and The Story of Father Damien. Wilkinson won't win this year but perhaps his nomination will alert producers and directors on both sides of the Atlantic to his underappreciated and underused talents. Even Will Smith's loving and careful impersonation of boxing legend Muhammad Ali in Michael Mann's unfocused biopic Ali is deserving of recognition, more for what Smith might have accomplished given a better script and better direction. Smith will steal some of the votes that would have gone to Washington had he been the only African-American actor nominated in this category. Anyone who feels this is not a factor is naive. Even Smith himself pointed out recently, \"most of the 8,000 members (of the academy) are white, and you vote for what you associate with. If black people are voting, then a black person will probably win. It's not racism. It's what we relate to.\" Forget Sean Penn because academy voters will. If his far, far superior performance in 1995 in Dead Man Walking couldn't nab him the Oscar, his histrionics this year in I Am Sam certainly won't. It's the kind of performance that works well for TV but seems grating on the big screen. It doesn't help that Penn's disdain for Hollywood in general, and the Oscars in particular, is well documented. HOW THE OTHERS VOTED Golden Globe Awards: Russell Crowe, A Beautiful Mind. Screen Actors Guild: Russell Crowe, A Beautiful Mind. Los Angeles Film Critics Association: Denzel Washington, Training Day. New York Film Critics Circle: Tom Wilkinson, In the Bedroom. National Board of Review: Billy Bob Thornton, The Man Who Wasn't There. Broadcast Film Critics Association: Russell Crowe, A Beautiful Mind. British Academy of Film and Television Arts: Russell Crowe, A Beautiful Mind. American Film Institute: Denzel Washington, Training Day. Las"}, {"response": 227, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar 20, 2002 (20:25)", "body": "Alan Cumming has been cast in a new pilot for NBC. Entitled \"Zero Effect,\" Cumming will play Daryl Zero in the upcoming program, which is based on the Jake Kasdan film I liked that film--Bill Pullman and Ben Stiller, offbeat and fun. Helen Mirren also just landed a lead role in a new series called Georgetown, playing a media mogul type. Not sure of the network; might be NBC as well. Wasn't Rupert supposed to be writing his series? Guess he's still working on it. Wilkinson is one of those revered character actors who can rise above his mediocre material in movies like Rush Hour and The Black Knight while turning in staggering performances in such little-seen British movies as Wilde, Priest and The Story of Father Damien. Interesting articles, Cheryl. I can't recommend Priest highly enough. Wonderful film, and Tom W. and Linus Roache are so good in it. Of course, the braintrust at Miramax opened it here on Good Friday; caused quite a stir, as I recall, which was probably good for the film, so maybe they're not so dumb.;-) Wilkinson can pretty much do anything, but he really excels at playing normal, decent folks. The AMC channel recently ran a behind the screen type piece on In The Bedroom. Todd Field spoke at length about Tom and this very quality. He remarked that so many actors want to play weirdos, head cases, etc.--what Field called easier stuff. Said it was infinitely harder to do what Tom does so well--to convey both the struggles and the joy of everyday living. I'm paraphrasing but that was the substance of it."}, {"response": 228, "author": "Becka", "date": "Wed, Mar 20, 2002 (22:19)", "body": "I thought this was hilarious: Borowitzreport Logo March 19, 2002 Breaking News PRE-OSCAR SMEAR CAMPAIGN TARGETS HOBBIT Frodo Baggins Fights Off Rumors He\ufffds a Foul-Mouthed Drunk In the Academy Award-nominated \ufffdLord of the Rings\ufffd film, he\ufffds played by Elijah Wood as a winning hero who is brave, charming, and pure of heart. But in real life, Frodo Baggins is a foul-mouthed, hard-drinking lout who never met a hotel room he didn\ufffdt like \ufffd to trash. That\ufffds what the Hollywood rumor mill is saying about Baggins one week before the Oscar ceremonies in Los Angeles. And the real-life Hobbit, who says that the timing is no accident, is fighting back. \ufffdWhen I heard what was being said about me, I went totally bat****,\ufffd Baggins said, speaking from his suite at Los Angeles\ufffd legendary Chateau Marmont hotel. \ufffdAnyone who believes that load of crap about me can stick it where the sun don\ufffdt shine!\ufffd While Baggins admits that he may have raised some eyebrows with his hard-partying ways, he insists that his nights of drinking, brawling, and running through the streets of Santa Monica naked shouting, \ufffdGo to hell! Go to hell! You ***holes can all go to hell!\ufffd are long behind him. But one Hollywood insider said that Baggins might have worn out his welcome in the film community with his boorish antics, including getting \ufffdpolluted\ufffd and mooning members of the Hollywood Foreign Press at a post-Golden Globes party. \ufffdPersonally, I know dozens of Academy voters who don\ufffdt want to see that creepy little bastard win,\ufffd the insider said. And while competing studios deny spreading the anti-Frodo rumors, Baggins believes that the culprit is someone whose film stands to gain if \ufffdLord of the Rings\ufffd is discredited. \ufffdI sense Sissy Spacek\ufffds hand in all this,\ufffd Baggins said. \ufffdThat ***** can kiss my hairy ***!\ufffd"}, {"response": 229, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar 21, 2002 (05:13)", "body": "Zellweger, Law, Kidman enlist in 'Cold' campaign Thu Mar 21, 1:38 AM ET By Zorianna Kit and Chris Gardner LOS ANGELES (The Hollywood Reporter) --- They may be battling it out in the best actress Oscar race, but Nicole Kidman and Renee Zellweger are banding together along with Jude Law for starring roles in Anthony Minghella's Civil War saga \"Cold Mountain.\" The trio are in negotiations to star in the highly anticipated project based on Charles Frazier's best-selling debut novel. If deals can be reached for the actors, the project will see Law star as Inman, a wounded soldier struggling to make it home following the war in order to reunite with his pre-war sweetheart Ada (Kidman). \"Mountain\" tracks his long journey home, while Ada battles to stay afloat on the family farm in the rural South with her sister Ruby (Zellweger) following the death of their missionary father. Zellweger already had been in talks for the project back when Tom Cruise was negotiating to topline as Inman (HR 9/4). But Cruise's deal was never reached, and he fell out of the project earlier this year. Mirage's Sydney Pollack and Bill Horberg are producing \"Mountain\" alongside Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa of Bona Fide Prods. Minghella adapted Frazier's novel for the screen. Kidman, Law and Zellweger are repped by CAA. Kidman, additionally repped by Handprint Entertainment, recently wrapped shooting Lars von Trier's latest film, \"Dogville,\" in Sweden. She is nominated for a best actress Oscar for \"Moulin Rouge\" in the same category as Zellweger, who is nominated for \"Bridget Jones's Diary.\" Zellweger, additionally repped by John Carrabino at Catch 23 Management, recently wrapped shooting the feature film version of the Broadway musical \"Chicago.\" Law next stars in the summer release \"The Road to Perdition\" for DreamWorks Pictures and director Sam Mendes."}, {"response": 230, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar 21, 2002 (06:30)", "body": "Julia, dear, if anyone deserves to be getting his second Oscar in as many years, it's Crowe. Crowe does deserve it but it's interesting to note that both the LA critics and AFI(in LA), gave it to Denzel, hmm. And, Julia dear, you didn't exactly deserve your's last year. Thanks, Cheryl, Rebecca (point well taken ;-), and Mari for posting those articles."}, {"response": 231, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar 21, 2002 (07:00)", "body": "Jude Law will be an excellent Inman...if he can turn on a NC accent. I didn't think Ruby was Ada's sister..but maybe in the screenplay.... Hey they changed Charlotte Gray big time...."}, {"response": 232, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 21, 2002 (07:14)", "body": "And now for something completely different: A website has launched its own worst film awards, and has named them after Keanu Reeves. The Keanus are described as the \"alernate Oscars.\" Fans can vote for the Celebrity Most Likely To Be Crushed By The Weight of Own Ego or Actor Most Apt To Take Mantle From Keanu Reeves. According to www.alternet.org, the awards were named after Reeves in honour of the \"Actor most able to make bad movie after bad movie, with little real acting skill in evidence, and yet emerge unscathed and well-loved.\" ~~~~~~~ After seeing Black Hawk Down, where he was the only actor whose name went before the title, I'd vote for Josh Hartnett."}, {"response": 233, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 21, 2002 (07:39)", "body": "LOL, Rebecca. v. funny. (There's that Chateau Marmont again) ;-D (Evelyn) Whatever happened to the TV series RE was supposed to be in? I don't think it is for US television, but for UK and Italian TV. Ever since I heard that Julia Roberts comment many weeks ago, I suspected a campaign to \"reward\" Denzel for his body of work when he surely wouldn't deserve it for Training Days. I hate when this happens, when two other actors performances are more deserving in their own right. And how does it look in the record books when it says: Denzel Washington for Training Days. People will view TD and wonder why? (Evelyn) Jude Law will be an excellent Inman...if he can turn on a NC accent. I didn't think Ruby was Ada's sister..but maybe in the screenplay.... More info from Variety: The Miramax picture is still moving toward a July start date with shooting in Europe and the American South. Kidman, currently Oscar-nominated for her role in \"Moulin Rouge\" would take the role of Ada, the minister's daughter Inman left behind when he enlisted as a Confederate soldier. Zellweger, also Oscar-nominated for her performance in Miramax's \"Bridget Jones Diary\" could play Ruby, the drifter who becomes Ada's companion and hard-scrabble partner in eking a living the soil. Miramax declined comment. ~~~~~ Lots of films on RZ's plate. What about that rom-com with Ewan?"}, {"response": 234, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar 21, 2002 (08:28)", "body": "Lots of films on RZ's plate. What about that rom-com with Ewan? I think they're working on that now. That would explain Renee's absense in the pre-Oscar hoopla."}, {"response": 235, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Mar 21, 2002 (14:20)", "body": "(Variety) Ruby, the drifter who becomes Ada's companion and hard-scrabble partner in eking a living the soil. This is consistent with the book (you're right, Ev). Making Ruby Ada's sister would really muck up the story, since Ruby teaches Ada how to survive. (Evelyn) Jude Law will be an excellent Inman We-ell, he wouldn't be my first choice, but he's better than TC. I still think the quintessential Inman is Russell Crowe."}, {"response": 236, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Mar 21, 2002 (14:57)", "body": "I'm trying my hand at Academy Award predictions for the first time: Best Actor: will win - Russell Crowe; my choice - Denzel or Tom W.(but alas they won't) Best Actress: will win - Nicole Kidman; my choice - Renee (she learned a new culture, new accent, and new way of life with such accuracy) Best Supporting Actor: will win - Ian McKellen (best part of LOTR, for me); my choice - Jim Broadbent Best Supporting Actress: will win - Jennifer Connelly; my choice - Jennifer Connelly Best Director: will win - Ron Howard; my choice - Ron Howard (he deserves it)* Best Picture: will win - A Beautiful Mind; my choice - A Beautiful Mind (it's a sweep) *I saw a segment on American Movie Classics with Ron Howard talking about the making of ABM. He said that all the math in the movie on the glass windows was actual and accurate math and that as John Nash gets more and more unwell the math you see him doing on paper or otherwise reflects that state of mind. So he was very accurate there. There's probably only so many facts one could include in a movie like that before it starts to get jumbled and drag on too much."}, {"response": 237, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 21, 2002 (15:05)", "body": "I'm going to force myself to see LOTR tomorrow and then will do my picks. (Being on Tylenol with codeine is not going to help...) :-("}, {"response": 238, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar 21, 2002 (15:58)", "body": "Evelyn) Jude Law will be an excellent Inman (Eileen)We-ell, he wouldn't be my first choice, but he's better than TC. I still think the quintessential Inman is Russell Crowe. Oh I agree about RC....he*is* Inman. But JL would be mucho better than TC or anyone else they floated by.Can't see RZ as Ruby...she was fat, dowdy and dirty.Also older than Ada. Jennifer would make a great Ada... alas doesn't have the wattage:-(("}, {"response": 239, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, Mar 22, 2002 (03:37)", "body": "And JE can do a natural North Carolina accent! Or should I say...authentic ;-)"}, {"response": 240, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 22, 2002 (06:56)", "body": "Jennifer was the first person I thought of for Ada. She'd have been perfect. But you're right, Ev, Minghella has gone for names."}, {"response": 241, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 22, 2002 (21:50)", "body": "Just for you, Rebecca ;-D Saw LOTR and this movie screams: I am NOT an Oscar-winning Best Picture!!!! During the opening sequence, all I could do was imagine the Academy voters staring glassy-eyed at the battle, utterly confused over the exposition, and thinking \"this movie is for my 14-year-old son/grandson. ;-D IMO, it was nothing more than an Indiana Jones meets Star Wars with the advanced technology of today. If Sir Ian gets the Oscar, it's a total joke. Now back to our regularly scheduled programming...."}, {"response": 242, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Mar 23, 2002 (05:57)", "body": "Whoa, Karen, harsh... But I guess as I think of it more and more, I can understand where you're coming from. Most people think of the LOTR series as a series for boys. Just like the Little House is for girls..."}, {"response": 243, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 23, 2002 (07:44)", "body": "It wasn't meant to be harsh just realistic. It wasn't the type of film that gets the AA honors. It wasn't *human* enough."}, {"response": 244, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Mar 23, 2002 (08:15)", "body": "(Karen), It wasn't meant to be harsh just realistic. It wasn't the type of film that gets the AA honors. It wasn't *human* enough. So SIL was more *human* than Saving Private Ryan? You don't go for Tolkien, Karen, and might I say you were prejudiced? ;-) It's time to take a flight of fancy. LOTR is an outstanding movie and I very much look forward to the other parts."}, {"response": 245, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 23, 2002 (08:28)", "body": "(Moon) So SIL was more *human* than Saving Private Ryan? It's not a matter of degrees. LOTR didn't have anything to relate to on a human level. It's not that I don't \"go\" for Tolkien (as I've never read him), I enjoyed the film for the most part. But IMO it wasn't any different from anyother big boxoffice action, special effects or creature movie. Sorry. It's time to take a flight of fancy. I agree but for that, I'll put in my SIL DVD. ;-D"}, {"response": 246, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Mar 23, 2002 (09:25)", "body": "(Karen), I enjoyed the film for the most part. But IMO it wasn't any different from anyother big boxoffice action, special effects or creature movie. Sorry. As I take my boys to see quite a few of them, please let me reasure you that it is different. LOTR didn't have anything to relate to on a human level. We disagree again."}, {"response": 247, "author": "Becka", "date": "Sat, Mar 23, 2002 (10:08)", "body": "Well Karen, I have to agree with Moon, I think you were prepared not to like it from the beginning so it wouldn't matter if you seen it or not. It is probably the only fantasy film in the last decade with a human side. The characters draw you into their world and Ian McKellan was brillant, no doubt about it. I too wasn't prepared to like and waited months to see it - but I can with an open mind and was captivated. If you had read the book you would see what a feat it was to turn this into a film."}, {"response": 248, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 23, 2002 (10:14)", "body": ""}, {"response": 249, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 23, 2002 (10:22)", "body": "Actually, I never go into a film intending to dislike it, and I've only walked out one film in my entire life. I didn't intend for this to be a debate over the merits of the film. I was merely pointing out that I didn't think it would appeal to AA voters. As we've said before the Oscars reward certain types of films. This wasn't the type. BTW, I didn't say I didn't like it or hate it."}, {"response": 250, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 23, 2002 (10:24)", "body": "I am reposting Evelyn's from above because she didn't close her link and I hate when the whole place goes to tiny type and I don't know what tag she used because the fix didn't work. ;-D Evelyn's posting: (Rebecca) If you had read the book you would see what a feat it was to turn this into a film. Ah , but films have to stand on their own. One should not have to read the book beforehand to enjoy, understand, or admire the adaptation feat. I did not like it either...booorrrring...;-)"}, {"response": 251, "author": "Becka", "date": "Sat, Mar 23, 2002 (10:32)", "body": "It doesn't amaze me that A Beautiful Mind is the frontrunner. I expect it. It's the perfect date movie, safe, non-offensive trying to be serious. I have no problems with the producers skimming over bits of John Nash's life - it's done all the time. It was just the way the film actually ended up. Schizophrenia is so much more than what was portrayed in the film. My sister suffers from it. It is a dark, severely difficult illness - and it certainly doesn't just appear - it has to come from very severe childhood trauma. Curing schizophrenia is also v. difficult - it is a terrifying, haunting journey into one's broken psyche. It clearly won't take some drugs, and a faithful martyr wife and a so-called \"beautiful mind\" to cure it. That's why I think ABM is very lightweight and a lot of hogwash. We never really know WHY John Nash got his schizophrenia, WHY he got those three personalities as his \"alter-egos\" and HOW he really got cured. Additionally, we never really get an insight to his genius and why his so-called mathematical theory was so significant. Ron Howard just skims over these issues, and expects us to believe schizophrenia is light and happy and easy. He did schizophrenics a disservice. Same with Akiva Goldsman. Both shied away from making an emotional, heartfelt and dark movie to be Hollywood-happy, and \"Oscar-worthy.\" Ick, bland,bland,bland. As much as I loved LOTR I would be happy with any of the films winning, except A Beautiful Mind. Anything but cause it really is the weakest of all the films. Not the worse of the year, but it is certainly not worthy of a nomination either. It will probably win, but we always know that it usually isn't the best pic that takes home the award. I went out with two friends who are actresses last night who pay no attention to the Oscars whatsoever because it is total bull (think of all the people who win and it usually turns out to be their peak and they can only go down) - maybe I should do so myself as it's the same crap every year."}, {"response": 252, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 23, 2002 (10:50)", "body": "If one pays any attention to the Oscars, then one has to respect their criteria for what it is. You can't make them what you want them to be. In any event, Nightline's show last night was about ABM and schizophrenia, focusing on John Nash. I was listening from another room. They had another case of a guy here in Chicago and how he lives his life. Of the other omissions in Nash's life, I didn't feel cheated in any way not knowing how it began, plus I felt that his contributions to math were adequately explained insofar as their later relevancy to economics. Let's face, films are films. They are not intended to be documentaries. And for that matter, I felt Iris was hogwash."}, {"response": 253, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 23, 2002 (11:52)", "body": "Three National Mental Health organizations endorsed ABM.I doubt they would have done so had it been offensive. Sorry about my tags, boss. You never have to bother to repost any of my messages....LOL.I'm not worth it."}, {"response": 254, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Mar 23, 2002 (12:07)", "body": "(Rebecca), A Beautiful Mind is the weakest of all the films. I agree! I was bored at parts. Karen), I felt Iris was hogwash. I agree. I hope they give the Oscar to LOTR but I have a feeling it will go to MR. We will see tomorrow night. The IFC Awards are tonight. Memento should do it."}, {"response": 255, "author": "Becka", "date": "Sat, Mar 23, 2002 (14:20)", "body": "Evelyn - it isn't offensive. They are probably glad that it brought some attention to the illness. It's just not a complete movie, glossed over. I felt cheated. I agree with you all about Iris. I felt like the characters were never developed enough for me to really care about them. It was like an ad for alzheimers."}, {"response": 256, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 23, 2002 (14:29)", "body": "Am I the only one who wishes Harry Potter would have gotten more recognition? At least a nomination? Children of the World unite!!"}, {"response": 257, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sat, Mar 23, 2002 (14:32)", "body": "LOL Evelyn, for what it's worth my sons love the Harry Potter books but were not thrilled with the movie. They did, however, love LOTR, books and movie. I just buy the tickets, I don't go in to watch! :))))"}, {"response": 258, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Mar 23, 2002 (16:37)", "body": "Am I the only one who wishes Harry Potter would have gotten more recognition? At least a nomination? Children of the World unite!! YES!!! I thought Harry Potter was brilliant, the books are fantastic and I cannot wait for the next installment!!! (and it better come out soon); I literally read and re-read them! Last night on Biography they did it on JK Rowling, and she even showed the last chapter of the very last book. But of course it was in a folder... and I think she keeps in in a safe deposit box:)"}, {"response": 259, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 24, 2002 (07:40)", "body": "Indie Spirit Awards The low-budget amnesia thriller \"Memento\" won the top prize on Saturday at the Independent Spirit Awards -- the independent movie world's equivalent of the Academy Awards -- while Oscar-nominated family tragedy \"In The Bedroom\" nabbed two key acting awards. \"Memento\" was named best feature and also snagged the direction and screenplay prizes for English native Christopher Nolan, as well as the supporting female nod for Canadian actress Carrie-Anne Moss. [Guy Pearce wasn't even nominated.] The other big winner was \"In The Bedroom,\" which was named best first feature. English actor Tom Wilkinson and Sissy Spacek won the lead acting prizes for their roles as anguished parents. Both will vie for Academy Awards on Sunday and the film is also a dark-horse contender for best picture, but there is traditionally little crossover between the two events. The black comedy \"Ghost World\" won two prizes: first screenplay for Daniel Clowes and director Terry Zwigoff, and supporting male for Steve Buscemi. The quirky French romantic comedy \"Amelie,\" which is competing for five Academy Awards, won the best foreign film prize. The Spirit Awards honor films based on such criteria as original, provocative subject matter, budget and the degree of independent financing. The event is organized by the West Coast branch of the Independent Feature Project (IFP/West), a nonprofit support group for filmmakers working outside the Hollywood studio system. Winners are determined by the IFP's 9,000 members nationwide. ********** Razzies Throw out the envelope, please. Tom Green is Tinseltown's top turkey. Comedian Green and his big screen debut \"Freddy Got Fingered\" were panned as the worst of the merely bad at the 22nd Annual Razzie Awards, given to Hollywood's most dubious achievements on the eve of its biggest night. Green, who starred in \"Freddy\" as a thirtyish, basement-dwelling slacker who dreams of Hollywood fame, was picked as worst actor, co-credited for the worst script and as half of the worst screen couple for his various on-screen encounters with animals.... In all, \"Freddy\" took five gold-spray-painted Razzie Awards, first launched in 1980 as a \"derby of dishonor\" and a parody of \"that other award show,\" the Academy awards, which takes place on Sunday night in Hollywood. Mariah Carey was named worst actress for the box-office disaster \"Glitter,\" taking 60 percent of the votes cast by Golden Raspberry Award Foundation members, and beating back a challenge from a field that included Penelope Cruz (\"Blow\"), Angelina Jolie (\"Lara Croft: Tomb Raider\"), Jennifer Lopez (\"Angel Eyes\") and Charlize Theron (\"Sweet November\")."}, {"response": 260, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 24, 2002 (11:47)", "body": "As the time draws near, I suppose I should give my Oscar pics (have definitely been overthinking this one!) ;-D Best Picture: ABM (will and should) Best Director: Howard (will and should) Best Actor: Crowe (will and should) -- although am braced for a Denzel body of work award, except that a cop film isn't usually the vehicle. Best Actress: Halle Berry (should) has the momentum as well as the youth and bosom apparently important to this category of late. RZ (should) although second runner-up would be Sissy. Best Supporting Actor: Broadbent (will) will upset because he had two Oscar roles and his in Iris was more of a lead as well; Kingsley (should) --but it would appear not enough voters have seen this film. Best Supporting Actress: Connelly (will), Tomei (should) -- as hers was a supporting role and Connelly's was a lead Adapted Screenplay: ABM (will and should) Original Screenplay: Memento (will and should) -- they need to reward this film for something and the writing category is often used for that purpose (see Cameron Crowe) Foreign Language Film: Amelie (will); No Man's Land (should) --however due to the voting requirements in this category (must have seen all the obscure ones nominated), it could be an obscure one as only the hardcore foreign film enthusiasts will be able to cast a ballot."}, {"response": 261, "author": "kattas", "date": "Sun, Mar 24, 2002 (12:15)", "body": "I agree with the above, except for best supporting actor, I think James Broadbent should win the Oscar, but I think Ian McKellan will win. He's been around for a long time, he's a Brit, also, and it doesn't hurt that he's a knight. I noticed that you didn't put down who will win for Best Actress as opposed to should, Did you mean that Halle Berry will win vs. Renee should, or do you think this is too close to call? You know, I was reading on MSNBCnews.com that not only should the winners be announced but also the first and second runners-up, along with the percentage of the votes they got. Sounds good to me!"}, {"response": 262, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar 24, 2002 (13:46)", "body": "[Guy Pearce wasn't even nominated.] I watched the IFC awards last night. As I predicted Memento did sweep. I am upset about GP as his performance was outstanding in this. Everyone from the Memento winners made sure to mention something about GPs performance. He did not show up. I hope some of those films get around. I've only seen the previews in the theatre for Edwina and the Angry Inch and it looked like a hoot. It will be fun to see who gets closest to the Oscar wins. Are you keeping a list, Karen? I might just ring you tonight during the show, Karen, so don't keep your PC on. :-D"}, {"response": 263, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sun, Mar 24, 2002 (14:01)", "body": "If you want to check out \"Entertainment Weekly's\" Oscar odds, check this link: http://www.ew.com/ew/article/commentary/0,6115,214932~1~0~seewhoewpicks,00.html"}, {"response": 264, "author": "Becka", "date": "Sun, Mar 24, 2002 (14:13)", "body": "Happy Oscars everyone! I have a feeling Karen will be happy woman come tonight! ;-) Off to an Oscar party with a bunch of stage actor/friends here in Toronto, most of them haven't seen any of the nominations so should be interesting as the only pic I haven't seen is Ali. But I've got my jello shooters ready for whenever Joan Rivers says 'sweetie', 'darling' or 'face-lift'. Have fun!"}, {"response": 265, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 24, 2002 (14:25)", "body": "(kat) I noticed that you didn't put down who will win for Best Actress as opposed to should, Did you mean that Halle Berry will win vs. Renee should, or do you think this is too close to call? Sorry, typo. Halle Berry will; RZ should but would be happy if Sissy gets it as the reasons for giving it to Halle are all wrong IMO. I too am in a muddle over who *will* in best supporting actor category. Sir Ian's really been playing the game on this one, millions of TV appearances, even hosting SNL, which will likely get him the win. I really didn't consider his performance all that special in LOTR, whereas both of Broadbent's (plus his Topsy Turvy from last year) were more challenging. That being said, it still belongs to Sir Ben. He created a character that will go down in film annals as being right up there with Hannibal Lechter. It was so different from all his other award nominated/winning roles, but they may feel he has already won in the past. Who knows? (Moon) I've only seen the previews in the theatre for Edwina and the Angry Inch and it looked like a hoot. Hedwig played last summer."}, {"response": 266, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Mar 24, 2002 (19:48)", "body": "Join me in real time, now, for Oscar commentary. movie conference topic 12."}, {"response": 267, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Mar 25, 2002 (07:43)", "body": "Is everyone still sleeping? Historic and long Oscar night, wasn't it? Renee, in my opinion, was genuinely happy for Halle. Did anyone notice Lisa Blount (Jenny in Femme Fatale) on stage accepting an Oscar with her husband for best Short Film (live action) - \"the accountant.\" She looks a little different (darker and longer hair), but she sounds the same ;-). Couldn't help mentioning a CF connection... Did Renee present? I missed the begining of the show. I saw Hugh presenting with Sandra B. for best score. Loved Whoppi's joke afterwards that she was glad to see Hugh \"scoring\" again :-)."}, {"response": 268, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 25, 2002 (07:47)", "body": "Absolute highlight of the evening for me was Woody Allen's appearance. It brought back memories of when I was a kid and saw him doing his standup routine on TV. (How anyone can mention MB in the same breath as this guy I'll never know.) Though v. long, I thought the show was very good. Impressive beginning by Tom Cruise and the short film by Errol Morris (a hoot), Whoopi was v.g. as well as the other filmed segments. Dress: fairly awful across the board. Loved Jules Asner's postshow dress (orange, hot pink and white), Julia Roberts' and Reese Witherspoons. Jennifer C looked like death warmed over, Gwynnie's sheer top looked like an undershirt and made her look ridiculous (hair was nice though). Didn't like most of the dresses. Am going to have to check the photos/shows to see the other dresses, as you couldn't see them during the preshow. It appeared to be so crowded in their new quarters that the camera couldn't pull back and all we saw was from the bustline up. Hair: People get paid to produce those styles? And did you notice no one got \"played\" off? If the BBC hadn't acted in such a 'bush-league' manner, Russell would've had his second."}, {"response": 269, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Mar 25, 2002 (07:52)", "body": "Renee looked real good, even though she didn't bring home the Oscar. I think she did present something. I think it was the longest Oscar night ever but it moved along at a fast pace, it didn't seem that long till I looked at the clock after I went to bed and it was after midnight and the \"View\" special on the Oscars was coming on. It was surprising Amelie didn't take the foreign film, what with all the buzz."}, {"response": 270, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Mar 25, 2002 (08:10)", "body": "(Karen)And did you notice no one got \"played\" off? If the BBC hadn't acted in such a 'bush-league' manner, Russell would've had his second. Did you hear Julia's comment? She said that she was glad Bill Conti wasn't there (conducting). He had tried to 'play her off' last year during her acceptance speech, and she wouldn't let him."}, {"response": 271, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Mar 25, 2002 (08:10)", "body": "closed"}, {"response": 272, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 25, 2002 (08:13)", "body": "No, Renee didn't present anything. Second highlight of the evening was No Man's Land winning best foreign language film. I literally screamed in delight (and had marked that on my home ballot as the winner; chickened out here and went with popular opinion, which was wrong). I don't think it was a matter of Bill Conti vs. John Williams but up to the show's director and all the previous controversy."}, {"response": 273, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 25, 2002 (08:40)", "body": "On GMA today In Style mag awarded Gwynnie the worst dress of the evening. Lots nof OKs. No standouts. Alathough Renee was mentionsed. (Karen)If the BBC hadn't acted in such a 'bush-league' manner, Russell would've had his second. Hear, hear. Who saw Training Days? \"Body of work\" gets an honorary IMO Liked all the speeches. Sidney Poitier 's was the best, but Robert Redford and Tom Cruise were close seconds. Great show. The mood of the country is not for extravaganzas; I hope they never go back to them."}, {"response": 274, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Mar 25, 2002 (08:41)", "body": "The group of four got played off, but it was pretty subtle and they did a fast cut off."}, {"response": 275, "author": "Becka", "date": "Mon, Mar 25, 2002 (09:04)", "body": "I thought it was a great show, although I have to admit not to really watching half of it being distracted at a party. I had a feeling about Halle and Denzel both picking up awards so I changed my vote before we put in for the pool. Good thing cause I picked up $100. Once I saw the Sidney Poitier tribute I *knew* that both would pick up their awards. A lot of people are calling it political - for Denzel it is at least cause Training Day was not his best performance. I think NK wasn't the best dressed, which is surprising."}, {"response": 276, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 25, 2002 (09:15)", "body": "The fashion mavens mainly focus on the name names. From a brief look at some of the Reuters/AP photos, there were some very nice gowns. Stephen C talked about some of the best: Halle, Nicole, Renee, Julia, and Reese. Said Kate Winslet was \"most improved.\" Said Jennifer C's made her look like a Band-Aid and Gwynnie was \"off.\" Apparently, Jodi Foster was impressive, so will have to take a look. On my thumbs up list, I forgot Sandra Bullock (dress and hair) and Marisa Tomei (although don't know what was going on around her neck) For those who posted their picks, Mari and I tied with 6. On my home ballot, I only made one change for foreign film, going with the one I'd been pulling for since October (No Man's Land). Not too shabby, with 15 out of 20 as I don't vote in the documentary and short film categories. Bombed out on music, but then again Randy Newman's was a pity @#$% by his own admission. ;-D"}, {"response": 277, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Mar 25, 2002 (09:26)", "body": "Helen Hunt has thinned down and probably had plastic surgery to make her look much better facially, more chiseled. My picture of Gwenie in the movies topic should carry a warning label."}, {"response": 278, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 25, 2002 (09:27)", "body": "You call it the Academy Awards. I call it the 'Settle Old Gripes' Awards. Sheesh! I could just see Pearson sitting in the back with a ledger. 1. No black woman for best actress since the '30's--check. 2. No black man for best actor since Sidney--check. And so on. By the end *yawn* I wasn't surprised to see Opie and ABM take it, though I have to admit I thought RC's performance was THE best thing about the film and he didn't win. (Karen) Gwynnie's sheer top looked like an undershirt and made her look ridiculous (hair was nice though) (Evelyn) On GMA today In Style mag awarded Gwynnie the worst dress of the evening. Agreed! The bottom half was fine, but the top--terribly non-flattering. Made her boobs look like two bisected tennis balls. And her make-up! Spooky. *tsk* Is there an unwritten rule that says past winners need to come back looking like this (remember Helen Hunt and Hilary Swank)? I liked Halle's dress but thought the train was a little much. Think someone was stepping on it when she was on her way up to the podium. She stopped short and I thought I saw it pulling. Didn't anyone learn about trains from Cher's problem (walking on stage to present and train scoots forward between her legs. She nearly tripped.)? (Karen) I don't think it was a matter of Bill Conti vs. John Williams but up to the show's director and all the previous controversy. Absolutely, esp. after RC's BAFTA rant. It was obvious during Halle's discourse (hey, she forgot to thank me!), when she said 'don't you dare start to play, it's taken 76 years, blahblah...' What they did do was jump in and start the music during pauses in some of the 'lesser' acceptance speeches. You could tell the winners weren't finished but off we went to commercial. Question: what happened to Will Smith? I thought he was there in the beginning. The camera sured panned to Jada often enough. But after the best actor individual nom announcements, they showed a file photo of Will. Was he there? If so, where'd he go? I was expecting him to run up on stage with Denzel like he said he was going to do. IMO the best presenters were Reese and Ryan. Great script, great delivery. I enjoyed Woody (guess the Knicks weren't playing at home last night) but he was about 15-30 seconds too long. Thought Spacey handled the moment of silence v. well also. IMO Whoopi was...well, Whoopi. She plays these things the same way every time she hosts (so does Billy Crystal, I suppose)--comes in dressed like a character from one of the best pic noms, tells her Bruce Villanch jokes with the tag line 'you'll get it later', etc. IMO her best moment followed a scream from the balcony, when she deadpanned 'Just wipe up after yourself'. LOL!"}, {"response": 279, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 25, 2002 (09:43)", "body": "(Karen) Stephen C talked about some of the best: Halle, Nicole, Renee, Julia, and Reese. Julia was my fave. Perfect dress for her. Interesting cutouts. Stunning. Said Kate Winslet was \"most improved.\" Fancy that. On Friday, I read Steve's pre-Oscar suggestions for some stars. He recommended Kate go for something simple and bold in color, like red. Hmmm. Said Jennifer C's made her look like a Band-Aid Ooh, wasn't it dreadful? She had much better outfits for the other awards, but at least her hair was better last night than it was for the BAFTAs (that skanky pony tail had to go). Apparently, Jodi Foster was impressive, so will have to take a look. She looked great. Motherhood agrees with her. Speaking of looking great, how 'bout that John Travolta? He looks terrific (unlike Sharon Stone--her dress was nice, esp. the back but her super blonde hair washes her out). (Karen) Marisa Tomei (although don't know what was going on around her neck) Reminded me of Ms. Binoche and those pearls from last year. IMO Marisa looked like a different person after she lost. She went from smiling in every shot to looking unhappy and bored."}, {"response": 280, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 25, 2002 (09:44)", "body": "Oops. Frigged up the tags."}, {"response": 281, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar 25, 2002 (11:33)", "body": "(Karen), Dress: fairly awful across the board. Loved Jules Asner's postshow dress (orange, hot pink and white), Julia Roberts' and Reese Witherspoons. I agree! Plus, Marcia Harden and Marisa Tomei's dress without that tangle on top. I thought Sharon Stone looked good and I liked Kate W's red dress. Gwynnie was a horror only topped by Steisand in that horrid dress! Jodie Foster's dress was nice but short, it should have been long. Halle carried her dress of very well and I also liked Nicole's dress, maybe not the color. The fashion trend of the evening was the soft makeup look, creamy pastel lips, no blush, and very dewy looking skin. (Usually my daytime look) ;-D I too enjoyed Woody very much. Hugh should have come out with RZ instead of Sandra B but I guess Sandra has more clout. Overall, it was a very conservative, toned down show (except for Sir Ian's and his lover who had his hand on his leg the whole night!). The men should stop wearing the ties, it is the occasion for Black tie. (Eileen), I call it the 'Settle Old Gripes' Awards. Sheesh! I agree! Russell looked disappointed to me. He must have been thinking about that BAFTA night because it did play against him."}, {"response": 282, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 25, 2002 (12:44)", "body": "I'm not sure how anyone could claim that ABM and LOTR wound up EQUALS for the night. Sheesh! LOTR won for original score, cinematography, makeup and visual effects. Sorry, but in my book individually each of the 4 that ABM won (picture, director, screenplay and supporting actress) outweighs any of LOTR's. It's quality, not quantity. And MR won in precisely the categories it should (art direction and costume) as did Black Hawk Down (film editing and sound)."}, {"response": 283, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Mar 25, 2002 (13:55)", "body": "Saw a nice little interview with RZ from the Aussie guy on the red carpet. He also nabbed DW, who spoke to him for a good while and of course RC who chatted away and pulled out 7 or 8 good luck charms he had with him. IMO...RC needed a hair stylist. His date looked spectac. We missed any charming little pre-award ditties from HG, but I thought his date had one of the best dresses! and I missed the Whoopie joke. (Did see the bare feet though.) They start late here, 7:30 or 8, so I packed it in about 11. Last thoughts, loved Woody! Thought his bit was great. And, for some reason I really enjoyed all those funny comments about fav movies in the prepared sequence. Was that just me?"}, {"response": 284, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 25, 2002 (14:24)", "body": "Fave remark: \"Monster's Inc\"...Oh I thought that was a documentary on the Weinsteins.\" who said that. (Moon) I thought Sharon Stone looked good and I liked Kate W's red dress. Ditto. Sam was holding her hand...didn't do any good."}, {"response": 285, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar 25, 2002 (14:33)", "body": "Most gorgeous award: the Kodak Theater! Wow, what a beautiful new home for Oscar--a cross between Radio City and a grand opera house. Hollywood got it right. Of course the show was too long, and it always will be because so many awards are given out. But, I sort of like the populist feel that the \"best documentary: short subject\" type people bring to the table. Ditto to much of what's been said abiut the fashions. Moon, I completely agree about the men's ties--I don't care for that trend. Woody Allen was a wonderful surprise--I don't think he's ever shown up before. I hope filmmakers heed his call to come and film in New York--enough of this \"bland, one size fits all North American city\" look that we've been getting all too often. I love New York, dammit!;-) I also thought Nathan Lane was a hoot; he'd make a good host. Disappointed that Paul McCartney lost out to Randy Newman, with that crappy song. Sheesh. But Paul looked wonderful, sounded good, and I liked his song. Best presenters--Reese and Ryan, definitely. Funny material, and very droll deliveries. Good job, kids. But what was up with Ryan's pseudo-European accent on the red carpet? I guess he comes from that Black Forest section of Delaware.;-) Prettiest: Renee Z., Sandra Bullock, and Jodie Foster. Most elegant: Helen Mirren. Fabulous, ladies, just gorgeous! Huge Gnat and Sandra came together; he was actually pretty funny on the red carpet, definitely getting the better of Joan R. Joan: \"Are you a couple?\" Huge: \"Are you drunk? We'll tell if you will.\" *Who* is that pretty young dark haired boy that Ian McK shows up with to every awards ceremony? Not a colleague from LOTR, I take it.;-) And why is Ridley Scott dating a zygote?;-) Best acceptance speech: Julian Fellowes. I knew LOTR was in for a long, sad night when they weren't even getting the techie awards early on. No broad-based support for the film. Very happy for Opie! As for the rest, the only people I *really* wanted to see win were Renee Z. and Tom Wilkinson. I knew neither had a chance, so I don't feel strongly about any of the races. Russell blew it for himself at the BAFTAs, as I said from the get go. And does anybody but me feel it was ironic that Sidney Poitier and Halle Berry were accompanied by the whitest women I've ever seen? ;-) I think I'd better go now . . . ;-)"}, {"response": 286, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar 25, 2002 (14:35)", "body": "Fave remark: \"Monster's Inc\"...Oh I thought that was a documentary on the Weinsteins.\" who said that. Nathan Lane. He had about a half dozen funny lines, one right after the other. I enjoy him."}, {"response": 287, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar 25, 2002 (14:58)", "body": "(Mari), And does anybody but me feel it was ironic that Sidney Poitier and Halle Berry were accompanied by the whitest women I've ever seen? ;-) You mean, his wife and her mother? *Who* is that pretty young dark haired boy that Ian McK shows up with to every awards ceremony? Not a colleague from LOTR, I take it.;-) Ian is so old and he is so young... the P word is in there somewhere. And I don't care if the boy-toy is an \"adult\" by age. The age difference in this case reeks of it. And to show them repeatedly when boy-toy kept his hand on Ian's upper thigh all night was disgusting. It must have been a jealous camera man. And why is Ridley Scott dating a zygote?;-) LOL! I thought it was his wife. I knew LOTR was in for a long, sad night when they weren't even getting the techie awards early on. No broad-based support for the film. Me too. :-( It did make Karen happy though, she had all those predictions down. Disappointed that Paul McCartney lost out to Randy Newman, with that crappy song. That falls under 'Settle Old Gripes' Awards'. I did like the way the music was presented, that was an improvement. Nathan Lane was funny, as were Stiller and Owen. Now can I please get a chorus of disapproval on La Sreisand's dress? I kept seeing Scarlet looking up at her green draperies in GWTW and then creating that dress. ;-)"}, {"response": 288, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Mon, Mar 25, 2002 (15:10)", "body": "Eileeen: what happened to Will Smith? I thought he was there in the beginning. The camera sured panned to Jada often enough. But after the best actor individual nom announcements, they showed a file photo of Will. Was he there? If so, where'd he go? I was expecting him to run up on stage with Denzel like he said he was going to do. They left cause of a family emergency, their baby daughter had a fever of 103 (that was the explanation given on Good Day L.A.)."}, {"response": 289, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 25, 2002 (16:08)", "body": "(Lisa) RC needed a hair stylist. His date looked spectac. ??? Perhaps, dress-wise, but I've never seen her look anything but catatonic. Is she paid to accompany him to these events? And, for some reason I really enjoyed all those funny comments about fav movies in the prepared sequence. Was that just me? No, it was very funny and you could hear huge outbursts of laughter from the audience at certain ones. Of course, it helped to know who some of those people were. (Mari) Woody Allen was a wonderful surprise--I don't think he's ever shown up before. He's never been there before. The excuse was always that he played at Michael's on Sunday night. Huge Gnat and Sandra came together; he was actually pretty funny on the red carpet, definitely getting the better of Joan R. Yes, that was probably the only funny interchange on the carpet. Joan exceeded herself for stupidity this time around. She was absolutely clueless of what to ask most of the people and botched most everything. (Mari) Disappointed that Paul McCartney lost out to Randy Newman, with that crappy song. (Moon) That falls under 'Settle Old Gripes' Awards'. I did like the way the music was presented, that was an improvement. These things were really brought out in the pressroom questions, which E! showed. Someone asked Randy what he would've preferred winning for. Randy said he didn't care much about any of his songs, but the scores were his pride and joy like for The Natural (wonderful IMO and highlighted in John Williams presentation) and a few others."}, {"response": 290, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Mar 25, 2002 (17:35)", "body": "Is she paid to accompany him to these events? Keeping in mind my gossip info extends to scanning the headlines of the rags at in checkout lines and morning radio, I'll tell you what I heard about this romance of RC's. They dated for a while some time back, she's in a band, maybe did some singing with him???, and they hitched back up again. She was interviewed last week. Getting a lot of publicity around here now, of course. I thought she looked pretty good, but maybe I was comparing her to the way I've seen her before! I gave her points for a nice tan. And the fact they were both in Armani. Randy Newman is a true talent and I was glad to hear he finally won. (Was this another body of work award?) But, being 5'1\" tall, I never forgave him for that \"Short People\" song from way back when. :)))))"}, {"response": 291, "author": "Becka", "date": "Mon, Mar 25, 2002 (19:12)", "body": "God, I love the folks at Salon.com. They've read my mind! Oscars 2002: Somebody make it stop! It's the Oscars of Defensiveness: Four-plus hours in which Hollywood tries to pretend it's not racist -- and Tom Cruise is revealed as that Scary Flaming Eye from \"Lord of the Rings.\" - - - - - - - - - - - - By Cintra Wilson March 25, 2002 | After the reality check of Sept. 11 and its sobering aftermath, many people looked at the glitterati of Hollywood and said, \"Can you explain why the f*** any of us ever thought YOU were so important?\" Well, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences seems to have mulled this question over, and this year it gave us the We're Justifying Our Existence Oscars. I never questioned the Oscars before, but this year just the fact of them made me uneasy. Year round, we as a nation are already supposed to live vicariously through this rather rank stable of prefab actors, who live lives of ridiculous luxury and ease. We are exposed to their nightly hobnobbing, their sex lives, their hobbies, their alcoholism; we cannot escape. \"OK, that was entertaining,\" I thought, after seeing many of the nominated films. There were some good, solid movies, but nothing that I saw made me change my wicked ways. There were some fine, solid performances, but exactly how much are we supposed to adore good actors? Last night, these capable but already tremendously overcelebrated, over-rewarded people had their annual Imelda Marcos shoe-orgy of gratuitous overcelebration, gilding the gilded lily made of gold, again. We watched as people already morbidly overstuffed with congratulations vomited up all previous congratulations to make room for these, the best and biggest congratulations of all. It is the gargantuan, a**-licking brainwash of the year, and We, the People With Televisions, are supposed to watch and enjoy it. The Academy sensed this attitude was lurking like a murky cloud of spiritual unease over Middle Earth, and it is my (admittedly hostile) perception that they said to themselves, \"Well, the Oscars are already f***ed this year, so let's honor our Negroes! It's been a while. Call Whoopi.\" I used to call it the \"Noble Cripple and Spade Year\" -- it comes around every five years or so. When the Oscar Winner's alumni circle starts to look like the meeting table in \"Judgment at Nuremberg,\" the Academy devotes a year to not looking like racist, Aryan-celebrity-eugenics-worshipping, cracker peckerwoods, and either gives an Oscar for the best dribbling retard performance, or jerks us off with a big, obvious, Slather the African-Americans With Trophies orgy to make up for the previous insulting, five-to-seven-year stretch when barely anybody of color was recognized at all, for anything. Look, I'm very glad when we finally honor our African-American artists. I just wish it happened a little more regularly, instead of in one big token Big Gulp: \"See? We do too give them awards. Lots of them. See?\" Let's stop treating our citizens of color like they are a separate people from us. If Sept. 11 showed us anything, it's that we're all Americans together, and our black friends are just as excellent at being overprivileged celebrity fuckwads as anybody else. Let's just bump up with this consciousness and be done with it. I must warn the world about Tom Cruise. I feel he is an utterly terrifying Superior Life Form, with the power to melt heads and braid spines. His eyes are as hard, shiny and brutally penetrating as diamond drill-bits. The new braces on his teeth suggest that he is erasing all that remained of his tiny imperfections, and he is now metamorphosing into Ultra Super Perfection Man 3000. I fear his intense, mind-beating politeness, his titanium imperviousness to human weakness, his barking power-laugh. \"Movies make a little bit of magic touch our lives,\" he commanded us to acknowledge, with steely resolve and Mach-5 mega-humorlessness. People in the audience started laughing, until they realized that Tom was Not Being Funny At All. He was chosen to frankly address the post-Sept. 11 whither-the-Oscars conundrum head-on. \"Should we celebrate the magic the movies bring? Now?\" Tom asked, his eyes boring into the eyes of the TV multitudes and implanting rays of total domination. \"Dare I say it?\" He flashed a smirk with his robotically flawless teeth. \"More than EVER,\" he hissed, laying on his most Extreme Scientological Unction. He had been commanded by the Elders to Obi-Wan-Kenobi-ize the audience into rebelieving in the importance of the obscenely superfluous Oscars. Tom Cruise is becoming the Scary Flaming Eye from \"The Lord of the Rings,\" and I fear that nobody can stop him. The red carpet outside the theater looked a bit like the depths of Mordor. Today's actresses are so thin their shoulders look like arthritic knuckles. Jon Voight's face-lift looked like it had a Ziploc seam for easy reopening. Ryan O'Neal looks like he's spent the last couple of decades packing rich, chocolatey nougat into his ne"}, {"response": 292, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 25, 2002 (19:58)", "body": "Has salon.com ever liked anything ?"}, {"response": 293, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 26, 2002 (06:29)", "body": "Thanks, Rebecca. That was refreshingly funny and dare I say right on? Sting, that perfectly unblemished and sincerely perfectly superior and theologically self-actualized \ufffdbermensch, is essentially becoming the musical Tom Cruise. And Diane Warren is the SWORN ENEMY OF ALL MUSIC. So true!!! I also find Tom Cruise very scary. A classic example of selling your soul to the devil."}, {"response": 294, "author": "maryw", "date": "Tue, Mar 26, 2002 (08:24)", "body": "I also find Tom Cruise very scary. A classic example of selling your soul to the devil. I agree. He reminds me of a robot! Salon was not impressed with Halle Berry's speech but I thought the first few lines at least were so genuine and sincere. She seemed to have touched a chord with her peers in the audience. I saw tears streaming down Helen Mirren's face - and RZ's too, I thought. After that - it did go on a bit. She managed to include most people including her lawyer (twice) and her former leading man Warren Beatty in her litany of thanks but she overlooked her current leading man BB-T. As I've already said here once before - I've always wondered what all the fuss was about RC - but it did seem odd that everyone around him won for the \"best\" except for the main character of the title. Where is the logic there? Does anyone know whether CF showed up at all - wasn't he supposed to be a regular at the Miramax's Oscar parties?"}, {"response": 295, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Mar 26, 2002 (08:37)", "body": "Halle got out of control when she started thanking her lawyers. Actually, she was totally out of control the whole way she just could have left out the lawyer part for more impact. Yeah, Billy Bob got left in the lurch!"}, {"response": 296, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar 26, 2002 (09:34)", "body": "Moon, I see what you mean about Streisand's dress. Not her best, but still not nearly as bad as the train wrecks that were Paltrow and Diaz. Jay Leno said Gwynnie's wasn't a dress, it was a mammogram. ;-) I did like GP's hair and make-up, though. I think Salon's take is typically cynical and iconoclastic--it's their M.O. I also noticed Halle's non-mention of Billy Bob. An oversight, I'm guessing. Too bad, since he was sadly overlooked in the noms as well. I have to mention this: is anyone as annoyed as I am by Julia Roberts's behavior? First, I thought it was inappropriate for her to be \"campaigning\" for Denzel in Newsweek with that \"I can't absorb living in a world . . .\" nonsense. Hey, Julia, I can't absorb you making $25 million per film when there are people in the world living on pennies per day. Try that on for non-absorption.:-( Then, I thought her whooping it up over DW's victory was incredibly rude to the other nominees. How were they supposed to feel?"}, {"response": 297, "author": "Becka", "date": "Tue, Mar 26, 2002 (09:49)", "body": "Julia was classless. 'I love my life' - gimme a break! I too am pretty perturbed by the $5 million gowns and $1 million shoes. And the fact that the richest get all this for FREE. I feel ashamed at times to even be taking in the whole spectacle."}, {"response": 298, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 26, 2002 (10:46)", "body": "I agree with what both you and Mari said, Rebecca. It says it all when the lawyer gets thanks for setting up the deal and the co-star is ignored. :-( Julia Roberts has a huge ego and this win of DW just goes to inflate it even more. I can just imagine how bossy she must be on a set. And that laugh she has is just as rehearsed and fake as the one Tom Cruise has."}, {"response": 299, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 26, 2002 (10:51)", "body": "I quite agree with you, Mari, about the Salon article. Is there anyone here who couldn't write the same? Ooops, sorry, we do it every day on most of our topics but with more taste. I won't even bother commenting on the racist language and degrading allusions that this writer had the gall to commit to cyberspace. (Salon) I thought, after seeing many of the nominated films. There were some good, solid movies, but nothing that I saw made me change my wicked ways. I had no idea that was purpose of movies. Perhaps she should be watching the Family, Hallmark or Odessey Channel, not to mention the slew of religious ones available on cable. ;-D ...and We, the People With Televisions, are supposed to watch and enjoy it. No, you could turn it off. That feature is standard on most remote controls. Besides, some people like to watch wrestling; others do not. Gosh, the number of erroneous quips she made (Anita Bryant hairdo?) only confirms she's been watching LOTR too many times and that her brain has dissolved, plus she's mad LOTR and the Royal Tenenbaums didn't win. Boo hoo. :-( Re: Julia Roberts I hated the way she carried on and campaigned for Denzel. Now, I fear she's put herself or thinks of herself in the kingmaker role."}, {"response": 300, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 26, 2002 (10:58)", "body": "I won't even bother commenting on the racist language and degrading allusions that this writer had the gall to commit to cyberspace. Politically incorrect, was she? ;-) Maybe the British Press can pick up on this. ;-)"}, {"response": 301, "author": "Becka", "date": "Tue, Mar 26, 2002 (11:33)", "body": "I think the writing wasn't being racist at all. She was pointing out the way Hollywood was unfairly dealing with blacks. She's been the most unracist of any articles I've seen so far - that being any press who automatically announce that history has been made on Oscar night. If people didn't make such a big deal out of it and treated them as actors alone, the race issue wouldn't be there. She's spot on with all her point and very funny. Screw political correctness."}, {"response": 302, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 26, 2002 (11:39)", "body": "Lighten up, Rebecca! The writer has gone so over, she really doesn't know what certain terms really connote, like the Aryan, Judgment at Nuremberg ones. Frankly, I get most appalled at the predictable camera shots during the Poitier tribute and the Halle and Denzel wins of every recognizable black actor in the audience."}, {"response": 303, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 26, 2002 (12:35)", "body": "Frankly, I get most appalled at the predictable camera shots Maybe there won't be a need anymore for the Black Academy Awards that were held last Sat. night? I think Hispanics and Am Indians should start to lobby for better parts immediately because they are being ignored completely."}, {"response": 304, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Mar 26, 2002 (13:03)", "body": "(Minkee, re: Halle) it did go on a bit. She managed to include most people including her lawyer (twice) and her former leading man Warren Beatty in her litany of thanks but she overlooked her current leading man BB-T. That's the problem with excessively long acceptance speeches--the omissions loom much larger. IMO she was way over the top. At first I thought she was just going to stand there, staring at the audience repeating 'oh my God...oh my God' like a mantra. But once she got going with the bit about the door being kicked down...*rolling my eyes* Now, Denzel's speech--that was class. Calm, cool, collected and much more effective. (Mari) Moon, I see what you mean about Streisand's dress. Methinks Babs in packin' on the poundage. The dress was camoflauge. still not nearly as bad as the train wrecks that were Paltrow and Diaz. I didn't mind Cameron's dress but she has a terminal case of BH (bad hair). Ugh! First, I thought it was inappropriate for her to be \"campaigning\" for Denzel in Newsweek with that \"I can't absorb living in a world . . .\" nonsense. That entire article was one of the most biased I have read in my life. I usually never look at the byline, but this time I had to. I thought Jesse Jackson had written it. (Karen) Anita Bryant hairdo? Good analogy, IMO. It looked to me as though J-Lo spent some time at the local gas station's air machine. I thought she was going to start lifting off like a hot air balloon. (Salon) J-Lo is J-L'Over. You can't have a big a** and sarcastic hair, not in that town. *snort* (Karen) Frankly, I get most appalled at the predictable camera shots Wasn't that soooo obvious? :-/"}, {"response": 305, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 27, 2002 (08:48)", "body": "Last night, Jim Broadbent's relative obscurity as an actor in the US took a beating on Letterman via his Top Ten List. Top Ten Things Best Supporting Actor Jim Broadbent Did Today: 10. Signed autographs for people who thought he was Dick Cheney 9. Asked phone company to check his line because no one's called all day 8. Appeared on \"The Today Show,\" in crowd outside the studio window 7. Got caught speeding, told cop who he was, still got a hundred-dollar ticket 6. Tried to figure out how Ian McKellen's room key ended up in his pocket 5. Purchased baseball cap and sunglasses, so he could go out in public without getting sunburned 4. Placed Academy Award on top of garbage cans to keep out the raccoons 3. Sat around on his Academy Award-winning ass 2. Had footprints immortalized in cement after accidentally walking through a construction site 1. Spent all day \"buffing his Academy Award\""}, {"response": 306, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar 27, 2002 (09:34)", "body": "LOL, thanks Karen. I think JB would get a kick out of that. Besides, *he* has the Oscar!! Wonder what 10 Things UKW is doing today;-)"}, {"response": 307, "author": "caribou", "date": "Wed, Mar 27, 2002 (19:03)", "body": "At least Katie would ask YKW in if she saw him in crowd outside studio window! :-)"}, {"response": 308, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Mar 27, 2002 (20:05)", "body": "I've been enjoying catching up with the oscar comments. Loved Leno's comment about Gwyneth. And what about that eye makeup! It reminded me of Colin's \"kohl\" photos several years ago--times ten! Is anyone watching the West Wing tonight? Josh discovers that there's a website devoted to him. His assistant says that his fans are not numerous, but they make up for it in fervor. He reads their comments, responds to one, and then sets off a flurry of responses and gets pissed off when a \"bossy\" (his word) poster scolds him for posting incorrectly, using too many caps, etc. His assistant says that \"some of these people haven't taken their medication.\" After he posts, CJ lets him have it. When Josh says that there is a dictatorial leader, CJ says that the website is like \"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest,\" and the dictatorial leader is Nurse Ratched. Soooo, does the focus of our drool think so ill of us?????????????????"}, {"response": 309, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 27, 2002 (21:14)", "body": "Too many exclamation points, Kate! ;-D Signed, Nursie"}, {"response": 310, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Mar 28, 2002 (06:32)", "body": "Sorry, had not yet taken my medication."}, {"response": 311, "author": "odessa", "date": "Thu, Mar 28, 2002 (07:24)", "body": "I watched the Oscars yesterday and there`s one thing that I`m wondering. Why British movies aren`t in the foreign film category? Or is foreign film=non-english speaking film?"}, {"response": 312, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 28, 2002 (07:43)", "body": "The category is titled \"Best Original Foreign Language Film\""}, {"response": 313, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar 28, 2002 (07:58)", "body": "To Karen, Lora and anyone who celebrate this holiday .... To those who celebrate this holiday: And if you don't celebrate either one... Happy Spring Cleaning:-))"}, {"response": 314, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 28, 2002 (08:06)", "body": "Very bad review for a Heather Graham film at Screendaily (\"Killing Me Softly\" with Joe Fiennes and by Chen Kaige). Badly cast and the two have no chemistry. A couple of remarks: Graham appears to have a problem with London settings; she was equally clogged in her emotional range in the Ripper-flick From Hell, whereas on home territory, and in lighter roles - as in Ed Burns\ufffds Sidewalks Of New York - she can deliver. Both she and Fiennes are more suited to comedy: if Killing Me Softly sometimes tips over into absurdity (as when Graham is trying to do some serious acting while tied to the kitchen table), it is perhaps because the cast, left to their own devices by the hands-off director, find the comic potential of the hammy dialogue too much to resist. MGM has already pushed back the film\ufffds US debut more than once, and even the presence of the bankable Joseph Fiennes and Heather Graham may not save it from a descent into DVD and pay-per-view limbo after a three or four-week run in English-speaking territories. Full review at: http://www.screendaily.com/html_files/main.htm"}, {"response": 315, "author": "odessa", "date": "Thu, Mar 28, 2002 (08:10)", "body": "The category is titled \"Best Original Foreign Language Film\" oh, thanks (I have to learn how to read)"}, {"response": 316, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Mar 28, 2002 (10:06)", "body": "Thanks, Evelyn, for the Happy Passover wishes. Made 30 matzah balls yesterday and had 22 family members over for the Passover seder. Lots of preparation and cleaning up, but really nice! A Happy Easter to all who celebrate it!"}, {"response": 317, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 29, 2002 (08:03)", "body": "An article about the Miramax pre-Oscar party and the transcript of one of the skits performed by Harvey and Jeffrey Katzenberg at salon.com: http://www.salon.com/ent/feature/2002/03/28/miramax_skit/index.html"}, {"response": 318, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar 29, 2002 (08:17)", "body": "LOL! Too funny. I bet they were rolling in the aisles. Thanks for sharing, Karen."}, {"response": 319, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 29, 2002 (08:21)", "body": "Wow, I didn't realize so many of those film guys were gay.What a skit! How can they get away with it...all those innuendos.Thanks Karen. I doubt BTW that ODB is a member of the \"Corleone family\";-) despite the fact that he's been hanging around with Harvey for a log time.And was in Miramax's two biggest hits: SIL, & TEP."}, {"response": 320, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 29, 2002 (08:39)", "body": "(Evelyn) How can they get away with it...all those innuendos Private party and it's not like any of them are new. They are insiders and live with it everyday. Besides, this is a spoof. Oooooh! The witch hunt begins. Who leaked the details? ;-D"}, {"response": 321, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Mar 29, 2002 (08:52)", "body": "You'll be surprised to hear who my pick is for this year's big Oscar winner. See movies conference topic 29."}, {"response": 322, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar 29, 2002 (10:35)", "body": "(Evelyn) I doubt BTW that ODB is a member of the \"Corleone family\";-) Why? (Karen) Private party ...for 700 of their warm, close personal friends. ;-)"}, {"response": 323, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 29, 2002 (13:08)", "body": "(Evelyn) I doubt BTW that ODB is a member of the \"Corleone family\";-) (Eileen)Why? Can you see ODB dressing up for a skit? Didn't he say at a Miramax party several years ago...\"No bloody way\"?"}, {"response": 324, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sat, Mar 30, 2002 (08:22)", "body": "(KateDF)Just have to brag about my cool birthday present. B'day was yesterday Kate, happy birthday! Had to bring your 155 posting over here so you can have the proper happy birthday wish! Hope it was a fun day :-). That new tote bag is a great place to put special keepsakes close to a woman's heart ;-)."}, {"response": 325, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 30, 2002 (13:05)", "body": "I have just read that the Queen Mother passed away this afternoon. In the US she was always admired as a warm ,caring person. And was certainly a pillar of strength during WW II in Great Britain. We extend our condolences to our friends in UK."}, {"response": 326, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 30, 2002 (16:51)", "body": "So sad, especially after the Princess Margaret's recent death."}, {"response": 327, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Mar 30, 2002 (17:40)", "body": "My condolences to our British friends. From all I've ever read and heard, the Queen Mum was an incredible source of courage and inspiration to her husband, her family, and her country. Larry King will have a special broadcast on her life tonight at 9 on CNN."}, {"response": 328, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Mar 30, 2002 (21:18)", "body": "I did a redesign of the main page at http://www.spring.net today, it may seem stark to some, I did away with all the colorful pictures in favor of a \"pure text \" look and feel. There's a lot more content. A new picture of Colin from Karen's Black Adder page (because I love that series, I was exposed to it while visiting in Canada last New Years). If you wouldn't mind, take a look and see if you like the new look and the new links, I'd appreciate any feedback on it you might have."}, {"response": 329, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Mar 30, 2002 (22:15)", "body": "The Queen Mum died today."}, {"response": 330, "author": "maryw", "date": "Sun, Mar 31, 2002 (05:30)", "body": "Yes - I saw that Terry. I must say I was a bit confused and thought I was \"lost\" but \"change\" is not a bad thing as long as it is an improvement. The important thing is that despite the change it was clear to me where to go to find my place. The text portions certainly raise curiousity and might assist in attracting more traffic to the site. I'm backtracking to the main page in a while to read up. Karen - another witty Drool welcome page. Happy Easter to all who celebrate it! Condolences to all in the UK, Australia, Canada and NZ and the rest of the Commonwealth for the passing away of a great Lady! Whether a Monarchist or a Republican, one cannot deny that the diverse people of the Commonwealth (and the world) were served well by the Queen Mother's exemplary courage and devotion to duty throughout her long life."}, {"response": 331, "author": "susanne", "date": "Mon, Apr  1, 2002 (06:48)", "body": "\ufffdLiaisons\ufffd lives again THERE\ufffdS safe sex, and there\ufffds the kind movie audiences crave. Thus, another version of \"Dangerous Liaisons\" starts shooting this week in St. Tropez, starring Catherine Deneuve, Nastassja Kinski, Leelee Sobieski and Rupert Everett. The 18th Century French novel about an older woman who challenges her amoral ex-lover to seduce a virgin inspired a Christopher Hampton play, adapted by Stephen Frears into a 1988 movie with Glenn Close, John Malkovich and Uma Thurman. A year later, Milos Forman came out with his own version, \"Valmont,\" starring Annette Bening and Colin Firth. The idea was modernized and teenified a decade later in the underrated \"Cruel Intentions\" with Ryan Phillippe, Reese Witherspoon and Selma Blair. But the new one sounds more like Roger Vadim\ufffds modern-day 1960 version with Jeanne Moreau and Jean-Louis Trintignant. After St. Tropez, director Josee Dayan, best known for her \"Count of Monte Cristo\" miniseries, takes the production to Scotland and Canada."}, {"response": 332, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr  1, 2002 (08:24)", "body": "Now that I think about the casting, Deneuve would have to be in the aunt role (Madame de Rosemonde) or Cecile's mother; Kinski and Everett would be Merteuil and Valmont. It would seem likely for Leelee to be Cecile, but she could be Madame de Tourvel."}, {"response": 333, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr  1, 2002 (09:39)", "body": "Rupert Everett.... Valmont? I thought he was supposed to be a young French nobleman."}, {"response": 334, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Mon, Apr  1, 2002 (13:06)", "body": "Here's a chuckle: went to NYC this weekend. DH pointed out that Joan Rivers was sitting at the end of the aisle in \"The Goat,...\". Was v. proud of self, as did not muscle my way down to explain who CF was, in case she should ever come across him."}, {"response": 335, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Apr  1, 2002 (13:47)", "body": "Here's someone who doesn't shy away from what they think about HB, JR or bare breasts in movies! http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=108&u=/020329/51/1bpk2.html Hope I did the link right."}, {"response": 336, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr  1, 2002 (14:04)", "body": "A year later, Milos Forman came out with his own version, \"Valmont,\" starring Annette Bening and Colin Firth. I thought Valmont came first. Am I right? Why would anyone want to do another DL? Is it the lack of good scripts or imagination? I hate that!"}, {"response": 337, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr  1, 2002 (14:08)", "body": "It's interesting that Berry makes such a big deal about being black. She was raised by her white mother who was beaten and abandoned by her black father. Clearly, Berry has calculated that it is more advantageous for her acting career to identify with the man who abandoned her rather than the woman who raised her. I still think she should have thanked her co-star too. She came off very full of herself. A very funny article and to the point. Thanks, Lisa!"}, {"response": 338, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr  1, 2002 (15:57)", "body": "Yes, at long last, the \"glass ceiling\" had been broken. Large-breasted, slightly cocoa women with idealized Caucasian features finally have a chance in Hollywood! They will, however, still be required to display their large breasts for the camera and to discuss their large breasts at some length with reporters. LOL! And by the way, Billy Bob Thorton isn't cutting it for the female audience. And that ain't no lie. Another example of sexist Hollywood. They hardly ever give us anything or body to oogle. :-( Live by the breast, die by the breast. Bet that would be good on a coat of arms, in latin. ;-D IMO, if want to be judged as just an actor, then you can't make an issue about what one's win represented for people of color. But personally, I feel she won because of her breasts and Hollywood's fixation on youth and dismissal of mature actresses."}, {"response": 339, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr  1, 2002 (17:52)", "body": "Believe it or not, Deneuve is Merteuil and Rupie is Valmont. Maybe it's about these two crazy kids 20 years later. ;-) Big yawn. Anyway, it's for French TV."}, {"response": 340, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr  1, 2002 (21:22)", "body": "You mean after Valmont dies in the duel? ;-D"}, {"response": 341, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Apr  2, 2002 (07:48)", "body": "(Karen)You mean after Valmont dies in the duel? ;-D Maybe it's about reincarnation? Tell me this is just an April Fool's joke. (Deneuve was in a movie called The April Fools, which has nothing to do with anything, but it popped into my head) I think there have been enough versions of that movie. I saw part of the teen one (Cruel Intentions) on cable recently. I gave up after deciding that Ryan is no Colin. Did find it interesting that Colin and Meg met on Valmont, and Ryan and Reese played the same roles and are now married. Karma?"}, {"response": 342, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Apr  2, 2002 (11:25)", "body": "(Mari) Believe it or not, Deneuve is Merteuil and Rupie is Valmont. Ooh, now that's chemistry. *rolling my eyes* (Karen) You mean after Valmont dies in the duel? ;-D Pfffffttttt! Live by the breast, die by the breast. (Karen) Bet that would be good on a coat of arms, in latin. ;-D Indeed! Furthermore, bet Hugh Hefner and Anna Nicole Smith are using it."}, {"response": 343, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr  2, 2002 (12:17)", "body": "Maybe it's about reincarnation? Maybe the're taking a page from Dallas: Tourvel awakens one morning to the sound of running water in the bathroom. Upon investigating, she finds Valmont soaping up in the shower. The bad stuff was all a dream.;-)"}, {"response": 344, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Apr  2, 2002 (13:03)", "body": "she finds Valmont soaping up in the shower Hmm, with the right Valmont, that could work for me. But I think it would have to be a bathtub. Were there showers in the 18th cent? Or is time travel a part of this new version, too?"}, {"response": 345, "author": "annas", "date": "Tue, Apr  2, 2002 (21:59)", "body": "WARNING I have received an email from a zulu ntunga requesting my assistance in transfering funds fom Zambia. THIS IS A CONFIDENCE TRICK. I am posting the warning here, because the name Annas was used, and this is the only place I use that name. Take care people and don't reply with promises of sending money. Anna"}, {"response": 346, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Wed, Apr  3, 2002 (04:49)", "body": "I also received an e-mail. Interesting that e-mail addy was harvested here."}, {"response": 347, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Apr  3, 2002 (07:44)", "body": "I got that email and emailed back that I couldn't make it to pay him the $8,000 he needed to get my millions, but I had a friend in the CIA and he would like to come and meet with him in my place. (I made this up of course). Hmmm, haven't heard back. Guess he doesn't want a personal meeting with a CIA agent, wonder why? Spammers are getting more sophisticated. They're using names they think will be familiar with to you to get your attention. I spend a couple of minutes a day just deleting spam, it's usually pretty easy to spot."}, {"response": 348, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr  3, 2002 (09:38)", "body": "I wish there was more we could do to stop them. My 12 year old that has a restricted AOL young teen email, received and invitation to a porn site to view naked pictures of Britney S. All he had to do was click. I was livid! After a bit of research I was told there is nothing that can be done. We should be very concerned as parents. :-("}, {"response": 349, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Apr  3, 2002 (12:49)", "body": "(Moon)My 12 year old that has a restricted AOL young teen email, received and invitation to a porn site to view naked pictures of Britney S. All he had to do was click. I was livid! After a bit of research I was told there is nothing that can be done. We should be very concerned as parents. :-( Moon, same thing happened to my daughter when she was nine! I called AOL, I emailed the webmaster. Now I had her on parental control of under 10! and she got this filthy e-mail. I no longer have AOL."}, {"response": 350, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Apr  3, 2002 (13:00)", "body": "Some email services, like hotmail.com, will you let you only receive emails from a list of names that you provide. Of course, this is very restrictive, but it would solve the problem with Laura's 12 year old. Being a webmaster of spring.net you can imagine the junk I get, so I've been rerouting my email to hotmail just to build a list of offensive emails, since it has that feature also. Then I'll take that list and use it with some screening software I'm installing at spring.net. I sent out a little survey type email today to get suggestions on improving this site and particularly our main page, which is getting less traffic. I'm trying to get the main page to be a bit \"perkier\"."}, {"response": 351, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Apr  3, 2002 (14:35)", "body": "New stats just came out today, proving once again that drool rules, no, dominates the spring. I think 90 some of the 100 top pages are related to drool. I call this Karen's plan for total domination! Congratulations, Karen on a super job!"}, {"response": 352, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Apr  3, 2002 (14:36)", "body": "Oh, forgot to mention the stats url. http://www.spring.net/webtrends The Top 20 Pages Pages Views % of Total Views Visits Avg. Time Viewed 1 http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjd.html 20,662 3.53% 17,646 00:02:11 2 The Bucket - Spring scoops on Colin Firth http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/main.html 12,328 2.1% 11,070 00:00:42 3 Conference Center http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/public/read/drool/159/since/ -7/ 10,477 1.79% 8,406 00:08:07 4 Conference Center http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/public/browse/drool/all/ 10,960 1.87% 8,096 00:02:17 5 http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/public/browse/drool/all/ since/-7/ 10,895 1.86% 7,062 00:02:10 6 http://www.spring.net/ 7,529 1.28% 5,902 00:01:07 7 http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/159/ new/ 7,582 1.29% 5,197 00:07:35 8 http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/earnest.html 4,743 0.81% 4,279 00:03:30 9 http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/public/read/drool/159/ 5,211 0.89% 4,249 00:07:26 10 http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/news.html 4,392 0.75% 3,984 00:01:13 11 http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjdcast.html 3,597 0.61% 3,483 00:02:08 12 http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/public/read/drool/155/since/ -7/ 4,194 0.71% 3,252 00:04:23 13 http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/drool/all/ new/ 5,930 1.01% 3,247 00:01:47 14 http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/public/browse/drool/all/ since/-10/ 4,307 0.73% 3,098 00:02:12 15 http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjdmusic.html 3,559 0.6% 2,964 00:03:32 16 http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/articleindex.html 3,421 0.58% 2,915 00:00:49 17 http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/p_eye1.html 2,990 0.51% 2,850 00:01:42 18 http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjdgal.html 2,963 0.5% 2,637 00:02:15 19 http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/public/read/drool/159/since/ -1/ 4,876 0.83% 2,630 00:07:06 20 http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/public/read/drool/159/since/ -10/ 3,170 0.54% 2,544 00:07:44 Nineteen out of the top twenty! A near sweep!"}, {"response": 353, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Apr  3, 2002 (14:42)", "body": "Fan Fiction held down the number 3 spot."}, {"response": 354, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Apr  3, 2002 (14:49)", "body": "The Spring's Content page just missed the top 20, coming in at 21st. http://www.spring.net/contents.htm"}, {"response": 355, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr  4, 2002 (11:45)", "body": "Hollywood's Damon, Affleck & Phoenix Debut in Youth Good Will Hunting film star Matt Damon will make his West End debut this month in Kenneth Lonergan's This Is Our Youth. He - along with Casey (brother of Ben) Affleck and Summer (sister of River and Joaquin) - are to take over from fellow Hollywood young guns Hayden Christensen, Jake Gyllenhaal and Anna Paquin in the 1980s coming-of-age play at the Garrick Theatre from 22 April to 15 June 2002."}, {"response": 356, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Apr  4, 2002 (12:03)", "body": "Reminds me...saw Ben Affleck on ET earlier this week. *What* is up with his hair? Looks like he had two pieces of 2x4 boards stuck on there."}, {"response": 357, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Apr  4, 2002 (12:33)", "body": "It's a BOY!!!! Liz Hurley gave birth this morning... no word on who was her labor coach..."}, {"response": 358, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Apr  5, 2002 (07:49)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Lora! From my house to yours. ;-)"}, {"response": 359, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr  5, 2002 (07:54)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LORA"}, {"response": 360, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr  5, 2002 (07:58)", "body": "I can do better than that...sorry"}, {"response": 361, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Apr  5, 2002 (08:24)", "body": "Have got birthday wishes from Lora's fave clever actor/writer/director. Happy birthday, Lora! Lookee! Did that with my eyes closed. ;-) Enjoy your day, Lora."}, {"response": 362, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Apr  5, 2002 (08:43)", "body": "Happy birthday Lora!"}, {"response": 363, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr  5, 2002 (08:52)", "body": "Have a great day, Lora!!"}, {"response": 364, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr  5, 2002 (12:56)", "body": "The Producers: Parker, Broderick Expecting by Mark Armstrong Apr 5, 2002, 8:45 AM PT So this is how actors celebrate the end of a run on Broadway. Sex and the City star Sarah Jessica Parker and hubby Matthew Broderick, fresh off his mega-successful stint with The Producers, have been busy with some producing of their own: They're expecting their first child this fall, columnist Liz Smith reported Friday. Parker, 37, and Broderick, 40, will celebrate their five-year wedding anniversary in May. The big baby news will certainly put a crimp HBO's production plans for Sex and the City. The cable network announced Friday it will suspend production on the Emmy-winning series April 10 \"in order for HBO to evaluate its production schedule in light of [Parker's] recently announced pregnancy.\" It's still not clear how many episodes of the show's fifth season have been shot. But the season premiere, originally set for June, has now been tentatively pushed back to July. There's also no word yet on whether Parker's advice-dishing alter ego, Carrie Bradshaw, will end up going through a pregnancy of her own on the series."}, {"response": 365, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Apr  5, 2002 (13:26)", "body": "Thank you for all the birthday greetings! Moon, so is he coming over to wish me an up close and personal birthday wish? And do you mean he's coming from your house or his ;-)? Hope he leaves the cigar at home or with you ;-). If he's at your house send him over ASAP!!! I've always wanted to meet a man named Ernest ;-)! Evelyn, thanks for the wizard wishes. I hope he helps make all my birthday wishes come true. And he looks like Gandalf, too! Eileen, thanks but no thanks for MB's birthday wishes. Would rather have seen a pic of my fave actor/family man/short story writer/Italian villa dweller instead ;-). Thanks, Terry, for your birthday greetings. I appreciate your wishes and everything you do for Spring,too. And, Karen, I'll take 'chick' to mean that it's about my one year anniversary on drool so I'm still sort of a \"Spring chicken\" around here ;-). It's certainly not because of my age ;-). Thanks, everyone!"}, {"response": 366, "author": "caribou", "date": "Fri, Apr  5, 2002 (14:19)", "body": "(Lora) It's certainly not because of my age ;-). Remember, it's the mileage not the years! (If I had learned to post pictures there would be a little red sports car driving across the post.) :-) Happy Birthday and many returns of the day!"}, {"response": 367, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Apr  5, 2002 (16:18)", "body": "Thanks, Caribou, for your happy birthday good wishes and for the little red sports car. It's fun to think of me in one for a moment or two, but the reality is more mini van :-)."}, {"response": 368, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Apr  5, 2002 (16:48)", "body": "Happy Birthday Lora - i hope you have a great day!"}, {"response": 369, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Apr  5, 2002 (20:44)", "body": "Thanks, SB! All these birthday wishes have added to the fun. I've never celebrated my birthday in cyberspace before!"}, {"response": 370, "author": "maryw", "date": "Sat, Apr  6, 2002 (07:39)", "body": "Belated happy birthday, Lora. I hope you had a wonderful day."}, {"response": 371, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Apr  6, 2002 (15:17)", "body": "Sorry I'm late Lora, but I hope your birthday was the best ever."}, {"response": 372, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sat, Apr  6, 2002 (16:22)", "body": "Thanks Minkee and Lucie! Saw Mamma Mia! today. It was great. There's even a part for an Englishman. But the part requires singing above rock music at times ;-)."}, {"response": 373, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr  9, 2002 (08:19)", "body": "The Colin Channel?? ;-D Miramax's Harvey Weinstein said to be eyeing cable TV April 08, 2002 NEW YORK -- Miramax's Harvey Weinstein is itching to get into the cable TV business. According to published reports, the Miramax chairman has resuscitated his 5-year-old plan to create a Miramax-branded cable channel and is reportedly talking with cabler Comcast about becoming a partner. But the channel, which would draw on Miramax's 500 film library, may face some tough going getting into cable homes in key markets such as New York City, which is controlled by AOL Time Warner's Time Warner Cable. Miramax's parent the Walt Disney Co. came to blows with AOL Time Warner two years ago over Time Warner's carriage of ABC and the Disney Channel."}, {"response": 374, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Apr  9, 2002 (09:54)", "body": "Ooh, interesting possibility. Our cable is Comcast. A Miramax channel--even if it isn't all Colin all the time--beats the umpteen home shopping channels we have now."}, {"response": 375, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Apr  9, 2002 (12:35)", "body": "Jessica Stevens is having trouble logging in and I'm working with her on the issues, which may be her older Netscape browser. Anyone else having trouble? (gee, if you were, you wouldn't be reading this!)"}, {"response": 376, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Apr  9, 2002 (12:54)", "body": "Miramax's Harvey Weinstein said to be eyeing cable TV Guess Harvey has time on his hands now that Talk Mag tanked."}, {"response": 377, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Tue, Apr  9, 2002 (13:21)", "body": "I had problems about a month ago. But that had nothing to do with my computer and everything with my internet connection (I know because I couldn't get in from any computer at Uni, not my own, not at work). I have to go through the Uni firewall first and I think they prevented me from logging in. And it worked just fine at home. After a couple of days, the problem just solved itself."}, {"response": 378, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Apr  9, 2002 (14:38)", "body": "Terry, I use Netscape 4.76 on purpose. It works just fine. And I do all the programming for Geo Conference with it, too. It is my browser of preference!"}, {"response": 379, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 10, 2002 (08:13)", "body": ""}, {"response": 380, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Apr 10, 2002 (09:43)", "body": "Happy Birthday Laura! :-)"}, {"response": 381, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 10, 2002 (12:20)", "body": "Laura!! Have a very happy day!"}, {"response": 382, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr 10, 2002 (13:27)", "body": "Gah! Have missed Lora's birthday! :-( Oh God. I'll be sacked. Did the others send birthday wishes? ;-) Lora, wishing you a very HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY !! Laura, wishing you a very happy on-time one! Enjoy, ladies!:-)"}, {"response": 383, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 10, 2002 (15:08)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LAURA"}, {"response": 384, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr 10, 2002 (15:37)", "body": "There's a great interview with Christopher Nolan today at Dark Horizons: http://www.darkhorizons.com/news.htm"}, {"response": 385, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr 11, 2002 (10:55)", "body": "Why do I always seem to fall for actors with strong moral values? I hate when that happens.;-) From imdb: Caviezel Refused To Get Naked With Ashley Judd Staunchly Catholic Hollywood actor Jim Caviezel refused to strip off for a sex scene with beautiful actress Ashley Judd. The 33-year-old star threatened to walk out unless director Carl Franklin shot the scene for thriller High Crimes with both parties wearing clothes. He says, \"I told Carl, 'It's no problem, I don't have to do this movie. Go ahead and find someone else.' I see our culture as not respecting people too much, treating people like objects. There are times where sex is appropriate, but I've yet to see butts and breasts act themselves out of a scene!\" It's not the first time Caviezel has refused to get naked for scenes with beautiful co-stars. He refused to film a love scene with sexy Jennifer Lopez in Angel Eyes because she was topless and asked rising star Dagmara Domincyzk to cover her nipples while shooting The Count Of Monte Cristo. The married star says, \"My acting stems from inside, from God. And that's the only way I can act. If I violate that, then I don't think I'd be around this busin ss much longer.\""}, {"response": 386, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr 11, 2002 (11:01)", "body": "There's a rave review for About A Boy & Huge on AICN, from Capone. Am too bitter and jealous to post it here, however.;-( But I think Capone needs to get a grip referring to HG in BJD as a likeable bastard."}, {"response": 387, "author": "susanne", "date": "Thu, Apr 11, 2002 (11:18)", "body": "There is an interesting article in the Dallas Morning News today about fashion and the obession with thiness. The article is by former Harper Bazaar editor, Kate Betts. She talks about RZ's weight gain resulting in her losing the cover. It's pretty long, but if you are interesting, it can be found at:"}, {"response": 388, "author": "susanne", "date": "Thu, Apr 11, 2002 (11:19)", "body": "Sorry I hit reply instead of copy. I'll try again. The link is: http://www.dallasnews.com/texasliving/stories/041102dnfdfatphobia.9a7f9.html"}, {"response": 389, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Apr 11, 2002 (12:07)", "body": "Mari, thanks for your good wishes. And you could never be sacked ;-)! Laura, from a Lora to a Laura and an Aries to an Aries, I hope you had the happiest of birthdays! Didn't we miss brother Jonathan's birthday in between? If so, happy birthday to JF too :-)."}, {"response": 390, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Apr 11, 2002 (14:40)", "body": "Lora, thank you very much and a happy birthday to you too! I do believe baby brother was the 9th? Thank you to all who wished me a happy birthday. I stll can't believe #34... (remember when I was complaining about 30!!!) :)"}, {"response": 391, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 11, 2002 (14:55)", "body": "(remember when I was complaining about 30!!!) :) Yes. :-) [as if it were yesterday]"}, {"response": 392, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Apr 11, 2002 (16:02)", "body": "I stll can't believe #34... (remember when I was complaining about 30!!!) :) LOL - i just had a mini panic attack during my lunch hour about turning 31 ....my birthday isnt until October!"}, {"response": 393, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 11, 2002 (17:51)", "body": "(laura) I stll can't believe #34.. (SB) i just had a mini panic attack during my lunch hour about turning 31 ....my birthday isnt until October!"}, {"response": 394, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Apr 11, 2002 (18:26)", "body": "LOL - Evelyn.... now i feel all warm and fuzzy inside... ;-)"}, {"response": 395, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Apr 11, 2002 (19:47)", "body": "Isn't it amazing how fast time flies??? I'm 34... However, I should add that my daughter who took out cook books out from her school library (she's 11) made me a mexican pastry (buenolos), rice pilaf and chicken that I had in fridge from night before (barbecue chix already cooked); and for desert, she made (now all of this is from scratch! Chocolate Mousse....) Coming home from work, she had table set, Ella Fitzgerald on the cd, and she opened a bottle of wine (which I then informed her that this was the first and LAST time she will do that). Everything was terrible, but you know what? She put her little heart into it and we ate everything with glee (luckily, cereal came in handy for the both of us later!) I have a great daughter, eh? Nothing like coming home and seeing flour all over your child's face... she was so excited... then told me I was old.... (well someone had to knock reality into me... :))"}, {"response": 396, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Apr 11, 2002 (19:48)", "body": "SB, 31 is nothing! I'm so not old enough to be 34:("}, {"response": 397, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Apr 12, 2002 (05:45)", "body": "That's great Laura, happy (if belated) birthday!"}, {"response": 398, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 12, 2002 (07:00)", "body": "\"...There are times where sex is appropriate, but I've yet to see butts and breasts act themselves out of a scene!\" LOL! Has he seen Pamela Anderson? ;-D Interesting guy though. One you have to admire. Too bad, most up-and-coming female actresses wouldn't be able to maintain such beliefs as they're considered a commodity. Dashes all my hopes of seeing more of him. Oh well."}, {"response": 399, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 12, 2002 (07:18)", "body": "The Play What I Wrote will transfer to Broadway next year. The show will be directed by Kenneth Branagh, who also directed the London production. Hamish McColl and Sean Foley will star in the New York production. Despite Americans' limited knowledge of Morecambe and Wise, the show's producer, David Pugh, is confident that the comedy will be understood by Americans. The show will be tweaked to make it \"slightly more universal,\" he said. According to the New York Times, the play will open in the spring. ~~~~~~~ This is the play that has different celebs appearing in it nightly. Wonder who will be making surprise guest appearances in NY."}, {"response": 400, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Apr 12, 2002 (11:19)", "body": "confident that the comedy will be understood by Americans. The show will be tweaked to make it \"slightly more universal,\" he said. LOL!, Too bad it's too late for DQ. I don't even see it as a rental. There is a lot happening on Broadway now. Evelyn, you will have a blast! Interesting guy though. One you have to admire. Too bad, most up-and-coming female actresses wouldn't be able to maintain such beliefs as they're considered a commodity. Dashes all my hopes of seeing more of him. Oh well. So true! I want to meet him and shake his his hand. (Too bad I can't place his face) ;-)"}, {"response": 401, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Apr 12, 2002 (11:20)", "body": "Jude Law's Dr. Faustus is coming to Broadway as well. Was surprised, as it seems this one got rather negative reviews in London."}, {"response": 402, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Apr 12, 2002 (11:32)", "body": "Jude Law's Dr. Faustus is coming to Broadway as well. Was surprised, as it seems this one got rather negative reviews in London. Evelyn loved it and I rather take her word. Let us know when you get the dates, Mari, thanks!"}, {"response": 403, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Fri, Apr 12, 2002 (22:12)", "body": "I saw Dr. Faustus last month and thought whole production was terrific, especially Richard McCabe. Interesting that they are bringing it to NY. I have a hard time seeing Christopher Marlowe win over Broadway, but I could be wrong."}, {"response": 404, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Apr 12, 2002 (22:46)", "body": "A belated Happy Birthday Laura."}, {"response": 405, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Apr 14, 2002 (10:36)", "body": "Nice interview with our Moral Man, Jim Caviezel, in the Sunday Times. (Moon, he was the Count of Monte Cristo). http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/article/0,,187-262610,00.html"}, {"response": 406, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Apr 14, 2002 (10:41)", "body": "(Moon, he was the Count of Monte Cristo). Wow, thanks, Mari! To read the article we sign in as member. I don't remember my ID and don't want to sign in again. Can you post it here, Mari?"}, {"response": 407, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Apr 14, 2002 (10:53)", "body": "Anything for my Moon!:-) He sounds like a lovely man. Cover story: Film: Jim Caviezel Jim Caviezel wants to be in movies like the ones they made in the 1940s. Can Hollywood handle \ufffdthe last good man\ufffd, asks Garth Pearce He\ufffds a real man, not a pretty boy, who will be doing his best work from now onwards,\ufffd says the director Kevin Reynolds of his latest prot\ufffdg\ufffd. \ufffdHe will be one of our biggest stars.\ufffd Coming from the man who discovered Kevin Costner in the 1980s, this prediction can\ufffdt be dismissed lightly. The actor in question, Jim Caviezel, visibly squirms at these words of praise from the director of his latest film. At 6ft 1in, Caviezel is exactly the same height as Costner, but, at 32, 15 years younger. \ufffdI am always grateful to those who have faith in me,\ufffd he says, calmly. \ufffdBut if there is to be progress of any sort, I have to deliver it myself. I am relying on good scripts and offers, just like anyone else.\ufffd This is the kind of modesty that has already set Gentleman Jim apart in Hollywood. He\ufffds the man who asked Jennifer Lopez, of all people, to cover her breasts in a love scene, because he did not want to offend his wife. His heroes are good old boys like James Stewart and Gary Cooper, who could tell a story without sex on the screen and drugs off it. \ufffdWhen Clark Gable swept Vivien Leigh off her feet in Gone With the Wind and took her up the stairs, everyone knew what was about to happen,\ufffd he reasons. \ufffdBut we did not need to see them in bed together. She wore a look of total satisfaction in the next scene, which said it all. I want to get back to telling those sorts of stories in that kind of way. \ufffdDid we see Gregory Peck with his pants around his ankles? Did Spencer Tracy have to do a naked scene with his leading lady to help the story along? I don\ufffdt think Cary Grant took anything off other than his shirt. Humphrey Bogart did not have to show his love for Ingrid Bergman by fondling her body in Casablanca. These guys made some of the best films ever, but I cannot remember seeing a naked breast in any of them.\ufffd This, of course, is not the sort of language much understood these days at the power lunches in Beverly Hills. Caviezel is talented beefcake, and offers have come in for him with scenes that do not delicately fade at the bedroom door. But he has turned them down. He\ufffds also far too discreet to name them. It is fitting, then, that he\ufffds starring next as a swashbuckling hero, the Count of Monte Cristo. The classic Alexandre Dumas story, with its eventual triumph of right over wrong, was first made famous on film in 1913, when James O\ufffdNeill \ufffd father of the American playwright Eugene \ufffd was the star. The new version, with a winning performance from Caviezel, is packed with old-fashioned charm and decency. Caviezel plays a dashing young sailor, Edmond Dant\ufffds, who wants nothing more than a peaceful life and marriage to the beautiful Merc\ufffdd\ufffds (Dagmara Dominczyk). But he is deceived by his best friend, Fernand (Guy Pearce), who wants Merc\ufffdd\ufffds for himself, and is unlawfully sentenced to an infamous island prison, where he is trapped for 13 years. With the help of another inmate Abb\ufffd Faria (Richard Harris), he trains in swordsmanship and finally escapes. He then discovers long-lost treasure and transforms himself into the mysterious count. Then begins his revenge on those who manipulated and enslaved him. Caviezel witnessed some manipulation of his own four years ago in the wake of his starring role in the second world war story The Thin Red Line, after winning top billing from nowhere. \ufffdMy hopes were raised, but nothing came of it.\ufffd In what was the first film from the director Terrence Malick for years, he more than held his own with established Hollywood men like Sean Penn, Nick Nolte, John Cusack, George Clooney and Woody Harrelson. But the film failed to win any of its seven Oscar nominations, and Caviezel\ufffds profile has been on slow burn ever since, rather than hot. \ufffdI expect any sort of success to take a long time, with a lot of hard work,\ufffd he says. \ufffdActing was never in my plans, and it\ufffds a surprise to have come this far.\ufffd Caviezel was a basketball athlete from Mount Vernon, Washington state, whose only acting skill was mimicking others in the locker room. But, after injury and a knee operation, he started to think about a change of career. \ufffdI remember in 1990, after watching Ghost, I thought: \ufffdThat is the kind of thing I want to do.\ufffd I told my dad, who is a chiropractor, that I was going to take some acting lessons, and he said: \ufffdYou don\ufffdt want to get involved in that crap.\ufffd\ufffd Caviezel senior sounds even more down to earth than his son. \ufffdI thought he was right,\ufffd he says, \ufffdbut felt I needed to give it a chance. So I gave it a shot, and one afternoon, in Seattle, a woman stopped me in the street and said: \ufffdYoung man \ufffd you are going to be a movie star.\ufffd She was an agent who had apparently seen me in an acting class. I signed up with her there and then.\ufffd But Caviezel\ufffds move to Los Angeles was not exactly covere"}, {"response": 408, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Apr 14, 2002 (11:19)", "body": "Thanks, Mari! He\ufffds a real man, not a pretty boy I admit to a fleeting shiver at the sight of a man in a dark suit and tie, with a neat haircut, reassuring smile and open handshake. Yes! So much for that Armani, black tee look. He\ufffds the man who asked Jennifer Lopez, of all people, to cover her breasts in a love scene, because he did not want to offend his wife. That is so sweet! \ufffdMy Catholic faith kept me centred,\ufffd he shrugs. \ufffdI never force it on anyone, and it was never forced on me. The Lord\ufffds Prayer, \ufffdLead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil\ufffd, says it all. I am not influenced by what I am seeing around me.\ufffd It is wonderful to hear someone speak in a positive light about religion in this secular world. My compliments. My only regret is that I didn\ufffdt get down on one knee.\ufffd But there can be little argument that he\ufffds worshipped at her feet ever since. I think I have a mini-crush on this guy. He politely asks that his remarks be off the record, then proceeds to deliver such a broadside against a Hollywood star with whom he worked, with dates and details of the tantrums, lies and deceit, that my fingers itch to type in the name right here Any guesses Inspector R? ;-)"}, {"response": 409, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 14, 2002 (12:48)", "body": "What I liked about the article when I skimmed over it last night was Caveziel's rationale and all the examples from the old, classic movies. It's true, those actors were sexy without baring skin, sleeping in twin beds, wearing both parts of a PJ set, and keeping one foot on the floor at all times. One can even overlook the insipid shots of waves crashing on the surf or curtains flapping around the window. If I were his wife, I'd be thrilled to pieces with his attitude: the only breasts he wants pressed against him are his wife's. (Moon) Any guesses Inspector R? Wouldn't have a clue."}, {"response": 410, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr 15, 2002 (06:29)", "body": "Paltrow takes sides in Plath vs. Plath Gwyneth Paltrow is a strong bet to take the role of tragic American poetess Sylvia Plath in \"Ted and Sylvia,\" which Ruby Films is developing with BBC Films to shoot later this year. Pawel Pawlikowski (\"Last Resort\") is attached to direct. It's the story of Plath's marriage to English poet Ted Hughes, which ended in her suicide. \"Monsoon Wedding\" helmer Mira Nair is attached to direct a rival Plath script by Dana Stevens, which U.S. producers Nina Sadowsky and Michael London are developing out of turnaround from Warner."}, {"response": 411, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr 15, 2002 (06:42)", "body": "\"Monsoon Wedding\" helmer Mira Nair What? Mira is breaking out? What will we do without her colorful modern India references? ;-) I thought MW was a drawn out soap opera. Good colors though. Now if you want to see a BRILLIANT film go see HUMAN NATURE. I strongly recommend you see it. It is a satire, and ultimately the parody of a satire. It works. Rhys I's acting is superb."}, {"response": 412, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 15, 2002 (07:04)", "body": "Look, even his protest pal is working: Prime Minister Tony Blair's father-in-law has been signed up for a part in TV show The Bill. Actor Tony Booth, 70, is currently filming scenes as the warden of an old people's home in the episodes, to be screened this summer. Booth, Cherie Blair's father, is best known for his role as Alf Garnett's son-in-law in 1960s sitcom Til Death Us Do Part. His most recent role was in Channel 5 soap Family Affairs, and he is also a vociferous campaigner for pensioners' rights."}, {"response": 413, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Apr 15, 2002 (07:48)", "body": "Look, even his protest pal is working: One of our favourite family games when we go to the theatre is to look through the cast resumes and see how what percentage of them have appeared in the Bill. Usually it is about 50% ;-) And I do very much hope that Colin does not count Tony Booth amongst his real pals. That would definitely end my CF obsession."}, {"response": 414, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr 15, 2002 (11:54)", "body": "Jeff Bridges is so damn cool!:-) Check out his site: Jeff Bridges says he's addicted to the internet Jeff Bridges says he's hooked on emailing and the internet. The star of K-Pax says he treats his own website like a work of art. JeffBridges.com includes movie trailers and some of the actor's photographs and art. Bridges says: \"I really enjoy treating the website like another art form. It's a way of communicating with the world and expressing yourself like a painting. \"Some of my photos and art are on there. It's kind of a wonderful thing.\" You can see Bridges talking about the film and his website in an online interview. It is available to watch in Real Media and Windows format."}, {"response": 415, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 16, 2002 (07:14)", "body": "Maybe Matt should check with Evelyn about the food... Matt Damon has been turned away from one of London's most famous restaurants. He turned up at The Ivy with co-stars from his play This Is Our Youth to celebrate their first day off rehearsals. But he was told by managers at the restaurant he could only get a table for four. The group of nine, which included the late River Phoenix's sister Summer and Ben Affleck's brother Casey, decided to dine at Sheekey's fish restaurant in Covent Garden instead. A spokesman for The Ivy told the London Evening Standard: \"There is a six-month waiting list for a table here - though we do keep three tables for regulars to book at short notice, and for when celebrities are in town and book very late. \"In this instance, Damon was turned away with his friends and tried to sweet-talk his way in. \"It didn't carry any weight since we only have one table which can take nine and that was booked. \"We're certainly not in the business of rearranging people in the restaurant just to accommodate a Hollywood star.\""}, {"response": 416, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 16, 2002 (07:29)", "body": "A not so good review for the new production of the Elephant Man (Billy Crudup and Rupert Graves, who fares better) by the AP here: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=821&ncid=821&e=3&u=/ap/20020415/ap_en_re/theater_the_elephant_man_5"}, {"response": 417, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 16, 2002 (07:32)", "body": "And a wonderful one by Variety, praising Crudup's luminious performance: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=852&ncid=770&e=1&u=/variety/20020416/review_variety/review_stage_elephant_dc_1 Go figure..."}, {"response": 418, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 16, 2002 (09:14)", "body": "Thanks Karen. Sounds like one reviewer likes the play to be less \"chic, clinical and chilly\" and the other admires it for being so. Glad I skipped this one for May."}, {"response": 419, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr 16, 2002 (10:36)", "body": "A very good EM review from the NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/15/arts/theater/15ELEP.html"}, {"response": 420, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Apr 16, 2002 (10:54)", "body": "Did anyone catch Almost Strangers on BBC America on Saturday night. A really good show. Toby Stephens, Claire Skinner, and I want to say David McFayden? Michael Gambon plays the dad, and they're invited a to a family reunion where most of the families don't really know each other anymore. I don't know if it's a regular series or if it was just a movie, but it was really good. Catch it if you can."}, {"response": 421, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 17, 2002 (08:48)", "body": "The \"mature\" version of Dangerous Liaisons had its day at the TV market yesterday at Cannes, so there are lots of press snippets about it. This one from THR seemed the most comprehensive: For a moment Tuesday, MIP-TV looked more like the Festival de Cannes, with the stars and paparazzi out in force on La Croisette for the official launch of French TV superproduction \"Dangerous Liaisons,\" an adaptation of the 18th century novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos. The miniseries recently started shooting under the banner of French production company JLA Production, English production house Future Films and Remstar from Canada, with JLA covering 60% of the production costs and the other two companies splitting the remainder. The remake, reset in the 1960s, is being shot in parallel in French and English versions, as all the cast members except Leelee Sobieski are bilingual. It will be broadcast in France by the commercial network TF1, whose distribution arm TF1 International will handle distribution in Latin America and Eastern Europe (including Russia). French group AB International Distribution will handle the rest of the world, aside from North America, which JLA wants to sell directly. Remstar and Future Films will distribute in their own countries. Catherine Deneuve, in her first television role, joined fellow thesps Rupert Everett, Nastassja Kinski and Sobieski at the \"Liaisons\" junket. Adapted by Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt, the classic will be shot in three 90-minute episodes for the French version and two 100-minute episodes for the English one. Locations include Cannes, Paris, Scotland, Montreal and New York. Asked why she had refused television roles until now, Deneuve said she never had a problem with the medium but that no proposition had interested her sufficiently. \"I am not interested in doing a remake of the excellent period productions we already have,\" Deneuve said. \"But the fact that the story line has been moved to a different era makes it a challenge.\""}, {"response": 422, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 17, 2002 (09:02)", "body": "\"But the fact that the story line has been moved to a different era makes it a challenge.\" Mais cherie, verr ave u been? It's been done. The \"mature\" version Zat must be ze attraction. ;-) As I've said before, these people lack original ideas."}, {"response": 423, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr 17, 2002 (10:34)", "body": "Asked why she had refused television roles until now I seem to recall seeing TV commercials with Deneuve when I was a kid. Guess they don't count. ;-)"}, {"response": 424, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 17, 2002 (10:48)", "body": "The \"mature\" version (Moon)Zat must be ze attraction. ;-) For the Modern Maturity channel. IMO this older gang suits RE more than the young lover in TIOBE."}, {"response": 425, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 18, 2002 (10:27)", "body": "From Screendaily: Loopholes allowing TV productions to access UK tax relief for films are to be closed, the Government announced in its budget on Wednesday (April 17). The move is expected to stem a rash of TV projects that have accessed the UK's influential 100% tax write-offs under Section 48, leading to calls of widespread abuse. The definition of a British film is expected to be overhauled in order to rule out TV projects. \"This will refocus the reliefs on the original intention of stimulating the production of films in the UK and to promote growth, employment, investment and opportunities in the British film industry,\" said Chancellor Gordon Brown. The decision creates a major headache for producers as the move is effective 17 April 2002. The fate of large-scale projects such as Dinotopia, which is still in production, is unclear. While many local TV series such as Changing Rooms are to be ruled out, UK support body the Film Council is expected to look at whether the regulation changes can find a middle ground to encompass such high-end drama productions as Band Of Brothers. The epic World War 2 drama series gave local crews and facilities a massive boost by shooting in the UK. But the move will be welcomed by many in the film sector who feared that the level of TV productions claiming relief might have caused the Treasury to crack down on the tax breaks as a whole. \"The brutal truth is this was a necessary measure to keep Government support intact for British cinema production,\" said John Woodward, head of the Film Council. \"In reality, what the Chancellor has done is pull the tax break back into line with his original intention.\""}, {"response": 426, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Apr 18, 2002 (12:09)", "body": "While many local TV series such as Changing Rooms are to be ruled out, I like this show. It's the only thing I watch regularly on BBC America. (I admit I don't get the gist of the article) Speak plainly my Lord Chancellor!"}, {"response": 427, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 19, 2002 (09:14)", "body": "For Mark, a major fan of v. tall, light-haired, interchangeable actresses: ;-D IGN FilmForce's source close to the production of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen has advised us of who the favored contender is for the comic book adaptation's sole female lead, ex-Dracula love interest Mina (Murray) Harker. Our source told us that British actress Saffron Burrows (Deep Blue Sea) has auditioned for the part and is being actively considered for it. They were quick to point out, however, that no deal has been offered to her yet. She is just the actress that the filmmakers seem most keen on now. In The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Queen Victoria assembles a team of literature's greatest adventure heroes (including Allan Quatermain, Captain Nemo, Dr. Jekyll, The Invisible Man, and Mina Harker) to thwart an evil madman. Mina Harker was most recently portrayed onscreen by Winona Ryder in Bram Stoker's Dracula and by Amy Yasbeck in the Mel Brooks-directed vampire spoof, Dracula: Dead and Loving It. Saffron Burrows has appeared in Timecode, Circle of Friends, Gangster No. 1, The Loss of Sexual Innocence , Wing Commander, and The Matchmaker. Her upcoming films include Enigma and Frida. Our Extraordinary source then advised us that David Thewlis is no longer in the running for the role of Dr. Jekyll. We did learn, however, that Jekyll's alter ego, Mr. Hyde, will be created using a \"hybrid\" of CGI and traditional make-up effects. We were also informed that Robbie Coltrane (From Hell, the Harry Potter franchise) is being thought of for an unspecified role while \"lots of Hollywood stars\" are being considered to play Captain Nemo. Sean Connery is the only signed member of the Extraordinary cast so far. Filming begins this summer in Europe with Stephen Norrington directing."}, {"response": 428, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Apr 19, 2002 (09:43)", "body": "while \"lots of Hollywood stars\" are being considered to play Captain Nemo Johnny Depp will probably land something."}, {"response": 429, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 19, 2002 (10:07)", "body": "\"while \"lots of Hollywood stars\" are being considered to play Captain Nemo (Moon)Johnny Depp will probably land something. LOL. Saw a pic of Johnny Depp (whose partner has recently had a second baby) with write-up that suddenly he's working back to back... Caption: \"Will work for Diapers\""}, {"response": 430, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 21, 2002 (21:48)", "body": "Le Gnat's appearance on Inside the Actor's Studio is scheduled for May 12 at 8:00 and 11:30pm on Bravo. That's coincidentally a few days before AAB opens in the US."}, {"response": 431, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Apr 22, 2002 (03:54)", "body": "For Mark, a major fan of v. tall, light-haired, interchangeable actresses: ;-D Oh, cruel, cruel, but deserved! And I was only joking about Heather really... And I don't like Saffron Burrows at all, though Enigma was great. Restraining myself from making any cracks about tall, dark interchangeable English actors (as might get included).... ;-D"}, {"response": 432, "author": "Becka", "date": "Mon, Apr 22, 2002 (14:52)", "body": "Did anyone see Andrew Davies get his Fellowship from BAFTA? Did they show a clip of P&P?"}, {"response": 433, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 22, 2002 (15:49)", "body": "CHICAGO will be released on Chrismas day 2002.$45.mil Looks like it's Miramax's big holiday film (I thought it was Gangs of NY).Also on with RZ, Catherine Zeta Jones...there's Richard Gere and Dominic West! ~~~~~~~~~~~` I see The Way we Live Now Won a BAFTA, but David Suchet didn't.Last Episode tonight.(Hey, Dave didn't you know it's Michael Gambon's turn;-D , next year Robbi Coltrane gets it.) Are the TV awards ,unlike the film awards, only for British Television? If not..where was Damian Lewis and Band of Brothers..not even nominated. *Huff* Rest of winners: http://www.bafta.org/4_tele/4_WINNERS.htm"}, {"response": 434, "author": "rachael", "date": "Mon, Apr 22, 2002 (16:04)", "body": "Rebecca, yes they showed clips from lots of Andres Davies' work, for P+P they showed the scene at the inn where Lizzie has just received the letter from Jane. Evelyn, yes British TV only, don't know how the rules about co-productions work or the cut off dates for nominations"}, {"response": 435, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 22, 2002 (16:05)", "body": "(Evelyn) If not..where was Damian Lewis and Band of Brothers..not even nominated. Was not British television program, right? ;-D"}, {"response": 436, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr 22, 2002 (22:10)", "body": "No nomination for Armadillo? Which has yet to reach our shores, BTW."}, {"response": 437, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 24, 2002 (07:10)", "body": "Here's the Cannes 2002 lineup: Opening Film Hollywood Ending Dir: Woody Allen Closing Film And Now...Ladies And Gentlemen Dir: Claude Lelouch Competition Punch Drunk Love Dir: Paul Thomas Anderson The Hour Of Religion Dir: Marco Bellocchio Spider Dir: David Cronenberg Le Fils Dir: Jean-Luc and Pierre Dardenne Kedma Dir: Amos Gitai Stroke Of Fire Dir: Im Kwon Taek Unknown Pleasures Dir: Jia Zhang-ke The Man Without A Past Dir: Aki Kaurismaki 10 Dir: Abbas Kiarostami All Or Nothing Dir: Mike Leigh Sweet Sixteen Dir: Ken Loach The Uncertainty Principle Dir: Manoel De Oliveira The Pianist Dir: Roman Polanski The Russian Ark Dir: Alexander Sokurov Intervention Divine Dir: Elia Suleiman 24 Hour Party People Dir: Michael Winterbottom Demonlover Dir: Olivier Assayas L\ufffdAdversaire Dir: Nicole Garcia Marie Jo Et Ses Deux Amours Dir: Robert Guediguian Irreversible Dir: Gaspard Noe Out of competition Spirit (animation) Dir: Kelly Asbury & Lorna Cook Devras Dir: Sanjay Leela Bhansali Ararat Dir: Atom Egoyan City Of God Dir: Fernando Mereilles Murder By Numbers Dir: Barbet Schroeder Special Screenings The Other Side Dir: Chantal Ackerman Searching For Debra Winger Dir: Rosanna Arquette Carlo Guiliani, Ragazzo Dir: Francesca Comencini The Kid Stays In The Picture Dirs: Brett Morgan & Nanette Burstein Kazami No Onnatachi Dir: Kiju Yoshida La Derniere Lettre Dir: Frederic Weismann Un Certain Regard Madame Sata Dir: Karim Ainouz Rachida Dir: Yamina Bashir Cry Woman (Kuqi De Nuren) Dir: Liu Bingjian (China) Double Vision Dir: Chen Kuo Fu (China-HK) Confession (Itiraf) Dir: Ziki Demirkubuz Balzac Et La Petite Tailleuse Chinoise Dir: Dai Sijie (Fr-China) Les Chansons Du Pays De Ma Mere Dir: Bahman Ghobadi (Iran) Tomorrow La Scala Dir: Francesca Joseph (UK) Une Part Du Ciel Dir: Benedicte Lienard (Bel) Sacrifices Dir: Osama Mouhamad (Syria) Bemani Dir: Dariush Mehrjui Terra Incognito Dir: Ghassan Salhab (Lebanon) Waiting For Happiness (Heremakono) Dir: Abderrahmane Sissako (Mauritania) Long Way Home Peter Sollet (US) El Bonaerense Dir: Pablo Trapero The Angel Of The Right Shoulder Dir: Djamshed Ousmanov (Tadjikistan) Blissfully Yours Dir: Apichapong Weerasethakul (Thailand) Ten Minutes Older - The Trumpet Dirs: ensemble piece Carnages Dir: Delphine Gleize (Fr) Dix-Sept Fois Cecile Cassard Dir: Christophe Honore (Fr) La Chatta A Deux Tetes Dir: Jacques Nolot (Fr) Cannes\ufffd selectors this year have opted for absolute simplicity: main competition is the home of the established names of the art-house, while Un Certain Regard gives room for experimentation, new directors and little seen schools of film-making. Rather than follow the example of Venice last year and launch two largely indistinguishable competitions of supposedly equal merit, they sought established talent and known quality for the competition showcase. Gilles Jacob, Thierry Fremaux and their teams are understood to have seen over 1,200 features, an increase of 25%, in order to arrive at their eventual shortlist of 22 competition titles. The competition features previous competition winners Mike Leigh, the Dardenne brothers and Abbas Kiarostami. Previous competitors include Olivier Assayas, Michael Winterbottom, Manoel De Oliveira, Alexander Sokurov, Roman Polanski, Ken Loach, Aki Kaurismaki, Im Kwon Taek, Amos Gitai, David Cronenberg and Marco Bellocchio. The one female director, Nicole Garcia, had previously competed in the short film section. Earlier press commentary has made much of the numerous British films in official selection - four, including Francesca Joseph\ufffds Tomorrow La Scala in Un Certain Regard - after a period of drought. But the nearest to a new UK discovery, Lynne Ramsay with Morvern Callar, will now appear in Directors Fortnight (La Quinzaine Des Realisateurs). Un Certain Regard, on the other hand, reflects a geographical renewal. It is dominated by films from the Mediterranean and Middle East (Algeria, Lebanon, Israel, Syria, Turkey) and includes seven first features. As expected there were fewer Asian films than last year, and no Japanese at all after the four of 2001. This may reflect a timing issue in the Asian production cycle. But there is room for only the second ever Korean film in competition Im Kwon-taek\ufffds Stroke Of Fire. The most controversial element is likely to be Gaspar Noe\ufffds sexually explicit Irreversible. There was no room for some of the widely expected titles including Neil Jordan\ufffds Double Down, Tonie Marshall\ufffds Au Plus Pres De Paradis, Arturo Ripstein\ufffds Caf\ufffd Cortado, Thomas Vinterberg\ufffds Its All About Love, Hong Sang-soo\ufffds Turning Gate and Prince Chatri Chalerm\ufffds Suriyothai."}, {"response": 438, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 24, 2002 (09:35)", "body": "Searching For Debra Winger Dir: Rosanna Arquette Film audition for VHI? ;-) The Angel Of The Right Shoulder Dir: Djamshed Ousmanov (Tadjikistan) Interesting. The Hour Of Religion Dir: Marco Bellocchio This is supposed to be very good. Thanks, Karen! Any word on who will be there?"}, {"response": 439, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Apr 25, 2002 (01:29)", "body": "I was going to post this on #155 due but thought it might cause too many heart attacks (try to avoid reading the reference 2/3 way through article :-( http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,581-277850,00.html"}, {"response": 440, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Apr 25, 2002 (06:05)", "body": "You mean this, Allison: The kindest thing to say is that, where Hornby material is concerned, Grant doesn\ufffdt muck it up as badly as Colin Firth did in Fever Pitch (on the other hand, John Cusack in High Fidelity runs rings around him). That review comes as no surprise to me since the only NH book I remotely enjoyed was HF. Nick does write better than a lot of them out there, but that is no consolation."}, {"response": 441, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 25, 2002 (06:56)", "body": "*exhales huge breath* Now, now. Let's consider the source. In case no one remembers, this woman is a Huge fan. (You can see from this AAB review that she thinks highly of him, except not in this role). All you have to do is read her review of BJD. She mentioned HG 7 times (vs. 4 for CF) and referred to CF as crashingly dull and to Huge as the dashing bounder. I'm sure if we look, we'll find she's the president of the Gnat's fan club. ;-D"}, {"response": 442, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 25, 2002 (08:35)", "body": "Thanks Allison, I do hear that the Daily Mail gave the film and HG a terrific review. I was going to post this on #155 due but thought it might cause too many heart attacks LOL. You won't give me a heart attack, I am not a fan of NH or FP. However, I do think Colin did a good job of portraying Paul Ashworth , a slob-like character, IMO and is being tainted with the role.And don't get me started on Ruth Gemell..."}, {"response": 443, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Apr 25, 2002 (10:44)", "body": "(Allison)As FP is one of my favorite CF films- I did feel some pain down my left arm. But,as Karen said, consider the source. I feel I have been on a roller coaster all week with all the articles, reviews, etc."}, {"response": 444, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Apr 25, 2002 (13:03)", "body": "(lindak) As FP is one of my favorite CF films It's one of mine, too. And I'm not feeling any pain as am too busy thumbing my nose and blowing a big bronx cheer at this writer, who nevertheless is entitled to her opinion however narrow-minded it may be. ;-)"}, {"response": 445, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Thu, Apr 25, 2002 (22:21)", "body": "My computer recently crashed and I lost the pride and joy of my exhistance...namely my Darcy \"The Look\" screen saver. I downloaded this thing over 2 years ago and now I need to re-download it. Unfortunatley, as it has been 2 years since I first found it, I have absolutley no idea where I found the Pride and Predudice screen savers in the first place. Can anyone help me out with a website address ? It was an AWESOME screensaver...a shot of Darcy from mid-chest up, gazing longingly at Lizzie as she played the piano at Pemberley. Karen, hope its ok to ask my question here. I haven't been a contributor to Drool for several months ( due to my boss now monitoring the internet usage of his employees ) but I have been a frequent reader of all threads and topics. So I hope you don't think me too impertinent to post my plea for help, after what appears to be an absence of several months."}, {"response": 446, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr 25, 2002 (22:26)", "body": "Bethanne, tell that boss of yours to not be so, um, bossy.;-) I'm sure someone here will have what you're looking for. There's another bad About A Boy review in The Independent that also takes a swipe at FP; thankfully, they didn't name names.;-) Telegraph review is poor as well. Am surprised, thought this one was a Huge slam dunk."}, {"response": 447, "author": "Bethanne", "date": "Fri, Apr 26, 2002 (00:15)", "body": "I agre Mari, unfortunatley he signs my pay checks. So far I have been able to find several P&P sites where I can download pix from the TV series, but none as screen savers....boo hiss"}, {"response": 448, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, Apr 26, 2002 (05:09)", "body": "Beth This might have what you're looking for: http://www.angelfire.com/film/susansite/"}, {"response": 449, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Apr 26, 2002 (05:13)", "body": "There's another bad About A Boy review in The Independent that also takes a swipe at FP; thankfully, they didn't name names.;-) Telegraph review is poor as well. Am surprised, thought this one was a Huge slam dunk. The Review in the Telegraph (which has carried a lot of promo for AOB) was absolutely dreadful. As bad as the Times, which only gave AOB 1 star (out of 5). The Guardian is very luke warm, ditto the Independent. The pre-release stuff was all favourable, but that was probably good PR with the entertainment mags. I think the tabloids have been kind, but the the quality press cater for the NH heartland. On the basis of these reviews, AOB could be in trouble. It also has competition from \"Bend it like Beckham\" (well received Brit comedy) which is still going very strongand got uniformly good reviews. Interesting!"}, {"response": 450, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 26, 2002 (06:44)", "body": "No, of course, I don't mind, Beth. I doubt the AAB reviews will affect its overall popularity in the US. It seems to be a given that the UK critics savage nearly all films, especially of the home-grown variety that attempt to be mainstream. (See UK reviews of BJD on the Bucket. Most fell into my \"Fuckwittage\" category.) And none of this would affect IMO affect future casting decisions re BJD. About the FP swipes, we have to remember that adapting Nick's nonfiction book into a traditional rom-com would be viewed as a sellout and would disappoint many people. Don't some of you remember the clips from the UK movie review shows and the complaining about how they ruined the book? Unfortunately, they've laid the blame on Colin, when it should be directed to the makers of the film."}, {"response": 451, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Apr 26, 2002 (06:57)", "body": "Unfortunately, they've laid the blame on Colin, when it should be directed to the makers of the film. He read the script and agreed to do it as it was. Some actors stress that things be changed during the filming if they feel it would enhance the film. I thought John C did a better job with HF."}, {"response": 452, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 26, 2002 (07:05)", "body": "There wasn't anything the matter with the FP script as far as rom-coms are concerned. The fact that it wasn't an indepth look at a football fan's life is the fault of the filmmakers. They were criticizing the film for what it was not - not the performances. (Moon) I thought John C did a better job with HF. That's because HF was (1) fiction, (2) they adhered fairly closely to the book and (3) NH didn't do the adaptation."}, {"response": 453, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 26, 2002 (09:35)", "body": "(Karen) It seems to be a given that the UK critics savage nearly all films, especially of the home-grown variety that attempt to be mainstream. How true. Pure carnage, and they do it with such glee.They're repulsive. (Karen)Unfortunately, they've laid the blame on Colin, when it should be directed to the makers of the film. (Moon)He read the script and agreed to do it as it was. Some actors stress that things be changed during the filming if they feel it would enhance the film. That was his first starring film since THOTP; I doubt he had the leverage and experience to change the script. Besides, IMO he was eager to select *any* film that wasn't in the Darcy mode in order to disarm the aura. His performance was OK, it was just the ridiculous character. (Karen)There wasn't anything the matter with the FP script as far as rom-coms are concerned I don't want to turn this into another FP discussion ( we've done it before ;-), but I didn't like NH's script and agreed with the television reviewers that the whole \"rom\" part was so contrived as to make it almost comedic; just stuck in there in order to being in the chicks.Years later, I learned it did not do well at the box office either. Bring on Joe Prince!!"}, {"response": 454, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 26, 2002 (11:23)", "body": "(Evelyn) Bring on Joe Prince!! *cough cough* blech BTW, most rom coms are usually contrived, that's why it was fairly normal IMO."}, {"response": 455, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Apr 26, 2002 (15:49)", "body": "It seems to be a given that the UK critics savage nearly all films, especially of the home-grown variety that attempt to be mainstream. Which is why UK film-makers prefer to open in the US first, if possible. Years later, I learned it did not do well at the box office either FP did much better in video rentals. I suspect that a lot of CF/Darcy fans weren't very comfortable about going to see a \"soccer\" movie (and we're not the greatest movie goers anyway - although this may be changing!) and waited for the video."}, {"response": 456, "author": "caribou", "date": "Fri, Apr 26, 2002 (16:03)", "body": "(Bethan) FP did much better in video rentals. No thanks to the graphics! :-) That certainly did not attract the Darcy fans."}, {"response": 457, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 26, 2002 (16:25)", "body": "But they had a nonoffensive vid cover in the UK and other places. It was only in the US that some hormonally imbalanced boy decided the cover needed to be more relevant to sports fans. ;-D"}, {"response": 458, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sat, Apr 27, 2002 (09:56)", "body": "(Evelyn) it was just the ridiculous character. Humph. On behalf of sports fans everywhere, am highly insulted. ;-) ;-) ;-) (Karen) decided the cover needed to be more relevant to sports fans. ;-D Humph. You left out the word 'male' before 'sports fans'. ;-) ;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 459, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 27, 2002 (10:27)", "body": ""}, {"response": 460, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Apr 27, 2002 (11:15)", "body": "(Evelyn) it was just the ridiculous character. (Eileen)Humph. On behalf of sports fans everywhere, am highly insulted. ;-) ;-) ;-) AAA"}, {"response": 461, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 27, 2002 (11:16)", "body": "(Eileen) You left out the word 'male' before 'sports fans'. Mea culpa. Figured it was understood. If it was directed at female sports fans, it would've had the figures reversed, so we would see CF. Everyone knows women get interested in organized sports for the cute athletes. Go QBs everywhere. ;-D"}, {"response": 462, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Apr 29, 2002 (07:54)", "body": "(Evelyn) AAA (Karen) Mea culpa What, I didn't put enough winkies? ;-P (Karen) Everyone knows women get interested in organized sports for the cute athletes. ;-D Not all of us...but it helps. ;-)"}, {"response": 463, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 29, 2002 (10:33)", "body": "MOVIELINE mag May issue has a segment \"London Calling\" that has a long article on the two British imports this month: About A Boy and Enigma.Both got rave reviews. I posted excerpts of the Enigma review on the JN topic. I won't ruin your day by typing up the whole AAB review. *winkie* \"...captivation film,;superlative writing and acting make it[AAB] soar\" Or what he says about HG.... But despite the crappy reviews from the UK broadsheets, there are good ones out there."}, {"response": 464, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Apr 29, 2002 (11:23)", "body": "I saw a small segment of AAB on the television last night and I have to say it left me cold. As my husband said \"that's one to miss\". To English ears HG does not fit the New Man, north London type that NH writes about. He sounded all wrong with his attempt at a proletarian tone to his voice; it just didn't gell IMHO. And as for the storeyline... Perhaps I am not the films target audience;-)"}, {"response": 465, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 29, 2002 (11:33)", "body": "Much as I hate to say it, the \"mixed\" reviews from the UK won't mean anything in the US. We've ignored them before and will do so again. ;-D What will inevitably come up is Hugh's growth as an actor. Our critics will admire that he's gotten away from the cute, floppy-haired puppy dog roles. They won't have a clue as to whether he perfectly fits the North London New Man type. About the only comparison they will make is with John Cusack in High Fidelity."}, {"response": 466, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Apr 29, 2002 (13:20)", "body": "My younger son went to see AAB yesterday. He has (I think) surprisingly sound judgement for someone his age. He said that AAB was okay-ish, but in no way as good as the book."}, {"response": 467, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 30, 2002 (07:27)", "body": "Thought you'd all enjoy this: A hot summer boxoffice season appears under way, as new, audience-friendly product is reaching the overseas market at an earlier stage than usual. \"About a Boy,\" the Hugh Grant comedy-drama from Universal and Working Title, joined early birds \"The Scorpion King,\" \"Panic Room\" and \"Ice Age\" as a strong international contender by kicking off at No. 1 in the United Kingdom with a mighty $5.5 million (with previews) from 446 screens. It is hailed as the biggest opening for a British film this year. Overseas distributor United International Pictures is releasing \"Boy\" in a pattern similar to that of last year's \"Bridget Jones' Diary,\" which picked up $60.3 million in a long U.K. run and hit the rest of the world during June, July and August."}, {"response": 468, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Apr 30, 2002 (08:52)", "body": "Guardian Film reports that AAB opened with \ufffd3.7million, the third biggest opener this year, behind Monsters Inc and Oceans Eleven. It's pretty good, I must admit :-( (although lags behind BJD which opened with nearly \ufffd6million on fewer screens!) But Huge has another major success on his hands and can call all the shots. Guardian Film also reports that RZ is starting filming a romantic comedy in May, with Ewan McGregor. Natasha Richardson (Dora?)is also filming in May, with Ralph Fiennes."}, {"response": 469, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 30, 2002 (17:40)", "body": "IMO AAB succeeding in the US bodes well for all Britsh films. There's room for both he and CF. HG has been around a long time with a string of hits. It's not as if they are competing for the same roles.They have different styles of acting."}, {"response": 470, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  1, 2002 (07:10)", "body": "Colin's not suitable for this, but I thought I'd post it anyway: Brit's a Fit for 'Stage' NEW YORK (Variety) - British director Richard Eyre (\"Iris\") is attached to take the helm of \"Compleat Female Stage Beauty,\" a comedic drama set in 17th century England. Based on playwright Jeffrey Hatcher's work of the same title, the Artisan Pictures project tells the story of a leading stage actor who is playing women's roles in 1661 England. When the king declares it illegal for men to act in women's roles, the great thesp finds himself downsized. Robert De Niro's Tribeca Films will produce the film with Artisan. \"It is incredibly gratifying to marry the right material with the right director,\" said Rachel Cohen, Artisan's senior VP of acquisitions and production. \"In this case, we have a complex script that is funny, tragic and sexy, and we are pleased that Richard will bring his immense artistic abilities to our film.\" \"Iris\" garnered a supporting actor Oscar for Jim Broadbent and nominations for Judi Dench and Kate Winslet for actress and supporting actress, respectively. As director of the Royal National Theater in London, Eyre directed 27 productions, including \"Guys and Dolls,\" Christopher Hampton's \"White Chameleon\" and Tennessee Williams' \"The Night of the Iguana.\" He recently helmed the Broadway revival of Arthur Miller's \"The Crucible.\""}, {"response": 471, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May  1, 2002 (08:17)", "body": "\"He [Richard Eyre]recently helmed the Broadway revival of Arthur Miller's \"The Crucible.\" Which has been nominated for Drama Desk Best Revival of a Play as well as Liam Neeson as Best Actor in a Revival. Wonder how enchanted RE is with CF since he bolted from Sue Birtwistle's Armadillo?"}, {"response": 472, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, May  1, 2002 (09:25)", "body": "How do we know he bolted? He was too old for that part IMO anyway."}, {"response": 473, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May  1, 2002 (11:45)", "body": "A&E verified that Colin was in the cast. (Allison)He was too old for that part IMO anyway. Think so?Maybe now...but two years ago we didn't think so. We have yet to see it. BTW I did like James Frain as Edmund in King Lear. Good stage presence, and he did project clearly the night we saw him."}, {"response": 474, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, May  1, 2002 (12:47)", "body": "I did like James Frain as Edmund in King Lear. I am glad he was okay when you saw him. He was obviously having a bad attack of the mumbles on the night we went;-)"}, {"response": 475, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, May  1, 2002 (13:36)", "body": "(Evelyn) A&E verified that Colin was in the cast. If memory serves, they didn't. I think the term used was that he was 'involved' in the project and/or something else to do with writing. I recall expecting imminent further confirmation that he was to star. Next thing we knew, James Frain was attached."}, {"response": 476, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  1, 2002 (14:20)", "body": "Next thing? Yeah, after about six months. *winkie winkie* and another *winkie* for good measure."}, {"response": 477, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, May  1, 2002 (14:50)", "body": "*winkie right back atcha* Oh yes, the saga dragged on and on. No matter, is H2O under the bridge, as they say. At least the book was a good read. ;-)"}, {"response": 478, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, May  1, 2002 (15:32)", "body": "watched Fever Pitch for the first time last night (yes, i know. i'm a couple of years behind everyone else...) THOSE CURLS! LOL!"}, {"response": 479, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, May  1, 2002 (16:50)", "body": "NO, you are not a few years behind everyone else-at least not too far behind me.I saw FP for the first time in Feb. It has become one of my favorite CF films. I just ordered the screenplay from a woman in the UK. I didn't even see BJD until January-I can't bear to think that I missed that one on the big screen."}, {"response": 480, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  1, 2002 (21:16)", "body": "I saw About a Boy tonight and it is seriously funny. Hugh is quite good and he only did one trademark \"embarrassed\" bit. But the audience really enjoyed this one. I overheard this woman next to me say it was \"great.\" Men were laughing loudly. It's done in a mainstream comedy fashion unlike High Fidelity. Where you had Cusack talking to the audience, here you have Hugh doing voiceovers of his actual thoughts and they are a riot. The directors were there and took Q&A afterward. When they introduced the film, they welcomed us to the \"directors' cut\" and commended us for coming to see the 5-1/2 hour version. That set the tone. These guys were a riot and said some rather funny but slamming things against various filmmaking entities (here and there). Oh yes, the kid who played Marcus looked like he should be Leonard Nimoy's son. It's going to do extremely well here. No one is going to make a big deal about whether HG's doing a north London accent or not. They are going to think he's brilliant and perfect for the part."}, {"response": 481, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, May  2, 2002 (07:32)", "body": "AAB will do very well world-wide, there's no doubt. Hugh's new bad-guy sexy single image is also working well for him...Heat magazine carries an interview in which he talks about his split with Liz, Divine B. and who he finds sexy . CF can't compete! My main concern is that this will impact on TEOR, if/when it goes ahead. Huge has terrific clout. And he's clever. He described the original screenplay for BJD as \"crap\" (Andrew Davies must love him!) and said that Richard Curtis worked wonders on it (to his benefit)...he also counted the one liners to see who had the most funny lines. TEOR allows Mark Darcy to evolve into a much more lively character with a sharp sense of humour. I can't see Huge accepting the AD script if Darcy dominates or allowing Darcy to be anything other than stuffy.And I think he now has the power to demand and get exactly what he wants...which won't be TEOR as we know it. :-( I may be wrong. :-) Sharon Maguire's \"Eustace Diamonds\" has an excellent and sympathetic lead role in the barrister Frank Greystock. But, who knows?..."}, {"response": 482, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  2, 2002 (07:49)", "body": "I meant to comment on this last night: (Bethan) My younger son went to see AAB yesterday. He has (I think) surprisingly sound judgement for someone his age. He said that AAB was okay-ish, but in no way as good as the book. This movie is so, not aimed at the usual demographic (boys 14-25 or whatever it is exactly). This is a movie for adults, I'd say 30-something and older, to truly appreciate. Moreover, it surpasses anything Richard Curtis does. There's no potty humor or lines that make you want to cringe. In fact, there's not a bad line in whole movie. Yes, they've made lots of changes from the book (details on that are vague now) and most people won't notice or care. As far as Hugh's influence on the course of TEOR, I'm not losing sleep over it."}, {"response": 483, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May  2, 2002 (08:01)", "body": "Sounds like Hugh and Richard Curtis have grown up on AAB. There's a fabulous review on \"The Trades:\" http://www.the-trades.com/column.php?columnid=1110 \"To be completely honest, Grant may have the best performance of his career in ?Boy.? He conveys smart, classy, lazy, and sleazy without ever losing the character. Grant is amazing because he is able to juggle the dramatic and the comedic with ease. While he performed much of the same in ?Notting Hill,? Grant steps beyond that role by freeing himself of his puppy-dog image. He doesn?t whimper or puddle-hop. Grant grabs the story by the balls, because that is what Will needs. Grant wins over EVERY scene he is in.\" Maybe I'll go see it; had planned to wait til it came on the telly;-)"}, {"response": 484, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, May  2, 2002 (08:07)", "body": "As far as Hugh's influence on the course of TEOR, I'm not losing sleep over it. Why not? Don't you care? Or do you have a large supply of temazepam? ;-)"}, {"response": 485, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  2, 2002 (08:31)", "body": "by freeing himself of his puppy-dog image. The Weitzes said they wouldn't allow Hugh to fall back on his safety net (floppy hair) but said he had such an understanding of the character that they didn't need to give him much direction. They considered him perfect for the role. Initially, I had thought about raising my hand and asking why they didn't cast Colin in the role, but it seemed rather ridiculous considering all the praise Hugh was getting. (Allison) Why not? Don't you care? Or do you have a large supply of temazepam? ;-) Well, as a matter of fact temazepam doesn't work for me, but... ;-D I put this in the Doris Day \"Que Sera Sera\" category."}, {"response": 486, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, May  2, 2002 (08:52)", "body": "While he performed much of the same in Notting Hill,?Grant steps beyond that role by freeing himself of his puppy-dog image From the clips I've seen, he's still a variation on North London middle class Hugh Grant. When he convinces as Shylock or Quasimodo, then I'll start applauding! ;-) But I'm not very objective about Huge at the moment.. ;-)"}, {"response": 487, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  2, 2002 (09:14)", "body": "(Bethan) When he convinces as Shylock or Quasimodo, then I'll start applauding! ;-) Are we not setting the bar a little high? Remind me again when Colin played such roles in recent memory? ;-)))"}, {"response": 488, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May  2, 2002 (09:21)", "body": "But I'm not very objective about Huge at the moment.. ;-) LOL or ever;-) Hugh is not a dramatic actor, he never purports to be. He's got a niche (smart man!).In this film apparently he's successfully stretching it. Me thinks he's more popular in the US than in the UK."}, {"response": 489, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, May  2, 2002 (09:59)", "body": "Me thinks he's more popular in the US than in the UK. That is the truth! Wasn't there a poll in the Daily Mirror of all places in which readers were asked whom they preferred HG or CF and it was something like CF 78% HG the rest? We may not be a literate race but we definitely have good taste in men ;-)"}, {"response": 490, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May  2, 2002 (11:57)", "body": "We may not be a literate race but we definitely have good taste in men ;-) LOL! God one, Allison, and just think, Colin helped it along. ;-)"}, {"response": 491, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, May  2, 2002 (16:04)", "body": "On reflection, I think I'll just be happy if we have a BJD2, even if it's not TEOR, even if Daniel gets the gal! So many projects seem to bite the dust. If the Huge connection gets the sequel off the ground/opens up the market, all to the good!"}, {"response": 492, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, May  2, 2002 (16:27)", "body": "even if Daniel gets the gal! bite your tongue! :-) *shudder* okay, i can see him coming back to make a play for her again. Afterall, she turned HIM down after the fight scene. Not something he's going to get over very easily. (he thinks he's better than she is -or at least higher up on that stupid proveribal male ladder) But it would have to be his trying to woo her away from MD -like some sort of compition. So you're right. It would be BJD2 not TEOR. oh well."}, {"response": 493, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, May  3, 2002 (03:11)", "body": "Seems like BJD The Sequel is on...see my posting at #149."}, {"response": 494, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  3, 2002 (06:53)", "body": "Now, here's a Hamlet I wouldn't mind seeing: Christopher Eccleston is to play Hamlet at the West Yorkshire Playhouse this autumn. The TV and film star last appeared on stage two years ago in Miss Julie in the West End. The production of Hamlet opens in Leeds on October 25. It will be directed by Ian Brown, associate artistic director of the West Yorkshire Playhouse."}, {"response": 495, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, May  3, 2002 (09:28)", "body": "RZ was on the Today Show this morning. She'll be in NY this weekend for the Revlon walk/run for breast cancer. She also mention she'll be in Chicago (I didn't catch when)to film a musical based on Chicago. Karen, maybe you'll be able to ask Ms. Jones directly about TEoR. Did the DM article say that RZ's body double was asked to do it again IF she signs or because she did sign on to do the sequel?"}, {"response": 496, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May  3, 2002 (10:00)", "body": "RZ was also on The View. She is running tomorrow in NYC in the Revlon Walk/Run for Cancer research. She is running in honor of a dear friend who recently had breast cancer.Renee is sporting brown hair with a blond streak. She was v. earnest, not giggly as usual. and I thought her voice was not as high-pitched as during the BJD promos. The whole crowd on the View is running... Barbara Walters said she'd be in the stands!!"}, {"response": 497, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, May  3, 2002 (12:22)", "body": "Wow, Bridget Jones coming to Karen's Windy City!"}, {"response": 498, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  3, 2002 (12:48)", "body": "The movie musical \"Chicago\" has already been filmed (and it was done in Toronto). If RZ is coming here, maybe it's for another breast cancer event."}, {"response": 499, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, May  3, 2002 (15:30)", "body": "Karen, I'm not completely sure, but she is doing another cancer appearance in LA. I'm almost sure that she was going to Chicago for a film,because she was asked if she ever sang and danced before. This was part of the discussion on going to Chicago-I missed the \"when\" part."}, {"response": 500, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May  6, 2002 (08:11)", "body": "From IndieWire: Why Studio Remakes Don't Suck; U.S. Versions Rebound Foreign Originals, From Korea to \"Insomnia\" With its seemingly complete absence of original ideas, it's no surprise to see Hollywood harvesting scenarios from overseas. After all, there has to come a certain point in time when they've exhausted every comic book, video game, TV show, and action movie franchise. This summer alone, reports the New York Times, at least 16 movies fall into the category of sequel, prequel, spinoff, or remake. [Ed note: Was there a mention of TIOBE?] So in their never-ending search for stories that have already proven themselves, studio execs at companies big and small are now looking to foreign hits. This month, Christopher Nolan makes his studio directing debut with a remake of 1997 Norwegian suspenser \"Insomnia.\" Even independents got into the act: Samuel Goldwyn's English-language, Latin-accented \"Tortilla Soup,\" a remake of Ang Lee's \"Eat Drink Man Woman,\" grossed a formidable $4.5 million for distribution arm IDP last year. Recently, Hollywood has looked even further astray, with Korea emerging as a new hotbed of adaptable product. Last year, Miramax opened the floodgates, becoming the first company to purchase the remake rights to a Korean film: Cho Jin-kyu's \"My Wife Is a Gangster,\" a blockbuster about a female gang boss who marries an unsuspecting man. Not to be outdone by the Weinsteins, MGM recently purchased the rights to Kwan Park's \"Hi, Dharma,\" another hit about a group of fleeing gangsters who take refuge in a monastery; Dreamworks acquired Kwak Jae-yong's romantic comedy \"My Sassy Girl,\" to be made by Madonna's Maverick Films; and just last month, Warner Brothers acquired the rights to Lee Hyun-seung's \"Il Mare,\" which tells the story of a man and woman living two years apart who are able to communicate with each other through a time-defying mailbox. While American audiences may never see the originals, the remake craze is helping sustain a Korean film boon. Last year, locally produced films nabbed the top five box office spots. \"With the increased interest of Hollywood studios in remaking Korean films, local production companies have discovered a potentially lucrative new source of revenue,\" states the Korean Film Commission's website. \"It's better to be sold for a remake than not to be sold at all,\" says Kwang Woo Noh, who works for the Korean Film Commission. Noh feels that Korean blockbusters face a double bind: They won't reach a wide U.S. audience because of Americans' fear of subtitles, but releasing the films in arthouse theaters won't work either, because the movies are mainly big-budget popcorn fare. \"These Korean films have not been circulated through the U.S. art/foreign cinema market because they are not categorized as 'art cinema',\" he explains. \"If you saw 'Shiri,'\" he continues, referring to the 1999 action-thriller that beat out \"Titanic\" at the Korean box office, \"you might wonder why this film was released through art cinema theaters.\" Distributed in the U.S. by IDP, the same company that released \"Tortilla Soup,\" \"Shiri\" tanked, grossing less than a $100,000. So, how to get these stories to U.S. shores? Answer: the studio remake. Like the Korean blockbusters, high concept genre films (without U.S. distribution possibilities) appear to be the number one item on studio's shopping lists. Universal Pictures recently purchased Hideo Nakata's \"Kaosu\" (Chaos), which involves a kidnapping plot; and two of the Japanese horror director's other films have also been bought for remakes: \"Ringu,\" about a videotape which leads to serial deaths, has been revamped by Gore Verbinksi (\"The Mexican\"), starring Naomi Watts, and another is in the works for \"Dark Water,\" the director's latest about a woman who moves into a haunted apartment with her six-year-old daughter. Also in the works is an English version of Hong Kong action guru Johnny To's \"The Mission,\" to be written by Christopher McQuarrie (\"The Usual Suspects\"). But what about those foreign movies that have already distinguished themselves on American soil? French-language action film \"La Femme Nikita\" broke $5 million in 1991 for Samuel Goldwyn, while the Bridget Fonda remake \"Point of No Return\" came and went with a modest $30 million for Warner Bros. Meyer Gottlieb, President of Samuel Goldwyn Films, which also released the original \"Three Men and a Cradle\" (remade as \"Three Men a Baby\"), says that awareness for the foreign originals increases after a studio remake. \"The ancillary values absolutely increase,\" he explains. \"It increases the value of the film and expands its financial life, especially now with video and DVDs.\" \"I definitely think remakes help the originals,\" agrees Gary Springer, who represents Norsk Film, the company that sold the Norwegian film \"Insomnia\" to U.S. indie distributor First Run Features, and then handled the Warner Brothers deal to remake the picture. Springer quotes a recent item in industry magazine, Sh"}, {"response": 501, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May  6, 2002 (09:13)", "body": "Christopher Nolan makes his studio directing debut with a remake of 1997 Norwegian suspenser \"Insomnia.\" Didn't he direct \"Memento\"? Not exactly a debutant, IMO. Not too many original ideas. \"Dark Water,\" the director's latest about a woman who moves into a haunted apartment with her six-year-old daughter. The Others. \"Il Mare,\" which tells the story of a man and woman living two years apart who are able to communicate with each other through a time-defying mailbox. Father and son through a radio, (Dennis Quaid's movie). These are probably considered safe bets."}, {"response": 502, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May  6, 2002 (15:06)", "body": "Tony nominations were announced today: Best Revival of a Play: Private Lives, The Crucible, Noises Off and Morning's at Seven [Overlooked: Elephant Man] Best Actress in a Play; Lindsay duncan Private Lives, Helen Mirren, Mercedes Ruehl, Laura Linney The Crucible Best Actor in a Play: Alan Bates, Billy Crudup, Liam Neeson, Alan rickman, [Overlooked: Ian McKellen] Best Director: Howard Davies Private lives, Richard Eyre Crucible, & others Best Director in a Musical Trevor Nunn for Oklahoma!Among others. Full List: http://www.broadway.com/buzz/headlines.cfm?story_id=1004772&ssection_id=7"}, {"response": 503, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May  6, 2002 (15:41)", "body": "I am not crazy about this. :-( From the Daily Telegraph: MARTIN AMIS is to launch himself on Hollywood by adapting a Jane Austen novel into a romantic comedy film for teenagers. Amis, the author of dark satires such as London Fields and Money, is writing the screenplay for Northanger Abbey, the only Austen novel not to have been made into a feature film. Last week Amis confirmed his new role, and said he was already halfway through writing the screenplay, which he expected to finish by July. \"I am greatly enjoying it,\" he said. \"Jane Austen is a genius, and Northanger Abbey is hugely underrated.\" Amis is replacing Andrew Davies, the British scriptwriter who adapted Pride and Prejudice and Emma for the screen, who left the project three years ago after falling out with Harvey Weinstein, the president of Miramax Pictures, the film production company. Mr Davies objected to the \"teen flick\" treatment of the story being promoted by Mr Weinstein, who was said to have originally favoured turning the book into a \"high-school drama\". Mr Davies wrote two drafts of the script before he left the project because he did not agree with the interpretation. \"I think Harvey wanted to drag it in the direction of a teen flick,\" said Mr Davies last week. \"The book does have the youngest of all Jane Austen's heroines, and with the Gothic horror element of the book I guess there was a temptation to think of teen movies like Scream and meld it all together. But I felt uncomfortable about moving too far away from the original book.\" The novel, which is a spoof on Gothic horror tales such as Frankenstein, features the youngest of all Austen's heroines, Catherine Morland. The 15-year-old daughter of a clergyman, Catherine is taken to Bath for the season. While there, she meets Henry Tilney - the son of an eccentric Army general - who invites her to stay at his medieval mansion, Northanger Abbey. Somewhat unhinged by reading too many books such as Horace Walpole's The Castle of Otrano and Ann Radcliffe's The Mysteries of Udolpho, Catherine imagines that Henry's father, Gen Tilney, has murdered his wife. When the general discovers that she is not the rich heiress he thought she was, she is thrown out of the house and he forbids his son from having anything to do with her. Disobeying his father he follows Catherine to her home, and proposes to her, and is accepted. According to Alison Owen, the film's producer, the project will be \"a romantic comedy with the emphasis on the romantic\", set in Bath and the surrounding countryside. She said that Amis was \"incredibly informed about Jane Austen\" and had some \"great ideas\" about how to re-structure the script. Amis, 53, has won plaudits for his numerous books. However, his film-writing career has gone largely unnoticed. In 1980 he wrote the screenplay for Saturn 3, a science-fiction film which received poor reviews and featured the unlikely pairing of Farrah Fawcett and Harvey Keitel. He also helped with the script for Tim Burton's film Mars Attacks, but later said that although he had \"highly enjoyed it, it did not contain a word I wrote\"."}, {"response": 504, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, May  7, 2002 (17:30)", "body": "Well, considering the original \"Northanger Abbey\" from BBC, he can't do that bad. Christopher Nolan obviously isn't a debutante, but it is his first 'STUDIO' film. I think the casting of Insomnia looks fantastic. Robin Williams as a psycho???? who'da thunk???? :)"}, {"response": 505, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May  7, 2002 (20:28)", "body": "From Variety--This should be right up his alley: HBO IN FAMILIAR TERRITORY: HBO has greenlit an adaptation of William Trevor's novel \"My House in Umbria,\" and has reteamed \"The Gathering Storm\" duo of director Richard Loncraine and scribe Hugh Whitemore. Maggie Smith is set to star as a former madam-turned bed and breakfast owner in Umbria, who is riding on a train that explodes and invites the survivors to convalesce at her B&B. Ann Wingate is producing, and Frank Doelger is exec producer. Hotchkiss & Associates, repping Sterling Lord and London-based lit agency PFD, is shopping Trevor's new novel, \"The Story of Lucy Gault.\""}, {"response": 506, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May  7, 2002 (21:43)", "body": "You must mean his \"vicolo\" ;-D"}, {"response": 507, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May  8, 2002 (06:28)", "body": "Karen), You must mean his \"vicolo\" ;-D Ma che brava, Karen! Stai imparando l'italiano per quest'estate? Ci vediamo al Lago. :-D (Laura), Christopher Nolan obviously isn't a debutante, but it is his first 'STUDIO' film. I think the casting of Insomnia looks fantastic. Robin Williams as a psycho???? who'da thunk???? :) I like RW, but I've seen the previews and they look awful. Al Pacino overacts in everything, he's a terrible actor. As luck would have it the original Insomnia was on IFC last night and it was very good. Very involved on many levels, quite interesting. I don't think Nolan will shine from this."}, {"response": 508, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, May  8, 2002 (07:53)", "body": "...And just whose \"vicolo\" are we discussing?"}, {"response": 509, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May  8, 2002 (08:19)", "body": "And just whose \"vicolo\" are we discussing? Is there anyone else that commands so much of our attention around here? ;-)"}, {"response": 510, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, May  8, 2002 (09:21)", "body": "Commanding v.much attention lately!"}, {"response": 511, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May  8, 2002 (14:12)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SUE"}, {"response": 512, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May  8, 2002 (14:17)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Sue! Now picture the CF RE duo singing it properly. ;-D"}, {"response": 513, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  8, 2002 (16:43)", "body": "Sue!! Have a great day and celebrate tonight!"}, {"response": 514, "author": "caribou", "date": "Wed, May  8, 2002 (18:30)", "body": "And, now for the boring (but heartfelt) version: Happy Birthday! Many returns of the day. It certainly shouldn't be hard to find presents to buy for yourself these days. :-)"}, {"response": 515, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, May  8, 2002 (18:55)", "body": "Moon, I taped the original Insomnia last night (the 2am as I didn't realize until AFTER Buffy, that it was on); am interested to see it. Coincindence that I just found out from reading Karen that \"Insomnia\" is a re-make! (but Stellan Staargard is in it, and well, I really like him!) :) Happy Birthday, Sue!!!!!"}, {"response": 516, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May  9, 2002 (06:30)", "body": "(but Stellan Staargard is in it, and well, I really like him!) :) And he is excellent as usual. Let us know what you think, Laura. OTT, don't you think that lesbian thing on Buffy is totally uneccesary? Do we really need to see that those two want to kiss and stay in bed and naked as much as possible? I know you let Rebecca watch. What is this telling young girls? Go out and experiment with your girlfriends, it's cool. This world is so screwed up!"}, {"response": 517, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  9, 2002 (08:34)", "body": "Lots of write-ups about the opening of the TFF in the press, but I thought this one the best, from Fox News : DeNiro, Hugh Grant Save Tribeca Last night, the first Tribeca Film Festival kicked off with a fine new comedy, About a Boy, starring Hugh Grant. You can thank Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Usama bin Laden for this festival. It was created in the aftermath of September 11 to help revitalize the neighborhood around the World Trade Center. And I can tell you that it's worked already. Just walking toward the Tribeca Performing Arts Center last night, you could see life has returned to this shell-shocked neighborhood. The twin towers are missing but the people are back, largely due to the efforts of De Niro and Rosenthal. Earlier in the day, Mayor Mike Bloomberg welcomed De Niro, Rosenthal, Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela and a bunch of celebrities to City Hall for the kick-off. Hugh Grant is still getting ribbed for using the word \"buttocks\" in his speech in front of Mandela. The screenings of About a Boy, directed by the Weitz brothers, took up two theaters in the shadow of Ground Zero, and drew hundreds of people to the Tribeca neighborhood. After the screening, revelers were taken on double decker buses over to the Regent Wall Street ballroom, recently the site of Liza Minnelli's crazy wedding, for a celebrity-packed party. Among the stars were Billy Joel, Billy Crystal, Chazz Palminteri, Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt, as well as Grant, the Weitzes, Nora Ephron and a clutch of New York boldfaced names. De Niro made a quick appearance at the reception, but Grant stayed and took pictures with fans. He even accepted proposals from various young women. Grant politely told one blonde who'd worked her way up to him, \"Thank you for the invitation, but I don't have much of a life right now. I just go to work, come home, sleep and go back to work.\" [Ed note: No name, hometown or age. It can be done.] He's been filming a new comedy with Sandra Bullock around New York. Grant did make plans to play golf with actor Kyle MacLachlan, however, and gossiped for a few minutes with Ben Chaplin about their nightclubbing plans for later in the evening. Indeed, the whole gang moved on to Bungalow 8 for an after hours retreat. Grant is overwhelmingly polite in person. When we were finally introduced he said, \"If I'd known you were a journalist I would have been nicer to you.\" He declined to comment on Elizabeth Hurley and Steven Bing's paternity issues, though. \"We can't go down that road,\" he said. He said that making About a Boy had been \"hard work\" and that, since he made the film about a single man who faces a crossroads, he was determined to have a child \"by the end of June.\" Hadn't the movie aroused paternalfeelings in him, I wondered? \"Yes, I'm very aroused now,\" he quipped."}, {"response": 518, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, May  9, 2002 (09:18)", "body": "Moon, e-mail me at lauram34@attbi.com"}, {"response": 519, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May  9, 2002 (09:53)", "body": "HG is v. witty. Thanks Boss."}, {"response": 520, "author": "susanne", "date": "Thu, May  9, 2002 (10:47)", "body": "Thanks to all for the birthday greetings. It was a nice surprise esp. since birthdays are getting harder to face each year. :-))"}, {"response": 521, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (07:19)", "body": "It would appear that the Argentinian film Nine Queens is finally making its way across the country. I saw it last year at our FF and it's excellent. Moreover, there was a certain irony in that Mamet's The Heist was the big gala opening film here in his old hometown, but this little film out-Mameted Mamet's by miles. Here's the opening from Ebert's review today: Fabian Bielinsky's \"Nine Queens\" is a con within a con within a con. There comes a time when we think we've gotten to the bottom, and then the floor gets pulled out again and we fall another level. Since nothing is as it seems (it doesn't even seem as it seems), watching the film is like observing a chess game in which all of the pieces are in plain view but one player has figured out a way to cheat. \"David Mamet might kill for a script as good,\" Todd McCarthy writes in Variety. True, although Mamet might also reasonably claim to have inspired it; the set-up owes something to his \"House of Games,\" although familiarity with that film will not help you figure out this one."}, {"response": 522, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (07:30)", "body": "I just read that the following films recently tanked: Human Nature, Crushed,and Stolen Summer (the HBO series). Very discouraging for small indies. Wonder what the percentage is that make it."}, {"response": 523, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (07:38)", "body": "And... Anybody see HG on the Letterman Show...(yeah, I stayed up!) He was v. funny. Impersonation of Robt. De Niro hilarious. He sorta takes over. Takes the ball and runs.Dave just sat back and laughed. I can see why Dave would like him on."}, {"response": 524, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (07:45)", "body": "There's a reason for this. From Cindy Adams' column: The set of \"Le Divorce,\" the film that marks the 40th year of producer Ismail Merchant and director James Ivory's work together, was high-class, high-toned, high-quality organized chaos. Kate Hudson had to reshoot because they had to relight because a glass door near her reflected the camera. Matthew Modine worried that the dark dye they spritzed on his hair would run down his face in an upcoming rain scene. Somebody worried, has anyone heard from Glenn Close? Nobody had. Somebody worried, does anyone know where's Bebe Neuwirth? Somebody said she's back in Paris. That somebody was me. She'd returned from her one day in New York on my same Concorde flight. And then there was that business of the catering van - ovens, pans, vegetables and all - being stolen and a crew of 60 needing lunch. That's not to mention the flat in the Marais district, which was the setting for the home of Naomi Watts' character. This real apartment with the real john which the film's real people were using has a real problem. No toilet paper. \"Le Divorce,\" Diane Johnson's 1997 Dutton best seller about a divorcing husband found murdered, his body tossed in a trash bin, was to star Winona Ryder, but, as you may have heard, Winona was busted starring in her own homemade drama about a shoplifter. Its other stars are Stockard Channing, Sam Waterston, Leslie Caron and the gorgeous young Frenchman Melvil Poupaud, whose death scene was about to be filmed and who said to me at lunch: \"I go now to be dead. I aftair see you again.\" [Ed note: And this is the part we all thought Colin would have.] Following such as \"Jefferson in Paris,\" with Nick Nolte, and \"The Proprietor,\" with Jeanne Moreau, \"Le Divorce\" is Merchant-Ivory's eighth film shot here. With a permanent office and permanent apartment in Paris, they are obviously at home with cultural differences, like the shout \"Coupez\" instead of \"cut\" at the conclusion of each take. But differences there are. In Hollywood, skinny health-conscious actresses do leaves for lunch, plus Evian. Here, the cafe commandeered by the production office served pork chops in gravy with fried potatoes. Another lunch served breaded veal cutlet laying in spaghetti. It's alternative? Ox tail with mashed potatoes. And shove the Evian. The table had a pitcher of tap water, a jug of red wine and everybody smoking. One crew member with a Yankee accent sighed: \"Man, do I ever need a tuna on rye.\" And everybody's a hyphenate. I met a Jean-Claude, Jean-Pierre, Jean-Marc, Jean-Phillipe, Jean-Marie, Jean-Georges, and Jean somebody else. And all the props were schlepped in shopping bags that said Hermes or Vuitton. And what do movie folk talk about on a set? Kate Hudson said, before she was famous, before she made \"Almost Famous\" she had to reintroduce herself to people who didn't recall having met her. These same faces now tell her how talented and beautiful she is. That's why, she claims, she might live in New York, but never Hollywood. Australia's Naomi Watts who \"loves living in Hollywood\" arrived in Paris underweight \"so every morning I eat bread and chocolate and at 11 I have another snack of a baguette with cheese.\" Matthew Modine: \"I have a cell phone that you can type messages on. Unfortunately, it's French and has spell check. I type in English and the thing corrects in French so all my messages get screwed up.\" Bebe Neuwirth: \"My boyfriend's with me and he's never been to France. My part isn't big, so we're having a wonderful experience enjoying Paris. Please don't let Ismail know I'm having such a good time.\" Ismail, who said movie execs \"fainted\" at his low $13 million budget, said : \"I must find a way to cut Bebe's salary.\" Stockard Channing: \"When James Ivory asked did I want to do this in Paris, I said, \ufffdPlease . . . can we leave now?' \" James Ivory told us his father worked for Thomas Edison in Edison's New Jersey laboratory: \"Workers who had any creative ideas had to push them through a slot in Edison's door. He'd then patent them as his own. The workers never got any money or income. Edison wasn't an inventor. He was a marketer.\" When time came for me to say goodbye, Ismail patted me on the cheek. And left ink marks all over me. He'd used his palm to write notes."}, {"response": 525, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (09:10)", "body": "Funny tidbits, thanks, Karen. Edison wasn't an inventor. He was a marketer.\" Bad points for Ivory. Human Nature is excellent. Please rent it when it becomes available. Anybody see HG on the Letterman Show... I did too, Evelyn. He was a good guest. Liked the line that he attracts the 60's and above and Bob the 20's and above. I have never seen anyone so out there to plug a movie (AAB). Usually guests are nonchalant about showing the clips and not sure of what they would be seeing. HG wanted to show it and was very prepared."}, {"response": 526, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (11:56)", "body": "I missed the beginning of Hugh, as I was checking out Kiefer on Leno. But Hugh never fails to amuse. You have to give it to him. He's a great guest on these shows."}, {"response": 527, "author": "caribou", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (14:21)", "body": "(Evelyn) He sorta takes over. Takes the ball and runs.Dave just sat back and laughed. That is precisely what all of them are supposed to to. The producer calls and finds out what humorous antecdotes the star wants to tell and then writes down the questions Dave is supposed to ask to get the story started. Dave likes to mix it up and sometimes asks something off the wall but, when the star can figure out which antecdote Dave is asking about it works. It shouldn't be that hard for professionals - the writers will make it humorous if the star can't. Tom Cruise finally survived the ordeal; now I'd like to see ODB in the hot seat!"}, {"response": 528, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (16:20)", "body": "From Ananova: Gwyneth Paltrow's West End debut has been hailed as a triumph with one critic describing her performance as \"almost flawless\". The actress took to the stage in the play Proof at London's Donmar Warehouse. She is the latest in a long line of A-list stars to choose British theatre over big-budget Hollywood movies. Paltrow, 29, plays the daughter of a mentally disturbed mathematical genius in the production directed by John Madden, with whom she worked on the film Shakespeare in Love. The official first night, when critics will get the chance to rate Paltrow's performance, is not until next week. But one who caught last night's preview said that the star: \"turned in a performance almost flawless in its delivery - and demonstrated that the comic timing she showed in Shakespeare in Love was no fluke\". The Evening Standard's Valentine Low said that Paltrow put in a particularly fine acting performance with her feet, managing \"to use her toes to express annoyance, frustration, unhappiness and a whole range of emotions that some actresses cannot manage with their faces, let alone their feet.\" Paltrow's mother, the actress Blythe Danner, was at last night's show. Paltrow last appeared on stage in The Seagull in Williamstown, Massachusetts opposite her at the age of 21."}, {"response": 529, "author": "Odile", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (16:42)", "body": "Mari, thanks for the background on RE (on topic 162). I can't think of a way to continue my point though, without sounding arrogant and prejudiced towards two fabulous actors I don't know personally. I guess their comments hit a chord: as a blue-collar girl I ended up in a school full of sons of French aristocrats, diplomats, and chateaux owners and learned to dig my heels! :0 Just another question about that quote: what does \"red-brick\" mean in the RE quote \"red-brick guitar-playing communist\"?"}, {"response": 530, "author": "maryw", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (21:32)", "body": "(Odile) Just another question about that quote: what does \"red-brick\" mean in the RE quote \"red-brick guitar-playing communist\"? Don't know if it means the same thing over there but down here \"red brick\" usually refers to the age and, to a snobbish extent - the pedigree, of the university one attends. As in \"Red bricks\" compared to \"Ivy League\" - ie the \"red bricks\" are newer buildings that still show the red brick as against the \"ivy league\" universities - usually prestigious reputation from tradition, achievements etc - whose buildings are now covered with ivy due to age."}, {"response": 531, "author": "Odile", "date": "Sat, May 11, 2002 (00:57)", "body": "Interesting. Thanks Minkee!"}, {"response": 532, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, May 11, 2002 (02:31)", "body": "In the UK redbricks are all the older civic universities which are not Oxbridge. When they were filming AC it would have been everything apart from Oxford and Cambridge. Is not usually a prejorative comment per se; may say more about RE's attitudes than any thing. Re RE. I cannot remember which school he went to but recall that it was one of the top Catholic boys public schools. I think his father was a senior army officer, though might have that wrong. Very establishment compared with CF. Poor young Colin straight out of the trendy Drama Centre would have probably been very intimidated!"}, {"response": 533, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Sat, May 11, 2002 (07:00)", "body": "Everett went to Ampleforth with Julian Wadham and Michael Maloney. Michael hated it."}, {"response": 534, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, May 11, 2002 (07:14)", "body": "\"to use her toes to express annoyance, frustration, unhappiness and a whole range of emotions that some actresses cannot manage with their faces, let alone their feet.\" That should go straight to her portfolio. LOL! It might make Hollywood start awards for \"Best use of body parts\" to express your feelings. ;-) Re RE. I cannot remember which school he went to but recall that it was one of the top Catholic boys public schools. That must why he's so close with Madonna. ;-)"}, {"response": 535, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 11, 2002 (08:18)", "body": "Reminder everyone, Inside the Actor's Studio with Huge will be on Sunday night. I caught a preview snippet. Great answer to the \"dislike\" question at the end. ;-D"}, {"response": 536, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, May 11, 2002 (10:14)", "body": "(RE) (Colin seemed a) red-brick guitar-playing communist. I think this speaks to Colin losing himself in a character. The whole time RE saw him he was Tommy Judd and the description fits. Powerful actor who can fool his co-stars like that! I, for one, am convinced he is Mr. Darcy. ;-)"}, {"response": 537, "author": "Odile", "date": "Sat, May 11, 2002 (17:37)", "body": "Shouldn't RE create a band with CF on guitar, himself on piano and Madonna on vocals? Now what should they call themselves? The Pond Hoppers? :)"}, {"response": 538, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, May 11, 2002 (20:43)", "body": "A much belated Happy Birthday, Sue."}, {"response": 539, "author": "maryw", "date": "Sun, May 12, 2002 (05:17)", "body": "To all the Mothers on Drool : Enjoy your day and let yourself be spoilt! Do not get up...wait for that breakfast in bed and continue to dream on..."}, {"response": 540, "author": "maryw", "date": "Sun, May 12, 2002 (05:23)", "body": "How about that? Finally learned how to put up an image! Yay!"}, {"response": 541, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 13, 2002 (08:02)", "body": "If Rosie O'Donnell's last show is May 22, when will Carolyn Rhea start? Anybody know."}, {"response": 542, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 13, 2002 (08:12)", "body": "Moved from 162, KateF's post: If anyone noticed that Huge was on Actor's Studio last night, don't worry if you missed it. I watched the whole thing waiting for them to get to BJD, but absolutely no reference to Colin (just the same tired thing about Renee's accent--Princess Margaret, the stroke voice, etc). I suppose if they've had Huge on, they won't invite Colin--don't want two Brits in close succession? It was just filmed recently, too, as Lipton mentioned that he and his students had gone to see AAB. No mention of the Tribeca ff either. I had hopes for Actor's Studio this visit. :-(( Saw Simon Callow's \"Mystery of Charles Dickens\" yesterday afternoon. Hung over the rail of 1st row Mezz, scanning the orchestra seats just in case, but no luck. I thought maybe he'd blow off a rainy NY afternoon to see a fellow Brit thesp. (am pathetic and desperate, I know) Oh, well, at least there'll be Breakfast on the 19th!"}, {"response": 543, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, May 13, 2002 (17:00)", "body": "OOOh, I just saw PROOF with Jennifer Jason Leigh... I liked it a lot, but I can't see GP playing that role. (However, JJL, was a bit old for it as well, but was good!!!) Fantastic story!"}, {"response": 544, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, May 13, 2002 (18:46)", "body": "(Kate) (just the same tired thing about Renee's accent--Princess Margaret, the stroke voice, etc). Didn't you want to scream? I tried, but was too busy trying to keep myself from being sucked into the sucking vortex of Jim and Hugh sucking up to eachother. And Evelyn, Huge's constant face pulling made CF's SiL BWTA interview look like a minor itch. ;-)"}, {"response": 545, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, May 13, 2002 (19:00)", "body": "Will add quickly before the lights go out (we seem to be having yet another thunderstorm) that I thought HG was LOL-funny throughout most of the first half hour. He does a good deadpan. However, either HG was playing the actor HG during the interview or his performances aren't very far from his true self. BTW, Newsweek's David Ansen liked AAB very much (then he trashed Star Wars)."}, {"response": 546, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, May 13, 2002 (19:02)", "body": "Will add yet again (sorry!) that I was quite disappointed that HG did not respond to the questionnaire part at the end as follows: JL: Hugh, what is your least-favorite word? HG: Divine. *tsk* ;-)"}, {"response": 547, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 13, 2002 (21:56)", "body": "(Eileen) I thought HG was LOL-funny throughout most of the first half hour. Hey, I thought the whole thing was incredibly entertaining. They could've cut the cutsey bits between Lipton and Hugh was worthless fawning but still how many other actors would've had the nerve to make fun of the foundation of the Actors Studio (you all sit around and cry, don't you?) Divine! LOL!"}, {"response": 548, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (06:41)", "body": "LOL, Eileen! But I agree with Karen. He also put Lipton down more than any other guest I've ever seen."}, {"response": 549, "author": "airstream", "date": "Sat, May 18, 2002 (08:45)", "body": "Sort of and O&E-- Saw AAB. There is an editing goof in the Christmas Day scene. I won't say, being that some of you haven't seen it yet. (Just a silly thing.)"}, {"response": 550, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, May 18, 2002 (09:23)", "body": "AAB getting rave reviews all over the place. USA Today (about as national a paper as we have)gave it a two page spread. Interviews with HG & big photo, Toni Collette, the Weitz Brothers and a review of the film. 3 1/2 stars out of 4. \".....About a Boy is a rarity in many ways. It's a well-written , witty film whose memorable characters grapple with the nature of family, love, friendship and despair. Even its soundtrack, by Badly Drawn Boy is perfectly pitched. In a summer of daring superheroes and intergalactic spectacles, its a pleasure to see a film that doesn't need special effects to be emotionally affecting.\" NH must be ecstatic. Allison, they don't mention that HG isn't representative of a N. Londoner;-)"}, {"response": 551, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, May 18, 2002 (12:42)", "body": "(Evelyn) AAB getting rave reviews all over the place. Even Crosswinds ariticle I quoted on 162. ....About A Boy Hugh Grant plays an irresponsible cad who, in a convoluted attempt to meet women, befriends a 12-year-old boy in need of a father figure.... Couldn't help but notice she used \"convoluted\" for both AAB and TIOBE. :-) Spiderman - \"an entertaining ride\"; Stars Wars was dissed and Disney's The Country Bears (TCB)was unworthy of being written about. I guess that puts TIOBE somewhere behind Spiderman but ahead of TCB.:-) Karen, I hope my humble offering counts as a contribution to the content of Drool. It's hard to be a team player out here in left field. ;-)"}, {"response": 552, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, May 18, 2002 (19:15)", "body": "Just got back from seeing AAB. I found it funny and entertaining. Not quite hilarious and heartwarming. I thought HG was good, but I liked his Daniel Cleaver better. Definitely an alternative to everything else out there right now. The audience loved it. Plenty of Joe and Josephine's there."}, {"response": 553, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (06:57)", "body": "Allison, they don't mention that HG isn't representative of a N. Londoner;-) Okay I'll get back into my box :-( My 23 year-old son enjoyed it BTW."}, {"response": 554, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (07:13)", "body": "The two televised review shows loved AAB as well. Roeper could barely be contained. He said it was not only the best movie he had seen this year, but for several years. (Note: He's precisely the right age to appreciate it.) Many critics have been saying it's the best film out this year and are giving indications they'd put it on their lists. What I've particularly enjoyed is that they are praising the \"intelligent\" script."}, {"response": 555, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (08:32)", "body": "Actresses contemplate Hollywood pressures in new film Rosanna Arquette says she could have featured even more actresses in her new movie. Sharon Stone, Whoopi Goldberg, Meg Ryan and Holly Hunter are among those in Searching For Debra Winger. She revealed at the Cannes Film Festival there were many more who couldn't be used. Arquette's idea was to interview Hollywood's top actresses to discuss the pressures they face, particularly as they hit the age of 40. She was inspired by Winger, who effectively retired at the age of 39. ~~~~~~~~~~~ Speaking of which, did anybody watch the HBO thing on LBJ? Michael Gambon's accent didn't seem very Texan to me. Also, I had no idea that Lady Bird was probably about 30 yrs his junior. Sheesh, they have a nice, winkly older man playing Johnson, and then they have a much younger actress (Felicity Huffman) playing his wife. Are they afraid to have women of the right age playing those parts? Totally ridiculous. No matter how matronly they attempted to make her up, she barely looked older than her two grown daughters."}, {"response": 556, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (08:44)", "body": "AAB BO $8.4 mil. Disappointing. \"Unfaithful\" is hanging in there at #3; real chick-flick too.I guess Richard Gere still grabs 'em. I'll try LBJ tomorrow night...but 3 hours????"}, {"response": 557, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (08:48)", "body": "Not disappointing at all! Far from it. It only played on 1/3 the screens of the biggies. The industry reporters deemed it \"solid.\" That was $8.4 million on 1,200 screens. real chick-flick too.I guess Richard Gere still grabs 'em. It's probably the hot scenes between Olivier Martinez and Diane Lane. I keep hearing her performance is wonderful."}, {"response": 558, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (09:00)", "body": "Here's the full article: Winger' Debates Aging in Hollywood By JOCELYN NOVECK, Associated Press Writer CANNES, France (AP) - So whatever happened to Debra Winger? As it happens, after three Oscar nominations, the star of \"Urban Cowboy,\" \"An Officer and a Gentleman\" and \"Terms of Endearment\" basically retired seven years ago, at age 39. For fellow actress Rosanna Arquette, that fact was enough to launch a movie. Arquette decided to interview Hollywood's top actresses to discuss the pressures and limits they face, particularly as they hit the age of 40. Her goal was to figure out what drove Winger from the business. The result \ufffd \"Searching for Debra Winger\" \ufffd is interesting for the honest responses it evokes from women like Sharon Stone, Whoopi Goldberg, Meg Ryan, Holly Hunter, Jane Fonda and Melanie Griffith, among many others. But the film, which won an out-of-competition slot at the Cannes Film Festival, could be much better organized, and Arquette has a distracting habit of rambling when she herself is on camera. To make the film, Arquette says she just picked up the phone and called women she admired. \"Nobody refused,\" she says, \"and there were so many I couldn't use because we ran out of money.\" The actresses range from younger women like Gwyneth Paltrow, who clearly has no problems now (\"I love my job!\"), to older actresses already bitter and sometimes even struggling for money. Daryl Hannah, the erstwhile mermaid of \"Splash,\" now 41, speaks of being cast as a mother. \"People said, 'don't you mind?' But I was fine with it,\" Hannah says \ufffd until she was given ugly, baggy clothes to wear and an unattractive brown wig. Whoopi Goldberg engages in a comic riff about her expanding derriere, and also talks about the difficulty of finding a man to live with. \"You end up supporting them (financially),\" she says. She concludes succinctly: \"Anybody who is not you, who is living with you, is a problem.\" Sharon Stone, on the other hand, now married and a mother, says that her life is much more fulfilling now than ever before. Then there's Jane Fonda, who tells how she quit the movie business 10 years ago \ufffd simply because on their second date, her now ex-husband Ted Turner told her she'd have to drop her career to be with him. She decided she \"wouldn't regret 10 more movies or five more movies, but I was going to regret lack of intimacy.\" Then, however, Fonda goes into a wistful, tearful description of what she misses about acting \ufffd and one can't help regretting, for her, the choice that she made. Holly Hunter says the irony is that actresses are best in their 40s, just when the roles are dwindling. \"Once I hit 40, I had chops as an actress that I didn't have when I was 30,\" she says, \"and I want to use them.\" The actresses wax funny and bitter at the culture of plastic surgery in Hollywood. Tracey Ullman does an impression of how she'd look with enhanced lips. Frances McDormand, discovered by chance in a hotel bathroom, tells why she plans to remain surgery-free: One day they'll need an actress to play a 54-year-old, she reasons, and no actress will actually look 54 \ufffd so she'll have a corner on the market. Eventually, Arquette \"finds\" Winger. They sit in a backyard and discuss why Winger left \ufffd although she did make a brief comeback in a movie this year by husband Arliss Howard. The roles weren't there, Winger says, and she chose to take care of her kids. \"Anybody who says having kids isn't a sacrifice is lying.\" As an example of her feelings about Hollywood, Winger, now 46, tells how when she was filming \"An Officer and a Gentleman\" in her 20s, the producer came to her trailer with an envelope. She hoped it was to compliment her. \"You look a little bloated in the rushes,\" he said. The envelope contained a water retention pill. Diane Lane says she is so busy with career and motherhood that she doesn't have time for a man. Meg Ryan says she's never been happier, \"and it's not about a guy.\" But French star Emanuelle Beart, beautiful even with messy hair and a cigarette in her mouth, seems to ooze melancholy when she muses that she dreams of \"having a man come to take me and my children away.\""}, {"response": 559, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (11:37)", "body": "\"Unfaithful\" is hanging in there at #3; real chick-flick too.I guess Richard Gere still grabs 'em. No, no, no, it's the cutie, Olivier Martinez. ;-) He was the Horseman on the Roof. (Have you seen that yet, Evelyn?) Frances McDormand, discovered by chance in a hotel bathroom, tells why she plans to remain surgery-free: One day they'll need an actress to play a 54-year-old, she reasons, and no actress will actually look 54 \ufffd so she'll have a corner on the market. LOL! She's a hoot! Lucky to have a hubby that can put her in films. ;-)"}, {"response": 560, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (12:40)", "body": "(E)\"Unfaithful\" is hanging in there at #3; real chick-flick too.I guess Richard Gere still grabs 'em. (Moon)No, no, no, it's the cutie, Olivier Martinez. ;-) He was the Horseman on the Roof. (Have you seen that yet, Evelyn?) Horseman on the Roof???Never even hoid of it. You think Olivier Martinez is the draw to hold that film at #3??"}, {"response": 561, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (14:37)", "body": "You think Olivier Martinez is the draw to hold that film at #3?? ] Hey, he's the father of Juliette Binoche's baby... (or young son); he's adorable and Horseman on the Roof is awesome! Definitely see it. (he and JB were together for a while).."}, {"response": 562, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (15:59)", "body": "Hey, he's the father of Juliette Binoche's baby... No, wait, I thought that was the \"My Left Foot\" actor? (His name escapes me now). Olivier has been together with.. are you ready to fall down? Mira Sorvino. They have been living toigether in Paris. You must rent HotR, Evelyn. I've been raving about it for years, and you haven't heard of it? ;-)"}, {"response": 563, "author": "Odile", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (16:42)", "body": "(Laura)Hey, he's the father of Juliette Binoche's baby... (Moon)No, wait, I thought that was the \"My Left Foot\" actor? (His name escapes me now). Moon, I think you're refering to Daniel Day-Lewis, and he is the dad of Isabelle Adjani's baby I think (I don't know about JB)."}, {"response": 564, "author": "Odile", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (16:43)", "body": "closing tags"}, {"response": 565, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (18:05)", "body": "Thanks Odile, I confused her with Isabel. So Juliet must have fallen for him during the filming of HotR. Hell, I would have too. ;-)"}, {"response": 566, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (18:25)", "body": "Actually, I think Olivier and Juliette were together LONG before they filmed HoTR, her son is btw 4-6, I believe. They were a couple for a long time. (I haven't a clue how I know this, I must've read it somewhere). But hell, didn't know DDL was dad of Isabel Adjani's baby (or young son as he is married to Rebecca (I can't believe I can't remember her last name!!! and he's a local author!!!! ARGH!!!) MAILER!!!!;) no?"}, {"response": 567, "author": "kasey", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (20:06)", "body": "No, Miller. DDL is married to Arthur Miller's daughter. Info courtesy of this month's Playbill. One of the references was to parties where several actors who played the same part were to be found together. \"Oklahoma!'s\" original Laurie at its opening night party:, DDL accompanying his wife and father-in-law to the opening of \"The Crucible\" with the mention that he had played the John Proctor role in a film version. Had no idea 'til I read it who DDL's wife was."}, {"response": 568, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (08:14)", "body": "This was what imdb has to say: Currently dating actress, Mira Sorvino Brother of Vincent Martinez The French tabloid press hotly pursued Olivier during and after the filming of Hussard sur le toit, Le (1995), speculating on a real romance between him and his co-star, Juliette Binoche; the couple threatened to sue one magazine that reported that Binoche was pregnant. (1998) Living with Juliette Binoche Olivier fought as a welterweight in Europe, taking after his father who had also been a pugilist. His Gallic mother was a secretary and his father worked as a mechanic. Then for Juliette Binoche: (September 1993) Son Rapha\ufffdl born. Father is Andre Halle, a professional scuba diver. Had a daughter, Hannah, with French actor Beno\ufffdt Magimel in 2000. (1999-present) Her companion is Beno\ufffdt Magimel"}, {"response": 569, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (11:08)", "body": "Well I guess that ends all the speculation...:)"}, {"response": 570, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (18:18)", "body": "Sorry to sound like an old fart, but . . . do any of these people think about getting married to the people they have babies with?? DDL has kids on 2 continents--as do others I could name.;-) BTW, his wife, Rebecca Miller, is a writer and filmmaker who really does make films--she won the top prize at Sundance this year."}, {"response": 571, "author": "airstream", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (18:41)", "body": "For all your Frenz of the Enz: Neil Finn: IRVING PLAZA Friday, Jul 19 2002 8:00PM"}, {"response": 572, "author": "airstream", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (18:46)", "body": "Well, at least the \"unnamed others\" kept it down to only one! :*)"}, {"response": 573, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (19:06)", "body": "For all your Frenz of the Enz: Neil Finn: IRVING PLAZA Amy, count me among the frenz. I envy you, no enz. :) An *outstanding* live Finn CD, from a recent Australian show, can be had online at Miles Of Music, along with an ample supply of Ryan Adams, Whiskeytown, Townes VanZandt, and other such artists mentioned lately by people of (ahem!) apparently discerning musical tastes."}, {"response": 574, "author": "airstream", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (19:32)", "body": "Thanks for the info--there is also a website (jane music i think, i'll have to check) where you can download live NF shows etc... (I am always encouraged to hear that NF has this sort of underground popularity--sort of like CF, so I guess it can be related in an abstract sort of way and, they do have the same last initial, so therefore can occasionally be mentioned here? whew...one long sentence!) I feel so guilty! :)"}, {"response": 575, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (12:07)", "body": "From MOVIELINE June issue No more Tom Cruise for Cold Mountain.... It will star ex-Nicole Kidman, RZ, and Jude Law! Also a \"redo of Alfred Hitchcock 's 'Strangers on a Train' with Heath Ledger as the caddish tennis player, and Jude Law the psycho\".[ Ed. How many children does JL have;-))] Talking about \"good notices about HG and Sandra Bullock's legal comedy in \"Two Weeks Notice\" [I thought they were still shooting that one ]. \"Now comes word that he may costar ,with the brilliant Emma Thompson, in\" Love Actually\" , which will be the directorial debut of Richard Curtis. ...Grant will play the British prime minister, and if all goes welll, Thompson will play his sister.\"[ Ed. Doesn't sound like a comedy.But with RC ....]"}, {"response": 576, "author": "maryw", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (22:41)", "body": "Evelyn - wasn't there a quote from HG after Sense and Sensibility that he will not ever want to work with Emma Thompson again? From the supreme triviality of TIOBE to the other end of the spectrum - comes this yahoo news bit from Cannes...makes me shudder... Moon - it sounds like this director employed C Nolan's chronology device a la Memento. Cannes VIPs Walk Out on 'Irreversible' Violence Friday May 24 8:36 PM ET Special guests walked out of the official screening of director Gaspar Noe's \"Irreversible\" at Cannes early on Saturday as the violent and sexually explicit film sent shockwaves through the festival. Following a walkout by audience members at a critics screening on Thursday, guests invited to Friday's gala presentation, screened after midnight as opposed to the usual 8:00 p.m. or 10:00 p.m., started leaving within 10 minutes. \"It's disturbing and incredibly violent,\" Todd Rubenstein, an entertainment lawyer from Los Angeles, told Reuters as he left the auditorium. \"Not just the graphic violence and the language but the disorienting camera work made my stomach churn.\" Medics treated a woman after she stumbled out feeling \"nauseous,\" a doorman at the main Lumiere theater said. \"It was too aggressive, too violent,\" said Pascal Gentil, a Tae Kwon Do medallist for France at the Sydney Olympics (news - web sites), as he left with a companion after 15 minutes. \"When I see a film like that I find it hard to imagine what people must have inside them that they are able to make such a thing. I found it sickening.\" Examining a drug-crazed man's violent pursuit of revenge against a twisted pimp he believes is responsible for raping and disfiguring his girlfriend, the film is undeniably shocking and disturbing. The script consists almost entirely of expletives directed against homosexuals and women, and a scene in which Italian actress Monica Bellucci is raped lasts a horrifying 10 minutes. Shown anti-chronologically -- the violent conclusion first followed by sequences taking the viewer back through events -- the film delivers a stomach-churning opening punch set in \"Rectum,\" a sado-masochist gay club. \"DON'T LIKE? DON'T GO\" Franco-Argentine Noe leapt to the defense of his film at a news conference on Friday saying it was just a movie and people didn't have to see it if they didn't want to. \"If people don't want to see it, that's fine. I have walked out of films too. It's not every day that you want to see this kind of thing,\" Noe, 38, told a packed and sometimes heated news conference. \"I have made a film that I like and that is that. If people want to talk about scandal, that is for them.\" After critics had described the film as \"sick,\" \"gratuitous\" and \"brutal\" at the end of Thursday's screening, local newspapers called it the scandal of the festival. National tabloid Aujourd'hui urged readers to boycott the film. But the director, who calls himself \"an image fetishist,\" said the alarm was overblown. One of his actors, Frenchman Vincent Cassel, said Cannes was trying to create a furor. \"We have done nothing to create scandal,\" said Cassel, who is married to Bellucci in real life and plays her boyfriend in the movie. \"Cannes has tried to create a scandal because perhaps Cannes needs a scandal.\" While the director and actors tried calmly to justify the film to the press during the news conference, they said they expected an uneasy reception at the late-night screening. \"When you make a movie like this you have to expect a tough response,\" said Cassel. \"If everybody liked it then I would find that really weird.\" \"Irreversible\" is one of 22 films competing for the coveted Palme d'Or prize at Cannes."}, {"response": 577, "author": "Jackie2", "date": "Sat, May 25, 2002 (07:43)", "body": "Benoit Magimel (the father of Juliette Binoche's baby) is very very HOT (she knows how to pick them)! He was in the Piano Player (with Isabelle Huppert) and I think he might have gotten the Best Actor Award at the European Film Awards for that performance. He met JB on the set of Les Enfants du Siecle (Not to be missed -- the stormy relationship between George Sand and Alfred de Musset). JB seems to fall for her co-stars -- she had met Olivier Martinez on the set of Le Hussard sur le toit!"}, {"response": 578, "author": "Odile", "date": "Sat, May 25, 2002 (09:23)", "body": "I remember Benoit Magimel as a child star on \"La vie est un long fleuve tranquille\" (Life is a long, quiet river) which is a satirical comedy about life in Paris suburbia. It follows the lives of two families, one poor and vulgar, the other bourgeois and neat, and their forced meeting when it is discovered that two of their kids were exchanged at birth. Despite having no big name actors and 1st-time directors, the movie was a great hit in France and BM was definitely singled out as one reason why the film worked."}, {"response": 579, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, May 25, 2002 (12:06)", "body": "(Minkee) Evelyn - wasn't there a quote from HG after Sense and Sensibility that he will not ever want to work with Emma Thompson again? I never read that; I think they are personal friends."}, {"response": 580, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, May 25, 2002 (12:28)", "body": "(Minkee), Moon - it sounds like this director employed C Nolan's chronology device a la Memento. \"Cannes has tried to create a scandal because perhaps Cannes needs a scandal.\" LOL! Cannes has shown very bad taste in recent years with the films the select, this would not surprise me at all. If people are so shocked from those films, then why are they so liberal when it comes to punishing criminals? They are so hypocritical. I think people should be making films that transcend our reality, that gives us hope and sends us on a spiritual voyage. But who is making films like that? Can they even get the funding for it?"}, {"response": 581, "author": "Jackie2", "date": "Sun, May 26, 2002 (06:16)", "body": "Benoit Magimel is very easy on the eyes, Odile. Il est plut\ufffdt craquant, non?"}, {"response": 582, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Mon, May 27, 2002 (06:02)", "body": "http://www.the-movie-times.com/thrsdir/actors.mv?actors+ByAG Interesting web site of actors--sorted by box office, etc. Rupert Everett is on the list, but... :-("}, {"response": 583, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 29, 2002 (08:06)", "body": "Sounds like fun... ;-D Eric Idle to direct Merchant-Ivory spoof Eric Idle is to direct a film parody of British period dramas. The Remains Of The Piano will star Geoffrey Rush, who shot to fame in the film Shine. Idle's spoof on Merchant-Ivory films will be shot in Toronto this summer. The former Monty Python star told the Toronto Sun: \"It's a p**s-take on the genre. \"It's got everything a Merchant-Ivory film has: lovely costumes, lovely sets and lovely English acting. \"It's all set to go if producer Garth Drabinsky can ever find the final missing million. There's always a million missing in independent film. Somebody said trying to raise money for independent films is like trying to herd dogs.\""}, {"response": 584, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 29, 2002 (08:18)", "body": "Doubtful that any of these would involve Colin, but I thought the last bit was interesting: Political intrigue is essential to another new BBC drama about New Labour's rise to power, The Project. The drama revolves around the careers of four political activists, charting New Labour's political dominance and election victory in 1997. The two-parter is written by Leigh Jackson, who scripted Warriors and Other People's Children. It is directed by Peter Kosminsky, whose previous work includes Warriors and Shoot to Kill. The film uses fictional characters who appear within a factual setting, from early days at Labour's Millbank headquarters through to Downing Street. \"This film is about idealistic young people who want to help Labour get into power and, ultimately, change things,\" said Mr Kosminsky. \"It is a realistic portrayal of how we got to May 1, 1997, and what happened afterwards.\" A third political drama is planned called State of Play, Paul Abbott's thriller set in Whitehall about the death of a young intern who was having an affair with a Labour minister. The Key, by Donna Franceschild, will examine the history of socialism and the trade union movement in Scotland over the past century, through the eyes of three generations of a Glasgow family."}, {"response": 585, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 29, 2002 (09:01)", "body": "Give it up Donna. Talk about running DQ to the ground. Someone please give the girl a case of Dom Perignon and Iranian caviar. ;-)"}, {"response": 586, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, May 29, 2002 (09:34)", "body": "(Minkee) Evelyn - wasn't there a quote from HG after Sense and Sensibility that he will not ever want to work with Emma Thompson again? (Evelyn)I never read that; I think they are personal friends. When HG was on \"Actor's Studio\" he was asked about making S&S and his fondness for changing dialogue. Grant says he likes to do a bunch of takes that follow the script, and then a few more in which he messes around with dialogue. I don't remember the exact response to the question on \"Actor's Studio\" but I think he said Emma was a bit of a queen about her words, and that she didn't like it if he changed things. So maybe if it isn't HER script, he'll be happy to work with her again. But...HG as PM????????????????"}, {"response": 587, "author": "odessa", "date": "Wed, May 29, 2002 (10:27)", "body": "So Hugh and Sandra, true love/advertising trick?"}, {"response": 588, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 29, 2002 (16:32)", "body": "Happy Birthday to Rupert Everett! Starting our Gemini countdown. :-)"}, {"response": 589, "author": "airstream", "date": "Wed, May 29, 2002 (19:38)", "body": "Who else is/are Gemini(s)...besides me? HA :)"}, {"response": 590, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 30, 2002 (07:07)", "body": "Hollywood's Smart Films Faring Well Wed May 29, 3:51 PM ET By DAVID GERMAIN, AP Movie Writer Brains are accompanying brawn on the big screen this summer. Along with \"Spider-Man,\" \"Star Wars\" and other mammoth action movies, Hollywood's busy season brings an unusually healthy crop of smarter films for older adults to balance the popcorn flicks aimed mainly at viewers in their teens and 20s. Counter-programming such films during the youth-oriented summer is standard Hollywood practice to keep baby boomers theater-bound. What's different this year is how steadily those films are coming and how well they're clicking with audiences. A major new adult release has arrived each of the last three weekends: the adultery thriller \"Unfaithful,\" starring Richard Gere and Diane Lane; the Hugh Grant romantic comedy \"About a Boy\"; and the edgy crime drama \"Insomnia,\" with Al Pacino and Robin Williams. Each has scored with adults 25 and older, drawing solid business in a movie market dominated by blockbusters \"Spider-Man\" and \"Star Wars: Episode II \ufffd Attack of the Clones.\" \"Insomnia\" debuted last weekend with a robust $26.1 million, while \"Unfaithful\" and \"About a Boy\" opened well and have held up strongly in subsequent weekends. \"There's been room for a lot of different kinds of films that are specifically directed toward different audiences,\" said Jeff Blake, head of distribution and marketing for Sony, which released \"Spider-Man.\" \"It seems like the blockbusters have expanded the market enough to let these other films do quite nicely.\" Another higher-minded film, an adaptation of Oscar Wilde's \"The Importance of Being Earnest,\" debuted strongly in limited release last weekend. Also coming this summer are \"Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood,\" an ensemble women's film featuring Sandra Bullock, Ellen Burstyn, Ashley Judd and Maggie Smith; Nicolas Cage's \"Windtalkers,\" about Navajo code-men during World War II; a new three-hour cut of the beloved Italian film \"Cinema Paradiso\"; the brainy Sundance Film Festival comedy hit \"Tadpole,\" with Sigourney Weaver; Steven Soderbergh's pseudo-sequel to \"sex, lies and videotape,\" \"Full Frontal,\" featuring Julia Roberts and David Duchovny; and \"Road to Perdition,\" from \"American Beauty\" director Sam Mendes, a 1930s Irish-American mob tale with Tom Hanks, Paul Newman and Jude Law. \"Here's a film that you would normally expect to see toward the end of the year. I'm happy the studio feels confident to let the movie stand on its own two feet in the middle of summer,\" Mendes said. Steven Spielberg, whose DreamWorks studio backed \"American Beauty\" and \"Road to Perdition,\" teams with Tom Cruise on \"Minority Report,\" a hybrid of action and ideas. Cruise plays a cop of the future accused of a murder he has yet to commit by a psychic police corps that arrests people before they carry out their crimes. \"It's that rarest and best combination \ufffd big, summer, popcorn fun \ufffd but it's also about something,\" said Tom Rothman, studio co-chairman for 20th Century Fox, which is distributing \"Minority Report\" and also released \"Unfaithful.\" Adult-oriented films such as \"Unfaithful,\" \"Insomnia\" and \"About a Boy\" rarely rise to blockbuster status. But they are far cheaper to make and market than a $120 million behemoth such as \"Spider-Man,\" so they can become solidly profitable even in a summer crowded with explosive action and dumb comedy. \"There's a huge market available for good, solid, adult entertainment,\" said Dan Fellman, head of distribution for Warner Bros., which made \"Insomnia.\" \"Good movies rise to the occasion. It's as simple as that.\""}, {"response": 591, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May 30, 2002 (09:52)", "body": "(Amy), Who else is/are Gemini(s)...besides me? HA :) There are a lot of us here. When is you day, Amy? Happy Birthday to Lucie and Cathey today!"}, {"response": 592, "author": "airstream", "date": "Thu, May 30, 2002 (13:48)", "body": "Well Moon, since you asked (thanks ;)...June 17. Who else here, may I ask? I found this posted on an msn board. I don't know how accurate it is but found it disheartening all the same. (Possibly its author is a 'poster' here too?): \"I contacted [Empire Online} about lack of new info on TIOBE and look at the strange respone I got. Dear Michele, I'm presuming it's TIOBE you're refering to--the reason it's not on our site at the moment, is that for one thing it comes out much later in the UK (6 September) and the other is that it's an absolutely abysmal film!! As a Firth fan myself, I feel your pain, but I also feel it my duty to warn you of this film's utter direness. Catherine Empire Online\"\u00d5"}, {"response": 593, "author": "airstream", "date": "Thu, May 30, 2002 (14:26)", "body": "On http://www.videoeta.com/month_video.html?month=10&year=2002&from=53318 It lists TIOBE for video release in October (along with AAB). Not so far away, really?."}, {"response": 594, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, May 30, 2002 (15:00)", "body": "(Amy)...it's an absolutely abysmal film!! As a Firth fan myself, I feel your pain, but I also feel it my duty to warn you of this film's utter direness... I saw that too and thought it was a tad harsh. I mean it has some problems, but really! Is this the tone we should expect from the UK critics? Did you notice on that board also they had written letters to Colin directly in case he reads their posts? They are interesting! Should we all write Oliver Parker or whoever puts together the DVD to make sure they put in as many outtakes and extras with Colin as possible to rectify the egregious error of putting virtually nothing of him in the BJD extras? (That was actually going to be one of my panel comments). Who and where does one write to about that? Anyone, anyone? Happy B-day all Gemini's from a Capricorn!!"}, {"response": 595, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 30, 2002 (15:27)", "body": "(Dorine) Is this the tone we should expect from the UK critics? Expect worse. Catherine is only the online editor for Empire and isn't even a reviewer. Who and where does one write to about that? Anyone, anyone? You can start with your buddy OP in care of Fragile Films 97 Dean Street London W1 England Ultimately though, it will be the same fools who put out the below standard BJD DVD at Miramorons. :-("}, {"response": 596, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 30, 2002 (15:38)", "body": "And a very happy birthday from me, too. :-)"}, {"response": 597, "author": "airstream", "date": "Thu, May 30, 2002 (15:44)", "body": "(Nice work (above) Karen!) Karen--when do they actually put together the dvd? I mean, are they aready created, waiting to be released or later and done via response to the actor(s) and the film?"}, {"response": 598, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, May 30, 2002 (15:45)", "body": "Gawd, Karen, so there is going to be a whole round of bashing coming from the UK. Oh Boy. This, from another Gemini!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 599, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, May 30, 2002 (17:41)", "body": "Have a very happy birthday, Lucie and Cathey. Hope your dreams are firthy and your champagne is frothy :-)!"}, {"response": 600, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May 30, 2002 (17:46)", "body": "Hope your dreams are firthy and your champagne is frothy :-)! That was vvg, Lora! Lisa, when is your day? Rock on! BTW, it's Marcia's turn tomorrow."}, {"response": 601, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, May 30, 2002 (17:59)", "body": "it's Marcia's turn tomorrow This is true! Are we going to drag her away from Geo and back to Drool for the day to celebrate? :-D Happy, Happy Birthday Lucie & Cathey!!"}, {"response": 602, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, May 30, 2002 (21:53)", "body": "Thanks Moon, Lora, S.B and especially Karen. Thats the best birthday card I've ever seen, HAPPY BIRTHDAY Marcia."}, {"response": 603, "author": "maryw", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (07:01)", "body": ""}, {"response": 604, "author": "maryw", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (07:03)", "body": "age makes me forget to close tag"}, {"response": 605, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (07:46)", "body": "Minkee's message reposted I've counted 6 Geminians so far, is that right? Lucie, Cathey, Marcia, Amy, Moon, Lisa Happy Happy Birthday to all! I'm the seventh"}, {"response": 606, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (07:48)", "body": "Actually, there's one more: Lizza (who is currently offline with home computer problems)"}, {"response": 607, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (07:56)", "body": "Bad time for Lizza to be offline. :-( Lucie, Cathey, Marcia, Amy, Moon, Lisa, Minkee, Lizza, KJ. And Heide, who does not post regularly anymore. We must also count Rupie, as he is such a part of us. ;-)"}, {"response": 608, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (08:01)", "body": "If anyone in NYC wants to check out a film that Colin recommended, \"L'Ultimo Bacio\" (The Last Kiss) is part of the Film Society of Lincoln Center's annual Open Roads: New Italian Cinema series, which kicks off today and runs through June 12. \"L'Ultimo Bacio\" (The Last Kiss) was a 2002 Sundance audience award winner."}, {"response": 609, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (08:26)", "body": "If you like whinning soap operas by all means go see \"L'Ultimo Bacio.\" Poor Colin."}, {"response": 610, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (08:55)", "body": "Dear Marcia, since you seem to have lost interest in CF, I thought I might introduce myself. :-D Happy Birthday, Marcia!"}, {"response": 611, "author": "airstream", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (15:22)", "body": "Did anyone catch RE on R&K today? He mentioned his next project was a remake of Dangerous Liaisons....and said there were a number of versions (didn't mention Valmont). He was quite funny!. Happy Birthday to all fellow Geminis. (are geminis the original bunburyists?)"}, {"response": 612, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sat, Jun  1, 2002 (11:16)", "body": "Happy birthday, Lucie, Cathey and Marcia!"}, {"response": 613, "author": "annas", "date": "Sat, Jun  1, 2002 (11:44)", "body": "GEMINIS ROCK Whats a bunburyists? If that is anything negative at all (esp bits that pertain to bums) then it does not apply to Geminis. I have other bits on my mind."}, {"response": 614, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jun  2, 2002 (10:47)", "body": "Whats a bunburyists? Clever definition for twin/double personality/personae. We can take it in a positive way. Mine would be my thing with CF. It is a total secret to the outside world. ;-D"}, {"response": 615, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jun  2, 2002 (11:12)", "body": "(Moon)Mine would be my thing with CF. It is a total secret to the outside world. I think that just about says it all for most of here. v.positive, indeed."}, {"response": 616, "author": "airstream", "date": "Sun, Jun  2, 2002 (17:26)", "body": "Yes exactly--normal seeming by day...cf secretly by internet... (No offense meant, would not speak negatively about my own sign! :^) )"}, {"response": 617, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Jun  3, 2002 (09:19)", "body": "Any of you Geminis have your birthday today? It's the third of June, the day Billy Joe McAllister jumped off the Tallahachee Bridge. (I have a friend who emails me on important days like this, so I thought I'd pass it along.)"}, {"response": 618, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  4, 2002 (08:02)", "body": "HBO has set 9 p.m. July 21 as the new time for what promises to be one of the biggest TV events of the summer: the season premiere of Emmy-winning comedy \"Sex and the City\" The cable network had been set to bow a fresh batch of 13 episodes of \"Sex\" this month, but that plan went out the window following series star Sarah Jessica Parker's announcement that she was pregnant. Production was halted for a few weeks; HBO execs decided in April to cut the number of episodes in the upcoming season to eight from 13. With \"Six Feet Under\" having wrapped its second season Sunday, HBO will fill the 9 p.m. slot for the next few weeks with repeats from \"Sex's\" recent winter \"mini-season.\" The upcoming \"Sex\" episodes will culminate in the show's fourth season finale on Sept. 8. The next week, Sept. 15, HBO will bow the much-anticipated season premiere of \"The Sopranos\" at 9 p.m., followed by the season premieres of \"Curb Your Enthusiasm\" and \"Mind of a Married Man\" at 10 and 10:30 p.m., respectively."}, {"response": 619, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  4, 2002 (08:45)", "body": "Good review of \"The Last Kiss\" in the NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/31/movies/31CHOI.html"}, {"response": 620, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun  4, 2002 (09:37)", "body": "Thanks Karen. This film sounds like one Miramax would have picked up on the cheap on Sundance. Think ODB came into NYC with \"The Produceress\"for the Italian FF?"}, {"response": 621, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun  4, 2002 (10:35)", "body": "Think ODB came into NYC with \"The Produceress\"for the Italian FF? Why do say that, Evelyn?"}, {"response": 622, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun  4, 2002 (10:46)", "body": "Lizza, Lizza, Lizza! Happy Birthday! I hope to see you back here very soon. (This is when DB and Rupie break into \"Lady Come Down\". :-D"}, {"response": 623, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  4, 2002 (11:49)", "body": "Lizza's bday is on the 7th, but I'm sure the serenade will keep until then. ;-D"}, {"response": 624, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun  4, 2002 (14:49)", "body": "(E)Think ODB came into NYC with \"The Produceress\"for the Italian FF? (Moon)Why do say that, Evelyn? I dunno. I guess because he was on the Jon Stewart Show last night and someone said it was live & the Italian FF is going on at Lincoln Center. I'll call Lizza on the 7th and tell her to get to a computer for her b'day."}, {"response": 625, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  4, 2002 (15:09)", "body": "Jon Stewart's show is taped in late afternoon, but Colin's interview was done weeks ago."}, {"response": 626, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Jun  4, 2002 (15:32)", "body": "Just a short aside re: one I wish we would see here more often; to wit: Hope you have a wonderful day. KJ"}, {"response": 627, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Jun  4, 2002 (22:45)", "body": "Happy Birthday Lizza and Heidi"}, {"response": 628, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jun  5, 2002 (02:42)", "body": "Shall be away on the 7th, so early Happy Birthday wishes to Lizza, hope to see you at the Uk TIOBE Premiere, and Happy Birthday Wishes too to Heide, a lovely lady who I had the pleasure to meet a few years ago. Happy Birthday Wishes to Lizza & Heide, from wet & windy UK, still smiling though after a wonderful weekend of Jubilee Celebrations"}, {"response": 629, "author": "maryw", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (09:09)", "body": "Nice to be back just in time for bday celebrations - Happy Birthday Lizza & Heide"}, {"response": 630, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (12:48)", "body": "Just in case you happen to peak in...... HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIZZA We miss ya':-((("}, {"response": 631, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (12:52)", "body": "Lizza, the boys are still playing \"Lady come down\" for you. Hint, hint. ;-D Happy Birthday!"}, {"response": 632, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (13:41)", "body": "A couple of oldies but goodies in honor of Lizza's big day: For those who may not be aware, Lizza is the proud keepmistress over that whisk. Back later with more. :-)"}, {"response": 633, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (16:34)", "body": "LOL. Haven't seen that shower scene in a looong time. Whew!Do I see a navel peaking out ? Hey, boss. whyda' cut the pic off at the strategic point;-))))"}, {"response": 634, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (19:02)", "body": "Happy Birthday Lizza and Heidi."}, {"response": 635, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (19:40)", "body": "from KJ"}, {"response": 636, "author": "maryw", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (21:58)", "body": "How did you do that KJ? For the brain dead like me - is there an easy way to do that fancy writing here. I don't think that's in Ann's html primer, is it?"}, {"response": 637, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (22:17)", "body": "Yes, it is. That is called Changing the Text Font, but you need to know font names. http://austen.com/tutorial/index.html#textfont"}, {"response": 638, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun  8, 2002 (05:14)", "body": "Hey, boss. whyda' cut the pic off at the strategic point;-)))) Heehee. Yeah, I need something to cheer me up from that disgraceful match I just watched. :-("}, {"response": 639, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun  8, 2002 (05:16)", "body": "Happy Birthday KJ!!! May your hopes spring eternal. ;-)"}, {"response": 640, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun  8, 2002 (07:36)", "body": "By Spring Proclamation - Today is KJ's Birthday! Spread the word near and far to Firth fans and forums across the planet!! To make your quest for all things Firth a little easier, head on over to: And the boys are ready to deal on a special birthday present for you: But remember to celebrate above all:"}, {"response": 641, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun  8, 2002 (08:25)", "body": "She's here...She's there...She's everywhere..... HAPPY BIRTHDAY KJ"}, {"response": 642, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Jun  8, 2002 (16:54)", "body": "(Minkee) How did you do that KJ? For the brain dead like me - is there an easy way to do that fancy writing here. I don't think that's in Ann's html primer, is it? Getting to know your fonts is one route, but for the increasingly brain-dead like myself, a handy short-cut to assemble logos can be found at: http://www.coolarchive.com/logogen.cfm Just be patient, they take a bit of time to load. Great playground for the font-challenged! ;-) Thank you for your greeting and your sentiments, Moon; I heartily concur with the sentiment! Thank you Karen, for the announcement and celebration, but I'll have to take a rain-check with the boys ... still working on just making the rent... but I can dream, can't I? ;-) Why, Evelyn, whatever do you mean? ;-) Thank you so much for this and all the other little icons that grace your messages - I love 'em! ASSEMBLE LOGOS: http://www.coolarchive.com/logogen.cfm"}, {"response": 643, "author": "maryw", "date": "Sat, Jun  8, 2002 (20:19)", "body": "Happy Birthday Kool KJ! Thanks for the link to the coolarchives."}, {"response": 644, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Jun  8, 2002 (23:32)", "body": "Minkee:"}, {"response": 645, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 10, 2002 (16:13)", "body": "July Premiere p. 32 Jennifer Tilly's Lowdown: \"It's bad protocol to reject tongue\" \"1. Any kind of touching has to be negotiated. 2. Espect Fuid Enchange It's bad protocol to reject tongue, unless it's a scene in which you're kissing your dad. If the other person clenches their teeth you just say 'Okay, they don't want that much cinema verite'. 3.Beware the bad angle. If the camera is shooting up at you, make them stop immediately. It gives you a double chin. 4. Keep it clean We try \"lip seal\" over the lipstick to make it not come off, but still comes off. [the other actor comes away looking like Bozo the Clown. Between takes, people rush in with Handi Wipes and scrub his face. 5.Get Hot You need to be attracted to your costar. There are only two people that I really despised kissing, and when you see it on film, it's not pleasant to watch, either. 6 But Not That Hot You should not be too attracted to your costar. I have seen kisses where I was too into it , and my eyes are rolled in the back of my head, and my mouth is open like a fish. This kiss is not just for you, it's for 20 million viewers. [Ed note: anybody see Tom Cruise and Penelope Cruz in Vanilla Sky?... Sizzle] 7. Sometimes you run into guys who like to take your face in their hands. In real life that's lovely, because it's like 'Oo, I don't have any control' But onscreen, not having any control is really bad, because your face is totally obscured by his hands.\" [Ed note: *am feeling faint*] ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Methinks Auntie Jennifer should give ex-brother- in- law these tips."}, {"response": 646, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jun 10, 2002 (19:08)", "body": "Happy collective birthday, June party gals (near and far, here and gone...)"}, {"response": 647, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jun 10, 2002 (19:28)", "body": "(Jennifer Tilly) 5.Get Hot You need to be attracted to your costar. 6 But Not That Hot You should not be too attracted to your costar. Maybe he's too conscious of what Livia would think, so he tones it down too much. He does have that \"track record\" with co-stars."}, {"response": 648, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (06:33)", "body": "Maybe he's too conscious of what Livia would think, so he tones it down too much. So then it's just as well that he's doing AG? :-( The Firthettes must help him snap out of it! \"It's bad protocol to reject tongue\" ;-D"}, {"response": 649, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (07:27)", "body": "Maybe he's too conscious of what Livia would think, so he tones it down too much. My thoughts exactly, Dorine. It's no coincidence that this tongue rejection has occurred over the past 6 or so years. Didn't Ruth Gemmell say he was a crap kisser in FP (or maybe that was her jealous? boyfriend relating the tale). Could someone tell me what the kisses were like in SLOW? I can't bring myself to look at it again."}, {"response": 650, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (07:45)", "body": "He's mainly kissing her neck."}, {"response": 651, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (08:07)", "body": "(Evelyn)Methinks Auntie Jennifer should give ex-brother- in- law these tips. She could give him some tips on nude scenes, too. She had a bubble bath scene in \"The Women\" (on stage in NYC), and stood up at the end, with very few bubbles clinging to her (and not strategically arranged). Interestingly enough, the scene was altered for the TV version (PBS this month). Wonder JT she despised kissing so much that she thinks it shows?"}, {"response": 652, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (08:08)", "body": "oops! sorry, Wonder who JT despised kissing."}, {"response": 653, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (11:00)", "body": "It's been a while now but someone posted a note here about CF's two entries on Meg Wood's Boyfriend of the Week page which I checked out and go back to now and then, it's a fun page. (www.megwood.com) Anyway, she's got a note up that says she's taking votes on the best all time boyfriend of the week. Since CF is the ONLY former boyfriend meriting two mentions, it would be a shame if he was not recognized. Anyone for some ballot box stuffing? Check out the website and then email her at topfive@megwood.com"}, {"response": 654, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (14:15)", "body": "(Mari) Could someone tell me what the kisses were like in SLOW? I can't bring myself to look at it again. (Karen) He's mainly kissing her neck. Except for the practically \"pecking\" the few times they do liplock. He almost had a good one going when his DW showed up, but didn't quite cross the finish line. Mari, SLOW was certainly not the best use of his talents, but prior to TIOBE, I think it's the best he looked in years along with the LAST scenes in BJD."}, {"response": 655, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (15:40)", "body": "(Dorine)Maybe he's too conscious of what Livia would think, so he tones it down too much. LOL, you guys! So now I can't get this image out of my head of Livia at the top of the stairs snapping her fingers saying, \"A little less tongue there, Colin, I need you upstairs!\" Love how little bits of CF have a way of creeping onto other topics ;-) BTW, a very happy belated birthday to all the Geminis that have celebrated so far!"}, {"response": 656, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (18:27)", "body": "(Lora)So now I can't get this image out of my head of Livia at the top of the stairs snapping her fingers saying, \"A little less tongue there, Colin, I need you upstairs!\" LOL, Lora! Now, I can't get that image out of my head either. I'm watching 100 love stories over the last 100 years on CBS. Harrison Ford just said the worst thing you can do in a love story is make love. It spoils everything. Maybe he's been talking to ODB, or maybe to Livia."}, {"response": 657, "author": "airstream", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (18:45)", "body": "I don't know how much his present circumstance may hinder him....they replayed Camille on Sunday and even then the kissing had a lot to be desired (along with the movie). As someone commented somewhere, we'll have to see in HS. There is a kiss right near the beginning (in book) so we will know how things will be early on!"}, {"response": 658, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (22:19)", "body": "Happy Birthdat K.J. Sorry to be late but haven't had much time for my pc this week."}, {"response": 659, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (07:04)", "body": "I love the irony of this. From Ananova: Hugh Grant and Mike Leigh are to be honoured by an Italian Film Festival. They are among the recipients of this year's Taormina Arte Diamond Awards for their work and contributions to cinema. They will be presented with their awards during the Taormina BNL FilmFest, which takes place from July 6 to 13 in the Italian town."}, {"response": 660, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (07:32)", "body": "From Empire: British director Anthony Minghella has been hard at work over the past few months, assembling one of the most impressive ensemble casts to be seen on screen in ages. Minghella's adaptation of the bestselling novel Cold Mountain had looked to be in trouble when early lead Tom Cruise pulled out of negotiations. But a recent spate of casting aquisitions, including Donald Sutherland and England's Ray Winstone, means that the total star rating of the cast is one of the highest since Ocean's Eleven. So far, Minghella has persuaded Nicole Kidman, Renee Zellwegger, Jude Law, Natalie Portman, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Giovanni Ribisi and Irish actor Brendan Gleeson to join his cast. It's expected that the lead roles have all dropped their salaries, in return for percentage points, in order for Minghella to afford such an impressive grouping. Producer Sydney Pollack told Variety today that he's not worried that the starry cast will distract people from the story being told; 'You have to start from the premise that every one of these stars is playing character roles,' he said. 'It's not going to be the Jude Law you saw in Ripley. It's a stubbly, roughed-up Jude Law playing a taciturn, monosyllabic guy. We're counting on the fact that you won't sit there stargazing.'"}, {"response": 661, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (12:25)", "body": "On 162, Moon asked who wrote \"The Grass is Greener.\" It isn't my favorite Cary Grant movie, but I like it, so I looked it up. It was written by Hugh Williams, as a play, then a movie. It's the only movie he wrote. But he was an actor, and made lots of movies, including a turn as Robert Chiltern in a 40's \"Ideal Husband.\" I didn't recognize any other films he'd been in, and I don't know about stage work. (Trivia--his son is Simon Williams, Capt. James of Upstairs Downstairs) Grass is Greener does have a sort of Noel Coward thing, with the big house and the people sitting around having tea or drinking martinis. The director was Stanley Donen (who had worked with Grant in at least one other movie). I wonder how much of the feel of the film is from the writer and how much is from the director and his actors?"}, {"response": 662, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (12:39)", "body": "Thanks, Kate! Hugh William did an excellent job, the dialog is so witty. I love the scene of the duel in the long hallway. a sort of Noel Coward thing, with the big house and the people sitting around having tea or drinking martinis. I'm inspired. ;-)"}, {"response": 663, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (16:48)", "body": ""}, {"response": 664, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (17:27)", "body": "Attention all London, UKers \ufffd would appreciate any assistance you could give. I am a just graduated Canadian social worker (my secret identity behind the Colin fanatic thing) who is going to relocate to London, probably in early to mid August. Am in the middle of my passport application (right of abode through my dad) and other paperwork \ufffd wondering if anyone has any helpful info on cheap and decent places to live (looking at flatshares), any other tips you can give. Haven\ufffdt been there in 7 years. Also, more relevant to this discussion, I would love to see some \ufffdsights\ufffd when I am over there \ufffd Lyme Park immediately comes to mind, I think I would just melt to see Pemberley in person. Any other suggestions on locations? I am readily available at my email address. Thanks in advance. (And really my move has nothing to do with my scary celebrity obsession, really!)"}, {"response": 665, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (18:26)", "body": "Please email EmmaB if you'd like to assist her with her relocation plans."}, {"response": 666, "author": "airstream", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (19:04)", "body": "Emma B, sorry that I can't assist you, but I envy you! Has anyone seen this? (Being relatively new, this may have been discussed.) I can't tell if the author is serious or not... http://hometown.aol.com/sspamina/myhomepage/profile.html"}, {"response": 667, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (21:45)", "body": "Happy, Happy Birthday to all Geminis from another Gemini. Grass Is Greener was great pic. How civilized everyone was. Grant one of my all-time favorites. Can't watch Penny Serenade tho, breaks my heart. So many rumors and different accounts of him off screen, I guess no one really knows what he was like. Just know that on-screen one of the best ever. Not many like him today, except CF of course. Didn't always get the girl of his choice though, it would take a Sophia Loren to turn him down. Can only imgagine the caliber of a romance like that!"}, {"response": 668, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (22:00)", "body": "Amy, I'm relatively new too. Just read \"Marriage Proposal\" myself. Hard to say about seriousness, but good imagination and good for Firth Fiction. Since I don't think he has time or inclination to surf the webs, proposal is not an issue. Would be nice if he did tho, then he'd know how much he was adored (as if he doesn't know)."}, {"response": 669, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (22:20)", "body": "Alert: ECC coming up I just had to post this because of what was written to accompany this pic... Liz Hurley made her first public appearance since becoming a mother and dazzled waiting crowds with one of her trademark dresses. The Hollywood actress showed she had no trouble losing the extra pounds after giving birth to son Damian Charles Hurley a few months ago."}, {"response": 670, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (00:54)", "body": "I know I'm jumping the gun, but only 2 more minutes here, and the event already exists points East, so:"}, {"response": 671, "author": "airstream", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (06:46)", "body": "I just can decide about that \"Mariage Proposal\"...it seems a bit over the top (i.e.scary). My appologies if it is a drooler. As for Liz: Those extra pounds weren't lost, they just migrated. They have 'Rebecca' written all over them. Nothing small there ;) HapPY bIRthdaY mOOn! have a swell day!"}, {"response": 672, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (07:12)", "body": "Time to pop the cork! Bring on the bubbly for Moon's Birthday Party Extravaganza"}, {"response": 673, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (07:42)", "body": "HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOON!!!!! Have a wonDROOLful day! (it's kinda plain lookin'...haven't learned how to be fancy yet) :-D"}, {"response": 674, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (07:51)", "body": ""}, {"response": 675, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (08:07)", "body": "Ah caro...I'll meet you down by the lake..under the plain tree next month..."}, {"response": 676, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (08:14)", "body": "But wait....a package just arrived... from For our own PRINCIPESSA.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOON"}, {"response": 677, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (08:24)", "body": ""}, {"response": 678, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (08:36)", "body": "closing the tag"}, {"response": 679, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (08:42)", "body": "RISE FROM THAT SEMI RECUMBENT POSTURE! And wish our dear Moon a very happy birthday today! You must change your tatoo to read Moon as well! How perfectly appropriate! Have a very happy birthday, Moon! Enjoy the celebration!"}, {"response": 680, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (09:06)", "body": "That's right, Colin, rise and kiss my.......... hand! (Says I snapping fingers) ;-) Thanks, Lora! I'd like to take him for a ride or two around the block. ;-) Evelyn, che bella tiara! Grazie! My motto is jewelry will get you anywhere, you just better know how to kiss when you're there. ;-) Karen, so he does own tall socks? LOL! Maybe the Roamn tailor will convince him to wear them. (And drop those ugly boots too). ;-) Thank you KJ. I love those oriental letters. Puts me in the mood to read Rumi. :-) Thanks, Dorine, I am planning to have a wonDROOLful day! Lovely wishes, Aishling and Amy. Thanks you! :-D Now as I always do quite early on my birthday, let's drink some champagne!"}, {"response": 681, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (09:14)", "body": "Make that tattoo... Moon, in honor of your big day TIOBE has opened in one more theater in your fair city! How perfectly delightful!"}, {"response": 682, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (10:07)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY , DEAREST MOON.... Why do you make me play second fiddle to that guy in the wet shirt... Don't feel so bad...I've been relegated to third..."}, {"response": 683, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (10:15)", "body": "Happy birthday, Moon ( e Forza Azzuri )"}, {"response": 684, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (10:19)", "body": "Which was meant to be: Happy birthday, Moon ( e Forza Azzuri ) Long time since I did HTML..."}, {"response": 685, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (11:17)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Moon! Sorry, cherie, but as you can see, I wear ugly shoes too."}, {"response": 686, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (11:26)", "body": "As a result of late breaking news, we interrupt our regularly scheduled programming to bring you Katie Couric interviewing Colin Firth: Katie: Colin, great to see you again. (face beaming and eyelids fluttering). Colin: I'm pleased to be back again too. Katie: (biting lip as must portray v. professional journalist) Perhaps not under these circumstances though. Colin, the wire services are reporting that a radical gang of urban terrorists known as TTB has laid siege to your home in London. Fortunately you are in New York right now, but can you tell us what this small but vocal gang wants from you, an actor? Colin: It is very distressing to me and my family and is causing a monumental upheaval on the street where I live. The button shop on the corner has had to close. Upper Street is barricaded. No one can cross it. Katie: Yes, the economic ramifications as well as the personal ones must be significant. But why has TTB chosen this time to make a stand and what are its grievances? Colin: Their leader, who calls herself La Bella Luna, that's the only name we have for her but authorities on two continents are pooling their resources to hunt her down. Unfortunately, few have seen her face and this is the only known photograph of her taken in Venice this year and it is very blurred. (holds photo to camera) La Bella Luna is on the left, and we suspect that the person on her right is her financial supporter. Katie: What does TBB stand for? I'm not familiar with the group. Colin: (looking down) We've only recently been apprised of that ourselves, as most of my fan mail is outsourced. Apparently, any correspondence from this group was handled as would any other letter. They would've received a machine-autographed headshot. Katie: So you missed any initial demands or concerns from this group. But what does TBB stand for? The initials? Colin: (barely audible) The Tongue Brigade. Katie: (lights up) The Tongue Brigade? Colin: Yes. Katie: Please explain the significance of this group. Are they political in nature or something to do with the environment or animal rights or human rights? Colin: As the authorities have explained it to me, this group surfaced concurrent with my latest movie, The Importance of Being Earnest, and some of the promotional work we did for it. In fact, a comment attributed to Rupert Everett, was likely the impetus to galvanize this group into action. Katie: Is this another instance of Americans not understand British slang, but I'm not making the connection between tongues and that movie. Can you clarify? Colin: For the sake of justice, then I must. Evidently, this group is rather dissatisfied with the manner of my onscreen kissing. (audible gasp by Katie) On a VH1 program, Rupert made light of my kissing with Reese. He used the term \"chicken pecking\" and made me the brunt of his joke. Katie: This is all about kissing? (extends foot shod in overpriced FMP toward Colin's long legs) Colin: Yes, I'm afraid so. As you must realize, there are no occasions for passionate kisses in a Wilde play. Katie: Unlike tattoos...Yes, but surely this group must realize it was a single film and is not indicative of all your works. (voice lowers to sultry) There is the wonderful Bridget Jones's Diary. Colin: I fear the TTB had problems with that as well, which was news to all concerned. Your own MTV included my kiss with Renee in its annual movie awards program. It didn't win, but it did make the slate. Surely, that must mean something? Katie: You make some excellent points, Colin, but do you have an idea as to why this unrest has coalesced and turned toward violence? Colin: We are reading the gossip columns daily to see if we can gather data, but suspect it might have to do with the current movie I am filming. Katie: Which is what? (hopefulness apparent in voice) The sequel to Bridget Jones? Colin: No, it is called American Girl. Katie: Is it another romantic comedy about you and an American Girl? Colin: No, the American girl in the title is my 17-year-old daughter, who has come to England to find me. Katie: You're playing the father of a 17-year-old? (shock apparent on her face) Colin: Why yes, it is possible for someone my age, you know. Katie: Yes, of course, but is it necessary? (hands clenching the arms of her chair) Colin: That's a hard question to answer. Many in Hollywood have spent years trying to understand why things are done. One could even lose one's hair over it. Katie: (face become flushed, pulls back leg) So, to summarize, this terrorist group is showing its displeasure over the lack of real romantic interludes in your films and the apparent trend toward G-rated, Father-Knows-Best parts? Colin: Yes, that is one way of putting it, although I only have a cursory understand of the Father Knows Best thing as a result of living in St Louis for one year. We didn't have a television and was an \"outsider\" to.... but frequently, when Guisseppe Tornattore and I sit under the boughs of ancient trees and discuss t"}, {"response": 687, "author": "Odile", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (11:40)", "body": "LOL Karen! This was great: one for the Drool HoF! :) ... and Happy Birthday La Bella Luna!"}, {"response": 688, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (11:59)", "body": "Great stuff Karen. Happy Birthda Moon."}, {"response": 689, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (12:08)", "body": "Moon, darling, the little Italian tailor quit on me in disgust when he asked me how I \"dressed,\" and I responded \"poorly.\" Perhaps you can take me to one of your famous American coutouriers?"}, {"response": 690, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (12:15)", "body": "Oh Karen.....*tears rolling down face*...ROTFLMAO... (KC) re: AG..\"but is it necessary? (hands clenching the arms of her chair) \" ....(CF)\"... I only have a cursory understand of the Father Knows Best thing as a result of living in St Louis for one year. We didn't have a television and was an \"outsider\" You didn't miss a thing.... (Odile)This was great: one for the Drool HoF! :) Here, here...a keeper.Hard to overtake this one."}, {"response": 691, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (12:24)", "body": "Happy Birthday Moon! i hope you have a Wonderful Day! *hug*"}, {"response": 692, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (12:25)", "body": "\"Im practicing, Moon,honestly\" \"I don't have to practice....come ovah here, let me show you....\" [Ed note: Methinks: \"left\"]"}, {"response": 693, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (12:32)", "body": "and Karen, that was Brillant! ROTFLOL!"}, {"response": 694, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (13:43)", "body": "Karen, I need a bucket, but not for Drool! Am ROTFLMAOPIMP!!! The button shop on the corner has had to close. We are reading the gossip columns daily to see if we can gather data, La Bella Luna is on the left, and we suspect that the person on her right is her financial supporter. Classic stuff. Well done, honey!"}, {"response": 695, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (13:49)", "body": "For the birthday girl: Martinez Doesn't Do Nude Olivier Martinez kept his clothes firmly on in new film Unfaithful--because he's shy. Even though his co-star Diane Lane dares to bare in the new drama, Martinez has ruled out stripping on screen. He says, \"I'm never naked in the movie, because I don't play naked--because I'm shy. Sometimes we are actors, but we are also human beings. Different personalities and different behaviors. And I'm an actor who doesn't play naked.\""}, {"response": 696, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (13:58)", "body": "Ohhhhhh!!!!!!!!!! Karen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROTFLOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Unfortunately, few have seen her face and this is the only known photograph of her taken in Venice this year and it is very blurred. (holds photo to camera) La Bella Luna is on the left, and we suspect that the person on her right is her financial supporter. Who happens to be suo marito. This is too funny. (hands clenching the arms of her chair) As Evelyn said, you didn't miss a thing, that was brilliant! Good to know Colin's practicing, Evelyn, thank you for bringing carissimo Jeremy to my party. Poor Rupi is 4th now. [Ed note: Methinks: \"left\"] Methinks, right. It's hiding under his hand. Olala! And, Mari, merci. Olivier is so dreamy. BTW, I can take those shoes. It's those clunky boots ODB wears that have to go. ;-) It's great to have all the guys at my party. ;-) And, Mari, please tell Colin that if he wants to come shopping with me, he'd best be prepared to spend, tantissimo. But I think I'd rather talk to that Roman tailor and convince him to help him, as a charity case. ;-) Thank you Mark, keep those Forza Azzuri thoughts. :-D Thank you, Odile, Pam (fellow Gemini) and SB. Have some champagne."}, {"response": 697, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (14:02)", "body": "And I'm an actor who doesn't play naked.\" As long as you can kiss, the rest we can make up. ;-)"}, {"response": 698, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (14:27)", "body": "\"I don't have to practice....come ovah here, let me show you....\" [Ed note: Methinks: \"left\"] Oh, Evelyn, where did you find that picture? It is priceless. You didn't miss a thing.... Yes, I did. :-( I was in a hurry and had to post. I'll make a few notes in case there's a need for a follow-up interview or additional tape is miraculously found from this one. ;-D Good place to shop, Mari? ;-D OK, more for the birthday girl..."}, {"response": 699, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (14:45)", "body": "And we must hear from your most ardent admirer..."}, {"response": 700, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (15:06)", "body": "And what would a party be for Moon without a floor show? Let's all sing it, gals, \"Yes, we have no bananas. We have no bananas today.\""}, {"response": 701, "author": "airstream", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (15:16)", "body": "*APPLAUSE APPLAUSE APPLAUSE APPLAUSE APPLAUSE APPLAUSE APPLAUSE APPLAUSE* BRAVO! (this was classic!, thanks for the laughs! how will this ever be topped?)"}, {"response": 702, "author": "treseg", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (15:25)", "body": "there is no way i could top any of you more experienced firth fans, so i'll just say my humble- happy birthday moon! thanks for all the laughs today everyone"}, {"response": 703, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (15:36)", "body": "ROTFLOL!!! I ca'ant see ti tope....too amny tears im ny eyes aftr the intrveiw! Then!.... the singng dancng Colin! I'm hysterical with laughter!!!! Yes, BRAVO!! BRAVO!! (Oooo, some nice JN pics too)"}, {"response": 704, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (16:17)", "body": "Katie: Is that because your counterparts have all had oral hygiene problems? CF: In addition to what I said, its because I'm sick and tired of my wife poking me with those red nails. HAVE A WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY, CARA ROTFLOL--EVEN MY BJD WORDS FAIL ME NOW. So I'm wishing you Happy Birtday, toasting you with a glass of white wine, as Mark Darcy did for Bridget. Karen, that's why we call you da BOSS! Still waiting for the wedding picture that you are afraid we can't handle. Wouldn't that be a great present for Moon, to go along with everything else?"}, {"response": 705, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (16:21)", "body": "I'll make a few notes in case there's a need for a follow-up interview or additional tape is miraculously found from this one. ;-D Karen, we will be waiting for that follow-up interview. The Bucket runs deep. ;-))) Oh, Rupi, my admirer. You do look good in armour. ;-) And what can I say about banana boy? Love you Geoffrey! *smooch* Keep smiling, baby. :-D On an aside, and this is my World Cup fever showing. Those steps of Geoffrey done up in a soccer uniform would work in manner of: Great player after scoring a goal. ;-D Thanks, trese."}, {"response": 706, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (16:23)", "body": "Thank you, Linda! Cheers!"}, {"response": 707, "author": "airstream", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (16:40)", "body": "\"The good ended happily and the bad unhappily. That is what Fiction means.\" moon can never have enough presents, i agree....."}, {"response": 708, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (17:26)", "body": "moon can never have enough presents, i agree..... Thanks, Amy! Lucky for me, my DH feels the same way. :-D Party hoping but I'll be back. *hic* Have more champagne, ladies. The cake is yet to come."}, {"response": 709, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (18:05)", "body": "(Moon) Have more champagne, ladies. The cake is yet to come. WIll it be my favorite kind......beefcake? ;-D"}, {"response": 710, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (18:29)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVERYONE!!! BRAVO AND THANK YOU MARI, EVELYN (METHINKS RIGHT & LEFT!! OOOLLALA), AND KAREN. WHAT A GOOD JOB. I DON'T THINK THIS CAN BE TOPPED. AMAZING. WITH GOOD STUFF LIKE THIS ITS LIKE HAVING A BIRTHDAY EVERY DAY. THANK YOU."}, {"response": 711, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (18:56)", "body": "I don't care what he says...Olivier looks pretty nekkid to me."}, {"response": 712, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (19:18)", "body": "Being the inept computer person that I am, I can only offer Birthday wishes to you Moon. Hope your day is great. Thanks for all the pics and the fantastic entertainment today. Karen, the interview was excellent. I am thoroughly impressed. What are you gonna do for tomorrow? :)))))"}, {"response": 713, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (20:28)", "body": "ROTFL My compliments to the chefs who have produced such amusing (and tasty) moon-cakes (yueh ping) , and best returns of the day to the birthday woman. Evelyn, you have melted down my monitor. ;)"}, {"response": 714, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (20:51)", "body": "(Dorine) WIll it be my favorite kind......beefcake? ;-D Well, I see that Evelyn obliged with a little of that, but I could post some lovely Michael shots. (Pam) I DON'T THINK THIS CAN BE TOPPED. Check out topic 110, where we celebrate Colin's birthday. (Lisa) What are you gonna do for tomorrow? :))))) Thank goodness, it's the Sabbath and I can rest. (Ev) I don't care what he says...Olivier looks pretty nekkid to me. Trust me, I've seen the movie. He's never nekkid. Even Diane Lane is never fully exposed. Hands are strategically placed, and there is the most clever camera work I've ever seen. A major disappointment. All hype. No delivery. ;-D ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Since Moon is probably still out drinking champagne and wines and similar, she'll be right in the mood for some lo-cal cake when she gets home. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOON!!! Hope it was as much fun for you as it was for us...and that you got lots of jewelry, dear. ;-)"}, {"response": 715, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 15, 2002 (09:14)", "body": "Mick Jagger has been awarded a knighthood in the Queen's Birthday Honours List. Jagger, who appears on the list as Michael Philip Jagger, singer and songwriter, becomes a knight for \"services to popular music\". The award was leaked last weekend and has already generated some controversy. Despite his age - he will be 59 on July 26 - Jagger has perfected the art of growing old disgracefully with a string of flings with models, one of which resulted in a love child in his mid-50s. Jagger, who did not appear at the Golden Jubilee Palace pop concert, jokingly complained during a recent television documentary about missing out on royal recognition. Jagger says he is \"delighted\" at the news. Others getting honours included Harold Pinter (surprising because of his politics), David Suchet, Trevor Nunn, and writers Sebastian Faulks and Ian Rankin."}, {"response": 716, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 15, 2002 (09:23)", "body": "Thank you Lisa and Elizabeth. Check out topic 110, where we celebrate Colin's birthday. I have a feeling that this year it will be an incredibly philosophical one. ;-) (Karen), Hope it was as much fun for you as it was for us...and that you got lots of jewelry, dear. Yes, I did get the jewelry, my boys are so very good to me. :-D Karen you made this party a definite HoF one. Thanks to you and my lovely friends. Hugs and kisses to all."}, {"response": 717, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 15, 2002 (09:57)", "body": "(Karen)Others getting honours included Harold Pinter (surprising because of his politics),... There's hope for Colin then;-)) *Sir*Mick Jagger???I agree with those who say they're scraping the bottom of the barrel. What's David Suchet done....Poirot?Mr. Darcy brought in more tourism that he has. Agree re: Tervor Nunn. He's done great things for the National Theatre. (Mind your own business, evelyn...it's not your country;-)))"}, {"response": 718, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Jun 15, 2002 (16:34)", "body": "Happy belated Birthday, Moon! from the ever-late Caribou :-) The party is over, the thank you have been sent and the topic has changed. You do realize, of course, that timing like this is even harder than comedy. ;-) Hope you have a great year and your wishes come true -- which would be good for all of us!"}, {"response": 719, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 15, 2002 (19:02)", "body": "Thanks, Caribou, we do share some wishes. ;-D"}, {"response": 720, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jun 15, 2002 (19:59)", "body": "(Evelyn)What's David Suchet done....Poirot?Mr. Darcy brought in more tourism that he has. Yes he did, and he has more hair too-at least for now. DS also had a part in Victoria and Albert-with ODB'S dear brother."}, {"response": 721, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Jun 15, 2002 (20:13)", "body": "(Evelyn)*Sir*Mick Jagger???I agree with those who say they're scraping the bottom of the barrel. Ah, c'mon, Ev, he's a stand-up guy. Aside from the drinking . . . and the smoking . . . and the vulgar mother . . .and the drug busts ;-) Oh, then there's the matter of siring 7 children with 4 different women. And the fact that he left England to live in France at one point to avoid paying taxes. But my fave: when the Brazilian model got pregnant, Jerry sued him for divorce and he comes up with the announcement that she couldn't divorce him (and get a wifely chunk of his estate) because they had never really been legally married. Which had the effect of announcing to their children (and the world) that they were illegitimate.:-( I like his music and always will, but I don't think he'd even make the bottom of the barrel."}, {"response": 722, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Jun 16, 2002 (07:03)", "body": ""}, {"response": 723, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jun 16, 2002 (10:49)", "body": "I like his music and always will, but I don't think he'd even make the bottom of the barrel. It looks like getting \"Sired\" by the Queen is as easy as getting a star in Hollywood Walk of Fame. You write letters and petitions and get enough signatures to get them qualified. How absurd is that? The Knights of old must be turning in their graves."}, {"response": 724, "author": "maryw", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (10:31)", "body": "There's someone even more tardy than Caribou... Belated Happy Birthday Moon! Splendid party obviously! You're lucky to have talented friends who partied with you all through the day and night. Now I hope that all this birthday bash has not diverted you from your goal in life....which is to teach our boy to upgrade from chicken pecking to this... ....to catch Sir Elton's attention and get an invite to leave his \"mark\" along with those two from BJD..."}, {"response": 725, "author": "maryw", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (10:42)", "body": "Ooops...last image bombed. Trying again... just learned to link image image ...it shows!"}, {"response": 726, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (12:04)", "body": "Dear Minkee, you're getting very good! Now I hope that all this birthday bash has not diverted you from your goal in life....which is to teach our boy to upgrade from chicken pecking to this... ROTF! You better bring some of those images to his birthday party bash. ;-) And... Happy Birthday, Minkee!!!"}, {"response": 727, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (14:55)", "body": "From Masterpiece Theatre's newsletter, about their fall season: Masterpiece Theatre will return in the fall with a full slate of engrossing dramas, including the American Collection title, Esmeralda Santiago's Almost a Woman, A coming-of-age story about a young Puerto Rican girl in New York City. Also ahead is the long-awaited remake of the classic PBS presentation, the sweeping epic The Forsyte Saga, chronicling the lives of three generations of an aristocratic turn-of-the-century English family. Keep up with the Forsyte family tree online as it grows throughout the summer: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/schedule/index.html#forsyte Just some of what's coming up in 2002/2003.... Zadie Smith's White Teeth Andrew Davies's adaptation of Dr. Zhivago Me and Mrs. Jones, starring Robson Green My Uncle Silas 2, starring Albert Finney Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The House of the Baskervilles George Eliot's classic Daniel Deronda"}, {"response": 728, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (16:08)", "body": "Coming on A&E on August 3rd. According to a James Frain website. Other Armadillo pics: http://www.jamesfrainonline.com/armadillo.htm Director is Howard Davies who was recently nominated for a Tony for Private Lives currently on B'way."}, {"response": 729, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (16:32)", "body": "OOHHHH, do you think ODB may be part of the Forsyte family tree? At least our cable co. provides PBS."}, {"response": 730, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (16:56)", "body": "Thanks, Ev, one of the pic (sans shirt) looks like post-lucid dreaming. Am visualizing somebody else... *sniff sniff*"}, {"response": 731, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (17:00)", "body": "Minkee, if today is your birthday I hope it's magical! YKW came out of this poster today just to wish you a happy one!"}, {"response": 732, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (18:20)", "body": "FYI Newbies:To keep you in the loop. Re: Armadillo. Two years ago there were strong rumors that Colin was going to play the role of Lorimer in \"Armadillo\". *Strong* like it was in Baz's column in the Daily Mail and A&E almost admitted such to Mari on the phone. Then: nada. And suddenly we discovered that James Frain was going to play the role and Colin was playing Dr. Stuckhart in the HBO movie, Conspiracy. Meanwhile ....we had all bought and read the book, and Karen even had a page up and running..... Soooo, therefore the interest."}, {"response": 733, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (18:27)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MINKEE-what a great present from Lora Lora, can you believe that you were right there taking that picture? Gives me the chills just to think about that night again, You lucky girl!"}, {"response": 734, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (18:30)", "body": "*sob* Sorry I missed the BIG par-tay. Happy birthday, dear Moon, from the-former-partier-now-latest-of-the-late! Hope it was a good one."}, {"response": 735, "author": "kasey", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (18:38)", "body": "Karen, Thanks for the heads-up on the updated Forsyte Saga. I'll show my age here by admitting that I LOVED it the first time around on PBS. Hope that the new version lives up to my memories of the old."}, {"response": 736, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (19:11)", "body": "*sob* Sorry I missed the BIG par-tay. Happy birthday, dear Moon, from the-former-partier-now-latest-of-the-late! Hope it was a good one. We missed you, Eileen. The party was a HoF as you see. Armadillo: Coming on A&E on August 3rd. (Karen), Am visualizing somebody else... *sniff sniff* I know what you mean, Karen. Colin was Latimer.:-( I can't picture Frain in this at all. I did enjoy the book which I might not have read otherwise. I will be in Italy and would appreciate someone taping it and lending it to me on my return. Grazie!"}, {"response": 737, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (21:20)", "body": "Minkee, is it really your birthday? Dates, we need exact dates! Astrological signs just won't cut it. Will have to do some late night or early morning shopping for a present."}, {"response": 738, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (23:03)", "body": "Happy Birthday Moon and Minkee. Sorry to be so late. Haven't had much time for the computer the past week or 10 days."}, {"response": 739, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 18, 2002 (09:50)", "body": "Given what we've been talking about on 162, this one's for you Minkee, if it is your birthday (which you haven't confirmed!!!)"}, {"response": 740, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jun 18, 2002 (10:10)", "body": "Well, Mink, is it or isn't it? Inquiring minds . . . Oh, Moon, I just head the Italy/South Korea score. Sono spiacente! Maledizione! (Am cramming with my Berlitz tapes;-)"}, {"response": 741, "author": "sandym", "date": "Tue, Jun 18, 2002 (10:46)", "body": "Oooooh! I just caught up on my reading from the weekend and *sob* what a glorious birthday celebration I missed! Karen, ROTFLMAO at that Katie Couric interview. Am eagerly awaiting follow-up. Evelyn, that JN picture was positively delightful (and methinks the editor is correct) ;^) Kudos to all. A very, very happy belated birthday to Moon and Minkee!"}, {"response": 742, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun 18, 2002 (11:13)", "body": "Oh, Moon, I just head the Italy/South Korea score. Sono spiacente! Maledizione! (Am cramming with my Berlitz tapes;-) LOL! Good words to start with. We are very depressed. There has been no fairplay by the referees, they wanted Italy out and Korea to advance. It's political. :-( Thanks, Lucie and Sandy, cheers is what I need. :-D BTW, Minkee posted her bday at the beginning of Gemini season. I asked her. So it is correct. And, there are more Geminis that have not given us a date like Lisa who is also a Gemini. Ladies, we want the dates!"}, {"response": 743, "author": "maryw", "date": "Tue, Jun 18, 2002 (11:17)", "body": "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a woman in possession of a good number of years in her age must keep keep extremely quiet indeed when another birthday is upon her....but when Drooleurs of such talent lure her out with such temptations, what's an old gal to do? I'm a cusp-ian(?)/cusp-ist(?)...born on 20th of June - between Gemini and Cancer - \"the homely flirt\" I think is a blended astrological description. Lora, thank you. I also thank and agree with Linda...that is a great present indeed! Perfect for oggling, real sight for sore eyes..... but if Karen is to be believed - I'll be going blind soon! LOL, thanks Boss. Cross my heart (but not hope to die) that green book contains only nice decent photos of ODB...although my eyeballs do look being split between *left* and *right*. ;-) Lucie - thank you am very happy you're early for mine. :-)) And, finally Moon, thanks for the birthday wishes and the nice thoughts represented by the lips. I don't mean to be ungracious ...'cept I recognise those as the Gnat's. Eeewww. May I return soiled goods please? I'll have even just one of the pair on that gorgeous present from Lora. ;)~~~~ And Moon - pity about the Azzure - that was real tough luck for. :(( At 5 minutes before the end I was mentally writing out the following trivia to send to you tonight in big bold letters but not anymore (ducking for cover).... Vieri grew up and played football in Sydney"}, {"response": 744, "author": "maryw", "date": "Tue, Jun 18, 2002 (11:33)", "body": "Mari - see above. May I borrow your Berlitz tapes? Sandy, grazie. (I'll complete the sentence when I get the tapes from Mari.) Moon - I noticed that about the referee too! Shame! Shame! (But I won't take anything away from the Koreans - those goals were brilliant.) Our household was cheering for Italy too. We were speechless. In Sydney, the equivalent of Little Italy is a city fringe area called Leichardt and the equivalent of Mulberry Street is Norton Street. That whole street was closed during the Italy/Mexico game (delirious with celebrations at end of night) and again tonight - except tonight it was like a quiet church. Oh dear. Oh dear. :("}, {"response": 745, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 18, 2002 (11:48)", "body": "This season's production of Clare Boothe Luce's The Women will be broadcast on PBS stations across the country thanks to the network's \"Stage on Screen\" series. Hosted by \"Seinfeld\" star and theatre veteran Jason Alexander, the classic play about a group of \"gold-diggers, schemers, gossips and social climbers\" was recorded live at the American Airlines Theatre in January starring Kristen Johnston, Rue McClanahan, Cynthia Nixon, Jennifer Tilly, Mary Louise Wilson and Jennifer Coolidge. Luce's 1936 comedy, which was produced by The Roundabout Theatre Company and directed by Scott Elliott, will be broadcast in the metropolitan area on WNET on June 18 at 8 PM. Air dates for eight other cities follow: Los Angeles (KCET) June 18 at 9 PM Chicago (WTTW) June 18 at 9 PM Philadephia (WHYY) June 18 at 9 PM San Francisco (KQED) June 22 at 8 PM Boston (WGBH) June 22 at 8 PM Dallas (KERA) June 18 at 8 PM Atlanta (GAPTV) June 18 at 9 PM Detroit (WTVS) June 18 at 9 PM Final Sept. 1 Performance of Contact To Be Broadcast Live on PBS"}, {"response": 746, "author": "maryw", "date": "Tue, Jun 18, 2002 (11:53)", "body": "Mari - see above. May I borrow your Berlitz tapes? Sandy, grazie. (I'll complete the sentence when I get the tapes from Mari.) Moon - I noticed that about the referee too! Shame! Shame! (But I won't take anything away from the Koreans - those goals were brilliant.) Our household was cheering for Italy too. We were speechless. In Sydney, the equivalent of Little Italy is a city fringe area called Leichardt and the equivalent of Mulberry Street is Norton Street. That whole street was closed during the Italy/Mexico game (delirious with celebrations at end of night) and again tonight - except tonight it was like a quiet church. Oh dear. Oh dear. :("}, {"response": 747, "author": "maryw", "date": "Tue, Jun 18, 2002 (11:54)", "body": "Yikes - the dreaded \"refresh\" icon. Sorry folks for double post."}, {"response": 748, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jun 18, 2002 (12:17)", "body": "I watched the match this morning. I was thinking of you, Moon, and all of my family in Italy-v.depressing. I was going to call them if Italy had won. I think I'll hold off for now. All phones have probably been pulled out from the walls by now anyway. Wonder if any tv screens survived? BTW, Karen, I was doing laundry while watching. (Minkee)born on 20th of June You share the same birthday as my DH. If I'm not mistaken, ODB's wedding anniversary is the next day.(sigh)"}, {"response": 749, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun 18, 2002 (14:23)", "body": "Grazie a tutti per i pensieri. (Go to it Mari) ;-) So if Minkee is the 20th, who was the 17th? Was it you Lisa? I know Vieri was born in Minkeeland. :-)"}, {"response": 750, "author": "treseg", "date": "Tue, Jun 18, 2002 (14:58)", "body": "the women airs tonight (june 18) at 8 pm on KETC (st. louis), repeats the 20th at 2 am"}, {"response": 751, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Jun 18, 2002 (18:55)", "body": "Happy Birthday all my fellow Geminis. Wish I could do all the lovely pics as you talented people can do. Happy B-day Minkee. Mine is the 19th. I'm just so impressed that we are still in the running. Will see what happens Friday morning with Germany. GO USA!!!!"}, {"response": 752, "author": "maryw", "date": "Wed, Jun 19, 2002 (07:02)", "body": "Thank you Linda . Happy Birthday to YDH too! Thank you Pam and here's one for you for today. I'm not a tardy turtle this time. Indeed you may need to party often - one for you, one for each of the other Geminians here and one for the USofA - good luck!"}, {"response": 753, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 19, 2002 (07:53)", "body": "Interrupting the birthday bashes for a second... It looks like the nine-month search for a writer to work with Rupert Everett on his NBC sitcom has come to an end. Sources said former \"Mad About You\" executive producer Victor Levin is on track to serve as executive producer/showrunner on the NBC Studios/Touchstone TV show, which is being developed for midseason consideration. In October, NBC gave Everett a 13-episode commitment for a fish-out-of water vehicle in which he would star as a British ambassador, to be executive produced by the actor and Marc Platt. According to sources, Levin and Everett hit it off, and their meeting with the network this week went well, though the concept of the sitcom is still being tweaked."}, {"response": 754, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 19, 2002 (08:49)", "body": "Bet ole Rupe will be good in a sitcom. Lots of backsides to pat;-)*cruel, I know* \"The Women\" last night was disappointing. Live theatre on television is a double edged sword. A live audience brings out the best in a performance, but the stage acting comes off as OTT on a small screen. And I think that was the case here. The American Airlines theatre is cavernous (remember DFL) and they have to project to hit that upper balcony and that makes them screech for tv. Didn't like the way Cynthia Nixon (S&TC)played her role..too affected. And Jennifer Tilly always does best when the role calls for vulgar qualitie;-). Overall, they seemed to recite the lines with catty charms.Isaac Mizrahi's gowns were terrific. I liked the intermission interview with the cast."}, {"response": 755, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 19, 2002 (12:42)", "body": "Happy Birthday Pam! It is official, by the numbers, Geminis rule drool. :-D Bet ole Rupe will be good in a sitcom. Lots of backsides to pat;-)*cruel, I know* Especially in West Hollywood. ;-) Isaac Mizrahi's gowns were terrific. I adore him! Remember that black one that JLo wore to the Oscars 4 years ago? A stunner."}, {"response": 756, "author": "Suzanne08", "date": "Wed, Jun 19, 2002 (12:59)", "body": "Here's an interesting article from The New York Observer, by Ron Rosenbaum, which discusses what he descibes as Jane Austen character types. Enjoy! http://www.observer.com/pages/story.asp?ID=5887"}, {"response": 757, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Jun 19, 2002 (13:19)", "body": "Thanks Suzanne - interesting reading :-)"}, {"response": 758, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 19, 2002 (14:08)", "body": "Yes, thanks, Suzanne! Northanger Abbey was the first novel she\ufffdd written, it was the last one she published. It was also one that had somehow been lost in the shuffle\ufffdnever filmed with Emma Thompson or Alicia Silverstone playing the heroine, or the annoying Colin Firth as the prize. P&P, starring the simpering Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy (which then morphed into an even greater media phenomenon with Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary, in the film of which Colin Firth plays a modern Mr. Darcy much as I like the Pride and Prejudice miniseries, the focus on the heroic Elizabeth Bennet and the too-sensitive-from-the-get-go-to-really-be-Mr. Darcy Colin Firth has somehow turned a novel of great wit and asperity into, well, a generic chick flick. This guy has a problem with CF. LOL!"}, {"response": 759, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 19, 2002 (14:34)", "body": "We're all dressed up in our formalwear, Pam, to wish you a very..."}, {"response": 760, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 19, 2002 (14:50)", "body": "Thanks Sue.I think the author is a certified Austenite. And none of them liked the P&P mini-series.I came to like JA through my son who is a Mansfield Park man. Likes Chardonnay too, Moon;-) (Must ask him about quiche;-)"}, {"response": 761, "author": "treseg", "date": "Wed, Jun 19, 2002 (14:54)", "body": "i agree with evelyn that the women on pbs was ott, i'm glad it wasn't just me, i caught it at intermission and thought the interviews were interesting, the whole experience made me want to watch the movie they showed clips of, has anyone seen that?"}, {"response": 762, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 19, 2002 (14:59)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAM"}, {"response": 763, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jun 19, 2002 (18:47)", "body": "Happy birthday(s), Pam and Minkee!"}, {"response": 764, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jun 19, 2002 (18:55)", "body": "the simpering Colin Firth Simpering? Simpering? has me simmering-burning, in fact. Happily, I am proud to be in the P&P subcategory 4. Loved the book, the miniseries, and the BJD connection. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it. On a much lighter note, Happy Birthday Pam!!! Enjoy your day."}, {"response": 765, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jun 19, 2002 (18:57)", "body": "(trese) i agree with evelyn that the women on pbs was ott, i'm glad it wasn't just me I agree with both of you...so much so, I had to turn it off even before intermission. It became too grating to me. Thanks for the article, Suzanne. The author does seem quite put out by CF, doesn't he."}, {"response": 766, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Jun 19, 2002 (20:51)", "body": "Thank you all so much for the Birthday Greetings. You have made my day, believe me. Your kindness and acceptance is go greatly appreciated. I love the graphics, copied to show my kids. Thanks so much. Thanks Suzanne for the article. I don't see, personally, why the JA purists didn't like the mini-series. It was really close to the book. The only parts missing, and I agree with everyone should have been in, were the building of the relationship, more meetings at Rossings, and the courting during the engagement should definitely have been in as well as Lizzy informing everyone that it was Darcy who bailed out Lydia. All these were essential and would have just added to his \"chick-flick\" impression. But let's remember the novel is about chicks. As far as his impression of CF -- Way out of line. He played the character as close to the book as possible, as JA was vague. Hardly simpering, and in many other reviews CF is acknowledged as the best of all the Darcys, which he is. I agree, this man definitely has a problem with CF. Major jealousy of the most successful portrayal of them all. I, also, am category 4. I think Rupert's sitcom sounds good. May leave openings for guest appearances, and since they are getting on so well, would be wonderful to see CF show up. Agreed? Rupert has said they act well together as a team. Could this be possible?!! One can only hope. Thank you again everyone."}, {"response": 767, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Wed, Jun 19, 2002 (22:07)", "body": "Happy belated birthdays, ladies...sorry I have been neglectful. This is what comes of being a type 1d I suppose. :) It looks like the nine-month search for a writer to work with Rupert Everett on his NBC sitcom has come to an end. Could have been worse. Could have been Binder... At least this gives it a fighting chance to be funny."}, {"response": 768, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jun 19, 2002 (22:25)", "body": "(Elizabeth) Could have been worse. Could have been Binder... Ugh! Last night I caught the middle of a movie he wrote called The Sex Machine. I now know why everyone makes cracks about L'dum. I saw part of an episode of The Mind of a Married Man series on Showtime a while back, too and couldn't watch more. I now see that poor writing, directing, and acting is a pattern for him...or perhaps a lifestyle. Who keeps funding all these things for him to do? Sheesh! An belated Happy Birthday Pam!"}, {"response": 769, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Wed, Jun 19, 2002 (23:03)", "body": "Who keeps funding all these things for him to do? Product placement from the meat pie manufacturers, most likely. Snerk!"}, {"response": 770, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Jun 19, 2002 (23:53)", "body": "Happy Birthday!, Pam, or, better yet ... Pam!! Happy Birthday!, Minkee, or, better yet ... Minkee!! 'Nuff said!"}, {"response": 771, "author": "airstream", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (05:07)", "body": "Mine was June 17--Happy birthday Minkee and Pam! I think that Mike Binder's stuff is Horrible (not seen L'dum though)...what is his fascination with MH? Do they date? I don't know who that actor is--but he 'looks' like Lorimer. (Wasn't he Hungarian or something?)"}, {"response": 772, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (08:19)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MINKEE"}, {"response": 773, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (09:25)", "body": "So it was Amy's birthday on the 17th! A very Happy belated Bithday, Amy! And today is the day, Minkee! I know I jumped the gun before but here's to a great day. A very merry Birthday in Minkeeland to Minkee!"}, {"response": 774, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (09:25)", "body": "So it was Amy's birthday on the 17th! A very Happy belated Birthday, Amy! And today is the day, Minkee! I know I jumped the gun before but here's to a great day. A very merry Birthday in Minkeeland to Minkee!"}, {"response": 775, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (10:05)", "body": "All these parties . . . . . . I think I need to rest a bit with the birthday girls. Happy Birthday, Pam, Amy, and Minkee!"}, {"response": 776, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (10:20)", "body": "Happy birthday to Amy, Pam, and Minkee this week! All these Geminis on drool...when I think of all of you I keep hearing Moon and the Geminis in my head! Has a nice ring to it, like a girl band and what better place to start your tour -- in Minkeeland ;-)! Hope you all have a rockin' and rollin' time on your big days (Sir Paul is a Gemini, too)!"}, {"response": 777, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (10:20)", "body": "Mari, what film is THAT from???? I'm guessing ATA since, with what minimal attention I can muster up to look at the right-hand side of the photo, I've decided that's Jessica Lange with him. I haven't seen ATA yet - I wasn't in a hurry since in the archives y'all talked about how small Jess's part wound up being - but evidently I need to move it higher on the priority list. Happy Birthday to our birthday girls!!"}, {"response": 778, "author": "maryw", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (10:39)", "body": "Thank you very much for all your birthday greetings Rika, Lora, Evelyn, Elisabeth S, KJ, Eileen Moon - thanks again - I very much appreciate that you did not bring the lips of the Gnat with you this time ;-) Amy - Happy Birthday to you too - I hope you had a lovely day just like I did yesterday - (that's right, it's now past tense for me down here). (By the way - do you remember who coined that word \"Minkeeland\"?) Mari - thank you...but are you sure he will get a rest with all 3 of us bday girls? Together? What do you say, Pam and Amy? It's winter here but I'm suddently feeling very warm and am sure it's not due to the Merlot. Mama Mia - no wonder the Dottoressa (sp?) strictly scrutinises all his engagements. We need to move over to 159 ;-)~~~~"}, {"response": 779, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (10:55)", "body": "Yes, Rika darling, it's me in ATA. This is how I look with my shirt on. And this is how I look when I say \"this is how I look with my shirt on.\" The flick is mediocre at best, but damn, I look hot in it!:-) (And there's lots of me in the first half; after that, you can stop the tape.;-)"}, {"response": 780, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (11:03)", "body": "Happy Belated Birthday, Amy"}, {"response": 781, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (11:11)", "body": "(Minkee)do you remember who coined that word \"Minkeeland\"?) That was me, I believe. Minkee, since it seems you're in no mood to share with the other girls, I'm sending him down to you and I told him it's BYOB--bring your own bed. From the PD (pre-Dotoressa) collection:"}, {"response": 782, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (11:25)", "body": "Looks like you might be having a visitor!"}, {"response": 783, "author": "maryw", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (11:47)", "body": "Karen Visitors of certain types always welcome especially those with smooches to deliver in person. But chicken pecks definitely not allowed!!!. For A-level smooches, I even provide perfect bed and pillows like those exclusively a la 4 Seasons. You can come too! Despite what Mari thinks - I am willing to share. But will Dottoressa? Maybe not :-( Lovely thoughts anyway, Karen. Grazie. ( Mari - are you done with the Berlitz yet?)."}, {"response": 784, "author": "maryw", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (11:49)", "body": "On a different note: On Minkeeland tv tonight was a report on World Cup - Thai prison-style. 7000 prisoners - sufficient number of foreigners to make up several international teams - sad really :( In opening ceremony, flag carriers were prison cross-dressers dressed up in national costumes. France won the competition. Awarded with golden replica of WC trophy. How's that for promoting international relations?"}, {"response": 785, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (12:03)", "body": "(Mari) Didn't Ruth Gemmell say he was a crap kisser in FP (or maybe that was her jealous? boyfriend relating the tale). Mari posted that question over a week ago, and the discussion has somewhat died down, but just I encountered the original quote in a DarcyDrool archive. This is Ruth Gemmel, being interviewed in the January '97 Harpers & Queens: \"When I told them about my part, my friends used to scream down the phone, but I was quite scared of him. But he's a lovely bloke, unaffected and sweet, and not at all showy, so the only time I was nervous after the first day was when we had to snog. In front of hundreds of people.\" My next question was one I had to ask on behalf of millions. \"Well, it wasn't like the theater--we didn't snog properly. But it looks fine. Colin knew what he was doing--he's obviously had to snog on film before. When I told my boyfriend, he was delighted. He just said, \"So, Mr. Darcy's a crap kisser?\" And there you have it."}, {"response": 786, "author": "maryw", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (12:45)", "body": "(Lora) All these Geminis on drool...when I think of all of you I keep hearing Moon and the Geminis in my head! Has a nice ring to it, like a girl band and what better place to start your tour -- in Minkeeland ;-)! LOL Lora - That's maybe because you've just heard of Kylie Minogue's (Aus/UK pop singer) \"Can't get you out of my head?\" recently released in US. And she does start her tour down here in August. People queued up overnight (and its winter here) to get tickets! I think they are all out of their heads! Rika Now that Mari has sent him to the Gemini girls for a *rest*, his crap kissing days are numbered! ;-)"}, {"response": 787, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (13:05)", "body": "Colin knew what he was doing Love the sound of that. Mari, ROTFLOL with those ATA pictures. Since my birthday was last month and I didn't mention it, I'm coming to Minkeeland with CF to visit you. So just move over and make room. I'm v. patient. Or I can BMOB. Again, Happy Birthday to all Geminis!"}, {"response": 788, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (14:21)", "body": "Minkee, You've been known to play at Drool while enjoying some refreshments... ...but I thought you could use some company this time. ;-)"}, {"response": 789, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (14:26)", "body": "(Mari - are you done with the Berlitz yet?). Just about, Mink. I think I finally have down all the Key Phrases for Americans Traveling Abroad: \"Is there some sort of soccer tournament going on?\" \"Geez, you mean nobody in this town speaks English???\" \"La Dottoressa sent me.\" \"Whaddya mean, dinner's at 10? I'm in bed by then!\" \"But, my travel agent assured me this place had central air.\" \"That's F-I-R-T-H, and I was told he lives here part time.\" And so it goes.;-) Wait, here's one for you, Minkee, since you'll be \"sharing\": \"Vorrei un letto matrimoniale.\" (\"I'd like a double bed.\") ;-)"}, {"response": 790, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (14:41)", "body": "LOL, Mari! Don't forget, \"Can I have some ice?\" (I've been told so many times it's bad for my health!LOL!) (Lora) All these Geminis on drool...when I think of all of you I keep hearing Moon and the Geminis in my head! Has a nice ring to it, like a girl band and what better place to start your tour -- in Minkeeland ;-)! I Love it, Lora! But you've been to my house and seen my music collection. When at the Uni I had a radio show and called it Gemini Rock, so you're not too far off. LOL! I am so happy that we are all on a mission to stop that chicken pecker and turn him into a real smoocher. He will conquer this, he will! ;-)"}, {"response": 791, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (15:28)", "body": "(mari)\"From the PD (pre-Dotoressa) collection:\" ... ROTF.I move we make that a new Drool acronym."}, {"response": 792, "author": "treseg", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (15:53)", "body": "sorry i'm late, happy birthday ladies!!! (i'd list you all but i lost count) i'm a virgo myself (along with colin right) so i have a ways to go hope you all have/had great a day"}, {"response": 793, "author": "treseg", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (15:54)", "body": "sorry \"a great day\""}, {"response": 794, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (19:25)", "body": "Counting last night and tonight-it brings my total to 7 for the number of viewings of TIOBE. I just want to say that after careful study of the very last scene-he does start off the kiss in a pecking manner, but I noticed tonight that it does indeed get better-though it is very quick(better when the DVD comes out and you can slow it down)-it does appear that he ever so slightly goes for FOC's top lip right at the end. Of course we know-no tongue action, but it is not all that bad. I'd take it any day. BTW, not that I would refuse, it was my 12 year old daughter who begged to go back again tonight. Mari, you are doing a fantastic job with those tapes. When we get together for HS we'll need to converse in Italian."}, {"response": 795, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (19:53)", "body": "Hi Everyone - Happy Birthday and thank you for your good wishes. Now ladies are you sure you want to entrust him to all of us Geminis? Remember, each one of us is at least two people. He will never be the same, but I'd gladly take on the responsibility. Bring him on. He would permanently be flashing the \"big grin\". We are definitely up to the task."}, {"response": 796, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (20:21)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO PAM AND MINKEE AND AMY.......... Are the Geminis taking over some sort of teaching role for ODB? As a full-fledged Gemini I humbly accept the responsibility for snogging lessons and will give timely and detailed reports on the progress. Shyly admitting to the group I have been told I'm quite the kisser....... Must go apply purifying mask, pluck eyebrows and find lip balm.......:))))))"}, {"response": 797, "author": "airstream", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (20:25)", "body": "A big THANK YOU for the happy birthdays. Since Geminis are really two...could he be up to the test? (Mari)The flick is mediocre at best, but damn, I look hot in it!:-) you sure got that right--plus the American accent doesn't do much for me either. BTW: technical question--how do you get the pics form the videos?"}, {"response": 798, "author": "kasey", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (21:11)", "body": "So many Geminis... and you're all really two people... well then, Happy Birthday to ALLLLLLLL of you. Do appreciate the lessons you're planning for ODB. Maybe by the time it's our turn he can teach all of us Virgoes a thing or two. We can certainly dream can't we?"}, {"response": 799, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (21:28)", "body": "(Kathy) Maybe by the time it's our turn he can teach all of us Virgoes a thing or two. By the time he gets down to the Capricorn here, I'll get to give him his final exam! And my exams are quite thorough! ;-D (Mari) I think I finally have down all the Key Phrases for Americans Traveling Abroad: Don't forget my favorite...where are the bathrooms?"}, {"response": 800, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (21:51)", "body": "(Moon) Don't forget, \"Can I have some ice?\" (I've been told so many times it's bad for my health!LOL!) Second on my list, Moon: Posso avere il ghiacchio , and yes, I know that stuff will do me in for sure.;-) (Dorine)Don't forget my favorite...where are the bathrooms? Numero uno, Dorine. But here's my dilemma: Dove il bagno? (literally, the bathroon), or Dove la toilette? (probably more correct but, gosh, it doesn't sound as musical;-) (Linda)When we get together for HS we'll need to converse in Italian. Magnifico! But before then, I'll have to learn how to say \"Drop the freakin' towel, Colin! And open your mouth while you're at it\";-)"}, {"response": 801, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (21:58)", "body": "(Amy)BTW: technical question--how do you get the pics form the videos? Firth fan Sharon B. took them with a \"Snappy\" camera and that's how we got the \"Killer Looks\" pages! Go to: http://hometown.aol.com/firthfav/firthfav5.html Piacere and buon appetito!:-)"}, {"response": 802, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (22:12)", "body": "(Mari) Magnifico! But before then, I'll have to learn how to say \"Drop the freakin' towel, Colin! And open your mouth while you're at it\";-) ROTF! I think we all need to learn that one!"}, {"response": 803, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (01:18)", "body": "This is the Fifth for the Firths... ;-D"}, {"response": 804, "author": "maryw", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (06:49)", "body": "Mari - the first word I'd look for when you pass on the Berlitz tapes : tongue the first phrase I'd learn : \"Open your mouth\" the second phrase I'd learn : \"Show me your tongue\" From then on, this Gemini teacher will have to use actions instead of words. Boss : I'm not a poster person - but you've just turned me into one. That goes straight to my wall! Heavens above...goose pimples aplenty. I can just hear THAT voice : \"Care to join me for a drink, Minkee?\" Ooohhhhh! And I'd say.... Posso avere il ghiacchio Right, Moon, Mari? No?"}, {"response": 805, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (09:13)", "body": "(Minkee), Ooohhhhh! And I'd say....Posso avere il ghiacchio Right, Moon, Mari? No? If you get as far as \"Open your mouth\" and \"Show me your tongue,\" I'd drop the ghiacchio part. ;-) (Mari), But before then, I'll have to learn how to say \"Drop the freakin' towel, Colin! And open your mouth while you're at it\";-) LOL! Toglie la asciugamano, Colin, e gia che ci sei, apre la bocca. Dove la toilette? (probably more correct but, gosh, it doesn't sound as musical;-) Toilette is preferable. (Lisa), Shyly admitting to the group I have been told I'm quite the kisser....... Well since you've brought it up, so have I. :-D"}, {"response": 806, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (13:01)", "body": "(Moon)Toglie la asciugamano, Colin, e gia che ci sei, apre la bocca. Yes, Colin, toglie. (Moon)Well since you've brought it up, so have I. :-D Well,come to think of it, so have I. I think he will be in very capable hands-especially when Mari learns to say the word tongue. Not to change the subject, I just saw this months issue of Harper's Bazaar. They published the RZ pictures that they passed on two years ago when she gained the weight for BJD. I could see very little difference in those compared to the ones they shot for this issue. I can't believe it. Maybe that's what has made her say no to gaining again for TEoR. She looked beautiful, btw."}, {"response": 807, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (13:02)", "body": "closing tags, sorry"}, {"response": 808, "author": "airstream", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (14:12)", "body": "(moon)Toglie la asciugamano, Colin, e gia che ci sei, apre la bocca ...we should put that on a t-shirt...."}, {"response": 809, "author": "airstream", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (14:12)", "body": "....or towels...."}, {"response": 810, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (14:34)", "body": "(Minkee)That's maybe because you've just heard of Kylie Minogue's (Aus/UK pop singer) \"Can't get you out of my head?\" recently released in US. And she does start her tour down here in August (Moon)called it Gemini Rock, so you're not too far off. LOL! I'm a psychic and I didn't know it! To borrow Mari's phrase, I must be \"Col-in\" on the spiritual influences around here ;-). (Evelyn)I move we make that a new Drool acronym. I love it and second that motion! We are definitely able to put his career into different eras. Maybe, now that I'm thinking about it here, that can be my thesis topic (from 162): CF's PD Era and the way his breeches are worn then as opposed to post 1997 Era (and I just bought LE from the BB for research);-D."}, {"response": 811, "author": "airstream", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (18:31)", "body": "Thanks Mari! (He looks pretty good with a beard, who'da thought?) Another question: What is a \"snappy\" camera?"}, {"response": 812, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (22:33)", "body": "Thanks for pictures Mari. What a good job. He does look good with a beard, Amy. I generally don't feel many men do look good in one. But there are exceptions. Thank you for Birthday Wishes Lisa. Finally got to see TIOBE today. First time in theater in 25-mile range. Nothing more to say than I am going to bed a happy woman with great expectations for fantacy tonight."}, {"response": 813, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (22:58)", "body": "Belated Happy Birthdays to Amy and Pam"}, {"response": 814, "author": "annas", "date": "Sat, Jun 22, 2002 (01:53)", "body": "Moon)Toglie la asciugamano, May I offer a suggestion \"Buttar via l'asciugamano\" Buttar pronounced as bootah, not butter, giving your lips a pout, and softer sounding than toglie. Il burro may come in handy later. Happy birthday to all the birthday girls, and thanks to all the poster artists"}, {"response": 815, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jun 22, 2002 (06:51)", "body": "Thanks, again, Mari for the pictures. Work hard on that Italian this weekend. Take those tapes to the beach."}, {"response": 816, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sat, Jun 22, 2002 (10:49)", "body": "Mari, thanks for all the eye candy from ATA, they are yummier without the words. Rika, you make a good point about a picture being worth a thousand words. The movie should have been called \"A Thousand Words\" with a disclaimer to turn sound off ;-). ****************************** Movie Warning Alert/Little bit of a Spoiler: If you go to see the movie \"Minority Report\" you need to know that the actor/director/sleeze known around here as MB has a very small but pivotal role in it. Gasped rather loudly in theatre when I saw it was him. But he plays a sleeze so maybe he was typecast ;-). Won't say anymore so as not to spoil it for you. Movie was okay -- definitely a Tom Cruise vehicle (with lots of futuristic vehicles flying around). The standout imho was Colin Farrell. He's excellent!!!!!"}, {"response": 817, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jun 22, 2002 (11:05)", "body": "(Lora)known around here as MB Yikes, not the dreadful MB! He does get around, though,-makes one wonder. Would have loved to see him take direction from SS."}, {"response": 818, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 22, 2002 (14:19)", "body": "But he plays a sleeze so maybe he was typecast ;-). LOL! That surprised me too. As you said he has a pivotal role! The standout imho was Colin Farrell. He's excellent!!!!! I thought Samantha Morton was great! CF(the other CF), is cute, but too boyish looking. Did you notcie what weird teeth TC has? No wonder he's wearing braces now."}, {"response": 819, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun 23, 2002 (16:22)", "body": "Anybody besides me think \"My Big Fat Greek Wedding\" hilarious? Have to be from ethnic background to appreciate it fully. But hey...what's there not to like about seeing Aiden from Sex & TC on the big screen?"}, {"response": 820, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jun 23, 2002 (19:18)", "body": "I haven't seen \"Wedding\" yet, but it's a must now as a friend called at 11:45pm last night to tell me how much she loved it. She was laughing so hard she couldn't get anything out about the movie. I haven't paid attention to ads enough to see if he did this before he got buff."}, {"response": 821, "author": "dianes", "date": "Sun, Jun 23, 2002 (21:17)", "body": "Yikes, not the dreadful MB! He does get around, though,-makes one wonder. Would have loved to see him take direction from SS..... I just saw Minority Report tonight and * SPOILER * loved seeing MB getting the *%#@ kicked out of him. Sorry to re-emerge from Lurkdom to say such a vile thing, but I am still haunted by what he did to ODB in L'dum. Oh, and HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO ALL THE LOVELY JUNE LADIES! Especially Minkee, who thought I forgot her. So, Moon, Pam, Minkee, Trese and anyone I missed, please share your respective birthday wishes when you blew out your candles on your cakes this year. I have a few guesses as to what they might be ..."}, {"response": 822, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 23, 2002 (23:08)", "body": "(Diane) loved seeing MB getting the *%#@ kicked out of him. You *know* that's the only part of L-dum I can stomach watching. hee hee"}, {"response": 823, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 25, 2002 (08:24)", "body": "Read this in IndieWire today: Deutchman Emerges with New Digital Outfit Ira Deutchman, one of the American independent film scene's most accomplished veterans, has a new gig. For the past ten months, the co-founder of Cinecom and Fine Line (and current partner in Redeemable Features as well as faculty member at Columbia University) has been quietly assembling Emerging Pictures, a digital production and exhibition outfit based in New York. Deutchman's business model, however, is not to offer Gotham and other major market audiences yet another art movie venue, but to spread the word to territories that may not be quite so familiar with the world of specialized films. \"The idea behind Emerging Pictures is to become a complete vertically integrated digital film company,\" said Deutchman from his office in midtown Manhattan. \"We want to put together a network of non-traditional theaters linked by satellite. We've identified over 5,000 under-utilized auditoriums or theaters in performing arts centers and other venues around the country, and we want to bring movies to them.\" Emerging Pictures will book each film on a calendar basis, playing for one-week stints only. If a film performs well enough to warrant another booking, it will return to the theater for another week-long booking at a later date. Deutchman says he plans to exhibit other distributors' films as well as acquiring other titles that \"fall under the radar\" and working with some original productions. \"The example that I like to use for people is Scranton, PA,\" Deutchman told indieWIRE. \"Scranton has traditionally been a C or a D market as far as far as art films are concerned. By the time the films get there, it's been six or eight months since the film has been released in major markets. Our philosophy is that if you have a concurrent release with the major markets sent via satellite, then Scranton immediately becomes a B market based on its population. Deutchman hopes to outfit 200 theaters within the next three years. The first three theaters, in Scranton, New Brunswick, NJ, and one other location, will open within the next three months. For more information, visit: http://www.emergingpictures.com"}, {"response": 824, "author": "airstream", "date": "Tue, Jun 25, 2002 (08:56)", "body": "I am curious: What type of marketing is done to label a market (besides population)?"}, {"response": 825, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun 25, 2002 (10:04)", "body": "is not to offer Gotham and other major market audiences yet another art movie venue, but to spread the word to territories that may not be quite so familiar with the world of specialized films. I would like to know what is going to happen to all those tapes of foreign films currently available for rent at the local video stores, when those stores decide to faze them out to accomodate the DVDs? Will anyone even bother to turn to DVDs? Will Truffaut, Godard, Bunuel, Antonioni, De Sica, etc. be lost to new generations? Surely there are some film freaks/aficionados out there that work for DVD companies? Why isn't anyone speaking of doing this? I don't own a DVD player, but I'm sure it won't be long now. Of course, I would need to get the double system one, and they are expensive."}, {"response": 826, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 25, 2002 (13:56)", "body": "From 162 (Mari) Speaking of debutantes, I was watching the Tom Hanks tribute from the AFI last night and there's a scene from Punchline in which Tom, as a stand-up comic, does a funny riff on debutante \"activities,\" ending with the rant, \"What Does This Have To Do With The Real World!!! That was the most outstanding homage to an actor I have yet to see. The guy not only is a great actor inbued with a work ethic beyond comprehension, but love of his craft as well. Those actors were all so sincere in their tributes. Michael Clarke Duncan brought tears to folks eyes. Tom Hanks is a great human being ; a national treasure."}, {"response": 827, "author": "treseg", "date": "Tue, Jun 25, 2002 (16:54)", "body": "ditto evelyn, i love tom too"}, {"response": 828, "author": "airstream", "date": "Tue, Jun 25, 2002 (19:23)", "body": "(Moon)I would like to know what is going to happen to all those tapes of foreign films... Good thought Moon. I suspect sooner or later they will be for sale on ebay. Tom is pretty great. I am looking forward to his new movie."}, {"response": 829, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Jun 25, 2002 (19:34)", "body": "Thank you Diane for the Birthday wishes. Great pics on 162. I hear the Greek Wedding is hysterical. My son saw it and said it was great. Have loved Aiden since his early days in Northern Exposure. He is one handsome man. Anyone know his stats? Watched Dutch Girls yesterday. Did anyone notice a very young Mr. Wickham on the hockey team also? Thanks for the Birthday wishes Diane. My son say Greek Wedding and said it was hysterical. Have loved Aiden since Northern Exposure and extremely envious of Sara J. How could she let him go? That is one exceptionally handsome man. Anyone know his stats? Saw Dutch Girls yesterday. Did you notice a very young Mr. Wickham also on the hockey team? Tom Hanks is one of the best. Acting and personally. You never seem to hear anything bad about him from any quarter. Quite a feat in this business."}, {"response": 830, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jun 25, 2002 (23:01)", "body": "(Evelyn)Michael Clarke Duncan brought tears to folks eyes. Tom Hanks is a great human being ; a national treasure. Agreed! IMO, it was one of the best tributes of this type that I've seen. Those people genuinely love him--every bit was from the heart. What an amazing body of work and diversity of roles Tom has amassed, not to mention that he produced (and directed some episodes of), some of our finest television in recent years--From The Earth To The Moon and Band Of Brothers. Such ambitious, high quality stuff, throughout his career. I can't think of anyone today who can match him. And he's done it all while remaining a devoted family man--proof that you can work hard to be the best at your craft, have tremendous pride in your art, and not sacrifice your principles or your family life. I particularly am grateful to him for honoring our armed forces through his work--especially the men of my father's generation who sacrificed so much. He is a treasure indeed."}, {"response": 831, "author": "caribou", "date": "Tue, Jun 25, 2002 (23:41)", "body": "One of my family's favorites is That Thing You Do. Roger Ebert said that it seems to have been written simply to make us happy. Tom Hanks wrote, directed, and had a role in it. Good stuff if any of you happened to miss it."}, {"response": 832, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 25, 2002 (23:41)", "body": "And wife Rita seems to be especially supportive and a collaborator in all his successes."}, {"response": 833, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 26, 2002 (09:27)", "body": "So are his kids.And he's only 46;doesn't flaunt his wealth, keeps plugging away at quality work despite the fact that he has been overlooked for other Oscars (Castaway, Pvt Ryan). Wasn't he instrumental in heading-up a Korea Memorial in Wash. DC?"}, {"response": 834, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jun 26, 2002 (10:36)", "body": "No, he's been spearheading the effort for a WW2 Memorial--unbelievably, we don't have one."}, {"response": 835, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jun 26, 2002 (20:22)", "body": "(Mari) unbelievably, we don't have one. Not for long. Is being built. I walked past the site last Saturday."}, {"response": 836, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Jun 27, 2002 (13:24)", "body": "Excellent News! -thanks Eileen"}, {"response": 837, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Jun 27, 2002 (14:23)", "body": "(Eileen) Not for long. Is being built. I walked past the site last Saturday. Eileen, where did they decide to build it? The last time I went down to that area with relatives from out of town, they hadn't started it yet. I recall that most of the controversy centered on the location and its effect on the overall appearance of the Mall."}, {"response": 838, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jun 27, 2002 (21:14)", "body": "It's going up just as planned at the far end of the Lincoln Mem'l reflecting pool. They've got alot of space blocked off. Walked up to the wood fence minutes after telling my brother it was on hold. Am glad I'm not the only one who missed the news that it was being built--must have been distracted by all those headline stories about what Michael Jordan ate for breakfast that day. ;-)"}, {"response": 839, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (09:03)", "body": "A couple of Oscar items in the news today. Here's the first, from Variety: For Your Oscar Consideration ... Already By Timothy M. Gray HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Think it's too early to start talking about Oscar? Evidently, you're new in town. Award consultants have been hired and studio executives are mulling campaigns as they size up the competition. Since the year hits the halfway point June 30, and because recent Academy Award races have seen a lot of heavyweights from the first six months, it's not too early to evaluate 2002 so far. The January-June period has offered some serious contenders--particularly in the cartoon and foreign-language races. It's possible we've already seen all three feature-animation nominees: 20th Century Fox's \"Ice Age,\" Disney's \"Lilo & Stitch\" and DreamWorks' \"Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron.\" And while IFC's \"Y Tu Mama Tambien\" and USA Films' \"Monsoon Wedding\" are not eligible in the foreign-language category, both have potential in other races, particularly writing and direction. Beyond that, it's hard to say. Every year, two or three films drive the Oscar race. Though the eligibility period is now half over, there are no films that are ready to assume that mantle. Some of the following films seem to be good possibilities for Oscar consideration; others seem less likely. But it's worth remembering that a lot of people were skeptical of the chances of \"Gladiator,\" \"Erin Brockovich\" and \"Moulin Rouge\"--all of which were early-year bows--until the year-end crop fizzled. This year, possible contenders include Universal's \"About a Boy,\" Warner Bros.' \"Insomnia\" and Fox's \"Minority Report.\" And the acting so far is strong: Diane Lane in Fox's \"Unfaithful\"; Hugh Grant and Toni Collette, \"About a Boy\"; Al Pacino, \"Insomnia\"; Dennis Quaid, Disney's \"The Rookie\"; and Ellen Burstyn in WB's \"Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood.\" Among arthouse-niche entries, the work from writer-director Todd Solondz on Fine Line's \"Storytelling\" was notable, and IFC's \"My Big Fat Greek Wedding\" has a lot of fans. However, many believe the race for the 75th Academy Awards won't get into high gear until July 12, when DreamWorks' \"Road to Perdition\" bows. The Tom Hanks vehicle is earning Oscar buzz in a number of races, and past summers certainly have offered some Oscar biggies, including DreamWorks' own \"Saving Private Ryan\" and Disney's \"The Sixth Sense.\" Last month, the Cannes Film Festival helped start buzz for pictures that will open later in the year: New Line's \"About Schmidt,\" Revolution's Paul Thomas Anderson picture \"Punch-Drunk Love\" (distribbed by Sony), Universal Focus' Roman Polanski film \"The Pianist,\" UA's Mike Leigh \"All or Nothing\" and foreign-language offerings from Sony Pictures Classics: Russia's \"Cuckoo,\" Italy's \"Respiro\" and Finland's \"The Man Without a Past.\" Cannes further whetted people's appetites for Martin Scorsese's long-in-the-works \"Gangs of New York\" from Miramax. Of course, this season always brings titles that have strong potential in the tech categories: Sony's \"Spider-Man,\" Fox's \"Star Wars: Episode II--Attack of the Clones\" and \"Minority Report,\" MGM's \"Windtalkers\" and Universal's \"The Scorpion King.\" As usual, the fourth quarter will see the launch of a lot of kudos hopefuls. In addition to those mentioned, they include Disney's \"Moonlight Mile,\" \"Veronica Guerin\" and Spike Lee's \"25th Hour\"; DreamWorks' \"Catch Me If You Can\" ( Steven Spielberg); Fox's Steven Soderbergh-helmed \"Solaris\"; Fox Searchlight's Denzel Washington-directed \"Antwone Fisher\" and untitled Jim Sheridan project; Lions Gate's \"Confidence\"; Miramax's \"Chicago\" and \"Confessions of a Dangerous Mind\"; \"The Hours,\" from Paramount and Miramax; MGM's \"A Few Good Years\" (starring the Kirk Douglas clan); Sony's \"Adaptation\" ( Meryl Streep, Spike Jonze) and Sony Classics' Almodovar pic \"Talk to Her\"; Universal's \"Red Dragon,\" \"Emperor's Club\" and Curtis Hanson-helmed \"8 Mile\"; UA's \"Nicholas Nickleby\"; and Warner Bros.' \"White Oleander\" and \"Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets.\" And can \"Two Towers,\" the second installment of New Line's \"The Lord of the Rings,\" duplicate the ring-a-ding-ding Oscar attention of the first? While all of those sound like shoo-ins, every studio knows a film can look great on paper but not so good on the bigscreen. And Oscar forecasts are always thrown off by last-minute scheduling shifts (\"Gangs,\" \"Perdition,\" \"The Hours\" and \"Adaptation\" all were tentatively scheduled for December 2001, while \"Black Hawk Down\" was a late addition). Of course, there's always a downside to all this speculation. Many studio reps were horrified at the thought of next year's awards season (\"Didn't we just have the Oscars?,\" moaned one). And a studio marketing rep complained that advance Oscar buzz puts unfair expectations on a picture: \"People should see a film and enjoy it without thinking of awards.\" They're right. But in Hollywood, thinking of a film without thinking of awards is like ignori"}, {"response": 840, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (09:23)", "body": "And from THR: Oscar weighing new date Jun. 28, 2002 For years, the annual Academy Awards have been the dominant event on Hollywood's March calendar. But the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences might be on the verge of rewriting that calendar. The Oscars traditionally are held toward the end of March--last year they took place March 25. But at a meeting of the Academy's Board of Governors during the past week, the subject on the table was moving the Oscars up a month so that instead of happening at the end of March, they would take place closer to the end of February. The main reason for accelerating the Oscar season? A hope on the part of some of those advocating the change that it would cut down on the surrounding Oscar campaigns, which critics of the process have charged have gotten out of hand. Other side effects of a change of date: It would move the Oscar broadcast into the heavily promoted February sweep period, and it might also allow the Oscars to get a jump on some of the competing awards shows that have been trying to steal its thunder. Alt ough there appeared to be genuine support among several board members for the change, it is not yet a done deal. And if any change takes place, it's more likely to occur in 2004 than 2003. (Gregg Kilday) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Column about My Big Fat Greek Wedding movie and its success: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hollywoodreporter/columnists/grove/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1528482"}, {"response": 841, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (09:37)", "body": "A hope on the part of some of those advocating the change that it would cut down on the surrounding Oscar campaigns, which critics of the process have charged have gotten out of hand. OK, so call me a cynic, but won't it just move up the campaigns as well?"}, {"response": 842, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (09:41)", "body": "Of course, they'd back'm up all the way to the New Hampshire primary or the Iowa caucuses. Pffft!"}, {"response": 843, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (11:03)", "body": "Thanks Karen for THR article on Greek Wedding \"Also, we were very fortunate to have (former studio marketing head) Paula Silver on board to assist with the marketing. Every Monday we have conference calls just making sure that we're not being complacent (and to see) is there anything that we've forgotten. Is there something else we should be doing? We're just trying to think at every point what can we do to keep pushing it and keep pushing it\" 1-800-Miramax go hire Paula Silver. \"complacent \" brings on new meaning re: Miramax Agree about Oscar night. Everybody is out to outsmart them. By the time end of March comes, it's \"ho-hum\" for the awards.While they're at it they should take a t ip from GG and expand their categories.Comedies, dramas and muscials do not belong in the same \"Best Picture\" category. THR\"... possible contenders include Universal's \"About a Boy,\" Warner Bros.' \"Insomnia\" and Fox's \"Minority Report.\" And the acting so far is strong: Diane Lane in Fox's \"Unfaithful\"; Hugh Grant and Toni Collette, 'About a Boy'\".. Agree AAB is one of my faves so far. Right up there with Enigma. Sorry folks...me thinks HG & Toni Collette are gonna get an award mention for this one."}, {"response": 844, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (11:25)", "body": "This sounds like a *MUST DO* for all your near-Philly pholks: [Moon, scroll over this] The Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival will boast its longest and largest event this year. Over the course of 13 days, from July 11-23...The festival will honor Jennifer Tilly and Udo Kier with artistic achievement awards. In recognition of Tilly's career, the festival will screen several of her greatest films: \"The Bride of Chucky\", the camp horror classic; the indie ensemble comedy \"Relax . . . It's Just Sex\"; Woody Allen's \"Bullets Over Broadway\" for which she received an Academy Award nomination; and \"Bound,\" the lesbian crime caper that has emerged as a favorite amongst 13-year-old boys for its titillating and explicit love scenes."}, {"response": 845, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (13:01)", "body": "Karen, thanks for the article on \"Greek Wedding.\" It is a great one! Everywhere you go around here, people are saying to go see it (article even said, \"Florida is doing spectacular\"). It appeals to one and all. A friend told me that Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson saw Nia doing her bit about her Greek family at Second City and thought she and it were hilarious, so they suggested she write a screenplay about it. Do you know if that's true? As we know, they did produce it."}, {"response": 846, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (13:47)", "body": "[Moon, scroll over this] LOL! Miami just had its G&L FF. The Black FF just started. I think Miami has more FF than any other state. We have The Jewish FF, Hispanic FF, Miami FF, Brazilian FF, Int'l FF, French FF, can you believe it! And some we have in Miami and repeated (with new films), in Ft Lauderdale. Plus, I'm sure I'm forgetting some more. Saw the preview to \"Road to Perdition\" and was not impressed. It ain't Bonnie and Clyde."}, {"response": 847, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (22:20)", "body": "(Lora) Do you know if that's true? As we know, they did produce it. That isn't the story I heard, which was that she wrote it and sent it to Rita. BTW, Second City is around the corner from me. (Moon) It ain't Bonnie and Clyde. Was it supposed to be? I don't think so."}, {"response": 848, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 29, 2002 (08:41)", "body": "(Moon) It ain't Bonnie and Clyde. (Karen), Was it supposed to be? I don't think so. The story line did not grab me. zzzzzzzzzzzz."}, {"response": 849, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun 30, 2002 (09:12)", "body": "YEAY BRAZIL"}, {"response": 850, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jun 30, 2002 (09:27)", "body": "Run Lola run. I saw the Bourne Report and enjoyed it. There were some major flaws but what film doesn't have them? I'd like to see anyone get from France to Switzerland without ID. It just doesn't happen! You'd think the writer could have done some research!"}, {"response": 851, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun 30, 2002 (14:33)", "body": "Rosemary Harris' new play \"All Over\" by Albee receiving stellar reviews: NY Times Review of RH new play \"ALL OVER\" by Ben Brantley http://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/28/arts/theater/28OVER.html http://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/30/arts/theater/30WOLF.html by Matt Wolf. Mentions Jennifer. These guys eat actors for lunch!"}, {"response": 852, "author": "airstream", "date": "Sun, Jun 30, 2002 (19:32)", "body": "(Evelyn)Agree AAB is one of my faves so far. i agree."}, {"response": 853, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Jul  1, 2002 (10:39)", "body": "I saw \"Private Lives\" in NYC yesterday. Alan Rickman was v.v. good. In his bio/credits, he lists a production or \"Hamlet\" at Riverside Studios. Does anyone know when this took place? Was this before the one that was cancelled, or in place of it? Colin Colin Colin Colin Colin Colin Colin Colin Colin Colin Colin Colin (It's my anniversary today and I've promised myself not to talk about ODB in front of my DH for the day. Must get the mentions out of my sustem SOMEWHERE!)"}, {"response": 854, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul  1, 2002 (11:15)", "body": "It was way before. In fact, Rickman was part of a group that attempted to buy the Riverside Studios which turned into a scandal of sorts called \"Rivergate.\" You can read about it here: http://members.iconn.net/~ab234/Theaters/Riverside.html"}, {"response": 855, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul  1, 2002 (11:55)", "body": "Happy Canada Day ...to all our Canadian friends."}, {"response": 856, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Jul  1, 2002 (12:07)", "body": "(Karen)BTW, Second City is around the corner from me. Have you seen Nia perform there? I guess my friend got the story wrong. I'm glad Nia got her movie made just the same. It's a wonderful time at the movies."}, {"response": 857, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul  1, 2002 (13:10)", "body": "I did read in one of the reviews, that originally Nia performed Greek Wedding as a one -woman autobiographical performance. But didn't say where. Perhaps, it was that as a start and then she worked it up to a full script to present to the film honchos."}, {"response": 858, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul  1, 2002 (13:44)", "body": "OK, you can read all about Greek Wedding here: http://www.screenmancer.com/screentalk/vardalos.htm The one woman show was mounted in LA. Nia was listed as being at Second City starting in 1993 (don't know her end date), but there are no one-woman shows there. It is strictly revue."}, {"response": 859, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Mon, Jul  1, 2002 (14:30)", "body": "Thanks Evelyn, from a Canadian friend. I'm lucky enough to be in Ottawa with thousands of other crazy flag wavers right now. Excellent fireworks tonight."}, {"response": 860, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Jul  1, 2002 (15:50)", "body": "Karen, thanks so much for the interview you posted on 'Greek Wedding.' Rita apparently went to the LA one woman show of Nia's. Thanks for the reference material, Karen. Evelyn, you figured it out once again before reading it :-)."}, {"response": 861, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Wed, Jul  3, 2002 (07:34)", "body": "The Rickman Hamlet was in the autumn of 1993. It was, dare I say, DIRE! A real shame as the case was promising, but the director was insane."}, {"response": 862, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Wed, Jul  3, 2002 (07:35)", "body": "sorry, the CAST was promising."}, {"response": 863, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul  3, 2002 (08:45)", "body": "Saw Greek Wedding yesterday (bought a ticket for TIOBE though--must support that box office); it wasn't filmed in Chicago but in Toronto, the Chicago of the north."}, {"response": 864, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Jul  3, 2002 (11:09)", "body": "bought a ticket for TIOBE though *laughing* :-D"}, {"response": 865, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Jul  3, 2002 (12:16)", "body": "(Karen)bought a ticket for TIOBE though LOL, I did the same, but saw both! Hey, it was a rainy afternoon ;-). Did you like Greek Wedding? Do you have any comments to make about it? Nia and John were on a repeat of the View yesterday that I happened to catch for the first time, and Nia talked about how the script got written. Rita did go to the one-woman show first and approached her about turning it into a script. Then Tom went another time and loved it and called Nia up and said \"we're gonna make this movie.\" Nia bravely asked if she could play the lead and he said yes! Then she said (jokingly), \"and can I have a pony?\" LOL! John is adorable :-). Also the guy who plays John's best friend in the movie is Nia's husband in real life."}, {"response": 866, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul  3, 2002 (15:04)", "body": "I thought it was OK. Nothing all that special or new, for that matter. I also have a hard time with Andrea Martin. Don't like her."}, {"response": 867, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Jul  3, 2002 (15:16)", "body": "Who did Andrea Martin play? Was it the aunt? Sorry didn't study the credits ;-)."}, {"response": 868, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul  3, 2002 (17:07)", "body": "I think I just saw Andrea Martin on B'way in Oklahoma . Didn't she get a Tony nom? GW is just a fun summer movie...no award -stuff, for sure. I saw Sum of All Fears. Not bad story...Ben Affleck miscast. Always looks like a cocky frat-kid to me.Ciaran Hinds (Capt. Wentworth *sigh*) gives a solid performance as Russian President Nemeriov and Alan Bates an Israeli. Both sporting accents...when they want a good actor with an accent, they pick a Brit. Clive Owen or Guy Pearce would have made a better Jack Ryan IMO. But then the film wouldn't have made $106+M.;-) TIOBE is nearing $5.M BTW. More than I thought it would make. Hasn't made it to me yet. Local Miramax rep tells me it's gonna come and be around all summer."}, {"response": 869, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Jul  4, 2002 (07:46)", "body": "A very happy and relaxing 4th of July to all our American friends. Especially this year."}, {"response": 870, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul  4, 2002 (09:48)", "body": "Thanks \"Burberry Man\". Appreciate your thought."}, {"response": 871, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jul  4, 2002 (22:53)", "body": "Thank you, Mark. It's very much appreciated."}, {"response": 872, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul  5, 2002 (09:26)", "body": "(Mari)Evelyn, have you seen the Possession commercials? Lookin' good! They ran them all day throughout the Wimbledon coverage, and the fiom doesn't open for another month and a half. Universal/USA Films knows how to market. Hooray...thanks Mari. Was it all Gwynnie and Aaron or could you see Jennifer and JN?There was a good clip on ET on wednesday night. When I talked to the publicist last week, she said they weren't going to do a premiere; not cost effective. I guess they know where to better put their $$$."}, {"response": 873, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Jul  5, 2002 (15:58)", "body": "Hope everyone had a happy and safe 4th. Thanks for the thought, Mark. Boston Pops celebration was especially good this year. Anyone else watch it. Very moving."}, {"response": 874, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Jul  5, 2002 (23:42)", "body": "Thanks for the good wishes, Mark. I saw \"Fortune's Fool\" in NY tonight. Very good, and I can see why Alan Bates won the Tony. I didn't see Liam Neeson's \"Crucible,\" but I know the part and Bates's role was even more demanding. He has a monologue that goes on and on and on as his character gets drunker and drunker. He goes through quite a range of emotions in the course of the play. Frank Langella (who won supporting actor Tony) plays a \"fatuous, infamous fop\" to quote Bates's character. BTW, the title has nothing to do with Romeo's line \"I am fortune's fool,\" although I suppose Turgenev probably read Shakespeare. Come to think of it, the title in the original Russian may not even be the same as the Russian translation of Romeo's line. \"Fortune's Fool\" was good, but if you're going to NY, I'd say to put \"Private Lives\" ahead of it on your list. But then I like English humor better than Russian. Kate's capsule guide to playwrights: Tennessee Williams--people drink a lot and are sweaty Arthur Miller--Dad screws up the life of at least one family member Ibsen--lots of repressed people Coward--everyone calls everyone \"Darling\" while drinking cocktails and wearing fabulous dinner clothes Chekov, Turgenev--people yell at each other a lot Shakespeare comedies--based on highly improbable circumstances, often involving mistaken identities Shakespeare tragedies--lots of people die (duels or murder) Shakespeare histories--lots of people die (battles)"}, {"response": 875, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul  6, 2002 (08:08)", "body": "ROTF Kate at your guidelines. I have to agree. . He [Alan Bates]goes through quite a range of emotions in the course of the play. I did see the Crucible with Liam Neeson and that was my one criticism of his performance. He's wonderful bombastic, but lacks tenderness when the part calls for it.As Daniel Day Lewis did in the film. ( Even though I dislike DDL;-)) Agree that Private Lives is the most entertaining show on B'way."}, {"response": 876, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Jul  6, 2002 (11:38)", "body": "Thanks, Mark. I did have a happy 4th. I'm...remembering...family, friends, stangers in a crowd, a pool, watermelon, red, white & blue sprinkles on a cake, hot dogs, potato chips, sparklers, and fireworks. Some of the many things that all go together for a very enjoyable 4th of July.:-) (Kate) Kate's capsule guide to playwrights: But, darling, you don't mention our dear Oscar Wilde. What about our playwright of the moment? :-)"}, {"response": 877, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (08:44)", "body": "Huge thumbs up for John Sayles' Sunshine State. He is so good (writer, director and film editor), and so is everything about this movie. The dialogue is brilliant and there are excellent performances by the two female leads (Edie Falco and Angela Bassett) plus the entire supporting cast of incredibly memorable and fully drawn characters. I can't say enough about this."}, {"response": 878, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (09:15)", "body": "Ruin my morning! For some reason, I hadn't remembered that Miramax had bought the rights to this book. Thought it was another studio. Why me? Why me? I really liked this book and had envisioned Colin and Cate Blanchett (with her Elizabeth red hair) as the leads... Moncrieff picks Miramax 'Rose' By Zorianna Kit Karen Moncrieff -- whose feature directorial debut, \"Blue Car,\" debuted at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival, where it was acquired by Miramax Films -- is in negotiations to reteam with the mini-major on the period thriller \"The Rose.\" Moncrieff is poised to rewrite and direct the project, which is based on the Martin Cruz Smith novel of the same name. It's about a scandal that takes place in 1872 in an English mining town centering on the disappearance of a young cleric. When an American mining engineer, Jonathan Blair, is brought in to investigate, his search takes him below the town's serene surface, deep into the underworld of violent miners and their \"pit girls.\" One such girl, Rose, is the last known person to have seen the missing man. Blair's investigation antagonizes the miners, but when he falls for Rose, the antagonisms turn deadly. Miramax acquired the rights to the book in 1997 for $250,000 and paid Ted Tally $1.5 million to adapt. The project had a couple of directors previously attached, including Danish filmmaker Ole Bornedal and Chinese director Chen Kaige. Moncrieff, who also wrote \"Car,\" is repped by the Sanford-Gross Agency and attorney Karl Austen. She began her career as a soap actress in the mid-'80s on such shows as \"The Guiding Light,\" \"Days of Our Lives,\" \"The Bold and the Beautiful\" and the now-defunct \"Santa Barbara.\" Episodic work followed on such shows as \"Silk Stalkings\" and \"Diagnosis Murder\" as well as the video releases \"Xtro 3: Watch the Skies,\" \"Deathfight\" and \"Innocent Adultery,\" the latter of which she also wrote. \"Car,\" which will be released by Miramax in November, stars David Strathairn, Agnes Bruckner, Margaret Colin, Frances Fisher, A.J. Buckley and Regan Arnold."}, {"response": 879, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (15:53)", "body": "(Karen)Huge thumbs up for John Sayles' Sunshine State. He is so good (writer, director and film editor), and so is everything about this movie. Glad to hear you liked it. I'm looking forward to seeing it when it will come to the Sunshine State this Friday! There was a very good article about Sayles, Sunshine State, it's story, and the characters in yesterday's Miami Herald (go to (I think): rrodriguez@herald.com, arts section, Sunday, July 7 [sorry I can't do it in blue for you from here :-(] )"}, {"response": 880, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  9, 2002 (08:37)", "body": "From THR: Altman, Blanchett spy on 'Mata Hari' July 09, 2002 By Zorianna Kit Robert Altman and Cate Blanchett are teaming up to play a spy game. The conspirators may be Oscar nominees -- Altman's a seven-time nominee, most recently for directing last year's \"Gosford Park,\" and Blanchett garnered a best actress nom for 1998's \"Elizabeth\" -- but this time they are plotting a project for the small screen, the HBO feature \"Mata Hari.\" With Altman at the helm, Blanchett will play the exotic and notorious real-life World War I spy, whose name is synonymous with espionage. Altman said in an interview that he had always intended the project to be a vehicle for Blanchett and decided that HBO offered the perfect outlet for it because he is planning a three-hour tale, nearly the same length as the cable network's recent \"Path to War,\" a White House view of the Vietnam War directed by the late John Frankenheimer. \"To do it the way I plan on doing it would not fit a theatrical release because it would be too long a picture,\" Altman said. \"It's such a big undertaking that if we did it at HBO, we could do it in a full three hours. It pleases my soul to be able to go after an audience that will get what we are doing.\" Altman, who generally finds a new twist to whatever genre he tackles, envisions telling this particular spy story as a \"Rashomon\"-like saga because, in his view, Hari was \"a different person to different people.\" According to history, Hari was an exotic dancer who moved in the highest circles of Europe. She was recruited by the French secret service to mingle with the Germans and collect military secrets. She later may have become a double agent, working for both the French and the Germans, exchanging information between the sheets. She was eventually arrested by the French, who condemned her to death by firing squad in 1917. Altman said that, in his \"Rashomon\" version, \"you'll see one man tell his view of her where she is a spy, and then in a parallel version you'll see another person's view where she is not a spy. The stories will not be told in a linear way but will all be shuffled together.\" Julie Talen (\"Harriet the Spy\") is writing the script, which Altman and Donna Gigliotti (\"Shakespeare in Love\") will executive produce. Altman, who expects to see the first draft of the script by November, plans to shoot the project in Europe, complete with battle scenes involving mustard gas attacks. \"Mata Hari\" reunites Altman with HBO, for whom he directed the 1988 HBO miniseries \"Tanner '88\" and the 1985 telefilm \"The Laundromat.\" Altman, repped by ICM, most recently directed \"Gosford Park.\" Before going into production on \"Mata Hari,\" Altman said he plans to shoot Killer Films' \"The Company,\" about a company of ballet dancers, which could go into production as early as the fall. Although Blanchett worked in television in her native Australia, HBO's \"Mata Hari\" will mark the first time she will have worked on the American small screen. The actress has played several real-life characters, including the title roles in \"Elizabeth\" and the upcoming Walt Disney Co. feature \"Veronica Guerin,\" about the slain Irish journalist of the same name. In last year's feature \"Charlotte Gray,\" she played a Scottish woman who joined the French Resistance during World War II. In addition, she is playing Galadriel in the three \"The Lord of the Rings\" features. Blanchett is repped by WMA. The role of Hari was made famous by Greta Garbo in the 1931 MGM feature of the same name."}, {"response": 881, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  9, 2002 (08:51)", "body": "Here's another interesting tidbit: HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Sharon Stone is readying for a theatrical comeback, circling not one but two indie projects. The 44-year-old actress, who has not starred in a hit movie since her starmaking turn in 1992's \"Basic Instinct,\" is negotiating to join Rupert Everett in the spy drama \"A Different Loyalty\" and the family picture \"Liar's Club.\" Should Stone ink for both pictures, it is not clear which would shoot first. [...] \"Loyalty\" is the true story of Eleanor Philby whose husband, super-spy Kim Philby, infiltrated British intelligence for the Russians before defecting to Moscow in 1963. Marek Kanievska (\"Where the Money Is\") will helm the feature, which is scheduled to shoot in Europe this fall. ~~~~~~~~~~~ In case anyone misses what is *interesting* about this, it is of course the relationship to Another Country, in which Rupe not only played a character based on another one of that era's spies (Guy Burgess), but Marek Kanievska was the director of that as well."}, {"response": 882, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul  9, 2002 (10:06)", "body": "Thanks Karen for the *interesting* clue. It would have blown by me! ...\"Donna Gigliotti (\"Shakespeare in Love\") will executive produce. \" Friend of YKW...there are supporting role possibilities in both of these projects for Colin. Congrats to HBO for launching out with the biggies.And Robert Altman & CB for consenting to do a TV drama. It would have been the perfect vehicle for \"Sunshine\".But I doubt if arrogant European directors would condescend to American Television."}, {"response": 883, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jul  9, 2002 (15:18)", "body": "To continue the Dr. Who discussion here, I knew I had seen something recently about a new project, but couldn't remember who until I stumbled back to where I found it (on aintitcoolnews.com): Buffy man for Doctor Who Anthony Head set for Dalek-busting duty He may regularly deal with all kinds of ghouls and vampires, but Anthony Head \ufffd best known to many as the genial Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer \ufffd might be moving into the Dalek-busting business. The 48-year-old actor is reported to be the favourite to play Doctor Who in a new series of the sci-fi classic to be broadcast by the BBC next year. Head was considered for the last incarnation of the Timelord in 1995, but lost out then to Paul McGann. This time, however, the Beeb are thought to be keen to make Doctor Who accessible overseas and Head, a familiar face to a generation of American youngsters, is thought to be just the ticket. To this end, the makers have also brought in David Fury, an American script-writer who works on Buffy. He said, 'They want to do what we do on Buffy \ufffd produce 22 episodes a year and sell them internationally. I'm helping to take Doctor Who into a whole new universe.' Better get hiding behind that sofa. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tuesday, July 2, 2002 Rupert Giles Vs. The Daleks?? I am \ufffd Hercules!! \ufffdBuffy the Vampire Slayer\ufffd star Anthony Stewart Head and top \ufffdBuffy\ufffd writer-producer David Fury teaming for a new \ufffdDr. Who\ufffd series? What\ufffds not to like?! The only thing cooler, one supposes, would be if Joss Whedon actually merged Dr. Who into the Buffyverse - with Giles himself hiring on as the new timelord. A reader writes: Dear Harry, News hit these green shores this morning which seems to solves the problems of the world - or at least a few sci-fi franchises. On one hand, The BBC want to continue 'Doctor Who' but up the budgets, which isn't feesable without an American audience. On the other hand, Anthony Stewart Head wants to spend time in the U.K with his family, but loves the cult audience that 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer' brings him. With t Whedon and the BBC STILL to announce a date for 'Watcher' 'Giles' or 'Ripper' - he may have found the perfect answer... in a feat of impreccable casting, someone decided to put those hands together and consider something that makes this fanboy sign in post-orgasmic fullfillment: Giles taking on The Daleks!!! But the BBC's Dr. Who Website suggests all this is fairly premature: Following the usual media frenzy regarding this weekend's rumours of new Doctor Who, we'd just like to clarify a few things. Dreamwatch magazine, Ananova and the Daily Express are all reporting that we're making plans to involve actor Tony Head and members of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer production team in a new 22 part series to celebrate the Time Lord's 40th anniversary. Dreamwatch quotes Buffy producer David Fury as saying: \"They want to do what we do on Buffy, produce 22 episodes a year and sell them internationally. I'm helping to take Doctor Who into a new universe.\" Whilst the Cult team quite like the idea of Tony Head as the Doctor in a show guided by members of America's finest fantasy production team, the BBC aren't currently making any such plans. No I'm not trying to turn this into a sci-fi site, but thought I'd post this since it came up and there seem to be a couple of fans amongst us. I can see AH in this role much better than Colin."}, {"response": 884, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jul  9, 2002 (15:30)", "body": "Uh Oh! closing tags"}, {"response": 885, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jul  9, 2002 (20:26)", "body": "(Dorine)I can see AH in this role much better than Colin I can see v.many in the role other than-please God, no, Colin Thanks for the article, Dorine."}, {"response": 886, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 10, 2002 (08:42)", "body": "Another interesting tidbit: Two years ago, Miramax was the hungriest book-buyer in Gotham, devouring stacks of quirky, literary titles, including two books on the invention of television, a novel by French writer Didier van Cauwelaert, and David Liss' first novel, \"The Conspiracy of Paper.\" But its appetite for such fare has dulled as the mini-major has entered the franchise business, focusing on productions with wide family appeal. Miramax co-chairman Harvey Weinstein assured Daily Variety the mini-major is still committed to books. \"Miramax will always buy what it likes first. If it's good, I'll buy it.\" But Weinstein acknowledged a focus on fantasy books, calling kids epic, \"Artemis Fowl\" the company's best book acquisition to date. \"I'm in the kids' business,\" he said. ~~~~~~~ http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=805&e=19&cid=849&u=/variety/20020710/media_variety/books_writestuff_dc_1"}, {"response": 887, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 10, 2002 (08:52)", "body": "Harvey:\"I'm in the kids' business,\" Smart guy...He's also in the business to make money. Kids pay to go to movies...over and over again. Adults rent the videos.Once;-)"}, {"response": 888, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Jul 10, 2002 (13:28)", "body": "(Evelyn)Adults rent the videos.Once;-) With certain NOTABLE exceptions, for which we buy DVDs! So Harvey's in the kids' business, now? What happened to the days when Miramax was fighting the ratings people over \"R\" ratings?!?"}, {"response": 889, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 10, 2002 (16:06)", "body": "He got bought by Disney and improving the bottom line and being able to live the lifestyles of the rich and famous became numero uno priorities."}, {"response": 890, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 10, 2002 (16:48)", "body": "Oh BTW, if I cared--and I definitely do not--I could go check out Mikey, master auteur of the large and small screen, as they're shooting Missing Mind, et al., around the corner."}, {"response": 891, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 10, 2002 (16:57)", "body": "Re: Mighty Mouse:\" as they're shooting Missing Mind, et al., around the corner.\" Is HBO gonna carry it again next season?*Barf* For those who are JE fans. Trailer of Possession is up on the ET Online website. http://www.etonline.com/movie/a11209.htm"}, {"response": 892, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Wed, Jul 10, 2002 (19:48)", "body": "they're shooting Missing Mind, et al., around the corner. I'd be worried about property values if I were you. :) The oh-so-charmingly named \"Sex Monster\", also featuring Mariel H., is running on CMAX tonight. Gag me with a remote control."}, {"response": 893, "author": "LizJP", "date": "Wed, Jul 10, 2002 (23:40)", "body": "Another Dr. Who diversion: (Lisa): I don't know a D*** thing about Dr. Who although I have heard the name. Is it worth enlightening us out of the loop or should we wait for more definite info????? Dr. Who was a long-running, campy BBC TV science fiction series featuring a time and space traveler called \"the Doctor\". I think it was originally intended for kids, but it has quite a cult following among adults as well. I couldn't find an FAQ about it, since all the sites seem to assume that you wouldn't be looking for a Dr. Who site unless you were already a fan, but the official web site is at http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/doctorwho/ Dorine: I also have a soft spot for Peter Davison as the Doctor. I really liked him in Campion as well. Liz"}, {"response": 894, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (00:03)", "body": "Thanks so much Liz for posting the link for the Dr. Who site! I see after just a few minutes perusing the site, I could spend a significant amount of time hanging out there and reminiscing. Forgotten that I liked that theme music a lot, too. I'm being such a geek, but it is fun!!"}, {"response": 895, "author": "airstream", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (07:50)", "body": "(Dorine)The 48-year-old actor is reported to be the favourite to play Doctor Who Ah....Colin is just too young for the part--going after \"older\" actor! ;-)"}, {"response": 896, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (09:13)", "body": "Harvey wasn't \"kidding.\" In Variety today: As part of its push into kids entertainment, Miramax Films has unveiled its first computer-animated feature for children. The picture, based on the Lego Co.'s Bionicle line of action figures, will be produced jointly by Miramax and Lego Media, the Danish toy company's film and TV arm. Miramax is eying a 2004 theatrical release. Aimed at boys 8-12... http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=805&e=1&cid=848&u=/variety/20020711/film_variety/film_lego_dc_1 Goodbye money-losing costume dramas and literary adaptations..."}, {"response": 897, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (15:32)", "body": "(Dorine)The 48-year-old actor is reported to be the favourite to play Doctor Who (Amy) Ah....Colin is just too young for the part--going after \"older\" actor! ;-) LOL! Seriously, I'd much rather see ASH in this role than CF. ASH has a quirky sort of charm that would probably work well in a project like this. And if he could play Frank N. Furter....."}, {"response": 898, "author": "maryw", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (15:46)", "body": "( (Evelyn)Adults rent the videos.Once;-) (Kate) With certain NOTABLE exceptions, for which we buy DVDs! ....and go to certain NOTABLE movies over and over again!"}, {"response": 899, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (16:53)", "body": "(Minkee)....and go to certain NOTABLE movies over and over again! I'm going for #11 tonight. I fear it will be gone tomorrow-for good."}, {"response": 900, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (17:10)", "body": "(Karen)The picture, based on the Lego Co.'s Bionicle line of action figures, will be produced jointly by Miramax and Lego Media, the Danish toy company's film and TV arm. This is the same as the new P&P production we've been hearing rumours about ;_D"}, {"response": 901, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (17:51)", "body": "(Karen) This is the same as the new P&P production we've been hearing rumours about ;_D Goodbye money-losing costume dramas and literary adaptations... Don't laugh those teeny movies pay for all the Brit losers. He never lifted a finger for Iris either despite the Oscar noms. IMO he figures he gonna lose $$$ right from the beginning."}, {"response": 902, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (18:31)", "body": "I see our little Legos made a return visit. Which one is Darcy? ;-D (Evelyn) Don't laugh those teeny movies pay for all the Brit losers. But it appears they're not going to do those Brit losers anymore."}, {"response": 903, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (20:41)", "body": "(Linda) I'm going for #11 tonight. I fear it will be gone tomorrow-for good. I just returned from #5. Actually paid for what I intended to see, Sunshine State, but noticed the summary and ad for TIOBE that had been posted on the Current Features bulletin board lying on the counter, just as I paid, and was informed tonight was the last night. After noting SS was quite full (as I was almost late), the decision of what to see was made for me. No twistin' my arm though ;-). A friend who I took to it last week loved it and said last night she wanted to go again..oh well. Linda, I can't imagine all the finer details that come alive after seeing it so many times. I was getting quite detailed in my observations and I'm sure I missed some. I got to the point tonight of noting Colin's hair (in a close-up from overhead), while dyed darker, appeared to have highlights in them. Couldn't decide if it was done deliberately or some of his hair didn't hold the dye."}, {"response": 904, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (21:05)", "body": "(Dorine)I got to the point tonight of noting Colin's hair (in a close-up from overhead), while dyed darker, appeared to have highlights in them. Couldn't decide if it was done deliberately or some of his hair didn't hold the dye I have noticed that too-especially in the outdoor scenes with natural light. You are right, Dorine, I have especially enjoyed catching new things each time I see it. BTW, v. wise choice tonight on your part. I was not feeling so bad last week, because I was counting down the days to HS-but now it looks like it will be later rather than sooner.*sighing heavily* Just have to be content with the fan fiction. v. steamy indeed."}, {"response": 905, "author": "caribou", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (23:31)", "body": "(Dorine)Couldn't decide if it was done deliberately or some of his hair didn't hold the dye. I thought those were the parts where the roots didn't hold the hair. ;-D I also went today in case it is the last day on the big screen. (Didn't have the heart to ask.) Before going to see the movie, three friends came for a very EARNEST tea complete with: cucumber sandwiches, tea cake and muffins. We had a great time. Hope to do more of them when I get the video."}, {"response": 906, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (23:43)", "body": "(Caribou) Before going to see the movie, three friends came for a very EARNEST tea complete with: cucumber sandwiches, tea cake and muffins. We had a great time. Hope to do more of them when I get the video. You found cucumbers...even for ready money? Yeah! LOL That sounds like fun actually. I will do that with my friend who didn't get to see it again. She's Jamaican, not sure if they do tea, but with the British influence, it won't be a foreign concept to her."}, {"response": 907, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Jul 12, 2002 (01:36)", "body": "Went to see TIOBE for the last time tonight as it's leaving my area theater and I can't find it listed anywhere around me starting tomorrow so I guess this is it for the film. Too bad as I really enjoyed the boost seeing him larger than my TV screen gave me. Well onward to HS and Gidget Goes to London."}, {"response": 908, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Jul 12, 2002 (02:08)", "body": "My Husband, of all people, was looking at a site that I had never heard of before. Of course, this is nothing new, as I am pretty much clueless to most sites out there. But, this one is about mistakes in film and television. http://www.nitpickers.com/ So, is this a site that everyone knows about but me???? :))))) I looked up BJD and found some comments. Nothing on TIOBE and I stopped with that one."}, {"response": 909, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Fri, Jul 12, 2002 (02:33)", "body": "Well, I have finally decided to unlurk myself onto an unsuspecting audience! Was delighted to see that TIOBE has now doubled the number of theatres, from 2 to 4, in our area so I have a much better chance of seeing it again. I managed to convince DH to take me into town to see it a couple of weeks ago because none of my lady friends was interested (I apologize to one and all for my poor taste in friends) Now, if DH would only go fishing or off to a classic car show, I could steal away to see TIOBE again without having to create some remarkably clever subterfuge! I want to thank whoever it was who posted the note that Fever Pitch was playing on Showcase here in Canada last week. I managed to tape it and have watched it several times since. I was slow to warm up to it at first, but with additional viewings, I've become quite enamoured."}, {"response": 910, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 12, 2002 (10:07)", "body": "Welcome Sandyw Don't give up on your friends...More than one convert has been made by this board. Glad you decided to join us online.Check on 158 film discussions. We're about to start one soon and we want you to join us. (Lisa)I looked up BJD and found some comments. LOL. Thanks.I never saw that website. BJD has 17 errors. The diary store at the end is true...I've been there. It is a jewelry store. The snow snafus the boss caught first time we saw it at the premiere."}, {"response": 911, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Jul 12, 2002 (10:20)", "body": "Welcome Sandy!!! gee, I hope I did that right.. lol.. thanks for delurking yourself, m'dear! (handing Sandy \"drooly bib\")"}, {"response": 912, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Jul 12, 2002 (11:35)", "body": "Welcome, Sandy! Now, if DH would only go fishing or off to a classic car show, I could steal away to see TIOBE again without having to create some remarkably clever subterfuge! One suggestion that was made to me in similar circumstances was the non-specific shopping trip. You know, \"I need to go out and run a bunch of errands and get some things.\" Then come home with a few groceries."}, {"response": 913, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Jul 12, 2002 (12:34)", "body": "Welcome Sandy"}, {"response": 914, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jul 12, 2002 (14:06)", "body": "(Rik)One suggestion that was made to me in similar circumstances was the non-specific shopping trip. You know, \"I need to go out and run a bunch of errands and get some things.\" Then come home with a few groceries. I made that suggestion to you, Rika. Did it work? I don't even bother trying to explain anymore. ******************WELCOME SANDY******************** I was afraid to ask at the theater last night if Earnest would still be around. So I waited for the paper this morning and, YES, it has survived another week. Looks like a dozen for me."}, {"response": 915, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Jul 12, 2002 (15:06)", "body": "(Linda) I made that suggestion to you, Rika. Did it work? I don't even bother trying to explain anymore. After you gave me that suggestion, I realized I had an even better option available at the moment. Because of the nature of my job, my schedule is extremely flexible during the summer - no fixed work hours, in fact. It's very easy to duck out of my office for part of the afternoon and head for the theater. But this fall when I need to be in the office a little more regularly, I may adopt your plan so I can see HS an appropriate number of times. I was afraid to ask at the theater last night if Earnest would still be around. So I waited for the paper this morning and, YES, it has survived another week. Looks like a dozen for me. We're getting it for at least another week here in DC too, so I suppose I'm going to have to go again. I'm really starting to get bored with the Algy/Cecily scenes, but a Firthette's gotta do what a Firthette's gotta do!"}, {"response": 916, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Jul 12, 2002 (15:52)", "body": "(Caribou)Before going to see the movie, three friends came for a very EARNEST tea complete with: cucumber sandwiches, tea cake and muffins. We had a great time. Hope to do more of them when I get the video. What a great idea to get you in an 'Earnest' mood! Wot? No bread and butter ;-)? You are making cucumber sandwiches, tea cakes, and muffins be seen in the best houses lately ;-)! I just marvel at how often CF discussion seems to trickle and wander onto other topics so naturally ;-)! I had to check a couple of times what thread I was on ;-D. Please forgive us for being firthilous, Karen ;-). Welcome, Sandyw to all-things-Firth!"}, {"response": 917, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 12, 2002 (17:53)", "body": "Sandy W!!! Glad to see you've delurked now. Didn't take you long at all. Listen up to these ladies. They'll have you skulking about in a trenchcoat, going from theater to theater, supporting whatever CF movie is playing in no time. ;-D (SandyW) I apologize to one and all for my poor taste in friends Apology accept. Hopefully, they have some other laudable attibutes to make up for such severe character flaws. Remember, you can pick your friends, but not your relatives. ;-D (Lisa) So, is this a site that everyone knows about but me???? :))))) There's another one, might be called 'moviemistakes' that's very popular. I'm pretty sure it pointed out Bridget change from fishnet hosiery (tarts & vicars party) to regular when she got to Daniel's place. ;-D (Rika) but a Firthette's gotta do what a Firthette's gotta do! Didn't I just read something similar to this a little while ago? ;-D"}, {"response": 918, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Jul 12, 2002 (19:23)", "body": "(Karen) Glad to see you've delurked now. Didn't take you long at all. Listen up to these ladies. They'll have you skulking about in a trenchcoat, going from theater to theater, supporting whatever CF movie is playing in no time. ;-D It's much too warm for a trenchcoat just now. But dark glasses and a baseball cap do the job nicely, and are cool and stylish for those hot summer months! (Rika) but a Firthette's gotta do what a Firthette's gotta do! (Karen) Didn't I just read something similar to this a little while ago? ;-D No doubt - I'm sure it's a very popular saying in these parts. There's another one, might be called 'moviemistakes' that's very popular. I'm pretty sure it pointed out Bridget change from fishnet hosiery (tarts & vicars party) to regular when she got to Daniel's place. ;-D That was also on the Nitpick site. What I love is when the nitpickers get it wrong. Anybody can make a mistake, but if you're going to pick on the mistakes of others it's a good idea to check your own facts! For example, somebody complained about a problem with an inside-out suit jacket sleeve after the fight in BJD.... except the complainer said it was Daniel who strode off, continuity-challenged jacket slung over his shoulder. Reminds me of a review of the BJD DVD that helpfully informed its readers that CF had played Daniel Cleaver in the P&P miniseries, which the reviewer thought made him an odd choice to play Mark Darcy in BJD, but \"the casting seems to have worked out fine.\" Yeah, thanks for clearing that up. Well, I'm off to the market with ready money - ever since SandyW mentioned the cucumber sandwiches, I've quite craved some."}, {"response": 919, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sat, Jul 13, 2002 (12:00)", "body": "Oh my gosh! My family is gone for the weekend.. hmmmmm... think it's about time to put in my teeth and visit West Nashville, again. =D Gee, with them being completely out of the house, I could go for double.. mmmmm... double.. dimples... I mean, double. So, just to be kind to my inquisitive nature, can you ladies tell me where you're from? Some I've figured out by the posts, others I haven't a clue about. I'm so jealous of you Ozy women.. I wish I lived close enough to have coffee with someone who shares my affliction. (laughing)"}, {"response": 920, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Jul 13, 2002 (14:07)", "body": "Jeanie, what a shame Nashville and Washington aren't closer together! DH is out of town as well - we could have had our own CF film festival!"}, {"response": 921, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sat, Jul 13, 2002 (16:10)", "body": "Hey Jeanie, I'm jealous of the Ozy women too as I cannot go into Sydney today and join them for lunch and CF!!!!!! :( Welcome Sandy W. :)))) Keeping fingers crossed that TIOBE will be migrating here. After all, Gosford Park is still in more than one theatre in my area, thanks no doubt to the Blue Hair Contingient that must still be flocking in to see it. Am going to check on the screen status now.................."}, {"response": 922, "author": "airstream", "date": "Sat, Jul 13, 2002 (21:11)", "body": "I am just throwing this in here......Friday afternoon \"Road to Perdition\" (sp?) was available for sale from your friendly Chinatown table top.(No sign of TIOBE)."}, {"response": 923, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 14, 2002 (09:17)", "body": "The Road to Perdition is a classic. Will sit in the annals of great films right along Godfather. Beautifully crafted.Superb acting; Stanley Tucci and a minute with Cirian Hinds solid stuff.Jude Law as a demonic killer. Ugly? Mygod, not many actors would trade pretty boy for this look .Doesn't have many lines...but those piercing eyes says it all.As the NY Times said\"not without gore, but it chooses its bloodiest moments with exquisite care.\" A cinematic wonder; Sam Mendes is a genius *and* he was damn lucky to find that kid."}, {"response": 924, "author": "Odile", "date": "Sun, Jul 14, 2002 (23:58)", "body": "Welcome Sandy W! Jeannie: I'm from France but I live in Alaska where the theaters are clueless and will not bring TIOBE. Grrr! Which brings me to my next point: those in the LA area, which are the area codes of the theaters that play/played TIOBE? I'm going there at the end of next week and the NY/DC folks are giving me hope that it may still be playing around LA but I have no clue about the different area codes to do a search (the one I'll be in never showed TIOBE as available)"}, {"response": 925, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (01:11)", "body": "Thanks everyone for the warm welcome! Just got back from TIOBE, my second viewing. DH went off to watch a soccer game (or football match, as it were) so seized my opportunity to indulge myself. As if having rented MLSF, RV and COF for the weekend were not enough! DH is completely mystified. TIOBE opened this week at a small theatre nearby. Perhaps due to the strike at both our local newspapers, the word had definitely not been spread far and wide. There were perhaps a dozen of us in the theatre; a 30ish couple, three unescorted women of a certain age (35 no doubt), a 50ish couple, and strangely, a teenaged girl with two teenaged fellows no less. Very eclectic mix but, from the shared laughter, we were of one mind. I must confess I adore ODB at his most mischievous. His expression in the mirror while escaping on the train to London captured me from the outset. Similarly with the wink to Cecily while refusing his permission for her to marry until she became 35. Loved RV for the same reason. Cannot for the life of me understand why he took the role in COF. There was nothing to the character - must have been for the money."}, {"response": 926, "author": "susanne", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (08:25)", "body": "Evelyn Happy Belated Birthday"}, {"response": 927, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (08:27)", "body": "OMG, gulping in abject horror!!!"}, {"response": 928, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (08:34)", "body": "*sniff* Can't even post my annual Annie tribute, as is too late. :-( A very belated Happy Birthday Evelyn!!"}, {"response": 929, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (08:47)", "body": ""}, {"response": 930, "author": "maryw", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (09:14)", "body": "How did the Drool Oracle miss THIS birthday.... Happy Birthday, Ev! I hope you had a very lovely day. Sorry, Ev, with the few minutes I have up my sleeve, I preferred to send you your bday wish rather than practise on my html skills. You'll get your bday drawings from me as soon as I come up for air again! Enjoy!"}, {"response": 931, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (09:24)", "body": "I'm blaming Moon for not sending out the party invites I knew about it and was all ready. I hate no-shows!"}, {"response": 932, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (09:39)", "body": "EVELYN \"let's celebrate with some Indian food, but PLEASE, no candles on the birthday cake!\" Hope your day was great!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 933, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (10:06)", "body": "Thank you all...Hey...better today than never, I say. 'sides....You know what the 13th was?.....Anniversary of Black Day .... Day YKW bolted from \"Hamlet\"leaving me with a fistful of tickets. Grrr. Thanks Sue, who called... Moon who ducked into a cyber-cafe in Italy to send me a greeting. Eileen who sent a hilarious card. Karen...you know Rafe is one of my faves...Lovely to have him here. Paul Ashford, the party animal...\"But please, Paul...watch the napkin near the candle, next time\". Thanks Mink and Lisa (I love mangoes too;-))... Chapt 17 would be a nice gift too, Lisa..*hint*, hint*"}, {"response": 934, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (10:20)", "body": "Ok Evelyn, because it's your Birthday, here are the requested mangoes..... Wait a minute, you didn't mean that kind of mangoes, you meant these....... Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!! And I promise no more images today!!!!"}, {"response": 935, "author": "airstream", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (10:23)", "body": "Happy Birthday Evelyn. the 13th is my mother's and harrison's too so...... Hope you had a good one (sorry about your bad Hamlet memory!)."}, {"response": 936, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (10:32)", "body": "Happy Birthday Evelyn! Today is also Rembrandt's birthday. And on this day in 1965, Joan Rivers married Edgar Rosenberg. And Iris Murdoch was born on this day."}, {"response": 937, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (11:07)", "body": "Happy Belated Birthday Evelyn!! Hope you had a wonderful day! *big hug*"}, {"response": 938, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (11:12)", "body": "What's on Harrison's head???...never mind. Amy thanks a lot. He's a fave too. Look at that smile.Thanks. Liiiiisa...Yummy mangoes (slurp) and chutney too ;-))"}, {"response": 939, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (11:55)", "body": "Evelyn--Plain, but sincere belated wishes for a very Happy Birthday. This is good, though, to string it out!"}, {"response": 940, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (13:23)", "body": "Happy Belated Birthday, Evelyn. Hope you had a wonderful day and best wishes for a great year ahead. I hope you are enjoying the images as much as all of us!"}, {"response": 941, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (14:06)", "body": "Odile: those in the LA area, which are the area codes of the theaters that play/played TIOBE? It's playing in 3 theaters around L.A. ... http://alliance.zap2it.com/custom/latimes/main_template/0,1442,90012_20_4_28556,00.html"}, {"response": 942, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (15:27)", "body": "Evelyn, Had they only told me sooner of your birthday, I wouldn't have had to arrive on foot !! ----- Incidentally, is there a birthday list available anywhere?"}, {"response": 943, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (15:33)", "body": "(Sandy) I must confess I adore ODB at his most mischievous. His expression in the mirror while escaping on the train to London captured me from the outset. Isn't that divine? I like him best in the London segments. He gets more of those devilish moments than he does later on, and he heaven knows he wears formal clothes well! Hmmm.... I feel another visit to the theater coming on."}, {"response": 944, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (15:51)", "body": "Rika -i think Marcia had one at one point. But that would be at least a couple of years old. All the newbies wouldnt be on it. Maybe we should start a new one. Any one want to be Birthday List Queen???"}, {"response": 945, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (16:08)", "body": "(EsBee) Any one want to be Birthday List Queen??? If one is needed I'll volunteer, but if it's better to have it in the hands of someone who has been around longer (or if it is a hereditary title ;-D) that's fine too."}, {"response": 946, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (16:15)", "body": "Terry, I'm not as old as Rembrandt or as obnoxious as Joan Ribers...but thanks for remembering.. Esbee, Linda, Meredith ,Rika...*Hugs* for remembering. You're right Meredith...why have your birthday only one day...string it out for days later. Rika the \"On Foot\" is one of my favorite scenes and that smile is the \"blue soup\" smile for sure. Thanks guys...all of you...."}, {"response": 947, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (16:54)", "body": "Rika - i think the birtday list was kept by the KeepSake Mistress- along with all the other lists. Karen do you want to subdivide the responsiblities??? Anyone have an opinon on this?"}, {"response": 948, "author": "caribou", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (17:27)", "body": "Happy Birthday! Evelyn, hope you had a great day and that the coming year is one of your best. :-)The ever-late Caribou is in good company this time. :-)"}, {"response": 949, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (19:35)", "body": "Late or not...thank you Caribou.Nice to be remembered. And I forgot to say thanks to Heidi for her greeting & who is off to UK to meet up with some Firthettes. Wish I could be with you all. Fond rememberances of 3 DOR '99. Be on the look out for the debutante's dad ;-))"}, {"response": 950, "author": "kasey", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (21:01)", "body": "Evelyn, More belated Birthday wishes from another somewhat new newbie. I'm an infrequent de-lurker. That's because by the time I get on-line, see where the posts are headed and come up with an absolutely witty, on-point comment I read further and find out it's already been co-opted, usually with much more [insert word I can't put my finger on] than I couls manage. However, the birthday wishes, though belated, are heartfelt. I like the idea of a birthday list. I also wondered if we have a general geographical list. From the posts I can sometimes tell where people are from, but I think it would be great to have a better idea... could make group viewings of future CF projects a possibility for those of us whose friends and family just don't quite get it."}, {"response": 951, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (21:15)", "body": "I'm late! I'm late!.................to give a very important B-day greeting! Happy Birthday, Evelyn! (a boring, non-illustrated greeting, but heartfelt nonetheless ;-))"}, {"response": 952, "author": "Megs128", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (21:52)", "body": "Hello everyone. I've been lurking about for a long time now and I've decided to de-lurk to say Happy Birthday to Evelyn. I don't know any fun web-tricks either, but maybe by next year I'll be able to present a more drool-worthy present to her. and I agree that Ch.17 of UMS would be a great present for her (I love birthdays with presents for everyone!) :-D"}, {"response": 953, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (21:55)", "body": "Ah, another 13th-person. Happy birthday, Evelyn. You are blessed with outstanding taste, in more ways than one. ;)"}, {"response": 954, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (22:40)", "body": "Happy Birthday Evelyn to a fellow Cancer, a good sign to be! (but I am biased)"}, {"response": 955, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (02:44)", "body": "From 162 (Karen re AG): Colin's character is a politician who gives up his seat to run for election in the House of Commmons. I expect this means that he gives up his title to run for election to a seat in the House of Commons. There is the alternative that he could give up his seat in the Commons to become a Lord, but that's a bit unlikely, being a complicated procedure and not involving any hereditary aristocracy. The other meaning \"seat\" could have is his country estate, but I don't see any likely reason for him to give that up. I brought this here as I do not want to start an OT discussion on British constitution over there, and so that I could wish Evelyn belated good tidings."}, {"response": 956, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (08:51)", "body": "Is it necessary to give up the title? (she ask ignorantly even though it does make sense)"}, {"response": 957, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (09:22)", "body": "Whoopee...all the greetings makes me Happy, Happy... In this impersonal world...there are no boring greetings, folks. Love to hear from my fellow Firthettes. KathyC. , ElizabethS, Dorine, EmmaB, thanks for thinking of me. AND ...ta rah....now we have Megs on board now. MEGS Thanks for the greeting and delurking. How about that? I plan to lord this over everyone. How many birthdays bring out a lurker:-)) And it wouldn't be the same without Burbery Man. Thank you Mark... Great idea about a geographical list. I'll be happy to be the keeper of that one. Wadda ya say boss?"}, {"response": 958, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (09:36)", "body": "Megs!! Good to see you've delurked. You can't go back now. It is habit-forming. :) If anyone would like to compile lists, be my guest. You don't need permission from me."}, {"response": 959, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (11:11)", "body": "Karen: Is it necessary to give up the title? Yup, being the House of Commons , you have to be a commoner (not a lord) to get into it. Though you could hold high office from the House of Lords, it's just not thought fair ... blah blah blah"}, {"response": 960, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (11:13)", "body": "What about the honorary--not hereditary--titles? Not applicable?"}, {"response": 961, "author": "Odile", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (11:19)", "body": "Welcome Megs; and almost shamelessly, I'll add my name to the late well-wishers for Evelyn's special day: happy belated birthday (with the 3-day extension it must have been quite the labor for your mommy :) ) Thank you so much MarianneC for the LA times site about the TIOBE showings. It made my day: I taught me to hope as I had scarcely allowed myself to hope before... that I might see TIOBE in a theater! Thanks a bunch!"}, {"response": 962, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (11:20)", "body": "Welcome Megs!!! It's great to have you here!"}, {"response": 963, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (11:25)", "body": "But you get to take your title back after your stint in the HOC -correct? it's not a give up forever? And where does the PM fit into this? Is he the head of the both Houses or just the HOC? -i know i learned this in College (took a History of England Class and everything) but ten years on, it's beginning to go fuzzy...."}, {"response": 964, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (12:01)", "body": "Happy VERY belated birthday, Evelyn! Hope it was wonderful. Mark, thanks for clearing up the title/seat thing. I knew something was wrong with the original statement, but I couldn't figure it out (and was too lazy to think about it). Wasn't there a famous MP who refused a title because it would have meant he/she couldn't be in Commons?"}, {"response": 965, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (13:57)", "body": "Thank you for your Alaska greeting Odile. Would you mind sending some of that Artic stuff down to your SW cousins who are sweltering? Have a great time in LA viewing TIOBE. Seeing ODB on the big screen is always a treat...even SLOW looked good. Kate ...all birthday wishes are appreciated.Nice to be remembered anytime. *Big smooch* pink&lovely.gif\">"}, {"response": 966, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (15:32)", "body": "Evelyn, so sorry to have missed your birthday! Hope I am not too late for the celebration. Hope you had a very happy birthday and are having a very happy extension of it! Just wanted to send these birthday wishes before I was really late. Will now go looking for an appropriate pic and hope my limited html skills will not fail me yet again. Happy birthday week, Evelyn!"}, {"response": 967, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (16:26)", "body": "Evelyn, again happy birthday! Hope I don't do this too 'Quick-ly' & 'Pannick' afterwards ;-): I heard drool was late celebrating Evelyn's birthday. Well, I have a new service that will never be late and put in all the stops for a happy day! And I will personally pick her up, too! Happy belated birthday, Evelyn!"}, {"response": 968, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (17:42)", "body": "ROTF.Quick and Pannick to the rescue!! Brilliant, Lora. That cutie-patootie could scoop me up any time.*sigh*. Thanks:-))"}, {"response": 969, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (20:20)", "body": "Kathy C and Megs Welcome and stick around to enjoy the party."}, {"response": 970, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (20:33)", "body": "Ya mean the parTEE's over? Nevah! From one famous blonde to another... Happy Birhhhhthday, Mr. Presi...I mean Evelyn, happy birhhhhthday to YEEEWWWW!"}, {"response": 971, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Jul 17, 2002 (00:56)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVELYN AND MANY MANY MORE!!!!!!! WELCOME KATHY C AND MEG. IT'S SO MUCH FUN HERE. YOU'LL REALLY HAVE A GOOD TIME. ALL THE PARTICIPANTS ARE WONDERFUL!"}, {"response": 972, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Jul 17, 2002 (03:13)", "body": "Kate: Wasn't there a famous MP who refused a title because it would have meant he/she couldn't be in Commons? I think it's actually happened a few times. The titles that get offered are non-hereditary (life peerages), and often go to older politicians after years of service. This allows them to transfer from the Commons to the Lords where they have less influence (but still some), and don't still have to run for a seat, and kiss up to the party leader etc. Can one resume a hereditary title after giving it up? Hmm, I thought not, but I'm not really sure."}, {"response": 973, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 17, 2002 (10:51)", "body": "Hey...this birthday goes on. Who needs it on the right day? Mobetta belated:-)) From one blonde to another....Thanks Eileen . Wish I had her bod. Pam thanks for thinking of me."}, {"response": 974, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, Jul 17, 2002 (17:13)", "body": "Re MP giving up title. - Recently retired Labour MP Tony Benn gave up his hereditary title (in the 1950's, I think) in order to be able to be elected to the House of Commons."}, {"response": 975, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Wed, Jul 17, 2002 (20:22)", "body": "On a completely different topic, I have to admit I have a bone to pick with ODB. I have been perusing the archived articles and interviews at The Bucket, and frequently saw writers refer to his time living in Canada as \"the backwoods of British Columbia\" or \"the wilds of Canada\". And now I see an article quoting ODB himself in which he refers to it as \"serious wilderness\" \"in the middle of nowhere\" and citing the dangers of grizzly bears and the inability to go for walk in safety!! Give me a break!!! You would think we are hardly out of sod huts and buckskins! Granted, there is wilderness to be found if you go looking hard enough for it. But really, grizzly bears being a danger on a 20 minute walk?! I had to drive three days north (on paved roads, not cart paths) towards the Yukon and Alaska before seeing my first grizzlies and I've lived in Vancouver and the surrounding area for more than 25 years! Aparently he lived \"3 hours inland\" from Vancouver. Seeing as I am more than an hour inland and still live in the suburbs, I'd really like to know what he considers wilderness! (More than a block to the nearest Starbucks!) Come on CF. Set the record straight and apologize for besmirching one of the most beautiful, and safest, places on earth to live. Now I will get off my soapbox and resume kicking myself for not having come to appreciate his fine work (and other qualities) until a few months ago LONG AFTER HE FINISHED SHOOTING HS HERE! Ouch."}, {"response": 976, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 17, 2002 (20:32)", "body": "(Sandy) Apparently he lived \"3 hours inland\" from Vancouver. Seeing as I am more than an hour inland and still live in the suburbs, I'd really like to know what he considers wilderness! (More than a block to the nearest Starbucks!) LOL. ODB is prone to exaggerate occasionally;-) I've been to Winchester and it's not exactly the boonies.An elegant city with a world renowned cathedral. The folks from St. Louis didn't fare out too well either:-)"}, {"response": 977, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Wed, Jul 17, 2002 (23:29)", "body": "Was what, though, 10-12 years ago? The suburbs might have expanded considerably since then. But I've always smelled a touch of cabin fever in those statements anyway, and it does provide a polite way to avoid discussing more personal reasons why the situation might have ended. It's a tasteful excuse, so I'm willing to give him a pass on this one and call it more of the usual obfuscatory dissembling. Not nice to slam the ex-es, especially where children are involved. All the bear business does is make me wonder if someone had a habit of carelessness in securing the cans after taking out the garbage. ;)"}, {"response": 978, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Jul 17, 2002 (23:41)", "body": "One thing we do know for certain, he was fully functional in his wildness days!!!!!! :)"}, {"response": 979, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Jul 17, 2002 (23:45)", "body": "Now, that might have been a Freudian slip......."}, {"response": 980, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Jul 18, 2002 (10:09)", "body": "(Elizabeth)But I've always smelled a touch of cabin fever in those statements anyway, and it does provide a polite way to avoid discussing more personal reasons why the situation might have ended. I agree, I always thought the comments about bears, etc. were tongue-in-cheek. His humor can be so absolutely dead-pan that one can mistake it for a serious comment. (you can't see that flash of dimples in a print interview) I think the feelings of isolation were real, however, and more than geographic. He was far from work, and I think that was more of a problem for him than for Meg. Also, didn't he once make a remark about being \"essentially English\" and that being away from London was part of the problem for him? (I often think about that remark when the comments about LD's domination of him. SHE has given up living in her native country for him, so both sides make concessions. I know they visit a lot, but that isn't living there.) Also recall his recent remark about the house and the family and \"having it all in place.\" Ev, did he really refer to Winchester as the \"boonies\"? It most certainly is not boonies. It even has a Cafe Rouge. And do you think choosing to work at the Donmar was predicated on the presence of a Starbucks in the building? ;-)"}, {"response": 981, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 18, 2002 (12:27)", "body": "The Emmy nominations were announced this a.m. The list is way too long, but in the non-series categories we have: Miniseries Band Of Brothers \ufffd HBO Dinotopia \ufffd ABC The Mists Of Avalon \ufffd TNT Shackleton \ufffd A&E Made For Television Movie Dinner With Friends \ufffd HBO The Gathering Storm \ufffd HBO James Dean \ufffd TNT The Laramie Project \ufffd HBO Path To War \ufffd HBO Lead Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie Albert Finney as Winston Churchill (The Gathering Storm \ufffd HBO) James Franco as James Dean (James Dean \ufffd TNT) Sir Michael Gambon as Lyndon B. Johnson (Path To War \ufffd HBO) Kenneth Branagh as Ernest Shackleton (Shackleton \ufffd A&E) Beau Bridges as Michael Mulvaney (We Were The Mulvaneys \ufffd Lifetime) Lead Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie Vanessa Redgrave as Clementine Churchill (The Gathering Storm \ufffd HBO) Angela Bassett as Rosa Parks (The Rosa Parks Story \ufffd CBS) Blythe Danner as Corinne Mulvaney (We Were The Mulvaneys \ufffd Lifetime) Laura Linney as Iris Bravard (Wild Iris \ufffd Showtime) Gena Rowlands as Minnie Brinn (Wild Iris \ufffd Showtime) Supporting Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie Jim Broadbent as Desmond Morton (The Gathering Storm \ufffd HBO) Michael Moriarty as Winton Dean (James Dean \ufffd TNT) Alec Baldwin as Robert McNamara (Path To War \ufffd HBO) Don Cheadle as Chuck (Things Behind The Sun \ufffd Showtime) Jon Voight as Major-General Jurgen Stroop (Uprising \ufffd NBC) Supporting Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie Sissy Spacek as Zelda Fitzgerald (Last Call \ufffd Showtime) Stockard Channing as Judy Shepard (The Matthew Shepard Story \ufffd NBC) Joan Allen as Morgause (The Mists Of Avalon \ufffd TNT) Anjelica Huston as Viviane (The Mists Of Avalon \ufffd TNT) Dame Diana Rigg as Lehzen (Victoria And Albert \ufffd A&E)"}, {"response": 982, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 18, 2002 (15:03)", "body": "I thought Victoria and Albert should have been listed. Though all of the mini-series were excellent. Glad to see that Showtime and TNT are inching along the original movie path.Though HBO has 4 out of 5 noms in this category. Maybe Armadillo (Aug 3) will show up next year for A&E;-)they're falling behind. And poor PBS..they don't seem to have a chance against the big boys of cable. Thanks Karen.Wonder if KB will win again.I didn't think Gambon or Finney were *that *good."}, {"response": 983, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Thu, Jul 18, 2002 (15:57)", "body": ""}, {"response": 984, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 18, 2002 (17:41)", "body": "Emma, I am reposting your message above on 162 because this could possibly be relevant to CF."}, {"response": 985, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jul 18, 2002 (19:12)", "body": "Hi Everyone: Evelyn is the Armadillo on A&E August 3 the one with Colin in it? Forgive my ignorance but I saw it as one of his productions but didn't know anything about it. Thank you. I hope KB wins again too. I think he deserves it. Fine actor."}, {"response": 986, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 18, 2002 (19:55)", "body": "(Pam) Evelyn is the Armadillo on A&E August 3 the one with Colin in it? Forgive my ignorance but I saw it as one of his productions but didn't know anything about it. No. It was hotly rumored that he was going to star in Armadillo, but it never came to fruition. There was another rumor that he bolted to take Conspiracy. But we all read the book and the boss even had a page in the making. James Frain is in the starring role of Lorimer Black.Directed by Howard Davies (recently directly Noel Coward's Private Lives on B'way and West End. With awards. Quite a cast. Catherine Mc Cormack, Stephen Rea, Hugh Bonneville, Neil Pearson, Produced by Sue Birtwistle and Script editor Susie Conklin (both from P&P). You can see it had CF written all over it. Great story by Wm Boyd. We all enjoyed it.Got good reviews in UK. Eagerly anticipating the viewing on A&E. ~~~~~~~~~~ I'm gonna quit getting the books that he is rumored to do. Just finished the Sylvia Plath/Ted Hughes story :-((( Bummer. We were banking on that one for the fall."}, {"response": 987, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 19, 2002 (09:30)", "body": "If you wonder why MB has a show on HBO and why HBO renewed that dreck for another season, the answer is contained in this article: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=855&ncid=579&e=9&u=/variety/20020719/en_variety/television_albrecht_dc_4 fourth from the last paragraph."}, {"response": 988, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 19, 2002 (09:37)", "body": "So you think Albrecht was MB's agent at ICM? AS a professional comic one would think he could be more discriminating . Interesting article."}, {"response": 989, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 19, 2002 (09:50)", "body": "Very likely. He was \"in\" with that group (Carrey and the Wayans) and directed the Wayans in an earlier film. They're buddies. MB has mentioned CA's name before in articles as the one who encouraged the project."}, {"response": 990, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Fri, Jul 19, 2002 (15:09)", "body": "Who is MB?"}, {"response": 991, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jul 19, 2002 (15:29)", "body": "(Karen) HBO renewed that dreck for another season Yuck, I didn't know they did. I tried to watch it last year and couldn't make it through a whole episode. I didn't know about any of his other stuff then either. (Sandy) Who is MB? Mike Binder. If you go to imdb.com and type in his name, you get a pic and a bio."}, {"response": 992, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Jul 19, 2002 (20:23)", "body": "Sorry to be so late with the Happy Birthday, Evelyn. I hope it was a great one."}, {"response": 993, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (09:46)", "body": "Thank you, Lucie Longest celebration, I've ever had. Hey...bring on Belated Birthdays!!"}, {"response": 994, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (15:16)", "body": "(Evelyn)I'm gonna quit getting the books that he is rumored to do. I already did. I really could see him in Armadillo, and I was so disappointed that he didn't get it, I decided to delay my book-buying impulses. Just got a letter from my [elderly] cousin in England. She told me that P&P had been rebroadcast recently. She has no idea how much time I spend on line or what I do when I'm there/here..."}, {"response": 995, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (15:32)", "body": "Hi Everyone, Kids are all gone for the day, chores done and I am all alone. Well not really, have a CF marathon going. So far Playmaker, for obvious reasons, Apartment Zero, for excellent acting, RV and now FP and will keep going until he or I can't go on any longer. Now going back to heaven."}, {"response": 996, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (16:21)", "body": "Pam, that sounds like a lovely way to spend the day! Do give my best to ODB. I have a question about PAL vs. NTSC videotapes. I've heard that some US VCR's can play either format. Does anyone know how widespread that capability is? I have a tape whose cover leaflet says it is in PAL format, but I can play it on both of my VCR's, and the manuals for the VCR's don't mention the ability to play PAL tapes, so I'm skeptical."}, {"response": 997, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (18:11)", "body": "Re NTSC vs. PAL videotapes. In the UK I believe all relatively new VCRs are able to play both formats. I would assume this also applies in the US. I have never had any problem playing NTSC format tapes bought from the US. (Many of DB's older movies are no longer available in the UK). DVDs are another story. My new player will not play Region 1, although more expensive Multi-region players are available. I wish I'd known that a few months ago, since there are far more titles available from the US."}, {"response": 998, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (18:19)", "body": "(FanPam) So far Playmaker, for obvious reasons LOL You want company? Whatta way to spend the day (wondering where I can absolutely convince DH and son they need to be...?)"}, {"response": 999, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (18:45)", "body": "(Rika) I've heard that some US VCR's can play either format. Does anyone know how widespread that capability is? Very limited. You have to go to special stores to buy multiformat VCRs. You won't find them at Best Buy or Circuit City. In my ethnic neighborhoods, where they sell all manner of appliances in the other voltage types, you can get such VCRs and the multi-region DVD players, universal TVs, etc. I am kind of surprised that you can play the PAL tapes on your VCR. What brand of VCR do you have? And are those \"original\" PALs or have they been converted to NTSC and the covers are copies from the real tape? (Janet) I would assume this also applies in the US. No, but I wish it were the case. We're very parochial when it comes to such things. It's our way or the highway. You know, just like all the Americans who travel to foreign countries and expect everyone to speak English. ;-D"}, {"response": 1000, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Jul 21, 2002 (00:16)", "body": "(Karen) I am kind of surprised that you can play the PAL tapes on your VCR. What brand of VCR do you have? And are those \"original\" PALs or have they been converted to NTSC and the covers are copies from the real tape? To clarify, I'm not at all sure that it is a PAL tape. I'm almost certain that both the cover that came with the tape and the label on the tape are originals. But as you point out, that doesn't rule out the possibility that the tape is an NTSC copy (with an original label attached). From what you've said about the rarity of PAL-compatible VCR's in the US, I'm guessing that's the case. Mine are fairly standard-issue Philips and Sony models, nothing special. Thanks for the information!"}, {"response": 1001, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Jul 21, 2002 (00:33)", "body": "Had to take a break from my CF Marathon. Even the air conditioner isn't cooling me down now and the eyes are getting blurry and the hormones acting up. Have been meaning to mention this for a few days. Watched Billy Elliot for the first time one night last week, for lack of anything else on the tube that I hadn't seen a million times. Ladies I'm giving you a treat to the eyes. If you should get a chance to watch it pay close attention to the man who plays Billy at 25. It's at the end and only for a few minutes BUT WHAT A TREAT TO THE EYES AND SENSES. THE BODY ON HIM IS TOTALLY OUTRAGEOUS. Had to research a little bit. His name is Adam Cooper and apparently is a principal dancer of the Royal Ballet. UN &&&& BELIEVABLE. AMAZING. Has any one else seen him or am I lost in a haze somewhere? I don't usually react to things like this, but this man just knocked me over. I hope you get a chance to see and enjoy him. Of course, no comparison to our man, but a very close second to be sure."}, {"response": 1002, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 21, 2002 (09:30)", "body": "Re: PAL tapes Did you buy them from a place in England or from a seller on eBay. If the latter, it will be a conversion. I remember the ballet dancer at the end very well. He was definitely on way too briefly, but then again, those guys can be rather lovely. I used to adore Baryshnikov and went to the ballet a lot."}, {"response": 1003, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Jul 21, 2002 (11:29)", "body": "I'm more interested in music than dance, but I just recently saw the Baryshnikov/Gelsey Kirkland \"Nutcracker\" that was first broadcast about 25 years ago. I hadn't seen it for years - my mother got it out to show my niece, who is going to be Clara in her ballet school production this December. His power and magnetism were marvelous. I do recall the dancer at the end of \"Billy Elliott\", and that he was very nicely sculpted, though actually I remember his make-up more than anything else!"}, {"response": 1004, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Jul 21, 2002 (11:58)", "body": "Are other folks still having problems accessing http://www.spring.net Please let me know if I need to make changes!"}, {"response": 1005, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Jul 21, 2002 (12:54)", "body": "The make-up of the Swan was interesting. He is indeed well sculptured. Just was a nice interlude. And I'm glad to know there are ladies with exceptional taste in agreement with me."}, {"response": 1006, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 22, 2002 (10:18)", "body": "Anybody see Sex & the City last night? LOL.Paris Theatre was featured.Told you the best part was the outside and the foyer.The seats...ug . Looks like there is going to be a difference in lifestyles. Our gals are maturing...hate to see the old \"devil may care\" attitude leave. they were funnier when not so philosophical."}, {"response": 1007, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 22, 2002 (10:33)", "body": "Except Charlotte is going in the opposite direction. She's loosening up. Didn't you just love Samantha's revenge (and that cop's response!) and her flashing at the Fleet's In party. She was the highlight of last night's episode, plus the recurrent theme of boobs."}, {"response": 1008, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 22, 2002 (10:44)", "body": "(Karen)Didn't you just love Samantha's revenge (and that cop's response!) Yes.ROTF when she puts the flyer with the boyfriend's pic through the shredder! Loved Carrie's outfit in the rain running down 59th St in front of the Plaza. The sailor was adorable and could they dance...whew!"}, {"response": 1009, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 23, 2002 (09:01)", "body": "Combining our previous thread with 162, I guess this should be posted on 161 ;-D From Ananova (source: The Sun) Heather Graham is to make a guest appearance in the new series of Sex And The City. The actress will play herself in the show, which goes out in the UK next January."}, {"response": 1010, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Tue, Jul 23, 2002 (16:57)", "body": "Anyone else notice that the unbelieveable Mike Binder is the Tom Cruise character's homicide object in \"Minority Report\"???? How'd he get that plum job???"}, {"response": 1011, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Tue, Jul 23, 2002 (19:19)", "body": "(Chris)...Tom Cruise character's homicide object... Well, it's a tough job, but somebody has to slaughter the goats. ;)"}, {"response": 1012, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Tue, Jul 23, 2002 (19:38)", "body": "Thought I'd add this here rather than sully 162... In re aintitcool...uh, no it's not. Lonely much? BINDER: Are you married at all? Excuse me, it's a legally bound, and therefore binary, state. You either are or you aren't. A goat, I tell you, a goat. Blecch!"}, {"response": 1013, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (07:13)", "body": "My apologies. I had missed the link to the MB interview. Sigh, all is revealed (gag me with a spoon!). http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=12805"}, {"response": 1014, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (08:45)", "body": "Interesting article in the LA Times about American actors doing accents. Makes some excellent points that I've always held as well, like: It's a risky move for a marquee name with an established career, says David Alan Stern, a former Hollywood dialect coach, now professor of dramatic arts at the University of Connecticut. \"If your career and your public persona is based on a very strong identity, certain elements of which never change, basically you're perceived as a personality more than you're perceived as an actor. It's always a huge risk if the public is going to accept you, regardless of whether it's performed well.\" Accents spin actors out onto thin ice, but when rendered articulately they can be critical to the story line and add as much atmosphere as location shoots and special effects. For \"K-19,\" the producer, star and dialect coach agreed that Russian accents were necessary because of the film's global casting. \"I felt it was the best decision,\" said dialect coach Howard Samuelsohn. \"We had British and Canadian and Icelandic actors and a couple of real Russians, and Liam Neeson's Irish and Harrison is all-American. Kathryn [Bigelow, the director-producer] thought they should all sound like they're from the same world.\" (As opposed to those old World War II movies in which the Yanks sounded like themselves and the Nazis sounded like Prince Charles' polo team. Or as in last year's \"Enemy at the Gates,\" another military tale in which some of the Russian and German officers had accents but the Red army heroes spoke like Brits--Joseph Fiennes sounded like he went to Oxford; Jude Law sounded like he went to a few pubs.) That Prince Charles' polo team comment is reminiscent of our discussion of Conspiracy's lack of accents. ;-D The entire article can be found here: http://www.calendarlive.com/top/1,1419,L-LATimes-Movies-X!ArticleDetail-66851,00.html"}, {"response": 1015, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (08:55)", "body": "(LA Times)Kathryn [Bigelow, the director-producer] thought they should all sound like they're from the same world. Good point. I do find the variety of accents distracting in Valmont. But if they had all done a French accent while speaking English, it might have sounded funny. Some actors have a good \"ear\" and can do accents easily and fluently. Others struggle and it shows (anyone see Robin Hood?). Unless an accent can be done so well that it sounds natural, it can be distracting, especially when the actor is an established \"personality\" with a following that has preconceived notions about him/her."}, {"response": 1016, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (09:21)", "body": "(Kate) But if they had all done a French accent while speaking English, it might have sounded funny. But don't you see, that is where our American bias emerges. A French person speaking English will sound like that, but we assume an American putting on a French accent, while speaking English, is comical. (Confusing, I know, but I'm sure you get my meaning.)"}, {"response": 1017, "author": "Megs128", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (11:12)", "body": "(Karen) A French person speaking English will sound like that, but we assume an American putting on a French accent, while speaking English, is comical. True, Karen, but how many times has Gerard Depardieu gotten a real role in an English speaking film? In France, he's known as one of the top actors, but in America, he's \"My Father the Hero.\" Oh, and can someone clarify why we hate MB? I'm a little lost..."}, {"response": 1018, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (11:17)", "body": "(Karen)That Prince Charles' polo team comment is reminiscent of our discussion of Conspiracy's lack of accents. ;-D You mean when we said they sounded like a bunch of Brits wearing fancy dress:-D Accents is the new wave.If an actor can't do an accent...don't hire him. That's part of acting. BTW Bruce Cox who won the Emmy played his role in Nurenberg with a perfect German accent.He's British , me thinks ;-)"}, {"response": 1019, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (11:27)", "body": "(Megan) In France, he's known as one of the top actors, but in America, he's \"My Father the Hero.\" Actually, Gerard D came to mind immediately because he has acted in English-language films. Perhaps you may not be aware of what happened when he tried to make the crossover into mainstream American films with Green Card. That (and his looks) had more to do with anything IMO than with his accent, which we have accepted in the past (Maurice Chevalier or Louis Jourdan to name but two). Oh, and can someone clarify why we hate MB? I'm a little lost... Remember, there is no \"we\" at this place. Each of us has his/her own opinions. :)"}, {"response": 1020, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (18:24)", "body": "Luhrmann, De Laurentiis Launch 'Great' Race Wed Jul 24, 6:46 AM ET By Peter Bart, Variety Editor-in-Chief HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - It will probably be the most expensive picture ever made -- whoever ends up making it. The formidable team of Australian director Baz Luhrmann (\"Moulin Rouge\") and Italian producer Dino De Laurentiis (\"Hannibal\") believe they will win the race to make a sweeping epic biopic of Alexander the Great, and they hope to start shooting in January. They have a greenlight from Universal Pictures and Twentieth Century Fox, along with the cooperation of a movie fan named Mohammed VI, who happens to be the 39-year-old king of Morocco and who will contribute some 1,500 members of his army to the production. If the Luhrmann-De Laurentiis team wins the Alexander race, they will have beaten back some imposing competition. Oliver Stone had said he intends to start his Alexander biopic Oct. 16, first starring Heath Ledger, but now with Colin Farrell, with funding coming from Intermedia. Martin Scorsese had announced his Alexander movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio, but now is intent on first making a movie about Howard Hughes with DiCaprio. Yet another Alexander buff, Mel Gibson, had hoped to make a multi-part film for HBO, but his company, Icon, has also put off that project. Gibson and Luhrmann, of course, are fellow Australians. Why the focus on Alexander? Luhrmann, one of the most theatrical of contemporary filmmakers, sees Alexander as \"the world's first rock star ... a fantastic freak of nature.\" Before his death at 32, he ruled over the largest area of the world ever to fall under the control of one man. To Luhrmann, Alexander was a spectacularly charismatic figure, whose battles against the Persians utterly changed the course of world history. While Luhrmann hasn't locked in a budget, he intends to build upon the epic quality of the story. \"The poetry of the landscape, as well as the epic battles, will be the stars of the picture,\" he said. To this end, the Moroccan king has started construction of a studio to house the production, whose final budget may total north of $140 million. Though reminiscent of panoramic productions of old, Luhrmann is persuaded the movie will speak to the present. \"At this moment in history when we are desperately trying to figure out what's ahead, it is important to turn to the lessons of the past,\" he said. Luhrmann considers himself to be in pre-production and is working closely with screenwriter Ted Tally, whose past credits include \"Silence of the Lambs.\" Tally's script is based on novels by Valerio Manfredi. Ridley Scott initially was interested in the Tally script, but shifted to other projects. \"Dino and I are completely bonded on this film,\" said Luhrmann, who is half the age of De Laurentiis. The fabled Italian producer is responsible for a long list of historical sagas, including \"War and Peace,\" but he insists, \"This movie will be a different sort of epic. Baz has his own unique vision. He is a complete original.\" Luhrmann has yet to cast Alexander, but there's speculation that, if the Scorsese and Stone versions are aborted, one of the stars of those projects may surface in his film. Final elements of the deal were completed Sunday at a dinner hosted by De Laurentiis at his house in Bel Air. The arrangement calls for a 50-50 studio partnership with Universal distributing in the U.S. and Fox overseas. \"We are completely supportive of Baz's vision,\" Universal Pictures chairman Stacey Snider said. \"For 10 years Baz has nurtured the idea of doing this project. It was consistent with his long-term aim of following his musicals with a series of films that, in his words, would view an epic landscape through a new cinematic vocabulary.\" \"Alexander succeeded in achieving his goals beyond the scope of anyone's imagination,\" Luhrmann said. \"But achieving absolute success brought him absolute failure.\" \"We've been talking about this film with Baz for years,\" said Tom Rothman, co-chairman at Fox Studios, which backed \"Moulin Rouge.\" \"A project of this magnitude needs the support of two studios that are at the top of their game, and we all passionately endorse Baz' vision.\""}, {"response": 1021, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (19:43)", "body": "(Terry the disbeliever) Are other folks still having problems accessing http://www.spring.net Please let me know if I need to make changes! Yes, we are, unless you've merged spring into the google search page. :-/"}, {"response": 1022, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (22:03)", "body": "Alexander the Great! OK Colin time to dress like Marc Antony and ride the chariot. How cute those legs would look."}, {"response": 1023, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Jul 25, 2002 (01:13)", "body": "(Karen)A French person speaking English will sound like that, but we assume an American putting on a French accent, while speaking English, is comical. Right. A foreign accent is often used to make something funny. I actually meant funny as in \"odd,\" if the compromise for a group of actors with disparate accents would be to make them all do a French accent. Speaking of accents, does anyone remember \"I Claudius\"? The upper-class Romans had upper-class Brit accents, and the slaves were cockneys!"}, {"response": 1024, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 25, 2002 (09:22)", "body": "Since Gerard was mentioned up above, this appears rather timely. From Reuters: French Actor Depardieu Likes Roles with No Sex Wed Jul 24, 7:19 PM ET MADRID, Spain (Reuters) - French actor Gerard Depardieu, whose film credits range from tragic love stories to children's comedies, thinks roles without sex are \"fantastic.\" Promoting a Spanish version of the French comic Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra -- in which he plays the pot-bellied, Roman-loathing Gaul Obelix, Depardieu said he liked the film because there was no sex. \"It's fantastic...With comics there is never sex, even when there is a love story...they are enormously prudish,\" said the 53-year-old Depardieu, who has made over 120 films since 1965. \"There is no double meaning or misunderstanding or suffering.\" In Mission Cleopatra, Asterix and Obelix travel to Egypt to help an architect who has to build Queen Cleopatra a palace in three months. Depardieu is not convinced it will take off in the United States. \"They don't have the same sense of what a hero is,\" said the actor, who has tried his gallic charms on Hollywood in films like \"Greencard.\" \"I don't like positive heroes,\" Depardieu said \"They bore me.\" ~~~~~~~~ And, they repulse me. ;-)"}, {"response": 1025, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 25, 2002 (10:09)", "body": "I didn't think this warranted mention on 162. From THR: Minnie Driver has set her sights on the telly again. The British actress has been meeting with American TV network executives to explore the possibility of doing a series. Driver starred in several projects on British television at the outset of her career, including the BBC mini \"The Politician's Wife\" and the series \"My Good Friend,\" but has been entirely focused on features since her Oscar-nominated performance in \"Good Will Hunting.\" She next stars in the romantic comedy \"Hope Springs.\" Driver is repped by ICM and the Firm."}, {"response": 1026, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Jul 25, 2002 (10:26)", "body": "I did a page update today, hope it shows up in Netscape. Let me know."}, {"response": 1027, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 25, 2002 (10:30)", "body": "Nope, still not there. :-("}, {"response": 1028, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Jul 25, 2002 (13:18)", "body": "Darn, will you do a \"view source\" and tell me what you think I should change?"}, {"response": 1029, "author": "LizJP", "date": "Fri, Jul 26, 2002 (01:24)", "body": "I had no trouble accessing www.spring.net using IE6. Does the page show differently in Netscape? Liz"}, {"response": 1030, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 27, 2002 (10:42)", "body": "From Murph: A&E has put up a site for Armadillo, which will be shown on Saturday, Aug 3. http://www.aande.com/tv/shows/armadillo/index.html Man, oh man, that helmet is just like the one I had at the Bucket. *sniff*"}, {"response": 1031, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jul 27, 2002 (21:50)", "body": "We might have been really fired up about Saturday Aug.3... It should have been Colin's role.*snif*"}, {"response": 1032, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Jul 27, 2002 (22:38)", "body": "But it was his choice that it's not, right? *another sniff*"}, {"response": 1033, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Jul 28, 2002 (10:06)", "body": "I've been evaluating pictures lately. Seems besides being a B-man he seems to prefer ladies with dark hair. I know JE was an exception, but MT and Wife are dark. IMO he also seems to respond more to the actresses with dark hair he plays opposite, seems to be more of a chemistry with them with the exception of RZ. Good chemistry there. Just a thought."}, {"response": 1034, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 28, 2002 (14:20)", "body": "The Stage Newspaper report that TOM HANKS is in talks with Donmar Warehouse artistic director Sam Mendes to perform at a West End Theatre."}, {"response": 1035, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Jul 30, 2002 (01:00)", "body": "Tom Hanks in the West End would be quite a draw. Any idea of the play? Hope all of us on the East Coast are ready for the heatwave. It's 2:00 a m and 90 degrees. Keep cool everyone."}, {"response": 1036, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jul 30, 2002 (01:06)", "body": "FanPam, tried to email you, but incomplete address. Can you give me a computer ringy-dingy please! It is unmercifully hot :-("}, {"response": 1037, "author": "donnamari", "date": "Tue, Jul 30, 2002 (18:40)", "body": "Just a quick note of thanks to all of you for sharing all of this great CF info and photos as of late. Just wanted to share with you a great website I found just by accident at filmfour.com. I have had a lot of fun there lately viewing a few film shorts which viewers can see in their entirety with a quick no fee registration. I actually found a short that CF's brother had a lead in called Truel (1999) which although only 14 minutes long is a very interesting and intelligent romantic period piece that could have been easily expanded into a feature film. Another cute one is Work Experience with Kathy Burke. Regards and happy viewing."}, {"response": 1038, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (01:44)", "body": "Thanks Donnamari for the info. Will definitely look into it."}, {"response": 1039, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (09:03)", "body": "Interesting (though probably futile) development on one of my pet peeves: Hollywood Takes on Ageism Wed Jul 31, 3:28 AM ET By Dave McNary HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - The state is about to take on Hollywood's obsession with youth. The California Commission on Aging has formed a coalition with the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and Women in Film to battle lack of representation of people over 40 in film and TV. The new organization -- the Industry Coalition for Age Equity in the News Media -- will hold a news conference at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Los Angeles Film School in Hollywood. Former SAG president Ed Asner will be among the attendees. Recently released SAG stats showed only 35% of all SAG roles in features and TV in 2001 went to performers older than 40. The 2000 U.S. Census showed the country's median age was 35.3 years. State Sen. John Vasconcellos, chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Aging and Long-Term Care, will host the event. He has authored Senate Bill 953, which is designed to lay the groundwork for dealing with the doubling of the state's residents over 65 to 6.5 million by 2020. The bill's provisions include a mandate that the state join the coalition \"to work with the entertainment industry to change cultural attitudes and perceptions of aging and older adults, with the goal of making the workforce more receptive to older workers.\""}, {"response": 1040, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (09:25)", "body": "\" The bill's provisions include a mandate that the state join the coalition \"to work with the entertainment industry to change cultural attitudes and perceptions of aging and older adults, with the goal of making the workforce more receptive to older workers.\" Bottom line: \"aging and older adults\" don't go to movies. Maybe the venerable State Sen. should author a bill mandating older and aging folks to attend movies."}, {"response": 1041, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (09:31)", "body": "(Evelyn) Bottom line: \"aging and older adults\" don't go to movies. I'm not convinced and think it has some elements of a 'chicken or egg' theory. Hey, when you get discount rates, you go, but why would any mature person want to see the youth-oriented fare out there??"}, {"response": 1042, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (09:36)", "body": "Read this for a laugh (continuing in same vein): http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=680&ncid=680&e=3&u=/usatoday/20020731/en_usatoday/4320626"}, {"response": 1043, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (09:38)", "body": "(Karen) but why would any mature person want to see the youth-oriented fare out there?? Well, not American Pie or Cheech 'n Chong. But I find it refreshing to see young pretty actresses. I'm not a big fan of \"On Golden Pond\" stuff. Agree that there is an inordinate percentage of ten flicks. But hey several of them are paying my fave actors: RF with J. LO & CF with HG and Amanda."}, {"response": 1044, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (09:41)", "body": "Hilarious article, Karen. Sounds like something William Safire would write in the NY Times. He missed the most popular one, though: \"cool\""}, {"response": 1045, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (09:52)", "body": "(Evelyn) But I find it refreshing to see young pretty actresses. I'm not a big fan of \"On Golden Pond\" stuff. Why the extremes? Plenty of actors in their 30s and 40s (especially women) who can't get a job, except to be cast as somebody's grandma."}, {"response": 1046, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (15:00)", "body": "My prerequisite for a good movie is the acting and story. Regardless of age of actors involved. There's just as many more mature-oriented movies that are crap as there are youth-oriented. At first didn't like all the early-twenty syndrome flix, but since this is the majority age-range in my home have learned to watch them, noting many have merit and good acting. Was surprised to find that I was one of the people laughing the most in the theater watching \"There's Something About Mary\". But definitely agree maybe story lines could be made more mature-frinedly. There's only so many road trips you can go on, or so many cheerleading competitions you can attend. But adored Clueless and Legally Blonde. Good stuff. All depends on what's out there. Oh for the good old days of American Graffitti and Animal House. Now those movies bring back fond memories and are definitely classics in my book. But do you know how lucky we are, because we actually know the difference between quality stuff and crap. The youthful movie goer of today hasn't had the great experiences of being brought up on Gone With the Wind, mine have seen it but I see no identifying with culture from them on it. The first time I saw it was in a theater and a homework assignment from my 10th grade history teacher. It's there ignorance and a sign of the times that they can't identify culture. They don't appreciate Top Hat or anything of that gender. They do however like Cary Grant in Arsenic and Old Lace and James Stewart i Harvey, so maybe there is hope. As I explained to them, in the old days, and before my time I might add, movies were so exceptionally well acted and scripted because other than radio there was no entertainment, so the studios really made great stuff to entertain the public. My mother adored the classics so I was brought up on them. Bette Davis was a daily occurrance, so learned to like and appreciate good entertainment or went to bed very early every night as children did not rule the TV in those days. They do enjoy Broadway however and we go whenever we can and I collect all the musical and stage drama videos I can, we watched Cats Sunday, just to have an alternative for them. This might be a reason we don't attend the more modern movies so much because we know what's good and why waste the money on something thats not good. I agree Hollywood definitely needs to make more attractive vehicles for people of taste and culture, I prefer that to more mature, to get them into the theater. I honestly feel they can't replace the talent of the older actors with whats available now, so often cringe when I hear they are remaking something that was great, always wondering who they are going to get to perform equally to the original and realizing they won't as evidenced by the failure of so many attempted remakes. Ladies we have experienced the best of times as far a movies go because we have had the opportunity to see it all whereas our offspring haven't, unless you actully shove it down their throats as I have. Ye gods, sorry I went on so long and honestly didn't realize I had such passionate feelings about this until I got started. Loved the article. He definitely forgot cool which was awesome and whatever combined. What I started out to post was do you realize if you fall asleep enough times with a CF movie on your phraseology begins to change? It must work like a Berlitz tape. My kids are beginning to look at me funny and I'm even beginning to notice it. I'm all astonishment, quite determined and greatly pleased!!!"}, {"response": 1047, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (15:05)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1048, "author": "Megs128", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (21:06)", "body": "Oh dear, am I disagreeing with Pam twice in one day? I'm sorry, but I just had to speak out. I suspect that I'm younger than many of the fabulous Firth fans here (I clock in at 20), but I feel that there are some of us \"young people with culture\" out there. I've always like theater and good drama, my favorite music is classic rock, and if I have to sit through even one more PREVIEW of a Freddie Prinze Jr. movie I think I'll gag. My parents have never pushed the arts on me, they don't really interest themselves in anything of that nature. My dad did show me Animal House when I was a girl, and I loved it, but most of the other comedies I appreciate were from my own exploration and hearing things of good reputation. I can tell the difference between something that's \"awesome\" and something that's \"whatever.\" I'll admit that my brother can't, but I have hope for him yet, and I wonder if your parents liked Animal House when it came out...?"}, {"response": 1049, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Jul 31, 2002 (23:42)", "body": "(FanPam) What I started out to post was do you realize if you fall asleep enough times with a CF movie on your phraseology begins to change? It must work like a Berlitz tape. My kids are beginning to look at me funny and I'm even beginning to notice it. I'm all astonishment, quite determined and greatly pleased!!! I haven't fallen asleep with one on, but just watching them has had this effect on me. I find myself thinking in an English accent sometimes, too. Bizarre."}, {"response": 1050, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (08:27)", "body": "Interesting news item about Miramax, which contained this: Weinstein says his brother Bob told him, \"I'm carrying the place. Even though you make money. I've been making 65% of the profits, you've been making 35.\" http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=848&ncid=805&e=3&u=/variety/20020801/film_variety/film_miramax_dc_6"}, {"response": 1051, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (08:41)", "body": "From BBC news : Stars 'want to direct' at RSC Kenneth Branagh and Sam Mendes have said they want to work with the Royal Shakespeare Company, according to its new artistic director. Michael Boyd, who takes over the RSC's directorship from Adrian Noble in March 2003, told The Stage newspaper that both had indicated they would consider directing productions in the future. Boyd said that both Branagh and Mendes had been consulted by the selection panel during the search for a replacement for Noble. RSC chairman Bob Alexander spoke to the pair about their interest in directing productions for the company. \"I know Bob had conversations with both Kenneth Branagh and Sam Mendes, and I would bite their arms off, no problem,\" Boyd told The Stage. \"I think it's great. I think it is sincere on both their parts and I think its is about an expression of care, although I am sure couched up in 'let's see what you get up to'.\" Theatre darling Mendes has a strong reputation for directing interesting yet popular plays and has previously directed Troilus and Cressida and Richard III for the RSC. During his spell as artistic director at London's Donmar Warehouse he became the darling of theatreland, attracting Hollywood stars such as Nicole Kidman to appear. Mendes also has a best director Oscar under his belt for the critically acclaimed American Beauty. Kenneth Branagh is one of the most recognisable faces to emerge from the RSC, having joined for a short period in 1984. During his distinguished career he has directed plays and films from diverse genres including Much Ado About Nothing and Peter's Friends. His latest production, The Play What I Wrote, has received rave reviews during its London run. Boyd has been an associate director of the RSC since 1996, winning an Olivier Award for his production of Henry VI. One of his plans once he takes over is to reintroduce the idea of an ensemble cast, which he believes lies in the roots of the RSC. Controversial reforms He sees it as the foundation for bringing through new talent as well as attracting big names. He is reluctant to share his views on pushing through the controversial reforms of his predecessor Noble. Among those was quitting the RSC's London home at the Barbican in favour of touring productions. There are also plans to demolish its Stratford-upon-Avon site to build a Shakespeare village. Amid the changes 100 staff were made redundant and others were put on temporary contracts. Boyd said: \"In principle I am in favour of big changes as will be evident with me but I had a different view of how those changes might be brought about.\""}, {"response": 1052, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (10:35)", "body": "\"Weinstein said the company will generate $22 million-$23 million \"on the first round of 'Kate & Leopold' domestically, and we predict we'll do $30 million over the next couple of years. The same thing is true with 'Serendipity.\"' Thanks Karen. This is where he'll make it on TIOBE. IMO he knows some of these little films will never make budget cost on theatrical release and plans on video. So why bother spending $20M to promote a $16M film?"}, {"response": 1053, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (16:36)", "body": "I hope these few articles are just the tip of the iceberg to sway public opinion: Scott's World -- UPI Arts & Entertainment By Vernon Scott United Press International From the Life & Mind Desk Published 8/1/2002 5:07 PM HOLLYWOOD, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Nowhere is the chasm between talent and profits more clearly delineated than in Tinseltown, where the bottom line takes precedence over art. Movies employ a throwaway economy where the latest and hottest, no matter how transitory, determine who and what will be seen in major films. Chief victims of filmmakers' revolving-door tactics are actresses propelled to stardom, then all-too-soon consigned to has-been status when the next bare-midriffed damsel slinks on camera. This common policy is a dreadful waste of the industry's most valuable commodity: stars, particularly disposable actresses. A sorry example is the fate of female stars who pass the age of 35 and fall into an abyss of unemployment or who are relegated to insignificant roles. No one exemplifies these victims of the bottom line more than Meryl Streep, perhaps the greatest living actress on the planet. Streep, at 53, remains one the most brilliant performers anywhere, nominated 12 times for Academy Awards, winner of two Oscars. She is a national treasure, perhaps the best performer in America's major popular art form which she has elevated by her presence in some 24 major movies since \"Julia\" in 1977. Were she an English actress, Streep would be Dame Meryl, an honored national figure accorded as much respect and -- far more importantly -- as many plum roles as she chose. Look at the indefatigable Maggie Smith and Judi Dench, the late Sybil Thorndyke and Edith Evans. Hollywood's preoccupation with youth has produced blatant ageism that turns away enormously talented performers purely for economic reasons. How many stars do we have who are over the age of 60? Count those under 35 and dare to compare their acting competency with Streep and others of her age. Actors can look forward to much longer careers than actresses, a clear bias fostered by box-office receipts. Cases in point are Clint Eastwood and Gene Hackman, both 72 years old. They continue to work in major mainstream movies because they are superlative performers on screen AND at the box office. Streep, 20 years younger than they, has been driven to appear in fewer, lesser roles in inferior scripts. Who is to blame for what appears to be sexist prejudice? There are some who point a finger at screenwriters who fail to write stories dealing with middle-aged women because they aren't big box-office draws. Others offer the explanation that actresses over 35 don't make exciting, promotional news in their private lives as do half-dressed, publicity-viable young exhibitionistic cuties pushing the envelope. In the end, the blame, if such it can be called, may be laid at the feet of the moviegoing public. Apparently the populace prefers to see unlined faces, unthickened waistlines in youthful stories even if the performances are subpar. However, the ever-important bottom line is the genuine culprit for the disappearance of fine, seasoned actresses from major motion pictures. Movies have become entirely a youth-oriented art form because that's where the big bucks lie. When a half-baked comedy like \"Austin Powers in Goldmember\" earned $73 million in its opening weekend this month with a youthful cast for a youthful audience, why would any producer in his right mind not follow suit? No matter how much a polished drama such as Steven Spielberg's \"Road to Perdition\" may try to compete in such a market, it didn't earn a third as much in its opening week. Typically these days, neither film included a major role for a leading actress, much less a middle-aged actress. Then there is Julia Roberts, this decade's America's Sweetheart whose fingerprints are on every good script that comes down the pipe. Everybody loves Julia, and properly so, but she, too, will find herself facing professional Armageddon before long. Julia turns 35 this October. Other admired actresses are fully engaged in coping with the stormy latitudes of age burnout: Cher, Meg Ryan, Sally Field, Sissy Spacek, Ellen Burstyn, Jane Fonda, Faye Dunaway, Goldie Hawn, Glenn Close and more. Some Academy Award winners who haven't lost their talent, though their youth may be spent, cannot find any jobs worthy of them: Elizabeth Taylor, Shirley MacLaine, Julie Andrews, Joanne Woodward, Sophia Loren. In the not-too-distant past, Katharine Hepburn and Bette Davis were exceptions. They worked well into their 70s. They were exploitable names with hosts of fans who rushed to see their performances. Today it is different. Streep cannot compete with \"Austin Powers,\" \"Stuart Little,\" \"Men in Black\" and \"Lilo & Stitch.\" Neither could Hepburn or Davis, for that matter. Movies today are not about soaring drama, inspiring performances and the human equation; they are about spectacle, shock, overwhelming action and special "}, {"response": 1054, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (16:50)", "body": "The reason these kid films earn so much money is because young kids see them over and over again and then the parents buy the vid. Hepburn and Davis couldn't make it either with this competition. TV has a lot to do with it. How many of these actresses would make Entertainment Tonight or E! channel. I'm not saying it's right, I'm saying it's part of the culture. The only hope for these older actresses is cable; made for TV movies. Older generations watch tv and wait for movies to come to television. No matter how much a polished drama such as Steven Spielberg's \"Road to Perdition\" may try to compete in such a market, it didn't earn a third as much in its opening week. Sadly, I agree. Correction: it wasn't Steven Spielberg's; it was Sam Mendes"}, {"response": 1055, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (17:03)", "body": "It is Spielberg's in the sense that his company made the film: DreamWorks. However, there was a time when women counted at the boxoffice, when they went in droves, in the '30s and '40s, the days of the matinee idol and the strong female leads, which Bette Davis, Katherine Hepburn, and Joan Crawford are but a few of the many actresses having substantial careers. Sometime in the 50s, this started to change as television spread through America and women seemed to relegate the decision on their leisure activities to their spouses or boyfriends or whoever. They stopped going to movie matinees alone, became afraid of the connotation. They let this happen to themselves. They allow Hollywood to speak condescendingly of \"chick flicks\" as inferior products. Seems totally bizarre in that several women are very prominent in the studio systems, heading two majors (see Time mag), yet they push the money-making agenda to prove what.....???? That they are \"one of the boys.\" Just my own hare-brain theory."}, {"response": 1056, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (18:54)", "body": "Megs please don't take offense. I'm just noting what I see in my children and their friends. Not you. I applaud you. We were just saying that they don't make enough movies to cater to people like us. It has nothing to do with age. So please don't be offended. And also in putting out more youth-oriented movies they are ignoring the talents of some very wonderfully, talented actors as evidenced by articles linked by Karen. So I apologise to you if my statements were misconstrued. Certainly not intended. But if these movies were not making money for the studios they wouldn't be made. So they obviously are doing well money-wise, while movies with real artistic value, great acting, and higher intellect don't seem to do as well. Can I adopt you? Evelyn has a good point that we tend to stay home and wait for it on TV. This may be a reason they market what they do and the way they do. But it would be great to see better movies in the market. Did anyone catch the ad for a new show coming in the fall called Brahm and Alice? A daughter moves in with her father whom she has just found. And to boot the father is English, or trying to be. Topical. Karen's so very right. Chick flix have a derogatory connotation, unfairly given and women are not counted on at the box office. But its a viscious circle, if they offered better stuff, women would go. So it's kind of like a stalemate. I'm with you Karen."}, {"response": 1057, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (20:46)", "body": "Movies have become entirely a youth-oriented art form because that's where the big bucks lie. When a half-baked comedy like \"Austin Powers in Goldmember\" earned $73 million in its opening weekend this month with a youthful cast for a youthful audience, why would any producer in his right mind not follow suit? Sadly, I think this is true. We often get precisely what we deserve. (Karen) However, there was a time when women counted at the boxoffice, when they went in droves, in the '30s and '40s, the days of the matinee idol and the strong female leads, which Bette Davis, Katherine Hepburn, and Joan Crawford are but a few of the many actresses having substantial careers. Sometime in the 50s, this started to change as television spread through America and women seemed to relegate the decision on their leisure activities to their spouses or boyfriends or whoever. It's been years since I read The Feminine Mystique , but didn't Friedan include an analysis of magazines and movies of the 30's/40's vs. the 50's to show the vast change in images of women in the media?"}, {"response": 1058, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Aug  1, 2002 (22:06)", "body": "Re UK Premiere of TIOBE at Edinburgh International Film Festival on 17 August. Attendance of Oliver Parker and Barnaby Thompson confirmed on website. World Premiere of Heather Graham's latest movie 'The Guru' is in same venue immediately thereafter. She is also confirmed. Perhaps ODB may come along just to say hi? (Forlorn hope!!)"}, {"response": 1059, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Aug  2, 2002 (01:12)", "body": "Everybody loves Julia, and properly so Not so sure about that. (Evelyn) The reason these kid films earn so much money is because young kids see them over and over again and then the parents buy the vid. Ironic that we were the \"kids\" with TIOBE and some of us will be the parents buying the DVD/video. (Evelyn) How many of these actresses would make Entertainment Tonight or E! channel. I'm not saying it's right, I'm saying it's part of the culture. It's a vicious cycle. They won't get on ET because they aren't in anything and they aren't in anything because they aren't offered projects as they aren't in the public mind's eye due to no publicity."}, {"response": 1060, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug  2, 2002 (10:19)", "body": "Movies have become entirely a youth-oriented art form because that's where the big bucks lie. When a half-baked comedy like \"Austin Powers in Goldmember\" earned $73 million in its opening weekend this month with a youthful cast for a youthful audience, why would any producer in his right mind not follow suit? If you were a producer would you want to back a film that you would get your money returned (never mind make a profit!) or back an artistic one that no one goes to see. Bottom line: You have to find altruistic producers;-D"}, {"response": 1061, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  2, 2002 (10:43)", "body": "There will always be blockbuster films; there always have been (epics of yesteryear). However, it is a chicken and egg thing. The reason the more artistic ones don't make respectable amounts of money, which would produce a decent ROI, is that they don't do any publicity. You gotta spend money to make money. The $100 million blockbusters have marketing budgets of $25+ million. Yes, they ultimately bring in in excess of $200 million worldwide, but start adding up all these costs. What's the return? You can get the same return on smaller pics, but you just can't let them hang out there"}, {"response": 1062, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Aug  2, 2002 (11:49)", "body": "I think too often the studios focus on TV advertising and talk show appearances for their films, and they don't look for other ways to reach people. So with their smaller projects, they're stuck because they don't have the budget for TV, the major talk shows may not be interested in the actors if they're not well known, and they don't have any creative ideas for lower-cost methods. By the way, the Austin Powers people earned that $73M opening weekend. They do some creative things to promote their films - in fact, I'm using them as one case study in my Internet Marketing class this fall. I'll be interested to see how HS is promoted. It seems like a classic example of a film that could get decent box office if promoted properly, regardless of the critical reception. And to me that means, first and foremost, targeting all the women who fell in love with Mark Darcy and wondered, \"Who is that actor?\"."}, {"response": 1063, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug  2, 2002 (14:03)", "body": "The only British actor who makes it here in starring roles is HG. And Pierce Brosnan , Mel Gibson of course. Austin Powers is a grossed-out film. Folks like that stuff. And FYI for all the publicity about wet shirts and hunk status in the British press Colin -starring movies have tanked in the UK too...including FP. Of course he only does print media over there. Let's see...having cut his teeth over here on the talk shows, he might do some breakfast TV over there this time. TIOBE needs all the help it can get."}, {"response": 1064, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Aug  2, 2002 (17:34)", "body": "(Evelyn) And FYI for all the publicity about wet shirts and hunk status in the British press Colin -starring movies have tanked in the UK too...including FP. I'm aware of that. But the hunk status wasn't particularly useful because he wasn't playing hunk-type romantic lead roles. He didn't do that again until BJD."}, {"response": 1065, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Aug  2, 2002 (19:14)", "body": "Evelyn Of course, he only does print media over there I, for one, am hoping that will change with the release of TIOBE -especially since it's the first production from Ealings Studios since the 50's, which should generate a great deal of media interest. Plus he will be here finishing filming AG around the time of its release. I do so hope he finally will do some interviews in the UK. You don't realise how lucky you've been on your side of the pond!!!"}, {"response": 1066, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  2, 2002 (23:56)", "body": "(Janet) You don't realise how lucky you've been on your side of the pond!!! We do, Janet, we do."}, {"response": 1067, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sat, Aug  3, 2002 (07:28)", "body": "Hope this isn't a repeat..... From The Write News Thursday June 27, 2002 Movie Stars Latch Onto Cold Mountain Miramax Films and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures announced that Donald Sutherland, Jena Malone, Kathy Baker, Ray Winstone, Ethan Suplee, James Gammon and Charles Hunnam have joined the cast of Cold Mountain, which is adapted and being directed by Anthony Minghella, based on Charles Frazier's bestselling and National Book Award winning Civil War novel of the same name. Principal photography on the film is scheduled to begin July 15th on location in Romania. The cast of Cold Mountain already includes Nicole Kidman, Renee Zellweger, Jude Law, Natalie Portman, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Giovanni Ribisi, Brendan Gleeson and Charlie Hunnam. Cold Mountain will reunite Minghella with his Academy Award winning production team from The English Patient. Editor Walter Murch, director of photography John Seale, costume designer Ann Roth and composer Gabriel Yared, who also worked together on the production of Minghella's The Talented Mr. Ripley, will be joined by production designer. In a story in which nature and weather play an integral part, the filmmakers have chosen to combine locations in the United States with the remote mountains and valleys of Transylvania, Romania, to recreate a primitive and unforgiving landscape. The film is a co-production between Miramax and MGM and is being produced by Academy Award winner Sydney Pollack and William Horberg (through Pollack and Minghella's Mirage Enterprises) and Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa (through their Bona Fide Productions). Co-presidents of production Meryl Poster and Bob Osher, Steve Hutensky, evp of business affairs, and Jon Gordon, evp of production, are overseeing the project for Miramax. Cold Mountain tells the story of Inman (Law), a wounded confederate soldier who is on a perilous journey home to his mountain community, hoping to reunite with his pre-war sweetheart, Ada (Kidman). In his absence Ada struggles to survive, and revive her father's farm with the help of intrepid young drifter Ruby (Zellweger)."}, {"response": 1068, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug  3, 2002 (08:27)", "body": "TV Alert Lorimer Black is on tonight... Saturday. Armadillo A&E Check your schedule for times. Central is 8-10."}, {"response": 1069, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug  3, 2002 (08:45)", "body": "Thanks for the reminder, but it's three hours (8-11, with a repeat starting at midnight central time). The TV Guide gave it 8/10 and says it is a \"darkly funny British thriller\" and \"Armadillo shines as a comedy of manners, pitting posh, potbellied toffs against smarter, less well-bred types. Hilarious performances by Stephen Rea and Hugh Bonneville illuminate the class system that gives Armadillo its moral framework.\""}, {"response": 1070, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug  3, 2002 (12:29)", "body": "Thank you for the correction of the time. NY TIMES Review A ROMANTIC INSIDE A SHARKSKIN SUIT, by Julie Salamon \"You know you are in expert hands when you find yourself engaged by a story about an insurance man.\"...... \". This pleasurable three-hour television film, \".... \"The film retains much of the book's complexity of plot and richness of character, but it's very much a movie, where interior lives are conveyed with a look or a phrase. It's a romantic film disguised as a thriller, though the main intrigue lies not in the corporate shenanigans but with unraveling the psychology of the main character, the insurance man. He's in his early 30's, darkly handsome and calls himself Lorimer Black.\" \"As Lorimer, or Milo, James Frain brings to the part an attractive mournfulness. He looks like a man who's just holding himself together ? not slick, not like someone trying to help insurance companies weasel out of commitments. You see why he's good at his job. His sad eyes make him seem honest, even when he's lying. Those eyes serve him especially well when he's being compassionate ? when, for example, a blowhard colleague mocks his own son for being a bed-wetter in front of Lorimer. He may work for powerful people, but he can't escape his empathy for the underdog. Lorimer's search for self takes place against the backdrop of business corruption ? and Mr. Boyd didn't skimp on the scoundrels. Hugh Bonneville plays Torquil Helvior-Jayne, the self-important dim bulb with the bed-wetting son, as an oblivious frat boy. Stephen Rea, overacting with enthusiasm, is entertaining as Hogg, Lorimer's boss, a man with a fondness for dramatic pronouncements.\" WITH: James Frain (Lorimer Black), Catherine McCormack (Flavia), Stephen Rea (Mr. Hogg), Hugh Bonneville (Torquil Helvior-Jayne), James Fox (Sir Simon Sherriffmuir), Neil Pearson (Rintoul), Paterson Joseph (Alan) and Trevor Peacock (Marlobe). entire review: http://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/02/arts/television/02TVWK.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ There's an interview with JF in today's paper where he says: \"You get a part like this every five years, if you're lucky, or once in a lifetime. I was lucky.\" Frain says of his role in the television movie adaptation. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I saw JF in March on stage at the Almeida in London. He played Polonius in King Lear. Has a real presence on the stage."}, {"response": 1071, "author": "Megs128", "date": "Sat, Aug  3, 2002 (13:37)", "body": "(FanPam)So please don't be offended. Oh dear, don't worry, I didn't take offense, I just wanted you to know that there are at least a few of us out there that are interested in culture and bettering ourselves. It's one of the reasons that I found myself here, to share ideas with people who have common interests. It doesn't hurt that Colin is so delicious, either. ;-) And hey, consider me open for adoption. :)"}, {"response": 1072, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug  3, 2002 (23:29)", "body": "Humming away.... Is that Sue B's signature song? Was it Johnny Mathis? A shame she couldn't have fit it into P&P too. LOL! Armadillo was very good and I think Colin would've been better. Frain looked too much like an outsider; Lorimar was capable of being taken for a public school boy. Frain had a common accent. He stood out like an alien. I actually thought they did a better job than the book, dealing with the financial wheeling and dealing. But the ending was different. A happy ending instead of the ambiguous one. OK, I want to know what we lost here. The BBC's was three hours. Ours was 2 hours and about 20 minutes in length without commercials."}, {"response": 1073, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Aug  4, 2002 (01:50)", "body": "Consider yourself adopted, Megs. Was everyone in the New York area ok with that storm last night? It was pretty bad where I am. We lost power for 18 hours. My daughter, returning from Vegas, was grounded in DC as Newark was closed. At least she called me to tell me she was safe as I didn't know what time she was due in and was quite worried. So fears abated collected all my CF videos to watch as I knew cable would go out so was happy as could be when the electric went about 8:00 pm and didn't come back on till about 2:00 pm. I was greatly displeased. Enjoyed Armadillo. Wish it was CF though. Maybe I'm still hearing thunder and lightning, but does anyone else think that the man playing Torquill (sp) sounds alot like CF. I don't know if it's tone of voice, or phraseology, or both. But when I first heard it I was talking to daughter and had to turn to screen as I thought for a minute it was him, even though I knew he wasn't in it. Have taped it and will watch again before I attempt to make any intelligent comments on it."}, {"response": 1074, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Aug  4, 2002 (04:07)", "body": "(Evelyn)I saw JF in March on stage at the Almeida in London. He played Polonius in King Lear. Has a real presence on the stage. Now, you know I disagree with this. I thought he was lifeless. I liked him in Armadillo but did not enjoy his performance in King Lear. Maybe he was having a bad night or was upset by all that water pouring onto the stage ;-)"}, {"response": 1075, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Aug  4, 2002 (08:07)", "body": "I thought Armadillo was slow moving. If I hadn't liked the book so much, I might have given up on it after about an hour. IMO, they didn't adequately explore why Lorimer/Milo is ashamed of his background; the \"disguises\"--so much fun in the book--were barely there; and the Flavia storyline didn't work for me. Didn't care for Cathermine McK in this at all. I did think James Frain did a very good job, though, and was probably a more age-appropriate choice than Colin. Still, I'd love to have seen what CF would do with the role. It's a more complex, multi-layered character than anything CF has done in years, sadly."}, {"response": 1076, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Aug  4, 2002 (09:08)", "body": "(Mari)Still, I'd love to have seen what CF would do with the role. It's a more complex, multi-layered character than anything CF has done in years, sadly. I watched this on and off last night. I could see Colin in this very easily. Maybe it's because I knew he almost was going to do it, that I kept picturing him instead of JF. I missed the beginning and then had a hard time getting into it. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------"}, {"response": 1077, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug  4, 2002 (09:34)", "body": "(Karen) I actually thought they did a better job than the book, dealing with the financial wheeling and dealing. But the ending was different. A happy ending instead of the ambiguous one. Agree. Wm Boyd did a better job with the script than with the last chapter of the book. I never did figure out the scheme in the book. You know me, I like ambiguous endings.... Thought JF was excellent. Sadly, CF might have been able to do the role a few years ago. A stretch to make him a 32 yrs old naive insurance adjuster.Though then it would have been interesting to see how he would have interprted the role. BTW didn't we read that he had a hand in writing the script? Am I dreaming here? Several CF buddies in that film, Neil Pearson, Ian Mc Neice. It's too bad there were so many delays in the filming, or I bet Colin would have taken this role.Though 3 hours is a lotta work;-))) Mari, A&E goofed IMO to play that 9 to midnight. I'd be yawning too at that hour. But hey...did you see the Possession commercial? Focus Films know where they're gonna get their audience. Wimbledon, BBC America, A&E..... Allison, we saw King Lear on the best night. I literally floated out of that place.(LOL not because of all the water onstage). A flawless production, IMO."}, {"response": 1078, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug  4, 2002 (09:37)", "body": "Forgot to add that Stephen Rea, Hugh Bonneville and James Fox gave the usual solid performances. A blue ribbon cast, directed by Howard Davies. I just saw his Private Lives in May on B'way. He took the Tony. SB had a winner."}, {"response": 1079, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  4, 2002 (09:52)", "body": "*hee hee hee* When I saw Yoda, my mind immediately jumped to \"well, he managed to do both Conspiracy and Armadillo, but he only had two little scenes that might have taken all of two days max, whereas the lead is another matter (just in case it was timing or a choice of two at the same time). Talk about your timeliness of subject matter! Inflated balance sheets, non-arm's length transactions. ;-) (Evelyn) A stretch to make him a 32 yrs old naive insurance adjuster. Aw, he could've done it. Besides, it wasn't necessarily experience that Lorimar lacked; he knew something was wrong, but he hadn't sniffed out the whole mess. Those boys were good. Age wasn't a major factor IMO, and Colin would've been fine. Besides, he looks plenty young enough for me. (Evelyn) didn't we read that he had a hand in writing the script? Am I dreaming here? Lucidly! ;-) No, I was told that he was working with Boyd around the time of the second 3DOR staging. Not sure if he was actually writing, but he was giving input at a minimum, as if the part were his. Hugh Bonneville was v.g. as Torquil; I hadn't pictured him physically like that. But Stephen Rea was truly excellent. What a character he created! Even better than the one in the book. He leaped off the screen."}, {"response": 1080, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  4, 2002 (09:53)", "body": "Did no one recognize the music?"}, {"response": 1081, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Aug  4, 2002 (11:09)", "body": "(Karen)Did no one recognize the music? I can't remember the artisit's name that Colin said he liked while driving up the winding roads of Umbria, but was the music from that African artist? I actually had that thought while watching Armadillo last night along with the way JF seemed to imitate CF's walk, went down a hallway that greatly resembled the one where Blackadder encountered Shakespeare, and Lorimer's family reminded me of the one DQ rents a room from. Maybe CF did have a hand in this production ;-)."}, {"response": 1082, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug  4, 2002 (12:12)", "body": "Yes...yes... I recognized the African music. But is that the same artist Colin likes? (Karen) Age wasn't a major factor IMO, and Colin would've been fine. Besides, he looks plenty young enough for me. I will admit Colin could have gone up those stairs better;-D (Karen)But Stephen Rea was truly excellent. What a character he created! Even better than the one in the book. He leaped off the screen. He *always* makes his part outstanding. Remember him in The End of the Affair? (Lora)I actually had that thought while watching Armadillo last night along with the way JF seemed to imitate CF's walk, went down a hallway that greatly resembled the one where Blackadder encountered Shakespeare, They have similar acting styles too.JF was super in \"Sunshine\", which BTW would have made an excellent 3 hour movie also."}, {"response": 1083, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  4, 2002 (15:02)", "body": "No no no!! Not the African music. The Johnny Mathis, which plays intermittantly, but is most obvious at the very beginning. Speaking of stairs, Colin came to mind at the beginning, when they showed Lorimar climbing the stairs going into work. Colin would've taken the stairs so much better. JF was so lackluster in that regard."}, {"response": 1084, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug  4, 2002 (17:24)", "body": "(Karen)Colin came to mind at the beginning, when they showed Lorimar climbing the stairs going into work. Colin would've taken the stairs so much better. JF was so lackluster in that regard. Now I ask you....who else but Colin (and us !) would single out stairs as a scene focus;-)) Too bad Colin didn't do Armadillo.The whole thing was loaded with symbolism. We cudda had a ball. (Karen)The Johnny Mathis, which plays intermittently, Sorry, like Lora , I was focusing on the African stuff. I can see where one could really go for it."}, {"response": 1085, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  4, 2002 (17:43)", "body": "Go put Dutch Girls on!!"}, {"response": 1086, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  4, 2002 (17:44)", "body": "Oh yeah, and the African music wouldn't have anything to do with Colin's influence. Remember, Boyd spent time there as well and at least one of his books is set there."}, {"response": 1087, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug  4, 2002 (17:54)", "body": "(Karen) Go put Dutch Girls on!! What a memory you have. I had forgotten that Wm Boyd wrote that and SB produced it.I love that little movie.LOL they like Neil Pearson too."}, {"response": 1088, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Aug  5, 2002 (09:47)", "body": "Ooh - I just found a copy of Dutch Girls but haven't seen it yet. Johnny Mathis music, huh?"}, {"response": 1089, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Aug  5, 2002 (10:08)", "body": "This is based on something posted in 163, but the specific part I'm talking about seemed more appropriate for this topic.... Miramax attracted extensive media attention for its limited release of \"Tadpole\" two weeks ago, but last weekend's expansion didn't generate major heat. This is exactly what I was talking about recently regarding studio promotion. They think of two things - TV advertising and media coverage. And since they can't afford TV for smaller films, that leaves just media, which I think is not enough. Even though I'm aware of \"Tadpole\" (having seen the trailer a few times before TIOBE showings), I didn't notice any of that \"extensive\" media coverage. There have just got to be other, better ways to promote smaller projects. Incidentally, speaking of \"Tadpole\" - have others seen the trailer? It definitely says something about attitudes towards gender that the sexual initiation of a 15-year-old boy by older women is considered appropriate for what looks like a blithe comedy, while the reverse is.... well, basically, \"Lolita.\""}, {"response": 1090, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  5, 2002 (10:14)", "body": "Yes, I've seen the trailer, maybe once. And you won't find anymore more in agreement about the gender biases, double standards, etc. They make me ill. :-("}, {"response": 1091, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Mon, Aug  5, 2002 (14:57)", "body": "Karen: Did no one recognize the music? Nat King Cole's \"Nature Boy\"? Words and Music by Eden Ahbez There was a boy A very strange enchanted boy They say he wandered very far, very far Over land and sea A little shy and sad of eye But very wise was he And then one day A magic day he passed my way And while we spoke of many things Fools and kings This he said to me \"The greatest thing you'll ever learn Is just to love and be loved in return\" \"The greatest thing you'll ever learn Is just to love and be loved in return\""}, {"response": 1092, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  5, 2002 (15:10)", "body": "Hey, I was close! Right era (i.e., before my time) although I should've recognized the lack of vibrato in the voice. Thank you, Marianne. I'm telling ya, this must be Sue B's fav song."}, {"response": 1093, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Aug  5, 2002 (19:27)", "body": "I really liked Dutch Girls. Thought it was good. Loved the characters and see that many have been in other pics with CF. Especially Mr. Wickham. Good movie. I saw interviews on Tadpole on the morning news shows. It looks good."}, {"response": 1094, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Aug  5, 2002 (20:54)", "body": "(Karen) When I saw Yoda Gah! Jabba, not Yoda. :-P Thought Armadillo was OK. The every-10-minutes rounds of the same commercials really did me in. I couldn't make it until the end. JF was well cast, as was the actress who played Flavia. Rea and Bonneville were nothing like I pictured in my mind when I read the book. Think I would have enjoyed it more if I had TiVO."}, {"response": 1095, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Aug  6, 2002 (13:14)", "body": "(Evelyn)Now I ask you....who else but Colin (and us !) would single out stairs as a scene focus;-)) 'Cause he knows he's the STAIRMASTER!"}, {"response": 1096, "author": "airstream", "date": "Tue, Aug  6, 2002 (18:07)", "body": "(karen)OK, I want to know what we lost here. The BBC's was three hours. Ours was 2 hours and about 20 minutes in length without commercials. i would like to know the answer to this too--if i hadn't read the book, would i have been able to follow the story? would i have 'gotten' the bits like how he would dress to fit his client and jupiter...etc...???"}, {"response": 1097, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Aug  6, 2002 (22:38)", "body": "Did anyone catch Men vs. Women on Showtime Sunday night? I taped it and watched it today. Good cast and well done. Thought alot of the ladies on Drool would like it as I'm sure it'll be on again."}, {"response": 1098, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  7, 2002 (08:00)", "body": "Thought this was rather amusing from yesterday. I expect Halle Berry might be his partner for this: James Bond to have 'best lay of his life' in new movie The director of the new James Bond movie says he's included a steamy love scene in the film. He says it will be up to censors to decide whether it should be cut. Lee Tamahori says he wanted to include a more raunchy sex scene in Die Another Day. \"In lovemaking, Bond's PG requirements have traditionally meant you can only show post-coital sex,\" he tells Vanity Fair. \"You know, clothes strewn around the room, the camera slowly pans over to the bed... But we thought, why couldn't Bond have the best lay of his life? \"So we shot a very hot love scene. Whether it survives the censor's cut, or the producers, we'll see.\""}, {"response": 1099, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug  7, 2002 (09:23)", "body": "PREMIERE Mag only gave Tadpole ** http://premiere.com/Premiere/movies/2002/tadpole.html"}, {"response": 1100, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Aug  7, 2002 (15:18)", "body": "(Karen) James Bond to have 'best lay of his life' in new movie ... PB in the raw (hopefully)!!!! Really can't wait to see that. It's about time!!!!"}, {"response": 1101, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Aug  7, 2002 (22:02)", "body": "He was pretty raw (or close to it) in The Thomas Crown Affair if I remember correctly."}, {"response": 1102, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  7, 2002 (23:21)", "body": "You do remember correctly, although I remember some discussion on whether it was a body double for the butt shots on the stairs."}, {"response": 1103, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Aug  8, 2002 (00:58)", "body": "Daniel Day-Lewis Cobbled Together Daniel Day-Lewis is the likely winner of this year's best actor awards (wait 'til you see him in Gangs of New York -- but more about that after Labor Day). Day-Lewis doesn't like to do publicity. Heck, he doesn't like to make movies, and he was all but retired and cobbling shoes in Florence (I'm not kidding) when Harvey Weinstein pulled him by the ear to the set of Gangs. But don't expect Day-Lewis to show Weinstein any love when the awards come pouring in. (Miramax only put up $90 million or more to make Martin Scorsese's ideas come alive on the screen.) In the new issue of Premiere the reticent Day-Lewis says though that Weinstein's insistence wasn't his impetus to return to the screen. \"I have great affection for the man,\" he tells Premiere, \"but Harvey hasn't gotten the message that I am playing this part in spite of him -- not because of him.\" Rather, it was the chance to work again with Scorsese, explains Day-Lewis. \"For me, he [Scorsese], is it ... Harvey has me over a barrel because he knows I would do anything for Martin,\" Day-Lewis told the magazine. \"I would never speak about filmmaking in this way if it were not for the necessary business of repaying the debt.\" I hope this guy warms a little toward the Oscar process soon (he's already won for My Left Foot). His performance in Gangs is a revelation, the kind that people will be talking about, imitating, praising, and using as a standard for years to come."}, {"response": 1104, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  8, 2002 (08:45)", "body": "From THR: by Stuart Kemp LONDON -- The British Independent Film Awards, the annual \"alternative\" U.K. film industry bash, received an undisclosed cash boost Wednesday by securing a topline sponsor -- the independent financial services group Park Caledonia. Organizers also said Wednesday that they plan to switch the ceremony to \"the more edgy venue\" of the central London nightclub Pacha after four years in West End hotels. \"We are moving away from the standard awards-show format and concentrating on making this event the best party in town for British film talent,\" BIFA founder Elliot Grove said. The ceremony will still dish out awards, including those in the categories of best British indie film, performances and British indie screenplay. Securing the new backer is a step toward financial security for the awards, which last year went ahead with no headline sponsor. But the closure last month of FilmFour, the stand-alone movie operation of U.K. public broadcaster Channel 4 (HR 7/9), will leave an enormous gap at an event that received strong support from the company financially and talent-wise. Organizers plan to announce this year's nominations next month, with the ceremony and party scheduled for Oct. 30. Front-runners for nominations include \"Bloody Sunday,\" \"Lawless Heart,\" \"Gosford Park,\" \"Charlotte Gray\" and \"Sweet Sixteen.\""}, {"response": 1105, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug  8, 2002 (12:22)", "body": "\"Front-runners for nominations include \"Bloody Sunday,\" \"Lawless Heart,\" \"Gosford Park,\" \"Charlotte Gray\" and \"Sweet Sixteen.\" Charlotte Gray???? Puhleeze.Saw it in London.Loved the book. But the film...yuck. Goes under the column :\"Films where I want those 2 hours of my life back\""}, {"response": 1106, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (07:43)", "body": "Her's some mindless fun!! If you want to know the celebrity you are most compatible with, check out this website. www.celebmatch.com( Sorry, don't know how to do link). Sounds crazy, I know, but when I entered the name of anyone I really like, the percentage was very high, and low for those I don't like. All to do with biorythms, apparently!!"}, {"response": 1107, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (08:38)", "body": "Here are my best matches: Your best matches Bob Dylan 100% Brian Wilson 96% Al Pacino 96% Jesse Jackson 95% John Lennon 94% Gee!"}, {"response": 1108, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (09:15)", "body": "Good thing this wasn't in effect for TIOBE! Besides, how does this jive with PG rated films? ;-) Coors to Sponsor Miramax Premieres By CATHERINE TSAI, AP Business Writer The next time you see Gwyneth Paltrow on the big screen, there might be a Coors in the shot with her. Coors Brewing Co. of Golden, Colo., and Miramax Films announced a deal Thursday making Coors the official sponsor of U.S. theatrical premieres for Miramax, meaning the Coors logo will show up on red carpets and its beer will be served at Miramax parties. The deal also would place Coors products in 15 films over the next three years. Unlike in traditional advertising, directors will be able to show actors drinking a beer, Coors spokeswoman Hilary Martin said. \"A View from the Top,\" with Paltrow, Candice Bergen and Mike Myers, and \"Duplex\" with Drew Barrymore and Ben Stiller are among the first movies to work with Coors. The brewer's name could appear as anything from a verbal mention to a logo on a truck or in an actor's hand. Both films are expected to premiere in early 2003. Coors originally called Miramax earlier this year to ask about sponsoring a premiere. New chief marketing officer Ron Askew talked his way into more. Both companies touted the deal as a \"perfect\" match. \"It was love at first sight,\" said Lori Sale, Miramax's executive vice president of worldwide promotion... Getting Miramax co-founder Harvey Weinstein on board was not a problem, Sale said. \"He said Paul Newman introduced him to his first Coors 15 years ago, and he'd still drink it if they were not a sponsor,\" she said. Coors and Miramax will review which films would be best for Coors to appear in. Coors insisted it would not appear in scenes depicting underage drinking, drinking and driving, or other irresponsible behavior. Both companies said Coors would not be dictating creative changes for scripts. And in another detail of the agreement, Miramax could give Coors employees or customers a chance to appear as a silent walk-on in a film or on the red carpet at a premiere. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=529&ncid=529&e=16&u=/ap/20020808/ap_en_mo/coors_miramax_1"}, {"response": 1109, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (09:46)", "body": "Here's a little more from THR: Coors, whose brands include Keystone and Zima in addition to Coors and Coors Light, will only partner on films rated PG-13 or R. The company already has placement in the upcoming Miramax releases \"Duplex\" and \"View From the Top.\" Coors has the right to nix placement of competing brands in Miramax films and will get such extras as walk-on parts and bulk rates on Miramax DVDs to use as marketing incentives. Sale said Coors will sometimes tie in promotionally with films that don't lend themselves to placement, such as the period pieces (\"Shakespeare in Love,\" for instance) that Miramax is widely known for. The brewer is planning promotions linked to the year-end releases of \"Chicago\" and \"Gangs of New York.\""}, {"response": 1110, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (10:41)", "body": "So I guess we didn't have to worry about seeing Algy or Jack taking swigs from Coors Longnecks in the London dance hall scenes, even if this agreement had been made earlier. But Thomas's missed a great product placement opportunity in the muffin fight scene."}, {"response": 1111, "author": "Megs128", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (11:01)", "body": "Oh, lord, my matches were disastrous, ha ha! I got two backstreet boys and a basketball player! I think they were trying to match a bit by age, giving me the only 5 people under 30 for appropriateness, because these are not people that I like. They did manage to pair me at 96% with Jonathon Rhys-Meyers, though, so perhaps I will go and rent Bend It Like Beckham after all. :) Thanks for the link, it was fun."}, {"response": 1112, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (11:26)", "body": "Eeeuw! Mine are: Your best matches Arnold Vosloo 99% Dave Navarro 98% Michael Shanks 98% Tom Green 97% Marc Blucas 97% Actually Dave Navarro is pretty good, but I don't I could compete with Carmen Electra...LOL. Yuch!...Tom Green...I think I may have to go kill myself now. With ODB I was only 4% intellectually a match, but 99% physically and emotionally...high ratings only where it counts. Gosh, I haven't heard abput biorhythms in I can't remember how long. Wasn't that big in the 70's and early 80's?"}, {"response": 1113, "author": "treseg", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (11:40)", "body": "hey megs just wanted you to know you have some young company (23) here on occasion, grew up on all the good b&w's, wanted to be ginger rogers for the longest time, there is hope for us young pam-though i must admit many of my tastes were influences by my family and extended family, and i was not exposed to much of the normal programming for my age group"}, {"response": 1114, "author": "Megs128", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (11:41)", "body": "Oh, lord, my matches were disastrous, ha ha! I got two backstreet boys and a basketball player! I think they were trying to match a bit by age, giving me the only 5 people under 30 for appropriateness, because these are not people that I like. They did manage to pair me at 96% with Jonathon Rhys-Meyers, though, so perhaps I will go and rent Bend It Like Beckham after all. :) Thanks for the link, it was fun."}, {"response": 1115, "author": "Megs128", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (11:42)", "body": "Don't know why mine sent twice...the refresh button is strange, methinks."}, {"response": 1116, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (12:12)", "body": "You do not use Refresh or Reload on Spring. It will cause a reposting if you have done so. In order to see new messages at a given topic, you must exit the topic and come back in, or use the location bar url and hit enter. Do not hit Refresh. This isn't a message board."}, {"response": 1117, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (13:49)", "body": "(Karen) Coors to Sponsor Miramax Premieres...... Good thing this wasn't in effect for TIOBE! Besides, how does this jive with PG rated films? ;-) Actually it must have been since the background just inside the Paris Theater at the premiere had the Killian's Red logo in the background. You can see it in some of the pics. Killian's is one of their products. This article is significantly smaller and less in-depth than the one from the WSJ yesterday. It mentioned their various brands besides just Coors, Coors Light, and Killian's that may be seen, as well as, discussing possible marketing promos and placement plans. Said if they don't use a Coors brand, they'll use a fictional one in the movie."}, {"response": 1118, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (14:22)", "body": "I hated my matches-Steven Segal, Paul Reiser geez! I checked my compatability with CF, and although I didn't do as well Dorine, I didn't do too badly. Physically-77 Emotionally 78 Intellectual 72 for a total of 76 I'll take it, I'll take it. Well, Dorine, I'll give you some of the intellectual if you'll share some of the physical. We can do a joint thing like our theses."}, {"response": 1119, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (15:45)", "body": "These are my matches: Scott Bairstow 98 Lou Bega 98 Kevin Richardson 97 Grant Hill 97 Nick Heidfeld 97 -Have NO IDEA who any of these people are.... (couldnt get it to tell me my CF compatability rating.) :-("}, {"response": 1120, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (16:12)", "body": "I will be the envy of everyone...I had overall match with CF of 94%. Only good non-CF match was Matt Lauer with 98%."}, {"response": 1121, "author": "airstream", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (17:11)", "body": "my matches: joe lando 98% tony slattery 98% kristoff st john 97% adrian paul 97% dave foley 96% i'd have to go with dave. as for cf: 72% overall :-) or should it be :-( ????"}, {"response": 1122, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (18:09)", "body": "Thanks for link Janet, can't wait to see who they match me up with. I got introduced to all the classics through my parents, too, Treseg. I don't think alot of my friends watched the movies I HAD (?) to watch at home. But you know, hating it at the time, how I loved it too. Bette Davis, Ginger Rogers, Top Hat a personal favorite, life-time love of Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart, and needless to say first-class acting. When I look back I realize how forturnate I was and thankful I am."}, {"response": 1123, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (18:43)", "body": "Of course, this article is mostly about AAB...and Hughie...but the Nicvk Hornby reflections were what interested me. Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday Aug. 10, 2002 Weekend Magazine Excerpts from a column called View from the couch Biy Trouble by Fred Pawle I read Fever Pitch when it came out...it was ok....there was nothing new in it. Then I read High Fidelity. One thing struck me: despite its being fiction, there was not a burnt match between it and the first book. Both are about how men are being misunderstood by women too empowered for their own good, and how we are, in fact, lovable beneath our childish infatuations, whether they be sport, music, or stamp-collecting. Then I gave up. Well, not quite. I read the next book, About a Boy. What struck me about that was...absolutely nothing. About a Boy is where Nick Hornby leaves the brotherhood well and truly behind, if he hasn't already done so two books earlier. It's calculated to appeal to women..... The main character, Will, is just an updated version of the same old cliched Hornby hero: a man whose only skills in life are useless, who can only get the woman he wants through luck, not genuine seduction. Every twist in the convoluted plot is Hornby trying to shake the shackles of his own formula, but he never does. What Hornby constantly fails to acknowledge is that relations between the sexes are not about redemption. And they're not about one side taming the other. Women might flock to the film version and fall in love with Hugh Grant's latest one-dimensional incarnation, but give them a couple of hours with a Hugh-like character in the flesh and they'd soon realize that softness is not so desirable after all."}, {"response": 1124, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (19:13)", "body": "I defy anyone to have a stranger group of matches than I got: Nick Mancuso 97 Danny Devito 94 Steven Spielberg 93 Tommy Lee Jones 92 Oliver Stone 92 Even when I lied about my age, I couldn't get any sort of match with CF. I got hysterical over the idea of me and Danny!"}, {"response": 1125, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Fri, Aug  9, 2002 (20:49)", "body": "OK I'll play. Billy Wirth 100% Chow Sing Chi 99% Nicholas Lea 99% Steven Seagal 97% Steve Buscemi 96% I have no idea who the first three are, and I'd die laughing just looking at the fourth one."}, {"response": 1126, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Aug 10, 2002 (00:17)", "body": "I'm in shock-- Your best matches: Sylvester Stallone 99% Bruce Lee 99% Steven Spielburg 97% Tom Berenger 95% Gregory Harrison 95% --- You gotta be kidding!! This is the compatibility between you and Colin Firth based on biorhythms. physical 85% emotional 97% intellectual 98% total 94% --- Now that's more like it! **Hee hee**"}, {"response": 1127, "author": "Megs128", "date": "Sat, Aug 10, 2002 (02:29)", "body": "(amy) i'd have to go with dave. No way! I love Tony Slattery. He was my favorite on Who's Line Is It Anyway. I used to watch it when I was much younger and wish that I was British, because they think of great shows like that. Then Drew Carey went and remade it, and it's funny, yes, but not nearly as good. Anyway, I'd definitely take him over Dave Foley. :)"}, {"response": 1128, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Aug 10, 2002 (14:15)", "body": "What fun this compatibility site is Janet. Thank you. Best Matches: Jim Morrison 99% My son laughed like crazy. I don't think so. Isn't he dead? Anthony Stewart Head 97% Anyone know who he is? Barry Manilow 95% OK I like this one. John Paul Jones 95% Again, is this the dead naval hero or someone else? Liam Neeson 94% Now things are looking up. My girlfriend pinched his butt at a cocktail party. Said she couldn't resist, it's that good. Compatibility with Colin High Point: 96% Physical I'M IN HEAVEN I like this, leaves 4% for experimentation. I wonder how they can measure biorhythms over computer. Thought a pulse was needed for that, then again, evidently NOT by some of the matches they gave me. Great fun. Now I want to see how I match up with Pierce Brosnan and JM hmmmmm."}, {"response": 1129, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Aug 10, 2002 (15:02)", "body": "(Pam) Anthony Stewart Head 97% Anyone know who he is? Giles the librarian on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Once played Frank N. Furter in Rocky Horror. You might know him from the Taster's Choice ads several years ago with the two Brits who lived in the same apartment building and flirted while borrowing/drinking Taster's Choice. You could do a lot worse!!!! Speaking of which, my highest-compatibility celebrity, at 99%, was Colin....... (sigh) Mochrie. I didn't know how scary that was till I found a photo. I was only 72% compatible with ODB, though 94% physical (almost as good as yours, Pam!)"}, {"response": 1130, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Aug 10, 2002 (18:45)", "body": "Re Celebrity compatibility. I was matched physically 99% with ODB. - (No surprise to me!!!) Strangely, my best match was with Andy Garcia at 96% overall, who was my idol prior to discovering ODB!!!!"}, {"response": 1131, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sat, Aug 10, 2002 (19:01)", "body": "I know nothing about biorhythms...it's a term from the past for sure. Fun thing though and while I certainly would never pair myself up with Nicholas Cage or Mike Meyers, I too tried my luck with the CF compatibility and found high levels both physically and intellectually!! Two cheers, but the other one, in the middle of the two, was very low! So far everyone has matched him physically. What does this say about him? He is easy or that he has wide and diversified tastes sexually??? :))) Or what does it say about us?"}, {"response": 1132, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Aug 10, 2002 (19:34)", "body": "If I remember correctly (I'll have to go to one of those sites to bone up), biorythms was merely a \"schedule\" your body followed, having High, positive, operation-at-maximum, and low, vulnerable, easy-does it stages.Also, the biorhythm cycles for a single person didn't correspond in time length , so there were periods when only one was at a high point, and others when all 3 peaked together. I think all this matching does is compare your rhythm pattern with his (theoretically), so that if you rate high compatibility physically, then your physical highs correspond with his, or a low compatibility rating would indicate that his advantageous times for that characteristic would not correspond with yours very often. (**Ho-hum**, doesn't indicate sexual preferences, only time periods when one is \"up\" for it, or not -- you should pardon the expression. ;-D )"}, {"response": 1133, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sat, Aug 10, 2002 (19:36)", "body": "(sigh).. I keep forgetting to check this thread every week.. lol.. oh well.. my \"ideal celebrity\" did not turn out to be HWM, unfortunately, however... the one chosen for me was Daniel Day Lewis at 99%.. .hmmm... I'll take it! Gwyneth Paltrow will be on Conan O'Brien on Tuesday and Mr. Northam on Wednesday.. just thought I'd give you a heads up if you're interested. Oh, and speaking of GP, my two eldest children insisted I sit down with them the other night and watch \"Seven\", because I am a huge Morgan Freeman fan (could listen to him talk all day)... they're now on my hit list.. LOL. I'm a very sensitive soul, and I really wish I hadn't watched it."}, {"response": 1134, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 10, 2002 (20:21)", "body": "The Jeremy Northam conference is alive & well on #43 and Possession is #137, but here is the line-up for next week. Upcoming TV appearances next week promoting Possession. Times are EST,check your tv guides for local times.There is nothing that came up in the search for JE , AE or NLB. Jeremy Northam Wed 14 7:00 AM EST Good Morning America Wed 14 9:00 AM EST Regis & Kelly Thu 15 12:35 AM EST Conan O'Brien ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GP Tuesday Aug 13 Regis & Kelly Tues Aug 13 Conan O'Brien"}, {"response": 1135, "author": "Megs128", "date": "Sun, Aug 11, 2002 (00:44)", "body": "Well, I checked out Colin, after everyone else inspired me, and my results aren't terrible *91, 78, 72, 81 overall, but was anyone else bothered by the fact that they list Colin Mochrie and not Jeremy Northam? I wanted to see how we matched up! Maybe I'm being too hard on Colin M; Rika seems happy to have him. ;-)"}, {"response": 1136, "author": "airstream", "date": "Sun, Aug 11, 2002 (20:34)", "body": "(megs)No way! I love Tony Slattery. isn't he getting a bit, well, fat?!! :p joke"}, {"response": 1137, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Aug 11, 2002 (21:02)", "body": "I was disappointed that they didn't have JN on their list either. But I was able to match up with Pierce Brosnan. Love him too. So that was fun."}, {"response": 1138, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Aug 11, 2002 (22:02)", "body": "(Lisa)What does this say about him? He is easy or that he has wide and diversified tastes sexually??? :))) Or what does it say about us? That we're easy and have wide diversified tastes sexually:-)))"}, {"response": 1139, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Aug 11, 2002 (22:15)", "body": "(Lisa)What does this say about him? He is easy or that he has wide and diversified tastes sexually??? :))) Or what does it say about us? (Linda) That we're easy and have wide diversified tastes sexually:-))) LOL! I hope both parties are easy....saves time to be spent on the fun stuff!"}, {"response": 1140, "author": "caribou", "date": "Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (00:51)", "body": "Hey! Guess what! I just did the celebmatch thing and it is -- you guessed it: Colin Firth 100%!!!!!!! my closest match!!!!! And 100% for all categories when only he is considered!!!! How did she do this, you ask? She simply told the computer her birthday was 9-10-60 (which it really isn't). Sorry if I caused anyone to faint or suffer from unbearable envy. You too can see it on your screen if you say 9-10-60 is your birthday. If you want to be more modest, you can say 9-9-60 and only get 99%s. :-) Celebmatch is fun but A.I. it AIn't! :-)"}, {"response": 1141, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (08:31)", "body": "ROTFL, Caribou! You won the game! Speaking of birthdays, I brought this up about a month ago and there seemed to be some interest, but it didn't really go anywhere, so I'm going to try again. Is it possible to get the current birthday list and perhaps update it? When I asked last time, some said that the Keeper of the Keepsakes List also had the birthday list. Is that someone who's around frequently? I'm sure that I'm not the only newer person who would like to be sure not to miss offering birthday greetings to my fellow Firthettes."}, {"response": 1142, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (08:36)", "body": "Rika, glad you brought this up again. I was going to mention it again a couple of days ago, got distracted somehow (not too difficult here), then completely forgot. Not only a birthday list, but maybe a general location list as well, so people can make plans to meet up for screenings or just for fun."}, {"response": 1143, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (08:45)", "body": "Didn't I write if anybody wants to step up to the plate, to be my guest? ;-) And the Keeper of the Keepsakes Lists doesn't have the birthday one. (Besides CathyW hasn't been around in ages.) Marcia (now of the Geo conference) started it, but it's very out of date."}, {"response": 1144, "author": "Megs128", "date": "Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (09:12)", "body": "I'd volunteer, but I doubt I'll be much of a presence at all after August. I'll return in June, but internet in France on a student budget is really hard, so I won't be able to devote the necessary time to drooling. :-("}, {"response": 1145, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (09:17)", "body": "Anybody think the S&TC segment last night was written by MB? Or his relative?"}, {"response": 1146, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (09:20)", "body": "Lots of good data here from an article in THR: Costly blockbusters put studios on alert Aug. 12, 2002 By Stephen Galloway Does size matter? In 1998, when Sony Pictures used a variation on that catchphrase to promote its blockbuster wannabe \"Godzilla,\" the movie industry ridiculed the studio's hubris. But this year, with Sony Pictures triumphantly at the head of the pack, size -- from production budgets to marketing expenditures, from screen counts to record-breaking grosses -- definitively appears to matter. And in most cases, the bigger, the better. But that raises a new question: Will it affect the types of films Hollywood makes in the future? Such films as Sony's \"Spider-Man,\" Warner Bros. Pictures' \"Scooby-Doo\" and New Line Cinema's \"Austin Powers in Goldmember\" have raked in record-breaking grosses, while even less-than-blockbuster blockbusters like Fox/DreamWorks' \"Minority Report\" have easily passed the $100 million line. But while Hollywood is riding high, some insiders caution that there is a downside to this bonanza. In chasing those grosses, the major studios have relied on increasingly wide-scale releases, and they have been forced to spend more and more on marketing and avertising to attract audiences quickly. It's a trend likely to continue as fall's potential blockbusters -- including such fantasy titans as Warners' \"Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets\" and New Line's \" The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers\" as well as MGM's potential savior, the latest James Bond feature, \"Die Another Day\" -- approach release. Studios now commonly spend $70 million to $125 million on producing \"event\" films -- and sometimes even more. Budgets can range from the low-$70 million cost of \"Goldmember\" to more than double that for the new \"Terminator\" movie, \"T3: Rise of the Machines.\" In addition to the negative cost, prints and advertising for such films can add as much as $50 million to the balance sheet. Together, these expenses and new wide-release patterns are bringing about a subtle shift in the economics of the film business, leaving many veterans unsure about the consequences. \"You spend more and more because you are always competing,\" Revolution Studios principal Tom Sherak said. \"I don't know when it's going to stop. There is no question that the amount of theaters a movie opens on and the costs of releasing it are out of control and ridiculous. And I'll tell you the truth, I don't know what the long-term consequences are.\" Perhaps the most significant shift is the industry's new reliance on 4,000-plus-print releases, which have become an industry norm this summer. That, in turn, is forcing studios to spend more upfront on prints and advertising. Twenty years ago, a \"wide release\" was made up of about 400 prints, and total P&A (prints and advertising) costs would top out at $4 million. Even three or four years ago, a wide release could spread across a relatively reasonable 2,000 screens. Compare that with \"Spider-Man,\" which went out to a near-record-breaking 3,615 theaters, where it played on 7,200 screens. Movies can now appear on so many screens because of the staggering rise in the number of theaters in the United States, where screens now total about 35,506. While the number of screens has dipped fractionally during the past year, the rise over the past decade has been phenomenal -- from 23,814 in 1990 to 27,843 in 1995 to a peak of 37,185 in 1999. \"There's more theaters, there's more screens, and movies are able to saturate the marketplace in their opening weekend,\" said Paul Dergarabedian, president of Exhibitor Relations Co. \"When you've got a 'Harry Potter' opening on 8,200 screens -- that's one out of every three or four screens in the country.\" That is good news for audiences eager to see a new film, and it is good news for studio executives eager to get their film seen early. But it is bad news for movies that rely on word-of-mouth as well as smaller films that must compete with such large-scale releases. \"When you start looking at the economic models, they really have been thrown topsy-turvy,\" Artisan Entertainment CEO Amir Malin said. And this summer has raised the bar. \"Before 'Spider-Man,' we'd never had a $100 million weekend for a movie,\" Dergarabedian said. \"That was considered the Holy Grail of the boxoffice, and now it's happened.\" If ever-wider releases are the most visible aspect of Hollywood's new way of doing business, another aspect is the increased sums studios have been spending to launch their films. The reason is simple: \"In the wide-release business, it's the old parachute joke: You open, or die,\" Fox Filmed Entertainment chairman Tom Rothman said. Indeed, insiders say that one major studio this summer spent as much as $80 million to market one of its films in an attempt to recoup its $110 million negative cost before critical pans and poor word-of-mouth sank in. To draw audiences to a movie's opening weekend, studios have been spending more and more on television adv"}, {"response": 1147, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (09:22)", "body": "(Karen) Didn't I write if anybody wants to step up to the plate, to be my guest? ;-) I don't remember seeing that, but I might have missed it. Okay, then, I'm offering. But first, let me ask - what's the best way to distribute this information? Would I just post it here periodically, or would it be distributed via e-mail only to those who contribute information? That latter option would require more effort on my part since then I have to keep a list of e-mail addresses too."}, {"response": 1148, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (09:41)", "body": "Fascinating article , boss. You know $$$$is up my alley. Which is why it just don't pay to spend $25 M. to promote a $16. M movie. (THR)\" \"When you look at the release schedules of the major studios, it is very difficult to find that unique drama that stands out,\" Malin said. \"You'll see it, but when you do, it tends to have major casting to overcome the negatives. 'A Beautiful Mind' is an example. How successful would that have been without Russell Crowe?\" Yeah....which is why RC got ripped off at Oscar time. So did RF in TEP.Appalling Dramas need big stars to get funded and even then...there's Shipping News which had all the ingredients and it bombed.I read in the WSJ that when a producer goes in to get funding, the sponsor asked...not \"What is the story\", \"Who wrote it\"...but \"*Who* is in it\". Which is how Possession got the green light.And she made SIL too. Scary for our guys that will never get a crack at good dramas except as supporting actors. Except for television. The industry has changed so much in just the last three years. A pity."}, {"response": 1149, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (10:26)", "body": "(Evelyn) Anybody think the S&TC segment last night was written by MB? Will let you know when it's replayed; chose to watch something else last night. I know, blasphemy, but it was JN in HT so cut me some slack. ;-) Which is why it just don't pay to spend $25 M. to promote a $16. M movie. No, but if you go by percent of budget, then they should be spending somewhere in the neighborhood of $10-$12 million based on this statement: \"Indeed, insiders say that one major studio this summer spent as much as $80 million to market one of its films in an attempt to recoup its $110 million negative cost...\" He added, \"In many respects, as much as we would love to believe we lead, we actually follow what the audience wants.\" Talk about a statement that overturns the very foundation of Advertising 101!! I thought all these people came out of B-school? Is not the very purpose of advertising to create demand?"}, {"response": 1150, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (10:37)", "body": "(Rika) Okay, then, I'm offering. But first, let me ask - what's the best way to distribute this information? Would I just post it here periodically, or would it be distributed via e-mail only to those who contribute information? That latter option would require more effort on my part since then I have to keep a list of e-mail addresses too. Guess what? Listkeepers get to make up their own rules...within reason. ;-) Just FYI, the only other b-day list went out by email. Additions got penciled in the margins if people posted that it was their birthday or hinted that it had just taken place. Many people choose not to volunteer this highly secret information. ;-) There's never been any type of listing for where Drooleurs live (their real names, their last names, etc.). Sometimes this info is volunteered or you'll get a general idea, well, at least of the country."}, {"response": 1151, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (11:35)", "body": "Well I did it and here are my matches: (PLEASE DON'T LAUGH!!!) (However, it was only based on my birthday????) Your best matches Orlando Jones 100% (I'm not a huge 7UP fan) Snoop Dogg 100% (hate rap music) Jonny Lee Miller 98% (Can't deal with Angelina's exes) Josh Duhamel 97% (um, who???) Peter Wingfield 97% (Okay, he's decent)"}, {"response": 1152, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (14:59)", "body": "(Karen) There's never been any type of listing for where Drooleurs live (their real names, their last names, etc.). Sometimes this info is volunteered or you'll get a general idea, well, at least of the country. I mentioned the geographic information because a few people said they'd like to know, I think to find out if there were similarly smitten people nearby with whom to go see a new ODB movie. But I don't think anybody had suggested getting real names or last names - I can't see that those are needed for any purpose on Drool (since individuals can always share more information via e-mail if they choose). Just FYI, the only other b-day list went out by email. Additions got penciled in the margins if people posted that it was their birthday or hinted that it had just taken place. Would anybody object if they were posted instead? My thought was, at the end of each month, to post the birthdays for the next month, and to have the whole list available via e-mail by request."}, {"response": 1153, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (15:13)", "body": "(Rika) Would anybody object if they were posted instead? My thought was, at the end of each month, to post the birthdays for the next month, and to have the whole list available via e-mail by request. Thank you Rika for taking this on. I suggest the latter: Whole list available via e-mail by request.The less personal info posted on a public board, the better, IMO. Unless the person volunteers the info. Same goes for geographical location."}, {"response": 1154, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (21:08)", "body": "(Rika) If I can be of any help to you let me know. How do we go about exchanging e-mails? Perhaps those who don't mind giving local could do so when submitting b-days. This information could be attached to their b-day. Then all information available upon request by e-mail. (Karen) Thanks for most informative article. It covers everything we discussed about movie audiences a couple of weeks ago. Doesn't look too good at the moment for the more serious minded movie goer though. Or the more serious actor at present. Perhaps Thanksgiving will be the target again for the blockbusters. That's usually a very profitable time for movies. Between HP, LOTR and JB they cover a wide audience range. Only ones left out it seems are the comedy and romance lovers."}, {"response": 1155, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (21:38)", "body": "(Rika, et al) I'd love to know where Droolers are (especially) as well as birthdays. Right now, I've no idea of where that info is or how one accesses it or adds to it. Let me know if I can help. If I can tear myself away from slowmo and/or freeze frame, I'm yours ;-)"}, {"response": 1156, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (21:38)", "body": "end tags?"}, {"response": 1157, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (21:42)", "body": "Karen, if I messed up, I'm sorry..."}, {"response": 1158, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (22:16)", "body": "the tag is closed.. Pam, Pam, Pam, I think we need a refresher course in that end tag! ;-)"}, {"response": 1159, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Aug 12, 2002 (22:22)", "body": "Wow, I haven't checked O&E in a while, and there was a lot to read! Janet, thanks for the link. My first match was Micheal Keaton (96%). I tried Colin, and got 96% for physical (works for me), and a fairly high score for intellectual, but a low percent for emotional. Am now envisioning highly intellectual conversation while we get some highly stimulating exercise. ;-)) Caribou, you clever thing, wish I'd thought to lie about my birthday. Like many women of fashion, I have been 35 for several years and will continue to be for many more years. Thanks for the article on movie $$$, karen. I find this part of the article very disturbing: \"In many respects, as much as we would love to believe we lead, we actually follow what the audience wants.\" Too many decision are made by committees and market research. Heaven protect us from the focus group! Someone ran a focus group several years ago to ask people what they liked in paintings. The result (and someone actually painted this) was a lovely wooded scene, with a family on vacation, a deer, George Washington (on a horse), and I forget what else."}, {"response": 1160, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 13, 2002 (00:18)", "body": "Wonder how Colin looks in tights? ;-) This was in our local paper: BY MICHAEL SNEED SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST Is famed director Robert \"Gosford Park\" Altman about to direct an epic in Chicago? Sneed hears Altman, who was in town last week, may be preparing to shoot the movie \"The Company,\" an ensemble project about ballet dancers. Word is he was sppotted huddling with actress Neve Campbell and Brit actor Malcolm McDowell, whose career took off when he starred in Stanley Kubrick's classic, \"A Clockwork Orange.\" The trio dined at Hugo's Frog Bar Thursday evening, chewing over the project and chawing on surf and turf."}, {"response": 1161, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Aug 13, 2002 (03:07)", "body": "Re: the birthday list. So far it sounds like the preference is for a list available by e-mail only. So if you'd like to receive posted birthday wishes on your big day, please e-mail me your birthday (month/day only) and the name you go by here on Drool. I will assume that everyone who sends me birthday information would like to receive a copy of the list. I know there are also some people interested in a who-lives-where information swap, but there seems to be enough concern about it that I'd rather not try to tackle that issue, at least not now. You should be able to get my e-mail address from the link in the header to this response. I hope to hear from you!"}, {"response": 1162, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Tue, Aug 13, 2002 (09:36)", "body": "ok... now I'm gonna have nightmares... ( picturing Malcolm McDowell in tights) =O"}, {"response": 1163, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 13, 2002 (10:05)", "body": "Sounds like you have a plan, Rika. Thanks for taking the initiative. BTW, mine is 18 days after our annual, big blow-out event on Topic 110. (If anyone wants to check out the fun, last year's started on message #439.) When Moon gets back, we'll discuss themes, etc., although I think we have one already. ;-)"}, {"response": 1164, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Aug 13, 2002 (10:46)", "body": "Oh, Jeanie, don't even think it! If McDowell is in it he wouldn't be a dancer--too old for that stuff. I can see him as a critic (rather like George Sanders's Addison Dewitt in \"All About Eve.\") We do have some idea of how Colin looks in tights from SIL. Of course, to play a ballet dancer, he wouldn't have the puffy breeches and cod piece..."}, {"response": 1165, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Aug 13, 2002 (13:15)", "body": "(Kate) Of course, to play a ballet dancer, he wouldn't have the puffy breeches and cod piece... CRASH!!!! (that was the sound of me falling to the floor in a faint at the mental image)"}, {"response": 1166, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Aug 13, 2002 (19:54)", "body": "To AnneA on her special day There's someone here with a birthday toast for you: Happy Birthday, Anne. I'm so glad to have you among my devoted admirers..... though I hope I can count on you to bring some decorum to the group. There's been rather too much inspection of the cut of my trousers lately."}, {"response": 1167, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Aug 13, 2002 (19:58)", "body": "Could definitely see Colin as a ballet dancer. Would be nice. Has anyone seen The Inheritance by Alcott. Watched it last night. Very good."}, {"response": 1168, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Aug 13, 2002 (20:22)", "body": "I haven't seen The Inheritance, Pam. What is it about? Where did you see it? The Birthday List project is off to a good start. But based on the e-mail feedback I'm getting, I'm going to make a slight revision. Almost every person I've heard from so far has expressed an interested in a \"who lives where\" list, and has volunteered that information even though I said I wasn't going to collect it. A lot of people would love to find an \"ODB movie buddy\" who lives reasonably nearby. So here's a new plan. I'll keep two lists - birthdays and who-lives-where. You may e-mail me both your birthday and your location, or just one of the two items (or, obviously, neither), depending on your preferences. Both lists will be available only via e-mail, and only to people who contribute their own information. So the only people who will see the geographic list are those who choose to participate - kind of an \"I'll show you mine if you show me yours\" arrangement. And, again, the only name attached to your information will be the one by which you identify yourself on Drool (please include it in your message so I know how to list you). Okey dokey?"}, {"response": 1169, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Aug 13, 2002 (20:43)", "body": "(Colin)...though I hope I can count on you to bring some decorum to the group. There's been rather too much inspection of the cut of my trousers lately. You know you love it. I think the inspection has gone a lot deeper than just the cut of your trousers, Dahling. Decorum? nevah heard the word. Welcome and Happy Birthday again, Annae. Now, Rika, you know I always get jealous when you send those birthday greetings."}, {"response": 1170, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Aug 13, 2002 (20:44)", "body": "I'm playing catchup today. Somehow I missed several days worth of posts, near the end of July and first week of August. Forgive me as I respond to them. I was particularly interested in the comments and articles about ageism and sexism in the motion picture industry. It is a shame that so many great actresses out there can't get roles. I fear our culture here in the U.S., and to some extent culture worldwide, has become so youth-oriented that this trend will continue and, in fact, will only get worse. For some reason, although teenagers don't have the most earning power, they are the ones being catered to. I suppose this is because they are the ones going to see movies in theaters. Yet isn't this some sort of cinematic Catch 22? Young people go to the movies because the movies are aimed at them. And the movies are aimed at the youth audience because young people are the ones buying the tickets. Although there are exceptions (and several Droolers are fine examples), most people under thirty seem to have a strange idea of what constitutes good intertainment. I had a male co-worker, aged 25, who was a computer guru with a huge salary. He purchased a DVD player, and went shopping every day on his lunch hour to buy more DVDs. I thought he must be amassing quite an impressive collection. Imagine my surprise when I eventually saw his collection in person and found there was not a single movie that predated 1995! Where were the classics? Surely there is more to life than \"American Pie.\" He must have had over 200 DVDs, and most of them were of films I would not watch once, let alone over and over. No wonder so many really good motion pictures come and go quickly, without recouping their production costs, and drivel makes millions!"}, {"response": 1171, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Aug 13, 2002 (20:45)", "body": "BTW, Rika-great plan."}, {"response": 1172, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Aug 13, 2002 (20:53)", "body": "(Colin) There's been rather too much inspection of the cut of my trousers lately. Au contraire! I should think not enough if you ask any of us ;-D Happy B-day Anna E!"}, {"response": 1173, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Aug 13, 2002 (20:54)", "body": "Oops, I meant Anne A. A little dyslexic typing :-)"}, {"response": 1174, "author": "annea", "date": "Tue, Aug 13, 2002 (21:07)", "body": "Rika, thanks for passing on the birthday greeting from ODB. LOVE the cut of the trousers - can only imagine the contents !! Am going to print it off to put on the fridge - my DH thinks that I am obsessed - believe me, am nothing compared to you guys - I kneel in your presence !! Never thought of using slo-mo for your purposes, am however going to insist that DH watches MLSF with me tonight as a birthday treat, so my thumb may get a workout on the pause button and I will explain to him what I am looking for."}, {"response": 1175, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 13, 2002 (23:09)", "body": "Anne E!! And a very happy birthday!"}, {"response": 1176, "author": "annea", "date": "Tue, Aug 13, 2002 (23:27)", "body": "AWW... shucks everybody. Thanks for all your good wishes - my own family have not been so effusive. Hey...that's it - you are now all my new family, brought together by a common interest !!"}, {"response": 1177, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Aug 14, 2002 (10:22)", "body": "(Linda) Now, Rika, you know I always get jealous when you send those birthday greetings. And you know how to guilt me into posting something for you. Okay, here's one for the \"What was she thinking ???\" collection - I've never understood how Bridget was able to think about her underwear (or frame any coherent thought at all) at this particular moment: (Annea) Am going to print it off to put on the fridge - my DH thinks that I am obsessed - believe me, am nothing compared to you guys - Give it time. I was a quiet, proper, modest lady when I got here, and that was only a couple of months ago. :-) Never thought of using slo-mo for your purposes, am however going to insist that DH watches MLSF with me tonight as a birthday treat, so my thumb may get a workout on the pause button and I will explain to him what I am looking for. If you'd do that kind of research with him in the room, you're a braver woman than I am!"}, {"response": 1178, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Aug 14, 2002 (10:24)", "body": "I could have sworn I checked the tags to make sure they were closed. What was that I said about coherent thought? I think it should be okay now."}, {"response": 1179, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 14, 2002 (10:40)", "body": "Rika. (Anne) Hey...that's it - you are now all my new family, brought together by a common interest ! LOL. V. well put. We try to be. Thank you. Wish more lurkers would come out. We're not a scary group, you know."}, {"response": 1180, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Aug 14, 2002 (14:27)", "body": "Happy Birthday Anne! :-)"}, {"response": 1181, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, Aug 14, 2002 (16:19)", "body": "Rika Thanks for the lovely pic. I have to say, I could not believe it when Bridget left ODB at that particular moment to change her knickers!!!! - Was she totally mad!!!"}, {"response": 1182, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Aug 14, 2002 (16:40)", "body": "(Rika) I've never understood how Bridget was able to think about her underwear... All I'd be thinking is \"Which one of us could get these off the fastest?\" ;-P"}, {"response": 1183, "author": "Odile", "date": "Wed, Aug 14, 2002 (18:49)", "body": "I'll join in for the birthday wishes: have a great day Anne!"}, {"response": 1184, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Wed, Aug 14, 2002 (18:59)", "body": "Yup, me too, Mel. When he does that little grunt trying to get her to \"give it up\"... oh my.. (pitter-pat, pitter-pat) Ok.. .I've been scrolling up.... so, you're telling me that my ideal celebrity is a cobbler?????? (dying of laughter) Maybe he should suggest his profession to \"He Who Must Be Adored\", so that he can make his own \"unusually peculiar footwear\" for himself and Liv. ;) (Colin) There's been rather too much inspection of the cut of my trousers lately. Hi, Colin, did you like Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang? (thinking that more than likely Mr. Cuteypie surfs these boards.)"}, {"response": 1185, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Wed, Aug 14, 2002 (19:00)", "body": "closing tags, hopefully"}, {"response": 1186, "author": "Megs128", "date": "Wed, Aug 14, 2002 (21:33)", "body": "While I can understand her previous traumatizing experience with the granny panties, I honestly have never fully reconciled her poor, poor decision making there. Even looking at Colin Firth pictures can rarely form coherent thoughts, but in person? She MUST be joking...serves her right that she has to run around in the snow half naked. IMO, she got off easy. :)"}, {"response": 1187, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Aug 14, 2002 (22:06)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNE"}, {"response": 1188, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Aug 14, 2002 (22:06)", "body": "Uh, Rika, how come everyone can see the BJD picture except me? I hate to make you feel even more guilty, but geez-you got me all steamed up then nothing but a little box with an x in it. Thanks**snif-snif* any way. I know you tried."}, {"response": 1189, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Aug 14, 2002 (22:46)", "body": "Oh, my apologies Rika, I went out came back and presto the picture is here. Thank you very much.Wish I had brought my BJD with me here. Will go to the video store to rent it if I have to."}, {"response": 1190, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Aug 15, 2002 (00:54)", "body": "(Linda) Oh, my apologies Rika, I went out came back and presto the picture is here. Oh, good! That BJD scene reminds me of one from \"While You Were Sleeping,\" where Bill Pullman's character explains to Sandra Bullock's the difference between \"hugging\" and \"leaning.\" (Megs) While I can understand her previous traumatizing experience with the granny panties, I honestly have never fully reconciled her poor, poor decision making there. Even looking at Colin Firth pictures can rarely form coherent thoughts, but in person? And not just in person, but leaning towards her, only a few inches away. I would have been like a deer caught in the headlights if I'd been in her position. That was one of the spots on the DVD directors' commentary where Sharon Maguire did some drooling - she said, \"Ooh, he's so sexy in this scene.\" Oh, yeah. (Jeanie) When he does that little grunt trying to get her to \"give it up\"... oh my.. (pitter-pat, pitter-pat) Oh, oh, oh!!!!! Yes! I love that! Hmmmm.... get some sleep or watch the end of BJD first? :-)"}, {"response": 1191, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Aug 15, 2002 (09:05)", "body": "Mostly for web authors like Karen R, myself, Ann H, and Marci. There are a series of reports on the mechanics of our site at this web address: http://www.spring.net/reports There is a list of broken links, slow pages, recently changed files, unlinked files, etc. which will help in improving (fixing) our site. Mostly it's stuff that I need to fix, Karen's pages are tight and together. I'm looking for an automated tool to fix links."}, {"response": 1192, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Aug 15, 2002 (10:32)", "body": "(Rika) I've never understood how Bridget was able to think about her underwear... I know. I remember thinking \"What are you DOING leaving that gorgeous man to wait while you rummage through clothes???????\" Just shows how indoctrinated she is by all those \"helpful articles\" she reads on romance. The discussion of this point reminds me of many years ago when my boss's daughter was getting married and the mother of the bride thing was going strong. My boss bought a very expensive pegnior set for the bride. One of my colleages muttered, \"Yeah, all that money and it'll be on the floor in seconds!\" Happy (belated) birthday, Anne!"}, {"response": 1193, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Aug 15, 2002 (12:05)", "body": "(Rika) I haven't seen The Inheritance, Pam. What is it about? Where did you see it? It was on the Women's channel. It's a period piece, romance, with Thomas Gibson playing the lead and a girl who I think is on a soap as the heroine. If I give a synopsis it kind of gives everything away in case you chose to see it. Gibson looks good in britches and boots too. Also involves women's lib of the time, which I think Alcott involves in alot of her work. I think you'd like it. No P&P but what is. Enjoyable anyway. (Rika) And you know how to guilt me into posting something for you. Okay, here's one for the \"What was she thinking???\" collection - I've never understood how Bridget was able to think about her underwear (or frame any coherent thought at all) at this particular moment: Personally I would have had him in a snowbank let alone waiting to get him upstairs, and definitely could not have refused this. However, lets try to analyze Bridget's logic (?) for the moment. We remember how mortified she was when she wore stomach-hugging panties with Daniel so obviously we are to assume she is wearing them again because she goes in to change. Also in all honesty she may be a little doubtful of feelings involved, even though she was waiting for him to return, or at least to hear from him, evidenced by her hesitation in picking up phone and obvious disappointment when it wasn't him. Which kind of confused me with her astonishment at seeing him outside. Oh well. Anyway she could be harboring a little resentment that it took him so long, what a couple of days, to choose her. Even though he, of course, did things in a proper and dignified adult manner, obviously going to NY personally to refuse the offer which was the proper thing to do. Which if she thought (?) about it is understand ble. Enough logic, hormones have kicked in, and absolutely no reason to not have had him then and there, pants or not. I don't think he would have noticed or cared. (Rika) Oh, good! That BJD scene reminds me of one from \"While You Were Sleeping,\" where Bill Pullman's character explains to Sandra Bullock's the difference between \"hugging\" and \"leaning.\" Wasn't that a good movie. Love BP in that so much. Yes it does remind me of that. Happy Birthday Anne!!!! Did anyone see JN on Regis & Kelly and Conan yesterday? He was better on R&K. They didn't really discuss Possession in either interview, he was pushing his Dean Martin roll. I don't know thought he was kind of flat, but still awfully hot."}, {"response": 1194, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 15, 2002 (16:05)", "body": "(Pam) Did anyone see JN on Regis & Kelly and Conan yesterday? He was better on R&K.They didn't really discuss Possession in either interview, he was pushing his Dean Martin roll. I don't know thought he was kind of flat, but still awfully hot. We discussed that on #43, the JN Topic and #137 Possession topic. The JN Topic has a link to a page with pics from his TV appearances yesterday."}, {"response": 1195, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Aug 16, 2002 (09:29)", "body": "Thanks for info Evelyn will go and read. Still don't know where to post and find all things yet. Thank you."}, {"response": 1196, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 16, 2002 (09:52)", "body": "(Pam) Thanks for info Evelyn will go and read. Still don't know where to post and find all things yet Go to topic 61 and I'll tell you."}, {"response": 1197, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Aug 17, 2002 (00:42)", "body": "If anyone lives or has plans to be in the NYC area... RUN ! don't walk, to see Hairspray! (Just got home from seeing it). And get your tix NOW! Will soon (if not already) be like The Producers and Lion King....almost impossible to get. IMO, it's THE musical to beat at Tony time. I usually only hear people clap and hoot and holler, like I heard tonight, at concerts. Harvey Fierstein is a riot and the girl who plays the lead (can't remember her name right off) is fantastic! Thanks for the recommendation Amy. If I may be permitted to repeat myself.... Moon! Welcome Home!!"}, {"response": 1198, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sat, Aug 17, 2002 (06:55)", "body": "Harumphy! \"Entertainment Weekly\" does not particularly like \"Possession\" and gives it a \"C\". The critic seems to think it's a touch campy, or something to that effect. =/"}, {"response": 1199, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 17, 2002 (08:30)", "body": "More reviews than you can shake a stick at on: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/137/new but they might also contain lots of spoilers if you're not familiar with the material. So beware."}, {"response": 1200, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Aug 17, 2002 (20:28)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1201, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Aug 18, 2002 (06:55)", "body": "Thank you KJ and all my friendly firthettes. Time flies!"}, {"response": 1202, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Aug 18, 2002 (13:18)", "body": "Just a reminder that the Birthday List Project is still underway. I've heard from quite a few people but I know there are more of you out there would would like to participate in the offering and receiving of birthday greetings here on Odds & Ends. Just e-mail me the name you use on Drool and your birthday. If you'd also like to be part of the Who Lives Where list, include your geographic location (as general or as specific as you want it to be). Both lists will be distributed via e-mail only to those whose information is included on the lists. Incidentally, old-timers, you know when one another's birthdays are, but we newbies don't know and we'd like to. So since we're starting from scratch on the list, it would be great to hear from you as well."}, {"response": 1203, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Aug 18, 2002 (22:19)", "body": "You're doing a great job Rika, thanks."}, {"response": 1204, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 19, 2002 (10:30)", "body": "If TIOBE hasn't come to your town, then I doubt this one will. But Sex and Lucia is a very interesting and well made movie. Seems to have stirred up a real controversy in Seattle, as the two main newspapers refuse to advertise it and have not allowed their columnists to review it so far, even though it won two awards at the Seattle Film Fest. Yes, it has some gratuitous sex (including the always banned erect male member), but it is so well done. Truly erotic and arty. Actually, I was entranced by the male lead's face. During an early scene, when Lucia reveals what she wants, his facial expressions reminded me of Colin. Oh yeah, the film's in Spanish and is unrated, which means it would've been NC-17 so why bother. http://www.empireonline.co.uk/news/news.asp?4093 http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20020815/od_uk_nm/oukoe_leisure_ban_1 http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com/display.cgi?id=13010 Other foreign/indie recs: Happy Times (Chinese) and 24-Hour Party People (v. funny mockumentary with reference to Icarus right up front and I do like Michael Winterbottom anyway). Looks like we're finally getting Colin's rec, The Last Kiss soon. Saw the trailer and it looked good."}, {"response": 1205, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Aug 19, 2002 (10:56)", "body": "What is The Last Kiss, Karen?"}, {"response": 1206, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 19, 2002 (11:16)", "body": "An Italian rom-com that he recommended in some interview. We cynics think he did so because of LD's connection with the film company which made her documentary."}, {"response": 1207, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Aug 19, 2002 (16:37)", "body": "Thank you for info on Last Kiss. And its going to be aired here. I agree that her connection obviously had something to do with statement."}, {"response": 1208, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 19, 2002 (18:32)", "body": "(Jeanie) Harumphy! \"Entertainment Weekly\" does not particularly like \"Possession\" and gives it a \"C\". The critic seems to think it's a touch campy, or something to that effect. =/ Like Karen said #137 has all the reviews posted.So does: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/Possession-1114793/ TIME: \"What happens when a filmmaker with the gift of malice tries to make a love story? Can his fine, scaly hand carry off a caress? And if he can, will he connect with a film audience that long ago shrugged off amour?\" True: I'm afraid audiences *and* critics have shrugged off amour. I saw it in Houston. Liked it. Loved the book. TIME: \"These actor-poets [JN & JE] make love like chamber music - two cellos playing each other. \" *Sigh*. \"Only romantics need apply\";-)"}, {"response": 1209, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Aug 20, 2002 (00:06)", "body": "(Karen) Other foreign/indie recs: Happy Times (Chinese) I saw the trailer a few times before TIOBE and it looked like a lovely story."}, {"response": 1210, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 20, 2002 (09:35)", "body": "Even though this project was one mentioned on the CF topic, for now, I'll put it here. From ScreenDaily: Parker steps back from the Wilde side Robert Mitchell in Edinburgh 20 August 2002 Oliver Parker, in Edinburgh for the UK premiere of his latest Oscar Wilde adaptation The Importance Of Being Earnest on Wednesday (Aug 21) and a Script Factory masterclass on Saturday Aug 17, revealed his next project will be a step away from the Wilde side of his career. After An Ideal Husband and now Earnest, Parker will next tackle a post-war Italian thriller which he had intended to do between the two Wilde comedies. \"That one we nearly made before The Importance Of Being Earnest but it was quite hard getting the money together and it was not so obviously commercial\" he told a press conference. John Sayles (Lone Star, Sunshine State) wrote the original drafts of the script which Parker is now reworking. [what an ego!] This doesn't mean that Parker has abandoned Oscar however. He is currently developing an adaptation of Dorian Gray as a producer and revealed that the comedies were something he continually rethought, \"I would remake the film (An Ideal Husband) already and in a few months probably (Earnest) as well.\""}, {"response": 1211, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Aug 20, 2002 (11:00)", "body": "(Karen) This doesn't mean that Parker has abandoned Oscar however. He is currently developing an adaptation of Dorian Gray as ... Dorine and I just discussed this as the perfect roll for Colin. OP must have heard us. Hope he heard our choice of actor for it too. Come to think of it hope Colin heard us. He would be so good in this roll."}, {"response": 1212, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 20, 2002 (11:12)", "body": "But that's the one Rupe's been talking about doing for ages."}, {"response": 1213, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Aug 20, 2002 (11:33)", "body": "Rupe may have been talking about Dorian for ages, but while the script has been developing, Rupe has (unlike the title character) been AGING. Dorian is supposed to look young. ODB would be a much better choice."}, {"response": 1214, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Aug 20, 2002 (14:36)", "body": "(Kate) Rupe has (unlike the title character) been AGING. Dorian is supposed to look young. While I'd love to see Colin in this, hadn't considered Rupe...interesting thought. KB would be an interesting choice, but he's not getting any younger looking either. To go along with your comment, I could see them going with someone considerably younger as a starker contrast. (I hate to say it, but Huge might do a decent job. Dorian would be like Daniel, but even more decadent.) Can't believe I just said that.....On way to bathroom to wash my mouth out with soap. :-/"}, {"response": 1215, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 20, 2002 (15:20)", "body": "(Dorine)I hate to say it, but Huge might do a decent job. Dorian would be like Daniel, but even more decadent. Said in an interview that he won't do dramas...\"leave that to others.\" Good thinking...ever see \"Extreme Measures\"? They'd have to put KB on stilts for the Dorian Gray role. Lots of young actors in that Aussie pack that would fit the bill."}, {"response": 1216, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Aug 20, 2002 (19:16)", "body": "(Evelyn) They'd have to put KB on stilts for the Dorian Gray role. ROTFL! Lots of young actors in that Aussie pack that would fit the bill. OK, drawing a blank...who would be some choices? Good thinking...ever see \"Extreme Measures\"? V. little ;-)"}, {"response": 1217, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Aug 20, 2002 (22:40)", "body": "(Dorine)I hate to say it, but Huge might do a decent job. Dorian would be like Daniel, but even more decadent.) Can't believe I just said that.....On way to bathroom to wash my mouth out with soap. :-( It's about time you took your own advice about washing mouth out with soap:-(( On way to bathroom, stop in kitchen and put hot pepper on tongue, then watch Matt Lauer in the am, and thank the Lord you have seen the light!"}, {"response": 1218, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 21, 2002 (10:39)", "body": "Excellent interview with JN on his topic. Not just his personal life, but about an actor's life in general. Question: Do you think actors are emotionally immature, because they keep play acting their whole lives? (JN)Well, I think that keeping that childlike sense of wonderment is a good quality, not an immature one. And I think that if everyone is really honest with themselves, in ordinary life there are many facts of ourselves that we choose to present to the outside world. We all play act more than we think. We all hide parts of ourselves, don't we, and show off other sides, depending on the situation and who we're with. ~~~~~~~~ An insightful answer. He's extremely articulate."}, {"response": 1219, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Aug 21, 2002 (13:24)", "body": "(Evelyn) Good thinking...ever see \"Extreme Measures... Ever see Sense & Sensibility? Enough said. HG is beginning to look more mature too. Starting to see a few life-lines on the face and a little grey at the temples. Thanks for quote from interview. Watched JN in Emma again last night. He's so cute. \"Emmmmmmma\". To possess the high degree of imagination IMO it is necessary for a good actor to have it is essential to have \"that childlike sense of wonderment\" because it has no barriers to stop the creative juices from flowing."}, {"response": 1220, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Aug 21, 2002 (13:47)", "body": "(Evelyn) An insightful answer. He's extremely articulate Since he's single, I want to find him! I must marry this man.... sexy, intelligent, insightful, in touch with his childlike sense of wonderment, and not always home. What more could a girl ask for?! ;-D Wonder if I have a JN radar? Have to check it out next time I'm in the city."}, {"response": 1221, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Aug 21, 2002 (14:24)", "body": "(Pam) HG is beginning to look more mature too. Starting to see a few life-lines on the face and a little grey at the temples. Agreed. I thought he looked somewhat worn in several of the scenes in BJD."}, {"response": 1222, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 21, 2002 (14:48)", "body": "Pam) HG is beginning to look more mature too. Starting to see a few life-lines on the face and a little grey at the temples. Agreed. I thought he looked somewhat worn in several of the scenes in BJD. But in great form in About A Boy.Which incidentally is still playing around here... three months. That one and Greek Wedding are going to go on forever!!"}, {"response": 1223, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Aug 21, 2002 (17:36)", "body": "Changing the subject, are JLo and Ben Afflect an item? They were in Miami where he just bought a Ferrari."}, {"response": 1224, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Aug 21, 2002 (17:49)", "body": "Ah, you have been away too long."}, {"response": 1225, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Wed, Aug 21, 2002 (18:16)", "body": "Hmmm... I'm gonna ask this question here, although it may belong in the P&P thread. Is the book \"The Bar Sinister\" any good, and can any of you recommend one of the published sequels, or are they all awful? =) Thanks!"}, {"response": 1226, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Aug 21, 2002 (21:59)", "body": "(Jeanie) Hmmm... I'm gonna ask this question here, although it may belong in the P&P thread. Is the book \"The Bar Sinister\" any good, and can any of you recommend one of the published sequels, or are they all awful? =) There is a lot of commentary on \"The Bar Sinister\" at Amazon. It's pretty accurate and you might be able to form a good opinion there. As for me, I agree the book needed a good edit. There were certain terms and words over-used, among other things, hence, it could get pretty annoying and thus, distracting. The author got creative with some of the character names, hence names might change at a whim. But...this is Drool, hence I can be honest and say this book was NOT PG-13, is definitely adult audiences only, and if that adds to your enjoyment (it did mine, there are definitely parts I like to re-read) and is not \"off-putting\" to you, then go to it. (And in case you've not figured it out, the single-most distracting thing as far as I was concerned was an incredible over-use of the word hence, someday I WILL count them.) There IS"}, {"response": 1227, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Aug 21, 2002 (22:00)", "body": "...(duh---just keep reading--sorry) ...a story, it can be pretty engaging and you might find it enjoyable."}, {"response": 1228, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Aug 22, 2002 (01:00)", "body": "I agree with BarbS on The Bar Sinister. (My hated word that I'm gonna count some day is \"howbeit\".) But despite the editing and vocabulary issues, I liked the story, and for the most part I liked her depictions of Darcy and Elizabeth very much. What I really wanted was a copy of the book in a Microsoft Word document, so I could \"fix\" it."}, {"response": 1229, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Aug 22, 2002 (05:24)", "body": "Not to take away from The Bar Sinister which, I think, has nothing on many of the authors here at Drool, I have been alerted to a quiz. Please keep in mind, my husband is a Harley guy and he gets lots of emails, some a little raunchier than others.......Also, keep in mind, we did this together and got 18 out of 20! http://www.grex.btinternet.co.uk/breasttest2.xls I really hope I don't get inot trouble for posting this! And, since we took it, I found out that they have been sending him a quiz once a week. I'll keep ya'll updated!"}, {"response": 1230, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Aug 22, 2002 (07:41)", "body": "Jeanie, I enjoyed the Bar Sinister. I think you will too. I found it much better that some of the other sequels that I read. I read it just after another full viewing of P&P-and I think that it added to my enjoyment."}, {"response": 1231, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Aug 22, 2002 (08:52)", "body": "Oh yeah, one more thing on \"The Bar Sinister\"... there is one scene that is lifted pretty directly from a fairly famous movie, has anyone else noticed?"}, {"response": 1232, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 22, 2002 (11:26)", "body": "I liked The Diary of Fitzwilliam Darcy."}, {"response": 1233, "author": "Megs128", "date": "Thu, Aug 22, 2002 (12:52)", "body": "Oh my goodness...Lisa, I got a 19 out of 20. Who knew that I was so good at figuring out boobs. Thanks for the quiz. And based on many of your comments, it looks like I'll be picking up a copy of Bar Sinister, at least to thumb through myself at Borders. :-D"}, {"response": 1234, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Aug 22, 2002 (18:17)", "body": "This is a silly thing and I almost hate to mention it but just wondered about the possibility of \"bumping\" into other drooleurs. I have the high bid on an ebay auction for AMITC right now. I'm hoping to ensure the success of a chick-flick night yet this weekend. Is it bad form or has it ever been considered that we could let each other know when we are swooping in for the kill on an auction and not to run each other up? If it really is objectionable to even consider such a thing, I will punish myself by forcing myself to watch the L. Olivier P&P again."}, {"response": 1235, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Aug 22, 2002 (18:46)", "body": "Barb, I considered posting the same question when I was bidding for CF movies on eBay this summer. I mean, strictly speaking it's collusion, but I think the potential harm is very small. And watching P&P0 when there's so many better ways to spend one's time seems rather severe as punishment! Good luck getting AMITC - I got it on eBay a month or two ago."}, {"response": 1236, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 22, 2002 (21:29)", "body": "Another foreign movie recommendation and very relevant to certain discussions we've had all over this place re: LD ;-) The film is \"My Wife is an Actress.\" Here's the minireview from my alt paper: French actor-director Yvan Attal (wow wow wow!) is a Woody Allen-esque glorifier of neuroses [Ed note: without succumbing to MB's level] in this delectable 2001 romantic comedy about a man dismayed by his actress wife's celebrity and irrationally jealous over her love scenes. Attal is less of a nebbish [not at all one] and more of a realist than Allen when airing his miseries, among them the imagined affair between his wife (Charlotte Gainsbourg) and her current costar, a suave, aging lothario with a wry sense of humor (Terence Stamp). There must be parallels between the on-screen couple and the real-life one--Attal is married to Gainsbourg--and the outrageous claims the husband hears about his wife and his annoyance at all the attention she gets seem so real one can't help but chuckle at his character's anxieties. The film tends to groan under the weight of his obsession--and his sister's fixation on circumcising her son--yet for much of the 95-minute running time the chemistry between Attal's vulne able husband and Gainsbourg's sweet, beguiling wife is irresistible. The terrific score is by jazz pianist Brad Meldau. [Great opening sequence of old Hollywood actresses from the 20s and 30s, plus a truly hysterical filming of a love scene that should go down in the annals of film history.]"}, {"response": 1237, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Aug 22, 2002 (21:43)", "body": "\"My Wife is an Actress.\" I saw it and by chance ended up sitting next to Lora! It was funny, I liked it, my DH did not. The filming of a love scene was a hoot."}, {"response": 1238, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (08:33)", "body": "Jeannie, to get back to the sequel thing, do not bother with anything my Emma Tennant. She wrote two sequels to P&P. Mercifully, I have eradicated the names from my memory. Don't waste your time. Actually, the readers' reviews of her books at Amazon are much more entertaining than the actual books. BTW, if you're looking for a sequel to Emma, try \"Letters from Highbury.\" It isn't a sequel, it's a companion piece, the events of Emma as seen through the correspondence of the school mistress and her sister in London. And now for something completely different...Dame Judi made the news last night. She was supposed to christen the newest Carnival, the Legend. I guess they figured a legend to christen the Legend. So she cut the ribbon, the bottle of champagne swung down, and *clunk* it bounced off the hull. Next, they went onto the gangway, and she tried swinging the bottle by the neck (in manner of bar fight) and hitting the side of the ship. *clunk, splash* the bottle didn't break, and she dropped it. Really, to fail to break the bottle once is unfortunate, but twice shows a real weakness of swing. On the third try, someone helped her swing the bottle and it did break, soaking her, and she became Dame Judi Drenched! (don't blame me, CNN said this first)"}, {"response": 1239, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (09:59)", "body": "Interesting to note how the first from Ananova is based on THR article below, which does not say that GP is \"set to star.\" Ananova: Gwyneth Paltrow to star in US version of Fever Pitch Gwyneth Paltrow is set to star in a US remake of Nick Hornby's best seller Fever Pitch. The film switches the lead character's obsession with soccer to baseball. The Oscar winner will play the long suffering girlfriend of a man who shows more devotion to the Boston Red Sox than her. He was a fan of Arsenal FC in the original. Shawn Levy is in talks to direct the movie, which has been Americanised by comedy writers Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel. The duo have developed the lead female character for Paltrow, according to www.hollywoodreporter.com. \"I'm thrilled to be working with such great source material. I've been a Hornby fan for years,\" said Levy. Colin Firth starred in the 1997 British film based on Hornby's acclaimed autobiography, which tells of his infatuation with Arsenal. A big screen adaptation of Hornby's first novel, High Fidelity, also switched the setting from London to the US. ~~~~~~~~~ The Hollywood Reporter: Levy plays ball with Fox 2000 on 'Fever Pitch' By Chris Gardner After teaming with 20th Century Fox on the upcoming romantic comedy \"Just Married,\" starring Ashton Kutcher and Brittany Murphy, helmer Shawn Levy is in negotiations to direct another romantic comedy for the studio, \"Fever Pitch.\" Levy is signing on to develop and direct the Fox 2000 project based on the Nick Hornby book about the British author's obsession with soccer, specifically the team Arsenal. The comedy team of Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel adapted \"Pitch\" and Americanized it, with the project now focused on baseball. The story line follows the relationship between a man obsessed with the Boston Red Sox and the woman caught in the middle. The female character was developed as a starring role for Gwyneth Paltrow. Although no deal is in place for her to star, she is known to have shown interest in the project, which is being eyed for a spring start. \"I'm thrilled to be working with such great source material -- I've been a Hornby fan for years,\" Levy said of the author who has penned such novels as \"Speaking With the Angel,\" [sic] \"My Favorite Year,\" [sic] \"How to Be Good,\" \"High Fidelity\" and \"About a Boy,\" the latter two of which were made into motion pictures starring John Cusack and Hugh Grant, respectively. [Ed note: what a slight] Alan Greenspan, Gil Netter and Amanda Posey are producing \"Pitch\" with executive producers Hornby and David Evans. At Fox 2000, headed by Elizabeth Gabler, the project is being shepherded by director of production Jack Leslie. Levy, repped by Endeavor and the Firm, began his career in episodic television before making his feature debut with the February release \"Big Fat Liar,\" starring Frankie Muniz and Amanda Bynes, from Universal Pictures. He then segued to \"Married,\" which is scheduled for release March 21."}, {"response": 1240, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (10:13)", "body": "Gwyneth Paltrow is set to star in a US remake of Nick Hornby's best seller Fever Pitch. A definite improvement over Ruth Gemmell."}, {"response": 1241, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (10:20)", "body": "(Evelyn)A definite improvement over Ruth Gemmell And a very definite improvement over Minnie Driver. Wasn't she mentioned as the female lead when it was being talked about with John Cusack as the male lead? Is he mentioned anywhere as still being associated with it?"}, {"response": 1242, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (10:32)", "body": "Check out Empire's take on the news, especially the pic and the last paragraph: http://www.empireonline.co.uk/news/news.asp?4107"}, {"response": 1243, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (10:34)", "body": "No mention of Cusack and, yes, I remember the early reports that said it would be a Cusack-Driver repairing. I do wonder how it will play with such a big name in the female part. Won't that detract from the male character? Won't he have to be even bigger? Seems rather odd to me."}, {"response": 1244, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (10:42)", "body": "(empire)\"American filmmakers are now planning to take Hornby's ode to Arsenal, Fever Pitch, and yankify the plot even further than they did with Fidelity. \" Wonder why WT didn't pick this up. It seems like it's their kind of film.... LOL with RC doing the script and His Favorite Star as Paul. (Too old)"}, {"response": 1245, "author": "annas", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (11:42)", "body": "Minkeelander Posting due to patriotism re post 1215 Heath Ledger, Hugh Jackman (and he can sing and is tall too) and Tom Long has promise. Mel Gibson we still claim as our own but getting long in the tooth. post 1240 Ruth Gemmell and FF she never worked for me either good luck to baseball FP with Gwen"}, {"response": 1246, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (12:07)", "body": "Interesting article by one of our favorite vultures of British film criticism (although I think he's spot on in this, except that the old images were totally manufactured as well and many of the stars led morally corrupt lives too. The only difference is that they didn't flaunt them in public or profit by them.). Please note the ending: The dark age of celebrity by Alexander Walker (Evening Standard) Stars, they say, are born. But the behaviour of many of today's stars suggests an illegitimate union between the worst excesses of society and the worst elements of publicity. Stars used to personify likeable virtues, in public anyhow: the romantic charm of Cary Grant, the plainman integrity of Gary Cooper, the working-girl tenacity of Joan Crawford, the patriotism of John Wayne... Reality might show a different face; but it did not push itself into the headlines, in front of the cameras. If ashamed, it hid from its fans. If exposed, it promised to reform. Nowadays, the stars shamelessly exploit every public vice, on and off screen. Depending on the enormity of their indecencies, their celebrity stock goes up and up and up. How did we ever get into this dark age of stardom? It began, I think, when celebrity stripped scandal of its risks to reputation. There is almost no sin a star can commit that does not get presented by his or her publicists as a personality bonus. Stardom now is a virus that fogs judgment of achievement and worth; it distorts the values we place on life and society. Last March, Denzel Washington won the Best Actor Oscar and was hailed as a paragon of his race. What did he get it for? Exemplifying every criminal act in the bigots' book of racist invective against African-Americans: his character in Training Day was an urban psychopath, druglord, woman-beater and stone-cold killer. Some CV to honour! Not that Washington ever behaved thus, but greedily he lent his celebrity to promulgating the advantages of a stardom that does not scruple about making moral choices in the parts it seeks or accepts. Likewise, Cate Blanchett. What on earth did she think she was doing - did she think at all? - when she accepted the role of a criminal ninny in the film Heaven, a woman who plants a bomb that kills four people, two of them children, and then, after a few token contortions of moral discomfort, hares off with a lover for a romantic cross-country manhunt? Stars appear morally blind, to all but their own advantage. If Al Capone were alive today, and cornered by the cops, I honestly believe Public Enemy Number One would come out shouting: \"Don't shoot - take pictures.\" Between criminals and celebrities there is now virtually no dividing line. Money-making has traditionally driven the Hollywood engine. But it has been superseded by the quest for celebrity. It is almost impossible to \"kill off\" an erring celebrity today. Hugh Grant indulged in a foolish and disreputable sex act within days of being hailed as a bright new star: was he ruined? No, he was made. He became \"more interesting\" after his transgressions, and turned penitence to publicity gold by bowing his head in the confessional of the chat shows. But stars are not the only ones we should blame for living off the corruption of society in their roles and their lives. There is a pernicious relationship between the great majority of the un-famous - you and me, that is - and the celebrity elite we revere. Stars don't make moral choices any longer. But their public no longer makes moral judgments. The media have developed imagemaking technology to the point where it would be cutting their own throats - or, worse, circulations - if they were to reflect a moral attitude to conduct, personality or performance that would once have brought its perpetrator into disrepute. Most of today's entertainment media is staffed by clever manipulators of public taste: but they come from that generation which never knew what it was to make moral judgments - in fact, actively resisted them, as if morality were a sin as deadly as elitism. Thus the print and electronic media collude with what they know only too well to be the symptoms and symbols of public psychopathy: stars. Many stars, when you meet them, are the dullest, most vulgar, stupid and rapacious folk imaginable. Often talentless, too. But not when their airbrushed faces appear above \"celebrity interviews\" in the mags, tabloids and broadsheets, or facing some telly personality who's out to gain reflected fame by giving the really famous a soft ride. It used to be said: \"Scratch an actor, and you pleasure a masochist.\" It's truer now to say, \"Scratch a star, and you'll never interview another one.\" Even the sticky ends some celebrities meet - sooner, these drug-fuelled days, than later - don't have any remedial effect. They don't jerk people's appalled regard back to the harm the deceased stars did to themselves or, by their example, to society. Recently, the anniversary of Elvis Presley's demise was \"celebrated\""}, {"response": 1247, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (12:46)", "body": "(Evelyn) A definite improvement over Ruth Gemmell. (Anna) Ruth Gemmell and FF she never worked for me either To each his own. Personally, I loved FP just as it was, including RG. One of my very favorite CF films. I've watched it almost as often as P&P. Hated the video cover, though."}, {"response": 1248, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (13:08)", "body": "How did we ever get into this dark age of stardom? Stardom now is a virus that fogs judgment of achievement and worth; it distorts the values we place on life and society. People would sooner hear, read and watch lies than be told that what they're worshipping isn't stardom. It's social sickness. Excellent article! Thanks, Karen. Not that it will change anything. :-( (Karen), I do wonder how it will play with such a big name in the female part. Won't that detract from the male character? Won't he have to be even bigger? Tom Cruise? I was surprised to see her with him in Austen Powers, but did their kiss sizzle!!! I saw tongues."}, {"response": 1249, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (13:21)", "body": "Will the title of the Americanized \"Fever Pitch\" be changed? The double entendre of the title \"Fever Pitch\" doesn't exist when the sport is changed to baseball."}, {"response": 1250, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (13:25)", "body": "(Moon) I saw tongues. LOL. You'll see JN's too next week;-)))"}, {"response": 1251, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (14:20)", "body": "(Kathy) To each his own. Personally, I loved FP just as it was, including RG. One of my very favorite CF films. I've watched it almost as often as P&P. Hated the video cover, though. I love this movie too. It is one of my favorites. Didn't care for RG at all in the beginning, but after the 25th viewing am beginning to find her tolerable. I just don't feel they had any chemistry. Is it customary to remake a movie adapting its cultural aspects? Nick must not have anything new in the offing to do instead. I thought the cover was a real goof. Anyone choosing the video based on the cover was in for a real shock. Anything to make a buck. If this film is a real commercial success with big box-office names I feel bad because it will cause undue comparisons to Colin's portrayal which I thought was really good. It will just make FP into an obscurity. I don't think any actor deserves that. Good article. Thanks Karen. Unfortunately this is the way of the world today and have to agree with Moon that it won't make any difference. With all my heart I wish it could. But I notice with my own children that they are not as star-struck about actors as I was. They will just as quickly pan a movie with someone they like in it as praise a movie. And they don't seem all that interested in their private lives either. So maybe the star influence is not as accute as it once was. We can only hope. JN is interviewed by Jeffrey Lyons this Sunday 8/25 on the Today Show. I heard him advertise it this morning. Should be a good one."}, {"response": 1252, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (14:27)", "body": "Will the title of the Americanized \"Fever Pitch\" be changed? The double entendre of the title \"Fever Pitch\" doesn't exist when the sport is changed to baseball. ] nope title will not be changed because when Pedro Martinez came to the Red Sox in I believe 1998, cover of the horrendous Boston Herald had title \"Fever Pitch\". Pitching in baseball is the most crucial part to the game. Without a good pitcher, you're not gonna win many games. And Bostonians are definitely feverish about their Red Sox (me being one of them). However, if they strike, wonder how that will go down?????? Former Texas Ranger owner and now President, Bush said if they do strike he'll be \"furious\". I wonder if it will be feverish tho??? :)"}, {"response": 1253, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (15:33)", "body": "Great article, Karen, and I agree with its discussion of celeb's personal transgressions. But I think the writer severely impaired his case with the example of Denzel Washington (Last March, Denzel Washington won the Best Actor Oscar and was hailed as a paragon of his race.) Lots of very nice actors have played not-nice people (does anyone really think Anthony Hopkins likes human liver with his chianti?). As Jon Lovitz would say, it's ACTING! The example of HG, on the other hand was spot-on. Hugh is very clever about publicity. I sometimes wonder if he didn't expect/want to be caught. Celebs can \"spin\" almost any transgression into publicity. But this lack of shame is a sad thing. Look at the celeb wanna-be's who go on \"bachelor\" and \"survivor\" or have sex in a cathedral. Is the 15 minutes of fame really worth it? (Kathy)Hated the video [FP]cover, though. Me too! When I rented it, I was grateful for the generic Blockbuster box. After seeing the movie, I have to say that the depiction of RG was *ahem* less than accurate? (Laura)And Bostonians are definitely feverish about their Red Sox (me being one of them). Please! I just had lunch with an ex-Mass. friend who is decidedly feverish about the Red Sox. I remember that we discussed the title here before, and I found it funny (then and now) that a title that fit soccer would also fit baseball. I don't know how a baseball version of FP will work--are there enough of you Red Sox fans out there to want to see this? And there will be the inevitable comparisons to another baseball comedy, Bull Durham (am imagining people saying, \"Yeah, not bad, but it's no Bull Durham.\") I wasn't crazy about RG in FP (they definitely lacked chemistry), but I loved Colin's Paul. He captured the childlike nature of the character. I can't think of an American who'd be good as Paul. I love Cusack, but he's too intense for Paul. The obsession I can see, but could he really be so laid back about the non-baseball parts of his life? I think Bill Murray could play a great American Paul, but he's too old now."}, {"response": 1254, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (15:36)", "body": "I think Bill Murray could play a great American Paul, but he's too old now ] the visual I got of Gwynnie kissing Bill Murray! ;)"}, {"response": 1255, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (15:48)", "body": "(Kate) But I think the writer severely impaired his case with the example of Denzel Washington...Lots of very nice actors have played not-nice people (does anyone really think Anthony Hopkins likes human liver with his chianti?). I think he's comparing things to a time long ago when they didn't make movies like that. Yes, major actors played flawed characters, but not such a hideous bunch as are now standard fare. Look at a list of Best Actors. No Hannibal types in the bunch."}, {"response": 1256, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (16:17)", "body": "(Karen, regarding FP) Won't that detract from the male character? Won't he have to be even bigger? Seems rather odd to me. That was my first thought too when I heard this news. That might suggest that the story's going to be primarily from the woman's POV, which I think would be all wrong. Thanks for the Empire link, BTW - I don't blame them for being annoyed. (Karen, re the Evening Standard article) I think he's comparing things to a time long ago when they didn't make movies like that. Yes, major actors played flawed characters, but not such a hideous bunch as are now standard fare. Look at a list of Best Actors. No Hannibal types in the bunch. I'm not sure that's really a sign of moral bankruptcy on the part of actors.... isn't it more indicative of the kind of projects getting green-lighted by the studios? And if nobody went to see those movies, they wouldn't get made. But it is a point well taken that these days you can play a despicable character and still be a major star, where once that wouldn't have been possible. No question that we no longer expect our celebrities (be they actors, politicians, or athletes) to be role models. It's unreasonable to expect famous people to be good people (in fact, I suspect if there's any relationship between virtue and desire for fame, it's an inverse relationship), but at least in the old days celebrities put on a good public face - and in fact had to do so to preserve their careers. Thanks for the article, Karen. You're a busy bee today!"}, {"response": 1257, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (16:18)", "body": "(Laura)the visual I got of Gwynnie kissing Bill Murray! ;) Oh. I was focusing on the interaction with the students and the soccer part. I guess the chemistry was so weak that I don't remember that part of the movie too well. I just remember falling in love with Paul in the first scene with the students when a kid says he read a book over the summer and Paul declares that his career is over, as he could not possibly achieve anything more monumental than getting this kid to read a book."}, {"response": 1258, "author": "Odile", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (16:30)", "body": "Jumping in about Charlotte Gainsbourg's new movie... I would recommend anything with Charlotte in it. She first starred in a movie called \"L'effrontee\", a coming-of-age movie about a teenage girl who was star-struck for a child pianist, and at all but 13 I think, she just \"crevait l'ecran\" - meaning burst out of the screen. She is very good at portraying vulnerable, tortured (but in a normal way) souls; as a matter of fact, she would make a perfect mate for Adrien LeDuc! :) I think she first met Attal on a movie about young adults being infected with AIDS and what it does to their relationship (I did not see that one but it was supposed to be good). Anyway I'll let the conversation go back to FP. Didn't anybody mention that the Canadian cover for the video was different (i.e. better) than the American one? It is my 3rd favorite CF movie too (after P&P and BJD)."}, {"response": 1259, "author": "Odile", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (16:33)", "body": "(Rika) No question that we no longer expect our celebrities (be they actors, politicians, or athletes) to be role models. It's unreasonable to expect famous people to be good people But I guess the problem for me is that good people are no longer famous people either..."}, {"response": 1260, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (16:42)", "body": "(Odile) But I guess the problem for me is that good people are no longer famous people either... True. Goodness doesn't make headlines anymore. But I also believe that most good people don't want to be famous, because they don't need the adulation and don't want to lose their privacy."}, {"response": 1261, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (16:48)", "body": "(Rika) I'm not sure that's really a sign of moral bankruptcy on the part of actors.... isn't it more indicative of the kind of projects getting green-lighted by the studios? Back in the old days, if a star were involved in a scandal (and many were), the studios hushed it up. [Aren't we only now finding out that Loretta Young had a baby with Clark Gable?] They created false public personas for their actors because, if they didn't, the paying public wouldn't go see those movies. The actor would be ostracized. Today, as the article puts forth, quite the opposite is taking place. Notoriety is being used to sell tickets, which gives people the impression that 'moral bankruptcy' is a sign of our times."}, {"response": 1262, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (20:04)", "body": "(FanPam) If this film is a real commercial success with big box-office names I feel bad because it will cause undue comparisons to Colin's portrayal which I thought was really good. It will just make FP into an obscurity. I don't think any actor deserves that. Yes, and it would be sad for everyone involved with FP. I thought the actors did excellent jobs, especially CF, Holly Aird and Mark Strange. Not their fault bad promotion, especially in the U.S., let it go virtually unnoticed. (Kate F) When I rented it, I was grateful for the generic Blockbuster box. I cornered the market on used ones at my local Blockbusters, and was almost embarassed to buy it -- wanted to explain that it wasn't at all what it appeared to be on the cover. (Karen) Today, as the article puts forth, quite the opposite is taking place. Notoriety is being used to sell tickets, which gives people the impression that 'moral bankruptcy' is a sign of our times. Good article, and you've made a good point. Now, after most of them are long gone, we hear that many of the movie stars from Hollywood's \"Golden Age\" weren't saints, but for the most part it was neatly hushed up at the time. When it wasn't, it usually ended careers."}, {"response": 1263, "author": "LizJP", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (20:54)", "body": "(Kate F.) I don't know how a baseball version of FP will work--are there enough of you Red Sox fans out there to want to see this? And there will be the inevitable comparisons to another baseball comedy, Bull Durham (am imagining people saying, \"Yeah, not bad, but it's no Bull Durham.\") Never underestimate the obsessiveness on of Red Sox fans, as I've learned in the 7 years I've lived in Boston. (And I grew up in St. Louis, where we took our baseball mighty seriously, too!) No matter how good the movie is, though, I can't imagine it being in Bull Durham's league (ouch!)-- IMHO, the story in Bull Durham is much more interesting than FP. Also, much as I like Gwyneth Paltrow, I just can't see her performance as the female lead topping Susan Sarandon's."}, {"response": 1264, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (21:53)", "body": "Since FP is in my top three CF films, I am disappointed that there will be a re-make. I know the film did not do well here-I guess it was too British for American tastes-but how hard was the sell? Granted the cover was a total disaster, but what about the film? There is only one FP and one Paul for me. RG and all. Great article, Karen. I was surprised at the HG reference-not that it wasn't dead on-just surprised."}, {"response": 1265, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (22:02)", "body": "(Lindak) I know the film did not do well here-I guess it was too British for American tastes-but how hard was the sell? Didn't it only play in New York, and for about a week? I'm sure it was never in Houston. I love it more every time I watch it, and I've seen it over 20 times now."}, {"response": 1266, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (22:42)", "body": "(Kate) ...are there enough of you Red Sox fans out there to want to see this? My dad has lived in the New York area for 47 years and still is a diehard Boston fan, so they do exist. But have been thinking about choice of team. Has to be struggling obviously. Yankees are too successful. But how about the Mets? They haven't won a championship since is it 1982 when they oddly enough beat the Red Sox. Came close a few times, but no cigar. So time span between Championships is closer to Arsenal. I wonder why they didn't think of using them instead. I think people might identify with them more. Be good promotion for NYC too. (Kate) Oh. I was focusing on the interaction with the students and the soccer part. I guess the chemistry was so weak that I don't remember that part of the movie too well. I just remember falling in love with Paul in the first scene with the students when a kid says he read a book over the summer and Paul declares that his career is over, as he could not possibly achieve anything more monumental than getting this kid to read a book. He had me at hello. This is when I fell in love with him too. I loved the instinctual interactions he portrayed with the students, in the classroom and on the field; the parents, his family, and his friend Steven. He is a very loving person. Colin really played this well. Of course he was an emotional fuck-wit over Arsenal. No dispute there and he allowed it to have way to much control over him. But remember when he formed his attachment to them was when he was going through a very difficult time in his life. His parents had split up, obviously upsetting him and leaving him feeling insecure. He liked being an Arsenal fan because he was in a group that all loved the same thing. A real sense of belonging. Over the 21 years he followed them they had been his safe-haven, his security. He obviously was a man of intelligence and taste or he couldn't have become an English teacher, so the obsession did not come from an ignorant man. Also I don't know many men who were so willing to face their responsibilities. Instead of running from them, he seemed to welcome them, to actually embrace them. IMO his good points far outweighed his Arsenal obsession and instead of trying to change him I would have married him and Arsenal in a minute. Obviously, I really fell in love with Colin's Paul so will not be able to accept another actor in the same roll. No matter how big a star they choose I don't think they will do as good a job as Colin did. Unfortunately, not enough people are aware of this."}, {"response": 1267, "author": "Megs128", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (22:49)", "body": "(Laura) the visual I got of Gwynnie kissing Bill Murray! ;) Oh, I know! It was bad enough for me even imagining them married in The Royal Tenenbaums, although in the end, being with your adopted brother is only slightly more distasteful than being with Bill Murray. ;-)"}, {"response": 1268, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (23:25)", "body": "(FanPam)He obviously was a man of intelligence and taste or he couldn't have become an English teacher, so the obsession did not come from an ignorant man. Yes, that says it all. And you're right, the fans became a sort of substitute family when Paul's own family broke up. Paul is a complex character. If they don't cast the American Paul carefully, we'll get only the obsessed fan, and we'll lose the human touch. And if having GP as the female lead causes the story to be shifted to her point of view (huge mistake), then Paul could become a caricature, with body paint in team colors. (Do baseball fans paint themselves team colors as maniacal football fans do? sorry, don't watch much baseball) Although the image of Colin in Arsenal red and white body paint is certainly interesting. ;-)"}, {"response": 1269, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (23:39)", "body": "I don't think you need to worry about a direct remake of FP. IMO, it will need to be a very different film. For the most part, Americans would see nothing strange at all in Paul's behavior or obsession; indeed, the Sarah character would be viewed as the oddball. Another big cultural difference is that, at least during the time Hornby's book takes place, footie was for the lower and working classes, and was a very male dominated pursuit. Some of the tension is caused by an ostensibly educated man acting in a manner like the yobs. Remember, Sarah's roommate refers to him as a football hooligan, even though she's never met him. There's no such class or gender distinction in America when it comes to sports."}, {"response": 1270, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 24, 2002 (08:52)", "body": "Am reposting LizJP's message from 163 that seems to belong here: Topic 163 of 163 [drool]: Colin Firth - part 13 Response 536 of 540: LizJP (LizJP) * Fri, Aug 23, 2002 (21:59) * 5 lines (Karen) Back in the old days, if a star were involved in a scandal (and many were), the studios hushed it up. . . . They created false public personas for their actors because, if they didn't, the paying public wouldn't go see those movies. The actor would be ostracized. Today, as the article puts forth, quite the opposite is taking place. Notoriety is being used to sell tickets, which gives people the impression that 'moral bankruptcy' is a sign of our times. I think it would be nice if scandals weren't career wreckers OR great free publicity. I have to admit, though, that I think the old system of covering up the scandal or having it wreck the actor's career was worse than what we have now. I can't help thinking how many good performances we may have missed from Ingrid Bergman because she was ostracized from Hollywood due to her notorious (so to speak) affair with Roberto Rossellini in the late 1940's. Or, for another example, how many people would be much more reluctant to get help for a substance abuse problem if treatment centers hadn't become somewhat fashionable. Besides, if scandal still wrecked actors' careers, I wouldn't have had the chance to chuckle over Hugh Grant playing the innocent (in Notting Hill) and consoling Julia Roberts because her old nude photos were getting splashed all over the press(grin)."}, {"response": 1271, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 24, 2002 (09:14)", "body": "(Linda) I know the film did not do well here-I guess it was too British for American tastes-but how hard was the sell? Granted the cover was a total disaster, but what about the film? I wouldn't say it was too British for American tastes, unless you tried to sell it as a soccer movie, none of which have ever done well. The distributor was a two bit operation, with absolutely no clout. They couldn't get it into theaters because they couldn't pay for promotions. They wanted us to convince theater owners to request the film and for them to buy the ads. As I recall, the fact that it played in NY was largely due to a favor. It also played much later in the DC area (for several weeks), and then it would turn up here and there as part of some *special* event aimed at soccer fans or similar. The cover is another story altogether. But luckily many of us purchased our tapes from Canada, which had the normal cover. Besides, it came out on video in Canada long before it did in the US. IMO they really blew it. The film should've been sold as rom-com and marketed to women (no big rounded breasts with soccer shoes dangling in front; instead Colin's purty face) whose spouses and SO make them sports widows. Who couldn't identify with that? Is universal theme. But what do I know. ;-) Re: FP and the Boston Red Sox Even though Hornby is exec producing the film, he's really not involved. Again, he's the type who sells his work and leaves it into others' hands. The writers (Ganz and Mandel) decided it should be set in Boston. I complained to Nick about this during his book tour for How to Be Good. There was a small group at this tiny little bookshop and I brought up the question of the remake, as it had just surfaced at his Boston signings. (Our GWAPEvine is very good at passing along such info.) I told him Boston was totally wrong, as at least that team had at least made it to the World Series on several occasions. The more appropriate club was the Cubs. He started nodding his head as if he'd already heard about it. I went on to say that sorriest fans in all of baseball, a fact known all over the US, are Cub fans who support a team that hasn't been to the World Series for more than 70+ years (I was getting a lot of audible support from the male members of the audience now!) and that had a national following because gam s were broadcast on a local channel that was carried in many national markets before the existence of cable. Nick tried to explain the screenwriters' rationale and how he thought it was unique that what had been a story with a happy ending in the original was now going to be unhappy, with the Series loss. He said he'd heard about the Cubs. Then, I told him that Bill Buckner, who lost the series, had been a Cub. The guys in the audience ate this up and Nick looked very surprised."}, {"response": 1272, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 24, 2002 (09:42)", "body": "A couple of quotes from the Independent's article about the remake: \"No actor has yet been named to take the role of the anti-heroic footballing nerd modelled on Hornby and played against type in the 1997 British film version of the book by Colin Firth.\" \"This remake now promises to spare American cinema-goers from getting to grips with both the intricacies of football's offside rule and the enigmatic psyche of the English male.\" http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/film/news/story.jsp?story=327083"}, {"response": 1273, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 24, 2002 (10:08)", "body": "(Lindak) I know the film did not do well here-I guess it was too British for American tastes-but how hard was the sell? The book was hugely popular , but sadly, it didn't do well in the UK either despite fairly good promo; (Hey you couldn't miss Mirella Folstrupp all over Colin at the premiere;-)) And got poor reviews. IMO, the film had major flaws. Go back to our discussion on it ..about 4 years ago. (karen). They wanted us to convince theater owners to request the film and for them to buy the ads. LOL. I tried.We called, emailed, cornered theatre managers.... (Hey, I'm still waitng for TIOBE!!)"}, {"response": 1274, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Aug 24, 2002 (13:35)", "body": "whose spouses and SO make them sports widows. Who couldn't identify with that? But over here, that's a myth. The sports widow doesn't exist, and hasn't for many decades. That was the point of my earlier post. Women are just as likely to go bonkers over their favorite team as the men are; and if sports aren't their cuppa, they're independent enough to go off and find something else to do. The attitudes in FP seemed a throwback to the '50s, IMO."}, {"response": 1275, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 24, 2002 (13:46)", "body": "Yes, I realize that was the point of your earlier message, but the basis for women \"going bonkers\" over sports is another one of my pet peeves. So I won't get started on it. ;-) However, I wouldn't say it was a throwback to the '50s. This change was much more recent IMO, probably the '80s."}, {"response": 1276, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Aug 24, 2002 (13:52)", "body": "(Karen) but the basis for women \"going bonkers\" over sports is another one of my pet peeves. So I won't get started on it. ;-) OK, I'll bite....why?"}, {"response": 1277, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Aug 24, 2002 (14:00)", "body": "I'd guess that your pet peeve is that women just want to drool over the cute athletes-- but I have to say that hasn't been my experience with most women who like to watch sports. A lot of us have a genuine interest in the games, know just as much about the finer points as the men do, and it's been that way since I was a kid (which was way before the '80s, I'm sad to say;-). Then again, I am speaking as one who has organized many family trips around seeing games at all the baseball stadiums in the country. So, to me, Sarah was the oddball."}, {"response": 1278, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Aug 24, 2002 (14:05)", "body": "(Mari) I'd guess that your pet peeve is that women just want to drool over the cute athletes Meaning women being sports groupies vs real fans, correct? I fall into the latter category myself."}, {"response": 1279, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Sat, Aug 24, 2002 (15:50)", "body": "I'm not sure it will work either. No insult meant at all to football fans, but the lower-class yobbo distinction attached to the sport (\"You slept with the hooligan!\") is an important part of the plot in FP that won't fly with baseball in the US. Now stock car racing, that would work, at least outside of the largely misunderstood fan base, which has shot down nearly every racing movie made. Hockey has some real possibilities, though. (Dorine) sports groupies vs real fans, correct? I fall into the latter category myself. I used to argue with an ex over Sunday golf versus the Sunday race, so put me in that category too. A picture-in-picture TV helps somewhat. I suspect that Karen's pet peeve is those women who get into a sport simply to please and keep company with, or meet, men. I had it the other way around, at least for awhile; when a golf tournament is boring, it's really boring, especially compared to a nice sliding-through-the-grass-with-flaps-up multicar wreck where you saw it coming, nobody is hurt, and everyone comes out pissed off and ranting. :) On celebrity, I recently heard a feature on NPR that posited the theory that since all income levels buy 'luxury' goods now, the exclusivity is gone. Thus the new 'luxury' item, the thing everyone wants and few can afford, is celebrity. Famous for fifteen minutes, anyone?"}, {"response": 1280, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 24, 2002 (16:29)", "body": "(Elizabeth)...those women who get into a sport simply to please and keep company with, or meet, men. Now you tell me ;-)))"}, {"response": 1281, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Aug 24, 2002 (18:11)", "body": "(Independent)\"This remake now promises to spare American cinema-goers from getting to grips with both the intricacies of football's offside rule and the enigmatic psyche of the English male.\" How many people do they think they need to spare. OH, Please! I don't think many American cinema-goers really had to worry about coming to grips with the first one. I fall into Dorine's latter category too. I have been a NY Mets fan since 1973. No, our plight is not as sad as the Cubs, but following them is not easy. I guess I love FP because I have been the \"Paul\" of my family for many years. For a long time I too wondered if life's sh.. because the Mets are sh..or the other way around...and fretted about the Mets when I should have been fretting about something else. Now, I'm watching my 13 year old daughter beginning to do the same over prof. hockey. I'm proud of her. Watching sports gave me lots to do when my friends were getting bored and getting into things they shouldn't. Enough! FP1 forever!"}, {"response": 1282, "author": "LizBeth", "date": "Sat, Aug 24, 2002 (22:55)", "body": "So... is the movie \"My Favorite Year\", with Peter O'Toole, based on the novel by Hornby?"}, {"response": 1283, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Sat, Aug 24, 2002 (23:42)", "body": "(LizBeth) is the movie \"My Favorite Year\", with Peter O'Toole, based on the novel by Hornby? Nope, the book is a collection of football stories and the movie is about a fading matinee idol making the jump to television in the 50s. Great movie, though, worth seeing if you can find it. Lordy, I just thought of WoF and now I'm wondering; just how many movies about fading matinee idols has O'Toole made? :)"}, {"response": 1284, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Aug 25, 2002 (01:43)", "body": "I don't know where to put this and my email is different from the usual since I am on the mainland for a few months stalking my very own archaeologist, so I thought if anyone was still interested in checking \"it\" out, here is an entirely different size-mo-graph than I ever knew existed. http://www.sizehimup.co.uk/"}, {"response": 1285, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Aug 25, 2002 (02:11)", "body": "Girls, definitely go to the size-ograph. What a pisser. Too bad we just can't put in a name and see what \"comes up\". Thank you. Pam"}, {"response": 1286, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 25, 2002 (08:10)", "body": "Wonder if we can extrapolate from the \"hand\" that is always on someone's shoulder during a photo op. Then, his shoe size was clearly visible to us front row types during 3DOR. And the nose is... Thanks Marcia. What a fun site. :)"}, {"response": 1287, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Aug 25, 2002 (11:23)", "body": "Someone do the research and bring it to the birhtday party on the 10th. Thanks, Marcia!"}, {"response": 1288, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Aug 25, 2002 (11:48)", "body": "LOL Karen! I only know one method of \"extrapolation\" that is precise and as someone trained in the sciences, I'm a stickler for accuracy. ;-D"}, {"response": 1289, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Aug 25, 2002 (16:04)", "body": "(Dorine)I only know one method of \"extrapolation\" that is precise and as someone trained in the sciences, I'm a stickler for accuracy. So am I-a stickler for accuracy-that is. I think this could be the next big assignment for the coffee wenches. And while we're there, we just might finally get an answer to the left/right question, too. If not, you know what they say about a bird in the hand..."}, {"response": 1290, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sun, Aug 25, 2002 (21:57)", "body": "(Evelyn) Go back to our discussion on it ..about 4 years ago. I'd love to. Can anyone tell me where it is, because sometimes finding old discussions can be a real pain."}, {"response": 1291, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 25, 2002 (22:35)", "body": "If you're talking about FP, it might be kind of hard to find because it probably took place on a general CF topic (pre-film discussion separation); it might also not be there, as a result of some file overlays (and general management incompetence by moi). ;-) It's the next film discussion on my list of To Do's to reformat and upload. So I'll try."}, {"response": 1292, "author": "LizJP", "date": "Sun, Aug 25, 2002 (22:46)", "body": "Re: Elisabeth S.'s and LizBeth's posts about \"My Favorite Year\" and WofF I finally got to see WofF about a week ago. I was struck by the similarity in the parts Peter O'Toole played in both MFY (which is one of my favorite movies) and WofF. Can't remember seeing Peter O'Toole in any other fading matinee idol roles, though."}, {"response": 1293, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Aug 26, 2002 (01:04)", "body": "(Karen) If you're talking about FP, it might be kind of hard to find because it probably took place on a general CF topic (pre-film discussion separation); it might also not be there..... There's some discussion of it on Topic 98. I think there's a little bit early in the topic, but try somewhere around response 1650 or so for the bulk of it. (I went through some of the archives when I got here, before I started posting, and when I found a film discussion I noted its location so I could go back and read it after I'd seen the film.) (Dorine)I only know one method of \"extrapolation\" that is precise and as someone trained in the sciences, I'm a stickler for accuracy. (Linda) So am I-a stickler for accuracy-that is. I think this could be the next big assignment for the coffee wenches. And while we're there, we just might finally get an answer to the left/right question, too. If not, you know what they say about a bird in the hand... So to speak. I knew my research methods training would pay off some day. Count me in!"}, {"response": 1294, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Aug 26, 2002 (08:19)", "body": "(Rika) I knew my research methods training would pay off some day. I almost failed my research and design class in my last semester (hard class and a horrible teacher)....if my assignments and/or extra credit had been like this, I would've passed with flying colors!"}, {"response": 1295, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 26, 2002 (08:30)", "body": "Nope, sorry, that was a mini-FP II discussion. The other one was in Feb 1998. I'd have to go retrieve the old WordPerfect doc from my old laptop to see what topic/message number it would've be at."}, {"response": 1296, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 26, 2002 (08:33)", "body": "Just checked the old topics. The full FP discussion would've been in Topic 67, most of which is gone, as Topic 98 (film discussion II) picks up in July 98."}, {"response": 1297, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 26, 2002 (09:18)", "body": "(Karen) The full FP discussion would've been in Topic 67, most of which is gone, as Topic 98 (film discussion II) picks up in July 98. Let's see...vid was released in Oct 97 ( I picked it up in London for conversion). so that discussions took place probably Jan 98. OMG [Time to move on E...] A pity it's gone...it was a hilarious discussion. We had some real characters on board then. He did that film to difuse the Mr. Darcy image.He and Nick Hornby struck up a friendship after that."}, {"response": 1298, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Aug 26, 2002 (09:23)", "body": "(Karen) Nope, sorry, that was a mini-FP II discussion. The other one was in Feb 1998. I never claimed to have found the discussion to which you were referring. I merely said that there was \"some discussion of it\" on topic 98."}, {"response": 1299, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 26, 2002 (09:27)", "body": "If this were really (solely) about Jude, I'd have put it on his topic, but it is broader. From the Guardian: Face value So what if the star's pretty but the role isn't? The rewards for taking it could be handsome. For some actors, playing ugly is all about respect, says John Patterson Saturday August 24, 2002 Jude Law, my God, would you just look at the state of him: teeth the colour of slowly moulding orange-rind, catastrophically ragged hair-do, scuttling, psycho-insect deportment, plus, towards the end, a nasty dose of broken glass shards embedded in the face. There he is up on the screen in Road To Perdition, acting his little socks off as a psychotic contract killer, having apparently done everything humanly possible in order to dim and occlude that bright beauty that lit up Matt Damon's eyes in The Talented Mr Ripley. If Ripley saw this guy he'd probably beat him to death with a boathook in no seconds flat. In short - look away lest ye be turned to stone, because he isn't one bit pretty. And it's not easy to make Jude Law look this terrible. Sexiness can't be got rid of with a few scowls and a spot of make-up. No, this kind of auto-vandalism takes a great deal of care, application, technical expertise and attention to all the queasy little details. It takes a team, working around the clock. The word from the set is that Law's good looks were so hard to eradicate, so impregnable, that getting the job done required at least three trips to the Ugly Chair. And to what purpose? Why do actors blessed, or cursed, with inordinate good looks so frequently go to great lengths to make themselves look like cowpats that have been force-fed through a mangle? Why does someone like Brad Pitt, whose good looks are of the inarguable, no-doubt-about-it variety, not the matter-of-taste kind, dress up like a tramp for the paparazzi, while cultivating the sort of explosive facial hair that makes a yeti look insufficiently hirsute? Why does Tom Cruise move heaven and earth to get Vanilla Sky made, when he spends half the film with his handsome face carved up by foot-long disfiguring scars? Is it because Ugly is the new Cute? Or is it about Respect? It's got to be Respect, hasn't it, because if Ugly really was the new Cute, there'd suddenly be all sorts of career opportunities for squat, creeping, bald, fat, cheap and nasty looking types. And there's no sudden shortage of folks bearing those characteristics - never has been, never will be. So why aren't they getting the work, when after all they certainly have the necessary qualifications written - indeed, smeared - all over their faces? Instead movies are taking honest work off the real uglies by taking bona fide cuties and carving these alarming grotesques from them. The uglies ought to unionise. Respect it is, then. Beauty, as anyone beautiful will tell you, carries its own set of curses along with all the myriad blessings. Foremost among them is the assumption that beauty alone has got you where you are today, not talent, brains or charm; that beauty is somehow essentially frivolous and unserious, and an unfair advantage to boot. Beauty also tends to work against realism on screen. Just look at Michelle Pfeiffer in Frankie And Johnnie. That's a role that needs to be played by normal gal Edie Falco, and indeed Falco is currently playing the role on Broadway, and receiving acclaim where the pretty girl got brickbats. It used to be the case that the Cary Grants and the Gary Coopers got the money, the babes, the chauffeured limos and the international renown, but it was the Rod Steigers and George C Scotts who won the Oscars. These days the marquee-topping babes and himbos want the money AND the acclaim, and if necessary, they'll cut off their noses to improve their faces - and thus their chance of Oscars. They've all seen The Elephant Man. They know the drill. So it is we come across Nicole Kidman, donning a John Merrick-like prosthetic chin extension and a fake hook-nose over her own button one, so as to be able to portray Virginia Woolf in an upcoming biopic. The girl looks nothing like Woolf, who was, for all her literary abilities, more than a tad horsey in the face. Instead of hiring Kidman, why didn't the film-makers get someone like Fiona Shaw who, while not being particularly horse-faced, does bear a considerable and very fetching resemblance to the author? Who, you ask? Well, there's your answer. No one wants to see one of Britain's best stage actresses give a straightforwardly excellent performance: they want to see their It-girl Kidman wearing a rubberised stunt-face, just like the grotesques in Dick Tracy. Paint her green and she'd look just like the Wicked Witch of the West. Which takes us neatly back to the beginnings of the phenomenon, the year 1966 and Elizabeth Taylor's Oscar-winning performance as the shrill, blowsy, drunken, overweight harridan Martha in Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? It looks like nothing today, but back then it was a very big deal for "}, {"response": 1300, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 26, 2002 (09:30)", "body": "(Evelyn) A pity it's gone It's not gone entirely. I have it. (Rika) I merely said that there was \"some discussion of it\" on topic 98. Okie doke. I just didn't want anyone to think that *that* was it. :)"}, {"response": 1301, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Aug 26, 2002 (12:47)", "body": "OMG [Time to move on E...] LOL! Can you believe we've known each other that long? I plan to rent Road to Perdition in the future, but those who have seen it, would you say Jude will be nominated as BSActor? I think he's great."}, {"response": 1302, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Aug 26, 2002 (13:05)", "body": "Jude is good as usual in Road To Perdition, but the role is very small. Also, there are 2 others in this who would more deserve a supporting actor nom: Paul Newman, who is *wonderful* and the kid who plays the 12-year-old son, Tyler Hoechlin. This boy is simply amazing in the role. Good film--dark, beautifully written, acted and filmed."}, {"response": 1303, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Aug 26, 2002 (13:16)", "body": "Great article, Karen, thanks. I hadn't realized how many actors have \"gone ugly\" to get respect. I remember Gibson's \"Man Without a Face.\" I recall noticing that, not only did he not have his good looks to fall back on, he also suppressed his little \"cute tricks\" and charming grins that he used in a lot of his movies. Changing his face changed his acting. Some actors make it on looks alone. The handsome ones who are also talented can get lumped in with the himbos. Doing an \"ugly\" part is way for them to show that they can get the job done without relying on looks. Colin has often said he thought he'd be a character actor because he never thought of himself as handsome enough for leads (must have been raised by vampires, in a house without mirrors). It's rare for the less-than-gorgeous character actor to become a star and be in People's Most Beautiful, etc. But they often get the most interesting parts, and are often the most interesting people. I think Colin has the soul of a character actor and the face of a lead. I thought the comments about Michelle Pfeiffer in Frankie and Johnny were interesting. I didn't know anything about the reviews she got, but I remember thinking how beautiful she is, even without a lot of makeup enhancing her looks. Beauty also tends to work against realism on screen. I hate to admit to being so shallow, but was struck by how unattractive the woman in DQ was. When Colin kissed her, I remember thinking, NOOO, let him kiss someone pretty. But her unattractive looks reinforced Donovan's idealism. It's easy to say \"looks don't matter\" when you're dealing with someone handsome or pretty. But to make a point or make a part work, you have to hide the good looks. No one wants to see one of Britain's best stage actresses give a straightforwardly excellent performance: they want to see their It-girl Kidman wearing a rubberised stunt-face Unfortunately, the tendency of stars to do \"look at me, I can act when I'm not pretty\" does take roles away from other actors who are more suitable--but less bankable. On a related note, did anyone hear about Jamie Lee Curtis doing a photo shoot with no makeup and special hair-do, then more photos after THREE HOURS of work, just to show the difference, that what you see is not really what they are? I forget what magazine it was."}, {"response": 1304, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Aug 26, 2002 (13:31)", "body": "(Kate) On a related note, did anyone hear about Jamie Lee Curtis doing a photo shoot with no makeup and special hair-do, then more photos after THREE HOURS of work, just to show the difference, that what you see is not really what they are? I forget what magazine it was. More Magazine is using pics of the \"unglam\" Jamie. Doesn't mention about comparison pics. On sale tomorrow it says."}, {"response": 1305, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Aug 26, 2002 (13:40)", "body": "Karen, you can't get ALL the Hornby movies made in Chicago!!!!!!! C'mon, you already had High Fidelity (and Chicago was ALL wrong:)) Just because the sox have made it to the World Series, we still haven't won one since we lost Babe Ruth. How many times did Arsenal make it, so close, yet so far. same story. it's all about the history and Boston has more history than the cubs. besides, having the yankee/sox relationship developed (as long as they leave that icky Jeter out of it) should be interesting."}, {"response": 1306, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Aug 26, 2002 (15:17)", "body": "Someone down in Delaware must have REALLY liked Minority Report.... Delaware Police Compile Future Suspects List Database Contains Names of People Likely to Break Law .c The Associated Press WILMINGTON, Del. (Aug. 26) - Police in Delaware are trying to get a head-start on cracking crimes before they happen by setting up a database that contains a list of people who officers believe are likely to break the law. Defense attorneys and the American Civil Liberties Union oppose the database, which lists names, addresses and photographs of the potential suspects - many of whom have clean slates. The precise grounds for putting a person on the list aren't clear. But since the system was introduced in Wilmington in June, most of the 200 people included in the file have been minorities from poor, high-crime neighborhoods. State and federal prosecutors say the tactic is legal, but defense lawyers object to the practice. ``We should enforce the existing laws, but not violate them, to catch the bad guys,'' said Theo Gregory, City Councilman and public defender. ``We've become the bad guys, and that's not right.'' Mayor James Baker called the criticism ``asinine and intellectually bankrupt.'' ``I don't care what anyone but a court of law thinks,'' he said. ``Until a court says otherwise, if I say it's constitutional, it's constitutional.'' The pictures are being taken by two Wilmington police squads created in June to arrest drug dealers. The units are known in some neighborhoods as ``jump-out squads'' because they jump out of cars and make quick arrests. Many of the people whose photos have been taken for the file were stopped briefly for loitering and let go."}, {"response": 1307, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 26, 2002 (15:55)", "body": "\"Until a court says otherwise, if I say it's constitutional, it's constitutional.\" Can't argue with that logic. ;-) However, they won't."}, {"response": 1308, "author": "LizJP", "date": "Mon, Aug 26, 2002 (22:38)", "body": "The Jude Law article reminded me of a section in a 1978 book called Flesh and Fantasy. (No explicit photos, just a cynical book about Hollywood.) Here are some of their tips, and the examples are from the book: How to Win an Oscar Be deserving the year before. . . Be Hollywood's answer to Jackie Robinson . . . (e.g. Sidney Poitier) If you're a tough guy, dust off your tap shoes (e.g. James Cagney) If you're a funnyman, play it straight . . . If you're a glamour girl: Show your age (e.g. Vivian Leigh in Streetcar) Muss your hair and let it all hang out(e.g. Elizabeth Taylor-Virginia Woolf) Let your eyebrows grow in . . . Tear your dress . . . Trade your Diors for Sears catalogue chic . . . If you're a good girl, play a bad girl . . . Washed up? Make a comeback . . . Be an underdog . . . Hang around long enough . . . Expire. I'm sure we can all think of a few Oscar winners who fall into these categories! Liz p.s. apologizing in advance if I messed up the HTML. Here goes . . ."}, {"response": 1309, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 26, 2002 (22:57)", "body": "In other words, play against type. ;-)"}, {"response": 1310, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Aug 27, 2002 (11:13)", "body": "(Liz) How to Win an Oscar Good stuff. Thank you. (Karen) In other words, play against type. ;-) Absolutely correct."}, {"response": 1311, "author": "airstream", "date": "Tue, Aug 27, 2002 (16:59)", "body": "Delaware Police Compile Future Suspects List Database Contains Names of People Likely to Break Law i used to live in delaware....there was nothing going on there (except tax free shopping!). this must've been how they occupied their time. :P"}, {"response": 1312, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Aug 27, 2002 (17:32)", "body": "FYI for those who live or are going to be visiting in the NYC area at the end of Sept, The New Yorker Festival will be going on with a variety of panel discussions from writers (book,film), directors, and other artists. NLB and Sam Shepard are doing one, Martin Scorcese w/ David Denby another, for example. Tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster starting Thurs, Aug 29 at 9am. This link will take you to the page where you can browse the schedule. Each panel has a fee. The main festival page may have a direct link to Ticketmaster for the events. New Yorker Festival"}, {"response": 1313, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Aug 27, 2002 (19:02)", "body": "(Karen) In other words, play against type. ;-) (Pam),Absolutely correct. You mean a deaf-mute? ;-)"}, {"response": 1314, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Aug 27, 2002 (19:39)", "body": "(Karen) In other words, play against type. ;-) (Pam),Absolutely correct (Moon)You mean a deaf-mute? ;-) LOL!!! So was Marlee Matlin in Children of a Lesser God playing against type or stereotyped?"}, {"response": 1315, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Aug 27, 2002 (19:40)", "body": "*Nothing* is going right for me today...closing tags, I hope"}, {"response": 1316, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Aug 27, 2002 (19:46)", "body": "(Doreen) So was Marlee Matlin in Children of a Lesser God playing against type or stereotyped? Stereotyped, I suppose. But the \"How to Win An Oscar\" list left off another way -- do a great job in what the Academy might see as a one-shot chance (for whatever reason). Of course, MM has remained impressive throughout her career, but they probably couldn't envision that many roles being available to her."}, {"response": 1317, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Aug 27, 2002 (20:30)", "body": "Some of you have sent me Birthday List information, and you haven't heard back from me. I apologize - I've been buried up to my eyeballs getting ready for the new semester that started yesterday and got behind on e-mail. But I've got your messages and I'll definitely be adding you to the list. You should hear back from me over the weekend. And speaking of birthdays, Karen, weren't you saying something not long ago about discussing a theme for the BIG birthday party when Moon Dreams came back? Time's a-wasting - just two weeks to go...."}, {"response": 1318, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 27, 2002 (21:39)", "body": "Whoever wants to start discussing this year's birthday bash, go right ahead on topic 110."}, {"response": 1319, "author": "LizJP", "date": "Tue, Aug 27, 2002 (23:51)", "body": "(KathyF): But the \"How to Win An Oscar\" list left off another way -- do a great job in what the Academy might see as a one-shot chance (for whatever reason). Actually, the book included a few more categories in the \"How to Win an Oscar\" list, one of which deals with the \"one shot chance\": \"Give your right arm for your country.\" It referred to the Oscar won by Harold Russell for \"The Best Years of Our Lives.\" Russell was a WWII vet who lost both hands in the war, as did the character he played."}, {"response": 1320, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Aug 28, 2002 (07:57)", "body": "(Rika), Karen, weren't you saying something not long ago about discussing a theme for the BIG birthday party when I kind of like \"The Turning of the Ocean Liner\" as a theme. ;-) It's time to hop on board on 110. Will we be able to start \"The Turning of the Firth?\" ;-)"}, {"response": 1321, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Aug 28, 2002 (10:55)", "body": "(Moon) You mean a deaf-mute? ;-) No, definitely not. How about a good R and a great roll in the hay?"}, {"response": 1322, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (09:39)", "body": "From THR: State of the art house: hot By Jon Matsumoto In terms of boxoffice breakthroughs and mainstream exposure, it's been a banner year for art house exhibitors. Riding high on the success of \"My Big Fat Greek Wedding,\" \"Monsoon Wedding\" and \"Y tu mama tambien,\" the specialty arm of the cinema world is benefiting from a cultural explosion that has made independent, edgy and foreign fare big business in Middle America. Although art house boxoffice grosses are down compared with previous years' tallies, exhibition executives say the figures are still strong when seen against the increasingly competitive theatrical landscape -- especially considering that many potential indie Oscar contenders have yet to be released. So, while production and distribution entit ies in the art house arena face their own set of financial problems, exhibitors are taking measures to ensure that new art house enthusiasts remain enamored of the product and that even more converts will enter the fold and continue to drive business. At this point in 2002, art house titles are estimated to account for just 3.4% of the total boxoffice -- though year-end titles should drive that figure higher. Last year, films like \"Gosford Park\" pushed art house ticket sales to 5.25% of the total boxoffice. In 2000, Oscar nominees \"Traffic\" and \"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon\" and other art house films represented 8.42% of the total boxoffice, according to Exhibitor Relations president Paul Degarabedian. That kind of success is predicated largely on the expansion of the art house market in the Midwest. Ray Price, vp marketing at Los Angeles-based Landmark Theatres, the nation's largest art house circuit, says that when he first entered the theater business in the early 1970s, the audience for specialized films could be found primarily on the two coasts. Now, Landmark operates 175 screens at 54 theaters in cities as culturally diverse as Berkeley, Calif., Los Angeles, Dallas, St. Louis, New York and Milwaukee. \"The middle of the country constitutes more of our business for art films than the coasts just because there are millions and millions of people all over the country and these markets have suddenly grown up,\" Price says. [Ed note: Bicoastal condescension mentality at work; can't go to these films if they're not playing anywhere or if you have to travel one hour into the city to an urban theater without parking facilities. Grrrr!] In May, Landmark launched a new eight-screen theater in Bethesda, Md., and in the complex's first eight weeks of operation, it became the chain's best-performing theater. \"We're seeing art films doing extremely well in the suburbs of Chicago, where 10 years ago there weren't enough screens out there for art house product,\" Paramount Classics co-president David Dinerstein adds. \"You can take it a step further and go into places like St. Louis, Phoenix and Cleveland, where (art films) are doing very well.\" Experts say one of the factors driving business -- apart from the quality of the latest wave of independent films -- is the reduction in the number of mainstream cinemas nationwide. When bankrupt exhibitors shuttered underperforming operations during the late '90s and the past two years, they helped level the playing field in favor of art houses. \"Business is good, and it will continue to be good for art theaters,\" says Greg Laemmle, vp at Southern California art house chain Laemmle Theatres. \"As the major chains lower screen counts around the country, we hope and anticipate that many of these theaters will be acquired by independent operators and small chains and will reopen as art houses. In most cases, we're not competing with these theaters.\" In the Los Angeles area, Laemmle has converted two commercial movie theaters into art houses. The feeling among many exhibitors is that the growth of art houses and art films as a whole helps everyone involved in this end of the business. \"Anything that increases the ability of the small distributors to grab and hold screens (across the country) is going to be good for the art house business overall and in the long run,\" Laemmle says. Ironically, what has been an embarrassment of riches for art house exhibs hasn't always translated to money in the bank for independent filmmakers and distributors, who find themselves duking it out in an increasingly competitive battle for screens. Underperforming titles prompted IFC Entertainment to recently shutter its film-finishing division Next Wave Films and led to the unraveling of Lot 47 Films with the sudden departure of its president and co-founder, indie stalwart Jeff Lipsky. (Even with one of this year's indie success stories in \"Atanarjuat\" (The Fast Runner), the cash-strapped Lot 47 has been struggling to pay vendors and keep its doors open.) Despite the proliferation of more expensively made independent films -- generally coming from such studio-based indies as Sony Pictures Classics, Fox Searchlight, Fine Line and Paramount Classi"}, {"response": 1323, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (11:20)", "body": "I can tell you that there are so many foreign films that never reach the US. I think the US would rather concentrate on showing \"Independents\" than foreign films. \"My Big Fat Greek Wedding\" (produced for Gold Circle Films by Playtone, the company co-founded by actor Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman), was screened in many cineplexes that other indies and foreign films never reach. That is not a good example to use. In Miami,I am lucky to have many film fest throughout the year. The Hispanic FF, Th Brazilian FF, The Spanish FF, The Jewish FF, he Gay and Lesbian FF, The Black FF... we even managed an Italian FF. Plus we have the Miami FF and the Ft Lauderdale FF, and... we still don't manage to get a good percentage of quality foreign films from Russia, Hungary, Poland etc. BTW, thanks to Mari for recommending \"Ghostworld\" I liked very much!"}, {"response": 1324, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (13:13)", "body": "Ms. Moon... I only have one thing to say to you.. \"Mirror.. Father...Mirror\" LOL!!!! My daughter is still leaving voice mail containing that little phrase. I also liked \"Doug\"... wasn't he frightening? I'm pretty sure I've seen him, or someone remarkably like him, down at the Circle K. =D"}, {"response": 1325, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Aug 29, 2002 (14:40)", "body": "Thanks for very interesting article, Karen."}, {"response": 1326, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 30, 2002 (09:03)", "body": "I wonder if this might have some possibilities. From ScreenDaily: Bright Young Things finds new home at Civilian Content, Icon Adam Minns in London 29 August 2002 Stephen Fry\ufffds Evelyn Waugh adaptation Bright Young Things is expected to be one of the first projects to re-surface after the closure of the UK\ufffds FilmFour. The 1930s-set satire with Judi Dench and Peter O'Toole is finalising a deal with Civilian Content, parent of UK National Lottery franchise The Film Consortium, and the UK arm of Mel Gibson and Bruce Davey\ufffds Icon Entertainment. Tax financier Vision View is also on board. The deal is understood to be still pending approval from the Film Council, the UK body which administers lottery funding. The production fell foul of FilmFour parent Channel 4\ufffds shift in strategy to focus on low budget UK films made primarily for TV. The broadcaster folded stand alone film division FilmFour back into the main channel as part of the move. Shooting is scheduled for the autumn through Revolution Films, the production company of producer Andrew Eaton and director Michael Winterbottom. Fry is to make his directing debut on the film, a self-penned adaptation of the book Vile Bodies. A Gosford Park-style ensemble cast of UK and US actors is still being firmed up. \ufffdIt\ufffds essentially a story about night clubbing, drugs and drink and therefore has nothing inconnection whatsoever to the modern age\ufffd Fry said when FilmFour unveiled the project at Cannes."}, {"response": 1327, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Aug 30, 2002 (14:53)", "body": "A Gosford Park-style ensemble cast of UK and US actors is still being firmed up. Hmm, sounds promising. I wonder how close to Islington the location(s) will be? \ufffdIt\ufffds essentially a story about night clubbing, drugs and drink and therefore has nothing inconnection whatsoever to the modern age\ufffd Fry said Fry always makes me laugh. Thanks for the article, Karen. 1930's, Evelyn Waugh, night clubs. I'm thinking Colin in evening clothes, martini glass in hand. I'm thinking Cole Porter music in the background. It would look good. Fry can write and he seems to have a delightful sense of the absurd. Wonder how he'll be as a director? Is it too soon to make ANOTHER trip to the store for candles? Hey Evelyn, if I buy the book, want me to send it on to you?"}, {"response": 1328, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 30, 2002 (21:35)", "body": "(kate)Hey Evelyn, if I buy the book, want me to send it on to you LOL. Pl. no. Looked at GWAPE today at Border's. Boss said not to dare buy it...I'm a born jinx. My nightstand is overflowing with Colin-rejects now;-)"}, {"response": 1329, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Aug 30, 2002 (21:49)", "body": "(Kate) Fry always makes me laugh. Thanks for the article, Karen. 1930's, Evelyn Waugh, night clubs. I'm thinking Colin in evening clothes, martini glass in hand. I'm thinking Cole Porter music in the background. It would look good. Fry can write and he seems to have a delightful sense of the absurd. Wonder how he'll be as a director? He makes me laugh, too. I think he's very talented. I like what you're thinking here, definitely evening attire and martini glass for Colin."}, {"response": 1330, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Sep  1, 2002 (16:09)", "body": "(Kate) I'm thinking Colin in evening clothes, martini glass in hand. I'm thinking Cole Porter music in the background. I like the way you think!"}, {"response": 1331, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep  1, 2002 (16:13)", "body": "Here is a list of the films that will be coming our way. Posted on Sun, Sep. 01, 2002 Fall film frenzy BY RENE RODRIGUEZ, Miami Herald Movie Critic The most anticipated film of the 2002 fall movie season won't arrive until Christmas -- which, if you want to get all Farmer's Almanac about it, technically belongs to winter. No matter. Yes, there will be more than 60 movies before then, all clamoring for Oscar gold, 10-best lists and most importantly, box-office glory. But the big story of this year's fall movie season comes down to Gangs of New York, Martin Scorsese's budget-busting epic about Italian and Irish immigrants butting heads -- and clubs, bats, machetes and knives -- in New York's Lower East Side in the late 19th century. Not since Titanic has a movie attracted so much speculation and curiosity before anyone has seen a single frame. Production on the film, which stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz and Daniel Day-Lewis, began in August 2000 at Rome's legendary Cinecitta Studios, with an intended budget of $90 million and a planned release date of Christmas 2001. But shooting delays, spiraling costs and creative tugs-of-war between Scorsese and Miramax Films chief Harvey Weinstein (who tussled over everything from the film's running time to its graphic violence) kept Gangs at the gate for an entire year. During last May's Cannes Film Festival, Miramax unveiled a 20-minute reel, hoping to convince a skeptical press that the movie would be worth waiting for. Those who caught the preview came away appeased: We'll know for sure in December, when the R-rated, 164-minute film finally opens -- ironically, on the same day as another DiCaprio vehicle, Steven Spielberg's Catch Me If You Can. Its box-office fate aside, Gangs could bring Scorsese, the premier filmmaker of his generation, his first Oscar. That alone will have been worth the battle. In the meantime, we'll have to settle for new films by the likes of Paul Thomas Anderson, Spike Lee, Pedro Almodovar, Brian De Palma, Steven Soderbergh, Jonathan Demme, Alexander Payne and Spike Jonze. There will be a new Harry Potter to line up, as well as another chapter of the Lord of the Rings saga. There will also be a new Steven Seagal movie. In other words, something for everyone. Here is a schedule of the movies heading our way between now and year's end. All dates are subject to change: SEPT. 6 City by the Sea: Strong performances and a thoughtful screenplay elevate this drama, loosely based on a 1997 Esquire article, about a New York homicide detective (Robert De Niro) who discovers his junkie son (James Franco) is wanted for murder. Co-starring Frances McDormand and Eliza Dushku. SEPT. 13 Barbershop: Ice Cube, Sean Patrick Thomas and Cedric the Entertainer are among the guys who hang out at a south side Chicago barbershop in this ensemble comedy. The Transporter: Jason Statham (Snatch) takes a stab at the action-hero stuff in this thriller about a mercenary hired to kidnap the daughter of a Chinese crime lord. Luc Besson (The Fifth Element) co-wrote the script. SEPT. 20 Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever: The hands-down winner for weirdest title of the fall, this action extravaganza stars Antonio Banderas and Lucy Liu as two secret agents intent on killing each other -- until they realize they're fighting for the same cause. Doh! The Banger Sisters: Two former groupies (Goldie Hawn and Susan Sarandon) get together to reminisce about their hell-raising adventures in the '60s. The Four Feathers: The fifth film adaptation of A.E.W. Mason's novel flubs the romantic elements, but makes up for them with its stunning desert battle scenes. Heath Ledger, Wes Bentley and Kate Hudson form the late 19th century romantic triangle affected by the British colonization effort in North Africa. Directed by Shekhar Kapur (Elizabeth). Spirited Away: Animated Japanese import about a 10-year-old girl who discovers a secret world comes to the United States in a newly dubbed, subtitle-free version. Directed by anime legend Hayao Miyazaki (Princess Mononoke). Trapped: Thriller about a married couple (Stuart Townsend and Charlize Theron) whose daughter is abducted. Kevin Bacon and Courtney Love play the kidnappers. Like the Mel Gibson vehicle Ransom, only kinkier. SEPT. 27 8 Women: A who's-who of French actresses (Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Huppert, Emmanuelle Beart, Fanny Ardant, Viriginie Ledoyen) lend star power to this musical murder-mystery from the always fascinating writer-director Francois Ozon (Under the Sand, Criminal Lovers, Sitcom). Invincible: The mad-genius German filmmaker Werner Herzog (Aguirre: The Wrath of God, Fitzcarraldo) returns with this drama about '30s circus strongman turned anti-Nazi activist Zishe Breithart (played by Jouko Ahola, two-time winner of the World's Strongest Man competition). Tim Roth co-stars as the hulk's Stromboli figure. Sweet Home Alabama: Reese Witherspoon is a famous fashion designer engaged to New York's most eligible bachelor (Patrick Demps"}, {"response": 1332, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep  1, 2002 (16:18)", "body": "I'm looking forward to anything written by Charlie Kaufman, esecially the one starring and directed by George Clooney. Also LOTR, Potter and interesting to note that Gangs of NY and Spielberg's new one also with De Caprio opens on the same day as well as Pinocchio with Roberto Benigni. Who will win out that weekend?"}, {"response": 1333, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Sep  1, 2002 (17:02)", "body": "Maid in Manhattan: The commitment-challenged Jennifer Lopez plays a maid who falls for a politician (Ralph Fiennes) who is staying at her hotel. The punny title makes us worry. So does the strange pairing of Fiennes and Lopez. Interesting. I would have given this one a low score on the RF-o-meter."}, {"response": 1334, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep  1, 2002 (17:17)", "body": "(Rika) Interesting. I would have given this one a low score on the RF-o-meter. $$$$$$ so he can do two heavies at the National in December and Feb. \"The Talking Cure\" opens Dec 12 and plays for a month. In Feb he's doing a Chekov. I'm looking forward to Four Feathers (remember when we had this one pegged for YKW;-))) Gangs of NY & Frida ."}, {"response": 1335, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Sep  1, 2002 (19:20)", "body": "Thanks Moon. KB in Harry Potter should be interesting. Gangs of NY & Frieda, too. Can someone tell me how they can have movies, books, recordings with the same names? Other than remakes that is. I've always wondered about that. See Femme Fatale is coming out. Different plot of course. I thought there was some sort of protection against that, but obviously not as it happens quite regularly. Just curious as I don't know the rules and regulations. Watched RF in \"End of the Affair\" last night. Thought it was very good. However thought CF would have done better job."}, {"response": 1336, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sun, Sep  1, 2002 (23:00)", "body": "(Pam) Can someone tell me how they can have movies, books, recordings with the same names? I don't think they can copyright names, which seems totally strange. There was, by the way, a previous Fever Pitch (1985), which starred Ryan O'Neal had nothing to do with Nick Hornby's FP. There are other examples, but that one interests me because of the talk of the new FP to be made about baseball, and some people commenting that the title will have to be changed."}, {"response": 1337, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Sep  1, 2002 (23:05)", "body": "Maid in Manhattan: The punny title makes us worry Actually it's now changed to The Chambermaid. Gets better and better all the time!"}, {"response": 1338, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  1, 2002 (23:06)", "body": "Maid in Manhattan: The punny title makes us worry Actually it's now changed to The Chambermaid. Gets better and better all the time! Other way around. It started out as The Chambermaid and was changed to Maid in Manhattan. The posters are on the Internet."}, {"response": 1339, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Sep  1, 2002 (23:21)", "body": "Oh, then they changed after the Premiere Magazine (Sept 2002) Fall Preview I'm reading went to press. I know they do the mock-up quite a bit in advance."}, {"response": 1340, "author": "Megs128", "date": "Mon, Sep  2, 2002 (09:20)", "body": "Okay, I didn't know where to announce this, so I thought Odds and Ends. Though it makes me sad to be without Drool for an extended period of time, I don't think that with studying abroad for the year I will be able to really keep good contact with my fellow Firthettes. I will return in June very excited to read all the past posts (I'll probably lock myself in my room for a week and just devour all the comments!), but for the time being I think that I'll be as present as I was when I was a lurker. Have a good time, and if there are any Firthettes in France, feel free to look me up! *maybe we can even stalk him on the filming of LA..."}, {"response": 1341, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep  2, 2002 (09:22)", "body": "Last night I went to see The Piano Teacher, which won the Palme D'Or, plus actor and actress last year. I consider it a sociological experiment to see the films that win Cannes. It once again confirmed my theory that the French are very sick. Sick, sick, sick! Only two films carry the distinction of winning three awards at the Cannes Film Festival. The first was the Coen brothers' Barton Fink, and the second \ufffd Michael Haneke's The Piano Teacher. Historically, juries at Cannes tend to choose films that are dark and disturbing (which might explain why the lighthearted Am\ufffdlie wasn't even accepted to last year's event) , and Teacher is probably the darkest, most disturbing offering yet. At minimum, it just might be the all-time worst First Date Film. When a brilliant film like Am\ufffdlie is not accepted what can we say of Cannes?"}, {"response": 1342, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep  2, 2002 (09:35)", "body": "(Moon) It once again confirmed my theory that the French are very sick. Sick, sick, sick! ....Teacher is probably the darkest, most disturbing offering yet. There are a lot of sick people who will go to see that film and try to talk us into thinking that it's great art and the rest of us are idiots for not appreciating it. I have my own standards on what I consider a good film....Like I've said before, vomiting in toilets /druggies are not on my agenda."}, {"response": 1343, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Sep  2, 2002 (11:17)", "body": "Megs, have a great year abroad! Stop by if you get a chance."}, {"response": 1344, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Sep  2, 2002 (17:34)", "body": "(Kathy) I don't think they can copyright names, which seems totally strange. Thanks for the info Kathy. I just wondered. It does seem odd that they don't copywrite titles as it can get very confusing. (Evelyn) I have my own standards on what I consider a good film....Like I've said before, vomiting in toilets /druggies are not on my agenda. Not on my agenda, either. Have a good year Megs. What an exciting experience."}, {"response": 1345, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Sep  2, 2002 (20:48)", "body": "I hope I'm not tempting fate by mentioning this, but while I was flipping channels tonight trying to find USA Network (the U.S. Open having finally resumed from its lengthy rain delay), I stumbled onto the tail end of Orson Welles' \"The Lady From Shanghai,\" starring Welles and Rita Hayworth. I did a bit of research, and it looks like this might have been the last movie Welles made before the portion of his life we've heard will be covered in \"Fade to Black\" (hence my concern about tempting fate). It's going to be on TCM again this Friday morning (Sept. 6), starting at 10:30 am Eastern time. Even in the bit I saw, it was interesting to think about physical resemblance, mannerisms, etc. Of course Welles is playing a character, not being himself, but it was interesting all the same."}, {"response": 1346, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  5, 2002 (10:31)", "body": "From THR: Roberts assails H'wood 'ageism' Sep. 05, 2002 By Brooks Boliek WASHINGTON -- Hollywood's treatment and portrayal of seniors is nothing short of bigotry and verges on the criminal, Emmy award-winning actress Doris Roberts told a congressional panel Wednesday. \"When my grandchildren say I rock, they're not talking about a rocking chair,\" she told the Senate Special Committee on Aging. \"Yet society considers me discardable, my opinions irrelevant, my needs comical and my tastes not worth attention in the marketplace. My peers and I are portrayed as dependent, helpless, unproductive and demanding rather than deserving. In reality, the majority of seniors are self-sufficient, middle-class consumers with more assets than most young couples and substantial time and talent to offer society. This is not just a sad situation, Mr. Chairman. This is a crime.\" The entertainment industry is especially guilty, said Roberts, 71, who plays the mother of the title character on CBS' \"Everybody Loves Raymond.\" \"My profession, the entertainment business, is one of the worst perpetrators of this bigotry, particularly when it comes to women,\" she testified. The state of play in the entertainment business now forces many actresses who may have been able to get parts to go on the dole, she told the panel, which is investigating the way the media portrays aging. \"It can't be that executives are at a loss to find capable actresses,\" she said. \"Many of my friends, talented actresses in the forty- to sixty-year-old range, are forced to live on unemployment or welfare because of the scarcity of roles for women in that age bracket.\" While Roberts said the problem was particularly acute for older actresses, she laid the blame on the industry's ever-younger leaders, who are refusing to face the fact that older doesn't mean decrepit. \"Hollywood clearly is clueless when it comes to understanding today's seniors; blind to the advances in medicine and self-care and increases in personal income that have made us a force to be reckoned with and a market to be exploited,\" she said. \"Twenty years ago, it was accurate to show a senior coming in for his checkup dragging his oxygen tank. Today, it would be more appropriate to depict him carrying his tennis racket, but the youthful gatekeepers of the entertainment industry haven't caught up with these changes -- partially because they refuse to hire older writers who could craft story lines that reflect the reality of today's seniors.\" It was unclear where panel's examination of the issue would lead, but the committee's chairman, Sen. John Breaux, D-La., was sympathetic to Roberts' concerns. \"Just as it is wrong to stereotype and discriminate against people because of their race, religion or gender, so, too, is it wrong to stereotype and discriminate against people simply because they are old,\" he said. \"Only through raising awareness of the problem of ageism in the media can we begin to address the greater societal implications of an aging population.\""}, {"response": 1347, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Sep  5, 2002 (11:46)", "body": "(Doris Roberts)\"My profession, the entertainment business, is one of the worst perpetrators of this bigotry, particularly when it comes to women,\" she testified. Sadly, this is not new. A man can be a romantic lead or an action star far longer than a woman can, which leads to a lot of May-December pairings in films."}, {"response": 1348, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Sep  5, 2002 (11:56)", "body": "Here! Here! Ms. Roberts. Very informative and appropriate article. Thanks Karen. Saw an oldie but goodie the other day. Christie's \"Death on the Nile\". Messrs. Ustinov and Niven and the Mdms. Davis, Smith and Lansbury certainly back up Roberts comments by running circles around their younger counterparts."}, {"response": 1349, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Sep  5, 2002 (18:02)", "body": "I certainly support what Ms. Roberts says, but what impact can Congress seriously expect to have on the situation?"}, {"response": 1350, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  5, 2002 (19:45)", "body": "(Rika) but what impact can Congress seriously expect to have on the situation? As Breaux said, \"it is wrong to stereotype and discriminate against people because of their race, religion or gender, so, too, is it wrong to stereotype and discriminate against people simply because they are old...\" Congress legislated against all those others and can do the same for age discrimination. Are you too young to have not heard of quotas, Affirmative Action-type programs? All within the realm of possibility."}, {"response": 1351, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep  6, 2002 (08:37)", "body": "It's apples and honey time again..... TO KAREN, LORA AND ALL OUR FRIENDS WHO CELEBRATE THIS HOLIDAY..."}, {"response": 1352, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep  6, 2002 (08:39)", "body": "And if anybody is making apple kugel, save me some. *slurp, slurp*"}, {"response": 1353, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Sep  6, 2002 (09:14)", "body": "Happy New Year! And don't eat too much of that kugel--gotta save room for party food on the 10th."}, {"response": 1354, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Sep  6, 2002 (11:23)", "body": "HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!"}, {"response": 1355, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Sep  6, 2002 (12:45)", "body": "(Karen) Are you too young to have not heard of quotas, Affirmative Action-type programs? All within the realm of possibility. No, I'm not. In fact, I'm old enough to be theoretically protected by age-discrimination laws myself. My father was once the plaintiff in an ageism lawsuit, and I know from his experience how hard it is to prove even when it's fairly blatant. I think it would be even harder in to prove in the film industry because there are plenty of ways to write roles that genuinely require a person of a specific age bracket. That's one reason why racial discrimination in film casting has been hard to address too. And the courts seem less and less inclined to support strong affirmative action programs or quota systems these days. So, within the realm of possibility - I suppose, but only very remotely. Ah, well - at the very least, Congressional hearings offer a chance to shed light on an issue, and sometimes good things come from that. I certainly agree that the negative images of the elderly in the media reinforce some unfortunate attitudes and beliefs. I think the only real solution is for mature people to vote with their wallets, so that the film industry (and advertisers, when it comes to TV) would recognize that the 12-17 and 18-34 demographics aren't the only ones worth pursuing."}, {"response": 1356, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  6, 2002 (13:00)", "body": "I knew I should've put a winkie next to that comment. ;-) I know from his experience how hard it is to prove even when it's fairly blatant As far as lawsuits go, any good company worth its salt knows how to set it up so that it will be v. hard or impossible to prove. the courts seem less and less inclined to support strong affirmative action programs or quota systems these days. That's probably due to two factors: considered less of a need now as opposed to 20 to 30 years ago and have their successes, and the political climate of conservativism. However, the baby boomers are in pre-retirement mode and can and have effected change due to their sheer numbers. the only real solution is for mature people to vote with their wallets, so that the film industry (and advertisers, when it comes to TV) would recognize that the 12-17 and 18-34 demographics aren't the only ones worth pursuing. The only problem with this is that the mature ones are handing over their wallets to the 12-17 y.o's. Those kids aren't spending their own money. ;-)"}, {"response": 1357, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Sep  6, 2002 (13:08)", "body": "Happy New Year!!!! gotta save room for party food on the 10th. ] You know what is so weird about that sentence, is the very next day people will be reflecting back to one year ago. I know that on that very day a co-worker gave birth and didn't know a thing of what was going on in the world as they kept it from her. I wonder how Colin Firth and Hugh Grant feel about celebrating their bdays so close to a day that will live in infamy? (okay, am too deep today)"}, {"response": 1358, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep  6, 2002 (16:48)", "body": "Happy New Year, Karen and Lora!"}, {"response": 1359, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Sep  6, 2002 (17:32)", "body": "Happy New Year! Hope it's a great one for you! :-)"}, {"response": 1360, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Sep  6, 2002 (18:21)", "body": "Happy New Year, Karen and Lora!"}, {"response": 1361, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Sep  6, 2002 (22:30)", "body": "(Rika) No, I'm not. In fact, I'm old enough to be theoretically protected by age-discrimination laws myself. My father was once the plaintiff in an ageism lawsuit, and I know from his experience how hard it is to prove even when it's fairly blatant. I'm in the same age bracket Rika, a baby boomer, so don't know if that fits into quota but know it is a definite deterrent. Have been unemployed since 9/18 laid off due to 9/11. 75% of staff laid off. No call backs. Have not been able to get another job yet. Told by one prospect he was retiring people younger than me. It is blatant and I know for a fact it is stopping me from getting a job, but they seem to have no fear in rejecting me, and have told me in the majority of cases they are looking for younger personnel. It's scarry. So can identify with those older, as we late middle age are being treated the same."}, {"response": 1362, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sat, Sep  7, 2002 (00:29)", "body": "(FanPam) It is blatant and I know for a fact it is stopping me from getting a job, but they seem to have no fear in rejecting me, and have told me in the majority of cases they are looking for younger personnel. In my profession younger hirees are the norm. Although they have a lot less experience and are often less dependable insofar as attendance, they are usually paid substantially more money than the older people who have already spent 10-15 years with the company. How does the company avoid age-discrimination lawsuits? Give the new hires a slightly different job description for performing essentially the same tasks (in many cases, we \"old folks\" actually have added duties, for less pay). And yet, we baby boomers often feel trapped in dead-end jobs, because we know that the job market is skewed to youth, and we won't even be given a chance to prove our worth. (Karen) As far as lawsuits go, any good company worth its salt knows how to set it up so that it will be v. hard or impossible to prove. And that's exactly why my company is allowed to pay my 25-year-old co-workers 25-50 percent more than they pay me."}, {"response": 1363, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Sep  7, 2002 (11:55)", "body": "It's amazing how soon it starts, too, in some industries. My stepson is currently looking for a job in high-tech (he's been working for Internet startups for the past few years, and recently exited one when it was acquired). He's only 31 but was commenting that most of the people interviewing him are younger than he is. I said, \"Welcome to the rest of your life.\""}, {"response": 1364, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Sep  7, 2002 (21:47)", "body": "(Kathy) And that's exactly why my company is allowed to pay my 25-year-old co-workers 25-50 percent more than they pay me. I know, it is very discouraging. Experience and reliability don't seem to matter any more, unless they can be used in negative terms or thoughts such as: \"You can't teach an old dog new tricks.\" Pay discrimination in any circumstances is abominable. I remember how shocked I was when I was 18 and in my first \"career\" job to find that MEN were being paid more than women for the same job. I was told by a trustworthy cohort when I inquired why that it was because men were considered the major breadwinners of the family and therefore needed more money. This was back in the mid-'60s. Although some things have improved since then \"equal opportunity\" is a far stretch of the imagination at best. Believe it or not one of the fairest employers I ever had was a man who owned a diner I worked in. Most places hired \"young cuties\" whom I always ended up training and left in under two months. Not him. He hired the more mature person. Whenever we got a new girl the cooks would joke with him and ask how old this one was maybe 70? And he told them these women are professionals, they all support families. I don't have to worry about their rapport with customers or their attendance. I know I don't have to be here, they can run the place. Truly a funny place to expect someone to be as astute as that, or just a very appreciative man of his workers and a wise man who knew people and their value. The business world could certainly take lessons. I would return to waitressing in a minute, except I broke my arm in a fall at the diner, no less, have had two surgeries on it and have lost 50% coordination in it. So the doctor won't let me do any kind of work like that any more, and of course lifting is out of the question. So about the only thing I can do is keyboarding type of work and they just don't want to know. Discrimination towards any group is abominable. Not that I have lived in a cocoon, but this is the first time I've really come up against it and it makes me madder than hell. Now I can understand how anyone who is discriminated against for any reason feels. And I'm very sorry they have to feel that way."}, {"response": 1365, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Sep  7, 2002 (22:01)", "body": "Sorry Karen. (Rika) He's only 31 but was commenting that most of the people interviewing him are younger than he is. I said, \"Welcome to the rest of your life.\" My son was fortunate enough to get a new job after his company closed in July and he was interviewed by the CEO whom he estimated to be about mid-30s. May I ask where someone under 30 gains the practical as opposed to book/learning of a degree, experience to know who is qualified or not for a position? Are their instincts sharpened enough to do this? I don't know. I'm speaking in generalities here. I'm sure there are some who are qualified to do it, but I can't imagine that all are. They keep discovering ways of prolonging life. It would be nice if they gave us something to do with it. Sorry for soapbox ladies, but it just angers me that so many highly intellingent and productive people as evidenced here are in the same circumstance."}, {"response": 1366, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sat, Sep  7, 2002 (22:27)", "body": "(FanPam) I was told by a trustworthy cohort when I inquired why that it was because men were considered the major breadwinners of the family and therefore needed more money. In the late 70's I worked for a small graphics company. Two employees worked side-by-side performing exactly the same job. One was a woman in her forties who was the sole support of three people. The other was a 22-year-old single male. When the woman found out the man was making considerably more than she was, she asked the boss why. His answer was that the man needed more money so he could afford to date!! In the 33 years I've been working, I've worked for many men with similar attitudes. In the past, I've heard bosses say things like, \"she wanted to make as much as a man!\" and \"I could get any broad off the street to do her job.\" Nowadays, they usually keep such comments to themselves, but I bet most of them still think along those lines. Your diner owner sounds like a wonderful employer, and you were indeed lucky to have had that experience. Right now I'm getting ready to leave my current employer. I know he likes me and appreciates my work, but that doesn't erase the fact that I haven't had a raise in four years, and in the 16 years I've worked for him, my pay has increased by only $7.50 per hour. For the past two years I have actually made less money than the year before, due to less overtime pay. Meanwhile, the young computer geeks come in making $2.50 more per hour than I make, and I have to train them! Unbelievably, my boss can't understand why I'm leaving. He actually feels like the injured party."}, {"response": 1367, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sat, Sep  7, 2002 (23:56)", "body": "Thanks, everyone, for your sweet New Year wishes! I actually made 4 Kugels for tonight! But they were raisin - sorry, Evelyn :-) and thanks so much for the apples and honey!"}, {"response": 1368, "author": "maryw", "date": "Sun, Sep  8, 2002 (05:01)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Jane Scott As I write Jane is co-celebrating her birthday with YKW this weekend. There's a margarita sleep-over happening complete with a mini CF filmfest at Jane's new home in Sydney. Firthettes in attendance. Too bad I'm in another state doing boring work. Much rather be hiccupping and drooling with the birthday crowd ;-) Hope you are behaving yourselves(not)ladies! Jane hope you have lots of happy years in your new home. Congrats!"}, {"response": 1369, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  8, 2002 (10:01)", "body": "Jane!! Sounds like you've got all the entertainment you need, except of course the man himself in the flesh... Maybe when you blow out your candles. ;-)"}, {"response": 1370, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep  8, 2002 (14:26)", "body": "Birthday greetings Jane! Hope to see on the \"Si Cara\" on the 10th. ;-)"}, {"response": 1371, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Sep  8, 2002 (17:42)", "body": "(Kathy) but I bet most of them still think along those lines. No question of that. And I do consider myself lucky to have worked for one employer who respected your capabilities without any discrimination. I'm so sorry you feel you have to leave a long-time employment. It's difficult, and is this man truly thick, to not realize why? Maybe you just have to tell him point blank. Now is the ideal time. Good Luck! Will be thinking of you. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANE!!!"}, {"response": 1372, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Sep  8, 2002 (20:48)", "body": "Happy New Year Karen and Lora. Sorry to be so late. I don't get as much time on my pc lately. Happy Birthday Jane."}, {"response": 1373, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sun, Sep  8, 2002 (22:26)", "body": "(FanPam) It's difficult, and is this man truly thick, to not realize why? Maybe you just have to tell him point blank. He is an intelligent man, but unfortunately he has been thinking with the little head. The Evil Psycho Bitch who has been shagging her way to VP for the four years they have been an item now holds the company pursestrings and is bleeding the company dry. She dislikes me as much as I dislike her, so even if there was any money available for raises, I would not be the one getting it. They also have spent all our profit sharing $$, and I doubt if I'll be able to get any of that, either. I should have left five years ago, and can't see any reason to hang around any longer. I'm sure I'll be happier someplace else, assuming I can get somebody to hire me."}, {"response": 1374, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Sep  9, 2002 (19:17)", "body": "(Kathy) but unfortunately he has been thinking with the little head. Unfortunately, this seems to be the majority and obviously has been since God knows when. You are an extremely intelligent woman and should have no problem getting a job as you've been active in the business world. My problem is that I have very little recent business experience, waitressing for over 20 years, so they obviously feel I'm not qualified. Good Luck. You're in my thoughts. Be positive."}, {"response": 1375, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Sep  9, 2002 (21:52)", "body": "(Pam) My problem is that I have very little recent business experience, waitressing for over 20 years, so they obviously feel I'm not qualified. I was a waitress once for about a year, and really enjoyed it -- meeting people, making sure their dining experience was enjoyable, etc. I've been considering trying it again, and even know the restaurant I'd apply to. The only problem is my old feet and old back. Don't know if they could survive the experience. Maybe you should get creative with your resume. Not by lying, but by playing up the people-skills part of your work experience. Waitressing is a lot more than just throwing food down in front of people."}, {"response": 1376, "author": "LizBeth", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (02:02)", "body": "Gaaaaawwwwwddd! I just lost my P&P desktop. Can someone help me find it on the internet, PLEASE! It was a wallpaper that (I think) was from the Australian release of P&P. Darcy and Lizzy are on the steps (of Pemberly?) and it's a profile shot of them looking LONGINGLY into each other's eyes. Please...it was beautiful, and most assuredly my favorite picture. Thanks."}, {"response": 1377, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (03:06)", "body": "I presume it's this one? It's my fav as well:) It's the cover of the region 2 DVD."}, {"response": 1378, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (11:08)", "body": "*sigh* Thanks Tineke, I've never seen that one."}, {"response": 1379, "author": "maryw", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (11:34)", "body": "Evelyn - I don't recall seeing your bday greetings over at SS Si Cara thread."}, {"response": 1380, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Sep 10, 2002 (14:34)", "body": "Double *sigh* I never saw this pic either. Thanks so much Tineke. Made my day. (Minkee) Evelyn - I don't recall seeing your bday greetings over at SS Si Cara thread. Go back and look again. It is one of the best and funniest on there. Don't miss it!"}, {"response": 1381, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 11, 2002 (08:57)", "body": "Will you take time today to post something in the Spring's news topic about the meaning and significance of September 11th? It's topic 43 in news which was started a year ago today."}, {"response": 1382, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 11, 2002 (12:44)", "body": "Here we go again! :-( The Guardian: Vatican renews attack on Golden Lion winner Staff and agencies Tuesday September 10, 2002 The director of the controversial movie which picked up the Golden Lion at this year's Venice film festival has defended his film against renewed attacks from the Vatican. Scottish director Peter Mullan's feature The Magdalene Sisters deals with life in an oppressive Irish convent and has already provoked the ire of the Roman Catholic church. Vatican radio said the film, which on Sunday won the award for best picture at the Venice festival, unfairly compared the Catholic church to the Taliban. The movie tells the story of four women living in one of the Magdalene convents in Ireland in the 1960s. The convents often took in unmarried women who had had babies, and Mullan's film suggests these women were imprisoned and tortured by their fanatical overseers. Yesterday Mullan, who admits to being influenced by his own upbringing as a Catholic in the west of Scotland, told BBC Radio Four's Today programme the church should face up to the cruelty dealt out in the asylums. He said: \"I'm disappointed at the announcement that they have made, in that it is all lies, that it never happened. \"That's something I'm very, very surprised at - I really thought they would have at least the courage to own up to the fact that these things did go on. \"I'm not a good enough dramatist to make this stuff up.\" Vatican radio earlier described the movie as \"clearly false\" and laid into Venice's seven-member international jury, which was headed by Chinese actor Gong Li, and included Easy Rider cinematographer Laszlo Kovacs, and French writer-director Jacques Audiard. It said: \"Awarding top honours to Magdalene was the most offensive and pathetic page written by the jury.\" Meanwhile, the Hollywood Reporter says the film has been picked up for distribution by Miramax for close to $1m following its success in Venice."}, {"response": 1383, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 11, 2002 (12:46)", "body": "To read more on the happenings at the VFF, go here: http://film.guardian.co.uk/festivals/0,11667,649688,00.html"}, {"response": 1384, "author": "donnamari", "date": "Thu, Sep 12, 2002 (14:11)", "body": "Thank you Moon for the info on Peter Mullan's film. Even as a loyal Catholic, I am not inclined to believe anything that the Vatican has to say about this particular event..just praying that they can get their act together. NOw Peter Mullan...he is one very interesting guy and talented actor. I highly recommend Miss Julie's Dance as I was mesmerized by his performance in that movie. The Claim is also another good one to rent with a standout performance by Mullans as well. While Mullans doesn't have that classic \"tall, dark, and good-looking\" thing going for him, there is just something about this guy that would turn my head. His screen presence is enormous IMO."}, {"response": 1385, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Sep 13, 2002 (13:52)", "body": "OK, I have to ask. Has anyone else seen, or in the middle of watching the series Edwardian House? I stumbled across this on the night of the first show (I think) and have found it very interesting not only from the standpoint of every little thing being done according to 1906 standards but the fireworks going off between the those who have taken up the roles as the servants. I thought that those playing the owners were dull as doornails but this last week we had an episode that showed more from their perspective and it was also very interesting. (The sister leaves under the stress of it all.)"}, {"response": 1386, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Fri, Sep 13, 2002 (15:15)", "body": "I caught snatches of it Lisa, very compelling. We had quite a few articles over here about how those taking part adjusted to life back home after the series, wish I could remember more about that to pass on , but it was a while ago. I enjoyed \"Frontier House\" recently, and that incorporated life back in the 21st century, which was fascinating to see how everyone coped."}, {"response": 1387, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Sep 13, 2002 (20:37)", "body": "(Lisa) Has anyone else seen, or in the middle of watching the series Edwardian House? After reading this, I immmediately Googled to the Edwardian House website and spent the next 45 minutes there. The quiz is too much fun! I hope the series will be shown in the US. I've already enjoyed 1900 House and Frontier House, and this one looks equally fascinating."}, {"response": 1388, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Sep 13, 2002 (21:02)", "body": "Googled? I love it, it's my favorite way to go!"}, {"response": 1389, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Fri, Sep 13, 2002 (21:24)", "body": "Edwardian House is coming to the PBS fall lineup, say the promos...yeah!"}, {"response": 1390, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Sep 13, 2002 (22:39)", "body": "(Barb) Googled? I love it, it's my favorite way to go! That's what my co-worker and I say, if it's a slow day. \"Looks like we'll be Googling later today.\" Or if we suddenly have a question about something, \"Time to Google.\" (Ebeth) Edwardian House is coming to the PBS fall lineup Yippee!! Here in Houston, our PBS station (the original public broadcasting station in the entire US) recently had to quit sending subscribers its monthly Guide, in order to cut back on expenses. I know so many people who watch PBS several times a week, and yet they never donate any money. I'm far from rich, but for the last 16 years I've been a contributing member, and not the bare minimum, either. I can't afford a lot, but I figure that $5-$10 per month is a small price to pay for the enjoyment I get from their programs. I wish it could be more."}, {"response": 1391, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 13, 2002 (23:15)", "body": "The Masterpiece Theatre fall lineup newsletter: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/enewsletter/20020913.html Loved the part about how MT is moving *back* to Sunday nights. ;-) What fools they were to move it."}, {"response": 1392, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Sep 13, 2002 (23:31)", "body": "Thanks for the heads-up about Edwardian House. I thought 1900 House was fascinating so I'm sure this will be too."}, {"response": 1393, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Sep 13, 2002 (23:47)", "body": "(Karen) Loved the part about how MT is moving *back* to Sunday nights. ;-) What fools they were to move it. Why must programmers change successful timeslots? And how can they be surprised at the disastrous results? I would have thought PBS immune to this, as they are supported by grants instead of commercial breaks, but obviously some \"brilliant\" mind decided that it would be interesting to rock the boat a little. Thank heavens MT will be back on Sundays where it belongs! I checked out the MT link, and was thrilled to read (under \"Looking Ahead\") of upcoming productions Uncle Silus 2 (because US was so wonderful, and Albert Finney totally amazing) and Andrew Davies' adaption of Dr. Zhivago. Can't wait!! (though obviously I must)"}, {"response": 1394, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 14, 2002 (08:56)", "body": "(Kathy) I would have thought PBS immune to this, as they are supported by grants instead of commercial breaks, but obviously some \"brilliant\" mind decided that it would be interesting to rock the boat a little. I think it is less a case of that than trying to give the new series \"American\" classics (or whatever) the better slot to gain a following and in the process reduce PBS' dependence on BBC products in favor of home-grown fare. As I recall, they tested the MT move in a number of markets beforehand going national and loyal MT viewers showed they would watch it whenever."}, {"response": 1395, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep 14, 2002 (09:30)", "body": "As I recall, they tested the MT move in a number of markets beforehand going national and loyal MT viewers showed they would watch it whenever. I am so happy it will be back on Sundays! I forgot a few times and missed programs, I wanted to see. On a sad note, Bravo is now producing their own TV shows too. It used to be film oriented and now with commercials and TV shows, it wants to become another one in the bunch. AMC shows commercials now too. :-( I saw the \"The Cherry Orchard\" last night. Excellent! And a great cast too."}, {"response": 1396, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 14, 2002 (09:33)", "body": "Also Sunday nights seems to have evolved into HBO night. At least it is for me. I know thier offerings are shown during the week, but I hate to wait. I prefer MT on Mondays.But I'm one of the loyal ones. Looking forward to Forsyte Saga , Dr. Z., Wives & Daughters."}, {"response": 1397, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Sep 14, 2002 (11:32)", "body": "(Karen)Loved the part about how MT is moving *back* to Sunday nights. ;-) What fools they were to move it. Wonderful news! I don't think I ever missed so many MT's as I have since it was moved to Monday's. I just couldn't get into the groove. I am equally upset that they moved MYSTERY!, too. Thursday's were perfect. I hope they move it back to where it belongs, too. Very much looking forward to Edwardian House! Thanks, ladies, for the PBS updates."}, {"response": 1398, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Sat, Sep 14, 2002 (11:37)", "body": "Embarrassment of riches! I live in a market with not one, but two PBS stations, and they stagger their national-feed programming accordingly. (It's also much less expensive for the smaller one, which has significantly weaker funding; that's where I donate.) One of them also repeats the big stuff on Saturday afternoons, so I have plenty of taping opportunities. If that fails, I have a good friend who works for a station in another city. She has all their particular gossip (\"Lifestyle extension guru\" Gary Null eats meat on the sly, that kind of thing) and can also get me copies of both video and audio programming out of the archives. So I'm set; now if only ODB would appear... I don't watch anything on the HBO Sunday night run except Six Feet Under, but everyone in my office does, so it seems to be a raging success for them."}, {"response": 1399, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 15, 2002 (09:25)", "body": "\"THE TALKING CURE\" Starring RALPH FIENNES, JAMES HAZELDINE , JODHI MAY. \"..deals with the early years of Jung and his decision to experiment, using Freud's controversial new method of psycho-analysis, with a young Russian patient, Sabine Spielrein. \" Good casting.She always looks demented. Remember her in Turning of the Screw? *shuddering*"}, {"response": 1400, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep 15, 2002 (13:24)", "body": "I want to see it! I think Jung is a very interesting character to play. I've read so many of his books. Is it on PBS? Or a major release?"}, {"response": 1401, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep 15, 2002 (13:27)", "body": "News* King Juan Carlos and Queen Sophia have announced that Prince Felipe is officially dating Gwynneth Paltrow! She of course speaks fluent Spanish."}, {"response": 1402, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Sep 15, 2002 (15:57)", "body": "*shuddering* too Evelyn. \"Her mouth Louisa, her mouth.\" Oh well, could be a publicity stunt, so she will have a handsome squire for her upcoming 30th birthday bash ;-))"}, {"response": 1403, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 15, 2002 (18:24)", "body": "(Moon) I want to see it! I think Jung is a very interesting character to play. I've read so many of his books. Is it on PBS? Or a major release? It's on stage. At the National Theatre in London.He had made that commitment when GWAPE was to be filmed earlier. He bolted when it was delayed and conflicted with the play. Some actors honor their theatre commitments, you know;-))))) Prince Felipe and Gwynnie....shades of Grace Kelly. Go Girl!"}, {"response": 1404, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Sep 16, 2002 (13:54)", "body": "(Evelyn) Some actors honor their theatre commitments, you know;-))))) Aw, c'mon, you're just ticked off that he didn't sent you a thank-you note after you sent him those lovely tickets! I've seen a couple of articles about the coming theater season, and in the one about London, it talked about SRB at the Donmar. It mentioned SRB's Hamlet as being \"definitive\" or something like that. So it probably didn't make sense at that time for Colin to do this play in--what's the London version of off-off-broadway? (west-west-west end?) Another article about upcoming Broadway shows mentions that MEM is going to be Aldonza in this winter's production of Man of La Mancha. Moira's singing lessons will pay off. Must remember to invite her out to the burbs and help me choose swatches with my decorator. (Karen)Loved the part about how MT is moving *back* to Sunday nights. ;-) What fools they were to move it. I'm glad pbs has moved MT back where it \"belongs.\" I think it had been moved for a year before I figured it out. I kept thinking, \"oh, it's being pre-empted tonight.\" DUH! (And yes, I do contribute and get their program guide. Guess I should read it...) I was always having to track it down on the other pbs stations in the area (I get three)."}, {"response": 1405, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep 16, 2002 (19:25)", "body": "(Kate)Must remember to invite her out to the burbs and help me choose swatches with my decorator. Hee hee. I was thinking that I *really* owe it to her to show up at the stage door to personally welcome her home.;-) (Evelyn)Also Sunday nights seems to have evolved into HBO night. At least it is for me. I know thier offerings are shown during the week, but I hate to wait. Same here. Did anyone/everyone catch the season opener of The Sopranos last night? They are back in top form!"}, {"response": 1406, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 16, 2002 (20:08)", "body": "(Mari)Did anyone/everyone catch the season opener of The Sopranos last night? That's part of my religion.Wouldn't miss it."}, {"response": 1407, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Sep 16, 2002 (20:38)", "body": "(Mari) Same here. Did anyone/everyone catch the season opener of The Sopranos last night? They are back in top form! (Evelyn) That's part of my religion.Wouldn't miss it. Wasn't Tony too funny hiding the money in the bird seed? He comes off so tough, but that Carmela has his number. Dr. Melfi seemed kind of stiff to me last night, though."}, {"response": 1408, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Sep 16, 2002 (20:45)", "body": "Also, thought this was interesting in light of some of the comments re MB around here... USA TODAY Critic's Corner -- Robert LoBianco Sept 13, 2002 No show better represents HBO's arrogance than The Mind of the Married Man , a pointless irritation that stays on the schedule simply because HBO refuses to admit the show is a failure. Curb (ED note: Curb Your Enthusiasm) amuses because it realizes its hero is unbearable; Man doesn't because it thinks its even-more-unbearable lead is sympathetic."}, {"response": 1409, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 16, 2002 (22:30)", "body": "LOL! That show's continuation on anything better than Cable Access has everyone baffled. ;-)"}, {"response": 1410, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Sep 17, 2002 (11:54)", "body": "Wasn't Tony too funny hiding the money in the bird seed? And when he tries to explain to Carmella \"for them Canadian birds, *this* is south.\" LOL! My fave was the conversation between Tony and Bobby B. in the diner: \"Hey, Tony, ain't it amazing that Quasimodo predicted all this stuff?\" ROTFLMAO! Notre Dame . . . Nostrodamus . . . Notre Dame . . . Nostrodamus;-)"}, {"response": 1411, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Sep 17, 2002 (15:16)", "body": "(Mari) My fave was the conversation between Tony and Bobby B. in the diner: \"Hey, Tony, ain't it amazing that Quasimodo predicted all this stuff?\" ROTFLMAO! Notre Dame . . . Nostrodamus . . . Notre Dame . . . Nostrodamus;-) Watched it again last night and died laughing again! Can't wait til next week to see what he says when smart aleck Meadow calls him \"Mr. Mob Boss\". LOL!"}, {"response": 1412, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 17, 2002 (15:21)", "body": "It's been years since I lived in the 'burbs, but do men really walk down their driveways to pick up the paper, with their bathrobes hanging wide open? Or is this unique to NJ? ;-) Loved the episode. So who of the principals is going to get whacked this season? What does the smart money have to say?"}, {"response": 1413, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Sep 17, 2002 (21:38)", "body": "(Karen)but do men really walk down their driveways to pick up the paper, with their bathrobes hanging wide open? Or is this unique to NJ? ;-) No, but the women do. Hey, watch it, it's the Garden State yer makin fun of."}, {"response": 1414, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 18, 2002 (10:12)", "body": "(linda)Hey, watch it, it's the Garden State yer makin fun of. We all take turns;-)"}, {"response": 1415, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Sep 18, 2002 (14:03)", "body": "(Linda) Hey, watch it, it's the Garden State yer makin fun of. Isn't that what it's there for? ;)"}, {"response": 1416, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Sep 18, 2002 (14:26)", "body": "Question: Why is New Jersey called The Garden State? Answer: Because they couldn't fit Oil and Petrochemical Refinery State on the license plate. ;-) So sorry, Linda, but I'm still a Pennsylvanian at heart."}, {"response": 1417, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 18, 2002 (14:59)", "body": "From Forbes: HBO... Home Box Office took care of the competition real good on Sunday, pulling the largest audience in its 30-year history for the season premiere of The Sopranos. James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano, the headshrunk head of an organized-crime family, drew an estimated 13.4 million viewers, and was believed to be the first time an HBO telecast drew a larger audience than any of the broadcast networks at the same time. It's Tony's B'day today: 41yrs. old."}, {"response": 1418, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Sep 18, 2002 (15:22)", "body": "Hailing from the Garden State, would it be true that my neighbors walked down their driveways with their robes open. There are a few here who would cause, I'm quite sure, pleasant reactions."}, {"response": 1419, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Sep 18, 2002 (15:29)", "body": "Linda, if it's any consolation, I tend not to admit anymore that my home state is Florida, The New Voting Machines Don't Work State, or The Hanging Chad State. ;-) For what used to be such a Clinton/Democratic stronghold, it sure has been a lucky state for the Bush boys. I still can't figure out why people still keep asking me why I moved out of FL. :-)"}, {"response": 1420, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Sep 18, 2002 (21:08)", "body": "Ladies, ladies. I was born in PA, but Jersey Girls rule. And, we just might do the driveway thing, too. Sorry, Mari, but you do hail from the other side of the river now:-) (Dorine)Linda, if it's any consolation, Leave it to my Latte Diva sister to have sympathy for me.*snif* Thank you, Dorine."}, {"response": 1421, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Sep 18, 2002 (21:27)", "body": "I still can't figure out why people still keep asking me why I moved out of FL. :-) Can they not determine what affected this transformation? As usual Dorine so clever!! Top Hat is on TCM now for any Classic Movie Buffs."}, {"response": 1422, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Sep 18, 2002 (21:54)", "body": "(Mari) Because they couldn't fit Oil and Petrochemical Refinery State on the license plate. But they might be able to fit Pharmaceutical Industry State on it or maybe The Sopranos State. :-)"}, {"response": 1423, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 18, 2002 (22:49)", "body": "So much for dropping TIOBE as a possibilty (ha!)... BIFA Nominations, 2002 Best British Independent Film Bend It Like Beckham Bloody Sunday The Lawless Heart Morvern Callar Sweet Sixteen Best Actor Richard Harris (My Kingdom) James Nesbitt (Bloody Sunday) Bill Nighy (The Lawless Heart) Timothy Spall (All or Nothing) Best Actress Elaine Cassidy (Disco Pigs) Shirley Henderson (Villa des Roses) Samantha Morton (Morvern Callar) Harriet Walter (Villa des Roses) Best Director Paul Greengrass (Bloody Sunday) Tom Hunsinger & Neil Hunter (The Lawless Heart) Lynne Ramsay (Morvern Callar) Ken Loach (Sweet Sixteen) Best Screenplay Paul Greengrass (Bloody Sunday) Tom Hunsinger & Neil Hunter (The Lawless Heart) Lynne Ramsay & Liana Dognini (Morvern Callar) Paul Laverty (Sweet Sixteen) Best Achievement in Production Morvern Callar 24 Hours Party People Revengers Tragedy Villa des Roses Best Foreign Film (Foreign Language) Monsoon Wedding Nine Queens (Nueve Reinas) Talk to Her (Hable con Ella) Y Tu Mama Tambien Best Foreign Film (English Language) Ghost World Ivans xtc Lantana Lost in La Mancha Other Awards will include: \ufffd The Douglas Hickox Award (Debut Director) \ufffd The Lifetime Achievement Award \ufffd Special Jury Prize \ufffd The Variety UK Personality Award - Ewan McGregor"}, {"response": 1424, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Sep 18, 2002 (23:26)", "body": "The Drool Birthday List has just (finally) gone out via e-mail to all people who sent me their birthdays. If you sent me your birthday and don't receive the list, please e-mail me - I might have mis-typed your e-mail address when I created the distribution list. If you'd like to be added to the list, it's not too late - just e-mail me your birthday and I'll add you to the next revision. The inaugural \"who lives where\" list will be e-mailed out in a day or two - I'm following up on one question before I send it out. Again, if you'd like to be added, just e-mail me your geographic location. To review the policy we agreed on, the lists are available only to people who contribute their information to the list. Incidentally, we have two Drool birthdays coming up in the next ten days!"}, {"response": 1425, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 19, 2002 (08:07)", "body": "Thanks Karen for the BIFA noms. Never hoid of 'em.'cept for Timothy Spall;-) Am I missing somethin'?;-)"}, {"response": 1426, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 19, 2002 (08:19)", "body": "(Evelyn) Never hoid of 'em.'cept for Timothy Spall;-) Am I missing somethin'?;-) Probably ;-) but you never know when they'll be vomiting and druggies. Actually none of the five BIFA noms has played here yet to my knowledge. I got the program for the Chicago FF yesterday and saw that Bloody Sunday and Morvern Caller will be here, as well as Timothy Spall's film. Will check for some others, although 24 Hour Party People was here already and was pretty funny (mockumentary type). I've seen 3 of 4 of the foreigns (in foreign language). You would never have seen the Ivan movie as it was very controversial (Hollywood agent, drugs, lifestyle, demise) and no one wanted to distribute it. Lost in LaMancha is very new and is playing the fest circuit... But that's the nature of the beast. These are indies...which brings me to: From Variety: CBS has finally sent an RSVP to \"My Big Fat Greek Wedding,\" picking up a small-screen version of the smash indie film for midseason. The network has officially ordered seven episodes of the half-hour comedy; that number could increase, however, as the series producers are in negotiations with CBS to bump the pickup to 13. Just like the feature, the TV \"Greek Wedding\" will star Nia Vardalos as a woman whose life revolves around a traditional Greek family. The series will pick up as Vardalos' character starts dating a non-Greek man behind her parents' back. Vardalos, who originated and starred in the one-woman stage show, which Tom Hanks' Playtone Prods. banner turned into the feature picture, wrote the pilot with Marsh McCall (\"Just Shoot Me\"). McCall will executive produce, along with Vardalos' manager Brad Gray and Rita Wilson, Hanks' wife; Vardalos will serve as co-executive producer. Wilson's involvement has become the stuff of legends: the actress fell in love with the play and was instrumental in bringing her husband on board. The film, which cost about $5 million to make, has now grossed more than $110 million at the North American box office. It is poised to pass the $140 million haul of \"The Blair Witch Project\" to become the biggest-grossing indie film of all time. Gray said that he was originally interested in the TV project because \"it seemed like a wonderful CBS comedy. It seemed like it would complement their schedule very well. It has great warmth and is just very funny.\" Following the picture's success, Gray is even more optimistic about the show's chances. \"It's become so popular around the country, it feels like there's even more potential and an audience that's been built around it,\" he said. CBS initially gave the project a hefty pilot commitment last October, and although the network didn't pick up \"Greek Wedding\" for fall, it ordered an additional three scripts in late May. Besides Vardalos, Michael Constantine and Lainie Kazan, who played Vardalos' parents in the picture, are expected to reprise their characters in the series. Louis Mandylor is also likely to return as brother Nick. John Corbett, who played Vardalos' fiance, is starring in FX's upcoming series \"Lucky.\""}, {"response": 1427, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Thu, Sep 19, 2002 (09:12)", "body": "I've heard of Villa des Roses since it's a Belgian film. It's directed by the cousin of my brother's best friend. It's based on a well known novel (= books kids are forced to read in high school), one of those novels that was always considered impossible to translate to film. Frank Van Passel (director) has made some great films, however I've been told Villa des Roses is far from his best."}, {"response": 1428, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Sep 19, 2002 (09:20)", "body": "Thanks for BIFA nominations Karen. Was hoping.... \"Greek Wedding\" should be interesting. But can they keep it interesting enough week after week. Sorry to see John Corbett won't be in it. Love him. Should be fun though. Thanks Karen."}, {"response": 1429, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Sep 19, 2002 (10:18)", "body": "(Linda)Sorry, Mari, but you do hail from the other side of the river now:-) Linda, see my note on board 163. Shhhhhhhhhh . . . ;-)"}, {"response": 1430, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 19, 2002 (12:15)", "body": "As long as I brought this up on 163, here's the PBS website for Copenhagen: http://www.pbs.org/hollywoodpresents/copenhagen/index.html I gather it will be on BBC4 on 26 Sept too."}, {"response": 1431, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 19, 2002 (15:25)", "body": "I'm not waving any flags here, but Mari, I think the beaches in Miami and the FL Keys are cleaner than the Jersey shore. Plus, a lot warmer. Still, I have fond memories of going to Asbury Park to see Bruce Springsteen play. Thanks for the list, Karen. Monsoon Wedding has been around for a long time. Strange to see it listed with those other films. Saw \"Yo Soy Bolivar\" and enjoyed it."}, {"response": 1432, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Sep 19, 2002 (15:48)", "body": "Moon, that's because you haven't been to the beaches in South Jersey (where Philly area people go, as opposed to north Jersey (like Asbury Park) where those New Yawkers go;-) South Jersey beaches run from Long Beach Island south all the way down to Cape May. Beautiful, not overcrowded, and CLEAN. And it is a fact that the ocean water quality here is the cleanest in the country--so says the EPA.:-)"}, {"response": 1433, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 19, 2002 (16:12)", "body": "And it is a fact that the ocean water quality here is the cleanest in the country--so says the EPA.:-) But can you see your toesies? ;-) I prefer turquoise to green. So give me the Caribbean!"}, {"response": 1434, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Sep 19, 2002 (16:14)", "body": "But can you see your toesies? ;-) No, but that's because of the color of the sand and the churning of the currents. Has nothing to do with water quality. I prefer turquoise to green. So give me the Caribbean! Nice place to visit . . .;-)"}, {"response": 1435, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 19, 2002 (18:48)", "body": "\"Greek Wedding\" on CBS? I'm on. Great indie film...so how come it's not on the BFI list? It's been showing here since June; selling out on weekend nights."}, {"response": 1436, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 19, 2002 (18:57)", "body": "\"B\" stands for British. It only just opened there last week."}, {"response": 1437, "author": "Odile", "date": "Fri, Sep 20, 2002 (01:29)", "body": "(Moon)Still, I have fond memories of going to Asbury Park to see Bruce Springsteen play. Really? What year was that? I've only seen him in concert in Europe (all over though, with v. different crowds); I've tried here in the US to no avail (he's on tour now but every ticket sold out within a couple of hours no matter where :( ). I guess I just have to hope he continues for a long time... I'm SOOOO... jealous Moon! :)"}, {"response": 1438, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Sep 20, 2002 (08:47)", "body": "Snippets from Baz in today\ufffds Daily Mail: Tomorrow, Daniel Craig begins previews opposite Michael Gambon in Caryl Churchill\ufffds new play A Number, which Stephen Daldry will direct. Julian Fellowes is working on a version of Becky Sharpe for Mira Nair. They hope Reese Witherspoon will play Becky. Big BBC drama The Cambridge Spies starring Sam West, Rupert Penry-Jones, Toby Stephens and Tom Hollander playing Anthony Blunt, Maclean, Philby and Burgess respectively."}, {"response": 1439, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 20, 2002 (09:58)", "body": "Great News...thanks Aishling. Good ole Baz ;I lunge for the DM on Fridays when I'm in London. He's like an old friend. What a cast for \"Cambridge Spies\"!! Way t'go Sammy-poo.Quite a line-up of Brit \"pretty-boys\"!Fascinating story there too. AC redux. RW playing Becky Sharpe??? Whoa...\"that's a long way from Tennessee, Reese.\" Maybe her British accent in TIOBE was pretty good after all;-)"}, {"response": 1440, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Sep 22, 2002 (05:24)", "body": "Well it's a far better choice than Damian Lewis as J. Archer that's for sure! Saw a picture of his hair in that the other day, horrendous! Thanks for the news Aishling."}, {"response": 1441, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 22, 2002 (10:07)", "body": "happy birthday trese! you can keep the cake but we'll all party :)"}, {"response": 1442, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Sep 22, 2002 (10:18)", "body": "Happy Firthday, Trese! Speaking of Damian Lewis (and I love to speak of Damian Lewis;-) I can't believe he wasn't nominated for an Emmy for Band of Brothers. He was the emotional core of the show! Terrible oversight. Emmys are handed out tonight. Forsyte Saga finally makes it here in October--any thoughts/reviews from those who've already seen it?"}, {"response": 1443, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Sep 22, 2002 (10:56)", "body": "Hooray! It's Trese's birthday!"}, {"response": 1444, "author": "Odile", "date": "Sun, Sep 22, 2002 (11:39)", "body": "Happy Birthday Trese! Celebrate with Valmont (although Paul above might be more caring :) )"}, {"response": 1445, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep 22, 2002 (12:19)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Trese! May this be the first of many as a Firthette. ;-D"}, {"response": 1446, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Sep 22, 2002 (12:46)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! ENJOY TRESE."}, {"response": 1447, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Sep 22, 2002 (12:53)", "body": "(Mari) Any thoughts/reviews from those who have seen the F. Saga? I thoroughly enjoyed it Mari, it was pitched against 24 for a time as well! JMO but I think it's better to go into it without me saying too much and we can discuss it in depth when it happens. Think Evelyn will be interested too;-) Have you or anyone else seen / remember the original? The reviews here were good. DL is in need of an award and soon;-) His girlfriend is a reporter for the news here and I have only seen her glammed up and gorgeous at BOB premiere. It was a relief to see her looking ordinary last night."}, {"response": 1448, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 22, 2002 (13:13)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY ,TRESE"}, {"response": 1449, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Sep 22, 2002 (16:13)", "body": "I found an interview with Damian Lewis on the PBS website: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/forsyte/ei_lewis.html I didn't see the original, Lizza, so I'm coming to this one fresh. I see Ioan Gruffudd is in it too--YOWZA! Can't wait, and I'm looking forward to a discussion once it starts."}, {"response": 1450, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 22, 2002 (16:38)", "body": "Tonight is Emmy's....'member last year? Colin was nominated and we were so excited.LOL. Miffed too, because he wasn't going to attend;-))) I've seen trailer for Dreamcatcher. Thanks Mari.I didn't see FS either last time. Gina Mc Kee is in it too (Notting Hill gal in wheelchair)."}, {"response": 1451, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 22, 2002 (17:11)", "body": "For JE Fans: Ann W. has kindly typed an interview with Jennifer Ehle which appeared in Sunday's London Times. \"LOVELY TO SEE YOU AGAIN MISS BENNETT\" \"We have had too little of Jennifer Ehle since Pride and Prejudice, so it's great to see her back in Possession, says David Eimer. It's on the Possession Topic 137 thread #1614. http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/137.1614 She rarely gives an interview. This is for \"Possession\". The last ones were for The Real Thing in March 2000."}, {"response": 1452, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sun, Sep 22, 2002 (20:41)", "body": "For aussies, tomorrow night, Tuesday on ABC at 10:55pm, I believe, they will be showing Persuasion. And Happy Birthday Trese!"}, {"response": 1453, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Sep 22, 2002 (20:43)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Trese, many more!"}, {"response": 1454, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sun, Sep 22, 2002 (20:52)", "body": "I just got home, so I'm late for the party, but HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TRESE!!"}, {"response": 1455, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Sep 22, 2002 (22:32)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Trese!!! Hope it was a great day! Here's some alliteration for your birthday: May your year be firthy, frothy, and fair!"}, {"response": 1456, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Sun, Sep 22, 2002 (22:53)", "body": "Oh, my, sorry I missed it...happy birthday Trese! :) So glad you have joined us."}, {"response": 1457, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Sep 22, 2002 (23:06)", "body": "Happy belated Birthday Trese!! Hope it was fun!"}, {"response": 1458, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Sep 23, 2002 (05:25)", "body": "Thanks for article on JE Evelyn. Very interesting."}, {"response": 1459, "author": "treseg", "date": "Mon, Sep 23, 2002 (09:29)", "body": "thanks you ladies for the birthday wishes, unfortunately i'm only on when i'm slow at work otherwise i would have been here yesterday, but this was the first thing i did this morning because i knew you were thinking of me :), though i'm more of a lurker it seems lately (by the time i make it to the party everyone's comments are hard to top not to mention graphics), karen-yours is great (you have no idea how much i really like cake) and thank you especially for all your help and hard work this wonderful year, thanks for the stellar fever pitch image rika, as weezy would say \"luuuuv it!\" (okay you have to be a pbs kids fan to know that one-i have a two year old), anyway i hope this will be the first of many \"firthdays\" to come, you all are magnificent and i love being here, thanks you all"}, {"response": 1460, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 23, 2002 (09:59)", "body": "Really funny review of Greek Wedding from the Guardian (most of which I agree with 100%, although I did find one funny line): http://film.guardian.co.uk/features/featurepages/0,4120,795944,00.html The neighbours hadn't gotten this revved up since Chocolat blew through town. LOL!! BTW, I drove past the big Greek Orthodox church near me yesterday and a wedding party was out on the steps. Bridesmaid dresses were very nice; nothing like in film. Went around the block to drive past again, but only saw one hideously dressed woman. ;-) Wonder where the reception was? No Greek places named Dancing Zorba here."}, {"response": 1461, "author": "willshakespeare", "date": "Mon, Sep 23, 2002 (10:02)", "body": "Hi Karen!"}, {"response": 1462, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 23, 2002 (11:27)", "body": "\"His neighbours loved it but for Joe Queenan it was a big fat letdown\" Me thinks Joe likes movies where they puke in the toilets and one gets a detail look at injecting with drugs. Cute;-)"}, {"response": 1463, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Mon, Sep 23, 2002 (14:13)", "body": "That particular page is hilarious everyweek. Comes out every Saturday, the one on \"24\" was just the funniest, a mistake to eat breakfst while reading it!"}, {"response": 1464, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 23, 2002 (15:28)", "body": "I was v. sorry that \"24\" and that cute Kiefe Sutherland were not recognized with an Emmy.It's a creative new show.Glad Six Feet was in. Friends, Ray Romano...aw, c'mon. Same with Shackleton and Ken B. although he won last year. However, this is the second year he hasn't shown up.Off with his head! My story: \"You don't show, you don't get it.\""}, {"response": 1465, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Sep 23, 2002 (15:30)", "body": "I liked the way Romano's fellow cast members mussed up his hair."}, {"response": 1466, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Mon, Sep 23, 2002 (15:37)", "body": "Missed the list of winners but did catch V. Redgrave this morning on radio, does that mean that \"Churchill\" won or Albert Finney? Agree re 24 Evelyn. Real shame. Ken had a good excuse for not showing last year, but this year..... what was his reason, anyone know?"}, {"response": 1467, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Sep 23, 2002 (15:45)", "body": "(Lizza) does that mean that \"Churchill\" won or Albert Finney? Both I think. Was glad to see Laura Linney win. I really like her and thought she looked wonderful. Matter of fact, I can't think of anyone who dressed horribly."}, {"response": 1468, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 23, 2002 (15:53)", "body": "(Evelyn) I was v. sorry that \"24\" and that cute Kiefe Sutherland were not recognized with an Emmy. It won for writing. Huge recognition IMO. It was 6FU that was passed over. Albert Finney won, along with the actual made for TV movie and the writers (I believe). Redgrave did not. Interesting article in the new Time magazine, which I've typed up for all. Again, I couldn't help myself and had to annotate it. Must stop ruining other people's reading enjoyment with my snide comments. Where Is the Love? Hollywood's passion for romantic comedies is on the wane. Here's why the genre has been jilted. by Jess Cagle In Sweet Home Alabama, a romantic comedy opening this week, Reese Witherspoon plays a Manhattan fashion designer who returns to her rural hometown to get a divorce from her high school sweetheart. She does not, however, fake her own death as a joke. She does not, while drunk in a honky-tonk, make a crude reference to oral sex. All that was cut out because the studio was worried that the heroine of Sweet Home Alabama wouldn't seem sweet enough. There were other concerns. The ending was reshot in order to make her character more sympathetic. The original script by C. Jay Cox received an overhaul from the uncredited but expensive screenwriter Robert Harling (First Wives Club). At $30 million, the movie is expected to be a hit with woman, though its chances of seducing significant numbers of males is slim. It's a good example of why Hollywood has such a hard time making romantic comedies. Financially limited, creatively challenging, the genre has fallen onto Hollywood's endangered-species list. It's not that audiences don't want them. My Big Fat Greek Wedding, the independent movie rejected by major distributors, is on its way to making $140 million, in part because the studios offered no other comedies for older females this past summer. [Ed note: TIOBE must have been aimed at another group.] Why not? Because Julia Roberts--who has pretty much cornered the summer romantic-comedy market with hits like Notting Hill and My Best Friend's Wedding--has been on a break from the genre. In general, studios have lost faith in mid-priced films, focusing instead on cheaper movies that turn quick profits (like last summer's Crocodile Hunter flick from MGM, which nearly tripled its $10 million cost at the box office) and mega-budget blockbusters like Spider-Man that can become repeat franchises and play overseas. Romantic comedies tend to have much smaller profit margins. Last year's Meg Ryan vehicle, Kate & Leopold, cost about $50 million and made just about that domestically. Sweet Home Alabama is a fairly safe bet, but the comparably priced baseball drama The Rookie was a much safer one for the same studio, since it appealed to a broader demographic. Box-office results show that boys resolutely avoid chick flicks. \"If you have a female lead in a movie,\" says Oren Aviv, marketing president for Buena Vista Pictures, \"only females are going to go. And you better have a star that girls want to see fall in love.\" [Ed note: BTW, this is the company putting out HS.] Good romantic comedies are easy to watch, but they're awfully hard to make. \"They get predictable,\" says producer Marc Platt (Legally Blonde). \"You know how they're going to end. Two people are going to wind up together, so you have to make sure that the journey is really interesting.\" And unlike the golden age of romantic comedies, when Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy were trading brilliant barbs, today most of the best writers of the genre are busy working in TV shows like Friends, Sex and the City and Will & Grace. And today's male stars know they can make far more money in action flicks than in flirting pics. How desperate are studios for romantic leading men? Mark Wahlberg landed the Cary Grant role in an upcoming remake of Charade called The Truth About Charlie. Actresses are more willing to sign up, but while Renee Zellweger, Jennifer Lopez, Cameron Diaz and Witherspoon are high on studios' wish lists when it comes to casting, only Sandra Bullock (at $15 million per picture) and Roberts (at $25 million) are considered sure things in attracting an audience for a comedy on opening weekend. The genre will never go away, but it's changing and adapting to new circumstances. Director Paul Thomas Anderson's Punch-Drunk Love, with Adam Sandler, is as disturbing as it is sweet. Next year's Down with Love, with Zellweger and Ewan McGregor, is a campy homage to the Rock Hudson-Doris Day movies of the 1960s. And the success of My Big Fat Greek Wedding has had an impact on studios. According to one screenwriter, \"Now they really want to find comedies that work for a mature audience [Ed note: it won't have Adam Sandler in it], with two strong characters and dialogue that can cut glass.\" Now that would be truly sweet."}, {"response": 1469, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 23, 2002 (16:12)", "body": "I like most of these rom-coms...Sleepless in Seattle...Bridget... I guess, I'm just one of the great \"unwashed.\"Agree Sandra Bullock and Julia Roberts are the only ones guys and gals go for. Wonder how that White Oleander will do.Sounds depressing:-(( But I wanted *Kiefe Sutherland* to win...I don't care about the writer;-) \"According to one screenwriter, \"Now they really want to find comedies that work for a mature audience \" On Golden Pond? Uh, uh. Though sounds promising for HS."}, {"response": 1470, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Sep 23, 2002 (16:51)", "body": "Good romantic comedies are easy to watch, but they're awfully hard to make. I love romantic comedy and agree with all I have ever read about it, they are very hard to do well. \"They get predictable,\" says producer Marc Platt (Legally Blonde). \"You know how they're going to end. Two people are going to wind up together, so you have to make sure that the journey is really interesting.\" Well, usually that's the idea! today most of the best writers of the genre are busy working in TV shows Is there more money in it? Must be.... Evelyn....I like most of these rom-coms Me too, nothing wrong with leaving a theatre feeling good and wanting to a romantic interlude with your husband or significant other!"}, {"response": 1471, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Mon, Sep 23, 2002 (16:54)", "body": "Thanks Dorine and Karen for update on Emmy's. We just got some clips on the news, loads on Albert Finney and then Jen and Brad ,never in depth or very informative! Thank Goodness for you guys. Shame for agent Jack Bauer, I agree, but at least it got something. Same thing happened to Damian and BOB;-("}, {"response": 1472, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Mon, Sep 23, 2002 (17:05)", "body": "And today's male stars know they can make more money in action flicks than flirting pics LOL that's why he's all for state education then ;-) looking forward to Renee and Ewan together, but hey ODB can do campy homage with style, he's just ten years too late for it;-) I like most of these rom-coms Me too Evelyn, great with mimosas and strawberries;-)"}, {"response": 1473, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 23, 2002 (18:10)", "body": "\"If you have a female lead in a movie,\" says Oren Aviv, marketing president for Buena Vista Pictures, \"only females are going to go. And you better have a star that girls want to see fall in love.\" [Ed note: BTW, this is the company putting out HS.] That explains it! :-( \"Now they really want to find comedies that work for a mature audience [Ed note: it won't have Adam Sandler in it], LOL! That could only mean bad news. Most of those writers are gay. Thanks for typing, Karen. today most of the best writers of the genre are busy working in TV shows (Lisa), Is there more money in it? Must be.... It's a steady job. We saw the previews for Sweet Home Alabama and my DH said he would like to see it. On the other hand, White Oleander, with that ONE idea is a no."}, {"response": 1474, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep 23, 2002 (20:38)", "body": "Lizza, here's a full list of winnners: http://yahoo.eonline.com/Features/Awards/Emmys2002/Scorecard/index.html Finney won for best actor in a made for TV movie for The Gathering Storm. The film won best movie as well. Well deserved, I thought he was great. I like anything about Churchhill, actually (me and George Dubya, hee hee;-) Band of Brothers was in the miniseries category and won. The real Lt. Dick Winters came onstage to accept the award, along with a slew of the directors, writers and cast--and I *think* I caught a glimpse of a cute redhead.:-) (Karen)Ed note: BTW, this is the company putting out HS. Or not putting it out, by the looks of it. Pushed back until 4/03? Sheesh.:-( BTW, Joe Queenan, author of the Guardian piece, is a hometown boy. I've been reading him since . . .um, for a long time.;-) He's mean and misanthropic--but funny!"}, {"response": 1475, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Sep 24, 2002 (10:02)", "body": "Thanks Evelyn and Ann W. for the JE article. What a lovely lady. I too thought she looked a lot like Meryl Streep when I first saw her as Lizzie in 1995. She's very gracious about the comparison. Also hearing her talk about her feelings about the media, I can see why she and CF were together for a awhile. They have a common philosophy about it. Even though CF is more visible. Thanks again Evelyn and Ann!"}, {"response": 1476, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Tue, Sep 24, 2002 (11:06)", "body": "Thanks so much for the link Mari.... and the glimpse;-) This from today's Daily Mail \"Writer Andrew Davies has more on his plate than the expected furore over his raunchy BBC adaptation of the lesbian novel \"Tipping the Velvet\". He's been cursed by furious Druids. In an interview about his new ITV drama BOUDICCA starring Alex Kingston, he compared the Druid priests of the warrior Queen who took on the Romans with the Taliban's stance against George Bush. \"There are alot of parallels\" he says \"but I got abusive letters from Druids who objected. I made them rather angry and I even got a letter from the Chief Druid saying they were outraged. Thankfully they now seem to have calmed down so hopefully any curses on me will have been lifted.\" So now we know why EOR isn't finished Andrew;-)"}, {"response": 1477, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Sep 24, 2002 (11:34)", "body": "(Evelyn) I was v. sorry that \"24\" and that cute Kiefe Sutherland were not recognized with an Emmy I agree, one of the best on tv and he does a phenomenal job in it. I don't usually like this type of show, makes me too nervous, but can't stop watching this one. Really is good, good cast too. However, I do like Ray Romano and the \"family\". One of my favorites. (Karen) And you better have a star that girls want to see fall in love.\" [Ed note: BTW, this is the company putting out HS.] Well they certainly picked the right star for HS in my book. Male star that is. (Karen) Now they really want to find comedies that work for a mature audience [Ed note: it won't have Adam Sandler in it], with two strong characters and dialogue that can cut glass.\" I agree!!! Sandler IMO is not a hearthrob. Comedic talent yes, but that's about it. He doesn't attract me and I really don't respond to some of his imbesillic characters. I think they really should re-think his ability to attract the \"more mature person\". Karen what does it mean when they keep delaying the opening of a movie. I somehow don't feel its a positive sign. This is beginning to worry me about the chances for HS."}, {"response": 1478, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 24, 2002 (23:41)", "body": "(mari)Band of Brothers was in the miniseries category and won. The real Lt. Dick Winters came onstage to accept the award, along with a slew of the directors, writers and cast--and I *think* I caught a glimpse of a cute redhead.:-) Also the real vets of Easy Company were shown on screen orginating from another LA location. I read that Stephen Speilberg had flown them out at his expense. He and Tom Hanks have consistently shared the accolades of the series with these men. Classy guys."}, {"response": 1479, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Wed, Sep 25, 2002 (10:28)", "body": "Thanks for that Mari and Evelyn. I was sorry that T.H didn't mention much about BOB at all in his Parkinson interview last week. Focus was RTP. Shame lost opportunity IMO."}, {"response": 1480, "author": "treseg", "date": "Wed, Sep 25, 2002 (11:28)", "body": "i just wanted to say bye to you ladies, was layed off about 45min ago (and since as i mentioned monday i only chat on-line from work) i may not be here for awhile, maybe if i'm lucky all my favorite stories will be completed when i return, i must run now because the mascara is getting in the way of my vision, you all are a lot of fun, i'll miss being here if only to lurk, happy birthday karen, i can't thank you enough for all you hard work, bye ps no need to respond to this as i won't see them :' ("}, {"response": 1481, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 25, 2002 (12:30)", "body": "If anyone would like to send a message/card to Trese, I have her snail mail address and can forward."}, {"response": 1482, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Sep 25, 2002 (12:31)", "body": "AARRRRGGGG!! Poor Trese..."}, {"response": 1483, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Wed, Sep 25, 2002 (13:20)", "body": "Thanks Karen, she needs some good wishes right now:-("}, {"response": 1484, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Sep 26, 2002 (09:52)", "body": "So sorry Tress, am in the same boat. Good Luck."}, {"response": 1485, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Sep 26, 2002 (10:05)", "body": "Sorry Trese....I'll be sending warm thoughts your way....."}, {"response": 1486, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 26, 2002 (20:15)", "body": "Interview with Francesca Annis: http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv_and_radio/story/0%2C3604%2C797016%2C00.html \"Copenhagen\" will be on PBS Sunday night. With Stephen Rhea and Daniel Craig."}, {"response": 1487, "author": "IndiaInk101", "date": "Fri, Sep 27, 2002 (09:31)", "body": "I know that I'm a day late but it is the that that counts. Happy Belated Birthday Quimby. Hope that Sept 26 was a great day for you."}, {"response": 1488, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Sep 27, 2002 (09:44)", "body": "Thousands apply to play extras in new Mel Gibson movie More than 5,000 people have applied to play extras in Mel Gibson's new film about Christ. The producers held an open casting call in the Italian town of Matera for locals to play Roman soldiers in The Passion. The extras will be paid \ufffd38 a day to appear in the film. \"I just want the chance to get close to Mel Gibson and to appear in a movie, even if it's just for a second,\" 60-year-old Domenico Festa told Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera. The Passion is the first film Gibson has directed since 1995's Braveheart. It will tell the story of the last twelve hours in the life of Jesus Christ and will be shot in Latin and Aramaic without subtitles. Jim Caviezel is playing Christ. ********* Pax Vobiscum, Mel. I'll go to see it, but I can't imaginme who else will, if in fact it ever gets shown outside of film festivals. Love the choice of JC as JC.:-)"}, {"response": 1489, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 27, 2002 (10:19)", "body": "Mari, let's pray a lot of people will go see it. Bravo Mel!"}, {"response": 1490, "author": "kolin", "date": "Fri, Sep 27, 2002 (12:13)", "body": "From today's Toronto Star: So maybe there is hope for all those of us who are a bit older (bg) Boomers in seats Growing over-50 audiences become quiet hitmakers Patrick Goldstein Special to the star HOLLYWOOD \ufffd In Hollywood, the fountain of youth has become a bottomless pit. Studio executives throw money at Vin Diesel, Colin Farrell and any other hip young actor with star potential. Older actors only take parts opposite women half their age so they can seem virile and youthful. Older actresses mutilate themselves with plastic surgery. The media do their part, too: When's the last time you saw a magazine do a \"Hot 50 Over 50\" issue? So imagine my surprise last week when I discovered, buried in a Variety story about the lackluster late-summer box office grosses, that during the last decade, only one moviegoing age group had not shrunk or stagnated: Moviegoers older than 50. According to a survey by the Motion Picture Association of America, between 1990 and 2000, moviegoers in the obsessively sought-after 16-20 age group dropped from 20 per cent to 17 per cent of total viewers. The 25-29 category dropped from 14 per cent to 12 per cent. Even 12- to 15-year-olds dipped from 11 per cent to 10 per cent. At the same time, moviegoers aged 50-59 shot from 5 per cent to 10 per cent of total audience. A second survey of frequent moviegoers on the MPAA Web site found that during the past four years, attendance of over-40 moviegoers was up as well. It's no coincidence that the over-50 moviegoer numbers have suddenly started climbing as the Baby Boom generation \ufffd whose oldest members are now 56 \ufffd begins to make its presence felt in that age group. These boomers continue to be active moviegoers and culture consumers. As CBS research chief David Poltrack put it recently: \"Marketers will tell you that the biggest market of opportunity is to help boomers fight the concept that they're old. They're going to fight aging all the way.\" But movie marketers still tend to stereotype \"older\" moviegoers as white-haired retirees in golf shirts and plaid pants. But the leading edge of today's older consumers, who came of age in the 1960s, are affluent and often eager to sample new cultural trends. They've certainly been an underappreciated force in the current movie season. The industry's most astounding success story, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, is proving unstoppable due in large part to the support of over-50 moviegoers. M. Night Shyamalan's Signs has now out-grossed even Austin Powers In Goldmember, thanks to a strong turnout by older filmgoers. Older moviegoers have also made up a healthy chunk of the audience for Road To Perdition, another solid summer hit. Last year's A Beautiful Mind rolled up huge box office numbers with the support of older moviegoers. But Hollywood remains focused on youth. The industry has become an opening-weekend business, and the audience that attends on opening weekend is the horde of teen-agers primed with 30-second TV spots. Older audiences are more likely to wait and see if a movie gets good reviews or word-of-mouth. But most studios shy away from making films that have to be well-executed instead of easily marketed. \"When you make movies for older audiences, you have to make them better,\" Columbia Pictures chairman Amy Pascal says. \"It's sad but true, but it's easier to make brand-name movies than good ones.\" Los Angeles Times"}, {"response": 1491, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Fri, Sep 27, 2002 (19:31)", "body": "Stuck at work tonight (don't ask!) and likely to be here for a few more hours. At least I have a wide-open T1...and I ask for a minute of your indulgence. An article about how common filesharing programs are hijacking affiliate shopping commissions. Link is at the NYTimes, which requires free registration. New Software Quietly Diverts Sales Commissions UNIX/Linux tech community rants can be found at Slashdot. This not only impacts charitable fundraising sites but also steals fundraising from user supported websites like the Bucket and DWG, who also participate in affiliate programs. Noises are being made about fraud charges, and some are predicting that Amazon, for one, may refuse to pay affiliate fees to the companies below. The article quotes the developers of these programs, who claims that this is accidental. I promise you, there is nothing at all *accidental* about what it takes to write any kind of replacement functionality into programs like these. IMO this is nothing short of fraud, and also does great damage to the PR profile of the peer-to-peer networking applications. They're already under fire from the RIAA, who now have a nice bit of justification for their push for pervasive (and invasive, IMO) digital rights management laws and hardware. A brief excerpt: The diversion begins when consumers get software from the Internet that helps them swap music or other files, or find bargains online. As they install the software, they are asked whether they would also like to show support for the software maker by shopping through an online affiliate program. These programs typically give a percentage of each purchase back to the affiliate \ufffd in this case, the software maker \ufffd as a commission. What the consumers are not told clearly is that if they agree to participate, their computers may be electronically marked: all future purchases will look as if they were made through the software maker's site, even if they were not. In many versions of the software, a purchase will look as if it was made through the software maker's site even if the shopper came in through another site that has its own affiliate agreement with the online store in question. Those affiliate sites include small businesses and even charities that use affiliate links as fund-raisers. Some version of the diversion software is used by some of the most popular music trading sites that have tried to fill the void left by the collapse of Napster, including Morpheus, Kazaa and LimeWire. The companies say their software has been downloaded by tens of millions of Web surfers. From the sidebar: Computer users who want to remove shopping software from their machines can do so in a few steps. Instructions for removing three of the most common programs: BUYERSPORT - The shopping software with Morpheus : Click the Start button. Click on Find. Click on Find Files or Folders. Type in mbho.dll. Click on find now. When the file appears in the directory window, drag mbho.dll into the trash. LIMESHOP - The software with LimeWire : Click the Start button. Click on Settings. Click Control Panel. Double-click Add/Remove Programs. Click LimeShop. Click Add/Remove. SAVENOW - The software used by Kazaa : Click on Start. Click Settings. Click on Control Panel. Double-click on Add/Remove Programs. Click SaveNow. Click on Add/Remove."}, {"response": 1492, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Fri, Sep 27, 2002 (19:32)", "body": "Go ahead and move it if it's in the wrong topic, Karen; can you tell I'm pissed?"}, {"response": 1493, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Sep 27, 2002 (20:36)", "body": "Don't ya hate that stuff? Kazaa delivers all sorts of interesting payloads with its software. This is becoming a very insidious way to sneak things onto people's systems - offer them \"helper\" applications to do one thing, and don't tell them all the other things it does. Also, on a more pleasant topic, just a reminder that we've got a VIP birthday in the house tomorrow!"}, {"response": 1494, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 27, 2002 (21:06)", "body": "THE"}, {"response": 1495, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Sep 27, 2002 (23:19)", "body": "Yup yup yup Rika, thanks for the reminder -- surely this is cause for a par-tee?"}, {"response": 1496, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (00:13)", "body": "Shhhhh.... it's late and everyone is asleep........ but there's something important I have to say: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KAREN!!!! Oops.... Go back to sleep, Vicomte - you need to rest up before the celebration"}, {"response": 1497, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (00:41)", "body": "HAPPY, HAPPY, BIRTHDAY KAREN. IT'S PARTY TIME LADIES!!! I'm bringing the champaign. (Vera) When you make movies for older audiences, you have to make them better,\" Columbia Pictures chairman Amy Pascal says. \"It's sad but true, but it's easier to make brand-name movies than good ones.\" Los Angeles Times Thanks for article Vera. How sad is this? It's bad enough knowing this is the case, but worse knowing they acknowledge it and won't do anything about it. Great card Rika!!! Can I have him for my birthday too please."}, {"response": 1498, "author": "aishling", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (05:11)", "body": "Happy Birthday Karen. Have a wonderful day"}, {"response": 1499, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (07:30)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1500, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (07:32)", "body": "Ooh shan't use pink again, hope you can see the whole message!!"}, {"response": 1501, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (07:32)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1502, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (07:35)", "body": "I am so sorry everything is still \"pink\" but I promise I did close the tags."}, {"response": 1503, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (08:31)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1504, "author": "LaurenB", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (08:31)", "body": "That's OK Ann. We'll need some of that pink pepto stuff after all the partying. ;-) Wishing you a very happy b-day, Karen!"}, {"response": 1505, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (08:40)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1506, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (08:43)", "body": "Good morning, Karen! The Latte Divas have asked me to bring you coffee in bed on your special day. Oh, mon Dieu, I have been told that I misunderstood. They did not necessarily mean to imply that I should be in the bed. Quel dommage.... but perhaps we could discuss the matter further when all these people are not observing us. At any rate, I am delighted that the ladies use only Fair Trade brands of coffee. But wait - where did my elegant clothing go? And where is my long hair? In such a state as this, I shall never turn heads when entering a room! Happy birthday, Karen, from Linda, Dorine, and Rika"}, {"response": 1507, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (09:07)", "body": "A SPECIAL TOAST , for a SPECIAL LADY MIMOSAS and ...... HAPPY BIRTHDAY , FROM LIZZA who's in London"}, {"response": 1508, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (09:12)", "body": "How many times do I have to tell you....\"Close those tags\"."}, {"response": 1509, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (09:15)", "body": "Good morning ladies and a good morning it is. Woke up to find a lovely Vicomte next to me, so I had to hurry to the market to buy some wine, bread and fruit. (BTW, was wearing my red hooded cape to ward off wolves and the like). Got back and the Vicomte had trimmed his hair (a lot, but I like it better) and said he wanted coffee instead. Have rung for the Latte Divas to make it. Am exhausted from market trip and there wasn't a Starbucks close by. That Azolan is such a lazy bum and really he only works for my darling Vicomte. Thanks Rika, Dorine and Linda. What a way to start the day. Yo, Ev!! The real Boss was just in town the other day. Aishling! You've come a long way, baby! The tray of drinks looks very appealing for sipping later out on the deck. Thank you, Ann. You do like that pink, don't you? ;-) Not to worry. I'll take care of it later. And thank you for the wonderful birthday wishes Lauren and Murph (What a great card!! Yum yum yum pics!). Must run back to bed. The coffee is getting cold and so is somebody's toes. ;-)"}, {"response": 1510, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (09:16)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BOSS From all the Drooleurs"}, {"response": 1511, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (09:18)", "body": "Hmmmm, yes, I'll take those mimosas and strawberries. Will be very tasty. ;-) Lizza called yesterday because she wouldn't be online. It was very sweet of her to do so. Pssst, my hair isn't as wavy as hers. ;-)"}, {"response": 1512, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (09:24)", "body": "Part 2...from all the Drooleurs...."}, {"response": 1513, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (09:51)", "body": "To the Presidente of my Fan Club... BUON COMPLEANNO HE might have a little more hair than I have... BUT.... BACI, BACI"}, {"response": 1514, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (10:05)", "body": "Hair?!!! Hair??!! Who cares about hair?! Bring on le grand salami. ;-)"}, {"response": 1515, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (10:29)", "body": "Happy Birthday Karen! Before the other guy sneaks in here, I would like to add to the present I gave you last year. I know your family tradition is jewelry so please design a ring with this, compliments of Charles G in Colombia. I don't know if you've checked THR this morning, but your favourite ;-) is telling the press that, \"Karen from The Bucket is responsible for my not inviting Colin Firth to guest star on my very popular HBO show. God knows how much Steven Spielberg was looking forward to seeing Colin on my show. He has a part that would be perfect for Colin in his next film. Now Colin will have to do a screen test, and we know Colin does not do screen tests. So thanks a bunch Karen!\" I have been working on this song for you, Karen, because no matter what Mikey thinks, I better off not doing his show. Besides, I throw a frisbee like the best of men. So this is for you, Si Cara , my lovely Karen, the keeper of my .com, the Bucket. Happy Birthday to the lady of my .com Happy Birthday dear Cara Haaaaaappy Birthday to you! xxxooo, make sure to come visit me in Umbria."}, {"response": 1516, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (10:34)", "body": "Karen, for your birthday, I also wanted to give you and a ludicrous amount of my respect and gratitude for everything you do for us! Happy, Happy Birthday!"}, {"response": 1517, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (10:39)", "body": "Bring on le grand salami. ;-) ROTF! That Berlusca can sure move that tongue! ;-)"}, {"response": 1518, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (10:45)", "body": "Happy Birthday Karen."}, {"response": 1519, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (10:51)", "body": "Sorry no graphics or flash, but a sincere wish for a very happy birthday Karen!"}, {"response": 1520, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (10:58)", "body": "Moon, this is all your fault because of the photo of YKW: :(*)"}, {"response": 1521, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (11:05)", "body": "(Karen)Bring on le grand salami. ;-) (Moon)ROTF! That Berlusca can sure move that tongue! ;-) You're asking a lot from me... At my age, you think that's easy?!!!"}, {"response": 1522, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (11:11)", "body": "Trying for black print again"}, {"response": 1523, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (11:16)", "body": "Stop the Press....a new item has been created for your birthday... Jewelry? Jewelry? I didn't know jewelry was in the tradtioin of her family!!!"}, {"response": 1524, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (11:19)", "body": "Love the bubbly! But am having a terrible time getting out of bed this a.m. Wonder why? ;-) Moon, always glad to be of service in the cause of disease prevention. Will be around later to give everyone else their MB innoculations. There are some minor side effects though, like projectile barfing, so have a bucket nearby. Thanks for the song, Caro Colin. Now which pocket are you putting the mic in? *snort* Thank you Dorine, Barb and Terry for your good wishes. Looks like coffee is indeed in the offing. Fair trade, no doubt, too!"}, {"response": 1525, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (11:22)", "body": "Hey, who's bringing the birthday cake? I know Linda will be late to the party...could she be picking it up on the way? If not, I can run out. :-)"}, {"response": 1526, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (11:27)", "body": "And thanks for that lovely hunk of green ice, Moon. Can't see an occlusions. Must have set you back quite a bit but will make a lovely addition to my collection of crown jewels. ;-) OMG, Evelyn, we've come full circle. We started off with Spam and it comes coming back. LOL! Will wear those earrings tomorrow for brunch. Seems most appropriate. Am checking to see where that lamp could go (*knocking on Jeff's door*) ;-) BTW, the color has been fixed (you need to go out and then back into the topic). If all is pink, then you have the message with the unclosed tag up on your monitor still. Maybe I'll just delete it for all the newcomers. Don't take offense, Ann."}, {"response": 1527, "author": "sandym", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (11:28)", "body": "(Singing to tune of \"Happy Birthday To You\") You've shown us the way; and brightened our days; It's our turn to tell you; Have a happy birthday! Hey, not very fancy, but heartfelt! Have a wonderful day Karen!!!"}, {"response": 1528, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (11:54)", "body": "And thanks for that lovely hunk of green ice, Moon. Can't see an occlusions. Must have set you back quite a bit but will make a lovely addition to my collection of crown jewels. ;-) Charles and I had a great time looking for it in the mine. ;-) Wear it in good health. :-) Evelyn, those spam earrings!!! LOL! Hey, who's bringing the birthday cake? Lisa did such a great job with cakes at ODB's party. But Dorine, we can never have too many cakes. So, knowing how much you liked Fever Pitch, and that you are a BB fan, cheers, Happy Birthday Karen!"}, {"response": 1529, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (11:57)", "body": "*In Dutch mode* HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAREN Psst...watch this guy . The cheapskate didn't pay me any extra for this and made me mutilate both my ears."}, {"response": 1530, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (11:59)", "body": "Hope you have the happiest of Happy Birthdays, Karen!"}, {"response": 1531, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (12:14)", "body": "Here's a message that just came in.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY from the Gang at the Box Office. We are dedicating the first row center seats to you!!"}, {"response": 1532, "author": "Odile", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (12:20)", "body": "Have a wonderful birthday Karen!"}, {"response": 1533, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (12:32)", "body": "Great to see you here again, Sandy! Thanks for the new lyrics. (*humming away but remembering I have something that I've been putting off that Sandy provided long ago...bad me!!*) Is this you and Charles in the mine? I had closed-circuit cameras installed recently. Bet you didn't know. But as you can see, he's all excited to be seeing me and the guys are just trying to hold him back. ;-) Thanks for the cake. I can just imagine where that frosting might taste best. *hee hee* And Griet! So nice to see you here too. Evelyn just doesn't understand what sacrifices one makes for one's art. Thanks Caribou! *sniff sniff* You're making me cry now, Ev. Only thing worse would be a pic of the Riverside Studios. Oooooh, I can see precisely where we sat. What a first row we had: AnnW, Lizza, Emma...who else took turns breathing in his same air?"}, {"response": 1534, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (12:34)", "body": "Karen - For all you do.... this butt's for you! Marquise, if I got myself a pair of those, then would you honor our bet?"}, {"response": 1535, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (12:41)", "body": "Oi, Karen, such a birthday surprise I had in store for you on tomorrow night's show . . . . . .But then I had some visitors from New Jersey who convinced me it wasn't a good idea."}, {"response": 1536, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (12:54)", "body": "Happy birthday Karen. Have a great one."}, {"response": 1537, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (13:00)", "body": "Yes, the resemblance to me is startling He sounds just like me, too"}, {"response": 1538, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (13:08)", "body": "Karen, I hear it's your birthday today so I've come all this way (from Rika's close ups - thank you Rika for your wonderful captures, hope it's okay to borrow one) to sing you this song (to the tune of \"Cara Mia\" [still in \"Si Cara\" mood]): Karen, my web boss, Come to my loft of moss. For your big day, We'll jump in that \"hay!\" I'll even tilt my head, On our mossy bed You'll be my boss Till the end... Of... Time...! And for on your big day, I'll do all you say You'll be my boss Till the end... Of... Time...! Happy, happy birthday, Karen! When you and YKW are done, please tell us what really happened in the loft!"}, {"response": 1539, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (13:39)", "body": "B-b-b-butt [have developed a speech impediment] nothing! And I won't take a stunt butt. Must be the real thing. Rika, tell M. le Vicomte that if he can't get these from the Arsenal shop: then I'll settle for these, skinny legs and all: OMG! I've misplaced my voodoo doll. Thank goodness, Tony showed up. Am sweating profusely at the mere thought of what MB had in store. Yeah, Mari, the resemblance is uncanny. I hear he's putting in a good word for him with the Gallo Bros. You know, a regular paycheck is a regular paycheck. ;-) Loved the song, Lora, but my lips are sealed about the tryst. Besides, have bits of moss stuck in teeth, making it difficult to talk. ;-) Merci, Odile. :)"}, {"response": 1540, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (13:51)", "body": "Karen, on your birthday, I've been reflecting upon what a happy home you've built here for all manner of cynics, malcontents, wisenheimers, and . . . . . .refugees from other Firth groups. Not Karen's Group: \"Well, the movie wasn't that good , but OMIGOD he is SOOOO gorgeous in it! I love that look with the dimples!!!!!\" Karen's Group: :-(*) Not Karen's Group: \"A romantic comedy?? Super! He continues to surprise and delight us with his choices!!!\" Karen's Group: :-(**) Not Karen's Group: \"I for one am GLAD that he doesn't care about ambition and fame and stardom and that he just wants to be with his family!!\" Karen's Group: :-(***) Not Karen's Group: \"I cannot BELIEVE what I'm hearing from you so-called fans!\" Karen's Group: :-(****) Not Karen's Group: \"A small no-budget no-name film with a first-time director and screenwriter and with no distribution deal and possibly arthouse potential at best?? YES!!! Golly, I am sooo proud of him!!\" Karen's Group: :-(*****)"}, {"response": 1541, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (14:08)", "body": "ROTFLMAO!! And high praise indeed from the Chief Cook and Malcontent. Loved the Barf scale. This is priceless. You should probably copyright it [your intellectual property, you know! ;-)] Then we could all do ratings. *snicker* OK, there are advantages and disadvantages for both kind of groups. One has its secret handshake: and the other knows how to express itself a little more colorfully. ;-) Sorry about the size of the file"}, {"response": 1542, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (14:12)", "body": "ROTFLMAO, Mari... Not Karen's Group: He doesn't have to audition.\"His body of work speaks for himself.\" Karen's Group: :-(******)"}, {"response": 1543, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (14:16)", "body": "Wicked Sic Productions ROTF. Hey, put their name in the Rolodex, we might need them some day;-)"}, {"response": 1544, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (14:19)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KAREN!! May it be most Firthfull! I don't know how to do anything clever. *sigh*"}, {"response": 1545, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (14:25)", "body": "Oops, that was supposed to be something else but as long as the tags are closed, I don't care. The sentiment remains."}, {"response": 1546, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (14:41)", "body": "Love the animated barf, Karen. You invested some time preparing for today, didn't you? Also, I meant to mention before that I was glad Jess showed up to help with the coffee. When the Vicomte clearly was more interested in the boudoir than the kitchen, we Latte Divas told Jess to take over but since we don't have him on DVD we didn't have the pictures to prove it. But now it's getting to be time to start dinner, so here's someone else who's been known to be helpful in the kitchen. And from the look on his face, I'm sure you can tell what he's thinking: \"Hmmmm..... I'm not sure if this wine really goes with blue soup.\""}, {"response": 1547, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (14:51)", "body": "LOL! From someone who is *very* glad to be part of Karen's group, enjoying a healthy sense of cyncism that undercuts the admiration... Happy birthday to our fearless leader! Much respect. I am trying to set up with Paypal to coincide. I think that's a needed gift from me!"}, {"response": 1548, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (16:04)", "body": "Happy Birthday Karen!!!!! I was out at the bakery looking for an appropriate cake when this really nice guy came in. We started talking and I told him it was your birthday, and all about you, and about the party, and well, he got Really Excited and insisted on coming\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd.. http://touchspark.com/his/bulge/imgs/jeans_anim.gif I thought, \ufffdHey why not bring him along, he might have something to contribute!\ufffd Happy Birthday from \ufffdDown Under\ufffd LISA"}, {"response": 1549, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (16:04)", "body": "S** let me do that again! You can delete the first one"}, {"response": 1550, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (16:06)", "body": "Happy Birthday Karen!!!!! I was out at the bakery looking for an appropriate cake when this really nice guy came in. We started talking and I told him it was your birthday, and all about you, and about the party, and well, he got Really Excited and insisted on coming\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd.. I thought, \ufffdHey why not bring him along, he might have something to contribute!\ufffd Happy Birthday from \ufffdDown Under\ufffd LISA"}, {"response": 1551, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (16:08)", "body": "\"Clap clap\" got it right...and well done to all the contributors, what a great way to wake up! You all done good."}, {"response": 1552, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (16:12)", "body": "I am proud to be associated with such wonderfully talented people. Congratulations to all. Great job. KAREN, AM NOT SO TALENTED OR ORIGINAL SO CAN ONLY WISH YOU THE HAPPIEST OF BIRTHDAYS. WHAT YOU DO FOR US EACH AND EVERY DAY CANNOT BE APPRECIATED ENOUGH. I THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART."}, {"response": 1553, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (16:32)", "body": "What a fun party!! Am about to break open another bottle of the bubbly. *hic* I've left coffee way behind. Thanks for the birthday wishes Emma, Kathy and Pam. Just because you don't know yet how to do the fancy stuff doesn't make the thoughts any less. :) And you are so right, Kath, closing tags is next to godliness in our hierarchy. ;-) When the Vicomte clearly was more interested in the boudoir than the kitchen I have no problems with his priorities either. ;-) And I wouldn't mind if he joined me in the bath, which he won't be able to turn over. Loved the bulge boy, Lisa. What a find! Are you sure he didn't stuff a mini baguette in there? ;-) Off to watch Mark Darcy wield his wiry whisk. Lizza will be so jealous."}, {"response": 1554, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (16:57)", "body": "Just dropping in the say HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KAREN. 'Fraid I can't do the clever stuff either but many thanks for all the hours you put into keeping us entertained. If only every(some?)body had that sort of work rate ;-)"}, {"response": 1555, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (17:07)", "body": "\"Cara, I need to provide answers to The Times reporter for this Question & Answer interview. I've written down my responses--would you type them out for me and fax them over to the paper? I need to head off to my Ted Hughes screen test. They want to observe the chemistry between me and Gwynnie for the love scenes.\" \"Certamente, mi caro. Ciao!\" Q: What do you think about all the attention you receive from women? Colin's written answer: It's very flattering, I just try to take it in stride. She types: I've never turned heads in a room. I'm sort of neutral looking. Q : Beautiful women all over the world are attracted to you and think you're hot. How do you respond to them? Colin's written answer: I'm very grateful to my fans, and I enjoy meeting them. I'd be crazy not to like the attention!\" She types: I've never actually met any of these women. It's always someone's mother, or aunt, or secretary. Q: Are you pursuing quality roles as well as you might? Colin's written answer: I really need to get back to my roots and what I'm best at, namely, dramatic roles. If that means a bit of travel, well, I can bring the family along. She types: I'm making choices for family and stability. Q: From whom do you seek career advice? Colin's answer: Generally, my agent. But increasingly, I'd like to consult with successful actors whose work I respect. And, I am thinking of hiring myself a publicist. She types: My wife is my advisor. Q: What do you do to relax and get away from it all? Colin's answer: I love visiting my elder son in California, we hang out at the beach, or go sailing or bike riding, or hike into the foothillls, or go to Dodgers games. I feel quite American. She types: I go to Rome. Colin: \"I'm back, darling.\" LD: \"So soon?\" Colin: \"I couldn't get to the screen test; someone's slashed my car tires and left red nail polish all over the rims!\" LD: \"This is terrible. We are better off in Italy where things like this do not happen.\" Colin: \"Don't start that again. Did you fax over the interview answers? LD: \"Si, I sent them the \"facts.\" Colin: \"Good. There's one thing I forgot to ask you to type. Here, it is, it's a note to the woman who runs the Firth.com website. Now, I need to go and see about replacing those tires!\" Colin's Written Note: Dearest, Karen, this note is long overdue. I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate the website and all you've done for me. The next time you're in London, please look me up; I'd like to take you to dinner. I am enclosing my phone number. Or, send me yours, and the next time I'm in the States, I'll take a detour to Chicago to see you. With many thanks, Love, Colin. She Types: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KAREN!"}, {"response": 1556, "author": "WinniePeg", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (17:16)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Karen and many, many more!"}, {"response": 1557, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (17:51)", "body": "LD: \"Si, I sent them the \"facts.\" Hysterical. Have got tears running down my cheeks and is not good for makeup. Only goes to show--as we all thought--that Colin's head and heart are in the right place...and it's not Roma! ;-) Thanks Mari for ensuring Colin's uncensored birthday wishes got through. Hi ya, Allison, waving back at ya. You know I enjoy it...most days. ;-)"}, {"response": 1558, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (17:51)", "body": "And Leona, thank you. Finally got you to post again."}, {"response": 1559, "author": "Andie", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (18:13)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAREN! Hope you have a wonderful day (and from the looks of this great party, you do). Many happy returns!"}, {"response": 1560, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (18:26)", "body": "this you and Charles in the mine? I had closed-circuit cameras installed recently. Bet you didn't know. And you said you weren't clever! ;-) the resemblance to me is startling He sounds just like me, too Does that mean, you won't do the screen test? LOL! ROTFLMAO!! And high praise indeed from the Chief Cook and Malcontent. Loved the Barf scale. This is priceless. You should probably copyright it [your intellectual property, you know! ;-)] Then we could all do ratings. *snicker* I must agree, Mari! I see \ufffd written all over it. She types: I go to Rome. You are working with some powerful psychic, Mari. Too funny! Lovely champagne, wonderful cake, great party, Karen!"}, {"response": 1561, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (18:30)", "body": "And, Lisa!!! Love the bulge baby!. ;-) LOL! must store that one"}, {"response": 1562, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (18:42)", "body": "Excellent, Mari! It explains so much...."}, {"response": 1563, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (18:47)", "body": "Sorry I'm late. Looks like the party is well under way. Dorine, I got your message and picked up the cake, and balloons. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KAREN. YOU ARE THE BEST Hope you enjoyed your coffee guest this morning. Did he come complete with the satin sheets or are they yours? (thanks, Rika)"}, {"response": 1564, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (19:40)", "body": "Karen, hope I'm not too late to wish you a very Happy Birthday. Am not behind on the cocktails though as I have been at a wedding all day... Being technically challeged, I cannot give you any pretty pictures (I haven't even figured out how to italicize on my Mac yet), but still wanted to wish you the very best!!!"}, {"response": 1565, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (21:30)", "body": "Ah, ma chere Karen, is it nighttime already? I shall be with you as soon as I can.... unfortunately I'm running a bit behind schedule, as you can see......"}, {"response": 1566, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (21:33)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1567, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (21:40)", "body": "OK let's try that again."}, {"response": 1568, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (21:44)", "body": "Birthday suit? Did someone say birthday suit ? I recognize this little designer number. OH, my mistake, you said Karen's birthday . Carry on ladies, I'll just slip quietly out the back door while I still can... Hope you had a good one, Karen, free of rats and other assorted vermin. For all you do, this butt's for you... enjoy 'em now, ladies, they're coming down in 24 hours..."}, {"response": 1569, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Sep 28, 2002 (21:57)", "body": "From \"The Other Karen\""}, {"response": 1570, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Sun, Sep 29, 2002 (00:21)", "body": "Usually I only lurk about here, but I 'm just so excited that it's your birthday Karen!"}, {"response": 1571, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Sun, Sep 29, 2002 (00:24)", "body": "Besides, after looking around I think you need some birthday variety ;-) I hope you had a great day!! Happy Birthday !!!"}, {"response": 1572, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Sep 29, 2002 (00:58)", "body": "Wot happened?! Had to go out for awhile to discuss the movie biz with some friends at the New Yorker Festival and invited them back to par-tay! Karen, they all wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday in person and talk to Colin about future opportunities. Kevin Smith, AKA Silent Bob, wanted to get Linda's, AKA Jersey Girl, advice on the mannerisms and speech of a typical Jersey Girl, to lend authenticity to J Lo's performance in his new movie.....Jersey Girl. Marty is now trying to get back the reservation they canceled for dinner at the new, hip Pan-American Thai Sushi Italian Bistro Cafe downtown. He doesn't want you to be too alarmed at all the violence in Gangs of New York. That 20 mins he showed was taken out of context. It's practically a Disney film. And he let me know that *no one* tells him to how to shoot and edit his movies, especially... Karen, Harve especially wanted to speak with you regarding marketing for Colin's future films with his studio. He wants to know if there is even less marketing that can be done so even Colin's staunchest fans can't find the 3 theaters that his movies will be playing in. And I promised them such a good time..... Hope you had a fun day Karen!"}, {"response": 1573, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Sep 29, 2002 (01:42)", "body": "Mari...ROFLMAO!!!! at Karen's Group/Not Karen's Group ! The MPAA will be jealous of the new rating system. Theirs could become obsolete. Do you think LD has some sort of strange dyslexia...or perhaps an aphasia? As always, I love your insights :-D Linda, glad you got my message! Unfortunately there wasn't a crumb left when we got back. :("}, {"response": 1574, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Sep 29, 2002 (05:51)", "body": "(Dorine)Kevin Smith, AKA Silent Bob, wanted to get Linda's, AKA Jersey Girl, advice on the mannerisms and speech of a typical Jersey Girl, to lend authenticity to J Lo's performance in his new movie.....Jersey Girl. OHMYGAWD, what a golden opportunity for me. Thanks, Dorine. But, I'm a transplanted Jersey Girl, remember? But, I'll give it a try. Here are a few 1.Always say JOISEY, not Jersey. 2.Always root for NY sports teams 3.Like the men, always collect morning paper with robe apart in the front 4.Always make sure your jean shorts are as skimpy as can be 5.When giving your address, always follow it up with the proper parkway/turnpike exit. 6.Make sure your purse is large enough to hide the gas mask. You must keep it hand for those petrochemical fumes. 7.Always go around traffic circles at least twice if you're hungry. This way you won't miss the Country (something or other) Diner entrance. Well that's it for now. You caught me off guard, Dorine. I'll have to give this more thought."}, {"response": 1575, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Sep 29, 2002 (07:23)", "body": "oops, how could I forget to close the tags? A more pleasing possible guest appearance for ODB? I found this in the Trenton Times this morning: Driver helms her own series at NBC NBC is giving Minnie Driver the keys to her own series. The Oscar-nominated co-star of \"Good Will Hunting\" will develop and star in a comedy or drama for the 2003-2004 season. Her crossover appeal, marquee value and winning personality make her a natural to star in her own NBC series,\" Jeff Zucker, the network's president of entertainment, said in a statement Thursday. Driver appeared in several television shows in her native England before U.S. audiences got to know her through films. The 31-year old has co-starred in movies including \"Circle of Friends\" with Chris O'Donnell, \"Grosse Pointe Blank,\" with John Cusack and \"Return to Me\" with David Duchovny. (ed. note)No mention of CF? I thought he \"discovered\" her, after all. However, since they are such close friends, MD might invite him to guest star. That's MD not MB. Also, want to add #8 to the above Jersey list: 8. Jersey Girls never, I say never, use stunt butts"}, {"response": 1576, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 29, 2002 (09:34)", "body": "Whew!! Am I wiped out. It was either that last cake that Linda brought or maybe those very potent cocktails that were served after we ran out of champagne. (Linda) Hope you enjoyed your coffee guest this morning. Did he come complete with the satin sheets or are they yours? He doesn't have to bring anything...but himself. ;-) I think Rika and Elizabeth illustrated it very well. Woweee kazowee!! Elizabeth, you bettah believe that \"butt's for me\" and oh do I love it when he comes dressed (or undressed as the case may be) for my party. I specifically put on the invite: wear your best birthday suit ;-) Suzee!! I feel so honored that you brought Jeremy to my party. He was a very welcome guest even though I kept him in a spare room where he could demonstrate his kissing techniques for me. A+++++++ But he looks a tad overdressed in most of those pics and I know he's been more than willing to drop trou for his art. ;-) LOL Dorine, your buddies were a great addition to the party. I had to tell Kevin several times clean up his language, but he brought some home movies of his travels that were a hoot. He wants to know if there is even less marketing that can be done so even Colin's staunchest fans can't find the 3 theaters that his movies will be playing in. Would be howling with laughter if it weren't so sad. 3.Like the men, always collect morning paper with robe apart in the front 8. Jersey Girls never, I say never, use stunt butts hehehe And thanks to Andie, Lucie and KJ. I hope I haven't forgotten anyone who stopped in to make this a wonderful birthday. and now I need to rest..."}, {"response": 1577, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Sep 29, 2002 (14:50)", "body": "(Linda) But, I'm a transplanted Jersey Girl, remember? But, I'll give it a try. Here are a few Great stuff. But don't forget stiletto heels with tight shorts and designer tee shirt, bright red nail polish and puffy hair down to the waiste. And most important of all permanent parking spot at area malls. (Linda) 8. Jersey Girls never, I say never, use stunt butts So very very true and so very proud of it too. (Karen) He wants to know if there is even less marketing that can be done so even Colin's staunchest fans can't find the 3 theaters that his movies will be playing in. Would be howling with laughter if it weren't so sad. And sadly so very very true. What a great party you all had. Glad to know all survived!!"}, {"response": 1578, "author": "dianes", "date": "Sun, Sep 29, 2002 (17:40)", "body": "Looks like I am too late for the Boss's Big Day :( Belated Happy Birthday Karen!!! Thanks for all you do to provide such stimulating entertainment and essential information to all of us. Not to detract from the celebration, but Friday a new computer was installed at work and as a result I have lost all my Email addresses and past messages. For those of you who've written to me, I'll need to rebuild my address book with your help. Lost all my bookmarks as well. I'll post my new address once the technician explains what has happened."}, {"response": 1579, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sun, Sep 29, 2002 (21:48)", "body": "I just reread all the birthday posts and have to say they were fabulous. The pics and the clever stories were really great. A special ovation to Mari, who did a terrific take on LD..........."}, {"response": 1580, "author": "dianes", "date": "Mon, Sep 30, 2002 (10:37)", "body": "I have now found all E-mail addresses and old posts, please disregard earlier message."}, {"response": 1581, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Sep 30, 2002 (13:23)", "body": "Gah! Can not believe i missed the party! Happy, Happy Birthday Karen! (belated better than never -that's my motto!) ;-) Hope you had a lovely day and this is the best year ever! *Big Hug*"}, {"response": 1582, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Sep 30, 2002 (13:40)", "body": "http://www.wholetech.com/firthvideo/firthvideo4.wmv (not an endorsement)"}, {"response": 1583, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Sep 30, 2002 (16:07)", "body": "Happy Belated Birthday, Karen! I have been offline at home for a while and was horrible to a)forget such a big day b)not call you!!!! I hope you had a wonderful day, and it looked like you had a wonderful party in here (I do hope that you've recovered from all the kisses, bubbly and everything else!) Laura"}, {"response": 1584, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 30, 2002 (18:09)", "body": "Thanks for the birthday greetings Diane, Esbee and Laura. Much appreciated and very glad you were all able to enjoy the post-party. ;-) Terry, I can't believe you uploaded video of that show. But, at least we don't have to tune into HBO to catch all 1 minute 28 sec of that show. :-(*)"}, {"response": 1585, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Sep 30, 2002 (18:11)", "body": "Karen Seems I missed a great party when I was away for the long weekend. Many Happy Returns and many more!!!"}, {"response": 1586, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Mon, Sep 30, 2002 (20:32)", "body": "(Karen)But he looks a tad overdressed in most of those pics and I know he's been more than willing to drop trou for his art Here you go...complete with a stick-on birthday bow. Unwrap at your leisure :-)"}, {"response": 1587, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 30, 2002 (21:27)", "body": "(Suzee)...complete with a stick-on birthday bow. Unwrap at your leisure :-) Whoa...Hey Suzee, even though it's not my b'day...can I unwrap???!;-))) *Slurp*, *Slurp*"}, {"response": 1588, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 30, 2002 (22:13)", "body": "Very good! I've used flowers, bouquets made of wire whisks, but never a bow. I'll take my present and open it alone. ;-0"}, {"response": 1589, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Mon, Sep 30, 2002 (23:14)", "body": "(Evelyn)even though it's not my b'day...can I unwrap? (Karen) I'll take my present and open it alone Guess not, Evelyn!!! :((("}, {"response": 1590, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Oct  1, 2002 (05:51)", "body": "Karen was asking about stats and I'm beta testing the new version of Webtrends, it's actually vastly imporved. The beta site is at http://www.wholetech.com:1099 Email me for a username and password if you access to this page. If you've made a donation to Spring in the past you are eligible for a permium account. This gives you ssh access to the server, a firth.com or austen.com address which can be forwarded to your regular email provider, and web space."}, {"response": 1591, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Oct  1, 2002 (08:11)", "body": "Suzee, Is that a pic of ODB? - From the Hour of the Pig? I remember the scene, but not that still!"}, {"response": 1592, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct  1, 2002 (09:03)", "body": "That's a pic of Jeremy Northam."}, {"response": 1593, "author": "maryw", "date": "Tue, Oct  1, 2002 (09:09)", "body": "Karen - I'm sorry I missed your special day. Just dropped in for a quick look and saw that a lot of fun had been had by one and all. MANY MANY HAPPY RETURNS and THANKS FOR ALL YOUR WORK TO KEEP US ALWAYS COLLINATED"}, {"response": 1594, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct  1, 2002 (09:15)", "body": "Thank you, Minkee. We did have a great time. Saw this item on Ananova, which I'm pretty sure we ruled out for Colin due to all the travel: ;-) Hugh Grant and Jackie Chan are to star in a \ufffd60 million remake of Around The World In Eighty Days. Grant will play upper class adventurer Phileas Fogg, with Chan as his eccentric butler. The film, about a Victorian nobleman betting that he and his butler can circle the globe in 80 days, will start filming in January. Hugh's next role is as a Prime Minister who has an affair with a Downing Street tea lady, reports The Sun."}, {"response": 1595, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct  1, 2002 (09:48)", "body": "Hugh Grant and Jackie Chan Could The Green Lantern be far behind? ;-) I would like to congratulate HG's agent. Anyone know who it is?"}, {"response": 1596, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Oct  1, 2002 (12:00)", "body": "(Karen/The Sun) Grant will play upper class adventurer Phileas Fogg,... What a shame, can really see Colin in this role. Would be perfect? IMO only one who could equal David Niven's performance. Who is Grant's agent?"}, {"response": 1597, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Tue, Oct  1, 2002 (14:56)", "body": "Wonderful party Karen! Just got back and have read it all. Wiping tears from eyes due to Mari's LD comments (too funny honey!) and remarks by you, Evelyn et al;-)"}, {"response": 1598, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct  1, 2002 (16:15)", "body": "Ann posted this link at the Tea Room and I've never seen anything better. http://www.dancingbush.com/ Try the various buttons on the right and left for extra effects. First put all the ones on the right on, then play with the left buttons for dance moves. Hysterical! Others: http://www.miniclip.com/bushaerobics.htm Definitely try the \"hips\" move with Music A. ;-)"}, {"response": 1599, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct  1, 2002 (16:53)", "body": "Cute. Surely there's got to be one for Tom Dishrag;-)"}, {"response": 1600, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Oct  1, 2002 (17:29)", "body": "That dancing Bush has been around for years! cant believe you've just discovered it! :-D Evelyn i'm with you, would love to find something like that for Tiny Tommy ;-D"}, {"response": 1601, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct  1, 2002 (17:42)", "body": "But this is a slick Flash version. There were some very crude ones up during the election. This is much better. You can change the music, add in various dance moves, he whoops, does splits. Much better than those others."}, {"response": 1602, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Oct  1, 2002 (17:51)", "body": "alrighty, will check out the new one! :-D"}, {"response": 1603, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Tue, Oct  1, 2002 (20:20)", "body": "(Terry) If you've made a donation to Spring in the past you are eligible for a permium account. This gives you ssh access to the server, a firth.com or austen.com address which can be forwarded to your regular email provider, and web space. Repeating this because I had no idea the contributions included these services, and I'm always on the lookout for email alternatives. Plus, who among us couldn't use a place to store one's stash of photos for linking and such? Thanks! YGM..."}, {"response": 1604, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Oct  1, 2002 (20:43)", "body": "Karen, thanks for that link. Very entertaining."}, {"response": 1605, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Oct  1, 2002 (21:46)", "body": "Thank you for link Karen. Really enjoyed it and am going back."}, {"response": 1606, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Oct  2, 2002 (17:14)", "body": "I guess this is as good a place to put this as any..... Saw White Oleander last night. V. good...If MP doesn't get an Oscar nod, I'll be shocked. RZ played a relatively short, but pivotal role. Someone else who saw it thought RZ should get a best supporting nod. The girl was just OK IMO until the last 20-30 mins where she just broke out for me when there was a transformation in her character. I never read the book, so basically went in blind to the plot except the general idea of a daughter passing through foster homes when her mom goes to prison. Most people who read the book liked it. A few who weren't so thrilled thought the movie fragmented. I perused the book in Costco today and can see how they would've needed to trim it down. Also saw Welcome to Collinwood....wait for video."}, {"response": 1607, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct  2, 2002 (17:42)", "body": "(Dorine)A few who weren't so thrilled thought the movie fragmented. TIME this week: Richard Corliss \"Good novels don't often make good movies. The communion of author,character and reader is usually lost in translation.\""}, {"response": 1608, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Oct  2, 2002 (23:40)", "body": "Thanks for the heads-up and good report, Dorine."}, {"response": 1609, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Oct  3, 2002 (08:47)", "body": "I'm glad to see that Darcy is a supporter of Breast Cancer awareness! I hope everyone during this month will wear a pink ribbon in honor of those who are dealing, coping and have survived this disease. Thank you, Karen. I'm going to forward the picture to my aunt who is living with metastized (sp) breast cancer."}, {"response": 1610, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct  3, 2002 (09:46)", "body": "Thanks for the report on White Oleander, Dorine. We're being barraged by commercials. Saw the trailer for The Hours yesterday. From the way it looks, all three women will be pushed for Best A noms. Stephen was shown a number of times (looked like he had some hair added ;-) ) Can't wait to see this one. On the foreign film front, do not bother with Eight Women. Was the stupidest excuse for a movie that I've seen in a long time. Wish I'd had the nerve to walk out."}, {"response": 1611, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Oct  3, 2002 (12:30)", "body": "I started reading \"The Hours\"; however, right after I read Mrs. Dalloway, so of course, I felt like I was reading Mrs. Dalloway all over again. Had to put it down until Mrs. Dalloway a) sunk into my syster and b) I could separate the two books! White Oleander looks like a decent movie. Would like to get the book, however, the only ones in the store now have the actresses on the cover and personally, I really don't care like giving free advertising to a movie. Would prefer the older copy (w/o the Oprah Book Club on it as well!) of the book. I'm reading a book by a local author of MA, Caroline Knapp (she just recently passed away at the very young age of 41 of cancer), Drinking: A Love Story. This could be made into a wonderful movie; After 20 years of struggling with alcoholism, she dies. Would make a great movie, although, sad."}, {"response": 1612, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Oct  3, 2002 (12:46)", "body": "I just read on CNN that Gywneth's dad, producer Bruce Paltrow died in Italy of complications to pneumonia and throat cancer. Sad, only 58 years old. btw, that should read system!"}, {"response": 1613, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Thu, Oct  3, 2002 (22:30)", "body": "Asking now as I will be OOT over the weekend; will anyone want to discuss the coming Forsyte Saga ? I won't be able to play along until the rerun appears, but would greatly appreciate having a spot to talk it over. Is this the right forum, Karen? (Laura) Drinking: A Love Story, Caroline Knapp One of my favorite books. Not only a riveting read, but a serious exploration of the subject, especially for women, that speaks eloquently to non-problem-drinkers too. I've given away more than one copy. I was sad, but grateful to hear that she made it through and finished sober . She fought hard, carried on until the end, and left behind something lasting. You might want to check out Anne Lamott's Traveling Mercies ; it's just as well written and every bit as relevant on the same subject, with a wider focus on spirituality and other life issues. (Yes, my name is and I am, etc.)"}, {"response": 1614, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Oct  4, 2002 (09:43)", "body": "I think a number of us will be up for a Forsyte discussion. Rave review in TV Guide, and a nice little interview with Damien Lewis. I haven't checked if it's online. Any Fiennes fans here? Ralph will be on Jay Leno's show tonight, promoting Red Dragon which opens here today. There's a great interview and lovely photo spread on him in the October issue of W. Includes this funny bit: on the set of Maid In Manhattan with JLo, the crew referred to RF as RaFi.:-)"}, {"response": 1615, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Oct  4, 2002 (09:51)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1616, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  4, 2002 (10:04)", "body": "(Mari) Any Fiennes fans here? No, they're on topic 40. ;-) I have no problems with using 160 for the Forsyte Saga, but if people want a separate one, we can do that as well."}, {"response": 1617, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Fri, Oct  4, 2002 (11:49)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1618, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Oct  4, 2002 (11:52)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1619, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Oct  4, 2002 (12:53)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1620, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Oct  4, 2002 (13:52)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1621, "author": "kolin", "date": "Fri, Oct  4, 2002 (14:12)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1622, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Fri, Oct  4, 2002 (15:36)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1623, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct  4, 2002 (16:34)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1624, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct  4, 2002 (16:44)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1625, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct  5, 2002 (10:33)", "body": "Esbee!!! Have a great day!!"}, {"response": 1626, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct  5, 2002 (10:50)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1627, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sat, Oct  5, 2002 (10:56)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY ESBEE Have a great day!"}, {"response": 1628, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct  5, 2002 (15:27)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Esbee! May it be Firthfully delicious!"}, {"response": 1629, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct  5, 2002 (16:59)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY ESBEE"}, {"response": 1630, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Oct  5, 2002 (21:07)", "body": "Happy Birthday, EsBee, many more."}, {"response": 1631, "author": "Odile", "date": "Sat, Oct  5, 2002 (22:31)", "body": "I hope you had a great birthday Esbee! Why don't you just go climb behind those hedges (on that wonderful CF picture Karen put up for you here) and do a personal check on the ear piercings (use touch and taste only :) )"}, {"response": 1632, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sat, Oct  5, 2002 (22:43)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ESBEE! In honor of your birthday, I watched P&P! I hope you enjoyed your birthday as much as I did!!"}, {"response": 1633, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Oct  5, 2002 (23:29)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY ESBEE, AND MANY MANY MORE!!!"}, {"response": 1634, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct  6, 2002 (09:47)", "body": "I've opened Topic 164 to discuss the Forsyte Saga and moved most of the comments from here over there."}, {"response": 1635, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Oct  6, 2002 (12:15)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ESBEE Hope you had a great one."}, {"response": 1636, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct  6, 2002 (12:37)", "body": "Big thumbs up for \"Real Women Have Curves.\" Now, this is THE film that deserves all the accolades and box office being given to Greek Wedding. It is funny (without the ethnic group being stereotyped and over the top) warm, and well-acted and written, and capable of being universally adopted. It is the story of a bright, overweight Chicana in East LA, who is graduating from Beverly Hills HS, which she worked to get into, and is now torn between the cultural expectations of her family, class restrictions and family obligations (to start earning money now) and her own personal goals. Like Greek Wedding, the film was based on a semiautobiographical play, which no one would touch with a ten-ft pole. Fortunately, HBO Films stepped up and this is well worth seeing and telling everyone to see. Far better than the other. It will be released later in the month."}, {"response": 1637, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Sun, Oct  6, 2002 (15:04)", "body": "Thank you SO Much everyone for the Birthday wishes!! :-) unfortunately was nowhere near a computer yesterday so didnt have a chance to pop in. (spent the day at a trade show -came home exhausted and spent the evening with Cary Grant and a glass of wine) Today is party day, which is where i'm off to now!! -Best present yet: Cousin called to say \"dont buy TIOBE on DVD, i've just ordered it for your b-day!\" (love relatives who buy usefull presents!) btw- LOVE the pic Karen, and a shoeless Colin! Gah! am melting into a puddle of drool at the very thought."}, {"response": 1638, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (00:01)", "body": "Esbee, I'm so sorry I missed your party! I was out of town and offline over the weekend. A belated Happy Birthday - I hope it was great!"}, {"response": 1639, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (08:49)", "body": "Response 1618 of 1618: Mary Murphy (Brown32) * Mon, Oct 7, 2002 (09:09) Article in the News of the Week -- Mention of Lizzie and Bridget re the new hot book out of the UK. It is to be made into a film. Can we hope Colin will be approached? Or has he had enough of the \"Bridget\" gals? There is also a review of the book today in the NY Times. ************************************** The NY Times - October 6, 2002 A New Book, Featuring Another Spineless Woman By TAMAR LEWIN OH, where are the heroines of yesteryear? The strong, the virtuous, the impeccably competent: Antigone. Nancy Drew. Jane Eyre. And, most especially, Elizabeth Bennet, Jane Austen's model of admirable womanhood? More recently, the popular heroines have tended to be adorable but incompetent, like Bridget Jones. Now comes Kate Reddy, the heroine of \"I Don't Know How She Does It,\" Allison Pearson's addition to the growing body of conflicts-of-a-working-mother literature. Kate comes across as Bridget Jones's older sister \ufffd married and the mother of two, but still just as harried, just as given to obsessing about her flaws and just as prone to mishaps. Where Bridget finds herself in black stockings and a bunny tail at what turns out not to be a costume party, Kate finds herself addressing an all-male meeting at her investment firm in a sex-toy red bra under a sheer white blouse. Bridget is cowed by \"Smug Marrieds,\" Kate by the stay-at-home mothers she thinks of as \"The Muffia,\" the ones who bake for school parties, while she \"distresses\" store-bought pies so they can be passed off as homemade. Does the extraordinary expansion of opportunities for women add up to nothing more than Bridget's quest for a marriageable man, or Kate's search for some balance between her life as a mom and her career as a hedge-fund manager? What does it mean that they share the same constant self-criticism and guilty sense of not measuring up? After so many decades of feminism, why are Bridget Jones and Kate Reddy still viable heroines? \"They're viable because our whole society is into victimology,\" said Charlotte Hays, editor of The Women's Quarterly, a conservative publication. \"American women have things easier than anywhere else in the world, and we're not as tough as we used to be. Instead of the model of the Southern woman sitting on the front steps defending the family silver from the Yankees, or the frontier woman, we now have the angst-ridden, overbooked executive woman, worrying about balancing her career and her children.\" Heroines, of course, should have happy endings. Kate leaves her high-powered financial job and moves out of London to concentrate on rebuilding her fractured marriage and reconnecting with her children. But that's not happy enough, apparently: in the final pages, Kate begins to rebuild a business, too, a failed dollhouse factory. (Dollhouse? Didn't Ibsen already slam that door?) Bridget has the classic happy ending, in which she gets her man, Mark Darcy. But she is no Elizabeth Bennet. \"Bridget Jones was facing the same riddle as Elizabeth Bennet, how to find a marriageable man,\" Ms. Hays said. \"But Jane Austen's women didn't consider themselves victims.\" Given how times have changed, it is no wonder that Elizabeth Bennet had more character and backbone than Bridget Jones or Kate Reddy, said Myrna Blyth, the former editor of the Ladies' Home Journal. \"A hundred years ago, a woman might resolve to be kinder, to think before they spoke, to be a better person,\" Ms. Blyth said. \"Today, she'd resolve to lose weight. There's less focus on moral character. We have narcissism as liberation now.\" In a world where women still have less power than men, it makes sense that women's humor is often self-deprecating, according to Katha Pollitt, a feminist writer. \"There's a rich vein of women feeling bad in a culture that makes them feel worse,\" she said. \"Why? Because women are raised to think of themselves as lesser beings, to have low self-esteem. One way to deal with that is to make a joke out of it. \"Bridget Jones was hilarious, but the thing that was wrong was that Jane Austen's Darcy wouldn't have looked at her for a minute. And in the end, it was a put-down of women who take themselves seriously. It's all part of connecting incompetence with sexual desirability, and making women feel that if you're too smart, they won't love you.\" She and others point out that the blundering heroine is not the only sort that captures the modern imagination. Hard-bodied women, from Xena the Warrior Princess to Lara Croft in \"Tomb Raider\", are just as strong, self-aware and violent as their male counterparts. Plenty of books feature tough women detectives. And contemporary authors, like Margaret Drabble, Barbara Kingsolver, Jane Smiley and Toni Morrison, have produced a raft of novels with complicated heroines, who are neither pathetic nor laughable. But they don't resonate like Bridget and Kate \ufffd or, for that matter, Elizabeth Bennet."}, {"response": 1640, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (08:59)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1641, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (09:00)", "body": "From 163: Response 1621 of 1621: Evelyn (lafn) * Mon, Oct 7, 2002 (09:55) OT \"Bridget Jones was hilarious, but the thing that was wrong was that Jane Austen's Darcy wouldn't have looked at her for a minute. And in the end, it was a put-down of women who take themselves seriously. It's all part of connecting incompetence with sexual desirability, and making women feel that if you're too smart, they won't love you.\" HF said she didn't write the book to make a statement on women...just a story. And Bridge was never fashioned as Lizzie. Hey, Jane Austen's Emma wasn't exactly a paradigm for women...just a story. As JN once said when asked if he fancied an Emma...\"She'd drive me f****** mad\""}, {"response": 1642, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (20:56)", "body": "Thanks for the interesting article. But agree with Evelyn, Bridget was not written to Champion or malign the modern woman. How can one dispute the author's own words. And Jane Austen wrote brilliant stories, and that's just what they were. All the women mentioned in this article are nothing more than characters in stories. I find it odd that a woman reporter, I'm assuming Tamar is a female name, would have done a more thorough background check on the authors of these characters. She would have discerned this. Love the JN quote, Evelyn. I loved Emma, but certainly would have thought twice if not more times, if I was a man and considered marrying her. I'm afraid she'd drive me nuts too."}, {"response": 1643, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (15:18)", "body": "Happy belated birthday, EsBee! So sorry I missed the celebration, but was OOT and I'm just catching up on all the posts now. Hope you enjoy your new TIOBE DVD! Hope your birthday was perfectly delightful!"}, {"response": 1644, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (17:03)", "body": "With two King Arthur films coming up, Steven Speilberg for HBO and Jerry Bruckheimer...one would think there could be a heavy role for Colin in one of them. TheTelegraph: Spielberg puts the legend of King Arthur to the sword By Catherine Milner, Arts Correspondent ) Steven Spielberg is to demolish the \"myth\" of Camelot in a television film series about King Arthur that does not feature a round table, Excalibur, Merlin or knights. The series, which is due to be shot in Britain next year, will oppose the traditional view of Camelot as a cloud-covered city of towers and battlements by portraying it as a simple Roman fort. Perhaps most contentiously, King Arthur will be a humble blacksmith who does not become king by drawing the sword Excalibur from a stone, as depicted in legend - instead he is feted because he can create steel from iron ore. \"At that time a blacksmith who could cast iron skillfully was regarded highly and would have had the same funeral honours as a king,\" said David Leland, the film's scriptwriter and director. \"The process of casting iron and creating good weapons was a secret and the blacksmiths kept their secrets very close to their chest. I think the idea of how you get iron from a stone - how you get a good sword from a stone - was one of the secrets that explains the Excalibur legend.\" Mr Leland said that the series, which will cost \ufffd85 million to make, will be filmed in the West Country next spring. It will \"de-evolve\", he says, the story that has captivated writers and artists since the early Middle Ages. It will attempt to recreate the \"historical reality\" of what life was like in ad500, when King Arthur is thought to have reigned. He said: \"I am not interested in mysticism. I am not setting out to create magic. There's no point in making this film unless you get under the skin of it and to the reality as it would have been at that time.\" As a result, there will be no round table in the series, nor any Excalibur scene, Mr Leland said, and he was circumspect about the fate of Merlin, the magician. King Arthur will be known as Artos, Sir Lancelot as Bwyr and Guinivere as Gwenever in keeping with the Romano-Celtic translations of those names. \"Sir Lancelot is an invention of medieval poets so we wouldn't have a Lancelot figure, but maybe have some essence of who he was instead,\" said Mr Leland, who is known for his work on the Second World War series Band of Brothers. Instead of the knights there will be a \"brotherhood of companions\" wearing leather jerkins and woolly cloaks rather than the armour of the Crusaders in which they are usually portrayed. Spielberg will come to Britain next spring to oversee the project, which is backed by the American production company HBO. Negotiations are under way to show it the BBC. Casting will start in January. The legend of King Arthur is primarily based on Le Morte D'Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory, written in the 1400s. Malory's works were the inspiration for a number of paintings, particularly those by the Pre-Raphaelite brotherhood in the 19th Century. However, Spielberg has competition: Jerry Bruckheimer, another Hollywood director, is starting work next year on his film King Arthur, which he is shooting in Ireland, and Warner Brothers are bringing out a film based on T H White's book The Once and Future King. Like Spielberg, Bruckheimer has stated a desire to concentrate on historical accuracy rather than legends - even though his grasp on the history of the period seems slightly askew. Describing his film recently, he said: \"It happened much earlier than movies or the English have put it. They changed the way it was told. Arthur was really Roman and the Knights of the Round Table were Russian and great horsemen.\""}, {"response": 1645, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (18:01)", "body": "Perhaps most contentiously, King Arthur will be a humble blacksmith who does not become king by drawing the sword Excalibur from a stone, as depicted in legend - instead he is feted because he can create steel from iron ore. That's right destroy all our myths. Let's give men one more excuse. :-("}, {"response": 1646, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (18:29)", "body": "Thanks Lora! and i scored four BIG bags of free books (several of which i really wanted! Farm Fatal for one) on my birthday. A girl cant complain! :-)"}, {"response": 1647, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (23:33)", "body": "will cost \ufffd85 million to make Holy Moly! For TV?! Must be a 30 parter. ;) And a Happy Belated (not even fashionably late ;)) Birthday EsBee!!"}, {"response": 1648, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (23:34)", "body": "(Telegraph) However, Spielberg has competition: Jerry Bruckheimer, another Hollywood director, is starting work next year on his film King Arthur, which he is shooting in Ireland, and Warner Brothers are bringing out a film based on T H White's book The Once and Future King. All I could think when I read this was, it's Valmont all over again."}, {"response": 1649, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Oct  9, 2002 (16:03)", "body": "(Rika) All I could think when I read this was, it's Valmont all over again. First thought I had too, Rika. Would love to see him in a movie like this but with two and possibly three coming out on the same subject about the same time its going to spread thin. Perhaps he was approached and because of the Valmont experience, thought better of it. Only speculation on my part. Thanks for the very interesting article, Evelyn. I love movies and books about Arthur and Camelot."}, {"response": 1650, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 10, 2002 (09:07)", "body": "About \"Real Women Have Curves\": http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hollywoodreporter/columnists/grove/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1738021"}, {"response": 1651, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Thu, Oct 10, 2002 (11:55)", "body": "Anyone else in the UK watch Tipping the Velvet last night? Apparently the ratings were quite good. I didn't like it at first, but it was growing on me as it went on, and I will definitely check it out next week (not just to see Jodhi May or Anna Chancellor either). However, one BBC press release says: Set in England in the 1890\ufffds, Tipping The Velvet is a colourful, passionate and entertaining love story about Nan Astley (Rachael Stirling), a heroine as appealing and charismatic as Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice. I *must* disagree! Nan grows interesting, but for me she is not as compelling in any way, shape or form."}, {"response": 1652, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 11, 2002 (09:12)", "body": "Would it have done any better with CF? Who knows, but Aug is a crummy month for viewership: The previous two A&E movies since the summer performed even worse: The two-hour \"Lathe of Heaven\" Sept. 8 finished with a 0.8, the fourth-lowest original on A&E since '94, while the three-hour \"Armadillo\" on Aug. 3 could scare up only a 0.7 rating, the second lowest. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=854&ncid=805&e=15&u=/variety/20021011/tv_variety/television_ratings_cable_dc"}, {"response": 1653, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct 11, 2002 (10:39)", "body": "Would it have done any better with CF? Duh! You know Milos was CF."}, {"response": 1654, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Oct 11, 2002 (11:52)", "body": "I just wanted to say prayer for those of you who live in the DC/Maryland/Virgina area. I know that right now isn't a fun time to be living in the area and my prayers are with you. I hope they get the sniper very soon. And if anyone lives in the area, could you just post to let us know that you're ok????? Thanks."}, {"response": 1655, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Oct 11, 2002 (11:56)", "body": "(Laura) those of you who live in the DC/Maryland/Virgina area... my prayers are with you. As are mine. Hopefully they'll catch the bastard soon- *Big Hug* for all of you!"}, {"response": 1656, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Oct 11, 2002 (17:51)", "body": "My prayers and heart go out to you in the sniper's area. Feel your pain and anxiety with every news broadcast. Keep the faith."}, {"response": 1657, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Oct 11, 2002 (18:13)", "body": "I'm one of the MD/DC/VA people, and I appreciate the thoughts and prayers. It is getting scary around here because you never know where this sociopath is going to pop up next. As you've probably heard, there are some public events that have been cancelled, and they're having lockdowns at some of the schools. One of my students even walked me to my car after class last night (very kind of him, though it wouldn't really have done any good if the sniper had been out there). The problem, though, is that it's hard to say exactly what you can do to stay safe, aside from hiding under a bed or in a closet until the person is caught. They set up a partial roadblock on I-95 today after the shooting this morning - they reduced traffic to one lane in an area of the highway just a few minutes from where I live in order to observe the cars as they went past (they're looking for a white van that's been seen leaving the scene of a few of the shootings)."}, {"response": 1658, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, Oct 13, 2002 (03:22)", "body": "Hello all Sorry I haven't been on the boards in a while-- research has been keeping me BUSY! Anyway, some of you know that I live here in Bali, and most of you may have read in the news about the bombs that had gone off here on Saturday night, 2 at a tourist area and one at the US Consulate. I'm alright, though a bit on guard about what's going to happen next. I was in the tourist area last night, though after having dinner with friends, decided to head home a bit early. Pretty scary, considering that we were considering looking for a place to get a drink and go dancing. The are we would've ended up at was precisely where the car bombs hit. Anyway, all is OK... Parents are panicked, of course, but I am keeping the cell phone and Internet lines open."}, {"response": 1659, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 13, 2002 (08:08)", "body": "Good to hear you're safe, Winter, and our friends in the MD/DC/VA area."}, {"response": 1660, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 13, 2002 (09:32)", "body": "Thanks Winter, for keeping us posted.I was concerned when I saw the reports from Bali. Anybody hear from Emma in DC? Scary times."}, {"response": 1661, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 13, 2002 (09:51)", "body": "Hey hey hey!! A British woman (Paula Radcliffe) just won the Chicago Marathon. They've all been running past my house since early this a.m. Stragglers now... ;-)"}, {"response": 1662, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 13, 2002 (09:56)", "body": "And she set a world record too!"}, {"response": 1663, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sun, Oct 13, 2002 (11:34)", "body": "Funny how you call her a British woman;) Paula Radcliffe's very well known on this side of the Atlantic."}, {"response": 1664, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Oct 13, 2002 (12:57)", "body": "Good to hear from you Winter. Keep safe. Thoughts also to you Rika and anyone else in the area, hoping it will be resolved soon."}, {"response": 1665, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Oct 13, 2002 (14:43)", "body": "Gosh I'm glad you're ok Winter. Of all the unlikely places for this to hit, is no where safe anymore?"}, {"response": 1666, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Oct 13, 2002 (15:30)", "body": "Glad to hear you are safe Winter. I guess no where is safe anymore Terry. Just a tragic commentary of today's society."}, {"response": 1667, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Oct 13, 2002 (15:48)", "body": "Thanks Winter, for keeping us posted.I was concerned when I saw the reports from Bali. I am so glad to hear you are safe! I thought of you immediately."}, {"response": 1668, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Oct 13, 2002 (18:38)", "body": "Winter, what is it like in the aftermath? Are tourists hightailing it out of there?"}, {"response": 1669, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, Oct 13, 2002 (18:51)", "body": "How small our world seems. I take a quick look at the headlines and am glad DC is quiet but then I see about Bali. Glad you are safe Winter, take care."}, {"response": 1670, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, Oct 13, 2002 (19:12)", "body": "Winter, what is it like in the aftermath? Are tourists hightailing it out of there? The day after the bombing was so strangly quiet... I am staying in denpasar, the capital, where very few tourists live. The capital, however, is populated with a mixutre of Hindus (the Balinese) and Muslims (Indonesians from other islands--a majority elsewhere but a minority here). I went to get lunch at a Muslim food stand, and you could just see how quiet things were there. I am fearing for the Muslims here, who may be blamed and harrassed for something a handful of extremists did. I used to tell people that though I'm in Indonesia, I'm staying in Bali-- where things are so peaceful, so different fromt the rest of the archipelago. I can't say that any more, as this place has just been victim to the largest terrorist act in Indonesian history. Tourists have been crowding the airport since Satruday night. Australians are having an easier time leaving, as Quantas has sent additional flights in. But I'm not sure about other nationals. The US Embassy has sent out a statement recommending that US citizens evacuate, and they;ve already sent non-essential personnel home. As for myself... I'm not sure. I love being here, and I had a month left till I take my break from research and head back. The thing that works in my favor is that I pass for Indonesian (though i'm not) and I speak both fluent Indonesian and enough Balinese. Will see what happens."}, {"response": 1671, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Oct 13, 2002 (20:32)", "body": "(Evelyn) Anybody hear from Emma in DC? She's fine - I just saw her this afternoon."}, {"response": 1672, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (01:47)", "body": "Winter, thanks so much for writing in and letting us know you're OK. I thought of you immediately and was really worried! It was enough to bring me out of lurkdom :-). I hope things quiet down and that you are able to complete your research in relative peace."}, {"response": 1673, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (14:31)", "body": "Winter thanks so much for report. Living in NYC area understand your apprehension as no one nearby felt safe in the immediate aftermath of 9/11. No one knew where and if they would attack next. It is frightning. Perhaps you will be able to finish your research unscathed further. I hope so. My prayers and thoughts are with you."}, {"response": 1674, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (15:30)", "body": "Jana, good to see you;-))"}, {"response": 1675, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (15:31)", "body": "Rika thanks for the news on Jana. Winter, we appreciate your report at such a difficult time. Take care."}, {"response": 1676, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (23:32)", "body": "(Lizza) Rika thanks for the news on Jana. You meant Emma, right? She's the one I had news on. There was another shooting tonight. I was in Baltimore for the evening and you wouldn't believe the number of roadblocks I saw on my way home. Between roadblocks and night construction, the major highways in D.C. are just about at a standstill tonight. I only had to go through one relatively quick roadblock, but it was quite an experience to be scrutinized by rifle-toting police officers as I went by."}, {"response": 1677, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (23:39)", "body": "Rika, just saw that on the news online a little bit ago and hoped you were nowhere nearby. What is the proximity of the shooting to your town? And Winter, saw a picture on the front page of one of the NY papers of a street with all the cars blown out and burned some. Glad to hear you decided to call it a night then."}, {"response": 1678, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Oct 15, 2002 (00:21)", "body": "(Dorine) What is the proximity of the shooting to your town? It's probably 10 miles or so from where I work, a little further from home."}, {"response": 1679, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Oct 15, 2002 (10:01)", "body": "Winter, am SO happy you are ok (I will have to plead ignorance and didn't realize you had left LA!) We miss you here in Boston, it's been ages since we've seen each other!!!! Please take care and every precaution. As for the MD/VA/DC area, I really hope they catch this b*stard soon. I cannot imagine what it is for you to have to live like that. This person is terrorizing two states and our capital. (personally, would like to see a lynch mob get him, maybe shoot him in the head a few times with the 'cop killer' bullets he's using."}, {"response": 1680, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 16, 2002 (09:16)", "body": "Hoorah! I haven't been this excited since the James Dean one! (must use up my Harry Hoodinis) Giving new meaning to the term \"first-class mail,\" the U.S. Postal Service on Tuesday dedicated a postage stamp bearing the likeness of one of Hollywood's most debonair leading men, the late Cary Grant. The stamp pictures Grant, sophisticated as always, wearing a tuxedo and fixed with the slightest hint of a smile on his chiseled features. The self-adhesive stamp was issued on Tuesday exclusively in Los Angeles and will be made available nationwide starting Wednesday, postal officials said. \"It will make even the most ordinary letter seem not only first class, but also debonair,\" said Jean Picker Firstenberg, director and CEO of the American Film Institute. The stamp art was reproduced from a oil portrait that was commissioned by the Postal Service and painted from a black-and-white publicity photo taken in 1951 or 1952. That would have made Grant 47 or 48 at the time. But as Firstenberg said in her tribute, \"Grant and his movies will never age.\""}, {"response": 1681, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Oct 16, 2002 (09:28)", "body": "Hubba, Hubba! ;)"}, {"response": 1682, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Oct 16, 2002 (10:27)", "body": "Looking at that stamp, and fresh from the 007 discussion on 163, I'm imagining how wonderful CG would have been as Bond. Yum!!"}, {"response": 1683, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Wed, Oct 16, 2002 (12:23)", "body": "Karen, a certain statue of the man is awaiting your visit!! Thanks for posting the image, here's to your debonair missives. Wish our postal service was that exciting."}, {"response": 1684, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Oct 16, 2002 (14:33)", "body": "Thank you Karen. Oh God how I love that man. What a stamp. Thank you so much."}, {"response": 1685, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Oct 16, 2002 (21:30)", "body": "I think this is the right place to post this. My friend lent me this book called \"Cinematherapy: The girls guide for every mood\"; basically it's a chick book to help you through tough times. Well they JUST happen to have a write up of the BBC/AE version of P&P (and the BBC/AE big screen version of Emma); their little synopsis' are cute and uplifting. I thought I'd share this one (of P&P with you.) \"In an era where family and breeding are major factors in one's future romantic prospects, Elizabeth Bennet's got a lot to overcome: her mother is a shrill and vulgar busybody, her father a curmudgeon, and her sisters include a hopelessly untalented singer who insists on inflicting her off-key warbling on trapped party guests and another who is dimwitted and boy crazy. Worse, Elizabeth's dowry is practicaly nonexistent and she lives in the countryside, miles from the well-heeled gentlemen. Yes, the pickings are paltry until that vistor form London, Mr. Darcy (Firth), shows up. Unfortunately, he proves to be sullen, rude and conceited, which is a real shame because he's got two carriages, six liveried servants, and 10,000 pounds a year. Lucky for Elizabeth, and even luckier for her gold-digging mother, her prejudice against the prideful Mr. Darcy is lifted when he eventually turns out not to be a cad after all. Why, he even humbles himself to Elizabeth, albeit not until after she has, in essence at least, smacked him upside the head for being an arrogant jerk. It may take a little work, but his true gentlemanly spots soon show. Don't you wish all fixer-uppers could be so easily renovated?\" Viewer's Note: The 1940 version is worth watching if you're a fan of the vivacious Greer Garson, or if you want to gaze at Laurence Olivier's perfect cheekbones, adorable cleft, and flashing black eyes. Unfortunately, its overly precious direction and musical score, along with its dopey Hollywoodesque constuming (especially dopey given that the ladies wear hoopskirts instead of Regency-era Empire waists), make it far less satisfying than the newer version. What's the point of a Jane Austen adaptation if you can't drool over beautiful gowns, rolling green fields and the opulent interiors of the English estates?\" I thought this was cute. By the way the chapter is called \"Men Behaving Well Movies\" :)"}, {"response": 1686, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 17, 2002 (08:03)", "body": "\"What's the point of a Jane Austen adaptation if you can't drool over beautiful gowns, rolling green fields and the opulent interiors of the English estates?\" I say, who cares? We go for the tight britches;-D My son gave me the follow-up book: ADVANCED CINEMATHERAPY; \"The Girl's Guide to Finding Happiness One Movie at a Time\" He knows me too well...."}, {"response": 1687, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Oct 17, 2002 (08:11)", "body": "ADVANCED CINEMATHERAPY; \"The Girl's Guide to Finding Happiness One Movie at a Time\" LOL. This book is just cracking me up and I'm not in a bad point in my life for once!!!! however, do still watch BJD and WHMS when I feel wishywashy;)"}, {"response": 1688, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Oct 17, 2002 (08:12)", "body": "(Laura) Winter, am SO happy you are ok (I will have to plead ignorance and didn't realize you had left LA!) We miss you here in Boston, it's been ages since we've seen each other!!!! Please take care and every precaution. Thanks for your concern, everyone. I miss my Boston pals too! Yes, it's been ages since I've been there-- a lot of changes, moving on, etc. over the past couple of years. Will try to reconnect as soon as my research here is over (which may be sooner than I expected). Love that stamp... love that man... *sigh*"}, {"response": 1689, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Thu, Oct 17, 2002 (15:24)", "body": "Looks familiar;) http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/funny_old_game/2337031.stm"}, {"response": 1690, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 17, 2002 (17:49)", "body": "LOL Tineke. Saw trailer today for \"Maid in Manhattan\" with Rafe and J. Lo. Looks cute...the guy actually smiles ...American accent.Scene dancing with J. Lo reminiscent of TEP. Due out in December. I'll be there when the doors open. \"Moonlight Mile\" v. worthwhile. A cut above the other films out there. Ellen Pompeo is a dead ringer for RZ."}, {"response": 1691, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Oct 18, 2002 (07:44)", "body": "Tine, that is funny! Poor Joanne!"}, {"response": 1692, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Oct 18, 2002 (11:54)", "body": "LOL Tineke. Poor Joanne! Would however make allowances if he looked like Paul Ashworth. However since article doesn't say so agree with Joanne. Thanks for headsup on movies Evelyn."}, {"response": 1693, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (09:01)", "body": "Seems a shame that Colin wasn't part of this, but if you look at the results, errrr, I don't know... Perhaps if his dimple had been cast... http://www.ananova.com/entertainment/story/sm_693448.html?menu ="}, {"response": 1694, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (09:05)", "body": "LOL. Karen. Me thinks Meg Matthews needs a boob job."}, {"response": 1695, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (11:22)", "body": "LOL Karen. Me thinks Meg Matthews needs a boob job. Believe it or not, that's her after having had one done!!!! IMHO I think she should demand a full refund!!"}, {"response": 1696, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (13:25)", "body": "From Miami Herald:10/19/02 CELEBS EVERYWHERE South Florida events are attracting them Speaking of VIPs, they're due everywhere at upcoming events: Actress Kelly Preston, wife of John Travolta, will be inducted into Miami Children's Hospital International Pediatric Hall of Fame Nov. 2 for her work on children's health issues."}, {"response": 1697, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (15:22)", "body": "I saw that. Too bad it's not YKW. ;-) But if I run into her about town, I will ask about LC. \"What do you think of the title change?\" \"Does CF get to sing too?\" \"Can I have his cellular number?\" ;-))))"}, {"response": 1698, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (08:18)", "body": "Hey, we only have Kevin Bacon, Sean Penn, Laurence Fishburne and Clint Eastwood here in Boston. (filming local writer, Dennis Lehane's novel \"Mystic River\")"}, {"response": 1699, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (08:32)", "body": "(Janet) Believe it or not, that's her after having had one done!!!! Then I commend her plastic surgeon for having a full line of options from which to choose, including \"sagging ones.\" ;-) More realistic IMO. *hee hee*"}, {"response": 1700, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (10:49)", "body": "From USA Today: Wertmuller 'Swept Away' by sequel plans Italian director Lina Wertmuller says she will make a sequel to her 1974 film, Swept Away. Thankfully, she has no plans to cast Madonna, who stars in the universally panned remake directed by hubby Guy Ritchie. Wertmuller, 76, will officially announce her plans Friday in Washington as part of the inaugural \"Washington, Italia 2002\" film fest. ~~~~~~ hehehe!! Although I can't imagine what she wants to show in a sequel?"}, {"response": 1701, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (10:58)", "body": "HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - The producers of ABC's ratings-challenged rookie drama \"MDs\" may have inadvertently predicted the date of their own demise. The network last week sent out an upcoming episode of the series dubbed \"R.I.P.\" The episode is set to air Oct. 30 -- the night before the start of the November sweeps and the date most industry insiders predict will be the last night \"MDs\" airs before going on what seems like an inevitable hiatus. An ABC insider said no decision has been made on the fate of \"MDs,\" and said that even if the show is pulled for sweeps, there's still a very good chance it might pop up after the ratings period is over. As for the eerie title \"R.I.P.,\" there's a logical explanation: It's the show's Halloween episode. ~~~~~~ Oh no! I kind of liked this one. It's very M*A*S*H-like: two renegade doctors, bucking up against the system; there's even a Hot Lips and Frank subplot just started, with rules-oriented, uptight nurse and the HMO rep (Frank). Besides, who doesn't love to hear John Hannah's accent. So cute. And Providence is getting the axe as well. :-("}, {"response": 1702, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (14:12)", "body": "For the chocolate lovers: Posted on Tue, Oct. 22, 2002 Chocolate takes on life of its own at show in Italy PERUGIA, Italy - (AP) -- Chocolate statues, cocoa-flavored pasta, even solid chocolate ''Pinocchio'' noses are some of the sweets on display at an annual, weeklong festival dedicated to the food of the gods. An estimated 30,000 people converged on the Umbrian city of Perugia, about 100 miles north of Rome, for the first weekend of the Eurochocolate festival. This year's theme is chocolate and cinema. To celebrate the extremes of chocaholism, Tuscan chocolatier Simone di Castro constructed life-size characters from the newly released Roberto Benigni film Pinocchio -- all made of solid chocolate. Visitors could marvel at the sculptures in a Pinocchio village, where di Castro sold Pinocchio cups and T-shirts, as well as Pinocchio noses: cone-shaped chunks of chocolate sold in weights ranging from 2 ounces to more than 3 pounds. ''We can't make enough noses,'' assistant Pamela Fontana marveled. ``People just keep buying them!'' At a special event Sunday, five sculptors on platforms sculpted huge hunks of chocolate into Star Trek characters and scenes from La Dolce Vita, throwing scraps to crowds who gathered to watch. ''For the baby!'' some parents yelled, as they held up their young children over their shoulders trying to get a piece of the prized shaving. The Eurochocolate festival has been held every year since 1996 in Perugia, home of Perugina, maker of Italy's famous Baci hazelnut and chocolate candy. In a beauty salon, chocolate soap, marzipan body lotion and cappuccino bubble bath were on sale. Saleswomen gave free chocolate baths, chocolate tattoos and even styled hair with chocolate paint and chocolate-covered berries. ''Time is precious,'' a well-dressed man said after he had his hair styled with chocolate. ``You need to spend it on beautiful things.''"}, {"response": 1703, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (14:25)", "body": "This is a good article. Hollywood's dirty little secret: Why films are dumped BY PATRICK GOLDSTEIN Los Angeles Times HOLLYWOOD - Haley Joel Osment has put together a pretty impressive string of recent films. He got an Oscar nomination for his role in the blockbuster The Sixth Sense, co-starred opposite Jude Law in Steven Spielberg's A.I.: Artificial Intelligence and appeared with Kevin Spacey in the drama Pay It Forward. But the movie the young actor really put his heart into is a movie that you may never see. Called Edges of the Lord, it features Osment as a blond, blue-eyed Jewish boy who is given a chance to survive by passing as a Gentile during the Nazi invasion of Poland. The film, which co-stars Willem Dafoe -- no slouch himself when it comes to appearing in high-visibility films -- as a Polish priest, was acquired by Miramax Films two years ago and has been sitting on the shelf ever since. Having his film go unseen has been a rude jolt for Osment. His father, Eugene, says he and his son are disappointed. ''We're trying to understand. Why isn't this in the theaters?'' asks the elder Osment. ``It was a difficult movie to make, but it's even more painful now, because the movie isn't out there for other people to see.'' A HOLLYWOOD SECRET Edges of the Lord isn't alone. Every year, Hollywood studios quietly dump movies -- even ones with top stars -- that aren't worth the money to distribute in theaters. Call it Hollywood's dirty little secret. With marketing costs spiraling higher every year, studios increasingly have economic and psychological incentives to cut their losses by keeping their stinkers in the closet. Sylvester Stallone is the star of D-Tox, a $60 million crime drama from Universal Pictures filmed in early 1999 and never seen in the United States. Al Pacino plays a press agent in People I Know, which Miramax bought 18 months ago and has never released. Miramax has a cupboard full of orphaned movies. Daddy and Them, a Billy Bob Thornton film that starred Thornton, Laura Dern, Diane Ladd and Andy Griffith, was recently sold to Showtime after sitting on the shelf for several years. Michael Caine stars in Shiner, a boxing drama that Miramax acquired in February 2001 and has just released on home video without a U.S. theatrical run. Miramax is also the distributor of The Third Wheel, a romantic comedy that features Luke Wilson, Ben Affleck and Denise Richards. Shot in 1999, the film has been on the studio's release schedule for two years without ever coming out. `BETTER OFF ON TV' ''Sometimes you have to face the fact that some movies are better off on TV or DVD than in a theater,'' explains Miramax Films co-chief Harvey Weinstein. ``You're asking a lot of an audience to pay nearly $10 to see a movie, so you don't want them to feel cheated.'' Most of these movies never see the light of day for an all-too-obvious reason: They're awful. In its review of D-Tox, released overseas this year, Variety called the film ''almost totally merit free.'' One Internet review of a Third Wheel test screening called it ''a laugh-free comedy'' and said Wilson was ''excruciating to watch'' in the lead role. Even Weinstein admits that The Third Wheel would be better off as a video release. But since Affleck and Matt Damon, who have close ties with Miramax, produced the film, Weinstein says he'll let them make the final call. ''It's up to Ben,'' Weinstein says. ``He's going to run the company someday, anyway, so I have to be nice to him.'' [huh?] Studios, of course, put out bad movies all the time. Just ask anyone unlucky enough to have sat through such recent Warner Bros. releases as FearDotCom and The Adventures of Pluto Nash, a film that sat on the shelf for years before reaching theaters. But Warners has a big incentive: Many of its movies, including FearDotCom are financed by other companies, which also often pay for the film's marketing expenses. THE POWER OF REVIEWS If, however, you have a film that needs to reach a discerning adult audience, reviews count. Miramax had been giving the cold shoulder to another Caine film, The Quiet American, until the film got a rave review in Variety when it played the Toronto Film Festival. Barely a month earlier, Miramax had been shopping the film, hoping that another distributor would take it. Now the studio has given it a November release date and is pushing Caine for an Oscar nomination. So why is this film getting a theatrical release while Edges of the Lord is still buried in the vault? ''If the critics would champion Edges of the Lord the way they've supported Quiet American, we'd love to put it out,'' Weinstein says. Miramax competitors say other factors are at work. Miramax, they note, is one of the few remaining studios run like a personal fiefdom. When it comes to acquiring and marketing films, Weinstein is involved in virtually every major decision. Unlike most of today's studio chiefs, who are often influenced by corporate concerns, Weinstein still operates on gu"}, {"response": 1704, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (14:53)", "body": "Thanks Moon...this is most interesting...esp. \"the dirty little secret\"... \" \" One reason is financial. As long as the film hasn't been released, the studio can keep it on its books as an asset. The minute the film comes out -- and fails to deliver at the box office -- the studio must write it off as a loss. Most companies wait as long as possible before taking a write-off, often delaying the decision until they can hide the loss among several big hits. LOL. Fooling the stockholders...those doggy films on the shelf are declared as assets! Remember when Handmade Films who made SLOW went belly-up. Imperial Bank took SLOW and other films as assets."}, {"response": 1705, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (15:39)", "body": "I worry about Hope Springs. Sounds like it fits the assets category."}, {"response": 1706, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (15:41)", "body": "And, what is the deal with Ben Afflect? Why would Harvey say that?"}, {"response": 1707, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (17:35)", "body": "Hmmm, wonder if the chocolate craze (and the Perugina stuff) will have spread one region over... yum yum (although would not want a Begnini nose replica out of any substance) Excellent article, Moon. If, however, you have a film that needs to reach a discerning adult audience, reviews count. Miramax had been giving the cold shoulder to another Caine film, The Quiet American, until the film got a rave review in Variety when it played the Toronto Film Festival. Barely a month earlier, Miramax had been shopping the film, hoping that another distributor would take it. Now the studio has given it a November release date and is pushing Caine for an Oscar nomination. Does this tell you these people don't know nuthin' about what people are willing to pay $10 to see. Have-a-heart Harvey is what we should call him. ;-) \"I think Harvey has lost interest in those little quality films,..It seems that he's going after more commercial movies that are a lot easier to market and sell.\" Wow, that's a revelation! ;-) As long as the film hasn't been released, the studio can keep it on its books as an asset. The minute the film comes out -- and fails to deliver at the box office -- the studio must write it off as a loss. Most companies wait as long as possible before taking a write-off, often delaying the decision until they can hide the loss among several big hits. I love studio accounting, but it's true. The film is an intangible asset before it's released. Given Disney's financial state, they're going to keep this stuff on the shelf. They don't need to offset any huge profits right now. More smoke and mirrors accounting, making their financial situation even worse in reality. :-( (Evelyn) Remember when Handmade Films who made SLOW went belly-up. Imperial Bank took SLOW and other films as assets. They had nothing else to take. Those were the company's only assets. No choice. But again, they weren't going to sell them for so cheap either. (Moon) And, what is the deal with Ben Afflect? Why would Harvey say that? A joke with some basis in reality, given BA's more active producer credits."}, {"response": 1708, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (19:33)", "body": "sculpted huge hunks of chocolate into...scenes from La Dolce Vita The mind boggles. The holding-losses approach makes a nice tax buffer against a highly profitable film, too. Record companies large and small have been doing that (among other tricks) for years. Maybe Harvey really means Ben's going to ruin Gwyn? :)"}, {"response": 1709, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (21:23)", "body": "Thanks for the most interesting article Moon. I truly hope that Hope Springs is not in the asset category either. They seem sure about London Calling as their putting that out first, but seem a bit reluctant about HS although they have given distribution dates for spring. Lets hope, if not for theater distribution atleast for video. Does anyone watch Ed on NBC? It's filmed in my town. Stucky Bowl is or was my local bowling alley Country Club Lanes and locations are filmed all around this area. Carol's house is two blocks from mine and we see them filming all the time. Production offices are across from bowling alley. They've been filming here I guess three years or more now. Saw Danny Diveto in July filming opener for this season. He and \"Ed\" were going for lunch in Pub next to Stucky Bowl. It's interesting to say the least. You never know who you might see."}, {"response": 1710, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (22:30)", "body": "(Pam) Does anyone watch Ed on NBC? It's filmed in my town. I watch it off and on, and now that you mention it, I had heard that they were using a town in New Jersey as Stuckeyville. Tom Cavanaugh was on Letterman last night."}, {"response": 1711, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (22:33)", "body": "(Pam) They seem sure about London Calling as their putting that out first, but seem a bit reluctant about HS although they have given distribution dates for spring. These are being distributed by different studios, and London Calling is a sure bet, having a huge built-in preteen audience. Very different audiences, marketing and expectations. As we've read here before (Time mag article), success in the rom-com market is getting harder and harder to archieve."}, {"response": 1712, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (22:39)", "body": "(Harvey Weinstein) You're asking a lot of an audience to pay nearly $10 to see a movie, so you don't want them to feel cheated. And there's still a lot of dreck out there in theaters. As long as the film hasn't been released, the studio can keep it on its books as an asset. The minute the film comes out -- and fails to deliver at the box office -- the studio must write it off as a loss That's interesting. I didn't know that. It's like a car's value depreciating as soon as it goes off the lot. (Karen) Does this tell you these people don't know nuthin' about what people are willing to pay $10 to see. Have-a-heart Harvey is what we should call him. ;-) LOL! ''It's up to Ben,'' Weinstein says. ``He's going to run the company someday, anyway, so I have to be nice to him.'' Boy that's a frightening thought. I truly hope that Hope Springs is not in the asset category either. They seem sure about London Calling as their putting that out first, They're from different companies, if I'm not mistaken, with different attitudes toward the types of films they have and they're method of marketing them. Am I making sense to anyone? This year's theme is chocolate and cinema. To celebrate the extremes of chocaholism Now this is *my* kind of event!"}, {"response": 1713, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (06:57)", "body": "(Karen), As we've read here before (Time mag article), success in the rom-com market is getting harder and harder to archieve. After reading the book, I wouldn't call HS a romcom. ;-)"}, {"response": 1714, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (13:47)", "body": "(Karen), As we've read here before (Time mag article), success in the rom-com market is getting harder and harder to archieve. And since romcom is one of my favorite gendres when its well scripted and casted I find this very discouraging. We're not all into teen movies, or classic sci-fi, or violence films. The good dramas, period piece or modern, seem to slip through the cracks. I realize the marketing strategies and the reasons behind them. It's just a shame. IMO too often romcoms have no character chemistry between the actors which I detect and that ruins it for me as well as boring, unoriginal scripts. Perhaps if they put a little effort into chosing good scripts and the right actors it might be different. That's why IMO BJD is so good, chemistry with actors and strong script. Just know sequal will not be disappointing. However the teen movies are all the same. But they don't seem to mind watching the same plots over and over again just with different characters, and that's where the money is."}, {"response": 1715, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (15:04)", "body": "(Karen)Given Disney's financial state, they're going to keep this stuff on the shelf. They don't need to offset any huge profits right now. Maybe that's why they delayed the HS release. It costs money to market and release a film. It's a shame, because Disney as a studio has had a decent year, with some huge hits (Signs, Sweet Home Alabama, Lili & Stitch) and some medium hits too (The Rookie, The Count of Monte Cristo). But the theme park business is really hurting as tourism is off all over. Part of the problem is that these studios are all part of bigger conglomerates; if something goes wrong in another sister business, it's bad for everybody, no matter how good a year the one division may be having. I read yesterday that Disney is trying to unload ABC News (a real loser, apparently) to CNN--which in turn is owned by AOL-Time-Warner. You can't tell the players without a scorecard."}, {"response": 1716, "author": "Odile", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (15:05)", "body": "Anybody see that: Alaska made it to the news today - at least the morning news desk. We had a 6.3 earthquake in the Interior. No serious damage since virtually nobody lives where it happened, but we were 90 miles from the epicenter and we sure felt the ramble (at 3:30 am this morning). When everyone is okay, it's rather exciting to live through it (although some - like my daughter - still managed to sleep through it :) ; she slept through a 6.2 one 7 years ago too). Plus it's not everyday we get mentioned on the news. Now if only they wouldn't show Alaska as if it were an island like Hawaii on the maps... :)"}, {"response": 1717, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (15:57)", "body": "I admire you, Odile. Living in Alaska is not easy. ****************** Has anyone else received the Neiman Marcus Holiday catalog? Well... one of the gifts is... create your own action figure! And it comes with accessories, ie. we can design the Mr. Darcy/Mark Darcy doll, with whatever accessories we might fancy. All they need is the pictures. The catch is the price, a mere $7,500. So, who wants to go for it? ;-)"}, {"response": 1718, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (16:13)", "body": "(Moon) we can design the Mr. Darcy/Mark Darcy doll, with whatever accessories we might fancy. And what accessory innediately sprung to everyone's mind first? ;) Anyone? Anyone? All they need is the pictures. If we could get the pictures first hand, would we really need the doll? ;)"}, {"response": 1719, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (16:39)", "body": "(Moon) All they need is the pictures. The catch is the price, a mere $7,500. So, who wants to go for it? ;-) Moon, how many dolls do we get??? And do we get extra clothes?? I want to play dress up!! ;-) I found a site that will create a custom bobble head (500 for $4,500...we could all put one in every room we have and in our cars...)"}, {"response": 1720, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (17:24)", "body": "Good point on the clothes, Tress! Gotta have at least one Regency outfit plus something more modern. Interesting concept - \"So You Want To Be An Action Figure.\""}, {"response": 1721, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (18:16)", "body": "(Rika) Interesting concept - \"So You Want To Be An Action Figure.\" One of the reasons I would like to see ODB in Harry Potter as Sirius Black....the action figure potential. Imagine, made of plastic, they'll be around until the end of the world...what a legacy! ;-)"}, {"response": 1722, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (23:34)", "body": "(Moon Dreams) The catch is the price, a mere $7,500. Since I can't afford that, I think maybe I'll try to find an old Ken doll or G.I. Joe, and \"enhance\" him."}, {"response": 1723, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (00:02)", "body": "Kathy, when I read this I immediately flashed to you with a mascara brush in your hand. (Sorry, spillover from 166, but I couldn't resist.) :-)"}, {"response": 1724, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (00:30)", "body": "(Tress) And do we get extra clothes?? I want to play dress up!! ;-) (Rika) Good point on the clothes, Tress! Gotta have at least one Regency outfit plus something more modern. Tiny fall-front breeches, itty bitty dressing gowns... but how the heck am I gonna tie those eensy weensy little neckcloths?! What do you think for modern? Reindeer jumper!! (Rika) Kathy, when I read this I immediately flashed to you with a mascara brush in your hand. You know me too well! And while you're at it, if we're talking action figures (and definitely NOT the real CF), then I think you'd better imagine me with a hot glue gun, because I have to add something important."}, {"response": 1725, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (00:36)", "body": "Karen, I must apologize. I'm going to take up residence at 166 now, possibly for the duration. I think it's where I belong. *hanging head in shame*"}, {"response": 1726, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (07:23)", "body": "(KathyF), then I think you'd better imagine me with a hot glue gun, because I have to add something important. But will you go left or right? ;-)"}, {"response": 1727, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (09:33)", "body": "(Moon) - But will you go left or right? ;-) My viewings this week vote for the left, definitely...(The crick in my neck to the right and the special glasses I will need after torquing my eyes allow me to say this with some degree of certainty...)"}, {"response": 1728, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (09:56)", "body": "(KathyF) then I think you'd better imagine me with a hot glue gun, because I have to add something important. LOL....ooooohhhh, please do be careful! All that hot glue can cause serious burns (I meant for you to be careful BTW, don't want to hear that you are in the hospital having tiny, plastic 'accessories' (be they left or right) removed from your tortured hands). ;-)"}, {"response": 1729, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (10:04)", "body": "You know if CF did Sirius Black in Prisoner of Azkaban, then *gasp* Karen would have to read the books ;p *this is coming from someone who is still po'd that the fifth book is not out yet! (and I'm reading the LOTR trilogy now)*"}, {"response": 1730, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (10:12)", "body": "(Laura) *this is coming from someone who is still po'd that the fifth book is not out yet! I'm with you....(I even went at midnight to get book four and stood in line with 500 kids...having no children of my own, I had absolutely NO excuse to be there. I did end up buying 'The Adrian Mole Diaries' as well...not that that helped my case as a mature adult....). :-)"}, {"response": 1731, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (11:44)", "body": "(Moon Dreams) But will you go left or right? ;-) (MariaT) My viewings this week vote for the left, definitely...(The crick in my neck to the right and the special glasses I will need after torquing my eyes allow me to say this with some degree of certainty...) I'm definitely leaning to the left (most of the time). Though I also spend a lot of time these days with my head tilted to the right. ;-)"}, {"response": 1732, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (16:48)", "body": "(Laura) *this is coming from someone who is still po'd that the fifth book is not out yet! Me too. But the way the books kept getting longer, maybe book 5 is 1500 pages long and it's just taking her quite a while to get through it."}, {"response": 1733, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (19:36)", "body": "Rika and any other MD/VA types, have been following the news, it seems so positive that they have the sniper, I can't help but be relieved for all of you. I hope that is in fact the case. (Funny what you think is important, I was just thinking how wonderful it is that now the kids will be able to go trick-or-treating without worrying.)"}, {"response": 1734, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (00:11)", "body": "It's an immense relief to say the least. I think most of us didn't really start to relax until the ballistics report came back, because until then it seemed too good to be true. Some of the school districts have already announced that they'll be returning to normal schedules tomorrow (school's been meeting all along, but nearly all outdoor activities had been cancelled). It'll be nice to buy gas and walk across store parking lots without feeling afraid. And I never again want to have to drive through a police checkpoint where they're all standing there watching the cars creep by, rifles at the ready. I hope the trucker who spotted the car and called 911 gets the reward money. He probably saved some lives."}, {"response": 1735, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (12:21)", "body": "I can't remember what was said here about Moonlight Mile, but IMO it was 5 Yawner, at a minimum. About the only thing I liked was Ellen Pompeo, who is very RZ-like and therefore likeable. I had so many problems with it, and it didn't help that the people were putting their symbolic dirt on the casket before it was lowered into the ground. :-("}, {"response": 1736, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (12:47)", "body": "(Rika) I hope the trucker who spotted the car and called 911 gets the reward money. He probably saved some lives. I agree. I think he saved lives too. Saw him on the news this morning. Says if he gets the money will share with families of those lost. Seems like a wonderful human being. A true hero."}, {"response": 1737, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (13:00)", "body": "(Pam) Saw him on the news this morning. Says if he gets the money will share with families of those lost. Seems like a wonderful human being. A true hero. I can't imagine being brave enough to stay there (after he had called 911), waiting for the police to come. His truck was blocking the exit, and he had to assume the suspects were armed. Thank heavens he was paying attention (to the license plate numbers) and had the courage to do what he did! (Barb S) Rika and any other MD/VA types, have been following the news, it seems so positive that they have the sniper, I can't help but be relieved for all of you. I know you have been in all of our prayers, and it is such a relief that this appears to be over at last."}, {"response": 1738, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (16:06)", "body": "Aw man, CNN is reporting Richard Harris is dead."}, {"response": 1739, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (18:20)", "body": "Aw man, CNN is reporting Richard Harris is dead. Just heard that myself. A few weeks ago, I thought I heard that it was going to be tough, but they felt he would recover. Sorry, to hear this."}, {"response": 1740, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (21:15)", "body": "(Karen) I can't remember what was said here about Moonlight Mile, but IMO it was 5 Yawner, See...that's what you get when you get a coupla' senior citizen actors starring in a film;-)Ellen Pompeo is the young RZ look-a-like. The guy was awful... You told me to go see it I thought it was OK...and I don't even care if old actresses get roles or not!;-)"}, {"response": 1741, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (22:11)", "body": "I saw Brad Silberling on Larry King when Moonlight Mile first opened. I remember when Rebecca Shaeffer (\"My Sister Sam\") was murdered. I haven't seen the movie, but I definitely think it is his love letter to his lost fiancee. If you know the story behind \"Moonlight Mile\", it might mean more to you than you thought. I just watched Iris, and I still can't stop crying. What an amazingly beautiful movie and knowing that friends of mine have dealt with Alzheimer's first hand, I have to admire you, because I don't think I could be strong enough."}, {"response": 1742, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (22:35)", "body": "If you know the story behind \"Moonlight Mile\", it might mean more to you than you thought. I know the story and I think they used a framed pic of her toward the end, but the story's been changed to just be about \"loss.\" BTW, I forgot. I did like the 2 Van Morrison songs. ;-) And it had nothing to do with the actors' ages. [insert one of your sticking out your tongue smilies]"}, {"response": 1743, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 26, 2002 (10:41)", "body": "Karen)BTW, I forgot. I did like the 2 Van Morrison songs. ;-) LOL. *smacking forehead* That's why I liked it;-) I can assure you MM mile is not \"In the Bedroom\" by a long shot. (K)And it had nothing to do with the actors' ages. [insert one of your sticking out your tongue smilies] No *winkie*??? Bwaaaaah :-(("}, {"response": 1744, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 26, 2002 (11:13)", "body": "I was thinking about about what I didn't like about MM and came to the conclusion that there was a disconnect among people, place and time. Things kept popping out at me as being \"wrong.\" After the funeral, the way people were acting and how chi chi appetizers were being passed around I thought the film must be set in LA (insert smilie), then when it turned out to be in some one-window post office small town (Hooterville), I was unpleasantly surprised. Then, and maybe I'm slow, but when I figured out approx when this film took place (early 70s) absolutely nothing seemed right."}, {"response": 1745, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Oct 26, 2002 (18:35)", "body": "Did anyone see \"A Case of Evil\" with James D'Arcy. It's a USA Original presentation. A young Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. It wasn't bad. A cut above their usual. You might enjoy it."}, {"response": 1746, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Oct 26, 2002 (22:12)", "body": "(Pam) Did anyone see \"A Case of Evil\" with James D'Arcy. It's a USA Original presentation. A young Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. It wasn't bad. A cut above their usual. You might enjoy it. Shoot! I thought it was on Sunday. I love Sherlock Holmes, not only the old Basil Rathbone movies, but any of the the more unorthodox stories involving he and Watson. I'm sure USA will repeat it at least several times."}, {"response": 1747, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Oct 27, 2002 (14:15)", "body": "Found this on the web: OxFam Concert for Fair Trade Coffee Fair Play\ufffdConcert 29 October 2002 Emily Eavis, Glastonbury Organiser is planning a gig in London on Tuesday October 29th at The Astoria in London. Line up so far includes -\ufffd Chris Martin & Jonny Buckland,\ufffdMiss Dynamite, Idlewild, Lamb\ufffdand South. The evening is expected to raise \ufffd40,000 for coffee farmers in Haiti. ticket info: http://www.meanfiddler.com/version1/londonastoria/index.asp Think ODB may be there????"}, {"response": 1748, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Oct 27, 2002 (20:17)", "body": "New topics in the 'babes' conference today: 72 Helena Bonham Carter 73 Jane Seymour 74 Emma Thompson 75 Justine Waddell 76 Kate Winslet"}, {"response": 1749, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (08:51)", "body": "Is it no wonder that the Woody Allen wannabe's efforts fall painfully short of the mark. They just aren't coming from the \"same place.\" ;-) LD Note: See last paragraphs. ;-) 'Failed Artist' Woody Allen Talks Up European Film (Reuters) - Quirky comedy director Woody Allen (news) dismissed himself as a failed artist on Saturday and described American cinema as a sink-hole of mindless entertainment where everyone was obsessed with money. \"If I had to describe myself in three words, I would say: A Failed Artist,\" a deadpan Allen told reporters in Rome, where he is promoting his latest film \"Hollywood Ending.\" \"I don't know how to act, I mean, I'm not an actor like Dustin Hoffman is an actor or Jack Nicholson is an actor, and I don't have enough talent to be a jazz musician. I'm very, very mediocre. In fact, I'm less than mediocre.\" While characteristically self-deprecating, Allen was also full of criticism for U.S. films, and for Hollywood in particular, a place he had appeared to court in recent months, even making a first-ever appearance at the Oscars in March. \"I've always had a very critical attitude to Hollywood. Essentially, it's a place where people spend a huge amount of money and yet make very few, if any, decent films,\" he said. \"If I compare U.S. films to the European films I saw as a child, the European ones were so much more original, rich and imaginative, and they really contributed to the development of cinema as an art form. \"I've never really seen the same thing from Hollywood, which always has one eye focused on entertainment and money.\" While Hollywood may have produced masterpieces such as Orson Welles' \"Citizen Kane,\" Stanley Kubrick's \"Paths of Glory\" and John Huston's \"The Treasure of the Sierra Madre,\" Allen said overall it was small beef next to Europe's output. \"If you look at European films, there's no question that they are deeper works of art. You look at something like \"The Bicycle Thief,\" or \"Grand Illusion,\" or Fellini's \"8 1/2\" -- there's no comparison.\" \"JUST SILLY PICTURES\" While Allen's withering criticism may come as no surprise to those familiar with his laments, he seldom heaps scorn on his home country's film-making, and has certainly done so less since DreamWorks started producing and distributing his films. But he seemed almost indignant on Saturday about American shortcomings. \"You know, it's got to the stage in the States that you struggle to find something to watch on a Saturday night -- it's all just silly pictures. \"Sometimes, like I did last Saturday night, you find a theater showing a European film and it can transform the evening. We watched Pedro Almodovar's movie and it was a great experience. It's an intelligent and very, very fine film.\" Asked whether the lack of quality entertainment back home made him want to move to Europe, Allen turned evasive, however. \"Well, it's not easy to just pull up your life and move to Europe. It's something that I have at times considered, but it's not an easy thing to give up your home and your language,\" said the director, who has lived all his life in New York city. \"I would happily come and make movies in Rome, or Paris, or London, or Berlin if I had an idea that worked in those places, but it's having the idea that's difficult. In the end, he said he would do whatever his wife, Soon Yi, whom he secretly married in Venice five years ago, decided. \"My wife likes to come to all these places in Europe. Whatever makes her happy makes me happy, so I'll do that.\""}, {"response": 1750, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (09:12)", "body": "Note: The season opener for \"24\" is tomorrow (Tuesday). :)"}, {"response": 1751, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (10:58)", "body": "Which two Van the man songs??? my favorite by far is \"And it Stoned me\", JUST LOVE THAT song!!!! Then again, Van Morrison, just can't do anything wrong. You should listen to the \"The Philosopher's Stone\", BEAUTIFUL!"}, {"response": 1752, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (12:25)", "body": "Is \"24\" the type of show that I can just pick up and start watching? Tuesdays are not a good night for me, unfortunately, but I'd really like to start watching it. Anyone see the spranos last night? ROTF at Tony's conversation with anthony Jr. when they visit \"the old neighborhood.\" \"Your grandfather came here from Italy with $4 in his pocket and nowhere to stay.\" \"Yeah, but didn't hotel rooms cost, like, about 10 cents back then? Geez, room service must have just been pennies.\" Hee hee. Thanks for the Woody article, Karen. Who's he kidding? They'd need to stick dynamite up his butt for him to leave NY. Also, I'd like to hear what he says about current day European film, specifically the type that get the plaudits at Cannes.;-)"}, {"response": 1753, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (12:26)", "body": "Seems my caps key was stuck (or maybe it was just the person operating it;-), i.e., Sopranos and Anthony Jr."}, {"response": 1754, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (12:48)", "body": "(Article)In the end, he said he would do whatever his wife, Soon Yi, whom he secretly married in Venice five years ago, decided. \"My wife likes to come to all these places in Europe. Whatever makes her happy makes me happy, so I'll do that.\" Good old Woody, just another Si, Cara kind of guy. Thanks, Karen for the article."}, {"response": 1755, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (13:26)", "body": "Everyone has gone completely mad...there's been a shooting at my alma mater: Three Dead in University of Arizona Shooting 10 minutes ago TUCSON, Ariz. (Reuters) - Two teachers at the University of Arizona in Tucson were shot to death on Monday by a gunman who apparently then turned his gun on himself and committed suicide, officials said. (Mari) Thanks for the Woody article, Karen. Who's he kidding? They'd need to stick dynamite up his butt for him to leave NY. Also, I'd like to hear what he says about current day European film, specifically the type that get the plaudits at Cannes.;-) I agree, Woody will never leave NY (no matter what the missus wants). He did say he liked a Pedro Almodovar film (he didn't say it was a current PA film though). Agree that there is a lot of crap out there, but there's a lot of good stuff too (just have to weed through it a bit). Foreign film makers do seem more willing to experiment...but I don't think they have the same sort of studio pressures (as WA should know). (Karen) Is it no wonder that the Woody Allen wannabe's efforts fall painfully short of the mark. Whoever could you mean by this??? *snort*"}, {"response": 1756, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (14:02)", "body": "(Mari) Is \"24\" the type of show that I can just pick up and start watching? Tuesdays are not a good night for me, unfortunately, but I'd really like to start watching it. Not only is the type you can pick up and start watching, you won't be able to stop because of the 24-hr-plotline. I read this one will start at 8 a.m. and not midnight like the previous season. But you are definitely in luck. They will be replaying each week's episode on FX (remember this is NOT Fox but FX) on Mondays at 11pm and Tuesdays at 5pm (all Eastern time). Who's he kidding? They'd need to stick dynamite up his butt for him to leave NY. Natch. He was just making nice. ;-)"}, {"response": 1757, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (14:42)", "body": "BBC Online report that two London theatres, The Haymarket, where \"The Breath of LIfe\" is playing, and The Strand, where \"Mrs Warren's Profession\" is playing, are increasing security in reaction to the siege by Chechen rebels in Moscow, in which more than 600 theatre-goers were held hostage. Arnold Crook, chief executive of the Haymarket, said he was hiring more security guards and putting bag checkers on the door. Crook said it was important not to scare audiences with heavy security. \"It's just not possible to have guards standing in attendance with rifles,\" he said. \"It's hard enough to get people to the West End as it is.\" But other London venues say they will not increase security. David Blyth, operations director for the Ambassador Theatre Group, said London theatres \"are probably some of the city's most heavily regulated buildings\"."}, {"response": 1758, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (18:39)", "body": "\"It's just not possible to have guards standing in attendance with rifles,\" he said. \"It's hard enough to get people to the West End as it is.\" BWWAAAAHHH......"}, {"response": 1759, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (22:23)", "body": "ROTF at Tony's conversation with anthony Jr. when they visit \"the old neighborhood.\" I saw the rerun tonight. That was a riot. Could the kid be more clueless without even caring to know anymore. How about the answer to what was holding that church up? Bricks. Sad, so sad."}, {"response": 1760, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (10:44)", "body": "Well it is just so darn quiet in here I thought I would post a tidbit regarding a very silly show I watched this past weekend. Believe me when I say I saved you the trouble, I sacrificed almost an hour of my life to watch \"Rank, the 25 sexiest men in entertainment\" thinking perhaps?.... I can't think of even one let alone 24 others that are more so than ODB so I watched and waited patiently. O.k. ,o.k Ewan McGregor, Harrison Ford, yada yada, Vin Diesel, (what?!), Hugh Grant (harumpf!), and the number 1 sexiest man in entertainment? Hold onto your pillbox hats ladies, Benjamin Bratt! (No, I am not kidding...)First the indignity of HG ranking and ODB not, then to have BB, above all others, who picks these people anyway? All in all v.v. silly"}, {"response": 1761, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (13:00)", "body": "(Karen)They will be replaying each week's episode on FX (remember this is NOT Fox but FX) on Mondays at 11pm and Tuesdays at 5pm (all Eastern time). Great, thanks for this. Didn't realize they repeated them. Could the kid be more clueless without even caring to know anymore. How about the answer to what was holding that church up? Bricks. Sad, so sad. Sure, he's had everything handed to him. (Maria T.)who picks these people anyway? Whomever's publicist worked at it the hardest.;-) Seriously, most of the people you mentioned--McGregor, Grant, Diesel, Bratt--all have very active personal publicity machines working for them to ensure that their clients make these sorts of lists and stay in the public eye even when they don't have a current project out. Colin doesn't even have a publicist, let alone a \"machine.\" As for Harrison Ford, I think at this stage of the game he pays people to keep his name out of the press.;-)"}, {"response": 1762, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (13:18)", "body": "( Mari) Colin doesn't even have a publicist, let alone a \"machine.\" ) Which justs adds to my admiration...His talent is his publicist."}, {"response": 1763, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (13:48)", "body": "Then you can't get upset when he doesn't make lists such as this one.;-)"}, {"response": 1764, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (14:12)", "body": "You're right...I am more upset at myself for wasting my time in the first place (but that littler voice would'nt shut up, what if he'son?)"}, {"response": 1765, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (14:15)", "body": "Looking forward to 24 tonight. Very good show and KS is fantastic."}, {"response": 1766, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (14:22)", "body": "(Maria)You're right...I am more upset at myself for wasting my time in the first place I watched this last week, also hoping. But, I figured if ODB didn't make it in 2001 after BJD, then he wouldn't be on the list this time. You are right, this was a big waste of time. I found v. few on the list to be sexy at all."}, {"response": 1767, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (15:46)", "body": "(Maria T)(but that littler voice would'nt shut up, what if he'son?) LOL, very understandable. Been there, done that. When I think of all the time I've wasted watching crap like ET, Access Hollywood, Extra, etc. I've promised myself no more. Until his next movie.;-)"}, {"response": 1768, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (16:36)", "body": "(MariaT) First the indignity of HG ranking and ODB not, then to have BB, above all others, who picks these people anyway? All in all v.v. silly They were talking about \"Rank\" on Monday on a local radio station here...everyone calling in was baffled as well over the picks and many suggested alternates. I didn't hear ODB mentioned and was going to call in, but thought better of it since I was at work (I get teased a bit for my obsession)."}, {"response": 1769, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (22:41)", "body": "(MariaT) First the indignity of HG ranking and ODB not, then to have BB, above all others, who picks these people anyway? Has HG been listed in People's Mag's Most Beautiful People Issue....ODB has! (Don't really know if HG has or not. One might presume at some point)"}, {"response": 1770, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (12:16)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1771, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (12:20)", "body": "Gotta run now. Back with more Halloween goodies. ;-)"}, {"response": 1772, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (16:22)", "body": "Here is a goody article from Miami: Eating in B.E.D. is sinfully good Fabiola Santiago Miami Herald Published: Thursday, October 31, 2002 Sometimes this job requires great sacrifice. The task: Review B.E.D, a totally hip restaurant on Washington Avenue in South Beach where luscious, expensive meals with sexy names are served, not on tables but, well, on king-size beds. What's a single girl to do with such an assignment? Find a date. It takes weeks, months really, to find a suitable candidate with an adventurous soul and a sense of humor, then get up the nerve to pose the question (in an e-mail): ``Want to go to Bed with me this weekend?'' His answer: ``Do I come naked?'' Not a chance. ''Dress is business casual -- and trendy,'' the girl taking reservations instructs before she's even asked. And on that subject: Ladies, better wear pants or a flowing long skirt or prepare to do contortions. As it happens, there are lots of rules to eating in B.E.D., which stands for Beverage Entertainment Dining. After midnight, B.E.D. turns into a nightclub where people shimmy on the beds as well as the dance floor. Besides the dress code, there's a strict must-have, same-day reservation policy and a grace period of 15 minutes. Come a minute later and you lose your bed. Getting in and out of bed is a carefully timed choreography. Your assigned bed -- dressed in off-white linens that aren't changed between customers (this is not as bad as it sounds, at least not if you're among the first customers as we were this Saturday night) -- is on a lease of sorts, yours for two hours, during which you are encouraged to consume, consume, consume. Thankfully, it's all fabulous -- fun and food. Before we hop in bed with three other diners already there, we're told to take off our shoes. I'm really glad I got that expensive European pedicure. Black clothes. Red toe nails. Soft candle light. Doesn't get sexier than this. I lean back on the pillows. My date, let's call him Mr. Cafecito, sits Indian-style in front of me. We order Absolut martinis ($9). There's nothing fancy about them, and they come with too many fat, salty olives on a stick. Mr. Cafecito starts massaging my feet. I already like this restaurant. Then, we eat. Starting with the foreplay, I mean the appetizers, executive chef Vitor Casassola delivers creative nouvelle cuisine, appropriately splashed with a Caribbean flair on this Latin-themed night when a band blasts salsa tunes. The rice paper-wrapped crab cake ($14) is simply a beautiful mound surrounded by oodles of delicate carrot swirls. The delicate beef carpaccio ($15) comes in a generous serving, touched with white truffle oil and topped with shaved Parmesan cheese. Mr. Cafecito loves the food but seems a little restless. The guy sitting on the other side of our bed curtain is inadvertently touching his butt, he explains. Lucky for him, our neighbors, an animated bunch in a packed bed, move around quite a bit. Now the guy is touching mine. I slide open the curtain between us. ''If you're going to touch my butt, I want to at least see what you look like,'' I say. He laughs nervously, says something in what I think is Italian. Everyone laughs. I smile and close the curtain. We need to be nice to our tourists. I surrender to the entrees brought to us in oversize plates flanked by sturdy round trays. The lobster Santos ($40) is hardly saintly in its sexy Caribbean presentation with baked pineapple, celery and tomatoes and coconut cashew ginger sauce. The meat is tender and flavorful. The rack of Australian lamb ($39) seduced me with its accompanying blue corn grits and saut\ufffded wild mushrooms in a cognac-thyme reduction, but the meat, although plentiful for one, wasn't flavorful and juicy enough on its own. All five of us in this bed are now squirming a bit. We're achy from being in a sitting position, and after our plates are carted away, we stretch our limbs. We need to sweeten the deal, and the list of desserts is nothing short of seductive. I want to experience the ''m\ufffdnage \ufffd trois'' ($14), but that turns out to be ice cream in three flavors: cashew fruit banana, cinnamon apple and mango coconut. Being a hopeless romantic, I instead order the ''cloud nine'' ($14), a fluffy dulce de leche souffle that's enough to feed several people and almost as good as sex. Mr. Cafecito goes for the ''coco loco'' ($14), a gorgeous coconut mousse served on a chocolate half shell and decorated with caramelized bananas. It doesn't quite live up to the looks in taste. Given a second chance, he would have gone for the ''go deep'' ($14), a cappuccino crme brl\ufffde. Our own bed partners are slightly ahead of us on the eating schedule, so they leave first. Finally, we're all alone in this really big bed. Mr. Cafecito joins me on the pillows and lights a cigarette. We order another martini. I'm either developing a major tolerance for booze or this one is quite watery. And wait, can't get too comfortable on those cushions. The sweet, suave waiter,"}, {"response": 1773, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (07:49)", "body": "I saw this on one of those news magazines. Seemed a bit ridiculous (some even dress in nighties). I heard their is quite the waiting list. (I even saw people with children there too.) (me, after the dessert, I'd fall asleep!)"}, {"response": 1774, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (10:35)", "body": "(from Darcy Drool --- Tress) I was told not to read \"The Rules\". According to my Bibliotherapy book, it's a \"book to be thrown with great force\"! ;-) I almost forgot! Based on recommendations from here, I looked up the Cinematherapy books for a friend's birthday, we're both having a lot of fun with them (thanks whoever -- Jeanie?) and I was intrigued by the Bibliotherapy one but passed up on it because of the reviews. Tress, do you like it?"}, {"response": 1775, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (11:44)", "body": "(BarbS) and I was intrigued by the Bibliotherapy one but passed up on it because of the reviews. Tress, do you like it? Barb, it's a lot of fun...not the type of book you read cover to cover...but, there has been a terrible error in it. Pride and Prejudice is not listed (gasp), but I think Sense and Sensiblity is in the book (I'm at work and can't check). I would recommend it (it's pretty much the same format as the Cinematherapy book you mentioned)..."}, {"response": 1776, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (21:40)", "body": "Thanks for article on B.E.D. Moon. Have you gone there yet? Very interesting concept. Thank you for Halloween greetings Karen. So clever. Did anyone get any special treats?"}, {"response": 1777, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (09:14)", "body": "My daughter just read in \"Entertainment Weekly\" that Richard Harris passed away on the 25th! I hadn't heard anything about it... oh nooo! (sighing sadly)"}, {"response": 1778, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (10:31)", "body": "Oh my! Been busy have you? ;-)"}, {"response": 1779, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (17:00)", "body": "Yes, Dorine, I've been busy reading the other threads, otherwise I would've already known. LOL! Everytime I don't read this thread with regularity, I miss something important.... Who do you suppose they'll choose to replace his role as Dumbledore? I don't think anyone else could truly do that part justice.. (sigh)"}, {"response": 1780, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (21:29)", "body": "Great Picture on front page Karen. I'm only allowed to put up pics regarding education on sons computer, as he's a teacher, so I now have added Afterschool Programs to Be a Mentor. Something nice to look at while I'm thinking about what to write."}, {"response": 1781, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (23:01)", "body": "Rika, You are my wife. For your birthday, your LD sisters have arranged for you to come to my Villa Eden so that I can whisper, TOMAHTO, in your ear all day long. Happy Birthday Dahling, love Matthew, Dorine, and Linda."}, {"response": 1782, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (23:50)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1783, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (00:03)", "body": "Hello, Peter speaking. A party? How fantastic! Let me check.... Felicity, dahling....there's a bday party tomorrow. Are you free? Well who is it for?"}, {"response": 1784, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (00:07)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RIKA!! CF says the best presents are always on his LEFT, your right. I'm sure you'll agree!"}, {"response": 1785, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (00:08)", "body": "\ufffdRika, one of my most ardent admirers. You know, the girl from Spring\ufffd\ufffdthe one who takes all those nice pictures of me from my movies and posts everyone\ufffds favorites\ufffdon request, no less! \ufffdYes, then absolutely we must go! But Moxie has nothing to wear.\ufffd \ufffdWe\ufffdll take care of that. (Into the phone) \ufffdWe\ufffdll see you there!\ufffd \ufffdMa\ufffdam, I\ufffdm not so sure about this.\ufffd \ufffdOh, Moxie\ufffd..this fabric will look lovely on you. Don\ufffdt you think so Peter?\ufffd \ufffdYes, and these earrings are to die for! What do you think Frederick?\ufffd \ufffdWell, just make sure she has some decent shoes.\ufffd"}, {"response": 1786, "author": "Odile", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (00:49)", "body": "Have a great birthday Rika! Thanks so much for all the pictures you posted, such eye candy for Halloween we got from you... So now treat yourself (I'm sure your kids wouldn't notice a few chocolates missing out of their trick-or-treat bags :) )."}, {"response": 1787, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (08:35)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1788, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (09:05)", "body": "A package just arrived...says it's for The Latte Diva... A Lifetime supply....."}, {"response": 1789, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (10:24)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Rika! This is an invitation to visit Amsterdam. Where you will be greeted by these actors and accompanied to the set of GWAPE where you will meet and greet all the actors. You will then be taken to your 5 star hotel to freshen up. You will need to be rested because... you room connects to Vermeer's room, ie, ODB! As soon as he's done going over the script changes with the director he's all yours! Have a great time, Rika! And live to tell the tale. :-)"}, {"response": 1790, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (10:37)", "body": "What can I say that this doesn't say? Take Your Birthday Bows!!"}, {"response": 1791, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (11:07)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Rika, my lovely Latte Diva! Today it's *my* turn to serve *you*."}, {"response": 1792, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (11:24)", "body": "Oh,no! I've forgotten to get Rika's birthday present! Maybe I can make her something out of leaves while I'm at work. Or better yet, I'm sure I can find something in some of those seedy neighborhoods while searching for my wife. If I don't find her, at least I won't embarrass myself showing up empty handed to the party. Now, did they ask me to bring the cake, too?"}, {"response": 1793, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (11:52)", "body": "Kathy and Odile, thank you for the birthday wishes! Linda and Karen, thank you so much for bringing Matthew to the party! The day wouldn't have been the same without him - and luckily he's being very patient with my incessant running of my fingers through his curls. And Dorine knows that no party could be complete witout Peter there to organize things, Joe Prince to be sincere and well-meaning (don't worry about a gift, Joe - I know you have other things on your mind), and The Man Himself (looking verrrry nice) to pour the coffee. Moon, I am packing my bags this instant for my Dutch treat. Am looking forward to slipping into Vermeer's room and..... grinding some colors.... with him. And Evelyn brought the Starbucks card so we can all have as many lattes as we want!"}, {"response": 1794, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (12:00)", "body": "Rupert, I'm telling you, I'm *not* walking into that party with you until you change those socks. Ditch the shoes, too. Since I'm, *The Stairmaster*, I'm a little more sensitive to these things. They'll notice, I assure you. Especially the birthday girl, Rika.....and once everyone zeros in on something, she'll make sure a picture is posted, *in close-up*, so every little detail can be pored over. They're merciless!"}, {"response": 1795, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (12:41)", "body": "Happy Birthday DVDiva!!!! Thank you for all those moments when I have fallen off my chair due to one of your perfect pics! Have a great dayyyyyy!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 1796, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (13:05)", "body": "We're here! Be still my beating heart! Shall I play something that will amaze the whole room?"}, {"response": 1797, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (13:46)", "body": "Hang on, I'm on my way. I had to sneak out of the house. Moira is still ticked off about the loft. Hope you don't mind my backside."}, {"response": 1798, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (14:49)", "body": "Rika\ufffd.. Do you know how many kinds of \ufffdlatte\ufffd there are? No? Well, let me tell you\ufffd.. There are latte dogs\ufffd \ufffdand goats\ufffd. \ufffdand latte on demand."}, {"response": 1799, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (14:50)", "body": "Wait\ufffdthere\ufffds more! There\ufffdre stone images named latte\ufffd. \ufffdthere\ufffds latte right from the source\ufffd. \ufffdlatte whips (oh my)\ufffd.. \ufffdlatte beggars\ufffd. and just plain old latte fresco. There\ufffds even latte cake for celebrating a birthday\ufffd. Wishing you a very Happy Birthday\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd"}, {"response": 1800, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (15:11)", "body": "LOL! And who says time here is wasted? It's educational. We have a new degree specialty: Lattology. (Loved that Frasier one)"}, {"response": 1801, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (16:09)", "body": "\"Rika, you clever girl....here's looking at *you* kid, instead of me for once .\""}, {"response": 1802, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (16:16)", "body": "Cheers! Hope you are having a great birthday! We're obviously having one for you. But shhhh....try not to wake Dorine on that sofa there..... perhaps a tad too much chardonnay and champagne"}, {"response": 1803, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (17:03)", "body": "Cutting up on your birthday, are we? Have a good one, Rika!"}, {"response": 1804, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (17:07)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1805, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (17:14)", "body": "Tress, thanks for the wishes. I have to say, it's all too easy to capture a knocking-one-out-of-one's-chair image of ODB - almost any random frame from one of his films will do the job! Rupert, you should listen to Colin. Those socks are a crime against nature, and we are excessively attentive to such matters here on Drool. I'm glad Edward Pettigrew was able to stop by as well, especially since I just saw Moira yesterday at the theater (he must have come over here with her). He's over in the corner now explaining the moss factory to Moxie and Lady Marshwood. Peter escaped from their group, though, and is presently working his way across the room in Rupert's direction. Lisa, thanks for the Lattology lesson! Matthew's going to stay on after the party and we're going to investigate this latte whip in more detail. Elizabeth, keep an eye on Ross for me, okay? I don't want him dropping any of my birthday gifts down the disposal. But he's welcome to take turns at the piano with Peter, and I do hope he'll find time to take a shower.... or two. Thank you all!!"}, {"response": 1806, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (17:17)", "body": "Happy Birthday Rika! Hope it was a good one!"}, {"response": 1807, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (17:19)", "body": "And no celebration is complete without the cake: I hope you've had a happy one, Rika!"}, {"response": 1808, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (17:32)", "body": "Ah, Foolish Antelope, its been a wonderful day, hasn't it? Come, I think it's time we explored the latte whip."}, {"response": 1809, "author": "Odile", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (17:43)", "body": "Just a quick note for those who might check the news between two glasses of bubbly in Rika's honor. After last week's 6.7 earthquake, we've just had a 7.9 one in Interior Alaska. Stuff fell off the shelves here but nothing from my Colin collection is injured... :) As I'm writing this, we're still getting aftershocks every 5-10 minutes although my knees are the ones doing most of the shaking right now."}, {"response": 1810, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (17:52)", "body": "Oh, gosh! Be careful! Where is it that one can stand safely (and put their Colin collection) in an earthquake? How far is the epicenter from you?"}, {"response": 1811, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (17:58)", "body": "(Odile) Stuff fell off the shelves here but nothing from my Colin collection is injured... :) Thank heavens! Surely it's time to invest in an earthquake-proof vault for the Colin collection!! Maybe you could make it a big one (like a bomb shelter of old) and stock it with a generator, TV & VCR. Just in case."}, {"response": 1812, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (18:00)", "body": "Wow, hope everything will be ok, Odile. Keep yourself in a safe place."}, {"response": 1813, "author": "Odile", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (18:06)", "body": "Thanks Dorine! Epicenter was 70 miles from us but it's a shallow one (1 mile deep) so it's felt more. Fortunately, virtually no one lives where it happened; early reports give some cracked roads and mudslides but no injuries. Most of my neighbors and myself and the kids got our coats on and went outside because the swaying house was too scary. As I'm typing we're getting more aftershocks, maybe I'll have a whole bottle in Rika's honor. My poor nerves!"}, {"response": 1814, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (18:28)", "body": "Happy Birthday Rika. BTW The magazine is on it's way! - Another birthday treat. Check this out - Nessie has been found!!! http://groups.msn.com/ColinFirthFantasyWomen/wow.msnw"}, {"response": 1815, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (18:33)", "body": "I propose a toast.... To Rika! You didn't play naked in my paddling pool, but you have captured my heart....and hands....and my luscious curls and waves....and *other areas* of notable distinction, for all to enjoy. Quite pervy really....thank you!"}, {"response": 1816, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (18:41)", "body": "But of course I like you just the way you are (it had to be said)...... Hope you enjoyed your party!"}, {"response": 1817, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (18:45)", "body": "Odile, be careful!!! I lived through my first quake about two years ago and it is an awful feeling...the pit of your stomach just drops out...(and whatever you do, protect that Colin collection)! Will be thinking of you and hoping you are safe. Oooohhhh Rika, Janet just gave you a nice birthday present!"}, {"response": 1818, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (18:53)", "body": "'Ummmmm', clearing throat and finding my cowgirl voice.... Happy Trails to You....until...we meet...again! Oh well, now I can see that does not apply at all to ODB. Thanks Janet, excellent BD choice! Odile, hang in there."}, {"response": 1819, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (20:08)", "body": "Rika, my birthday present to you is a round of chardonnay and champagne at the Hudson Bar when you're in NY. :-) Hope you had a great birthday! and (thanks Elizabeth)"}, {"response": 1820, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (20:11)", "body": "Trying to compose myself, here, It may take awhile. At long last, nessie! Geeze, what a way to end the day, Thank you, Janet"}, {"response": 1821, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (20:12)", "body": "De nada, Dorine, I never get tired of that one... ;)"}, {"response": 1822, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (20:14)", "body": "Oh, and thank you Dorine, Now, look how good the top of the head looks here. Dorine's pic, ladies not Janet's...although that looks pretty darn good, too"}, {"response": 1823, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (20:22)", "body": "And Linda, in anticipation of your birthday, you too will have a round of c & c on me! ;-D"}, {"response": 1824, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (21:54)", "body": "HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY RIKA AND MANY MANY MORE!!!! Thank you so much for all the wonderful pictures you have given us. Ladies, you are all so talented. And Janet words of appreciation falter here. What a Birthday Present. Odile, please be careful. We'll have to send ODB your way to make sure you're all right and to help preserve his collection of work, of course."}, {"response": 1825, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (00:09)", "body": "Thank you Barb and Pam for the birthday wishes, Karen for the cake, and Dorine for the yummy MD and CF pictures (you picked some of my favorites). And Janet - oh, dear me!!!! Nessie appears at last! If there's anyone I've forgotten to thank as I went along, please accept my apologies. This was my first Drool birthday party and I had a wonderful time! And look who finally arrived.... better late than never, and all dressed up for the occasion. He said it took him a while to remove the make-up he was wearing in the Halloween photo on Drool:"}, {"response": 1826, "author": "Leah", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (05:05)", "body": "Saw the picture of the dress cutting. Why is he using his left hand, and why is the scissor upside-down?"}, {"response": 1827, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (09:22)", "body": "(Leah) Saw the picture of the dress cutting. Why is he using his left hand, and why is the scissor upside-down? Poor planning and direction. Haven't seen it? Not a film with the highest budget. :-)"}, {"response": 1828, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (13:12)", "body": "What a great Birthday Party. So many very very clever well-wishers. And Rika, thank you for my present, Richard H."}, {"response": 1829, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (15:39)", "body": "Yeah, I know, I'm late.. I forgot to check this thread again yesterday. (banging head on desk repeatedly) However, I'll be seeing \"Our Birthday Girly\" this weekend, and I plan to take her to dinner, or whatever it is she wants to do.. (knowing that it's Rika we're talking about, it might not be pertinent for me to have such a broad range of possibilities for her to choose from.. hmmm.. ) ;)"}, {"response": 1830, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (15:47)", "body": "OOO'mGAWD, is that a real nessie picture or simply a touchup someone has done? Oh, I can't decide whether to be extremely turned on or completely disgusted and embarassed! What a quandry.. yikes! I'm thinking it would be best if someone found out who posted that and, I dunno... I don't think our sweetypie would be happy about it, you know? =/"}, {"response": 1831, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (16:29)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1832, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (16:31)", "body": "Jeanie, make that one Worthing to go! That shot is a great bookend with the Richard Herncastle one - both in white tie and looking to die for. But Richard has that youthful look of wide-eyed fascination, while Jack has just a hint of mischief in his eyes. Do I have to choose or can I pick both of them??? On Nessie, I think it's an undoctored snappie from PM. It had been pointed out to me once that if you pause PM at just the right moment, the shot was a tad more revealing than it seems when you run the movie."}, {"response": 1833, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (16:53)", "body": "Haven't been in O&E in a while; so sorry I missed the party! Happy belated b-day Rika! Odile, your poor nerves! Keep yourself (and your CF collection) safe! So many yummy captures! Of the tuxedoed CFs I think I prefer Jack to Richard; it's that mischievous look that gets me. Where did you find it? TIOBE won't be released til next week."}, {"response": 1834, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (18:03)", "body": "lalala lalalalalala lalalala.. (trying to uncenter this thingie)"}, {"response": 1835, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (18:07)", "body": "is it fixed yet?"}, {"response": 1836, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (18:10)", "body": "(Moon)Where did you find it? TIOBE won't be released til next week It's a secret and I ain'ta tellin'! =P Help, Boss! I've broken the boards again!"}, {"response": 1837, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (19:31)", "body": "(Leah) Saw the picture of the dress cutting. Why is he using his left hand, and why is the scissor upside-down? To lay out the shot using the grand piano *and* the wall of windows while still cutting from the hem up? The full scene would be much less dramatic if he undressed her from the top down, IMO. Flipping the scissors for safety, perhaps. That said, they could have turned the piano around...those things do come on wheels, but then other scenes would change too. Go figure."}, {"response": 1838, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (20:43)", "body": "(Elizabeth) That said, they could have turned the piano around...those things do come on wheels, but then other scenes would change too. Go figure I repeat...poor planning and direction. :)"}, {"response": 1839, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (23:12)", "body": "Jeanie, it's fixed. You just can't see it."}, {"response": 1840, "author": "Andie", "date": "Tue, Nov  5, 2002 (10:55)", "body": "Rika, I'm late for your BD, but please allow me to wish you a HAPPY belated BIRTHDAY! Hope you had a wonderful time! I had a very good time just reading and admiring the many BD greetings :-) I may have told you before how much I liked your snappies. Well, I'll just like to say it again: I love them! Esp all your generous ones on the Darcy boys more please! Thank you so much!"}, {"response": 1841, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov  5, 2002 (13:22)", "body": "This article gave me a few laughs. Enjoy! Sympathetic spouse can actually intensify the pain, study reveals BY ROBERT LEE HOTZ Los Angeles Times Service ORLANDO - Scientists have proved what so many have long suspected: The very presence of your solicitous spouse can be a pain. By eavesdropping on electrical activity in the most private precincts of the mind, researchers investigating the effects of chronic pain discovered that a husband or wife can make the ache feel three times worse simply by being in the room. All they had to do to make their spouses feel better, the neural probes revealed, was leave. The new research, made public here Sunday at a meeting of 24,000 neuroscientists, offers the first clear neural evidence that social experiences can directly alter the way the brain responds to the kind of chronic pain experienced by more than 97 million people in the United States. Chronic pain, the researchers concluded, can become embedded in the give-and-take of a relationship, even at the fundamental level of brain anatomy. ''For the first time, we have discovered that a social variable, namely the presence of a spouse, can influence the brain's response to pain,'' said neuropsychologist Herta Flor of the University of Heidelberg's Central Institute of Mental Health, who led the study team. Presented during the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, the work is part of a cascade of provocative insights into how experience can alter the structure and responses of the human brain. CHANGING CIRCUITRY Neurons and neural circuits are constantly remodeling themselves to accommodate the influence of experience, whether it is the stimulation of computer games, too much stress or the actions of an overly sympathetic helpmate, new research shows. Indeed, the experience of surgery during infancy can alter the body's pain responses for a lifetime, researchers said Sunday. Experimenting with laboratory mice, scientists at Haverford College in Pennsylvania determined that untreated pain at birth lessens sensitivity to pain later in life. ''Our research in mice suggests that an adult's pain sensitivity may be linked to past experiences with painful or stressful experiences, including those that occur very early in life,'' said Wendy Sternberg, whose laboratory conducted the experiments. To better understand the interplay between chronic pain and the brain, Flor and her colleagues in Germany studied 20 couples in which one partner suffered from severe chronic back pain. The researchers monitored the patient's brain activity with an array of electrodes that recorded the involuntary, physiological responses of nerve cells and synapses. They then gave the patients painful electric shocks to their aching backs and studied the brain's responses. They found that some spouses measurably boosted the patient's neural pain responses just by sitting near them in the laboratory. The sensors detected the heightened activity in a part of the brain called the anterior cingulate cortex, which is associated with the processing of pain. The effect occurred only when the spouse was in the room and only when the shock was applied to the sore back, not to other parts of the body. Surprisingly, perhaps, it was the most-solicitous husbands and wives -- those who clucked most lovingly over the spouses' discomfort -- who triggered the pain. The more the husbands or wives dwelt on their partners' pain, the worse it felt, the neural monitors showed. ''We found basically that when their spouses were in the room, they had an almost threefold increase in their response to pain. These patients also showed more overt signs of feeling pain, such as moaning,'' Flor said. Those spouses, however, who responded to complaints by changing the subject, by suggesting helpful but distracting activity, or by not dwelling too long on the pain, did not elevate the neural responses. Through the feedback loops of a marriage or long partnership, the patient's pain has shaped the helping behavior of the solicitous spouse, who in turn has become a stimulus to provoke the pain. `MORE INTENSE' ''The solicitous spouse has become a cue for a more intense pain experience,'' Flora said. ``When people pay too much attention to another's pain, it tends to reinforce that pain. We forget to reinforce those things that are not pain-related, like when a person smiles.'' She suggested that treatment of chronic pain, therefore, ought to involve husband and wife together, so they can focus on things that counteract the pain. ''I am fascinated by this,'' said Allan Basbaum, an expert on the neurobiology of pain at the University of California, San Francisco. ''It points out why persistent pain is so difficult to treat,'' Basbaum said. ``The psychological environment in which you live can influence the experience of pain.''"}, {"response": 1842, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Nov  5, 2002 (13:59)", "body": "Those spouses, however, who responded to complaints by changing the subject, by suggesting helpful but distracting activity, or by not dwelling too long on the pain, did not elevate the neural responses. I see. So when my ex would say, \"I'm sorry your back hurts. What's for dinner?\" he was actually HELPING me. And all the time I thought he was just an unfeeling pain in the..."}, {"response": 1843, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov  5, 2002 (16:23)", "body": "Thanks Moon... In the old days they used to say that about ulcers. Now ulcers are supposed to be caused by a virus. Yeah, sure...;-) (Kathy)So when my ex would say, \"I'm sorry your back hurts. What's for dinner?\" he was actually HELPING me Hey, Kathy...even the devoted DH's say that.Wives aren't supposed to get sick."}, {"response": 1844, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Nov  5, 2002 (22:50)", "body": "(Kathy) Still, a very small complaint for almost six hours of extreme viewing pleasure! If this is the case my ex must really have loved me. He never asked me how I was if I was sick. Just ignored it. Thanks for the interesting article, moon."}, {"response": 1845, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Nov  5, 2002 (22:53)", "body": "Sorry, glitching here for some reason. (Kathy) So when my ex would say, \"I'm sorry your back hurts. What's for dinner?\" he was actually HELPING me. is correct quote for above post."}, {"response": 1846, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (12:42)", "body": "RIKA! I was telling Colin that I could just hurl myself over this railing for missing your birthday. Sort of like what people do when I speak: hurl. Hope it was a happy one. Glad you enjoyed my performance in Man of LaMancha. I hear an associate of yours is coming up to B'Way next month to wish me a warm Wilkommen."}, {"response": 1847, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (13:12)", "body": "LOL Mari... I'll join you;-)"}, {"response": 1848, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (14:45)", "body": "Giuliani Film's Location Protested By KAREN MATTHEWS, Associated Press Writer NEW YORK (AP) - With a movie about former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani (news - web sites) set to start shooting in Montreal on Thursday, a Brooklyn congressman called for tax credits to offset the Canadian film industry's competitive advantage. \"Today, somewhere in Canada, a network called USA Network is making a movie about the mayor of the city of New York,\" Rep. Anthony Weiner said Wednesday. \"I guess they're going to show him watching baseball games at the SkyDome or eating pommes frites rather than eating at Patsy's.\" Members of the Screen Actors Guild (news - web sites) and other film industry unions joined Weiner, a Democrat, in front of City Hall to urge federal legislation that would provide producers with a 25 percent tax credit for wages if they film in the United States. \"What we have to do is level the playing field between ourselves and these other countries,\" said former SAG president Richard Masur. Canada offers wage-based incentives that can cover 35 percent of labor expenses. Entertainment industry executives estimate that those credits have cost the United States 25,000 jobs and $10 billion annually for each of the past three years. The two-hour Giuliani movie, \"Rudy!,\" is the latest example of the trend. It's based on Wayne Barrett's biography and stars James Woods (news) in the title role. A spokeswoman for USA Network had no comment on the protest. Sunny Mindel, a spokeswoman for Giuliani, also declined comment. Weiner, who is co-sponsoring the U.S. Independent Film and Television Production Incentive Act, said New York's film industry has been particularly hard hit since Canada implemented tax credits in 1998. He said total gross budgets for feature films in New York state dropped from $695 million in 1999 to $167 million in 2001. California legislators also have discussed ways to offer filmmakers wage-based tax credits for filming in that state."}, {"response": 1849, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (14:57)", "body": "Mari, thanks for passing on MEM's birthday wishes. I'm sure she'd be pleased to know that I did not spend it consulting with my decorator or sifting through wallpaper books."}, {"response": 1850, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (15:13)", "body": "(Rika) I'm sure she'd be pleased to know that I did not spend it consulting with my decorator or sifting through wallpaper books. Heehee, that one's never going away, is it?"}, {"response": 1851, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Nov  7, 2002 (01:27)", "body": "Sorry to be so late Rika but Happy Birthday."}, {"response": 1852, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Nov  7, 2002 (03:05)", "body": "Great pic Mari. Thanks. For those of you who like Motown Music heard a very interesting interview today about a movie coming out on November 15 called \"Standing in the Shadow of Motown\". It spotlights the studio musicians who played backup on all the big hits. Those who saw it said it was fantastic and it was given an 8 minute standing ovation at Toronto Film Festival. This might be a good one. A different type of movie, no doubt."}, {"response": 1853, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Nov  7, 2002 (07:22)", "body": "Well at least they're filming the Alamo movie in Texas but, I'm serious, Canada was given strong consideration at the locale for this movie."}, {"response": 1854, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Nov  7, 2002 (08:36)", "body": "(Pam) For those of you who like Motown Music....\"Standing in the Shadow of Motown\" Those who saw it said it was fantastic Pam! Thanks for mentioning this. I saw it Tues night in my movie class and it was *fantastic*!! It's a documentary about The Funk Brothers, the session band for a majority of the Motown hits. Throughout the movie, interspersed with interviews with the remaining members, they showed concert footage of a variety of R&B artists singing Motown songs with the Funk Brothers playing around them at a concert last year or the year before. They don't really all play together now, but got together for that project. Everyone seemed very excited about it as we all started clapping and cheering when the credits started. The really fun part is 3 of the band members and the producer came out afterwards as the guests for the night. They all got a standing ovation (not 8 mins though). They were funny and v. v. nice. Afterward I spoke to a couple of them and they said they would be getting back together to play some dates. The producer said it opens in 22 major markets initially and will expand from there. They also said that the DVD version (in the Spring) will be close to 4 hours long with all the footage they cut for the theatrical version. And the soundtrack is out now. It was a wonderful film! I'm surprised I didn't post about this as soon as I got home as I was really hyped over it."}, {"response": 1855, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Nov  7, 2002 (14:24)", "body": "Saw Pierce Brosnan on E this morning ..Apparently he was just asked to do another Bond after the current one...So that takes care of the next couple of years anyway..."}, {"response": 1856, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Nov  7, 2002 (15:17)", "body": "Thanks for the birthday wishes, Lucie! I had a great day."}, {"response": 1857, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Nov  7, 2002 (17:54)", "body": "Thanks for exuberant report Dorine. Will definitely plan to see this movie as it sounds so very very good. A nice change of pace as well. How lucky to have seen the Funk Brothers in person. The interview I listened to was with them and their producer. Very interesting. Glad you enjoyed the movie, that means I will as well."}, {"response": 1858, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Nov  7, 2002 (19:47)", "body": "There was a great show about the \"Bond\" girls on AMC last night. did anyone else watch it. I loved Judi Dench's comment about the litle boy asking her if she was in James Bond."}, {"response": 1859, "author": "maryw", "date": "Fri, Nov  8, 2002 (07:13)", "body": "Oh Rika - Belated happy birthday! I just noted that the last time I was here was Oct 1 - so I missed what seemed to have been a great bday celebration for you by the clever Ladies of Drool. Hope you had much fun!!! On the BJD thread Dorine wrote Thanks, Minkee. Hey, don't be a stranger! :-) I am assuming that Dorine is referring to my intermittent participation on the board (although I do try to lurk regularly). There were many reasons for this absence - mostly work-related...including a change of work-setting. Which leads me to announce my little piece of news : \"minkeeland\" may be no more. No - Oz is not about to sink, nor (I hope) not a target for WOMD...but simply because Minkee is leaving minkeeland for a while. I have accepted a position in Africa. Does that make me the inaugural member of the African chapter of Drool (need the Boss to verify this, please!). I'd like to think that this has an upside for Drool - any touted scripts with an African setting? - as I could be an intrepid reporter for you all. But I am quite sure it's all downside from here - as I do not think I will be lining up behind potted palms at any premieres nor will there be any cinemas showing all these much anticipated ODB films - so more than ever I would be hanging out to catch any bit of news I can from Dro l. Long live Drool! (I think that is the queue to reach for my chequebook eh Boss?)"}, {"response": 1860, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Nov  8, 2002 (07:24)", "body": "l. Long live Drool! (I think that is the queue to reach for my chequebook eh Boss?) Karen's away for a few days but I know she is still collecting. How soon do you leave for Africa, Minkee? And which country?"}, {"response": 1861, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Fri, Nov  8, 2002 (07:35)", "body": "(Minkee) any touted scripts with an African setting? It isn't a sure-thing project, but isn't \"The Dead Wait\" set in South Africa?"}, {"response": 1862, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Nov  8, 2002 (09:53)", "body": "Moon, thought I'd let you know that I purchased a very good Italian wine from the Umbria region. V. tasty (and v. gone!)"}, {"response": 1863, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Nov  8, 2002 (11:04)", "body": "\"minkeeland\" may be no more NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Since I dubbed the place as Minkeeland, I can similarly name your new abode, Mink, but you have the final say. Choices are: 1. Minkeeland 2 2. Minkeeland: The Two Towers 3. Minkee and the Chamber of Secrets ;-) Best of luck in your new venture, Minkee--what a change! I hope once you're settled, you'll be able to spend more time with us. Would love to hear more about your plans."}, {"response": 1864, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov  8, 2002 (11:34)", "body": "Exciting times Minkee...Happy for you. Where in Africa? (Minkee)nor will there be any cinemas showing all these much anticipated ODB films - Unless you'll be out in the bush country, good reviews of ODB's films have come in from that part of the world. The Guardian in Nigeria recently had a good review of \"Possession\" (one of the few!) Besides there's hope ODB will some day go back to visit the land of his youth."}, {"response": 1865, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Nov  8, 2002 (12:29)", "body": "Good Luck Minkee. How exciting. What part of Africa. Please let us know your plans."}, {"response": 1866, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Nov  8, 2002 (18:54)", "body": "Best of luck Minkee. Yes, please let us know where in Africa. How long will you be there?"}, {"response": 1867, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Nov  8, 2002 (21:09)", "body": "Wow, Minkee! How exciting! Yes, please do tell us all about it."}, {"response": 1868, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Nov  8, 2002 (22:15)", "body": "Yes, Minkee! We want to know. I can't imagine saying \"I've accepted a position in Africa.\" How can you be so matter-of-fact? I mean, even if I were moving to the next state, I'd cough up more info than that! We need details, PLEASE!"}, {"response": 1869, "author": "Leah", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (01:29)", "body": "Minkee - welcome to Africa. I live in South Africa, (Mandela land) and yes, one or two problems exist - only two cinemas in Southern Africa (below the equator) are showing TIOBE - so you will have to learn to become VERY patient, and release dates are sooo far behind the rest of the world, but as always, the rewards are there!"}, {"response": 1870, "author": "odessa", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (08:39)", "body": "release dates are sooo far behind same thing here in Finland. Usually movies get here quite fast, but still no sign of TIOBE. there seems to be a delay problem with CF movies..."}, {"response": 1871, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (11:34)", "body": "Minkee - How exciting for you! Such a big move...it makes my life seem oooohhh so boring. Please let us all know where you are going and when you are settled. LeahP and odessa, after hearing about how long it takes for you to get CF movies, I will have to quit complaining (I complain if I get it a week after NY or LA). I'm very spoiled! ;-)"}, {"response": 1872, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (16:50)", "body": "(Kathy) We need details, PLEASE! Yes, please do tell us, Minkee, unless, of course, it's something you'd rather keep private. How exciting, though! We've missed your posts, and I'm hoping we'll be seeing more of you once you're settled. =)"}, {"response": 1873, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (20:40)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1874, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (20:42)", "body": "Minkee, I hate to just sound like a parrot after everybody else has already asked the question, but please do tell us more if you're willing to online. As to CF movies related to Africa, SLOW isn't set there but there is at least a Nigerian connection."}, {"response": 1875, "author": "maryw", "date": "Sun, Nov 10, 2002 (08:25)", "body": "Golly gosh! I suppose I can tell you but I'd have to kill you and all that jazz. ;-) But then again - maybe I won't. Happy to tell you offline. LeahP - you've just wrecked my ambition to be the inaugural member of the African chapter but I sure am glad that there's someone to go with when those CF movies finally get to Africa."}, {"response": 1876, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (10:15)", "body": "From today's Miami Herald: Clooney's cheeky controversy There's no butts about it. Because of George Clooney's rump, an R rating has been slapped on his holiday release Solaris. Twentieth Century Fox plans to appeal, Newsday reports. The film, directed by Steven Soderbergh, is about a psychologist who discovers that the commander of an expedition to an ocean world has mysteriously died. Clooney's bare backside is featured in a dancing scene, which apparently prompted the rating. ''There are many movies where you see female rear ends that get a PG-13 rating,'' one industry source said on condition of anonymity. An R rating is considered prohibitive to bringing in coveted younger moviegoers. A Motion Picture Association of America spokesman said the organization does not comment on pending appeals. According to e!online, a movie insider said: ``We trimmed down most of the sex scenes, and we are not taking out George's butt, which is actually pretty nice.'' Solaris is slated for release Nov. 27. ``We trimmed down most of the sex scenes, and we are not taking out George's butt, which is actually pretty nice.'' LOL! Too bad they trimmed the sex scenes. ;-)"}, {"response": 1877, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (11:01)", "body": "Whew! I don't know where to begin. Rika, I'm so sorry that I missed your birthday celebration. I've been very busy and have only been checking into drool once a week and trying to check up on posts. I seemed to have totally missed your birthday celebration and am so sorry for it... So to make up for that I would like to wish the Queen of Firth Screen Captures a very happy belated birthday! Happy birthday, Rika! Nobody screen captures better! So here's a nice head tilt for you (I hope) and a belated happy birthday wish: \"Rika, you capture me!\""}, {"response": 1878, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (11:28)", "body": "Minkee, just wanted to tell you that I wish you lots of good luck in your new endeavor and location! One never knows when there might be a Firth movie on location in Africa. Like Evelyn says, he could go back to his roots! Odile, hope you and your family stay safe. Watch some of your intact Firth collection to keep your mind stress free!"}, {"response": 1879, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (11:58)", "body": "Clooney's bare backside is featured in a dancing scene, which apparently prompted the rating. Whoa...how low (no pun) can you get.Those ratings are sooo political. ''There are many movies where you see female rear ends that get a PG-13 rating,'' one industry source said on condition of anonymity \"Possession\" [PG13] had a lot more than just a rear end...."}, {"response": 1880, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (14:04)", "body": "(Moon) My fantasy is to be sitting next to him on a long transatlantic flight. Has anyone seen \"L'Histoire D'O\"? ;-) Okay, here is something for Moon...I was sent this joke on Friday and it reminded me of her CF fantasy encounter. I posted it here because I didn't think it belonged on topic 166 (I apologize for the unPC nature of the joke, but I thought it was very amusing anyway): Make Me Feel Like A Woman On a recent transatlantic flight, a plane passes through a severe storm. The turbulence is awful, and things go from bad to worse when one wing is struck by lightning. One woman in particular loses it. Screaming, she stands up in the rear of the plane. \"I'm too young to die,\" she wails. Then she yells, \"Well, if I'm going to die, I want my last minutes on earth to be memorable! Is there ANYONE on this plane who can make me feel like a WOMAN?\" There's silence for a moment. Everyone has forgotten his or her own peril. They all stare, riveted, at the desperate woman in the rear of the plane. Then a man stands up in the front of the plane. He's gorgeous, tall, well-built, with brown hair and brown eyes, he starts to walk slowly up the aisle, unbuttoning his shirt\ufffd\ufffd.......one button at a time. No one moves. He removes his shirt. Muscles ripple across his chest\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd He leans over her and whispers: \"Iron this.\" Okay, Moon, I hope it made you smile... ;-)"}, {"response": 1881, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (14:23)", "body": "LOL, Tress! Two points: 1. I never sit in the rear of the plane. 2. I don't iron. (I know, I'm spoiled) ;-D"}, {"response": 1882, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (15:46)", "body": "``We trimmed down most of the sex scenes, and we are not taking out George's butt, which is actually pretty nice.'' (Moon) LOL! Too bad they trimmed the sex scenes. ;-) Ah, but just wait for the DVD! Maybe they'll put them all in ;-) This is all excellent PR though, to draw in the women (or gay men I suppose) who may like him but are not psychological sci-fi thriller fans and who might have stayed away. Who would stay away knowing there's a glimpse of his derriere on a screen as large as a small house. ;-) Tress, LOL! Thanks! Psst! Hey Moon, I don't iron either. ;-)"}, {"response": 1883, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (16:04)", "body": "Thanks, Lora! A nice head tilt indeed..... and a nice smile on my face in response."}, {"response": 1884, "author": "Odile", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (17:59)", "body": "(Lora)Odile, hope you and your family stay safe. Watch some of your intact Firth collection to keep your mind stress free! Thanks Lora! I did watch BJD last night! :) Government has declared area natural disaster so we'll get federal funding to rebuild roads and airways (some village is still completely cut off and with the winter being long to come the rivers are not usable as roadways yet); in the final count the fault moved sideways by 2 meters (6 feet); and the earthquake was the biggest one recorded for this year in the world. we're still getting at least one magnitude 4-5 aftershock each day and lots of smaller ones... Unrelated, I will be in the Atlanta area for a couple of days at the end of the month. Any Firthette who wants to meet, just email me!"}, {"response": 1885, "author": "Odile", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (18:16)", "body": "It's me again... who should be correcting homeworks... For those interested, here is a link to the Geophysical Institute located in Fairbanks, AK which records all AK earthquakes; this particular page shows the recent earthquakes (note: we get over 50% of all US earthquakes): http://www.aeic.alaska.edu/Seis/recenteqs/index.html (hope this works)"}, {"response": 1886, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (18:33)", "body": "Thanks to all for the expressions of support for me on my dad. He is still in the hospital. While they've not yet confirmed a stroke, he is not regaining any of his abilities and may be deteriorating. He's a mean old cuss (I come by it natural) but I love his dr. who gave me the ultimate bargaining chip...\"If you're good, your daughter can wheel you down for a smoke.\" Yeehaw! Got him now. And if you pray for nothing else, pray that I don't start smoking again, I have NEVER wanted one so bad in the last year."}, {"response": 1887, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (19:33)", "body": "(Moon) Two points: 1. I never sit in the rear of the plane. 2. I don't iron. (Dorine) Psst! Hey Moon, I don't iron either. ;-) Sounds as if we could all be related! I don't do ironing either...when my mom sent me off to college (in '84)...she sent me out the door with an iron. Had no idea what this piece of equipment was used for, but here is an excerpt from a conversation from a year ago: DH: Do we have an iron? Me: Yeah, it's in the laundry room. DH: **walks into room holding iron out in front of him with a funny look on his face** What's on the bottom of it? Me: Oh Gawd! Looks like its remnants of waxpaper! DH:"}, {"response": 1888, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (19:35)", "body": "Sorry...managed to hit enter by mistake! DH: **bewildered look** Waxpaper? Me: Yeah, from the grilled cheese sandwiches....isn't that what irons are used for? Needless to say, we have just recently purchased a new iron...I have yet to use it! ;-)"}, {"response": 1889, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (21:36)", "body": "Iron? What's an iron? ;-)"}, {"response": 1890, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (22:35)", "body": "You can clean most anything off the sole plate of an iron with acetone-based nail polish remover when the iron is cold. Comes in handy when the menfolk burn starch onto the surface, or when the fusible interfacing has slipped! (How's that for an odd end? )"}, {"response": 1891, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (23:50)", "body": "(Elizabeth S) You can clean most anything off the sole plate of an iron with acetone-based nail polish remover when the iron is cold. I needed you about a year ago! I threw away my 16...17 year old iron. I didn't want to give it to GoodWill because I thought that any iron only used in food preparation was sure to leave a stain on someone's clothes. BTW, it works really well (for any dorm dwellers w/o access to a stove)...Butane lighters also make good marshmellow roasters. Which reminds me! Barb!!! Don't do it! I quit 10 years ago and it is the best thing I did. I often crave a ciggie when I see ODB light up, it was a hard thing to stop, and if I started again, I'd regret it. Hang tough! I'm sending good thoughts your way...."}, {"response": 1892, "author": "Leah", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (23:58)", "body": "Did anyone notice that there was a plane crash in Luxemborg about a week ago? It was briefly on our news, and my first thought was 'I wonder at what stage cast and crew fly to locations?'"}, {"response": 1893, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (07:22)", "body": "(BarbS) Thanks to all for the expressions of support for me on my dad. He is still in the hospital. While they've not yet confirmed a stroke, he is not regaining any of his abilities and may be deteriorating. He's a mean old cuss (I come by it natural) but I love his dr. who gave me the ultimate bargaining chip...\"If you're good, your daughter can wheel you down for a smoke.\" Yeehaw! Got him now. And if you pray for nothing else, pray that I don't start smoking again, I have NEVER wanted one so bad in the last year. Barb, I am sorry to hear about your father. It sounds like his Dr. knows just how to handle him though...Stay strong, avoid ODB movies where he smokes, we are all thinking of you..."}, {"response": 1894, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (10:30)", "body": "(Tress) Which reminds me! Barb!!! Don't do it! I quit 10 years ago and it is the best thing I did. I often crave a ciggie when I see ODB light up, it was a hard thing to stop, and if I started again, I'd regret it. Hang tough! (MariaT) Stay strong, avoid ODB movies where he smokes, we are all thinking of you... Barb, just keep reminding yourself that you don't smoke anymore. I quit 19 years ago (after getting up to almost 3 packs a day!) and though it was very difficult, it's definitely one of the best things I've ever done. I must admit that watching ODB smoke onscreen makes me almost want a ciggie, but I know I must never, ever allow myself even one puff because that would be breaking down the mental barrier I've put up against smoking."}, {"response": 1895, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (12:14)", "body": "Getting caught up... Barb--hope your dad (and you!) is doing ok. How scary to have bad weather move in while he's in the hospital! It's bad enough to be there under the best of circumstances, but with tornadoes, too? Sheesh! Oh, and DON'T SMOKE!! It'll just be a temporary tranquilizer, and after all the work you've done to quit, it would be a shame to start up again. (Tress) Me: Yeah, from the grilled cheese sandwiches....isn't that what irons are used for? LOL, Tress!!! Never thought of using an iron for that (or butane lighters for marshmellows!). Actually, I never use my iron, period. I discovered a long time ago that if you have anything that's wrinkled you can put it in the dryer with a damp towel and tumble dry for a few minutes and those wrinkles will come right out. Moonstar's little tip for the day (to go with ElizabethS's tip) :) (LeahP) Did anyone notice that there was a plane crash in Luxemborg about a week ago? I do vaguely remember hearing about that, but I didn't even connect it with the beginning of the GWAPE shooting. Anyone else kinda worry about ODB flying so much? I do..."}, {"response": 1896, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (12:20)", "body": "(LeahP) Did anyone notice that there was a plane crash in Luxemborg about a week ago? It was briefly on our news, and my first thought was 'I wonder at what stage cast and crew fly to locations?' I heard about this...I believe it was a business commuter plane coming from Germany (Berlin?)...very sad. Most of those who died were German or French I think."}, {"response": 1897, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (12:40)", "body": "(Elizabeth) Comes in handy when the MENFOLK burn starch onto the surface,.. The who? I just wanted to make sure I read this correctly. I haven't ironed since the advent of permanent press. That's what it's for, isn't it? LOL Tress. What's sad is that jokes like that are still going around and sadder yet that men feel that way. HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY KATHNESS."}, {"response": 1898, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (13:09)", "body": "(Pam) I haven't ironed since the advent of permanent press. That's what it's for, isn't it? The first thing I check when clothes shopping (after the size, of course) is the care instructions. If the word \"iron\" so much as appears on the tag, back it goes on the rack! I absolutely do not iron. Horrible at it. By the time I finish, the place I started is already wrinkled again, so why bother?! Actually, my brother is the best ironer (is that a word?) in the family. He actually seems to like it! Must be recessive genes. Thanks for the B'day greetings! At my age, I should ignore it altogether."}, {"response": 1899, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (14:31)", "body": "(KathyF) Thanks for the B'day greetings! At my age, I should ignore it altogether. KathyF, Did not realize it was your B-day! Happy Belated! Hope it was a good one! (KathyF) If the word \"iron\" so much as appears on the tag, back it goes on the rack! I absolutely do not iron. Horrible at it. By the time I finish, the place I started is already wrinkled again, so why bother?! Same here...my wardrobe consists of either jeans/sweatshirts or dry clean only. No in-between for me! So, everywhere I go I am either terribly underdressed or overdressed...keeps life interesting. ;-)"}, {"response": 1900, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (14:50)", "body": "Barb, hang in there, but don't start smoking again - you'll just wind up anxious about your dad AND worried about the fact that you're smoking."}, {"response": 1901, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (15:37)", "body": "I agree with Rika, Barb. I hope everything turns out well. (KathyF) Thanks for the B'day greetings! At my age, I should ignore it altogether. (Tress), KathyF, Did not realize it was your B-day! Happy Belated! Hope it was a good one! Happy Belated birthday, Kathy! Sorry I missed it."}, {"response": 1902, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (16:15)", "body": "(Rika) Barb, hang in there, but don't start smoking again - you'll just wind up anxious about your dad AND worried about the fact that you're smoking. LOL True, true. I think I'm safe. I sat outside with him today and thought about nothing except the fact I was cold. And, I've been doing his laundry, any time I have a craving, I'll just remember the smell in my car after I've brought his laundry home."}, {"response": 1903, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (21:23)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Kathy. Sorry I'm late. Hope your day was wonderful."}, {"response": 1904, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (21:47)", "body": "Thanks for all the birthday greetings! Barb, glad to here you are staying strong and not smoking! It is so easy to become addicted to nicotine, and so difficult to kick the habit! I am so proud of you for going through this stressful time and remaining determined to refrain from cigarettes!"}, {"response": 1905, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (23:56)", "body": "Wot??? I missed Kathy's birthday? I shall conquer this - I shall ..... Oh, who am I kidding?"}, {"response": 1906, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (23:58)", "body": "Sorry I missed your birthday, Kathy - I was asked to scrub someone's back and I kind of lost track of time......"}, {"response": 1907, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (00:06)", "body": "Kathy's birthday has come and gone? Why didn't you wake me?\""}, {"response": 1908, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (00:07)", "body": "Kathy, I didn't mean to miss your birthday, but I was trying to put out some fires......"}, {"response": 1909, "author": "Leah", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (00:13)", "body": "I watched this last night, and thought - ooh baby, light my fire!"}, {"response": 1910, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (00:17)", "body": "Sorry I missed your birthday, Kathy - I was asked to scrub someone's back and I kind of lost track of time..... Well, let's get our priorities straight. On the one hand, Darcy in the tub. On the other hand, Kathy's birthday. I'd take...DARCY, for heaven's sake! The @#$#% with Kathy! I'd also help Paul with whatever he needed, because I love him!"}, {"response": 1911, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (00:23)", "body": "Aargh!!! I forgot to say thank you, Rika, for the lovely images! You must know how much I love Darcy and Paul A. And I appreciate you taking the time from grading papers!"}, {"response": 1912, "author": "Leah", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (00:25)", "body": "BTW Kathy, hope you had a great day - sorry, no graphics to describe this..."}, {"response": 1913, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (00:50)", "body": "Don't worry, I'm graphically challenged, myself! It's the sentiment that counts!! Thanks!"}, {"response": 1914, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (08:25)", "body": "So sorry I'm so late with the birthday greetings, Kathy. From the looks of it here, there may be more fun to be had with a belated birthday! ;) Hope you had a great day!"}, {"response": 1915, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (09:00)", "body": "Oops...Happy Birthday, Kathy"}, {"response": 1916, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (09:56)", "body": "O.K. Kathy, Another very late Happy Birthday greeting!! Aaaand, I am trying very hard to learn how to get a !@#$$%% picture posted so I be one of the groovy crowd and dazzle you all....we shall see.... Oh please work please please please..."}, {"response": 1917, "author": "Odile", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (11:14)", "body": "I hope you had a v.v. good B-day Kathy (any blue soup?) (Good job MariaT, it worked!)"}, {"response": 1918, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (11:43)", "body": "Way to go, Maria! I've never seen that picture! Lovely! Where did it come from?"}, {"response": 1919, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (12:15)", "body": "(Rika) I've never seen that picture! Lovely! Where did it come from? Rika I found it at www.celebrity-exchange.com and then look up Colin...That is what I do when it is too quiet in here...Incidently this picture makes a GREAT screensaver as the size is perfect and it doesn't distort..."}, {"response": 1920, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (12:45)", "body": "(Dorine) From the looks of it here, there may be more fun to be had with a belated birthday! My family has always said I could do more to stretch out a birthday than anybody! Thanks! Thanks for the Garfield card, Evelyn! Maria, not only did it work perfectly, but CF is gorgeous! Thank you! (Odile) I hope you had a v.v. good B-day Kathy (any blue soup?) It was fine, thanks! No blue soup, which doesn't look that tasty anyway, but I'd love to have had a blue soup smile in person!"}, {"response": 1921, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (12:54)", "body": "Hi...It's me!!!! (again...sorry) Can't recall if this was brought up anywhere here about this video a girl made on another site, I just watched it and am trying to regain composure...It plays on real player, link is http://www.green-sector.de/media/pride_bridget.zip Zowieeeeee"}, {"response": 1922, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (13:42)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATHY. How lucky you are to have Darcy and Paul!!! Will you share with me? Please. Great job ladies. Rika, Maria and Evelyn. So talented. Wish I could do these things."}, {"response": 1923, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (14:18)", "body": "(Pam) How lucky you are to have Darcy and Paul!!! Will you share with me? Please. Silly woman! You have made it abundantly clear that Paul is yours already. I was merely borrowing him (courtesy Rika). As for Darcy, since there are almost six hours of him, I suppose I can share."}, {"response": 1924, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (14:25)", "body": "Kathy...late as usual but hope you had a very Happy Birthday!"}, {"response": 1925, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (14:28)", "body": "Thank you, Lisa!"}, {"response": 1926, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (15:03)", "body": "(Rika) I've never seen that picture! Lovely! Where did it come from? I think it's also somewhere in the Bucket's gallery in the TIOBE section. It was at one time I believe. Great job, Maria! That's been one of my favorites actually. I seem to be partial to many of his B/W ones."}, {"response": 1927, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (16:26)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1928, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (16:58)", "body": "Happy Birthday Kathy! I am also graphics challenged but wish you all the best all the same!"}, {"response": 1929, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (18:43)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Kathy Isn't a belated birthday around here more delicious than the real one? Darcy, Paul and Colin- WOT a guest list. Great work Rika and Maria, I enjoyed the belated birthday, too."}, {"response": 1930, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (18:46)", "body": "(MariaT) Can't recall if this was brought up anywhere here about this video a girl made on another site, I just watched it and am trying to regain composure... Maria, thank you for that link! Now that is my idea of a music video!"}, {"response": 1931, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (22:37)", "body": "Thanks, Barb and Linda! Some of us must be graphically challenged, Barb, so the Capture Queens can feel useful! Let them do the work, and we can reap the rewards!! (Rika) Maria, thank you for that link! Now that is my idea of a music video! I finally got to see it today, after wrestling with RealPlayer for days! Just how is this supposed to help us get over the obsession? Not that I want to get over it, mind you!"}, {"response": 1932, "author": "LizBeth", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (01:15)", "body": "MariaT, that is the MOST incredible candid I have yet to see. ODB's expression is intense, but not fierce. Beautiful! Thank you! I love to see a man working who loves his work. V. sexy for me; even more sexy for me than idle rich Dary, pretty-boy love. This picture is so real! LizBeth"}, {"response": 1933, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (03:04)", "body": "Maria T...I have to agree and forgive girls but.... How utterly F*****g handsome is this guy? Mind you don't tell DH I talk this way with the girls!"}, {"response": 1934, "author": "Leah", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (03:19)", "body": "Please please please please please ... I am trying to get some work done today - how does one do this without staring blankly at the computer all day?"}, {"response": 1935, "author": "Leah", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (04:24)", "body": "?"}, {"response": 1936, "author": "Leah", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (04:26)", "body": "Sorry."}, {"response": 1937, "author": "Leah", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (04:29)", "body": "sorry See what these pictures have done to me?"}, {"response": 1938, "author": "Leah", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (04:31)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1939, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (07:20)", "body": "(Lizbeth) ODB's expression is intense, but not fierce. Beautiful! Thank you! I love to see a man working who loves his work. V. sexy for me; even more sexy for me than idle rich Dary, pretty-boy love. This picture is so real! Mmm..I agree, v.v. sexy... (Lisa) I have to agree and forgive girls but.... How utterly F*****g handsome is this guy? Mind you don't tell DH I talk this way with the girls! Lisa, he is so very utterly f*****g handsome that is defies reason! No apologies here, this is the sanctuary!"}, {"response": 1940, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (08:38)", "body": "(maria)Lisa, he is so very utterly f*****g handsome that is defies reason! No apologies here, this is the sanctuary! A Drooleur once coined the acronym: AFG..(Absolute F****** Gorgeous)"}, {"response": 1941, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (10:56)", "body": "Kathy, happy belated birthday to you! So sorry I missed the celebration (yet again). But here's a belated birthday cake delivered by ODB just for you. Be careful blowing out the candle...;-)"}, {"response": 1942, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (10:57)", "body": "Incredibly late Birthday Wishes to you Rika and very late Birthday wishes to Kathy. Looks like you both spent your respective days in excellent company;-)"}, {"response": 1943, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (11:07)", "body": "Barb, sorry your Dad is not feeling well. And hope you are doing okay. Please, please, please stay away from the ciggies. We want you healthy and hope your Dad is getting better too."}, {"response": 1944, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (11:54)", "body": "Thank you, Lora! What an adorable look on his face -- he looks scrumptious (who needs the cake?!) Thanks, Lizza! It's not really that late, since my family celebration hasn't even happened yet! I like to make it last and last (as long as I don't think about the actual age thing)."}, {"response": 1945, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (13:45)", "body": "(Evelyn) A Drooleur once coined the acronym: AFG..(Absolute F****** Gorgeous) How perfect. AFG says it all. Well done. Well done Lora. I know Kathy is going to be more than willing to share a piece of him with me."}, {"response": 1946, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (14:18)", "body": "(KathyF) It's not really that late, since my family celebration hasn't even happened yet! I like to make it last and last... LOL...around here we call it 'Festivus' (named after the holiday, on 'Seinfeld', that George's family celebrates)...in my house it is the week prior and after your birthday that warrants presents and cake! Two whole weeks of celebration (and allows husbands/wives to be a bit late with gifts....you can sneak in under that wire)! AFG indeed!"}, {"response": 1947, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (15:11)", "body": "Happy Bday, Kathy on a side note: About a Boy is to become a tv show. AICN had it on their website."}, {"response": 1948, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (18:57)", "body": "RE AFH (Love this, BTW!) I have to agree that he is devastatingly handsome in that pic, as he is in most others. But he does seem to have the amazing ability to transform his face and become a lot less attractive (something he himself has commented on). But I love him any which way!!!"}, {"response": 1949, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (19:41)", "body": "(Janet) RE AFH (Love this, BTW!) A gentle correction: It's AF G ...(for Gorgeous);-)"}, {"response": 1950, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (20:04)", "body": "(Evelyn)A gentle correction: It's AFG He's AF...adorable:-))"}, {"response": 1951, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (20:36)", "body": "They just detonated two bombs about 1/4 mile from my house! I had been wondering about the helicopters...but didn't think much of it until I realized that they had been there for about an hour. Anyway, both bombs are now gone, but all roads are blocked off! Police all over the place. We never get this much excitement...geeeez! Again ... He's AF...beautiful!"}, {"response": 1952, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (22:06)", "body": "Thanks for the birthday wishes, Laura!"}, {"response": 1953, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (23:48)", "body": "Tress, who detonated the bombs? Sounds like a little too much excitement if you ask me."}, {"response": 1954, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (00:31)", "body": "(Rika) Tress, who detonated the bombs? Sounds like a little too much excitement if you ask me. The bomb squad had one of the robots do it...it was strange because we couldn't get near the site, so we watched all this on the news (the helicopters I had been hearing were recording it all). The area was closed off 5-6 hours. They pulled a lady over for speeding and she had no license, no registration, no insurance so...I guess that is probable cause (I'm a bit sketchy on that as I used to work for a prosecutor, but not in this state), they searched the vehicle. Found two bombs and later, drugs. She said the car belonged to her boyfriend (this is a total middle class neighborhood, and this all happened within about 500 feet of an elementary school...not the kind of thing we ususally see out here). The news showed them taking a infant car seat from the car...unbelievable! Guess we'll know more tomorrow..."}, {"response": 1955, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (07:42)", "body": "And so it begins again... Seems pretty straightforward to me and has been around for 50 yrs. Everyone knows it: you put it on TV first, you gettie Oscar. Crying \"public service\" is IMO pathetic. Academy to 'Bloody' Well Decide on Pic Eligibility (Variety) - You know it's Oscar season when a little controversy starts brewing. Paramount Classics' critically praised \"Bloody Sunday\" is under attack from rival campaigners. They say the film's Jan. 20 broadcast on British and Irish national television disqualifies it from Oscar consideration. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences adopted \"Rule 3\" in 1956. It bars any picture that airs on TV within six months of its theatrical bow. After getting word that other companies were trying to get the pic blocked, Paramount Classics appealed to Academy president Frank Pierson. In a four-page letter obtained by Daily Variety, the company argues that the TV showing was a public service to aid the Northern Ireland peace process. It also points to Laurence Olivier's nomination as best actor for the 1956 version of \"Richard III,\" which was shown on TV at the same time it reached theaters. \"We feel that Rule 3 should be explored and debated,\" Paramount Classics co-president David Dinerstein said in an interview. \"And we believe that when Academy officials familiarize themselves with this film they will do the right thing.\" With the Academy's rules committee now considering the matter, the organization issued just one official comment: \"We decline to be part of the publicity campaign for this film until we have made our decision.\" \"Bloody Sunday,\" now in limited U.S. release, is a docudrama about the 1972 massacre in Derry, Ireland, in which British troops killed 14 demonstrators. Critics have lauded writer-director Paul Greengrass, cinematographer Ivan Strasburg and star James Nesbitt; the film shared the Golden Bear in Berlin and the audience award at Sundance. In the wake of the film's U.K. run, the British government reopened an inquiry that had initially disciplined none of the soldiers. Accolades notwithstanding, the film risks facing the same fate as \"Croupier\" in 2000 or \"The Last Seduction\" in 1994. Both pictures were nixed from the Oscar pool due to TV runs. Such a rule has worked in reverse as well, leaving TNT miniseries \"Gettysburg\" ineligible for the Emmys after New Line released it in theaters ahead of its cable airing."}, {"response": 1956, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (08:20)", "body": "Am gagging on my flaming saganaki ;-) From THR: Wedding' has fighting chance with Oscar Cue composer Bill Conti's \"Gonna Fly Now,\" the theme from \"Rocky.\" That tune might sound odd when played on the bouzouki. But as the breakout indie hit \"My Big Fat Greek Wedding\" continues its triumphant boxoffice march -- this weekend, it cou ld hit the $200 million domestic mark -- the next question to ask is: Can it go the distance -- all the way to the Academy Awards? Flushed by their success, the movie's creators are approaching their next moves cautiously. \"Clearly, the movie has become very high-profile both within the industry and outside,\" said Paul Brooks, president of Gold Circle Films, which produced \"Greek Wedding\" along with Playtone Prods. \"But I would never be so presumptuous as to second-guess Academy members. It's not typically the sort of movie that gets awards. The view from Playtone and Gold Circle is that we'd be grateful for any recognition, but we're not expecting anything.\" Rita Wilson -- who, after witnessing the movie's star, Nia Vardalos, perform her one-woman show, became the catalyst who brought the project to husband Tom Hanks' Playtone and then became one of the film's producers -- added: \"By any stretch of the imagination, we never thought when we were making the film that it could get to that point. People must be enjoying it and celebrating the fact it is so much of a Cinderella story.\" The question of \"Greek Wedding's\" Oscar worthiness might have seemed preposterous when IFC Films opened it April 19 in just eight markets. But as the movie's reputation has steadily built, its upward trajectory has reminded more than a few observers of another underdog movie written by a then-unknown actor who was propelled to stardom when his movie beat the odds -- both commercially and at the Academy Awards. That movie was 1976's \"Rocky,\" which garnered 10 nominations and a best picture win. \" 'Rocky' had the same kind of release as 'Greek Wedding,' \" recalled \"Rocky\" producer Irwin Winkler. \"We opened in just two theaters, and we were lucky to get two theaters. When we opened, business was OK, but we got great reviews and great word-of-mouth. We added nine more cities over the following week or two. Every week, business would increase, and it just kept growing and growing.\" Ultimately, \"Rocky\" grossed $225 million worldwide. \"Wedding\" is enjoying a similarly meteoric rise. Currently the fifth highest-grossing film of the year, it's on track to surpass fourth-place \"Austin Powers in Goldmember\" ($213 million). Of course, grosses alone don't a major Academy Award contender make. The year's top movies to date, \"Spider-Man\" and \"Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack of the Clones,\" will probably have to settle for technical nominations. But adult-oriented popular hits -- as opposed to summer action flicks -- often fare well with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Last year's best picture, \"A Beautiful Mind,\" with $171 million, was the 11th highest-grossing film of the year. 1994's \"Four Weddings and a Funeral\" and 1997's \"The Full Monty\" -- both best picture nominees -- did solid indie business stateside and blockbuster business overseas. \"Yeah, but 'Weddings' and 'Monty' were both British pictures,\" one naysayer said. \"Academy voters always give the edge to British pictures.\" Still, there's no ignoring the fact that \"Wedding\" has been as popular on Los Angeles' Westside -- the home of lots of Academy voters -- as anywhere else. It premiered at Pacific Theatres' Arclight Cinemas and, with only a hiatus to make way for the AFI Fest, has been playing there ever since. And it's also been ensconced at the new Grove Stadium, which entertains a heavy following of industry types. \"I liked it very much,\" said Christina Kounelias, New Line Cinema exec vp publicity, promotion. \"As a Greek American, I actually related to quite to quite a bit of it.\" If \"Wedding\" is to translate the good will it has earned into actual nominations, Vardalos is probably the key. Her tale of writing her way to success and refusing to sell out along the way is one of the year's most compelling offscreen sagas. \"I can totally appreciate what she did, and I applaud her,\" actor-director Bill Paxton said. Unprodded, he continued: \"It makes me think of Sylvester Stallone when he did 'Rocky.' Everyone wanted his script, but they didn't want him. He held out. I think that's what this town is all about. Very few people are discovered. Most people have to discover themselves.\" Winkler concurred. \"The story of Stallone creating a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for himself, making good on a script that nobody wanted, is very similar to the 'Wedding' story,\" he said. It bodes well that Vardalos' story has special resonance for actors, as actors make up the largest branch of the Academy in addition to voting for their own awards through SAG. \"I cannot remember ever seeing a quicker rise to stardom,\" Wilson said of Vardalos' current standing i"}, {"response": 1957, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (08:41)", "body": "They say the film's Jan. 20 broadcast on British and Irish national television disqualifies it from Oscar consideration. Good grief! Have just read the Guardian's news item and the TV broadcast hasn't even happened. It is only scheduled for Jan 20, 2003. Sheesh! This is totally within their ability to control. What a bunch of crybabies."}, {"response": 1958, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (08:41)", "body": "\"It's not typically the sort of movie that gets awards\" Obviously the people have spoken...and they don't always like the films that get Oscars. Bet it would win The People's Award. \"Its director, Joel Zwick, is known primarily as a TV director, which puts him outside the circle favored by the Academy's exclusive directors branch.\" Uh oh..not good for GWAPE;-( Thanks K."}, {"response": 1959, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (09:03)", "body": "A bit of catchup... \"Today, somewhere in Canada, a network called USA Network is making a movie about the mayor of the city of New York,\" Rep. Anthony Weiner said Wednesday. \"I guess they're going to show him watching baseball games at the SkyDome or eating pommes frites rather than eating at Patsy's.\" Hey, they filmed the second Blues Brothers movie in Canada too. People here were v. upset. (Minkee) Long live Drool! (I think that is the queue to reach for my chequebook eh Boss?) I'd be more than happy to send you my mailing address. (Odile) For those interested, here is a link to the Geophysical Institute... FYI, there's an entire Geo conference here at Spring, and I'd bet Marcia would love to talk earthquakes with you at anytime. Check it out. She posts lots of pics, graphs, news items, etc. (Laura) About a Boy is to become a tv show. Hmmm, that short, bald-headed guy is getting more and more attractive. He's got to be rolling in it. And last but not least... HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY KATHY See what happens when you don't spring for airmail. Those surface deliveries take forever. ;-) Hope it was happy, whenever it was."}, {"response": 1960, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (09:49)", "body": "(Karen) Good grief! Have just read the Guardian's news item and the TV broadcast hasn't even happened. It is only scheduled for Jan 20, 2003. Sheesh! This is totally within their ability to control. Not that I completely understand how the Academy thinks, but it's not even in the same year! 2002 awards would include it, but after Jan 1, 2003 it shouldn't be any their (the Academy's) business where the film goes....? Pretty soon, they'll say that it cannot be out on video/DVD prior to the Oscars (Oh the humanity! Everyone's watching it on 'TV'!!) And you're right, this is completely within their control, so they could just follow the rule (silly rule if you ask me though)...."}, {"response": 1961, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (10:42)", "body": "(Tress) but it's not even in the same year! As the article stated, the rule says within six months. I'm sure if push came to shove, I could come up with an explanation for that, but since the film opened in the US in October I believe, April would be the earliest for a TV broadcast. I'm telling ya, they are such crybabies."}, {"response": 1962, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (10:45)", "body": "Thanks for the birthday greetings, Karen! Tress has given me an idea, and my celebration of \"Festivus\" is now at about the halfway mark, so nobody's really late."}, {"response": 1963, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (11:19)", "body": "Thanks for the very interesting articles, Karen. They'd be wise to hold out till April. Eliminating controversy and giving their film a chance for a nod. I'm sure they were well aware of the rule, and they haven't shown it on TV yet. Kind of a moot point if you think about it. Which is more important to them, Oscar recognition or public service? It's in their hands, not the Academy's IMO, unless I've misinterpreted something here. As for Wedding, is it really Oscar material? I know it's funny and very very popular but how does it compare to other's in contention? I agree Evelyn, it will probably win The People's Choice Award."}, {"response": 1964, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (12:22)", "body": "KATHY. . . Sorry I missed your birthday, but Sam and I hoisted a few . . dozen . . .in your honour! Hope you had a happy one!"}, {"response": 1965, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (12:46)", "body": "Thanks, Mari! It was happy, but would have obviously been better had I been with Sam and CF!"}, {"response": 1966, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (13:09)", "body": "[Karen](Laura) About a Boy is to become a tv show. Hmmm, that short, bald-headed guy is getting more and more attractive. He's got to be rolling in it. Geez, haven't I been saying that for a while??? ;) Welcome back, Karen (um, where were you???) Was wondering when someone would get to that! (sob) Out of Sight is also to become TV show."}, {"response": 1967, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (13:10)", "body": "new i did that wrong!"}, {"response": 1968, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (13:10)", "body": "fixing tags"}, {"response": 1969, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (13:53)", "body": "(Pam)As for Wedding, is it really Oscar material? I know it's funny and very very popular but how does it compare to other's in contention? By no stretch of imagination is it Oscar -worthy .And we don't know yet what will be competing. It's just a feel-good, happy movie;I got my moneys'worth."}, {"response": 1970, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (00:15)", "body": "For \"Singing in the Rain\" fans, tonight I saw a remastered print in what I will imagine is a very limited rerelease to theaters. It's only playing for a week where I saw it. They did any awesome job with the color. The very first frame I heard (and made) audible gasps and whispers about how great it looked. It was amazing to see it on the big screen, too. So many things I missed on a smaller screen. Never noticed a rather noticeable scar on the left side of Gene Kelly's face. And I also really noticed what a great behind he had. he was in fantastic shape all around. The sound was redone as well. Really made the dance steps stand out. Matter of fact, when he was dancing in the rain, I noticed his steps and the sound were off sometimes like the person that did the dancing for the sound didn't know the routine exactly. Not way off, just a few series of steps here and there. What was really nice, too, was many younger mothers brought their kids. And they were into it. Well behaved."}, {"response": 1971, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (09:25)", "body": "From this weeks' TIME \"Best Proof That Liberalism is Dead- Or That the Yuppie Quest for a Cheaper Latte Trumps Politics: Voters in Berley, Califl, rejected a ballot measure that would have required coffee sold in the city to be organic or purchased from farmers for at least $1.26 per lb.\" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [A pity ODB didn't campaign in Berkeley.]"}, {"response": 1972, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (09:28)", "body": "LOL!!"}, {"response": 1973, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (09:55)", "body": "(Evelyn)[A pity ODB didn't campaign in Berkeley.] Looks like he didn't campaign in San Francisco either. I read that it was rejected there as well."}, {"response": 1974, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (10:00)", "body": "That is too funny! Berkeley no longer liberal is enough to send a huge earthquake down that fault line."}, {"response": 1975, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (11:37)", "body": "(Moon) That is too funny!Berkeley no longer liberal ... Only when it hits their pocketbooks...when it hits yours or mine, it's OK;-)"}, {"response": 1976, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (09:20)", "body": "(Evelyn) By no stretch of imagination is it Oscar -worthy .And we don't know yet what will be competing. It's just a feel-good, happy movie;I got my moneys'worth. I love feel good movies. That's what it's all about to me. I have quite an extensive collection that I watch constantly. Would rather watch them any time as opposed to a critically acclaimed that leaves me empty. (Dorine) And I also really noticed what a great behind he had. he was in fantastic shape all around. He certainly was in great shape, with an exceptional behind. One of my favorite movies, and saw it on stage, alas not as good as Kelly et al but good all the same. Great stuff. The kind of entertainment, IMO, that appeals to all generations. Great entertainment for those of you who have not yet had the pleasure. (Evelyn) (Moon) That is too funny!Berkeley no longer liberal ... Only when it hits their pocketbooks...when it hits yours or mine, it's OK;-) LOL and so very true."}, {"response": 1977, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (09:35)", "body": "(Evelyn) By no stretch of imagination is it Oscar -worthy .And we don't know yet what will be competing. It's just a feel-good, happy movie; I got my moneys' worth. Ever hear the expression about being a \"cheap date\"? ;-)"}, {"response": 1978, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (11:49)", "body": "(Karen), Ever hear the expression about being a \"cheap date\"? ;-) LOL! Versus a \"heavy date\" at the cinemateque?"}, {"response": 1979, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (12:08)", "body": "(Karen), Ever hear the expression about being a \"cheap date\"? ;-) LOL! Versus a \"heavy date\" at the cinemateque? Hey, not me.I've seen it twice at \"full price\"....;-D evelyn *who's part of the great- unwashed*"}, {"response": 1980, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (17:02)", "body": "Saw a fantastic movie today called the Man from Elysian Fields. Definitely \"best of year\" material. Such characters and wonderfully written dialogue, with an intriguing premise. Andy Garcia's role was the type I wish Colin had. It required a pretty face and an actor. Both James Coburn and Mick Jagger could easily be singled out for recognition. There was a fantastic line that Coburn relates to Garcia about how one should be careful of women who are content to love you just the way you are, it shows how easily they settle for [something]. Anyway, it is used again at the end to cement the point. But it struck me as significant to some of the positions taken here with respect to CF. ;-)"}, {"response": 1981, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (17:09)", "body": "Hey Karen, was that film done through the production company that Mick Jagger runs?"}, {"response": 1982, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (18:31)", "body": "Lisa I believe I heard it was, but Karen may know more. That's good to hear about that movie. Really wanted to see it, but been so busy with other ones. It lasted a whole week or 2 at my neighborhood haunt."}, {"response": 1983, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (21:27)", "body": "Nope, Jagged Films had no credits on this one (and I'm a credidiot). Mick was employed by others. (Dorine) It lasted a whole week or 2 at my neighborhood haunt. That's why I went to see it today. I didn't know how long it would last and this was the second stop in town. When I said it was Best of Year material, I meant from a critic's standpoint. I think you will likely see it on lists. While watching it, I knew I was seeing a v.g. film. I don't get those feelings often."}, {"response": 1984, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (07:44)", "body": "(Evelyn) \"Best Proof That Liberalism is Dead- Or That the Yuppie Quest for a Cheaper Latte Trumps Politics: Voters in Berley, Califl, rejected a ballot measure that would have required coffee sold in the city to be organic or purchased from farmers for at least $1.26 per lb.\" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [A pity ODB didn't campaign in Berkeley.] I have lived in Berkeley and there is no shortage of organic coffee ( or fruit, veggies, marijuana or anything else for that matter)I believe it is more a matter of Berkelyites not wanting to be regulated in this or any other regard as it removes the ideal of freedom of choice. BTW, I imagine Berkeley would be where ODB would shop and eat as it is very down to earth with Sainsbury type markets, great restaurants and farmers markets and is host to any number of people lobbying/protesting for their beliefs (Bushmen? Free Trade?) Liberalism dead...Pshaw!"}, {"response": 1985, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (08:18)", "body": "Saw preview for 'What a Girl wants' (certainly NOT the Cristina Aguilera song!); it looks cute. Even Rebecca said she could 'sit' through a CF movie (but then again, she knows Amanda Bynes from 'All That', on Nick."}, {"response": 1986, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (23:33)", "body": "Karen, I absolutely adore the BWAPE pic on the intro page!"}, {"response": 1987, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (00:05)", "body": "Great intro page Karen! Thank you."}, {"response": 1988, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (20:03)", "body": "Love the picture as well....took me a few seconds though. BWAPE? Uh-oh a typo...then I actually looked up at the picture and started laughing! I'm a bit thick sometimes! ;-)"}, {"response": 1989, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (22:32)", "body": "I have to give credit for the BWAPE idea to another one of our Kathys. She wrote and asked me for it. :)"}, {"response": 1990, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (05:45)", "body": "I love the BWAPE.....excellent compliments to Kathy, Karen, whomever..... Shudder Still having nightmares about that Halloween shot from LE......."}, {"response": 1991, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (08:57)", "body": "Just a little something to brighten your day. ;-) Bullock and Grant forced to reshoot new movie Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant are reshooting scenes for their new movie amid reports the pair don't get on. Two Weeks Notice was due to be released in America on December 20. But Bullock and Grant are still on set in New York. Members of the crew have been walking around with signs taped to their back saying: \"Sandy + Hugh = Fights.\" The film's director Marc Lawrence is also wearing a sign that reads: \"I Hate Myself.\" According to www.nypost.com, the reshoots are taking place because there is a \"total lack of chemistry\" between the pair."}, {"response": 1992, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (09:13)", "body": "LOL. Karen! I just saw the previews and it looked cute. Come to think of it, I've never seen SB have chemistry with any of her leading men. I've never seen her as a romantic lead either. I too love BWAPE."}, {"response": 1993, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (09:19)", "body": "(Moon)I've never seen SB have chemistry with any of her leading men. With Benjamin Bratt in Miss Congeniality:-))) Cute movie; teen genre."}, {"response": 1994, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (09:31)", "body": "Not even in that one."}, {"response": 1995, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (09:40)", "body": "(Moon) I've never seen SB have chemistry with any of her leading men. I've never seen her as a romantic lead either. I just saw While You Were Sleeping last night and thought she and Bill Pullman were cute together. And he can border on boring. Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant are reshooting scenes for their new movie amid reports the pair don't get on. Maybe that's why the guy who reviewed trailers in CA said the audience had a tepid response to the trailer. They could sense something was off. Actually I saw it and decided to reserve judgement until I read the reviews and see it myself. I wasn't overly impressed by the trailer and I like them both. Their characters didn't seem all that likable really. Had looked forward to another romcam, Sweet Home Alabama (please stop gagging yourselves, thank you ;-)) after seeing the trailer and was very disappointed."}, {"response": 1996, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (09:42)", "body": "Very strange business. I distinctly remember them going to the Oscars together; it caused a bit of a sensation at the time. They did a presentation together, as well. Publicity wouldn't try to start some buzz this way, would they? (Insert innocent winkie, whatever that is) Love BWAPE, Karen & Kathy!"}, {"response": 1997, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (09:52)", "body": "(Dorine),I just saw While You Were Sleeping last night and thought she and Bill Pullman were cute together. Exactly. Cute together does not make a great on-screen attraction. I thought SB and HG were cute together, cute movie, cute preview. I would go see it from the previews that I saw."}, {"response": 1998, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (12:57)", "body": "Good article on Andrew Davies (AKA Dirty Ole' Man)in today's Independent. Mentions P&P and Colin once. Andrew Davies: Between the lines With his sexy adaptations of 'Daniel Deronda' and 'Doctor Zhivago' about to hit our screens, Andrew Davies tells Louise Jury why he filled in the gaps http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/media/story.jsp?story=353829"}, {"response": 1999, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (14:54)", "body": "(Moon)I've never seen SB have chemistry with any of her leading men. (Dorine)I just saw While You Were Sleeping last night and thought she and Bill Pullman were cute together. (Moon) Exactly. Cute together does not make a great on-screen attraction. I guess in my view then, if a couple didn't have any chemistry, I would have no reason to think they were a cute couple. They go hand in hand to me. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 1601, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 161, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 162, "subject": "Colin Firth - Part 12", "response_count": 1999, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May  9, 2002 (07:48)", "body": "My DH is refusing to allow me to go!! I live in NJ and could be there in two hours and he won't let me go. I will make a particular effort he's going to be there; I will defy the old ball and chain. Welcome Nici! Go to it! First rule is NEVER let you husband know about CF. They do become jealous. If we ever crossed paths, mine would challenge him to a duel. ;-0 By the way I am 31 years old and hot. Very displeased with the demographic represented. Yeah!!! LOL! (Karen), (Didn't the 1970s happen??) The bras are back on. ;-)"}, {"response": 2, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, May  9, 2002 (08:17)", "body": "Just got a ticket to the program at Cooper Union! Hurrah! Haven't even told the DH yet. But he will \"let\" me go. He has been very patient about Colin, and I try to take it easy on the gushing when I see him beginning to tire of Colin."}, {"response": 3, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May  9, 2002 (08:58)", "body": "By the way I am 31 years old and hot. Very displeased with the demographic represented. (Moon)Yeah!!! LOL! Not even if I dye my hair blonde and am a size 6 ;-))"}, {"response": 4, "author": "dalec", "date": "Thu, May  9, 2002 (11:43)", "body": "just for fun-- firthette: i very much liked you running up the stairs with a bit of your leg showing C: thank you firthette: it didn't work out with steven spielberg again? C: no, it didn't firthette: i'm delighted to hear it C: look, you ladies seem to go out of your way to make me feel like a complete idiot every time i read one of your comments online. and you really needn't bother. i already feel like an idiot enough times when i have to sit through one of my own premeires and then realize i chose the wrong script. now if you would excuse me i have a casting call to go to, good bye. firthette: look...i don't think you're an idiot all. though sometimes it does come through in the projects you chose. i realized when i saw you in that wet shirt i would forever be a firthette. what i'm trying to say very inarticulately... is that well... though perhaps in spite of some of the roles you've chosen i like you very much. C: ah.. apart from L. and... firthette: no, i like you very much. just as you are. a man screams from a distance behind the firthette firthette's husband: will you hurry up and stop drooling already! this is the most incredicle sh*t, we have 2 screaming kids in the car and you are married for christ sake! firthette: yes.. right... (lightly wipes edge of month then turns to CF) well, i must go. bye. CF watches with a quizzical look on his face as the firthette leaves and walks towards her husband and kids with a piece of toilet paper trailing at the heel of her shoe. C: (mumbles to himself) hmm... i can't say i very much like the sight of her walking away with toilet paper on her shoe, should i let her know...oh sh*t! the casting call."}, {"response": 5, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, May  9, 2002 (11:54)", "body": "According to next week's TVG, it looks like HG will be all over the morning talk shows-along with RW. I doubt if ODB will hang around NY for another week and do the shows for the nation-wide release on the 24th. One can always hope... I can definitely see CF in the role of a bewildered dad-it might suit that sexy thin spot on the back of his head. I don't think I'm very crazy about the JC movie-unless of course he has a meaty role. I'd still rather see the towel scene vs the toga. Welcome dalec, love the BJD!!!"}, {"response": 6, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May  9, 2002 (13:16)", "body": "(Linda) I can definitely see CF in the role of a bewildered dad-it might suit that sexy thin spot on the back of his head. It's gone...wait til you see TIOBE;-)"}, {"response": 7, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, May  9, 2002 (13:40)", "body": "So, what do you think, Evelyn? Rogaine?"}, {"response": 8, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, May  9, 2002 (14:48)", "body": "Thanks,Evelyn, for the heads up on CF's head. I'll definitely check it out when I see the film. Maybe he has had a transplant-could explain why he has been out of sight over the last few months-just kidding."}, {"response": 9, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May  9, 2002 (15:38)", "body": "So, what do you think, Evelyn? Rogaine? I dunno...I just saw lotta hair;-) Whatever.It's v. attractive...like the ole Colin we all know and love."}, {"response": 10, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May  9, 2002 (15:45)", "body": "Bad news for anyone headed to NYC next week: the TIOBE panel discussion has been cancelled. The people at the NY Times, which was sponsoring it, say they were just notifed this afternoon. Here's the number if you need a refund; follow the prompts and leave a message: 1-888-nyt-1870"}, {"response": 11, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  9, 2002 (15:50)", "body": "Does one hand know what the other hand is doing? I was just talking to Mira[fill in the blank] and asked. They didn't know anything about a cancellation. Oh well. Now, I'm wondering about the release date as well. We had an ad in paper today for advance screening tickets for this Monday (up in the northern 'burbs) and it said the movie would be opening on May 24 and listed one downtown theater. OK, on the positive side...perhaps. Dates (not confirmed) for Colin's appearances on various shows. Sounds like many of them will be taped in advance: May 20 or 27 - Today Show May 26 - Weekend Today May 27 or 31 - Regis & Kelly May 28 - The Early Show June 3 - The Daily Show (Jon Stewart)"}, {"response": 12, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May  9, 2002 (15:54)", "body": "C: look, you ladies seem to go out of your way to make me feel like a complete idiot every time i read one of your comments online. ROTF, Dale! Whenever I think of him possibly lurking here, I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Then I laugh.:-) A belated welcome to you. Here's a nice article, with some funny quotes, courtesy of \"Ms. Darcy\": Earnest' takes a walk on the Wilde side 05/08/2002 BPI Entertainment News Wire Feature By ANGELA DAWSON Entertainment News Wire NEW YORK -- Rupert Everett and Colin Firth didn't quite hit it off when they met some 18 years ago. The actors were thrown together in the class warfare drama \"Another Country\" and really didn't have that much in common. Firth admits he was rather serious and stodgy -- terribly earnest. Everett was arrogant, intellectual, outspoken and witty. Still is, notes Firth. Firth recalls, \"His description of me was somewhere along the lines of `a ghastly red-brick-guitar-playing communist ready to give his first $500 to charity.'\" That summation probably wasn't far from the truth, admits the actor best known as Mr. Darcy to the legions of fans of the BBC series \"Pride and Prejudice.\" \"He was very dull in the old days,\" Everett mockingly laments, correcting Firth's figure to \"the first $1 million\" to charity. \"I wonder what happened to that!\" These days the two Brits, both in their early 40s, get along famously. It is probably a good thing too, since they play lifelong friends in the latest film adaptation of Oscar Wilde's century-old British satire \"The Importance of Being Earnest.\" \"He's a lot easier to get along with than he used to be, but in a lot of ways he hasn't changed in the slightest,\" says Firth of Everett. Dressed smartly in a dark blue jacket, gray T-shirt and jeans, Firth adds, \"He was outrageous then and he's outrageous now.\" Firth plays Jack Worthing, a reserved bachelor who enjoys a simple life with Cecily Cardew, his utterly romantic but sheltered ward. Their life in the country is quiet and serene, except when Jack occasionally goes to London to fix the problems caused by his wayward brother Ernest Worthing. What no one knows, of course, is that Jack is Ernest. Once in London, Jack teams with his ne'er-do-well partner-in-crime Algernon Moncrieff (Everett) and unleashes his carefree and reckless alter ego. He also finds time to court Gwendolen Fairfax, a rebellious aristocrat who dreams of marrying a man named Ernest. Meanwhile, Algy takes advantage of his friend's preoccupied state by paying a visit to Cecily, posing as the errant Ernest. Things come to a boil when everyone else turns up at the country manor and true identities must be cleared up. Noted British director Oliver Parker was pleased to be able to land two such celebrated actors for the comic period piece. \"They have a rapport,\" he says, \"and they complement one another.\" Parker previously worked with Everett on another Wilde adaptation, the 1999 comedy \"An Ideal Husband.\" They toyed with the idea of remaking another Wilde piece but \"Earnest,\" last adapted for the big screen 50 years ago, seemed doable. Parker rounded out the cast with acclaimed English actors Judi Dench, Tom Wilkinson and Anna Massey as well as Australian import Frances O'Connor. In a clever bit of surprise casting, he recruited 26-year-old American actress Reese Witherspoon, who most recently starred in last year's hit \"Legally Blonde,\" as Cecily. \"What I wanted was a sweet, innocent face with a bit of a tiger underneath,\" he says. \"She's really a strong, feisty character with powerful opinions. Reese knows what she wants and usually gets it.\" Witherspoon, who's nursing a cold with a cup of hot tea, says she was hesitant at first to take on such a quintessentially British role. \"I was terrified, and I told them every day,\" the blue-eyed blonde recalls. \"It was a lot of pressure being the only American there, because this material has such a pedigree and reputation.\" Dench particularly intimidated Witherspoon. \"She's won every award under the sun,\" the actress says, her eyes widening. \"At the heart of it I'm still just a little girl from Tennessee.\" Witherspoon acknowledges that younger moviegoers may be drawn to the film because of her presence. She hopes it will spark them to seek out more Wilde and other literary works. \"I know that I felt really inspired when I was a teenager and saw `Sense and Sensibility,'\" she recalls. \"I wanted to see all of the Jane Austen stuff and read all of it. It's great to discover writers through film.\" Witherspoon studied with a dialect coach to capture the English accent. She and her husband, actor Ryan Phillippe, and their 2-year-old daughter, Ava, moved to London for the three-month shoot last spring. \"We were feeling like proper Anglophiles by the time we left,\" Witherspoon says with a hint of a British accent still in her voice. \"My daughter particularly picked up her own English accent. She was saying, `Mummy, I need to get in my pushchair.' I was thinking to myself"}, {"response": 13, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, May  9, 2002 (15:58)", "body": "Bad news for anyone headed to NYC next week: the TIOBE panel discussion has been cancelled. Oh No!! I am exceedingly disappointed! That was to be the highlight of my TIOBE long weekend. :-( I even had several questions written down for others beside Colin. :-( Welcome dalec! LOL!!! Kate, I keep getting just a couple of letters and symbols and no text in your emails"}, {"response": 14, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May  9, 2002 (15:59)", "body": "Now, I'm wondering about the release date as well. Yes, remember I was speculating about that, as many of the release date websites are listing May 22 for NY and LA, and May 24 for the rest of the country. Can't say I blame them if they wanted to move it out of the way of the May 17 Star Wars hullabaloo, but I wonder if it screws up the publicity schedule. Anyway, many thanks for those talk show dates, Karen. When will they have confirmed dates?"}, {"response": 15, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May  9, 2002 (16:14)", "body": "June 3 - The Daily Show (Jon Stewart) Does this tape in LA? I'm thinking the MTV Awards taping June 1st. Thanks for the listings Karen. \"He was very dull in the old days,\" Everett mockingly laments, That's because he was \"a ghastly red-brick-guitar-playing communist ready to give his first $500 to charity.\" LOL! What a surprise. ;-)"}, {"response": 16, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  9, 2002 (16:15)", "body": "When will they have confirmed dates? Am checking Farmers Almanac for date hell freezes over. Is that before or after I can safely do my planting? ;-D I asked about Letterman and was told that \"they have to want Colin.\" So, I'd say we need to encourage the producers a little more."}, {"response": 17, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  9, 2002 (16:16)", "body": "All these shows are in NYC, Moon."}, {"response": 18, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, May  9, 2002 (16:18)", "body": ""}, {"response": 19, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, May  9, 2002 (16:19)", "body": "I think I need to learn to type faster. :-p"}, {"response": 20, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, May  9, 2002 (16:22)", "body": ""}, {"response": 21, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  9, 2002 (16:28)", "body": "Am reposting Dorine's comments from above. June 3 - The Daily Show (Jon Stewart) (Moon) Does this tape in LA? I'm thinking the MTV Awards taping June 1st. No, NYC. I should look into tix now, if they aren't already gone. Some shows are out of tix months, at least, in advance. I think I need to learn to type faster. :-p (Karen) Does one hand know what the other hand is doing? I was just talking to Mira[fill in the blank] and asked. They didn't know anything about a cancellation. Oh well. Who's in charge of things like this anyway? I guess anyone can cancel for any reason. It's a bit early to cancel if it's because they didn't sell enough isn't it? Thanks Karen for the schedule."}, {"response": 22, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  9, 2002 (17:14)", "body": "Ooops! Forgot to you all something rather significant IMO. The newspaper ad for TIOBE is slightly changed. Colin is now in the center, flanked by FOC on left and RW on left, then the outer group is RE and DJD. So if you're not completely confused, it goes (left to right): RE, FOC, CF, RW, DJD. Then the ad copy no longer refers to Everybody loving Raymond (sorry) ;-D It now says: The Classic Comedy Of Mistaken Identity As You've Never Seen It Before! All the people are the same size. It no longer seems to be The Importance of Being Cecily."}, {"response": 23, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, May  9, 2002 (17:16)", "body": "Thanks, Karen for the schedule. Thanks, Mari for the article"}, {"response": 24, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Thu, May  9, 2002 (17:24)", "body": "Thanks for the TV and screening (NOT) updates! I, for one, am completely dizzy. But Today and Weekend Today, that's pretty cool. We'll have to check to see if the wardrobe changes ;-) Do we have Katie C's e-mail addy: Perhaps she could weasel more info. about future projects, in between bouts of drooling."}, {"response": 25, "author": "Odile", "date": "Thu, May  9, 2002 (17:27)", "body": "Rupert Everett and Colin Firth didn't quite hit it off when they met some 18 years ago. Ah Ha! Are we back on for a discussion? That mostly begs the question: what is RE's background? Public (private for US) schoolboy or lower middle-class like ODB (schoolwise at least)? One carefree with nothing to lose, the other with everything to prove to the world... Or do we consider all this as publicity? (I don't doubt that this is PR candy given the Worthing/Montcrieff relationship) Welcome Dalec! Loved the BJD rewrite..."}, {"response": 26, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, May  9, 2002 (17:40)", "body": "I'm hoping that tonight's Behind the Screen on AMC is the repeat of the one on TIOBE. E!News Live just opened with a piece on the TFF. Plenty of HG and AAB, but no CF"}, {"response": 27, "author": "Odile", "date": "Thu, May  9, 2002 (17:47)", "body": "Another question about the article... Had RW seen P&P (wasn't it Heather Graham who was clueless about it?) before (she mentioned devouring Austen stuff after Sense & Sensibility) and what she thought of CF in it? Thanks for the TV appearances schedule. That's plenty of advance warning to figure out a sensible way to keep the children quiet during that time ;-)"}, {"response": 28, "author": "dalec", "date": "Thu, May  9, 2002 (18:46)", "body": "thanks for the warm welcome everyone. i'm very disappointed about the Cooper Union thing, now my only chance of seeing him in person is gone. i doubt i'll be able to make it to those other events. will they be rescheduling this? thanks for the TV schedule Karen. i have a question, will E! be broadcasting the tribeca film awards live or are they just showing the red carpet?"}, {"response": 29, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, May  9, 2002 (21:46)", "body": "(Mari)Bad news for anyone headed to NYC next week: the TIOBE panel discussion has been cancelled. This is such disappointing news :-(. After he gave such an \"earnest\" interview after the BAFTA/LA screening, I was looking forward to the one in NYC at Cooper Union to provide even more insight. So he's Ernest in LA, and there's Jack (sh**)in NYC ;-/ Thanks for the refund number and info and for the 'ol buddies article ;-). June 3 - The Daily Show (Jon Stewart) Thought this was going to be tonight! I was looking forward to seeing those two together (I'm already LOL as I have been watching The Daily Show recently and imagining CF sitting in the guest seat opposite the very funny Jon Stewart -I am imagining very witty banter between those two). Karen, thanks for the preliminary schedule. Hope it doesn't change too many times. LOL, Dalec! You are so right about the family part. Great parody of BJD! Welcome!"}, {"response": 30, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  9, 2002 (22:24)", "body": "Saw Behind the Screen on AMC earlier this evening. It was pretty good. Mainly Reese (why do we bother pointing this out). However, Colin got to saw a few words and it was nice seeing them on set. (Odile) Or do we consider all this as publicity? (I don't doubt that this is PR candy given the Worthing/Montcrieff relationship) Yup, this is going to be repeated everywhere, like the \"sissy\" fighting in BJD. (Dale) will E! be broadcasting the tribeca film awards live or are they just showing the red carpet? There will be an entire show devoted to the red carpet for Star Wars II which is at the fest. About all we can hope for is seeing a snippet of the awards show (maybe) on the next day's infotainment shows. The Tribeca Fest is extremly high profile. (Lora) and there's Jack (sh**)in NYC ;-/ LOL! Aint' it the truth. I'd post the genealogy of the Jack(sh**) family, but my email account is temporarily down."}, {"response": 31, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, May  9, 2002 (22:30)", "body": ""}, {"response": 32, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  9, 2002 (22:52)", "body": "closing tag"}, {"response": 33, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, May  9, 2002 (23:13)", "body": "GAH! Am having flashbacks to cancellation of Hamlet. Why is he doing this to us loyal firthettes? Buggerbuggerbugger! Oh, well, will still try to get a glimpse at the premiere. Dorine, don't know why my email is being strange. I'll call you tomorrow to commiserate."}, {"response": 34, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (07:58)", "body": "Sorry to read about the NY cancellation. Very disappointing but at least there are quite a few chat show appearances on the horizon! Final thought on TAG...we'll get to see it and it will come out on video!. Unfortunately, movies like MLSF and DQ (no distributor) just disappear in the UK. Also, it seems to me that in the UK at the moment, you have to be a mainstream actor (ie a name) to be offered work in the more prestigious smaller dramatic films. Someone over at yahoo movies (who had posted earlier that she really liked HS) has added that she saw it in a recent preview in the UK. So hopefully, HS is also on course for a worldwide release. Three(or is it four?) in a row! Makes a change! :-)"}, {"response": 35, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (09:21)", "body": "(Dorine)At least the LA Ladies had a good time and were able to provide great reports. I may have to continue to live vicariously through you. You are so right. Those at the BAFTA/LA screening did a tremendous job reporting on it. You LA ladies gave us morsels to cover both coastal events, especially the double squeeze handshake, Cecilbee :-)! (Dorine)I'll just have to turn on my CF radar at the FF Hope you'll be at the right place at the right time. Maybe you should bring a one-year-old along and he will zero in on you ...just kidding ;-). *waving good luck radar up your way*"}, {"response": 36, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (09:51)", "body": "I called to get my refund, hoping that it would all turn out to be a horrible mistake and the discussion would still be on--it's still listed on the tape \"to inquire about tickets to...\". But no such luck. So I asked the person at NYT and she had no idea why it was cancelled. Not that it makes a difference, I suppose..."}, {"response": 37, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (10:03)", "body": "Good luck, Dorine. Sorry about the film discussion being cancelled. Maybe this will give you extra radar vibes for the ff."}, {"response": 38, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (10:06)", "body": "I sympathize with everyone planning on being in NY. I don't suppose he's flying over to Cannes on the 15th? We get TV coverage on Bravo Canada that night. My local paper says we get TIOBE next Friday! (shall not hold breath)"}, {"response": 39, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (10:14)", "body": "A & E lists a program called \"New York at the Movies\" tonight at 9pm. I wonder if it's about the TFF? Kate, I hope you get an answer as to why it was cancelled."}, {"response": 40, "author": "airstream", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (10:14)", "body": "I found out this morning (if the scheduled dates hold out)--if you want to try get tickets for the 6/3 Daily Show, call the Friday before (may 31) at 11:30 to see if there are any cancellations. I got my refund today too, for the talk. The lady on the phone seemed suprised that I knew it was cancelled. She asked if I was notified by the organization. ( I was, sort of....but not the one she was talking about!)"}, {"response": 41, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (10:46)", "body": "(Amy) The lady on the phone seemed suprised that I knew it was cancelled. I tried playing dumb by saying I was calling to \"ask about tickets for the Classics to Film discussion. I thought maybe she'd feel sorry for dumb little me and offer an explanation, but no such luck. Oh, well, will apply the refund to liquid refreshment on Monday, I suppose. My suburban NJ paper has nothing about Earnest. Must pick up a major urban paper for such info. Will Earnest continue to play at the same theater in NY after the premiere?"}, {"response": 42, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (10:56)", "body": "(Amy)I found out this morning (if the scheduled dates hold out)--if you want to try get tickets for the 6/3 Daily Show, call the Friday before (may 31) Amy, this show is taped well in advance--so if you want to try to see the Colin taping (which may have already happened for all we know) call *now.* In other words the show that tapes on 6/3 is NOT the show that airs on 6/3. I watched last night and Jon had David Boreanaz on--he was talking about his wife's pregnancy, but I read recently that his wife had that baby about a week and a half ago. (Lora)So he's Ernest in LA, and there's Jack (sh**)in NYC ;-/ ROTFLMAO! Extremely witty riposte, as usual, Lora!:-)"}, {"response": 43, "author": "treseg", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (11:26)", "body": "hello all thanks to karen for getting me logged on, been lurking for a little while, must say that your conversations have fanned a small spark into a flame of obsession for odb, just stayed up until 2 am watching my p&p dvd with a friend, my poor friend left completely tortured for more colin, especially since the last two hours of it we spent pining for a glimpse his bedroom eyes and got only one kiss at the very end, amazing as that kiss was it did not last nearly long enough i'm a newbie in many respects, in the younger demographic myself with all the new responsibilities that come with a family, house and starting my career caught p&p for the first time on a&e this past december in between holiday parties, followed that up with bjd and loved the mirroring of p&p in it, not to mention everything colin about it, next happened upon drool solely by accident while looking into another movie and was hooked, came to find out that i had actually seen cf in valmont on tv years ago and never knew him, my like of cf has turned into an obsession for odb despite the lack film knowledge about him i realized i had a problem when i happened to be sitting behind a man in church that reminded me completely of odb, all i could think about through the whole mass was cf in not very religious settings anyhow, i doubt i'll have any inside info to contribute, but i love the conversations here and it gives me something to do when i'm slow at work"}, {"response": 44, "author": "Cecilbee", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (11:38)", "body": "I'm so sorry to hear about the cancellation of the Q&A at the New York event. He was such a sweetheart here, I was sure you east-coasters would be able to experience the reverie those of us here in LA did. But maybe he'll surprise you and be accessible to fans anyway. I'll be in London 5/17-5/23. Any chance of him being back in town then?? Or will he still be doing press in NY? Your thoughts and opinions are appreciated."}, {"response": 45, "author": "AnnieZ", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (11:59)", "body": "Saw this one and just have to share ;-)"}, {"response": 46, "author": "annas", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (11:59)", "body": "Been reading this weeks postings tonight, *slaps head* not the week to get behind in my reading. To get a bearing on time frames, our TV (Minkee land) is showing the gnat on Letterman for AAB, about a \"selfish, shallow.....bastard\" direct quote :~) How far behind are we for shows? I so don't want to miss CF interviews? Minkee June the 6th?, great stuff!!!"}, {"response": 47, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (12:09)", "body": "(trese)i realized i had a problem when i happened to be sitting behind a man in church that reminded me completely of odb, all i could think about through the whole mass was cf in not very religious settings Ah, yes, familiar symptom--wishfully seeing cf look-similars. (not look-alikes, as such perfection could hardly be achieved twice, unless we could find a twin or a clone) Welcome, Trese. It's a fun obsession! Love the poster, Annie. Those hats! Is that Margaret Rutherford as Lady B? Looks rather like Ray Bolger..."}, {"response": 48, "author": "airstream", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (12:12)", "body": "Thanks Mari for the Daily Show tip. I feel so stressed out about all this! YIKES. I think I will just resolve to watch it on tv. Hopefully, the film festival/premiere will make up for it."}, {"response": 49, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (13:05)", "body": "Odile, you asked about Rupie's background. From what I recall reading, he was educated by Benedictine monks--very conservative Catholic upbringing. I guess he finally rebelled.;-) i realized i had a problem when i happened to be sitting behind a man in church that reminded me completely of odb, all i could think about through the whole mass was cf in not very religious settings LOL, join the club! Welcome, Trese. our TV (Minkee land) is showing the gnat on Letterman for AAB . . . How far behind are we for shows? Hi Anna, that aired here last night (Thursday night) so you're not far behind at all. Am surprised at the number of US news and talk shows you get there in MinkeeLand (love that name!:-) Looks rather like Ray Bolger... PFFT! BTW, I spoke to someone who had ordered tickets for the Cooper Union discussion and, at the time, she was told that tickets were selling very briskly--so it wasn't cancelled due to lack of intetest."}, {"response": 50, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (14:54)", "body": "Just got off the phone with the braintrust at my favorite studio.:-( Release date info for TIOBE (this should be firm): May 22--NY and LA May 24--Top 10 markets May 31--Nationwide"}, {"response": 51, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (14:54)", "body": "I saw some coverage of tiobe on Movietelevision (Bravo Canada) today!! It was at the press junket. I'll transcribe CF's bits later when I don't have an audience wondering what I'm doing :-) Colin only had a few sentences but was lovely. He talked about the danger of fossilizing (big word of the day!) works so they become \"classics\" (his quote marks in the air). Wilde shouldn't be played to the gallery but should sound like people actually talking and replying to each other. Nice clip of FOC's tongue in his ear (or did I imagine that part?) Rupie has set a new fashion trend by wearing 2 undershirts. Soon to be a \"classic\"."}, {"response": 52, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (15:02)", "body": "I too just received my ticket for the non-event at Cooper Union :-( I noticed that the culture editor of the NYT was to be the moderator, so I looked up the number and left a message on his voice mail inquring as to the reason for the cancellation. I said there were quite a few people, at least, that were very disappointed that it was not going to happen. I suppose we'll just have to wait and see if I'm deemed worthy of a response. It listed his email on the voice mail message...I may send a note as well for a follow-up. Bryonny, you have a wonderful imagination ;-)!"}, {"response": 53, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (15:06)", "body": "He talked about the danger of fossilizing...Wilde shouldn't be played to the gallery but should sound like people actually talking and replying to each other. No danger that anybody would confuse his bobbing around, jumping up and down, and silly antics with any form of fossilization. ;-D"}, {"response": 54, "author": "treseg", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (15:39)", "body": ""}, {"response": 55, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (16:17)", "body": "Re Jon Stewart and the Daily Show: I've been to tapings a couple of times. Sometimes you get lucky and the taping takes well over an hour as they record more than one interview. Othertimes, the interview is live - that is, just the one person, recorded for that night's show. Unlike other shows the scheduling is extremely, er, flexible (e.g. the time that Al Sharpton was scheduled and didn't show up and they had nothing to fill with. It was very funny anyway.)"}, {"response": 56, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (17:16)", "body": "Trese!! We're always happy to have new people join in the fun. And you're not alone in thinking about CF in not so strictly proper situations. (aka the Playmaker Posse) ;-D Woo Woo! Minkee has a whole continent named after her. I'm very impressed and v. possibly slight jealous. LOL! (Cecilbee) I'll be in London 5/17-5/23. Any chance of him being back in town then?? Who knows? If his NY appearances are all taped in and around the premiere date, then he could be back home by then. BTW, give'm hell, Dorine! And if they're not scared, have them call the staff at the Riverside. ;-D"}, {"response": 57, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (18:04)", "body": "Welcome Trese. I get my daily fix right here everyday. If that's not enough I pop in a CF movie and that seems to relieve my suffering. You are in good company. I think about CF in the strangest of places and situations. This has put me in a few very sticky situations. I loved AMC's Behind the Screen on TIOBE. This has been the longest piece I've been able to catch. ODB looks v.dreamy!!!! Glad I'm not the only one having a difficult time keeping the dates/changes-straight"}, {"response": 58, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (19:45)", "body": "Access Hollywood is doing a segment on the ff this Tuesday"}, {"response": 59, "author": "dalec", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (20:18)", "body": "will anyone here be attending the TIOBE new york premiere may 13 at the Paris Theater. i'm having some last minutes thoughts about going. i've never been to any movie premieres before. what would be a good time to get there and be one of the crowds outside the theater since it's scheduled to start at 7:30pm."}, {"response": 60, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (20:19)", "body": "(luvvy)the time that Al Sharpton was scheduled and didn't show up and they had nothing to fill with. What a blessing, Chris--dead air is preferable to Al Sharpton.;-) (Linda)I loved AMC's Behind the Screen on TIOBE. This has been the longest piece I've been able to catch. ODB looks v.dreamy!!!! Doesn't he? Yum!:-) Very smiley and sweet being interviewed, but boy is he ever focused while preparing for a scene. Everybody else is yukking it up, but ODB is in a zone!:-) Here's what the NY Times is sending out; dare we hope that the Charlie Rose show came a knockin'? From Michele: \"Unfortunately, we do not have any plans to reschedule this event. It is extremely difficult to coordinate the schedules of the panelists, especially when you're dealing with stars of this caliber. In fact, it was a change in their schedules that forced us to cancel the event in the first place. I'm sorry for any inconvenience that this caused you. And thank you for your interest in TimesTalks.\" Roberta F. Nordman/NYT/NYTIMES"}, {"response": 61, "author": "dalec", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (20:19)", "body": "tag closed"}, {"response": 62, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (21:07)", "body": "Access Hollywood is doing a segment on the ff this Tuesday Someone tell ODB that the trick to getting on that show is to paw Nancy Whatsit while she giggles like a little girl. Richard Gere knows this. Here is my transcription from Movietelevision (add your own stammers and hand waving): These things very quickly get fossilized into some \"classic\", you know, which I think suffocates the material. I think he intended people to talk as they talk, you know, speak to each other. Reply to each other. You're not playing to the gallery here. And I think he would've loved film. I think it helps break it down and bring it closer and loosen it up."}, {"response": 63, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (21:59)", "body": "(Mari) dare we hope that the Charlie Rose show came a knockin'? What time does Charlie tape? Surely, not in the evening. How about they had to go to Cannes? ;-D"}, {"response": 64, "author": "airstream", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (22:13)", "body": "I just saw TIOBE. There was quite a bit of laughing from the audience. The best reaction, I thought, was the scene where they are all in the country house and JD pays a suprise visit. The whole audience seemed to gasp. You could overhear a lot of positive comments from the crowd as they exited the theatre. v.v.good I didn't see anyone of \"importance\" though. How did the other attendees do????"}, {"response": 65, "author": "maryw", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (22:14)", "body": "Whooaahh! I woke up this morning (Saturday), immediately logged on to catch the latest and I see that all this CF promo merry-go-round has caused everyone at Drool to become unstable - everything now tilts to the right. LOL! I now have a crick on my neck from tilting to the right to read all the italics - or is just a sign that I should update my computer? *************** Welcome Trese! I fully empathise with you as I have only been recently afflicted by the CF-disease that requires one to have frequent cold showers to bring the symptons under control ;-). Churches and other quiet spots are usually the places where the symptoms present themselves at their most rampant. Of course, it is always best to be on your guard where there are big screens that show his adorable face to perfection. During those times, symptoms may include: sweaty palms and other parts; heart palpitations; and this incredible need to make sounds ranging from gurgling in the throat or outright scream of delight - depending on the type of person you are. On those occasions, the only antidotes available are : any strong material (such as an armchair - or even your arm) that you can grab a hold to help stop the urge to scream; a cold shower as already mentioned; and, when really desperate, perhaps an MDH (or a version thereof) who threatens to finally walk out on you and take the kids, the house (or mor gage, as the case may be) and leave you alone only with your CF memorabilia. ************* And then I find that Anna have made me (in)famous (or at least my nom de drool)by laying claim on a continent which I had sworn to leave just last night because of the excessive taxes I have to pay...(tax time next month down here!). ROTFL. Reserve the envy for something else Boss! ***************** Am surprised at the number of US news and talk shows you get there in MinkeeLand (love that name!:-) Not enough, Mari. We still are the CF-under-privileged class and I am afraid that our UK and US sisters will have to continue to support us...which prompts me to say... Thank you! to all of you who speedily share your news, experiences, memories. We delight in every morsel we get and we appreciate it so. Don't we, citizens of M-----land couldn't bring myself to type it"}, {"response": 66, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (23:07)", "body": "Just got home from seeing TIOBE also. I really enjoyed it! And Colin's hair...oh if I could just run my fingers through his hair...just once! ... I'll die happy ;-)! Those suits really...suited him well, too, I thought. Loved FO'C! I think I was vibrating right there with her. ;-) Even though it's been commented upon here that RE may have all the best lines, I was more entertained by ODB and FO'C...and Tom Wilkinson, I found him quite endearing and comical. Oh and the OTT ending...yes it was a bit silly. I think it would have seemed stranger to me if I hadn't been forwarned (thank you very much). By the time he hugged RE during the end, I'd forgotten about that National Enquirer piece about the physical ad-lib by RE of slapping Colin on the rear instead of the back and only remembered at the last second and more or less missed scrutinizing ODB's reaction. Didn't realize it was at the end, so I thought it might have been cut out. I'll take note the next time I see it. Like Amy, I heard very positive comments on the way out. Quite a few had no idea what happened in the play in the first place and enjoyed it anyway. Walking down the street, I heard someone in a group remark that one of them was planning to dislike it and instead enjoyed it very much. Meryl Streep was apparently relegated to the balcony with all the almost late-comers like me. I was planning to get there much earlier, but was delayed by a contact lens crisis :-/. The people in front of me expressed surprise as well that MS was in the balcony and not downstairs, at which point, we wondered who could be downstairs....apparently no one according to Amy. And no ODB sightings! :-( I'll make sure my radar is turned-up while I'm in the city all day tomorrow."}, {"response": 67, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (23:13)", "body": "I'm sorry I forgot to say... Welcome Trese! The more the merrier!"}, {"response": 68, "author": "airstream", "date": "Fri, May 10, 2002 (23:24)", "body": "It is funny Dorine...I was wondering if anyone was upstairs! (I am kind of glad (relieved) I didn't miss anything!) CF did happen to look quite lovely in the mourning clothes and glasses. Hi Trese!"}, {"response": 69, "author": "Odile", "date": "Sat, May 11, 2002 (02:04)", "body": "(Dorine) I was more entertained by ODB and FO'C...and Tom Wilkinson, I found him quite endearing and comical. ODB and Tom Wilkinson... That's exactly the way I felt with SIL after a couple of viewing!"}, {"response": 70, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, May 11, 2002 (07:54)", "body": "I am v.jealous of all of you that have seen TIOBE already! Now that I have seen the AMC segment, and having heard all of your first hand comments, I'll take Minkee's advice and go the cold shower route. OH that hair...I can't believe I'm starting off a Saturday morning in this way. You guys are killing me. Dorine, keep your eyes glued to everyone you pass. GOOD LUCK, YOU CRAZY GIRL!"}, {"response": 71, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, May 11, 2002 (08:02)", "body": "(Karen), No danger that anybody would confuse his bobbing around, jumping up and down, and silly antics with any form of fossilization. ;-D (Dorine), the OTT ending...yes it was a bit silly. I think it would have seemed stranger to me if I hadn't been forwarned (thank you very much) LOL! You're welcome. ;-) (Mari), MinkeeLand (love that name!:-) Me too! It has a happy ring to it. :-) Thank you Amy and Dorine for your reports. Was it sold-out? Looking forward to the premiere reports. Welcome Trese!"}, {"response": 72, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 11, 2002 (08:17)", "body": "Lovely to hear about the film from both of you. If you'd like to discuss the film in more detail, we have the Spoilers topic (126) for that. The TIOBE comments begin here: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/126.1241 We like to keep those separate since the film will have such a delayed opening in various parts of the world/country (although it will open in Minkeeland fairly soon. CF-deprived! Ha!!) ;-D"}, {"response": 73, "author": "airstream", "date": "Sat, May 11, 2002 (13:51)", "body": "moon-- friday night was sold out as is the showing tonight. as i was leaving friday, a very angry (and loud) woman was complaining that she had waited in a very long line and TIOBE sold out to the 2 people in front of her, and what were they going to do about it!"}, {"response": 74, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sat, May 11, 2002 (21:07)", "body": "It wasn't me! Honest it wasn't! But I can understand how she felt!"}, {"response": 75, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sun, May 12, 2002 (06:19)", "body": "True to form I will post complaints, but first...thanks to Minkee for letting those of us way down here know what's going on. (I'm usually known for being quite positive and fun!) I just read an article from Yahoo (maybe the source is my problem) and there was a lot of talk about the Tribeca FF, and not a word about the awards at the end and who was presenting them. Am I wrong, or have I read here about CF and RW teaming up for this??? I thought that would be interesting to someone...somewhere...SOB!!!....... There is a little TV show here on Sunday nights called Premire or Preview...(sorry I'm not a big TV person anymore) that is all about film and my boys have been in charge of searching for TIOBE info. Hey, they 'earnestly' called me into tonight and I saw a 30 second clip of...you guessed it ...RW talking gibberish about the business of learning her 'english' accent for her part. I give up! Except, of course, for June 6...as Minkee has said, is the Australian opening for TIOBE. Hey, all the NY girls, I hope you have had some fun tonight!!!!!"}, {"response": 76, "author": "maryw", "date": "Sun, May 12, 2002 (06:40)", "body": "Oh no Lisa - now you'll really have something to complain about and I will certainly join you!! The release date in Aus has been changed! Bwaahhh! ;-/ It's now showing as JULY 4. Check it out : http://www.yourmovies.com.au/main.cfm?page=movie_release_dates . (Thanks to Sarah for the website tip.)"}, {"response": 77, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sun, May 12, 2002 (06:50)", "body": "LOL, Minkee..at least as a half-American-half-Aussie I can say there will be something to do to celebrate on Independence Day in the land down under!!!!!! (I'm sure I had more to whine about...!)"}, {"response": 78, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, May 12, 2002 (08:56)", "body": "Sorry ladies! No ODB sightings yesterday :-( Believe me I was definitely canvassing the area in between my panel and movies (saw Enigma...v.v. good). Saw many lower level character actors I'm sure we've seen in all kinds of movies and TV shows...couldn't name any of them though. Decided to skip trying to see TIOBE again (after standing in waitlist line ~45 mins) to go around the corner to the Insomnia screening party that was being thrown at the hotel. I was thinking Insomnia is a Miramax film and just maybe....someone we all know and love would mosey down the red carpet. But, alas no. Saw a bunch of other stars that I can list wherever is appropriate (odds & ends?). They didn't start coming in until 10:30pm or so and I left just before midnight when the entrances began to taper off (I had been there since 10 am). CF and RW are indeed to be the hosts of the awards ceremony tonight. I will forgo this event as I'm going to the premiere tomorrow. I'm not sure if the event tonight will be set up for oogling as they go in, so I'll wait for the sure thing tomorrow. I'll watch the Star Wars premiere tonight...maybe he'll show there after the awards."}, {"response": 79, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, May 12, 2002 (09:42)", "body": "Good reconnaisance work, Dorine--if you can, do go to the awards thingie, as that too is a sure thingie, er, thing!:-) Nice article in today's New York Times; some good CF quotes. Thanks to Chris R.: The Importance of Being Wildean but Also Cinematic Publication Date: Sunday May 12, 2002 Summer Movies; Section 2A; Page 31, Column 1 c. 2002 New York Times Company By SARAH LYALL LONDON -- THE play is utterly familiar, a perfect marriage of form and content, with some of the most famous lines in English comedy. (''To lose one parent, Mr. Worthing, may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness.'') The question in adapting Oscar Wilde's ''Importance of Being Earnest'' for the screen, then, is how to turn this consummately theatrical lovers' joust, with its dazzling verbal games and dizzying confection of a plot, into a plausible movie. It has been tried at least once before, in a faithful 1952 version, with Michael Redgrave and Michael Denison as the two young dandies who find it convenient to disguise their identities from time to time, Joan Greenwood and Dorothy Tutin as the soubrettes they woo in town and country, and Dame Edith Evans as the redoubtable Lady Bracknell. Now it has been tried again, and opening in New York and Los Angeles on May 22, with a national release to follow. But in this case Oliver Parker, who adapted and directed the new version, recognized that it is not the sort of piece that translates automatically from one medium to another. ''If someone gave it to you as a film script, it wouldn't work,'' said Mr. Parker, who also adapted and directed the recent screen version of another Wilde play, ''An Ideal Husband.'' ''You have to connect with the parts that matter to you and build on them. Nearly all the dialogue is Wilde's, but I had to jiggle with the script a bit.'' That meant consolidating some scenes and extending others. It also meant liberating the play from its constricting drawing rooms, so that it became a movie filled with lavish sets and crowds of boisterous extras in places like the streets of London, a wild dance hall, a fancy hotel restaurant and a grand estate in the country. There are bucolic outdoor scenes, too, on a river and in a bluebell-speckled forest, for example. For a cast full of capital-T thespians steeped in the Wildean tradition, including Colin Firth, Rupert Everett, Tom Wilkinson and Judi Dench as a very formidable but also surprisingly human Lady Bracknell, performing in the film required looking at the material with fresh eyes, almost as if they had never been exposed to it before. ''It's one of the things that people grow up with, whether they've ever seen it or not,'' said Mr. Firth, who first caught ''Earnest'' onstage in Southampton, England, in the 1970's. In the film, he plays the juicy double role of Jack Worthing and his alter ego of wicked repute, Ernest. ''What has amazed me is how open it is to being interpreted, to being played with. I thought everything we'd do would be straining against the nature of the piece and would look wrong, but it's not.'' Mr. Firth welcomed the script changes and the chance to utter Wilde's words in a way that seemed perfectly natural, as if he spoke that way in daily conversation. ''There's always someone out there who, if you change one word, would act as if you'd burned the last surviving copy of the play,'' he said. ''But this is the only way we could do it without being utterly stilted.'' Reese Witherspoon, the lone American star in the film, plays Cecily Cardew, the ingenue courted by the charmingly irresponsible Algy Moncrieff (Rupert Everett). It's a tricky part, usually played by an older actress, because the character has to be naive and worldly all at once. Ms. Witherspoon said that taking on the role introduced her both to the joys of Oscar Wilde and the pitfalls of the English accent. ''I was an English literature major in college,'' she said, ''but I hadn't got to the Oscar Wilde part yet when I dropped out to go into acting.'' All that worked for the film's modern sensibility, however. ''I came to it from a neophyte's perspective, never having read it or having spoken what the English call the English language,'' Ms. Witherspoon said. ''It was intimidating being around all those people. The first day, when Judi Dench came in, my voice went down about four levels. I almost had to whisper. My accent seemed almost like a mockery. ''But I thought it was really important not to feel overwhelmed by the writing or the work,'' Ms. Witherspoon added. ''With any character you play, you have to find yourself in the character. I certainly relate to this young woman's spirit and her joie de vivre. She looks like a sweet little girl, but she's really this raging romantic underneath. And she's a very modern woman in the sense that she thinks, 'You're not going to take advantage of me; I'm going to take advantage of you.' '' The play, which was greeted as a triumph when it opened in 1895, closed"}, {"response": 80, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sun, May 12, 2002 (10:02)", "body": "Mari, your post saved me a lot of typing. I just read the same article. I love it when he makes the remark about someone acting \"as if you'd burned the last surviving copy of the play.\" I've seen the play done several times, but I'm not that much of a purist. I mean, there must be more than ONE surviving copy..."}, {"response": 81, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, May 12, 2002 (10:32)", "body": "I just read that article 5 minutes ago, too. I was also reading an article in The Guardian, I think, about how lawyers in London now want pinstripe suits like Darcy in BJD. Seems Colin has become a fashion icon for barristers ;-) Maybe I can get it typed up later. Unfortunately, I will probably defer tonight's events as I've already put off a lot of paperwork and other things this week and will be busy the next 2 nights (someone in a line gave me a pass for AAB on Tues night.)"}, {"response": 82, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 12, 2002 (11:00)", "body": "Will read NYT article in a bit (thanks, Mari) but there's no need to type up the Guardian mention, Dorine. It was actually published in The Observer in an article by Victoria Coren, who has written about Colin several times before (must have a crush like Katie): The Law Society has warned solicitors to 'keep clothes simple and businesslike; avoid pinstripes and polka dots'. I'm afraid there's something they've overlooked. They're out of touch; how surprising for a collective of elderly lawyers. Why are solicitors suddenly wearing pinstripes? Because they want to look like barristers. And not just any old barristers - specifically Colin Firth in Bridget Jones's Diary. A solicitor friend explains: 'Lawyers' lives have changed since that film. We are popular at parties. Women want us. As long as we look a bit like Firth, anyway. There's been a run on single-breasted chalkstripe at the tailors in Chancery Lane. Some of us are even buying wigs. Firth's barrister wears his collar and bands outside court, which was always considered very vulgar but it's de rigueur now. I'm thinking of writing a fashion column on the subject for Bar News.' Amid all that talk about Ren\ufffde Zellweger's weight increase, everyone overlooked the movie's sartorial effect on men. Andrew Davies is now working on the sequel, Edge Of Reason; if the Law Society wants lawyers back in three-piece flannel, they'd better write to the wardrobe department at Miramax. http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4411762,00.html"}, {"response": 83, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, May 12, 2002 (13:29)", "body": "Thanks, Karen. I'm not familiar with her column...seems an odd transition of topics from the beginning of the article to end up on barrister clothing. Know why I failed in my quest yesterday....was carrying a bag not a baby! ;-)"}, {"response": 84, "author": "annas", "date": "Sun, May 12, 2002 (18:48)", "body": "Minkee: The release date in Aus has been changed! Bwaahhh! ;-/ It's now showing as JULY 4. Drive a stake through my heart and finish me off, another whole month to wait, its NOT FAIR *throws giant hissy fit* I had made plans. A big black cloud descends on Minkeeland (a land to the south of beautiful women who share an uncommon interest, and are severly handicapped in the pursuit of such.) Thankyou to the ladies of the North, for looking after us *sob*"}, {"response": 85, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, May 12, 2002 (21:41)", "body": "Breakfast With the Arts comes through! Thanks to Kris for sharing: Harry Smith will interview Colin on the 5/19 show. He was in the studio on Thursday and you can imagine how excited we were. One of my co-workers is still not speaking to me because I didn't tell her was was coming in. Sincerely, John T. Bence Managing Producer"}, {"response": 86, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, May 12, 2002 (21:47)", "body": "I hope this URL works: lots of thumbnails from the TIOBE press conference in NY in April. Thanks to Meluchie for spotting: http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=gls====9702"}, {"response": 87, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 12, 2002 (22:58)", "body": "Excellent news!!! BWTA again. Fantastic. I love that note. Colin truly *is* A&E poster boy. ;-D And those wire photos. Loved those outdoor ones. Does he look good or what? yum yum!"}, {"response": 88, "author": "Odile", "date": "Sun, May 12, 2002 (23:25)", "body": "Great photos on wireimage. It was from April 20th press conf in NY. Is that the source for the NYT article or a separate meeting? I second Karen. He looks great and in one of them he reminds me a bit of Paul McCartney, no? So many expressions, I love it when he looks thoughtful or smiling or ... ok I like them all! :)"}, {"response": 89, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 13, 2002 (07:28)", "body": "One of my co-workers is still not speaking to me because I didn't tell her was was coming in. That was evil. ;-) Thanks for the link Mari. The read background clashed with his brown pullover, but he looks great outdoors. Off to mark my clalendar for BWTA. :-)"}, {"response": 90, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May 13, 2002 (07:57)", "body": "Bad review in Variety: Just as one of Oscar Wilde's resourceful gentlemen is Ernest in town and Jack in the country, so it seems that \"The Importance of Being Earnest\" was a comedy in the last century and a drama in the new one. At least, that's the dumbfounding impression left by writer-director Oliver Parker's utterly miscalculated film adaptation of Wilde's play. Trims in the text might be expected, though not necessary for an under-two-hour feature; and the opening up of the stagebound action is decidedly a mixed blessing. But what washes out the joys of Wilde's usually delicious concoction is a tone that bafflingly drifts toward seriousness, especially whenever thesps Colin Firth's Jack and Judi Dench's Lady Bracknell take center-screen. Wilde fans will turn away in dismay, with only costume drama fans likely to support this on the big screen. Pic's ancillary hopes are even sure to be dimmed, since the Miramax release opens just weeks before Criterion Collection's unveiling of a freshly restored DVD edition of Anthony Asquith's stagebound but infinitely preferable 1952 version starring an indelible Michael Redgrave as Jack and Dame Edith Evans as Bracknell. Earlier picture also points to everything that is wrong with Parker's handling, which starts with a brief chase scene involving the perpetually indebted dandy Algy (Rupert Everett) that's apparently designed to include some \"action,\" but only looks like bad outtakes from \"From Hell.\" Parker's script breaks up the dialogue between Algy and best friend, Jack, into sections that take them from a music hall to a lounge to Algy's London digs, but this only serves to impede the flow of Wilde's elegantly constructed dialogue. Algy exposes Jack's ongoing ruse that he playacts as a fellow named \"Ernest\" in the city, which gives him an excuse to leave his country manor and visit Gwendolen (Frances O'Connor). Algy, meanwhile, has invented his own fictional creature, a sickly man named Bunbury, whom he \"visits\" -- that's his excuse for getting out of the city. None of this is nearly as amusing as it should be, but things get downright glum when Algy's aunt, Bracknell, shows up and glowers at Jack's interest in Gwendolen. When Bracknell interviews Jack about his class pedigree and suitability for marriage, it is all about intimidation and not at all about Wilde's view of Bracknell as hilariously unaware that she is a bag of hot air. Parker's adaptation inserts some new visual material that has Jack dramatically trying to uncover the true nature of his upbringing, since all he knows is that he was found as a baby in a handbag at Victoria Station. Nothing is more stunningly off-key in the movie than this revelation, which invariably gets big laughs in any decent stage version but is approached as high drama here.Thus, it's strange to discover -- back at Jack's sylvan estate -- that Reese Witherspoon as Jack's beloved ward Cecily, Anna Massey as Cecily's tutor Miss Prism and Tom Wilkinson as local priest Dr. Chasuble and hopeful suitor to Prism haven't forgotten they're actually doing Wilde. Fitting comfortably with the otherwise Brit cast, Witherspoon instantly flashes her charm as Cecily drifts off into romantic fantasies (though Parker ruins the effect by archly depicting them on screen), while Massey and Wilkinson are masters of comic timing and the just slightly daft turn of their too-long-in-the-country folk. Adaptation is rarely content to simply let Wilde's characters settle into the drawing room of their choosing, continually interrupting the flow of the original text and generating the queasy feeling of desperation by trucking in \"visual\" notes.To wit, Algy actually arrives at Jack's home via hot-air balloon (with nobody commenting on it). Some new business involving Algy being chased around London and the countryside by debtors and Savoy Hotel reps is meant to underline the rake's non-progress, but it just gets in the way of what is arguably one of the English language's most perfectly devised comedies. Somewhere between the just-right froth of Witherspoon, Massey and Wilkinson and the poor judgment of Firth and Dench are Everett's slightly amusing but never winning Algy, and O'Connor's pleasant but unmemorable Gwendolen; those prone to imaginative re-casting would certainly top the list with Richard E. Grant, seemingly born to play Algy. A big widescreen look, complete with a notably underlit approach by lenser Tony Pierce-Roberts, creates an expensive, naturalistic style that simply doesn't belong to Wilde's specific and exaggerated universe. Elegance courses through Luciana Arrighi's slightly Italian-accented production design, Maurizio Millenotti's costuming and Peter King's makeup and hair design. Pic features one of the worst examples of \"funny\" music in recent film."}, {"response": 91, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 13, 2002 (08:18)", "body": "Can't say that much in there surprises me. ~~~~~~~~ So far have only seen 6 pictures from the Tribeca FF awards ceremony and no mentions of CF or Reese for that matter. :-("}, {"response": 92, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, May 13, 2002 (08:41)", "body": "What do you think of this review, Mari? (I yawned through 1952!) Looks as though reviewers could be polarised (1952 v 2002).And wasn't Michael Redgrave very serious? BTW how long is TIOBE? Does it hold audience attention?"}, {"response": 93, "author": "dalec", "date": "Mon, May 13, 2002 (08:42)", "body": "(mari) I hope this URL works: lots of thumbnails from the TIOBE press conference in NY in April. Thanks to Meluchie for spotting: http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=gls====9702 i can't seem to get on this site, is anyone having the same problem?"}, {"response": 94, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 13, 2002 (08:58)", "body": "It's not about 1952 vs 2002. It's about whether this adaptation is true to Wilde, and it isn't. Miramax's spin is obvious and, IMO, utterly baseless. From all I've read, Wilde would be the last person on earth to condone such changes. He thought way too highly of himself and his work. The film was 100 minutes."}, {"response": 95, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, May 13, 2002 (09:06)", "body": "I can't get on the site as well. To make matters worse, I just tapped over the Behind the Screen segment by mistake. Definitely not going to be a good day-except for the wonderful news about BWTA-that was one of my favorite interviews during the BJD publicity."}, {"response": 96, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, May 13, 2002 (09:08)", "body": ""}, {"response": 97, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 13, 2002 (09:12)", "body": "Am moving your post to 160, Kate."}, {"response": 98, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May 13, 2002 (10:48)", "body": "Some cheerful news, thanks to Clare: Colin will be on NY radio tomorrow: wplj 95.5 FM tuesday, may 14 9:00 am (although, keep in mind with these morning shows the guests may not be on exactly at the scheduled time) Could any/all of our NYC area ladies please tape this for us? Thanks! If you're having trouble getting to that wireimage URL, just go to http://www.wireimage.com and put Colin Firth in the Search engine. Once you see the TIOBE press conference pics, you can click on the film title and you'll see the other actors as well. (Bethan)What do you think of this review, Mari? (I yawned through 1952!) Looks as though reviewers could be polarised (1952 v 2002).And wasn't Michael Redgrave very serious? BTW how long is TIOBE? Does it hold audience attention? I disagree with almost everything this critic wrote. He likes the '52 version, which I found as enjoyable as having my teeth drilled. He says Dench and Firth are too serious, but I found their exchanges--especially during the interview scene, which he also dislikes--to be among the funniest. He praises Wilkinson and Massey; frankly, their scenes are nothing, IMO. He calls F O'C pleasant but unmemorable, whereas I found her an absolute delight. He even criticizes the lighting and the music! He clearly is a purist (or wishes to impress upon us that he is one). Critics should write for their audience, not for their peers. IMO, no piece of literature is so sacrosanct that it cannot be adapted imaginitively. Would Shakespeare object to Baz Lurhmann's Romeo & Juliet? Who knows and I don't care. The good news is, nobody from the general public reads Variety.:-)"}, {"response": 99, "author": "maryw", "date": "Mon, May 13, 2002 (11:14)", "body": "(Mari) Critics should write for their audience, not for their peers... I agree, but... (Mari)...nobody from the general public reads Variety Who reads Variety, Mari? Is that a trade publication? If it is, then isn't the audience = his peers? Just curious. This article reads as if the author has an overwhelming need to impress the readers with his technical expertise of all things Wilde. A real purist who's up in arms! Not totally unexpected and, I should imagine, ODB would not be fazed. As he says : \"that's what purists are for\". LOL."}, {"response": 100, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May 13, 2002 (11:29)", "body": "(Queen of Minkeeland)Who reads Variety, Mari? Is that a trade publication? If it is, then isn't the audience = his peers? Yes, it's an entertainment industry publication. When I referenced his peers, I was referring to other Wildeans--not the average studio exec, or actor, or publicist, or screenwriter who reads Variety."}, {"response": 101, "author": "Odile", "date": "Mon, May 13, 2002 (11:56)", "body": "RW on the Today Show this morning. Same stuff about accent. Showed the clip about engagement (RW/FOC). Only mention of ODB was made by Katie Couric..."}, {"response": 102, "author": "iluvdarcy1", "date": "Mon, May 13, 2002 (12:16)", "body": "what is BWTA? I'm new to all the acronyms:-0 Thanks"}, {"response": 103, "author": "airstream", "date": "Mon, May 13, 2002 (12:18)", "body": "Ok. I am trying to figure out how to set the timer on my stereo (which I didn't know I had). So please bear with me if it doesn't work out, and the recording fails. I checked out the WPLJ website. Why is he doing this show?"}, {"response": 104, "author": "iluvdarcy1", "date": "Mon, May 13, 2002 (12:24)", "body": "never mind acronym ? Breakfast with the Arts! Got it!"}, {"response": 105, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, May 13, 2002 (12:24)", "body": "A belated welcome Nicola. BWTA is Breakfast With the Arts on A&E. It airs on Sunday mornings 8am est."}, {"response": 106, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 13, 2002 (12:33)", "body": "what is BWTA? Breakfast with the Arts, Sunday mornings on A&E. Amy), I checked out the WPLJ website. Why is he doing this show? I agree! Isn't that a rock station? Or has it changed since my childhood in NY? (Mari), When I referenced his peers, I was referring to other Wildeans--not the average studio exec, or actor, or publicist, or screenwriter who reads Variety. IMNSHO, a reviewer for Variety is a contradiction in terms of \"purist Wildeans.\""}, {"response": 107, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May 13, 2002 (13:17)", "body": "(Variety)Pic features one of the worst examples of \"funny\" music in recent film.\" Duh! It goes with the \"Keystone Kops\" overall theme. I liked it, but then I'm not a purist. And no one would go see the 1952 version today. \"....with only costume drama fans likely to support this on the big screen. \" The Masterpiece Theatre crowd might be shocked too. Oh well, we're back to the nursing home gang;-)"}, {"response": 108, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, May 13, 2002 (14:45)", "body": "I just checked out WPLJ's website, and they definitely have Colin listed for the morning show. They do have a \"listen online\" so hopefully that will help out anyone wanting to log on. I find it v. strange that he is doing this show-not the usual NPR venue we're used to. Then, again, what hasn't been strange with TIOBE over the last few weeks?"}, {"response": 109, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, May 13, 2002 (14:45)", "body": "(Odile) Only mention of ODB was made by Katie Couric... Was she drooling? What did she say? (Moon) Isn't that a rock station? Or has it changed since my childhood in NY? It's Top 40/Pop. I thought this was an odd choice too. I read the Variety piece while surfing around last night. I was so taken aback by the review, I instantly started an email to the writer asking \"Did we see the same movie?\", but in the end chose not to send it. Very poor weather in NY for the premiere, but Amy, Kate, and I are checkin' it out anyway."}, {"response": 110, "author": "dalec", "date": "Mon, May 13, 2002 (15:05)", "body": "i was checking the WPLJ site out too. don't think it's possible to listen to the broadcast live online. if you go to the \"listen live\" page: http://wplj.com/PLJlive.asp it says they're working on some union issues and have stopped live streaming."}, {"response": 111, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, May 13, 2002 (15:41)", "body": "Thanks dalec, I guess I'll have to sit in the car all morning, because that is the only radio around here that picks up the station."}, {"response": 112, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 13, 2002 (16:19)", "body": "Very poor weather in NY for the premiere, but Amy, Kate, and I are checkin' it out anyway. Ladies you will be joined by Lora! Her husband got her tickets for the premiere as a Mother's Day present. What a great present! Look for her, she is wearing a black and pink outfit and her husband has a mustache. Can't wait for your reports. Thanks, Dale for the link. Bad news about the union issues."}, {"response": 113, "author": "treseg", "date": "Mon, May 13, 2002 (16:22)", "body": "thanks for the welcome and all the great advice, especially from minkee, you all crack me up i'm just dying to see TIOBE, i guess i'm luckier than most because it looks like it will hit the gateway city by the 31st of may, i'll be dragging my tortured friend along with me, please tell me colin is in almost every scene thanks for the wireimage pics, those were great, i actually preferred the head shots on the red background, but then again i was drooling over the old shots from bjd as well, to each there own"}, {"response": 114, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, May 13, 2002 (19:40)", "body": "Am drowning in news. Thanks, everyone. Colin will be on NY radio tomorrow: wplj 95.5 FM tuesday, may 14 Drove to and from work for more than 10 years listening to PLJ. Don't think I can pick up the signal this far south, though. *sob* Would love to hear Scott and Todd and Colin. (Moon) I thought this was an odd choice too. Imus was booked. ;-) PLJ is definitely not for the nursing home resident set. Hurrah! So Harry Smith is doing BWTA now? What happened to Eliott?"}, {"response": 115, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 13, 2002 (23:00)", "body": "(Trese) please tell me colin is in almost every scene Colin is in almost every scene. See how accomodating we are? ;-) Aren't you glad you didn't ask me to call you a cab. *Badabing* Have just come back from my advance screening and will post about changes on 126. (Eileen) So Harry Smith is doing BWTA now? Has he been kicked off of Biography?"}, {"response": 116, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May 13, 2002 (23:15)", "body": "YUMMY time! Oodles of Colin pics from tonight's premiere over at wireimage. Boss, any chance of enlarging any of these?:-) http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=CAL====10115&ym=200205"}, {"response": 117, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 13, 2002 (23:47)", "body": "Not by much. Maybe 20% before they get all distorted. :-( I'll try some tomorrow. Maybe by then we'll see some full size ones showing up elsewhere. None at Reuters/AP either. They had pics from Enigma's itsy bitsy premiere...OK, Mick Jagger was there, but..."}, {"response": 118, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (00:52)", "body": "Boy, have I got a story for you! But it will have to wait until tomorrow night when I have time to type it. Kate and Amy could possibly fill in some."}, {"response": 119, "author": "tamzin", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (02:59)", "body": "FYI and much to my amazement, Colin has just been on BBC1 giving a brief interview in the breakfast programme. Included clips from TIOBE - it was a delight to see really clear pictures of the film and he looks gorgeous in it!"}, {"response": 120, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (03:15)", "body": "I've really been enjoying all the news and the pics, but Mari, you're link from 116 isn't working! :( Dorine, glad to hear you have news, but rule #1 is that you are required to stay up and post whatever you know, no teasers! Evelyn, I've emailed you a present!"}, {"response": 121, "author": "tamzin", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (04:08)", "body": "I have replayed my tape from this morning's BBC1 interview and give the transcipt below: Colin: A lot of Oscar Wilde's essential points of view would still be considered dangerous now. You know he believed that asthetics were more important than morality. You know he said quite explicitly, and he was not being paradoxical here, he said that a sense of colour was more important to human development than a sense of right and wrong, and that's not something a lot of people would want their teachers to tell their children. Film Clip Tom: Because of some of the roles you've done in the past, I suppose most notably Pride & Prejudice, people often think of you as being this kind of smouldering, handsome hunk. Has that been a kind of a help or a hindrance to the kind of roles that you've got? Colin: I don't know. It's probably.......cos you can't know what would have been otherwise; and, in fact, I've been quietly diversifying. (big grin) I don't suppose anyone's particularly noticed, but I have been doing things which are different. People tend to remember me for things that are similar to what's gone before but it's never really been my problem. Film Clip ( which finishes with the voiceover saying: ........... Hollywood's tepid response to his charms) Tom: You haven't appeared in any big Hollywood movies and I'm not saying that by way of any criticism. Is that by design, or because you just haven't found that there are opportunities there, or have people not come calling? Colin: It's a mixture of all those things. It's not really by design unless one considers design as just omission and not having gone to play the town and hunted down. I could have done that I suppose. I don't know whether I would have been successful or not but I didn't do that. They haven't really come calling very much and on the occasions on which they have, it's not really been with anything very tempting. Film Clip which ends the interview"}, {"response": 122, "author": "aishling", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (05:33)", "body": "Thanks Jennie. I missed it. It will be interesting to hear if the interview going out on NY radio station is the one where CF comments about English football hooligans, Blair etc. Today\ufffds Daily Mail has managed an almost full page spread from the six lines from \ufffdWicked Whispers\ufffd with a large pic of Mr Darcy. The article says this came from a radio interview to promote TIOBE. There is the usual blurb about his own educational background. Additional comments reveal his dilemma over the schooling of his year old son. The child would definitely be raised in London \ufffdbut how he\ufffdll be educated is the burning question which we\ufffdre working on at the moment\ufffd His other child is being privately educated in the US"}, {"response": 123, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (07:00)", "body": "you're link from 116 isn't working! :( Grrr . . . it was working 8 hours ago. Looks like the wireimage website is down for now, maybe from all of us hitting it at once.;-) Dorine, get up and start typing! Aishling, the radio interview today is supposed to be live, so the quotes couldn't have been taken from that. Damn, we've missed something.:-( Is there any way to contact the Mail to determine on what station it aired? Jennie, is the \"Tom\" in the interview Tom Brook? If so, we get his show on BBC America, so maybe we'll see it on this week's show. In what sort of setting does the interview take place?"}, {"response": 124, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (07:04)", "body": "The premiere was, in a word, wet. Also cold. (OK, so that's two words) No area at all for the public to stand. There was a long walkway under tents where the press were stationed and the celebs walked by. This occupied the whole sidewalk to one side of the theater. To the other side there were barriers making a little pen for photogs. A walkway for pedestrians was created out of a lane of the street. Security would not let anyone stand in the walkway for more than half a minute. I did notice that a lot of the passersby looked at the theater, read the title of the movie and seemed to have absolutely no idea that this film exists. (Varied demographics, although no walkers or large handbags were in evidence) It didn't seem well organized. The people in charge appeared to be two officious young women, one of whom seemed to have a cell phone permanently attached to her ear. We stood behind the photogs area, which didn't seem too bad until it started to pour and all the umbrellas went up. Add to that the fact that the photogs bring step stools, and the view got worse when they opened those and climbed up. However, we were near the edge of the sidewalk and could look down the street as limos arrived. That was the only good look I got at Colin and Livia. Then they disappeared into the press tent/tunnel. She was wearing black, as usual, he was wearing a dark suit. That's all I could see. Dorine had a better look at them. Dorine chatted up a security guard who said he'd see what he could do about getting us in at the end. Since he was so nice to us, we tried to behave ourselves and not go out into the walkway or sneak into the photogs area. The photogs were mostly very nice. Two women who had arrived very early and were standing quietly in the corner of the photogs area were treated nicely by the photogs who had been standing there all along. Then, a rude photog who had been in the press tent/tunnel but needed yet another shot of Reese, shoved his way into the photogs box and yelled at these poor women and at the security guy \"Where are their press passes?\" So he got these two women kicked out just so he could stand there, wait for Reese, take one more shot, and leave. Naturally, he made this fuss during the time Colin was nearest us, so it became even more difficult to see anything. Amy stepped out into the walkway for just a moment, had a great shot lined up, and a security guy waved her back and put his hand right in front of the camera. We got a good look at Oliver Parker because he was one of the first to arrive and spent a lot of time talking to TV cameras (not sure who they were). Rushdie was there (I wanted to ask him where the loos were, but Dorine wouldn't let me), Stanley Tucci, I forget who else. The security guy couldn't get us in. The theater holds 450, and the guys with the little clicker counters said that 452 had gone in. (But I don't think that was a problem, as some of the photogs said that Reese and Ryan had done the walk, entered the theater, and sneaked out the back) Supposedly, 700 had been invited. We found out where the party was going to be, so we walked over to the Hudson to have a drink and check things out. Dorine and Amy were able to sneak into the party (Dorine is very good at this; I am v. impressesd); I was too slow. (stopped by Ms \"I am important person with cell phone\") And once you're stopped, there's nothing to do but retreat gracefully. I am not good at this kind of thing anyway. I always look guilty if I'm doing something I shouldn't. (Can't play poker) I hope Dorine and Amy have good info from the party. Am v. envious!"}, {"response": 125, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (07:16)", "body": "Kate...I loved your whole rehash events, and I'm feeling for you not getting in. Sounds like it was a little unorganized but you all were real troopers. First report of a Livia sighting in all the talk lately. Black outfit again huh? (Anxiously waiting for Dorine and Amy to post their stories of drinks with the Firths and invitations to holiday this summer in Italy!) Common girls...gotta hit the hay here in Minkeeland soon!"}, {"response": 126, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (07:38)", "body": "Kate, thanks for the early report. Sorry you were not able to get in. I know how wet and windy it was yesterday in NY. Dorinne and Amy, what great luck! Thanks for the transcript, Tamzin. The child would definitely be raised in London \ufffdbut how he\ufffdll be educated is the burning question which we\ufffdre working on at the moment\ufffd That can take up quite a bit of time. ;-) There's always the Italian school in London. Off to check out the wire images, thanks, Mari!"}, {"response": 127, "author": "iluvdarcy1", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (08:17)", "body": "it's 9:22 am and WPLJ is BSing around. no colin yet. cannot tape it but will write down the best bits if possible."}, {"response": 128, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (08:19)", "body": "Thanks for writing up the interview, Jennie. Hopefully we will get the broadcast on BBC America. (I wanted to ask him where the loos were, but Dorine wouldn't let me) Too funny but would've you have known the proper inflection to give his name? ;-D Loved your report, Kate, and am anxiously awaiting Dorine and Amy's. I'll post the wireimage photos here for those who can't get to the site."}, {"response": 129, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (08:25)", "body": "I have now been listening to this radio (WPLJ)show for the last three hours and thirty minutes. No mention of CF all morning. I'm just about ready to take a sledge hammer and smash the radio to bits. They have played a Smash Mouth parody on botox 8 times since 6am. I will listen for the last half hour. If ODB is not on, I'm calling the station and will definitely blast off.#$&*#%!!!"}, {"response": 130, "author": "iluvdarcy1", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (08:27)", "body": "So sorry you guys didn't get closer last night. Maybe I should have gone and we could have bullied our way through - strength in numbers:-} Dorine I like your style. We could be dangerous together."}, {"response": 131, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (08:31)", "body": "Call the station now and ask what is going on, Linda. You can get the images if you go to wireimage.com and then. click on the premiere. I have the same top Livia is wearing. They both look great, I approve! ;-D"}, {"response": 132, "author": "iluvdarcy1", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (08:31)", "body": "So sorry you guys didn't get closer last night. Maybe I should have gone and we could have bullied our way through - strength in numbers:-} Dorine I like your style. We could be dangerous together."}, {"response": 133, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (08:35)", "body": ""}, {"response": 134, "author": "iluvdarcy1", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (08:36)", "body": "just called wplj and was told they don't even know who he is and to keep listeneing, maybe he will come on!!!! Language I used on that little snit is not respectable for a lady so I won't repeat what I said. I think I am more angry she claimed to not know who he was.The worst part is I will kep listening... for a while longer."}, {"response": 135, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (08:37)", "body": "I just called the radio station, and asked about the interview. Their answer...Just keep listening. Thank you, very much!"}, {"response": 136, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (08:39)", "body": "Karen, thank you for the great pictures. I am behind reading all the posts because of this radio interview. The pictures have calmed my blood pressure."}, {"response": 137, "author": "iluvdarcy1", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (08:42)", "body": "Karen the pictures are great! Thanks! Oh no, now the radio is playing Sugar Ray. Will this end, oh God!!!! Where is Colin????"}, {"response": 138, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (08:48)", "body": "There is only about 12 minutes left to the morning show on plj. Still no mention,just more nonsense talk and commercials."}, {"response": 139, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (08:51)", "body": "They are now signing off, this is a disgrace!!!"}, {"response": 140, "author": "iluvdarcy1", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (08:54)", "body": "Well IMO Colin is too good for such a show anyway and I hope he blew them off and not the other way around. Still would have been lovely to hear his voice this am."}, {"response": 141, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (08:55)", "body": "From Ananova (but no pics yet): 'Dame Judi was so intimidating', says Witherspoon Reese Witherspoon has confessed she was \"extremely intimidated\" by Dame Judi Dench during the filming of The Importance Of Being Earnest. But the Legally Blonde star said when she finally got to know Dame Judi she had found her \"incredibly giving and bright\". Dame Judi stars as Lady Bracknell in the new film which opens in the US on May 22 and is due to hit British screens this summer. [Ed note: real specific] \"I was nervous, shaking in my boots, terrified to say anything above a whisper in front of her,\" the 26-year-old beauty at the film's world premiere in New York. She was also very thankful to co-stars Colin Firth and Rupert Everett for helping to put her at ease despite being the only American actor in the cast. The Tennessee-born star said the toughest part of her role as Cecily Cardew in the latest screen adaptation of Oscar Wilde's play was learning a cut glass English accent. \"It was a very arduous process accumulating the accent because it doesn't come to me easily at all,\" she said. \"I worked with a dialogue coach for six weeks, four hours every day. I really, really tried to get it on. \"I had to talk in the British accent even when I wasn't on camera. Everyone was so good and so prepared that I felt it was my duty to live up to their perfect standards.\" Firth said the British cast had been impressed with Witherspoon's performance: \"She's formidable, incredibly bright. It's remarkable for someone of her age to be so advanced in life. She's doing a lot better than I was then.\" \"There's nothing like taking something that has an over-revered quality to it and realising that all it is is fun.\""}, {"response": 142, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (08:55)", "body": "One more post on this plj thing. I am now calling the same number where I spoke to the v. nasty lady that said to keep listening. I let it ring 42 times. A message came on and said \"your party is not answering\" I wonder why? #@$**#. I will keep trying until I get an answer."}, {"response": 143, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (09:17)", "body": "Here we go!!"}, {"response": 144, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (09:20)", "body": "From Sky News : Stars of the latest film adaptation of Oscar Wilde's classic comedy The Importance of Being Earnest have attended its world premiere. Colin Firth and Reese Witherspoon were among the cast members to put in an appearance at the New York event. Firth said his role had been very different from other costume dramas he had starred in. \"There's nothing like taking something that has an over-revered quality to it and realising that all it is is fun,\" he said. 'Extremely intimidated' Hollywood actress Witherspoon, who plays Cecily Cardew, confessed she was \"extremely intimidated\" by co-star Dame Judi Dench during filming. But when she finally got to know Dame Judi, who plays Lady Bracknell, she said she found her \"incredibly giving and bright\". \"I was nervous, shaking in my boots, terrified to say anything above a whisper in front of her,\" the 26-year-old actress said. 'Arduous process' As the only American among an all-British cast the Legally Blonde star was thankful to co-stars Firth and Rupert Everett for helping to put her at ease. She said the toughest part of her role was learning a cut-glass English accent. \"It was a very arduous process accumulating the accent because it doesn't come to me easily at all,\" she said. \"I worked with a dialogue coach for six weeks, four hours every day. \"I had to talk in the British accent even when I wasn't on camera,\" she added. Firth said the cast had been \"completely impressed\" with Witherspoon's performance. \"She's formidable, incredibly bright. It's remarkable for someone of her age to be so advanced in life.\" http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30500-1051541,00.html"}, {"response": 145, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (09:27)", "body": "What a great picture of the Firths' Glad to see the Bond Girl made it. Thanks, again, Karen"}, {"response": 146, "author": "treseg", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (10:02)", "body": ""}, {"response": 147, "author": "treseg", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (10:32)", "body": "don't feel bad about not getting in kate, i can't keep a secret or deceive anyone either, my face always tells all i'm kind of bummed out because i knew colin had a baby but i didn't know it was a boy, for the past couple of days i'd been day dreaming about my two-year old son marrying his daughter, i guess if they hurry up and have a girl that might still be possible, i'm a sick mother aren't i they make such a pretty couple, anyone seen pictures of their son, he must be beautiful"}, {"response": 148, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (10:37)", "body": "*ahem*... What's with Livia's top? It's nice and all... but isn's it a bit...transparent?"}, {"response": 149, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (10:51)", "body": "(Winter) but isn's it a bit...transparent? Good eyes! I didn't notice that (wonder why??) in the little ones above. You would think Colin would have his arm curling around Livia's back, snaking around to the front and providing some sort of shield. ;-D (treseg) anyone seen pictures of their son, he must be beautiful A paparazzi took pics of Colin and his son outside of his home that were printed in several UK newspapers and mags. We don't post that type of thing here. Sorry."}, {"response": 150, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (10:57)", "body": "Lora just called me from the airport. As it turned out she arrived at the same time as Colin, ended up seating in the same row and her husband took her picture with Colin! She will post as soon as she can today."}, {"response": 151, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (11:07)", "body": "(Winter) but isn's it a bit...transparent? I noticed that. It looks like she decided not to wear a bra. I have that top and always wear it with a black one to avoid that problem."}, {"response": 152, "author": "iluvdarcy1", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (11:13)", "body": ""}, {"response": 153, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (11:21)", "body": "Sitting in the same row? Some people have all the luck! Can't wait for those pictures. Moon, Was this plane leaving NY? Where was it going? Might explain why ODB was a no-show on the radio this morning. Probably the same reason the question/answer session was cancelled for this evening."}, {"response": 154, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (11:25)", "body": "Moon, Was this plane leaving NY? Not on the plane. They sat in the same row at the premiere. I wish! Had they been on the same plane, I'm sure Lora would have called me to greet the plane on arrival, camera ready. ;-)"}, {"response": 155, "author": "caribou", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (11:53)", "body": "Yeah for Lora! I can't wait to see the pic and hear the story! I'm ecstatic just knowing she's ecstatic!!!!"}, {"response": 156, "author": "iluvdarcy1", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (11:53)", "body": "Just saw TIOBE scenes on BBCAMERICA's Talking Movies which will repeat itself tonight at 6:30 EST. have not seen much of TIOBE until now and ODB looks edible! Oliver Parker interview was ok but wish for more CF. Can't wait to actually see it in full."}, {"response": 157, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (12:15)", "body": "Moon, Same row-plane or premiere-WOW-anyway! Back to square one on trying to figure out where he's going. Way to go Lora! Dorine-have been waiting all day to hear your story. V.unfair"}, {"response": 158, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (12:27)", "body": "That's a lovely pic from Sky, Karen. Don't ya'll love it when he goes premiering? I do.:-) Hey, I wish this critic wrote for Variety: Review by JENNIFER ALBERT American Dreamer INDEPENDENT FILM CRITIC Perhaps the most amazing thing about Oscar Wilde's plays is that they balance the absurdity of life with fairy tale notions of romantic love without diminishing either. THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST features fun and fallible characters that, despite their extremely witty dissection of modern relationships, fall hopelessly, insanely in love with one another. The incomparable Colin Firth stars as Jack, a serious young man in the country with a fanciful young ward named Cecily (Reese Witherspoon). Clever Jack has invented an ill behaved, London-dwelling younger brother named Earnest in order to escape to the city as often as possible. Once there, Jack/Earnest hangs around with Algie (Rupert Everett), a gentleman bachelor of equal disrepute. Jack is desperately in love with Algie's cousin Gwendolen (Francis O'Connor), and she with him/Earnest, with one minor hitch--her mother, the Lady Bracknell (Judi Dench), refuses to let them marry due to Jack's dubious parental origins. Naturally everyone ends up at Jack's country manor, where mistaken identity high jinks ensue. Algie pretends to be Earnest and falls for Cecily, Jack has to be both Jack and, once Gwendolen arrives, Earnest, and Cecily's tutor, Miss Prism (Anna Massey), falls in love with Doctor Chasuble (Tom Wilkinson) and hides a dark secret. The film ends to everyone's satisfaction and happiness, a perfect farcical romance. Perhaps THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST's highest virtue, aside from a fluffy, winning story, is that it is funny. Filled with witty dialogue and situations, music and musical interludes, colorful settings and bright, sunny light, the film appears to physically embody the ideas behind the play--be intelligent, recognize human folly, and embrace it with all the love in your heart. Brilliantly acted by Colin Firth (who looks happier while doing the unhappy scenes than he has in anything he's yet made) and Rupert Everett (reviving and revising the clever, handsome bachelor from another Wilde adaptation, AN IDEAL HUSBAND), they make convincing comic leads with sex appeal. Francis O'Connor and Reese Witherspoon also shine, and Witherspoon's British accent, while clipped, is quite good. Smartly adapted from the stage setting (scenes didn't feel confined, stagy), with lots of laugh-out-loud moments, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST is an overall joy. Not to miss: the end credits, which contain two bonus scenes and an extended version of the duet Jack and Algie use to re-woo their ladies (Colin Firth and Rupert Everett singing \"Lady Come Down\" equals hilarious)."}, {"response": 159, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (12:37)", "body": "\"incomprable\" \"brilliantly acted\" Almost sounds as though it could be written by anyone here. ;-D Loved the emphasis on Colin."}, {"response": 160, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (12:42)", "body": "Colin Firth (who looks happier while doing the unhappy scenes than he has in anything he's yet made) I liked this part. Thanks for posting, Mari."}, {"response": 161, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (12:44)", "body": "Wonderful review! Thanks, Mari. This has done my heart good today."}, {"response": 162, "author": "treseg", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (13:06)", "body": "glad to hear drool is so respectful for people's privacy obviously i need to rein in my obsession a bit before it turns fanatical great review, it makes me more envious than ever of all those here who've seen it, it definitely seems that there are more good reviews than bad from what i've seen here"}, {"response": 163, "author": "lauraf", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (13:20)", "body": "i just saw reesie on rosie -- no colin, no colin, no colin. she told the usual stories about the british accent, dame judi, being a little girl from tennessee. the clip was of rw and re."}, {"response": 164, "author": "treseg", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (13:26)", "body": "is anyone else tired of the accent story, i've must have heard it fifty times by now"}, {"response": 165, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (13:32)", "body": "(trese) there are more good reviews than bad from what i've seen here Well, Mari didn't have the heart to post this bad one from the Hollywood Reporter today, but I will on topic 126."}, {"response": 166, "author": "treseg", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (13:36)", "body": "ya but i can't go there until after i see the movie right, i don't want to know, i'm almost positive i'll like it and that is all that really matter in my case right"}, {"response": 167, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (14:32)", "body": "Review by JENNIFER ALBERT American Dreamer INDEPENDENT FILM CRITIC Who she? Where does this review appear or is it just on line i.e. one of us moonlighting?"}, {"response": 168, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (15:07)", "body": "OK,OK! I'm sorry...that was too cruel to tease like that. Believe me, getting that much out was tough enough. (Kate) ...two officious young women ... a rude photog LOL! That's kind, but accurate I suppose. Kate neglected to mention that I was standing on the edge of a tall flowerpot outside the theater, that had some kind of bush/tree thing in it that helped brace me, that allowed me to see over the heads of the press. The security guy that tried to help us was really cool about everything. The battery in the camera (boyfriend's) I brought died so I took some pics with Kate's camera. Hope they come out OK. At the hotel, the 3 of us were standing in the hallway trying to figure if we could just jump in past security with a crowd of people in case they weren't scrutinizing everyone. About the time we decided not, I saw OP coming with a smallish crowd, and decided it was now or never. I had an open shot to him, walked up, shook his hand and said: D: Hi! I loved your movie. OP: You did? Thank you so much. D: I was going to the panel tomorrow, but it was cancelled. Do you know why? OP: Oh, the Times thing...No I don't...Do you know why it was cancelled? That's really too bad. D: No, but there were a couple of questions I really wanted to ask you. OP: Great! What is your name? D:Dorine OP: Are you going to the party? D: Yes! ;-) OP: Why don't you catch up with me later and we can talk. And he motioned me in front of him through the opening in the rope the security man made through another press gauntlet. I turned around and saw Kate walking with a group and thought she was in. Amy walked up behind me, OP and I both motioned we would talk later. Then Kate appeared in the window outside the bar and said she was stopped and was heading home :-( Colin ended up sitting at a table in the back of the room, facing the room while we sat one table over , but with brick support in between :-/. There was a line of people to talk to him (mostly women from what I could tell). At one point he got up to talk next to the table. So we stood up and when the last person there turned around to leave, I put my hand on his...back, I think...to get his attention. Something might have spilled out of his glass, because when he turned around he looked down like something had. I must say at this point that this bar has very artsy lighting (translation - very dim) and was rather loud. I shook his hand (no multiple squeezes or the like). Just one long, firm........hold. (Maybe it just seemed long. It's a wonder I let go). Amy you may have to help me with this part...I was a bit dazed here. Realize too, I might have said some things different had I known I wouldn't have more time. D: I loved your movie! CF: Thank you. D: Did you like it? CF: Yes! D: Do you always like your movies? CF: No. D: What's in line next for you? CF: Hope Springs, then American Girl.... Then he said something about Sept 11, couldn't hear very well then. I said it must have been tough to have a birthday around that time. CF: Yes, it...wait you know when my birthday is? How do you know when my birthday is? Before I could answer, some PR chick was tugging on him to go somewhere. But again he asked how I knew when his b-day was. I think he was genuinely curious and not annoyed. Couldn't get an answer out, because she tugged on him again. So I just said \"you need to go I see\", thanked him and he walked away. End of part 1"}, {"response": 169, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (15:22)", "body": "CF: Yes, it...wait you know when my birthday is? How do you know when my birthday is? LOL! You should have told him that you attend his party every year here at Spring. And, how he liked his kissing lessons present. ;-)))) Very good, Dorinne! Fast New Yorkers always get in. I hope you post part 2 soon."}, {"response": 170, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (15:29)", "body": "Thanks Dorinne! waiting with baited breath for part 2!! :-)"}, {"response": 171, "author": "treseg", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (15:30)", "body": "man there is a part 2, part 1 was enough to make my heart flutter, can't wait :-)"}, {"response": 172, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (15:38)", "body": "Wanted to make sure this was going to come out ok before I finished. Part 2 Amy got his autograph, but I'm not sure at which point in the evening. At one point we saw him across the room standing and talking with several women with Livia talking to a couple of others just behind him. I went over again to talk to him...at this point I have no idea what about. Ended up talking to Livia instead. I told her that I understood that she was a documentary producer and asked if she had any projects going...that was the first thing that came to mind. She said nothing that she could talk about now...which I took as nothing at all now. I thanked her and started to walk away and she asked if I wanted to talk to Colin, who was still talking with his back to us. I said no, he's busy, I'll try to catch him later. :-/ I finally walked back to near where OP had been sitting quite a while and caught his attention. He called me by name (couldn't believe he remembered) and asked if I was ready to talk, I said in one minute remembering that he said on the way in that if I found out why the Times panel was cancelled to let him know. So I waltzed over to a group of people including Colin, FOC, OP's brother (who we would meet later). I mentioned the panel to both Colin and FOC and asked if they knew why it was cancelled and that it was disappointing. Colin's eyes got bigger, he stepped back and said \"NO, I don't! It wasn't any of us.\" I looked over at FOC and she was shaking her head and concurring. Meanwhile, I was being very touchy-feely. When I walked up to ask, I put my hand on Colin's back and didn't move it until he stepped back. No clue where Livia was at this point. Amy and I then sat with OP for around 15 mins or so discussing editing the film, who actually had some scenes cut, etc. Actually a variety of topics. His brother came to sit down and they mentioned about a recent death of a close relative, with the funeral 2 days ago. OP is an incredibly nice man. I could have chatted with him for hours, as well. Colin came over to our table to say goodbye to OP and we left not long after. So there it is in gory detail. It was a complete blast! Something I've never done before and will probably never do again. I don't think lightning could strike twice."}, {"response": 173, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (15:42)", "body": "OP: Are you going to the party? D: Yes! ;-) Brilliant! You are positively brilliant. Dontcha think Dorine has earned her knighthood? You're in rare company here. CF: Yes, it...wait you know when my birthday is? How do you know when my birthday is? You're a bright boy and know the answer. Don't play coy with me. *flutter flutter* [you know, that damned internet, you can find anything] Can't wait to hear the rest. Did they have you arrested for knowing Colin's birthday? ;-D OK, have finally put up a bunch of pics and figured out how to organize that section. http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/p_eye_index.html"}, {"response": 174, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (15:44)", "body": "(Moon)You should have told him that you attend his party every year here at Spring Actually my response was going to be, \"It's amazing what you can find on the internet. You should try it sometime.\""}, {"response": 175, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (15:46)", "body": "Oh, his brother Nathaniel. He was in Far from the Madding Crowd. Too bad we couldn't have briefed you before. While I haven't studied the credits thoroughly, it would've been fun to ask OP if he wanted to make another cameo? He can be seen in one scene of AIH. But good attempt to find about the panel discussion. Why on earth was it canceled?"}, {"response": 176, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (15:47)", "body": "You were so cool, Dorine! I crown you Dorine, the Duchess of Drool. You must fill us in with the Parker questions in the Spoilers topic. I mentioned the panel to both Colin and FOC and asked if they knew why it was cancelled and that it was disappointing. Colin's eyes got bigger, he stepped back and said \"NO, I don't! It wasn't any of us.\" It must be Reese! heehee. Did Reese show up at the Party? Was there anyone else there, such as Jeremy Northam? Amy are you going to post?"}, {"response": 177, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (15:50)", "body": "I have to say he looks great in most of the pics from the premiere, but they REALLY don't do him justice in my opinion. Just oozes sexiness, especially when he appears to be very relaxed and in a partying mode."}, {"response": 178, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (15:52)", "body": "That was fast, Karen! Thank you!"}, {"response": 179, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (15:59)", "body": "Yes I forgot to mention she walked by us and that was the last I saw of her. She really is beautiful. Not sure if the hubby was there, too. FOC is very beautiful as well...much more delicate that she appears onscreen. OOOOH if JN was there I would've been on him like a bee on honey, too! Just the people Kate mentioned...Stanley Tucci, who I actually wanted to meet as I do like him. He was sitting at Colin's table and left early. Salman Rushdie, Bob Balaban, the girl from The Gilmore Girls. Colin was sitting with Harvey Weinstein and chatting for a long time. I don't remember if it was Amy or one of the people we mingled with that made a comment about lack of stars. Amy, please chime in."}, {"response": 180, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (16:05)", "body": "How tall would you say, FOC, Reese and Livia are?"}, {"response": 181, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (16:10)", "body": "(Moon) You were so cool, Dorine! I crown you Dorine, the Duchess of Drool. Thank you (she says with extreme modesty). It's amazing what chardonnay and champagne can provide as a motivator."}, {"response": 182, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (16:13)", "body": "Dooorrrrine...AAAAAmy .....what a deal! You realize you are the envy of ten million drooling women??? Thanks for sharing. Were there many other Colin fans around?"}, {"response": 183, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (16:17)", "body": "Livia must be no more than my height at 5'4\". I think her heels were pretty high and she wasn't too much taller than me, I think. Have to admit, when I was talking to her, I was splitting my attention to monitor the action on my right side. *wink, wink* Didn't see footwear on FOC or Reese, but Reese is short 5'4\" or 5'5\" maybe. Her head was down when she walked by and her posture is perfect which affects the perception of her height I think. FOC must be pretty tall, she wasn't small standing next to Colin...5'9\" maybe."}, {"response": 184, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (16:19)", "body": "Sorry everyone I have to rush out now to catch a train. I'll check in when I get back. Hopefully Amy will have her story up by then. ;-)"}, {"response": 185, "author": "iluvdarcy1", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (16:26)", "body": "Dorine, I worship thee. I wonder what you'll do at the Hope Springs premiere. I could never carried that off as cool as you. Thanks for letting us live vicariously through your experience."}, {"response": 186, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (16:28)", "body": "OP: Are you going to the party? D: Yes! ;-) OP: Why don't you catch up with me later and we can talk. LORD!!!!! ROFL...too funny...and the birthday bit too! Sounds like you all were in the right place at the right time with a gutsy Dorine doing a great job. I LOVE IT. BTW...looks to me like Livia has on a white bra under the sheer top...unusual choice! I'd go for the black! Finally...I have a question: What was Colin like in a party where he could relax and mill around freely? Any comments on the voice. How touchy was he? (Someone here said in LA he was!) What was he drinking? How was Livia's accent? Is she v. pretty up close??? She seems friendly. I can't believe she asked if you wanted to talk to Colin! WAIT! That was more than one question! LOL"}, {"response": 187, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (16:29)", "body": "Also, if you go to the HS opening, expect him to remember you if he spots you and have an answer ready to the bithday question!"}, {"response": 188, "author": "iluvdarcy1", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (16:31)", "body": "If she goes to HS I'm tagging along this time!"}, {"response": 189, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (16:39)", "body": "I would think the HS premiere will be in LA. BTW, on the In the Public Eye page, the photos at the bottom from the Bafta/LA screening were courtesy of Marianne, who graciously sent them to me."}, {"response": 190, "author": "iluvdarcy1", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (16:42)", "body": ""}, {"response": 191, "author": "maryw", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (17:38)", "body": "Dorine, Amy, Kate. Thanks for sharing your droolable moments. Duchess Dorine, Lady Amy - both of you absolutely rock! If I get a chance to go to the HS premiere - I am sticking to you like glue - through lighning, thunderstorms, hale, gale or wind ;-)"}, {"response": 192, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (19:08)", "body": "Way to go Dorine. I won't ask anymore questions-just answer Lisa's that will be enough for me. Great job, thanks for sharing with us!!!"}, {"response": 193, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (20:09)", "body": "Oh, Dorine--you are the woman!:-) There was a line of people to talk to him (mostly women from what I could tell). Quelle surprise.;-) Before I could answer, some PR chick was tugging on him to go somewhere Damn PR types, they're like guard dogs. Just oozes sexiness, especially when he appears to be very relaxed and in a partying mode. What was his general demeanor--enjoying himself? Outgoing, comfortable, or . . .? How long did the party last? Amy, we're anxious to hear from you, too. Karen, the Public Eye page looks fabulous--what terrific pics--and I know you went to some expense to get decent versions of them for us. Thanks.:-)"}, {"response": 194, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (20:12)", "body": "From Roger Friedman's Fox News column (earlier part is on Ryan P.): Phillippe was one of a bunch of stars who turned out last night for the premiere of the fluffy and delightful Importance of Being Earnest, the second successful Oscar Wilde adaptation in a row for director Oliver Parker at Miramax. Among the other guests who partied at the weird Hudson Hotel: the movie's stars Frances O'Connor and Colin Firth, plus the eternal Sylvia Miles, Tadpole star Aaron Stanford, and Phillippe's gorgeous wife Reese Witherspoon."}, {"response": 195, "author": "airstream", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (20:43)", "body": "I just got home from work, and am VERY tired (not much sleep last night). So, I'll be brief . Glad to hear the WPLJ thing was a bust. My recording actually worked, but the thought of having to listen to all that rot was unnerving. Glad to know I don't have to! (Colin's handshake--very nice, a bit warm, skin very soft) He was drinking white wine. His wife is very pretty. He was very approachable and friendly. His voice was, what you have heard--but it was quieter (if that makes sense). Unlike Dorine, I just watched. I followed her around like a puppy. After a few drinks I got up the nerve to ask for an autograph--hoping that this wouldn't get us kicked out, but since he was by himself at his table, I took a chance. I do have to agree that Dorine is quite amazing. If any of you need to sneak into any future private affairs, I highly recommed putting her on the case. Dorine's summary tells it all. If I remember anything later, I'll post. I do have to say that he looks MUCH better in person. Those webimages don't do him justice. He is tall, thinner that in the photographs, and extremely handsome. And, as has been mentioned numerous times, has great hair. ( And we must have looked like two drowned rats...Dorine got exceptionally soaked.)"}, {"response": 196, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (20:47)", "body": "(Minkee)through lighning, thunderstorms You don't know the half of it Minkee in Minkeeland ;-)! We almost didn't make it to the premiere of TIOBE in NYC because of all the bad weather in NY on Monday. I won't go into the plane delays because they are involved. But we were supposed to land at 3pm and didn't ultimately take off until then! We finally landed at 6:15 pm and got to the Paris Theatre at 7:15 pm. But that was actually perfect timing as Colin and Livia got out of their limo. There were many times that day (Monday) that I kept hearing \"Good luck, you crazy girl\" and strains of \"Ain't no mountain high enough\" in my overly stressed head ;-/ !!! It was amazing that it happened at all... When they got out of their limo they had all the photo sessions described above, and we had to get our ticket and seats. We got great seats (maybe because we had on suits and looked official and most people were v. casual except for stars and such). We could lean over and watch Colin's reactions to the movie (he was at the end of our row). After the movie, Reese, Ryan, and Frances snuck out the back because they must have had a limo there. But Colin and his party (which also consisted of Barnaby from Ealing Studios) had their limo in the front of the theatre. That's when I got my picture with him! He was very sweet when asked to take one and I told him I really enjoyed the movie and his performance. He smiles that smile and has wonderful eye contact the whole time you speak to him. Then Barnaby motioned to limo that it's time to go and I of course let him. Dorine, I could have used some assertive lessons from you. But, of course, I was with my DH and behaved. Plus got tongue tied. Saw Salman, Stanley, and I talked to Oliver Parker about the discussion that was cancelled - but he had no explanation and acted like he didn't know what I was talking about at first. But he was very nice just the same. We went to the party at the Hudson, but only got the gift bag (lots of English products, including Charles Worthing ton hair products). Couldn't get by those women and securtiy guards that Kate mentioned. Also saw Isaac Mizrahi there where we were standing. It was very noisy there. We asked someone working at the hotel desk for a quieter restaurant nearby. We went there (it's called Bricco) and saw Bill Murray there! He was nice and very funny and we got an autograph... Will post more later, but wanted to submit this report since I've already done this report once before and lost it all somehow before posting it. Gah!"}, {"response": 197, "author": "airstream", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (20:47)", "body": "Funny that the Fox News column didn't mention the \"others\" who attended. Oh well. I think we were there for about 3-4 hours? We left right after Colin, OP was still there."}, {"response": 198, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (21:05)", "body": "but since he was by himself at his table ...AGHHHHH, surely you jest!!!!! All alone??? Good God! Sacrilege!! very nice, a bit warm, skin very soft ...yummm, no manual labour for this guy! He was drinking white wine. ....makes sense, dietetic compared to other drinks and we heard, from the Canadian girls, he orders his coffees with no fat milk. Gotta watch that waistline!! ;) After a few drinks I got up the nerve to ask for an autograph ....excellent, that's the way to do it Amy!!!!! V. happy you guys had a successful evening and thanks for all the details!"}, {"response": 199, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (21:09)", "body": "Go ladies, you have done very well! Keep up the good work. And thanks for posting, it makes for most interesting reading. Dorine, it sounds like you have mastered the most pleasant and effective way to overcome barriers, physical and otherwise. Most commendable. BTW Karen, your hotmail is bouncing as undeliverable..."}, {"response": 200, "author": "dalec", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (21:28)", "body": "thanks Dorine, Lora, Amy, and Kate for the sharing your experiences. thanks for the great pics Karen. Dorine, u are totally cool! mingling right up there with Colin and touching him too! how was Livia's english, did she have a heavy italian accent?"}, {"response": 201, "author": "annas", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (21:44)", "body": "Thank you Ladies, you are amazing!!!! Dorine, you must have nerves of steel not to fall into a blathering heap on the floor. Could I beg a photo of the hand that touched CF, have you washed it yet ;~}? Has a very silly thought this morning reading all this, Could the Minkeeland premier be delayed so we could have a \"proper\" premier with stars? As I said an extreeeemly silly thought."}, {"response": 202, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (22:31)", "body": "And the reports keep coming in! I think I need to add the names of all you ladies who attended the premiere and/or party to the Public Eye page, right after Reese's and Frances' names. ;-D You are celebs to us. (Amy) After a few drinks I got up the nerve to ask for an autograph Did you notice if he did autographs for any of his other adorers at the party? (Lora) We could lean over and watch Colin's reactions to the movie (he was at the end of our row). *choking* Holy cow!! which also consisted of Barnaby from Ealing Studios So, you're now on a first-name basis with him? ;-D Colin stayed at the party for 3-4 hrs? Yeah, I guess he doesn't like to attend these functions. *snort* Amy, I think I lost your email????"}, {"response": 203, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (22:39)", "body": "If you want to listen to the soundtrack, including the lovely \"Lady Come Down\" on two tracks, go here: http://www.cdnow.com/cgi-bin/mserver/SID=1303972075/pagename=/RP/CDN/FIND/popsearch.html/clickID=tn_srch_txt"}, {"response": 204, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (22:41)", "body": "(Amy)He is tall, thinner that in the photographs, and extremely handsome. And, as has been mentioned numerous times, has great hair. He is definitely a lot thinner and a lot younger looking in person than in the photographs we have seen and than he is on the big screen. I was struck by how much. His hair is great looking, but I did notice a small white spot toward the back. Pretty sure about it...sorry to disappoint. Am getting my pictures developed tomorrow. Can't wait to take a good look at them, since everything was so surreal and like a dream in person!"}, {"response": 205, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (22:50)", "body": "Sorry, Karen, I can't remember Barnaby's last name :-/. The seating was like this: (screen) (X's mark middle of theatre) XXX XX XX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XX XXXXXXX DH, me (last two X's in center section are Livia & Colin) Glad the theatre is small. The right section was already filled up when we got there :-(."}, {"response": 206, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (23:13)", "body": "The diagram got closer together after posting. The X's in italics are the seats I was refering to above."}, {"response": 207, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (23:25)", "body": "I've made an egregious error! I have not thanked Kate and Amy for being there with me for support! Quite frankly, if they had said they were going home because it was too cold and wet, I would have done so as well, more than likely. Lora, sounds like you had a great evening, too! An especially dry one ;-D ! The stress of having the plane land late must have been unbearable!! How did your husband get tickets to this anyway? And you got door prizes! I'm sorry we missed meeting...I don't recall seeing anyone with your description. Colin was sitting at the end of your row....how many seats away? Did you even concentrate on the movie? God knows I wouldn't have! (Amy) ....since he was by himself at his table OOOh! I didn't realize or pay attention that he was by himself when I saw you over there. Good deal!! (Amy)He was drinking white wine. I knew I wasn't really noticing his drinks...and when he turned around and acted like he spilled some of his, I wouldn't have cared if it went on my shoes...they were so soaked anyway ;-). (Lisa) Sounds like you all were in the right place at the right time What was Colin like in a party where he could relax and mill around freely? He was very friendly and talkative. I think he talked the entire night non-stop...he must have been exhausted. (Lisa)How touchy was he? NOT touchy enough to me, for me, on me ;-D How was Livia's accent? Is she v. pretty up close??? She seems friendly. I can't believe she asked if you wanted to talk to Colin! It was getting harder to hear when I spoke with her (music might have been louder or...). It was certainly a pronounced Italian accent. She is VERY pretty up close...they are a very attractive couple. I can't imagine what it's like for her to have women fawn over him at parties. I imagine she must be used to it...and laughs because she's the one who gets to go home with him. In retrospect, if the setup leading into the party had been the same as the \"Insomnia\" premiere party, it probably would have not been as accessible. A fortuitous security \"mistake\". Also, a big thanks to Karen for the heads-up about the premiere in the first place!...Would never have known about it otherwise. As far as being briefed about OP's brother...who knew we'd need briefing about anything. And a special thanks to our favorite security guard who tipped us off to the party location and was very patient at the theater; (he shall remain nameless in case Colin discovers the internet and decides to have him fired for tipping us off)"}, {"response": 208, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, May 14, 2002 (23:26)", "body": "close tags"}, {"response": 209, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, May 15, 2002 (01:05)", "body": "(Amy) Unlike Dorine, I just watched. I followed her around like a puppy. Except when you were engaged in a long conversation with Morgan (which Sheridan didn't seem to appreciate after a while) ;-D We were talking to these two people periodically through the evening. (Lora) His hair is great looking, but I did notice a small white spot toward the back. Pretty sure about it...sorry to disappoint. Actually it was easy to spot from my perch on the flowerpot (it is thinning quite a bit on the top, more than one may realize). I caught it when he turned to go into the theater. In the bar I didn't notice it at all, but he is significantly taller than I am. Kudos to the makeup people in \"Earnest\" for fixing his hair so nicely in the movie."}, {"response": 210, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 15, 2002 (07:27)", "body": "As far as being briefed about OP's brother...who knew we'd need briefing about anything. LOL! Thank you for answering our questions, ladies. Lora and Kate can't wait to see your pictures. (Lora),But we were supposed to land at 3pm and didn't ultimately take off until then! We finally landed at 6:15 pm and got to the Paris Theatre at 7:15 pm. But it was in the stars and you flew right through cloud 9. ;-D"}, {"response": 211, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 15, 2002 (08:44)", "body": "I've found a new pic of Colin from the premiere, one of those with Livia glancing up at him. It's on the same page."}, {"response": 212, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Wed, May 15, 2002 (08:51)", "body": "I must de-lurk, after just reading for so long -- you must allow me to tell you how I have enjoyed living vicariously through you New York party goers!! Amazing stuff. All I can hope for is that one day, American Girl will be shot in Toronto (sort of ironic, but a possibility...) and I can do my own detective work eventually... This board is just fantastic."}, {"response": 213, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 15, 2002 (09:00)", "body": "Welcome EmmaB Glad that you've decided to delurk and hope it wasn't just for this one comment. We have lots of fun here, and things go wild when we have some \"up close and personal\" Colin encounters."}, {"response": 214, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May 15, 2002 (09:58)", "body": "From Cindy Adams's column in today's NY Post: AT the Paris Theater premiere of Miramax's \"The Importance of Being Earnest,\" co-starring Reese Witherspoon, Rupert Everett, Dame Judi Dench and Colin Firth, Colin told me he's finally beginning to get recognized. \"It's just sort of starting to happen a bit. Mostly what takes place is, when I walk along the streets in New York, just as I go past, one person will elbow his friend with, 'Look, there's . . . oh, you know . . . it's . . . whatsisname.' ********** Also, I understand that one of the NY TV stations (NY1 ?) showed an interview with Colin after the premiere. Maybe they'll repeat it."}, {"response": 215, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May 15, 2002 (10:04)", "body": "From James Barron's column in today's NY Times: Speaking of Accents . . . Don't ask REESE WITHERSPOON, a star in the new and very British film version of \"The Importance of Being Earnest,\" about being the only Yank in the cast. Wrong word, Yank. \"I'm not even a Yank,\" she said at a party after the film's New York premiere on Monday. \"I'm a Southern girl, which is even worse, because it's that much harder to get rid of your Southern drawl.\" . . . And Even More Accents SALMAN RUSHDIE, who went underground after Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a death sentence, was out on the town again on Monday. At the New York premiere of \"The Importance of Being Earnest,\" he sat with two of the film's stars, COLIN FIRTH and FRANCES O'CONNOR. Nearby sat HARVEY WEINSTEIN, co-chairman of Miramax, with SPALDING GRAY and BOB BALABAN. It was his second premiere (and second star-table dinner) in three days. The enduring memory of the party for \"Insomnia\" on Saturday was of Mr. Rushdie making BILLY CRYSTAL and ROBIN WILLIAMS laugh. So what did he tell them? \"I can't remember,\" he said on Monday. \"It's a very dangerous thing when Billy Crystal and Robin Williams are there to try and do funny accents.\" Mr. Rushdie does funny accents? Like Robin Williams? \"At one point I did,\" he said, \"and Billy Crystal pointed out to me that it wasn't the best funny accent he'd ever heard.\""}, {"response": 216, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 15, 2002 (10:42)", "body": "Was there anything on the entertainment news shows last night? I missed E! News Live, but did catch Access Hollywood (only Reese shown) and ET (nothing???)."}, {"response": 217, "author": "dalec", "date": "Wed, May 15, 2002 (11:06)", "body": "(mari) Colin told me he's finally beginning to get recognized. \"It's just sort of starting to happen a bit. Mostly what takes place is, when I walk along the streets in New York, just as I go past, one person will elbow his friend with, 'Look, there's . . . oh, you know . . . it's . . . whatsisname.' hmm.. what part of NY do u guys think he's mostly likely to hang out. anyone going to try their luck this weekend? certainly none of us here will give him a \"what's his name\"."}, {"response": 218, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, May 15, 2002 (11:48)", "body": "Thank you for all the postings, ladies! Very exciting. :-) Hope springs eternal or does this lady know something we don't?! (From a Shakespeare lit.crit group) \"Kronborg Castle at Elsinore was constructed on the site of a medieval fortification there. The castle seems to have four sides built around a central courtyard...... Productions of HAMLET are often done there: I think Colin Firth's doing it this year. I've never been there, but my Mum was there in 1951. Standing on one of the bastions, she asked one of the guards where the ghost of Hamlet's father had been. The guard, nodding diligently, answered, 'Yes! In the courtyard, every Summer!' :)\""}, {"response": 219, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, May 15, 2002 (11:53)", "body": "(Me)Glad the theatre is small. What I meant by this was that it made it easier to see Colin. The glow of the screen made the lighting perfect, too. He laughed at the JD lines. If the theatre had been larger and wider it would have been harder to see his face. But with a larger theatre, maybe Dorine, Kate, and Amy would have gotten in!!! I'm so sorry I didn't get to meet you guys. But you accomplished amazing things at the party! Coming as late as we did made it immpossible to do anything but get tickets and seats (and stare as C. and L. arrived). It was a big blur. (I'll look for you guys in my pictures - I have some near the photo sessions! ;-)) (Dorine)An especially dry one ;-D ! The stress of having the plane land late must have been unbearable!! It was dry in the theatre for sure, but you should have seen us racing out of the airport looking for the car service that we had luckily reserved in advance (but were very late for) and looking for a taxi in case the car service didn't show - all in the pouring and very cold rain. We found the driver finally and if it wasn't for his efficiency, we never would have made it. (I think that's when my head was singing, \"Ain't no mountain high enough...\" But I didn't need to tell the driver to \"get out\" because he was driving \"too slow.\" ;-D) Yes, Dorine, the stress was unbearable. That's when I was saying to myself, \"you crazy girl\" over and over again! (Dorine)And you got door prizes! I'm sorry we missed meeting...I don't recall seeing anyone with your description. Colin was sitting at the end of your row....how many seats away? Did you even concentrate on the movie? God knows I wouldn't have! The favor bags were at the party right near the security women and guards. Dorine, you were too busy walking in with OP to notice ;-D! They let us have one as one man was walking out with 8 in each hand! But they wouldn't let us into the party. But I thought DH had put up with enough already, so a quiet dinner was a good idea :-). And, yes, it was very hard concentrating on the movie and on Colin at the same time! He lauged at some of the DJD lines. Will post on 126 when I get my thoughts together about the movie. (Moon)Lora and Kate can't wait to see your pictures. They are being developed as we speak! *crossing fingers they came out well* (Moon)But it was in the stars and you flew right through cloud 9. ;-D We were so lucky that everything turned out okay. Thanks for emailing the others for me and thanks to Karen and this board for providing vital information in order to know these events are even happening! :-)"}, {"response": 220, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, May 15, 2002 (11:57)", "body": "closing tags I hope"}, {"response": 221, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May 15, 2002 (13:01)", "body": "I think that's when my head was singing, \"Ain't no mountain high enough...\" But I didn't need to tell the driver to \"get out\" because he was driving \"too slow.\" ;-D) . . . \"you crazy girl\" LOL, Lora. Reading all these wonderful accounts (thanks to all of you!) I keep thinking \"This really is the most incredible sh*t.\" ;-) Can't wait to see the pics! Was there anything on the entertainment news shows last night? No, but if there's anything at all you want to know about the Star Wars London premiere, or Rosie's baby, or Rachel and Ross's baby, or Nicole K's love life, just ask me.:-( Was just thinking that there were 3 former co-stars of CF's at the premiere--Stanley Tucci, Christopher Lloyd (remember Tales From The Hollywood Hills?) and of course Sal-MAHN."}, {"response": 222, "author": "treseg", "date": "Wed, May 15, 2002 (13:28)", "body": "Lora, Dorine, Kate and Amy, you guys are amazing, i doubt i'll ever have such an opportunity stuck here in the mid-west, but even if i did i'm generally so shy i don't think i'd have the guts, at least i can imagine myself there through you all, thanks for standing in the rain (and enduring late planes) for all us drooling women"}, {"response": 223, "author": "treseg", "date": "Wed, May 15, 2002 (13:29)", "body": "close tag"}, {"response": 224, "author": "Odile", "date": "Wed, May 15, 2002 (13:39)", "body": "Lora, what a lovely husband you have! :) Thanks to all for the reports on the NY premiere and party. The fact that ODB, OP and Co. did not know that the Q&A was cancelled was surprising. Do they just get carted around without knowing in advance their schedules? Or could it be that they decided to close it to the public, but then who would do the Qs? Unrelated note. I went to B&N online about the Valmont DVD: it used to show a release of May 15. That is no longer the case; only shows VHS available and no release date for the DVD. Grrr!"}, {"response": 225, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 15, 2002 (13:59)", "body": "Cannes starts today. They had the live broadcast of the opening on IFC. Missed it. Hopefully it will be on tonight too. I wonder if they will be there? Reese is on Leno tonight."}, {"response": 226, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, May 15, 2002 (14:39)", "body": "Hey, Dorine, did you remember to ask my question? And was the security guard still outside when you left? He was there when I went out. He said something about being surprised to see me. I just said, \"I heard that the party was here, but I can't recall where I heard it.\" He laughed at that. He was sympathetic when I said that my friends got in but I got snagged. He said that you owe him two drinks. I was tempted to tip him, but I had nothing at hand, and no way to dig subtly in my bag. He was nice to us, given the constraints of his job. I am still feeling very angry at being made to feel like nothing by a little twentysomething (well, you get the idea)"}, {"response": 227, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Wed, May 15, 2002 (14:45)", "body": "I can help with this...I'm stuck home sick today, so was able to watch some, although not all, of the Cannes ceremonies. I didn't see anything *particularly* interesting, although someone else (who's not so groggy) should probably double check. The replay is one hour long, at 8:00 PM EST tonight on IFC."}, {"response": 228, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, May 15, 2002 (15:09)", "body": "(Odile)what a lovely husband you have! :) Thank you :-). He actually had a lot of fun, too. (Kate)I am still feeling very angry at being made to feel like nothing by a little twentysomething (well, you get the idea) Do you mean the girl at the rope letting or not letting people in? Don't feel angry, Kate, I thought she looked like Monica Lewinsky ;-) (and she wouldn't let us in either). She also had to ask her blonde twentysomething superior if we could have a favor bag!"}, {"response": 229, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, May 15, 2002 (15:45)", "body": "(Kate)Hey, Dorine, did you remember to ask my question? To Salman Rushdie asking the location of the loos? (Kate) I am still feeling very angry at being made to feel like nothing by a little twentysomething As I said previously, you were very gracious in your earlier description of her. (Kate) He was sympathetic when I said that my friends got in but I got snagged. He said that you owe him two drinks. Kate, email me with the name of his company if you remember it. I couldn't really read it on the little pin he was wearing and don't remember what he said it was. I actually do want to track him down if poosible (subtly) and buy him those drinks; I did promise him. Been trying to figure out today how to do that. He was a very sweet man. I didn't see him out there and I would hope he would've said something if he saw us."}, {"response": 230, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, May 15, 2002 (17:31)", "body": "(Karen) I've found a new pic of Colin from the premiere, one of those with Livia glancing up at him. It's on the same page. Why can't I find this one? is it on the Public Eye page? (Mari) No, but if there's anything at all you want to know about the Star Wars London premiere, or Rosie's baby, or Rachel and Ross's baby, or Nicole K's love life, just ask me. Isn't that the truth? I can't believe that ET or Extra didn't cover the premiere. I am so totally saturated with the same stories over the last three weeks I'm beginning to have nightmares. However, I had v.sweet dreams last night after reading the reports from our very own reporters. ET, Extra-eat your hearts out! I have also been watching WB11 and News 7, both NY news shows-no mention whatsoever. Only a brief segment on the TFF last week."}, {"response": 231, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, May 15, 2002 (19:12)", "body": "...Last night I dreamt I was at Star Wars premiere again...Oh,Sorry, that was just me having another nightmare after watching the evening entertainment shows again. In case anyone was wondering if anything worthwhile was covered...You really needn't bother. I had another thought about the lack of coverage for the premiere on Monday.If ET, Extra, or Access Hollywood had been there-they most certainly would not have covered the party. Thanks to Dorine and Company we all got to go!"}, {"response": 232, "author": "airstream", "date": "Wed, May 15, 2002 (19:25)", "body": "gosh, i hate that i get in so late from work. I too wish to thank Karen and Co. for the information. Without you I wouldn't have gotten this great opportunity. And, if you--Dorine and Kate, hadn't been there, I would have packed it all in and went home too. I am really sorry that you didn't make it in Kate. Sorry I didn't get to meet you Lora. Sounds like you have a pretty swell husband! Sorry you're ill Elizabeth."}, {"response": 233, "author": "airstream", "date": "Wed, May 15, 2002 (19:37)", "body": "Back to the task at hand..... About asking for the autograph. I was sweating that a bit, only because I thought that if anything would get us kicked out, that would be it. But he was sitting there, not talking to anyone (rare) next to some sort of pillar. So when I went up to him, I was between him and the pillar. It was sort of dark and I was crouched (sp?) down and asked. He was very gracious and didn't seem put out in the least. (When he asked my name though, I had to stop to remember it!) The hair, yes, it is thinning but any hair on his head is good enough for me. And since you have to look up, you don't really notice it ;^). (Kate--don't let that girl make you think you're nothing. Who was she? She had a cell phone and a clipboard. BIG DEAL.) Karen--I'll send you my email."}, {"response": 234, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 15, 2002 (19:40)", "body": "Odile)what a lovely husband you have! :) (Lora)Thank you :-). He actually had a lot of fun, too (Amy)Lora. Sounds like you have a pretty swell husband! I move we give Lora's DH the Hubby of the Year Award! The guy's a prince...tell'em Lora!!"}, {"response": 235, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, May 15, 2002 (19:52)", "body": "(lindak) Thanks to Dorine and Company we all got to go! Indeed. ET showed about 15 secs of Reesie last night--blink and you would've missed it. Am bowing and scraping to Dorine (you GO, girlfriend), Lora, Amy and Kate. We are not worthy...we are not worthy... Am off to the bucket. Thanks for the pictures, Karen!"}, {"response": 236, "author": "dalec", "date": "Wed, May 15, 2002 (19:54)", "body": "(Amy)About asking for the autograph. I was sweating that a bit, only because I thought that if anything would get us kicked out, that would be it. But he was sitting there, not talking to anyone (rare) next to some sort of pillar. So when I went up to him, I was between him and the pillar. It was sort of dark and I was crouched (sp?) down and asked. He was very gracious and didn't seem put out in the least. (When he asked my name though, I had to stop to remember it!) The hair, yes, it is thinning but any hair on his head is good enough for me. And since you have to look up, you don't really notice it ;^). did he write anything or just signed his name? what did you have him autograph, did u bring a picture or something? sorry for all these Qs. just reading all these reports have gotten me very excited hehe... u gals are great."}, {"response": 237, "author": "airstream", "date": "Wed, May 15, 2002 (20:11)", "body": "For the autograph... I had a small notebook and marker with me (planned ahead). It reads: \"Amy, Best Wishes, Colin Firth X\"."}, {"response": 238, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Wed, May 15, 2002 (20:13)", "body": "Amy wrote: Sorry you're ill Elizabeth. Thanks! Just a touch of fever, that is now well under control. Will wait to look at the photos until tomorrow, though, just in case! :) You got an X ! How sweet of him. Planning ahead has its rewards."}, {"response": 239, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 15, 2002 (22:31)", "body": "As they say on SNL, \"simma down, now, simma down.\" ;-D I feel like I'm in the land of Italics. I know we're excited, agog, and apopletic but, if there's one thing that's really important, it's closing that tag. So I'll end by quoting Hill Street Blues: '\"Let's be careful out there.\" I'm not sure why everybody is thanking me. I don't think I posted the original info about the premiere date (Mari probably did) and I don't provide the space here. That's courtesy of all the lovely people here (participants and lurkers) who make contributions to Terry to help defray the significant costs of running this place. I agree there's nothing like Drool. You can't have the kind of fun we do on a threaded message board or by email. This place is the best, and you all help make it that way. *clapping*"}, {"response": 240, "author": "kasey", "date": "Wed, May 15, 2002 (22:31)", "body": "Everyone, I've been reading here for a while now (Karen, thanks for logging me in.) I've got to say that you are an amazing bunch... intelligent, articulate and amazingly creative in the ways you have to learn about ODB and even to meet him. and then sharing your EXPERIENCES with the rest of us!! Thanks so much for the detailed reports. Odile, BTW, re: Valmont on DVD. I preordered it from B&N and just got a notice tonight that it had shipped. I went back, checked that my order was indeed for the DVD. Don't know what that is about it not being available yet. I'll just have to see what arrives in the next few days."}, {"response": 241, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 15, 2002 (22:46)", "body": "OK!! We've got another Colin on TV appearance and just in time!! On Monday, May 20 VH1 CAST PARTY: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST VH1 hosts a cast party produced in conjunction with the movie \"The Importance of Being Ernest\" starring Rupert Everett, Colin Firth and Reese Witherspoon. Two young gentlemen (Rupert Everett & Colin Firth) living in 1890s England use the same pseudonym (\"Earnest\") on the sly, which is fine until they both fall in love with women using that name, which leads to a comedy of mistaken identities ... (Premieres from 7-7:30p)"}, {"response": 242, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, May 15, 2002 (22:49)", "body": "(Evelyn)I move we give Lora's DH the Hubby of the Year Award! The guy's a prince...tell'em Lora!! He is a prince (as in Joe, perhaps ;-)). And I told him what you said and he said he's flattered and it made his day to be honored on the drool conference center!"}, {"response": 243, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, May 15, 2002 (22:59)", "body": "Okay, I'll respond by quoting Robert DeNiro in TD, \"You talking to me, you talking to me? ;-) Sorry, I think I was the last one to not close the tag. But it's been quite a couple of days and you should see the dimples on the picture I got from the premiere :-)"}, {"response": 244, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 16, 2002 (00:06)", "body": "On Monday, May 20 VH1 CAST PARTY: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST Soooo . . .Colin returned to VH1, the scene of last year's crime which starred \"Hugh I Can't Shut My Pie Hole Grant.\":-( I hope they can persuade \"the boys\" to do their duet on air for us.:-) Should be interesting, thanks! Did anyone catch Rupert Everett tonight on the Daily Show? What a riot. Jon Stewart was really *on*, and Rupe had a few good comebacks too. I almost want to transcribe it--but if you're from France, you'll need to hide your eyes.;-) The show was clearly taped a few weeks back, right before the French elections. I hope we see CF on this show. Jon did mention his name, so I'm thinking he taped a show as well."}, {"response": 245, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, May 16, 2002 (00:09)", "body": "Dorine, my question was about whether he has any plans to do a play. If I had been there when he was jokingly defensive about the cancellation, I probably would have said something smart-assed about feeling a bit touchy about cancellations, and by the way, why don't you do a play and make it up to those of us who had Hamlet tix. (This probably would have made him call security) But I'd really like to see him do a play again (wouldn't even have to be Shakespeare) Sorry, didn't get the name of our friend's company. There were other guards around when I was leaving, so I really couldn't say too much. Amy, why didn't you get me an autograph, too??????????????????"}, {"response": 246, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, May 16, 2002 (02:02)", "body": "Thank you all for your wonderful reports! I have just one question. Was ODB seen smoking? Have wondered how his anti-smoking resove was holding up since I understand he smokes in TIOBE."}, {"response": 247, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, May 16, 2002 (08:09)", "body": "(Kate)my question was about whether he has any plans to do a play. Sorry I didn't get to that. :-( It was to be one of the questions before the PR chick whisked him away and then the second time I admit I forgot and just asked about the panel cancellation. I wanted to know whether he'd consider doing Shakespeare in the Park. They had such a stellar cast for The Seagull last year. (Allison M) Was ODB seen smoking? Have wondered how his anti-smoking resove was holding up since I understand he smokes in TIOBE. I didn't see him smoking myself and I did glance over his way VERY frequently...but then apparently I didn't notice he had a glass of wine in his hand when standing right in front of me."}, {"response": 248, "author": "maryw", "date": "Thu, May 16, 2002 (09:26)", "body": "Phew! What a lot to read! CNN has really been very busy. Thank you so much to all for sharing and making us feel we were there! The anticipation for the tv appearances is so contagious - even I feel excited even though, 'cept for Lady Katie, we're not going to see any of those shows down here Sorry , it's nice to have a continent named after one's nom de drool and all that, but am too shy to write it down. ;-) (Amy)I had a small notebook and marker with me (planned ahead). It reads: \"Amy, Best Wishes, Colin Firth X\". I've already said \"you rock\" to Odile and Amy but here's another one for Amy - the Colin Firth Girl Guides award - \"Always be prepared\". Is someone keeping a tally of all the awards already conferred on the Golden Girls of New York? Lora - does YDH have a twin brother? Kate - don't worry about THAT girl. Do you believe in karma? Imagine the possibilities.... (Mari)No, but if there's anything at all you want to know about...or Nicole K's love life, just ask me. LOL, Mari. Ok, I'm asking. Heard she's now a cradle snatcher! But don't answer me here - the BOSS is watching! Finally, to Boss Karen - thank you for the pics, the updates etc - Drool is all a-buzz!"}, {"response": 249, "author": "AnnieZ", "date": "Thu, May 16, 2002 (09:56)", "body": "Question: Is BWTA CF interview a sure thing? I checked its schedule on May 19th. It says \"Frederic and George\". There is no mentioned of CF. BWTA on May 19 Thanks to all for the wonderful reading here in Drool last couple of days, especially to the ladies who went to the NYC Premiere, great experience and excellent reports! I felt like I went and stayed with you the whole time."}, {"response": 250, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 16, 2002 (09:59)", "body": "No need for concern. BWTA rarely mentions the people who will be interviewed (usually two) during the breaks from the main program."}, {"response": 251, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 16, 2002 (10:29)", "body": "(Karen)You can't have the kind of fun we do on a threaded message board or by email. And you can't post pics anywhere else either!! (Karen) This place is the best, and you all help make it that way. *clapping* Yeah...sure. But mostly it's *you*, Boss;-) The Bucket is the glue that keeps this place hopping. Welcome Kathy C. It's great to get so many newbies when the Colin-news is hot, but don't you all desert us this summer when the drought sets in;-) It gets pretty lonely around here.I don't want to go back to discussing cricket!!"}, {"response": 252, "author": "Odile", "date": "Thu, May 16, 2002 (10:56)", "body": "Welcome Kathy C, and definitely let us know about the Valmont DVD when you get it! (Mari) I almost want to transcribe it--but if you're from France, you'll need to hide your eyes.;-) The show was clearly taped a few weeks back, right before the French elections. Please do post the transcription if you have time. I'm French and there was enough shame about my fellow countrymen after the first round of elections that I'm shock-proof now (it was so much my dad talked about moving to England even though he doesn't speak English :) ). One a different note: Reese on Jay Leno last night, did not mention any of the cast this time (except Rupie when introducing the clip)... same accent story but a few extra non-TIOBE related (dog having a physical trainer,...)"}, {"response": 253, "author": "treseg", "date": "Thu, May 16, 2002 (12:04)", "body": "(Evelyn) It's great to get so many newbies when the Colin-news is hot, but don't you all desert us this summer when the drought sets in;-) It gets pretty lonely around here.I don't want to go back to discussing cricket!! i'll definitely be around as long as you'll have me, all twentysomethings aren't bad you know, (i would have been nice to you kate :-), you all will have to give me tips on which cf films to rent when things calm down welcome kathy c!"}, {"response": 254, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 16, 2002 (12:07)", "body": "Mari spotted some online listings for Colin's TV appearances, but I've tried to get them confirmed with Miramax. All I hear is that they want them aired during the week of release (week of May 22). All but one correspond to the tentatives we had before. Anyway here they are: Today Show - Tuesday, May 21 Regis & Kelly - Monday, May 27 Early Show - Tuesday, May 28 There is also the movie review program \"Hot Ticket\" which will review TIOBE on Sunday, May 19, repeated early May 20. I would advise checking this one out in your own area, as it is shown late on Saturday night here, repeated very late Sunday night. Even though the Ebert & Roper listings do not show TIOBE being reviewed this upcoming weekend, it is a possibility as they typically only show the names of the \"big\" releases. And... Kathy C!! I too am interested in hearing about the Valmont DVD and whether there are any extras to justify the rather high MSRP. I've yet to place my order."}, {"response": 255, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, May 16, 2002 (12:36)", "body": "TV Guide has Rupert Everett listed for the Early Show Friday, May 24. Welcome Kathy C-You picked a great week to join us. I'll be here all summer too, Evelyn. Just think, we will soon be discussing HS and AG, and fingers, toes, and eyes crossed-TEoR. Of course we can always discuss cricket if we need to. Liz Smith's column in the Times this morning: For you New Yorkers who cant't get enough of Judi Dench: You'll find her May 22 in TIOBE at the Paris Theater. Judi plays a mighty mite characterization of Lady Bracknell and, as usual, is marvelous. The cast includes Colin Firth, Frances O'Conner, Rupert Everett, Reese Wihterspoon, and Tom Wilkinson. I think her little blurb sounds second hand. IMO,if she had attended the premiere or the party I think she would have said so. She didn't have a problem writing volumes on every tid bit about Liza's wedding."}, {"response": 256, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 16, 2002 (13:50)", "body": "The accent is on 'Earnest' By Jeannie Williams, USA TODAY NEW YORK \ufffd Southern-born Reese Witherspoon joins big British acting names in The Importance of Being Earnest. At Monday's premiere, she admitted that while shooting she was \"extremely intimidated, nervous, shaking in my boots, terrified to say anything above a whisper in front of Judi Dench.\" But the Legally Blonde star, doing her first English accent and first \"corset\" role in a period film, says, \"I finally worked up enough courage.\" Dench was \"so incredibly giving and kind, and Colin (Firth) and Rupert (Everett) and Frances (O'Connor) were also helpful.\" Witherspoon needn't have worried. Oliver Parker, director of Oscar Wilde's Earnest romp of mistaken identities, says it's mainly about \"girls pushing men around,\" and Witherspoon \"has enormous intensity. She's a little powerhouse.\" Firth, who sings a delightful duet with Everett in the film, adds, \"I don't consider her to be any less qualified. We're (all) fairly well removed from 100 years ago. I think if you're a brilliant actor, which she is, it's just as much in your domain.\" Witherspoon got the accent down with six weeks of vocal coaching, practicing ordering coffee at Starbucks. She wore a black and gold Vivienne Westwood gown to the premiere and said she'll be with hubby Ryan Phillippe (also at the premiere) this summer when he shoots The I Inside in London. The Importance of Being Earnest opens in New York and L.A. on May 22 and in other top-10 markets May 24, then goes wider in late May and June."}, {"response": 257, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 16, 2002 (21:15)", "body": "Nick Hornby will be Terry Gross's guest on Fresh Air (National Public Radio)tomorrow: http://freshair.npr.org/ Odile, I'll try to get to the Rupie transcription over the weekend."}, {"response": 258, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 16, 2002 (21:22)", "body": "From today's Variety (thanks to Lilli & Eclipse); pic is a variation of the CF/RW/FO'C group shot: A Wilde night for 'Earnest' Weinstein braves wet weather to tout Brit pic Co-stars Colin Firth, Reese Witherspoon and Frances O'Connor reunite at the bow of \"The Importance of Being Earnest.\" By LILY OEI Ladies, gentlemen and perhaps a handful of secret Bunburyists all braved a torrential downpour Monday night to enjoy the preem of Wildean classic \"The Importance of Being Earnest.\" Wet weather added to the veddy Englishness of the evening, which started off with salutations from producer Barnaby Thompson, who took a moment before the unspooling to thank Miramax honcho Harvey Weinstein: \"I can't think of a better friend to British cinema -- long may he continue.\" Civility continued at the after-party at the Hudson Hotel, where polite lines formed around the bars and buffet, and no one had to be kicked out of reserved seats. \"I love the process of taking something with only a narrow audience and bringing it wide,\" said writer-helmer Oliver Parker, on tackling such a well-known play. \"Wilde was a radical populist entertainer, and now he tends to be the preserve of an elite audience -- which irritates the hell out of me.\" Co-star Colin Firth agreed: \"It wouldn't be humanly possible to make this play more accessible than we've made it.\" Joining in the jubilee were co-stars Frances O'Connor and Reese Witherspoon, along with guests Ryan Phillippe, Bob Balaban, Stanley Tucci, Mark Ruffalo, Joshua Jackson, Alexis Bledel, Rosario Dawson, Paul Rudd, Salman Rushdie, Tina Brown and Harry Evans. Date in print: Thurs., May 16, 2002"}, {"response": 259, "author": "airstream", "date": "Thu, May 16, 2002 (21:32)", "body": "karen-- i sent you a few pics. (sorry for the dust)"}, {"response": 260, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, May 16, 2002 (22:24)", "body": "(Lily Oei of Variety) ...and perhaps a handful of secret Bunburyists Hmmm...Not as clever as we thought, perhaps? ;-D"}, {"response": 261, "author": "airstream", "date": "Thu, May 16, 2002 (22:59)", "body": "Allison--definitely no smoking. Kate--sorry about the autograph. As for the secret Bunburyists...isn't that what we all are here in this conference...as it states on the header (\"A Place for Ordinarily Sensible Women Who Have Temporarily Lost Their Heads Over Movie Stars\")? Who would have thought Mr Wilde would have been so current as to be able to be applied to the internet?! (I emailed a friend of mine the story of sneaking in the the premiere party. She replied: \"Great story, wish I could believe you.\"--but she doesn't know about Bunburying, I guess.)"}, {"response": 262, "author": "airstream", "date": "Thu, May 16, 2002 (23:00)", "body": ""}, {"response": 263, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Thu, May 16, 2002 (23:10)", "body": "She replied: \"Great story, wish I could believe you.\" O she of little faith... :)"}, {"response": 264, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 17, 2002 (07:47)", "body": "Ladies, here are Lora's pictures from the TIOBE premiere. http://www.geocities.com/davidia7/cflora.html Welcome newbies!"}, {"response": 265, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 17, 2002 (07:58)", "body": "Those are absolutely fabulous pictures, Lora!! And Moon you did such a great job scanning and putting them up for everybody to see. I especially adore the one where Colin is standing in front of the poster, directly in front of his own image. Thanks so much for sharing them with us. Warning: To reiterate the notice on the webpage, these photos should not be uploaded to other internet sites, which includes group and community photo albums. Please respect the photo owners' wishes, otherwise no other personal photos of Colin will be posted here in the future, but will only be circulated privately. Enjoy them where they are. Thanks."}, {"response": 266, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, May 17, 2002 (08:14)", "body": "Thanks Lora and Moon! My favorite is also the one by the poster. Lora--is that Livia's hair encroaching a bit from the left on the top pic?"}, {"response": 267, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 17, 2002 (08:17)", "body": "No, that's Lora's hair."}, {"response": 268, "author": "dalec", "date": "Fri, May 17, 2002 (08:41)", "body": "thanks so much Lora and Moon for the pics. Lora, did he put his arm on your shoulder for the pic?"}, {"response": 269, "author": "treseg", "date": "Fri, May 17, 2002 (09:02)", "body": "thanks so much for the pictures, so is the one with you and colin mounted on your wall already or are you hiding it away so that you hubby won't be constantly reminded of your infatuation for another man, and what a man he is :-p~~~~, just a sec i reached a lip stick mark on my screen, i have to clean it off before i continue"}, {"response": 270, "author": "caribou", "date": "Fri, May 17, 2002 (09:03)", "body": "(Karen) I especially adore the one where Colin is standing in front of the poster, directly in front of his own image. It's like he stepped out of the poster and into Lora's life! I also like the limo shot. Not something you see every day!:-) I'm with Dalec, we need more details about the photo shoot. Where were the hands? How tight was the squeeze? Only one take or two for safety? My thanks also to Dorine, Amy, Kate and Lora for all they have shared about their adventures."}, {"response": 271, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 17, 2002 (09:04)", "body": "Lora, did he put his arm on your shoulder for the pic? Yes, he did! And, what about that smile? It's Mark Darcy. Lucky Lora! I too like the poster one very much. :-D"}, {"response": 272, "author": "maryw", "date": "Fri, May 17, 2002 (09:19)", "body": "Lovely photos! The poster one is surreal! On that note I thank Lora and Moon very much for giving me the perfect mental picture to take with me to slumber. If I die in my sleep, it will be ok. I will come back as a TIOBE reviewer ;-) Nighty night!"}, {"response": 273, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Fri, May 17, 2002 (09:39)", "body": "Ah, Lora, you lucky girl. Very nice photos. Speaking of photos, there's a new poster of TIOBE in my newspaper today. It has CF (looking more like CF than Jack) sitting on the grass with FOC's hand on his chest. Lady B is standing behind. RE is sort of lying with RW behind him. The house is in the background. It's a composite but I like it more than the 1st poster."}, {"response": 274, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May 17, 2002 (09:40)", "body": "Lora, I love these pics, especially the poster shot! Did you plan that one in that way? How cute is that. Moon, thanks very much for the scan and link!:-)"}, {"response": 275, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, May 17, 2002 (10:15)", "body": "(Karen)I especially adore the one where Colin is standing in front of the poster, directly in front of his own image. Thanks so much for sharing them with us. (Caribou)It's like he stepped out of the poster and into Lora's life! (Minkee)The poster one is surreal! It is such a surreal picture, isn't it? It's a true illustration of the whole premiere experience! Caribou, your description is exactly right! I had to pinch myself several times. It's a pleasure to share them with you all. Thanks for all your comments - it allows me to relive the experience :-)! (Karen)No, that's Lora's hair. And it's totally frizzed-out because of the weather :-/. He looked like Mark Darcy and I kinda resembled Bridge after the ride in the convertible ;-(. (Caribou)I'm with Dalec, we need more details about the photo shoot. Where were the hands? How tight was the squeeze? Only one take or two for safety? It was just one shot, and he couldn't have been more willing and sweet about taking the photo with me. He put his arm around my shoulder so I naturally put mine around his back. *sighing and gasping as I remember it all* You can see his fingers on the top of my shoulder and it was a very nice moment. It was a friendly squeeze (remember Livia was right behind us and my DDH was taking the picture!). Moon, you did such a terrific job scanning and putting them up in such a lovely sequence! Your talent for style and good taste is beyond compare :-)!!! Thank you! Karen, I went back and checked my tags! :-) ;-)"}, {"response": 276, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 17, 2002 (10:31)", "body": "Moon, you did such a terrific job scanning and putting them up in such a lovely sequence! Your talent for style and good taste is beyond compare :-)!!! Thank you! I still can't believe that we live so close, and that we have many mutual acquaintances, Lora! It's always fun to get together. I am happy I was able to nurture your cf affliction with my video collection to the point that your DH gets you such a great Mother's Day present! Thank you for sharing them!"}, {"response": 277, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, May 17, 2002 (10:34)", "body": "(Mari)Did you plan that one in that way? How cute is that. No, it wasn't planned, it was just being in the right place at the right time and snap, snap, snapping away!"}, {"response": 278, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May 17, 2002 (10:58)", "body": "Just got my A&E newsletter, and he's on there! BREAKFAST WITH THE ARTS SUNDAY MAY 19, 2002 8:00 AM Eastern Time Elliott Forrest, host **************************************************************************** Chopin: Frederic et George This week's show features the premiere of a dramatization of the love affair of Romantic composer Frederic Chopin and controversial French female writer, George Sand, whom he met in Paris. The film tells the fascinating story of this unusual couple. Artist of the Week: Julie Kent, principal dancer, American Ballet Theater, talks about her work and her upcoming role as Titania in Frederick Ashton's enchanting rendering of Shakespeare's \"A Midsummer Night's Dream.\" For more info, go to: http://chtah.com/a/tA85RTYADspiuAJfHqiADIUhsAu/ae1 Arts and Entertainment News : Artist James Wyeth discusses his exhibition of paintings of ballet legend Rudolf Nureyev, on display at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center. Celebrity Interview: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE'S Colin Firth talks about his work, and his role as \"Ernest/Jack\" in the new Miramax film THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, co-starring Dame Judi Dench, Rupert Everett, and Reese Witherspoon. Open Book: Dominick Dunne discusses his book \"Justice: Crimes, Trials, and Punishments\" and Jimmy Breslin talks about \"I Don't Want to Go to Jail: A Good Novel.\""}, {"response": 279, "author": "firthfetish", "date": "Fri, May 17, 2002 (11:05)", "body": "Hi everyone! I guess I would be a newbie to the board, but not a newbie where Colin is concerned : ) I am loving all the stories and the pics are just incredible...*sigh*...Oh to be so lucky!Oh...and Thanks Karen!!"}, {"response": 280, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May 17, 2002 (12:10)", "body": "From Roger Friedman, Fox News : Earnest Star Says AI Ahead of Its Time Frances O'Connor, one of the stars of Oliver Parker's The Importance of Being Earnest, told me the other night that audiences simply weren't ready for Stanley Kubrick's last movie (directed by Steven Spielberg). O'Connor, you may recall, played the mother in A.I.: Artificial Intelligence. When her son falls into a coma, O'Connor and her husband adopt an android boy played by Haley Joel Osment. When the son recovers, O'Connor dumps her adopted son in the woods. \"So many people came up to me and said, 'How could you do that?'\" O'Connor recalled. \"I guess it struck a nerve. But also, they seemed to forget that he wasn't real. He was a robot!\" The actress \ufffd who also did a smashing job in Mansfield Park \ufffd agreed that A.I., like many Stanley Kubrick films, was ahead of its time. \"People forget that no one liked 2001 when it was first released,\" she said, \"and now it's considered a great classic.\" O'Connor recently finished a long run in London's West End playing Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof opposite Brendan Fraser and Ned Beatty. Although she loves theater, she told me she turned down a chance to be directed by Sam Mendes at the Donmar Warehouse in London \ufffd now considered the hippest theater in town \ufffd because she has to get back to making movies. Next year she'll star in Timeline, the movie version of the Michael Crichton novel directed by Richard (Superman) Donner. The Importance of Being Earnest opens today in a limited run, (Ed.Note: Where??) and then branches out to more theaters shortly. My advice: When you see those long lines for Attack of the Clones, give Earnest a chance. The costumes are just as good, and the dialogue is a whole lot better."}, {"response": 281, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, May 17, 2002 (12:59)", "body": "Thanks Lora for making your pics available!! And Moon for scanning them :-)"}, {"response": 282, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, May 17, 2002 (14:43)", "body": "Thanks Lora for the wonderful pictures and sharing your experiences-you certainly did your part in giving us the experience of a lifetime. I can only imagine how you felt at the moment he put his hand on your shoulder, and you put your hand on his back. OMG. As I said last week-You guys are killing me! Thank you, Moon, for scanning."}, {"response": 283, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May 17, 2002 (14:47)", "body": "Possible schedule change: TV Guide had Colin listed for the Today Show on Tuesday, but this is from the Today website--Rupie on Monday, Colin on Friday (opening day for most of us!:-) MONDAY, MAY 20 7:00 A.M. ET - Garage sales Actor Liam Neeson discusses his role in the Broadway play, \ufffdThe Crucible.\ufffd Tips for treasure hunting at garage sales. Actor Rupert Everett talks about his role in the movie, \ufffdThe Importance of Being Earnest.\ufffd \ufffdToday\ufffds Style\ufffd with Judy Gordon. Men and osteoporosis on the \ufffdForever Young\ufffd series. FRIDAY, MAY 24 7:00 A.M. ET - Bryan Adams performs Bryan Adams performs live on the Plaza as part of the 2002 \ufffdToday\ufffd Summer Concert Series. Actor Colin Firth talks about his role in the movie, \ufffdThe Importance of Being Earnest.\ufffd Ten things to know about car rentals on \ufffdToday\ufffds Money.\ufffd \ufffdAl Roker\ufffds Big Bad Book of Barbecue\ufffd on \ufffdToday\ufffds Kitchen.\ufffd"}, {"response": 284, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 17, 2002 (17:22)", "body": "Where's the segment on innovative uses for support hose? ;-D Thanks, Mari, this is going to be a day-to-day thing. While I'd opt for the Today Show's own listing, we experienced ones know that wasn't the case last year. Oh no, a week's worth of Today Show viewing. My, I'll be incredibly informed when it's over. Am positively on edge of seat over \"men and osteoporosis.\""}, {"response": 285, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, May 17, 2002 (17:41)", "body": "Lora and Moon.....thanks sooooooo much for sharing the pictures. Lora, I think someone got cropped out of that first one!!!! I don't blame you if you didn't want to be plastered all over the internet, but I for one would have liked to see you too! If it were me, I'd get a real nice copy made of that picture of Colin in front of the movie poster and find the best place to send it off to him along with the absolute nicest note he's ever recieved. Betcha get something like a personal thank you back from that man. ;)"}, {"response": 286, "author": "caribou", "date": "Fri, May 17, 2002 (17:54)", "body": "(Lora) It was a friendly squeeze (remember Livia was right behind us and my DDH was taking the picture!). LOLASMKWMH!! What I mean by that is Laughing Out Loud and Slapping My Knee with My Hand!! When I caught myself doing that I couldn't resist turning it into an acronym.:-) Do you think maybe Lora got the dimples instead of the killer Hollywood smile because it was her DH with the camera?"}, {"response": 287, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May 17, 2002 (18:41)", "body": "We-el, *I'm* gonna thank Lora's DH , the prince, who made it *all* possible! So there.. Lora...he looks soooo happy. And those outrageous dimples!!! I'm glad Rupe was MIA; he would have hogged the scene. This way ODB was the King of the Night. Lora and Moon.."}, {"response": 288, "author": "kasey", "date": "Fri, May 17, 2002 (18:57)", "body": "Lora, thanks so much for sharing the pictures and Moon for scanning them in. I've been bouncing back and forth between your description of events and the pictures themselves. Having a wonderful time fantasizing vicariously through your experience. Your DH IS a paragon. I know it's been asked already but are you SURE he doesn't have a twin stashed away somewhere??? Mari, I guess it'll be Today all week next week. Don't want them to sneak ODB in early and run the risk of missing him. Seriously though, if the Monday schedule hold I'd catch the Liam Neeson segment too. A little off topic but for any of you in the NY metropolitan area \"The Crucible\" is a powerful and moving production. I recommend it highly. Neeson was wonderful and I'd love to see him walk away with the Tony for it."}, {"response": 289, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 17, 2002 (20:24)", "body": "All I've got to say is that Lora's M-Day present sure beats flowers, a box of candy, and a bottle of perfume."}, {"response": 290, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sat, May 18, 2002 (00:44)", "body": "(Karen)All I've got to say is that Lora's M-Day present sure beats flowers, a box of candy, and a bottle of perfume. Thanks, Karen. I'll take outrageous dimples and a DH who made it *all* possible over the above any M-Day! :-) (Thanks, Evelyn!) Lisa, that's a great idea about sending the poster pic with a note. But you'll have to help me write it since you're soooo creative! Any ideas about how to start it?"}, {"response": 291, "author": "airstream", "date": "Sat, May 18, 2002 (08:51)", "body": "Argh! can't see the pictures. The georcities web page is down. :-("}, {"response": 292, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 18, 2002 (09:00)", "body": "It is probably down because of too much traffic within a given period. Try back later, or I might get around to adding them to The Bucket today as it is still bloody freezing here."}, {"response": 293, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 18, 2002 (09:20)", "body": "Silvie sends this excerpt from an interview with Caroline Rhea from the May 2002 issue of Canadian Elle (no pics): Elle: Rosie's crush was Tom. Is your's going to be Bruce Vilanch from Hollywood Squares? CR: No! he's a lovely man and I hope he'll be a guest one day, but Benicio Del Toro is my Tom Cruise. Elle: How about Colin Firth? CR: I interviewd Colin Firth when Rosie was in hospital.**He's \"so\" gorgeous.** I made him look into the camera and say hello to Celia, my sister, because she loves him."}, {"response": 294, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, May 18, 2002 (09:54)", "body": "I made him look into the camera and say hello to Celia, my sister, because she loves him. So do we Celia, so do we..."}, {"response": 295, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, May 18, 2002 (10:12)", "body": "(Kathy C) A little off topic but for any of you in the NY metropolitan area \"The Crucible\" is a powerful and moving production. I recommend it highly. Neeson was wonderful and I'd love to see him walk away with the Tony for it. I have tickets for May 29th. He'll have to duke it out with Rickman for the Tony, though. *running before The Boss shoots me for the OT here*"}, {"response": 296, "author": "odessa", "date": "Sat, May 18, 2002 (10:21)", "body": "-add bad language here- Geocities should start working tomorrow, but I want to see those photos now!"}, {"response": 297, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 18, 2002 (10:22)", "body": "LindaK typed this up from the NJ newspaper The Times. She posted it on the Spoiler topic, but since many people won't go there until they've seen the movie, I am reposting it here: A Pairing of Opposites: Rupert Everett and Colin Firth move from Shakespeare to The Importance of Being Earnest. By Joyce J. Persico The first time actors Rupert Everett and Colin Firth laid eyes on one another it was hardly love at first sight. It wasn't even mutual admiration society time. \"But I've loosened up now,\" the normally serious Firth concedes. \"I've given in to my superficiality. \"Rupert is a lot easier to get along with. He was outrageous then and now he's very funny.\" Everett, a flamboyant type known as much for his good looks as for his ribald sense of humor; noticed the change in the co-star he first encountered on the set of \"Shakespeare In Love.\" \"Colin was very dull in the old days,\"Everett announces. \"He was always strumming on a guitar; going to give his first million to charity. \"I was going in the opposite direction.\" The two reunited in one of the few art films scheduled for release in this popcorn movie-filled season, an adaptation of Oscar Wilde's \"The Importance of Being Earnest.\" It opens Friday. Directed by Oliver Parker, it tells the story of a bachelor from the English countryside named Jack Worthing (Firth) who assumes a false identity under the name of Earnest while pursuing a carefree life in London. There are comic repercussions as Jack's friend, Algy (Everett), pretends to be Earnest in order to court Jack's niece (Reese Witherspoon.) Firth, also known for playing Mr. Darcy in the BBC adaptation of \"Pride and Prejudice\" and the suitor in the film \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" admits that he is not quite what he seems, despite his serious on-screen persona. \"I wanted to be a rock star,\" he adds, sheepishly. \"Like others of my generation, it didn't happen. \"I don't know what I'm like, but I'm not Mr. Darcy. I didn't grow up with a gigantic mansion in Darbyshire.\" Unlike some actors who \"sleep rough or learn to box,\" Firth simply acts the part. \"I don't think there's a brilliant actor alive who works in isolation,\" he insists. \"There was fun on our set, a sense of mischief bordering on hysteria.\" Everett, a scene-stealer as the gay friend in \"My Best Friend's Wedding,\" joined in the fun, beginning with his admiration for the colorful author of \"Earnest.\" \"I love Oscar Wilde because his life is a kind of awful inspiration in a way,\" says Eveett, dressed in two layers of skin-tight T-shirts. \"But I don't think I'd have liked him very much if I got too close to him. He was always pouring sweat. He was a great snob. But he kind of flaunted this life he knew was unacceptable. He drove toward the cliff's edge, like someone drunk on success.\" Everett would like to make a film based on the final two years of Wilde's life, a project slated for a time when the youthful looking Everett is a bit older. Part of the amiable ensemble cast is American actess Reese Witherspoon, who plays Jack's sheltered niece, Cecily Cardew. She claims to have been \"terrified of Rupert.\" \"But we became fast friends in a day,\" says the actress who won kudos last summer for her lead in the comedy \"Legally Blonde.\" \"Colin's a buddy, but I can't like him that much in front of Rupert. He gets too nervous.\" Calling herself \"just a little girl from Tennessee,\" Witherspoon was concerned about doing an authentic British accent for her role. \"She found it absolutely terrifying to step into the legacy of Wilde and felt everybody else could do it in their sleep,\" Firth explains. \"It would be like me playing a biker. But she was wonderful.\" \"She was really great,\" Everett agrees. \"It's a pretty scary thing to come into a group of English accents and come into the culture. For an American, it's like speaking another language.\" Witherspoon isn't the only on who feared the outspoken Everett. Even Firth admits he \"tends not to be on the wrong end of Rupert's humor.\" But he isn't frightened of British audiences because of some affinity they may have for lofty works. \"They're not interested in Shakespeare,\" Firth says of his countrymen. \"The English people aren't interested in culture at all.\" Response 1377 of 1377: Evelyn (lafn) * Sat, May 18, 2002 (10:06) * 9 lines Thank you Linda for typing up that article (CF) \"But he isn't frightened of British audiences because of some affinity they may have for lofty works. \"They're not interested in Shakespeare,\" Firth says of his countrymen. \"The English people aren't interested in culture at all.\" Ug...such generalizations *shaking head*"}, {"response": 298, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, May 18, 2002 (10:30)", "body": "V. sorry, Boss, 126-162 it's still too early for a Saturday."}, {"response": 299, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 18, 2002 (11:20)", "body": "For those who haven't seen Lora's fantastic pics, I've put them up here: http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/earnest_nycprem.html (no red eye either) I'm going to add two pictures from Amy when I can figure out which folder they landed in.... *shaking head*"}, {"response": 300, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Sat, May 18, 2002 (11:31)", "body": "http://globeandmail.com/servlet/GIS.Servlets.HTMLTemplate?tf=tgam/common/FullStory.html&cf=tgam/common/FullStory.cfg&configFileLoc=tgam/config&vg=BigAdVariableGenerator&date=20020518&dateOffset=&hub=thearts&title=Arts&cache_key=theartsFilmHeadline\u00a4t_row=1&start_row=1&num_rows=1 This should take you to the globeandmail.com site that has an interview with Colin today. Big page with famous 'running shoes' photo (B&W). I only found this because the woman in my library were reading it."}, {"response": 301, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, May 18, 2002 (12:03)", "body": "Thanks Bryonny....and thank your librarian too. The journalist must have picked up all the background stuff from the articles on the web. Surely , Colin didn't blab all that stuff in the interview.(Where's the St. Louis playground trauma;-) Funny, they didn't focus on Rupe; esp since he gets top billing. (CF)\" He is about to help kick off an Oxfam campaign on the need for a Fair Trade movement, which educates consumers about the sources of the products they buy\". Oxfam!!Hey Boss...better get that page ready for The Bucket ;-)"}, {"response": 302, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, May 18, 2002 (12:05)", "body": "(Karen)Oh no, a week's worth of Today Show viewing Hey, I like Today! They only put the fluff stuff in the listing descriptions--the celeb interviews, \"health\" updates, etc. The bulk of the show is hard news. And our Katie is equally adept at interviewing Colin Powell and Colin Firth.:-) Anyway, my onscreen cable guide lists Friday for the Firth appearance, so, fingers crossed. (Karen)All I've got to say is that Lora's M-Day present sure beats flowers, a box of candy, and a bottle of perfume. Er . . . sounds like you were at my house on Mother's Day.;-) Lora, tell your DH that he is now in the Firth Hubbies Hall Of Fame! \"She found it absolutely terrifying to step into the legacy of Wilde and felt everybody else could do it in their sleep,\" Firth explains. \"It would be like me playing a biker. But she was wonderful.\" Oh, man, I'd LOVE to see him play a biker!:-) Tight leather pants and jacket, flying his colors . . .or whatever it is that they fly.;-) Many thanks for typing up the article, Linda! There's a decent sized \"opening Friday\" ad for TIOBE in tomorrow's Philly Inquirer--it's the one with CF in the middle, and favorable pull quotes from Rollling Stone, CBS, Marie Claire, and NY1. Linda, let's make plans.:-) Thanks for the Globe & Mail article, Bryonny!"}, {"response": 303, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, May 18, 2002 (13:28)", "body": "Much smaller circulation than the Globe & Mail (thanks, Bryonny) but nonetheless, a relief for me: From Crosswinds Weekly (Albuquerque & Santa Fe): by Sharon Kayne (aka Citizen Kayne) :-) Cover Story: Summer Movies - The Sequel ....The Importance of Being Earnest The Oscar Wilde play, upon which this is based, is so brilliant that even the title has a comical double meaning. Set in 1890\ufffds England, two men (Rupert Everett and Colin Firth) both develop convoluted ploys (which involve the use of the name \ufffdErnest\ufffd) to woo two women (Francis O\ufffdConner and Reese Witherspoon). Things threaten to unravel to hilarious ends. Also stars Judi Dench. Rated PG, open May 31. (Picture of Reese and Rupie).... I'm afraid bad reviews will kill TIOBE in our medium-sized market. Now, am anxious to see what Ebert has to say--am hoping he is still in favor or ODB."}, {"response": 304, "author": "Odile", "date": "Sat, May 18, 2002 (14:05)", "body": "Thanks LindaK and Karen (I'm one of those who will not venture into 126 for now) for the article. (CF)\"I wanted to be a rock star,\" \"It would be like me playing a biker.\" Keep talking Colin... I'll be busy daydreaming now... :) About the Today Show, Karen , you did not like Matt Lauer in a kilt in windy Scotland this week? ;-)"}, {"response": 305, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 18, 2002 (14:30)", "body": "Definitely have comments on this latest article you found, Bryonny. v. interesting. Oxfam now, Ev. Give me a break. ;-D I've added Amy's premiere pics to the page if you want to take a looksie. http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/earnest_nycprem.html Thanks, Amy!"}, {"response": 306, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 18, 2002 (14:33)", "body": "About the Today Show, Karen , you did not like Matt Lauer in a kilt in windy Scotland this week? ;-) As a rule, I don't watch daytime television, but I did catch Matt kilted out when they interviewed him on Access Hollywood, and I did see him on the beach in Rio the day that Reese was on. I'd like to see him as a biker too. Would really enhance Lisa's illustrated version of UMS."}, {"response": 307, "author": "airstream", "date": "Sat, May 18, 2002 (14:38)", "body": "Lora--The movie poster photo is great!"}, {"response": 308, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sat, May 18, 2002 (14:55)", "body": "It would be like me playing a biker. Choking on Diet Pepsi...now there's an idea for a story in that somewhere. Tight leather pants and jacket, flying his colors. How about faded levis and a day's growth???? Oh, I like Amy's pics too....but why did she wear that white strapless bra??? It makes her look like she's got two targets plastered across her chest. Wearing all black, the eyes head straight there! ROTFSMKOW...Rolling on the floor slapping my knee or whatever....I love Lora2002 plastered across Colin's backside! Heeheehee Lora, that pic just hit me as being #1 very good and #2 just different enough that it probably would get to him if you sent it. After all, does he ever get photos from any sources when he goes to these things? A note about hubby's MD present and how you flew to get there would be eyecatching IMO."}, {"response": 309, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, May 18, 2002 (15:03)", "body": "Thanks, Karen for the great pictures-Thank you, Amy for sharing. ODB as a biker...I had a hard time concentrating on typing the article after reading that. Conjured up all kinds of images...probably why I posted on the wrong topic. Keep hearing the song Born to Be Wild in my brain all day. Mari, I am SO ready to see this. Lets get those plans in the works. Got the VCR fired up for tomorrow-BWTA, and Hot Ticket"}, {"response": 310, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, May 18, 2002 (16:13)", "body": "Oxfam http://www.maketradefair.com Great article, thanks!"}, {"response": 311, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, May 18, 2002 (16:42)", "body": "I have a quick question: Is VH1 the station or the show? Is it broadcast or cable? I should know but I don't and I just recently figured out I get Access Hollywood. So, which of CFs appearances will be cable? Hot Ticket?"}, {"response": 312, "author": "firthfetish", "date": "Sat, May 18, 2002 (17:50)", "body": ""}, {"response": 313, "author": "firthfetish", "date": "Sat, May 18, 2002 (17:53)", "body": "Colin as a biker...Now there's a visual for ya! I think it's almost too much for my poor little heart to take..."}, {"response": 314, "author": "dalec", "date": "Sat, May 18, 2002 (18:28)", "body": "(caribou) I have a quick question: Is VH1 the station or the show? Is it broadcast or cable? I should know but I don't and I just recently figured out I get Access Hollywood. So, which of CFs appearances will be cable? Hot Ticket? Hot Ticket is a movie review show like Ebert & Roeper. Hot Ticket will most likely review TIOBE this weekend. i think it is a syndicated broadcast show. VH1 is a cable channel, you need to look for VH1's \"Cast Party\" show for TIOBE. VH1 is very much like MTV but targeted for a more mature audience. thanks Amy and Karen for the pics."}, {"response": 315, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, May 18, 2002 (20:17)", "body": "Thanks, DaleC. I didn't see it listed as VH1 in the paper and I'm assuming it doesn't have any other names then. It must not be available here."}, {"response": 316, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, May 18, 2002 (21:38)", "body": "Colin sighting: A JN fan reported she was at Proof tonight[Saturday], the play in London's West End[Donmar] starring Gwynneth Paltrow and Colin and Livia were in the audience."}, {"response": 317, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, May 18, 2002 (21:44)", "body": "Mr. Darcy's Firth Cousin For Actor Colin Firth, the Privilege and the Pitfalls of a Memorable Role By Alona Wartofsky Special to The Washington Post Sunday, May 19, 2002; Page G01 NEW YORK During the course of a nearly 20-year career, British actor Colin Firth has performed in 40 films and television productions, including box-office hits like \"The English Patient,\" \"Shakespeare in Love\" and \"Bridget Jones's Diary.\" He stars in a new film of Oscar Wilde's comedy \"The Importance of Being Earnest,\" which opens in Washington on Friday. But in the end, the role he is likely to be best remembered for is the brooding Mr. Darcy in a BBC production of Jane Austen's \"Pride and Prejudice.\" That lavish 1995 miniseries, broadcast here on A&E and seen by more than 100 million viewers worldwide,turned Firth into an unlikely international heartthrob and produced a vast following of amorous female fans. Firth's not all that handsome -- his neutral actor's face can be substantially altered by expression and makeup -- but having a crush on Colin has become a pop-culture commonplace. The Darcymania has been a mixed blessing for Firth, whose aspirations as an actor extend beyond umpteen hours spent smoldering in mutton-chop whiskers. Greater celebrity translates into better roles. But the enduring magnetism of Darcy -- whom Firth once referred to as \"a bizarre doppelganger that I've spawned\" -- somehow seems to take away from his other accomplishments. Here at the Essex House Hotel, Firth has just finished a series of round-table interviews to promote \"The Importance of Being Earnest.\" He stars as Jack Worthing, a gentleman who escapes the tedium of his country life with the assistance of an invented brother, Ernest. During the interviews, the most common question did not concern Wilde, Jack Worthing, or even Ernest Worthing. Nor did it involve Firth's co-stars in the film: Rupert Everett as the irrepressible Algernon Moncrieff, along with Reese Witherspoon, Tom Wilkinson and Judi Dench. The journalists asked about Mr. Darcy. \"Some people do it with irony and humor. Some people do it earnestly. Some people are ashamed of having to ask the question,\" says Firth. \"And every so often there will be a journalist from Swaziland who doesn't know anything about it -- wonderful.\" A Lot Under the Surface Firth, 41, isn't fond of giving interviews, and as he speaks, his arms rarely remain still. Again and again, he begins to cross them, and they hover in an almost-crossed position. Then, perhaps not wanting to seem unfriendly, he deliberately uncrosses them. \"I'm not particularly comfortable being encouraged to give things away about myself,\" he says. \"I don't think I'm unusual in that. I do have certain questions about what one can really say. My personal life's nobody's business; I'm not unusual in that, either. My views on world politics and the rest aren't really of interest to anybody, particularly; they're not relevant. \"And talking about the work is difficult because it's the kind of work that is hard to talk about. It's hard to analyze it and it's hard to say anything sensible about it. . . . So I do find that I'm in a position where I'm doing more to mask than to reveal.\" Directors who have worked with Firth praise his depth. Oliver Parker, who helmed and wrote the screenplay for \"The Importance of Being Earnest,\" says that Jack -- perhaps the least witty of the play's characters -- often turns out to be merely a foil for the other players. \"I framed this adaptation in a way that Jack was central to the emotional narrative,\" says Parker. \"So I was looking for somebody who has a certain sympathetic quality, who could be at once vulnerable and complex. And Colin, I think, is very skillful at creating an active inner life while sustaining the comedic requirements of the piece.\" Firth prefers to play characters who have a lot going on beneath the surface. \"For obvious reasons I tend to do films about English people, and one of the defining features of English people -- at least in the mythology we have of English people -- is emotional repression,\" he says. \"I do think that very often what is not revealed is more interesting than what is revealed explicitly. \"One of the great things about the art of writing when it's good is that it expresses the difficulty of communication,\" he explains. \"The moment you most want to pour your heart out is often the moment you're most stuck for words. I find those moments and those limitations very interesting.\" Firth learned his craft at London's prestigious Drama Centre, where he played Hamlet and King Lear (he describes the latter as \"a hideous embarrassment\"). He learned the dangers of overplaying an emotion, and the benefits of making a character credible. \"Watch Rupert Everett in 'The Importance of Being Earnest,' and you almost get the sense that he's having to repress his mischief,\" Firth says. \"He's not trying to be mischievous. That's why he's so believable -- you get the idea if you let t"}, {"response": 318, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, May 18, 2002 (21:57)", "body": "(WP)\" In 1997, an alarmingly lumpy Firth starred in \"Fever Pitch,\"... In \"The English Patient,\" he played the chubby obligatory husband of the Kristin Scott Thomas character; how could we blame her for cheating on him with Ralph Fiennes's handsome explorer? \" C'mon...he looked adorable in that Santa suit. Hornby estimates that \"Speaking With the Angel\" earned half a million dollars for its charities. Probably $450,000 of that, he says, came from Firth fans. LOL. Not surprising. Wonder who bought the other $50 thou;-) So the junket was at the Essex House.Not too far from the Paris theatre. Harvey must be trying to pinch pennies. Thanks Mari."}, {"response": 319, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (00:03)", "body": "Firth's not all that handsome... Excuse me?! \"Watch Rupert Everett in 'The Importance of Being Earnest,' and you almost get the sense that he's having to repress his mischief,\" Firth says. \"He's not trying to be mischievous. That's why he's so believable -- you get the idea if you let this guy off the leash, he'd be even more outrageous.\" Actually, I find this to be an interesting statement. Watching RE in the movie, I kept thinking frequently that his performance was the equivalent of watching him sit on his hands to keep himself in check...to \"repress his mischief\". Ironically, I found RE less believable because of that. When I see it again, I'll see if my opinion changes. (Evelyn) So the junket was at the Essex House. Not too far from the Paris theatre. Harvey must be trying to pinch pennies. Next time Colin does work for Miramax here, I know which lobby (or similar types) to hang out in. Thanks so much, Mari!"}, {"response": 320, "author": "odessa", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (06:26)", "body": "unlikely international heartthrob ???? not all that handsome...his neutral actor's face GRRRRRRR"}, {"response": 321, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (07:00)", "body": "Colin sighting: I can confirm this! My son was there. Apparently he had phoned earlier in the day and spoken to my DH as he had 2 spare tickets. DH refused as we were going out to dinner. **grrr, arghhh etc ** I still have to try and get more info ffom son without sounding unduly desperate. He saw him first in the ticket queue where women were asking for his autograph and he was letting them take photographs. (Have to say that I think asking for those privileges when he is at the theatre in a private capacity is bad form ."}, {"response": 322, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (07:12)", "body": "Thank you Mari I just turned on BWTA Elliott Forrest introduced the show and talked a little about each segment. No mention of TIOBE. Maybe he was only giving us what was going to be on in the first hour?"}, {"response": 323, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (08:09)", "body": "Good article. Thanks for posting, Mari, but I hear the online version has been edited down. Can anyone in the DC area let us know what the differences are and whether there are pictures? but having a crush on Colin has become a pop-culture commonplace. Really? I wonder how she arrived at that conclusion. Telephone survey? Polling? Here at the Essex House Hotel, Firth has just finished a series of round-table interviews This would certainly explain why so many have printed exactly the same thing or would know what he said to another interviewer, unlike one-on-ones. \"...So I do find that I'm in a position where I'm doing more to mask than to reveal.\" Let's keep this in mind when we attempt to take his words too literally or truthfully for that matter. \"The moment you most want to pour your heart out is often the moment you're most stuck for words. I find those moments and those limitations very interesting.\" As in...\"what I'm trying to say, very inarticulately, is...\" or \"I liked you ever since...I...liked you\" or\"my feeling will not be repressed...\" Hmmm, didn't know he thought this all. ;-D In 1997, an alarmingly lumpy Firth starred in \"Fever Pitch,\" In \"The English Patient,\" he played the chubby obligatory husband Lumpy and chubby!! Seems inordinantly focused on CF's weight. Wonder if she asked what he weighed now, now that he's thin as a rail. He uncrosses his arms. \"If you want to know what I was really hoping, I was hoping it would be brilliant, that it would be great and hold its own fantastically or even be the best of all of them, and that I'd be discovered, and a new literary star is born.\" Ooooh, v. interesting. v. revealing IMO. Loved the bit about how much WE contributed to total sales of the book. Nick owes us big time. ;-) Director Oliver Parker compares Firth to vintage Hollywood stars like Henry Fonda and Jimmy Stewart. Well, then, let's see him do more dramatic work as they did. Those guys work for me, but I'd also add young Paul Newman roles like \"From a Terrace,\" \"Long Hot Summer,\" or the \"Young Philadelphians\" and others. (Allison) he had 2 spare tickets. DH refused as we were going out to dinner. **grrr, arghhh etc ** Poor, dear. :-( I do agree with you about infringing on his privacy. Taking pictures with him too? Lordy, lordy."}, {"response": 324, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (08:18)", "body": "Saw Hot Tickets last night and TIOBE was deemed a \"flop\" by Leonard Maltin and Joyce didn't like it all. She did say that Colin and Dame Judi were the only ones to \"get it right\" but then in Leonard's turn he said he didn't think JD had either (too heavy-handed was the term he used). So (wishfully thinking) maybe he thought Colin was fine. Strangely enough, I found the adjectives they used to describe the acting more appropriate to the old version (arch, stagey, mannered) than this. v. odd. No review of TIOBE on Ebert & Roeper and it won't be next week either, as they are showing a pretaped show since E & R are in Cannes."}, {"response": 325, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (08:44)", "body": "Just saw Colin's interview with Harry Smith on BWTA. I thought that, too, was very revealing when he said that there wasn't anything(roles) he wanted bad enough that he would crawl through lava or molten rock."}, {"response": 326, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (08:52)", "body": "But that statement represents a rather \"extreme\" case. He did go on to say there were others... Colin looked lovely, but I am wondering about his shoes. What were they? Two-tone whats? Did he ever keep his hands neatly folded in his lap!! It was like he had them rigidly glued there. They were only set free I think once toward the end. He was wearing a black shirt and black slacks...and two-tone shoes. Harry mainly asked him to explain TIOBE: who is who, why they both assume the name Ernest. I liked the behind the scenes footage that showed Colin on the street in London as the dapper Ernest. You only get to see him for a sec in the film on the street and he looks so devilishly good as he swaggers down the street on the way to the music hall. Is anybody transcribing?"}, {"response": 327, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (09:06)", "body": "And...even I wouldn't have answered that question in public because it would be splashed all over the press \"Wot Mr Darcy Would Kill to Do\" Far more sensible to say \"No, nothing.\""}, {"response": 328, "author": "airstream", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (09:21)", "body": "About the shoes...I have to admit I have those very boots (but I have had them for a few years--coincidence honestly!). They are called \"Blundstone\" boots. v.v.v.good in the rain--the two-tone bit is elastic. (You Aussies should know all about it.)"}, {"response": 329, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (09:22)", "body": "Colin looked lovely, but I am wondering about his shoes. What were they? Two-tone whats? Did he ever keep his hands neatly folded in his lap!! It was like he had them rigidly glued there. Black shirt, black jeans. Just don't ask about the shoes and... those brown socks! I too was amazed at the effort he made to keep still. I wonder if he's been reading our comments? ;-) He does look very thin. I woke up just in time for him! It must be my automatic cf alarm. ;-) Allison, I feel for you! Thanks, Mari for the article."}, {"response": 330, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (09:27)", "body": "(Allison) He saw him first in the ticket queue where women were asking for his autograph and he was letting them take photographs. (Have to say that I think asking for those privileges when he is at the theatre in a private capacity is bad form. Agree. Or at Starbucks;-)He shudda worn his glasses. I didn't like the BWTA interview. I missed Elliott Forrest with his unassuming friendly manner ; Harry Smith is marginally better than Kimberley. LOL when he asked Colin what role he would walk over lava to do. Put away the Hamlet stuff, Bethan. That one isn't even on the back burner any more.He likes\"unpredictability\" However, I was glad he didn't go into any political tirade. Looked gorgeous. Is he taking lessons from JN and RF? That shirt seems to be getting more unbuttoned .Hmmmm. Maybe there's hope for an R-rated after all;-)"}, {"response": 331, "author": "airstream", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (09:28)", "body": "Thanks for the article Mari. Why would a reporter feel the need to comment on his looks? (Jealous?) Seems strange. As for you Allison, dinner you can have every night of your life, but.....! Your DH needs to speak with Lora's DH. (HA)."}, {"response": 332, "author": "airstream", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (09:38)", "body": "Maybe this was posted here? But I recently read an article in which he rang up Nick Hornby after reading an excerpt from AAB to say that it should be a movie...NH replied that it was already sold. Colin commented that he would've like to play the part of Will, but figured that they went with HG because they needed \"someone more bankable than me\". Was that an attempt at going through lava? (as much of an attempt that he would make?)"}, {"response": 333, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (09:42)", "body": "Apparently there are several new photos with the print version of the Washington Post article--pics taken during the interview. Could someone please get hold of it and scan it, or share you copy with someone who can scan?? I thought Colin did well on the BWTA interview. And Harry certainly gave the film a good plug, sayng it was hilarious and how much they enjoyed seeing Colin in it. And no, he didn't touch his face once!:-) And every so often there will be a journalist from Swaziland who doesn't know anything about it -- wonderful.\" Pfft! Hornby estimates that \"Speaking With the Angel\" earned half a million dollars for its charities. Probably $450,000 of that, he says, came from Firth fans. I love it! \"The letters were from women of a certain age, who said that in some profound way, I had reminded of them of their dead father,\" he says. No way, no how, I'm feeling daughterly about Darcy!;-)"}, {"response": 334, "author": "kasey", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (09:43)", "body": "I agree that admitting that there is something he'd kill to play leaves him open to more publicity than he seems to enjoy. He REALLY doesn't like these interviews does he? As he has said he does \"more to mask than to reveal\" but in its own way I think it is revealing that he doesn't seem to have a master plan re: his career, just sees what comes along and what catches his interest at the moment it seems. Definitely NOT anxious to be a \"star\", or he too could employ a well-oiled publicity machine a la HG; seems rather to want to be an actor with a private life that stays that way. Really can't blame him but DO wish he were a tad more ambitious, we'd get to see more of him that way. Well, the above seems to convey what I'm thinking at the momemt, rather inarticulately. And maybe for once I can post without an egregious typo or grammatical error that I don't catch until I hit the submit button. P.S. The \"Valmont\" DVD arrived. Absolutely NO extras and I'm not convinced that it isn't counterfeit. No security strip along the top of the case, somewhat grainy graphics. A little \"Made in Taiwan\" sticker on the outer wrapping and LOTS of Chinese as it boots up. Only had a chance to watch a few minutes but the quality of the movie itself seems ok so far, although I did have to go back and turn off the subtitle default. Since I can't read Chinese or Taiwanese or whatever, it's rather more of a distraction that anything."}, {"response": 335, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (09:48)", "body": "Ladies, remember last time on BWTA he was asked what role he really wanted to do, and he said Hamlet and that he'd be doing it on stage at year end. And we all know what happened to that. So, he wasn't about to commit himself publicly again. Don't read more into it than that."}, {"response": 336, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (09:52)", "body": "Well, looks like this one is moving ahead; dare we hope he and Gwynnie discussed the film last night?;-) Agree it was awful for people to approach for autographs and pics on his private time. From Hollywood Reporter Focus books Plath biopic for Paltrow May 18, 2002 By Gregg Kilday and Stuart Kemp CANNES -- In its first acquisition, Universal Pictures' new specialty film division Focus, headed by James Schamus and David Linde, is striking a literary note, picking up U.S and Canadian distribution rights to an untitled biopic starring Gwyneth Paltrow as the late American poet Sylvia Plath. The project, written by John Brownlow, will be directed by Pawel Pawlikowski (\"The Last Resort\") and will center on the turbulent relationship between Plath, who committed suicide in 1963, and her husband, Ted Hughes, the British writer and Poet Laureate who died in 1998. Focus will be joining BBC Films, the Film Council's Premiere Fund and Capitol Films in financing the feature. Focus president of production Glenn Williamson brought the project to his company and will oversee filming along with U.K.-based Universal Pictures' Graeme Mason. It was developed by independent producer Alison Owen and BBC Films and will be produced by Owen under her Ruby Films banner. \"This is something (Focus' predecessor USA Films and Schamus and Linde's company Good Machine) were aware of. And I've known Alison for a long time,\" Linde said. \"What happened was, it was a closeable deal the day we started our jobs (at Focus). We absolutely wanted to support Glenn and the team, and so we asked them what they wanted to do.\" Capitol Films - which was associated with USA Films on \"Gosford Park\" - is co-financing and taking international rights on the as-yet-unbudgeted piece. BBC Films will handle U.K. distribution, with Focus taking the United States and Canada. Said BBC Films chief David Thompson: \"It is yet another example of the films we are involved in which have great parts for actors and actresses which attract talent.\" \"This is a company that is going to be based in relations with directors and producers,\" Linde said, commenting on how the project reflects the direction that the fledgling Focus will take. \"When you have collaborators that include Pawel, Alison and the BBC, it is a natural fit. It's interesting because James and I have known about Pawel since 'The Last Resort,' and he's a director who we were interested in working with at Good Machine.\" Paltrow is appearing in London's West End stage production of \"Proof\" and next stars in Neil LaBute's film \"Possession,\" which Focus will release in August in the United States. Owen received a best picture Academy Award nomination as producer on \"Elizabeth,\" for Working Title Films. Her other credits include \"Moonlight and Valentino,\" in which Paltrow also starred, and \"Hear My Song.\" Upcoming projects from Ruby Films include Tom Stoppard's adaptation of \"Tulip Fever\" for DreamWorks and Alex Keshishian's \"The American.\" \"The fund is intended to back excellent talent such as Pawel. After our successful collaboration with Capitol Films and USA Films on 'Gosford Park,' we are delighted to be partnering BBC Films, Capital Films and Focus on the movie,\" Premiere fund chief Robert Jones said."}, {"response": 337, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (09:52)", "body": "Hi everyone, I'm new here, and had to just laugh about the interview on BWTA! Not at Colin, but at myself. Had to sneek out of bed at 6AM this morning to watch about 90 minutes if the beginning, only to have my husband of 28 years (last night was our anniversary) come in at the exact moment I was going to turn on the VCR and tape it. He sits down, and asks why I was up so early, only to see Colin come on.... says \"if I didn't know better, I'd think you were in love with him\".... Asks me about his laundry, could I get it from the dryer, then goes to take a shower on his way to golf. Glad to have him leave the room so I could at least tape 1/2 of it. Dreams Dreams. I try to keep this secret only because he told me years ago he REALLY liked Beverly D'Angelo, and I gave him such a bad time about it, I know he would get way too much enjoyment about paying me back. Love all your comments and being able to live though you all... Keep up the excellent work ladies! I will have to wait a couple more weeks before I get TIOBE in Utah...."}, {"response": 338, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (10:09)", "body": "SANDI LOL at your Sunday AM scenario....\"Ain't No Mountain Higher....\" Thanks for sharing.Stick around."}, {"response": 339, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (11:00)", "body": "Emma has scanned in the Washington Post pics and I've put them up with the article: http://firth.com/articles/washpost51902.html She's also scanned in the new display ad--IN FULL COLOR--and I'll get that up here shortly. Plus I've also put up the Globe and Mail article as well. Links are on the News page and the Articles Index, although I cudda swore I uploaded the new index page..."}, {"response": 340, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (11:15)", "body": "Thanks, Karen! That was fast as is your usual! :-) Looking more like brother Jon now. Welcome, Sandi! (Mari), Agree it was awful for people to approach for autographs and pics on his private time. I tend to disagree. They are public figures and the privileges go with the duties. It was a social situation."}, {"response": 341, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (11:16)", "body": "And, a big thank you to Emma."}, {"response": 342, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (11:29)", "body": "They are public figures and the privileges go with the duties. It was a social situation. Hang on! I cannot let that go by. I live in an area of London where lots of celebs live. I would not dream of approaching them in the street and neither would most people here. Going to the theatre with your wife is in the same category as going to the newsagent to buy a paper or any other personal activity. That is their private time. The reason they like living in the UK is that people generally leave them alone. Otherwise they might as well be behind security gates in LA."}, {"response": 343, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (11:35)", "body": "There are ways and there are ways of approaching people. I would not do it but at the theatre standing in line it is a social situation."}, {"response": 344, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (11:38)", "body": "(Evelyn) Harry Smith is marginally better than Kimberley. He was laughing his head off. Seemed ok to me. That shirt seems to be getting more unbuttoned. Hmmmm I noticed that too. You'll get an eyeful when I put up the screen caps. ;-D Maybe there's hope for an R-rated after all;-) You people getting working with those rosaries and candles! Welcome Sandi!!! Let your husband have Beverly D'Angelo, especially if that means you can enjoy Colin out in the open. This way you have more to share. ;-D (Amy) Colin commented that he would've like to play the part of Will, but figured that they went with HG because they needed \"someone more bankable than me\". Do you recall which article that might've been? The background on the movie, though, was that it was initially going to be set in the US. HG has indicated he had read the book and made his interest known. (KathyC) The \"Valmont\" DVD arrived....and I'm not convinced that it isn't counterfeit. No security strip along the top of the case, somewhat grainy graphics. A little \"Made in Taiwan\" sticker on the outer wrapping and LOTS of Chinese as it boots up. And Amazon is selling this? I shocked and rather disappointed. I would voice my complaints to Amazon as to why this isn't clearly labeled as an \"import\" at a minium. Who's label did this out under?"}, {"response": 345, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (12:28)", "body": "And here is the improved version of the display ad from the Washington Post, as scanned by Emma:"}, {"response": 346, "author": "airstream", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (12:56)", "body": "I realize now, that I read the article on (gasp) another web page. The paper cited was \"Now!\" (UK) dated 5/16/02 titled \"Colin Firth's Advice to Renee: Put on Some More Weight\" the page says not to reproduce the article...so if you want to read it it, find it here: http://www.grin.net/~meluchie/articles/02now0516 (is it proper here to list other sites?, by the way, why didn't they interview you Karen, for the Post piece?!)"}, {"response": 347, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (13:19)", "body": "Thank you Karen and Emma.[Don't go running off , Emma. Stick around, we haven't heard from you in a long time. Tell us how you like TIOBE.] TIOBE has certainly gotten more than its share of media exposure for an art-house film.Beautiful colored advert too. Why didn't Colin's agent muscle him in for an audtion for AAB.Surely agents must know when book rights are bought.NH has an agent too.They're all pretty clubby."}, {"response": 348, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (14:07)", "body": "I remember Colin saying in some interview that there was a part he wanted, but didn't get. Could it have been something that one of the Fiennes brothers did? I don't remember it being AAB. Welcome Sandi I was wondering about those shoes too. I don't believe in approaching someone on their private time BUT he was standing in the ticket queue. I think it's good for business-he does have a movie opening next Friday. Now, once inside the theater and seated-no way."}, {"response": 349, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (14:40)", "body": "Thanks for all the articles, Mari, Bryonny, Linda, Caribou, and Emma. So much info floating around makes it a challenge to sift through it all. (Mari)Lora, tell your DH that he is now in the Firth Hubbies Hall Of Fame! With such an honor, he may start posting yet! ;-) (Lisa)ROTFSMKOW...Rolling on the floor slapping my knee or whatever....I love Lora2002 plastered across Colin's backside! Heeheehee ROTFLOL! It's like he got a tattoo with my name on it in manner of TIOBE! *Sigh* (Lisa)Lora, that pic just hit me as being #1 very good and #2 just different enough that it probably would get to him if you sent it. After all, does he ever get photos from any sources when he goes to these things? A note about hubby's MD present and how you flew to get there would be eyecatching IMO. Thanks, Lisa, for giving my a very good start. I'm mulling it all over in my head and will let you know my progress as I make 'room for development' in this direction. ;-) (Evelyn) So the junket was at the Essex House. Not too far from the Paris theatre. (Dorine)Next time Colin does work for Miramax here, I know which lobby (or similar types) to hang out in. Wish we could have gotten some 'vibrations' about this location too! We could have all met there Tuesday morning for breakfast! Amy thanks for your pics, though Livia is practically airbourne in them! ;-) BWTA was really nice. Hope Harry asked CF if they could do a Biography on him before he left! Have been wishing for one on CF for a while... Maybe he got those two-tone rain boots at a car boot sale. They look like a pair that might be found at one of those...unpredictably ;-)! Welcome, Sandi! We have a lot of Firth fun here! Question: Is it okay to ask for a picture at a premiere since it is part of his job vs. a play he attends for leisure? I felt very nervous about it in the first place since it is such an invasion of privacy."}, {"response": 350, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (14:58)", "body": "(Lora), With such an honor, he may start posting yet! ;-) You don't want that to happen. ;-) (Lisa)I love Lora2002 plastered across Colin's backside! Heeheehee (Lora), ROTFLOL! It's like he got a tattoo with my name on it in manner of TIOBE! *Sigh* LOL! I thought of that. ;-D (Lora), Question: Is it okay to ask for a picture at a premiere since it is part of his job vs. a play he attends for leisure? I felt very nervous about it in the first place since it is such an invasion of privacy. These are actors. Let's not get that carried away. They have a duty for their many privileges. It's not like he's with his kids in church."}, {"response": 351, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (15:05)", "body": "(Moon)You don't want that to happen. ;-) Was definitely kidding...Nevah! (Moon)These are actors. Let's not get that carried away. They have a duty for their many privileges. It's not like he's with his kids in church. I agree with you. And I like the point that you made, Linda, about when he's outside in line (and with his movie coming out) that it's okay, but it would not be after he's already seated."}, {"response": 352, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (15:06)", "body": "Glad to read (Now article - thanks Amy!) that he'd be delighted to do BJD The Sequel. And that he likes Size 12! (Rene *is* too thin now) And that he's doing work for Oxfam."}, {"response": 353, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (16:22)", "body": "Thanks Karen and Emma for the article and new photos. I like the series of three different expressions. Looks like they were taken while he was being interviewed instead of a special photo shoot. Oh, these two weeks have been exciting. What's come and is to come is better than I had hoped a month ago. Yippee! Wheeee! (I love this part of the Firth Coaster!)"}, {"response": 354, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (16:48)", "body": "Here's another goodie, from today's San Diego Union-Tribune. Can anyone in SoCal get hold of this one for scanning? I'm told there are new pics with it. Thanks to Lynne: A good mind and great dimples Colin Firth's 'Earnest' about the acting life By Karla Peterson ARTS WRITER May 19, 2002 LOS ANGELES \ufffd He had Rene\ufffd Zellweger dashing through snowy London in her underwear. He crashed a plane on Kristin Scott Thomas' behalf. He turned the women of Britain into a quivering mass of human pudding. Whether he is the uptight suitor in \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" the half-mad cuckold in \"The English Patient,\" or the simmering Mr. Darcy in TV's \"Pride and Prejudice,\" love does funny things to people when Colin Firth is on screen. But playing the lover doesn't do much for Colin Firth. \"I find no great joy in playing romantic characters or leading men,\" the 41-year-old Brit says firmly. \"I find no great joy in trying to woo the audience. It's boring. For me, the fascination about being human lies in its difficulties.\" Like the stuffed-shirt types he fills out so well, Firth speaks with a drawing-room elegance that is both impeccably polite and confidently abrupt. The voice would be scary, if the face weren't so dimpled. And the discourse would be intimidating, if the man behind it wasn't so bent on making himself clear. As it turns out, the actor who's been called, \"The Thinking Woman's Crumpet\" is a thinker. And as Firth discusses a career that includes Oscar-winning blockbusters, art-film curios and at least one media sensation, he scatters quotable crumbs that never go quite where you'd expect. Take his new film. For his entry in the Summer Movie Sweepstakes, Firth journeys back to 1890s England for Oscar Wilde's \"The Importance of Being Earnest.\" With a top-drawer cast that includes Rupert Everett, Judi Dench and Reese Witherspoon, and a witty adaptation by writer-director Oliver Parker, \"Earnest\" (opening May 31 in San Diego) is a pretty tropical fish that could get lost in a sea of cinematic sharks. But if you thought this was a good time to engage Firth in a battle against the Dummies of Summer, you would be wrong. \"I love dumb movies,\" Firth said. \"I think the cinema is a great place for mindless entertainment. It's not just a place of personal expansion and stimulation and education, thank God. It's the place where you go to be taken away somewhere. I think that's very important. I'm a great champion of triviality.\" Lounging on a hotel couch in jeans, a plain brown sweater and sneakers, the surprisingly boyish Firth could pass for a regular guy on his way to an \"Attack of the Clones\" matinee. But beginning with his film debut in 1984's \"Another Country,\" the son of two liberal-minded teachers and the grandson of missionaries has spent much of his time playing stuffy prigs and slow-boiling headcases. From the pompous Lord Wessex in \"Shakespeare in Love,\" to the homicidal introvert in \"Apartment Zero\" and last year's Emmy-nominated turn as an anti-Semitic lawyer in HBO's \"Conspiracy,\" Firth is often the man least likely to be liked. But when he played one of literature's most uptightgentlemen, a nation went just a little bit nuts. The film was \"Pride and Prejudice,\" a 1995 BBC miniseries based on Jane Austen's beloved novel. As the very rich, very proper Mr. Darcy, Firth was snobby, imposing, vain and distant. But when he fell in love with the feisty Elizabeth Bennett (the wonderful Jennifer Ehle), the brooding Darcy melted in the most stirring way. By the end of the six-part series, the BBC had a huge hit on its hands, and a busy character actor had become a full-fledged sex symbol. \"My country became a different place for me,\" Firth says of the flurry of press, gossip and Darcymania that followed. \"I was delighted that it was happening, but it took me so by surprise, I couldn't really make sense of it. I had never focused on playing romantic characters, so I actually felt like it was happening to someone else, and I did not know how to answer for it. \"When people asked me about the experience, I tended to sidestep it. And immediately that became identified as an attempt to shun it. I became, 'The Reluctant Heartthrob.' It's not that I hated it. I just didn't feel like I owned it.\" Never the most savvy careerist, Firth did not follow his Darcy triumph with a fleet of celluloid dreamboats. Instead, he devoted himself to fiber-rich BBC roles (\"Donovan Quick,\" the \"Nostromo\" miniseries) and quirky art-house films (\"Fever Pitch,\" \"My Life So Far\"). Then along came Ms. Jones. Like most British women (and the Americans who caught the hugely popular A&E airing in 1996), \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" author Helen Fielding had a \"Pride and Prejudice\" fixation. So much so, that she based the pompously attractive Mark Darcy character on Firth's version of Mr. Darcy. When the book became a movie, Firth became the 21st-century version of his 19th-century snob. Once again, he was playing a prickly, difficult man, and once again women "}, {"response": 355, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (17:28)", "body": "Thanks to Emma for the Washington Post scans and Karen for getting them up so quickly!:-) Don't you love a man who is down to earth enough to admit he loves dumb movies, and smart enough to use words like leimotif? Sigh . . .:-)"}, {"response": 356, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (17:31)", "body": "(CF) \"I love dumb movies,\" Firth said. \"I think the cinema is a great place for mindless entertainment. It's not just a place of personal expansion and stimulation and education, thank God. It's the place where you go to be taken away somewhere. I think that's very important. I'm a great champion of triviality.\" *Now* you're talking, Colin. Movies have to transport me. And not every movie has to be an Oscar winner!!It's ok to like dumb... K&L, remember?;-) Super article.Thanks Mari."}, {"response": 357, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (17:45)", "body": "For our \"international\" Drooleurs and the cable-deprived, here's a transcript of the BWTA interview with a few screen caps. Sorry, he wasn't smiling much at all. (if anyone can fill in the opening few words, I'd appreciate it, as it missed a nanosecond or two while the recording cogs were engaging. ;-D http://www.firth.com/int/bwta51902.html"}, {"response": 358, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (18:22)", "body": "Karen, you are amazing. Thank you for the screen caps. I missed the opening words too. I almost missed taping the whole beginning as I was caught off guard-pouring a cup of coffee. Mari, thanks for that great article. Looks like ODB has been v.v. busy with interviews. Lounging on a hotel couch in jeans ooh!"}, {"response": 359, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (18:40)", "body": "(Amy) is it proper here to list other sites? Sure, especially those sites that respect and credit their sources. Meluchie's is A-OK. (Lora) Question: Is it okay to ask for a picture at a premiere since it is part of his job vs. a play he attends for leisure? I felt very nervous about it in the first place since it is such an invasion of privacy. The premiere is about as PUBLIC as it gets. Did you not see the pen of photographers? Plus, you can tell Livia is dressed to be photographed despite her choice of bra color. ;-D Thanks Mari and Lynne for the San Diego article. I've emailed 'Keepsie' Cathy in SD about the article and to see what she can do about it. Loved that subtitle re: dimples \"I haven't ever seen an actor who generates the excitement, especially from females, that Colin does,\" says Donald Haber, executive director of the Los Angeles branch of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. And Bafta/LA's coffers are just that much more richer for the experience. ;-D For an actor who has yet to carry a major motion picture on his own, Firth has a rabid and well-heeled female following. They buy his used pillowcases and gently worn sweaters at charity auctions. They attend his talks on behalf of those seeking political asylum. Earlier this month, some fans trekked down from Seattle and Portland for BAFTA/L.A.'s screening of \"Earnest\" and the question-and-answer session that followed. \"...It is quite comical sometimes the length they will go to get into the theater. *snort* You guys have been busted, big time. ;-D \"I get letters from people who think they've got an understanding of what sort of person I am, but it's actually a montage of snippets from interviews and the kinds of things I've chosen to say in public. People want to create an image for the human being behind the part, but that image is not recognizable to me or anybody who knows me.\" Finally!! I feel like putting this is bold face type on the main page. Am ROTFLOL slapping my knee whatever. ;-)))))))))"}, {"response": 360, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (18:46)", "body": "Lora, why can't I find your picture of ODB with the Lora 2002 tatoo?"}, {"response": 361, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (18:52)", "body": "Linda, you will find the tatooed shots here: http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/earnest_nycprem.html I swear to God, I didn't put it intentionally in the same place as either Ernest or Gwendolen's in the movie on the fourth pic. Now if Amy had gotten a butt shot, I could've double-tatooed him. *hee hee*"}, {"response": 362, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (19:04)", "body": "I swear to God, I didn't put it intentionally in the same place as either Ernest or Gwendolen's in the movie on the fourth pic. Now if Amy had gotten a butt shot, I could've double-tatooed him. *hee hee* Sure, sure Karen, I believe you! Butt shots, lounging on hotel couches-yikes-more pleasant dreams tonight!"}, {"response": 363, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (19:06)", "body": "One more thing, Butt shots, next time Amy, butt shots"}, {"response": 364, "author": "airstream", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (19:23)", "body": "Down girls, down! He had a suit jacket on--couldn't have very well asked him to, er, lift it up for me. (There seems to be no other way to type this...digging myself into a huge hole...downward spiral....) Is this the begining of another leitmotif? (word o' the day) Shall I reference you all to the beginning of BJD to satiate you all? ;^)"}, {"response": 365, "author": "airstream", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (19:24)", "body": "Afterthought-- Doesn't Lora have one (sort of) getting into a limo?"}, {"response": 366, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (19:30)", "body": "(Amy) Is this the begining of another leitmotif? No, just the end of a crazy week. I've been in a downward spiral all day! Hey, did anyone have to look up leitmotif?-just asking."}, {"response": 367, "author": "maryw", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (19:43)", "body": "Not a good time to be away when CF is launching a movie - so much to catch up on! But thanks to all who are so prompt and generous in sharing anything and everything about CF. Welcome Sandi! Karen - thanks for thinking of us \"internatinal Drooleurs\" - it is an exercise in imagination dreaming up all that is described on the US television screens. Well - at least we will get \"Today\" down here. I think it starts at 1 am - looks lots of late night/early morning vigil coming up this week. To the other Aussies on the board - if anyone is taping the segment, is it possible to get a copy of it? I am travelling around and will be watching from my hotel rooms so won't be able to record. Please email me offlist - minkee@hotmail.com. Thanks in advance. Mari - love the San Diego Tribune article. Thanks for posting. The voice would be scary, if the face weren't so dimpled. And the discourse would be intimidating, if the man behind it wasn't so bent on making himself clear. This line could launch a thousand sighs. Never the most savvy careerist... Now don't get Mari started...LOL! (Mari), Agree it was awful for people to approach for autographs and pics on his private time. (Moon) I tend to disagree. They are public figures and the privileges go with the duties. It was a social situation. I think most of CF's fans are generally considerate and well-behaved. I tend to agree with Moon. As one who holds such a public career - he is probably prepared to sacrifice a bit of his \"privacy\" in such public situations. Much better that he is recognised (especially when he's got a movie to open) than not."}, {"response": 368, "author": "maryw", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (19:47)", "body": "close tag?"}, {"response": 369, "author": "maryw", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (19:48)", "body": "sorry trying to close again"}, {"response": 370, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (19:57)", "body": "I'm a great champion of triviality.\" Say it isn't so! :-( \"I turned down Mr. Darcy several times. And then a very literate friend said I had to do it, because no one was capable of being as unashamedly unpleasant and unsympathetic as I was. Should we take him at his word? ;-) Thanks for posting it, Mari! And thanks for typing up the BWTA interview, Karen."}, {"response": 371, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (20:05)", "body": "That's one of the best interviews of CF that I've ever read. Thanks, Mari and Lynne! New SAT analogy question: A good mind is to great dimples as a leitmotif is to ......? ;-);-) (CF)But I do think there must be something appealing about a powerful, forbidding figure who becomes warm and loving. But also that the forbidding, snobbish Mr. Darcy learns something and changes for the better because of the words of a powerful and intelligent woman. That's what I think appeals to women and CF does it to perfection. (Amy)They are called \"Blundstone\" boots. v.v.v.good in the rain--the two-tone bit is elastic. I didn't mean to make light of your boots in post # 349. Did you wear them on Monday night because of the rain? Wish we had known then that he had a pair too. You could have started a conversation with them! ;-) (Amy)Doesn't Lora have one (sort of) getting into a limo? I have another as he is about to turn towards the limo from a standing position, but a woman dressed in red walked right in front of him! Gah! Hmmm, how did you know I had another? ;-)"}, {"response": 372, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (20:35)", "body": "Karen, my taping of BWTA ran continuously from the beginning to the end of Colin's interview with HS. I just reviewed the CF interview several times, and from what I read of your transcript you have it all. It was interesting hearing the P&P music played over the collaged \"Earnest\" scenes they showed, wasn't it? It sort of worked for some of them. Made Ernest look like he was pretending to be Darcy too!"}, {"response": 373, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (21:22)", "body": "(CF)And I probably thrive on that. I thrive on being this sort of, you know, as we call it, car boot sale, a garage sale. Not knowing what?s going to show up. You lift this up and something?s underneath it . I find that exhilarating in a way. I like to see what comes. LOL.Know who he reminds me of? Walker Janeway, the flaneur ;-) Boss you little fingers must be worn down to a nub. What a day! The BWTA transcript page looks terrific."}, {"response": 374, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (21:36)", "body": "Time to finally de-lurk and greet you all and thank you for all the information and some great laughs. I've not been around that long, but last week was a great week to be reading over your shoulders. I know none of you but felt a kinship this morning at 7 CDT for BWTA. Also, Karen, thanks first of all for unlocking the door for me and also for the BWTA pictures and transcription, they are wonderful! I don't come totally empty-handed, Biography magazine has a small Spotlight article on ODB I've not seen mentioned here yet (no new info but a picture I've not seen before.) I can type in the text but could as easily scan it if you'd like and can let me know what format to send it in. Thanks again and it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance!"}, {"response": 375, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (22:17)", "body": ""}, {"response": 376, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (22:20)", "body": "Barb!! So glad you're here! The heavens have answered my prayers. Another person who can scan. *Adrenaline kicking in now* [btw, you can send the pic in jpg or gif form to me at nomdedrool@yahoo.com] If you think this is a fun time, catch us on Colin's birthday. ;-D BTW, the San Diego newspaper will be in the mail tomorrow. (Lora) A good mind is to great dimples as a leitmotif is to ......? I'll bite. ...is to muffins. ;-D"}, {"response": 377, "author": "Odile", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (23:09)", "body": "Welcome Sandi & Barb! (CF)\"I get letters from people who think they've got an understanding of what sort of person I am, but it's actually a montage of snippets from interviews and the kinds of things I've chosen to say in public. People want to create an image for the human being behind the part, but that image is not recognizable to me or anybody who knows me.\" True, but between paradoxes, evolving through the decades, and voluntarily \"brouiller les pistes\" (meaning: messing up the tracks), it sure makes for a fun exercise to try to analyze the guy... that is when there are no dimples in sight in public places. :) Plus he spends most of his roles being the guy we try to understand (Valmont, Darcy, Paul Ashworth, Robert Lawrence, etc...), so he should not be surprised that that's what his fans strive to do! For my part, by now I've read enough contradictory statements from him to cure me from advancing theories about him... because in the end, (he's right) I'll never get a chance to test them anyway! :-( Now back to business: on another site I saw a reference to an interview for TIOBE on the film itv site (sorry can't remember the URL), but they seem to be talking to CF v.v. briefly (he actually only gets to say thank you to a gushing interviewer) and then longer to RE and FOC. Was there something else? (I haven't seen this mentioned before here, sorry if it has). If the Valmont DVD from B&N.com was illegal, what is the official word about its release? I had read somewhere (again, must learn to take notes obviously :) ) June. Was that an official word from the studios/production?"}, {"response": 378, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (23:40)", "body": "While it is true that Firth is a handsome man and a first-rate smolderer... Since this is seems to be a general consensus, would love to hear why the writer from the Washington Post seems to be so far off the beaten path...I guess to each her own. \"But every time we have a Q&A with him, we have more people wanting to come. YES! Especially in NY! (that actually take place) It is quite comical sometimes the length they will go to to get into the theater. Maybe because they cancel Q&A's in NY :-/ (Karen) You guys have been busted, big time And I thought I was invisible standing on that flowerpot, sopping wet, head and shoulders above the press. Thanks Karen and Mari for all the interviews! Welcome all newbies from a relative newbie!"}, {"response": 379, "author": "Odile", "date": "Sun, May 19, 2002 (23:44)", "body": "Time to 'fess up with my sources: Marie-Claude on the A&E P&P message board mentioned the site with the TIOBE interview and the link: http://www.fmitv.com/movies.asp?videoid=importance_colinfirth and I got past the chopped problem by switching readers (Windows Media instead of RealPlayer). I liked the \"I sing like a cat\" (if he's like Thomas O'Malley, it sounds good to me ;) ) And the Valmont DVD is shown as upcoming July 2002 for region 1 by meluchie's site (FoF)"}, {"response": 380, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (07:24)", "body": "Well, I have something to report. I know, I find it hard to believe myself. I just got through scanning News headlines from Yahoo and clicked in Entertainment and upon scrolling down, there it was. Big as brass. \"Mr. Darcy Hard To Shake\" Very short article rehashing a bit from one of those above about Swaziland and one other point. Funny though, just below it is another of nearly or the exact same headline. Two articles in a row, one has a pic from last year's BJD opening in London. Both dated May 20th. Still, I was rather pleased to be the first to report such a 'find'. It looks so good to see CF in a headline where you usually get Madonna or Britney Spears! Yep, he's right in there between Robert Blake, the \"Clones\", and Liam Neeson! http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=493&ncid=790&e=1&u=/ap/20020520/ap_en_mo/people_firth_2 http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=529&ncid=762&e=4&u=/ap/20020520/ap_en_mo/people_firth_1 Can you recall CF being a Yahoo headliner before or is this a first???? And, thanks to everyone who has posted these last few days with the multitude of info, articles and pics. I, for one, have really had a great time with it all."}, {"response": 381, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (07:32)", "body": "(Lora) A good mind is to great dimples as a leitmotif is to ......? ...work. ;-) Welcome Barb! If you think this is a fun time, catch us on Colin's birthday. ;-D That's September 10th, so mark your calendars. :-) (Karen) You guys have been busted, big time (Dorine), And I thought I was invisible standing on that flowerpot, sopping wet, head and shoulders above the press. LOL! I was payback time. ;-D"}, {"response": 382, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (07:50)", "body": "Did anyone see Rupie's interview on Today? It just finished. Katie was gushing over Colin. Hee, hee . . .:-)"}, {"response": 383, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (07:57)", "body": "(Mari)Did anyone see Rupie's interview on Today? It just finished. Katie was gushing over Colin. Hee, hee . . .:-) I know! She really included Colin's part in the movie as part of Rupie's interview. Maybe she wants to log in, Karen! ;-) We always thought she was on our team ;-)(heehee)"}, {"response": 384, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (07:57)", "body": "Katie was gushing over Colin. Hee, hee . . .:-) HeeHee indeed! Maybe someone oughta warn Livia before Friday! She may want to escort him into the studio. :) Just what part of the program was it in then Mari??? (Gotta check when it comes on here...around midnight I think.)"}, {"response": 385, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (08:18)", "body": "Lisa, it was just past the 1 1/2 hour point. I am almost positive that Rupe's segment was pre-taped and that Colin's will be too. Hint: Katie is wearing a different outfit for Rupe's interview than she is on the news portion of the program. \"Colin Firth . . . be still my heart . . .I love Colin Firth!\""}, {"response": 386, "author": "maryw", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (08:22)", "body": "Pardon me - rest of Drooleurs, please excuse the next few seconds while I try and catch Lisa's attention just in case she does not read her email..... Lisa - pretty please.... I am in a hotel in Melbourne all week and away from a VCR - if you are still up and can tape the relevant segments of \"Today\" - may I please get a copy from you later?"}, {"response": 387, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (08:24)", "body": "Movies: Wilde at Heart Costume comedy in the grand Miramax tradition By David Ansen NEWSWEEK May 27 issue \ufffd The best moments in Oliver Parker\ufffds screen adaptation of Oscar Wilde\ufffds comedy \ufffdThe Importance of Being Earnest\ufffd are when the movie just sits back and lets Wilde\ufffds supremely witty scenes play. LIKE THE ONE in which the imperious Lady Bracknell (Judi Dench) interrogates Jack Worthing (Colin Firth), who is pleading for her daughter Gwendolen\ufffds (Frances O\ufffdConnor) hand in marriage. \ufffdTo lose one parent, Mr. Worthing, may be regarded as a misfortune,\ufffd she hisses icily upon discovering his orphan status, \ufffdto lose both looks like carelessness.\ufffd The play is A total artifice, built on farcical symmetries: Jack and his ne\ufffder-do-well friend Algernon (Rupert Everett) both have to pretend to be the nonexistent Ernest Worthing, for they have fallen in love with women, Gwendolen and Cecily (Reese Witherspoon), who insist on marrying men of that name. Probability wasn\ufffdt at the top of Wilde\ufffds priorities. Parker, on the other hand, seems afraid that Wilde\ufffds theatricality isn\ufffdt \ufffdcinematic.\ufffd He encourages his cast toward a sotto voce naturalism and slices Wilde\ufffds scenes into fragments, scattering them around the \ufffdreal\ufffd world to open things up. And the drawing-room settings get upgraded Miramax style: grand country estates and chambers worthy of monarchs. When the movie misfires\ufffdin the dreadful \ufffdfantasy\ufffd sequences in which Cecily\ufffds girlish romantic dreams are staged as Pre-Raphaelite tableaux, or the jarring flashback revealing Lady Bracknell\ufffds \ufffdsecret\ufffd past as a chorus girl\ufffdParker just gets in the way, spoiling the rhythm of Wilde\ufffds shapely comic scenes with fussy business. This may be a less than ideal \ufffdEarnest,\ufffd but it still has delights, not least of all Anna Massey\ufffds Miss Prism, Cecily\ufffds dotty tutor, and Tom Wilkinson\ufffds Dr. Chasuble, her clergyman admirer. Firth\ufffds comic timing is subtle and seductive, and plays nicely off Everett\ufffds jaded foppery. Witherspoon is quite at home in the English surroundings, but surprisingly misses much of her character\ufffds humor. You\ufffdd think Lady Bracknell was a role Dench would hit out of the ballpark. She is funny (how could you not be, with these lines?), but she plays her with a severity more befitting her Queen Victoria in \ufffdMrs. Brown.\ufffd I wish she\ufffdd had more fun with the part: she gets Lady B.\ufffds tyrannical side, but neglects her silliness. Wilde, after all, was never more serious than when he was being utterly frivolous. \ufffd 2002 Newsweek, Inc."}, {"response": 388, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (08:25)", "body": "Lisa, it's at the end of the program during the last half hour. Unless Today has an extended hour in Minkeeland. If so, it is in the regular last half hour. Our Today Show hours EST: 7am-9am with an extended hour until about 10am. Rupie was interviewed at about 25 minutes till 9. Hope that helps and isn't too confusing. It was definitely recorded at an earlier date because Katie had on a different outfit. Loved both your answers to the analogy, Karen & Moon. Both answers work very well and yet say something different about him. It just goes to show that it's hard to pin-point his personality ;-). Karen, your page on the BWTA interview is so well done in so little time! How do you do it so quickly? You have it all done and finished before one can say leitmotif! Welcome, Barb!!!"}, {"response": 389, "author": "maryw", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (08:33)", "body": "Lisa, don't worry about my earlier request. Found another solution so I don't have to bother you. But thanks anyway. I'll keep vigil with you tonight/this morning! Enjoy."}, {"response": 390, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (08:34)", "body": "OMG...Minkeee, we have a new VCR that I've never tried to tape from. And, where would the tapes be??? If I have any...would you mind having the interview on a tape with Funny Farm and Coming to America? :))) I'll do my best."}, {"response": 391, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (08:35)", "body": "Whew, good, heart rate is returning to normal."}, {"response": 392, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (08:51)", "body": "Again, the East Coasters beat us to the punch. Shoot, I should've taped Rupe's interview, just to have Katie holding her hand fluttering over her heart and saying \"Be still my heart\" when she mentioned Colin. Oh, baby, I can't wait until Friday. This ought to be great. ;-) Highly recommended viewing, ladies in the western and other time zones on the other side of world. Thanks for posting the Newsweek review, Mari. At this rate, I won't have anything to put on the website, except the nice thing he had to say about Colin's performance. And he's the first to criticize the bit about Lady B's past. But why not the ending revelation? And I don't mean to leave out anyone, even though Sandi has posted on another topic so... Sandi!!"}, {"response": 393, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (09:26)", "body": "British press, picking up on snippets of Colin's printed interviews. Love Ananova's title and how out of context it is. Next headline should probably be: English are repressed and illiterate. ;-D English are repressed, says Bridget Jones star Colin Firth says the English are emotionally repressed. The actor is best known for roles in Bridget Jones's Diary and The English Patient. Firth stars with Judi Dench and Rupert Everett in a new film version of The Importance Of Being Earnest. \"For obvious reasons I tend to do films about English people, and one of the defining features of English people - at least in the mythology we have of English people - is emotional repression,\" he told the Washington Post. The Importance Of Being Earnest is due out in the UK in September."}, {"response": 394, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (09:30)", "body": "But he's often best remembered for his role as Mr. Darcy in the 1995 BBC miniseries \"Pride and Prejudice,\" which was seen by more than 100 million viewers worldwide. Wow!! Not many English actors can top that number for a TV series! Thanks Lisa for bringing us the Yahoo links.*glowing* Barb C'mon you lurkers... y'all come! New folks bring verve and enthusiasm to our board!You don't have to bring news to jump in...just your happy face:-)) Mari, I'm encouraged by the Newsweek review. *dumming fingers..waiting for TIME*"}, {"response": 395, "author": "odessa", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (09:47)", "body": "Like most British women (and the Americans don`t forget me, fixated Finnish girl;) I have seen all kinds of Darcy comments here too, one not so nice was in a K&L review where Leopold/HJ was praised: \"even beats CF`s divine Darcy\"..."}, {"response": 396, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (10:15)", "body": "Exciting news...well, could be...!! Daily Telegraph has a very prominent article on page 3, from the Cannes Film Festival, with huge pics of Gwwyneth Paltrow and her mother. GP is tp lay Sylvia Plath in the BBC's film of her marriage to Ted Hughes. Filming to start in the autumn. Colin Firth and Russell Crowe are being considered for the role of Ted Hughes. It's a long article, must be online."}, {"response": 397, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (10:31)", "body": "HI all again! thanks for making me feel so welcome.... I also have a scanner.... And thanks Barb for the heads up on the biography magazine, received it but had not had a chance to read it yet, but the INSTANT I heard your comment, I grabbed it and scanned it. Who can I send this to so it can be posted? I think it might be an older picture, he has a red TN on. Iam also in the process of getting an ariticle from the LA Times living section from 05/08/2002 which I have not seen yet, will keep you posted."}, {"response": 398, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (10:36)", "body": "(Bethan)Colin Firth and Russell Crowe are being considered for the role of Ted Hughes. Bethan, I'm skipping the candles and the rosaries and fast-forwarding to a group novena for this one. *All faiths welcome.* ;-) Murph assures me that Russell has jobs lined up through, oh, 2009, so we may have a shot at this one. *Praying that shooting of ho-hum-sounding TAG doesn't interfere.*"}, {"response": 399, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (10:48)", "body": "(Mari) Did anyone see Rupie's interview on Today? It just finished. Katie was gushing over Colin. Hee, hee . . .:-) (Lora) She really included Colin's part in the movie as part of Rupie's interview. Katie was way too cute! She's gushing just talking ABOUT him... She'll be a puddle on the floor when he's there! Bet Rupie didn't appreciate how Katie dovetailed that interview right to Colin ;-) Also, did anyone notice an inordinate amount of eyeliner on RE, or was the glare on my TV distorting my picture? Can't wait 'til Friday!"}, {"response": 400, "author": "dalec", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (10:57)", "body": "thanks for all the great articles, really liked the one from the San Diego Union-Tribune. does Ted Hughes fit into Colin's leitmotif of outsiders ?"}, {"response": 401, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (10:59)", "body": "(Dorine) yes I noticed that on RE, the eyeliner... wierd. and can't wait to see Katie interview ODB!! It will be a riot I am sure! you guys are all making me forget about work, could do this 24/7!!"}, {"response": 402, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (11:03)", "body": "Thanks, Sandi, but Barb has scanned the Biography item and I'm going to post it shortly. It is *based* on an old photoshoot, but is not the exact same one that appeared in the June 1997 Vogue, when Colin was profiled to promote A Thousand Acres. This is the red turtleneck shot from when he was filming \"The World of Moss,\" later known as My Life So Far. Here is the full Telegraph article and the url below (you need to register at the site) While it's probably a good thing Lizza is offline for this news, I am thrilled to see Colin's name up there next to RC's. ;-D Will print this off and put it in the \"Rumor/No Go\" file. Paltrow to star as tortured poet Plath in BBC film By Nigel Reynolds, Arts Correspondent in Cannes The short, tragic marriage of the poets Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes, which ended with her suicide at the age of 31, is to be turned into a major feature film starring the Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow. It will be the first time that cinema has explored the painful and tangled relationship, perhaps the most picked-over literary marriage of the 20th century. The film is bound to stir controversy and reopen wounds in the families of both poets. Ted Hughes, who died in 1998 aged 68, discouraged most attempts to dramatise or to pry into episodes from his life. He would almost certainly have resorted to legal action to block any film. Plath, a beautiful, highly-strung American, and Hughes, a dark and difficult English womaniser who was later to become Poet Laureate, fell in love in Cambridge and married in 1956. They had two children but Hughes left her for his mistress, Assia Wevill. In despair, Plath killed herself by putting her head in the gas oven at their flat in north London in February 1963. Her poems and troubled life have turned her into an icon, particularly to American feminists. After her death Hughes suffered many accusations that he was a monster who drove her to suicide. The anger against him intensified when it was discovered that Wevill, whom he later married, also committed suicide by putting her head in a gas oven. Their infant daughter, Shura, also died in the incident. Many Hollywood actresses, including Meg Ryan, have aspired to play Plath. But previous attempts by studios to show her life on screen foundered on Hughes's opposition and because Americans do not like unhappy endings. The new \ufffd7 million project, so far untitled, is to be made by BBC Films and several partners. The producers have approached Nicholas and Frieda Hughes, the children of the marriage who inherited Plath's literary estate after their father's death. It is not thought that they will attempt to block the film. It is probable that Paltrow's mother, the actress Blythe Danner, will play Plath's mother Aurelia. Paltrow, who was desperate [Ed note: crawl through molten lava?] to win the Plath role, is said to be very keen to act with her mother on screen for the first time. The role of Hughes has not yet been cast, although Colin Firth - whose latest film The Importance of Being Earnest has just opened in America - and Russell Crowe are among names being considered. David Thompson, head of BBC Films, said yesterday that the film would be a \"very respectful\" portrait of the marriage, with its highs as well as its lows, seen principally through the eyes of Plath. Mr Thompson was also responsible for the film Iris, about the illness and death of the novelist Iris Murdoch. He said: \"What we don't want from this film is any sense of Hollywood schmaltz. It won't be glossed up for cheap entertainment. Everybody is concerned to do this in a very responsible way that illuminates their lives. \"The story has a terribly sad ending but I think we can show that the marriage had many strong points and that the film can, in a way, be life enhancing.\" Frieda Hughes, a poet who lives in south London, said yesterday: \"I am not commenting. The BBC has informed me but I have no involvement with the project.\" For Paltrow, 29, an Anglophile who is currently in the West End play Proof and who won an Oscar for Shakespeare in Love, playing the tragic poet could be one of the most significant roles of her career. BBC Films announced the plan in a rush at the Cannes Film Festival at the weekend as soon as the actress agreed to star. Shooting will start in the autumn and the BBC hopes that by moving quickly it will kill off four other possible Plath-Hughes films. Mr Thompson said that Paltrow was ideal for the part. \"She has the perfect physical aspects, she's very intelligent and she has the right sort of fragility and vulnerability.\" Hughes has recently emerged in a better light. Shortly before his death he published Birthday Letters, a collection of his poems that showed the depth of his love for Plath over many years. And a new biography of Plath, written by a friend and published this week, claims that Hughes may have wanted to leave his mistress to return to live with his wife. Jillian Becker says in her book, The Last Days o"}, {"response": 403, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (11:07)", "body": "(Dorine) yes I noticed that on RE, the eyeliner... wierd. and can't wait to see Katie interview ODB!! It will be a riot I am sure! you guys are all making me forget about work, could do this 24/7!!"}, {"response": 404, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (11:09)", "body": "(Bethan)Colin Firth and Russell Crowe are being considered for the role of Ted Hughes. (Mari) Murph assures me that Russell has jobs lined up through, oh, 2009, so we may have a shot at this one. OMG!! You *know* Gwynnie will go for Colin. ...incense is going, joss sticks..... * bowing towards the east on my prayer rug* (Sandi) you guys are all making me forget about work, could do this 24/7!! Like I said...welcome to the club;-) Hey, Katie just saying \"Be still my heart\" sent a million people to see \"Earnest\""}, {"response": 405, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (11:10)", "body": "(Dorine) yes I noticed that on RE, the eyeliner... wierd. and can't wait to see Katie interview ODB!! It will be a riot I am sure! you guys are all making me forget about work, could do this 24/7!!"}, {"response": 406, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (11:18)", "body": "Yikes, was refreshing my screen, sorry about the multi posts!"}, {"response": 407, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (11:18)", "body": "Hughes, a dark and difficult English womaniser Well, what has CF been saying about the characters he likes to portray??? Surely those comments weren't a smokescreen to the real man! although Colin Firth - whose latest film The Importance of Being Earnest has just opened in America - and Russell Crowe are among names being considered. Yes yes, RC is considered for anything and everything if they can get him. We all know that. God help us if they add HG's name to the list. If he would just tune in here, there would be an unlimited amount of valuable advice for him to draw from as how to proceed with obtaining this part. But a dark and difficult Englishman seems right up someone's alley. And, he was a Gwynnie connection. Maybe she will insist on a certain co-star! :)))) (And, I don't think the Today show is coming on...it's 2:15 here!)"}, {"response": 408, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (11:24)", "body": "Karen I just ordered the San Diego 05/19 paper, will advise oyu when I get it.."}, {"response": 409, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (11:54)", "body": ""}, {"response": 410, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (12:03)", "body": ""}, {"response": 411, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (12:05)", "body": "That pic is a variation on one we've seen, but I like this one much better. *Running mouse over that cleft in his chin.* Thanks, Barb and Karen. And a warm welcome to all our newbies! But previous attempts by studios to show her life on screen foundered on Hughes's opposition and because Americans do not like unhappy endings. Yes, in the American version, Sylvia sticks her head in the oven, but sets it on \"Hold Warm.\" Ted arrives home from a hard day of writing poetry, and is alarmed at the scene before him. However, Sylvia emerges from the oven freshly coiffed; seems it was an economical way to dry her hair. Sylvia finally convinces that gosh-darned Ted to give her more allowance money for a proper hairdresser! Tune in next week for more adventures from these wacky kids in \"Sylvia Slashes Her Wrists.\" \"Golly, Ted, I only did it 'cause it felt so good when I stopped!\" ;-)"}, {"response": 412, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (12:05)", "body": "Helpful Hint: Unlike message boards, you can't Refresh or Reload to get new messages. In fact, if you've posted a message, it will do it again. In order to see if there are new, hilarious and educational entries, you need to reenter the topic via the url--either go to the main Drool page: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/drool/all/new to see which topics have new messages or hit the current url [enter key] in the location box at the top. [I give up trying to get all the !@#$$% tags right!!] Here's the Biography pic, courtesy of Barb, and the text, usual bio stuff: Claim to Fame The reserve, refined British actor became the obsession of millions of American fans as dashing Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth Bennett's [sic] aloof but honorable love interest in the 1995 A&E miniseries Pride and Prejudice. \"I can't understand it,\" he marveled. \"I've never tried harder not to be sexy in my life.\" Current Role Learns the importance of being honest in The Importance of Being Earnest, a film adaptation of Oscar Wilde's comedy of manners and mistaken identity. Firth plays Jack Worthing, whose use of the sincere-sounding pseudonym Ernest gets him in absurd trouble. Prominent Parts Moved into modern roles in last year's hit comedy Bridget Jones's Diary, playing Mark Darcy, the title character's aloof but honorable love interest. Portrayed a Nazi bureaucrat in Conspiracy, an HBO film about the planning of the \"final solution.\" Appeared in two Best Picture Oscar winners: 1996's The English Patient (as Kristin Scott Thomas' cuckolded aristocrat husband and '98's Shakespeare in Love (as Gwyneth Paltrow's malevolent aristocrat fianc\ufffd). Portrayed the amoral title character in Valmont, Milos Forman's oft-overlooked 1989 film version of Dangerous Liaisons. Beginnings Born September 10, 1960, in Grayshott, Hampshire, England, to a history professor dad and religion professor mum. Spent his early years in Nigeria, where his parents taught. He returned home at around age 3 and warmed up to acting while playing Jack Frost in a Christmas skit. After high school, he enrolled at the prestigious Drama Centre acting school. Spotted in its production of Hamlet, he was hired to replace Rupert Everett (his Earnest co-star) in the play Another Country. Breakthrough: the 1984 film version. Home Front Lives in London with wife Livia, a film producer; they have a 15-month-old son. Also has an 11-year-old son by Valmont co-star Meg Tilly. Modesty Becomes Him \"I have a kind of neutrality, physically, which has helped me. I have a face that can be made to look a lot better-or a lot worse.\""}, {"response": 413, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (12:14)", "body": "re the Telegraph article and the possibility of Colin playing Ted Hughes (fingers crossed), I wonder if it was discussed when Colin went to see GP in Proof at the weekend, well you never know!!"}, {"response": 414, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (12:19)", "body": "(CF) I can't understand it,\" he marveled. \"I've never tried harder not to be sexy in my life.\" That's the key, Colin! Don't work it! I like this pic better, too. Ooooo...those eyes, that stare...the cleft, that hair!!!!! Oh God! I hear a cold shower beckoning..... ;-D"}, {"response": 415, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (12:30)", "body": "Oh, I LOVE that picture! Thanks to Karen and Barb! The role of Hughes has not yet been cast, although Colin Firth - whose latest film The Importance of Being Earnest has just opened in America - and Russell Crowe are among names being considered. He better NOT blow that one. (Lisa), If he would just tune in here, there would be an unlimited amount of valuable advice for him to draw from as how to proceed with obtaining this part. Very wise words."}, {"response": 416, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (12:35)", "body": "Welcome Barb! Thanks everyone for the articles today. I have only been gone a few hours this morning and I can't believe how much I missed. Wanted to post after RE's interview. I immediately thought after the hand to the chest gesture, that Katie should be posting here. She would fit in so perfectly. Remember to watch her feet when she interviews CF. She was flirty with HG last week, but the feet were still. Mari, when are you starting the group novena? I'm in."}, {"response": 417, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (12:46)", "body": "You're all very welcome on the pic, I was just glad my husband did not wake up at 12:30 am to find me scanning it in. The only reason I was that late anyway was because I was catching up on Drool fic -- it would just be harder and harder to explain! He's been amazingly tolerant, even to the point of bemoaning the loss of an old pair of riding boots he had, but can't push my luck. ANYWAY -- on that note, thanks for posting the picture here Karen, I have to say, coming on it unaware here had almost the same effect as at home! (Though probably more dangerous as I'm at work now!)"}, {"response": 418, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (12:49)", "body": "Welcome Sandra and Barb. LOL at Katie this morning. Loved the \"Be still mu heart, excuse me, I love Colin Firth.\" From the look on Rupert's face i wouldn't say he was too pleased."}, {"response": 419, "author": "airstream", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (12:56)", "body": "Dorine, it seems that you are a bit of a poet....\"Those eyes, that stare...the cleft, that hair\". How suddenly highbrow we have all become, especially with the introduction of 'flaneur\" courtesy of Evelyn. Lora--no offence with the boots! People make fun of my choice of footwear all the time (HA). And I did have them on that night....how did you know?;) It seems lately that Russell Crowe has been getting bad press due to his bad behavior. Maybe this will work in Colin's favor. So much to comment on.....!"}, {"response": 420, "author": "airstream", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (12:59)", "body": "BTW, did anyone nothice that all of a sudden the listing for E!'s red carpet show for today 5/20 is gone? Now it list's SNL?"}, {"response": 421, "author": "airstream", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (13:00)", "body": ""}, {"response": 422, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (13:08)", "body": "LOL, Barb! We're going to have to call you the Midnight Scanner. Gee, Mari, I'd pay 'ready money' to see the American version of Sylvia's life. But I'm thinking maybe it would be better in a teen/high school setting. I'm thinking, Virgin Suicides meets I Love Lucy. ;-D"}, {"response": 423, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (13:12)", "body": "(Lucie) From the look on Rupert's face i wouldn't say he was too pleased Yes, I noticed that, too! (Amy) Dorine, it seems that you are a bit of a poet.... I seem to be finding all kinds of new facets to my personality in the past week. (Amy) It seems lately that Russell Crowe has been getting bad press due to his bad behavior. Maybe this will work in Colin's favor. Good point, but unfortunately RC is still yet another \"more bankable\" actor."}, {"response": 424, "author": "airstream", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (13:22)", "body": "Russell Crowe....pah. BTW, I didn't see 'Today\" today (sniff) but in other pics of RE (especially on the ifilm website clips), it seemed to me that it looked as if he had had some (wink) 'work done'...i.e. some touching up around the eye area. Could this be a reason he hasn't been seen much around lately? (how many puns can I get in here?!)"}, {"response": 425, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (13:34)", "body": "Hello everyone! I can't tell you how happy I am to have found this place!!! Much thanks to Karen for helping me get started here. I thought I was the only person in the world who has a borderline obsession with ODB, but I see I have lots of company. Will be posting more in the future, I'm sure!!"}, {"response": 426, "author": "firthfetish", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (13:37)", "body": "Ok Dorine....how did you read my mind about the cold shower thing?? >: )~ Gorgeous pic....*sigh*"}, {"response": 427, "author": "firthfetish", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (13:40)", "body": "Waves at moonstar! *waves* Glad ta see ya here...and no, you are NOT alone!"}, {"response": 428, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (13:47)", "body": "Hi ya' Moonstar!"}, {"response": 429, "author": "dalec", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (14:18)", "body": "(amy) Russell Crowe....pah. i just remembered something about Russell Crowe. one of those entertainment shows did a piece on him. apperently he has gained alot of weight recently and has to lose at least 20-30 lbs for his next movie, whatever he has lined up next. i taped Today just in case there was a colin mention. can't wait to see it tonight."}, {"response": 430, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (14:37)", "body": "I think this is new. Video interviews with the cast. Enjoy! http://www.hollywood.com/multimedia/detail/media/1109104"}, {"response": 431, "author": "airstream", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (14:51)", "body": "Got this week's \"New York\" magazine today--TIOBE only showing at 2 theaters in NYC. It is also listed with no star being that is is \"too broadly directed...\" but the cast, \"which includes...Colin Firth...is excellent\". Maybe the Today show will help. Belated welcome to all the newer lurkers (than me). There are too many to mention! Good going!"}, {"response": 432, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (15:07)", "body": "Mari, thank you for the video interview. Welcome, moonstar-keep your seatbelt fastened, it's going to be another bumpy week. I already posted about Katie Couric's interview. I went back and watched again, she also looks like she lost her breath a little when she mentions her love for Colin. I agree, too, that RE did look like his eyeliner got a little out of joint with her comment. I don't think it phased Katie in the least."}, {"response": 433, "author": "airstream", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (16:12)", "body": "Karen--I am sending you a new article. (aren't you glad? HA) :)"}, {"response": 434, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (16:12)", "body": "The 2 pictures from the SD newspaper are: CF as JW, actually if you had seen the Today's show interview w/ RE, the snippet they showed had what was probably the CF still that was shown in the paper ... very elegant, manly, mmmmm... CF & FO'C embracing or just about to, I'm pretty sure it's when she goes to his estate Sorry, don't have a scanner."}, {"response": 435, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (16:20)", "body": "(lindak) I don't think it phased Katie in the least. That's because she was too busy thinking about her interview w/ Colin. :) Ya know there's no way she'll let Matt get that interview. Hee, hee. If I were her, I would have been shouting MINE MINE MINE as soon as they booked him."}, {"response": 436, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (16:52)", "body": "LOL, Barb! We're going to have to call you the Midnight Scanner. Yeah, and you can sing it to the Rolling Stones' Midnight Rambler. ;-) Welcome moonstar! Thanks, Mari!"}, {"response": 437, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (17:50)", "body": "One of our MIA Droolers in San Diego is mailing the newspaper to me today, but what is truly hysterical is that I just got an email from the woman who wrote it and she told me that she'd done a lot of her research at The Bucket's article archives. Is there anything you'd like me to ask her?"}, {"response": 438, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (18:07)", "body": "LOL!!! Cast Party on VH1! Imitation of Colin kissing!! ROTFLOL slapping my knee and whatever I can find!!!!!"}, {"response": 439, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (18:27)", "body": ""}, {"response": 440, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (18:31)", "body": "Moon!! Have you been channeling Rupe! Boy, was he going after Colin's kissing. Said was like a chicken pecking. What a riot!"}, {"response": 441, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (18:34)", "body": "Is there anything you'd like me to ask her? Ask her if he looks at his websites, and in particular has he ever seen yours? Ask her for the notes of stuff she didn't use for the article. VH1 Cast Party is a riot!! Rupie accuses Colin of wearing a lace jock strap. that's about the level of discourse. This is the first time I think I've seen Colin laughing out loud spontaneously. Must-see TV!"}, {"response": 442, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (18:37)", "body": "I've been reading lots of past posts and am surprised that all you rabid CF fans missed this: I saw Spiderman a couple of weeks ago, and as I was leaving, looked up at the closing credits, and stopped so fast I caused a traffic pile up behind me. Credited as one of the children was an actor named William Joseph Firth.... Hello??!!! Another actor in the family?? Or perhaps I'm wrong???"}, {"response": 443, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (18:48)", "body": "Moon, I think RE has been lurking around here. I was waiting for him to mention to Colin that he would be getting a video of kissing instructions for his birthday. Pecking like a chicken? Hilarious. However being pecked by CF might just be \"perfectly delightful\" Glad to see ODB more talkative and relaxed since the BJD cast party. I noticed that he never really answered questions directed to him-except for the music ones."}, {"response": 444, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (18:58)", "body": "OH OH OH....we don't get that show here. I'm sure about that! #@$*!#& Damn! Watch it if he was answering music questions, I remember an old thread I read about his musical tastes! Sorry, I cannot think clearly, have just viewed most gorgeous man smoldering wickedly in a *sigh* red turtleneck. I have my own ideas what's in his head. **gets down on her knees** Thank you for scanning and posting it! Karen, well done, The Bucket being rumaged through for articles. I'd like you to ask her where your nod of appreciation was as the source of information. :))) Now, I have to nap as I foolishly stayed up until 3am trying to find the Today show!"}, {"response": 445, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (19:00)", "body": "(Karen), Moon!! Have you been channeling Rupe! Boy, was he going after Colin's kissing. Said was like a chicken pecking. What a riot! (Linda), Moon, I think RE has been lurking around here. I was waiting for him to mention to Colin that he would be getting a video of kissing instructions for his birthday. Well... I hope he's learned something! LOL! I haven't seen it yet, but Lora is taping it and I will see it tomorrow! Waving at Rupe. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ :-D *smoosh* (moonstar), Credited as one of the children was an actor named William Joseph Firth.... Interesting. I think you've discovered something."}, {"response": 446, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (19:02)", "body": "Karen, I like Mari's questions. Also, has anyone asked him about the end?"}, {"response": 447, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (19:25)", "body": "OMG, I'm dieing. Cast Party was too good. The imitation of CF's kissing, thought I would die. Trying to get dinner, feed DH and son, and watch, it just is not fair. Was not ready with video tape, ended up sacrificing old children's Duck Tails video to get some of it on tape (he'll never notice it's missing!) Some lovely, unguarded, laugh-out-loud-full-dimple smiles. Some great lines. Not sure, is it ok to share openly or are some still waiting to see it? (Don't want to spoil it for anyone!) Menfolk are gone to Boy Scouts, house to myself, think I'll go watch it again!"}, {"response": 448, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (19:48)", "body": "Now, in fairness to Colin, Moon;-) the context was the scene where Jack is almost kissing Gwen before telling her they must get married. He *claims* he was only following directions.:-) How about the goofing around about the makeup? Too funny. \"He came out looking like Bette Davis in Elizabeth I.\" LOL! Don't want to say too much and spoil it. Barb and anyone who missed taping, it will be repeated a few times this week, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, I think. Check the VH-1 website. Karne, ask the Post lady if she really and truly did not find Colin handsome. If she says yes, ask her if she's a dyke.;-) Seriously, ask her how she'd compare him to other actors she's interviewed--easier, more difficult, about the same, more or less forthcoming, etc. Also, ask her if there was anything he refused to answer. Ask her how the interview came about; what gave her the impetus to interview him. Ahhh, just ask her to log in here.;-)"}, {"response": 449, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (19:52)", "body": "(moonstar), Credited as one of the children was an actor named William Joseph Firth... It's possible. His stepfather (or ex-stepfather) is head of Sony Studios, and Spider Man is a Sony film."}, {"response": 450, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (20:02)", "body": "(Mari) Ask her if he looks at his websites, and in particular has he ever seen yours? That would be interesting to know, but.....on the other hand I like the mystery sometimes of not knowing. Karen, how about asking if she started making up questions just to keep him there when she'd finished asking all the ones she planned ;-) (Lisa) Watch it if he was answering music questions, I remember an old thread I read about his musical tastes! On first viewing I caught Coldplay and Ryan Adams (not Bryan Adams). RE said Coldplay first if I'm not mistaken and he went along with that. Reese seemed quite clueless with this question. Other observations: They all seemed quite stiff until about halfway through when they seemed more relaxed and interactive. Possible reasons for more relaxed manner: 1. People sitting in giant bed in the other room told them to lighten up and pretend they're having fun...Acting! 2. Finished off that wine they were drinking 3. Finished off that case of leftover champagne they bought for the crew (who didn't show up) after wrapping the movie....couldn't let it go to waste! My sad first attempt at a list...help me if you can :-}"}, {"response": 451, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (20:05)", "body": "(Mari) If she says yes, ask her if she's a dyke.;-) LOL!!!!!!! Was kind of curious about that, too ;-D"}, {"response": 452, "author": "airstream", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (20:08)", "body": "Ask her for the contact sheets from her interview. She owes you that at least!"}, {"response": 453, "author": "airstream", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (20:14)", "body": "Was watching the Oxygen station. There was an ad for \"The Importance of Being a Woman\" which was somehow a tie-in with TIOBE. They showed a clip and interviews. I can't figure the connection...yet!"}, {"response": 454, "author": "airstream", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (20:18)", "body": "Please ask for the contact sheets. I'll let it go now....."}, {"response": 455, "author": "iluvdarcy1", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (20:47)", "body": "OK, The only coment I have from the VH1 Cast Party is: Was Rypert a little excited at the thought of Colin in a Lace Jockstrap? He really was sending Colin a lot of Zingers and poor Colin seemed unable to defend himself because of laughing. Poor FOC didn't get much air time IMO but I think she's lovely. RE and RW seem like the best of friends. They say Colin has no manners. Would never thought that. His smile is like sunshine though!! Very happy woman here. DH taped it for me while I was out. Think he's come to terms with my unrequited lust....as long as its unrequited (a girl can dream, and he does like size 12s)."}, {"response": 456, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (20:56)", "body": "On first viewing I caught...Ryan Adams (not Bryan Adams).... got that tag... Most definitely not! Squares very well with Townes VanZandt, too. Couldn't tell you who or what about that other band, but Ryan Adams is fabulous IMO, both in Whiskeytown and after. Check him out, beautiful 'alt-country' stuff. Heh, I'll bet I own a stack of CDs that would grab his ears. And should I ever encounter him, I have a rock solid line of chat! I missed the VH1 thing (tied up at work) so appreciate the info on the reruns."}, {"response": 457, "author": "airstream", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (22:08)", "body": "Ryan Adams/Whiskeytown/Coldplay....v.cool.glad to hear it wasn't Celine Dion. To bad no one mentioned Neil Finn..... VH1 repeats: Tuesday 5/21 @4:30pm and Friday 5:30pm (double check though)"}, {"response": 458, "author": "Odile", "date": "Mon, May 20, 2002 (23:00)", "body": "I second Amy's dates and add one more; Saturday 1:30pm (all those are east coast time - I get them 4 hours earlier so check in your local TV guide). I don't have cable, but this one seems worth it to me: I called up yet another friend and exposed this ODB obsession some more... (obviously could not call back the other cable-owning friends I've bothered before ;-0 )"}, {"response": 459, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (07:14)", "body": "I just saw Colin interviewed on BBC America's Talking Movies show with Tom Brook. Wearing a gray collarless shrt and dark jacket and looking incredible. Talks about the Darcy effect, getting offered more roles for \"smoldering people,\" etc. This show is repeated a number of times this week; check your local listings! Jennie, I'm wondering if this is the same interview yhou saw onthe BBC."}, {"response": 460, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (07:14)", "body": "I just saw Colin interviewed on BBC America's Talking Movies show with Tom Brook. Wearing a gray collarless shrt and dark jacket and looking incredible. Talks about the Darcy effect, getting offered more roles for \"smoldering people,\" etc. This show is repeated a number of times this week; check your local listings! Jennie, I'm wondering if this is the same interview you saw onthe BBC."}, {"response": 461, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (07:16)", "body": "Sorry 'bout the repeat. Anyway, I'll use this space to say that there is a new interview in today's Newsday also. When we hit the dog days of next winter and there's nothing Firthwhile going on, somebody slap me when I complain.;-)"}, {"response": 462, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (07:34)", "body": "LOL, Mari! At least I'm here and not in Italy to catch it all! (Mari), Now, in fairness to Colin, Moon;-) the context was the scene where Jack is almost kissing Gwen before telling her they must get married. He *claims* he was only following directions.:-) Fairness? There's more to this than we know. Sorry but he's got a portfolio dating back quite a few movies, Mari. ;-) (Amy), To bad no one mentioned Neil Finn..... I love Neil Finn. But why did you bring that up? Has Colin mentioned Neil before?"}, {"response": 463, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (09:22)", "body": "(Mari)there is a new interview in today's Newsday also. You mean this one? \"Mr. Darcy' Hard to Shake for Firth\" http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/wire/sns-ap-people-firth0520may20.story That was a wire story yesterday...even hit my little rural newspaper...front page.LOL Hey...this guy is goin for it...big time!Way to go Colin!"}, {"response": 464, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (09:30)", "body": "OK You're right Mari...another new one today in Newsday. http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/printedition/ny-p2page32714528may21.story?coll=ny%2Dentertainment%2Dprint"}, {"response": 465, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (09:49)", "body": "Here it is: Firth Class In England, he's a man for all reasons By Steve Dollar Steve Dollar is a Brooklyn-based freelance movie and music writer. May 21, 2002 There will always be an England, and as long as there is, there also will be a Colin Firth. He may not have the stateside profile of his sometime co-star Hugh Grant (who rivaled him for Renee Zellweger's affections in \"Bridget Jones's Diary\"). He may not command the hipster regard of Rupert Everett, or have roared in simian drag as Tim Roth did in \"Planet of the Apes.\" And he hasn't registered, as has Ralph Fiennes, as the emotionally tormented romantic lead in any sweeping Hollywood epic du jour. What Firth does, however, he does better and more specifically than any of his peers. Between his earliest roles - in crumpet-laden Merchant-Ivory fare such as \"Another Country\" - and more recent splashes, including an award- winning turn in the BBC adaptation of \"Pride and Prejudice,\" Firth has become a repository for certain notions about English manhood. That's consistent, whether it's the iconic appeal of those \"mutton- chop sideburns flying through the air,\" as the London-based Observer noted of his Mr. Darcy, or his tight-lipped portrayal of that other Darcy, wriggling loose of upper- crust decorum to chase Bridget Jones. Mention this to Firth - who is amiable and talkative over fresh cups of coffee in a hotel suite with one of those ridiculously postcard- like vistas of Central Park - and he has to laugh. He can't pretend otherwise, even though he scarcely comes to it naturally. No sniffy blueblood, he was born in Africa and spent major chunks of his formative years roaming the globe with his peripatetic family. Strange factoid: He attended junior high school in St. Louis. True Brit? No, true actor. \"That Mr. Darcy stuff does nothing for me whatsoever,\" says Firth, who is 40, and lives in London with his wife, Italian filmmaker Livia Guiggoli. \"We're all English but we're not particularly focused on England as a family. And for me to come to represent to English people a kind of quintessential mythological Englishman - which really does not exist outside that mythology - is ironic. And great, because I suppose I latched onto that as an identity, because I wanted to have that to get me somewhere, at quite a young age. And I was shocked, because I didn't really expect that to be the way to go. It was a very profitable thing.\" And continues to be so, as Firth takes the lead role in a bubbly screen version of Oscar Wilde's aristocratic farce, \"The Importance of Being Earnest\" (which opens tomorrow in Manhattan, adds more theaters on Friday and rolls out wider on May 31). There's a twist, though. Firth, perhaps given a boost by \"Bridget Jones,\" has begun to indulge his funnybone. \"What's interesting about Colin now is he has a new kind of confidence,\" says \"Earnest\" producer Barnaby Thompson. \"Early on he was stuck in straight roles. But he has a twinkle - a very sly comic timing that comes out of a truthful manner. The obvious actor to compare him with is Grant, who is very funny but much more flip. With Colin you find it comes more from the soul.\" That element lends some crucial underlying gravity to \"Earnest,\" whose ensemble cast - Dame Judi Dench, Reese Witherspoon, Rupert Everett, Tom Wilkinson and Frances O'Connor - seems psychically attuned to a perfect comic pitch. But one that is deceptively delicate. \"How would you sell this?\" Firth asks, revealing part of what, besides working with director Oliver Parker, aroused his interest. \"You can't really. This guy lives in the country, and he's got this girl - not his daughter - who he kind of looks after, and he goes to town and changes his name when he's in town and meets this other guy, his friend in town who does the same thing. He wants to marry the daughter of a woman who is this dragon. You can't tell it. It doesn't have that kind of plot where you can sell it in a nutshell. \"The texture of it, this is inviolate,\" Firth continues. \"You can interpret it to death, it's a very substantial play. But it's all very elusive, and all in the playing of it and all in the language. If those moments don't work scene by scene, the whole thing is going to collapse.\" Despite his evident pleasure in partaking of the sporting verbal frolic that is \"Earnest,\" which Firth claims was laugh-from-the-gut funny enough to impress even his 19-year-old brother-in-law, the actor continually hankers for a drama. In fact, he uses words such as \"hankering\" to emphasize his desire in this department. Until one comes along, however, he's enjoying family life. Yet, as suits a fellow who's made a career implying all manner of complexities jostling behind a crisp veneer, life is not as simple as mere enjoyment. \"I'm as close as you can get to a bourgeois life,\" he concedes, passing on a second coffee refill. \"I have a stable marriage and a new baby and a car and a nice house. I have all that in place. I don't get to be in that house"}, {"response": 466, "author": "maryw", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (09:50)", "body": "Welcome newbies and de-lurkers!!! and thanks once again for all those who shower us with info. Lisa - I was a traitor to the cause last night. Too tired from travelling, fell asleep and missed Today. Are you saying that I did not miss anything after all? Too sad if that's the case. ;-(( Thanks for heads up, Mari re BBC Taling Movies - now to translate that to Minkeeland times : On Foxtel - Talking Movies is on BBCWorld at 5.30 AM (yes, AM - as in dawn) today Wednesday , 22 May. Repeats on : Friday 24th May at 02.30; 17.30 and 23.30 and Saturday 25th May at 14.30 The BBCWorld write up : Talking Movies This week on Talking Movies\ufffd Christopher Nolan follows up his critically acclaimed film Memento with the new crime thriller, Insomnia starring Al Pacino, Robin Williams and Hilary Swank. With a stellar cast and a talented director, can Insomnia be anything but a hit? Find out from Tom Brook. Richard Gere, Diane Lane and Olivier Martinez turn up the heat in director Adrian Lyne\ufffds - Fatal Attraction, 9\ufffd Weeks - new adultery drama Unfaithful. Talking Movies catches up with the stars at the film\ufffds NYC premiere and Laura Metzger brings you up to speed on Lyne\ufffds latest work. Colin Firth jumps back into a period drama with his starring role in the The Importance of Being Ernest - a tale of mistaken identity based on the Oscar Wilde play and directed by Oliver Parker. Tom Brook sits down with the actor to discuss this latest role and his reputation as a handsome on-screen hunk. The independent feature 13 Conversations About One Thing uses shifting time sequences and intersecting stories to examine the impact strangers have on one another. With an ensemble cast that boasts among others, Matthew McConaughey, Clea Duvall, John Turturro this film asks the fundamental question: what makes us happy? Get the details when Laura Metzger talks to the stars."}, {"response": 467, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (10:11)", "body": "Tom Brook sits down with the actor to discuss this latest role and his reputation as a handsome on-screen hunk. Oh, sounds like \"Must See TV\" to me. When are the repeat times in the US. Maybe I'll just drive over to sister's house where they get BBC America, with videotape carefully concealed in a haaaaaaaaaandbag. Getting back to that Cast Party, were there torrential showers that day in NY? Flooding in the streets? Must have been the reason for the high water pants Colin was wearing. *slap me* No, he's worn them before! Apartment Zero, Femme Fatale, vacuum cleaner shopping.... Am going to replay the credits at end. It must have been somebody's job to deal with wardrobe and makeup issues who was asleep at the wheel, and he/she needs to be severely chastised."}, {"response": 468, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (10:16)", "body": "(Sandi) I am also in the process of getting an ariticle from the LA Times living section from 05/08/2002 which I have not seen yet, will keep you posted. That should be the article about the fans who traveled from near and far to attend Colin's Q&A at the Bafta/LA screening of TIOBE. The article (sent to me by Marianne) was posted here and the pics are up at The Bucket's \"In the Public Eye\" page, at the bottom, under the premiere stuff."}, {"response": 469, "author": "tamzin", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (10:29)", "body": "Mari asks: I just saw Colin interviewed on BBC America's Talking Movies show with Tom Brook. Wearing a gray collarless shrt and dark jacket and looking incredible. Talks about the Darcy effect, getting offered more roles for \"smoldering people,\" etc. This show is repeated a number of times this week; check your local listings! Jennie, I'm wondering if this is the same interview you saw onthe BBC. Yes Mari, I'm pretty sure it's the same interview. In any case he is wearing the same clothes and looking incredible. Wonder whether you have any extras on your version though, ours was pretty short. Whilst writing thanks to everyone for their experiences at the NY premiere, all the pictures and the articles that have been posted. What an amazing couple of weeks we have been having."}, {"response": 470, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (10:37)", "body": "Incredible reports here lately! And my contribution, you ask? Well, Amazon just wrote me to say that Secret Garden has just been released on DVD. They must not realize that this is the last CF film I want to own :-) Maybe it's a sign that FF or WoF are soon to be released! AZ? Playmaker?"}, {"response": 471, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (10:44)", "body": "I too just saw the interview on BBCamerica, and it is listed again in an hour. I will check it out to see if it is the same interview again and let you all know. Karen, I saw your comment about tags, am I entering my comments correctly? I do not have a great knowledge of HTML, but do know some basics. Let me know if I am leaving something open."}, {"response": 472, "author": "firthfetish", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (10:59)", "body": "Did I hear someone say Neil Finn?? I am such a HUGE Neil/Crowded House/Split Enz fan! Oh to think Colin and I could like some of the same music...*swoon*."}, {"response": 473, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (11:01)", "body": "TIOBE review from People (5/16/02) Oscar Wilde's 1895 comedy unfolds in a world in which the oxygen has been pumped out and a lighter, dizzying element pumped in. The plot -- something to do with two Victorian playboys, a terrifying pillar of society named Lady Bracknell and a baby in a handbag -- is close to Dada, and the dialogue pings back and forth in a volley of arch, nonsensical epigrams. (\"All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That's his.\") It's brittle fluff. Not something Oliver Stone would want to get his mitts on. Instead Earnest has been adapted and directed by another Oliver, surname Parker, who does plenty of rough damage on his own. Parker jollies things up, doling out the play's action into a number of randy period settings, including a gambling club -- and a tattoo parlor! Even with a cast as sharp as Everett as ne'er-do-well Algernon Moncrieff, Witherspoon as moony young Cecily Cardew and Dench as Lady Bracknell, the performances blur in the hurly-burly. (PG) Bottom Line: Misguided walk on the Wilde side."}, {"response": 474, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (11:07)", "body": "Karen and everyone, here's the Talking Movies schedule for US. I couldn't get a tape in fast enough, so hopefully they're showing the same episode tonight! Talking Movies airs Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30, 7:30, and 9:30 am/et, and 12:30 and 6:30 pm/et, and Fridays at 6:30 pm/et. You can view the current show at the bbcamerica.com website--but I have no idea how long it would take to download."}, {"response": 475, "author": "firthfetish", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (11:10)", "body": "Ok...I just have to say that after reading Dorine's report I am total jelly...and it didn't even happen to me! : ) How you remained so calm I'll never know...but I certainly bow to your greatness *grins*"}, {"response": 476, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (11:17)", "body": "Cindy Adams, again, in today's NY Post: Reese Witherspoon on attending the Oscars: \"Five people got me ready. One did hair, another makeup, another chose the dress. I take no credit. I just showered and showed up. All I did was pick the soap.\" . . . Rupert Everett on his future aspirations: \"Actually, I'd really like to go on Dolly Parton's tour bus.\" . . . Colin Firth on his rendering a song in \"The Importance of Being Earnest\": \"Its real importance is releasing my singing voice to the world.\""}, {"response": 477, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (11:21)", "body": "The Toronto Star picked up on the Washington Post story, and today publishes a piece of it, weirdly focusing on The Department of Nothing. It's called \"Firth's Foray Into Writing\", won't type it up as it is basically the same as the WP thing. No picture. Managed to get in a 'IOBE opening Friday' and a AAB reference in to it, also spelt Hugh Grant's name wrong though."}, {"response": 478, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (11:53)", "body": "Mari, thanks for the heads-up on times for BBC America. Colin looked great. I'll pop the tape into the vcr in my office and try to trasncribe it."}, {"response": 479, "author": "iluvdarcy1", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (12:14)", "body": "Just checked BBCAmerica website and downloaded Talking Movies for this week and all they had on it was Star Wars. Downloads pretty quickly though on a 56k modem. Will try to catch the show tonight. Thanks for the heads up."}, {"response": 480, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (12:56)", "body": "BBCAmerica, Talking Movies TB introduced the interview by saying that TIOBE is counter-programming against the Star Wars movie. {ed: something for the nursing home crowd?} [clip of CF telling FO'C that he doesn't much care about the name of Ernest; then other clips while TB gives a brief summary of the characters and plot.] TB: [voiceover about TIOBE] It was subversive then, and Firth thinks Wilde's observations still have currency and remain subversive today. CF: I think that a lot of Oscar Wilde's essential points of view would still be considered dangerous now. He believed that esthetics were more important than morality... that uh, you know, he said quite explicitly, and he wasn't being paradoxical here, he said that a sense of color was more important to human development than a sense of right and wrong. And that's not something that a lot of people would want their teachers to tell their children. So I think that, actually, he still is... he still does have an edge. [clip of CF declaring \"Mother! more bits of the film, with TB talking about modernizing the play; mention of RW as only American in cast, there to bring in literature-phobic American audience (my words, not TB's)] TB [voiceover]: But, for Colin Firth, it is another period drama, which brings back memories of his defining role as the brooding leading man Mr. Darcy [show B&W shot of Darcy] in the TV series \"Pride and Prejudice.\" TB: Because of some of the roles you've done in the past, I suppose most notably \"Pride and Prejudice,\" people often think of you as this smoldering, handsome hunk. [cut to CF who has neutral expression on face at the smoldering bit] Has that been a help or a hinderance to the kind of roles that you've got? CF: [smiling] I don't know. It's probably, because you can't know what would have been otherwise. Um, it's helped me get more scripts sent to me where the requirement is for a smodering person. And it's possibly diverted my career from things that might have been interesting otherwise. It's a really impossible thing to judge. I don't regret anything. And in fact, ah, I've been quietly diversifying. I don't know if anyone has particularly noticed [smiles] but I've, I have been doing things that are different. People tend to remember me for things which are similar to what's gone before, but it's never really been my problem. TB: [voiceover behind TIOBE clip, then BJD clip of shooting the rowboat scene] Firth, who is widely regarded as one of hte most talented actors of his generation, hasn't made much headway in mainstream studio films. He did enjoy commercial success last year in the hit \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" but a Hollywood profile has proved elusive. TB: You haven't appeared in any big Hollywood movies, and I'm not saying that by way of any criticism. Is that by design, or because you just haven't found the opportunities there, or have people not come calling? CF: It's a mix all of those things. It's not really by design, unless one considers design as omission and not having gone to play the town and hunt it down. I could have done that, I suppose. I don't know whether I would have been successful or not. But I didn't do that. I wasn't interested in doing that. I enjoyed my life in England and what was happening for me there so I stuck with it. TB: Why is it then, do you think that you don't have marketability with Hollywood? CF: I have no idea. It's uh, it's actually completely beyond almost anybody's comprehension. You could discuss it for hours. It's not due to conventional good looks. There are plenty of people up there who don't have that. It's always been the case. Um, it's... some of them are extremely talented. Some of them are not. It's a mystery. And a vast, overwhelming majority of people who go into the profession don't have it. And uh, in fact, an overwhelming majority of people in the profession don't work at all. So I think the secret it to try and keep it interesting, really. [clip of \"Ever since I met you I have admired you...\"] [the end] This seemed like an abrupt ending, but all these things are very short. Why is it that Colin's seem so short compared to others? Colin looked good, wearing gray t-shirt, black jacket, I think jeans. Had his hands clasped loosely on his knees most of the time, made little gestures, no nervous face-touches. He seemed relaxed and comfortable. The clips were the same ones that have been all over. Press kit, no doubt. would want teachers telling their children"}, {"response": 481, "author": "dianes", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (13:08)", "body": "I laughed throughout most of the VH 1 Cast Party. What a treat! RE was on a roll. When they were asked to explain what was behind their interesting names he cracked, \"I'd rather look at the behinds for (something, something) names.\" I loved that CF was asked whether anyone ever called him \"Colon\" (\"Only in the US,\" I think he said, \"...and I wish they wouldn't.\") ODB had to hide his face behind his hands he was so embarrassed after RE ribbed him (maybe about the kissing) and it looked like he was shaking he was laughing so hard. Wish all interviews were this much fun. For making ODB laugh, I now love RE inspite of his oversized weirdly-shaped head. Welcome Newbies! Thanks to all who have posted articles, photos, and TV times."}, {"response": 482, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (13:30)", "body": "(Ruth), I am such a HUGE Neil/Crowded House/Split Enz fan! Me too! And don't forget brother Tim. Bottom Line: Misguided walk on the Wilde side. LOL! And People also totally ignored CF. [clip of CF declaring \"Mother! I hated that part. :-( Thanks Kate, for typing it up the BBC talk. I look forward to seeing it later today. And thanks, Karen for the Newsweek. Is he revealing a secret at the end? ;-)))"}, {"response": 483, "author": "firthfetish", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (13:36)", "body": "(moon)Me too! And don't forget brother Tim I could never forget Tim Finn...one of the first men who ever made me swoon!I was just listening to a Tim Finn cd here at work *grin*"}, {"response": 484, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (13:46)", "body": "Thanks for the BBCAmerica transcript, Kate. He looked so droolable, I didn't catch all the comments when I watched it.;-) I loved that CF was asked whether anyone ever called him \"Colon\" (\"Only in the US,\" I think he said, \"...and I wish they wouldn't.\") Some people here tend to think of Colin Powell who does indeed pronounce it \"Colon.\" Reese asked him very tongue in cheek if she could call him that. He said something like, \"I'd rather you didn't,\" very wryly. Is he revealing a secret at the end? ;-))) I was wondering that, too, Moon.;-) And People also totally ignored CF. Did you read the review? They did him a favor. Seriously, they seem to look out for him. (Diane)and it looked like he was shaking he was laughing so hard. Wish all interviews were this much fun. For making ODB laugh, I now love RE inspite of his oversized weirdly-shaped head. LOL, agree with all of the above, Diane! How about the part where Colin and Rupe are doing impressions of how Reese said goodbye to the cast on her last day of shooting. \"Ooh, you guys, I'm gonna cry!!\" \"I have to go now--or I'll just cry!!\" As Colin said on BWTA, it was every man (and women) for themselves on that set. Seemed like they genuinely enjoyed each other."}, {"response": 485, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (15:26)", "body": "I'll blame this one on Janet, who forwarded this to me. From the AP: Rating: E-FC (Eyes - Firmly Closed) By DAVID GERMAIN, AP Movie Writer The most important thing about an adaptation of Oscar Wilde's \"The Importance of Being Earnest\" is to present characters who bring a sense of, well, earnestness. Oliver Parker's latest take on Wilde manages that only about half the time, mainly with female leads Reese Witherspoon, Frances O'Connor and the wonderfully imperious Judi Dench. The keys to the whole works \ufffd Colin Firth and Rupert Everett as the two men alternately pretending to be an imaginary chap named Ernest \ufffd come across as glum and listless. They should be deliriously assaulting Wilde's spicy dialogue, but their muted readings deflate Wilde's outrageous, Shakespearian premise of mistaken identity. Parker directed the 1999 crowd-pleasing Wilde adaptation \"An Ideal Husband,\" whose charm hinged largely on a buoyant performance by Everett. But Parker is unable to light the same sparks with \"The Importance of Being Earnest.\" Unlike Anthony Asquith's outstanding 1952 version, a fairly straightforward transformation from stage to screen, Parker makes bold but miscalculated choices in expanding the story cinematically. Quick cuts, especially early on as the principals and their interrelationships are introduced, butcher the pacing of Wilde's playful speech, which would have been better served by lingering to let the verbal fireworks mount. Parker also punctuates the wordplay by inserting the characters into brief fantasy images, clever renderings of the classical tableaux common to Victorian society types who would dress up as knights and damsels and Roman lovers for entertainment. Yet here, the images are so curt and dramatically inert, they jar the audience out of the story. They're an unnecessary gimmick to visually gussy up a story that can stand just fine on its rich verbiage alone. Firth plays bachelor No. 1, Jack Worthing, a wealthy, respectable bloke charged with the upbringing of his romantically fanciful 18-year-old niece, Cecily Cardew (Witherspoon). Jack periodically travels from his country estate to London, telling his household he must mop up the latest mess left by his ne'er-do-well brother, Ernest. In truth, Ernest doesn't exist; he's Jack's excuse to blow off steam. While in London, Jack becomes Ernest, stiffing restaurants on dinner bills, hanging out with rash and wild bachelor No. 2 Algy Moncreef (Everett) and otherwise giving gadabouts a bad name. As Ernest, Jack has fallen for Gwendolen Fairfax (Frances O'Connor), a daring modern woman fixated on marrying a man named Ernest. Jack's fictitious persona aside, all seems well for the couple until his prospective-bridegroom interview with Gwendolen's autocratic mother, Lady Bracknell (Dench), who dashes his hopes when she learns of his mysterious origin (Jack was found in a handbag at Victoria Station as an infant, with no decent relations to claim him). Running from creditors, Algy visits Jack's country home, posing as the master's wayward brother and ending up in his own Ernest-challenged romance with Cecily, a prelude to the farcical unraveling of just who is and who isn't Ernest. Dench barks Wilde's dialogue with wicked glee, while Witherspoon (copping an impressive British accent) and O'Connor bring an air of elated silliness to the heroines. Tom Wilkinson as the local parson and Anna Massey as Cecily's tutor spice things up as a clumsily enamored couple, roles Parker beefed up from a rare four-act version of Wilde's play. Firth and Everett appear ponderous and dull next to their cast mates, as unrascally a pair of rascals imaginable. If Parker's failed attempt to augment the play for the screen undermines the heart of \"Earnest,\" the lethargy of Jack and Algy finishes it off. \"The Importance of Being Earnest,\" a Miramax release, is rated PG for mild sensuality. Running time: 94 minutes. Two stars out of four."}, {"response": 486, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (15:58)", "body": "Unlike Anthony Asquith's outstanding 1952 version, a fairly straightforward transformation from stage to screen, Parker makes bold but miscalculated choices in expanding the story cinematically. If Parker had re-made the 1952 version, with the same arch, artificial delivery,and straight from the stage immobility, the UK critics would have torn him to shreds. (They probably stll will do so - it's a no win situation). Delivery is much more natural now, and conventions are always being challenged. Masterpiece Theatre - not! When they market TIOBE for the UK market, IMO it should be promoted as \"the first new Ealing comedy in 50 years (based on Oscar Wilde's TIOBE)\" . How come Baz Luhrmann gets away with it?"}, {"response": 487, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (16:05)", "body": "Gee, I can't wait to see the NY Times review in the morning.:-( How come Baz Luhrmann gets away with it? Moulin Rouge got mostly negative reviews here, and didn't do that well at the U.S. box office. And I think few were sure of exactly what story MR was supposed to be based on.;-) It really is a no-win situation, as you say. Had they stuck to the theatricality and followed the play exactly, the critics here may have liked it (thought then they'd probably complain about how dated it was), but few members of the public would have wanted to see it, IMO."}, {"response": 488, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (17:16)", "body": "AAH! Our digital cable is out and won't be fixed until Sat. Called the cable co.and realized my voice was becoming very high-pitched, sounding v. much like a lunatic. The guy at the other end said \"I'm really sorry, you must really need to see something important.\" Anyway, I logged on to BBC America online, but it's the Star Wars episode. I think they run a week behind. Does anyone know? Must see the grey shirt!!! I almost said that to the cable guy. Thank you, again, Karen, Mari, Janet Welcome everyone."}, {"response": 489, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (17:46)", "body": "Thanks so much, Kate, for the transcript. Great job! (TB) mention of RW as only American in cast, there to bring in literature-phobic American audience LOL! What Spider-man is not literature? ;-D (BTW, if the kid had a credit, that means he had lines to speak, i.e., not an extra) (CF) I don't know if anyone has particularly noticed [smiles] but I've, I have been doing things that are different. Oh, we noticed, honey, that the fleet's in! ;-D (CF) It's not really by design, unless one considers design as omission and not having gone to play the town and hunt it down. I could have done that, I suppose. I don't know whether I would have been successful or not. Wonder if that's the same approach he takes at garage sales, or maybe he just doesn't go to them either?"}, {"response": 490, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (18:55)", "body": "Don't blame me , I'm just the messenger.... Review from the June issue of MOVIELINE MAGAZINE (hard copy) \"The play's the thing in this adaptation of the Oscar wilde classic, for the cast is far from ideal. Judi Dench seems altogether too sensible to play the dithering Lady Bracknell, Colin Firth misses the slyness of Jack Worthing and the usually delightful Reese Witherspoon seem ill at ease munching cucumber snadwiches. Rupert Everett and Frances O'Connor are more at home in the Wildean universe, but the best performance comes from Tom wilkinson, who turns the role of Reverend Chasuble in a comic truimph . Even in this uneven production, Wilde's wit breaks through , and the lavish sets and costumes beguile the eye.\""}, {"response": 491, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (18:57)", "body": "(CF Newsday)\"I don't get to be in that house that much.\" So where you be ,honey, in the past 5 months? Not workee;-)"}, {"response": 492, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (19:05)", "body": "(BTW, if the kid had a credit, that means he had lines to speak, i.e., not an extra) He's stuck in a skytram and yells \"Help!\" or the equivalent. It was too hard to make out his face, but the age is right. How cool would it be to have the Green Goblin coming at you and then Spidey rescues you?"}, {"response": 493, "author": "dalec", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (19:07)", "body": "amazon.com has the 1952 version of TIOBE listed as coming out on DVD sometime in june. what a \"coincidence\" that they decide to release a DVD version this summer."}, {"response": 494, "author": "airstream", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (19:24)", "body": "Quick note-- I mentioned Neil Finn (he wasn't mentioned by CF) in an act of my wishful thinking. I guess that topic may be better served on odds and ends? He is playing in NYC in July. Hmmmm, what can Dorine do in that situation....! Thanks for the new articles everyone. Repression, repression, repression......"}, {"response": 495, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (22:21)", "body": "LA Times Review: 'Earnest' Forsakes Wilde Ways Director Parker's style is sometimes at odds with the playwright's, but the film builds up steam in time for the classic comedy's intricate finish. By KEVIN THOMAS, Times Staff Writer Since Oliver Parker so successfully directed and adapted Oscar Wilde's \"An Ideal Husband\" to the screen in 1999, there was every reason to hope that he would do the same with \"The Importance of Being Earnest.\" But this time he chose not to stick with the visual elegance and crisp, taut direction that worked so well the first time around, taking a freer and easier approach that's at odds with Wilde's epigrammatic dialogue and tight construction. After a steady start, this \"Earnest\" commences losing energy and pace, so crucial to keeping Wilde alive, and the film tends to meander until it begins to build tension again for its hilariously intricate denouement. In short, Parker's larky approach too often jars with the precision of the material, a feeling reinforced by Charlie Mole's score, which evokes 1940s swing music that, while pleasant and lively in itself, has no connection with an 1895 comedy. The result is a film \" that is at best highly uneven and perversely at odds with itself. Luckily, Wilde's delicious sense of absurdity and peerlessly witty dialogue are pretty indestructible, and \"Earnest\" itself remains a peerless comedy of manners. Rupert Everett is Algernon Moncrieff, the foppish, chronically but imperturbably insolvent man about London, and Colin Firth is his best friend, John Worthing, whose decision to call himself Ernest in town and Jack in the country, the better to facilitate his moving between high society and low life, triggers the plot's myriad complications. Problems multiply when the name Ernest becomes so crucial to the attraction Gwendolen Fairfax (Frances O'Connor) feels for Jack--and also in the way Cecily Cardew (Reese Witherspoon) responds to Algy, who has also appropriated the name Ernest for himself. Judi Dench has some of Wilde's funniest lines as the very grand, obtuse and frivolous Lady Bracknell, who at one point declares, \"The chin a little higher, dear. Style largely depends on the way the chin is worn. They are worn very high, just at present.\" It's the kind of pronouncement that fashion arbiter Diana Vreeland would make--but with a deliberate sense of outrageousness. The entire cast is enjoyable but Anna Massey as Cecily's tutor, Miss Prism, and Tom Wilkinson as Reverend Chasuble, who love each other from afar, capture the delicious spirit of Wildean foolishness most fully. Not surprisingly, there are some glorious sets and costumes--Lady Bracknell's London mansion is but a tad less grand than Buckingham Palace--but this \"Importance of Being Earnest\" is not as glorious as it should be. * * * MPAA-rated: PG, for mild sensuality. Times guidelines. Sophisticated family fare. 'The Importance of Being Earnest' Colin Firth: John (Jack) Worthing Rupert Everett: Algernon (Algy) Moncrieff Frances O'Connor: Gwendolen Fairfax Reese Witherspoon: Cecily Cardew Dame Judi Dench: Lady Bracknell Anna Massey: Miss Prism Tom Wilkinson: Rev. Canon Chasuble A Miramax Films and Ealing Studios presentation in association with Film Council and Newmarket Capital Group of a Fragile Film. Writer-director Oliver Parker. Based on the play by Oscar Wilde. Producer Barnaby Thompson. Co-producer David Brown. Executive producer Uri Fruchtmann. Cinematographer Tony Pierce-Roberts. Editor Guy Bensley. Music Charlie Mole. Costumes Mauriizio Millenotti. Make-up & hair designer Peter King. Production designer Luciana Arrighi. Set decorator Ian Whittaker. Running time: 1 hour, 33 minutes. Exclusively at the Royal, 11523 Santa Monica Blvd., West Los Angeles, (310) 477-5581; and the Sunset 5, 8000 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, (323) 848-3500; opening wider Friday."}, {"response": 496, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (22:30)", "body": "NY Times review: May 22, 2002 By STEPHEN HOLDEN In translating a play into a movie, a filmmaker can easily lose sight of the fact that the essence of a great play resides in its language and not in a movie's ability to go on location or add cinematic frills. In opening up Oscar Wilde's 1895 comic masterpiece, \"The Importance of Being Earnest,\" the director Oliver Parker, whose more straightforward adaptation of Wilde's \"Ideal Husband\" three years ago found an agreeable balance between period lushness and linguistic precision, has gone overboard. What would Wilde have made of the embellishments Mr. Parker has tacked onto the play like a reckless dressmaker tarting up a Chanel suit to resemble a Versace gown? Those additions include fantasy sequences, a ragtime band, a hot-air balloon and a horse-and-carriage traffic jam. An aggressively buoyant score (by Charlie Mole) washes through the movie, giving it a perky vo-dee-o-do flavor that feels more 1920's than 1890's. As much as possible, the play has been moved outdoors to intoxicate us with the rarefied air of an English country estate. And what of the language in a work where the refinements and ambiguities of speech are everything? Wilde's famous epigrams remain intact and are reasonably well spoken. But the extra visual accouterments have a profoundly distracting effect. They interrupt the rhythm and retard the momentum of brilliantly silly banter that could be described as incisive nonsense. When Lady Bracknell (Judi Dench), the play's ur-snob, declares, \"Ignorance is like a delicious exotic fruit; touch it and the bloom is gone,\" she conjures a privileged, cucumber-sandwich world where a devotion to the superficial is a code of behavior and proof of social superiority. The genius of the play is the brilliance with which it simultaneously embodies and sabotages its concept. While celebrating brittle badinage as a comic art form and willful superficiality as the ultimate revenge on a cold cruel world, it makes its garrulous, dissembling aristocrats look ridiculous. Its twisty artificial plot, in which the characters' assiduously cultivated lies turn out to be true, and the putting of the concept of \"earnestness\" through the comic wringer support Wilde's contention that \"we should treat all the trivial things of life seriously, and all the serious things of life with sincere and studied triviality.\" Half a century ago, \"The Importance of Being Earnest\" was made into a classic, unabashedly stagy movie, directed by Anthony Asquith, with a cast led by Edith Evans as Lady Bracknell. It dispensed Wilde's aper\ufffdus with a brittle insouciance that is largely missing from this souped-up version. If this film, which opens in New York and Los Angeles today and in other cities Friday, has a blue-ribbon cast that more than matches its forerunner in name value, it misses its high-toned elegance. Rupert Everett, that pouty, spoiled princeling who exudes a Wildean hauteur tinged with a Wildean depravity, is Algernon Moncrieff, the debt-ridden charmer who spends half his life evading creditors by dashing off to the bedside of an imaginary friend. Colin Firth exudes a bogus stolidity as Algernon's friend and comic adversary, Jack Worthing, a foundling discovered in a handbag, who is now the legal guardian of Cecily Cardew (Reese Witherspoon), the dewy granddaughter of the man who adopted him. When visiting London, Jack plays his own charades, passing himself off as his own nonexistent brother, Ernest, to win the hand of Lady Bracknell's daughter, Gwendolen (Frances O'Connor), who is fixated on the name Ernest. But Jack's obscure origins become an insurmountable obstacle. As Lady Bracknell famously puts it, \"You can hardly imagine that I and Lord Bracknell would dream of allowing our only daughter - a girl brought up with the utmost care - to marry into a cloakroom and form an alliance with a parcel.\" Ms. O'Connor plays Gwendolen as a mischievous refugee from screwball comedy, while Ms. Witherspoon, affecting a passable English accent, is every inch the simpering rosy-cheeked ing\ufffdnue. Since Cecily is also fixated on the name Ernest as the only suitable name for a husband, Algernon also lies about his name, and the confusion between the bogus Ernests sparks more than one hissy fit. But the movie is so romantically insecure it inserts over-decorated fantasy sequences in which Cecily imagines Algernon as a knight in armor. Its biggest gaffe, which lasts barely a second, is a flashback revealing Lady Bracknell to have once been a music-hall floozy dandled on the lap of her future husband. As tantalizing as it may be, the suggestion that many of the world's grander dames have shady pasts simply doesn't belong here. Dame Judi's Lady Bracknell is certainly redoubtable. But her level-headed, realistic portrayal of the play's comic linchpin and ultimate mouthpiece only hints at the absurd grandiosity that can make Lady Bracknell laugh-out-loud funny. I kept wishing I was hearing Maggie"}, {"response": 497, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (22:41)", "body": "LOL! These reviews boggle the mind. Sometime I wonder if each has seen the same film because of the different ways they describe the exact same thing. Well, at least both of these Times haven't out and out panned it. (Amy) I guess that topic may be better served on odds and ends? Or the Music Conference... Terry would love for more people to use the other conferences. They don't bite. :-)"}, {"response": 498, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (22:57)", "body": "Well, at least both of these Times haven't out and out panned it. True, and the LA Times one is mildly positive. At least Miramax can squeeze some pull quotes out of both of them: \"Entertaining--a blue ribbon cast!\" --New York Times \"A peerless comedy of manners!\" --Los Angeles Times You think I'm kidding? Where is David Manning when we need him . . .;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 499, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (23:28)", "body": "(Karen) LOL! These reviews boggle the mind. Sometime I wonder if each has seen the same film because of the different ways they describe the exact same thing. Not having seen it at all, I am really becoming confused as to the nature of this film. What are they seeing...? Some are complaining it's too frivolous, others complaining its too serious. Some saying the action is 0TT and now ODB and RE are .. what was it? .. sluggish or something like?? I'm so **confused***!!! Have they created different individual versions for each of these reviewers, or are the color of the critics' glasses *really* that intense and overpowering over what is in front of their eyes?? I can hardly wait to find out which version I will get to see (whenever...)!"}, {"response": 500, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (23:35)", "body": "Regardless, they each feel something is wrong with the approach, and it is so difficult to pin it down."}, {"response": 501, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May 21, 2002 (23:53)", "body": "Village Voice review Justify Your Existence by Jessica Winter Subtitled \"A Trivial Comedy for Serious People,\" The Importance of Being Earnest is Oscar Wilde's airiest confection, a bite-sized meringue delectable with melt-in-your-mouth epigrams. Though its tart center tastes of class resentment and the exhaustion of necessary dissimulation, the play draws the sweetest of conclusions\ufffdnamely, that self-invention is a natural phenomenon, and worthy of celebration. Winkingly focused on a pair of bachelor dandies juggling double identities, Wilde's drawing-room farce was also something of a cryptogram, and it happened to debut on the London stage the same year the writer's own design for living was so cruelly condemned. Earnest triumphantly opened in February 1895 and sheepishly closed in May, during Wilde's trials for \"gross indecency\"; weeks later, he entered Reading Gaol, and never wrote another work for the stage. For Oliver Parker, the importance of adapting Earnest lies in the text\ufffdnot the context, and certainly not the subtext. Much like his previous Oscar screener, An Ideal Husband, Parker's rendition\ufffdthe first production to be released under the Ealing Studios banner in 57 years\ufffdis a proficient skim of the Man With the Green Carnation's wit and wisdom, piped by an able crew of quick-tongued ventriloquists. (The hits don't quit: \"To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune . . . to lose both seems like carelessness.\" \"In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity, is the vital thing.\" \"All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. . . . No man does. That is his.\") Jack (Colin Firth) maintains separate personae in town and country, as does his friend Algy (Rupert Everett), a form of social compartmentalizing that the latter curiously dubs \"Bunburying.\" (The Bunburyist's predilections are left unspecified in the play; the film pegs them as cigarettes and cancan dancers.) In the guise of is alter ego, \"Ernest,\" Jack is smitten with Algy's horny cousin, Gwendolen (Frances O'Connor), while Algy, appropriating the Ernest mantle for himself, falls for his buddy's bright-eyed ward, Cecily (Reese Witherspoon). The women become rivals, then allies when they discover their mutual entanglement with lovers that dare not speak their names. Parker pads Earnest's avowedly slight figure with fantasy sequences, flashbacks, chase scenes, even an ill-fated trip to the tattoo parlor, and the stuffing shows. Indeed, for a handsomely financed Miramax production, the movie is ribboned with crooked seams: muddy sound, glaring continuity errors, a mischievous boom mic, Everett's suddenly AWOL mustache. Though Parker ranges far from the the play's series of confined spaces, there's no visual wit or blocking savvy\ufffdsurely no one was minding the bakery when a comically foolproof contretemps between Jack and nervous eater Algy entailing 12 invocations of the word \"muffins\" was allowed to collapse on the screen like a traumatized cake. Tonally, however, Earnest boasts perfect pitch, thanks mainly to the blithe, nimble actors. Everett and Firth's ruefully affectionate, roughhousing chemistry feels decades lived-in (actually, they co-starred as fellow Marxist misfits in Another Country nearly 20 years ago), Witherspoon's matter-of-fact daftness keeps daydreamy Cecily tethered to earth, and you will know Judi Dench by the trail of dead (as imperious Lady Bracknell, the mother of all mothers). Parker's Earnest certainly doesn't get in Wilde's way, but neither does it justify its own existence\ufffdwhat's the point of a mere face-value appropriation? Shakespeare gets a cine-update every other week, so isn't Oscar Wilde ready for his 21st-century close-up?"}, {"response": 502, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (00:04)", "body": "New York Observer review \ufffdErnest\ufffd Tattooed On Her Bum by Rex Reed Whatever they\ufffdre saying, chances are Oscar Wilde said it first. Strangely, he didn\ufffdt say much in The Importance of Being Earnest, his most popular and enduring comedy, and a lot of what he did say is regretfully missing from the glossy new movie version by Oliver Parker, the same writer-director who put a fresh coat of varnish on Wilde\ufffds An Ideal Husband. Despite the many liberties he takes to adapt Wilde\ufffds arch style and dialogue to a movie for mass consumption, the delicious cast and a lot of cinematic \"opening up\" (gilt-edged theaters, posh caf\ufffds, jazzy music, the lush green English countryside and even a tattoo parlor!) conspire to turn a classic Victorian drawing-room comedy of manners into an enjoyable romp. Alas, it still pales in comparison to Anthony Asquith\ufffds famous 1952 film version. Purists will insist that Mr. Asquith\ufffds dry, stagy, eccentric but riotous film was the definitive one. Mr. Parker\ufffds spin is so busy that it assumes a chirpy tempo of its own, more in keeping with the demands of modern audiences, but it loses a lot of the wit, attitude and elegance of Wilde\ufffds subtle mastery of the language. And no matter how hard they try to knock themselves out being frisky and charming, the new cast can\ufffdt hold a candle to Michael Redgrave, Joan Greenwood, Dorothy Tutin, Michael Denison, Margaret Rutherford and especially Dame Edith Evans\ufffd titanic aria as the maddeningly eccentric Lady Bracknell. Still, let us leave that landmark film in its resting place, preserved in memory and on the shelves of video stores, and concentrate on the 2002 remake. It offers pleasures of its own. Say what? Despite numerous Broadway revivals and even a musical version called Ernest in Love, you don\ufffdt remember what The Importance of Being Earnest is about? Utter silliness, that\ufffds what. The fanciful plot\ufffdwhich even in 1895 gave new meaning to the word \"contrived\"\ufffdis a farce concerning two dashing, irresponsible London bachelors who both assume the name Ernest to woo the objects of their confused affections. Country squire Jack Worthing (Colin Firth) seeks the hand of the genteel but impulsive Gwendolen (Frances O\ufffdConnor) and comes to town to propose, but since she has always been attracted to the virility of the name Ernest, he passes himself off as a fictitious younger brother of the same name. Meanwhile, his arrogant, vain, extravagant cad of a pal, Algernon Moncrieff (Rupert Everett), also posing as Jack\ufffds brother Ernest, heads for the country to romance Jack\ufffds 18-year-old ward Cecily (Reese Witherspoon, with a brilliant and unaffected British accent that never falters). Clearly it\ufffds impossible for hem to be in the same place at the same time. They can\ufffdt both be Ernest, although both ladies mistakenly think they\ufffdre engaged to the same man. A high point of the film occurs when the willful Gwendolen and the angelic Cecily pool their feminine wiles to bring their men to heel. Meanwhile, the delicate sauce of a plot thickens to pudding when the imperious Lady Bracknell, Gwendolen\ufffds mother and Algernon\ufffds aunt, dismisses Jack as a suitable candidate for her daughter\ufffds hand because he was a foundling abandoned as an infant in a handbag in Victoria Station. When everyone descends unexpectedly upon Jack\ufffds country manor, mistaken identities are revealed, scandals erupt and chaos ensues. The mystery of Jack\ufffds birth is also solved, but not before Judi Dench\ufffds Lady Bracknell\ufffdprecise, intolerant, and snobbish to the manner born\ufffdhas a cherished moment of regal hilarity when she looks down her nose and declares, \"To lose one parent \ufffd may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness.\" She is fine, and God knows she can act, but to hear Dame Edith Evans say that same line in the 1952 film is to feel suddenly the full impact of Oscar Wilde\ufffds treacherous wit and wisdom, and the weight, too, of Victorian class-consciousness, circa 1895. There are splendid turns by Anna Massey as Cecily\ufffds pickled tutor Miss Prism, Edward Fox as Algernon\ufffds long-suffering, underpaid butler, and Tom Wilkinson as the local rector who timidly pursues the sullen Miss Prism. What a tribute to his diversity and range. Curiously, Mr. Wilkinson also appeared as the beastly, violent, homophobic Marquess of Queensberry, who was responsible for Oscar Wilde\ufffds downfall and imprisonment for \"gross indecency,\" in the excellent biopic Wilde. Now he\ufffds here playing one of Wilde\ufffds shy little subsidiary characters with an amour fou of his own. Wilde might have enjoyed the newfangled camera work and even the jazz duet performed by Mr. Firth and Mr. Everett (unnecessary to the plot and utterly anachronistic), but I doubt he would have approved of the added bit where the ladylike Gwendolen has \"Ernest\" tattooed on her bum. Oscar Wilde aimed for truth over illusions. The eye candy in Oliver Parker\ufffds version seems to favor style over sincerity. The film is a fragile frolic, but the real theme enjoye"}, {"response": 503, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (04:47)", "body": "It offers pleasures of its own. And I intend to enjoy everyone of them. Cheers!"}, {"response": 504, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (06:48)", "body": "I'm so confused about this movie. I'm to the point (actually was there days ago) where I can't read another review. I swear the critics are willfully trying to confuse the public regarding this film. Can't take it anymore! Will concentrate on ODB's personal appearances :) !!!! BTW, saw Episode 2 last night, & have realized how lost I am to P&P. ****SPOILER ALERT**** Anakin goes back to Tatooine (sp?) b/c he feels his mother is in danger. Upon arriving he learns that his mother has been kidnapped by some bad guys. So what do I immediately expect to hear next? \"What's being done to recover them?\"!! **Sigh** I am SO far gone....."}, {"response": 505, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (07:01)", "body": "New York Post review CRAWL OF WILDE By JONATHAN FOREMAN -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- May 22, 2002 -- OSCAR Wilde's masterpiece, \"The Importance of Being Earnest,\" may be the best play of the 19th century.It's so good that its relentless, polished wit can withstand not only inept school productions, but even Oliver Parker's movie adaptation. Writer-director Parker inflicts far more damage here than with his entertaining 1999 version of Wilde's \"An Ideal Husband,\" starring Cate Blanchett and Julianne Moore. Partly, this is a matter of disastrous casting. In the key role of Algernon, the preening, charmless Rupert Everett fails to move his upper lip enough to enunciate. He swallows, mumbles or otherwise destroys line after brilliant line. Parker also mishandles \"Earnest\" by trying to add action and visual scope, throwing a wrench into the play's rapid rhythms and threatening to turn it into a lame farce. The tedious process begins with the introductions of Algernon, an upper-class man about London first seen running from thuggish creditors, and his friend Jack (Colin Firth), who has come down from the country to get engaged. As they take tea, Algernon discovers that his friend has been leading a double life. In London, he is called Ernest; but in the country, everyone knows him as Jack, a serious fellow burdened by a rascally younger brother named Ernest. Algernon himself has invented a character named Bunbury, an ailing friend whom he uses as an excuse to avoid social obligations. These inventions have always worked well for the two young men. But when Jack/Ernest proposes to blue-blooded Gwendolyn (Frances O'Connor), and Algernon turns up at Jack's country house pretending to be Ernest and falls for Jack's ward, Cecily (Reese Witherspoon), things start to get complicated. Witherspoon pulls off a perfectly adequate accent and captures Cecily's combination of ingenuousness and candor. O'Connor more than redeems herself after \"Bedazzled,\" investing the worldly Gwendolyn with a confident sexuality. Firth is fine as Jack, and you can hardly do better than Judi Dench as the snobbish Lady Bracknell. Unfortunately, Anna Massey and Tom Wilkinson go over the top in their roles as the prim governess and shy chaplain. Some of Parker's additions - hot-air balloons, anachronistic early automobiles and ragtime music - do no real harm. But the tattoo parlor, the hooker-infested dance hall - a labored effort to illustrate Victorian sexual hypocrisy, as if the play's dialogue didn't already do that exquisitely - miss the point that the play is supposed to be merely brilliant surface. Fortunately, enough of that brilliance shines through to make even this compromised \"Earnest\" a comic delight."}, {"response": 506, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (07:05)", "body": "New York Daily News review Wilde's Comedy of Era scar Wilde's late comedy \"The Importance of Being Earnest\" was first adapted on film 50 years ago, but the jaunty new version by Oliver Parker more closely resembles \ufffd in spirit, at least \ufffd Woody Allen's \"A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy.\" That minor 1982 Allen film, for which the Woodman was accused of besmirching both Shakespeare and his idol, Ingmar Bergman, follows a trio of dysfunctional couples at a woodsy New England farmhouse. The characters' various states of sexual agitation and confusion feed Allen's facile gag-writing impulses. \"The Importance of Being Earnest\" places its major characters \ufffd two gentlemen and two ripe young ladies eagerly responding to their fumbling courtships \ufffd at a country estate, where they feed Wilde's equally unique verbal wit. But, bound by the mores of the Victorian era in which it was written, \"Earnest\" keeps its sexual ardors under the starched collars of Jack Worthing (Colin Firth) and Algernon Moncrieff (Rupert Everett), and beneath the bodices of Gwendolen Fairfax (Frances O'Connor) and Cecily Cardew (Reese Witherspoon). It is, nonetheless, very sensual, and a far more modern thing than Wilde could have imagined. Parker has not so much opened up the play as he has aired it out. The movie opens with the ne'er-do-well dandy Algernon plinking ragtime on a piano, and soon moves into the airy expanse of the country, where he and Jack and the two ladies carry on their comic dance. The story's running joke is that Jack, who enjoys genuine wealth, and Algernon, a freeloading debtor, each have invented imaginary characters as social conveniences. Jack assumes the identity of a nonexistent older brother named Earnest for his social forays into London, while Algie uses the made-up invalid friend Bunbury as an excuse to avoid such nuisances as receptions arranged by Lady Bracknell (Judi Dench), his stuffy aunt. Now, pay close attention. Trouble brews when Jack, in the role of Earnest, falls in love with Lady Bracknell's daughter Gwendolen, who is so enamored of his assumed name that she has it tattooed on her derriere. Meanwhile, Jack's young ward, Cecily, also has become infatuated with the idea of Earnest, as described by Jack, and when Algie shows up at the estate claiming to be Earnest, Cecily immediately falls in love with him. At this point, there are two women in love with Earnest Worthing, who is actually two different men, neither one of whom is really Earnest Worthing, though both are earnest and at least one is worthy, if you get Wilde's drift. Written to skewer the upper class of its time, the script is now just a broad joke-fest, clever lines batted back and forth like badminton shuttlecocks. To that extent, it's dependent on the play of its cast, and Parker has done well by his ensemble. Firth, with a certain starch in his manner, is perfect as the vulnerable, love-struck Jack, while Everett's late-blooming comedy skills suit the winsome loser Algie. O'Connor and Witherspoon, managing an acceptable upper-crust accent, are ably ardent, and the reliable Dench makes the greedy crab apple Lady Bracknell a villainess with mitigating heart. Important, \"Earnest\" is not, but if you're looking for a break from the popcorn features dominating theaters, you may find it worthy. Original Publication Date: 5/22/02"}, {"response": 507, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (07:13)", "body": "From TV Guide Online. Check the URL too, because there's a sweet pic that I don't think we've seen before: http://www.tvguide.com/newsgroup/insider/020522b.asp Colin Firth Sings in Earnest Wednesday, May 22, 2002 Attempting to woo his beloved in The Importance of Being Earnest \ufffd opening Friday \ufffd Colin Firth's character serenades her. Of course, we're dying to know: Was the handsome Brit crooning with his own voice in the film? \"I'm very flattered that you even ask [if it was me],\" Firth tells TV Guide Online. \"If they got a professional voice in [instead], it would have sounded a lot better than that. \"I didn't really prepare very much except in my bedroom once or twice,\" the 41-year-old adds. \"It was a fairly unprepared thing, but I think that was the spirit that was required. I was rather hoping it would all be dubbed!\" Firth has a very different opinion when it comes to the vocal performance of co-star Reese Witherspoon \ufffd whose part calls for her to utter Oscar Wilde's witticisms with a British accent. \"I certainly think that nobody could have been better in the role,\" he gushes. \"We all had to make a bit of a reach... No one speaks like that. [The play]'s a hundred years old and most of us English people are fairly detached from that culture and that way of speaking now.\" It's one thing for Brits to return to their roots, but can an American do it as well? \"I think that the nationality and the origins of the person really come second,\" he asserts. \"I'd rather she even got the accent wrong than have a perfect English rose who can't act.\" In fact, Firth has a happy track record of acting opposite U.S. starlets playing UK beauties. Besides Witherspoon, he's also co-starred with Ren\ufffde Zellweger in Bridget Jones's Diary and Gwyneth Paltrow in Shakespeare in Love. \"Every time an American actress has come to do a film in England, I've usually been there in the film as well,\" he laughs. \"So, I've always heard all the talk. But I don't know if there's really been a fuss about it. It may be more of a problem [in the States] than it is in England. We don't particularly care.\" \ufffd Angel Cohn"}, {"response": 508, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (07:26)", "body": "(moonstar)I'm so confused about this movie. You and me both. Not only do the reviews go in a hundred different directions, while noting many of the same faults, or strengths, depending on the reviewer, the actors are repeated sighted as either good, bad, miscast, perfectly cast, stiff, or silly. The director is blasted for taking the original play and modernising it and at the same time that is what makes it worthwhile for us to see in 2002, although the 1952 version is better! :))))) I have never read TIOBE and I'm glad. I can go into the movie if/when it ever gets to my little corner of the world and watch is with an empty mind while looking for some trivial entertaiment and delightful eye candy. I would like to say thanks and thanks again for all the posts of these confusing reviews!!!! On another note, William Joseph Firth in Spiderman??? I'm sorry, that is a blatant case of nepotism, or I should say, step-nepotism. (If the Sony connection reported here was correct!) I'm sure my 12 yr old son could have yelled \"Help\" just as loud and looked just as scared, and probably just as cute as WJF did. But, would he have had an equal chance at competing for the part?? This mother wonders!!!!! :))))))"}, {"response": 509, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (07:35)", "body": "Rounding out the principal performances, Anna Massey, as Cecily's tutor, Miss Prism,and Tom Wilkinson, give careful understated performances in the same realistic key as Dame Judi's. The whole tone of the movie needed to be ratcheted up a note or two higher. And... Unfortunately, Anna Massey and Tom Wilkinson go over the top in their roles as the prim governess and shy chaplain. Don't you love it!? ;-) At least this movie is getting reviews everywhere, which is more than I can say for \"Human Nature\" a movie I loved."}, {"response": 510, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (07:38)", "body": "Nice interview in the LA Daily News. Karen, there are 2 new pics that are gorgeous. Grab 'em!:-) Published: Wednesday, May 22, 2002 A man of some importance No matter what the setting, Colin Firth is a fine actor ... period By Evan Henerson Staff Writer A few years ago in a film called \"Fever Pitch,\" Colin Firth played a soccer-loving English teacher attempting to juggle both a budding relationship with a woman and his passion for the local football team. Right, that Colin Firth, the guy in \"Valmont\" and \"Shakespeare in Love.\" The man whose screen alter-egos have never encountered an unstarched collar, played \"a feckless drifter, a bit of a slob.\" No, really, he did. \"It was interpreted as a reach for me,\" recalls the 41-year-old Firth. \"The life of the guy I was interpreting was very close to my own. I was playing someone my own age who lived in the same postal district that I live in, who supports the same soccer team that I support, and who speaks in very much the same vernacular that I and my friends would speak in. \"Whereas it wasn't considered a reach to play the richest man in England who rides around on horses with thousands of servants, and commands thousands of acres of estate.\" That would be Mr. Darcy, the icy but good-hearted hero of Jane Austen's \"Pride and Prejudice\" that Firth played most famously in a 1995 BBC miniseries. Last year, in a kind of casting slam dunk, he played Mark Darcy, a stuffy lawyer in the film adaptation of Helen Fielding's \"Bridget Jones's Diary.\" The fictional Jones -- a \"Pride and Prejudice\" fan -- had openly lusted after Firth as Darcy in her two novels. One of the 50 Speaking of lusting, not long after the film came out last year, Firth was named one of People Magazine's 50 most beautiful people. Now Firth is back in suits and lush acreage in Oliver Parker's adaptation of Oscar Wilde's \"The Importance of Being Earnest.\" Playing Jack Worthing, the love-struck gentleman in search of a name and an identity, he's the straight man to Lady Bracknell (played in the film by Judi Dench) and her debt-riddled nephew Algernon Moncrieff (Rupert Everett). Through an elaborate ruse, Jack takes on the name Ernest Worthing in order to be able to visit London. There he falls in love with Lady Bracknell's daughter, Gwendolen Fairfax (Frances O'Connor), who is convinced she must marry a man named Ernest. Back in the country, Jack has a beautiful young ward named Cecily (Reese Witherspoon), an enormous estate and -- big surprise, since Firth is playing him -- beaucoup bucks. Maybe it's that magnificently eloquent speech that falls so easily off his tongue that makes casting directors and producers scream \"gentleman.\" Spend a few minutes listening to Firth, and any sane individual would think the Hampshire-born son of two university professors should only be playing teachers, attorneys and well-heeled members of the gentry. Or maybe it's the fact that Firth, dressed in jeans and a light sweater for an interview, tends to look so dashing in period duds. Ask Firth about his penchant for period pieces, and the actor doesn't bristle. British actors who project working class often get the modern stuff while the more aristocratic either end up as villains in American films or high-bred gentlemen in films set in the past. \"It's interesting. These are ways we interpret ourselves, and one is rather nostalgic perhaps, a celebration of our own classic literature,\" he says. \"So I guess with the way I speak, people are going to think Jane Austen rather than 'Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.' \" Which is acceptable? \"I don't give a damn when the film is set or what the costume is,\" he returns. \"I have an enormous love of language. It doesn't have to be archaic, and it doesn't have to be old-fashioned, but when something is beautifully written, it's a joy to work with that. \"Any limitations can carry some frustrations, I suppose. I am not of the class I represent. It's not that I've never done modern stuff, and it's not that I've always played Englishmen. But my profile has always been higher when I have.\" Versatile gentleman Firth began his career in the 1930s-set adaptation of Julian Mitchell's \"Another Country.\" He played the title role in \"Valmont,\" Milos Forman's take on \"Les Liaisons Dangereuses.\" Later, he was Kristin Scott Thomas' jilted husband in \"The English Patient\" and Lord Wessex, Gwyneth Paltrow's unloved betrothed, in \"Shakespeare in Love\" -- an earlier teaming with Everett and Dench. Villains, stuffed shirts and dashing rogues -- Firth excels at them all, says his \"Earnest\" director, Oliver Parker. \"I think he has the ability to bring a type of vulnerability and complexity to a role,\" says Parker. \"I planned in the adaptation to take us more and more to Jack, and it was important to have somebody who could keep the emotional through line going as well as match up to the cut and thrust of Algy's dialogue.\" While the current \"Earnest\" may be set in the late 19th century, Parker has twe"}, {"response": 511, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (08:28)", "body": "(Mari)Check the URL too, because there's a sweet pic that I don't think we've seen before: Checked the URL but could not find the picture :-( It just kept sending me to the index. Is it possible to show it here?"}, {"response": 512, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (08:36)", "body": "Give this a try...hope it's the one. http://www.tvguide.com/newsgossip/insider/020522b.asp"}, {"response": 513, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (08:42)", "body": "Or maybe it's the fact that Firth, dressed in jeans and a light sweater for an interview, tends to look so dashing in period duds. True, but he doesn't look bad in the jeans and sweater, either! Moon, I was struck by the same pair of comments about Massey and Wilkinson. It's not unusual to have differences of opinions about the leads, but EVERYONE in this thing has been declared brilliant by one reviewer and dull by another. (Except Fox as the butler) So, how many versions of this film are out there????????? Karen, loved your suggested ad quotes. I think the PR dept sometimes does a more strained \"adaptation\" than the script writer does."}, {"response": 514, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (08:57)", "body": "Thanks for posting all the reviews from the coasts, Mari. The \"embrace\" pic (in TV Guide) was one of my new ones I alluded to weeks ago, but only posted a couple of days ago. Sorry. :-( From various descriptions given to me, I thought it belonged with the San Diego (dimple) article. ;-D Love the new ones of him sitting on the grass in the LA Daily News. They are certainly all over the spectrum. But at least I will have something to put on the Review page of kind comments. Kicking aside the reviews to concentrate on the LA Daily News article on Colin... (CF) I was playing someone my own age who lived in the same postal district that I live in, who supports the same soccer team that I support Not at the time he made Fever Pitch. \"I have an enormous love of language. It doesn't have to be archaic, and it doesn't have to be old-fashioned, but when something is beautifully written, it's a joy to work with that. Finally, an answer to the Question of the Century regarding L-dum. ;-D"}, {"response": 515, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (09:03)", "body": "Here are the pics, Allison: (Kate) loved your suggested ad quotes I'd love to take credit, but that was Mari. (Kate) It's not unusual to have differences of opinions about the leads, but EVERYONE in this thing has been declared brilliant by one reviewer and dull by another. Seems very reasonable to me, considering the scope of the reviewers' knowledge and what they seem to expect out of this film."}, {"response": 516, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (09:15)", "body": "I find not only are the reviews all over the place, I find almost every review/reviewer to be contradictory within their own piece. Does that make sense? Total confusion, eyes v. blury!"}, {"response": 517, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (09:19)", "body": "One point they all seem to agree on is a dislike for OP's little additions. I think it natural to disagree on actors' performances, but they universally agree that OP's direction was completely off the mark and that thankfully some of the underlying material (OW's witty dialogue) rises through the muck enough so to make it OK-ish entertainment. (That's the message I'm getting in 100 words or less.)"}, {"response": 518, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (09:35)", "body": "NY Daily News\" Shakespeare gets a cine-update every other week, so isn't Oscar Wilde ready for his 21st-century close-up?\" Hooray...that's what I say. Sorry, the play is dead-dull. (CF) \"Every time an American actress has come to do a film in England, I've usually been there in the film as well,\" he laughs. \"So, I've always heard all the talk. But I don't know if there's really been a fuss about it. It may be more of a problem [in the States] than it is in England. We don't particularly care.\" ROTF.Now we know...he doesn't read the newspapers...they savaged poor Reneee when she got the role of Bridge...\"A Texan\"?, they screamed. Thanks Mari for all you reviews sleuthing.I don't think they're all tht bad. It's an entertaining film ; no one trashed it completely. He sure has gotten a lot of publicity mileage out of it too!!"}, {"response": 519, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (09:54)", "body": "After that lovely \"Firth Class\" article yesterday... here is the voice of Long Island, from Newsday: This Is the Unimportance of Being 'Earnest' By Jan Stuart (1 1/2 STARS) THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST (PG). Oscar Wilde, tarted up and dumbed down for the young and the restless. The royal Miramax cast does exactly what we expect of them, but director Oliver Parker turns a grand charade into a game of \"Clue.\" And, yes, Reese Witherspoon does a game British accent. With Colin Firth, Rupert Everett, Judi Dench. 1:34. Opens today at the Paris, Angelika Film Center, Manhattan. Opens in selected area theaters on Friday and wider on May 31. Judi Dench makes her final entrance as Lady Bracknell in \"The Importance of Being Earnest\" swaddled in fox pelt and bird feathers. Why Lady Bracknell would want to dress like a hunting lodge is anyone's guess. Is it the costume designer's sly wink at the audience, letting us know that he knows that underneath this consummate society snob is a wild and woolly chorus girl who married well? More likely than not, someone simply decided that it looked like something. The misplaced impulse to look like anything at all informs this forlorn remake of an Oscar Wilde masterpiece that was never begging to go before a camera in the first place. Director/screenwriter Oliver Parker, obviously feeling the need to movie-up a resolutely talky 19th century play for a restless contemporary audience, has filled his adaptation with meticulously wrought visuals. But showy period decor invites the same trap as futuristic special effects: You can throw all the money you want at fabulous manor houses or rocket ships, but it doesn't amount to a hill of beans if the picture has no soul. The soul of \"The Importance of Being Earnest\" is in its language and its attitude: the unstinting decorum and solemnity with which a cluster of privileged folk have sport with commonplace social contracts - you know, little things like getting married and telling the truth. To ensure the language is covered, Parker has hired on a bevy of Miramax's British luminaries much in the way MGM once summoned its prestige players for literary projects: Dench, Rupert Everett (Algernon), Colin Firth (Jack), Tom Wilkinson (Reverend Chasuble), with Reese Witherspoon and \"A.I.'s\" Frances O'Connor thrown in as Cecily and Gwendolyn to sweeten the deal here in the colonies. Everyone seems right on the face of it, but the attitude is wrong and the dream team disappoints. Is there any more pleasure or knowledge to be gleaned from watching Judi Dench do imperious one more time? Not really. Does it matter that Everett and Firth, both in their early 40s, are much longer in the tooth than Wilde intended for his identity-faking rakes? Well, yes, it does. Parker accommodates his casting by upping Jack's age to 35, which in 1895 would have been significantly closer to the grave and hardly worthy of Lady Bracknell's endorsement as \"a good age to be married at.\" More seriously, though, Everett and Firth are too past their prime to embody the Peter Pan-like buoyancy and recklessness that render their characters' compulsive lying charming. As they catch each other out in their various pretenses or woo their young ladies with elaborate songfests, they just seem silly. And perhaps a bit backward. Parker may have seemed like a natural choice to bring \"Earnest\" to the screen, having scored an unlikely art-house bull's-eye with his adaptation of Wilde's \"An Ideal Husband.\" Parker trimmed that play's considerable fat to reveal the melodrama at its core; melodrama plays well in films, especially when you've got Julianne Moore to snarl it up as house villain. In lieu of melodrama, Parker tries to pretend there is real juice in Jack and Algernon's late-revealed identities. He chokes the wit with ostentatious Edwardian tableaux vivant and manic, anachronistic jazz music that makes us feel as if we've time warped into one of Woody Allen's pastiche mysteries. What Wilde regarded as \"a trivial comedy for serious people,\" Parker has made over into a trivial comedy for trivial people."}, {"response": 520, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (10:19)", "body": "Parker has made over into a trivial comedy for trivial people. Hence Colin's comment on being a champion of triviolity? ;-) \"I have an enormous love of language. It doesn't have to be archaic, and it doesn't have to be old-fashioned, but when something is beautifully written, it's a joy to work with that. (Karen), Finally, an answer to the Question of the Century regarding L-dum. ;-D Did you hear that, Eileen? ;-) Thanks for posting all the reviews, Mari. He looks so thin in those pictures."}, {"response": 521, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (10:29)", "body": "You don't like the ones sitting on the grass, Moon? What about his footwear, surely you have a comment?;-) Karen, is it possible to get larger versions of those for your website--or would you need the LA Daily News?"}, {"response": 522, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (10:40)", "body": "Karen, I wouldn't put *that Newsday one* up on The Bucket. \" More seriously, though, Everett and Firth are too past their prime to embody the Peter Pan-like buoyancy and recklessness that render their characters' compulsive lying charming.\" \"Long-tooth\" again.... Aw...they didn't see the \"splendor on the grass\" pic;-)"}, {"response": 523, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (10:53)", "body": "Do you see reviews from Variety, Screendaily, or THR up? Due to lack of space, I find that I cannot reproduce all reviews at The Bucket... *snort* I plan to be selective and excerpt."}, {"response": 524, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (10:56)", "body": "Here are the pics, Allison Thank you!"}, {"response": 525, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (10:58)", "body": "Karen, I like your objectivity, and approve wholeheartedly!:-) (Evelyn)Aw...they didn't see the \"splendor on the grass\" pic;-) LOL! Don't worry, nobody reads Newsday anyway. Oh, except for that nice interview yesterday.;-) ;-) I don't think they're all tht bad. It's an entertaining film ; no one trashed it completely. Agreed. After those first few from the trades, I thought they'd all be like Newsday, but they're not. Will be interesting to see how differently, if at all, the reviews will come in from other cities on Friday. (Karen)One point they all seem to agree on is a dislike for OP's little additions. I think it natural to disagree on actors' performances, but they universally agree that OP's direction was completely off the mark and that thankfully some of the underlying material (OW's witty dialogue) rises through the muck enough so to make it OK-ish entertainment. I think that's a fair statement."}, {"response": 526, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (11:01)", "body": "(Karen) Due to lack of space, I find that I cannot reproduce all reviews at The Bucket... *snort* I plan to be selective and excerpt. ROTF. You've been hanging around Harvey too long;-) Steel yourselves for the Brit press reviews. They read ours. Let's hope they adopt an opposite tactic."}, {"response": 527, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (11:01)", "body": "(NY Times review)Wilde's contention that \"we should treat all the trivial things of life seriously, and all the serious things of life with sincere and studied triviality.\" This statement reminds me a lot of what Seinfeld did in every one of his episodes, and really an updated TIOBE would have made a very funny Seinfeld (perhaps this comparison was mentioned already). Both have lots of coincidence, wit, and irony. And both treat trivial things seriously, and serious things with triviality. Can't you just hear CF saying, \"It's Seinfeld, really,\" just like he said SIL was like Dallas and JR. ;-D And that's really what OP did with TIOBE. He made it into a movie that modern audiences could enjoy and get. I think the wit is less detectable in the 1952 version for most audiences today, unless you're a purist or an English professor, imvho. So Lisa, Linda, and whoever else is v. confused, you have the right idea to just go see it when it comes and have a lot fun with it. Though sometimes, I guarantee, you'll be the only one laughing in the theatre ;-D. Evelyn, after reading the TV Guide interview above I am kicking myself that I didn't think to tell CF that he sounded like McCartney and Lennon when he was reaching the high notes (didn't you say that on 126?). He would have loved that!"}, {"response": 528, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (11:05)", "body": "(Karen)Will be interesting to see how differently, if at all, the reviews will come in from other cities on Friday. There aren't any other cities...doesn't it just open in LA and NY? And only the Angelika and Paris at the latter. Note to self: go to Paris Theatre when in NY next week to boost BO;-)"}, {"response": 529, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (11:09)", "body": "It expands to the next top 10 cities on Friday."}, {"response": 530, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (12:12)", "body": "I just want to say thanks to everyone for posting all these great articles. I signed up for Yahoo News Alerts, but I get more and better news from you guys here!!! Thanks again for keeping those of us who live in the boonies well-informed..."}, {"response": 531, "author": "Andie", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (12:14)", "body": "Thank you so much everyone for all the great stories, pics, links, articles etc. It really made all the difference for me, since I'm come from Zero-ColinNews-Land (Minkee and Lisa (love your story, Lisa), the next time you think that Minkeeland has little Colin coverage, just remember people like me! I don't even know if TIOBE will come here. Sob!) (Lora) Evelyn, after reading the TV Guide interview above I am kicking myself that I didn't think to tell CF that he sounded like McCartney and Lennon when he was reaching the high notes (didn't you say that on 126?). He would have loved that! Lora, I was thinking the same thing, abt ODB sounding like Sir Paul, from the little segment that I heard on the web (Karen, thanks for posting the link). But I thought that I was too bias. Glad that some of us here thinks the same. I remember there was an earlier comment that he looks like Paul in some of the pics. Well well, look and sound like McCartney! Maybe ODB can consider a music career in his spare time. ;-) Thanks again ladies for all the great things here! You are the best! Just hope that someday I may contribute something here too."}, {"response": 532, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (13:05)", "body": "(Lora), And that's really what OP did with TIOBE. He made it into a movie that modern audiences could enjoy and get. So he dumbed it down? ;-) Modern audiences don't get high ratings from me. I am kicking myself that I didn't think to tell CF that he sounded like McCartney and Lennon when he was reaching the high notes I thought it was more like Lennon and George Harrison. (Mari), You don't like the ones sitting on the grass, Moon? What about his footwear, surely you have a comment?;-) I'm trying to be nicer than some reviewers today. ;-) (Karen) Due to lack of space, I find that I cannot reproduce all reviews at The Bucket... *snort* I plan to be selective and excerpt. (Evelyn), ROTF. You've been hanging around Harvey too long;-) LOL! The girl has learned a trick or two. (I bet Scorsese will do as he pleases after those 20 mins of \"Gangs\" and the standing ovation he got in Cannes.)"}, {"response": 533, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (13:36)", "body": "(Andie) I don't even know if TIOBE will come here. Sob!) Whoa!! Don't you live in the home/region of bootleg VCDs? Surely, it'll be available on a street corner nearby shortly. But you may have to put in a special request, as they usually concentrate on bigger films."}, {"response": 534, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (15:26)", "body": "This one is from the Newark, NJ daily--one of the few reviews to mention the Ealing connection: Oscar unworthy: Playful version of Wilde classic lessens importance of 'Being Earnest' Wednesday, May 22, 2002 BY STEPHEN WHITTY Star-Ledger Staff The new version of \"The Importance of Being Earnest\" bears two studio titles, Ealing and Miramax. It's an intriguing marriage. Ealing, formed in England at the turn of the century, reached its zenith in the early '50s with small, carefully wrought, fully British films. It effectively ceased to exist in 1959. Miramax, begun in America during the go-go'80s, reached its peak in the'90s, with cannily commercialized art films. It's part of Disney now, and pays careful attention to stars. \"Earnest\" is a logical product of their union. The classic Wilde play is the sort of thing Ealing might have made -- in fact, Rank, an Ealing competitor, did make it, brilliantly, in 1952. Its current cast is practically a Miramax honor roll: Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Frances O'Connor, Judi Dench and Tom Wilkinson among them. Unfortunately, while the Ealing side still holds up nicely -- \"The Importance of Being Earnest\" may be the funniest play ever written in English -- the Miramax side rather regularly lets this marriage down. There are failed attempts at modernity. (Cecily, the ingenue, now has corny daydreams of Rupert Everett as a knight in shining armor -- like Shirley Temple had of Cary Grant in \"The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer.\") There is also some distressing pandering to the middlebrow. (Director Oliver Parker starts the film with a chase scene, throws in some comic violence and even adds half-hearted slapstick and a flash of nudity.) The cast can't help but pale a little, compared to that first version. This version has Rupert Everett and Colin Firth as Algy and Jack, those two roguish London bachelors, and they do at least as good a job now as Michael Denison and Michael Redgrave did then. Anna Massey's wonderful Miss Prism almost makes one forget the first film's Margaret Rutherford. But, pretty as she is as Gwendolyn, Frances O'Connor can't begin to compare with the original's Joan Greenwood, a woman whose very voice was immoral, and Reese Witherspoon is sadly out of her depth as Cecily. And while Judi Dench is formidable as Lady Bracknell, that role demands the sort of dinosaur dowager caricature Edith Evans nearly invented; Lady Bracknell is many things, but believable is not one of them. Parker's instincts have failed him before with casting and classical material; although his version of Wilde's \"An Ideal Husband\" was fine, his drastically revised \"Othello\" foolishly let Kenneth Branagh try to make Iago likable. Here, however, he's at least wise enough to leave much of the text alone, and Wilde's brilliant wit floats off the screen, carrying this mismatched cast aloft with it. There is the marvelously absurd concept, for example, of two women determined to marry men named Ernest, and two men not named Ernest endeavoring to deceive them. There is that perfectly re-created feel of Shakespearean comedy, as witty couples clash and uncouple under England's pale summer skies. And then there is the dialogue. \"To lose one parent, Mr. Worthing, may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness.\" \"The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what Fiction means.\" \"All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That's his.\" But putting Wilde's words on the screen, however faithfully, is not the same as understanding them. Wilde was an aphoristic genius (\"The only thing worse than being talked about, is not being talked about\") and he crammed so many witticisms into \"The Importance of Being Earnest\" it becomes a veritable Bartlett's. Yet he also knew there was more to his work -- and himself -- than clever irony. For all its mistaken- identity jokes, \"The Importance of Being Earnest\" is more than a light comedy; it's a drama about the absurdity of labels, a cry against the hypocrisy of society and an appeal in defense of unorthodoxy. It is a position that Wilde -- an Irishman living in London, a poet at work in the popular theater, a gay man married and with two sons -- knew all too well. The true message of \"Earnest,\" Wilde once wrote, is \"that we should treat all the trivial things of life seriously, and all the serious things of life with sincere and studied triviality.\" But Wilde's best work always quietly wed style and sincerity. This overly clever \"Earnest\" doesn't. And by tarting up the style -- and badly faking the sincerity -- it loses the earnest importance the play so richly deserves."}, {"response": 535, "author": "caribou", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (15:38)", "body": ", (Rex Reed) the new cast can\ufffdt hold a candle to Michael Redgrave, Joan Greenwood, Dorothy Tutin, Michael Denison, Margaret Rutherford and especially Dame Edith Evans\ufffd titanic aria as the maddeningly eccentric Lady Bracknell. Oh yes, they can; they are the ones who aren't dead ! :-D"}, {"response": 536, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (15:42)", "body": "To tell you the honest truth....I'm enormously proud of the quality of jounalism out there. This guys knows the play, ...and actually took the trouble to check out the 1952 vid.He compares other OP productions,and seems to know where Wilde stands in the canon of English lit. Although his opinions doesn't coincide with ours, he's not just reviewing this by the seat of his pants. This review has substance. And some might think even merit. Okay...now shoot me;-)"}, {"response": 537, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (16:35)", "body": "(Evelyn) Okay...now shoot me;-) Nah, not going to shoot you (especially since I haven't seen the film yet!). I'm just ASTOUNDED at the wide range of critical reactions to TIOBE. Perhaps it is because this is a new adaptation of a much-loved play, and the critics have gone into the cinema expecting one thing (apparently the 1952 version, re-done) and have received another? Dashed expectations have befuddled the critics!! :) Seriously, I'm having a hard time coming up with other films that had such a wide range of critical reactions that the public can't use any of them as a guide!! Does anyone have any theories?"}, {"response": 538, "author": "kattas", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (17:00)", "body": "Hello from another delurker. I'm in my 40's and live in North Carolina, where TIOBE will not likely be shown until after June 1st. Humph! I have posted on the BJD and the fanfic conferences but never here. Have been enjoying all the news!"}, {"response": 539, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (17:03)", "body": "What IS it with Colin and shoes? At least the ones in the park don't have the white laces. Maybe Livia should pay more attention to his wardrobe. She always has nice shoes."}, {"response": 540, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (18:14)", "body": "Is anyone else having trouble getting into the tv guide article and pictures? Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone for the articles and pictures today."}, {"response": 541, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (18:20)", "body": "(Kate) She always has nice shoes. Are you sure about that? ;-D BTW, I enlarged the two pics from this a.m. since I know everybody wants to be able to read the brandnames... http://www.firth.com/images/gen/ladailynews2_lrg.jpg"}, {"response": 542, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (18:26)", "body": "(Kate) She always has nice shoes. Are you sure about that?(Karen) Maybe Colin bought them for her at a garage sale. Did get into the tv guide site. Love that pic of CF and FOC Thanks, Karen for the enlargements"}, {"response": 543, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (18:39)", "body": "What IS it with Colin and shoes? I agree, the best shoes in the world are Italian. And, the clothes aren't bad either. I didn't mind the sneakers....they look like what I see whenever I hit a sports store. Do the lawn pics look like the same outfit from the interview from the hotel in NY??? How does all this publicity compare to other film releases of Colin's? I wasn't around for BJD, did he get generally good reviews from the press? Also, I found it interesting that I saw only one mention of Conspiracy as a credit for him in all these reviews! I'm having trouble finding the Today show on the TV here. We used to have it on about 12 or 1am here, live or close to it. Now I can't even find it on the schedule. (Did see David Letterman for the first time in ages though.) Minkee...oh Minkee...did you get the show taped the other day? What do you know about all this? :))))) BTW...Karen...when I was logged in early this morning I was reading posts with no tags, but now, they've all come back!"}, {"response": 544, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (18:41)", "body": "**Note** Those blue shoes couldn't be Italian. LOL Karen!"}, {"response": 545, "author": "firthfetish", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (19:06)", "body": "Pardon while I lol...bwahahahaha!Whew....the shoe thing is killing me!I have to give it to Lisa...definitely NOT Italian : )"}, {"response": 546, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (19:11)", "body": "Welcome Kat! Love the pictures Karen, thanks! Long in the tooth indeed! No way!"}, {"response": 547, "author": "airstream", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (19:32)", "body": "Sorry to repeat, I posted the New York Post's review on the spoiler's board. Mari, you are fast! It is interesting that that reviewer didn't seem to enjoy AM and TW performance."}, {"response": 548, "author": "kattas", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (19:33)", "body": "Love the pics of the shoes. LOL I liked the blue ones; they could have been bought in the UK. *grin*"}, {"response": 549, "author": "airstream", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (19:58)", "body": "I kind of like the blue shoes :)"}, {"response": 550, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (20:19)", "body": "Welcome, Kat I can almost deal with the blue, and the gold thong types, but what in the world are the ones in the third picture? Karen, surely you jest. Actually, the blue ones look like they're attached to wooden legs."}, {"response": 551, "author": "meg", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (20:29)", "body": "Hi! Yet another new member here... I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed all the articles and pics the last few weeks! And to think I thought I was all alone. Silly me. So glad to have found this place! Like going home... I live in the Philly area and can't wait to see TIOBE Friday night with the hubby! (Is three a crowd?) Taking a half day just to make sure I get there on time. (Pathetic?) Now let's hope I can find a babysitter for the kids... Happy to be here! :))) And thanks again Karen for your help!"}, {"response": 552, "author": "kattas", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (21:06)", "body": "(Meg) I live in the Philly area and can't wait to see TIOBE Friday night with the hubby! So, is TIOBE opening in Philly this week? In that case, I just may get to see it before it opens here, because I'm going up there for my vacation on Saturday. Wow... *big grin* Now, if only I can convince my cousin to take me! Which theatre will it be showing in?"}, {"response": 553, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (21:30)", "body": "Welcome Kat! Where in NC? I lived in W-S many moons ago for a couple of years. Welcome Meg! I lived in Philly, too (The Northeast) for a couple of moons after NC while going to college. Missed it there while I lived in FL, but not after moving to NY. I kind of like those gold sandal things, not so keen on the other ones...but I am NO shoe connoisseur. Give me sneakers, Birkenstocks, and black boots during the winter and I'm set! Saw a little blurb in the NY Times today on inside page of Metro Section about Colin and Rupert. Do they put that stuff online? Pull Outs(?) from the ad in the Times today: \"A FREEWHEELING COMEDY! Rupert Everett & Colin Firth are delightful! Reese Witherspoon adds sparkle! Judi Dench is hilarious!\"- Peter Travers, Rolling Stone \"A MUST SEE!\"- Julia Dahl, Marie Clare \"THE PERFECT ANTIDOTE TO THE SUMMER BLOCKBUSTERS!\"- Neil Rosen, NY-1 \"ENORMOUS FUN! Absolutely A+!\"- Sandie Newman, CBS-TV Surely there are positive comments from reviews from higher profile publications and broadcasts that could be used... although does it really matter?"}, {"response": 554, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (21:43)", "body": "Welcome all newbies (and especially those from the Philly area!:-) Linda and I are seeing it at the Ritz on Friday if anyone wants to meet up. E-mail me privately if interested (or just to say hi). (Dorine--my hubby grew up in your old neighborhood--small world, eh?) (Meg)Taking a half day just to make sure I get there on time. (Pathetic?) Not as pathetic as moi, who is taking the whole day.:-) You might say \"I'm Colin in sick\" . . .;-) (Dorine)Surely there are positive comments from reviews from higher profile publications and broadcasts that could be used... although does it really matter? Since the reviews from the NY and LA papers didn't come out until today, they wouldn't be in today's ads. They'll use some of the new quotes in the weekend ads, for sure."}, {"response": 555, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (21:47)", "body": "Mari, ROFL Arrrggg, can't believe I have to wait another week!"}, {"response": 556, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (22:12)", "body": "(Mari) Linda and I are seeing it at the Ritz on Friday The Ritz! Went there once to see \"Women on the Edge of a Nervous Breakdown\" HA! Guess that describes us over the past couple of weeks! (Mari) Not as pathetic as moi, who is taking the whole day.:-) You might say \"I'm Colin in sick\" Took mine last week ;-D"}, {"response": 557, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (22:27)", "body": "(Lisa) How does all this publicity compare to other film releases of Colin's? I wasn't around for BJD, did he get generally good reviews from the press? By \"other\" what do you mean? Pre-BJD, he would've hardly gotten a mention in the big movies he's appeared because of his supporting role (SIL and TEP). You would have to go way back to his earlier days for reviews that really focused on his acting, like Apartment Zero. Fever Pitch hardly played in the US. He was virtually ignored in A Thousand Acres. We all know about the Valmont experience. For BJD, many of the reviews still focused on HG. You can take a look at the BJD reviews. Another Lisa and I had a good time critiquing the reviewers a la Bridget. ;-) (they still make me chuckle) http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjdrevsum.html BTW, she wore the gold thongs to the Relative Values premiere in London. *eyebrow raised*"}, {"response": 558, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (22:47)", "body": "For those who missed Cast Party on VH1, here are two more rebroadcast times (all Eastern): Friday 5:30pm Saturday 1:30pm"}, {"response": 559, "author": "airstream", "date": "Wed, May 22, 2002 (22:56)", "body": "(mari) \"Colin in sick\" ! That one is too good to only stop at one pun. More please...."}, {"response": 560, "author": "iluvdarcy1", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (00:38)", "body": "Saw about a boy tonight. Ho-hum predictable movie. Was not HG's best work but could not see ODB pulling it off as well. ODB has a sort of gravity and intensity that the character deliberately lacked. The character even admitted he's shallow. ODB is made of finer stuff and IMO the silly, affable, irresponsible role doesn't suit. Obviously I am not a fan of Fever Pitch. Very similar character to Paul. IMO FP not Firth's best work. nowhere near."}, {"response": 561, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (04:59)", "body": "Took mine last week (Dorine) You sure did! But how worth it was it!!!! Hello, Meg, Welcome I saw AAB last Sat. I agree with you Nica. I thought it would have been neat to see ODB in a cameo during the Amnesty Int. phone-a-thon scene."}, {"response": 562, "author": "kattas", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (05:24)", "body": "(Dorine) Welcome Kat! Where in NC? I lived in W-S many moons ago for a couple of years. Actually, I live in W-S! Were you at school here or what? I am originally from the LA/Hollywood area in California but have also lived in VA, London, UK and DC."}, {"response": 563, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (05:36)", "body": "Hello to everyone new and keep posting!!!! Post nonsense, post extraneous news, don't make me the only one!!!! Hello Kat! I'm originally from LA/Orange Co. Now in Australia. But, I know Hollywood like the back of my hand from my university days! LOL :))) HI AGAIN!!!!!!"}, {"response": 564, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (06:31)", "body": "You guys have been talking about Katie....Did I miss the Today interview????? I thought it was Friday!!!???? Someone help me out here!!! Thanks for posting the Cast Party rebroadcast times, although now I'll have to reveal my ODB obsession to someone who has cable. Oh, well, maybe I'll win a convert! :)"}, {"response": 565, "author": "meg", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (06:59)", "body": "(Mari) Not as pathetic as moi, who is taking the whole day.:-) You might say \"I'm Colin in sick\" . . .;-) I can't believe you said that... :-D Glad you said it firthst. I'm not originally from the Philly area, but have been here for over 20 years now. First movie I saw at the Ritz was Another Country. Didn't fall for ODB that time though. Anyone else going to the 3:50 show? Or are you going to all 4??? Actually, the Ritz website no longer is listing times, which has me a bit nervous... I'll have to call I guess."}, {"response": 566, "author": "maryw", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (08:16)", "body": "(Lisa)I'm having trouble finding the Today show on the TV here. We used to have it on about 12 or 1am here, live or close to it. Now I can't even find it on the schedule. (Did see David Letterman for the first time in ages though.) Minkee...oh Minkee...did you get the show taped the other day? What do you know about all this? :))))) Lisa - taping unsuccessful - sorry. I called my daughter from my hotel in Melb, who pre-set the tape. Apparently she got visuals but no sound. Am not back home in Syd til Fri night so won't be able to check til then. \"Today\" show is on Channel 7. I just checked the online guide (www.i7.aol.com.au). It is referred to as \"NBC Today\". Starts around 1.40 am and goes through til 3.30 am. If Colin is sked to come on Friday morning US time - then that must be the Sat 1.30 AM one down here. If CF is featured again on the Weekend Today show (is there such a thing - oh dear US Drooleurs?) then that must be the one that is shown on early Monday morning here. Don't forget the replay of Tom Brooke's Talking Movies - 3 times tomorrow (Friday) on Foxtel BBCWorld 2.30 am, 5.30pm and 11.30 pm, if I remember correctly. Happy hunting to all down under."}, {"response": 567, "author": "maryw", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (08:18)", "body": "Oh by the way welcome to Meg, moonstar and others, I may have missed : whether semi or permanent de-lurkers. The more, the merrier!"}, {"response": 568, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (08:36)", "body": "Three online film critics have posted reviews. They are all bad, but I will only post this one, as it has substance. The other two were basic and 'trivial.' One Guy's Opinion (Frank Swietek): D Less an adaptation than a bastardization, Oliver Parker's frantic reworking of Oscar Wilde's 1895 masterpiece is a misfire of the first order. \"The Importance of Being Earnest\" is quite simply the wittiest play in the English language, a piece so flawlessly fashioned and deliciously phrased as to provide ample pleasure even in a mediocre stage production; it's one of those rare works of art that, if only presented honestly, is virtually indestructible. Though it boasts a promising cast, however, Parker's treatment is an almost unmitigated disaster. This is rather a shock, since Parker gave us a generally estimable film version of Wilde's \"An Ideal Husband\" in 1999: he made alterations to the script, to be sure, but that play doesn't approach the perfection of \"Earnest\" in the first instance, and in any event the changes weren't destructive. With \"Earnest,\" however, his choices are almost always wrong; indeed, he seems perversely to have gone out of his way to destroy the piece's basic strengths and replace hem with a kind of loutish vulgarity that's completely foreign to the original. To anyone who loves this play, he result will be painful to watch. Parker's initial error was to treat Wilde's brilliant deconstruction of nineteenth-century British class and cultural mores (played out in the form of the \"romances\" of two duplicitous men with the women they seek to marry) in a generally naturalistic way. The very essence of \"Earnest\" is its exquisite artificiality, its foppish dismissal of the slightest hint of realism and utter embrace of mannerism. As one of its characters retorts when something's he's said is criticized for not having any meaning, it's style, not the truthfulness, that matters. Parker has misunderstood this essential fact and tried idiotically to make his picture accessible to modern audiences by dampening the wit in favor of ham-fisted farce and \"opening up\" the action (presumably to make the film seem less talky and wearisomely \"cultivated\") by introducing such extraneous elements as chase , romantic hallucinations, and even a crassly foolish musical number. Instead of an elegant play of words, we're given something like \"A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Manor.\" But while vaudeville slapstick was quite appropriately applied to Plautus, Wilde is entirely another matter. In the process the delicate brilliance of the original is crushed and in its place we get merely a sloppy, amateurish burlesque. (A brutally cute and obtrusive music score by Charlie Mole only adds to the sense of crudity.) There are some glimpses of what might have been in the pithy gem-likes lines of Wilde that continue to shine even in a context like this one (when you can hear them amidst the hubbub), and in the work of the talented, but mostly misused, cast. Rupert Everett, as the wonderfully wicked Algernon, and Colin Firth, as the staider, parentless Jack Worthing, could conceivably succeed in these roles, but under the stress of Parker's sledgehammer direction and a battery of unflattering close-ups they appear o be working far too strenuously; these characters need to appear snootily detached and virtually plastic, but here they sweat, smirk and groan all too obviously. The women of the romantic quartet are better. Frances O'Connor makes a suitably chilly Gwendolyn, and Reese Witherspoon an amusingly ditzy Cecily. Best of all is Judi Dench, who recites her speeches magisterially and manages to retain the dignity of the redoubtable Lady Bracknell even when Parker requires her to run about in the wild toward the close--something we know inherently that this overweeningly imperious figure would never do. Edward Fox also contributes a few good moments as Algy's impossibly proper butler. Tom Wilkinson could probably have made a wonderful Dr. Chasuble, but Parker forces him to employ so many tics and sniffles that his performance is buried in them. And Anna Massey slips too easily into pathos as the reverend's intended, Miss Prism. Astonishingly, Parker chooses to play her final \"revelation\" scene--one of the most arch y outrageous recognition scenes in theatrical history, perhaps rivaled only by the equivalent episode in Mozart's \"Le Nozze di Figaro\"--almost seriously. Even at this most wonderfully artificial point, Parker blunders disastrously into realism. Happily, there are alternatives. Anthony Asquith's 1952 filmization might not be precisely calibrated, but in Edith Evans it has a marvelous Lady Bracknell, and it's at least true to the play's nature. Even better is the 1981 television version by Michael Linday-Hogg (based on Michael Attenborough's London stage production), with Wendy Hiller and Jeremy Clyde memorable as Lady Bracknell and Algernon; its candy-cane colored ambience and mannered style capture the piec"}, {"response": 569, "author": "maryw", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (08:46)", "body": "Thank you Karen. At least the cast seems to be getting generally some level of absolution, the critics preferring to lay the shambles at the feet of OP. It's a shame. :-( Nevertheless - I know I'll still be \"Colin in sick\" many, many times to savour the \"battery of close-ups\" - no matter that the critics think they are \"unflattering\" - nevah!"}, {"response": 570, "author": "maryw", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (09:16)", "body": ""}, {"response": 571, "author": "maryw", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (09:17)", "body": ""}, {"response": 572, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (09:25)", "body": "Showing solidarity, I would say. ;-D From THR: Miramax makes Fragile deal May 23, 2002 CANNES -- Miramax Films has sealed an exclusive first-look co-financing deal with Ealing Studios and its production label Fragile Films, headed by independent producer duo Barnaby Thompson and Uli Fruchtmann, the parties said Wednesday at Cannes. Miramax co-chairman Harvey Weinstein announced the deal with Ealing Studios' chief Barnaby Thompson. Fruchtmann was also present alongside Miramax's Rick Sands and Buena Vista U.K. chief Daniel Battsek. Through the deal, Miramax get first-look for film and television projects developed and produced by Thompson and Fruchtmann, who are both co-owners of Ealing and Fragile principals, for English speaking territories. The projects that come through the deal will be released under the Miramax and Ealing Studios banners. Fruchtmann said the deal will initially run for two and half years and that Miramax will fuel overhead and development costs. \"I'm thrilled to be in business with one of the U.K.'s most talented and prolific producers,\" Weinstein said. \"We are very excited about playing a role in the revival of the Ealing Studio banner--which highlights our continuing love affair with British films and the European film business.\" Thompson said to operate as an independent producer in the U.K. it has become important to have a strong American partner and compared Weinstein to the late British movie mogul Alexander Korda. \"What we can do through this partnership is give British talent a home, give them a chance to make movies and give them great distribution,\" he said. Charles Layton, exec vp in the office of the chairmen, and Stuart Ford, senior vp of acquisitions and international operations, negotiated the agreement on behalf of Miramax with the assistance of Karen Hogarty, head of Miramax UK business and legal affairs. Attorneys Craig Jacobsen and Stewart Brookman, of Hansen Jacobmen Teller Hoberman Newman and Warren negotiated the agreement on behalf of Fragile Films. The trio have worked together three times previously with Miramax partnering the duo on the upcoming \"The Importance Of Being Earnest,\" directed by Oliver Parker, which will be the first film for 43 years to be released under the Ealing Studios banner. The parties have also worked together on \"An Ideal Husband\" and \"Lucky Break.\" First in line for the new agreement, is a film noir working titled \"Fade To Black,\" based on an Italian novel of the same name. The project is budgeted at around $15 million and is a thriller set in Rome just after the end of the Second World War. Parker is currently working on a new draft from a script by co-writer John Sayles. Thompson said he would show Weinstein a new draft over the coming days. [Ed note: I forget, has this been cast yet? C'mon, Harvey and Uri, give Colin this role!!]"}, {"response": 573, "author": "maryw", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (09:30)", "body": ""}, {"response": 574, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (09:31)", "body": "(moonstar)although now I'll have to reveal my ODB obsession to someone who has cable. Oh, well, maybe I'll win a convert! :) Or you may find another secret Firthette. You never know. Just reveal your secret to another WOMAN. I asked my best friend's husband to tape RV for me, and he is still teasing me mercilessly about Colin, particlarly since he thinks Colin was not *acting* when he played that part. Hmm, must find a friend who can program the vcr for herself! (Mari)\"I'm Colin in sick\" . . A perfect expression, I should have used that last week. Must try that on my boss, who doesn't understand my obsession, but is at least amused by it."}, {"response": 575, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (09:41)", "body": "There was a snippet of CF and RE singing in tiobe on Extra yesterday. I know some people (Spokane, for eg.) get this a day late in case you want to check. From Response 507: \"I didn't really prepare very much except in my bedroom once or twice,\" the 41-year-old adds. Why can't I get this out of my head? \"Lady come down.....\""}, {"response": 576, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (09:55)", "body": "Thank you Karen for the online review. V. well resourced,but indicting. \"... but under the stress of Parker's sledgehammer direction \" Ouch!Like Minkee said, at least the cast comes out clean."}, {"response": 577, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (10:51)", "body": "From the Toronto Sun http://www.canoe.ca/JamMovies/may23_firth-sun.html Colin Firth: Hidden star Brit actor content with anonymous success By LIZ BRAUN Toronto Sun NEW YORK -- Few adult women were surprised when Helen Fielding based the hero of her book, Bridget Jones' Diary, on British actor Colin Firth. If we have to explain the actor's appeal, then you must be a guy. Not that there's anything wrong with that. ENSEMBLE OUTING Firth, who went on to play Mark Darcy when the book became a very successful film, is currently starring in The Importance Of Being Earnest, an ensemble outing courtesy of Oscar Wilde with a cast that includes Dame Judi Dench, Rupert Everett, Reese Witherspoon and Frances O'Connor. He says of Earnest, \"I do find light comedy is the hardest thing to do. There's nothing to fall back on. And the whole identity thing ...\" Well, yes, the identity thing. In Earnest, Firth plays Jack Worthing, a man who pretends to be one person when he's in the country and quite another person when he's in the city. In the country, what's more, he watches over his ward (Reese Witherspoon) and in the city he courts a woman (Frances O'Connor) whose mother forbids a marriage. The film is very funny and very much about language. At 42, the actor and author (\"It's a rare occurrence I get anything into print. I need a deadline and a threat\") says he first became an actor at the age of 14. \"Because everything else didn't seem to be going anywhere.\" His choice was moved along by a complete academic inability at math, chemistry or physics. On one chemistry test, he scored 3%. \"And the teacher did mention giving me two points for writing my name correctly. It was a dead end. My physics was 1%. I just wasn't getting off the ground in that area.\" As English and music were going well, however, a career in the arts was born. \"It wasn't a choice, really.\" From the get-go -- his first West End stage role in Another Country -- Firth found success. He picked up his Another Country role when the play became a movie, and went from there to such films as Apartment Zero, Valmont, A Circle Of Friends, Pride And Prejudice, The English Patient, Shakespeare In Love and of course, Bridget Jones' Diary. (After Valmont, Firth lived for a time with co-star Meg Tilly. They have an adolescent son together; currently, he is married to Livia Giuggioli, and they have one infant.) Success seems surprising to him still. That's because, says Firth, he's never had any expectations. 'BRILLIANT ACTORS' The grandchild of missionaries and the son of a history teacher and religion professor, Firth says, \"I didn't expect to be in a movie, I didn't expect to be in the West End, either. I didn't expect to be in movies because that was another profession completely, for movie stars.\" In England, his movie star thoughts are not unusual. \"Look at Stratford -- all those brilliant actors. Not a film role among them.\" Firth points out that he's been almost 20 years in the business without any sort of real presence, thus far, in the American movie-goers consciousness. \"So, if it does not embrace me -- I can keep working and it's fine.\""}, {"response": 578, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (12:02)", "body": "(Meg)First movie I saw at the Ritz was Another Country. Really? That's great. Linda and I will be going to the NJ Ritz; I assume you'e going to the one in Philly? I work near there, so if you're ever up for a loooong lunch break, let me know.:-) Parker is currently working on a new draft from a script by co-writer John Sayles. Thompson said he would show Weinstein a new draft over the coming days. Um, ya think OP can improve upon a Sayles script?!"}, {"response": 579, "author": "maryw", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (12:06)", "body": "I'm back and bit more sober this time. Lisa & others down here - my alarm clock worked and just saw a quite delectable ODB on BBC World Talking movies. Yum! You must go and check it out - on again at 2.30 pm and 11.30 pm today Friday 24 May. Foxtel Ch 37. Thank you to our US Drooleurs for telling us. If the posts are showing in small font on your screens, I think it may be my fault from a couple of drunken posts earlier (rightly and promptly zapped by the Boss! LOL!) So mea culpa to all on the board. But am not sure what I have to do to get the font size back to normal again. Shall I try this? Otherwise, we will have to wait for the Boss to weave her magic to make it right. sorry"}, {"response": 580, "author": "maryw", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (12:08)", "body": "Looks like it worked. Font size seems ok now. Hope it's the same for everyone else."}, {"response": 581, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (12:28)", "body": "(Colin, via Toronto Sun) \"Look at Stratford -- all those brilliant actors. Not a film role among them.\" Thanks for posting this, Bryonny This ties back to what he said in the Talking Movies interview. There are a lote of \"working actors\" who never find fame. That seems to be what he expected from his own career at the start. On one hand, it's nice to know that he isn't suffering great resentment that fame hasn't chased him. I wonder if a marriage and small child help him keep that persective? On the other hand, it would be nice if he chased a few roles a bit more. A film noir set in Rome sounds like a nice fit. So, while I wouldn't want him to trample anyone (and I'd hate to see him burn his hands and knees while crawling through lava), he could be a bit more aggressive. Maybe Livia knows someone who knows someone at the publisher? (HG claims to have first seen AAP in galley proofs, maybe that's the way to snag a story) Does anyone know if Fade to Black has been tranlated into English?"}, {"response": 582, "author": "meg", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (12:54)", "body": "Mari\ufffdYup, the Philly Ritz. Just reserved the tickets. (But would have camped out...) Soooo excited! I recently dug out an old Films In Review with a blurb on A Month in the Country (when it first came out). Is this something anyone would be interested in reading? If so, I'll type it in here tonight."}, {"response": 583, "author": "firthfetish", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (13:04)", "body": "Type away Meg! I would like to read it! : )"}, {"response": 584, "author": "treseg", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (13:09)", "body": "alright it took me until yesterday to catch up on all the posts from the weekend, don't know what i'll do after my week long vacation in the beginning of june, i'll never be able to catch up after that i fear, note to self: must get access for home computer since work is not reliably slow enough to drool all day how this for sad: my mom-in-law just saw BJD for first time she invited me to the viewing since i've been raving about it for months, it was a nice wine drinking evening while my father-in-law occupied a wound up two year old for the entire time, unfortunely she said she didn't think colin was that handsome, i had such grand plans for her to finance trips to meet CF at premieres like other lucky admirers we all know, i guess i'll have to think of another way to fund my obsession okay so this is old but i'm so glad the famous \"colin stepping out of the poster\" photo was reposted because it didn't show up the first time i viewed them on my computer, image is amazing, now i know what everyone was raving about counting the days until the 31st because i think that is when TIOBE opens in st. louis, all i know is what was on the amc theater website, i'm planning on making a mad dash to the theater before the week long vacation, don't know what i'll do if it isn't there"}, {"response": 585, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (13:22)", "body": "Lordy, thank goodness someone explained the small font. Thought my eyes decided to give ut on me after all the required reading around here this week. FTB sounds perfect for ODB. Location is right up his viale.(boulevard) I couldn't remember the word for alley (vicolo?) Sorry, Moon"}, {"response": 586, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (13:25)", "body": "(Trese) maybe you should have started her off with P&P?"}, {"response": 587, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (13:47)", "body": "Here I go again, responding to my own posts (trese)she said she didn't think colin was that handsome It is your mother-in-law,BTW. Maybe she doesn't want her son to have to compete with ODB."}, {"response": 588, "author": "treseg", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (14:28)", "body": "lindak, i was going to have a little tea party with her one day and use her dvd player (since i don't have one) to watch my new p&p dvd, she agreed to watch it but i keep having visions of her snoozing through dr. zhivago when we got rained in at their country house, i don't know if she thinks he'd be competition, though i was gushing all throughout the movie, we are very open with each other (possibly too open because she thinks i'm a martyr for putting up with her son sometimes), i'm thinking she definitely needs to see p&p and just get more exposure to colin"}, {"response": 589, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (15:33)", "body": "FTB sounds perfect for ODB. Location is right up his viale.(boulevard) I couldn't remember the word for alley (vicolo?) Sorry, Moon LOL, Linda! FTB e un buon vicolo per lui. I hope he fights for that part. Of course, he should have already convinced OP he's the right one for the job, but has he? I've been so very busy and catching up with everything here! Thanks to everyone who is posting reviews and welcome newbies! BTW, it's nice to see other people on the fashion patrol. ;-D"}, {"response": 590, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (16:04)", "body": "Hello everyone, I'm out from lurkdom for a minute ;-) (Lisa)I'm having trouble finding the Today show on the TV here. We used to have it on about 12 or 1am here, live or close to it. Now I can't even find it on the schedule Lisa/Minkee I taped an episode of the Today show on Channel 7 a couple of mornings back, but it all seemed to be news/current affairs related. I admit I did fast forward most of it, but I'm sure there was no *entertainment* interviews, and definitely no Colin. Its was on from 1.00am to 3.00am. Many thanks to everyone who has posted interviews/reviews/photos etc over the past few weeks; its greatly appreciated."}, {"response": 591, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (16:32)", "body": "(from resp. 572) First in line for the new agreement, is a film noir working titled \"Fade To Black,\" based on an Italian novel of the same name. Sounds right up ODB's alley, though noir is difficult for directors to do well. Would love for CF to do a noir with David Fincher. Anyway, I hope he's thought of for this role!!! (from same resp.) Parker is currently working on a new draft from a script by co-writer John Sayles. I don't think I would have the guts to try and mess with a Sayles script. IMHO, of course."}, {"response": 592, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (17:00)", "body": "I don't think I've thanked and welcomed everyone for making this such a wonderful place to \"lurk\" in the last couple of weeks. I should say extra-wonderful, because it's always great. I've loved reading about the personal accounts, seeing the pics, and meeting de-lurkers. We are not alone! Have to admit, I'm glossing over the reviews. They are making me v. dizzy. I know when TIOBE finally reaches NC (there are several of us here, I see), I'll enjoy it, even if it is trivial. What's that old saying about listening to someone (or watching) reading the phone book. Karen, The Bucket is overflowing with good stuff. And thanks so much for the up-to-the-minute TV schedule. Cast Party was a complete hoot and delight, and not being of that demographic (or maybe I *am* VH1 material?) I would have missed a treat. VCR is primed for the Today show Friday AM. Also am \"Colin sick\" (sorry, I just love that). Have my fingers crossed for the Daily Show. Speaking of the boonies, Karen, have you ever run across a list of markets? IOW who are the \"top 40\" or the second tier of cities after NY/LA, after the 10, etc. I know we're the last, but am curious what the middle level is."}, {"response": 593, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (17:21)", "body": "Hi everyone, You are all amazing. Thanks for all the great posts on newspaper articles, TV appearances, and premieres. I am so envious. Nothing seems to be happening on this side of the pond. - Roll on September when TIOBE opens. - I hope he makes as many TV appearances over here!! Does anyone know if any of the programmes mentioned air in the UK? I've just had satellite TV installed this week, and don't know my way round the many channels yet. Any help would be great. Keep up the great work!!!"}, {"response": 594, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (17:34)", "body": "(Meredith) have you ever run across a list of markets? Nope."}, {"response": 595, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (18:41)", "body": "(trese)and just get more exposure to colin I If you want her to have more exposure to Colin might I suggest PM-uh it had better be a real open relationship for that tea party. (Moon)BTW, it's nice to see other people on the fashion patrol. Next time the shoe police make fun of ODB's choice of footwear, check out Robin Williams shoes at the premiere of I last night. Funky lookin things. Just want to remind everyone to keep voting for the MTV film awards. I saw a special the other night where they reviewed the awards over the last ten years. Throughout the show they mentioned this year's categories and nominees. They also gave updates on which nominees had accepted to appear. I got to see the kiss clip but no mention of CF or RZ. They did say they would continue to update the acceptance list."}, {"response": 596, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (19:04)", "body": "Tonight, in 1 hour (9pm eastern), on the Mystery Channel here (Ontario, Canada) which I get on digital cable: Master of the Moor part 1. Not sure if this is helpful to others, as I don't know if they do the same programming in other markets."}, {"response": 597, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (19:48)", "body": "Welcome, Cathey Why come out of lurkdom for just a minute? Once you're out, you're out! Stick around and join the fun."}, {"response": 598, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (20:13)", "body": "Great review in the Washington Post: 'Earnest': It's a Wilde World By Desson Howe Washington Post Staff Writer Friday, May 24, 2002; Page WE43 IN \"THE Importance of Being Earnest,\" Jack Worthing (Colin Firth) is a respectable man. He takes care of an 18-year-old ward, Cecily Cardew (Reese Witherspoon), at his palatial home in the country. And he's constantly traveling to London to take care of his worthless brother, Ernest. One small detail: This brother doesn't exist. Jack has to set a high example to his ward. And without Ernest, why he'd be visiting those fashionable watering holes of London for no reason. When he visits these places, Jack calls himself Ernest. Welcome to Oliver Parker's smart, sassy interpretation of the Oscar Wilde play, in which staying ahead of trouble is a gentleman's true calling. Jack's friend, Algy Moncrieff (Rupert Everett), who lives in the city, is a truth spinner himself. He claims to have a friend named Bunbury, who's constantly falling ill. As a devoted friend to this fictional Bunbury, Algy is forever using him as an excuse to get away from such regular occupational hazards as overwhelming debt, skipped checks at the restaurant, that sort of thing. You know, trouble. In this spirited movie, both men fall in love under the assumed name of Ernest. Jack proposes to Gwendolen Fairfax (Frances O'Connor), Algy's cousin, who knows Jack only as Ernest. She loves \"Ernest,\" but she's stymied by her mother, the dread Lady Bracknell (Judi Dench), who demands the right to interview all suitors. And when Algy skips to Jack's country home and meets the attractive Cecily for the first time, he falls in love too. He tells Cecily he's Jack's scoundrel brother, Ernest. Two women are madly in love with someone called Ernest. May the farce be with them. Writer-director Parker, who also made \"An Ideal Husband\" (which featured Everett), has made a roundly entertaining comedy about man's apparent inability to be comfortable with the actual truth. He has drawn much source material from an original four-act draft which included more of the subplot between characters Miss Prism (Cecily's prissy tutor) and Rev. Canon Chasuble (the local vicar). The latter characters, played wonderfully by Anna Massey and Tom Wilkinson, have eyes for each other. They struggle mightily to contain their inner passions but, well, this is an Oscar Wilde drama. Speaking of withholding, it's virtually impossible to resist sharing a little Wilde wit. \"To lose one parent, Mr. Worthing, may be regarded as a misfortune,\" says Lady Bracknell, appalled at Jack's revelation that he's an orphan. \"To lose both looks like carelessness.\" Whether or not the right people end up with their intendeds is almost immaterial, although the performances from all are so good, you actually do care. The real importance of \"Earnest\" is the thrill of brilliant repartee. And as we laugh, an amazing thing happens: Oscar Wilde comes alive."}, {"response": 599, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (20:19)", "body": "Chicago Tribune review; great one for Colin! Movie review, 'The Importance of Being Earnest' By Robert K. Elder It remains one of the tragedies of the English language that Oscar Wilde didn't leave us with more plays. Shortly after the 1895 London premiere of Wilde's stage masterwork, \"The Importance of Being Earnest,\" the 40-year-old wordsmith found himself in prison for being unfashionably homosexual in Victorian England. He was dead five years later, a broken writer suffering ill health after two years in poor prison conditions. \"Earnest\" represented Wilde at the height of his literary powers, his rapier wit carving away moral hypocrisies while still leaving hope for love in otherwise absurd human relationships. Director and screenwriter Oliver Parker seems to understand this and harnesses the raw genius and comedy of \"The Importance of Being Earnest\" through a cinematic parliament of fine performances. At the same time, Parker adds to works that require little ornamentation. Much like Wilde's \"An Ideal Husband\" (previously adapted by Parker), \"Earnest\" embraces the comedic possibilities of romance attempting to take flight in London's tiny social cage. But Jack (Colin Firth of \"Bridget Jones's Diary\") has found a way through the bars. A well-to-do gentleman of the country, Jack escapes his mundane manor and spirited young ward, Cecily (Reese Witherspoon), by frequenting London under the pretext of looking after his black-sheep brother, Ernest. Jack, of course, is Ernest in the city and Jack in the country - until he falls in love as Ernest with young Gwendolen (Frances O'Connor), whose overprotective aunt, Lady Bracknell (Judi Dench), won't hear of marriage until the matter of his mystery heritage comes to light. Jack himself is no help - having no memory of being left in a railway station's cloakroom, tucked inside a baby-sized satchel. Of even less help is Jack's city friend and Lady Bracknell's nephew, Algy (Rupert Everett), a master of duality himself, who complicates matte s by showing up at Jack's country estate posing as Ernest. \"The Importance of Being Earnest\" reteams Parker with Everett, who led 1999's \"An Ideal Husband.\" Here, Everett offers flashes of Algy unhinged as the flamboyant playboy, sick in love with Jack's young ward. He's almost garishly cartoony in Algy's manic mischief - eyes bugging out and smile stretched beyond a sneer as Jack rings his neck for complicating his overtures of marriage. Luckily, Firth adds stability and genuine charm not only to the film but to the role of Jack and his strained relationship with Algy. Nothing endears the sexes to one another as grace under fire, and Firth never wilts - even under the glare of Dench's powerhouse Lady Bracknell. In \"Husband,\" Parker streamlined Wilde's word orgies, exercising restraint after rewriting Shakespeare in much of his \"Othello,\" starring Kenneth Branagh and Laurence Fishburne. In \"Earnest,\" Parker delivers a few inspired additions to the play but staples on a fantasy element to Cecily's daydreams, putting Everett on a white horse and in shining armor in between his scheming and prancing. Other than daydreaming, Witherspoon doesn't have much to do and spends the film over-pronouncing her dialogue in an English accent. All of this subtracts from Jack, whose situation provides the core conflict and velocity of the story. While it's easy to understand Parker's move to make the movie adaptation more of an ensemble piece, Jack remains the ensemble lead. Besides, Wilde's sparkling dialogue comes through best when unadorned, and Parker's additions often play like lace curtains on a stained-glass window. Still, the actors amplify Wilde's sense of timing and satire. \"The Importance of Being Earnest\" resonates and inspires rapid-fire bouts of laughter, perhaps even a few giggles from the author himself, whom posterity has rewarded the last laugh."}, {"response": 600, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (20:34)", "body": "Interesting--the reviews outside NY and LA seem much more positive.:-) 'Importance of Being Earnest' is not a Merchant/Ivory period drama Jeff Strickler Minneapolis Star Tribune Published May 24, 2002 As movie trios go, Rupert Everett, Oliver Parker and Oscar Wilde have not achieved the fame of, say, the Three Stooges. But if they keep their relationship intact, they inevitably will establish their own following, Two years after collaborating on a delightful adaptation of Wilde's \"An Ideal Husband,\" actor Everett and director Parker are back with the playwright's most famous comedy, \"The Importance of Being Earnest.\" It is not the resounding success of the earlier film, but a strong ensemble cast and Wilde's zingers provide more than enough buoyancy to carry viewers past a middle act that sags a bit. The plot involves parallel cases of intentional mistaken identity. Cecily (Reese Witherspoon) and Gwendolen (Frances O'Connor) have their minds set on marrying men named Ernest. Eager to please them, Algy (Everett), who is interested in Cecily, and his best friend, John (Colin Firth), who is in love with Gwendolen, both assume the name Ernest Worthing. The ploys work until Algy, with creditors a step behind him, takes refuge at John's country estate. Suddenly there's one too many guy named Ernest. Wilde's absurdist comedies thrive on energy. Witherspoon (\"Legally Blonde\") and O'Connor (\"A.I.\") get into the spirit immediately. It takes Everett and Firth (\"Bridget Jones's Diary\") a bit longer to get up to speed, but they find their stride for the frantic third act. Judi Dench steals the half-dozen scenes in which she's involved. She brings a wicked edge to her reading of Lady Bracknell, Gwendolen's pompous and autocratic mother who is determined to chase away any of her daughter's suitors considered unworthy -- all of them, in fact. The sets are marvelous, and the costumes are elaborate, but this is not about to be mistaken for a Merchant/Ivory period drama. There's too much silliness afoot for that. The only earnest thing about it is the pseudonym used by its protagonists."}, {"response": 601, "author": "meg", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (21:20)", "body": "Different movie . . . Films in Review August/September 1988 A Month In The Country A month in the country can mean many things to many people depending on time and place. It can be merely a period of rest that enables us to sort things out\ufffdor it can be a period of great decision, a fresh view that time and distance from our normal lives suggests. It is a frequently used device in film and literature which doesn\ufffdt necessarily tarnish with use\ufffdand doesn\ufffdt at all in this especially fine British film. The time is just after World War One in England. The protagonists are two British soldiers who have recently returned from France in a war in which enormous numbers did not. All of the men have been profoundly affected by their experiences in muddy trenches almost face to face with the enemy. Many of the soldiers, bathed in poison gas and bombarded by exploding shells, have caught the new diseases of the twentieth century\ufffdgassing, shell shock and existential malaise. A large number have returned to England almost guilty that they have survived, wondering why they did. The two male \ufffdheroes\ufffd meet in a church in the Yorkshire countryside where they have come to spend a month working. One has been set the task of uncovering and restoring a religious wall painting in the ancient Anglo Saxon church. The other, something of an archeologist, is using the churchyard as his digging site. Each man bears his individual war wounds. The restorer\ufffds is more evident in his stutter and facial tics. Colin Firth is outstanding in the role. The restorer\ufffds month is more clearly delineated than the archeologist\ufffds. The simple people of the community make gestures of friendship toward him. Two children, hungry for stimulation in their flat environment, bring a victrola to the church and watch him work on his scaffold. The lovely minister\ufffds wife provides apples and a blanket in the cold church tower which poverty forces him to use as his bedroom. This restrained, childless young woman is magnificently underplayed by Natasha Richardson whose every movement is almost balletic in its suggestion and grace. Her acceptance of frustration is profoundly moving. She is the quintessential heroine of the era. Her reference to her large empty house suggests the loneliness and emptiness of her own life. Her husband, a religious zealot, is equally alone in his frustrated attempt to move his irreligious congregation Patrick Malahide is very well cast in the part. This slice of life of Yorkshire, with its limited homey joys and frustrations, works its special influence on the two returned veterans. In addition, during their work, each man appears to arrive at some aspect of individual truth that enables him to return to life in an England that has won the war, but like its soldiers, lost its sense of self. By the end of their labors, both men have achieved a level of self acceptance that has calmed their ravaged psyches and enabled them to come to relative terms with themselves. The film is beautifully paced and accurate for its time. Director Pat O\ufffdConnor captures the attitudes and feelings of the repressive era that D. H. Lawrence and James Joyce were doing their best to discredit. A Month In The Country is very British in its poetic restraint and superb acting. It is also particularly thoughtful in its suggestion that it is sometimes necessary to accept the inevitable frustration of living at any time or any place. Eva H. Kissin Sadly this publication is no longer active. Think I'll have to scour the flea markets for other reviews of Colin's earlier films."}, {"response": 602, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (21:28)", "body": "(Kat) Actually, I live in W-S! Were you at school here or what? After graduating from Jr College, moved there with a friend who was going to go to School of the Arts (theatrical lighting design--he now actually lives in NYC, too working for a prominent performing arts company). I decided to finish college 2 1/2 yrs later and moved to Philly (then back to FL, WA, CT, and NY). (EmmaB) Tonight, in 1 hour (9pm eastern), on the Mystery Channel here (Ontario, Canada) which I get on digital cable: Master of the Moor part 1. Not sure if this is helpful to others, as I don't know if they do the same programming in other markets. Apparently not. On my digital cable it was in the middle of Drowning Mona at 9pm. :-( Was just looking at some of the pics taken of Colin over the years...do I imagine correctly that someone on this board somewhere has mentioned how much he resembles Tim Robbins in a few of them. Or is it just me? Also, when more people see TIOBE, will we be discussing it somewhere? I plan to see it again in the next couple of weeks (....and again and again....) ;-)"}, {"response": 603, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (21:32)", "body": "Along with Tumbledown,AMITC is one of my favorite of all of Colin's films.Thank you Meg: Eileen posted a short version of NEWSWEEK review on #126: Movies: Wilde at Heart Costume comedy in the grand Miramax tradition By David Ansen NEWSWEEK May 27 issue ? The best moments in Oliver Parker?s screen adaptation of Oscar Wilde?s comedy ?The Importance of Being Earnest? are when the movie just sits back and lets Wilde?s supremely witty scenes play. LIKE the one in which the imperious Lady Bracknell (Judi Dench) interrogates Jack Worthing (Colin Firth), who is pleading for her daughter Gwendolen?s (Frances O?Connor) hand in marriage. ?To lose one parent, Mr. Worthing, may be regarded as a misfortune,? she hisses icily upon discovering his orphan status, ?to lose both looks like carelessness.? The play is A total artifice, built on farcical symmetries: Jack and his ne?er-do-well friend Algernon (Rupert Everett) both have to pretend to be the nonexistent Ernest Worthing, for they have fallen in love with women, Gwendolen and Cecily (Reese Witherspoon), who insist on marrying men of that name. Probability wasn?t at the top of Wilde?s priorities. Parker, on the other hand, seems afraid that Wilde?s theatricality isn?t ?cinematic.? He encourages his cast toward a sotto voce naturalism and slices Wilde?s scenes into fragments, scattering them around the ?real? world to open things up. And the drawing-room settings get upgraded Miramax style: grand country estates and chambers worthy of monarchs. When the movie misfires?in the dreadful ?fantasy? sequences in which Cecily?s girlish romantic dreams are staged as Pre-Raphaelite tableaux, or the jarring flashback revealing Lady Bracknell?s ?secret? past as a chorus girl?Parker just gets in the way, spoiling the rhythm of Wilde?s shapely comic scenes with fussy business. This may be a less than ideal ?Earnest,? but it still has delights, not least of all Anna Massey?s Miss Prism, Cecily?s dotty tutor, and Tom Wilkinson?s Dr. Chasuble, her clergyman admirer. Firth?s comic timing is subtle and seductive, and plays nicely off Everett?s jaded foppery. Witherspoon is quite at home in the English surroundings, but surprisingly misses much of her character?s humor. You?d think Lady Bracknell was a role Dench would hit out of the ballpark. She is funny (how could you not be, with these lines?), but she plays her with a severity more befitting her Queen Victoria in ?Mrs. Brown.? I wish she?d had more fun with the part: she gets Lady B.?s tyrannical side, but neglects her silliness. Wilde, after all, was never more serious than when he was being utterly frivolous."}, {"response": 604, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (21:34)", "body": "sorry about the \"????\". The elves are at it again."}, {"response": 605, "author": "airstream", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (21:46)", "body": "Dorine---- Didn't OP mention something about an upcoming project set in Italy (or something to that effect)? FYI: As per the previous shoe discussions, those who get the Sundance catalogue should check out p.29 bottom lower right (not so bad, eh?)."}, {"response": 606, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (22:14)", "body": "(Amy) Didn't OP mention something about an upcoming project set in Italy (or something to that effect)? Yes, vaguely....would've been helpful to be \"briefed\" about this beforehand as well. Again...who knew we'd need it!"}, {"response": 607, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (22:19)", "body": "Thank you for typing up the review of AMITC, Meg. The reviewer is right, Colin is \"outstanding\" in that role and it is a lovely film. We'll be eager to see anymore of your flea market finds in this area. Chicago Tribune review...By Robert K. Elder Who is this guy? He's not even second string. Must be holding down the fort while everyone else is in Cannes. ;-D But he has good insight (either that or he's been watching the 1952 version): All of this subtracts from Jack, whose situation provides the core conflict and velocity of the story. While it's easy to understand Parker's move to make the movie adaptation more of an ensemble piece, Jack remains the ensemble lead. Very true, but OP I think gives slightly more focus to Algy. Besides, Wilde's sparkling dialogue comes through best when unadorned, and Parker's additions often play like lace curtains on a stained-glass window. Pretty much sums it up."}, {"response": 608, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (23:10)", "body": "Carrie Rickey Philadelphia Inquirer Published: Friday, May 24, 2002 In the fussy hands of writer/director Oliver Parker, The Importance of Being Earnest is a punishingly funny (emphasis on the pun) Oscar Wilde bonbon that arrives wrapped in an abundance of tissue and ribbons. Despite the sparkling source material in the 1895 farce subtitled A Trivial Play for Serious People, despite pitch-perfect performances by Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Frances O'Connor and Reese Witherspoon, despite good taste and good will, this romp through Victorian parlors frequently falls flat on its rump. Parker, who made the lovely 1996 adaptation of Wilde's An Ideal Husband, errs in \"opening up\" Wilde's most famous play, a satire of theater conventions - and the artifice of social intercourse - that benefits from a highly theatrical staging. The film's Sherlock Holmesy opening, with its chase scene through the streets of London, and its emphatically jazzy score make for a confusion of tone and time period. Jazzing up Wilde, who composed syncopated rhythms in wordplay, is a textbook example of lily-gilding. Still, there are the slope-shouldered Everett and the square-jawed Firth as the fortunate men unfortunately in love with New Women (respectively Witherspoon and O'Connor) who prize, above all, a future spouse with the name of Ernest. And there is that human bull terrier, Judi Dench, as Lady Bracknell, barking at everyone's heels. While it is not the most important Earnest (that remains Anthony Asquith's 1952 version), it does, amid the frippery, convey Wilde's moral that to enjoy life and love, the importance is being frivolous."}, {"response": 609, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 23, 2002 (23:17)", "body": "One of the best ones yet: First-rate cast and material make 'Earnest' a worthy film By BRUCE WESTBROOK Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle While megaplexes rumble and flash with summer action flicks, a different kind of dazzle awaits those who prefer deft dialogue and a debonair air. It's The Importance of Being Earnest, a dream movie with a dream cast. The latest film version of Oscar Wilde's play comes from the same writer-director, Oliver Parker, who adapted Wilde's An Ideal Husband in 1999. Again, he has Rupert Everett for his lead, and again, the British actor proves indispensable. His suave bearing and rakish charm suit Wilde's comic mix of manners and mayhem to a high tea. Here he plays Algernon, a gentleman who runs up debts while enjoying mild hedonism in 1890s London. Algy's best friend -- almost a brother -- is Jack (Colin Firth), a country squire who comes to town seeking a lady's hand in marriage. She's Gwendolyn (Frances O'Connor), the well-bred but amorously eager daughter of the stern Lady Bracknell (Judi Dench). Since Jack's ancestry is in doubt, Mum disapproves. Eventually, all wind up at Jack's estate, where he and Gwen spar while Algy falls for Cecily (Reese Witherspoon), Jack's well-off young ward. Comic complications ensue, triggered by the fact that both Jack and Algy have indulged in alternate identities with the same name: Earnest. Rarely has a cast been so suited and tuned to the material, melding vivid individual turns into a crisp ensemble. In effect, they all steal the show without detracting from each other. Firth is a portrait of handsome, conflicted civility -- wrestling to balance his sense of duty with his passions. Alongside Everett, he's stuck with the stuffy part, as he was with Hugh Grant in Bridget Jones' Diary. Yet Firth and Everett often share a boisterous camaraderie, skewering the decorum of polite society. The scornful Dench is even more of a straight woman, though she's entwined in the men's comic discomfiture. Edward Fox plays Algy's droll butler, and recent Oscar nominee Tom Wilkinson (In the Bedroom) is a quietly lustful vicar. O'Connor, unimpressive in Bedazzled and A.I., ably embodies a readiness for romance tempered by smart self-protectiveness. She and Witherspoon make a fun, sisterly team. The latter is radiant, as always, and has a credible accent (the Nashville native is the cast's sole American). As Cecily, her conceit is bodice-ripping daydreams about shining knights. Everett's roguish, impulsive Algy is hardly such a hero, but oh -- how he'd look in a suit of armor! Besides, it's not bad to be spontaneous -- not as long as he loves her. As Algy says, the very essence of romance is uncertainty. Purists may carp at the liberties Parker takes, from hot-air balloons to ragtime bands. But such freshening doesn't detract from Wilde's wit or signal irreverence toward an irreverent playwright. Besides, while the play's the thing -- on stage, at least -- this is a movie. As such, it needs its own life, not the taxidermy of a strict translation. Accenting absurd but delightful coincidences, Parker keeps things light and lively, and the cast never trips over Wilde's eloquence. This is a film where \"Tis rather quixotic of you\" sounds as natural as \"pass the peas.\" Production design is handsome, the cinematography lends a sunny air, and there's a spry, faintly contemporary score. Part of the music is performed on-screen. Algy loves playing the era's budding ragtime on piano, and he and Jack stage ridiculous serenades to woo their peeved ladies. How can they resist such charm? Indeed, how can any of us? Grade: A"}, {"response": 610, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (03:14)", "body": "Muchas Gracias for the info about the TV times here. Welcome Cathey, don't slide back into lurkdom!!! I have sneakily asked my husband if we have any blank videos and if he ever read about actually taping on the new VCR!!!!! He did ask why and received vague, noncommital answers that eventually made him lose interest. ;)))))) In the midst of all this info about TIOBE, I have the littlest bit of news about Hope Springs. Hey, don't get your hopes up this may not really even be news, but, as I was checking Yahoo, (yes, my only source for news besides Drool) I clicked onto their TIOBE link, then on to CF link and got a list of his films. Well, there it was, HS, so of course, I clicked!!! They have a message board and some people have been to a preview somewhere in LA, this looks to have been about two months ago, but, a couple of comments posting just how good it was. There was mention of a confidentiality clause in seeing the film and the fact that it was grainy (poor quality). http://messages.yahoo.com/bbs?action=m&board=&tid=hv1807776052f0&sid=12172484&mid=1"}, {"response": 611, "author": "iluvdarcy1", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (05:56)", "body": "Good morning, Today in NY gave TIOBE v. good review this morning. Sedate, Witty and Sly. Praised the cast."}, {"response": 612, "author": "iluvdarcy1", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (06:02)", "body": "OK, Post # 609 - Again, he has Rupert Everett for his lead, and again, the British actor proves indispensable. His suave bearing and rakish charm suit Wilde's comic mix of manners and mayhem to a high tea. why does this reviewer consider RE to be the lead? Just a little annoyed at CF's low profile and his being snubed. Glad it's an overall god review though."}, {"response": 613, "author": "iluvdarcy1", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (06:04)", "body": "sorry, thought closed tags"}, {"response": 614, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (06:53)", "body": "Not bad...I'd still want to see it! THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST A film review by Steve Rhodes Copyright 2002 Steve Rhodes RATING (0 TO ****): ** 1/2 Great play, great cast, mediocre movie. Writer-director Oliver Parker's last picture was the absolutely charming AN IDEAL HUSBAND, which was based on an Oscar Wilde play. Trying his luck again with another Wilde comedy, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, the director shoots and just misses. It's a fine line, but Parker makes Wilde's dry, sardonic wit just a bit too dry and too silly. The killer cast of this comedy of manners and fake identities includes Rupert Everett (MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING), Colin Firth (BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY), Reese Witherspoon (LEGALLY BLONDE), Judi Dench (SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE), Frances O'Connor (A.I. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE) and Tom Wilkinson (IN THE BEDROOM). All of the actors do everything that is asked of them, including some bizarre fantasy sequences set in Medieval Europe, which manage only to look weird. Wilde's one-liners are terrific. \"I do not approve of anything that interferes with natural ignorance,\" is one of the thoughts that Lady Bracknell (Dench) shares with Jack Worthing (Firth), a.k.a. Ernest, when he is applying for the position of future husband of Gwendolen Fairfax (O'Connor). Since the women in the story have taken a liking to the name Ernest, Algernon Moncrieff (Everett) tells Cecily Cardew (Witherspoon) that Ernest is his name. Like a slightly wet firecracker, the movie needlessly fizzles more often that it sizzles. I can't quite recommend it, but, if you go, you'll probably enjoy at least parts of it. THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST runs 1:40. It is rated PG for \"mild sensuality\" would be acceptable for all ages. The film opens nationwide in the United States on Friday, May 31, 2002. In the Silicon Valley, it will be showing at the Camera Cinemas."}, {"response": 615, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (07:13)", "body": "A thumbs up from Roger Ebert! THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST / *** (PG) May 24, 2002 Algernon Moncrieff: Rupert Everett Jack Worthing: Colin Firth Cecily Cardew: Reese Witherspoon Lady Bracknell: Judi Dench Gwendolen Fairfax: Frances O'Connor Rev. Chasuble: Tom Wilkinson Miss Prism: Anna Massey Lane: Edward Fox Miramax Films presents a film written and directed by Oliver Parker. Based on the play by Oscar Wilde. Running time: 100 minutes. Rated PG.(for mild sensuality). BY ROGER EBERT Chicago Sun Times Be careful what you ask for; you might get it. Two weeks ago I deplored the lack of wit in \"Star Wars: Episode II--Attack of the Clones,\" which has not one line of quotable dialogue. Now here is \"The Importance of Being Earnest,\" so thick with wit it plays like a reading from Bartlett's Familiar Quotations. I will demonstrate. I have here the complete text of the Oscar Wilde play, which I have downloaded from the Web. I will hit \"Page Down\" 20 times and quote the first complete line from the top of the screen: All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That's his. Now the question is, does this sort of thing appeal to you? Try these: Really, if the lower orders don't set us a good example, what on earth is the use of them? To lose one parent, Mr. Worthing, may be regarded as a misfortune. To lose both looks like carelessness. It appeals to me. I yearn for a world in which every drawing room is a stage, and we but players on it. But does anyone these days know what a drawing room is? The Universal Studios theme park has decided to abolish its characters dressed like the Marx Brothers and Laurel and Hardy, because \"a majority of people no longer recognize them.\" I despair. How can people recognize wit who begin with only a half-measure of it? Oscar Wilde's \"The Importance of Being Earnest\" is a comedy constructed out of thin air. It is not really about anything. There are two romances at the center, but no one much cares whether the lovers find happiness together. Their purpose is to make elegant farce out of mistaken identities, the class system, mannerisms, egos, rivalries, sexual warfare and verbal playfulness. Oliver Parker's film begins with music that is a little too modern for the period, circa 1895, following the current fashion in anachronistic movie scores. It waltzes us into the story of two men who are neither one named Ernest and who both at various times claim to be. Jack Worthing (Colin Firth) calls himself Jack in the country and Ernest in town. In the country, he is the guardian of the charming Miss Cecily Cardew (Reese Witherspoon), who is the granddaughter of the elderly millionaire who adopted Jack after finding him as an infant in a handbag he was handed in error at the cloakroom in Victoria Station. When Jack grows bored with the country, he cites an imaginary younger brother named Ernest who lives in London and must be rescued from scrapes with the law. This imaginary person makes perfect sense to Jack's friend Algernon Moncrieff (Rupert Everett), who lives in town but has a fictitious friend named Bunbury who lives in the country and whose ill health provides Algernon an excuse to get out of town. I have gone into such detail about these names and alternate identities because the entire play is constructed out of such silliness, and to explain all of it would require--well, the play. In town Jack is much besotted by Gwendolen Fairfax (Frances O'Connor), daughter of the formidable Lady Bracknell (Judi Dench), Algernon's aunt, who is willing to consider Jack as a suitor for the girl but nonplussed to learn that he has no people--none at all--and was indeed left in a bag at the station. Thus her remark about his carelessness in losing both parents. Algernon in the meantime insinuates himself into the country estate where young Cecily is being educated under the watchful eye of Miss Prism (Anna Massey), the governess; eventually all of the characters gather at the Manor House, Woolton, where there's some confusion since Algernon has taken the name Ernest for his visit and proposed to Cecily, so that when Cecily meets Gwendolen, they both believe they are engaged to Ernest although Cecily of course doesn't know that in town Gwendolen knows Jack as Ernest. But now I have been lured into the plot again. The important thing about \"The Importance\" is that all depends on the style of the actors, and Oliver Parker's film is well cast. Reese Witherspoon, using an English accent that sounds convincing to me, is charming as Jack's tender ward, who of course falls for Algernon. She is a silly, flighty girl, just right for Algernon, for whom romance seems valuable primarily as a topic of conversation. Frances O'Connor is older and more sensuous as Gwendolen, and gently encourages the shy Jack to argue his case (\"Mr. Worthing, what have you got to say to me?\"). Judi Dench keeps a stern eye on the would-be lovers, and a strong hand on the tiller. \"The Importance of Being Ear"}, {"response": 616, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (07:24)", "body": "'Earnest' isn't all it could be \ufffd but that's still quite a lot By Moira Macdonald Seattle Times movie critic If the cast of Oliver Parker's movie of Oscar Wilde's celestial trifle \"The Importance of Being Earnest\" were to assemble on stage, it would easily be the theatrical event of the century. I'd happily plunge myself into the depths of debt for a front-row seat. Judi Dench as Lady Bracknell, intoning, \"A handbag!\" like a dragon breathing fire? Rupert Everett in a smoking jacket, caressing lines of dialogue as if they're kittens? Reese Witherspoon in late-Victorian garb, looking like a grown-up Alice in Wonderland? Colin Firth, casting debonair glances at a breathy Frances O'Connor? They're all here, and they're all impeccable. But alas, we aren't in Wildean heaven here, exactly. Parker, by necessity, has had to truncate the play considerably, and some of us may find our favorite lines of dialogue vanished or infuriatingly trimmed to the bone. Why include Cecily's line about her diary (\"it is simply a very young girl's record of her own thoughts and impressions\") without its brilliant capper (\"and consequently meant for publication\")? Was it really worth saving the two seconds, Mr. Parker? And Parker's \"opening-out\" of the play isn't always successful. The settings are lovely, and some of the additions (Algernon, here, is constantly pursued by creditors \ufffd inspired, presumably, by the line \"Half the chaps who get into Bankruptcy Court are called Algernon\") are funny and apt. But other Parker innovations, including one about a tattoo that I shudder to recollect, just seem absurd. Somewhere in aesthete heaven, Oscar Wilde is raising an eyebrow. So this \"Earnest\" is a mixed bag for Wilde purists. But for those who haven't yet been introduced to the play, enough of the original work remains to make delightful entertainment. The play is by genre a romantic comedy, with two couples nicely paired up by the end, but really it's about language and cleverness. Its whirl of words seduces the listener \ufffd it's like a heaven-sent Victorian parlor game. The sheer silliness of the plot \ufffd love, deception, mistaken identity, two women determined to marry men named Ernest, and a mysterious tale of an abandoned baby \ufffd keeps the movie ticking along even when Parker's adaptation is less than graceful. Oh, and did I mention that cast, who bring moments to \"Earnest\" of such captivating pleasure that you'll forgive Parker all his infelicities? Dench, encased in satin, steals the movie (did you think she wouldn't?) as the stentorian Lady Bracknell. Witherspoon and O'Connor, demure as they sit side-by-side reading each other's diaries, are perfectly adorable, and their counterparts, Everett and Firth, personify debonair decadence. Anna Massey and Tom Wilkinson, as a governess and minister, are splendid in smaller roles. And, really, all criticism I might have had falls away when recollecting the joy of hearing once again of that handbag found in the cloakroom of Victoria Station. Even half-baked, \"Earnest\" is still delicious."}, {"response": 617, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (07:43)", "body": "Aahh, a \"name\" reviewer who liked the film!! I believe Rex Reed liked it, too, so Miramax will have some recognizable reviewers to work with for marketing. Can't WAIT to get home this afternoon! Friend is taping Today, and will beg to have her tape the rebroadcast of Cast Party on VH1. Woo hoo!!!!!"}, {"response": 618, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (08:00)", "body": "(Seattle) Judi Dench as Lady Bracknell, intoning, \"A handbag!\" like a dragon breathing fire? Have they reshot the movie? 'Cause this doesn't happen in OP's version. She does the exact opposite of DEE's famous delivery, by nearly whispering the line. Not a single laugh in my audience at this line. Note: While it's great that Drool is really hopping with all of Colin's activity and news, I'd like to explain, especially to our newbies, that Drool is not like a chatroom. Back-and-forth personal messages should be carried on by email. Posting a one-liner and then coming back a minute later with another just uses up our finite messages within the topic (1999). These practices not only increase our bandwidth (which costs money) but makes using Drool more difficult for readers, who will be confronted with 100+ messages and then will wade through them only to find nothing worthwhile to read. We used to have a chatroom here, but it was eliminated due to website restrictions. I don't wish to put a damper on our fun, but please keep to the topic. Comments on Colin's articles, reviews, news, etc., are what we do here. If you have any questions, email me at nomdedrool@yahoo.com."}, {"response": 619, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (08:02)", "body": "-100"}, {"response": 620, "author": "susanne", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (08:19)", "body": "Here is the review from the Dallas Morning News : By Chris Vognar Grade C+ Film adapters of classic literature are in a bind the minute they decide to take on a legend. From one camp: \"Put your own personal stamp on the work. Don't just regurgitate it.\" From another camp: \"You have to get the original tone right. Don't monkey with the classics.\" And from still another: \"You mean The Importance of Being Earnest was a play?\" The third group should get the most enjoyment out of Oliver Parker's Earnest, a mixed bag of a film that will give all camps something to grumble about. Colin Firth and Rupert Everett approach their lead roles with curious detachment and a minimum of Wilde's larkish glee, sure to disappoint those who like staying close to the text. Yet the look and tone of the film aren't particularly daring; this is by no means a wacky modernist interpretation. Instead, it's a pretty, bucolic and kind of bland modernist interpretation. Earnest is the ultimate example of Wilde's love affair with artifice and the trivial. Jack Worthing (Mr. Firth) splits his time between country, where he's Jack, and city, where he's Ernest. His friend Algy Moncrief (Mr. Everett) has an alter ego of his own, a perpetually ill fellow named Bunbury who seems to need particular care when Algy owes money. Jack is hot for Algy's cousin, Gwendolen (Frances O'Connor), while Algy wants Jack's ward, Cecily (Reese Witherspoon). And both girls have always dreamed of marrying someone named Ernest. That's all fine for them, but Mr. Parker should have told his leads to be a little less earnest. Both Mr. Firth and Mr. Everett are a bit pouty given all of the surrounding shenanigans, perhaps reflecting an effort on the director's part to make the proceedings more edgy and modern or to cut the gaiety with a touch of emotional realism. Originally designed as a speedy serving of artifice, this Earnest is slowed down to a half-court pace, even when the word play should be keeping spirits high. It's nigh impossible to kill the wit of Earnest, and Mr. Parker has no intention of doing so. But he does make the narrative into something strangely literal, a tact that saps much of the play's comic oomph! Earnest was made for zipping about and having shameless verbal fun; it's the one-night stand of Wilde's plays. This version is competent, but it's also weighed down by the requirements of its big Miramax logo. The Importance of Being Earnest doesn't need to be made more accessible than it already is; it doesn't need the lush, wide-open spaces of a prettified art film. It doesn't need to be cute, and this film is. Of course, you can afford to get a little cute when you've got Judi Dench, one of the advantages that comes with that big Miramax logo. She may get an Oscar nomination every time she sneezes, but she also creates small wonders out of bit parts. Her Lady Bracknell is a vivid gold-digging spitfire who also brings out Mr. Firth's best work, as Jack stops just short of groveling for Gwendolen's hand. She has the spirit to compensate for her male co-stars' habit of swallowing their lines. Mr. Parker also adapted Wilde's An Ideal Husband in 1999, and that play seemed a better fit \ufffd its plot actually matters, where Earnest's is just a worthy excuse to get absurd. The film doesn't take enough advantage of that opportunity; it would rather endow its characters with small touches of gravity. This Earnest misses the play's biggest joke: There's nothing the least bit earnest about any of it. Published in The Dallas Morning News : 05.24.02"}, {"response": 621, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (08:29)", "body": "Thanks Mari for the mixed- bag of reviews.Getting better.(What time did you get up;-)) (Dallas Morning News)Her[JD] Lady Bracknell is a vivid gold-digging spitfire who also brings out Mr. Firth's best work, as Jack stops just short of groveling for Gwendolen's hand. Huh? Hey Sue...let's send this dude a copy of AMITC."}, {"response": 622, "author": "susanne", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (08:35)", "body": "Here is a link for Rotten Tomatoes where you can keep track of many (26) of the reviews that were done on TIOBE. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/TheImportanceofBeingEarnest-1114078/"}, {"response": 623, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (08:42)", "body": "CF on Radio today-New from a lurking friend (and her DH) http://www.npr.org/ All Things Considered Check your local listings Friday, May 24, 2002 Oscar Wilde's comedy play, The Importance of Being Earnest, has returned to the big screen in a movie that stars, among others, actor Colin Firth. Friday on All Things Considered, hear a review of the film and a conversation with Firth about his role and its challenges."}, {"response": 624, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (08:48)", "body": "(Moonstar)Miramax will have some recognizable reviewers to work with for marketing. They already do. Remember my prediction on #498 above on the pull quotes to be used? So this appears in today's ad: \"An entertaiing comedy with a blue ribbon cast!\" --Stephen Holden, New York Times Can't WAIT to get home this afternoon! Friend is taping Today, Don't rush, he wasn't on. Katie was off today, and I suppose it would have looked weird to put on a pre-taped interview (which is supposed to look \"live\"). I'm guessing next week."}, {"response": 625, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (08:52)", "body": "Thanks for the info, Meredith. It says the audio for the program will be online after 10:00 pm EDT."}, {"response": 626, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (09:00)", "body": "Thanks, Meredith! You can search at that website for your local station carrying NPR. (Evelyn) What time did you get up;-)) Too early.;-) Meg, thanks for digging out that AMITC review. It's a pleasure to read about his dramatic roles--back in the days when he did a lot of them . . ."}, {"response": 627, "author": "firthfetish", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (09:21)", "body": "Ok...what the *bleep* happened with the Today Show? Not a trace of Colin anywhere : ( *sniff*...Just a little sad..."}, {"response": 628, "author": "audiogirl", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (09:29)", "body": "i cant believe that we were deceived so cruly! Where is he? He is scheduled to be on Regis and Kelly on Monday-that i heard this morning while watching the show. maybe because katie was off today and she wanted to inteview him( she reportedly has a crush on him also) it will wait til next week. keep the faith!"}, {"response": 629, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (09:35)", "body": "This happened the last time he was supposed to be on too. :-( Wasn't he listed on the TV Guide? These early morning programs are a torture to watch. Thanks for the all the reviews. When it opens wide next weekend the Ad will have plenty of great quotations."}, {"response": 630, "author": "dalec", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (09:54)", "body": "very happy this morning. went to see TIOBE at the paris theater last night. now i can make my way to 126, have been trying to avoid it until i saw the film. kept trying to imagine where colin sat in the paris theater. will go to see it again in another theater next time. don't really like the theater, not much of slope so if u have someone sitting infront of you it really s*cks, head in the way and shifting in seat to try to get a view :( but i sill enjoyed the film immensely. pretty big crowd, there were alot of moments the audience just downright LOL. so colin was not on Today. is the Regis and Kelly show live? i haven't tuned in to that show in ages so i don't remember. thanks to all for the reviews/articles/links."}, {"response": 631, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (10:01)", "body": "I thought that the interview with Katie would be taped, so wouldn't matter whether she was there or not. Of course, she might have wanted to introduce the bit, being such a fan... Although, last time, didn't it turn out to be live when he eventually made it on Today?"}, {"response": 632, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (10:07)", "body": "Regis named Colin as one of the guests Monday."}, {"response": 633, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (10:08)", "body": "so colin was not on Today. But the frogs were so interesting! :) Nope, although it's good to know my VCR is working well now. I just wasted 30 minutes of my life fast-forwarding through the tape; should have checked here first! I'd like to know when they'll be running that, if anyone finds out. It should be good for a chuckle or two. I'm going to the theater on my day off today, and I was dreading the traffic coming back out of town. NPR will make it more bearable, no doubt. Karen, thanks for the info on the VH1 replay, I'm hearing that one's a must-see."}, {"response": 634, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (10:14)", "body": "Who knows something about this \"All Things Considered\" radio program? In looking at the various times it plays around the country, the length of the show varies widely. Sometimes it is an hour. Sometimes two hours. Here, it is THREE hours. This is going to cut severely into my planned activities for this afternoon if I have to do another hurry up and wait routine. Gaaah!"}, {"response": 635, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (10:43)", "body": "You can get a realaudio playback of it at http://www.npr.org usually. They repeat a lot of the same stuff every hour. I programmed my tivo as a keyword search for \"firth\" so it records every program automatically. You can sometimes check what's on my tivo on the front page of http://www.spring.net ."}, {"response": 636, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (10:47)", "body": "Karen, I wonder if there's anything we in the Eastern time zone can do in the way of a heads up. Ours is 2:30 starting at 4pm EDT. I think they intersperse local news, etc. I always thought of it like \"Morning Edition\" in the afternoon. ;-)"}, {"response": 637, "author": "firthfetish", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (10:50)", "body": "Thanks Fran....I'm keepin' my chin up! : )"}, {"response": 638, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (11:01)", "body": "The Importance Of Being Earnest Peter Howell Movie Critic ** (out of 5) Bringing Oscar Wilde's The Importance Of Being Earnest to the screen should be as easy as making tea and crumpets. You take the best play by one of the wittiest of scribes, cast it with talented actors and start the camera rolling. Hilarity ensues. Which is pretty much what Anthony Asquith did in 1952, with the first, and still definitive, film treatment of Wilde's \"trivial comedy for serious people,\" set in the town and country of 1890s England. Asquith was so confident about the material, and so blessed with thespian resources -- notably Edith Evans as the insufferably snobby Lady Bracknell -- he made little attempt to remove it from its stage cradle. Indeed, the film opens with a couple taking their seats in a theatre box, watching as the curtain rises for the show. Along comes another filmmaker, a half-century later, with the somewhat radical notion of wanting to bust the play loose. Oliver Parker seeks to free Wilde from his stage restraints so he can gambol among the hills, ramble inside the manors and revel in the fantasy lives of Victoria's reign. Ordinarily, this would be worthy of applause, since it's the rare stage play that translates directly to the screen. And Parker has already demonstrated his affinity for Wilde with his deliciously rendered An Ideal Husband (1999), which also featured Rupert Everett in a key role. Yet he's dropped the cricket ball this time, by concentrating more on the seriousness of Earnest than its trivialities. With a title based on a pun, and a plot that implausibly involves two dandies with assumed identities, two love-struck ladies seeking a mate named Ernest and a meddlesome matriarch to stir everything up, Wilde never intended for the story to get in the way of the hilarity. The dialogue is the thing: the breezy exchanges that are cloaked in social correctness, sheathing the barbs within. As when the imperious Lady Bracknell observes that \"a man who desires to get married should know either everything or nothing,\" and then inquires of her daughter's suitor which type he is. With its plumy English accents and adroit word play, Earnest is as much a joy to listen to as to watch, something Parker seems to have forgotten in his headlong rush to tell a story. He has excised many of the choice exchanges in the play, deeming them inessential to the plot, and he has added scene changes and fantasy elements -- knights rushing to fair maidens, and an anachronistic trip to a tattoo parlour -- that seem inspired by Ally McBeal episodes, not Wildean invention. Parker is on firmer ground in his casting, the only criticism being that most of the players are just too obvious. The charmingly insincere Everett plays Algernon, the calculating ne'er-do-well who never misses a trick or a free meal. The stolid Colin Firth is the faithful and befuddled manor lord Jack Worthing, who has imagined himself into all sorts of trouble. Judi Dench plays Lady Bracknell, as she has before on stage (perhaps too many times before). Frances O'Connor (Mansfield Park) makes a fetching Gwendolyn Fairfax, daughter of Lady Bracknell and one of two ladies harbouring Ernest desires. The other is Cecily Cardew, the idealistic ward of Jack Worthing. She's played by Reese Witherspoon, the only American in the cast and the only surprise among the lot, especially in her facility with an English accent. With a cast as capable as this, and material as strong as this, it would be impossible for The Importance Of Being Earnest to be a complete failure. And so it isn't: there are moments of hilarity to be had. Still, the film lacks something of Wilde's amused worldliness and sly one-upmanship. It is important when filming the man that one not be too earnest, as Lady Bracknell would surely say."}, {"response": 639, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (11:02)", "body": "sorry, that was from the Toronto Star today, forgot that part of the review"}, {"response": 640, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (11:03)", "body": "(Meredith) Ours is 2:30 starting at 4pm EDT. Great! If you can say when the Earnest segment shows up, that should help a bit. But I had wanted to go to the first screening of Earnest today, which is at 4:30. I'm thrilled, however, that they've switched theaters here, and Earnest is now playing at the one a block away."}, {"response": 641, "author": "treseg", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (11:04)", "body": "in st. louis area looks like all things considered is 4-7pm with marketplace in between (6-6:30), a lot of our programs here are split into segments i think, it will be tricky tonight because cast party starts here at 4:30pm, will have to rush home and figure out vcr while listening to radio, i'm keeping fingers crossed that \"school\" will be let out early to day for the long weekend, thanks for all the reviews, one week to show time if my calculations are correct as to which level of market stl belongs"}, {"response": 642, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (11:04)", "body": "\"All Things Considered\" seems to be produced in 30-minute segments. In my area, it starts at 4 PM, after an hour of \"Fresh Air\", and they repeat some of the segments immediately after the full broadcast, for a total of 2.5 hours of ATC. Three hours almost certainly includes some repeat segments, Karen. It's meant for drive time, so it's very office-listenable, but usually winds up attracting my total attention for a story or two. Makes me wonder if he sat down for a talk with Terri Gross again, too..."}, {"response": 643, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (11:59)", "body": "My cohort has created a streaming audiofile of the entire serenade sequence from the film and I've linked it on two pages (main Earnest and the serenade page). There will be a gap but that is from how it is done in the film; the boys take their musical instruments inside and resume singing."}, {"response": 644, "author": "Odile", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (12:08)", "body": "Welcome all newbies from a relative newbie. What a river of news and reviews, still swimming through it... :) Thanks for the news about npr (makes up for watching part of Today :( before checking in here): I called my local station to have show time for All things considered: 5:30-6pm here in Interior Alaska (in case we have lurkers from here!)..."}, {"response": 645, "author": "BarbaraT", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (12:55)", "body": "A note for UK viewers: Talking Movies will be shown on BBC News 24 on Saturday at 5.30 am, 3.30 pm and 10.30 pm and on Sunday at 3.30 am(!). As it seems to be shown here a few days after in the US, this should be the edition featuring CF."}, {"response": 646, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (13:30)", "body": "Radio Program note for our friends outside the US, many Public Radio stations have online streaming--for those of you who want to stay up (or is it get up early-guess it depends ;-) Here are a couple of examples in Eastern Daylight Zone: http://www.wfu.edu/%7Ewfdd/ http://wunc.citysearch.com/ Look for the \"Listen Now\" or similar button. There's also a station lookup at the NPR site. http://www.npr.org/members/"}, {"response": 647, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (14:43)", "body": "Thankyou Barbara for the tip-off, although there is a chance that it may not be CF's interview as, as Jennie reported it was shown on the BBC Morning News recently, but there is no harm in checking in. BTW re the discussion on Colin's choice of shoes, I loved the black loafers he wore last year for the BJD TV interviews, very smart, very italian. Thanks also to everyone for the news, interviews, am very envious as I cannot imagine Colin doing any interviews on UK TV, we just do not have the right shows, so we in the UK must live vicariously, through the kindness of our American friends. Still there is always the UK Premiere to look forward to in September."}, {"response": 648, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (14:52)", "body": "Glad I checked here before watching my tape of \"Today.\" Guess I'll rewind and try again...when? Does anyone know the next likely time they'll show the tape? Am having flashbacks to last spring, when I watched \"Today\" needlessly waiting for Colin's interview. Monday is Memorial Day. Will Regis be \"live\" or will they show taped interviews?"}, {"response": 649, "author": "airstream", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (15:02)", "body": "(in nyc) 93.9fm (npr) is now broadcasting \"All things Considered\""}, {"response": 650, "author": "airstream", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (15:58)", "body": "For those planning on taping--the first hour of NPR is a bust. Yesterday at work, Chris O'Donnell came in. My Boss said \"Who was that?\" I said, \"He was in 'Circle of Friends'.\" boss: \"I never heard of that movie.\" I need to expand my frame of reference.... *update* CF is coming on in this hour."}, {"response": 651, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (16:02)", "body": "Oh, yum, have just heard a snippet of the NPR interview!"}, {"response": 652, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (16:18)", "body": "Sounds like it might be on at the end of the second hour because that's the order it was mentioned in, but there was a teaser of him speaking about being exposed to Wilde and Coward as he was growing up during the intro."}, {"response": 653, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (16:20)", "body": "Nice review in the Boston Globe: The Importance of Being Earnest 'Earnest' adaptation upholds original Victorian comedy By Loren King, Globe Correspondent Boston Globe Published: 05/24/2002 To hear Oscar Wilde's stinging lines springing from the mouth of Judi Dench is alone worth the price of a ticket to Oliver Parker's second Wilde adaptation (he made ''An Ideal Husband'' in 1999). American audiences would not have very many opportunities to see Dench onstage in a Wilde play; this film version is an adequate substitute, showcasing sharp performances and a literate script that never has to resort to cheap humor to be sidesplittingly funny. Parker ''opens up'' Wilde's peerless drawing room comedy, taking the film outside as much as possible. But the film works best when the comedy of manners is played out in parlors, music halls, and on the grounds of estates, where Wilde's elegant dialogue and perfect-pitch orchestrations are allowed to flow unencumbered. Colin Firth's Jack has invented a ruse where, away from his country estate, he poses as ''Ernest'' in London. There he courts Gwendolen (Frances O'Connor), daughter of the formidable Lady Bracknell (Dench). Dench wisely doesn't try to imitate Edith Evans's memorable Lady Bracknell in the excellent 1952 movie version, which more or less re-created the stage play. Rather, she offers her own inimitable spin on this delicious character, and, as always, nearly walks off with the film. Rupert Everett, who delivered a defining role in ''An Ideal Husband,'' plays Jack's friend Algernon, the layabout and very broke nephew of Lady Bracknell. Algy's fictional sick friend Bunbury provides Algy's own excuse for escaping dinners with his aunt and cousin and dashing out of the city generally to squander his time and money. In true Wilde fashion, the centerpiece scene mixes mistaken identities and revelations as the characters all wind up at Jack's country house. There, Algy pursues Jack's lovely young ward Cecily, and Reese Witherspoon matches her accomplished British co-stars with a smart and frothy performance. Meanwhile, Tom Wilkinson does a delightful about-face from his grim dramatic turn in ''In the Bedroom'' with a sparkling, broad comic creation as Dr. Chasuble. His comic timing is matched by that of Anna Massey's Miss Prism, Cecily's tutor, who holds the key to Jack's past and his hopes for a future with Gwendolen. Parker's decision to play Wilde broadly falters sometimes, mostly when he inserts flashbacks and fantasy sequences, seemingly in an attempt to spring his version from being stagebound. But the cast, not to mention Wilde's hard-to-botch dialogue and characters, easily and routinely rise above directorial missteps. This ''Importance of Being Earnest'' is a delightful alternative to most current multiplex fare, which wouldn't recognize a juicy bon mot if it tripped over one in the aisle. The Importance of Being Earnest - Directed by Oliver Parker. Screenplay by Parker (from the play by Oscar Wilde). Starring: Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Frances O'Connor, Reese Witherspoon, Judi Dench. Movie Showtimes Movie Showtimes for Friday, May 24 Coolidge Corner 290 Harvard Street Brookline, MA 3:15, pm, 5:30, pm, 7:45, pm, 10:00, pm -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Loews Harvard Square 10 Church Street Cambridge, MA 2:20, pm, 4:40, pm, 7:00, pm, 9:45, pm"}, {"response": 654, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (16:30)", "body": "NPR just announced that it's on after the 5:30 pm local and national news. That's about the last 20 minutes more or less of the program (ATC)."}, {"response": 655, "author": "airstream", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (16:34)", "body": "for those playing a long at home--tune in , well, now. (about 1hr and 35min into the show)"}, {"response": 656, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (16:45)", "body": "Wow, this is an excellent interview, catch it if you can. I don't think I'd be planning a crossover album, either....:)"}, {"response": 657, "author": "airstream", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (16:46)", "body": "Interview over--15min?"}, {"response": 658, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (16:52)", "body": "Good interview on NPR. He really is good at this stuff (but then, I'm a relative newbie-only 4 years of CF watching). An item I hadn't heard before about Paul Scofield. Note to self, must rent \"Man for All Seasons\". Saw it in the theatre when released. Gah! Am ready for nursing home!"}, {"response": 659, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (16:59)", "body": "Excellent interview! Well done, Colin and well done, NPR."}, {"response": 660, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (17:03)", "body": "NPR is an ideal format for ODB. He fits right into it. When he tried to be thoughtful and intellectual on VH1 it fell flat, but on NPR it's just right and he really shines. (Meredith)An item I hadn't heard before about Paul Scofield. Note to self, must rent \"Man for All Seasons\". I thought the same things. His retelling of his experience upon first seeing the Rocky Mountains during his year in America was great stuff too."}, {"response": 661, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (17:09)", "body": "His retelling of his experience upon first seeing the Rocky Mountains during his year in America was great stuff too. That's when I tuned in! Did I miss much? I really liked what I heard. I hope to hear again on-line. :-D"}, {"response": 662, "author": "dalec", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (17:15)", "body": "i only caught the last few minutes, when they were talking about colin's singing. on npr.org it says the program will be available online after 10 PM ET. will have to wait till then to hear the whole thing."}, {"response": 663, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (17:29)", "body": "From the NPR website, a description of the review and show. Looks like the whole segment ran 12 minutes. \"The Importance of Being Earnest\" NPR's Bob Mondello brings us a review of the latest movie version of Oscar Wilde's play, \"The Importance of Being Earnest.\" He says Wilde's script is full of quick wit and this film's new approaches - songs performed by the actors, for example - don't detract. (3:45) The Importance of Being Spontaneous Actor Colin Firth plays the role of Jack in the new film version of \"The Importance of Being Earnest.\" He says Oscar Wilde's comedy could be killed if it were analyzed too much. The script requires a certain ability to go with the flow. He talks with Robert Siegel about this new version of Wilde's play and the challenge of performing the musical aspect of it. (8:15)"}, {"response": 664, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (18:22)", "body": "Don't miss the the NPR interview-two thumbs up! He was very funny when talking about the singing in TIOBE. I love when he said he really studied playing the guitar for the duet to make up for his short-commings on the vocals, and it just turned into one big short-comming. I'm thrilled he did this interview. I really enjoyed last year's with Terry Gross. This was very much like that, but more discussion on what shaped his career and lots on TIOBE. I bet most of us will have perfect grilling parties this weekend now that we have all of Al Roker's recipes!"}, {"response": 665, "author": "annas", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (18:22)", "body": "The great island continent in the south, awoke to dense fog. But this was nothing to the fog that had already gripped the hearts and minds of certain inhabitants, those who had stayed up last night. They knew this fog would come to grip those who were at the moment rewinding their VCRs. For the game was up when Ann in a stripped dress and biege cardigan, appeared on the screen. Excellent reporter she may be but it was not the outfit for a certain interview. Take pity and be kind to these ladies, for they have no TODAY to come only tennis, and tennis and more ffing tennis for the rest of the week. Ohhhh Victor Paul home shopping and Danoz Direct will follow the tennis, but retail is not the therapy that is required. Some will walk into the desert, others into the sea, I will try the absolut. Life really is cruel and unjust"}, {"response": 666, "author": "Odile", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (21:16)", "body": "(Meredith)An item I hadn't heard before about Paul Scofield. Note to self, must rent \"Man for All Seasons\". Ditto ;) (and thanks for spelling out the name; I couldn't quite catch it) I bet most of us will have perfect grilling parties this weekend now that we have all of Al Roker's recipes! LOL! Indeed after an initial bust, this turned out to be a fairly firthiful day! - I enjoyed the Regis & Kelly mentions of their Monday guest: Regis: \"fine British actor CF\", then the voice-over with the almost-kiss clip: \"British heartthrob CF\", but the next time toning it down (did CF call?) \"actor CF\". - Got to see Cast Party and really enjoyed all the smiles, and when he said they're all ganging up on him: who wouldn't, he's so cute when on the defensive :). - Then there was NPR (did anybody else hear a review of Greg Brown new album in the segment before - he's one of my favorites): the review before the interview was \"thumbs up\" and then CF: talking about coming upon the Rockies and seeing the mountains for the first time and at sunset and understanding why people would climb them (BJD connection anyone?) or paint them; the best was hearing him say the name Colorado (I'm going there next summer and will keep that in my mind -- I must say I'm such a sucker for his voice, his intonation on that word or \"culture\"...); another great plus, the interviewer made him laugh... So run to the online version... Connected question: like Reese, I must say I didn't know any of the artists that RE and CF mentioned, but when they showed clips, it didn't look like jazz; yet once again on NPR, he mentioned jazz. You would think he listens to it, not just mention it in interviews. :)"}, {"response": 667, "author": "LizJP", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (21:18)", "body": "If you're looking for CF's NPR interview, go to this URL and scroll down until you find \"The Importance of Being Spontaneous.\" http://search.npr.org/cf/cmn/cmnpd01fm.cfm?PrgDate=05/24/2002&PrgID=2 It's a great interview -- thanks for mentioning it, everybody! As a former St. Louisan, I got a kick out of the diplomatic way he managed to avoid talking about what a miserable year he spent in St. Louis in junior high school. He managed to quickly change the subject to the Rocky Mountains . Despite diligent searching on the Web, I've still never managed to discover which junior high he went to in St. Louis. I guess there is some information that eludes even the Internet! Since I'm de-lurking for the moment, I'll take this opportunity to thank all of you for being a great source of info on my secret obsession, which no one I know understands . Liz"}, {"response": 668, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (21:55)", "body": "You might try classmates.com Liz, I hear they can find anyone!"}, {"response": 669, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (22:28)", "body": "Time to wake up early again!! Another sighting of Colin will be repeated tomorrow morning. MTV broadcast a half hour show about the Tribeca Film Festival tonight and Colin was shown and he made a couple of comments about TIOBE. The program will be aired again Saturday morning at 9:00am., Tuesday at 6:30pm, and Wednesday at 2:30pm. Loved the NPR interview today. I thought it was better than the Fresh Air one. Colin seemed more relaxed and having a bit of fun. His dad's remark. LOL! I can't imagine what he was talking about there being no demand for his album. How much of Speaking with the Angels' total take came from Firth fans? ;-D (bring on Thomas More)"}, {"response": 670, "author": "maryw", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (22:52)", "body": "Anna - LOL - if despair can make you blurt out such verbal acrobatics on 665 - what would you be like if you found yourself in the presence of the One and Only? I was a bit kinder to myself last night - I set the alarm clock to wake up at 1.30 am but found out from Drool that I just needed to go straight back to bed. Though I had the VCR on - I still could not resist the temptation to watch Katie interviewing the cause of her heart palpitations. But instead of running to the TV room - I went online to Drool first because I know our US sisters would be all over the place commenting on what they saw. Well - there it was in black & white - No Katie ergo no CF. So switched off the VCR and went right back to sleep. Many many many thanks to all our US drooleurs. Off I go to NPR site now."}, {"response": 671, "author": "maryw", "date": "Fri, May 24, 2002 (23:20)", "body": "Oh my! - thanks everybody for the link to the NPR interview. Fresh Air last year was very good as it was quite exhaustive (as it was allowed to be) and it presented his intelligent and thoughtful nature. But he also sounded so serious and a bit self-conscious especially when talking about the motivations for the Department of Nothing (Remember his line? \"Surely there must be a better answer to this.\") But in this current interview at only 8 mins long - he sounded so much more relaxed and confident. I think he is really starting to enjoy himself and maybe he won't find it too difficult anymore to \"play the town\". Gives us a bit of hope, don't you think Mari? Bring on Ted Hughes! Even another go at Thomas More, Karen? Rupie's remarks about ODB during the shoot of Another Country reminds me of the TV interview during the UK promo for Tumbledown. He came across then looking like an earnest commie...a serious self-conscious young man without much sense of humour. I can understand Rupie's remarks. Gee - his public persona has come a long way since - developing like a good vino. All the more for us to savour. slurp ;-P~~~`"}, {"response": 672, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Sat, May 25, 2002 (00:38)", "body": "Hello Everyone - another Firth fan de-lurking here... I'm living in \"Minkeeland\" and am wondering if any others in the Sydney area would like to get together for the premiere of TIOBE on July 4. Please contact me via email if you are. Loved the NPR interview - couldn't believe him saying \"Noone would have me.\" Nothing could be further from the truth! *lol*"}, {"response": 673, "author": "odessa", "date": "Sat, May 25, 2002 (06:24)", "body": "Why oh why? I tried to listen the NPR interview online, and then...\"the format is not supported\" !!! I`m missing so much...I just have to imagine him on that VH1 interview...and on those talk shows...and on radio..."}, {"response": 674, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Sat, May 25, 2002 (07:01)", "body": "http://www.msnbc.com/news/TODAY_Front.asp Today has posted it's schedule for next week. *I* didn't see any mention of CF."}, {"response": 675, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, May 25, 2002 (07:54)", "body": "Soledad O'Brien just said something about Colin Firth and I didn't catch it all. This was on Weekend Today. Maybe she said he'll be on next week? Or tomorrow? Gah. This was right at the end of the show--maybe someone in a later time zone can catch it and tell us."}, {"response": 676, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, May 25, 2002 (07:58)", "body": "Colin's interview will be on tomorrow-Weekend Today Sunday. I had to rewind and make sure that's what she said."}, {"response": 677, "author": "kasey", "date": "Sat, May 25, 2002 (08:10)", "body": "Finally saw Cast Party yesterday and heard the NPR interview last night. While Cast Party has the obvious advantage of letting us see as well as hear ODB I have to say that I enjoyed the NPR interview more. Is it only me or did anyone else feel that CF was not at ease in the format? It seemed so artificial to me, the four of them sitting around laughing and joking about their experiences on the set and trying to be amusing. Now, don't get me wrong, I think they may very well have had a great time on the movie set but I felt that it (Cast Party) was forced for the camera. RE seemed over the top (so for him probably natural), RW young and cute and clueless, F'OC faded into the background and CF (being the good soldier that he is) going along with the banter. I'd really love to be a fly on the wall when they are together off-camera. Then I'm sure we'd get to see the silly side of CF without the self-awareness of being \"on stage\"."}, {"response": 678, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, May 25, 2002 (08:50)", "body": "Yes, Kathy C, I definitely agree with you about Cast Party! Matter of fact, I was bordering on boredom for the first 10 mins or so (yes I know that's sacrilege :-} ) because they all seemed so stiff. RW acted like she did on Leno to me, overemphasizing little silly things. They all seemed like \"What the hell are we doing here? and What are these stupid questions?\" They did start to loosen up quite a bit later. It started to pick up for me when RE did the imitation of ODB kissing LOL!! (lindak) Colin's interview will be on tomorrow-Weekend Today Sunday. Thanks! Watched the whole show until the Pet Shop Boys and never went back. Did pick up a great grilling idea with the Beer Can Chicken, though! On the MTV Tribeca FF show, Colin was only on for maybe 6 or 8 secs tops in the first 5 minutes after HG's comments. The rest of the show was actually interesting to me to see what was going on at the comedy/rock concert while I was at the screening of TIOBE. Everyone in the US have a great holiday! Those everywhere else who are celebrating some kind of holiday, have a great weekend!"}, {"response": 679, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 25, 2002 (08:56)", "body": "(LindaK) Colin's interview will be on tomorrow-Weekend Today Sunday. Let's not get confused. There was *always* to be two interviews: one on Today and one on Weekend Today, at least that is what I was told by Miramax. I watched the MTV special on the Tribeca FF this a.m. and Colin is shown twice in the first 5 minutes or so. He looks oh-so-lovely, wearing a black T-shirt. First, he's responding to why he's there and he says something about NYC, and the second bit is a focus on the films at the fest and he explains the plot of Earnest. And... Welcome Jane!! You're among many other Oz Firth fans."}, {"response": 680, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, May 25, 2002 (09:10)", "body": "Welcome to all new Drool Firthettes ! (Karen)I thought it was better than the Fresh Air one. Colin seemed more relaxed and having a bit of fun. His dad's remark. LOL! Thanks to Karen , and the telephone...I was able to listen to the interview. Yes...much better than the Fresh Air interview( no death-talk !) LOL at Dad's remark about TIOBE: \"That old thing again\". Hey, dad lots of us agree with you;-)"}, {"response": 681, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, May 25, 2002 (09:29)", "body": "(Linda)Colin's interview will be on tomorrow-Weekend Today Sunday. I had to rewind and make sure that's what she said. Great--thanks, Linda! (Karen)He looks oh-so-lovely, wearing a black T-shirt. Mmm, looking oh-so-scrumptious sitting out by the harbor. He says that \"everyone is rooting for New York\" and something about that it's everyone's favorite city. Thanks for the reminder about this one."}, {"response": 682, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, May 25, 2002 (09:32)", "body": "Let's everyone e-mail NBC and find out when the weekday Today Show interview will be on: today@nbc.com"}, {"response": 683, "author": "airstream", "date": "Sat, May 25, 2002 (09:49)", "body": "This may have been posted.... This web site seems pretty accurate (not much in the way of morning talk show listings though). http://www.interbridge.com/lineups.html"}, {"response": 684, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, May 25, 2002 (09:55)", "body": "Re Talking Movies on BBC News24 in UK Have just watched 3.30pm edition and CF interview IS included. - Will be repeated tonight at 10.30pm."}, {"response": 685, "author": "airstream", "date": "Sat, May 25, 2002 (10:30)", "body": "Saw this movie scheduled to play June 26/27 on Lifetime movie network: \"Fatal Woman\"--Is this \"Femme Fatal\"? Are there two versions?"}, {"response": 686, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, May 25, 2002 (13:10)", "body": "Yes it is Femme Fatal. Welcome newbies! And thanks for the link to the NPR interview. I agree with everyone, it is vg."}, {"response": 687, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 25, 2002 (14:57)", "body": "It is Femme Fatale, but edited down a bit. And it is those missing bits that we crave. Get the real thing unless you prefer your world PG."}, {"response": 688, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Sat, May 25, 2002 (18:32)", "body": "Aaaargh! Just discovered that Optus TV in Sydney is carrying useless BORING French Open tennis day after tomorrow, instead of Today show with Colin Firth interview! Aaaargh!! Don't they have any women working there??? Morons!!! Will now have to wait interminably long time for friend in the US to send me videotape of CF's US tv interviews in order to see anything except \"Talking Movies\". Thank goodness for US Firthettes - without them we'd get almost nothing of Colin here!"}, {"response": 689, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Sun, May 26, 2002 (07:51)", "body": "Just saw the interview with Soledad O'Brien and CF (pre-recorded). She was completely clueless about him--made me squirm. I normally like her. He was *lovely*! Dimple alert! Sure hope the interview with Katie is for real and will be shown. She is not clueless."}, {"response": 690, "author": "audiogirl", "date": "Sun, May 26, 2002 (08:32)", "body": "He looked v. bored, I thought. Still yummy inthat always present black shirt. I'm sure he gets tired of rehashing the same questions and movie clips. I thought he was cute when he pretended not to know he was a heartthrob!"}, {"response": 691, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 26, 2002 (08:45)", "body": "So right, that Soledad is no rocket scientist. The very first time he was mentioned, she said his love interest in the movie was Reese. Colin looked v. nice and handled himself v. well under the circumstances. How better to make your guest feel ill at ease than to start out with the \"hottie\" remark. Yuck! But then I have comment on Colin's rather sexist remark: 'someone's mother or friend or secretary.' Surely he could think of another profession for a woman other than that? [No offense to anyone who is one.] BTW, I thought the shirt was deep blue, and the film clips are pretty much always going to be the same. These programs are provided with what is called a 'B roll' of clips and they always show the clip that features their guest. Do you have any idea of how many times we saw the \"I like you just the way you are\" speech from BJ? ;-D"}, {"response": 692, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May 26, 2002 (08:55)", "body": "He looked scrumptious in that blue shirt and jeans.Relaxed, hands folded in lap. I didn't think he looked bored, and she was cute. Hey, at least she didn't ask \"How come you aren't a bigger star\",like the BBC's Talking Movies. He looked rather pleased when she called him \"American's Hearthrob\" remark; the little \"blue soup \" smile surfaced. If you have to be defensive that's a good one to be assualted with. Nice way to start a Sunday. Now to Regis tomorrow."}, {"response": 693, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Sun, May 26, 2002 (09:37)", "body": "I have one quibble about his remark about \"why don't I meet these people\" who are such big fans. Liar, liar, pants on fire! ;-D We know many people who have put great effort in to meeting him. ;-)"}, {"response": 694, "author": "maryw", "date": "Sun, May 26, 2002 (09:41)", "body": "Thank you very much for the alert. Now I *will* get out of bed and turn on TV and hope that they do show Weekend Today here (our TV guide says they do). It's 40 mins past midnight and it's freezing here - oh the life of a CF-er! Thank goodness for the US drooleurs who help ease it a bit ;-) Evelyn - the BBC Talking Movies guy did make me squirm (and noticeably, CF too) with that question. Gaahh! But still - whatsisname did make a mention of \"heartrob\" and CF looked as if he was trying to suck his cheeks in. I hope Chevy Chase is not on Regis tomorrow. That episode was another squirmer ;-( Everytime I think of the placenta....ugh!"}, {"response": 695, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Sun, May 26, 2002 (09:53)", "body": "Well, I had much better success today than last week of hiding my secret obsession from DH. Was able to leave the room with tape on when being asked to get his clothes from the dryer so he could go golfing! I did like this interview, he looked lovely as always. I did however really like the NPR radio interview, one of his best I think. Am truely going crazy now, as adds have been appearing for the movie and I don't think I will get it here for another week or so (at least). DH asked me if I wanted to go see it today as well. I quietly said that it wasn't out yet, in which he replied \"but the adds are on\". I had to hold my distress! Oh well, I now have 5 hours before his return, just enough time to watch P&P!!!"}, {"response": 696, "author": "maryw", "date": "Sun, May 26, 2002 (10:05)", "body": "Karen, Evelyn, Sandi, Meredith, Fran - anyone... Is Weekend Today only a one-hour show? I just checked our guide - it's on free-to-air (Ch 7 to all Sydneysiders who are still awake) from 2 am - 3 am. I think I can't stay up that long but certainly won't try if it's not likely to be the \"Soledad\" version. It better be - this is our last chance for ANY Colin TV sighting. Not a #$%$^@$ chance to see the KCD (\"Katie Couric Drooling\"). For the next 2 weeks, The Today Show has been replaced by live coverage of the French Tennis Open - not likely to have a Colin sighting there ;-( but will still stay up for tennis"}, {"response": 697, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 26, 2002 (10:09)", "body": "Yes, it is a one hour show. Colin is on during the second half of the program. Meredith, I had the same reaction to that comment. He's met them. By the hordes. Who is he kidding? ;-D"}, {"response": 698, "author": "audiogirl", "date": "Sun, May 26, 2002 (10:15)", "body": "I thought for sure that Katie herself would do the interview. What is a major star like ODB doing on a Sunday morning Today! R&K better do a much nicer job! Love that blue soup smile!!!!"}, {"response": 699, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 26, 2002 (10:20)", "body": "As I said, way back when, there are two different Today Show interviews. There is another one for the weekday program that should air at a later date. And there's nothing wrong or abnormal about having this appearance. Many actors appear on weekend television shows. Colin was on last Sunday's BWTA. That's the nature of the publicity. It's 7 days a week. :-)"}, {"response": 700, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Sun, May 26, 2002 (11:28)", "body": "May be wishful thinking, but I'd expect to see the KC interview on Today later next week. I believe you mentioned this, Karen. When the movie goes \"wide\", it would be a natural to show it. I *think* next weekend is wide (or at least moderately broad ;-) Or, is it two weeks until all markets (translation boonies)? Argh!"}, {"response": 701, "author": "dalec", "date": "Sun, May 26, 2002 (11:42)", "body": "i think may 31, next friday is when TIOBE goes wide. maybe Today will wait till next friday to air colin's interview. praying hard here."}, {"response": 702, "author": "Jory", "date": "Sun, May 26, 2002 (11:57)", "body": "Hello All, I'm a new delurker and I just want to thank all you alumni Firthettes for all your eye catching moments and info. I'm out here in the midwest USA. I called the two theatres here and neither one has heard of TIOBE. So at this rate I may be waiting to this film on video tape. I hope not. But I have thuroughly enjoyed reading all the info hear. For a couple of months now I've been glued to this place of drool and my husband asks me what I'm laughing at while on the computer and I have to invent a funny email to answer him. I've rather new to this obsession just since seeing \"BJD\" last January and that did it for me and now I'm collecting CF movies by the gross. Including P&P. Thanks to all for letting me share in this adoration for a simply sweet man to put it mildly. And thanks to Karen for helping to put my two cents into the pot, which is growing by the moment by the way."}, {"response": 703, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 26, 2002 (12:09)", "body": "My pleasure, and welcome to our little sandbox of fun, Jory. Again, for the sleepy heads who missed the Weekend Today interview early this (yawn) morning or our international Firthettes, I've transcribed it and it's up at The Bucket: http://www.firth.com/int/weekendtoday52602.html Also, the far better, 'All Things Considered' interview is there as well (sorry, no pics) ;-) http://www.firth.com/int/atc52402.html"}, {"response": 704, "author": "maryw", "date": "Sun, May 26, 2002 (12:17)", "body": "Thank you Karen for the tip that he is in the 2nd half of the show. Got there just in time. Soledad looked fine but was not drooling as much as KC. I didn't think he looked bored - he looked delectable and all *alert* and ready to please - couldn't keep the dimples down. But he looked so thin - the small head seemed out of proportion somehow. I see now what you mean about that \"haven't met those people\" bit. Surely - he jests! Hint of false modesty there? *splat* ducking for cover from rotten tomatoes But then again what could he have said instead? Better appear modest than otherwise! LOL! Next time any of the Drooleurs meet him - better give him your business cards so he knows that many of the moms, sisters and secretaries who admire him so have also got degrees, businesses, professions etc. No offence meant but only an observation on the narrow frame of reference. What a strange thing to say from he whose nearest female relations are a mother and a wife with their respective PhDs and a sister who went to university. *shaking head*"}, {"response": 705, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 26, 2002 (12:35)", "body": "We should be grateful he didn't say grandmother, instead of \"mom, friend or someone's secretary\" ;-D Of course, it is false modesty. But what concerns me is that he's had to endure 6 yrs of that kind of focus by the UK press (Wet Shirty) and it might have been rather refreshing NOT to have that kind of baggage when he started doing interviews here. He could talk about other things. His acting, for one. But if they're going to focus on heartthrob, it can't be easy to listen to this crap again."}, {"response": 706, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, May 26, 2002 (12:54)", "body": "Karen, thanks for the transcription. I had the VCR ready to go this morning but forgot that we have this little thing in central Indiana called a 500 mile race and Today was pre-empted for coverage. Have these people got a distorted sense of priorities or what?! ::::very heavy sigh::::: Now, for Regis tomorrow!"}, {"response": 707, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Sun, May 26, 2002 (12:54)", "body": "IIRC, wasn't there a comment last round from a media type who didn't know who he was until his/her 'secretary' raved about him? I didn't see the interview myself; thanks for the transcript! So I can't speak to the intonation or expression of the administrative assistant remark. Of course it stands to reason that he'd *see* more of his US fans if he did more PR or public appearances here Is that a big enough hint? :) I count two interviews so far, and I've probably missed some, with zero mention of wet shirts or P&P. And one of my favorite things about him is his apparent lack of overt public egotism, so, although I adore Darcy, I call this progress. ITA about the PR burden of being a heartthrob. Must be quite tedious if you have even half a brain."}, {"response": 708, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May 26, 2002 (13:29)", "body": "Hi ya Jory!"}, {"response": 709, "author": "dalec", "date": "Sun, May 26, 2002 (13:37)", "body": "just got my TIOBE soundtrack and there's an extra sticker that says: Includes Rupert Everett and Colin Firth's hit performance of \"Lady Come Down\" as heard in the film. we hava a hit! ;)"}, {"response": 710, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sun, May 26, 2002 (13:43)", "body": "(Ev) Nice way to start a Sunday. I'm with you, Evvie! Despite being seriously, unforgivably behind in Drool posts (am trying to speed read through more than 500 on this topic alone), I managed to catch ODB on the Today show this a.m. Sure, he wasn't as loose and relaxed as he was on Rosie and LWTUI [Live With Two Utter Idiots] last year, but he did fine. He did sound like he was working on a cold--either that, or he had a very late night before the taping. ;-) Greetings to the newbies! Greetings to the oldbies! Sorry I couldn't help out with the Wash Post--wouldn't you know we didn't pick one up last Sun.? :-/ A big thanks to all the sleuths, review and interview posters and TV/radio appearance transcribers. We former full-timer droolers appreciate your efforts! Mari, I agree with something you wrote oh, about 400 posts ago--let's repost some of these interviews and good reviews when we're in the middle of one of those 'he's fallen off the earth' Firth droughts."}, {"response": 711, "author": "Jackie2", "date": "Sun, May 26, 2002 (14:02)", "body": "He is correct: he has never met the women who drool. From my experience he has only met classy women who never dared mention his looks (gorgeous or not) but instead concentrated on complimenting him on his acting talents."}, {"response": 712, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, May 26, 2002 (14:09)", "body": "(Evelyn)He looked scrumptious in that blue shirt and jeans.Relaxed, hands folded in lap. I didn't think he looked bored, and she was cute. Hey, at least she didn't ask \"How come you aren't a bigger star\",like the BBC's Talking Movies. He looked rather pleased when she called him \"American's Hearthrob\" remark; Minkee)I didn't think he looked bored - he looked delectable and all *alert* and ready to please - couldn't keep the dimples down. I agree! I thought it was a nice interview and he seemed very relaxed and *confident.* And what else was he going to say when she told him she was always running into women who liked him? \"Yeah, I know, I'm gorgeous, they just love me.\" C'mon, that's not his style. I thought his remark was sweet and characteristically self-deprecating and it didn't offend me at all that he didn't use \"NASA astrophysicist\" as an example of his fans.;-)"}, {"response": 713, "author": "Jackie2", "date": "Sun, May 26, 2002 (14:16)", "body": "You got it, Mari!"}, {"response": 714, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, May 26, 2002 (14:22)", "body": "YOO HOO, LA ladies--how about someone scanning the new pic that I'm told is with this interview in today's LA Times?:-) Thanks to Marie for spotting: Los Angeles Times Sunday, May 26, 2002 Skipping to the Head of the Cast After an unlikely big break, rising actor Colin Firth is getting lead roles in films such as a new Oscar Wilde adaptation. By ELLEN BASKIN It is a truth universally acknowledged that a journeyman actor in possession of leading-man good looks must be in want of a breakout role--or so Jane Austen might have said, were she writing about Hollywood rather than Hampshire. Colin Firth had no idea he'd landed such a role in 1995, when he was cast as Mr. Darcy in a BBC miniseries production of \"Pride and Prejudice.\" The English actor was by then a veteran of more than a dozen film and television appearances, including the title role in the 1989 film \"Valmont,\" and considered himself far more \"a jobbing actor\" than a dishy screen star. But attention was paid, especially by the female population of the English-speaking world. Firth's smoldering presence and intense gazes in the direction of Jennifer Ehle's Elizabeth Bennet so dominated the dramatic goings-on that the program could well have been retitled \"Pride and Prejudice: The Darcy Chronicles.\" It didn't end there. In Helen Fielding's 1998 novel, \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" a comic modernization of Austen's classic, Firth showed up as both himself and via his interpretation of the fictional hero. What's more, Fielding dubbed her novel's male lead Darcy as well. As if all that wasn't confusing enough, the irony ante was upped yet again when Firth was cast as Darcy in last year's hit film, which starred Renee Zellweger as Bridget and Hugh Grant as Firth's rival for her affections. \"I'd appeared as a character in the novel,\" Firth explains with deadpan wit. \"And now the actor that appeared in the novel was playing the guy called Darcy from the novel, who is based on the guy I played on television.\" By the end, even Firth had trouble keeping track of which version of himself he was supposed to be at any given moment. A more literal game of who's who is played out in Firth's latest film. He co-stars with Rupert Everett in \"The Importance of Being Earnest,\" a new film treatment of Oscar Wilde's classic comedy of manners, mores and mistaken identity among the British upper crust. It opened Wednesday in Los Angeles. \"Earnest\" premiered on stage in London on Valentine's Day 1895 and has remained a theatrical staple. But this production, directed by Oliver Parker, is only the second major film adaptation. Anthony Asquith directed that 1952 version, with Michael Redgrave in the role Firth has. (\"Earnest\" has been done several times for television, and an independent production with an African American cast was filmed in 1992.) \"You jump at something like this,\" Firth says of the opportunity to play Jack Worthing, a reserved suburban gent who often must journey to London to deal with the exploits of his troublesome brother Ernest--who, by the way, is a fictional creation whose made-up predicaments allow Jack to escape the genteel confines of the countryside. As Ernest, Jack woos the lovely Gwendolen (Frances O'Connor)--that is, when he's not teaming up with suave ne'er-do-well Algernon Moncrieff (Everett) and going out on the town. The plot, such as it is, thickens when Algernon takes on the Ernest title and takes off for the country to court Jack's naive ward, Cecily (Reese Witherspoon). In the midst of all this, Jack must also contend with Gwendolen's mother, the imperious Lady Bracknell (Judi Dench). Much witty havoc ensues. \"My job is entirely language-dependent, and it doesn't get much better than this,\" Firth says of Wilde's sparkling dialogue. \"But it throws down the gauntlet, because it has been tried and tested and proven to work. You can't blame the author if it doesn't.\" Wilde's works have never strayed too far from the cultural consciousness, but in recent years, particularly, he has been in vogue. Parker first directed Everett in 1999 in \"An Ideal Husband.\" Wilde himself has emerged as a character in a number of film and stage works, including Tom Stoppard's 1997 play \"The Invention of Love,\" the film biography \"Wilde\" (1997), starring Stephen Fry, and Moises Kaufman's acclaimed play \"Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde\" (1998), which focused on the libel trial that ultimately resulted in the writer's personal and professional downfall. \"He was an avant-garde figure in his day, and I think if you are avant-garde and also have substance to your work, you remain relevant,\" Parker says of Wilde's continued audience appeal. \"The conventional image of Wilde is of someone who's brittle and rather too clever. But, in fact, his work is continually probing and also pleading for a tolerant worldview. Beneath the surface of a lot of these apparently simple, glib comments is a great humanity. And I think he's at his most powerful and insightful wh"}, {"response": 715, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sun, May 26, 2002 (14:23)", "body": "Sad, sad day here. Not only did I not realize that there would be a weekend Today show, but now I find out that tennis is pre-empting the regular Today show. Chancing for even one Colin sighting in this fenzied midst is becoming slim indeed. :((((("}, {"response": 716, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Sun, May 26, 2002 (14:37)", "body": "this little thing in central Indiana called a 500 mile race Hey, I think Helio's kind of cute, especially when he cries. And the fence-climbing is a nice way to show off the rear view. :) You have a better excuse than I did...I had a late night videotaped film-festival at my house and simply slept through the whole thing. I would be lost indeed without the transcriptions. A thousand thanks."}, {"response": 717, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, May 26, 2002 (14:40)", "body": "\"There is something that works between Rupert and myself,\" Firth acknowledges of their rapport. \"People have even said it should be a franchise now, like Lemmon and Matthau.\" As someone who LOVES Lemmon and Matthau, I heartily second this. I'm not sure I'm ready to see him play a \"Grumpy Old Man\" but the dynamic certainly seems to be there. (First time I've tried tags, hope I didn't mess 'em up.)"}, {"response": 718, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, May 26, 2002 (14:50)", "body": "older son, William, 11, who lives in Los Angeles with his mother, actress Meg Tilly So they did stay in LA. Thanks for the LA Times article, Mari. Looking forward to seeing that picture. :-) Karen, thanks for transcribing the Today show. I was one of those sleepy heads that missed it. Welcome Jory!"}, {"response": 719, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May 26, 2002 (16:59)", "body": "(CF)\" There is something that works between Rupert and myself,\" Firth acknowledges of their rapport. \"People have even said it should be a franchise now, like Lemmon and Matthau.\" Yikes...we have \"Earnest II\" to look forward to??? Oi...let's not get carried away with this, ole boy;-) Liiiiisaaaa...quit looking at television;-)"}, {"response": 720, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 26, 2002 (17:56)", "body": "that the program could well have been retitled \"Pride and Prejudice: The Darcy Chronicles.\" LOL! Isn't that we have going here? ;-D \"People have even said it should be a franchise now, like Lemmon and Matthau.\" \"Since 'Bridget Jones,' I have been doing, and I think I will be doing, English guys in romantic comedies for a while.\" Ooooowww, getting out the voodoo dolls. NOooooooooooooooo!!!"}, {"response": 721, "author": "AnnieZ", "date": "Sun, May 26, 2002 (20:39)", "body": "Thank you Karen for the Weekend Today show transcript. I missed it as well :-( Here is my TIOBE experience: I've been really busy on my research lately and couldn't get off work until 7:00 PM on Friday. I went directly to the only theater in town that shows TIOBE for 7:20 show. I was shocked when I saw a long line (over 100 feet at least) in front of the ticket office. When it was my turn at the window, it was sold out! I've never seen such crowd in an art house theater. I thought it might be some kind of event since I saw people seemed in groups (many of them were gray hairs - lots of gray hairs). Because I was booked all day on Saturday. I tried today again. When I got to the theater, I realized that I made a big mistake for not buying a ticket in advance on Firday. The line was even longer! The lady behind me informed that the line was always there when she drove by in past two days. I was a bit of anxious since it would start in less than 15 minutes and there were at least 50 people in front of me in the line. Luckly, the theater manager decided to delay the schedule in order to get as many people in as possi le. So I finally found a seat and settled myself for the enjoyment. It was full house. The atmosphere was delightful, the audiences were laughing and warmly applaud at the end twice. I enjoyed the movie very much and felt light headed happiness when I walked out of the theater ;-) ODB was so funny and adorable. I thought that he was very good in comedy when I saw MLSF, but this was much better. I've had earwarms of \"Lady Come Down\" since I was out of that theater. I couldn't help to sing the melody all day long ;-). I'm off the box now ;-)"}, {"response": 722, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, May 26, 2002 (21:55)", "body": "(Karen)Since 'Bridget Jones,' I have been doing, and I think I will be doing, English guys in romantic comedies for a while.\" Ooooowww, getting out the voodoo dolls. NOooooooooooooooo!!! There goes the Le Carre... As soon as I read that remark, I couldn't wait to see your post, Karen. I knew you were going to have a fit. That certainly is good news about the number of people at the theater. Caught the Today show interview. He looked great. SOB,(her initials are bad too),I agree, was clueless. I was not thrilled with the hottie remark. C'mon Katie. Please, pray that interview is on fairly early in the week. I cannot deal with anymore recipes. Also hoping if it happens to be tomorrow, it's on before the third hour and doesn't conflict with Regis. If it's on Tuesday then it may conflict with the Early show. At least we have conflicts to worry about. Fire up VCR#2."}, {"response": 723, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, May 26, 2002 (22:55)", "body": "Karen, thanks for the Today and All Things Considered transcripts. Oi, he's such a nice boy!:-) Some very early box office estimates for the 4-day holiday weekend, from Hollywood.com: \"This weekend also saw the arrival of Miramax's PG rated comedy The Importance of Being Earnest to an encouraging ESTIMATED $0.53 million at 38 theaters ($13,809 per theater). (Miramax estimated its three-day gross at $0.37 million.) \"Directed by Oliver Parker, it stars Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Frances O'Connor, Reese Witherspoon, Judi Dench and Tom Wilkinson.\""}, {"response": 724, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sun, May 26, 2002 (23:59)", "body": "Karen, thanks so much for the transcripts of NPR and Today. Knowing that whatever I missed on the air would soon be available is the only thing that kept me a somewhat attentive host this weekend. There are barriers even in the US but Drool always comes through! Mari, you have been a wonder! Thanks for all the reviews and interviews! My dream come true: more articles than I can read in a day! This movie is much smaller than BJD but the PR for CF seems more abundant or is it just me?"}, {"response": 725, "author": "odessa", "date": "Mon, May 27, 2002 (06:39)", "body": "I was reading this tv magazine and then, there it was: big photo of his smiling face!(and again, it`s my humble translation) Sex symbol against his will (Katso 22/2002) When British actor Colin Firth (Bridget Jones`s Diary) recently visited Los Angeles promoting Oscar Wilde movie The Importance Of Being Earnest, he met a herd of drooling women. The father of 2 children, married a couple years ago, Firth,41, smiles awkwardly to the sex symbol thing that started from BBC`s Pride & Prejudice. And when he played Mr. Darcy again in Bridget Jones`s Diary, the legend was born. -I still can`t understand all the fuss with the transparent shirt, which supposedly glinted to my body shapes, which I don`t even have. The idea of jumping to the pond was not even planned, but afterwards men wrote to me asking how I did it. Honestly, even my wife wouldn't get excited if I`d go home wearing a dripping shirt. In costume dramas confidently working Firth plays Jack who`s suffering from an identity crises in soon to be seen love farce The Importance Of Being Earnest with famous cast including for example Reese Witherspoon, Rupert Everett and Judy Dench. - You have to be little insane if you want to be an actor. You have to suffer from many illnesses to be good in that. I bet that the ability of playing someone else convincingly comes from unhealthy sources. So we`re all more or less nuts, says Firth with serious face. The star waits BJD sequel with mixed feelings. Ren\ufffde Zellweger has announced that she won`t gain weight again, so maybe the movie makers have to find a new Bridget. -If they wait 10 years with the sequel, it won`t be a problem to hire someone else to play Bridget. They did that for example with Silence of the Lambs. But now people remember the movie so well that it`s going to be difficult, even impossible, Firth guesses."}, {"response": 726, "author": "dalec", "date": "Mon, May 27, 2002 (07:16)", "body": "wake up! wake up! i know it's a holiday and everyone is probably sleeping in. in my half asleep state i turned on the Today show and heard(i'm pretty sure i wasn't dreaming) katie mention colin will be on today."}, {"response": 727, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, May 27, 2002 (07:32)", "body": "You got that right....people get up and turn those sets on. I have no TV Guide...but I think a fellow Oz-er said we are being pre-empted by the French Open here. (Lleyton Hewitt is playing today!)"}, {"response": 728, "author": "airstream", "date": "Mon, May 27, 2002 (07:34)", "body": "Yes it is true--this 1\\2 hour on Today show. (8:30am, EST)"}, {"response": 729, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, May 27, 2002 (07:37)", "body": "I think it's very bad news for us here. The program is listed as NBC Today and it is only on for an hour at 2am. Tomorrow we have tennis all night. Is there a chance this NBC Today is the other show you have been talking about with the SOB lady????"}, {"response": 730, "author": "airstream", "date": "Mon, May 27, 2002 (07:42)", "body": "(He has on the same outfit as the Weekend Today interview)"}, {"response": 731, "author": "airstream", "date": "Mon, May 27, 2002 (07:50)", "body": "All righty girls, it is over. (I'm sure someone will transcribe it all!) Katie (and Colin) were all smiles. She played with her hair a lot. Clips form BJD and TIOBE. She did ask about a sequel to BJD--He said he \"Could neither confirm or deny it\" and that he reads the gossip columns to find news about it. BTW--His hair is looking a bit odd--especially at the top. Could it be.....?"}, {"response": 732, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Mon, May 27, 2002 (07:51)", "body": "I can't believe I missed most of it! Will be looking forward to a transcript. Alert to our friends in Central Mountain and Western time zones!"}, {"response": 733, "author": "myou", "date": "Mon, May 27, 2002 (07:55)", "body": "Katie was certainly all flustered! How many times did she mention that it was good to see him! And right at the start, didn't it look like their feet were touching? Was THAT on purpose, Katie dear? I was having a good giggle over it. As per usual, Colin was very articulate and full of smiles!"}, {"response": 734, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 27, 2002 (08:11)", "body": "Blast it! And I thought he was on Regis today! There will be an uproar, all of us watching on Friday and so very few today! Who knew?! :-@"}, {"response": 735, "author": "airstream", "date": "Mon, May 27, 2002 (08:23)", "body": "He is on Regis (right now actually). Why Oh Why does he do this show???? (Talking about is being a hunk.) Yikes!"}, {"response": 736, "author": "airstream", "date": "Mon, May 27, 2002 (08:27)", "body": "OK, it has taken a more redeeming turn (concession). Are chatting about some more personal type things that haven't been mentioned lately. He is being a good sport."}, {"response": 737, "author": "airstream", "date": "Mon, May 27, 2002 (08:31)", "body": "Was wearing black blazer/grey t-shirt/rolled jeans. Maybe he does Regis because Regis goes off on some strange raving tangent and he and Kelly discuss it while the guest (CF) sits there and watches...and thereby doesn't have to answer embarrassing questions. (they opened the show with the singing bass fish on a plague)"}, {"response": 738, "author": "myou", "date": "Mon, May 27, 2002 (08:36)", "body": "Boy, that must have been a fast clothes change between studios! Liked the grey t-shirt, jacket and jeans look on \"Regis\". You are so right, Amy - he was being a very good sport! I thought he was quite funny, especially since a large part of the interview had to do with his being a sex symbol. Thought there was a lot repeated from the Chevy-Kelly interview of last year - the baby, the Italian family, the scholarly parents... They really should get better researchers to add more variety to these interviews - especially before \"Hope Springs\" hits theaters in September. Anyhow, what a wonderful day to be home sick (in Canada, not Memorial Day here) - 2 early morning tete-a-tetes with Colin!"}, {"response": 739, "author": "airstream", "date": "Mon, May 27, 2002 (08:45)", "body": "Myou--it had to be prerecorded. He has been seen in that outfit (and versions of it) on all the PR interviews. Didn't he have that very ensemble on during 'Cast Party\"? Yes, hopefully when HS comes out they will all have to do some work. What, they have 3 months to get to it...unless they rely on this conference (and Karen) as one reported recently admitted....get ready Karen....."}, {"response": 740, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, May 27, 2002 (08:53)", "body": "As it seems like few people are even around this morning, I am now taking bets on how many droolers will stumble in here later and lament about missing these shows. :))))) 1 to 4 droolers......Even Money 5 to 9 droolers......3 to 1 10 to 15 droolers....10 to 1"}, {"response": 741, "author": "dalec", "date": "Mon, May 27, 2002 (08:56)", "body": "yes, regis and kelly are so clueless. i liked the bit about luca walking. colin said something like luca was not really walking yet at 13 months because he's really lazy, very cute."}, {"response": 742, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, May 27, 2002 (09:09)", "body": "I caught both, but almost missed the Today show since he was not mentioned until the beginning of the second hour. He had on the same outfit as Weekend Today with SOB. I can't believe Kelly started off the interview with the Sexy Colin Firth thing again. Ugh! Show was taped-Regis and Kelly had on different outfits with each guest. Interview did get better as it went on. Katie looked v.happy again. Her feet were still at the beginning, but by the end they were doing the old 360's. Still thinking about the \"quietly diversifying\" comment...then the comment that he will be playing the romantic comedies for awhile...ODB does seem have a talent for being able to, very quickly, paint himself into the dreaded undiversified corner."}, {"response": 743, "author": "iluvdarcy1", "date": "Mon, May 27, 2002 (09:12)", "body": "OH!OH!OH! Missed Katie interview. Panting away for transcript!! Please daughters of Drool help me out!"}, {"response": 744, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 27, 2002 (09:20)", "body": "(Lisa) I am now taking bets on how many droolers will stumble in here later and lament about missing these shows. :))))) Not those of us with phones! As I putting a toothpaste-covered brush in my mouth, the phone rings and Evelyn's there, telling me Colin will be on in the next hour. I rush downstairs and get the tape and TV ready, although barely able to discern screen without contact lenses. Fortunately, everything came together during the commercial breaks. ;-D The interview was good and Colin looked very comfortable and relaxed. He didn't really say anything new, except to comment that his relationship with Rupe was similar to that of Algy and Jack. He elaborated on the unusual performance of JD as Lady B, and this time he mentioned he *had* seen a repertory production of TIOBE (minor case of amnesia before, huh?) I expect we will be seeing the headlines about how Colin isn't interested, in the abstract, about doing the BJD sequel. But really, what is he going to say? Yes, I'm dying to do it? Katie didn't appear as ga-ga as she did before. Will scrutinize tape for hidden body language."}, {"response": 745, "author": "firthfetish", "date": "Mon, May 27, 2002 (09:37)", "body": "Oh Happy Day! I caught both interviews! Katie was adorable...she is soooo smitten..hhmm...sounds like some people I know ; ) Colin was just incredible, as per usual!"}, {"response": 746, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 27, 2002 (10:01)", "body": "The Today Show usually puts up the video of various segments. While the site hasn't been updated yet for today's show, keep checking at: http://www.msnbc.com/news/TODAY_Front.asp to see the interview online. I don't see anything either at the Weekend Today site. http://www.msnbc.com/news/weekendtoday_front.asp?ta=y I don't get Regis & Kelly until 1:00 a.m. (no market for those guys here), so will have a long wait to hear the cute stories."}, {"response": 747, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, May 27, 2002 (10:10)", "body": "Caught CF on Live. Thought he was a little reserved--no doubt waiting for the odd 'eating placenta' comment or two. Thought Reeg and Kelly were their typical selves; however, Regis actually segued nicely into the reason CF was there. CF had a few funny one-liners, but again I thought he was not as relaxed as he was on the shows last year. I did miss Today, however. Am sure he had more fun with Katie. ;-)"}, {"response": 748, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May 27, 2002 (10:14)", "body": "Ahhh, manage to catch both interviews today! Talk about Firthabundance!!!:-) Katie was so sly, slipping in the BJD2 question--her newswoman's instincts.;-) He's clearly very comfortable and relaxed with her. And believe it or not, even the Regis & Kelly interview was good. As goofy as those 2 are, it set Colin up for some very funny retorts, which went over really big with the audience. He got a lot of laughs. Must have been some fans in the audience, as I saw flahsbulbs go off at one point. One thing I do like about the R&K show is that they dare to ask personal questions--it's not just sell the movie and you're off. Colin mentioned that his father keeps a scrapbook of all his work and his interviews. He also said that his parents came to terms with his acting career, and his dad said that with the travel and exposure to different people and roles, that was as good an education as one could hope for. Dad sounds like a good guy."}, {"response": 749, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May 27, 2002 (10:44)", "body": "Didn't you like how his face lights up when he speaks about Luca....LOL. \"who is too lazy to walk, at 13 months. Has a v. irritable look on his face when we try to stand him up to walk. \"[Colin putting both hands up imitating standing up baby]. Cute show. He seems v. relaxed on these shows now. Wouldn't be surprised if he tackles one in the UK."}, {"response": 750, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, May 27, 2002 (10:57)", "body": "Don't forget the Early show tomorrow. I know it is listed on the Bucket, but if you are like me-I keep forgetting to check. Does anyone every watch this show? Please give us a heads up when the celeb interviews take place. First hour or second? I noticed on the Today Show all celeb interviews took place between 8:20 and 8:40.(est) I should know after 10 days of watching times 3hrs. a day."}, {"response": 751, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, May 27, 2002 (11:15)", "body": "Loved Katie. It's obvious she's a (cough, cough) drooler. I like both interviews. Laughed at the remark about having to wait in line if he wants to play with Luca when they're in Italy."}, {"response": 752, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, May 27, 2002 (12:28)", "body": "Just watched the Today interview again. At the very beginning, Katie literally slips the toe of her show under Colin's shoe. It remains there for more than half of the interview. That's why her feet were so still until the end. I wouldn't have moved mine either if I were in her position."}, {"response": 753, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, May 27, 2002 (13:22)", "body": "Colin mentioned that his father keeps a scrapbook of all his work and his interviews. He also said that his parents came to terms with his acting career, and his dad said that with the travel and exposure to different people and roles, that was as good an education as one could hope for. Dad sounds like a good guy. Didn't you like how his face lights up when he speaks about Luca....LOL. \"who is too lazy to walk, at 13 months. Has a v. irritable look on his face when we try to stand him up to walk. \"[Colin putting both hands up imitating standing up baby] . I just love both these comments! His dad does sounds like a nice (and proud) dad! Colin normally seems to talk about his mum...so it's good that Dad gets a mention! Thanks for all the updates and news."}, {"response": 754, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Mon, May 27, 2002 (13:29)", "body": "I thought these were both great interviews. Regis has a way of making people comfortable, even when it's obvious that Regis doesn't know who the guest is :-). He usually shows photos from an actor's career but showed Colin's magazine photos instead. Loved the joke about the shed in the background of the Vogue pic. I think R believed him! Finally Colin handled the \"sexy\" comments the way I want him to. Just go along with it and laugh. I realized during R&K that I've rarely seen CF laugh normally. Such a treat!"}, {"response": 755, "author": "Odile", "date": "Mon, May 27, 2002 (13:47)", "body": "(Mari)Katie was so sly, slipping in the BJD2 question--her newswoman's instincts.;-) He's clearly very comfortable and relaxed with her. And believe it or not, even the Regis & Kelly interview was good. As goofy as those 2 are, it set Colin up for some very funny retorts, which went over really big with the audience. He got a lot of laughs. Must have been some fans in the audience, as I saw flahsbulbs go off at one point. I agree with Mari. It looked like a regular conversation with Katie, not so self aware of cameras like at the Cast Party, except for BJD2 carefully worded reply. Oh well, Katie tried. I also liked the R&K interview; I agree that the audience was definitely entertained and so seemed Regis (which is no small feat). The only problem I had with it was the makeup: abit heavy on the reds on my screen and definitely made his eyebrows disappear completely. But the smiles and better the smirks (especially with the Hugh Grant jokes)..."}, {"response": 756, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 27, 2002 (13:54)", "body": "I'm looking forward to staying up late to catch R&K and then getting up early again for the Early Show. I might need Rupe's shovelfuls of makeup. ;-D Here are some fun pics: http://www.firth.com/earnest_castpartygal.html (Sorry, if I haven't kept up.)"}, {"response": 757, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Mon, May 27, 2002 (14:29)", "body": "I never thought I would be so happy to be unemployed right now - today is complete overindulgence...first Today, then Regis and Kelly, and I just returned from a 1:15 showing of IOBE (to which I drove 35km each way and went on my own, the lengths I will go to...). I mostly just sat there with a stupid grin on my face, it was great. I really like him in all of it, but particularly in the last scenes, very amusing. There was only about 10 people in the theatre, but lots of giggles from some younger folks (meaning around my own age). In the bathroom afterwards, two older women were discussing his natural reddish hair colour and how it is always curly, too funny. And tomorrow, the Early Show and I get part 2 of Master of the Moor. Wow - I must remember these times when we are in drought, as has been said!"}, {"response": 758, "author": "dalec", "date": "Mon, May 27, 2002 (14:41)", "body": "i just watched the regis and kelly interview agian. it was a good interview, colin pretty much went with the flow of things. this was one of kelly's comment's, \"they refer to you as britain's sex god screen idol, is that a heavy title for you?\" colin, \"no... i've always felt that way about myself.\"(then nice smile from colin). i have a question. for those who've already seen the interview or will be seeing it, does anyone know one of the magazine articles that regis held up. not the one recent vogue one, the other one where there's 4 pics on the page which included cary grant, colin(believe this is an old pic we've seen), hugh and prince william. anyone know this article and what it's about?"}, {"response": 759, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May 27, 2002 (15:03)", "body": "Dale, the magazine you're referring to is Town & Country. So far, so good on the box office front. Finally weekend stats from the AP: \"In limited release, a new adaptation of Oscar Wilde's \"The Importance of Being Earnest\" opened solidly with $470,000 in 38 theaters. Directed by Oliver Parker (\"An Ideal Husband\"), the film stars Rupert Everett, Reese Witherspoon, Frances O'Connor, Colin Firth and Judi Dench.\""}, {"response": 760, "author": "airstream", "date": "Mon, May 27, 2002 (16:45)", "body": "Sounds good. Was walking around 57th st. today and there was a huge line outside the Paris theatre....mostly elderly people, (could this be attributed to, er, slowness in transactions?) but a line neverthless! :^) (Or all the viewers of morning talk shows?)"}, {"response": 761, "author": "Jory", "date": "Mon, May 27, 2002 (19:32)", "body": "Wow! I've been thoroughly Colonized this morning! I caught both interviews by the skin of my teethe. TWO Colin exposers within an hour. You can't beat that with a stick. well maybe you can but, Thanks to Karen and all of you getting the info out so we can be alert. I have so enjoyed this month and all of your posts. (Dribble Dribble!) oops! better go clean up this puddle."}, {"response": 762, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Tue, May 28, 2002 (06:40)", "body": "Blast!!! Have missed Today. Oh well, thanks to everyone who have posted. The box office tally sounds great--from the total that Mari saw, an average of $12,368 per screen, which means LOTS of butts in the seats. Woo hoo!!! (Pining) Now, if it will only come to my neck of the woods....."}, {"response": 763, "author": "audiogirl", "date": "Tue, May 28, 2002 (07:11)", "body": "was Colin on the early show on cbs this morning? if, so was it in the first hour? my local affiliate does not start until the 8 am hour. if so did anyone see it?"}, {"response": 764, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 28, 2002 (07:21)", "body": "Looks like he will be on shortly. He and Rupe were announced for the next half hour (we're one hour behind the East Coast). Also, Colin is shown for the Daily Show on June 3rd at 11:00 pm (repeats at 1 am and the next day)"}, {"response": 765, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 28, 2002 (07:29)", "body": "Sorry, I meant Frances O'Connor and Colin. This could be really cute."}, {"response": 766, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, May 28, 2002 (08:15)", "body": "On the east coast, Colin and Frances O'Connor's interview was just after 7:30. I enjoyed this one because it was different to see the two of them together. It was fun to see the two of them exchange looks to see who would answer the questions. I love the clip they showed-one of my favorite scenes in the movie. No startling revelations, more of the same type of questions. Looks like Jane watched Katie's interview and picked up on TEoR question. Colin, I think, really doesn't have an answer to this as he did say \"it has gone very quiet\". Hopefully that means--we're operating under the radar screen. (Just wishful thinking on my part). The Town and Country magazine that Regis showed yesterday...does anyone know what issue it is?"}, {"response": 767, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, May 28, 2002 (08:23)", "body": "Oh my! As a result of all my Colin viewings/tapings this weekend, he has hit ODB overload. He was under control when I taped SOB's interview, but exclaimed, \"Colin Firth again! Are you in love with this guy?!\" when Katie mentioned him on Monday (and I promptly got up to put in a tape). All I could give in reply was a sheepish grin as I hit the record button again ;-D . To make matters worse, he was forced to watch all the interviews since we had only one TV available and I had the remote! Ironically, he was the one who commented that Katie was \"preening\" by touching her hair a lot. I had already given him a heads-up about how much she loves Colin and mentioned her interview with RE. I noticed that it looked like her feet were right on him too. They do seem to have a rapport like old friends almost, compared to any of his other interviews. My boyfriend also seemed to enjoy the R&K interview. My favorite line from that show was \"Englishmen play hard to get even when nobody wants them\". (or something to that effect...haven't had a second viewing of anything yet). Didn't Colin use that same story about having to stand in line to hold his own baby last year on R&K? At least no placenta discussion! I don't normally watch The Early Show on CBS, but thought Jane whatshername did OK. I thought Mark McCuen usually did the celebrity interviews. FOC seemed to like to lob the ball to Colin a bit. I thought he was pretty relaxed and she seemed more uptight. To comment on a post from several days ago....Can't really blame SOB for screwing up about who Jack pursues in TIOBE...she's reading from a teleprompter and the director may have thought it unimportant to correct it until it was mentioned in the interview. What a great Colin holiday weekend!"}, {"response": 768, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Tue, May 28, 2002 (08:25)", "body": "Hi Linda, It is the current issue, it has Mathew Broderick on the cover. Aside from the picture, there is only one or two sentences mentioned. I read it at Barnes and Noble"}, {"response": 769, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 28, 2002 (08:44)", "body": "The Early Show interview was pretty good, as these things go. Having the two of them there seemed to take much of the pressure off Colin, except when FOC didn't want to answer. Good, polite boy that he is, he bore the burden of having to answer most things. Can't really criticize the Q&As, as most viewers are like ourselves and have this stuff over and over again. (What was it like to work with JD? Was it as fun to do as it looked? etc.) I will reserve my criticism to those rolled up jeans. ;-D I thought Colin was making a serious attempt to be clever and funny here and on R&K. Rege surprised me (mainly because I don't watch him ever) as being fairly decent. But did they watch the tape of last year's program and decide to ask him the same exact questions, about the parents being scholars? C'mon, let's mine some new territory, folks."}, {"response": 770, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 28, 2002 (08:57)", "body": "But I did like that they showed a clip from Another Country. Thumbs up for their doing a little more homework than your average show! Colin was definitely trying to be funny with this one on how he was now more sophisticated like Rupert."}, {"response": 771, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 28, 2002 (09:02)", "body": "I find this pretty amusing, the adjectives used by THR to describe the box office returns for the smaller films opening this past weekend: In the limited-release arena, Miramax's \"The Importance of Being Earnest\" had a promising start as the romantic-comedy-drama debuted in 38 locales and took in an estimated $470,000. Based on the Oscar Wilde play, \"Earnest\" averaged a strong $10,454 per theater and has grossed about $491,000 since its opening Wednesday. Sony Pictures Classics' \"13 Conversations About One Thing\" debuted in New York and Los Angeles in nine venues, grossing an estimated $98,061. The Jill Sprecher-helmed drama averaged a hopeful $10,896 per theater. UA's \"CQ\" opened in seven theaters and grossed an estimated $56,000. Directed by Roman Coppola, the Paris-set drama averaged a stout $8,000 per theater."}, {"response": 772, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Tue, May 28, 2002 (09:37)", "body": "karen how far into the show is the interview? I am about 40 mins and not mention, did I miss it?"}, {"response": 773, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Tue, May 28, 2002 (10:18)", "body": "Amazon says the LE DVD is finally out today. If anyone actually gets this elusive DVD, please let us know. I want to watch AC again after seeing the clip on CBS. What a pile of hair!"}, {"response": 774, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, May 28, 2002 (10:55)", "body": "(Bryonny)Amazon says the LE DVD is finally out today. If anyone actually gets this elusive DVD, please let us know I have the VHS edition. I too, would like to know if it is worth getting the DVD, if there are any extras?"}, {"response": 775, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Tue, May 28, 2002 (11:07)", "body": "I just checked Amazon, and there aren't any extras listed for the DVD edition of LE. Three discs, Amazon price $44.96, running time 416 minutes, ships in 4-6 weeks (?!). Wonder why it takes so long to ship???"}, {"response": 776, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 28, 2002 (11:15)", "body": "By now, my response about when Colin's appearance on the Early Show would be too late., but you probably got it, as he was in the 7:30-8:00 segment."}, {"response": 777, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Tue, May 28, 2002 (11:27)", "body": "I just checked Amazon, and there aren't any extras listed for the DVD edition of LE. Three discs, Amazon price $44.96, running time 416 minutes, ships in 4-6 weeks (?!). Wonder why it takes so long to ship???"}, {"response": 778, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Tue, May 28, 2002 (11:31)", "body": "Ack!! Sorry for the double post; not sure how that happened..."}, {"response": 779, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 28, 2002 (11:37)", "body": "If you hit Reload or Refresh, you will double-post. Can't do that type of thing here. To check for new messages, go out to the main Drool page and, if they are there, then the topic will show up, having \"new\" messages."}, {"response": 780, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 28, 2002 (13:53)", "body": "I've just read that, on May 20, HBO Films and the BBC won a Peabody Award for Conspiracy. The George Foster Peabody Awards recognize distinguished achievement and meritorious public service by radio and television stations, networks, producing organizations and individuals. This is considered amongst the highest honors in the broadcast field."}, {"response": 781, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Tue, May 28, 2002 (17:01)", "body": "On R&K, Regis asked if Luka was named after Luka B??? I don't know the name; did anyone get this? Did Colin? ;-) Luka or Luca?"}, {"response": 782, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 28, 2002 (17:20)", "body": "Luca"}, {"response": 783, "author": "audiogirl", "date": "Tue, May 28, 2002 (17:31)", "body": "He meant Luca Brazzi(sp?) from the Godfather movie."}, {"response": 784, "author": "caribou", "date": "Tue, May 28, 2002 (17:37)", "body": "I am thrilled to not be the last person to see CF on Today, Live, and Early! I couldn't help but notice what else was being shown. On Today, they also did a segment on roller coasters but I don't think the Firth Coaster was highlighted. How did they miss that one? They did however say, \"We have enough thrills, chills and spills for all of you.\" That sums up Firthdom for me. :-) On Early, they were also doing a segment on managing depression. Probably should have taken notes that would help in, say, about six weeks. ;-) He looked so much like Jess of ATA. The shirts he had on and the haircut seemed to be similiar. But, on the other hand, it may have been the \"I'm in America--must remember to smile\" thing."}, {"response": 785, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May 28, 2002 (19:40)", "body": "From the UPI wire; good news at the end for those of you waiting for it to expand: Wilde comedy may challenge audiences By Pat Nason UPI Hollywood Reporter Published 5/28/2002 4:35 PM LOS ANGELES, May 28 (UPI) -- Actor Colin Firth tried to tell a friend the story behind his new movie, \"The Importance of Being Earnest,\" but he gave up when he realized the real appeal of Oscar Wilde's comedy masterpiece isn't the story -- it's the chance to see people at their most ridiculous. \"You can't pitch this movie,\" said Firth. \"I try to explain it, and I realize there's no point. There's this guy who has a boring life so he pretends to be someone else -- as soon as you hear yourself explaining it, you give up and just say, 'Go see it and listen to the way it will make you laugh.'\" Firth -- best known to American movie audiences for \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" (2001) and \"Shakespeare in Love\" (1998) -- said the story is there more or less to provide characters with opportunities to deliver some of the wittiest dialogue Oscar Wilde ever wrote. \"In all of the other Oscar Wilde plays, you can tell a very compelling story,\" he said. \"'A Woman of No Importance' has plot and conflict. You can tell that story without raising a single laugh. 'An Ideal Husband, 'Lady Windermere's Fan,' all could be told as serious dramas.\" But try to get serious about \"Earnest,\" said Firth, and it \"flips out of your hands like a bar of soap.\" For the record, the story goes like this. Two young gentlemen in Victorian England decide to twist the truth to make their lives more exciting. Jack Worthing (Firth) has invented a brother, Earnest, whom he uses as a pretext to leave his dull country life and visit the ravishing Gwendolyn Fairfax (Frances O'Connor) in London. Algernon Montcrieff (Rupert Everett) appropriates the fictitious identity to get somewhere with Worthing's young and beautiful ward, Cecily Cardew (Reese Witherspoon) at the country manor. When all four young lovers wind up together, Jack and Algernon have some serious explaining to do if they don't want to lose their ladies. Oliver Parker (\"An Ideal Husband\") adapted Wilde's play and directed the movie -- adding some physical comedy that some critics have found objectionable. The physicality is intended to transform the piece from a \"talky\" play to the kind of visual experience that moviegoers expect. \"I think this film definitely plays to a crowd,\" said Firth, who counts himself as a Wilde fan of long standing. \"I can barely remember a time before I was a fan,\" he said. \"He's just sort of in the air in the English-speaking world. Quotes float about.\" Even with Parker's approach, \"The Importance of Being Earnest\" faces a stiff challenge breaking into a marketplace dominated by movies that appeal to the widest possible audience. \"I'm not even sure I would be rushing out to see it if I didn't know it was good,\" said Firth. \"I am hoping word of mouth will help.\" Audiences seemed to respond to the movie in limited early release. Over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, it grossed $470,000 at 38 theaters, for a solid average of $12,368 per theatre. It is scheduled to expand to 40 markets this Friday. Copyright \ufffd 2002 United Press International"}, {"response": 786, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 28, 2002 (22:18)", "body": "(Bryonny) I don't know the name; did anyone get this? Did Colin? ;-) Oh, I'd bet it wasn't the first time someone mentioned the Luca who sleeps with da fishes. ;-) (Caribou) But, on the other hand, it may have been the \"I'm in America--must remember to smile\" thing. That's right! We smile too much here. :-D (Neeson) Wilde comedy may challenge audiences Which part of the muffin fight won't they get? said Firth, who counts himself as a Wilde fan of long standing. From the cradle we'll hear next. I've posted a new pic of Colin taken by the Newsday photographer and printed with the article, which was kindly sent to me by KathyC. http://www.firth.com/articles/newsday52102.html The Sunday LA Times should be winging its way here tomorrow..."}, {"response": 787, "author": "airstream", "date": "Wed, May 29, 2002 (04:52)", "body": "One new insight--The Early Show did provide a clue to CF's nickname \"Frothy\". (It was nice to see him in a different pair of pants!)"}, {"response": 788, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, May 29, 2002 (08:20)", "body": "(CF)\"I'm not even sure I would be rushing out to see it if I didn't know it was good,\" said Firth. \"I am hoping word of mouth will help.\" We're trying dahling, we're trying! (Amy)One new insight--The Early Show did provide a clue to CF's nickname \"Frothy\". Certainly conjurs up very different images than the \"biker\" remark."}, {"response": 789, "author": "dalec", "date": "Wed, May 29, 2002 (10:09)", "body": "can we still expect to see colin on the Jon Stewart Show on june 3?"}, {"response": 790, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May 29, 2002 (10:13)", "body": "\"I am hoping word of mouth will help.\" And I'm hoping Miramax puts a few bucks behind the advertising and starts running commercials! They are so cheap. The stars--primarily Colin--have done more than their share on the publicity trail, and are the reason for that \"solid\" opening weekend. Time for the studio to get behind it. I've posted a new pic of Colin taken by the Newsday photographer and printed with the article, which was kindly sent to me by KathyC. Thanks, Karen and Kathy. Not his best one, but I've never net a Firth pic I didn't like.:-) Karen, do you have the originals on the LA Daily News pics--the ones taken on the grass? Which part of the muffin fight won't they get? LOL! Now now, it *is* v.v. confusing. Who started the fight? It's not clear. Also, what flavor are the muffins? The audience is left totally to its own devices. And here's my biggest quibble: why do the crumbs seem to ball up and stick to their faces and clothes instead of dropping to the ground? Why do the laws of gravity applicable to my kitchen not seem to be in effect at that estate? ;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 791, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, May 29, 2002 (10:25)", "body": "(Karen) Oh, I'd bet it wasn't the first time someone mentioned the Luca who sleeps with da fishes. ;-) LOL, what a family for names! Colin has been known to make remarks about his own first name. And then his wife has the name of an infamous Roman empress. (anyone ever see \"I Claudius\"???) Just got back from holiday weekend and checked my tapes (thank God I have two VCRs). I think Colin definitely seems more relaxed in the taped interviews. I wonder if it's because there's less pressure, especially compared to live TV. Live TV, especially Today, which is made of snippets, must be driven by the clock. That creates a tension that can become contagious. I don't know how the anchors can remain so chipper with a director screaming in their earphones. (\"We're out of time! We're out of time!\") I hate to bring up the hair thing, but is it just me or are those curls less, um, dense?"}, {"response": 792, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, May 29, 2002 (12:27)", "body": "Just in case anyone is interested...I logged onto Bravo's website and they have a place to contact them. I asked them if they would consider interviewing CF for Inside the Actors's Studio. I got an answer back which, I'm sure, is standard issue, but they did say they would forward my request to the programming dept. It's worth a try. http://www.bravotv.com"}, {"response": 793, "author": "caribou", "date": "Wed, May 29, 2002 (14:45)", "body": "For the others who missed BBCAmerica Talking Movies, they have updated. Scroll down and click on watch this week's episode. TIOBE and CF is the third one after Insomnia and Unfaithful. http://www.bbcamerica.com/genre/movies_specials/talking_movies.jsp"}, {"response": 794, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, May 29, 2002 (20:12)", "body": "(Amy)The Early Show did provide a clue to CF's nickname \"Frothy\". Oh my, what is the clue!? I was wondering about how he got that nickname from Rupie on the TIOBE set. Sorry to say that I missed the Early Show, Regis & Kelly, and Today Show interviews :-(. \"I'll be sacked!\" ;-) (Mari)And here's my biggest quibble: why do the crumbs seem to ball up and stick to their faces and clothes instead of dropping to the ground? Why do the laws of gravity applicable to my kitchen not seem to be in effect at that estate? ;-) ;-) LOL! It's got to be because of Rupie's inch thick make-up which, according to Colin is 18 years worth and when scraped down, is from \"Another Country!\" (heehee, I loved that line of his from the VH1 cast party...I had to listen to it twice before it suddenly hit me that he meant the movie they did 18 years ago and not France or some other country ;-D). Colin also said that Rupie's make up got all over his suit during the muffin fight. So that must be why the crumbs stick there too ;-)! When it's that old it must be really sticky! ;-);-)"}, {"response": 795, "author": "airstream", "date": "Wed, May 29, 2002 (20:30)", "body": "Lora-- on The Early Show (I am paraphrasing here) he answered a question or made a comment about the 'era' or the dialogue (someone must remember!)...and did some sort of impression of the way words were spoken...and said it was \"frothy\". I know wrong conference, but wasn't RE eating the bread and butter? It didn't look like he was eating the muffins. (to be continued @ 126?) sorry!!!;^)"}, {"response": 796, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, May 29, 2002 (21:31)", "body": "Amy, thanks for the \"Frothy\" explanation. Didn't he do that sort of impression for (toward) Rupie on the VH1 cast party when he responded to Rupie for misinterpreting him when he said that he (Colin) was in the \"Raining Men\" video? Rupie thought Colin had said that Rupie was in it. And Colin was making fun of Rupie for claiming the distinction (that didn't belong to him). He did it with great froth. (Amy)It didn't look like he was eating the muffins. At first I thought the same, but perhaps they were all English muffins. After all, what other kind would there be? :-) And now back to our regularly scheduled topic ;-)."}, {"response": 797, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 29, 2002 (22:22)", "body": "(Amy)It didn't look like he was eating the muffins. At first I thought the same, but perhaps they were all English muffins. After all, what other kind would there be? :-) Yes, they were not what we call muffins, but it's like the line in Relative Values about horseback riding. The 'horseback' is understood. ;-D"}, {"response": 798, "author": "airstream", "date": "Wed, May 29, 2002 (22:33)", "body": "Ah yes. Makes sense now....(except I didn't think english muffins were actually \"english\"). BTW Is there some pun/hidden meaning in this muffin segment that I am missing? OK! Enough! Yes, back to the studio, er, 162."}, {"response": 799, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, May 30, 2002 (08:49)", "body": "Horrors: I just checked the movie schedule for this weekend here in Central NJ-no sign of TIOBE. A small art house theater in Princeton is showing it just about 10 mins. from me, thank goodness. I am extremely disappointed that none of the multiplex theaters in the area have it listed. Is this still a limited opening weekend? Why? Karen, can you help answer this v.disturbing question? How are people supposed to see it-commercials for it are numbering ZERO,and I'm in the Phila/NY viewing area. Maybe Miramx should provide camels so we can cross the great divide to try and see this film. If it is left out there to swing in the wind...we know who will get the blame."}, {"response": 800, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 30, 2002 (09:56)", "body": "TIOBE is being released as an art house film. Do not expect it to show at the big multiplexes, unless one theater within those is designated to show art house films. It is playing in the big cities, and this weekend's expansion is to more \"bigger cities\" not the suburban areas. If they decide this film has wider appeal and can sustain more screens per metro area, then it will go beyond a city's main art house cinema. At least, that's my take on it. However, my complaint is that the reel they have playing in my town is damaged; it gets all fuzzy during the Gwendolen attacking Jack scene. Another example of Miramax's lack of quality control. There were problems with prints of BJD all over the country too."}, {"response": 801, "author": "treseg", "date": "Thu, May 30, 2002 (10:20)", "body": "i had to double check myself to make sure tiobe would be here tomorrow, i nearly had a fit when i could not find it listed at any of the usual theaters i frequent, thank heavens it is at one theater: PLAZA FRONTENAC for any lurkers in the stl area, i just have to see it before my week in the sun, a little bit of cf will be just the trick to get me through a week with my hubby's entire family"}, {"response": 802, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May 30, 2002 (10:47)", "body": "(Karen), TIOBE is being released as an art house film. Do not expect it to show at the big multiplexes, unless one theater within those is designated to show art house films. It is playing in the big cities, and this weekend's expansion is to more \"bigger cities\" not the suburban areas. If they decide this film has wider appeal and can sustain more screens per metro area, then it will go beyond a city's main art house cinema. Enigma is showing in three big multiplex theatres by me, this was a surprise. I am hoping the TIOBE will take over those screens when it opens here tomorrow."}, {"response": 803, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 30, 2002 (11:41)", "body": "I think it depends on the type of theatres in your area. The multiplex nearest me, which is showing Earnest, is part of a 4-theatre chain and shows a combination of niche films, indies, foreigns and adult-oriented studio films. All their theatres are gorgeous. http://www.ritzfilmbill.com I do agree with Linda about the commercials (or lack thereof)."}, {"response": 804, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, May 30, 2002 (12:26)", "body": "The only \"Earnest\" theater reasonably near me is a small multi, and it tends to show a combination, but mostly niche and indies. I remember that it was the only one in my area where I could find \"Much Ado\" when it first opened. And the ad in the NJ Star Ledger (stop laughing, Eileen) has an ad that's so tiny, they couln't put any text in the space inside the question mark! Sheesh! No respect! But then, given the knowledge base of the population...A friend of mine watched R&K on Tuesday, because that's when she thought Colin was supposed to be on. She learned that she had missed him when they mentioned him in the trivia question (\"Colin Firth was a guest yesterday. His new film...\") The question was who wrote TIOBE. The woman they called said that it was Shakespeare. :-("}, {"response": 805, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 30, 2002 (12:44)", "body": "(Lora)It's got to be because of Rupie's inch thick make-up which, according to Colin is 18 years worth and when scraped down, is from \"Another Country!\" (heehee, I loved that line of his from the VH1 cast party That was funny: \"Oh, LOOK who'd talking!\" As I recall, that was in response to Rupe's assertion that Colin spent 3 hours in makeup and emerged looking like Bette Davis in Elizabeth I. Loved that. Rupert is an instigator. I like instigators.:-) Speaking of the Rupe, he will be on Regis & Kelly on Friday (tomorrow). Likely pre-taped."}, {"response": 806, "author": "firthfetish", "date": "Thu, May 30, 2002 (13:40)", "body": "I think most of us are having the same problems with the theaters. I have 14 in my metro area, and only 1 is showing Earnest... I won't even go into how much I think that stinks.."}, {"response": 807, "author": "airstream", "date": "Thu, May 30, 2002 (14:28)", "body": "There have been (well, I admit I only saw one, but I don't really watch the channel) commercials on the \"Oxygen\" station. Are they marketing TIOBE for women? And as for 'big cities' it is only showing at 2 theatres here in NY. Another and....I (not an endorsement) have been keeping eyes peeled for various and sundry 'items' on makeshift tables in Chinatown and have not spied a thing."}, {"response": 808, "author": "dalec", "date": "Thu, May 30, 2002 (14:51)", "body": "there were TIOBE posters under \"coming soon\" in hallways of 2 big theatres(Loews and UA) in NY. but don't know when that coming soon will be, tomorrow... maybe?"}, {"response": 809, "author": "airstream", "date": "Thu, May 30, 2002 (15:16)", "body": "I just checked out : http://www.777film.com And after today TIOBE is expanding (in may area) to Brooklyn, Queens and other misc NY areas. So you all should check out your zip codes! may the force be with you.....t"}, {"response": 810, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, May 30, 2002 (15:37)", "body": "It opens in Austin at one theater tomorrow."}, {"response": 811, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 30, 2002 (15:38)", "body": "Looks like it's going from 2 theaters to 4 in my general area. I think I read somewhere they were adding 120 screens tomorrow in 40 markets. Still limited, but I'd imagine that anyone in or near a largish city would have no trouble finding it. It is, as Karen said, a typical platform release which gets rolled out sloooooooowwly, with each expansion dependent, at least in part, upon the previous week's business."}, {"response": 812, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, May 30, 2002 (15:48)", "body": "FYI...not sure if anyone caught this letter to the Arts editor in the NY Times this weekend. `EARNEST' Missing Wilde's Point To the Editor: Re \"The Importance of Being Wildean but Also Cinematic\" by Sarah Lyall [Summer Movies, May 12]: After reading about the efforts of Oliver Parker to turn Wilde's irreverent classic \"The Importance of Being Earnest\" into a \"plausible movie,\" I ran to find that dusty old bottle of cooking sherry. Poor Oscar is once again put on trial by the very Philistines he sent up so brilliantly. Reese Witherspoon on the flighty ingenue, Cecily: \"She's a very modern woman in the sense that she thinks, `You're not going to take advantage of me; I'm going to take advantage of you.' \" The point the actress-psychologist misses is that Cecily is totally clueless, in the same way that Lady Bracknell is totally heartless. To portray them any other way is to make travesties of parodies. Then there's Colin Firth: \"This is the only way we could do it without being utterly stilted.\" Mr. Firth is unaware that being utterly stilted is exactly what Wilde had in mind for his craftily pixilated characters. All this earnest jive about making \"Earnest\" more relevant sounds like everyone is protesting too much. Isn't it simply a case of marketing a classic play for a dumbed-down audience that wants more comic book pablum like \"Spider-Man\" and \"Scooby-Doo\"? Once again, to paraphrase Oscar, when we see a spade, let's call it a spade. He was lambasting the very audi- ence that flocked in droves to catch his latest London hit, in much the same way Joe Orton would decades later. He was parading a character with a dual lifestyle on stage, while he was hiding in plain sight of a homophobic public. That was the most challenging farce of all."}, {"response": 813, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 30, 2002 (16:22)", "body": "That letter to the editor says it all, and explains why any serious critic, who knows his/her stuff, would give it a bad review. It has been dumbed down and is being marketed for the \"anti-intellectual\" or \"anti-purist.\" That's the party line being spouted by everyone, including YKW. Anyway, with LA Times hot in hands, I've uploaded the article and pensive, square-jawed pic: http://www.firth.com/articles/latimes52602.html (Don't bug me now. Am in foul mood as I've discovered every street is undergoing repair and I've been driving all over creation.)"}, {"response": 814, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, May 30, 2002 (16:33)", "body": "Thanks Karen for the link. I must concur with many posts here. The man is hair-challenged. That photo from an article that was up last week, (red-turtleneck) was gorgeous. The man should take a lesson from the stylist that did him up for that pic. (It's not that hard Colin. Only few minutes time out of your day!) I also agree with whoever said any photo of him is welcome! :)))"}, {"response": 815, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 30, 2002 (16:41)", "body": "But the red turtleneck pic was taken 5 years ago before the onset of (shush) MPB."}, {"response": 816, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May 30, 2002 (18:41)", "body": "I've uploaded the article and pensive, square-jawed pic: LOL! Thank you, Karen, for being so good to us. It has been dumbed down and is being marketed for the \"anti-intellectual\" or \"anti-purist.\" That's the party line being spouted by everyone, including YKW. It is annoying to hear the excuses. On the one hand, he wants to do it because it's Wilde, Master Wordsmith, every actor's dream and on the other hand he wants to do it because it's anti-purist. (?) Jeeves, bring me my diet coke, please. ;-)"}, {"response": 817, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 30, 2002 (19:17)", "body": "Jeeves, bring me my diet coke, please. ;-) But the words are just so hysterical on the page. Watch out for that coke making a nasal exit! ;-D"}, {"response": 818, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, May 30, 2002 (22:17)", "body": "You know I was just reading old posts on another board (Topic 143, starting at #15, Feb '01) about when you picked up the news about casting/filming TIOBE...when only RE and JD were cast. I have to say I was struck by how prescient many subsequent remarks were. And as always, very amusing, too! :-)"}, {"response": 819, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 30, 2002 (22:53)", "body": "This one had some interesting observations.;-) From the Richmond, VA daily: This 'Earnest' film is Wilde at heart BY DANIEL NEMAN TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER May 31, 2002 The makers of the new version of Oscar Wilde's \"The Importance of Being Earnest\" boast that their movie is \"96 percent Wilde.\" That means it is 96 percent perfect. One could argue - to heck with the third person: I will argue - that \"The Importance of Being Earnest\" is the wittiest play ever written, at least in English. Others may be funnier, though certainly only a very few. But nothing else has the razor-sharp wit, the elegant artifice and the wicked satire of \"Earnest.\" All it takes to turn it into a perfectly delightful film is an exquisitely chosen cast and a minimum of interference from the filmmakers. The cast is indeed the Right Sort of People, with Colin Firth, Rupert Everett, Frances O'Connor and Judi Dench as the inimitable Lady Bracknell, who gets all the best lines. Even Reese Witherspoon, who one might fear is too American for the production, works out well as the bright-eyed ingenue. There is somewhat more than a minimum of interference from the filmmakers, but not enough to do any lasting damage. Firth - who it has been noted should never be allowed to wear modern clothes - plays Jack Worthing, a man of leisure and great wealth who leaves London periodically to look in on his wayward brother, Ernest. In fact, he has no brother, but when he goes to the country he behaves disreputably and calls himself Ernest. The name is important, because he is in love with Gwendolen (played by O'Connor), and she wishes only to marry a man named Ernest. Everett plays Jack's friend and Gwendolen's uncle, Algy, a man of leisure but no money. Algy is a flirt, which is why Jack wants to keep him far away from his ward, Cecily (Witherspoon). Algy is especially eager to meet Cecily. Complications develop. But the complications are of the frothiest, airiest kind. One of the more delicious secrets of this work is that the characters live in a parallel universe, where satiric excess is taken as the norm and where every nonsensical statement is delivered and received with gravity. When told that a ne'er-do-well has died, a prim character says, \"What a lesson for him. I trust he will profit from it.\" Another character in another situation says, \"I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read on the train.\" And perhaps most famously is Lady Bracknell's response when Jack tells her that he lost both of his parents: \"To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune. To lose both looks like carelessness.\" Few mots are as bon as the ones spoken by Wilde and his characters. As dropped by this talented cast, they sound as light and timeless as a feather. Oliver Parker's direction is not quite feather-light. He encourages occasional bouts of roughhousing, and engages in Ally McBealesque flights of fantasy - Cecily thinks in romantic terms, and we see her visions of knights in shining armor. Parker, who is also credited with the screenplay, is so concerned with opening up the play and making it more visual that he tends to overwhelm the dialogue at times. But it hardly matters. The dialogue of \"The Importance of Being Earnest\" is so sparkling that it easily shines through a few well-meaning, misguided choices. One note: This movie has been released under the Ealing Studios banner. The venerable studio known for sophisticated English comedies stopped making movies in 1959. It has just been revived, and this is its first release. It is a worthy work to carry the Ealing name."}, {"response": 820, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (08:28)", "body": "(Moon), Jeeves, bring me my diet coke, please. ;-) (Karen), But the words are just so hysterical on the page. Watch out for that coke making a nasal exit! ;-D LOL! That's part of it, my dear. ;-) Firth - who it has been noted should never be allowed to wear modern clothes I've been saying that for years. :-D"}, {"response": 821, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (08:41)", "body": "Why qualify it with 'modern'? *tsk tsk* Obviously a newer fan. ;-D Looks like the Washington Post article has made its way down to Melbourne: http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/05/31/1022569824335.html"}, {"response": 822, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (08:44)", "body": "TIOBE got first class treatment from The Miami Herald. It made the cover of the Weekend insert, plus there's an interview/article with OP. Unfortunately it did not make those big megaplexes that had Enigma. Lora and I will have to go to Miami Beach. So it definitely on the arthouse circuit. Here's the review: The wit flies in `Earnest' BY CONNIE OGLE In remaking Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, director/screenwriter Oliver Parker gets to indulge in the giddy, almost slapstick comedy he was only able to touch on in his previous feature film. An Ideal Husband, also based on a slightly schizophrenic play by Wilde, is more like two stories than one. Parker had on his hands a serious story about honor and honesty that flirted with farce, which made for an inconsistently paced film. With Earnest, which boasts an intriguing cast, Parker accentuates the farce, and while the pacing is sometimes inconsistent, overall a manic sensibility prevails. Those who prefer the play as a gleaming comedy of manners may object, but viewers who enjoy more physical humor are likely to revel in the film's deliciously barbed dialogue and frenetic chemistry. That the best chemistry erupts between Algy (Rupert Everett) and Jack (Colin Firth) is one of Earnest's funniest jokes. Algy, whom we first see fleeing the law in a Keystone Kops manner, is a man about town who has invented an invalid friend in the country to escape dull evenings in the city. His friend Jack has invented a younger, troublesome brother, Ernest, who helps Jack escape dull evenings in the country. A series of confusing and hilarious events conspires to flush out these secrets and further imperil the heroes' happiness. Jack wants to marry Algy's cousin Gwendolen (Frances O'Connor), who thinks Jack is Ernest, but her imperious mother (Judi Dench) refuses to allow the match. Algy, meanwhile, has his eye on Jack's young ward Cecily (Reese Witherspoon) and arrives at Jack's manor claiming to be the incorrigible Ernest in order to win her heart. The cast also includes Oscar nominee Tom Wilkinson as the stuttering Dr. Chasuble, happily miles off course from his tortured role in In the Bedroom. Parker has adjusted the ages of Algy and Jack upward to accommodate Everett and Firth, both in their early 40s. Their acting styles clash violently -- Everett is relentlessly, clownishly over the top, while Firth plays deadpan without blinking -- and yet their boyish bickering clicks, whether they're fighting over muffins, flowers in the forest or who's going to pay that hefty bill from the Savoy. Witherspoon's appearance smacks of stunt casting, and although she holds her own in this formidable group, there is something vaguely disturbing about the huge age difference between her and Everett. Better suited to her role is O'Connor, whose Gwendolen takes on the air of a berserk sexual predator. And Dench was quite obviously born to play the haughty Lady Bracknell. Hearing Wilde's pithy lines in her mouth -- ''London society is full of women of the very highest birth who have, of their own free choice, remained 35 for years'' -- is worth the ticket price. In the end it's Dench who reminds us of the importance of enjoying Oscar Wilde. *** THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST"}, {"response": 823, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (08:50)", "body": "Here is the link to the TIOBE article/interview: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/entertainment/3367080.htm"}, {"response": 824, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (08:55)", "body": "But the complications are of the frothiest, airiest kind. Frothiest... as in Frothy? New word of the week, perhaps? Firth - who it has been noted should never be allowed to wear modern clothes Or, at times, maybe none at...sorry, just in drool mode thinking about seeing TIOBE again, tonight. --is worth the ticket price. Absolutely, if you know it's out there, and if you can find a theater within 50 miles!"}, {"response": 825, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (09:31)", "body": "Holy Cow!!! I take back my previous words. Earnest has expanded greatly in my area. It is now playing at two downtown theaters, plus 4 in the nicer suburbs. Only one of the theater complexes (a new one I had no idea even existed and drove right past it two days ago) is a typical multiplex, showing the blockbusters and niche type films. It is still on two screens at my theater."}, {"response": 826, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (09:41)", "body": "(Moon)TIOBE got first class treatment from The Miami Herald. It made the cover of the Weekend insert, plus there's an interview/article with OP. Unfortunately it did not make those big megaplexes that had Enigma. Lora and I will have to go to Miami Beach. I think that's the first interview with OP I've read that finally explains his reasons in full for \"opening up\" the piece when doing it cinamatically. I like what F O'C has to say about that too. Guess we would have gotten more of that at the \"Classics to Film\" discussion if it had taken place. Maybe they were afraid of purists causing a riot and that's why they cancelled it ;-). Moon, I can't believe we have to schlep to Miami Beach ;-). With all the great publicity it got today, you'd think it could have been shown in one more theatre in the southern end of town! Do you think Connie Ogle got an actual interview with OP or was it info she picked up from an associated press release? Would love to think that a Herald reporter was there behind the scenes. Btw, she's got a great last name for a review of a CF movie, though it's Rupie's picture with RW not one of CF on the cover - and a there's a smaller version of it on the bottom of the actual front page hyping the review in the weekend section. Like the way F O'C is interviewed a lot in the interview and, at last, mentioned in the review. Though in the review...see below... (Herald review) Better suited to her role is O'Connor, whose Gwendolen takes on the air of a berserk sexual predator. ...I wouldn't exactly call her a berserk sexual predator!? I'd say she's just adorably revealing her repressed desires."}, {"response": 827, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (09:48)", "body": "(Karen)Earnest has expanded greatly in my area. That must mean that it did well when it was playing in a limited number of theatres and that there's a demand to see it! Hope that happens here. Otherwise, I'm not confident about being able to experiece multiple viewings :-(."}, {"response": 828, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (09:51)", "body": "(Lora), Do you think Connie Ogle got an actual interview with OP or was it info she picked up from an associated press release? Would love to think that a Herald reporter was there behind the scenes. She interviewed. Remember that great Woody Allen interview the head critic got last month? Moon, I can't believe we have to schlep to Miami Beach ;-). With all the great publicity it got today, you'd think it could have been shown in one more theatre in the southern end of town! I know! :-( At least the hip-hop festival is over. Maybe we'll get lucky like in Chicago and more theatres will show it in June. I still can't believe that Enigma landed such great theatres."}, {"response": 829, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (10:02)", "body": "(Lora) Do you think Connie Ogle got an actual interview with OP or was it info she picked up from an associated press release? None of the quotes from either OP or F'OC are in the presskit. ...I wouldn't exactly call her a berserk sexual predator!? I'd say she's just adorably revealing her repressed desires. I wouldn't call her berserk (who would, when the object of her desire is Colin). I thought her character was supposed to be more like one of the women's rights types (as we had in The Winslow Boy), a Pankhurst follower, a liberated woman of that period, smoking cigarettes, etc. I would call her a \"tad forward\" that's all but I liked that interpretation."}, {"response": 830, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (10:28)", "body": "I wouldn't call her berserk (who would, when the object of her desire is Colin). ROTF! This is where all our husbands come in. ;-)"}, {"response": 831, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (10:42)", "body": "Salon's review by Stephanie Zacharek: No adaptation of an Oscar Wilde play should go wrong when it stars Rupert Everett: He simply gets Wilde in his bones, without being hamstrung by an urge to somehow freshen the material or make it feel more \"modern.\" He was bliss to watch in the 1999 \"An Ideal Husband\" -- his lines always hit on just the right beat, but more important, he also knew that Wilde should be played mostly with the eyebrows. What Everett doesn't say, and how he doesn't say it, represents the purest interpretation of Wilde possible. So it's hard to understand how \"The Importance of Being Earnest,\" which also stars Everett and was adapted and directed by Oliver Parker, the same man who made \"An Ideal Husband,\" goes so wrong. \"The Importance of Being Earnest\" is a much more preposterous play, designed to feel more outlandish and unreal with each plot twist: It's the story of a resolute, carefree bachelor-scoundrel named Algernon (Everett) and his pal, the more buttoned-down Jack (Colin Firth), who have both fallen in love with women who are mad about the name Earnest. Algy's inamorata is Jack's excessively romantic and silly young ward, Cecily (Reese Witherspoon); Jack is eager to win the affections of Gwendolen (Frances O'Connor), a ridiculous society girl who can't raise her parasol without attracting the scrutiny of her overprotective, glowering mother, Lady Bracknell (Judi Dench). There's also a local clergyman (Tom Wilkinson) who's secretly in love with Cecily's spinster governess Miss Prism (Anna Massey), as well as a missing baby in a handbag, which gives you some idea of the effect Wilde was after. The problem with Parker's \"Earnest\" is that each successive absurdity is telegraphed more and more loudly, lest the audience somehow miss the joke. At times the movie is gentle to the point of inertia; worse, though, is the way Parker punctuates what should be the story's funniest, most over-the-top bits with jazzy horn riffs or drippy, whimsical music, instead of letting them ride the wave of their own understatement. If there's one play that doesn't need sparking up, with music or anything else, it's \"The Importance of Being Earnest.\" What's odd about the movie is that all the actors seem to know that intuitively, and still, the overall effect falls flat. Everett does every line just right (both the spoken and unspoken ones), and looks fabulously proper for the part every minute, like a daddy-long-legs in silk dressing gowns and impeccably tailored sports clothes. Firth plays along with the right amount of nervous, jittery would-be elegance. Witherspoon and O'Connor whip the vapidness of their characters into a just-sugary-enough meringue. And yet their interactions still feel like an all-too-elaborately staged dance, when Parker really needs to make it feel like a lark. When O'Connor lets loose with one of Wilde's most famous lines -- \"I never travel without my diary; one should always have something sensational to read on the train\" -- it has the effect of being properly tossed off. And yet you can still feel the quotation marks hanging in the air around it. \"The Importance of Being Earnest\" feels as if it's been primped and fussed over almost to the point of garishness, like an overdecorated cake that sags under the weight of its own frosting. That's not what Wilde intended. He wanted the whole thing to feel careless, loose and free, and somewhere along the way we'd pick up on the ridiculousness of the rich and the excessively bored. Parker underlines everything that Wilde left unsaid, and his movie suffers for it. He's got the right baby; he just put it in the wrong handbag. http://www.salon.com/ent/movies/review/2002/05/31/importance_earnest/index.html"}, {"response": 832, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (11:40)", "body": "Lots of very good reviews out there today from all over the country: Orlando, Denver, Hartford, Providence, New Orleans, Arizona, as well as nationals like Christian Science Monitor and US magazine. Some mixed ones too, but even those are good for the cast for the most part. Thanks for the Miami Herald review and interview. I liked this part especially, quoting OP: \"Wilde had the ability to satirize the audience he was entertaining. That satire was more urgent then; the upper classes were a particular bunch of hypocrites worthy of his attention. People are more aware of this now, so I tried to tilt the central theme toward the human condition . . .\" Well said, Oliver! This shift in focus works for me."}, {"response": 833, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (11:41)", "body": "Closing tags"}, {"response": 834, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (11:42)", "body": "Grrrr"}, {"response": 835, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (11:49)", "body": "(Kate) And the ad in the NJ Star Ledger (stop laughing, Eileen) has an ad that's so tiny, they couln't put any text in the space inside the question mark! Naw, I won't laugh at that (but I did take note that their reviewer Steve Ihateeverything Whitty didn't like TIOBE). Last Sunday's Wash Post also ran a teensy tiny ad, but I liked it because it had 'Firth and Everett are hilarious' at the top (snippet artfully quoted from otherwise lousy NYT review). Hmm, I would think ad space in the Post costs a few more pesos than in the Ledger. :-/ There was a glowing TIOBE review in my local DC suburban paper. Will try to post the link next time, though there wasn't too much new about it (looks as though reviewer read everyone else's reviews and recycled comments previously made, but I won't quibble since they were favorable). Thanks for the article, Karen. Ahh, yes, the saga of MPB. Hair today, gone tomorrow, back again the next day (hurrah! :-))."}, {"response": 836, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (12:32)", "body": "(Karen)Holy Cow!!! I take back my previous words. Earnest has expanded greatly in my area There is hope, then, for NJ and the rest of the free world (Mari)This shift in focus works for me. Me too. Thank you, Karen for the article. Uh, and why would anyone be laughing at the NJ Star Ledger?"}, {"response": 837, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (13:47)", "body": "Good interview with Colin and Rupe. I've bolded some quotes for the purists.;-) THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING FRIENDS Two British actors find a kindred spirit in each other By Shawn Levy-The Portland Oregonian One is a cheeky gadabout, droll and killer handsome and openly gay and famed for his wicked past, his fabulous friendships with the likes of Madonna and the razor wit that he displays in parlays with the press and in published works of his own hand. The other drier, lower-keyed, more traditionally attractive has made a name playing characters who exhibit such stereotypical traits of his nationality as emotional reserve, deference, politesse and the stiff upper lip as well as making a subspecialty of fellow named Darcy. Say hello to Rupert Everett and Colin Firth, stars of the new adaptation of Oscar Wilde's 'The Importance of Being Earnest,' which opens Friday and as pleasant a pair of fortysomething actors as you could chat with on the phone from the New York hotel where they're promoting the picture. Nearly 20 years ago, the two made another film together, 'Another Country,' a drama about English college students being drawn into Marxist fervor and illicit homosexual romance. They both made a big impression in the picture but, to hear Everett tell it, \"We didn't really get on.\" They went on to their own things. Everett gabbed attention in such smoldering fare as \"Dance With a Stranger\" and \"The Comfort of Strangers\" and then spent a few years working in Europe, returning to English-language movies reborn as a delicious light comic talent in such films as \"The Madness of King George,\" \"My Best Friend's Wedding\" nd \"An Ideal Husband.\" Firth embarked on a series of somber roles in \"Apartment Zero\" and \"A Month in the Country,\" then a career as the other man in such films as \"The English Patient,\" \"Shakespeare In Love\" and \"Circle of Friends,\" and finally found himself cast as the guy who gets the girl in the BBC \"Pride and Prejudice\" and its mod sister \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" in both of which playing a putative priggish Mr Darcy. Now, however, cast as Wilde's roguish upper-class heroes, dining out on nerve and dash, running from creditors, wooing women under false pretenses, even singing old-timey courtship tunes with their own guitar and piano accompaniment, the two actors seem to have found in each other kindred spirits, one-time young hotshots who've mellowed into knowing and exquisitely crafty pros. \"We got on really well and had a great rapport when we worked together now,\" Everett concedes. \"He's a very good person to tease, Colin. He's quite earnest.\" Firth, too, was grateful to behold a familiar face on the set of Oliver Parker's adaptation of the Wilde chestnut. In part, he says, it was simply because acting with someone you know is so much easier than the alternative. \"Knowing each other's steps, so much of what you might otherwise have to struggle for can be assumed,\" he explains. \"You already trust them; the barriers have been broken down; there's recognition between each other. In a film you're usually having to manufacture an intimacy with somebody whom you don't know at all, and you have an enormous task of suspending disbelief in order to act properly.\" But in part, the familiarity Firth had with Everett-and with each other \"Earnest\" co-stars as Judi Dench and Tom Wilkinson-made him more at ease with the broad changes that Parker instituted in the play. While the structure is essentially that of the original and most of the precious lines of dialogue are untouched, Parker has injected the film with modern touches, flights of fancy and, yes, some rewrites, in an effort to enliven Wilde for an audience who may not have been raised, as earlier generations were, on a steady diet of the play. \"It had become this iconic antique,\" admits Firth, \"dead as a doornail. And too often the productions I've seen have been an homage to aphorisms and epigrams and great literature, and it's been really dull. It's become a ritual where already converted Wilde devotees sit there and nearly laugh before they hear the lines. This one had to be given some freshness, and because it's so rich, when you appropriate the words, it was surprising how easily it felt like your own speech.\" The invigoration of a Wilde classic, according to both actors, is part of a general rehabilitation of the writer, who was celebrated at the end of the 19th century for his outrageous talent but condemned-and even imprisoned-for flouting Victorian sexual conventions concerning homosexuality. With this film, Parker's 1999 admirable adaptation of \"An Ideal Husband,\" the 1997 biopic \"Wilde\" with Stephen Fry in the lead role, and dozens of recent stage productions of works by and about the playwright, we're in the midst of a full-fledged Wilde renaissance. \"It's about time, is all I can say,\" declares Firth, who ascribes the newfound interest in Wilde to the excessive doting on the author's works in generations part. \"One generation may have"}, {"response": 838, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (14:41)", "body": "(linkdak) There is hope, then, for NJ and the rest of the free world Yes, well hope springs et.....well never mind about that. Earnest is in only two theaters in northern NJ, but at least the Montclair one has Earnest on two screens. I just hope they're bigger than my TV screen. Will find out this weekend. Glad to see some good reviews surfacing. Firth agrees that the Wildean theme of hidden reality is for him, one of the play's chief appeals. \"I find reserve interesting,\" he says. \"Whenever people describe uptightness, they always refer to the emotion that's underneath, the emotional story that's being told through a filter. The suggestion is always so much more powerful than having to be explicit...I was just being screamed at. Congratulations on being so free with your emotions, but nothing's happening to me; I don't get to interact.\" Ah, yes, acting that requires the audience to PAY ATTENTION. What that man can do with a flicker of emotion! I read somewhere (ages ago) that Minghella cast Colin as the husband in TEP because he knew Colin would be perfect in the scene in the taxi where he figures out what his wife has been up to. No dialogue, just the changing expressions on his face."}, {"response": 839, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (14:43)", "body": "Thank you, Mari for the uplifting article. IMO, the good seems to be slightly outweighing the bad-at least for the cast. I won't uncork the vintage just yet, but I'm getting close. I love Colin's take on the pure."}, {"response": 840, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (15:51)", "body": "This is the first review in Spanish, ladies, I just had to post it. Unfortunately, he distroys the film and everyone in it. :-( 'The Importance of Being Earnest': Engendro enfurecedor RENE JORDAN Cr\ufffdtico de cine/El Nuevo Herald Rupert Everett y Judi Dench en 'The Importance of Being Earnest'. ''The Importance of Being Earnest'' es una comedia exquisitamente construida, una de las m\ufffds brillantes filigranas del teatro ingl\ufffds o de cualquier parte. Pero en esta abominable demolici\ufffdn cinematogr\ufffdfica, el gui\ufffdn del director Oliver Parker admite estar solamente ''basado'' en la obra de Oscar Wilde. Y muy de lejos, porque, con los mismos personajes, Parker ha perpetrado un vodevil de la m\ufffds crasa vulgaridad. Por ejemplo, quien conozca el texto se asombrar\ufffd ante un espurio flashback en que la augusta Lady Bracknell aparece, antes de casarse con el Lord, como corista de cabaret... y de contra, embarazada. Del mismo modo, la primorosa damisela Gwendolen se va a un antro chino a tatuarse el nombre de su amado Ernest en la nalga izquierda. Y, al final, \ufffdl le corresponde grab\ufffdndose el nombre de ella en el trasero. Dirigidos con p\ufffdsimo gusto por el imperdonable Parker, los actores est\ufffdn uniformemente mal. (1) Colin Firth y Rupert Everett se deshacen en morisquetas y aspavientos. Frances O'Connor es una Gwendolen estupefacta y Reese Whiterspoon es la nada brit\ufffdnica Cicely, enfurru\ufffdando la nariz igualita que en Legally Blonde. Tom Wilkerson se denigra como un equ\ufffdvoco Reverendo Chasuble y la Miss Prism de Anna Massey es una calamidad ambulante. En l952, Anthony Asquith dirigi\ufffd el definitivo Earnest, con reparto de insignes muertos: Michael Redgrave, Edith Evans, Dorothy Tutin, Joan Greenwood, Margaret Rutherford, Miles Malleson. Est\ufffd en casete y se impone alquilarla para comparar aquellas actuaciones mod\ufffdlicas con estas infames caricaturas. Ni siquiera se salva Judi Dench, tan preocupada por no repetir las gloriosas exageraciones de Dame Edith Evans que reduce a Lady Bracknell de drag\ufffdn a lagartija. La opulenta producci\ufffdn tiene todo lo que el dinero puede comprar menos inteligencia y la partitura es un foxtrot que suena a musicanga de caballitos. Pululan por ah\ufffd muchas malas pel\ufffdculas, pero \ufffdsta es un engendro enfurecedor que se arrastra a cuatro pies entre el sacrilegio teatral y la blasfemia art\ufffdstica. Si es verdad que los muertos salen, Oscar Wilde se vengar\ufffd de Oliver Parker hal\ufffdndole, en el silencio de la noche, el dedo gordo del pie. (2) (1) Directed with very bad taste by the unpardonable OP, the actors are uniformly bad. (2)If it's true that the dead come out at night, OW will take revenge on OP, by pulling on his big toe."}, {"response": 841, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (15:57)", "body": "Even though we look more relaxed, we're still constrained by morality about what we are to be and how we are to be. Really? I've seen those pictures of you in chains, Rupi. ;-)"}, {"response": 842, "author": "airstream", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (16:12)", "body": "I find CF's comment: \"I find reserve interesting,\" he says. \"Whenever people describe uptightness, they always refer to the emotion that's underneath, the emotional story that's being told through a filter. The suggestion is always so much more powerful than having to be explicit\" pretty much how he seems to be--although I have to emphasize seems. Thanks for the article. BTW, what is MPB?"}, {"response": 843, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (16:44)", "body": "MPB is Male Pattern Baldness. I have to say, he is SO gorgeous, who cares if he is thinning a little on top? - And I don't think it's as severe as some others believe. Anyway, I like him just as he is!!"}, {"response": 844, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (17:22)", "body": "(R. Jordan) If it's true that the dead come out at night, OW will take revenge on OP, by pulling on his big toe. LOL! What an interesting idiom. Far better than saying OW is turning over in his grave. ;-D (Janet) And I don't think it's as severe as some others believe. Some of us have seen it with our own eyes, in person. But then again, hasn't everyone seen that patch in the back in P&P, in DQ, and many others."}, {"response": 845, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (17:46)", "body": "Interview of the week: Firth and Everett By Karen Butler From the Life & Mind Desk Published 5/30/2002 6:56 PM NEW YORK, May 30 (UPI) -- After meeting actors Colin Firth (\"Bridget Jones's Diary\") and Rupert Everett (\"My Best Friend's Wedding\") recently, journalists in New York understood why the dashing Brits were cast as friends who behave more like bickering brothers in the new comedy based on Oscar Wilde's \"The Importance of Being Earnest.\" Polite and funny, in a quiet, guarded way, Firth seemed comfortable discussing the appalling literacy rate in England, the decline of high culture and the performance of Prime Minister Tony Blair, while his more flamboyant co-star kept reporters in stitches, chatting about drag queens, Victorian rave parties and the performance of Madonna. (Don't even get him started on why there won't be a gay James Bond in his lifetime!) Everett insisted that he and Firth are great friends now, but recalled a time when the differences in their personalities created tension on previous film projects. \"He was very serious in the old days,\" Everett told United Press International of his \"Shakespeare in Love\" co-star. \"He was always strumming on a guitar and he was very left wing and he was going to give the first money he had to charity.\" Everett also acted opposite Firth in the 1984 film, \"Another Country,\" which marked both actors' film debut. Serious in the old days, huh? \"Oh, was he serious today?\" Everett feigned surprise. \"Well, see, no, you have to wind him up, the point being, he's a really good person to wind up. As soon as you've wound him up, he's really funny.\" Everett went on to say that he and Firth hadn't interacted much over the years, mainly because \"we didn't really get along very well during 'Another Country.'\" \"Well, it was my gig, I must say. I had done the play originally,\" he argued. Reminded that Firth had also appeared in the stage version, Everett sniffed: \"Yeah. But, I discovered it.\" \"I had flogged it around the provinces and then brought it into the West End and my best friend was the guy who brought it into the West End and it was also my best friend who produced the movie and we were looking for a new guy to play the other part and so he was... he wasn't number two, but it was my gig and we didn't really get along,\" the actor explained. He then added, \"We had such a laugh doing this film, I must say... I love him now.\" Firth's serious demeanor has served him well over the years. He became an unlikely sex symbol as Mr. Darcy in the smash BBC version of \"Pride and Prejudice,\" then starred as haughty, unscrupulous men in \"Circle of Friends\" and \"Shakespeare in Love\" before landing the role of an austere, yet appealing barrister in \"Bridget Jones's Diary.\" Everett followed up his scene-stealing turn in the Julia Roberts blockbuster, \"My Best Friend's Wedding,\" with a critically acclaimed performance in another Wilde play-turned-movie, \"An Ideal Husband.\" In \"The Importance of Being Earnest,\" Firth plays Jack, a responsible bachelor who adopts a roguish alter-ego (Ernest) in an effort to chase away the doldrums of country life. Everett plays his trouble-making friend, Algy. Despite their differences, both Firth and Everett professed a deep appreciation for Wilde's timeless wit and wisdom. \"I think its frothiness is extremely deceptive,\" warned Firth. \"I think that its triviality is very defiant... This was his last play. It's generally considered his greatest and there is a paradox about him being his deepest when he is at his most trivial and I think that's the case with this. I think that it is so witty it can only come from a mind with a great deal of aggression... It's perverse and it's self-contradictory and I think that Oscar Wilde's point of view on things would still be considered extremely upsetting to people now. \"If you let this guy loose on your kids, he'd be teaching them stuff... You think school prayer causes problems. He'd be kicked out of schools right across this country and in England, too. He'd be telling kids that having a color sense is better than having a sense of right and wrong... He preached against family, marriage and private property. He was full of self-contradictions and stuff that would certainly upset the conservatives in any country, so he loved stuff that pulled the rug from under [people,]\" he concluded. \"I think it does have contemporary resonance,\" Everett agreed. \"I think the whole Wildean thing has contemporary resonance, the Wildean thing being his obsession with, you know, what's on the surface and what's underneath the surface. You know, this was before (Sigmund]) Freud and (Carl) Jung really had even made us aware that there was something beneath the surface because when he was writing -- and this is one of the extraordinary things about him -- there was no such thing as sub-conscious, really... \"He was obsessed by the front of these English upper-class people and how rotten to the core really they were inside and t"}, {"response": 846, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (17:48)", "body": "\"The suggestion is always so much more powerful than having to be explicit.\" Hear, hear. No dialogue, just the changing expressions on his face. My .25 here, indexed for inflation, YMMV. I have to admit that, although I love his looks and adore the timbre of his voice, this attribute is one of his greatest attractions. I need another viewing of TIOBE just to appreciate it properly. :)"}, {"response": 847, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, May 31, 2002 (18:49)", "body": "(Elizabeth) I need another viewing of TIOBE just to appreciate it properly. I just came back from my second viewing. Tried to take in everything I missed the first time. Will appreciate it properly tomorrow. The good news- I expected the theater to be empty 5:00pm on a Friday in Princeton with the whole town gone quiet. People were waiting to buy tickets when I arrived. The theater was about half full. Everyone laughing and having a good time. v.favorable comments from the audience as they left. I felt like some secret reporter. Counting heads etc. I thought tomorrow I'd take a fake microphone and kind of interview people on the way out.Yessss,I'm going back tomorrow. Just lied to the neighbors on why I have to leave surprise birthday party early."}, {"response": 848, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun  1, 2002 (10:31)", "body": "From the Knoxville News-Sentinel, many of the same quotes we've been reading over and over again, but a few new items: (I too have added some emphasis for purists) ;-D Firth may play lover, but never earnestly By Betsy Pickle, News-Sentinel film critic May 26, 2002 \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" fans, stay calm. Colin Firth exposes himself in \"The Importance of Being Earnest\" -- in a manner of speaking. \"You're exposed here because everyone knows these lines, and everyone knows they can be funny,\" British actor Firth says of the new big-screen adaptation of the Oscar Wilde comedy. \"It's up to you to be funny as well. You can't blame the script.\" \"The Importance of Being Earnest,\" which opens Friday, May 31, at Downtown West, marks the first time Firth has gone Wilde, but he says it's his favorite of the Victorian rebel's plays. \"I think it's head and shoulders away from the rest,\" Firth says by phone from New York, where he's in the middle of doing press for the film. \"I think it's that Wilde paradox about how he was at his most profound when he was at his most trivial ... \"This has no pomp about it and no pretensions to carry a message. It deftly avoids all earnestness, ironically. ... It's a masterpiece of flippancy.\" Firth much prefers flippancy to earnestness himself. \"I think that earnestness can easily be self-inflated and pompous,\" he says. \"Ironically as well, the word earnest was gay slang of the period for 'gay.' That was his little joke on Victorian society, to have that written up in lights on the West End of Victorian London.\" In \"Earnest,\" Firth and Rupert Everett take on false identities -- as young men named Ernest -- in order to win the hearts of Frances O'Connor and Reese Witherspoon, respectively. It's the second feature-film role in a row to cast Firth in a romantic light, following his Mark Darcy in last year's \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" but the actor who made Britain -- and eventually America -- swoon with his portrayal of Jane Austen's Mr. Darcy in the 1995 miniseries \"Pride and Prejudice\" doesn't mean to perpetuate the trend. \"I would die of boredom if I spent my life playing romantic leads,\" chuckles Firth, 41. \"I can hardly bring myself to do more than one every few years really. It's not very interesting work usually. \"Actually, the Darcy thing isn't conventionally romantic, in my eyes anyway. The guy is emotionally challenged.\" That's why he wasn't averse to playing Mark Darcy in \"Bridget.\" \"The guy might as well have come from the 1800s,\" Firth says of the character, whom novelist Helen Fielding was inspired to create after seeing Firth's Darcy in \"Pride & Prejudice.\" \"He's not a particularly typical Englishman of today.... Most English guys of that age probably owe more to John Lennon than to the Duke of Edinburgh.\" The son of teachers and grandson of missionaries, Firth trained on the stage and wasn't interested in becoming a sex symbol, but that's what happened when he sparred with Jennifer Ehle's Elizabeth Bennet in \"Pride and Prejudice.\" \"You just give it its quarter and get on with your life,\" says Firth, who had an off-screen romance with Ehle before marrying Italian film producer Livia Giuggioli in 1997. \"I can't spend my life playing into it.\" Firth has been as likely to play a loser at love. He was famously betrayed by wife Kristin Scott Thomas in \"The English Patient\" and fianc\ufffde Gwyneth Paltrow in \"Shakespeare in Love.\" \"The directions I take are somewhat eccentric and oblique, but I can only do it as I see it,\" says Firth, who spent the first four years of his life in Nigeria. \"I daresay there are a lot more cuckolds and losers and stuffed shirts on the way.\" Well, maybe after his next role. In \"Hope Springs,\" due this fall, Firth plays an artist who flees England for the United States to mend his broken heart and winds up with both Minnie Driver and Heather Graham vying for him. Firth, who has a 14-month-old son with his wife and an 11-year-old son with Meg Tilly, his \"Valmont\" co-star, approaches work the way a husband and father would. \"You can't quite indulge the artistic choices that you might have when you were younger,\" he says. \"You hope you can get a well-paid job in something that's also good. That's not always an option. \"Peter O'Toole (his co-star in 1990's 'Wings of Fame') used to say to me, 'One for show, one for dough.' I said to him, 'Which one are we doing now?' He said, 'Dough.' \" Firth is \"unemployed\" at the moment and enjoying life at home in England with his wife and son. \"As a young person, like most young people, I would have utterly shunned the idea of anything comfortable and bourgeois, but as time has gone on, I've started to feel a need for it really,\" he says. He doesn't do anything really outrageous, like dusting or gardening. \"I kind of want to have it there already and have somebody else do it all,\" he admits. \"I think it's Raul Julia in 'The Addams Family,' when his child is born, who says, 'The exquisite joy of having children and then paying"}, {"response": 849, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun  1, 2002 (10:37)", "body": "In another phone interview with Rupe, she writes\" However, if they really did have a fight, there's no question who would win. \"I would, easily,\" says Everett. \"I'd win, pants down, or whatever they say. He's weedy.\" ~~~~~~ What does weedy mean?"}, {"response": 850, "author": "annas", "date": "Sat, Jun  1, 2002 (12:17)", "body": "weedy = limp, somthing you would pull out from amongst the lettuce. and IMO RE wishes in his dreams Is the focus here only on CF or other particpants in the film? I get the impression that CF is carrying the can for this movie espacially from the above post, and generally e.g. \"you are the hottie of the moment\" (Soledad on Today). And the movie is not doing well according to critics from postings here How has the focus been in the states over all the actors and director? Does the film suck? Hired Heather Graham's \"Committed\" last night and daughter said \"she can't act\" and I thought OMG \"New Cardiff\" will it be appreciated? CF is a fine actor, appreciated after viewing TEP twice But he is beautiful, esp those long legs spilling across the studio floor, without KC's feet And the BBC Movie interviewer should be shot for banality, imo"}, {"response": 851, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Jun  1, 2002 (13:15)", "body": "I know one should not read too much into what gets printed from interviews but: Most English guys of that age probably owe more to John Lennon than to the Duke of Edinburgh.\" When CF says this which he does often I think he rather exposes himself to having a rather limited view of life; such a ridiculously stark choice of role models. But then he redeamed himself \"I kind of want to have it there already and have somebody else do it all and 'The exquisite joy of having children and then paying somebody else to raise them.' \" I rather liked the stark honesty of that. He has come a long way from his guitar strumming hippie days after all ;-)"}, {"response": 852, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jun  1, 2002 (14:17)", "body": "(CF)\"I kind of want to have it there already and have somebody else do it all,\" he admits Well that's fine for the outrageous things like dusting and gardening, but not good for finding roles, DB. Maybe that's why... Firth is \"unemployed\" at the moment Thank you, Karen. More of the same, but some new things thrown in as well."}, {"response": 853, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Sat, Jun  1, 2002 (18:09)", "body": "Hey Karen - I sent you an email the other day - have you had the chance to read it? I have apparently been having a few email problems, as I couldn't read the email of one of the people who wrote to me about meeting up for the Sydney premiere of TIOBE - so if you wrote me before, and you haven't heard back, it was probably you. And if you haven't written, but you'd like to meet up for the Sydney premiere, then please write to the email address you get when you click on my name. :-) Not too much to report on from here in Minkee-land. Still no publicity for TIOBE except what few crumbs we get through cable on American tv. It's all very sad, really...."}, {"response": 854, "author": "Odile", "date": "Sat, Jun  1, 2002 (19:05)", "body": "Thanks Karen for the interview stuff. It makes me wonder if he and RE had to spend their days in NY staying at the hotel, answering interview phone calls... I would rather be gardening (not dusting though). Let's hope they didn't have muffins for room service :) About the unemployed: isn't filming for TAG supposed to start soon? Do we have clues on location? (I still can't believe parts of Insomnia were filmed on location in Alaska... had I known)"}, {"response": 855, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sat, Jun  1, 2002 (21:11)", "body": "(Colin, News-Sentinal article) \"I daresay there are a lot more cuckolds and losers and stuffed shirts on the way.\" In rom-coms? Didn't he say he was being offered rom-coms these days? (What happened to the days of wanting to play masturbatory village idiots?) FINALLY got to see TIOBE. Went to a matinee. Nice weather today, so not well attended. Expected the nursing home crowd, but there was a nice mix of people. and they laughed. Almost everything Judi Dench said got a laugh (Lady B does have lots of good lines). A while back, someone posted that the audience seemed to laugh in anticipation of the better known lines. I heard a little of that today. And, sorry all, but I DID see that thin spot fleetingly in an overhead shot. Just one glimpse, but it's there."}, {"response": 856, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jun  2, 2002 (07:07)", "body": "Saw TIOBE again, last night. Theater was full-to the point that late people could not find seats together. Lots of laughs, v.favorable comments as people were leaving. The show started at 9:40-I asked the manager-who seems to know me by now-how the earlier shows had done. She said they were full all day!! Now, imagine what could happen if Miramax would spend a few bucks on advertisement. Right now, I think it is operating on word of mouth, and for those who happened to catch the morning shows over the last few weeks. Yes, that little b. patch pops out in a few places, but somehow seems v.sexy. It has been there for many years-maybe will not get any larger?"}, {"response": 857, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jun  2, 2002 (08:02)", "body": "Sorry, I think the above post should have been on 126."}, {"response": 858, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  2, 2002 (09:03)", "body": "(AnnaS) and IMO RE wishes in his dreams No kidding. Has anyone noticed Rupe's lack of shoulders? In the film, when he's shown without a jacket, they are completely sloping downward, while IMO some of Colin's best (droolable) looks are when he's simply in the vest. Fills it out rather nicely. Is the focus here only on CF or other particpants in the film? Reese did a week of publicity a couple of weeks before the film opened and is in numerous magazines (cover of Vanity Fair). She was on our late night talk shows and was the focus of most of the entertainment news segments. However, Colin is really getting the chance to push the film, which is good for him. The more recognition he has, the more he might be thought of for future roles. And the movie is not doing well according to critics from postings here If you go to the Rotten Tomatoes website, the film currently has an overall favorable rating (62/65%), even though many of the favorable reviews are critical of OP's direction. The message is that it is an enjoyable summer alternative to the special effects and brainless movies out there. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/TheImportanceofBeingEarnest-1114078/ Does the film suck? That is discussed on Topic 126 (spoilers) (Allison) ridiculously stark choice of role models. I noticed he's changed it from Prince Charles to the Duke of Edinburgh. However, I thought his use of well-known models was for Americans' benefit, but most would not know who the Duke of Edinburgh is. ;-D 'The exquisite joy of having children and then paying somebody else to raise them.' Then, one would think, going on location would not be viewed as such an obstacle, wouldn't one? ;-D (Odile) About the unemployed: isn't filming for TAG supposed to start soon? Do we have clues on location? June was all we heard. I expect quite a bit of it to be filmed at a studio soundstage in LA, with perhaps a need for a bit of location work. (Kate) In rom-coms? Didn't he say he was being offered rom-coms these days? Sure, he could be loser, stuffed shirt or cuckold in a rom-com. He would be the guy who gets tossed over. And, Linda, you are doing excellent work supporting the movie! Your comments are fine here as you are not talking about the film itself. Audience info is fine here."}, {"response": 859, "author": "kasey", "date": "Sun, Jun  2, 2002 (09:33)", "body": "I'm glad that the theaters are full elsewhere. I was hoping for the same here (Malverne, New York - AKA Long Island) but at the 7:35 show on Friday evening there were only about 20 people in the audience. Although, to be honest, there were a few sprinkles on the way in and on the way out we were in the midst of a full-fledged thunderstorm, spectacular lightning and all. Maybe people listen to weather reports before deciding on their plans of an evening. Hope so anyway."}, {"response": 860, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Sun, Jun  2, 2002 (10:16)", "body": "Anyone see RE on R&K Friday? Rupie repeated the usual \"I hated Colin\" lines but then said he liked him after seeing that CF likes complaining as much as RE does. \"Whining\" he said, which Kelly thought meant they liked to drink. I have a soundbite from AZ hooked up to the computer so Colin is frequently saying, \"Can you keep a secret?\". Yesterday a friend heard it and thought it was Rupert talking! I now choose to believe that CF based his character on RE :-)"}, {"response": 861, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jun  2, 2002 (11:43)", "body": "(Bryonny) I now choose to believe that CF based his character on RE :-) LOL! Too funny! \"Whining\" he said, which Kelly thought meant they liked to drink. You are joking? weedy = limp, somthing you would pull out from amongst the lettuce. This poor guy. LOL! We have accused him of being a wimp for not going after better roles. \"I kind of want to have it there already and have somebody else do it all and 'The exquisite joy of having children and then paying somebody else to raise them.' \" This surprised me because he actually gave the interviewer quotations that are new for us here. ;-) \"I daresay there are a lot more cuckolds and losers and stuffed shirts on the way.\" What about the evil guy such as for the next Spider-man or James Bond? Have they stopped offering him the evil guy because he the \"Hottie of the moment\"? (Allison) ridiculously stark choice of role models. (Karen), I noticed he's changed it from Prince Charles to the Duke of Edinburgh. However, I thought his use of well-known models was for Americans' benefit, but most would not know who the Duke of Edinburgh is. I was happy to see he had changed it to the Duke of Edinburgh as he has great style in dressing. ;-D (Anna), Does the film suck? Not at all, just the ending. ;-)"}, {"response": 862, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jun  2, 2002 (12:35)", "body": "MTV Viewers Pick 'Rings' Top Movie Sun Jun 2, 2:00 AM ET By Bob Tourtellotte LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The kiss mattered most at MTV's movie awards Saturday -- \"The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings\" was named 2001's top film by MTV viewers, but a same-sex kiss in \"American Pie 2\" took the night's juiciest prize, Best Kiss. Sean William Scott, who smacked lips with Jason Biggs in \"Pie 2,\" stood on his chair and raised his arms in triumph to a wildly cheering audience after being named winner, and onstage he thanked his old girlfriends for helping him practice. \"Jason and I were just hoping we wouldn't end our careers with that,\" he told reporters after winning MTV's trophy, a bucket of golden popcorn. When asked how many times it took to get the scene right, Scott grinned and said: \"Way too many.\" But there was one movie star who would have loved to have been in Scott's shoes. \"Moulin Rouge\" beauty Nicole Kidman lamented that she and co-star Ewan McGregor didn't win the kissing award. Instead, the pair walked off with the trophy for best musical sequence. \"I'm really bummed we didn't win best kiss,\" said Kidman onstage with McGregor. \"We needed to rehearse more.\" GOLDEN BUCKET OF POPCORN Elsewhere, Will Smith was given the golden bucket of popcorn for best male performance playing championship boxer Muhammad Ali in \"Ali,\" and Nicole Kidman took home the golden popcorn for best female acting in musical \"Moulin Rouge.\" Smith and Kidman, too, had been nominated for the film industry's top honor, the Oscar, for the same roles. But Smith lost to Denzel Washington in \"Training Day\" and Kidman saw Halle Berry take home the Oscar for \"Monster's Ball.\" Unlike the Oscars, MTV's awards are chosen by the mostly younger viewers of the cable TV channel, and they reflect popular culture more than the Oscars, which are chosen by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The MTV awards, too, are often irreverent with trophies for best fight and best action sequence compared with Oscar's serious topics like cinematographer or art direction. \"The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring\" had gone into Saturday night's show as the most nominated movie with entries in six categories, but it walked away with only two: the top prize for best film and a second for Orlando Bloom as breakthrough male actor of the year. \"Mandy Moore\" in romance \"A Walk to Remember\" was named breakthrough female performer. Denzel Washington was beaten by Will Smith in MTV's category for top male actor, but his performance as a corrupt cop in \"Training Day\" was \"bad\" enough for Washington to claim a bucket of golden popcorn as MTV viewers' favorite villain. Best Fight winners were comedian Chris Tucker and action hero Jackie Chan in \"Rush Hour 2\" and top action sequence went to last summer's \"Pearl Harbor.\" Reese Witherspoon took home the popcorn for best comedic performance in sleeper hit, \"Legally Blonde,\" and best on-screen team went to Paul Walker and Vin Diesel in \"The Fast and the Furious.\" As usual, the MTV show featured brief clips from some of this summer's most talked about movies like \"Austin Powers in Goldmember\" and this holiday season's \"The Gangs of New York.\" Musical spotlights included numbers by rapper Eminem (news - web sites), rockers The White Stripes and Kelly Osbourne -- Ozzy Osbourne's daughter and star of hit TV show \"The Osbournes\" -- who performed her version of Madonna (news - web sites)'s \"Papa Don't Preach.\" UPSIDE-DOWN KISS Show hosts Jack Black and Sarah Michelle Gellar of the new \"Scooby Doo\" movie spoofed several summer blockbusters like \"Spider-Man\" in which Black and Gellar recreated the much talked-about upside-down kiss of \"Spider-Man\" stars Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst. Except this kiss had a \"Star Wars\" twist to it when Yoda got involved, and again, it was the kiss that had the Force at the MTV Awards. The 2002 MTV Movie Award winners were picked by a nationwide survey of MTV viewers. The telecast will air on June 6 on the MTV cable television channel and be seen in 165 countries in 18 different languages. Last year's premiere telecast was seen by 15 million viewers."}, {"response": 863, "author": "Jory", "date": "Sun, Jun  2, 2002 (13:00)", "body": "I'm getting ancious now. I hear all the impressions from everyone here and feel frustrated. I called the theatres here where I live and they don't know anything about TIOBE. Haven't heard of it at all. Am I in the Twightlight Zone or what?"}, {"response": 864, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  2, 2002 (13:34)", "body": "Thanks for the update on the MTV Awards, Mari. Can't find any pics of Colin attending the ceremony online, so... I ran across another synopsis of American Girl (no The): A 19-year-old woman, raised in New York by her feminist mother, decides to find her long-lost father in London. Her American ways disrupt her father's lifestyle but she manages to find her dream job, a dream man, reunite her parents and join the competition for Debutante of the Year. (Joanne) Am I in the Twightlight Zone or what? Why, did the people who answered the phone all sound like Rod Serling? ;-D Naw, you just must not be in or close enough to one of the cities classified in the Top 40 markets, that's all. What's the biggest city near you?"}, {"response": 865, "author": "Jory", "date": "Sun, Jun  2, 2002 (13:46)", "body": "Karen, The biggest city near me in southern Illinois is Marion. Might as well be outer Mongolia. I guess I'll have to be patient and wait til the we catch up with the rest of the world. :("}, {"response": 866, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jun  2, 2002 (13:47)", "body": "Hey, we cracked the top 12! The last figure in each line is the number of theaters the films are playing in . . .when you compare 147 to some of the other totals, this is pretty good, IMO.:-) Weekend Box Office Estimates (U.S.) May 31 - Jun 2 weekend This Wk/ LastWk/ Title/ Dist./ Weekend Gross/ Cumulative Gross/ Rlse Wks/ # of Theaters 1 - The Sum of All Fears PARA $31,200,000 $31,200,000 1 3183 2 1 Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones FOX $20,680,000 $232,000,000 3 3161 3 2 Spider-Man SONY $14,500,000 $354,000,000 5 3646 4 - Undercover Brother UNIV $12,100,000 $12,100,000 1 2168 5 4 Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron D'WORKS $10,700,000 $38,200,000 2 3362 6 3 Insomnia WB $9,760,000 $41,427,000 2 2610 7 5 Enough SONY $6,800,000 $27,100,000 2 2623 8 6 About a Boy UNIV $4,100,000 $27,800,000 3 1755 9 7 Unfaithful FOX $2,950,000 $45,681,000 4 1696 10 8 The New Guy SONY $1,500,000 $26,900,000 4 1676 11 11 My Big Fat Greek Wedding IFC FILMS $958,048 $8,911,010 7 238 12 18 The Importance of Being Earnest MIRA $815,000 $1,469,273 2 147"}, {"response": 867, "author": "Jory", "date": "Sun, Jun  2, 2002 (13:53)", "body": "The next biggest city that might have it is St.Louis, two and a half hours from me. I don't see my DH taking me there for that. All you lucky ladies getting to see it, think of us poor deprived people waiting with baited breath and save some drool for us. I'm sure theres plenty to go around out there. Thye say patience is a virtue, but I'm not feeling very virtuous am I."}, {"response": 868, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jun  2, 2002 (14:12)", "body": "American Girl (no The) Well, how are we supposed to make a decent acronym out of that? As long as it's not argh. . . ;-) Her American ways disrupt her father's lifestyle LMAO! What does she do, go around singing Lee Greenwood songs?;-) Debutante of the Year. The filmmakers' challenge will be to see how many clash-of-culture cliches they can shoehorn into 100 minutes.:-("}, {"response": 869, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Sun, Jun  2, 2002 (14:22)", "body": "...she manages to find her dream job, a dream man,... I'm not feeling very well now. The words 'Justin Timberlake' just popped into my head."}, {"response": 870, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Jun  2, 2002 (14:25)", "body": "Debutante of the Year. How passe is that?"}, {"response": 871, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Sun, Jun  2, 2002 (15:57)", "body": "How passe is that? Profoundly passe. Well, maybe we'll get some tasty black-tie screentime out of it..."}, {"response": 872, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sun, Jun  2, 2002 (16:03)", "body": "(Bryonny)\"Whining\" he said, which Kelly thought meant they liked to drink. Well, doesn't that just say it all?????? Yes, Kel, they like to go whining and dhining. So, the new movie will be \"AG\"??? Isn't American Girl a line of dolls and books, a different girl for each era? And with \"Debutante of the Year\" as part of the plot, I can only guess that this movie is set in some bygone era? I can remember watching the debutante ball in NYC when I was a kid a million years ago. One of the local NY stations used to show it. I remember trying to do the southern belle curtsey and falling on my face."}, {"response": 873, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  2, 2002 (16:34)", "body": "(Joanne) the biggest city near me in southern Illinois is Marion. Perhaps the guests at the federal facility there might like to see a movie? ;-D Box office results look very promising, Mari. Now, if we adjust for Linda's tickets, what will that leave? ;-D (Mari) Well, how are we supposed to make a decent acronym out of that? Where I went to school, there was a College of Ag, so is no biggie for me. (Kate) Yes, Kel, they like to go whining and dhining. LOL! You've gotten inside Kelly's head. A lot of room there? ;-D You know, I really thought they would've chucked that aspect of the Reluctant Debutante movie and so was very surprised to see it in the synopsis. Looks like we got here: Parent Trap III meets The Princess Diaries."}, {"response": 874, "author": "dalec", "date": "Sun, Jun  2, 2002 (16:36)", "body": "A 19-year-old woman, raised in New York by her feminist mother, decides to find her long-lost father in London. any guesses on who should play the mother?"}, {"response": 875, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  2, 2002 (17:16)", "body": "I'm thinking that DianeS is very near you, Joanne, and she's working on the people at the theaters to get TIOBE."}, {"response": 876, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jun  2, 2002 (17:24)", "body": "There are clips of Colin and the others being interviewed outside the NYC premiere; maybe some of you will see yourselves in the background;-) http://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hv&id=1807879613&cf=trailer How passe is that? It's a plot to move our perception from John Lennon to the Duke of Edinburgh.;-) Looks like we got here: Parent Trap III meets The Princess Diaries. I believe that my was initial reaction precisely, and I keep waiting for something to change my mind. I have a bone to pick, Karen: the next time you post info on AG, kindly label it with SPOILERS. Never in a million years would I have figured out that the AG manages to reunite her parents.;-);-)"}, {"response": 877, "author": "Odile", "date": "Sun, Jun  2, 2002 (18:15)", "body": "Thanks Mari. Not to be petty or anything, but on the RW clip, for once Reese mentioned Colin first as one of those great Brit actors she got to work with on TIOBE... :) LOL about the spoilers!"}, {"response": 878, "author": "airstream", "date": "Sun, Jun  2, 2002 (18:47)", "body": "This is a fun site for those brushing up on your British slang: http://www.effingpot.com/slang.html \"AG\" doesn't not sound promising is this one for the 'dough'? Maybe the wife will be played by, oh, I don't know, Reba McEntyre (sp?). :P"}, {"response": 879, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jun  2, 2002 (19:46)", "body": "(Karen)Box office results look very promising, Mari. Now, if we adjust for Linda's tickets, what will that leave? V.funny, boss, v.funny. Quite a dip in numbers-since I dragged along the 81year-old mother, and 75-year old aunt on Friday. DH and Daughter on Saturday. I'm just doing what ODB requested-word of mouth. All of the above, we had no-choice, relatives loved it BTW. Going back on Thursday in honor of all friends here who don't have a theater close by. Gotta keep those numbers up!"}, {"response": 880, "author": "Jory", "date": "Sun, Jun  2, 2002 (20:06)", "body": "Thanks Karen! I hope DianeS has some luck in her endeavors. You give me hope."}, {"response": 881, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jun  2, 2002 (22:56)", "body": "(Mari) There are clips of Colin and the others being interviewed outside the NYC premiere; maybe some of you will see yourselves in the background;-) Thaks Mari for the link...I think the clips demonstrate how nasty the weather was at that point. Reese's hair was all over and that tent was really moving. Must be something about the Paris Theater, TIOBE, and horrid weather. Amy and I went to the 7:15 show on Friday which had v. good attendance I thought (2/3 full or so), but there was a torrential downpour, thunder, and lightning when the film let out. Everyone crammed in the lobby. BTW, (Karen) That letter to the editor says it all, and explains why any serious critic, who knows his/her stuff, would give it a bad review. It has been dumbed down and is being marketed for the \"anti-intellectual\" or \"anti-purist.\" That's the party line being spouted by everyone, including YKW. Neglected to ask before...what is YKW? (Rene Jordan from El Nuevo Herald) (1) Directed with very bad taste by the unpardonable OP, the actors are uniformly bad. (2)If it's true that the dead come out at night, OW will take revenge on OP, by pulling on his big toe. Ouch! Is THIS the tone to be expected from the UK critics?"}, {"response": 882, "author": "myou", "date": "Mon, Jun  3, 2002 (07:37)", "body": "Just checked out The Daily Show website to see if tonight will be bliss... and it looks like it will be! Colin is listed as tonight's guest. Based on this Monday and last Monday (the 2 guest shots), I am beginning to like Mondays!"}, {"response": 883, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  3, 2002 (08:35)", "body": "YKW = You know who :) Thanks for checking the Daily Show's site. This should be interesting. I wonder what kind of attitude Colin will assume. It's doubtful they will touch upon those same old questions we've been hearing. Hoorah!"}, {"response": 884, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Jun  3, 2002 (10:17)", "body": "(Karen)LOL! You've gotten inside Kelly's head. A lot of room there? ;-D Well, there was a hell of an echo... I'm very curious about the Daily Show. Not Colin's usual sort of turf. It will be interesting if Stewart \"winds him up\" a bit, as Rupe says. And I can't imagine Stewart introducing Colin as \"the British heartthrob.\""}, {"response": 885, "author": "airstream", "date": "Mon, Jun  3, 2002 (14:27)", "body": "The preview is v. funny. John Stewart tells Colin that TIOBE is his favorite in the \"Earnest\" series. (Do you think ODB has seen Earnest goes to camp?!!) :)"}, {"response": 886, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jun  3, 2002 (14:44)", "body": "Too funny, Amy. I'm sure Colin is quick enough to \"get\" Jon's humor."}, {"response": 887, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun  3, 2002 (16:53)", "body": "(Lucie)I like both interviews. Laughed at the remark about having to wait in line if he wants to play with Luca when they're in Italy. (Caribou)\"I'm in America--must remember to smile\" thing. Re: \"I'm in America now\": Anyone notice how different he plays the US interviews vs. UK's? \"Waiting in line\"??? No \"queue-up?\" (Kate)And the ad in the NJ Star Ledger (stop laughing, Eileen) has an ad that's so tiny,they couln't put any text in the space inside the question mark! Last Friday's NY Times had a 3/4 full page (vertical) advert with Colin front and center.Now playing in 14theatres in the NY area plus Paris and Angelika. I saw it at the Paris theatre last Thursday ; matinee, 20 people .Lots of laughs though. (Eileen)Ahh, yes, the saga of MPB. Hair today, gone tomorrow, back again the next day (hurrah! :-)). LOL. The hair does seem to come and go ..doesn't it;-)Actually in some scenes in the film I think the hair dresser must have called in sick that day ;-) (Jory) The next biggest city that might have it is St.Louis, two and a half hours from me. Hey, I feel lucky when I don't have to fly down to Dallas to see one of his films."}, {"response": 888, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jun  3, 2002 (17:06)", "body": "Welcome back, Evelyn! Missed ya . . . Anyone notice how different he plays the US interviews vs. UK's? Have there been UK interviews? Looks like AG is starting filming: SAG SAYS GLOBAL RULE ONE IS WORKING The Screen Actors Guild issued a news release Friday intended to show that global enforcement of the union's Rule One is working. SAG listed six new movie and TV projects that have begun or will soon begin production in foreign countries, employing union actors \"under full SAG terms and provisions.\" The list includes \"The Last Man\" and \"The Last Samurai\" -- Warner Bros. pictures shooting in Australia and New Zealand, respectively. It also includes \"American Girl,\" also a Warner Bros. production, shooting in London. An MGM project, \"Agent Cody Banks,\" and a Paramount movie, \"The Perfect Score,\" are shooting in Canada with SAG contracts, and the USA Network series \"Monk\" is also shooting in Canada with actors covered by a union contract. The Guild said it is in discussion on upcoming productions from Disney, Miramax, 20th Century Fox, Universal and other producers to work out agreements covering members working overseas. The guild began enforcing Global Rule One on May 1, over the protest of producers who argued that the guild did not have jurisdiction over projects made outside the United States. The union argued that it has the legal right to enforce its rules anywhere in the world. SAG officials have estimated that enforcement of the rule will add an average of 3 percent to producers costs on foreign shoots, but the Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers has warned that the cost will be substantially greater -- and could lead to fewer jobs for actors."}, {"response": 889, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun  3, 2002 (18:56)", "body": "Thank you, Mari. Great news, I guess, about AG. At least ODB is not still unemployed."}, {"response": 890, "author": "dianes", "date": "Mon, Jun  3, 2002 (19:58)", "body": "Hope this does not qualify as a spoiler...I could not wait any longer for Miramax to release TIOBE to small-town theaters, so Sunday best friend and I drove to St. Louis MO (2+ hours). In my excitement, forgot to tell MDH I was going out of town for the entire day. We saw Earnest in an upscale mall theater filled with people older than we are, and a few possible Droolettes (women w/o men, appearing a bit sheepish, but excited and, well, flushed). The crowd seemed to like the movie. My friend and I both gasped in lust when CF leaned against a pillar, crossed his legs, and played that guitar with such mastery. But where were the lingering close-ups? His face was never spotlighted sufficiently to satisfy us. We want to study every freckle! Especially since we were treated to FOC's fanny with the finely detailed goosebumps (not naughty Australian usage of this slang term, BTW). ODB was certainly Frothy. Rupie (he is shoulderless) may want to personally bring Earnest to the men at Marion Fed Prison. (Fl et's in. Musn't disappoint.) I have contacted neighbor Droolette Joanne - thanks for the intro, Karen. I can start driving her nuts now..."}, {"response": 891, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jun  3, 2002 (20:06)", "body": "(Karen) Colin is really getting the chance to push the film, which is good for him. Amen. Remember how we used to despair the 'invisible man'? Remember the nanosecond of Firth-less publicity for MLSF? This is grrreAT! *said in manner of Tony the Tiger* (Evelyn) Actually in some scenes in the film I think the hair dresser must have called in sick that day ;-) Maybe those scenes were filmed early. You know, before.....;-) (lindak) Yes, that little b. patch pops out in a few places, but somehow seems v.sexy. It has been there for many years-maybe will not get any larger? Sounds like research is in order! Have a look-see at some of the pics at Karen's Bucket site. Compare and contrast recent pics with those from last year's appearance on Rosie. Or better yet, with the bus driving still from DQ. ;-) Her American ways disrupt her father's lifestyle but she manages to find her dream job, a dream man, reunite her parents and join the competition for Debutante of the Year. *barf* He-ey, maybe Haley Mills can do a cameo as sort of an in-joke. ;-)"}, {"response": 892, "author": "audiogirl", "date": "Mon, Jun  3, 2002 (21:30)", "body": "there will be no lull in the Colin sightings! i can't believe that we can all look forward to more of ODB in the fall when Hope Springs is out in the movies! I can't wait to see The Daily show! Also , Lisa L, where are you? I really need that next chapter!"}, {"response": 893, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun  3, 2002 (21:54)", "body": "Welcome back, Evelyn. Glad you're home safe. :-) maybe Haley Mills can do a cameo as sort of an in-joke. ;-) I used to love those movies! I know we want better for him, but this will be massive teenage exposure. Wait, wasn't this supposed to happen after BJD? T'is a mystery. projects that have begun or will soon begin production in foreign countries, \"American Girl,\" also a Warner Bros. production, shooting in London. So if he's working on AG in London, why is he planning to spend the summer in LA? Maybe Will is attending summer school and can't make it to Umbria and he decided to stay with him, maybe take him to the Rockies. ;-) (Mari), Have there been UK interviews? I believe Evelyn is referring to past interviews. Thanks for all the links, ladies. :-)"}, {"response": 894, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Jun  3, 2002 (22:27)", "body": "Ooh! Here he comes. They're starting with the clip of Lady B. interviewing Jack. he's wearing jeans, black jacket, navy shirt, black (boots?) I don't think Colin has seen the Earnest films, but he's covering it well. (Made a cute remark about \"Mr. Earnest goes to Washington.\") More Enlgand culture bashing, but said jokingly. Says that English people don't know where Europe is (answer to why they didn't go with the Euro). Colin says that English people still think they're the most powerful nation on the planet and how the British press make it look like the war in Afghanistan is mostly British, with US helping them. Said that England is more perverted than other english-speaking countris. Blames it one the school system. More conservative polititicans found dead from autoeroticism. He was adorable! If nobody else tapes and transcribes, I'll transcribe it tomorrow."}, {"response": 895, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jun  3, 2002 (22:33)", "body": "Colin done good! What a hoot. I thought Jon would fall off the chair laughing when CF started in on the autoeroticsm. Jon helpfully pointed out that wouldn't happen to American politicians because ours just go with hookers. LOL!"}, {"response": 896, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun  3, 2002 (22:35)", "body": "black (boots?) Yes, indeed, the horror! I enjoyed it! Says that English people don't know where Europe is (answer to why they didn't go with the Euro). Was very political. Made me laugh. I agree, Kate, he didn't seem to know the \"Ernest\" movies. *News* my son saw Colin interviewed on IFC \"At the Angelika.\" He could have called me, but he takes after his father where ODB is concerned. :-( I hope this will be repeated."}, {"response": 897, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jun  3, 2002 (22:44)", "body": "I was sure that CF's segment was taped ahead, but . . . Jon's monologue was very topical, very up to the minute (not to mention funny--bet the FBI's ears are ringing;-) And I noticed he had the same tie on when interviewing Colin. Is he back in NYC for a few days, do you think? News* my son saw Colin interviewed on IFC \"At the Angelika.\" What was he doing there? Was it from the Tribeca Fest? TIOBE didn't screen at the Angelika for the Fest, though it is playing there now."}, {"response": 898, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun  3, 2002 (22:59)", "body": "\"At the Angelika.\" What was he doing there? That's an interview program. The actors sit in the theatre's lobby and talk. It's more fluff. He was asked about TIOBE. But I don't know if it was taped when he was doing the TFF. And I noticed he had the same tie on when interviewing Colin. Is he back in NYC for a few days, do you think? But was it the same suit? I thought he was dressed differently. He could have asked him about the World Cup, such as Italy winning today (Yeah!), and England only pulling off a tie."}, {"response": 899, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  3, 2002 (23:00)", "body": "Thanks, Mari, for the location news on AG. ATTENTION MARK!!! You have your assignment. I'm not sure there will be a part at the Debutante Ball for a man in his Burberry suit, so you might want to get a little more dressed up. ;-D (DianeS) Especially since we were treated to FOC's fanny with the finely detailed goosebumps Probably a body double, as those things usually are. Good going, Diane, on your weekend excursion. The lengths a true Firthette will go to see a Colin film; it's amazing. Re: The Daily Show I agree, Colin didn't know about the Ernest movies but he covered it up pretty well. He was good and didn't say OW or NC even once. Hoorah! I think he must've gotten pointers from JN about the level of discussion on this program. Remember JN's references to self-gratification and how Jon was howling about it. Wouldn't you have liked to hear what was said afterward. Colin was so animated, arms flying (since they had been tied down previously), conspiring with Jon. Oh, to know what was being said. Kate: please transcribe if you have time. I still have one more to go (The Early Show) and my fingers might need amputation and my remote control a transplant. ;-D"}, {"response": 900, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Mon, Jun  3, 2002 (23:01)", "body": "I wondered if they taped CF's part ahead and JS put on the same tie when he did the rest of the show. His monologue definitely contains some things we hadn't heard about two weeks ago. Nope, he didn't get the Earnest joke at all, ITA. I laughed very hard indeed, enjoyed this one enormously. Well done!"}, {"response": 901, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  3, 2002 (23:02)", "body": "(Mari) I was sure that CF's segment was taped ahead, but . . . Colin was wearing the same outfit he had on for Regis & Kelly. It wouldn't be all that difficult for Jon to wear the same thing when there's a taped segment. Most drycleaners can get things back same day, you know. ;-D"}, {"response": 902, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Mon, Jun  3, 2002 (23:04)", "body": ""}, {"response": 903, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Mon, Jun  3, 2002 (23:05)", "body": "Whooop, let me go get that double post!"}, {"response": 904, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Jun  4, 2002 (09:01)", "body": "(Karen)Probably a body double [Gwen's tattoo], as those things usually are. How funny! I was just thinking about this the other day. Wishing we'd seen Earnest/Jack getting his tattoo, which made me think about FO'C, and then I figured, nah, they'd do body doubles for both, probably. (Karen) Wouldn't you have liked to hear what was said afterward. Colin was so animated, arms flying (since they had been tied down previously), conspiring with Jon. Arms tied down! LOL! I noticed that, too. And yes, I was wondering what they were talking about as the camera pulled back. Yes, I will transcribe the Daily Show. Must do it later, as have work that must be done this am (progress meeting Tues afternoons, everyone works harder on Tues am). \"Am v. busy and important.\""}, {"response": 905, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jun  4, 2002 (14:03)", "body": "AG......Well maybe we'll get some blacktie time As in (the original with Rex Harrison and Kay Kendall)...... http://www.operagloves.com/vidcaps/debut017.jpg It won't win any Oscars but it could be fun. If it's a London shoot, they'll have to get started very soon, unless they want a dark gloomy un-Disney-ish London. I'm hoping we'll get three in a row - AG, the Sylvia Plath/Ted Hughes movie and then TEOR. Always the optimist! :-)"}, {"response": 906, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Jun  4, 2002 (15:11)", "body": "OK, have transcribed the Daily Show. It gets funnier each time I watch it. Colin was smiling and laughing much of the time. Mmmm, those dimples! What a sense of humor. Here goes: [begins by showing the scene from TIOBE in which Lady B interviews Jack] [clip ends with Lady B saying that a man \ufffdshould know everything or nothing\ufffd] JS: Please Welcome Colin Firth. [to CF]Welcome to the show. CF: Thank you. JS: I gotta tell ya, this film, TIOBE, is, I think, the finest in the Ernest series. CF: Oh really? JS: I think so, so much classier than the other, uh CF: You missed the early ones, presumably. JS: The early ones, yeah. Did you ever see\ufffduh, did they get those in England? Did they get Ernest goes to Jail, Ernest goes to, uh\ufffddo you know those films? CF: [nods] Mr. Ernest goes to Washington, and all that stuff, uh [chewing lip as he tries to figure out what conversation is about] JS: It was a guy, like a goofy Southern guy and then he\ufffdd, like, mess up Christmas and stuff. CF: That\ufffds right. We used to do school productions of those. JS: Oh id you really? That\ufffds exciting. CF: That\ufffds right. JS: How are things going in England? You guys didn\ufffdt go along with the Euro, am I right? England did not convert to the Euro. CF: No we weren\ufffdt having any of that stuff JS: Why was that, do you think? Not interested in currency exchange? CF: Well, it\ufffds\ufffdfirst, you\ufffdve got to explain to the people in England where Europe is, um, and what it is. JS: Now, I thought we were the only ones who had misunderstood that continent. But England as well? CF: I think that little channel of water might as well be the Atlantic Ocean for a lot of people in England. JS: Really?! CF: Truly, absolutely. JS: They consider, uh, because they used to own most of it. CF: Don\ufffdt, uh, don\ufffdt remind me. [dejectedly] JS: I\ufffdm sorry. [JS puts hand on CF\ufffds shoulder] CF: We used to have all of it. It is not in our concept, really. People in England will talk about someone having a European accent, meaning some unspecified mid-European thing they don\ufffdt know. JS: But, see, I can go along with that, because America and England speak the same language, I think we have a similar mindset, of, like, uh, \ufffdPardon my French, there, Frenchie.\ufffd [CF nods] You know what I mean? But we consider England to be sort of us. CF: Yeah, I think that\ufffds true. In fact, I think that the continental Europeans see England a bit like an extension of America. JS: I agree. And yet without us they\ufffdd all speaking [pause] German. CF: [laughing] Yes, oh, we\ufffdre going down that road! JS: No we\ufffdre not going down that road. CF: I tell you, if you look at the English press around the time that the Afghan war was beginning, it was all this stuff about Blair offers final ultimatum to the Taliban. We\ufffdre going in! And then there\ufffdd be little stuff about how the Americans were helping us out. [JS laughs] We still think we\ufffdre the most powerful country on the planet JS: It\ufffds cute. CF: I know. JS: It\ufffds very cute. [laughter and applause] I actually have a good time whenever I go over there. The interesting thing is that we both, I think\ufffdand this is something I think both America and England can agree on. We can both, I think, abuse Canada. And I think that in many ways is a saving grace. CF: Absolutely, the Australians, any other English-speaking country, I think is... JS: That\ufffds what I\ufffdm saying. CF: Nobody, I think... we\ufffdre probably more perverted than any other, uh, race of English speaking\ufffd JS: England? CF: Uh, yeah, I would say so. JS: Now, that\ufffds interesting because we\ufffdre somewhat perverse. CF: No, I know. I know. But you don\ufffdt have our school system. JS: We\ufffdd like it. You haven\ufffdt seen ours, Buddy. [laughter] What is it about your school system that leads to this perversion? CF: Well there\ufffds this, um, Englishmen of a certain class\ufffd English men of a certain class thrown together, you know, with nobody but Matron to look after them. And as a result, we have a rather higher quota of conservative [or did he mean Conservative?] politicians found dead from acts of autoeroticism. [laughter, JS resting forehead on hand, laughing; CF kept straight face up to the end of this bit] JS: That\ufffds true, I will grant this country one thing. Our, uh, our politicians are with good old-fashioned hookers. And I think that says a lot about\ufffd CF: You should be very proud. JS: None of that autoerotic stuff. CF: No, no, no. JS: There were, it\ufffds such an interesting dichotomy, that\ufffdThe surface of England is this very stodgy, superficial, or at least that\ufffds kind of the stereotype we have, but underneath it\ufffds a pretty perverse little place. CF: It\ufffds pretty complicated. JS: Are the cities much different than in similar ways to American cities much different than the country? Is there a heartland in England and a cityscape? Or is class broken out in different ways? CF: I think it\ufffds broken out in different ways. Urban England is very distinct from rural England. You know, there are 60 million people on that little island, so it\ufffds a very overc"}, {"response": 907, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Jun  4, 2002 (15:16)", "body": "One editorial comment on the interview. I do not think Colin's comment about needing \"to tell the English where Europe is and what it is\" was culture bashing. There is an isolationist attitude among many Brits, probably stronger in older Brits. I've seen it in my Brit relatives (who are older), and in some of their friends. They find great comfort in having that water around them. And I don't know if his reference to conservative politicians meant conservative as in general leaning, or Conservative as a party. Probably the latter."}, {"response": 908, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun  4, 2002 (15:45)", "body": "Thanks Kate. \" JS: [mugged]By doughy Stilton cheese? What do they come at you with?\" Hilarious banter. Did Colin look as if he was enjoying himself? More than the stiff A&E one? I don't take that as culture-bashing. And I wonder if he was joking when he spoke about the same at the Essex House junket.And the print media picked it up as being serious."}, {"response": 909, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Jun  4, 2002 (16:25)", "body": "I think he was enjoying himself. A few face touches and a little shifting in his seat, but he seemed very relaxed. I think he was pleased to be interviewed by someone who would understand what he said. (hate to think what Kelly would have made of \"autoeroticism\") It doesn't show up in the transcript, but Colin and JS sort of talked over each other and interrupted each other in that New York conversational style (not a perjorative, it's a regional thing). More of a converation than an interview."}, {"response": 910, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  4, 2002 (17:13)", "body": "thanks, Kate, for doing the transcription. So far, Comedy Central hasn't put Colin's clip up on their site yet. But they have put the celeb interviews up in the past."}, {"response": 911, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun  4, 2002 (17:51)", "body": "Thanks, Kate! I enjoyed going through that again. :-) JS: I gotta tell ya, this film, TIOBE, is, I think, the finest in the Ernest series. CF: Oh really? JS: I think so, so much classier than the other, uh CF: You missed the early ones, presumably. Meaning the earlier versions of TIOBE film or plays, \"classier\"/ for purist which this one is not. ;-)"}, {"response": 912, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jun  4, 2002 (18:33)", "body": "Thank you, Kate. Your transcript made clear a few things I missed. Will look out for them on the second viewing. Like the rest of you, I do want to know what was said at the end of the interview between CF and JS-looked v.funny."}, {"response": 913, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jun  4, 2002 (19:14)", "body": "(Lindak)I do want to know what was said at the end of the interview between CF and JS-looked v.funny. Maybe JS was refreshing Colin's memory about the Ernest series, knowing that at the beginning of their conversation CF had no inkling what he (JS) was talking about! JS: Sorry to put you in an awkward position before. I was refering to a movie series that was very camp featuring a weird guy named Ernest from the rural south. CF: (Suddenly remembering from his old LA days as he points his right index finger upwards) Ah, yes I remember the one, the guy with the big teeth and southern accent (as he describes the campy Ernest in a scene of one of the movies using giant hand embellishments). JS: Right, sorry, very American reference...but very funny I must admit. Then big smiles from CF and both burst out laughing ;-);-). Could be...who knows...one can only speculate... Thanks Kate for typing the transcript. It filled in some gaps for me."}, {"response": 914, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jun  4, 2002 (19:50)", "body": "Thanks for the transcript, Kate. I knew these two would get along like a house on fire."}, {"response": 915, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  4, 2002 (23:23)", "body": "Jon: They consider, uh, because they used to own most of it. Colin: Don\ufffdt, uh, don\ufffdt remind me. [dejectedly] Jon: I\ufffdm sorry. [Jon puts hand on Colin\ufffds shoulder] Colin: We used to have all of it. I was thinking about this part. Either Colin was going along with Jon's initial comment of he was in Italian-wannabe mode, reminiscing about the good old days of the Roman Empire. ;-D Love your annotated version (sounding like a car salesman) LOL!"}, {"response": 916, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun  5, 2002 (07:01)", "body": "(Karen), Either Colin was going along with Jon's initial comment of he was in Italian-wannabe mode, reminiscing about the good old days of the Roman Empire. ;-D ROTF! Now there's one thing Colin would have in common with my husband. ;-) Viva il Re! (Linda), Like the rest of you, I do want to know what was said at the end of the interview between CF and JS-looked v.funny. Well if you really want to know: JS: I loved the autoeroticism part. CF: (laughs) JS: I believe we have a mutual friend who is fascinated by that too. M. Binder. CF: (laughs), Mike is so funny, brilliant, I love his show on HBO. JS: Me too! Thanks for coming, Colin. CF: My pleasure."}, {"response": 917, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  5, 2002 (07:28)", "body": "And the appropriate response to that would be... *gagging*"}, {"response": 918, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Wed, Jun  5, 2002 (07:46)", "body": "As a regular Daily Show viewer, the deal is: When they are going to use a tape of a previously recorded interview, they put Jon into the tie he wore for the interview when they record the \"live\" portion of the show. If you go to a taping you can get lucky and see several interviews in addition to the show that will be aired that night. I'm pretty sure this is what was done for CF's interview. I take it no one on this board got to the taping when Colin was recorded?"}, {"response": 919, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jun  5, 2002 (07:58)", "body": "http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/theatrical/B00005JKTV/customer-reviews/qid=1023281463/sr=8-9/ref=sr_8_9/ref=cm_rev_all_2/104-5358822-9881543 Absolutely terrific reviews for TIOBE at amazon.com (hope the above link works). The paying public likes it - Miramax take note! (more screens?)"}, {"response": 920, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun  5, 2002 (07:59)", "body": "(Karen), And the appropriate response to that would be... *gagging* LOL! Yes, that's part of autoerotic sex. ;-)"}, {"response": 921, "author": "caribou", "date": "Wed, Jun  5, 2002 (08:18)", "body": "(KateDF)More of a converation than an interview. Thanks for doing the transcript, Kate. I wish Jon had given him an opportunity to tell a humorous antecdote instead of just the What-England-is-Really-Like material. I was hoping JS would tell Letterman what a great guest CF was and secure a Late Show appearance for HS publicity. Oh, well, if wishes were fi...firth films I'd have nothing to complain about.:-)"}, {"response": 922, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Jun  5, 2002 (08:32)", "body": "Moon! Euuwwwww! LOL!!!!!!!! (Karen) he was in Italian-wannabe mode, reminiscing about the good old days of the Roman Empire. ;-D No, definitely British Empire. Even though they didn't own the WHOLE world in the days of the Empire, they thought they owned enough that the rest didn't matter too much. As I said earlier, I have a lot of Brit relatives, so I know the mindsest. (No offense meant to British Firthettes, you'd just have to know my cousins) Every so often, you have to remind them that \"we don't have India any more, dear.\" This is especially funny to me today, because I just ran across a newspaper article about the Queen and the jubilee. There was a map of the empire in Victoria's time, and a map of it now. Now, it's England and a scattering of islands. (But at least they can abuse Canada.)"}, {"response": 923, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  5, 2002 (08:50)", "body": "I only meant that it didn't extend to Europe. Other parts of the world, yes, but not Europe."}, {"response": 924, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  5, 2002 (08:51)", "body": "...unless you go back to that piece of France (Eleanor of Aquitaine)... ;-D"}, {"response": 925, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Jun  5, 2002 (09:02)", "body": "(Karen)I only meant that it didn't extend to Europe. Other parts of the world, yes, but not Europe. Europe? Huh? But first you have to tell them where it is... ;-))"}, {"response": 926, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jun  5, 2002 (09:10)", "body": "(Karen), And the appropriate response to that would be... *gagging* (Moon)LOL! Yes, that's part of autoerotic sex. ;-) Gee, Moon, I thought the boss was gagging over the M.Binder part."}, {"response": 927, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  5, 2002 (09:10)", "body": "Anyone care to travel???? ;-D A casting call went out a two weeks ago for: Socialites, It Girls and Boys, Oxbridge types and Debutantes needed for a major new feature film. Filming between June and August. Please send a recent photo with your contact address and phone numbers as soon as possible to Rosie at The Casting Collective marked American Girl. Olympic House, 317-321 Latimer Road, London, W10 6RA"}, {"response": 928, "author": "annas", "date": "Wed, Jun  5, 2002 (09:24)", "body": "Thankyou for all the updates Re Kate's transcript a few questions and comments because we are deprived down under 1 very funny as stand alone piece. Very surreal indeed. 2 was the interviewer serious in questions asked? Was this a \"serious\" TIOBE interview? 3If yes to 2 Did ODB have tongue firmly in cheek when answering? 4 Was this a prescripted comic routine? 5 if no to above,what were they drinking and where do I get that brand of water? This interview has plumbed new comedic heights(depths) of ODB, something to appreciate even more than when the eyes and dimples work ala BJD. If this was totally of the cuff well the stocks have sky rocketted."}, {"response": 929, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun  5, 2002 (09:28)", "body": "Gee, Moon, I thought the boss was gagging over the M.Binder part. You forgot to add the winkee, Linda. We don't want to spread any rumours. ;-) Debutantes needed for a major new feature film. Filming between June and August. I'm so sorry, but I will be in Italy. ;-) I guess Colin won't be in Umbria this summer. Now if we only knew who is to play his ex-wife?"}, {"response": 930, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  5, 2002 (09:53)", "body": "(AnnaS) 2 was the interviewer serious in questions asked? Was this a \"serious\" TIOBE interview? You might want to check out the show's website. It should provide you with a better idea of what kind of program this is: http://www.comedycentral.com/tv_shows/thedailyshowwithjonstewart/"}, {"response": 931, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun  5, 2002 (10:18)", "body": "\" Socialites, It Girls and Boys, Oxbridge types and Debutantes needed for a major new feature film. Filming between June and August. Please send a recent photo with your contact address and phone numbers as soon as possible to Rosie at The Casting Collective marked American Girl. Olympic House, 317-321 Latimer Road, London, W10 6RA\" ROTF.Thanks Karen: UK Firthettes here's your chance!!Dust off the school photo. Go to it!"}, {"response": 932, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  5, 2002 (11:07)", "body": "Dust off the school photo. Or from the Society page of your local paper when they announced your coming out. ;-D"}, {"response": 933, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Jun  5, 2002 (11:49)", "body": "(Evelyn)Dust off the school photo. DUST being the operative word. What happens when they discover that your head shot is less-than-recent? I suppose you could move from the deb group to the socialite group (dowagers, anyone?). How depressing would THAT be?!?! (Karen)Or from the Society page of your local paper when they announced your coming out. ;-D Oops, doesn't coming out have a different context these days? :-))"}, {"response": 934, "author": "Jory", "date": "Wed, Jun  5, 2002 (14:52)", "body": "Karen, Thanks so much for the intro to DianeS. It much more fun to have someone close by to drool with."}, {"response": 935, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jun  6, 2002 (13:54)", "body": "http://groups.google.com/groups?q=colin+firth&hl=en&lr=&safe=off&scoring=d&selm=ufsuqfgn6mi8b%40news.supernews.com&rnum=2 A review from someone who loved the 1950 film of TIOBE, but finds lots to praise in the latest version (so it is possible to like both!) Thanks for all the updates on AG, Karen. I'd love to know who's playing the feminist mother. The June-August dates still leave the option for the Ted Hughes role in the autumn!"}, {"response": 936, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Thu, Jun  6, 2002 (15:45)", "body": "I hope we find out \"the mother\" in AG soon. I can't get Natasha Richardson out of my head. (Sorry, I loved the remake of Parent Trap ;-)"}, {"response": 937, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun  6, 2002 (15:56)", "body": "Natasha was the first person I thought of, too--she'd be great. But I doubt she'd do it, nor would these others in that age group that I like: Holly Hunter, Jodie Foster, Julianne Moore, Helen Hunt. I think I'm aiming way too high . . .;-) The June-August dates still leave the option for the Ted Hughes role in the autumn! I was thinking that also. When do Gwynnie ad Madden start Proof?"}, {"response": 938, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun  6, 2002 (16:52)", "body": "I think I'm aiming way too high . . .;-) LOL! Please don't let it be Mariel Hemmingway. ;-) When do Gwynnie ad Madden start Proof? Isn't she doing that now?"}, {"response": 939, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Thu, Jun  6, 2002 (17:39)", "body": "Gwynnie started her Proof run on May 9th, with closing scheduled for June 15th. Also, supposedly, she and John Madden have signed to do the film version. Any roles for ODB in this film? I'm sure GP & JM would love to work with him again, from their remarks on the SIL commentary track."}, {"response": 940, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun  6, 2002 (18:02)", "body": "I was referring to the film version of Proof, Moon. I thought I read they were doing it right after the play's run ends, which could still leave her autumn open. think I'm aiming way too high . . .;-) LOL! Please don't let it be Mariel Hemmingway. ;-) Or godferbid Heather Graham has an older sister.;-)"}, {"response": 941, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun  6, 2002 (18:04)", "body": "No, Moonstar, there's really no role for CF in Proof. Major male roles are a grad student-aged guy and an older man (beyond 60)."}, {"response": 942, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  6, 2002 (18:34)", "body": "(Mari) there's really no role for CF in Proof. Major male roles are a grad student-aged guy) Never say never. Let's see... the grad student was in the service first and can therefore be older. Maybe he even took early retirement from the military and then went back to school. ;-D Diane and I have been going back and forth about a couple of things and she pointed out Colin's funny hum-like laugh when Jon Stewart reacted well to his jokes, like that auto-eroticism quip. When I looked at it again and noted he did it a few times, I remembered I'd heard that before. It took awhile, but I think it was in FP, during the scene where he is asking to be considered for the Head of Year job and it goes into the Ms Hughes being pregnant thing to which Ted asks why that affects him, and Colin says \"Sorry, I left a bit out, I'm the father.\" (or similar) Could this be a little sex giggle, you know, when he feels he's being naughty? ;-D"}, {"response": 943, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jun  6, 2002 (18:34)", "body": "(Mari)think I'm aiming way too high . . .;-) Meg Ryan, perhaps? BTW, I think ODB could handle any of them-provided there are not too many kissing scenes;) Also saw TIOBE for the fourth time tonight. Still working on those numbers. Loved every blessed minute of it-Again!"}, {"response": 944, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jun  6, 2002 (19:05)", "body": "(Karen)I remembered I'd heard that before. I thought the same thing, but I thought it was in another interview. I'm thinking the NPR interview, because I had my ear plastered up against the radio speaker so I could hear every little word, sigh etc. Could have been the VH1 Cast party, too. Now this is going to bug me all night. Thanks, Karen"}, {"response": 945, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun  6, 2002 (19:37)", "body": "Talking about familiar sounds he makes...me thought I heard a little coo-ing sound in TIOBE similar to Peter Marshwood in RV."}, {"response": 946, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun  6, 2002 (23:17)", "body": "Colin's funny hum-like laugh Yes, it's a cross between a hum and a giggle! You can hear it on the NPR interview too. v.v. attractive (Linda)Also saw TIOBE for the fourth time tonight. Still working on those numbers. Linda, you're a real trooper! How was the crowd? Did you guys have the same torrential rain we did down here? I was going to go but the ark is in the shop for repairs. Yes, I am a candy-butt.;-) From the NY Daily News : Editing the Editor Heaven forbid you knock the magazine editor you replace. But now that former Harper's Bazaar editor Kate Betts has admitted she made a bad call last year by pulling pictures of a 30-pounds-heavier Renee Zellweger from the magazine, Betts' successor is praising herself for being brave enough to run them now. \"There was much talk at the time that Renee looked heavy because of the weight she had gained for her role in 'Bridget Jones's Diary,'\" writes Bazaar editor Glenda Bailey. \"But when I saw the photos, I thought Renee looked so healthy, vibrant and beautiful, I wanted you to see them, too.\" Bailey says this three months after Betts wrote a first-person article in The New York Times apologizing for pulling the photos \ufffd one of which was to be the cover \ufffd and discussing the skinny pressures of the fashion world. Now, the July issue of Bazaar features the two-year-old photos of Zellweger inside, as well as some taken more recently. But if Bailey truly felt as comfortable publishing the photos as she says she does, why didn't she run a shot of the heavier Zellweger on the cover?"}, {"response": 947, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (03:08)", "body": "Hi Everyone, I'm a new member. Have read all of this topic and can't thank all of you enough for the great information. The Premiere was fantastic. You girls were so lucky. Just love this man. Can't get enough. Thought interview with Stewart was the best. They both interacted really well. And Colin seemed to actually enjoy it, unlike some of the other interviews. Would like to see him do more like that. Haven't seen TIOBE yet. Live in Jersey and it is just starting to appear around here. Hope to find theater this weekend. Would see him in anything, vehicle doesn't matter. Still can't get the dynamic Mr. Darcy out of my mind. Have to admit that's still my favorite. Would love to see him with Helen Hunt. Both excellent actors. That would be a good match. Could definitely see them as a parenting couple."}, {"response": 948, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (06:01)", "body": "(Mari)How was the crowd? No, Mari, you're not a candy-butt, but you're no postal employee either, neither rain, wind, snow....I don't know how that goes, but you know what I mean;) For 5pm on a Thursday, the theater was two-thirds full. Yes, it was raining, but not until we left. Several people waiting in the lobby for the next show. Again, the crowd was of mixed ages. Sorry to see that it has not expanded into more theaters this weekend as I was sure it would, but the theater where I've taken up residence has added extra shows for both weekdays and weekends for this coming week. And now, back to studio! Welcome FanPam-where in Jersey do you live? It is playing in Princeton."}, {"response": 949, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (07:21)", "body": "OH, JOY!!! The expansion has begun!!! For any and all you Kentuckians out there, TIOBE is showing at the Baxter in Louisville, or if you live in southern KY, at Regal Green Hills 16 in Nashville, TN. WOO HOOO!!!!"}, {"response": 950, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (08:15)", "body": "Welcome Pam! Glad to see you've made it to the boards. :-) ******I've just had a mini-newsflash. There will be another interview with Colin on a weekend show. It was announced this morning, I believe, on The Early Show and it was going to be with whoever is their film reviewer. I've checked my TV listings and The Early Show's weekend edition is on Saturday at 8:00 a.m. EDT and runs for 2 hours."}, {"response": 951, "author": "dalec", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (08:31)", "body": "finally!!! i saw a tv commercial for TIOBE this morning. has ebert&roeper's 2 thumbs up, something about the \"blue ribbon cast\" from the ny times and \"colin firth is delightful\" not sure where that quote was from. the focus on the commercial was definately colin. more clips of colin than of RE. i bit misleading though, show RW wanting to marry somone named earnest then putting side by side shot of RW with colin. don't even recall seeing FOC in the commercial, maybe there was a clip of her but i was just too shocked to finally see a TIOBE commercial on tv with lots of colin :) that's all i remember, as i had the tv as background noise and ran to see as soon as i heard. anyone else seen tv ads yet?"}, {"response": 952, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (08:41)", "body": "re Ex-wife role in AG How about Meg Ryan? Especially if he is playing an Oxbridge type and she is meant to be the total opposite of him. - She's around the right age, too,(40)."}, {"response": 953, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (08:44)", "body": "How about Meg Ryan? I doubt they could afford her. Besides, if she was in the project, we'd have already heard about it and she has movies lined up from here to.... Funnily enough, I was thinking about her too, but mainly from the standpoint that she is still presented as single and dating. I can't even think of a movie where she's had a baby, let alone a 16 or 19-year-old daughter."}, {"response": 954, "author": "airstream", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (08:58)", "body": "Someone mentioned an \"At the Angelika\" interview awhile back? There is one on tonight on IFC around 5:30pm. I don't know if it will have the CF interview. What about his friend M.E. Mastrantonio for the mom?"}, {"response": 955, "author": "airstream", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (09:02)", "body": ".......beating a dead horse.... What is the point of a comparison pictorial of RZ now? One can assume that the weight must've really bothered her. It seems that such a comparison may reinforce her decision to not gain weight, therefore, not do EOR...... (i know, wrong board!)"}, {"response": 956, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (09:07)", "body": "(Amy) What about his friend M.E. Mastrantonio for the mom? Where is your winkie on that one? ;-D More info on this weekend's program. Now, it appears the program might be Weekend Today (Sunday a.m. on NBC). It was announced on the program preceding the Today Show hosted by Maurice DuBois and Jane Hanson, which I assume is local news in NY. The film reviewer on that show said he'd be airing an interview with Colin this weekend. That's all I know, folks."}, {"response": 957, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (09:15)", "body": "Welcome FanPam!!! How about Meg Ryan? Isn't the role of the ex/reunited wife going to be a smallish role if a lot of the movie will be filmed in London centered around father and daughter fitting into each other's life plus a romance for the daughter? I was thinking about Rita Wilson for the mom. She handles small but memorable roles like that a lot. I loved what she did with that scene in 'Sleepless in Seattle' when she described that final scene from 'An Affair to Remember!' She's well known since she's Tom Hanks' wife and she kinda resembles Amanda (since Colin doesn't). I think she's old enough... She can be motherly and vulnerable, but assertive and feminine. Also thought of Andie MacDowell (sp?) for the same reasons even though she's older and a little southern for NYC. She and CF might have good chemistry for better kissing scenes ;-D. Karen, thanks for the heads up on the weekend Early Show."}, {"response": 958, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (09:21)", "body": "(K)I've checked my TV listings and The Early Show's weekend edition is on Saturday at 8:00 a.m. EDT and runs for 2 hours. .....Weekend Today (Sunday a.m. on NBC). Saturday/ Sunday... Ug...Another dawn- rising weekend. I think ODB has covered all the major networks. (Amy) What about his friend M.E. Mastrantonio for the mom? *Barf* AB mom: Toni Collette or do you want someone more glam?"}, {"response": 959, "author": "maryw", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (09:32)", "body": "(Evelyn) I think ODB has covered all the major networks. Just a few months ago - did we ever think we'd *ever* say such a thing?"}, {"response": 960, "author": "airstream", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (09:42)", "body": "HaHAHAHa! I love this \"mom/wife\" discussion! We should actually have a serious 'vegas' style bet, odds, etc... (another one? Katie Couric?) :) If the weekend interview is with Jeffrey Lyons, don't count on anything interesting. He interviewed RE last weekend--don't let them respond, cuts them off...awful."}, {"response": 961, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (09:51)", "body": "This Letter to the Editor of the Washington Post was sent to me: [BTW, we didn't like her, did we? She said Colin isn't handsome.] Arms and the Man: Colin Firth as Interviewee To the Editor: I read with admiration Alona Wartofsky's interview with Colin Firth [\"Mr. Darcy's Firth Cousin,\" May 19]. It seems to me to be a first-rate example of an interview that manages to be respectful of the person interviewed and faithful to facts while at the same time giving the reader a real impression of that person, not only by what is said, but what is unsaid. This is the kind of writing that George Mason University, where I teach, is trying to promote in its course on creative nonfiction. I would add just one small suggestion. Since I myself have conducted hundreds of such interviews (for The Washington Post, as well as in pursuit of a number of biographies) I would suggest that the gesture to which Wartofsky often refers, i.e., the crossing and uncrossing of the actor's arms, might not be only an unwillingness to reveal his private life. I have seen it often in myself and consider it a self-defensive measure against some very painful memories. As Moss Hart says in \"Act One: An Autobiography,\" the theater is everybody's refuge from an unhappy childhood. MERYLE SECREST Washington Meryle Secrest has written biographies of Romaine Brooks, Bernard Berenson, Kenneth Clark, Salvador Dali, Stephen Sondheim and Richard Rodgers, among others. The letter is posted here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A40496-2002May31.html You can check out the article again here: http://firth.com/articles/washpost51902.html"}, {"response": 962, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (09:55)", "body": "Saturday/ Sunday... Ug...Another dawn- rising weekend. For once this won't be a strain in my house since we are up for the World Cup! But it will be hell changing the chanel. :-( (Amy) What about his friend M.E. Mastrantonio for the mom? (Karen), Where is your winkie on that one? ;-D Yeah, bite your tonge. I love this \"mom/wife\" discussion! What about an English actress? Afterall, doesn't there always have to be an accent conflict in his films? ;-) Emma Thompson can use a part time role, and she can do an American accent.;-) But I also like Lora's choice of Andy MD. as the mother will need to be elegant and sophisticated. Rita Wilson is too earthy. Welcome Pam!"}, {"response": 963, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (09:58)", "body": "As Moss Hart says in \"Act One: An Autobiography,\" the theater is everybody's refuge from an unhappy childhood. She sounds like my old acting teacher. That's a lot of BS."}, {"response": 964, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (10:16)", "body": "(Moon)What about an English actress? Afterall, doesn't there always have to be an accent conflict in his films? ;-) I was thinking the same thing, couldn't the mother be British, and moved to NY? Then I fall into the same dilemma-as the one thinking about Rebecca in TEoR. Who would play the part? Emma Thompson works for me so does Andie MD."}, {"response": 965, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (10:22)", "body": "(Linda)you're not a candy-butt, but you're no postal employee either, Heh, heh, heh . . .you've never seen me walk into work angry.;-) Welcome Pam--glad to see our NJ contingent continue to grow. No matter which part of the Garden State you're from, you will find a partner in crime on this board.:-) (Dale)focus on the commercial was definately colin. Finally--Miramax is breaking the bank. Where do you live, Dale, and do you recall what network the commercial was on? I haven't seen one yet. crossing and uncrossing of the actor's arms, might not be only an unwillingness to reveal his private life. Might also be a willingness to hit the john when the interview is over.;-) Yo, Meryle, get a life. (Moon)What about an English actress? We mentioned Natasha Richardson. mother will need to be elegant and sophisticated The description we have only says \"New York feminist.\" In the sterotypical shorthand that I fear this will be presented in, God knows what they'll turn it into."}, {"response": 966, "author": "airstream", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (10:22)", "body": "Gawd! I hate pseudo-intellectual armchair diagnosis. Since when is a journalist qualified to interpret ones childhood based on body language? Especially the journalist who didn't do the interview? I would agree it might be an unconscious gesture in being uncomfortable....but now I would have to comment that the reactions of the interviewer/letter writer are due to possibly their projections of their unhappy childhoods onto the interviewee. (touche'). http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2002/05/20/reel_life_may_20_2002_article.shtml (has a blurg about CF as Ted Hughes)"}, {"response": 967, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (10:38)", "body": "The show is Wekend Today on SUNDAY and the interviewer is Jeffrey Lyons. Don't be too disappointed if it's only run in the NY area--I'm not sure either, I just don't want any tears.;-) Has any seen the new ads for TIOBE? Colin and Rupie lounging on the grounds of the estate, while the ladies hover over them. Colin looks grrrrrrrrrreat! I like him in these semi-recumbant postures!!:-) Big quotes from the major critics--Ebert & Roeper, NY Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, Rolling Stone--Colin mentioned in several of them, Rupie in *none*. They're pushing the romance angle. Oscar Wilde--who he be?;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 968, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (10:40)", "body": "Er, WEEKEND Today. RE: BBC blurb. I think that's the first time that a reputable news organization has had CF's name linked to the Hughes role. and the movie is from BBC Films, right? Any way to get in touch with them to verify? Emma Thompson as the mom? Ladies, I'm tellin' ya, we're aiming waaaaayyy too high."}, {"response": 969, "author": "maryw", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (10:40)", "body": "As Moss Hart says in \"Act One: An Autobiography,\" the theater is everybody's refuge from an unhappy childhood. She sounds like my old acting teacher. ...and a pop psychologist to boot! Moon - I just finished watching England beat the other fav (Argentina) besides Italy to win the WC, I think it will be a minor miracle if you can even get a hold of that remote control. Maybe you can be kind to YDH - just think - it's been rainin' Colin - WC comes but once every 4 years.;-) Welcome Pam! Been on a 6-day retreat and nice to come back to all the fab news of and about ODB finally relinquishing the title \"Invisible Man\". Thank you all for promptness and generosity in sharing info. Especially enjoyed reading JS transcript and imagining the nano-second it took for the word *australians* to pass those lips - oohh getting tingly all over! LOL - who's he calling perverted?"}, {"response": 970, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (11:47)", "body": "From todays' NY Times: Parental Guide for Current Movies: \"This feature helps parents decide which films are appropriate for children. The column is posted on The New York Times Learning Network, which offers an archive of past reviews. * Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (Suitable for ages 7 and up) * The Sum of All Fears (Suitable for ages 10 and up) * The Importance of Being Earnest (Suitable for ages 12 and up) Hey, don't laugh. Puts bums on the seats.And it's the only art house film in blockbuster company."}, {"response": 971, "author": "annas", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (11:52)", "body": ""}, {"response": 972, "author": "meg", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (12:30)", "body": "Re: AG mom... What about Helen Hunt?"}, {"response": 973, "author": "BarbaraT", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (13:03)", "body": "The books pages of today's Daily Mail contain information about PEN International Writers' Day and go on to say that other PEN events this summer include a celebration of Italo Calvino with Gore Vidal and with readings by CF and Greta Scacchi. According to the PEN UK events website this will take place at 7pm on Tuesday 16th July at St Paul's Church, Bedford Street, Covent Garden. CF's name isn't mentioned, it just says readings by actors and writers. Booking is by form to be circulated shortly (?for PEN members/friends only). The phone number given by the Mail for International Writers' Day is 020 7267 9444. http://www.pen.org.uk/public/events/events.htm"}, {"response": 974, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (13:06)", "body": "I like Helen Hunt - she would be great - but it's probably too much of a supporting role for her. Joely Richardson and Caroline Goodall can both do \"New York\", but I don't think somehow that the part will go to a British actress. If the BBC website has CF \"tipped\" for Ted, I may allow myself to be hopeful!"}, {"response": 975, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (13:40)", "body": "Well spotted, Barbara! I know that AG is only \"inspired\" by \"The Reluctante Debutante\", but this review makes it sound quite promising. The review was written by a Stanford Uni student who saw the movie at a university showing, a couple of years ago. So it still has contemporary appeal, hopefully! And I like the idea of CF in a Rex Harrison role. \"Next up was The Reluctant Debutante (also 1958), about a teenaged American girl (Sandra Dee - first film I've ever seen her in) who moves to London to be with her father (Rex Harrison) and stepmother, the latter of whom decides she should 'come out' as a debutante in the coming weeks, which Dee thinks is simply ridiculous. Adapted from a stage play (which is quite evident), Debutante starts slowly, but eventually turns fall-down-funny. Harrison has ample opportunity to ham his way through some ridiculous scenes as he tries to navigate the absurdity of the debutantes' balls. Dee's character, Jane, is quite intelligent, reasonably willful, and meets an American boy who plays drums in a band which plays at the balls. Of whom her stepmother disapproves, of course. We get scenes with her parents trying to keep an eye on her during a ball to keep her away from this young man, a lengthy scene where Harrison searches desperately for alcohol to see him through the ball, and later has nightmares about the events. And an extended scene where Jane hooks up with the young man and doesn't come home until 5 am, as we see her parents getting driven up the wall. It's all so wonderfully ridiculous, it's well worth seeing. It's punctuated by a stuffy young British lad with the perfect stuffy British accent and an endless interest in optimizing traffic routes. The cast is half the fun - and the script is the other half.\""}, {"response": 976, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (14:22)", "body": "Thanks to all for the nice welcome. Hello Jersey. I live in Norwood about as Northeast Jersey as you can get. Five minutes from New York State border. About half way between the George and Tappan Zee bridges. Was in Princeton two weeks ago. Beautiful place. Hello Karen. The ad for TIOBE I saw was one mentioned above on NBC. First time I saw any. The RD was good film. He should be good in it too. Would like to see him with American actress. McDowell, Ryan, particularly Hunt but as you say probably way too expensive. NBC runs weekend today on Saturday as well as Sunday. Which day do you think interview will be on?"}, {"response": 977, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (14:24)", "body": "Reposting of AnnaS's message from above. Watch those tags, please. (Evelyn) AG mom: Toni Collette or do you want someone more glam? There is absolutely no one else that could could do this role apart from Toni, she has been primed from birth for this part, indeed she has been breed in a lab for this part. My only criterion for this is that we in Minkeland are all in favour of homebred leading actors sharing the billing with ODB. This way we will be favoured with a \"premier\", and be able to report first hand on smiles and dimples etc. :D Still hoping for a TIOBE premier, What do you think Minkee does FOC have enough \"star quality\" here for a double act with ODB? A girl can hope."}, {"response": 978, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (14:36)", "body": "(Mari) The show is Wekend Today on SUNDAY and the interviewer is Jeffrey Lyons. Don't be too disappointed if it's only run in the NY area--I'm not sure either, I just don't want any tears.;-) But Weekend Today, as well as Wekend Today, are shown nationally. I'll be up early. ;-D Emma Thompson as the mom? Ladies, I'm tellin' ya, we're aiming waaaaayyy too high. I agree. RE: BBC blurb. I think that's the first time that a reputable news organization has had CF's name linked to the Hughes role. and the movie is from BBC Films, right? Unfortunately, it says, right on the bottom of the page, that ALL the stories came from: Variety, Screen International, Coming Soon, the Internet Movie Database, and the Hollywood Reporter. So no inside info. Thank you, Barbara, for the news about the reading. Oh, to be in London. Of course, there is a modern invention known as a tape recorder. ;-D"}, {"response": 979, "author": "airstream", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (16:57)", "body": "I just caught the At the Angelika interview. Lots of clips, LOTS of closeups...not a bad interview. Replays on Sat. @ 1:15am on IFC. The funny part is that it takes place in the cafe and the only people in the cafe are CF, the interviewer and a bunch of women seemingly not paying a bit of attention (right)!"}, {"response": 980, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (18:21)", "body": "Now my two cents on: Meryle SecrestI would suggest that the gesture to which Wartofsky often refers, i.e., the crossing and uncrossing of the actor's arms, might not be only an unwillingness to reveal his private life. I have seen it often in myself and consider it a self-defensive measure against some very painful memories. The painful memories might be right. Colin probably considers all these interviews rather painful. ;-D Actually, he is probably just trying to keep himself from playing with parts of his face. Remember? ;-D"}, {"response": 981, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (18:37)", "body": ""}, {"response": 982, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (18:38)", "body": "curses! nested tags again!"}, {"response": 983, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (18:39)", "body": ""}, {"response": 984, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Fri, Jun  7, 2002 (18:41)", "body": "This is the kind of writing that George Mason University, where I teach, is ***trying to promote*** in its course on creative nonfiction. Indeed!"}, {"response": 985, "author": "Jory", "date": "Sat, Jun  8, 2002 (09:09)", "body": "Heres a wild thought! If they ever decide to make a remake of \"My Fair Lady\" Wouldn't ODB be great as Professor Higgins? Nah never happen! But interesting thought. Just saw it again last weekend. Couldn't help picturing him in that role."}, {"response": 986, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun  8, 2002 (09:31)", "body": "Heres a wild thought! Not so wild, Joanne. He was mentioned once to do it in 2000. LOL. At that time, the drama -addicted Firthettes...said \"A comedy, nevah\"! But now that *we're* singing and having food-fights.....;-D"}, {"response": 987, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun  8, 2002 (10:13)", "body": "That rumor was in conjunction with a West End stage revival (which was done last year with Martine Mcwhatever). A remake of the movie? People would have to have their heads examined for even contemplating it IMO."}, {"response": 988, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sat, Jun  8, 2002 (10:33)", "body": "Wouldn't ODB be great as Professor Higgins? People would have to have their heads examined for even contemplating it IMO. LOL, kind of like imagining a remake of the Sound of Music or Mary Poppins. Now, there may be some prospect in the role of grumpy George Banks, or better still, since we are into comedy these days, maybe the Bert role would suit. \"Oh, it's a jolly 'oliday wif Mary!\""}, {"response": 989, "author": "Odile", "date": "Sat, Jun  8, 2002 (11:00)", "body": "...and for Captain Von Trapp, no big stretch: we mix a bit of Robert Lawrence for the veteran, some Edward Pettigrew for family man, and a pinch of \"Lady Come Down\". He could do it in his sleep! :))))"}, {"response": 990, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun  8, 2002 (11:16)", "body": "Me, I'd rather he create his own unique and memorable characters than to remake somebody else's. Besides, he has mentioned that he was offered the TV remake of The Shining. Who wants to attempt to redo one of Jack Nicholson's more memorable roles?"}, {"response": 991, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun  8, 2002 (13:11)", "body": "we-el he's better lookin' than Rex Harrison;-D (Karen) Me, I'd rather he create his own unique and memorable characters than to remake somebody else's. He *did*....Mr. Darcy!!And then went on to cookie-cutter Mark D."}, {"response": 992, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sat, Jun  8, 2002 (16:34)", "body": "(Karen) Me, I'd rather he create his own unique and memorable characters than to remake somebody else's. (Evelyn)He *did*....Mr. Darcy!!And then went on to cookie-cutter Mark D. But to remake one's own character is to start with an excellent model. And be careful what you say about RH. He was known as \"Sexy Rexy\" in his pre-Higgins days. Love the new print ad for TIOBE. It seems to say \"romance and sex in the countryside.\" Better than the question mark and \"Everybody loves Ray--oops--Ernest\" Welcome, Pam. Always nice to see another Jersey girl here."}, {"response": 993, "author": "dalec", "date": "Sat, Jun  8, 2002 (16:42)", "body": "(mari)Finally--Miramax is breaking the bank. Where do you live, Dale, and do you recall what network the commercial was on? I haven't seen one yet. it was on ABC yesterday morning. i'm in NY area, i saw it again this morning but on NBC this time. hmmm... isn't cheaper to air commercials in the morning? seeing it a second time, i did see FOC in the ad. (karen)Me, I'd rather he create his own unique and memorable characters than to remake somebody else's. Besides, he has mentioned that he was offered the TV remake of The Shining. Who wants to attempt to redo one of Jack Nicholson's more memorable roles? colin was offered the role that Steven Weber played in the ABC tv mini series remake of The Shining?"}, {"response": 994, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Jun  8, 2002 (18:32)", "body": "We are definitely on the same wave length. I, too, can see him as Professor Higgins. Thought so last week when I watched it. But would be so very difficult to top that movie. Can't get much better than that, and agree it would be foolish to even try. Saw the ad again this morning on NBC but not after that. Thanks for info about Angelika interview. Watched it last night. Was good. Looking forward to seeing him tomorrow a m. Now heres a thought, they could remake Pygmallian. That would be ideal. I remember my mom had it bad for \"sexy-Rexy\" and I was fortunate enough when I was very young to see him in it on Broadway and do recall the ladies were quite taken with him."}, {"response": 995, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun  8, 2002 (19:09)", "body": "Please no remakes! I saw Dr. Zhivago again this week on AMC and that is such a perfect movie and there was talk here of Colin in the remake which is apparently an idea flotting around Hollywood. I say no thank you. It would be a grave mistake. What I really want is BJD2. :-)"}, {"response": 996, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jun  8, 2002 (19:39)", "body": "(Moon)What I really want is BJD2. :-) Absolutely, without a doubt!!Just MD recreating MD."}, {"response": 997, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Sat, Jun  8, 2002 (21:13)", "body": "...and towels recreating towels, I hope. :)"}, {"response": 998, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jun  8, 2002 (23:10)", "body": "For your consideration....as the mom in AB...Julianne Moore! She can do a passable (I think) British accent and would be about the right age. Or Michelle Pfeiffer? Aiming for her may be a bit too high, though. Is she even working anymore or taking care of her kids? Nice to see there have been ads (haven't seen any though). Nice to see some support from the powers-that-be. Just saw Spiderman...Is Will the one on the tram with the baseball cap who is right behind KD's shoulder when the tram lands, grinning, looking like he's about ready to wave to the audience? It was a quick shot so maybe this was an inaccurate reading on my part."}, {"response": 999, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jun  8, 2002 (23:22)", "body": "And re: BJD2, I was watching part of Bedazzled last night...and it reinforced my belief that Liz Hurley IS Rebecca. When I read the book a couple of months ago, she immediately came to mind. Great publicity to have her and HG in the same movie, although at this point, I'm sure it won't need it."}, {"response": 1000, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jun  8, 2002 (23:24)", "body": "Duh!! Sorry I just realized it should be AG not AB! Double Duh!! :-P"}, {"response": 1001, "author": "airstream", "date": "Sun, Jun  9, 2002 (05:57)", "body": "(Didn't Rex Harrison have a glass eye....?) Yes, I agree--no remakes. I would rather see a James Bond role. Liz Hurley would be a good choice for Rebecca. What about Kristen Scott Thomas for AG? The Jeffrey Lyon's interview is on this morning (7ish e.s.t.) NBC NY Today."}, {"response": 1002, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jun  9, 2002 (06:11)", "body": "If anyone is up, Colin is going to be on right now. Sunday Weekend in NY. Different than Weekend Today. 7am, not the 8am show. I don't know if this interview will also air on the Weekend Today. If not, I'll transcribe later today."}, {"response": 1003, "author": "airstream", "date": "Sun, Jun  9, 2002 (06:27)", "body": "Here is a brief summary of interview: (approx 5min) CF wearing dark blue very open at neck shirt, greenish pants, boots.. Talked about look of the film and costumes--CF mentioned he was asked by Italian tailor whether he \"dressed left or right\" (didn't answer). Mentioned that he wore padding in SIL (when commented that he was heavier in that movie). Talked about fight scene in BA and BJD..admitted to doing parts to pay rent... At the end Jeffrey Lyon's recommended people also check out AZ. (pretty interesting, I thought). Then NBC showed a commercial for TIOBE."}, {"response": 1004, "author": "airstream", "date": "Sun, Jun  9, 2002 (06:28)", "body": "(Sorry Linda, I posted before I checked posts!) I'm sure Linda will have more info. cheers!"}, {"response": 1005, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jun  9, 2002 (08:01)", "body": "Bugger! Had a tough time getting up and caught only the last minute or so from the BJD and \"pics for dough\" comments. Gah! Didn't think it would be on so early in the show either. Wonder if they replay Weekend Today later at night like Meet the Press. Now that I think about it, probably not since it was with the local hosts. LOL! Sorry I missed the Italian tailor comment. I thought the AZ recommendation was very interesting, as well. It's almost never mentioned, and by far one of his best roles IMO. Boy, but was he a vision to wake up to, though! I thought he looked particularly good! JN to go to sleep to, and CF to wake up to.....and it's not even my birthday yet!"}, {"response": 1006, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jun  9, 2002 (08:47)", "body": "(Dorine)JN to go to sleep to, and CF to wake up to.....and it's not even my birthday yet! LOL! Not bad at all. :-) AZ by far one of his best roles Agreed. You should check out our AZ film discussion, Dorine. (Amy), Liz Hurley would be a good choice for Rebecca. What about Kristen Scott Thomas for AG? Liz Hurley was the first one I thought of too when I read the book. But I would leave KSC in France. I would love it if they gave AG to Jennifer Ehle, just to have her there. (Linda), I'll transcribe later today. I'll look forward to it! Thanks for the summary, Amy. But I think we can figure out whether he \"dressed left or right.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 1007, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  9, 2002 (08:50)", "body": "Such risque talk.... takes me back. ;-D"}, {"response": 1008, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jun  9, 2002 (09:09)", "body": "I have the whole interview transcribed, but cannot type it up until around noon. DH is moving daughter's room into another room,I can't very well leave him with the whole mess. Well, actually, I can but... I just had to sneak away to type this post. Will type up and post the interview as soon as I can. I thought it really was one of the better ones, very lively."}, {"response": 1009, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Jun  9, 2002 (12:31)", "body": "Just made it in time to see interview. Definitely an interesting one. Too brief however. Mr. Lyons certainly did his homework and knew what he was doing. That was refreshing. What is IOM?"}, {"response": 1010, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jun  9, 2002 (15:04)", "body": "Sorry for the delay. I just finished being the getmethis,getmethat tool helper. Here goes: Transcript from Sunday Weekend Today in New York The female host (don't know her name)introduces the segment:Colin Firth is one of the hottest actors in film. He recently sat down with Jeffrey Lyons to talk about his new project TIOBE. Clip of CF and FOC during the discussion of Jack's name. Voice-over by Jeffrey Lyons: In case you've yet to see it, the remake of TIOBE is a witty, sedate, beautiful-looking Oscar Wilde romantic comedy co-starring Colin Firth, and it's obvious it is a project the actor enjoyed doing. CF: There's a great path of greats who have done this in the theater, and it is daunting, and it is a very tried and tested piece of work, and found to work. So if I can't make it work I have to take responsibility. JL: Well you did, and when I look at the clips as they appear on a TV screen, I notice how pristine every image was, how the color is gorgeous and jumps out at you like a...sound like a critic of visual bouquet.(silent clip of Lady Bracknell walking in on Jack's proposal to Gwendolyn) CF: The costumes were by an Italian Costumier and I don't think I've ever had a fitting quite like this. There was this extraordinary Roman tailor, who, like most Roman tailors, was this tall. (Colin holds out his arm to describe someone who is very short)(In a voice that is very posh he imitates the tailor)\"Do you dress to the left or the right, sir\"? And you get bizarre things like nape of neck to left knuckle of little finger, and sort of inner insole to buttock.(ed. note: OOOOOOHHH! Oh but to be a Roman tailor-eh, sorry) JL: But no matter how trying getting the costume preparation was, it had to pale in getting ready for your scenes in SIL. That must have taken a lot longer. CF: Well, (sighs) in SIL, I was sticking out in every direction.(ed. won't touch this comment with a ten foot pole) I mean, I had a sword and a cog piece. It was very hard to sit down without wreaking havoc. JL: You were heavier in that film? CF: Hm? (CF either missed the question or pretended not to hear) JL: You were heavier in that film? CF: Wellll, I was, but I would like to point out I was helped by a bit of padding. It was, you know, sort of considered sexy to have a bit of a paunch in those days. Pity that's no longer... JL: (Talks over CF's last word) Some real party animals in those days. CF: That's right. JL: You really had a thankless role in that movie, because you're the one we don't want to have GP CF: That was the one movie in which it celebrated humor, I was the one guy without it. It celebrated poetry, I was the one guy without it. It celebrated romance, I was the one guy without it. I'm the guy that doesn't get it. JL: (laughs) And yet you also played Shakespeare at one time didn't you? CF: NO! JL: You never played Shakespeare? CF: No, oh, now you... JL: Don't scare me like that. You did play Shakespeare. CF: I spent a morning playing Shakespeare. JL: Right, in Blackadder Back and Forth CF: Right, Blackadder Back and Forth JL: How do you preparae for playing Shakespeare? How does one do that? CF: Well I read the complete works of Shakespeare several times over,(Laughs) and practiced in front of a mirror, Then got knocked off my feet by Rowan Atkinson in the first five minutes.(laughter by both.) *** At this point, my vcr kicked in to tape Weekend Today, I lost about three seconds of the BJD discussion, sorry. I did see it through the first time, and we didn't miss anything we hadn't heard before. JL: There was a scene with you and Hugh Grant in BJD that wasn't in the original book, BJD. CF: Yes, Hugh and I just got carried away really. JL: And it turned out to be one of the most interesting scenes of the film. CF: You know, you have to look unruly to be unruly, and you have to be very precise and disciplined about it. We thought, you know what, lets just give the stunt man a break-go have a cup of tea, and we'll get on with this thing, and really, that's just what we did. We grappled with each other, I think in a way, I'm ashamed to say, probably in a way we would have if we really were in a fight with each other. JL: You were talking about roles that an actor should get to put your work to the test, that constantly test you. I mean any actor wants something that's not more of the same. That is-something different, what do you look for in a part? (ed. note, JL jumps all over his own words in some of the questions) CF: It's not the only criterion. That's not always available to you. Sometimes, you want to pay the rent. So you might have to repeat yourself and then, in a way that's even a greater challenge, is to take something which on the page seems a repitition, and how you give it a twist. JL: Colin Firth, the costar, and one of the wonderful cast of the film TIOBE, and on your way to see that movie, rent a copy of an under-appreciated performance he gave in AZ. It is nice to see you. CF: Thank you. (Colin's head tilted "}, {"response": 1011, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun  9, 2002 (15:32)", "body": "Thank you Linda for typing this. JL: (laughs)\" And yet you also played Shakespeare at one time didn't you?\" CF:\" NO!\" LOL. Think Colin thought the guy meant : H-a-m-l-e-t? CF\"Sometimes, you want to pay the rent. So you might have to repeat yourself and then...\" He can say that again ..esp if you don't want to travel;-) Indeed-ee interviewer did homework...checked the websites too;-)"}, {"response": 1012, "author": "airstream", "date": "Sun, Jun  9, 2002 (15:56)", "body": "Yeh Moon, those that * vigilantly viewed* TIOIBE could be reminded of the answer to the tailoring question (i.e. scene with dog). What a downward spiral I find myself on..... ;^)"}, {"response": 1013, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sun, Jun  9, 2002 (15:59)", "body": "Thanks for typing the transcript, Linda, especially since our Weekend Today was preempted by TENNIS! Felt great sympathy with those in Minkeeland! ;-) CF: Well I read the complete works of Shakespeare several times over,(Laughs) and practiced in front of a mirror, LOL! Since I have to be crazy about a movie star, at least it is one that makes me laugh. That had to be off-the-cuff and a glimpse of that famous CF sense of humor. :-)"}, {"response": 1014, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Sun, Jun  9, 2002 (16:10)", "body": "Yes, well here in Minkeeland, OUR Weekend Today was pre-empted by \"Gilette World Sport\" -- even though it was clearly listed in the tv guide as Weekend Today! Grrrrrrrrrr.... Sometimes I despair of this sports-mad nation. Doesn't seem to matter how obscure the sport, they want to watch it rather than anything else! Yet again, we are ripped off of yet another Colin interview. *sob*"}, {"response": 1015, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jun  9, 2002 (16:32)", "body": "BTW, they went to a commercial right after the interview. It was TIOBE. Thank goodness someone posted about the commercial being on in the early am. The only reason I had the TV tuned to NY channel 4 NBC was because of this. I usually watch Weekend Today on NBC 3-our local station. Commercial looked great, with CF as the focus. I think Miramax realizes he is the one to carry the film, and I think they underestimated its appeal. Yes, Evelyn, I definitely think CF thought JL meant Hamlet."}, {"response": 1016, "author": "annas", "date": "Sun, Jun  9, 2002 (19:09)", "body": "Attention all Minkeelanders I saw first ad in today's paper for competition for exclusive premier tickets for TIOBE, RE was pictured, but CF was named second in billing. Details for competition will be in next Sunday Age. Fingers crossed."}, {"response": 1017, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Sun, Jun  9, 2002 (19:15)", "body": "Wow! Thanks Anna! No hint about what the competition is, where the exclusive premiere is being held, etc.? Geez... what a tease!"}, {"response": 1018, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  9, 2002 (20:32)", "body": "Wonderful transcription, Linda! Felt like I had seen it with all your insightful comments. BTW, the appropriate distancing tool is a \"bargepole\" and the immovable cog is codpiece but we won't go there either. ;-) [Marcia claimed that bejeweled item.] That was a great quip by Colin about how he prepared for his morning work on Blackadder. v. funny - and the \"sort of inner insole to buttock\" measure. LOL!!"}, {"response": 1019, "author": "annas", "date": "Sun, Jun  9, 2002 (21:34)", "body": "Part of the prize is a night at The Windsor\" in Melbourne. So definite Melbourne premier. This was a small ad in the film section of the paper, for Sydneysiders I suggest looking at the Sydney Morning Herald entertainment guide."}, {"response": 1020, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jun  9, 2002 (23:46)", "body": "This is something I picked up from a posting at another site. It's part of an article in the UK Sunday Express: First came the obligatory discussion of EoR, then... \"Co-starring Renee Zellweger and Hugh Grant, the movie was a multi-million pound smash hit when it came out last year, popularising big pants in the process. But Firth says it hasn\ufffdt had a knock-on effect when it comes to his career. He\ufffdll soon be seen in a classy film adaptation of The Importance of Being Earnest alongside Rupert Everett and Dame Judi Dench, but quality scripts haven\ufffdt been landing on his doorstep. Yes, he has been inundated with other movie offers \ufffd but most of them he wouldn\ufffdt touch with a bargepole. 'I\ufffdm just looking forward to the day when there\ufffds a stack of good scripts,' Firth moans. 'I\ufffdm not facing hunger and impoverishment, but I\ufffdm hoping I\ufffdll find myself doing something good soon. And if I don\ufffdt get offered Darcy again I think I\ufffdll just have to get into the costume and open supermarkets.\" Oh, dear! Could I soon be collecting frequent flier miles doing my grocery shopping? ;-P Also was checking out some pics on another web site of stills from his movies. Moon, from what I saw of the pic from The Advocate, he does NOT need the kissing lessons gift. Haven't seen that one yet unfortunately. Maybe he's just shy most of the time? Or God forbid...a perfect gentleman? ;-)"}, {"response": 1021, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun 10, 2002 (04:44)", "body": "Yes, he has been inundated with other movie offers \ufffd but most of them he wouldn\ufffdt touch with a bargepole. There goes that word again. Bargepole-new word of the day."}, {"response": 1022, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Jun 10, 2002 (07:19)", "body": "Yes, he has been inundated with other movie offers \ufffd but most of them he wouldn\ufffdt touch with a bargepole I don't think that was the most tactful thing he could have said. Not a very politically astute remark. Let us hope people in the movie industry do not read the Sunday Express ;-)"}, {"response": 1023, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 10, 2002 (07:42)", "body": "Thank you for the wonderful transcription, Linda! CF: The costumes were by an Italian Costumier and I don't think I've ever had a fitting quite like this. This one did get it right. His collar fit and his jackets did not take a form of their own. Now that Colin has experienced a real tailor, I hope it rubs off for the future. (Dorine), Moon, from what I saw of the pic from The Advocate, he does NOT need the kissing lessons gift. Haven't seen that one yet unfortunately. Maybe he's just shy most of the time? The problem is that he's turned very prudish. He tries too hard to act the kiss now. It no longer comes natural to him. So I must disagree about the kissing lessons. (Amy), Yeh Moon, those that * vigilantly viewed* TIOIBE could be reminded of the answer to the tailoring question (i.e. scene with dog). What a downward spiral I find myself on..... ;^) LOL! I believe we have all been there done that. ;-) But Firth says it hasn\ufffdt had a knock-on effect when it comes to his career. You can't just wait to have good scripts fall on your lap. Search them out, Colin. Start a company and buy out the rights to stories, develop the scripts... oh, forget it, it's too much work maybe? ;-)"}, {"response": 1024, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Mon, Jun 10, 2002 (07:47)", "body": "(Dorine) Oh, dear! Could I soon be collecting frequent flier miles doing my grocery shopping? ;-P ROTFL! I'm right there with you!! AG mom--Hmmmm, what about Rene Russo? ......but quality scripts haven\ufffdt been landing on his doorstep..... **Sigh** I swear, we need to pool our money & start a production company just for ODB and get him some good stuff to do. Would LOVE to see him in a film adaptation of the J.D. Robb books. Mmmmmmmmmm, Roarke. I'm hopeful that he'll get in on the Harry Potter thing, too."}, {"response": 1025, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 10, 2002 (08:42)", "body": "(Moon) This one did get it right. His collar fit and his jackets did not take a form of their own. I'm particularly fond of how nicely the vest fit when he had his jacket off. Either he's been working out to get discernable pecs or they've dipped into that padding box again. *snicker* ...waiting for those *great* scripts (that all take place in England) to land in his lap I find it interesting though that so many of reporters and journalists are asking questions about his career now. Why? Why? Why? (moonstar) Mmmmmmmmmm, Roarke Colin doesn't have the hair. This guy's a cross between Pierce Brosnan and Fabio. ;-D"}, {"response": 1026, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jun 10, 2002 (09:15)", "body": "(Karen) I'm particularly fond of how nicely the vest fit when he had his jacket off. Either he's been working out to get discernable pecs or they've dipped into that padding box again. Oh yes! I noticed that fit as well! I just chalked it up to the fine Italian tailoring ;-) Especially since he says he doesn't like to work out in a gym in front of people and he doesn't quite seem the type of guy to have weights and a bench in his basement. (moonstar) Mmmmmmmmmm, Roarke (Karen) Colin doesn't have the hair. This guy's a cross between Pierce Brosnan and Fabio. ;-D Hey... makeup did a very good job in \"Earnest\"! ;-D"}, {"response": 1027, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Mon, Jun 10, 2002 (09:35)", "body": "(Karen) Colin doesn't have the hair. This guy's a cross between Pierce Brosnan and Fabio. ;-D **ACK** Don't see that at all, but feeling a little nauseous now...."}, {"response": 1028, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Mon, Jun 10, 2002 (09:38)", "body": "trying to close tag!!!"}, {"response": 1029, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 10, 2002 (10:20)", "body": "Oh, he's in whining mode again. He'll get over it. (Moonstar)I'm hopeful that he'll get in on the Harry Potter thing, too. Me too;-) But Chris Columbus has finished cast #2 and heading home.I read they're looking for a director for #3 & 4.KB is in the mix.Maybe he'll give his old AC buddy a job. Hey...a port in any storm. Can't be worse than AG."}, {"response": 1030, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 10, 2002 (10:31)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1031, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 10, 2002 (10:45)", "body": "ROTF, Karen!!! How many condoms did you use to wrap that one? ;-))))) sorry, couldn't resist"}, {"response": 1032, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 10, 2002 (11:09)", "body": "Ouch.. ROTF, Karen. Hey Moon...here's some good ones.. before he was Mr. Prude Richard Courtois In THOTP: Richard Herncastle in LE"}, {"response": 1033, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jun 10, 2002 (11:11)", "body": "Do you dress to the left or the right, sir\"? And you get bizarre things like nape of neck to left knuckle of little finger, and sort of inner insole to buttock.(ed. note: OOOOOOHHH! Oh but to be a Roman tailor-eh, sorry) LOL! Great job on the transcript, Linda, thanks. Sounds like this was a good interview. Jeffrey probably shocked the hell out of CF when he mentioned AZ. 'I\ufffdm just looking forward to the day when there\ufffds a stack of good scripts,' Firth moans. 'I\ufffdm not facing hunger and impoverishment, but I\ufffdm hoping I\ufffdll find myself doing something good soon. Well, you had a good role in Hamlet, Colin, but opted instead to do . . . nothing! Instead of making yourself sound like some put-upon, unwanted loser, why not tell the truth? That family obligations require you to be in at least 2 other countries for about 6 nonths of the year, so that for the other 6 months, you're obligated to stay home, severely limiting your choice of roles to the likes of Londinium, TTOTS and AG. It's all of your own making, cher."}, {"response": 1034, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 10, 2002 (11:37)", "body": "No, better to make up this 'S of S' than let anybody know what's really going on here. But, methinks, he has learned his Hamlet. He's playing upon us, like we're all a bunch of gullible fools. ;-D"}, {"response": 1035, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 10, 2002 (11:56)", "body": "Frankly, after this string of comedies and Keystone Kops Kapers, I don't think the critics would take his Hamlet seriously.Before he was known as a TV actor...now???? I saw Sam West's Hamlet....Colin was smart to bolt.It was clever, contemporary, fast paced; flawless production. The guy had been playing it for almost a year; he *owned* the role like a second skin. That Christopher Frettes sub production at the Riverside got scathing reviews. That chapter is ovah!"}, {"response": 1036, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 10, 2002 (12:31)", "body": "Hey Moon...here's some good ones.. before he was Mr. Prude ...he was Hot pig? LOL! Evelyn, that reminder, serves us well."}, {"response": 1037, "author": "maryw", "date": "Mon, Jun 10, 2002 (13:22)", "body": "For those in Sydney and surrounds : Some of us are thinking of organising a drool-a-thon when TIOBE finally reaches here in July. Anyone else interested to join us - please email me off-list : minkee@hotmail.com. Thanks muchly."}, {"response": 1038, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jun 10, 2002 (15:40)", "body": "Moon and Evelyn...the top pic is the one I was referring to earlier!"}, {"response": 1039, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jun 10, 2002 (15:50)", "body": "(Moon) The problem is that he's turned very prudish. He tries too hard to act the kiss now. It no longer comes natural to him. So I must disagree about the kissing lessons. Ok, point taken. But surely this prudishness can't continue with Heather Graham in HS. I've never seen her prudish in these matters and can't imagine she'd start now or let him get away with that. Would seem odd too if they are supposed to be in the sack in the first 10 mins to appear less than extremely passionate. (Evelyn) Oh, he's in whining mode again. And what kind of whine is on the menu tonight? Maybe Kelly Ripa could help him with a good vintage. ;-)"}, {"response": 1040, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 10, 2002 (16:45)", "body": "But surely this prudishness can't continue with Heather Graham in HS. I've never seen her prudish in these matters and can't imagine she'd start now or let him get away with that. Would seem odd too if they are supposed to be in the sack in the first 10 mins to appear less than extremely passionate. We'll just have to wait and see. But he has a problem because he acts the kiss. He has no problem with the snugling up to foreplay but then BANG - the let down. :-("}, {"response": 1041, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 10, 2002 (16:55)", "body": "(Dorine)But surely this prudishness can't continue with Heather Graham in HS. I've never seen her prudish in these matters and can't imagine she'd start now or let him get away with that. (Moon) We'll just have to wait and see. But he has a problem because he acts the kiss. In the July Premiere Jennifer Tilly [ex-sister-in-law: aunt of son] gives the lowdown on the lip- lock. \"It's bad protocol to reject tongue\". I'm taking it to O&E #160."}, {"response": 1042, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Jun 10, 2002 (20:21)", "body": "Hi Everyone: I read the Jennifer Tilly lowdown. She was great. Correct me if I'm wrong but, furthering conversation of CF having own production company, didn't HG's company purchase AAB? I believe he said so in an interview I saw on TV which would of course give him the movie, as opposed to CF's statement that they wanted a more bankable star? It seems this is the way alot of actors are going HG EH SB etc. A good pairing would be NH and CF they seem to be of similar mind and taste. Would secure him finding projects more to his liking. A bit of work to begin with but definitely worth it in the long run."}, {"response": 1043, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jun 10, 2002 (20:23)", "body": "(Moon) We'll just have to wait and see. But he has a problem because he acts the kiss. And the directors are happy with this kind of behavior? There must be a happy medium for him between prudishness and Monster's Ball/Unfaithful-type scenes. Oh my! I hear a cold shower beckoning again at thoughts him in scenes like that ) ;-D"}, {"response": 1044, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jun 10, 2002 (20:55)", "body": "FYI..... 13. The Importance of Being Earnest, Miramax, $625,256, 147 locations, $4,253 average, $2.4 million, three weeks."}, {"response": 1045, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 10, 2002 (20:57)", "body": "(Pam) didn't HG's company purchase AAB? No, DeNiro's company did, but HG has a production company with EH. (Dorine) Unfaithful-type scenes. Much ado about absolutely nothing."}, {"response": 1046, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 10, 2002 (21:10)", "body": "Continuing to secure exceptional product placements, A List is currently working on premium studio films including MGM's \"Cody Banks\" (Frankie Muniz), Columbia's \"Anger Management\" (Adam Sandler), Universal's \"Bruce Almighty\" (Jim Carrey), Paramount's \"Timeline\" (Paul Walker) and Warner Bros.' \"American Girl\" (Amanda Bynes)."}, {"response": 1047, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (07:42)", "body": "Continuing to secure exceptional product placements, A List is currently working on premium studio films Is A List a distributing company? (Moon) We'll just have to wait and see. But he has a problem because he acts the kiss. (Dorine), And the directors are happy with this kind of behavior? Maybe those directors are not good kissers. In BJD, the kissing scene between RZ and HG is much better than the one at the end. In TIOBE, RW and RE do a better job than CF and FOC. What is to be done?!"}, {"response": 1048, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (07:48)", "body": "(Moon) Is A List a distributing company? No, it does product placements. Warner Bros. is making and distributing AG."}, {"response": 1049, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (08:22)", "body": "No, it does product placements. For what, Clearasil? ;-)"}, {"response": 1050, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (08:46)", "body": "My thoughts exactly. ;-D"}, {"response": 1051, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (08:59)", "body": "(Moon)What is to be done?! MORE LESSONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 1052, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (09:32)", "body": "(Moon)... RW and RE do a better job Yeah..but I'd clench my teeth if I had to kiss Rupe:-((( Methinks DW (Dear Wife) is cause of prudie- kisses...or in deference to.... Lessons won't help. We can see by some of his past films....he knows how. Oh well....here we go with a string of PG 13s:-(( Good question for anyone who gets to talk to him: \"Do you discriminate against playing in R -rated films...*now*\"?"}, {"response": 1053, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (10:04)", "body": "(Evelyn) Oh well....here we go with a string of PG 13s:-(( \"Do you discriminate against playing in R -rated films...*now*\"? Hey, there can be *plenty* of lip and bed action in a PG-13 movie. It's just the amount of skin (and location thereof) and how much we see of \"what\" is going on that would push it over into the R category. You'd be surprised by the number of good, romantic films that were PG-13. However, I still want more adult or serious themes, so an R-rated film would be my preference too, regardless of whether they had sex scenes in them or not. BTW, I watched the scenes in Angel Eyes again this weekend, now knowing Jim Caveziel's comments about nudity, etc. True, you couldn't see anything, but he didn't stint on the kissing. He was totally believable. And FYI, Olivier Martinez doesn't do nude scenes either. You see nothing. It is very clever camera work."}, {"response": 1054, "author": "treseg", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (10:10)", "body": "so i'm in luck then? i just rented the advocate and will be watching it tonight with a good friend for the first time, we are hoping for some steam here, if that is the case i can't wait for tonight and there are no cold showers here at work, i'll let you know my opinion on his kissing when i have something to compare it to because apparently you are telling me all the recent ones have been prudish"}, {"response": 1055, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (10:58)", "body": "There's more than kissing, Trese. ENJOY!!!! (You'll never again hear the phrase \"Waste not, want not\" without smiling) (Karen)an R-rated film would be my preference too, regardless of whether they had sex scenes in them or not. I would think this Drool heresy if it hadn't come from the Boss herself! But I agree. I wonder if his career is going to take the O'Toole split of dough/show. The rom-coms for the money, and the serious stuff for his 'art.' Too bad the serious stuff seems to come from TV. Maybe if he gets enough dough for AG, he'll be able to afford some time on the London stage. (well, I can hope, can't I?)"}, {"response": 1056, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (11:16)", "body": "(Kate) I would think this Drool heresy Naw! The rating doesn't matter to me. It's the material. I want serious work. Work that makes people sit up and take notice. Yeah, yeah, yeah, who doesn't know that comedy is much harder to pull off than drama. But it's drama that 99% of the time gets Oscar noms and wins even for actors more known for their comedy roles like Jack Lemmon (The Apartment, Save the Tiger, Missing, The China Syndrome, Days of Wine and Roses, Tribute plus two more for Some Like It Hot and Mister Roberts). Hmmm, maybe I need to adjust my percentage, but nevermind, you should get the idea. I think it's more heretical to want Colin to put on a prosthetics and wigs and funny hats and shoes and be a cartoon-y character in a HP movie. Worthless IMO. Gets an actor virtually nothing (especially if you're Zoe Wannamaker). ;-D"}, {"response": 1057, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (11:38)", "body": "(Karen)The rating doesn't matter to me. It's the material. I want serious work. Work that makes people sit up and take notice. Here, here! And frankly, I'm more offended by a steady diet of fluff and triteness than I am by sexuality. (Kate)I wonder if his career is going to take the O'Toole split of dough/show. The problem is, I don't see any \"split\" whatsoever. Conspiracy is his only drama in how many years?"}, {"response": 1058, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (11:41)", "body": "Trese, The Advocate is good, but the uncut THOTP is mobetta:-D I'm strictly low-class...I go for the sex & nudies:-D"}, {"response": 1059, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (11:54)", "body": "(Evelyn) I'm strictly low-class...I go for the sex & nudies:-D LOL! Don't get me wrong, they have their place (near and dear to my heart)."}, {"response": 1060, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (12:28)", "body": "(Karen), Don't get me wrong, they have their place (near and dear to my heart). (Evelyn), We can see by some of his past films....he knows how. LOL! He is agravating. (Karen), FYI, Olivier Martinez doesn't do nude scenes either. *Sigh* Oh, but you can get a peak with The Horseman on the Roof. ;-)"}, {"response": 1061, "author": "treseg", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (13:13)", "body": "thanks for the advice evelyn, i'll have to see what i can do about finding that after i see this version"}, {"response": 1062, "author": "tamzin", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (17:12)", "body": "For all UK members Colin is currently filming in The American Girl at West Wycombe Park in Bucks - same location as for TIOBE and AC so he should know it well. Went down today but did not see him - only his chair! They have changed the park and house quite drastically, hardly recognised it. Incidentally three of his co-stars are Jonathan Pryce, Eileen Atkins and Anna Chancellor. Filming should finish this Thursday apart from an odd day later."}, {"response": 1063, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (17:17)", "body": "Linda, thanks for typing up that great interview with all the new comments in it! I loved his discussion about the Italian tailor. It seems to have stirred up some hot topics here ;-). Talk about hot topics, has anyone seen any footage from the new Femme Fatale with Antonio Banderas and Rebecca whatever Stamos? It looks like a similar story to CF's FF but with some changes. For example, Antonio is a photographer not an artist. From what I saw on ET or AC, I can see why CF didn't remake it. It looks like a definite R! Wonder if it's the same storyline. It would be fun to see it and compare when it comes to the theaters."}, {"response": 1064, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (17:20)", "body": "Jennie, thanks for the excellent reporting on AG. Wonder who JP is playing? Who are the other two actresses? What other films have they been in? Did you dare to sit in his chair? (heehee)"}, {"response": 1065, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (17:33)", "body": "Anna Cchancellor was Miss Bingley in P&P and also Duckface in 4 Weddings. Eileen Atkins . . .she's done so much. Most recently was a maid in Gosford Park. I don't think either one is AG's mom.;-) Thanks for the report, Jennie! When you say filming will finish Thursday, I assume you mean at that location, and then they'll move on elsewhere? They'll need to name a wing after Colin!"}, {"response": 1066, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (18:01)", "body": "(Mari) Anna Cchancellor was Miss Bingley in P&P and also Duckface in 4 Weddings. She also has a sit-up-and-take-notice part in Crush. Nobody walks out of that movie forgetting her. She's ready to walk into Maggie Smith's shoes. Thanks for the AG report, Jennie."}, {"response": 1067, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (18:32)", "body": "Of course, I knew AC's name was familiar *slapping forehead*. Maybe she is playing the stuffy mum of a debutante. She'd be great!"}, {"response": 1068, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (19:19)", "body": "Thank you, Jennie. Sorry you didn't get to see CF-hopefully you'll get another chance. I said it before, and I'll say it again-you guys kill me. I just watched THOTP a few weeks ago. With all this talk, I must watch again, tonight. (heavy sigh, back of hand across brow)."}, {"response": 1069, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (19:21)", "body": "Anna Cchancellor was Miss Bingley in P&P So she finally gets a chance with Mr. Darcy. ;-) (Lora), Maybe she is playing the stuffy mum of a debutante. She'd be great! I have to agree. The feminist, stuffy mom of a debutante."}, {"response": 1070, "author": "airstream", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (19:29)", "body": "(As an aside...whose tongue is whose.....?) You know, he does make a nice little grunt in BJD...scene before reads diary...that makes up for it a bit. Not so new news from this week's \"New York Magazine\" \"Sylvia in love--Gweneth Paltrow (who next stars in Neil LaBute's Possession) has signed on to play depressed American poet and The Bell Jar autgor Sylvia Plath in a film about the sucidal writer's relationship with her husband, the poet Ted Hughes, who has yet to be cast. Pawel Pawlikowsli (Last Resort) will direct the film, entitled Ted and Sylvia.\""}, {"response": 1071, "author": "airstream", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (19:32)", "body": "yes, by all means...good luck Jennie! I have only seen \"The Advocate\"--what differences between that and THOTP? (What about Rachel Weisz for the mom in AG?)"}, {"response": 1072, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (19:39)", "body": "Thanks Jennie for the prompt report.Staying up so late ...what a trouper! (jennie)They have changed the park and house quite drastically, hardly recognised it. Don't look like this? (Lora) I can see why CF didn't remake it. It looks like a definite R! Wonder if it's the same storyline. Joe Prince? One of my faves.... Burning question: Will they keep the freezer scene in? This kiss wasn't bad either... *sigh*"}, {"response": 1073, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (19:39)", "body": "(Moondreams, et al.)-- In BJD, the kissing scene between RZ and HG is much better than the one at the end. In TIOBE, RW and RE do a better job than CF and FOC. What is to be done?! I am finally going to have to declare for the minority of the minority here ... I don't have to see every pubic hair, or be able to estimate the amount of bodily fluids being exchanged to the nearest cc., in order to enjoy a love scene. Maybe it has to do with having a very vivid imagination, but I would rather snuggle up to it in my mind's eye than having it blatantly laid before me. I haven't had the privilege of seeing TIOBE yet, but I'm with Auntie Doris! .... ;-) I found that kiss with Daniel in BJD positively repellent, even before Director Sharon Maguire declared that of the two takes they did, they had to cut one because of all the spit running down the chins. Yuck!! I'm a genuine prude and proud of it. .. and as for my fantasy life -- well, that's a different matter... I won't tell what the rating of that would be!! ;-D I loved Colin's \"technique\" in the last scene of BJD and wouldn't change it for the world,; it bespoke of real tenderness and love, not just lust. It was so conducive to imagining the aftermath without having it spelled out for me. By all means continue with your discussion of how to \"improve\" ODB's acting, but please don't assume that you speak for us all. Us prudes are very happy with him the way he is. ;-) And thanks, Jennie, for all the \"American Girl\" info."}, {"response": 1074, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (19:46)", "body": "P.S. I loved the love scenes in FF and almost every aspect of THoTP -- except the tonsil hockey! .. ;-D"}, {"response": 1075, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (19:48)", "body": "..., but please don't assume that you speak for us all. Us prudes are very happy with him the way he is. ;-) Thank you KJ We never purport to speak for everyone.Drool has many voices:-D ...now please let's get another phrase here...\"like you the way you are\" is getting a little stale. Nothing original there.It's been around for over a year now.We've all heard it *many* times;-)"}, {"response": 1076, "author": "airstream", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (19:53)", "body": "Most of this is all fantasy, isn't it? Just letting off a little, er, steam so to speak. A good, believable kiss, would only add to good believable acting. Granted, I am not talking full frontal stuff here. Maybe he just needs to relax a bit--no chicken pecks as RE says!"}, {"response": 1077, "author": "airstream", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (19:58)", "body": "Yes Evelyn...a new phrase....a new leitmotiv...any suggestions...?"}, {"response": 1078, "author": "airstream", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (20:14)", "body": "I forgot---They have been showing quite a few commercials on NBC channel 4 NY for TIOBE. The ads feature CF and RW. Good night all (northern hemisphere) G'Day others!"}, {"response": 1079, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (20:23)", "body": "Evelyn, you really know how to post those pictures and what pictures you post! I guess Meg didn't mind kissing scenes he did with others... Actually his best kissing scenes are with Meg in Valmont. The second one he has with her in that movie is the best, imo :-). No holding back there ;-)"}, {"response": 1080, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (21:03)", "body": "Hi Everyone, Great Stuff. Please tell me what IMO stands for. Thanks. May have a good point about the DW input. Thought that myself. Definitely think kiss in BJD is great stuff tho. Works for me. Will now go to rent older ones and see what I've been missing. Personally wonder how BJ held out that long, first the neck, then the face. Stronger woman than me. Agree, does Miss Bingly finally get Mr. Darcy? Let us know. I guess he wouldn't hold back with Meg since they had feelings at that time. What did you think of Paul's interaction with Sarah in Fever Pitch. Believable or just going through the motions? Have a good night everyone."}, {"response": 1081, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (22:16)", "body": "(KJ) I don't have to see every pubic hair Oooh! I didn't know we were talking about *that* kind of kissing. ;-D Please remember, folks, each of us speaks for ourselves, but if you'll do some archival reading, this place has nevah been about prudery. You must be mistaking this place for another, say, Virt Views??? (Amy) Most of this is all fantasy, isn't it? Just letting off a little, er, steam so to speak. A good, believable kiss, would only add to good believable acting. No need to get worried about the tenor of the discussion or apologetic. IMO (in my opinion) a kiss should fit the character, the situation and in the case of the final BJD scene, the relevant dialogue to be believable. Let's see, the character (Mark Darcy) has just done the most illogical thing in turning his back on a big job in NY and catching the next plane back, all on a \"possibility.\" There would have to be powerful forces lying beneath the surface and I think we see them in his impatience to be alone with her (snuzzle, snuzzle). Naturally, their kiss would start off tentatively but should grow in passion. But when Bridget says, \"nice boys don't kiss like that,\" I saw nothing to justify it. OK, I've just been watching Clark Gable kiss Vivien Leigh, so I may be prejudiced here. But there was a kisser!! (and there wasn't any spittle, dribble or tongues involved; it can be done) (Pam) What did you think of Paul's interaction with Sarah in Fever Pitch. The kiss at the end was rather nothing, but the first one (do you want to stay the night?) was one of Colin's better shoulder-grinds (second only to Tdown). Thumbs up, way up!!"}, {"response": 1082, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (22:21)", "body": "On another subject, someone wrote me to say that Brookline H.S. took all of its English classes to see TIOBE. Is that some way to bolster the box office or what? OK, all you moms, start calling the principals, department chairs, whoever, otherwise, your kids will grow up as ignorant as those in England. ;-))))))))))"}, {"response": 1083, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (23:19)", "body": "(Karen) ....a kiss should fit the character, the situation ....Naturally, their kiss would start off tentatively but should grow in passion. But when Bridget says, \"nice boys don't kiss like that,\" I saw nothing to justify it. Completely agreed. I can understand reserve and tentativeness in the doorway at first, and maybe for a few seconds in the snow. I get more out of that pic just above than I did in BJD. I don't necessarily need to see \"tonsil hockey\" (all the time anyway) to see passion translated, as noted in many movies cited in the AFI special, but I'd like to see a logical depiction of what I think the characters are feeling. That's just my personal opinion and don't begrudge anyone theirs. Certainly makes for lively conversation! ;-) A late thanks to Linda and Kate for previous translations! And thanks Evelyn for the pics! :-D Also, saw an ad for TIOBE in the middle of the AFI show. Excellent placement I think!"}, {"response": 1084, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jun 11, 2002 (23:33)", "body": "(Amy) What about Rachel Weisz for the mom in AG? I like that choice! Is the mom supposed to be British as well and living in America or an American? Do we know? (Amy) Granted, I am not talking full frontal stuff here. I don't need that myself. Actually I sometimes find it sexier to see someone clothed, but with a couple of extra shirt buttons (or all) undone, maybe an untucked shirt vs. having no shirt on at all (ie. CF in letter writing or wet shirt scenes, or in a couple of recent interviews where I think there was an extra button or two undone vs. some other interviews where less were undone.) Ok enough on this subject for me tonight."}, {"response": 1085, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (00:35)", "body": "(Karen) But when Bridget says, \"nice boys don't kiss like that,\" I saw nothing to justify it. I'll agree with you there. But I found the line more inappropriate than the behavior. It was just Richard Curtis' sly excuse to slip the f-word into Darcy's mouth for the last line. ;-) OK, I've just been watching Clark Gable kiss Vivien Leigh, so I may be prejudiced here. But there was a kisser!! (and there wasn't any spittle, dribble or tongues involved; it can be done). And I agree 100% with you there, too. Now try to convince the tongue-brigade. ;-D What is to be done?! How about showing Colin lots of Clark Gable movies. ?... ;-) (Evelyn) ...now please let's get another phrase here...\"like you the way you are\" is getting a little stale. Again, I agree and eagerly await an alternative phrase to express the same sentiment. ;-) (Dorine) Actually I sometimes find it sexier to see someone clothed, but with a couple of extra shirt buttons (or all) undone, maybe an untucked shirt vs. having no shirt on at all Now you're talking. Leaves much more room for the imagination to roam, sometimes into places that wouldn't even occur to screenwriters... ;-)"}, {"response": 1086, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (05:10)", "body": "But when Bridget says, \"nice boys don't kiss like that,\" I saw nothing to justify it. Ditto, besides the fact that noses collided. IMO it should have been reshot, yet again! Regarding the possible theories for the change in the man's on screen kissing, (and we are talking lips now Karen!) I have decided that in a weak moment, (and I won't go into details as the imagination can do much better here than I might as to what that weak moment might have been), years ago he promised the future DW that he would no longer do certain type scenes and control himself on others. As a gentleman he has kept his word. Think of this. The wife, while having her finger in documentary filmmaking, is not an actress and perhaps feels threatened by even kissing scenes that get heavy. On the other hand, maybe she knows her husband pretty darn well and knows he's weak and doesn't want to tempt it. In the end, he's missing out on too many juicy roles that other married actors seem to be able to fill and do a nice job with, or, he's leaving too many fans wanting more in the lip locking department. :))))) And Evelyn, thanks for all the juicy pics. You know I haven't seen hardly any of CF's films so anything is much appreciated here."}, {"response": 1087, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (07:50)", "body": "(KJ) Now try to convince the tongue-brigade. ;-D I don't believe anyone was advocating that messy, sloppy, drippy or otherwise juvenile kissing. The criticism was that Colin is acting the kiss, as opposed making it look believable...whatever that may require. IMO, it requires he show some passion and get his face and facial muscles into it more. That's all. And if he wants to show a bit more skin, I wouldn't complain. In fact, I might applaud. Those sections of Hotpig, Playmaker, Tumbledown and FF are wearing a bit thin. Sheesh! If I didn't despise the L-dum movie so much, I might even watch that half screen bedroom scene a bit more. BTW, the wet shirt never did anything for me. ;-) (Lisa) ...he promised the future DW that he would no longer do certain type scenes and control himself on others. Certainly plausible. Colin knows what screen kissing is all about; how they are trained to do it. He talks about it in Out of the Blue. That it involves hanging onto the other's lower lip. But I don't even see that going on anymore. Maybe I should sit closer to the TV. ;-D"}, {"response": 1088, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (08:55)", "body": "{Lisa) ...he promised the future DW that he would no longer do certain type scenes and control himself on others. Certainly plausible. More than plausible! The truth, I should think! (And remember he takes his in-laws to see his movies!) He's very good at nuzzling though! Good cast for AG. Could Anna Chancellor be snooty wannabe girlfriend in residence rather than American mother? Would make the re-union of mom and dad more interesting if there's a third party to contend with."}, {"response": 1089, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (09:03)", "body": "(Bethan) Could Anna Chancellor be snooty wannabe girlfriend in residence rather than American mother? That's more than likely IMO. I'm not sure why everyone is jumping to the conclusion that the mother is supposed to be British. Remember, there need to be American actors in the film for the American audience. ;-D {Lisa) ...he promised the future DW that he would no longer do certain type scenes and control himself on others. Plus you must add the promise about the proximity of a Ritz Carlton to location work if not based at home."}, {"response": 1090, "author": "annas", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (09:04)", "body": "Is this a discussion on ODB's on screen kissing skills? May I offer my humble opinion? \"But when Bridget says, \"nice boys don't kiss like that,\" I saw nothing to justify it. Ditto, besides the fact that noses collided.\" I had to replay that last BJD scene, yes there was pecking and colliding as there would be in a first kiss where the \"waters are being tested\". So tongue lashings and dripping chins would be inappropriate. Sorry ladies but from my long ago past experience of \"bad boy\" kissing, I seem to remember a nudge from the hips, hips that held a promise or rolled up kneehi socks. (No I have no fetish for darning at all). Now this IMO could be the bit we didn't see under that big coat. How would you act that?:D Or is it a part the audience is asked to infer? \"BTW Wet shirt never did anything for me\" Have to admit to me he looked a bit too drowned, But it was the reaction \"Oh shit oh shit got to get out of here\" that sealed the scene."}, {"response": 1091, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (09:06)", "body": "I don't have to see every pubic hair, or be able to estimate the amount of bodily fluids being exchanged to the nearest cc., in order to enjoy a love scene. LOL, KJ! Bodily fluids and pubic hair for a good kiss. Yo\ufffdr imagination does get away. ;-) Maybe it has to do with having a very vivid imagination, but I would rather snuggle up to it in my mind's eye than having it blatantly laid before me. If we ever started on imagination here, it would be too much, I'm sure. He's done it, he can do it again. Period. :-)"}, {"response": 1092, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (09:24)", "body": "(AnnaS) I seem to remember a nudge from the hips, hips that held a promise...Now this IMO could be the bit we didn't see under that big coat. LOL! That was exactly what was in my \"required\" though unpublished essay about the overcoat (my BJD keepsake). ;-D"}, {"response": 1093, "author": "Jory", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (09:43)", "body": "I don't know about all of you but I don't see how some male actors are able to accomplish these love scenes without certain parts of their anatomy getting out of control and I can imagine men would have difficulty in this area anyway. How embarrassing is that? Maybe he's trying not to embarrass himself. Just a thought. Maybe not a good one. As he gets older and more married and settled, it gets more difficult to act this scenes and may be why he avoids them. Much to all of our dismays."}, {"response": 1094, "author": "dalec", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (09:59)", "body": "(amy) I have only seen \"The Advocate\"--what differences between that and THOTP? same here, I've only seen \"The Advocate\" too, can some elaborate on the differences between the two? But when Bridget says, \"nice boys don't kiss like that,\" I saw nothing to justify it. Ditto, besides the fact that noses collided. IMO it should have been reshot, yet again! on the BJD DVD, Sharon Maguire said they reshot that scenes many times for her own viewing pleasure. the truth was probabaly Colin was not delivering the goods so Sharon just gave up and decided to savage the scene in the editing room by overlaying the various kissing scenes to convey the \"passionate\" part of it. (Joanne) I don't know about all of you but I don't see how some male actors are able to accomplish these love scenes without certain parts of their anatomy getting out of control and I can imagine men would have difficulty in this area anyway. didn't Hugh admit that it happens to him, sometimes he needs a minute to \"compose himself\". he said, especially when he worked with Julia Roberts."}, {"response": 1095, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (10:02)", "body": "KJ) But I found the line more inappropriate than the behavior. It was just Richard Curtis'sly excuse to slip the f-word into Darcy's mouth for the last line. ;-) Wasn't RC;that was Colin's input. Sharon Maguire alluded to that in one of her interviews. (Bethan)And remember he takes his in-laws to see his movies!) OMG, do I have to have Mamma y Pappa to screen Colin films for me;-) (Lora) Actually his best kissing scenes are with Meg in Valmont. The second one he has with her in that movie is the best, imo :-). No holding back there ;-) The Boss's favorite too. OK...I'm done with kisses. \"Pervy E.\""}, {"response": 1096, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (10:21)", "body": "(Dale) didn't Hugh admit that it happens to him Many actors have admitted they've gotten aroused. True, it must be embarrassing, but it can't be anymore embarrassing than all the times actresses have to take their tops off for the sake of their art. ;-D And let's watch the cut/paste of others' comments a little more carefully. I've noticed a little joining. I've only seen \"The Advocate\" too, can some elaborate on the differences between the two HOTPig is 15 minutes longer than The Advocate. Only about a nanosecond (you can see Colin standing behind Maria during part of the rooster scene) would've been cut for ratings purposes, as the MPAA had given it an NC-17 originally and Miramax tried to take them to court. There's a cute bit right after that where Maria asks Richard to teach her to read and he signs her backside, and another where he fondles her breasts, and a very distant shot (where he is supposed to be naked) of Samira and Richard walking in a river. Some of the cuts make no sense, as they were important to the plot and make the movie appear disjointed. I had a list of all the differences somewhere. Maybe I'll look for it... (pervy Evvy) Wasn't RC; that was Colin's input. Sharon Maguire alluded to that in one of her interviews. Plus, it doesn't show up in the script."}, {"response": 1097, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (10:23)", "body": "*hee hee hee* You're right, Ev. That whirly-twirly scene is my fav."}, {"response": 1098, "author": "treseg", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (10:53)", "body": "ya i just watched the advocate last night for the first time, it did seem rather disjointed and will have to watch it again before friday, question is there supposed to be more with richard and samira because i don't think i even really saw them kiss in the version i got--maybe i missed something or my tape was screwed up, plenty of nudity otherwise, liked the story- though you could tell stuff was missing in an odd way, so do video stores carry the uncut version? i think i was jipped and must compare them, i would like to see you list of differences karen i really liked the kissing in bjd and it gave me enough to work with when i read eor, but then again maybe i'm remembering it a little more passionately than it was played on screen i'm going to have to rent valmont next"}, {"response": 1099, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (11:47)", "body": "OK, I've put the list on our Film Discussion topic (158). There are several cuts that IMO were significant to the plot, and others that explain a couple of illogical scenes."}, {"response": 1100, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (12:55)", "body": "San Franciscans divulge their celebrity sex objects San Francisco Chronicle; San Francisco, Calif.; Jun 9, 2002; Jane Ganahl In this gig I'm often bombarded with new findings about what single women think, how single women shop, the real estate market for single women (which is apparently off the hook; no more waiting for Mr. Right to purchase the love nest for us). But a recent survey out of New York really caught my interest. It was commissioned by DiMassimo Brand Advertising of New York -- the kind of Madison Avenue company hired to figure out how to get people like me to buy things, even when chocolate isn't involved. To draw a bead on the female brain, they surveyed 800 women -- 400 under 40, 400 over 40 -- on a variety of topics. What really caught my eye -- call me shallow -- were the lists of the top five men with whom each group would \"spend one night\" (read: do the horizontal cha-cha). Ready for this? Women over 40: 1. Russell Crowe 2. Robert Downey Jr. 3. John Stamos 4. Tommy Lee 5. Dennis Rodman And for the women under 40: 1. Justin Timberlake 2. Tom Cruise 3. Tom Hanks 4. Ewan McGregor 5. Hugh Grant There are just so many things to say about this. The first: that women over 40 are clearly suckers for bad boys! And here I thought I was the only one. But ewwwww! Tommy Lee? Dennis Rodman? It's not the tattoos, it's the lack of brain matter. At least Crowe, despite all his boozin'-and-brawlin' style, and Robert sex-drugs-and-rock-'n'-roll Downey exude intelligence. And Stamos? I can only think of him as the cute dunderhead from \"Full House,\" and am therefore mystified by his inclusion. Here's another interesting thing: All of the men but one who are lusted over by the over-40 set are under 40: Crowe, 38; Lee, 39; Downey, 37; Stamos, 39. Only Rodman is 41. Conversely, the majority of the men admired by young women -- Cruise, Hanks and Grant -- are over 40. Is this a grass-is-greener thing? That women yearn for men who represent what they're not? Or maybe we're all just suckers for pretty boys, no matter what the age. Timberlake's appeal to the young is obvious; but to me, he looks like someone featured on the cover of some Twink magazine -- all callowness and lack of features. Hanks, a great actor who now looks like a jowly dad, is the most perplexing man to be deemed a sex object. And the inclusion of McGregor and Grant shows that young women also drool for pirates. The most depressing thing about that part of the survey was that our president, the less-than-brilliant George W. Bush, placed 11th on the list of shag-able men for women over 40, and ninth for women under 40! What is this world coming to? Clinton, yes. But Dubya? This was so baffling to me that I called DiMassimo Advertising and asked spokeswoman Cindy Gittelsohn if the company only polled women who lived in Texas. \"No,\" she said. \"We poll across the country, with as diverse a group as possible.\" Hmm, but Dubya? Reading the list, the idea of kissing those thin lips was, to me, nothing less than a gross-out. And I was willing to bet that my Northern California girlfriends shared that sentiment. So I conducted my own unofficial poll (margin of error, 100 percent) and here are some comments from the dozen women who responded: \"He is so smarmy I'd have to bathe for days afterwards.\" \"Even the idea of sleeping with George W. makes my stomach churn.\" \"Women listing George Dubya are positively crazy.\" \"I despise his s--- eating lizard-lip grin, among other things.\" Final poll results? George sexy: 0. George dweeby: 12. I also asked my friends who they consider sexy enough for a one- night stand, and the results are far different than the national norm. Of course, this is San Francisco, so the results probably wouldn't be the same as the national norm. For one thing, women made an appearance on the most-wanted list: Catherine Deneuve, Kate Winslet and Angelina Jolie. And what men made the lists of hotties? Of the 10 men on the two previous lists, only two were deemed shag-able by my friends: Grant and McGregor. The top vote-getter was George Clooney (nice one, ladies -- he made my list too), followed by Johnny Depp, Grant and Matthew McConaughey. Since my posse spends a good amount of time in bookish pursuits, intellectual hunks like Dave Eggers, Brian Eno and Paul Auster got nods. And since we love a man who can make us laugh, Dennis Miller, David Letterman and Jon Stewart all got multiple votes. As did Patrick Stewart, Benjamin Bratt, Benicio del Toro and John Corbett of \"Sex and the City.\" Musicians deemed sexy are local boys Chris Isaak and Stephan Jenkins, as well as Jon Bon Jovi and Lenny Kravitz. And single votes were cast for worthy hunks Val Kilmer, David Duchovny, Joaquin Phoenix, Billy Crudup, Nicolas Cage, Colin Firth, Jesse Martin, Toby McGuire, Brad Pitt, Chris Noth, and John F. Kennedy Jr. Sorry, Mr. President. I guess that means that even the deceased son of one of your predecessors is considered sexier than you!"}, {"response": 1101, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (13:09)", "body": "Well I don't want to shag the prez (clenched -teeth kisser, for sure;-))...but shagging Bill you never know what disease you'd get. I don't think those those San Fran gals have any taste. Not that I care...but Harrison Ford is missing. Psst...\"That earring and dating those young chicks didn't pay off, Harrison.\""}, {"response": 1102, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (13:32)", "body": "This Amanda Bynes has quite the site: http://amandamonium.50megs.com/fr_index.html?/central.htm This is Tom Harper, a young new British actor who has been in a couple of small films that have pretty much stayed in England. He's going to get his first big American exposure in Amanda Bynes' new film \"American Girl\", and it looks like he might be the bloke Amanda's character Daphne falls in love with in the film. I couldn't think of any actor, American or British, who'd be right for this, so I'm happy they're going with an unknown quantity here. Of more renown is the actor playing Amanda's disapproving father, Colin Firth, who was most visible a few years ago in \"Bridget Jones' Diary\" with Renee Zellweger, and also appeared in \"Shakespeare in Love\". In fact, Amanda is one of very few Amercian thesps in this cast. But the big thing is, the film is shooting now in England, and depending on how long it goes, this means we may not see her in Pasadena for the TCA Press Tour (the Critics' annual summertime thing for the press)...but what's more likely is that she may find time to be present at the premiere when \"Big Fat Liar\" opens in England on June 28th. Wouldn't that be loverly? http://www.staronline.com/vcs/entertainment/article/0,1375,VCS_232_1197705,00.html Amanda Bynes goes to London for film After being Frankie Muniz's sidekick, Thousand Oaks star gets her first lead movie role June 9, 2002 Amanda Bynes of Thousand Oaks is starring in her first lead movie role in \"American Girl,\" now filming in London. \"I play Daphne -- a 17-year-old from New York who travels to London in search of the father she never knew (played by Colin Firth),\" Bynes wrote in an e-mail message from the British capital. \"My mother was married to him briefly when they were in the Peace Corps in Morocco. He comes from a very aristocratic family who didn't approve of my mother. Unbeknownst to him, she leaves London pregnant with me and moves back to the States. \"Daphne is somewhat of a free-spirit, Bohemian type of character. It's really exciting to be able to work with all these British actors. It's whole different experience than what I'm used to.\" Bynes played the sidekick to \"Malcolm in the Middle\" star Frankie Muniz's character in \"Big Fat Liar.\" She will star this fall in The WB's \"What I Like About You\" and had starred in \"The Amanda Show,\" a sketch comedy show on Nickelodeon. \"I don't really feel like I'm in the spotlight,\" Bynes said. \"I just like working, and it's always fun to meet new people on the sets.\""}, {"response": 1103, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (13:45)", "body": "Now try to convince the tongue-brigade. ;-D (Karen), I don't believe anyone was advocating that messy, sloppy, drippy or otherwise juvenile kissing. The criticism was that Colin is acting the kiss, as opposed making it look believable...whatever that may require. IMO, it requires he show some passion and get his face and facial muscles into it more. That's all. You didn't get my point at all, KJ. As Karen said, I am only pointing out the fact that Colin acts his kiss scene in a very self-conscious way and it interferes with the reality aspect. My favourite part of BJD is when he nuzzles on RZ neck, that really works for me. In P&P I was electrified the first time D&E touch hands dancing at the Netherfield Ball. I adore Geoffrey in TEP and he never gets any tongue action either. My criticism, to set the story straight because obviously, it needs to be repeated, is that his kisses don't look natural, nothing to do with saliva or tongue. I'm talking lip to lip. Colin holds back now and he didn't use to. Also, and this is the most important part, this is all in good fun. Nothing to burn brain cells over. (Karen), But when Bridget says, \"nice boys don't kiss like that,\" I saw nothing to justify it. (Lisa), Ditto, besides the fact that noses collided. IMO it should have been reshot, yet again! Let the fun continue! :-D BTW, the wet shirt never did anything for me. ;-) Me neither. Interesting article, Karen. I can't believe Brian Eno is on that list! Sure, I'd have lots to talk to him about but no horizontal cha-cha there. A big miss is Olivier Martinez, Il est tr\ufffds beau, and I have been saying this for years. ;-)"}, {"response": 1104, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (13:54)", "body": "Thanks, Bryonny, I don't usually watch TV and had no clue what Amanda looked like. She looks very American. He comes from a very aristocratic family who didn't approve of my mother. There's the mold. Still, I rather have him play an aristocrat than a bum."}, {"response": 1105, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (14:01)", "body": "The first quote I ever saw by CF in the press was something along the lines of \"I don't like sex scenes, infact I loathe them. I enjoy sex far too much to pretend to do it for a living.\" Interpret as you will (assuming he actually said this!)!"}, {"response": 1106, "author": "treseg", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (14:22)", "body": "interesting quote bethan, i can't imagine what it's like to be in a sex scene, it makes sense to me imo i find actors (male and female) more appealing when they are able to maintain good relationships outside of their work, ex: all that stuff about meg ryan and russell crowe and breaking up with her hubby just really turned me off to her, i love tom hanks and that is partly because he seems like a good person, father, husband in real life, so i think that i might not find colin so appealing if he ended up having an affair or something hey there is always fan fiction to help if he intends to be more chaste in his movies"}, {"response": 1107, "author": "tamzin", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (14:45)", "body": "Thanks for the background information on Amanda Bynes. I could not resist going along to West Wycombe Park again today and this time my luck was in as Colin was there filming with Anna Chancellor. Only downside was he was rather far away. However, can advise he looked very slim, was wearing a well cut grey flannel suit, white shirt and bluey/grey tie with black lace ups and, I think black socks. His hair was very similar to how it was in BJD althought I thought somewhat lighter and he was clean shaven. I got to talk to the girl who was AB's double in the film and she was able to give me some more information. Colin takes the part of Lord Dashwood and Anna Chancellor is playing the part of his fiancee. His American ex wife is played by Kelly Preston. However, all the scenes which required her presence were done last week and she has now flown back to the States. A further two members of the cast are Anne Organ and Christina Cole. The film is set in the present time."}, {"response": 1108, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (15:05)", "body": "BTW, the wet shirt never did anything for me. ;-) Me neither. It wasn't so much the wet shirt, per se, for me, as the casual, relaxed way he looked with his hair mussed up and shirt untucked just striding along the countryside. It was an enjoyable contrast to his usual impeccable look. By the same token, I thought he looked great talking to Elizabeth on their walk at Pemberley and as he stood in the driveway watching them go. I love it when men can dress down as well as up, and appear comfortable in both. (Bethan) The first quote I ever saw by CF in the press was something along the lines of \"I don't like sex scenes, infact I loathe them. I enjoy sex far too much to pretend to do it for a living.\" Interpret as you will (assuming he actually said this!)! I saw this too somewhere. My first reaction is to say \"Well then maybe you should do something else,\" but then again he can chose to do roles that don't require sex scenes (a monk, perhaps ;-D), or very limited ones. Of course that can be limiting his choice of projects and he's whining that they aren't breaking down his door as it is. Quite frankly I'd probably hate to do them myself (unless I was hot for my co-star ;-D ). I would love to see who they polled for that list. Tommy Lee a choice of the over-40 set?! None of those people must have any self-respect to be attracted to someone who beats and verbally abuses his wife. I like \"bad boys\", but really....!"}, {"response": 1109, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (15:09)", "body": "How exciting Jennie! You couldn't have been too far away to see his socks! Kelly Preston....hmmm, would never have thought of her. Did you take any pics? What does AB need a double for? Is it an action pic? ;-)"}, {"response": 1110, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (15:12)", "body": "Great detective work, Jennie! You've got him right down to his socks! Lord Dashwood, indeed. Very dashing, IMO :-) Kelly Preston is a good choice. This is a strong cast for a teen movie. And the Peace Corps bit is a nice touch. It tidies up the out-of-wedlock storyline. If you get to talk to him, Jennie, ask if he's signed up for the sequel."}, {"response": 1111, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (15:30)", "body": "Dashwood, huh? Well, then, filming at West Wycombe Park was required for authenticity, wasn't it? Time to start putting up some family history about the Hellfire Club. How lovely to be able to go back and check out the filming, Jennie, and get the additional details. Also, a big thanks to you, Bryonny, for the updates from the Bynes bunch. Better you should go there than I. I hate those sites. argh! Kelly Preston's done already?! Wow, am all astonishment and jaw has dropped open. Filming just started and is to continue into August. Surely she could not have already finished if part of the plot involves getting back together with Colin. (Bethan quoting Colin) \"I don't like sex scenes, infact I loathe them. I enjoy sex far too much to pretend to do it for a living.\" Most actors would say the same, so Colin is not unusual in that regard. They also say there is nothing remotely sexy about doing a love scene, as it is strictly choreographed and you have a bunch of people watching you, telling you what to do over and over again, not to mention the silly little modesty pouch some of them wear. However, they are actors."}, {"response": 1112, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (15:35)", "body": "(Bethan) The first quote I ever saw by CF in the press was something along the lines of \"I don't like sex scenes, infact I loathe them. I enjoy sex far too much to pretend to do it for a living.\" We all read that, Bethan...ages ago. As if he didn't have enough limitations on his career.Kids on two continents, visitation responsibilities....sheech. Thanks Byronny for AG storyline....sounds riveting;-)Didn't Barbara Streisand and Robt' Redford do that years ago???.. \"The Way we Were\";-) Thanks Jennie...what a coup; I hope they were long socks;-) I like Kelly Preston."}, {"response": 1113, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (15:53)", "body": "I hope they were long socks;-) snigger Kelly Preston's done already?! Agreed! Wasn't the plot suposed to revolve around the parents getting back together with the daughter's help? Nice one with KP, one of the few that wasn't guessed here. Is CF going to costar with every major film star's wife? He still has to work his way through Mrs. Speilberg, the ex- Mrs. Cruise, and Mrs. Hanks to name a few, but he's working on it. Jennie, Excellent work. Did you take pics? Did you see any scenes being shot? I would love to know (also) why they need a double for AC, who IMO should be perfect in the role described. If you go back, take binoculars, then make sure you have a good look at the hair and update us as to his MPB. :))) Also, have a look out for DW and DB (dear baby) if there are any kissing scenes and get the whole lowdown! :))))))"}, {"response": 1114, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (16:04)", "body": "(Dorine) What does AB need a double for? Is it an action pic? ;-) Loved the winkie, but doubles are used for more than action films (and those are usually denoted as \"stunt doubles\"). I've had this explained to me by an actor. There are stand-ins and doubles. Stand-ins do just that, standing in for the actor during all the boring setup work (getting the lighting right, etc.) A double however might be used in shot where the actor's face isn't shown and he/she has no lines. So instead of having the actor playing essentially a dummy, they have a double for that purpose."}, {"response": 1115, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (16:31)", "body": "If Kelly Preston's scenes have all been shot, maybe the daughter's plan fails and AC's character gets to be the next Lady Dashwood?"}, {"response": 1116, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (16:54)", "body": "Hey Kate, 12 yr. olds like happy endings;-) They don't shoot in sequence anyway.Indoor scenes may be filmed later. And John will send Kelly back in his plane;-) See???"}, {"response": 1117, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (17:02)", "body": "Hey Kate, 12 yr. olds like happy endings;-) They don't shoot in sequence anyway.Indoor scenes may be filmed later. And John will send Kelly back in his plane;-) Evelyn, you're reading my mind today, right down to John's T' jet!:-) Keep this in mind, gang: Amanda is very popular with the pre-teen set. Has had her own show on Nickelodeon, and will have another on the WB this fall. The focus is *not* going to be on dad and mom, it will be on Amanda and Tom Harper, the young English boyfrtiend. That's what young girls want to see. Mom and Dad being reunited will be a nice additional touch."}, {"response": 1118, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (17:13)", "body": "However, can advise he looked very slim, was wearing a well cut grey flannel suit, white shirt and bluey/grey tie with black lace ups and, I think black socks. Sounds like they got the little Italian tailor back in.;-) Another great insider report, Jennie! I had a good feeling about your going back there today. Thanks for getting the info on Kelly Preston--she's good, a very likable actress, but face it, this role hardly requires the presence of a great thesp. Actually, none of the roles do, but it is a good strong cast. Thanks, Bryonny, for the plot info. I think it will be a cute film, the type I like to watch now and then. I absolutely loved The Parent Trap remake, for example. It's just not the type of thing I want for Colin, especially coming on the heels of other comedies. Looking on the bright side, it will be distributed, none of us on either side of the pond will have to go hunting for a theater in which to see it, and they'll promote it heavily because it appeals to the teens. I'm guessing they'll put it out this time next year, when the schools are out for the summer break."}, {"response": 1119, "author": "Odile", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (18:07)", "body": "Thanks Jennie about the report. My heart just jumped; I mean you start so casually, and then revealing more and more... Anna Chancellor, Lord Dashwood: are we heading for another Austen spiral of connections? :) or a match-up: HG:2 - CF:2. If KP is done shooting in London, can we hope for a reuniting scene in NY? More likely though to be later studio filming like Evelyn mentioned."}, {"response": 1120, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (18:16)", "body": "I just got in-boy you guys have been busy. What a day to be away. IMO, last night's AFI show said it all. All of those earlier films really had passionate scenes without the tongue action. It can be done, Colin is capable as we have seen. I know what's been said about the BJD kiss, I agree for the most part, but that didn't stop me from replaying it over and over the first time I watched it. Wish there had been more emphasis on the nuzzling part in the apartment. I think he was fantastic in that scene. Don't get me wrong, I'm part of the tongue brigade, but I can do without it(v.reluctantly) if he would just let loose with some of the passion of the old days. Great report from the UK on AG. (Mari)none of us on either side of the pond will have to go hunting for a theater in which to see it Awh shucks, does that mean we have to see it separately. Not have our own premiere in NJ? Geez."}, {"response": 1121, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (18:25)", "body": "As the scene opens, our hero is reclining in bed, night side light on, as he and DW pour over submitted scripts. \ufffdHere\ufffds one, excellent writing and I understand Nicole Kidman has agreed to the female lead.\ufffd DW grabs the script and flips through it with her thumb. \ufffdAh, no caro, see, I looked at this. It is no good. The male lead, the homicide detective, has a girlfriend. All his work is discussed in bed. I\ufffdm sure you\ufffdd have to take off your shirt for that one.\ufffd Rather dejectedly, our hero agrees and drops that one on the floor. \ufffdWait! What about this one? I thought this would be superb. I could play the anti-hero, the character everyone loves to hate.\ufffd He hands her another from the pile. \ufffdBut, love, everyone hates the character because he is seducing their wives. Sorry.\ufffd With a big sigh, our hero flips that one down to the floor, to keep company with the other reject. \ufffdOK, there can\ufffdt be anything wrong with this one. A social worker who spends his off hours helping underprivileged kids by starting a cricket team. Surely, you can\ufffdt find fault with this one. And, it\ufffds being directed by Oliver Stone!\ufffd DW takes the script from his hands and flips to a turned down page. \ufffdLook here,\ufffd she says pointing with a glossy red nail. Our hero looks at the page in question and then protests, \ufffdOh come on. You can\ufffdt be worried about the character giving his grandmother a kiss.\ufffd DW wags her finger and smiles smugly, feeling quite pleased that she has foiled another attempt by our hero to sneak any kind of action into one of his films. \ufffdHere,\ufffd she says as her tosses the last script into the growing heap on the floor. \ufffdThis one is just what you should do.\ufffd Our hero reads the cover and rolls his eyes. He\ufffds read this one already. \ufffdYes, love, you are probably right,\ufffd he concedes as he reacquaints himself with the role of a hermit who spends his days finding stray dogs and spending all his pension money to feed. The only female role in the pic is the landlady, an 82 year old grey-haired toothless woman with a hearing aid. Our hero picks up the phone and calls his agent.......... And the saga continues........"}, {"response": 1122, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (18:38)", "body": "LoL, Lisa. Could be true, but then that would mean ODB is a Mr. Milktoast. Nah, I don't beleive it."}, {"response": 1123, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (18:42)", "body": "(Lisa) \ufffdHere,\ufffd she says as her tosses the last script into the growing heap on the floor. \ufffdThis one is just what you should do.\ufffd ROFL! I had to come out of lurkdom for this one. But I would be careful about upsetting La Dottoressa (sp?) :)"}, {"response": 1124, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (19:30)", "body": "Hi Everyone, Thanks Jennie, what a thrill this is. You are sooo lucky. Is it possible ladies, that the statement in the BJD kiss was made to show that he had a bit more passion than everyone thought and was no wimp in that department? It's a possibility. Watched Valmont again last night and 2nd kissing scene with MT is great. If its in the script, I think it should be done with as much conviction as possible. These people are pros supposedly and should be willing to give it their best shot, personal feelings or situations aside. If there's something they don't like in the script don't do the movie. But they are paid outstanding salaries to deliver a money-making project. Do you think they lose sight of that? If the actors become prima donnas the pay checks will become further and further apart. But they must also bow to the type of movie that has audience appeal. It's like any job really, you don't do it they'll look for someone else who will. Especially precarious situation to be in in the acting field. I feel CF delivers. Just wish he could hook up with bigger leading ladies like HG does. But for some reason this doesn't seem to appeal to him but would definitely boost the career and marketablity. I'm sure they'd work with him in a heartbeat. He's far superior to HG!!! Loved the DW scene Lisa. Have a good night everyone."}, {"response": 1125, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (19:37)", "body": "... Liiiiiisaaaaaa ....LMAO....Too Funny. And in case you guys haven't gathered , Lisa is one of our ace auteurs on Fan Fic#159. Don't miss her \"Under My Skin\" story. She should write scripts for The Divine One. Hola Lola We love \"unlurkers\"...stick around. You never know what these guys bring up next. Never a dull day!!"}, {"response": 1126, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (20:17)", "body": "I could play the anti-hero, the character everyone loves to hate.\ufffd . . . \ufffdBut, love, everyone hates the character because he is seducing their wives. Sorry.\ufffd ROTFLMAO!! So funny, Lisa, thanks! Hello, Hola Lola! Or should that be simply . . .Hola, Lola.;-) Reminds me of Hughie in Mickey Blue Eyes: \"What's the name of your parents' restaurant?\" \"The La Trattoria.\" (Blinking madly)\"Um . . .you do realize that's redundant. It's like saying 'The The Trattoria'.\" Well, *I* thought it was funny.:-) Back to TIOBE--has anyone noticed that they have the new ads (the bucolic setting) blown up enormously and placed in the theater lobbies? Too bad I had my small purse with me.;-) Seems like the commercials are running just in the greater NYC area? The box office still looks ok, I'm hoping they'll continue to expand it."}, {"response": 1127, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (20:42)", "body": "Hola and welcome Lola! We do have fun here. La Dottoressa (sp?) :) Brava, Lola, it is correct. BTW, for those who don't know, in Italy when you receive your BA, you become a Dottore or Dottoressa. It does not mean you have a PhD. And, a medical doctor would be called Professore. Dorine), How exciting Jennie! You couldn't have been too far away to see his socks! How did you manage? Amazing Jennie, we await more reports. Thank you! (Evelyn), I hope they were long socks;-) Thank you, Ev! You know how to cheer me up. And speaking of cheer, let's all wish gli Azzuri a big win in tomorrow's WC game, Forza Italia! (Lisa), And the saga continues........ Carissima, sei meravigliosa! LOL! I look forward to the continuation. ;-)"}, {"response": 1128, "author": "airstream", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (21:08)", "body": "Maybe DW would agree to a remake of \"Harold and Maude\" ? (yes v.v.good work jenny...start small with the double and who knows who you may end up chatting with.....) As for the the last line in BJD, granted, it may not have been warranted, but it worked for me. Sort of like the line in Empire Strikes Back(?) before Han Solo gets frozen : PL:\"I love you.\" HS: \"I know.\" The wet shirt in P&P didn't do it for me either. I much more enjoyed the letter writing scene with the open neck shirt when he leans back in frustration. Welcome all newcomers and thanks for all the new reports...much has gone on in 24 hours."}, {"response": 1129, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (21:40)", "body": "he concedes as he reacquaints himself with the role of a hermit who spends his days finding stray dogs and spending all his pension money to feed. Think I've read about this one, a Disney film, The Shaggy Dog III Pffft!! Looking for my Windex. ROTFLMAO!! Great job, Lisa. (Odile) Lord Dashwood: are we heading for another Austen spiral of connections? :) Not really. The Dashwood family owns West Wycombe Park and some of their past history is fascinating. What would be fun is if Colin's character was a chip off the old block. ;-D (Pam) Is it possible ladies, that the statement in the BJD kiss was made to show that he had a bit more passion than everyone thought and was no wimp in that department? It's a possibility. More than a possibility, that's exactly what we are supposed to think. (Mari) has anyone noticed that they have the new ads (the bucolic setting) blown up enormously and placed in the theater lobbies? I've seen the print ads (whose bodies are those????) but nothing at the theater. The two theaters I've been to didn't even have the old poster. And last but not least... Hola Lola!! Good to see you here. I remember I couldn't handle being a lurker. I had to have my share of the conversation. And do we ever have fun here. :)"}, {"response": 1130, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (22:06)", "body": "Hola Lola.....Nice to see ya! (Lisa) DW wags her finger and smiles smugly, feeling quite pleased that she has foiled another attempt by our hero to sneak any kind of action into one of his films. ROFLMAO, too!!!!! What a riot, Lisa! (Amy) I much more enjoyed the letter writing scene with the open neck shirt when he leans back in frustration. A toss up for me...yet another example of that disheveled look I like. (Mari) The focus is *not* going to be on dad and mom, it will be on Amanda and Tom Harper, the young English boyfrtiend. That's what young girls want to see. And there might be a few more moms in the audience than usually seen at a teen movie because we know what they will want to see! ;-D"}, {"response": 1131, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (22:11)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1132, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (22:14)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1133, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (22:16)", "body": "Grrrr! Why didn't the second show up? Try, try again. Since he brought it up with Jeffrey Lyons, here are the visuals:"}, {"response": 1134, "author": "elizh", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (23:33)", "body": "Oh, jeez! (Whilst staring at ODB's crotch) Hmmmmmmm. I wonder if he knows that old saying for remembering which way to unscrew a light bulb...... Righty-tighty, lefty-loosey!"}, {"response": 1135, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Jun 12, 2002 (23:42)", "body": "...here are the visuals: Pffft!! Indeed...Oh ma mercy...Karen, when you're done with that Windex, I need to borrow it and it's all your fault! This reminds me, my husband is a Civil War reenactor, there is a command given to soldiers in ranks to \"dress right\" or \"dress left\" meaning straighten up keying to your right or left as appropriate. I don't think I will ever hear that command given again in quite the same way."}, {"response": 1136, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (02:41)", "body": "Boy Howdy....that was sure an attention grabbing post!!!!! :)))) LOL Karen you stopped me right in the middle of Ch 16 discussions! The editor and I took a minute or two and savoured the visuals. On another note...and this is only from what the synopsis has said...CF's part could in fact be bigger than KP's. If the daughter is coming to the UK to find the father and reestablish a relationship with him, then his role should certainly be bigger than KP's, especially if we are seeing action in the form of shooting on the ground of the above mentioned estate. Would the Most Admired One take such a lowly part if it were to only support two teenage roles? Oh God, why do I ask such questions????? BTW Jennie......... if you are out there.......did you see this actress who is the daughter around at all???? PSSSST Ask those in the know, if you go back, where the shooting continues on location!!!!!! Lastly, Camera, Camera!!!!!1"}, {"response": 1137, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (03:02)", "body": "Well, judging from the two pics Karen just posted, CF's \"part\" *is* rather big, and in any case, I'd say it's *much* bigger than KP's... Does KP have a \"part\"??? Oh!!! You're talking about their ROLES, aren't you? ;-) Karen, you've now confirmed what was my memory from the scene at Rosings where CF seemed to be *ahem* tenting a bit... he dresses to the right."}, {"response": 1138, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (03:21)", "body": "he dresses to the right. Indeed Jane, I agree...however a scene at Netherfield (walking down the steps to the carriage) before Bing's proposal made me think about that!!!!!! BTW, Jerry McGuire (sp) comes to mind w/KP and her blurb about being willing to, ahem, how might I say this tactfully, okay there's no way to do it, with another woman for his own pleasure (and for the character's I would imagine as well). In any case, this little flick may have more to it than it appears. We can only hope!"}, {"response": 1139, "author": "annas", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (05:54)", "body": "Aye caramba Someone should tell him that's no place to keep a spare pair of socks. Could lead to all sorts of speculation."}, {"response": 1140, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (06:46)", "body": "(anna)Someone should tell him that's no place to keep a spare pair of socks. Doesn't look like spare socks to me, dahling!;)"}, {"response": 1141, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (07:24)", "body": "If it's true that men think with a certain part of their anatomy, then clearly Fitz Darcy is right-brain dominant.;-) From Variety: Kelly Preston will put her singing voice to the test playing a professional thrush opposite Amanda Bynes and Colin Firth in the Dennie Gordon-directed \"American Girl,\" the working title of a pic just getting started for Warner Bros., Gaylord and producer Denise DiNovi. Preston, who last starred in \"A View From the Top,\" is said to be a capable songstress."}, {"response": 1142, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (08:51)", "body": "The focus is *not* going to be on dad and mom, it will be on Amanda and Tom Harper, the young English boyfrtiend. That's what young girls want to see. Mom and Dad being reunited will be a nice additional touch. (Mari) Has anyone seen \"My father the hero\" starring Gerard Depardieu. It's all about a divorced dad taking his teenaged daughter on holiday. She, of course, has a holiday romance, but the focus is always on dad and his reactions. Great little movie! (I also liked \"The Parent Trap\"!) I'm hoping that AG will have a touch of both, plus a smidgen of \"The Grass is Greener\" my favourite \"ol'\" movie (Cary Grant plays an English lord living in a stately home, Deborah Kerr is his wife who falls for a visiting American (Robert Mitchum). Just call me shallow! Perhaps the \"reunion\" of the parents just means that they meet up again and are on good terms. Or perhaps there are more Kelly Preston scenes...she must sing somewhere (The Debutantes' Ball?)....perhaps set in the US."}, {"response": 1143, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (08:52)", "body": "Oops! Sorry, trying to close tags."}, {"response": 1144, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (09:01)", "body": "Glad you liked the visuals, ladies. However, if you're interested in more of same (or numerous discussions of bulges, stuffing contests, socks...even wet shirts), check out Topic 112, \"Darcy Drool.\" The topic is full of drool, buckets full, in fact, such that you might want to put on your boots. *winkie winkie* (Lisa) he dresses to the right. Indeed Jane, I agree...however a scene at Netherfield (walking down the steps to the carriage) before Bing's proposal made me think about that!!!!!! Your memory serves you v. well. We've concluded that Mr D is \"ampisexdrous\" ;-D Topic 112 contains the reposting of some research and analytical work I did that was submitted in partial fulfillment for a degree in crotchology. (Mari) Kelly Preston will put her singing voice to the test playing a professional thrush So let me get this straight, the ex-feminist, ex-Peace Corps worker is now a singer? What, does she have a lounge act? Will Lord D appear with guitar in hand and serenade again? Will they do a duet, so from up above and he from below?"}, {"response": 1145, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (09:07)", "body": "Oh Karen...you are too funny. You should have warned the Prude Brigade though;-) \"Cover your eyes\""}, {"response": 1146, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (09:13)", "body": "(Karen)Will Lord D appear with guitar in hand and serenade again? Will they do a duet, so from up above and he from below? I've been wondering about a duet. It could become an argument, set in the moonlight. CF: Lady come down. KP: No, Lord come up. CF: Lady come down. KP: No, milord. Lord come up. CF: But the song is Lady Come Down. KP: I don't care. I'm not dressed, and I refuse to parade around the lawn in my nightgown. TWANG! [as guitar is seen bouncing across the lawn] KP: Oof! Milord!"}, {"response": 1147, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (09:16)", "body": "OH! Just thought of alternate duet scenario. Could be a flashback scene of their days in the Peace Corps, sitting by the fire, he's strumming his guitar while she sings, one thing leads to another..."}, {"response": 1148, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (09:17)", "body": "Re: AG story. How did a Peace Corps worker(KP) meet a Brit Lord in Morrocco? What was *he* doing there? Peace Corps was US. But I agree with you Mari...AG has a distrib and that says it all. He'll get paid and we won't have to hump it through all the festivals and film markets.Can't be as bad as L'dumb."}, {"response": 1149, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (09:28)", "body": "What was *he* doing there? Peace Corps was US. Perhaps he was a VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas)- the Brit Peace Corps equivalent. A caring sharing Lord. BTW, LOL to all the above. You ladies are really on a roll!"}, {"response": 1150, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (09:36)", "body": "You can whose publicist has been busy giving out info, but check out the director's name. Error???? From THR today: Kelly Preston has been cast in Warner Bros.' untitled debutante project (aka \"American Girl\") for director Adam Schenkman. The film stars Amanda Bynes, who has been raised in New York by her mom (Preston). She decides to search out her long-lost father (Colin Firth) in London, but once there, her American ways disrupt his lifestyle. Anna Chancellor, Jonathan Pryce, Dame Eileen Atkins, Oliver James and Christina Cole round out the cast. Preston is repped by ICM and manager Joel Stevens. ... ~~~~~~~~~ I do like the fact that AG is only a working title. Felt like William in Lisa's UMS story yesterday as drove up behind a bus, only to be faced by entire back covered in advertisement for The American Girl Place! ;-D"}, {"response": 1151, "author": "maryw", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (09:56)", "body": "Lisa - you are too funny. I await the next episode. Now what do you make of this..... In what could be the first sighting of TIOBE promos here - \"Arenatainment\" on Foxtel aired a short preview of TIOBE tonight. I think it is the program hosted by Nicole's sister - Premier (?). I was channel surfing (in between World Cup games) and came upon this channel just in time for \"Sneak Previews\" to pop up - and there was RW in all her mediablitz glory. I was too shocked with the find that I just saw her lips moving but did not hear a word she was saying. LOL. No other interviews :-( except for sub-second film snippets of RE; JD and CF but no FO'C. (She should be alarmed. If she can't score a few seconds of small screen time to show her face in her own country - there is definitely someone worse at his/her job than ODB's agent!!!) Longer was the clip from the Lady Bracknell interview of Earnest - same one shown in the Judi Dench tribute. He looks so delightfully edible :-)~~~~ Wait for this...the segment ends with something like : \"....starring RW with a period costume support team of RE, JD, CF and Australia's FO'C\" I hope I misheard this too. Those on Foxtel - maybe you can check it out - this is likely to be replayed."}, {"response": 1152, "author": "maryw", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (10:01)", "body": "Karen - you have proven that pictures do indeed paint a thousand words - or point to the right direction. *Cover your eyes*. ROTFL."}, {"response": 1153, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (11:47)", "body": "\"My father the hero\" C'\ufffdtait terrible! I didn't like it at all! \"The Grass is Greener\" my favourite \"ol'\" movie (Cary Grant plays an English lord living in a stately home, Deborah Kerr is his wife I did like this. The dialog was very much like Noel Coward, brilliant. I wonder who wrote it? (Karen), So let me get this straight, the ex-feminist, ex-Peace Corps worker is now a singer? What, does she have a lounge act? Will Lord D appear with guitar in hand and serenade again? (Kate), Could be a flashback scene of their days in the Peace Corps, sitting by the fire, he's strumming his guitar while she sings, ...Yes, we have no bananas, we have no bananas today. And don't forget that little dance ;-) At least now AG is a working title. I still want to know more about the debutante part? Does Anna Chandler arrange it to try to change Amanda's American way? Long live Miss Bingley! This is so very much like the Princess Diaries. But Hollywood doesn't have any original ideas. Even C. Nolan who did Memento has followed it up with a remake of a 5 year old film, Insomnia! You'd think he would remain integral. :-( Kate that was very funny!"}, {"response": 1154, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (11:57)", "body": "\"I play Daphne -- a 17-year-old from New York who travels to London in search of the father Thanks, Bryonny, for the info. It looks like they dropped Daphne's age down by two years in order to accomodate KP's age, who I think is in her late thirties and not 40 yet. So that way she would have had her baby at about 21 instead of in her late teens. How convenient! Thanks, Jennie, for being such a great sleuth at the estate. If you can, find Amanda's double again and ask if the singing will be done at the estate location or in US location. Maybe mommy is American rock star in manner of Madonna and is on tour in England and daughter and boyfriend plot to reunite her with daddy. Then everyone is in movie more and all live happily ever after in London and in country house...hmmm sounds like M's current life ;-)! (Lisa)\ufffdLook here,\ufffd she says pointing with a glossy red nail. ROTFLOL!!! You are too funny, Lisa! The image of a glossy red nail poking and tapping through scripts is a riot! Karen and Evelyn, I don't know where to look first between all the kissing and crotching protrusions! Lots of vivid, poking images around here lately... ;-) Too bad AG will probably only give us glossy red nails at most ;-(."}, {"response": 1155, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (12:06)", "body": "(Lora) Karen and Evelyn, I don't know where to look first between all the kissing and crotching protrusions! Yeah, 'cept when I give you a picture of a kiss...it fills up the screen. The Boss is a little stingy with the size of her images;-D Bethan, \"ole- eagle -eye- with- best- memory\"....do you remember the article that talked about ODB and CBC stuffing their britches in P&P?"}, {"response": 1156, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (13:08)", "body": "(Lora)Too bad AG will probably only give us glossy red nails at most ;-(. No, pink. They're debutantes, after all. ;-) Moon, thanks for the reminder--how could I forget that singing performance! It was the first time I ever saw him do something goofy in a movie. Hmm, am hungry, must go have a banana... Heads up, Firthettes! Earnest may be coming to a theater nearer to you. I just checked Moviephone for times for tomorrow, and the list for tomorrow is longer (15 in whatever radius I picked) than the list for today (only 5)! Will be seeing TIOBE in NY with a good friend, who I love, even if she did embarrass me by squealing loudly at her first sight of ODB in BJD."}, {"response": 1157, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (13:39)", "body": "In just a few hours I will be seeing TIOBE for a fifth time. This time I'm going specifically to check out the handiwork of the little Roman tailor. Now, did he mean stage right or left? I'll figure it out. (Lora) Karen and Evelyn, I don't know where to look first between all the kissing and crotching protrusions! At least, so it would seem, there is a great deal to talk about in this-uh *cough,cough* area. And therefore, thank heaven, ODB would not fall into the Knob-head with no Knob category as vile Richard."}, {"response": 1158, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (13:49)", "body": "Help, I'm trying to close tags, never forgot before, what do I do. Sorry boss,v.distracted with this topic."}, {"response": 1159, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (14:09)", "body": "(Lora) Karen and Evelyn, I don't know where to look first between all the kissing and crotching protrusions! A case of Colin's \"Crotching Tiger, Hidden Dragon\"? Oh my! :)"}, {"response": 1160, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (15:10)", "body": "LOL.Good one, Lola."}, {"response": 1161, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (15:22)", "body": "(Kate) Heads up, Firthettes! Earnest may be coming to a theater nearer to you. I just checked Moviephone for times for tomorrow, and the list for tomorrow is longer Just saw a blurb on Yahoo's Entertainment headlines re: RW talking about learning her accent. The last line states TIOBE is opening Nationwide tomorrow!"}, {"response": 1162, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (17:07)", "body": "Karen, thanks for the memories. Nothing more pleasing to the eye. Great job! I like the wet shirt, the messed up hair, the gorgeous eyes, the chest, and especially Lizzy's expression when she sees his chest. Especially like expressions and eyes and hair after taking his bath. Nothing better!!! Have watched alot of old ones this week, MLSF, FP, AC, ATA and have come to the conclusion that from London, to Rossings, to Scotland there is no actor alive today who can run up a flight of stairs like Colin and look so good doing it. Just so beyond handsome in ATA, words can't express. Definitely needed tighter pants tho. Have exhausted CF movies from my local Blockbuster. They didn't have a very wide selection. Anyone know any other place that may have more? Thank you."}, {"response": 1163, "author": "Odile", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (17:33)", "body": "(Karen)The Dashwood family owns West Wycombe Park and some of their past history is fascinating. What would be fun is if Colin's character was a chip off the old block. ;-D Really, can you elaborate? I guess they named CF's character as a wink to them; what was the name in the older version? Great news Dorine about TIOBE. Maybe it will come to Alaska now: even our \"art house\" theaters (meaning two saloons which double as theaters on some nights) showed no sign of it at all for June or July). Grrr!"}, {"response": 1164, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (17:40)", "body": "(Bethan) Has anyone seen \"My father the hero\" starring Gerard Depardieu....Great little movie! I'm hoping that AG will have a touch of both Do I need to bring the voodoo doll back out?! ;-D That was a hideous movie (and I think it had a different name here). Of course, it may have something to do with the sick feeling that comes over me everytime I see that hulking mass on the screen, posing as a desirable person. Blech (Evelyn) You should have warned the Prude Brigade though;-) Mea culpa. I was remembering when the member of the Prude Brigade used to carry her mop and bucket in the Drool Corps proudly. ;-D (Moon) ...Yes, we have no bananas, we have no bananas today. And don't forget that little dance ;-) Just getting warmed up for tomorrow's encore performance, she says sneakily. (Evelyn) Yeah, 'cept when I give you a picture of a kiss...it fills up the screen. The Boss is a little stingy with the size of her images;-D Is that a dare? I can actually do bettah on the wedding pic but I don't know if this crowd can handle something that...ahem...large. (Linda) And therefore, thank heaven, ODB would not fall into the Knob-head with no Knob category as vile Richard. LOL! I am constantly amazed at how several of the ladies have that movie's dialogue memorized and can always get it to fit into our discussions. BTW, no need to apologize about not closing the tag, Linda, you didn't do it. It was Bethan, who no doubt was fanning herself so intently, while typing, that in her aroused state she missed the closing tag. ;-D (Lola) A case of Colin's \"Crotching Tiger, Hidden Dragon\"? Oh my! :) *snort* I doubt I'll be able to watch that first Today Show interview again without snickering. (Pam) have come to the conclusion that from London, to Rossings, to Scotland there is no actor alive today who can run up a flight of stairs like Colin and look so good doing it. Amen, sistah! And he probably does it in more movies than anyone else has had to do. It's become a trademark move. Ooof, must get some Kleenex."}, {"response": 1165, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (18:21)", "body": "(Lola)A case of Colin's \"Crotching Tiger, Hidden Dragon\"? Oh my! :) LOL, LOLA! And welcome aboard! You've definitely gotten your \"C\" legs ;-)!"}, {"response": 1166, "author": "airstream", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (18:59)", "body": "in the time that i have been sitting here reading these quite, um, stimulating posts, the ol' t.v. has had 2 TIOBE commercials.....not that i am a slow reader mind you....! It is interesting (subliminally) that \"banana\" has crept into the conversation. What is the old saying...? Size doesn't matter? Bring on the big pics Karen! ;^) BTW what was the article about the stuffing in P&P. :)"}, {"response": 1167, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (19:22)", "body": "(Lola) A case of Colin's \"Crotching Tiger, Hidden Dragon\"? Oh my! :) *snort* I doubt I'll be able to watch that first Today Show interview again without snickering. I was thinking that too! Very funny, Lola, you have that Firthette humour. :-) (Pam), there is no actor alive today who can run up a flight of stairs like Colin and look so good doing it. (Karen), And he probably does it in more movies than anyone else has had to do. It's become a trademark move. True. But if he only wore long socks. ;-) (Linda), thank heaven, ODB would not fall into the Knob-head with no Knob category as vile Richard. (Karen), LOL! I am constantly amazed at how several of the ladies have that movie's dialogue memorized and can always get it to fit into our discussions. And it is much appreciated. LOL, Linda! (Moon) ...Yes, we have no bananas, we have no bananas today. And don't forget that little dance ;-) (Karen), Just getting warmed up for tomorrow's encore performance, she says sneakily. You know me too well, dear Geoffrey. And, Italy passed to next round, so this girl is very happy. :-D"}, {"response": 1168, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (19:54)", "body": "Yes, just got back from screening #5. And here is my weekly theater report. Thursday, 6:45 show---PACKED, again. Lots of laughter. I noticed many people stayed in their seats for the credits-either that old word of mouth is working, or people are going back for multiple viewings. I really admired, for the first time, the impeccable work of the little Roman tailor. Kept my eyes peeled to the *ahem* screen. (Karen)Is that a dare? I can actually do bettah on the wedding pic but I don't know if this crowd can handle something that...ahem...large. We can handle it, boss, honest!"}, {"response": 1169, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (22:12)", "body": "Bring it on Karen. Remember ladies, size is in the eye of the beholder, and I am certainly beholden to be his beholder!!!!"}, {"response": 1170, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Thu, Jun 13, 2002 (22:24)", "body": "Yes, do, please. I think I can handle it. ;)"}, {"response": 1171, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (10:15)", "body": "Someone at the Tea Room posted this link to the BBC's Behind the Scenes of P&P page. I'm not sure if I've seen this before, but there are several video clips. Just a note, they've mixed up their clips. The one where they talk about Mr Darcy and Colin speaks is the link under the pic of Pemberley. http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/prideandprej.shtml"}, {"response": 1172, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (11:43)", "body": "I was reading an article on palmistry recently, and thought this may be of some interest to those of you fascinated by certain 'aspects' of ODB. \"If size is your priority, look for a man with large fingers compared to the size of his palm. The longer and fleshier they are, the more well-endowed he is!!\""}, {"response": 1173, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (15:36)", "body": "There's a transcript of the Angelika theater interview with CF on Meluchie's page. Was anyone here able to tape this one off the IFC? http://www.grin.net/~meluchie/articles/02angelica0603.html"}, {"response": 1174, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (17:20)", "body": "Thank you, Mari, I missed this one as IFC only airs for a few hours on Bravo here."}, {"response": 1175, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (17:52)", "body": "Thanks Mari and Meluchie for the Angelika transcript. CF Re: TIOBE\" I mean you don?t even have to be an actor. I think the caterers have done it, you know, at school.\" ROTF.The boss said that from the beginning.Let's hope all those people go to see it;-)"}, {"response": 1176, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (18:54)", "body": "(CF) These things go in cycles and I think this play probably has gone through a cycle of feeling rather fusty. And I think it\ufffds \ufffdit\ufffds\ufffdit\ufffds due for a bit of a renaissance. Leitmotif...fusty! I had no idea that by hanging out here I would be getting vocabulary lessons from CF as well! If he'd been one of my teachers at school...I don't think I would've learned very much ;-) Actually I did have one very attractive teacher in high school...couldn't tell you what he taught, but could describe every inch of his face! ;-D"}, {"response": 1177, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (18:59)", "body": "Hi Everyone, Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I have just spent one of the best afternoons I've ever had on the Darcydrool. What euphoria!!! I had to stop my eyes got so tired. Being new I'm just getting into all the different topics. What joy this is. Can't wait to get back and read more. But must say everything is a delight from the LOOK TO CFCFC, what a blast. But I must say the highlight so far is Rocky Horror P&P2. What an absolute delight and what a wonderful job. If any of you haven't seen it for a while, go back and give yourself a real treat. I myself can't pick a favorite Colin scene, I loved him in every scene he was in and found myself agreeing with everyone about their choices. Will have to narrow it down I guess. Anyway thank you so much everyone. This is a real joy. Looking forward to going through all of the topics."}, {"response": 1178, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (19:01)", "body": "Found this while lookin' around.... From Box Office Prophets.com Hope Springs Release Date: Fall 2002 (Ed. note: Imagine if you will, in this spot, a picture of Mark Darcy...Barrister Extraordinaire) An incredibly attractive and undeniably talented British actor who has kept to the periphery of American film productions, Colin Firth most recently captured the attention of the movie-going public as the swoon-worthy Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones' Diary. An actor who almost seems to specialize in literary adaptations, he has also appeared in the 1997 adaptation of Nick Hornby's novel Fever Pitch, the Academy Award\ufffd-winning film translation of Michael Ondaajte's The English Patient, and Oscar Wilde's popular play The Importance of Being Earnest. Possibly his most famous performance, though, is his BAFTA-nominated turn as Mr. Darcy in the BBC miniseries Pride and Prejudice, based on Jane Austen's wonderful novel first published in 1813. It seems only logical, then, that Firth's next role would be in another book-to-film adaptation, this one based on Charles Richard Webb's first novel in over two decades. Most famous for writing The Graduate, the author's recently published New Cardiff was adapted for the screen by director/writer Mark Herman (Little Voice), and recommended to Firth by his friend - you guessed it - Nick Hornby, who wrote High Fidelity and About a Boy, in addition to the aforementioned Fever Pitch. For its theatrical release, the movie will be renamed Hope Springs, and is a romantic comedy about a British artist named Colin (yes, Colin) whose fianc\ufffde (Minnie Driver) dumps him by sending him an invitation to her upcoming wedding\ufffdto someone else. Broken-hearted and despondent, he boards a plane for the United States and winds up in a tiny New England town called Hope. Though he is depressed, Colin soon finds an attractive shoulder to cry on when the innkeeper (Mary Steenburgen) introduces him to Mandy, a local nurse (Heather Graham). As he begins to find happiness again, his scheming ex-girlfriend shows up with reconciliation on her mind and a surprising story to tell. The movie was filmed in British Columbia, and promises to have some lush cinematography along with the potential for some very fine performances. Here's hoping the quality is there and we see Disney give it a nice push come awards time. (Kim Hollis/BOP)"}, {"response": 1179, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (22:02)", "body": "Yeah, the caterers line (from the Angelika interview) is new. Cute though. Thanks Mari for posting the link. (Pam) But I must say the highlight so far is Rocky Horror P&P2 We got a good start on a sequel to this on Spoilers for BJD as I recall. ;-D (BOP) An incredibly attractive and undeniably talented British actor who has kept to the periphery of American film productions I believe we have the 'diamond in the rough' strategy at work. I do like the focus of this critique though. It is all about Colin vs. the movie. Can't beat that. ;-D (BOP) Here's hoping the quality is there and we see Disney give it a nice push come awards time. *Gulping* Whatever is she talking about? GGs, maybe?? Thanks for the find, Dorine."}, {"response": 1180, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Jun 14, 2002 (23:44)", "body": "Hello, everybody! Yet another lurker comes out of the woodwork. I've been lurking here for a few weeks. I started at RoP, kept reading references to \"Drool\" in the archives, and finally managed to find a link in an archived discussion that brought me here. I regret not finding you a long time ago. After P&P2 first aired, I was the only person I knew who suffered from Darcymania or Firthmania. With no one to drool with about him, I'm lucky I didn't spontaneously combust! P&P has been my favorite book for ages - I've been in love with Mr. Darcy since I was about 13 - but CF as Darcy is far better than any of my girlish (or otherwise) daydreams. I've been reading some of the older topics here, which has been an entertaining way to get to know you a bit and to learn the acronyms, but finally I just couldn't stand it anymore and had to join the fray. I think finally getting my very own copy of the BJD DVD last weekend pushed me over the edge. I'm already getting good at skipping through the movie and stopping at just the right places, so as to see as little of DC, and as much of MD, as possible. Mmmmmmmm. I wanted to contribute a report on TIOBE in Richmond, Virginia. I live in the Washington, DC, area, but I was in Richmond earlier this week for a conference, so I decided to see the movie during my trip rather than dragging DH to it. I wound up seeing it both Monday and Tuesday evenings. 50-60 people attended each night (7:30 pm show), with a wide age range. The response seemed positive though not overwhelming. JD got the most laughs, but ODB got just as much as RE did (especially at the \"passionate celibacy\" line). There was a smattering of applause at the end on Monday. On Tuesday I sat in front of a group of women I hoped would turn out to be Firthettes, but no such luck... they seemed more familiar with Reese Witherspoon than anyone else in the cast."}, {"response": 1181, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sat, Jun 15, 2002 (00:00)", "body": "WELCOME TO RIKA, HOLA LOLA, FANPAM AND ALL OTHER RECENT DE-LURKERS Glad to see you have posted....Don't slide back into oblivion. From one who rarely has anything worthwhile to say, but can't keep her mouth shut, glad you're here. BTW, do you like FF??? Topic 159 and the Archives may have something that will tickle your fancy! :)))))"}, {"response": 1182, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jun 15, 2002 (08:35)", "body": "(Rika)After P&P2 first aired, I was the only person I knew who suffered from Darcymania or Firthmania I think we all felt like that after discovering the many pleasures of CF. Then you somehow find your way and land here at Spring. I often liken the experience to Dorothy landing in OZ. She thinks she's alone and then all the munchkins(Firthettes)begin popping out of their hiding places, crouching and giggling. I often think of CF that way too. Except I see him as having to be pushed down the yellow brick road to Emerald City (the land of movie roles.)"}, {"response": 1183, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jun 15, 2002 (08:37)", "body": "Oops,I almost forgot*crouching and giggling*: WELCOME RIKA!"}, {"response": 1184, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 15, 2002 (08:37)", "body": "Rika!! I know the feeling about not being able to merely read the Boards without wanting to jump into the fray. When I first found this place, many years ago, there was a technical glitch and no one was dealing with it. But did I ever hound them to get it fixed so that I could post! (Rika) I've been in love with Mr. Darcy since I was about 13 - but CF as Darcy is far better than any of my girlish (or otherwise) daydreams. Ain't that the truth. ;-D"}, {"response": 1185, "author": "airstream", "date": "Sat, Jun 15, 2002 (09:26)", "body": "I think it was awhile back that Dorine mentioned how posts from years ago seemed to fortell the future. I went back and read some of #97, and I have to admit the Valmont discussion seems to explain an awful lot about CF's choice of movie rolls (the whys vs the why nots). There are also v.interesting remarks made in reference to the \"location, location, location\" side of things that we have recently come to find ourselves intrigued by. ;) Is nothing new??!!!!!!! So, in honour of all you that have been with this for, oh, what is it now...5-6 years? I pay tribute with this: :-.)"}, {"response": 1186, "author": "airstream", "date": "Sat, Jun 15, 2002 (09:28)", "body": "BTW welcome all new delurkers! (sorry so late)"}, {"response": 1187, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 15, 2002 (09:30)", "body": "Hi Rika Glad you jumped right in to give us a report on TIOBE."}, {"response": 1188, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 15, 2002 (10:38)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1189, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sat, Jun 15, 2002 (11:13)", "body": "(lindak)Except I see him as having to be pushed down the yellow brick road to Emerald City (the land of movie roles.) I know what you mean, he can be a rather reluctant deb--oops! movie star. Saw TIOBE in NY yesterday. Rainy day, not a big audience, but they did laugh. It seems Judi Dench got more laughs than anyone. Now that TIOBE is in multiplexes, I'm hoping it may get more spontaneous viewers--people who do the \"what's at the movies?\" think often check the listings for the multis, not the little theaters. Karen, back during the time of the NY premiere at the Paris, didn't you say that BJD premiered in NY at the Ziegfeld because Miramax owns that one? I think it's now a Clearview (chain of multis in NY and 'burbs). Maybe that's why the premiere was at the Paris? BTW, I think ODB's answer to the tailor was \"left,\" based on the duet scene. the tailor would probably be disappointed, because the tailoring is supposed to allow for that, making it more difficult to discern. Will see TIOBE again this evening, with friends who taught English lit. Should lead to interesting discussions. I'll put my new observations on TIOBE on spoilers. Welcome, delurkers all!"}, {"response": 1190, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Sat, Jun 15, 2002 (15:04)", "body": "I'm spending money today. :) Amazon is showing that a Valmont DVD will be released on September 17. O frabjous day!"}, {"response": 1191, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Sat, Jun 15, 2002 (18:39)", "body": "For those looking to buy the Valmont DVD - it's cheaper at www.deepdiscountdvd.com and they offer free shipping and handling withing the continental US. Have not been able to find out any info on DVD extras for this one, but it is in widescreen format."}, {"response": 1192, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Sat, Jun 15, 2002 (18:40)", "body": "er... within not withing! Trying to type too fast... sorry."}, {"response": 1193, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Sat, Jun 15, 2002 (19:10)", "body": "Hmmmmm... only included \"extra\" seems to be the orginal movie trailer. You'd think they might get Colin to do a voiceover track, knowing that his newfound popularity is the reason they're releasing it on DVD in the first place..."}, {"response": 1194, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Jun 15, 2002 (21:20)", "body": "Welcome, Rika! I lurked for a long time, but finally had to break my silence. It's *much* more fun that way!:-) 50-60 people on a weeknight for TIOBE is great. (Linda)I often liken the experience to Dorothy landing in OZ. She thinks she's alone and then all the munchkins(Firthettes)begin popping out of their hiding places, crouching and giggling. Do you mean crotching and giggling?;-) I love this analogy, Linda! As for the Emerald City, it seems ODB has been compelled by circumstances to \"there's no place like home.\";-) If he only had the noyve . . .;-)"}, {"response": 1195, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Sun, Jun 16, 2002 (00:21)", "body": "I scoured both of today's Sydney papers for a mention of TIOBE premiere - no luck. There is an article on SMH online today, though. As expected, mostly about FO'C, and very little about TIOBE. For those of you who need the translation, \"hard yakka\" means \"hard work\"..."}, {"response": 1196, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jun 16, 2002 (05:37)", "body": "(Mari)Do you mean crotching and giggling?;-) Of course that's what I meant, but I really didn't mean it...it is Sunday,Mari, and I'm trying to be good today. I look at it this way you can crotch or crouch-whatever turns you on. Enough! I'm going to church."}, {"response": 1197, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Jun 16, 2002 (07:56)", "body": "Hi Everyone, Thank you for welcome, and welcome to all new delurkers! Question. I've watched FP several times this week and perhaps I'm seeing an edited version, but is the first time they are alone together the night of parents night when she says he can stay the night or did they have some out of school thing before that, and even my son wanted to know, how does he know she's pregnant? (unless he keeps a calendar of course) the only clue I could see was at the football match when she protects her stomach and he notices that. Are there any other clues I'm missing? Thanks. Love his character in that. Have spent all weekend watching him. Including my favorite Mr. Darcy. Love Valmont but can't stand that he dies. He wasn't so terribly bad, his counterpart was horrific, guess that means good acting job. It's like he was so despondent at the end, he just gave up. Loved MLSF especially last scene when he watches son. The smile and reactions amazing. Didn't like the wife. To me didn't seem a physical match. Good stuff. Have a couple more to watch today. Can't find a better way to enjoy myself."}, {"response": 1198, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jun 16, 2002 (08:19)", "body": "(FanPam)the only clue I could see was at the football match when she protects her stomach and he notices that. Are there any other clues I'm missing? No, you're not missing any clues. I was v.confused about that when I first watched FP. I recently bought the screen play, and there are several references to Paul noticing Sarah is protecting her stomach. Before that scene, (in the screen play-but not in the film) he notices that she is looking very ill and pale, and he asks her if she is ok. Then he watches as she protects her stomach. Later, in the same scene, after Arsenal scores,(according to the director's note)Sarah tries to look pleased, but she just looks scared. She is desperately trying to protect her stomach, once again Paul notices. Paul: are you ok? Sarah: Yeah fine. Then according to the screen play, Paul stares at her and she looks away and smiles. I liked the screen play because it gives all the directors notes and you understand what's going on a little better. It also notes the scenes that have been cut. I wish several of them had been left in they would have been fun to watch as well as help the understanding of certain situations."}, {"response": 1199, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 16, 2002 (08:24)", "body": "Great news about the Valmont DVD! And I can recommend deepdiscountdvd highly. Thanks Elizabeth and Jane. (Mari) If he only had the noyve . . .;-) But the yellow brick road isn't a Tube stop. ;-D Nice article about F'OC. It does show promise though, as Colin is her only co-star to be mentioned and/or quoted. (Pam) perhaps I'm seeing an edited version, but is the first time they are alone together the night of parents night when she says he can stay the night Yup. There's only one version of this one to my knowledge. the only clue I could see was at the football match when she protects her stomach and he notices that That was always my take on it, although there was considerable discussion about this point. The camera focuses in on her stomach and Paul asks if she's ok. The screenplay completely supports this viewpoint. At the beginning of this scene, there's the description: \"Sarah looks white and sick. Paul notices her distress.\" [at first you are supposed to think it is merely the crowd situation as she is supposed to be \"clutching at him, terrified of the crowd surges\"]. Then a bit later, it says: The crowd cascades down the terrace. Sarah tries to look pleased, but just looks scared; she is desperately trying to protect her stomach. Once again Paul notices. Paul: Are you OK? Sarah: Yeah, fine. Paul stares at her. She smiles and looks away. I intend to put the edited versions of the Spring Film Discussions back up on firth.com to make it easier to read than via the hard-to-load older topics."}, {"response": 1200, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 16, 2002 (08:26)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1201, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 16, 2002 (08:27)", "body": "LOL! As I was typing away (and seeing to my laundry), Linda was busily typing away the exact same material. Ahhhhh, great minds... Why aren't you doing laundry? ;-)"}, {"response": 1202, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jun 16, 2002 (10:49)", "body": "From Current Projects in the works according to Box Office.com \"AMERICAN GIRL IN LONDON\" A young Southern woman (Kate Hudson of \ufffdAlmost Famous\ufffd) travels to the U.K. where she has a fling with a man she learns is engaged to someone else. (Paramount) I guess one of the \"American Girl(s)\" will need to change the name to avoid confusion. Also, HAPPY FATHER'S DAY COLIN! (was unable to provide gift or fancy greeting as of yet due to poor computer skills....will diligently practice to be ready in time for your very special day coming up :-) )"}, {"response": 1203, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Jun 16, 2002 (11:09)", "body": "Thanks Karen and Linda. Clears up alot. I thought, as I would have been, she was terrified with the crowd. And for my son to question pregnancy clues, I'm all astonishment!! Did laundry yesterday while watching P&P changing loads on episode ends. It's been raining alot. Where can I find your write of your trips to 3DOR? It's referred to in DarcyDrool but don't know where to find it. Would love to see it. How does one go about getting scripts of the movies? Thanks."}, {"response": 1204, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 16, 2002 (11:47)", "body": "Have new article (a tongue-in-cheek interview of each by Colin and Rupert). Pics are all scanned, but must type up the article. Long. Later."}, {"response": 1205, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 16, 2002 (13:22)", "body": "OK, the article is up. Remember, you can't take one word of it seriously. There are some cute answers though. *snort* http://www.firth.com/articles/contents602.html There was one big full page studio (artsy) pic of Rupe, but I'll save it for Moon's next birthday party. ;-D (Pam) she was terrified with the crowd She would've been terrified regardless due to what went on in the stands. Where can I find your write of your trips to 3DOR? Go to the main Drool page but with an \"all\" designation. There you will see the old (full up) Colin topics. 3DOR played first in March 1999 and then again starting in November 1999-January 2000. Judging by the dates at the beginning of several topics, you should find everyone's accounts in Topics 116 and 118 for the first outing and then 123 for the second...although you cannot hold me to this. ;-D Happy reading."}, {"response": 1206, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Sun, Jun 16, 2002 (14:00)", "body": "HAW HAW HAW I would have loved to hear this. What a treat! Is he secure in his masculinity or what? Enough to out-do Queen Rupert, which is a pretty tall order. I for one would love to see them do a contemporary comedy that plays on this kind of interaction. I\ufffdve started dreaming about Harley Davidsons, Botox and Britney Spears. Must go and clean previously melted monitor now..."}, {"response": 1207, "author": "Odile", "date": "Sun, Jun 16, 2002 (14:08)", "body": "(Karen)you can't take one word of it seriously. Ok. Sigh. Then how about the shirt? I'm trying to figure out if it represents any fashion period whatsoever! :) ROTFL though with the Q&A. Great article!"}, {"response": 1208, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Sun, Jun 16, 2002 (14:27)", "body": "(Karen)There are some cute answers though. *snort* I'll see your *snort* and double it :-D Is Contents a US mag? Has anyone received the LA radio show interview in the mail? A friend got hers and it didn't include the CF interview. His name was even on the envelope. Heads will roll!!"}, {"response": 1209, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jun 16, 2002 (14:27)", "body": "(Karen)Why aren't you doing laundry? ;-) Uh, did it yesterday? (Karen)There was one big full page studio (artsy) pic of Rupe, but I'll save it for Moon's next birthday party. ;-D Fine, but how much longer do we have to wait for the wedding picture? I haven't forgotten about that. Do I have to beg? OK(on knees-hands folded as in prayer) PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE can we see it? Thank you. Great minds...,but mine has really been in the gutter this week. (FanPam)How does one go about getting scripts of the movies? I got mine(hope I can say it here)on e-bay."}, {"response": 1210, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Jun 16, 2002 (14:34)", "body": "First, thanks to everyone for the nice welcome messages. It's fun to be here! (Lisa) BTW, do you like FF??? Topic 159 and the Archives may have something that will tickle your fancy! :))))) I've read a bit of it, but still have lots of catching up to do. Great stuff - and I know you're one of our esteemed authors. (Pam) Where can I find your write of your trips to 3DOR? I see that Karen has directed you to the relevant topics. I've been slowly working my way through the archives and have read the account of the first production, but haven't gotten to the second yet. It sounded like a great time was had by all! Am holding my breath for some future appearance on stage in New York.... but I suppose there's little hope of that. (Karen) OK, the article is up. Thanks for the interview, Karen!! Loved DB's answers - he seemed to get much more into the spirit of it than did RE. However...... (Odile) Then how about the shirt? I'm trying to figure out if it represents any fashion period whatsoever! :) None I can recognize. Sigh....."}, {"response": 1211, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jun 16, 2002 (14:35)", "body": "(Linda) Fine, but how much longer do we have to wait for the wedding picture? I haven't forgotten about that. Do I have to beg? Ok, I'll bite....what is this infamous wedding pic? Should I be on knees begging also?"}, {"response": 1212, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 16, 2002 (15:31)", "body": "(Bryonny) Is Contents a US mag? Yes, technically, although I did think it was Canadian (only printed there). You may have to check the (ahem) \"men's culture\" section of the magazine racks for it. ;-D I posted two bulge pics. The first is generally known as the \"avenging angel\" and the second WAS the wedding pic (although I cropped the other three people out of it). All I said was that I could've posted a bigger picture of the second one but really, when you've seen one, you've seen them all. ;-D"}, {"response": 1213, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jun 16, 2002 (16:36)", "body": "There was one big full page studio (artsy) pic of Rupe, but I'll save it for Moon's next birthday party. ;-D Funny he should mention Miami. ;-) I have lots of comments, but I was not able to copy from the site, that function was enabled. (?) Colin did mention Britney Spears twice. ;-))))) I wonder if if Will likes her? His shirt looks like Bond St. material, not Italian. It matches the dress Livia wore to the RV premiere. I wonder if he was wearing thongs? ;-D Thanks, Karen!"}, {"response": 1214, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Sun, Jun 16, 2002 (17:09)", "body": "Karen, does the Contents mag have Rachel Weisz on the cover?"}, {"response": 1215, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun 16, 2002 (17:29)", "body": "(Rika)Am holding my breath for some future appearance on stage in New York.... but I suppose there's little hope of that. Broadway???? Fuhgeddaboudit. (Odile)Ok. Sigh. Then how about the shirt? I'm trying to figure out if it represents any fashion period whatsoever! :) (Moon) His shirt looks like Bond St. material, not Italian. Socialists don't shop on Bond street;-) Oxfam,more like it..... odd bins. V. cute interview. *clap. clap* to Contents magazine for coming through with an unusual interview format.These guys must get tired of the same questions...of course they get well paid for that. But it spared us the trauma of \"being an 'outsider' in St. Louis\".... again;-) Wonder how come they both picked on HG?"}, {"response": 1216, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jun 16, 2002 (17:47)", "body": "(Karen)All I said was that I could've posted a bigger picture of the second one. Yeah,Yeah Coulda, woulda, shoulda! (Karen)when you've seen one, you've seen them all. ;-D Maybe of your average Joe, but not when it comes to ODB!;D Thank you for the article, Karen v.enjoyable"}, {"response": 1217, "author": "kasey", "date": "Sun, Jun 16, 2002 (18:13)", "body": "As with all of the other recent de-lurkers I am diligently working my way through the old topics (fascinating stuff there), the wonderful fan fiction, while simultaneously trying to keep up with the current posts. Just hit the link to the article Karen postd and was transfixed by the picture. Although I couldn't see his entire hand am I wrong in thinking that his fingers appear somewhat large?? Perhaps \"longer and fleshier\" than most??"}, {"response": 1218, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sun, Jun 16, 2002 (21:02)", "body": "Wonderful article, excellent pics. Hang on, let me get a paper towel and wipe up the puddle of drool here...ok! The Shirt??? The Shirt??? Bond St, Oxfam odds bins, Italian??? Wait, let me get my shades! It certainly doesn't represent any fashion era I recall. Maybe he's trying to set a new trend? Or look thinner? It was probably an upgrade! ;) **Applause** for someone seeing to the hair. Now, doesn't he look nice? Yes, his shoes have been noticably left out of the pics. Karen, maybe we should have a fashion parade of ODB and his shoes, a la Livia and the powder blue monsters! And, along those lines Karen, I do think we are owed a more in depth pictorial on crotchtology...after all some of us have not done out thesis yet!"}, {"response": 1219, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jun 16, 2002 (21:37)", "body": "(Evelyn), Socialists don't shop on Bond street;-) Oxfam,more like it..... odd bins. (Lisa), It was probably an upgrade! ;) That crossed my mind. **Applause** for someone seeing to the hair. Now, doesn't he look nice? I agree, Lisa. (CF on HG), Any honest answers to this question would be far too revealing. LOL! You think he's an idiot, don't you? (CF), I'll still be acting-if anyone is still asking and the implants and transplants allow. Ha! Subtle hints we are not suppose to believe. What is your best memory of making The Importance of Being Earnest? (CF),Dabbling with homosexuality. So are you saying you and Rupie did the cha-cha? (This one flew right over my head) He's trying too hard here. Would you ever consider cosmetic surgery. If so, what? (RE), Yes, I would consider cosmetic surgery-perhaps a penis reduction. LOL! Best answer, hands down. ;-) (RE), I'm not jealous of High Grant, Is that a hint? ;-)"}, {"response": 1220, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jun 16, 2002 (22:00)", "body": "(Kathy C)Although I couldn't see his entire hand am I wrong in thinking that his fingers appear somewhat large?? Perhaps \"longer and fleshier\" than most?? A belated welcome, Kathy. Yes, I noticed those fingers. Yes, you will fit in rather nicely here. I cannot take another week of this. Give me a break, NJ is in the middle of a drought. Showers need to be kept to a minimum- v.cold water must be conserved! (RE), Yes, I would consider cosmetic surgery-perhaps a penis reduction. I'm sure glad it was Rupe who said this. Great comment in light of the posts of the last few days. Makes me wonder just who might have been lurking here last week."}, {"response": 1221, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 16, 2002 (22:49)", "body": "(Rika) Am holding my breath for some future appearance on stage in New York.... but I suppose there's little hope of that. Exhale, dear. He's in dough mode. (Bryonny) does the Contents mag have Rachel Weisz on the cover? No, Hayden Star Wars is on it. (Lisa) The Shirt??? The Shirt??? Bond St, Oxfam odds bins, Italian??? Wait, let me get my shades! It certainly doesn't represent any fashion era I recall. What, you've never seen the tacky country club set? I'm betting he had on red Bermudas to go with that shirt. ;-D (short socks too with sandals) maybe we should have a fashion parade of ODB and his shoes I'll work on that for a future seminar in microfocusing. Crotchology is strictly post-graduate work. (Moon) He's trying too hard here. I thought Colin's answers were great, especially those last two. As Elizabeth said earlier (I think), here's a guy who is secure in his own masculinity. I can just see those comments taken out of context and printed somewhere. I wonder if the Britney Spears mentions came about because of the laughs HG got on the VH1 special last year, when asked who his favorite artist was. It is so ludicrous, but she is the type of nubile babette that could appeal to older, cradle-robbing men. Lots of dreams. Lots of fantasies out there."}, {"response": 1222, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (00:11)", "body": "(Karen) I can just see those comments taken out of context and printed somewhere My thoughts as well! I can see it now in the rag mags.... COLIN FIRTH IN MIDLIFE CRISIS! COMES OUT OF THE CLOSET AND PINES FOR BRITNEY SPEARS! ;-D Wasn't too sure about that shirt either...but it was unbuttoned nicely (although a few more open ones wouldn't hurt)."}, {"response": 1223, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (00:21)", "body": "(Karen) I wonder if the Britney Spears mentions came about because of the laughs HG got on the VH1 special last year, when asked who his favorite artist was. It is so ludicrous, but she is the type of nubile babette that could appeal to older, cradle-robbing men. Lots of dreams. Lots of fantasies out there. Actually I wish he had picked some other nubile babette (I certainly don't begrudge him his fantasies...works well for us)...but she irritates the crap out of me with her hypocrisy. If she really had all the sexual purity and morals she claims to, I don't think she could pull of the stripper routines and outfits. She's not that talented (although I actually do like some of her songs). :-/"}, {"response": 1224, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (00:25)", "body": "*jumping off soapbox* Thanks for the article Karen! Very cute! (both ODB and the article) And welcome de-lurkers!!"}, {"response": 1225, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (07:05)", "body": "Karen, thanks for the article. Very funny. Then how about the shirt? It reminds me very much of a payjamas top my DH used to have(about 20 years ago) ;)"}, {"response": 1226, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (08:35)", "body": "Picked Box Office #'s up this morning...Wonder if they feel the ads were helpful or not...I think it seems to be holding up pretty well considering the timing of release. It's already made more than Enigma and that has been out twice as long. (TW)16 (LW)13 (Title) Earnest (Studio)Miramax (Wknd Gross)$615,000 (%chng)-2% (Theater Count/change)180/+33 (Avg/screen) $3,416 (Total Gross) $3,364,000 (Week #) 4"}, {"response": 1227, "author": "dalec", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (09:50)", "body": "great article, thanks Karen. i was wondering the same thing, what kind of pants and footwear did he wear with that shirt. better Britney Spears than Christina Aguiliura(sp?)"}, {"response": 1228, "author": "airstream", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (10:25)", "body": "Thanks for the article Karen! v.v.funny. He does look very thin in the pics--yes? (Linda) maybe of your average Joe... oh! Linda, no one has commented on your insightful words....do you know something that we do not! haha :P"}, {"response": 1229, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (10:28)", "body": "Thanks for the box office update, Dorine. Miramucks must be satisfied, because they are expanding Earnest to 250 theaters June 28 according to hollywood.com Contents article is a riot; thanks, Karen. I'm not jealous of High Grant, (Moon)Is that a hint? ;-) The \"high\" part? I'd heard that about him; guess it explains why he can't shut up.;-) Actually, I'm ok with the striped shirt. Most men would look ridiculous in it, but once again, CF pulls it off. Hair looks great, a lot lighter and somewhat longer than we saw on the recent interviews. Wonder when these pics were taken."}, {"response": 1230, "author": "maryw", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (11:49)", "body": "Karen - thanks for putting up the interview. We have very clever gentlem*men*. Too funny. As I'm so happy to have finally learned how to link images, here's another one - especially dedicated to ODB... Image courtesy of Yahoo greetings."}, {"response": 1231, "author": "maryw", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (11:54)", "body": "Britney's lips..."}, {"response": 1232, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (12:53)", "body": "Karen, thanks for the article. V. amusing. But that shirt! Yikes! Oxfam, definitely. Must go rewatch the pond scene from P&P. Like that shirt MUCH better, wet or dry."}, {"response": 1233, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (13:12)", "body": "Funny how quickly this board starts to creep into one's psyche. I watched RV for the first time last night (ODB was absolutely gorgeous and also very funny, but I need to watch it again to evaluate the rest of the film). At one point, Peter sat in a chair and crossed one leg over the other, and all I could think was, \"Ooh, a chance to check the length of his socks!\" (Moon Dreams) I wonder if he was wearing thongs? ;-D I initially misread your question (I missed the plural on \"thongs\"). Have been carrying around a MOST distracting mental image ever since. ;-D I suspect my mis-reading was influenced by the ongoing Crotchology discussion."}, {"response": 1234, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (13:26)", "body": "(Rika)At one point, Peter sat in a chair and crossed one leg over the other, and all I could think was, \"Ooh, a chance to check the length of his socks!\" LOL. Probably short.They were short in BJD; could see leg (gasp!) when he went up the stares in the \"just as you are scene...\" I sorta like the shirt.....looks like JC Penny's ; v. preppy.Awning pattern popular this year. Or maybe...in mode of reindeer jumper...\"something my mother gave me\";-)"}, {"response": 1235, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (13:28)", "body": "(Mari) Miramucks must be satisfied, because they are expanding Earnest to 250 theaters Why not? The numbers were very good or at least when you put the proper spin on them. Pulling from my old background, I'd the cast the numbers in the light of \"they held their own against the new releases.\" Even though the number of theaters went up 33%, the gross only went down 2%. That's not bad, when you consider the second week numbers of bigger films often go down 30%-40%. Then you factor in the three big movies to hit the screens this weekend and you've accounted for the slip in the rankings. Is simple. (Kate) But that shirt! Yikes! Oxfam, definitely. I think Nita hit this one on the head. Pajamas from 20 yrs ago. ;-D But if he has to go the pajamas route, I much prefer the ones from that People Most Be-yew-ti-ful shoot last year. (Rika) I watched RV for the first time last night...and all I could think was, \"Ooh, a chance to check the length of his socks!\" Have been carrying around a MOST distracting mental image ever since. ;-D LOL! Your psyche is severely and irreparably damaged I'm afraid. Maybe we should be a warning up. ;-D"}, {"response": 1236, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (13:29)", "body": "(Karen)I'm betting he had on red Bermudas to go with that shirt. ;-D (short socks too with sandals) Oh no, he just can't be the dreaded socks with sandals type of guy. Lets not even think about that. (Karen)Crotchology is strictly post-graduate work. We're having summer courses I hope. What time is class? Or are we going the correspondence route? (Amy)oh! Linda, no one has commented on your insightful words....do you know something that we do not! haha :P In my dreams, Amy, in my dreams. Thank you for thinking my words are insightful, if the outside world only knew... (Rika)(I missed the plural on \"thongs\") .LOL Rika, so did I-initially that is. Just goes to show you where our thoughts are."}, {"response": 1237, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (13:53)", "body": "We're having summer courses I hope. What time is class? Or are we going the correspondence route? Here it's done by Osmosis, Linda, you'll see. ;-) Oh no, he just can't be the dreaded socks with sandals type of guy. Lets not even think about that. Dreadful isn't it? (Rika) I watched RV for the first time last night...and all I could think was, \"Ooh, a chance to check the length of his socks!\" You're an official Firthette now. ;-D"}, {"response": 1238, "author": "Odile", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (14:15)", "body": "Then how about the shirt? It reminds me very much of a payjamas top my DH used to have(about 20 years ago) ;) Nita, have you had a garage sale recently? :)"}, {"response": 1239, "author": "Odile", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (14:16)", "body": "closing tags"}, {"response": 1240, "author": "treseg", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (14:39)", "body": "i personally like the shirt fine, but then again if my hubby didn't keep me anchored in the normal world who knows what crazy concoction of clothes i would be running around in, especially after going through a fine arts program i'm really bummed that my misreading has been pointed out since i too didn't see that (s) in thongs, of course it makes more sense that way but i would much rather be disillusioned all i can say about britney is that if you want to sing and dance that is fine, but if i'm going to pay for your crap then you'd better be able to do both at the same time, so you'll never get any of my money honey i'm going to have to take the britney comment as a complete joke colin! that being said i thought the article was a riot :)"}, {"response": 1241, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (15:53)", "body": "Am groaning!! Groaning!! I've just seen the Angelika piece and it don't get any better than that (except maybe in person). Colin is bathed in this golden light and he's wearing a round-necked black pullover (as was in the People pic) with khaki slacks (shoes/socks not in frame). Hair was nicely done. Oh lordy! The best he's looked on any of these TV shows. In case you don't recall, here's the People pic:"}, {"response": 1242, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (16:28)", "body": "(Linda) Oh no, he just can't be the dreaded socks with sandals type of guy. Lets not even think about that. You know, I used to have an aversion to the sandals/socks ensemble after growing up in the Sunshine State looking at way too many elderly, beach-going out-of-towners in said fashion. Living near Seattle for a while changed my perspective...seemed very Bohemian in more youngish people (many of whom favored Birkenstocks as well). (Trese) all i can say about britney is that if you want to sing and dance that is fine, but if i'm going to pay for your crap then you'd better be able to do both at the same time Oh, yeah...I forgot, that's another thing about her that ticks me off, too. (Karen)Am groaning!! Groaning!! I've just seen the Angelika piece and it don't get any better than that (except maybe in person). Oh lordy! The best he's looked on any of these TV shows. Arrgh! I think this and the BWTA interview that I didn't see and I understand he looked best in them both. Gah! But then I guess I have no reason to really complain, do I. ;-D"}, {"response": 1243, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (16:30)", "body": "(Dorine) I think this and the BWTA interview that I didn't see and I understand he looked best in them both Ok, let's try this one again.... I think this and the BWTA interview are the only ones I didn't see.... Guess I was flustered for a sec ;-)"}, {"response": 1244, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (16:52)", "body": "Hi All, What a way to spend the day! Really must get some work done, Hey for anyone who's interested, I just got my LOST EMPIRES DVD in the mail today! I have never seen it, and wanted to wait for the DVD. Any suggestions on what to watch for???"}, {"response": 1245, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (17:26)", "body": "(Dorine)But then I guess I have no reason to really complain, do I. ;-D NO,you don't. I missed this interview since we don't get IFC and now, thanks to Karen, I will be fretting about it..thanks, Karen;D (Sandiclaus)Any suggestions on what to watch for??? I loved this-have watched it through twice. I watched both times simply for drool effect. I haven't watched it yet to take it apart. Love him in this. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------"}, {"response": 1246, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (17:31)", "body": "(Rika)I suspect my mis-reading was influenced by the ongoing Crotchology discussion. LOL, Rika, I was thinking in that area too...or maybe we've also been influenced by the VH1 discussion between Rupie and Colin about what materials CF's underwear is made out of when he is working...i.e. lace jock strap? ;-) We are all under the \"all things Firth\" influence around here, Rika! Welcome! Karen, thanks for the Contents article... v.v. funny. He and Rupie make a good comedy team. But the shirt has to go. Do you think DW got a matching dress for her and shirt for him from one of those catalogues? (Since Karen mentioned that it looked like her dress from a TIOBE party or such?)"}, {"response": 1247, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (17:45)", "body": "Can anyone tell me what the title of the Angelika piece was? I see that you can watch some of the Angelika spots online. I probably missed it, but I would like to keep checking in case it's repeated.--Thanks."}, {"response": 1248, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (18:01)", "body": "(Lora) Since Karen mentioned that it looked like her dress from a TIOBE party or such? Uh uh, not I. It was your partner in crime who mentioned it might have gone with DW's dress for the RV premiere, but I disagree. Stripes on that went horizontally. The program is called \"At the Angelika\" and is broadcast on the IFC channel. Bravo doesn't pick that up for its IFC Fridays."}, {"response": 1249, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (18:08)", "body": "What to watch for in Lost Empires? Let's see, there's lots of kissing. Richard is after the girls, and they are after him. We get to see Colin bicycling around on stage, in makeup, running around backstage (classic chasing--are there stairs???). It's a nice piece of nostalgia and Colin is in nearly all of it. I found it difficult to fastforward through the music hall numbers because they'd cut back to a reaction shot with Colin."}, {"response": 1250, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (19:03)", "body": "This discussion is too much fun to stay out of. I missed the plural on \"thongs\" I didn't, but I'm glad you all did, now I can share in the image. I suspect my mis-reading was influenced by the ongoing Crotchology discussion. Not to harp on this topic or anything, ;)....Karen, I feel this may go by the wayside unless there are visuals to stimulate more discussion! CF's underwear Now, There's a topic worth getting a degree in!!!!!!! he just can't be the dreaded socks with sandals type of guy But, let's not go there, shall we???? I never saw the People pic, thanks for posting it Karen. And yes, the hair is nicely done! But what a hunky guy he is! On another note, I'm looking at the fingers and while they are most certainly long, they are a little on the lean side. OK, for all you experts out there, just what does that mean? Lastly, Karen I had not peeked into the Bucket for a little while and was most impressed with your new scroll down of all CF's films. It look tres bien!!!!!!"}, {"response": 1251, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (19:03)", "body": "I would not put too much on Colin's comment's about Britney Spears. His tongue was firmly in cheek about that one. Besides most know it's really Britney and Hugh Grant you need to watch out for. (oops, that I say that?) :)"}, {"response": 1252, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (19:06)", "body": "Obviously I can't type either :( That should have read---\"(oops, did I say that?)\" Time to go back to my lurkhole."}, {"response": 1253, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (19:15)", "body": "(Karen)Uh uh, not I. It was your partner in crime who mentioned it might have gone with DW's dress for the RV premiere, but I disagree. Stripes on that went horizontally. Oops, posts are flying so fast and are so frothy with under and over garments it's hard to attribute what to whom. Sorry, Moon, should have realized that possible fashion similarities would be your department :-)!"}, {"response": 1254, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (19:18)", "body": "(Lisa)Karen, I feel this may go by the wayside unless there are visuals to stimulate more discussion! Correct!, what good is a post-grad course without visuals? Osmosis or no osmosis. After all, how do you expect us to become Dotoressas in this area?(Moon, please help with the spelling)"}, {"response": 1255, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (19:27)", "body": "\"In deference....\";-) I doubt the boss will post it....but here it is on the JE website which is Geocities and the slugs don't allow transfer of images: http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/Alley/4820/pride_p/pride1.jpg"}, {"response": 1256, "author": "kasey", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (19:29)", "body": "I'm ready to sign up for the post-grad courses right now but I'm with Linda... let's get those visuals!! Funny, back in grade school the last thing I wanted to do in the summer was go to school. How things can change. Couldn't be the subject matter could it?"}, {"response": 1257, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (19:59)", "body": "It was your partner in crime who mentioned it might have gone with DW's dress for the RV premiere, but I disagree. Stripes on that went horizontally. Did you hear that Lora? We are partners in crime! Good thing you DH is a lawyer. ;-) Karen, it would be a perfect match up to have her dress in horizontal stripes and his shirt in vertical ones. (Linda), what good is a post-grad course without visuals? Osmosis or no osmosis. After all, how do you expect us to become Dotoressas in this area?(Moon, please help with the spelling) It would be Dottoresse. In Italian we don't add an \"s\" for plural, the ending vowel changes. These things you don't learn by osmosis, but when it comes to ODB, Mr. Darcy goes a long way. ;-D (Lola), I would not put too much on Colin's comment's about Britney Spears. His tongue was firmly in cheek about that one. Besides most know it's really Britney and Hugh Grant you need to watch out for. That's interesting. Is it her so-called \"virgin\" thing he's attracted too? ;-) I hope nobody here took him seriously about Britney."}, {"response": 1258, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (20:10)", "body": "LOL, no I didn't take him seriously about Britney. Frankly, though, I'm very interested in the Tyrone Power comment.;-) Oh, and the dabbling.;-)"}, {"response": 1259, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (20:17)", "body": "I cannot believe it. I left here to ah-lets just say I left to go read other topics I haven't visited yet. I needed a break-ok. So what do I do? Wander on to topic 68-Darcy Drool from 1997-the first dozen posts discuss whether or not Darcy dressed to the left or right! The discussions were all over the place-left, right and we even had a middle-oye! Five years later, and look how far we've come."}, {"response": 1260, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (21:56)", "body": "(Linda) So what do I do? Wander on to topic 68-Darcy Drool from 1997-the first dozen posts discuss whether or not Darcy dressed to the left or right! The discussions were all over the place-left, right and we even had a middle-oye! Five years later, and look how far we've come. LOL! I was checking that out over the weekend, too, and became too distracted by thongs and research into whether financial aid will cover the crotchology course, that I forgot to mention it. ;-)"}, {"response": 1261, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (22:30)", "body": "(Linda) Five years later, and look how far we've come. We've come very far. We now have the DVD, which has a zoom function. (Mari) Frankly, though, I'm very interested in the Tyrone Power comment.;-) Me too. Moon and I were talking about that. Tyrone was very handsome, but I didn't recall there being any rumors about him. Hmmmm Have you filled out the 20-page form for financial aid yet, Dorine? If anybody wants the wedding picture, showing both couples, as a screensaver, email me at the office (nomdedrool); it's 359K."}, {"response": 1262, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (22:43)", "body": "\"In deference....\";-) Oooof! I just caught that. LOL! And Linda, there was a \"both sides\" for Bingley. Did you miss that one? ;-D"}, {"response": 1263, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (23:18)", "body": "Tyrone was very handsome, but I didn't recall there being any rumors about him. More than just rumors, I've been assured elsewhere . . ."}, {"response": 1264, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (23:22)", "body": "(Karen) We've come very far. We now have the DVD, which has a zoom function. ROTFL! DH is going to be out of town Wednesday - I think I have a date with my P&P2 DVD! But it sounds like I should acquaint myself with the Darcy drool topic first. I have a newbie question. Where would be the appropriate place to discuss NC (the novel)? I'm guessing 126 or 158, since it's related to a CF film, but I wasn't sure."}, {"response": 1265, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (23:23)", "body": "(Moon)Is it her so-called \"virgin\" thing he's attracted too? ;-) No, apparently, it's her \"specialness.\";-) Just call me Rona Barrett . . . Broken-Hearted Britney Eyes 'Cute' Hugh Grant Mon Jun 17, 7:28 PM ET LONDON (Reuters) - Broken-hearted pop princess Britney Spears, still hurting after her split from NSYNC ( news - web sites) star Justin Timberlake, has admitted a fondness for British actor Hugh Grant, a London newspaper reported Monday. \"I'm still hurting. It is a strange feeling getting used to being single again but I suppose I'll have to,\" the 20-year-old singer was quoted as saying by The Sun tabloid, before adding \"Hugh Grant is so cute.\" Squeaky-clean Spears describes herself in her latest single as \"not a girl, not yet a woman,\" while the worldly 41-year Englishman hit headlines in a 1995 scandal involving a Los Angeles prostitute. But the singer's admiration for Grant is apparently mutual. He was quoted recently as saying Spears was \"special\" and he would opt for a date with her over pop superstar Madonna. Spears told the paper she had not dated anyone since her five-year relationship with Timberlake ended in February. \"I am the type of person who can't go from a serious relationship and then just start dating someone else straight away,\" she said. The duo blamed the rift on conflicting tour schedules, but media reports said Timberlake was unhappy about repeated marriage demands from the religious Britney. By contrast, Hugh Grant has taken a more casual approach to relationships since his 2000 split with actress Liz Hurley. At the recent Cannes Film festival ( news - web sites) the floppy-haired heartthrob said he was keen on Sandra Bullock, his sexy co-star in \"Two Weeks Notice,\" but that it was \"just a sex thing.\" Grant was arrested in 1995 by Los Angeles police after they found him engaged in a \"lewd act\" with a prostitute."}, {"response": 1266, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (23:28)", "body": "Are those financial aid pages available on line, or what???? Mmmm, crotchology....my favorite subject right now. Sorry----this Louisiana girl, who has moved to the blue grass state (Kentucky), has had too much bourbon right now... To change the subject--just received my latest edition of In Style magazine, with Britney on the cover, no less, slobbering over HG (ewwwww): \"Hugh Grant is so cute! she says, \"I think he's the hottest thing in the world. Hello!\". Am so ashamed, being originally from LA, that she would say such things..."}, {"response": 1267, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 17, 2002 (23:50)", "body": "(Rika) Where would be the appropriate place to discuss NC (the novel)? I'm guessing 126 or 158 Let's see, where did we talk about the book before, when we first learned he was going to do this project? Probably here."}, {"response": 1268, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jun 18, 2002 (07:01)", "body": "Broken-Hearted Britney Eyes 'Cute' Hugh Grant I thought she was hot for Prince William. (Karen) Have you filled out the 20-page form for financial aid yet, Dorine? Slogging through. ;-) And then on top of that!....I have to come up with a thesis!"}, {"response": 1269, "author": "dalec", "date": "Tue, Jun 18, 2002 (09:12)", "body": "(Dorine)Broken-Hearted Britney Eyes 'Cute' Hugh Grant I thought she was hot for Prince William. ahh... girls like Britney change fav hotties like toilet paper you know. i was just thinking, can you imagine Colin taking his son to see a Britney concert. nah... Karen, will you be making stills of the Angelika interview? i also watched RV again this past weekend. when he crossed his legs i was actually thinking about something else other then socks. with all the talk about left or right, that instantly crossed my mind when he crossed his legs. must get head out of gutter."}, {"response": 1270, "author": "audiogirl", "date": "Tue, Jun 18, 2002 (10:29)", "body": "Karen, Im reading NC right now. So far it's pretty quirky. i'm wondering about the motel scene where Mandy starts to undress. Maybe we'll see some \"action\" in this one. It's hard for me to imagine that one. Anyone else reading NC?"}, {"response": 1271, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Tue, Jun 18, 2002 (11:29)", "body": "Hi There, According to my IFC digital channel guide, it looks like \"at the angelika\" might be on again in about an hour? Maybe I will get lucky and finally see this one, I got to see the last 10 seconds by mistake thursday, oh the injustice of it all! I thought NC was a nice quick read, and it will be interesting to see how they make it into film. Interesting most of all, will be the \"action\" scenes hey??"}, {"response": 1272, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun 18, 2002 (12:06)", "body": "We did discuss NC last year. At this pount we have to wait and see what changes they made with the script. We all look forward to that towel scene in the Motel too, but you never know. So Britney is trying to get HG to call her? How pathetic!"}, {"response": 1273, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Tue, Jun 18, 2002 (12:48)", "body": "Well it seems my luck has changed! Karen, you are correct he does look delicious at the Angelika. Very comfortable and Drool-worthy!!"}, {"response": 1274, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jun 18, 2002 (13:03)", "body": "(audiogirl)Anyone else reading NC? I just finished it. Hope there are lots of action scenes. (Moon)We all look forward to that towel scene in the Motel too, but you never know. They better leave that scene in-especially since it looks like we're going to wait forever for the one in TEoR. You know how they have to get three actors to coordinate three schedules...blah,blah,blah! I wonder if you have to worry about dressing to the left or right when wearing a towel-maybe this is where the middle comes in. We'll just have to wait and see. (Dorine)I have to come up with a thesis! I think we should work together on this. Maybe we can get a discount. (dalec)must get head out of gutter Why? I think the gutter has been rather fun, and crowded this week. Hugh and Britney? Makes me feel the same way the short socks and sandals imagery did- v.nauseated"}, {"response": 1275, "author": "maryw", "date": "Tue, Jun 18, 2002 (13:09)", "body": "Flashback to BJD feature on VH1 After admitting that he has no music in his life, the other cast members urge HG to reveal his music fave... HG (ed note: in jest, I thought) : Britney RZ : Yeah, you do go with Britney, don't you? HG : (almost in background as others start talking over him) : Yeah, I wish... Could the signals have been sent out/picked up then?"}, {"response": 1276, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jun 18, 2002 (13:24)", "body": "(dalec)Karen, will you be making stills of the Angelika interview? Is that a possibility, boss? Looks like poor old me won't be able to ever see this-*sob, sniff, sob*"}, {"response": 1277, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun 18, 2002 (15:27)", "body": "the Angelika interview Thanks to the heads up here today, I saw it! He does look good. But I thought he looked better for VH1."}, {"response": 1278, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jun 18, 2002 (18:47)", "body": "OK, I got to see it....some observations: -- He definitely looked v. good, but I like him better in buttoned shirts (or unbuttoned as the case may be). I think shirts without collars emphasize how long his neck is. Not unattractive, just not as attractive to me. -- I am all astonishment at the people in the background, esp the one off his right shoulder sitting with her back to him. Her back! Did they give stage directions to people in the background? What woman in her right mind would sit with her back to him? Maybe her orientation didn't run that way. It's a mystery to me. And the people going about their way in the background...they must have been extras, too, because what could possibly take precedence over a CF interview in their midst. I would have to find a spot off to the side to be a voyeur. -- Those close-ups were making me kinda dizzy with the MTV shots. -- Loved the way he pronounced renaissance. -- Watching the movie clips, I was again completely entranced with how great his hair looked. Besotted, really. ;-D"}, {"response": 1279, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jun 18, 2002 (18:49)", "body": "Sandi, thanks for the heads up today for the show!"}, {"response": 1280, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Jun 18, 2002 (19:37)", "body": "Hi Everyone, Thanks for the Q & A interview. Very cute. Please forgive my ignorance but what is NC? Britany would never be the same after a date with Mr. Grant. I don't feel he's THAT religious. But in reality would Ms. Bullock stand for that? I love CF in button-downs too. Sexier than T-s."}, {"response": 1281, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jun 18, 2002 (21:23)", "body": "(FanPam)Please forgive my ignorance but what is NC? NC is the title of the book (New Cardiff) that Colin's next film is based on(HS). They changed the title-why? I don't know."}, {"response": 1282, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jun 18, 2002 (21:24)", "body": "closing tags"}, {"response": 1283, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Jun 19, 2002 (00:23)", "body": "(Audiogirl) i'm wondering about the motel scene where Mandy starts to undress. That scene must have been filmed in some form, since CF mentioned it in an interview. I wonder how far it'll actually go. Colin (Ware) definitely followed Mandy's lead - that's how she found out that he forgot to bring any underwear with him to America (which later led to Vera's line about zippers and private parts). It was a sweet and funny novel, I enjoyed reading it, and I can absolutely see DB in the role, but it didn't seem like the story had enough depth or breadth to make a memorable film. Plus, it doesn't help that Charles Webb is basically a recluse and refused to do any interviews or other promotion when the book came out. It must not have been widely read (except by Firthettes), or they wouldn't have changed the title of the film. Oh, and Karen, great job on the web page for the film! I love the book's cover image with CF's face attached! Anybody else rooting for a strong breeze to come along and blow the leaf away? :-D"}, {"response": 1284, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 19, 2002 (10:15)", "body": "I've put up (and linked all over the place) a new webpage at The Bucket called The Marketplace (or should it be called The Bucket Boutique???), where there are direct links for all of Colin's tapes, DVD, related books, etc. (plus related items) to purchase from Amazon. Using these links, Spring will earn some money. If there are other items you'd like added or would like me to create the direct link for you, just let me know. Now, start shopping!! ;-D"}, {"response": 1285, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 19, 2002 (13:47)", "body": "The Bucket Boutique???) Yes. It's less common than the Marketplace."}, {"response": 1286, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jun 19, 2002 (13:49)", "body": "I like the Bucket Boutique too. Just ordered SIL DVD.-thanks Karen for this one-stop shopping."}, {"response": 1287, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 19, 2002 (15:14)", "body": "(Moon) It's less common than the Marketplace. And we don't like being considered common, do we? ;-) Thanks ladies for the input. I'll change it."}, {"response": 1288, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 19, 2002 (15:33)", "body": "Thanks Karen. I clicked on Amazon via Spring and got: /ASIN/B00005A1TT/spring-20/automatically. So Spring did get credit for my non- Firth book order. Cool.Will tell relatives."}, {"response": 1289, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 19, 2002 (15:36)", "body": "I've renamed the page and the link, so you'll find The Bucket's Boutique at: http://www.firth.com/boutiq.html"}, {"response": 1290, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jun 19, 2002 (19:46)", "body": "The Bucket's Boutique Mo' better than 'The Bucket Boutique'. The latter sounds as though you're selling something you'd use to clean your floor. ;-P"}, {"response": 1291, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jun 19, 2002 (19:48)", "body": "Karen, The Bucket Boutique is really great! Very convenient. What about a link for New Cardiff? Surely I'm not the only one in the world who hasn't read it and would like some familiarity with the story before Hope Springs comes out."}, {"response": 1292, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Jun 19, 2002 (20:53)", "body": "Happy Birthday to me!!! Thank you Karen, just went to The Bucket Boutique and bought myself all the movies on the list I didn't have yet. Can't wait for them to come. Was surprised that Londinium was not listed. Any news on that? Great Idea!! Am so excited, and happy to help Drool. Thank you ladies for clearing up NC for me."}, {"response": 1293, "author": "Odile", "date": "Wed, Jun 19, 2002 (23:06)", "body": "Mo' better than 'The Bucket Boutique'. The latter sounds as though you're selling something you'd use to clean your floor. ;-P I don't know. Aren't we supposed to pronounce it \"bouquet\" in order to keep up appearances? :)"}, {"response": 1294, "author": "Odile", "date": "Wed, Jun 19, 2002 (23:07)", "body": "Grrr. closing tags, sorry!"}, {"response": 1295, "author": "airstream", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (05:48)", "body": "FYI: At the Angelika is on this Fri. at 7:30pm est--you can check IFC.com to be sure. As for NC--my hopes are for a good kiss in the begining, then I'll be more hopeful (used a lot of 'hope' there, possibly why they changed title...) of a towel scene. BTW, there is a lot of \"socks\" discussion in the book if I remember."}, {"response": 1296, "author": "airstream", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (06:15)", "body": "Another thought---in that \"Wedding\" picture--it seems, Bingley had a strange,er,gosh can't think of how to put it....but you all know what I mean. In my recent reviewing, I came to a new admiration for his thighs (does that sound like a song title?... esp. in the scene after the wet shirt, when showing the grounds of his estate). :*)"}, {"response": 1297, "author": "airstream", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (06:28)", "body": "CROTCHOLOGY 101: lesson 1. Measuring"}, {"response": 1298, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (12:41)", "body": "(Eileen) The latter sounds as though you're selling something you'd use to clean your floor. ;-P (Odile) Aren't we supposed to pronounce it \"bouquet\" in order to keep up appearances? :) I know I do! Although they probably do sell mops and Spin N Span at Amazon too. ;-D Thanks Dorine for the suggestion. I've added NC to the listing and we do better with books than vids, etc. Love the diagram, Amy. Now where are those exotic measures the Italian tailor used? Insole to buttock? ;-D"}, {"response": 1299, "author": "maryw", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (13:02)", "body": "Never learned to sew. Was never interested...until now. Might take up lessons and do a special degree that requires submission of thesis. Mine will be on : \"Assessment of impact of male *form* on costume pattern-making during Regency period. Pilot project and intensive examination of male model with impressive experience in wearing Regency costumes.\""}, {"response": 1300, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (13:49)", "body": "All was quiet yesterday-guess everyone was out looking for textbooks and deciding on their theses. Looks like we're off to a new start today. Thanks, Amy for that image. For my thesis, I'm thinking... Exploration of male dressing problems,limited to the left/right/right/left/middle positions in all costume periods with special emphasis on the Regency period. Also to be explored in this paper-the effect of Roman tailors of small stature and their impact in this area of study. How does that sound Dorine?"}, {"response": 1301, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (15:06)", "body": "We'll probably have to run these past LD and find out how much hands-on exploration she'll allow for the sake of academic research. ;-D"}, {"response": 1302, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (15:48)", "body": "Is LD, La Dottoressa? Let's not get too complicated. He's a big boy (or so the theory of the hands go), ;-) I'm sure he can handle our well meaning Firthettes. BTW, once you are all done fitting and dressing, I'll take him on a \"walk\" inspection. ;-)"}, {"response": 1303, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (17:46)", "body": "I'd rather take him out for a \"test drive\" ;-D"}, {"response": 1304, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (18:00)", "body": "I'm mulling over my thesis topic. Considering either a comparison of various breeches cuts on male figures, (have several subjects in mind for use as subjects in research and analysis) or, the effect of various breeches styles upon the female libido. Will need female volunteers for this research, ladies please sign up below! Karen , love the BB but please look on the main Drool page and correct the spelling..............."}, {"response": 1305, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (18:35)", "body": "Karen, the BB is great! You did a great job setting it up...as usual! Glad to know our obsession and purchases thereof can add to drool (and our drooling ;-D). Since I ordered more than one item, I clicked \"back\" to BB to make sure drool got credit each time. Do I need to do that, for the future, or is the first click on BB enough? Or maybe you already explained this and I didn't know what was being explained because I hadn't noticed BB on the main drool page or gone to it yet. :-0"}, {"response": 1306, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (20:02)", "body": "(Karen)I'd rather take him out for a \"test drive\" That's fine-right after I fire up the engine;D (Moon)I'll take him on a \"walk\" inspection I'm sure you two will let me know if I need to re-adjust my measurements! As far as LD is concerned-all for the sake of vital educational research-I'm sure she'll understand. She should be in a good mood this week as tomorrow is their anniversary."}, {"response": 1307, "author": "airstream", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (21:32)", "body": "Glad to help you all with the homework. Am preparing a handout as required and essential for the class--can be purchased through campus bookstore (i.e. the bucket). Thimbles not included."}, {"response": 1308, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (22:09)", "body": "Very nice topics everyone! It sounds like we're in for some stimulating reading! Also, you realize that dissertations are usually defended..... orally ! ;-D For my thesis, I'm leaning toward....Analysis of the factors affecting males regarding positioning in breeches including, but not limited to, personal preference, female preference, type and intensity of various activities, and origin and style of tailor. Data will be gathered through a variety of methods: Anecdotal reports, personal observation, and hands-on. (Amy) Thimbles not included I don't think financial aid will cover this. I'll have to work extra hours to afford this. Or go without eating. Argh! I already went through this once. ;-)"}, {"response": 1309, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (22:38)", "body": "I think this needed a slight adjustment... Analysis of the factors affecting the decision making process for males regarding positioning in breeches including, but not limited to: personal preference, female preference, type and intensity of various activities, and origin and style of tailor. (Lisa) Will need female volunteers for this research, ladies please sign up below! Ok! Done. Sorry it's a tad illegible. I was in such a hurry to sign up, I forgot the bucket to catch my drooling."}, {"response": 1310, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (22:45)", "body": "Thought I'd bring this over here from 160: (Colin on self as channeled through Mari) The flick is mediocre at best, but damn, I look hot in it!:-) But she didn't post the *hottest* pics, which IMO are: The Lean: (Lora) Do I need to do that, for the future, or is the first click on BB enough? I'm pretty sure that when you shop after the fact (or link), the rebate percentage is less. (Dorine) Data will be gathered through a variety of methods: Anecdotal reports, personal observation, and hands-on. You might want to contact Catherine of Empire online to assist with the empirical. She'd probably be more than willing. (Amy) Thimbles not included Pfft! And thank goodness they are not. Nothing comes between me and my study materials."}, {"response": 1311, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (22:48)", "body": "(Minkee) Mine will be on : \"Assessment of impact of male *form* on costume pattern-making during Regency period. Pilot project and intensive examination of male model with impressive experience in wearing Regency costumes.\" As your thesis advisor is sure to point out, you may wind up with someone like Sam West as the focal point of your study given the criteria. ;-D"}, {"response": 1312, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (22:56)", "body": "Hi all, I let Karen know that I have FEW new DVD sets of \"LOST EMPIRES\" for sale at the price of 45.00, which includes shipping in the continental US. The bucket will also recieve a commission on it. for all those interested, email me. sandi"}, {"response": 1313, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (23:04)", "body": "(Karen) But she didn't post the *hottest* pics LOL, Karen, these women are about to spontaneously combust here, as it is! Mmmm . . . yum yum and triple yum. Damn, I think that Illinois sun agreed with him!:-)"}, {"response": 1314, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Thu, Jun 20, 2002 (23:47)", "body": "Awwww, that doorway lean and the city hipster-organic boy clothes. You just know that Jess is trouble, big trouble, as soon as he shows up at the picnic. Unfortunately, and you may all throw cushions at me if you like, ATA is the one I have to watch with the sound turned off! Sad but true. FWIW, there's a special tool now that produces a superior result for the measurement known as \"crotch depth\". It's an interesting device, firm but flexible, that holds its shape and can be traced before it's released to use again. For true fit, crotch depth must be recorded from both the front and the rear. It's hard to make the true inseam measurement impersonal, though. You pretty much have no choice but to get down on your knees. The subject often must be told to relax and stand naturally, with both feet on the floor for accuracy. And he usually can't help but look down at what you're doing, which shortens the assessment considerably. Sewing is fun. ;)"}, {"response": 1315, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (05:30)", "body": "(Elizabeth)\". It's an interesting device, firm but flexible, that holds its shape eh, the crotch or the device? Just kidding-I'll order one it might come in handy for my research. Just want all of you to know I'm ready to volunteer on all projects-even though I am working on my own. There is no such thing as too much in education. (Mari)yum yum and triple yum Ditto!"}, {"response": 1316, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (07:21)", "body": "Has anyone seen the new TIOBE ad in today's papers? Rupie has been excised; it's just Colin (looking magnifico!) surrounded by Reese and Frances who have their hands on him. Lucky goils . . .;-)"}, {"response": 1317, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (07:23)", "body": "Forgot this: they've added a big-deal 21 screens, so we're now over the 200 mark. Supposedly, will be 250 next weekend."}, {"response": 1318, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (07:42)", "body": "Great to hear that TIOBE is still going strong! I thought Rupie was the main attraction! Looking ahead, there was an item on the radio about BBC Films. The \"Sylvia and Ted\" movie was mentioned...starts shooting in the Autumn, BAFTA winning director, producer did \"Elizabeth\", GP to play Sylvia and CF \"tipped\" to play Ted Hughes. Hope this comes off - dramatically, it will take some beating. \"Big Fat Liar\" starring CF's \"daughter\" Amanda Byrnes opens here next week. It's actually getting good reviews...good family entertainment etc, and, given that most schoolkids are finishing their exams (and we're out of the World Cup!) it could do well."}, {"response": 1319, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (08:23)", "body": "(Bethan) I thought Rupie was the main attraction! Things change. ;-D"}, {"response": 1320, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (08:59)", "body": "(Bethan) I thought Rupie was the main attraction! (Karen)Things change. ;-D Indeed they do and due to all the TV appearances that ODB did; across the board to programs that appeal a crossection of demographics.He's *The Man*! BTW, I'm just now catching up with some of the interviews that I didn't get. Let me tell ya! that VHS 1 Cast Party is a must-see for all Colin fans. No transcript can do it justice. You have to see him saying the lines. Relaxed, sipping white wine,actually enjoying himself. He's come a loooong way from the BJD promos. And I haven't even gotten to the Jon Stewart interview and The Angelika. A real joy to watch many times. Beg, borrow or steal this one."}, {"response": 1321, "author": "caribou", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (09:27)", "body": "(Mari)... they've added a big-deal 21 screens, so we're now over the 200 mark. Supposedly, will be 250 next weekend. Don't forget the subtractions. The western wind is no longer blowing fair and now TIOBE is gone. :-( Can someone please explain how not showing a movie is a good way to make money?"}, {"response": 1322, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (09:32)", "body": "Aishling emailed to say there's a mention of AG in Baz's column today. She didn't have time to type it up, but it says that Anna Chancellor is playing CF's wife and Christina Cole as Amanda Bynes British half-sister. If there's a half-sister, then Colin's character would have to have been remarried. So goes the fiancee angle and bringing both parents back together again (a la Parent Trap). It could well be that Kelly Preston might *really* been done filming in England. If anyone in the UK can run out and get the Daily Mail and post the full blurb, I'm sure we'd all like to see it."}, {"response": 1323, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (09:38)", "body": "Mari, thanks for the heads-up on the new ad. You neglected to mention the headline and copy: EVERYBODY LOVES 'EARNEST'! [ed: sorry, but they really did use that] IT'S SEXY , IT'S ENTERTAINING , IT'S THE SMARTEST COMEDY OF THE SUMMER! Colin does look yummy. But this ad implies possibilities that do not exist in the film--two women competing for Colin (well, who wouldn't?) or even a menage-a-trois. Reminds me of the off-plot ads for Ideal Husband, which made it look as if the Rupie was the ideal husband (as in catch of the year), and a bunch of women were trying to snag him and drag him to the altar. (Elizabeth S)Unfortunately, and you may all throw cushions at me if you like, ATA is the one I have to watch with the sound turned off! Sad but true. No cushions from this quarter. He's AFG in that movie, but the accent! When he does an American accent, not only does he flatten the vowels, he flattens his whole voice. It loses that magical resonance. He also overpronounces the R's that are not pronounced with in a Brit accent. This bothered me when I saw 3 DOR, too."}, {"response": 1324, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (09:58)", "body": "(Karen), If there's a half-sister, then Colin's character would have to have been remarried. So goes the fiancee angle and bringing both parents back together again (a la Parent Trap). This is surprise. We really don't know anything about this film, do we? Maybe it's all about making her a debutante? *coughs*gags* :-( (Kate), When he does an American accent, not only does he flatten the vowels, he flattens his whole voice. It loses that magical resonance. And that's what makes ATA unwatchable for me. (Amy), Am preparing a handout as required and essential for the class--can be purchased through campus bookstore (i.e. the bucket). This would be a fun read at Le Bouquet. Keep that in mind ladies. ;-) (Caribou), Don't forget the subtractions. The western wind is no longer blowing fair and now TIOBE is gone. :-( True. It has gone from 4 theatres to one \"exclusively\" showing it in my area. Good thing that one is close to me."}, {"response": 1325, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (10:16)", "body": "I checked with Yahoo Movies, and TIOBE has lost two locations in my area. I plugged in zipcode much further out and nothing, plus one, way downstate and got nothing. Not terribly scientific or accurate, but two reels have departed for points west. Maybe they're the ones near Evelyn now. ;-D"}, {"response": 1326, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (11:06)", "body": "well rats rats rats!!! I have just looked in hopes that I would find a theater playing TIOBE closer to my home, only to find that the ONLY THEATER playing is not anymore!!! My whole state is now HIGH AND DRY. Should have gone every day instad of just twice! I guess I should count my lucky stars though!!"}, {"response": 1327, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (11:15)", "body": "(Sandi) My whole state is now HIGH AND DRY Was it not the latter for the longest time anyway? ;-D"}, {"response": 1328, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (12:28)", "body": "AG in Daily Mail... Only got a moment, but the new bit is.. Firth, who plays a hotshot British politician whose comfortable life is changed dramatically when his unknown daughter tracks him down. Anna Chancellor plays his wife, AB plays the title character, and Christina Cole her British half-sister. Director Dennie Gordon has been shooting the film in London and the Home Counties. Eileen Atkins, Sylvia Sims and Jonathan Pryce also star.\" BTW, CF also features with JE in this week's Radio Times....BBC2 is re-showing P&P, starting on Saturday. (Will be interesting to see Mr Darcy and Miss Bingley together!) The Daily Mail also has an item on Gwyneth Paltrow...apparently she won't work again with Aaron Eckhart (Possession)...personal hygiene problems! No such problem with CF, I'm sure!"}, {"response": 1329, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (12:41)", "body": "I guess this is a bad time to note that they've added screens in my area--it's even playing in one of the beach towns (v.v. smart as we NJ-ers head \"down the shore\" this time of year:-) It's still a net gain of screens overall, even if the original group has shifted around a bit. Small consolation for anyone going without, though. Sandi, where do you live?? (Bethan)Hope this comes off - dramatically, it will take some beating. How so, Bethan? Indeed they do and due to all the TV appearances that ODB did; across the board to programs that appeal a crossection of demographics.He's *The Man*! Agreed, he did himself a big favor by being front and center on the publicity for this one. Well received no matter what show he was on, always came across as bright, funny, and just plain nice. Now, what he does with the higher profile next is up to him. (Moon)Maybe it's all about making her a debutante? *coughs*gags* :-( Gagging here also. The \"I'm trying to get my folks back together\" aspect was the only part that gave me hope for some great leading man romantic type scenes for CF. Let's hope Baz is wrong about the wife. \"Big Fat Liar\" got good reviews here too, Bethan, and did well at the box office. Pegged as a smart teen flick, not a gross-out affair."}, {"response": 1330, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (13:10)", "body": "Anna Chancellor plays his wife (Mari) Let's hope Baz is wrong about the wife Oh Dear. I agree Mari - the 'ParentTrapish' bit was what i was hoping for as well. If he's already married... what a boring plot.... *sigh*"}, {"response": 1331, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (13:49)", "body": "TIOBE has been added to two more theaters in addition to the one I've been frequenting in Princeton. Looks like NJ loves Earnest. It will stay in Princeton for the coming week as well. I was holding my breath-since I am taking friends to see it next week-that makes numero 8. (Evelyn)Indeed they do and due to all the TV appearances that ODB did; across the board to programs that appeal a crossection of demographics.He's *The Man*! Indeed he is!. I got the impression that CF was the man just after I saw the long awaited commercials for the film. The focus seemed heavily on him. Then there were the poster ad changes. I hope this will be the case in August when the publicity(hopefully publicity)begins for HS. Just think HS opens in 76 DAYS-Publicity should begin a couple of weeks before that. Maybe we won't have too many dog days of summer around here after all. I'm not really fond of cricket anyway."}, {"response": 1332, "author": "airstream", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (15:36)", "body": "No one seems to include religious affilations in their thesis topics. Also, there has been research on various, um, piercings done at the time when breeches were worn. For now, I'll leave it at that (being that this may not be appropriate for all fellow classmates ;-)). This handout will be in the adult section. Must show i.d."}, {"response": 1333, "author": "airstream", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (15:39)", "body": "For future considerations....(no warning not to post elswhere) SP/TH"}, {"response": 1334, "author": "airstream", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (15:41)", "body": "drat! try this: http://www.strangechord.com/potd/sylviated.jpg"}, {"response": 1335, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (15:52)", "body": "(Mari) Let's hope Baz is wrong about the wife. Then how do you explain the half-sister? (Baz) Firth, who plays a hotshot British politician This sounds promising. Do you think he'll be modeling himself after Tony? ;-D Nice pic, Amy. You know, Sylvia kind of looks like Charlize Theron, and Ted reminds me of the guy who took over the Jets after Riff died. What was his name, Ice?"}, {"response": 1336, "author": "airstream", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (16:05)", "body": "(karen)What was his name, Ice? hmm, who knows, could be.....? :p"}, {"response": 1337, "author": "airstream", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (16:07)", "body": "did i close tag? argh"}, {"response": 1338, "author": "treseg", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (16:58)", "body": "amy: Also, there has been research on various, um, piercings done at the time when breeches were worn. For now, I'll leave it at that (being that this may not be appropriate for all fellow classmates ;-)). This handout will be in the adult section. Must show i.d well being the youngster that i am this thesis would be right up my alley, luckily i shouldn't have to use a fake id to get in now :-)"}, {"response": 1339, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (19:27)", "body": "(Kate F) Colin does look yummy. But this ad implies possibilities that do not exist in the film--two women competing for Colin (well, who wouldn't?) or even a menage-a-trois. Plus, he's got a wonderfully mischievous, even flirtatious look on his face that doesn't really match Jack's character. But somehow I find I can live with that.... :-D Anyway, thanks for the notice, Mari! I would have missed it otherwise. It's an adorable photo, and how nice to see CF front and center (literally) in the ad campaign. TIOBE is still playing at five theaters in the Washington, DC, metro area - looks like the same list I saw two weeks ago. It's getting to be time for me to see it again, but I don't know if I want to drag DH there with me, especially after our recent tailoring education, which will have me focused on the cut of Jack's trousers (solely for scholarly purposes, of course). And yet I can't see how I'd explain going off to the movies and leaving DH at home."}, {"response": 1340, "author": "airstream", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (20:34)", "body": "This may be new? More Casting on American Girl Variety reports that Kelly Preston will put her singing voice to the test playing a professional thrush opposite Amanda Bynes and Colin Firth in the Dennie Gordon-directed American Girl, the working title of a film just getting started for Warner Bros. Preston, who last starred in A View From the Top, is said to be a capable songstress."}, {"response": 1341, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (20:38)", "body": "(Rika)And yet I can't see how I'd explain going off to the movies and leaving DH at home. Sure you can, it's the old- I really need to go out and get a few things, dear. The movie is only 1hr.40mins. Surely you can come up with something."}, {"response": 1342, "author": "caribou", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (22:26)", "body": "Thanks, Karen for the Bucket Boutique. It really is incredibly convenient! I have a question, though. Are all the tapes, etc new and unopened? I thought many were OOP (out of print) - like AMITC, WOF, most of the early ones."}, {"response": 1343, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Jun 21, 2002 (23:09)", "body": "Finally I got to see TIOBE today. Just came into a theater relatively near my home. Better than Scarsdale NY which was the closest till now. I really did enjoy it. Thought it was really well done. Will go back to see what it's all about as mostly I just watched CF. Know the storyline, but should watch entire movie next time. Too cute for words, wonderful expressions and great eyes, but what else is to be expected. Pants I thought a little loose in pertinent area. Definitely not britches. Looked good though. Even liked the glasses on him. Will check it out again tomorrow. Princeton and south must be gettin the majority of the theaters as it is very sparce up here. Too bad because this area is heavily populated and I've checked theater areas up to 25 miles from here. It's just not around. Will take advantage and see it as often as I can before they take it out of this area. I also turn the sound down on ATA. Not the greatest movie, but I watch it for him than rewind it again. He is definitely HOT in this movie. So its a keeper. After all a picture speaks a thousand words."}, {"response": 1344, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Jun 22, 2002 (00:34)", "body": "For those who might not have gotten to see the new TIOBE ad in Friday's paper, here's a scan. The quality isn't wonderful, but I was trying to strike a balance image quality and file size:"}, {"response": 1345, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Jun 22, 2002 (00:38)", "body": "Sorry - I should have mentioned that I clipped off the headlines in the ad - this is just the photo that's included. DB looks a LOT better in the original than in this scan....."}, {"response": 1346, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Sat, Jun 22, 2002 (02:37)", "body": "hmmm... dunno about anyone else, but I can't see the scan of the TIOBE ad. :-("}, {"response": 1347, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Sat, Jun 22, 2002 (02:45)", "body": "Strange! Can see it when not logged in. V nice - would be even nicer in colour, I suspect."}, {"response": 1348, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jun 22, 2002 (07:48)", "body": "I can't see it either-logged in or out. Help! The NY Times has the same ad as last week. RE and RW and CF and FOC sitting on the lawn in front of the estate. I long to see the new ad."}, {"response": 1349, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 22, 2002 (08:36)", "body": "Thanks for posting the new ad photo, Rika. Unfortunately, you can't post images from geocities anywhere. They don't allow it. You can always just post the url. However, I've got loaded here at Spring to make it easier: (Caribou) I thought many were OOP (out of print) - like AMITC, WOF, most of the early ones. WOF is still in print and very cheap ($8 new). I can remember when you could only buy it for like $90, although many of us were lucky enough to find a hoard of used ones at $10 from a place that's now defunct. Some of the out of the print ones being sold at Amazon are through their third-party sellers and could be either new or used. It will say. (Pam) Even liked the glasses on him. Colin's worn glasses before, in Playmaker. Liked him in them before and still do. ;-) BTW, I dug out another Ruth Gemmell article from my clippings box, which talks about doing \"love scenes\" with Mr Darcy. It says very similar things to the one Rika posted on 160 from Harpers but doesn't have the bit about his being a \"crap kisser.\" OK, this is from the esteemed Sunday Mirror, March 30, 1997, entitled \"I Went to Bed with Mr Darcy...and Promptly Fell Asleep!\" which starts off with: Ever since he emerged half naked [Ed note: I must've missed that part] and dripping from the lake at Pemberley, it's been every woman's fantasy to swoon into the arms of Mr Darcy. But when actress Ruth Gemmell found herself in bed on the film set with the screen's ultimate fantasy man she fell asleep. \"He was talking about football,\" says Ruth, who stars alongside Colin Firth in one of this year's hottest new movies, Fever Pitch. \"He was explaining the difference between the Premier League and the Nationwide League and I'm afraid I got a bit bored and dropped off. \"I know it was a bit rude and the truth was I had actually asked him. But when he started to tell me my eyes just glazed over.\" [...] \"When I landed the part I didn't know I would be playing opposite Colin,\" she says. \"When I found out that was nerve wracking enough. \"But when I had to kiss him before I'd barely knew him, I was terrified. \"But he's so lovely that he immediately put me at ease. \"Like everyone else I'd seen him in Pride and Prejudice and was pretty impressed. So the prospect of working with him was scary. \"But I decided right at the start that if I felt nervous about the love scenes I would just tell him because he's not the kind of man who would think that was funny.\" The pair met in a London pub just before filming began to try and get to know each other. \"We had a few pints, swapped a few stories and by the end of it we knew how we were going to play the characters,\" says Ruth. \"By the time the love scenes came around he wasn't the elusive Mr Darcy any more. He wasn't even Colin the heart-throb. He was just Colin.\" So what was it like snogging the man who is lusted after by millions. \"Yes, it was pretty good,\" she says smiling. \"But believe me there's nothing romantic about filming sex scenes. \"When the camera wasn't rolling I spent the whole time wondering if my breath smelled and worrying about which parts of my body were on show. \"In fact there was one scene when we were in bed. Both of us were vitually naked and there was a part where I had to sit up. \"I wasn't supposed to flash my boobs all over the place, but the point was made that because we had just made love it would have looked daft if I'd tried to keep myself covered up. \"When I actually saw the edits I had pulled the sheet around my boobs so tight that it looked like an evening dress out of Dallas. Maybe I was a bit shy about it after all.\" [...] \"But Colin is not as serious as people think. He's also a very sweet man.\" Was there any romance between them? \"Oh God, no,\" says Ruth. \"He's very involved with someone.\" [...]"}, {"response": 1350, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jun 22, 2002 (12:19)", "body": "\"In fact there was one scene when we were in bed. Both of us were vitually naked Oh, God! I wanted a quiet, normal Saturday. Nothing is normal once you log in here. Will carry this image around all day. Lucky, lucky, Ruth. Thank you, Karen for the poster scan. Does give the impression that the two women are after him. Hey, if it sells more seats-what the heck. I guess I wasn't really in the mood for a normal Saturday after all. Since Evelyn mentioned the VH1 cast party yesterday, I decided to watch it again early this morning. It really is a great show. Colin looks so relaxed. Love the laughter."}, {"response": 1351, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Jun 22, 2002 (15:00)", "body": "(Karen) Thanks for posting the new ad photo, Rika. Unfortunately, you can't post images from geocities anywhere. They don't allow it. You can always just post the url. However, I've got loaded here at Spring to make it easier: Thank you, Karen! I didn't know that about Geocities. Odd... it appeared to work last night when I posted it, but maybe the image was being loaded from my browser cache. Ah, well, so much for my first foray into posting an image here. Thanks also for sharing the Ruth Gemmel interview. Very timely - my copy of FP just arrived! I shall be looking carefully for that scene to which she refers...."}, {"response": 1352, "author": "airstream", "date": "Sat, Jun 22, 2002 (15:57)", "body": "Thanks for the reprint! Was doing a bit of reading and found out (in relationship to the \"Earnest\" hidden meaning) that \"Cecily\" was an underground reference to what were called \"rent boys\" in London, and \"Bunbury\" is a hidden pun. BTW what ever happened to Ruth Gemmel?"}, {"response": 1353, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jun 22, 2002 (21:20)", "body": "(Elizabeth S) ATA is the one I have to watch with the sound turned off! Sad but true. (Moon) And that's what makes ATA unwatchable for me. Since ATA has been mentioned quite a bit recently, I decided to finally rent it yesterday to see what all the fuss, good and bad, was about. I was quite startled by the voice at first. For his first 3 lines, I was convinced that his voice had been dubbed by those people who dubbed those old foreign movies (like the old Godzilla movies). Thank God he looked amazing!...certainly the only redeeming factor in this oppressively depressing film. I may watch again with the sound off, too. BTW, I think my vote for the *hottest* pic in this would be him in the red button down shirt by the truck with Ginny before his buttoned it. ATA was my second choice...I called the video store first to see if they had The Advocate, which they no longer carry so they held ATA instead. While browsing, I was so excited to find the cover for TA and thought he made a mistake....alas no! Hopes dashed again, bugger! For some reason they hadn't taken the cover off the shelf. I'll track it down eventually. Interesting tidbit Amy..thanks. And love the new ad, he looks quite mischievous :-)"}, {"response": 1354, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Jun 23, 2002 (00:54)", "body": "An alternative to non-posting images is to right-click the \"x\" box, call up the properties, which includes the URL, copy that, and paste into an address window. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. It worked on your post, Amy, so I got to see ODB's impish expression even before Karen so generously posted it for us all. Thanks to both of you -- it's the thought that counts..."}, {"response": 1355, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Jun 23, 2002 (13:46)", "body": "(KJArt): An alternative to non-posting images is to right-click the \"x\" box, call up the properties, which includes the URL, copy that, and paste into an address window. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. It worked on your post, Amy, so I got to see ODB's impish expression even before Karen so generously posted it for us all. Actually, it was I and not Amy who made the error when posting the scan of the ad. I wouldn't wish her to take the blame for my inexperience as a Drooler! Thanks for the suggestion above - I've run into other situations where a picture couldn't be downloaded and this will be worth a try in future."}, {"response": 1356, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun 23, 2002 (16:34)", "body": "(Karen)but two reels have departed for points west. Maybe they're the ones near Evelyn now. ;-D Sorry guys.TIOBE finally bicycled- in to the 47th state! Only one city and I drove up to see it this weekend.(300 miles RT, Dorine;-D) Nice crowd too about 70 at each showing that I checked. Good review in the Tulsa papers helped. Cheated:-(( Also saw Enigma at the same multiplex ;only 16 people....no review;-( But I checked the numbers at the TIOBE theatre when I went to see E. Am I forgiven??? Crowd at the showing laughed at all the right times.Man next to me whispered to his wife:\"This is better than the play\". I almost kissed him. Next weekend Miramax rep tells me OKC will get a print. Duckface is Colin's wife in AG ? *in Lizzie mode* \"Impossible\"."}, {"response": 1357, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sun, Jun 23, 2002 (19:25)", "body": "(Evelyn) Duckface is Colin's wife in AG ? *in Lizzie mode* \"Impossible\". LOL! Slyvia Syms played Stephen Whalby's mother in MOTM. Wonder if she will be Lord Dashwood's mum?"}, {"response": 1358, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Jun 23, 2002 (19:40)", "body": "(Dorine) Thank God he looked amazing!...certainly the only redeeming factor in this oppressively depressing film. I may watch again with the sound off, too. BTW, I think my vote for the *hottest* pic in this would be him in the red button down shirt by the truck with Ginny before his buttoned it. I watched it for the first time this afternoon. Oh my goodness, he was gorgeous! I'd seen the snappies posted here and had read the drooling, but I was still not prepared. As to the voice - I'm sorry, did he talk? I didn't notice. :-D No, seriously, the accent was rather jarring, especially at first. My fellow newbies might want to check out a discussion of ATA this group conducted a few years ago. It's in topic 98, starting around response 1400. There are some interesting comparisons of the novel and the screenplay to the film. It helped me to understand why DB might have found the role of Jess interesting (before they cut it to shreds, that is). It sounds like it could have been a better film, and a very good role for DB, had circumstances surrounding the production been different. There's also an interview with CF in which he explains why he was \"completely unsuitable\" for the part - I won't spoil it for those who haven't read it, except to say that it has to do with, among other things, his thighs."}, {"response": 1359, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 24, 2002 (00:42)", "body": "(Rika) it was I and not Amy who made the error when posting the scan You didn't make an error. Not only did you scan the ad for everyone to see, but you tried to post it. If it hadn't been for Geocities' rules, you would've been successful. The reason it showed up for you initially is that it is viewable for about 30 seconds and will then go into cyberlimbo. (Evelyn) Man next to me whispered to his wife:\"This is better than the play\". I almost kissed him. LOL!! Did you discreetly squeeze his thigh instead? ;-D (Caribou) Sylvia Syms played Stephen Whalby's mother in MOTM. And there's another connection here. This is good. The film discussions are a good read. The edited versions will be uploaded again to firth.com and I've started work on them."}, {"response": 1360, "author": "airstream", "date": "Mon, Jun 24, 2002 (04:33)", "body": "(Rika)I wouldn't wish her to take the blame for my inexperience as a Drooler! No worries, Rika, I am an inexperienced drooler. It was a big day (for me) when I learned how to do the italics/bold!....(as I am showing off my new skill) :-)"}, {"response": 1361, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Mon, Jun 24, 2002 (06:20)", "body": "Transcript from Australian \"New Woman\" magazine, article titled \"A Firthy Mind\": Is it getting warm in here... or is it just us? As soon as we catch a glimpse of Colin Firth, we get hot under the collar. Frankly, it was the bit in Bridget Jones' Diary when he said he liked her \"just the way she was\" that swung us. And after waiting patiently for another chance to coo over him, it has now arrived. High brow it may be, but with the release of his new flick, The Importance of Being Earnest , you can bet we won't be there for the Oscar Wilde quotes. So let's just skip the plot shall we? [editor's note: refers here to a review on another page in the magazine which doesn't actually exist] Despite his penchant for playing conservative, stuffy types, don't be fooled. If he hadn't been an actor, Colin said he'd probably have been a criminal. \"I would have been a rather pathetic minor criminal. I wouldn't have been imaginative or evil enough.\" Really? We suspect his son Luca might disagree about the evil bit. After all, when Luca was born in March last year, daddy Firth said he looked like a turnip! \"But, I mean, you know, a beautiful turnip as root vegetables go...\" said Colin. Just like a man to try and wangle out of it later. Still, despite his slightly dodgy credentials we still wouldn't mind being the wild pig he once filmed with: \"She came over and lay down across my feet and went to sleep,\" he said, \"and from that day on there was an extraordinary bond. She had a passion for me.\" Mmmm, we know how she feels. Nothing really original - looks like it was cadged together from a few other interviews (some of them more than a year old)."}, {"response": 1362, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Mon, Jun 24, 2002 (08:55)", "body": "From lindak's June 20th posting: As far as LD is concerned-all for the sake of vital educational research-I'm sure she'll understand. She should be in a good mood this week as tomorrow is their anniversary. They were married on June 21st? At mid-summer? How romantic!! A belated happy anniversary C & L!!!"}, {"response": 1363, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 24, 2002 (09:26)", "body": "(Jane) Nothing really original - looks like it was cadged together from a few other interviews (some of them more than a year old). Most definitely, the quoted bits are from the Rosie Show. Now to see which site's transcription of the interview was used. ;-) Thanks, Jane, for typing this up."}, {"response": 1364, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jun 24, 2002 (13:39)", "body": "I sent a note to the Amanda Bynes site webmeister, asking to clear up the plot point we were discussing. He said Anna C. is definitely Lord D's fiancee--not his wife. We shall see . . ."}, {"response": 1365, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 24, 2002 (13:42)", "body": "Amanda Bynes at UK screening of Big Fat Liar with 3 SL Doesn't look like \"dad\" to me."}, {"response": 1366, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 24, 2002 (13:55)", "body": "I never saw this one....you?Cute...."}, {"response": 1367, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 24, 2002 (13:56)", "body": "try website: http://www.rexfeatures.com/cgi-bin/rppshimg0?i=335038M"}, {"response": 1368, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun 24, 2002 (14:24)", "body": "Thank you, Evelyn for that picture. I never saw it. ODB certainly looks happy to see RZ. Hope they will have another reunion soon. Thanks, Mari, for clearing up the little matter in AG. There is still hope, then, for parental reunion-lots of snogging, and what have you. Like the name of that article posted by Jane. A Firthy Mind. The author should hang out with us sometime. (CF)I would have been a rather pathetic minor criminal. I wouldn't have been imaginative or evil enough.\" We know, dahling, we know."}, {"response": 1369, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 24, 2002 (16:25)", "body": "(Mari) He said Anna C. is definitely Lord D's fiancee--not his wife. We shall see . . . Grrrr! We shall get to the bottom of this one way or another. How does one have a \"British half-sister\" then?"}, {"response": 1370, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Jun 24, 2002 (16:40)", "body": "Ohhhhh...thanks for the pic, and thanks for the article. Karen, file that pic away for the 'shoe' discussion later on!"}, {"response": 1371, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 24, 2002 (16:47)", "body": "Actually, I've had that pic, but what do you see about the shoes that I don't? Unless we're talking about Renee's shoes now. ;-D"}, {"response": 1372, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jun 24, 2002 (17:01)", "body": "Cute pic, Evelyn, I haven't seen that shot from that angle. Nice to see that \"Bridget\" still has to stand on her tip-toes to kiss \"Mark.\":-) My, he has big hands . . .;-) (Karen)How does one have a \"British half-sister\" then? Well, if the \"wife\" report is wrong, then no surprise that the half-sister part is wrong too. Maybe it's Anna's daughter, i.e., AG's step-sister-to-be? Who knows if this webmeister is right, but I must say he writes *very* confidently.;-) He also mentioned Lord D. having to choose between staying in England or returning with Daphne to the States. I only report this stuff.;-)"}, {"response": 1373, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 24, 2002 (17:08)", "body": "(Messenger) I only report this stuff.;-) So I better put my shotgun away, huh? ;-D"}, {"response": 1374, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Jun 24, 2002 (17:13)", "body": "I think I've seen that pic somewhere before, but it is sweet, isn't it? Nice to see it again. While I was at the site I was looking at the other photos from the premiere. Could HG possibly have looked more bored? (Mari) He said Anna C. is definitely Lord D's fiancee--not his wife. We shall see . . . (KarenR) Grrrr! We shall get to the bottom of this one way or another. How does one have a \"British half-sister\" then? Let's see. I suppose the half-sister might be a child from some past marriage of Lord D's, and now he's preparing to marry again. Or maybe \"half-sister\" is also wrong and it's really a future stepsister - AC's character might have a daughter from a previous marriage."}, {"response": 1375, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 24, 2002 (17:56)", "body": "I'd like to try to guess to: Anna Chandler, the Lord's fianc\ufffde, has a daughter, so she would be the \"would-be step-sister, who is preparing for her debutant ball. Anna finding the Lord's such an \"American girl,\" insists in making her a debutant. Amanda falls for soon to be step-sister's boyfriend, and all hell breaks lose. In comes mom to save the day, and in the end, casual shoes win out over pumps. :-( *gags* Unless we're talking about Renee's shoes now. ;-D I happen to have those black 50's pumps and I love them. Could the woman behind Colin in that picture be his mum? Renee seems to have dark roots in that picture?"}, {"response": 1376, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 24, 2002 (17:59)", "body": "Drats, I type too fast. Again: Anna Chandler, the Lord's fianc\ufffde, has a daughter, so she would be the \"would be step-sister, who is preparing for her debutant ball. Anna finding the Lord's daughter such an \"American girl,\" insists on making her a debutant too. Amanda falls for soon to be step-sister's boyfriend, and all hell breaks lose. In comes mom to save the day, and in the end, casual shoes win out over pumps. :-( *gags*"}, {"response": 1377, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 24, 2002 (18:13)", "body": "I never saw this one either....SIL premiere in LA. The one Winter attended and got to talk to Colin and LD. I think that's TEP suit. Renee seems to have dark roots in that picture? v. fashionable now. All one color is o-u-t. Hey...that Lord Dashwood gets around. If he has two daughters and is just now getting engaged ;-)"}, {"response": 1378, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 24, 2002 (18:15)", "body": "If it doesn't come up:Here it is. http://www.rexfeatures.com/cgi-bin/rppshimg0?i=298413E"}, {"response": 1379, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jun 24, 2002 (19:08)", "body": "All you Minkeeland-ers: I understand that The Today Show interview with Colin that was done here was aired in Australia today. Did anyone catch it? If not, keep your eyes peeled, maybe you will get some of the interviews that we had."}, {"response": 1380, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Jun 24, 2002 (19:17)", "body": "Hi Everyone, Have just completed 3 days of TIOBE enjoyed immensely. However, a little bit discouraged to see that all three showings were older people and retirees. Thought over the weekend might be mixed crowd, but no such luck. My son, mid 20's, went with me once. He enjoyed it. Qusestion: Have watched FP again. I really love that movie. He's excellent in it, and also it's a leading roll for him. But I still can't see relationship with Ruth Gemmel. If you watch it closely, there's more charisma between him and Robert's mother in their short scene, watch his eyes and facial expressions, than there is between him and the leading lady. I think she would have been better in the part. Any one else agree? I understand the opposite attraction theory, but there should also be a little charisma too. Would make the love scenes more believable. I don't think HG and JR showed any charisma in Notting Hill either. Am I being too fussy or does anyone else think so too? Thanks for pics, I hadn't seen these either."}, {"response": 1381, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jun 24, 2002 (19:28)", "body": "They're repeating Colin's Daily Show appearance next Monday at 11 p.m., and Tuesday at 10a.m. and 7p.m. on Comedy Central. If you didn't catch this one the first time, be sure to watch--it's a classic. I'm still laughing over the \"doughy Stilton cheese.\";-) Pam, I thought Ruth Gemmell played her part well--but I didn't like the way the character was written. They seemed a bit too intent on making her an uptight bitch, instead of just a normal person who doesn't much care for football. No nuance there."}, {"response": 1382, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Mon, Jun 24, 2002 (19:41)", "body": "(FanPam)But I still can't see relationship with Ruth Gemmel. I don't think HG and JR showed any charisma in Notting Hill either. Am I being too fussy or does anyone else think so too? I totally agree with you on HG and JR. Zero chemistry! As for Ruth and Colin, I didn't mind them at all. But what about the hag he supposedly had a hot and heavy affair with in Lost Empires? Almost as bad the chick in Playmaker. Yuck!!! :) I think he fit the best in looks and believabilty with Kristen Scott Thomas (I could so totally see them as a real couple) and perhaps Jennifer Ehle. While on the subject, what casting moron decided to pair him with Heather Graham? :)"}, {"response": 1383, "author": "audiogirl", "date": "Mon, Jun 24, 2002 (19:47)", "body": "I keep thinking about Colin and Heather and don't see the chemistry either. The character she plays in the book is young and kooky but I guess she is not one of my favorite actresses."}, {"response": 1384, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun 24, 2002 (20:23)", "body": "(Pam)Have watched FP again. I really love that movie. FP is one of my favorites, too. I'm not crazy about RG, but I thought she was ok. I'm more concerned about Heather Graham. IMO, after reading the book, she doesn't seem to fit the part. I agree, with audiogirl, hard to think about there being chemistry. We'll see. Thank you for the BJD pictures-nice memories. Think I'll watch BJD this week."}, {"response": 1385, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Jun 24, 2002 (20:23)", "body": "Forgive me girls I'm still a half-newbie getting into all the flix. Which one did he play with Kristen Thomas in. I've tried to get my hands on all the movies I can and bought some from the boutique. Today I saw Dutch Girls, cute and Apartment Zero a bit scary for me but what an acting job. Very well done. I could definitely see him with Jenefer Ehle, that was good casting, I thought RZ was good too, couldn't see him with his friend in MLSF but loved the movie, didn't see him with either in ATA but they were purely recreational and I was only looking at him, sooo HOT in that. Maybe you're right. Pushing the anti-football in FP may have made her seem too harsh and unemotional to him. Of course he's an emotional fuckwit in it, but if you really love the man, as I would have, I liked him, you could allow his passion, it's not like he was out cheating on her or picking up women. I just missed the warmth between them I guess, and when he told her the marriage would be fine he looked so uneasy, atleast he was willing to take on his responsibility. She didn't seem to acknowledge any of the good points to me. Not knowing about the business I just wonder what these casting directors look for when they team up couples, cause alot of the time, headliners or not, they just don't work."}, {"response": 1386, "author": "dalec", "date": "Mon, Jun 24, 2002 (20:40)", "body": "(FanPam) Which one did he play with Kristen Thomas in. The English Patient, Colin was the husband. thanks for the pics, really like the BJD premiere one, never saw that one before. i liked the TIOBE newspaper ad, love seeing Colin front and center :) not sure how i feel about HG and Colin, will just have to wait and see."}, {"response": 1387, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jun 24, 2002 (20:46)", "body": "Mari, I'm glad you brought up trying to clarify AG's story. I was going to bring it up after reviewing all the articles on Bucket's AG page this weekend...I have read such different accounts as to puzzle me exceedingly :-). I didn't see how he could be married to KP, get divorced, marry someone else, have another kid, find out he had a first one who has a plan to break up the current marriage, then reunite the parents. I may have no sense of teen movie plots, but that seemed a bit much. It's one thing to break up a relationship or engagement of 1 parent, a la Parent Trap, but to encourage divorce, potentially causing trauma for the half-sibling.....seems a bit harsh."}, {"response": 1388, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun 24, 2002 (20:55)", "body": "(Dorine)I may have no sense of teen movie plots I fear we're about learn:)"}, {"response": 1389, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jun 24, 2002 (20:58)", "body": "(Evelyn) Hey...that Lord Dashwood gets around. If he has two daughters and is just now getting engaged ;-) Well this is the 21st Century. But again, I find it another odd plot point for a teen movie. Nice BJD pics...RZ looks so tiny compared to him. Strikes me more here than in BJD. Saw the Harper's Bazaar RZ article and pics yesterday. 2 present pics (3 including the cover) and 2 of the old ones they didn't want to run before. Not a huge difference in looks, but you can tell more so in the face a little. Hard to tell much though since the older pics were conveniently smaller. Nice one of her sitting in the theater chair though (new). And hated the Carrie Fisher penned article. Don't think I've read her other pieces, and if they're all like this, don't want to."}, {"response": 1390, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 24, 2002 (21:02)", "body": "Vg points, Dorine! We usually know the plots to ODB's movie in advance anf this one is throwing us for a loop. (Lola), While on the subject, what casting moron decided to pair him with Heather Graham? :) She seems to fit the character in the book whom I always imagined as a Goldie Hawn type from \"Butterflies are Free.\" Only they made her smarter by making (HG),Mandy a nurse instead of a helper/aid at an home for the elderly."}, {"response": 1391, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jun 24, 2002 (21:07)", "body": "BTW, did anyone catch the box office totals today. TIOBE's just over $4 million total. Another 500K ending this weekend. I think it said a 19% drop since last week with a 20 screen increase. Guess it won't get close to breaking even here, hopefully it'll do well overseas."}, {"response": 1392, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jun 24, 2002 (21:12)", "body": "(Lola), While on the subject, what casting moron decided to pair him with Heather Graham? :) Speaking of morons, I heard recently, that HG is actually a moron. *ducking thrown tomatoes and such from HG fans* (Those were there words, not mine). I heard that's why her relationships never last."}, {"response": 1393, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 24, 2002 (21:25)", "body": "(FanPam)But I still can't see relationship with Ruth Gemmel. I'm with you here, Pam. That awful grating voice of hers was sooo irritating."}, {"response": 1394, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 25, 2002 (00:10)", "body": "(Pam) But I still can't see relationship with Ruth Gemmel There are many who would agree with you that the love angle of the film does not work, is not believable, etc. Perhaps that is due to the fact that it is superimposed onto a story about being a fan and is not part of the original source material. (Pam) I understand the opposite attraction theory, but there should also be a little charisma too. [from one of my old postings] One of those \"opposites attract\" things? No. Early on, when she and Jo are discussing the new teacher (shagging discussion) and Jo is pointing out the pros of a purely physical relationship, Sarah replies, \"I want a brain as well...eventually.\" Maybe she has discovered that he has one as well. Maybe the discovery was left on the cutting room floor? C'mon, how can you not like feel the emotions when Lisa Stansfield sings out \"I can't find my baby, I don't know when, I don't know why he has gone away and I don't know where he can be but I'M GONNA FIND HIM.\" ;-D (Lola) But what about the hag he supposedly had a hot and heavy affair with in Lost Empires? Almost as bad the chick in Playmaker. Yuck!!! :) Pffft! LOL! But how else are you going to show contrast between the beautiful and virginal and blonde Nancy (played by the daughter of Sylvia Syms, who is now in AmGirl) and the boozing, on the way down, older actress?? I think she looked the part, unfortunately it wasn't all that pleasant to watch Colin with her. (Lola) While on the subject, what casting moron decided to pair him with Heather Graham? :) You probably wouldn't have cared for my casting choice for that role either. Not terribly pretty, but an actress. ;-D (Dorine) Not a huge difference in looks, but you can tell more so in the face a little. Actually she looked pretty normal in the older pics, but if you look lower, you can see the dreaded crease lines on her slacks."}, {"response": 1395, "author": "airstream", "date": "Tue, Jun 25, 2002 (09:54)", "body": "footnote: same shoes in both pics Evelyn posted..... I am not a HG (hg=heather graham, not hugh grant, do we need to make some notation adjustment?) fan either, but I can see her as Mandy. My memory of the book is that Colin/Mandy have this rather uncomfortable relationship. I can see CF haveing an uncomfortable relationship with HGm. She sort of takes him over. (Karen)You probably wouldn't have cared for my casting choice for that role either. Not terribly pretty, but an actress. ;-D Who was your choice?"}, {"response": 1396, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 25, 2002 (10:03)", "body": "My choice was Jane Adams. Who, I hear you cry? ;-D Maybe it was because I remembered her so vividly from The Anniversary Party, Songcatcher and even Wonder Boys. She seemed so right, so waif-like. But not exactly someone most people would plunk down $8-$9 to see in a movie."}, {"response": 1397, "author": "airstream", "date": "Tue, Jun 25, 2002 (10:12)", "body": "That rexfeatures web site has some pretty great pictures (search for CF). For those crying out: :P"}, {"response": 1398, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 25, 2002 (11:21)", "body": "One thing's for certain, Heather's latest release (in the UK--doubt if it will ever see the light of day here) has been met by scathing reviews. Most critics have said it will likely be their candidate for \"worst film of the year.\" Much of the criticism has focused on the complete lack of chemistry between Heather and Joe Fiennes, a big case of \"miscasting.\" The film is \"Killing Me Softly\" and is full of required Heather nude scenes and sex. Still no one likes it. Imagine that. ;-D This won't help the marketing for Hope Springs any."}, {"response": 1399, "author": "mariel", "date": "Tue, Jun 25, 2002 (11:43)", "body": "Hey! I was looking though the webpages of one of my favorite photographers, and noticed he'd done a shoot for TIOBE. I hadn't recalled seeing any mention of them here, so I thought I'd post the link. http://growbag.net/photographers/gregwilliams/hughgrant/index.asp Have a great day!"}, {"response": 1400, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun 25, 2002 (12:20)", "body": "Thanks, Mariel! Photo by Greg Williams. Colin relaxing and we ask, where's it hanging? ;-))))"}, {"response": 1401, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jun 25, 2002 (12:20)", "body": "(KarenR) My choice was Jane Adams. Interesting - I would never have thought of her, but now that you mention it I think that could have worked. And I can much more easily imagine her having chemistry with CF than HG. (We do need a different acronym or nickname for her, don't we?) Mariel, thanks for the link to the TIOBE photos! The link above was to a gallery of HG (the other one) photos by the same photographer, but I found the TIOBE gallery with just a couple of clicks. Here's a direct link: http://growbag.net/photographers/gregwilliams/importanceofbeingearnest/index.asp My favorite was DB smiling like mad and wearing the white shirt. Plus, of course, the cute nap-on-the-lawn photo! I also had to laugh at one of the captions - check out the photo of Rupert playing The Horse Whisperer."}, {"response": 1402, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 25, 2002 (12:42)", "body": "Oooh! Thank you, Mariel. I love those pics. Check out the socks, I mean, the skin on display here: He also took pics on the set of BJD, but it was for the post-launch party and dinner with Daniel scene where they kissed on the street. No Colin."}, {"response": 1403, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Jun 25, 2002 (13:47)", "body": "(Moon)Anna Chandler, the Lord's fianc\ufffde, has a daughter, so she would be the \"would be step-sister, who is preparing for her debutant ball. Anna finding the Lord's daughter such an \"American girl,\" insists on making her a debutant too. That sounds like a very good bet. In the original \"Reluctant Debutante,\" there is an English stepmother Lady Broadbend [?](Kay Kendall), who has a dear friend whose daughter is making her debut. Not to be outdone, Kendall's character plunges poor Sandra Dee into the whole deb thing. Perhaps AC's character doees the same thing to Amanda, with the thought of soon-to-be step-sisters bonding, or something. Could be good scenes of girls fighting over THE dress in Harvey Nicks? Great photos! I like the one of Lady B driving a golf cart. The one of Colin in the white shirt cuts off his hands oddly... (Moon) Colin's relaxing... Yes, Colin appears to be having a very nice nap. Does anyone know how to get black marker ink off a computer screen? I felt compelled to do SOMETHING about Rupie's white anklets!"}, {"response": 1404, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jun 25, 2002 (13:56)", "body": "Terrific find, Mariel, thanks! Looks like he has a cell phone up to his ear in one of them. Does anyone know how to get black marker ink off a computer screen? I felt compelled to do SOMETHING about Rupie's white anklets! LOL! Those short socks should be banned. How awful. Speaking of debutantes, I was watching the Tom Hanks tribute from the AFI last night and there's a scene from Punchline in which Tom, as a stand-up comic, does a funny riff on debutante \"activities,\" ending with the rant, \"What Does This Have To Do With The Real World!!!\" So I guess CF has moved on from rom-coms to fairy tales. :-("}, {"response": 1405, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jun 25, 2002 (14:57)", "body": "(Mari) LOL! Those short socks should be banned. How awful. Thank goodness it was Rupie sporting them and not DB. So I guess CF has moved on from rom-coms to fairy tales. :-( I keep telling myself that this was just a chance for him to spend the summer at home (the London home, anyway) with Livia and Luca instead of being off on location, and that much better things are on the horizon. If I repeat it often enough I even begin to believe it.... a little."}, {"response": 1406, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Tue, Jun 25, 2002 (15:14)", "body": "Lovely photos. Obviously, they all must put their cell's on \"vibrate\" so as not to disturb filming. They must never be without them. Somehow, I thought this would be different than say, your average teenager (or adult moviegoer) in the movie *theater* in the U.S. ;-)"}, {"response": 1407, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Tue, Jun 25, 2002 (15:48)", "body": "(Mari) Those short socks should be banned. How awful. Those are the girliest socks I've ever seen. Honestly! Rupie can do better than that :) Great shot of Colin in the long coat and cell phone. That man really does look great in clothes. :)"}, {"response": 1408, "author": "caribou", "date": "Tue, Jun 25, 2002 (16:38)", "body": "I think the long coat is part of his mourning outfit. Glad these styles are still with us ala CF movies. Also, like the one of Dame Judi in the aforementioned golf cart. No wonder he was scared if he rode it like Merriman is! :-)"}, {"response": 1409, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jun 25, 2002 (18:45)", "body": "The Greg Williams photos are terrific!!! Thanks, Mariel, what a find! I feel a little like a fly on the wall seeing the actors who are captured out of character, but still in their costumes! Rupie, those socks and shoes have to go. They aren't even tied. Colin looks very dashing on the other hand.................and neither right nor left ;-). The pic where he's on the cellphone and in long coat begs for a caption from someone around here concerning a conversation with LD about kissing scene or something. Am not feeling very creative today, but can just hear those drool wheels turning out there... (Rika) I also had to laugh at one of the captions - check out the photo of Rupert playing The Horse Whisperer. LOL! Rika, do you mean photo #10 or #11? Because your comment about the Horse Whisperer fits both, if you think Reese's hair is the horse and the make-up person's hand is the horse's ear (which I did at first) when I looked at #11! LOLROTFLMAO!"}, {"response": 1410, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jun 25, 2002 (19:04)", "body": "Thank you, Mariel for those great pictures. My favorite is CF in the white shirt laughing. He looks v.yummy in all of them. Is it just me, or does Rupie look downright old in those shots? Or is it because ODB looks especially good? (Moon)Colin relaxing and we ask, where's it hanging? One never knows just how it might swing in that fully recumbent position.! (Karen)But how else are you going to show contrast between the beautiful and virginal and blonde Nancy (played by the daughter of Sylvia Syms, who is now in AmGirl) and the boozing, on the way down, older actress?? I agree, I also felt that the affair with the older actress was not only a result of his being rejected by Nancy, but also to show just how young and inexperienced this boy was in London, and how you can get lost in the show biz crowd. I also think Richard was very eager to have a taste of many things. Uh, should this be on another topic? Sorry."}, {"response": 1411, "author": "airstream", "date": "Tue, Jun 25, 2002 (20:31)", "body": "Nice work Mariel! Moon....can't think of how to top that! (hat off, bowing down...)"}, {"response": 1412, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jun 25, 2002 (20:57)", "body": "Mariel, thanks so much! My faves are the B/W ones of CF in long coat with cell phone and in the white shirt. Another one I like a lot is the first one in the group with OP and JD in the foreground and CF in the background in the glare of the lights. I'm quite fond of the pic of RE in color with the horse also....there's something a little different about it, a slightly different depth of field or something I can't put my finger on. (Linda) He looks v.yummy in all of them. Is it just me, or does Rupie look downright old in those shots? Or is it because ODB looks especially good? He does look excellent! I think the moustache makes RE look older...kinda makes him look like Snidley Whiplash. Wasn't that the villain in the Dudley Do Right cartoons? He just needs the big hat. And ODB does put him and everyone else to shame."}, {"response": 1413, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 25, 2002 (23:09)", "body": "(Dorine) Another one I like a lot is the first one in the group with OP and JD in the foreground and CF in the background in the glare of the lights. Doesn't it look like he's holding a cellphone in that one too?"}, {"response": 1414, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jun 25, 2002 (23:33)", "body": "Didn't occur to me it could be a cell phone. My first thought was he was looking at something he picked up off the desk. (Caribou) I think the long coat is part of his mourning outfit. Glad these styles are still with us ala CF movies. I very much like this style on tall men. I'm usually dismayed at Joan and Melissa's comments on the red carpet shows when they diss those who wear those types of coats such as Samuel L. Jackson and Russell Crowe. (Karen) My choice was Jane Adams I like her in the few things I've seen her in (Frasier, The Anniv Party). I'll be reading the book soon. I'll have to see if I can picture either HGm or Jane Adams."}, {"response": 1415, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Jun 26, 2002 (00:05)", "body": "I thought he was holding a cell at first, but if you look closely it is rather thin and there is something extending from the back like the arm at the back of a photo frame. :))) Lovely pics and lively comments today!"}, {"response": 1416, "author": "caribou", "date": "Wed, Jun 26, 2002 (00:33)", "body": "(Lora) The pic where he's on the cellphone and in long coat begs for a caption from someone around here concerning a conversation with LD about kissing scene or something My feeble attempt: Honey, it was just Rupert's cheeky ad lib so it doesn't really count! The fully recumbent posture one: Show no fear! (after what happened to Brian Smith)"}, {"response": 1417, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Jun 26, 2002 (02:24)", "body": "(Lora) LOL! Rika, do you mean photo #10 or #11? Because your comment about the Horse Whisperer fits both, if you think Reese's hair is the horse and the make-up person's hand is the horse's ear (which I did at first) when I looked at #11! LOLROTFLMAO! Right, I was talking about #11. On first impression, it looks for all the world like he's whispering sweet nothings in the horse's ear, but the caption refers to the hair/make-up work. Pretty funny. (Linda) He looks v.yummy in all of them. Is it just me, or does Rupie look downright old in those shots? Or is it because ODB looks especially good? (Dorine) He does look excellent! I think the moustache makes RE look older...kinda makes him look like Snidley Whiplash....And ODB does put him and everyone else to shame. I saw TIOBE again this afternoon (we had fairly good turnout for a 4:30 pm show on a weekday), and I was again struck by how much better (and younger) ODB looks compared to RE (even though I think RE is only a year older). I do think the moustache was part of it, and his eyebrows also seem to have been given a dramatic shape that enhances the \"Snidely Whiplash\" effect. And they do seem to have piled on the make-up, just as ODB teased him about - was that in the VH"}, {"response": 1418, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Jun 26, 2002 (02:26)", "body": "Sorry that ended abruptly - my PC was momentarily possessed by an evil spirit that posted for me while I was in mid-sentence. I was going to say, \"was that in the VH1 cast party?\""}, {"response": 1419, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 26, 2002 (10:18)", "body": "God bless Heather Graham and her disdain for the standard Hollywood actress nudity clause. First, she abandons all clothing for Boogie Nights. Next she donned a pair of unfeasibly short hot pants as Austin Powers' girl goddess Felicity Shagwell. Now Heather's keeping up appearances by doing the dirty with Joseph Fiennes in the hot and steamy Killing Me Softly. Empire Online shared couch space with the lovely Ms Graham to find out who has the best body in Hollywood and whether she really is a 'naughty girl'. An interview with Heather in Empire, mainly about nudity (duh) and how she'd like to be Meryl Streep (!). At the end she's asked about her next project and doesn't mention HS. http://www.empireonline.co.uk/features/interviews/killingmesoftly/"}, {"response": 1420, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 26, 2002 (10:36)", "body": "Thank Karen. Pisses me off.Why wouldn't she mention HS with a high profile British actor...instead of some Indian guy no one ever heard of."}, {"response": 1421, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 26, 2002 (10:48)", "body": "Dennie Gordon, director of AG on the set of Joe Dirt http://www.kinoweb.de/film2001/JoeDirt/pix/jd3.jpg"}, {"response": 1422, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jun 26, 2002 (11:46)", "body": "I assume that's Dennie on the left.;-) Looked her up on the imdb and she's directed a lot of good TV series--Ally McBeal, The Practice, Tracey Ullmann, Chicago Hope, Picket Fences . . . so hopefully JD was an abberation. Maybe you have to kiss some frogs to get into feature film directing.;-)"}, {"response": 1423, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 26, 2002 (12:02)", "body": "OK, I've just gotten word from a source within the AG production about the cast. AC is the fiancee and the other girl is her daughter from a previous marriage. Baz got it wrong. Kelly Preston is not finished. It was just how the shooting was scheduled. She'll be back maybe three more times. And they are right now at West Wycombe shooting a scene where Amanda is learning from her leading man (not Colin) how to curtsey and is supposed to fall in the lake. I hear a huge ARGH out there from all you wet shirt people. ;-D"}, {"response": 1424, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jun 26, 2002 (12:27)", "body": "AC is the fiancee and the other girl is her daughter from a previous marriage. . . .Kelly Preston is not finished. Whadyya know--the kid running the Amanda website got it right. Thanks much for the confirmation, Karen. I'm satisfied."}, {"response": 1425, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Wed, Jun 26, 2002 (12:38)", "body": "(Karen)...is supposed to fall in the lake \"Don't worry, darling. Daddy will save you!!\", says Lord D. Love those photos, Mariel. What a find! Colin was singing to his crying baby on the cellphone ;-) FP will be showing once again (with no reference to CF) on Showcase in Canada July 4th. And the western movie channel CEN will rerun RV. Same old, same old. They show every other bad UK TV movie but never any obscure ODB. (pout) You'd think everyone would want to see the young Ms Zeta in \"Move Your Tongue\"--I mean, \"Out of the Blue\"."}, {"response": 1426, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Jun 26, 2002 (13:06)", "body": "(Karen) AC is the fiancee and the other girl is her daughter from a previous marriage Am V.V. pleased to read this :-D"}, {"response": 1427, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 26, 2002 (13:07)", "body": "(Bryonny) You'd think everyone would want to see the young Ms Zeta in \"Move Your Tongue\"--I mean, \"Out of the Blue\". LOL! I'd bet Ms Z-J has an injunction out against ever showing this program again. I mean you get to see her pre-implants and with her *real* teeth. Not a pretty sight. ;-D"}, {"response": 1428, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 26, 2002 (14:31)", "body": "Way t'go , Boss. Thanks. ROTF Byronny"}, {"response": 1429, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Wed, Jun 26, 2002 (17:12)", "body": "Thanks for the info on the *Today* programme in Australia Mari but by the time I read your message, it was over. A friend, and I use the word loosely as she didn't tape it ;-) phoned me that night but of course it was too late. I sent a message out over the airwaves at work but so far no-one has come forward with a tape. Not long to go to 4 July which is the release date for TIOBE down here. The cinema closest to me has told me they are only showing it at their city theatres - about 1.5 hours away by car. I plan on checking a few other cinemas later today but will definitely be making the trip if its not showing at any of them."}, {"response": 1430, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 26, 2002 (18:06)", "body": "On Monday, reports People magazine, Travolta, 48 and a self-professed ''airline geek,'' earned a new set of wings as a first officer for Australia's Qantas Airways. As such, he plans to take his family -- actress-wife Kelly Preston, 39, and their two children, son Jett, 10, and daughter Ella Bleu, 2 -- on a two-month, 35,000-mile flight that will circle the globe, starting Monday. Will he stop in London for Kelly to finish AG?"}, {"response": 1431, "author": "airstream", "date": "Wed, Jun 26, 2002 (19:16)", "body": "As for obscure CF movies--\"Fatal Beauty\" is playing. Seems like movie wife somewhat resembles real wife. Also, someone in an art gallery asks Joe where he buys his shoes....hmmm... Any mention of why KP sings in AG?"}, {"response": 1432, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 26, 2002 (19:31)", "body": "Fatal Beauty. What is that? Sounds like a cross between Fatal Attraction and Dangerous Beauty, where a boiled bunny gets tossed off the Bridge of Sighs. ;-D"}, {"response": 1433, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jun 26, 2002 (19:57)", "body": "testing"}, {"response": 1434, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jun 26, 2002 (20:01)", "body": "Sorry, I was having trouble posting. (Moon)Will he stop in London for Kelly to finish AG? Was just reading about this in the local paper, Moon, and it said that London is one of their stops, so sure. Hey, Evelyn (aka, Karnak) predicted this one 2 weeks ago! (Karen)Sounds like a cross between Fatal Attraction and Dangerous Beauty, where a boiled bunny gets tossed off the Bridge of Sighs. ;-D LOL! Is that the one where Glenn Close takes a butcher's knife to Rufus Sewell and hacks off all his curls?;-) Amy, you mean Femme Fatale, aka, Fatal Woman. I like that one--B movie all the way but Joe Prince is so sweet and I love the love scenes.:-)"}, {"response": 1435, "author": "kasey", "date": "Wed, Jun 26, 2002 (20:51)", "body": "Mari, You're right... strictly a B movie but I'm glad I caught it. Just waiting 'til 9 PM local time to catch \"Camille\" on Hallmark channel. Two previously unseen CF movies on one night!!! Frankly, I don't care whether they are good, bad or indifferent; I just want the opportunity to see it for myself. Heck, I'd even sit through the apparently !@#$%^&*( \"Londinium\". It's knowing that there is this whole body of work of his that I haven't seen yet that is so frustrating. Even more frustrating is the fact that I don't know if I'll ever get to see some of them (such as Donovan Quick) unless some US distributor decides to bring them out on video or DVD."}, {"response": 1436, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Jun 26, 2002 (21:18)", "body": "(Kathy C)It's knowing that there is this whole body of work of his that I haven't seen yet that is so frustrating. I know! Last week someone posted that Master of the Moor was on a Canadian cable (I think?) channel. I keep hoping it will turn on up PBS Mystery or on the Enclore group's mystery channel, but so far no luck."}, {"response": 1437, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Jun 26, 2002 (21:27)", "body": "(Kathy) It's knowing that there is this whole body of work of his that I haven't seen yet that is so frustrating. Even more frustrating is the fact that I don't know if I'll ever get to see some of them (such as Donovan Quick) unless some US distributor decides to bring them out on video or DVD. I know! It's VERY frustrating. (whimper) And to add to my personal frustration, I haven't seen Fatal Woman (or FF) yet, but our cable system doesn't get Lifetime Movie Network, so it didn't help me that it aired earlier today. (whimper, whimper) I may have to take refuge in BJD tonight."}, {"response": 1438, "author": "kasey", "date": "Wed, Jun 26, 2002 (22:13)", "body": "And now I turn to the Hallmark channel and instead of \"Camille\" they are showing something called \"Durango\". EXTREMELY frustrated whimpering going on over here at the moment."}, {"response": 1439, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jun 27, 2002 (01:38)", "body": "Just got back from #9 TIOBE-but who's counting. Still v.v.nice crowd. Took friends along-they absolutely loved it. Glad to hear we're all cleared up concerning AG-for now at least. (Kathy)I'd even sit through the apparently !@#$%^&*( \"Londinium\". Shhhh, don't let the boss hear that. (Karen)I hear a huge ARGH out there from all you wet shirt people. ;-D ...and a double huge ARGH from all us righties and lefties."}, {"response": 1440, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 27, 2002 (12:45)", "body": "The IMDB is now showing release dates for Hope Springs for the UK (1 Nov) and the Netherlands 13 Feb 2003), in addition to the US one that's been up there for sometime (6 Sept)."}, {"response": 1441, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Thu, Jun 27, 2002 (15:22)", "body": "That must mean that we won't get it down under until well into 2003... ;-)"}, {"response": 1442, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Thu, Jun 27, 2002 (15:46)", "body": "re:(Kathy) It's knowing that there is this whole body of work of his that I haven't seen yet that is so frustrating. Even more frustrating is the fact that I don't know if I'll ever get to see some of them (such as Donovan Quick) unless some US distributor decides to bring them out on video or DVD We have actually been really lucky on digital cable in Canada lately -- I got to catch Master of the Moor as mentioned, Another Country last week and Turn of the Screw on the weekend. This weekend, Apartment Zero, and the mentioned Fever Pitch on Showcase July 4. Sometimes it is a good thing to have a million channel universe. I feel like I am slowly catching up without having to break the bank...hopefully living in England will let me see some more."}, {"response": 1443, "author": "airstream", "date": "Thu, Jun 27, 2002 (17:12)", "body": "Fatal Beauty is the Lifetime (for women ) version of Femme Fatal I suppose (blah, I mean ick). Maybe their target audience wouldn't watch what they thought may be a \"French\" film! :P Camile was on Hallmark quite a few weeks back."}, {"response": 1444, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 27, 2002 (18:07)", "body": "We're just giving you a hard time, Amy. The boo-hiss Lifetime version (definitely NOT worth it) of Femme Fatale is called Fatal Woman (she's not that beautiful) After getting that scummy movie out of my mouth (ptooey), here's a treat. Jane had posted the text to the Australian New Woman article (term used v. loosely) and this is the accompanying pic for \"A Firthy Mind\""}, {"response": 1445, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Jun 27, 2002 (18:57)", "body": "My, my, my my my....someone did his hair........!!! Thanks Jane (& boss), I'm going to pop into Woolies today and have a look in the check out line!"}, {"response": 1446, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jun 27, 2002 (20:07)", "body": "OOHHHH, Thanks for that v.yummy picture, Karen. Yes, ODB's hair looks v.good indeed!"}, {"response": 1447, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jun 27, 2002 (23:29)", "body": "Thanks, Karen! V. v. nice! It's nice to see it larger and without words plastered all over it. I saw it on eBay a week or so ago. As I was watching Fatal Woman (AKA FF) tonight (fast forwarding through a lot of it, really), I was noticing how good ODB looked, with really nice hair...but realized that I much prefer the more mature version as above. Looking at the pic above elicits an \"Oh!\" and in FW it was, \"OK he was cute\". Cuteness doesn't quite cut it for me. I find that men become significantly more appealing to me when they hit mid to late 30's. George Clooney, Rob Lowe are a couple that come to mind at the moment."}, {"response": 1448, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (00:11)", "body": "(Lisa) My, my, my my my....someone did his hair........!!! I love the curl down over his forehead... just a hint of Darcy there. Mmmmmmmmm. Thanks, Karen!!!!"}, {"response": 1449, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (09:27)", "body": "Hello, my name is Jeanie, and I'm a Colin Firth addict. (Hello, Jeanie) LOL! This is so kewl. I had no idea that he has such a following.. gee whiz.. I even liked him BEFORE P&P, but if you mention Colin here (just outside of Nashville, Tennessee where one's concept of culture ends in the dairy aisle amongst the yogurt and cottage cheese)you generally get the reply of \"Colin, Whoooo?\". So, finding so many others that enjoy ODB \"Old Darcy Butt\".. yes, I know.. \"Our Dear Boy\",... it took me awhile to figure out the acronymn, has been a wonderful catharsis. My husband knows of my weakness, but he's so used to it that he really doesn't mind so much. He even sits down and watches one of Colin's flicks with me from time to time. I have recently mentioned at the Harry Potter website that I believe Colin would make a fabulous \"Sirius Black\" (character in the third and fourth books of the series). What's your spin on that? Inquiring.. (ok, sick and twisted) minds would like to know! ;-)"}, {"response": 1450, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (09:35)", "body": "Wonderful picture, Karen! Put that in/on The Bucket, please! ;-D Welcome Jeanie! We did discuss the possibility of a role in HP for Colin, way back."}, {"response": 1451, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (09:43)", "body": "Welcome Jeanie! Glad to see you've made it here! Although had I known you were going to bring up HP, I'd have told you to leave it in the paper aisle, amongst the toilet paper rolls. ;-D Just kidding. Others agree with you and who am I to quash such discussion? *off to get my voodoo doll*"}, {"response": 1452, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (10:26)", "body": "Hello, Jeanie, welcome to the madness. BTW, there is no 10-step program for Firthaholics.......because we don't want to be cured! Karen, thanks for posting that picture. One of the best I've seen! Just made my morning. (Lisa, you still have a Wollies? I'm envious!) If Hope Springs comes out in the UK in Nov, isn't that fairly soon after the UK release of TIOBE? What a Firthfrenzy--he could have his own mini filmfest. Are there any Firthettes in Yorkshire? There is a Leeds Film Festival in October (according to info from British Tourist Board). Any hope of a Colin film there?"}, {"response": 1453, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (10:31)", "body": "Hmmmm.. (making mental note not to bring up any more inane movie suggestions for Colin to star in.. persisting in such tomfoolery could prove hazardous to one's health, or, at least, backside.. ouch, watch where you're stickin' dem pins! LOL!)"}, {"response": 1454, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (10:40)", "body": "Naw, we make movie suggestions all the time. I'm just not in the camp that wants to see Colin put on fright wigs, prosthetic noses (and other appendages) and heavy makeup. I'm in the \"do a serious drama\" camp, like this one I read about this a.m. The part of Dave seems to be open and Colin's in the right age bracket, plus you have a respected director (slap me!): From THR: Sean Penn is set and Kevin Bacon is in final negotiations to star in Warner Bros. Pictures/Village Roadshow Prods.' \"Mystic River,\" which Clint Eastwood will direct and produce through his Malpaso Prods. The project will go into production in September in Boston and Los Angeles. Based on Dennis Lehane's novel of the same name, \"Mystic\" tells the story of three childhood friends -- Sean, Dave and Jimmy -- who are reunited 25 years later when they become linked in a murder investigation after Jimmy's oldest daughter is killed. Penn will play Jimmy, an ex-con ready to take justice into his own hands. Bacon would play Sean, a policeman on duty when Jimmy's daughter is murdered who responds to the call. Penn's interest in the project began while he was a client at ICM, where he was also eyeing such projects as \"The Assassination of Richard Nixon\" and \"21 Grams.\""}, {"response": 1455, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (10:44)", "body": "Hmmmm.. (making mental note not to bring up any more inane movie suggestions for Colin to star in.. persisting in such tomfoolery could prove hazardous to one's health, or, at least, backside.. ouch, watch where you're stickin' dem pins! LOL!)"}, {"response": 1456, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (10:48)", "body": "Hmmm.. how did I manage to double post? LOL! Sorry about that!"}, {"response": 1457, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (11:06)", "body": "Hi Jeannie Harry Potter? Me too ;-)"}, {"response": 1458, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (11:07)", "body": "Admin Note: Double posting often results from hitting your browser's Reload or Refresh button. Since this is not like a messageboard, where you do hit those buttons, in order to find out if there are new messages here, you must go out of a topic (let's say, to the main Drool page) and see what shows up there and then reenter. No need to apologize either. Happens to most newbies. :)"}, {"response": 1459, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (11:42)", "body": "(Karen) I'm in the \"do a serious drama\" camp, like this one I read about this a.m..... Hmmm... I'm having trouble imagining CF with Sean Penn and Kevin Bacon. But maybe that's because the only American I've ever seen him play is Jess in ATA. There's been nothing new reported lately about the Ted Hughes role, has there?"}, {"response": 1460, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (12:10)", "body": "I noted in last week's \"Entertainment Weekly\" that Amanda Bynes said that the highpoint of her life thusfar had been making a movie with CF. Gawd, they get younger every day, don't they? My daughter is only 18 and she swears if she ever got \"he who must be adored\" somewhere alone she'd wear him out! ROFL! You know... I'd really like to see \"Vanity Fair\" do a major spread on \"he who must\". I think I'll write the editor and tell him to get Annie Leibovitz busy on that. (laughing) Thanks for all the kind \"hellos\", btw!"}, {"response": 1461, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (13:12)", "body": "Ted Hughes, yup.. that would work.. http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/2421/sylviaplath14.jpg He certainly looks a great deal more like TH than RC or HG, don't you think? I mean.... look at the chin and the eyes! I read a year or two ago about Meg Ryan's quest to stir up interest in a Plath project, and I understand she really wanted to star in it, as well, but now GP is in place to play Sylvia... Oh well... (winking at Karen).. guess that's what happens when you make too many romantic comedies."}, {"response": 1462, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (13:20)", "body": "Welcome, Jeanie! Though I'm in the \"I want serious roles\" camp, I'd be happy to see him do Harry Potter--at least it would get an extremely wide release and have mass appeal. I noted in last week's \"Entertainment Weekly\" that Amanda Bynes said that the highpoint of her life thusfar had been making a movie with CF. Which issue, Jeanie? Can you give us the direct quote? Thanks."}, {"response": 1463, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (13:36)", "body": "Welcome Jeanie! A HP role for CF-I wouldn't mind, because as Mari just posted it would have wide release. However, I'm with Karen in the dramatic role camp. I think he would be perfect for the Ted Hughes part-fingers and toes crossed."}, {"response": 1464, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (13:43)", "body": "(Mari) Harry Potter--at least it would get an extremely wide release and have mass appeal. ROTF. By all means, let's reach out to all the demographics ;- TIOBE \"12 yrs and up\"...NY Times AG same age group...stopping at 17 yrs. Then [trumpets] *Tah* *Rah*... \"Harry Potter\"...directed by KB [wouldn't that be cruel?]aimed at the 6 to 13 yrs. Yup...we'd have 'em all;-)))"}, {"response": 1465, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (14:23)", "body": "LOL.. well, now that I've really thought about it and considered everyone's viewpoint, I think ODB needs to be REALLY careful about the roles he is taking on. His career is sort of in a state of flux right now with his opportunities going from \"supporting role\" to \"starring role\", and I believe that Karen is really right about sticking to the more serious projects. There's just not many actors or actresses that can make that transition back and forth between comedy and drama and still be taken seriously by producers, you know? Matter of fact, Tom Hanks is really the only actor I can think of at the moment who can do that, and do it successfully, and, as of late, even HIS luck with that ability could be called into question. As far as the \"Entertainment Weekly\" article I mentioned in one of my many posts.. lol...it's in the June 28/July 5 issue on page 69 (lifting an eyebrow)...this whole issue is dealing with stars that the magazine believes are \"it\" right now, and they have some really nice pictures of several of their choices along with little silly tidbits about their lives. They seem to believe that Amanda Bynes is the \"IT\" ingenue at the moment, and in her little factoids along with her greatest \"Influence\", \"Career High\" and \"Best Advice\" she ever received, there's \"Almost Better Than Getting Her Driver's License\": \"Shooting the film \"American Girl\" with Colin Firth in London. But I'll be away the whole summer, which is a bummer I just got my first car.\"... LOL.. Oh, to be sixteen and gorgeous again.. heee heeee."}, {"response": 1466, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (14:53)", "body": "(Jeanie) \"he who must be adored\" Love it! Does that make his DW \"she who must be obeyed\"? That might explain some of his decisions..."}, {"response": 1467, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (15:12)", "body": "ROFL.. right out of \"Rumpole of the Bailey\"... I think many of us wives are \"she who must be obeyed\"s don't you? And.. considering his previous \"eye for the women\", I would say that Livia, through need of self-preservation, is definitely one! LOL"}, {"response": 1468, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (15:33)", "body": "(Jeanie)And.. considering his previous \"eye for the women\", I would say that Livia, through need of self-preservation, is definitely one! He's only had 2 public relationships(that we know of) with women before getting married..that hardly qualifies him as some sort of Romeo. LOL Especially by the entertainment industry standards. I honestly don't think his wife has to worry about a \"wandering eye\" with this one. Truth be told, he has a bit of a reputation for letting the women in his life rule (if you catch my drift). May or may not be a bad thing. Too each his own. But IMHO, his career is HIS career and some changes do need to be made. Off to Lurkland again Have a great weekend everyone!!"}, {"response": 1469, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (15:48)", "body": "Hey, Hola.. meant no disrespect toward \"he who must\"... didn't realize he'd only had two women before Livia. ;-) I just seem to remember several years ago hearing he was quite the ladies' man... LOL, but I'm probably mistaken. Either way, though, you're perfectly right about it being HIS career and that he should make his own decisions regarding it. I'm just glad I'm not in his wife's shoes.. (yes you read that correctly.. LOL). He's too pretty for his own good, and considering the temptations that are out there and the long spaces of time being spent apart, I'd go completely bonkers!!"}, {"response": 1470, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (16:25)", "body": "Oh Gawd....shoes and Livia. I think I feel a humourous little snippet taking form in my twisted brain."}, {"response": 1471, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (16:25)", "body": "(Kate)\"she who must be obeyed\"? (HolaLola)Truth be told, he has a bit of a reputation for letting the women in his life rule (if you catch my drift). There's a vulgar term for this condition which I won't post (but I will entertain off-board guesses;-) Suffice to say, \"her way or the highway.\" (Evelyn) ROTF. By all means, let's reach out to all the demographics ;- TIOBE \"12 yrs and up\"...NY Times Hey, our little community paper has it listed under the \"Family Filmgoer\" section, right up there with Scooby-Do and Lilo and Stitch. AG same age group...stopping at 17 yrs. Try 12 years old. The 17s are all at Minority Report."}, {"response": 1472, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (17:29)", "body": "Ah Mari, you wouldn't be inferring that ODB was \"PW\" would you? That would be a terrible thing to say about him! ;-)"}, {"response": 1473, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (17:42)", "body": "For all newbies...don't miss Lisa's terrific story on Fan Fic #159. \"Under My Skin\".A contemporary \"steamy\" P&P.Not to be missed. Earlier chapters are in the archive...with illustrations!!"}, {"response": 1474, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (17:54)", "body": "Heee Heeee! Freddie, I should've said I wouldn't want to be in her \"gawd awful ugly shoes\". And.. is it just me or does the term \"PW\" remind anyone else of a non-dairy whipped topping? (shrugging)"}, {"response": 1475, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (22:07)", "body": "(Evelyn)For all newbies...don't miss Lisa's terrific story on Fan Fic #159. \"Under My Skin\".A contemporary \"steamy\" P&P.Not to be missed. Earlier chapters are in the archive...with illustrations!! I read that whole story in just a few days after wandering on and reading ch.15 first. v.steamy-glad I didn't miss it."}, {"response": 1476, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 28, 2002 (23:36)", "body": "(Jeanie) I read a year or two ago about Meg Ryan's quest to stir up interest in a Plath project, and I understand she really wanted to star in it, as well, but now GP is in place to play Sylvia.. But Meg is still working to produce her own version. These aren't the same projects. But it sure looks like this one will be done and Meg's is nowhere. (Mari) I'd be happy to see him do Harry Potter--at least it would get an extremely wide release and have mass appeal. So?????? Is that going to mean anything?? Do you really think this will have any bearing on whether he gets toplined on important project? Is Robbie Coltrane getting handed Oscar potential scripts? People go to see the HP movies because of the stories and the special effects. They don't go for the supporting cast of British All Stars. Of course, what do I know? BTW, many of the Best Actor candidates are coming out of smaller or indie releases nowadays because that's where people are actually acting. Lola is quite right. Colin's only had two relationships that have made the press before getting married. Hardly a Romeo. The fact that both were his leading ladies made it news, but then again, where do most people meet? At work, right?"}, {"response": 1477, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Jun 29, 2002 (00:23)", "body": "Hi Everyone. Welcome Jeannie. Thanks for picture Karen. I too, prefer his more mature look although he is awfully cute in Dutch Girls. I could go for it. He was legal then. But couldn't dance. Let's face it girls, two publicized relationships with leading ladies. With his looks and libido you know there were others. Just not big enough to make the press. You'd hate to think he wasn't normal. I have a very cute 23 year old son who is very normal and I gave up keeping track. They call him all the time and he's not in the movies. So I can just imagine the kind of attention he got when he was younger. He was probably slowing down 30-37 that's why only two major ones then the DW because it was time to settle down. Valmont is on AMC in July as well as a BJD run on Starz and Conspiracy on HBO 2 FF on Lifetime movies and Hostages on Thrillermax thats all I could find on internet so far. Wish I was in Canada too. Would love to see what you're getting. Lucky you. I'd just like to see him in a leading roll comedy/drama doesn't matter. Just alot of screen time. That's all."}, {"response": 1478, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Sat, Jun 29, 2002 (05:16)", "body": "I went to the movies here in Sydney today, and I've just got to say that, for a movie that opens next week, there has been absolutely NO publicity whatsoever for TIOBE. I have not seen one single television commercial, not one single preview at the movies and not one single poster for TIOBE here. It's disgusting. Miramax apparently doesn't even realize there's a whole continent below the equator. I'm thoroughly disgusted. I predict that TIOBE is going to tank down here, and no small wonder. Nobody even knows the #$*@)($* film exists. On another note, \"Bend It Like Beckham\", which was the film I went to see today, is doing very well - and it's a great film. I highly recommend it."}, {"response": 1479, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 29, 2002 (09:01)", "body": "I think we're down to three theaters here, if I remember correctly what was in yesterday's ad. Nary a commercials that I've ever seen."}, {"response": 1480, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sat, Jun 29, 2002 (09:32)", "body": "TIOBE is just at one theater here, unfortunately. I still haven't seen it. I haven't had enough time with all of my children being home for summer break, however, my 16 year old son says he'll make the 45 minute trek with me. I live in the county just north of Nashville, and I really do deeply resent that there's only one small theater in Nashville that's showing it. We have one of those huge multiplex theaters here in Hendersonville, but they're too busy showing the typical junk. (sigh) I suppose Miramax assumes most people in this area would be too ignorant to want to see the movie, and unfortunately... they'd probably be correct in that assumption. It's not being advertised here, either. I had the same problem last year when I wanted to see \"How To Kill Your Neighbor's Dog\". Oh well... My computer is going into the shop today. It needs some work, so I won't be around for a few days, and you will all be greatly missed. =)"}, {"response": 1481, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Jun 29, 2002 (12:18)", "body": "Earnest--he's baaaccckkkk!! I reported the bad news so, I feel obligated to report the good. The western wind is blowing fair and TIOBE has returned. This time it's in a new \"multi-screen art theater\" whereas last time it was at the biggest multiplex. This seems a very strange marketing plan. I guess Miramax hasn't learned the the very vital importance of being...conventional! :-)"}, {"response": 1482, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sat, Jun 29, 2002 (13:43)", "body": "The winds aren't blowing in northern NJ. TIOBE is still where it was--four theaters listed in the ad (the photo of the three stars), the same as last week, I believe. At least it's still in the theater very near me, so I have another shot at it. I think four viewings will suffice for me. By the third, I was noticing the intrusive microphone and stuff like that. One of the problems is that, for research, this is not a good film. All of ODB's suits are dark and have long jackets, with the exception of that one country outfit. The best reason for Colin to do HP would be for his son--wouldn't a 12[?]-year old think it's cool that Dad did a HP movie? (Or would having been in Spiderman been so cool for Will that Dad in HP wouldn't be on the scale?)"}, {"response": 1483, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 29, 2002 (15:13)", "body": "(Mari) I'd be happy to see him do Harry Potter--at least it would get an extremely wide release and have mass appeal. (Karen)So?????? Is that going to mean anything?? Do you really think this will have any bearing on whether he gets toplined on important project? So?????Do you think he cares? ;-). Since when has an \"important project\" had priority over \"being on the Victoria Line\". BTW, many of the Best Actor candidates are coming out of smaller or indie releases nowadays because that's where people are actually acting. BTW those little indie companies don't pay$$$$$ \"Ka-Ching\";-)"}, {"response": 1484, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 29, 2002 (16:02)", "body": "(Evelyn) So?????Do you think he cares? ;-). Not my concern. He's an actor to me. That's all. Since when has an \"important project\" had priority over \"being on the Victoria Line\". ain't it the truth. ;-))))))) But you can't stop me from wanting him to show his stuff in something worthwhile. I'm a Katie Morosky at heart. ;-D"}, {"response": 1485, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jun 29, 2002 (16:35)", "body": "(Jane)Miramax apparently doesn't even realize there's a whole continent below the equator I don't think Miramax realized there was a whole continent ABOVE the equator. I had to watch a NY station (I live in NJ) to see a commercial, yet the film is still going stong here-go figure. IMHO, I truly believe they underestimated its appeal. (Karen)But you can't stop me from wanting him to show his stuff in something worthwhile. I wholeheartedly agree!!!, in more ways than one. (Kate)for research, this is not a good film Weelll, I'll give you that, but it certainly has been fun doing the homework."}, {"response": 1486, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jun 29, 2002 (16:42)", "body": "(Karen)But you can't stop me from wanting him to show his stuff in something worthwhile. Jeans, sweats, boxers, briefs, buff? Sorry, Karen, I just had to double post on your comment, couldn't let that slip away. You know, dog days of summer and all that."}, {"response": 1487, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 29, 2002 (17:27)", "body": "+----------------------+ | _ _ [ ] | | O O [ ] | | + | | \\___/ ------- | | ------- | | | +----------------------+ Message to Colin: (Karen)But you can't stop me from wanting him to show his stuff in something worthwhile."}, {"response": 1488, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sat, Jun 29, 2002 (18:42)", "body": "I was just checking session times for MIB2 here in Minkeeland (yes these are the films 11yrs old boys like!). We have 2 major distributors in the shopping mall venue with multiple screens, Greater Union and Hoyts. They both show TIOBE in their list of films \"Coming Soon\" so I would think we could look forward to it on at least one screen in most of the malls throughtout Syndey. Hey, where I live, the retiree population is a big part of what keeps these theatres going. Gosford Park is still playing up here after 5 months or so and when I saw it I was the baby of the group. Sooooooo, TIOBE might have a good run. Sorry, there were no specifics on starting dates or places. :))))))"}, {"response": 1489, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sat, Jun 29, 2002 (21:03)", "body": "More news from the Great Southern land. In yesterday's Sydney Morning Herald Good Weekend magazine, there is a full page add for TIOBE, the question mark five people, towards the back. If it hadn't been for a great article about David LaChapelle I never would have even opened it up. Confirms it opens on July 4th. It lists the following for info: incinemas.com.au"}, {"response": 1490, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Jun 29, 2002 (22:52)", "body": "Hi everyone. Well I'm glad to see Miramax is messing up promotion for TIOBE all over the world and not just here. I was beginning to feel singled out! Bowing to their professional expertise (?) I wondered if they had a death wish for this film? Publicity was pathetic. Advertising started to become visual after it was already being pulled from theaters. The only good thing was Colin got alot of exposure so we got to see him. I really question their mind-set on this one. Very disappointing. The picture itself was really good and the audiences I saw it with really enjoyed it. Why put the money into a project if they're not going to do right by it? Watching BJD for second time today. Nothing else on the tube. However, did anyone catch The Princess Diaries? Ladies if I'm not mistaken if you watch it you will be viewing the kissing cousin to AG. A few minor plot differences, at least from what we have surmised from information on hand at this point, and here's your picture. Definitely same gendre. Basic plot teen being brought out so to speak. Actually it wasn't bad and I liked it. Have been in Jane Austen mode so watched P&P (#1 of course) Emma, Sense & Sens'y and Mansfield Park. As great as I think Emma Thompson is, and she is great, and I know she wrote the screen play, but did she seem a little old for the part opposite HG or is it just me? Also if HG was disinherited for being engaged to Lucy how come brother Robert could marry her and he wasn't disinherited? Just wondered. Don't think this type of film is suitable for HG but then again CF can't do them all."}, {"response": 1491, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sat, Jun 29, 2002 (23:29)", "body": "(lindak)I don't think Miramax realized there was a whole continent ABOVE the equator. (FanPam)I wondered if they had a death wish for this film? Some of us remember the good old days in '99 when Miramax released all 22 prints of MLSF (not counting the one I saw, in which ODB's head melted [really!] on the screen at the Angelika). Said film went hurtling throughout the US via pony express and courier pigeon. Eons later, MLSF made its way to the UK via corked bottle thrown in the Atlantic. We've come a long way, ladies. :-)"}, {"response": 1492, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Jun 30, 2002 (00:35)", "body": "Eileen, I was thinking about that same thing. I wasn't on Drool at the time, but I've read the archives from the summer/fall of '99, and there was a great deal of wailing and gnashing of teeth (for good reason) over the nonexistent marketing campaign for MLSF. Sounds like the only way it could have been worse would have been if they had erected barricades in front of the theaters in which it was showing in order to keep people away. I have a background in marketing - should I maybe offer my services to Miramax as a consultant (but only for films starring ODB, of course :-D)?"}, {"response": 1493, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Sun, Jun 30, 2002 (01:17)", "body": "HI there, I finally found ONE theatre that continues to show TIOBE, it is an arthouse one downtown, lucky me. Hey, what is the difference between P&P1 and P7P2? I have heard them mentioned but would like to know what makes them different, if anything? thanks"}, {"response": 1494, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sun, Jun 30, 2002 (01:53)", "body": "LOL sandiclaus!!!!! I have never seen P&P1 but I think i'm at least qualified enough, from my extensive viewing of P&P2, to say the following: Night and Day. P&P2 The version the CF version. beyond that, the adaption is, from what I gather far, far superior to that of P&P1, from the actors (too old???) to the settings (locations) to the costumes(out of time period). Isn't P&P1 regular film length, a la 90 minutes??? P&P2 as a mini series is somthing like 6 hours. Right there you can figure out that the differences will be great. I don't think I would even want to view P&P1 for pleasure because I really don't think I could stand to watch anyone other than CF play Darcy. And, as that goes, JE as Elizabeth! Still, this is all from someone who never saw the first version!"}, {"response": 1495, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sun, Jun 30, 2002 (02:20)", "body": "OK I found out my comments were about P&P0....I think!!! P&P1 is still a total mystery though."}, {"response": 1496, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Sun, Jun 30, 2002 (02:52)", "body": "Hmmm. Long post ahead... I've seen it, plenty; in fact, I was somewhat stuck on 1 before 2 came along. For this reason, I awaited 2 with great expectations, and was pleased to see \"that cute guy from (US released) Advocate and Valmont.\" I wasn't really happy with the minor liberties they took with the story, though, on the first pass. When it became apparent that he was about to jump into the lake, I remember thinking \"Noooo, this is just too much!\" Within a few seconds I had changed my mind... Your mileage may vary, but IMO, Garvie makes a much more natural looking heroine, as she's not wig-challenged, my only real problem with Ehle. CF is a much more human Darcy than Rintoul; he's not bad-looking, but it's almost as if he takes the reserved aspect over the top. You don't even get a chance to see what he could have done with the part; did the director tell him just to remain wooden the entire time? This does, however, produce an effect roughly similar to the one in the novel; the viewer hates him as much as Elizabeth does at first. His transformation isn't as evident, either! An argument could be made (and probably has been, elsewhere) that this is a more accurate reflection of the mercenary aspects of the marriage market of the period. There is no reason whatsoever to wonder if he is shy; he's very clearly just plain unsociable. Wickham is much more attractive in 1 than in 2; you can see very clearly how everyone who didn't know better got roped into his deceits. He's also played by a considerably more charming (and better-looking) actor. This was a major complaint for me when 2 came out. There are some genuinely good scenes that move the story along. It is made much clearer that Darcy is out and about at Rosings, hoping to run into Elizabeth in the park, before the proposal scene. And his appearance at Pemberley is, as it is in the book, a complete surprise. I know we had to give that up to get the wet shirt, and I'm not saying I don't appreciate that, but it's one of the strong points in the novel, so I wouldn't have traded it for anything less! There are also some very funny scenes that illustrate Collins' idiocy, beehives and life preservers spring to mind. IIRC it is 4 hours or more long; it's on two tapes at my local rental place. It looks different, too; shot in videotape on a much smaller budget for the BBC only, so the adage \"you get what you pay for\" definitely applies. You don't see the grand exteriors or interiors and variety of locales that you do in 2; no flashbacks to Ramsgate or school days, no coaching inns, no hunting through the stews of London. The costumes are OK, as I recall, but not as lavish and attractive as in 2, probably also because of financial limitations. In short, and just my .25 (indexed for inflation!) it was good to have the one to tell the story, and now it's even better to have one to drool over, too. Color me grateful!"}, {"response": 1497, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jun 30, 2002 (05:03)", "body": "He's only had 2 public relationships(that we know of) with women before getting married..that hardly qualifies him as some sort of Romeo. LOL Especially by the entertainment industry standards. I honestly don't think his wife has to worry about a \"wandering eye\" with this one. Digging into the archives of my mind, CF once mentioned in an interview a girlfriend who watched TV all the time and when she left she took the television with her (which he was quite happy about)! So I guess there *must* be other non-public relationships. But, unlike some actors, he does seem to be a very private person, without the need to bolster a sexy \"notches on the bedpost\" type of image. Slightly OT-ish, \"Big Fat Liar\" with Amanda Byrnes is getting a major nationwide release (all the multiplexes) over here - far more, I suspect than TIOBE (why the delay?) will get. But probably AG will get the same kind of mainstream treatment when it opens, which has to be good news!"}, {"response": 1498, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 30, 2002 (09:43)", "body": "(Eileen) Some of us remember the good old days in '99 when Miramax released all 22 prints of MLSF *snort* Who will ever forget the stellar marketing campaign which required one to board a plane in order to see the movie! I remember seeing it here in Chicago with people who had come in from Iowa and Indiana. Didn't Evelyn fly to Dallas? While it may take great patience and fortitude to be a CF fan, you do get frequent flyer mileage. ;-D Re: P&P0 (Olivier & Garson film), P&P1 (BBC w/ Garvie & Rintoul) and P&P2 (the one)--great critique above. But if you want to discuss it further, would you cut and paste it into our Darcy Drool topic, where many a general P&P discussion has taken place. http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/112/new"}, {"response": 1499, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 30, 2002 (09:45)", "body": "(Bethan) So I guess there *must* be other non-public relationships. Naturally. I doubt anyone here thought he was a monk. ;-D"}, {"response": 1500, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Sun, Jun 30, 2002 (09:47)", "body": "TIOBE finally made it to our \"E\" market this weekend. My lurker friend and I (with DH's) saw it in a town about an hour and a half away last weekend. Our fear was that it would never come here. Starting to duck now...have to admit it left me cold. CF was lovely in all respects as usual. I thought FO'C was v.g. Rupie gave me the creeps, and I wondered why RW was there at all (along with Tom Wilkinson). Perhaps I wasn't in the right mood? I thought I was ;-) I *will* go see it again at least once in my local theater, since I bitched and moaned to management so much about getting it. ;-) We did have a nice display ad, in which CF featured prominently. If it's different from the one we've seen, I'll scan and send it along."}, {"response": 1501, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun 30, 2002 (10:20)", "body": "(Elizabeth) Your mileage may vary, but IMO, Garvie makes a much more natural looking heroine, as she's not wig-challenged, my only real problem with Ehle. Psst... But Ehle won the BAFTA ;-))"}, {"response": 1502, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jun 30, 2002 (10:21)", "body": "(Karen), I doubt anyone here thought he was a monk. ;-D OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOhhhhhhhhhhMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM..............."}, {"response": 1503, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 30, 2002 (11:02)", "body": "I ran across this and thought it was hysterical. In a nutshell, this is our story, dadd-i-o!"}, {"response": 1504, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sun, Jun 30, 2002 (11:50)", "body": "*guffaw* Groovy. On another note....oh, dear god! *shaking head*"}, {"response": 1505, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Sun, Jun 30, 2002 (12:50)", "body": "AG: Think of the bright side--CF in evening clothes (oof...fell over)."}, {"response": 1506, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun 30, 2002 (13:28)", "body": "Hey boss, ...did you have to rub it in??? AG: Think of the bright side--CF in evening clothes Neat-o;-)) And he won't have to go to the BAFTAs next year;-)"}, {"response": 1507, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Jun 30, 2002 (15:35)", "body": "Hi Everyone. Great comment about BAFTAs Evelyn. Unfortunately I agree. What an experience. Was up till daylight again with this wonderful site. This time just scratching the surface of Firth Fiction 159 for the first time. Great job ladies. Enjoying everything. Will go back now. Thank you. According to your 1999 reports it appears Miramax has actually improved. Although there didn't seem to be any problem with BJD was there? Have seen all three cited versions of P&P. Most entertainment value definitely found in P&P 2. No question. Classiest version."}, {"response": 1508, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Sun, Jun 30, 2002 (17:22)", "body": "Karen, I've just seen the photo at 1444 - ooohhhh thank you so much for posting it. What a way to start a Monday morning !!!!! Found out yesterday that a cinema not too far from me will be screening TIOBE - YIPEE. Am now trying to think how I can take 4 July off work, even though I'm meant to be attending a staff meeting ;-)"}, {"response": 1509, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sun, Jun 30, 2002 (18:04)", "body": "Yahoo! I just got back from TIOBE. My daughter decided to go with me into Nashville to the ONE theater that is showing it. I dearly loved the movie. It was, in my way of thinking, a film that Oscar Wilde, himself, would've approved of. Oscar was, in my understanding, quick-witted, glib, and endearing, and I think the movie embraces all of those qualities. I especially loved ODB's straight man pitted against Rupert's Algemon. Their occasional spats were something that I'll be snickering over for quite awhile.. \"And he ate all the muffins\".... Of course, Dame Judi was wonderful.. but I've never really seen her in anything that she wasn't wonderful in. FO'C was also quite good, and I even thought Reese did a fairly decent job.. especially since she's just a girl from my hometown. Gawd, \"he who must\" and RE look sooo good in period clothing, don't they? OK.. enough gushing, though, in my opinion, one cannot gush enough about ODB."}, {"response": 1510, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Jun 30, 2002 (20:02)", "body": "(Jeanie) Gawd, \"he who must\" and RE look sooo good in period clothing, don't they? Rupie doesn't have those nice broad shoulders to really carry off evening dress like ODB does - but he does look quite at home in Victorian garb all the same. And ODB.... yes, he was absolutely stunning throughout, wasn't he? I especially love both his appearance and his demeanor early in the film, when he's enjoying being Ernest. That wicked look on his face when he \"changes\" into Ernest on the train is divine, and he looks positively edible when he's lounging around at the music hall, mischief lurking behind his eyes. What did your daughter think of the film and ODB? OK.. enough gushing, though, in my opinion, one cannot gush enough about ODB. No, one cannot! Besides, that's the point of this place, right?"}, {"response": 1511, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sun, Jun 30, 2002 (20:26)", "body": "Rachael says , \"Like Mom, I enjoyed the chemistry between Rupert and ODB \"in a completely heterosexual sort of way, of course\".. lol... Me having siblings of my own makes me certainly understand and enjoy the occasional spats and arguments.. I am, also, a rather huge Judi Dench fan, so I'm happy to see her in any movie... and now I'm inspired to look into other Oscar Wilde works. I think I speak for any young American woman who has seen \"he who must\" in any film when I say \"hubba-hubba\". It is so rare when someone my age (18) finds an actor, who is older than their dad, who can act and turn them on! No one can pull off period costumes better than CF. Gush, gush, gush.. etc... \" ROFL.. i told you she likes him! I'm so glad that I took her with me, because otherwise, and I'll be 40 in December mind you, I would've been the youngest person in the theater.. I haven't seen so much blue hair in one place since I took my mother to \"Charlene's Beauty Salon\" to get a perm! There was a little ol' octogenarian who sat behind us who had already seen the movie three times! (laughing) Well.. at least our senior citizens in Nashville are intelligent and appear to have good taste.. well, good taste with the exception of hair in colors not found in nature... ;)"}, {"response": 1512, "author": "airstream", "date": "Sun, Jun 30, 2002 (20:28)", "body": "Yes, must admit v.v. nice photo (nice hair AND brows)...(have been away) Welcome Jeanie. ...if you can't gush here....."}, {"response": 1513, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jun 30, 2002 (21:30)", "body": "Well, I made it to #10. Took my brother and sister-in-law-they loved it. My brother was v.hesitant at first, but was almost gushing at the end. TIOBE is still going strong in the same theaters and will be here for the coming week. I leave for Bermuda on Wed. and I figure it may be gone when I get back on Sunday *sobbing and gnashing teeth* so I just had to see it one more time."}, {"response": 1514, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 30, 2002 (23:44)", "body": "(Jeanie) I haven't seen so much blue hair in one place.. Pffft! It would seem that Colin is reaching out and touching \"ladies of a certain age's mothers.\" Is this a shrewd career move or what? ;-D Does Modern Maturity have a 10 Sexiest issue?"}, {"response": 1515, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Jun 30, 2002 (23:50)", "body": "Jeanie, congratulations on raising a daughter with such excellent taste!"}, {"response": 1516, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Jun 30, 2002 (23:55)", "body": "(Jeanie) I haven't seen so much blue hair in one place.. (Karen) Pffft! It would seem that Colin is reaching out and touching \"ladies of a certain age's mothers.\" Is this a shrewd career move or what? ;-D Does Modern Maturity have a 10 Sexiest issue? On the other hand, I've seen it three times in two different cities (including a weekday matinee), and in each case the audience has had a broad age range. Some seniors in each case, yes, but by no means the majority. So in some places, at least, it's reaching a wider audience."}, {"response": 1517, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Mon, Jul  1, 2002 (08:27)", "body": "(Jeanie) I haven't seen so much blue hair in one place.. (Karen)Pffft! It would seem that Colin is reaching out and touching \"ladies of a certain age's mothers.\" Is this a shrewd career move or what? ;-D Does Modern Maturity have a 10 Sexiest issue? (laughing)... nope, \"Modern Maturity\" only has a \"7 Sexiest\" issue.. the other three are dead. =P"}, {"response": 1518, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Jul  1, 2002 (11:34)", "body": "(Rika)Rupie doesn't have those nice broad shoulders to really carry off evening dress like ODB does Rupie should keep the jacket on. His shoulders slope terribly. In the country scenes, whem they have their jackets off, you can tell that ODB's shoulders are his own. Rupie's jackets must have had VERY thick shoulder pads. (possibly borrowed from Joan Collins?) Linda, # 10!!! That's devotion. I saw BJD about 10 times, but doubt I'll make to 10 for TIOBE. Enjoy Bermuda, listen to the lovely accents and maybe it will bring back memories of ODB. Elizabeth, don't feel bad. I have a friend who liked Garvie's Lizzy better than Ehle's. I think she liked that Mr. Bennet better, too. Of course, she has the good taste to agree that Colin was THE BEST Darcy. Karen, thanks for that ad. LOL! You're amazing, wherever did you find it? (I actually like \"Reluctant Debutante,\" and next time I see it I'll be thinking of that wannabe-cool ad!)"}, {"response": 1519, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul  1, 2002 (12:12)", "body": "Thanks to Sylvia (via JaneC) and several others (mailbox has been active this a.m.), I've put up an article that appears in the Australian TV Week supplement here: http://www.firth.com/articles/02austvweek.html LOL! Jeanie. Monitor took a hit as I sipping some tea."}, {"response": 1520, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jul  1, 2002 (12:22)", "body": "Ladies, I am off to Italy for the summer tomorrow. I will as always keep an eye out for ODB. Be good, stay safe and have a firthfilled summer. Arrivederci! :-D"}, {"response": 1521, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul  1, 2002 (12:30)", "body": "Here's the full-length pic without type all over it: *waving bye bye* Moon Have a great time"}, {"response": 1522, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul  1, 2002 (12:51)", "body": "Bye Moon. We'll miss ya :-((( Keep eyes open;-) Last year you alerted us about the Locarno premiere of BJD with YKW there! Pretty speedy, Boss. Thanks . I like the look...specially the \"pouf\"."}, {"response": 1523, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Jul  1, 2002 (12:52)", "body": "(Karen)Here's the full-length pic without type all over it Thanks for the picture and article. Is it me, or does he look a lot like Elvis in the pic? We certainly do get frequent sightings of him around here, so it suits him ;-). Have a wonderful vacation, Moon!"}, {"response": 1524, "author": "caribou", "date": "Mon, Jul  1, 2002 (12:56)", "body": "What a nice pic! Thanks ladies! Couldn't help but notice the little gold band peeking out. I wonder if Livia pointed out it needs to show in photos.;-)"}, {"response": 1525, "author": "caribou", "date": "Mon, Jul  1, 2002 (13:00)", "body": "Have a great summer, Moon! Looking forward to when the Moon shines again on Drool! :-)"}, {"response": 1526, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Jul  1, 2002 (13:23)", "body": "(Caribou)Couldn't help but notice the little gold band peeking out. I wonder if Livia pointed out it needs to show in photos.;-) Yes! I noticed that it was visible in the photo that was posted last week, too. (Evelyn)I like the look...specially the \"pouf\". No! It looks like \"helmet hair.\" I'm hoping it's just because the picture is so dark. Have a great time, Moon!"}, {"response": 1527, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul  1, 2002 (13:30)", "body": "Definitely \"helmet hair.\" I did a little quick and dirty lightening up, but it still looks very helmet-y. Maybe I'll work on it more later...in my spare (LOL) time. BTW, many pics have shown the ring."}, {"response": 1528, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Jul  1, 2002 (14:55)", "body": "(Lora) Is it me, or does he look a lot like Elvis in the pic? LOL -that's exactly what i thought! it's a bizarr Elvis meets Fonzie look. Who in God's name did his hair??? Thanks for posting it Karen :-D"}, {"response": 1529, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Jul  1, 2002 (17:00)", "body": "The hair...the hair oh my she goes off to the corner to mutter.... Actually my first thought was of a wise guy as in Goodfellas, A Bronx Tale, The Sopranos or Analyse This. Especially with the clothes. Thanks for the srticle...why do I miss the few things that we get around here in the GSL? (Great Southern Land) Karen, was there no mention of firth.com in the article????? Bye Moon, enjoy some local red wine for me please........."}, {"response": 1530, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jul  1, 2002 (17:05)", "body": "Goodbye, Moon, we'll miss you. Good luck on the ODB sightings. Have a safe and wonderful summer. (Karen)BTW, many pics have shown the ring. He had it on in every interview too. Thanks for the picture, Karen-oh that hair problem."}, {"response": 1531, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Mon, Jul  1, 2002 (17:16)", "body": "Hate the Elvis-style hair! Ack! *lol* Only in Oz would publish a pic with his hair like that... Elvis is really big here at the moment, I suppose they thought this would be a good thing... *lol*"}, {"response": 1532, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Jul  1, 2002 (19:29)", "body": "Have a wonderful summer Moon! You lucky girl. Isn't he supposedly doing a reading somewhere in Italy this month? In every single picture I have of him, out of character that is, the ring is always on, interviews too. Obviously the way he wants it. Great picture and article Karen, thanks. The hair may be (?) but the face is divine. Very Elvisy. I believe he's on Comedy Central tonight in rerun ladies."}, {"response": 1533, "author": "airstream", "date": "Mon, Jul  1, 2002 (20:11)", "body": "Have a great time in Italy, Moon! (lucky girl!) Suddenly I can't get \"Viva Las Vegas\" out of my head......"}, {"response": 1534, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul  1, 2002 (23:21)", "body": "\"But I actually just recently played a character called Colin in a film (Hope Springs) and I'm thinking of having myself billed in the credits as 'Colin played by Mr Darcy' just so people will know!\" Not too shabby but deep down, he's nuthin' but a hounddog. ;-D"}, {"response": 1535, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jul  1, 2002 (23:27)", "body": "Have a great time Moon!! We'll miss you! Hope you have your ODB radar tuned up and tuned in ;-D BTW, No Colin rerun tonight on Daily Show...it's Paul Sorvino."}, {"response": 1536, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jul  2, 2002 (01:09)", "body": "(Dorine) BTW, No Colin rerun tonight on Daily Show...it's Paul Sorvino. Sigh..... I missed it the first time and was hoping to catch up! I saw TIOBE again this afternoon. They had a poster mounted on a board outside the theater that I hadn't seen before. It could be a blow-up of a newspaper ad (it was in black and white). On the left-hand side, RE sits on the grass in a white shirt and slacks, with RW next to him. The Manor House is in the background in the center. On the right-hand side, ODB sits on the grass, also dressed in white shirt and slacks (and looking very, very fine). FOC is next to him and JD stands close to them. Has anybody else seen this one?"}, {"response": 1537, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Jul  2, 2002 (07:00)", "body": "Sorry about the misinformation. But someone said last week on site that it would be rerun tonight. I was all settled in to watch it too. Maybe another night this week as it's obviously going to be reruns."}, {"response": 1538, "author": "Jackie2", "date": "Tue, Jul  2, 2002 (08:13)", "body": "How is Colin like a hounddog? I missed that?"}, {"response": 1539, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jul  2, 2002 (08:52)", "body": "(Jackie2)How is Colin like a hounddog? In the same way that he's a hunka hunka burnin' love!:-) And for what it's worth, IMO at this stage any exta hair is a good thing.;-) (Rika)Has anybody else seen this one? Yes, they have it outside my local theater also. Too bad I coudn't fit it in my purse.;-) Have a wonderful time, Moon and Linda!"}, {"response": 1540, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  2, 2002 (09:18)", "body": "(Jackie) How is Colin like a hounddog? I missed that? Don't know your Elvis songs, do you? (Mari) And for what it's worth, IMO at this stage any exta hair is a good thing.;-) LOL! Calling Hairline Solutions..."}, {"response": 1541, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Jul  2, 2002 (10:13)", "body": "Rika, I call that picture the \"sex in the country\" ad. Has anyone seen that ad next to the \"Ernest and his two ladies\" ad? At least one of them (probably both) was \"assembled\" from other pictures. I think both ads show the same picture/pose of FOC with her hand on Colin. (FanPam)In every single picture I have of him, out of character that is, the ring is always on, interviews too. Obviously the way he wants it. Well, he did refer to himself once as a \"Smug Married.\""}, {"response": 1542, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  2, 2002 (10:31)", "body": "Before another church is constructed to commemorate Colin's wearing of a wedding ring, let's put this in perspective. Many actors wear wedding rings. Take a look at this week's Time and Tom Hanks. But they take them off for filming if the character isn't supposed to be married. Now, contrast that with Robert Redford, who didn't even take off his ring then."}, {"response": 1543, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jul  2, 2002 (16:29)", "body": "(Mari)In the same way that he's a hunka hunka burnin' love! OOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHH is he ever! Now don't get me started, Mari, just before I leave. I've been good these past few days. I'm taking the lap top, as my daughter informs me there is unlimited internet access at the hotel. If you don't hear from me in the next few days-then it wasn't so unlimited. I need to keep reading that fan fiction -hope there is unlimited cold water:-) AU REVOIR!!!!!!! I hope that's how you spell it."}, {"response": 1544, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jul  2, 2002 (16:57)", "body": "Now don't get me started, Mari, just before I leave. Get you started ??? This, from Ms. Linda-I've-seen-TIOBE-more-times-than-Colin? You'll be knocking on theater doors in Hamilton, asking why they don't have the film yet.;-) I like your daughter's suggestion, BTW--girls are so empathetic, aren't they? Have a great time, Linda. I LOVE Bermuda--one of the prettiest places I've ever been to. Minkeelanders--am waiting for your TIOBE reviews (tapping foot, looking at watch). Surely it must be the 4th already in Oz.;-)"}, {"response": 1545, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jul  2, 2002 (17:15)", "body": "(Mari) And for what it's worth, IMO at this stage any exta hair is a good thing.;-) (Karen) LOL! Calling Hairline Solutions... Now, c'mon, the hair has been looking mighty fine in photos lately, and if the much-debated LBS is visible in TIOBE, I missed it entirely. (Mari)In the same way that he's a hunka hunka burnin' love! Wasn't that one of the leading contenders in the discussion of what Lizzie would call Darcy after the wedding? Right up there with \"Mr. Love-Butt,\" if I recall (which is the one that's been firmly fixed in my mind since seeing \"The Advocate\" the other night :-D). (Kate F) Rika, I call that picture the \"sex in the country\" ad. Great name! The look in CF's eyes, along with the open-neck white shirt and light trousers, are just the thing to set the mood for a little snogging in the grass. (Karen) Before another church is constructed to commemorate Colin's wearing of a wedding ring, let's put this in perspective. Many actors wear wedding rings. Take a look at this week's Time and Tom Hanks. But they take them off for filming if the character isn't supposed to be married. Good point. I've thought it odd that anyone would find it surprising to see CF's wedding ring in photos. I suppose if an actor were actively attempting to cultivate a sex-symbol image he might have a reason to try to conceal being married, but heaven knows that's not a factor here."}, {"response": 1546, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Jul  2, 2002 (19:24)", "body": "Rika, Mr. Love Butt. I just saw the Advocate for the first time this afternoon. Perfect description. Plan to see it again tonight. Great stuff. Now we need more movies like this. Also saw Blackadder. Had no clue what it was so was a bit disappointed as I thought it was a regular movie. But got to see more of him in \"The making of segment\" so wasn't all that bad. Also saw Wings of Fame. Don't really know what to think of the film. I just think there was so much more that could have been done with it. So appeased myself with looking at him. He was gorgeous in this one. Am still trying to figure out how one can do the act on a bed surface with legs crossed and not move, especially the butt. Will have to look at it 1,000 more times till I figure it out. Such mysteries to solve."}, {"response": 1547, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Tue, Jul  2, 2002 (20:46)", "body": "I've been catching up after being away for a while, and I must come out of lurkdom to comment on the picture in post 1400 (the napping-in-the-grass shot): ***********Sighhhhhhhhhhhhh**************** Naughty thoughts are forming.... (Muttering) Now, where did I put that Invisibility Cloak???"}, {"response": 1548, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jul  2, 2002 (23:27)", "body": "(Rika)Now, c'mon, the hair has been looking mighty fine in photos lately, and if the much-debated LBS is visible in TIOBE, I missed it entirely. We take pride in our work here at www.hirsutepursuit.com ;-) (Karen)Before another church is constructed to commemorate Colin's wearing of a wedding ring Pfft! (I was gonna ask for a medal for meself;-) Some pics from the AG filming at the link below. Don't get too excited; that's not \"Dad\" in the boat. Wonder if they're reciting limericks? \"I'm boarding you, Daphne!\" ;-) http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=SRH&logsrch=1"}, {"response": 1549, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jul  2, 2002 (23:28)", "body": "Hmmm, apparently you need to put Amanda Bynes in the \"search.\""}, {"response": 1550, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Wed, Jul  3, 2002 (08:30)", "body": "For London folks and those who will be nearby: Subject: Almeida Rehearsal Room Sale on Saturday 20th July 2002 The Almeida is holding a fund raiser on 20 July, selling theatre memorabilia. \"A chance to purchase a little piece of Almeida history whether it be a signed script, poster or prop, the sale will take place in our rehearsal room at 108 Upper St in Islington and will be open to the public from 2.00pm to 4.00pm."}, {"response": 1551, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Jul  3, 2002 (09:33)", "body": "Re: the previous report that CF's appearance on The Daily Show would be rerun this week, I note on the web site that Colin Farrell is going to be on tonight. This may have been the source of the original report. Sigh..... and I so wanted to see that Daily Show appearance, which sounded wonderful!"}, {"response": 1552, "author": "caribou", "date": "Wed, Jul  3, 2002 (12:16)", "body": "Thanks for the wireimage photos, Mari. The boat scene pix also show up when you search for CF. I had a good laugh while going through his 48 pix when I clicked on key word \"smiling\". I thought, \"Oh, this will be cute.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 1553, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Jul  3, 2002 (13:22)", "body": "(Mari)www.hirsutepursuit.com Love it!!!!!!!!!!!! This will cause giggles whenever I see an example of MPB."}, {"response": 1554, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul  3, 2002 (23:58)", "body": "That Washington Post article has popped up again. (asleep at the switch, downunder, huh?) In the Sydney Morning Herald today (but really yesterday): http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/07/03/1025667006904.html New pic:"}, {"response": 1555, "author": "maryw", "date": "Thu, Jul  4, 2002 (10:52)", "body": "What did Uncle Jack say to Cecily about his brother? \"He has a choice to be in this life, in the after life or in Australia.\" Well - here's an early report from the third choice. Attended the 6.45 pm screening with Jane Scott/OzFirthfan at multiplex right in the middle of the City (Sydney). TIOBE in one of the smaller theatres. About 50 in attendance (almost half filled). For not much advance promo - this is good, I suppose. Only about half a dozen males. Wondering how many were Drool lurkers. Jane and I were both flu-ey but, of course, we'd rise from the dead for \"He who must...\" and both headed home after film so we did not have much chance to discuss film itself. We were of course mesmerised by drooly screen presence of HWM. Shall I put early impressions on 126...best I should I think."}, {"response": 1556, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul  4, 2002 (10:59)", "body": "\"He's not all that handsome, but having a crush on him has become a pop-culture commonplace.\" Huh? They come any handsomer??Look at that pic!! \" The Darcymania has been a mixed blessing for Firth. Greater celebrity translates into better roles. But the enduring magnetism of Darcy - whom Firth once referred to as \"a bizarre doppelganger that I've spawned\" - somehow seems to take away from his other accomplishments.\" What other accomplishments...like Allan Portland...Peter Marshwood...? Thanks Karen..."}, {"response": 1557, "author": "Andie", "date": "Thu, Jul  4, 2002 (11:12)", "body": "Lovely pic! What a brilliant smile. Thanks, Karen. Looks like TIOBE will make it here (Singapore)! Yay! Saw the posters in a down town cinema, and the trailers in another. Don't know when it will open, but am happily impatiently anticipating....."}, {"response": 1558, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Thu, Jul  4, 2002 (17:28)", "body": "(Karen) the Washing Post article in Sydney Morning Herald. I was away from work yesterday Karen when I saw this article and came in this morning ready to post it but you beat me to it (why am I not surprised!!). I did take the day off to see TIOBE and it was worth the wait. I really liked it. I would have gone to see it (and enjoyed it) even without Colin, but he just made it so much more !!!! I saw MLSF 11 times at the theatre and BJD 13, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to match that with TIOBE; time will tell (if it stays around long enough of course). There were between 40 and 50 people in the theatre and *most* seemed to enjoy it. Two ladies left about three quarters of the way through (???). I loved the singing parts, especially when the credits were rolling. More at 126 when time permits."}, {"response": 1559, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Thu, Jul  4, 2002 (17:29)", "body": "(Karen) the Washing Post article in Sydney Morning Herald. I was away from work yesterday Karen when I saw this article and came in this morning ready to post it but you beat me to it (why am I not surprised!!). I did take the day off to see TIOBE and it was worth the wait. I really liked it. I would have gone to see it (and enjoyed it) even without Colin, but he just made it so much more !!!! I saw MLSF 11 times at the theatre and BJD 13, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to match that with TIOBE; time will tell (if it stays around long enough of course). I'm going again on Sunday and probably Monday. There were between 40 and 50 people in the theatre and *most* seemed to enjoy it. Two ladies left about three quarters of the way through (???). I loved the singing parts, especially when the credits were rolling. More at 126 when time permits."}, {"response": 1560, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Thu, Jul  4, 2002 (17:31)", "body": "OOPS; sorry (computer was so slow I didn't think the first *submit* responsed)"}, {"response": 1561, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul  4, 2002 (17:55)", "body": "Cathey) I saw MLSF 11 times at the theatre and BJD 13 Wow!! Those are some substantial numbers you've been putting in. Don't you think Miramax should be creating some kind of \"patron\" categories for supporters of their films. How many theaters is it playing in in Australia? Is there anyway of getting those numbers? Evelyn noticed that TIOBE was playing in about 200 less theaters in the US from the previous week's stats. I can't understand Miramax's retrenchment distribution strategy, but if they just moved the reels to Australia, what a bunch of bozos. They're not lifting a finger. Tell me that they require an advanced business degree or marketing degree to work there. ;-)"}, {"response": 1562, "author": "airstream", "date": "Thu, Jul  4, 2002 (19:29)", "body": "Saw that TIOBE ended in NYC (some theatres) July 2. So, now all there is to say is \"NEXT!\" I am visiting parents in the 'wonderful' state of WV. TIOBE has not, nor will ever be shown here...I believe. I rewatched \"The Net\" the other day...and I must admit, JN looks to be a pretty good kisser. happy 4th."}, {"response": 1563, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jul  4, 2002 (22:28)", "body": "(Evelyn) He's not all that handsome, but having a crush on him has become a pop-culture commonplace.\" Huh? They come any handsomer?? Look at that pic!! I'm right there with ya! I'd like to see who would make her looks list. (Amy) Saw that TIOBE ended in NYC (some theatres) July 2 Actually I lucked out...it opened at the art house in my neighborhood. I took a friend Tues night. Maybe 1/3 - 1/2 full. Quiet crowd unfortunately. Laughter picked up after Jack returned with the urn. My friend and I laughed quite a bit more, of course. I had to stop myself from reciting along with it, too. 95% of the people left as the credits started...I wanted to shout \"Wait, don't miss this!\" Didn't overhear any comments. I don't think I'll make it to double digit viewings...guess I'll just be a \"Friend of Miramax\" rather than a \"Patron\"."}, {"response": 1564, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jul  4, 2002 (23:48)", "body": "I can't understand Miramax's retrenchment distribution strategy No, they've actually added theaters in the US this week--a big deal 8, so it's up to 216. This is according to Box Office Mojo and \"The Numbers\" websites. So, you Minkeelanders and getting fresh reels of your own.:-) They're still runnng the same ad in my area, but in the NY papers, Rupie has finally been tacked on to the trio, sticking out lke a sore thumb. Evelyn, have you seen the Possession commercials? Lookin' good! They ran them all day throughout the Wimbledon coverage, and the fiom doesn't open for another month and a half. Universal/USA Films knows how to market."}, {"response": 1565, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jul  4, 2002 (23:51)", "body": "Gee, could I have any more typos in that message? Sorry. Anyway, this just in: Hope Springs will be rated PG-13 in the US for \"sexual content and language.\" I had been hoping for an R . . . sigh;-) Still no firm release date other than \"later this year.\""}, {"response": 1566, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jul  5, 2002 (01:52)", "body": "(Mari) They're still runnng the same ad in my area, but in the NY papers, Rupie has finally been tacked on to the trio, sticking out lke a sore thumb. What NY papers has everyone seen a trio in? The Times runs an ad daily, the first few weeks with the movie poster with the 5 of them, then the 4 of them on the lawn the past few weeks. Hope Springs will be rated PG-13 in the US for \"sexual content and language.\" I had been hoping for an R . . . sigh;-) Still no firm release date other than \"later this year.\" Sept 6 isn't a firm date? I just looked the other day and that was still the date listed. Matter of fact, I was impressed that he has 2 openings on 2 different continents on the same day. What a whirlwind PR tour he'll be doing in late Aug/early Sept I would imagine. Maybe the others will do more PR in the UK. PG-13....Ugh!! Is a towel scene allowed in a PG-13? I guess that means HGm will be keeping her clothes on, which I would think means the scene at the motel just after she and Colin come back from the monument will be severely altered or deleted."}, {"response": 1567, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Fri, Jul  5, 2002 (04:55)", "body": "Another note about the theatre in Sydney that Minkee and I attended last night. There were how many flights of stairs Minkee? 10 or 12?? I had to turn to her and ask \"Don't they know that CF's fan base is mainly blue-haired old ladies?? What are they doing making us go up and down all these stairs?!\" Enjoyed the film very much, as expected. I did think I spotted some MPB in a couple of places, though. Particularly as he's looking up the stairs at lady Bracknell's house...."}, {"response": 1568, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul  5, 2002 (10:22)", "body": "Glad to hear Yahoo was wrong in the # of theatres...last week they said 444 for Earnest and this week 208. \"Make up ya' mind!\"!! Not here yet. Didn't expect a HS R rating from Buena Vista. They do family -stuff. You can take you aunt to this one too, Bethan;-) Think AG will be G.You gotta hit those 10 & 12 yr. olds ;-) Ogod. What next :-(((("}, {"response": 1569, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jul  5, 2002 (11:23)", "body": "(Evelyn) Think AG will be G.You gotta hit those 10 & 12 yr. olds ;-) Ogod. What next :-(((( Direct to video, a la Mary Kate and Ashley ;-D"}, {"response": 1570, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Jul  5, 2002 (12:05)", "body": "(Dorine) Direct to video, a la Mary Kate and Ashley ;-D Gah! Dont know whether to laugh or cry! *please God -NO!*"}, {"response": 1571, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul  5, 2002 (13:34)", "body": "(Evelyn) Think AG will be G.You gotta hit those 10 & 12 yr. olds ;-) Ogod. What next :-(((( (Dorine)Direct to video, a la Mary Kate and Ashley ;-D LOL.*We've* done that too...RV. And a few that didn't even get that far;-) L'dum and DQ."}, {"response": 1572, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Jul  5, 2002 (14:19)", "body": "=/ ...Purposely ignoring the Mary Kate and Ashley straight to home video statements lest I toss my wheaties. LOL! Hey, I'm back! After $700 worth of repair work from my attempting to add ram, my computer is finally working again... However, much to my chagrin, I now find that my monitor is broken and I'm using one of my old ones that only works plugged into the video card. (looking for length of rope and a wobbly chair) Went to see TIOBE, again, Wednesday. This time I was actually able to keep my mind more on the dialogue and plot instead of being caught up in \"He who must\"'s dynamic screen presence, although I was experiencing slippage from time to time. This time around I took my 16 year old son, Sam. He seemed to enjoy it, but once again.. we were the two youngest people in the theater!!!! It's just a strange Nashville phenomenon, I suppose. I, also, read all of \"New Cardiff\" and have read most of it a second time around to my husband, who is really enjoying it. I think this role appears to be pretty much tailor-made for \"He who must be adored\", and wouldn't it be something if this film became as popular as \"The Graduate\"?! He watched her spin around several more times. 'You know something,' he said, seating himself on the edge of the bed, 'actually I may take some of them off.' 'Don't just take some of them off. Take them all off.' 'I don't know if I'm as joyful as you are yet.' 'You will be, once they're off.' Colin bent forward to untie his shoes..."}, {"response": 1573, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Jul  5, 2002 (15:14)", "body": "Karen, I'm chiming in a little late here (been out of town for a couple of days), but thanks for the photo along with the re-appearance of the Post article. What a gorgeous photo! That Washington Post interview keeps resurfacing, doesn't it? DH was very proud of himself when he brought that section of the Post to me. \"Here's an article about that actor who played Mr. Darcy - you like him, right?\" he said. The poor dear - he has no idea that \"like\" is a bit of an understatement."}, {"response": 1574, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Jul  5, 2002 (16:51)", "body": "Hi Everyone, Thanks for photo Karen. Will HS be in general release as opposed to art theater release. Maybe then it'll have a chance. I agree, PG-13 does not leave much hope for great fantasy but will take anything we can get. Would be great if it was same calliber as The Graduate, but feel times were different then and subject matter was daring at that time. Today anything goes so impact will be much less. Still looking forward with eager anticipation to promotional tour interviews and alot of screen time for him. Hoping AG will atleast be PG-13 so we can see a little ankle at least. In all seriousness, do you really feel he doesn't do scenes like in the Advocate and Wings of Fame, ATA was rather tame, didn't really show anything, because he's married now, or is it possible he feels uncomfortable and just doesn't like doing them. I'm glad atleast that I've got the Advocate in case they never happen again. Was thinking the other day ... could definitely see him as one of the Three Musketeers....hmmmm"}, {"response": 1575, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Jul  5, 2002 (17:14)", "body": "(Karen)Don't you think Miramax should be creating some kind of \"patron\" categories for supporters of their films. YES! Great idea! A Frequent Viewer program. Send in your tickets stubs to get \"bum-hours\" redeemable for, uh, let's see. How about discounts on viewings of future CF films, pre-reserved seats in theaters (including a guaranteed empty seat in front of you), special commemerative packets of tissues for wiping drool off chins, reserved milk-crate to stand on at premieres..."}, {"response": 1576, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul  5, 2002 (17:26)", "body": "(Jeanie) wouldn't it be something if this film became as popular as \"The Graduate\"?! (Pam) Would be great if it was same calliber as The Graduate Skies are gorgeously blue, but, as ever, I must step in to rain on everyone's parade. Let's not assume that HS can be anywhere near as good as The Graduate. That film was written by Buck Henry and, in case you didn't know, Buck Henry is a major writing talent. In other words, Mark Herman ain't no Buck Henry. But to clear away a few of the clouds, PG-13 doesn't mean it will be devoid of nudity or sexuality. Exposed breasts fall into PG-13, as well as people in bed. Below-the-waist stuff (frontal) is out, especially of the male variety, which is always NC-17, although female usually qualifies as R. Backsides of either sex are R or PG-13. Now, people actually doing something in bed depends on what they're doing. You start getting a lot of thrusting motion (even below sheets) and you're in R territory; without sheets: NC-17. (Pam) Will HS be in general release as opposed to art theater release. From what I was told, that hadn't been decided yet. I think when they have a better feel for the public's reaction to the film, they will know. Seems fairly mainstream to me. (Pam) do you really feel he doesn't do scenes like in the Advocate and Wings of Fame...because he's married now, or is it possible he feels uncomfortable and just doesn't like doing them. Well, he's already said he doesn't like doing them, but very few actors would disagree. However, I'd bet he thinks he's too old for them (body wasn't in as good shape, remember his pudginess), just as he thought he was too old for leading man parts. But that could be a convenient excuse as well because everyone knows Hollywood films have no problem whatsoever with more mature leading men."}, {"response": 1577, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Jul  5, 2002 (19:16)", "body": "(Jeanie) wouldn't it be something if this film became as popular as \"The Graduate\"?! (Pam) Would be great if it was same calliber as The Graduate Skies are gorgeously blue, but, as ever, I must step in to rain on everyone's parade. Let's not assume that HS can be anywhere near as good as The Graduate. That film was written by Buck Henry and, in case you didn't know, Buck Henry is a major writing talent. In other words, Mark Herman ain't no Buck Henry. But we can hope, can't we,(Laughing) \"Oh ye rational web goddess of level-headedness and all things Colinary?\" I know.. I know... I'm such a Pollyanna. Oh, and I was gonna comment on \"he who must's\" hair... my husband's hair is exactly like his. About two weeks after Tom has his hair cut, it has that poofy \"Elvis\" televangelist thing going.. it's the length, not the style.. lol.. but, I always like it much better after about a month when it becomes all soft silky curls running amuck. Tom also has the thinning on the crown, but when your hair grows in a spiral from the crown like their's do, it makes that thinning spot much more noticeable. It's good hair to run fingers through.. ;D You just can't do much to it as far as styling goes.. lol.. but the curls are worth it, methinks."}, {"response": 1578, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Fri, Jul  5, 2002 (19:48)", "body": "RE: Frequent viewer benefits: In Australia, TIOBE seems to be playing at Hoyts cinemas exclusively, and they have \"cinema cash\" discount tickets available, minimum of 10 per purchase @ $9.90 each. Considering the regular movie ticket prices here are around $14.00 each, that's not a bad savings - I'm planning on getting a pack of 10 so I can see TIOBE as many times as I want. :-D They can't be used on Saturday nights, and are only good for 6 months, but I figure I can always share them with friends for viewing TIOBE while it's here..."}, {"response": 1579, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Jul  5, 2002 (22:42)", "body": "(Jeanie) It's good hair to run fingers through.. ;D Lucky you, a husband who still has hair!!!!!! Both of the main cinema complexes here, Hoyts and Greater Union list TIOBE as \"now showing\". GU has it currently at 5 cinemas in the Sydney area and Hoyts has it at 4. This doesn't include any info on independent theatres. (There are several in my area, none of which are showing it.......yet!!!!!!) Why don't they make these cinema sites so you can navigate by film as opposed to the cinema complex???? Would make the job sooooo much easier."}, {"response": 1580, "author": "LizJP", "date": "Sat, Jul  6, 2002 (00:01)", "body": "I'm delurking to find out if anyone knows where the following picture of CF came from: I found it while idling away my time doing a Google image search for CF pictures. Any clues? Thanks for the help! Liz"}, {"response": 1581, "author": "LizJP", "date": "Sat, Jul  6, 2002 (00:06)", "body": "Oops, I obviously goofed in posting the link to the mystery CF picture. Why don't I just post the link to the page I created instead? http://members.bellatlantic.net/~vze3mr4u/index.html Let's see if that works better. Again, any help is appreciated in figuring out where this picture came from! Liz"}, {"response": 1582, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sat, Jul  6, 2002 (00:21)", "body": "(Amy)Saw that TIOBE ended in NYC (some theatres) July 2. Did it? In today's NYTimes, there's a lovely big ad for TIOBE, about a half page. Several theaters are listed for Manhattan and points more remote. Northern NJ has five screens, which may be one more than last week. This ad uses the newly assembled picture with the four leads (Rupie tacked onto the previously used three-person picture). Has anyone else seen this one? Rupie's photo is seriously retouched--he looks much younger than he does in the film. I'd almost think it was someone else, but there is that hint of sloping shoulders... If Rupie weren't smiling, I'd caption his picture, \"Colin got all the women in this picture, but it's never gonna happen again.\""}, {"response": 1583, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Sat, Jul  6, 2002 (02:21)", "body": "Hey Lisa - yourmovies.com.au will give you a listing by movie title. Have just returned from my second viewing in downtown Sydney, and I have to say - the sight of all those old ladies climbing up and down all those stairs is truly tragic!! *lol* The theatre managers should be shot! About 75 - 100 at this viewing - that \"word-of-mouth\" thing must be working! Mostly women again, and as I said, many blue-hairs. The poor old dears..."}, {"response": 1584, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sat, Jul  6, 2002 (06:53)", "body": "(laughing).. ok, Jane, I guess it's an \"Sydney & Nashville\" sort of thing. LOL! There were three old ladies with walkers when I saw the movie on Sunday, and one on Wednesday, as well. Yep.. and the bones they were acreakin' as they climbed up and down the stairs. LOL! Of course, mine snap and crackle too, so I really have no room to criticize. By the time I'm their age I'll probably already be in the ground, or, at least, in a chair..but still... how strange this whole situation is! Perhaps it takes them back to when movies weren't full of four-letter-words,sex scenes, and raunchy innuendo. I dunno... but a ticket purchased, with or without blue hair, is a good thingie, yes? =D Lisa.. yes, I'm lucky that my husband has \"Colin Hair\".. now if he only had his build.. hmmmm... lol. My ear is acting up again, by the way, so get writing, woman! (laughing) I'm sure you don't have anything better to do but to entertain me, right? ;) Liz, I'm clueless about the Russian stamp picture, but I bet Karen will know. It's a cute one, though.. he looks all scruffy."}, {"response": 1585, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul  6, 2002 (11:42)", "body": "(KateF) A Frequent Viewer program. Send in your tickets stubs to get \"bum-hours\" LOL! I love your ideas. Maybe you should apply to Miramax and they seriously have no ideas at all. Nice to read that our Aussie contingent is supporting TIOBE. It is a fun movie and one you shouldn't hesitate to recommend to every blue-haired person you know or meet on the street. ;-D BTW, I've put up a listing at Topic 158 of all the films we haven't yet discussed. Looks like we have a group that's chomping at the bit to do one this summer and some of us oldies are game as well. So put in your two cents now while we're deciding which one to do."}, {"response": 1586, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul  6, 2002 (12:06)", "body": "Hmmm, I've checked the TIOBE listings for my area, and one reel has moved to another suburb (way out) but the one closest to me looks to have cut back on the showings: only 2 per day. It must be sharing a screen with the Ya-Yas. :-( Pathetic! If only they would run a commercial or two here, maybe it would be doing better as it is on the east coast. You gotta try to lead a horse to water once and awhile, otherwise, they'll get the same reponse in the future and write us off."}, {"response": 1587, "author": "LizJP", "date": "Sat, Jul  6, 2002 (13:02)", "body": "Jeanie, thanks for mentioning that you were clueless about the scruffy CF picture, too == I was thinking I was missing something obvious. Karen, does it ring any bells with you? If not, it's obviously unidentifiable, or simply a Russian lookalike. I think I may have figured out how to make the picture show up. Let's see if this works . . . Liz"}, {"response": 1588, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul  6, 2002 (14:06)", "body": "Yes, I've seen the picture used on the stamp before. Are you here to join in our discussions, Liz?"}, {"response": 1589, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Jul  6, 2002 (15:01)", "body": "re: the stamp - If he were wearing a different shirt he'd look quite Heathcliffian. TIOBE is still hanging in here in D.C. in the same theatres that have had it all along. They seem to still be using the \"Colin and his harem\" ad - this week I saw it in both the Post and the Baltimore Sun. But the multiplex nearest me (which shows mostly limited-distribution films) has a bunch of films advertised as \"coming soon,\" so I suspect it will be replaced before long. I'm going again this week (probably the last time) and this time I might inquire about custody of the \"sex in the country\" poster when the run ends. I was a bit melancholy seeing the promotional push \"Possession\" is getting on TV during Wimbledon - too bad they didn't do something like that for TIOBE."}, {"response": 1590, "author": "airstream", "date": "Sat, Jul  6, 2002 (16:37)", "body": "I could've swore I saw that TIOBE was ending in some theatres on 7/2 (from TimeOut magazine)....oh well. wrong i guess (not the first time!) I also read some where that TIOBE was supposed to be out on DVD in October...reguardless of the date, I hope it has all the \"missing scenes\" as mentioned in the above article."}, {"response": 1591, "author": "airstream", "date": "Sat, Jul  6, 2002 (16:50)", "body": "BTW if anyone can translate: http://www.filmweb.no/bvi/13828.html (it lists HS as opening 1/03)"}, {"response": 1592, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Jul  6, 2002 (21:02)", "body": "THIS HOLIDAY TREAT YOURSELF TO SOMETHING SPARKLING, DELICIOUS & SEXY! Sorry I didn't mean to yell but the new ad uses caps and when I typed it in using upper and lower case, it just didn't have the same effect. They took one word each from the Boston Globe, New York Observer, and CBS-TV. The best part is \"the trio\" is on a fireworks background! Okay, they are very subtle black and white fireworks but I don't think I've ever seen a Firth photo like that before. :-)"}, {"response": 1593, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul  6, 2002 (21:27)", "body": "Cute...any chance you can scan the new advert on to the Boss for posting?"}, {"response": 1594, "author": "LizJP", "date": "Sat, Jul  6, 2002 (22:56)", "body": "Karen, So you've seen the stamp? Tell me more -- I have no doubt that you know the story behind it! About whether I intend to join the discussions: I've been lurking for months, ever since I saw Bridget Jones's Diary. I've posted a few times, but I've always been a bit shy about it, especially in this very knowledgeable company. To add my 2 cents on a few topics that have come up in my months of lurking, though: -- The \"wet shirt\" question: CF's \"wet shirt\" appearance in P&P2 didn't do much for me, I'm afraid. Now if he had taken that dive without the shirt, etc. as he was apparently willing to do . . . -- The \"roles\" question: While I'd also like to see him in more substantial parts, I hesitate to criticize him for seemingly putting family first in deciding which parts to go after, since I think I'd make the same choice. I do sometimes think, though, that he's been shy about really putting himself out there in a prominent film role since Valmont flopped. It seems to me that most of his best roles (except for P&P2 and BJD, of course) were before Valmont -- I thought he did his best work in AMITC. I would also guess that his bad experience with Valmont had more to do with his bailing out of Hamlet than any filmaking conflicts\"last year, once it became clear that a few other well-known actors were also doing this role. I do hope he goes for the Ted Hughes role in the Sylvia Plath movie, though -- it could be a good one. Anyway, enough for now . . . Back to watching P&P2 for the umpteenth time! Liz"}, {"response": 1595, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sat, Jul  6, 2002 (23:15)", "body": "Ah, Liz.. a woman after my own heart. (giggling) I've actually gone three days without watching my favorite parts of P&P2.. that might almost be a record for me! LOL! Can a DVD wear out?"}, {"response": 1596, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jul  6, 2002 (23:16)", "body": "A little tidbit I find interesting.....as I listen again to CF's Fresh Air interview from last year, I noted he says about himself that he has a neutral appearance. At the time he was referring to himself as a character actor rather than a leading man. Then I remembered the writer in the Washington Post article said: Firth's not all that handsome\ufffdhis neutral actor's face can be substantially altered by expression and makeup\ufffdbut having a crush on Colin has become a pop-culture commonplace. I would be surprised that the writer did research that included Fresh Air interviews. If not, I find it quite a coincidence that this particular word was used by both to describe him."}, {"response": 1597, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sat, Jul  6, 2002 (23:39)", "body": "I know I shouldn't already be posting again, sorry, Karen, for taking up space, but I just had to say \"NEUTRAL, MY HINEY!\" (laughing) Anyone who would claim such a thing needs to see the optometrist or be admitted to a mental health facility. I mean, even little ol' grandmas with walkers and blue hair realize \"He who must\"'s attraction... LOL.. I had one of those women sitting behind me Wednesday and practically every time that HWMBA appeared in a scene she'd whisper.. \"Oh MY GAWD.. Martha, look at those dimples!\" (laughing)Sam, my 16 year old, whispered \"And I thought YOU had it bad!\" Yup, \"Oh Fearless Leader\", I dooo believe \"HWM\" is well on the way to becoming a poster child/pin-up for the AARP. On another note... is there a place somewhere that has people's, those who post on this site, place of orgin, email,icq, messenger identification and such? Please forgive me if I'm asking something that I should already know about, but in my abundant ignorance have overlooked."}, {"response": 1598, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sun, Jul  7, 2002 (00:16)", "body": "(Jeanie)Can a DVD wear out? Supposedly not, but they may not have been tested for Drool-level use. The neutral face comment goes way back. It was mentioned in interviews/articles when P&P2 first came out, including the one in A&E Monthly (Before it was called Biography, A&E's mag was A&E Monthly.) In fact, I thought most of what was in the little article in a recent Biography was largely lifted from the old A&E Monthly. Another description of Colin that goes way back is \"blandly handsome,\" which I suppose is a variation on \"neutral.\" I think what makes him handsome is not his features, but how expressive his face is. When he smiles and those dimples show, he's AFG! oops, must go find towel to wipe up puddle of drool on desk"}, {"response": 1599, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Jul  7, 2002 (01:12)", "body": "Hi Everyone, Thanks Karen for answering my questions. Jeanie & Liz, you're not alone. My kids want to know how I can keep watching P&P over and over and over again. I'm glad to know you do too. I just ignore them now. At first I thought maybe I was being a little over zealous. But I just like to look at him in that roll sooooo much forget it. I have 3 copies of the tape. One the original 6 tapes and 2 tapes I copied so I rotate them so they don't all get used up too fast. Only way I can do it. Also have doubles of my favorites that I watch all the time FP RV TA BJD MLSF etc. Hopefully they will last longer this way. As far as him feeling too old and out of shape, who is in better shape? Looks good to me. For example Sean Connery and Roger Moore and Pierce Brosnan all James Bonds and all more mature in the roll. Anyone complaining? Certainly not me. Especially where Messers. Connery and Brosnan are concerned. Come on Colin give a little of it up for us. PLEASE!!!!! In many articles CF is even quoted saying he is moderate looking and made different by the make-up. So that's been around for a long time. Too bad these writers can't update their info. But perhaps he doesn't see the glowing eyes, beautiful expressions, tantalizing dimples and irrisistable sex-appeal that we do, when he looks in the mirror. Enough Pam, time to go dream."}, {"response": 1600, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Sun, Jul  7, 2002 (01:24)", "body": "Almost forgot to post that on July 5, the day after it opened here in Oz, TIOBE is listed as the #10 movie in the top ten list -- not bad for a film which has had ZERO publicity here! Go you blue-hairs!! Grey power rules! ;-)"}, {"response": 1601, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Jul  7, 2002 (01:34)", "body": "When Colin looks in the mirror, he is a man looking at a man. When we see him on the screen, we are (mostly) women looking at a man. That makes quite a difference in one's basic perceptions! ;-)"}, {"response": 1602, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Jul  7, 2002 (02:04)", "body": "(Jeanie) I had one of those women sitting behind me Wednesday and practically every time that HWMBA appeared in a scene she'd whisper.. \"Oh MY GAWD.. Martha, look at those dimples!\" ROTFL! But, hey, Martha's friend knows nice dimples when she sees them! (laughing)Sam, my 16 year old, whispered \"And I thought YOU had it bad!\" Of course he hasn't read what you write here! Yup, \"Oh Fearless Leader\", I dooo believe \"HWM\" is well on the way to becoming a poster child/pin-up for the AARP. Hey, these are experienced women who can appreciate a good thing when they see it! The good news, though, is that younger women are not totally without taste. I was cruising through the RoP P&P board today and there were a couple of young CF fans (college age, I think) who posted that they were totally taken with him in BJD, which led them to watch P&P2. Much drooling would probably have ensued except that they were in the wrong place for that."}, {"response": 1603, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul  7, 2002 (09:53)", "body": "(Kate) The neutral face comment goes way back. Quite right. It does go \"way back\" and Colin mentions it all the time. I'm surprised though that one of our resident Firthologists hasn't come forward with the time, date and place of the original citation. ;-D Re: the stamp I've seen it on eBay but have never looked into the matter or been terribly interested. Not being a stamp collector, I do recall that a number of small countries were putting famous people on their postage as a source of revenue. Whether these Colin stamps are \"really\" legal postage in Russia, I have no idea. When I saw them on eBay, I put them in the same category as Colin pillowcases, refrigerator magnets, and baby bibs. I scrolled over them. You should check with the seller(s)."}, {"response": 1604, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jul  7, 2002 (11:57)", "body": "(Kate) The neutral face comment goes way back. (Karen) Quite right. It does go \"way back\" and Colin mentions it all the time. Oh well. Guess it's not so interesting anymore. I've read old articles, but guess I haven't gone back far enough or noticed the comments anywhere else. While I agree his looks can be adapted quite well depending on character, I still would never use neutral to describe him...even if he does. And that's true he's looking at himself as a man...I wouldn't expect him to come out and say \"Yeah, I'm really sexy and look hot!\" Not in public anyway. That's why we're here. :-)"}, {"response": 1605, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul  7, 2002 (13:41)", "body": "Thanks to Karen and Emma (Graphics Queen!) for the new heading on the AG page. You make us look good."}, {"response": 1606, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sun, Jul  7, 2002 (14:16)", "body": "(Oh, Fearless Leader)When I saw them on eBay, I put them in the same category as Colin pillowcases, refrigerator magnets, and baby bibs. Would that be drool bibs??"}, {"response": 1607, "author": "LizJP", "date": "Sun, Jul  7, 2002 (15:44)", "body": "Thanks for the info, Karen! Apparently there are companies that create fake stamps ostensibly issued by various Russian republics -- looks like this is one of the fakes. There's one on e-bay right now with a photo of CF from Fever Pitch, I think. The real puzzle for me, though, is which movie or interview the photo of CF is from. The others I saw were very clearly from a particular movie, based on CF's hair style and dress -- one was from Fever Pitch and one was from Shakespeare in Love, for example -- but I can't match this particular stamp to a particular movie. Must be one that I haven't seen yet. The hair looks like P&P2 without the sideburns, and the shirt's not ringing any bells. That's for helping to satisfy my curiosity demon! Liz"}, {"response": 1608, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul  7, 2002 (18:44)", "body": "I think the stamp is from Nostromo. Same beard and hair. Shirt might have been when he was in the mines. But I ain't gonna go through that 5 hour mini-series to find it. ZZZZZZZZ Either that or he was auditioning for Randolph Ash in Possession;-)"}, {"response": 1609, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul  7, 2002 (18:54)", "body": "A compendium of quotes: \"Tumbledown,\" he says, changed his career. \"Before that I was beginning to slip into a lot of callow youths,\" said Mr. Firth. \"If I've got a rather neutral face, it doesn't make much sense to put me in rather neutral roles.\" - NYT (1/14/96) \"As for my attraction, I have a kind of neutral face, a face that can be transformed to look a lot better or a lot worse, depending on the circumstances.\" D (La Repubblica, 10/01 - but it was a recycled quote then) \"Firth's face was once described in The New York Times as 'strangely neutral'.\" (The Observer, 4/9/00) \"His face is oddly neutral most of the time - it is his eyes which give meaning to the dark, flat voice and much of the time, he holds them away.\" (The Guardian, 2/10/96, having to do with TEP) \"Luckily, Firth has 'never been a fan of highly demonstrative acting' and is known for having a neutral face with tremendously expressive eyes. (A&E mag, 12/96) \"I have a sort of neutrality about my appearance and my background which is applicable in a lot of different directions. I'm just about educated enough, I'm just about well-spoken enough. I've got enough of a voice, I'm neutral enough looking, I can be good-looking enough, I can be unattractive enough. I'm in absolute pole position really, all of the advantages . . . there are no complaints here at all.\" (Attitude Mag, 4/97 for FP) As you can see, Colin himself has been the one to promote his own \"neutrality.\" I take it as a modest way to respond to questions about his looks (whether they are heart-throb or leading man looks questions). While guys may not see what women do, a good-looking guy *knows* he is attractive to women."}, {"response": 1610, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul  7, 2002 (19:00)", "body": "Oh yes, the source of the stamp's pic. It too goes way back. It's been used a lot. The Guardian used to have it up on its Brit Actors Data Base for Colin. Can you imagine? What a poor choice IMO. While I can't be positive of its provenance, I'd bet it was from Master of the Moor."}, {"response": 1611, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sun, Jul  7, 2002 (20:05)", "body": "(Evelyn)...any chance you can scan the new advert on to the Boss for posting? Turns out, there was a slight chance and my DH and I think we have done it! Now we wait to see if it is useable or if Karen will change her email and not tell me the new address. :-) Re stamp: That picture just doesn't look like him to me but, I've been wrong before. I clearly have not studied enough. ;-) (Karen)I take it as a modest way to respond to questions about his looks (whether they are heart-throb or leading man looks questions). I whole-heartedly agree. He has learned he has to give them something and that is the lesser of all evils. I think he probably meets interviewers who can't breathe in his presence (women) and others who find it hard to believe that anyone considers him handsome (men) so, it is an answer that works for all of them. (Karen)... a good-looking guy *knows* he is attractive to women. Reminded me of the conversation Moon and Birkin had about Mrs. Keach. :-)"}, {"response": 1612, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul  7, 2002 (20:17)", "body": "Yes, Caribou and her DH have done it. Oh, you mean scanning! ;-D Here's the ad and thanks to both of you."}, {"response": 1613, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul  7, 2002 (20:19)", "body": "Oooof! I see what I did wrong. Try again."}, {"response": 1614, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul  7, 2002 (20:21)", "body": "I shall conquer this!!!!!"}, {"response": 1615, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jul  7, 2002 (20:39)", "body": "(Karen) I take it as a modest way to respond to questions about his looks. I agree. I imagine it's a tough spot to be in to have to answer questions like that and not come off as cocky and self-absorbed. Modesty and self-deprecation can be quite sexy too. While guys may not see what women do, a good-looking guy *knows* he is attractive to women. And vice versa. Holy Moly Karen! That's really digging into archives for examples. Do you have them memorized? Or a really good reference system. I don't think I've read much if anything prior to 2000. I remember the La Repubblica quote though. Thanks!"}, {"response": 1616, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jul  7, 2002 (21:05)", "body": "The \"stamp\" photo was a Fever Pitch promotional pic. That TIOBE ad is the one that's been running here locally. Karen, you can put Eileen Atkins down as Dashwood's mother."}, {"response": 1617, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sun, Jul  7, 2002 (21:13)", "body": "My take on the neutrality thing. I read it as CF giving a take on his looks as neutral. But, I read more that the writers of the articles, with one or two exceptions of morons, view his acting style as using his expressions/emotions neutrally. Still am shaking head over the quote about him not being handsome!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 1618, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jul  7, 2002 (21:38)", "body": "(Karen)Let's not assume that HS can be anywhere near as good as The Graduate. That film was written by Buck Henry and, in case you didn't know, Buck Henry is a major writing talent. And directed by the brilliant Mike Nichols. I completely agree with Karen. And that's not raining on anyone's parade, it's just being realistic. The Graduate (one of the few cases where a film is better than the book on which it was based) was a seminal work, a watershed for the films to come. The themes of disaffected youth, the \"generation gap,\" alienation from society, and rejection of materialism set the stage for the golden age of film to come in the '70s. HS, while I enjoyed the book, ain't that kinda animal.:-( Not even close. IMO, there is nothing to distinguish it from other rom-coms. (Dorine)Sept 6 isn't a firm date? I just looked the other day and that was still the date listed. You can't always go by what's on the imdb. The data there is submitted by people like you and me--and they often know less than we do. None of the release date websites (which get their updates from the studios) list a date for HS. While guys may not see what women do, a good-looking guy *knows* he is attractive to women. Of course. I cringe when he makes those neutrality statements because, to me, it seems he's rather given it a bit too much thought.;-)"}, {"response": 1619, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sun, Jul  7, 2002 (21:44)", "body": "LOL and blushing so, I won't quote you. ;-D Thanks for the help Karen. Excellent job! The fireworks look better than I had feared."}, {"response": 1620, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jul  7, 2002 (22:02)", "body": "(Dorine)Sept 6 isn't a firm date? I just looked the other day and that was still the date listed. (Mari) You can't always go by what's on the imdb Actually I looked yesterday again after Amy said she saw it was pushed back to '03, and they all had changed to Fall 2002. (Lisa) Still am shaking head over the quote about him not being handsome!!!!!!!!! I'm still flabbergasted by that as well! Different strokes for different folks! ;-P"}, {"response": 1621, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Jul  7, 2002 (22:30)", "body": "Pam, sometime when you're watching P&P watch carefully the piano scene. You will see him drop his eyes to her bosom. It is just a second but you'll see he does it. If I remember it right it is during the \"You are perfectly right,\" dialog."}, {"response": 1622, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Jul  7, 2002 (23:36)", "body": "Thanks Lucie, will definitely check it out. I think men are aware when they are good looking. How could they not. It comes down to if they let their good looks affect their personality or not. We've all met men who have. Look at young boys or men for that matter. How many wanted to look like Elvis or Paul McCartney. Why because they were good looking and they thought so too. Same goes for women. We acknowledge beautiful women, that is if we're honest. He has to *know* he is handsome and sexy. Millions of women can't be wrong. Even my boys say they can see where women find him attractive. And I'm sure he's heard or seen the reaction he causes since he was very young. He's just very, very, cool and secure about it and himself which makes you like him even more. And when these stupid interviewers capitalize on it, expecting him to react to it like a 20 year old instead of the more mature man he is, he obviously down plays it. I read where Cary Grant didn't think he was anything special, nor does Pierce Brosnan. Let's be realistic. It doesn't get much better than these three. But anyone who doesn't think the master is handsome, male or female, is out of their minds. I took my two 12 year old nieces to TIOBE today. They laughed and seemed to like it. In passing I said his son is their age and was in a recent movie. Can't believe I drew a blank, they think I'm kind of cool. Could someone please refresh my memory. They said they'd catch him when the video comes out in six months or so. They're probably right, at last they're releasing the good ones in a timely manner. Harry Potter was within six months. Right. Thanks for the info."}, {"response": 1623, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (00:53)", "body": "(Mari) The \"stamp\" photo was a Fever Pitch promotional pic. !@#$ I knew I should never have changed my initial answer. Always go with your gut. ;-D And directed by the brilliant Mike Nichols. Quite right. And thanks for the update on Eileen Atkins, much appreciated."}, {"response": 1624, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (07:43)", "body": "(mari)I completely agree with Karen. And that's not raining on anyone's parade, it's just being realistic. Oh dear, I hope I haven't offended anyone. =/ The only reason I replied to Karen's \"rain on your parade\" statement was because I love teasing people that I admire... an old habit of mine that sometimes doesn't translate well via this form of communication. I know I am completely cluess when it comes to such things, whereas Karen's knowledge is quite remarkable. (re:(Dorine) Holy Moly Karen! That's really digging into archives for examples. Do you have them memorized?) So, please, if I post something that ANYONE finds in any way offensive, please let me know, because.. more than likely.. I've simply rattled something off without thinking much about how it might be construed."}, {"response": 1625, "author": "annas", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (09:31)", "body": "Minkeeland report on TIOBE Went to see it today (Monday)delayed attendance because of flu. There has been minimal publicity, but papers today carried full page ads of the poster. It is school holidays here and cinema had Monday $5 deal compared to $14.00 normally. Also we have MIB2, Spiderman etc etc the usual teenage pap during school holidays. Theatre was full, mixed crowd but mainly young girls, which we thought would be due to the Reece factor. Leading us to think we were in the wrong theatre. The critics have not been kind, taking the \"purist\" line against the extra scenes. Some philistines even suggested that CF & RE seemed bored with their lines. You begin to wonder if they saw the same picture. The audience reaction was great much laughter and none of that restlessness when you're watching a real stinker hoping it will get better. Back to the critics, if the film was shot entirley in \"drawing rooms\" I think they would complain about the claustophobic atmosphere and OP's lack of vision. The additional scenes worked for me. Then I liked Baz Lurman's Romeo & Juliet. Yes I will be going back for a repeat viewing, since I was concentrating on dimples and MPB, my friend informed me I missed some other interesting details"}, {"response": 1626, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (09:39)", "body": "(Jeanie) Oh dear, I hope I haven't offended anyone. Not me. Trust me, your humor comes through on each and every post. (Anna) Back to the critics, if the film was shot entirley in \"drawing rooms\" I think they would complain about the claustophobic atmosphere and OP's lack of vision. Taking it out of the drawing room isn't the problem, as we've been discussing on 126, but never you mind, the public doesn't read reviews or even realize that OP has changed the play. ;-D *yawn, am bored with critics*"}, {"response": 1627, "author": "airstream", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (11:28)", "body": "My $0.02 (there is no 'cents' key on my keyboard....never noticed...): As for neutrality in the looks dept., I would have to say that would be assigned to CF's brother. I only bring this up because I was watching Wuthering Heights last night and never realized JF was in it. At times, I could see a resemblance, but he is one guy that really blends into the wallpaper (my opinion). BTW it seems there is such an incestuous relationship in British movies. They must all know each other.... And Liz (I think it was Liz), in response to those knowing more about the topic at hand...not true. I am the Sargent Schultz of CF! and...can't see karen's pic. anyone else?"}, {"response": 1628, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (13:12)", "body": "The \"stamp\" photo was a Fever Pitch promotional pic Doesn't the stamp one have a beard? Or is it just shadows on his face. Lousy pic...for a promo, IMO. Thanks to Caribou and Karen for the scan of Earnest. I think it's the best advert I've seen. (Hide Rupe!) Good to hear reports from Oz."}, {"response": 1629, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (13:15)", "body": "Was just sorting my old LPs and found a Style Council record (Our Favourite Shop) that has a poster of AC on the cover (with other pictures on a wall). But only RE is shown :-( Still, it's extremely cool. I can't believe how much time has gone by, though. Ugh. Regarding ODB's 'neutralness', he must be aware of his ability to turn on the good looks. Watch him in the kitchen scene in BJD. I once yelled at my friend, \"He's doing that on purpose!\". Those dimples are being worked overtime! Was that directed, I wonder? I imagine Sharon shouting, \"More dimples, Colin, and blush for me.\" So I think this neutral quality is an asset in that he can play a variety of types. Except that when I watch him, I always think he's adorable ;-) Has anyone seen a video for Secret Garden being sold in Hallmark stores? I swear I saw it and it said there was a featurette with it. I kept wondering if ODB was in this extra bit so went back to the store and not only can I not find the thing, but no one remembers it at any Hallmark store I've been to. I'm starting to think I dreamed it. What a waste of dream time! Doesn't the kid in SG look like James Van Der Beek? He doesn't use the same name but I'd swear it's the same guy. TIOBE is still playing here in Edmonton, in one theatre. It gets better the more I see it. I've stopped critiquing it."}, {"response": 1630, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (15:30)", "body": "Upcoming Movies has a preview page up for American Girl: http://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hp&cf=prev&id=1808415450&intl=us (Jeanie)I love teasing people that I admire... Me too! You didn't offend me in the least, honey. Firthermore, your guesses and opinions are just as valid as anyone else's here. As the screenwriter William Goldman once said about so-called \"experts\" predicting how a given film will fare: \"nobody knows nuthin'.\" Please keep calling them as you see them.:-) Glad to hear the Minkeelanders are enjoying Earnest! Thanks for the reports. I am LOL about the seemingly worldwide phenomenon of the blue hairs. Sydney and Nashville must be sister cities.;-) Weekend box office here looked ok: despite Mirasucks having added only a handful of theaters, the $$ were actually up 7% this weekend, with the total nearing $6 million so far."}, {"response": 1631, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (16:02)", "body": "Thanks Mari for the Yahoo page. Sounds like AG project has been around for at least since 1999 with various directors and scriptwriters on board. Would be interesting to know who else they had in mind for ole dad's role. Doubt the title will stay...a pity since The Bucket's page is so attractive."}, {"response": 1632, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (16:14)", "body": "(Evelyn)Thanks to Caribou and Karen for the scan of Earnest. I think it's the best advert I've seen. (Hide Rupe!) I saw the fireworks ad, too. I swear, the narrow crop on that photo makes the women look even closer to him than in other ads. (she said, enviously) Alas, last weekend's ad had Rupie \"gumped\" into the picture. V. Odd look about him, too. I'd scan it, but this isn't the RE site... Back to the neutrality thing. I agree that it's a good stock answer for questions about his looks, albeit a little tired now. But I think his original point was that his looks could be changed--as if his face is his blank canvas on which he can put various expressions and/or makeup. I remember one interview, done in England, where he was fussing about having to cross a main street in Islington (like, oh @#$% what if I'm recognized), and saying that he could slouch a bit to look less obvious. (Don't know the source of this. Your mission, Boss, should you decide to accept it...)"}, {"response": 1633, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (16:18)", "body": "Thank you for the link Mari. Perhaps most importantly, does she have a chance at being the Debutante of the Year? Uh Oh, I don't know about anyone else but this sounds like speculation from last month and it wasn't pretty then. Genre: British, Drama, Musical , Remake, Romance , Teen OH NO OH PLEASE NOOOOO"}, {"response": 1634, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (16:22)", "body": "Will test for red as I thought I turned that color off..... :)))))) That should do it...."}, {"response": 1635, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (16:25)", "body": "Hope you like it this way, I may never get it back to black If it's till red I'm in big trouble."}, {"response": 1636, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (16:35)", "body": "Nobody's gonna die...yet. ;-D You fixed all the tags even though it may not look like to most. (Kate) Don't know the source of this. Your mission, Boss, should you decide to accept it... *cue music* I don't even need the MI crew for this. His fear of crossing Upper Street was in the same article with the Shoreditch pics (black trainers, white laces, beer); I even referred to in my Katie interview for Moon's b-day. http://www.spring.net/karenr/articles/times060500.html Thanks for letting us know about the AG page. Suddenly I have a craving for a milkshake and fries. And everyone knows, the \"more writers the better.\" *snort*"}, {"response": 1637, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (16:39)", "body": "(Karen) \"more writers the better.\" *snort* *snort* is right...just glad I didn't have a mouthful of Coke at that minute"}, {"response": 1638, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (17:05)", "body": "Thanks for the article link Karen as I hadn't read it before. You know I can't let it go without a comment about the shoes. I hope you're keeping a list for when things get slow in here and we have to have our shoe talk. BTW, have tried to get rid of the red again as I still have it. (Half the time.) :)))))"}, {"response": 1639, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (17:20)", "body": "Mari, thanks for the AG info...too bad Daphne's not a 'Jersey girl' anymore ;-). (Evelyn)Doubt the title will stay...a pity since The Bucket's page is so attractive. Maybe the title will stay since this film is going through with production first. That has to count for something. And The Bucket's AG page is great. The colors really stand out, Karen. Glad to hear so many (types ;-)) are going to see it in Minkeeland and enjoying it!"}, {"response": 1640, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (17:32)", "body": "(Me)Maybe the title will stay since this film is going through with production first. Oops, sorry, read it too fast and realize now there are 3 AG's (not 2), and that #2 is already ready for a release date. Maybe that one can be The All-American Girl and #3 can be changed to The President's Girl (no yuck, that sounds like it could be an intern :-/)...can't believe how popular the title is."}, {"response": 1641, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (17:38)", "body": "(Lucie) Pam, sometime when you're watching P&P watch carefully the piano scene. You will see him drop his eyes to her bosom. It is just a second but you'll see he does it. That's so funny, because Sam, my 16 year old, calls P&P2 \"Boobies\"!! LOL!! He wanted to also tell you that Darcy glances down at Elizabeth's chest that first night at Netherfield after he pushes back in his chair and stares at her right at the end of the scene. (dying of laughter) (laughing) I thought only adolescent boys noticed such things! =P"}, {"response": 1642, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (19:01)", "body": "Hi, everyone, it's good to be back-thought I came down with some kind of disease and was seeing red. My, you girls have been busy. I'm just trying to catch up. Thanks for all the new pictures and (old articles) I'm enjoying them. As you can tell there was NOT unlimited computer access in Bermuda. I was able to log on one night through the lobby pc, but I couldn't post. Powderpuff Girls and MIB2 are in the two Hamilton theaters. I did speak to one of the British shop girls as I was looking for a Burberry's tie for my DH.(He's going to kill me yet) She said they are waiting for TIOBE, but releases are terribly slow there. She said she did hear that they will have it by the fall and couldn't wait to see it. She was a big CF fan and so I told her about us and wrote down some info for her. Maybe she'll post. OK, Mari, so maybe I have seen TIOBE more times than Colin. I'll always remember my first time was with you!!!"}, {"response": 1643, "author": "airstream", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (19:43)", "body": "found this bit (most likely old news): anyone know of its validity? Carry on Doctor... Colin Firth is the latest name to be connected with BBC boss Greg Dyke's inspired British \"blockbuster\" version of 'Dr Who'. Budgeted at \ufffd15 million the film is set to be directed by Russell Mulcahy ('Highlander'). Final casting decisions are due to be announced in July, with shooting set to begin in autumn."}, {"response": 1644, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (20:20)", "body": "(Bryonny) Watch him in the kitchen scene in BJD. I once yelled at my friend, \"He's doing that on purpose!\". Those dimples are being worked overtime! Was that directed, I wonder? LOL! They're very talented ones, aren't they? They're \"neutrally\", bland ambidextrous, too. He can make just one show (but usually favoring the left one) at a time! I think they do show up more, though, when he's extremely trim as he was in BJD. I adore that scene, too.. especially \"Do you by any chance have any beetroot cubes, mini gherkin, stuffed olive?\" \"No Pam.. and besides, I'm busy. The gravy needs sieving.\" \"Surely not. Just stir it, Una.\" Such a cute moment! =) Now, if we can only get his smootching on the same level as his facial caves, we'll be doing just fine!"}, {"response": 1645, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (20:24)", "body": "(Amy) Colin Firth is the latest name to be connected with BBC boss Greg Dyke's inspired British \"blockbuster\" version of 'Dr Who'. Oh God NO!!!! I used to watch Dr. Who all the time on the Miami PBS station many moons ago. I DON\"T see Colin in this. Yuck! (Tom Baker was the Sean Connery of Dr. Who's). I read something recently about a new Dr. Who, but can't remember who was touted in that article."}, {"response": 1646, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (20:25)", "body": "(Bryonny) Watch him in the kitchen scene in BJD. I once yelled at my friend, \"He's doing that on purpose!\". Those dimples are being worked overtime! Was that directed, I wonder? LOL! They're very talented ones, aren't they? They're \"neutrally\", bland ambidextrous, too. He can make just one show (but usually favoring the left one) at a time! I think they do show up more, though, when he's extremely trim as he was in BJD. I adore that scene, too.. especially \"Do you by any chance have any beetroot cubes, mini gherkin, stuffed olive?\" \"No Pam.. and besides, I'm busy. The gravy needs sieving.\" \"Surely not. Just stir it, Una.\" Such a cute moment! =) Now, if we can only get his smootching on the same level as his facial caves, we'll be doing just fine!"}, {"response": 1647, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (20:44)", "body": "You know... I REALLY need to stop watching HWM's dvds on my computer while I post, here. LOL! Sorry about that. Dr. Who??? (pulling Karen's voo-doo doll out from under the sofa cushion where I hid it the other day)"}, {"response": 1648, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (20:46)", "body": "(Dorine)Oh God NO!!!! I used to watch Dr. Who all the time So did I, and I definitely hope this is just nonsense. Nevah, nevah, nevah! (Jeanie) They're very talented ones, aren't they? They're \"neutrally\", bland ambidextrous, too. He can make just one show (but usually favoring the left one) at a time! I think they do show up more, though, when he's extremely trim Oh what I could do with this comment...But, I'll be good--lets see we are talking about the dimples, right? I agree Jeanie with everything you said. I think they're just absolutely adorable too."}, {"response": 1649, "author": "dalec", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (20:50)", "body": "(Lucie) You will see him drop his eyes to her bosom. It is just a second but you'll see he does it. (Jeanie) That's so funny, because Sam, my 16 year old, calls P&P2 \"Boobies\"!! LOL!! He wanted to also tell you that Darcy glances down at Elizabeth's chest that first night at Netherfield after he pushes back in his chair and stares at her right at the end of the scene. (dying of laughter) really? interesting, never noticed that before. must watch P&P2 again and pay close attention to where Colin moves his eyes during these scenes."}, {"response": 1650, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (22:23)", "body": "That's so funny, because Sam, my 16 year old, calls P&P2 \"Boobies\"!! Oh my gawd Jeannie, I just doused my monitor with Diet Coke. Too funny :) And there's more...look carefully at the early scene at Lucas Lodge where she turns down his offer to dance, as well. I see these and wonder about the shooting schedule bumping up against real life, too. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if there were more, and will look for them. I do so love a project. :) Would this be the intelligent woman's TV drinking game, then, more mannered than \"Hi Bob\" or \"Blue Velvet Frank?\" :) now you know why I refrain..."}, {"response": 1651, "author": "LizJP", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (22:45)", "body": "Thanks for all your thoughts about the mystery Russian stamp photo of CF! Mari sounds sure it's from FP. I scrolled through dozens of photos *such a terrible chore ), and I tend to agree. Master of the Moor would have been my 2nd choice based on the photos I've seen (haven't seen the movie yet, though). (Dorine, about Dr. Who speculation): Tom Baker is the Sean Connery of Dr. Who's . As I read Dorine's comment I had this vision of Tom Baker morphing into CF, with CF's long red-and-white Arsenal scarf and curly, unruly hair . Even if CF could take the Tube to the studio, surely he wouldn't trade Mr. Darcy for the Doctor! Well, I suppose it couldn't be worse than L'dum. . . . Now here's hoping I didn't mess up with the italics, or you'll all send me back to lurkdom! Liz"}, {"response": 1652, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (22:45)", "body": "(Linda) Oh what I could do with this comment...lets see we are talking about the dimples, right? LOL! I hear the wheels turning! But, I'll be good Please don't be on our account ;-D (Bryonny) Watch him in the kitchen scene in BJD. Those dimples are being worked overtime! My favorite dimple display in that scene is while they discuss her playing in his paddling pool. Love that expression when he agrees with it being so pervy...the dimples, the deeper voice, the smirking eyes (not sure how to describe that)."}, {"response": 1653, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (22:58)", "body": "(LizJP) I had this vision of Tom Baker morphing into CF, with CF's long red-and-white Arsenal scarf and curly, unruly hair. ROTFL!!! And instead of that floppy hat Tom Baker had, CF could have the humpy hat from P&P :-D (Elizabeth) I do so love a project. :) I never noticed any surreptitious glances to a particular area before. My plate is kind of full, but there's always room for a project like this ;-)"}, {"response": 1654, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (23:56)", "body": "Hmm, Dr. Who... I guess Baker was the definitive Doctor, although I've always had a soft spot for Peter Davison. I think there were rumors of Colin as Dr. Who a few years back, then nothing happened. I can't say I like this idea. Part of the charm of the original series was the almost camp feel to it. I don't think a \"blockbuster\" movie can capture the essence of the Doctor. (Karen)I don't even need the MI crew for this. You never do, oh, She Who Knows All Things Colin!"}, {"response": 1655, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jul  8, 2002 (23:59)", "body": "(Evelyn)Doubt the title will stay...a pity since The Bucket's page is so attractive. I'm tellin' ya . . . \"Gidget Goes To London.\" ;-) Am sure the Boss can dig up something attractive with surfboards and cool kids dancing the frug.;-) (Karen)Suddenly I have a craving for a milkshake and fries Oooh, Moondoggie, make mine a malted!:-) Welcome back, Linda. I *knew* you'd be spreading the gospel earnestly abroad!:-) I tracked down the \"Fever Pitchsky\" stamp pic at Meluchie's site. BTW, the publication dates listed there for some of the FP articles (1996) is incorrect. http://www.grin.net/~meluchie/feverpitch0.htm"}, {"response": 1656, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jul  9, 2002 (00:07)", "body": "Kate, I also was a fan of Peter Davison...liked him from All Creatures Great and Small. And most of the fun of Dr Who was the campiness wasn't it. ;-)"}, {"response": 1657, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  9, 2002 (00:33)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1658, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  9, 2002 (00:50)", "body": "Glad you like the AG page, but I have my Art Director Emma to thank for taking a concept and turning it into something fabulous. :) (Jeanie) I thought only adolescent boys noticed such things! =P Is not the word 'adolescent' unnecessary? ;-D BTW, we have this other topic, called Darcy Drool, which would be perfect for P&P discussions, or to get myself in the AG mood, does it have cooties? http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/112/new Those involving cleavage do take me back to Ben's days here and his devotion to JE talents. ;-D (Amy) found this bit (most likely old news): anyone know of its validity? Quite right. Very old news and debunked numerous times. Trust me, if you come across some \"old\" news item that says Colin is to appear in x, y or z production, and you've never heard of it or there's nothing on it at The Bucket, then it's not going to happen. So \"Fever Pitchsky\" (good one, Mari!) was in the Guardian, no wonder they used it for their file photo of Colin for the longest time.... hey, it's still there: http://film.guardian.co.uk/Player/Player_Page/0,4159,45378,00.html"}, {"response": 1659, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Jul  9, 2002 (02:13)", "body": "He is the Master of Expressions. It seems in BJD that he has a different expression and look in every scene he's in. Quite an achievement. Darcy's glances. Who could help it in the Wonder Bra dresses! Add to it his relationship with her and he obviously couldn't help himself. Note when she's singing at Pemberly, nothing more to say. The Man, any man, can't help it. I'll tell you MIB 2 is well-marketed. It just opened here and seems to be universal. Way to go. Take some lessons Miramax! Also Harry Potter 2 November release is already being touted. These are professional marketers. Can someone please tell me the movie his son appeared in. Thank you."}, {"response": 1660, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Jul  9, 2002 (03:16)", "body": "Oh my, most important things first. Elizabeth count me \"in\" on that project. All other comments will be at 112 Karen. Promise. (Have many thoughts on the boob issue.) I don't know a D*** thing about Dr. Who although I have heard the name. Is it worth enlightening us out of the loop or should we wait for more definite info????? Must lament once again about the description of AG...not drama...musical...teen pic???? At least change drama to comedy............ Went to take my 11 year old to see SPIDERMAN today...it's the one FANPAM...and watched to see if I could spot just which boy in the tram was William Joseph Firth. They listed only two boys with credits for all the kids that were in that scene. There was one at the beginning that got a good shot and one at the end. I am considering a mail order business here in Minkeeland (love that name) for the untouched niche of CF videos and DVD's that are not available here. There must be uncountable others in my position. I could list my site especially to gather up all the devotees from Darwin to Hobart who are in the same boat as me...no access to ODB's films. Australia Post is very cheap to mail throughout our Great Southern Land. :))))))"}, {"response": 1661, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Jul  9, 2002 (10:48)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1662, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Jul  9, 2002 (10:49)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1663, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Jul  9, 2002 (10:50)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1664, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  9, 2002 (10:58)", "body": "Reposting Kate's from above: (Mari)I'm tellin' ya . . . \"Gidget Goes To London.\" ;-) Well, at least it wouldn't be a remake--I think Gidget went to Paris. And would Colin be required to know how to surf? (Euuw! Just had an image of Colin saying \"Dude!\") (Jeanie) I thought only adolescent boys noticed such things! =P (Karen)Is not the word 'adolescent' unnecessary? ;-D LOL!!!! Aren't they all adolescents (regardless of age) in some way or another?!? (Lisa) watched to see if I could spot just which boy in the tram was William Joseph Firth. Ditto! the movie was enjoyable, but I sat there thinking, \"Se where's the $%^&* tram scene?\" I think he's the one you see at the end of the scene. (I thought the other boy was too young) He's wearing a baseball cap (The A's, maybe?) I assume Colin has seen the movie. I wonder what it felt like to see his kid on the big screen? Tech Update from Me If you've messed up the ending tag (and why is it always that one and not the opening one???), just close it in the next message. It will not look closed because the \"bad\" message is still up on the monitor. To check, leave the topic and then come back in using a /new url, then back up one message, using the redisplay box below (-1). If you've done it correctly, you should be able to verify it in this way."}, {"response": 1665, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  9, 2002 (11:44)", "body": "For all you that complained about TIOBE being shown at the Paris Theater in NYC, I saw this: Magnolia Pictures nabbed solid numbers at the box office this weekend, opening Jacques Audiard's \"Read My Lips\" at the Paris Theater in New York and earning more than $27,000. The debut, at a venue which is historically a great theater for foreign-language films... \"But when The Paris, which is possibly the highest grossing screen for foreign language films in the country was made available on July 5th, we jumped at it.\" And you thought it was a dump and no one went to it. Sounds like a perfect place for an English-language film. ;-D"}, {"response": 1666, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jul  9, 2002 (11:45)", "body": "(Dorine)I also was a fan of Peter Davison...liked him from All Creatures Great and Small I too, was a PD fan from All Creatures, and his mystery series from A&E. And, yes, Dorine my wheels are always turning. Hang Ten(Just watch the direction their hangin) Cow-a-Bunga!"}, {"response": 1667, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Tue, Jul  9, 2002 (13:11)", "body": "OOoooook! I've laughed all morning at you girls and your \"Gidgit Goes To London\"! LOL! Too funny! Now then, I have several screen captures of a cute boy with big brown eyes from the \"tram scene\" from Spidey (please don't ask me how or where I got them, or I'll have to kill you... heeee heeee) should I send these to Karen and see if it's Mr. Will?"}, {"response": 1668, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jul  9, 2002 (14:06)", "body": "Don't know if anyone has picked up on this - OT-ish - but according to the Sunday Times, Working Title (producers of BJD) are to produce a film version of \"Pride and Prejudice\". Francis McDormand to play Mrs Bennett. No other casting announced."}, {"response": 1669, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  9, 2002 (14:07)", "body": "Comments to OT on O&E, please. :) You can email me the caps, Jeannie, although I am wondering how you have them..."}, {"response": 1670, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jul  9, 2002 (15:53)", "body": "(Karen) Jeannie...I am wondering how you have them... She's been shopping in Chinatown ;-)"}, {"response": 1671, "author": "maryw", "date": "Tue, Jul  9, 2002 (16:11)", "body": "My contribution to the \"neutral looks\" thread : I am risking total disclosure here as the persons involved in my story might be a lurker here, for all I know. Hosting a UK work colleague at the moment. During work lunch TIOBE was topic of conversation briefly - mostly centred on ODB. I am a closet drooleur so most of conversation were led by others, not me. Then met Aussie friend for dinner. UK work colleague joined us. Aussie friend asked what I've been doing lately and told her I've just seen TIOBE. She starts to dissect ODB's physical attributes. UK colleague expressed surprised at the number of women doing the ODB swoon. Turns out she socialised with him during his Drama school days. Her comment : he was gangly and spotty. Always quiet and reserved during parties."}, {"response": 1672, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Tue, Jul  9, 2002 (16:15)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1673, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Tue, Jul  9, 2002 (16:24)", "body": "(maryw) UK colleague expressed surprised at the number of women doing the ODB swoon. Turns out she socialised with him during his Drama school days. Her comment : he was gangly and spotty. Always quiet and reserved during parties. Perhaps she didn't care for him because he wasn't in a humor to give consequence to young ladies who were slighted by other men at these parties. =P Here's To Gangly, Spotty, and Bland Neutrality and those ambidextrously dimpled men who suffer from it!"}, {"response": 1674, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Tue, Jul  9, 2002 (16:54)", "body": "Hmmmm... thought I'd posted this... I have seen a tv commercial this week for TIOBE here in 'minkeeland' - twice! Seems Miramax have decide to do at least some PR here - even if it's post-release. Sydney-siders who are interested in meeting on Sunday in the city for lunch and a 1:15 viewing of TIOBE, please email either minkee or myself. We're interested in getting a group together, if possible. Discounted tix available."}, {"response": 1675, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul  9, 2002 (17:08)", "body": "Paris theater: And you thought it was a dump and no one went to it It *is* a dump...the only thing that gives it class is that it's across the street from the Plaza and the only of *two* theatres (Angelika, the other) that shows foreign films in NYC.Possibly the \"only * one for obscure ones; if that gives it prestige. One sinks into the seats waaaaaay down, and the sound stinks. Of course next to the Ritzy in Brixton (SLOW premiere), the Paris is a showplace;-) Great news about the Sydney mini-Spring reunion. Wish I were going to be there with you."}, {"response": 1676, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jul  9, 2002 (17:27)", "body": "(Evelyn) the only of *two* theatres (Angelika, the other) that shows foreign films in NYC Actually it's nice that the theater in my neighborhood in Queens where Earnest is now plays foreign films as well. It also has Atanarjuat(sp?), The Fast Runner (the Inuit movie) at the moment and went through a phase of several Indian films. (We have a decent sized Indian/Pakistani contingent here). Before it was renovated, it was a porn theater for many years (before I moved here) ;-) Plays other first-runs too (off to Insomnia tonight--bargain night at $5.) Of course next to the Ritzy in Brixton (SLOW premiere), the Paris is a showplace;-) Brixton..in the UK? Isn't there a big prison there?"}, {"response": 1677, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Jul  9, 2002 (22:27)", "body": "Hi Lisa thanks for info on Spiderman. Will tell my nieces. Ladies checked out the eye-mammary glands contact. Right on target. Will search out more as I'm sure there are and now know his way of doing it. Minkee, this woman was surprised? She didn't think he changed over the past 20 years, she didn't even acknowledge how handsome he is? Where's she been? Did she say this with a straight face or maybe she was kidding? Hard to believe she wouldn't acknowledge his appeal."}, {"response": 1678, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Jul 10, 2002 (01:17)", "body": "Please bear with me ladies. I have been in so many topics tonight I can't remember where I've read anything. Do you think a big-screen P&P will be successful? Possibly before the advent of the VCR but anyone whose interested probably has P&P2 so I don't know how it will do. And I admit being prejudice but I don't see how they can top this cast and that's what they'll have to do to make it successful. And as we all know the best Darcy is already on film so I really don't know what they hope to accomplish or how they can better it. I don't think it would be feasible to have CF play the roll in the movie. I don't think he would want to and if he did how could he make Darcy any better than he already has? Have gone to 112 DarcyDrool to post. Has this been closed out because there are no recent postings. Has it been continued in another section? If so please let me know where it is. Also in discussing leering looks let us not forget Lizzy's rather long and obvious glance at Darcy's chest in his wet s irt. That's a classic and makes me giggle ever time I see it. Tom Hanks is on Colin O'Brian. What a great guy he is."}, {"response": 1679, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Jul 10, 2002 (01:18)", "body": "Excuse me, CONAN O'Brian. Guess we know whose on my mind."}, {"response": 1680, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jul 10, 2002 (09:33)", "body": "http://www.edfilmfest.org.uk/2002/events/script_factory_earnest/ Nice pic!"}, {"response": 1681, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 10, 2002 (09:47)", "body": "Yes, it is. Had no idea Earnest was going to be at Edinburgh. Doubt they'll be canceling out on OP's masterclass. ;-D"}, {"response": 1682, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 10, 2002 (09:56)", "body": "Notice that Film Four is an \"associate\"...but they aren't long for this world;-)"}, {"response": 1683, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jul 10, 2002 (11:17)", "body": "Here's the line-up for the Edinburgh Fest. Heather G's \"Guru\" is also there. http://www.screendaily.com/story.asp?storyid=8858 Wondering if they might debut Hope Springs at the Toronto Fest, which is in September. (Kate) At least it wouldn't be a remake--I think Gidget went to Paris. Well, I know she went to Rome. And Hawaii. Had sudden premonition: a year from now, we'll all be here dissecting Colin's latest appearance on The Daily Show, during which Jon Stweart tells CF that AG \"is definitely the best film in the Gidget series.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 1684, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Wed, Jul 10, 2002 (13:02)", "body": "Colin has probably heard of Gidget, at least. Can't blame him for not knowing about Ernest/Jim Varney ;-)"}, {"response": 1685, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Jul 10, 2002 (14:23)", "body": "oops! Mari, you're right, she did go to Rome, not Paris. I don't know if Colin has heard of Gidget. I just looked in a movie reference book I have and the original Gidget move was 1959, and the TV series was 1965. (What? You don't think I'd ever admit to REMEMBERING these things!?!?!?) (Minkee)women doing the ODB swoon HELLO! What a perfect expression! As for gangly, I'll take those long legs any day! See? A little maturity, a few movement classes, and \"gangly\" transforms to a great stride."}, {"response": 1686, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Jul 10, 2002 (14:32)", "body": "(Mari)Had sudden premonition: a year from now, we'll all be here dissecting Colin's latest appearance on The Daily Show, during which Jon Stweart tells CF that AG \"is definitely the best film in the Gidget series.\" ;-) (Meredith)Colin has probably heard of Gidget, at least. Can't blame him for not knowing about Ernest/Jim Varney ;-) LOL!!! Now that Colin has been on the Daily Show once, maybe next time he'll know how to be ready with some Jon Stewart type humor and answer what you have proposed, Mari, with, \"Well, we had thought of calling it 'Debs do Derbyshire' or 'Daphne does Derby,' but then we would have had to change the rating.\" ;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 1687, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Jul 10, 2002 (14:48)", "body": "(Kate)As for gangly, I'll take those long legs any day! See? A little maturity, a few movement classes, and \"gangly\" transforms to a great stride. Like a fine wine, he's aged to perfection ;-)"}, {"response": 1688, "author": "caribou", "date": "Wed, Jul 10, 2002 (14:52)", "body": "(Kate) re: Gidget (What? You don't think I'd ever admit to REMEMBERING these things!?!?!?) LOL! None of us fashionable women who have chosen to remain 35 for a number of years would be able to recall anything from 37+ years ago. ;-) LOL! Nice show Mari and Lora. That's the kind of humor I have come to expect on Drool -- at least a year ahead of time. :-)"}, {"response": 1689, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Wed, Jul 10, 2002 (16:32)", "body": "yup.. as Mary Poppins once said,(he's) \"practically perfect in every way.\" Of course we all know the great attributes of a \"gangly\" man.. lol.. as my momma used to say, \"honey, they have to carry their weight somewhere!\" (Caribou) LOL! None of us fashionable women who have chosen to remain 35 for a number of years would be able to recall anything from 37+ years ago. ;-) No, of course not! (floating teeth in a glass, making a metamucil cocktail, and sitting back to several hours of the \"Matlock\" marathon)"}, {"response": 1690, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 10, 2002 (17:34)", "body": "(Mari) Jon Stweart tells CF that AG \"is definitely the best film in the Gidget series.\" ;-) And I know for a fact that these ARE done as school productions in England. Waddaya think of Kelly Preston doing a duet with James Darren?? Another Drool Rool: As long as he does comedy, so will we. ;-D Jeanie has sent me her screen caps. Since we don't post such images here, I will direct all active participants and supporters of Spring, who can email me at \"my office,\" to a place where they can be viewed."}, {"response": 1691, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jul 10, 2002 (20:38)", "body": "Hmmm . . . US release date info for Hope Springs has been removed from the imdb. Maybe they got offended when I said to pay them no mind.;-) UK date still listed as November. Karen, have you heard any more on this? (Lora)Well, we had thought of calling it 'Debs do Derbyshire' or 'Daphne does Derby,' but then we would have had to change the rating.\" ;-) PFFT! A script with that title would never have made it past the long red nail of LD.;-) My concern over AG is that the Gidget purists will not be satisfied.;-) Gidge's parents divorced? In what lifetime?! Not in the original! And the father is better looking than any of the boys Gidget is dating? Nevah happen! Harrumph!;-)"}, {"response": 1692, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jul 10, 2002 (21:06)", "body": "(Mari)My concern over AG is that the Gidget purists will not be satisfied. LOL, Mari. If we can deal with the Wildean purists, then we can certainly deal with this bunch."}, {"response": 1693, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Jul 10, 2002 (21:17)", "body": "(mari) Well, I know she went to Rome. And Hawaii. Had sudden premonition: a year from now, we'll all be here dissecting Colin's latest appearance on The Daily Show, during which Jon Stweart tells CF that AG \"is definitely the best film in the Gidget series.\" ;-) Cringe and shudder. (jeanie) as my momma used to say, \"honey, they have to carry their weight somewhere! My mother never said that! Very insightful woman, your mother! (karen) Waddaya think of Kelly Preston doing a duet with James Darren?? Please, I'm having indigestion trying to swallow a 'teen musical drama' and you have to make jokes!!!!! (mari)A script with that title would never have made it past the long red nail of LD.;-) Yep, she's touching up the colour and filing them into nice little points as we type, going over tomorrow's lines to be sure nothing gets past her while Colin is in the other room tuning up his guitar for his duet with Mrs. Travolta! There was singing in Gidget, wasn't there? Surely in the Hawaiian one. Tiny Bubbles...... And...speaking of LD, what do you think she might have said when ODB told her he wanted to take a part opposite 'Rollergirl'? ***snort*** Not that I mind hearing anything about what would be accurate, but the context of the gangly spotty remark makes me think the orginial source was a little cruel. I too vote for the woman scorned school of thought!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 1694, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jul 10, 2002 (22:34)", "body": "(jeanie) as my momma used to say, \"honey, they have to carry their weight somewhere! But the real question is...on what side do they carry it?"}, {"response": 1695, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Wed, Jul 10, 2002 (23:20)", "body": "(mari)A script with that title would never have made it past the long red nail of LD.;-) (Lisa) Yep, she's touching up the colour and filing them into nice little points as we type, going over tomorrow's lines to be sure nothing gets past her while Colin is in the other room tuning up his guitar for his duet with Mrs. Travolta! There was singing in Gidget, wasn't there? Surely in the Hawaiian one. Tiny Bubbles...... This would've been a very trying day for me if not for you girls. I've laughed so hard that my stomach is hurting. You should have more compassion on an old blue-haired lady with a weak bladder. I can't wait until this mondo bodacious flick comes out starring \"Daddy-O the Real Cool Cat\", cuz he's buzzin cuzzin, the absolute most and will look so dreamy sporting a beaver-tail while jammin' on a ukulele. Like Wowsville...."}, {"response": 1696, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 10, 2002 (23:35)", "body": "(Mari)My concern over AG is that the Gidget purists will not be satisfied. (Linda) If we can deal with the Wildean purists, then we can certainly deal with this bunch. Oh yeah?! *she picks up her bongo drums and walks off toward the surf*"}, {"response": 1697, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (00:03)", "body": "(Lisa) There was singing in Gidget, wasn't there? Surely in the Hawaiian one. Tiny Bubbles...... This is worth the long load time: Click here"}, {"response": 1698, "author": "LizJP", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (00:10)", "body": "Brava, Mari and Karen, for tracking down the source of the \"Fever Pitchsky\" stamp! Mystery solved!"}, {"response": 1699, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (01:05)", "body": "Karen, LOL!! Where DO you find this stuff?"}, {"response": 1700, "author": "airstream", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (08:34)", "body": "(Mari)My concern over AG is that the Gidget purists will not be satisfied. (Linda) If we can deal with the Wildean purists, then we can certainly deal with this bunch. Oh yeah?! *she picks up her bongo drums and walks off toward the surf* ...to be joined by frankie, annette and connie francis...."}, {"response": 1701, "author": "airstream", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (08:45)", "body": "\"Oh, Daddy....er yer Lordship...\""}, {"response": 1702, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (09:03)", "body": "Colin is in the other room tuning up his guitar for his duet with Mrs. Travolta! A guitar duet would pass LD's scrutiny ..but did anybody see Kelly Preston going at it with Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire?*whew* Though it would never happen in a Gaylord Film:-((("}, {"response": 1703, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (11:17)", "body": "(Caribou)That's the kind of humor I have come to expect on Drool -- at least a year ahead of time. :-) How we love to project about his projects ;-). (Mari) A script with that title would never have made it past the long red nail of LD.;-) Heehee, I thought of dear LD when I posted that ;-). But even with Gidget, like the song that Karen linked us to says, \"When the Gidget goes Hawaiian, she goes Hawaiian all the way ! (And also something about an Hawaiian Lei ;-D) CF's inactivity leads to the darndest things *shaking head, laughing*"}, {"response": 1704, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (11:17)", "body": "A few more details about AG: Colin's character is a politician who gives up his seat to run for election in the House of Commmons. Jonathan Pryce is his political agent. Sylvia Sims plays a character called Princess Charlotte. No tie-in with the Dashwood family history, but they were given permission to use the name. They are currently filming a garden party scene which is to take place at Buckingham Palace and even has a QE look-alike."}, {"response": 1705, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (11:29)", "body": "(Lisa)Yep, she's touching up the colour and filing them into nice little points . . what do you think she might have said when ODB told her he wanted to take a part opposite 'Rollergirl'? ***snort*** LOL, Lisa! Maybe she thought he said \"Billy Graham.\" ;-) (Linda)But the real question is...on what side do they carry it? Only his little Roman tailor knows for sure.;-) Does *anything* get past this group? Hee hee . . . (Karen)Oh yeah?! *she picks up her bongo drums and walks off toward the surf* See? We purists are waiting to pounce. And wot's this about AG's mom being a . . . a . . . a thrush?! The only thrush around in the '60s was the one battled by Napoleon Solo and Ilya Kuryakin. How dare they try to update the story!;-) LMAO at the audio clip, Karen. Ahhh, James Darren . . .*sigh* There was a boy I could and did fall for. (And for the record, he *still* visits the old neighborhood. You can take the boy out of Philly . . .:-) (Evelyn)but did anybody see Kelly Preston going at it with Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire?*whew* Whew is right! They were a very, um, upstanding young couple.;-)"}, {"response": 1706, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (15:29)", "body": "LOL - made the mistake of clicking on Karen's musical link while at work :-D great clip Karen!!"}, {"response": 1707, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 11, 2002 (18:44)", "body": "Great sleuthing on AG, Boss. You have the best contacts;-))) And we are the lucky beneficiaries. evelyn*who is watching the other boards report the news as their own* LOL."}, {"response": 1708, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Jul 12, 2002 (02:54)", "body": "Thanks Amy for the picture. I will admit to watching show as a child and enjoying it. They show reruns on TV Land for those who have never seen it before. Thanks for article and it is great picture."}, {"response": 1709, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Jul 12, 2002 (11:36)", "body": "(Lora) CF's inactivity leads to the darndest things *shaking head, laughing* ROFL.. that's an understatement, but it's sooo much fun. Some of you ladies are natural born comediennes. With things being as hysterical as they've been here these last few days, I can't help but wonder what \"He who must\" would think if he should take a moment to lurk and read our comments. (laughing) Poor guy would probably be too frightened to stick his cute lil toes out his own front door. =D"}, {"response": 1710, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Jul 12, 2002 (12:55)", "body": "(Karen) A few more details about AG: Colin's character is a politician who gives up his seat to run for election in the House of Commmons. Jonathan Pryce is his political agent. Sylvia Sims plays a character called Princess Charlotte. Thanks for keeping us up-to-date! Those dimples ought to be worth a few votes.... Speaking of AG, is it correct that both AG and TIOBE have used West Wycombe Park as a filming location? It caught my attention in the TIOBE end credits yesterday. Perhaps this has already been discussed and I don't recall."}, {"response": 1711, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 12, 2002 (19:12)", "body": "(Rika) both AG and TIOBE have used West Wycombe Park as a filming location? Yes, but even better is the fact that West Wycombe Park was also used in Another Country. It's awfully quiet on the other side of the Pond and Colin's Italo Calvino reading is coming up shortly (Tuesday??) at St Paul's Church in Covent Garden. Anybody check into this? Anybody going?"}, {"response": 1712, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jul 13, 2002 (09:02)", "body": "Has anyone seen the NY Times ad for TIOBE today? The men are totally out and it pictures JD, FOC, and RW only-with the headline: Husbands are hard to find but Gentlemen are even harder. Also reads: Third Smash Month...and at a theater near you. Amazing. Since I'm scanner challanged-I apologize for not being able to provide the ad. (Karen)It's awfully quiet on the other side of the Pond and Colin's Italo Calvino reading is coming up shortly (Tuesday??) at St Paul's Church in Covent Garden. Anybody check into this? Anybody going? No, and No to both questions, I long for a reading! I knew about West Wycombe Park for TIOBE and AG, but I did not realize it was used for AC as well. Thanks for the info, boss."}, {"response": 1713, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Jul 14, 2002 (00:12)", "body": "Saw Playmaker for first time today. Must say it was a pleasure to see more than his ankle. And a fine specimen he is too. This movie is obviously visual pleasure. The actress and others are certainly wanting. As he is quoted as saying he knew this was garbage from the start. He still shines though, even through the garbage. My son said to me the other night if CF knew how much he was adored by us he would probably run the other way. He thinks we're frightning. I told him the bottom line with idol-worship is its money in the bank, and did he think any one wishes this man any harm. Oh the young have so much to learn."}, {"response": 1714, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Jul 14, 2002 (02:18)", "body": "Pam, I haven't seen PM yet. I've been put off by people's comments about what a bad movie it is, and if that would overwhelm the droolage potential. But it sounds like I should take the chance. I just saw WoF for the first time tonight. It makes some interesting observations about actors, celebrities, and fandom that are directly related to what you're talking about. At first, it seems to support what your son is saying, because CF's character initially looks like the very worst kind of crazed fan. Only later do we learn that the situation is far more complicated. I wish I'd been around for the discussion of this one - what an odd film, with a lot of intriguing ideas and a lot of dangling threads. CF looks so young, but the voice, the stride (coattails flying behind, no less - DROOOOOL), and the stair-climbing style were entirely familiar. And I thoroughly enjoyed his smirks and smiles. By the way, Pam, if you haven't seen this one, it also provides a look at more than just his ankle :-D."}, {"response": 1715, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Sun, Jul 14, 2002 (02:56)", "body": "I adore WOF and its commentary about the nature of fame. On PM: ...if that would overwhelm the droolage potential. But it sounds like I should take the chance. Ohhhh, yes. It's all worth it for that one scene. More than an ankle indeed! ;)"}, {"response": 1716, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Sun, Jul 14, 2002 (05:28)", "body": "Sydney Drool Event... (names withheld to protect the guilty!) Well, Minkee and I met up with two other FirthFans today in downtown Sydney, and it was great. Drooler #1 came all the way in from the Blue Mountains, and Drooler #2 took the train in from Penrith. We met at a burger bar about an hour before the show just to chat and have some chips, then walked over to the theater. The movie is being shown in the same theater - heaps of stairs to get there. As we were walking in, I saw a couple of old ladies and said to Drooler #1 - \"I bet they're on their way to see TIOBE! They're just the demographic...\" Sure enough, about 10 minutes after we sat down, the two LOLs (little old ladies) toddled in and sat down. I think there were about 35 -40 people altogether, at least 3/4 of them were women. Neither Drooler #1 nor #2 had seen the movie before - the farthest West it's playing is Burwood... we all sat rapt as Colin came on the screen. Much drooling ensued... After the show, we decided to go out for a nice lunch and some champagne (kindly provided by Drooler #1!). We ate at the Hilton, and in keeping with the spirit of Earnest (who never pays at the Savoy), left without paying. (just kidding!) I think we may have embarrassed a few patrons at the restaurant with our 'candid' talk about ODB and his many charms! ;-) A great time was had by all, and we decided that we should get together monthly for group Drool activities, such as a CF film festival housewarming once I've moved into my new place."}, {"response": 1717, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 14, 2002 (10:06)", "body": "(Jane) and in keeping with the spirit of Earnest (who never pays at the Savoy), left without paying. (just kidding!) LOL! Great report. It's always more fun to go see Colin's films with others who are there to specifically see and admire him. Movie, what movie? ;-D"}, {"response": 1718, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 14, 2002 (10:25)", "body": "Thanks Jane....loved the bubbly part. You gals know how to celebrate. Re: WoF. Do read the discussion . I think it's the best we ever did. a v. obscure film, we never untangled all the clues.But made a good inroad. (Rika)\"CF looks so young, but the voice, the stride (coattails flying behind, no less - DROOOOOL Pretty \"angelic\" huh;-) Playmaker's shower scene is worth the price of admission;-)"}, {"response": 1719, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Sun, Jul 14, 2002 (11:18)", "body": "I have just watched The Reluctant Debutante on TV. I must confess I liked it very much.I tried to imagine ODB in Rex Harrisons role. In a way I think he will be great, but on the other hand ODB looks far too young to be the father of a 19 year old girl."}, {"response": 1720, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sun, Jul 14, 2002 (11:40)", "body": "(suddenly getting an all too amusing vision of HWM singing.. \"The Rain in Spain falls mainly in the plain...\") (Nita) I tried to imagine ODB in Rex Harrisons role. In a way I think he will be great, but on the other hand ODB looks far too young to be the father of a 19 year old girl. Yes, but just like me, he IS old enough to have a 19 year old daughter. (laughing) Just aging gracefully.. (giggling) Jane, you have no idea how jealous I am.... I want buddies to go watch HWM's movies, eat cucumber sandwiches, and not pay at the Savoy with! (pouting) Hey.. doesn't, at least, one of you ladies live in Florida? Wow.. in the same quarter of the US!! (sighing)"}, {"response": 1721, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Jul 14, 2002 (12:36)", "body": "Jane, thanks for sharing the news of the Oz Drooler gathering - I'm so envious! (Evelyn) Re: WoF. Do read the discussion . I think it's the best we ever did. a v. obscure film, we never untangled all the clues.But made a good inroad. Thanks for mentioning it, Evelyn! I found the discussion this morning - and yes, y'all did a fantastic job! It was so frustrating, though, to want to interject things. Some time soon I'm going to have to re-watch WoF with these thoughts in mind (and also, of course, to find the white bikini underwear in the shagging scene ;-D)."}, {"response": 1722, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 14, 2002 (15:00)", "body": "(Rika) Some time soon I'm going to have to re-watch WoF with these thoughts in mind (and also, of course, to find the white bikini underwear in the shagging scene ;-D). LOL. It's little details like this that you will find in our esoteric film discusssions that you won't find anywhere else;-) For instance: In the \"Playmaker\" shower scene, if you slo-mo and look between the second and third tranluscent glass brick down you will be able to see an unexpected surprise ;-D"}, {"response": 1723, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Jul 14, 2002 (17:42)", "body": "The American Movie Classics (AMC) cable channel will be showing Valmont on Monday, 7/22, at 8:00 pm, and on Tuesday, 7/23, at 1:20 am and 3:05 pm. Forgive me if this has already been posted - I didn't recall seeing it, and it's something I would definitely have made note of if I'd read it! (Evelyn) For instance: In the \"Playmaker\" shower scene, if you slo-mo and look between the second and third tranluscent glass brick down you will be able to see an unexpected surprise ;-D GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! Okay, what's the best way for me to get PM in a big hurry? ;-D"}, {"response": 1724, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 14, 2002 (18:20)", "body": "Anxious to join the Nessie club? ;-D"}, {"response": 1725, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Jul 14, 2002 (21:43)", "body": "I've heard that there's some disagreement over this particular sighting, so of course I feel compelled to investigate it personally! Besides, if you truly believe you've seen Nessie, then you've had a very satisfactory Loch experience, even if there's no objective evidence to support her existence. That principle ought to apply to other sightings through the mist (or steam or glass) as well...... 8-}"}, {"response": 1726, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Sun, Jul 14, 2002 (22:19)", "body": "I'd post this at the BJD topic but since it's pretty quiet there so: http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/GIS.Servlets.HTMLTemplate?current_row=2&tf=tgam/common/FullStory.html&cf=tgam/common/FullStory.cfg&configFileLoc=tgam/config&date=20020713&dateOffset=&hub=columnists&title=Columnists&cache_key=columnistsThearts&start_row=2&num_rows=1 This should take you to a Globe&Mail column about RZ's speech teacher. How to Speak Bridget Jones. And personally, I haven't seen Nessie. I'll have to take another trip to my favourite Loch and check out those bricks. Not translucent enough for me!!"}, {"response": 1727, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jul 14, 2002 (22:21)", "body": "Hmmm! Some v.interesting sightings since I've been out to dinner celebrating our 18th anniversary(tomorrow).I can finally say 18 years, 18 bleeping years-for all you FP fans. Looks like I'll have to watch PM again, remote in hand, mist viewing goggles on eyes. (Rika)even if there's no objective evidence to support her existence. Maybe it's all the bubbly I had at dinner, but I think there is quite a bit of evidence to support his/her/its existence. That is if we're talking about the same Nessie. At least I think I know the Nessie we're referring to. 1. Several P&P sightings 2. PM 3. Open and frank discussion of it in L 4. Duet/dog scene in TIOBE 5. LD(I personally don't think she's in it for the money) 6. Several other reason which I will ponder and report on tomorrow, when the fog has cleared. Oh Dorine, where are you when I need you? And just why is it I seem to come upon this same discussion all of the time? It haunts me like the plague.(V.dangerous when one is a little tipsy)"}, {"response": 1728, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (08:23)", "body": "Yes, those girls from Down Under know how to have a good time. Sounds like it was a lot of fun. BTW, for anyone in Minkeeland....Channel 7 will air Black Adder at 9:30pm on Tuesday. Am not usually a big TV watcher so I feel it was luck to have spotted the ad. It was a cut that shows RA and CF as CF falls down. They promote it as Black Adder with BJD star Colin Firth. Not bad..... On another note, as one used to being the last in line (Haven't seen TIOBE yet)I only today rented and viewed for the first time A Thousand Acres. Keeping in mind I knew about the accent, I wasn't totally shocked, although I still almost spit my coffee across the room with the first of CF's lines. I felt he sounded really nasally in the beginning and then kind of faded away as the film progressed. There's something about the rural farmlands of America that I find romantic and I usually enjoy a film in this setting. At the risk of being ostracized, I will be bold: I liked the movie. (Even without the sound turned off!) It would never make it into my top 20 alltime favourites, but it's much closer to it because of the actor who played a most yummy looking Jesse. Scrolling through the last week's posts, it seems we are in need of some pics of ODB...Help!!!! anyone who knows how to post them!!! :))))))"}, {"response": 1729, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (08:44)", "body": "(Lisa) Scrolling through the last week's posts, it seems we are in need of some pics of ODB...Help!!!! anyone who knows how to post them!!! :)))))) Since some of us are completely broke until the curly-headed daddy district attorney gets paid at the end of the month, we do not have the funds to buy a copy of PM, so... my request would be some screen caps of Nessie, please. And I swear, if I get ANY pictures of the supposed real \"Loch Ness Monster\" in my email box you'll be eating spam for dinner 7 days a week for a VERY long time. =P (sheesh.. did I take my hormones last night?) I think I'm in a funk.. lol.. September seems very far away all the sudden..."}, {"response": 1730, "author": "airstream", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (10:53)", "body": "(FanPam)My son said to me the other night if CF knew how much he was adored by us he would probably run the other way. I think about this sometimes myself....especially at the loud gasp that I myself made at the site of him (which I never thought I would do). But there is some redemption in RV. The scene where CF 'squeals' with excitement at the sight of BB's character makes me think that he has to have seen and understands....and that we are safe (somewhat) ;^)"}, {"response": 1731, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (11:08)", "body": "For no other reason that in celebration of my new found understanding of how to post images I am posting this. I tried to find a pic from ATA as it seemed appropriate after my first viewing, but I couldn't find anything different from what had been posted recently. Still, this does have it's merits........."}, {"response": 1732, "author": "airstream", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (11:13)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1733, "author": "airstream", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (11:13)", "body": "Appologies for the subject matter."}, {"response": 1734, "author": "airstream", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (11:15)", "body": "Lisa's pic is MUCH more interesting I have to say. (thanks lisa)"}, {"response": 1735, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (11:21)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1736, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (11:22)", "body": "Sorry, Amy, even though small, no can do here."}, {"response": 1737, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (11:23)", "body": "Thanks Byronny for the article on the dialect coach. RZ is unusualin that she can converse in the accent. GP says she can only do it \"on command\". Which means she mimics the words.Wonder if that voice coach does American.YKW could use it. His voice loses it's natural resonance when he does American accent.3 DOR was better than ATA though. We used to have some captures of tht shower scene somewhere. But the \"sighting\" has to be done on tv, slo-mo. Hey...with a DVD you could *Zoom*. One could say:\"size matters\" ;-)"}, {"response": 1738, "author": "airstream", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (11:29)", "body": "Sorry Karen! (thanks !)"}, {"response": 1739, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (17:02)", "body": "(LindaK) Hmmm! Some v.interesting sightings since I've been out to dinner celebrating our 18th anniversary(tomorrow).I can finally say 18 years, 18 bleeping years-for all you FP fans. Congrats! My 18th was a couple of months ago.... but that was before I saw FP so the connection never occurred to me. 6. Several other reason which I will ponder and report on tomorrow, when the fog has cleared. #1-#5 had me convinced! ;-D Although in this case the more relevant question about Nessie is one of visibility, not existence, right? (Evelyn) But the \"sighting\" has to be done on tv, slo-mo. Hey...with a DVD you could *Zoom*. One could say:\"size matters\" ;-) (gulp) You naughty birthday girl! (Lisa)I tried to find a pic from ATA as it seemed appropriate after my first viewing, but I couldn't find anything different from what had been posted recently. Still, this does have it's merits......... Yes, it does!! There are some photos on 160 and 158 at the moment, too."}, {"response": 1740, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (17:07)", "body": "(Amy) ...especially at the loud gasp that I myself made at the site of him (which I never thought I would do) ROFL!! Me neither (gasp audibly I mean) ;-D! Nice choice on the pic Lisa! That's actually one of my very favorites, along with a few B/W's. (Linda) I think there is quite a bit of evidence to support his/her/its existence. Oh Dorine, where are you when I need you? Give me time, Linda. Give me time! LOL! (Actually all of you probably have more sightings than I do). (BTW, congrats on your 18 bleeping years!)"}, {"response": 1741, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (21:18)", "body": "(Rika)Although in this case the more relevant question about Nessie is one of visibility, not existence, right Isn't language a curious thing? I just did the slo-mo on PM, and I think visibility is v.relavant! I also noticed in slo-mo mode, that ODB seems to use his right hand to (what looks like to me) to try and cover himself just before he steps out. Almost like he knew a few of us were going to analyze the situtation. Now getting back to existence: #7 The costumier from TIOBE aka the little Roman tailor."}, {"response": 1742, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Mon, Jul 15, 2002 (22:54)", "body": "#8 The avowed offspring, times 2, proof positive of both existence and full functionality. ;)"}, {"response": 1743, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (01:08)", "body": "(LindaK) #7 The costumier from TIOBE aka the little Roman tailor. (Elizabeth S) #8 The avowed offspring, times 2, proof positive of both existence and full functionality. ;) It's a good thing DH is out of town because I'd hate to have to try to explain what I'm sitting here laughing about right now."}, {"response": 1744, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (03:39)", "body": "And now, Colin the Artist ;-) http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/html/news/top_direct_london.html"}, {"response": 1745, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (03:41)", "body": "Sorry that does not take you there. Click on Lifestyle on the top bar and look for the story about postcards from the stars. It was in yesterday's Evening Standard."}, {"response": 1746, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (04:24)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1747, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (09:59)", "body": "Thanks, Allison. This link will take you directly to the story: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/dynamic/lifestyle/londonlife/review.html?in_review_id=641217&in_review_text_id=611879 Did the newspaper have pics of the more than the one postcard shown?"}, {"response": 1748, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (10:01)", "body": "I am reposting SandyW's message from above (remember to close the tag) :) (Allison) And now, Colin the Artist ;-) Thanks for the note Allison. Would love to see ODB's offering."}, {"response": 1749, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (10:33)", "body": "Thanks Allison. Anybody going to the auction? Maybe the buyer wouldn't mind scaning it on:-)) Tonight is the reading at St. Paul's."}, {"response": 1750, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (11:22)", "body": "Thanks, Allison for the article. I'd love to see Colin's sketch too. We'll have to watch the Standard in Sept. Maybe they'll publish the postcards after the auction. (Rika)full functionality Existance, Visiablility, Functionality! Now, if he would put the EVF to good use(which I'm sure he does) and give us another R movie... I'd be so grateful."}, {"response": 1751, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (12:52)", "body": "(Evelyn) Anybody going to the auction? Maybe the buyer wouldn't mind scaning it on :-)) Any bets as to subject matter? I'm thinking scene of Urquart Castle, the Loch in the background, Nessie swimming by... (you have all been talking about Scotland, right?)"}, {"response": 1752, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (13:43)", "body": "(Kate F) (you have all been talking about Scotland, right?) But of course - just getting in the spirit of MLSF in preparation for the film discussion. What else could we have possibly been talking about? ;-P"}, {"response": 1753, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (14:20)", "body": "(Rika) What else could we have possibly been talking about? ;-P Gah - i've gotta stop reading this stuff at work. Nobody else giggles at their computer all day long ;-D"}, {"response": 1754, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (15:39)", "body": "(Kate) Any bets as to subject matter? I'm thinking scene of Urquart Castle, the Loch in the background, Nessie swimming by... (you have all been talking about Scotland, right?) ROFLMAO!"}, {"response": 1755, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (17:34)", "body": "Ahhh what a way to wake up in the morning, with visions of Scotland in my head. Surely, this is the subject that all have been mulling over........... NESSIE!!!!"}, {"response": 1756, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (17:51)", "body": "Now, on to, ummmm, deeper things. Maybe this has been hashed out before, but I just saw \"Blackadder Whatever Whatever\" last night and I've got a list of reasons why CF would have taken the role. ***evil laugh*** This is my first list. 10. LD picked the script from the pile on the floor.......... 9. He'd worked with the cameraman before........... 8. The car had too many fines for parking illegally on the street and was on the verge of being towed.......... 7. LD wanted new shoes.......... 6. When RA said he would be 'doing' Shakespeare, he misunderstood........... 5. CF needed new sneakers with white laces.......... 4. He got to keep the costume.......... 3. There was a free weekend in Newcastle thrown in with the deal.......... 2. He was paying off gambling debts.......... and the Number One reason why CF would agree to play Will Shakespeare in BAWW.......... 1. He was promised that the hairstylist would cover his MPB spot."}, {"response": 1757, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (19:08)", "body": "Great list Lisa! :-D love the \"who'se Ken Brannaugh?\" (sp?) line in BlackAdder just a thought - but, minus the beard and goatee, that pic of him could have been taken in the mid-eighties (long feathered hair -big collar)"}, {"response": 1758, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (21:02)", "body": "(Lisa) Ahhh what a way to wake up in the morning, with visions of Scotland in my head. Surely, this is the subject that all have been mulling over........... NESSIE!!!! Alright, little girl.. your spammin' is a'comin'! Get ready for it! muhahahahahahahahaha!!!(cough, choke, hack)"}, {"response": 1759, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (21:22)", "body": "Scotland? Who is talking about Scotland? (Kate)Any bets as to subject matter? I'm thinking...actually, I can't think of anything just yet. (Lisa)Surely, this is the subject that all have been mulling over.... Oh, yeeess, yeeeeeeesssssssss.(sorry, just a little carried away here) Is that a snappy of the shower scene from PM? Looks like it could very well be-You clever girl!"}, {"response": 1760, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (22:40)", "body": "(Lisa) Surely, this is the subject that all have been mulling over........... NESSIE! (Jeanie) Oh, yeeess, yeeeeeeesssssssss.(sorry, just a little carried away here) Is that a snappy of the shower scene from PM? Looks like it could very well be-You clever girl! I must say, I wasn't expecting the water in the shower to be quite that deep..... perhaps the drain got clogged. (LindaK) Scotland? Who is talking about Scotland? Well, it makes a good \"official story\" if anyone should ask what we're snickering about. Oh, and I saw TIOBE again today and noted one of your pieces of evidence for Nessie's existence - in the duet scene right after the dog jumps up. Ain't no doubt about that one."}, {"response": 1761, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (22:41)", "body": "Oops. My first tag-closing flub. Had to happen some day. Sorry. Hope this works."}, {"response": 1762, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Tue, Jul 16, 2002 (23:20)", "body": "When I think of CF in Blackadder, I invariably hear Joe Tex singing about skinny legs. :)"}, {"response": 1763, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Jul 17, 2002 (02:45)", "body": "ROFLMAO it only took me 5 responses to figure out what Nessie was Duhhhhhh Rika you must see it. Evelyn unexpected surprise was watched several times over I couldn't believe my good fortune!!!!! Even checked credits for body double but didn't see any listed so this is the real Nessie. Noticed it right off so you know where my attentions were focused. Have seen WoF and will go to discussion. Recall the star attraction with great warmth. I saw TIOBE for the first time with my son, gasping throughout as well as fanning profusely from generated heat. I'm sure he thought I had lost all sensibility, I'm sure I did. But being the dutiful son just shook his head and smiled. Definitely recall the dog/duet occurrance. But must agree an R is most definitely needed to keep Nessie alive to those less fortunate to know him on a personal level. LOL with LD allowing that though. We can always dreammmm."}, {"response": 1764, "author": "airstream", "date": "Wed, Jul 17, 2002 (09:28)", "body": "He kinda looks like Barry Gibb in that BA pic......"}, {"response": 1765, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 17, 2002 (10:01)", "body": "I've had a report from London about the PEN reading from Antonella: \"Colin Firth didn't take part to the the celebration of Italo Calvino yesterday night. Victoria Glendinning, President of English PEN, announced at the end of the evening that Colin was filming outside London and didn't manage to arrive in time for his reading. He was supposed to read from Calvino's Mr Palomar \"The naked bosom\". Otherwise it was a very interesting evening. Gore Vidal and Tom Rosenthal held a conversation about Calvino and his work followed by an Q&A session with the audience. Then after the break, there was a reading of selected Calvino's chapters by Sam West, Elizabeth McGovern, Dame Eileen Atkins and Mario Fortunato, director of the Italian Cultural Institute in London.\""}, {"response": 1766, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jul 17, 2002 (10:05)", "body": "(LindaK) Scotland? Who is talking about Scotland? When I was in Scotland 11 years ago, I went to the Loch to look for Nessie. Little did I know at the time that I was looking in the wrong place....geographically and otherwise ;-D. I guess every explorer gets a little lost now and then... I saw on the box office charts that TIOBE dropped 40% this weekend. I don't know...maybe it's because they dropped 40 theaters? :-( What is that Harvey thinking?! Actually I read an article in the Times sometime in the last couple of days with a snippet from HW on marketing. Will have to see if I can find it again. My friend is quite put-out by the fact that the theaters now playing in in our area are actually quite inconvenient timewise to get to. She really liked it when I took her to see it and really wanted to see it again....but she's not a Fithaholic....for now. (Amy) He kinda looks like Barry Gibb in that BA pic...... LOL, he does!"}, {"response": 1767, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jul 17, 2002 (10:07)", "body": "\"Colin Firth didn't take part to the the celebration of Italo Calvino yesterday night...Colin was filming outside London and didn't manage to arrive in time for his reading. I wonder how many audible gasps of disappointment arose when that announcement was made."}, {"response": 1768, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Jul 17, 2002 (10:30)", "body": "(Lisa, about ATA) Keeping in mind I knew about the accent, I wasn't totally shocked, although I still almost spit my coffee across the room with the first of CF's lines. I felt he sounded really nasally in the beginning and then kind of faded away as the film progressed. I found it downright weird to see him in this film, surrounded by flannel-shirted good ol' boys (especially in this Summer of the Elegant Mr. Worthing). And in that context, where everything is kind of surreal anyway, his voice doesn't bother me at all. It's nasal for him , but I don't find it unusually nasal in the context of American speech. He doesn't get all of his R's exactly right, but on the other hand there's sometimes a gentle, caressing quality in Jess's voice that I like very much."}, {"response": 1769, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 17, 2002 (10:34)", "body": "Re: ATA His jeans were too loose for a farmboy (check out Carradine's and Anderson's for proper fits)."}, {"response": 1770, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 17, 2002 (10:37)", "body": "and no one in their right mind would be wearing sweats to go jogging in the summer in the Midwest. He should've been wearing skimpy, little nylon shorts and no shirt. ;-D"}, {"response": 1771, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Jul 17, 2002 (10:57)", "body": "What a shame about the reading. But if the shoot is running overtime, I guess you can't exactly say, \"Well, sorry, but I've got other plans this evening.\" Thanks for the report, Karen! (Karen) His jeans were too loose for a farmboy (check out Carradine's and Anderson's for proper fits). I did notice that - and what a disappointment! But momentarily setting aside the whole \"wanna see him in tight jeans\" aspect (though I'm having some trouble doing so), Jess was supposed to be a misfit..... so I was willing to give the costume department a pass on that one (although this feels like post hoc justification even as I type it). His shirts weren't exactly farm issue either (that gray Henley..... mmmmmmmm)."}, {"response": 1772, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 17, 2002 (10:59)", "body": "\"Colin Firth didn't take part to the the celebration of Italo Calvino yesterday night...Colin was filming outside London and didn't manage to arrive in time for his reading.\" (Dorine)I wonder how many audible gasps of disappointment arose when that announcement was made. To say nothing of the 25 UKP it cost to get in. Rip-Off."}, {"response": 1773, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Jul 17, 2002 (11:09)", "body": "\"Colin was filming outside London\" I'm tellin' ya, he's in Scotland. (Karen)He should've been wearing skimpy, little nylon shorts and no shirt. Mmmmmmm. Now there's an image to start my day! I haven't watched ATA in a long time. Must watch it again to check the jeans. Rika, you're right, Jess was supposed to be a misfit--he hadn't been living on the farm for a while. Probably still had some of his city clothes with him."}, {"response": 1774, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Jul 17, 2002 (11:15)", "body": "(Karen) and no one in their right mind would be wearing sweats to go jogging in the summer in the Midwest. He should've been wearing skimpy, little nylon shorts and no shirt. ;-D I couldn't agree more - the sweats were a ridiculous choice, while your wardrobe suggestion seems both appropriate and....... oh, I'm sorry, what was I saying? I was lost in the mental image of those little nylon shorts....... mmmmmmm...... And given that they did choose to send Jess out to jog so warmly dressed in the heat and humidity, don't you think they should have showed us that he came right home, took a shower, and then walked around in nothing but a towel for a while? I mean, just to reassure us that he didn't collapse from heat stroke. ;-D Oh, and while this isn't precisely a costume gripe, did they have to film him putting his shirt back on out on the woods from so far away? (Is DVD Zoom of any help in this scene? I only have ATA on VHS.)"}, {"response": 1775, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Wed, Jul 17, 2002 (17:18)", "body": "I had an email from a friend yesterday asking me how many times I had been to see \"the Importance of being COLIN\" - cute! For anyone interested in the answer, it's four; with another viewing to come on Sunday."}, {"response": 1776, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Jul 17, 2002 (18:44)", "body": "(Cathey) \"the Importance of being COLIN\" - cute! Yes! Or, for us, The Importance of Seeing Colin!"}, {"response": 1777, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jul 17, 2002 (21:08)", "body": "(Rika)Yes! Or, for us, The Importance of Seeing Colin! All of him. 11 times for me. I'd like to make it a baker's dozen before it goes away. (Rika)don't you think they should have showed us that he came right home, took a shower, and then walked around in nothing but a towel for a while? Absolutely, that would have been the better choice. (Dorine)Little did I know at the time that I was looking in the wrong place.... Aren't you glad you are so much more knowledgeable now? Knowing where to look, and on what side really helps when one is lost without a compass. Can somebody please help with the tags-my eyes are leaning to the left."}, {"response": 1778, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Wed, Jul 17, 2002 (22:05)", "body": "(pouting because I've yet to have a sighting of Nessie) ahhhh me......"}, {"response": 1779, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Thu, Jul 18, 2002 (08:16)", "body": "I have just read that TIOBE will be shown at the Locarno Film Festival, but I couldn't find out when exactly. I'm afraid there is little chance of ODB's being there for the premiere but one can always hope! I'm so glad TIOBE is coming to Switzerland at last, so I may have a chance to join the drooling. ;-)"}, {"response": 1780, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Jul 18, 2002 (08:29)", "body": "Are there any other drooleurs in Switzerland, at one time a lady named Riette from Switzerland hosted our art conference, her writings are still there in the art conference on the Spring. I wondered if you ever heard of her or were aware that another Swiss person had been here, Riette Walton."}, {"response": 1781, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 18, 2002 (10:24)", "body": "TIOBE will open the Locarno Film Fest, which starts at midnight on August 1. It is an open-air screening, under the stars. It's very likely that he could attend. He was the only one from the cast to go to Locarno last year (OK, it was convenient!) for BJD with Sharon Maguire. Shooting schedules can be juggled to accommodate premieres and other promotional appearances."}, {"response": 1782, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Jul 18, 2002 (10:53)", "body": "Earnest goes to 42nd Street! I just checked moviephone to see where TIOBE would be next week, as I was hoping for another viewing. Not only is it still at the same small theater near me, I see that, in NYC it's moving to one of the multis on 42nd street, which is a very \"mainstream\" location. TIOBE's perambulations around the area mystify me. Isn't it a bit late to place it in a theater in a very touristy area? Will drag best friend to TIOBE this weekend (hey, she owes me--she dragged me to \"Message in a Bottle\" to see Costner) (Karen)It is an open-air screening, under the stars. Ooh, Colin under the stars. Am having flashbacks to drive-in movies, am imagining Colin the back seat... ;-))"}, {"response": 1783, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 18, 2002 (11:46)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1784, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 18, 2002 (11:49)", "body": "At the Locarno site, there are publicity stills from Earnest but they are humungo sized ones. Only two are new, and one of thoseis a headshot of Rupe. The other is the lawn scene when they are running after Miss Prism and she collapses. I've resized and cropped: The group shot first: Then, our man in motion ;-D For those who haven't seen, here's a page from Colin's appearance last year in Locarno: http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjdlff.html And here's an interview with him (in Italian): http://www.caltanet.it/html_pag/spettacolo/cinema/eventi/diariobridget_intfirth.htm"}, {"response": 1785, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 18, 2002 (12:24)", "body": "I called Moon and she has offered to pick up Colin from the airport and be his taxi service, among other things. ;-D"}, {"response": 1786, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jul 18, 2002 (13:59)", "body": "Thank you, Karen for the action shot I guess you know where my eyes went first. (Karen)Shooting schedules can be juggled to accommodate premieres and other promotional appearances. But not for readings-so it would seem-unless it was a last minute glitch. (Karen)I called Moon and she has offered to pick up Colin from the airport and be his taxi service, among other things. Hey, boss-why does Moon get all the good jobs-*whining and gnashing teeth* All we get is a film discussion-sheesh!:)"}, {"response": 1787, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jul 18, 2002 (17:08)", "body": "(Linda) I guess you know where my eyes went first LOL!! You and me both!"}, {"response": 1788, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 18, 2002 (18:40)", "body": "Reposting this from 160 from EmmaB ('cause this IS relevant): From www.tvguide.ca Gwyneth Paltrow is doing fine these days. How do we know? Because her mom told us. Actress Blythe Danner, set to star in the new fall CBS drama Presidio Med, tells TV GUIDE that she and her daughter were very close to working together. \"We were actually supposed to do a movie about Sylvia Plath but it sort of fell apart,\" says Danner. As for accounting for her daughter's great success, culminating in an Oscar win for \"Shakespeare in Love,\" Danner says it's all in the genes. \"There are things you recognize that are hereditary from the gene pool which you sometimes loathe and sometimes love and she's such a wise person that she's come to accept both very forgivingly. I have some of that sort of strong-willed kind of thing, but it's held her in very good stead. I think she's got her intelligence from my husband [Bruce Paltrow]. As far as motherly advice goes, however, Danner says that she doesn't meddle. \"I don't contribute too much. She's smart and she sort of knows. She's followed all of the good thin s one should do... she knows that the work is the most important thing and I don't think she gets seduced by the fame and the glory. She's very well self taught doing all kinds of self-help things such as yoga.\" Does Danner share in her daughter's passion for yoga? \"I'm kind of lazy,\" she says with a laugh. \"I don't do it as much as I should.\""}, {"response": 1789, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jul 18, 2002 (20:40)", "body": "\"We were actually supposed to do a movie about Sylvia Plath but it sort of fell apart,\" Oh, no. I was really hoping Colin would get the Ted Hughes part. I guess it's bac to the PG drawing board."}, {"response": 1790, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Jul 18, 2002 (20:43)", "body": "Heads up, tonight, HBO2, 9:15 Wierd Indiana Time (which this time of year equates to Central time,) Conspiracy. I finally get to see it. (Got an offer for a 30 day free-trial of digital cable with one premium selection...you know I checked his listings first!! I get Valmont later on! I'm working on my DH whine so I can keep it after the 30 days!)"}, {"response": 1791, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jul 18, 2002 (20:52)", "body": "Thanks for pics Karen. Excellent. ATA: As I said before. Pants definitely too baggy. But what a face and body. So just watch with smile of contentment. SOOOOOOO Handsome in this movie. All others too of course. Saw FF for first time yesterday. Different. Would a person in real-life take a multi-personality back to the woods? But then again its like being with several different people which would avoid boredom. First movie where I noticed his countenance starting to mature over the very boyish face of previous movies. Starting to anticipate HS and hopefully good publicity with CF."}, {"response": 1792, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 18, 2002 (21:00)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1793, "author": "LizJP", "date": "Thu, Jul 18, 2002 (21:03)", "body": "(Karen): \"We were actually supposed to do a movie about Sylvia Plath but it sort of fell apart,\" says Danner. Rats! I was looking forward to the Sylvia Plath movie, too. I wonder if there's any chance that what \"fell apart\" was the chance for Danner to work with her daughter, instead of the entire movie? Liz"}, {"response": 1794, "author": "LizJP", "date": "Thu, Jul 18, 2002 (21:04)", "body": "closing tag, I hope"}, {"response": 1795, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 18, 2002 (21:07)", "body": "Lisa..loved your 10 reasons why Colin took Blackadder.... esp #10: \" 10. LD picked the script from the pile on the floor.......... \" \"Caro mio...What a summer ..you can do this in one day...just like \"The Turn of the Screw\", then 'Londinium' and your're done\": Diary -Summer of 99 (Pam)Would a person in real-life take a multi-personality back to the woods? Joe Prince would. A sweetie. As someone commented:\"You could be sure he'd be there in the morning\":-)))"}, {"response": 1796, "author": "dalec", "date": "Thu, Jul 18, 2002 (21:34)", "body": "very disappointed about the whole Sylvia Plath thing too. love those pics of Colin from last years Locarno."}, {"response": 1797, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Thu, Jul 18, 2002 (23:11)", "body": "got it. Conspiracy. I finally get to see it. Immediately preceded by a bit of the goat formerly known as MB...how ironic. Seriously, it's quite chilling. This is one I cannot just look at for the visual glory of the man himself; I get drawn into the horror every time. But I cannot look away, either. He must have been thrilled to get this part and should be very proud of what he did with it."}, {"response": 1798, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 18, 2002 (23:15)", "body": "Top 10 list??? I had to really back up here. Hmmm, my excuse since yesterday is that I've been visually-challenged, but I'm glad to see Lisa step into the breech (or is that breach or breeches?? ;-)) since our other Top 10 listmakers are on holiday. 8. The car had too many fines for parking illegally on the street and was on the verge of being towed......... LOL!! Many years ago, I could relate to this one. 4. He got to keep the costume.......... And he got to add to his collection of codpieces. ;-D (Rika) His shirts weren't exactly farm issue either (that gray Henley..... mmmmmmmm). True, very true but I did like the way the Henley hung. Far better than those shirts that were 20x too big on him. You're also right about having a shower scene. It would've improved the movie tremendously. I'll have to get my DVD out and check out the zoom function for the junkyard scene. (Pam) Would a person in real-life take a multi-personality back to the woods? But then again its like being with several different people which would avoid boredom. Ha ha ha!! I never thought of that reason, the entertainment value. Too funny. Hey, Linda, you get yourself over to L. Maggiore and we'll make some assignments. Nita, we'll be counting on you for updates. :-)"}, {"response": 1799, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Thu, Jul 18, 2002 (23:17)", "body": "(dalec) very disappointed about the whole Sylvia Plath thing too. love those pics of Colin from last years Locarno. Yeah, I really loved the top picture on the page, especially.. thanks for posting the link, Karen, as well as the new pictures of HWM in action. I think I agree with Liz, that, perhaps, GP's mom simply meant in her statement that her ability to share a project with her daughter had \"fallen apart\". Perhaps, someone else is set to play the role Ms. Danner was hoping for? Yes, I know.. once again, call me Pollyanna, but here's hoping!"}, {"response": 1800, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Jul 19, 2002 (00:26)", "body": "(Elizabeth S) Immediately preceded by a bit of the goat formerly known as MB...how ironic. Seriously, it's quite chilling. This is one I cannot just look at for the visual glory of the man himself; I did not realize MB preceded Conspiracy but as I watched the credits for whatever silly show it was that preceded Conspiracy, I suddenly realized what/who I had just seen while waiting...30 seconds was about enough for me. I still feel like I need to bathe. As for the other, I am floored by Conspiracy. CF was wonderful but KB was spell-binding. *Everyone* was incredible. I feel like I just watched a train wreck. Wow..."}, {"response": 1801, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jul 19, 2002 (01:11)", "body": "(Elizabeth S) Seriously, it's quite chilling. This is one I cannot just look at for the visual glory of the man himself; I get drawn into the horror every time. But I cannot look away, either. He must have been thrilled to get this part and should be very proud of what he did with it. I have seen this I don't know how many times and continue to be riveted every time I see it. No matter where I come into it, I become mesmorized. Esp by KB...he was truly brilliant. At least I've gotten over the tinge of nausea that used to arise the first few times I saw it. I am still flabbergasted that people actually sat around and had this discussion."}, {"response": 1802, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Jul 19, 2002 (01:52)", "body": "Am very envious of those of you who have HBO2 and got to see Conspiracy. Oh, well, it's coming out fairly soon on DVD, I believe. And I'm looking forward to Valmont on Monday night! (LindaK) Hey, boss-why does Moon get all the good jobs-*whining and gnashing teeth* All we get is a film discussion-sheesh!:) Yeah, Linda, but did Moon get her own personal toast from MD? Huh? ;-D (EmmaB) \"We were actually supposed to do a movie about Sylvia Plath but it sort of fell apart,\" says Danner. Noooooooooooooooo!!!! I wonder what happened. I'd love for your Pollyanna hopes to be correct, Jeanie, but somehow I fear there will be no joy in Firthville....... (Karen) I'll have to get my DVD out and check out the zoom function for the junkyard scene. I'll be curious to hear your report, because from a distance the abs appear to be worth a closer look!"}, {"response": 1803, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 19, 2002 (10:55)", "body": "I dunno where the*&^ this belongs..but since we're talking about Sylvia Plath....(Hope this wasn't posted before...first time for me) From a June 16 interview In The Observer with Alan Yentob: \"To crown recent honours, BBC Films has just secured Gwyneth Paltrow to play Sylvia Plath in a new feature film and Yentob, along with colleagues, is busily looking about for an appropriate star to play Ted Hughes. 'He has to be a life force. Tall and young,' Yentob says, adding that he lunched with his friend, Matthew Evans, the chairman of Faber and Faber, and Hughes on the day the then poet laureate handed over his precious Birthday Letters for publication.\" Whole interview. http://www.observer.co.uk/review/story/0,6903,738167,00.html Sounds like a done deal to me, if they've got Gwynnie."}, {"response": 1804, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 19, 2002 (11:16)", "body": "Could be that it was only the Blythe Danner part that \"fell through.\" We shall see. an appropriate star to play Ted Hughes. 'He has to be a life force. Tall and young,' Yentob says Hmmmmmmm. OK, we got 'tall.' (Elizabeth) He must have been thrilled to get this part and should be very proud of what he did with it. I believe he made a comment to that effect at the Italian Cultural Inst, and in getting an Emmy nom, I expect that pleased him. (Dorine) Esp by KB...he was truly brilliant. I thought he overacted the part and preferred the guy who played Heydrich in the German-Austrian production of the same. Now, that guy was believable. But somebody had to be down at Tucci's level. ;-D"}, {"response": 1805, "author": "Odile", "date": "Fri, Jul 19, 2002 (13:35)", "body": "(Rika about Conspiracy) , it's coming out fairly soon on DVD, I believe. Actually, it is already out. I rented it a couple of months ago from my local Box Office Video. Happy hunting!"}, {"response": 1806, "author": "odessa", "date": "Fri, Jul 19, 2002 (13:44)", "body": "Run Colin Run! I guess you know where my eyes went first I confess too... Why that L-movie is so horrible that you can`t even watch it? Is it the plot? Or the actors? Or just everything?"}, {"response": 1807, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 19, 2002 (14:05)", "body": "What plot? Embarassing dialogue.He phoned the role in. On positive side: Good views of London"}, {"response": 1808, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Jul 19, 2002 (14:39)", "body": "an appropriate star to play Ted Hughes. 'He has to be a life force. Tall and young,' Yentob says (Karen) Hmmmmmmm. OK, we got 'tall.' And 'a life force.' But...."}, {"response": 1809, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jul 19, 2002 (15:13)", "body": "(Rika)Yeah, Linda, but did Moon get her own personal toast from MD? Huh? No, I must admit she did not. Thank you, Rika, for bringing my feet back to the ground. Ok, I'll settle for being Moon's assistant. You know, sitting in the back of the Limo with Colin while she does the driving. After all, she's more familiar with the roads. (Karen)Hey, Linda, you get yourself over to L. Maggiore and we'll make some assignments I leave tonight. Fax me the assingments, however the one I just mentioned is fine with me. I'll even help her with the luggage-unless of course Colin needs the assistant(me) for other things."}, {"response": 1810, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 19, 2002 (15:36)", "body": "(odessa) Why that L-movie is so horrible that you can`t even watch it? Is it the plot? Or the actors? Or just everything? You can read all about it, in excrutiating detail, on Topic 126. I'm getting out my clipboard and working up a schedule/assignments, Linda. Remember, pack light. ;-D"}, {"response": 1811, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jul 19, 2002 (16:22)", "body": "(Rika about Conspiracy) , it's coming out fairly soon on DVD, I believe. (Odile) Actually, it is already out. I rented it a couple of months ago from my local Box Office Video. Happy hunting! I just pre-ordered the DVD from Amazon.com which says it's not released until Sept 3. The video store had an advance copy just for renting? an appropriate star to play Ted Hughes. 'He has to be a life force. Tall and young,' Yentob says (Karen) Hmmmmmmm. OK, we got 'tall.' (Rika) And 'a life force.' But.... OK, wait a minute! What's this hesitation I hear....he hasn't broken out the walker yet! ;-D (And when he does, my assignment will be as the therapist who teaches him how to use it. ;-)) (Karen) I thought he overacted the part and preferred the guy who played Heydrich in the German-Austrian production of the same. Now, that guy was believable. As I haven't that reference, I can't compare. Funny, I actually thought he was understated and intense and I was completely riveted by him irregardless. I thought Tucci was bland, though, which surprised me. Not a Tucci fan, Karen?"}, {"response": 1812, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 19, 2002 (16:59)", "body": "(Dorine) Funny, I actually thought he was understated and intense To me, it looked like he was trying too hard to be menacing, whereas the other guy was \"just in charge\" and \"chilling.\" Plus he was taller. ;-D But one thing you should be glad of, in the other production Stuckart was rather buffoonish. The guy had a cold and was blowing his nose all the time. We have a copy of that subtitled tape out there somewhere. Evelyn might know who has it now. Not a Tucci fan, Karen? He didn't do it for me as Frank Nitti either. ;-)"}, {"response": 1813, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 19, 2002 (17:02)", "body": "Oh yeah, the Conspiracy DVD came out in March. The VHS tape that came out then was at \"rental\" prices, and the sell-through tapes can now be preordered for September release. BTW, the DVD does not have a director's commentary it will say. I read in the LA Times that it was in error."}, {"response": 1814, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Jul 19, 2002 (19:43)", "body": "(Linda) Ok, I'll settle for being Moon's assistant. You know, sitting in the back of the Limo with Colin while she does the driving. After all, she's more familiar with the roads. Ooh, is there room back there for one more? I'll bring the champagne. Please? (Karen) Oh yeah, the Conspiracy DVD came out in March. The VHS tape that came out then was at \"rental\" prices, and the sell-through tapes can now be preordered for September release. Hmmmm..... Amazon shows both the DVD and the VHS versions as scheduled for September release. Could the DVD have been released initially at a \"rental price\" too, perhaps?"}, {"response": 1815, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Jul 19, 2002 (21:32)", "body": "(Dorine) OK, wait a minute! What's this hesitation I hear....he hasn't broken out the walker yet! ;-D (And when he does, my assignment will be as the therapist who teaches him how to use it. ;-)) Heh, the heck you say! Untold thousands of little blue-haired ladies are waiting with bated breath for that assisgnment, missy! So, take a ticket, take a seat! Besides... I'm the one with the ugly orthopedic shoes. =P"}, {"response": 1816, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jul 19, 2002 (21:57)", "body": "From my online EW Newsletter: By Derek Elley LONDON (Variety) - Twenty-one world premieres, including Neil LaBute's \"Possession\" with Gwyneth Paltrow, and Samantha Lang's \"The Idol\" with Leelee Sobieski, are set for the main sections of this year's Locarno (Switzerland) Intl. Film Festival, which announced its lineup in Bern Wednesday. The 55th edition of the Swiss-Italian lakeside event, which unspools Aug. 1-11, opens with the international premiere of Oliver Parker's \"The Importance of Being Earnest,\" starring Colin Firth and Rupert Everett, and closes with LaBute's romantic drama, based on A.S. Byatt's novel. \"Earnest\" and \"Possession\" will unspool in the town's Piazza Grande outdoor theater, which seats some 7,000 people. Unusually, this year's opener won't start until midnight, as Aug. 1 is Swiss National Day and there will be a traditional fireworks display by the lake from 10:30-11:30 p.m If Colin's there, and I'm in the backseat of Moon's Limo you can bet there will be plenty of fireworks! (Rika)Ooh, is there room back there for one more? I'll bring the champagne. Please? Rika, Rika, Rika- of course there's room for you, honey. How many more MD toasts are you willing to send me?;-) (Dorine) OK, wait a minute! What's this hesitation I hear....he hasn't broken out the walker yet! ;-D (And when he does, my assignment will be as the therapist who teaches him how to use it. ;-)) I know, can you beleive it! After how young and yummy he looked in TIOBE and BJD. Well, forget the \"old\" assingment. Think positive like Rika and me and join us in the back seat assignment. Then we can give a full report on the age question. Maybe he will need that walker when we're through. I'm packed as light as can be boss. Ready when you are."}, {"response": 1817, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Jul 19, 2002 (22:22)", "body": "(LindaK) Rika, Rika, Rika- of course there's room for you, honey. How many more MD toasts are you willing to send me?;-) Ah, so bribery will yield results, eh? We've covered all of the MD-with-wine-glass scenes, but perhaps this will do. It comes from my personal-fave scene from the movie (he's adorable when he flirts):"}, {"response": 1818, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (00:01)", "body": "Oh my oh my...Rika I am logged in so I must share my appreciation for the finer things in life. And one of those is definietely CF as MD, with just a hint of a smile as he appreciates the quirky qualities of BJ."}, {"response": 1819, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (01:38)", "body": "Evelyn thanks for information on Armadillo. Will definitely watch it as you made it sound so good. Conspiracy: I usually do not like movies like this but was drawn to it because of CF. Thought he did really well and deserved Emmy nod. KB was exceptionally good and definitely deserved the win. He was just as his character should be and again I say exceptional. Read where he said roll took a real toll on him and would never do another like it again. He was perfection. Tucci did down play a bit I think, but alot of his character he chose to do through expressions. As calm and low key as he seems, watch his eyes. They are full of hate and fire. Look at his expression when he's driving out the gate at the end and also when he's privately telling KB about his physical reaction after viewing the gassing victims. He's definitely a sick human being. Words aren't necessary when you have a look like that about you. CF's character would be wordy and aristocratic as he was not military but legal so had to show contrast which he did exceptionally well. As I said before I don't usually like movies like this because I find the subject so devastatingly offensive to humanity but the acting of everyone was so exceptional that I've watched it several times. Even my kids were surprised that I watched it so much, knowing my tastes. A job well done by all concerned."}, {"response": 1820, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (08:44)", "body": "UK Premiere of TIOBE This may be old news,(I've been on holiday for a few weeks), but the UK Premiere of TIOBE is being held on 17 August during the Edinburgh Internatinal Film Festival, with a Masterclass hosted by Oliver Parker following the showing of the film. -No details yet of any of the stars making an appearance. - I've booked my tickets !!!"}, {"response": 1821, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (10:07)", "body": "Just in from JaneC in Australia, we've talked about this Richard Curtis film here before, either here on 162 or on 160, but I didn't get the impression that this was an ensemble piece with 10 interwoven storylines a la Altman. From Weekend Australian (Sat 20 July) \"Firth Principles\": \"Firth's next project is Richard Curtis's \"Love Actually\". Featuring a stellar cast including Grant (sic, no further info) Emma Thompson and Liam Neeson, it is a series of interwoven pieces examining that slippery emotion called love. Firth plays a man who discovers his girlfriend has been having an affair, and promptly flees to France, where he embarks on a relationship with a woman who doesn't speak English. \"My piece is about two people falling in love who don't share a language,\" he explains. No doubt according to Firth's own convoluted philosophy, they will communicate all the better for it.\" [Ed note: Despite the cuckold setup, I think we can all look forward to those scenes where they fall in love without speaking the same language. ;-)))] Jane's brief search of web revealed: From IMDb News on Hugh Grant: As well as the Bullock film, later in the year he'll be making a cameo appearance in another Richard Curtis film, tentatively called Love, Actually. \"It's not all sealed yet, but it's basically a series of stories about different people and their interweaving love stories. And I've been asked to play the Prime Minister, and Emma Thompson is also in it, playing the PM's sister - the first time we've worked together since Sense and Sensibility. I emphasise that it will be a cameo - I only really try to do one film a year\". From Brit Bulletin: Government Grant Film writer Richard Curtis, whose credits include Notting Hill and Four Weddings and a Funeral, will make his directorial debut in another Hugh Grant vehicle, Love Actually, set to start production in September. Grant will portray a young British prime minister who falls in love on his first day in office with 10 Downing Street's tea lady. Following ten separate storylines, Love Actually will cover a two-month period leading up to a climactic Christmas Eve."}, {"response": 1822, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (10:14)", "body": "(Pam)Tucci did down play a bit I think, but alot of his character he chose to do through expressions. As calm and low key as he seems, watch his eyes Lt. Col. Eichman (Tucci) was General Heydrich's (KB) Executive Secretary (aka aide-de-camp).In this position at a conference Lt. Col's seldom play dominant roles. Of course, Eichman was a nefarious , evil person as history shows. But at Wannsee he was just the note-taker; who knew this was a done deal before it all started.In this light I thought he played the role well. Did he deserve an Emmy nod...no. KB propelled the whole production, IMO. ODB played the best role in a long time. Far too short, though."}, {"response": 1823, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (10:21)", "body": "Thanks Karen and Jane C for the scoop. Whoopee!! Will not have drought this fall after all:-))) Even though it will be small role in another rom-com, he's in good company....ET & HG. RC \"directorial debut\" wonder if he's the writer too (gifted guy!) \" where he[CF] embarks on a relationship with a woman who doesn't speak English. \" Yum... I hope it's Irene Jacob ."}, {"response": 1824, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (10:50)", "body": "Who says it will be a small role? Sounds to me like an ensemble cast, fairly equal, an Altmanesque structure. But I do hope it is NOT Irene Jacob again. Puhleez, there are many other French actresses out there...and not Juliette Binoche either. ;-D OK, am slowly but surely resurrecting all the reportage we had of this project from various topics: From Empire: Exclusive: Hugh's Date With Blair 15/03/2002 As if Tony Blair didn\ufffdt have enough problems, now he's got a new Hugh Grant film to worry about. Grant will take the part of the Prime Minister in a new comedy penned by \ufffd surprise! - Richard Curtis. According to Grant, who said shooting would begin this autumn, Curtis will also direct the still-unnamed project. Grant, who is in New York filming his next rom-com with Sandra Bullock, spilled the beans during a taping session for US TV series Inside the Actors\ufffd Studio. 'To my horror,' he deadpanned, '[the script] was really good, which means I\ufffdll have to do it.' Presuming that what he said during the show, which is only screened in the US, wouldn't get back to Blightly, Grant was fairly harsh on his homeland when the show's host asked why English humour was so 'sublime'. 'You\ufffdve got to have something to be funny against...the average English person is in an agony of embarrassment 24 hours a day. It's the awfulness of being English,' he joked. The session ended with a personality-based round of questions during which Grant revealed that he hopes God is a luvvie. Asked if he did eventually make it to the Pearly Gates, what he would want to hear from the Supreme Being, Grant replied; 'Fabulous, darling!'"}, {"response": 1825, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (11:01)", "body": "(Karen) Who says it will be a small role? Sounds to me like an ensemble cast, fairly equal, an Altmanesque structure. But I do hope it is NOT Irene Jacob again. Puhleez, there are many other French actresses out there...and not Juliette Binoche either. ;-D\" We-El what I mean't was that if there are many stories, each character only gets a small part of the whole.Not like a co-starring role. Hey, I like IJ; they have terrific chemistry .[Hmmm forgot about JB..she would do]Who do you want maybe KST speaking French? RC wouldn't hire an unknown French actress for an ensemble:-D"}, {"response": 1826, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (11:02)", "body": "Oooops, sorry .... off to the salt mines I'll go."}, {"response": 1827, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (11:06)", "body": "got to close those tags. :) Think younger French actresses...but you probably don't get those films. :-( Almost sounds like a Love Boat episode to me. ;-D This was posted on 160, from ScreenDaily: Working Title, DNA team on Curtis comedy Adam Minns in London 19 March 2002 19:07 Working Title Films and National Lottery franchise DNA Films have teamed to produce leading UK writer Richard Curtis' directing debut, a romantic comedy in which Hugh Grant is to play the British prime minister. Grant is in talks to play a bachelor PM who falls in love on his first day in office with the girl who brings him his tea. Emma Thompson is also understood to be in talks to star in the film, which has the working title of Love Actually. The film interweaves ten separate stories about Londoners looking for love in the run-up to Christmas, climaxing on Christmas Eve. Shooting is scheduled for the autumn. \"I know Richard will make an excellent front-seat director!\" said producer and DNA Films co-chief Duncan Kenworthy. \"And with 20 leading roles in the film, it will be exciting to work with a really wide range of talented British actors.\" Having first teamed with Curtis on Four Weddings And A Funeral, Kenworthy went on to produce Curtis' Notting Hill, also with Hugh Grant, outside DNA. The franchise takes an in association credit on Love Actually, but is not investing in the production. Working Title co-chiefs Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner are also producing, making this their sixth film with Curtis. Along with Notting Hill and Four Weddings, Working Title collaborated with Curtis on Bean, The Tall Guy and Bridget Jones's Diary. \"We are excited about Richard channelling his comic brilliance into directing the same way he does into scripts,\" said Bevan. \"Let's hope there's fun in store,\" added Curtis."}, {"response": 1828, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (11:12)", "body": "Thanks for the news, Jane, and for posting, Karen! Good Lord! The fleeing cuckold, yet again? Once again, I propose the question of, \"Who the heck would cheat on him?\".. (sigh). .Ok, I feel much better now, thank you for letting me vent. =) I'm just patiently waiting for a script that has him fleeing from a broken relationship to Nashville, where he embarks upon a country music career and falls in love with a fiery little redheaded songwriter with such a thick drawl that she might as well be speaking a foreign language. (giggling)"}, {"response": 1829, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (11:26)", "body": "LOL! Yes, I can see him with his guitar singing Lady Come Down... OK, I think I've managed to resurrect all the items that had been posted on Drool about this movie from the O&E and BJD topics. Bethan had posted on the previous Colin topic in April about a blurb in the Daily Mail. More of same preliminary info from THR: Curtis' romancer 'Love' booked as DNA evidence Mar. 21, 2002 By Stuart Kemp LONDON -- DNA Films, the U.K. lottery-funded franchise, sealed a deal Wednesday with U.K.-based Working Title Films to produce writer Richard Curtis' directorial debut, \"Love Actually.\" The film will be fully financed by Universal Pictures and France's Canal Plus through Working Title's production deal with the companies. The finished film will be distributed worldwide by Universal. Curtis, who penned \"Notting Hill,\" also is writing \"Love,\" set to shoot later this year. There is no budget in place until casting is completed. According to the producers, Hugh Grant is in discussions to play a bachelor British prime minister who falls in love on his first day in office with the woman who brings him his tea. Set in contemporary London in the two months before Christmas, it aims to weave together a series of romances in the run-up to the holidays. DNA Films--headed by Duncan Kenworthy (\"Notting Hill\") and Andrew Macdonald (\"28 Days Later\")--will produce the film in association with Working Title, with Kenworthy and Working Title co-chairmen Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner taking producer credits. The project reunites Kenworthy and Curtis. Kenworthy produced \"Four Weddings and a Funeral\" and \"Notting Hill,\" both written by Curtis and both starring Grant, with Working Title taking executive producer roles on the titles. Curtis also penned \"The Tall Guy,\" \"Bean\" and \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" for Working Title."}, {"response": 1830, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (11:39)", "body": "20 starring roles, huh? Then I think it's a sure bet that we're going to be whining non-stop about ODB's insufficient screen time when this comes out. And probably also wailing plaintively about how HG is getting all the media attention. But on the positive side, there's not a Gidget clone or a bongo drum in sight, and it sounds like a fairly high-profile project, so perhaps we'll be able to find it in theaters without engaging in lengthy cross-country treks while humming \"Ain't No Mountain High Enough.\" Thanks, Karen and others, for posting all the scoop!"}, {"response": 1831, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (11:42)", "body": "*clapclap* News! Yippee! Thanks for the scoop, Jane & Karen. Don't care if it sounds like a Love Boat episode, as long as it's high profile and aimed at a slightly more mature audience than AG. ;-) The finished film will be distributed worldwide by Universal. Goody. Is anyone else getting a bit tired of the HG-RC connection? Hmmm, has anyone noticed if HG and RC have ever been seen together in the same room? :-D Conspiracy. I finally get to see it. (ElizabethS) Immediately preceded by a bit of the goat formerly known as MB...how ironic. ROTF! *bleatbleat*"}, {"response": 1832, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (11:47)", "body": "Am checking Gavin MacLeod's websites to see if he's going to be the captain of cross-channel ferry boat. ;-D"}, {"response": 1833, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (11:50)", "body": "Stoppit! Besides, Lauren Tewes can't be in it--is on total disability due to loss of her nasal septum and Gopher is busy in Congress (I think). :-P"}, {"response": 1834, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (11:55)", "body": "(Eileen) Is anyone else getting a bit tired of the HG-RC connection? (Heavy sigh).... I tend to doubt that anyone is not getting tired of it. I've seen junior high school couples that weren't this inseparable. Hmmm, has anyone noticed if HG and RC have ever been seen together in the same room? :-D AHA! And all that floppy hair is just a clever disguise."}, {"response": 1835, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (12:54)", "body": "\" And with 20 leading roles in the film, it will be exciting to work with a really wide range of talented British actors.\" Blackadder II ;-D Agree with Eileen. This is definitely a step up from the previous two. Maybe three... Working Title goes all out for their films.I know, boss...you're just not looking forward to working with their favorite publicist;-((( (Eileen) Is anyone else getting a bit tired of the HG-RC connection? HG+RC=$$$$$$$"}, {"response": 1836, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (13:21)", "body": "(Eileen) Gopher is busy in Congress (I think). He retired from Congress and is a lobbyist or something. I'm sure he could take time for a side job ;-D V.v. exciting news! Yes, it will be nice to see him in something significantly higher profile. I don't care for the most part about the HG-RC connection as long as ODB gets some decent screentime (even with 20 roles) or at least one of the more interesting stories. Even though HG is in it and RC will write him what he thinks will be the juiciest part possibly, doesn't mean that a story about 2 people getting together with a language barrier won't be more interesting to the masses. And funnier if played right. It actually sounds like it could be rather biographical for ODB. Not really sure what LD's command of English was at that time."}, {"response": 1837, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (13:28)", "body": "*turning over new leaf, projecting positive attitude* At least it looks like Colin would be the focus of his storyline, albeit the story of a cuckold again. (Can we say Hope Springs???) He's not supporting anyone else, which is a big step up. I'm wondering how this got passed LD though. Seems to me that the non-language portions of the story might involve \"Braille,\" as Lisa so aptly describes it in UMS. ;-D Now, this is something I can support whole-heartedly!"}, {"response": 1838, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (14:06)", "body": "(Dorine, about Gopher) He retired from Congress and is a lobbyist or something. I'm sure he could take time for a side job ;-D He was CEO of Goodwill Industries for a while, and, yes, I read he was currently with an organization lobbying on behalf of non-profits. Evidently he still does a little acting on the side from time to time (Arena Stage here in DC). (Karen) *turning over new leaf, projecting positive attitude* Oh, boss, we're so proud of you! At least it looks like Colin would be the focus of his storyline, albeit the story of a cuckold again. (Can we say Hope Springs???) And, like HS, a cuckold leaving home for a new country to get over the pain. But I don't mind that, as long as he finds love in the end. In the meantime, his character will be sad and vulnerable for a while, which means he'll melt a lot of hearts."}, {"response": 1839, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (15:52)", "body": "Great news, actually! I'm all for more RC films. And I even like the Gnat! I can't wait to see the cast list for this one. I've wanted ODB to work with Emma T. so I hope they have scenes together. Could she possibly be the one cheating on him? She's insane, I tell you!!!! Who could the other man be? Jeremy Northam? Clive Owen? Jonathan Firth? Gah! I know few French actresses so am already picturing the Amelie girl. Actually, they could get anyone to fake it. Parlez-vous francais?"}, {"response": 1840, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (16:08)", "body": "(CF)\"My piece is about two people falling in love who don't share a language,\" (Karen)Seems to me that the non-language portions of the story might involve \"Braille,\" Exactly! If they can't TALK, there must be some ACTION!?!?!?!?!?! Of course, in Love Boat the action was generally implied or discussed later, but one can always hope for more than implications--er, make that \"wish.\""}, {"response": 1841, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (16:10)", "body": "(Bryonny)Parlez-vous francais? Oui! I aced French in high school. Wonder where I should send the transcript?"}, {"response": 1842, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (16:43)", "body": "Hi Everyone, Just popped in to say that I only read today in this week's Heat magazine that Martine McCutcheon is to play Hugh Grant's cleaning lady. In the film Hugh plays a bachelor Prime Minister who falls for the woman employed to keep his house spick and span. Emma Thompson plays the PM's sister. The article in entiled \"Cor Blimey, Martine's a cleaning lady!. (can type the whole article if you want me to. BTW Janet re the UK TIOBE Premiere, where exactly does one apply for tickets. amy info would be much appreciated."}, {"response": 1843, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (16:52)", "body": "Ann, if you could type the relevant portions, I'll add it to the Bucket page which I've just started with all these earlier news items. That TIOBE premiere is just up at Edinburgh, as they did last year for Enigma. But there will be a *real* premiere in Leicester Sq closer to the film's opening date."}, {"response": 1844, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (16:59)", "body": "Hey, I liked Love Boat!!! This is great news, thanks Karen and Jane. Maybe ODB is tired of being the ideal man and by being jilted, twice now, so it seems, is hoping to shake that personna. Never will happen of course, but maybe he thinks that. Odd that his segment has the same plot as HS. Maybe they cast him intentionally because of that. Universal! Thank God. With a cast like this it will be high profile. At last, it's about time. Now if they start filming in September will that mean he won't be able to do publicity for HS? I hope not. Was looking forward to that. Maybe DW plans to do some shopping in Paris so is allowing the role."}, {"response": 1845, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (17:06)", "body": "Karen, Thanks for the information re the UK Premiere, I thought it was funny because I had heard that it was to be on the 4th Sept. Here is the whole article as it is not very long (from Heat Magazine 20-26th July) \"Cor blimey, Martine's a cleaning lady!\" Actress wins role as Hugh Grants's leading lady. Things have been az bit quiet on the Martine McCutcheon front since her spell in the West End's My Fair Lady. And Heat can exclusively reveal that times are now so tough for the former soap star that she has been forced to become a cleaning lady. Oh. OK, its for a role. Lucky Martine has scooped a part opposite HG in Richard Four Weddings and a Funeral Curtis directorial debut. In the film, which is called Love Actually Hugh plays a bachelor Prime Minister who falls for the woman employed to keep his house spick and span and cook his meals - and that's Martine. Emma Thompson also stars, as the PM's sister. The film is an ensemble piece featuring more than 80 actors, with several overlapping storylines running at once. The good news for Martine is that this means her part is just as big and important as Hugh and Emma's. Filming starts in September so Martine will probably be spending the rest of the summer practising her Franch polishing and familiarising her elf with phrases like, \"Mind my nice clean floor!\" and \"Fancy a cuppa, Mr. Prime minister, sir?\" Good on yer gel.\" The article is accompanied by a picture of Martine in hair rollers clutching a bucket and mop."}, {"response": 1846, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (17:26)", "body": "Thanks Ann \"The film is an ensemble piece featuring more than 80 actors\" 80 actors???I just changed my mind: \"GladiatorII\". Sounds like a David MacLean production."}, {"response": 1847, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (17:32)", "body": "\"The film is an ensemble piece featuring more than 80 actors, \" The numbers do mount up, don't they? 20 leading roles, 80 actors.... Even with moderate salaries, this project sounds like it's going to be expensive."}, {"response": 1848, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (18:29)", "body": "(Karen) But there will be a *real* premiere in Leicester Sq closer to the film's opening date. Ah, a chance for LD to acquire some new footwear... (Rika) Even with moderate salaries, this project sounds like it's going to be expensive. But perhaps Huge Rant will lower his requirements as a gesture of goodwill. Feeling cynical today? Not me! ;)"}, {"response": 1849, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sat, Jul 20, 2002 (19:31)", "body": "(Bryonny)Actually, they could get anyone to fake it. Parlez-vous francais? Oh Monsieur, encore et encore....juste comme cela...OH Monsieur.... I'm getting into l'humeur, que pensez-vous? (A little high school French and some babelfish.com and I'm there....)"}, {"response": 1850, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Jul 21, 2002 (01:21)", "body": "(Elizabeth S) But perhaps Huge Rant will lower his requirements as a gesture of goodwill. Yeah, I'm sure that'll happen. (Loved CF's comment in one interview that he wished his fee were as large as HG's per diem.)"}, {"response": 1851, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Jul 21, 2002 (01:53)", "body": "Question: Why is it felt HG in the prime actor in this thing? Surely he isn't the only money maker. Is it possible at the time of this article all the actors weren't signed yet? So they couldn't really advertise the others in it. I'm sure it would add hype if they added CF to it. HG says he's only doing a Cameo anyway, so why is he the front man? Jeanie I have a job for your son. Have him watch BJD and count how many times, not including the bunny outfit that CF's eyes drop down on RZ. After reading all the comments from everyone for several weeks now I watch these movies with different goals in mind each time. Today I was amazed at how many eye drops happened in BJD that I never noticed before, far more than P&P and very very obvious too. Me thinks HWMBA is a breast man. Almost in every single scene he's in. How I never noticed it before I don't know. Also I think he and RZ had a dimples contest going. Noticed hers are quite evident too."}, {"response": 1852, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Sun, Jul 21, 2002 (02:58)", "body": "(Pam) Have him watch BJD and count how many times, not including the bunny outfit that CF's eyes drop down on RZ. I'll get him started; check out the bit on the stair when she opens the door after wrestling with the Cuisinart. An argument could be made that he's eyeing the mess on her apron, although I'd be the first one to resist it."}, {"response": 1853, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jul 21, 2002 (06:45)", "body": "Wow, I'm away one day and look what happens. I was thrilled to find the piece on the Locarno FF and now this. Finally, something high profile. Looks like HG will remain the media darling for this. Oh well, the price we pay for profile. Positive sign that ODB is becoming a little more aggressive-two films back to back and no vacation in Italy? (Yeah I know but the location is close to home.-Give him time, just give him time.)"}, {"response": 1854, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sun, Jul 21, 2002 (08:06)", "body": "Didn't I read at the beginning of this thread or at the other topic where this all began that HG stated \"Dahlings, I'm only doing one film a year and my role on LA is stictly a cameo....\" ???? If I didn't halluncinate, then we won't have to worry about a fight breaking out, a Greek birthday being ruined or any animosity resulting in shattered glass and first aid requirements. BTW...would be most interested in the results of the information collected by Jeanie's son....now I'm off to learn French. How hard can it be?"}, {"response": 1855, "author": "dalec", "date": "Sun, Jul 21, 2002 (09:50)", "body": "very happy to hear about the Richard Curtis film, thanks for the news. hmm... french actresses, what about Sophie Marceau?"}, {"response": 1856, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, Jul 21, 2002 (10:21)", "body": "HWMBA?? I've been trying to work this out without success!! BTW I, too, think he is a breast man. As well as previous observations already mentioned, at the VH1 Cast party, he 'remembers with great joy' filming the song after the girls had left the set, with a rather well endowed stand in!!!"}, {"response": 1857, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sun, Jul 21, 2002 (10:36)", "body": "Jane, \"HWMBA\" is \"He Who Must Be Adored\", or \"He Who Must\" for short! (grinning) Oh, goody, another project for \"Mr. Raging Hormones\", aka Sam, my sixteen-year-old son. (laughing) Ok, I'll tell him of your proposal, and he'll, I'm sure, do a thorough analysis and have the results/tally soon. =D"}, {"response": 1858, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 21, 2002 (10:44)", "body": "(Pam) Why is it felt HG in the prime actor in this thing?...Is it possible at the time of this article all the actors weren't signed yet? Because HG has *the* name and is bankable. You sign him, then the money to finance the film comes rolling in. He is considered key. Naturally, when they get closer to production, there will be a more detailed press release with the names of other cast, many of whom may still not have been signed to appear. Casting may still not be completed. Me thinks HWMBA is a breast man. But we don't know how many times MD watched the firepole sequence. ;-D (Dale) what about Sophie Marceau? Love her, but I was thinking younger (slap me!!) (Janet) at the VH1 Cast party, he 'remembers with great joy' filming the song after the girls had left the set, with a rather well endowed stand in!!! Excellent! Yes, he demo'd that one and pointed to where the signs for G and C were, with a chuckle."}, {"response": 1859, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Sun, Jul 21, 2002 (12:33)", "body": "Yes, Jeanie, let us know the final tally; it takes a boy to catch all the downward glances in this department, I guess. Although, you know, the man is 6'1\" and RZ is a little tiny thing. He HAS to look down just to see the top of her head!! :) BTW, Jeanie, aren't you in Nashville? I live in So. Kentucky; we'll have to try to put together a contingent to go to HS, a la the ladies in Minkeeland. It takes FOREVER for HWMBDO's (HWMB Drooled Over, or On as the case may be ;) ) films to make it here in the wilderness. Oh, the acronyms are getting lengthier & lengthier..."}, {"response": 1860, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jul 21, 2002 (13:10)", "body": "Oh, Rika, BTW- I got so involved in reading about Colin's new role-I forgot to thank you for the payment eh, picture I mean. Yes, your bribe was accepted-climb in (Karen)But we don't know how many times MD watched the firepole sequence. LOL-About as many times as I watch the shower scene in PM."}, {"response": 1861, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Jul 21, 2002 (14:14)", "body": "Thank you Elizabeth and Jeanie for up-coming tallies. Agreed RZ is shorter, but not that much shorter to misinterpert glances and there are several in BJD I never paid attention to before. Also at his parents 40th anniversary, compliments of the dress too, his eyes are just about glued there. Every time we watch the movie I tell my kids Bridget makes the (oh God I forgot her name) lawyer look like a boy. And I laugh out loud when she's in the bunny outfit and both Mark and his father are sighing and gazing at her when the lawyer says there's no accounting for what some men may find attractive. RZ really is so cute in this part and does it so well. Was hysterical with the VH-1 comment on the eye-line for the song. He had no problem recalling exact details and positioning whereas, not surprisingly, RE did. But bet definitely RE could name the behind! I'd say he watched the pole seen many, many times. I don't think there was much about her that didn't appeal to him. I know my boys like the pole scene and keep replaying it. So must reiterate point that he definitely is a breast man. Appears DW is adequately endowed, but can't really tell. You girls who met her can comment better on that. For those of you not already doing so, please give yourself a treat and go to Fan Fiction. The joint is jumping!!! Thanks to Karen and a wonderful story which I'm sure you'll enjoy. Respondees are all fired up. Come and join us. Been thinking it over and for logical reasons he must be free to do press for HS. He's the male lead, actually the only male well-known in the cast and the story is about him, so would not make sense for him not to do it. They couldn't pitch the movie otherwise, so will relax and just impatiently wait."}, {"response": 1862, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Sun, Jul 21, 2002 (15:42)", "body": "I see I need to have a Sunday afternoon screening of BJD to confirm these, er, glances (twist my arm, NOT!). BTW, TIOBE finally made it to my neck of the woods, and I was thoroughly charmed. Although, more screenings will be necessary, as ODB was so distractingly handsome, I barely noticed that there were other cast members. LOVED he & Rupie's bickering--hilarious! Only a couple of blue hairs in sight, the rest were 30-40 somethings, and there were TWO teenage girls in attendance!! They seemed to enjoy it v. much, indeed! Total attendance, about 30, which, in a small So. Kentucky city, amazes me to no end. Ditto what FanPam said about Fan Fic--Karen's posting a story to stir things up quite a bit!!"}, {"response": 1863, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 21, 2002 (19:18)", "body": "TIOBE is only in one theater in the entire area, way far north of me...although is doable, especially if drop in on sister for dinner or similar. Thank you, Ann, for typing up the entire Heat item. Why would there be a pic of Martine with mops when they haven't even started shooting yet? Could you tell if it was from something else? Obviously not My Fair Lady, but???? Have no fear, Colin will be doing press for HS, whenever they finally figure it will be released."}, {"response": 1864, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jul 21, 2002 (19:40)", "body": "TIOBE has managed to hang around in the same theaters here for another week. Looks like I'll have to hang in there too. (Karen)although is doable, especially if drop in on sister for dinner or similar Doable, and worth it.(IMHO)-of course."}, {"response": 1865, "author": "mariel", "date": "Sun, Jul 21, 2002 (19:56)", "body": "Hi! Just reporting in with TIOBE theater reports. I live abouts in Columbia, Mo (about two hours away from Kansas City and St. Louis) where it just opened three days ago, and closes on the 24th. I went on a Friday night and the house was full, although it only seats about 75. Everyone seemed to enjoy it, and after ease-dropping on the three rows in front of me, I discovered many closet Firthettes. Also saw in my copy of Seventeen that Reese is up for a Teen Choice award for Best Actress in a Comedy for TIOBE. I doubt she'll win, but it was nice to see her nominated."}, {"response": 1866, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, Jul 21, 2002 (21:30)", "body": "(moonstar) BTW, TIOBE finally made it to my neck of the woods...a small So. Kentucky city Moonstar, which small So. KY city? My mom is from a *very* small one south of Somerset (south enough to almost be TN.) I get down there once a year or so, Hope Springs (and some family-treeing---yeah, that's the ticket, that would be the reason) would be good reason to get down there (from Indpls.)"}, {"response": 1867, "author": "kasey", "date": "Sun, Jul 21, 2002 (22:57)", "body": "(Bryonny)Who could the other man be? Jeremy Northam? Clive Owen? Jonathan Firth? Gah! Perhaps one of the Feinnes boys? NO!!!"}, {"response": 1868, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 22, 2002 (09:39)", "body": "Alert for Persons in Minkeeland!!! VCRs at the Ready!!! I've been told that Donovan Quick will be shown again on Tuesday, July 30. I don't have a time and can't checked online because your ABC only has programming up for a week, but I'll check with my source for the air time."}, {"response": 1869, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Mon, Jul 22, 2002 (13:23)", "body": "(moonstar) BTW, Jeanie, aren't you in Nashville? I live in So. Kentucky; we'll have to try to put together a contingent to go to HS, a la the ladies in Minkeeland. It takes FOREVER for HWMBDO's (HWMB Drooled Over, or On as the case may be ;) ) films to make it here in the wilderness. Oh, OHHHH.. I have a friend! I can finally stop whining. (laughing) Yes, definitely, let's get together and go see Hope Springs on opening day, ok? Barb, you make the effort to come, too, please ma'am. Although, I'm not sure if I'll be able to comment much about it, afterwards. I found HWM's screen presence in TIOBE, especially since he was in the majority of the scenes, extremely.. I dunno... diverting. LOL! It took the second trip to finally really follow the plot twists that well. So, which Southern Kentucky town, eh? (Glasgow, Scottsville, Hopkinsville, Franklin?) My mother grew up in Franklin. That's where my parents were married! (smiling) Can't wait! =)"}, {"response": 1870, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Jul 22, 2002 (17:06)", "body": "I've been told that Donovan Quick will be shown again on Tuesday, July 30. GG, my heart stopped at this news flash. My oh my, must program the channels into the new VCR today....."}, {"response": 1871, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Jul 22, 2002 (17:10)", "body": "Just checked on line at the ABC site, they have TV programs through Monday the 29th up today, so perhaps tomorrow they will have the 30th up for viewing."}, {"response": 1872, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 22, 2002 (17:16)", "body": "Yes, I expect so. But better get the news on the bush telegraph so no one will be complaining on 31 July that they missed it AGAIN!! ;-D"}, {"response": 1873, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Mon, Jul 22, 2002 (17:21)", "body": "Exciting news indeed. Could ease the distribution obstacles and open DQ up for a future discussion, too. I saw a strong trend towards it in the recent process."}, {"response": 1874, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Mon, Jul 22, 2002 (18:35)", "body": "3am Girls report in Surveillance today: \"Colin Firth at Winchester train station... \" http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/"}, {"response": 1875, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Jul 22, 2002 (23:03)", "body": "Just watched Valmont on AMC. I was curious to see what the intro person would say about the film. Well, AMC has this new cheesy wraparound feature called \"Grrl [sic] Genius at the Movies\" hosted by some young thing who is clearly not a genius, even if she did drool over Colin. First, the intro said that there were several good things about this movie, including a leading man in tight pants. But the breeches really weren't all that tight, and the jackets were very long. :-( Trivia: according to the credits, the costumes were made by an Italian costume shop ;-D Then the resident grrl genius [are you gagging yet?] talked about Annette Benning as a \"girl genius\" and how good she was in the movie. Then the hostess said, \"But the most delicious bon-bon in this film is Colin Firth.\" [brief flash of genius] \"He consistently makes the 'sexiest' list in People Magazine and in my heart.\" [not so genius, was one of People's most beautiful, not People's sexiest] More banal comments in the break in the middle. Then at the end, the hostess said that Colin kept loosing wives in movies, and that such a plot was as unrealistic as aliens taking over the planet [THAT comment I loved]. Then she went on to give examples of Colin's loss of spouses to both Fiennes brothers, as well as to Hugh Grant. Huh? Who wrote this stuff? I had hoped for a better wraparound for this movie than \"Grrl Genius.\" The only explanation I can find for putting this feature around Valmont is to attract a younger audience for CF, in anticipation of AG. I do not think the nursing home crowd wants to see a flaky grrl genius. (I know I didn't, and I'm not using a walker yet.)"}, {"response": 1876, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Mon, Jul 22, 2002 (23:18)", "body": "Kate, I just finished watching Valmont, too. \"Clueless Goes To The Movies\".. LOL... (Kate)Then at the end, the hostess said that Colin kept loosing wives in movies, and that such a plot was as unrealistic as aliens taking over the planet [THAT comment I loved] Can't help but wonder if \"Like, O'M'GAWD, AS IF! Grrl Genius\" has been a lurker around here, or, at least, her \"writer\", who, obviously, is confused. Losing a wife to Hugh Grant, yeah.. sure.. ok...."}, {"response": 1877, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Mon, Jul 22, 2002 (23:28)", "body": "the most delicious bon-bon... Hmmm. I like that analogy. Probably drives him nuts though. Or maybe hazelnuts? ;)"}, {"response": 1878, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 22, 2002 (23:57)", "body": "Hey, I loved that \"delicious bon-bon\" comment. Showed what excellent taste she had. She opened by saying she preferred this version to DL where they all wore hideous wigs. ;-D Is no one going to comment about her AB remark, how AB is best known for getting knocked up by Warren Beatty? ;-D Shoot, I missed her wrap-up at the end; didn't even realize she would be doing one."}, {"response": 1879, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Jul 23, 2002 (00:08)", "body": "I thought the remark about AB was odd. I would have said she was best known for being the woman who actually got him to the altar."}, {"response": 1880, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jul 23, 2002 (00:59)", "body": "I just got home from chorus rehearsal and am fighting the impulse to stay up and watch my \"Valmont\" tape right now (or watch it live when it starts again in 10 minutes or so). I'm glad for the advance warning on the commentary in manner of Moon Unit Zappa, though! (Jeanie) Can't help but wonder if \"Like, O'M'GAWD, AS IF! Grrl Genius\" has been a lurker around here, or, at least, her \"writer\", who, obviously, is confused. Losing a wife to Hugh Grant, yeah.. sure.. ok.... Ya know what? She was actually correct about this. \"My wife...... my heart.\""}, {"response": 1881, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Tue, Jul 23, 2002 (08:44)", "body": "Jeanie & Barb S--I saw TIOBE in Bowling Green, KY (stadium seating, no less!), and I live in Horse Cave, if you know where that is. It's close to Cave City & close to Glasgow (we're close to a lot of places, but we aren't actually a place, LOL!!) Anyway, would LOVE to have a Firthette screening of HS! It gets lonely being the only Firth fan that I know--it would be so much more fun to have someone to drool with... Meredith"}, {"response": 1882, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Tue, Jul 23, 2002 (08:47)", "body": "(Jeanie)*Losing a wife to Hugh Grant, yeah.. sure.. ok....* (Rika)*Ya know what? She was actually correct about this. \"My wife...... my heart.\" * Yup, Rika's right. In BJD, remember Daniel Cleaver did have an affair with MD's DW (dumb wife)."}, {"response": 1883, "author": "airstream", "date": "Tue, Jul 23, 2002 (08:53)", "body": "Assuming the information about \"Love Actually\" is true...doesn't CF's part sound very similar to the plot in HS? (just change countries) do they always leave him because of his kissing???"}, {"response": 1884, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jul 23, 2002 (09:07)", "body": "Buongiorno! I loved the Grrl Genius bit last night. After the end of the film, she said something like \"even when he's dead in a coffin, Colin Firth is sexy.\" You folks have been busy here. So, Colin has a new gig lined up--a rom-com, no less. Astonish me. With a cast of 80 and with 20 leads . . . too many ladies.:-( Hey, I passed by CF's/Earnest's Roman tailor, Brioni, and picked up a brochure. He's right, these guys are all about 4-foot nothing and look like they fell off a charm bracelet.;-) Seems like they do a lot of movie work. Could picture them asking if he dresses a sinistra o a destra. :-) They sell women's ready to wear as well. Ah, scusi, pret-a-porter."}, {"response": 1885, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Tue, Jul 23, 2002 (09:24)", "body": "Oh my gosh, you're right! I was thinking about it being more along in the main plot as far as HWM's wife leaving him for Hugh Grant. (banging head against table).. So sorry, \"blonde grrl genius, o'M'GAWD whateverrrr,\" for implying that you hadn't done your research. (giggling) Meredith.. LOL.. you live in Horse Cave? Girls, she lives in \"CAVE CENTRAL, USA!\" (dying of laughter) If you've read any of Karen's bypass story \"Green Shoe Diaries\" on the fanfic board, you'll know why I'm sooo amused. You know, Horse Cave, KY, is very near Mammoth Cave, which is the LONGEST surveyed cave in the world! Besides its unparalleled length, (over 365 miles, mind you)Mammoth Cave features very large dry canyon passages and deep vertical shafts. (snickering.. ok, I'll behave.. straightening up halo which had suddenly gone askew. ) Yes, Ms. Meredith, I know where Horse Cave is. ;D Are you saying that no \"regular\" theater in Bowling Green was showing TIOBE? OH my... well, if Hope Springs is (God Forbid) promoted in the same manner as Earnest, then we might have to go all the way to Nashville to see it. Green Hills is the only theater in Middle Tennessee that's playing, or has ever played, TIOBE as far as I've been able to surmise. (sighing heavily) I guess we'll cross that bridge when we come to it, but I'm so thrilled to have somebody near by! I was feeling so alone.. lol =D"}, {"response": 1886, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 23, 2002 (09:32)", "body": "Welcome back Mari!!! Hope you had a fantastic time. I passed by CF's/Earnest's Roman tailor, Brioni, and picked up a brochure. Pictures of clients up on the wall, getting their measurements taken? ;-D"}, {"response": 1887, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jul 23, 2002 (09:48)", "body": "(Jeanie) Oh my gosh, you're right! I was thinking about it being more along in the main plot as far as HWM's wife leaving him for Hugh Grant. (banging head against table).. So sorry, \"blonde grrl genius, o'M'GAWD whateverrrr,\" for implying that you hadn't done your research. (giggling) Even when we were recently discussing CF's new project and the cuckolded theme that runs through many of his roles, it had never occurred to me that BJD fit the pattern. But, like, puh-LEEZE, the grrl genius should have also pointed out that, like, at least Renee Zellwegger proved she was a grrl genius because Bridget picked ODB over HG, like, TOTALLY. Looking forward to watching my Valmont tape tonight and checking out that most delicious bon bon!"}, {"response": 1888, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Jul 23, 2002 (09:54)", "body": "Aack! I forgot about the \"cruel wife\" in BJD, since she was already out of the picture when the movie started. Christmas is a bad time for Colin's characters, too. Mark's cruel wife left him on Christmas Eve, and remember the Christmas party in TEP? (KST and RF in a closet)"}, {"response": 1889, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Tue, Jul 23, 2002 (10:33)", "body": "(Jeanie) Mammoth Cave features very large dry canyon passages and deep vertical shafts. (snickering.. ok, I'll behave.. straightening up halo which had suddenly gone askew. ) ROTFLOL!!!!!! Yes, imagine having Mammoth Cave only a few miles away, AND a big ole hole in the ground right in the middle of the town that you live!! Oh, believe me, my halo & I were wallowing around in the gutter after the cave scene in GSD!!! Both of us needed much cleaning! Mmm, all alone on the Frozen Niagra tour with Darcy (or MD or CF, any will do, heh heh)! Oh, my. (*swoooon*). I saw TIOBE in Bowling Green at Great Escape Cinema 12, which is a year-old stadium seating only theater complex. Very nice, although they stuck TIOBE waaaaay over in the smallest theater they had. So small no one can sit in the bottom section, b/c you would have to recline full out in order to see the screen! I have to say that I need another viewing, b/c ODB was just so....distracting as all get-out! I hardly noticed anything that wasn't on or near his person for the entire viewing. Hopefully, pic will still there this weekend, and I will be able to sneak off on covert TIOBE screening operation (DH wouldn't understand)."}, {"response": 1890, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 23, 2002 (10:44)", "body": "Even though I'm chugging the Pepto now, this has a mention of Colin and provides answers to all those questions we've posed over and over again about how MB gets his actors and how he stays afloat: http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=12805 And do check out the Feedback section for some opposing viewpoints. I may just add mine. *grabbing another bottle of Pepto*"}, {"response": 1891, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Tue, Jul 23, 2002 (10:49)", "body": "Oh, btw...I had been looking for TIOBE movie poster a few weeks ago, and couldn't find anything. Now, I go to movieposter.com, and they have one! Also, they have posters from some of ODB's other films. I don't know how to do a link in HTML, and I screwed up trying to do italics about a month ago, so here's something you can cut & paste into another window. This is what you get when you put \"Colin Firth\" in their search engine, and you can click on the thumbnails for more info: http://www.movieposter.com/cgi-bin/mpw8/search.pl Meredith"}, {"response": 1892, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 23, 2002 (11:46)", "body": "Minkeeland TV Update: Donovan Quick will be on Tuesday 30th July from 10:55 PM to 12:45 AM (NSW/Vic time)"}, {"response": 1893, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 23, 2002 (11:50)", "body": "Hmmm, I see from the ABC website's TV Guide, it's one time fits all, so 10:55 pm is it all over the country."}, {"response": 1894, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 23, 2002 (11:56)", "body": "WELCOME HOME, MARI LOL about Brioni the tailor. Didn't you have your pic taken with him:-D"}, {"response": 1895, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jul 23, 2002 (13:50)", "body": "(Karen)Pictures of clients up on the wall, getting their measurements taken? ;-D They have \"measurement\" pics of everybody from Clark Gable to Pierce Brosnan. Unfortunately they're the boring measurements, i.e., tip of middle finger to armpit.;-) AMC will have another Valmont showing at 3 p.m. today, if you missed last night's commentary. She also mentioned Meg Tilly being the ultimate in Grrl Genius, as she had CF in real life. Speaking of which . . .I found thes old Movieline article from '90 on an MT fansite. I'll post just the parts that pertain to Valmont and Colin: \"The part of Madame de Tourvel in Milos Forman's \"Valmont\" was her first crack at a high profile part since \"Agnes.\" From what she says, just working with Forman was as important as playing the part. \"I would be happy just to read and rehearse with Milos because I learn so much. He knows exactly what he wants. He'll give an area this big\" - she holds her thumb and index finger around a tiny space - \"to work in, and some people find that constricting. He knows every move he wants, how he wants every line said. But within that, there's an incredible freedom. You can breathe, you can think. Sometimes you do something and he'll say, 'no, no, that's stupid, that's awful.' And he'll walk around and mimic you. Some people cringe because it's in front of a hundred people. But I'm used to ballet teachers yelling out, 'What are you doing?!'\" Tilly explains that \"Valmont\" is a very different take on the novel \"Les Liaisons Dangereuses\" than Stephen Frear's adaptation of the Christopher Hampton play of it. \"It's less theatrical, it's more in the smaller gestures and the period,\" she says. And the main characters, particularly the conniving Marquise and Valmont, are younger. British actor Colin Firth also play Valmont rather differently than John Malkovich did: \"You know the guys who are the most dangerous?\" asks Tilly. \"The ones who make you feel the most comfortable. They make you laugh and they make you feel like the most fascinating person. Valmont LOVES women. And any man who's a philandering womanizer has to really be able to get inside a woman's head, don't you think? Would you fall for some guy who's just obnoxious? Maybe once in a while, if you feel real sorry for him.\" As it happens, Meg Tilly fell for Colin Firth. \"But just don't say it was like Malkovich and Michelle Pfeiffer,\" she says, referring to the romance that blossomed during \"Dangerous Liaisons\" and ended Malkovich's marriage. \"Because it wasn't at all like that. I'd been separated from my husband six months. It was after the movie was pretty much over that we decided to go out. Toward the end we started letting our characters go. We were so into them we could let them go. And that's when I realized, hey, I like this guy.\" I ask Tilly what her plans are now, thinking she may have a strategy for following up her return to mainstream, \"A\" films. I should have known better. She tells me she's thinking of taking the year off. It's her daughter's first year of school - she needs to be close to home. How does she maintain a relationship with Colin Firth? \"He comes to visit and it's wonderful. He works out of London. I need breathing space. I've gotten out of a relationship that seems very recent, and I don't want to leap too deeply into another. It's nice. He'll come back and visit.\""}, {"response": 1896, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Tue, Jul 23, 2002 (14:21)", "body": "Well, it seems Valmont is in the air today. I noticed on movieposter.com that the second page of search results sometimes won't come up properly (at least, for me), and that is where the Valmont poster is (v. sexy picture, btw). Here is a direct route, in case you need it: http://www.movieposter.com/cgi-bin/mpw8/viewPIDn.pl?pid=A70-7903"}, {"response": 1897, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Tue, Jul 23, 2002 (14:29)", "body": "Okay, I am so confused about the Meg Tilly article. Will is not mentioned at all, so is this before she & CF moved to the wilds of Canada? Before they had Will? Did her daughter go with them? My timeline here is really screwed up, obiously, or she was messing with the interviewer's head. Can anyone straighten me out?"}, {"response": 1898, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Jul 23, 2002 (15:12)", "body": "Mari, do you know the timeline on this article? I thought they were together for a few years, so if this is 90, would it be the beginning before the move to wilderness domesticity? (MT)I would be happy just to read and rehearse with Milos because I learn so much. Forman does seem to be one of those directors actors will work for in a second because of the experience. I've heard actors say that about other directors, too. Do you think ODB did Londinium (which, by the way, sounds like it should be on the periodic table of the elements) for the experience of working ith MB??????? *sending bottle of Pepto to the boss*"}, {"response": 1899, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jul 23, 2002 (15:45)", "body": "My mistake, the Movieline article was in the December '89 edition, so figure the actual interview was done early Fall that year. Here's the URL if you want to read the whole thing. Several other interviews there was well, one of which explains how she came to live \"up there\" after her separation from her first husband, but prior to Valmont and CF. http://www.xmission.com/~waynew/intrview4.htm From there you can also get back to the home page. Amy, Will is 11 now according to the recent articles, so born in '91 would be my guess. She has 2 older children, a boy and a girl, from her first marriage. They're in their mid-to-late teens now, I'd imagine."}, {"response": 1900, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jul 23, 2002 (16:27)", "body": "(Karen) Even though I'm chugging the Pepto now, this has a mention of Colin and provides answers to all those questions we've posed over and over again about how MB gets his actors and how he stays afloat: I haven't seen L., nor anything else MB has done, so I don't feel the unquenchable loathing for him that many of you do. But after reading that interview, may I just say: What a jerk!"}, {"response": 1901, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 23, 2002 (17:50)", "body": "Four years ago we had a Firthette on this board who had worked as Forman's student assistant on the Valmont set. Her take is that Colin was quite unhappy with the direction (and on the set).Forman directed every move Colin made. Leaving nothing to the actor. In many scenes Colin wanted to play it differently and Forman wouldn't let him. Cheryl felt sorry for him .(CF)"}, {"response": 1902, "author": "treseg", "date": "Tue, Jul 23, 2002 (18:50)", "body": "just caught up on a lot of posts, i really should do more work at work, really exciting stuff going on lately, unfortuately i can't stay and chat, i have discussion research to do and i have to kill my dh if he forgot to tape valmont for me this afternoon since he screwed it up last night, hopefully all is well, then i'll have to tackle the fan fiction, ums rocks so far, definitely any newbies should check that out, can't wait to see what else i find"}, {"response": 1903, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jul 23, 2002 (20:14)", "body": "WELCOME BACK, Mari You little devil-checking out the little Roman tailors. I just signed up for conversational Italian in Sept.-Now we'll be able to converse in LD's native tongue when we go see HS.how MB gets his actors and how he stays afloat: (Karen)how MB gets his actors and how he stays afloat: Maybe we'll get lucky and he'll sink...A part in Indiana Jones? Maybe we'll get really lucky and he'll fall into a snake pit or something while doing his own stunts. PS try Pepsid-it works better. Now back to fan fiction and Lisa's new chapter-aaaaaahhhhhh Bellissima!"}, {"response": 1904, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (00:20)", "body": "Saw Valmont girl too. Don't forget comments about affair with Meg and her having a son by him and calling that girl genius in action. Bridgets mom tells Bridget of MD's wife running off with DC on Christmas Eve. Girl is indeed correct."}, {"response": 1905, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (00:48)", "body": "(Moonstar) Will is not mentioned at all, so is this before she & CF moved to the wilds of Canada? Just in case you missed my rant from topic 160, I'll copy it here. Never let it be said that we mild mannered, polite Canucks take a slag lying down! On a completely different topic, I have to admit I have a bone to pick with ODB. I have been perusing the archived articles and interviews at The Bucket, and frequently saw writers refer to his time living in Canada as \"the backwoods of British Columbia\" or \"the wilds of Canada\". And now I see an article quoting ODB himself in which he refers to it as \"serious wilderness\" \"in the middle of nowhere\" and citing the dangers of grizzly bears and the inability to go for walk in safety!! Give me a break!!! You would think we are hardly out of sod huts and buckskins! Granted, there is wilderness to be found if you go looking hard enough for it. But really, grizzly bears being a danger on a 20 minute walk?! I had to drive three days north (on paved roads, not cart paths) towards the Yukon and Alaska before seeing my first grizzlies and I've lived in Vancouver and the surrounding area for more than 25 years! Aparently he lived \"3 hours inland\" from Vancouver. Seeing as I am more than an hour inland and still live in the suburbs, I'd really like to know what he considers wilderness! (More than a block to the nearest Starbucks!) Come on CF. Set the record straight and apologize for besmirching one of the most beautiful, and safest, places on earth to live. Now I will get off my soapbox and resume kicking myself for not having come to appreciate his fine work (and other qualities) until a few months ago LONG AFTER HE FINISHED SHOOTING HS HERE! Ouch."}, {"response": 1906, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (04:09)", "body": "I can't sleep so I decided to get up and finish watching my Valmont tape from last night. Grrl genius was a bit, like, over the top at times, fer sure, but she has grrreat taste in leading men. Has there been a film discussion of Valmont? I'd love to read it because I have a couple of questions that might be answered there, and some thoughts that I'm curious to see if others shared, but I don't want to reopen an old subject. I enjoyed it (though it wasn't in the same league as some of Milos Forman's other films). What a shame that it fell in the shadow of DL. I have trouble imagining any woman giving John Malkovich anything but directions out of town, whereas (as Meg Tilly said in that '90 interview), CF's Valmont was extremely dangerous because of his lethal charm. I could go on, but as I already said, I don't want to be redundant. ;-P"}, {"response": 1907, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (09:17)", "body": "I know our film discussion of MLSF begins on Monday...and on a different topic, but I watched last night and took five pages of notes and questions to prepare myself. I noticed a few things that are in keeping with the discussions here last week concerning MD/Darcy, and where his eyes seem to roam. Add Edward Pettigrew to the list on the clevage side. You'll notice in the scene when Eloise returns with Morris for the curling event(I assume it's just after their honeymoon)Edward meets Eloise in the hall and asks if she's happy. His eyes sweep over her and come to rest on her eh, chest. He then gives her a good once over as she walks away-opening up the evidence that ODB may like it both ways. In addition to this-the classic CF walk-as he leaves the parlor after the fight with Morris-after the funeral. (If you can take your eyes off the beautiful facial expression) Then he gives us the ultimate ODB stride up the stairs a la BJD when he comes home to search for Fraiser in the next to last scene of the film. Just a few tidbits to enjoy while you are watching."}, {"response": 1908, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (09:22)", "body": "I noticed that someone needs to do the downward glance count on Valmont, too. Jeannie, where's your son? :) I'd give Malkovich some directions, but I doubt he'd take them. CF's vicomte, on the other hand, seems to be more than willing to please, and therefore wins hands down, no contest at all."}, {"response": 1909, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (10:05)", "body": "Dangerous Liaisons was shown on UK TV last night. Malkovitch was SO wrong as Valmont. Cannot see ANY woman falling at his feet. I, for one, would run in the opposite direction!! Whereas, ODB was so deliciously persuasive. No contest, IMHO."}, {"response": 1910, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (10:17)", "body": "Thanks for the MT article, Mari. I didn't know about Pfieffer and Malkovich; kind of makes my screen crawl. Eowwww! But I expect Meg has put a little, more acceptable spin on her version of events. Would you answer those questions about one's private life honestly in public? Pfft!! ;-D (Rika) Has there been a film discussion of Valmont? I'd love to read it because I have a couple of questions that might be answered there, and some thoughts that I'm curious to see if others shared, but I don't want to reopen an old subject. Yes, there has in Sept-Oct 1998. You can read the discussion here: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/98.404 just following the one on Playmaker. ;-D But if you have some questions or comments, feel free to ask them here as so many people have just rewatched it."}, {"response": 1911, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (12:11)", "body": "I'm posting this here since perhaps it is \"possible\" that CF is still being considered.At least no one else has been mentioned. From Alan Yentob's PA \" Dear Evelyn Yes, indeed it is true that we are planning a film about Slyvia Plath and Ted Hughes which is due to star Gwyneth Paltrow. I'm afraid we have very little further news on it at the moment. Thanks for your enquiry. Best wishes ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *Lighting the candles*"}, {"response": 1912, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (12:12)", "body": "According to the imdb, Love Actually (aka, Repeating Myself Actually;-) is budgeted at 30 million pounds. Not too shabby. With that budget and Universal handling the distribution, they'll promote the hell out of it. Also, from a friend . . . Edge of Reason is tentatively set to shoot March 17 through June 27, 2003. (Evelyn)Her take is that Colin was quite unhappy with the direction (and on the set).Forman directed every move Colin made. Good point, Ev. I recall an interview in which CF stated that his displeasure about having to do the same one line 15 times because the director *still* thought he was being too malevolent. I also remember from the Forman salute tape the part where Milos is walking beside Bening and Firth (and CF is anachronistically dressed in Valmont wig and leather jacket!) while rehearsing a scene and MF interrupts Annette after every 2 words with the IMO exaggerated way how he wanted the line read. \"THAT young LA-dy is under MY protection!\" (Sandy) I'd really like to know what he considers wilderness! (More than a block to the nearest Starbucks!) PFFT! I think you've nailed it. Remember, when recently asked what he does to relax, he replied \"go to Rome.\" Now, of all the wonderful things I could say about that amazing city, \"relaxing\" wouldn't even make 537th on my list.;-) These city boys are such tenderfoots.;-)"}, {"response": 1913, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (13:14)", "body": "(Mari) Also, from a friend . . . Edge of Reason is tentatively set to shoot March 17 through June 27, 2003. I hope your friend is correct, Mari. It isn't a good idea to tease us about something like the BJD sequel, ya know!! ;)"}, {"response": 1914, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (13:20)", "body": "(Mari) Also, from a friend . . . Edge of Reason is tentatively set to shoot March 17 through June 27, 2003. *fervent prayer* Please God, Please God, Please God..... Love Actually ... is budgeted at 30 million pounds. Not too shabby. Agreed. hope we get lots of big names and lots of publicity. :-)"}, {"response": 1915, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (14:17)", "body": "but I watched last night and took five pages of notes and questions to prepare myself. Oh my, not prepared at all for this, better gather coffee, remote, and park in front of the TV. Also, from a friend . . . Edge of Reason is tentatively set to shoot March 17 through June 27, 2003. Mari, is your friend connected??? :)))) 30 million pounds for LA's budget. Karen, or anyone, seeing as how we have several busloads of actors attached to the project, what % of that would you estimate as salaries???"}, {"response": 1916, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (14:21)", "body": "(Mari)Also, from a friend . . . Edge of Reason is tentatively set to shoot March 17 through June 27, 2003. Suddenly have reason to attend papal mass in Toronto on Sunday (though do not normally call on God or his representatives as I don't have any sense of faith). Maybe I'll put in a word to all these pilgrims I have run into for World Youth Day."}, {"response": 1917, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (15:11)", "body": "Thanks for the Valmont discussion link, Karen! Very helpful - great stuff comparing Valmont to DL and to the book, plus Cheryl's remarks based on her perspective on Milos Forman. How fascinating that Forman apparently identified with Valmont to some degree - which explains why his Valmont is a charming rogue and not a slimy, decadent manipulator. My major question has to do with Valmont's behavior for the last 20 minutes or so of the movie. At some point he loses his will to live, but it's not clear to me what pushes him over the edge, and there was no consensus in the film discussion either. He begins to flail around desperately at this point, eventually becoming utterly pathetic, and it's unclear what sets him on this path to destruction. Was it because he loved MT but decided he couldn't change enough to be with her? Was it triggered by MM's rejection? Did MT's giving him a taste of his own medicine allow him to see himself through the eyes of his victims (rather like giving a vampire a soul)? Or was it some combination of these, throwing him into gradual a downward spiral? Or... well, I have another theory, but I'll save it for later. Okay, I've blathered on long enough. Anybody else want to babble with me about this stuff?"}, {"response": 1918, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (15:24)", "body": "He had tertiary syphilis and could no longer sexually perform?.. Raging case of herpes?.. (giggling demonically) Hmmmm... ok, seriously, I think it was everything combined that made him not want to live anymore. He just got tired of it all and didn't see much hope of his life getting any better, so he decided to let Elliot do the deed and phone home.. no, wait, I'm confusing movies again, aren't I?.. ;)"}, {"response": 1919, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (15:34)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1920, "author": "treseg", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (15:40)", "body": "(jeanie)so he decided to let Elliot do the deed and phone home.. no, wait, I'm confusing movies again, aren't I?.. ;) LOL, so funny, forgot he was from ET, anyway that was my first impression too, the combo of everything pushed him over the edge, but i need to go home and watch the whole thing over, luckily hubby said he taped it so there was no blood shed at my house last night, however i didn't have enough energy (i know pathetic excuse) to test his vcring abilities"}, {"response": 1921, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (15:41)", "body": "(Mari) Also, from a friend . . . Edge of Reason is tentatively set to shoot March 17 through June 27, 2003. (Emma) Suddenly have reason to attend papal mass in Toronto on Sunday (though do not normally call on God or his representatives as I don't have any sense of faith). Maybe I'll put in a word to all these pilgrims I have run into for World Youth Day. Fingers crossed! In the meantime, I'll say a novena for them not expanding HG's role much (if at all) beyond the cameo that's in EoR. I know he's bankable, a big name, yadda, yadda. But in a sequel to a very popular film I'm not sure how much additional bankability they need. (And if they're worried about it, they just need to include at least one Mark-Darcy-in-towel-striding-around-in-barrister-mode scene and be sure to put a clip from it in the trailer :-D.)"}, {"response": 1922, "author": "treseg", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (15:43)", "body": "that would be my prayer as well rika i'm not sure i want a sequel if they aren't going to do it right sorry i'm going back to work now"}, {"response": 1923, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (16:21)", "body": "(Mari) Also, from a friend . . . Edge of Reason is tentatively set to shoot March 17 through June 27, 2003. Oh, Mari-heart is pounding, everthing I can cross is crossed, candles lit, novena begun. Please, God I have been waiting for that towel scene forever. They better include that towel scene. Also praying that it will get off the ground in the first place--worried about what Colin said-it has all gone very quiet."}, {"response": 1924, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (17:22)", "body": "(Jeanie) He had tertiary syphilis and could no longer sexually perform?.. Raging case of herpes?.. (giggling demonically) Actually, you would think this would be a big problem in his life, wouldn't you? Hmmmm... ok, seriously, I think it was everything combined that made him not want to live anymore. He just got tired of it all and didn't see much hope of his life getting any better, so he decided to let Elliot do the deed and phone home.. no, wait, I'm confusing movies again, aren't I?.. ;) Too funny! \"Home........\" I think it was intended to be a combination of things too, but I didn't entirely buy it. For most of the film he's a charming, seductive bad boy with an unlimited-ride pass to Nookie World, and that seems to suit him just fine. He has ruined some lives along the way, but I don't think there's been any malevolent intent - he's just out for the thrill of conquest. So what starts as a challenge - seducing a virtuous woman - leads him to fall in love with MT, and doesn't know how to handle it. He pours out his feelings to her through dictation to Cecile, and tries to use Cecile to deal with his lust for MT as well. Then he races to Paris to be with her, but deserts her the next morning when he realizes he's gotten himself into something he can't handle. She comes back begging for more, and it appears that he succumbs in spite of himself, but then she deserts him. So he turns to the only woman with whom he can remove his mask, and she whacks him across the face with a tire iron, metaphorically speaking (my metaphor was taken from bees ;-D). But shouldn't he fly off to Scotland and go cave-shagging with a wild woman from Nawlins instead of developing a death wish? ;-D I wonder, though, if it's more the case that Milos Forman didn't really care what specifically drove Valmont into the downward spiral. The film discussion suggested that Forman thinks that men are incapable of inflicting on women the kind of damage that women can do to men. In the first part of the movie MM and Valmont have a sort of balance to their relationship, but after she more or less refuses to pay off the bet and they declare war, all that changes. We find out exactly how cruel she can be, while Valmont's attempts at retribution are laughable by comparison. Maybe that's the moral of the story, simple as it sounds - if you mess with a black widow spider, you're going to get bitten and die. Oh, one more thing. Before I watched this movie it had never occurred to me that it was possible to insult a man by offering him sex, especially if the whole reason he has come to visit you in the first place is in the hope of getting sex."}, {"response": 1925, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (17:23)", "body": "Oops. Bye bye italics. Sorry for the double post too. My left mouse button keeps sticking and my computer is having occasional nervous breakdowns."}, {"response": 1926, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (17:25)", "body": "closing tags"}, {"response": 1927, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (19:20)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1928, "author": "LizJP", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (21:38)", "body": "closing tag Thanks for the news about EOR, Mari! Now if we could just find a Janine Bond-type to lift a copy of the script (if it's been written yet) . . . Liz"}, {"response": 1929, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (21:44)", "body": "(Lisa) 30 million pounds for LA's budget...seeing as how we have several busloads of actors attached to the project, what % of that would you estimate as salaries??? I wouldn't have a clue. Sorry. But you have to remember that, with 10 different storylines going, individual actors wouldn't command their normal salaries for starring in a feature, mainly because they don't have to put in as much time. Besides, someone like HG would probably drop his price to do this for his friend, a man who can be said to have \"made\" HG. So Edge of Reason and towel scene are right up there with world peace and ending world hunger? ;-D (Jeanie) so he decided to let Elliot do the deed and phone home.. no, wait, I'm confusing movies again, aren't I?.. ;) No, you have the right movie. ;-D (Rika) and she whacks him across the face with a tire iron, metaphorically speaking (my metaphor was taken from bees ;-D). Aren't they all, at least the good metaphors. ;-) I like your analysis although I wouldn't subscribe to the \"he couldn't change to suit MT\" reason proposed above. To me, it was always that he had been beaten by his getting a taste of own medicine, especially with respect to MT. When she comes back, she gives as good as she got because she returned home to her husband, much as V had returned to MM. She showed him what it felt like to treat someone that way. And it really hurt him because IMO he did love MT and it scared him. Possibly he even felt himself above such pedestrian emotions as love. MM realized that MT meant more to Valmont, which was why she turned on him, acting far more viciously than he deserved. Another huge ego hurt. The film discussion suggested that Forman thinks that men are incapable of inflicting on women the kind of damage that women can do to men. That was not the film discussion, but Cheryl, who knew MF. So you probably have to give her the benefit of the doubt. Maybe that's the moral of the story, simple as it sounds - if you mess with a black widow spider, you're going to get bitten and die. And that's perhaps why Forman didn't show MM's downfall at the end as starkly as it was shown in DL. She loses too, big time, and it is Valmont who brings her down by giving the letters to Elliot. Before I watched this movie it had never occurred to me that it was possible to insult a man by offering him sex, especially if the whole reason he has come to visit you in the first place is in the hope of getting sex. Live and learn. Perhaps you should try it out. Go get yourself a book... ;-)"}, {"response": 1930, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (22:06)", "body": "(Karen)So Edge of Reason and towel scene are right up there with world peace and ending world hunger? ;-D Well, yeah. Duh! Just thinkin of the towel scene puts a smile on my face. (Rika)Before I watched this movie it had never occurred to me that it was possible to insult a man by offering him sex, especially if the whole reason he has come to visit you in the first place is in the hope of getting sex. Geez, Rika I wish you would have figured it out and told me that 20 years ago."}, {"response": 1931, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Jul 24, 2002 (23:59)", "body": "Don't everybody get mad at me, but I don't think he trully loved MT. Note the panic in him when she told him she wrote to her husband ending the marriage. He wanted the letter and obviously bolted when he found out it was posted. I think he liked her because unlike MM she was naieve and workable and at first a challenge. But after getting what he wanted the challenge was gone. And she immediately became mother wanting to wait on him hand and foot, which most men in love would have taken in a minute. Instead he's drawn back to MM who treats him like shit, but something in him desires that because its a strong woman. MT was not and he likes MM's strength. Obviously they had a previous relationship because when he proposes she says who would be the first to betray each other this time? There was definitely something about MM that he was constantly drawn back too because willingly or not he always ended up doing what she wanted. I think it was MM he truly loved but she betrayed him so badly that he co ldn't handle it, and sadly that's when he gave it up. If he truly wanted MT wouldn't it have been worth it to stand up to the husband and make his intentions known. IMO I don't think he would have hesitated a second to do so if he really wanted her, as he was a man who was used to taking what he wanted out of life and she had already paved the way with her husband with the letter. I think he was capable of doing that if he wanted to. Read an article about Valmont citing Forman as saying that some women have to be able to give the final rejection. He was referring to MT leaving after the second time. So perhaps that was what he was trying to convey. She was devastated because she fell for him, despite all her moral objections and when she gives up everything for him, husband, he leaves. Therefore she has to get even and feel better about herself. Atleast that's how the article explained it. Dear God, we Firthettes thank you. Please let EoR come to pass. We are so worthy. Awhile back read that DC roll is going to be written in. So assume it will be sizable as all concerned feel it is a good team, so can't imagine he won't be part of the team or his roll will be insignificant. CF even called it a good team in one of the TV interviews. Remember."}, {"response": 1932, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Jul 25, 2002 (00:37)", "body": "(Karen) So Edge of Reason and towel scene are right up there with world peace and ending world hunger? ;-D They don't call it the Edge of Reason for nothing! And it really hurt him because IMO he did love MT and it scared him. Possibly he even felt himself above such pedestrian emotions as love. MM realized that MT meant more to Valmont, which was why she turned on him, acting far more viciously than he deserved. Another huge ego hurt. Good analysis. I had a hard time separating love from ego when it came to his feelings for MT, because it's so hard to determine what's genuine and what's the seducer's mask. I remember it being easier to follow with JM's Valmont, because there wasn't all that blinding charm on the surface to confuse things (plus, if I remember right, the Valmont/MT story was more prominent in DL). And love has to be part of the equation, because I don't think ego alone would make him so despondent (plus, if it were ego alone MM would be more amused than affronted). This afternoon I happened to find Roger Ebert's review of Valmont, which included an interview with Forman. Here's Ebert's comment on MT, and Forman's reply: ----- The most tragic person in the film, I said, is the young Madame de Tourvel (Meg Tilly), who knows that Valmont will seduce and abandon her, but then allows herself to be seduced anyway, because he is simply so much better at seduction than she is at resistance. It's so sad to see her standing there in the rain, hoping he will take her back again. \"Is that how you see it?\" Forman asked. \"Because I see it differently. I talked a lot about that scene with Jean-Claude, and basically we both agreed we had encountered this kind of situation several times in our lives. You finish your love affair with a girl, and she keeps calling, she keeps writing, and finally out of some kind of perverse mercy, or some kind of charity, you say all right, let's have a dinner. And the moment she gets that, she gets you to bed, and she makes you make love to her, and she leaves, and you never hear from her again. I don't know what it is. I can't explain it, really. It's some kind of need to prove they can't be abandoned like that. They've got to prove they've still got it, and then they can go.\" ----------- This supports what Cheryl said about MF. Sure sounds like he's got some grudges against women from his past. And that's perhaps why Forman didn't show MM's downfall at the end as starkly as it was shown in DL. She loses too, big time, and it is Valmont who brings her down by giving the letters to Elliot. Agreed. GC's MM got a much more satisfying comeuppance. AB's MM seems to regret Valmont's death, but otherwise she escapes unscathed. Perhaps you should try it out. Go get yourself a book... ;-) Too late now - there's nobody I'm interested in insulting in that particular way anymore - but like Linda said, this information would have been useful about 20 years ago. ;-P"}, {"response": 1933, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Jul 25, 2002 (01:02)", "body": "Pam, I agree that V. is in it mostly for the chase, and I think there are several possible interpretations when it comes to MT. And in fact that's my problem with the ending. One minute he's strutting around having everything his own way, and the next thing we know he essentially commits suicide, yet his motivations are ambiguous. Maybe V. isn't sure of the reasons either. I'm more and more thinking that the point of the ending is to show MM's chilling inhumanity, and that in MF's mind V. was just a casualty of the war between the sexes."}, {"response": 1934, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Jul 25, 2002 (02:07)", "body": "(Rika)GC's MM got a much more satisfying comeuppance. AB's MM seems to regret Valmont's death, but otherwise she escapes unscathed. I remember how OLD GC looked at the end. But if you look at the brief shot of AB's MM at the end (a face in the crowd, after they've say goodbye at the coffin, or maybe it's at the wedding), she does look pretty bad, her face is almost lifeless. I agree that a lot of the attraction Valmont felt for MT was the fact that she seemed almost unattainable. I say \"almost\" because Valmont thought he could get ANY woman, if he worked her correctly. I think what got to him later was that MT's reaction was not at all like that of the more sophisticated/worldly MM or her ilk. This left the situation beyond his control (the letter he can't retrieve, the smothering attention) and that scared him. Perhaps what sent him into despair at the end was the realization that he had been offered love (MT) and was so morally bankrupt that he was unable to accept or enjoy it."}, {"response": 1935, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 25, 2002 (10:09)", "body": "(Rika) And love has to be part of the equation, because I don't think ego alone would make him so despondent (plus, if it were ego alone MM would be more amused than affronted). Love is definitely in the equation. MM loves Valmont, but won't allow herself to be enslaved by that institution again. Remember, she was married before and makes the comment about how V is \"acting like a husband.\" If you read the book, you'll gain a lot of insight into her character and how much she hated being a lowly wife. She remade herself and seized power. No way was she going to give it up when she enjoyed her current position and the freedom she had. She was hurt by what she saw in Valmont--his attachment to MT and that she wasn't some ordinary conquest. IMO V left MT's bed the next morning because he was still fighting his feelings for her and was trying to get back to his usual self. Yes, he went back to MM to claim the prize, but that would reinforce the return of his usual self in his mind. (MF) It's some kind of need to prove they can't be abandoned like that. They've got to prove they've still got it, and then they can go.\" Turnabout is fair play: I can do to you what you did to me. Now, how do you like it? (Rika) One minute he's strutting around having everything his own way, and the next thing we know he essentially commits suicide, yet his motivations are ambiguous. Maybe V. isn't sure of the reasons either. Isn't there a quote somewhere from Colin that he had problems with this as well, not understanding his character's motivations? (Kate) I remember how OLD GC looked at the end. But if you look at the brief shot of AB's MM at the end (a face in the crowd, after they've say goodbye at the coffin, or maybe it's at the wedding), she does look pretty bad, her face is almost lifeless. I've always admired how DL begins and ends on GC's face and you can clearly see what's happened to her. I can't remember exactly, but I think powder is involved. But the DL MM is totally destroyed vs. the Valmont MM, who is very sad. If the wedding scene, with AB off to the side, looking up toward Elliot and his admirers is supposed to show she's been ostracized from society as had been done to GC's MM, then it was far too subtle. Yes, AB is very sad as she passes the coffin. She loved Valmont and she caused his death because he didn't return it in the same way."}, {"response": 1936, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Jul 25, 2002 (14:38)", "body": "(Karen) I've always admired how DL begins and ends on GC's face and you can clearly see what's happened to her. I can't remember exactly, but I think powder is involved. Wasn't she wearing white powdery make-up, and started taking it off in front of the mirror? It's been a while so I'm not sure I have the details right, but I remember how powerful it was - she looked 20 years older than at the start of the film, and entirely defeated and grotesque."}, {"response": 1937, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jul 25, 2002 (17:28)", "body": "Thanks Rika and Karen for input. I bow to those who have read the book as you have far better insight. My impressions were formed entirely from the movie and many facts were obscure at best and didn't seem to fit or it seemed as if pieces were missing to form the ending. I even feel that at the end Cecile had fond feelings for him as she was the only one to kiss him on the lips, let alone the fact she was carrying his child. By the way excellent acting job by Faruza (sorry spelling). She did quite a job and I think that was quite an adult-themed roll for a 14 year old to play. IMO she was the best of the 3 actresses, tho towards the end AB was so devestatingly evil it gave me the chills. Made me really believe how much she loved him and how much he had hurt her to cause that kind of hatred towards him. They were so jealous of each other, i.e. his demanding to see the letter from her admirer who was about to call and his reaction when he saw her with Elliot, and her obvious jealousy of his attentions t MT. It was so bad when they were \"friends\". Imagine if they were together, they would have killed each other off. Atleast the reasons for their deaths would have been clear. Any more news on EoR?"}, {"response": 1938, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Jul 25, 2002 (19:19)", "body": "Pam, I agree about Fairuza Balk. I thought she was a perfect Cecile. I agree about AB, too. For a lot of the movie I didn't think that much of her performance because her cheerful demeanor made her seem harmless (I'm sure I had GC's MM in my mind). But that made it easy to underestimate her, making her behavior at the end that much more shocking. I'm curious to read the book, because as you say it's obvious from Karen's remarks that it offers some additional insights. But if you look at it another way, the movie has to be able to stand on its own, so I think insights that come solely from the movie are perfectly valid."}, {"response": 1939, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Jul 25, 2002 (20:59)", "body": "I thought that Valmont had found, in those two kids, something to believe in the decadent society he lived in. When MM seduced Dulcie and blocked his try at getting them together he didn't care anymore."}, {"response": 1940, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Jul 25, 2002 (21:01)", "body": "Did anyone else think, from the look MM gave D. while he was laughing and talking with the girls in the balcony at the wedding, that she was going to make him pay for killing Valmont."}, {"response": 1941, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Jul 25, 2002 (21:32)", "body": "(Lucie) Did anyone else think...she was going to make him pay for killing Valmont. Oh rats, I shall have to watch it again. Actually, my first impression is no. Given that we see what we want to see, I saw abject defeat. Maybe it was the shock to the system of seeing the impeccably dressed, elegant MM looking swollen and teary-eyed and old . But the idea of revenge, that's a good point...I'm thinking of another movie now...\"Was you ever stung by a dead bee?\""}, {"response": 1942, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Thu, Jul 25, 2002 (21:40)", "body": "I got the feeling that MM, as she's looking up into the balcony at Eliott, realizes that she's \"created a monster\".. or, at least, created another Valmont, and that's why she looks like she does. You girls are so in-depth with these things. I never fail but to be impressed and I'm looking forward to owning more of HWM's work so that I'll have more of an idea about what you're talking about! ;)"}, {"response": 1943, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Thu, Jul 25, 2002 (22:12)", "body": "I don't think any of the movie versions really do the book justice, and I have to say I'm stunned that it's not on Project Gutenberg. The only online versions available are all in French! But I did find this amusing synopsis... http://www.sepulchritude.com/suffer/volumeone/liaisons.html Might not be a bad idea to have an Amazon link to the English-translation paperback."}, {"response": 1944, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jul 25, 2002 (22:19)", "body": "Not to change the subject...but I read an article in the paper this morning about Blythe Danner. It said that she has signed to co-star in a weekly TV series this fall. The article was long, and not really relevant except that it made me hopeful that only her part had fallen through on the Sylvia Plath/Ted Hughes film(due to the demands of the series) and her disappointment that she would not be able to work with her daughter, GP. So maybe some of our ladies here who speculated that BD's part was the only thing that fell apart and not the whole project-were correct. So hope is still alive for Colin. (Sorry, the paper was trashed before I had a chance to type the article) BTW, I saw TIOBE for the 12th time tonight. I know it will be gone tomorrow *sigh* but, alas we had a good run."}, {"response": 1945, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Jul 25, 2002 (22:55)", "body": "(lindak) BTW, I saw TIOBE for the 12th time tonight. I know it will be gone tomorrow *sigh* but, alas we had a good run. Sister, content yourself with the knowledge that you have been faithful to the nth degree and have single-handedly done more to validate his cinematic godhoodness than any of the other of us!"}, {"response": 1946, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 26, 2002 (00:05)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1947, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 26, 2002 (00:06)", "body": "(Pam) Made me really believe how much she loved him and how much he had hurt her to cause that kind of hatred towards him. She was a sicko even before she met him. I've always felt she was more of a monster than he was. (Rika) But if you look at it another way, the movie has to be able to stand on its own, so I think insights that come solely from the movie are perfectly valid. Most definitely, the movie has to stand on its own. I enjoyed reading the book (which is a series of letters back and forth between these characters) because it kept you guessing about who was being truthful or hiding something. Plus I could understand what Forman had seen in the letters, which gave him a different take on the Valmont character than was traditionally done in its many iterations. Forman is not entirely faithful to the book as we all know from DL. (Barb) I saw abject defeat. Moi too. (Elizabeth) But I did find this amusing synopsis... That was hysterical!! I'm going to check out some more of that site."}, {"response": 1948, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 26, 2002 (00:17)", "body": "Oh wait!! There's a Camille at that website too that starts with: Marguerite: Armand, you have come back to me! (coughs bloodily) This has all the makings of a great read. ;-D But it is very short. http://www.sepulchritude.com/suffer/2001/camille.html"}, {"response": 1949, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Jul 26, 2002 (01:08)", "body": "I just finished watching my just-arrived-today tape of FF and I feel an urgent need to drool a bit. Those of you who have seen FF will understand the necessity, I'm sure. Oh, my. My, oh, my. Bad movie, but that Joe Prince..... oh, MY. I had read that Joe Prince was pretty high on most people's fave-CF-characters list, and.... did I mention, oh, MY!!!! Sweet, romantic, vulnerable, and gorgeous. He didn't seem to need kissing lessons back in those days, and the shagging scene was.... oh, MY. Oh, and lots of dimples. Overall, some nice wardrobe choices.... but thank goodness he had only one scene in that Ranger Rick uniform! I don't think I could pick a favorite moment - too many to choose from - though \"You HAVE to marry me\" is certainly at or near the top of the list. I was glad I found the film discussion on topic 98, too. Although I knew to look for the \"patch of blue\", I would have missed ODB's cameo as the mummy in the Waste People scene. And as usual, the discussion managed to rise above the material. As soon as Joe found the cocoon in the cemetery scene, I thought, \"Symbolism alert!\", and sure enough, the film discussion covered it. But momentarily setting aside the substantial delights of watching Joe Prince, the movie also made me sad. In the scene where she can't sleep and he talks about following sounds, that expressive, deep, caressing voice turns the lines into sheer poetry (insert blissful sigh). What a waste it was for an instrument of that caliber to be squandered in a second-rate piece of fluff like this. Oh, well, it's not as though FF is the only film in which his talents are wasted (insert resigned sigh)."}, {"response": 1950, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Jul 26, 2002 (06:08)", "body": "In this weeks Hello (July 30th) there is a picture of Will and Colin, wandering along the road, drinking coffee - Starbucks again ;-) Will looks just like his Mum IMHO. Apparently CF is filming AG in Greenwich where these pictures were obviously taken. There is also one of CF giving fans a photo-opportunity while Will looks on. Unfortunately my canner out of action at the moment so cannot send :-(( Can any one else in the UK oblige?"}, {"response": 1951, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Jul 26, 2002 (06:09)", "body": "For canner read scanner 8-)"}, {"response": 1952, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jul 26, 2002 (08:18)", "body": "From The Hollywod Reporter: Linney, Neeson role around in London 'Love' July 26, 2002 LONDON -- Laura Linney and Liam Neeson have joined the cast for writer Richard Curtis' directorial debut, \"Love Actually.\" The project reunites Linney and Neeson, both of whom worked together in the Broadway production of \"The Crucible\" earlier this year. The roles earned them both Tony Awards nominations. Written by Curtis, \"Love Actually\" is set to begin shooting in and around London on Sept. 2. There is no final budget in place until casting is completed on the film, which details 10 intertwining love stories. Linney and Neeson join a cast that includes Hugh Grant and U.K. television star Martine McCutcheon. Casting for the other six main roles continues."}, {"response": 1953, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Fri, Jul 26, 2002 (08:22)", "body": "Valmont is in the air!!! This may have been posted already, but for those who don't know, Valmont will be released on DVD Sept. 17th. MeredithA"}, {"response": 1954, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 26, 2002 (09:27)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1955, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 26, 2002 (09:31)", "body": "Thanks, Allison, for the heads-up on Hello! I'll be checking to see when that particular issue makes its way over here. But in the meantime... ;-) Ah, finally, some official news about LA (this will sure be confusing as we won't be referring to the city). No mention of Emma either, so Colin hasn't been singled out as the \"invisible\" one again. Thanks, Mari."}, {"response": 1956, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Jul 26, 2002 (10:01)", "body": "Earnest is on the move again! I checked Moviephone and Earnest is still at my loval indie theater (guess I'll have to go again, although I'll never match TWELVE viewings, well done, Linda!), but its other locations have changed. In NYC, TIOBE is now playing on the East side, no more AMC at 42nd St, where it played for just a week. What is Miramax's marketing plan for this film? It seems as if they're picking up whatever space is available, like those travel websites that will email you about last-minute travel opportunities. I can imagine the conversation with the theater-booking people. \"Hey, Harve, I got a coupla free slots next week. Lemme see, we could run it up on 86th at 11 AM on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. And how about 56th at noon on Tuesday and 3 on Thursday. So, whaddaya say, babe?\""}, {"response": 1957, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Jul 26, 2002 (10:21)", "body": "(sighing sadly).. Now, the closest place in Tennessee that TIOBE is playing is in Knoxville... practically makes me ashamed that I complained about driving into Nashville to see it. I guess the first movie I'm gonna purchase will be MLSF, since that's what we're going to discuss. I think Amazon delivers here very quickly, so I might actually be able to have it here by August 1st or so."}, {"response": 1958, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jul 26, 2002 (13:05)", "body": "From a Swedish publication, from another site: How Sexy Is Colin Firth? Your new movie The Importance of Being Earnest is soon coming to theatres. Tell us a little about it. It is based on Oscar Wilde\ufffds play and I play the main part as Jack Worthing. I grew up with Oscar Wilde\ufffds plays and have always liked his work. As a child, I had fun reading his comedies. Wilde could play with words like no one else. How was it to work with Rupert Everett and Reese Witherspoon? Rupert and I have become friends. We still talk sometimes. Reese is so wonderful, I fell in love with her while we were under production. She is funny, cute and very charming. Falling in love with your leading lady--does it happen often? Yes, but do not get me wrong. It is not in a sexual way. It is more about liking wonderful people, people that make you happy. I also felt in love with Ren\ufffde Zellweger who I worked with in Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary. Do you think there will be a sequel to Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary? I do not know. It depends on whether all three actors, me, Hugh and Ren\ufffde, are available at the same time, and the script has to be really good too! Why did Bridget Jones become so successful? I believe that everyone over 30 recognises themselves in her. We have all been there, trying to learn how to love yourself and be accepted by everyone else around us. It is hard for singletons right now, and many people are single for a long time. It is more common then before. Do you think that men feel that it is hard to know what man they have to be to please women? Yes I believe that it can be very confusing. Almost all men are prepared to do everything to be what women want them to be, and I believe that women also don\ufffdt know how they want their men. Women want more sharing in the house and that their men take the same responsibility for the children, but on the other hand, many women want to see the man as the strong protector. What kind of man are you then? I do not know, I try not to think like that. I do not want to think: Women beside Man. I try to think of us all as humans. What do you do on a free day? I am home with my family. My wife is from Rome and we lived there for awhile, but now we live in London and I like to just do normal everyday things like take a walk in the park, go shopping. I love food, and to cook food and then eat it! In what way has it change you to be married to an Italian woman? It has given me a new perspective on life. I love the country, the food, the cars, the fashion, the Opera. And now I have learned a new language. I studied French and Spanish in school but now I have forgotten it. Now I can talk Italian and it is a fantastic language. Does it often happen that female fans approach you? No not so often. It is more common that they send me mail. The most bizarre I\ufffdve gotten was underpanties. I do not know what she was expecting me to do with them. One time a female mailed me a shoe, which I find very strange. Many people mail me socks, ties and pictures they painted of me. Do you understand why so many people find you sexy? No not really. It started with that wet shirt scene in Pride & Prejudice. When that shirt is sticking, you can see my body contours that I in fact do not have. I don\ufffdt think I have a look that anyone should find that attractive, and the shirt is just hanging like a sack. I remember that a man mailed me and wrote: My wife thinks that you are really sexy. How do you do it? If I jumped into a lake with my clothes on my wife would be very angry and not think that I was sexy at all."}, {"response": 1959, "author": "Megs128", "date": "Fri, Jul 26, 2002 (13:25)", "body": "The most bizarre I\ufffdve gotten was underpanties. All right, all right, 'fess up. Which one of you sent the thong to ODB? hehehe Why did Bridget Jones become so successful? I believe that everyone over 30 recognises themselves in her. That may be true, but I don't think that you have to be over 30 to appreciate the talent displayed in that movie. :) Oooh...I can't wait for the sequel!"}, {"response": 1960, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Jul 26, 2002 (13:58)", "body": "Oh where is my scanner when I need it? From todays Evening Standard magazine: Gore, blimey! When you think of the London party scene who do you think of? Jordan? Tim Jeffries? Prince Andrew? Gore Vidal? OK, maybe not Gore Vidal but he did make a rare appearance last week at a party organised by the Pen writers association to celebrate the work of the late Cuban writer, Italo Calvino. Jordan is obviously still a bit frazzled after the birth of her son, Harvey, otherwise we're sure she would have been there. There then follows pictures of Gore Vidal, Elizabeth McGovern dressed in what looks like a Little Bo Peep outfit and then one of Sam West and CF looking very cheerful with their arms round each other. I shall have to get this picture to you Boss, because of the shoes. They will have to go into the Firth/Guiggioli weird shoe selection. Maybe its an optical illusion but the shoes which are tan coloured have strange contours to them; I am sure I can see Colin's toes through them. Is this a new fashion?"}, {"response": 1961, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 26, 2002 (14:15)", "body": "Please do! I am going to have to setup a new file for Shoes. If you are planning to mail this, let me know if you need my address. The Evening Standard doesn't make it here...ever :-( Now (not that I'm complaining, but I had paid 25 pounds to hear Colin, who didn't show) what was he doing at the party?"}, {"response": 1962, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Jul 26, 2002 (14:16)", "body": "(Allison) I can see Colin's toes through them Hmm... these i've gotta see ;-)"}, {"response": 1963, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Jul 26, 2002 (15:29)", "body": "One time a female mailed me a shoe ok, fess up.. which one of you sent it, and were you trying to turn him on, or make a suggestion? (giggling)"}, {"response": 1964, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Jul 26, 2002 (16:59)", "body": "Jeanie, I think you're on to something. The shoe may have been a not-so-subtle hint from the Fashion Police. Not to sound unappreciative of chances to catch glimpses of different \"aspects\" of HWM, but see-through shoes? I sure hope it's better than it sounds. (Karen) Now (not that I'm complaining, but I had paid 25 pounds to hear Colin, who didn't show) what was he doing at the party? Didn't I read about something like this happening with a special screening of RV a couple of years ago? Seems like he missed the screening because filming ran late (BJD, I think) but got there for the party."}, {"response": 1965, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jul 26, 2002 (17:10)", "body": "It's amazing to me that those of us who have sent nice, normal things to him (e.g., scrapbooks of film reviews, etc.) have had no luck in actually having our things delivered into his hands, yet the underwear and the shoe make it through. What an agent he has. :-( And in honor of Austin Powers Goldmember opening today, I'll parphrase from the first flick: \"Who sends a shoe? Honestly!\""}, {"response": 1966, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Jul 26, 2002 (17:38)", "body": "Rika I wrote to you on Fan Fic. Isn't FF great!!! Forget the story, but he is really good in it. I loved it too. And as far as the bed, the best. Saw quoute where he said he didn't like it tho. Thought it was boring for people to see bums bouncing around in bed. Dimples maximum alert. Joe Prince was great!!!"}, {"response": 1967, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 26, 2002 (17:39)", "body": "(Rika) Didn't I read about something like this happening with a special screening of RV a couple of years ago? Seems like he missed the screening because filming ran late (BJD, I think) but got there for the party. Excellent memory. It was for the premiere of RV. He did make an appearance outside before it started and then was whisked back to the shoot, and then returned for the party afterward."}, {"response": 1968, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 26, 2002 (18:29)", "body": "One would think the organizers would have informed the audience that he was making an appearance later. I'd be pissed if I had paid 25UKP (c.$40) and he skipped the show . Hey Mari...I sent him our Hamlet tickets. He never mentions those either;-)"}, {"response": 1969, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Jul 26, 2002 (18:36)", "body": "(Megan)All right, all right, 'fess up. Which one of you sent the thong to ODB? hehehe Given his demographics, it might not have been a thong. Could have been scary-stomach-holding-in-panties. (CF)Many people mail me socks So it's OUR fault that your socks are too short, Colin?"}, {"response": 1970, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 26, 2002 (19:27)", "body": "(Evelyn) I sent him our Hamlet tickets. He never mentions those either;-) LOL! Only you. :)"}, {"response": 1971, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Jul 26, 2002 (20:04)", "body": "Oh lots of fun reading here today. Mari and Allison are gems with their info. We do get Hello around these parts and I will be rushing to the newsagent, sans husband, to go thru the mag. Any date or page number on it???? Now about that Swedish interview, taking into account the obvious translation oddities for language, I thought a few of those remarks very un-CF-ish and am wondering if possibly it was padded a little. and the script has to be really good too! Yeah man, like really, really good. Almost all men are prepared to do everything to be what women want them to be, and I believe that women also don\ufffdt know how they want their men. What do those more experienced in reading his interviews think??? Reese is so wonderful, I fell in love with her while we were under production. She is funny, cute and very charming. I also felt in love with Ren\ufffde Zellweger.... Better duck for cover after LD reads That one! LN and LL added to the cast of LA...this is sounding better and better. I'm thinking California Suite...isn't that the one that was at the Beverly Hills Hotel???? And Lora...did you ever send you pic to CF ???? Still think that would be a goodie!"}, {"response": 1972, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jul 26, 2002 (20:39)", "body": "Ok, ok, if no one else wants to claim the shoe and underwear, I will. Almost all men are prepared to do everything to be what women want them to be, and I believe that women also don\ufffdt know how they want their men. Oh, I think I know how I want you, dear boy. Doesn't LD? hmmmm. Thank you, Mari for that slightly strange article. No time to type now, but I read an interesting tidbit in Time while waiting for my car to be serviced today. It mentions how Mirmax strategically plans the release of small, smart, art house films, namely TIOBE. I'll type up the relevant parts later."}, {"response": 1973, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Jul 26, 2002 (21:07)", "body": "Lisa, I had a similar reaction to the interview. It just sounded.... off. But I couldn't decide how much of it was just from translation issues. (Lisa) Better duck for cover after LD reads That one! I think he knew it too. He started backpedaling immediately afterwards with that, \"I just meant fun to be with\" stuff."}, {"response": 1974, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Jul 26, 2002 (21:51)", "body": "Snuck down to the newsagent...saw the July 23rd issue of Hello! Not the one, Charles and Camilla on the front...no CF inside. Expect it's one or two weeks later. Although it wasn't a total waste thumbing though. I did discover that Princess Stephanie is no longer travelling aroud with a circus. She has now taken up with a chef in the palace! :))))"}, {"response": 1975, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Jul 26, 2002 (22:36)", "body": "I was about to say too that he missed the reading but was able to show up for the party obviously. I'm sure the patrons would have appreciated knowing that. Am watching Joe P. now. Later. Thanks for interview. You know these beautiful Scandinavian women, maybe he was a little shook-up with interviewer and thought he'd flirt a bit. Then after realizing what he said had to back it down to cover for wife."}, {"response": 1976, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Sat, Jul 27, 2002 (00:03)", "body": "(FanPam) You know these beautiful Scandinavian women, maybe he was a little shook-up with interviewer and thought he'd flirt a bit. Then after realizing what he said had to back it down to cover for wife. Been away for awhile and only read the last few messages but I loved this comment. I wonder why people seem to think CF doesn't flirt with women or find other women attractive. I find the whole \"Saint Colin\" notion quite ridiculous and way off. He's actually very comfortable and flirtatious around women. After all, he may be faithful but he's not dead! :)"}, {"response": 1977, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 27, 2002 (00:59)", "body": "(Lisa) Any date or page number on it???? I believe Allison posted it was the July 30th issue. (Linda) Ok, ok, if no one else wants to claim the shoe and underwear, I will. tsk tsk!! I was telling Dorine a little white ago that I'd read or heard the top items sent by sicko obsessive/fanatic-paths are poetry and underwear. So put away your sonnets. ;-) I read an interesting tidbit in Time while waiting for my car to be serviced today. It mentions how Mirmax strategically plans the release of small, smart, art house films When did Time turn into a sci-fi mag? Have no worries, Lola, this ain't no Church of St Colin here as you must have figured out."}, {"response": 1978, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jul 27, 2002 (01:37)", "body": "(Linda) I read an interesting tidbit in Time while waiting for my car to be serviced today. It mentions how Mirmax strategically plans the release of small, smart, art house films I think this may have been the article I read that I mentioned awhile back, although at that time thought it was the NY Times."}, {"response": 1979, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Jul 27, 2002 (03:14)", "body": "I wanted to belatedly thank Elizabeth and Karen for the links to the tongue-in-cheek summaries of DL (well, LLD) and Camille. The one for LLD was especially hilarious. (Kate F) MT's reaction was not at all like that of the more sophisticated/worldly MM or her ilk. This left the situation beyond his control (the letter he can't retrieve, the smothering attention) and that scared him. I agree - in fact, I think she would have scared me too! Very smothering and maternal, which would horrify someone like V. Didn't she even offer him milk? (All I could think of at that moment was Valmont in a \"Got milk?\" ad.) Perhaps what sent him into despair at the end was the realization that he had been offered love (MT) and was so morally bankrupt that he was unable to accept or enjoy it. And then found himself turning to the even more morally bankrupt MM for comfort and getting treated with such contempt instead. With friends like these.... (FanPam) Am watching Joe P. now. Later. I watched it again this evening, Pam.... sigh..... but I had to skip the cemetery scene (it was hard enough to watch the first time). Also skipped most of the other scenes involving Dumb and Dumber, which were also hard to watch the first time, but for totally different reasons. I don't see myself writing fanfic, but if I were ever so inclined I think I'd want to write a story in which Joe Prince found a nice, intelligent, stable woman who'd love him and make him happy, and who had a consistent first name and a reasonably conventional past (or at least one not involving pervy films or Class A felonies). After a lengthy, romantic honeymoon in Hawaii, the two of them could live happily ever after up there in the woods, shagging like rabbits. Maybe once a year they'd go to LA to visit Elijah just so the story would have some snappy repartee. I realize this story outline lacks any conflict whatsoever, but I think Joe has suffered quite enough. Perhaps a tree frog could die at the Nature Center before he has a chance to return it to the wild.... that would be about my upper limit, angst-wise. Sigh.... I am just a pathetic puddle of drool over Joe Prince."}, {"response": 1980, "author": "BarbaraT", "date": "Sat, Jul 27, 2002 (05:55)", "body": "Radisson Edwardian Hotels are holding a prize draw, the first prize for which is two tickets to the UK TIOBE premiere and the after film party on 4th September, two nights' accommodation at the Radisson Edwardian Hampshire Hotel, Leicester Square on 3rd and 4th September and return economy tickets from your nearest BMI British Midland departure point in the UK or Europe and London Heathrow. There are also prizes of film merchandise to be won. To enter go to http://www.radisson.com/earnest"}, {"response": 1981, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jul 27, 2002 (08:30)", "body": "Thanks Barbara, have entered twice (once in hubby's name) as I think this is the only way to get Premiere tickets as I telephoned BVInt. yesterday (the Uk Distributors) and they said tickets were by invite only, not available to the general public, shame, will just have to stand outside!!"}, {"response": 1982, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jul 27, 2002 (08:55)", "body": "Thanks, Barbara I have entered also. Now, I'm off to watch FF. Haven't seen it in awhile and you guys have sparked my interest. Also going to watch V again, as well. This impromptu discussion here this week was great."}, {"response": 1983, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Sat, Jul 27, 2002 (09:39)", "body": "It's amazing to me that those of us who have sent nice, normal things to him (e.g., scrapbooks of film reviews, etc.) have had no luck in actually having our things delivered into his hands, yet the underwear and the shoe make it through. How do you know our things didn't get through to him? ;-) (CF)Many people mail me socks I wonder what ODB does with them, does he actualley wear them?"}, {"response": 1984, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 27, 2002 (10:54)", "body": "(Rika) Perhaps a tree frog could die at the Nature Center before he has a chance to return it to the wild LOL! Your story treatment highlights nearly everything I've found so wrong with the film. In yours, would the father have had his license taken away? ;-D Thanks for the London premiere date, Barbara. Good luck, ladies, with your entries. *****Admin Note: We are nearing the end of this topic. Message 1999 will the last, but I will be opening up the new topic today. Whoever does message 1999, please try to turn off the lights and leave a note as to where we've taken this party. :)"}, {"response": 1985, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 27, 2002 (16:36)", "body": "(Hola Lola)I find the whole \"Saint Colin\" notion quite ridiculous and way off. I'm on your side. This board has always been v. open minded about Colin. But it helps to remind everyone.Thank you. Rika looks like you and I are the only Joe Prince fans around here. Yup...even over Pau Ashford, folks."}, {"response": 1986, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Sat, Jul 27, 2002 (17:07)", "body": "(quoth Evelyn) Rika looks like you and I are the only Joe Prince fans around here. Better make that three. :) Love that little bit where they roll off the bed. (Shamelessly draws the attention of any who haven't had the pleasure of seeing it)"}, {"response": 1987, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sat, Jul 27, 2002 (17:55)", "body": "OK, as all you ladies already know, I'm a nitwit, so who the heck is Joe Prince?"}, {"response": 1988, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Jul 27, 2002 (18:20)", "body": "(Jeanie) OK, as all you ladies already know, I'm a nitwit, so who the heck is Joe Prince? You're hardly a nitwit - you're just a newbie like me. Joe Prince is CF's character in FF. I know this only because I've spent the last two days drooling uncontrollably over him. (Evelyn) Rika looks like you and I are the only Joe Prince fans around here. Yup...even over Pau Ashford, folks. Oh, ABSOLUTELY, Evelyn! Joe is Da Man. Until Joe, I thought only the Darcy Boys would ever ascend to my personal pantheon of CF characters. But Fitzwilliam and Mark are now in company with a Prince of a fellow. By the way, I lost track of what I was doing and bought FF twice by mistake. If anybody wants the extra, get in touch. Otherwise I'll probably list it on eBay."}, {"response": 1989, "author": "Bryonny", "date": "Sat, Jul 27, 2002 (18:32)", "body": "(Evelyn)Rika looks like you and I are the only Joe Prince fans around here. I beg to differ ;-) Although I'd put Paul above sweet Joe, I never get tired of FF, which can also stand for Fast Forward (to the good parts). When he's sitting on the floor talking to the semi-naked 'model'? How cute is that?! I love the Swedish interview. I think we should offer to give a lot of money to his favourite charity if he'll say \"underpanties\" out loud. :-D"}, {"response": 1990, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sat, Jul 27, 2002 (18:56)", "body": "OK, as all you ladies already know, I'm a nitwit, so who the heck is Joe Prince?"}, {"response": 1991, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sat, Jul 27, 2002 (19:49)", "body": "At this rate, I'll have the thread closed up before bedtime.. sorry about that, ladies!"}, {"response": 1992, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Jul 27, 2002 (19:59)", "body": "Re Swedish Interview Don't know what anyone else thinks, but I have NEVER heard anyone in the UK using the word 'underpanties'!!! - So I'm having doubts about the accuracy of the rest of the interview."}, {"response": 1993, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jul 27, 2002 (20:21)", "body": "(Evelyn)Rika looks like you and I are the only Joe Prince fans around here. (Bryonny) Although I'd put Paul above sweet Joe, I never get tired of FF, which can also stand for Fast Forward (to the good parts). When he's sitting on the floor talking to the semi-naked 'model'? How cute is that?! OK, what is it that you all like so much about him in FF? Is it how CF looks in it or actually the character? I'm not overly enamored of either in FF. I don't prefer the more babyfaced look and Joe was a little too, um....naive for me. Although I wouldn't turn down the help with grocery shopping ;-D. (Byronny) I think we should offer to give a lot of money to his favourite charity if he'll say \"underpanties\" out loud. :-D ROTFL!"}, {"response": 1994, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sat, Jul 27, 2002 (20:58)", "body": "Don't know what anyone else thinks, but I have NEVER heard anyone in the UK using the word 'underpanties'!!! Janet, I'd chalk that one up to the translation...they probably don't know how to spell knickers in Sweden! Thanks Barabra, I did an Amy W and registered twice and Jeanie, I have not seen FF and know not of this bloke named Joe Prince either! :)))))"}, {"response": 1995, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 27, 2002 (20:58)", "body": "(Dorine) Joe was a little too, um....naive for me. Although I wouldn't turn down the help with grocery shopping ;-D. I'm telling ya, we have to check into our birth records. ;-) (Janet) Don't know what anyone else thinks, but I have NEVER heard anyone in the UK using the word 'underpanties'!!! Let's not forget that first the interview was translated (by someone) from English to Swedish, then it was translated back into English by a Swede, whose English is not perfect. I think a lot of the awkwardness and odd usage have to be attributable to double translation. We've seen it before with the German and Italian articles that have been translated, but fortunately the second leg of the translations were done by native English speakers and some of some of the idioms could be smoothed over."}, {"response": 1996, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Jul 27, 2002 (21:18)", "body": "(Dorine) OK, what is it that you all like so much about him in FF? Is it how CF looks in it or actually the character? I don't prefer the more babyfaced look and Joe was a little too, um....naive for me. For me it's the character. The baby-faced look is cute, but I think he's much more attractive now. I don't mind that Joe is naive, even though it's one cause of his problems. I find him utterly endearing - sincere, sweet, vulnerable, and somewhat of a misfit in the world. And when he winds up in a world of trouble, I just want to rush over and protect him."}, {"response": 1997, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jul 27, 2002 (22:01)", "body": "(Rika)I find him utterly endearing - sincere, sweet, vulnerable, and somewhat of a misfit in the world. And when he winds up in a world of trouble, I just want to rush over and protect him. Yes, that is kinda cute, but I guess I'm not so attracted to men who are so sweet, vulnerable and potentially needing protection. That would be like having a kid to me. I like the opposite...men with a heart, but who are confident, maybe with a little edge...who I feel confident could come to protect me if needed (but occasionally may need help from me as well). I love the Darcy boys too, but I still think so far, of all his roles, I like Matthew in SLOW the best (irregardless that none of the characters were fleshed out that well). I'm watching The Thomas Crown Affair at the moment, and whenever I see it, I always can see CF in a part like that (but I think he would actually do it better, even though I liked Pierce Brosnan enough). I think it would be more appealing if it delved into his angst deeper in the psych sessions. Maybe make the character even darker. But I love whenever CF get mischievious look on his face like in TIOBE and BJD, when he's getting one over on someone. There was ample opportunity for that in Thomas Crown. I'd be willing to bet I'm the only one with this opinion. ;-)"}, {"response": 1998, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Jul 27, 2002 (22:22)", "body": "(Dorine) I like Matthew in SLOW the best (irregardless that none of the characters were fleshed out that well). I haven't seen that one. Didn't see Thomas Crown Affair either, though I've always intended too. My tape of Playmaker arrived, though, and I had the chance to do my own Nessie hunt. I found the place where I was supposed to look, but I'm not entirely convinced. There are a lot of obstacles - the glass obscures things, there's a whole lot of movement behind it, and if I saw anything it was sure fleeting. Plus, we don't absolutely know it was him, right? Personally I found the first shower scene more rewarding (though not in terms of Nessie-viewing - darn that right hand that gets in the way, probably on purpose). But what a horrid stinker of a movie. Gag. Okay, this should be response 1998 and there should be room for one more post, unless someone else has been posting while I've been typing this (in which case, we're off to topic 163 next - how exciting!)"}, {"response": 1999, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jul 27, 2002 (22:24)", "body": "(Dorine)The Thomas Crown Affair...I always can see CF in a part like that (but I think he would actually do it better... But I love whenever CF get mischievious look on his face like in TIOBE and BJD, when he's getting one over on someone. I have often thought that CF should have/could have done the TTCA very well. A super type of role that I would just love to see him do...that mischievious look on his face always turns me to mush. There are many in TIOBE, especially at the end when he is sparring with Lady Bracknell over Algy and Cecily's engagement. One of the reasons I keep going back. I'm not a FF fan, but I enjoy watching for several of the scenes mentioned in some of the posts. Me? I'm a Paul Ashworth, Darcy-Mark-Darcy, Ernest type of gal. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 1623, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 163, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 1634, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 164, "subject": "The Forsyte Saga", "response_count": 451, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct  6, 2002 (09:46)", "body": "Comments moved from 160: Topic 160 of 163 [drool]: Odds and Ends - Part 5 Response 1614 of 1633: Mari (mari) * Fri, Oct 4, 2002 (10:43) * 4 lines I think a number of us will be up for a Forsyte discussion. Rave review in TV Guide, and a nice little interview with Damien Lewis. I haven't checked if it's online. Topic 160 of 163 [drool]: Odds and Ends - Part 5 Response 1615 of 1633: Mari (mari) * Fri, Oct 4, 2002 (10:51) * 37 lines Here's the New York times review. It's the Forsytes, Reduxing Again By CARYN JAMES Oh, the English and their wacky sense of humor! Mark Thompson, the chief executive of Channel 4 in Britain, recently gave a lecture about the state of television and said, \"When you're looking for ambitious, complex and above all modern TV, you find yourself watching not British, but American pieces.\" To American viewers that idea rings with a Monty Pythonesque absurdity that could keep us howling with laughter all season. If American television represents the avant-garde, we're all in very deep trouble (even though Mr. Thompson was right in citing the anomalous \"Six Feet Under\" and \"24\" as models of innovation). His provocative remark is especially resonant as a new version of \"The Forsyte Saga\" arrives, revealing how global and how topsy-turvy the television world has become. In the dark ages before cable, about 30 years ago, British television was routinely, if wrongly, considered the standard Americans could scarcely hope to achieve. All that started with the once-and-future \"Forsyte Saga.\" With its new eight-hour version of the Forsytes (beginning with a two-hour episode Sunday and continuing for the next six weeks), \"Masterpiece Theater\" on PBS literally goes back to its roots. In 1969 a 26-part black-and-white series imported from the BBC was such a smash that it led directly to the creation of \"Masterpiece Theater,\" which carried on the tradition \"The Forsyte Saga\" had inaugurated: that of the refined soap opera, in which British class and money give an intellectual veneer to costume dramas about lives run amok. Now \"Masterpiece Theater\" is a catchphrase, both scorned and beloved, for reliable, entertaining escapes into a cozy, prettily designed past, the middle-brow version of a guilty pleasure. Today's \"Forsyte Saga\" (jointly produced by Granada TV of England and WGBH in Boston; the BBC had nothing to do with it) fits comfortably in that tradition, sometimes too comfortably for its own good. Based on \"The Man of Property\" and \"In Chancery,\" the first two books of John Galsworthy's \"Forsyte Saga\" trilogy, it has the soothing appeal of sinking into a distant world, this one about an upper-middle-class family fraught with infighting and facing social changes as Victorian England gives way to the modern age. Those familiar themes seem fresh, thanks to three stunning performances. Damian Lewis is Soames Forsyte, a man of property and of excruciating propriety; with his red hair, cool blue eyes and pinched mouth, the actor's very presence suggests the complex, deeply buried passion that destroys Soames. Rupert Graves is his bohemian cousin, an artist known in the family as Young Jolyon; Mr. Graves gives life and substance to a character who, as written, could easily have become a caricature. And Corin Redgrave, wearing huge mutton chops, is endearing as Young Jolyon's father, Old Jolyon, who at first cuts off his disreputable son but in old age becomes open-minded enough to embrace him. There is a major casting problem in the center, though. As Irene (pronounced eye-REE-nee), the woman who entrances all three of these Forsyte men, Gina McKee's enervated performance makes the character's supposedly irresistible allure hard to accept. The streamlined, lucid script introduces the complicated Forsyte family at an engagement party in 1874. Soames's sister, Winifred, is about to marry Montague Dartie, who will prove himself a ne'er-do-well many times during the quarter-century the story covers. As the steadfast and sometimes mischievous Winifred, Amanda Root is one of many actors who charmingly fill the secondary roles of aunts, uncles and cousins. \"Soames, you're such a stick!\" Winifred tells her oh-so-proper brother, an irrefutable comment that makes Soames an unlikely character to hold a series together. And the tension between the old and new social orders, which had so obvious a contemporary echo in 1969, seems more remote today. But Mr. Lewis (who was also powerfully subdued as Dick Winters, the laconic hero of \"Band of Brothers\") overcomes these obstacles, suggesting a passion so profound and repressed that Soames himself cannot fathom it. When he meets Irene, who is living in genteel near-poverty with her stepmother, he goes after her with the single-minded determination of a man who assumes his wealth can buy him anything. Irene gives in, but by Episode 2 the entire family knows she has a separate bedroom. As Irene, Ms. McKee (best known as Hugh Grant's wheelchair-bound friend in \"Notting Hill"}, {"response": 2, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Oct  6, 2002 (09:46)", "body": "Wow, our friend Karen mentioned this to us yesterday, she's taping this today I believe. What is the show time, network, etc?"}, {"response": 3, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct  6, 2002 (09:52)", "body": "It is on PBS on Sundays on Masterpiece Theatre, which starts (at least for me in central time) at 8 pm."}, {"response": 4, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Oct  6, 2002 (11:06)", "body": "I have the book on my table too. Plan to start it too. I am looking forward to the FS. Too bad Angel has its season premiere tonight. :-( You know I have a preference for period pieces and vampire stories. :-D"}, {"response": 5, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Oct  6, 2002 (12:06)", "body": "I programmed this as a season pass on Tivo. It looks like they're rerunning it later in thw week on the other PBS channel that my sat dish gets. I'm going to a viewing party for this tonight at Bob and Karen's place in Webberville. It should be fun to watch with them. The 10/6 8 pm showing conflicts with \"Mind of the Married Man\" where I'm looking for another Firth mention so I chose the 10/7 3 am showing on our local PBS channel 18 and the 10/14 3 am showing on the same PBS channel. So parts one and two of this miniseries are qued up for digital recording on Tivo."}, {"response": 6, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Oct  6, 2002 (12:16)", "body": "Nice review in People Magazine. \"Lewis's performance is a constant marvel.\" Get out the VCR, Moon. I'll catch Sopranos on the Monday night rerun."}, {"response": 7, "author": "dianes", "date": "Sun, Oct  6, 2002 (12:46)", "body": "I am interested in Forsyte Saga for my first official discussion. I loved Ioan as Horatio and in Solomon and Gaeynor, so rented Blackhawk Down. The five minutes he was on screen at the beginning were painfully bad. I was so disappointed I couldn't bring myself to watch the rest of the film. Hope he redeems himself in FS. Wonder if afterward I will be able to stomach another viewing of Mind of the Married Man to see if MB jokes about Colin for the third week in a row..."}, {"response": 8, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Oct  6, 2002 (22:49)", "body": "I enjoyed watching this epiose this evening, but I must say I haven't read the book. Do folks who have read the book feel thqt the tv rendition is true to the spirit of the book?"}, {"response": 9, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (06:54)", "body": "I enjoyed the first 2 hours very much. It realed me right in and left me wanting more! Damien Lewis is terrifc--the expressions on his face when Irene finally deigns to marry him were priceless. I found Soames to be a far more sympathetic character than Irene. She went into the marriage expecting it to fail, and trying to carve out an escape hatch for herself--a poor start to say the least. Soames was so besotted with her, he was willing to accept those terms. It didn't seem to me that she ever worked at the marriage--just stood around looking morose."}, {"response": 10, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (07:54)", "body": "And I loved it when Soames pulls off her glove and kisses her arm. Ioan is the weak link so far, IMO. A good beginning. Am planning to start book soon. Did manage to tape Angel at 12am. :-)"}, {"response": 11, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (08:29)", "body": "Agree with all. I am disappointed with casting Gina Mc Kee as Irene; she's no beauty , for sure. But I think she could have interpreted the character with more sympathy.I really don't feel sorry for her; she got her bargain.Damien Lewis is the real standout. But how about Rupert Graves..his love story is touching. Looks like he'll be succeeded by Corin Redgrave though:-(("}, {"response": 12, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (08:58)", "body": "Since I never read the book (and never saw the original series), I can't comment on what Irene is suppposed to be. If she's the type that turns men's heads when she walks into a room or captivates them with her sparkling personality, then Gina McKee is wrong. If she's supposed to be the demure, delicate beauty of another age, well, then maybe she's OK. Throughout the entire two hours, I kept trying to think of another actress for that role. That's not good. :-( Now, Rupert Graves! I've always liked him."}, {"response": 13, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (09:04)", "body": "(karen) Throughout the entire two hours, I kept trying to think of another actress for that role. LOL. I did too. Gotta be a British TV actress.But not many of them are beauties. I liked Amanda Root...she always gives a good performance. Re: the book....You know me;-)....The film has to stand on its own."}, {"response": 14, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (12:31)", "body": "(karen) Throughout the entire two hours, I kept trying to think of another actress for that role. I enjoyed the first installment of TFS last night. But, I spent the entire two hours looking for someone to play Catharina or Maria Thins."}, {"response": 15, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (12:35)", "body": "(Terry)The 10/6 8 pm showing conflicts with \"Mind of the Married Man\" where I'm looking for another Firth mention BTW, was there a mention? Actually looking for an excuse not to tune in on the rebroadcast Wed. night."}, {"response": 16, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (12:39)", "body": "No mention this time around."}, {"response": 17, "author": "susanne", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (13:08)", "body": "The whole time I was watching GM, I was thinking that she was a poor man's (or poor studio's) Sophie Marceau. I did not find GM exceptionally stunning, but rather bland. So far, she has the role of cold fish down pat. All my sympathy goes to Soames. I can't quite figure out what he saw in Irene that made him want her so desperately."}, {"response": 18, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (13:40)", "body": "I have to agree with all your views on GM. I think this will be further demonstrated as we move deeper into the storyline, tho' if GM does have a moment , then I think it's in her scenes with Corin Redgrave. Glad you like RG, I did too. We had it running simultaneously with 24, a real dilemma for those who are lazy with the video;-) Costumes and set give the right period feel, tho' it's all so effortless, as it should be."}, {"response": 19, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (14:44)", "body": "I was mesmerized for the full two episodes! Lewis is excellent but I have no sympathy for Soames. He is a hypocrite of the highest magnitude, judgmental and spoiled. He wants Irene - he is used to getting whatever he wants and he doesn't care how he gets her even if he has to buy her. If he were not so self-centered he might have realized that marriage would be a mistake. He gets what he wants and deserves what he gets, IMO. I thought about other actresses for the part of Irene but probably because I have read McKee isn't right. I think she is lovely - haughty, austere and probably playing the part the way she was directed to play it. (Don't know if she can be \"sparkling\" and \"madly in love\" yet.) I haven't read the book so can't make that comparison (and I remember very little about the original series). But it's hard to be scintillating when you are marrying for all the wrong reasons. Don't forget the time period and the position of women then. Irene really has no choice but to marry as well as she can. Certainly her stepmother is offering no support and is pushing her to marry Soames. She tries to resist but she is trapped by a lack of money, which means she has no options at all. As for how Soames feels about Irene, blind attraction is not definable. Women seemingly far less attractive have ravaged men's lives - Wallace Simpson comes to mind. I liked Amanda Root, too, as always. But Rupert Graves is the standout for me as he often is - an underrated actor, I think."}, {"response": 20, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (15:09)", "body": "(Suzee) I have no sympathy for Soames. He is a hypocrite of the highest magnitude, judgmental and spoiled. Totally agree. If he were not so self-centered he might have realized that marriage would be a mistake. He gets what he wants and deserves what he gets, IMO. Woo wooo!!!! What I found strangely implausible is Irene's complete turnaround into a cold fish toward Soames. Initially, at Bournmouth, she seems to welcome his attentions. True, the stepmother (Joanna David looking a little chunkier) is not only pushing her into it but saying she'll have to go out and work. However, Irene looks like she's having a good time at the party, dancing with Soames. After that, she does a complete about face. Did I miss something? Do I need to review my tape?"}, {"response": 21, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (15:49)", "body": "One of the great things about DL's portrayal of the character is the sympathy issue, we must come back to this theme when you've seen another few episodes! Karen, did I miss something? Not at all Karen, I thing that is an another example of the weakness of GM's characterisation, don't worry there are plenty more to come, hee hee. Just checking...... you are getting it in weekly 2 hour chunks like us?"}, {"response": 22, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (15:54)", "body": "He is a hypocrite of the highest magnitude, judgmental and spoiled. I didn't see where he was a hypocrite. A little conniving,maybe. (He'll rue the day he gives Ioan the job;-)She knew what she was getting into. BTW Sue reminded me that JE was once approached to play Irene right after P&P.(Can't see her in that role, no way) But she wanted to play Fleur (whoever she is) and then the project was scrapped.That was in 1997!"}, {"response": 23, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (15:56)", "body": "Where was Soames hypocritical in last night's show? I think he was hoping that Irene would come to love him. Remember he promises to make her happy. People like Soames are accustomed, I think, to having things within their sphere of control. Not illogical given his privilieged background. I recall Mr. Bennett's words when talking about Darcy, saying he is probably no worse or selfish than other rich men. Irene could have gotten a job. Maybe as a governess or something, and then she could have met somebody like Rupert Graves.;-) He's another one who could have gotten a job. I like RG and his perfromance, but did not care for his character. Nothing laudable about cheating on your wife (while she's in the house, no less!) And there's no honor in keeping your family piss poor just because you won't do anything but paint (poorly, I might add). I still like Soames. He is filthy rich, dresses well, and he looks like Damien Lewis.;-) Agree that Irene's change in attitude toward Soames is abrupt. Just because he's a philistine when it comes to art is no reason to reject him, IMO. I hope this isn't going to turn into one of these stories about how the rich people are all BAAAAAD, and the poor people are all noble and GOOOOOD.;-)"}, {"response": 24, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (16:02)", "body": "SPOILER Fleur is Irene's daughter. Susan Hampshire was agreat success in the role first time round."}, {"response": 25, "author": "dianes", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (16:08)", "body": "I spent the two hours interested in TFS last night, but also was mentally playing degrees of connection to ODB. Barely recognized Joanna David at first, but then all her lines and her delivery seemed lifted right out of P&P! Moon, I hope Ioan improves as the series goes on and converts you into a fan. I did not feel a genuine spark pass between the characters played by GM and Ioan, their exchanging of meaningful glances seemed contrived or flat somehow. I am holding my breath hoping Ioan breaks new ground and develops some depth as an actor. Did his eyes look tired to anyone besides me? Maybe because I liked him so much as Horatio and promoted him to my friends, I feel self-conscious and weirdly responsible for his performance in TFS. I responded to DL as Soames with utter disgust. What an arrogant selfish manipulative pig. I don't know how Irene lasted five minutes with him, not that she was that engaging or interesting a character, herself. Not very loyal to her only friend, either. But I imagine unmarried ladies of her class were trained to be stiff as boards. I can't help but compare this to P&P, where Lizzie was funny, spunky, Darcy was decent at heart, and Lizzie would rather risk poverty than marry unhappily, though her family of origin was vastly more supportive. So far, TFS lacks the humor and warmth of P&P. I'll shut up now."}, {"response": 26, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (16:16)", "body": "(Karen)What I found strangely implausible is Irene's complete turnaround into a cold fish toward Soames. Initially, at Bournmouth, she seems to welcome his attentions. She was at least \"friendly\", I think. Hmmm, believe I'll have a look at the first few meetings over dinner. [Possibly one or two of RG's scenes, too] ;)) (Lizza)you are getting it in weekly 2 hour chunks like us? The first night was 2 hours and then it goes to one episode each Sunday through November 10, plus whatever repeats are on individual stations. The PBS site has loads of information plus photos (on the main page and more on linked pages). http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/forsyte/"}, {"response": 27, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (16:29)", "body": "I saw hypocrisy in his handling of his Winifred's settlement. Monty had no money but I believe does love Winifred. They're quite a cute couple. The hypocrisy lies with the parallels to his own marriage to a person without means. In his case, he's willing to shell out a fortune to get his wife to love him or make her happy, yet he's not willing for his sister's fortune to help make her marriage easier. (Mari) People like Soames are accustomed, I think, to having things within their sphere of control. Sure, he hoped she would come to love him as was very customary in those times. But, Mr Realist shouldn't be surprised or disappointed when it doesn't turn out a la cousin Jolyon, a loveless marriage. (Mari) Nothing laudable about cheating on your wife (while she's in the house, no less!) He hadn't, until his wife forced his hand. Would he have continued to love her from afar? I don't know. Just because he's a philistine when it comes to art is no reason to reject him, IMO. LOL! And then he bought the painting! Does that not show he's trying?? Doesn't make sense to me."}, {"response": 28, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (16:44)", "body": "(Evelyn) I didn't see where he was a hypocrite (Mari)Where was Soames hypocritical in last night's show? I saw him as hypocritical in the sense of being sanctimonious and self-righteous as in the scene where he refuses to raise Young Jolyon's allowance. He can fall blindly, hopelessly in love with Irene without regard to her station or means, but he cannot accept or even make an effort to understand the same thing happening to his cousin - or his sister as Karen said."}, {"response": 29, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (16:46)", "body": "Whoops, I did the wrong spoiler, wrong woman, wrong child!!!! Suffice to say that Fleur is an important character in the next generation."}, {"response": 30, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (18:52)", "body": "He can fall blindly, hopelessly in love with Irene without regard to her station or means, but he cannot accept or even make an effort to understand the same thing happening to his cousin - or his sister as Karen said. Same thing happening to his cousin? (I thought it was brother....) Anyway, Soames was *single*...Jolyon was a married man.The family was horrified. It was a sweet love affair...but one wonders who supported Jolyon's child those years. As for the sister's husband...he looked smarmy out to marry Winifred's $$$."}, {"response": 31, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (19:08)", "body": "(Karen)I saw hypocrisy in his handling of his Winifred's settlement. Monty had no money but I believe does love Winifred. They're quite a cute couple. (Evleyn)As for the sister's husband...he looked smarmy out to marry Winifred's $$$. I agree with Evelyn. Monty is a bum. No job, was depending on papa's wealth to get his start, then he contemplates hocking the wife's pearls! Her family paid for the rent on their house, plus gave her an allowance. Nobody paid for my house or gave me an allowance when I got married.;-) These people are all looking for handouts. *Nobody owes you nuthin'* (Karen)He hadn't, until his wife forced his hand. Would he have continued to love her from afar? I don't know. Nobody forces you to commit adultery. Even if his marriage vows meant little to him (which is bad enough), he had a young child to think about. The family provided for the estraged wife and the child--what did Young Jolyon contribute to their support? Nothing. Another bum.;-) Soames is trying to help the niece by sending the architecture business Bosinney's way. And he'll wind up getting kicked in the teeth for it. (Karen)But, Mr Realist shouldn't be surprised or disappointed when it doesn't turn out a la cousin Jolyon, a loveless marriage. But I think Soames had a right to expect that Irene would at least make an honest effort at the marriage. She was only too willing to take his money. Did you see her expression in bed? LOL! She could have, um, applied herself a bit more.;-)"}, {"response": 32, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (20:08)", "body": "(suzee), He wants Irene - he is used to getting whatever he wants and he doesn't care how he gets her even if he has to buy her. If he were not so self-centered he might have realized that marriage would be a mistake. Nothing to do with it. Back then, men used to chose the women they wanted to marry. Some women as we\ufffdve seen with Irene would not have a choice. IMO, Irene should consider herself lucky to have married so well. She has an attitude and obviously has no intention of helping her marriage suceed. She doesn\ufffdt even want children. I don\ufffdt think Sloanes behaves well with Rupert Graves, but he treats Irene well. (Irene reminds me of spoiled Princess Diana). I too like Rupert Graves very much. (Mari), Nothing laudable about cheating on your wife (while she's in the house, no less!) And there's no honor in keeping your family piss poor just because you won't do anything but paint (poorly, I might add). It\ufffds what he knows! He was willing to humiliate himself and did try to get more money from Sloanes. I will always defend the gentleman of old I hope this isn't going to turn into one of these stories about how the rich people are all BAAAAAD, and the poor people are all noble and GOOOOOD.;-) Amen! (diane), Moon, I hope Ioan improves as the series goes on and converts you into a fan. I like him as Horatio very much. But He is miscast here. (Karen), I saw hypocrisy in his handling of his Winifred's settlement. Monty had no money but I believe does love Winifred. I agree! That was despicable! Winifred\ufffds father is worse. He sent the men to remove their furniture. I like W & M. Poor Monty is now left with making horse bets when he originally wanted to go into the family\ufffds construction business. If Monty is a bum it is because of those circumstances. Just because he's a philistine when it comes to art is no reason to reject him, IMO. And notice that their house if filled with expressionist paintings. Did he keep buying them to please her? Very likely. The family provided for the estraged wife and the child--what did Young Jolyon contribute to their support? The family was Jolyon\ufffds father. He has the money. The money also belongs to Jolyon (as the eventual sole heir), and as such they were supported. Jolyon is not a bum, he is a gentleman."}, {"response": 33, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (20:09)", "body": "(Karen)He hadn't, until his wife forced his hand. Would he have continued to love her from afar? I don't know. My problem is his abandonment of his daughter, June. He tells Frances that she(June) will be alright. Then after reading of his wife's death, he says again, that she will be alright. She will be the focus of her grandfather's life. What about him and his duty toward her. He never makes a move, not yet at least, to see her."}, {"response": 34, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (20:15)", "body": "What about him and his duty toward her. He never makes a move, not yet at least, to see her. When he leaves the house, he makes a choice. It was probably arranged this way. He realises that even if he had made an effort, he would have been turned down as he was with the money had asked for. Those were the Victorian times. We can not try to modernize them."}, {"response": 35, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (20:22)", "body": "Adulterer + Abandonment of Child + No Job = Bum ;-)"}, {"response": 36, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (21:04)", "body": "Adulterer + Abandonment of Child + No Job = Bum Am checking math as done in Victorian times. Comes out = Gentleman estranged from family ;-)"}, {"response": 37, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (21:18)", "body": "I just re-watched a little looking for clues to Irene's detachment from Soames, whoever observed that she originally seemed to encourage him, that's what I thought too. Looking out the window with the opera glasses at him walking along the pier, she almost smiled. Then, in what seemed to be exultation, she runs her fingers along the piano keys. But next we're watching the painting scene and I think this is huge. He wonders if it's not too modern, is it accomplished, would it look well in the hall? She gets a strong sense of the artist, his/her passionate feel for beauty and for life. The trees show a strong sense of life. She actually turns and walks away from Soames(an unmistakable psychological disconnect.) It is in (I believe) the next scene, she says \"clearly we are not suited\". Without appreciating the painting for its artistic merit, he bought it anyway. She says \"I do not wish to be bought.\" Small wonder the architect/artist seems to be able to elicit the response he does. BUT...(becoming longish)....she allowed herself to be bought...or was forced into it? (How pathetic was the scene in the rain? and what happened to the understanding, supportive \"Mrs. Gardiner\"?! And wasn't HER scene delicious as she engaged her dance partner only to find he too would pledge his troth and his $3000 to Irene?) I can't get past Irene's post-coital bathtub scene. No one has mentioned it yet. I did not get to re-watch that far yet. Was she making NO effort? I don't think this was supposed to be purely contraceptive, I felt it spoke more to her sense of violation. If she is supposed to be a tragic figure, she lost me there. And I'm still trying to figure out what was up with him and could water be any more a potent image in that scene?"}, {"response": 38, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (21:40)", "body": "There was an interesting piece on TFS in Sunday's New York Times. Some of it is a rehash of things we've read before but there's some new information too. Be warned that there are some spoilers: \"A Tale of Lust, Greed, and Other Familial Feelings\" by Ted Loos A ruthless, controlling family in which money and loyalty mean everything. An ill-tempered, sometimes violent husband and his despairing wife. A world where a code of silence and proscribed rituals dictate social behavior. These are the Soprano-like elements that make up \"The Forsyte Saga\", an eight-hour \"ExxonMobil Masterpiece Theater\" presentation about an upper-class family in late Victorian and Edwardian England. And starting tonight at 9, while Tony and Carmela are working out their problems on HBO, Soames Forsyte and his wife, Irene, will be doing much the same on Channel 13 and other PBS stations. \"The Forsyte Saga\" is based on the first two books of an immensely popular nine-book series by the British author John Galsworthy. (The novels, published between 1906 and 1934, were grouped into three trilogies: \"The Forsyte Saga,\" \"A Modern Comedy\" and \"The End of the Chapter.\") (ed. note - does that make each of the trilogies a three-volume novel? :-) \"It actually feels very modern, despite the fact that the first book was written almost 100 years ago,\" said Christopher Menaul, who directed the first half of the series. \"Maybe these long-running family stories are all the same at base. They all boil down to the same themes - lust, greed and all the usual things that make the world go round.\" Among the lustful are Soames Forsyte, the repressed young protagonist played by Damian Lewis; Irene Forsyte (Gina McKee), a beautiful and mysterious woman who attracts all the story's men (ed. note - the main mystery in my mind is WHY she attracts them); Soames's cousin Jolyon (Rupert Graves), a sensitive painter; and Philip Bosinney (Ioan Gruffudd), a dashing architect who romances two of the Forsyte women. This version of \"The Forsyte Saga,\" produced by WGBH and Granada Television, spans 34 years in the characters' lives. \"It's very difficult to adapt to film,\" said Jan McVerry, who wrote the script with Stephen Mallatratt. \"You have a huge amount of material which has to be condensed down to the absolute crux.\" The story includes a rape, a violent death and several affairs - the types of events the writers had grappled with before. \"One of the reasons they brought me an Stephen on board was that we had written soaps,\" said Ms. McVerry, who had worked with Mr. Mallatratt on the long-running British series, \"Coronation Street.\" \"We weren't afraid to tackle these big, bold stories.\" \"What interests me most,\" Ms. McVerry said of Galsworthy's epic, \"are the issues of people being trapped by class and by gender, and the whole theme of imprisonment.\" The title of the first novel, \"The Man of Property,\" sums up Soames Forsyte's obsession with convention, order, and ruthlessness in business - all thrown out of joint when he falls for a penniless beauty. \"Soames is a pedant,\" Mr. Lewis said of the character he plays. \"He's bigoted and fastidious and mean at times. But then he falls in love. It shows that whatever kind of human you are, love can strike you down.\" The series centers on Mr. Lewis's portrayal, but not the way the creators thought it would. \"On the page, he was just the man you love to hate,\" Mr. Menaul said. \"But Damian gave it this vulnerability and complexity. We were actually worried Soames was too sympathetic with Damian in the role.\" Soames and Irene, who marries him for money but then despises him, are like two negative magnets bound together, and \"The Forsyte Saga\" revolves around their dysfunctional relationship. \"There are arguably no sympathetic characters in the whole drama,\" Mr. Lewis said. \"Everyone is drive by self-interest.\" Irene emerges as an oddly enigmatic figure. \"Galsworthy tells you a huge amount about Soames. We know what he's feeling,\" said Ms. McKee. \"When he talks about Irene, it's always through someone else's eyes. We never know where she's really at. She's almost a figment of their imagination. And yet she's idolized by some of the characters.\" The creators tried to remain true to an era when small gestures had huge impact. \"It stays focused on the everyday lives of these characters,\" Mr. Lewis said of the production. \"The drama comes in a look - the way someone is crossed at a party. Or the way someone yearns for someone else. It's an intimate story that takes on an epic scale.\" But Mr. Menaul, who directed the first \"Prime Suspect\" on \"Masterpiece Theater\" in 1990, also wanted to avoid drawing room claustrophobia. \"When I was sent the scripts, I liked them, but they were very talky,\" he said. To \"open up\" the series and make it more cinematic, Mr. Menaul employed a Steadicam in one of the elaborate ballroom dancing sequences and moved some scenes outdoors. Many of the exteriors were shot in Liverpool because of its abundance o"}, {"response": 39, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (21:44)", "body": "(Barb S) I can't get past Irene's post-coital bathtub scene. No one has mentioned it yet. I did not get to re-watch that far yet. Was she making NO effort? I don't think this was supposed to be purely contraceptive, I felt it spoke more to her sense of violation. If she is supposed to be a tragic figure, she lost me there. Agreed. Perhaps a different actress could make us feel her pain. It felt like she was doing her best to prove that the marriage wasn't a success so she could hold him to his premarital promise."}, {"response": 40, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (21:59)", "body": "(Karen)Am checking math as done in Victorian times. Comes out = Gentleman estranged from family ;-) LOL! \"On the page, he was just the man you love to hate,\" Mr. Menaul said. \"But Damian gave it this vulnerability and complexity. We were actually worried Soames was too sympathetic with Damian in the role.\" Aha! Good article, Rika, thanks. DL is such an amazing actor, IMO. To me, it's richer this way. DL's Soames is not a boo-hiss villain, but a mix of attributes. Like real people in real life. Who needs another JR Ewing?;-) (Barb)Was she making NO effort? I don't think this was supposed to be purely contraceptive, I felt it spoke more to her sense of violation. Interesting thought, Barb. IMO, she made no effort whatsoever, thereby compounding her own misery."}, {"response": 41, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (22:05)", "body": "he is used to getting whatever he wants and he doesn't care how he gets her even if he has to buy her. If he were not so self-centered he might have realized that marriage would be a mistake. (Moon)Nothing to do with it. Back then, men used to chose the women they wanted to marry It had everything to do with it. Men of a certain class were expected to choose the proper wife, yes. Not always one specific woman. Some of them even married for love - gasp!!! Even in this story! Soames became obsessed with Irene probably partly because she was the first thing he ever wanted that didn't come easily. I re-watched a few scenes earlier tonight about Soames and Irene - she did smile at him early on and she smiled appropriately (as girls were taught to do) when she first danced with him. But she walked away as soon as the music ended. Then she immediately told her step-mom that she didn't want to marry someone she did not love - she did not wish to be \"bought;\" she told her at the art exhibit that she and Soames were not \"suited\" to one another; she turned down Soames next offer to dance, saying she would rather not and she was clearly repulsed by the glove/arm kiss. Step-mom continually told her she was selfish and had to marry and threatened to abandon her. When Soames asked her to marry him the last time, he said, \"Will you be mine?\" and she pointedly replied, \"I will marry you.\" We are not shown the first 2 years of the marriage, but when it picks up, she isn't really trying, I agree. Probably a lot easier to smile nicely at someone you don't want to be dancing with than to smile and pretend wh le having sex with someone you dislike LOL (Mari)there's no honor in keeping your family piss poor just because you won't do anything but paint (Moon)It's what he knows! He was willing to humiliate himself and did try to get more money from Sloanes. (lindaK) My problem is his abandonment of his daughter I don't like the fact that he left his daughter either, but I don't think he had a choice about seeing her after he left. He was banned from his father's house. Now that he has reconciled with his father, maybe he will see the daughter. I was confused about Young Jolyon's income so I also watched those scenes again. When he is talking to his father at the club about leaving and the father offers to continue to send him part of his allowance, he turns Old Jolyon down, saying to give the money to the wife and daughter for their needs. When the father asks what he'll do for money, he says he'll get a job. So he did the right thing then. And when he went to the trustees including Soames, he was asking for money from his trust fund left by their grandfather. Apparently he was receiving the interest yearly from the trust, but in order to withdraw from the capital, he had to have permission from the trustees. He wanted to use part of that to buy a larger home and that was what Soames refused to release. Plus, all that time he thought he was earning money by selling those paintings - he just didn't know his father was the one buying them. He wasn't perfect, but overall he was trying to do the right thing. I don't think this will be a rich=bad and poor=good show. Already there are some very likable \"richies\" - Old Jolyon for one and even Aunt Ann (loved her \"you were expecting some\" [of your features]? comment about the baby. I like Monty and Winifred a lot - loved the entire scene at the dance and the conversation about whiskers - depends on \"where they tickle\" - so funny. But I didn't get that the father was behind the removal of the possessions from their house. I thought it was just the people Monty owed. Do we learn later that the father was behind it?"}, {"response": 42, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct  7, 2002 (22:30)", "body": "(Mari) Monty is a bum. No job, was depending on papa's wealth to get his start.. This was typical of the times and the class struction. Have we forgotten Col Fitzwilliam, the dilemma of the second son, et al.? Their circumstances of their class did not allow them to work and it was perfectly acceptable for men to marry for money. If he were such a bum, he could've jilted her when he was told she wouldn't come with a settlement. Monty was treated like a child by her family. (Mari) But I think Soames had a right to expect that Irene would at least make an honest effort at the marriage. Sure but as the Victorian math shows: Man who marries cold fish who recoils from his touch = fool ;-) [the glove scene] (Linda) What about him and his duty toward her. He never makes a move, not yet at least, to see her [June] I'm sure those were the terms dictated by his family, as Moon also said. It was done for the child's benefit, for her future well-being. (Barb) It is in (I believe) the next scene, she says \"clearly we are not suited\". Good catch, Barb! However, using Mari's measures, quite a few people here should be staying in separate bedrooms from their husbands because they don't enjoy the same movies, books, television shows, sports teams and hide their interest in CF, etc. ;-) (Barb) I don't think this was supposed to be purely contraceptive, I felt it spoke more to her sense of violation. From what I've heard, this was not in the book. But I'd go with purely contraceptive as the motive to ensure that she wouldn't have anything (i.e., like children) to bind her to Soames in the event she wanted out. Her freedom was more important to her. Children would complicate things. Thanks for the NYT article, Rika."}, {"response": 43, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (00:34)", "body": "Great job ladies. Watched last night and enjoyed very much. Can't ad anything to comments already made as you have touched all the bases. Irene knew what she was getting into. I think Soames honestly thought he would be able to win her over. And is beginning to realize this is not going to happen. IMO Irene just detests him. She can't tolerate his touch. Obviously does not care to have any children by him, and also feels violated by him with sex. Obviously she is planning to get out IMO. Just thought she cared enough for June not to get involved with Bossiny. So now Soames is going to isolate her, albeit in extreme magnificance in the country. He's no fool. He see's the attraction between her and Bossiney, he comments that she doesn't laugh with him the way she does with Bossiney and he asks her if she finds him attractive and she says yes. Great point about employing Bossiny to give him the money to marry June, thinking this will abet their attraction. Good stuff, looking forward to Sunday."}, {"response": 44, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (03:36)", "body": "The \"water scene\" is very hard to figure because not only were women taught that this could prevent pregnancy,they often were taught that they were \"unclean\" after sex and this was standard procedure to cleanse themselves. This was at least as late as the 1930's,1940's (or later - I can't remember exact dates that I have read but I think the idea of \"cleansing\" may have lasted longer than the birth control aspect). If that's not enough, for part of that time it was believed that women were unclean and must \"wash\" themselves with this procedure prior to sex or they would be too unclean to become pregnant. How Soames and all that water he was drinking fit into this equation is the question! ;-)"}, {"response": 45, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (04:05)", "body": "(NY Times)Irene emerges as an oddly enigmatic figure. \"Galsworthy tells you a huge amount about Soames. We know what he's feeling,\" said Ms. McKee. \"When he talks about Irene, it's always through someone else's eyes. We never know where she's really at. She's almost a figment of their imagination. And yet she's idolized by some of the characters.\" McKee's performance seems to fit this perfectly so far.(Thanks for posting, Rika) I just discovered that the text of the book is online as part of Project Gutenberg: http://ibiblio.org/gutenberg/etext03/fsaga10.txt Gutenberg multiplexer: http://digital.library.upenn.edu/webbin/gutbook/lookup?num=4397 Also,there is a radio interview with Gillian Kearney here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/01_04_02/thursday/info3.shtml"}, {"response": 46, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (07:11)", "body": "Am absolutely petrified to read this thread. I know there are spoilers in it and I don't know if it shown yet in Australia. But I have heard the name. See what happens when you don't watch TV and you haven't a clue what's going on? Is it being shown down here?? Anyone know?"}, {"response": 47, "author": "annea", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (08:52)", "body": "(Lisa) Is it being shown down here?? Anyone know? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yes, TFS has been and gone - it was shown on the ABC over 6 consecutive weeks and finished about 2 weeks ago. Shame that you missed it."}, {"response": 48, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (09:17)", "body": "(suzee) But I didn't get that the father was behind the removal of the possessions from their house.... I didn't get that either. The recognition on the street as the movers drove past with the household goods was explained when he said he \"used them too\" which sounded like it added to his embarrassment. (suzee)...not only were women taught that this could prevent pregnancy,they often were taught that they were \"unclean\" after sex and this was standard procedure to cleanse themselves. That might help explain it. Clearly he wanted children so I wondered why he would lay there either oblivious to what she was doing or not caring. If it was SOP, it makes more sense. Gah! How heartless and cold...not even a little snuggle?! (Not that she would have wanted it!)"}, {"response": 49, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (09:45)", "body": "A woman being \"unclean\" has its roots in the bible, but mainly relates to following a period or preparing oneself to get married. \"Vaginal irrigation - 'douching' - probably originated in prehistory. But at least from the latter part of the 19th, and well into the 20th, centuries, douching became common, in step with wide-spread Victorian fears of odor and of the body in general. In the American Sears, Roebuck & Company catalogs from this century, a woman could pick from many different models of apparatus.\" Pictures here: http://www.mum.org/DoucheAu.htm (including one that looks like Irene's contraption) There are numerous papers up on the net dealing with Victorian women's health issues. Since coitus interruptus or condoms were not possible in Irene's case, she would've used one of the more common methods, as described: \"From the 1830s on, newspapers carried advertisements for \"female syringes\" with the purpose of douching as a method of contraception. The syringes were typically sold along with certain chemicals that killed sperm, such as alum, or sulphate of zinc and iron.\""}, {"response": 50, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (11:45)", "body": "But I didn't get that the father was behind the removal of the possessions from their house. I thought it was just the people Monty owed. Do we learn later that the father was behind it? There is a shot of Winnifred's father walking to her house where we see him greet the creditors who are driving away with the furniture. That greeting spoke volumes. Will be back with more time."}, {"response": 51, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (12:23)", "body": "(Moon)Poor Monty is now left with making horse bets when he originally wanted to go into the family?s construction business. If Monty is a bum it is because of those circumstances. Parents had to subsidize any son-in-laws livelihood? I'd have to see that in print. (Moon) The family was Jolyon?s father. He has the money. The money also belongs to Jolyon (as the eventual sole heir), and as such they were supported. Jolyon is not a bum,he is a gentleman. He is also a leech. (Mari)Adulterer + Abandonment of Child + No Job = Bum Agree. I know it's Victorian times, but has morality changed since then? Ten commandments (read: adultery) didn't apply in Victorian times??? But I didn't get that the father was behind the removal of the possessions from their house.I thought it was just the people Monty owed. Do we learn later that the father was behind it? I'd have to see that in print. NYTimes: Damien Lewis: \"There are arguably no sympathetic characters in the whole drama,\" Mr. Lewis said.\"Everyone is drive by self-interest.\" Amen. BTW anyone catch the front entrance of \"Pemberley\" in the first few scenes? Where Mr Darcy came down to talk to Lizzie and the Gardiners. *sigh*"}, {"response": 52, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (13:18)", "body": "(Evelyn) Ten commandments (read: adultery) didn't apply in Victorian imes??? He is also a leech. Okay, he was an adulterer. But how is he a leech? He refused his allowance, turning it over to his wife and child, he was painting and selling his paintings, he had a private income (the interest on his inheritance from his grandfather) and when his father assumes he must be in debt after all the years on his own and asks, he says no, he is not in debt. BTW, in the book it further explains that he uses part of his inheritance to join Lloyd's as an underwriter (don't think this is clear in the series so far)."}, {"response": 53, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (13:50)", "body": "(Barb) The recognition on the street as the movers drove past with the household goods was explained when he said he \"used them too\" which sounded like it added to his embarrassment. Exactly, he was appalled that they had been called to repossess property from a place in *his* name. The greeting on the street was of professional recognition and I think the repo men were having a private chuckle at his expense. Rather than speak to morality, I think mores would be better. When OJ is talking to his son YJ at the club, when YG is going to leave his wife, OJ doesn't even hint around that there are \"other\" ways of dealing with the situation, i.e., keep Helene as a mistress. Morality be damned. The mores of the period would countenance such an arrangement. Much later, OJ mentions that June is just like her mother, when IMO, she is just like her father. Love and passion mean everything to her, but honesty about one's feelings is foremost. Notice the advice she gives Irene when told about their separate rooms. She tells Irene to leave him. I really do like the Jolyon F side of the family best. True, OJ is feeling his own mortality after Aunt Ann dies, but it's like part of his heart was cut out when he felt he had to cut his son off. I've watched the courtship again. Sorry, no sympathy from me for any of them. I do not suffer fools easily."}, {"response": 54, "author": "Saskia", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (15:06)", "body": "My thoughts on Gina McKee's performance are this: She is playing Irene Heron Forsyte as a cypher or perhaps a prism; a reflecting and refracting surface in which the men besotted with her see what they choose to see or maybe even better versions of themselves. Perhaps McKee and the director view Irene in more \"modern\", or perhaps more aptly \"post-modern\", terms than Galsworthy created her. Is she an intense and artistic woman thwarted from the pursuit of an artistically creative life? Is she the beautiful possession of a rich man who, on some level, views being married to her as an expression of his wealth, and more powerfully, his virility? Or neither? Someone else entirely? As for her look, I find her quite aristocratic in her appearance, reminding me a bit of both Anjelica Houston and Nicole Kidman. McKee is tall, slender, with ivory black hair and porcelain-pale skin. She is in many ways, visually, the polar opposite of Nyree Dawn Porter, who played Irene in the earlier television version of The Forsyte Saga , who was petite, blond and voluptuous. Galsworthy described Irene as being a blond goddess. It been about five years since I've read the books for a lit course, so I might not remember correctly. Quite enough of me rambling on to no end. I am not Australian. Nor do I live there. Those statements will make more sense if you read on. This is a review I found on the web. It's from about 2 months ago when the series ran in Australia. It explores the power of television, in that it asserts that the oringinal is the 26 part BBC series and not John Galsworthy's series of 9 novels. New saga's novel touch By Sarah Crompton August 15 2002 Television adaptations of Dickens, Austen, and Trollope come and go with monotonous regularity, but The Forsyte Saga stands alone. Made by the BBC in 1967, it looms unique, preserved in black and white, an inviolate beacon of excellence. Now, the British production house Granada has spent $18 million on a new view of John Galsworthy's epic trilogy about the effects of sex, money and power on the lives of an upper-middle-class family. In six 90 minute parts, they take the family from the 1870s to the birth of Fleur in 1901. A second series, based on the third novel, will be made this year. It's a grand undertaking. You can imagine the producer's irritation, then, when all the questions at the launch I attended concerned not the handsome opening episode we had just seen, but comparisons with \"the original\". The original in this case is not the books. Poor old Galsworthy may in his day have won the Nobel prize for literature, but now he is just a footnote in televisual history - the begetter of the most popular classic serial of all time. This is no exaggeration. One hundred million people in 26 countries saw Donald Wilson's version of the saga. It was not the first literary adaptation on TV, but it was longer and more ambitious than anything screened before, and it has come to represent every standard to which British TV has aspired ever since. When you watch it on video now, what is striking is not the oldfashioned production - live acting in 20 minute takes on cramped and illlit sets - or even that the performances are sometimes magnificent (step forward Eric Porter as Soames Forsyte and Fay Compton as Aunt Ann), and sometimes only barely competent (Nyree Dawn Porter sobbing in her negligee). No, what hit me is the boldness with which Wilson and his team of writers handled Galsworthy's text. The adaptation is exciting and radical in ways we have all but forgotten. Although Wilson had wanted to put the novels on screen for years, the then head of BBC drama, Sydney Newman, doubted whether a \"costume piece\" would appeal to popular taste in the Swinging Sixties. Presumably with this in mind, Wilson's version is acutely nonreverential - he alters his source material for dramatic effect, inventing conversations and scenes, such as the death of young Jolyon's first wife, Frances, in a grisly hunting accident. The serialisation seizes on Galsworthy's central, searing notion - the almost tragic desperation of Soames, who falls in love with a woman who will not love him - and shapes everything around that, preserving some details, abandoning others, but at all times respecting Galsworthy's examination of what it means to have property and propriety. In so doing, Wilson, who died this year at the age of 91, did something much more dramatic and important than simply transposing a wellloved novel on to television. He made it into a confection for television, simultaneously more \"soaplike\" and more direct than its source material. Its greatness - and even after all these years it is still great - is intrinsic in itself, and not a result of fidelity to the text. In this sense, the current doyen of British literary adaptation, Andrew Davies, so often criticised for taking creative liberties with the classics, is Wilson's direct heir. Ironically, the version of The Forsyte Saga that Stephen"}, {"response": 55, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (15:22)", "body": "Thank you for your take on Irene and the article. it asserts that the oringinal is the 26 part BBC series and not John Galsworthy's series of 9 novels. Hmm, I didn't get that from the article. Yes, there were comparisons between the original TV series and the new one, but Galsworthy's novels are mentioned throughout, with each series' faithfulness to the original novels assessed."}, {"response": 56, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (15:52)", "body": "(Suzee)I don't like the fact that he left his daughter either, but I don't think he had a choice about seeing her after he left. He was banned from his father's house. My point is that I am questioning the values of someone who would abaondon his young child to go off with his lover. It was either/or, all or nothing, and he chose the lover. Bum.;-) (Karen)This was typical of the times and the class struction. Have we forgotten Col Fitzwilliam, the dilemma of the second son, et al.? Their circumstances of their class did not allow them to work I'm aware of that, and at the same time I'm criticizing it. \"I'll just prostitute myself for the sake of money because, after all, I am a gentleman and can't work.\" ;-) ;-) However, using Mari's measures, quite a few people here should be staying in separate bedrooms from their husbands because they don't enjoy the same movies, books, television shows, sports teams and hide their interest in CF, etc. ;-) Huh? (Suzee)Soames became obsessed with Irene probably partly because she was the first thing he ever wanted that didn't come easily. I didn't get that impression from these 2 episodes. He loves her from the first moment and, early on, she encourages him--or at least does not discourage him. When she finally rejects him, somehting like 9 months passes before they meet again. If he were single-minded in his pursuit of her--and saw her merely as a challenge to be won--he would have continued pursuing her during the 9 months."}, {"response": 57, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (15:54)", "body": "(E) He is also a leech. (Suzee)Okay, he was an adulterer. But how is he a leech? Jolyon is the adulterer. His brother in law, Montague is the leech."}, {"response": 58, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (16:04)", "body": "(Evelyn) BTW anyone catch the front entrance of \"Pemberley\" in the first few scenes? Where Mr Darcy came down to talk to Lizzie and the Gardiners. Really?? Missed that - I hope I haven't taped over it yet. (Suzee) The \"water scene\" is very hard to figure because not only were women taught that this could prevent pregnancy,they often were taught that they were \"unclean\" after sex and this was standard procedure to cleanse themselves. Am I remembering correctly that Irene flinched and looked frightened when she heard the water flask fall to the floor in the other room? That, combined with her whole attitude, made me think that she didn't want Soames to know what she was doing, which suggested that her primary motive was contraception."}, {"response": 59, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (16:53)", "body": "(me) However, using Mari's measures, quite a few people here should be staying in separate bedrooms from their husbands because they don't enjoy the same movies, books, television shows, sports teams and hide their interest in CF, etc. ;-) (Mari) Huh? You pinpointed the only reason we've been given for Irene's extreme dislike of Soames: \"Just because he's a philistine when it comes to art is no reason to reject him, IMO.\" It makes no sense to me, just as it doesn't to you. That she doesn't love him doesn't require explanation. One either does or does not. But her extreme dislike and the lengths she goes to offend him make her a character I cannot accept. Another fictional beauty who married for money and social position come to mind: Rebecca DeWynter. She put up a great front, while detesting Maxim, and had no sexual relations with him. She had everyone fooled. Irene has no one fooled, except Soames who is living in Cloud Cuckooland. ;-)"}, {"response": 60, "author": "ceirdre", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (17:24)", "body": "By chance I saw that a Forsyte Saga discussion has recently begun here. I haven\ufffdt seen the TV mini-series so. In fact I watch very little TV. But I have actually read the books a couple of years ago and still remember some of it. This is a chronicle of an influential family dynasty, taking place in the transition period from Victoria era into modern age. In short this is a drama of passion, obsession, deceit, power and money. The characters are not one-dimensional; they are all self-centred and have plenty of flaws. Does it sound familiar? Even if one at first does not like Soames or Irene, as the story progresses, they become, if not sympathetic characters, at least merely human. Soames is both reprehensible and tragic in his obsession for his wife. While Irene, a remote and kind of enigmatic beauty, marries, after pressure, to a man she feels repulsion. In the book it says that she refused him five times. Of course, the marriage is faded to disaster\ufffd Be prepared for surprises!"}, {"response": 61, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (17:44)", "body": "(Barb) The recognition on the street as the movers drove past with the household goods was explained when he said he \"used them too\" which sounded like it added to his embarrassment. I watched this again, too. (What did we do before video!) James does at first appear to be tipping his cane and sharing a laugh with the movers until you see his reaction at the house. Plus, later Winifred tells Monte that her father will bail him out which would make no sense if James was the one taking everything away. (Karen)I really do like the Jolyon F side of the family best. True, OJ is feeling his own mortality after Aunt Ann dies, but it's like part of his heart was cut out when he felt he had to cut his son off. I agree. I think, perhaps, Winifred has a bit of OJ in her - but the genes from that side of the family seem to have skipped right over Soames. (s)Soames became obsessed with Irene (Mari) I didn't get that impression from these 2 episodes. He loves her from the first moment and, early on, she encourages him--or at least does not discourage him. When she finally rejects him, somehting like 9 months passes before they meet again. If he were single-minded in his pursuit of her--and saw her merely as a challenge to be won--he would have continued pursuing her during the 9 months. (Karen)I've watched the courtship again. Sorry, no sympathy from me for any of them. I do not suffer fools easily Fools all - Irene, Soames and the stepmother,too. I still think Soames is blindly obsessed with Irene. I give Irene a little more rope than the others only because she tries to resist and because as a woman without money or real family she has no options at all. She does very quickly try to discourage him. I still like the glove/arm/kiss equation and even before that, she really jerks that hand away when he tries to hold it. What was Soames thinking! -\"Cloud Cuckooland,\" indeed! You're right Mari, there is a break in the story after the dance but I had the impression that he kept \"trying\" all that time because of the step-mother's comments in the first scene after, plus when he joins Irene at the table I think he says he's sorry to be late. And, I have trouble calling what he felt for Irene \"love.\" BTW, the preface for the online book has Galsworthy's take on Irene and Soames. It's very interesting, but be careful if you read it - there is a huge spoiler. (Mari)My point is that I am questioning the values of someone who would abaondon his young child to go off with his lover. It was either/or, all or nothing, and he chose the lover. Bum.;-) Well, Young Jolyon has a rather cute \"bum\" - I'll give you that. LOL"}, {"response": 62, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (18:12)", "body": "(Rika) Am I remembering correctly that Irene flinched and looked frightened when she heard the water flask fall to the floor in the other room? That, combined with her whole attitude, made me think that she didn't want Soames to know what she was doing, which suggested that her primary motive was contraception She was definitely startled. My first reaction was that she had made it through the sex she hated, thought she had escaped him for some privacy and was afraid he might be coming near the bathroom. (Karen) That she doesn't love him doesn't require explanation. One either does or does not. But her extreme dislike and the lengths she goes to offend him make her a character I cannot accept Proper etiquette required that she smile and treat him politely when he was courting her but I think almost from the very beginning he was just someone who made her skin crawl. But if she decided to marry him, then she should have also decided that she could treat him civilly after marriage. I wonder if the book tells anything about the first two years of marriage and how it was between them then. (I've read only the first two chapters.)"}, {"response": 63, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (18:38)", "body": ""}, {"response": 64, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (18:41)", "body": "closing tags, sorry."}, {"response": 65, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (18:44)", "body": "Trying again. (Karen), using Mari's measures, quite a few people here should be staying in separate bedrooms from their husbands because they don't enjoy the same movies, books, television shows, sports teams and hide their interest in CF, etc. ;-) ROTF! Not a ladylike thing to do. ;-) (Mari)My point is that I am questioning the values of someone who would abaondon his young child to go off with his lover. It was either/or, all or nothing, and he chose the lover. Bum.;-) It's drama, it's passion, it's life. I wonder what he saw in his wife to begin with. And, as suzee said, Young Jolyon has a rather cute \"bum\" \"I'll just prostitute myself for the sake of money because, after all, I am a gentleman and can't work.\" ;-) ;-) Now you are having him have all the fun. ;-) (Karen), That she doesn't love him doesn't require explanation. One either does or does not. But her extreme dislike and the lengths she goes to offend him make her a character I cannot accept. I agree! (suzee), later Winifred tells Monte that her father will bail him out which would make no sense if James was the one taking everything away. So she says, but that is still to be seen. (suzee), How Soames and all that water he was drinking fit into this equation is the question! ;-) Too funny! I will have to take notice."}, {"response": 66, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (19:25)", "body": "(Suzee) because as a woman without money or real family she has no options at all. She would if she had any integrity. Her marriage was high -class prostitution..plainly she's a gold-digger. The film is based on the book....stands on its own. Different medium than the book."}, {"response": 67, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (21:37)", "body": "(Rika)made me think that she didn't want Soames to know what she was doing, which suggested that her primary motive was contraception I agree, but my take is that she loathes him, loathes sexual relations with him, and their marriage. I think she is cleansing herself of all those things."}, {"response": 68, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (22:09)", "body": "(suzee) I give Irene a little more rope than the others only because she tries to resist and because as a woman without money or real family she has no options at all. I've not been able to let her off the hook so easily. Certainly she had few options, but work WAS one of them, as vile as it might sound. Ellen (sp?) certainly made a go of it as a governess. Is there something I missed that this would have been so WAAAAY below Irene that it was just not to be considered? And coming back to the fact she accepted Soames...she had to have gone into it with the expectation that there would be expectations on her. Conjugal relations and child-bearing come to mind. The loathing and martyrdom she is portraying are not supported by any reason we've been made to understand. And she's about to snatch up her friend's fiance. Why, if it were not Ioan Gruffudd doing Bosinney, I think the whole thing would make me just too mad to even watch. I guess I shall have to force myself and make the best of it ;-)"}, {"response": 69, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (22:37)", "body": "LOL, Barb! (Suzee) because as a woman without money or real family she has no options at all. (Evelyn), She would if she had any integrity. Her marriage was high -class prostitution..plainly she's a gold-digger. You are too hard on her Evelyn. I agree with suzee. Her mistake is not making an effort to like her husband. Irene was brought up well, like a lady. She plays the piano beautifully and has artistic leanings."}, {"response": 70, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (22:44)", "body": "(Suzee) Young Jolyon has a rather cute \"bum\" Off to rewind that tape. Did I miss this? ;-) (Barb) Certainly she had few options, but work WAS one of them, as vile as it might sound... Is there something I missed that this would have been so WAAAAY below Irene that it was just not to be considered? I don't believe so. Her father was only a professor. She wasn't so high class that working would be below her. I have no respect for Irene's actions. In fact, she looks more mercenary in my mind than Monty (or any of the other leeches). She gives him (false) hope that she *might* come to love him when she tells him that she would accept. But she has no intention of allowing herself to make a good marriage. Her post-coital activities show that. Children would bind them together, giving the appearance of a \"successful\" marriage. If she only wanted to avoid having relations with Soames, becoming pregnant would be the perfect excuse. She'd be incapacitated for months and then could beg off for longer after the fact. ;-)"}, {"response": 71, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Oct  8, 2002 (23:49)", "body": "I re-watched the first episode tonight and DH watched part of it with me. He was very unimpressed with Gina McKee and started snickering every time one of the Forsytes would mention how beautiful Irene was. But I did notice that she's much more attractive when she smiles - it's just that she almost never does. I've found myself wondering how much Soames and Irene's marriage is like Elizabeth and Darcy's would have been had she accepted his first proposal. I think that both Lizzy and Darcy would have behaved better, but they both learned lessons by taking the long path, without which they would have had some major problems in a marriage."}, {"response": 72, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Wed, Oct  9, 2002 (01:31)", "body": "(Evelyn)Her marriage was high-class prostitution..plainly she's a gold-digger If her marriage was prostitution so were many, many other marriages of that era. It was more the norm than not to make an effort to \"marry well.\" But I don't think Irene was the gold digger, I think that was her step-mom who had her hands firmly planted on Irene's back pushing her into that marriage. (Barb)Is there something I missed that this would have been so WAAAAY below Irene that it was just not to be considered? (Karen) I don't believe so. Her father was only a professor. (Moon) Irene was brought up well, like a lady. She plays the piano beautifully and has artistic leanings Her father was a professor, but it does seem obvious that she was brought up for \"better things.\" Some of her conversations with the stepmother seemed to indicate that she was definitely not prepared to work for a living. She was probably still in shock from the loss of her father and the life she had with him."}, {"response": 73, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Oct  9, 2002 (07:36)", "body": "Damn! Wouldn't you know it? Now that Anna (thanks) posted about this just finishing in Australia I remember seeing it. I think it was on right after Edwardian House. But, *gasp* it looked dull and I would go clean up the kitchen instead of watching it! :(((("}, {"response": 74, "author": "ceirdre", "date": "Wed, Oct  9, 2002 (08:31)", "body": "(Suzee) I wonder if the book tells anything about the first two years of marriage and how it was between them then. (I've read only the first two chapters.) As far as I remember it does not tell much, except in fragmentary comments and thoughts. But it seems to me that their relationship was not any different from the typical marriage of convenience in those days. She submitted to the marital \ufffdduties\ufffd, but kept herself detached, frustrating him. .\ufffd *His business-like temperament protested against a mysterious warning that she was not made for him. He had married this woman, conquered her, made her his own, and it seemed to him contrary to the most fundamental of all laws, the law of possession, that he could do no more than own her body \ufffd.* But he did so want own her soul."}, {"response": 75, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct  9, 2002 (10:03)", "body": "(Evelyn), She would if she had any integrity. Her marriage was high -class prostitution..plainly she's a gold-digger. (Moon)You are too hard on her Evelyn. I agree with suzee. Her mistake is not making an effort to like her husband. Irene was brought up well, like a lady. She plays the piano beautifully and has artistic leanings. The latter still does not give one integrity. (Suzee) If her marriage was prostitution so were many, many other marriages of that era. It was more the norm than not to make an effort to \"marry well.\" True. But they didn't go on sabotaging the relationship. Hey, Charlotte made it with Mr. Collins. Now, that girl had a stategy;-) (Suzee) But I don't think Irene was the gold digger, I think that was her step-mom who had her hands firmly planted on Irene's back pushing her into that marriage. Irene's step-mother was a gold-digger too!Bemoaning the fact that the ole man only left them 100 Pounds a year.Besides, she wanted Irene out of the way because she was interferring with her own suitors."}, {"response": 76, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct  9, 2002 (11:35)", "body": "Now, don't read on ahead, but I found this Damien Lewis website that has done episode recaps, with commentary on various scenes. Definitely read the right-hand column. The subject titles are a scream (certainly much like we would have for ODB) and I loved the description of DL's look after he tries kissing her arm in public as \"constipated.\" LOL! I thought the same. BTW, it is very evident that the content of each episode as shown in the US is not the same as in the UK. Our little PBS has no doubt been editing out scenes to make room for the patronizing commentary of Russell Baker. Blech! http://www.chgoredhead2001.com/DamianLewis/ForsyteRecaps/Ep1.html"}, {"response": 77, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct  9, 2002 (12:01)", "body": "Suzee mentioned earlier about the book's preface, which is online, and has huge spoilers in it. I found Galsworthy's comments quite interesting: The figure of Irene, never, as the reader may possibly have observed, present, except through the senses of other characters, is a concretion of disturbing Beauty impinging on a possessive world. One has noticed that readers, as they wade on through the salt waters of the Saga, are inclined more and more to pity Soames, and to think that in doing so they are in revolt against the mood of his creator. Far from it! He, too, pities Soames, the tragedy of whose life is the very simple, uncontrollable tragedy of being unlovable, without quite a thick enough skin to be thoroughly unconscious of the fact. Not even Fleur loves Soames as he feels he ought to be loved. But in pitying Soames, readers incline, perhaps, to animus against Irene: After all, they think, he wasn't a bad fellow, it wasn't his fault; she ought to have forgiven him, and so on! And, taking sides, they lose perception of the simple truth, which underlies the whole story, that where sex attraction is utterly and definitely lacking in one partner to a union, no amount of pity, or reason, or duty, or what not, can overcome a repulsion implicit in Nature. Whether it ought to, or no, is beside the point; because in fact it never does. And where Irene seems hard and cruel, as in the Bois de Boulogne, or the Goupenor Gallery, she is but wisely realistic--knowing that the least concession is the inch which precedes the impossible, the repulsive ell. Ya see? Even Galsworthy says that Soames is \"unlovable.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 78, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Oct  9, 2002 (12:49)", "body": "a repulsion implicit in Nature. Ah. Matter and anti-matter. Stripes and solids. Sandals and socks. Soames and Irene. Just because. Can't fight karma. At first I thought it too easy an answer, but I'm at work and it does not take much looking around to identify my own Soames (high repulsion factor.) --------->this is me sliding over (just a little) to the \"poor Irene\" camp. (OK, did I do the \"greater than\" thing right? Hope I don't wreck the board)"}, {"response": 79, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Oct  9, 2002 (13:10)", "body": "So glad Mari directed me here. I am loving The Saga, eps one and two. Here is this week's New Yorker review. So many reviewers in the UK and here did not like Gina McKee. A friend of mine noted that it is the women reviewers who did not like her performance more so than the male ones. I thought she captured so well, in body and face as she climbed the stairs, that awful experience of having to go to bed with someone you despise. I love Montague Dartie! Must look up more on Ben Miles. Does anyone think Amanda Root looked a little old for the younger Winifred? Of course, since Persuasion, she can do no wrong in my eyes. And young Jolie's hair, Louisa!!! ****************************************** PORTRAIT OF A MARRIAGE by HILTON ALS \"The Forsyte Saga\" revisited. Issue of 2002-10-14 and 21 Posted 2002-10-07 As Irene Forsyte, in the new, eight-part Masterpiece Theatre version of \"The Forsyte Saga\" (based on the first two books of the trilogy by the Nobel Prize-winning novelist John Galsworthy), Gina McKee calls the term \"Galsworthian pale\" to mind. It's an invented phrase, but apt, when it comes to describing both the coolness of McKee's temperament and the white, white skin that she wears like an alabaster shield-to protect her against the brutal physical and psychological demands of her husband, Soames Forsyte (Damian Lewis). McKee, who played Hugh Grant's wheelchair-bound ex-girlfriend in the 1999 film \"Notting Hill,\" and a waitress in search of love in the same year's \"Wonderland,\" must have exercised an extraordinary amount of discipline to flatten and mute her colorful modern edge; here she delivers a masterly performance as a woman trapped in the upper-class fiction of Victorian respectability, dying for the truth. She is just what Galsworthy (whom Virginia Woolf once called a \"stuffed shirt\") must have been getting at when he first envisioned Irene. In his cooked-up prose, he writes, \"The gods had given Irene dark brown eyes and golden hair, that strange combination, provocative of men's glances.\" He goes on, \"The full, soft pallor of her neck and shoulders, above a gold-colored frock, gave to her personality an alluring strangeness.\" In McKee, that \"strangeness\" comes out in her rare, slow, and deliberate enunciation; her internal life, her search for love outside her empty marriage, keeps her mostly silent as she watches desperately for an escape route. You sense that if she were to open her mouth she'd start to scream and never stop. When we are first introduced to Irene in \"The Forsyte Saga\"-the first installment aired on PBS on October 6th-she is living with her stepmother, Mrs. Heron (Joanna David), in Bournemouth. Irene is a middle-class provincial girl with few prospects for a successful marriage (she does not have an impressive dowry). She has been trained, as many young women at the time were, to be \"at home.\" Her natural intelligence, sensitivity, and wit all go into her efforts to perfect her skills as a pianist. The rest she blocks out: her grief over her father's death, her stepmother's dreary clucking about cash and position, and, eventually, the unwelcome attentions of a young London solicitor, Soames Forsyte. Stiff-necked, stiff-lipped, and with stiff red hair, Soames is the beloved child of the Forsyte family and the heir apparent not only to its fortune but also to its long-standing imperialist ideals-maintain order at all costs, bear your burdens lightly, and keep the class distinctions clear. His cousin Young Jolyon (the sweet-faced Rupert Graves), who is first in line to the Forsyte throne, has been virtually disinherited, having left his wife and his daughter, June, for June's governess, Helene (Amanda Ooms). Soames's sister, Winifred (Amanda Root), has married a bounder and a cad named Montague Dartie (the suitably creepy Ben Miles). In the huge extended family, then, Soames is the only truly \"correct\" Forsyte. The melodrama of Galsworthy's trilogy filled twenty-six episodes in the first adaptation of \"The Forsyte Saga,\" which aired in the United States in 1969, and was, at the time, the most ambitious series of its kind. Its power, as I recall, lay in its ability to persuade American viewers to give in to their closet Anglophilia. Since then, however, Americans have picked up another white man's burden-Tony Soprano's-and the flushed cheeks, the rustlings of silk, the tinkling of servants' bells that adorned the decline of an Empire would make precious little sense now if the producer of the new series, Sita Williams, had not incorporated some critical distance into the enterprise. Without sacrificing narrative-or the superficial thrill to be got out of simply examining the gleaming objects on Irene Forsyte's dressing table-the \"Saga\" has been adapted to our times, by Jan McVerry and Stephen Mallatratt, who have given it a distinctly feminist slant. From the first, we're made to feel both Irene's disgust and Soames's neurotic need to possess what he cannot have-Irene's love. Soame"}, {"response": 80, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct  9, 2002 (13:14)", "body": "Ya see? Even Galsworthy says that Soames is \"unlovable.\" ;-) Who cares? Galsworthy ,is long since gone; that's the book. And Damian Lewis doesn't play Soames that way;-) Hey, I'm not ready to canonize the guy , but IMO Irene got more than what she deserved. Thanks for the DL website, but I think I want to keep focused on the film and not be prejudiced. Will read it at the end."}, {"response": 81, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Wed, Oct  9, 2002 (13:15)", "body": "I am reading the book - trying to do it on the side while I finish another book, but I am really enjoying it. It is easy reading and addictive. How did I miss this book in the past? The adaptation does seem to be very, very close to the book. Huge chunks of dialogue in the series come from the book verbatim. I promise not to dwell on the book (Evelyn!) or get ahead of the series, but.......Ceirdre mentioned before that Soames asked Irene to marry him many times. This was over a year and one-half period, during which time he \"besieged\" her and kept her other admirers away with his \"constant presence.\" He would not accept \"no\" as an answer and once she accepted, he saw her as his property - he lumped her in with his furniture, etc. He \"owned\" her -or wanted to own her in that same way. And he didn't choose Bosinney to build the house to help June. he simply was determined to get Irene away from friends and a life in London and he thought she would find it harder to protest the house in the country if her est friend's fellow was doing the building. I don't think there is a charitable one in Soames body. I am not inclined to spare pity for him!!!"}, {"response": 82, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Wed, Oct  9, 2002 (13:23)", "body": "(Evelyn)And Damian Lewis doesn't play Soames that way;-) (Crossing postings again) I saw Lewis as Soames exactly that way in the first 2 episodes. BTW, did anyone see Gina McKee in Notting Hill? I was reading her credits and made the connection. She was HG's friend in the wheelchair. I seem to remember liking her character, although I didn't really like the movie. I would like to take another look now though. If I am remembering correctly, she was certainly very different in that role."}, {"response": 83, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct  9, 2002 (13:34)", "body": "\"The gods had given Irene dark brown eyes and golden hair, that strange combination, provocative of men's glances.\" I'm missing something here...I don't see her as provocative.Maybe \"golden hair\" might have helped.The word \"boring\" comes to mind.I'm optimistic she'll improve in Episode 3. Hope springs that Bosinney might stir up her hormones a bit. BTW, did anyone see Gina McKee in Notting Hill? Yes...liked her, the movie and the soundtrack:-))) Thanks Murph for the NYer review.Maybe the reviewer saw the UK version;-)"}, {"response": 84, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Wed, Oct  9, 2002 (13:38)", "body": "I just read the New Yorker review and see they mentioned the Notting Hill part. I'm glad to see McKee getting some praise. I think she is very good - better IMO than the first Irene. (New Yorker)\"You sense that if she were to open her mouth she'd start to scream and never stop.\" An excellent description. (Mary)I thought she captured so well, in body and face as she climbed the stairs, that awful experience of having to go to bed with someone you despise Ugh! Yes, I agree. And a very, very, very looooong walk upstairs that would be. LOL (Thanks for posting the article.)"}, {"response": 85, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Wed, Oct  9, 2002 (13:47)", "body": "I don't think this link has been posted for Rupert Graves' website. It has some pics and info about TFS, although not as much as Lewis' site. http://www.rupert-graves.com/"}, {"response": 86, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct  9, 2002 (14:01)", "body": "(suzee) and see they mentioned the Notting Hill part. I'm glad to see McKee getting some praise. That's nuthin! They mentioned Wonderland, which absolutely blew me away. McKee is one of the main characters and she's wonderful in it. (Barb) this is me sliding over (just a little) to the \"poor Irene\" camp. LOL! I still don't feel sorry for her. She should've gone to work, being the middle-class girl she was. I see governess written all over her. Given the choices she's made, she doesn't even try to make anything positive out of her situation (i.e., become something, a grand hostess, work for a charitable org, anything!) (Suzee) I don't think there is a charitable one in Soames body. Even without the \"b\" I'm in agreement. ;-) (New Yorker) Soames's idea of marriage is based on what he sees as his mother's devotion to his father, a man whom she never loved, but whom she tolerated and made a home for. Why, he wonders, is Irene unwilling to do the same? It is his right, after all-he has bought and paid for a wife, and isn't it her duty to love him in precisely the way his imagination and experience dictate? Hmmm, have they told us this?"}, {"response": 87, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Wed, Oct  9, 2002 (14:17)", "body": "I love the DL website - thanks Karen. (\"Money can't buy me love\" tra la ), but how annoying that PBS is cutting the episodes. I like Russell Baker very much, but not that much. Apparently the entire thing is already available on DVD with the complete U.K. broadcast edition, \"Making-of\" featurette; behind-the-scenes photos and cast biographies, Barnes and Noble: http://video.barnesandnoble.com/search/product.asp?ean=54961528998 Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/dvd/B00006FHZE/002-5840521-6484045"}, {"response": 88, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Wed, Oct  9, 2002 (14:24)", "body": "(Karen)Even without the \"b\" I'm in agreement. ;-) Sorry, Yapp apparently doesn't always like it when I type elsewhere and paste. As if I don't make enough mistakes on my own without Yapp's help!! (New Yorker) Soames's idea of marriage is based on what he sees as his mother's devotion to his father, a man whom she never loved, but whom she tolerated and made a home for. Why, he wonders, is Irene unwilling to do the same? It is his right, after all-he has bought and paid for a wife, and isn't it her duty to love him in precisely the way his imagination and experience dictate? (Karen)Hmmm, have they told us this? In the book, yes. I don't think so in the series so far."}, {"response": 89, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct  9, 2002 (14:41)", "body": "FYI, Yapp drops a single letter every so many lines. An endearing idiosyncrasy. ;-) So far, all I can tell is that the episodes aren't ending in the same place. We don't know what scenes are being sacrificed. :-("}, {"response": 90, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Oct  9, 2002 (15:19)", "body": "I see no evidence on that DL site that anything has been cut by PBS. Where do you get that sense? (New Yorker) From the first, we're made to feel both Irene's disgust and Soames's neurotic need to possess what he cannot have-Irene's love. Soames's idea of marriage is based on what he sees as his mother's devotion to his father, a man whom she never loved, but whom she tolerated and made a home for. Thanks for the New Yorker review, Murph. Using the snippet above, I conclude that this writer is obviously influenced by what is in the book. I can only draw conclusions based on the 2 episodes I've seen and will confine my comments to those. Irene is a middle-class provincial girl with few prospects for a successful marriage (she does not have an impressive dowry). Let me pose this question to the group: who did middle-class provincial boys marry???? By this description, Soames is above her station. Why wouldn't she have choices from among her own class? Or is that not good enough for her? Soames is the beloved child of the Forsyte family There! He's not unlovable!;-)"}, {"response": 91, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Oct  9, 2002 (15:35)", "body": "I'm missing something here...I don't see her as provocative....The word \"boring\" comes to mind Yes. She seemed so languid and empty right from the start - it's not like she only became dull and lifeless after the wedding. I can accept that as perhaps being fashionable during that era, but \"provocative\"? (Karen) Given the choices she's made, she doesn't even try to make anything positive out of her situation (i.e., become something, a grand hostess, work for a charitable org, anything!) She's supposed to be so aesthetically aware (this being one reason she despises her philistine husband), so why not do something to support the arts? It's sad to have to live without romantic love, but she has plenty of resources to allow her to bring other sources of enjoyment into her life. But instead she's chosen the pathetic, self-pitying route. Well, anyhow, it saves me from the need to pity her - she's got that covered all by herself."}, {"response": 92, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Oct  9, 2002 (15:57)", "body": "Irene is a middle-class provincial girl with few prospects for a successful marriage (she does not have an impressive dowry). Mari says: Let me pose this question to the group: who did middle-class provincial boys marry???? By this description, Soames is above her station. Why wouldn't she have choices from among her own class? Or is that not good enough for her? ******************************** I think it was not good enough for her step-mother. The woman was aiming high, money-wise, for herself and for Irene, and Soames, an unexpectedly big fish, swam right into their ocean. I have the feeling too, that Irene was something of a snob and a dreamer. She was looking for a romantic ideal in a man. I don't see a provincial farmer or clerk filling that desire. Look at Bosinney, not any money, but great connections and a look Bronte readers, as I imagine she was, would love. It is almost impossible for us today, it seems to me, to put ourselves in the place of an Irene. In her mind, there was no way out of her situation, and Soames was there and waiting. Her mistake was to think she could control him, and his was to love her with a passion he could not control. That New Yorker reviewer did have a lot of spoilers in his review. Sorry about that. Should have put it at the top of the review. Did anyone else think of Dorothy in Middelmarch, marrying a man she did not love, and loving another? The difference is, of course, that Dorothy had the money to make any choice she wanted."}, {"response": 93, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Wed, Oct  9, 2002 (16:15)", "body": "(Karen) BTW, it is very evident that the content of each episode as shown in the US is not the same as in the UK. Our little PBS has no doubt been editing out scenes to make room for the patronizing commentary of Russell Baker. Blech! (Mari) I see no evidence on that DL site that anything has been cut by PBS. Where do you get that sense? It appears that way at first glance but on second look, it is just that the series is cut and shown differently - the BBC apparently was in 6 episodes and the PBS series is being shown in 8 episodes so we are seeing the same thing, but not corresponding perfectly to the DL episode guides."}, {"response": 94, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Wed, Oct  9, 2002 (16:25)", "body": "(Karen) Given the choices she's made, she doesn't even try to make anything positive out of her situation (Rika) She's supposed to be so aesthetically aware (this being one reason she despises her philistine husband), so why not do something to support the arts? She's using all her energy to keep her mouth shut, hold in that scream and \"look desperately for an escape route.\":-)))"}, {"response": 95, "author": "ceirdre", "date": "Wed, Oct  9, 2002 (17:23)", "body": "(Suzee) She's using all her energy to keep her mouth shut, hold in that scream and look desperately for an escape route.\":-))) POOR IRENE\ufffd!!!"}, {"response": 96, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct  9, 2002 (23:39)", "body": "(Suzee) the BBC apparently was in 6 episodes and the PBS series is being shown in 8 episodes so we are seeing the same thing, but not corresponding perfectly to the DL episode guides. *mental head slap* You've solved it. (Murph) I think it was not good enough for her step-mother. The woman was aiming high, money-wise, for herself and for Irene, and Soames, an unexpectedly big fish, swam right into their ocean. Frankly, I think her step-mother would've married her off to practically anyone--so she wouldn't have to spend any of her paltry annual income on Irene. But the step-mother was looking to hook another one herself."}, {"response": 97, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Thu, Oct 10, 2002 (02:58)", "body": "(Moon) Too bad Angel has its season premiere tonight. :-( You know I have a preference for period pieces and vampire stories. :-D So then, did you watch 'Forever Knight'??? :-)) Pics and info about the original series (watch out for spoilers down the page): http://www.ceejbot.com/EricPorter/Forsyte/ CT Now Forsyte' Earns Title Of `Saga' October 5, 2002 By ROGER CATLIN, Courant TV Critic If you're among those who assume you've missed the pinnacle of television by failing to sign up for HBO, take heart. Even if you've declined the myriad channels of basic cable and have left your TV fare entirely up to broadcast networks, don't worry. You still can take part in one of the season's best events. The height of commercial-free TV entertainment is yours starting Sunday with the two-hour premiere of a lavish new eight-hour production of \"The Forsyte Saga\" on public broadcasting. The last time John Galsworthy's irresistible story of temptation and betrayal amid the British aristocracy made it to TV, in a 26-episode black-and-white import in 1969, it altered Sunday-night viewing as we knew it. PBS found that there was enough of an audience for episodic, quality British-made drama to create \"Masterpiece Theater.\" More than 30 years later, the venerable showcase offers a lush, sharply written new version of the saga from Granada TV. With all the splendor expected in an imported period piece that covers the last quarter of the 19th century, \"The Forsyte Saga\" excels largely in its striking acting. That's obvious from the first moments when, in a very short time, the various personalities of the large Forsythe clan stand out. The first episode concerns an artistic young Forsyte who throws over his wife and daughter to fall for a governess. But most of the epic follows the story of his cousin Soames Forsyte and his efforts to find a wife, which is done in a manner as fastidious as what he displays as a London solicitor. Soames spies an ethereal beauty at the opera and single-mindedly pursues her. Because her father's recent death has left her family in a precarious financial state, her mother encourages her to accept his proposal. The new Mrs. Irene Forsyte realizes her mistake as soon as she accepts, and the tension between the two fuels several episodes. It's quite a tightrope for the two actors to walk. Is Soames completely detestable because his personality is so cold? Or is Irene to blame because she never gives him a chance? Audience members will make their own decisions, but they won't be helped by the characters. Damian Lewis, as Soames, is a familiar face in quality Sunday-night drama from his role as Maj. Richard Winters in the epic HBO miniseries \"Band of Brothers.\" Here he succeeds in portraying a tightly wound Soames, who fervently wants a family, no matter how ineptly he goes about it. His character could be written as a cartoon, but he brings it far more humanity. Gina McKee as Irene almost has a more difficult job. Previously seen as Hugh Grant's friend in a wheelchair in \"Notting Hill,\" McKee has a luminous beauty and mystery that's sufficient to attract no less than four different men throughout the saga. Yet she also must also be a sympathetic character despite eschewing her chosen husband, practically from the start. It's a grim business, but her days are brightened when she meets a similarly artistic soul, a young architect who unfortunately happens to be engaged to the daughter of the Forsyte whose father ran off with the governess. And now you begin to see the outlines of the tangled web. The intrigue helped make Galsworthy's three-volume original drama, originally published between 1906 and 1921, hugely popular. Galsworthy went on to win a Nobel Prize for literature in 1932. Streamlined in the new version to just eight hours (with a second part that began filming last month), the action fairly flies by. While fans of \"The Sopranos\" may be awaiting the first major whacking of the seasons, major figures drop in just about every Forsyte episode, with plotlines taking breakneck curves at high speed. The temptation when collapsing the story to a relatively neat size is to explain it all away in dialogue. But there are plenty of scenes in \"The Forsyte Saga\" that are explicated visually: in telling looks from Lewis, or in a series of sketches by Rupert Graves, as the artistic Forsyte, that clearly shows his infatuation with his governess. There is a splendid performance too from Corin Redgrave, who is less well known than his sisters, but shows every bit as much talent in showing a gradual change from the kind of Forsyte who would cast away his son for leaving his wife, and then welcome him back, decades later, when old age softens his world view and makes him more open for change. When offspring of the various Forsyte factions begin to grow and mingle with one another - and go off to fight the Boer War shortly after the turn of the century - the underlying family history that the audiences knows but the "}, {"response": 98, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Thu, Oct 10, 2002 (03:15)", "body": "NY Daily News (4 stars) Victorians victorious 'Forsyte Saga' worthy of 'Masterpiece' name MASTERPIECE THEATRE: THE FORSYTE SAGA. Sunday nights at 9, PBS (WNET/Ch. 13). The last time television presented a long-form adaptation of John Galsworthy's \"The Forsyte Saga\" novels, the result was a minor revolution, leading eventually to such ambitious miniseries as \"Roots\" in this country and \"Brideshead Revisited\" in England. This time, we can only hope for a similar string of inspired successors. It's not likely - but this new \"Forsyte Saga,\" presented in eight parts on \"Masterpiece Theatre\" beginning Sunday night at 9 with the first two installments, certainly deserves to inspire. Not only is this \"Forsyte Saga\" the best \"Masterpiece Theatre\" offering in five years (since 1997's \"Prime Suspect 5\"), but it ranks among the best costume dramas the venerable PBS umbrella series has presented in its 31-year history. The original \"Forsyte\" predates that history, and predates even PBS. It was the previous public-TV entity, NET, that brought the smash British hit to this country in 1969 and made Susan Hampshire a star, as the fiery Fleur. This new version, though only eight hours, actually is a less hurried affair. The '60s version condensed six of Galsworthy's nine \"Forsyte\" novels into 26 parts; the new version takes eight hours to cover only the first two novels. Fleur hasn't even shown up yet. But she will, because the next two miniseries sequels of \"Forsyte\" are in the works, and eventually will be shown on \"Masterpiece Theatre.\" Meanwhile, we have these eight hours, spread over seven Sunday nights - opposite HBO's \"The Sopranos\" and ABC's \"Alias,\" making for a maddeningly competitive hour of TV. \"The Forsyte Saga\" is full of the rich detail and broad vision that the miniseries form allows, and which the commercial broadcast networks seem uninterested in pursuing. Viewers who take the time to get to know these characters (a process that happens very quickly) will be rewarded with a dramatic story that pulls them into every loving embrace and painful betrayal. The first eight hours in this Victorian drama introduce us to the Forsyte men, who are variously tortured or passionate, and their women, who are likewise. There's the family patriarch, Old Jolyon (Corin Redgrave); his artistic namesake, Young Jolyon (Rupert Graves), and another son, Soames (Damian Lewis), the veritable embodiment of British repression. Almost immediately, Young Jolyon announces his intention to walk away from his wife and daughter, and his family fortune, to live in happy scandal with the family governess. Soames pursues a woman, Irene (Gina McKee), who loathes him - but, because of his position, doesn't reject his advances. We also meet, among others, a dashing architect named Phillip Bosinney (Ioan Gruffudd), and Young Jolyon's neglected daughter June (Gillian Kearney), who loves the architect. And she's not alone. In fact, by the time these first eight hours are up, the principals will have played mix-and-match romances more often than the characters on \"Friends.\" There, it's done for laughs. Here, it's done with high drama and in high style, with precise language, English gardens and delicate waltzes adding to the atmosphere, intrigue and romance. Lewis and McKee are the riveting standouts, but you'll be hooked by everyone, and everything. \"The Forsyte Saga\" today, even more than yesterday, is a true TV masterpiece. http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/col/story/24083p-22765c.html"}, {"response": 99, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Thu, Oct 10, 2002 (03:38)", "body": "Here is one man apparently smitten with McKee. Blimey! If it isn't Gina McKee By JOHN DOYLE The Globe and Mail Friday, September 27, 2002 What ho, Canadians! It's a rather British weekend on TV. Chaps in top hats do beastly things and a young member of the Royal Family gets tired and emotional in a pub. Most of the action takes place on Sunday. Dilly-dally with something else until then, but it's the Sunday menu that matters. The Forsyte Saga (Sunday, CBC 8 p.m.) is the big deal. It goes on for weeks and it also starts airing on PBS's Masterpiece Theatre the following Sunday. It's very good, absorbing TV, especially if you're crazy about a certain English actress named Gina McKee. Allow me a small tangent here. In L.A. in July, during the television critics press tour, American TV stars are everywhere. You get used to seeing them \ufffd the stars of Friends, ER and all the others. Veterans and legends mosey around the events and you stop being startled by their presence. However, one day I was gob-smacked and star-struck. Walking down a corridor, I spotted three women sitting in a small circle and chatting amicably. As I passed, I glanced at the lady nearest me because she looked vaguely familiar. Tall and very pale, she was dressed in a black, lace top and a black skirt. Her hair was as black as a raven's wing. She glanced up at me and I was startled by the shock of recognition. I whispered, in awed urgency to a colleague: \"That's Gina McKee.\" The colleague looked puzzled: \"Who's Gina McKee?\" As soon as you start watching The Forsyte Saga, you'll understand. McKee (who also starred in the Canadian/British drama Dice and the monumental Brit miniseries Our Friends in the North) plays Irene Heron, a woman who drives a man named Soames Forsyte out of his mind. It's late-Victorian England, you see, and the Forsyte clan is powerful in a swanky, nouveau riche sort of way. Soames (Damian Lewis, who is excellent) decides he needs a wife and sets his sights on the alluring, mercurial Irene. She has no money. Her stepmother puts pressure on her to marry Soames, a man she doesn't love. Irene reluctantly agrees, telling Soames that he must set her free if the marriage doesn't work. He agrees to this condition but the viewer knows he is so besotted that he'll never let her go. Irene meets a dashing architect. Sparks fly. She dances in a red dress of sumptuous beauty and the world shifts. Don't talk to me about the 26-part BBC version of The Forsyte Saga in the 1960s. I was about eight years old and rather bored by it. Sorry. So many people remember it with affection, but I suspect that memory makes it better than it was. This version is eight hours long (it continues on Monday on CBC and then next week) and another eight hours will arrive next spring. Unlike most period dramas set in the Victorian period, this Forsyte Saga isn't about propriety. It's about money, power and lust. It's that simple. In the first few minutes, when we meet Soames, he's assessing how much money should be given to the too-handsome (and therefore unreliable) chap named Montague who is wooing his sister. The dashing architect Bosinney (Ioan Gruffudd) comes into the picture because he's told he cannot marry another Forsyte girl until he earns a certain amount of money. Everything hinges on money, power over other people and lust after property and beautiful women. The drama is drenched in contemporary themes. And, of course, once you're set your eyes on Gina McKee, you'll understand what Soames Forsyte is going through. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/GIS.Servlets.TVGAMArticleHTMLTemplate/A/20020927/27_gam_doyle?tf=TV/TVFront_fullstory.html&cf=TV/config-TVFrontLayout1&slug=27_gam_doyle&date=20020927&archive=TV&site=TVFront"}, {"response": 100, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Thu, Oct 10, 2002 (14:34)", "body": "I noticed at IMDB that the British version was shown with a \"pilot\" of 90 minutes, which I assume was the first episode and then picks up for 5 more episodes of 75 minutes each. Since PBS started with an almost 2 hour version that means we are completely off kilter with those episode guides, I guess. It also means (if that is actual showing time in the UK w/o breaks and if my math isn't also off kilter) that PBS has a little less than 2 minutes per show for intro, exit credits and Russell Baker's comments so it may squeeze it all in, but just barely. There are a few messages at TFS boards at IMDb. There were no spoilers when I read it today. Current: http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0260615/board/threads/ Old: http://www.imdb.com/oldboards/wwwthreads.pl?action=list&Board=b0260615"}, {"response": 101, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Fri, Oct 11, 2002 (03:16)", "body": "USA Today 10/09/2002 - 'The Forsyte Saga': Rupert Graves Friday, August 23, 2 p.m. ET Thirty-three years ago, the fledgling Public Broadcasting Service won an enthusiastic audience for sumptuous period drama with a riveting rendition of John Galsworthy\ufffds The Forsyte Saga. Now, this tale of true love and unbridled lust at loose in Victorian London arrives on EXXONMOBIL MASTERPIECE THEATRE with a fresh approach, a new cast and 21st-century production values. The eight-hour The Forsyte Saga opens with a two-hour premiere on PBS Sunday, October 6, 2002, 9:00 p.m. ET, followed by six one-hour episodes on Sundays, October 13-November 17, 2002, 9:00 p.m. ET (check local listings). Talk to Rupert Graves, who plays Young Jolyon, about the series. Missed the chat? Read the transcript below: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Weehawken, NJ: I've recently seen you in the Broadway revival of The Elephant Man. As an actor, how did you prepare to play oppposite a character (John Merrick) who would likely command the audiences attention at all times, perhaps at the expense of other characters? Rupert Graves: I went to see the Elephant Man's skeleton, read what I could about Frederick Treves, and a little bit about London in that era. The script states that the actors who played John Merrick to have no makeup whatsoever, because the story had become more about the deformities than his inner strength. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- new york, new york: What are some of the factors that you consider before making a decisiion to accept a script? Rupert Graves: I try to find a connection. If you can't make a connection, it's not worth doing. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Alexandria, VA: Rupert: A Room With a View is one of my favorites -- a classic. I've enjoyed your movies and plays in London. What's been your favorite role and why? Rupert Graves: I did a play called the Pitchfork Disney by Philip Ridley, where I played a character called Presley. The play was about two young adults whose parents have been killed, and they sort of become refugees in their own home. They're terrified of the outside world, and keep each other sane by feeding each other stories and chocolate. Someone comes through the door, which terrifies them both. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : I am Russian living in the US and I have a degree in the English Language and Literature from a Russian university. I have not seen the movie, but have read and loved the book. We had to read it for our English Literature class and it took us a year to complete it. We analyzed it to death! Soams was a \"bad guy\" in the eyes of our professors. I hated it that I had to look for bad characteristics of him when I thought him to be a decent man who found himself with a wrong woman. I absolutely disliked Irene, but had to call her sensitive, fragile, not willing to compromise her feelings, etc. in my essays. I n order to pass a class, we had to follow what a certain school of thought, you know. I am looking forward to the movie! How close is it to the book? Usually, it is always a disappointment to see how a movie is a far cry from a book. However, I will keep an open mind watching this one, and the fact that it was filmed 32 years ago (I was born 32 years ago!) suggests that it is going to be a better quality p oduction than what you might see nowadays. At least, that's what I think! Thank you. Rupert Graves: I think it's a close adaptation in spirit. The novel is incredibly long, and we've changed and rearranged some of the incidents. But in spirit, it's very close indeed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ WDC: Since PBS has done this series before, did you feel any sense of trepidation about the new version? Did you study any of the old tapes, or just start from scratch? Rupert Graves: I myself read the book and based my acting on that. I didn't look at the previous series at all. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- New York, NY: What is it about you that leads directors to cast you in so many costume dramas? Do you think you've been typecast? Rupert Graves: I think that's what happens, yes. I don't really know why. When I started out as an actor, costume dramas were quite popular. I do other stuff as well, but I don't really understand why I've been so typecast. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- New York,NY: What kind of preparation do costume drama actors have to put themselves through? For example, how long does it take to get dressed in period clothes? Rupert Graves: It takes a bit longer, not much. It takes longer because of all the buttons. For men it's easier, because women have to wear the corsets. They're arranged in a formal manner that"}, {"response": 102, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 11, 2002 (08:33)", "body": "(Qustioner) I hated it that I had to look for bad characteristics of him when I thought him to be a decent man who found himself with a wrong woman. Found himself?!!!! And s/he read the book and analyzed it to death with all five proposals??? LOL! (RG) I think he strikes out for his own belief against the accepted way and formula that the Forsytes did things. He wants to be completely independent, and he's trying to escape his father's Forsythe values. It'll compromise his independence, basically. *cough cough* Takes a strong character to do this. *cough cough* ;-) Thanks, Suzee, for the finding this. Maybe you could get Rupert to join us here? ;-)"}, {"response": 103, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct 11, 2002 (10:37)", "body": "Rupert would be good any of them. ;-) Washington, DC: How long did it take to film the series, and is there a sequel? Rupert Graves: We're starting next week on a sequel. It took six months to do the first series, and it'll take from September to Christmas to do the second. Is he joking? A sequel? in my essays. I n order to pass a class, we had to follow what a certain school of thought, My son has the same problem in his English class. :-( Thanks, suzee."}, {"response": 104, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct 11, 2002 (11:20)", "body": "Thanks Suzee. (RG) Usually, it is always a disappointment to see how a movie is a far cry from a book. True. Which is why I plan to read the book(s)after the series. (Q.)What are some of the factors that you consider before making a decisiion to accept a script? Rupert Graves: I try to find a connection. If you can't make a connection, it's not worth doing. That's a new answer. Sounds plausible. Usually, the answer is the old story about the fabulous \"director\". (RG)\"I hated it that I had to look for bad characteristics of him when I thought him to be a decent man who found himself with a wrong woman. I absolutely disliked Irene, but had to call her sensitive, fragile, not willing to compromise her feelings.\" Tell 'em Rupe ;-)"}, {"response": 105, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Fri, Oct 11, 2002 (14:14)", "body": "(Qustioner) I hated it that I had to look for bad characteristics of him... New equation: Russian Blind Man/Woman + TFS book= Person Who Cannot See Blatant-Examples-Of-Bad-Characteristics-On-Many-Pages in my essays. In order to pass a class, we had to follow what a certain school of thought, (Moon)My son has the same problem in his English class. :-( I guess this person was in school in Russia, but my kids, too, had this happen and I still remember how I disliked it myself, especially with poetry - the interpretation was usually pre-determined. There's not enough room for creativity and individualism. (such as we have here LOL). (RG)\"I hated it that I had to look for bad characteristics of him when I thought him to be a decent man who found himself with a wrong woman. I absolutely disliked Irene, but had to call her sensitive, fragile, not willing to compromise her feelings.\" (Evelyn)Tell 'em Rupe ;-) It may not be clear because of the way it is on the page, but RG didn't say that. It was the \" I am Russian living in the US\" questioner who said it. Washington, DC: How long did it take to film the series, and is there a sequel? Rupert Graves: We're starting next week on a sequel. It took six months to do the first series, and it'll take from September to Christmas to do the second. (Moon) Is he joking? A sequel? No. They are filming now. This series is approximately the firs t book and a half of three books (plus short stories) and the next one will finish the story. It's going to be a long time to wait :-( (RG) Usually, it is always a disappointment to see how a movie is a far cry from a book. True. Which is why I plan to read the book(s)after the series. I agree it is often a disappointment, but I don't think that is so much the case here - at least not what I have seen so far. I am now into the second book and IMO the casting is very good and they are following the story nicely. (Karen) Maybe you could get Rupert to join us here? ;-) Wouldn't that be fun??!!"}, {"response": 106, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Sat, Oct 12, 2002 (02:42)", "body": "Shooting star Watching Damian Lewis leading the men of Easy Company to victory in Spielberg's WWII epic Band of Brothers, you'd never guess he went to Eton and attended drama school with Ewan MacGregor. Now, though, he is returning to more familiar territory as the iconic Soames in The Forsyte Saga Jay Rayner Sunday March 10, 2002 The Observer The middle-aged Italian waitress clearly does not recognise the actor she is shouting at or, if she does, she has had enough experience at being a sour-faced waitress not to show it. This is the second time she has asked Damian Lewis to choose what he wants for lunch and it is the second time he has asked for a few more minutes. 'Look,' she says, with a fearsome shrug, arms spread wide. 'We are busy. You don't order now, then the kitchen, it become busy. You wait too long for your food. You get cross.' There is a convincing logic here: the small, smokey cafe in London's St James's is indeed already crammed with people. I assume Lewis will cave in immediately and just pick something at random, because it is exactly what I want to do. This woman scares me. But then Lewis has a head start on me. He knows how to play a man dealing calmly with fear. In Band of Brothers , the TV war extravaganza produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, he played an American soldier constantly facing up to fear with a quiet certainty. As if slipping into character, he raises his hands in a sign of mock surrender and, keeping his voice low, his eyes fixed on hers, says simply, 'It's not a problem. Just give us another minute and we'll be right with you.' She retreats and he breaks into a broad grin. 'Wasn't that great?' He spreads his arms wide, shoulders up, in tribute to our waitress. 'Looooook!!!' he says, with just the hint of an Italian accent. 'You want to eat? You order now !' It is a moment Damian Lewis may eventually come to savour. He was being treated like an ordinary person and that is likely to become a less than ordinary experience in the coming months. Sure, he's already had the big parts. He's played leads in BBC dramas such as Warriors and Hearts and Bones. The Band of Brothers role was immensely important for his career, a sudden bump up into the American TV big league. But the attention he received for it in this country - where it was scheduled in a sleepy backwater slot on BBC2 - will be as nothing compared to the intense scrutiny he will receive when ITV begins screening its glossy remake of Galsworthy's Forsyte Saga, in which he stars as Soames Forsyte, the role made famous in the 1960s by Eric Porter. And then there's the lead in a new movie adaptation of a Stephen King novel, directed by Lawrence Kasdan. Sitting here in this low-rent Italian cafe, being barracked by the staff, Lewis is that curious creature: a very successful actor on the verge of becoming a ver major star. No matter. He says he knows what fame means and he thinks he can handle it. The key, he says, is to carry on doing good work; to follow each good performance with another one. Simple as that. 'There are ways of avoiding becoming tabloid fodder and therefore giving people license to pry into your private life,' he says. 'And there's a distinction between being an actor and being a celebrity. You may become a celebrity through acting, but you don't need to do so. For example you don't need to appear in Hello! or OK! magazines, both of which have asked me to do it. I mean, what must it feel like to be Brad Pitt with all that interest in you?' I suggest it's inevitable that people will pour over every detail of your life once you start appearing in huge, multi-million dollar films. He shakes his head. 'But Harrison Ford has managed to avoid it. It's a lifestyle choice.' In this simple declaration of intent, the young actor on the way up has told us exactly where he is right now. His terms of reference are the c reers of Brad Pitt and Harrison Ford. For some reason it doesn't seem unreasonable, this casual way with the roll call of Hollywood celebrity. He may not yet be turning heads whereever he goes, but he already looks the part. Lewis has a certain physical assuredness to him, a curious glow which isn't simply down to the brilliant copper flame of his red hair which, in any case, one could easily assume would actually be a bar to on-screen success. There are very few red-headed male leads. It's one of those stigmatised characteristics, a colouring so sharp and vivid that it's seen more often as a negative by casting directors, rather than a plus. Clearly that has not been a problem for Damian Lewis. Earlier, striding into the hotel foyer for our meeting, or assuming poses for the photographs, he looked like a man who understood instinctively why people should wish to look at him, why they should be at all interested. Only once have his looks been criticised, he says. 'A cricket ball broke my nose when I was a kid so I couldn't breath through it. Before I had it operated on I used to stand on stag"}, {"response": 107, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Sat, Oct 12, 2002 (02:55)", "body": "Cute, his comment about Gosford Park. I wonder what part he would have played. (Like the Camus quote, too.) Rupert bared Rupert Graves found fame portraying public schoolboys - and in The Forsyte Saga he plays a bohemian toff. But Emma Brockes discovers a very different man behind the screen image Monday April 22, 2002 The Guardian Bleary and unshaven, Rupert Graves drags himself to a hotel on the banks of the Thames. It is end-of-the-world weather and his mood suits it. Last night, he partied till three in the morning and the over-lit hotel room aggravates his hangover. Jangling with brittle energy, he presents himself mockingly, contemptuous of the need to look pretty and talk nice for the journalist. \"Look,\" he says, with a sarcastic leer, \"a hole in my jumper.\" Graves' routine this morning is a response to his image as a soft, mannered public schoolboy. He is often confused with Rupert Everett, who lives more plausibly up to the first name by being posh and slightly neurotic-looking, like a rare breed of hound. Graves can look rarefied too - he has played enough floppy-fringed toffs to provoke the occasional \"I think my brother was at Ampleforth with you\" encounter, but in reality, he attended Wyvern comprehensive in Weston-super-Mare; his dad is a teacher, his mother a housewife, and his brother a lorry driver. Still, there is something about his baleful brown eyes that people insist looks privileged. Graves says: \"I think they mean girly,\" and slumps dejectedly into a chair. The actor lives modestly in north London with his girlfriend, Yvonne, a mature student, and only does interviews because he has to. \"It's just very dull,\" he sighs. \"Talking about yourself and about something that you've got less interest in than you had, because you've always moved on to something else. But you have a contractual obligation.\" Today's contractual obligation is to ITV1, in whose remake of the 1967 drama series The Forsyte Saga he is appearing on Sunday nights. With polite enthusiasm, he talks up the production. \"It's a saga of a family, the intricacies of a family tree that are woven into one big, old story. I read the first book and I thought, 'Oh Christ, it's so pompous.' And then you realise that he's being ironic. It's beautifully written. It's worth telling again.\" His eyes begin to bend out of focus. Graves became famous when he was 22 and played Freddy Honeychurch, Helena Bonham Carter's brother in Merchant Ivory's A Room with a View. His co-stars were Judi Dench, Maggie Smith and Daniel Day-Lewis. It was his first film and the one he is remembered for, by girls at least, because of a tennis scene in which he flopped exquisitely about in white flannels on a perfect summer evening. That was 16 years ago - he is 37 now, incredibly - but when I mention to friends that I am meeting Rupert Graves, they gasp and say immediately, \"Freddy!\" Graves went from unknown stage actor to the boy girls screamed at in the street. \"I expected it,\" he says. \"It was the first film role I did and everything I'd read about people who appeared in films indicated that this is what happened. I suppose, in my innocence, I would have been gutted if it hadn't. I thought, you make a film, then people come and scream at you.\" Viewers assumed that Graves shared Freddy's background - he looked at ease on the terrace. But at the time of filming, he had a strong west country accent and had to dub poshly over a lot of mispronounced lines. He spent the shoot in a state of almost constant mortification. \"My first scene was with Denholm Elliott and Simon Callow. I just kept my back to camera because I was so embarrassed. I was red and ashamed of myself. I thought, 'What am I doing here?'\" Were they kind to him? \"Yes, very. If you get a young bag of bones turning up and floundering around, you'd have to be a bit of a bastard to pick on him.\" After A Room with a View came out, Graves was offered copious public schoolboy roles and literary adaptations. He appeared in the EM Forster biopic, Maurice; The Madness of King George; and Mrs Dalloway. I was surprised, I say, not to see him in Gosford Park. \"Yeah,\" he says. \"I was too. I kept expecting myself to pop out. I was asked to go and audition, but I couldn't because I was doing The Forsyte Saga.\" His name almost certainly contributed to his typecasting. People assumed that he was related to the writer Robert Graves and the Rupert bit didn't help either. As a child, he hated it. \"My mum called me it because there was a man called Billy Wright who used to be England captain and apparently he knew someone called Rupert who used to kick a ball against my grandad's house in Shropshire years ago. She thought he was a bit dangerous, a bit racy. I'm named after him. I always liked the name Michael, but I never got round to doing anything about it.\" He isn't ambitious but he always wanted to act. His teachers thought he was arrogant, a fact he still finds strange as he remembers himself as an anxious child. "}, {"response": 108, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 12, 2002 (10:20)", "body": "( DL) When he was 16, Lewis formed his own theatre company and put on a production of Nicholas Nickelby Impressive for a 16 yr old or anyone . Thanks Suzee. When you're sleuthing around,pl see if you can find some UK reviews of Forsyte."}, {"response": 109, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Sat, Oct 12, 2002 (12:14)", "body": "(Note: the use of \"dad\" or \"daddy\" is in the book so it's hard to fault the show for that) Top of the Fops TV review Gareth McLean Monday April 8, 2002 The Guardian Prim widows, cheeky urchins, grizzly patriarchs, porcelain heroines and purse-lipped men of property - The Forsyte Saga (ITV1, Sunday) had them all in corseted and cosseted abundance. Needless to say, this being a period drama, there was also a governess who had mad staring eyes, an artist in a big straw hat, inappropriate waltzing and a piano-playing heroine (though obviously we only saw Irene and her hands in separate shots). But far from being a bog-standard tale from the time of buttoned-up women and repressed men, The Forsyte Saga had much to recommend it. For this new adaptation of John Galsworthy's books, we were also treated to Victorians who say \"Hello Dad.\" (I suppose it's Queen Vicky, is it?) In the main, Stephen Mallatratt's script was sharp and clever. While the plot cantered along, characters were skilfully hewn and adroitly played by the uniformly excellent cast, and the notion of possession, financial and otherwise, was writ large but subtly. \"Will you do me the honour of becoming mine?\" asked Soames of Irene, to which she replied, \"I will marry you, Mr Forsyte.\" Thus, the occasional stumble into parody was forgivable. Moments of overheard chit-chat were straight out of French and Saunders, while street scenes also had a distinct flavour of the House of Idiot. Regardless, Damian Lewis was a suitably reptilian Soames, Gina McKee was luminous and tortured as Irene, Rupert Graves, a cracking actor who knows when less is more, played Young Jolyon, and Gillian Kearney shone as a blooming June. Yet the most remarkable thing about The Forsyte Saga was that it wasn't very beautiful. While the sum of its parts was great - bar the clumsy direction - the whole wasn't as luscious or as rich as I had expected. In fact, an awful lot of it looked decidedly pedestrian. It would be easy to dismiss The Forsyte Saga as \"just\" a soap opera with the emphasis on plot, but you could argue the same of The Way We Live Now. An epic story, it managed to look epic too. The Forsyte Saga, alas, did not. http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv_and_radio/story/0,3604,680544,00.html"}, {"response": 110, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Sat, Oct 12, 2002 (14:38)", "body": "Beward of possible minor spoilers in the UK reviews. According to the UK articles, what we are seeing now is the first 2 books - not 1 1/2 as I said before. . http://www.sourceuk.net/ The Forsyte Saga - a Review John Rimington Sita Williams\ufffd Forsyte Saga promises well - as a kind of educated supersoap. It is fastidiously costumed and ravishingly set. There are new and interesting faces in the cast, and already we have a quite brilliant performance, as Young Jolyon\ufffds first wife, the half-Austrian Helene. Above all, Damien Lewis\ufffds Soames is highly watchable, though far removed from the universally English figure imagined by Galsworthy and played as a singleton \"outsider\", a potential rapist in fancy dress. There is a great deal missing from this pretty play, beginning with a misinterpretation and under-estimation of the novel itself, which Williams claims \"is about property, ownership, money. All the things we\ufffdre interested in now\", and which The Times reviewer dismisses as \"a tale of the loves, lusts and dynastic ambitions of a Victorian merchant family\". What above all is missing, both from the play and from these two summaries, is precisely what our own age lacks - the original book\ufffds impeccable sense of historical perspective, and a grasp of its great and particular theme - love. The Man of Property - a unique, nearly great, novel, attempts the impossible - to describe and analyse love in all its forms and in all its gravity. Specifically, \"the instincts of self-forgetfulness, of passion, and of love, hiding under the trees, away from the trustees of their remorseless enemy, the \ufffdsense of property\ufffd\". Its flaw perhaps is the character of Irene, the ultimate love-object but neither Christian nor Greek. Soames Forsyte is the universal figure at the book\ufffds heart, incapable of sacrificing himself to the love he actually feels, or of interpreting it to himself as other than a species of possession. In the end, after throwing away the house that represents this conflict, and breeding a daughter he also loves but cannot control, he sacrifices his life for the one thing he can both love and have - his beautiful pictures. Young Jolyon, his cousin and rival, as tenacious, calculating and perseptive as Soames himself, can and does sacrifice himself to love, while fully recognising that \"it is dangerous to let anything carry you away - a house or a woman\" Will the series recognise anything of this? It seems doubtful. It has already muffed the significance of the elder generation, who are seen as fairly conventional old buffers with a champagne lifestyle, equipped with a chorus of Coronation Street deluxe sisters. It is Old Jolyon and James who, while fully representative of the Forsytism the book sets out to describe, reflect the two opposed principles of love and property in undiluted form, and Old Jolyon who comes nearest to reconciling them. For James, the possession of property is to live in a well protected state of terror, with Pan and Attila lurking in the shape of a dissolute son-in-law, an unfaithful daughter-in-law and - to shake hell\ufffds foundations,- unreliable Boers gnawing at the price of Consols. For Old Jolyon, property is simply the price of what is truly desirable in life;- love, serenity, order, succession and benignity. His death in a July afternoon is one of the most touching scenes in English literature, releasing all the madness that fol ows. But Jolyon and James themselves are in hieratic succession to an order represented by their elder sister Ann, born in the Eighteenth Century, embodying a time seen in Forsytian lore as starker, more enduring and more productive than their own, a time when you could get ten percent for your money, and which did not reflect on \"the inexorable nature of sex antipathies\" because there were better things to do. Anne\ufffds judgement on the reckless, over-sensitive Bosinney \"He is a good looking young fellow, but I doubt if he\ufffds quite the right lover for dear June\" is passed off as a casual obiter dictum that might be expected of someone stuck in a bygone era, but not as it was - the considered and corporate, but gentle, rejection by a confident generation of something manifestly alien to its spirit. For if there is one dimension that the production entirely misses it is the historical. \"History\" is seen as a cosmetically different re-wind of the modern spirit. If it wasn\ufffdt, it wouldn\ufffdt sell. Or, as Galsworthy ironically put it, Forsytian style, \"Rubbish that sells is not rubbish, but is worth what it will fetch\". Galsworthy saw the Forsytes as archetypically English, and their dynastic development as a microcosm of English history in real time. He, less than anyone, would have been surprised at the callow representation of his great idea by the present generation, for he knew that that is what Forsytism and the death of Old Jolyon leads to. Indeed, he might have been mildly surprised that it has taken so long for the dissolution of the vital spirit of Englishness to re"}, {"response": 111, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Sat, Oct 12, 2002 (14:45)", "body": "http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2001/09/23/nsaga23.xml&secureRefresh=true&_requestid=99411 (Glad they dicided to go ahead with the second part) Spoiler marked below: ITV shortens 'highbrow' Forsyte Saga By Chris Hastings and Charlotte Edwardes (Filed: 23/09/2001) ITV has scrapped plans to film a complete version of the The Forsyte Saga fearing that the programme could prove too highbrow for viewers. Despite the fact that the BBC made one of the most celebrated British drama series ever screened when it based a series on the John Galsworthy books in 1967, ITV is concerned that modern audiences might not be gripped by the sprawling drama of the Forsyte family between 1879 and 1926. The commercial channel, which originally announced that it was to spend \ufffd14 million on an adaptation of the nine-volume story, will now film only six episodes, which will cover the first two books. The programme makers will then wait to judge audience reaction before committing themselves to any further episodes. ITV announced plans for a new adaptation in August 2000. It did not say it was a partial adaptation. At the time, Simon Lewis, the controller of drama, said: \"These novels are as relevant and entertaining as when they were first adapted in the 1960s. We are convinced the combination of sex, power and money will again make great drama.\" The adaptation will compound fears that ITV has abandoned its commitment to quality drama in the face of pressure from advertisers to come up with undemanding popular entertainment. The show is being produced by Granada, the Manchester company that won international acclaim in the early 1980s for its adaptations of Evelyn Waugh's Brideshead Revisited and Paul Scott's The Raj Quartet. Scott's four novels, which were filmed as The Jewel In The Crown, were adapted in their entirety. The plan to film only the first two books has infuriated the family of John Galsworthy, who only learnt of the changes last week. They are worried that the new version, which stars Corin Redgrave, Gina McKee and Damian Lewis, will not compare well with the BBC version. In 1967, the cast list included Kenneth More, Michael York and Nyree Dawn Porter. The series gave Susan Hampshire her first big role. Jocelyn Galsworthy, the author's great-niece said: \"It seems very strange that they now won't make the complete series. \"I think it shows an overall lack of confidence in the project. They have got the BBC adaptation hanging over their heads and I think they know they can't compete with it.\" Miss Goldsworthy has been in contact with the producers to express concern about the way characters in the novels will be treated.\"It's only a gut feeling but I don't think the new version will work,\" she said. \"I think there will be a tendency to make it raunchier and with lots of sex, and I think that will prove fatal.\" ************************spoiler below******************************* ** ** ** Christopher Sinclair-Stevenson, who is Galsworthy's literary agent, told The Telegraph: \"I am also worried how the producers will treat some of the characters in the novels. The rape of Irene Forsyte is a crucial part of the story and was brilliantly handled by the BBC. In the original it was touched on very slightly and very delicately. I just have a feeling it won't be like that this time around.\" *************************End Spoiler************************************** ** ** ** ** A spokesman for Granada defended the decision to wait and see how the audience reacted to the first instalment. \"It is the way things are done today,\" she said. Zita Williams, who is the producing the current adaptation, said: \"I am sure the programme will prove popular with viewers. There is a feeling that the audience is ready for something different. This show will provide that. The books and the original BBC adaptation are like national treasures but I think people are genuinely delighted we are pushing ahead with this.\" Comparisons with the original black-and-white BBC version will be hard to avoid. The 26-part series attracted six million viewers for its first showing on BBC2; the second, on BBC1, attracted up to 18 million viewers. The adaptation also drew a global audience of more than 160 million. Hampshire, who played Fleur in the original BBC adaptation, told The Telegraph: \"ITV, probably quite rightly, think the first few books are more powerful and easier to adapt, but having said that, the BBC decided to do the entire series and they had a tremendous success with it. \"Everyone who had a speaking role had a major role. As a result they were very committed to the project and that was part of the reason for its success. My character will not even appear in this version.\" \ufffd Copyright of Telegraph Group Limited 2002. Terms & Conditions of reading. --------------------"}, {"response": 112, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Sat, Oct 12, 2002 (14:59)", "body": "http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2002/03/18/btvfors18.xml&secureRefresh=true&_requestid=100808 Spoiler marked below: Play it again, Soames (Filed: 17/03/2002) In the Sixties, publicans and vicars shut up shop as 'The Forsyte Saga' held television viewers spellbound on Sunday evenings. Now John Galsworthy's classic novel has been adapted for TV once more. Robert Dawson-Scott reports from the set. The scene: Tabley Hall, near Knutsford in Cheshire; a gracious Victorian drawing-room. Wintry sun trickles through high west-facing windows on to a grand piano at which sits a very pretty girl in a long cream dress. A table covered in white damask is laden with an extravagant buffet. In between stand two elderly women in black lace and shawls, and a younger woman with her husband. A fresh-faced youth in a dove-grey suit and a 10-kilowatt smile waits nervously. Outside the charmed, brightly lit circle is the usual wagon train of television production; two cameras, monitors, dollies, booms, mikes, cables, lights and the worker bees of hairdressers, set-dressers, make-up and wardrobe. Enter the guest they have obviously all been waiting for: a tall, elegant figure in a black frock coat, his short red hair brilliantined to his head, his high collar gleaming with starch. It is the visitor's 45th birthday party, and it is a surprise. It is also quite a surprise to see how well Damian Lewis, last seen in combat fatigues and camouflage as Captain Winters in Band of Brothers, Steven Spielberg's Second World War epic, scrubs up into an eminent Victorian. Registering far higher on the Richter scale of surprises, though, is the identity of the arriving guest who Lewis plays. It is none other than Soames Forsyte, a character whose name summons up everything that was, is, and will be The Forsyte Saga. Yes, it's true. The Forsyte Saga is back. Granada has been filming a new adaptation of the series in locations all over the north of England, over the past year. It changed the face of British television in the Sixties. To see another set of features in the role - and one so different from the late Eric Porter, who played the cold and ruthless solicitor Soames in the BBC's version - is quite a shock. For ITV, which has spent \ufffd6.5 million on it, the hope is that the mixture of something familiar with a fresh adaptation and a new generation of actors will give them a big upmarket ratings win against the BBC. \"I have to fight very hard to make the point that this is not an adaptation of the BBC's Forsyte Saga,\" says producer Sita Williams. \"People see it as a television drama as opposed to a great series of novels. I just hope that after the first five minutes, the audience will forget about the earlier version.\" Williams knows, however, that she is setting herself an exacting test. You can argue all you like about how the story, with its dysfunctional, multi-generational family, its twists and turns of fate, its star-crossed lovers, its obsession with possessions and status, is a story as much of our times now as any other. But ask anyone much over 45, and in an instant the talk is suddenly of \"Oh my Soames, my Irene, long ago\". John Galsworthy's sprawling trilogy which follows this grand London middle-class family through half a century of trials and tribulations was part of a literary output respected enough to win him the Nobel prize in 1932. But what stitched it into the popular imagination was bringing it to the small screen. Every Sunday evening from January to July, 1967, The Forsyte Saga had people on the edge of their seats, its 26 episodes quite unlike anything that had ever been seen before. In the first place, the series was simply much longer than any before, challenging all sorts of received wisdom about what was possible in TV production. It was also exceptionally strongly cast - with Kenneth More, one of Britain's best-known film stars, taking the central role of young Jolyon Forsyte, and Fay Compton and Porter taking leading roles. It also made watching television respectable. Never mind it had all the elements of a good soap - the familiar cast of characters, the cliff-hanger at the end of each episode, the shocking plot twists - here was a book straight out of the canon of English literature. It was not the first literary adaptation but it was so detailed, so lavishly costumed and set (the budget was \ufffd250,000, an eye-watering sum at the time), that the viewers who still shied away from shows such as Coronation Street felt comfortable watching it. So deeply did it enter the public consciousness that it was featured not once but twice in that bellwether of British culture, the Giles cartoon in the Sunday Express.It was in part deliberately commission ed to do just that, a way of getting audiences to tune into Britain's third television channel, the fledgling BBC2. Six million people - three-quarters of those who could receive it - saw that first run. There are stories of church service times being "}, {"response": 113, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 12, 2002 (15:49)", "body": "My character[Fleur] will not even appear in this version.\" I wondered why she wasn't listed in the cast on imdb. Thank you Suzee. The UK reviews give more background and peripheral comments than the US."}, {"response": 114, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Sat, Oct 12, 2002 (16:17)", "body": "I happened upon this new site for the young man who will be playing Val Dartie -Julian Ovenden. He will be in #5 and #6. http://www.curtaincall.co.uk/julianovenden/news.html"}, {"response": 115, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Sun, Oct 13, 2002 (21:20)", "body": "Still not 100% caught up from last week, but on track now. I was all set for two hours tonight, but after the end of one I found myself in front of that whining Gordon Clune (Frontier House) again...gah! Anyway, I'm rapidly coming to dislike Irene, especially after what she did to June. The actress is certainly talented, but I'm stuck seeing the character as a cold fish, even after tonight. She seemed to be on some kind of weird emotional high when she was happy, although that might seem more extreme held up against the flat affect she's displaying the rest of the time. In light of this, I'd almost consider her acceptance of Soames' proposal impulsive! It didn't help that she was dressed after the manner of Madame X in the Sargent portrait in the middle of an otherwise restrained ballroom. I saw her act of ablution in the previous chapter as done in passive-aggressive rejection. Not that I feel that much sympathy for Soames, either; he's going to need something earthshattering to make him see that his way isn't the only way. It's been awhile since I read the book, but I seem to recall old Jolyon being much more of a force in the family than he's coming across in this production. I'm a big Wright fan; I wanted to steal that house, although the interior was reinterpreted for the needs of the story. The facade is a very close copy of one of his more famous residences; I can go to the books and find it if anyone's curious."}, {"response": 116, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 13, 2002 (22:28)", "body": "Was that how it was supposed to be? Bossinay was the English Frank Lloyd Wright? Jeez Louise! When I saw the plans last week, I was taken aback and then this week, the actual house and its interiors. There is that Scot (Rennie???) who was Arts & Crafts, but he did furnishings (I thought) and was not an architect. Sorry, but it seemed so odd to see the house in the English countryside. A \"Prairie\" home, which is supposed to blend into the landscape???? (Elizabeth) It didn't help that she was dressed after the manner of Madame X in the Sargent portrait in the middle of an otherwise restrained ballroom. Exactly! Or her Jezebel dress. Could anything be more obvious? Was chuckling when Monty told the aunts that \"she'd been plucked\" and one didn't understand his slang. Seems that phrase even Elizabeth (first) used in SIL. ;-)"}, {"response": 117, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (00:11)", "body": "(Elizabeth S) Anyway, I'm rapidly coming to dislike Irene, especially after what she did to June. Agreed. I already disliked her after last week, but this week it just got worse. Irene is utterly self-absorbed. Not that Soames is much of a human being either - but I was on his side about the breach of contract. He kept warning Bosinney about the cost overruns, and Bosinney kept willfully ignoring him. And is it just me, or is Gruffudd a really bad screen kisser?"}, {"response": 118, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (00:49)", "body": "(Elizabeth)It's been awhile since I read the book, but I seem to recall old Jolyon being much more of a force in the family than he's coming across in this production. OJ had more money than any of the others and that was the one thing they all knew how to respect - at least until he committed the 'unpardonable sin' of forgiving his son. I love Redgrave's performance -- I think OJ as he plays him is wonderful."}, {"response": 119, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (01:37)", "body": "(Karen)There is that Scot (Rennie???) who was Arts & Crafts... Charles Rennie McIntosh, did both, but rigorous angularity isn't the hallmark of his style as it is of Wright's. A quick search through my big book o'Wright produced several candidate houses, all in Oak Park or environs and pre-Taliesin (the first). Maybe they were looking for an unusual style and a scandalous life? Wright abandoned his first wife to run away with the woman who later became his second; it was all over the papers in its day and nearly destroyed his career. (Rika)And is it just me, or is Gruffudd a really bad screen kisser? Well, it darn sure ain't me. ;) He's got that boyish enthusiasm down pat, and his part was played much better in this installment, IMO. I noticed lots of fine lines in Irene's face in the closeups here that made her look even more prim and cold than in the last round."}, {"response": 120, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (02:17)", "body": "(Elizabeth) It didn't help that she was dressed after the manner of Madame X in the Sargent portrait in the middle of an otherwise restrained ballroom. (Karen)Exactly! Or her Jezebel dress. Could anything be more obvious? Obvious - over the top, but I enjoyed that dance. I kept comparing her smile with the restrained (constipated) one she had during that first dance with Soames last week. And all the shots of the folks on the sidelines, whispering and rolling their eyes once again. LOL (Rika)And is it just me, or is Gruffudd a really bad screen kisser? I like him well enough as Bossiney, but if you want kissing lessons, go back to the first episode and watch Young Jo and the great, long, multifaceted kiss he gives Helene. It's a work of art. :)) (Rika)Not that Soames is much of a human being either - but I was on his side about the breach of contract. He kept warning Bosinney about the cost overruns, and Bosinney kept willfully ignoring him Not much of a human being is a real understatement. When a man starts grabbing and threatening to beat a woman, it is waaaay past time to get as far away from him as possible. About Bosinney,Soames kept agreeing to the extra costs and insisting Bosinney stay on longer even when he wanted to leave (at least once he sincerely intended to leave. Other times seemed just angry threats). Both were at fault maybe, but the amount of money was insignificant to Soames and all along it was about 'control'for him. But the lawsuit really had nothing to do with money or the house. He had just figured out that something was going on between Bosinney and Irene - *that's* what the suit was all about. (Rika)And is it just me, or is Gruffudd a really bad screen kisser? I like him well enough as Bossiney. I'll have to see his kisses again, but if you want kissing lessons, go back to the first episode and watch Young Jo and the great,long,multifaceted kiss he gives Helene. It's a work of art. :)) We talked earlier about the missing first years of Soames and Irene's marriage. I found one paragraph in the book where Soames is thinking about Irene and thinks 'she tried to love him (meaning himself) but she could not.' So my impression is that she may have made some effort, however small. He simply cannot understand why she doesn't love him. He is such a complete emotional cripple in every way - it is beyond his deductive ability to understand and completely beyond his ability to change even if it would help his situation. I could *almost* have some sympathy for him because he is so lacking in human qualities (operative word: almost)."}, {"response": 121, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (02:19)", "body": "Sorry about the repeats - it is very, very late.:0("}, {"response": 122, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (03:32)", "body": "I hope this isn't a repeat - info pages at TV Tome (UK). The blurb at the top of the page has huge spoilers in it, but if you scroll down, there is a cast list with links to info about individual cast members. http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet/ShowMainServlet/showid-7197/"}, {"response": 123, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (07:56)", "body": "but I enjoyed that dance. I kept comparing her smile with the restrained (constipated) one she had during that first dance with Soames last week. And all the shots of the folks on the sidelines, whispering and rolling their eyes once again. LOL I only got a tiny snippet of this with the narration in the beginning. Did I miss something? Same with the house interiors. (Rika)And is it just me, or is Gruffudd a really bad screen kisser? (suzee), I like him well enough as Bossiney. I'll have to see his kisses again, but if you want kissing lessons, go back to the first episode and watch Young Jo and the great,long,multifaceted kiss he gives Helene. It's a work of art. :)) LOL!"}, {"response": 124, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (09:16)", "body": "(Rika) but I was on his side about the breach of contract. LOL! Reminded me of when I had a lawyer reviewing a contract with a building remodeler. He said these contracts are virtually worthless and it goes way back historically. However, this had to do with the subjective elements like completion, quality, satisfaction, etc., and not costs. (Elizabeth) Maybe they were looking for an unusual style and a scandalous life? True about FLW's personal and professional notoriety, but I guess I'm most curious as to whether Galsworthy modeled him after FLW or was Bossiney merely \"an architect\" with no description given of his style or work techniques. Wright had total control over the interiors as well. (Perhaps, I should bring Bill over here. He would know which house.) (Suzee) He simply cannot understand why she doesn't love him. It was truly pitiful when he seemed to be begging Irene in the carriage to find out what he could do or change about himself so that she would love him. Yes, pitiful, but I still have no sympathy for him. ;-)"}, {"response": 125, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (10:13)", "body": "(Elizabeth S) I'm stuck seeing the character as a cold fish I've been having another vision of Irene, it hit me last night, the pinched lips with just the hint of teeth, I saw a hamster. Can't get the thought out of my head. (Karen) Bossinay was the English Frank Lloyd Wright? (Elizabeth S) Charles Rennie McIntosh, did both, but rigorous angularity isn't the hallmark of his style as it is of Wright's. Funny, I know very little about architecture though I have certainly heard of FLW and have seen examples of his work but the minute I saw the house (in its finished condition, I missed the first 15 minutes or so of the show so any work-in-progress drawings, construction, etc, I missed) I thought of Wright. Even if it's not the intention to model Wright, what it tells me about Bosinney is sufficient - noncomformist, nontraditional, artistic, a visionary with the ego to pull it off. How interesting to find there may be parallels with his life and am also curious to know if this is from the book? Nice touch to the production if not."}, {"response": 126, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (10:41)", "body": "Right now, about the only character I feel sorry for is June. Poor June. She didn't deserve to have Bossiney's attraction for Irene thrown up in her face in such a public venue. And the way he slowly but surely was dumping her??? Be a man about it, will you? How about Soames' mother, when she had her heart to heart with Irene? OK, now we know how she felt about being a wife, but I didn't get the impression that Soames would've known the details. At least, she made the best of the situation and played the wife and mother. A daughter may have been told, but not a son."}, {"response": 127, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (11:14)", "body": "Poor June. How I ached for her - \"No! Don't go to the ball\" I actually almost cried out. Even her choice of clothes gave me pain. As I said, I missed the first 15 minutes or so, so if the character was developed in such a manner perhaps I read more into it than was there, but I thought her choice of gown and accessories for the ball were very sophisticated and femme fatale...if you know what I mean. Made me think of a young girl playing dress up, trying too hard to appear grown up. And then to watch her eyes fill with tears when she saw them....heart-breaking. But then, Gran takes her to Paris, she returns home laden with packages and seems right as rain. I'm anxious to see if this is a brave girl putting a good face on things or an immature, shallow little girl whose heart really was not touched."}, {"response": 128, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (12:19)", "body": "(Barb) I'm anxious to see if this is a brave girl putting a good face on things or an immature, shallow little girl whose heart really was not touched. Right now, I'd say the former, but who knows with this story. ;-) June does seem far older than her years. In her role as Irene's confidante, she seems fairly knowledgeable about marital relations for a 17 year old and her advice (to leave him) is surprising for one whose own father's deserted her."}, {"response": 129, "author": "ceirdre", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (12:27)", "body": "(Karen) I'm most curious as to whether Galsworthy modelled him after FLW. There is at least no direct evidence in the book to support this view. Anyway, the book does not say much about Bosinney\ufffds background. The Forsytes refer to him as the \ufffdbuccaneer\ufffd and someone outside their own class. His relationship to June is a mystery and I still do not know the reasons he ended up engaged to her at all. But the impression I got of Bosinney is of a man who knows his own mind and can stand for it. About Soames\ufffd motive for choosing Bosinney as his architect: \ufffdThe house must be in good style, something that would always be certain to command a price, something unique \ufffd no common edifice. And a common architect was no good \ufffd.This was why he had thought of Bosinney \ufffd... he had made inquiries the result of which had been meagre, but encouraging: One of the new school.\ufffd(As FLW?) \ufffdHe had not been able to discover what houses Bosinney had built, nor what his charges were. The impression he gathered was that he would be able to make his own terms\ufffd\ufffd In addition. \ufffdit would be keeping the thing in the family.\ufffd"}, {"response": 130, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (12:30)", "body": "(BarbS) I've been having another vision of Irene, it hit me last night, the pinched lips with just the hint of teeth, I saw a hamster. LOL! Yes, very like a hamster or perhaps a weasel. She also has beady, glittery little eyes. And when she is filmed from the side, it's even worse. Way too skinny. The term \"hatchet-faced\" keeps coming to mind. Not at all someone who would inspire so much admiration in so many men, IMO. I just finished catching up with TFS last night, so forgive me if I've repeated anything that's already been said. Haven't had time to read all of the posts so far, and didn't want to do so earlier for fear of spoilers."}, {"response": 131, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (12:39)", "body": "(Karen) A \"Prairie\" home, which is supposed to blend into the landscape??? (Suzee)pre-Taliesin (the first). Interestingly, I've been watching Ken Burns' FLW two-parter. The house looks like the one he built in Montana.Second part tonight on PBS. (Rika)And is it just me, or is Gruffudd a really bad screen kisser? (suzee), I like him well enough as Bossiney. I'll have to see his kisses again, but if you want kissing lessons, go back to the first episode and watch Young Jo and the great,long,multifaceted kiss he gives Helene. It's a work of art. :)) Hey, you want a work of art...look at Stephen Dillane as the master and Sophie Marceau as the governess in \"Firelight\". Makes Young Jo look like a teenager. Gruffudd needs kissing lessons from Jeremy Northam. I'm missing the big passion between Irene and Bossiney.No chemistry, IMO. Still think Irene was miscast. DL puts in some acting. How about the dinner scene in the dining room.What acting...you could feel the tension.I though last night's episode was the best. Gorgeous costumes and cinematography. I smell a BAFTA and Emmy. Poor June. Only likeable character in the lot."}, {"response": 132, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (12:40)", "body": "(Karen) I'm most curious as to whether Galsworthy modelled him after FLW. When you copy and paste, there's no need to change spelling, Ceidre. In fact, I wondered if I had actually written that, since I would never have doubled the L in modeled. It is not the preferred American style. ;-) Thank you for the additional details about Bossiney from the book. Soames does think he would be better able to control him because of his lack of experience and reputation. Proceeding with a home that is clearly not of the classical style preferred by architects of that period shows me he is doing it for Irene. Soames' taste in art (pre-Irene) was not for modern or anything that bucked up against traditional representations."}, {"response": 133, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (12:47)", "body": "(suzee) Both were at fault maybe, but the amount of money was insignificant to Soames and all along it was about 'control'for him. I think to some extent it was about control for Bosinney too. Each overage was presented to Soames as a fait accompli, never proposed in advance. So it was a way for Bosinney to ensure his own legacy AND have the fun of being a bit of a thorn in Soames' side without Soames being able to do too much about it. Until..... But the lawsuit really had nothing to do with money or the house. He had just figured out that something was going on between Bosinney and Irene - *that's* what the suit was all about. I know that. But what's interesting about the decorating budget was that if I remember correctly, Bosinney was the one who said, \"Will you put that in writing??\" So it was his own fault that Soames had a piece of paper specifying the agreed-upon budget this time. Bosinney was a fool not to adhere to the letter of that contract, given that he and Irene hadn't exactly been discreet. (Suzee) if you want kissing lessons, go back to the first episode and watch Young Jo and the great,long,multifaceted kiss he gives Helene. It's a work of art. :)) Oh, yeah. That's what I'm talkin' about. (Karen) How about Soames' mother, when she had her heart to heart with Irene? OK, now we know how she felt about being a wife, but I didn't get the impression that Soames would've known the details. At least, she made the best of the situation and played the wife and mother. And tried to explain to Irene, based on personal experience, that there can be rewards to motherhood that might compensate for other deficiencies in one's life. But Irene was having none of it."}, {"response": 134, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (13:42)", "body": "Charles Rennie Mackintosh seems more likely (did you notice the art nouveau typeface used on Bosinney's office's nameplate?) but I took the tour at this site http://www.crmsociety.com/ and didn't see the horizontal lines FLW's works are noted for."}, {"response": 135, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (13:54)", "body": "(suzee) Both were at fault maybe, but the amount of money was insignificant to Soames and all along it was about 'control'for him. I thought he was benevolently giving the job to Bosinney. As he explained to Irene...\"keep it in the family\". Give the young couple a start. I'd be livid with a builder too who took it upon himself to spend my money without my permission.Never mind how much it was. T'is the principle. My heart went out to poor June when she sees Bosinney across the street in London and calls out to him...only to have him tip his hat to her and walk away. Why didn't he have the guts to tell her the truth.The cheek to walk into the ball with Irene on his arm. They're exhibitionists."}, {"response": 136, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (13:58)", "body": "Thanks for the Rennie website...but none of those houses look like Robbin Hill."}, {"response": 137, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (14:18)", "body": "How I ached for her - \"No! Don't go to the ball\" I actually almost cried out. Even her choice of clothes gave me pain. I thought her choice of gown and accessories for the ball were very sophisticated and femme fatale...if you know what I mean. Made me think of a young girl playing dress up, trying too hard to appear grown up. And then to watch her eyes fill with tears when she saw them....heart-breaking. June when she sees Bosinney across the street in London and calls out to him...only to have him tip his hat to her and walk away. then, Gran takes her to Paris, she returns home laden with packages and seems right as rain. This is very upsetting! Non of this I saw last night! I rewatched the video and nada. How could this be? I watched from the beginning. It seems I missed the best parts. Maybe they showed my area the next episode by mistake. I saw Irene's rape by Sloane, I saw her and Bosinney make love. I saw Bosinney get killed, what is going on? Did anyone see what I saw?"}, {"response": 138, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (14:43)", "body": "Moon, you're describing the episode we've yet to see...sounds like the preview I saw last night for the next episode...except what I knew/didn't really know was coming (regarding Bosinney.) My post above was what would have been, I suppose, episode 3 (assuming the first night on PBS was a double episode...)"}, {"response": 139, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (15:08)", "body": "(Karen) Right now, about the only character I feel sorry for is June. Poor June. She didn't deserve to have Bossiney's attraction for Irene thrown up in her face in such a public venue. And the way he slowly but surely was dumping her??? Be a man about it, will you? Totally agree. He isn't being much of a man. Felt particularly sorry for June in street scene after she'd been to his office and he just doffed his hat and didn't even speak to her. Not a man IMO. Don't care for him very much and also feel Irene is lacking in manners. There must be a way to do this without hurting other people so openly. Don't like her much either at this point. IMO her talk with Soames mother was very smart, letting her know there was no future with him and that she certainly did not intend to have children with him. Definitely paved the way, so to speak, for whatever she plans to do. Smart move. However, Soames deserves what he gets. He is forcing her to stay with him against her will, which he said he would not do. (Evelyn) I'd be livid with a builder too who took it upon himself to spend my money without my permission.Never mind how much it was. T'is the principle. I agree. I think Bossiney was willingly taking advantage of the family situation. If he was employed by someone else, I'm sure he would have asked permission for over expenditures. Bad business form."}, {"response": 140, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (15:31)", "body": "(Moon) Non of this I saw last night! I rewatched the video and nada. How could this be? How on earth is your PBS station showing the next week's installment? I bet their phones are ringing off the hook...unless they're showing the series in some other manner (double episodes each week). (Evelyn) I'd be livid with a builder too who took it upon himself to spend my money without my permission.Never mind how much it was. T'is the principle. Who wouldn't? But the laws have been very much on their side. Have you never heard of a mechanic's lien? Talk about having way too much latitude. ;-) (Pam) However, Soames deserves what he gets. He is forcing her to stay with him against her will, which he said he would not do. Good point. That was a condition of marriage and he's reneging on it. Granted we haven't seen her lift a pinkie to make the marriage a success, but she did ask to leave and he turned her down."}, {"response": 141, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (15:31)", "body": "She probably should've gotten that in writing! LOL!"}, {"response": 142, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (15:50)", "body": "(Karen) She probably should've gotten that in writing! LOL! LOL Karen, that came to you just as you hit submit didn't it? (I hate when that happens!)"}, {"response": 143, "author": "ceirdre", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (15:55)", "body": "(Karen) I would never have doubled the L in modeled. It is not the preferred American style. ;-) Sorry about the doubled L. It just came out that way. I know that \ufffdmodelled\ufffd is the British spelling. I just did not think it over at the time."}, {"response": 144, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (15:55)", "body": "He is forcing her to stay with him against her will, which he said he would not do. But.... a) He thought he could get her to love him. b) She never planned to make that marriage a success. If she did,like Moon,...I missed that episode."}, {"response": 145, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (16:06)", "body": "(Evelyn) But.... a) He thought he could get her to love him. Am humming to Beatles song, \"Fool on [Robbyn] Hill\" b) She never planned to make that marriage a success. If she did, like Moon,...I missed that episode. Right, which bugged me last week and made me dislike her then."}, {"response": 146, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (16:14)", "body": "How on earth is your PBS station showing the next week's installment? I bet their phones are ringing off the hook...unless they're showing the series in some other manner (double episodes each week). It was hard, but I got PBS on the line. They did make that mistake and they will be showing us both episodes 2 & 3 next Sunday. I was so upset that I had missed the ball! You know me and balls. I felt so isolated! So I am not going to be able to partake in the discussion this week. :-( Bloody cheek."}, {"response": 147, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (16:19)", "body": "(Pam) He is forcing her to stay with him against her will, which he said he would not do. (Evelyn) But.... a) He thought he could get her to love him. But...he needs to cut his losses. Actually, if she and Bosinney hadn't made such a spectacle of themselves at the ball, he might have been able to let her go and still save some face in society. But now that the *everyone* is certain of a relationship between Irene and Bosinney, Soames has been backed into a corner. He's bound to be embarrassed either way. Also, he'd have this huge house...but for whom? Re why all these men are so enamored of Irene...not only does she resemble a hamster, she has virtually no inflection in her speech. Completely devoid of any kind of passion, even with Bosinney. I would think carrying on with Bosinney would cause at least some deep breathing. And is Monty really interested in her too? What was that while they were dancing and out in the garden? Or is he just trying to get a rise out of her?"}, {"response": 148, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (16:32)", "body": "(Dorine) But now that the *everyone* is certain of a relationship between Irene and Bosinney, Soames has been backed into a corner. How astute, I had missed that part of the dynamic. Maintain appearances at all costs. I would think carrying on with Bosinney would cause at least some deep breathing. At a minimum you would think so, given the subject, 'cept as noted above some think he needs kissing lessons. Just the thought gets my respiration up! And is Monty really interested in her too? What was that while they were dancing and out in the garden? Or is he just trying to get a rise out of her? I liked Monty until that. It took me a minute to think of who that reminded me of...the Jason Alexander character in Pretty Woman who tries to take his shot with Julia Roberts when Richard Gere is not around. The JA character was even more loathesome but it felt like the same \"you do it with him so you'll do it with me\" opportunistic thing."}, {"response": 149, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (16:50)", "body": "Completely devoid of any kind of passion, even with Bosinney. I would think carrying on with Bosinney would cause at least some deep breathing. Devoid of passion???? LOL. Didn't you see when Bosinney asked her to go away with him and she looked shocked: \"I'm married\" LOL. Then she jumped into bed with him.(And was that a yawner;-(("}, {"response": 150, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (17:02)", "body": "(Barb re Bosinney) some think he needs kissing lessons I don't have a huge problem with his kissing. I think the problem is he has to work with what he's got...how great can you look when you're kissing what appears to be a dead fish. ;-) And was that a yawner I'm with you there :-)"}, {"response": 151, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (17:16)", "body": "(moon) You know me and balls. I felt so isolated! Poor baby! Have a sip of champagne, straighten up your tiara, and pretend you were there. ;-) (whoever started this thread) he needs kissing lessons. My main concern was how he was going to kiss her with that hat she was wearing. That took above-average skill (and possibly double-jointedness) on IG's part. ;-0 (Barb) I liked Monty until that...reminded me of...the Jason Alexander character in Pretty Woman who tries to take his shot with Julia Roberts when Richard Gere is not around. The JA character was even more loathesome but it felt like the same \"you do it with him so you'll do it with me\" opportunistic thing. I too liked Monty and your analysis but am not willing to write him off yet. Perhaps by the next episode. I think he did it to take her down a peg. The sad thing about Soames is that he's unwilling to cut his losses. Instead he wants to take on his rival and he still thinks it's possible for he and Irene to have a marriage. What does he really think taking Irene to Florence would achieve?"}, {"response": 152, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (17:20)", "body": "(Karen) My main concern was how he was going to kiss her with that hat she was wearing. That took above-average skill... And then she took it off 2 seconds later! How stupid. It was funny to watch that little head dance/maneuver before the kiss though. ;) What does he really think taking Irene to Florence would achieve? Getting her out of town and away from Bosinney. And getting them both away from prying eyes and the whispering for a while...ostensibly to make a new start. He is so idealistic."}, {"response": 153, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (17:56)", "body": "(Karen) I think he did it to take her down a peg. You know, I like that perspective, that is actually more in keeping with the feel I had for Monty anyway, though I think there is still something of the opportunistic bad-boy there too."}, {"response": 154, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (18:22)", "body": "(Dorine) And is Monty really interested in her too? What was that while they were dancing and out in the garden? Or is he just trying to get a rise out of her? (Karen) I think he did it to take her down a peg. Some of both, maybe? He just can't help himself, he's a bit of a troublemaker. LOL Monte is a scoundrel, albeit a much more adorable one than Soames and, unlike Soames, he probably has at least some redeemable qualities. (Karen) A \"Prairie\" home, which is supposed to blend into the landscape??? (Suzee)pre-Taliesin (the first). (Evelyn)Interestingly, I've been watching Ken Burns' FLW two-parter. The house looks like the one he built in Montana.Second part tonight on PBS. I didn't say the above -- but I do think FLW is interesting and have read some books about him. I don't really like his houses for myself but they are fun to see. I had to miss the Burn's show when it was on.but hope to catch it when it runs again. What does he really think taking Irene to Florence would achieve? (Dorine)Getting her out of town and away from Bosinney. And getting them both away from prying eyes and the whispering for a while...ostensibly to make a new start. He is so idealistic. He wanted to get her away, yes. Away from any semblance of a life. . He wanted her to have no friends,no activities so he could control her every thought and move like all his other property, like his furniture and his paintings which for years he bought and put in a room where he looked at them and touched them and no one else did. \"He is so idealistic\" -- Very funny! (Evelyn)Hey, you want a work of art..look at Stephen Dillane as the master and Sophie Marceau as the governess in \"Firelight\".Young Jo look like a teenager. Oh, I have, I have - over and over LOL (Dillane does another goodie (or two) in 'Deja Vu' - it's worth the rental even if you don't buy it as I did. I think the camera does a full circle for at least one.) But even so, I don't exactly think either makes YJ look like a teenager - at least no teenage boy I ever knew, darn it."}, {"response": 155, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (18:22)", "body": "Sorry,closing (I hope) italics"}, {"response": 156, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (18:27)", "body": "I don't feel sorry for any of them...but at least Soames' liabilities are up front. Miss Goodie-Two-shoes with her virtuous pout and her boyfriend are in the same league under a pretentious facade."}, {"response": 157, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (18:31)", "body": "(E)Hey, you want a work of art..look at Stephen Dillane as the master and Sophie Marceau as the governess in \"Firelight\"...... (Suzee)Oh, I have, I have - over and over LOL (Dillane does another goodie (or two) in 'Deja Vu' - it's worth the rental even if you don't buy it as I did. LOL.Great minds, Suzee....I own both of them too;-))) And did you see him on stage in The Real Thing with JE? Dynamite. Won a Tony ...on his kisses....LOL"}, {"response": 158, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (18:33)", "body": "(Suzee) I don't really like his houses for myself but they are fun to see. Elizabeth was the one who mentioned the pre-Taliesen period BTW. But I've been in enough FLW houses (his own too) to know they're not great to live in either. LOL! Barb: Monty may well belong in the Stuckey category. We shall see. He's been called a leech here and worse. He may be a Stuckey too. ;-)"}, {"response": 159, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (18:35)", "body": "(Evelyn) Miss Goodie-Two-shoes with her virtuous pout and her boyfriend are in the same league under a pretentious facade. Goody Two Shoes? Not with that red dress! Reminds me of when Rhett forced Scarlett to wear that red dress to Ashley Wilkes' birthday party and everybody was gossiping about her. Might as well dress the part. ;-)"}, {"response": 160, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (19:48)", "body": "I have been lurking for the past two weeks because I missed the first hour, but I feel somewhat caught up now... (Karen) Goody Two Shoes? Not with that red dress! The dress was something else! Did anyone notice the straps? They were up and then when she was with Bosinney, they fell off her shoulders... I really dislike Bosinney (sorry). I think he is a total cad right now. He sees June in the street and just tips his hat to her. Then, at the ball he openly flirts with Irene, holding her hand as he walks right by Soames (not that I think he deserves a lot of sympathy). What is it with him? He isn't man enough to call off his engagement (face June and tell her in-person that it is over), yet he will bait Soames in a very public place with his wife! It's not that he is a coward...it's almost as if he is being intentionally cruel to June. Does he resent her 'class' maybe? He openly hates Soames (and I don't think it just because of Irene) and he doesn't appear to love June at all...I'm confused as to what he is all about...suppose I should try to read the book."}, {"response": 161, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (20:18)", "body": "I still rather like McKee in the part. In that family where most of the women are short and not raving beauties, I can imagine that Irene, tall and regal etc., would certainly stand out. I wonder, though if her hair and makeup are not part of the problem - the very severe hairdo - and the way she is photographed. (Maybe she needed some advice from some of the older actresses like Doris Day and her gauze, for example!!). There are moments when she is with Bosinney when she is lovely - when her hair is mussed especially. I don't think she is a goodie-two-shoes or cold. Certainly not in last night's show - unless I saw a different one, too. And she is brutally honest - even with the mother-in-law. In the conversation with her M-I-L, I found her desperation, (when she denied being cold) touching. Not that it excused what she did to June. I think, though, that most telling will be how she handles the role in some of the episodes and surprises to come, so will wait to see that. (Barb)But then, Gran takes her to Paris, she returns home laden with packages and seems right as rain. I'm anxious to see if this is a brave girl putting a good face on things or an immature, shallow little girl whose heart really was not touched I feel for June, too. She seems to be a really good person and probably putting up a good front, but also maybe a 'happy person' at heart who simply doesn't stay miserable for a long time (unlike most of the other characters LOL). (suzee) Both were at fault maybe, but the amount of money was insignificant to Soames and all along it was about 'control'for him. I thought he was benevolently giving the job to Bosinney. As he explained to Irene...\"keep it in the family\". Give the young couple a start. Ack!!!!! Soames did nothing \"benevolently\" - nothing, I say!! :-) He gave it to Bosinney because he thought that since June was Irene's best friend and it would help June, Irene would find it difficult to refuse the house and the move to the country. It was all about controlling Irene. (Evelyn)And did you see him on stage in The Real Thing with JE? Dynamite. Won a Tony ...on his kisses....LOL No - but I read enough about it to know how good both were - they must be \"some kissers\" together LOL"}, {"response": 162, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (21:34)", "body": "(Suzee) He gave it to Bosinney because he thought that since June was Irene's best friend and it would help June, Irene would find it difficult to refuse the house and the move to the country. It was all about controlling Irene. Excellent point! Soames was desperate to remove Irene from the temptations of town. Too bad didn't see trouble brewing in his choice of architect. Maybe she needed some advice from some of the older actresses like Doris Day and her gauze, for example!! LOL! Now I'm envisioning a hazy Irene, with everyone else in sharp focus. :-)"}, {"response": 163, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (21:42)", "body": "Of course Bosinney's got a little of that cliched tortured artiste mentality going on, too, contracts are an impediment to true art and all that dreck. Hey, I like Ioan, so sue me. ;) Yep, the interiors of real Wrights let in much less light and the space is much more manipulated. Wonder if he built her something where the roof leaks? But on Soames' part, Suzee is right; it was definitely all about controlling Irene."}, {"response": 164, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (21:45)", "body": "He gave it to Bosinney because he thought that since June was Irene's best friend and it would help June, Irene would find it difficult to refuse the house and the move to the country. It was all about controlling Irene. I'm sticking to my story.In this instance he was giving the job to \"family\". Can't see why you have been blinded by Irene. Regardless of the fact that she entered into a marriage with no intentions of making it work, she steals her best friends fiancee. She's a slut."}, {"response": 165, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (22:21)", "body": "Soames gave it to \"family\" only because he thought he could get something for nothing (\"make his own terms\"/\"favored-nation\"/\"nominal terms\": \"He had not been able to discover what houses Bosinney had built, nor what his charges were. The impression he gathered was that he would be able to make his own terms. The more he reflected on the idea, the more he liked it. It would be keeping the thing in the family, with Forsytes almost an instinct; and he would be able to get 'favoured-nation,' if not nominal terms--only fair, considering the chance to Bosinney of displaying his talents, for this house must be no common edifice...\" and about Irene: \"...Irene would not be to likely to object to leave London if her greatest friend's lover were given the job. June's marriage might depend on it. Irene could not decently stand in the way of June's marriage; she would never do that, he knew her too well. And June would be pleased; of this he saw the advantage.\" and: \"He really believed it was only because she had taken to Bosinney that she tolerated the idea of the house at all.\" I know, I know - that's the book, but the series makers did say they were working closely from the book ;-)"}, {"response": 166, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Mon, Oct 14, 2002 (22:53)", "body": "(Evelyn)Can't see why you have been blinded by Irene. Regardless of the fact that she entered into a marriage with no intentions of making it work, she steals her best friends fiancee. She's a slut. I believe I said I rather liked McKee in the part - not that Irene is without fault. And I definitely said nothing excused what she did to June. But she is a human being. (And I think she did try at first re the marriage.) Sheesh! I hope you guys aren't around judging me when I make a mistake. LOL (Elizabeth)Of course Bosinney's got a little of that cliched tortured artiste mentality going on, too, contracts are an impediment to true art and all that dreck. Hey, I like Ioan, so sue me. ;) Bosinney's no prize - I agree he was trying to control and also maybe posture for Irene's sake. He was definitely building the house for her and her only. But He and Soames agreed to a price plus extras - they just had different ideas about how much the extras could be! I watched Sunday's show again and I think Ioan's quite good, and I don't think I would turn down his kisses LOL Anyway, here is someone else who likes him a lot: Entertainment Weekly The Forsytes return in a tale of power, money, love and lust. By Gerri Sutton There are two good reasons to relish the new version of that old classic The Forsyte Saga, one more respectable than the other. One is that it's a super soap of the finest imported variety, frothing with love, lust, envy, deceit and vulgar wealth, charting the end of the Victorian era. The word is lavish-the sets, the costumes, the language, the horseflesh and the real estate-in an adaptation that breathes freshness and youth into a veteran story. The other reason is the sheer perve factor of Ioan Gruffud as the architect Bosinney, who falls foul of the powerful Forsyte family. Gruffud has such dramatic good looks he kidnaps the camera, just as Bosinney steals the hearts of two Forsyte women, June (Gillian Kearney) and Irene (Gina McKee). It is the affair between Bosinney and the beautiful Irene Forsyte (rather a wet fish) that rocks the family's foundations. But before \"the buccaneer\" enters, this episode introduces the Forsytes, with their peacock pride and fallibility. Among them is young Jolyon (Rupert Graves), disinherited by his father (Corin Redgrave) after he runs away with the governess (Amanda Ooms), abandoning his young daughter. And at the top of the tree, his cousin Soames (Damian Lewis), cruel and calculating, but relentless as he persuades the reluctant Irene to marry him. There are too many fine performers in this epic to be named but Lewis must be for the way he plays Soames as deeply despicable, with the slightest hint of vulnerability. Although in episode four, he almost evokes sympathy. Almost. A\ufffd"}, {"response": 167, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 15, 2002 (09:11)", "body": "(Suzee)(And I think she did try at first re the marriage.) Maybe in the book. But I didn't see that in the film (Suzee) Sheesh! I hope you guys aren't around judging me when I make a mistake. LOL Mistake?...*Judge you*? Hon, if you came after my man, I'd hunt you down with a knife;-)"}, {"response": 168, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Oct 15, 2002 (09:56)", "body": "I finally got to see the parts of this episode I had missed. Gee, I thought I missed more. Are you really telling me the first time Irene and Phil were intimate was that apparent afternoon delight that began with the intimate legal pillow talk and kicked into low gear with him getting tangled in her skirts? There were some good parts. June - \"I could come to your room.\" Ah child, he is not worthy of the gift you offer. And Mother Forsyte's conversation with Irene, a mother's pain and Irene's brutal honesty, well done I thought. But what's up with the camera work, the single shots that move focus from one speaker to another further from the camera -- for example, I think, when Irene and Soames were discussing her cancelling the carriage ride with Swithin? Pretty distracting."}, {"response": 169, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Tue, Oct 15, 2002 (15:09)", "body": "(Evelyn)Hon, if you came after my man, I'd hunt you down with a knife;-) Hmmm..hmmm...I was thinking more about the fact that she married someone she didn't love, but...(Note to self: remain in a physical location that is at least 1000 miles apart from Evelyn LOL)"}, {"response": 170, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Oct 15, 2002 (15:10)", "body": "(Barb) what's up with the camera work, the single shots that move focus from one speaker to another further from the camera.... Pretty distracting. LOL! When I was watching, I actually thought that was pretty neat."}, {"response": 171, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Tue, Oct 15, 2002 (15:22)", "body": "(Barb)There were some good parts. June - \"I could come to your room.\" That was heart wrenching - she was offering him *everything*. I love the way June stands up to Soames as at the little foursome dinner party when talking about the women in the park. She tells Soames off beautifully, but it's terrible to see the look on her face when she turns and sees Bosinney looking at her with irritation. He should have been proud!"}, {"response": 172, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 15, 2002 (16:00)", "body": "I still don't understand what was going on with the lilies. Must rewatch to see why there was this powerplay going on. Take them away. No, leave them be. No, take them away. Shut up. Shove them up Soames' !@#$ ;-0 What started it? Didn't Bossiney compliment the table, making a mention of the lilies and then the nonsense between June and Martha Stewart began?"}, {"response": 173, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Oct 15, 2002 (17:25)", "body": "Yes - thanks for reminding me of the lilies, Karen. I even re-watched it to see if I could figure it out. (suzee) That was heart wrenching - she was offering him *everything And talk about a cold reaction! \"No, I don't want to take this gift you're offering because I'm busy, and it's none of your business with whom/what I'm busy either.\" What a heel. Actually, maybe he and Irene deserve one another."}, {"response": 174, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 15, 2002 (19:57)", "body": "Someone sent me this : \"There was a blurb in one of the papers a while back: 'HELENA BONHAM CARTER is set to step into the shoes of Nyree Dawn Porter. HBC is being lined up for the role of Irene in a remake of The Forsyte Saga. Dawn Porter, who died last week, played the character in the original series, which won an audience of over 100 million. Other actors being considered for the pounds 6m ITV series are Michael Gambon, Stephen Dillane and Natasha Little.\" I assume MG would play Old J, Natasha Little Winifred or Fleur, SD Soames and HBC Irene. I recently saw a pic of Nyree Dawn Porter (Irenee ,TFS '67) and she was a startling beauty. With Kenneth More. Old J."}, {"response": 175, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Tue, Oct 15, 2002 (20:26)", "body": "(Karen) What started it? Didn't Bossiney compliment the table, making a mention of the lilies and then the nonsense between June and Martha Stewart began? I think so - I think Bosinney complimented them, Irene mentioned the great smell and June being justifiably upset said who could like the smell? Irene said take them away, June said don't, etc /so forth/so on!!!! Priceless! Loved poor Wilson trying to decide what to do, caught in the middle. Shove them up Soames' !@#$ ;-0 Good one,old thing. Spot on!! ;-) (I think Monte is getting to me.) I liked the scene in the park,too, when YJ pointed out to OJ that he would be rather an odd choice to talk to Bosinney."}, {"response": 176, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Tue, Oct 15, 2002 (20:33)", "body": "Friday 5th October 2001. Actor Rupert Graves holding an exclusive telephone interview with the website from a noisy and busy Camden. Excerpt: PB: Now then, the big thing you are doing at the moment is obviously The Forsyte Saga for Granada ? Rupert Graves: Yeah, it's from a novel by John Galsworthy - that they are re-doing again....it's a great big saga, one of those things...and what you hope with these things is that it becomes really fascinating when you get to know the character...you need at least two episodes to get into it I think, you hope that people will stick with it for at least two episodes....then it becomes like a monumental 19th century soap opera, it's a real old saga, and it covers the family, from say the 1870's to maybe 1910's.... PB: And you play the role of Young Jolyon... Rupert Graves: Yeah. PB: Do you find it difficult to do roles that have been done before, and do you worry about it a bit , with comparisons and such like ? Rupert Graves: Well, obviously when you say it, people assume that you are making a remake of the TV series, but you're not....like there are many versions of Dickens novels that have been made into films...so it's such a shame...I think the difficult thing is for the producers, who tend to worry about audience numbers, is that it was such a big hit in the 1960's. PB: Yes, I see.. Rupert Graves: Because it was challenging, because it has sex scenes, because it has a rape scene, stuff that had never been shown then...and now it's all over the place, you have films like Intimacy, you know..I mean like oral sex on scene, which is dumb. PB: Exactly. Rupert Graves: I mean, we are going to suffer on the shock front, definitely, well we won't suffer, but we won't have that kind of prurient interest. PB: You mentioned there the audience numbers, which crossed my mind as well, simply because with ITV doing it, they are going to be more interested in ratings as against say The BBC for example. Rupert Graves: Yeah, you might be right there, but there's not being much of that really - we've got a good director for the um..first three episodes, Chris, who is just doing what he wants, he's very good at the politics....and also I think that they are confident that it's going to do alright....the only thing I'm kind of worried about is that people are heartily sickened of period...you know costume dramas on TV again. PB: Yeah. Rupert Graves: However, it is very well written, the books are fantastic, and hopefully the scripts are good - the directors are good, the actors are good - so hopefully it will all come together and make something really good. PB: It's all sounding as though it should really work well then... Rupert Graves: Yeah, you have to get over the audience numbers thing, and hopefully the audience can get over their antipathy towards..you know...period dramas being on TV again - it is great, it's really good. PB: You sound as though,well very enthusiastic..you are really enjoying doing this. Rupert Graves: I am , though I've not been too busy with it at times, I'm not in the first three episodes too much, I'm in the last episodes a lot more, so it's been quite good for me, having a job and only having to work something like two days a week. PB: That's alright then, it's alright for some! Rupert Graves: (Laughing) Yeah!"}, {"response": 177, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Wed, Oct 16, 2002 (02:44)", "body": "That should have been \"poor Bilson\" - not Wilson."}, {"response": 178, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 16, 2002 (09:42)", "body": "(RG)\"the only thing I'm kind of worried about is that people are heartily sickened of period...you know costume dramas on TV again. He thinks TV is bad...he should try a costume drama film. I bet those guys take those jobs only if they're desperate. Spring excluded, of course.We all lap up all the Masterpiece Theatre stuff."}, {"response": 179, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Wed, Oct 16, 2002 (12:30)", "body": "Evelyn, I think Kenneth Moore played Rupert graves part. At least they aged! i think you will all be interested in June's ageing process;-) Say no more! I am following your excellent discussion and viewpoints with great pleasure and wished I had set my video earlier in the year :-(( Won't make that mistake with the second series. Thank you all."}, {"response": 180, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Oct 16, 2002 (12:47)", "body": "(Lizza) i think you will all be interested in June's ageing process;-) Say no more! Arg!! A teaser...I hate teasers!!"}, {"response": 181, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 16, 2002 (13:25)", "body": "(lizza) Evelyn, I think Kenneth Moore played Rupert graves part. At least they aged! That ole guy is Rupert Graves?"}, {"response": 182, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Wed, Oct 16, 2002 (15:12)", "body": "I read that most of the stars of the first series were much too old for their parts in the beginning episodes. Kenneth More (YJ) had been something of a movie \"heart throb\" but was \"aging\" - he was in his mid 50's and was actually a few years older than Joseph O'Conor who played OJ. Someone involved with the making of the new series said that they definitely didn't want to repeat that sort of casting. I also read that Porter, although prettily blonde, was not much of an actress. I don't remember the first series very well - it's been a long time since I have seen it (a rerun in the 70's or 80's?). I vaguely remember liking Eric Porter in his part and not liking her (meaning the actors, not the characters). I can't remember much about the others except Susan Hampshire. Lizza, I have also read some interesting comments about June's aging process - if it's the same as your teaser, it will be interesting, but makes little sense to me now - have to wait to see it. I looked up Gillian Kearney's age - she is 30. I certainly think she looked younger in her first scenes! I also noticed she played the young Shirley Valentine, a movie I haven't seen but have intended to rent."}, {"response": 183, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Wed, Oct 16, 2002 (15:38)", "body": "I just read the dinner/lily scene in the book again. When June arrives before dinner and goes to look for Bosinney, she's inside looking out and the room was \"filled with a sweet hot scent of flowering azaleas. She took a long breath of the perfume, and heard Bosinney's voice, not in the room, but quite close...\" Then she sees B and Irene standing in the midst of the azalea blossoms,she watches them through a \"screen\" of blossoms and \"A wave of the azalea scent drifted into June's face; she felt sick and dizzy.\" Then when she speaks to let them know she's watching, she says, \"I can't bear this scent!\" No wonder she'd had it with azaleas/lilies by the time they had dinner. LOL I didn't look at the scene again - guess maybe they were standing among lilies?"}, {"response": 184, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Wed, Oct 16, 2002 (16:02)", "body": "Barb.. I hate teasers! I didn't want to say any more and make a teaser a spoiler;-) (Evelyn) That ole guy was Rupert Graves? Yup! Same part. (Suzzee) I can't remember much about the others except Susan Hampshire I saw her on stage last year, she still has a luminous beauty. I expect you remember Martin Jarvis as Jon? Mustn't say any more... more teasers! Yes it's true the original cast were too old for their parts. We will no doubt come back to revisit June and her age quite soon, then you can tell us what you've read;-) Anyone in UK who watches \"Coupling\" with Emilia Fox, it also stars Ben Miles, Monty, he looks very different (obviously!), worth checking him out. I believe the series is being sold to NBC, but will play with US cast."}, {"response": 185, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Oct 16, 2002 (16:15)", "body": "(Lizza)I didn't want to say any more and make a teaser a spoiler;-) I know, I know, and I DO thank you. *sigh* I'm awful at Christmas too ;-)"}, {"response": 186, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 16, 2002 (16:40)", "body": "Azaleas? Fragrant? Hmmm, mine are so low to the ground that I wouldn't even know if they were. But will try to remember to check next spring. ;-) So there wasn't a flower arrangement struggle over dinner, huh, Suzee?"}, {"response": 187, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Wed, Oct 16, 2002 (17:09)", "body": "There was. It just didn't go on so long - although June disagrees with everything from food to sunsets during dinner (*very* uncomfortable atmosphere): And smilingly Irene said: \"The azaleas are so wonderful this year!\" To this Bosinney murmured: \"Wonderful! The scent's extraordinary!\" June said: \"How can you like the scent? Sugar, please, Bilson.\" Sugar was handed her, and Soames remarked: \"This charlottes good!\" The charlotte was removed. Long silence followed. Irene, beckoning, said: \"Take out the azalea, Bilson. Miss June can't bear the scent.\" \"No; let it stay,\" said June."}, {"response": 188, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Wed, Oct 16, 2002 (17:40)", "body": "(Lizza)I expect you remember Martin Jarvis as Jon? A bit - I certainly remember the story. According to IMDb, he is in one of the new Inspector Lynley mysteries, but not the one we have already seen in the US. (Lizza)Anyone in UK who watches \"Coupling\" with Emilia Fox, it also stars Ben Miles, Monty Miles was in 'The Life and Crimes of William Palmer' as Thomas Palmer. I can't remember - I'm thinking that may have been Dr. Palmer's brother, but I'm not sure. I think I still have that series on tape somewhere around here. I am definitely interested in seeing more of him."}, {"response": 189, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Thu, Oct 17, 2002 (03:44)", "body": "The British National TV awards were announced yesterday. When the first nominations were announced in July, TFS was included, but it didn't make the shortlist, nor did any of the actors. I'm not sure how the first nominations are determined but the public votes for the final winners. Original Nominees for 'Most popular Drama' (Only the last 3 made the shortlist cut and 'Auf Wiedersehen,Pet' won.) The Bill The Forsyte Saga Spooks Cutting It Band Of Brothers. Casualty Bad Girls A Touch of Frost Auf Wiedersehen, Pet Complete Shortlist: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2329203.stm Winners: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2331507.stm#picture --------------------------- Period drama the Forsyte Saga continues... In Rodney Street Oct 7 2002 Daily Post PERIOD drama The Forsyte Saga meant a city centre street needed a complete make-over to film scenes for a new series. Residents of Rodney Street, Liverpool, came home to find the area bustling with vintage cars and characters in period dress. Lead actor Rupert Graves casually walked down the recreation of Harley Street in London dressed in top-hat and long coat. The BBC have written a script which picks up where the original John Galsworthy novel left off and will be unveiled in the spring. It sees Jolyon Forsyte, played by Rupert Graves, aged 20 years as the characters' lives continue with the followup script. Speaking on set, Graves revealed his character, Jolyon Forsyte, has to visit the doctor because of terrible pain in his heart. With theatrical smoke billowing from behind the row of vintage cars, he left fans pondering on his character's future. He said: \"It's a brand new script which tries to recreate the spirit of the John Galsworthy concept and we hope it will be a success.\" http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100regionalnews/page.cfm?objectid=12261016&method=full&siteid=50061"}, {"response": 190, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Thu, Oct 17, 2002 (04:43)", "body": "News From Merseyside The Saga Continues... FILMING in Liverpool has started on the second series of hit ITV1 period drama \ufffdThe Forsyte Saga\ufffd. The Granada production, which is based on the novel by John Galsworthy, tells the tale of the lives and loves of English aristocrats James and Emily Forsyte. The high profile cast includes Rupert Graves, Damian Lewis and Wendy Craig as well as local actress Gillian Kearney. Parts of Liverpool will be transformed into Victorian Britain, with scenes to be shot around Canning Street later this month. It will mean signposts being removed, period gas lamps installed temporarily and sand being placed on the road to make the scenes look authentic. Liverpool Cricket Club has been used to depict Lords in a scene which will involve a crowd of more than one hundred extras in period costume. Councillor Warren Bradley, Executive Board member for Leisure and Culture, said: \ufffdThe Forsyte Saga proved to be one of the biggest TV hits of the year when it was screened earlier this year, and it\ufffds great news that the second series is being filmed here too. \ufffdA major theme of our Capital of Culture bid is the fantastic heritage we have in this city \ufffd and this is a wonderful way of showing it off to millions of television viewers.\ufffd Film Office manager Lynn Saunders added: \ufffdI\ufffdm delighted to welcome back the Forsyte Saga to the city. I know the production team were very impressed with the variety of locations we were able to offer them last time, coupled with the co-operation they received from the city council and the people of Liverpool.\ufffd The first series of the drama attracted up to nine million viewers, and has been hailed as one of ITV1\ufffds biggest successes of the year. The second series is due to be screened next year. ------------------- Press Release: The Forsyte Saga - Second Series. By Granada Media. Filming \ufffd 29 August to December 2002 Excerpt: DAMIAN LEWIS, GINA MCKEE and RUPERT GRAVES are to reprise the famous roles of Soames, Irene and Young Jolyon this month when production begins again in Manchester, Liverpool and Cheshire. Key new cast includes EMMA GRIFFITHS MALIN (The Cazalets) and LEE WILLIAMS (The Debt) who will take on the...roles of Fleur and Jon...MICHAEL MALONEY (Prosper Profond) and OLIVER MILBURN (Michael Mont) will also star in the drama, which is to be produced by David Boulter with Executive Producer Sita Williams and written by Kate Brooke and Phil Woods. Andy Wilson is to direct. Producer David Boulter said: \ufffdIt\ufffds a classic \ufffdfirst love\ufffd story. Our adaptation of the third book will have a completely different look and feel to our first series because, apart from the opening scenes, the whole story is set over a two month period in 1920. The story focuses on the individual journeys of the characters and their trials and tribulations. It\ufffds an emotional epic which will make compelling viewing.\ufffd ----------- Pic of a home in Manchester: \"The gardens of the 20th century estate served as one of the settings for Granada's highly-acclaimed production of the Forsyte Saga\" http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/news/stories/Detail_LinkStory=18641.html"}, {"response": 191, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Thu, Oct 17, 2002 (04:45)", "body": "First published on Tuesday 15 October 2002: What a saga! Arley becomes home to Forsytes by Gareth Dunning IT WAS lights, camera action at Arley Hall where Granada has been filming the next series of the ITV drama The Forsyte Saga. The grounds were filled with camera crews, trailers and lighting equipment and the actors in the series, based on John Galsworthy's To Let trilogy. With its ancient history and more than 100 acres of picturesque gardens and parklands Arley Hall, near Appleton Thorn, was the perfect setting for the 1920s' period drama. Granada spent the past two weeks at Arley Hall and used Lord Ashcroft's private house and parts of the gardens for filming. Stars including Damian Lewis (Soames) Gina McKee (Irene) from the first series and new cast member Emma Griffith Malin (Fleur) have been filming inside the stately home. Mick Graham, location manager for The Forstye Saga, said: \"We chose Arley Hall because it was perfect for the period. \"The gardens are fantastic too and it is supposed to be set in Green Park in London and parts of the gardens look similar. \"The rooms are beautiful and again are similar to those you might find in an expensive house on Park Lane, London.\" Arley Hall is certainly not camera shy as the splendid area has been used as a setting for several television programmes including Coronation Street, The Adventures of Sherlock Homes and part of the gardens were used in the first series of The Forsyte Saga. Judy Popley, marketing manager, said: \"We are always delighted to welcome television companies into Arley Hall. \"We are delighted to have The Forstye Saga crew back and we're looking forward to working with them again.\" http://www.thisischeshire.co.uk/cheshire/archive/2002/10/15/Warrington_News985ZM.html"}, {"response": 192, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 17, 2002 (07:55)", "body": "Only the last 3 made the shortlist cut and 'Auf Wiedersehen,Pet' won.) Wonder if it was a costume drama;-) Thanks Suzee. Wish they wudda given us a pic of Arley Hall."}, {"response": 193, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 17, 2002 (08:37)", "body": "Ask and ye shall receive:"}, {"response": 194, "author": "ChgoRed", "date": "Thu, Oct 17, 2002 (09:00)", "body": "Hello all! Am stepping out of lurking to say how much I've enjoyed following your Forsyte conversation. My name is Tori, and I run the \"Damian Lewis: Posh Rough\" Website (the one with the Forsyte recaps). While I love the series, I have to say that the one character who I definitely do *not* like is Bosinney (no offense to any Ioan-ites). I hate the way he treats June--that scene where he doffs his hat and walks on...ooh! Just want to--grrr... Mixed feelings about Irene, I must admit. I can understand her position, but that bit at the waltz (love that dress) was beyond the pale. Maybe she can't/won't ever love him, but that's no reason to humiliate the guy in front of friends and family. I say this even though I know that his behavior in later episodes makes me wish she'd give him a good kick in the shin. So there ya go. Anyway, my two cents. (And thanks to Moon and Karen for helping me get signed on here. :) Tori"}, {"response": 195, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Oct 17, 2002 (11:34)", "body": "Tori, that's an excellent job you've done with the site. I really enjoyed looking at it. Were you a DL fan prior to Forsyte? I got hooked during Band of Brothers. I think he's terrific. Catching up on the comments on last week's episode: I told you from the start that Monty was a bum, and he proved it last week by hitting on Irene. You people are so taken in by the appearance of goodness.;-) Re: Irene and Bosinney's in-your-face behavior at the ball: whatever happened to discreet cheating? You almost get the sense that they want to be discovered. I know, I know, Soames is not without his faults, but think how humiliating this was for him. Geez, he even offered to take her on vacay to Florence! He wouldn't have to ask me twice.;-) Irene is a big dope."}, {"response": 196, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 17, 2002 (14:25)", "body": "Nice to see you here, Tori! I agree with Mari, you've done a great job."}, {"response": 197, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 17, 2002 (18:07)", "body": "Hi Tori. Glad our friends helped you find us...would you pl give us the address of the DL website. I thought DL was terrific as Major Dick Winters too . Thanks Karen for Arley Hall pic. Looks like the same house as \"Middlemarch\". Good Forsyte discussion on Virtual Views on Pemberley. Consensus: on Irene. Several had seen the original series."}, {"response": 198, "author": "Saskia", "date": "Thu, Oct 17, 2002 (19:51)", "body": "Reading your comments on The Forsyte Saga are really adding to my pleasure in viewing it. You raise many interesting points, plus you're all so entertaining in your posts. I quite like Gina McKee as Irene. She really does remind me of Anjelica Huston, tall, dark and regal. I really do respect the opinions of those who feel she was miscast. As many of you, are probably, have read or are currently reading the Galsworthy novels; you might be familiar with this passage. I feel that it goes a long way in explaining the Soames/Irene marriage. That she was one of those women--not too common in the Anglo-Saxon race--born to be loved and to love, who when not loving are not living, had certainly never even occurred to him. Her power of attraction, he regarded as part of her value as his property; but it made him, indeed, suspect that she could give as well as receive; and she gave him nothing! \"Then why did she marry me?' was his continual thought.\" He had, forgotten his courtship; that year and a half when he had besieged and lain in wait for her, devising schemes for her entertainment, giving her,presents, proposing to her periodically, and keeping her other admirers away with his perpetual presence. He had forgotten the day when, adroitly taking advantage of an acute phase of her dislike to her home surroundings, he crowned his labours with success. If he remembered anything, it was the dainty capriciousness with which the gold-haired, dark-eyed girl had treated him. He certainly did not remember the look on her face--strange, passive, appealing--when suddenly one day she had yielded, and said that she would marry him. Thanks for the articles, links and great discussion."}, {"response": 199, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Oct 17, 2002 (20:21)", "body": "(Saskia -- from TFS -- re Irene) who when not loving are not living; adroitly taking advantage of an acute phase of her dislike to her home surroundings; He certainly did not remember the look on her face--strange, passive, appealing--when suddenly one day she had yielded Thanks for this Saskia. I'm not an Irene fan though given your insightful citations, I find I might be able to be a Gina McKee fan. She just seems so dead to me. But it seems maybe she is as she should be."}, {"response": 200, "author": "ChgoRed", "date": "Thu, Oct 17, 2002 (21:20)", "body": "Thanks all for the nice welcome, and the compliments on the Website. Much appreciated. To answer your questions--I'd never heard of Damian before Band of Brothers, and didn't really even pay him much attention until about the 4th or 5th episode. Believe it or not, I think Winters and Soames actually have something in common, in that they both have so much going on beneath the surface. Neither is easily categorized. I think if you want to watch Gina do a remarkable job, watch her in the movie \"Croupier.\" It's a rather odd film, but she is quite good in it. She even smiles! More than once! And yeah, Monty is a bum. You'll see. ;) Tori http://www.chgoredhead2001.com/DamianLewis.html"}, {"response": 201, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Thu, Oct 17, 2002 (21:43)", "body": "Welcome, Tori - I've already very much enjoyed looking around your site! (Mari)You people are so taken in by the appearance of goodness.;-) Methinks many of **You People** are soooo taken in by the appearance of Damien Lewis!;-). I really must see this guy in something else so that I don't picture the actor as Soames. Ugh! He makes my skin crawl. If I had to be in a room alone with Monty or Soames, Monty would win hands down. I wouldn't have lasted as long as Irene with Soames creeping around, watching me and - worse - touching me. (I'm thinking he is a good actor to give this impression.) Monte is a scoundrel and weak but more of a human being than Soames (and I know the rest of the story). If Soames had treated him with some modicum of respect, Monty may have had a chance at success. I believe he did care for his wife. As you all know, I agree with Saskia about Gina McKee. And I think the producers should have included more of the little clues about those first two years of the Soames/Irene marriage. Besides Soames' thoughts about how Irene tried to love him, but just couldn't, there is another passage that is even more telling. This is just after she has asked him to let her go. He, of course, has conveniently forgotten his promise (some \"gentleman\" - he has a very selective memory) and tells her that she is talking nonsense; she should just behave herself. The he insists that (against her will) she go to the park with him, they sit on a bench and: . \"It was some time since he had enjoyed her company in the Park. That was one of the past delights of the first two seasons of his married life, when to feel himself the possessor of this gracious creature before all London had been his greatest, though secret, pride. How many afternoons had he not sat beside her, extremely neat, with light grey gloves and faint, supercilious smile, nodding to acquaintances, and now and again removing his hat. His light grey gloves were still on his hands, and on his lips his smile sardonic, but where the feeling in his heart? The seats were emptying fast, but still he kept her there, silent and pale, as though to work out a secret punishment. Once or twice he made some comment, and she bent her head, or answered \"Yes\" with a tired smile.\" ---------- Also Good Forsyte discussion on HW Forums - \"Potpourri\" Board Consensus: thumbs UP on Irene (and McKee);-D"}, {"response": 202, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 17, 2002 (21:48)", "body": "(Mari) You almost get the sense that they want to be discovered. Interesting point. Maybe that's the only way Irene thinks she can force Soames' hand, that he'll have to let her go or dump her. (Mari) I told you from the start that Monty was a bum, and he proved it last week by hitting on Irene. I'm still reserving judgment on him because I didn't take his hitting on Irene seriously. OK, next week, he'll probably be batting Freddie around and I'll have to turn on him too. ;-) Thanks for the passage from the book, Saskia. That only made me more critical of the production, because we didn't get a sense of how ardently Soames pursued Irene and how he drove off other potential suitors. Much as I love Gina M (and I do), Croupier isn't her film. Go find Michael Winterbottom's Wonderland. Go buy Wonderland. The music is magnificent as well."}, {"response": 203, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Oct 17, 2002 (21:50)", "body": "(Mari) You people are so taken in by the appearance of goodness.;-) (Chgo Redhead) And yeah, Monty is a bum. You'll see. ;) I believe I am convinced. Among them all, there is not goodness \"enough to make one good sort of man\" (Sorry, mixing my novels but the J Austen quote seemed too apt.)"}, {"response": 204, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Fri, Oct 18, 2002 (02:35)", "body": "(Barb)I believe I am convinced. Among them all, there is not goodness \"enough to make one good sort of man\" I think you hit the nail on the head!!! Galsworthy didn't give us any heroes. He was supposedly skewering the entire English middle class. I read an essay about his books where the writer speculated that because he wrote the story over such a long period of time, he changed his mind or his attitude about certain of his characters and so allowed them to have redeeming (or not) qualities that surprised even him. 'A Man of Property' was published in 1904 (or 1906) and at the time was intended to stand-alone - he supposedly didn't plan more about the family. But that changed. Besides the rest of the\"Saga\", there are three short novels, which were published as \"A Modern Comedy\" in 1928/29 (in his preface for that, he claimed he still did not know \"precisely what [Soames] stands for.\") and still more up until 1931. He died in 1933. Also interesting is the fact that Galsworthy lived secretly with his future wife for 10 years. His father didn't approve of her and he didn't marry her until his father died and he became financially independent. She had been married before (to Galsworthy's cousin) and he used her unhappy first marriage as the basis for Irene and Soames, including some of the specifics we have yet to see. BTW, I think this upcoming episode will end where the first book does."}, {"response": 205, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct 18, 2002 (11:07)", "body": "Thank you Tori, for the terrific DL website. V. comprehensive. I remember reading that in casting for BoB,Stephen Speilberg remembered DL as Laertes in \"Hamlet\" on B'way with Rafe Fiennes. Will have to check him out on Mickey Love ,a TV play from 1993. Also with JE and Alan Cumming.Love all those early works. Just for the record, I liked Gina Mc Kee too in Notting Hill. Thought she had more chemistry with Hugh Bonneville than with current lover Boissney. That's my objection to her acting skills in this production. She is so one dimensional; same languid expression (or expressionless!) throughout. Where's the passion?Nada. Perhaps in Eps #4, she'll warm up;-)"}, {"response": 206, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct 18, 2002 (11:16)", "body": "I didn't see Wonderland (wide release?). But I did see Croupier. Don't remember her as Marion Nell. Was she the girlfriend? Terrific film, BTW. Seen it twice; LOL, to figure it out."}, {"response": 207, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 18, 2002 (11:18)", "body": "(Ev) Thought she had more chemistry with Hugh Bonneville Really? He didn't play her husband, but was the friend who worked in the City. ;-)"}, {"response": 208, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct 18, 2002 (11:35)", "body": "LOL. Ooops....I *really* meant Hugh Grant;-) (But thanks for the *winkie*)"}, {"response": 209, "author": "Saskia", "date": "Fri, Oct 18, 2002 (15:45)", "body": "(Suzee) Also Good Forsyte discussion on HW Forums - \"Potpourri\" Board Consensus: thumbs UP on Irene (and McKee);-D Thanks, Suzee, for the information about the Forsyte discussion at HW Forums and for posting the passage concerning Soames forcing Irene to go to the park with him. I thought that in particular this passage was particularly telling. That was one of the past delights of the first two seasons of his married life, when to feel himself the possessor of this gracious creature before all London had been his greatest, though secret, pride. That perfectly expresses the point that Soames is indeed \"the man of property\" and Irene is very much a prized possession. But I do think that, in his way, he does love her as much as he is able. It's just that she finds him repellent, emotionally, intellectually and physically. Soames wants desperately to be loved by Irene, yet he almost literally makes her sick. Karen is right, Wonderland is a great movie and Gina McKee is terrific in it. Tori, thanks for the link to your Damian Lewis site. It looks great. I think that your comment about the characters, Richard Winters and Soames Forsyte, having points of similiarity was interesting. Like you, I also, really liked GM in Croupier and she did actually smile, more than once, in it! One more thing about the character of Irene. It seems that Nyree Dawn Porter wasn't the first actress to have played her. No, actually it was Greer Garson, who at one time also played Elizabeth Bennett. It was in a 1949 Hollywood adaptation of The Man of Property titled That Forsyte Woman. Errol Flynn played Soames. Here's are some links concerning it. http://www.allmovie.com/cg/avg.dll and http://home.clara.net/digger/that.htm"}, {"response": 210, "author": "Saskia", "date": "Fri, Oct 18, 2002 (15:48)", "body": "I'm so confused. I didn't know if I wanted to type \"Here are some links...\" or \"Here's some links...\" So I make a mess by typing \"Here's some links...\" Anyway...I hope it made sense."}, {"response": 211, "author": "Saskia", "date": "Fri, Oct 18, 2002 (16:08)", "body": "I'm posting this because I'd forgotten that the All Movie site can be a real pain when posting links. If you clicked on the first link that I posted and got an error message, please try this. http://www.allmovie.com/ Which will take you to the main page of the site. Then type That Forsyte Woman into the search window and enter. That is only if you're interested, of course."}, {"response": 212, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Fri, Oct 18, 2002 (16:55)", "body": "Thanks for the links, Saskia - however you typed them! I vaguely remember this movie as not very good. I love Greer Garson, but IMO Errol Flynn was a lousy actor. I most remember a very young, very pretty Janet Leigh. It would be interesting to see it again now. -------------- Here's a link to the Madame X portrait mentioned before: http://www.jssgallery.org/Paintings/Madame_X.htm ---------------- I don't think this has been posted before: The Hollywood Reporter The Forsyte Saga Oct. 04, 2002 By Laurence Vittes Thirty years ago, the original \"Forsyte Saga\" started a craze for sophisticated soap operas that led to the rise of Masterpiece Theatre and, along with it, public television. Now, PBS brings back an outstanding new version that will make new converts and perhaps even convince some old-timers. It's never easy to remake a classic, but Granada and WGBH have risen to the challenge with a superb new production of the entertainment, based on the novels of John Galsworthy, that created an insatiable appetite for miniseries of the sophisticated British kind. Spread over seven Sundays, the eight hours of this gorgeous new version feature a brilliant cast working with a series of scripts that time the relentless twists and turns of the Forsyte fortunes with hair-trigger accuracy. It's a little slow-going at first, as all miniseries must inevitably be when they have to introduce such a large cast of characters. But once away, there's hardly room to take a breath. A large amount of the credit must go to directors Christopher Menaul and David Moore, who employ an unusually varied repertoire of emotionally charged angles and perspectives that, aided by some razor-sharp cutting, allow viewers to get to know the actors on a very intimate basis -- including some heart-pounding seduction scenes that leave very little to the imagination. Assembling a large cast of such high quality cannot have been easy, especially when the producers were obviously intent on finding actors whose charismatic looks, instead of being conventionally beautiful, were reflective of their personalities. Indeed, the degree to which the protagonists in this tawdry story -- Damian Lewis as colder-than-ice Soames Forsyte and Gina McKee as his sultry, unwilling bride -- project the intensity of their roles is at times powerful beyond belief. Key roles in the first two hours are played by Corin Redgrave, who epitomizes the tragic class consciousness of the old guard without becoming sentimental; Rupert Graves, whose struggle toward decency never becomes cloying; Amanda Ooms, who summons up unsuspected beauty and courage from her plain face; and Ioan Gruffudd, who blossoms into beauty before the viewer's eyes. True, some old-timers may miss the more refined elegance of the original. And, of course, some cynics may see this new version as bordering on a Monty Python-type parody. But all in all, it's hard to imagine it being done better."}, {"response": 213, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Oct 19, 2002 (02:00)", "body": "Great analogy Karen on the red dress between Scarlet and Irene. Were that it was Ms. Leigh as Irene. What a difference an actress can make."}, {"response": 214, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Sat, Oct 19, 2002 (16:29)", "body": "(Saskia)It's just that she finds him repellent, emotionally, intellectually and physically. Soames wants desperately to be loved by Irene, yet he almost literally makes her sick I read another interesting passage last night that indicated how Irene did try at first to be a wife to Soames, but did find him repellent. It seems clear that when she married him, she had no idea what marriage involved, i.e. sex. If she knew it involved some kind of closeness, she didn't know what it really meant. She says that she knew the first week of marriage that she had done a terrible wrong by marrying him, that only then did she realize what a horrid mistake she had made. This makes sense because a young girl at that time often did not know anything about sex - especially if a single father had raised her. To think that she could marry him and be a wife - entertaining, keeping a home, going about, etc. is much different from marrying him and being that physically close. Part of the reason that Irene is so repressed, so sad, so devoid of emotion is that she had reached the bottom, she really gave up. She is described more than once as 'passive.' She had tried, but simply could not feel anything but disgust for Soames and she despised herself for it, she believed that she was a bad person. I think she is very depressed, almost in a fog, and then when she is able to feel 'something' for Bosinney, she is so relieved and thrilled, she doesn't care about anything else - she does want Soames to know and to let her go as he promised. It gives her courage in a way to simply know that she can feel love for someone after all. The more I read, the more I realize how perfect McKee is for this part. This woman was not a cutesy type, or a super-model type or a Southern Belle type. Someone described her (McKee as Irene) as a paragon of British upper-class beauty (at that time) - she was beautiful, not \"pretty.\" A standard issue pretty actress would be wrong. There was a mystery abou Irene, a sense that she was unattainable. The fact that she seemed emotionally withdrawn, that it was impossible to understand what was going on inside her -- these things were what made her so attractive to men rather than simply perfect features as we think of them today. BTW, there is more 'possess'/'possessing'/'possessed'/'possession' in this book than in Possession :)"}, {"response": 215, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sat, Oct 19, 2002 (17:11)", "body": "(Suzee) I read another interesting passage last night that indicated how Irene did try at first to be a wife to Soames, but did find him repellent. It seems clear that when she married him, she had no idea what marriage involved, i.e. sex. I think the production has done us a huge disservice by not attempting some representation of that. It would do so much to explain that relationship which is central to so much. With that understanding of extreme depression and self-hatred, Irene (as played by McKee) is more understandable. Still annoying but understandable. And I don't think it would have taken an Andrew Davies with his single common denominator (sex) to fashion a traumatizing wedding night that would have filled in many of the weak areas. I think she is very depressed, almost in a fog, and then when she is able to feel 'something' for Bosinney, she is so relieved and thrilled, she doesn't care about anything else... It gives her courage in a way to simply know that she can feel love for someone after all. But why Bosinney? Despite the fact I think Ioan Gruffudd is a hot little firecracker, Bosinney is egotistical, despicable and very self-centered. Soames in a prettier package? Not enough to explain her night-and-day response to him. Suzee, thank you for posting what you are finding. The insights are great and it helps me to remember I almost could not get through P&P because the Mrs. Bennet character was so annoying."}, {"response": 216, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 19, 2002 (17:32)", "body": "(Suzee)she had no idea what marriage involved, i.e. sex. If she knew it involved some kind of closeness, she didn't know what it really meant She's more of a dud than I thought.(Mc Kee was perfect casting in that light).And beats me how Galsworthy got a Nobel for this one; the pickings must have been slim that year. I think Middlemarch was much better in content and execution. I read the same thing,Suzee. Apparently Irene writes a letter at the end(!) explaining all.Too late!"}, {"response": 217, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Sat, Oct 19, 2002 (18:35)", "body": "Evelyn, are you reading the book now? Wasn't Middlemarch published much earlier? 1870's? I think these books are wonderful. I am amazed at how easy to read and modern the writing is. The passage in the book I referred to seemed to illuminate Irene's sadness and regret over what she had done in marrying Soames. It struck me as sort of \"if only I had known then what I found out during the first week of marriage, I wouldm't have done it.\" Girls in Victorian times were not duds if they knew nothing of sex. It often wasn't discussed. **Someone** had to explain it to them - and I don't think Step Mom was thinking enough about Irene to have that discussion. (She probably would have been afraid to bring it up after finding Soames for fear it would stop Irene from marrying him.) I haven't reached the Irene letter - guess I'm not that far yet. I'm not sure if that is in the part of the book that is the current TV show?"}, {"response": 218, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Sat, Oct 19, 2002 (19:04)", "body": "(Barb)I think the production has done us a huge disservice by not attempting some representation of that. It would do so much to explain that relationship which is central to so much I agree. I wonder if this was because they were afraid Soames would be seen as the only bad guy? It seems clear that both were at fault even in the book. I also wonder if any of this background will be revealed in future episodes. The way the book is written, we learn about the past at different times well into the story so it's possible. But why Bosinney? Despite the fact I think Ioan Gruffudd is a hot little firecracker, Bosinney is egotistical, despicable and very self-centered. Soames in a prettier package? Not enough to explain her night-and-day response to him. He was there??? And in IG's body?? LOL Agree about Bosinney's qualities, but then again, he is a very pretty package! I don't think this is explained even in the book, but it is clear that she is madly in love with him. Some points are made that both are artistic, that they have a lot in common. They are always deep in conversation when they are seen walking together. Maybe it was the physical attraction, which she had not felt before - and who can explain that? A good point about \"Soames in a prettier package\" because in the book, he and Bosinney are described as very much alike in many ways and that is partly why they clash all the time over building the house."}, {"response": 219, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 19, 2002 (19:43)", "body": "(Suzee)Evelyn, are you reading the book now? Oh God no.And don't plan to. Story is strictly soap opera stuff.And I dislike all the characters;not one has a redeeming bone in his/her body. Besides, by the time I finish the TV series I will have given John Galsworthy 26 hrs of my life... I should read his book too??? (Suzee)He was there??? And in IG's body?? LOL Agree about Bosinney's qualities, but then again, he is a very pretty package! All I can say is...\"With a friend like Irene....\" She's a witch."}, {"response": 220, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sat, Oct 19, 2002 (21:37)", "body": "(Suzee) I also wonder if any of this background will be revealed in future episodes. The way the book is written, we learn about the past at different times well into the story so it's possible. Interesting point. (Me) But why Bosinney? (Suzee) He was there??? And in IG's body?? LOL OK, sold. I'm a believer, I'm easy, but I'm a believer. (Evelyn) Besides, by the time I finish the TV series I will have given John Galsworthy 26 hrs of my life... I should read his book too??? LOL Evelyn, the thought occurred to me I might read the book, but now you put it that way, I guess I'd need to like some one of these people more before I'd spend more time with them."}, {"response": 221, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Sat, Oct 19, 2002 (22:05)", "body": "For the Gruffudd fans here, I just noticed that one of my PBS stations is running both parts of Great Expectations in about an hour and a half - starting at 12:30 am (EST)."}, {"response": 222, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 19, 2002 (23:39)", "body": "(Evelyn) All I can say is...\"With a friend like Irene....\" She's a witch. But one with v.g. taste in china. *thumbs up* ;-) (Barb) But why Bosinney?...Not enough to explain her night-and-day response to him. As I recall, it wasn't immediate like love at first sight based on pure physical attraction. In their case, it was a shared artistic bent and one he didn't really share with June. Irene catches his eye after the \"arty\" comment and he looks like he's sizing her up, assessing what is behind that serene facade. And so the world turns..."}, {"response": 223, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (02:38)", "body": "(Evelyn)Story is strictly soap opera stuff Oh, my. Galsworthy really was anticipatory: J.R., Sue Ellen and Bobby hangin'out at Robin Hill..."}, {"response": 224, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (09:01)", "body": "(Suzee) Oh, my. Galsworthy really was anticipatory: Apropos...I read somewhere that Galsworthy depicted Irene as the 'modern' woman who entered this Victorian family. Surely not know anything about the intimacies of marriage. Am I making this up?Anybody else read this?"}, {"response": 225, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (17:23)", "body": "(Evelyn)I read somewhere that Galsworthy depicted Irene as the 'modern' woman who entered this Victorian family Galsworthy wrote that Irene represented beauty (beauty = that which Forsytes wished to possess) and a desire for freedom. Both of those interfered with ownership and possession such as the Forsytes believed was their right. She was no modern woman when she married Soames, rather a young girl completely dependent upon her stepmother. Had she been more modern then, she would never have married him. But the instinct was there - remember, she said that she wanted to marry for love and she didn't want to be bought - and circumstances led her to become more modern in the sense that she wanted her freedom from Soames and her independence at any cost. She learned (the hard way) that being independent, even if it meant being poor, was more tolerable than belonging to, being a possession of, someone like Soames. And that's something modern women have learned, and in some cases are still learning. (I don't want to say more re Irene until more is shown in the series.)"}, {"response": 226, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (17:40)", "body": "I meant both of those things combined - beauty and a desire for freedom - interfered. Most of the other 'things' that the Forsytes owned didn't seek freedom.:)"}, {"response": 227, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (18:48)", "body": "Annual Fund Raising Newsflash for Australian Drooleurs We're making it easier and easier to make international donations. For those who haven't availed themselves of PayPal, we now have new Country Rep for Australia. Jane Scott has volunteered to collect funds on our behalf and will be able to transmit them to us when this drive is through. You may contact her directly at gaea@mailcity.com for her mailing address or other questions."}, {"response": 228, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (19:39)", "body": "(Suzee) being a possession of, someone like Soames. And that's something modern women have learned, and in some cases are still learning. I don't mean to be adversarial here...but I've known women who relished the adulation and being the center of their husband's life.If this is possession, they seemed v. happy in that role."}, {"response": 229, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (19:54)", "body": "TO KAREN, FOR ORGANIZING THIS FUNDRAISING And to Jane Scott in Australia and Lizza in UK for assisting...."}, {"response": 230, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (19:55)", "body": ""}, {"response": 231, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (19:58)", "body": "Courtesy of the New Yorker...."}, {"response": 232, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (21:43)", "body": "Oh, I so dislike both Soames and Irene now. Revoke my 'feminist sympathizer' card if you must, but what she said to June was inexcusable IMO. I was cheering for June when she stood up to her in return. And I still don't feel sorry for Irene; she knew she didn't care for Soames, much less feel the slightest bit of affection for him, when she married him. Otherwise, why would she have made him promise her freedom if it failed? The late Bosinney showed his arse as well, with the \"Why did I listen to YOU\" as he stomped out the door. I don't really like any of these folks very much, except perhaps June and Old Jolyon, who have both had their bad moments too and are now steadily working to redeem themselves. So is Young Jolyon, come to think of it. Damian Lewis is really pulling it off; he looked like unintentional evil incarnate standing at the foot of the stairs, going through her things, looking out the window when he realized she'd gone... The way he sniffed at her clothes made it very clear that he sees her as just another expensive possession, IMO, almost as though he expected to find her in the wardrobe like all his other purchased goods and chattels, a place for everything and everything in its place. God, did that morgue look like the height of authentic clean-scrubbed gloom or what?"}, {"response": 233, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (21:57)", "body": "(Evelyn)I don't mean to be adversarial here...but I've known women who relished the adulation and being the center of their husband's life.If this is possession, they seemed v. happy in that role I doubt verrrry seriously if that included women with husbands like Soames, especially husbands who raped them. Certainly I hope it doesn't. (\"Someone like Soames\" being the operative phrase in what I said.)"}, {"response": 234, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (22:15)", "body": "I was surprised that she went back. I dont' understand that woman very well, she's in shock and still wants a way out. Did Irene and Bosinney pass each other in the fog before Bosinney's death?"}, {"response": 235, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (22:23)", "body": "(Elizabeth S) Oh, I so dislike both Soames and Irene now....I don't really like any of these folks very much, Ditto to your entire statement Elizabeth. I started to copy in the applicable parts and decided to just \"ditto\". Especially Soames looking like evil incarnate. I'm not as sure though about June redeeming herself of late. Her victorious demeanor when she went to Bosinney's rooms did not make sense for me once we understood he had lost. Irene's perception of the situation, that June would believe Phil would be more willing to come back around now he had nothing, made great sense. I don't fault June so much, I don't think she is maliciously manipulative (yet, who knows what comes later,) I think she just acts and thinks in the way she's been exposed to. What is sad is that if her ploy had been successful, she would have been buying him as surely as Soames bought Irene. Does she really think so little of herself? And June's attack on the \"lifeless\" Irene, I wondered if she had been reading here? I also don't like feeling like the serpent is back in young Jolyon's garden either. I have no idea how that story line will play out but it can't be good and the saddest thing is that with all the good intentions in the world, OJ is probably going to bring great pain to his son and his family."}, {"response": 236, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (22:48)", "body": "(Barb) Her victorious demeanor when she went to Bosinney's rooms did not make sense for me once we understood he had lost. I didn't understand that at all. Why would she seem so happy (when she thought it was his footsteps she heard), knowing that he'd lost the case? Was she thinking that she'd break the bad news, and then be there to console him? And I dislike all the characters;not one has a redeeming bone in his/her body. Besides, by the time I finish the TV series I will have given John Galsworthy 26 hrs of my life... I should read his book too??? I wholeheartedly agree! Before MT's miniseries started, I thought I might read TFS, but watching this is enough to convince me that I really don't want to do there! I thought this episode was definitely the best thus far. DL is certainly doing a fine job. Thought GM was better in this episode -- actually showed a little emotion."}, {"response": 237, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (22:49)", "body": "(Barb) Her victorious demeanor when she went to Bosinney's rooms did not make sense for me once we understood he had lost. I didn't understand that at all. Why would she seem so happy (when she thought it was his footsteps she heard), knowing that he'd lost the case? Was she thinking that she'd break the bad news, and then be there to console him? And I dislike all the characters;not one has a redeeming bone in his/her body. Besides, by the time I finish the TV series I will have given John Galsworthy 26 hrs of my life... I should read his book too??? I wholeheartedly agree! Before MT's miniseries started, I thought I might read TFS, but watching this is enough to convince me that I really don't want to go there! I thought this episode was definitely the best thus far. DL is certainly doing a fine job. Thought GM was better in this episode -- actually showed a little emotion."}, {"response": 238, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (22:50)", "body": "Oops. Sorry!!"}, {"response": 239, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (23:30)", "body": "It was nice to see more of Rupert Graves tonight. YJ and June are my favorites, even if they both have their own flaws. (Kathy) Thought GM was better in this episode -- actually showed a little emotion. Here and there she did, but I still wasn't impressed. At the end when Soames (can he spell \"denial\"?) was prattling on about a new start, shouldn't her face have shown pain, hatred, revulsion, disbelief.... something? The camera sat there on her forever, so I assume there was supposed to be some sort of emotional reaction, but I didn't see one. By contrast, I was impressed by the woman playing the housekeeper, who had to communicate her distress as the observer of some terrible events, yet whose job required her to maintain outer calm and detachment. DL is certainly doing a fine job. He sure is. Soames is cold - almost reptilian - much of the time, and yet we get glimpses of something underneath. And it's fascinating that Soames seems to be totally unaware of how despicable his behavior is. Of course, back then they wouldn't have acknowledged that it was possible to rape one's wife, right? So in his mind he was asserting his rights, not committing an atrocity."}, {"response": 240, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (00:12)", "body": "(Rika) At the end when Soames (can he spell \"denial\"?) was prattling on about a new start, shouldn't her face have shown pain, hatred, revulsion, disbelief.... something? The camera sat there on her forever, so I assume there was supposed to be some sort of emotional reaction, but I didn't see one. True, she looked rather like she was sucking on a lemon, or perhaps trying to dislodge some particle of food from her teeth. Yet prior to that scene, she had actually managed to achieve tears. Perhaps I was being too kind earlier. I'm trying to find something positive in all this. (Rika) Soames is cold - almost reptilian - much of the time, and yet we get glimpses of something underneath. And it's fascinating that Soames seems to be totally unaware of how despicable his behavior is...back then they wouldn't have acknowledged that it was possible to rape one's wife, right? So in his mind he was asserting his rights, not committing an atrocity. Definitely! Watching him undress, I looked for something in his face that would indicate he understood the violence of his intended actions. There was nothing. It was merely Soames' usual \"you're my wife\" mentality."}, {"response": 241, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (00:37)", "body": "(Rika) shouldn't her face have shown pain, hatred, revulsion, disbelief.... something? The camera sat there on her forever, so I assume there was supposed to be some sort of emotional reaction, but I didn't see one. I saw a tear fall from her left (I think) eye. You could only see it very briefly at one angle. When the camera moved you couldn't see it, and matter of fact, when she was shot from the side, just before she started up the stairs again, her face looked dry. A little continuity faux pas to me. Soames is cold - almost reptilian - much of the time, and yet we get glimpses of something underneath. I was impressed how he looked as if he was going to cry, either from sadness or anger, but stifled it, when he was in her room after reading that note she left."}, {"response": 242, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (00:56)", "body": "Wonderfully dramatic episode! I really think GMcK did some fine work, consistent with her \"stone-line\" character (as June said) and DL was superb as well. Could anyone be more odious? Doubtful. The rape scene was gut-wrenching to watch and who wouldn't have pitied Irene for that one scene alone. However, I too found it impossible to believe that she would return to the house, after Bosinney was killed and YJ offered to help her out either by taking her in or putting her up in a hotel. Surely, someone who had experienced love and made a commitment to a lover to leave her husband could not return. Yes, her world was turned upside down and she might again feel like she had no alternatives, but sheesh (!!) hadn't she learned anything for being with Soames all those years? Hadn't she figured out that she should've tried to work for a living instead of going with marriage. Uggghhhh! That last scene was also unbelievable from the standpoint of the cuckolded husband. Even though Soames viewed her as a possession, wouldn't most husbands slam the door in her face? Then, Soames' words on the stairs. Good gracious, someone put this man in an institution! All working out for the best? They would have another chance? He's from another planet. He has lost all sense of reality. *shiver* And Irene's reaction to that was in keeping with her retreat to stony facades. Disbelief and disdain tucked under the surface. While she was still in shock, if I were she and heard my odious husband say those things, I probably would've catapulted myself at him, hoping to break his neck! You know it's good when it engenders such emotional responses. BTW, I thought June nailed it, when she told Irene off."}, {"response": 243, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (07:37)", "body": "A decent guide to the series: http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet/ShowMainServlet/showid-7197/"}, {"response": 244, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (09:00)", "body": "Why would she[June] seem so happy (when she thought it was his footsteps she heard), knowing that he'd lost the case? She still loved Bosinney...any excuse to just be near him. Like any woman in love. Great dramatic acting here. Rape scene was painful to watch. But I've seen worse (\"Sunshine\" with RF and JE. Gut wrenching). Even though Soames viewed her as a possession, wouldn't most husbands slam the door in her face? I dunno...now she's his captive as well. He knows what a weakling she is. Any woman with intelligence and self-respect would have taken Young J. up on his offer to come to his home for a while and get her life together. But no, she goes back Soames.. knowing what's in store for her. I 'm supposed to have sympathy for this woman? Reptilian is a word used a lot in the reviews to describe Soames. LOL he was such a nice guy in BoB. Some actor! Anybody else get confused with all those old men..all have beards and chops. Is June going to be the martyr in this story...never marry? How about that fog? You don't see that often in current Brit movies.Just the old ones with Vivien Leigh and Robert Taylor! Sorry IG checked out so fast.Barely half-way through."}, {"response": 245, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (09:24)", "body": "(Karen) And Irene's reaction to that was in keeping with her retreat to stony facades. Disbelief and disdain tucked under the surface. I'm glad you can see those things under the surface - I want to, but I just just don't, and it's why GM isn't doing it for me in this role. I don't expect her to throw screaming fits like she did at Bosinney's club, but her eyes seem vacant to me most of the time, and the eyes should be the place where her repressed emotions sneak out. Maybe I'm just spoiled by the expressive eyes of a certain actor and so my expectations are too high. :-) (Evelyn) Anybody else get confused with all those old men..all have beards and chops. Oh, thank goodness it isn't just me. I need them all to line up in a row with name badges so I can learn to tell them apart. Any woman with intelligence and self-respect would have taken Young J. up on his offer to come to his home for a while and get her life together. I had a shred of respect for her when she gave her reason for not doing so - out of consideration for June - though it's a little late to start thinking about June's feelings. But going back to Soames was a potentially dangerous choice, considering what he'd done to her even before she left him for another man. Certainly she must know that she can expect, at minimum, more of the same, and maybe worse."}, {"response": 246, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (09:46)", "body": "(Evelyn) Anybody else get confused with all those old men..all have beards and chops. Other than OJ and Soames father (James??), what other ones were there? Surely all the clerks in the law offices didn't confuse you or the members of the club. Now, that tall blonde guy, I believe his name is George, and who is at all family functions and was at the court with Dartie...he's a character! Ever listen to the stuff that comes out fo his mouth? Is he related to someone or just a friend? (Rika) I don't expect her to throw screaming fits like she did at Bosinney's club, but her eyes seem vacant to me most of the time Normally, I'd agree but I thought she really shined in this episode in those scenes where she had to express pain (still deficient in the love dept IMO). At Bosinney's club, I thought the way her grief finally slowly and painfully seeped out was wonderful. The stony-faced one was cracking, despite how hard she tried to keep it in. But by the time she got home, she was done, empty of all feelings, drained, until Soames welcomed her home with his hopes for a new beginning. The expression on her face was disbelief and disdain for this man."}, {"response": 247, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (09:59)", "body": "(Rika)I'm glad you can see those things under the surface - I want to, but I just just don't. Agreed. June had the best lines last night when she told her, \"Don't just stand there like a stone statue\" (am paraphrsaing), and \"I'd like to shake some like into you.\" I'm not sure if it's Gina McK's failure or a failing of the script. Where's Irene's stepmother in all this? She shoved her into marriage and isn't available now to give her any support. (Karen)That last scene was also unbelievable from the standpoint of the cuckolded husband. Even though Soames viewed her as a possession, wouldn't most husbands slam the door in her face? He loves her irrationally. There's no logic to it."}, {"response": 248, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (10:10)", "body": "(Barb S) I'm not as sure though about June redeeming herself of late. Her victorious demeanor when she went to Bosinney's rooms did not make sense for me once we understood he had lost. I think June went there because she thought that w/o money or prospects for the future, he may feel vulnerable...realize that he needed her. She knew the gossip about Irene, and I'm sure she may have thought that Bosinney might think that a woman like Irene would never be with him w/o cash or a future. I think she was trying to win/buy his love back. She was desperate...not calculating (IMO). So in love with a man who would not return her love (just like Soames and Irene). (Rika) But going back to Soames was a potentially dangerous choice, considering what he'd done to her even before she left him for another man. Very dangerous choice. I think she was acting very much like an abused spouse. You always wonder why they go back to their abusers. I think she just had too much to deal with....Emotionally she felt drained (after being raped, after her confrontation with June, learning that Bosinney had lost the case, finding out that Bosinney had been killed...all within 24 hours...it is a lot to deal with and process). I do agree with June's comment about her 'sucking the life out of others' (sorry, I can't remember her exact words). It's as if she lacks some ability to feel, and is attracted to those who can 'do it for her' (Bossiney is described as the Buccaneer by the family, and has that 'artistic temperment'). Soames is too like Irene for her to love....nothing to'suck the life out of'....."}, {"response": 249, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (10:14)", "body": "(Mari) I'm not sure if it's Gina McK's failure or a failing of the script. With June's comment (which I thought was great as well), doesn't that tell you Irene is supposed to be emotionless on the exterior? I thought the way GMK cracked was right on the money for a person like that and then she turned back into stone again. He loves her irrationally. There's no logic to it. OK, but he has reacted logically by going after the lover and trying to take her away. He would have to have absolutely no ego or self-esteem to take her back in given everyone's knowledge of Irene's affair. Sorry but it doesn't seem realistic to me. How many years can a person go on trying to gain someone's love without realizing it is a hopeless case? At some point (like this one), he would have to come to the realization."}, {"response": 250, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (10:43)", "body": "(Tress)...sucking the life out of Great comment, rang true for me when I heard it. (Karen) With June's comment (which I thought was great as well), doesn't that tell you Irene is supposed to be emotionless on the exterior? I thought the way GMK cracked was right on the money ... Agreed. In fact, I hate that I can't remember his exact words, but the camera is on her and he says something like \"just like it was\" (?) and that single tear falls down her face...her first evidence of emotional response that affected me. Regarding going back to Soames at all...I thought it rather pathetically underscored the total nothingness that was left for her and the fact that none of it mattered anyway, sort of \"if I'm dead already, I might as well be here as not.\" That Soames took her back at all I have more trouble with, though as with the court case, for him, it must be the principle of the thing. It will be apparent to society he has won at all costs, but he becomes a pathetic picture into the bargain. What price victory?"}, {"response": 251, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (10:57)", "body": "ITV shortens 'highbrow' Forsyte Saga By Chris Hastings and Charlotte Edwardes (Filed: 23/09/2001) ITV has scrapped plans to film a complete version of the The Forsyte Saga fearing that the programme could prove too highbrow for viewers. Despite the fact that the BBC made one of the most celebrated British drama series ever screened when it based a series on the John Galsworthy books in 1967, ITV is concerned that modern audiences might not be gripped by the sprawling drama of the Forsyte family between 1879 and 1926. The commercial channel, which originally announced that it was to spend \ufffd14 million on an adaptation of the nine-volume story, will now film only six episodes, which will cover the first two books. The programme makers will then wait to judge audience reaction before committing themselves to any further episodes. ITV announced plans for a new adaptation in August 2000. It did not say it was a partial adaptation. At the time, Simon Lewis, the controller of drama, said: \"These novels are as relevant and entertaining as when they were first adapted in the 1960s. We are convinced the combination of sex, power and money will again make great drama.\" The adaptation will compound fears that ITV has abandoned its commitment to quality drama in the face of pressure from advertisers to come up with undemanding popular entertainment. The show is being produced by Granada, the Manchester company that won international acclaim in the early 1980s for its adaptations of Evelyn Waugh's Brideshead Revisited and Paul Scott's The Raj Quartet. Scott's four novels, which were filmed as The Jewel In The Crown, were adapted in their entirety. The plan to film only the first two books has infuriated the family of John Galsworthy, who only learnt of the changes last week. They are worried that the new version, which stars Corin Redgrave, Gina McKee and Damian Lewis, will not compare well with the BBC version. In 1967, the cast list included Kenneth More, Michael York and Nyree Dawn Porter. The series gave Susan Hampshire her first big role. Jocelyn Galsworthy, the author's great-niece said: \"It seems very strange that they now won't make the complete series. \"I think it shows an overall lack of confidence in the project. They have got the BBC adaptation hanging over their heads and I think they know they can't compete with it.\" Miss Goldsworthy has been in contact with the producers to express concern about the way characters in the novels will be treated.\"It's only a gut feeling but I don't think the new version will work,\" she said. \"I think there will be a tendency to make it raunchier and with lots of sex, and I think that will prove fatal.\" Christopher Sinclair-Stevenson, who is Galsworthy's literary agent, told The Telegraph: \"I am also worried how the producers will treat some of the characters in the novels. The rape of Irene Forsyte is a crucial part of the story and was brilliantly handled by the BBC. In the original it was touched on very slightly and very delicately. I just have a feeling it won't be like that this time around.\" A spokesman for Granada defended the decision to wait and see how the audience reacted to the first instalment. \"It is the way things are done today,\" she said. Zita Williams, who is the producing the current adaptation, said: \"I am sure the programme will prove popular with viewers. There is a feeling that the audience is ready for something different. This show will provide that. The books and the original BBC adaptation are like national treasures but I think people are genuinely delighted we are pushing ahead with this.\" Comparisons with the original black-and-white BBC version will be hard to avoid. The 26-part series attracted six million viewers for its first showing on BBC2; the second, on BBC1, attracted up to 18 million viewers. The adaptation also drew a global audience of more than 160 million. Hampshire, who played Fleur in the original BBC adaptation, told The Telegraph: \"ITV, probably quite rightly, think the first few books are more powerful and easier to adapt, but having said that, the BBC decided to do the entire series and they had a tremendous success with it. \"Everyone who had a speaking role had a major role. As a result they were very committed to the project and that was part of the reason for its success. My character will not even appear in this version.\""}, {"response": 252, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (11:03)", "body": "Is it just me, or does anyone else think that young Jolyon is slightly taken be Irene? They way she looked at him before she enters the house... she's trouble."}, {"response": 253, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (11:37)", "body": "*******Make sure you note that the article was written in 2001********* (lit agent) \"I am also worried how the producers will treat some of the characters in the novels. The rape of Irene Forsyte is a crucial part of the story and was brilliantly handled by the BBC. In the original it was touched on very slightly and very delicately. I just have a feeling it won't be like that this time around.\" But that was 35 years ago, when that *couldn't* be shown on television. To me, what is more important than a comparison with an old TV show is how did Galsworthy treat it in the novel. If it was \"crucial\" as he says, then I doubt it was glossed over. Seems a little contradictory to me and typical of someone who is apprehensive, has reservations, is an old fogey, etc. ;-) Since other articles have said nothing in the book is expressed through Irene's POV, how was the rape handled?"}, {"response": 254, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (12:19)", "body": "(Tress)So in love with a man who would not return her[June] love (just like Soames and Irene) Good one Tress....You got the exact comparison tht Galsworthy is telling us. Didn't you like when Irene tells June....\"Your friendship is what saved me\". With that pathetic look on her face. Awwww. She was never contrite..like \"it was fate and I couldn't help it.\" Think Galsworthy is peaking through June? I get Soames father and OJ mixed up.(Duh...they're brothers.) LOL That's why I thought at first Young J and Soames were brothers. I know, I know...I'm thick."}, {"response": 255, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (15:10)", "body": "Re \"ITV shortens 'highbrow' Forsyte Saga\" - can't remember if I posted the follow-up, but the decision to go ahead with the second part was given as soon as the first week's ratings (UK) were so good. (Karen) is an old fogey, etc. ;-) Hee,hee... BTW, if you go to the TV Tome link, there are huge ***spoilers*** in the blurb with the \"Welcome\" - be careful!!!!"}, {"response": 256, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (15:50)", "body": "(Terry)I was surprised that she went back. I dont' understand that woman very well, (Karen) However, I too found it impossible to believe that she would return to the house, (Evelyn)Any woman with intelligence and self-respect would have taken Young J. up on his offer (Rika) I had a shred of respect for her when she gave her reason for not doing so - out of consideration for June - (Barb) Regarding going back to Soames at all...I thought it rather pathetically underscored the total nothingness that was left for her and the fact that none of it mattered anyway, sort of \"if I'm dead already, I might as well be here as not I think Barb has the idea as we are supposed to get it, but again this is changed slightly from the book and I'm not sure why. The rewrite gave us the great scene of Irene going through the club - my heart was in my throat - but still. In the book Soames goes home and finds her sitting there like a \"wounded animal\" who crawled back because she didn't know what else to do. Looking at her then is what absolutely convinces him that she had slept with Bosinney. We are not told how she got there and he assumes she found out about the death some way - heard it on the street or read it, etc. They don't talk, everything is happening in Soames head. Meanwhile, OJ and YJ decide they should try to help Irene, that she should not be \"alone\" in that house and YJ goes to the house. Soames tell YJ that his wife can see no one. YJ catches a glimpse of Irene in the hall and then Soames says, \"This is my house. I manage my own affairs. I've told you once - I tell you again, we are not at home.\" Then he slams the oor in YJ's face. That's the end of the book!!!! Ack! I'm glad I wasn't reading then with no second book to read. Galsworthy made his point, but I would have thrown something at him instead of Soames. Sort a GWTW ending without the hope of tomorrow-is-another-day. The TV ending is harder to understand except for the June part and the fact that Irene for all purposes is \"dead.\" (Of course, personally, if YJ looked at me with those eyes, I would have gone wherever he suggested. LOL)"}, {"response": 257, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (16:08)", "body": "Suzee, thanks for your insights from the book. While it's true I'll probably never read it, it is still interesting to see the comparisons. Thanks!"}, {"response": 258, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (16:10)", "body": "(Karen)With June's comment (which I thought was great as well), doesn't that tell you Irene is supposed to be emotionless on the exterior? Maybe I didn't explain my comment well. I meant that I didn't know if it was McKee's or the script's fault that the viewer doesn't have a more sympathetic view of Irene (as presumably a reader of the book does, or at least it appears that way from the postings here). (Moon)Is it just me, or does anyone else think that young Jolyon is slightly taken be Irene? God knows why. What is there to like? She has no personality that I can discern. I think Young J felt pity for her. But I wouldn't put it past him to take up with her; would be as realistic as anything else in this series.;-)"}, {"response": 259, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (16:39)", "body": "Suzee, the June/Irene confrontation isn't in the book? (Suzee) Soames tell YJ that his wife can see no one. YJ catches a glimpse of Irene in the hall and then Soames says, \"This is my house. I manage my own affairs. I've told you once - I tell you again, we are not at home.\" Then he slams the door in YJ's face. That's the end of the book!!! That would have been the end of BCC too."}, {"response": 260, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (16:40)", "body": "Thanks Suzee for the detail from the book. That certainly is different and makes her appear even more pathetic than I already view her. OK, now I'm getting militant!! Doesn't she know anybody in London? See what you get for only befriending a relative who you then betray? (Soames) \"This is my house. I manage my own affairs. I've told you once - I tell you again, we are not at home.\" And he manages them so well. BTW, I loved that Irene left that note in the jewelry box. What a great touch. (Mari) the viewer doesn't have a more sympathetic view of Irene I thought we'd all come to the conclusion that there were no wholly sympathetic characters in the entire series. ;-) So, Suzee, tell us about the rape scene in the book. Did Bosinney know about it?"}, {"response": 261, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (16:43)", "body": "(Karen)that last scene was also unbelievable from the standpoint of the cuckolded husband. Even though Soames viewed her as a possession, wouldn't most husbands slam the door in her face? (Mari)He loves her irrationally. There's no logic to it I think you said it earlier Karen: \"someone put this man in an institution! He's from another planet. He has lost all sense of reality.\" So true. His thoughts are going round in his head and are all over the place -I should turn her out, I should divorce her/I should let her go, she's suffered enough/ I could make a slave of her, she's under my power now. But in the end he can't do anything and just wonders why he should have to suffer - what have I done, it's not my fault, etc. She is his property and that's that. He's not capable of making rational decisions. Ohhh, and the rape and the way he says at the end \"If only it could always be like this.\" GOG, This man needs help, except I'm not convinced he can be helped!! But I do love Old Jolyn! Someday, I'm going to make a list of my favorite OJ moments. Last night: when he took his will and his business away from the family firm/when he said Soames wouldn't know how to spell \"principle\"/when he said \"She'll be waiting\" and let it hang there while they all knew it meant Irene but all pretended it meant June! Oh, and when he told YJ that he (YJ) was even less of a Forstye than he'd thought and then said he was grateful for that! OJ has come a long way!!! I thought some of the moments last night between YJ and his wife were touching, too. At least it's clear they really love each other and it seems to be lasting."}, {"response": 262, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (16:59)", "body": "(Suzee) At least it's clear they really love each other and it seems to be lasting. ******knocking on wood real hard******** (Moon)Is it just me, or does anyone else think that young Jolyon is slightly taken be Irene? SSSsss sss said the serpent in the garden...."}, {"response": 263, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (17:27)", "body": "The rape scene is told in Soames thoughts, too, but it's pretty much as shown. And his thoughts go 'round and 'round again, but he convinces himself that he did the right thing and has problably saved the marriage by doing it. Guy can convince himself of anything. George Forsyte is out in the fog and sees Bosinney and Irene talking at the train station, both looking awful. Then Bosinney runs off into the night, muttering and stumbling and George follows, knowing something is wrong and thinking to help him. George hears enough to know what happened between Irene and Soames and to figure out that Bosinney is going after Soames (which rather pleases him as he can't stand Soames either). It's clear that Bosinney is extremely agitated as he crosses from side to side of the street without paying any attention to what is around him. Then George loses him. The next thing we know is that B doesn't show up for the trial."}, {"response": 264, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (17:32)", "body": "(Barb)SSSssssss said the serpent in the garden... LOL!"}, {"response": 265, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (18:05)", "body": "(Evelyn)the June/Irene confrontation isn't in the book? It is. And June thinks ahead of time that B will lose the case and makes her plans. (Nice as she is, she's still a Forsyte!) She also thinks or hopes that he will not show up in court to defend himself. As soon as she hears he has lost she goes to his room - she is there first and there for a purpose and she does not intend to fail. June is even pleased to see lots of dust because that tells her he has had to give up his maid, plus she notes all the missing (pawned) items. Clearly he will need June's help (read: money). Then Irene comes in. June is enraged because she still thinks B will come soon and doesn't want Irene there when he does. The rest is much the same except there's no slap (and June tells Irene she has no right to be there and Irene says I have no right anywhere - was that in the show?) Basically the conversation is the same. Irene leaves, June is confused about what that means- she goes to the door and says come back but Irene is gone. That's it."}, {"response": 266, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (18:16)", "body": "(Karen) thought we'd all come to the conclusion that there were no wholly sympathetic characters in the entire series. ;-) I'm not asking for her to be \"wholly\" sympathetic. Even slightly would do. (Suzee)His thoughts are going round in his head and are all over the place -I should turn her out, I should divorce her/I should let her go, she's suffered enough/ I could make a slave of her, But we see none of this in the series, at least not so far. Maybe it's in the book, but it sure ain't on the screen."}, {"response": 267, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (18:39)", "body": "(Suzee) At least it's clear they really love each other and it seems to be lasting. (Barb)******knocking on wood real hard******** ROTF.My sentiments exactly, Barb.Too lovey-dovey in my books. ...how about the detective suggesting B. death could have been a suicide. What's he getting at? I think Irene lacks street- smarts at best.Actually, this woman has never made a decision and doesn't know how.Clearly Soames didn't fall in love with her for her intelligence or wit....or bod."}, {"response": 268, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (19:42)", "body": "(Dorine) I saw tear fall from her left (I think) eye. You could only see it very briefly at one angle. When the camera moved you couldn't see it, and matter of fact, when she was shot from the side, just before she started up the stairs again, her face looked dry. A little continuity faux pas to me . I watched her eyes fill with tears and then overflow on one side, tear rolling down her face. Quick cut - another shot of her face just briefly before she turns to go upstairs -- and no tears. Definitely bad continuity!!! Didn't the editor see this? Or director? Or someone? (Karen) Now, that tall blonde guy, I believe his name is George, and who is at all family functions and was at the court with Dartie...he's a character! Ever listen to the stuff that comes out fo his mouth? Is he related to someone or just a friend? Tall George, a \"sardonic\" sort and follower of Bosinney, is Soames cousin, son of Roger, nephew of Old Jolyon and of James and Swithin (James' chubbier twin), Timothy, Ann, Hester and Juley. (I think! LOL) (BTW, George tells Dartie about following B and part of what he heard. He refuses to name the woman [Irene], but Dartie knows anyway.)"}, {"response": 269, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (19:55)", "body": "(Me)At least it's clear they really love each other and it seems to be lasting. (Barb)******knocking on wood real hard******** (Evelyn) ROTF.My sentiments exactly, Barb.Too lovey-dovey in my books . Too lovey dovey? Is this the same romantic Evelyn who said \" I've known women who relished the adulation and being the center of their husband's life\"? ;-)"}, {"response": 270, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (20:21)", "body": "(Suzee) At least it's clear they really love each other and it seems to be lasting (Barb)******knocking on wood real hard******** (Evelyn) Too lovey-dovey in my books. At the risk of sounding dense, why is this a bad thing? Is it because he already left one woman for another and you think he'll probably do it again?"}, {"response": 271, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (20:23)", "body": "(Suzee)Is this the same romantic Evelyn who said \"I've known women who relished the adulation and being the center of their husband's life\"? ;-) LOL."}, {"response": 272, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (20:42)", "body": "(Dorine) At the risk of sounding dense, why is this a bad thing? Is it because he already left one woman for another and you think he'll probably do it again? No, I think it's because they're tempting the gods by being happy. In stories like this you're better off being only mildly happy - anything more than that and you're probably being set up for a big fall."}, {"response": 273, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (21:04)", "body": "(Rika) No, I think it's because they're tempting the gods by being happy. In stories like this you're better off being only mildly happy - anything more than that and you're probably being set up for a big fall. What she said. It's like this...see, I'm a recruiter, I've got this location we can't keep fully staffed to save my soul. And G*d help us, when we get close, WE DON'T SAY IT! It's a karma thing, you don't tempt fate (sorry, returning from meaningless real life digression....) and he's a Forsyte and the fates are laying in wait for him."}, {"response": 274, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (21:50)", "body": "(Barb) WE DON'T SAY IT! It's a karma thing, you don't tempt fate LOL! I do the same thing! And you're right they are asking for trouble just by being happy. But they have had quite a long time together. BTW, when was this filmed? I saw RG in The Elephant Man on B'way a few months ago and he wasn't looking as adorable in that as he is in TFS. He looks much thinner in the series."}, {"response": 275, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (22:04)", "body": "(Karen) BTW, I loved that Irene left that note in the jewelry box. What a great touch. IMO, the best thing Irene has done thus far! (Dorine) At the risk of sounding dense, why is this a bad thing? Is it because he already left one woman for another and you think he'll probably do it again? That's exactly what I was thinking. This is, unfortunately, usually the way it goes in real life. Once a man has found a way to rationalize dumping one wife, it's even easier to dump a second (or a third, fourth...)."}, {"response": 276, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (22:30)", "body": "(Dorine) I saw RG in The Elephant Man on B'way a few months ago and he wasn't looking as adorable in that as he is in TFS. He looks much thinner in the series I read a recent interview in which RG said he gained weight after he stopped smoking and had to start going to the gym to work it off. Apparently, he has lost the weight and is still not smoking. So hurray for quitting the ciggies. (I saw photos of TEM, though - he still looked pretty good to me. :)"}, {"response": 277, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (22:41)", "body": "(Dorine) And you're right they are asking for trouble just by being happy. But they have had quite a long time together. Ah, but I'm worried that is a masterful attempt to lull us into a false sense of security! I REALLY have not seen any spoilers and did not see the old story, I promise, but we have lovely, lonely OJ making reconciliation overtures to YJ, we have YJ and Helene making a glowing restatement of their devotion to one another and we have YJ playing 'knight-in-shining-armor' when Irene's world comes crashing down around her. And he's an artist (pardon me, is that a prejudice showing?) I hope I am wrong. I'm sorry to be severe on them (and such a cynic), but there it is."}, {"response": 278, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (00:43)", "body": "Barb, I hope you're wrong too, but I worried about that when I watched the last episode, and I hadn't even connected the dots to the fact that he's (gasp) an artist."}, {"response": 279, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (09:06)", "body": "(Suzee) Someday, I'm going to make a list of my favorite OJ moments. I'd put the Bronco chase scene near the top of the list. ;-) One of the many irrationalities of Soames' behavior stems from the length of time they've been married. Isn't it like nine years? (or am I recalling another interval flashed on the screen?) Love is irrational, as Mari says, but realistically, how long does a person go on thinking he can make his wife love him when she's been rejecting him for that long? Unless he's hoping for her to get a brain injury, trauma or amnesia, her feelings wouldn't change and would only get worse. *shaking head* (Moon)Is it just me, or does anyone else think that young Jolyon is slightly taken be Irene? I didn't see anything except concern. However--and I've been avoiding spoiler information like the plague--I have heard a smidgen about what will transpire and am not a happy camper. (Suzee) And his thoughts go 'round and 'round again, but he convinces himself that he did the right thing and has problably saved the marriage by doing it. Guy can convince himself of anything. Lordy, lordy!! Even Rhett was ashamed of his *ungentlemanly* behavior the next morning. (Rika) I think it's because they're tempting the gods by being happy. In stories like this you're better off being only mildly happy - anything more than that and you're probably being set up for a big fall. Excellent observation. Ya' see, these formulas have been around for a long time."}, {"response": 280, "author": "ChgoRed", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (09:34)", "body": "(Dorine) BTW, when was this filmed? They filmed this in the fall of 2001. In fact, according to the Damian interview on the PBS Web site, they filmed the rape scene on September 11. From the interview: Is it very difficult to do a scene like that? Yes, it's horrible to do. And it was all the more horrible because we happened to be filming it on September 11th. Gina and I were doing this harrowing scene as news was filtering in about what was happening in New York. It was a very weird, very upsetting day. We were just acting, and meanwhile this real thing was going on."}, {"response": 281, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (11:15)", "body": "(Karen) Lordy, lordy!! Even Rhett was ashamed of his *ungentlemanly* behavior the next morning. Esp since he was drunk. Did anyone think the ruby necklace was a way of saying \"I'm sorry\". (Heinous crime, I'm not defending him)"}, {"response": 282, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (11:17)", "body": "And so was Soames. (Evelyn) Did anyone think the ruby necklace was a way of saying \"I'm sorry\". If it were anybody else but Soames, then yes. But since it was Soames, he was probably giving her the gift to thank her for lovely evening. ;-) And as an inducement for more. See what you get, girlie, if you let me into your bedroom?"}, {"response": 283, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (11:25)", "body": "(Karen) See what you get, girlie, if you let me into your bedroom? ACK! Yuckpoo, nasty taste in my mouth on that one. You're right though...had not given much thought to his motivation but that sure rings true....but gawd, now I need to go wash."}, {"response": 284, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (11:33)", "body": "And being the twisted person he was, Soames would interpret Irene's door being unlocked that night as an invitation. :-("}, {"response": 285, "author": "Saskia", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (12:56)", "body": "(Suzee)The rape scene is told in Soames thoughts, too, but it's pretty much as shown. And his thoughts go 'round and 'round again, but he convinces himself that he did the right thing and has probably saved the marriage by doing it. Guy can convince himself of anything. This is a passage from the novel concerning some of Soames thoughts and actions as he tried to set about the routine of his life the day after the rape. In his corner of the first-class compartment filled with City men the smothered sobbing still haunted him, so he opened the Times with the rich crackle that drowns all lesser sounds, and, barricaded behind it, set himself steadily to con the news. He read that a Recorder had charged a grand jury on the previous day with a more than usually long list of offences. He read of three murders, five manslaughters, seven arsons, and as many as eleven rapes--a surprisingly high number--in addition to many less conspicuous crimes, to be tried during a coming Sessions; and from one piece of news he went on to another, keeping the paper well before his face. Maybe somebody here can clarify this for me. Under the law of the time Soames, in fact, wouldn't have been seen as someone who committed a rape. His acts might have been sanctioned by the law and society at large. Is it a fact that Soames would've been considered within his rights to have beaten Irene with a stick no thicker than his thumb, if he'd chosen? (Moon in quote from Telegraph article)Christopher Sinclair-Stevenson, who is Galsworthy's literary agent,...\"The rape of Irene Forsyte is a crucial part of the story and was brilliantly handled by the BBC. In the original it was touched on very slightly and very delicately. I just have a feeling it won't be like that this time around.\" Here's a link from an Eric Porter fansite. It's of how the rape was handled in the BBC's adaptation of The Forsyte Saga. A word of warning about exploring this site though, it does have lots of spoilers about upcoming plot developments. So if you don't want to know what's in store for the Forsytes, you might be advised to not check around the site at large. Again here's the link. http://www.ceejbot.com/EricPorter/Forsyte/episode_06/episode_06.end.mov For those of you who have trouble loading it, please try this. http://www.apple.com/quicktime/"}, {"response": 286, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (13:26)", "body": "(Saskia) Under the law of the time Soames, in fact, wouldn't have been seen as someone who committed a rape. Quite right but the distinction I think still holds between what is legal and what is morally right. They are married and he can do with her what he likes, pretty much. Interesting site. I didn't play the clips (or check around for other chapters), but there are screen caps of Chapter 6 here: http://www.ceejbot.com/EricPorter/Forsyte/episode06.php and under the rape bits, you see Soames dialogue: \"Any man can have you, is that it? Well, I can too! You're my wife!\" Here is some Commentary on that episode: This is the episode that shocked the television viewership of the UK. We see Soames at his darkest, allowing sexual jealousy to spill over into business decisions (suing Bosinney despite the certainty that he'll lose the money and the costs, because Bosinney will go bankrupt), and into an act of violence that will reverberate through the rest of his life. And yet we feel a little sorry for him, because he clearly cares for Irene, though he has no way to express that caring. The rape is not depicted directly in the novel, but is instead described indirectly by a nervous Galsworthy. The hints are that it was much less violent than the shocking act Eric Porter gives us. The television depiction of the rape has its genesis in a scene from the novel, in which Soames watches Irene come home, give a donation to an organ grinder, and enter the house. He complains about her blouse and demands to know where she's been. The novel scene ends with Soames wondering why he doesn't follow Irene up the stairs, and being prevented by his awareness that she'd just come from Bosinney. The television script takes off from that point, getting energy from the barely controlled sexual violence of Porter's earlier portrayals of Soames. We get a hint of the psychology with his shouted dialog: \"Any man can have you, is that it? Well, I can too! You're my wife!\" He has previously explained away her aversion to him as frigidity. Faced with the knowledge that she is not frigid, and has given herself willing to another man, Soames concludes that she is in fact promiscuous, and is denying him out of malice. The attraction of his rival Bosinney is minimized in this view. Or something like that. The camera catches a bloodstain on Irene's blouse in the assault. The blood is actually Eric Porter's. While ripping off Irene's blouse, he gashed his hand on her brooch. Nyree Dawn Porter later said, \"I didn't have any difficulty putting on a horrified expression. When I looked down and saw blood, I thought: 'What has he done to me?'\" In reading what you posted from the book, Soames was indeed bothered by the events of the night before (sobbing that haunted him), but he wasn't about to let it continue. His choice of reading (all the murders, etc.) seemed to put it into perspective, as not so bad."}, {"response": 287, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (14:16)", "body": "(Saskia) Under the law of the time Soames, in fact, wouldn't have been seen as someone who committed a rape. (Karen, And being the twisted person he was, Soames would interpret Irene's door being unlocked that night as an invitation. :-( So in Soames eyes, he did not rape her."}, {"response": 288, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (14:49)", "body": "(Me)Someday, I'm going to make a list of my favorite OJ moments. (Karen)I'd put the Bronco chase scene near the top of the list That list is already complete. Check the archives for Old Topic 666. ;) (Moon)Is it just me, or does anyone else think that young Jolyon is slightly taken be Irene? (Karen)I didn't see anything except concern. However--and I've been avoiding spoiler information like the plague--I have heard a smidgen about what will transpire and am not a happy camper Rumors, rumors, rumors... what is the old saying about repeating rumors? (Evelyn) Did anyone think the ruby necklace was a way of saying \"I'm sorry You are looking for the pony?;-) I think he had \"reclaimed\" her as his wife, his property and this is what one did - part of keeping one's property looking it's best. I'm going to look again, but I thought the rape scene was handled well in this version - especially considering what you see on film today. The camera work was excellent - my strongest images are of Irene trying to get away, Soames slamming her against the wall and of her sobbing and covering her face with her hands. I still think the creepiest part was Soames' whispered, \"Why can't it always be like this?\" (Something he overheard on the street - he could only \"mirror\" real people and didn't even know which ones to copy.) Ugh. Joining Barb in the washroom now. (Karen)I thought we'd all come to the conclusion that there were no wholly sympathetic characters in the entire series. ;-) Well, there is one wholly sympathetic, beautifully written character who never lets us down --- Balthasar, the dog."}, {"response": 289, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (15:43)", "body": "The thing about Soames that sometimes makes him almost (**almost**) sympathetic is that he is truly handicapped. He is like a mildly retarded person caught between two worlds. He knows enough to know he isn't completely normal, but he doesn't know enough to be any other way. He can't quite grasp what is wrong. So there is 'something' somewhere in him that knows he did a bad thing by raping Irene, yet he can overcome that feeling and convince himself that he did the right thing. And by the last chapter he sees himself as the only one in the right. From the book: The morning after a certain night on which Soames at last asserted his rights and acted like a man, he breakfasted alone... He ate steadily, but at times a sensation as though he could not swallow attacked him. Had he been right to yield to his overmastering hunger of the night before, and break down the resistance which he had suffered now too long from this woman who was his lawful and solemnly constituted helpmate? He was strangely haunted by the recollection of her face, from before which, to soothe her, he had tried to pull her hands--of her terrible smothered sobbing, the like of which he had never heard, and still seemed to hear; and he was still haunted by the odd, intolerable feeling of remorse and shame he had felt, as he stood looking at her by the flame of the single candle, before silently slinking away. And somehow, now that he had acted like this, he was surprised at himself. Two nights before, at Winifred Dartie's, he had taken Mrs. MacAnder into dinner. She had said to him, looking in his face with her sharp, greenish eyes: \"And so your wife is a great friend of that Mr. Bosinney's?\" Not deigning to ask what she meant, he had brooded over her words. They had roused in him a fierce jealousy, which, with the peculiar perversion of this instinct, had turned to fiercer desire. Without the incentive of Mrs. MacAnder's words he might never have done what he had done. Without their incentive and the accident of finding his wife's door for once unlocked, which had enabled him to steal upon her asleep. Slumber had removed his doubts, but the morning brought them again. One thought comforted him: No one would know--it was not the sort of thing that she would speak about. And, indeed, when the vehicle of his daily business life, which needed so imperatively the grease of clear and practical thought, started rolling once more with the reading of his letters, those nightmare-like doubts began to assume less extravagant importance at the back of his mind. The incident was really not of great moment; women made a fuss about it in books; but in the cool judgment of right-thinking men, of men of the world, of such as he recollected often received praise in the Divorce Court, he had but done his best to sustain the sanctity of marriage, to prevent her from abandoning her duty, possibly, if she were still seeing Bosinney, from.... No, he did not regret it. Now that the first step towards reconciliation had been taken, the rest would be comparatively--comparatively...."}, {"response": 290, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (22:49)", "body": "Thanks for all the great commentary ladies. I thought this was the best episode so far, acting-wise. I, too, am fearful of something with YJ and Irene. As you say no one is going to be happy in this one. If Irene goes after a married man though, especially a family member, even though ostricized this would look pretty bad, don't you think? Let's hope she uses a bit of decorum although must admit she doesn't seem to have much."}, {"response": 291, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (02:47)", "body": "(Evelyn) How about that fog? You don't see that often in current Brit movies.Just the old ones with Vivien Leigh and Robert Taylor! The fog was really something. I started to look around for Jack the RipperLOL Couldn't see anything, except I could see too much of the gruesome scene when Bosinney rolled out from under the carriage! (Karen) I really think GMcK did some fine work, consistent with her \"stone-line\" character ...Then, Soames' words on the stairs. And Irene's reaction to that was in keeping with her retreat to stony facades. Disbelief and disdain tucked under the surface . An excellent observation. Another description of Irene in the book (during the years we have seen so far) \"[her face] like a mask, with something going on beneath it.\" (Karen) One of the many irrationalities of Soames' behavior stems from the length of time they've been married. Isn't it like nine years? Not nearly that long. I think it was more like 3-4 years. I just discovered that there is a complete family tree in the front of my book, but as Irene is a \"wife\" there is no birth date. Plus there seem to be some discrepancies with the dates in the book - not a lot, only a year or two. But Irene was at most mid-twenties when Bosinney died. (Of course, she could have married at 16, but I don't think so. I just can't remember where I read the 3 or so years.) Someone on another list suggested that Dartie and George should have their own comedy show!!!"}, {"response": 292, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (08:52)", "body": "Maybe the 9 year title was between YJ leaving wife and the next segment where Soames goes to Bournemouth. (Suzee) Someone on another list suggested that Dartie and George should have their own comedy show!!! They are a riot, on the sidelines, making their little jabs and snide remarks."}, {"response": 293, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (19:19)", "body": "Pics of the CGI house and garden created by Matt Wood for the series: http://www.mattwood3d.com/image_pages/FS1.htm http://www.mattwood3d.com/image_pages/FS2.htm"}, {"response": 294, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, Oct 27, 2002 (22:32)", "body": "Just a few thoughts tonight to start the ball rolling... To begin with, who are these kinder, gentler Forsytes and what have they done with the real ones? This was so different in tone it could almost be an alternate universe. I love old Jolyon. I even like his dog. (That's saying a lot for me, ask my DH.) Irene's content and at peace looks don't differ all that much from her distraught and conflicted looks. Is there an acting school that teaches minimal use of facial muscles? With that said, I liked her better tonight. One of the differences I suppose is she got to show some humor (\"should have stayed with polite chit chat.\") So many more impressions, but I'll yield for now and give someone else a chance to exhibit."}, {"response": 295, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 27, 2002 (22:52)", "body": "(Barb) who are these kinder, gentler Forsytes and what have they done with the real ones? LOL!! Everybody forgiving everybody. *am sobbing profusely* ;-) It started out so well, with Irene walking out. Then I felt blissful in that she didn't reappear for nearly 25 minutes (did check clock) and I was bordering on ecstatic that she wouldn't make an appearance at all. An Irene-free episode!! That being said, I did like the OJ-Irene scenes, especially when she related what had transpired. I can understand her empathy for Ladies of the Night, but at least many of them like what they do. Did everyone not jump to their feet and shout \"Bravo\" to June when she went after Soames at the funeral! What a speech! Did she not give him what-for? Not only was that a episode highlight for me, but only a speech like that would've caused Soames to came to his senses and send him to his sick bed. His mother's assessment--that he loved too much--was a revelation not only to us but to him. Ah yes, now I can feel a teensy bit sorry for the poor reptile. ;-) But the best part was coming attractions. Rupert has cut his hair (nicely slicked down) and only has a trim mustache. Yipee!!! Oh yeah and before I forget: Bad Montie. Bad Montie. Cheating on Winnie. :-("}, {"response": 296, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Sun, Oct 27, 2002 (23:34)", "body": "Ya'll must have watched a different show! I thought McKee was wonderful tonight - pitch perfect! As was CR. [Not to mention Balthasar the dog] :-) And Soames!!! Please! Mommie should have taught him not to love so much? Let Sister and Mommie make sure Soames doesn't take any responsibility for the situation. Let them make sure he blames it all on Irene (or them). Give me a break!!!!! The big disgusting self-centered reprehensible baby. Yuck! (Karen)but at least many of them like what they do Huh? Bravo June! Bad Montie...bad Montie...bad Montie...bad...bad...bad..."}, {"response": 297, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Oct 27, 2002 (23:41)", "body": "(Barb) To begin with, who are these kinder, gentler Forsytes and what have they done with the real ones? LOL! It's now science fiction with the same characters in an alternate universe. (Karen) Did everyone not jump to their feet and shout \"Bravo\" to June when she went after Soames at the funeral! What a speech! Did she not give him what-for? Yes, indeed!.... shouting \"June, you go girlfriend!\" ;-) His mother's assessment--that he loved too much--was a revelation not only to us but to him. Ah yes, now I can feel a teensy bit sorry for the poor reptile. ;-) I started to feel bad for him as he so obviously can't let himself go a bit and just have a good cry and get it over with, even in front of his family. Couldn't do it by himself last week after Irene left him either. It looks so painful trying to keep it in control. But the best part was coming attractions. Rupert has cut his hair (nicely slicked down) and only has a trim mustache. Yipee!!! LOL! I perked up on that, too. Am completely fascinated at how all these Forsyte men just line up for Irene, one after the other. Poor OJ, too. He seemed so happy, even if it was with Irene. She can't catch a break either. Did he sign the codicil to the will so she'll get the money he left her? Did anyone notice that sound just before OJ came down the stairs in the middle of the night thinking Irene was at the piano? It sounded like the same sound/animal cry that was in P&P when Darcy was writing the letter after the proposal."}, {"response": 298, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (03:07)", "body": "Burns, Forsyte rate for PBS By John Eggerton Broadcasting & Cable 10/23/2002 3:14:00 PM PBS appears to have scored with its showcase of Ken Burns fare and its new take on The Forsyte Saga. PBS shows that are aired on the same night, which include Ken Burns American Stories and Masterpiece Theatre, are averaging a 2.0 Nielsen Media Research rating for the first five weeks of its season. That\ufffds up 18 percent over the same period last year."}, {"response": 299, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (07:36)", "body": "I loved the way old Jolyon physically changed last night. His facial expressions from pure happiness to pain. He almost seemed like a different person. (Karen), Did everyone not jump to their feet and shout \"Bravo\" to June when she went after Soames at the funeral! What a speech! Did she not give him what-for? Not only was that a episode highlight for me, but only a speech like that would've caused Soames to came to his senses and send him to his sick bed. Big highlight for me too. She was great! And we now know that she forgave Irene for falling for Phil. His mother's assessment--that he loved too much--was a revelation not only to us but to him. Ah yes, now I can feel a teensy bit sorry for the poor reptile. ;-) (suzee), Please! Mommie should have taught him not to love so much? Let Sister and Mommie make sure Soames doesn't take any responsibility for the situation. Let them make sure he blames it all on Irene (or them). LOL, suzee! I felt it more like Karen did, but you have a very good point. But the best part was coming attractions. Rupert has cut his hair (nicely slicked down) and only has a trim mustache. Yipee!!! I liked him as the \"artiste\" too. ;-D Ruperet does look like he will be taking control (as a Forsyte does), soon. Can't wait! Oh yeah and before I forget: Bad Montie. Bad Montie. Cheating on Winnie. :-( Might this have come about because her family never backed him in his original plans for business. The Forsytes have not treated him very well in that respect. Does anyone here really like the house?"}, {"response": 300, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (07:39)", "body": "(Suzee) I thought McKee was wonderful tonight - pitch perfect! So did I. My not wanting to see her was based on past episodes and I was tired of seeing the stoic, unsympathetic Irene. Let Sister and Mommie make sure Soames doesn't take any responsibility for the situation. Let them make sure he blames it all on Irene (or them). I found this very plausible. Naturally they'd side with blood, not to mention the fact that she's been an ungrateful woman who wouldn't perform the role of dutiful wife, as they both have. Did you see the look on the mother's face when she was told Irene took measures not to become pregnant? You'd think that she had committed the crime of the century (perhaps it was). Being barren (or thought to be barren) is one thing; this was another. Besides, they had to have something bad to pin on her. Everyone knew she left without taking her Forsyte jewels, another insult which pointed up the fact that her situation was so bad, she's leave with only the clothes on her back. No, these is totally understandable. Soames' immediate family has to characterize her as the bad guy. Her faults were at odds with society's norms (not being a wife and adultery)."}, {"response": 301, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (07:54)", "body": "(Karen) It started out so well, with Irene walking out. Agreed, this was the only thing that made sense after last week when it made no sense that she came back. (Suzee) I thought McKee was wonderful tonight - pitch perfect! Oh, I liked her too! It's just in pondering her performance, some things don't change much. She's such a minimalist in this role (IMO). But for this episode, minimalist felt right, sort of like everything else is burned away and peace is all that remains. That was the impression she left me with anyway. (Karen)Did everyone not jump to their feet and shout \"Bravo\" to June when she went after Soames at the funeral! Yes yes yes! That girl's eyes can spit fire! ..the best part was coming attractions. Rupert has cut his hair... Thought that too, glad to see it looks like he will grow out of his artistic dishabille. (Dorine) Am completely fascinated at how all these Forsyte men just line up for Irene, one after the other. Me too. Do you suppose it's genetic? Imprinted on their DNA? Best laugh=Montie and George at pool. What cads! And thinking back on my prior posts, I acknowledge my excess of cynicism regarding YJ and Helene. They were too happy, it could not last, but it did not end the way I saw it shaping up (YJ eventually throwing her over for Irene.) And one more thing...I have tried to avoid spoilers but it's been impossible not to pick up on a few names. Have to admit I thought Fleur would be introduced with Irene's return, guess I will have to wait to figure out who she is."}, {"response": 302, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (09:04)", "body": "(Barb) Have to admit I thought Fleur would be introduced with Irene's return, guess I will have to wait to figure out who she is. Considering that the previews for the next ep show YJ and Soames sparring over Irene, I have an idea who Fleur's parents might be. And I agree with everybody who remarked that they liked Irene last night. It did her a lot of good to take some responsibility for herself and to think about someone's needs besides her own. And she and OJ were rather sweet together."}, {"response": 303, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (09:08)", "body": "Will it be revealed how Soames knew Irene and OJ were keeping company? Did he hired a private detective to find her?"}, {"response": 304, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (11:19)", "body": "(Rika) Considering that the previews for the next ep show YJ and Soames sparring over Irene, I have an idea who Fleur's parents might be. Yeah, that thought occurred to me too but I originally discounted it because I was tangled up in ages. If it turns out to be the case, there will be, what...25 years between YJ's oldest and youngest child? No reason it can't be I guess. (Dorine) She can't catch a break either. Did he sign the codicil to the will so she'll get the money he left her? This thought startled me, had not thought of that, but surely so? Did anyone notice that sound ...? It sounded like the same sound/animal cry that was in P&P when Darcy was writing the letter after the proposal. I noticed that too and had the same thought. If whatever it is keeps showing up, they might have to include it in the credits. (Karen) Naturally they'd side with blood, not to mention the fact that she's been an ungrateful woman who wouldn't perform the role of dutiful wife, as they both have. ...as they both have. Interesting perspective, that adds dimension to both of them. A couple of things about Soames' family...when OJ was talking to Soames' parents about the house and OJ would not tolerate them bad-mouthing Irene, I thought they gave in too easily...too willing to grant OJ's point about two sides to the story and how Soames after all loved her once. Did not ring true for me. Also, Winnie has been intriguing me. At the opera, she was a social chatter-bug. During the scene with Soames she is nattering about school bills and how Dartie does not have a mind for it or whatever. She comes off a light-weight and sort of giddy, accomodating and willing to let things slide. We've just seen Montie be \"bad Montie\", here's hoping Winnie gets her dander up and we see her go at him. She is after all, a Forsyte, I bet she finds her teeth. And the last thing...does it seem to anyone else that Irene really seemed to have \"no visible means of support\"? She left Soames with nothing, she had money enough for food, has just been taking in some music students, yet she has a comfortable appearing home and the means to go to the opera now and then. I suppose maybe good stepmother is gone and some of her father's estate became available for her?"}, {"response": 305, "author": "susanne", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (11:35)", "body": "Can't say I was yelling \"Bravo\" at June's tirade. It's not like Soames forced Phil to sleep with Irene creating a chain of events that result in \"poor \" Phil's death. Okay, the truth is out--someone actually likes Soames. I can't say I like all that he does, but I feel sorry for the guy. No one forced Irene to marry him. He asked twice--that's not exactly twisting her arm. It was her decision. Speaking of Irene, I see nothing there that would make man after man fall for her. Bland in looks, bland in character, bland in voice. JMO Overall a bland episode. I would be spiced it up, keeping Helene alive and having YJ run off with the new governess, Frau Broom Hilda."}, {"response": 306, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (11:42)", "body": "I still don't trust Irene. We weren't shown her transformation, after all, and her source of income doesn't seem like enough to buy those relatively lavish clothes. June definitely went for Soames' blood, but at the wrong place and time, IMO. That bugged me a bit, but she sure hung in there and said what needed saying. (Karen) His mother's assessment--that he loved too much--was a revelation not only to us but to him. Agreed, but then she turned around with the \"I should have stopped you back then\" (over the kitten) and absolved him of the responsibility for dealing with it! How awfully convenient for him. I love the house now that it's furnished, although it's not Wright-style, and hope we get to see more of it."}, {"response": 307, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (11:43)", "body": "drat drat double drat"}, {"response": 308, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (13:46)", "body": "Finally, some evidence that Irene has a pulse! I have to wonder that if she was as pleasant toward Soames in the early years of their marriage as she was towards Old Jolyon, if they couldn't have had a decent marriage. I guess Old J was \"safe\"--no sexual component in the relationship, no demands. Poor Irene, born about 80 years too late--no Dr. Ruth, no Dr. Phil, no Oprah, no Sally Jesse, no Montel . . .;-) (Sue)Can't say I was yelling \"Bravo\" at June's tirade. It's not like Soames forced Phil to sleep with Irene creating a chain of events that result in \"poor \" Phil's death. Agreed, Sue! And how realistic is it for June to sympathize with the woman who cuckholded her with her fiance? When she said to Soames that she understood why Irene took Phil away from her because \"the only alternative she had was you\" I was scratching my head. Hello? The alternative is to leave the bad marriage, attempt to become self-supporting and not commit adultery with your best friend's fiance. Whatever happened to personal responsibility??"}, {"response": 309, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (14:11)", "body": "(Elizabeth) and her source of income doesn't seem like enough to buy those relatively lavish clothes. They were provided by ITV. ;-) (Mari) And how realistic is it for June to sympathize with the woman who cuckholded her with her fiance? I wasn't sympathizing with June, just cheering because she was expressing *my* thoughts. Remember this is fiction, where the good have a happy ending and the bad do not, per Miss Prism. ;-)"}, {"response": 310, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (14:33)", "body": "(Mari) And how realistic is it for June to sympathize with the woman who cuckholded her with her fiance? Karen) Remember this is fiction,... Indeed, real people seldom act like that. Her little tirade at the cemetery showed abominable manners on June's part and lack of grief for her recently enterred lover.Imagine cheering for her best friend who stole her lover! And blaming Soames for Boisinney's death is stretching it. Irene does wear clothes well..if only her expressions changed as often as ITV changed her costumes. Same ole tiresome looks. She did get 30,000 Pounds out of the old goat though. Young J. and Irene? Why am I not surprised? (Moon saw the look in the carriage....!) I like the house...esp the setting."}, {"response": 311, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (14:41)", "body": "(Karen) Did everyone not jump to their feet and shout \"Bravo\" to June when she went after Soames at the funeral! What a speech! A great speach! I'm so proud of June -- definitely her grandest moment so far. But the best part was coming attractions. Rupert has cut his hair (nicely slicked down) and only has a trim mustache. Yipee!!! Oh, yes!!! Oh yeah and before I forget: Bad Montie. Bad Montie. Cheating on Winnie. :-( I'm disappointed, but not surprised. After all, he did hit on Irene that time at the ball. (Suzee) I thought McKee was wonderful tonight - pitch perfect! (Karen) So did I. My not wanting to see her was based on past episodes and I was tired of seeing the stoic, unsympathetic Irene. I thought she was wonderful. If we'd seen this side of Irene before, I would have understood every male character falling for her. (Moon) I loved the way old Jolyon physically changed last night. His facial expressions from pure happiness to pain. He almost seemed like a different person. CR has done a fantastic job throughout. I enjoyed his scenes with Irene. Perhaps they would have been the perfect couple, in some ways. (Dorine) Did anyone notice that sound just before OJ came down the stairs in the middle of the night thinking Irene was at the piano? It sounded like the same sound/animal cry that was in P&P when Darcy was writing the letter after the proposal. That's a bird's cry -- either a jackdaw, rook or crow. Hard to say which, as they are members of the same family and sound similar. All three are common throughout England."}, {"response": 312, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (14:56)", "body": ""}, {"response": 313, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (14:58)", "body": "(Evelyn) Her little tirade at the cemetery showed abominable manners on June's part Gee, no one seemed to think Moira's outburst at the funeral was so bad, except me. ;-) And blaming Soames for Boisinney's death is stretching it. The lawsuit. (Kathy) That's a bird's cry -- either a jackdaw, rook or crow. Any of these harbingers of continuing bad soap operas? ;-)"}, {"response": 314, "author": "Saskia", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (15:42)", "body": "(Barb S)A couple of things about Soames' family...when OJ was talking to Soames' parents about the house and OJ would not tolerate them bad-mouthing Irene, I thought they gave in too easily...too willing to grant OJ's point about two sides to the story and how Soames after all loved her once... I can see your point but I think it was more likely a business maneuver on the part of James Forsyte (Soames's father). I got the impression that he felt that if he gave into his brother Old Jolyon on the point about Irene; Old Jolyon would have to concede a point to him. Which may be very much in keeping with a solicitor's way of thinking. Both James and his son Soames were both solicitors. The concession was that James would not negotiate on the price of Robin Hill. If Old Jolyon wanted to buy the house and grounds he would pay Soames's asking price or he simply wouldn't get them. Another reason for James's refusal to bargain with Old Jolyon on the price of Robin Hill was that James was still angry with his brother's removing his will from his offices and taking his business to other solicitors. As for June giving Soames \"what for\" at Bosinney's funeral. I felt really badly for both of them. Although I found June coming off as the more pathetic of the two. She really is clueles as to her own motivations. She is, in many ways, the feminine Soames. Like Soames, June has chosen to love someone completely and utterly wrong for her. She also appears to ignore the fact that she was willing to use her money as leverage in the relationship between her and Bosinney. (When she went to his rooms after he had lost the suit with Soames.) But, perhaps because she is young, she refuses to acknowlege this. It is far easier for her to wring her hands and whine on that if Soames weren't such a self-satisfied, possesive prig who had to have what he had to have, Irene as his wife. He never would've have made Irene unhappy; consequently she never would've met Bosinney. There never would've been a commission for Robin Hill. Bosinney would've built his reputation and income. Then, of course, she would've hav married her beloved Phil and all would've been well. Maybe she should've thanked Soames for saving her from an unhappy marriage. Perhaps she had grown to be thankful to Irene for saving her from one. I'm sorry, I found it so extraordinarily childish to that June would act so indecorously at her beloved's funeral that she would stalk off and stamp her foot and yell at Soames that it was all his fault that Phil is dead. Let me interject that I find Gillian Kearney's playing as June superb. I thought that Soames held his own very will against June, until she told him that Irene practiced contrapception. That really hurt him. And why should't it. He, no doubt, found it incomprehenisible that any woman didn't want a child. He was a man of his times and felt that all women were pretty much equipped with inate maternal instincts. He was also a successful professional man, the scion of a respectable and wealthy family. A family whose name he wants to pass on, he wants heirs. He simply cannot understand any woman finding fault with that. Particularly not a woman whom he loves, in his mind, to distraction. Soames is also clueless. Now for that enigma who is Irene. She is very passive. She is very passive in the book, maybe even more so. To be fair, Galsworthy never does give her a voice and some believe that he intended her to be a metaphor for art. Which is why we only know this character from the perceptions of others. I never saw the first series of The Forsyte Saga but have heard from those who did that Irene was presented as lovely and charming and almost everyone who met her loved her. She was also described by some viewers of the earlier adaptation as having hot passions in a cold exterior. As far as this production goes I think the assessment of the hot passions/cold exterior is a more acurate discription of Soames as played by Damian Lewis. Soames is very passionate, exceptionally so. He is also very repressed. The perfect image of a member of the grand bourgeois in his expensive, perfectly tailored dark suit, high collar and silk top hot. He looks for all the world very cool and composed, the perfect Victorian gentleman. But he is a man of very deep and strong passions. He seems to be a very sexual person, as well, far more sexual than Irene. That seems to be a large part of their incompatibility. Irene isn't moved by \"the voluptuous friction of two intestines\", as one French cynic once phrased it. What can touch her is the world of art and ideas, certainly not sex or commerce. What draws her to Bosinney is his conversation. They are always talking, exchanging ideas. It is his mind and talent which first attracts her and holds her. Even when they start their sexual affair; I go the impression that after they completed the dirty deed, they then set about discussing the influence of Japanese prints on the work of fashionable or unfashi"}, {"response": 315, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (19:20)", "body": "(Barb)And the last thing...does it seem to anyone else that Irene really seemed to have \"no visible means of support\"? She left Soames with nothing, she had money enough for food, has just been taking in some music students, yet she has a comfortable appearing home and the means to go to the opera now and then. I suppose maybe good stepmother is gone and some of her father's estate became available for her? She had the 50 pounds a year from her father's estate plus the music lessons (many more than 3 students in the book). She was living in a 'dump' - very low-rent side of town, in a 'flat' in a building behind other buildings where others in the family would not even want to go. Also, in the book, she had almost no furnishings when we first see her flat - just the bare minimum. Any extra money she could put together, she spent to help the 'women in the park,' although she says she can do little for them - just a meal or a place to sleep, etc. When first they meet again, OJ gives her a check to help care for the women. (They find a woman sitting in the hall outside her flat waiting when they go home one night.) I think Irene's comment last night to OJ saying she was sorry that she was not dressed properly may have been intended to help us understand her situation. (Of course, the TV clothes look great.) Irene may have been able to afford a night or two at the opera and one or two appropriate dresses, but she couldn't travel, live in a nice home, etc. Everything being relative, this is unthinkable to a Forsyte and OJ is very troubled by the way she is living. That's one of the reasons he decides to leave her the bequest - that, and the fact that she has given him some unexpected happiness at his advanced age, reminding him of the beautiful side of life. It is not sexual in fact, but it reminds him of what it was like to be sexual and of how much he loves life, the 'beauty'of life and doesn't want it to end. He wants to hold on to every minute of the life he has left, to appreciate it all. I think he sincerely wishes he were young again, but he knows he is not and that he can only enjoy the relationship with Irene for what it is. At one point in the story, he tells her that he would have been proud to have her as a daughter. This part of the story comes from 'Indian Summer of a Forsyte' - a short story published separately after the first book. It is a remarkable piece, beautifully written. It is written from old Jolyon's perspective as an 85 year old man at the end of his life and perfectly captures that perspective. It is funny at times and unbelievably poignant at others. I would recommend it to anyone who likes to read and IMO, Galsworthy could have been awarded the Pulitzer for this alone. [Also, for another piece alone, but we are not there yet in the series and may not be until next year :-)] The TV show last night did a very good job of capturing much of the essence of the story, although I don't think it is possible to match the written words. I wasn't disappointed, but I am sad that Corin Redgrave is gone. (Maybe they'll bring him back for flashback scenes!)"}, {"response": 316, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (20:20)", "body": "(Evelyn) Her little tirade at the cemetery showed abominable manners on June's part (Karen)Gee, no one seemed to think Moira's outburst at the funeral was so bad, except me. ;-) LOL..Me, Me... I remember saying Gamma would have been mortified. V. unrealistic...well brought up young women just didn't behave like that. Thank you Barb for your comments on last night's eps. Suzee, I only wish I could get as excited as you are about these worthless people. I feel I'm missing out."}, {"response": 317, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (21:41)", "body": "I guess I only think most of the people are completely worthless. LOL!! Some of the people have redeeming qualities and I am enjoying the book(s). I like the way Galsworthy writes, the descriptions of the time period, the UK history and the family history, the scenes of the city, transportation changes,etc. - lots of information that can't be on screen. The characters seem like very real, flawed people to me (don't know too many perfect people). But, (huge \"but\") so far (and I'm almost finished with 'In Chancery') nothing has made me like Soames, on screen or on the page."}, {"response": 318, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (22:02)", "body": "(Suzee) This part of the story comes from 'Indian Summer of a Forsyte' What a lovely name, it's perfect for this part of the story. Thanks for sharing the information from the books. I agree with sentiments that the movie has to stand alone but having the insights from the books helps fill out the experience...thanks!"}, {"response": 319, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (23:01)", "body": "Great commentary, ladies. I've been enjoying the read. (Saskia) But he is a man of very deep and strong passions. He seems to be a very sexual person, as well, far more sexual than Irene. Could you comment further on Soames being a \"very sexual person\"? Is there something in the book which has led you to this conclusion. No need to make any comparisons with Irene here. ;-) Soames may love very deeply and be a hopeless romantic, but I haven't seen this at all. With respect to Irene and Bosinney, it would appear they've attemped to play up the sexual aspect of their relationship. The two did constantly speak of art and ideas, but it appeared to me that their physical relationship was not lacking."}, {"response": 320, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (00:56)", "body": "(Saskia) But he is a man of very deep and strong passions. He seems to be a very sexual person, as well, far more sexual than Irene. (Karen)Could you comment further on Soames being a \"very sexual person\"? Yes, please. I don't thimk I agree with this, but maybe you are seeing something I'm not? (Karen) Naturally they'd side with blood... His mother's assessment--that he loved too much--was a revelation not only to us but to him. (Elizabeth) Agreed, but then she turned around with the \"I should have stopped you back then\" (over the kitten) and absolved him of the responsibility for dealing with it! How awfully convenient for him It may have been a revelation to you but not to Soames. Not in a million years. I doubt he even heard it LOL I agree that the family would take Soames side. But it is so d*** frustrating! June seemed to reach him a bit with her tirade (even if the funeral was not the proper time and place) and then sister and mother turn around and reinforce his own opinion that he is always in the right. \"Poor Soames\" doesn't need any help feeling that he is the wronged party. In his mind he did everything exactly right with Irene, even the rape. And that darn cat shouldn't have been so easy to smother, either. Thank God Irene got awayt with her life ;-) I was 400 plus pages into the book before I had a twinge of sympathy for him. Then it took just about 10 more pages to regret ever feeling that way. LOL I think Soames may be the most completely self-centered, narcissistic character I have ever seen on page or screen. Certainly I can't think of many who are more so, (Dorine) She can't catch a break either. Did he sign the codicil to the will so she'll get the money he left her? (Barb)This thought startled me, had not thought of that, but surely so? If OJ didn't sign it, do you think that Young Jolyon and/or June would be likely to give it to her anyway?"}, {"response": 321, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (03:11)", "body": "(Karen) But the best part was coming attractions. Rupert has cut his hair (nicely slicked down) and only has a trim mustache. Yipee!!! (Dorine)LOL! I perked up on that, too. (Moon) I liked him as the \"artiste\" too. ;-D Ruperet does look like he will be taking control (as a Forsyte does), soon. Can't wait I loved in the preview when YJ warned Soames about how he treats Irene: \"She's not alone this time.\" Yes!!!! ( I liked his 'artiste' period, too.) ((Moon) Might this have come about because her family never backed him in his original plans for business. The Forsytes have not treated him very well in that respect . I think it's possible. They treated him like a possession, a \"thing\" - he wasn't allowed a life or business. So all he had to do outside of sitting at home was to hang around with George, play cards and pool and bet on horses. (Karen)Will it be revealed how Soames knew Irene and OJ were keeping company? Did he hired a private detective to find her? No detective when OJ and Irene were together (at least not in the book). But Soames was such a sneak and he did lots of checking up, following and spying. Every time anyone told him anything about Irene, he already knew it, although he would not admit it. I'm afraid if I say more, I'll give something away."}, {"response": 322, "author": "Saskia", "date": "Wed, Oct 30, 2002 (14:31)", "body": "(Karen)Could you comment further on Soames being a \"very sexual person\"? (Suzee)Yes, please. I don't think I agree with this, but maybe you are seeing something I'm not? I'm sorry for being so unclear on this in my last post, despite its excessive verbosity. I went on and on and really wasn't very clear as to what I wanted to say. In my previous posts I had commented on the novels and their relationship in relation to the current television production. So it would seem that I was doing the same in my last post. What I failed to clarify was that I was referring specifically to the TV adaptation now running as it can be judged as a discreet production separate from Galsworthy. That explanation is still pretty darned obscure. Quite simply, to me, in this particular production Soames comes off as sexy in some twisted way. Or more precisely Damian Lewis makes him seem sexy. I just thought that it was funny that people to whom I've spoken who've seen the old BBC series felt that the character of Irene came off as being someone with \"hot passions in a cold exterior\". To me that descriptions more apt of Soames in the current Granada adaptation. So that particular statemen was made in reference to the television series and not Galsworthy. (Karen)With respect to Irene and Bosinney, it would appear they've attemped to play up the sexual aspect of their relationship. The two did constantly speak of art and ideas, but it appeared to me that their physical relationship was not lacking. I do agree with you, Karen, so far as that really did seem to be the intent of producers of the series. The real problem for me was Ioan Gruffudd. Could he and Gina McKee possibly have had less chemistry with each other? Irene had more chemistry and sexual tension with Soames! Granted she started out not particularly interested, which became dislike and grew to absolutely loathe him. But at least it went somewhere, there was something palpable between them. Despite the efforts to suggest rapturous sex between Irene and Phil, I could never quite believe it. I still think that they spend most of their time in bed discussing current trends in the arts. I'm sorry, my feeling toward Ioan Gruffudd was that he felt the only requisite to playing Bosinney was looking very pretty. What a dud. I was at a loss to what either June or Irene saw in Phil, aside from his obvious good looks. I really do like Gina McKee as Irene and personally find her performance terrific. But Gruffudd just came across as woefully miscast. He was god awful. He appeared to be cast for no other reason than being very pretty. I wanted to applaud when Bossiney went under the wheels of that carriage. I didn't have to be exposed to his sub-standard acting anymore. Bosinney is supposed to be a true artist and architectural genius. I never got any hint of that talent from Gruffudd's lame portrayal. Bosinney is called the Buccaneer by the Forsytes. That left my scratching my head because I never got a hint of anything remotely like a buccaneer from Gruffudd. At least not until Bosinney, enraged by Soames's assault on Irene, works himself into a rousing rage, goes looking for Soames and if he eve got hold of him, would probably have attempted to kill him. I believed Ioan Gruffudd then, but maybe he was accessing Horatio Hornblower. That was a bad observation. Hornblower was a naval officer not a buccaneer. Please let me apologize to the Ioan Gruffudd fans out there. I am speaking only for myself. It's okay if you think that I have bad taste or no taste at best, or that I'm completely crazy and perfectly wrong at worst. Just one more thing. I loved Ioan Gruffudd as Horatio Hornblower and as Pip in Great Expectations."}, {"response": 323, "author": "Saskia", "date": "Wed, Oct 30, 2002 (14:32)", "body": "Help! Hope that the tags are closed."}, {"response": 324, "author": "Saskia", "date": "Wed, Oct 30, 2002 (15:29)", "body": "This is a link to a site which has screen captures from the older BBC production of The Forsyte Saga . Episode 8 was titled \"Indian Summer of a Forsyte\". http://www.ceejbot.com/EricPorter/Forsyte/episode08.php"}, {"response": 325, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 30, 2002 (17:57)", "body": "(Saskia)Quite simply, to me, in this particular production Soames comes off as sexy in some twisted way. Or more precisely Damian Lewis makes him seem sexy. He certainly plays Soames in a sympathetic manner. BTW I'm glad we are discussing the film adaptation separate from the book."}, {"response": 326, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (10:13)", "body": "No need to apologize for your lengthy comments or your views, Saskia. I'm thrilled that you and others are providing such interesting details from the book and from the series. (Saskia) Quite simply, to me, in this particular production Soames comes off as sexy in some twisted way. Or more precisely Damian Lewis makes him seem sexy. Ah! So that's it. Glad you said \"twisted\" though. ;-) Personally, I don't see it but I suspect this has to do with personal preferences. Don't get me wrong, I think DL is a excellent actor, but no sexiness is coming through. Perhaps, it's just that he is not my type (in BOB, Ron Livingstone and his character were more to my liking). When I try to imagine the sexuality beneath the Soames skin, all I can see is that early scene at Bournemouth, where he clumsily tries to kiss Irene's arm. That didn't look like a sexual being to me. However, to be logical, if he is repressed, then there must be something he is repressing. It just doesn't look like passion to me. But Gruffudd just came across as woefully miscast. He was god awful. He appeared to be cast for no other reason than being very pretty. I wanted to applaud when Bossiney went under the wheels of that carriage. I didn't have to be exposed to his sub-standard acting anymore. LOL! Don't hold back, Saskia. Tell us how you really feel about IG. Pssst! He doesn't do anything for me either, and I don't think him particularly handsome (something to do with his mouth) but as he's gotten older, what I viewed as a baby face is melting away. As to IG's performance, I didn't think it was so bad. While they needed to have a \"hunk\" in that role, the issue of chemistry I fear all hinges on our attitudes toward Gina McKee and her Irene, i.e., do we believe it when men are falling all over themselves for her? That is the crux of the chemistry issue. When we first saw Bosinney giving Irene that mooney look at the church, what should we be questioning? Was IG's gaze bad or unbelievable because we didn't think Irene was such a catch? (Evelyn) He certainly plays Soames in a sympathetic manner. Depending of course on whether you share his views and attitudes. ;-)"}, {"response": 327, "author": "susanne", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (11:54)", "body": "I don't think Soames should be judged by modern sensibilites."}, {"response": 328, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (15:01)", "body": "(Saskia)but maybe he was accessing Horatio Hornblower LOL, Saskia - he was accessing his \"inner HH\" :-) Re Soames and his sexuality: now I understand what you are saying even though I don't see anything sexy or sexual (or sympathetic) about Lewis as Soames (repressed or otherwise). To tell the truth, I think I have a similar problem with Lewis as you have with Gruffudd and others have with McKee. I keep wondering if another actor had played Soames, might I have enjoyed the Soames' scenes. I have enjoyed actors playing cads in the past, but this time it's not working for me. (Karen)the issue of chemistry I fear all hinges on our attitudes toward Gina McKee and her Irene, i.e., do we believe it when men are falling all over themselves for her? That is the crux of the chemistry issue. When we first saw Bosinney giving Irene that mooney look at the church, what should we be questioning? Was IG's gaze bad or unbelievable because we didn't think Irene was such a catch? Ah! Beauty (or chemistry) is in the eye of the beholder! What better examples than all of our different attitudes expressed here about the various actors/characters? :-)"}, {"response": 329, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (15:05)", "body": "(Suzee) I have enjoyed actors playing cads in the past, but this time it's not working for me. Do you consider Soames to be a cad? That's a better description (now) of Monty. Soames seems to be an upstanding prig, and DL is playing *that* very well. ;-)"}, {"response": 330, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (15:53)", "body": "(Karen) However, to be logical, if he is repressed, then there must be something he is repressing. It just doesn't look like passion to me. I think what Soames is repressing is rage - rage at the whole world and everything in it. He is furious because he wants to control every single little thing. He cannot and that is impossible for him to accept. Do you consider Soames to be a cad? What I consider Soames to be is much much worse than either a cad or an upstanding prig and I'm not sure it can be printed here. LOL However, what I was trying to say is no matter how despicable a character may be, I can often appreciate the actor's performance, enjoy watching it, etc. I do not feel that way about DL as Soames."}, {"response": 331, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (17:38)", "body": "I bet Masterpiece Theatre has lost half their audience with this one. I wouldn't be hanging in 'cept for this discussion. Wish Irene would have gone under with Bosinney, but then we wouldn't have Fleur...and I want to see about her. LOL. Reminds me of the recent \"Anna Karenina\"...If she hadn't jumped, I was ready to push her under that train."}, {"response": 332, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (19:30)", "body": "(Suzee) I think what Soames is repressing is rage - rage at the whole world and everything in it. Oh well said. From the tightness of his face to his stiffness as he moves, that's what I see. And I've been wondering if I was missing something, DL does less than nothing for me but this is the first thing I've seen him in, maybe I need to expand my experience. I just find Soames totally repulsive, someone said reptilian earlier, I agree."}, {"response": 333, "author": "Saskia", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (16:21)", "body": "(Suzee) I think what Soames is repressing is rage - rage at the whole world and everything in it. (Barb S) Oh well said. From the tightness of his face to his stiffness as he moves, that's what I see. Interesting and it certainly is a point of view which can work. But I don't see Soames repressing rage. What I find him to be repressing is fear. His very need to be desperately in control over everything at all times seems to be a a fear reaction. He is a afraid of life, afraid of the monstrous emotions inside of him, afraid his facade of stiff-upper lipped composure will slip, afraid that others (at least the \"people who matter\") will see him for what he really is. Which leads to the question of who and what is Soames, really? I find that Soames is very passionate in the sense that he is a person of immensely strong, although repressed emotions. His attempting to break down the bedroom door when Irene had locked him out gives some indication of the depth of his emotions, at least to me. Soames is also someone who chooses to live a life which has been largely defined by duty. He became a solicitor like his father. He carries on the family tradition of being a man of business, of a man of commerce, of being a man of property. It is what he was born into and he has accepted it not only as his birthright but as what is expected of him. Has it ever occurred to him to question any of this? Soames's attitude toward duty forms the basis for much of his being unable to fathom Irene. He simply cannot understand someone who doesn't feel obligated to be dutiful. Soames, in his estimation, has fulfilled his part of the business of being married. He was a good provider and gave Irene every comfort which he could afford to give her. She wanted for nothing. Irene repaid him by refusing to bear his children and even by refusing his conjugal rights. By law, he had the right to expect sex from her. Clearly, to him, she wasn't a person who respected duty. I can understand people thinking that Soames was a horrid husband. However, in his defense what we, and Galsworthy, perceive as his being possessive and controlling, Soames would see as being attentive and protective. Remember, being a man of his times, Soames may well have seen women, in general, as being only slightly more self-sufficient than children. I don't really see Soames as a cad, or a monster who is the author of everybody's unhappiness. I can see the upstanding prig; but I can also see that perhaps there was a damaged, unhappy and frightened man behind that."}, {"response": 334, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (23:10)", "body": "(in BOB, Ron Livingstone and his character were more to my liking) I haven't seen a lot of him, but at the urging of my son I recently watched Office Space and enjoyed RL and the movie. (The opening sequence is hilarious, especially if you have ever commuted to work by auto!) (Evelyn)LOL. Reminds me of the recent \"Anna Karenina\"...If she hadn't jumped, I was ready to push her under that train That would have been two of us, shouting 'heave-ho! LOL Thank goodness for Levin - that was the only part of the story I enjoyed. (And I love the book and story.)"}, {"response": 335, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (23:37)", "body": "(Suzee) I haven't seen a lot of him [RL] You have no idea how much I'm looking forward to the next season of Sex and the City! The last episode was a melter IMO."}, {"response": 336, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (15:22)", "body": "So ,what gives here. Didn't anybody see Eps # 5 last night? I can see an intriguing plot progressing... Will Young J. and Irenee hook up? Long lingering shots of their holding hands.... Winifred and Darite...\"I told you so..\" What a rat.At first I thought he had pawned the pearls to pay for his gambling debts. But no...to injure her further he stole the pearls to give them to the spanish tart. The cousins Imogen and Val are sweet on each other.... Will Soames try to force Irenee to come back to him, and if she doesn't he can sue for divorce and marry Annette. How old is Soames? Was the party for his 40th or 50th? Lastly...don't these people age???Only the children seem to get older."}, {"response": 337, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (15:50)", "body": "I was surpirsed I and J ddidn't hook up last night. But maybe that's the cliff hanger of the 6th episode. I am assuming we will get only 6 now. right? And what is wrong with June? Why does she want to be an old-maid? \"Losing a husband is not as bad as losing a butler\" what a great line! I lol! (Evelyn), How old is Soames? Was the party for his 40th or 50th? I would think 40th. But that's a good question. Soames and his art collection, his passion. Something left from his years with Irenee. At least he can possees it, unlike her. What was Annette's comment when he asked her about art? I didn't hear it well. But it can tell us something about their future. Did anybody get to see next week's coming attractions? They didn't show it in my area."}, {"response": 338, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (16:03)", "body": "(Evelyn) So ,what gives here. Didn't anybody see Eps # 5 last night? LOL Evelyn, yeah, I saw it, I guess it just didn't make quite the impression the other ones did. Seems this must have been a building episode, setting us up for the kids. With the exception of Montie self-destructing and black-hearted Soames being a loving and supportive brother *snort*, not much really seems to have gone on. And anticipating the Soames Anti-Defamation League, perhaps Freddie deserved some of what she got, but could his sneered \"We know what's best\" (or whatever the line was) have been any more vicious? That man gives me chills. I'm not so sure about Irene and YJ, wasn't the hand holding thing right after OJ died and they were discussing the will? Then 12 years pass. And my goodness, this thing takes some huge chronological leaps. Makes my head spin. But of course they will have to have a thing, if for no other reason than to make true what June said about every man in her life loving Irene more than her. (I gasped when I heard that.) I liked the scene with June and YJ after the funeral...the drinks, the smoke. What I did not like was the scene when they got home and presumably were just hearing about OJ's death. I thought they showed about as much emotion as they would have upon coming home and hearing the bathrooms had been repainted. And Broom Hilda the governess (who coined that for her?) has presumably departed on her broom. I'm thinking she did not care much for Irene. And the family gathering for the funeral, I'll probably rewatch it just for that part. Those are some vicious people...the aunts are a hoot. Regarding them all aging, I think they're doing a better job of aging the men than the women. Even Soames' mother looks well-preserved, so did the aunts for that matter. I saw no change in Irene and maybe a few lines had been added to June, mainly they are just dressing her in a more sophisticated manner. But I thought Soames and Jolyon were showing their age fairly well. And is it Imogen and Val (aren't they brother and sister?) or is it Val and Holly? And if it IS Holly, they need to do something with her hair. And they really ought to come up with something for Holly's brother Jolly, I thought I had missed something, he did not seem to be at Robin Hill before OJ died but he did not come back with YJ and June but then didn't we see him go off to Oxford and honk June off by taking a painting with him? He must have been away at school or something. So, my \"few\" notes above indicate it must have made some impression, I guess if it's a building episode, it did it's job. Either that or I am excessively cranky today and too annoyed at all of them."}, {"response": 339, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (16:37)", "body": "LOL Evelyn! \"Can a girl from a little mining town in the west find happiness as the wife of a wealthy and titled Englishman?...\" Oops, wrong show! ;-) I'm almost through - off to finish the tape."}, {"response": 340, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (16:57)", "body": "(Barb) Regarding them all aging, I think they're doing a better job of aging the men than the women. I don't know about that. Except for getting rid of the facial hair, YJ looks remarkably well-preserved. June looks more like his sister than his daughter. IMO, nobody is aging very much at all in this, with the exception of the children. And if it IS Holly, they need to do something with her hair. It was horrible, especially in the horseback-riding scene! I wanted to grab that errant hank of hair and stick it back in the snood, or whatever that was! It looked like some sort of animal had died on her head. (Evelyn) What a rat.At first I thought he had pawned the pearls to pay for his gambling debts. But no...to injure her further he stole the pearls to give them to the spanish tart. I thought exactly the same thing (that he pawned them). That would have been bad enough, but I was appalled when he told her what he'd really done with them, and so sorry for Freddie. (Moon) \"Losing a husband is not as bad as losing a butler\" what a great line! Probably the best of the whole series!"}, {"response": 341, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (18:03)", "body": "Timeline: Birthdates: 1847 Young Jolyon 1855 Soames 1858 Winifred 1863 Irene 1869 June 1879 Jolly 1881 Holly 1880 Val 1882 Imogen 1883 Irene and Soames marry 1886 Bosinney appears 1887 Bosinney dies Irene goes back to Soames' house 'A Man of Property' ends 1892 'Indian Summer of a Forste' Old Jolyon dies, Irene has been alone for years 1899 'In Chancery' begins Monty leaves, Soames sends Young Jo to ask for a divorce So how does the 12 year on-screen jump in the series fit in? (After Old Jo dies to the birthday party.) Did PBS do that and confuse the time? The series makers? Didn't Soames say it had been 12 years - long enough? Monty didn't say those awful chicken neck things to Freddy in the book LOL But then neither did he give his 'hear hear' during YJ's funeral speech. Loved that moment! I like the way Rupert Graves uses his entire body when acting - lot of natural movements, sitting, standing, hands, etc."}, {"response": 342, "author": "Saskia", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (18:46)", "body": "(Moon)What was Annette's comment when he asked her about art? Basically she deferred to Soames in his estimation of the paintings. She said something to the effect that she didn't really have any set views and asked what were his thoughts about his collection. (Moon) \"Losing a husband is not as bad as losing a butler\" what a great line! (KathyF)Probably the best of the whole series! I love Aunt Juley and Aunt Hester; they are so delightfully dotty. I think that they should have their own show. I'm only suggesting that because it was suggested here that George and Monty should have their own show. But that was last week and now all and sundry know that Monty is, or has become, a perfect rotter. (Barb S)And anticipating the Soames Anti-Defamation League... Hi there! After reading my last post I did come off as though I were running for the presidency of that particular organization. Okay, Soames was a rat in the last episode, but he was taking out his bitterness and frustration at the failure of his own marriage on his sister Winifred. Soames has a history of hurting the ones he loves. That's a shame, really, because Freddie has doted on her elder brother Soames. A word for Winifred here, she is a loving person who needs the patience of Job. When Monty tosses the comment about Val at her, that she raised him to be the perfect Forsyte, a priggish little snob; do you think he might have been referring, as well, to the model for this? Her adored brother and Val's beloved uncle, Mr. Soames Forsyte. It would seem that Soames has settled into a bitter middle age. I read some commentary where Soames had been described has having the cliche stick up his, well you get the idea. May I suggest that by the time he reached his mid-forties the proverbial stick had given him splinters. Still being Soames, he maintains his stiff upper lip and has more starch in his personality than in his collar. Soames is repressed, he's passionate, he's dutiful, he's annoying as all get out. (Suzee)So how does the 12 year on-screen jump in the series fit in? Actually the 12 year jump was the time elapsed between Irene's leaving Soames (1887) and the birthday party (1899). Old Jolyon and Irene shared the tender interlude of the \"Indian Summer of a Forsyte\" (1892) 5 years after Bosinney's death (1887). It was really confusing following all that in the episode. I think that the series might have given us a bit more background from the novels and not have jumped around so much. Thanks for posting the timeline."}, {"response": 343, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (19:27)", "body": "(Saskia)Actually the 12 year jump was the time elapsed between Irene's leaving Soames (1887) and the birthday party (1899) I understood where the 12 year jump was supposed to be, but it didn't seem the series makers or PBS did. They flashed \"12 years later\" on screen after the scene where YJ told Irene about OJ's will (1992) and just as the scene at the birthday party was starting (1999). (Barb)I saw no change in Irene and maybe a few lines had been added to June, mainly they are just dressing her in a more sophisticated manner. But I thought Soames and Jolyon were showing their age fairly well. (Kathy) YJ looks remarkably well-preserved. June looks more like his sister than his daughter I read somewhere earlier a complaint that YJ and June looked more like brother and sister than father and daughter. But he *was* very young when she was born. (Barb)black-hearted Soames being a loving and supportive brother *snort*..., And anticipating the Soames Anti-Defamation League, perhaps Freddie deserved some of what she got, but could his sneered \"We know what's best\" (or whatever the line was) have been any more vicious? That man gives me chills In the book Soames went to see Winifred to look for sympathy for his own situation with Irene. When he found out about her problem with Dartie and realized that she wanted sympathy from him, he lost it because it wasn't going to be all about him! Did anyone notice the scene when YJ visits Soames in his office? After YJ leaves, Soames breaks the pencil? The man is full of rage - I rest my case LOL"}, {"response": 344, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (19:37)", "body": "(suzee) They flashed \"12 years later\" on screen Very briefly, and anyone who missed that was probably very confused. June's approach now comes clear; she'll nurture her resentment against Irene in private, but go to great lengths not to show it to the wider family. Has no one ever showed her how to behave at a funeral? The family gathered around Old Jolyon's grave was a standout scene for me. I just wanted to rub Monty's face into the carpet in the casino. Soames' repressed anger is so white-hot now that those coals up his arse must be well on the way to turning into diamonds."}, {"response": 345, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (20:12)", "body": "I like Soames new country house mobetta than Robbin Hill. Cozy;-) Think we should warn Annette about joining this dysfunctional family?"}, {"response": 346, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (20:29)", "body": "(Barb S)And anticipating the Soames Anti-Defamation League... (Saski) Hi there! After reading my last post I did come off as though I were running for the presidency of that particular organization. LOL Saskia, that particular comment was not meant to anyone in particular. Soames just seems to be someone, who at least early on, inspired different feelings, perhaps based on individual perception. Commentary on him has been all over the place. To tell the truth, I was convincing myself as much as anyone else, every time I convince myself he is either all saint or all sinner, he wavers the other way. The man is giving me a whiplash! Suzee, thanks for the timeline. It will come in handy and already helps to flesh some stuff out though I need to go back and check, I was thinking June was significantly older when Jolyon left. (Elizabeth) Soames' repressed anger is so white-hot now that those coals up his arse must be well on the way to turning into diamonds. And I think from the look on his face a couple of times, a couple of them might be working their way out (my apologies if that comment is just too gross!)"}, {"response": 347, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Nov  5, 2002 (23:11)", "body": "(Evelyn) Lastly...don't these people age???Only the children seem to get older. Thank God you agree Evelyn. I was beginning to think I was the only one critical of this fact. We're talking what 15-20 years here and no one except the children are older. Absolutely amazing. I really hope Irene and YJ do not hook up. What surprises me is in all these years June has never married. She's quite a catch financially. And now living with Dad since Gran's passing. Soames wants children, and we know Irene will never give him any, so hopefully they can divorce and he can marry sweet Annette. I have a gut feeling Annette knows the ropes and will be able to handle Soames. Just my opinion of course."}, {"response": 348, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (14:48)", "body": "Old article: Pressbox UK Added : (Fri Apr 12 2002) Forsyte Saga Star Offered Film Role Amanda Ooms, one of the stars of the new ITV Forsyte Saga, has suddenly found she is in demand for all her talents from film to photography. The Swedish star now based in Brighton and last seen on British TV as a female warewolf, has been offered the lead in a multi-million Hollywood/UK/Swedish film project, has a script she has just completed being looked at for financing, has found buyers for her latest paintings and just seen thousands of people visit an exhition of photographs where she featured. Amanda told us, \ufffd Obviously I thought a major TV role in the Forsyte Saga would be the most exciting thing to happen but suddenly people seem interested in all the things I do. I love acting first, but have 2 published novels and now the script, have had exhibitions of my paintings, have had a few photographs taken which people have thought worth showing and my film career seems to be expanding.\ufffd Neither Amanda or her Agent will reveal the detail of the film other than to say it involves a secret international scandal involving Russia and a European country and which Governments have tried to \ufffdkeep hidden\ufffd. Apart from Amanda, a USA lead actor is being cast with shooting scheduled for September/October this year. UK Film Services are currently looking at her script and spokesman Robert Sidaway said today, \ufffd Obviously Amanda is a leading actor in Scandinavia having won aclaim and awards for her parts but we did not realise she could write scripts with such depth. We will be involved in the funding of around 15 films in the coming months and believe one of them could be Amanda\ufffds.\ufffd The tens of thousands of people who visited the White Chapel Gallery in London over the last few weeks may well have a feeling of dejavu when they watch the Forsyte family and that is because one of the principle subjects of the exhibiton by Nan Golding was Amanda. This is the third major photographer who has chosen the multi talented Miss Ooms as their subject. Meanwhile viewers can see Amanda on Sunday in the rerun of episode one of the Forsyte Saga and then episode 2."}, {"response": 349, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (14:55)", "body": "Excerpt from a very old interview (1996) with Nyree Dawn Porter: Title: A TOUCH OF CLASS , By: Eramo, Steven, British Heritage, 01952633, Jun/Jul96, Vol. 17, Issue 4 A TOUCH OF CLASS ...Producer Donald Wilson cast Porter in two major television series, Madame Bovary and Judith Paris. The strength of her work in both programmes led Wilson to offer her the role of Irene in The Forsyte Saga. 'Donald Wilson asked me to come to the BBC and meet with David Giles, who is, I think, an extraordinarily gifted director. During this meeting I was told that they had it in mind to offer me the role of Irene. Apparently, MGM Studios, which used to hold the copyright to The Forsyte Saga with the BBC, had seen a clip of some of my work and decided I was okay.' Based on John Galsworthy's series of novels, The Forsyte Saga follows the lives of an upwardly mobile family of the late Victorian era. It stars Kenneth More as Jolyon Forsyte, who longs to abandon his bourgeois lifestyle to become an artist. His cousin Soames, played by Eric Porter, is a cold, somewhat harsh lawyer, tolerating an unconsummated marriage to Irene. 'Irene was one of the most difficult but rewarding roles I've ever had to play,' recalls Porter. 'She's a gentle soul but passively strong and very, very much a survivor, the sort of person that some people find quite threatening. 'I had great difficulty with the character at first. I'm quite jolly and optimistic by nature and I also like to chat, all the things that are not Irene, but I did find the secret to her. It's in the novel, actually, and is revealed by the other characters in the way that they talk about her. What comes across the strongest is the character's repression. She's actually a slave to society, constantly struggling to become a free spirit. Throughout its 26 episodes, The Forsyte Saga gave television viewers their share of heartstopping moments... Although both these characters were at odds on the small screen, the relationship between the actors portraying them was far less tumultuous. 'People often made the mistake of assuming that Eric Porter and I were married, or at least brother and sister, but, in fact, we were no relation at all. The first filming we did for the programme was on location down in Brighton. I walked up to the front desk of the hotel we were staying at and asked for the key to my room. As I stood there, Eric Porter walked up to the desk as well. The clerk looked at both of us and said, \"Ah, yes, Mr. Porter, here are the keys for you and your wife.\" 'We hadn't even been introduced,' laughs the actress. 'Eric with his wonderful dry sense of humour turned to me and said, \"Well, I guess that does away with, 'How do you do?' and breaking the ice. They already have us in the same room.\" He was an extraordinary man with whom to work.' The Forsyte Saga was the last major series filmed in black and white and is also the most successful programme in BBC history. Forsytemania took hold all round the world. The series helped the BBC make a breakthrough in selling programmes to America. and it was the first drama series from the West to be bought by the former Soviet Union. In Britain, pubs emptied on Sunday nights when the series aired. The programme caused students to delay a rally in Prague; restaurateurs in Malta started opening later; and in New Zealand a cricket match began early so that the players could finish in time to watch the series. At first Porter and her fellow cast members didn't realize the impact the series had on its viewers. 'To me it was just another job, albeit a very difficult one,' the actress recalls. 'But, I kept getting feedback from people who obviously knew better than I, including, Kenneth More who said, \"You do realize our lives will never be the same again, don't you?\" The programme took off straightaway. 'I feel very privileged to have been a part of one of the original big television blockbusters and the first series to get BBC2 out of the red and into the black in terms of finances,' she concludes. After finishing work on The Forsyte Saga, the actress went on to other television work in series such as The Gamblers, Never a Cross Word, and The Liars."}, {"response": 350, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (16:44)", "body": "\"But, I kept getting feedback from people who obviously knew better than I, including, Kenneth More who said, \"You do realize our lives will never be the same again, don't you?\" Thank you, Suzee. I know FS was a popular series in the UK, but I don't think Forsytemania hit the US. Not as poplular as \"Upstairs, Downstairs\" I doubt the series catapulted them to stardom ... I never heard of Nyree Dawn Porter or Kenneth More til now ."}, {"response": 351, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (17:06)", "body": "(Evelyn) know FS was a popular series in the UK, but I don't think Forsytemania hit the US. It may not have brought on Forsytemania, but it led directly to the creation of Masterpiece Theatre."}, {"response": 352, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Sun, Nov 10, 2002 (04:39)", "body": "The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: 10/6/02 'Forsyte' actress brings 'fantasy figure' to life By STEVE MURRAY Atlanta Journal-Constitution TV Critic She appears at times like a statue, her marble-pale skin caressed by the watery gray sky. At other times, she could be mistaken for a John Singer Sargent portrait: an exquisite work of art. The fact that she is not, that she's an individual with a will of her own, is at the heart of \"The Forsyte Saga,\" the eight-hour \"Masterpiece Theatre\" miniseries starting tonight. The \"she\" in question is Irene Heron (Gina McKee), whose marriage to 19th-century London materialist Soames Forsyte (Damian Lewis) and its impact on his extended family is central to Nobel Prize-winning novelist John Galsworthy's intimate epic. It was published in three volumes between 1906 and 1921; the new miniseries covers the first two books. \"I do think the idea of possession and possessions is key to the drama,\" McKee says by telephone from England. \"I think that it's a hideous thing for Irene to be thought of in those terms. She really does believe that if you truly love somebody, you should have the generosity of spirit to let that person be.\" That's the condition Irene (pronounced \"eye-REE-nee\") sets for Soames, who courts her with the same acquisitive spirit he brings to buying a landscape painting. She agrees to marry him only if he promises that, if they find themselves emotionally unsuited to each other, he will give her her freedom. That Soames does not honor, or even understand, this vow begins a series of repercussions for Forsyte family members, who are forced to weigh which is more important in life: passion fulfilled or a full purse. That Soames does not honor, or even understand, this vow begins a series of repercussions for Forsyte family members, who are forced to weigh which is more important in life: passion fulfilled or a full purse. McKee points out that Irene was raised to be a lady, but as a young woman had neither income of her own nor practical experience or training: \"She is basically in a social no man's land and takes the option of marrying Soames because she is young and naive and thinks perhaps you do earn love, rather than find it.\" This isn't the first time this drama has played out. A 26-hour BBC adaptation aired in the United States in 1969 and was such a surprise hit that it led producers at WGBH Boston to create \"Masterpiece Theatre\" as a venue for British drama. The new version, airing as part of that series, is a co-production of WGBH and Britain's Granada Television. The miniseries was broadcast in the United Kingdom last spring. \"People talk about it constantly even now, and the press really supported it,\" McKee says. As a result, she has limited time for interviews these days, because the final book of the series is currently being shot. As for the original '60s version, she has never seen it. She wanted to wait until after she had played the role herself. The actress, 38, has worked in both costume and contemporary films (she was Hugh Grant's friend in the wheelchair in \"Notting Hill\" and Clive Owen's lover in \"Croupier\"). But she found playing Irene to be a unique challenge, and not just because she had to wear a corset. \"It's an interesting role, because Galsworthy speaks of her only through the eyes of others,\" McKee says. \"It's never in the first person. He has descriptions of her, but it's always the other characters who are putting the spin on who they think she is. In some ways, she becomes a fantasy figure in the books. That's a wonderful challenge.\" Plus, there were those pesky corsets. \"It changes so many fundamental elements about your movement, your breathing, your digestion,\" she says. \"It's uncomfortable and inconvenient and restricting, but at the same time you do find a way to use it.\" The worst kind of dress she had to wear for the miniseries? She says it's the ones with underwire cages with wires that poke and bruise the legs: \"It's like having a small classroom of children banging into you.\" http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/living/tv/1002/06mckee.html And, Mr. Murray's review: The thematic tension between love and lucre in \"The Forsyte Saga\" is established in the opening minutes, set in London in 1886, when Young Jolyon Forsyte (Rupert Graves) falls in love with his daughter's governess and leaves his family to be with her. His decision remains a scandal for the wealthy Forsyte clan nine years later, when his cousin Soames (Damian Lewis), the family's reigning scion, woos Irene Heron (Gina McKee), who marries him because she has few other options A union that starts out on the wrong foot grows worse every year. Soames' failure to see Irene as a person makes her withdraw. The more she does, the more he wants her -- but as something to possess, not to love. With her cool, intelligent stillness, McKee maintains interest even during Irene's most enigmatic moments. As Soames, Lewis (\"Band of Brothers\") is more than her match in his own bran"}, {"response": 353, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Nov 10, 2002 (08:26)", "body": "Clive Owen's lover in \"Croupier\" That's interesting, I didn't notice it was her and had already seen her in Notting Hill. Will have to watch it again. I also didn't realize that a MT program didn't show everywhere on the same week. I know they are on different times and days in various markets. Thanks, Suzee."}, {"response": 354, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Nov 10, 2002 (11:06)", "body": "Thanks Suzee for the interesting articles. Didn't know that was her in Notting Hill or Croupier. Will watch again."}, {"response": 355, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 10, 2002 (14:50)", "body": "I didn't realize McKee was that old (38). She holds up pretty well. Has done 30 films! Mostly TV."}, {"response": 356, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Sun, Nov 10, 2002 (20:57)", "body": "What a self-centered bastard Soames is. He dumped the one he supposedly loved as soon as he realized she couldn't give him the new possession he wanted, didn't he? Dang, he's nothing if not tenacious, but the prostitutes defending her was quite a scene. Again, Damian Lewis is acting his hindquarters off. And I still don't like Irene. Nice to see June thawing just a bit towards her, if only in private; it'll serve her better in the end. I loved the humor that finally got ahold of Monty and Winifred."}, {"response": 357, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, Nov 10, 2002 (21:39)", "body": "Just quick impressions (argh.. missed the first 10 minutes again...I need something to do): Loved the gown Freddie wore the night Val made his announcement. And while he was waiting in the park, it occured to me it's a shame men don't wear hats anymore. Hmmm, two boys go off to war. Don't think both will return. Not to be cold, but while I don't think both will buy it I can't decide whether it will be Jolly who does not return and breaks his father's heart or Val who will break Holly's. Freddie was spectacular when she threw the crystal...\"One rule for me, another for you.\" Soames' reaction was priceless. He just does not get it. Esoteric keeper lines for general usage on the boards (FUP's, if we had them here): Winifred, compose yourself. You need a lie down. Kick me, I'm down. And the final thing...in Paris, did YJ get to do what OJ only wished he could do?"}, {"response": 358, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (07:21)", "body": "Soames doesn't get it at all, he's a master of self flagellation. I don't think YJ got any."}, {"response": 359, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (10:24)", "body": "YJ did not get any yet. (Eliz), Damian Lewis is acting his hindquarters off. I agree! (Barb), I can't decide whether it will be Jolly who does not return and breaks his father's heart or Val who will break Holly's. It's better for the plot if they both come back. Who klnows they might become good friends at war. And BTW, we need Napolean. ;-) On the right side of course. By the previews it looks as if Soammes might be Fleur's father."}, {"response": 360, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (10:49)", "body": "(Barb) Esoteric keeper lines... Winifred, compose yourself. You need a lie down. Kick me, I'm down. Weren't those a hoot! I immediately decided to stop taking naps and start taking lie downs. I also liked \"Monty's back.\" I was checking the aging factor last night. Freddie seems to be aging a little (they added some gray). Monty looks as if he's had a face lift or perhaps a peel. Soames looks perhaps a little paler. Other than that, everybody looked pretty much the same to me (as they did in the beginning)."}, {"response": 361, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (12:10)", "body": "(Eliz), Damian Lewis is acting his hindquarters off. (Moon)I agree! Agree. But it's getting so one dimensional. I thought the episode belonged to Freddie. As for Irene...I can't see why men would be attracted to her. On my screen she's no beauty ..nor does she have charm , personality or a figure!!No sex-pot for sure. She's a dead fish, IMO (Moon) By the previews it looks as if Soammes might be Fleur's father. I guess....anyway look like she's coming baaaack. Dartie lends a little humor to the story. Glad he's back from Argentina. And who cares about the next generation? (Same with The Sopranos!)"}, {"response": 362, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (18:54)", "body": "(Evelyn) As for Irene...I can't see why men would be attracted to her. On my screen she's no beauty ..nor does she have charm , personality or a figure!!No sex-pot for sure. She's a dead fish, IMO I probably said it before, but Irene reminds me so much of Margaret Hamilton (Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz). Not that Irene is green, but when she had on the black hat and the top of it was cut off by the frame of the picture, the brim looked a lot like MH's witch hat. Also, there's something about her jawline. Eerie resemblance, IMO."}, {"response": 363, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (21:25)", "body": "(KathyF) Irene reminds me so much of Margaret Hamilton (Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz). YES!!! I thought the exact same thing last night while I was watching it! The profile is so similar... As for the aging comments, I was flicking around the channels last night after Forsytes and came to BBCAmerica, and was watching \"Coupling\" for a little bit. I think that the actor who plays Patrick on that show and the one who plays Monty are one in the same...I'm not sure, as I can never remember names. But it just stuck me as I was watching the sitcom. So, if they are the same person, there has got to be about 2 inches of pancake on his face for Forsytes... Monty's cheek bones look as if they are about to burst through his skin! at least they did last night."}, {"response": 364, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (12:45)", "body": "(Kathy) I probably said it before, but Irene reminds me so much of Margaret Hamilton (Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz). Not that Irene is green, but when she had on the black hat and the top of it was cut off by the frame of the picture, the brim looked a lot like MH's witch hat. Also, there's something about her jawline. Eerie resemblance, IMO. Great Observation. I knew she reminded me of someone, but just couldn't place her. Now I know who it is."}, {"response": 365, "author": "Saskia", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (10:32)", "body": "(BarbS) And the final thing...in Paris, did YJ get to do what OJ only wished he could do? No, YJ did not. Anymore would be getting into spoiler terrritory. (BarbS) I can't decide whether it will be Jolly who does not return and breaks his father's heart or Val who will break Holly's. (Moon) It's better for the plot if they both come back. Who knows they might become good friends at war. I read the books so I know, but I'm not going to spread any spoilers about. Yet if you think about it Holly would be very hurt if either one of them were to be killed. She does love Val and would be devastated to loose him. She also loves her brother, Jolly, very much, and would be heartbroken both for herself and her father if he were to die. (ElizabethS) Damian Lewis is acting his hindquarters off. (Moon)I agree! Yes, he's doing a great job. Thankfully you're speaking metaphorically. It would be such a shame for him to loose those hindquarters since they are such nice hindquarters. Sorry, I couldn't resist. (KathyF) Irene reminds me so much of Margaret Hamilton (Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz). \"I'll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too.\" Okay, I've posted it before and I'll post it again. Speaking only for myself, I like Gina McKee as Irene. I think that she's doing a really good job. I do admit that have never really liked the character of Irene. But I'm happy with the job G.McKee is doing. Did anybody besides me think that the ensemble that Irene was wearing in Paris was really ugly. The one with the blue and white striped skirt, red jacket type thing over a white blouse, with what looked to be some sort of royal blue dyed feather scarf-type thing hanging around her neck. I mean what was up with that?"}, {"response": 366, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (10:52)", "body": "with what looked to be some sort of royal blue dyed feather scarf-type thing hanging around her neck. I mean what was up with that? LOL! Welcome to the Fashion Patrol, Saskia! :-) It would be such a shame for him to loose those hindquarters since they are such nice hindquarters. Sorry, I couldn't resist. Oh, but he would not longer be retentive. He must act on all fronts and backs. ;-)"}, {"response": 367, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (08:56)", "body": "I've caught up with my FS episodes (thank goodness for those toothpicks propping open my eyelids) before the next airs and read all the comments. Was LOL at many of the observations. Is there a website for the Soames Anti-Defamation League? If not, there should be. ;-) And the Gina McK-Margaret Hamilton connection! Too funny. Could someone make Gina's face green, so we could a better evaluation? \"I'm mellllllllllllting\" With the exception of the children (different actors being used when they were mere tykes) and YJ and Freddie, I haven't seen much in the way of aging. It really is driving me crazy that Soames and Irene look the same. And what about Soames' mother and father? Exactly the same as when the series started. Come on! Whatshisname (Matthew?? Forsyte) should be positively decrepit by now and the aunts? Them too. Haven't aged a day. To me, that is a major flaw and shows poor production values. We get no true sense of time passed, except for them flashing \"12 years later\" on the screen and ask us to believe it. (Saskia) Did anybody besides me think that the ensemble that Irene was wearing in Paris was really ugly. Sign me up for this club. Hideous, but perhaps was all the rage in Paree. ;-) At the risk of antagonizing the SADL, he's is driving me nuts. Good grief! I cannot have a shred of sympathy for such a character who still thinks he can get Irene back to bear him a child. BTW, Soames' passing of those diamonds is an apt description. ;-) Having not read the book, Fleur seems like it might be Soames-Annette's child, given that the name is French, but that is merely conjecture on my part. Mama had pound signs in her eyes, and one wonders what Annette saw in him too. After having watched YJ and Irene in Paris, I can see far more of her appeal to men. Soames was in love with her at first sight, which is attraction of a physical nature. Therefore, she represented beauty for that era. But you can see how her personality lights up when she was with OJ and YJ. You need a lie down. Always been a fav of mine. CF says something very similar to Gram in MLSF, when she's had too much of the sherry trifle."}, {"response": 368, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (02:25)", "body": "I haven't watched tonight's show yet, but catching up on last week: (Eliz), Damian Lewis is acting his hindquarters off. (Moon)I agree! (Evelyn)Agree. But it's getting so one dimensional . I think he's *over-acting* his whatever off.... any minute I expect him to twirl his mustache and say 'dastardly' -- off with him completely as far as I'm concerned. (Barb) did YJ get to do what OJ only wished he could do? (Terry) I don't think YJ got any (Moon) YJ did not get any yet YJ didn't get any, darn it. I wanted more of those two in Paris almost as much as he did! Nice chemistry even if we only saw a few minutes. But, I think there's a very good chance that Montie got a little 'welcome home' gift!! After the \"Montie's back\" scene and before the son came home. Montie and Freddy seemed very relaxed in the second scene.:-) And will someone please find another leading role in a good movie for Amanda Root? She's wonderful. (I loved it when she said she was going to \"keep\" Montie.)"}, {"response": 369, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (02:50)", "body": "BTW, that *is* Ben Miles in 'Coupling' - too bad they're not keeping him for the US version: BBC Wednesday, 19 June, 2002, 13:09 GMT 14:09 UK British sitcom set to follow Friends Coupling follows the lives and loves of six friends BBC sitcom Coupling has been bought by US television network NBC as a possible replacement for Friends. The team behind Coupling said NBC saw the show \"as Friends with sex\" and were enthusiastic about its potential to replace the top-rated US comedy, which is coming to an end after nine seasons. Hartswood Films, which makes the British show, said the mother, daughter and son-in-law trio behind it will also be responsible for the US version and will not water-down its risqu\ufffd story lines. It follows the lives of six thirty-something friends \"making their way across the minefield of love and relationships\" and was criticised after its launch for imitating Friends too closely. It is thought the US version of Coupling will be filmed in Los Angeles using American actors. Friends is due to end after its ninth series A Hartswood Films spokeswoman told BBC News Online a pilot episode will be completed in October, with a decision on whether to go ahead with a full series to follow soon afterwards. Ben Silverman, the producer overseeing the project for NBC, said: \"We think Coupling would be a perfect show for the fans of Friends. \"It's kind of a next-generation sitcom. It is really honest and edgy.\" British writer Steven Moffat based the show on his relationship with his wife, Coupling producer Sue Vertue, and their friends. Together with Sue's mother, executive producer Beryl Vertue, they were invited to the US to make a pilot programme after NBC entertainment president Jeff Zucker fell for the British version. Beryl Vertue was also part of the team behind Men Behaving Badly, which was a huge hit for the BBC in the mid-1990s after being axed by ITV in 1992. But a US re-make of the series fared less well and was cancelled after two years. Coupling stars Jack Davenport, Sarah Alexander, Richard Coyle, Kate Isitt, Ben Miles and Gina Bellman. The storylines which won it fans include a look at what happens to missing socks. Another focused on how one partner could hide porn films from the other. To prove a successor equal to Friends, Coupling will have to do extremely well. At its peak Friends attracted 24 million viewers an episode in the US, making multi-millionaires of its creators and stars."}, {"response": 370, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (10:13)", "body": "It's me, from the Damian is perfect club.;-) He broke my heart last night, practically making love to that red dress. Thanks to Gill for this interview: From the Sunday Times: Interview: The charmer Smooth, confident and raring to reinvent himself, Damian Lewis is just the chap to play Jeffrey Archer, says Lesley White This is the actor Damian Lewis describing Jeffrey Archer, whom he plays in the forthcoming BBC comedy, Jeffrey Archer \ufffd The Truth: \"He is a charming innocent, constantly hard done by, an ordinary man trying to do his best in a difficult world...\" Correction: that was Lewis echoing the disgraced peer\ufffds view of himself, and rather confirming the actor\ufffds real opinion of his subject. \"It wouldn\ufffdt surprise me if he were a little ill,\" says Lewis. \"You know, mentally unhinged.\" When we meet on the Pinewood set of the slapstick satire, written by Guy Jenkin, creator of Drop the Dead Donkey, Lewis\ufffds flaming red hair is dyed brown, the make-up department has achieved a not totally streak-free job with the fake tan, and, with his funky shorts, he is transformed not into Jeffrey, but a cross between an Ibiza raver and a boy scout. As Greta Scacchi is playing Margaret Thatcher, we can assume no attempt at impersonation is being made. In some ways, Lewis, 31, and the celebrated fantasist have more in common than it might first appear. While the latter has spent his adult life embellishing his biography for public consumption, the actor went through a period of reverse self-invention. Rather than admit having attended Eton, for example, he told early interviewers that he went to boarding school, then changed the subject before they could ask which one. \"I tried to sever all ties to my posh upbringing. It made me feel as if I couldn\ufffdt be a genuine moody actor. I\ufffdm desensitised to that now.\" In real life, Lewis is the sort of echt young toff that Archer so admires: rich insurance-broker father, St John\ufffds Wood childhood, mother on the development boards of the Almeida and Royal Court theatres, the whiff of Brideshead about him, in a modern sort of way. And then there is Eton, where he acted in a production of Nicholas Nickleby with Archer\ufffds younger son, James, the former Flaming Ferrari. Lewis played Wackford Squeers, James an incorrigible young scoundrel he took great delight in thrashing. After the show, Archer p\ufffdre, with that typical mix of grandeur and encouragement, congratulated Lewis on the certainty of a great career, asking to be sent front-row tickets for his West End opening night. \"It was a sweet thing to say to a 16-year-old, but he gave the impression I was being summoned by royalty, and even at that age, I wasn\ufffdt at all sure he warranted that.\" After Eton, he enrolled at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and subjected himself to real discipline for the first time in a charmed life. \"I was whipped into shape by a few people I thought I knew more about life than, but didn\ufffdt. When I left, I was sure I was going to be a sensation, get all the major roles and transform British theatre.\" By the time he landed his first significant television role \ufffd in Warriors, Peter Kosminsky\ufffds story of young British soldiers in Bosnia \ufffd that had changed, and he feared he would never be any good in front of a camera. Full of energy and ego, he wanted only to be onstage, wrestling with the great texts in front of 2,000 people. \"The camera was intrusive. I was always darting around it, looking for my audience, just wishing it wasn\ufffdt there. Now...\" He stops and smiles. \"You\ufffdre gonna ask if I love the camera. Come off it! Oh, all right then, yeah, I do. I love it.\" Lewis can\ufffdt help fizzing with confidence. He is the sort of boy who could charm grannies, dogs and leading ladies, who could walk into any party, onto any set, and make it his own: funny, smart, irreverent and with manners so beautiful you could frame them. Tea with the Queen, one gets the impression, would pose no problem, while his mockney mode would rival Guy Ritchie\ufffds. When his savoir-faire accidentally fails him, he looks almost comically stricken. \"I think you\ufffdre quite edu-cated, at least well- informed,\" he opines, in the manner of a kindly, condescending great-uncle, when I comment on his theatre work. \"Quite? How very kind of you,\" I reply, and he looks momentarily mortified. \"I, um, mean that in the American sense, where \ufffdYou were quite good\ufffd means \ufffdYou were wonderful\ufffd.\" Hmmm. When it counts, however, he knows how to play the meetings, winning over Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks for his breakthrough role in Band of Brothers, against the cautions of all those who thought him too untested and the wrong nationality. Playing the quietly indomitable Major Richard D Winters in the \ufffd80m second world war epic, with perfect pitch and a creditable American accent, was the high point of his career. He has been watching the recent reruns on late-night TV, even calling his friend and fellow cast member Rick Warden to congratulate them both on good work. \""}, {"response": 371, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (10:17)", "body": "Last night episode was the best so far. Soames's seething was disgusting. High praise to Annette when she disobeyed him at the restaurant. I like her. He seems like he will dote on Fleur. Brava Karen for having guessed right. Sorry to see JY died. But it was needed to underline the birth of John. I am guessing that in the next part John and Fleur will be a couple? ;-)"}, {"response": 372, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (10:20)", "body": "(Mari), It's me, from the Damian is perfect club.;-) He broke my heart last night, practically making love to that red dress. What a great scene! I'm with you Mari. Thanks for that interesting article."}, {"response": 373, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (10:42)", "body": "Thanks for the interview with Damian Lewis; glad Speilberg has picked him up. BoB was a fabulous series. (Mari)He broke my heart last night, practically making love to that red dress That was his episode last night. Displayed very emotion in the book.From wrath at the restaurant , to sadness at his father's death,eroticism with her clothes. Agree about the red dress, but it was seeing him literally melting when he picked up Fleur that got me. Well, Irene Herron is the winner....finally living in the lap of luxury at Robben Hill (built by her former lover),with her newest Forsyte husband and son. Oh, I forgot...step- mother to her former lover's financee. Have to agree with Moon..looks like thrid generation will feature Fleur and John. These families have to get out more and meet new people!!"}, {"response": 374, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (10:43)", "body": "(Mari) He broke my heart last night, practically making love to that red dress. Oh my! *shaking head* Did we have different reactions to that scene. I fully expected him to get off on that dress from the way he was stroking it. Lots of good chuckles last night from Monty-George and Aunt banter. Wish I could remember them (and did not tape), but I'm sure someone else will have done so. I especially liked the looks exchanged between Monty and George, when Annette meets the family and tells them about the restaurant in SoHo. My vindictive self did enjoy the scene when Soames and Annette walk into the restaurant to see YJ and the very pregnant Irene. Touche!! Much as I want to be able to say \"Poor Soames\" because he didn't get his son and now Annette cannot have anymore children, I cannot. Until he picked up Fleur and carried her around, that look on his face as he glanced down on the babe for the first time was positively scary. *shuddering* OK, now Monty has aged and James did finally look older in this episode before he died. June is a complete enigma to me"}, {"response": 375, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (10:54)", "body": "LOL at Dartie who yearns to be back doing the tango in Argentina."}, {"response": 376, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (11:14)", "body": "June is a complete enigma to me She was beaming last night. Never looked better. Could she end up an old maid? Surely not!"}, {"response": 377, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (13:02)", "body": "(Karen) I fully expected him to get off on that dress from the way he was stroking it. LOL! My thoughts exactly! Thought it was a tad pervy. (Karen) Until he picked up Fleur and carried her around, that look on his face as he glanced down on the babe for the first time was positively scary. *shuddering* (Evelyn) but it was seeing him literally melting when he picked up Fleur that got me. Very interesting change of heart, I'd say! Looks as if he really fell for Fleur in a big way. Thought DL was magnificent last night! I still don't like his looks, but what a tour de force! (Karen) Lots of good chuckles last night from Monty-George and Aunt banter. Wish I could remember them Plenty of funny lines to go along with the drama, including, \"it seems like only a month or two ago that they were married.\" \"It was only a month ago!\" (Evelyn) These families have to get out more and meet new people!! Really!! London's such a big city -- must they only socialize with their family? It's getting rather icky. ;-) Good episode!"}, {"response": 378, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (13:07)", "body": "(Karen) Much as I want to be able to say \"Poor Soames\" because he didn't get his son and now Annette cannot have anymore children, I cannot. Until he picked up Fleur and carried her around, that look on his face as he glanced down on the babe for the first time was positively scary. *shuddering* I agree. I can't feel sympathy for someone so contemptable. He got what he deserved. Which is a testimony to DL's fine portrayal. I hated him. Job well done. (MoonD)(Karen) June is a complete enigma to me She was beaming last night. Never looked better. Could she end up an old maid? Surely not! I always wondered about June. Surely she's an excellent catch and much to savvy to give up on men. I wonder what will happen to her."}, {"response": 379, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (15:26)", "body": "(Mari) It's me, from the Damian is perfect club.;-) He broke my heart last night, practically making love to that red dress. Don't have time at the moment to read any other posts but this one from Mari, but this is the one scene I wanted to comment on all day. Even though this is MT/PBS, I thought that's where he was headed. And that really weirded me out. And the bizarre sobbing that he obviously tries to control as he's doing it. That man is quite ill."}, {"response": 380, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (00:33)", "body": "Damian Lewis describing Jeffrey Archer, whom he plays.. Now this I have GOT to see, let's hope it makes it across the pond. The red dress skeeved me too; he slipped right into letting his obsession out of its box...that was truly creepy. What got me about the end was the way his smile started as an evil grimace and cracked into softness as he opened up. I presume the next episodes are completed and will be aired sometime in 2003?"}, {"response": 381, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (10:03)", "body": "I am guessing that in the next part John and Fleur will be a couple? ;-) Wouldn't you love to be at their wedding reception? \"The groom's mother will now dance with the bride's father.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 382, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (10:09)", "body": "Anyone have episode 5 (next to last on tape), please email me (terry@spring.net). I have all the episodes except this one taped."}, {"response": 383, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (00:40)", "body": "(Mari) Wouldn't you love to be at their wedding reception? \"The groom's mother will now dance with the bride's father.\" ;-) I certainly would. LOL. Sorry Terry, wish I could help. Missed that one myself."}, {"response": 384, "author": "susanne", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (12:41)", "body": "Review of the Forsythe Saga DVD http://www.the-trades.com/column.php?columnid=1484 Widescreen anamorphic format Closed captions. Three discs, two episodes each, eight chapters per episode. Making-of \ufffdThe Forsyte Saga\ufffd featurette Behind-the-scenes gallery Biography of John Galsworthy Cast biographies Presented as the premier and only original series for the 2002 season of \"Masterpiece Theatre,\ufffd \ufffdThe Forsyte Saga\ufffd will be completed in one more Sunday. However, we can already find out how the drama plays out on DVD. The box set for \ufffdThe Forsyte Saga\ufffd includes six discs, offering two episodes a piece, sectioned into eight chapters per episode. A balanced and lovely presentation, Acorn Media Publishing has put together a gift set just in time for the holidays. Produced by Granada Television, \ufffdThe Forsyte Saga\ufffd is based \"The Man of Property\" (1906) and \"Chancery\" (1920), the first two novels of John Galsworthy\ufffds trilogy known as \"The Forsyte Saga.\" The events of the third novel \ufffdTo Let\ufffd (1921) will be explored in the second installment of episodes, which is in production now. That series will play in the United Kingdom and then eventually, make its way to \ufffdMasterpiece Theatre.\" A season I imagine many will look forward to. Although the original 1967 BBC version -- a 26-episode major event that launched \ufffdMasterpeice Theatre\ufffd into must-see TV -- remains in the hearts of many, I believe this version will likely win new fans and will certainly not offend anyone who favors the original. The story revolves around Somaes Forsyte (Lewis), a man of property, who has always gotten what he\ufffds wanted in life and who never accepts no for an answer. If anything, rejection makes him all the more ardent in pursuit, which is exactly what Irene Heron (McKee) finds out after they first meet in Bournemouth. He is instantly drawn to her beauty and after only one meeting, proposes to her. But while he has made up his mind that they are a match, she is not as convinced. She declines his proposal. His reaction: \ufffdYou are charming beyond words.\ufffd She finally marries him for practical reasons. This being Victorian England, Irene has no real alternative to marriage. She was not born to work for a living. Her stepmother forces her to decide and on a fateful day, she goes to Soames and tells him of her decision, agreeing to marry him on one condition: that he let her go if their marriage is not a success. Soames agrees and in truth would have agreed to anything, believing in his heart that their marriage could be nothing but successful. This of course does not turn out to be so, and it is their relationship that ends up affecting the entire Forsyte clan. \ufffdOf all people, it\ufffds Soames who should carry on the family name.\ufffd Their marriage was seen as the start of a new era and the enormous pressure on Soames to produce a son is ever-present. But after two years of marriage, there are no children and Soames and Irene are unhappy. While one is still in love, still enchanted, the other is in utter depression. Yet they remain together. Eventually, her dislike grows to hate and nothing could make her see him any differently -- save letting her go. At the same time, she exercises a power over him. For years, even in separation, he is obsessed with her and wastes much of his life waiting for her to love him back. She disarms him and time and again we see Soames unable to deal with that reality. Despite his faults, he inspires our sympathies. The Forsyte family is full of characters, from gossips and snobs to artists and liberals. The family grows as the story progresses, with grandchildren being born and growing up. The Boer War and Queen Victoria\ufffds passing serve as backdrops, as points in time that add to the drama of the Forsyte family's saga. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Much of the success of the series is thanks to the wonderful acting of its star Damian Lewis (so good in \"Band of Brothers\"). Being of the privileged class, Soames believes money can buy anything -- even love and forgiveness. A painting, a necklace, a house. Lewis lets us see Soames\ufffds side in his relationship with Irene and while we do feel sorry for her, we can sympathize with both. At times he seems lost, and it is when Soames is onscreen that the series moves at its swiftest pace. We can see his mind working, turning. We can feel his sadness with every rejection. From the way Lewis raised or lowered an eyebrow to the way he smoked a cigarette, he breathed life into the starched-shirt of Soames and made him much more than a repressed, controlling force hopelessly in love. At the end of the series, Soames has a wonderful, defining moment: a true smile, a true expression of bliss that he had never betrayed before. As Irene, Gina McKee had to go from cold and seemingly selfish to warm and comforting. With Soames, her character is a different person than when she is with others, such as Old Jolyon and later Young Jolyon. With them, she s"}, {"response": 385, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (15:29)", "body": "From the way Lewis raised or lowered an eyebrow to the way he smoked a cigarette, he breathed life into the starched-shirt of Soames and made him much more than a repressed, controlling force hopelessly in love. At the end of the series, Soames has a wonderful, defining moment: a true smile, a true expression of bliss that he had never betrayed before. But you had to get past the expression right before that. It *was* truly scary. As Irene, Gina McKee had to go from cold and seemingly selfish to warm and comforting. With Soames, her character is a different person than when she is with others, such as Old Jolyon and later Young Jolyon. With them, she smiles and expresses a warmth of character that is lacking with Soames -- which is the point. Isn't this exactly what I've been saying? :) Thanks, Suzee!"}, {"response": 386, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (17:19)", "body": "\"At the end of the series, Soames has a wonderful, defining moment: a true smile, a true expression of bliss that he had never betrayed before.\" Agree with the above. Also with Karen: But you had to get past the expression right before that. It *was* truly scary He exhibited a gamut of emotions in a few minutes solely with facial expression...never uttering a word til the end. Then the smile : \"We'll name her Fleur\" \"Cut\"! \"Bam!\" \"At times he seems lost, and it is when Soames is onscreen that the series moves at its swiftest pace.\" Agree. Other times, ho-hum. He definitely 'drove the bus'. I'd love to see the interviews and outakes, but I'm not going to spring to buy it for that. Thanks Sue. Great find."}, {"response": 387, "author": "Saskia", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (19:05)", "body": "This is an interview with Damian Lewis from the PBS website for The Forsyte Saga . It is interesting to read what he has to say about the character Soames Forsyte, Irene's relationship to him, the rape scene and the Forsytes in general. An interview with Damian Lewis Whether they realized it or not, viewers of the popular Steven Spielberg/Tom Hanks miniseries Band of Brothers were watching an English actor in the starring role of Major Richard Winters, the taciturn American hero of an airborne unit during World War II. The real Major Winters is salt of the earth from Pennsylvania. The actor Damian Lewis is from London's Abbey Road and attended Eton. Otherwise, you'd never know the difference. While on hiatus between the production of series one and two of The Forsyte Saga, Lewis played Jonesy, a possessed college professor in the forthcoming film of Stephen King's Dreamcatcher. Lewis recently talked by phone from London about the Forsyte remake, Soames's inner life, and what it's like to play an alien. Have you read all of Galsworthy's Forsyte novels? Yes, absolutely. I also bought a couple of books on Victorian mores and social customs. And I have some quite useful printouts from the Internet about the roles of wives and husbands in Victorian England. So I've got a wealth of information to go on. Did you watch the 1960s BBC adaptation as part of your research for the role of Soames? No, though I have seen little clips of it. That was a seminal piece of work, and a whole generation loved it. But I find that television dates very quickly. The language of the camera has moved on since then, audiences have become more sophisticated. We would find it very sedentary compared to what we expect now. Our cast is a lot younger than theirs, and I think the relationships are scripted in a slightly different way, more ambiguous perhaps. I'll see it someday, but I don't feel the need to go to it for guidance. Who is Soames Forsyte? He's fastidious, smug, and conceited. But he's also a person capable of love, though unfortunately unable to express it in a satisfactory way, especially to a young woman. He understands life in terms of contracts, property, and duty. And if any of those things is threatened, he falls apart. He can be cruel and small-minded, but that's often generated by this repressed passion that he's unable to express fully, or successfully, or healthily. I went to English boarding schools and grew up around people very much like Soames and in a milieu very much like the Forsytes's, even down to wearing tails, and stiff collars, and cravats. So I feel quite at home in the environment in which The Forsyte Saga takes place. But I'm a more ebullient person than Soames is. How do you perform such a conflicted, complicated character? You're hitting at a central point about acting, which is that for all the research you do, acting is finally an instinctive craft. My responses are not governed by some piece of information I have, but by what Gina McKee or Ioan Gruffudd or Rupert Graves is saying to me on the set. The scripts helped, and also the conversations I had with Sita [Williams], the producer, and Chris [Menaul] the director. We didn't want a simple villain in Soames. I think it's more challenging for the audience if they're presented with a character they hate but also feel sympathy for, who presents them with moral questions and has them thinking, God, I feel so sorry for Soames, but he just raped his wife! That's far more interesting. That rape scene is very famous. It's famous because in 1967 it was so novel to see something that explicit on TV. Now we're used to images like that, and the question in everyone's mind becomes, how graphic will it be? Our rape scene isn't at all graphic. It's suggestive, but still terribly shocking within the context of the drama. It should be shocking -- psychologically and emotionally shocking. Is it very difficult to do a scene like that? Yes, it's horrible to do. And it was all the more horrible because we happened to be filming it on September 11th. Gina and I were doing this harrowing scene as news was filtering in about what was happening in New York. It was a very weird, very upsetting day. We were just acting, and meanwhile this real thing was going on. Do you think Irene is a little hard on Soames? The best way to look at it is that Irene has married under duress. Her stepmother has said 'we are poor, we need to make this marriage, he's a good man, and he loves you.' But she can never love him. They don't share any of the same passions. Perhaps there's an element of self-loathing in her repugnance of him. She has agreed to do this thing that she really doesn't want to do. And it's for her convenience, really. In the beginning, there's no reason for her to hate him. He hasn't done anything bad, wrong, ugly, or cruel. He just represents something that she knows she can never love. There are hints that the Forsytes have an inferiority complex about their origins as"}, {"response": 388, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (21:40)", "body": "(Saskia) DL Interview: My responses are not governed by some piece of information I have, but by what Gina McKee ...is saying to me.... A most arduous task with this actor IMO. Well done DL. Thank you for great articles Suzee and Saskia."}, {"response": 389, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (18:45)", "body": "(Damien Lewis)They thought, this guy has all the qualities we're looking for...I guess I'm just good at playing repressed individuals. I'm lucky because those are often the roles that catch people's eyes. It's the Steve McQueen element, all that bubbling energy bottled up inside. It's a very compelling quality on the screen. I've been lucky that I seem to be able to pull it off Not exactly a modest fellow, is he? (Re GM & DL)Fittingly, they are the only two actors who speak in the featurette Why is that fitting? I would love to hear from some of the other actors. At the end of the series, Soames has a wonderful, defining moment: a true smile, a true expression of bliss that he had never betrayed before But only because he's thinking that this is *his* (his alone, his property,etc.) - he can control it and no one can take it away from him.. (Emphasis on the \"it.\" Hopefully he will not kill \"it\" as he did the kitten LOL) \"At times he seems lost, and it is when Soames is onscreen that the series moves at its swiftest pace.\" (Evenly)Agree. Other times, ho-hum. He definitely 'drove the bus' Not for me. I could have happily hit fast-forward when Soames was the only focus - especially after the first night. My \"bus drivers\" ;-) were McKee, Redgrave, Graves - and also Miles and Root when they were around. (Evelyn) I'd love to see the interviews and outakes, but I'm not going to spring to buy it for that My son bought the DVD yesterday but I haven't looked at any of it yet. Also, a few scenes are edited differently, just a few seconds here and there cut from the PBS presentation This is interesting because on another site, someone did a scene-by-scene comparison naming several very brief scenes that were in the PBS version and *not* on the DVD. I can't remember exactly which ones and I'm not sure I would know even if I watched the entire show again on DVD. I'm interested in another look at the costumes though after the comment about the colors. (Thanks for the article, Sue)"}, {"response": 390, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (23:03)", "body": "(Suzee) Hopefully he will not kill \"it\" as he did the kitten LOL You haven't been reading ahead have you, Suzee? ;-)"}, {"response": 391, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (11:52)", "body": "(Karen)You haven't been reading ahead have you, Suzee? ROTFLOL! (I had to read that twice!)"}, {"response": 392, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Nov 29, 2002 (03:43)", "body": "OK I went and saw Ioan Gruffudd today in Sydney at a book signing. I'll post what happened on his topic...151"}, {"response": 393, "author": "Saskia", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (19:39)", "body": "\"At times he seems lost, and it is when Soames is onscreen that the series moves at its swiftest pace.\" (Evelyn) Agree. Other times, ho-hum. He definitely 'drove the bus' I couldn't possibly agree more with you Evelyn. It really was Damian Lewis's show. But I don't think that it was all because of, as Suzee might phrase it, the arrogant Mr. Lewis, himself. Don't get me wrong, I did find DL phenomenally good in the role of Soames. I also found him really sexy which oddly enough worked for the \"slim, dandified Soames\". Well it did for me. I am speaking only for myself here. If anybody thinks that I have bad taste or no taste that's okay. But I liked him, so there. Please don't be upset with me Suzee. I do respect your opinions and have enjoyed your posts. If you found DL to be rather arrogant I can understand that. I have read of him being described as \"very confident\". Maybe it his attending Eton which is the cause. (Suzee) But only because he's thinking that this is *his* (his alone, his property,etc.) - he can control it and no one can take it away from him. From what I remember of the books it is Fleur who is very much in control of her relationship with her doting father. Soames thinks that Fleur is a spoilt cow yet is aware that he is largely responsible for that. Here's another article about Damian Lewis and his playing Soames. Soames role gives Damian bad rep' By Jonathan Donald Heart-throb Damian Lewis's tortured role in The Forsyte Saga has forced him to abandon being a good samaritan. Lewis, 31, who plays Soames in the costume drama, was stunned by the response when he tried to rescue a drunken damsel in distress. \"It was 3am in Trafalgar Square and she looked too well presented to be in such a terrible state,\" he said. \"She was lying on the pavement and I thought I've got to get her a cab. \"I tried to get an address from her but she was so far gone she couldn't remember where she lived. \"I was staggering with her towards the taxi rank when she suddenly started screaming, 'you're that horrible Soames man'. \"I thought the cops were going to come so I just ran.\" Lewis has been delighted by the diversity of responses generated by his Soames role. His fiendish deeds in the ITV1 drama, which returns next year, have included raping his wife. Lewis said: \"Reactions range from screaming to feeling sorry for him. \"It's what I wanted - I didn't want him to be a stereotypical villain. I wanted ambiguity and that has been vindicated by people's reactions.\" http://uk.tv.yahoo.com/021125/128/dffjh.html"}, {"response": 394, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (19:51)", "body": "If anybody thinks that I have bad taste or no taste that's okay. But I liked him, so there LOL... So did I. But don't go up to Fan Fic on #172 when I just contradicted myself about bad boys. DL\"I wanted ambiguity and that has been vindicated by people's reactions.\" He sure nailed ambiguity."}, {"response": 395, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (07:45)", "body": "Thanks Saskia! That's a funny story. I think he made it up. ;-) I just saw the preview to the Steven King film he's in. Looks very creepy."}, {"response": 396, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 19, 2003 (10:40)", "body": "From my MT newsletter: THE FORSYTE SAGA, SERIES II Sundays, February 8 - 22, 2004 What better way to follow the re-airing of THE FORSYTE SAGA, SERIES I (Sundays, December 21 through February 1, 2004), than with the continuation of the story? SERIES II, based on John Galsworthy's book To Let, is a powerful story about the intensity of first love for the next generation of Forsytes. Damian Lewis, Gina McKee and Rupert Graves reprise their roles as Soames, Irene and Young Jolyon; Emma Griffiths Malin (THE CAZALETS) and Lee Williams (Billy Elliot) take on the major roles of Fleur and Jon."}, {"response": 397, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb  6, 2004 (10:50)", "body": "I now declare this topic open again for business. *making my final lap around the oval* Reminder: First episode airs this Sunday."}, {"response": 398, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Feb  6, 2004 (11:09)", "body": "Mild Spoilers.... The NY Times Review - February 6, 2004 TV WEEKEND | 'THE FORSYTE SAGA II' Stiff Upper Lips Set to a Jazz Age Beat By ALESSANDRA STANLEY Members of the English upper class wriggling to ragtime in evening clothes can be an alarming sight. But there are few more effective ways of conveying the decline of the British Empire after World War I. The discomfiture, the yearning to keep spirits as blithe as they never really were and the undignified scramble to adapt to a faster, alien rhythm are all telegraphed in a few incongruous dance steps. That England is the setting for Series II of the \"The Forsyte Saga,\" a beguiling three-part mini-series that begins Sunday on \"Masterpiece Theater\" on PBS. Or at least it is England as Soames Forsyte (Damian Lewis) views it from his bitter, sidelined perspective. This sequel to \"The Forsyte Saga\" that was shown on PBS in the fall of 2002 is based on \"To Let,\" the third novel in John Galsworthy's trilogy, written in 1921 by an older, more forgiving author than the one who scathingly mocked his own caste in the 1906 opening novel, \"The Man of Property.\" The television adaptation is also more sympathetic to Soames, the priggish bourgeois who loved and married but could never own the magnificent Irene (Gina McKee). So much so that at times whole scenes are filmed as if seen through his eyes, from ungainly jazz parties to gauzy close-ups of Irene. Now wrinkled, stiff-jointed and prone to Bloomsbury-style hats that make her look like Virginia Woolf, Irene regains her full beauty only when Soames is looking at her. Soames is obsessed with money, but he is not a philistine, and it is his sensual appreciation for music, painting, architecture and English garden landscapes that enriches the screen. There is a reason that viewers are still so drawn to mini-series set in England's Edwardian and post-Edwardian age: those times have a pull that goes beyond escapist nostalgia for grace, manners and perfectly manicured lawns. The world has not changed so very much since 1880, when the saga began, and we recognize ourselves more in a fragile society bracketed by Freud and World War I than in other, lustier eras of faith and certitude. One can smile at Galsworthy's quaint equation of truth and beauty, but his themes of loss, greed and clan loyalty have a familiar ring. \"The Forsyte Saga,\" be it this version by Granada Television of England and WGBH in Boston or the 26-part black-and-white BBC series shown on PBS in 1969, is almost as impossible to dislike as \"Gone With the Wind\" or the Harry Potter books. But Series II, which ends with Fleur's marriage, makes it a little easier, partly because tragic love triangles, when repeated in a second generation, tend to verge on farce. The sequel centers on the clandestine love affair between Soames's daughter from his second marriage, Fleur (Emma Griffiths Malin), and Jon Forsyte (Lee Williams), the son Irene conceived after she and Soames divorced and she fell in love with Soames's cousin Young Jolyon (Rupert Graves), the bohemian black sheep of the Forsyte clan. (Just that tiny bit of exposition helps explain why the tale is called a saga and the film versions are invariably described as \"high-brow soap opera.\") The two scions of feuding branches of the Forsyte family meet only once as children, in a garden at a tea party, but when they bump into each other again in an art gallery when they are 18, a spark is rekindled, horrifying their respective fathers, who unite only to keep the young lovers apart. Soames turns out to be a little less gothic than Jolyon and Irene about the family taboo, but then, he has less respect for tragedy. At the theater to see \"King Lear,\" Soames testily sums up the plot this way: \"Father, daughters, inheritance. The usual thing.\" World War I, which had just ended at the time of the lovers' meeting, is alluded to only elliptically, mostly as a reflection of a character's moral compass. When Soames complains that the war \"changed everything,\" he is referring to the vulgarity of low necklines and women riding horses astride, beggars on the streets and shopgirls with \"short skirts and common airs.\" June Forsyte (Gillian Kearney), Jolyon's daughter by his first marriage (he ran away with her governess and had two more children before meeting Irene), is Soames's opposite, all high spirits and generosity. She embraces modern art as an antidote to the horrors of Verdun and the Somme. \"People are bored with sentiment,\" she tells her father, a traditional landscape painter who is pained by an abstract sculpture of lovers in June's art gallery. \"Love has been bombed to smithereens. What does it mean anymore?\" Jolyon is aghast. \"Everything,\" he mutters. \"It still means everything.\" Fleur is as passionately in love with Jon as her father was with Irene, but she is Soames's spoiled, willful daughter, with a healthy dose of girlish callousness stamped into Forsyte DNA. Dancing with Michael Mont, a former officer who i"}, {"response": 399, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (09:56)", "body": "Nice to see the Forsytes again last night. Monty is still the slime ball he was last year.Winifred (Amanda Root never disappoints) still getting rejection. Looks like things are heating up between Annette and the French gigolo;-))) I like Fleur, what a flirt;LOL..even with her father.She's a predator like her dad...full of passion.But I wish she would hook up with the handsome Captain Mont instead of farmer Jon who looks like a wet fish. Poor Jolyon looks like he's checking out.(At least this time, the characters are getting older.) Loved Soames at the garden party in the striped blazer and straw boater. That's a wonderful era..clothes, music. But how about that background music, I could hardly hear the dialogue. Irene-ee is still a pill."}, {"response": 400, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (10:15)", "body": "Oooh! Wasn't it good last night. I have to admit I was a bit confused with some of the characters at first. June really threw me for a loop. Now, she doesn't look like she's aged a day. I probably should've watched the repeats of the first season that PBS had replayed. Fleur and Jon were adorable, and I didn't think Lee Williams, who plays Jon, was piscine in the least. Adorable. He looks a bit familiar, but other than playing a dancer in Billy Elliot, I haven't seen anything else he's done. Did you agree with Russell Baker's assessment that Galsworthy has made Soames much more human in the book (To Let) that formed basis for this installment? Perhaps as it relates to Fleur, yes, but not really toward anyone else. What June said still appeared true. (Evelyn) Poor Jolyon looks like he's checking out.(At least this time, the characters are getting older.) Loved Soames at the garden party in the striped blazer and straw boater. Yeah, that new outfit took years off Soames. LOL!"}, {"response": 401, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (12:58)", "body": "Caught the Forsythe Saga last night, due to your recommendations . .for some reason thought it was a re-ariing of the original production, not a continuation of it;) . .I had caught just a bit of the end of the original some time ago . . . must rent it . .Netflix here I come. as well as picking up the 6 novels . .I belive the series is based upon . . . ooh . .the woman who played Winifred . .that was the woman in Persuasion . .w/ Ciaran Hinds . . . correct? Thought Fleur was a little imp . .totally had daddy wrapped around her finger . .poor Soames in the garden party outfit . .that look on his face when he first stepped out of the dressing room . .and when Fleur suggested the boater with the pink ribbon;) Jon . .fishy???? . .I dunno about that . .but did like the Michael Monty character . .would be rather interested to see Fleur's relationship with him develop rather than the one with Jon . . . Am eagerly awaiting the next part of this 2nd series. And though it probabably already has been posted: Here are the 2 official sites for the 1st and 2nd Forstythe saga series;) http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/forsyte/index.html http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/forsyte2/index.html"}, {"response": 402, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (13:01)", "body": "It was nice to see Soames \"feel the love.\" :-) Fleur is his weak spot, she has him wrapped around her finger. And see how nicely he responds when someone truly loves him? I can't figure out why someone doesn't just tell Fleur and Jon that Soames and Irene were married, it ended bitterly, and that's that. And why try to separate the two young people for something that wasn't their fault?"}, {"response": 403, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (13:19)", "body": "(Mari) I can't figure out why someone doesn't just tell Fleur and Jon that Soames and Irene were married, it ended bitterly I know. Drove me nuts. What's the big deal? Seems like everyone and their charwoman knows the truth but those two idiots. But I did enjoy Fleur's investigative work and conclusions. ;-) Another series highlight: Soames being cuckolded. Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy LOL! Didn't Jon say that his father had had two wives? So the mother of the two other children (Holly and ??? though not June) wasn't Jolyon's wife. They did marry, didn't they? If so, why wouldn't Jon realize that Jolyon had three wives? Or is he just a simpleton farmer. ;-)"}, {"response": 404, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (13:30)", "body": "Random odd questions . .as one who has not seen the previous series nor read the books. . . That Degas pic . .the woman trying on hats . .the one from the post card in Paris and the one Soames bout at the auction . . Was Irene unknowingly the subject of the pic? . .For some reason looking at it reminds me of her . . (Mari)I can't figure out why someone doesn't just tell Fleur and Jon that Soames and Irene were married, it ended bitterly, and that's that. And why try to separate the two young people for something that wasn't their fault? I was curious about that . .was there such a large scandal when Irene left Soames? . . . .I guess bitterness over the situation/long holding grudges are a possibility . . .are we sure that Jon is definitly Jolyon's and Irene's son? . .I know that sounds so soap opera-ish . .is ther a slight possibility that Jon and Fleur could be brother and sister as opposed to just \"distant cousins?\""}, {"response": 405, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (13:34)", "body": "Didn't Jon say that his father had had two wives? So the mother of the two other children (Holly and ??? though not June) wasn't Jolyon's wife. Karen - was checking out the family tree on the Forsythe web pages . .looks like the Holly and the other child . .were Joylon's through that governess from the first series . . Helene D.? The other child . .a son . .by the name of Jolly D. Can't really tell if they were married or not from the tree . ."}, {"response": 406, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (14:18)", "body": "(Kimberly) looks like the Holly and the other child . .were Joylon's through that governess from the first series . . Helene D.? But they eventually married. (thanks for the family tree tip, so I won't be saying whatsername) He left Frances for the governess, lived in sin for a long time, but eventually married. The kids all know they had different mothers. But I'm sure Jon said his dad had had two wives only. Might replay the tape. Was Irene unknowingly the subject of the pic? . .For some reason looking at it reminds me of her . . Really, it's supposed to look like Fleur, which is one reason Soames had to have it. was there such a large scandal when Irene left Soames? LOL! This *WAS* the entire first series! are we sure that Jon is definitly Jolyon's and Irene's son? Well, it sure wouldn't have been Soames'. The kid isn't constipated enough looking. ;-)"}, {"response": 407, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (14:32)", "body": "Jolyon had June with first cold fish wife...then he ran off with governess and had Holly and a boy...don't you remember how they lived in S. London in squalor? Kimberley you're going to have to rent Series 1. Or this series won't make any sense to you. Also liked seeing Robin Hill...the Frank Lloyd Wright;-) house."}, {"response": 408, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (14:44)", "body": "yeah, yeah, yeah...but didn't they marry eventually? I don't remember what happened to Frances, though recall she played the wronged wife to the hilt. Did she die? She wouldn't have given Jolyon a divorce unless she had somebody else lined up. Kim: This is total soap opera, masquerading as Nobel Prize-winning lit. ;-)"}, {"response": 409, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (14:52)", "body": "(Karen)Kim: This is total soap opera, masquerading as Nobel Prize-winning lit. ;-) And I get confused working on One Life to Live! . .the first series now is a must see;)!!! are we sure that Jon is definitly Jolyon's and Irene's son? Well, it sure wouldn't have been Soames'. The kid isn't constipated enough looking. ;-) Perhaps the constipation hasn't surfaced yet;) But . .according to Evelyn. . .he might be the fishmonger's kid;)"}, {"response": 410, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (14:54)", "body": "Naw, I thought him adorable. Definitely from the genes of a Rupert Graves... ;-0"}, {"response": 411, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (15:07)", "body": "(Kim)is ther a slight possibility that Jon and Fleur could be brother and sister as opposed to just \"distant cousins?\" Oooh, wouldn't that be delicious?! Shades of John Sayles' Lone Star. Actually that thought crossed my mind while I was trying to recall the first series, but then realized that years had gone by between Irene's divorce and her marrigage to Jolyon. Also, wasn't she married to Jolyon's father before the old boy keeled over, or was she just living in his house? BTW, Kim, you do know that Soames raped Irene in the first series, right?"}, {"response": 412, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (15:21)", "body": "Also, wasn't she married to Jolyon's father before the old boy keeled over, or was she just living in his house? They were just friends/companions, and I don't think she was actually living there. She visited a lot."}, {"response": 413, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (15:32)", "body": "(Mari)BTW, Kim, you do know that Soames raped Irene in the first series, right? Really??? . .oooh I feel a wonderful melodrama evolving;) . . . .hurry up netflix!!! Also, wasn't she married to Jolyon's father before the old boy keeled over, or was she just living in his house? They were just friends/companions, and I don't think she was actually living there. She visited a lot. See this is where I caught a bit of the 1st series . .Old Jolyon persuaded Irene to teach young June piano, right? . .And the poor man died out there in the garden/patio ( I remembered the white furniture). .right where in this series Jolyon told the older June that his heart was bad and he was dying . ."}, {"response": 414, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (16:44)", "body": "(Mari)BTW, Kim, you do know that Soames raped Irene in the first series, right? Only found this out by reading through the PBS website today. Was it while they were married? Was it the final impetus for her to leave him? (Mari)I can't figure out why someone doesn't just tell Fleur and Jon that Soames and Irene were married, Yes, it does seem like much ado about nothing, but probably reflective of the age in which it was written. I'd assumed that something far worse had occured until I read the website today. (Evelyn)Kimberley you're going to have to rent Series 1. Or this series won't make any sense to you. Thank you all for helping to fill me in. Like Kimberley, I missed the first series but was motivated to catch up last night based on your recommendations. So whenever you get that first series from Netflix, Kimberley, perhaps you'd be willing to send it my way before it goes back? It's obvious that it's a must ...particularly after eyeballing that family tree. At the very least, this is a pleasant diversion while I wait for that long awaited copy of HS to get here in April."}, {"response": 415, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (17:11)", "body": "Oh goody...the more, the merrier.Love having a spirited discussion. Last time, was great fun."}, {"response": 416, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (17:42)", "body": "Hurrah! It repeats here late tonight. Fell asleep very early last night and missed it. Must catch up to have my share of the conversation. ;-)"}, {"response": 417, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (22:22)", "body": "I caught the Russell Baker's intro to the second to the last episode of series one tonight (confusing, huh?) on the Indiana PBS station. Anyway, the important thing was age. When Soames was about to marry Annette, RB said he was 43 yrs old and Irene had been gone for 12 yrs. OK, Fleur looks to be somewhere about 18-20ish, so do you think Soames looks 60+!"}, {"response": 418, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (12:26)", "body": "(Karen)OK, Fleur looks to be somewhere about 18-20ish, so do you think Soames looks 60+! I was looking at the aging of the characters . .I'm always facinated with that makeup wise . .Irene looked great . .just some wrinkling around her eyes . .how old was she supposed to be in the 2nd series? Soames . . . 60ish? .. .I'd have to take another look next Sunday;) I did think they over did the liver spots on Montague . . .I think I recall a shot of his hands . .as he was overlooking some of his bills/debts . .and I thought to myself . .well someone's just taken an eyeliner pencil and tried to create a dot-to-dot puzzle type thing on his hand! Wanted to get a wetnap and rub half of them off;)"}, {"response": 419, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (12:47)", "body": "Irene looked great Somewhere, perhaps in Russell Baker's introduction, I heard the comment that Irene always looks younger in Soames' eyes, and I really noticed that in the newest episode. To us she's showing some age, grey hair, eye wrinkles, etc., but when we're looking through Soames's eyes -- when he saw her for the first time in years -- she looked much younger and more lively. I'll have to watch for that in the next episode to decide if it is intentional differences in her makeup, or if that comment was so suggestive that I just saw it that way."}, {"response": 420, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (13:25)", "body": "Irene would probably be a good 10+ yrs younger than Soames. She had an affair with June's beau (Bossinnay, played by Ioan G), who also designed Robin Hill for them. You really must watch the first series!"}, {"response": 421, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (13:45)", "body": "(Deb)when he saw her for the first time in years -- she looked much younger and more lively. Irene-ee lively? With Soames around ? Nevah. (Must go watch that one again.) What I did notice ,was the first time Soames sees her at June's gallery , the shot is taken through an opening of the Cupid sculpture. (Karen) so do you think Soames looks 60+! Yes. Except when he's dancing with Fleur. He adores her."}, {"response": 422, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (18:51)", "body": "Boy, that Fleur is a pip! And a flake, though a cunning one. She's full of joie de vive, which I like, but I'd need a break from her. A bit too much for me sometimes. She and Jon are cute together, but he's an easily led boy. Give me the *man*, Michael Mont. Mmmm, mmmm. I got kinda creeped out a few times with Fleur and Soames. :-/ I don't think Soames looks 60-ish. The makeup is fair, a few age spots on the face and a few wrinkles. Of course, he could just be aging well. ;-) He just walks slower and holds his body stiffer, esp his neck, to denote advanced age, IMO. I found it distracting. But Kimberly, you're right about Monty's age spots. Looks like they multiplied like Tribbles. I'm sad for Jolyon. :-( He's such a cutie. Poor Irene, too. They've been so happy."}, {"response": 423, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 2004 (10:30)", "body": "OK, with this episode, Soames finally broke through into a sympathetic character. By the end, he had become human, sympathetic and nearly likeable. Maybe after seeing Jolyon is such bad shape, he felt his own mortality. But he's toned down considerably and his rigidity of views is not so apparent. His advice to Fleur (better to be loved than to be the one who loves more) was a sad commentary on his own experience, understandable but not entirely valid as he didn't take into account people who love each other equally. He wanted the best for his daughter and, in his eyes, Michael Mount couldn't possibly let her down as he would treasure her. I find it interesting that he still cannot fully understand Irene after all this time. To him, she has to be lacking and that would be passed on to her son. He seems to have conveniently forgotten that Irene loved Bosinnay and now loves Jolyon. She is capable of love and never claimed to love Soames. In fact, she told him the opposite. I also have to admire the way Soames handled Frenchy's treatment of Annette at the end and the comfort he gave to her. It was admirable and very unexpected to me that he would be so compassionate toward her, when so many probably knew that she had been unfaithful. What to make of Fleur? One minute she's promising to Jolyon that she'll give Jon up and the next she's making arrangements for them to be secretly married. I suppose you could say that she did/said whatever he wanted to ease his mind in his dying days and couldn't be totally honest to Jon because then she'd have to reveal Jolyon's secret."}, {"response": 424, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 2004 (12:02)", "body": "Oh , I loved this episode. Wish I had taped it. The \"Mr Bennett\" talk with Fleur, was so fatherly and tender. \"Marry someone who loves you more than you love them, or you'll spend the rest of your life trying to please them\". The ending....Soames had experienced unrequited love. He commiserated with Annette instead of squinting his eyes:\"I told you so\" manner. He was sensitive to her headache:\"Do you have any... [med]?\" Wanted to distract her...\"We could go to London, you and Fleur need some new dresses\". She reaches for his hand. Poor Soames, only Fleur loves him and he's about to lose her. Great acting here. The night belonged to Soames and Jolyon, IMO."}, {"response": 425, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Feb 22, 2004 (21:36)", "body": "What a way to bond with your daughter on her wedding day....tell her you raped your first wife, the mother of the man she loves (though not marrying). Was actually feeling a bit sorry for him before that. Though it seems to have worked as a bonding agent."}, {"response": 426, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (11:11)", "body": "Sure did. Interesting, huh? ;-) DL is doing a great job with Soames. Seems he's taken on a quasi-hunchbacked posture. Through most of the two hours, I was going back and forth about Fleur. Was she another Soames or did she really love Jon without those manipulative and possessive Forsyte traits? By the end, I had to conclude it was the latter. Poor girl. She overwhelmed Jon with her love, and he was confronted by way too much emotionally charged information and lacked the necessary trust. But then again, who wouldn't have qualms about that family after seeing Soames frightening Irene that way. Get a grip, man! Soames did ruin it for them, but I found it heartwarming that he tried to get Fleur to call off the wedding, rather than having her marry a man she did not love. Given the kind of book/program this is, you know that things are not going to run smoothly. But I did hope for an \"Elainnnnnnnnnnnnnnne!\" type moment at the church."}, {"response": 427, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (11:14)", "body": "The final scene at Robin Hill between Irene and Soames was wonderful. But how would you characterize the expression on Soames' face when he was walking down the path? Was he pleased that they'd made peace with one another? Also, why would Fleur want her father to get rid of that \"worthless\" Degas? It was what had brought Michael Mont and her family together. Why would she care if her father had the painting? It wasn't as if she would be living there."}, {"response": 428, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (14:44)", "body": "I've missed it! Will it be repeated?"}, {"response": 429, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (17:50)", "body": "(Karen) he was confronted by way too much emotionally charged information and lacked the necessary trust.... Get a grip, man! He's a *sensitive* artist. ;-) But I did hope for an \"Elainnnnnnnnnnnnnnne!\" type moment at the church. OMG, that's too funny! I swear I had at the end of my last post.... \"Do we see a Graduate moment coming up?\" ;-D But I erased it, as it got past that with no moment before I posted. The final scene at Robin Hill between Irene and Soames was wonderful. But how would you characterize the expression on Soames' face when he was walking down the path? Was he pleased that they'd made peace with one another? Yes, it was a great scene. I was so pleased they were having a nice conversation and actually seeming to enjoy it to a degree. Strangely enough, I was a bit sad she didn't ask him to stay for some tea. I agree about him looking pleased. He looked as if all that guilt he carried around for all those years had just been lifted off his shoulders. How odd it must've been for him to see Robin Hill being sold or let. Moon, you'll have to check the schedule on your local PBS station for repeats. Here it repeats at 12 or 1 am on Monday, and maybe still Sunday afternoon. Check the station's website. It's WPBS down there, right? Whatever it is, just stick .org after it and they may have it."}, {"response": 430, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (17:50)", "body": "oh, hell. ;-)"}, {"response": 431, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (18:21)", "body": "(Moon) I've missed it! Will it be repeated? For Moon and any other South Floridians..... Repeat of this week's Forsyte Saga WPBT...www.channel2.org Program Information Masterpiece Theatre Tuesday, February 24, 2:00am The Forstye Saga II: Episode 3"}, {"response": 432, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (21:15)", "body": "(Dorine)I agree about him looking pleased. He looked as if all that guilt he carried around for all those years had just been lifted off his shoulders. Was thinking the same thing . .at the end Soames looked relieved, pleased . . . definitely seemed to be walking easier, not as stiff as earlier in the series (Karen)Also, why would Fleur want her father to get rid of that \"worthless\" Degas? It was what had brought Michael Mont and her family together. Wondering that too . .did they perhaps cut something out? . .I don't recall Fleur ever commenting on the picture itself . . . Fleur was really starting to annoy me . .especially when she talked Daddy dear into going to Robin Hill to try to get Jon out of his mother's clutches . .greedy little selfish thing . .wanted to give her a good smack when she started her tantrum . . . Prosper was an interesting character . .liked to cause a bit of trouble, that one . . . am interested in reading the actual books . .looked like he was getting his fingers into Winnifred's life (now that she's a widow) as this series ends . . You might like the cast's comments on making the sereis: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/forsyte2/notes_comments.html"}, {"response": 433, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (22:21)", "body": "(Karen)The final scene at Robin Hill between Irene and Soames was wonderful. But how would you characterize the expression on Soames' face when he was walking down the path? Was he pleased that they'd made peace with one another? It was a wonderful scene. *Our* Masterpiece Theater is on on Monday. I'm still teary. I thought that he was well pleased with how it went and so was Irene. I loved it when she said....*he didn't want anything*. I think that it was a defining moment for both of them. Lovely. (Dorine)What a way to bond with your daughter on her wedding day....tell her you raped your first wife, the mother of the man she loves (though not marrying). I acidentally read this this morning (I must start my day cruising through Drool before I get my ass to work;-)) so I was prepared for this scene but what I heard him to say was that he loved Irene so much and for so long and that the defining moment of all of this was this horrible act that he obviously regreted and had caused so much pain. I think that it was his opening up and his honesty that was what got to her. I was on her side in the end. I thought that she was right on in that last scene in the park but it's been a hard one to call. It was a wonderful production all around IMO. But I'm wiped out now."}, {"response": 434, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 2004 (07:55)", "body": "This is not a double post as it is the next day;-) The scene that I found the most touching and has been slipping back into my mind is at the end after Soames brings the Degas to Irene, they have had their exchange. Soames defends Fleur to her a little saying that Fleur was not a bad person. Irene seems to see Soames' humanity and capacity to love at last and offers him her hand. His response, the way he shakingly takes off his glove first and the gentle contact with her when she has so often recoiled in the past has me teary even now. What a sap I am:-)"}, {"response": 435, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 2004 (09:14)", "body": "(Karen) he was confronted by way too much emotionally charged information and lacked the necessary trust.... Get a grip, man! (Dorine) He's a *sensitive* artist. ;-) That last \"he\" referred to Soames. ;-) (Beedee) What a sap I am:-) No, it was a very touching scene. Even though his emotions got the best of him during his attempt to straighten things out for Fleur and Jon (first visit) and he made the situation worse than it was because he erased any doubt that might have existed in the Robin Hill's mind that he had mellowed after all these years, I was still sympathetic toward his character. I wanted to slap Annette silly when she resumed her relationship with Prosper, after all the support that Soames had given her. On the subject of Annette... Didn't Annette's advice to Fleur on marriage sound familiar? Marry a nice guy and have a lover on the side. Shades of Madame Merteuil's advice to Cecile. ;-) You have to wonder about Jon too. All those revelations about his mother and Soames and then June shows him the painting of Irene with Bossinnay and tells him that B was her fiancee. While her point was to show Jon that the two of them now get along, how could anyone not look at what it should say about Irene's character?"}, {"response": 436, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 2004 (09:15)", "body": "What an ending! Loved it. A triumph for television. Drama is what BBC does best. And no one can beat them on period stuff. The clothes alone was worth it. (Dorine)(Dorine)I agree about him looking pleased. He looked as if all that guilt he carried around for all those years had just been lifted off his shoulders. Soames , guilt? Looks to me that he always blamed other people for his actions. But the ending was a catharsis for everyone.Wonder if the books end the same. The Degas painting surprised me too. I kept wondering if Fleur was pregnant with wimpy Jon's baby. Why did she ask Michael Mont :\"Will you always stand by me...even against everyone else\" or some such... This was Fleur's episode. That scene in the garden when she devastated and Soames comes over and wraps his coat around her...Wow! Jon annoyed me. But why couldn't he marry Fleur after Jolyon died. Irene-ee gave him her permission. She will enjoy life more with Michael... (LOL,like Viola with Wessex.) And...as Annette told her...\"husbands are for convenience, you can find passion elsewhere\" .What an advice to give a new bride!"}, {"response": 437, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 2004 (09:17)", "body": "(Karen)how could anyone not look at what it should say about Irene's character? Right! Why is Irene-ee always depicted so angelic and pure. Soames was right...\"She was an adultress\"."}, {"response": 438, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 2004 (10:14)", "body": "(Dorine), Program Information Masterpiece Theatre Tuesday, February 24, 2:00am The Forstye Saga II: Episode 3 I just read this!!! Of course too late. :-( Thanks, Dorine! How I wish I could partake of this discussion. Figures I would be away when something I really want to see goes on TV."}, {"response": 439, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 2004 (18:02)", "body": "(Evelyn)Why did she ask Michael Mont :\"Will you always stand by me...even against everyone else\" or some such... My take was that since Jon refused to stand up with her . . . to atke her, love her despite what all of his family was saying . . . .(and interesting as you mentioned, after his father died and his mother basically gave her consent he could of married her . .esp since they were so much in love . .) I think Fleur wanted to make sure she was marrying a man who would always be there for her through thick and thin (not just ditch her like Jon did). .a shame she did not love Michael Mont as well . .I thought he was a nice guy . .and not a bad catch . .;)"}, {"response": 440, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 2004 (22:24)", "body": "(Kimberly)My take was that since Jon refused to stand up with her That's my take too. She wanted someone in love with her as she was with Jon. (Kim)a shame she did not love Michael Mont as well . .I thought he was a nice guy . .and not a bad catch . .;) Yes, but what would that have done to the drama and trauma of the story?"}, {"response": 441, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 2004 (09:09)", "body": "(Evelyn) I kept wondering if Fleur was pregnant with wimpy Jon's baby. Interesting thought. If they're not continuing with this series, I may just have to read the books to find out. :-( (Kim) I think Fleur wanted to make sure she was marrying a man who would always be there for her through thick and thin (not just ditch her like Jon did). .a shame she did not love Michael Mont as well . .I thought he was a nice guy . .and not a bad catch . .;) He is a good guy and seems to be a good catch. (What's his title that they kept hinting at?) But Fleur doesn't love him. However, if she's not pregnant with Jon's baby, then your interpretation of her comment makes the most sense."}, {"response": 442, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 2004 (09:42)", "body": "(Karen)He is a good guy and seems to be a good catch. (What's his title that they kept hinting at?) But Fleur doesn't love him At first, perhaps, but women eventually do when they marry men who adore them, as Michael (Capt. Mount, I think) does. OT: Remember Murph's fan fic about Viola and Lord Wessex;-) http://www.murphsplace.com/firth/prequel.html (One of my faves....have a box of kleenex handy) (Karen) If they're not continuing with this series, I may just have to read the books to find out. :-( I'm not. I've given FS 12 hours of my life .Enough already. Aishling told me this was the last in the series...(didn't you Aishling?) What prize was it that John Galsworthy got for this soap? Booker?"}, {"response": 443, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 2004 (10:01)", "body": "(Karen)He is a good guy and seems to be a good catch. (What's his title that they kept hinting at?) But Fleur doesn't love him. However, if she's not pregnant with Jon's baby, then your interpretation of her comment makes the most sense. Didn't Soames tell Irene that he was an expectant grandparent? I wondered about *a* pregnancy too. I think that this production is based on the last of the three volumes, To Let."}, {"response": 444, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 2004 (10:02)", "body": "Booker? Pffft! How about the Nobel prize for lit."}, {"response": 445, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 2004 (12:10)", "body": "Some of the members of pemberley.com have read the books and say that Galsworthy wrote another Forsyte Trilogy called \"A Modern Comedy.\" The Monts also appear in a further set of books called \"The End of the Chapter.\" Both later trilogies are available in fulltext format online but not in the U.S. And this was a Granada Production and not BBC as I formerly thought."}, {"response": 446, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 2004 (21:13)", "body": "Also a question . .have any of you watched the 1967 TV series of the Forsythe Saga? Michael York as Jolyon . . .wonder how that turned out;) Here are some links about the 67 series. . .The first one, if you scroll down on the left has a link about the books . .and I believe further clicking will get you either excerpts or the actual novels online . . http://www.ceejbot.com/EricPorter/Forsyte/ http://imdb.com/title/tt0061253/"}, {"response": 447, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (07:57)", "body": "No, I had never watched the old series."}, {"response": 448, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (10:57)", "body": "(Kimberly) Michael York as Jolyon . . .wonder how that turned out;) I never did..('67!) But I hear (pemberley folks) it was terrific. I heard him at a lecture two years ago....tremendous voice. Spoke about the history of the British Theatre....in 1 hr!!"}, {"response": 449, "author": "aishling", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 2004 (06:30)", "body": "(Evelyn)Aishling told me this was the last in the series I did read that a third series was unlikely. I also watched an interview with Lee Williams (Jon) and he wasn't in favour of another series. Who knows......"}, {"response": 450, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 2004 (07:28)", "body": "I remember the old FS, when it was in black and white. Stellar cast ;-)) Well known for emptying the churches in Britain for the Sunday evening service as everyone stayed home to watch it! Nothing like it has happened before. That was when the BBC realised the power of the Sunday evening slot which has the historical link almost 30 years later to P&P 's success, not forgetting countless successful adaptions in between. I just couldn't bear to stay with GMK's Irene, tho' I am always a fan of DL, so having watched series one, I decided to quit while ahead. Your discussions have been great to follow, better than watching it!"}, {"response": 451, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 2004 (22:55)", "body": "Irene (Gina McKee) will be in an upcoming film, The Reckoning. Caught the trailer when catching GWAPE the last time around . . . http://www.paramountclassics.com/reckoning/ http://imdb.com/title/tt0258816/ drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 1645, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 165, "subject": "Colin Firth - part 14", "response_count": 1976, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (18:37)", "body": "Damn, I was cruising through here on the way to my Word docs and I saw a new topic. Please forgive me for feeling the urge to be the first to post and really have nothing to say!"}, {"response": 2, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (18:46)", "body": "Good to know our Down Under folks are up now (can never keep track of the time difference or what week you're in) ;-) Annual Fund Raising Newsflash for Australian Drooleurs We're making it easier and easier to make international donations. For those who haven't availed themselves of PayPal, we now have new Country Rep for Australia. Jane Scott has volunteered to collect funds on our behalf and will be able to transmit them to us when this drive is through. You may contact her directly at gaea@mailcity.com for her mailing address or other questions."}, {"response": 3, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (18:47)", "body": ""}, {"response": 4, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (18:50)", "body": "Sorry, but you might want to check our new list of topics. Plus you need to close your tag. Wasn't done on the Help board either."}, {"response": 5, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (18:51)", "body": "(lisa)Please forgive me for feeling the urge to be the first to post and really have nothing to say! I was sitting here waiting for someone to go first. Lisa I'm glad it was you. You---always have something good to say. It's good to be here, hi everyone."}, {"response": 6, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (19:20)", "body": "TO KAREN, FOR ORGANIZINGING THIS FUNDRAISING..."}, {"response": 7, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (19:49)", "body": "(Hanging curtains in the windows and pictures on the walls).. I do so love new rooms! Oh, and I just wanted everyone to know that I'll be sending a donation on Halloween, because that's when Daddy gets paid. =) I love this place, and I truly want to support it!"}, {"response": 8, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (19:56)", "body": "Ooooohhhhh....I feel a bit naked...Jeanie, don't you think we need to hang some pictures (hint, hint) ;-)"}, {"response": 9, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (20:24)", "body": "Karen, re: your comments on 163 about remembering that we have Darcy Drool and BJD topics.... I think our problem lately is that we've tended to careen from one topic to another (and hasn't it been fun :-) in such a way that it's hard to say, ah, NOW we're talking about P&P and should move the discussion. But you're absolutely right that some of us (myself included) need to be more aware of when it's time to move something to another topic. I promise to try to do better in the future!"}, {"response": 10, "author": "LizBeth", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (21:57)", "body": "I was cruising ebay tonight, and was wondering if anyone knew the origin of this picture: ebay tub picture Pretty yummy stuff. Just curious. (I hope I posted the link correctly, if not, sorry in advance.) LizBeth"}, {"response": 11, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (22:53)", "body": "LizBeth, that's from Valmont. A couple of us here can probably produce an identical DVD screen capture."}, {"response": 12, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (23:44)", "body": "(Rika) A couple of us here can probably produce an identical DVD screen capture. So?????? we're waiting"}, {"response": 13, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (01:00)", "body": "I tried to write descriptions for each new topic to help: 165: The place to discuss current news and information on the man who brings us all here 166: An introductory topic which addresses the need to have a place to discuss Colin's older works and the body of written materials about him, which are not covered by specialized topics (e.g. BJD or P&P). There are no prerequisites or syllabi. However, it is useful to take Ann's HTML tutorial and to read the older, retired CF topics for many hours of entertaining reading. Maybe I wasn't too clear?"}, {"response": 14, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (02:33)", "body": "Karen, thanks for organising this, a great way of channelling appropriate discussions, for everyone, especially anyone new around here.... and a good reminder to us older, retired ones too:-)) Lizza *who already has her MD in in entertaining reading *!!"}, {"response": 15, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (08:41)", "body": "(Karen)165: The place to discuss current news and information on the man who brings us all here Thank you Karen...[My bolds;-)] And I assume, it's OK if this topic is vacant at times with no News. We can all go and enjoy the other topics."}, {"response": 16, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (09:19)", "body": "So, let me see if I've got this. If we want to talk about Colin in regard topics like future projects (real or speculative,) and current events (appearances, sightings, awards, etc,) we do it here. If we want to talk about Colin in regard his adopted personas, we do it in the designated forum: Darcy Drool for Darcy v. 1, BJD for Darcy v. 2 and 166 for all others. Sort of like \"real\" Colin here, \"non-Colins\" elsewhere? I suppose general drool inspired by, for example, hair and its style related to a character or clothes and how well he looks in them goes in 166? Character related pictures in their appropriate place there also? Hope I'm not being unnecessarily dense, I'll make sure to have more caffeine before posting again."}, {"response": 17, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (09:50)", "body": "Let me expand on what Barb just said because I'm still confused too. The recent discussion of the way he has adapted walking and running to fit different roles would be a good one for 166, I think, since it touched on several old roles (though since it arose from news about the Bond speculation, it would have started here in any case). But what about the recent hair/baldness discussion? If Barb is right about \"real\" Colin here, \"non-Colin\" elsewhere, then I'm not sure of the answer, because it dealt with both. Roles were mentioned, though mostly from an illustrative standpoint, and it dealt with past, present, and future. So let me ask the question another way. Karen, is the idea primarily to make 165 a narrower topic that's pretty much confined to, as you said, \"current news and information\" without wading through more general discussion (some of which is naturally going to lapse into the past)? And in that case is 166 essentially a catch-all for CF conversation that doesn't fit into another topic? Like Barb said, sorry if I'm being hopelessly dense. The descriptions you wrote make perfect sense until I start trying to apply them to recent discussions, and then things get fuzzier."}, {"response": 18, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (09:50)", "body": "Not too bad a distinction for someone who may not have had enough caffeine. Right, this topic is for \"new\" stuff and 166 is for reminiscing about \"old\" stuff not covered by other topics specifically. If navigating around Drool seems difficult, perhaps we can discuss this at Help. I know there are many very convoluted ways to move among topics (urls used) and your way may not be the most efficient or effective."}, {"response": 19, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (11:51)", "body": "(Rika) I think, since it touched on several old roles (though since it arose from news about the Bond speculation, it would have started here in any case). I've been shanghaid many a time to Odds and Ends for talking about speculative roles on this topic:-(("}, {"response": 20, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (12:39)", "body": "Article on Amanda Bynes frmo the NY Times: A Proud Product of the Nick Pipeline By DAVID HOCHMAN BURBANK, Calif. CHANCES are, either you've never heard of Amanda Bynes or there's a life-size poster of her on one of your walls. In the first camp are grown-ups without young kids. But for the generation that connects the dots of personal growth from Baby Bop to Justin Timberlake via Pok\ufffdmon, Ms. Bynes is like Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett and Gilda Radner rolled into one 16-year-old package. \"Sixteen and a half,\" she pointed out during an interview in her dressing room on the set of \"What I Like About You,\" a new sitcom on WB. Still stoked from a marathon PSAT session with her studio-appointed tutor (\"There are these things called mnemonic devices,\" she explained, \"which are sentences that help you remember words like `ameliorate' \"), Ms. Bynes reflected on a distinguished career that began way back in the Clinton administration. After being discovered at a children's comedy camp in Los Angeles in 1994, Ms. Bynes quickly emerged as the brightest talent on the Nickelodeon network who wasn't an animated chihuahua. First as a sketch-comedy performer on \"All That,\" a sort of pint-size \"Saturday Night Live,\" and later as host of \"The Amanda Show,\" on which she parodied pop icons as lofty as Judge Judy, Ms. Bynes developed a following among the post-Barney set that was like a stealth explosion. \"A couple years ago, any kid 6 to 13 knew right away who she was,\" said Dan Schneider, who has produced nearly everything Ms. Bynes has done as an actress. \"But most parents were like, `Amanda who?' \" That's slowly starting to change. Ms. Bynes is a product of an unofficial new pipeline program in which young performers start on Nickelodeon's low-budget, quick-turnaround shows and then, if they succeed, break out into sitcoms and movies. Like Ms. Bynes, Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell walked away from \"All That\" with their own Nickelodeon series, \"Kenan & Kel,\" before branching out into films like \"The Good Burger\" (1997). Nick Cannon has followed his \"All That\" run with \"The Nick Cannon Show,\" a new Nickelodeon musical comedy program, as well as the lead in \"Drumline,\" a big-screen comedy that opens in January. Waiting in the wings is Jamie Lynn Spears, Britney's 12-year-old sister, a sparkly-eyed standout in the current cast of \"All That.\" \"We hate to see our kids leave,\" said Kevin Kay, Nickelodeon's vice president for development, \"but fortunately, we have something called reruns, and the more our stars do on the outside, the better it reflects on us.\" With a gift for physical comedy and a fearlessness in front of live studio audiences, Ms. Bynes helped make \"All That\" and \"The Amanda Show\" the top-rated live-action programs on Nickelodeon. (Proving Mr. Kay's point, reruns of \"The Amanda Show\" on Saturday nights still outperform the channel's other non-animated shows, even though it's been two years since an original episode was made.) Young girls admired her because she's pretty and they wanted to be like her, while the boys appreciated that Ms. Bynes wasn't afraid to stick her head in a bucket of mud or fall off a roof. Mr. Schneider, who co-created those shows, then wrote Ms. Bynes into a 2002 feature film, \"Big Fat Liar,\" and later cast her in \"What I Like About You,\" a program he created with Wil Cahoun. In it, Ms. Bynes plays a suburban teenager who moves in with her reluctant big sister, played by Jennie Garth, in Manhattan after their father takes a job in Japan. WB may claim Ms. Bynes now (the network's Web site lets fans download a life-size image of her in 28 8 1/2-by-11 printouts), but she literally grew up on Nickelodeon. She sprouted six inches during her years there. \"We went through seven or eight stunt doubles,\" she said. \"They couldn't keep up.\" But the material was also getting old. \"I knew I didn't want to be a Nickelodeon kid when I was 30,\" she said. \"I was having fun but at 15, you don't want to be doing what you did when you were 12.\" What she likes about \"What I Like About You,\" she said, is \"it has appeal to people twice my age, even older.\" Since the sitcom debuted in September, it has been the top-rated show in its Friday-night time slot among women in the desirable 18-to-34 age group. Many a \"True Hollywood Story\" has been told about show-business kids going bad, but Ms. Bynes seems remarkably self-possessed and far more sedate than the highly caffeinated characters she plays on television. Her idea of a big night usually revolves around a rented video and microwave popcorn, she said. Mr. Schneider, a former child star himself, having appeared on the 1980's sitcom \"Head of the Class,\" said: \"I've seen kids in her position experiment with drugs and be too promiscuous, but Amanda has avoided all of that. My wife, who knows her, says she's almost like Marcia Brady in that she's so clean-cut and wholesome.\" Still, balancing long days of filming with prep courses for standardized tests is enough to m"}, {"response": 21, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (13:18)", "body": "From Miami Herald:10/19/02 CELEBS EVERYWHERE South Florida events are attracting them Speaking of VIPs, they're due everywhere at upcoming events: Actress Kelly Preston, wife of John Travolta, will be inducted into Miami Children's Hospital International Pediatric Hall of Fame Nov. 2 for her work on children's health issues."}, {"response": 22, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (13:22)", "body": "Hmmmm, am checking topic line again and done a \"Find in Page\" search for Colin's name. ;-)"}, {"response": 23, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (13:30)", "body": "Jeannette Walls, Gossip columnist at MSNBC: CRITICS WERE SO savage toward Madonna in \ufffdSwept Away\ufffd that her spokeswoman called it \ufffda public hanging, an assassination.\ufffd \ufffdMadonna must be a glutton for punishment, because she\ufffds coming back for more,\ufffd says our source, who isn\ufffdt clear on how big Madonna\ufffds role in \ufffdLove Actually\ufffd will be. \ufffdAfter the drubbing she got [in \ufffdSwept Away\ufffd] who knows if her role will end up on the cutting room floor.\ufffd The film will be directed by Richard Curtis, who also wrote \ufffdNotting Hill\ufffd \ufffd which some insiders believe was inspired by Madonna\ufffds romance with an unknown Brit named Andy Bird. There have also been reports that Madonna is looking for a role on Broadway. Madonna\ufffds rep didn\ufffdt return calls by press time."}, {"response": 24, "author": "AnnieZ", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (10:40)", "body": "May be you all knew about this already: The Reason \" America Girl \" has been Changed to \" London Calling \" (this is my title ;)) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From Yahoo Movie: Title Note: (7/2/02) The title of \"American Girl\" should be considered very tentative. One factor to whether WB will stick with this title will probably be the question of whether another movie called American Girl, starring Jena Malone, is going to be getting lots of publicity, and possibly a release date, before this movie does. As a sidenote, Warner Bros. also has another project in development called \"American Girl\", which is described as a Roman Holiday-type story about a daughter of the U.S. president ditching her Secret Service guards to go on an European road trip. If that movie ever gets made, it will most likely have a different title. (10/5/02) Possibly realizing that the Jena Malone movie will probably be debuting at Sundance at around the same time as this movie is being released (and thus, will be getting a lot of press there), Warner Bros. has decided to change the title of this film to the (more appropriate) 'London Calling', named after the most famous album by the punk band, The Clash. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Apparently, the other \"America Girl\" used to have a name of \"Lifers' Picnic\""}, {"response": 25, "author": "AnnieZ", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (10:43)", "body": "Sorry, Here is the link: http://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hp&cf=prev&id=1808415450"}, {"response": 26, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (12:42)", "body": "Thanks, Annie -- In reading all of Greg's information at Yahoo on \"London Calling,\" I see the film wrapped in August. And he is already into GWAPE, with \"Love, Actually\" in there sometime too. It made me realize that though we occasionally wonder at his choices, Colin does work almost non-stop at his craft. Can anyone remember an extended period of time when he was not acting somewhere?"}, {"response": 27, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (13:16)", "body": "Didn't he have about a six-month break before LC (including the planned run for \"Hamlet\")? But, yeah, he's been busy since then. Which reminds me. I assume there's been nothing new about FTB? I'd hoped that might be next."}, {"response": 28, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (14:09)", "body": "(Mary) Can anyone remember an extended period of time when he was not acting somewhere? Didn't he take an extended break while he was in the wilds of Canada with MT and baby Will??"}, {"response": 29, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (17:18)", "body": "Rika, What is FTB? I know I've probably read about it sometime in the past, but I can't for the life of me thinks what it is!!"}, {"response": 30, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (17:20)", "body": "Fade to Black, the Orson Welles film being made by Fragile and directed by Ollie Parker and mentioned by him (re: Colin) up at Edinburgh."}, {"response": 31, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (21:08)", "body": "(Rika)Which reminds me. I assume there's been nothing new about FTB? I'd hoped that might be next. Yes, No,No,No. TEoR first!"}, {"response": 32, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (21:12)", "body": "Where is GWAPE being filmed? In the Netherlands? Who is there to gather intelligence for us???? I'm confused, is this the right topic?"}, {"response": 33, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (21:22)", "body": "Right topic, wrong country. They're filming in Luxembourg, starting mid- November, I believe."}, {"response": 34, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (21:24)", "body": "(Linda) Yes, No,No,No. TEoR first! But at one point didn't we hear TEOR might not happen before summer? And in that case there's plenty of time for something else in between. (Lisa) Where is GWAPE being filmed? In the Netherlands? Luxembourg, right? I'm confused, is this the right topic? If not, I have a feeling we'll find out. :-)"}, {"response": 35, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (22:35)", "body": "FTB = Current speculation (not idle as director mentioned CF's name) TEOR = Current speculation (not idle either) GWAPE = Current commitment What do these all have in common? ;-)"}, {"response": 36, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (23:16)", "body": "(Karen) What do these all have in common? ;-) Hopefully that they remain current? Am catching up here. Thanks again for all the pictures Rika. Not quite sure if I like him bald. IMO makes him look like he did in very early films. A look I will definitely have to adjust to."}, {"response": 37, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (01:32)", "body": "(Karen) What do these all have in common? ;-) (Waving hand wildly from the back of the room) I know, I know!!!!!! They're all So they go in 165!"}, {"response": 38, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (10:06)", "body": "(Karen's list) FTB = Current speculation (not idle as director mentioned CF's name) TEOR = Current speculation (not idle either) GWAPE = Current commitment Are we going to include 'The Dead Wait'.....It sounded promising (kind of in the FTB catagory)??"}, {"response": 39, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (10:21)", "body": "Yes. Sorry it wasn't included. But that list shouldn't be construed as all-inclusive or limiting. Because of the nature of \"current,\" expect new things to pop up all the time."}, {"response": 40, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (13:58)", "body": "I was just wondering where we would post \"silliness\"? Subjects such as \"Hair Plugs, or Not To Hairplugs\".. so, I guess it's silliness and speculation (thinking upon it)... no, just silliness."}, {"response": 41, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (14:32)", "body": "(Jeanie)I was just wondering where we would post \"silliness\"? I think general silliness goes on Firthology, Specific silliness goes to specific topics like Darcy Drool for Darcy, and BJD. Got that?:-)There is a general hair discussion on Firthology right now. Hope that helped."}, {"response": 42, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (15:47)", "body": "(Linda) Specific silliness goes to specific topics like Darcy Drool for Darcy, and BJD. On second thought, since BJD has a \"currency\" factor these days with news of TEOR, let's leave that one alone as well."}, {"response": 43, "author": "airstream", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (16:14)", "body": ".....it's been awhile so bear with me..... are these new?: http://www.rexfeatures.com/cgi-bin/rppshow0?k=colin+firth&f=Newest dorine---how about \"fitzwilliam\" for a cat name?"}, {"response": 44, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (16:34)", "body": "No we saw those a while ago. Lookin pretty good, isn't he? Thought about Darcy, but decided against that. I really liked Colin actually, but the person who gave it to me would know the origin and I couldn't tolerate a (cat's) lifetime of ridicule. ;) Fitzwilliam had not occurred to me. Such a big name for a tiny cat. :)"}, {"response": 45, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (18:31)", "body": "A friend just sent me this...Don't know if this is #165 or #166...Whatever....Boss take down the one you want. Cute new story, (to me)in a new bio of Sam Mendes. But it's about 3 DOR (old play). A story about Colin on the opening nightof 3 DOR. He had wanted to get some fresh air, stepped outside a stage door, but it was locked and he couldn't get back in.LOL. He had to reenter the building via the front (wearing his Walker outfit), and had to refuse to sign autographs, as curtain time was in 20 minutes. The book even mentioned that the author, Richard Greenburg, never saw the London production. Odd. The book spent more time on Greenburg's other play \"Take Me Out\" which he did come to London to see.\" Book has pic of Colin we've seen before. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Don't think he went out to sneak a ciggie...he didn't even smoke in the play."}, {"response": 46, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (23:36)", "body": "(Dorine) Fitzwilliam had not occurred to me. Such a big name for a tiny cat. :) How about Fitzkitty?"}, {"response": 47, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (10:16)", "body": "(Dorine) Fitzwilliam had not occurred to me. Such a big name for a tiny cat. :) (KathyF) How about Fitzkitty? Or, if you DO name him Fitzwilliam, you can call him Liam...now granted that's the name of the best Arsenal player that ever lived, but it's still a good name. Liam! Brilliant!! (oooops....I think I'm off to topic 166). Sorry Karen!!"}, {"response": 48, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (11:40)", "body": "TIOBE is the featured DVD of the day at the imdb. Check it out at: www.imdb.com"}, {"response": 49, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (13:16)", "body": "Hi everyone! Just a quick hello to tell you that Love Actually is tentatively set for theatrical release in December 2003. Don't know if you all knew this yet or not. Will keep you posted."}, {"response": 50, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (15:40)", "body": "Thanks, Lola! Tentatively means they can also move the date into 2004! Why must we wait so long, do you know?"}, {"response": 51, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (16:16)", "body": "Thanks, Lola. I like a Colin movie at the Christmas holidays, when I have ample time for repeat viewings--shades of SIL!:-) Moon, this film won't wrap until November or December. A one-year wait from end of filming to arrival in theaters is pretty typical, actually. (The quick turnaround on London Calling is atypical.) And isn't there a Christmas Eve theme somewhere in Love Actually, typing all the stories together?"}, {"response": 52, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (18:07)", "body": "Christmas 2003, LA, sounds good to me. Yeah Mari...just like SIL, when we all shoved families out the door so we could go see it. Always like to line -up my Christmas movies. Am set for 2002: CHICAGO. !"}, {"response": 53, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (22:17)", "body": "(Evelyn) Am set for 2002: CHICAGO. ! Oh, fabulous, that might actually be dooable! Whaddya say, Southeastern Firthettes, anyone up for a road trip in December of next year????"}, {"response": 54, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (22:28)", "body": "Jeanie, I'm a Southeastern Firthette....wrong continent though. (Insert sad winkie)"}, {"response": 55, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (08:27)", "body": "(Evelyn) Am set for 2002: CHICAGO. ! sorry :-(( meant\"Chicago\" (film) with RZ and CZJ."}, {"response": 56, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (09:05)", "body": "'Girl' Pearled with Supporting Cast Fri Oct 25, 4:21 AM ET By Adam Dawtrey LONDON (Variety) - Cillian Murphy, fresh from the lead role in \"28 Days Later,\" has joined the cast of \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" along with Alakina Mann (\"The Others\"), Judy Parfitt (\"ER\") and Essie Davis. This quartet rounds out the supporting cast of the movie, which stars Colin Firth (news), Scarlett Johansson (news) and Tom Wilkinson (news). Peter Webber is directing this adaptation of Tracey Chevalier's bestselling novel about the relationship between 17th century Dutch painter Jan Vermeer and his maidservant. Shooting will start Nov. 18 in Luxembourg. Lions Gate is taking North American rights."}, {"response": 57, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (09:12)", "body": "Judy Parfitt (\"ER\") ER the TV show? Is she the one who plays Corday's mother? She would be Maria Thins? I don't know the other ones. I only saw part of \"The Others\", so I don't know who Alakina Mann is. Is she the one who was the housekeeper or whatever that NK hires?"}, {"response": 58, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (09:32)", "body": "(Evelyn)(Evelyn) Am set for 2002: CHICAGO. ! sorry :-(( meant\"Chicago\" (film) with RZ and CZJ. Oh well, I knew it was too good to be true! ;)"}, {"response": 59, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (09:38)", "body": "Alakina Mann will be one of the children. Essie Davis is an Australian actress, mainly stage, and will be Catharina. As her CV says she speaks Norwegian, she will look Dutch enough:"}, {"response": 60, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (09:40)", "body": "Cillian Murphy will likely be Peter: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/waywelive/whoswho/images/paul_montague.jpg\" >"}, {"response": 61, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (09:41)", "body": ""}, {"response": 62, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (09:50)", "body": "My guess is that Alakina plays the nasty Cornelia."}, {"response": 63, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (10:12)", "body": "Judy Parfitt was also terrific in \"Jewel In The Crown\" as the sophisticated, world weary mother, Mildred Layton. What a great cast for this film!"}, {"response": 64, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (10:22)", "body": "Thank you Mari for the news! I was wondering when they would announce more cast members. Alakina Mann was very good in \"The Others\" I can see her as Cornelia (which, like Karen, I think will be the child she plays...though there are five (or six) others at the beginning of the book...eleven by the end)."}, {"response": 65, "author": "maryw", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (10:34)", "body": "Thanks Mari for GWAPE news and Karen for brief on actors. On Essie Davis - just thinking that there are only 15 million inhabitants of this huge continent. Seems like half of them have gone to Hollywood LOL."}, {"response": 66, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (10:35)", "body": "Here they are! These donors have been very generous in supporting Spring and helping us reach our goal. However, there are still pledges outstanding and, if I have no personally emailed you, then I haven't received it or notice of it. Please keep those donations coming in. If you don't know how to do so, contact me at nomdedrool@yahoo.com. Even Colin knows a good thing when he sees it!"}, {"response": 67, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (11:50)", "body": "(Minkee) Seems like half of them have gone to Hollywood LOL. It would appear she's represented out of London, and is currently starring as Stella, opposite Glenn Close's Blanche in the National's production of A Streetcar Named Desire. A couple of people here have seen this, eh, Aishling??? ;-)"}, {"response": 68, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (12:11)", "body": "Thanks, Karen and Mari, for the GWAPE news and casting info. I loved Judy Parfitt in the Jewel and the Crown."}, {"response": 69, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (12:53)", "body": "Essie Davis is wonderful in Streetcar. She got the biggest applause at curtain call."}, {"response": 70, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (13:01)", "body": "...Love Actually is tentatively set for theatrical release in December 2003. Which would be appropriate as movie has X-mas theme. So actually could be released as early as November and fit seasonally. Thanks Hola, Mari, and Karen for news."}, {"response": 71, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (13:03)", "body": "Huh? Lola posted December. Why are other months being suggested as possibilities?"}, {"response": 72, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (14:50)", "body": "Cillian Murphy, fresh from the lead role in \"28 Days Later,\" has joined the cast of \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" along with Alakina Mann (\"The Others\"), Judy Parfitt (\"ER\") and Essie Davis. Well it looks like the Art House circuit. These actors are not known. I was expecting a little better for such a high profile book. :-("}, {"response": 73, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (15:06)", "body": "(Moon)Well it looks like the Art House circuit. These actors are not known. I was expecting a little better for such a high profile book. :-( Moon, you took the words out of my mouth. Nothing against these actors, I'm sure they're fine, but they are obviously dealing with a very low budget here. Evelyn may have to skip Dallas and just go directly to NYC for this one.;-) I have to chuckle when I think of our fantasy casting: Diana Rigg, Vanessa Redgrave, Anjelica Huston, Helen Mirren, Uma Thurman, Janet McTeer, Heath Ledger. I think Heath drops more in tips each week than this entire budget.;-) (Evelyn)just like SIL, when we all shoved families out the door so we could go see it. LOL! Buh bye, bye now, buh bye! Am set for 2002: CHICAGO. ! You and me both! You won't have to hunt for that one."}, {"response": 74, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (15:31)", "body": "(Mari) I have to chuckle when I think of our fantasy casting: Diana Rigg, Vanessa Redgrave, Anjelica Huston, Helen Mirren, Uma Thurman, Janet McTeer, Heath Ledger. It seems that the cast list is mostly complete (I am assuming that Judy Parfitt will be playing Maria Thins), but what about the role of Tanneke? And the butcher? We can still fantasy cast for those two roles...(though it looks like we need to chose lesser knowns...). My vote is for Kathy Burke for Tanneke and I'll have to think on the butcher..."}, {"response": 75, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (17:59)", "body": "(Moon) These actors are not known. So, the parts are supporting. And have you never heard of breakout roles? This one has potential for Essie. Really, did anyone think this would be anything but art house? Artists, poets and writers go to the art house. This is a large-scale project for a small production company. Has the budget been mentioned?"}, {"response": 76, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Oct 26, 2002 (07:12)", "body": "Don't know if this has been posted - Greg's Upcoming Movies page on Love Actually. Opens against The Matrix on 11/7 - Yipes!: \"...when Curtis, one of his producers and a cameraman flew to Kenya where they filmed the movie's opening image, a picture on a wall of a group of Africans who come to life and start talking to each other in Swahili.\" http://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hp&cf=prev&id=1808428929&intl=us"}, {"response": 77, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct 26, 2002 (07:59)", "body": "(Mari), Heath Ledger. I think Heath drops more in tips each week than this entire budget.;-) My kind of guy. :-) (Moon) These actors are not known. (Karen), So, the parts are supporting. And have you never heard of breakout roles? This one has potential for Essie. LOL! I never thought of that! Leave it to you, to see the light at the end of the tunnel. ;-) Artists, poets and writers go to the art house. My crowd of course, but that has been expanding lately. Regardless, GWAPE was a high profile book. This will be the film the says, \"Can CF carry a movie?\" IMO, it does not bode well for him. I remain happy to be contradicted on this."}, {"response": 78, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Oct 26, 2002 (09:09)", "body": "(Moon) This will be the film the says, \"Can CF carry a movie?\" IMO, it does not bode well for him. I remain happy to be contradicted on this. Me, too! Let's hope he also got points for doing BJD. If not and this movie is so low budget, he may not be able to afford his free trade coffee anymore. ;)"}, {"response": 79, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 26, 2002 (09:14)", "body": "Thanks, Murph, but I think I'll go with Lola's for more current and more reliable as to source for the release date. I hate that Greg's pages no longer have the date shown for updates. (Moon) This will be the film the says, \"Can CF carry a movie?\" Yes and no. True, he *is* the male lead in this, but we know from the book that the movie is really about Griet. Besides that measure only applies to movies that open wide and this one won't. HS would've been that movie, as it seemed like the kind of movie that would have a wide release."}, {"response": 80, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct 26, 2002 (09:25)", "body": "(Karen), HS would've been that movie, as it seemed like the kind of movie that would have a wide release. True, but look at the delay there too. And, the book was not high profile. I am starting to doubt a wide release on HS. :-( And he is the male lead there too."}, {"response": 81, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 26, 2002 (09:40)", "body": "Remember, I said *would've been* GWAPE being a high-profile book is fairly meaningless. Some book readers go to the movies, but most moviegoers do not read books, especially that type of book. More would've been made that HS was written by the same author as The Graduate and people can connect with movies, especially famous movies like that."}, {"response": 82, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct 26, 2002 (10:13)", "body": "More would've been made that HS was written by the same author as The Graduate and people can connect with movies, especially famous movies like that. Yes, you and I would think that it would've been a good marketing tool, but first they change the title and then they delay the release. HS is a well cast film in which Colin has the male lead. GWAPE is not a well cast film in which Colin has the male lead. What's the connection? ;-)"}, {"response": 83, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 26, 2002 (10:20)", "body": "Moon, you've completely lost me. My point was that HS would've been the type of film to open wide and would've been one everyone used to see if Colin could open a major film. Changing the title of NC to HS isn't important, as no one would've heard of NC. That fact that it was by the same author as The Graduate was the important marketing point, not the title. HS is a well cast film in which Colin has the male lead. GWAPE is not a well cast film in which Colin has the male lead. I tend to disagree, as I never liked the casting of HS. I find nothing wrong or deficient with GWAPE's casting. I never expected *big* names for the supporting roles."}, {"response": 84, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct 26, 2002 (10:26)", "body": "My point was that HS would've been the type of film to open wide and would've been one everyone used to see if Colin could open a major film. With two well known actresses in the US as HG and MD, I don't think that HS would have been the one everyone would use to see if Colin could carry a major film. There are too many known actors in HS, it's more of a cast film. GWAPE on the other hand would be carried by CF."}, {"response": 85, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 26, 2002 (10:35)", "body": "With two well known actresses in the US as HG and MD, I don't think that HS would have been the one everyone would use to see if Colin could carry a major film. He is the main character. It is about Colin Ware. Yes, both HG and MD are known, but the film is not about the female characters. Even if CF and HG are considered co-leads, H'wood would be assessing whether Colin had the ability star in bigger, more important films based on this film's box office."}, {"response": 86, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct 26, 2002 (10:41)", "body": "both HG and MD are known, but the film is not about the female characters. Even if CF and HG are considered co-leads, My take has always been that the HS script was re-worked to give HG and MD more screen time. You and I will have to disagree on this one, Karen. H'wood would be assessing whether Colin had the ability star in bigger, more important films based on this film's box office. And thus the delay in the release date?"}, {"response": 87, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 26, 2002 (11:14)", "body": "And thus the delay in the release date? Unrelated."}, {"response": 88, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Oct 26, 2002 (11:38)", "body": "This is for my fellow guilt-ridden firthettes who just can't pass up CF movies on TV even though we have them on DVD, VHS or both: RV on Monday 4:35 PM-Starz BJD on Wednesday 8PM-Starz"}, {"response": 89, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Oct 26, 2002 (19:24)", "body": "Thank you Mary and Linda for updates. Karen, as I value your opinion and expertise, could you please tell me what you feel is the reason for the delay in opening HS? I have no knowledge of anything in this arena. I understood the article about keeping post production films to offset ventures, but does it apply with HS and Disney? I seriously would like to understand the delay. Thank you."}, {"response": 90, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Oct 26, 2002 (22:03)", "body": "(Linda) This is for my fellow guilt-ridden firthettes who just can't pass up CF movies on TV even though we have them on DVD, VHS or both: RV on Monday 4:35 PM-Starz, BJD on Wednesday 8PM-Starz .......And for those whose CF tapes were eaten in the VCR. Thanks, Linda. Had looked up the schedule for the end of Oct to Nov, but hadn't really made a mental or physical note of any showings coming up yet. (And I just ordered the RV DVD on Thurs.) (Karen) Changing the title of NC to HS isn't important, as no one would've heard of NC. That fact that it was by the same author as The Graduate was the important marketing point, not the title. Actually I never understood why they changed the name. Because no one heard of it? Then why change it? Why not just make it known by its real title? Certainly easier to market it as by the same author as The Graduate if the real book title is used. Would make it easier for people who are unfamiliar with the fact that there will be a movie version to identify with I would think. Even if CF and HG are considered co-leads, H'wood would be assessing whether Colin had the ability star in bigger, more important films based on this film's box office. (Moon) HS is a well cast film in which Colin has the male lead. (Karen)I tend to disagree, as I never liked the casting of HS. I hate to think *this* film would be the barometer of his box office pull. I am no fan of HGm or MD (although did really like her in CoF, which is pretty much it). I wasn't that fond of the book. If the studio asked *me*, he would be the only thing getting me to that movie. And quite a few people here. *But* I fear that this will do even worse than TIOBE. I wonder how much BO was generated for that with multiple viewings of Colin's fans. At least that had the interest of Oscar Wilde fans, too. I fear I won't be seeing this quite so many times. and finally... Karen, as I value your opinion and expertise Well someone's got to. (*hundreds upon hundreds of winkies!!!) Feelin' kinda silly tonight! Sorry! ;-)"}, {"response": 91, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Sun, Oct 27, 2002 (10:15)", "body": "(Dorine)Why not just make it known by its real title? I'm going to guess that since they filmed part of this \"New Cardiff\" in Hope, BC, they decided to use all the available signs in the city that said Hope already. So they change the name of the film to HS and it saves the producers money. Then they pretend they're in New England. I'm still wondering how they got this film made at all considering how lousy the weather was in BC last fall."}, {"response": 92, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Oct 27, 2002 (11:32)", "body": "(Dorine) If the studio asked *me*, he would be the only thing getting me to that movie. And quite a few people here. I agree. I know he's the only reason I'm going to go see it. Let's hope we can all do him some good. I'm sure we did with TIOBE. If only the rest of the movie going public was as savvy as we are then they would know what a fine actor he is too."}, {"response": 93, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 27, 2002 (16:14)", "body": "Just for the record, I liked the book...no kidding. Terrific dialogue. I still have it close by and read through the tie chapter occasionally.Hilarious. And how about the library scene. Have you read through our discussions? I thought everyone liked it at the time..'cept for Moon. On the strength of the book, yes I would go to see the film. Now \"London Calling\" (AKA AG)....I dunno...*there* you've got me;-)"}, {"response": 94, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 27, 2002 (16:15)", "body": "closing..."}, {"response": 95, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Oct 27, 2002 (16:53)", "body": "(Evelyn) Just for the record, I liked the book...no kidding. Terrific dialogue. I still have it close by and read through the tie chapter occasionally.Hilarious. And how about the library scene. I didn't hate it, just didn't make an impact on me. Matter of fact, can't really remember right offhand what happened in those two scenes you mentioned. It did amuse me at times, just can't remember where at the moment. Now \"London Calling\" (AKA AG)....I dunno...*there* you've got me;-) For me, curiosity factor. Who knows, maybe it'll be cute anyway."}, {"response": 96, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Oct 27, 2002 (17:01)", "body": "(Evelyn) Just for the record, I liked the book...no kidding. So did I, Evelyn. It's a lightweight story, but it was a fun read and I laughed at a lot of the dialogue."}, {"response": 97, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Oct 27, 2002 (17:59)", "body": "(Evelyn) Just for the record, I liked the book...no kidding. (Rika) So did I, Evelyn. It's a lightweight story, but it was a fun read and I laughed at a lot of the dialogue. I'm with you guys... I thought the book was very funny. I read it while I was in the hospital after a surgery. Cheered my right up! Though the morphine drip probably helped. I did re-read sections of it later and found it just as amusing."}, {"response": 98, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Oct 27, 2002 (19:41)", "body": "(Evelyn) Just for the record, I liked the book...no kidding. (Rika) So did I, Evelyn. It's a lightweight story, but it was a fun read and I laughed at a lot of the dialogue. (Tress) I'm with you guys... I thought the book was very funny. LOL...well it's not the first time I've been in the minority nor will it be the last I'm certain :-)"}, {"response": 99, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Oct 27, 2002 (22:03)", "body": "(Dorine) LOL...well it's not the first time I've been in the minority nor will it be the last I'm certain :-) You may not be in the minority at all. And even though I liked the book I'm not sure how well it's going to transfer to the screen."}, {"response": 100, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (07:18)", "body": "(Dorine) LOL...well it's not the first time I've been in the minority nor will it be the last I'm certain :-) You and me both! I had a problem with the ending of the book. But I think the script will surprise us."}, {"response": 101, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (07:29)", "body": "(Moon) But I think the script will surprise us I hope so since the book seemed so short as well. Certainly keeping an open mind. :)"}, {"response": 102, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (12:27)", "body": "(Dorine)I hope so since the book seemed so short as well. Certainly keeping an open mind. :) I'm with you too, Dorine. I thought it was short, and I wasn't crazy about the ending. I didn't hate it either, but I don't know if when I read it I was hoping to enjoy it because I was reading with Colin in mind. I probably wouldn't have read it if it weren't for him. Now, GWAPE was a different thing entirely. I loved the book, again, major enjoyment picturing Colin as Vermeer, but I would have loved it anyway. I don't have the same attachment to HS."}, {"response": 103, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (16:25)", "body": "Catching up on the weekend posts . . . (Karen)Really, did anyone think this would be anything but art house? No, I didn't, but was hoping that more prominent casting, especially for Maria Thins and Catherina, might boost the appeal a little. Plus that would have indicated to me that they were working with a decent budget. Low budget is not intrinsically bad, of course, but it means that very little will be spent on promotion. Without promotion, unless they get very strong early support from key critics on the film festival circuit, it's DOA. (Brenda)I'm going to guess that since they filmed part of this \"New Cardiff\" in Hope, BC, they decided to use all the available signs in the city that said Hope already. So they change the name of the film to HS and it saves the producers money. Too bad they didn't film it in Intercourse, PA.;-) (Yes, it's a real place!) (Brenda)I'm still wondering how they got this film made at all considering how lousy the weather was in BC last fall. Brenda, are you from the area? I recall reading an article or seeing a report here that they had to bring in copious amounts of leaves for filming, as the real ones had mostly blown off under the heavy rains and winds. I did like the book, thought it was funny, but I do know of numerous Firth fans who didn't care for it at all."}, {"response": 104, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (09:27)", "body": "This ought to get the juices flowing. The German DVD/video cover of Londinium, courtesy of a fan at the fantasy women's site. So, is it him or not?"}, {"response": 105, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (09:32)", "body": "Him, who? It isn't even any of the hers. ;-) I have a bigger one of that and it's nobodies."}, {"response": 106, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (09:36)", "body": "Him, who? Mike Binder. ;-) I know the women look nothing like Irene and Mariel, but you gotta admit--at least at the size above--it looks like CF. Except I guess he doesn't do shirtless anymore.;-) I wouldn't mind ogling a bigger vwrsion if you have one."}, {"response": 107, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (09:49)", "body": "(Mari) So, is it him or not? If it was CF, I was going to say his CHB (chest hair beautician) needs some lessons...she missed a spot (or two)."}, {"response": 108, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (09:59)", "body": "Am bringing out the voodoo doll! You mentioned that name. *shivering* Actually, I'd bet it's supposed to the Little Colonel, but it is neither. I forgot to mention that the German lady who told me about the DVD/video in has actually seen it and rented it. She asked me who those people were on the cover. ;-) Also, FYI, the German version is dubbed and there is no English with subtitle capability on the DVD either. That's why she came to me; she wanted to find out about an English language version. And, as if to cinch, where's the little patch of light chest hair? Losing that too? ;-)"}, {"response": 109, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (10:09)", "body": "The German DVD/video cover of Londinium, courtesy of a fan at the fantasy women's site. Does anyone know where I could get it? I can't find it at Amazon.de."}, {"response": 110, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (10:57)", "body": "Sorry, I got my ranks mixed up and meant the Little Corporal...or I suppose it could be the Balsa Woodman ;-)"}, {"response": 111, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (11:34)", "body": "(Karen re: L'dum) Also, FYI, the German version is dubbed and there is no English with subtitle capability on the DVD either. Maybe that is a good thing. MB couldn't possibly be as annoying in German, could he? And for those who don't speak German, made up dialogue to go with the film would be much better than the real thing (like 'Mystery Science Theatre')."}, {"response": 112, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (13:19)", "body": "(Mari), So, is it him or not? It looks like it's him with Livia and Renee! ;-) (Karen), And, as if to cinch, where's the little patch of light chest hair? Losing that too? ;-) LOL! Not that we'll ever get to see it again. :-\\"}, {"response": 113, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (13:45)", "body": "( Moon Dreams) It looks like it's him with Livia and Renee! ;-) Too funny...He must have bought Livia an ab cruncher last Christmas!!"}, {"response": 114, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (14:15)", "body": "(Tress)I was going to say his CHB (chest hair beautician) needs some lessons... LOL, Sorry, but I only work on the real thing. Not these body double types."}, {"response": 115, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (14:27)", "body": "(Mari) Too bad they didn't film it in Intercourse, PA.;-) (Yes, it's a real place!) LOL!! I've been there. (Moon) It looks like it's him with Livia and Renee! ;-) So funny. I agree."}, {"response": 116, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (15:52)", "body": "(Karen)And, as if to cinch, where's the little patch of light chest hair? Losing that too? ;-) Maybe it's been \"loved off.\" ;-) (Tress)And for those who don't speak German, made up dialogue to go with the film would be much better than the real thing (like 'Mystery Science Theatre'. ROTF, Tress--I love Mystery Science Theater! Hey, I'll give it a shot: Scene is the one where Mariel wants some but CF has distasteful look on his face and begs off saying I'm gassy from the meat pie at dinner. Mystery Science Theater Script: \"Wot smells in here? Oh, wait, it's the dialogue.\" ;-) (Linda)Sorry, but I only work on the real thing. Not these body double types. Attagirl, Linda--maintain those high standards!:-)"}, {"response": 117, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (18:48)", "body": "Ok guys, Per an internal report sent out today, Love Actually is now set for release November 7, 2003. Again, this may change. It was moved since the studio plans to push Cat In Hat and Peter Pan for the holidays. Will keep you posted."}, {"response": 118, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (19:00)", "body": "Gracias Lola..I like the new release date better. Less competition. Along with Cat/Hat and PP there will be the new Lord of the Rings and HP. Gaaaagh."}, {"response": 119, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (20:18)", "body": "(Mari) Scene is the one where Mariel wants some but CF has distasteful look on his face and begs off saying I'm gassy from the meat pie at dinner. Mystery Science Theater Script: \"Wot smells in here? Oh, wait, it's the dialogue.\" Love it! MSTing L. could be an entertaining project."}, {"response": 120, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (22:33)", "body": "(Tress) Maybe that is a good thing. MB couldn't possibly be as annoying in German, could he? And for those who don't speak German, made up dialogue to go with the film would be much better than the real thing (like 'Mystery Science Theatre'). (Mari) Mystery Science Theater Script: \"Wot smells in here? Oh, wait, it's the dialogue.\" ROTF! (Karen), And, as if to cinch, where's the little patch of light chest hair? Losing that too? ;-) (Moon) LOL! Not that we'll ever get to see it again. :-\\ LOL, Moon! But I fear you may be right :( Thanks, Lola! In case I missed it somewhere, has the length of the GWAPE shoot been posted or listed anywhere? The reason I ask is guest for our movie class tonight was Vincent D'Onofrio. He mentioned that his \"Law and Order\" takes a break for a month starting mid-Nov at which time he will be going to Luxembourg to film a movie. Didn't say what. Couldn't *believe* the teacher didn't ask him what it was. And we weren't given the opportunity to ask questions. I think because earlier in the class tonight he pointed out an audience question to Harvey Keitel last week that he thought was a bit crass. I almost shouted out the question to Vincent as I was only 7 rows away, but decided against it due to the previous admonishment. If I'd gotten up immediately after and been sitting in the back, I might have caught him, but the teacher had to finish comments for tonights class."}, {"response": 121, "author": "LizBeth", "date": "Wed, Oct 30, 2002 (00:33)", "body": "(Karen), And, as if to cinch, where's the little patch of light chest hair? Losing that too? ;-) In my experience, it's never really lost, it just migrates to their backs! (Blah!) I hope NOT for ODB. Sort of gives me the willies that he may not be superhuman."}, {"response": 122, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Oct 30, 2002 (11:02)", "body": "(Dorine)He mentioned that his \"Law and Order\" takes a break for a month starting mid-Nov at which time he will be going to Luxembourg to film a movie. That's interesting, Dorine, I'd bet it is GWAPE. Maybe he's playing the butcher; he'd be about the right age, 40-ish I'm guessing. Filming starts November 18, and since it's a small role, they wouldn't need him for the entire shoot; he could probably do his scenes in a couple of weeks. Also, aren't most/all of the butcher's scenes outdoors at the market? Would make sense if they wanted to film those first before the wintry weather sets in. In my experience, it's never really lost, it just migrates to their backs! Ew! LOL, LizBeth."}, {"response": 123, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Oct 30, 2002 (11:09)", "body": "(LizBeth) In my experience, it's never really lost, it just migrates to their backs! (Blah!) I hope NOT for ODB. I'm thinking we'll be lucky with ODB. He is one of the most hairless men I've ever seen. He doesn't have any real visible hair on his arms or legs (his chest hair needs mascara), his eyebrows are even faint...no visible happy trail...though he has enough on his face, head and (as PM showed) other essential areas, I don't think he'll be one for the scary hair (back, ears and those crazy eyebrows that grandpa's sometimes get). Now I've kinda freaked myself out a bit...think I'll go watch BJD....(BTW, yesterday was the two week countdown for TIOBE DVD/VHS release...only 13 more days!!)"}, {"response": 124, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Oct 30, 2002 (11:16)", "body": "(Dorine)He mentioned that his \"Law and Order\" takes a break for a month starting mid-Nov at which time he will be going to Luxembourg to film a movie. (Mari) That's interesting, Dorine, I'd bet it is GWAPE. After I read this last night, I did a frantic search on the internet to see if anything was written...I came up with nothing. I would think that he would be listed in the cast list with everyone else....he is somewhat of a name (though not huge). But, like I said, nothing came up (GWAPE or otherwise for Vincent D'Onofrio in Luxembourg). He would be good in the role of he butcher... Dorine, what kind of class are you taking? It sounds interesting...."}, {"response": 125, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Oct 30, 2002 (11:23)", "body": "I don't think he'll be one for the scary hair (back, ears and those crazy eyebrows that grandpa's sometimes get). Thank you, Tress, for the first really good laugh I've had all day! And, no, I don't think we'll have to worry about that (thank heavens!)."}, {"response": 126, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Oct 30, 2002 (11:35)", "body": "( Tress) He is one of the most hairless men I've ever seen. He doesn't have any real visible hair on his arms or legs (his chest hair needs mascara), his eyebrows are even faint...no visible happy trail... Just the thought of a happy trail made me happy...At the risk of becoming monofixated, his hands look quite hairless as well. Large, clean,expressive... I can see them stirring the blue soup and working other miracles as I daydream away...."}, {"response": 127, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Oct 30, 2002 (12:44)", "body": "Hope this is the right place to post this....I found a site where you can vote for \"the Next James Bond\" and since we talked about this a couple of weeks ago, I thought I would post the link (ODB is running at #1, you have to vote to see the percentages). Obviously not official, but a bit of fun...check out the \"Contenders\" link, it lists pros/cons of each actor. Under 'Cons' for ODB, it says \"very few\" (don't we know it)! JN is also on the list, as are a few others that were mentioned in our last discussion. http://uk.geocities.com/thenext007uk/bondvote.html"}, {"response": 128, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Oct 30, 2002 (14:00)", "body": "Thanks for link Tress. One never knows what the future may bring. I, for one, can see him as Bond, James Bond. OOOOOOOOOOOOOO"}, {"response": 129, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Oct 30, 2002 (14:25)", "body": "Karen is being very patient with us, but I'm guessing we'd better move the body hair discussion to 166. I've put a comment there. Dorine, I bet you're right about D'Onofrio. How many movies could be shooting in Luxembourg in November?"}, {"response": 130, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Oct 30, 2002 (15:03)", "body": "Actually, my mistake. I meant he's going mid-Dec not mid-Nov. Duh! *slapping forehead\". That's why I asked how long the shooting sched might be. He made a comment that films are willing to work around him and wait til he's available. I was thinking he might be Van R...(whatever). Not sure if he's supposed to be a lecherous *old* man or not. I'll talk about the movie class in O&E."}, {"response": 131, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (07:16)", "body": "ACK! Good Gawd, Karen, where on earth did you come up with that pic of ODB?!Yikes!!! Thanks for the link, Tress. Can't hurt to vote; you never know who is looking at this stuff."}, {"response": 132, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (08:35)", "body": "Can anyone remember if this is the same hairdresser mentioned, I think, in an Evening Standard item, the one that talked about the curl relaxer? From Ananova: David Seaman has had some of his hair cut off and trimmed his moustache. According to his hairdresser, the Arsenal keeper has reduced his moustache and has had his mane cut into a David Ginola-style bob. The 39-year-old has also lost around half a stone in weight, says stylist Errol Douglas. [yadda yadda yadda] The stylist, who cuts the hair of actors Brad Pitt and Colin Firth and Atomic Kitten's Jenny Frost, was 7/4 with bookmakers William Hill to win the upcoming British Hairdresser of the Year award."}, {"response": 133, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (09:20)", "body": "Thanks for the update, Hola. (Dorine) Vincent D'Onofrio...mentioned that his \"Law and Order\" takes a break for a month starting mid-Nov at which time he will be going to Luxembourg to film a movie. (Mari) I'd bet it is GWAPE. Maybe he's playing the butcher There is that possibility, although I would wonder why his name wasn't in the press release. It is more well-known than any of the others that *were* included. He does seem like the butcher to me. But will he be the only one with an American accent? ;-)"}, {"response": 134, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (09:26)", "body": "(Karen) But will he be the only one with an American accent? ;-) I thought of that...wonder if this will be another film with a mish-mash of accents.(I'm thinking, \"Enemy at the Gates\")"}, {"response": 135, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (09:38)", "body": "OK, I am checking it out now."}, {"response": 136, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (09:40)", "body": "Wow! Was that response fast. The answer is no, D'Onofrio is not in GWAPE."}, {"response": 137, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (09:58)", "body": "(Karen) Can anyone remember if this is the same hairdresser mentioned, I think, in an Evening Standard item, the one that talked about the curl relaxer? ODB uses curl relaxer?? Say it ain't so! Let those curls free!!!! ;-) (Karen) The answer is no, D'Onofrio is not in GWAPE. Seems Luxembourg has become a hotbed of filming activity. I wonder what project he is working on...and I thought he would have made a great butcher too!"}, {"response": 138, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (10:02)", "body": "I think, in an Evening Standard item, the one that talked about the curl relaxer? \"Potion 9\""}, {"response": 139, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (11:02)", "body": "Latest inductee to the Drool Hall of Shame This individual took the time from his very important celebrity schedule to write and say he was making a donation to Drool, his favorite fan club. But weeks later, a check has yet to arrive. Much as I hate to do this to such a talented guy and obviously busy person, I feel I must. As the fund-raising drive nears an end (not yet though as I'm waiting for some stragglers), I want to remind people it is not too late to show your appreciation for Drool by making a donation. Every little bit helps insure that Terry will not have to make his monthly appeals or when his property taxes are due. ;-) If I have not personally thanked you by email, then I haven't received your donation or notification of it from Terry. Please contact me at nomdedrool@yahoo.com for instructions or addresses. In addition, I can take Paypal donations myself at my other email address which can expedite things. Thanks again to everyone for their continuing generosity. BTW, this was your Halloween trick. ;-)"}, {"response": 140, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (11:03)", "body": "Thanks for the great pic Karen. HAPPY HALLOWEEN. I've got a trick and a treat for him."}, {"response": 141, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (11:28)", "body": "(Karen)This individual took the time from his very important celebrity schedule to write and say he was making a donation to Drool, his favorite fan club. Surely you jest, Karen. LOL. His favorite fan club? Hahahahahahaha."}, {"response": 142, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (11:30)", "body": "(Linda) His favorite fan club? Yes, and he has many. We should feel very honored. ;-)"}, {"response": 143, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (11:34)", "body": "BTW, this was your Halloween trick. ;-) ROTF, Karen! You almost had me. ;-) Happy Halloween Firthettes! We deserve some candy today. :-) Wow! Was that response fast. The answer is no, D'Onofrio is not in GWAPE. So did you get a complete cast/characters list? (Evelyn), I thought of that...wonder if this will be another film with a mish-mash of accents.( This has also crossed my mind seeing it is such a low budget. NOT AGAIN! :-("}, {"response": 144, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (12:11)", "body": "Karen, that picture of MB was the scariest thing I've seen today...I nearly jumped out of my seat! ;-)"}, {"response": 145, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (12:34)", "body": "Man, these goblins get ungliker every year.;-) Too funny, Karen. Thanks to the gang at the fantasy women's site: there's apparently a double page spread of Colin and familia in the November 6 issue of Now magazine in the UK. Has anyone here seen it?"}, {"response": 146, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (12:35)", "body": "and \"uglier,\" too. ;-) sheesh"}, {"response": 147, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (12:40)", "body": "(Mari) Thanks to the gang at the fantasy women's site: there's apparently a double page spread of Colin and familia in the November 6 issue of Now magazine in the UK There is a NOW mag from the UK that is available online, but it looks like Sept is the latest that can be read..."}, {"response": 148, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (12:59)", "body": "From People News in the UK: Jane Austen is heading to Bollywood. An all-star Bollywood cast are planned for a new film musical version of the quintessential English classic Pride and Prejudice. Gurinder Chadha, who made the box office hit Bend It Like Beckham, and Bhaji On The Beach, will direct the film. 'The film's plot will remain very close to the original story', says Chadha. Instead of Mr Bingley, the movie will have a British Asian character called Balraj who studied at Oxford with his American friend Will Darcy. The Bennett family will become the Bakshi family of India and the action will move from India, the UK and the United States."}, {"response": 149, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (15:02)", "body": "The Bollywood item was posted several days ago on O&E (#160). (MariaT) There is a NOW mag from the UK that is available online, but it looks like Sept is the latest that can be read... NOW is a weekly mag. Thanks for the heads-up."}, {"response": 150, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (15:15)", "body": "Good God, Karen!.....If that was our Halloween trick, I'm already frightened thinking of what you'll cook up for April Fool's Day. ;-) Very funny, though! Thanks, Mary for the People News. I'm telling ya, I've *got* to see this. Thanks, Karen for checking about D'Onofrio. He could've done an accent if needed I suppose since he said he did one in \"Case of Evil\". Not vouching for quality as I didn't see it. Think he made a comment about doing the accent in class, but can't remember what he said. Wonder if SJ will do one. Maybe they'll all do some sort of Dutch or pseudo-Dutch accent. Can't remember what a Dutch accent sounds like. I have heard and read Bulgaria is becoming quite the filming location as well. (Mari) there's apparently a double page spread of Colin and familia in the November 6 issue of Now magazine in the UK. Has anyone here seen it? Wish I knew that when I was in the bookstore where I check out Hello mag. Not sure if they carry it, but I'll be sort of near there tomorrow. Will check. Happy Halloween everyone! Be careful if you go out tonight."}, {"response": 151, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (16:12)", "body": "Re Bollywood....Always a day late and a dollar short! Thanks, Karen."}, {"response": 152, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (16:17)", "body": "(Mary) Always a day late and a dollar short! Ah, but the one on 160 didn't mention the Balraj/Bingley character, and we didn't know the Bennets had become the Bakshis. IMO very welcome information, as the whole strange vision becomes more well-formed in my warped mind."}, {"response": 153, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (16:19)", "body": "But has nothing to do with topic."}, {"response": 154, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (16:22)", "body": "(Karen) But has nothing to do with topic. Point taken! I forgot where I was. Must be the cold medication. Sorry!"}, {"response": 155, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (17:16)", "body": "Do we have a Pride & Prejudice Goes To Bombay Topic?;-) Will Darcy, eh? I like it.:-) Thanks, Murph."}, {"response": 156, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (18:52)", "body": "(Linda) His favorite fan club? (Karen)Yes, and he has many. We should feel very honored. ;-) And the diet Vanilla Coke flies... What does the goat say?"}, {"response": 157, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (19:50)", "body": "Going to a news agent in a little while and I will look for the magazine. We get lots of UK publications here, (lots of those little islanders running around these parts. But it might be a litle too early for a Nov. 6th issue. BTW, I've never heard of NOW, please don't say it's like Hello! with posed photos and $$$ to the celebs. Elizabeth, I am going to lodge a formal complaint. We don't have diet Vanilla Coke here, only full strength."}, {"response": 158, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (20:27)", "body": "(Elizabeth)What does the goat say? Maybe...if that little MB weasel is a fan of this place, I'll cancel my membership."}, {"response": 159, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (23:26)", "body": "(Mari) Do we have a Pride & Prejudice Goes To Bombay Topic?;-) I'm going to have to quote Hattie McDaniel on that one. ;-)"}, {"response": 160, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (00:43)", "body": "Great Pic Elizabeth. Thanks for info Mary."}, {"response": 161, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (08:06)", "body": "(Mari) Do we have a Pride & Prejudice Goes To Bombay Topic?;-) LOL! I expect a great soundtrack. I wonder how many hours it be? ;-) I look forward to seeing those NOW pictures. Has anyone seen it? Can we have more details?"}, {"response": 162, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (08:56)", "body": "Re Now Magazine Photos: I picked up a copy today. The pictures are lovely, taken in a playpark near his London home. His son certainly seems to have his hair. He's adorable! There's 5 in total, one with LD lovingly kissing him,(CF, that is). I did feel a little guilty intruding in some private family time, but he certainly seems unaffected by the photographer's presence."}, {"response": 163, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (09:40)", "body": "Awwww..... (Janet) I did feel a little guilty intruding in some private family time, but he certainly seems unaffected by the photographer's presence. But I assume the photos were taken with his consent and cooperation?"}, {"response": 164, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (09:40)", "body": "Thanks, Janet! Is it an article or just pictures? The fashion police is waiting. ;-)"}, {"response": 165, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (10:19)", "body": "I'm going to have to quote Hattie McDaniel on that one. ;-) \"Mistah Rhett, you is baaaad!\" ;-) Yeah, yeah, it ain't fittin' . . .;-) (Rika)But I assume the photos were taken with his consent and cooperation? No way, these are paparazzi pics. They use telephoto lenses and the subjects never realize they were photographed. He'd never knowingly allow his kids' pics to be published, and is probably livid about this. Having said that, I'm with Janet--feeling slightly guilty, but glad to have seen them.;-)."}, {"response": 166, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (10:21)", "body": "\"Mistah Rhett, you is baaaad!\" ;-) Yeah, yeah, it ain't fittin' . . .;-) No, I was thinking along the lines of \"not while I got a bref in my body.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 167, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (10:24)", "body": "(Mari) Having said that, I'm with Janet--feeling slightly guilty, but glad to have seen them.;-). LOL! Quite right. Hypocrites unite. ;-) But it is another thing to plaster them all over the internet. I'm sure someone will do it, but not moi."}, {"response": 168, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (10:33)", "body": "(Moondreams) Thanks, Janet! Is it an article, or just pictures? It's a two-page photospread, with little 'blurbs' about each one."}, {"response": 169, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (10:51)", "body": "(Mari) He'd never knowingly allow his kids' pics to be published, and is probably livid about this. Having said that, I'm with Janet--feeling slightly guilty, but glad to have seen them.;-). What about Meg? I saw some photos a while back that were taken of her with Will and David (is that her older boy?) at what looked to be a premiere. I was really surprised because I thought they (Meg and CF) both wanted him to be left out of press pics...they knew the cameras were there (they were on a red carpet, standing in front of a movie poster for the film). Felt a bit guilty looking at it as well (but I will say, although the picture is a bit older, Will is a cutie and looks a lot like his daddy)."}, {"response": 170, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (11:02)", "body": "(Karen) LOL! Quite right. Hypocrites unite. ;-) But it is another thing to plaster them all over the internet. I'm sure someone will do it, but not moi. I completely agree with you. You don't need to perpetrate it. (Tress)I saw some photos a while back that were taken of her with Will and David (is that her older boy?) at what looked to be a premiere. You're right, Tress, I should have qualified my statement by adding that appearances at \"offical\" type events (like premieres and polo parties;-) are fair game. The celeb knows there will be press and the photogrpahers are in plain sight, not hiding behind bushes and telephoto lenses. Intruding on private family time is another matter, from the celeb's standpoint."}, {"response": 171, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (11:08)", "body": "(Mari) I should have qualified my statement by adding that appearances at \"offical\" type events (like premieres and polo parties;-) are fair game. Definitely, but you will notice that the official press pics from the polo match were of Colin and Kelly, posed at a table, in the tent. Even when Colin was being interviewed for the morning TV show, Will was nowhere in the shot. In taking Will to the event, he would realize his pic could be taken, but you can see that he doesn't pose with him."}, {"response": 172, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (11:19)", "body": "Get ready for WAGW!;-) From an Amanda bynes fansite: \"LONDON CALLING\" RENAMED \"WHAT A GIRL WANTS\"; NEW RELEASE DATE IS MARCH 9 Warner Brothers has changed the title and release date of Amanda Bynes' second movie, once called \"American Girl\", once called \"London Calling\", and now called \"What A Girl Wants\". The film will now be released on March 9, the same day as Bruce Willis' new release, \"Man of War\"."}, {"response": 173, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (12:30)", "body": "\"WHAT A GIRL WANTS\"; NEW RELEASE DATE IS MARCH 9 Oh how very nice of them! That will be just in time for my birthday! How very very thoughtful (and JUST what I wanted!)"}, {"response": 174, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (12:32)", "body": "(Mari) \"LONDON CALLING\" RENAMED \"WHAT A GIRL WANTS\"; NEW RELEASE DATE IS MARCH 9 Gawd! Just when I got that riduculous song out of my head......nice to know the new date (need to change vacation schedule with the bossman)."}, {"response": 175, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (12:51)", "body": "Barb, will you settle for an *early* birthday present? There was a typo at the site and the date is actually March 7. (Tress) Just when I got that riduculous song out of my head London Calling? WAGW is a Christina Aguilera song (which I'm sure you knew). Could have been worse, could have been Britney.;-)"}, {"response": 176, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (13:08)", "body": "(Mari) London Calling? WAGW is a Christina Aguilera song (which I'm sure you knew). Could have been worse, could have been Britney.;-) I don't mind London Calling....it's WAGW (my husband has the CD in Spanish...I don't even know the words in English). And I can be very thankful it's not Britney (swish...as I wipe my brow). ;-)"}, {"response": 177, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (13:12)", "body": "(Mari) No way, these are paparazzi pics. They use telephoto lenses and the subjects never realize they were photographed. He'd never knowingly allow his kids' pics to be published, and is probably livid about this. That makes more sense. I haven't seen the photos, but it did seem totally out of character that he'd let Luca be photographed. I forget sometimes that his situation is different across the pond - over here he's not sufficiently well-known for the paparazzi to bother to follow him to a park."}, {"response": 178, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (13:20)", "body": "(Mari) Barb, will you settle for an *early* birthday present? There was a typo at the site and the date is actually March 7. (The date was wrong? They messed up? You mean....Oops, they did it again?! ****running away really fast****) That's ok Mari, it was an early present anyway and living in Indiana, it won't be here until the week (or so) after it opens elsewhere anyway."}, {"response": 179, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (13:33)", "body": "(Mari) (Rika)But I assume the photos were taken with his consent and cooperation? No way, these are paparazzi pics. They use telephoto lenses and the subjects never realize they were photographed. He'd never knowingly allow his kids' pics to be published, and is probably livid about this. I thought he allowed pics of his son in the English version of the article we got in the spring where he's sitting in his backyard (garden). The article in which Regis makes a deal about the garden shed on the inteview. Are there any captions or quotes with the pics. Doesn't the press have to get a release before the print anything, pics or comments? Just curious. Thanks for info Janet and Mari."}, {"response": 180, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (13:35)", "body": "(Barb) it won't be here until the week (or so) after it opens elsewhere anyway. Not true. This one will open v. wide. It is aimed at the megaplex, preteen audience. It will be everywhere, including Indiana, on the same date. No NY/LA first and then 10 more markets. Hard to imagine, huh, girls? Evelyn won't have to fly to Dallas for this one. Sorry, but these titles leave me cold. Could they be more meaningless?"}, {"response": 181, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (13:47)", "body": "(Karen) Sorry, but these titles leave me cold. Could they be more meaningless? I completely agree...WAGW is very trendy right now (and the trend may be done with by March 7th). It dates the movie. In another two years will anyone pick it up at their local Blockbuster to watch with that title? Why didn't they go with \"The Reluctant Debutante\" since it was based on that film? Better than AG, LC or WAGW...IMO. ;-)"}, {"response": 182, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (13:49)", "body": "closing tags...I hope."}, {"response": 183, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (14:05)", "body": "(Karen) It will be everywhere, including Indiana Wow, including Indiana? I won't know how to act. (Tress)Why didn't they go with \"The Reluctant Debutante\" since it was based on that film? Careful, your counter-pop culture predisposition is showing. The idea of a debutante is a trend waaaaay done with...would be meaningless to most today and maybe even distasteful to some. Amazing how the double-entendre of \"What a Girl Wants\" is not distasteful but the idea of white gloves and high-society might be."}, {"response": 184, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (14:30)", "body": "(Barb S) Careful, your counter-pop culture predisposition is showing. The idea of a debutante is a trend waaaaay done with...would be meaningless to most today and maybe even distasteful to some. Oooops...I'd better learn to hide my age better. Although, I have a cousin who 'came out' just three years ago. She was a true Texas deb (and had to learn to do something called 'The Texas Dip' which I won't even begin to explain). She did take a lot of ribbing from her older cousins (me included). Just for the record, I still don't like the title WAGW (LC was the best of the three titles so far, IMO)."}, {"response": 185, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (15:33)", "body": ""}, {"response": 186, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (15:35)", "body": ""}, {"response": 187, "author": "Odile", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (15:59)", "body": "Thanks Mary. Feeling guilty still but love the shot on the swing for the tiny hands wrapped around ODB big hands... On the one with the slide, doesn't ODB look very slim though? It reminds me of the Calvin & Hobbes thing when Calvin becomes two-dimensional! :)"}, {"response": 188, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (16:26)", "body": "Karen) LOL! Quite right. Hypocrites unite. ;-) But it is another thing to plaster them all over the internet. I'm sure someone will do it, but not moi. Thanks Boss...I am sure he appreciates the decorum. I liked \"London Calling\" best, but I'm sure they are appealing to the teeny set on this one."}, {"response": 189, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (17:23)", "body": "Thanks, Murph! (Karen) Sorry, but these titles leave me cold. Could they be more meaningless? I agree. Can't you just see these execs thinking that WAGW is SO brilliant! :-( I liked London Calling too. Plus it's a great song. I'm sick of the other one and I usually listen to college radio because they don't play those types of songs."}, {"response": 190, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (18:12)", "body": "I can't believe we have yet another film that can't figure out what it wants to be called, and another opening date that has been pushed back. V.V. annoying. Why don't they wait until GWAPE is finished then all three can open on the same weekend and compete with each other. At which time ODB will (hopefully) be hard at work on TEoR, and will miss all premieres and publicity. Sheesh, sorry, I'm not in a positive mood just now."}, {"response": 191, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (18:44)", "body": "Hey, Mary, I had never seen your website before! Love the postcards!!! It's quite nice, I must say. =)"}, {"response": 192, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (20:26)", "body": "When I said I wouldn't be posting the Now pics at Drool or The Bucket, I thought everyone would understand our policy here. Those kind of pictures are never posted here, nor would there be a link to them. Since many of us are acknowledged hypocrites, we handle such items privately. (Tress)Why didn't they go with \"The Reluctant Debutante\" since it was based on that film? Because the people who will go to see this movie don't know what a debutante is/was. ;-)"}, {"response": 193, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (21:23)", "body": "(Tress) Just for the record, I still don't like the title WAGW (LC was the best of the three titles so far, IMO). I agree. Of the three London Calling seems the best. (Karen) Because the people who will go to see this movie don't know what a debutante is/was. ;-) There is no doubt about this. But have to give them the credit for going to the movies and spending the money that is making WAGW a wide screen property therefore letting us see him with ease. Thank goodness. Saw \"The Reluctant Debutante\" last weekend. It was as good as I remembered it. Sexy Rexy was top notch. Did not know until man who introduced movie said RH had been blackballed from Hollywood until he returned in My Fair Lady on Broadway because an actress he had an affair with committed suicide over him. He was married to Lily Palmer at the time, and apparently both of them left Hollywood. I knew he had a rep with the ladies, but didn't know anyone had committed suicide over him."}, {"response": 194, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (23:45)", "body": "(me) Why didn't they go with \"The Reluctant Debutante\" since it was based on that film? (Karen) Because the people who will go to see this movie don't know what a debutante is/was. ;-) I am a knucklehead...I just accused WAGW (BTW, in Spanish it is 'Una Mujer Quiere Sentir') of being too trendy a name, when \"The Reluctant Debutante\" is just as dated...I think I will make up my own title...(I'm in denial can you tell? I really dislike WAGW). Now, just what to call it? hmmmm..."}, {"response": 195, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (07:21)", "body": "(Karen) Because the people who will go to see this movie don't know what a debutante is/was. ;-) Another example of the sad reality of our times. :-( Now, just what to call it? hmmmm... The Parent Trap 3? ;-))))"}, {"response": 196, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (08:46)", "body": "There seems to be considerable concern over Colin's exposed scalp in the new pics. The area in question looks fairly stable to me. I was recently watching Master of the Moor and, at the beginning, there's a scene where he's been caught in the rain. When his hair is plastered down like that, you can really see how bad the situation is and why it needs to be fluffed up. That shot alone was a real jawdropper and it was from 1994. Also, I think we have an answer to what Colin keeps in his front pocket (his right, our left). It must be a wallet, as the bulge is fairly squarish."}, {"response": 197, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (09:58)", "body": "(Moon) The Parent Trap 3? ;-)))) LOL....yeah, but wouldn't Amanda need to be a twin? Speaking of twins, maybe we could consult Mary Kate and Ashley...they are really good at coming up with cheesy titles to preteen/teen flicks (Switching Goals, Winning London, It Takes Two....BTW, I just looked on Amazon, I don't have these titles memorized). ;-) (Karen) There seems to be considerable concern over Colin's exposed scalp in the new pics. The area in question looks fairly stable to me. I think it's very stable. He looks great (and my fantasy of having his head shaved down to 1/4' looks like it will be sometime off in the future...*sigh* (I know everyone else is relieved, I just can't help myself)). :-) (Karen) Also, I think we have an answer to what Colin keeps in his front pocket (his right, our left). It must be a wallet, as the bulge is fairly squarish. It looked pretty thick to me...I thought ciggies when I saw it..."}, {"response": 198, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (10:16)", "body": "(Karen) There seems to be considerable concern over Colin's exposed scalp in the new pics. The area in question looks fairly stable to me. I thought so too. Maybe it's a case of comparison with some other photos where he's been worked on by a stylist first. Anyway, I thought he looked wonderful."}, {"response": 199, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (10:29)", "body": "(Karen) Also, I think we have an answer to what Colin keeps in his front pocket (his right, our left). It must be a wallet, as the bulge is fairly squarish. Someone should tell him to carry it in his back pocket. Most men do. It's distracting."}, {"response": 200, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (10:30)", "body": "(Karen) There seems to be considerable concern over Colin's exposed scalp in the new pics. That's funny! I thought I was the only one who noticed. I think we have an answer to what Colin keeps in his front pocket (his right, our left). It must be a wallet, as the bulge is fairly squarish. I thought I was the only one to check that out, too. ;-D (Tress) I thought ciggies when I saw it Ooooh, bite your tongue! ;-) I hope he doesn't go back to that no matter how great he looks smoking and holding a ciggie. I'm not too keen on that name change either. It's quite odd actually considering the subject. Don't like the double entendre possibilities. So if the dates hold, he'll have 2 movies out within a month. Imagine he'll do the majority of the PR for Hope Springs, if there is much to begin with. Was thinking HGm and MD would do a bit, but he is the lead."}, {"response": 201, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (11:01)", "body": "Not only does the title not make any sense to me, if you read the lyrics, it will only increase your confusion. I know this movie is NOT aimed at the Colin audience, so the use of a Christina Aguilera song title seems rather smart on their part. But \"what a girl wants\" doesn't seem to support the story, as other songs might do. Read for yourselves: http://www.allstarz.org/~christina/lyrics/girl.html"}, {"response": 202, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (11:19)", "body": "(Karen) I know this movie is NOT aimed at the Colin audience, so the use of a Christina Aguilera song title seems rather smart on their part. It's a good choice for the targeted audience, though if this particular audience isn't thrilled with her new image, it may not be so good a choice. Still, I agree that it is more confusing after reading some of the lyrics. Focus will be on her and a boyfriend she picks up in England. Maybe he won't be in it much at all."}, {"response": 203, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (11:20)", "body": "Oops, meant to say that *maybe* the focus will be on her and a new boyfriend. Or who knows, maybe an old one."}, {"response": 204, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (11:45)", "body": "I just got home from the spending the day with Tanja, drooler from Germany. I greeted her with her own copy of Now magazine, which I bought yesterday and also had those guilty feelings looking at. I didn't even want her to open it in public at first! She also commented right away on hair loss, funnily enough. We did a bit of a walk around Islington - for me, this is a bit tricky. At what point do you become a scary fan? I mean, I guess if I had no sense of boundaries I could be there every day - it's only a few tube stops away. But I don't want to be that person. But then a little part of me likes the idea of shopping at that Sainsbury's for a potential chance encounter. And then, of course, how would I even act? Loss of decency if you do anything but pretend you are passing by any other person/family. I feel lucky that no potential situations like this have arisen. We were in the right neighbourhood - but it was just nice to walk around, chat, look at nice houses, see the fall foliage, etc. It's like having two personalities though - the one that wants to find him, and the one that insists on staying away for god's sake! Except public appearances, but of course. The nicest part was that I got to take someone, finally, to see some BJD landmarks instead of enjoying them by myself. Ended the afternoon with some quick shopping - glad to have met you Tanja, when you get home and read this!"}, {"response": 205, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (11:47)", "body": "Hey...Nov 7, 2003 is a looong way off. When they start showing that film to the focus groups, they might change the title again. Who knows...there might be a better song title by then."}, {"response": 206, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (12:05)", "body": "(Evelyn) Hey...Nov 7, 2003 is a looong way off... You mean March, right? Nov 7 is LA I think. That didn't change too, did it? And you're right, they could change it 10 times by then. Just saw a movie in my class a couple of weeks ago, who's name changed 3 weeks before release. Not a drastic change. It's a small movie anyway, no one would notice."}, {"response": 207, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (12:48)", "body": "I think this is a first! MLSF will be on television. But you're going to have to get up early. ;-) Here are the details: Mon Nov 11 08:00A COME- Comedy Central [Eastern time]"}, {"response": 208, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (13:31)", "body": "Portrait of the week at the Guardian - Vermee's GWAPE http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/portrait"}, {"response": 209, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (13:52)", "body": "(Dorine) I thought I was the only one to check that out, too. ;-D Silly! You know we all peeked!! ;-) (Dorine) Ooooh, bite your tongue! ;-) I hope he doesn't go back to that no matter how great he looks smoking and holding a ciggie. I know, I know...I don't want him to do it either. Just thought it looked like a pack due to the thickness (though his front pocket is a bad place to keep them as they would bend if he sat down). Still too thick for a Palm Pilot. Maybe Karen is right, it's his wallet and he just has wads of cash from all money he's getting to do GWAPE... ;-)"}, {"response": 210, "author": "sarah19", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (14:51)", "body": "I was watching Spiderman the other day and the credits came on and one thing in particular caught my eye.....one of the names was William Firth for boy on tram. Could this be CF's son or just coincidence. That would be funny if it was his son and he got the acting bug as well. Here'e the link to IMDB. I had to make sure what i saw was correct. http://us.imdb.com/Credits?0145487"}, {"response": 211, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (17:40)", "body": "Sarah, it is indeed CF's son, William. He's the little dark haired boy wearing a ballcap in the tram scene. He looks remarkably like Meg, except that he has eyes that are very much like ODB's. (Emma) It's like having two personalities though - the one that wants to find him, and the one that insists on staying away for god's sake! (laughing merrily) Has anyone told you lately that you're completely adorable? Your comments are soooo funny. I'm still chuckling, here, at my desk. You know, though, Emma... none of us would think ANY LESS of you if you do happen to take a few tube stops past your own from time to time. I know that if I lived that nearby our precious boy it would only be a matter of time before I would make an appearance on the evening newscast. (giggling)"}, {"response": 212, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (20:19)", "body": "(Dorine)That's funny! I thought I was the only one who noticed. I noticed, too. Funny though, I thought of you because of the TIOBE premiere, I think you mentioned the thinning at the top since you were standing on the flower pot, towering over him. As soon as I saw it, I remembered your comment. (Evelyn)Someone should tell him to carry it in his back pocket. Most men do. It's distracting. I'm always distracted-at least the wallet/cell phone/ciggies? give me an excuse to peek."}, {"response": 213, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (20:22)", "body": "(Emma) And then, of course, how would I even act? Loss of decency if you do anything but pretend you are passing by any other person/family. If it were me, I'd probably turn bright red, pee on the floor, and then pass out! I guess it's a good thing I'm not the one who lives just a few tube stops away!!"}, {"response": 214, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (21:41)", "body": "Go for it Emma. Once you've had an encounter the split personalities will disappear and you'll be one again. Of course we know you'll behave with absolute decorum, but this is a must. To be so close and yet so far is unacceptable. You must see him."}, {"response": 215, "author": "meg", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (22:35)", "body": "Emma, I understand completely how you feel. I'm glad, I think(?), that I'm separated by an ocean to keep me grounded. But if I did live that close, I think I'd have to shop there. Not sure I could stay away. I'm also quite sure I'd never have the nerve to say anything at all. Just stand there dumbfounded and looking incredibly stupid I'm afraid. Drooling no doubt. Again I must be thankful for that ocean so I can hang on to the pretense of having a few iq points and maybe a life... Or not."}, {"response": 216, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (11:46)", "body": "This woman who writes a column for a Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, website had contacted me about using a graphic of Frank Collison/Fisher from my Hope Springs page. She had gone to interview FC and he had given her several of the sketches of him that had been done for the film. She revised the graphic to show Colin Ware's new drawing style. This is what it looks like: In addition, here's what FC had to say about the experience of working on HS: There are two things I am very excited about. I did a movie outside of Vancouver in a small town called Hope, British Columbia. The movie was originally called \"New Cardiff\" and stars Collin Firth, Minnie Driver, Mary Steenburgen, and Heather Graham. It's really a terrific fish out of water story. I play Mary Steenburgen's husband. The movie is now re-titled \"Hope Springs\" and is due out in the fall of 2002. I think it's going to be a wonderful romantic comedy and will do very well. It was a thrill to get to work with Mary and do our New England accents together....We were in a very small town and we got to hang out together as there was nothing else to do. Heather Graham and Mary Steenburgen were our social directors. One night they arranged a karaoke night, another night we went bowling, and then another night we went out to a restaurant. There's an interesting story about this and it's not to toot my own horn. It's really to show the power of television and \"Dr. Quinn\". We were all in the restaurant toge her: Colin Firth who had very recently done the role in Bridget Jones, Minnie Driver, Heather Graham, Mary Steenburgen and me. A young woman comes up, in her mid 20s, and asks for Minnie's autograph because she had just been in something recent. Then she turns to me and asks for my autograph from \"Dr. Quinn\", doesn't even recognize the other actors. I was sort of embarrassed. Afterwards, I said, \"hey what can I say, I was on television for 6 years\". If you have been on television for 6 years, a lot of people have seen your face week in and week out and it kind of sticks in their heads. They may not remember your name or even exactly the character you played, but you come into their home on a weekly basis. It was kind of instructive how powerful the medium of television is. [Note: This interview took place in Feb 2002]"}, {"response": 217, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (12:02)", "body": "Thanks, Karen - very interesting. Collison makes a good point, too - even though in the US there's often a sense that film stars are on a higher plane than TV stars, the repeated exposure on TV does make a difference."}, {"response": 218, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (15:09)", "body": "Jeanie, I don't get called completely adorable too often! :-) If I was in Toronto right now, I would be saying \"gee I wish I had your problems, London girl.\" Now I am here and wishing for the safety of that ocean! I'm sure I'll get over my dilemma eventually. Got that celebrity appetite somewhat fulfilled today at the Harry Potter premiere - OT except I was most excited to see Gemma Jones and Shirley Henderson (from very far away). Ever since Earnest, I am apparently addicted to standing behind barricades straining my neck for sightings!"}, {"response": 219, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (17:20)", "body": "(Emma) OT except I was most excited to see Gemma Jones and Shirley Henderson (from very far away). Yes, Emma, that's only one degree of separation, just like me seeing MEM yesterday!"}, {"response": 220, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (20:48)", "body": "Karen, I think that's the same article some of us were commenting on a couple of weeks ago. At that time I think some of us were rather amused by the thought of ODB singing \"Folsom Prison Blues\" with \"Washington Bartholomew Hogwallop\" at a karaoke bar. (laughing) I truly enjoyed his role in \"O'Brother\", and if any of you haven't seen the movie, then I urge you to do so. He's an odd looking cracker, isn't he? However, he appears to be a very good character actor and an all around nice guy. =) I've noticed that another actor from that movie, Tim Blake Nelson (Delmar O'Donnell) is getting a huge amount of publicity for his direction in the new movie \"The Grey Zone\", which isn't showing here. If any of you get to see it, please drop me a line and let me know what you thought. Thanks!"}, {"response": 221, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (22:10)", "body": "Thanks for interview Karen. Although I can't believe a breathing woman would not have asked CF for his autograph, even if she didn't recognize him. Emma thanks for report on Harry Potter opening. Did you by any chance get a glimpse of KB. I saw on tonight's news that he was there."}, {"response": 222, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (22:49)", "body": "Please check subject line above for the topic. No HP or KB here. If you are going to ask questions about another actor, please use that actor's topic here at Drool."}, {"response": 223, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (10:28)", "body": "The Harry Potter Topic is: www.spring.net/yapp-bin/movies/51 It hasn't been active in a year. Though I notice that Marianne did post there last week. Thanks,Marianne.We'll all be there once the film opens.There are lots of other actor topics that a few of us post news on. Come join us."}, {"response": 224, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (12:31)", "body": "A while back it was mentioned that we may do a GWAPE book discussion (hope this is an okay topic to post this question). Are we still going to do that? I know a number of people did not want to begin until late in November..."}, {"response": 225, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (12:42)", "body": "I believe you're right, Tress. The discussion should begin at the end of November."}, {"response": 226, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (15:04)", "body": "(Moon)The discussion should begin at the end of November. The consensus was they didn't want to start discussing the book til Colin started shooting the film."}, {"response": 227, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (16:32)", "body": "So could we start on November 18, then, to celebrate the start of shooting?"}, {"response": 228, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (18:12)", "body": "Yes, let's celebrate GWAPE filming with the discussion, please. I've been eagerly waiting for this."}, {"response": 229, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (18:18)", "body": "(the boss) Please check subject line above for the topic. No HP or KB here. If you are going to ask questions about another actor, please use that actor's topic here at Drool. You Thread Nazi, you! (running away and hiding behind the sofa)"}, {"response": 230, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (22:03)", "body": "Camille will be on Women's Entertainment channel tomorrow at 4 P.M. Eastern Time (I hope this is the right topic for this)"}, {"response": 231, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Nov  5, 2002 (15:17)", "body": "The Sun newspaper reports that Colin Firth and David Duchovny are tipped to star in a re-make film version of \"The Persuaders\" (the old TV series with Roger Moore/Tony Curtis)"}, {"response": 232, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov  5, 2002 (15:25)", "body": "Thanks, Bethan. Keep an eye out for Baz. I don't recall that old TV series with RM and TC. Does anyone? I didn't even know TC had a TV series."}, {"response": 233, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov  5, 2002 (15:29)", "body": "A googled and got: It might be a British series. Does anyone know it?"}, {"response": 234, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Nov  5, 2002 (15:31)", "body": "Well *that's* an interesting combination. Is this a drama? A drama with comedic moments? Action a la \"The Avengers\"? I really like David Duchovny depending on what he's in. Does anyone watch that new Bonnie Hunt show? He was a guest on there once.....V. funny. Thanks, Bethan."}, {"response": 235, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov  5, 2002 (15:34)", "body": "It sounds like an \"I Spy\" copy from the little I have read. Go here: http://epguides.com/Persuaders/guide.shtml"}, {"response": 236, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Nov  5, 2002 (15:36)", "body": "It was a British series (I think), but must have been shown in the US. Roger Moore played Lord Brett Sinclair, Brit aristo, Tony Curtis was a streetwise Noo-Yorker. They got involved in various capers/crime busting etc. All good fun. Very entertaining, very tongue in cheek."}, {"response": 237, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov  5, 2002 (16:34)", "body": "IMDb:\"English Lord Brett Sinclair and American Danny Wilde are both wealthy playboys, they are teamed together by Judge Fullton to investigate crimes which the police can't solve. These two men are complete opposites, but become great friends through their adventures and constantly risk their own lives for one another.\" Sounds like an action movie. A poor man's James Bond. I like Colin as an Brit aristo; a straight Peter Marshwood."}, {"response": 238, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Tue, Nov  5, 2002 (16:59)", "body": "Suddenly I feel very old. I remember watching the series. It was very sexy for the times. Funny and exciting. This could be yummy but then I thought the Avengers was going to be good :-)"}, {"response": 239, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Nov  5, 2002 (17:56)", "body": "(Evelyn) Sounds like an action movie. A poor man's James Bond. But different from Bond because of the buddy angle, which could be fun. This sounds interesting, and Duchovny would raise its profile in the U.S. Of course there's a long distance between \"tipped\" and \"actually gonna happen\"...."}, {"response": 240, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Nov  5, 2002 (19:07)", "body": "Re The Persuaders I remember this series from my youth. The plots were pretty weak, but the locations were great and it was all pretty good escapist fun. I saw an interview with Tony Curtis a while back, where he commented that he had a ball making the series. I think it has the potential to be a winner. - I hope it comes off. -Cos I don't think he'll ever be James Bond, anyway."}, {"response": 241, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Tue, Nov  5, 2002 (19:10)", "body": "No complaints against Duchovny (will there be a Yank/Brit angle?), but I can't help but think this would be perfect for CF and queen Rupert. I'd really like to see them do something else together. Sadly, wouldn't be nearly as marketable..."}, {"response": 242, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Nov  5, 2002 (20:11)", "body": "(Elizabeth)Cos I don't think he'll ever be James Bond, anyway. At least not for the next two years, PB just agreed to do a 5th Bond."}, {"response": 243, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Nov  5, 2002 (20:20)", "body": "Elizabeth, I was thinking about it as a Colin/Rupert vehicle too. But the description of the series on IMDB did specify that it was one Yank and one Brit, and that might help it to have transcontinental appeal."}, {"response": 244, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Nov  5, 2002 (20:35)", "body": "Thanks for this, Bethan. I like the sound of it. Action/adventure would be a real departure for Colin; he's never done that genre, and this would give him a chance to break out of the rom-coms and the art houses. It could be fun, and I do enjoy a buddy movie now and then. I'm thinking fast cars, I'm thinking fast women, I'm thinking roulette tables in Monte Carlo . . . works for me!:-) BTW, if the series was early '70s, then it was probably responsible for Moore getting the Bond role. I say ix-nay on Rupert--Duchovny has a worldwide following thanks to The X-Files (not just the U.S. either) and unless I'm reading the premise wrong, the story is about 2 guys who are ostensibly *opposites.* Let's see what develops, but I think this has potential."}, {"response": 245, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Nov  5, 2002 (22:07)", "body": "(Elizabeth) No complaints against Duchovny (will there be a Yank/Brit angle?), but I can't help but think this would be perfect for CF and queen Rupert. After reading the premise above about the show, GC came to mind first, instead of DD. I think he has the playfulness like TOny Curtis used to have. I like Rupert, also. (Brenda) but then I thought the Avengers was going to be good :-) LOL, so did I. (Elizabeth) Sadly, wouldn't be nearly as marketable I would think the premise itself would be more marketable than TIOBE. Also, Duchovny isn't that bankable. That movie with MD did OK, but other than X-Files, what has he done to make him so marketable. I like him, but don't think he'd necessarily be a big draw. (Mari) I'm thinking fast cars, I'm thinking fast women, I'm thinking roulette tables in Monte Carlo . . . works for me!:-) I agree. Think it could be a lot of fun!"}, {"response": 246, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Nov  5, 2002 (23:35)", "body": "I remember the original series. It was very good, very entertaining. Very early 70's, very humorous and just the right amount of eye-candy. Roger Moore for me and Tony Curtis for the older generation as he was beginning to get along in years bye that time. IMO it worked well because Moore and Curtis were of equal status and maketablilty. I liked and knew them both. I think it worked because one was not more famous than the other. If CF is paired with GC for example, you've got one more famous than the other and drawing away from the lesser known. DD is comprable. X-files was a world-wide hit. He's known. I think this would be great for CF. I always wished he would do a roll like this. IMO its tailor-made for him. Would like to see him with Rupert again but they are not different enough for this series. If they decide to go with a very famous Yank they may decide to upgrade the Brit and go for someone highly marketable like (yikes) HG. So DD is a good match, or how about Sylvester Stalone, now that would be about as opposite as you could get, not a bad match the more I think about it, or is Arnold S available. But does he look that good in a suit. Does look good in a tux though. Really hope this project works out at I think it would really be a good one for CF. Too early for candles yet."}, {"response": 247, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (07:33)", "body": "(Dorine), Duchovny isn't that bankable. That movie with MD did OK, but other than X-Files, what has he done to make him so marketable. I like him, but don't think he'd necessarily be a big draw. After reading the premise above about the show, GC came to mind first, instead of DD. I agree! I like the idea of GC with ODB. (Mari), BTW, if the series was early '70s, then it was probably responsible for Moore getting the Bond role. Good point. And at least Colin would be wearing the dapper suits(lets hope they get the collars right). ;-) This could be the start of something big."}, {"response": 248, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (07:48)", "body": "(Dorine), Duchovny isn't that bankable. That movie with MD did OK, but other than X-Files, what has he done to make him so marketable. I like him, but don't think he'd necessarily be a big draw. I like Duchovny, but he definitely is not in the same league acting-wise as ODB...He has a certain charm but it is rather like a delicious champagne that has lost most of it's fizz (I tend to use alot of wine analogies, now why would that be?)"}, {"response": 249, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (08:26)", "body": "(Pam) DD is comprable. X-files was a world-wide hit. He's known I wasn't saying people don't know him, I'm just saying he may not fill seats as easily as others on his name (and previous credits) alone."}, {"response": 250, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (08:54)", "body": "Here is the Guardian's story form October on the remake. No mention of stars: http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,7493,807595,00.html And here is a page on the original: http://www.televisionheaven.co.uk/persuade.htm"}, {"response": 251, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (09:49)", "body": "(Murph) Here is the Guardian's story form October on the remake. No mention of stars... Murph, they say they were planning a series? Sounds like they changed their minds already...can you imagine ODB in a series? Good Gawd! There would be lock-down at my house. No incoming phone calls, no visitors...I much prefer a film though. I like DD (am a big X-File fan), but this sounds more campy than Bond-like, and I agree with some that GC would be really good at this. I don't think DD is good at camp....Rupert is too English, IMO, and they need only one (and I vote for ODB)!! Am not going to get too excited though until I hear that there has been something signed. Still, it could be a lot of fun!!"}, {"response": 252, "author": "BarbaraT", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (09:51)", "body": "I haven't seen the article in the Sun, but I wonder if it's based on a news item in this week's TV Times, which says that ITV1 is planning to make a new TV series of The Persuaders, not a film. Casting hasn't yet started, but it's expected the leads will be a Brit and an American, either 2 men or a man and a woman. The writer of the article then came up with his own casting suggestions - Greg Wise, CF or Joely Richardson for the Brit, David D, Bruce Willis, Calista Flockhart or Geena Davis for the American. As far as I can see, these are just some (very) wild guesses on his part."}, {"response": 253, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (10:47)", "body": "I remember watching the series. It was very sexy for the times. Funny and exciting. I was a teenager when it was on a German channel and watched it as often as I could. I loved the funny dialogue. I'm thinking fast cars, I'm thinking fast women, I'm thinking roulette tables in Monte Carlo . . . works for me!:-) That's what I remember of the series."}, {"response": 254, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (10:56)", "body": "(Tress) can you imagine ODB in a series? Good Gawd! There would be lock-down at my house. No incoming phone calls, no visitors...I much prefer a film though. Complete lock-down at my place, too. No way to keep my Firthette status a secret! I don't see how they would be able to do a series w/ DD & CF, tho. Where would they shoot it? Can't imagine one would leave home for months at a time for filming. Hoping for a movie..."}, {"response": 255, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (12:58)", "body": "The writer of the article then came up with his own casting suggestions - Greg Wise, CF or Joely Richardson for the Brit, David D, Bruce Willis, Calista Flockhart or Geena Davis for the American. As far as I can see, these are just some (very) wild guesses on his part. Think this must be the origin of the Sun \"story\", which means it's just conjecture, no substance! And if it's a TV series, can't see CF going for it. But I do remember reading (about the time that BJD came out) that Hugh Grant and Nic Cage were to do a movie re-make of the Persuaders. Definitely a movie!"}, {"response": 256, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (13:07)", "body": "(Barbara)..Greg Wise, CF or Joely Richardson for the Brit, David D, Bruce Willis, Calista Flockhart or Geena Davis for the American. As far as I can see, these are just some (very) wild guesses on his part. TV series? Colin? Bruce Willis? Sounds like (very)*wishful-thinking* to me."}, {"response": 257, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (14:32)", "body": "Sounds like one big rumour. I thnk we can file that one. It was fun while it lasted. ;-)"}, {"response": 258, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (14:56)", "body": "(Evelyn) TV series? Colin? Bruce Willis? Sounds like (very)*wishful-thinking* to me. (Moon) Sounds like one big rumour. I thnk we can file that one. It was fun while it lasted. ;-) I agree...not sure this will actually happen. It would be a fun movie (with the right cast), but it still sounds WAY too up in the air right now...I'm still too anxious about TEoR to think about \"The Persuaders\" (still want \"The Dead Wait\" to happen as well...anyone heard anything else on that one???). BTW, 6 more days 'til TIOBE (it's better than the holidays for me)...I'm looking foward to the \"behind the scenes\" goodies and director's commentary! Doesn't look like there are any outtakes... :-("}, {"response": 259, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (15:11)", "body": "(Moon) Sounds like one big rumour. I thnk we can file that one. Looks that way. Too bad. (Tress) BTW, 6 more days 'til TIOBE (it's better than the holidays for me)...I'm looking foward to the \"behind the scenes\" goodies and director's commentary! I know! I keep compulsively checking Amazon to make sure my shipment is still on schedule, as though somehow that's going to make it arrive sooner."}, {"response": 260, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (15:27)", "body": "I told my husband about The Persuaders rumor, and he said, re two guys he considers reticent actors, \"Great! They'd both be standing there waiting for the other to speak.\""}, {"response": 261, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (15:31)", "body": "(Rika) I keep compulsively checking Amazon to make sure my shipment is still on schedule, as though somehow that's going to make it arrive sooner Like pushing the elevator button. ;-) (Barbara)..Greg Wise, CF or Joely Richardson for the Brit, David D, Bruce Willis, Calista Flockhart or Geena Davis for the American. As far as I can see, these are just some (very) wild guesses on his part. What a group. Having a *very* hard time imagining Calista Flockhart in something like this. Even for fantasy casting, an odd choice to throw out."}, {"response": 262, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (15:43)", "body": "(Murph)I told my husband about The Persuaders rumor, and he said, re two guys he considers reticent actors, \"Great! They'd both be standing there waiting for the other to speak.\" LOL, too funny, Mary! Leave it to Joe Murphy. I actually was sort of thinking the same thing: \"Scully . . . there's something out there.\" Yeah, and I think it's your pulse, Dave, go find it.;-)"}, {"response": 263, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (18:48)", "body": "I wish I could remember this series. The name rings a bell, but that's about it. From what I've read here, sounds perfect for ODB."}, {"response": 264, "author": "Odile", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (19:22)", "body": "(lindak)I wish I could remember this series. I don't know where you're from but it played in France under the title \"Amicalement votre\" (Friendly yours). They were like millionaire P.I.s but sometimes a case would just land on them ... literally: there was one episode where they were camping; Tony Curtis's character was roughing it out in the tent with a campfire while Lord Brett Sinclair (Roger Moore) had brought in a fully accessorized motorhome; then a parachutist lands in a field and gives the briefcase (with handcuffs) to Tony Curtis and dies. Etc... Is the bell ringing still lindak?"}, {"response": 265, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Nov  7, 2002 (07:08)", "body": "Karen, I wanted to thank you for the new photo on the main page from after Halloween......the LE one was giving me nightmares. I don't know if I'm out of topic, I've been so busy these last few weeks I'm totally confused still."}, {"response": 266, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Nov  8, 2002 (09:23)", "body": "A question to throw out there (and I hope it belongs here) -- Do you think Colin has grown as an actor over the years? I was thinking today that, IMO, his best role was Tumbledown many years ago. Outside of AZ, SIL and Conspiracy, has he been as challenged since?"}, {"response": 267, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Nov  8, 2002 (12:31)", "body": "Good question Mary. Think it belongs on 165. Will answer you there."}, {"response": 268, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Nov  8, 2002 (12:54)", "body": "Sorry Mary, I mean't 166 and answered over there."}, {"response": 269, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Nov  8, 2002 (15:27)", "body": "Thanks. I'll move it over there. Karen, can you delete here? :)"}, {"response": 270, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Nov 10, 2002 (22:04)", "body": "A reminder for those in the US: MLSF is on Comedy Central Monday morning at 8. Also, I've been sifting through the Sunday newspaper ads and it looks like Target has the best price on the TIOBE DVD: $15.99."}, {"response": 271, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Nov 10, 2002 (22:14)", "body": "(Mari) ...and it looks like Target has the best price on the TIOBE DVD: $15.99. Thanks Mari! I don't get the Sunday ad inserts, so I'm glad someone is looking out for me! I usually go through Amazon to get DVDs, but am so impatient about this one that I am getting it on Tuesday (so I don't have to wait for shipping)!!"}, {"response": 272, "author": "Odile", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (18:03)", "body": "Amazon has it for $22.49 but they said they shipped it Saturday so I hope to get it Tuesday anyway! :) plus you can support Spring with Amazon with the /spring-20 thing (see the boutique)"}, {"response": 273, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (23:53)", "body": "(Odile) plus you can support Spring with Amazon with the /spring-20 thing (see the boutique) I know this is the wrong place to ask this question, but can we use the spring thingie for any Amazon purchase? I buy tons of stuff (non-CF related) there. If so, I could be doing this every time I make a purchase?"}, {"response": 274, "author": "Odile", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (02:35)", "body": "tress, I tried to use email since it's not CF news but it didn't work. From the Bucket's boutique page it says you can use it for any purchase; you look up the item you want then you go and erase everything in the url after the ABIN000894/ and add spring-20/ then hit enter; now you can add it to your cart and spring will get a cut. Note: when I said ABIN000894 these were random letters and numbers on my part; the letters stand for the type of item you're getting (book, DVD, CD,...) and the numbers for the specific call number of theirs for the item you chose. When you hit enter after the spring-20/ it will add automatically some more characters that characterize your order (whatever :) ) Hope this helps! Have a good evening (or morning depending on where you are :0 )!"}, {"response": 275, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (11:48)", "body": "So, has anyone watched the TIOBE DVD yet? What's the scoop on the extras? I saw on one review site that there are 2 featurettes, one 14 minutes long, the other 7 minutes long. And, of course, the obligatory director's commentary track."}, {"response": 276, "author": "meg", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (12:59)", "body": "My husband picked it up for me and it was waiting for me when I went home for lunch. (He's so patient with my obsession.) There are two extra bits. The first has some nice shots of him and two (I believe) quick comments by him on the movie. They show him preparing a shot, (when Algy first gets to the country house and is refusing to answer to the name Algy) and then the finished shot. A number of shots of him in the beginning with the ciggy in the holder hanging out of his mouth and a sh-- eating grin on his face. Absolutely adorable. He looks great in the interview shots as well. Well, face it, when doesn't he look great. The second bit is mostly RE and RW's scenes. Rather frustrating. Still, we take what we can get..."}, {"response": 277, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (13:02)", "body": "I got it this morning, but won't be able to see it until very late tonight :( And Mari, wanted to give you a big *Thank You* (but wasn't sure where to post it ;)) for putting out the heads-up on the sale at Target. I ordered it online and will now refuse shipment so it will go back. That's a phenomenal price by comparison. Cheapest I found online was around $21 or $22 w/o shipping (and I see they actually dropped the price a bit since I ordered it)."}, {"response": 278, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (16:01)", "body": "Okay, I ran out at lunch and bought TIOBE...I then raced home to watch a few minutes. It is playing in the background, so I will be a bit distracted. I love the 'Making Of' featurette so far....ODB has a hair clip in! It's very funny and he seems completely fine with the fact that it's there. It's holding a curl in place I believe. Also, his pants are soooo baggy in the butt! I don't remember that in the movie (will watch it again tonight for a closer inspection). The hairclip scene is when he is at his country home and is calling after 'Algy' (who doesn't answer him until he says 'Earnest'). Like Meg says, there are some great shots of him with ciggie as well...and that smile! Ohhh, I'll stop rambling, you guys will all see it! I'm gonna go watch some more...TTFN ;-)"}, {"response": 279, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (16:21)", "body": "(Dorine) And Mari, wanted to give you a big *Thank You* (but wasn't sure where to post it ;)) for putting out the heads-up on the sale at Target. Ah, my favorite place...found it today for 15.99 at Target. Can hardly wait. Have not opened it yet. Kinda fun thing, I'm doing the Netflix thing, the 1952 TIOBE should be on its way to me, I'll get to compare. Oh, but only after seeing the current one enough to be indelibly printed on my mind. Got to keep priorities straight."}, {"response": 280, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (23:45)", "body": "(Barb) Ah, my favorite place...found it today for 15.99 at Target. Can hardly wait. Have not opened it yet. Kinda fun thing, I'm doing the Netflix thing, the 1952 TIOBE should be on its way to me, I'll get to compare. Did they also have the VHS version for sale Barb? If so, how much? I'm waiting for my DVD any day now but was curious about the VHS. I saw the 1952 version and taped it from TV. Very well acted and true Wilde play version. I prefer the movie, but this was great for its time. So you'll find them completely different in style, which is a good thing."}, {"response": 281, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (08:49)", "body": "Pam, I did not see (or look for) the VHS version, so I don't know."}, {"response": 282, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (08:51)", "body": "Just a quick few comments about the DVD. Only saw a little as I fell asleep watching it. I must say the extras surprised me. On the Behind the Scenes section, thought it was funny there was no commentary. It was like watching home movies on the set. Too little of Colin and too much of RE and RW running around. And in \"The Making of\" part, what *was* the deal with the clip in Colin's hair? LOL! Tried to convince myself it was a pen, to no avail. Funny scene though. The Director's Commentary surprised me, too. I thought it would be more like the Behind the Screen show where he talks for 10 mins or so about the movie as opposed to a running commentary while the movie itself is playing out. Only got up to the interview with Jack and Lady Bracknell. Was funny, was dozing at the end of it, just as she's about to ring the bell, and I think he makes a comment on the flowers and says it looks like Kew Gardens. That woke me up because I thought I was dreaming full stop and he was talking to me about where I live (the name of my section of Queens is Kew Gardens). Silly me! ;-) Thought it interesting that as the commentary begins, it seems he's almost whispering like he's in a movie theater with other people. He seems to get a bit louder as it progresses. That was all I got to see before I zonked out."}, {"response": 283, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (09:11)", "body": "(Dorine) I must say the extras surprised me. On the Behind the Scenes section, thought it was funny there was no commentary. It was like watching home movies on the set. Too little of Colin and too much of RE and RW running around. My thoughts exactly!! Where were the Colin scenes?! I did find it amusing for some reason though that they included Miss Prism running through the cemetary and fainting dead away a few times..She was looking rather ragged after the last one...I found it thrilling to watch ODB at work, working through the scene, I just wanted more more more!! And now for not a very little bit of gushism... He was absolutely adorable with so many charming expressions my dvd was smoking from overuse of the zoom and frame by frame!! The way he looks in the spectacles and his stern manner which then morphs into his city boy persona where the dimples made their entrance..They should be registered as lethal weapons!I tried just a few minutes of the directors commentary but then I voted against it, I could'nt bear to have him talking over the top of ODB, at least not until I have viewed it multiple times uninterrupted..."}, {"response": 284, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (09:39)", "body": "(Dorine) And in \"The Making of\" part, what *was* the deal with the clip in Colin's hair? LOL! Tried to convince myself it was a pen, to no avail. Funny scene though. I just loved the hair clip thing! It was adorable. He was rehearsing and seemed so oblivious to it (and it looked so funny). (Dorine) Thought it interesting that as the commentary begins, it seems he's almost whispering like he's in a movie theater with other people. He seems to get a bit louder as it progresses. I only started the commentary when ODB comes back to the country in his mourning clothes...Mr. Parker was something! At times he was very clear and spoke in a normal tone, then he would begin to mumble and trail off...(so the commentary comes and goes through the film it sounds like, since Dorine said the same about the beginning of the movie)...it was tough to listen to because you would hear...\"then Colin said....klfkdfkladk....mlkflsdka....\" Huh???? Speak up! ;-) (MariaT) He was absolutely adorable with so many charming expressions my dvd was smoking from overuse of the zoom and frame by frame!! My DVD player was overheating as well (and so was I). ODB's dimples are in overdrive in this movie! So many good smirks (like the cigarette case scene), walking down the street when he first gets to London, at the Savoy...when Algy is accosted at the house about his debts. Love the proposal scene (every expression on his face is priceless) and laugh so hard at the interview with Lady Bracknell. Fighting over muffins! I didn't finish the movie last night so I know I still have the credits to look forward to! A couple of things though (since I wasn't around for the film discussion on this one)...I'm not crazy about RW's accent. It annoys me a bit. Don't know if others feel the same way. Also, am not crazy about the fantasy scenes. I don't mind the tattooing or the other added things, but for some reason, Cecily's daydreams bother me (it might be seeing RE in armor...don't know)! ;-) But, ODB is perfection! The DH was clearly annoyed! He was complaining first that I had just seen this film with him at the theatre...then that I kept pausing it and going back..then I switched on the commentary...(at this point he went out to the garage to work on his canoe, he just couldn't take it anymore), then when he came back in, I stopped the movie (it was 11ish) and he said, \"what'd you do that for?? I was gonna finish watching it with you.\" Gaaahh!"}, {"response": 285, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (10:26)", "body": "(Tress) The DH was clearly annoyed! He was complaining first that I had just seen this film with him at the theatre...then that I kept pausing it and going back..then I switched on the commentary...(at this point he went out to the garage to work on his canoe, he just couldn't take it anymore), then when he came back in, I stopped the movie (it was 11ish) and he said, \"what'd you do that for?? I was gonna finish watching it with you.\" Gaaahh! Tress, there is no winning with the DH's...Mine has taken to making these incredibly annoying Carey Grant type \"Hello's\" whilst holding his nose to make it more nasal...which makes me want to recess further into hiding it all from him...Although, the other night when my parents were visiting from out of town and I knew BJD was on at 8...at 8:20 we all plopped in front of the tv, I casually started flicking through channels, knowing full well what channel it was on but I has to take it slow and easy and make it seem a coincidence when I found it. My DH groaned when I stopped on it, my mom loved it and I even saw my DH smile a few times...begrudgingly though..."}, {"response": 286, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (11:47)", "body": "(Tress) The DH was clearly annoyed.........and he said, \"what'd you do that for?? I was gonna finish watching it with you.\" Gaaahh! Yeah, they're so cute when they're jealous, aren't they? :-) Now I'm wishing I hadn't pre-ordered my DVD because IT'S NOT HERE YET!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 287, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (12:41)", "body": "Rika, I hope it arrvies soon because we need a capture of the hair clip bit!;-) I liked the Making Of featurette very much--cast interviews, showing them rehearse, I just wish it were longer. There's a neat bit where they intercut the rehearsal of a scene with the way it wound up in the final movie. It's where Jack is at the dining room table and gets Gwendolyn's note then calls after Algy. Colin looks so happy and satisfied when the director calls cut and praises them for the scene. The Behind the Scenes feature is bizarre, as Dorine indicated. No commentary, just footage of scenes being shot. Adds nothing. How many times can one see Miss Prism faint?;-) Some interesting tidbits on the Director's commentary. The scene prior to Jack's interview with Lady B where they are photographing him with the bulbs shooting off in his face was Judi Dench's idea. Rupie apparently ad libbed some lines, and the bit where Algy smacks Jack on the butt was Rupe's improv as well. Parker mentions this being written up in the National Enquirer. The film itself looks gorgeous, the colors really pop out at you, a good job with the transfer."}, {"response": 288, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (14:51)", "body": "Oh God I'm so jealous. Mine didn't come yet. Can't wait."}, {"response": 289, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (14:56)", "body": "(Rika) Now I'm wishing I hadn't pre-ordered my DVD because IT'S NOT HERE YET!!!!!!! Just do what I did, pick it up at Target (or wherever) and refuse the shipment when it comes. That's what I did....well half of that, as my shipment didn't arrive either yet. I alerted Amazon.com that I would be refusing it and they will credit me when it returns. (Mari) Rika, I hope it arrvies soon because we need a capture of the hair clip bit!;-) LOL! It was cute. There's a neat bit where they intercut the rehearsal of a scene with the way it wound up in the final movie. It's where Jack is at the dining room table and gets Gwendolyn's note then calls after Algy. That stood out to me as well. I thought partially because it's one of my favorite little bits, esp when they mirror each other in the doorway. I wish they had shown more things that way. (Maria) I casually started flicking through channels, knowing full well what channel it was on but I has to take it slow and easy and make it seem a coincidence when I found it. LOL! V.v. clever girl! The Behind the Scenes feature is bizarre, as Dorine indicated. No commentary, just footage of scenes being shot. Adds nothing And what was also odd about it, was that sometimes you could hear what the actors were saying, occasionally being picked up on a mic.....then other times, like with Prism and Chausuble (sp?), you couldn't hear them at all. And several of those scenes weren't in the movie. Would've liked to know why? And what was happening. Rupie apparently ad libbed some lines, and the bit where Algy smacks Jack on the butt was Rupe's improv as well. Parker mentions this being written up in the National Enquirer There was supposedly an ad lib where Rupe kissed Colin as well in addition to a hug. Was thinking it had been where Algy shows up after Jack returns with the urn. After they made up, it looked like Jack had pushed off Algy after hugging him, but it was cut so closely, hard to tell. Colin had one of those looks on his face there as he did after Rupe slapped him on the butt at the end. (Tress) since I wasn't around for the film discussion on this one We didn't really have a comprehensive discussion about this one. Would be great to have one once everyone gets to watch their DVD's and videos a few hundred times. We're supposed to be having a GWAPE discussion starting soon (next week or two?) aren't we? We could do GWAPE, then maybe after the holidays do TIOBE? I'm not crazy about RW's accent. It annoys me a bit. Don't know if others feel the same way. I wasn't enamored of it either. She didn't seem relaxed with it. Also, am not crazy about the fantasy scenes. I didn't mind the first couple, but by the end I'd had enough of them. ;)"}, {"response": 290, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (15:55)", "body": "(Dorine)There was supposedly an ad lib where Rupe kissed Colin as well in addition to a hug. Parker doesn't mention the kiss when he talks about the butt smack, so I'm wondering if it was just an embellishment by the Enquirer, that font of truth.;-) (Tress) I'm not crazy about RW's accent. It annoys me a bit. Don't know if others feel the same way. Parker praises it on the director's commentary, as Rupie did while promoting the film. Since they're English and I'm not, I'll defer to their judgement.;-) On the Director's commentary, Parker says that not only did Reese work to perfect the accent, but she was the only one to bother using pronunciation which may be antiquated, i.e., reflecting 100 years ago, but not now. I think he used the word \"marriage\" to illustrate. You couldn't prove this by me, but that's what he says.;-)"}, {"response": 291, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (16:06)", "body": "(*grumblegrumble*) Mine isn't here yet, and there is no way I'll be able to find it around here, either. Must be patient, must be patient... (Maria) I casually started flicking through channels, knowing full well what channel it was on but I has to take it slow and easy and make it seem a coincidence when I found it. LOL! I can see it now: \"let's see what's on...doop doo de doo...re-run...hmmm...oh, look what I just *happened* to find here (feigning innocence; dh looks exasperated--he is not deceived), I suppose we *could* watch this...\""}, {"response": 292, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (16:55)", "body": "I wonder...as I often do. This time I'm thinking that maybe there is heavy emphasis on RW and RE on the 'cuts' as in the beginning of the film's release those two seemed to be more heavily promoted. They got more attention in the media in the beginning. Then as the film was out there for a while, CF was pulled into the forefront, especially on the advertising. He did great on his promotional interviews. They must have recognized him as a bigger drawcard for audiences. Perhaps the original intent was to feature RW and RE two in the cuts when they were percieved as the two who would be the most popular in the film. Sad to think, especially when CF's part was clearly the top dog role. Don't know about RW accent. She does bug me a little overall although I really liked her in Pleasantville. (Wasn't that the name of that movie?)"}, {"response": 293, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (17:22)", "body": "(Mari) Rika, I hope it arrvies soon because we need a capture of the hair clip bit!;-) Well...... let me tell you what happened this afternoon. DH had car trouble and I had to pick him up at the dealership and drive him home. On the way we stopped at a deli to get sandwiches to take home for dinner. It took them a few minutes to get the sandwiches. Any guesses what establishment was two doors down from the deli? Anybody who yelled out \"Blockbuster\", go to the head of the class. That was just a tad too much temptation. So I rented it. I came back into the deli with my Blockbuster bag and DH said, \"So, what did you rent? Something with Colin Firth in it?\" The grin on my face must have been the clue. All I've watched so far is the \"Making Of\" and the \"Behind the Scenes,\" but here's a little something for the others waiting for their DVD's and wondering about that hair clip: I've captured some other stuff too - coming soon - but I knew some people would be dying to see this just as I was so I thought I'd get it out there ASAP."}, {"response": 294, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (17:23)", "body": "(Lisa) Don't know about RW accent. She does bug me a little overall although I really liked her in Pleasantville. (Wasn't that the name of that movie?) I guess I shouldn't complain too much about RW's accent, as I cannot really tell if it is exact. It is just something about the way she speaks in this role...maybe it's the way she holds her head, combined with the sort of 'snooty' delivery...nose in the air...and I know, \"they are wearing chins high this season\", but...something about it bugs me. You are right, RW was v. good in Pleasantville. I also liked her in Election. Otherwise, I am not a big RW fan. Didn't like her in Legally Blonde or Cruel Intentions (just didn't like those films in general)."}, {"response": 295, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (17:27)", "body": "Ohhhhh Rika! I love the pic! It just makes me giggle (I haven't watched the entire movie yet, but have watched this segment about 3-4 times)."}, {"response": 296, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (17:40)", "body": "RIKA!!! You *are* the woman!! Love that shot. Your DVD captures are amazing. How do you do it? Never mind, I'm uneducable about such things, but am very glad we have an expert here! Thank you, dahling.:-) It's so funny as he's sitting there practicing saying \"Algy, ALGY, ALGY!!\" in different tones. Parker seems like a very laissez-faire director. \"Um, you might want to carry the note with you . . .\""}, {"response": 297, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (18:31)", "body": "OH! Thanks Rika.........."}, {"response": 298, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (18:36)", "body": "Wonderful, capture, Rika. Thank you. DH said, \"So, what did you rent? Something with Colin Firth in it?\" The grin on my face must have been the clue. Those silly grins do us in everytime. Eventually the DH's catch on, I wonder why? Yes, they are cute when they're jealous and trying not to be."}, {"response": 299, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (18:38)", "body": "Yes - isn't it interesting watching the rehearsal, and then seeing it intercut with the actual film? Besides the different voices, I thought it interesting that he tried two different ways of getting out of the chair, and you could see the greater intensity and emotion in the way he stood up the second time. And what a gorgeous smile when, after the scene was filmed, OP told him, \"That was great!\" I tried to capture it but he was moving too fast so he's never in focus. And speaking of smiles, here's a nice one from the \"Making Of\" featurette. The boys are clearly having some fun together....."}, {"response": 300, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (18:43)", "body": "I have to admit to being extremely envious of you all!!! I have no idea when TIOBE will be on sale in the UK. Does anyone know? My DH has suggested buying a multi-region DVD player, and then I could get Region 1 DVDs from the US! - He understands my obsession, bless him!"}, {"response": 301, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (18:54)", "body": "Rika! I 'bout fell off my chair! I'm still at work so have no DVD CF access except for your captures...and that dimple kills me...*sigh* He is truly the most gorgeous man alive..."}, {"response": 302, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (18:55)", "body": "Janet, Lucky you, sounds like you've trained your DH pretty well! We bought a DVD that is multi-region and for the first time we didn't buy a 'major brand name'. The only ones here in OZ with that feature were super expensive so we bought this strange brand I had never heard of before that the store installed some little component into the remote that made it multi-regional. Sounds shonky huh? Heehee....... Hey the picture is fantastic, it works great and in a couple of years when the technology has advanced by leaps and bounds we can go out and update without losing a load on the old one! Now, to find a DVD of TIOBE around here.........Did I keep it on topic? (insert sassy winkie)"}, {"response": 303, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (19:00)", "body": "(Dorine) Would be great to have one once everyone gets to watch their DVD's and videos a few hundred times. Just a few weeks ago, Kathy and I were talking in e-mail about how much fun it would be to do a TIOBE discussion fairly soon. But the DVD-deprived might have a problem. They could rent it, but the videotape is not yet \"priced to own.\" It's listed at about $100 on Amazon. In a few months the price is bound to come down. Then again, maybe the vast majority of us have DVD players now - it sure seems that way from the comments here. (Janet) My DH has suggested buying a multi-region DVD player, and then I could get Region 1 DVDs from the US! Janet, another alternative might exist if you have access to a computer with a DVD player. The DVD player software on my laptop (I use Intervideo WinDVD version 4) can handle multiple regions."}, {"response": 304, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (20:35)", "body": "I guess I shouldn't complain too much about RW's accent, as I cannot really tell if it is exact I hope some of the gals from UK would chime in...Lizza commented that she heard a few slips.Like some of us could pick out Colin's gaffes ( mall, coffee )in pronunciation in 3 DOR. I like RW :-)) Rika!"}, {"response": 305, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (20:45)", "body": "(Rika) Well...... let me tell you what happened this afternoon. ...I came back into the deli with my Blockbuster bag and DH said, \"So, what did you rent? Something with Colin Firth in it?\" Rika, you are too funny and too good to us and I'm glad you get your pre-ordered DVD and (almost)first day jollies and the POSITIVE joy of giving us the luscious screen captures. For services rendered, I think we ought to take up a collection to cover the cost of your rental. Wait until your DH sees what you can make off all of us by feeding the obsession! Also, makes me wonder how many of us have \"outed\" ourselves to our DH's? My own excellent DH watched it with me last night (he acknowledged enjoying it in the theatre too) and started it up tonight at the end of my \"day from hell.\" I have yet to commit it all to memory and classify it by topics such as \"best hair\" and \"are you glad to see me or is that a bazooka in your pocket?\" but favorite moments so far are: --F.O'C kissing on him and ending up on the back of his neck...want to do my best Hermione Granger imitation, put my hand WAAAAAY up and say \"Oooh! Oooh!! Me!!! Me!!\" --The walk---favorite so far, as he walks the corridors on the way to meet Lady B. --The mirror image thing he and Rupe do. --Anytime he has glasses on. Reserving judgment on favorite dimples, studies have not been sufficiently thorough yet but am committed to rectifying this deficiency as soon as possible."}, {"response": 306, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (20:51)", "body": "(Evelyn) Like some of us could pick out Colin's gaffes ( mall, coffee )in pronunciation in 3 DOR. Oooohh...now I'm dying here! I know you can't probably 'tell' me, but how did he flub those words??? Especially 'mall'...? BTW, I realize I am in a minority when I say that I am not a big RW fan....(and I do like a few of her movies, but it is usually the movie I find good, and not necessarily her performance) ;-) And I would like to hear the UK girls as well...did she do it well?"}, {"response": 307, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (21:39)", "body": "And what a gorgeous smile when, after the scene was filmed, OP told him, \"That was great!\" I tried to capture it but he was moving too fast so he's never in focus. Oooh, I was hoping you could catch that, but you're right, it is very fast. Love the smiley one you did get. He understands my obsession, bless him! That's a good man, Janet--hang onto him!:-) (Ev)I like RW :-)) I do too. Parker mentions having seen her in Election and wanting to work with her on that basis. Who could ever forget Tracy Flick? (Tress)I know you can't probably 'tell' me, but how did he flub those words??? Especially 'mall'...? I'll try: \"mahhl\" and \"cahfee.\""}, {"response": 308, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (21:50)", "body": "Our first look at Lord Dashwood!"}, {"response": 309, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (21:52)", "body": "Here's another!"}, {"response": 310, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (22:01)", "body": "Here's the URL for the WAGW site. Not surprisingly, they are really catering to the teen girl market. http://whatagirlwantsmovie.warnerbros.com/"}, {"response": 311, "author": "sandym", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (22:11)", "body": "(Mari) Our first look at Lord Dashwood! A penny for their thoughts, eh? ;-) A big thanks Mari for the new pics. V. enjoyable."}, {"response": 312, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (22:12)", "body": ""}, {"response": 313, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (22:18)", "body": "Mari, thanks for the WAGW photos. At least we know he'll be looking good.... beyond that we'll have to wait and see. I can't believe they didn't put any deleted scenes on the TIOBE DVD. The only one we really get is at the start of Behind the Scenes - the Jack/Algy scene on the street that must have come right after Jack's interview with Lady B. (Did anybody else notice the red double-decker buses you can see through the archway as they walk by? Maybe that's why the scene got cut.) I've gone through parts of the movie now (what a pleasure to be able to FF all the Algy/Cecily stuff, which I got very tired of after ten or so theater viewings). You wouldn't believe the gallery of gorgeous captures I have on my hard drive right now.... I found myself grabbing shot after shot because he looked so darn good in every single scene. So now my problem is picking the cream of the crop to post - and it's impossible to pick because they're all so lovely. So I thought, hey, important matters first. First - the answer to the Roman tailor: \"Left.\" I know we'd already figured it out from watching the scene where the dog jumped up on him, but I've got the pictures to prove it: But what is that in his right-hand pocket in the second photo? And speaking of \"what's in the pocket\", check out the left pocket below. In this one, my guess is that it's his cell phone - the one we saw him using in the still photos taken on the set."}, {"response": 314, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (22:24)", "body": "Thanks, Mari! Did you notice they mispelled her name? I do prefer Colin as a gentleman, and that Rolls should give Lisa a few ideas for fanfic. ;-) Just my cup of tea! The synopsis of the story does not go into Kelly Preston's character apart from \"he was the love of her life\". She does go to England... so will Lord D leave his fianc\ufffde for her? ZZZZzzzzzz....................... ;-)))))))))) Rika, I really enjoyed those snappies. Thank you! I will eventually have to break down and get a multi-region DVD player."}, {"response": 315, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (22:28)", "body": "(Rika), But what is that in his right-hand pocket in the second photo? And speaking of \"what's in the pocket\", check out the left pocket below. The red fingernails are lurking. ;-)"}, {"response": 316, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (22:29)", "body": "Thanks, Rika and Mari! Gosh, he's gorgeous! I can't figure out why he'd need a hair clip there, of all places!"}, {"response": 317, "author": "audiogirl", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (22:57)", "body": "I rushed to Target today to get my DVD! Oh joy! I haven't been able to get this big grin off my face all day! He is truly the most gorgeous man ever. For all you ladies who are into ODB's hair, I must say that in TIOBE his hair is perfect! Now bring on WAGW's and GWAPE! I need MORE!"}, {"response": 318, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (23:07)", "body": "(Me) I know you can't probably 'tell' me, but how did he flub those words??? Especially 'mall'...? (Mari) I'll try: \"mahhl\" and \"cahfee.\" Thank you! I can almost hear it being done...lucky girl to have been there! BTW, love the pics from WAGW! Thanks for posting them. Rika....picture with the guitar....might that be the 'chew toy' Jeanie was talking about on Topic 166 (uh-oooohhhh that remark may get a yellow flag)? ;-D And do you do requests? If you captured the pic (don't go back and get it if you did not)...where he is sitting in bed looking at the old papers...I am a big fan of his toes and its a great tootsie shot with glasses (according to an earlier post Barb might not mind a pic with his specs on either!!)...my pyscho dog went nuts last night when she saw that scene....I didn't even realize that the dog was on ODB's bed until she 'told' me (I was too busy looking at ODB)."}, {"response": 319, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (23:16)", "body": "Tress, of course I captured one of those (and luckily it takes only about five minutes to edit and post a capture once I've got it). He's adorable in that scene:"}, {"response": 320, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (23:21)", "body": "(Mari) Parker praises it on the director's commentary, as Rupie did while promoting the film. Since they're English and I'm not, I'll defer to their judgement.;-) Yes, and as I recall in interviews, Colin was always very complimentary of her accent, too. What a sweetie! ;-) Guess OP couldn't really say, \"Oh yeah, that accent really blew, but it was too late to recast and Harvey wouldn't greenlight it with anyone else.\" ;-) (Little late on my response, just got in) (Lisa) Perhaps the original intent was to feature RW and RE two in the cuts when they were percieved as the two who would be the most popular in the film. Sad to think, especially when CF's part was clearly the top dog role. I thought they would've had enough time to change the focus when, as you say, they realized he was such a selling point. (Mari) It's so funny as he's sitting there practicing saying \"Algy, ALGY, ALGY!!\" in different tones. Parker seems like a very laissez-faire director. \"Um, you might want to carry the note with you . . .\" LOL! I loved this bit, too. (Lisa) shonky LOL, I like this word. ;-) (Mari) Our first look at Lord Dashwood! Yuuuuum-my! With a dad that looks like him, bet she makes friends who want to hang at her house *real* fast ;-D. (Rika) he looked so darn good in every single scene That's why the first 2 or 3 viewings were throwaways as far as following anything else. ;-) And I don't think I ever would have picked up the stuff in the pocket in the bottom pic, not because I wasn't looking in the right place, *mind you*, just that he was moving so fast. But what is that in his right-hand pocket in the second photo? Shirttail, bunched up? I can't believe they didn't put any deleted scenes on the TIOBE DVD. I think the part with Prism and the Rev, where he had a canvas and chair and you couldn't hear them, was deleted, wasn't it? And Rika, what can I say besides thanks?! You've already captured some of my new favorites. That smile he had standing around with Rupe really stood out to me while I watched it last night. And I'll tell ya, you all have such great DH's. They're a hoot! Love hearing about them all."}, {"response": 321, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (23:22)", "body": "Oh my goodness...now I'll have good dreams tonight...just want to grab those toes! Danke!"}, {"response": 322, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (23:39)", "body": "(Mari) Our first look at Lord Dashwood! But the synopsis, Louisa! Ughhh! Every stereotype in the book. Another CF film I shall have to miss :-(("}, {"response": 323, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (23:39)", "body": "Grab those toes? Honey, I've got ideas for them to meet up with my tongue and, well, I'll leave the rest to your imagination! (insert lusty winkie) Rika, thank you again........."}, {"response": 324, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (23:45)", "body": "Good Heavens I can't leave without a HUGE thank you to Mari. Thanks for finding the shots of Lord Dashwood......Doesn't the one by the car make you just want to melt????? (Into his shoes and start with the toes.....) Clears throat, sorry once I get started it's hard for me to stop."}, {"response": 325, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (00:13)", "body": "They must have just added this one."}, {"response": 326, "author": "LizBeth", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (00:15)", "body": "Hey, Mari, thanks for the link to the WAGW pics. Does anyone happen to know what the estate is in those shots? It looks very familiar, but I can't place it. Loved the captures from TIOBE. Light colored pants RULE! LizBeth (Karen, is time to dust off and bring out the eggroll essay, again?)"}, {"response": 327, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (01:41)", "body": "It's West Wycombe Park -- Actually belonging to a Lord Dashwood. But when you last saw it, it was Jack Worthing's Estate! http://www.touruk.co.uk/houses/housebucks_westwy.htm"}, {"response": 328, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (01:47)", "body": "Re my comment on the synopsis here it is ( thanks Mari;-) ) http://whatagirlwantsmovie.warnerbros.com/"}, {"response": 329, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (01:48)", "body": "Mari, sorry about the crossing out! Not meant like that."}, {"response": 330, "author": "Leah", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (02:40)", "body": "You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire the pics of Jack and Lord Dashwood - talk about drool..."}, {"response": 331, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (07:11)", "body": "Thank you thank you Mari and Rika!! Delectable new pics are a great way to start the day! (Tress) I am a big fan of his toes and its a great tootsie shot with glasses No kidding..I'd like to take those little piggies to the market and go wheeee wheeee wheeee ALL the way home!!! Also, I posted this on O & E but I really can't stress enough how great this little video of ODB is that a fan named Berry put together. I don't want any of you to miss it so here is the link again... http://www.green-sector.de/media/pride_bridget.zip"}, {"response": 332, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (08:06)", "body": "Goodness, that capture of him in bed, barefoot, w/ the spectacles on is MIGHTY distracting! Rika, than you SO MUCH! I'm all a-flutter! (Tress) I didn't even realize that the dog was on ODB's bed until she 'told' me (I was too busy looking at ODB). LOL! Who's looking at anything else around ODB, when you have him in a bed shot looking so scrumptious? *slurp* (Rika) he looked so darn good in every single scene (Dorine) That's why the first 2 or 3 viewings were throwaways as far as following anything else. ;-) Unfortunately, TIOBE only played in my area for ONE WEEK, so all I had was one screening; I barely registered anyone else onscreen if ODB was around. (Lisa) Clears throat, sorry once I get started it's hard for me to stop. LOL! Lisa, you're only saying (writing) what the rest of us are thinking! Mari, thanks for the Dashwood snappies! He's looking very Mark Darcy-ish, no?"}, {"response": 333, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (08:27)", "body": "Our first look at Lord Dashwood! And wearing the Bada-Bing suit!My fave. Thanks Mari (Allison) Another CF film I shall have to miss :-(( LOL. C'mon Allison...you always say that;-) We must soldier on. At least this one you won't be the only one in the cinema. With a dad that looks like him, bet she makes friends who want to hang at her house *real* fast ;-D LOL...er...you mean their mothers."}, {"response": 334, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (08:35)", "body": "From those who have their TIOBE DVDs, it seems there just isn't enough ODB in the extras. I'm wondering if there will be more of him in the DVD extras when it's released in the UK, since he's considered a much bigger star over there than here in the States. UK Firthettes, be on the alert!"}, {"response": 335, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (09:26)", "body": "(Moonstar)Mark Darcy-ish, no? LOL, I was just IM'ing Dorine, and I used the exact same expression, dash and all! Thank you, Mari for the link and pics of WAGW. I don't care about the plot at this point, just dying for another big screen experience. Oh, those toes and bed shot of Jack.(thanks, Rika. Lisa, I like it when you can't stop. The left/right investigations are in full swing again, I see. I love it. (Moon)The red fingernails are lurking. ;-) With all of these great pics from TIOBE and WAGW, I say let em lurk!"}, {"response": 336, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (10:11)", "body": "(Lisa) Honey, I've got ideas for them to meet up with my tongue and, well, I'll leave the rest to your imagination! (insert lusty winkie) Ohhhh...I had other ideas too! ODB's nekk'd toes make me think of nekk'd calfs and then think of nekk'd ...you get the idea (insert your lusty winkie here)... (moonstar) LOL! Who's looking at anything else around ODB, when you have him in a bed shot looking so scrumptious? *slurp* I won't be able to think straight all day since I can pull the pic up at work....bad, bad, bad (a morning thank you for Rika for making my day a bit brighter). And Mari! Yum! I love his look...(and Amanda looks almost smitten in that last picture you posted) Who cares about plot/dialogue when you have ODB looking SO GOOD! (Allison) Another CF film I shall have to miss :-(( (Evelyn) LOL. C'mon Allison...you always say that;-) We must soldier on. At least this one you won't be the only one in the cinema. It cannot possibly be his worst! And he looks oh-so-good...it is unfortunate that you cannot fast forward in a theatre (and skip the non-CF parts), but I'll sit through anything to see/hear ODB...Allison, you haven't truly missed CF films have you??? Even if I hear it's bad, I have to see it to see what all the fuss is about!"}, {"response": 337, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (10:31)", "body": "(Tress)Even if I hear it's bad, I have to see it to see what all the fuss is about! Absolutely. I can't even let a viewing of RV or BJD go by on TV without tuning in even for a minute if I know their scheduled-even though I've seen them ??? number of times. I always catch something that I missed before. I could never let something new go without being seen. Just for the pure drool of it, if for nothing else. I have begun rereading HS. I know we had a quick mention of it a few weeks ago. At the time I said it wasn't one of my favorite reads, but I read it for obvious reasons. Now, I'm about half way through, and I can't put it down. I'm enjoying the dialogue so much more, and getting so much more out of the story. I hope they release this in the Spring and don't move it back anymore."}, {"response": 338, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (10:40)", "body": "Thanks, Mari! Colin looks so much better when he's well dressed! That blue shirt REALLY works for me. I love the rolled-up sleeves, the way it should be, NEVER short-sleeve shirts. :-) Rika, thanks for the bed picture. Makes one want to jump right in. ;-) (Allison), But the synopsis, Louisa! Ughhh! Every stereotype in the book. You are not alone, Allison. We would all love to have him in a dark, sexy, love story. A sexy gothic tale would do for me. (The clothes are part of the attraction). ;-D"}, {"response": 339, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (10:53)", "body": "Many many thanks Mari for the delicious previews of Lord Dashwood! And Rika for your ever brilliant captures from TIOBE. Speaking of RW's accent , I can only recall that it began to grate and sound a little forced in the tea scene with F.O'C. But really it was fine. Of course unlike you LUCKY Ladies I have not been able to se it recently. Thanks for telling us of your DVD delights, even if I did go a brilliant shade of emerald. ENJOY, one and all:-)"}, {"response": 340, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (11:00)", "body": "Maria, thanks for that link. I simply love that video. Must view it again."}, {"response": 341, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (11:17)", "body": "Mari, thanks so much for the dash of Dashwood. He looks so dashing, yet a little fatherly too - especially in the last one. And, I agree, Amanda does look smitten. But who wouldn't :-) Rika, thanks so much for the great screen captures! The smiles, the dimples, the toes, the hair clip! Adorable! You are a master at it and so quick on the draw! Will have to go to the nearest Target ASAP!"}, {"response": 342, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (12:48)", "body": "I haven't read the above but if first-hand accounts of the ICI sighting haven't been posted already, I can do Antonella's. * * * * * * * * * * Also, there were several Drool donations in my snail mail and will be acknowledging those personally later today. I plan to post an updated Drool Darlings list by the end of the week, with our final fund-raising totals. Please remember, if you haven't heard from me, then I have either not received it or been notified...if it went directly to Terry."}, {"response": 343, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (14:23)", "body": "Hi Boss...."}, {"response": 344, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (14:48)", "body": "Welcome home, \"Goddess of All Things Colinary\"! You've been missed! (doing snoopy dance)"}, {"response": 345, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (14:48)", "body": "And so say all of us!"}, {"response": 346, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (16:27)", "body": "Welcome back, Karen! Incidentally, should we be discussing the TIOBE DVD here or on 166? We decided it was current and so put it here. (Karen) I haven't read the above but if first-hand accounts of the ICI sighting haven't been posted already, I can do Antonella's. No, it hasn't been posted. I heard about it but did not have authorization to post anything. I'm glad everybody has enjoyed the captures. More to come! (KJArt) It's West Wycombe Park -- Actually belonging to a Lord Dashwood. But when you last saw it, it was Jack Worthing's Estate! Yup. And check out these photos from the two movies:"}, {"response": 347, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (16:28)", "body": "Seems to be a bold tag open? Closing it."}, {"response": 348, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (16:54)", "body": "(Moon) That blue shirt REALLY works for me. I love the rolled-up sleeves, the way it should be, NEVER short-sleeve shirts. :-) Ooooohhh....I love his skinny, hairless arms (thought I agree that the blue shirt is VERY nice...no complaints there). (Moon) We would all love to have him in a dark, sexy, love story. A sexy gothic tale would do for me. (The clothes are part of the attraction). ;-D Wasn't he supposed to be in Maid of Buttermere??? That would work for a dark, sexy, love story (not gothic though....more Regency). Whatever happened to that project, does anyone know (and again, I apologize for be a newbie and not knowing these things)? (me) nekk'd toes make me think of nekk'd calfs.. Okay, just for the record...I meant calves. I should never post in the morning. I am not into cow love...(though the plural is the same, I just wanted to clear that up). ;-D"}, {"response": 349, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (17:26)", "body": "(Rika) And check out these photos from the two movies LOL, I noticed that last night,too when checkin out the WAGW site. Nice job, Rika, with all the pics. Thank you! (Rika) (me) nekk'd toes make me think of nekk'd calfs.. Guess I shouldn't read in the morning either. Didn't catch that. :-) BTW, I believe I neglected to give Mari a *big* thank you for the WAGW pics. Even though it's not the ideal storyline, I'm still looking forward to seeing him relatively soon again on the big screen. 3 or 4 times in the next year actually. Not bad at all."}, {"response": 350, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (17:40)", "body": "Hey, Rika! What character does this remind you of? Oh, he's so pretty in makeup.. just like Richard. LOL!"}, {"response": 351, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (17:55)", "body": "Oh yeah, glad you put that up. It really stood out to me the faint bit of eyeliner. Not quite as noticeable here. Really made his eyes stand out to me. Not a bad thing, just something that jumped out at me. Oooh, but love that hair. You know, at the rate everyone is going, his entire portion of the movie will be posted one frame at a time. ;-)"}, {"response": 352, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (18:17)", "body": "(Dorine) You know, at the rate everyone is going, his entire portion of the movie will be posted one frame at a time. ;-) And this is a bad thing?? ;-) Thanks for the pics Jeanie...he's all dolled up! Love a man in eyeliner (and a bit of blush)... ;-D"}, {"response": 353, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (18:17)", "body": "Zoink & EGAD! My pictures were WAY too large. Sorry, Boss lady. =/ I am not going to post anymore pics from TIOBE for now, Dorine. I'll leave that in the hands of our more talented DVDiva. ;)"}, {"response": 354, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (19:07)", "body": "Welcome Home, Karen Thank you for all the pics, ladies. You, too Jeanie (took up the whole screen of my lap top)LOL! MY copy of TIOBE arrived just a few hours ago. Thank you to a very wonderful friend and fellow firthette. Now, I can drool all night long."}, {"response": 355, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (20:15)", "body": "(Tress) (according to an earlier post Barb might not mind a pic with his specs on either!!)... Um, most assuredly not and thank you for thinking of me! Love the toesies too! If there can't be boots and specs, specs and toes will do! Is there a dog in that scene? Who knew? And there's a good chance it might be an excellent hand scene too. Love DVD zoom, I'll have to take another look....oh, rats. Many many thanks to all the talented drooleurs for all the yummy pictures! (Lisa) Honey, I've got ideas for them to meet up with my tongue and, well, I'll leave the rest to your imagination! (insert lusty winkie) Oh no, I'm content to let your imagination percolate...just as long as you share the results over at fanfic! You go girl!"}, {"response": 356, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (20:20)", "body": "(Karen) I haven't read the above but if first-hand accounts of the ICI sighting haven't been posted already, I can do Antonella's. (Rika) No, it hasn't been posted. I heard about it but did not have authorization to post anything. Newbie claiming ignorance again...what is ICI?? Who was sighted? ODB? Was the boss there??? Pray tell!"}, {"response": 357, "author": "sandym", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (06:43)", "body": "(Lora) Will have to go to the nearest Target ASAP! It may be too late! I went last night and my nearest Target was SOLD OUT. Not even any copies in the backroom (I made the adolescent clerk go back and look!) Now have only sorry little raincheck to show for my efforts. :-("}, {"response": 358, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (07:42)", "body": "(Tress) Newbie claiming ignorance again...what is ICI?? Who was sighted? ODB? Was the boss there??? Pray tell! Tress I think it is the Italian Cultural Institute in London... We will have to get the story from Karen, all I know is that Nick Hornby made an appearance there and ODB may have attended..."}, {"response": 359, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (08:20)", "body": "From the NY Times Home Video column 11/15: The Importance of Being Earnest Reese Witherspoon is Cecily, Oscar Wilde's prim, romantically inclined 18-year-old, the ward of Jack Worthing (Colin Firth), who focuses the usually wandering eye of Worthing's friend and London carousing partner Algernon Moncrieff (Rupert Everett). What would Wilde have made of the embellishments that Oliver Parker's film has tacked onto the play like a restless dressmaker? While it misses the high-toned elegance, this souped-up version makes \"a reasonably entertaining costume comedy. Wilde's satirical voice may be muffled, but at least it is audible\" (Holden). 2002. Miramax. VHS, $103.99; DVD, $29.99. 94 minutes. PG."}, {"response": 360, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (09:04)", "body": "UK alert. The Southbank show on ITV Sunday night is all about Andrew Davies. Bound to be some Darcy clips etc (oops famous last words;-) and maybe even an interview with Colin about him, due to BJD/EOR. Here's hoping, we need some action on our side of the pond;-)"}, {"response": 361, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (09:41)", "body": "Is the DOM's (dirty old man) appearance on the Southbank show because Dr. Zhivago is about to air?"}, {"response": 362, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (11:29)", "body": "Thanks for all the great, great pics, Mari, Rika and Jeanie. Keep them coming. Can't get enough."}, {"response": 363, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (11:31)", "body": "U.S. release date for WAGW has been pushed back 3 weeks, until March 28, 2003."}, {"response": 364, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (13:57)", "body": "March 28, 2003 the birth of Luca. Red fingernails will not be happy. ;-)"}, {"response": 365, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (13:58)", "body": "March 28th, the birth of Luca. Red fingernails will not be happy. ;-)"}, {"response": 366, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (14:23)", "body": "(Moon) March 28th, the birth of Luca. Red fingernails will not be happy. ;-) Do you think this would keep him from promoting the film (are they tied to promoting, even when the schedule changes a dozen times)? I noticed that Judi Dench did not apprear to be around for TIOBE promo stuff in the US (unless I missed some stuff which is entirely possible). Also, filming should start on Monday for GWAPE (unless that has changed)! Wooooohoooooo!!!"}, {"response": 367, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (14:40)", "body": "(SandyM) Now have only sorry little raincheck to show for my efforts. :-( This reminds me of the Toys 'R' Us ad a couple of years ago with the little kid who was running around playing with.... his rain check. I hope you find one soon! (Tress) Also, filming should start on Monday for GWAPE (unless that has changed)! Wooooohoooooo!!! That's right! So, boss, now that you're back, we talked a bit about the GWAPE book discussion while you were gone. There was some sentiment in favor of starting it Monday in honor of the start of the shoot. Maybe that's too soon, but can we re-open the topic of when that's gonna happen? I think a reasonable number of us are up for a discussion. (Pam) Thanks for all the great, great pics, Mari, Rika and Jeanie. Keep them coming. Oh..... okay! Here's one that amused me just a bit. Remember how a while back we were admiring the way Mark and Fitzwilliam Darcy's coats billowed when they walked? Well, look, we have another billowing coat, and he wasn't even moving! :-)"}, {"response": 368, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (15:00)", "body": "(Rika) Here's one that amused me just a bit. Remember how a while back we were admiring the way Mark and Fitzwilliam Darcy's coats billowed when they walked? Well, look, we have another billowing coat, and he wasn't even moving! :-) Hmmmm...Where is Rupie's left hand??"}, {"response": 369, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (15:09)", "body": "(Maria) Hmmmm...Where is Rupie's left hand?? Possibly where mine should be? ;-) Anytime is fine for me for the book discussion. (Mari) U.S. release date for WAGW has been pushed back 3 weeks, until March 28, 2003. So if the date for HS holds, he'll have 2 opening pretty much simultaneously. I'm sure he could do some PR early. He won't be the one doing PR for WAGW more than likely. It'll be AB, I would think. As far as HS, maybe there won't be much PR at all for TV. MD can take up the slack. I rarely see HG doing PR for anything."}, {"response": 370, "author": "LizBeth", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (15:16)", "body": "But...I hope that's something in his pocket other than HIM. I want to be RE's hand when I grow up. We all know that it touched ODB's butt. Lucky hand. LizBeth"}, {"response": 371, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (15:57)", "body": "(Rika)GWAPE book discussion..., but can we re-open the topic of when that's gonna happen? I think a reasonable number of us are up for a discussion. Yes, please can we have a GWAPE discussion, I long for it. (Dorine)Possibly where mine should be? You are getting naughty again. Thank goodness. I thought you were going to be good permanently."}, {"response": 372, "author": "AnnieZ", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (17:01)", "body": "Just read this: http://www.pemberley.com/bin/virtview/virtview.cgi?read=67275 Please pay attention to the info about WAGW ;-)))))))))))))))"}, {"response": 373, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (17:24)", "body": "(Annie) Please pay attention to the info about WAGW ;-))))))))))))))) Thanks for the info! Hope to see HP this weekend, now I have an even bigger reason to go (hope our theatres are showing the same trailers)! ODB in leather pants...it does not get much better than that for a Friday afternoon! ;-)"}, {"response": 374, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (17:28)", "body": "Thanks, Annie! I recall posting here that I hoped Warners had its act together enough to run the WAGW trailer with Harry. Great exposure for the film. My son is going to wonder why I'm so aggreeable to seeing HP this opening weekend.;-) (Maria)Hmmmm...Where is Rupie's left hand?? Hee hee."}, {"response": 375, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (17:38)", "body": "(Mari)My son is going to wonder why I'm so aggreeable to seeing HP this opening weekend.;-) LOL, just decided to take my daughter tomorrow. She just doesn't know it yet. Sorry if this has been discussed before, but why does IMDB have no listing for a US release date for HS. Just dates for France and UK?"}, {"response": 376, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (18:27)", "body": "Hummm, so even if the plot is contrived and predictable there is hope for us in the way of a leather pants session? Oh Karen (Evelyn, or any old-timers who know these things), are there any pics in the archives of Colin in leather pants or will this be a first?"}, {"response": 377, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (20:29)", "body": "(Tress) ODB in leather pants...it does not get much better than that Oh bugger, bugger!! I'm going to am HP screening on Sunday that won't have previews. :-( May have to go to another movie sometime that has HP playing at a similar time and sneak out to watch previews. ;-)"}, {"response": 378, "author": "myou", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (20:45)", "body": "(Annie) Please pay attention to the info about WAGW ;-))))))))))))))) What a surprise! Saw Harry Potter tonight and there was the WAGW preview! Lots of Colin shots! The dancing in front of the mirror shot is right at the end. It went by so quickly that it almost looked like he was wearing a leotard - I completely missed that it was leather. I think I was just so pleased to be seeing it that I obviously didn't pay attention to details. I remember that in one shot, his hair was exceptionally curly. He looks very slim. Other than that, there is a great smile shot at the end. Enjoy, everyone!"}, {"response": 379, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (21:35)", "body": "(Myou) Saw Harry Potter tonight and there was the WAGW preview! Lots of Colin shots! Well, I now know what DH and I are doing tomorrow night. This is great - he'll think it's HP I want to see and will have no idea I have.... another motive! (Annie) Please pay attention to the info about WAGW ;-))))))))))))))) Leather pants........ I'm verklempt."}, {"response": 380, "author": "kkenkel513", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (22:02)", "body": "Delurking... Just got home from HP. Not just leather pants but black leather with a sleeveless black tee (very 70's). (I think it's a flashback that goes with Daphne asking him \"Favorite 70's group....Please not the Bee Gees...just not the Bee Gees.) My family thinks I'm an idiot (but my behavior during the preview only strengthened their view)."}, {"response": 381, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (22:06)", "body": "Yeah, we just got back, too. I was late and came in after my children and husband and I missed the preview!!! GAHHH! However, my minion told me all about it. \"Mom, he was posing in front of the mirror, and he was playing an air guitar!!\"... LOL! Oh well, I'm sure I'll be seeing previews again at some point."}, {"response": 382, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (22:19)", "body": "(Kathy K)Not just leather pants but black leather with a sleeveless black tee (hyperventilating at the very thought.....) As soon as I catch my breath, Kathy, I'm going to say WELCOME!!!! (still hyperventilating) Okay! In honor of Kathy's delurking, here's another TIOBE capture - it offers an example of why it would be a good thing to be FOC."}, {"response": 383, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (22:27)", "body": "Can I relurk then delurk again to get a pic like that or any other sexy pic? I love the look on his face while being seduced. Mmmmm Mmmmm! Shame we don't get to see *that* too often. ;)"}, {"response": 384, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (22:37)", "body": "Welcome, Kathy! What a great capture Rika has given you! I'm somewhat jealous (but even more jealous of FOC!)"}, {"response": 385, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (22:46)", "body": "Nice to meet you Kathy. How nice that your delurking comes upon the occasion of the introduction of the leather pants...two reasons for the occasion to go down in history! And for admittance here, it might be *required* that your family think you an idiot! LOL You'll fit right in...and thanks for the field report! And Dorine, relurking is not allowed, I see you slinking behind that potted palm to hide!!"}, {"response": 386, "author": "kasey", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (23:42)", "body": "Oh, bollocks! I was going to wait a few weeks for the crowds to die down before I went to see HP (I preferred the book to the first movie anyway). That plan's just been shot to H... BLACK Leather pants!!! Oh my."}, {"response": 387, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (00:03)", "body": "(Barb) And Dorine, relurking is not allowed Oh well, I tried. *sniff* (KathyC) BLACK Leather pants!!! Oh my. (just speechless at the thought ;-)) Forgot to say Welcome Kathy!"}, {"response": 388, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (05:52)", "body": "(Lisa) Hummm, so even if the plot is contrived and predictable there is hope for us in the way of a leather pants session? I saw it last night as well...He looks f-f-fabulous!!! And gets the silliest of grins on his face as his daughter begs him not to tell her the BeeGees was his favorite group in the 70's.. It does look like another \"Princess Diaries\" though but to see him on the big screen, gaaughhh!! Hp was fun as well with the mother of BJ playing the nurse, and Jude playing moaning Myrtle and Kenneth Branaugh playing the defense against the dark arts professor..More thoughts but DH could wake at any moment!!"}, {"response": 389, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (06:40)", "body": "(Barb) And Dorine, relurking is not allowed Hey, Dorine there is strength in numbers, I'll relurk if you relurk OR, if Rika will oblige with a capture for us, we can stay status quo. Hey Rika, rescue us. Please! WELCOME, Kathy. What a great time to delurk. CF in leather...OH HOLY JE..S! Already have my tickets for tonight's show. OHHHHHH. I can't believe it, A trailer making us nuts. What's going to happen when we get the full axminster?"}, {"response": 390, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (06:59)", "body": "My son also informed me he was making muscles, or at least that's what I think he said. Then, Sam said with a bit of surprise , \"that man is pretty muscular\"... (think of that in leather) I'm still kicking myself for coming in late... (banging head against the desk... bad dobby, bad dobby, bad) Kathy, thanks for delurking, by the way! Please don't \"apperate\" on us and pretend that you're not here anymore, ok?"}, {"response": 391, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (08:17)", "body": "So when might they put the trailer online so we may watch it on a loop? ;-)"}, {"response": 392, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (09:15)", "body": "This is the HP conference: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/movies/51/new Lots of Colin shots! The dancing in front of the mirror shot is right at the end. It went by so quickly that it almost looked like he was wearing a leotard Wearing leather pants dancing in front of a mirror...making muscles? What kind of a carricature role is this? I'm getting a drift of the story line... American teenager goes to England to connect with stuffy British dad and he morphs into a cool dude. Am having heartburn thinking about this.Pleasegod don't let him be a clown.The zaney ending of TIOBE was \"tolerable\". But this sounds like an Adam Sandler/Jim Carrey role. Why-oh-wy didn't they cast Rupert Everert in this... Before you come down on me...remember we can all express our opinions here and I *really* don't give a hoot about the toesies... He's a gorgeous guy alright..which is important, but \"where's the beef\"? Bring on GWAPE."}, {"response": 393, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (09:22)", "body": "Do I smell an Oscar nom in the making? *snort* Thanks for the trailer previews, ladies. With all the reports, it seems like more went to see HP on its first day than TIOBE. Must check to see what else is playing at that theater, so I can poke my head in for the trailer. Ask and ye shall receive. I've set up the GWAPE book discussion topic in *gasp* the Books Conference. You will find it here: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/books/45/ You can either bookmark it or use the link I'll put on Drool's main page. But remember, it will not show up on the Drool list has having new messages. You have to go over there."}, {"response": 394, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (09:50)", "body": "Thank you Karen,When can we begin? (Evelyn)American teenager goes to England to connect with stuffy British dad and he morphs into a cool dude. Sounds like there are flashbacks from the '70's when he may have been a cool dude, before he morphs into stuffy British guy? But, probably re-morphs into a cool dude before the end. OYE!:-)"}, {"response": 395, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (09:52)", "body": "OOPS, sorry boss. Did not read the main page. I see the discussion begins on the 18th."}, {"response": 396, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (09:53)", "body": "(Dorine), So when might they put the trailer online so we may watch it on a loop? ;-) Good question! I'm tempted to bring my video camera. ;-) Just bought tix on line. I too was going to wait to bring my kids. I never do opening weekends. I was there for TIOBE though. (Evelyn), What kind of a carricature role is this? I'm getting a drift of the story line... American teenager goes to England to connect with stuffy British dad and he morphs into a cool dude. Am having heartburn thinking about this.Pleasegod don't let him be a clown.The zaney ending of TIOBE was \"tolerable\". Tolerable to you, perhaps. Insupportable to me. WAGW is one clich\ufffd after another. :-( Let's see, we've tried to show Colin how to wear a proper shirt(that collar problem) and jacket(usually too big on the shoulders) and socks(those horrid short ones) and shoes(do I need to list them?). Next we've set him up with kissing lessons(we are still waiting for the results). And now... we find him as a caricature of one clich\ufffd after another. Who would have ever thought that we would be seeing a CF film preview at a kiddies film? Which is not to say I want him in a Mike Leigh film. I hate ML. But we do deserve an intelligent adult R movie from him."}, {"response": 397, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (09:56)", "body": "And... Welcome to the new Kathy! Thanks for link, Karen."}, {"response": 398, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (10:19)", "body": "(Evelyn) Wearing leather pants dancing in front of a mirror...making muscles? What kind of a carricature role is this? Pleasegod don't let him be a clown.The zaney ending of TIOBE was \"tolerable\" Gotta say I'm with you all the way here (TIOBE was barely tolerable), but while it's not ideal, it could be worse. He could be in an actual Adam Sandler movie. ;-) That is insupportable! Which is not to say I want him in a Mike Leigh film. You didn't like Topsy, Turvy? I loved it. Though if I didn't like Gilbert and Sullivan so much and LOVE The Mikado (my favorite!), then I guess I wouldn't either. The rest of his stuff is a downer. WAGW is one clich\ufffd after another. :-( You think LA won't be, too, of a sort? Next we've set him up with kissing lessons(we are still waiting for the results). Suspect we're in for a looooong wait. Cause ya know nuthins happenin' in GWAPE, unless they do a major rewrite. HS may be our only hope. HGm isn't shy when it comes to love scenes, so maybe she can provide some inspiration. (unless a red fingernail was tapping away nearby ;) )"}, {"response": 399, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (10:47)", "body": "(Evelyn) Before you come down on me...remember we can all express our opinions here and I *really* don't give a hoot about the toesies... Oh, Evelyn, just this once, can't you toe the party line? Bwah!! (insert very smart alecky winkie)."}, {"response": 400, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (10:54)", "body": "(Dorine), HS may be our only hope. With a PG 13 rating? Nah. You didn't like Topsy, Turvy? I rented it and could not finish it. I could see Colin wanting to be in a Mike Leigh or D. Doyle film. But that to me would be more of a turn-off than WAGW."}, {"response": 401, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (10:56)", "body": "(Evelyn) But this sounds like an Adam Sandler/Jim Carrey role. Why-oh-wy didn't they cast Rupert Everert in this... But at least you won't be the only one in the theatre ;-) Do you think this will even make it to the UK? Cannot see any preteen girl here buying into all that stuff. And who else would want to watch a horrible caricature of British life. I know we have a reputation of being able to laugh at ourselves but is this even meant to be funny? It must be purely for the US market. I hope he got a very fat pay cheque."}, {"response": 402, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (11:03)", "body": "Welcome Kathy K!!! Rika, thank you for the Gwen and 'Earnest' picture! FOC does some serious finger time in his hair right about there!!! (Evelyn)...remember we can all express our opinions here and I *really* don't give a hoot about the toesies... No more toe talk...I'll put a sock in it!! ;-) (Barb S) And Dorine, relurking is not allowed, I see you slinking behind that potted palm to hide!! LOL!! I don't know what Dorine even looks like, but the visual that this gave me made me laugh (I'm seeing Bridget)! ;-) (Karen) Do I smell an Oscar nom in the making? *snort* Nevah! But there is the oft coveted \"Kid's Choice Awards\" on Nickelodeon!!! I know ODB must have been disappointed for the MTV Award loss for \"Best Snog\" for BJD, and something as prestigious as a Nick Award might make up for that! ;-D (Evelyn) Bring on GWAPE. Yesssssss!!!!! (Dorine) Suspect we're in for a looooong wait. Cause ya know nuthins happenin' in GWAPE, unless they do a major rewrite. Vermeer and his wife had 11 children...we could see some action with a bit of a rewrite! *typing with fingers crossed...hey! that's hard to do!* ;-)"}, {"response": 403, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (11:19)", "body": "(Dorine), HS may be our only hope. (Moon) With a PG 13 rating? Nah. Oh yeah, forgot what it was rated. Drat and double drat. (Tress) I know ODB must have been disappointed for the MTV Award loss for \"Best Snog\" for BJD, and something as prestigious as a Nick Award might make up for that! ;-D LOL! Oh my, if he considers this one of his career pinnacles, I'm finding a new man. ;-) Then I'd have to find a new board to post on...and a new set of friends. :-("}, {"response": 404, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (11:32)", "body": "Dorine), HS may be our only hope. (Moon) With a PG 13 rating? Nah. (Dorine) Oh yeah, forgot what it was rated. Drat and double drat. George's butt in Solaris was just rerated PG-13, but I wouldn't get my hopes up unless Colin sticks with dramatic roles, where there's at least a possiblity of of some significant between-the-sheets time, kitchen counter time, living room floor time or whatever other room might be best. (Allison) Do you think this will even make it to the UK? It's my understanding that this will open all over the world at about the same time, a la most Disney flicks."}, {"response": 405, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (11:55)", "body": "Evelyn) But this sounds like an Adam Sandler/Jim Carrey role. Why-oh-wy didn't they cast Rupert Everert in this... (Allison)But at least you won't be the only one in the theatre ;-) ROTF, Allison.You got me there.I thought of my remark as I hit \"submit\"... But that was before I heard about the bufoon antics. I should have known....from the director tht brought you \"Joe Dirt\" OK...I have a better one before someone else chimes in: \"At least Evelyn, they won't be vomiting in the toilets in this one\" Me: \"No...only the adult audience.\" They'll hand out barf bags with your ticket. If he thought he was getting poor role offerings before ...wait til he see what he gets after this one. And he can kiss \"Hamlet\" goodbye.The critics will savage him. BTW I hope I'm wrong...if I am, I'll apologize soundly on March 29th. Hi Kathy. Sorry you're catching me on such a low day...I'm normally v. upbeat."}, {"response": 406, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (11:57)", "body": "(Karen) George's butt in Solaris was just rerated PG-13 Good! I was a bit disturbed by the rating only because I hate that it's perfectly acceptable for a woman to be nude in a film (and get the PG-13 rating) but as soon as a man drops his drawers, the ratings shoot up! (Like their stuff is so special...Ha!) ;-) (Karen)...but I wouldn't get my hopes up unless Colin sticks with dramatic roles, where there's at least a possiblity of of some significant between-the-sheets time.... You don't think that they cut the entire \"naked dance of joy\" scene from the script to you?!!? Colin did say in an interview that someone gets naked for him in HS (course the PG-13 rating we know he's not naked). And, then again, even that could be on a cutting room floor (and the way DVD extras go, we'll never ever see it). I hope we get to see some CF action in HS (I'll I ask for is a little bit...a tinsy bit...) ;-)"}, {"response": 407, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (12:09)", "body": "(Karen), unless Colin sticks with dramatic roles, where there's at least a possiblity of of some significant between-the-sheets time, kitchen counter time, living room floor time or whatever other room might be best. He'll have to move to France and seriously consider learning french. (Karen) George's butt in Solaris was just rerated PG-13 True, but Sodebergh still had to do more editing for it and all the sex scenes are out. What kind of fun is that? I got it!!! They should release the pg-13 for early showings and the r-rated for the evenings. How's that for progressive? Quick get me Sodebergh and Clooney on the phone. ;-D Hey, it can work for HS too. :-)"}, {"response": 408, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (12:29)", "body": "(Moon) He'll have to move to France and seriously consider learning french. Or Spanish...I just saw \"Y Tu Mama Tambien\"...oh my!"}, {"response": 409, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (13:40)", "body": "(Karen) With all the reports, it seems like more went to see HP on its first day than TIOBE. Due to the limited release, most of us didn't have the option of going to see TIOBE on its first day. BTW, Karen, thanks for setting up the GWAPE topic! (Linda) Hey, Dorine there is strength in numbers, I'll relurk if you relurk OR, if Rika will oblige with a capture for us, we can stay status quo. Hey Rika, rescue us. Please! Now, you know I can't resist it when my fellow LD's beg. My biggest problem is, what to choose? I've got close to 100 DVD captures on my hard drive and not a bad shot in the bunch. But since I have a preference for Jack-as-Ernest, here goes:"}, {"response": 410, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (13:48)", "body": ""}, {"response": 411, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (14:01)", "body": "First of all I'm with you Rika, I vote to discuss it by section, but as we get into it we can always refer back if need be. AND, Thank you LD sister, Jack is wonderful, especially in that outfit. Rika, you're the best"}, {"response": 412, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (14:06)", "body": "I go for the free-for all.I don't like structure in discussions; too confining. Too academic. Becomes bureaucratic.Before you know it someone will be telling me... \"You can't go there yet\". These discussions usually take on a pattern of their own;each one is different. I like not knowing what's going to come up next:-))"}, {"response": 413, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (14:08)", "body": "PS...anyway....we're not the hosts, are we ;-)"}, {"response": 414, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (14:21)", "body": "We discussed MLSF in a sort of free-for-all right? That worked out I think we could just dive into the book and go wherever our thoughts and questions lead us."}, {"response": 415, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (14:29)", "body": "Oh my, don't know what I hit there. Was trying to insert another sentence and...poof! it was gone. As I was saying.... We discussed MLSF in a sort of free-for-all right? That worked out well I thought. It would be nice to just dive in and go wherever our thoughts and questions lead us. And Rika......excellent pic! Another one of my favorite scenes/looks in TIOBE. Love that mischievous smirk. :-) Like at the end where he's trumping Lady Bracknell on the stairs. Thank you very much. ;-)"}, {"response": 416, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (14:55)", "body": "(Dorine re: WAGW) LOL! Oh my, if he considers this one of his career pinnacles, I'm finding a new man. ;-) Then I'd have to find a new board to post on...and a new set of friends. :-( Noooooooo!!! You can't go!!! You have to stay with us and tough it out (just keep thinking about how good he looks in the WAGW's photos...put silly plot out of your mind...you are getting sleepy....very...very...sleepy...See! All better now!!). Besides! Where are you going to go? Antonio Banderas chat? Justin Timberlake??? Stay with us...we love you! (Evelyn) If he thought he was getting poor role offerings before ...wait til he see what he gets after this one. And he can kiss \"Hamlet\" goodbye.The critics will savage him. BTW I hope I'm wrong...if I am, I'll apologize soundly on March 29th. I hope you're wrong as well. ;-) I really don't have high hopes for this film, but he does look good in the pics (shallow person that I am). I would be REALLY freaked out if GWAPE wasn't on his plate right now. With WAGW, HS and LA all being released within a year, it could do some serious damage. I am excited to see all of these films (trying to be the optimist), but I don't see them advancing his career. IMO, GWAPE has some potential (and it's drama, which could get him some more serious roles again...although TEoR may be after GWAPE...). As far as the GWAPE discussion is concerned...I'm for whatever! I'm just excited to start a discussion, since it will be my first. Also, are we reading this as just a book (with no mention of ODB), or will we doing speculation about the movie as well?"}, {"response": 417, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (15:00)", "body": "Sorry you're catching me on such a low day...I'm normally v. upbeat. LOL Evelyn, everyone is entitled to have their \"day\"!"}, {"response": 418, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (16:01)", "body": "Good suggestions re book discussion, but why don't we take it over to that conference. I hate to clutter up this topic with adminstrative details that more appropriately belong elsewhere. Remember: limited # of messages in a topic. ;-) And it is doubtful we'd use all 1999 up for GWAPE. BTW, that troll has hit GWAPE. Don't bother with him. I'll be deleting his comments regularly."}, {"response": 419, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (16:33)", "body": "(Karen) Good suggestions re book discussion, but why don't we take it over to that conference. That's fine, Karen - I just figured if I posted the question there now, since we're not starting till Monday and since we can't tell if there are new messages, nobody would know I'd even asked it! But with the question here to get people's attention, we can go over there to discuss it. re: WAGW..... (Tress) I really don't have high hopes for this film, but he does look good in the pics (shallow person that I am). I guess I'm shallow too. But, yeah, I'd hate to see him do nothing but this kind of stuff. What's that line that he said Peter O'Toole told him - \"One for the show, and one for the dough.\" But I know, I know - there's been more \"dough\" than \"show\" lately. The teaser could be very misleading as to the nature of his role. This isn't going to be a highlight of his career no matter what, but the black-leather scene may be just one silly moment from an otherwise dignified character..... or not. And we probably won't know till the movie comes out."}, {"response": 420, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (16:36)", "body": "If he played his air guitar, clad in black leather pants and a T, and danced privately for me, I wouldn't mind a bit. But on a big screen... I'm getting flashes of Dan Ackroyd here. ;-)"}, {"response": 421, "author": "kkenkel513", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (17:02)", "body": "Now that I'm here, I suppose I'll take another risky step and venture my opinion. I'm actually looking forward to WAGW. I love those kinds of movies especially a Saturday afternoon with my daughters. I also like seeing him in movies I can actually see. I had to drive 3 hours to see TIOBE more than 5 weeks after opening. If I want to see GWAPE, I'm sure it will be Minneapolis or Kansas City both more than 5 hours away from my house. (Waiting for video sucks!!!) So I'll take a slightly cliched, probably a little sappy movie that I can see in a movie theater without having to road trip. Besides, my kids will want to watch it over and over and over when it comes out on video."}, {"response": 422, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (17:21)", "body": "(Karen) I'm getting flashes of Dan Ackroyd here. ;-) I'm sending you my soap. I don't need it for once. ;-) clad in black leather pants and a T, and danced privately for me, I wouldn't mind a bit. Can you send him my way when he's done? ;-) (KathyK) Now that I'm here, I suppose I'll take another risky step and venture my opinion. No, no...not risky. We're equal opportunity opinion givers here. :-)"}, {"response": 423, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (18:05)", "body": "(Karen) If he played his air guitar, clad in black leather pants and a T, and danced privately for me, I wouldn't mind a bit. (Dorine) Can you send him my way when he's done? ;-) We're going to have to set up a schedule for this, aren't we? Tell you what - I'll go first and make sure the dancing, leather pants, and so on are up to our exacting standards before sending him in your direction. Bear in mind that it may take quite a while - one can't rush these things. ;-) (Karen) I'm getting flashes of Dan Ackroyd here. ;-) ACK!!!! Well, that certainly took care of the lovely image in my head generated by the above."}, {"response": 424, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (19:22)", "body": "You know.. hearing that ODB does campy, degrading silly things in front of a mirror in WAGW tends to remind me of the antics of Kevin Kline in the comedy \"A Fish Called Wanda\", but I must be mistaken about that because he won an Oscar for that role, and it seems, as far as I can tell by a few here, that such an occurence would be, not only a stain on an actor's name that he could never overcome, but a molecular impossibility as well! I mean... once an actor plays a silly role in a goofy comedy there's simply no way the Academy will EVER take them seriously again.. Such a move has caused the downfall of so many fine actors: Tom Hanks, Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman, Jack Lemmon, James Coburn, Kevin Spacy, Jim Broadbent, Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro,(I could go on and on but since I already have the impression that I wore my welcome out here awhile back, I shall desist.) You know, just for the record, I wish ODB wouldn't take on such roles, as well, and save himself for only the sort of proje ts that bring him acclaim from, both, far and wide, but I'm sure he'd rather have an occasionally laughable role listed on his resume & nice things for his family, than be accepting only Oscar worthy work and living with middle class worries. Oh man! (slapping self in head) I just realized that I've made yet another faux pas by, once again, mentioning WAGW's preview on this thread, even though it is current. Could someone post that link again so that I can take my unwelcomed comments about Colin Firth's NEW movie's preview over to the Harry Potter thread where they belong? Gee... I guess even simpleminded pollyannas eventually learn to take a hint and quit trying to be friendly, or, perhaps like Evelyn, I'm simply having a difficult day."}, {"response": 425, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (19:54)", "body": "..once an actor plays a silly role in a goofy comedy there's simply no way the Academy will EVER take them seriously again. The candles are being lit as we speak... Here's the URL you wanted: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/movies/51/"}, {"response": 426, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (20:39)", "body": "(Karen), If he played his air guitar, clad in black leather pants and a T, and danced privately for me, I wouldn't mind a bit. But on a big screen... I'm getting flashes of Dan Ackroyd here. ;-) LOL! It was goofy. Wait till you see it! There is a close-up of a picture of him with a hippy vest and long hair that might actually be his own. I hope it's on-line soon. I want to see it again and I'm not going back to HP."}, {"response": 427, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (21:33)", "body": "(Moon) There is a close-up of a picture of him with a hippy vest and long hair that might actually be his own. There are a few old pictures of him around with long hair, aren't there? Or am I just imagining it?"}, {"response": 428, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (21:53)", "body": "(Karen), If he played his air guitar, clad in black leather pants and a T, and danced privately for me... Did you say there was a schedule being set up? Just let me know where I need to sign-up... ;-) I just saw it...and honestly (here I go)....it didn't look as bad as I thought it might! It actually looked like something I may be able to sit through without too many complaints (I say this now, please do not hold me to it). Thought ODB looked wonderful. Trailer had *lots* of close-ups. It seemed as if he had as much screen time as Amanda (in the preview). The woman behind me let out an audible sigh when she saw ODB!! I giggled and the DH started laughing...(he may have thought I brought him to HP just to see ODB...hmmmmm....I'd never do something like that)! Anyway, the leather scene was goofy (to quote Moon) and he was barefoot (sorry Evelyn)...The Bee Gee part was funny because he had a great smirk on his face (it was a nano-second, but I saw it). There was a scene when Daphne first gets to the UK and someone says something like \"how can we believe she is your daughter?\" and his response is, \"she has a birth certificate with my name on it, and.....she has my eyes\". Kathy K, I think I would drive 5 hours to see this one... (Moon) There is a close-up of a picture of him with a hippy vest and long hair that might actually be his own. I think you may be right...funny picture. Wish it would have been on-screen a second longer. And about seeing HP again...though I really enjoyed it, at 2 hours 40 minutes (w/ no pee break and too much Diet Coke)....I think I'll wait for the video to come out before I see it again! So, I hope they do put the trailer online soon! ;-)"}, {"response": 429, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (22:11)", "body": "(Rika) There are a few old pictures of him around with long hair, aren't there? Or am I just imagining it? Hope the boss forgives me. I found one on another fan site. About half way down the page. Also a good picture with Meg (dimples!) further down. http://hem.passagen.se/lmw/bio1.html"}, {"response": 430, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (22:31)", "body": "Tress, I just saw the trailer, and I agree with you. It definitely looks decent. He looks fantastic, and the guitar scene is very quick. Looks like a flasback type thing. The look he gives AB when she says please don't tell me it was the Bee Gee's is to die for. I'll reserve judgment on this until I see it, but from what I saw so far, I'm very pleasantly surprised."}, {"response": 431, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (00:21)", "body": "(Jeanie) You know, just for the record, I wish ODB wouldn't take on such roles, as well, and save himself for only the sort of projects that bring him acclaim from, both, far and wide, but I'm sure he'd rather have an occasionally laughable role listed on his resume & nice things for his family, than be accepting only Oscar worthy work and living with middle class worries. I agree. We can hope he gets offered some really meaty roles, but in the meantime he has a family to provide for, and at least he's a working actor. I guess even simpleminded pollyannas eventually learn to take a hint and quit trying to be friendly, or, perhaps like Evelyn, I'm simply having a difficult day. Simpleminded? I don't think so! Say, is this one of those Southern-girl acts?"}, {"response": 432, "author": "Odile", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (00:47)", "body": "Thank you Tress so much for the details on the trailer/preview of WAGW! I feel like I was there! :) Looking at the offerings at my theater, I can't quite stomach the $8.50 for just a trailer... (maybe I need to go look at some more of Rika's delicious captures to shake the common sense out of me :) )"}, {"response": 433, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (02:25)", "body": ""}, {"response": 434, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (03:04)", "body": "To offer some context, not long ago I asked if we were going to discuss GWAPE in \"chunks\" or as a free-for all. In the course of the discussion this remark was made: (Evelyn) PS...anyway....we're not the hosts, are we ;-) No, we're not. But it never occurred to me that the prerogative of the host would be compromised by some opinions being expressed on a question/suggestion, particularly since our host, from my observation, seems quite open to input and ideas about the topics for the discussions and so on. But, Evelyn, your comment has left me most unhappy, because it suggests that I stepped out of bounds and may have inadvertently offended Karen. I would hate it if that were the case. Karen, I'm terribly sorry if my question/suggestion was out of line. I'm deleting the post that started the conversation and I withdraw the question. I know I'm compounding my sins by cluttering up 165 with this post, but since Evelyn's remark was posted here, I thought it the best place to offer an apology."}, {"response": 435, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (09:17)", "body": "(Jeanie) hearing that ODB does campy, degrading silly things in front of a mirror in WAGW tends to remind me of the antics of Kevin Kline in the comedy \"A Fish Called Wanda\", but I must be mistaken about that because he won an Oscar for that role... Excellent point! And then he did \"In/Out\" where he danced to Macho Man. KK is an excellent, very versatile actor, who I admire (and think is v. cute as well). Unfortunately (and this is where we get into those dastardly career discussions), Colin hasn't offset his forays into comedy with solid dramatic roles. KK constantly does Shakespeare on stage and serious little indie films in addition to his scene-stealing roles in larger films. I saw KK on Broadway many years ago as the Pirate King in Pirates of Penzance and was amazed at how brilliant this guy is. Your other examples are noteworthy as well, although I would omit DeNiro as he has only recently moved into that type of role. Does he need the money that badly now? ;-) (KathyK) I suppose I'll take another risky step and venture my opinion One thing I really dislike is when people feel they must preface their opinions with comments like this. Puhleeez!!! You have no need to say that. State your opinion. period. We do not flame anybody here. You and I may not agree, but that is normal. I prefer to see Colin do other types of roles and I do not have the problem of having to drive 5 hours to see an arthouse film. But being able to see a film with my child or watching it in a continuous loop on video with same child are not important criteria for me. We lead different lifestyles. I rarely, if ever, go to see the BIG blockbuster films and I don't apologize for that or make excuses for not having seen the flavor of the weekend. That's my preference. Amen. (Rika) I'm terribly sorry if my question/suggestion was out of line. Not out of line, and what is going on here? Why are people getting their knickers in a twist? Take a deep breath, close your eyes and visualize CF in tight leather pants doing a private lap dance for you. I am doing that right, even though it is difficult to concentrate on typing. ;-)"}, {"response": 436, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (09:29)", "body": "No apology needed.No sin committed.This is an equal opportunity board and what you read into my posting was your perception. Didn't you see the ;-) Besides *I'm* always been told by the boss ...slides right off. Part of the deal around here. Turn around: OK...I look forward to seeing the trailer of WAGW Ts'giving weekend.. I have always liked ODB's early pictures with big hair:-))))) Thank you Linda."}, {"response": 437, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (09:50)", "body": "(Jeanie) Could someone post that link again so that I can take my unwelcomed comments about Colin Firth's NEW movie's preview over to the Harry Potter thread where they belong? Huh? I believe the url was posted for comments relating to the HP movie in message #388 above. The Mirror article with the pics of a long-haired Colin can be found here: http://www.spring.net/karenr/articles/mirror040901.html"}, {"response": 438, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (10:54)", "body": "(Karen) Your other examples are noteworthy as well, although I would omit DeNiro as he has only recently moved into that type of role. Does he need the money that badly now? ;-) Well he does have a production company to run. ;) Anyway, I read an EW article yesterday that mentioned after the success of Analyze This, he said he found that he liked doing comedy and seemed to be decent in it. Not sure where he went wrong with....uh, what's that one with Eddie Murphy. Didn't see it, but know it didn't do well. Guess we'll see how Anayze That does in a couple of weeks. Colin hasn't offset his forays into comedy with solid dramatic roles. No, unfortunately not, but at least he did Conspiracy. Granted it was TV and relatively small compared to KB's part, but still helluva job I thought."}, {"response": 439, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (11:00)", "body": "(Karen) If he played his air guitar, clad in black leather pants and a T, and danced privately for me, I wouldn't mind a bit. But on a big screen... I'm getting flashes of Dan Ackroyd here. ;-) Now that's a really scary thought. LOL. Actually am looking forward to seeing this as I like alot of these movies. At least its getting advanced publicity. That's a start and a refreshing change. Smart move to have such a divine adult attraction in a teen movie IMO. Tight black leather, way to go. I think it will be lots of fun. Looking forward to it, and \"she has my eyes.\" Can just picture him saying that. Good enough for me."}, {"response": 440, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (11:43)", "body": "I also thought it was brilliant to run this trailer with HP. Karen, a question: Does this work like TV, do you have to pay big bucks to run your trailer with an obvious blockbuster like HP? Like running a commercial during the Superbowl? If it does, then it is encouraging to think there will be semi-big budget publicity for WAGW?! (FanPam)and \"she has my eyes I loved that line: She has a birth certificate with my name on it, and she has my eyes. I mentioned to others after seeing this last night, that He looks like Mark Darcy, but sounds like Mr. Darcy (the way he delivers this line). Two Darcy's for the price of one. I'd pay extra.:-)"}, {"response": 441, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (11:47)", "body": "and \"she has my eyes That is a bit of a stretch. I don't see it. ;-)"}, {"response": 442, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (11:52)", "body": "(Linda) Does this work like TV, do you have to pay big bucks to run your trailer with an obvious blockbuster like HP? Like running a commercial during the Superbowl? I'm no expert, but I believe it is just the opposite. The theater owners have no choice and must run a \"trailer\" package provided by the distributors. The only ones who pay are the commercials before the movie trailers."}, {"response": 443, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (12:11)", "body": "(Moon) and \"she has my eyes That is a bit of a stretch. I don't see it. ;-) Now, now....he doesn't *look* old enough to have a daughter that age either. ;-)"}, {"response": 444, "author": "Odile", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (12:46)", "body": "(Linda) Does this work like TV, do you have to pay big bucks to run your trailer with an obvious blockbuster like HP? Like running a commercial during the Superbowl? (Karen) The theater owners have no choice and must run a \"trailer\" package provided by the distributors. It just happens to be from the same studio: Warner Bros... so it's in their interest."}, {"response": 445, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (13:42)", "body": "\"Happens\" is no coincidence, as WB is the distributor as well. They put together a trailer package for the theater owners, promoting whatever they want. Yes, it is definitely in their interest."}, {"response": 446, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (14:02)", "body": "(FanPam) Looking forward to it, and \"she has my eyes.\" Can just picture him saying that. Good enough for me. It was a great line...he paused a bit before he said it (there were a couple, three people in the room). It was like he wanted to believe it so badly...(at least that's what I got from his two second performance, and we all know he's a good actor and can convey a lot in a little!). Anyway...Nothing will hold me back from seeing a CF movie, so am actually pleased that the trailer was not as bad as I anticipated (asked the DH if he was going to see it with me...and he just laughed! Imagine!! Guess I'm on my own again). ;-) \"she has my eyes.\" (Moon)That is a bit of a stretch. I don't see it. ;-) Neither do I...I looked really hard after he said that to see something even similiar. ODB has the 'fine eyes'. Amanda's are just big and green (still, they are very pretty just not like ODB's). Don't think the kids in the theatre will catch that though! ;-) (Karen) The theater owners have no choice and must run a \"trailer\" package provided by the distributors. At the big houses, I have heard through friends that there is usually an 'attached trailer'. If you get a Disney film, it will come with one Disney trailer 'attached' that has to be shown with the film. Then the remaining trailers are usually a mix (possibly another Disney trailer, then one Paramount, one Warner Bros....never usually more than one). This is negotiated (on Mondays I found out) which trailers will go on which films. It is a big business and I have heard that negotiations can be really nasty, with distributors threatening to withhold a movie if a certain trailer is not attached to another movie...Since HP was Warner Bros, and WAGW is Warner Bros, it may have been the attached trailer...Karen is right, the commercials are the ones who pay...all others are negotiated through other deals. I think the WAGW trailer attached to HP is a good sign that this movie will be pushed hard..."}, {"response": 447, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (14:49)", "body": "Well, the WAGW trailer was *not* shown with HP at the theater I went to. So, I've either been ripped off or spared, depending upon your view of things.;-) I read that it is being shown on MTV and VH-1, on a show called ET (a version of Entertainment Tonight for the music video networks). That show airs again today on VH-1 at 6:30 p.m., Eastern Time."}, {"response": 448, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (15:37)", "body": "I don't think my kids are going to want to go to the HP film so I won't be able to even quiz them about the trailer, if and when it gets to the backwoods part of the world that I live in! Lisa, going off humming them theme to the Beverly Hillbillies (insert kissing cousins winkie)"}, {"response": 449, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (16:35)", "body": "(Mari)So, I've either been ripped off or spared, depending upon your view of things.;-) In my view, sorry Mari, ripped off. Especially considering I had to drive an hour to your neck of the woods to see TIOBE before it opened here.:-)I don't think you'll want to drive an hour here just to see the trailer. I'm taping it off of VH1. Thanks for the info."}, {"response": 450, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (16:56)", "body": "(Mari) I read that it is being shown on MTV and VH-1 Yippee!! Now I can see it. There was nothing else even remotely interesting (to me) at the complex nearest me showing HP."}, {"response": 451, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (17:56)", "body": "The trailer just aired on VH-1, but considerably shorter than the HP one. And, of course,they cut out the \"look\" from the Bee Gees scene. Only a nanosecond longer and we would have had it. ARRRGH."}, {"response": 452, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (19:09)", "body": "Black leather pants? I'll have to see that first; they're not my personal cup of tea (been there, done that, rock and roll cliche) Now delicious buttery medium brown suede, there's another matter...and I find the very idea of sleeveless tee-shirts quite depressing. Sorry to be a contrarian, ladies, but there it is. YMMV. Thanks for greeting the delurkers, I've been busy today!"}, {"response": 453, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (19:12)", "body": "I attended the BAFTA/LA screening of HP & CoS, and spoke to the film\ufffds producer, David Heyman, about the film and the upcoming PoA. I very politely asked if Remus Lupin & Sirius Black had been cast yet \ufffd no, according to him. I then asked if I could suggest 2 actors that I have in mind for the roles: CF for Lupin & JN for Sirius. Fortunately, he didn\ufffdt ask who they were & what they\ufffdve done before \ufffd oh, and I heard some sighs when I mentioned both their names."}, {"response": 454, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (19:31)", "body": "Thank you Marianne......for your quick thinking. Excellent. Did he make any reply or facial expressions? Like grimaces or smiles?"}, {"response": 455, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (19:31)", "body": "So Marianne, what did he say in response...ok, duly noted, thanks.?"}, {"response": 456, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (19:34)", "body": "(Elizabeth) Black leather pants? I'll have to see that first; they're not my personal cup of tea Actually leather pants aren't my thing either as I prefer a nice fitting (read:not baggy) pair of jeans on someone, but leather is generally *very* fitting, so I wouldn't mind seeing that on him just once. ;-)"}, {"response": 457, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (19:46)", "body": "HAW! I've assisted in stuffing a pair or two in my time, though. Let's hope the costumers counted the tube socks, solely in the interest of truth in advertising, of course. ;)"}, {"response": 458, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (19:54)", "body": "(Elizabeth) Black leather pants? I'll have to see that first; they're not my personal cup of tea They will be after you see WEGW, Elizabeth I just saw the trailer on VHS 1...it's cute.V. short...only 2 minutes at best. Ole Swivel-Hips can really move his arse ! Film looks as if it's gonna be OK, Allison.LOL. Everyone takes a hit...bubbling Americans, stuffy Brits etc. No escapes. I taped it...if anyone isn't going to see HP and wants to see it, I'll be happy to start a tape train...email me. But it should be online soon."}, {"response": 459, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (19:58)", "body": "He just said, \"hmm\" ... I took that to mean he'd consider them. Oh, I did blather on about how perfect they'd be ... within the age range of Alan Rickman, then backtracked, by saying \"well maybe a decade younger than AR.\" Oops, didn't mean to insult AR, now I really will be banned from future BAFTA screenings."}, {"response": 460, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (20:14)", "body": "(Odile) Looking at the offerings at my theater, I can't quite stomach the $8.50 for just a trailer... I was so bad....I was glancing at my watch thinking I could take a 'pee break' and run into the theatre next door to see it again (I had memorized all the HP times to do so...wanted to get the most out of my $7.75)! The only thing that stopped me was that it was so crowded in my theatre that it would have been a pain to step over all those kids to get back to my seat! (Elizabeth) Black leather pants? I'll have to see that first; they're not my personal cup of tea... Not exactly mine either, but.....he looked too damned handsome to hold it against him! ;-) And! Much better than a pair of leopard skin leggings IMO.... (Evelyn) Ole Swivel-Hips can really move his arse ! Definitely making up for the pants... ;-D"}, {"response": 461, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (21:20)", "body": "I thought he looked mighty fine in his leather! However many cows had to die . . . it was worth it.;-) He certainly has the Jagger strut down pat. BTW, that old photo she looks at right at the beginning could be Colin. As far as the movie goes, I've spoken my piece about this one and its ilk; see latest career discussion.:-( I'm not going to sweat it any more; he obviously isn't."}, {"response": 462, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (21:22)", "body": "Shake shake shake! Shake your booty. Shake your booty! Holy Moly can that boy move. He doesn't need any dancing lessons. From the little bit of a clip, only the last move might've looked like the ending to an air guitar riff, when he went down on one knee. Must rewind this often. Ladies on the other side of the pond, you've never seen anything like this from him in the past. What I wouldn't give to see him at a party. :)"}, {"response": 463, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (21:37)", "body": "(Karen) Must rewind this often. Ladies on the other side of the pond, you've never seen anything like this from him in the past. What I wouldn't give to see him at a party. :) Especially with a drink or two under his belt!! ;-) Not the 'nervous' dancing he did in DG....he doesn't seem too self-conscious in WAGW, that's for sure! Wish the sequence was a bit longer...it was goofy/funny (IMO)...still, I think this one will be pushed a bit, so we may get more publicity type stuff. I look forward to more teasers as it gets closer to release!"}, {"response": 464, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (23:06)", "body": "(Mari) He certainly has the Jagger strut down pat. (Karen) the ending to an air guitar riff, when he went down on one knee. Oh my, this is a sight to be seen! ;-D Well I missed the show, so I may just wait til it's online even though it will be on a tiny screen. :("}, {"response": 465, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (00:39)", "body": "I had another report of an earlier clip shown on TV last week sometime. A woman wrote me that her son came down from San Francisco and showed her a little clip he had recorded from television and then he asked her about \"American Pie,\" wanting to know about it. He then showed her the clip of Colin in tight leather pants, dancing around. He then falls down after a girl asks him if was trying to copy the style of some '80s dancer (whose name she couldn't remember - could this be the BeeGees reference do you think?). Anyway it distracts Colin, so that he falls down. It vaguely sounds like the same clip but interpreted differently. Must rewind mine some more tomorrow. Shake shake shake. Shake your booty. Shake your booty. (my new theme song) ;-)"}, {"response": 466, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (00:42)", "body": "Found this interesting little tidbit about the WAGW trailer... Chamber of Secrets (Crowd Report) (\"The most vocal audience I've ever been with\") by Lee Tistaert Seeing Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets opening night at the Westwood Village in LA (1300 seats) at 10:45 pm (sold out), the crowd present was one rare of a kind. This was one of those audiences that just about every film buff or anyone obsessed with crowd reactions would die for. This turned out to be the most vocal audience I've ever been with. Matter of fact, it really felt like the experience I would have gotten at a midnight show of Star Wars. It was mostly a college aged demographic, with some mixes of older people in the bunch as well. And walking by the LONG line to get in at 9:30, I already had a vibe that this was going to be one hell of a rowdy bunch of people. Somewhere in the mix was What a Girl Wants, with the sighting of Colin Firth (Bridget Jones's Diary) getting quite a few cheers from the females in the room. In fact, almost every time his face was shown the same group of people (and it was quite a few) cheered. Of course, when the trailer wrapped up there was a vocal battle between the guys and the girls with cheers and \"Boo!\"'s. Lee's Movie Info He reviewed all the trailers there including the new HG/SB movie which had a tepid response."}, {"response": 467, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (08:02)", "body": "V. interesting report, Dorine. Never imagined anyone would write up crowd reactions to film trailers. But I definitely enjoyed this one. Cheers from the females at Colin's every appearance!! Hoorah!"}, {"response": 468, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (08:23)", "body": "Mari, you're not the only one who was ripped off by not getting a WAGW trailer; so was I! ARGH! Although, it's probably a good thing that it wasn't there. I don't have access to this place on weekends, so I would have been completely unprepared for a leather-clad CF; DH would not have been too happy about his wife hyperventilating because she just saw CF in leather pants on the big screen :) Thanks for the screen captures, ladies! Am v. jealous of FO'C in that scene; not only does she get hair time, but neck time as well!"}, {"response": 469, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (10:06)", "body": "(Karen), Never imagined anyone would write up crowd reactions to film trailers. But I definitely enjoyed this one. Me too! Thanks, Dorine! Mari, I missed the VH1 preview. Do you know if it will run again. I would like to tape for slow-mo action. ;-)"}, {"response": 470, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (10:15)", "body": "Thanks Mari for the heads up on the trailer.Would have missed it otherwise. I dunno...I still like the \"Banana \"routine he did in TEP, even though he was a little porky then.Maybe song and dance is the way to go...I just watched Jeremy Northam and Regis singing a duet on the R&K show. JN has a beautiful tenor voice. A pity he'll be lip-syncing on Sunday night's Dean Martin show."}, {"response": 471, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (13:06)", "body": "In fact, almost every time his face was shown the same group of people (and it was quite a few) cheered LOL, thanks for this, Dorine! Don't you love the Internet? Critiques of crowd reactions to movie trailers! This guy has found himself a niche. For those who couldn't catch the trailer on VH1, maybe ET will run it tonight."}, {"response": 472, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (14:14)", "body": "O.K., crossing fingers and hoping this works!! As Karen says, \"Shake shake shake\""}, {"response": 473, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (14:17)", "body": "Dang it!! Let's try that again..."}, {"response": 474, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (14:23)", "body": "Sorry all...one last try..."}, {"response": 475, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (14:30)", "body": "Oh for the love of Pete, 2 pics from the WAGW trailer are over on CF Fantasy Women site in Photos... Bowing head and slinking out..."}, {"response": 476, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (14:39)", "body": "Oh Maria, don't fret!!!! What is the link????? ;)"}, {"response": 477, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (14:41)", "body": "2 leather pics at http://groups.msn.com/ColinFirthFantasyWomen/home Have at it!!"}, {"response": 478, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (15:04)", "body": "Thanks Maria, very much. Hummmm, fuzzy hard to tell out of context. First impressions, YUCK! But, quite possibly when it is all put together it will be 'funny' and 'entertaining'. Am I sounding upbeat? It does seem like his role is bigger than we might have thought. Then again, maybe not."}, {"response": 479, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (15:11)", "body": "Don't know if this has any new news From pfd.co.uk Mon 18 Nov GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING Shooting starts in Luxembourg next Monday on GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING (Archer Street / Pathe). This is director Peter Webber\ufffds first feature film. Eduardo Serra is director of photography. Adapted from Tracy Chevalier\ufffds bestselling novel about Vermeer\ufffds relationship with his maidservant and model, it stars Colin Firth, Scarlett Johansson, Essie Davis and Tom Wilkinson."}, {"response": 480, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (15:22)", "body": "This is director Peter Webber\ufffds first feature film. I know there are some who have posted trepidation over this being his first film, but he could do quite well with it. Look at Christopher Nolan and Memento. Irregardless whether you (a general \"you\") liked it or not, it was IMO an extremely well done movie. Quite complicated. No way of knowing til it's done. Experience doesn't always make a good movie. And re the trailer pics, while it's hard to tell by their quality, while I noticed some definition in his arms, and I found them very amusing, I find he looks *very* thin. On the border of too thin for my liking. But then the pics aren't very clear. Will have to wait to see for myself."}, {"response": 481, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (15:27)", "body": "(Lisa) Hummmm, fuzzy hard to tell out of context. First impressions, YUCK! But, quite possibly when it is all put together it will be 'funny' and 'entertaining'. Am I sounding upbeat? Don't despair Lisa! This scene only lasts seconds, and he looks AFG (nod to Evelyn) in the rest of the trailer....He was in most all of the scenes in the trailer so...."}, {"response": 482, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (15:59)", "body": "(Dorine) And re the trailer pics, while it's hard to tell by their quality, while I noticed some definition in his arms, and I found them very amusing, I find he looks *very* thin. On the border of too thin for my liking. But then the pics aren't very clear. I agree totally. It is hard to tell, but he definitely looks quite thin. I wish he'd gain a little weight, and work out. *sigh* Not that he doesn't always look AFG to me, but a little more weight and some definition would make him look even better, IMO."}, {"response": 483, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (16:10)", "body": "(Lisa) Hummmm, fuzzy hard to tell out of context. First impressions, YUCK! The scene could be v. funny. And as Jeannie said many great actors have gone on to meaty roles after comedic films. (Jeannie: we forgot Dustin Hoffman in \"Tootsie\")But I know what you mean, Lisa. This genre of a film always depicts parents as idiots; which is what is so appealing to the young. I hate to see people laughing *at* ODB. Though he was brilliant as Lord Wessex. But then Tom Stoppard wrote that script ;-)"}, {"response": 484, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (16:10)", "body": "Really now, ladies, how on earth can you complain when you see that tush wiggling? Be glad it didn't look like that! Write this one down. Mark this date. Karen is happy. :)"}, {"response": 485, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (16:17)", "body": "Thanks for the link Maria! Not a huge fan of leather pants in general, but on ODB I will make an exception. He can wear them anytime he wants (probably no room for the cell phone)! ;-) (KathyF) I agree totally. It is hard to tell, but he definitely looks quite thin. I wish he'd gain a little weight, and work out. *sigh* Not that he doesn't always look AFG to me, but a little more weight and some definition would make him look even better, IMO. Ooooohhh...I like my boys long and lean! But he needs a tanning bed! And I second the AFG (or is that third?)!! ;-) As far as the dance ODB does....I can't knock it too much. I do the same thing almost everyday!! The DH is always catching me dancing around the house (sans leather...)."}, {"response": 486, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (16:27)", "body": "From a lady who lurks, there's a mention of Colin and Kelly Preston visiting the set of an [unmentionable] movie in this week's Entertainment Weekly. In the second paragraph he spoke of Christopher Columbus smiling at the \"gaggle of visitors\"...those being \"Kelly Preston and Colin Firth, who are shooting the drama What a Girl Wants, nearby. And yes, it does say drama in the article. Thanks, Ada!"}, {"response": 487, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (17:08)", "body": "(Tress) Ooooohhh...I like my boys long and lean! Well, so do I. However, I wouldn't mind seeing a little definition there. I don't mean like Mr. Universe... a very little would suffice. Not that I don't like him just as he is, I just think he might be a little more marketable if he were slightly more buffed."}, {"response": 488, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (17:20)", "body": "I went and looked again at the two captures. Arms are a tad skinny, but I too like a lean fellow. I see no one has really gone below the belt and I don't want to get a label here of starting certain kinds of conversations, but, well, what the hell, I will. The pants, Louisa, the pants. The fit in the crotch is very well defined in the one pic. But as far as the never-ending left/right debate, I'm not sure it could be said with any certainty. Yes, just call me gutter mind! (insert trashy winkie) I will say that there are several really nice shots of Colin in the collections there that I have never seen before. I'm not a member and can't post there, but if anyone from there reads here, Thanks very much!"}, {"response": 489, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (17:29)", "body": "(KathyF) I wouldn't mind seeing a little definition there. I don't mean like Mr. Universe... a very little would suffice. If he could keep the lean and get a Brad Pitt/Tom Cruise belly. hmmmmm.... Then, of course, I don't think we would benefit from it, but I bet LD sure would like it. ;-)"}, {"response": 490, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (17:41)", "body": "(Karen)could this be the BeeGees reference do you think?). The discussion of the BeeGees, was done at a dining room table while he and AB are eating. I don't know if this is the one you are referring to. I did not hear it come up at any other time in the trailer. I will say that tight leather pants will definitely allow us to continue our left/right discussions with greater clarity."}, {"response": 491, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (18:06)", "body": "(lindak) I will say that tight leather pants will definitely allow us to continue our left/right discussions with greater clarity. LOL....but don't we have to keep the discussion PG-13?"}, {"response": 492, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (20:44)", "body": "(KathyF) However, I wouldn't mind seeing a little definition there. His personal trainer for BJD goes for that lean and hard-muscled look. Some of the articles during the BJD shoot talk about Cornel Whatshisname and the regimen he put Colin on to lose the baby fat. Not sure what kind of diet or exercise helps one lose one's jowls though. ;-) Remember, Colin said he had six-pack abs, so underneath that shirt (which he never seems to take off!!) he's got muscle definition. Still has skinny arms and legs, but I think his chest has improved. (Tress) but don't we have to keep the discussion PG-13? Huh? No, just on topic. ;-) (Linda) The discussion of the BeeGees, was done at a dining room table while he and AB are eating. Right, but the way they cross-cut dialogue and the dancing bit, it is hard to tell if the woman was describing the same scene. BTW, Bravo's From Page to Screen was interesting, but no Colin, except the bit from the movie where he's crashing the plane."}, {"response": 493, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (22:04)", "body": "(Lisa) I see no one has really gone below the belt and I don't want to get a label here of starting certain kinds of conversations, but, well, what the hell, I will. The pants, Louisa, the pants. The fit in the crotch is very well defined in the one pic. But as far as the never-ending left/right debate, I'm not sure it could be said with any certainty. Now, where do I always look?! Can't help it, the eyes are just drawn in that direction. Pity the picture was so blurry and tiny, but I thought I saw something there. Am very much looking forward to a much better look at this! :-) (Tress) If he could keep the lean and get a Brad Pitt/Tom Cruise belly. I saw a photo of BP yesterday (open shirt) and thought how great it would be if ODB looked a little more like that. (Karen) Colin said he had six-pack abs, so underneath that shirt (which he never seems to take off!!) he's got muscle definition. What a very interesting thought!!"}, {"response": 494, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (22:07)", "body": "(me) I saw a photo of BP yesterday (open shirt) and thought how great it would be if ODB looked a little more like that. Hate to follow my own post, but realized I must elaborate. I meant, of course, only BP's chest/belly. Rest of BP does absolutely nothing for me. CF rules!"}, {"response": 495, "author": "Leah", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (23:55)", "body": "(MariaT)2 leather pics Has anyone else noticed that his hair looks different lenghts in each picture - in one, the hair is over his 'collar' and the other one, all you see is neck."}, {"response": 496, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (23:58)", "body": "(Karen) Colin said he had six-pack abs, In my professions, \"if it isn't documented, it didn't happen\". So therefore, if I don't see this six pack, it's ain't there. I looong to be proven wrong ;-) (KathyF) I just think he might be a little more marketable if he were slightly more buffed. I don't even care if he's more marketable like that, I just think he'd look even more AFG with a little more meat on them bones. If I recall correctly, he said he doesn't like women too thin either. (Tress) But he needs a tanning bed! A tan would do him good. Like in the pics from the GQ Man of the Year awards event. Amazing pic(s) IMO. Karen you know which ones I mean, right? (Lisa) The pants, Louisa, the pants. The fit in the crotch is very well defined in the one pic. (Maria) This scene only lasts seconds I'm reserving judgement on that. But I guess leather pants don't generally have a lot of room in them for that to be just wrinkled material. I finally got to see the trailer tonight and it was on the largest screen I've seen movies on next to an IMAX. That dance scene went by so fast I could barely tell much of anything at all, even on such a big screen. In our trailer, there was no \"she has my eyes\" line. Least I didn't hear it. His hair is considerably darker and was so curly in one scene it looked like he had a perm on top. Seemed straighter in the other scenes."}, {"response": 497, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (00:26)", "body": "(Dorine) A tan would do him good. Like in the pics from the GQ Man of the Year awards event. Amazing pic(s) IMO. I just found the pics...went to look because I could not remember. Very, very nice! He looks like he just got back from vacation. All tanned and relaxed! AFG!! In our trailer, there was no \"she has my eyes\" line. Oh gosh! It was great! I do hope they put the trailer online soon so we can play it over and over and over... His hair is considerably darker and was so curly in one scene it looked like he had a perm on top. Seemed straighter in the other scenes. Now, I didn't notice this...hmmmm...James Bond opens this weekend. Guess it's time for me to memorize the HP times again!"}, {"response": 498, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (01:25)", "body": "Great stuff Ladies!! Wonderful graphic Karen. LOL. Thank you for great pics. I, too, think he can do with just a bit more weight on him for definition. I noticed, however, that below the belt needs no enhancement. Seemed to be quite gorgeous just as it is. How funny are those pics. I'm wiping tears from my eyes. Doing Jager. He's really got a great sense of humor. Just another thing to love."}, {"response": 499, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (02:33)", "body": "Many things to comment on. Please forgive me it's dinner/supper time here and my DH is gonna KILL me if he finds me up here. First, Some of them you do for money, some of them you do for love,\" he added. \"This is a love child,\" This is a quote from James Colburn who passed away, listening to music with his wife. I had to post this as it was sooooo very similar to Cf's and Petter O'Toole (our favourtie imbiber's)way of thinking. Will recheck for hair lengths. But wait, who IS BD? Forgive me it must be obvious!"}, {"response": 500, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (02:35)", "body": "(Tress) But he needs a tanning bed! A tan would look a bit out of place in November in Islington ;-) Or Luxembourg :-)"}, {"response": 501, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (08:07)", "body": "(Dorine) In my professions, \"if it isn't documented, it didn't happen\". So therefore, if I don't see this six pack, it's ain't there. Very true. But now that I think about it, Cornel Chin, the trainer, was the one who broke it to the press. But independent verification would seem necessary. Personally, I like him lean like this. Tans make anyone look healthier, not just CF. I know the pics from the GQ awards (4 Sept 01) and he's even healthier looking a month prior at the Locarno FF, where he's wearing a polo shirt. http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjdlff.html Here's the article about Lardy Darcy: http://www.spring.net/karenr/articles/express080600.html"}, {"response": 502, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (08:25)", "body": "I remember those pic from Locarno, but the GQ pics in comparison really blow me away. Really made me do a double take. Not as much as some others, but still. Cornel, from Bromley, Kent, was a little-known gym instructor when he landed the job of improving DiCaprio's physique for The Beach Was skimming that article about the trainer a couple of months ago again. It's hard to compare since CF doesn't really show enough, but while I'm not a particular fan of Leonardo, I instantly noticed his body in what I saw of clips from The Beach. Well done job by Cornel (and Leonardo). ;-) Wonder who worked on HG before BJD. Have to admit his bod was a revelation of sorts (as noted in his wet shirt scene). Not saying he necessarily does anything for me, but compared to how he used to be before he broke up with Liz Hurley, it was a massive improvement. And you could tell. Can't get a great idea with CF, cause he never takes his freakin' shirt off. ;-) (*hint, hint Colin*)."}, {"response": 503, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (09:01)", "body": "First, Some of them you do for money, some of them you do for love,\" he added. \"This is a love child,\" (Lisa) from James Colburn who passed away, listening to music with his wife. I had to post this as it was sooooo very similar to Cf's and Petter O'Toole (our favourtie imbiber's)way of thinking. That was the first thing I thought of too when I was reading the news of this."}, {"response": 504, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (09:05)", "body": "(me) the pics from the GQ Man of the Year awards event. Amazing pic(s) IMO. Pssst...Karen!....think you might have missed my hint. ;-)"}, {"response": 505, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (09:41)", "body": "Pssst!! I didn't miss it, but I've heard there are some \"borrowers\" out there, who need to look up the definition in a dictionary. Borrowing means you've *asked* someone's permission and you are expected to *return* said item."}, {"response": 506, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (09:46)", "body": "(Dorine) In my professions, \"if it isn't documented, it didn't happen\". So therefore, if I don't see this six pack, it's ain't there. (Karen) Very true. But now that I think about it, Cornel Chin, the trainer, was the one who broke it to the press. But independent verification would seem necessary. This was all prior to BJD (and during)...I remember seeing a couple of pictures afterwards, and ODB looked a bit thicker. I thought it was kind of cute because I attributed the extra pounds to LD being pregnant. Several couples I know seemed to have gained weight together when the missus was going to have a baby. Anyway, if you don't keep up with it, you can lose that six-pack really fast. I would LOVE to be proved wrong....but, I'm gonna hold out for the documented proof as well. ;-)"}, {"response": 507, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (10:05)", "body": "(Dorine) In my professions, \"if it isn't documented, it didn't happen\". So therefore, if I don't see this six pack, it's ain't there. (Tress) Anyway, if you don't keep up with it, you can lose that six-pack really fast. I would LOVE to be proved wrong. (Dorine) Can't get a great idea with CF, cause he never takes his freakin' shirt off. ;-) (*hint, hint Colin*). He would be irresistable to me 6 pack or no, but I am with you Dorine, ditch the shirt already!"}, {"response": 508, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (11:06)", "body": "LOL... \"Love Child-\"WEGW Somehow that softens the blow ;-D"}, {"response": 509, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (11:37)", "body": "Just found these bits at a site called reelscreen, not sure if they are current but got excited that ODB was mentioned a couple of times... Hiking to Hollywood... the big screen adaptation of 'The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy' is back on track - again. The script, adapted by Douglas Adams from his own cult novel, has been through numerous re-writes, the Americans never quite sure what to make of hero Arthur Dent's uniquely British brand of tea-pot humour. No word yet on casting but you can safely say Colin Firth's name is doing the rounds... Carry on Doctor... Colin Firth is the latest name to be connected with BBC boss Greg Dyke's inspired British \"blockbuster\" version of 'Dr Who'. Budgeted at \ufffd15 million the film is set to be directed by Russell Mulcahy ('Highlander'). Final casting decisions are due to be announced in July, with shooting set to begin in autumn."}, {"response": 510, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (11:55)", "body": "Sorry, dearie, to throw cold water on your excited state, but that is ancient stuff; British museum's territory ;-) I'm not sure if that site (reelscreen) really exists anymore or post current news."}, {"response": 511, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (12:20)", "body": "(Karen) Sorry, dearie, to throw cold water on your excited state Karen, I'm afraid it will take more than cold water to de-excitulate(?) me...I'm afraid all the talk of ODB's googie on 166 has affected me..."}, {"response": 512, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (13:22)", "body": "This is news, sort of, since it covers a new TV program: Anyone watch the Bravo \"Stage to Screen\" last night? Good program with lots of the book...good comments by the cast and crew.....except for the gentleman my husband calls the \"forgotten man.\" If it weren't for a very quick pic of the airplane crashing, you would never know Colin Firth was even in the movie. Still it was good to see it all again. Best explanation I have heard for awhile why the script was altered from the book - i.e. taking away the book's ending and relegating Kip to a more minor role. Kip was the major character in the book. Ondaatje explained that the reason Kip left Hannah in the book was because he read about the atomic bomb dropping on Japan and had to go home to his Asian roots. Minghella wanted the \"family feeling\" among the movie's groups to stay in the forefront, and felt that bringing in the atomic bomb broadened and changed the focus on the characters. Worth seeing if you can. It is repeated several times."}, {"response": 513, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (13:46)", "body": "Hi everyone! I have some really good news. Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason has been put back on our production report. Preproduction dates are 2/3/03-5/9/03 with the shoot starting 5/12/03 and ending 8/15/03. The tentative release date is April 2004. The last script spec was submitted last week so I'm very pleased. Life has been extra crazy and hectic these last few months so I can only stop by when I actually have something of value to add. We're gearing up for Oscar prep and the holiday releases and everything else in between. And in the midst of all that, I have a wedding to plan...mine :) Mom always said to stay away from actors. I should listen to her more often. :) Take care everyone!"}, {"response": 514, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (13:54)", "body": "(Hola Lola) Preproduction dates are 2/3/03-5/9/03 with the shoot starting 5/12/03 and ending 8/15/03. The tentative release date is April 2004. Yippeee! Thanks for the good news Lola!! And congratulations on your upcoming wedding!"}, {"response": 515, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (14:11)", "body": "(HolaLola) Mom always said to stay away from actors. Moms aren't always right! Actors can make lovely husbands. Best wishes, Lola!"}, {"response": 516, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (15:13)", "body": "(Karen) Pssst!! I didn't miss it LOL, I thought not. I've heard there are some \"borrowers\" out there, who need to look up the definition in a dictionary. Borrowing means you've *asked* someone's permission and you are expected to *return* said item. Well done ;) Thanks so much Hola (or is it Lola for short?)!! And congratulations!! We don't know who's directing yet correct? Hopefully we'll know more about the GC involvement soon, too."}, {"response": 517, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (16:24)", "body": "All the best, Lola! A wedding... and TEOR the very best news!"}, {"response": 518, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (16:38)", "body": "Lola! Thanks for the excellent news! You are a glutton for punishment, though--planning a wedding AND holiday & Oscar releases??!! You'll need a loooong honeymoon to recover :)"}, {"response": 519, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (17:12)", "body": "It is a huge injustice when a Drooler in London goes to see HP and instead of the treat North American folks get, I get a Hugh Grant preview. Argh. However, if the news of EOR is good, then at least I can plan how long I need to stay in this city before I return to civilization =)."}, {"response": 520, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (17:39)", "body": "Wow, Lola! Congratulations! Does the lucky groom like anything like Colin? (not wondering this because if I was single I'd be looking for someone who does or anything. : x) Thanks so much for the TEOR report. It's sooo nice having an insider to keep us up to date! (hugging poor sweet Emmabean) I agree that it's a huge injustice. Rika and I have decided to purchase a summerhouse in London just so we can visit you and.. ummm.. yeah, that's it, just visit you. ;) I need her because she's nice and stable, and she needs me.. because, ummm.. because I give her someone she has to keep an eye on. We wouldn't want her to become bored."}, {"response": 521, "author": "WinniePeg", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (18:44)", "body": "Lola, great news about EOR!! Thank you... Congratulations on upcoming nuptials..."}, {"response": 522, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (20:38)", "body": "OH, thank you Lola for TEoR news, and congratulations to you. Best of luck. (Jeanie)Rika and I have decided to purchase a summerhouse in London Ahem...wot about me?"}, {"response": 523, "author": "sandym", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (21:01)", "body": "(HolaLola) I have some really good news. Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason has been put back on our production report. Hurrah! This is v. good news, indeed. My very best wishes to you and your intended. :-)"}, {"response": 524, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (22:34)", "body": "Thanks for the news, Hola, and congrats. I have a very special cake in my collection that was used only once before for a bridal shower here. ;-)"}, {"response": 525, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (01:01)", "body": "Thank you for the greatest of news Hola. Best of everything to you and your man. Maybe girls with a bit of luck he might do a bit of publicity for WAGW. Scheduling seems to accommodate it. Let's hope."}, {"response": 526, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (05:42)", "body": "Hola Lola!!!! Thanks for passing on the news. Best wishes for your future happiness. Please post about your hens night!"}, {"response": 527, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (10:24)", "body": "Mom always said to stay away from actors. I should listen to her more often. :) Oh, I dunno, I think Hola Lola Clooney has a great ring to it!;-) Best of luck to you and your lucky groom, L! Happy to hear EOR is back on the docket--given the schedule, seems like this will be CF's next, after GWAPE."}, {"response": 528, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (11:26)", "body": "(Mari)Happy to hear EOR is back on the docket-- April 2004 release is a looooong ways off.Four years after the first Bridget. (Mari)...seems like this will be CF's next, after GWAPE. Five months off...again? Anybody can say they work continuously on that schedule."}, {"response": 529, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (11:32)", "body": "From Megastar: All you need is love, actually Oscar-winning Laura Linney is out and about in London filming next year\ufffds Brit flick hit-in-waiting, Love Actually. But that\ufffds not all. There\ufffds even talk of a meaty cameo for the uncrowned queen of London celebdom \ufffd MADONNA. Clever clogs screen writer Richard Curtis (Four Weddings, Notting Hill) is directing the series of 10 love stories, in a variety of locations from Kenya to France to Chiswick, in west London. And Linney, who starred with Jim Carrey in The Truman Show and bagged an Academy award (sic; was a nomination) for You Can Count On Me, teams up once again with man-mountain Irish actor Liam Neeson in the movie. The pair first worked together on Broadway, where Linney cut her thesp teeth before switching to big screen and bigger moolah. A star-speckled Love Actually cast includes dithering Hugh Grant, inscrutable Colin Firth and, er, Martine McCutcheon. Martine plays a cockney barmaid with a thuggish publican husband, before she cops it in a traffic accident in a bleak square in London\ufffds East End. Sorry - wires crossed there. She in fact plays a tea lady to Grant\ufffds British Prime Minister. Alan \ufffdthe actor\ufffd Rickman also takes a major role, while there are noteworthy eye-candy cameos for supermodel Claudia Schiffer, Shannon \ufffdAmerican Pie\ufffd Elizabeth and ubiquitous teen-flick floozy Denise Richards."}, {"response": 530, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (12:03)", "body": "ubiquitous teen-flick floozy Denise Richards. *snort* Thanks, Mari. That's the same one that had an item about Keira Knightly a couple of days ago because of Zhivago and called Colin \"Mr Wet T-Shirt 1857.\" Is that when they think P&P is set? I'm not too sure I'd like to see that Mr Darcy in 1857 with a wet shirt. Let's see how old would he be? About 70? ;-)"}, {"response": 531, "author": "sandym", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (12:47)", "body": "(Mari) man-mountain Irish actor Liam Neeson translation please??"}, {"response": 532, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (13:28)", "body": "He's big as a mountain????"}, {"response": 533, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (14:49)", "body": "Saw him on stage last spring in \"The Crucible\" and he eees one beeeg maan.Towering. And according to Julia Roberts...\"legendary\" in...ahem...\"parts\"."}, {"response": 534, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (15:06)", "body": "(Evelyn)Five months off...again? Anybody can say they work continuously on that schedule. LOL, well, I'm figuring GWAPE will film until at least the end of January. Some actors would work in another project between then and May, but with him, it's doubtful. That's ok, will leave him time to come over and do the talk show circuit for WAGW and, God willing, Hope Springs.;-) I find I actually enjoy repeatedly watching his TV interviews more than I do his movies. Pfft! There it is, I've confessed.;-)"}, {"response": 535, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (15:15)", "body": "(Jeanie)Rika and I have decided to purchase a summerhouse in London just so we can visit you and.. ummm.. yeah, that's it, just visit you. ;) Jeanie, Rika, I have a pull-out couch, an A-Z that covers Barnsbury and the rest of Islington, normally great sleuthing skills (that have alas not kicked in since I arrived too well), movie premiere scoping experience, and lots of free time =). Hey, I also serve free trade organic coffee. Anyone else coming to London, Tanja will vouch that I am not a bad hostess!"}, {"response": 536, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (15:16)", "body": "Err make that fair trade. Mixing my US-Canadian border relations with working conditions in coffee countries. Bad habit. Sorry =)."}, {"response": 537, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (16:46)", "body": "(Mari), will leave him time to come over and do the talk show circuit for WAGW and, God willing, Hope Springs.;-) I find I actually enjoy repeatedly watching his TV interviews more than I do his movies. Pfft! There it is, I've confessed.;-) LOL! That's because you don't have to share him. ;-) Since WAGW will get wide release, will he finally get Letterman and Leno?"}, {"response": 538, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (18:24)", "body": "Yo, Karen! You get 2 nice mentions on the Amanda Bynes website, but you'd better get after Robair to put up some CF snappies! We want more than the back of his head.;-) \"We have now at the WAGW pages a trailer gallery featuring 35 images from the trailer in all their 640x480 glory! We want to thank the fine folks at firth.com, which is to Colin Firth what this site is to Amanda Bynes, for supplying the video we worked from. We'd reckon that nobody else with the least interest in Amanda Bynes has anything like this on their sites yet. So we're pretty proud, you betcha! The trailer itself should still make it online in a day or two...maybe tonight!\""}, {"response": 539, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (18:27)", "body": "Sorry, forgot to list the URL. Scroll about half way down and click on trailer gallery. http://members.fortunecity.com/robair/abnow/index.htm"}, {"response": 540, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (18:28)", "body": "D'oh! I should have known the boss was on top of it! Great stuff, Karen, thanks. http://www.firth.com/wagw_gal1.html"}, {"response": 541, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (18:35)", "body": "How on earth did you get my new page listed before I did? Yes, he made caps 'specially for us. I didn't leave them in their bigger state because they're more blurry that way. But I'll check to see how he's done his."}, {"response": 542, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (18:45)", "body": "The size you have looks fine. My fave (of the non-booty variety, anyway;-):"}, {"response": 543, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (19:17)", "body": "Thanks, Mari for pointing out Amanda's website and Karen's page which I obviously hadn't looked for/at in a while. Ooh, I like that one above!"}, {"response": 544, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (19:23)", "body": "Thanks everybody for the very sweet and kind well wishes. I'm very touched. Mari, Clooney won't be my last name, nor Affleck. LOL But my honey is much cuter anyway. :) As soon as I have further information regarding LA and TEOR I will be sure to stop by with the update. I'm very pleased that we've inked Leo DiCaprio for a new project to be directed by Robert DeNiro. It's these types of projects (not necessarily this particular role) that I would love to see Colin star in. He is way too fine an actor for mediocre films. But I understand the whys and hows of his particular situation and you can never beat a working actor. To the American's in the forum....HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! Take care everyone."}, {"response": 545, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (19:52)", "body": "Thanks for checking in , Lola...we know you're busy and appreciate your news bits. Karen, your page is wooonderrrful! Esp the finale of the \"booty number\". If he ever loses his day job....;-)"}, {"response": 546, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (20:15)", "body": "Really great page Karen. Thank you. Where did you get your pic Mari? I haven't seen that one."}, {"response": 547, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (21:12)", "body": "Very nice Karen (and Mari). You guys are on top of things. I gotta say, the AGF man is looking a little older than he did. (Now that I read that it sounds stupid!) It might be the quality of the pics lifted from the video. But I see some bags under the eyes and just a general \"older\" look about him than I don't recall from BJD. And, who was mentioning how long it was going to be between BJD and TEoR??? I have no problem with a maturing man, but I couldn't help but notice it."}, {"response": 548, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (22:18)", "body": "I wanted to share my trailer-viewing story. I found a multiplex where HP was playing in three theaters, with start times 20 minutes apart. Perfect, I thought - three shots at the WAGW trailer for the price of one. Oddly enough, though, the trailers varied from one theater to another. The Kangaroo Jack and Two Weeks Notice trailers were shown in all three theaters, WAGW in two of the three, and LOTR in only one of the three. At the first showing, a woman and her son (who was 8 or so) came in during the previews and stood in the back by the door. As soon as the WAGW trailer ended, they left. I'm guessing she had taken her son to an earlier showing of HP that had just ended, and she was popping in for a second serving of CF before heading home."}, {"response": 549, "author": "WinniePeg", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (22:31)", "body": "Agree, Marie, I really like that one too.."}, {"response": 550, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (23:27)", "body": "(Lisa) I gotta say, the AGF man is looking a little older than he did. It might be the quality of the pics lifted from the video. But I see some bags under the eyes and just a general \"older\" look about him than I don't recall from BJD. I have no problem with a maturing man, but I couldn't help but notice it. Funny you say that, because I thought the same thing in several closeups in the trailer. This is the only pic I could remotely discern what you described. Actually I thought he looked much younger in the pic that Mari posted compared to the others. Also, it almost looks like he has on another shirt under this one. (yes, I know, a stupid observation....oh, well). And I like when he unbuttons that second button. (Of course it would be nice if he kept going ;)) I think he (and other men) look more relaxed that way."}, {"response": 551, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (07:48)", "body": "(Lisa)I gotta say, the AGF man is looking a little older than he did. (Now that I read that it sounds stupid!) LOL. Not at all...( I'm glad you said it first.) But I think it's the fact that he's thinner than ever...almost gaunt. But it's worth it for that \"Shake Your Booty\" scene. (Rika)I'm guessing she had taken her son to an earlier showing of HP that had just ended, and she was popping in for a second serving of CF before heading home. How funny. Next time run out and sign her up for Drool..sounds like kindred soul."}, {"response": 552, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (08:14)", "body": "(Evelyn) But I think it's the fact that he's thinner than ever...almost gaunt. Gaunt....that's the exact word I was thinking of, but didn't really want to say that. Thought maybe I was being a bit severe. But it's worth it for that \"Shake Your Booty\" scene. LOL, it will be a sight to behold I'm sure. ;-)"}, {"response": 553, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (08:18)", "body": "Kudos to you, Rika, for attempting a triple helping of CF trailers! Too bad you only got one, and you had to sit through the Kangaroo Jack trailer *shudder* Mari & Karen thanks for the captures. Very yummy, but I do think he could stand to gain about 5-10 lbs, just enough to take the gauntness away. (Dorine)And I like when he unbuttons that second button. (Of course it would be nice if he kept going ;)) You really shouldn't mention those buttons, you know. I'll be distracted all day, LOL!"}, {"response": 554, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (08:46)", "body": "Ladies, just for reference as far as \"aging and gauntness\" is concerned... have we seen any upclose pictures of him since this movie was made, and if so, can you direct me to them? I'll explain myself later... thanks!"}, {"response": 555, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (09:40)", "body": "I'm going to pull a 'Rika' this Friday. Going to see the WAGW preview...I mean the new James Bond flick...and catch WAGW (hopefully twice....must remember to wear watch and drink lots of Diet Coke so the hubby does not get too suspicious...Jinx should distract him...) ;-) (Evelyn) But I think it's the fact that he's thinner than ever...almost gaunt. But it's worth it for that \"Shake Your Booty\" scene. Holidays are coming up! I've heard 5-10 lb weight gain is average....though if the booty is still shaking, it may not stick! ;-) Jeanie...how about the \"Love Actually\" pics? Taken in the beginning of September (and he looks AFG). The picture in France at the zoo is fairly close-up..."}, {"response": 556, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (12:01)", "body": "(Hola) Clooney won't be my last name, nor Affleck. LOL But my honey is much cuter anyway. :) OK, so should we be checking out future issues of InStyle's celebrity wedding issues? ;-)"}, {"response": 557, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (12:50)", "body": "(Pam)Where did you get your pic Mari? I haven't seen that one. Pam, you have to force your eyes off the booty pics.;-) It's the third one in the left column. (Hola) Clooney won't be my last name, nor Affleck. LOL But my honey is much cuter anyway. :) Omigod--she's nabbed Firth!;-) ;-) Re: the uber skinniness--I was just discussing this with someone yesterday . . ."}, {"response": 558, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (12:57)", "body": "(Tress)I'm going to pull a 'Rika' this Friday. Going to see the WAGW preview... LOL, so am I, tomorrow. I can pop between two theaters for HP just across the hall from each other. Hey, If I can see TIOBE 13 times, I can certainly do the WAGW trailer proud, too. Oh, I don't know, I thought he looked AFG in the trailer, especially in the BeeGees scene. (Lisa)And, who was mentioning how long it was going to be between BJD and TEoR??? I believe it was Evelyn who mentioned that the other day. I think she said four years-for filming perhaps. But BJD premiered March, 2001 and TEoR is, hopefully, to premiere March, 2004. Still looks AFG to me, and I also thought he looked extremely good in the LA pictures."}, {"response": 559, "author": "meg", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (13:18)", "body": "lindak\ufffd Still looks AFG to me I'm with you. I think he just looks better every time I see him. Sigh. Guess I've just got it bad..."}, {"response": 560, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (14:04)", "body": "(Mari) Pam, you have to force your eyes off the booty pics.;-) It's the third one in the left column. LOL How'd you know. Is it possible they've got him made up to look older? He never looks his age. After all he's supposed to be a little older looking to be her dad IMO. Looks the emobodiment of the Temple to me, as usual. No one more handsome."}, {"response": 561, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (14:09)", "body": "(Pam) Is it possible they've got him made up to look older? I guess it's possible, although it didn't look like makeup. I actually thought he looked a little tired in certain scenes in TIOBE. Perhaps Luca is keeping him awake at night. Or maybe Livia ;-)"}, {"response": 562, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (14:24)", "body": "(KathyF) Perhaps Luca is keeping him awake at night. Or maybe Livia ;-) LOL....Or perhaps he's been lurking...and he is just v. v. scared (and worrying about his shoes, and his collars, and his pants...and...)! ;-) I like our mature boy...think he keeps getting better and better. He does look a bit tired in the blue shirt pic, but I thought he looked great in the actual previews...didn't notice that he looked older or tired. But then again, I had sucked in my breath and hadn't been breathing so the oxygen wasn't reaching the brain. ;-)"}, {"response": 563, "author": "townranny", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (15:05)", "body": "A Prayer to the Universe RE: GWAPE, Luxembourg, Europe Dear Lord, Please don't let them put him in a red fright wig today. AMEN My introduction to follow.......kathleen"}, {"response": 564, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (15:25)", "body": "You mean like this? Hmmm, maybe not, but Kathleen!! Pssst! This is the lady who suggested the BWAPE pic. I think she was scared by the Halloween one too. ;-)"}, {"response": 565, "author": "townranny", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (15:49)", "body": "Karen, You certainly have a way of targeting a girl's worst fears. Will not sleep tonight. The Horror!!! Bozo Vermeer of Delft. The shoes Louisa!!! Kathleen"}, {"response": 566, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (16:00)", "body": "WELCOME, KATHLEEN! great idea about the BWAPE picture! I'm praying with you (and Lord, if it must be a red wig, please don't let him look like a Bozo!)"}, {"response": 567, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (16:11)", "body": "Wilkomen Kathleen! Nice to have another firthette. (Tress), Or perhaps he's been lurking...and he is just v. v. scared (and worrying about his shoes, and his collars, and his pants...and...)! ;-) Now that's more like it! LOL! you forgot his kissing;-)"}, {"response": 568, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (16:34)", "body": "Welcome Kathleen!!! (KathyF) I'm praying with you (and Lord, if it must be a red wig, please don't let him look like a Bozo!) There are two paintings by Vermeer that scholars believe to be self-portraits (and his hair is wild!). One is called \"The Procuress\" and the other is called \"The Art of Painting\". I've looked at pictures of both, and the hair color is v. v. close to ODB's natural color!! Griet describes Vermeer in GWAPE as having hair the red of brick washed by rain.... The Art of Painting: http://www.mystudios.com/vermeer/24/vermeer-art-of-painting.html The Procuress (Vermeer possibly far left): http://www.mystudios.com/vermeer/4/vermeer-procuress.html We can only hope ODB isn't in a wild wig in bright red (but it looks brown to me in the pics...)!"}, {"response": 569, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (16:34)", "body": "closing...sorry"}, {"response": 570, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (16:52)", "body": "Oh my! Indeed, is Vermeer the one whose hand is nestled on a feminine attribute? Haw! A little grope here, some slap and tickle there, and maybe we will get a little of what we have been complaining about in GWAPE. Actually the wildest hair in the second painting is the man on the left from our view. He will have to wear a wig to get the length historically accurate."}, {"response": 571, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (16:54)", "body": "Hey! I forgot to say Hey! to Kathleen. Good job on the BWAPE pic!"}, {"response": 572, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (17:00)", "body": "(Tress)must remember to wear watch and drink lots of Diet Coke so the hubby does not get too suspicious Didn't even realize Bond was coming out this week! I've been wracking my brain trying to figure out a plausible reason to go see HP again, just to attempt to catch the WAGW trailer. Now, I can entice the dh w/ Halle Berry, so no problem. Will have to time previews appropriately, of course. I checked out the Vermeer self-portraits, and I must say I'm getting a little nervous about the hair. We ain't talking about just-rolled-out-of-bed Paul Ashworth big hair, oh no. Welcome Kathleen! Thanks for the BWAPE suggestion; it's a much-appreciated change from the Halloween pic!"}, {"response": 573, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (17:00)", "body": "(Lisa) Actually the wildest hair in the second painting is the man on the left from our view. That's who scholars believe is Vermeer (not the groper...Catharina would have been PO'd don't you think?? ;-D). Can you see ODB with that hair-do? Paul Ashworth does the 1660s!!! According to a book I have, The Procuress (Vermeer's version) may be based on a painting by van Baburen also called The Procuress. That version was owned by Maria Thins."}, {"response": 574, "author": "townranny", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (17:08)", "body": "Karen convinced me to post. In addition to being an excellent journalist, she is also very adept at gentle persuasion. As to Austen, Firth and Fan-fic... I cannot fix the spot or the words which laid the foundation. It was too long ago. I was in the middle of it before I knew it had begun. Gives me the chills everytime. Beautiful, n'est-ce pas? Yeah, that's right! I have a serious jones for the guy. Recent history: Have just completed a four year project in Washington DC. My husband and I are looking for new worlds to conquer. Hence, my time to sit on my bum and write to all of you. Am supposed to be packing up my house. Just finished watching Monarch of the Glen re-run. We're talking serious decadence here. Love that kilt action, Archie! (Hi Lisa!!) Should be packing up my videos, dvds, cds, books (and now my computer!!!) FIRST. Maybe then I would get something accomplished. If there is a square cm. of CF that you have not dissected thoroughly perhaps I can assist. You all are way, way, way, way around the bend but I'll try to catch up. Thanks for the warm welcome. Kathleen"}, {"response": 575, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (17:40)", "body": "Evelyn who mentioned that the other day. I think she said four years-for filming perhaps. But BJD premiered March, 2001 and TEoR is, hopefully, to premiere March, 2004. (*in Bridget mode* \"Silly Evelyn...of course\" (and she even went to the premiere.!) Thank you, Linda...he'll be 44, not 45 Hi Kathleen"}, {"response": 576, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (18:23)", "body": "Welcome Kathleen, glad to have you aboard. (Evelyn)Thank you, Linda...he'll be 44, not 45 The way this is going he maybe be 50 before it begins. Your welcome, BTW. I will hold my breath until I see the trailer for GWAPE. Oh GAWD, please no awful hair. Looking on the bright side, two viewings of the WAGW trailer tomorrow, Hurrah."}, {"response": 577, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (22:09)", "body": "WELCOME KATHLEEN Nice to have you here."}, {"response": 578, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (23:41)", "body": "Wow, are we ever a tough group to please! He's too pale.... too thin.... looking old.... not buff enough. Isn't it time to fret about the dreaded LBS? I do see the tired-looking eyes in some of the still shots, but on the big screen in the trailer I thought he looked wonderful. And I thought so even before the Black Leather Boogie deprived my brain of oxygen. (moonstar) Kudos to you, Rika, for attempting a triple helping of CF trailers! Too bad you only got one, and you had to sit through the Kangaroo Jack trailer *shudder* I actually got two out of three WAGW's in my attempt at a trifecta, so I was a fairly happy camper. But, yeah, I had to watch the Kangaroo Jack trailer three times within 40 minutes, so I paid a high price for my fun. (Tress) I'm going to pull a 'Rika' this Friday. Oh, I'm so proud! An obsessive behavior named after me!!!!!!!! :-) (Evelyn) Thank you, Linda...he'll be 44, not 45 43, I believe, since he won't turn 44 till September 2004. And when it's filmed (if it stays on schedule) he'll be 42, same as now (vs. 39 when the BJD shoot started). Not that I am detail-oriented or compulsive about math. :-) Hi, Kathleen! Glad to have you here, and I couldn't agree more about that prayer for no red hair in GWAPE. Jack Worthing would have been here to join me in the welcome, but he's too busy posing in front of the mirror right now (hmmm.... posing in the mirror.... is a pattern developing???)"}, {"response": 579, "author": "Leah", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (00:16)", "body": "Rika, love the picture. Did you by any chance cut off the bottom of the picture, or is this it? I ask this very politely, as I'm looking into the mirror from the very top of my screen to see if I can see anything else. Help!! Kathleen, welcome, enjoy your stay here in obsession land."}, {"response": 580, "author": "annea", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (07:39)", "body": "Hi, this is a message to all you aussies out there - has TIOBE been released here yet ?? If not, when ?? If so, where is it available ?? Am hoping that DH gets it for me for Xmas and have to make his job easier !! Thanks"}, {"response": 581, "author": "townranny", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (07:44)", "body": "Rika, Thanks for the Jack Worthing picture. Love that flat tum-tum! I'm with you. Can't see much to complain about. I think that lighting, makeup can make a big difference from photo to photo. It took a long while for the babyfat in his face to go away! (Not that I complained about that either).A more mature CF! He has to keep his weight down to get the best possible parts these days. He looks younger when he is slender. Also he can wear almost any costume they put on him and look fantastic. If he couldn't act - what a model!!!Please don't take him back to the Pillsbury Doughboy days of English Patient!"}, {"response": 582, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (08:06)", "body": "Rika!! Thanks for the great picture! What on earth is on the table on the paper, a Dungeoness crab? Maybe I'm just hungry...yes for the crab! Although I could always go for a Googie burger..."}, {"response": 583, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (08:16)", "body": "I sense this \"chatroom\" banter is headed toward 166. Please remember which topic you are on. (Kathleen) He has to keep his weight down to get the best possible parts these days. He looks younger when he is slender. Also he can wear almost any costume they put on him and look fantastic. Exactly."}, {"response": 584, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (10:21)", "body": "(Kathleen) Also he can wear almost any costume they put on him and look fantastic. And if he has to wear the Lord Wessex style bloomers for GWAPE, he'll need to be slender! We'll get to see his skinny legs in tights too! I can't wait to see the costumes for this one (I'm being serious, actually. I am very excited about this film....hope my little dreams aren't dashed and ODB does not end up in a flaming red wig wearing satin puffy pants)!"}, {"response": 585, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (11:21)", "body": "A warm welcome to Kathleen! Thanks to Diana for the following: Colin appears in \"Forever Ealing,\" a documentary about Ealing Studios, airing on TCM Thursday, December 5th, at 5 pm and 8 pm. FOREVER EALING Turner Classic Movies will celebrate the history and influence of England's Ealing Studios with the U.S. premiere of Forever Ealing. Narrated by Daniel Day-Lewis, whose grandfather, Sir Michael Balcon, ran the studio during its heyday, the documentary explores the enduring popularity of the quirky studio responsible for defining British comedy on the big screen. The documentary features interviews with Ealing Studios' stars, craftsmen, and contemporary filmmakers and actors who were influenced by the studio, as well as clips from many of the great films produced at Ealing. To accompany the documentary, TCM will also feature 17 of the best-known Ealing Studios films throughout the month, airing every Thursday . . . Contemporary directors Martin Scorsese, Terry Gilliam, Stephen Frears, and John Landis, and stars Rupert Everett, Colin Firth , and Lord Richard Attenborough will discuss how the films made at Ealing have entertained and influenced them. Scorsese relates that KIND HEARTS AND CORONETS was an influence on his film Goodfellas (1990), and Gilliam discusses the inspiration THE MAN IN THE WHITE SUIT (1951) gave him for his film Brazil (1985). Landis shares his views of the studio, including the thought that \"Ealing created wit of an extremely refined, stylized level.\" Other interviewees include Ealing actors Jill Balcon and Derek Bond, film historian Philip Kemp, and new studio head Barnaby Thompson . . ."}, {"response": 586, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (11:34)", "body": "Thanks, Mari and Diane."}, {"response": 587, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (12:25)", "body": "Thanks, Mari and Diana, for the news. Colin sure does his bit to help out his buddies at FF/Ealing Studios."}, {"response": 588, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (16:03)", "body": "Welcome Kathleen! From the pic of Vermeer that Tress sent us to, CF will get to wear yet another great squishy hat. Thanks, Mari, for the Ealing info. Our dumb cable co. doesn't carry TMC (or YES for Yankee games, but that is another subject!) so I will need a taping from a pal. For the original Man in a White Suit: http://www.murphsplace.com/guinness/white.html"}, {"response": 589, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (20:05)", "body": "(Rika) Wow, are we ever a tough group to please! He's too pale.... too thin.... looking old.... not buff enough. Isn't it time to fret about the dreaded LBS? I do see the tired-looking eyes in some of the still shots, but on the big screen in the trailer I thought he looked wonderful... Here, here. Rika. I'm sure he looks AFG and I love him \"just as he is.\" Thank you for lovely pic."}, {"response": 590, "author": "townranny", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (22:06)", "body": "I heard that the chargirl living in the house in Islington was supposed to practice sleeping in a hole in the basement and grinding something in the attic while the occupants were away. Any confirmation?"}, {"response": 591, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (22:57)", "body": "Now now, I posted originally that I thought he was looking 'older'. I never said it was a bad thing, just an observation. Some of us have discussed this in greater detail and have decided that the AFG man might be tired. I accept that could be the case. In any event, he's fine by be any way he comes. (Opps!) (kathleen) I heard that the chargirl living in the house in Islington was supposed to practice sleeping in a hole in the basement and grinding something in the attic while the occupants were away. Any confirmation? Good God how am I to answer that? Maybe you mean someone else?"}, {"response": 592, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (23:15)", "body": "(Lisa) Now now, I posted originally that I thought he was looking 'older'. I never said it was a bad thing, just an observation. Some of us have discussed this in greater detail and have decided that the AFG man might be tired. I accept that could be the case. In any event, he's fine by be any way he comes. (Opps!) (hooking my cane around lisa's neck and hauling her back to the Peanut Gallery!! LOL!) As far as HWM looking older, well... (I know, I know, I'm overly emotional) but he looks sad in some of the photos. Perhaps it's part of the character he plays in \"Gidget Goes To London\". I'm gonna go look closer at the LA pics and see if I see it in those."}, {"response": 593, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (23:15)", "body": "(Lisa) Now now, I posted originally that I thought he was looking 'older'. I never said it was a bad thing, just an observation. Some of us have discussed this in greater detail and have decided that the AFG man might be tired. I accept that could be the case. In any event, he's fine by be any way he comes. (Opps!) I agree with *everything* you said ;-)"}, {"response": 594, "author": "townranny", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (23:22)", "body": "(Lisa) Good God how am I to answer that? Apologies. Spent some time at GWAPE book discussion today. Vermeer's servant girl sleeps in a hole in the basement and does some other chores for him. Will not reveal anything further. Oops!!!"}, {"response": 595, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (04:34)", "body": "http://www.delux.lu/pages/aboutus/aboutuspage1.html Info about GWAPE. Maybe the backlot of Venice doubles for Dutch canal scenes."}, {"response": 596, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (08:37)", "body": "Yes, that's what I thought, but the architecture is so different, when you take a look at the pics of the backlot. Thanks, Bethan"}, {"response": 597, "author": "townranny", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (08:48)", "body": "I agree. I wonder how they are going to transform Venice into Delft? I imagine the canals were the draw to this set. Excellent sleuthing Bethan! Anyone planning a trip to Luxembourg? Two links to Vermeer's paintings of Delft www.mystudios.com/vermeer/7/vermeer-little-street.html www.mystudios.com/vermeer/13/vermeer-view-of-delft.html"}, {"response": 598, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (08:50)", "body": "Delft doesn't look like Venice at all, not even close. A lot of the old houses in Delft have remained, so I think they can easily film scenes in Delft itself."}, {"response": 599, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (09:00)", "body": "(Kathleen) Anyone planning a trip to Luxembourg? I found Contern on my map, it's about 140 miles from where I live. I highly doubt I'd be able to get in though;) Interesting find, Bethan, I'd been wondering why they were filming in Luxembourg of all places."}, {"response": 600, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (09:37)", "body": "It's all a matter of tax credits and financial incentives as to why Luxembourg was chosen over the Netherlands. I would've thought that a second unit would go to film some exteriors in Delft; that might still happen, but it does look like any major, outdoor canal shots will be done on the \"Venice\" backlot. But from the book, that would be mainly Griet's scenes. Right? Vermeer is never outside as I recall. Of course, that could be changed from the book. One lady from the Netherlands wrote me to say she and a friend had tried to become an extra, but was too late in the process. That would've been the only way to get on the studio's lot...legitimately. However, Colin does have to be staying somewhere nearby. Correct? Next week I'll ask if they will be doing \"any\" location work in the real Delft and see if I get an answer."}, {"response": 601, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (10:20)", "body": "(Tineke), I found Contern on my map, it's about 140 miles from where I live. I highly doubt I'd be able to get in though;) You never know until you try. ;-D Think of Dorine getting into the post premiere party of TIOBE. We need a rep. on set. I hope you're able to get soemone, Karen."}, {"response": 602, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (10:40)", "body": "(Tineke)I found Contern on my map, it's about 140 miles from where I live. I highly doubt I'd be able to get in though;) (Moon) You never know until you try. ;-D Think of Dorine getting into the post premiere party of TIOBE. (attempting to figure out the price of shipping for a large potted plant being sent to Tineke's house)"}, {"response": 603, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (10:51)", "body": "Jeanie, I think we need to factor in the cost of shipping Dorine over as well! Thanks for the news, Bethan and Karen."}, {"response": 604, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (12:01)", "body": "(Tineke) I found Contern on my map, it's about 140 miles from where I live. I highly doubt I'd be able to get in though;) , Ohhhh....you're so close! Practically breathing the same air as ODB! ;-) (Karen) But from the book, that would be mainly Griet's scenes. Right? Vermeer is never outside as I recall. Just a couple times that I can think of...the scenes are so brief that if they film them, they could probably do them in an afternoon....He walks up to Griet and Tanneke one time while they are out front sewing (after Griet made the changes to his 'set') and there is another time that Griet sees him walking wih van Ruijven (she is avoiding vR and had been sent out by MT on errands). Thanks for the link Bethan!"}, {"response": 605, "author": "townranny", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (12:32)", "body": "(Tress) Ohhh...you're so close! Practically breathing the same air as ODB! Somehow I think Tineke is going to be booking passage to Contern very soon. Let the lobbying begin!!!!! It must be very agreeable to her to be settled within so easy a distance from Contern. What is 140 miles of good road? I call it a very easy distance."}, {"response": 606, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (12:38)", "body": "Thank you Bethan, (Tineke)I highly doubt I'd be able to get in though;) You don't know that, but think of what Karen said... (Karen)Colin does have to be staying somewhere nearby. Correct Camping out enroute from filming site to where he is staying, (you'd need to find out where he's staying)may be a possibility. WOT an adventure."}, {"response": 607, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (12:47)", "body": "And alas, as I have no vacation time left this year, the potted plant is all yours Tineke. Just look for opportunities in unexpected places. Who knows just when you think all is lost, an opportunity may come out of the blue. ;-) Kathleen, you're too funny! ;-)"}, {"response": 608, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (13:00)", "body": "(kathleen) It must be very agreeable to her to be settled within so easy a distance from Contern. What is 140 miles of good road? I call it a very easy distance. ROTF...you are too funny! Tineke, I wish you luck, if you do decide to travel to Contern...."}, {"response": 609, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (13:07)", "body": "(kathleen) I heard that the chargirl living in the house in Islington was supposed to practice sleeping in a hole in the basement and grinding something in the attic while the occupants were away. Any confirmation? Hey, what ever did happen to that chargirl in Islington? If I remember correctly, desperately trying to remember, she was in a very perilous position last time we heard from her?:-)and a paitient winkie, too."}, {"response": 610, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (14:02)", "body": "LOL Kathleen. 140 miles is considered very far in my world;) But if they need any Dutch speaking extras..."}, {"response": 611, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (14:08)", "body": "You see kathleen wouldn't know about me working at the Firths, which I figured out after I replied to her post. I apologize. I have been very bad about keeping you up to date about what happened that day when I had to hide in the study. OK, I'll spill it. To refresh your memories, I had to choose between a peek at CF in the shower or stealing Binder's screenplay off the nightstand. Every time I look back on that day I want to smack myself silly. How could I have chosen the screenplay? What was wrong with me? I can only plead temporary insanity as visions of CF in another Binder flick made me crazy. OK, so this is what happened. There I was with no where to run, nowhere to hide. But wait, the study! I dashed in there and ducked behind this really nice desk that the computer sits on. While I was down there I noticed I should be a little more diligent with getting the Hoover into those hard to reach nooks and cranies! CF was in the kitchen, remember?, microwaving away. I figured he would go into the dining room to eat or maybe go plop in front of the TV. Oh noooooooooo! No such luck for me. The man comes into the study and sets his food on the desk. Now, here is where my mind wandered. Why? Because of his shoes! The desk is one of those that is open straight through where the feet and legs go, so I could see him on the other side as he stood there. I was looking straight at the ugliest pair of peeee-yooook green clogs that I had ever seen. Of course I wondered if he was getting into character for the Vermeer part by cruising the house in them. Perhaps they had been a gift? Surely ODB did not shell out good money for these? As I was in my clog trance, he walked around the side of the desk. Scared the 'you know what' out of me. I scampered underneath it so I was effectively in the little space for the feet and legs. Well, he made a phone call. He had it on 'the speaker' so I heard everything . It went something like this: CF: Mikey? MB: Colin! CF: Hello. MB: Hey! Riveting dialogue so far, no? CF: I can't seem to find my copy of the screenplay. MB: (Gasps in horror) Do you think someone stole it? I swallowed, wondering if Binder was telepathic , we already know him to be psychopathic , with his aggressive attempt at killing Colin's career with 'L'. CF: Who would steal it? I raised my hand. MB: Hey buddy, no problem. I've got literally hundreds of copies of it. I'll get one over to---- At this point the connection dropped. I heard Colin say \"Mikey, Mikey\" then \"Crikey, crikey!\" I should tell you that as I sat there, crouched under CF's desk listening to what was being said, I just couldn't take it. I saw the phone jack and I pulled it out of the plug, disconnecting the line. Sensibly, I plugged it it straight back in. CF redialled. CF: Mikey? MB: Colin! CF: Hello. MB: Hey! Here we go again! CF: Send me another copy and then I'll--- A well-meaning elf was playing with the line again. After he was disconnected for a second time, CF used some very naughty language. But, ladies, even his rather explict comment about just what he was going to do with the telephone sounded sooooooo smooth and mellow with his hunky, deep, resonate, echoy voice. Anyway, that was enough for him. After a pause I heard him talking to Mikey again, this time he used is mobile phone and it was a one-sided conversation for me. I had lost the battle though. That much was clear. Colin confirmed that he would look for a DHL of the screenplay the next day. But not the war. You see, I worked the next day and would be the one at the house to accept the delivery when it arrived. I already had plans forming..... To be continued.....Next installment will see the right/left debate plunged into even further chaos as I reveal what I saw when he sat down.... After all this I hope I'm in the right topic......"}, {"response": 612, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (14:30)", "body": "Lisa the Desk Elf. Has an interesting ring to it ;-) I was looking straight at the ugliest pair of peeee-yooook green clogs that I had ever seen. Perhaps they had been a gift? Surely ODB did not shell out good money for these? LOL! Boy do you have a strong constitution. Not only dealing with the stress of almost getting caught, but having to look at those shoes,*right in front of your face*, too. Gawd! ;-) I can only plead temporary insanity as visions of CF in another Binder flick made me crazy. Binder .....we already know him to be psychopathic, with his aggressive attempt at killing Colin's career with 'L'. If at first you don't succeed... Next installment will see the right/left debate plunged into even further chaos as I reveal what I saw when he sat down.... Now *that* is the chapter I'm waiting for ;-)"}, {"response": 613, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (15:46)", "body": "I had to choose between a peek at CF in the shower or stealing Binder's screenplay off the nightstand. Every time I look back on that day I want to smack myself silly. How could I have chosen the screenplay? What was wrong with me? You fought the good fight, but it was all for naught! I'd have taken the shower! .Next installment will see the right/left debate plunged into even further chaos as I reveal what I saw when he sat down.... After all this I hope I'm in the right topic...... I don't know. It's sounding a little like 166 to me. ;-)"}, {"response": 614, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (17:15)", "body": "(Lisa) MB: Hey buddy, no problem. I've got literally hundreds of copies of it. I'll get one over to---- Because no one else wants them!!! (Lisa) Next installment will see the right/left debate plunged into even further chaos as I reveal what I saw when he sat down.... After all this I hope I'm in the right topic...... (KathyF) I don't know. It's sounding a little like 166 to me. ;-) LOL.....This smacks of googie talk....I agree with Kathy! You're borderline 166 now! Thank you Lisa! v. v. funny!! BTW, I like green clogs!! I'm a lover of most ugly shoes (according to the DH). ;-)"}, {"response": 615, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (17:31)", "body": "(Tress) You're borderline 166 now! I think we went past the borderline a few posts ago gone and are firmly into 166 talk. We'd better move this over there before we are given a Topic Ticket and have to make an appearance in Topic Court to deal with it. (invisible winkie inserted - isn't it a creative one?) Now, on to something else that I think does belong on this topic. I was one of many who missed the ET on VH1 broadcast last weekend (the one that included an abridged version of the WAGW theatrical trailer). I was just about certain it would be a new program this weekend, but just on the miniscule chance that it was a repeat, I taped it this afternoon. If you're an eternal optimist like me and were thinking of doing the same, don't bother. It was indeed a new episode."}, {"response": 616, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Nov 24, 2002 (00:04)", "body": "Thanks for the very interesting info Bethan and Karen."}, {"response": 617, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Nov 24, 2002 (14:23)", "body": "Thanks everyone for the links, info and pics. LOL Evelyn, blagging your way so famously into a CF premiere, can kinda fuzz up those figures:-))Hope EOR premieres when it's warmer:-) Mari, love that you confess to adoring those interview re-runs. Better than a crappy saunter along the embankment;-)), anyday! with you all the way on that one."}, {"response": 618, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 24, 2002 (16:20)", "body": "(Tineke) I found Contern on my map, it's about 140 miles from where I live. I highly doubt I'd be able to get in though;) , Remember our motto:\"Make it happen\";-) And recall Susan who drove her van in the dead of night to Rhode Island not knowing where she was going to see MLSF screening and give us a report! (Poor Tineke...In Sept we sent her to the FF in Holland to see Possession.)"}, {"response": 619, "author": "sandym", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (06:28)", "body": "(Karen) But from the book, that would be mainly Griet's scenes. Right? Vermeer is never outside as I recall. (Tress) Just a couple times that I can think of... One more, sort of... when V. first enlists Griet to help him... I pulled the front door shut and stepped into the street...I looked up. He had opened a window and poked his head out."}, {"response": 620, "author": "susanne", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (11:59)", "body": "Okay, Who has been writing to David Poland: Finally, this from & THE COCONUT : \ufffdFew comments on the new Bond. I'm fascinated at how so many loyal fans view the films so differently, what they look for in them. There's the troop who enjoyed the detached overkill of \"Tomorrow Never Dies\" and now \"Die Another Day,\" rather than what I consider more intimate storytelling in \"The World Is Not Enough\" and the Dalton duo (though \"intimate\" in a Bond film is certainly a new definition of the word, perhaps \"finesse\" is a better word). Anyway, viewing the film tonight, I couldn't get over the massive CGI overkill, the same easy way out which I think marred last summer's Star Wars entry. What I'd like to know is why some are calling this the best in decades? The performances are OK (the old Korean general was the only surprise) but nothing resonates and all the clever moments are confined to the first half. After that it's all pretty much numbing stuff... soulless sound and fury. Entertainment by way of distraction. I still think TWINE is the underrated gem in Brosnan's bunch (Am I actually agreeing with Roger Ebert!?!). Not so much shit blowing up for the sake of shit blowing up, where Robert Carlyle and Sophie Marceau gave us a pair steeped in pain and anger... evil characters who didn't really like what they became. And is it me or did \"Die\" play more like a far out sci-fi film than anything remotely applicable to our world? the tornado lasers? virtual reality training? DNA body reconstruction? invisible fucking cars!?! One of them would have been fine but there's only so much disbelief a person can take -- yes, even from 007! (Like \"Moonraker,\" this is a Bond film that owes more to George Lucas than Ian Fleming.) Still it's a James Bond year, and this has never been a bad thing. Here's hoping someone will wise up and hire Colin Firth for the next four.... rent \"Valmont\" and tell me I'm wrong.\ufffd E ME: Colin Firth ? Didn\ufffdt he just play Dean Martin in a TV movie? Oh, it was Jeremy Northam ? Doesn\ufffdt Colin Firth play Jeremy Northam? http://www.thehotbutton.com/today/hot.button/index.html"}, {"response": 621, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (12:41)", "body": "Thanks Sue and David Poland Bond has always been my fantasy roll for him. 18 career years. 18 *fing* years waiting to see him in a roll like this. He would exude sex. Perfect personification. So handsome, so intelligent, so classy, oooooooo so sexy, so Bond. Obviously just finished watching FP again. But alas only in my dreams."}, {"response": 622, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (13:04)", "body": "(Pam)But alas only in my dreams. Saw Pierce Brosnan last night on BRAVO \"Inside the Actor's Studio. He dodged the question as to who would succeed him as Bond . He's signed on for a 5th film. Says he's got a young family now, school fees,mortgage... Hey, that guy's gonna keep doing Bond in a walker."}, {"response": 623, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (15:45)", "body": "FanPam: Bond has always been my fantasy roll for him I must confess, that I would love to se him as James Bond. If not for any other reason - then just because that is one movie, that is certain to be shown in the cinemas in my part of the world. Too old? No, not at all - he is just getting better and better."}, {"response": 624, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (18:01)", "body": "Annette: I am closing your italics tag on this topic. Thanks, Sue, for the item, but on this issue of CF David Poland and I part company and I'd like to tell that yutz to give it a rest. ;-) [Of course, it seems like we share an admiration for the Dalton duo.]"}, {"response": 625, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (22:32)", "body": "Well I had a two-fer with Colin yesterday.....yeah I know, in my dreams (well had it there as well, but that's a different story ;-))........ Managed to see the WAGW trailer twice in two different theaters on two different floors, one immediately following the other before my movie, but while trying to make sure in between I got a seat in my theater. Made myself dizzy with all the running back and forth. And now I must say, that I have changed my tune as far as how good (or not so) that he may have looked. I must have been even more tired that I realized the first time I saw it. Because yesterday he was *really* AFG! Only in one quick shot did he looke remotely tired around the eyes. And what really struck me was how great his skin looked in the part where he's talking to some Board of Director-like people saying she's seems mature, etc, and with each successive cutback to him the picture zooms in a bit closer. His skin looked almost flawless! So young. I kept wondering what he uses (yet another party icebreaker question - must start a list to bring as a cheat sheet). Though I just read Joan Collins, I think, says the key to looking young as you get older is lots of sex....hmmmmm. And that booty shake, Man-O-Man! Guess I had a better look this time. Too cute. Wonder what music they'll use for that scene. And that smile at the end was cute, though I don't remember that in there the first time I saw the trailer. I had just seen The Hours beforehand, which is not a light movie, and it was late, so I'll chalk it up to that."}, {"response": 626, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (00:33)", "body": "(Dorine) Because yesterday he was *really* AFG! Only in one quick shot did he looke remotely tired around the eyes. And what really struck me was how great his skin looked in the part where he's talking to some Board of Director-like people saying she's seems mature, etc, and with each successive cutback to him the picture zooms in a bit closer. His skin looked almost flawless! So young. I had a multiple-trailer experience today, and I was sitting in the theater thinking exactly the same thing as the camera zoomed in closer and closer."}, {"response": 627, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (10:19)", "body": "(Karen) Are you referring to Robair's note at the AB site? In any event, should the trailer hit the net, that news should be posted at 165. Since I posted in the incorrect topic, I moved my answer over here. Sorry! :-) Saw a blurb saying WAGW trailer \"Coming Soon\" at the bottom of the page on comingsoon.net. I guess that could mean tomorrow or two months from now."}, {"response": 628, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (10:32)", "body": "The Quicktime trailer will eventually hit the apple.com trailer site as well."}, {"response": 629, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (10:43)", "body": "Has anyone seen both the full theater trailer and the one they've shown on TV? If so, what are the differences? Is it mainly extensions of scenes or are there more scenes?"}, {"response": 630, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (11:13)", "body": "For all you ladies Downunder, who always say you never get anything good CF-related, well hie thee to a newsstand for Now Weekly. More pics from the park. Colin and Luca are adorable."}, {"response": 631, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (11:36)", "body": "How can you not adore a man so completely and madly in love with his little baby? BTW, he's just as sweet and loving with his pets too! The Firth man is just one of the really good guys out there in this world. A talented professional who balances his life with love for wife and family and the world he lives in by trying to make it a fairer, better place. You people have chosen a fine person to admire. Smart bunch! :) Happy Holidays to you all. I'll be back shortly with some good news to share. Hugz L"}, {"response": 632, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (11:49)", "body": "(Mari)Has anyone seen both the full theater trailer and the one they've shown on TV? If so, what are the differences? Is it mainly extensions of scenes or are there more scenes? I have-multiple times on both. The trailers are basically the same, but the VH-1 trailer has several scenes missing from the full-theater one. What's missing; the AFG smile at the end (very last shot in theater one when AB is saying please not the BeeGees.(the VH1 takes it to just that point then cuts it out. The white tie shot of CF CF looking though the photo album CF dialogue to KP when they are on the phone Another shot of CF in a plaid sort of tie (Dorine)and that smile at the end was cute, though I don't remember that in there the first time I saw the trailer Where have you been? I told you.:-)"}, {"response": 633, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (11:58)", "body": "(HolaLola) How can you not adore a man so completely and madly in love with his little baby? BTW, he's just as sweet and loving with his pets too! The Firth man is just one of the really good guys out there in this world. A talented professional who balances his life with love for wife and family and the world he lives in by trying to make it a fairer, better place. You people have chosen a fine person to admire. Smart bunch! :) HolaLola, You have touched on so many reason so many of us are here, admiring him. They just don't make 'em like that (Get busy cloners!) very often, The AFG part is a bonus! BTW, what kind of pets does ODB have?"}, {"response": 634, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (12:14)", "body": "(Karen)For all you ladies Downunder, who always say you never get anything good CF-related, well hie thee to a newsstand for Now Weekly. More pics from the park. Colin and Luca are adorable. Karen, are those pics from Now, different than the others? Is this an issue we can get here? Later issue than the Nov.6th one?"}, {"response": 635, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (12:26)", "body": "This is a completely different magazine (although it could be the same publisher, hence similarity of title) and from the same photographer, but all different shots. Good question about the pets. I don't think we've ever heard reference to them before. (better not be cats) Thanks Hola for stopping by. Could the news be an imminent press release for TEOR saying that all the principals have signed on? ;-)"}, {"response": 636, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (12:34)", "body": "Thanks Hola for stopping by. Could the news be an imminent press release for TEOR saying that all the principals have signed on? ;-) I was wondering the same thing, C'mon Hola, I can't wait for news like this Yes, I want to know about the pets, too. Oh, I want to know."}, {"response": 637, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (12:48)", "body": "(Karen) Good question about the pets. I don't think we've ever heard reference to them before. Saw a picture of ODB a while back in what looked to be someone's backyard (possibly his?) with a couple of dogs....he was kneeling down and petting them (I just assumed they were his puppies)."}, {"response": 638, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (13:06)", "body": "You're correct, Tress, that pic was in People magazine a few years back. Taken in Italy, so not sure if they're his or the in-laws'. Could the news be an imminent press release for TEOR saying that all the principals have signed on? ;-) Could be, but I'll sit here and hope it's a new project, a drama, with a respected director and A-list co-star. C'mon, Lola, see what you can do for me.;-)"}, {"response": 639, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (13:11)", "body": "Here ya go, from Meluchie's site:"}, {"response": 640, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (13:20)", "body": "That's Flick & Flock. But they stay in Italy. I'm wondering about his pets too. Lola, what pets does Colin have in London? Probably a cat. Do tell. We await your very good news. Hopefully an R-rated film. But I would also love a TEOR confirmation. I bet he will be doubling his salary this time. I would like to know what he gets for TEOR."}, {"response": 641, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (13:26)", "body": "Oh you lucky, lucky girls to have seen the trailer so many times. Of course he's AFG. Was there ever any question of that? Hardly too old to be Bond. PB is 49 and going strong."}, {"response": 642, "author": "townranny", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (13:54)", "body": "Looked at those playground pics. Going to go and call my Mom now and tell her I am a very bad girl for objectifying CF. Conscience crisis. Any similar reactions?"}, {"response": 643, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (14:13)", "body": "Thanks for the picture Mari! That was the one I saw....cute little beasties (and lucky to have ODB rubbing their bellies). Moon, are their names really Flick and Flock?? That's too funny! Like in the Andersen story? Very excited to hear Lola's news!!! Will try to wait patiently. ;-)"}, {"response": 644, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (15:07)", "body": "(Tress) are their names really Flick and Flock?? Yes, their names were in the article."}, {"response": 645, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (15:30)", "body": "the VH-1 trailer has several scenes missing from the full-theater one. Thanks, Linda, sounds like there's quite a bit more on the full trailer. I hope it's online soon, and then we can set Rika to work.;-) Yum-skidoo piccy from the People spread with the doggies:"}, {"response": 646, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (15:55)", "body": ""}, {"response": 647, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (16:05)", "body": "(Hola Lola) How can you not adore a man so completely and madly in love with his little baby? It is very captivating to see him with Luca. Thanks for the teaser, Hola! I do so love to be teased....not! ;-) (Karen) Good question about the pets. I don't think we've ever heard reference to them before. (better not be cats) Ahem!....and what pray tell is the problem with cats (My Gomez would like to know as he looks at my computer.) ;-) If they had a dog, you'd think they would've taken him to the park. Didn't see evidence of that in the pics. (Mari) I'll sit here and hope it's a new project, a drama, with a respected director and A-list co-star. (Moon) Hopefully an R-rated film Hope does spring eternal.....I still have a candle left. (Kathleen) Looked at those playground pics. I am a very bad girl for objectifying CF. Conscience crisis. Any similar reactions? Conscience? What's that? No, not in the least ;-)"}, {"response": 648, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (16:06)", "body": "Mari, I was actually concentrating on work and then I made the mistake of checking Drool, saw your post, and now I can't think (about work, at least)! Murph, the coffee pic is great and the photos with Luca are adorable. Thanks!"}, {"response": 649, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (16:11)", "body": "Luca's definitely a chip off Colin's block with that hair and smile. The captions are kinda cute too. Bet those pics will be showing up in a few other Firth sites photo albums in a jiffy. ;-) Thanks Murph."}, {"response": 650, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (16:21)", "body": "(Karen) Good question about the pets. I don't think we've ever heard reference to them before. (better not be cats) (Dorine)Ahem!....and what pray tell is the problem with cats I have to ask as Dorine - my best company watching CF movies is my big red cat. He's got the softest fur, and I don't think, I have to tell anyone that running your fingers through, pretending to be FOC \"doing\" ODB's neck, can work wonders. BTW, should this be postet on 166????? I too find the pictures adorable (oh - to be that dog!)"}, {"response": 651, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (16:32)", "body": "First, as soon as I finish typing this I'll bee bop down to the news agent and check out finding the magazine. My guess is that it's New Weekly (NW) if it's an Aussie magazine. I've never heard of Now Weekly...... Hey, loved the dog pics. I never saw the People Mag spread. Of course I knew the man would be marvelous with animals: kind; caring; gentle; playful; fun-loving; imaginative...Sorry, got carried away there. :) Rika, Loved the two welcome pictures. Gosh, 'The Dimples' Lousia. I'm ready to dive in. If I never make it back with the magazine you know where to find me. Hola Lola.....what a tease you are! All of the aboved mentioned scenarios are real possibilities, and while I vote with Moon about an announcement of an R-rated film being the top on my list, in fact I'd bethca anything it it as Karen said. The securing of the principles in TEoR. Hey, that's a very close second to the R-rated flick. Kathleen, I felt the way you did with the first set of pics that came out in the UK mag. Did anyone notice in the first pic that there are wisps of blonde hair on the right edge of the pic? More than one child enjoying the park. I wonder what that child's mum or nanny thought of the group they were sharing the equipment with? Ducking out now.......be back or join the fun in the dimples......"}, {"response": 652, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (17:20)", "body": "(Mari) Thanks, Linda, sounds like there's quite a bit more on the full trailer. Mari, I agree with Linda - lots of CF stuff was omitted from the 'ET on VH1'coverage of the trailer. ET focused mostly on AB, while the theatrical trailer emphasizes the father-daughter relationship to a much greater degree. That's what made me feel cautiously optimistic about the movie. I hope it's online soon, and then we can set Rika to work.;-) I am limbering up my mouse-clicking finger so I'll be ready as soon as the opportunity presents itself!"}, {"response": 653, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (17:36)", "body": "Thanks, Mari and Murph for the pictures What a droolable day. And even possible news about TEoR. *looking for that last bit of candle*"}, {"response": 654, "author": "dalec", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (20:45)", "body": "I haven't had much time to keep up with all the messages lately. What does AFG stand for? I'm a little confused with the status of TEOR. Is it still unconfirmed if it will be made or are we just waiting to see when it's going to happen. Great pics of Colin."}, {"response": 655, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (20:58)", "body": "The WAGW trailer is up! It's the full theatrical trailer. Here's at least one URL where it can be found (QuickTime format): http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/w/whatagirlwants.php Going to check more sites and will report what I find."}, {"response": 656, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (21:03)", "body": "Just a quick follow-up - it's not listed on the QuickTime Movie Trailer page yet, nor is it reachable (so far) from the WAGW page or the WB Movies page."}, {"response": 657, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (21:22)", "body": "(Rika) The WAGW trailer is up! Ooooh!!! I just watched it three times, and it actually looks cute (now I'm dodging the chairs being thrown by the gimme-an-R-rated group). Definitely googie material there. Was that \"There She Goes\" or just something that sounds rather like it?"}, {"response": 658, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (21:34)", "body": "Rika!! You're the woman! That was the site I saw yesterday, and I never thought to go back so quickly to see if it actually 'arrived'! Thank you! I just watched it 3 times as well...Gawd! Is he just AFG (dalec, it means absolutely f**king gorgeous) or what!!?! I am addicted to this trailer....going back to watch it again! ;-) KathyF, it does sound like \"There She Goes!\""}, {"response": 659, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (21:52)", "body": "(KathyF,) it does sound like \"There She Goes!\" I noticed it right away. I think it is"}, {"response": 660, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (21:57)", "body": "(Rika) That was the site I saw yesterday, and I never thought to go back so quickly to see if it actually 'arrived'! Thank my intuition, which is sometimes freakishly intuitive. I was online, and all of a sudden a voice in my head said, \"Go see if the trailer is up.\" Bizarre. Bad news, though - am having technical difficulties with captures so far. They worked fine when I tested with RealPlayer video, so this may be a QuickTime issue. I'm working on it but I don't know if I'll be able to do anything about it."}, {"response": 661, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (22:45)", "body": "OK, right now, in my hot little hand, I am holding a magazine that has a full two page spread of an AFG man with his family on an outing to the park. In NW (which I cannot find what it stands for), on page 42 and 43 of a section called In The Frame, (just after a two page spread of SB and HG filming in Manhattan), are *all* the pics that we have seen from the UK as well as the three new ones. A little inserted box on the page reads: Colin Plays Up Bridget Jones's Diary star Colin Firth puts his busy schedule on hold to spend some quality time goofing around with his one-year-old son, Luca, and wife, Livia, in a park near their West Lindon home. Colin's currently working on the film Love Actually , a romantic comedy starring Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson and Emma Thompson. The little boy is very very cute. Looks even better holding the pictures up real close! (Not to get off topic, but there's also a lovely shot of PB and his wife at a Bond premiere.)"}, {"response": 662, "author": "neshacat", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (22:53)", "body": "Rika, a little help on the captures. I can't leave them up for long, so enjoy! http://maryhahn.org"}, {"response": 663, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (22:57)", "body": "Oh Thanks very much Mary, I just had a look, one of them is very Mark Darcy-ish. And as I thought when I saw it before, his stance in the one dancing shot is almost exactly like a Mick Jagger caricature that Karen posts sometimes."}, {"response": 664, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (23:14)", "body": "I haven't been able to either, and I've done QT before with TIOBE's trailer. :-( I think the \"surestream\" might be the problem."}, {"response": 665, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (23:17)", "body": "Karen, check your email"}, {"response": 666, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (23:23)", "body": "Mary, thank you so much! You got one of him in white tie, which just melted me when I saw it in the theater. By the way, wanted to make sure everybody knew that the left/right arrow buttons on the QT control panel will go through slowly. It's worth checking out the \"shake-your-booty\" sequence in slo-mo."}, {"response": 667, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (23:30)", "body": "(Rika) By the way, wanted to make sure everybody knew that the left/right arrow buttons on the QT control panel will go through slowly. It's worth checking out the \"shake-your-booty\" sequence in slo-mo. Yes, and isn't that a wondrous feature?! I have now gone back and played it, well I've lost track of the number of times. IMO going backwards is even more fun than going forwards, for some reason I have yet to figure out. I think I'm becoming seriously addicted. Thank you so much, Rika. You've made my evening!"}, {"response": 668, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (06:36)", "body": "(Rika) By the way, wanted to make sure everybody knew that the left/right arrow buttons on the QT control panel will go through slowly. It's worth checking out the \"shake-your-booty\" sequence in slo-mo. Thanks Rika. I just wish the mouse came with a mute button...Now in addition to wanting to know why I am always giggling/gasping/drooling over my computer, they are going to want to know what all the mysterious multiple mouse clicks are for! He is beyond adorable, beyond AFG, (uh oh, my hyperbole is showing..)I have never been so \"moved\" by a man as this!"}, {"response": 669, "author": "townranny", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (08:59)", "body": "Okay, back after my conscience crisis. Thanks for the support Dorine and Lisa. And into the mix of my dilemma comes - the WAGW trailer. Thanks, Rika. Was hard-pressed to find a film at a multiplex that I wanted to see just to RIKA the Harry Potter trailer. Trailer looks like a winner. Much appeal for kids and parents. The shake, shake, shake totally over the top. We're talking HAM, such MUGGING - but a lovely mug."}, {"response": 670, "author": "yura", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (09:22)", "body": "The trailer is fabulous. Loved it. But is it just me or did anyone else experience a little voice in your head saying \"He's with Ms. Bingley! He's with Ms. Bingley!!!\""}, {"response": 671, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (09:31)", "body": "(Yura) But is it just me or did anyone else experience a little voice in your head saying \"He's with Ms. Bingley! He's with Ms. Bingley!!!\" I know I did! However, I told myself that in all probability, he won't end up with her. ;-) I also wondered if that bit of casting was on purpose."}, {"response": 672, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (10:22)", "body": "Ohoooooooo you girls are so lucky. For some reason I can't get into trailer. All I get is a blank white page. Soooooooo disappointed. HAVE A VERY HAPPY AND SAFE THANKSGIVING EVERYONE Thanks Rika and Mary for the link and beautiful pictures."}, {"response": 673, "author": "neshacat", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (10:44)", "body": "The white balloons and the dance floor - could this be a wedding scene where Kelly Preston's character weds the man who was the \"love of her life\" and Miss Bingley loses out once again? Wouldn't they have to develop this part of the story with at least a few visuals?"}, {"response": 674, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (11:03)", "body": "From the Cambridge Newspapers: Sale raises charity stakes lots and lots A SHEET of paper signed by the four members of The Who is expected to raise hundreds of pounds for a Cambridgeshire children's hospice. The exclusive item is one of the main lots to go under the hammer at an auction for East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH), which runs the hospice in Milton. [...] Mr Sharp said: \"We have an incredible wide range of items from the worlds of sport, literature, politics, showbusiness, the arts and notoriety. They would make the ideal Christmas present with a difference. \"I mean, who could not resist a signed John Prescott in their stocking?\" [Ed note: What an idiot.] The auction will take place on Saturday at the Old School, Long Melford, near Sudbury, Suffolk. Items go under the hammer at 1pm but doors open at 10am for viewing. The lots include a book illustrated and signed by the Winnie the Pooh illustrator, Ernest H Shepherd; items signed by England 1966 World Cup winning heroes Sir Geoff Hurst and Sir Bobby Charlton; and a T-shirt for the current Rolling Stones tour signed by Sir Mick Jagger. A book written and signed by the notorious gangster Reggie Kray will also go under the hammer along with a signed poem by Seamus Heaney and a copy of Bridget Jones' Diary signed by Colin Firth, with a tie worn by him in the film. Mr Sharp said: \"We had a charity auction two years ago and raised \ufffd1,600 that day. \"This time round we have got more lots, more interesting lots and we are hoping to double that at least. [...] http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/news.asp?sec=1&id=352962"}, {"response": 675, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (12:05)", "body": "(Pam) For some reason I can't get into trailer. All I get is a blank white page. Soooooooo disappointed. Try again. It wasn't working when I first tried it earlier this morning. It seems to be back now."}, {"response": 676, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (12:48)", "body": "I did a couple of not very good screen captures from the Quick Time Trailer. It does look like a sweet film - Very old fashioned, though. I wonder if today's teens will be an audience for this - or is it the older crowd that will go see it? Like me??"}, {"response": 677, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (13:41)", "body": "Thanks, Murph! I wish I could figure out why I can't do captures. I mean, I get a capture, but it cuts off the trailer image in really strange ways. I'm glad you and MaryH have been able to do it. (Pam) For some reason I can't get into trailer. All I get is a blank white page. Soooooooo disappointed. (Kathy)Try again. It wasn't working when I first tried it earlier this morning. It seems to be back now. Also, depending on your Internet connection speed, the trailer can take a while to download, and while it's downloading all you'll see is the white screen. Finally, you've got to have the QuickTime plug-in installed. (Karen, quoting Cambridge newspaper) and a copy of Bridget Jones' Diary signed by Colin Firth, with a tie worn by him in the film. The snowman tie, I presume. If this auction were online, I'd bid a quid or two (or several) for that! (Kathleen) The white balloons and the dance floor - could this be a wedding scene where Kelly Preston's character weds the man who was the \"love of her life\" and Miss Bingley loses out once again? From seeing the trailer a few times in theaters, I became convinced that one of the two couples on the dance floor is Daphne and her dad - so she's getting that father/daughter dance she wanted. I wasn't able to identify the other couple. Second, if you go through the still photos on the WAGW web site, there's a group wedding photo with Anna Chancellor as the bride, and the groom is not ODB. But maybe the father/daughter dance somehow takes place at that wedding. Are we starting to need a spoilers topic for this film? I guess not - this is still just speculation based on little shreds of evidence."}, {"response": 678, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (14:31)", "body": "Maybe Anna Chancellor plays his sister. I can't believe we don't know anything else about this story. Kareen, is there a script to be had?"}, {"response": 679, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (14:32)", "body": "Maybe Anna Chancellor plays his sister. I can't believe we don't know anything else about this story. Karen, is there a script to be had?"}, {"response": 680, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (14:54)", "body": "Moon...I *think* the official site for WAGW says that she is his fiance and that she's got a daughter the same age as his....clash attack!"}, {"response": 681, "author": "yura", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (15:19)", "body": "(Rika)From seeing the trailer a few times in theaters, I became convinced that one of the two couples on the dance floor is Daphne and her dad - so she's getting that father/daughter dance she wanted. Oh do you really think so???!! I hope so. My friends and I were talking about his dancing just yesterday. I don't know of a scene where he really *grabs hold* of a woman (you know, hands on waist, not like the dance seen in P&P). Even if the dance is with his own daughter, I'd still love to see that on screen :) (Lisa)I *think* the official site for WAGW says that she is his fiance and that she's got a daughter the same age as his....clash attack! I think that's what I read also. Also that she is some kind of a social climber....Every time I watch the trailer, I have this urge to slap her daughter(the blond one) around a little bit... Is that evil?"}, {"response": 682, "author": "yura", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (15:21)", "body": "oh, no offence to the girl who plays the role. I mean the character of course."}, {"response": 683, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (15:47)", "body": "Happy Thanksgiving to USA fans! A bookmark for everyone. Right click to save. Print out on card stock or other nice paper."}, {"response": 684, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (15:58)", "body": "(Yura) I have this urge to slap her daughter(the blond one) around a little bit... Is that evil? No, not at all. I feel the same way. (Rika)The snowman tie, I presume. If this auction were online, I'd bid a quid or two (or several) for that! I'd pay extra! Oh Rika, I want to thank the little voice in your head for telling you to check out the trailer. Between the theater adventures, and now on line, I've lost count. I wonder if there is a trailer rehab out there somewhere. I'm gonna need it before March. My favorite scenes: When he hugs AB, and on the phone with KP when she says something about it doesn't take much to start worrying. Love the look on CF's face when she says that. Of course the smile at the end of the trailer is my favorite \"look\" Actually the whole trailer is my favoite."}, {"response": 685, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (16:04)", "body": "The trailer can take a while to download, and while it's downloading all you'll see is the white screen. Finally, you've got to have the QuickTime plug-in installed. . Worth the wait...about 20 minutes for me.(My screen was green)Had to upgrade Quicktime. But was able to save it. Cute pic of AB saying ever since she was a little girl she dreamed of meeting her dad. Teary:-(("}, {"response": 686, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (16:11)", "body": "(Rika)From seeing the trailer a few times in theaters, I became convinced that one of the two couples on the dance floor is Daphne and her dad - so she's getting that father/daughter dance she wanted. (Yura) Oh do you really think so???!! Has to be, flat out has to be. Short of dancing at her own wedding, it will be the only way to end the thing given the opening we've seen. The only question is the *event* ... I know what I hope. (Insert smarmy hopeless romantic winkie!) And Rika, regarding your premonition to check the site, I'm gonna email you some lottery numbers...just close your eyes and click and send me the results. Favorite line...ok, not quite favorite line, but now I know what I will say if I ever bump into him -- \"Oh, it's you .\""}, {"response": 687, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (16:27)", "body": "(Rika) The snowman tie, I presume. If this auction were online, I'd bid a quid or two (or several) for that! (lindak) I'd pay extra! I read (or maybe heard on the director's commentary for BJD) that it was a musical tie! It played a tune...would definitely pay extra for jingle bells!! (lindak) I wonder if there is a trailer rehab out there somewhere. I'm gonna need it before March. LOL...I'll be joining you at the group sessions.... ;-) Thanks Murph for the bookmark!!"}, {"response": 688, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (16:40)", "body": "a charity auction.....a copy of Bridget Jones' Diary signed by Colin Firth Bugger! I knew I should've pulled my copy of BJD out of my purse when I had the chance. Didn't want to raise red flags at that point...or any point, really. ;-)"}, {"response": 689, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (16:56)", "body": "It took awhile, but hopefully it will be worth it. I have over 50 screen caps of that trailer, but must crop, clean and adjust, then put up on the Gallery page. I probably have every frame Colin is in. ;-) Will put up later."}, {"response": 690, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (18:03)", "body": "While I am familiar with the concept of when studios release certain movies, I read this little bit on the Ain't It Cool News website and thought that even though Colin's new movies have been pushed back several times, we should be happier to where they moved them. Yes, we have to wait a bit longer, but at least they're not being dumped on the trash heap, so to speak. :-)"}, {"response": 691, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (18:04)", "body": "This movie is being dumped in late January, which is fine, because that is the landfill where studios toss their trash. At most costs, avoid the late January-early March season, because it is filled with movies such as this. Duh! *slapping self upside head for forgetting quote*"}, {"response": 692, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (18:13)", "body": "(Linda) Of course the smile at the end of the trailer is my favorite \"look\" You mean after the BeeGees line? If so, I have every twitch. ;-)"}, {"response": 693, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (02:16)", "body": "Thank you for the lovely bookmark, Murph, but that picture always made me a little uneasy. I think it was a reverse image. So I fiddled around a bit for a comparison... What do you think? [Gee, I hope this works... ;-)]"}, {"response": 694, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (06:10)", "body": "Here is a translation from a norwegian magazine (perhaps not perfectly translatet, but I think mo-re understandable than the original). It had 2 pictures attached at this url: http://hem.passagen.se/lmw go to articles, no. 1(2002) Colin Firth: English chocolat by Tor Milde, Det Nye (Norway) November 2002 He comes from a nice furnished home, and his upbringing is victorian to the fingertips. His parents votet for Margaret Thatcher, og he supports the snobby team Arsenal. But we have found one fault: The arch-english charmer Colin Firth (42) should have been Hugh Grant. Now you can see Colin in The Importance Of Being Earnest. Colin Firth does not like to be remindet, that he is english, even though he is one of the most arch-english actors, you can imagine. Not only is he at times intolerantly english i Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary, he is irresistibly english i Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice, he was football-english in Fever Pitch and he is snobby english in his new movie, The Importance Of Being Earnest. And if we add that two of his most succesful films are The English Patient and Shakespeare In Love, he should be well placed. 42 years old and comparatively new father he is also, and he is quick to say, that it hardly can be called particularly \ufffdenglish\ufffd. - My wife is Italian, he tries. - And our son is named Luca. It\ufffds true! It\ufffds a real Italian name. With a c! But the tweedjacket and a designer-sixence on top of it all, gives us all the excuses we really don\ufffdt need. Colin Firth is a man, who turns the ladys heads. We have seen it ourselves. They loose coffee-cups og walk into lampposts, when Colin walks round Manhattan, 183 centimeters tall and slen-der body. - I have put on weight, he tries again. Colin Firth is defensive, and he does not like it. He quickly corrects me, when I suggest, that The Importance Of Being Earnest is one of Oscar Wildes best plays\ufffd. - It\ufffds the best, he says without hesitasion. The story is as banal as it is elegantly funny: Two men live a double life to please each their own girl, and they have one double life in common \ufffd as the fictitious Earnest. The complications and misunderstandings follow, but it all ends realiably and in perfect order. Colin Firth is fabulous as the awkward snob Jack, but gladly admits, that his personal taste in film have no tendency at costumedramas and english, elegant landscapes. He is more fond of a good comedy with a slightly tuffer dialog than old Oscar brought along a hundred years ago. - But this particular film, I would see, he quickly adds. - This is British traditional play, and we have not modernised the dialog or the setting. Bridgets droolyobject (translation a bit insecure) Colin Firth is not Englands greatest male actor, and he is happy that way. He claims, that it is easier to choose parts that way, because the drop is lower. Had he been number one\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd. - As the writer J.B. Priestley once said: I\ufffdve never been out of fashion, since I never were fashion. That is me. Well, well Colin \ufffd its time to shake off your modesty, once and for all. We mention Bridget Jones to him, and watch what happens. Yes, he smiles. And a lady looses her coffeecup once again. - All right, I probobly got a little more well-known after that film, and also went up a few pay grades. - Are you to be in the sequel? - Well, perhaps as myself? Colin Firth, the actor and charmer, gets interviewed by a drooly Bridget Jones in the sequel book from Helen Fielding. When he is not shooting movies, he spends his time with his family, which includes the 18 months old son Luca, wife Livia and an older son, 12 years old Will. Wills mother is the ameri-can actress Meg Tilly. Colin is happy, that he has been lucky, as he calls it, and has not had to worry, if he would make an income. - I have actually not had a single period after dramaschool, where I have not had some joboffer. So I have had good fortune. Colin knocks on the table. - But you should have actet Will in About a Boy. It is as written for you. - Yes, isn\ufffdt it? I would have done anything to get that part, who wouldn\ufffdt? But they needed a bigger star than me, and Hugh Grant is fantastic in that movie. Colin Firth is arch-english. And much too polite. End of article. If the web-reference doesn\ufffdt work, I have asked Karen to back me up."}, {"response": 695, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (06:16)", "body": "About the article, I was in a hurry, and have allready found one mistake. To clear up:the word og means and . Sorry!"}, {"response": 696, "author": "annea", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (06:47)", "body": "Hi all. This is the second time that I will have made the following request and so far have not received one reply. BOO HOO !! Am hoping that someone out there knows if and when TIOBE will be released in DVD down under. My wonderful DH enquired at two video stores - one said Feb 2003 and the other one didn't know anything about it. BUT...recently saw an entertainment guide listing all of the DVDs to be released up to next March or April and TIOBE was not on it. Your help would be appreciated - was hoping to get it for christmas, but will just have to settle for PJs."}, {"response": 697, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (07:39)", "body": "(annea)Am hoping that someone out there knows if and when TIOBE will be released in DVD down under. My wonderful DH enquired at two video stores - one said Feb 2003 and the other one didn't know anything about it. If you use region 2, as we do in Europe, I have seen it to be released september 2003. (It has yet to premiere in a lot of European contries)."}, {"response": 698, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (08:30)", "body": "Re TIOBE Play.com will supply a Region 1 DVD to anywhere in Europe, Post Free, for \ufffd15.99, with immediate delivery. All you need is a Multi-region player!! Don't seem to deliver to Australia, but it may be worth searching some of the Hong Kong sites."}, {"response": 699, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (09:01)", "body": "Thank you, Annette, for the translation. And there was no need to correct \"og.\" I was actually quite proud of myself for having picked up a bit of Danish. ;-) Bridgets droolyobject (translation a bit insecure) I think that's a mighty fine translation. Droolyobject works for me. ;-) The article has the sounds of many others we've read. Nice to know that Colin admits to being able to command more money now. Thank goodness. Now, if he would only stop shopping at Oxfam. ;-)"}, {"response": 700, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (10:12)", "body": "Thanks, Annette. - As the writer J.B. Priestley once said: I\ufffdve never been out of fashion, since I never were fashion. That is me. JB Priestley is an actor. Why does Colin keep quoting actors? Didn't he also quote another actor in an interview? How low is that? (Karen), Nice to know that Colin admits to being able to command more money now. True. I would still like to know how much. We know how much HG and RZ got for BJD."}, {"response": 701, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (10:13)", "body": "Do you think his parents really voted for Mrs Thatcher? That is the first time we have heard that."}, {"response": 702, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (10:29)", "body": "(Moon) JB Priestley is an actor. Why does Colin keep quoting actors? JB Priestly wrote Lost Empires, among other things. Are you confusing him with the one who was on the zipcode show? ;-) (Allison) Do you think his parents really voted for Mrs Thatcher? That is the first time we have heard that. It struck me as odd as well, but thought if this article was made up of bits from others published over the years, maybe I forgot. Glad to know my memory isn't failing. Any other quotaholics remember if he's ever mentioned this before? It does seem unlikely."}, {"response": 703, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (10:50)", "body": "Thanks Annette! It takes time to translate, and I appreciate that you did that for us!!! (article) Yes, he smiles. And a lady looses her coffeecup once again. LOL....I would lose more than my coffee cup!!"}, {"response": 704, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (11:07)", "body": "- As the writer J.B. Priestley once said: I\ufffdve never been out of fashion, since I never were fashion. That is me. (Moon) JB Priestley is an actor. Why does Colin keep quoting actors? Didn't he also quote another actor in an interview? How low is that? Actually, if I found the right person, J.B.(John Boynton) Priestley is a *very* well regarded English writer (plays, novels, essays). I looked him up at Amazon.com. (His name has also been spelled Priestly) Jason Priestley is the \"actor\"."}, {"response": 705, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (11:53)", "body": "Annette, thank you so much for the translation! I think \"droolyobject\" is a useful word for our vocabulary. (Moon) Didn't he also quote another actor in an interview? How low is that? I don't understand why you say that, as long as he's not stealing others' remarks and pretending he thought of them. I must be missing the part that bothers you."}, {"response": 706, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (12:33)", "body": "(Rika), I don't understand why you say that, as long as he's not stealing others' remarks and pretending he thought of them. I must be missing the part that bothers you. I think it's stupid to quote other actors. Only great minds are worth quoting, IMO. Some birds learn to fly only when they lose their feathers -- Rumi"}, {"response": 707, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (12:41)", "body": "Thank you Annette very much for the translation. i enjoyed it, just as it was! I have actually not had a single period after dramaschool, where I have not had some joboffer. So I have had good fortune. Did anyone else pick up this Colin-speak? What about the \"wilderness years\" when he said he wrote to \"everyone\" he could to try and get work? And he couldn't even get a job teaching, coaching, directing and local play? Something like that. Yes, isn\ufffdt it? I would have done anything to get that part, who wouldn\ufffdt? But they needed a bigger star than me, and Hugh Grant is fantastic in that movie. Now I cringe to hear him say that. It may be true, but how hard must it be to be coming off a film with HG and believe that you cannot take up the lead in a part written for you? Actors have fragile egos. Who has been whispering in his ear? :("}, {"response": 708, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (12:57)", "body": "I think it's stupid to quote other actors. Only great minds are worth quoting, IMO JBPriestly was definitely a writer. If there is an actor of the same name I have never heard of him (not that that means much;-)) His might not have been a great mind but it was certainly very good."}, {"response": 709, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (13:23)", "body": "(Lisa) Did anyone else pick up this Colin-speak? What about the \"wilderness years\" when he said he wrote to \"everyone\" he could to try and get work? Colin's been saying this for years, how he's never been out of work. It's all how you define out of work. He only works maybe five months a year on films and such. Maybe our Islington maid would care to relate the \"other\" work he does at home, e.g., the furniture he restores, the wallpaper he puts up, the lightbulbs and nappies he changes, etc. ;-) You get used to the same lines being resurrected and contradicted within the space of the same article. Part of the fun. It's all a game to him."}, {"response": 710, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (14:12)", "body": "Anne, I was out last night, looking in every shop I went by and no TIOBE DVD's or videos were around. I haven't heard a word about the release here but I would think if it was going to be out for Christmas it would be here by now. However, if you want to pick up Spiderman, Scoobee-Do, Legally Blonde or Ice Age you'll have no trouble. :)"}, {"response": 711, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (14:56)", "body": "For those who haven't been able to get the QuickTime trailer to work, or who just prefer RealPlayer, the trailer is now up on Moviefone. Here's a link to the format selection page: http://www.moviefone.com/showtimes/movie.adp?page=previews&movieid=13736 Enjoy!"}, {"response": 712, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (15:19)", "body": "Rika, Thank you for coming through with that. The sound was so-so for me but the images were very good. I detected a fast little butt-wiggle in the mirror. I like that there are two stars in the film. AB and CF. It seems clear that it is a father daughter story and he is not in a supporting role merely as a parent. Yahoo, it should be much better viewing than we originally thunk."}, {"response": 713, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (15:25)", "body": "The new trailer gallery is up. In the 6th row down, on the left, that pic looks amazingly like the shot from BJD at the launch party, when she first sees him. Maybe he's wearing the same suit and tie. ;-) Enjoy! http://www.firth.com/wagw_gal2.html"}, {"response": 714, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (16:46)", "body": "(Karen)The new trailer gallery is up. In the 6th row down, on the left, that pic looks amazingly like the shot from BJD at the launch party, when she first sees him. Wauwww - I haven't been able to see the trailer yet, my computer is very old and slow - so Karen, you've made my day by this gallery. I don't only se BJD, I see Matthew (the talking in the phone), a rather serious Peter Ingleton, a lovely Jack. I must say, I don't think I have ever seen anything that resembles \"the dancing king\". (Remember I'm nordic, Abba is a part of my youth). Keep your fingers crossed; if I'm lucky, I get to see the trailer tomorrow. I don't think, he is wearing the same suit as in BJD. This time there wasn't a HG to steel all of the designer-suits (isn't that, what Sharon Maguire stated in the commentary from the DVD?)."}, {"response": 715, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (21:11)", "body": "(Karen)You mean after the BeeGees line? If so, I have every twitch. ;-) Yep, that's the one. I think he's chewing when he gives that smile. And I can't wait to hear his answer. Does the smile indicate that he's busted because she's right, or will he say something that will really make her gag? Thank you, Karen. I am truly thankful on this day to be thankful. Will sleep v.peacifully with these pictures in my head. Happy Thanksgiving Everyone. Rika, you've done it again. Locating the trailer on Real Time Thanks Annette for the article (Dorine)and thought that even though Colin's new movies have been pushed back several times, we should be happier to where they moved them. Yes, we have to wait a bit longer, but at least they're not being dumped on the trash heap, so to speak. :-) I hope that quote goes for HS. When are they going to give us a release date for this??"}, {"response": 716, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (22:15)", "body": "Thank you, Karen! I still can't get the capture process working on my PC, so I'm glad you and MaryH and Murph have provided us all the great pictures!"}, {"response": 717, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (22:41)", "body": "On Thanksgiving, it seems very appropriate to close out the 2002 Fund Raiser and give one more round of thanks to all those who have so generously given their support to Drool. Here's the latest batch of Drool Darlings: Together, with these fine people listed below, Drool has raised $2,200 this year. With the $880 raised by austen.com's latest fund-raising drive, this should keep Spring in operation all the way through June of next year. Excellent results and very much appreciated. Thank you so much. *smooch*"}, {"response": 718, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Nov 29, 2002 (05:45)", "body": "(sniffing sadly) I contributed, too.. do I get no smootch?"}, {"response": 719, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 29, 2002 (09:15)", "body": "I'm sorry. I can't believe I left off your name, as I was trying to be so careful. OK, the latest Drool Darlings list has been fixed (even above), but I'll repost it here too: (Must have been a little turkeyapnia or similar) ;-)"}, {"response": 720, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 29, 2002 (09:28)", "body": "Forgot to mention, but while I was doing the caps, Shake Your Booty was playing on the radio. I kid you not. It was a sign, a signal, was fated to be, whatever. :)"}, {"response": 721, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Nov 29, 2002 (17:10)", "body": "Ah, everybody get on the floor, let's dance Don't fight the feeling give yourself a chance Shake, shake, shake - shake, shake, shake Shake your booty, shake your booty Oh, shake, shake, shake - shake, shake, shake Shake your booty, shake your booty ---KC & the Sunshine Band How's that for quoting a great mind? ;)"}, {"response": 722, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Nov 30, 2002 (09:21)", "body": "KJ: You are right about the bookmark image. I have the original hard copy - London Times May 6, 2000, and scanned the picture today: I must have reversed for the bookmark."}, {"response": 723, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 30, 2002 (09:40)", "body": "NEW pic of Colin from the Cartier polo match from Vogue (UK) thanks to Paula: He doesn't look all that pale and gaunt here. In fact, he looks v. healthy. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ And I've missed another name on the final listing. (time to retire) So I've added the name of Meg to the above. Thank you and I'm sorry."}, {"response": 724, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 30, 2002 (09:41)", "body": "Did anyone ever check the other UK mags that have society events highlighted, like Tatler Harper & Queens, etc., for coverage of this polo match where you had royals in attendance?"}, {"response": 725, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Nov 30, 2002 (13:35)", "body": "Oh, thank you Karen and Paula for that picture. French cuffs even. I love a man in french cuffs. You are right, Karen, he does look v. healthy, and AFG as well."}, {"response": 726, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Nov 30, 2002 (13:41)", "body": "Karen, I just checked out the Bucket, and I noticed you have the Forever Ealing documentary listed for 5&8 PM. According to TV Guide, it is listed for showings at 8&11 PM. There is no listing for it at 5PM. A movie begins at 3:30 and lasts though until 6."}, {"response": 727, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sat, Nov 30, 2002 (13:53)", "body": "Oh, thanks Paula for passing the picture on. And to Karen for posting it. Couldn't have said it better, AFG. Look at the beautiful smile! What's he drinking? Chocolate champagne?"}, {"response": 728, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Sat, Nov 30, 2002 (15:23)", "body": "For those who are interested in voting for the Empire Online film awards, here's the link: http://www.empireonline.co.uk/awards/ I think he's drinking coffee in that pic. That would be fair trade coffee, no doubt. ;-) And one last question for Karen - why would it bother you if CF owns cats? I happen to have this theory that men who appreciate cats are the very men who can appreciate a woman with a mind of her own... and I find that men who prefer dogs tend to prefer women who are willing to subjugate their own will/identity to please their man (NOT that women who prefer dogs are all like that, just that men who prefer dogs seem to tend that way). Just mho, of course..."}, {"response": 729, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, Dec  1, 2002 (06:05)", "body": "Donovan Quick on UK TV!!! DQ is being shown tonight at 11.00pm GMT on Satellite/Cable channel UK Drama. - I'll do a couple of copies, and send it to the first two to email me. (Remember it will be a Pal copy)."}, {"response": 730, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Sun, Dec  1, 2002 (14:19)", "body": "\"They loose coffee-cups og walk into lampposts, when Colin walks round Manhattan\" LOL! Gawd, I can so see myself doing that. Imagine walking around Manhatten, minding your own business, and...(spotting Colin) \"holy cr@p!\" BANG! Thanks for the translation, Annette! \"Droolyobject\" is indeed a good word for our vocabulary here :) Karen & Paula: thanks for the snappie! Looking v. stylish, indeed: AFG City! Probably *iced* coffee in the flute, I would imagine."}, {"response": 731, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (01:04)", "body": "(Mary Murphy) KJ: You are right about the bookmark image. I have the original hard copy - London Times May 6, 2000, and scanned the picture today: Oooo. Thanks for the scan!! That is the best color qualitiy I've seen on that pic in some time! And thank you, too, Karen for the lovely Polo pic from UK Vogue. I think his heightened color is due to the very hot day, rather than the beverage this time. ;-)"}, {"response": 732, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (07:56)", "body": "Love that picture! He's wearing cufflinks and the type of shirt collar I like. Fashion Police stamp of approval! :-)"}, {"response": 733, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (08:14)", "body": "(Moon Dreams) Love that picture! He's wearing cufflinks and the type of shirt collar I like. Fashion Police stamp of approval! :-) I agree! Although I would vote for the sunglasses from SLOW vs. this style that somehow seems the wrong shape for him...."}, {"response": 734, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (13:03)", "body": ""}, {"response": 735, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (13:05)", "body": "OK, another name missed. :-( Pretty soon I'm going to have to call Price Waterhouse et al. Have recounted, balanced to number of lines on spreadsheet, footed and cross-footed, and tossed some salt over shoulder. One last time and, sorry, MariaT, for the omission, here are all the Drool Darlings alphabetized!!! And if I've made some mistakes alphabetizing, call Merriam-Webster! I don't want to hear about it. ;-)"}, {"response": 736, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (13:51)", "body": "Isn't it great that there are so many names that omissions and alphabetizing have become issues! It's a nice problem to have."}, {"response": 737, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (16:10)", "body": "Here is some news! Or not! Harry Potter opened here last Thursday and I took my sons with specific instructions about paying attention in the previews. I also quizzed the staff. I caught a large number of them together in one spot. None of them had even heard of WAGW and the trailer is not being shown here in Australia with HP."}, {"response": 738, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (17:46)", "body": "(Lisa) Here is some news! Or not! So far, I haven't heard that the WAGW trailer plays with that other movie in any other country, except here. Must have something to do with AB. She'd be more recognizable here and would generate some anticipatory buzz among the \"unable to drive\" age group. ;-) But with the movie not opening up for several months internationally, they'd wait until about a month before to start publicizing it."}, {"response": 739, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (18:40)", "body": "(Karen) Must have something to do with AB. She'd be more recognizable here and would generate some anticipatory buzz among the \"unable to drive\" age group. ;-) I think she's becoming better known over here now. - My 8 and 11 year old sons love her show currently being shown here in the UK. So I'll have no problem persuading them to go see WAGW with me!"}, {"response": 740, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec  3, 2002 (09:39)", "body": "Wow, this group has been busy--trailers, screen captures, new pics and articles, bookmarks. Thanks to all! So . . . who watched Londinium this morning on Cinemax? Fear not if you missed out, it will be shown again later in the month.;-) Dueling Colins this afternoon: Valmont on AMC and Hostages on Cinemax."}, {"response": 741, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Dec  3, 2002 (09:45)", "body": "(Mari) So . . . who watched Londinium this morning on Cinemax? I planned on running home at lunch to tape the 12:30 show...My DH just called to ask me to meet him for lunch, became audibly upset when I told him I had to get home to make a tape. I somehow talked him into turning it on, but I'm afraid that A) lunch will be no picnic and B) My immediate future may take a turn towards a trip to an asylum...v.v. bad..."}, {"response": 742, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Dec  3, 2002 (17:17)", "body": "(Maria)I'm afraid that A) lunch will be no picnic and B) My immediate future may take a turn towards a trip to an asylum...v.v. bad... Ah, the sacrifices one must make as a Firthette!"}, {"response": 743, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Dec  3, 2002 (18:47)", "body": "(Yura) My friends and I were talking about his dancing just yesterday. I don't know of a scene where he really *grabs hold* of a woman (you know, hands on waist, not like the dance seen in P&P). Even if the dance is with his own daughter, I'd still love to see that on screen :) I believe in SLOW there is a scene where he is dancing with his wife, also Playmaker has a scene as does Dutch Girls, so he does dance. Thank you for the great pics on the Gallery Karen. Wonderful. Also thanks to you and Paula for Cartier pic. AFG. Saw trailer and can't run it enough times. AFG and AMAZING. What I wouldn't give to be hugged by him, even as his daughter. Lucky girl. Have one question the sound is a little off so couldn't understand what he says on phone call with KP. Can someone clear this up for me. Thank you. Didn't Priestly write Lost Empires?"}, {"response": 744, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Dec  3, 2002 (19:00)", "body": "Thank you so much for the translation of the article Annette. It is a very hard thing to do. You did a great job."}, {"response": 745, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Dec  3, 2002 (19:16)", "body": "(FanPam) Have one question the sound is a little off so couldn't understand what he says on phone call with KP. Can someone clear this up for me. Thank you. LOL...I had the same problem the first 6-7 times I watched the trailer! I think he says \"Libby, why didn't you tell me I had fathered a child?\" (I am at work and can't get the trailer to play here, but to my recollection that is what he says)."}, {"response": 746, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (02:01)", "body": "(FanPam)Didn't Priestly write Lost Empires? Yes, he did. A few months back, something made me check the sale of old books at our library, and there he was (yes, ODB)looking at me from the cover of the danish version. Thats just one of many occasions in my day to day life where I've found some \"links\" to CF. As to the translation, I wish there were more articles to translate, but - alas and alack - there are not. I surf regularly hoping to find some though. (Maria)I'm afraid that A) lunch will be no picnic and B) My immediate future may take a turn towards a trip to an asylum...v.v. bad... Now, that is one of my reasons for keeping my \"little\" obsession a secret. I do think, that my DH is slightly aware, that something is occupying my mind from time to time - and off course the amount of videos and dvd's piling up in my closet may make someone wonder..... But then again everybody is entitlet to a hobby."}, {"response": 747, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (11:26)", "body": "(Pam) Didn't Priestly write Lost Empires? That was answered on #702. Unlike email group correspondence, where people reply willy nilly to questions that may already have been answered, the benefit of this site's setup is that all the messages are here for easy viewing. Please take the time to read all if you are catching up after an absence. One last admin rant: Registration at Spring does NOT necessarily make one a \"member\" of Drool. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Finally saw the WAGW trailer up on the big screen. Yowza! But no one seems to have commented on the \"old\" pic of Colin that Amanda looks at in her mother's stuff. A long-haired, '70s-dressed Colin. You can't really see it on the online trailer (or even try to capture it), but that was wild to see. Highly recommended viewing. ;-)"}, {"response": 748, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (12:18)", "body": "(Karen), But no one seems to have commented on the \"old\" pic of Colin that Amanda looks at in her mother's stuff. A long-haired, '70s-dressed Colin. Ahem, excuse me, but that was my first comment. I said that it was probably his picture. :-)"}, {"response": 749, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (12:30)", "body": "Now that I am back in action, I'm looking forward to going to the movies and getting a sneak peek at the WAGW trailer on the big screen. Sounds like it has a lot of positives. If the trailer is so great, perhaps the movie will be great too!"}, {"response": 750, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (12:35)", "body": "I just checked the website and they now have a link to the trailer, which is now also available in Microsoft Player--the only type that is not blocked by firewall here at work. So, I was able to view it full screen on a very high resolution line and noticed a few things. Moon is correct, the pic is definitely Colin. The background in that shot looks like a bazaar of some sort, women in long garb, mosque-type spires in the distance. I guess it's supposed to be taken from their Morrocco days. Or maybe it's Finsbury.;-) (Anybody watch 24 last night?;-) I don't think it's an actual old pic of CF; I think they wigged him. His vest looks leather and he's carryimg a leather satchel over his right shoulder. Question: why is he dressed for Woodstock, when this pic is supposedly from the mid-80s? Oi. In the shot where Daphne is on the double-decker bus, she has a small American flag pinned to her handbag. I guess she didn't read the State Department warnings about trying to blend in.;-) Also, Colin is not in the group dancing scene, which I think is the deb ball, not a wedding."}, {"response": 751, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (12:42)", "body": "OK, have backed up to comment #426 to find it. Sheesh!! I was making a point about more \"recent\" stuff, but you'll note I did say \"no one seems to have commented.\" ;-) (Moon) There is a close-up of a picture of him with a hippy vest and long hair that migt actually be his own. Naw, the real pics of him from the 70s, with long hair, are of the much younger IRL Colin, with very boyish face. You could tell from the \"mature\" face that this pic was done for the movie."}, {"response": 752, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (12:46)", "body": "(Mari), Question: why is he dressed for Woodstock, when this pic is supposedly from the mid-80s? Oi. LOL! That's why we don't work for film companies, so they can get the details wrong. ;-) Welcome back, Lora!"}, {"response": 753, "author": "sdeaconsm", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (13:02)", "body": "testing"}, {"response": 754, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (14:03)", "body": "(Karen), But no one seems to have commented on the \"old\" pic of Colin that Amanda looks at in her mother's stuff. A long-haired, '70s-dressed Colin. (Moon)Ahem, excuse me, but that was my first comment. I said that it was probably his picture. :-) LOL. We even discussed it....and not so long ago either;-D Where have you been? I think it's Colin's pic too..../ ...or his double;-) (Lora)Now that I am back in action, ...... 'bout time you came back...we've missed you, Lora. (Lora)If the trailer is so great, perhaps the movie will be great too! On the other hand...maybe the trailer is the best part of the movie;-D"}, {"response": 755, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (14:10)", "body": "Mari, thanks for posting about the trailer finally being up on the WAGW site. Windows Media Player at a fairly high speed gave me the clearest picture quality I've seen yet for the trailer online. (Mari) Also, Colin is not in the group dancing scene, which I think is the deb ball, not a wedding. But you're talking about the scene near the middle where a bunch of people seem to be line dancing, right, not the clip of the two couples on the dance floor that's under the movie title graphic."}, {"response": 756, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (14:12)", "body": "On the other hand...maybe the trailer is the best part of the movie;-D Now, now, Evelyn thatis not the way to think about ODB's career choices :D"}, {"response": 757, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (14:18)", "body": "mari....Question: why is he dressed for Woodstock, when this pic is supposedly from the mid-80s? Oi. Three possible answers: 1. Fashion trends took longer to cross the Atlantic? This was high-fashion in Kensington in the mid-80's. 2. His clothes were stolen by wandering nomads in the desert and he stumbled into the bazzar in the background of the photo wrapped in only in an old, smelly blanket that had been used under a camel's saddle, gratefully 'borrowed' the clothes from an aging hippie who was travelling the world in search of \"the Truth\" who turned out to be KP's father, that's how they meet, she talked him into joining the Peace Corps and he fathered the child he never knew one cold desert night when they had no more fire wood and it was necessary to share bodily warmth? 3. His character has the same fashion sense as.....well.....CF? (inserting facetious winkie) Karen....the \"old\" pic of Colin Raising hand over here in the corner, \"I saw it, I saw it\" but I forget what day it is so how can you expect me to remember details like that?"}, {"response": 758, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (14:19)", "body": "(Allison) Now, now, Evelyn that is not the way to think about ODB's career choices :D ROTF...you must admit he does make good trailers...."}, {"response": 759, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (14:29)", "body": "(Evelyn)On the other hand...maybe the trailer is the best part of the movie;-D Heehee...I do hate it when they give away all the good lines and scenes in the trailers. Let's hope that isn't the case here and they know \"what a drool girl wants...\""}, {"response": 760, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (15:01)", "body": "Plus trailers are often v. misleading (often intentionally) ..."}, {"response": 761, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (16:21)", "body": "What happened to Hola Lola and the imminent announcement she hinted at last week or the week before?"}, {"response": 762, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (16:23)", "body": "(Lisa) Wardrobe: Three possible answers Finally, I get to post LOL. I loved your suggestions, esp. no 2 and would gladly offer to be KP's bodydouble opposite ODB in that one. Who cares about getting a cold, small price to pay. (btw I don't at all resemble KP, but you stated it was dark, and I suppose we would have to curl up very tightly under a blanket, so who would know?"}, {"response": 763, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (17:51)", "body": "(Rika)not the clip of the two couples on the dance floor that's under the movie title graphic. Isn't the wedding scene from the beginning not related to the main characters? I thought, if this is the one we're speaking of, that AB was a food server at a county club type of place, and was working the wedding. I too, think the line dance scene was from a deb ball. (Lisa)3. His character has the same fashion sense as.....well.....CF? (inserting facetious winkie) LOL, low blow, Lisa-even with the winkie;-) (Pam)I believe in SLOW there is a scene where he is dancing with his wife, also Playmaker has a scene as does Dutch Girls, so he does dance. He dances in LE as well. (Lisa)What happened to Hola Lola and the imminent announcement she hinted at last week or the week before? I've been wondering about that myself."}, {"response": 764, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (19:57)", "body": "(Linda) Isn't the wedding scene from the beginning not related to the main characters? I thought, if this is the one we're speaking of, that AB was a food server at a county club type of place, and was working the wedding. Agreed, but I think the two-couples-dancing under the movie title graphic is from another event."}, {"response": 765, "author": "townranny", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (21:56)", "body": "Hi Everybody! Dateline Minnesota Tundra RE: Harry Potter Trailers Was talked into a film excursion to HP by a group of persuasive youths (please,please,please,please,please) while I was under the influence of turkey over the weekend. I cracked. Saw many, many trailers (Kangaroo Jack -blech-comes to mind. But alas, no shake, shake, shake. Not even one little shake. Will have to content myself with Karen's snappies and web trailer until the booty beautiful comes along."}, {"response": 766, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (22:17)", "body": "(Rika)But you're talking about the scene near the middle where a bunch of people seem to be line dancing, right, Yes, that's the one--not the 2 couples on the dance floor and not the waitressing gig. (Lisa)1. Fashion trends took longer to cross the Atlantic? LOL, just the opposite I think, but you're onto something in #2, though.;-) My main recollection of fashion in the mid-80s was wearing my hair very short and spiked a la Annie Lennox. Sweet dreams are made of this . . .:-)"}, {"response": 767, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (09:49)", "body": "Reminder, this is on tonight at 8 and 11 (ET) in the U.S. on TCM. I assume this has been shown in the UK? If so, is there much CF to look forward to? 'Forever Ealing' Revisits Brit Comedy Heyday Wed Dec 4, 6:11 AM ET By Steven Oxman HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - \"Forever Ealing\" is a relatively plain and straightforward documentary about England's Ealing Studios, which during its heyday in the 1940s and '50s turned out some truly memorable, intensely witty dark comedies. The documentary itself may not be an especially revealing or sophisticated piece of work, but its mix of well-selected clips and interviews unquestionably accomplishes its raison d'etre: It makes one want to see the films, many of which spool out on Turner Classic Movies through December. What more can be asked of an appetizer than to make one crave the main course? Ealing Studios was founded in 1902, and its history summarizes the cinematic century -- from the silents through the ultimate dominance of television (the BBC owned the studio for a time) and the struggling economics of the present day. The docu gives a nod to all the eras, but Ealing would simply be a footnote in cinematic history -- several of their soundstages were homes to good work -- were it not for the slew of mid-century classics that share a uniquely British humor, drier than dry. They were produced under the studio reign of Michael Balcon, whose grandson Daniel Day-Lewis (news) narrates. The most famous of the films is probably the ever-delicious \"Kind Hearts and Coronets\" (1949), in which Alec Guinness plays a serial killer who murders the many relatives who stand between him and a dukedom. For good measure, he plays all the relatives, too. There was also \"The Lavender Hill Mob\" (1951), a witty crime comedy also starring Guinness. And, praised in this docu as the jewel in the crown, there was \"The Lady Killers\" (1955), an ensemble black comedy about the doomed efforts of bumbling assassins to kill the epitome of the little old lady. Along with interviews with a screenwriter, cinematographer and some surviving actors, \"Forever Ealing\" throws in tributes by contemporary directors who were affected by the films. Martin Scorsese (news) claims, not particularly believably, that \"Kind Hearts and Coronets\" had an impact on \"GoodFellas.\" Terry Gilliam (news), more believably, refers to clips that have a direct line to \"Brazil.\" Stephen Frears (news) and John Landis talk more generally but with the same clear enthusiasm. It's the glee they emit when discussing the movies that really matters in \"Forever Ealing,\" telling viewers there's something particular about this distinctive collection of comedies that makes Ealing live on."}, {"response": 768, "author": "aishling", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (10:44)", "body": "(Mari). I assume this has been shown in the UK? I don't think so. Or least if it has, I missed it."}, {"response": 769, "author": "townranny", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (11:06)", "body": "With the pedigree of Ealing Studios and return of a classic comedy like TIOBE do you think there is a possibility of a BAFTA nom for CF this year? I think several scenes are worthy. The proposal w/ FOC, the audition w/JD and I especially liked the brother scene as he introduces RE to everyone. Could we even hope for an Oscar nom? English films are darlings of the Academy. Could someone else be singled out? JD? I'll add a third request for that HolaLola teaser. Was thinking about GWAPE (absent any reports from Contern)....didn't I read somewhere that CF nationality includes Dutch ancestry? (Also Italian, Portugese). LOL Lisa about photo from WAGW - I have a feeling it is number 3. I remember a quote about him showing up to the set looking like an unmade bed. Left to his own devices me thinks he is a fashion free-for-all. Snow and shovel are beckoning."}, {"response": 770, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (11:08)", "body": "With everything they have planned for a one-hour special (between this article and the description on the TCM web site), I'd be very surprised if there is any more than a very fleeting ODB appearance."}, {"response": 771, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (20:17)", "body": "Ok, for those in later time zones, tune in because he is in the Ealing show. First time is a few minutes into the show, talking about the studio's physical plant--something about narrow corridors, musty smells and dodgy plumbing, and it being typically English. Said with affection. Then there's a bit with him toward the end, talking about the thrill of seeing the new Ealing logo and being part of that. Looks like the interview took place when he was here doing TIOBE promos; clothes and setting are the same as for his interview with Tom Brook, which ran on BBC America's Talking Movies. 2 clips from TIOBE--Jack's interview with Lady B and Jack asking Algy if Gwendolyn will turn into her mother in 150 years. Also, they do a scan of TV shows that the BBC shot at Ealing over the years, and we see a listing for Tumbledown with CF. That's about it!"}, {"response": 772, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (20:22)", "body": "Well, at least he got more screen time than Rupie (who should really have re-thought that shirt). Seeing the Tumbledown listing (along with a mention of \"some of the finest TV movies made\" in the 35 years when the BBC was shooting at Ealing) was great - they only showed perhaps 8-10 BBC film listings, with Tumbledown being the final one."}, {"response": 773, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (20:52)", "body": "(Rika) Well, at least he got more screen time than Rupie (who should really have re-thought that shirt) Isn't that the truth...he looked like a Tesco manager. He also is sporting a 'new face'; painfully stretched-out..resembles Michael Jackson. (Mari) Then there's a bit with him toward the end, talking about the thrill of seeing the new Ealing logo and being part of that ..since he had grown up with it[Ealing logo] The show was boring at the beginning, but it perked up. Thanks to Alec Guiness."}, {"response": 774, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (22:44)", "body": "Can't wait to see this. I heard a little bit (about the plumbing, wondering what the heck is he talking about?!) while on the phone with Ev, but I think we're going to have to invest in those cellphones with image capabilities next. ;-)"}, {"response": 775, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (23:34)", "body": "(Steven Oxman) The most famous of the films is probably the ever-delicious \"Kind Hearts and Coronets\" (1949), in which Alec Guinness plays a serial killer who murders the many relatives who stand between him and a dukedom. For good measure, he plays all the relatives, too. Steven O. should have done his homework (or listened more carefully). Dennis Price played the murderer in this marvelous film, a childhood favorite of mine. CF looked cute in his two short bits on \"Forever Ealing,\" even if there wasn't enough of him."}, {"response": 776, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Fri, Dec  6, 2002 (15:57)", "body": "Hi everyone Someone emailed me regarding the information about CF. I'm just waiting until some things get executed and ok'd before I post information here. Sorry. Hopefully in the next few weeks I'll be able to stop by again. And Yes Karen, you may see our wedding in some magazines. I'm marrying an ex client. Need I say more? :) Happy Holiday everyone! L"}, {"response": 777, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Fri, Dec  6, 2002 (18:01)", "body": "One more thing, If any of you who live in Southern California are interested in being an unpaid extra in our new production starring Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges and some others, December 7 and/or December 14th, email me at Hutchence2000@yahoo.com Sorry to post this if it's forbidden on the board. Take care L"}, {"response": 778, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Dec  6, 2002 (20:28)", "body": "Finally caught Londinium on HBO. Mike Binder of Mind of the Married Man joins Firth and a French actress. I was struck how much Christopher Lawford sounded like the guy who plays Jake on Mind of the Married Man. They are voice doubles. This isn't the best showcase of Firth's talents, is it? Even Mariel Hemingway falls way short of her capabilities in this film. It was mildly entertaining, worth an evening's diversion but it didn't rock my world exactly."}, {"response": 779, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 10, 2002 (09:35)", "body": "KJ hasn't bothered to post the link to a \"new\" old article that was found, where Colin talks about Valmont. It was in the June 1990 issue of Harper & Queens, and can be found here: http://www.geocities.com/kgjart/HandQValmArtclCF90.html The last few paragraphs are especially interesting: The most frequent criticism was levelled at a lack of danger or nastiness in the film and its characters (chiefly mine). While many of the objections may have been understandable, they almost always seemed to indicate that the viewer had very specific expectations as to what the film should be, and a demand that it should be the same as the other versions, but better. True, the word 'dangerous' does not feature in the title and the film makes no promises of it, but Valmont's behaviour, if one analyses it, can hardly be considered harmless; he rapes a fourteen-year-old child, while another victim of his manipulations weeps next door. The next day he commits adultery with the latter in order to satisfy a bet, and leaves her to claim the favours of yet another woman as his reward. Despite the general subsequent misery, all this is conducted with such charm and gentleness that the damage is difficult to perceive. It is greatly to Forman's credit that many people consider this man 'too likeable'. The film not only explores human gullibility but also seems to draw many viewers into being party to it. Another source of controversy has been the ending: many feel that it should have been more cataclysmic. But Forman's film recognises a world where suffering is rarely accompanied by justice. Those bereaved and wronged endure pointlessly; perpetrators are rarely punished and innocence gives way to cynicism. The astonishing thing is the sheer beauty and tenderness with which the director observes these horrors, making it impossible to emerge depressed. This important film will have to free itself from its various associations before it can be judged clearly. Maybe that will take twenty years but I am certain it will still be around."}, {"response": 780, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Dec 10, 2002 (13:01)", "body": "Thanks for the very interesting article Karen. It's been 12 years and is certainly getting TV time where its competitors are not. He was right it is still around and I'm quite certain he is the reason for it and the attraction to it IMO."}, {"response": 781, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Dec 10, 2002 (13:33)", "body": "Karen, thanks for the interesting \"new\" old article. Is this Colin talking or the interviewer's analysis? Will have to go to link to see... (article)Valmont's behaviour, if one analyses it, can hardly be considered harmless; he rapes a fourteen-year-old child, while another victim of his manipulations weeps next door. The next day he commits adultery with the latter in order to satisfy a bet, and leaves her to claim the favours of yet another woman as his reward. Despite the general subsequent misery, all this is conducted with such charm and gentleness that the damage is difficult to perceive. It is greatly to Forman's credit that many people consider this man 'too likeable'. The film not only explores human gullibility but also seems to draw many viewers into being party to it. Forman does deserve the credit for the characters being so likeable - didn't continually direct them to be nicer, nicer. And CF is so good at playing likeable even when he's so bad! And as Pam points out it's the \"Valmont\" version that's still around (on movie channels)."}, {"response": 782, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Dec 10, 2002 (13:37)", "body": "(me)didn't continually direct them to be nicer, nicer. Sorry should read: didn't he continually direct them to be nicer..."}, {"response": 783, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Dec 10, 2002 (13:55)", "body": "Ah, he did write the article. Well done, Colin. Love the picture of the cast. Thirteen year old FB found a nice place to sit for the picture!"}, {"response": 784, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Dec 10, 2002 (13:58)", "body": "The astonishing thing is the sheer beauty and tenderness with which the director observes these horrors, making it impossible to emerge depressed. This is what strikes me the most when comparing the two versions...If Dangerous Liasons WERE on cable, I would be unable to watch it again. The malevolence of the characters is exhausting to me..."}, {"response": 785, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 10, 2002 (13:59)", "body": "Lora...the article is the words of 'the man himself'. And it is an excellent article.Thanks to all concerned. \"he rapes a fourteen-year-old child,\" First time I've heard him say this... I always maintained such but august members of this board assured me this was customary in those times. \"At the end of six months I was left with little sense of the result, and a feeling that my performance belonged more to the director than to myself. I was not looking forward to seeing it.\" I have always wondered exactly how he would have played Valmont had it not been for Milos' \"powerful personality\" that directs every move. We formerly had one of Forman's assistant on this board [Cheryl are you out there?] and she related what a miserable experience it was for Colin. \"At press conferences and premieres, superlatives flowed. Then came the reviews.\" Ah ha...he reads reviews! \"It is greatly to Forman's credit that many people consider this man 'too likeable'. The film not only explores human gullibility but also seems to draw many viewers into being party to it.\" Well not me. I never considered Valmont likeable or Colin in it.I was never drawn into this. Not my favorite film . And by the sound of this interview not Colin's either. I feel vindicated:-)))"}, {"response": 786, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Dec 10, 2002 (14:21)", "body": "Thanks, KJ and Karen! I like the fact that Colin is defending the film and Forman. Very manly. ;-D"}, {"response": 787, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Dec 10, 2002 (14:48)", "body": "So do you think he wrote this article in response to his experience that came from making it and/or in response to the reviews? 1990, is that 1 or 2 years after the movie was released? It's very strange to read an analysis by an actor who was in the film, usually it would be written by a crtic in support of or panning a film. Maybe his dad asked him to do it for his scrapebook ;-). \"Making Valmont with Milos Forman.\" Very academic ;-). Perhaps writing this helped him deal with the whole aftermath of the Valmont experience."}, {"response": 788, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Dec 10, 2002 (15:15)", "body": "Thanks, Karen and KJArt. What a fascinating article! Well written, too."}, {"response": 789, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Dec 10, 2002 (16:42)", "body": "Thanks very much for the link to the article Karen and KJArt..... At the end of six months I was left with little sense of the result, and a feeling that my performance belonged more to the director than to myself. I was not looking forward to seeing it. I myself was firmly among those who wanted nothing further to do with the 'Liaisons' industry. These lines seem to confirm what has been read here before about the set being stressful and intense. Also some degree of frustration for the actors in the working environment. So, in the end, he fled to the woods with a fellow actor. And yet, when he had stepped away from it all and had been allowed some distance to possibly reflect about and digest it all, his viewpoint softened perhaps or grew? In any case, he seems to genuinely feel the film was top notch and that MF extracted an A+ performance out of him. Timing, it's all in the timing. (That and the critics. I find the different views of the American vs. European reviewers interesting.)"}, {"response": 790, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Dec 10, 2002 (17:10)", "body": "(CF)I emerged dazzled and emotional (though I must point out that my capacity to enjoy the film was largely due to the fact that much of it is free of my presence.) Well, to me the experience of the film was quite the opposite. ODB carries the film. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be watching it (and I do regularly). I think I understand, what Milos Forman wantet to present (the claw in the velvet glove) and IMO he did achieve just that. (Have to say, that I HATE ODB's hair in this movie). Not to forget - thank you for the article, KJ and Karen"}, {"response": 791, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Dec 10, 2002 (17:46)", "body": ""}, {"response": 792, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Dec 10, 2002 (17:47)", "body": "closing tags, sorry"}, {"response": 793, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Dec 10, 2002 (18:13)", "body": "Thank you KJ and Karen for the article. I have to say that Valmont is a favorite of mine! I have always loved this movie and it was the film that got me started on ODB. I think I saw it in the theatres at least 10 -12 times....when it came out on VHS, some friends and I had a Valmont / Dangerous Liaison discussion. Of the 4 people who participated, only one liked DL better... I thought ODB was brilliant as the Vicomte! A very subtle performance. JM went over the top with his portrayal...all that leering and spitting...not many women I know would fall for such a guy. But ODB! Who wouldn't be taken in (well, except for Evelyn ;-) )?? (article) The most frequent criticism was levelled at a lack of danger or nastiness in the film and its characters (chiefly mine). While many of the objections may have been understandable, they almost always seemed to indicate that the viewer had very specific expectations as to what the film should be, and a demand that it should be the same as the other versions, but better. I thought the \"lack of danger or nastiness\" is what made this film great! (Annette) (Have to say, that I HATE ODB's hair in this movie). LOL....ohhhh Annette! I love his hair in Valmont (and I know it isn't even his).... those curls just get me. I keep hoping I'll get really long curls for GWAPE!! ;-)"}, {"response": 794, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 10, 2002 (19:07)", "body": "(Annette)I wonder if he still feels this way about seeing his work? He didn't like SLOW either. But one wonders what he thought of L'scum;-) (Annette) (Have to say, that I HATE ODB's hair in this movie). (Tress)LOL....ohhhh Annette! I love his hair in Valmont Agree.And his dancing. Can't beat this film for pure eye-candy."}, {"response": 795, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Dec 10, 2002 (21:39)", "body": "I love the picture in the article with him, all the women draped all over him, and Henry Thomas kind of shoved over to one side. And what about the question he asks early in the article, about whether or not he IS in fact like Valmont? Interesting....."}, {"response": 796, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec 10, 2002 (22:28)", "body": "another company had managed to complete a film based on the same book despite having begun preparation some two years after Forman. . . He would, if necessary, spend an entire afternoon on a single line if he thought the performance gave too much away. If he was still not satisfied he might return two days later to reshooth the entire scene. If it hadn't have been for Forman's ego and obsessiveness, Valmont could have been first out of the gate and, IMO, would have been much better received instead of trying to follow the footsteps of the highly acclaimed DL. And we might have had a subsequent film called Being Colin Firth in which the characters travel through a portal in CF's brain, then exit and land on the Jersey Turnpike.;-);-) In a relatively recent interview, though I can't recall which one, I think CF took a decidedly dimmer view of the Forman experience--saying he repeatedly had to do the same lines, and *still* be told he was being too malevolent. On occasions he would ask for two or three alternative performances, which would give him a choice in the cutting room. More ego . . . and unfair to the actors. If the director doesn't know the characters' motivations, the actors are adrift. To me, some of the ambiguities are real weaknesses in the film. And I *like* the film, but can see the many flaws. Meanwhile, Stephen Frears started 2 years later and got his film out a year earlier. BTW, France was one of the few countries outside the U.S. where Valmont got a release. I don't think it came out theatrically in Britain, did it?"}, {"response": 797, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (00:59)", "body": "I always like to think of Valmont as the *original* 'wet-shirt' movie [I just had to go back to discover it, after discovering him during the second exposure...]. And yes, I loved the hair because I found those soaking long locks so droolable... He is the only actor I can think of who could wear those elegant costumes and yet still come across as completely masculine. *sigh*"}, {"response": 798, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (07:35)", "body": "(Mari), And we might have had a subsequent film called Being Colin Firth in which the characters travel through a portal in CF's brain, then exit and land on the Jersey Turnpike.;-);-) ROTF! You made my day! And, Happy Birthday! See you at O&E."}, {"response": 799, "author": "aishling", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (09:35)", "body": ""}, {"response": 800, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (11:48)", "body": "What a fascinating (and well-written!) article. Many thanks to all involved. Love the picture of all the actors piled up together, but I think I would rather have MT's position: full torso snuggle with CF AND an arm around me. Yum! I find very interesting his questioning whether he really was at least a bit like Valmont. I remember reading somewhere an interview done after P&P that he said he was a Wickham in his younger days, so maybe he came to the conclusion that he *was* a manipulator. Combine that with what something else that I've read, that after he achieved such early, and seemingly effortless success with AC, he was overly concientious about appearing to those who \"knew him when\" that he had let success go to his head. When he ran off to Canada, it's almost like he's saying \"See! See! I'm not REALLY like that womanizer; I'm willing to move to another continent to be with this woman!\" Or maybe I think too much :) And ramble too much :P"}, {"response": 801, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (13:40)", "body": "(article)\"It is greatly to Forman's credit that many people consider this man 'too likeable'. The film not only explores human gullibility but also seems to draw many viewers into being party to it.\" (Evelyn)Well not me. I never considered Valmont likeable or Colin in it.I was never drawn into this. Not my favorite film . And by the sound of this interview not Colin's either. You speak right from my heart. (Annette)(Have to say, that I HATE ODB's hair in this movie) So do I ;-) (article) The most frequent criticism was levelled at a lack of danger or nastiness in the film and its characters I always found them too nasty for my taste. The first time I saw Valmont (that was before I \"discovered\" ODB I even didn't watch it to the end. Only later I forced myself to watch the whole movie."}, {"response": 802, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (16:17)", "body": "When I was shopping for Mari's BD present I \"Google imaged\" a number of CF film names to browse through. Now I can't remember which one I was in at the time, but a still from a film that was definitely none of the ones I was searching came up. CF was in period clothes, I would guess Regency, and from his appearance it was pre-P&P, but not too much before. He was standing behind a seated woman, looking at her. She was facing the camera. I don't know who the actress was, she had an average face and straight brown hair parted in the middle and pulled back. She didn't look too happy. Who knows what this was from? I can go back later and try and find it. ;)"}, {"response": 803, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (16:21)", "body": "(Lisa)He was standing behind a seated woman, looking at her. She was facing the camera. I don't know who the actress was, she had an average face and straight brown hair parted in the middle and pulled back. She didn't look too happy. It sounds like Turn of the screw. I haven't seen it, but I believe I saw a photo on the net from this movie, that fits your description."}, {"response": 804, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (17:14)", "body": "TIOBE was released in Sweden in November as Mister Ernest. The reviews in general, are as mixed as the 120 I\ufffdve read at MRQE, so I\ufffdll just post a few quotes, mostly regarding CF: Mister Ernest is inspired by Shakespeare and it is quite obvious. It is like A Midsummernights Dream in frocks and is entertaining, smart and witty, but nothing more. CF and RE function well together, they banter in a way, that makes their relationship trustworthy. Cecilys dreams of a knight increases the sense of Shakespearian dreamplay, but are \ufffdover done\ufffd. The script is complicated. As by Shakespeare and Oscar Wilde inspired by Shakespeare. Wildes text is treated with respect, perhaps too much, the lines being the center of the film. The speed of the film is very rapid. The film suffers from it, they should have given the lines more time to sink. It would have given the actors more room for acting. Now they are Wildes marionettes. Firth has made several trips to the country of Jane Austen and was very good in BJD, but he has never been better than in this film. Perhaps it is CF\ufffds presence that lifts RE, who when truth has to be told, haven\ufffdt been this funny since AC. Remember, these are not my observations. I just translated them. I didn\ufffdt remember having read about the Shakespeare reference before, which is what lead me to post."}, {"response": 805, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (19:44)", "body": "Annette had shared the Shakespearean comment with me in e-mail, and I thought it was interesting so I'm glad she decided to post it. I don't know if Wilde had A Midsummer Night's Dream in mind (or if OP did), but I can kind of see why the reviewer said that. Nice that they liked CF so much."}, {"response": 806, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (22:14)", "body": "(Rika)I don't know if Wilde had A Midsummer Night's Dream in mind (or if OP did) OP most definitely did. He talks about it in the production notes, which this journalist would've received before writing the article. I always find it interesting to see how much they lift from the presskits. ;-)"}, {"response": 807, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Dec 12, 2002 (11:08)", "body": "(Annette) Well, to me the experience of the film was quite the opposite. ODB carries the film. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be watching it (and I do regularly). I think I understand, what Milos Forman wantet to present (the claw in the velvet glove) and IMO he did achieve just that. (Have to say, that I HATE ODB's hair in ... I can't agree with you more. I found his performance the only virtue of the film, except for Fiona's. IMO all the other performances fell short. Although I do like his hair clipped back, but don't care for the hanging down look. (KJ) He is the only actor I can think of who could wear those elegant costumes and yet still come across as completely masculine. *sigh* *sigh* *sigh* Nobody does it better. Thanks for the interesting perspective in interview Annette. Glad they liked CF so much. I guess it is Shakespearean now that I think about it."}, {"response": 808, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Dec 12, 2002 (11:37)", "body": "Hi everyone. It\ufffds been a long time between posts for me (well over a year), and I admit to recently lurking a bit. It\ufffds great seeing so many new people post, and very comforting knowing that many long term Drooleurs are still around. Much has happened in a year, but my obsession with CF and my affection for my fellow obsessors never waivers. Wow, there\ufffds even a new Colin topic: happy thought, indeed!"}, {"response": 809, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 12, 2002 (12:34)", "body": "Welcome back LisaJH and am especially looking forward to your posting tomorrow. *goody goody goody*"}, {"response": 810, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Dec 12, 2002 (19:47)", "body": "I just got an interesting note in a letter today, to wit: Just wanted you to know that Colin's really hit the big time now--he got several mentions (two so far) in Suzanne Brockmann's latest bestseller, Into the Night , which I am currently reading ... It's the first time I've known a Non-American movie star to be mentioned in a mainstream book. It was wonderful. Slowly but surely, we train friends to keep an eye out for us! ;-)"}, {"response": 811, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Dec 12, 2002 (20:19)", "body": "Well done, KJ! Will have to check the book and find out the context of the remarks."}, {"response": 812, "author": "townranny", "date": "Thu, Dec 12, 2002 (21:46)", "body": "I'm so behind.... Sumptuous is the word that comes to mind for Valmont. I'd watch it just for the look and the feel of it. The acting does seem a bit contrived, but only a bit. Maybe over-rehearsed. Meg a little shrill, Colin a little too obviously ingratiating, and Annette's voice too coached. Interesting article. Many good scenes."}, {"response": 813, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Thu, Dec 12, 2002 (23:31)", "body": "Colin's name was also mentioned very briefly in one of Jilly Cooper's novels. I read it while on holidays in March/April 2001. I suspect she is another fan. A murder suspect (a movie director) said he made a phone call to an actor asking him to be in a movie and when the police officer asked \"which actor\" the suspect said \"Colin Firth\". I got such surprise I woke my travelling companion (who wasn't near as impressed as I was)."}, {"response": 814, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (09:20)", "body": "Colin's name was also mentioned very briefly in one of Jilly Cooper's novels. Anything beats being mentioned in \"Mind of a Married Man\". We almost had a heart attack even thinking he would cameo in it."}, {"response": 815, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (20:45)", "body": "(Evelyn) Anything beats being mentioned in \"Mind of a Married Man\". We almost had a heart attack even thinking he would cameo in it. Great comment Evelyn. LOL."}, {"response": 816, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Sat, Dec 14, 2002 (15:06)", "body": "A little thrill tonight at the last fastest finger question on the British Who Wants to be a Millionaire show -- Put these Colin Firth films in order of their release...EP...FP...SIL...BJD (repeated by me in order since of course I knew the answer =) ). And Chris Tarrant seemed surprised that a woman won this question?!"}, {"response": 817, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Dec 14, 2002 (16:17)", "body": "(EmmaB)Who Wants to be a Millionaire show -- Put these Colin Firth films in order We had a Jepardy-special with female journalists some while ago, where one of the topics were Colin Firth. One of the women actually answered almost as quick as I. Perhaps a fellow firthette? btw, I don't normally see this show, just happened to catch this one. I wonder why."}, {"response": 818, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Dec 15, 2002 (09:40)", "body": "Just to let you know that \"Forever Ealing\" will be shown on Channel 4 in UK on Monday 30th Dec. at 1.25pm. no mention of TIOBE at all in blurb, but I guess it must be the same one as you all saw recently and were able to fill us in about. Also later that day at 7pm on BBC 1 \"The real Jane Austen\", narrated by Anna Chancellor ( J.A's great neice as I bet you all know. I didn't;-( ). No mention of P&P or Darcy, but worth setting the vid for."}, {"response": 819, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Dec 15, 2002 (09:43)", "body": "BTW Wow Karen! Thanks for my favourite marzipan man for the Festive Season, great pic. Reminds me that TEP is also in xmas film list this year too in UK."}, {"response": 820, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Dec 15, 2002 (11:17)", "body": "(Lizza) narrated by Anna Chancellor ( J.A's great neice as I bet you all know. I didn't;-( ). I didn't! Must be a few \"greats\" or \"grands\" in there, though, unless AC is a lot older than she looks."}, {"response": 821, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec 15, 2002 (12:08)", "body": "..narrated by Anna Chancellor ( J.A's great neice as I bet you all know. Duckface?? ;-) I found \"Forever Ealing\" interesting. Thanks for the heads-up. (Lizza) marzipan man LOL.Yummmmmm"}, {"response": 822, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Dec 15, 2002 (12:28)", "body": ""}, {"response": 823, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 15, 2002 (12:31)", "body": ""}, {"response": 824, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 15, 2002 (12:33)", "body": "[tag has been closed now] Thanks for the info on Forever Ealing being on Channel 4, Lizza. Now, none of you guys can say he's never on your TV. *snicker* (OK, is only for brief nanosecond, but counts)"}, {"response": 825, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Dec 15, 2002 (14:24)", "body": "Wot Boss? Us complain? Nevahhh! We just miss having those Xmas scoops like TOTS to tell you about :-)) Apologies for not closing ;-("}, {"response": 826, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sun, Dec 15, 2002 (16:10)", "body": "BTW anyone, where is that Christmas pic from?"}, {"response": 827, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Dec 15, 2002 (16:22)", "body": "(Lisa) BTW anyone, where is that Christmas pic from? The English Patient"}, {"response": 828, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Dec 15, 2002 (16:23)", "body": "(Lisa)BTW anyone, where is that Christmas pic from? It's from TEP, where Geoffrey Clinton is Santa at a Christmas party, while Cathrine is \"otherwise engaged\". The picture is from where he finally finds her, smelling marzipan in her hair. (Actually a favourite scene of mine)."}, {"response": 829, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Dec 15, 2002 (16:26)", "body": "Sorry, Tress, didn't want to seem smart, just posted at the same time as you. BTW - Somewhat funny to know, that we are sitting on each side of the world, thinking the same thought simultaniously."}, {"response": 830, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Dec 15, 2002 (17:14)", "body": "(Annette) Sorry, Tress Absolutely no need to apologize! You gave a much better answer! BTW - Somewhat funny to know, that we are sitting on each side of the world, thinking the same thought simultaniously. LOL...so you were thinking about all the naughty things you would like to do to Santa, too?? Amazing!! ;-D"}, {"response": 831, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Dec 15, 2002 (17:53)", "body": "Thank you, Karen for ODSanta. All this talk about TEP makes me want to go and watch, I think I will."}, {"response": 832, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, Dec 15, 2002 (20:27)", "body": "(Tress) LOL...so you were thinking about all the naughty things you would like to do to Santa, too?? Amazing!! ;-D LOL Tress, not so hard when you think about it though, I'm fairly continuous with those types of thoughts myself...wait a minute....ooops, there I go again! Does kind of give new meaning to the song \"I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus\" though, doesn't it?"}, {"response": 833, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (08:21)", "body": "I hear that the WAGW trailer was running with Two Weeks Notice at Saturday's sneak preview. TWN officially opens this Friday."}, {"response": 834, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (08:37)", "body": "From Screendaily, though it's about the producer, many mentions of Love Actually: Kenworthy pulls back from DNA 16 December 2002 Love, Actually, which wrapped this month, marks the end of an era for Producer Duncan Kenworthy, who is stepping back from running UK National Lottery franchise DNA Films to focus on producing. \"Until now I have been co-chairman with Andrew [Macdonald],\" said Kenworthy, best known as producer on Four Weddings And A Funeral and Notting Hill. \"We have taken all the same meetings, we have been joined at the hip. It's not an efficient way to do things and it doesn't play to my strengths. Andrew will take the lead in running the company and I'm going to be producing films, which is what I enjoy more.\" Kenworthy aims for the move to free him to produce non-DNA films as well as franchise titles. He and Macdonald have come under flack for spending time outside DNA producing lucrative, big-budget productions The Beach and Notting Hill. With the franchise falling behind in production volume - it has produced only six films in five years - Macdonald brought his regular collaborator Danny Boyle into the franchise on 28 Days Later, answering critics with a runaway hit. The film's success also did no harm to DNA's talks with Fox Searchlight over a pending longterm deal. But, although Kenworthy has brought DNA in on Love, Actually as much as he could, Universal Pictures was hardly going to allow co-investors on a Richard Curtis film. While DNA takes a credit and has some financial benefit, the franchise is not an investor as it was on 28 Days. by all accounts, Curtis' directing debut has gone superbly. The Multi-stranded story of Londoners in the run-up to Christmas came in only two days over schedule after a 13-week shoot, despite being rained off due to an electric storm in France. Kenworthy is all the more relieved as Curtis had to manage a hefty ensemble cast including Hugh Grant, Rowan Atkinson, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Martine McCutcheon and Bill Nighy. \"However hard it got, you could see on Richard's face that it was a lot easier doing than standing there and watching someone else do it,\" Kenworthy says. but in terms of personal credits, Kenworthy has given ground to Working Title Films co-chiefs Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, who for the first time on a Kenworthy-Curtis collaboration take producer rather than executive producer credits. While Kenworthy and Curtis took Notting Hill to Working Title, the production powerhouse now has its own deal with Curtis and was part of the development process on Love, Actually, which is scheduled for release in late 2003. \"There is a significant difference: I'm a producer for hire on this one,\" Kenworthy said. \"In reality, on the ground, that has not made any difference. Working Title agreed I would be the producer during production and in post it would be all three of us.\" While Kenworthy guards his producing credits on Curtis films fiercely, even this potentially fraught producing triangle is said to have gone smoothly. He cannot, however, resist adding: \"We share producing credits, but I'm in first position.\""}, {"response": 835, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (09:36)", "body": ""}, {"response": 836, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (11:23)", "body": ""}, {"response": 837, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (13:05)", "body": "Thank you, Karen. Thank you, Mari, for the WAGW trailer info. Looks like I'm going to have to see TWN. But, I'm really excited that they are running the trailer in what seems like hot spots.(I'm assuming TWN will be a hot spot). I hope when the time comes for publicity for WAGW they will give it a great send-off."}, {"response": 838, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (21:23)", "body": "Me no happy. :-( Let's see if I can manage this without screwing up."}, {"response": 839, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (22:06)", "body": "I dunno, it's there when I log in, then disappears. Go to: http://www.comingsoon.net/cgi-bin/archive/fullnews.cgi?newsid1040079090,96934 ,"}, {"response": 840, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (22:12)", "body": "Ugh! Horrible poster. Amanda looks terrible too. She's supposed to have Colin's eyes? Well we now know where this movie is going... ... ..."}, {"response": 841, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (22:15)", "body": "Here you go. It was a tricky little devil, but it didn't surprise me:"}, {"response": 842, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (08:33)", "body": "E-e-ek! I think WAGA is aimed squarely at the US teen/Amanda Bynes fan market. \"The Princess Diaries\" did very well in the States, but was marketed as a video rental/cable TV product in the UK (and did well as such). IMHO WAGA will get the same treatment, and CF's next promotion in the UK will be for Mark Herman's \"Hope Springs\", which follows on from \"Brassed Off\" and \"Little Voice\". (more successful in the UK). But WAGA will get a wide release in the US, which has to be a major plus!"}, {"response": 843, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (11:25)", "body": ""}, {"response": 844, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (11:26)", "body": "but alas, there is no hope for me, closing tags"}, {"response": 845, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (12:11)", "body": "In the British edition of Cosmo, there's an article about Martine McCutcheon, where she talks about working with Huge and Colin in particular. How Colin made her feel very at home on the set and could not have been more kind. I've asked the person who emailed me if he could type out the relevant parts, but don't know if I'll receive it. That mag isn't here yet."}, {"response": 846, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (13:47)", "body": "What month's issue is it, Karen? I'd say the audience for WAGW is pre-teen; that's AB's crowd. The thing looks like one big cultural cliche. When they do the sequel, AB can wear a Union Jack, sandwiched in-between two cowboys.;-)"}, {"response": 847, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (14:26)", "body": "I'd say the audience for WAGW is pre-teen; that's AB's crowd. I am with Bethan. This film makes no sense to me. I know more than most in the UK about the US and am very familiar with tastes of college age to dotage but all this dated stuff about debs and such is a complete no no for UK teens. The only market is for CF fans and I shan't be going....I'l wait for it to appear on satellite and then I shall watch it with gritted teeth."}, {"response": 848, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (14:44)", "body": "all this dated stuff about debs and such is a complete no no for UK teens As it is here. Would be considered laughable by most (but you already knew that;-). AB did have a show here geared to pre-teens (8--12 or so), so that group will go regardless of subject matter."}, {"response": 849, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (15:01)", "body": "I'll wait for it to appear on satellite I just don't think that WAGW will get a theatrical release in the UK. And I think CF chose a movie that tied in with having Will (possible AB fan?) with him for the summer! B-u-t...having said this, I think/hope that it will be great fun to watch and it will definitely get a good showing on Sky movies. And there's no reason why it shouldn't be a huge commercial success in the US and introduce CF to a much wider audience (teens and mums!). Didn't the last AB movie make nearly $50million? I've been computer-less for a few weeks, and so this may be old news! Andrew Davies was interviewed recently on the radio, and was asked about all his recent projects (Deronda/Zhivago etc). He said that the work he was most pleased with was his screenplay for TEOR and that he liked writing for established characters. So hopefully we've got some good screenwriting in store - Mark Herman/Richard Curtis/Andrew Davies and GWAPE!"}, {"response": 850, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (15:10)", "body": "AB did have a show here geared to pre-teens (8--12 or so), so that group will go regardless of subject matter. Wouldn't WAGA appeal to early teens (13-14 yearolds?)"}, {"response": 851, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (15:14)", "body": "(Allison) I'l wait for it to appear on satellite and then I shall watch it with gritted teeth. And therefore you'll need some preparation. I suggest checking with your dentist about getting a mouth guard. Does wonders against the harmful effects of grinding. ;-) WAGW is a fluffy movie for the preteen crowd that doesn't know anything about debutantes but is still firmly esconced in the world of fairytales. And that's what this movie is. American Girl goes to England and finds father living in a castle (or similar), goes to balls, etc. It's the stuff little girls eat up. More Princess Bride and that other Prince Charming movie (Forever After or whatever). OK, here's the article which was in the December Cosmo: Reading now Martine has landed an absolute corker of a plum role opposite Hugh Grant in the new Richard Curtis film, Love Actually, a romantic comedy which will be released next Christmas and promises to be the big British film of the year. In her particular story line, which is being filmed on location around London at the moment, Hugh is the Prime Minister and Martine is on the kitchen staff at Downing Street. \"Working with Hugh is a dream come true,\" says Martine, who plays the role of a tea girl, which suggests a costume of aprons and Nylon overalls. \"No!\" she cries, \"This is a Hollywood movie, so she is a Hollywood movie tea girl, not a drudge. There is an innocence about her that is really sweet--you can see why the Prime Minister would fall in love with her, because she is clever and bubbly and refreshing. She is a breath of fresh air.\" Martine is thrilled to be part of an all-star cast which includes Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth and, of course, Hugh Grant himself. \"It's phenomenal. That's the company you want to keep as an actress. mIt's pretty amazing, but I try to keep my head down and keep focused on the job and not to get too excited and giggly about the whole thing. But I've been pinching myself when I've been there, going, \"Oh my God, I'm sitting between Liam Neeson and Alan Rickman.\" She has struck up a friendship with Emma Thompson [\"me and Em are on the same wavelength\"], while \"naughty\" Alan makes her laugh, Hugh is \"really sweet\" and she will never forget the kindness shown to her by Colin on her first day on set. \"Colin is such a gent, really charming, really gorgeous. He is very gentle and he oozes warmth. He, out of everyone, made me feel most comfortable because, ooh, he just naturally oozes that warmth and charm.\" In fact, she was so chatty about Colin, yet coy about Hugh--the twin peaks of swoonsome, handsome British leading men--I can't help but wonder if she and Grant didn't particularly get on, or if they got on so well she was throwing up a Firth-shaped smokescreen. Martine, should I read anything into this? \"No. God no! If I come across like that, I am going to have to nip that in the bud straight away. I'll get into trouble. There is nothing between me and Hugh. I think he is gorgeous but I think Colin is gorgeous, too. They are both absolutely lovely.\""}, {"response": 852, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (16:15)", "body": "It's the stuff little girls eat up. That's what I don't understand. I don't think little Brit girls are that naive. I cannot believe US preteens are that different... It is fascinating. There is a thesis here ;-)"}, {"response": 853, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (17:16)", "body": "(Allison M) I'd say the audience for WAGW is pre-teen; that's AB's crowd. LOL...and I'll be there pushing all those pre-teens outta my way as I plan to be there 'front and center' at the first showing! I do wish for more dramas and serious roles, but I'm an addict and will take my Firth any way he comes! (Karen) It's the stuff little girls eat up. And bigger girls eat up those leather pants... ;-)"}, {"response": 854, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (17:30)", "body": "(Allison) I don't think little Brit girls are that naive. I cannot believe US preteens are that different... Why not? Everyone thinks Americans are different. The \"princess meets prince charming et al\" theme runs through so many movies popular with girls to women. The one I was thinking about before was Princess Bride, but Ever After works too. Then there's Kate & Leopold and even Legally Blonde and Pretty Woman for that matter. Our little girls may play on soccer teams, but they have a strong Inner Barbie. ;-)"}, {"response": 855, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (17:49)", "body": "(Bethan)Wouldn't WAGA appeal to early teens (13-14 yearolds?) That might be pushing it. When I was 14, I was sneaking out to see A Clockwork Orange. But I might not be typical;-) WAGW is a fluffy movie for the preteen crowd that doesn't know anything about debutantes but is still firmly esconced in the world of fairytales. And that's what this movie is. I very much agree. Young girls here love that stuff. And it helps enormously if the daddy is good looking.;-) I don't think it's a matter of naivete as I'd expect a pre-teen to be somewhat naive, but maybe our kids do live more in the fantasy world than those in the UK, and perhaps grow up a little later. We do tend to baby them (speaking as a perpetrator myself;-)"}, {"response": 856, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (18:01)", "body": "lynn b: The poster at comingsoon.net was not named wagwposter2.jpg. The one I reduced in k-size was though."}, {"response": 857, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (19:48)", "body": "(Cosmo article)\"Colin is such a gent, really charming, really gorgeous. He is very gentle and he oozes warmth. He, out of everyone, made me feel most comfortable because, ooh, he just naturally oozes that warmth and charm.\" **sitting here oozing sighs** (Cosmo)I can't help but wonder if she and Grant didn't particularly get on, or if they got on so well she was throwing up a Firth-shaped smokescreen. Martine, should I read anything into this? HMMMMM, wonder what a Firth-shaped smokescreen looks like? Verrry interesting article, thanks Karen... I think I hear those red finger nails tapping clear across the pond.;-) (Tress)LOL...and I'll be there pushing all those pre-teens outta my way as I plan to be there 'front and center'...And bigger girls eat up those leather pants... ;-) LOL, I'm with you."}, {"response": 858, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (20:19)", "body": "(Mari)When they do the sequel, AB can wear a Union Jack, sandwiched in-between two cowboys.;-) LOL. And I hope they don't include Lord Dashwood. Enough already. Little girls will flip over this film . Mine is already asking about it having seen the trailer four times before HP;she thought it was being released during Xmas holidays.They annnounce it as \"Coming Soon\". You know how many times these girls looked at \"Knight's Tale\", \"Miss Congeniality\", \"Princess Diaries\", \"Wedding Planner\"..... Pass the barf bag."}, {"response": 859, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (20:47)", "body": "they have a strong Inner Barbie. ;-) ROTF! Now let's get in touch with our Inner Barbie. ;-D I'm sure the script is great, otherwise he wouldn't have done it, right? ;-))))"}, {"response": 860, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (20:58)", "body": "(moon) I'm sure the script is great, otherwise he wouldn't have done it, right? Of course not! (insert facetious winkie)"}, {"response": 861, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (21:01)", "body": "(Karen) It's the stuff little girls eat up. And big girls who like the daddy. Thanks for the great article, Karen. Very interesting and the red nails are clicking, absolutely no doubt of it."}, {"response": 862, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (21:17)", "body": "(moon) I'm sure the script is great, otherwise he wouldn't have done it, right? Of course not! (insert facetious winkie)"}, {"response": 863, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (21:33)", "body": "(Evelyn)Pass the barf bag. (moon) I'm sure the script is great, otherwise he wouldn't have done it, right? ;-)))) Pfft! Reminds me of Karen's birthday party: Karen's group/Not Karen's group. LOL! In fact, she was so chatty about Colin, yet coy about Hugh--the twin peaks of swoonsome, handsome British leading men Mr. Huge Twin Peak is on Leno tonight, promoting Two Weeks Notice. Bethan, TWN is more the speed of our 14-year olds. Still a fairytale, but at least Barbie is out of her training bra.;-) Nice Cosmo article, Karen, thanks."}, {"response": 864, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (23:25)", "body": "(Moon) ROTF! Now let's get in touch with our Inner Barbie. ;-D Would this include seeing Made, oops, Maid in Manhattan?"}, {"response": 865, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (23:27)", "body": "(Allison) That's what I don't understand. I don't think little Brit girls are that naive. I cannot believe US preteens are that different... It is fascinating. There is a thesis here ;-) Princess Diaries, which was similarly targeted, grossed over $100 million in the U.S. Somebody was going to see it."}, {"response": 866, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (23:57)", "body": "I was trying to remember the teen movies that came out when I was about 13 or 14...hmmmm.....Meatballs, Endless Love, Blue Lagoon, Little Darlings, Friday the 13th....I would have LOVED to have seen a movie like WAGW! I was stuck with cr*p. I, like Mari, would sneak in to 'forbidden' films...like Bertolucci's Luna (that one ruined me, I still have flashbacks) just to have a film to see! Even today, there aren't many movies for that particular age group. I think WAGW will do very well in the US. Most 13-14 year olds aren't as critical as their older counterparts. ;-) (Moon) ROTF! Now let's get in touch with our Inner Barbie. ;-D LOL...I'm channeling her now! I feel the need to get new pink shoes and read a Cosmo! :-)"}, {"response": 867, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (08:04)", "body": "Now let's get in touch with our Inner Barbie. ;-D To post or not to post, that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler (in general) to rise above the temptation to respond to inner Barbie conversation (insert lascivious winkie) and possibly suffer slings and arrows for outrageous comment...Ay, there's the rub. (insert bigger lascivious winkie)"}, {"response": 868, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (09:48)", "body": ""}, {"response": 869, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (09:57)", "body": "Murph: please repost at 168. I'm not going to move it, only delete it. I have other things to do. This is the CF topic, not O&E. Thanks."}, {"response": 870, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (11:27)", "body": "(Tress)Even today, there aren't many movies for that particular age group. I think WAGW will do very well in the US. Most 13-14 year olds aren't as critical as their older counterparts. ;-) Esp. little girls under the PG-13 category. There are many more boy movies... \"Jackass\", \"American Pie 1 &2\", \"Spiderman\".These girls have outgrown Disney animations and are in between.Don't think the movie studios haven't realized that. WAGW will do v. well. I just hate to see Marzipan Man mired in such. What next Inspector Gadget II? I hear the pay is good."}, {"response": 871, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (11:36)", "body": "(Evelyn) What next Inspector Gadget II? I hear the pay is good. LOL...but Inspector Gadget did go on to do The Producers! There is hope even after something like that. ;-)"}, {"response": 872, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (12:35)", "body": "LOL...but Inspector Gadget did go on to do The Producers! There is hope even after something like that. ;-) And indeed he did with great success. But is there any comparison of Valmont to Ferris Bueller?"}, {"response": 873, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (12:52)", "body": "Sorry! I thought I was putting it at 168! Senior moment there. I'll re-post over there."}, {"response": 874, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (14:51)", "body": "(Evelyn)What next Inspector Gadget II? I hear the pay is good. LOL! Rupie already beat him to it in Part 1. And look where it got him.;-) (Tress)I, like Mari, would sneak in to 'forbidden' films...like Bertolucci's Luna (that one ruined me, I still have flashbacks) For me it was Last Tango In Paris. Couldn't eat butter for years after that.;-) (Tress)Most 13-14 year olds aren't as critical as their older counterparts. ;-) This is true. And then inexplicably some of them grow into cynical 40-somethings who hate everything.;-)"}, {"response": 875, "author": "Odile", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (19:39)", "body": "(Martine McCutcheon) \"Colin is such a gent, really charming, really gorgeous. He is very gentle and he oozes warmth. He, out of everyone, made me feel most comfortable because, ooh, he just naturally oozes that warmth and charm.\" I couldn't help but reposting that part. *swoon* Thanks for the article Karen! Martine could use a bookmark for Drool for Christmas, couldn't she? :)"}, {"response": 876, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (06:54)", "body": "The Globe and Mail: A lament for the Leading Man -- By JOHANNA SCHNELLER Friday, December 20, 2002 Could Hugh Grant be the next Cary Grant? The question came up while I watched this season's two big-ticket romantic comedies, Maid in Manhattan, starring Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes, and Two Weeks Notice, which pairs Hugh with Sandra Bullock. Both films are sadly ordinary -- cubic zirconia in a once diamond-bright genre. They tell the same story (rich guy woos poor but morally upright brunette), with the same set piece (gal wows guy by wearing a long dress to a fancy party), and the same soundtrack (songs by Norah Jones play in both films). Both even feature a sassy, supersized, supporting character -- played by the same actress, Sharon Wilkins. Still, it's instructive to compare their leading men. Fiennes looks like he's sucking on a lemon peel, while Grant is actually appealing. Adjusting, of course, for the fact that nobody writes romantic comedies the way they used to -- that today's screenplays lack the irreverent, humane wit that defined Cary -- Hugh is deft on his feet, knows how to deliver a line, and cleans up nicely. Most importantly, Hugh, like Cary before him, knows how to hang back and let his female partners sparkle in the spotlight. Making their women look really, really good is a skill that leading men once considered manly. Unfortunately, those days are over. Ours is an era of Leading Boys. Over a dishy lunch, my friend John Lownsbrough, a writer and movie buff, and I went through the list of current male idols and lamented how far they've tumbled from the Cary Grant standard. There are the Daddy's Boys, perpetual sons who are too busy avenging or attacking their fathers to pay attention to sex. Their leader is Tom Cruise, who comes of age in movie after movie, but can't seem to grow up. His spiritual guru is Dustin Hoffman; his posse includes Matt Damon (\"surprising edge, but not developed yet,\" John Lo says), Ben Affleck (Who here actually likes to watch Ben act? Anyone? Anyone?!), Owen Wilson (too class-clown) and John Cusack (cute but squirrelly). There are the All-American Boys, decent, solid fellows who make darling uncles, but look itchy in black tie. This bunch is led by the triumvirate of truth -- Tom Hanks, Harrison Ford and Jeff Bridges -- and also includes Jeff Daniels, Bill Pullman, Bill Paxton and Brendan Fraser. Both John Lo and I like Fraser a lot, and think he makes smart choices (his co-stars read like a master class in acting: Christopher Walken, Ian McKellen, Michael Caine). But he's a bit too solid and earnest for Granthood. \"In the wrong light, he can look like Rodney Dangerfield,\" Lo says. We have Pretty Boys, lean fellows with heartbreaking faces, but who don't quite cast a shadow. These include Jim Caviezel (\"stunning, but no there there,\" Lo says), Campbell Scott (\"too sane to want stardom\"), Jude Law, Christian Bale, Ryan Phillippe and Johnny Depp (too slight to fantasize about without worrying that you'd break them in half), Taye Diggs (too self-involved), Richard Gere (ditto) and Antonio Banderas (his smoulder has too much smirk in it for me). There are the Cowboys, guys who can handle the sex, but can't manage the elegance: Kris Kristofferson was one, as Chris Cooper is now. Brad Pitt, Dennis Quaid, Russell Crowe, Mel Gibson, Nick Nolte, Josh Lucas -- it's like the biggest guns of our time took Steve McQueen lessons, but skipped Fred Astaire class. (And I do mean class.) George Clooney, who's also in this group, looks like a leading man. Watch his eyes, though, when he's supposed to be romancing a woman: He's too mistrustful, too withholding. He keeps saying in interviews that he'll never get married, and it shows. He's far more relaxed, happier-looking and sexier in roles where his co-stars are guys. I much prefer Viggo Mortensen. Here at last is a poet who can push you up against the wall. He and Benicio del Toro are my lust objects du jour, but they're Brando's heirs, not Grant's. And their imitators are the Boys with Dirty Fingernails: Ewan McGregor, Dermot Mulroney, Jeremy Davies, Philip Seymour Hoffman. Which brings us back to Brit Boys. Clive Owen has potential, as does Jeremy Northam, but we haven't yet seen what they can do. On the other hand, we've seen way too much of what Pierce Brosnan can't do -- I mean, the man managed to render Halle Berry sexless. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Hugh Jackman and Colin Firth, though they seem to shine more in period pieces. In the end, John Lo and I think Rupert Everett comes closest to Cary Granthood. He's sexy, funny, dashing. Like Grant, he has a strong feminine side; he likes women, he gets them. Unlike Grant, however, Everett is openly gay. Ironically, today's more honest sexual climate may be his undoing. \"God bless him for having the guts to come out,\" Lo says, \"though maybe if he'd stayed in the closet, he could have inherited Grant's place. What's left of it, anyway. But now that everyone knows Eve"}, {"response": 877, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (08:08)", "body": "Firth would make a great Bond."}, {"response": 878, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (09:46)", "body": "Article about Amanda Bynes, which mentions WAGW (although with original name): Last summer, Bynes went to England to film \"American Girl,\" an upcoming Warners Bros. feature loosely based on the 1958 film \"The Reluctant Debutante,\" about a British couple that must present their Americanized daughter (Sandra Dee) to society. This time Bynes plays Daphne, who \ufffd while re-establishing a relationship with her British politician dad (Colin Firth) \ufffd runs up against the fashions and foibles of the London social season. But the actress acknowledged the premise was far more viable three decades ago than it is now. \"They are not much different over there,\" she says. \"You walk into anywhere and there's a McDonald's and a Starbucks. It's almost like, 'Did I leave?\"' http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/entertainment/s_108486.html"}, {"response": 879, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (12:43)", "body": "Thanks for all the cosmo stuff karen. Front of NOW magazine has Martine on it today so I checked it out and immediately discarded my pink shoes:-) It's looking like it was lifted from Cosmo and no surprises for guessing that all her gushings about ODB have been left out in favour of Huge Gnat. Oh well, it's not the first time and won't be the last! Love to think of Marzipan man getting mired Evelyn :-) Mired in mincemeat.... festively yummy! I for one will go see WAGW, as a L'dumbcra*P veteren, like so many, this cannot be worse. The suits already look promising, some nice eye candy ( rather than any teeth candy on sattelite:-))"}, {"response": 880, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (13:18)", "body": "(article) So we're stuck with Hugh. Though he's too laddish and too ironic about romance itself to take Cary's place, he has the right last name. These days, that may be as close as we can get. IMO the last name isn't even worthy of a comparison. How utterly ridiculous to even compare these two men. IMO HG couldn't shine CG's shoes. Must have been a slow news day. And what a ridiculous comment to make about Colin IMO. Must not have seen anything but P&P. Their loss."}, {"response": 881, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 23, 2002 (09:33)", "body": "According to comingsoon.net, GWAPE is listed for fourth quarter 2003 release."}, {"response": 882, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Dec 23, 2002 (09:47)", "body": "Ah, thanks Karen, that's *the* one I want to see! I've seen a couple of things by the director...\"Men Only\" and a film about Franz Schubert with Simon Russell Beale....he gets very good, very natural performances from his cast, lots of close-ups, acting without words. Fingers crossed that GWAPE could feature in next years awards!"}, {"response": 883, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec 23, 2002 (11:11)", "body": "Gwad to hear GWAPE is on the schedule!:-) Also, WAGW has been pushed back a week to April 4."}, {"response": 884, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 23, 2002 (12:19)", "body": "(Bethan) Fingers crossed that GWAPE could feature in next years awards! Just your fingers? ;-) (Mari) WAGW has been pushed back a week to April 4. Ah!!!! Same date as the one set way back when (but possibly no longer any good) for Hope Springs. Hope springs eternal that they'll playing at same complex. *snicker*"}, {"response": 885, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Dec 23, 2002 (19:33)", "body": "I don't know if this falls under new, 'cause the pictures are older, but a nice gallery of Colin images: http://planeta.clix.pt/photoactor/galeria/html/cd/colinfirth.html"}, {"response": 886, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Dec 23, 2002 (19:36)", "body": "This cute one is new to me, as are some of the others shown above:"}, {"response": 887, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Dec 23, 2002 (20:48)", "body": "Thanks Mary, for the link. Wot a way to start the holidays. I've seen most of them but,some are new to me. Sigh, Sigh, Sigh. Happy Holidays!!!!"}, {"response": 888, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 24, 2002 (00:18)", "body": "No new pics there, just a rearrangement of pics off other sites. (You'd know if you yourself had done a crop a certain way or adjusted the color.) :-( That pic, Murph, is just one of the four from the GQ Man of the Year spread."}, {"response": 889, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Dec 24, 2002 (01:24)", "body": "Owwww, but I hadn't seen a lot of them, even if they were oldies. Thank you Mary and Merry Christmas....back to wrapping!"}, {"response": 890, "author": "townranny", "date": "Tue, Dec 24, 2002 (07:17)", "body": "Thanks Karen, for a Great Year!!!! And thanks everyone else too!!!!!Hard to pick a favorite part, but coverage of TIOBE premieres would be hard to beat!!! Have my own little tape of interviews with CF to show for it. New Years resolution for me, images!!!!! Have a Great Holiday and a Happy Drool Year!!!"}, {"response": 891, "author": "townranny", "date": "Tue, Dec 24, 2002 (07:31)", "body": "Ooops!!!Mary, Thanks for the photos. Not a bad one in the bunch!!!!"}, {"response": 892, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec 24, 2002 (09:26)", "body": "Thanks, Murph! Some of those are new to me. Great gallery."}, {"response": 893, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 24, 2002 (10:17)", "body": "Thanks Murph...new to me are the beige turtleneck series and the cranberry wooly-pully. What a compilation!!LOL. I bet lots were pinched from other websites;-)"}, {"response": 894, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 24, 2002 (10:23)", "body": "Actually, I feel like doing something very audacious. *evil laugh*"}, {"response": 895, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Dec 24, 2002 (10:26)", "body": "(Karen), Actually, I feel like doing something very audacious. *evil laugh* Ahem, well? Taps foot, points red fingernail, we are waiting. ;-)"}, {"response": 896, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec 24, 2002 (11:50)", "body": "Go ahead, Boss, do it.:-) Meanwhile, guess which oni has the twin!"}, {"response": 897, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec 24, 2002 (11:50)", "body": "Er, guess which \"Toni\" that is . . . am dating myself. . . ."}, {"response": 898, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Dec 24, 2002 (17:18)", "body": "Thanks for the pic link Murph. New or old a delight to the eye and heart. HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE. THANK YOU KAREN FOR A WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL 2002"}, {"response": 899, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Dec 24, 2002 (18:56)", "body": "(Karen)Actually, I feel like doing something very audacious. *evil laugh* Well? Come on, lets have it. I can use an evil laugh...even if it is Christmas Eve."}, {"response": 900, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Wed, Dec 25, 2002 (03:17)", "body": "Happy Holidays Everyone. Another Great Year Boss. Thanks so Much."}, {"response": 901, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 26, 2002 (18:10)", "body": "A person named Anne posted this on the Tea Room board this evening. Evidently, they showed Colin in Crown Court. I wonder if it was just a pic or a clip. Colin Firth as a policeman! A program on BBC1 at present called \"Before they were famous\" shows Colin Firth as a policeman."}, {"response": 902, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Dec 26, 2002 (19:58)", "body": "Regarding the twin pictures\ufffd.hmmmm. I wondered what that photo of \ufffdWham\ufffd was doing in there! ;-) (Wake me up before you go-go\ufffd.)"}, {"response": 903, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 27, 2002 (09:53)", "body": "According to Anne at the Tea Room, they did show a short clip of Colin from Crown Court. Did anyone else in the UK see this program hosted by Angus Deayton?"}, {"response": 904, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jan  3, 2003 (06:53)", "body": "I'm bringing you up to date by copying and pasting the following from our old server. Topic 165 of 172: 'Colin Firth - part 14' Resp 904 of 936: Mari (mari) Mon, Dec 30, 2002 (00:54) 22 lines Anybody home here? Two items: WAGW has been rated PG (no big surprise) and I just saw this one at google: Friday December 27, 11:14 am ET DALLAS, Dec. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- \"XXX\" star Vin Diesel and Star Wars' Natalie Portman were voted America's favorite fantasy New Year's Eve dates in an online survey conducted Dec. 4-17 at blockbuster.com. Fans will get their wish to ring in the New Year with Diesel with the New Year's Eve release of \"XXX\" on DVD and VHS home video at Blockbuster stores across the country. Who's Your Fantasy (Male) New Year's Eve Date? Vin Diesel 34 % Colin Firth 26 John Corbett 13 Eminem 12 Leonardo DiCaprio 8 Ralph Fiennes 6 Who's Your Fantasy (Female) New Year's Eve Date? Natalie Portman 25 % Halle Berry 21 Naomi Watts 18 Reese Witherspoon 13 Nicole Kidman 12 Jennifer Lopez 10 Topic 165 of 172: 'Colin Firth - part 14' Resp 905 of 936: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) Mon, Dec 30, 2002 (05:15) 1 lines I would think some of the stars of Lord of the Rings would attract the female mind but I dont' see them on this list. Eminem? Wow, Firth was narrowly edged out, with another high profile movie he'd surely top the list. Natalie Portman would make a great New Year's Eve date, I'm surprised Nicole Kidman didn't score higher. Topic 165 of 172: 'Colin Firth - part 14' Resp 906 of 936: Barb S (BarbS) Mon, Dec 30, 2002 (10:13) 1 lines Regarding New Year's Eve date thing, I *certainly* understand ODB rating so highly -- and am pleased for the recognition for him -- but the absence of the v. big names makes the list suspect to me. No Pitt, Cruise, Gibson, Ford or Brosnan? I wonder about the \"scientific accuracy\" of the poll (yeah, right.) I cannot imagine, however, that there was any ballot box stuffing going on, I have never voted more than once for ODB for anything! (insert wide-eyed innocent winkie) Topic 165 of 172: 'Colin Firth - part 14' Resp 907 of 936: Evelyn (lafn) Mon, Dec 30, 2002 (12:25) 3 lines LOL at the NY Eve dates.Vin Diesel the winner? *snort* Like Barb, Love the timely pic, Boss. He looks great with any hat....especially sporting the Blue Soup Smile. Topic 165 of 172: 'Colin Firth - part 14' Resp 908 of 936: kathleen (townranny) Mon, Dec 30, 2002 (14:14) 14 lines What a great way to ring in the New Year Karen! Thanks for the great photo complete w/lampshade. Very cute. Mari - Toni twins Those look like elementary school photos. No wonder he was playing teenagers at twenty three. A certain endearing awkwardness, No? Two follow up questions: Have we heard anything from HOLALOLA about some news she had for us and did we hear from CFs body double? Not pestering, just wanted everyone to know someone AKA me was still interested. I'm sorry cannot come up w/any resolutions as far as CF is concerned. Watch his movies less. Yeah, right!!!!! Happy New Year Everyone!!!!!!!!! Topic 165 of 172: 'Colin Firth - part 14' Resp 909 of 936: Karen (KarenR) Mon, Dec 30, 2002 (14:58) 2 lines (Kathleen) and did we hear from CFs body double? Well, *we* got an email about a week ago, from my person, saying that he had been pestering the double to clean out his Hotmail account so that the questions could be forwarded and this finally happened. Otherwise, nothing new on that front. ;-) Topic 165 of 172: 'Colin Firth - part 14' Resp 910 of 936: FanPam (FanPam) Mon, Dec 30, 2002 (15:15) 8 lines (Barb) No Pitt, Cruise, Gibson, Ford or Brosnan? I wonder about the \"scientific accuracy\" of the poll (yeah, right.) I agree. Think however CF should have been first as don't have any attraction to Vin Diesel. I don't think there's even a comparison. But no Brosnan? Highly suspect. Great New Year's treat Karen. Thank you. I'd like to play with his balloons. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!! Topic 165 of 172: 'Colin Firth - part 14' Resp 911 of 936: KathyF (kathness) Mon, Dec 30, 2002 (21:22) 3 lines (Pam) I'd like to play with his balloons. You are absolutely incorrigible! Luckily, I'm incorrigible, too! Topic 165 of 172: 'Colin Firth - part 14' Resp 912 of 936: Lizza (Lizzajaneway) Tue, Dec 31, 2002 (06:43) 12 lines Missed the \"Before they were famous \" thing. Did anyone else here see Ealing and Jane Austen yesterday. Obviously not enough ODB in Forever Ealing, but more than Rupie;-)) Plenty of P& p clips thou' in a very interesting programme, which probably didn't throw up anything new for Austen devotees, but was well put together. (Pam, KathyF) Count me in at the balloon party, fun inflatables to see in the New Year I think ;-)) HAPPY NEW YEAR ONE AND ALL Topic 165 of 172: 'Colin Firth - part 14' Resp 913 of 936: Karen (KarenR) Tue, Dec 31, 2002 (10:13) 3 lines We've laughed about it before, but here it is in black and white, so to speak: ;-) http://www.insidevc.com/vcs/mo/article/0,1375,VCS_167_1640135,00.html Topic 165 of 172: 'Co"}, {"response": 905, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Sat, Jan  4, 2003 (06:46)", "body": "UK tv alert - Conspiracy is on BBC2 tonight at 9:10pm."}, {"response": 906, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan  5, 2003 (10:40)", "body": "Can't vouch for the accuracy of this, but I found the following about Love Actually: Huge was paid $7.5 million, Colin got $6 million and Rowan Atkinson's two-scene cameo earned him $1.8 million. My, oh my, he's come way up in the world (if this is true). Imagine how much he'll be making for TEOR, in which he'll have a much more significant role and time commitment. Hauling down that kind of dough on mainstream fare should permit him to take interesting roles in serious films. You know, the kind I mean. ;-)"}, {"response": 907, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sun, Jan  5, 2003 (12:25)", "body": "(Karen) You know, the kind I mean. ;-) I guess you mean lots more PG-rated, teen-focused rom-coms! ;-)"}, {"response": 908, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sun, Jan  5, 2003 (13:41)", "body": "S***, that looks like a lot of $$$$$$$ in print! It would look like a lot sitting in the bank too. Is that about right for the Gnat? In an ensemble piece? Hauling down that kind of dough on mainstream fare should permit him to take interesting roles in serious films. Yes, peddled by close friends who just happen to have a screenplay handy. You know, the kind I mean. What about stage work too? I think I'd better take that trip up to Kakadu with the DH so I have some bargaining power when the time arises!"}, {"response": 909, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan  5, 2003 (14:57)", "body": "Huge was paid $7.5 million, Colin got $6 million Thanks, Karen, but it doesn't make sense. HG is a big star and is making only 1.5 mil more than CF? And his role in LA is bigger than Colin's. It only fits if HG was offered points. What is the total budget for LA? I imagine Emma Thomson will get a pretty penny too."}, {"response": 910, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan  5, 2003 (15:06)", "body": "(Moon) I imagine Emma Thomson will get a pretty penny too. Why would you imagine that? (a) Very few women actresses command the $$$ the men do and (b) Emma may be good, but she has no tangible box office draw. If those numbers are right, it tells me that Colin's on the rise and is getting into a position where he can demand nearly what Huge gets. As far as size of the roles, we don't know that Huge's is significantly larger. They may be about the same, but Huge's mere presence in this movie lifts out of the ordinary."}, {"response": 911, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan  5, 2003 (15:37)", "body": "6 Million ??? Sounds like the whole budget for GWAPE."}, {"response": 912, "author": "WinniePeg", "date": "Sun, Jan  5, 2003 (15:48)", "body": "Wow! $6 mill is a pretty fair chunk of change!! (But did he get all his suits custom tailored like Huge did for TWN???) If that dollar amount is correct, he has definitely now done enough of 'for the dough' stuff!"}, {"response": 913, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jan  5, 2003 (17:24)", "body": "Only a 20% or so differential between Huge and Firth? No way. HG can \"open\" films worldwide."}, {"response": 914, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jan  5, 2003 (17:36)", "body": "(Karen)If those numbers are right, it tells me that Colin's on the rise and is getting into a position where he can demand nearly what Huge gets. If Colin is indeed getting this kind of money for LA, maybe the powers that be will also allow him to carry TEoR along with RZ without expanding HG's role significantly. After all, it was HG who said that doing a sequel to BJD would be like putting on a wet bathing suit."}, {"response": 915, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Jan  5, 2003 (17:47)", "body": "I really hope Colin is getting that kind of income. He deserves it and its time he wrote his own ticket, IMO. (Linda) If Colin is indeed getting this kind of money for LA, maybe the powers that be will also allow him to carry TEoR along with RZ... Wouldn't that be the perfect scenario. One can only hope."}, {"response": 916, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Jan  5, 2003 (18:06)", "body": "(FanPam) I really hope Colin is getting that kind of income. He deserves it and its time he wrote his own ticket, IMO. I hope this is true as well...for ODB and his family! Would love to see him getting the kind of cash that Huge gets for a film. (lindak) If Colin is indeed getting this kind of money for LA, maybe the powers that be will also allow him to carry TEoR along with RZ... RZ is such a big draw now that HG may not even be missed in TEoR. He could do a nice cameo (I hear that there is an interview scene that is open....). ;-)"}, {"response": 917, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jan  5, 2003 (18:10)", "body": "(Mari) Only a 20% or so differential between Huge and Firth? No way. HG can \"open\" films worldwide. That was my thought,too. I find Moon's idea plausible. If that's really what Colin is getting. Plus, while I know women's salaries aren't on parity with the men's, it would seem odd that Emma would get second billing (as she seems to be in many articles I've read), and get less than either. And I don't think she has opening power either."}, {"response": 918, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Jan  5, 2003 (21:29)", "body": "(Leona)But did he get all his suits custom tailored like Huge did for TWN??? CF did for TIOBE, even if it was because Rupe insisted on it ;-)! And if CF is getting 6 million for LA, that could put him on a path to other lucrative, high billing parts :-)!"}, {"response": 919, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jan  6, 2003 (00:03)", "body": "And if CF is getting 6 million for LA, that could put him on a path to other lucrative, high billing parts :-)! More likely, he'd take several years off, and we'd never see him again.;-) According to the imdb, the LA budget comes to about $50 million. Not chump change, but they've got a lot of people to spread it around to. Plus location shoots, and all the other many expenses."}, {"response": 920, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan  6, 2003 (10:00)", "body": "(Mari) More likely, he'd take several years off, and we'd never see him again.;-) LOL! Sad but true. Just because the info I posted didn't say what else Huge might be getting, doesn't mean the base salaries aren't right. It only means the info wasn't disclosed, similar to size of trailer, etc. ;-) Plus location shoots, and all the other many expenses. As far as we know, only Colin had to go \"on location.\" Perhaps he got the equivalent of hazardous duty pay because he had to go to France. *big winkie*"}, {"response": 921, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jan  6, 2003 (10:56)", "body": "Perhaps he got the equivalent of hazardous duty pay because he had to go to France. *big winkie* Hee hee. Hey, they did have mega floods over there at the time of the shoot. Ask Anthony Minghella how much he saved by shooting Cold Mountain in Romania.;-) All his sets were washed away. And didn't LA have a scene shot in Africa? Anyway, my only point was that film expenses go far beyond salaries."}, {"response": 922, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jan  6, 2003 (11:00)", "body": "(Karen)Perhaps he got the equivalent of hazardous duty pay because he had to go to France. *big winkie* LOL. Well he was photographed in France with all of those scratches on his arm. Maybe red fingernails?"}, {"response": 923, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jan  6, 2003 (11:03)", "body": "Read it and weep. http://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hp&cf=prev&id=1808457289"}, {"response": 924, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jan  6, 2003 (11:21)", "body": "I'm weeping. Not five minutes after the high I got from Colin's salary news, now this.*sniffing, eyes red and swollen* Sheesh, thanks, Mari, for the link...I think;-("}, {"response": 925, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Jan  6, 2003 (11:37)", "body": "It's ironic and sad that this \"history\" is highlighted in an article about a movie that he's not even in anymore, yet when he appears in major movies in well acted supporting roles he's relegated to the sidelines as in TEP and SIL. I hope his refusing to do the screen test doesn't follow him around during the movie's production and reviews. I was surprised it was included still. That'll teach LD for getting too involved ;-);-). Thanks for the link, Mari."}, {"response": 926, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan  6, 2003 (11:38)", "body": "Really makes YKW look like a jerk, doesn't it? :-( Oh well, many actors have such things in their past, roles they've turned down that went on to become huge, award-winners for someone else. More production details up for GWAPE, but there's another interesting reunion. David Morrissey is playing van Leeuwenhoek (\"and I feel bad because he's in so much pain\")"}, {"response": 927, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan  6, 2003 (11:44)", "body": "They were shooting at Cambridge before Christmas(stopping traffic!) Ted and Sylvia's college years , supposedly. No amount of make-up would make him look like a college student. He probably saw a rejection in the wings. (OK...I'm being kind...) I hope David Morrissey's Dutch accent is better than his American one."}, {"response": 928, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan  6, 2003 (11:49)", "body": "(Evelyn) I hope David Morrissey's Dutch accent is better than his American one. Wot?! You didn't know van Leeuwenhoek spent his formative years in Liverpool? ;-)"}, {"response": 929, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan  6, 2003 (12:45)", "body": "Thanks, Mari! As for the role of Ted Hughes, the big news there is that the actor who was long considered a shoo-in for the part, Colin Firth (Valmont, Bridget Jones' Diary), was ruled out when he refused to do an audition. This opened the proverbial door for Daniel Craig, who is still very much a relative unknown Haven't I been complaining about this? I guess this should be considered by the non-believers as proof positive."}, {"response": 930, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Jan  6, 2003 (14:52)", "body": "We talked about this back when it was first reported.... but if he was genuinely a shoo-in, why would they have asked for an audition? Something doesn't add up."}, {"response": 931, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan  6, 2003 (15:05)", "body": "(Rika) but if he was genuinely a shoo-in, why would they have asked for an audition? Something doesn't add up. Have you forgotten, this project also had a change in directors? Colin may have been considered a shoe-in with the first, but the second may have had other ideas."}, {"response": 932, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jan  6, 2003 (15:52)", "body": "(Evelyn) No amount of make-up would make him look like a college student. He probably saw a rejection in the wings. (OK...I'm being kind...) I applaud your effort, though. ;-) Thanks, Mari for bringing that happy tidbit up. ;-) As for the role of Ted Hughes, the big news there is that the actor who was long considered a shoo-in for the part, Colin Firth (Valmont, Bridget Jones' Diary), was ruled out when he refused to do an audition. (Moon) Haven't I been complaining about this? I guess this should be considered by the non-believers as proof positive. Remember the ventriloquist/puppet scene in Chicago? If it is so, he may/possibly should be kicking himself now. Guess it depends on his (and LD's?) priorities."}, {"response": 933, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan  6, 2003 (16:12)", "body": "I guess I wouldn't consider anything written on an Internet website as \"proof positive\" of anything. Where do you think Greg (Mr Preview Man) gets his material? He reads the same rumors as we do. ;-) Why he chose to devote so much of his page to that aspect of the casting, I'll never know."}, {"response": 934, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan  6, 2003 (16:14)", "body": "(Dorine), If it is so, he may/possibly should be kicking himself now. I always thought he would do a great screentest. The big miss was Armadillo, IMO."}, {"response": 935, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan  6, 2003 (17:26)", "body": "He was too old for Lorimer too.... Stephen Rea stole the show and they changed the ending."}, {"response": 936, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan  6, 2003 (17:30)", "body": "I thought he was perfect for Lorimer. Couldn't picture anyone else even as I read the book. I didn't like the change at the end and do agree the SR was great."}, {"response": 937, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Jan  6, 2003 (23:18)", "body": "Gee, Mari, what a hornet\ufffds nest you stirred up with that link. ;-) To add my two cents worth, why would ODB refuse to audition? If indeed it is true, that\ufffds the one thing I can\ufffdt understand, as he doesn\ufffdt seem to have the ego problem. Is it considered such an insult? Well, I will be happy when his teen rom-com phase is over. As I told Karen, my biggest fear is that CF might become the Dean Jones of Generation Y. Gaaaaaaaaah! (Evelyn)Stephen Rea stole the show I thought he was great, too. Colin really missed out."}, {"response": 938, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Jan  7, 2003 (02:17)", "body": "(Lisa JH)To add my two cents worth, why would ODB refuse to audition? As I said earlier, I know nothing! But didn't he state in an interview around ATA, that he would gladly have went to the US to do a screentest for a movie, but that he got this one because he happened to be in LA at the time? If that was the case, why would he have refused to do a screentest as Ted Hughes? Perhaps he just didn't want to be in that movie anymore for whatever reason?"}, {"response": 939, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Tue, Jan  7, 2003 (04:59)", "body": "Well, you can put me squarely in the camp that has no trouble believing that Colin could command 80% of the salary HG got for LA. If you compare their numbers on movies, as is done on the \"\" site, you can see that Colin's films average $36,372,532 in gross box office take, while HG's only average $29,511,318. http://www.the-numbers.com/people/CFIRT.html http://www.the-numbers.com/people/HGRAN.html Apparently \"A A Boy\" didn't do nearly as well in the US as BJD and box office takes for \"Mickey B Eyes\" & \"Small Time Crooks\" were dismal..."}, {"response": 940, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Tue, Jan  7, 2003 (05:00)", "body": "Grrrrr... meant to fill in the name of that site! That would be \"The Numbers\" website..."}, {"response": 941, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Jan  7, 2003 (05:22)", "body": "Thanks, another site I never saw before! **cough cough** Take a look at the US earnings for MLSF.......:("}, {"response": 942, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jan  7, 2003 (08:22)", "body": "That's interesting about the US take for TIOBE. I thought I had seen on Box Office Mojo or something that it took in just over 10 million, or maybe a tad under. Oh well, what's a couple of million dollars more or less in the scheme of things. :-)"}, {"response": 943, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan  7, 2003 (09:11)", "body": "Thanks for posting the site, Jane. I can remember having seen it before; however, this is where being a \"numbers\" person has its advantages. First off, those numbers seem rather inadequate, especially the intl ones. Nonetheless, if I were using those to make any assessment, I'd have to adjust them to exclude films in which Colin was merely a supporting player. This would bring his per screen average down considerably. I'd also dump the history as this is no gauge of the present box office draw. Doing a more \"apples to apples\" comparison, Colin's average is $20,156,000 to Hugh's $46,148,000 (and it's far worse when you stop at Notting Hill). Realistically, I don't think anyone would consider SIL or TEP's gross when assessing Colin's box office draw."}, {"response": 944, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan  7, 2003 (09:18)", "body": "And thank God SLOW and L'dumb didn't open in the US. FP is bad enough. The film I was holding out for was \"Beyond Borders\". But Cambodia isn't on the Victoria line."}, {"response": 945, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan  7, 2003 (09:30)", "body": "(Evelyn) The film I was holding out for was \"Beyond Borders\". Yeah, but it looks like that one has major problems too. Early internet buzz says \"bow wow.\" :-("}, {"response": 946, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jan  7, 2003 (13:16)", "body": "(Lisa JH)To add my two cents worth, why would ODB refuse to audition? I have to add my two-cents worth as well. I stewed about the Ted Hughes article all day yesterday, and remembering what Karen said about the change in directors helped me form the opinion that I don't blame him for not doing the audition. No, I'm not of the Church of ST. Colin, I was very angry at the time that he did not fight for this role. I hate the fact that he doesn't seem to have the stomach to go after the big stuff. But if his name was associated with this project for four years as was GP's, then all of a sudden a new director comes in and begins throwing around names like RC...Imagine the humiliation, then, if CF had done the screen test and was rejected. Does that mean that he won't ever do a screen test? I don't think that's the case. But for this particular project, I think he saw the writing on the wall. All of this IMHO, of course."}, {"response": 947, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Jan  7, 2003 (13:31)", "body": "(Linda) But if his name was associated with this project for four years as was GP's, then all of a sudden a new director comes in and begins throwing around names like RC...Imagine the humiliation, then, if CF had done the screen test and was rejected. Does that mean that he won't ever do a screen test? I don't think that's the case. But for this particular project, I think he saw the writing on the wall. Very good observation and IMO I agree with you. IMO he has no ego problem and I'm sure would not refuse to screentest if things were as he wanted. Must have been other factors of which we are not aware."}, {"response": 948, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan  7, 2003 (15:42)", "body": "(Fanpam)I'm sure would not refuse to screentest if things were as he wanted. If things were as he wanted, he wouldn't have *needed* a screen test. (Linda)Imagine the humiliation, then, if CF had done the screen test and was rejected. Happens all the time. Even A- list actors audition and get rejected."}, {"response": 949, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Jan  7, 2003 (16:05)", "body": "(FanPam) Very good observation and IMO I agree with you. IMO he has no ego problem and I'm sure would not refuse to screentest if things were as he wanted. I am with you..Something does'nt add up, I am going with the Occam's Razor theory on this one... and to me the simple explanation is that someone else was in the wrong and ODB had the freedom to say no..."}, {"response": 950, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jan  7, 2003 (16:05)", "body": "Linda, don't fret. You and I are going to put the malocchio on Ted & Sylvia anyway, so what does it matter?;-)"}, {"response": 951, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan  7, 2003 (17:50)", "body": "(Maria) I am going with the Occam's Razor theory on this one... and to me the simple explanation is that someone else was in the wrong and ODB had the freedom to say no... William's principle only holds for the last part, i.e., that he had the freedom to say no or that he \"did\" say no, even simpler for the reasons stated. The first part (someone else was in the wrong) comes from the Ostrich School of Logic, part of St Colin University. ;-0"}, {"response": 952, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Jan  7, 2003 (18:22)", "body": "malocchio? Don't need to much of my Roman and Greek derivatives class still hanging around to know to do the stop, drop and roll to avoid the evil eye! Remind me not to cross you!"}, {"response": 953, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Jan  7, 2003 (18:26)", "body": "The first part (someone else was in the wrong) comes from the Ostrich School of Logic, part of St Colin University. Very good! I see you've been to Africa Karen, or at least the local zoo! The Department of Fingernail Studies, offering advanced course study in both Persuasive Shades of Red and Tapping to Meet your Goals is housed right next door, in the Medicore Media Building. Mounted by the entrance is a brass marker that reads: The Medicore Media Building was commissioned with the generous support of Mr. Michael Binder. I dedicate to all those who have a dream. May you achieve yours as I have mine. Michael Binder, Eqs. Director, Screenwriter, Actor Septemeber, 1999"}, {"response": 954, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jan  7, 2003 (18:51)", "body": "(Mari)Linda, don't fret. You and I are going to put the malocchio on Ted & Sylvia anyway, so what does it matter?;-) LOL. Already been done. Forgetaboutit;-)"}, {"response": 955, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jan  7, 2003 (18:56)", "body": "(Evelyn)Happens all the time. Even A- list actors audition and get rejected. Agreed, and under regular circumstances it may not have mattered to him, but in this case, if his name had been associated with the project for a long period of time, and then the rejection...I'm with him."}, {"response": 956, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan  7, 2003 (19:27)", "body": "I don't wish to belabor the point...however, he wasn't blantantly rejected for the role...he just elected not to audition. And of course we don't know if there was an initial committment or merely he was associated with the role. LOL.But perhaps it's just as well....Mari has already put a jinx on it;-)"}, {"response": 957, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jan  7, 2003 (21:53)", "body": "Not to interrupt the debate for something totally frivolous, but...... Today I found a site that has much higher-resolution versions of the WAGW trailer than I've seen before. I viewed the high-resolution QuickTime version; the image was still fairly clear when enlarged to fill a 15-inch monitor. It's about 15 megabytes, so you need a high-speed connection. Here's a link to the place where you can get versions of the trailer for RealPlayer, Windows Media Player, and QuickTime in a variety of resolutions: http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/w/whatagirlwants.php When I slowed down the black leather pants scene, at times I thought I saw an earring flashing in his left ear, but I'm not certain. I can, though, confirm other \"left-sidedness.\""}, {"response": 958, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jan  8, 2003 (00:05)", "body": "LOL, we're doing that eerie thing again. Found that last night. Hadn't watched the trailer in a while. Having leather withdrawal. ;-)"}, {"response": 959, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Jan  8, 2003 (08:42)", "body": "(Karen) The first part (someone else was in the wrong) comes from the Ostrich School of Logic, part of St Colin University. You got me!! I am working on my doctorate at this fine institution.;)"}, {"response": 960, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  8, 2003 (09:55)", "body": "A ha! The reason! ;-)))))))))))) Just read that the Evil-Eyed Movie has a two-week shoot in New Zealand and in a small rowboat 1.5 meters off the south island's coast. Rough waters evidently. http://www.ananova.com/entertainment/story/sm_737422.html?menu = Two weeks, that far away.... I don't think so."}, {"response": 961, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jan  8, 2003 (10:41)", "body": "LOL, Karen. The NY Post reported the other day about the production moving to NZ for 2 weeks, which is where the new director is from; nothing about a rickety boat, though.;-) Lots od media attention on this one. Oh well, am sure GWAPE will attract similar.;-) (Linda)Already been done. Forgetaboutit;-) See, the Jersey girls are on top of things. Psst, Linda, how do you say \"double double, toil and trouble\" in Italian? I'm a bit rusty.;-) Pam, do you want in on this? We could use a third for cauldron stirring.;-) Am off to ShopRite--they a twofer this week on eye of newt and toe of frog.:-)"}, {"response": 962, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  8, 2003 (10:47)", "body": "nothing about a rickety boat, though.;-) Small little pond at a local country club or the tank at Ealing are about as far as he'd go. ;-)"}, {"response": 963, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jan  8, 2003 (10:56)", "body": "Pfft! Gee, boss, am surprised you didn't report the *other* big news of the ananova day: something about a boy wizard, a serious role and an old man .;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 964, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  8, 2003 (10:59)", "body": "Yeah, I guess I should've, especially as it would put an end to all the baseless speculation."}, {"response": 965, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jan  8, 2003 (11:54)", "body": "Nice one, Mari! ;-) (Karen) Small little pond at a local country club or the tank at Ealing are about as far as he'd go. ;-) Luxembourg isn't in his back yard really. The neighbor's back yard maybe. ;-) And Mari and Linda, I'm definitely stayin' on your good sides. You two work fast! :-)"}, {"response": 966, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jan  8, 2003 (12:42)", "body": "(Barb)Remind me not to cross you! (Dorine)You two work fast! :-) (ananova)She and leading man Daniel Craig braved swells of up to 1.5 metres to film scenes for Ted and Sylvia, just off the coast of New Zealand's South Island. The rough surf reportedly unsettled the actress, and she declined autograph requests on her return for lunch, saying she was sick, Does anyone think this is an accident? MMMWAAAAHAHAHAHAHA!"}, {"response": 967, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Wed, Jan  8, 2003 (12:49)", "body": "So, is T&S now TEEM? ;) (Mari) Linda, don't fret. You and I are going to put the malocchio on Ted & Sylvia anyway, so what does it matter?;-) LOL! Okay, I must be sharing a brain with you two today; I'd already sent some nastiness to the aforementioned TEEM by the time I read this. We gotta be careful, though; we don't want to drown poor Gwynnie :P (LisaJH) my biggest fear is that CF might become the Dean Jones of Generation Y. Gaaaaaaaaah! LA LA LA LA LA I'm not listening to you I'm not listening to you I'm not listening to you :)"}, {"response": 968, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jan  8, 2003 (18:43)", "body": "(Mari)Does anyone think this is an accident? MMMWAAAAHAHAHAHAHA! LOL, only the non-believers;-)"}, {"response": 969, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (13:59)", "body": "(Mari) Pam, do you want in on this? We could use a third for cauldron stirring.;-) Broom is all fired up and ready to go. Perhaps we can do it inbetween snow storms. (Mari) Does anyone think this is an accident? MMMWAAAAHAHAHAHAHA! Save some of the fun for me sisters."}, {"response": 970, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (15:38)", "body": "Attention Region 2ers!! Evidently, the DVD of Another Country has been around since Oct 2000. There was a version released in Spain, which is in English, with Castilian subtitles, which you should be able to turn off. It sells for 19 Euros and you can buy it here: http://cine.elcorteingles.es/productos/producto/producto.asp?cod_referencia=25940900332"}, {"response": 971, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (16:03)", "body": "Thank you Karen, unfortunately, I just chose AC over FF ordering videos from Canada - just my luck. But I won't fret. I think it's lovely news, and it should provide opportunities for those, who use multiplayer dvds or computers (I hope, you pay attention Janet, Nita and DVDIva Rika!)"}, {"response": 972, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (16:48)", "body": "You're welcome. I do my best to see that Firthettes worldwide get some \"value\" from Drool and come forward to support us during fund-raising drives."}, {"response": 973, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (10:02)", "body": ""}, {"response": 974, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (10:02)", "body": ""}, {"response": 975, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (10:03)", "body": ""}, {"response": 976, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (10:04)", "body": ""}, {"response": 977, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (10:07)", "body": ""}, {"response": 978, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (10:09)", "body": "REMINDER The discussion of Donovan Quick begins on Monday, Jan 13, on Topic 158"}, {"response": 979, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (10:20)", "body": "Here you go: But does anyone have a clue as to who this is? Weird that he'd be featured in a publicity shot."}, {"response": 980, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (10:24)", "body": "Thanks for the pics, Mari. Think I got that large tag eliminated. :-( Hopefully...."}, {"response": 981, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (10:45)", "body": "Not to get way off topic, but can you play any region DVD in your PC's DVD drive? How did I miss that interesting tidbit? ;-)"}, {"response": 982, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (11:11)", "body": "I've never actually had a non-US DVD to try, but my DVD player software says that it can."}, {"response": 983, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (11:16)", "body": "From Jeffrey Well's column from PoopShoot.com on the upcoming year's films: \"...If Hugh Grant performs in one more movie like LOVE ACTUALLY, or plays that same fey British asshole again, there's going to be trouble. That said, this British response to Rob Reiner's THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT was fairly satisfying on its own terms.\" http://www.moviepoopshoot.com/elsewhere/index.html"}, {"response": 984, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (11:33)", "body": "(Moon)from Poop-Poop website: \"...If Hugh Grant performs in one more movie like LOVE ACTUALLY, or plays that same fey British asshole again, there's going to be trouble.\" Why not? Everybody else is into cookie-cutter roles;-) And \"About A Boy\" was not in that genre anyway."}, {"response": 985, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (11:33)", "body": "Sorry...not Moon...mean't Murph!!"}, {"response": 986, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (12:08)", "body": "(Karen), But does anyone have a clue as to who this is? That looks like Laura Linley(sp?). It must be from LA. The \"To Me You are Perfect\" sign will surely make its way to our birthday parties. ;-)))"}, {"response": 987, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (12:39)", "body": "Thanks for the link, Murph. Leave it to Jeff Wells to have the chutzpah to write \"reviews\" on the 2003 movies. Then agian, he's probably making an interesting statement on the predictability of it all. I caught his column yesterday on Daniel Day Lewis--man, he ripped him a new one. It was actually refreshing to read something other than the usual fawning and omigod how have we survived the past 5 years without you crap. Yes, Moon, it's LA but Karen was referring to the second pic--the person carrying the sign."}, {"response": 988, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (13:59)", "body": "(Moon) The \"To Me You are Perfect\" sign will surely make its way to our birthday parties. ;-))) As in \"I like you just the way you are\"? Am reordering my insulin... ;-) Best to use them sparingly."}, {"response": 989, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (14:13)", "body": "(Mari) I caught his column yesterday on Daniel Day Lewis--man, he ripped him a new one. It was actually refreshing to read something other than the usual fawning and omigod how have we survived the past 5 years without you crap. LOL! I don't recognize Sign Man either, but think he's a cutie. Thanks for the pics."}, {"response": 990, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (15:27)", "body": "I don't recognize Sign Man either, but think he's a cutie. Sign man looks like CF to me."}, {"response": 991, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (15:47)", "body": "Karen (and Annette) Thanks for the info re DVD of AC. Unfortunately, Spanish is a language of which I know nothing, so I can't work out how to finalise my purchase after I add it to my shopping basket! Can anyone have a look and help me out? Please!!!"}, {"response": 992, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (16:11)", "body": "(mari/karen)the person carrying the sign. It's definitely not CF. I think it's the British love interest of Amanda B.'s that she meets in London. I seem to remember in the trailor the young love interest saying something to her (AB) about not trying to be what she's not (i.e all proper, noble, and mannerly) just to fit into this new upper class environment. Plus the girl in the photo looks like the back of AB - long straight hair, etc. So the \"To me, you are perfect\" sign would make sense in that context. Reminds me (sort of) a mini-BJD...good thing CF is around on the set to give \"just as you are\" lessons ;-)."}, {"response": 993, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (16:19)", "body": "Moon, you are dfinitely right that the first pic is CF and Laura Linney (sp?). Does she play his \"wants out of this marriage\" wife? Thanks for the pics, Mari and Karen. Is that Herb Albert and the Tiajuana Brass behind them? ;-)"}, {"response": 994, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (17:21)", "body": "Okay, right, forget about my #992 post, I must have suddenly morphed into a completely different movie mindset... If the second photo is from LA and not WAGW, I have no idea who the cue card guy is.:-/"}, {"response": 995, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (17:39)", "body": "Just a suggestion - could the Signman be the \"lucky one\" to get the remark from ODB's girlfriend to hurry up before old pencil...... gets home?"}, {"response": 996, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (18:54)", "body": "(Dorine)I don't recognize Sign Man either, but think he's a cutie. (Moon)Sign man looks like CF to me. Yes and Yes Hey Boss, if we guess correctly do we get a prize? Please no more kewpie dolls or sphagnum moss gift sets, ok?:-)"}, {"response": 997, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (20:07)", "body": "HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!! Only have a quick second but it looks like Love Actually will be released in the UK November 21, 2003. US date is still Nov. 7th. More info on this and Edge of Reason on my next visit. Hope all is well! Hugz"}, {"response": 998, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (20:12)", "body": "(Dorine)I don't recognize Sign Man either, but think he's a cutie. (Moon)Sign man looks like CF to me. (Linda) Yes and Yes What are you the original fence-sitter? ;-) Well, the lady who can answer that question just posted. if we guess correctly do we get a prize? Please no more kewpie dolls or sphagnum moss gift sets, ok?:-) No, this time the prize the winner will be *TA DAH!!!* a big steaming pot (?) of haggis in honor of our upcoming film discussion. Hey, you brought it up. ;-)"}, {"response": 999, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (21:28)", "body": "(Dorine)I don't recognize Sign Man either, but think he's a cutie. (Moon)Sign man looks like CF to me. (Linda) Yes and Yes I don't think he looks remotely like CF. Well, Mrs. Hola Lola? (Karen) No, this time the prize the winner will be *TA DAH!!!* a big steaming pot (?) of haggis in honor of our upcoming film discussion. Boy, talk about an incentive to lose."}, {"response": 1000, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (21:34)", "body": "BTW, Hola Lola....Congratulations are in order,I believe, and Happy New Year! Thanks for all your tidbits. :-)"}, {"response": 1001, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (22:17)", "body": "In the Masterpiece Theatre alumni section, Colin got quite a bit of space, especially when his MT credits only include TTOT's memorable first 10 minutes. ;-) The soon to be released ensemble comedy Love Actually tells ten separate but intertwining stories of love in London. One of the threads follows the brand new British Prime Minister (Hugh Grant, THE LAST PLACE ON EARTH, IMPROMPTU) who on his first day in 10 Downing Street falls in love with the girl who brings him his tea. Other stories feature Colin Firth (THE TURN OF THE SCREW), Alan Rickman (THERESE RAQUIN, THE BARCHESTER CHRONICLES), Keira Knightley (OLIVER TWIST, the upcoming ZHIVAGO) and Emma Thompson (MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, IMPROMPTU, HENRY V). The title alludes to the line \"love actually is all around\" from the theme song to Four Weddings and a Funeral, written by Richard Curtis Bridget Jones's Diary), who is writing and directing this film. Colin Firth will also be costarring with Anna Chancellor (THE CAZALETS) in the upcoming What a Girl Wants, scheduled for release in March, the story of a young woman raised in New York by a feminist mother who decides to find her long-lost father in London. Busy Firth is currently in production on the film version of Tracy Chevalier's novel Girl with a Peal Earring in which he plays the artist Vermeer."}, {"response": 1002, "author": "BarbaraT", "date": "Sat, Jan 11, 2003 (03:24)", "body": "The man holding the sign is British actor Andrew Lincoln who became well known here a few years ago after appearing in the cult TV hit This Life. More recently he's starred in a series called Teachers. I think he plays the character Laura Linney leaves Colin for in LA."}, {"response": 1003, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jan 11, 2003 (08:59)", "body": "Ah, then he's the same one in the pic on LA's Bucket page standing with LL and CF. Thanks, Barbara."}, {"response": 1004, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 11, 2003 (10:39)", "body": "Thanks, Barbara. It does indeed look like Andrew Lincoln. Here's a page with some pics: http://lavender.fortunecity.com/fullmonty/482/andrew.htm (Dorine) Ah, then he's the same one in the pic on LA's Bucket page standing with LL and CF. *snort* Hardly! Looks like the photographer got the name wrong, which happens all the time. Off to fix the caption."}, {"response": 1005, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jan 11, 2003 (11:18)", "body": "(Karen) Hardly! Looks like the photographer got the name wrong, which happens all the time LOL. It's funny, I didn't really think they looked too similar, but people can look very different in pics from different angles. Never seen him enough to discern."}, {"response": 1006, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jan 11, 2003 (11:21)", "body": "Andrew's real name is Andrew Clutterbuck. A needed name change for an actor if there ever was one. :-)"}, {"response": 1007, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jan 11, 2003 (12:05)", "body": "(Doreen), A needed name change for an actor if there ever was one. :-) True! Not related to LA. But, he looks like he could be AB's brother. They have the same eyes. ;-)"}, {"response": 1008, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jan 11, 2003 (13:48)", "body": "(Karen) No, this time the prize the winner will be *TA DAH!!!* a big steaming pot (?) of haggis Oh, very funny. I like my oatmeal boiled in a pot, without the hearts and lungs, thank you. But, I lost anyway, so there;-) Hmmm, maybe that's Clive's problem, too much haggis."}, {"response": 1009, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Jan 11, 2003 (15:40)", "body": "Thanks for the info Karen and Barbara. Glad to know MPT views him as \"Busy Firth\". Good press IMO."}, {"response": 1010, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jan 12, 2003 (09:33)", "body": "You know I'm kinda glad WAGW isn't coming out imminently. I don't think I'd find the \"What was your favorite group?....Please tell me it wasn't the Bee Gees\" exchange as comical at this moment since Maurice Gibb died yesterday. :( He was actually my favorite Bee Gee."}, {"response": 1011, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 12, 2003 (10:59)", "body": "Not sure why the Scottish Sunday Mail thought Minnie Driver's purchase of a new house terribly newsworthy, but there's a mention of Colin at the end: Minnie, who is developing her own comedy series for US TV, will be seen next with Colin Firth in the romantic movie Spring Hopes. Maybe they've CGI'd all the leaves green now. ;-)"}, {"response": 1012, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan 12, 2003 (12:06)", "body": "Spring Hopes? Change of title? Could that be the reason they've held it up so long? ;-)"}, {"response": 1013, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Jan 12, 2003 (12:57)", "body": "(Moon) Spring Hopes? Change of title? Could that be the reason they've held it up so long? ;-) Hmmm, reminds me of a poem about Spring (plus a few changes): Hopes have Sprung, The grass has riz', I wonder where the movie is?"}, {"response": 1014, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jan 12, 2003 (13:02)", "body": "will be seen next with Colin Firth in the romantic movie Spring Hopes. (Karen)Maybe they've CGI'd all the leaves green now. ;-) ROTF! More deus ex machina--wonder what Charlie and Donald Kaufman would make of it?;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 1015, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 12, 2003 (13:51)", "body": "Plus, who knows how many flowers had to be swapped out. Must be hell taking out all the mums and putting in tulips, iri and daffodils. Expect will have special effects credits now to rival a Star Wars flick. ;-) Before anyone starts anything, I'm sure they've just gotten the title all backward."}, {"response": 1016, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (06:50)", "body": "From Screen Daily - Brief mention of GWAPE: The rise, fall and rise again of UK tax production funds Even as the UK's tax production funds are failing to attract enough investors to match their lofty ambitions, a new breed of internationally-oriented schemes are starting to emerge. While funds such as Monument, which set out to provide 50% of budgets, have failed to materialise, tax specialists predict the growth of a middle ground with funds such as Fusion and Microfusion, the latest vehicles from Future Filmgroup chief Tim Levy. Levy, a veteran of the UK tax financing sector, aims for the funds to offer producers up to 35% of budgets, far higher than the 13% accessed via standard sale and leaseback deals. But he wants to attract investors by keeping their risk significantly lower than more aggressive production funds, most of which have fallen far short of their investment targets. \"It was just wrong-headed to conclude that investors who had happily taken a no risk deferral under the sale and leaseback schemes would happily take on risk,\" he said. \"There is a middle ground opening up,\" says Martin Churchill, editor of investment journal the Tax Efficient Review. \"There is some form of production financing but there is some floor to stop any sliding back for investors and there is a limited upside. I expect to see more of these funds.\" Another recently-launched production fund, Ingenious' Inside Track, also offers 35% of budgets and is already bankrolling a trio of films with Pathe including Girl With A Pearl Earring. Given the current dearth in pre-sales, the film's producer Andy Paterson argues that such funds are crucial. \"Pre-sales are non-existent,\" he said. \"Without these equity funds at this time there would be no production.\" Funds are also pushing into the distribution sector. One leading tax financing figure is assembling a tax-driven p&a fund with a studio. Like the p&a fund, Levy's Fusion is aimed at US studio productions. Fusion aims to cover up to 35% of the direct cost of British qualifying films using UK tax-driven financing under section 42, which has no cap on budgets. Microfusion is a similar vehicle for independent films, offering producers up to 25% of budgets under sections 48 and section 42. In return, the schemes asks for up to 5% of first dollar grosses, increasing to 7.5% if films reach 250% of costs. Levy has not finalised a fund for his schemes yet; he aims to secure films first, then go to investors. The two deals also include a sale and leaseback arrangement, with each scheme accessing two partnerships of investors, one providing production money, the other a sale and leaseback deal. Although Levy is reluctant to reveal details to competitors, he insists that his schemes avoid falling foul of so-called double-dipping, a potential issue with the government if films use both a sale and leaseback deal and an up-front production deal. \"Double dipping does not apply to our structure,\" Levy said. \"We have found a different way of structuring it.\" Nevertheless, offering a timely reminder of the tax financing sector's risks, Levy confirmed that the Inland Revenue has just settled its three year inquiry into his earlier Voyager scheme. The scheme, which raised more than \ufffd200m in investment under the aegis of Levy's company Factor Eight, came under government scrutiny because investors could take a tax reduction and then sell on to a corporate entity with only a limited liability. While investors are understood to have taken a limited hit at worst from the recent settlement, those who stayed in the partnership are still dependent on how the scheme's 55 films perform. Levy said that none of the films, which include Grey Owl, The Luzhin Defence, The General and Simon Magus, \"have done outstandingly well\". \"Some have done okay,\" he said. \"8-10 might have repaid their loans, 8-10 have done nothing, and the rest are in between.\" As investors' liability is joint and several, if one partner does not pay any outstanding money to Levy's Factor Eight, another becomes liable. \"We made it clear to partners that if they did not exit they might owe us a large sum of money,\" Levy said"}, {"response": 1017, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (11:11)", "body": "I'm the king of the world!"}, {"response": 1018, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (11:12)", "body": "Uh oh. Here comes the queen.;-)"}, {"response": 1019, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (11:21)", "body": "Brilliant Mari!!! I was wondering if BV included Hope Springs in its 2003 Preview package and was going to give them a ring. Lovely how they say it will still be released in Spring 2003, so we can discount that *other* rumor. ;-)"}, {"response": 1020, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (11:23)", "body": "OH, thank you, Mari. Makes me still hold out hope that we will see this soon."}, {"response": 1021, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (11:26)", "body": "Whoa...thanks Mari. I take it the first one is LA. Same black tee shirt, huh?? Thanks Murph. I think Ingenious Inside Track is v. brave to take on GWAPE as an investment."}, {"response": 1022, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (11:31)", "body": "Hmmm, the title page of the Preview Package only says \"Coming Soon,\" when there are dates for quite a few others... Must investigate further"}, {"response": 1023, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (11:46)", "body": "(Mari)I'm the king of the world! LOL, Mari!"}, {"response": 1024, "author": "AnnieZ", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (12:19)", "body": "This is in next issue of Ladies Home Journal : Thoroughly Feisty Fergie There is mention of CF in Royal Crush section: Q: Any celebrities who would fit the bill? They might be reading Ladies' Home Journal. A: Benjamin Bratt! I loved him in Miss Congeniality. Let's see, who else -- Colin Firth. He's a type -- rugged, masculine, full-blooded, all man. A steel hand in a velvet glove. But he's married, too. Here is the link: http://www.lhj.com/lhj/story.jhtml?storyid=/templatedata/lhj/story/data/thoroughlyfeistyfergie_12182002.xml&catref=S25&page=5"}, {"response": 1025, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (13:48)", "body": "(Evelyn), Whoa...thanks Mari. I take it the first one is LA. That's from HS. Colin and Heather a top of the tower, remember? Thanks, Mari! Looking good!"}, {"response": 1026, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (14:03)", "body": "(Evelyn), Whoa...thanks Mari. I take it the first one is LA. (Moon)That's from HS. Colin and Heather a top of the tower, remember? Don't worry, Evelyn, it is hard distinguishing \"busy Colin's\" many romcom's ;-), I did it just the other day myself. Now if they would all hurry up and get in our theaters already. Thanks for the beautiful pictures Mari! I hope it will be Spring at least when we see it!"}, {"response": 1027, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (15:24)", "body": "Thanks, Mari! No towel scenes in that package, huh?"}, {"response": 1028, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (15:25)", "body": "http://www.bvimovies.com/ More photos! Hurrah! Maybe they actually did make this movie. I was starting to wonder ;-)"}, {"response": 1029, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (15:47)", "body": "First one on the BVI site is dishy.:-) I'd like to know why BVI can very efficiently get this up on its website--along with the UK release date--yet Touchstone has every film except this one on its site, and no release date for US/Canada."}, {"response": 1030, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (16:32)", "body": "(Moon)That's from HS. Colin and Heather a top of the tower, remember? ROTF.. *smacking head*I had it all figured out too...on the boat that we saw him in France!! Cute pics Brenda... ...but don't you think HG looks a tad y-o-u-n-g ?"}, {"response": 1031, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (16:54)", "body": "(Evelyn)...but don't you think HG looks a tad y-o-u-n-g ? A tad and a half! I pretty much expect that from movies now, though. Mari, where did you find your photos? This must be a sign that more are a-comin'!"}, {"response": 1032, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (17:02)", "body": "Ooooh! Lovely, Brenda. Thanks. FYI, that's the same UK release date we've had since about Oct, so looks like it might actually be a go. That corresponds to the Apr 4th date for the US."}, {"response": 1033, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (17:47)", "body": "(Dorine)Thanks, Mari! No towel scenes in that package, huh? LOL, my words exactly. Thank you Mari and Brenda"}, {"response": 1034, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (17:56)", "body": "(Karen)That corresponds to the Apr 4th Isn't this also the new release date for WAGW?"}, {"response": 1035, "author": "WinniePeg", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (17:56)", "body": "Thanks for pix Mari & Brenda! V. nice! Isn't WAGW being released around same date? (End of March/Beginning of April) Or is date for HS still just a 'tentative'?"}, {"response": 1036, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (18:09)", "body": "The cover sheet on the Touchstone press preview only showed Hope Springs as \"Coming Soon.\" NO DATE, even though many other films had dates well into July+ WAGW is either Apr 4 or the week before. (Evelyn)...but don't you think HG looks a tad y-o-u-n-g ? Oh, gimme a break!! Colin looks like spring chicken compared to some of those tough old roosters they've paired with actresses of HG's age. ;-) They look fine together, even if she wasn't my first or second choice for the part. ;-)"}, {"response": 1037, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (20:36)", "body": "(karen) They look fine together, even if she wasn't my first or second choice for the part. Or third, or fourth, or...... :)"}, {"response": 1038, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (21:27)", "body": "(Brenda)Mari, where did you find your photos? This must be a sign that more are a-comin'! Looks like they're at a few sites now, but a good source is comingsoon.net. They have the pics there; just search by letter. I'll believe the April 4 date when the ad shows up in my paper on April 3.;-)"}, {"response": 1039, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (00:24)", "body": "(Mari) I'll believe the April 4 date when the ad shows up in my paper on April 3.;-) *hee hee hee* Given the way the schedule was just passed out, it didn't appear to me that they've got an imminent release planned...or maybe they'll just sweep it under the rug...somewhere ;-)"}, {"response": 1040, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (08:46)", "body": "Thanks for pics Mari. Do hope this makes it out."}, {"response": 1041, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (10:33)", "body": "Thought you might like to read our new \"positioning paragraphs\" for Love Actually. It will be on upcoming press releases and website. LOVE ACTUALLY Genre: Romantic Comedy Cast: Alan Rickman, Bill Nighy, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Laura Linney, Liam Neeson, Martine McCutcheon Directed by: Richard Curtis Writer: Richard Curtis Producers: Duncan Kenworthy, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner Executive Producer: Richard Curtis Love Actually is not a new romantic comedy...it is 10 new romantic films in one. Set in contemporary London in the two months before Christmas, it weaves together a series of touching and hilarious stories, which end in not one, but lots and lots of romantic climaxes on Christmas Eve. Love Actually is short for \"Love Actually Is All Around\" and that is the argument of the film--that everywhere you look, love is the driving force in people's lives. From prime ministers to aging rock stars, from a stony headmistress to a monoligual Portuguese housemaid, the film looks at funny, sad and stupid sides of love in all shapes and sizes. Universal Pictures, Working Title Films and DNA Films present Love Actually, the directorial debut of celebrated screenwriter Richard Curtis (Four Weddings And A Funeral, Bridget Jones's Diary, Notting Hill) with a stellar ensemble cast including Hugh Grant, Academy Award winner Emma Thompson, Academy Award nominee Laura Linney, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Alan Rickman, Bill Nighy and Martine McCutheon. Written by Curtis, Love Actually is produced by Duncan Kenworthy, Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner."}, {"response": 1042, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (12:49)", "body": "Thanks for posting the pics, Mari; gorgeous!! HG is a bit on the young side (I think she's 30 to CF's 42), but I can think of much, much worse: Helen Hunt & Jack Nicholson, Michael Douglas & Gwyneth Paltrow, just off the top of my head. Thanks for posting the p.p., Lola. Any idea whent the website will be up?"}, {"response": 1043, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (14:04)", "body": "Yummy Scrummy Mari, thanks. A smile to cut thro' the dullness of any Winter day. In fact he can always \"Make our day.\" here at drool. Thanks for info Lola. Looks like we can look forward to plenty of publicity on this one. Not like some we could mention!"}, {"response": 1044, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (16:05)", "body": "Here is the URL for Mari's pictures. http://www.comingsoon.net/cgi-bin/imageFolio.cgi?direct=Comedy/Hope_Springs Thanks, Lola, for the news on LA. (Anything on any other pic?? Wink Wink)"}, {"response": 1045, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (16:15)", "body": "Thanks Lola for the LA info.Sounds like a winner with that cast. FYI Liam Neeson is also an Academy Award Nominee...for Schindler's List in 1994 http://us.imdb.com/Sections/Awards/Academy_Awards_USA/1994"}, {"response": 1046, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (16:49)", "body": "Thanks, Lola! Love Actually is short for \"Love Actually Is All Around\" and that is the argument of the film--that everywhere you look, love is the driving force in people's lives. Anyone else crack up? From prime ministers to aging rock stars, from a stony headmistress to a monoligual Portuguese housemaid, the film looks at funny, sad and stupid sides of love in all shapes and sizes. Well we know, HG is the prime minister, is CF the aging rock star? ;-)"}, {"response": 1047, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (16:57)", "body": "Well we know, HG is the prime minister, is CF the aging rock star? ;-) LOL - but please, let it not be so. It would mix terribly with the leatherjeans clips from WAGW. We wouldn't want anybody to get those to movies mixed up, would we?"}, {"response": 1048, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (18:49)", "body": "(moonstar)Helen Hunt & Jack Nicholson, Michael Douglas & Gwyneth Paltrow, just off the top of my head. Excellent list. I could never understand the poxy nonsense about his looking too old for HG. Maybe she acted a bit too young, but...sheesh. Thanks again, Mari and thank you Mary and Hola."}, {"response": 1049, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (06:39)", "body": "Guess who won the Most Attractive Man for 2002????? http://services.hellomagazine.com/polls/special_polls2002/results2002.html"}, {"response": 1050, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (06:44)", "body": "Thank you Mary (or Murph is it?)! Wonderful news. I actually looked for it just 2 hours ago, and even mailed them for the result."}, {"response": 1051, "author": "Leah", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (07:13)", "body": "Does this mean that there will be a Hello article shortly?"}, {"response": 1052, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (08:40)", "body": "New pic at the WAGW site (sm one, bare feet).. http://whatagirlwantsmovie.warnerbros.com/photos.html"}, {"response": 1053, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (08:51)", "body": "Thanks, Maria, nice new picture of them getting tickled by the ivy ;-) I think they make a great Father/Daughter team."}, {"response": 1054, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (09:19)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1055, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (09:20)", "body": "Sorry, should've gotten the big ones:"}, {"response": 1056, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (09:29)", "body": "(Karen) Would rather he won a Best Actor award personally. Well he won best actor for the week on the BBC website... http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/fun.shtml"}, {"response": 1057, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (09:32)", "body": "Thanks, Murph! I noticed that George Michael was #3. I guess a lot of males also voted. ;-) Thanks, Maria, for the heads up on that picture. I like the fact that he keeps wearing a blue shirt. ;-D"}, {"response": 1058, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (09:39)", "body": "Thanks all...but who is Most Elegant, Caroline Corrs???;-))"}, {"response": 1059, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (09:46)", "body": "Am deleting linked post above. Didn't realize the image was 243K. Gaaah!"}, {"response": 1060, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (10:08)", "body": "(Maria) Well he won best actor for the week on the BBC website... I didn't see a winkie. IMO, all these polls are meaningless to anybody but a vain, no-talent celebrity-type actor. When I said Best Actor, I think you all know what I mean by that, and it certainly wouldn't be anything where you voted on the internet."}, {"response": 1061, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (10:14)", "body": "(Karen) I didn't see a winkie. ;0}"}, {"response": 1062, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (10:49)", "body": "Zap To It: TV Gal Freshens Up for Her Top 10 Men http://tv.zap2it.com/shows/features/features.html?29620 \"Every year, I pick my list of the \"Top 10 Men to Run Away with.\" The men on my list are men who, if they arrived at my door today, I would simply pack up and go off with, leaving a trail of remote controls in my wake. No packing. No job notification. No change of address forms. No big farewell party. Let me remind you that I wouldn't stop being an independent woman. Really, I can write the TV Gal column from any location. And, of course, I'd call my parents and give them the address of our little love nest. I'd even invite all of you to our wedding. And (bonus) I wouldn't make any of you be bridesmaids.\" ....7. Colin Firth : If you saw \"Bridget Jones' Diary\" and \"Pride and Prejudice\" this choice needs no explanation. This man smolders on the screen. I want him to tell me that he likes me very much just the way I am."}, {"response": 1063, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (11:33)", "body": "(Karen) it certainly wouldn't be anything where you voted on the internet. Now Karen, if someone inspires such devotion that devotees would do something dishonest like vote multiple times, shouldn't that count for something? I mean, really, if the Hello poll had some 66,000 votes and one out of every 5 were for ODB, that is outstanding! I would also say I did my part, where were all of you?! ;-) (And if I wrecked those tags, you may say it is my just desserts!)"}, {"response": 1064, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (12:20)", "body": "(BarbS) if someone inspires such devotion that devotees would do something dishonest like vote multiple times, shouldn't that count for something? In whose mind? A serious actor, not a celebrity, would value one Oscar nom over 100 of these. Hope you aren't bothering with any voting at a Freevote site and that you know *anybody* can set up a booth there."}, {"response": 1065, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (13:12)", "body": "Well as Neil Pearson said when he was nominated for Sexiest Man of the Year... (not!) \"It's better than throwing up when someone mentions your name\"."}, {"response": 1066, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (14:08)", "body": "(Karen) When I said Best Actor, I think you all know what I mean by that, and it certainly wouldn't be anything where you voted on the internet. Ah yes, but even BAFTA is voting online this year....granted it can only be accessed by voting members, but apparently a big deal for them this year. ;-)"}, {"response": 1067, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (15:28)", "body": "(Barb S)devotees would do something dishonest like vote multiple times, shouldn't that count for something? I mean, really, if the Hello poll had some 66,000 votes and one out of every 5 were for ODB, that is outstanding! I would also say I did my part, where were all of you?! ;-) Didn't you see me? I was the one voting after you each time ;-) Shallow? Yes - I know, I know and I agree with Karen, that it is nothing to a \"real\" award (or waiting 18 years, 18 f*#\ufffd\"# years for an Oscar....)"}, {"response": 1068, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (16:09)", "body": "(Me) shouldn't that count for something? that is outstanding! Whoops. Looks like I missed a couple of winkies. Tongue was firmly lodged in cheek at the above points. Besides, I'm too honest to vote more than once. (insert v.b. evil grin winkie!)"}, {"response": 1069, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (16:37)", "body": "MariaT, you should've posted a \"dimple alert\" to go with that link to the Hello poll. Mmmmmmm..... :) (from Hello profile) \ufffdI\ufffdve sometimes wanted to play the village pervert in something and nobody wants me to do that,\ufffd says actor Colin Firth LOL! Oh, the mental image of that one will keep me chuckling for the rest of the evening..."}, {"response": 1070, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (17:08)", "body": "(Moonstar)HG is a bit on the young side (I think she's 30 to CF's 42) Isn't she the same age as Livia? Although she does have a girl-like quality. - But my DH was certainly impressed when he saw her in Edinburgh last year!"}, {"response": 1071, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (17:48)", "body": "(Moonstar)HG is a bit on the young side (I think she's 30 to CF's 42) Ah the pairing of film, and FF. Think of it this way, when he's 77 she'll be 65. Does that sound any better. Side note. I am related to a couple who married when he was 50 and she was v. early 20's. I can't say that would appeal to me, but I'll tell you what. She kept him young. They had 3 kids and when he was 90, he looked at acted very close to his wife's age of 60 something. Lived to be 101!!!!! To each his own! ;)"}, {"response": 1072, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (18:53)", "body": "(Colin)I\ufffdve sometimes wanted to play the village pervert in something and nobody wants me to do that,\ufffd Well, you were almost there in MOTM;-) Annette and Barb...I was there too;-)"}, {"response": 1073, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (08:56)", "body": "FYI, part of that quote was deleted or censored by Hello. ;-)"}, {"response": 1074, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (10:14)", "body": "I've put up a couple of the HS pics with a *new* perspective. http://www.firth.com/hs_gal2.html"}, {"response": 1075, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (11:01)", "body": "I like the new persopective, Karen!:-) And finally . . . Yahoo is reporting confirmatoin of the Hope Springs release date for April 4 in US (assume this includes Canada). . . and it's listed as a \"wide\" release!:-) No Dallas for this one, Evelyn! They also confirm April 18 for the UK. So, CF has 2 films opening in wide release on the same day here. Tsk, tsk, such shameless ubiquity the likes of which I've never seen . . .;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 1076, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (11:03)", "body": "(Mari), So, CF has 2 films opening in wide release on the same day here. Tsk, tsk, such shameless ubiquity the likes of which I've never seen . . .;-) ;-) LOL! I bet he thinks so too. ;-) VG, Karen!"}, {"response": 1077, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (11:04)", "body": "And, April 4th happens to be Lora's birthday. What a great present!"}, {"response": 1078, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (11:16)", "body": "Woo woo!! This will be soooooo difficult, trying to decide which CF film to see on that day. And, April 4th happens to be Lora's birthday. What a great present! May have to reschedule this...as no one will be around here and in b-day posting mood. ;-) BTW, I neglected to thank Hola for sharing the copy and other info. But did you read the description of Colin's love interest: \"a monoligual Portuguese housemaid.\" So will this be compared to MIM, how will Colin stand up to Rafe, and, more importantly, will this Lucia Moniz draw in as many as JLO? ;-)"}, {"response": 1079, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (11:34)", "body": "Good girl for adding the pics, boss. I was getting awfully tired of seeing him peaking out from those leaves. Double header for April 4th. Bring a cush...."}, {"response": 1080, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (11:45)", "body": "(Janet) Isn't she the same age as Livia? I thought there was only about a 6 year age difference between the two. Could be wrong, 'course :) (Mari) So, CF has 2 films opening in wide release on the same day here Did we ever think we'd have the dilemma of which film to see first? Sounds like a double feature night to me ;) (Karen) May have to reschedule this...as no one will be around here and in b-day posting mood. ;-) LOL! No, we'll all be at the cinema (including the b-day girl, as well, I bet)."}, {"response": 1081, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (17:26)", "body": "(Moon Star)I thought there was only about a 6 year age difference between the two. Could be wrong, 'course :) According to an interview given some years ago: Livia is 10 years my junior (born in 1970, same year as Jennifer Ehle btw). LOL! No, we'll all be at the cinema (including the b-day girl, as well, I bet). I do hope, that at least some of you will rush back here to serve some crumbs for those of us, not fortunately enough to live in the US of UK. I very much enjoyed when the TIOBE-dvd was released (for your information - it most likely will never open, where I come from. Hope that won't be the case for Hope Springs and WAGW as well)."}, {"response": 1082, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (18:15)", "body": "(Mari) So, CF has 2 films opening in wide release on the same day here Did we ever think we'd have the dilemma of which film to see first? Sounds like a double feature night to me ;) All good things come to those who wait...;-)I think, anyway. How are we going to manage the publicity...this could be dicey. Oh my, how will I handle seeing both of these at the same time while trying to tie or break my TIOBE record? This could be considered grounds for divorce."}, {"response": 1083, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (18:38)", "body": "LOL, Linda! This will be soooooo difficult, trying to decide which CF film to see on that day. You're joking, right? HS of course!"}, {"response": 1084, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (19:15)", "body": "(Karen) This will be soooooo difficult, trying to decide which CF film to see on that day. (Moon) You're joking, right? HS of course! At the Church of Colin (I am an active member) we encourage viewing both films on the first day...multiple times if possible. I, for one, am taking the day off and getting in line early. It is the holiest of days...a CF double bill...this may only happen once in a lifetime. ;-D"}, {"response": 1085, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (21:21)", "body": "(Tress) a CF double bill...this may only happen once in a lifetime. ;-D Even more rare than a blue moon....a Firth moon! Oh my, a double entendre! LOL. Seems to be my forte tonight. ;-)"}, {"response": 1086, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (21:35)", "body": "Meredith, you wanna come to Nashville on 4/4 and watch movies with me? I figure we'll have to go as far as Music to find them showing because, well, we're all ignorant arse backward hicks, and if our luck runs like it did with TIOBE, then Nashville will be the closet place to find the movies playing."}, {"response": 1087, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (22:37)", "body": "(Linda)How are we going to manage the publicity...this could be dicey. I know, I'm already worried about that. Remember with TIOBE I nearly cracked for fear of missing even the smallest interview snippet. Entirely too much pressure.;-) Linda, how are you going to handle this nightmare scenario: You're in theater 1, watching the first showing of HS. But in theater 2, you know that WAGW is playing-- and there are people other than you who are seeing it first. ;-) Boy, nothing for months, and then 2 buses come at once. Jeannie, these are both supposed to be wide releases--so you should have to travel no farther than the local multiplex."}, {"response": 1088, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (08:12)", "body": "(LindaK) How are we going to manage the publicity...this could be dicey. Which potted palm to stake out? Tricky, very tricky... (Jeanie) Meredith, you wanna come to Nashville on 4/4 and watch movies with me? I figure we'll have to go as far as Music to find them showing because, well, we're all ignorant arse backward hicks It's a date! But, if you're all ignorant arse backward hicks in Tennesse, what on earth are we in So. Kentucky, LOL? At least these movies will be shown where you live. I'm stuck with The Hot Chick and Kangaroo Jack on multiple screens (no, I'm not kidding) :("}, {"response": 1089, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (11:15)", "body": "(Dorine) Even more rare than a blue moon....a Firth moon! Oh my, a double entendre! LOL. Seems to be my forte tonight. ;-) And rather prophetic, given the news over on the BJD topic. ;-) Linda, how are you going to handle this nightmare scenario: You're in theater 1, watching the first showing of HS. But in theater 2, you know that WAGW is playing--and there are people other than you who are seeing it first.;-) AAAAAIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! I already can't stand it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 1090, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (12:17)", "body": "I founnd this review on a UK film site. HOPE SPRINGS duration 092 minutes certification 12A country UK/USA year 2002 Colin Firth gets caught between Heather Graham and Minnie Driver in this slight Anglo-American romantic comedy from Mark Herman, writer-director of Brassed Off and Little Voice Hope Springs starts with a series of shots of Colin Firth, in transit on planes and coaches, looking devastated and surly. It's a face he does well. His character, British portrait artist Colin Ware, has received a wedding invite from his fianc\ufffde inviting him to her marriage to another man. Understandably distraught, he flees. Ware ends up in Hope, drawn by the name of this tiny Vermont town. Ensconced in a hotel run by the eccentric Joanie (Steenburgen) and her husband, Fisher (Collison), he suddenly finds himself the recipient of the affections of Mandy (Graham), a local nurse. In a bizarre scene, she gets drunk, takes off her clothes and throws herself at him. Suddenly they're an item. Out of his lovesick period, Colin hurls himself into drawing portraits of locals and arranging an exhibition. It's a seemingly idyllic lifestyle. Until his ex- fianc\ufffde, snooty, peremptory Vera (Driver) turns up, explains the invite was simply a joke to spur him into finally marrying and says \"I'm not going back until you agree to come back with me.\" Oh dear. As Joanie says to her boss-eyed, daffy husband, \"Even you must have noticed that Anglo-American relations are reaching an all-time high up there in room 11.\" The vigourously physical Colin and Mandy are very much in love. The brusque Vera won't take no for an answer though, and the trouble starts. It's the romantic comedy staple that the path of true love will be interrupted by lies and misunderstandings. Colin initially does a good job of fire control, but it's never that easy. Sometimes you just want to scream at the screen as the loving couple fail to communicate and the romantic perfection collapses. This formulaic dimension damages Hope Springs, because as a modest character study it's relatively sweet. After early lurches, the plot settles into a fairly entertaining three-way problem as the wonderfully bitchy Vera - Driver plays her as a quintessentially English, horsey snob - attempts to bully Colin, and anyone else she meets (she's particularly riled by the fact she seems unable to have a cigarette in peace; it's a running joke, thus: \"Sorry this is a non-smoking area.\" \"What, America?\"). The wiry Driver also provides the film's most shocking moment - when she gets her kit off. If ever there was a time to stop spending so much time in the gym, it's now Minnie. Verdict There are no revelations here, and the tone of the film sits uncomfortably between stock US romantic comedy and the more wry UK equivalent, but it's passably endearing and generally gentle."}, {"response": 1091, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (12:28)", "body": "(review) The wiry Driver also provides the film's most shocking moment - when she gets her kit off. Erm, could someone translate that for me, please? Does this mean she's too thin? Well, at least it's not a \"run the other way\" review, right? (trying desperately to stay positive)"}, {"response": 1092, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (13:48)", "body": "Does this mean she's too thin? Maybe she's starting to look like one of those slim and v. muscular women you see on the cover of fitness mags. (the kind my unfit self resents so)"}, {"response": 1093, "author": "Odile", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (14:00)", "body": "Hope Springs starts with a series of shots of Colin Firth, in transit on planes and coaches, looking devastated and surly. ... me sees Firthette belated birthdays material :0)"}, {"response": 1094, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (14:49)", "body": "(Mari)Linda, how are you going to handle this nightmare scenario: I don't know. Any suggestions? Help...Maybe Karen will create a help topic for us. Any and all suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Just how am I to sort it out with the breaking news on 149??"}, {"response": 1095, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (17:25)", "body": "Thanks for the preview review, Mari. The vigourously physical Colin and Mandy are very much in love. If this means what I think it means, we better see some of it, physically speaking, that is. ;-) Sometimes you just want to scream at the screen as the loving couple fail to communicate and the romantic perfection collapses. Reminds me of Dutch Girls and probably the upcoming TEOR. as a modest character study it's relatively sweet. And that's what we thought it would be. she seems unable to have a cigarette in peace; it's a running joke Golf course scene."}, {"response": 1096, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (18:22)", "body": "\"as a modest character study it's relatively sweet.\" (Karen)And that's what we thought it would be. Yup...sounds like the book. Hope they keep the tie scene in;-) Can't be too \"vigourously physical\" if it's PG-13."}, {"response": 1097, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (21:24)", "body": "(Tress) At the Church of Colin (I am an active member) we encourage viewing both films on the first day...multiple times if possible. I thought that was you I saw Sunday. See all our praying paid off. Thank God. Wide release for both. Hopefully meaning alot of interviews, although he might tout both in interviews. Have seen this before with other actors in same situation. That's ok, may make for longer interview. Hurray!!!"}, {"response": 1098, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jan 18, 2003 (10:08)", "body": "(Karen), If this means what I think it means, we better see some of it, physically speaking, that is. ;-) (Evelyn), Can't be too \"vigourously physical\" if it's PG-13. You said it first, Evelyn. What could that mean? Lots of kissing and then fade-to-black? Speaking of which, any news on FTB?"}, {"response": 1099, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sat, Jan 18, 2003 (16:41)", "body": "I noticed that there is already some very worried fans trying to sort out just how in the world they can juggle all the publicity for two films released so close together. Well, I have a suggestion. Move to Oz and then you don't have to worry about it. We will be lucky to get one out of every twenty things you all see 'up there'! ;)"}, {"response": 1100, "author": "odessa", "date": "Sun, Jan 19, 2003 (04:16)", "body": "yeah, same thing here in winter wonderland...I may never see TIOBE on a big screen :("}, {"response": 1101, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 19, 2003 (11:18)", "body": "I found a bit of someone's 5 minutes with Colin done during the TIOBE junket, which I've added to the Earnest page. He's trying to emphasize the risque in this PG film. *snort* http://firth.com/earnest.html"}, {"response": 1102, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Jan 19, 2003 (11:49)", "body": "(Karen) I found a bit of someone's 5 minutes with Colin done during the TIOBE junket... This was interesting for me! I knew Jim Ferguson about a hundred years ago! He lived in my neighborhood when I was growing up. He had a local TV show and was a big celebrity by Tucson standards."}, {"response": 1103, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 19, 2003 (13:15)", "body": "The UK reviewer also posted this film quote: \"By the way, is it 'Mandy' with a 'y' or 'Mandi' with an 'i' with a little circle above it?\" Vera (Minnie Driver) derides her blonde, ditzy foe to Colin ~Must have thought it representative of the film :-( That's not in the book, is it?"}, {"response": 1104, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Jan 19, 2003 (13:44)", "body": "(Moon)And, April 4th happens to be Lora's birthday. What a great present! (Mari)LOL! No, we'll all be at the cinema (including the b-day girl, as well, I bet). (Karen)May have to reschedule this...as no one will be around here and in b-day posting mood. ;-) Hmmm. Which movie to see first? It's a hard one to call. ;-) But since my b-day is on the 5th (not the 4th - but, Moon, it is the weekend of the 4th and what a great double present in one box it is, too) I'll see one on the 4th and one on the 6th! We can celebrate on 160 all weekend ;-) there's sure to be many new promotional pics to utilize! And BTW, where do you think the openings will take place (week before)? Maybe I could turn one into a b-day present :-)"}, {"response": 1105, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Jan 19, 2003 (13:58)", "body": "Thanks for the new close ups, Karen, and for the review, Mari. The part of Vera has Minnie and b*tch written all over it."}, {"response": 1106, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sun, Jan 19, 2003 (17:44)", "body": "The western wind is blowing fair! Our Hastings has their previously viewed TIOBE tapes on clearance. They are going for $9.99 but currently it's buy one and get one for a penny. You might want to make a little excursion if you have one near you. I won't say how many I bought but the clerk said, \"You're a big fan, huh?\" and I don't have much more birthday shopping to do this year!:-)"}, {"response": 1107, "author": "townranny", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (19:14)", "body": "Have been away plus came back sick. Had to get some Drool however. What a lot of great news to come back to. Two, two, two movies. Could hope for a Sneak Peak night. Think it's going to have to be HS first however if I have to choose. Will try to catch up. So much on every topic. Thanks everybody."}, {"response": 1108, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (13:32)", "body": "Hi everyone! some quick notes about Edge of Reason: The only two holdups on this project were Renee and the script. The first has been resolved and the second is still in progress. As I've said all along since last year, this is a done deal. The tentative shoot dates we have are now 7/7/03 to 10/10/03 and a very early possible release date is 4/9/04. But that is tentative with a capital T. Also, a quick comment about rumors and statements about Clooney, Colin's \"nude scenes\" and salaries. Please be advised that the studio does not divulge salaries to outside sources. So I cannot confirm nor deny what Colin is getting for this project because his contract has not been input into a studio DRCM yet. The Clooney participation is still not confirmed and has never been confirmed by ANYONE in my office. So please be weary of anything you might hear until an actual press release has been distributed to the media. The same goes for scenes in the script. If the script is still in draft form, it is subject to several changes until final delivery to the studio so I cannot confirm any such content until then. Hope that helps. Will keep you posted with any news I can report and confirm. It is my custom never to publish anything unless it is an absolute done deal with a signature. :) As for Love Actually, we are still in the process of seeing what the final rating for it will be, even though tentatively we have it down as PG-13, it is also possibly an R. Hopefully not. We'll see. Take care and thanks again for all the well wishes on the upcoming marriage. Hola"}, {"response": 1109, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (13:58)", "body": "Hola Lola..... Thanks very much for the update! Hope all the wedding plans are smooth and simple, and you aren't a frazzled mess! ;)"}, {"response": 1110, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (14:00)", "body": "The tentative shoot dates we have are now 7/7/03 to 10/10/03 and a very early possible release date is 4/9/04. But that is tentative with a capital T. Same release date but production pushed back by two months? Very optimistic or Tentative, as you say. So who is the director? Surely, that's been decided. ;-) tentatively we have it down as PG-13, it is also possibly an R. Hopefully not. Hopefully yes!! I would prefer a little more mature content but understand why studios prefer the PG-13 rating. Thanks Hola! OK, that means Colin definitely has time for another project pre-TEOR, unless his payday is so good, he can take the next 5 months off. OK, he's done it before..."}, {"response": 1111, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (14:29)", "body": "Thank you so much Hola Lola! I always look forward to your updates... The same goes for scenes in the script. If the script is still in draft form, it is subject to several changes until final delivery to the studio so I cannot confirm any such content until then. Ohhhh!....Does this mean when the studio receives the script you'll be able to tell us whether or not ODB will be showing us his goodies? I may swoon....have only seen the 'rear view' on the small screen. Cannot begin to imagine... ;-) (Karen) OK, that means Colin definitely has time for another project pre-TEOR, unless his payday is so good, he can take the next 5 months off. OK, he's done it before... Hope there is another project in there but maybe he sees a big ol Italian vacation with the fam (am just hoping he does not disappear into the woods again or take up shoe cobbling). ;-)"}, {"response": 1112, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (14:42)", "body": "Thank you for the good news Hola. Good Luck with your wedding."}, {"response": 1113, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (14:43)", "body": "I cannot confirm nor deny Lola, if you ever quit showbiz, you could get a job at the Pentagon. Are you really Don Rumsfeld?;-) Just teasing, am always glad to hear from you and I do appreciate your sharing what you can, whenever you can. Best wishes on the nuptials!"}, {"response": 1114, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (14:47)", "body": "(Tress) am just hoping he does not disappear into the woods again or take up shoe cobbling). ;-) I popped in for a sec to read the board and when I saw this comment I almost fell off my chair laughing. That's hilarious!! (Mari)Are you really Don Rumsfeld?;-) Mari, how did you guess? But I can't confirm nor deny that either! :) You ladies crack me up. Take care!"}, {"response": 1115, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (16:13)", "body": "Hola: Thanks for the updates. I wasn't as wild about Edge of Reason as I was about BJD, but it did have some funny bits in it. Will be great to see the three again. This schedule leaves time for Renee to zip right into Cinderella Man -- or something else. When is the big date? We can have a party over at Odds and Ends. Happy day to both of you."}, {"response": 1116, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (16:40)", "body": "(Lola)As for Love Actually, we are still in the process of seeing what the final rating for it will be, even though tentatively we have it down as PG-13, it is also possibly an R. Hopefully not. We'll see. I'm hoping it is...studios are ruining lots of good films by sanitizing the, imo. Though I can understand reaching a wider audience = $$$$ Can you imagine BJD as PG-13? Or SIL, FP?"}, {"response": 1117, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (18:34)", "body": "Thank you, Lola. The news about TEoR is v. exciting... and your respones are v. politically correct. Must go back and reread for a third time TEoR. Love that book! I hope the script lives up to it. Best wishes to you, Lola, on your upcoming marriage, and thanks, again, for thinking of us."}, {"response": 1118, "author": "paddyblue", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (20:17)", "body": "Relative Values is playing on Foxtel's movie channel Showtime- watched it for the first time- very funny. ODB is brilliant as the camp nephew- does Noel Coward very well."}, {"response": 1119, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (01:09)", "body": "(Linda)Thank you, Lola. The news about TEoR is v. exciting... and your respones are v. politically correct. Must go back and reread for a third time TEoR. Love that book! I hope the script lives up to it. Best wishes to you, Lola, on your upcoming marriage, and thanks, again, for thinking of us. Hola, just wantet to express my gratitude and couldn't find better words than Lindas."}, {"response": 1120, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (07:49)", "body": "Thanks, Lola! To show our gratitude we would love to give you a virtual wedding shower at O&E, where we usually have Colin's birthday party. We would need a date from you before the wedding. Can you make it? :-D"}, {"response": 1121, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (09:28)", "body": "(Hola Lola) The tentative shoot dates we have are now 7/7/03 to 10/10/03 and a very early possible release date is 4/9/04. They needed to push back the shoot dates so Colin could have some extra time with his trainer to bulk up for his scenes where clothing better *not* be optional. ;-) Remember Colin.....more protein, less carbs. No pints and just a little wine is ok. ;)"}, {"response": 1122, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (09:46)", "body": "Does the video Buns of Steel come in a PAL version? ;-)"}, {"response": 1123, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (13:09)", "body": "A mention of Colin in this Sunday's Mail (Scotland) in an item about actress Jenni Keenan Gree. It said: But her biggest break came shortly afterwards as co- presenter of Sky's live breakfast show Boiled Egg and Soldiers, alongside Hollywood heartthrob Adam Garcia. Jenni has fond memories of her year-long stint on the show, where she got to interview hunks such as Billy Zane and Colin Firth. She said: \"Billy Zane's was the only interview I did where I just couldn't get myself together. He was so gorgeous, he rendered me almost speechless. \"I was at the Titanic premiere, standing outside with all the journalists. We'd been told he wasn't doing interviews. \"But I begged him for just two minutes of his time, and he agreed. \"However, when I tried to get started, I opened my mouth and a load of babbling nonsense just came pouring out. But he was really charming and so lovely about it.\" She has two movies under her belt - having starred in the FilmFour gangster movie Swag, and played Kelly Macdonald's sidekick in the movie My Life So Far. ~~~~~~ So does this mean she actually interviewed Colin and he was on this program, or did she just catch him on the red carpet at a premiere and ask him an on air question? Hmmmmmm [the name of that program reminds me of something ;-)]"}, {"response": 1124, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (14:02)", "body": "(Dorine)Remember Colin.....more protein, less carbs. No pints and just a little wine is ok. ;) Wot, so now you're Dr. Atkins? (Dorine)to bulk up for his scenes where clothing better *not* be optional. ;-) Yes, lets keep the fantasy alive...;-) (Karen)Does the video Buns of Steel come in a PAL version? ;-) I don't know, but maybe we can take up a collection for a bow-flex;-)"}, {"response": 1125, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (15:42)", "body": "(Karen)Does the video Buns of Steel come in a PAL version? ;-) Oh yes, it does. You could easily persuade me to make the delivery personally. I'd even pay extra to have the honour. (I have several lying around, bought with the best intentions - now I seem to spend my money and time on quite different videos. ;-)"}, {"response": 1126, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (16:09)", "body": "Sorry to post twice in a row, but I just received an email from Warner Bros with the headline: WHAT A GIRL WANTS Exclusive First Look. The pages shows 4 pictures from the movie, but none with CF. BUT - down the page, there is a link to some image collection which states: Connect to thousand af images from the movie. I cannot download the program to get to the images, but certainly some of you more talented droolers can figure out a way to \"get to them\"?"}, {"response": 1127, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (00:54)", "body": "Thanks for the articles and links everyone."}, {"response": 1128, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (09:32)", "body": "(Annette)I just received an email from Warner Bros with the headline: WHAT A GIRL WANTS Exclusive First Look. The pages shows 4 pictures from the movie, but none with CF. BUT - down the page, there is a link to some image collection which states: Connect to thousand af images from the movie. I cannot download the program to get to the images, but certainly some of you more talented droolers can figure out a way to \"get to them\"? I did it this morning. They take you to a web site for Eyetide Media - there's a viewer you have to download, and the viewer wants to stay running in the background on your PC and check for new stuff daily. The WAGW collection currently seems to have 23 pictures, though for some reason I had to download several times to see all of them. They are all of Daphne and/or her boyfriend with one exception - they have the one with AB and CF \"going over the wall\" that we've already seen (and there's one of a car leaving West Wycombe Park, occupants unknown). The pictures are full-screen bitmaps. I managed to save the one with CF - I've cropped it (the full picture is too big to post), and here it is."}, {"response": 1129, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (09:38)", "body": "Thank you Rika, I knew you were the woman to do it. But it is a long way from 23 to \"thousands of pictures\" as statet from WB ;-) btw what is on his right arm (above the wrist)?"}, {"response": 1130, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (10:08)", "body": "Thanks Annette and Rika for the better pic. Anybody interested in reading a novelized version of WAGW aimed at a 9-12 year old audience?? It comes out in May and is only $4.99. ;-))))))"}, {"response": 1131, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (10:09)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1132, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (10:24)", "body": "(Annette) btw what is on his right arm (above the wrist)? Maybe a nicotine patch? ;-D (Karen) Anybody interested in reading a novelized version of WAGW aimed at a 9-12 year old audience?? It comes out in May and is only $4.99. ;-)))))) Okay, I wasn't interested until I saw the phrase \"Packed With Over 50 Photos!\" I spent $9 on The Secret Garden...I'll pay $4.99 for pictures (if there are ones with ODB)! The DH will be confused about why I need a Scholastic book, but he's been confused for a long time now! ;-) Thanks Rika! Love the closer look (I won't say why....)."}, {"response": 1133, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (10:33)", "body": "(Tress)Thanks Rika! Love the closer look (I won't say why....). Does it have something to do with his - uhm - feets? ;-)"}, {"response": 1134, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (11:08)", "body": "(Annette) btw what is on his right arm (above the wrist)? (Tress) Maybe a nicotine patch? ;-D LOL!!! His Saracen communicator? ;-)"}, {"response": 1135, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (11:18)", "body": "Rika: The WAGW collection currently seems to have 23 pictures, though for some reason I had to download several times to see all of them. Rika: I downloaded the viewer, but can't seem to find WAGW. I don't see a search feature either. Can you help? Thanks. - murph"}, {"response": 1136, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (12:09)", "body": "(Annette) Does it have something to do with his - uhm - feets? ;-) Wot? His feet are showing in that picture? Oh...LOL! I don't think I noticed! ;-D"}, {"response": 1137, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (13:23)", "body": "(Tress)Wot? His feet are showing in that picture? Oh...LOL! I don't think I noticed! ;-D LOL, I bet you didn't. I was going to post that it probably had nothing to do with the feet. But you beat me to it. But I do love the way he curls his toes. *sigh* (Tress)I spent $9 on The Secret Garden...I'll pay $4.99 for pictures (if there are ones with ODB)! The DH will be confused about why I need a Scholastic book, but he's been confused for a long time now! ;-) Double LOL...Ditto!"}, {"response": 1138, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (13:40)", "body": "(Annette) btw what is on his right arm (above the wrist)? Hey, remember in one of the LA pics from France (in the Bucket's LA gallery) he had a bandage on his right arm in that area? I know WAGW was filmed before LA, but that's not saying it was something that could've healed but needed a bandage again for some reason. Or they put the bandage on there to hide it and put it in the script for LA. Also, his hand looks more tan than that wide strip on his arm just above it. Maybe the whole arm is lighter. Hard to tell. If there could be something really wrong physically, almost looks like a burn or a skin graft. Too hard to tell in that size picture. Maybe a fake tattoo? ;-)"}, {"response": 1139, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (13:45)", "body": "(Annette) btw what is on his right arm (above the wrist)? (Tress) Maybe a nicotine patch? ;-D (Dorine) LOL!!! His Saracen communicator? ;-) ROTFL...okay...I have been trying to come up with something clever (not an easy task for me) to top Dorine's response! This cracked me up and I don't think I can come up with anything to top it! Bravo! V. v. funny! And lindak! I'll reserve our copies of WAGW on Amazon...there may be a rush on them! ;-)"}, {"response": 1140, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (15:45)", "body": "Empire Magazine on line on the big releases for 2003 - Love Actually: Richard Curtis and Hugh Grant, take 2190, in this Xmas-set ensemble comedy. The likes of Liam Neeson and Laura Linney will also be smooching under the mistletoe. This year's Bridget Jones, only bigger. Release date: December (UK) Estimated Box Office: $205 million http://www.empireonline.co.uk/features/spotlight/preview2003/11.asp"}, {"response": 1141, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (18:05)", "body": "(Dorine) LOL!!! His Saracen communicator? ;-) Great comment. Could be. Thanks for close-up Rika. Great shot. Thanks for link Murph. How come no mention of Colin. Not fair. And book looks promising (?)."}, {"response": 1142, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (20:47)", "body": "(Dorine) If there could be something really wrong physically, almost looks like a burn or a skin graft. Okay....I have looked at the LA picture again and it appears that the bandage is in the same place as this 'spot' on his arm that we can see in the WAGW picture....I do hope ODB is okay (no burn or other injury) Butt....I hate to think if it is a skin graft were that skin came from! Are the hopes and dreams of a BJD nekk'y scene to be dashed due to an injury??? Say it ain't so! Good news, if it is a graft, is that if any of us meet him and are able to touch the 'spot'...it would be like touching his...okay, must take myself to another topic!"}, {"response": 1143, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (21:00)", "body": "(Dorine) If there could be something really wrong physically, almost looks like a burn or a skin graft. You girls get so excited over a few fingernails' scratch. ;-)"}, {"response": 1144, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (21:20)", "body": "(Moon)You girls get so excited over a few fingernails' scratch. ;-) I hate to see wot those fingernails did this week;-) (Tress)Good news, if it is a graft, is that if any of us meet him and are able to touch the 'spot'...it would be like touching his...okay, must take myself to another topic! Good point! I don't know how you think of these things."}, {"response": 1145, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (21:31)", "body": "(lindak) Good point! I don't know how you think of these things. LOL!! Oh...some things are just always on my mind! ;-) (Moon) You girls get so excited over a few fingernails' scratch. ;-) Oh now...LOL! I was trying to be nice (I refrained from making any remark saying that he may have been chased with a curling iron!). ;-)"}, {"response": 1146, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (22:06)", "body": "Hey, we're doing some zooming in on the wrist to see, but concensus (by us experts) is, it's a burn."}, {"response": 1147, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jan 24, 2003 (13:02)", "body": "Another topic -- Remember \"The Maid of Buttermere\" and Lola Films? I was reminded of it when I saw this story from Screen Daily today. No mention of Maid, but they are trying to make some of the English language films that languished after the London office closed. http://www.screendaily.com/story.asp?storyid=10916"}, {"response": 1148, "author": "townranny", "date": "Fri, Jan 24, 2003 (13:50)", "body": "Could it be the shadow of a bulging forearm muscle? Be still my heart. Spilled cappucino? Naughty Starbucks! We can all sue for damages. Bandage is part of he script - he has a tatoo with Kelly What-her-name's name on it. Oops! That was that other movie."}, {"response": 1149, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Fri, Jan 24, 2003 (15:59)", "body": "(Tress) I hate to think if it is a skin graft were that skin came from! Are the hopes and dreams of a BJD nekk'y scene to be dashed due to an injury??? Can you say \"stunt butt\"? ;)"}, {"response": 1150, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jan 24, 2003 (16:26)", "body": "(moonstar) Can you say \"stunt butt\"? ;) LOL! Ohhhhh! I can say it, but I don't want to see it! Give me the real thing!!! ;-)"}, {"response": 1151, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 24, 2003 (16:26)", "body": "The Hello magazine with Colin's big important award for (what is it??) Most Attractive Man should be at most US newsstands by now. It is No. 749, dated Jan 28, 2003, and has Melanie and Antonio and kid on the cover. Is same pic as was on website."}, {"response": 1152, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Jan 24, 2003 (16:55)", "body": "Most Attractive Man should be at most US newsstands by now. Does anybody know, if there is an article attached?"}, {"response": 1153, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 24, 2003 (17:14)", "body": "I've put the relevant sections up at The Bucket, but it is pretty much what was written at the Hello website as well, if not verbatim, but I'm not going to bother checking. http://www.firth.com/p_eye5.html"}, {"response": 1154, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Jan 24, 2003 (18:13)", "body": "(Murph) I downloaded the viewer, but can't seem to find WAGW. I don't see a search feature either. Can you help? Thanks. - murph I couldn't find it listed there either, but I think I went back to the link that originally took me to the Eyetide site and clicked on it again, and then the pictures started to download. I'm tellin' ya, it was WEIRD the way it all worked. It would tell me there were 23 pictures, but then only download about six at a time.... sometimes more.... I eventually got them all but I couldn't begin to tell you exactly what I did. I just kind of clicked links and buttons until I bent the software to my will. Also, be warned, it will periodically pop up on your screen. I un-installed it this morning, and I figure I'll re-install it every now and then to see what's new. (Annette) btw what is on his right arm (above the wrist)? Interesting. When I first watched the hi-res version of the WAGW trailer and blew it up to full-screen, I could have sworn I saw a tattoo on his right arm in the black leather pants sequence. But it's only visible in the mirror, and I figured it was probably just a shadow or an imperfection in the video capture. And besides, I figured y'all would think I had lost my few remaining marbles and had moved on to full-blown hallucinations, so I never mentioned it."}, {"response": 1155, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 24, 2003 (18:26)", "body": "Am picking up your marbles... ;-) I'd say it was definitely supposed to be a tattoo of some sort from these two pics, done in his wild younger days."}, {"response": 1156, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 24, 2003 (18:27)", "body": "BTW, that's as good as I can get on the armpit, in case there are fans here. ;-D"}, {"response": 1157, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jan 24, 2003 (22:28)", "body": "(Karen)BTW, that's as good as I can get on the armpit, in case there are fans here. Dying to know what the tatoo says, and yes there are fans here, thanks, boss."}, {"response": 1158, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Jan 24, 2003 (23:03)", "body": "(Karen) Am picking up your marbles... ;-) I'd say it was definitely supposed to be a tattoo of some sort from these two pics, done in his wild younger days. Thanks, boss, for the photographic support for my sanity! (And for the armpit detail ;-)"}, {"response": 1159, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 2003 (05:06)", "body": "(Karen)BTW, that's as good as I can get on the armpit, in case there are fans here. ;-D Oh thank you Karen. I would also go for the tatto, though I also loved the idea of the Saracen Communicator, Dorine. (Rika)And besides, I figured y'all would think I had lost my few remaining marbles and had moved on to full-blown hallucinations LOL, Nevar - I'm sure you are just as sane as the rest of us ;-)"}, {"response": 1160, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 2003 (09:29)", "body": "BTW, took another look at the LA pics from France. Looks like the bandage is in the same spot as the tattoo."}, {"response": 1161, "author": "odessa", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 2003 (09:44)", "body": "I recently read GWAPE and today I managed to find a book of Vermeer from the library. Are we waiting for the movie to discuss GWAPE?"}, {"response": 1162, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 2003 (10:01)", "body": "We discussed the book GWAPE on the Book conference back in November-December: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/books/45/new"}, {"response": 1163, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 2003 (10:07)", "body": "(Karen) Am picking up your marbles... ;-) I'd say it was definitely supposed to be a tattoo of some sort from these two pics, done in his wild younger days. Great picture Karen. Thanks. Wonder if tatoo says \"Bee Gees\". Am definitely a fan of the underarm."}, {"response": 1164, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 2003 (10:59)", "body": "(linda)Looks like the bandage is in the same spot as the tattoo. Same arm, looks higher and too narrow to cover the size of the 'thing'in the teen flick pic........;) IMHO"}, {"response": 1165, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 2003 (11:45)", "body": "(Karen) BTW, that's as good as I can get on the armpit, in case there are fans here. ;-D (Linda) Dying to know what the tatoo says, and yes there are fans here, thanks, boss. (Rika) Thanks, boss, for the photographic support for my sanity! (And for the armpit detail ;-) (Pam) Am definitely a fan of the underarm. I think it's safe to say that most of us are fans of all parts of ODB! If somebody out there thinks there is a bad part, I'd like to know what it is! (linda) BTW, took another look at the LA pics from France. Looks like the bandage is in the same spot as the tattoo. (Lisa) Same arm, looks higher and too narrow to cover the size of the 'thing'in the teen flick pic........;) Perhaps he's just incredibly clumsy and keeps injuring himself on the right forearm? ;-)"}, {"response": 1166, "author": "townranny", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 2003 (12:26)", "body": "About the Hello Most Attractive Man Vote I know it's not exactly a scientific poll but doesn't it say something extraordinary about CF and his fans? I don't know of any 40 something US actor who hasn't had a real hit movie on his own EVER who would be voted most attractive man in US. Plus his PR is almost non-existent. Think about it."}, {"response": 1167, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 2003 (13:31)", "body": "Hey boss, you forgot to list Colin as the BBC favorite actor. And this week: *Drum Roll* Top 5 Dramas 1. Pride & Prejudice 2. Conspiracy 3. Monarch of the Glen 4. Daniel Deronda 5. Merseybeat http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/fun.shtml (Kathleen)... I know it's not exactly a scientific poll but doesn't it say something extraordinary about CF and his fans? Yeah... They have nothing else to do except pad the polls....on \"Hello\" already;-)))"}, {"response": 1168, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 2003 (13:47)", "body": "Plus his PR is almost non-existent. Think about it. He's almost the Invisible Man in the UK - no live interviews/chat shows, no tabloid coverage! Hope Springs opens in the UK on April 18. Someone has posted re. GWAPE on the Yahoo! Movies site..... \"Some weeks ago scenes of the film \"Girl with a Pearl Earring\" are made in Delft. The original city of Vermeer. It happens to be my place of living too. And almost daily I walk through the streets he used to walk some ages ago. Offcourse I am very anxious to see the film when it is ready. I already read the book. I hope I can find some info when the film will be broadcast, available on video or other.\" Am looking forward to GWAPE! Much more so than the Sylvia Plath movie For anyone with regrets that CF did not take on Ted Hughes, I think the bias will very much in favour of SP, and very unsympathetic to Ted Hughes. From a recent article in the Sunday Telegraph ...... \"The BBC is being asked to help to maintain the grave of Sylvia Plath because of concern that a forthcoming film could lead to vandalism. Local people want profits from the film about the poet to be spent on maintaining and preserving the graveyard in Heptonstall, West Yorks, where she is buried, which has become a shrine for feminists and other admirers. In the 1970s, the grave was desecrated by women who felt that Plath, author of The Bell Jar and mother of Ted Hughes's two surviving children, was driven to gassing herself at the age of 30 by her husband's philandering. The ame \"Hughes\" was regularly hacked off her headstone by feminists who blamed her suicide on his adultery with Assia Wevill. Plath's full married name now appears in bronze lettering on a replacement headstone in a move aimed at making it easy to repair. Miss Wevill, haunted by the memory of Plath, committed suicide with Shura, the daughter she had by Hughes, in 1969, six years after Plath's death. Hughes married again in 1970. The BBC said its \ufffd7 million film would be a respectful portrait of a marriage seen principally through the eyes of Plath, prompting concern that her fans could flock to the site.\" The BBC comedy series \"The Office\" is apparently showing in the US. Well worth watching. One of the characters, Tim, is played by Martin Freeman (very funny!) who will be appearing in \"Love Actually\". IMHO Richard Curtis has assembled a great cast - established big names and some great new talent. Success guaranteed!"}, {"response": 1169, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 2003 (15:32)", "body": "Plus his PR is almost non-existent. Think about it. (Bethan)He's almost the Invisible Man in the UK - no live interviews/chat shows, no tabloid coverage! C'mon Bethan...he's a household name over there. Started with \"Darcymania....6+ yrs a go. Mention BJD and his name automatically surfaces.Even before the movie."}, {"response": 1170, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 2003 (15:55)", "body": "(Bethan)He's almost the Invisible Man in the UK - no live interviews/chat shows, no tabloid coverage! C'mon Bethan...he's a household name over there. Ah, but I meant this as a compliment - he manages to keep his popularity, whilst keeping a very low profile in terms of personal publicity."}, {"response": 1171, "author": "townranny", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 2003 (15:56)", "body": "Evelyn- Yeah they have nothing else to do but pad the polls. Very funny Evelyn!!! I think there is quite a lot to do in the Sunset Years homes these days. Bless their hearts for taking time to pad. (LOL)"}, {"response": 1172, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 2003 (17:41)", "body": "(Evelyn)C'mon Bethan...he's a household name over there. You're absolutely right, but that is in spite of his total lack of appearances on chat shows, daytime TV and tabloid columns. Commonplace for his contemporaries ie Hugh Grant, Ken Branagh, etc. I'm desperate for him to appear on Parkinson - now that would be a something to see! Maybe this year!"}, {"response": 1173, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 2003 (20:11)", "body": "(Kathleen) I think there is quite a lot to do in the Sunset Years homes these days. Aaah, something to look forward to. IRL have been spending much time in Sunset Years type places getting father situated. Will keep my eyes open for posters on walls of neighbors' rooms. In mean time, will stake out my place next to community PC for purposes of padding certain polls. (How soon can I sign up?)"}, {"response": 1174, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sun, Jan 26, 2003 (05:46)", "body": "(KathyF)I think it's safe to say that most of us are fans of all parts of ODB! Is it THAT obvious?? (linda) BTW, took another look at the LA pics from France. Looks like the bandage is in the same spot as the tattoo. (Lisa) Same arm, looks higher and too narrow to cover the size of the 'thing'in the teen flick pic........;) (KathyF)Perhaps he's just incredibly clumsy and keeps injuring himself on the right forearm? ;-) From the Positive Thinking Dept...Maybe his kissing lessons instructor assigned him an inordinate amount of homework, LD was in Rome, he had to practice somewhere, and he ravaged his forearm over and over...;}"}, {"response": 1175, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan 26, 2003 (09:59)", "body": "(Janet), I'm desperate for him to appear on Parkinson - now that would be a something to see! Yes! And we get it on BBC/America. (Maria), Maybe his kissing lessons instructor assigned him an inordinate amount of homework, LD was in Rome, he had to practice somewhere, and he ravaged his forearm over and over...;} LOL! I'm glad you said that and not me. ;-)"}, {"response": 1176, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 26, 2003 (12:43)", "body": "A mention of Hope Springs in today's paper by HG during promotion for The Guru. Nothing much: http://www.suntimes.com/output/entertainment/sho-sunday-graham26.html"}, {"response": 1177, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sun, Jan 26, 2003 (16:43)", "body": "(Janet), I'm desperate for him to appear on Parkinson - now that would be a something to see! (Moon Dreams)Yes! And we get it on BBC/America. **Finally** I can say, \"We get that here too!\" :)"}, {"response": 1178, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Jan 27, 2003 (08:15)", "body": "Thanks for article on HS and HG Karen. At least it's a mention."}, {"response": 1179, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Mon, Jan 27, 2003 (12:31)", "body": "(attempting to play catchup.. eyes crossing from scrolling) Wow! Lots of good stuff happening. I am a fan of all parts since the sum of all the parts makes a whole, and the whole is mighty tastey. Ummm.. thanks Hola for your so appreciated information, as well as thanks to our goddess as well as everyone else who has supplied insight. (Rika)And besides, I figured y'all would think I had lost my few remaining marbles and had moved on to full-blown hallucinations. I KNEW I left those mushrooms somewhere! (rinsing out Rika's coffeecup)"}, {"response": 1180, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jan 27, 2003 (13:34)", "body": "\"Girl with a pearl ear ring\" is being dramatised as the \"Book at Bedtime\" on Radio 4 in the UK all this week."}, {"response": 1181, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (11:25)", "body": "Yeah!!! GWAPE still exists!! Small mention... http://www.screendaily.com/story.asp?storyid=10976"}, {"response": 1182, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (13:39)", "body": "Thanks for the GWAPE info Bethan and Maria. Can you send me some mushrooms Jeanie?"}, {"response": 1183, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (18:05)", "body": "Karen, I have an extra 2003 Upcoming features press kit with a fact sheet and CD which contains Love Actually. If you would like this please email me with an address and I'll send it along. Once the press kit for the film is compiled I'll send you one of those as well and you can upload the info here for the ladies. I'll give you more details when I receive your email. For those who asked, I'm getting married on February 15th in Maui. Thanks for all the good wishes, I really appreciate it. I'll come back with more stuff once I can. Till then..take care everyone!!"}, {"response": 1184, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (18:20)", "body": "Hola, Lola! You are so nice to keep us so well informed! You are our Firth degree of separation! Wishing you good health and happiness in your upcoming marriage! We'll be thinking of you. Maui, wow! Aloha, Lola! Sending lots of good wishes your way!"}, {"response": 1185, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (18:59)", "body": "(Hola Lola) For those who asked, I'm getting married on February 15th in Maui. Thanks for all the good wishes, I really appreciate it. Congratulations! We'll practically be crossing paths in the air! I'll be getting back from Kona on the 12th! I hear the weather is perfect right now and the whales are out! I'm sure that you will have a perfect wedding!!!"}, {"response": 1186, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (01:01)", "body": "How beautiful that will be Lola! Have a wonderful time! Thanks for everything. It's much appreciated! :-D"}, {"response": 1187, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (07:13)", "body": "Aloha Lola! A wedding in Hawaii means toasting with pina coladas. ;-) I wish you joy. I recommend a lei with tuberoses, a rapsodic intoxication. :-)"}, {"response": 1188, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (07:54)", "body": "Hola Lola, Ho`omaika`i! E pili mau n\ufffd p\ufffdmaika`i me `oe! (Congratulations and best wishes!!)"}, {"response": 1189, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (07:55)", "body": "Hola Lola, Ho`omaika`i! E pili mau n\ufffd p\ufffdmaika`i me `oe! (Congratulations and best wishes!!)"}, {"response": 1190, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (08:26)", "body": "Thank you so much for all your wonderful information Hola. Wishing you and your future husband every good thing possible. Congratulations!!!!"}, {"response": 1191, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (08:43)", "body": "(FanPam)Thank you so much for all your wonderful information Hola. Wishing you and your future husband every good thing possible. Congratulations!!!! Sorry to copy your post, FanPam, but ditto from me, Hola."}, {"response": 1192, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (10:24)", "body": "Mahalo, Lola! Maui is one of my very favorite places--your wedding will be enchanting, I'm sure. All the best to you and Mr. Lola!:-)"}, {"response": 1193, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (11:31)", "body": "Hi Again! Thanks so much for the sweet messages, they are lovely and much appreciated. Karen, your kit is being sent out today. Once the actual Love Actually kit is complete I'll send you a copy as that will have lots more in it than this one. Colin does not have a personal publicist yet and so how much press he'll do for What A Girl Wants and Hope Springs will depend on who the studios want to focus on. Most likely he'll do the typical Colin Firth tour of duty. I personally would like to see him branch out a bit more in the late night talk show circuit and popular publications but again that would be more feasible if he had a personal rep. He's recently had a change of agents here in LA so perhaps he will shift a bit in his choices. I'd like to hope so. I've always said he is grossly underrated and some of his choices have not been great showcases for that brilliant talent of his. He's capable of so much more. Take care everyone and thanks again! Hola"}, {"response": 1194, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (11:50)", "body": "Hola, Maui is such a beautiful island, I know your wedding will be gorgeous. My very best wishes to both of you."}, {"response": 1195, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (12:12)", "body": "I got this e-mail from Jack Binder: Dear Friends, \"Londinium\" is now airing on HBO in the USA (air dates on link below) and will air on ITV in the UK shortly, please check listings in UK. The film is titled \"Love Affairs\" in Germany and is on video. Kindly pass this information on to interested Colin Firth Fans and Fan Web Sites. All the best, The \"Londinium\" crew. http://www.hbo.com/apps/schedule/ScheduleServlet?ACTION_DETAIL=DETAIL&ID=89058"}, {"response": 1196, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (12:19)", "body": "Colin does not have a personal publicist yet Lola, your use of the word \"yet\" tells me that you still hold out some hope.;-) He's recently had a change of agents here in LA Did the previous one die? If so, did anyone notice?;-) I've always said he is grossly underrated and some of his choices have not been great showcases for that brilliant talent of his. He's capable of so much more. Amen, sister! But apparently he is unwilling or unable to take on more challenging projects."}, {"response": 1197, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (12:51)", "body": "Congrats. Lola! What a beautiful spot for a wedding! Mari: Did the previous one die? If so, did anyone notice?;-) Funny!!! Now if they could quietly retire John Paul in London!!!"}, {"response": 1198, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (13:00)", "body": "Once again, Lola, congratulations and best wishes to you. Thank you for keeping us up to date on Colin. Yes, underrated and brilliant do describe ODB perfectly. (Mari)But apparently he is unwilling I thought we turned that ship around in September!:-)"}, {"response": 1199, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (13:14)", "body": "(Linda) I thought we turned that ship around in September!:-) Depends, if/when he made his commitments for LA and GWAPE. Otherwise, I fear the ship may still be in dry dock. ;-)"}, {"response": 1200, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (13:16)", "body": "(HolaLola) Colin does not have a personal publicist yet and so how much press he'll do for What A Girl Wants and Hope Springs will depend on who the studios want to focus on. I would do it for free... O.K....Don't laugh at me, but I emailed Katie Couric (who lets face it, seems to have a soft spot for him) and asked if there were any plans to have him on what with 2 movies openeing in April and another 2 later in the year. I'm sure it will be a fruitless effort, but what the heck..."}, {"response": 1201, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (14:07)", "body": "(HolaLola) Colin does not have a personal publicist yet and so how much press he'll do for What A Girl Wants and Hope Springs will depend on who the studios want to focus on. (Maria) I would do it for free... I'd pay him! ;-) (Hola Lola) Colin does not have a personal publicist yet (Mari) Lola, your use of the word \"yet\" tells me that you still hold out some hope.;-) I hooked onto that little word, too. ;-) I've always said he is grossly underrated and some of his choices have not been great showcases for that brilliant talent of his. He's capable of so much more. Very accurate and a bit of an understatement as well. Just said that almost verbatim to someone only slightly familiar with him the other day. (Maria) O.K....Don't laugh at me, but I emailed Katie Couric What the hell....certainly can't hurt. Hey, if she's a lurker, she already knows and is working diligently on it. ;-) I'd love to see him on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart again. A show off the beaten path. (Linda) I thought we turned that ship around in September!:-) (Karen) Depends, if/when he made his commitments for LA and GWAPE. Otherwise, I fear the ship may still be in dry dock. ;-) Or shipwrecked on the rocks. ;-)"}, {"response": 1202, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (14:12)", "body": "(Dorine) I'd love to see him on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart again. A show off the beaten path He was next on my list!! I still read the transcripts to ODB's interview with JS and crack up every time. Their wit played off each other well..."}, {"response": 1203, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (14:36)", "body": "(Maria)He was next on my list!! I still read the transcripts to ODB's interview with JS and crack up every time. Their wit played off each other well... Mine, too. And as far as plain old interviews go, I'll opt for Jeffrey Lyons again, as much as we dreaded this one, it turned out to be one of the best in the bunch for TIOBE, IMO. Ah, memories of the little Roman Tailor."}, {"response": 1204, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (15:35)", "body": "(Murph)Now if they could quietly retire John Paul in London!!! The Pope is leaving Rome?? Damn Reformation.;-) Just teasing you, Murph, I know who you mean--the artist formerly known as Paul Lyin' Maris.;-) As for the previous LA agent--I hope CF never paid him anything. If he did, ODB should sue for taking money under false pretenses. (Linda)I thought we turned that ship around in September!:-) Was I on board?:-) Waaaaah, I never saw the Jeffrey Lyons interview."}, {"response": 1205, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (15:36)", "body": "closing tag"}, {"response": 1206, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (15:58)", "body": "(Mari)Was I on board?:-) Actually I was joking about Colin's birthday theme;-) Wot, you missed the party, too? I don't think so. I saw you there;-) Didn't I? Sheesh, I didn't have that many martinis. Maybe if I had a maritini during the HG interviews this morning, I wouldn't still be here scratching my head."}, {"response": 1207, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (17:16)", "body": "Is it Martini time? ;-) ATTENTION ALL FIRTHETTES I would like to hear what kind of questions you would ask Colin if you had a chance to interview him. We've seen his movies, read his interviews, followed his plays... so what kind of intelligent questions can we come with? I hope to hear from everyone. :-D"}, {"response": 1208, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (17:33)", "body": "(Moon) so what kind of intelligent questions can we come with? ...can't think, eyes glazing over, brain is doinginginginging that old LP skip thing...seem to have only one track right now... come back to this one later"}, {"response": 1209, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (17:42)", "body": "Ok Moon , I'll bite! \"Mr. Firth, I'm wondering if you could talk us through your selection process when choosing a new project? From start to finsh, as it were, to really get an idea of the steps that are involved when a professional actor of your standing finally commits to his next role? I think our readers would be fancinated to learn about this!\" Knowing his answer could take them into the dinner hour, Firth eyes the coffee fixings over in the corner. \"Cappuccino?\" I offer amicably, \"You take non-fat and two sugars, right?\""}, {"response": 1210, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (17:44)", "body": "intelligent So that means we can't ask what MB is blackmailing him with, huh? ;-) Hmmm, never got to ask \"if Peter was gay?\" but we all know the answer to that one now. Will have to think about it."}, {"response": 1211, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (18:29)", "body": "(Moon)Is it Martini time? ;-) LOL, you reminded of one of my Aunts. All we had to do was say the word \"Martini\", and she'd look up from whatever she was doing and say \"Is it Martini time\"? Well I'd ask about the loft scene in MLSF...since the boss couldn't get a straight answer from him the first time around;-) And... Interviewer(ME): Mr. Firth could you please elaborate on the decision you made not to do a screen test for the role of Ted Hughes... ...after a non-descript answer from Mr. Firth... Interviewer(ME):\"What were you thinking\"?"}, {"response": 1212, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (18:49)", "body": "I\ufffdm pleased to tell you that Colin Firth agreed to sit down with me for a few minutes and answer my question. Here is an excerpt\ufffd I repeated our interest in learning how he chooses his projects. \ufffdAh, well, actually it isn\ufffdt nearly as complicated as you might think.\ufffd Takes a sip of his drink. \ufffdAs you might imagine, scripts are submitted on nearly a daily basis to my agent. It would be impossible for me to read them all. Of course, I don\ufffdt have to, as I employ a screening process that works wonders.\ufffd \ufffdAnd that would be\ufffd?\ufffd \ufffdWell, first and foremost, I only read scripts that are dated with even numbers, like 18, 22, 4 and so on. So anything submitted on an odd-numbered day I don\ufffdt even look at. I\ufffdll give you a few examples: A Beautiful Mind, The Phantom Menace, Kate and Leopold, Gangs of New York, all those films were submitted on odd-numbered dates. So, straight away they were eliminated.\ufffd \ufffdFascinating!\ufffd \ufffdIndeed. Now from there, I look at the font.\ufffd \ufffdExcuse me, did you say, font?\ufffd \ufffdYes. You see there are certain fonts I really can\ufffdt stand and the idea of memorizing lines printed in any of those is appalling. I really prefer Verdana and Arial; any time I receive a script printed out in those fonts, I read it through straight away. Of course, if the date is right!\ufffd He smiles and takes another sip of his cappuccino. \ufffdIf it is printed in Times New Roman, I toss it in the throw-away pile even if the date is an even number.\ufffd \ufffdReally?\ufffd Mr. Firth nods. \ufffdOf course everyone has their little quirks about it all, I suppose mine are about the same as anyone else\ufffds!\ufffd \ufffdSo, what do you do then?\ufffd \ufffdIt\ufffds really not common knowledge, but, I prefer to stay close to my home and my family when I\ufffdm working. The next step is to see where the project is to be made. For example, a supporting role in a BBC production to be filmed in and around London will always attract me more than, let\ufffds say, a starring role in the latest Nancy Meyers or Chris Columbus film will. \ufffd He nods approving at his last point and waits for my response. \ufffdMy, my,\ufffd is all I can come up with. \ufffdOnce projects are weeded out for undesirable locations\ufffd\ufffd \ufffdLike Australia, America or Asia?\ufffd \ufffdExactly! Once that\ufffds done, at that point it does get a little complicated.\ufffd \ufffdOh?\ufffd \ufffdYes. From there I have to calculate just how much I am going to make. Or, more importantly, how much my agent will make. You see, he insists on taking a 6-week holiday with his extended family at least once a year. He tells me ahead of time how much he would like to spend on the next one and I find projects that will pay me enough that his cut will cover his expenses. And let me tell you,\ufffd he leans in, \ufffdthat man knows how to spend the cash.\ufffd \ufffdWow!\ufffd \ufffdAnd that\ufffds just the beginning. With trust funds, mutual funds, college funds, the Inland Revenue, department store credit cards, my personal account at Armani, the decline of the frequent flyer program and the current exchange rates, my fingers are worn to the bone crunching numbers.\ufffd The poor man sighs audibly. So do I, in complete sympathy for his situation. I had no idea things were so tough. \ufffdWow!\ufffd I say again and ask, \ufffdSo, is that how you chose The Importance of Being Earnest?\ufffd \ufffdOh no! I signed on that project because of the tailor they used! He was a relative of my wife\ufffds!\ufffd \ufffdSo, you chose What a Girl Wants using your criteria?\ufffd Mr. Firth chuckles and admits, \ufffdWell, no, I actually lost a hand of poker over that one. If I had won I would have done a screen test for the role of Ted Hughes, but I lost so I signed on to WAGW.\ufffd \ufffdLove Actually?\ufffd \ufffdNow Love Actually is a funny story. I was signed on as the role of the Prime Minister, but I had a distressing call one night from my friend Hugh. He had a vision, a dream, and he knew he simply had to play the role. I understand things like that completely. I gladly stepped aside and took another role on his behalf.\ufffd \ufffdYou\ufffdre such a nice guy!\ufffd Mr. Firth smiles modestly and our interview comes to and end."}, {"response": 1213, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (18:57)", "body": "(Lisa)\ufffdIf it is printed in Times New Roman, I toss it in the throw-away pile even if the date is an even number.\ufffd *still holding sides* just wanted to say, bravo, Lisa. You may be nearer to the truth than we'll ever know;-)"}, {"response": 1214, "author": "townranny", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (19:01)", "body": "(Moon) So what kind of intelligent questions can we come up with? I don't know if this is intelligent but it is really THE ONLY QUESTION (statement really) for me. You seem to be very passionate about your work, if it's not too private, please tell us how you came to understand what passion is. I would never, ever ask the question. Would also like to know if it is private but you said \"head\" not \"heart\" questions."}, {"response": 1215, "author": "audiogirl", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (19:40)", "body": "Hi everyone! I was reading an article today from a British magazine written around a year ago and ODB mentions that his wife is now getting into producing maintream films, not just documentaries. He goes on to say that she is usually the one who will come across a character in a book or that someone sends her something and they go over it. My worst fear is a reality! Sorry but I'm not sure she is the best person for this job. It keeps him close to home and away from the larger American films that could really catapult him into major regognition. I know that she is his wife, but lets face it, she never understood how P&P made him a sex symbol!"}, {"response": 1216, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (19:51)", "body": "(Hola Lola) Colin does not have a personal publicist yet Wouldn't it benefit both Colin and the studio for him to have one? I would think someone from the studio might suggest he get one or perhaps assign him one. Wonder why he doesn't have one. (Dorine) I'd love to see him on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart again. A show off the beaten path. I agree. One of my favorite interviews he did. So relaxed, humorous and spontaneous. IMO much better than most. Maybe he liked Stewart? Definitely liked line of questionning IMO. Wonderful Lisa. ROFL. Agree with Linda, you may be closer to the truth than we want to admit."}, {"response": 1217, "author": "townranny", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (19:56)", "body": "(Lisa) You're such a nice guy. Mr. Firth smiles modestly and the interview comes to an end . Very funny Lisa! It's all so clear now. Maybe if we could pay someone to say that he is a nasty so-and-so, we'd find ourselves going to major and frequent premieres"}, {"response": 1218, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (20:58)", "body": "I only read scripts that are dated with even numbers, like 18, 22, 4 and so on. Now from there, I look at the font. I actually lost a hand of poker over that one. If I had won I would have done a screen test for the role of Ted Hughes, but I lost so I signed on to WAGW.\ufffd ROTF, Lisa!!! I am looking forward to more questions. I will then put them together and see what everyone thinks. At that point we can add or take away. Plus, there might be other uses for them. ;-D"}, {"response": 1219, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (22:01)", "body": "Lisa...ROTFL!!! (Audiogirl) ODB mentions that his wife is now getting into producing maintream films, not just documentaries.....she is usually the one who will come across a character in a book or that someone sends her something and they go over it. And as of last May, judging by her stated lack of projects on the horizon for her, there obviously had been a lack of decent characters in books to develop projects about. ;-)"}, {"response": 1220, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (22:22)", "body": "(Moon) So what kind of intelligent questions can we come up with? I'm not sure that my question(s) isn't one he hasn't answered already over the years but it's one I don't think I've seen recently. What I'd like to ask is out of all his movies, plays, etc..which role was his hardest to prepare for and to do...mentally, physically, and/or emotionally, and with that, which was the hardest character to let go of?"}, {"response": 1221, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (22:40)", "body": "Ok, I have one.... (How serious do want these? I can word some very to the point, almost to the point of tactlessness, or very informally or downright silly, or quite serious.) (the fairly serious)......Now that you've recently done, or will be doing projects that you'll most likely be very well compensated for....will you go back to the stage in London or even NY? Ever consider Shakespeare in the Park?"}, {"response": 1222, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (23:02)", "body": "Lisa, that was fabulous! I had an absolutely awful day, but you just cheered me right up. (Karen) Depends, if/when he made his commitments for LA and GWAPE. Otherwise, I fear the ship may still be in dry dock. ;-) Well, now, GWAPE did get a decent score on the RF-o-meter, as I recall.... Speaking of the Ted Hughes role, did anybody else see the photo of Gwynnie and DC in Newsweek a couple of weeks ago? The magazine got tossed before I had a chance to save it and post about it. The caption was pretty much all about Gwynnie - DC was almnost an afterthought - but at least his photo was there. Made me v. sad."}, {"response": 1223, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (23:21)", "body": "(Dorine) Ever consider Shakespeare in the Park? Been there; done that. Have you forgotten the pictures of him doing Richard III? ;-) (Rika) Well, now, GWAPE did get a decent score on the RF-o-meter, as I recall.... He actually could have made the commitments for those before the tugboat SS Spring did its job back in September. I actually lost a hand of poker over that one. This is the one that probably hits closest to home. :-( Great stuff, Lisa!"}, {"response": 1224, "author": "townranny", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (10:18)", "body": "(Holalola) Colin does not have a personal publicist yet. . From the Sleeping Dogs File. Don't think he wants one either. To be famous means that all your old smelly linen is washed in public, like some very questionable movies showing quite more than you're kids and Italian relatives would be comfortable looking at on the E! channel for the rest of their natural born lives, not to mention there has to be a girl or two in all the pubs of Hackney who could probably sell a true little story for a big amount, if it was about a famous person. (St. Colin does not wash with those looks). How much nicer to be rich, happy and unknown."}, {"response": 1225, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (10:22)", "body": "How much nicer to be rich, happy and unknown. Never happens! Nevah!"}, {"response": 1226, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (10:40)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1227, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (10:46)", "body": "Lisa: I loved your interview. Took me way back to the early Firth days when we had such fun doing stuff like this. Nice to read on a grey day. Mari --- More senior moments re the London agent!!!!!! Sorry. I've got some pictures of DC as Ted H and Gwen on my little Craig site. Former Firth \"almost founding member\" Lisa W lives in Dunedin NZ and is a drama professor at the local college. She had up close views of the filming for a week or so: http://www.murphsplace.com/craig/hughes.html (Not sure if this link belongs at O&E.)"}, {"response": 1228, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (10:54)", "body": "Yes, it does."}, {"response": 1229, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (11:04)", "body": "Karen! That cartoon is so funny and so true! LOL! Ladies, let's keep the questions rolling. :-D"}, {"response": 1230, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (11:59)", "body": "Congratulations Hola. What a perfect place for a wedding. Marci lives on Maui."}, {"response": 1231, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (12:51)", "body": "(Kathleen) Don't think he wants one either. To be famous means that all your old smelly linen is washed in public, like some very questionable movies showing quite more than you're kids and Italian relatives would be comfortable looking at on the E! channel for the rest of their natural born lives, not to mention there has to be a girl or two in all the pubs of Hackney who could probably sell a true little story for a big amount, if it was about a famous person. (St. Colin does not wash with those looks). How much nicer to be rich, happy and unknown. I'd hardly say he's unknown. As for dirt coming out and the \"tell all\" story gendre. IMO if its there it'll come out with or without publicist. I haven't heard or read any of them if they exist, have you? IMO I think they would certainly have surfaced by now especially after P&P. But was just hoping a publicist would get him Leno and Letterman. He deserves to be there more than some that are there now. Renee and Hugh don't seem to mind doing the higher-profile shows. I honestly feel he wouldn't either. Just want to see him get the credit and notice he so richly deserves."}, {"response": 1232, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (13:03)", "body": "Question I would want to ask-- ---If your involvement could greenlight any project, however obscure and uncertain as to return, what would you choose to do? This probably has been asked many different ways, but hopefully would get at something he was passionate wait a minute, short mental break---ok... back now) about. Question I would probably ask-- That walk thing you do, can you turn that on and off? Do you even know you do it?"}, {"response": 1233, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (13:04)", "body": "(Pam) I'd hardly say he's unknown. He is, pretty much, an unknown in this country. As for dirt coming out and the \"tell all\" story gendre. IMO if its there it'll come out Our magazines write about personalities our general public knows. Colin's life is not \"news\" here. But was just hoping a publicist would get him Leno and Letterman. We went through this during the BJD publicity and for TIOBE. The talent bookers on those shows haven't wanted him. It is NOT a matter of Colin making a choice, they haven't wanted him."}, {"response": 1234, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (13:19)", "body": "Barb I'll answer your questions: -If your involvement could greenlight any project, however obscure and uncertain as to return, what would you choose to do? Anything Rafe Fiennes is doing. This probably has been asked many different ways, but hopefully would get at something he was passionate wait a minute, short mental break---ok... back now) about. He is only passionate about fatherhood. Question I would probably ask-- That walk thing you do, can you turn that on and off? Do you even know you do it? IRL he *does* walk like that. We've seen him coming out of a cab and noticed his walk before we saw his face.He turns it off,if necessary , for his roles . Except when he comes out to take a curtain call;-)"}, {"response": 1235, "author": "townranny", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (13:35)", "body": "LOL Great cartoon Karen! (Kathleen)a girl or two in all the pubs of Hackney who could sell a true little story for a big amount. (Pam) I haven't heard or read any of them exist, have you? Please let me clarify. Any \"true little story\" from any girlfriend could be very valuable to a tabloid for a superstar. The stories also get enhanced and fabricated. Why put yourself through the torment? Pretty clever of him."}, {"response": 1236, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (14:24)", "body": "\ufffdOnce projects are weeded out for undesirable locations\ufffd\ufffd \ufffdLike Australia, America or Asia?\ufffd LOL! Funny stuff, Lisa! Love the cartoon, Karen. The talent bookers on those shows haven't wanted him. Huh? Since when? I never read that. Ok, Moon, here's a question: Colin, you've been quoted as saying that you've wanted roles that have gone to Ralph Fiennes. What has Ralph done differently than you in terms of his career management, and would you be willing to do similarly if it meant being able to get those caliber of roles?"}, {"response": 1237, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (14:28)", "body": "Huh? Since when? I never read that. I was told that. Remember?"}, {"response": 1238, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (15:30)", "body": "(Moon) so what kind of intelligent questions can we come with? I hope to hear from everyone. :-D Okay, Moon...it was the bit about 'intelligent questions' that had me stumped, had you said silly or stupid I would immediately have had 20. Mine is still a bit silly (and may have been asked/answered), but here goes: Is there one role that you did not take that you deeply regret OR is there a role that you did take that you wish you would have passed on? And why? And then silliness: (1) What's your favorite Beatles song (we have been talking about this all morning at work) (2) What book(s) are you reading right now (the true window to one's soul)? and, (3) Right now, left or right?? (Karen) Hmmm, never got to ask \"if Peter was gay?\" but we all know the answer to that one now. I don't know! Where do I go to find out?? \ufffdIf it is printed in Times New Roman, I toss it in the throw-away pile even if the date is an even number.\ufffd ROTFL....Damn! So that's what has been happening to my fan letters! Mental note to self to change font. Thanks Lisa! (Evelyn) IRL he *does* walk like that. We've seen him coming out of a cab and noticed his walk before we saw his face. Aughghgh! Lucky!...just to see a cab that he has been in...let alone see him get out...*insert big pouty, envious winkie*"}, {"response": 1239, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (15:54)", "body": "Right now, left or right?? LOL, Tress! I think I'll use that one after a couple of Martinis. Here's an assignment: try that one on your husbands or boyfriends this weekend and see what they say. ;-) And do report back! Keep the questions coming. And yes, intelligent ones. :-D"}, {"response": 1240, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (15:55)", "body": "(audiogirl)I was reading an article today from a British magazine written around a year ago and ODB mentions that his wife is now getting into producing maintream films, not just documentaries. He goes on to say that she is usually the one who will come across a character in a book or that someone sends her something and they go over it. My worst fear is a reality! I can only echo your sentiments and wonder if, at this stage in my life, I have become telepathic! So, my guess would be that while those stinkers he's been in like Conspiracy and even the emsemble piece LA would be coming from his reps, and the real high-profile, well-paying projects that all the top actors are fighting to get like HS and, (don't throw rotten veggies) GWAPE, are the gems that LD has had inspirations over! Well, I could say more but I'm already sounding a little too B****y! Excellent cartoon Karen! (evelyn)IRL he *does* walk like that. We've seen him coming out of a cab and noticed his walk before we saw his face. I'm waiting for that video footage, thanks! ;) Moon, may I ask to what these questions tend? :)"}, {"response": 1241, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (16:00)", "body": "Moon, may I ask to what these questions tend? :) All in good time, Lisa, all in good time. :-)"}, {"response": 1242, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (16:06)", "body": "Well, my original question was a serious one!"}, {"response": 1243, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (16:54)", "body": "(Lisa) the gems that LD has had inspirations over! Well, I could say more but I'm already sounding a little too B****y! Meow! ;-) (Kathleen) St. Colin does not wash with those looks LOL. Wouldn't like to think so actually....naughty can be nice. ;-) (Pam) As for dirt coming out and the \"tell all\" story gendre. IMO if its there it'll come out with or without publicist. I haven't heard or read any of them if they exist, have you? IMO I think they would certainly have surfaced by now There's so much dirt on some of those people that doesn't come out it would make your head spin."}, {"response": 1244, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (17:07)", "body": "(Moon Dreams)Keep the questions coming. And yes, intelligent ones. :-D Well, the last note made me erase most of my questions and the rest I had have allready been asked, but perhaps not these variations: Mr. Firth, If you could choose any part in past movies, which would be your choise, and why? Are there any books you have read lately, you think would do well being transformed into movies? And if yes, what will you do to get the part before Hugh Grant comes along? Do you intend to do any audiowork, I'm sure Department of Nothing would be highly in demand! Karen, loved the cartoon. And the left/right question I am definetly not going to pass on to my DH. He is suspecious enough as it is;-) (He refers to ODB as: oh no, not HIM again)"}, {"response": 1245, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (17:17)", "body": "One more question, inspired by the mentioning of not-smoking-pups in Ireland Interviewer (Moon Dreams?):Mr. Firth, Do you smoke? CF: Yes, I must admit, I do. Int.: Well, I'm not glad to hear it. It isn't good for your health, and it would be a slight distraction in a minute, when I'm about to give you your first free kissing-lesson, sponsored by .... (well, you know who). (this, I'm afraid would require, that some of us volunteer to keep LG away from interrupting)"}, {"response": 1246, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (17:58)", "body": "(Dorine) There's so much dirt on some of those people that doesn't come out it would make your head spin. Do tell? New Question... If I said you had a beautiful body would you hold it against me? (Sorry, couldn't resist--serious, she said serious)"}, {"response": 1247, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (18:20)", "body": "Karen Glad to hear you got the kit. The Love Actually one is going to be cool. If I can stick my nose in for one second, I would just like to say that regardless of whether a talent coordinator for a particular show wants or doesn't want Colin is immaterial because the purpose of a personal publicist is to make them WANT him. And I'm afraid that is the element that is missing in some of his publicity. The studio is there to push the film. The PR agent is there to expose his/her client and exploit the promotion of the vehicle (in coordination with the studio) for him to the fullest extent. I've never known Colin to be difficult to work with as far as his obligations in promoting a film. He's always receptive and willing. The only time there was some clever footwork as far as scheduling was when his wife was due to have the baby. He's very professional and never is demanding. Granted there have been times when a particular journalist has been less than stellar in their job yet he never balks (until afterwards when you are driving away and he makes nasty and hilarious comments about the person. I just think that sometimes he's been pigeonholed in the \"serious PBS type British actor\" slot. It does him a diservice because he's a very well rounded, extremely funny, charming, naughty guy and people don't get to see that. There also seems to be some sort of misconception that he never wants to do chat shows or is super private etc. While he does guard his family life, he is always a good \"chatter\" when interviewed and is candid. While I am not suggesting that he need be a household name and tabloid fodder, I do think that he gets overlooked for many important and worthwhile projects because he's not a out there enough. That's just the reality of this business and for a talent like his it's a shame for the masses not to be a witness to it. If I can add a last personal note.. don't always believe that his career is based solely on his own choices and desires. Tis not true. And with that, I'll leave you all with a Happy Weekend wish! Take care everyone."}, {"response": 1248, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (18:48)", "body": "(Mari)What has Ralph done differently than you in terms of his career management, and would you be willing to do similarly if it meant being able to get those caliber of roles *groaning loudly* Great question, but do we really want to hear the answer?"}, {"response": 1249, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (19:19)", "body": "(Lola)....he's a very well rounded, extremely funny, charming, naughty guy... ....until afterwards when you are driving away and he makes nasty and hilarious comments about the person. Nasty?? Naughty?? My heart is just racing...he keeps getting better and better!! ;-) Thanks for dropping in again Lola! You must be v. v. busy right now and it is much appreciated!"}, {"response": 1250, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (19:20)", "body": "(Dorine) There's so much dirt on some of those people that doesn't come out it would make your head spin. (Barb) Do tell? I'm not a gossip columnist....or a hairdresser. ;-) (Lola) because he's a....naughty guy See, I knew it! That's good to hear. ;-D he is always a good \"chatter\" when interviewed And at parties. Thanks again, Lola! Karen, looking forward fun and interesting stuff from the press kits."}, {"response": 1251, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (19:29)", "body": "(Lola)...I've never known Colin to be difficult to work with ... He's always receptive and willing....He's very professional and never is demanding. ...he never balks...nasty and hilarious comments...he's a very well rounded, extremely funny, charming, naughty guy.... (After first acknowledging I want to BE you Lola...) I'm very ashamed. She says all this good stuff and I've just lusted for his bod. How shallow is that? Thank you Lola and have a good wedding!"}, {"response": 1252, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (19:32)", "body": "<>(Barb)If I said you had a beautiful body would you hold it against me? ROTFLOL! If you asked him that question, he would probably LOL too because he knows where it is from and would be impressed that you did also. Then since you have him in the right light-hearted mood, I would ask him -because of Lola's interesting comment: (Hola Lola)I'm afraid that is the element that is missing in some of his publicity. Since you would most definitely benefit from one, why don't you hire a really good personal publicist?"}, {"response": 1253, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (19:36)", "body": "(Barb)(After first acknowledging I want to BE you Lola...) My thoughts exactly. (Lola) because he's a....naughty guy I'm with you, Tress. My heart is going to pump right out of my chest. Thank you, Lola. **Double sigh**"}, {"response": 1254, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (19:41)", "body": "(Barb) After first acknowledging I want to BE you Lola... Kudos to you....I didn't have the guts to say it out loud first. ;-) I'm very ashamed. She says all this good stuff and I've just lusted for his bod. How shallow is that? I wallow in my shallowness. Damn proud of it! ;-D Honestly if I didn't think he was extremely talented or the least bit interesting to listen to (or watch walk), he wouldn't seem as hot to me. I do need \"brains (and a great sense of humor) behind the brawn\", so to speak. Course that didn't explain my attraction to Ricky Martin. ;-)"}, {"response": 1255, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (19:42)", "body": "bugger! bugger!"}, {"response": 1256, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (19:43)", "body": "I've forgotten how to fix myself :("}, {"response": 1257, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (19:54)", "body": "(Barb) After first acknowledging I want to BE you Lola... (Dorine) Kudos to you....I didn't have the guts to say it out loud first. ;-) ROFLMAO Dorine, don't you know I wanted to be YOU first?! Potted plant and wine with Colin indeed."}, {"response": 1258, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (20:44)", "body": "Thanks H.L. for the 'honest-to-goodness' info that is more than the speculation we all goof around with here! Oh, to be a bug squashed on the windscreen when that AFG man is driving away. *sigh* BTW, in case you come back before the wedding.....have a terrific time in Maui. :)"}, {"response": 1259, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (20:47)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1260, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (21:01)", "body": "(Barb)(After first acknowledging I want to BE you Lola...) Me too. Me too. And Dorine trade places in a second. Wow. Mega handsome, super intelligent, personality plus, excellent sense of humor, and NAUGHTY . Time for a cold shower. Thanks so much Lola. Raised my temperature."}, {"response": 1261, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (21:05)", "body": "(Lola) afterwards when you are driving away and he makes nasty and hilarious comments about the person. (Barb) Dorine, don't you know I wanted to be YOU first?! Potted plant and wine with Colin indeed. Hey, I could just as easily been one of the targets of his comments without knowing it. Then *I* wouldn't want to be me. Anonymity has its charms. ;-)"}, {"response": 1262, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (21:13)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1263, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (21:27)", "body": "(Barb)(After first acknowledging I want to BE you Lola...) I'm very ashamed. She says all this good stuff and I've just lusted for his bod. How shallow is that? Ah, gee, we'll forgive the shallowness m'lovey. If the water gets too deep I'm sure to drown, anyways. ;) (Hola)If I can add a last personal note.. don't always believe that his career is based solely on his own choices and desires. Tis not true. You don't say!"}, {"response": 1264, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 2003 (00:13)", "body": "(Tress) Right now, left or right?? (Moon) Here's an assignment: try that one on your husbands or boyfriends this weekend and see what they say. ;-) And do report back! Since I have neither, can I do general \"man in the street\" interviews? ;-)"}, {"response": 1265, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 2003 (01:54)", "body": "(BarbS)If I said you had a beautiful body would you hold it against me? (Sorry, couldn't resist--serious, she said serious) LOL - this was on my list as well. And I seriously would like an answer, involving no words, just action! After all the not so good comments on his agent in London, I have another question: Do you read and answer your own fanmail, or is it delegated to others? (Hola)he's a very well rounded, extremely funny, charming, naughty guy Ding-dong - my kind of man! Thank you Hola, for the report."}, {"response": 1266, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 2003 (08:21)", "body": "Just to add a few more personal tidbits, from my past correspondence with a sound recordist on many of CF's films, that Mr. Firth loves practical jokes, is a wicked imitator of people, and does the Guardian crossword puzzle every day. Thanks, HL, for your insights, particularly this one: While I am not suggesting that he need be a household name and tabloid fodder, I do think that he gets overlooked for many important and worthwhile projects because he's not a out there enough. That's just the reality of this business and for a talent like his it's a shame for the masses not to be a witness to it."}, {"response": 1267, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 2003 (09:06)", "body": "(Hola) regardless of whether a talent coordinator for a particular show wants or doesn't want Colin is immaterial because the purpose of a personal publicist is to make them WANT him. And I'm afraid that is the element that is missing in some of his publicity. The studio is there to push the film. And, since the last studio to publicize his films was Miramax, need I say more? He got on the morning shows and some cable, but they struck out on late night. I don't disagree with anything you've said about the process, but *this* particular studio has a rather pathetic record in publicizing its art house films. It's always looked to me like a new-born foal, getting up on its own legs. I've never known Colin to be difficult to work with as far as his obligations in promoting a film. He's always receptive and willing. That's been apparent. While I am not suggesting that he need be a household name and tabloid fodder, I do think that he gets overlooked for many important and worthwhile projects because he's not a out there enough. That's just the reality of this business and for a talent like his it's a shame for the masses not to be a witness to it. Amen. People forget there is a middle ground between the two, nor are the \"worthwhile\" projects all big budget action flicks either. Not what we crave. Thanks Hola. Feel free to stick a toe in next time. Any body part will do; we're not picky. ;-)"}, {"response": 1268, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 2003 (11:30)", "body": "I'm posting this here because of the Vermeer/quasi-GWAPE connection. There's a movie on CBS at 9:00 Sunday called Brush With Fate that sounds intriguing. Here's the TV Guide write-up: Every picture tells a story. An excellent performance by Glenn Close highlights this 2003 Hallmark Hall of Fame drama based on Susan Vreeland's bestselling novel, Girl in Hyacinth Blue. Teacher Cornelia Englebrecht (Close) has spent her life researching a painting in her possession, which she attributes to Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer. She normally keeps it hidden, but unveils it to a new colleage (Thomas Gibson) because she senses he can share her appreciatiaton for the masterpiece. When asked for proof of its authenticity, Cornelia launches into a detailed account of its previos owners, including an 18th centruy socialite (Ellen Burstyn) and a Jewish family during the German occupation of Amsterdam. ************ Am wondering if Vreeland's book preceeded GWAPE? Will have to look it up. Film also features Kelly MacDonald, CF's daughter in MLSF and of Gosford Park fame."}, {"response": 1269, "author": "townranny", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 2003 (11:47)", "body": "Aloha hola lola or Hola lola aloha (Cannot say either one) Please continue to confuse us with the real world. Love it! In praise of Helen Fielding, Queen of Drool. Instead of curmudgeoning about a lack of good parts for CF, she went ahead and wrote one, which conveniently could not be portrayed by anyone else. The woman nailed it!!!! Also managed to \"interview\" him for a fictional part of her second book. You go girl!!!!! Now, we have a lot of very talented individuals here at Drool. Is it possible that we could do the same for CF? We could keep ourselves busy on this for quite a while. New work or adaptation? Comedy or drama? Type of role? Search for adaptation. Who to target it to? Studio? Director? Co-stars? Then write the screenplay. Does anyone know how to do that? How desperate are we to see him in a good role before he starts taking Amanda Byrne's grandfather parts. Of course, the way we like to dissect things he could be that old before we finished it. What do you think?"}, {"response": 1270, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 2003 (12:00)", "body": "Oh, so that's what you were talking about, Mari. Yes, Vreeland's book preceded GWAPE by a long time, as I recall, and I did read how they were filming it."}, {"response": 1271, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 2003 (14:27)", "body": "(kathleen)Is it possible that we could do the same for CF? We could keep ourselves busy on this for quite a while. New work or adaptation? Comedy or drama? Type of role? Oh, I'll have a go Adaptation Drama Agent/Spy/Journalist...mysterious, sexy, naughty(now that we know he is...:-) Studio...anyone except Miramax Co Stars...anyone except Heather Graham, Ruth Gemmell Target audience...anyone over 17, please, please, please! Director...I'll leave that to the experts."}, {"response": 1272, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 2003 (15:13)", "body": "(Tress) Right now, left or right?? (Moon) Here's an assignment: try that one on your husbands or boyfriends this weekend and see what they say. ;-) And do report back! (Dorine) Since I have neither, can I do general \"man in the street\" interviews? ;-) Ohhh...please do! I'll have bail money ready!! ;-D (Mary Murphy) Mr. Firth loves practical jokes, is a wicked imitator of people, and does the Guardian crossword puzzle every day. Thanks Mary! I love this type of stuff...I think I remember hearing that he is often the brunt of the practical jokes as well (something about being a trout, I recall...). Good to hear he does crosswords! (lindak) Co Stars...anyone except Heather Graham, Ruth Gemmell Director...I'll leave that to the experts. LOL.....psssst....Linda, a certain \"writer/director/actor\" of a certain HBO show that was recently cancelled should be excluded from future projects. And can we add a 'pony clause'...as in, requiring that ODB, while STARRING in the Adapted, Drama regarding an Agent/Spy/Journalist, must ride a mighty fine horse while being mysterious, sexy and naughty? That would set me up for life!"}, {"response": 1273, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 2003 (15:23)", "body": "(Linda) Agent/Spy/Journalist...mysterious I'm on record as pro this one since about 1997. ;-) Pssst! Remember, we're on the CF board, not man on the street or spousal R-L discussions"}, {"response": 1274, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 2003 (16:20)", "body": "And can we add a 'pony clause'...as in, requiring that ODB, while STARRING in the Adapted, Drama regarding an Agent/Spy/Journalist, must ride a mighty fine horse while being mysterious, sexy and naughty? That would set me up for life! That'll do it for me to. Just - it would have to be a horse of a certain size (height, I mean) - not one of those small, wild animals, he rode in Nostromo. Could we add a singing part? (wantet to type this with very small font, but couldn't remember how to, and didn't have the time to check AT). (lindak) Co Stars...anyone except Heather Graham, Ruth Gemmell Running away, covering my head to protect me from any slapping, I must say, that I liked RG in FP. IMHO all the of the cast was very good."}, {"response": 1275, "author": "meg", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (01:59)", "body": "The Advocate is going to be released on dvd July 3rd."}, {"response": 1276, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (06:49)", "body": "From the BBC1 Best TV Moments for 2002: \"...The best moment in TV drama was judged to be in the BBC2 film \"Conspiracy\" where Nazi generals outlined their plans for the Holocaust.\" http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=772&e=1&cid=597&u=/nm/20030201/tv_nm/arts_britain_comedy_dc"}, {"response": 1277, "author": "townranny", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (09:14)", "body": "(lindak)Oh,I'll have a go.Agent,spy,jounalist,mysterious,sexy,naughty. (tress)And can we add a pony clause? (annette)Could we add a singing part? Right off ,can see how CF could be conflicted in choosing roles if he has been getting our ideas telepathically.;-) But, Here goes, key words, thriller, horse, singing in Amazon.com search yields: Master Butcher Singing Club by Louise Edrich - about A German WWI sniper and Master Butcher with talent for stillness and singing who moves to North Dakota, spans 36 years, haunting love. Think that darn Dan Day Lewis already beat us to it. Will keep searching, any more ideas?"}, {"response": 1278, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (11:14)", "body": "(Annette)Running away, covering my head to protect me from any slapping Never run away. FP is one of my all time favorites. I just wish there had been more on screen chemistry with his co star. But, I don't think Paul's character really called for the out-of-this-world fireworks anyway. One can dream, though."}, {"response": 1279, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (11:24)", "body": "Just a quick question....it seems as though (fingers crossed!) there could be four CF movies opening in the US in the next 9 months (HS, WAGW, LA and GWAPE). How many screens do you think each will get, and how will this compare with MLSF 30?)and TIOBE (70 plus?)"}, {"response": 1280, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (14:19)", "body": "In Sunday's \"Vancouver Province\" below a picture of Colin Test Pilots News item: Midway through the TV season, the six U.S. networks have failed to produce a single breakout sitcom hit among them. You guys have spent too much time in boardrooms and at deal-making lunches. The funny stuff of life is all around us, just waiting to be barked out in 30-minute chunks to the sound of canned laughter .... \"Tony & Dubya\": Odd-couple comedy at its best as a British former leftie (Colin Firth) settles in with his new pal, a trigger-happy Texan (Matthew McConaughey), who can't figure out which button turns on the stereo. Watch the confusion as Tony comes out of the bathroom with a towel around his wet hair, only to be thrown to the floor and bushwacked. ... The article goes on with several other suggested sitcoms."}, {"response": 1281, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (15:34)", "body": "British former leftie (Colin Firth) settles in with his new pal, a trigger-happy Texan (Matthew McConaughey), LOL! I don't see that at all! Why don't they just call it the \"Gay Odd Couple\"? That would be a different break for both actors. I would hate it, but I'm sure it would be popular both with males and females. Might even win all the awards that Will & Grace show have. Of course, it would have to be made in London. ***Ladies, you have been neglecting the questions.*** I know you can come up with questions that Colin might actually answer, so let's get thinking. :-D"}, {"response": 1282, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (16:04)", "body": "I have quickly come up with these: If you were offered a role in an Italian film, would you do it? Do you speak Italian fluently? You are known to enjoy practical jokes, and are a wicked imitator of people, who deserves to be your next victim? Do you still do the Guardian crossword puzzle every day? We've read your story. Have you ever considered buying the rights to a book and doing the adaptation? (Why not?) *heehee* We can never forget that image of you on the horse in P&P. Have you had formal horse back-riding lessons? Do you still ride? With the Musical making a comeback, how good a dancer are you? Can you cha-cha and rumba?"}, {"response": 1283, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (16:41)", "body": "OK putting on my interviewer hat. Do you have other aspirations outside of acting? Do you have plans to pursue them? How do you feel about the press and the paparazzi's intrusive behaviour? Are there times when you and your family have been treated badly? What is your idea of a perfect day? Do you have someone you regard as a mentor? Do you feel safe living in London during these uncertain times? Have you changed anything about your way of life in wake of the recent events from the past year and a half? Are you a frequent internet user? What are your favourite sites? How has the selection of the roles you chose changed over the years? For an actor, do you believe that comedy is a more difficult genre than drama? Will try and think of more......still waiting for the why in all of this. ;)"}, {"response": 1284, "author": "townranny", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (16:46)", "body": "(sandyw) Odd couple comedy at it's best as a British former leftie (Colin Firth) settles in with his new pal. (Tress) Right now, left or right? . There's your answer Tress!"}, {"response": 1285, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (17:33)", "body": "(Kathleen)There's your answer Tress! LOL, v.g. observation indeed!!!!!! Questions for CF: Someone noticed your sons name in the castlist for Spiderman. Would you like to do a movie with him one day? Are there any parts you wish you hadn't taken and vise versa: have you been offered any parts you turned down, and now wish you had acceptet? How many languages to you speak? Do you know any other danish words beside: Jeg er konge af Danmark, og jeg kan lide jordb\ufffdr (I am the king of Denmark, and I like strawberrys)? (adm. note, from Hostages, remember?). (Lisa)Will try and think of more......still waiting for the why in all of this. ;) me too! Are we still to keep the questions serious? I guess that would mean, that all our fantasies belongs in the firthology-topic?"}, {"response": 1286, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (17:45)", "body": "Here's one, but I don't know if he'll answer If you could pick your next female co star, who would it be? And... Since three of your past co-stars have been Americans doing British accents,(RZ, GP, and RW) how would you rate them as far as best British accent by an American? (could add stick insect, but I won't)"}, {"response": 1287, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (17:52)", "body": "One more: Theres been all this talk about James Bond lately. Please tell us, if you were offered the part, would you take it? If you did, who would you prefer to play \"the Bond-girl\"? Where would your limit be, as to use a bodydouble? I mean, how far would you go? (okay, enough - off to Bedfordshire or at least another topic more appropriate for these kind of questions/speculations)"}, {"response": 1288, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (20:30)", "body": "Questions... How often do you call your mother? You wrote the limerick Daniel said in BJD...was that the work of a moment or do you enjoy that kind of thing? Do you have others?"}, {"response": 1289, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (22:37)", "body": "Did anyone watch Brush With Fate tonight? I was surprised that Vermeer himself was part of the story, along with Maria Thins, Catharina, and the children. Here's a link to some scenes, so you can see how Vermeer and his world were portrayed. Beautifully photographed, the film was shot mostly on location in Holland: http://www.cbs.com/primetime/movies_specials/mas_brush_with_fate.shtml/"}, {"response": 1290, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (22:55)", "body": "(Bethan)How many screens do you think each will get, and how will this compare with MLSF 30?)and TIOBE (70 plus?) WAGW and HS are both listed as \"wide\" releases, and that generally means anything over 1,000 screens, and could be as high as 2,000 or 2,500. I have to say, for a supposedly wide release, Disney hasn't done much yet in the way of promotion yet; no trailer, no poster, nothing. LA, I predict, will get a nice wide release; Richard Curtis's films always do well here, plus Universal is releasing and they do a great job of showcasing and marketing their films. GWAPE--anybody's guess. Lion's Gate is the distributor and they are noted for small, art house type releases, although if it can get early critical support, it can take off. Monster's Ball was Lion's Gate; that started very slowly but eventually made it to well over 1,000 screens. I think MB was the exception, though. TIOBE got to about 200 screens eventually. As a compare, I think BJD got up to 2,000 or thereabouts."}, {"response": 1291, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (23:00)", "body": "There's apparently an article on CF and one with Heather Graham in the February 10 issue of Australian New Woman's magazine. Lisa, can you get hold of this? Here's Variety's review of Brush With Fate. http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=596&ncid=791&e=4&u=/nm/20030131/review_nm/review_television_fate_dc"}, {"response": 1292, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (23:18)", "body": "FYI, I got these definitions from a doc dated 2002: . Platform Release: A film released in a small number of cities and then broadened incrementally toward a limited or medium release as critical acclaim builds. . Limited Release: A film released in less than 700 theaters. . Medium Release: A film released in 700 to 1500 theaters in the U.S. . Wide Release: A film released in 1500 to 3000 or more theaters. GWAPE is going to be art house, platformed with a small start, 100-200 screens. LA will be v. wide, but rom-coms aren't put on the 3000+ screens, like action, sci-fi or dumb teenage movies. Plus it is a mainly Brit rom-com, which will hold it down. No Reese Witherspoon or J-Lo. It will be a healthy number though, probably around 2000. I anticipate a very wide release for WAGW, but I can't believe HS will be on 1500 screens. (Actually, I had heard anything over 800 qualified as \"wide.\") (Mari) I think MB was the exception, though. Yeah, anything with a nekkid Halle Berry. ;-)"}, {"response": 1293, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (23:41)", "body": "Okay Moon...a few more questions: (1) Is there a character that you would like play that you have not yet played? (2) Which character was the most difficult for you to portray and why? (3) Of all the characters you have played, which is closest to how you see yourself? (4) When you do your Guardian crossword puzzles do you use a pen or pencil?"}, {"response": 1294, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (23:46)", "body": "Re: Brush with Fate Thought it was pretty mundane and fortunately would bear no likeness to GWAPE; entirely different premise. However, Phylida Law made a great Maria Thins and the woman who played Catharina looked very much like Essie Davis. (I have another comment, but will put it on 168.) ;-)"}, {"response": 1295, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (23:55)", "body": "OK, I'm going out in about an hour and will hit the market. I'm glad you told me though as these gossipy things only stay around for a week. And with a date of Feb 10, may have already been out for a while. At least New Women's Mag is a little higher end that that other one.....:)"}, {"response": 1296, "author": "caribou", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (00:00)", "body": "Questions I would enjoy asking ODB: How do you see your job as related to the storytelling tradition? What do you think are the goals of a young actor, a middle-aged actor and an older actor? You were born in England but have spent a lot of time in America. What are the most fascinating differences or similiarities you have noticed? What interview question/answer have you thought of but never been asked?"}, {"response": 1297, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (02:53)", "body": "BarbS - Colin didn't write the limerick - he just suggested it for that scene. That limerick's been around for donkey's... NEWS FLASH! There is a great show on the ABC (Australia's version of the BBC) on Friday nights called \"The Fat\", and this week, Michael Parkinson is guesting on the show. I have managed to get myself two tickets to the studio audience for the LIVE taping of \"The Fat\" -- you can bet your bootie that I'll be asking Parkie a very pointed question, given half a chance!! \"When are you going to interview CF??\" Wish me luck! It's a pretty informal atmosphere at the tapings (I've been to one before), so there is a possibility that I might get the chance to talk to Parkie, either before or after the taping. Oh! And if anyone wants the other ticket, it hasn't yet been spoken for - drop me an email! You've got to be able to make it to the ABC studios in Gore Hill by 7pm on Friday."}, {"response": 1298, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (03:41)", "body": "From me to you! (I just found out, that BBCPrime shows Parkinsons. What a treat, it would be)."}, {"response": 1299, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (03:57)", "body": "Question for Colin: Since Australia is becoming such a popular film location (due to excellent new facilities, a great exchange rate and a burgeoning film industry), would you consider doing a shoot in Australia? Hey, a girl can dream, can't she?? ;-)"}, {"response": 1300, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (06:08)", "body": "OK I went, I hunted, I found the NW magazine for Feb 10. There are three separate bits about CF in this magazine, which I think is unusual for these type of publications. While I don't buy them, I do flip through them when I'm getting my hair \"done\" and have see very little ever about him. BTW, before I tell you these bits, I saw an old mag from June just the other day, when TIOBE was released here, featuring an interview with FOC. First, I was surprised she was in her mid-thrities. Second, she made a very nice comment about how generous CF was to work with. The only other actor mentioned was JD, the Dame! OK, the three bits. Two of them are on a double page spread for new DVD releases. 1) TIOBE has a nice big box as it is featured as \"Video of the Week\"! The big pic at the top is of RE and RW but the smaller one is CF and RE in their tuxedos. Colin is mentioned first in the review and, surprisingly the only other actor mentioned is RE. They give it four out of five stars. And ask at the end: Did you know RE was classically trained on the piano by Benedictine monks? Well, gosh, no, I didn't! 2) Next page, big box. Head shot of CF in dark suit, white shirt, few bits of hair straggling down in the front. Headline: 10 THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT......Colin Firth Star of the Importance of Being Earnest And it lists ten things, but funnily enough, I knew them all! ;) Won't list them except to say #10 was that he missed out on a role with GP for the upcoming....well you all know that story! 3) Buried in the back of the mag, where they have pages of shorts on all sorts of people: Heather Graham has revealed how to get her to say yes to a date--ask her while it's raining! The actress has only good things to say of her cute Hope Springs co-star Colin Firth explaining, \"I'd never met him before but he's a very sexy guy. He's got that kind of British gentleman sex appeal. And I do remember the first day we met, he was carrying this umbrella and he just seemed like the kind of guy who'd walk you down the street holding an umbrella over your head. I don't know why but that's very sexy to me. Actually Heather, it's called manners . But that's ok, I'm sure if that AFG man was holding an umbrella over me it would make my manners fly out the window and I'd be thinking 'sexy' too! ;)"}, {"response": 1301, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (06:49)", "body": "You too can sport a Make Trade Fair t-shirt as worn by Colin, coming soon to the Oxfam site: http://www.maketradefair.com/mtftshirts.asp"}, {"response": 1302, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (07:36)", "body": "Ladies, I think we also should give him some specific questions on his movies too such as: Do you air-guitar in front of a mirror often? Or is that something you came up with just for WAGW? Here are the questions so far, but I think we will have to edit. I'm wondering if you could talk us through your selection process when choosing a new project? From start to finish, as it were, to really get an idea of the steps that are involved when a professional actor of your standing finally commits to his next role? You seem to be very passionate about your work, how do you choose your projects? Out of all your roles, which role was his hardest one to prepare for and to do...mentally, physically, and/or emotionally? Which was the hardest character to let go of? Now that you've recently done, or will be doing projects that you'll most likely be very well compensated for....will you go back to the stage in London? If your involvement could green-light any project, however obscure and uncertain as to its monetary return, what would you choose to do? You've been quoted as saying that you've wanted roles that have gone to Ralph Fiennes. Has that changed? And, what would you be willing to do to get those roles? Is there one role that you did not take that you deeply regret? And, is there a role that you did take that you wish you would have passed on? And why? What's your favorite Beatles song? Who is your favorite group? What book(s) are you reading right now? Are there any books you have read lately, you think would do well as movies? Do you have other aspirations outside of acting? Do you have plans to pursue them? How do you feel about the press and the paparazzi's intrusive behaviour? Are there times when you and your family have been treated badly? What is your idea of a perfect day? Do you have someone you regard as a mentor? Do you feel safe living in London during these uncertain times? Have you changed anything about your way of life in wake of the recent events from the past year and a half? Are you a frequent internet user? What are your favorite sites? How has the selection of the roles you chose changed over the years? For an actor, do you believe that comedy is a more difficult genre than drama? Someone noticed your sons name in the cast list for Spiderman. Would you like to do a movie with him one day? Are there any parts you wish you hadn't taken and vise versa: have you been offered any parts you turned down, and now wish you had accepted? If you could pick your next female co star, who would it be? There's been all this talk about James Bond lately. Please tell us, if you were offered the part, would you take it? If you did, who would you prefer to play \"the Bond-girl\"? Is there a character that you would like play that you have not yet played? Which character was the most difficult for you to portray and why? Of all the characters you have played, which is closest to how you see yourself? How do you see your job as related to the storytelling tradition? What do you think are the goals of a young actor, a middle-aged actor and an older actor? You were born in England but have spent a lot of time in America. What are the most fascinating differences or similarities you have noticed? If you were offered a role in an Italian film, would you do it? Do you speak Italian fluently? You are known to enjoy practical jokes, and as a wicked imitator of people, who deserves to be your next victim? Do you still do the Guardian crossword puzzle every day? We've read your short story. Have you ever considered buying the rights to a book and doing the adaptation? Why not? We can never forget that image of you on the horse in P&P. Have you had formal horse back-riding lessons? Do you still ride? With the musical making a comeback, how good a dancer are you? Can you cha-cha and rumba?"}, {"response": 1303, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (07:53)", "body": "Questions for ODB... 1. Do you cook? If so, what do enjoy cooking? Does this change when you are in Italy vs. England? 2. Do you enjoy wine and if so, what varietals? 3. What was your last life epiphany? 4. Do you have any pets? 5. List the top 5 books you have ever read? 6. Is it difficult for you to observe your brother's struggle for success?"}, {"response": 1304, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (09:02)", "body": "Thanks, Lisa, for typing up the magazine's contents. Am trying to picture Colin with an umbrella ;-) (Maria) 6. Is it difficult for you to observe your brother's struggle for success? Cruel, v. cruel. ;-)"}, {"response": 1305, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (09:05)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1306, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (09:12)", "body": "(Jane)you can bet your bootie that I'll be asking Parkie a very pointed question, given half a chance!! \"When are you going to interview CF??\" Oooh, good luck, Jane! Would love to see Parkie interview Colin. Let us know how you make out. (Lisa)Won't list them except to say #10 was that he missed out on a role with GP for the upcoming....well you all know that story! Argh. That one is gonna follow him. Moon, please add that to the list of questions. The actress has only good things to say of her cute Hope Springs co-star Colin Firth Hmmm. Sounds like we're in for a slew of articles wherein HG gushes over ODB. Good, I like those kinds of articles! Many thanks for getting the mag and filling us in, Lisa!:-)"}, {"response": 1307, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (09:14)", "body": "(Maria) 6. Is it difficult for you to observe your brother's struggle for success? (Karen) Cruel, v. cruel. ;-) God, I did'nt mean it to be!! (putting on my shameface)..I guess I just thought it must be difficult for 2 siblings to both be in the same business for so many years, and for one to have reached a certain level (not high enough for us, certainly!) of success and the other to be relatively unknown...I know it would prey on my mind were it my family..."}, {"response": 1308, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (09:26)", "body": "(Maria)I know it would prey on my mind were it my family... I understand what you meant, perhaps another way to word it is like the question about whether he would make a movie with his son. Would he consider making a movie with his brother, Jonathan, who received good reviews for his portrayal of Prince Albert in \"Victoria and Albert\" on A&E?"}, {"response": 1309, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (09:43)", "body": "From the 31 Jan Evening Standard, an article on celebrities turned writers: Squeezing in time between his award-winning role in Cabaret on Broadway and parts in blockbusters such as Spy Kids, Alan Cumming, 38, is set to become the Rupert Everett of the literary world with his novel Tommy's Tale. Tommy is a handsome, hedonistic gay man who decides he wants a baby. Alan may be pitching himself as the gay Nick Hornby, but we can't see Hugh Grant or Colin Firth turning up in the film role."}, {"response": 1310, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (10:13)", "body": "(Jane Scott) BarbS - Colin didn't write the limerick - he just suggested it for that scene. That limerick's been around for donkey's... Thanks for setting me straight, I'm entirely too willing to admire any talent of ODB's, apparently even those he does not actually possess. I also obviously need to get out more!"}, {"response": 1311, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (11:20)", "body": "I was flipping through a friend's magazine yesterday, and happened on an ad for, get this: Vermeer Dutch Chocolate Liqueuer. Here's the description listed on internetwines.com: \"This 17 percent alcohol liqueur, which is a blend of Dutch chocolate, vodka and cream takes its name from the 17 th century Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer. The bottle, which is embossed with the artist's signature, features the painting Girl with a Pearl Earring, considered Vermeer's most famous work. SKYY Vodka founder Maurice Kanbar began working on creating the perfect chocolate cream liqueur nearly four years ago. Vermeer was made with an attention to detail and disregard for expense that is unusual today. Since the first priority was to use the smoothest, richest chocolate in the world, Maurice chose real Dutch chocolate, despite the fact that its expense persuades most manufacturers to settle for chocolate flavorings. He then added fresh dairy cream, also from the Netherlands and - not surprisingly - premium vodka. The result is a chocolate cream liqueur that is unmatched in smoothness and pure chocolate flavor.\" Sounds like an excellent choice for the GWAPE premiere party, no? Gawd, CF & chocolate alcohol; what more could a girl ask for? (well, I could think of a few, lol)"}, {"response": 1312, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (12:28)", "body": "Must try that Vermeer Dutch Chocolate Liqueuer. ;-) Thanks, moonstar. (Mari), Argh. That one is gonna follow him. Moon, please add that to the list of questions. I've done enough interviews with rockstars and actors to know that we might turn him off if we ask certain questions. Putting him down or asking him something about Ted Hughes or Ralph Fiennes, might cross a line. Don't you think? I can't imagine Colin getting into a long answer as to what happened with the Ted Hughes role, when he has more important questions to answer such as \"Do you cha-cha?\" :-)"}, {"response": 1313, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (12:42)", "body": "I agree that we need more ?'s about his roles, past present and future, and had been looking to our leader, since she has to be one of the best around for that, to throw some out! ;)"}, {"response": 1314, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (12:52)", "body": "Um... Moon Dreams? What was wrong with the question about shooting a film in Australia?? Why didn't it make the list? I really was serious about that question...."}, {"response": 1315, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (12:57)", "body": "(Jane) What was wrong with the question about shooting a film in Australia?? LOL! That's probably why he didn't even bother doing the screen test for the Ted Hughes/Syliva Plath movie once a new director took over (a woman from NZ!) and they decided to shoot some of it there. ;-)"}, {"response": 1316, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (12:57)", "body": "(Moon) asking him something about Ted Hughes or Ralph Fiennes, might cross a line. Don't you think? The Fiennes question is in direct response to comments he himself has made. And the one on Hughes is in response to something that is being widely reported. If it's not true--and some here think it's not--then he may welcome the chance to set the record straight. Whatever. Ok, I'll lob him some safe ones: 1. Who do you feel are the top actors and actresses working in films today? 2. If all other things were equal (script quality, caliber of director, size of role, money, location, etc.) and you had to choose between a drama and a comedy, which would you choose and why? 3. Do you know . . . where the toilets are? **Oozing intelligence . . . am intellectual equal of everyone here** ;-)"}, {"response": 1317, "author": "meg", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (13:23)", "body": "What is it about the word \"naughty\" that just works on so many levels? I think this horse is starting to smell pretty bad by now, but imho, I'm glad he didn't do Ted Hughes. Although the drama would have been great, the man (TH) himself was really a bit of a bstrd. Being a shallow little fan, I'd just as soon not see him in roles where I loath the character. Odd is okay, but nasty and slimy kind of bother me. Again, just my shallow opinion. (I'm sure that from a dramatic role point of view, TH would have been great, but I can't get past my opinion of the man.) Re: question (I think most of the good ones have been posted here now by far more clever and creative souls than I, but . . .) I really enjoyed your short story, and wonder if you plan on doing any more writing that you may share with the world? Also, have you given any thought at all to writing your own screenplay?"}, {"response": 1318, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (14:07)", "body": "(Lola) he's a...naughty guy (Tress) Naughty?? My heart is just racing...he keeps getting better and better!! ;-) (Dorine) See, I knew it! That's good to hear. ;-D (LindaK) I'm with you, Tress. My heart is going to pump right out of my chest. (FanPam) NAUGHTY. Time for a cold shower. Lola, did you have any idea the ruckus you would create by calling CF \"naughty\", LOL! Quite warm in here, actually. :) Thanks for all the info! I'm sure you are insanely busy right now; hope you have a beautiful wedding..."}, {"response": 1319, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (14:10)", "body": "(meg)...have you given any thought at all to writing your own screenplay? And, would you consider collaborating on one? I can make myself avaiable evenings and weekends! Okay Moon...since this is all cloak and dagger, I'm assuming you've got a friend of a friend of CF's dry cleaner, who is going to slip these into his jacket pocket. Seriously, delete any/all of my questions. I was rattling them off a la my 60 Minutes style, when you go into one of those live chats and you have to just keep throwing out the questions to get the moderator to pick up even a few to pose to the guest. If you are really getting these to someone who may put them in CF's hand, pick the ones that might tweak his interest."}, {"response": 1320, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (14:30)", "body": "Don't you worry, ladies, we will be sifting through all of these, editing them, refining them, etc. Dry cleaners, indeed! ;-)"}, {"response": 1321, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (15:31)", "body": "(Moon)I've done enough interviews with rockstars and actors to know that we might turn him off if we ask certain questions (Karen)Don't you worry, ladies, we will be sifting through all of these, editing them, refining them, etc...Dry cleaners, indeed! ;-) \"We\" is the operative word here, ladies. When do \"We\" leave to go and ask these questions?? Time to come clean, we want to know!!!!!:-)"}, {"response": 1322, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (15:42)", "body": "No one is leaving, linda, and it's too soon to say anymore. I've just started to collect the questions. ;-D ( Jane), Moon Dreams? What was wrong with the question about shooting a film in Australia?? Why didn't it make the list? I really was serious about that question.... You posted that one today, the list you read were the questions I collected earlier. Patience please! I suggest everyone copy the list that I posted. Some of the questions can sound rather repetitive. As Karen said we will be sifting through all of these, editing them, refining them."}, {"response": 1323, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (15:48)", "body": "(Mari), The Fiennes question is in direct response to comments he himself has made. And the one on Hughes is in response to something that is being widely reported. If it's not true--and some here think it's not--then he may welcome the chance to set the record straight. He can set the record straight with The NY Times or The D. Telegraph, I'm sure. Those are questions we would all like answered, but we should give him some safe ones on our first try."}, {"response": 1324, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (15:49)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1325, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (15:51)", "body": "Exactly Karen, it's a minefield out there!"}, {"response": 1326, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (15:55)", "body": "Regarding Department of Nothing, I remember having read something a while back of some of the shortstorys were to be performed on stage as, was it monologues? Does any of you clever and wellinformed people know, what became of that, and whether DoN was among them? (Jane)Um... Moon Dreams? What was wrong with the question about shooting a film in Australia?? Why didn't it make the list? I really was serious about that question.... I guess it went the same way as my questioning if he knows any other danish, than the King and strawberry part. I had my own little dream of CF performing Hamlet in Denmark. He was a danish prince, you know, but I also seem to remember, that Kenneth Brannagh have allready been there, done that ;-( And as Linda says, I would also like to know !!!"}, {"response": 1327, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (15:57)", "body": "Sorry to sound impatient, I'm so slow at typing my post, that some have allready been answered. But I also agree, that if we really get \"our\" first try, we should try and make sure it wouldn't be the last."}, {"response": 1328, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (16:12)", "body": "(Moon)He can set the record straight with The NY Times or The D. Telegraph, They wouldn't be sharp enough to ask.;-) we should give him some safe ones on our first try I didn't even post my really tough questions! LOL! This is fine. Moon, you have to understand that I started out in the newspaper biz, working for an editor who made Lou Grant look like a wuss. So when someone mentions interview questions, I fall back into pit bull mode.;-) You ladies do whatever you feel is best."}, {"response": 1329, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (16:18)", "body": "(Mari)I didn't even post my really tough questions! LOL! LOL.Ditto. I'll save my zingers til the next round;-))"}, {"response": 1330, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (16:26)", "body": "How about: What other talent is attached to your pet project about the masturbatory village pervert? When do you start shooting?"}, {"response": 1331, "author": "Odile", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (16:30)", "body": "How about this question: Which character that you have portrayed in the past would make an interesting subject for a prequel or a sequel in your opinion? (except Mark Darcy since that one is already in the works :) )"}, {"response": 1332, "author": "townranny", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (16:39)", "body": "(Kathleen) You seem to be very passionate about your work, please tell us how you came to understand what passion is? (Moon) You seem to be very passionate about your work, how do you choose your projects See the difference? I don't want to be picky but this is the only question I have ever really wanted to ask him. Was is a particular book, play, song or some other circumstance when he first understood the concept? I'd like to know \"the story\". Maybe not a good \"interview\" question though. Delete if you like. Thanks."}, {"response": 1333, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (16:39)", "body": "(Mari), So when someone mentions interview questions, I fall back into pit bull mode.;-) I didn't even post my really tough questions! LOL! You ladies do whatever you feel is best. I am hoping there will be a next time, but we'll never get that chance if we start out bitting. I'm still thinking how to phrase my kissing question. ;-)"}, {"response": 1334, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (16:46)", "body": "You seem to be a very passionate person, can you name a particular book, play, song that brings out that passion in you? How's that, kathleen?"}, {"response": 1335, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (17:42)", "body": "(Moon)Ladies, I think we also should give him some specific questions on his movies too OK...from our very own film discussion... In the film DQ, was Daniel in control of the Donovan personna or vice versa?"}, {"response": 1336, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (19:55)", "body": "I have a general question: Was there a particular motion picture or play that made you start thinking about wanting to become an actor? And a question about Fever Pitch: Was Paul Ashworth waiting for Sarah Hughes the night after the parent conferences, or was he just sitting in his car waiting for the sports results on the radio?"}, {"response": 1337, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (21:36)", "body": "(rolling eyes, giggling & taking on Barbara Walter's persona) \"If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be?\" BWAHHHHH! (running away)"}, {"response": 1338, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (22:17)", "body": "Film-specific: What made the role of Allan Portman so compelling for you?"}, {"response": 1339, "author": "WinniePeg", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (22:37)", "body": "I've been trying for the past couple of days to come up with an 'intelligent' question but it seems that the very thought that I may have an opportunity (even if it's via someone else) to ask CF anything, I turn into Bridget and nothing comes out but 'what's your favourite colour?' and 'so, there was more than one wet shirt?'. Jeanie, I also wanted to ask him the tree question. Don't think I could add anything more to the already impressive list. (What I really want to know is how does he scrunch up his toes like that? *from WAGW sitting on the wall pic* -film specific)"}, {"response": 1340, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (23:06)", "body": "Okay, role-related questions. I would assume that questions on his older roles would be difficult for him - we probably know his films a lot better than he does. (If it weren't for that, I can think of a few questions about AZ and TD). \"What do you think happened between Edward and Fiona in the moss loft in MLSF?\" (Somebody already mentioned this one, but it didn't make the list. I know he ducked the question before, but perhaps in another setting he'd answer it. I can't see how he and IJ could have played the scenes in the aftermath without some shared understanding of the events we didn't observe.) I'd also like to ask him his take on Vermeer's feelings for Griet, but I suppose we can't ask GWAPE questions till it's close to release time for the film. General question: \"What was the last CD you purchased?\" I also have a not-at-all-serious question, because I'm arriving late to this party and I can't resist: \"How MUCH money would have to be thrown at you to get you to do the kitchen scene naked in TEOR?\" And a follow-up question: \"Would you be willing to receive that sum in the form of many, many small checks and Paypal transactions?\" ;-)"}, {"response": 1341, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (23:28)", "body": "(Rika)I also have a not-at-all-serious question, because I'm arriving late to this party and I can't resist: \"How MUCH money would have to be thrown at you to get you to do the kitchen scene naked in TEOR?\" And a follow-up question: \"Would you be willing to receive that sum in the form of many, many small checks and Paypal transactions?\" Excellent question, but I think that should be saved for the second wave, once we have established ourselves as reasonable, intelligent, thoughtful, non-hormonal women with a serious interest in his career and its development and we have lulled him into a false sense of trust! (Leona)What I really want to know is how does he scrunch up his toes like that? I do that and I was wondering what the chances were to possibly get together and compare toes? I'll show you mine if.....sorry I must be going through something! I will cease and desist. But this is the perfect opportunity for the beach pic, the toes one!"}, {"response": 1342, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (07:23)", "body": "Here is the Colin thing from the 2/10/03 Oz New Woman, thanks to a friend in Australia: Karen, please use if you want at The Bucket)"}, {"response": 1343, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (07:24)", "body": "(Lisa), Excellent question, but I think that should be saved for the second wave, once we have established ourselves as reasonable, intelligent, thoughtful, non-hormonal women with a serious interest in his career and its development and we have lulled him into a false sense of trust! My thoughts exactly! There are a lot of good questions that we will have to save for a second round, if we get that chance. I'm starting to wrap up the questions, Ladies, so please get them in today!"}, {"response": 1344, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (08:41)", "body": "(Rika) \"How MUCH money would have to be thrown at you to get you to do the kitchen scene naked in TEOR?\" And a follow-up question: \"Would you be willing to receive that sum in the form of many, many small checks and Paypal transactions?\" ;-) Mine was similar, but it involved lead time to rob Ft Knox. ;-) Thanks, Murph, for posting the NW item."}, {"response": 1345, "author": "townranny", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (08:48)", "body": "LOL (Rika)we probably know his films better than he does. Too funny! What?! You don't think he has a library of his own films which he plays unceasingly?"}, {"response": 1346, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (08:53)", "body": "Another item, hardly an article, sent and translated by Antonella from an Italian magazine: Two of a Kind A brief portrait of two similar personalities : Charles Webb and Colin Firth. Io Donna, Italy by Laura Reggiani May 2002 Places and dates of birth C.W. San Francisco, 1939. C.F. Grayshott (GB), 1960. Profession C.W. Writer C.F. Actor Debut C.W. In 1963 publishes \"The Graduate\": it does sell but it is not a best-seller. In 1967 the cult film is released on the big screen with Dustin Hoffman in the role of the main character and book sales hit the roof. He has nothing left of the 20,000 dollars he earned from film rights. Blown? He claims to have given the money to an anti-defamation movement. C.F. In his first role he replaces Rupert Everett in \"Another Country\", a theatrical play upon which the film of the same name is based. He achieves stardom with \"Pride and Prejudice\", a TV mini-series inspired by Jane Austen's novel and his character fills Helen Fielding's dreams. The author of Bridget Jones' s Diary creates Mark Darcy's character with him in mind: his casting in the movie is inevitable. Second skin C.W. In 1960 meets painter Eve: they haven't been apart since. But they have divorced in protest against the institution of marriage which discriminates against gay people. C.F. Enjoys great success playing roles as British aristocrats and the English love him in costume dramas. That's why he also stars in \"The Importance of Being Earnest\", Oscar Wilde's play reinterpreted by Oliver Parker. The enemy C.W. The odd couple have rejected a comfortable life. As a matter of principle they have earned their living doing the most unusual jobs: one of them was managing a nudist camp. C.F. Hugh Grant, the prince of light comedy who he has to share the public's affection with in his own country: \"We've known each other for many years, and just for a change he stole the best lines in \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" \". The refuge C.W. Webb has exiled himself in Brighton and taken his children out of school to teach them at home. He prefers to live in isolation in England where the critics have reviewed his six books honestly without comparing them too harshly with The Graduate. C.F. He lived for a while just outside Rome with his wife Livia Giuggioli and son Luca; he has now moved to Islington, a district of London. What he said C.W. \"Authors who promote their work remind me of farmers who feed their animals with the carcasses of other cows.\" C.F. \"My nightmare? A director who expects me to be a sex symbol. No problem if he/she asks me to be revolting and silly: I'd just be myself\". Why are we talking about him C.W. His novel \"Volare via\" (published by Sonzogno) [New Cardiff] has just been published in Italy, his first novel after a 25-year silence. It tells the story of a disillusioned painter who finds refuge in Vermont to mend his broken heart. C.F. He will soon star in the role of Colin Ware, the main character in the film version of \"New Cardiff\". Provisional title: \"Hope Springs\"."}, {"response": 1347, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (08:57)", "body": "(Karen)Film-specific: What made the role of Allan Portman so compelling for you? Pfft! We must ask the follow-up question, of course: 1. Being a Method actor, did you actually eat a large meat pie prior to the bedroom scene with Mariel, in order to *really* feel the discomfort of bloating and gassiness? Oh, I've got another: 2. If Miramax dumps a film on 22 screens so no one sees it, does it make a sound?"}, {"response": 1348, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (09:58)", "body": "(karen)Film-specific: What made the role of Allan Portman so compelling for you? Ditto: Substitute Matthew Field I have a general question: Was there a particular motion picture or play that made you start thinking about wanting to become an actor? Answer: ?Man for all Seasons?with Paul Scofield.\"I was blown away\" ROTF, Mari."}, {"response": 1349, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (09:59)", "body": "Lisa: But this is the perfect opportunity for the beach pic, the toes one! Here you go:"}, {"response": 1350, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (10:38)", "body": "Ahhhhh....thanks MM :)"}, {"response": 1351, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (12:14)", "body": "(mari)2. If Miramax dumps a film on 22 screens so no one sees it, does it make a sound? Ok, you've made my day! (dying)"}, {"response": 1352, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (13:02)", "body": "I guess, it is not polite to ask, if he reads his own fanmail, but since I'm very curious his view on fans, I've tryed to find another angle (please rewrite the question to better english): From an interview during the filming of FP, there where some comments about how the \"window-scene (would you please just f*********)\" might seem offending to your biggest crowd of fans; the middleages women, longing for Mr. Darcy. Is that how you picture your typical fan?"}, {"response": 1353, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (13:29)", "body": "Here's my question: Do you prefer factual rolls i.e. Conspiracy, Tumbledown where you portray a known person, or do you prefer the more literary roll where you can create the character based on your insights, impressions and imagination? Thank you everyone for the reports."}, {"response": 1354, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (16:18)", "body": "Thank you for articles and beach picture (capital, capital!!) Some last questions. If some of them have been mentioned before, I apologize. I didn't have any opportunity to look back and wantet to ask before it was to late. And again - please rewrite them!!! Would you name your all time favourite book, movie, comedian etc? Are you any good at remembering jokes, or do you only remember bits and pieces and if lucky the plot like some of us? Have you played a part, that was difficult to part from (rewrite - please!) Is it hard to sit through make-up and dressing? (I remember a picture from the set of TIOBE, where he looked as if he were miles away during make-up). Which is most important, choosing a part: the script, the director, the cast? Do you speak english or italian in your home? We have heard, that you do cross-words. Do you play cards? (off the record I have a certain kind of poker in mind, and I'd pay extra just to sit in). I'm afraid, that if we asked what cologne he uses or if he prefers shorts, tights or tanga, it could be difficult to \"keep up appereances\" as sensible mature women."}, {"response": 1355, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (17:36)", "body": "Since it's getting close to the wire, I thought I'd throw a couple more questions out there. And like Annette said, please re-write any way you'd like. Is there any role you wish you could back and do over again and how would you do it differently? Much was said about the weight you lost for BJD......would you go the other way and gain a lot of weight to play a part? You stated that you like morally ambigious roles more than the goody two-shoe heroes..Is there one character out there that you'd like to do? Which \"bad boy\" that you've done is your favorite and why? And on the more trivial side: Was there a lot rivalry between you and your siblings when you were growing up? Is there still? Did you break any bones when you were a kid? What was your favorite toy and/or game? Do you eat breakfast? Which side of the bed do you sleep on? Do you wear pajamas? If so, do you just wear just the bottoms or both? Okay..that's it for me..right now anyway."}, {"response": 1356, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (18:17)", "body": "OK, I know we're close to finishing up with the questions, I've been away all day, have tried to catch up so I apologize if this one has been asked already. Of all the characters you have played which one kept you awake nights, because you felt you just couldn't capture the role as you wanted? How long does it usually take you to learn your lines? What criteria do you use in choosing or rejecting films to do? Would you be willing to do more work for the small screen such as Conspiracy and Pride and Prejudice? OK, that's it for me."}, {"response": 1357, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (19:41)", "body": "Questions of the not very intelligent but fun to know variety (hmmm..bears a striking resemblence to self...) Do you sing in the shower? Where is the most beautiful place you have ever been? Do you still make furniture (or do you paint) and do you have any of the furniture that you made?"}, {"response": 1358, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (21:39)", "body": "OK I thought of a couple more..... What is your biggest temptation? What is your worst vice? It's been said you are something of a pranster and like to pull practical jokes on those you are working with. Can you tell about a successful one? And one that backfired? Has anyone ever gotten back at you with their own jokes?"}, {"response": 1359, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (22:33)", "body": "According to Yahoo, Hope Springs is now scheduled for a \"limited release\" April 4. :-("}, {"response": 1360, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (22:38)", "body": "I *knew* it! Wide made no sense to me, given what's gone on and the delays."}, {"response": 1361, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (02:38)", "body": "OK Moon Dreams, let me make you a deal: If I ask Parky our \"burning question\", you ask Colin my question about Australia. Does that sound like a fair exchange? :-)))"}, {"response": 1362, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (07:03)", "body": "OK, Jane, you ask first. ;-) Hope Springs is now scheduled for a \"limited release\" Q. So Colin, why the delay in HS? A. To please Charles Webb. He's such an anti-establishblent bloke, he might have had a heart attack had the film been any good."}, {"response": 1363, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (08:44)", "body": "(Mari) According to Yahoo, Hope Springs is now scheduled for a \"limited release\" April 4. :-( Ug...smells art-house.Bet I don't get it."}, {"response": 1364, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (11:18)", "body": "Was just looking at what Disney considers \"limited.\" 25th Hour (Edward Norton) opened as limited in December and eventually got up to about 500 screens, so not too bad. I can't really say I'm surprised about HS; I had told Karen months ago that I doubted this would be \"wide.\""}, {"response": 1365, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (12:13)", "body": "From Janet and her Italian friends: Colin is supposed to be in Rome tomorrow for the showing of TIOBE in Italy and have a press conference afterwards."}, {"response": 1366, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (18:01)", "body": "Ladies is here is the list. Les jeux sont faits. Thanks you for submitting them. Questions for Colin: I'm wondering if you could talk us through your selection process when choosing a new project? From start to finish, as it were, to really get an idea of the steps that are involved when a professional actor of your standing finally commits to his next role? You seem to be very passionate about your work, how do you choose your projects? Out of all your roles, which role was his hardest one to prepare for and to do...mentally, physically, and/or emotionally? Which was the hardest character to let go of? Now that you've recently done, or will be doing projects that you'll most likely be very well compensated for....will you go back to the stage in London? If your involvement could green-light any project, however obscure and uncertain as to its monetary return, what would you choose to do? You've been quoted as saying that you've wanted roles that have gone to Ralph Fiennes. Has that changed? And, what would you be willing to do to get those roles? Is there one role that you did not take that you deeply regret? And, is there a role that you did take that you wish you would have passed on? And why? What's your favorite Beatles song? Who is your favorite group? What book(s) are you reading right now? Are there any books you have read lately, you think would do well as movies? Do you have other aspirations outside of acting? Do you have plans to pursue them? How do you feel about the press and the paparazzi's intrusive behaviour? Are there times when you and your family have been treated badly? What is your idea of a perfect day? Do you have someone you regard as a mentor? Do you feel safe living in London during these uncertain times? Have you changed anything about your way of life in wake of the recent events from the past year and a half? Are you a frequent internet user? What are your favorite sites? How has the selection of the roles you chose changed over the years? For an actor, do you believe that comedy is a more difficult genre than drama? Someone noticed your sons name in the cast list for Spiderman. Would you like to do a movie with him one day? Are there any parts you wish you hadn't taken and vise versa: have you been offered any parts you turned down, and now wish you had accepted? If you could pick your next female co star, who would it be? There's been all this talk about James Bond lately. Please tell us, if you were offered the part, would you take it? If you did, who would you prefer to play \"the Bond-girl\"? Is there a character that you would like play that you have not yet played? Which character was the most difficult for you to portray and why? Of all the characters you have played, which is closest to how you see yourself? How do you see your job as related to the storytelling tradition? What do you think are the goals of a young actor, a middle-aged actor and an older actor? You were born in England but have spent a lot of time in America. What are the most fascinating differences or similarities you have noticed? If you were offered a role in an Italian film, would you do it? Do you speak Italian fluently? You are known to enjoy practical jokes, and as a wicked imitator of people, who deserves to be your next victim? Do you still do the Guardian crossword every day, and who is your favourite compiler? We've read your short story. Have you ever considered buying the rights to a book and doing the adaptation? Why not? We can never forget that image of you on the horse in P&P. Have you had formal horse back-riding lessons? Do you still ride? Do you air-guitar in front of a mirror often? Or is that something you came up with just for WAGW? With the musical making a comeback, how good a dancer are you? Can you cha-cha and rumba? Do you feel comfortable doing intimate scenes, such as kissing? Some of us feel that you are more self-conscience about it than you were in the past, in let say, The Advocate? Apt. Zero is one of my favorite movies. You do pervy so well any chances we\ufffdll get to see you do pervy again? You have started a rumor that George Clooney will play you in the interview scene in TEOR. Can you confirm this? Do you cook? If so, what do enjoy cooking? Does this change when you are in Italy vs. England? What was your last life epiphany? Do you have any pets? List the top 5 books you have ever read? Who do you feel are the top actors and actresses working in films today? If all other things were equal (script quality, caliber of director, size of role, money, location, etc.) and you had to choose between a drama and a comedy, which would you choose and why? I really enjoyed your short story, and wonder if you plan on doing any more writing that you may share with the world? Also, have you given any thought at all to writing your own screenplay? Since Australia is becoming such a popular film location (due to excellent new facilities, a great exchange rate and a burgeoning film in"}, {"response": 1367, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (18:24)", "body": "Those are some excellent questions. Are you planning to submit them to the dry cleaners in one big lump? It would be a marathon session to try and answer them all in one go! (I thought there were a few that were very similar too!) You have done an excellent job....when does the big announcement happen? ;)"}, {"response": 1368, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (22:11)", "body": "Moon, you do know I was TOTALLY kidding about that TEOR naked scene question, right?"}, {"response": 1369, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (07:01)", "body": "Moon, you do know I was TOTALLY kidding about that TEOR naked scene question, right? LOL, Rika! That must be asked! ;-) (Lisa), Those are some excellent questions. Are you planning to submit them to the dry cleaners in one big lump? It would be a marathon session to try and answer them all in one go! (I thought there were a few that were very similar too!) They will have to be edited. We have enough of a couple of times. It will be a while before any announcement is made. We are superstitious."}, {"response": 1370, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (08:43)", "body": "Be patient, ladies."}, {"response": 1371, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (11:27)", "body": "Oh, I love that smirk!!! (whiny voice on) But it's sooooooooooo hard to be patient!(whiny voice off)"}, {"response": 1372, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (12:06)", "body": "From Antonella, who will do a full translation later: Amici solo sul set 6/2/2003 - \"Una storia futile per gente seria\", cos\ufffd il regista Oliver Parker definisce il suo film L'importanza di chiamarsi Ernest, nelle sale italiane da domani distribuito dalla Medusa. La commedia, tratta dal romanzo omonimo di Oscar Wilde, \ufffd interpretata, nel ruolo dei protagonisti, da Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Reese Witherspoon e Judi Dench. \"Rupert \ufffd molto snob, fuori dal set non lo sopporterei\", dice Colin Firth, anch'esso presente a Roma in occasione del lancio del film. \"Una storia futile per gente seria\". Potrebbe essere questo, secondo il regista Oliver Parker, il sottotitolo ideale della sua commedia L'importanza di chiamarsi Ernest con Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Reese Witherspoon e Judi Dench, in uscita domani nelle sale italiane distribuito dalla Medusa. Il film, tratto dall'ultimo romanzo scritto da Oscar Wilde prima della prigionia, racconta la storia di Jack Worthing (Colin Firth), un giovane inglese che inganna una nobildonna per conquistarla, dicendo di chiamarsi Ernesto, nome che lei adora. L'intrigo implica anche Algy (Rupert Everett) un avventuriero senza un soldo che usa anch'esso il nome Ernesto. \"E' stato eccezionale lavorare nuovamente con Rupert Everett dopo averlo diretto nel 1999 in Un marito ideale - dice il regista -. Anche questa volta Rupert \ufffd un personaggio disinvolto la cui mira principale \ufffd divertirsi, preferibilmente a spese di qualcun altro\". Di diverso parere Colin Firth: \"Personalmente non ho mai sopportato tanto Rupert - dice l'attore che a gi\ufffd lavorato con Everett in Another Country nel 1984 - ma sul set riusciamo ad andare veramente d'accordo. Io e Rupert ci odiamo perch\ufffd siamo fondamentalmente molto diversi, lo trovo una persona spaventosamente sofisticata. Con l'et\ufffd \ufffd un po' migliorato; non \ufffd diventato certo pi\ufffd serio ma pi\ufffd tollerante\". Firth si \ufffd ormai specializzato in ruoli da commedie brillanti. \"Ma non sono io a scegliere se interpretare una commedia o un film drammatico - spiega - per\ufffd devo dire che mi hanno proposto soltanto questo. Recitare in una commedia \ufffd molto difficile, solo ora mi accorgo che forse sono pronto per affrontare anche altri ruoli. Ho appena finito di recitare in un film drammatico diretto da un giovane regista, Peter Webber, tratto dal romanzo di Tracy Chevalier La ragazza con l'orecchino di perla. E' stata un'opportunit\ufffd che non ho voluto perdere e che mi ha concesso una sorta di vacanza dalle mie solite interpretazioni in chiave comica. Al mio fianco in questo film ci sar\ufffd la giovane attrice americana Scarlet Johansson\". L'attore \ufffd sposato con un'italiana e dice di ammirare moltissimo il lavoro di Gabriele Muccino. \"Mi \ufffd piaciuto molto soprattutto il suo primo film. Un giorno l'ho anche incontrato a Londra; sicuramente mi piacerebbe lavorare con lui\". (Paolo Piersanti) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Moon Ho appena finito di recitare in un film drammatico diretto da un giovane regista, Peter Webber, tratto dal romanzo di Tracy Chevalier La ragazza con l'orecchino di perla. E' stata un'opportunit\ufffd che non ho voluto perdere e che mi ha concesso una sorta di vacanza dalle mie solite interpretazioni in chiave comica. Isn't he saying here that doing GWAPE is a welcome break from his usual comedy roles and one he couldn't turn down? L'attore \ufffd sposato con un'italiana e dice di ammirare moltissimo il lavoro di Gabriele Muccino. \"Mi \ufffd piaciuto molto soprattutto il suo primo film. Un giorno l'ho anche incontrato a Londra; sicuramente mi piacerebbe lavorare con lui\". And that he admires Muccino's work and has met him in Londona would work with him?"}, {"response": 1373, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (12:13)", "body": "More from Italy from Antonella, Colin's made some political remarks that have been picked up: \"Blair sbaglia sulla guerra, non sono affatto d'accordo. Lui pensa di poter cavalcare la tigre - conclude Firth gi\ufffd protagonista di Shakespeare in love di John Madden -, ma la tigre non si pu\ufffd controllare\". \"Blair is wrong about the war. I don't agree with him. He thinks he can ride the tiger...but the tiger cannot be controlled\" http://www.ilnuovo.it/nuovo/foglia/0,1007,169281,00.html"}, {"response": 1374, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (12:22)", "body": "Cos\ufffd, sediamosi indietro ed aspettiamo la tigre per mangiarli. :-( Non rinunci il vostro lavoro di giorno, Colin."}, {"response": 1375, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (12:33)", "body": "we wait for the tiger to eat??? Don't quit your day job ??"}, {"response": 1376, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (12:43)", "body": "**Looking around and thinking I have stumbled onto an Italian website devoted to an AFG man.** I *knew* I should have paid better attention in Italian class. ;)"}, {"response": 1377, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (12:48)", "body": "When in Rome..."}, {"response": 1378, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (13:15)", "body": "Too funny, Mari! \"Cavalcare la tigre\" is a famous book by Evola. If Colin only knew, he would not mention anything in relation. (It's a book that I highly recommend) \"Ma non sono io a scegliere se interpretare una commedia o un film drammatico - spiega - per\ufffd devo dire che mi hanno proposto soltanto questo. Recitare in una commedia \ufffd molto difficile, solo ora mi accorgo che forse sono pronto per affrontare anche altri ruoli But it is not I that choses to do a comedy or a dramatic role, but I must add that they only offered me this. Acting in a comedy is very difficult, and I only now realize that maybe now, I am ready to take on more of these roles. E' stata un'opportunit\ufffd che non ho voluto perdere e che mi ha concesso una sorta di vacanza dalle mie solite interpretazioni in chiave comica. (Karen), Isn't he saying here that doing GWAPE is a welcome break from his usual comedy roles and one he couldn't turn down? Correct. He also said that he's wrapped GWAPE. \"Mi \ufffd piaciuto molto soprattutto il suo primo film. Un giorno l'ho anche incontrato a Londra; sicuramente mi piacerebbe lavorare con lui\". (Karen), And that he admires Muccino's work and has met him in London and would work with him? He especially liked his first film. Met him in London and would like to work with him. Thanks, Karen!"}, {"response": 1379, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (13:15)", "body": "ROTF, Mari. Thanks Maria T. Can you make out the rest of the translation. I got bits and pieces....\"I couldn't pass up GWAPE...\"...Wife is producing new film.... Give our thanks to Antonella, Karen. LOL.Did we expect anything else from ODB? God love'im He's been Blair- Bashing from waaaay back. (Karen)When in Rome... But, but I thought \"Rome\" was against Saddam."}, {"response": 1380, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (13:19)", "body": "(Evelyn), I got bits and pieces....\"I couldn't pass up GWAPE...\"...Wife is producing new film.... Where did you read that?"}, {"response": 1381, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (13:30)", "body": "Karen, It looks like La Repubblica has another story, maybe Antonella could translate this too??... :) http://www.repubblica.it/online/spettacoli_e_cultura/ernest/ernest/ernest.html"}, {"response": 1382, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (13:32)", "body": "(Colin after too much grappa) I am ready to take on more of these roles. Running screaming from roommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!"}, {"response": 1383, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (13:32)", "body": "I noticed that Muccino has another one of his soap-opera-style films out soon. His new film, \"Ricordati di me\", Remember Me is out Feb. 14th. Muccino bores me."}, {"response": 1384, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (13:36)", "body": "I'll forward to Antonella, but Moon is here now and can take over. Si, cara?"}, {"response": 1385, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (13:36)", "body": "E' stata un'opportunit\ufffd che non ho voluto perdere e che mi ha concesso una sorta di vacanza dalle mie solite interpretazioni in chiave comica. L'attore \ufffd sposato con un'italiana e dice di ammirare moltissimo il lavoro di Gabriele Muccino. \"Mi \ufffd piaciuto molto soprattutto il suo primo film Translate please, Moon: I wonder if he gave the interview in Italian. Or if it lost some of the \"flavour\" in translation;-)"}, {"response": 1386, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (13:38)", "body": "He states that his dream is to make a film with Muccino!!! yuk! E se l'attore dice di non essere ancora certo che ci sar\ufffd un seguito sulla single pi\ufffd famosa del Pianeta, si dice invece convinto di voler tornare a ruoli pi\ufffd drammatici. The actor is not yet sure that there will be a sequel to BJD. He does say to want to go back to more dramatic roles. (What's the story? He should be one of the first signed. This interview was done today. What is this about?)"}, {"response": 1387, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (13:47)", "body": "(Karen), (Colin after too much grappa) I am ready to take on more of these roles. Where did you read this, cara? E' stata un'opportunit\ufffd che non ho voluto perdere e che mi ha concesso una sorta di vacanza dalle mie solite interpretazioni in chiave comica. It was an opportunity that I did not want to miss, it gave me break from my usual light comedy roles. The other one Evelyn, I translated above. I would love to play here but I must prepare for my carissimo sposo (DH's) birthday celebration on Sat. The other stuff he says about RE is the same as has been quoted when the film was released about them not getting when they first met years ago, to the changes now."}, {"response": 1388, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (13:48)", "body": "Th man talks through the soles of his feet! One minute he loves comedy, found it challenging and wants to try more. *Pan to Karen vomiting in the corner.* The next minutes he's Blair bashing. *Cue the AK47 sound effects* Then he say he's not sure about the BJD sequel and he wants more dramatic roles! Does any one know of any accidents he's been in lately? *Examine the man for head wounds!*"}, {"response": 1389, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (13:50)", "body": "LOL, Lisa! My thoughts, exactly! Maybe that's were all the grappa comes in. ;-)"}, {"response": 1390, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (13:53)", "body": "(lisa) The man talks through the soles of his feet! You get used to his interviews after a while, Lisa. LOL. He changes like the wind. Doesn't really mean to be offensive or disingenuous....he's ...just ....Colin:-)) We oldies mostly don't take him seriously. Tomorrow he could give different answers."}, {"response": 1391, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (15:34)", "body": "(Karen) (Colin after too much grappa) I am ready to take on more of these roles. (Moon) Where did you read this, cara? That was part of your translation of this (in response 1378): \"Ma non sono io a scegliere se interpretare una commedia o un film drammatico - spiega - per\ufffd devo dire che mi hanno proposto soltanto questo. Recitare in una commedia \ufffd molto difficile, solo ora mi accorgo che forse sono pronto per affrontare anche altri ruoli But it is not I that choses to do a comedy or a dramatic role, but I must add that they only offered me this. Acting in a comedy is very difficult, and I only now realize that maybe now, I am ready to take on more of these roles."}, {"response": 1392, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (15:46)", "body": "(MoonD) LOL, Lisa! My thoughts, exactly! Maybe that's were all the grappa comes in. ;-) I agree. But tomorrow is another day."}, {"response": 1393, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (16:32)", "body": "Hmmm . . .maybe something got lost in the translation here too. Yoo hoo, Lola, what say you? Bridget Jones sequel in doubt The much-anticipated sequel to the Bridget Jones Diary movie has been thrown into doubt by actress Renee Zellweger. Speaking at the Berlin Film Festival, the actress who starred in the first Bridget movie, dismissed reports that she had agreed to appear in the sequel and said neither she, nor her co-star Hugh Grant, knew anything about the project. \"Neither of us has seen scripts, neither of us has a start date and neither of us has committed because there is nothing to commit to,\" she told the BBC. But the 33-year-old admitted that she would enjoy rekindling her character in Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. \"I would love to do it if it's right,\" she said. \"Bridget is a character I care a lot about. If it's as special as it ought to be, if it's taken care of in the way that it deserves to be, then sure.\" Reports last year suggested that an agreement was in place for Zellweger to star in the sequel. Writers Andrew Davies, Helen Fielding (author of the diaries) and Richard Curtis were reported to be sure they had landed Zellweger. The rest of the cast was expected to include Hugh Grant and Colin Firth as well as Hollywood heartthrob George Clooney. In Helen Fielding's second book, Bridget is sent to interview actor Colin Firth - a man she has lusted after ever since his appearance in Pride and Prejudice. But Firth played Bridget's boyfriend Mark Darcy in the first film - leaving scriptwriters with a problem. Davies said in September: \"We're hoping to substitute George Clooney for Colin Firth because we want Colin to play Darcy again.\""}, {"response": 1394, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (17:00)", "body": "l'attore dice di non essere ancora certo che ci sar\ufffd un seguito sulla single pi\ufffd famosa del Pianeta, si dice invece convinto di voler tornare a ruoli pi\ufffd drammatici. The actor is not yet sure that there will be a sequel to BJD. He does say to want to go back to more dramatic roles. and said neither she, nor her co-star Hugh Grant, knew anything about the project. Ignoring CF completely here? I'm sick of this merry-go-round. Thanks, Mari!"}, {"response": 1395, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (17:01)", "body": "Thank you for all the interviews and articles, though I'm not happy about the news on TEOR. About the italian ones, well I hope they will appear on the Bucket on day (in english - please). It's not that I don't appreciate the translations in bits, I just find it hard to \"get the picture\". I'll go along with this: (Evelyn)Doesn't really mean to be offensive or disingenuous....he's ...just ....Colin:-))"}, {"response": 1396, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (17:23)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1397, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (19:32)", "body": "Bridget Jones sequel in doubt I'm shocked, grieved. Thanks Moon, Antonella, Mari and the rest of the translators. Off to dig out the candles, beads, and novena cards. Sheesh. Oh Lola, say it isn't so."}, {"response": 1398, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (19:54)", "body": "Bridget Jones sequel in doubt Personal opinion? They've not come acro$$ like she expected. Whoops! Did I say that?!"}, {"response": 1399, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (20:01)", "body": "(BarbS) Personal opinion? They've not come acro$$ like she expected. Whoops! Did I say that?! Barb, how did you know what I was thinking???"}, {"response": 1400, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (21:01)", "body": "Thanks for translations everyone. Very disheartening news. If it is about the money IMO they made a big mistake expecting her not to take what she is accepting per picture now. I'm sure they know what she accepts. Could they be that foolish to offer her less? Wish we knew what was going on."}, {"response": 1401, "author": "townranny", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (21:41)", "body": "Mari Bridget Sequel is in doubt Say it isn't so Renee. Colin needs to stop rambling in Roma and go and flirt with her a bit. Turn on some smolder handsome. Amici solo sul set I translated this and it says I can say anything I want to because these people have no idea who I am and no one would translate this interview into English. Would they?"}, {"response": 1402, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (08:34)", "body": "Here's another one titled (I think) \"I hated RE for years\" Colin Firth: 'Odiavo Rupert Everett, anni fa' E adesso invece forma insieme a lui una brillante coppia comica nel film tratto da una celebre commedia di Wilde L'importanza di chiamarsi Ernest. L'attore, che conosce l'italiano ed \ufffd sposato con una nostra connazionale, ha presentato il film a Roma Colin Firth (Il diario di Bridget Jones, Shakespeare in Love, Il paziente inglese) \ufffd un attore strano: ha quarantatre anni, da una ventina recita tra cinema e televisione ma ogni volta sembra che lo si incontri per la prima volta. Non si evidenzia per straordinarie doti fisiche (anche se un esercito di donne sarebbe disposta a definirlo uno degli attori pi\ufffd sexy in circolazione), non presenta delle qualit\ufffd recitative straordinarie, i suoi ruoli sono sempre stati di contorno e spesso oscurati dai partner che aveva di fronte, eppure possiede quel tono da inglese raffinato ed educato che segna quasi senza accorgersene il tono di un film. In L'importanza di chiamarsi Ernest, l'ultima regia di Oliver Parker, Firth \ufffd Jack Worthin giovane single, residente in campagna, tutore della diciottenne Cecily (Reese Witherspoon), innamorato della nobile Gwendolin (Frances O'Connor), che inventa il fantomatico fratello Ernest per essere libero di scappare in citt\ufffd ogni volta che lo desidera. Accanto a lui Rupert Everett nel ruolo dell'amico di Jack, Algernon Moncrieff, che si innamorer\ufffd della giovane Cecily dando l'avvio ad una schermaglia pungente e spassosa in pieno stile Wilde. Sposato con una donna italiana (quando ne ha voglia parla la nostra lingua con una certa sicurezza), con un abbugliamento assolutamente essenziale, Colin Firth \ufffd in questi giorni a Roma per presentare il film. Kataweb l'ha incontrato in un albergo del centro. E' stato difficile trovare la sintonia con Rupert Everett, considerando che in questo film siete una coppia comica perfettamente affiatata? Di solito sul set \ufffd molto difficile trovare la giusta alchimia con un altro attore. Spesso devi rischiare, metterti in gioco perch\ufffd magari con un collega hai una sintonia perfetta che non riesci a ritrovare durante le riprese. Al contrario spesso capita di avere con il partner un rapporto pessimo che sul set si trasforma in un'intesa perfetta. E' una cosa impossibile da prevedere. Rupert ed io avevamo lavorato insieme molti anni fa, era il mio primo film e interpretavamo il ruolo di due carissimi amici nonostante nella realt\ufffd ci odiassimo. All'epoca lui aveva un'esperienza maggiore della mia ed il problema era semplicemente che l'alchimia tra noi due fuori dallo schermo non funzionava affatto. Quindi all'inizio, quando ho affrontato questo film, ero molto curioso di vedere come si sarebbe evoluto il nostro rapporto. Quando mi sono trovato sul set ho capito che il nostro passato, la nostra storia avrebbe aggiunto un elemento molto importante al film. E' stato importante rincontrarsi, costituire una sorta di ontatto visivo che ci ha permesso di verificare entrambi. Io stesso non ne avrei mai parlato se non fosse stato direttamente lui a farlo durante una conferenza stampa a New York. Alla fine credo che comunque sia andato tutto bene. Lei ha fatto molte commedie eppure la sua carriera \ufffd composta anche da molti ruoli drammatici\ufffd Non che io scelga in modo specifico se voglio fare una commedia piuttosto che un dramma; \ufffd semplicemente il fatto che mi hanno chiamato pi\ufffd spesso per delle commedie che per ruoli di altra natura. In realt\ufffd in questo momento sono pi\ufffd interessato a ruoli drammatici tanto che ho appena finito di girare un film in cui non c'\ufffd neppure un pizzico di umorismo e la cosa mi \ufffd piaciuta molto. Mi piacerebbe interpretare pi\ufffd spesso ruoli del genere, drammi psicologici che mi permetterebbero di esprimere una gamma di emozioni e di sfumature estremamente maggiore di quanto non mi sia stato possibile in questi anni. Ma \ufffd una possibilit\ufffd che fino ad ora non mi \ufffd stata data molto spesso, relegato sempre in ruoli di altra natura. E' una cosa che ho accettato anche con una certa sorpresa perch\ufffd generalmente ai giovani attori vengono dati dei ruoli da eroi, magari anche del protagonista principale che generalmente sono anche quelli pi\ufffd noiosi. Man mano che cresci invece ti vengono offerti dei ruoli pi\ufffd interessanti come quell del cattivo, dell'eccentrico, del pazzo. A me \ufffd successo esattamente il contrario. Ho cominciato interpretando ruoli da cattivo, da paranoico, fin dai lavori televisivi. Pensavo quindi che ormai il ruolo del buono, del protagonista non mi sarebbero pi\ufffd stati offerti perch\ufffd ero troppo vecchio, invece \ufffd successo proprio il contrario. Per\ufffd, ripeto, ora sono molto interessato a tornare indietro per interpretare un ruolo di altra natura. E' la prima volta che si confronta con un testo di Oscar Wilde? Io sono probabilmente l'unico inglese a non aver mai recitato prima d'ora una pi\ufffdce di Wilde. Dico 'l'unico inglese' e non 'l'unico attore' perch\ufffd chiunque in Inghilterra, anche se lavora i"}, {"response": 1403, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (08:39)", "body": "This one has a pic, which I've never seen before, except, maybe...let me check:"}, {"response": 1404, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (08:53)", "body": "(Barb)Bridget Jones sequel in doubt Personal opinion? They've not come acro$$ like she expected. Whoops! Did I say that?! Ditto. WT and Harvey have never been known for their largesse. I say: Go for it Renee."}, {"response": 1405, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (08:57)", "body": "He says something about being more interested in dramatic roles, and would like to do more psychological dramas that would enable him to express a range of emotions more so than he has been able to in many years.But, he is not offered these alot?? and is relegated to roles of another nature. He thinks the eccentric and crazy roles are more interesting. I had a hard time with the vacation line..."}, {"response": 1406, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (09:05)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1407, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (11:44)", "body": "I hope this works. I have this photocopy of a 1989 post-Valmont photo. It's not very good quality but I haven't seen it before. It was from a women's magazine and was a half-page article shared with Paula Abdul. \"Going Firth Class\" I'll type it out later but the article doesn't have much to say."}, {"response": 1408, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (12:08)", "body": "Here's the old article. Like I said, not much new but it's interesting to look back. Especially at his \"boyish innocence\". :-) Going Firth Class by Julia Szabo He\ufffds one of eighteenth-century literature\ufffds most notorious Don Juans: dashing, debonair and dangerous to know. He\ufffds the Vicomte de Valmont from the classic book Les Liaisons Dangereuses, and everyone from members of The Royal Shakespeare Company to the great Gerard Philip (in Roger Vadim\ufffds 1959 film) to John Malkovich in last year\ufffds Academy-Award-nominate Dangerous Liaisons has played him. But that didn\ufffdt stop director Milos Forman (Hair, Amadeus) from tackling the story once again\ufffdor from casting unknowns in Valmont, his version of the classic, due out this month. When two films based on the same story are released within a year of each other, moviegoers\ufffdand critics\ufffdare bound to make comparisons. The most talked-about will be between Malkovich and Forman\ufffds surprising choice for Valmont, Colin Firth\ufffda familiar face only in his native England, where the 29-year-old has acted in films, plays and a TV series. Firth admits he didn\ufffdt see himself in the role of the lady-killer at first. It certainly doesn\ufffdt jibe with the callow types he played in Another Country, A Month in the Country and Apartment Zero. But Forman wanted to excite speculation as to Valmont\ufffds motives, and Firth\ufffds boyish innocence brings complexity to a character traditionally interpreted\ufffdmost recently in Dangerous Liaisons\ufffdas a more worldly lover. In fact, aside from the inevitable surface similarities, Firth maintains the two films have little in common, citing Valmont\ufffds \ufffdentirely different\ufffd plot direction, \ufffdmore poignant\ufffd ending and \ufffdless moralistic\ufffd tone. If Valmont is as successful as its most recent predecessor, Firth\ufffds career could take off. He brushes aside such suggestions: \ufffdI don\ufffdt see this film changing things radically for me.\ufffd But the last time Forman cast as unknown in a leading role, the gamble paid off. If F. Murray Abraham\ufffds success with Amadeus is any indication, those could be famous last words, indeed."}, {"response": 1409, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (13:18)", "body": "I've put up the \"new\" info from the Italian articles at The Bucket and will add the newest Q&A one from this morning when I get the translation. http://www.firth.com/articles/03tiobeitaly_206.html"}, {"response": 1410, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (13:37)", "body": "Someone posted at the Tea Room that, in the UK mag Bella, there's a blurb about Madonna and Colin appearing in a film together. \"Madonna, still reeling from reviews for her last film, is hoping for better things when she teams up with Colin Firth for her next picture. It is based on a Noel Coward play. Madonna plays an American married to an English aristocrat who pursues her errant spouse to the South of France. There she falls for the husband (CF!) of the woman with whom her husband has been dallying.\" This would have to be that Quadrille project that was rumored back in 1999. I'll refresh your memories with the original BBC news article, which says nothing about Colin being the \"American\" industrialist with whom she forms a whatever. Gawd! It can't be THIS stupid or desperate for the dough! :-( Am consoling myself that this is baseless nonsense, not worth the server space I'm using. Will keep saying that over and over to myself until Madonna retires from film."}, {"response": 1411, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (13:38)", "body": "Sorry, here's the link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/468043.stm"}, {"response": 1412, "author": "townranny", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (14:41)", "body": "(Karen)Madonna, still reeling from reviews for her last film, is hoping for better things when she teams up with Colin Firth Karen, April Fools Day is in APRIL that's why they call it that. I think they should do a Shakespeare play together! ROFLOL. Would serve him right if he did something like this. Might be a enough to scare him straight to good roles and costars."}, {"response": 1413, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (15:27)", "body": "You know I am not even going to go and read it. That would have to be an all-time low, even worse than choosing MH as a co-star!"}, {"response": 1414, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (16:03)", "body": "almeno mi permetterebbe di prendermi una vacanza ...At least permit me to take a vacation. When have we stopped you in the past? But I don't see how that line fits in with the rest of the paragraph where he is talking about doing drama vs comedy. I guess I've missed something in the translation;-) (Sposato con una donna italiana (quando ne ha voglia parla la nostra lingua con una certa sicurezza), ...Married to an Italian woman, (when he desires to, he speaks our language with a certain security.) As far as the rest of that bit...?"}, {"response": 1415, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (16:08)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1416, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (16:09)", "body": "I was married on April Fool's day, but doing a movie with Madonna is going over the edge. Sposato con una donna italiana (quando ne ha voglia parla la nostra lingua con una certa sicurezza) Married to an Italian woman (when he feels like it, he speaks our language) [He's confident in speaking it] Looks like he expounds on doing dramatic roles quite a bit more, talks about which actors have influenced him. Yes. Also talks about his acting technique. This was a press conference at a Hotel in Rome, some papers or as Kata an on-line service, seemed to use more of what he said. Non vorrei smettere di fare delle commedie perch\ufffd credo che sia per me una sfida continua, ma allo stesso tempo vorrei fare un ruolo drammatico perch\ufffd almeno mi permetterebbe di prendermi una vacanza I don't want to stop doing comedies because they are for me a constant challenge, but at the same time I would like to do a dramatic role because... at least it would permit me to take a vacation. [vacation from comedies - he was jesting, don't have a cow ;-)] Gotta go. Thanks, Karen. I liked this one. Just closed italiacs, sorry."}, {"response": 1417, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (16:10)", "body": "(article/Karen)is hoping for better things when she teams up with Colin Firth Sorry, this would never pass the red fingernail test ;-). LD would never let him play a love interest of Madonna's! I remember reading that during the filming of Evita that Melanie Griffith was so worried about Antonio being on the same set with Madonna that MG stayed on location with him the whole time!"}, {"response": 1418, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (20:46)", "body": "(Lisa)You know I am not even going to go and read it. Me either. I'm even sorry I read this one: \" And the artist's dream? \"To work with Gabriele Muccino.\" He really knows how to torture his fans:-((("}, {"response": 1419, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (21:47)", "body": "(MoonD) I was married on April Fool's day, but doing a movie with Madonna is going over the edge. Love this. Couldn't agree with you more. IMO Colin has more sense than this."}, {"response": 1420, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (22:05)", "body": "Oh dear. Working with Madonna, TEOR possibly not happening, toiling in Italian films . . . it's overwhelming, and too much for a Firth fan to worry about. We need a way to prioritize the threats to his career. And so, hoping to make more effective use of the system than a certain unnamed government, I bring you: The Department of Firthland Security's 6-step color-coded guide to the anxiety continuum: Low Worry (Code Green)--Colin is on vacation, basking in the Umbrian sun, sipping limoncello, and belting out yet another drunken chorus of \"99 Bottles Of Beer On The Wall.\" Worry level is low; as no scripts are on the table, he can't possibly be about to sign onto something we don't approve of. Guarded Worry (Code Blue)--Still on vacation, but intelligence has intercepted communications from the villa's housekeeping staff, indicating that Colin has received a phone call from his agent, who is sending over five scripts for CF's review and selection. Elevated Worry (Code Yellow)--All five are comedies and none of them is TEOR. High Worry (Code Orange)--Increased levels of \"chatter\" are pointing to Colin signing onto a rom-com with an American chanteuse from Detroit. Severe Worry (Code Red)--It's not Aretha Franklin. Really Really Bad Worry (Code Purple)--Citing unnamed sources, La Reppublicca reports something about Colin wanting to film/signing on to film/or is he already filming?/ a movie for Gabriele Muccino. Intelligence agencies have been unable to determine if the article's mentions of Madonna refer to the aforementioned Motor City chanteuse who is not Aretha Franklin, or to \"Mother of God!\", a common exclamatory expression among the Italians. During these uncertain times, The Director of Firthland Security wishes to thank you for once again allowing him to frighten you to death while urging you to go about your daily business. Be strong, be aware, sweet dreams, happy trails, and have a nice day. But stay alert. ;-)"}, {"response": 1421, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (22:08)", "body": "Mari, you clever clever girl!"}, {"response": 1422, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (22:16)", "body": "Mari...roflmao...too good...I'm ready to do my part for security, let me know what my orders are!"}, {"response": 1423, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (22:57)", "body": "High Worry (Code Orange)--Increased levels of \"chatter\" are pointing to Colin signing onto a rom-com with an American chanteuse from Detroit. ROTFLOL! Am looking into having our alert levels prominently posted on the main Drool page. ;-) \"And the artist's dream? \"To work with Gabriele Muccino.\" Let's cut him so slack. I'm sticking the story that he was only being polite, as we all know he is. ;-) Paul Scofield is turning over in his grave. Okie doke...From The Mirror, a little more of Colin's comments: DUSTIN HOFFMAN BACKS MIRROR CAMPAIGN By Fiona Cummins DUSTIN HOFFMAN yesterday topped the list of celebrities backing the Daily Mirror campaign to stop an attack on Iraq without UN endorsement. In a stinging attack on George Bush the Oscar-winning actor said: \"The most painful aspect of 9/11 is the way the administration has taken its events and manipulated the grief of my country. Where is the aggression from Iraq?\" He accused Bush of hoodwinking people about the reasons for war, saying: \"I believe it is really about money, oil, power and suits.\" Launching a tirade against power-hungry politicians, Hoffman, 65, said: \"They make you believe the lie. For them, the most important aspect is being re-elected and when that is the goal, all bets are off with the truth. \"We are being stampeded into something and nothing seems be able to stop it. \"If we believe that we can pre-emptively strike a country that has nuclear or biological weapons, what is to stop any other country from playing that card too? \"Pakistan, India, Russia and North Korea all have nuclear capability.\" Adding his signature to the 182,000 names on the Daily Mirror's Not In Our Name petition, he added: \"The Iraq issue has made me increasingly angry. We are not being told the truth. but we still have a chance to change things. Voices have to be heard. War should not be inevitable.\" Hoffman, awarded a lifetime achievement gong at the Empire Film Awards in London on Wednesday, joins a list of movie stars who have voiced their concerns. Britain's Colin Firth joined them yesterday. The Shakespeare in Love actor said: \"Blair is making a mistake with this war. He thinks he can ride the tiger but the tiger cannot be controlled. \"Before it embraces a cause America should have a debate and ask the right questions.\" Two Lord of the Rings stars signed our petition - Andy Serkis, who plays evil Gollum and Dominic Monaghan, who plays Hobbit Merry. Serkis, 38, fears for the life of cousins in Iraq. He said: \"I'm worried. My family's homes were bombed to smithereens last time and it will happen again. I hope your campaign makes people sit up and take notice.\" Other stars signing our petition included Samantha Morton, named best British actress at the Empire Film Awards for her part in Minority Report, Oscar-winner Benicio del Torro and comedian Steve Coogan. Author Jilly Cooper also backed our campaign. She said: \"We lose the moral high ground if we crash in before the UN gives the word.\""}, {"response": 1424, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (23:28)", "body": "Mari, LOLROTF! Thank God we can laugh about this hideous possibilty of Madonna who, in her own right,is a weapon of mass destruction to the bottom line of any movie she goes near. :-)"}, {"response": 1425, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 2003 (09:25)", "body": "Thank you Mari for making me laugh. It is so necessary in these very uncertain times. Code Orange is definitely in effect."}, {"response": 1426, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 2003 (09:34)", "body": "Mari, thank you! Nice way to put all this in perspective. Too bad we can't send Madonna to Iraq to start a film industry for them.... might solve two problems at once."}, {"response": 1427, "author": "townranny", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 2003 (09:46)", "body": "(Mari) Department of Firthland Security Absolutely hilarious from start to finish! Be brave. Keep posting everyone or Madonna will have won! We'll get through this together. We may need some sort of unifying anthem. A call to Michael Jackson may be in order! Scramble up that tree and write us something."}, {"response": 1428, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 2003 (10:06)", "body": "But stay alert. ROTF, Mari! Sei bravissima!"}, {"response": 1429, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 2003 (10:08)", "body": "Another article, courtesy of Janet: Primo Piano Colin Firth a Roma per dovere e per amore Marta Lari 07/02/2003 Arrivata all'hotel della Russie tra i tanti appassionati, si fa notare una fotografa che mi rivela: \"Quanto \ufffd bello!\". Lui a pochi centimetri sorride: la Nostra non sa che Colin Firth arrivato a Roma per \"L\ufffdimportanza di chiamarsi Ernest\" parla molto bene l'italiano e sorride alla sua rivelazione. Non ci troviamo di fronte al solito divo che ha appreso l'italiano per caso (vedi Di Caprio): il bellissimo e affascinante attore che ci ha divertito per le sue interpretazioni ne \"Il Diario di Bridget Jones\" e \"Shakespeare In Love\" ha sposato un'italiana di Roma. Non ha neanche bisogno della simpaticissima traduttrice. E' a proprio agio con i colleghi e le colleghe giornaliste che vogliono sapere molto di lui e dei suoi compagni di lavoro. Ha parlato straordinariamente bene di Renee Zellwegger alias Bridget: \"Era l'unica sul set di 'Bridget Jones' a sorridere sempre. Anche quando eravamo stanchi e giravamo continuamente di notte. Alle 5 della mattina era l'unica che ancora aveva la forza di sorridere. Gli uomini? Forse sul set sono anche piu' terribili delle donne\". \"Hugh Grant? Un perfezionista. \"Rupert Everett? Ho lavorato con lui 25 anni fa, non eravamo a nostro agio, adesso siamo diventati grandi amici. \"Il Diario di Bridget Jones2? Come ha gi\ufffd detto Hugh Grant (venuto a Roma con la Bullock) non si sa se verr\ufffd girato. E io non so se ci sar\ufffd\" \"Recitare commedie \ufffd anche pi\ufffd difficile di fare ruoli drammatici, il modo di recitare vicino al dramma \ufffd quello che viene sempre preso in considerazione come esempio pi\ufffd alto di recitazione, e molte volte questo tipo di interpreatzioni vengono premiate. Ma non \ufffd cos\ufffd. E' pi\ufffd difficile interpretare un ruolo di commedia\" Tra il cinema e il teatro cosa sceglie Colin? \"Sicuramente teatro, c'\ufffd continuit\ufffd e regolarit\ufffd nel lavorare in teatro, nel cinema alle 9 di mattina pranzi con tua moglie, alle 11 la uccidi, alle 13 fai l'amore con lei, alle 15 non si gir\ufffd pi\ufffd perch\ufffd piove. Se mi sono sentito bene a recitare con Oliver Parker (che oltre ad essere regista e anche attore)? Non \ufffd come si dice. Non \ufffd detto che se un regista \ufffd anche attore pu\ufffd capire i problemi di noi attori. L'importante \ufffd trovarsi in sintonia, avere un regista intelligente e capace di comunicare e con lui mi trovo benissimo. Con chi vorrei lavorare? Sicuramente con Muccino, ci siamo incontrati, ho visto 'L'ultimo bacio' e 'Come te nessuno mai' e mi sono piaciuti molto\" Finisce la conferenza, la solita trafila degli autografi, lui simpaticamente resta seduto a firmare foto e press-book, qualche giornalista un p\ufffd curiosa vuol sapere di pi\ufffd su sua moglie: \"Si chiama Livia (rispondendo in italiano) posso dirvi che con lei parliamo sempre in inglese a me per\ufffd piace moltissimo la vostra lingua\". E si \ufffd visto!"}, {"response": 1430, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 2003 (10:09)", "body": "Janet's translation: Arriving at the Hotel delle Russie among other of those smitten, I saw a photographer said to me: \"Isn't he handsome?\" A few centimeters away HE smiled. The photographer didn't know that Colin Firth, in Rome for the Importance of Being Earnest, speaks Italian very well and she smiled when she found out. We weren't encountering the typical star who knows Italian only by chance circumstances (for example, Di Caprio): the handsome and fascinating actor who has entertained us in his roles in BJD and SIL married an Italian from Rome. He didn't have need of the very charming translator. He was quite at ease with colleagues and journalists who wanted to know more about him and his fellow actors. He spoke quite well of Renee Zellwegger, alias Bridget: \"She was the only one on the set who was always smiling. Even when we were tired and were shooting a lot at night. At five in the morning she was the only one who still had the strength to smile.\" And the men? On set they are sometimes as terrible as the women [sic]. Hugh Grant? A perfectionist. Rupert Everett? I worked with him 25 years ago [sic] and we weren't at ease with one another. Now we're great friends. The Diary of Bridget Jones 2? Just as Hugh Grant (in Rome with Sandra Bullock): \"I don't know if it will be made. And I don't know if I'll be in it.\" \"Acting in comedies is more difficult than doing dramatic roles. The dramatic type of acting is what is always valued as the highest type of acting and many times these types of roles win awards. But that isn't the case. It's more difficult to do a comedic role.\" Between movies and the theater, which would Colin choose? \"Surely the theater. There's a continuity and a regularity in working in theater. In the cinema at 9 in the morning you have lunch with your wife, at 11 you kill her, at 1 you fall in love with her, and at 3 you're no longer filming because it's raining. \" \"Did I feel at ease acting for Oliver Parker (who in addition to being a director is also an actor)? What is usually said isn't true. It is not a given that a director who is an actor can better understand the problems of actors. The important thing is to find oneself in sync, have an intelligent director and to be able to communicate with him well. With whom would I like to work? Surely Muccino. We have met. I saw Last Kiss and Come te nessuno mai and I like them a lot.\" The press conference over, there was the usual line of autograph seekers. He very nicely remained seated signing photos and press booklets. One curious journalist wanted to know a little more about his wife. \"Her name is Livia (he said answering in Italian) and I can tell you that we always speak in English together, although I love your language.\" And that was easy to see!"}, {"response": 1431, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 2003 (10:13)", "body": "Mari ,your journalism professor would be proud of you. Capital, Capital."}, {"response": 1432, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 2003 (10:17)", "body": "\"Between movies and the theater, which would Colin choose? \"Surely the theater. There's a continuity and a regularity in working in theater. \" LOL.\"When you show up!\" Spoken like a great Shakespearian actor. Actually , during the ATA interviews he said the opposite."}, {"response": 1433, "author": "townranny", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 2003 (10:57)", "body": "Thanks Janet for that great translation. It's been too long since we've heard from him."}, {"response": 1434, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 2003 (11:13)", "body": "Mari: The touch remains!! What fun - and we need it right now. Karen, thanks for this. Bully for Colin! \"Hoffman, awarded a lifetime achievement gong at the Empire Film Awards in London on Wednesday, joins a list of movie stars who have voiced their concerns. Britain's Colin Firth joined them yesterday. The Shakespeare in Love actor said: \"Blair is making a mistake with this war. He thinks he can ride the tiger but the tiger cannot be controlled.\""}, {"response": 1435, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 2003 (13:42)", "body": "Thank you, Karen, Janet, and Mari. (Evelyn)Actually , during the ATA interviews he said the opposite. At least he's consistantly inconsistant...in any language;-)"}, {"response": 1436, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 2003 (14:35)", "body": "(Murph) Bully for Colin! Well, as Karen said \"When in Rome....\" One only wonders what he would say at Ground Zero."}, {"response": 1437, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 2003 (15:44)", "body": "Been thinking about both the questions and his answers a bit. Wonder why the journalists are picking up on this thread? More dramatic roles, theater (ha!!). Sounds like some reassurance to me. Next thing you know, nail polish might work its way into an answer. ;-)"}, {"response": 1438, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 2003 (15:50)", "body": "(Karen)Sounds like some reassurance to me. Next thing you know, nail polish might work its way into an answer. ;-) LOL. Ya' think maybe somebody's listening;-) (Or 'bodies...)"}, {"response": 1439, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 2003 (18:23)", "body": "(Murph) Bully for Colin! (Evelyn)Well, as Karen said\"When in Rome....\" One only wonders what he would say at Ground Zero. Well, seeing as the attack on Sept 11 had absolutely NOTHING WHATSOEVER to do with Iraq or Iraquis, one would hope that he said exactly the same thing at Ground Zero, or anywhere else in the States, for that matter. I think more Americans need to hear the truth, and they're certainly not hearing it from either the US media or the Bush administration, which is vomiting out bs propaganda at an alarming rate. Onya Colin! Tell it like it is."}, {"response": 1440, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 2003 (19:30)", "body": "In the cinema at 9 in the morning you have lunch with your wife, at 11 you kill her, at 1 you fall in love with her, and at 3 you're no longer filming because it's raining This sounds awfully familiar to me. Has he said this or a very similar variation somewhere before? Maybe I read another actor saying very much the same thing. Not that more than one actor can't say it. Just is very familiar. \"Did I feel at ease acting for Oliver Parker (who in addition to being a director is also an actor)? What is usually said isn't true. It is not a given that a director who is an actor can better understand the problems of actors. The important thing is to find oneself in sync, have an intelligent director and to be able to communicate with him well. He didn't really answer the direct question, did he. Depends on the editing, too. Thanks Karen and Janet. And Mari.....Bravo!!! ROTFLMAO!! (Evelyn) One only wonders what he would say at Ground Zero. (Jane) Well, seeing as the attack on Sept 11 had absolutely NOTHING WHATSOEVER to do with Iraq or Iraquis, one would hope that he said exactly the same thing at Ground Zero.... Amen. I'll get those extra questions to you pronto, Moon."}, {"response": 1441, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 2003 (22:13)", "body": "Think I'll just nip this in the bud right now. The News Conference on Spring has loads of topics for discussing American foreign policy, world events, your favorite dictator, and more. Please take it there: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/news/all/new And, typing in all capitals is SHOUTING. Not here. Not in this company. Signed, Library Management"}, {"response": 1442, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 2003 (23:16)", "body": "Thanks for all reports Mari, Karen and Janet."}, {"response": 1443, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 2003 (00:32)", "body": "First of all, let me just clarify that typing one or two words in all caps has always been a way to emphasize those one or two words, as demonstrated in posts: 1108: anyone (HolaLola) 1154: weird (Rika) 1166: ever (towranny) 1214: the only question (towranny) 1233: not (Karenr) 1244: him (anjo) 1247: want (HolaLola) 1257: you (BarbS) 1260: naughty (FanPam) 1272: starring (Tress) I notice that none of those people were hauled in for questioning for typing one or two words in all caps. One only hopes that I will not be turned over to the Department of Homeland Security for my sins. And secondly, I have/had no intention whatsoever of hijacking this thread, I was simply stating my opinion about Colin's statement in his interview, as had several other ppl in this thread. I do not intend to expound on that particular subject any further. 'nuff said."}, {"response": 1444, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 2003 (09:15)", "body": "your favorite dictator LOL! A worthy topic."}, {"response": 1445, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 2003 (10:41)", "body": "Janet has found and translated another article. She does have some concerns about the original English-to-Italian translations and the Italian journalists because, while the basic content of all the articles seems to be the same, there are differences in emphasis. For example, in this one Colin says that he's about to do a psychological drama. That hasn't been mentioned in any of the others (and I need to post the Q&A one we had previously only in Italian, which has been translated by both Janet and Antonella) With that advisory (!!), here goes another: Incontro con Colin Firth In occasione dell'uscita del film \"L'importanza di chiamarsi Ernest\", l'attore inglese ci racconta la sua esperienza. di: Flavio Della Rocca The comic pairing of Everett-Firth seems to work perfectly . . . It's difficult to predict the chemistry that will develop between two actors. Sometimes you can be very friendly with someone in real life but on the set there is no chemistry: twenty-five years ago [sic] I worked on my first film, with Everett, and we played two close friends even though we hated one another. This new encounter was marked by our past. It contributed a lot to the unpredictableness, the spontaneity of what's on screen. Why did you hate each other? He found me too \"earnest.\" He thought I was too serious, without a sense of irony, almost haughty, just the opposite of himself. We didn't take to each other, but this is a story that I would have never revealed to the public if he hadn't done during the promotion of the film in the States. The fact is that the result is amusing . . . But now you're more sophisticated than you were? I try to pretend I am when circumstances demand it. Rupert isn't any more serious now than then, but I am more tolerant. After so many comedies, do you want to change genre? I have to say that I don't have any preferences. It's simply what has happened up to now. I've been asked to do these roles. Yet currently I'm more interested in drama. I have in fact just finished a film in which there isn't the slightest hint of humor and I am about to act in a psychological drama that would allow me to express a range of emotions greater than that in a comedy. So your career then is in continual development? I would say that in general when you are young, you're given boring roles as heroes, but little by little as you continue your career, you do more interesting roles as villains, eccentrics, paranoids. But the exact opposite has happened with me: Since Mark Darcy [sic] on television--I was already in my thirties--I have played roles of good guys. Now I would like to take a break and turn to roles of the paranoid! Given that you're suited perfectly to comedy, why do you want to abandon it? It's not that I have a specific comedic technique, but I am convinced that it's more difficult to do comedy than drama. Just for this reason, actors like Rupert or Hugh Grant are underrated given their technique. Rupert has the gift of spontaneity, Hugh is a perfectionist. Every time he does a scene, he immediately rewatches it on the monitor to see if the timing is off, even by a half second. He wants to redo so that it's perfect. The fact that those who do dramatic roles more often receive awards paradoxically shows how much simpler it is to act those roles. Have you ever done a film in chronological order? No, that has never happened in any film and I don't think it would be possible. How you ever done Wilde before? I think that I'm the only person in England who had never done it, and I'm not speaking of actors only but anyone, because in England, even people who work in banks have done Wilde at least once in their lives. And how was doing it? Film is very different from theater: more is cut and more is added. You're not limited by the stage. You can speak with a lower voice and have more subtle facial expressions, which makes it rather interesting even if I can't make comparisons like Rupert, who has even done Wilde in French, and Judi Dench, who has often acted Lady Bracknell on stage. But which do you prefer? I like both but I think theater is easier and more fun. There are rehearsals, which are lacking in film--and this isn't something insignificant. The public is present, and the events are acted in chronological order. In film, all is more unrealistic: at 9 I have to kill my wife, at 10 I'm marrying her, and at noon we're making love. If it rains, the scene is cut. Theater isn't like this, you have control of everything. You rehearse for six weeks and then you go onstage. In film, it's all in the hands of the director: if he is good, you're good with him, but he isn't, you're in trouble and this also holds for the composer, the editor. There are too many things not under your control. We are talking about two forms that are completely different. And as to all the lovely actresses with whom you've worked, who should we look out for in the future? I have been very lucky to work with them all, but it is very d"}, {"response": 1446, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 2003 (11:32)", "body": "OK, here's the other Q&A one from Kataweb posted previously only in Italian and translated by Antonella Colin Firth: 'Years ago I used to hate Rupert Everett' And now instead together they have formed a sparkling comedy duo in the film based on the famous Oscar Wilde play The Importance of Being Earnest. The actor who speaks Italian and is married to an Italian has been in Rome to promote the film. Colin Firth (Bridget Jones' s Diary, Shakespeare in Love, The English Patient) is an unusual actor: he is forty-three years old and has been acting in films and on television for about twenty years but in each part it is like seeing him again for the first time. He doesn't stand out on account of an extraordinary physical appearance (even though an entire army of women would readily agree that he is one of the sexiest men around), he doesn't display any extraordinary acting skills, he has always had supporting roles that are often overshadowed by his co-stars, but he possesses the flair of a refined and well bred Englishman who almost unconsciously lends a certain tone to a film. In director Oliver Parker's latest film, The Importance of Being Earnest, Firth plays Jack Worthing a young bachelor, resident in the country, guardian of 18-year-old Cecily (Reese Witherspoon), in love with the aristocratic Gwendolin (Frances O'Connor), who invents a fictitious brother Ernest to be free to flee to town whenever he wishes. Co-starring is Rupert Everett who plays Jack's friend, Algernon Moncrieff, who falls in love with the young Cecily prompting a sharp and amusing entanglement in typical Wildean style. Married to an Italian (when he wants to he speaks our language with some ease), dressed completely casually, Colin Firth is in Rome at the moment to promote his film. Kataweb met him in a hotel in the centre of the city. Was it difficult to achieve a rapport with Rupert Everett, considering that in the film you form a perfectly harmonious comic partnership? On set it is usually very difficult to find the right chemistry with another actor. You often have to take a risk, play along because maybe you are in perfect harmony with a colleague but you can't find this during filming. On the other hand it often happens that you have a bad relationship with your co-star, but on the set you achieve a perfect understanding. It is something that can't be foreseen. Rupert and I worked together long time ago, it was my first film and we played the roles of two very close friends even though in real life we used to hate each other. At the time he was more experienced than I was and the problem was simply that there was no off-screen chemistry between us. Therefore at first when I tackled this film, I was very curious to find out how our relationship would evolve. When I was on set I realised that our past history would add a very important dimension to the film. It was important to meet again, to establish a sort of visual contact to test the situation. I myself would have n ver talked about this if he hadn't done it himself during a press conference in New York. In the end I think everything went well. You've played in many comedies but your career also includes many dramatic roles . . . I don't specifically choose to play in comedies rather than in dramas; it's simply that I have been asked more often to act in comedies than in other kinds of roles. At the moment I'm actually more interested in dramatic roles and I've just finished a film where there is absolutely no humour and I liked that very much. I would like to play these kinds of roles more often - psychological dramas that would allow me to express a much wider variety of emotions and nuances than I have been able to do in recent years. But these are opportunities that I haven't been given very often. I have always been restricted to roles of a different nature. It is something I've come to accept with some degree of surprise, as young actors are usually offered the roles of heroes, maybe even of the leading men, which are usually the most boring ones. On the other hand when you get older you get more interesting roles like the bad guy, the eccentric and the nutcase. The exact opposite happened to me. I started off playing bad, par noid people, ever since my television days. I thought after that I wouldn't be offered roles of the good characters or the leading men since I was too old, but it was exactly the opposite. But now, to say again, I am very interested in going back to playing different types of roles. Is it the first time that you've tackled an Oscar Wilde play? Perhaps I'm the only English person who has never acted in a Wilde play before. I say the only English person and not the only actor because anybody in England even if he works in a bank has acted in a Wilde play at least once. And actually I must say that it has been a very pleasant occurrence. The fact is that Wilde on the big screen undergoes a strange process, I mean it certainly loses something, but at th"}, {"response": 1447, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 2003 (16:24)", "body": "and I am about to act in a psychological drama that would allow me to express a range of emotions greater than that in a comedy. ???I wonder if this has anything to do with the village pervert character he's been hinting at? Thank you Karen, Janet, and Antonella"}, {"response": 1448, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 2003 (16:33)", "body": "Would GWAPE (hee...always feel like I need to push my dentures back into place with that one!)a psychological drama? Wait! I know! It's Colin-speak again. He's talking about WAGW! :) I am learning Evelyn!"}, {"response": 1449, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 2003 (16:39)", "body": "Yeah, right. Methinks the journalist's translation skills could be improved. I've put everything up that I have right now. Amazing how different the same material sounds regurgitated every which way from Sunday. ;-) http://www.firth.com/articles/03tiobeitaly_206.html"}, {"response": 1450, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 2003 (17:23)", "body": "Our multiplex, where I saw Chicago last night, has several WAGW posters hanging throughout the building. No CF...Just AB with two of the Queen's Guards;-("}, {"response": 1451, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 2003 (17:24)", "body": "(Interview):After so many comedies, do you want to change genre? I have to say that I don't have any preferences. It's simply what has happened up to now. I've been asked to do these roles. Yet currently I'm more interested in drama. I have in fact just finished a film in which there isn't the slightest hint of humor and I am about to act in a psychological drama that would allow me to express a range of emotions greater than that in a comedy. Which future part could he be referring to? Judging from his first sentence, I would say he leaves the door open for everything (from TEOR to village pervert). No flashing dimples in GWAPE? Well, I didn't expect there to be any. A silly observation: His wrist looked just fine (along with the rest of him). Perhaps the \"mark\" was made for a part (tatoo or whatever). Thank you Antonella, Janet, Moon and Karen (hope I haven't forgotten anybody)."}, {"response": 1452, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 2003 (20:21)", "body": "Wow, an interpretation for every preference. Reminds me of the Telephone game. At any rate, thanks to all those who were involved in the collection, translation, and posting of the articles! (Nice picture, too!)"}, {"response": 1453, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 2003 (22:59)", "body": "My thanks too for all the efforts. I think a few of our questions were answered in his interviews. That's not to say they shouldn't be asked again, you'll probably get different answers! ;)"}, {"response": 1454, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (09:46)", "body": "(Colin in first translation)or a particular walk to draw attention to themselves. Has he not ever been told that he has one of these himself? ;-) Maybe it would be better that he's not made aware of it or he might take it away because it wouldn't be real/in character. (Oh horrors! Nevah!) Thanks, Karen, Janet, Antonella, and Moon, for the article and translations. But we ought to ask those same questions again (as Lisa stated). It will either confuse us more or it might confirm some of the answers (yeah, right ;-)). What have we got to lose? And, Mari, thanks for your very funny bit on Firthland security :-). LOL, you never cease to amaze us all!"}, {"response": 1455, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (10:37)", "body": "Thank you Antonella, Janet, Karen and Moon for all your efforts. This was a most arduous task I'm sure. You all did great."}, {"response": 1456, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (10:44)", "body": "I'm sure Mari wanted to break the news here, but Silvie sent the text. Colin is in the March issue of InStyle. There are two pics, which nobody has sent to me yet and the magazine hasn't hit my newsstands. [Picture of Colin in white shirt and blues jeans with a 3 or 4 day stubble all over that gorgeous face] Man of Style A great deal of fuss has been made over the clothes Colin Firth has worn on screen. A wet shirt that clung to his chest in the 1995 TV version of P&P set women atwitter on both sides of the Atlantic. Then there was the reindeer sweater he posted in BJD. \"I actually wanted to keep that,\" says the 42-year-old father of two, who dons a more serious wardrobe for the new comedy WAGW. Befitting his charmingly accidental sex appeal, Firth doesn't take fashion too seriously. In fact fellow Brit RE once kidded him that he was \"far too heterosexual about these things.\" [Picture of Colin wearing a black T-shirt and a brown leather jacket. Right hand in a fist holding up his head. Still has the few day old beard. He is lying on a zebra like carpet or bed cover.] Q&A Q-You play Dad to all-American AB in WAGW. Was that a change of pace for you? A- I play a lord who has decided to renounce his title on order to stand for an election. But basically it is a fairy tale about a father and a daughter. It's loosely based on a Vincente Minelli film that was made in the fifties called The Reluctant Debutante, with Rex Harrison (and Sandra Dee). It's not blindingly surprising territory for me - my character is one of those men who's as much defined by his reserve as anything elese. Q - Your wife, Livia Giugiolli, is Italian and you've lived in Italy. How would you compare Italian style with British? A- The part of Italy that I know puts more of an emphasis on classicism, rather than on anything avant-garde. I don't know Milan. I see a lot V-neck polo sweaters with the shirt underneath. They like stuff that fits; it's much more about that than being courageous. A lot of Italians come to London for the novelty of seeing the weirdness - the fact that people are prepared to forfeit elegance in order to make an impact. Q- Do you remember when you started experimenting with fashion? A - Oh, yes. I was constantly trying to fit in. It was always a little bit out of reach, a little bit too expensive. But I think fashion is about that. There has to be something that is a little bit inaccessible about it in order for it to remain elite. If it is for everyone, it is pointless. Q- How do you like to see women dress? A - It's so case-specific. I think the bare midriff thing can be absolutely sexy, or it can be ridiculous. I also like the sense of the unexpected, to see a woman dressed in a way that makes a mystery of what her body is like. Q - Did you worship any style idols growing up? A - Well, seeing Marc Bolan (from the band T.Rex) on TV when I was about 8 was a big moment. I had never seen glitter under the eyes before on anyone. He was androgynous, and it was interesting to me because he was pretty like a girl but he was actually extremely masculine. And I like his music. But it was also about watching him onstage being adored by people. It prompted me to take guitar lessons, which were spectacularly unssuccesful. Q - What's your greatest extravagance? A - CDs. And I do own a lot of books, more than I can read. Books and music are the only things that I accumulate. Q - What CDS have you bought recently? A - Solomon Burke, Aqualung. Badly Drawn Boy I've got. I keep at it. It is a continual area of obsession. I go through different phases of preoccupation. It's very juvenile in a way. I'll have a Caribbean obsession, then West African, and then it'll be jazz. Q - Is there anyone who makes you starstruck? A - I think I would struggle a bit if I met Bob Dylan. Anybody who has had something to do with critical moments of your life would be tough. Dylan was probably playing somewhere the first time I fell in love or had a drink. The same with the Stones or the Beatles.... Q - So how do you handle it when people gush over meeting you? A - Sometimes it's delightful and light and easy, and people are just being complimentary in a very unassuming and pleasant way. Sometimes it's spooky and they're weird, and I don't really know how to deal with it. In the end I just try to be as civilized as possible. - Angela Matusik"}, {"response": 1457, "author": "Odile", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (11:35)", "body": "Thanks Karen and Silvie for the InStyle article. He seems very relaxed in his answers and lots of glimpses into personal stuff/fluff :) And Mari what a riot the Firthland Security stuff! If you saw Conan O'Brien that night, he said that to explain it plainly to Bush they told him they went from code Bert to code Ernie. I guess that makes your code purple Code Barney. Arrrgh! :)"}, {"response": 1458, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (11:49)", "body": "Sometimes it's spooky and they're weird, and I don't really know how to deal with it. I remember the In-Style Jeremy Northam interview. They asked a lot more of him. But it is better than nothing and a few new bits too. Thanks, Karen! (Lisa), I think a few of our questions were answered in his interviews. That's not to say they shouldn't be asked again, you'll probably get different answers! ;) LOL! So true!"}, {"response": 1459, "author": "townranny", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (11:53)", "body": "Karen/InStyle - Colin wearing a black t-shirt and brown leather jacket. Right hand in a fist holding up his head. Still has a few day old beard. He is lying on a zebra like striped carpet or bed cover. Have mercy. Haven't gotten as far as the interview. Off in search of a place to land, I think I need a lie-down."}, {"response": 1460, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (11:59)", "body": "Colin wearing a black t-shirt and brown leather jacket. Right hand in a fist holding up his head. Still has a few day old beard. He is lying on a zebra like striped carpet or bed cover. OMG...how am I supposed to get through the rest of the day with this image on my mind. Drooling all over the place, here. I suppose this translates to AFG, again. Always, AFG. Thanks Karen and Silvie."}, {"response": 1461, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (12:08)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1462, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (12:09)", "body": "(CF) The part of Italy that I know puts more of an emphasis on classicism...They like stuff that fits..A lot of Italians come to London for the novelty of seeing the weirdness - the fact that people are prepared to forfeit elegance in order to make an impact. I'm reminded of a pic of a [nameless] woman wearing a big red overshirt, rolled-up jeans and red shoes who probably came out of the Ivy. ;-) (CF)I was constantly trying to fit in. *snort* Send him the pic from his friends in St.L, Ev! ;-)"}, {"response": 1463, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (13:03)", "body": "Karen, have been trying to send you a prezzie, but your hotmail account keeps bouncing back the mail. Let's not keep these ladies waiting.;-) Thanks, Silvie, for typing out the article! And mille grazie to all who have provided the Italian articles and translations."}, {"response": 1464, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (13:28)", "body": "OK, I have the pics now but Silvie is wrong. This is not *mere* stubble. This is Vermeer, ladies. And Johannes never looked yummier, especially in the first one (not the tiger print one). Off to work on this..."}, {"response": 1465, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (14:26)", "body": "Article with pics is up here: http://www.firth.com/articles/03instylemarch.html Many thanks to Mari and Sylvie for all their efforts."}, {"response": 1466, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (14:27)", "body": "(Karen)Off to work on this... Please, please do. Can't wait. Thank you Silvie and Mari for the article and pictures."}, {"response": 1467, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (14:30)", "body": "(Karen)This is Vermeer, ladies. And Johannes never looked yummier Sorry to post twice, but just had to say: Wauuhhh, You are right, Karen. Off to droll somewhere else, the keyboard can't absorbe any more."}, {"response": 1468, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (14:39)", "body": "YUM those are good photos. Never thought I liked the bearded version! Do you think he's back in London soon?! =)"}, {"response": 1469, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (14:43)", "body": "Never looked better. I was afraid Vermeer would look like Allan Portland. No way. \"In the end I just try to be as civilized as possible.\" Says it all. I would add: \"Accomodating\". His mum would be proud:-))"}, {"response": 1470, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (14:44)", "body": "THUDD Wow, what else can you say? Ever since P&P, I've always appreciated CF's facial hair (chanting mutton chops, mutton chops!) It's been easy to tell that he would grow a nice, filled-in beard. Very Vermeer. Does this mean GWAPE is still in production? What about that cute little bit right under his bottom lip? ;) Thanks Karen, Sylvie and Mari......nice way to start the day!"}, {"response": 1471, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (14:49)", "body": "Many many thanks to Mari and Sylvie and Karen...Meowwwwwwwwww!!!I was having this terrifically bad day but then the stubble set me on the path to redemption! My happy place is in sight and I remember how to pant..Hurrah!!"}, {"response": 1472, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (14:53)", "body": "(EmmaB) Never thought I liked the bearded version! Then you haven't seen Nostromo! I'm not too crazy about how he looks with a plain moustache (of whatever style); kind of makes him look smarmy). But, with a well-trimmed beard, is another matter. He's delish. (Evelyn) I was afraid Vermeer would look like Allan Portland. LOL! But Allan has lost a lot of the \"baby fat\" in his face since BJD. Rather more appealing, wouldn't you say? ;-) (Lisa) Does this mean GWAPE is still in production? Oh no. That wrapped last month, but he probably posed for the pics in either December or early Jan. These big humungo, monthly mags have long lead time to go to press."}, {"response": 1473, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (15:10)", "body": "Oh my goodness!!! I had something to do, but I just forgot what it was. Heartfelt thanks to Silvie, Mari, Karen, Colin's mum and dad...."}, {"response": 1474, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (15:24)", "body": "Thanks for the article and the pictures Mari, Sylvie and Karen. YUM those are good photos. Never thought I liked the bearded version! Nor did I. I didn't like his looks in Nostromo at all, so I'm very pleasantly surprised;-)"}, {"response": 1475, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (15:37)", "body": "I don't usually do this, but the pics were soooo great, that I've put them up in larger form here: http://www.firth.com/articles/03instylemarch_supp.html"}, {"response": 1476, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (16:33)", "body": "FYI, the photographer is London based, so Colin likely nipped in for a photo shoot and the questions may have been done in person (on location even) or over the phone."}, {"response": 1477, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (16:36)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1478, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (16:43)", "body": "Wow. I usually go for clean-shaven men, but....... wow. I liked his beard in Nostromo too, but..... wow. Thanks, Karen and Mari! Am having trouble breathing, but..... wow. I just hope they didn't mess it up with whatever wig he wore as Vermeer.... Couldn't V. just have shortish curly dark hair? Huh? Please?"}, {"response": 1479, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (16:43)", "body": "Closing Dorine's tag, I hope."}, {"response": 1480, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (16:52)", "body": "Nope, but I'll take care of it. Response 1477 of 1479: Dorine (gomezdo) * Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (16:36) * 3 lines The pics..... Oh.....My.....God! (picture that last part huge and bold)"}, {"response": 1481, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (16:55)", "body": "Heehee, Karen thanks for the enlarged version. I have to say, it's been a while, perhaps back to the beach pic, since I've enjoyed drooling quite this much over snappies. I think, really, the best thing to do now is to open a separate window and pop them up whenever the mood strikes! :)"}, {"response": 1482, "author": "townranny", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (17:09)", "body": "Gaah!! If the description sent me off swooning, how am I to contend with the photos? It's a very close call between them. How is it possible for him to get better looking every year? I think a trip to the Islington attic is due to search for portraits. You know he is a big Wilde fan."}, {"response": 1483, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (17:18)", "body": "Many thanks to Kare, Mari and Sylvie! I love it when they darken his hair and brows. At this point, his Vermeer might just have that big hat and that's it. Looking very sophisticate."}, {"response": 1484, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (17:23)", "body": "OMG, and AFG Am totally breathless. Thank you, Karen,for the enlarged versions. OMG, OMG, OMG. If this is Vermeer...how many times will I see GWAPE...I can hear records being shattered as we speak. Thank you Karen, Mari, and Silvi I think I need Oxygen."}, {"response": 1485, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (17:35)", "body": "(Lisa) What about that cute little bit right under his bottom lip? ;) I love that part, and also in the second pic, the part right around his dimple. OMG!!! Think I'll go towel off now."}, {"response": 1486, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (18:15)", "body": "Either I hear my pulse beating in my ears or it's time to talk to the neighbor boy about the drums again! Mercy! Thanks Karen, Mari and Sylvie! AFG is an understatement but I don't have the words. Ought not to be legal..."}, {"response": 1487, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (18:20)", "body": "(Lisa) What about that cute little bit right under his bottom lip? ;) I know, and what about his upper neck? In the larger version of the first picture you can see it so nicely. I didn't think a beard went that far down the neck from the jaw. But I'm not complaining. ;-) Thanks so much Karen, Mari, and Silvie for the pictures large and small."}, {"response": 1488, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (18:37)", "body": "I've never been keen on ODB with facial hair (with the exception of sideburns, of course), but these pics certainly changed my opinion!!!"}, {"response": 1489, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (19:15)", "body": "I like the touseled \"a romp in the sheets\" hair style."}, {"response": 1490, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (19:33)", "body": "(Moon) At this point, his Vermeer might just have that big hat and that's it Wouldn't that be nice, but I'm betting on a wig."}, {"response": 1491, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (21:35)", "body": "(Evelyn) I like the touseled \"a romp in the sheets\" hair style. Oooooh, yeah. Now that I've looked at the photos for long enough to be capable of some small measure of rational thought, I have to hand it to the photographer. Needless to say, he had first-class material to work with, but he did a great job with the composition of the photos to establish two totally different moods."}, {"response": 1492, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (22:24)", "body": "Ok.....I've just now gotten out of the ice cold shower. Thank you Karen for fixing my tag. You just can't throw pics up there like that when I have only literally 1 minute to check in and expect me to post coherently. And I couldn't keep it in! My ex was over and talking about something as I found the pics. I said \"Wow!\", moved in for a closer look, and tuned him right out....never did reply to him. Glad he didn't ask what I was looking at. I can say unequivocally, I have *never* seen him look better. I have always loved men with a closely trimmed beard. And that tousled hair! Love the beach pic too, but this is just too much. The only thing that would be better, is to have him standing, leaning against a wall, button down shirt open all the way, or maybe to the last, jeans, and bare feet. And that look on his face. Whew!! Back to the showers..... ;-)"}, {"response": 1493, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (22:52)", "body": "OH MY GOD. My heart is aflutter and I am having palpitations. Have pity on my poor nerves."}, {"response": 1494, "author": "Leah", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (23:18)", "body": "We haven't had any *new* pics for a while, but the wait was worth it!"}, {"response": 1495, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (23:26)", "body": "I'd love to see all the proofs from that shoot. Thanks Karen, Mari, and Silvie!"}, {"response": 1496, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (07:07)", "body": "Janet found another reference in an Italian article that named the director of Colin's next film. It is Marc Evans, who also directed him in MOTM, and was the director of Livia's documentary on Guiseppe Tornatore. She also provided more info on the project: Anglo-Irish production company Little Bird unveiled the first project from its horror label Ministry of Fear. \"Trauma,\" about a man whose life takes a sinister turn after the untimely death of his wife, will be directed by Marc Evans (\"My Little Eye\")."}, {"response": 1497, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (07:20)", "body": "(Karen) It is Marc Evans, who also directed him in MOTM, and was the director of Livia's documentary on Guiseppe Tornatore. I don't know about the MOTM connection, but the second half of that statement could represent a 'horror conection' of its own as in, guess who's influencing the projects? :( Anglo-Irish production company Little Bird Does Little Bird translate into \"small time\"? Is this possibly a made for television drama or is it a legitimate film for release in cinemas? ...unveiled the first project from its horror label Ministry of Fear. \"Trauma,\" about a man whose life takes a sinister turn after the untimely death of his wife... This part sounds good.......:)"}, {"response": 1498, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (07:23)", "body": "I just read that last bit and kind of laughed at the way it reads. It wasn't meant that way, my comment was about the subject of the film."}, {"response": 1499, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (07:41)", "body": "(Lisa), I don't know about the MOTM connection, but the second half of that statement could represent a 'horror conection' of its own as in, guess who's influencing the projects? :( My thoughts exactly. MOTM was not particular well directed, IMO. But, what are friends for? ;-( \"Trauma,\" about a man whose life takes a sinister turn after the untimely death of his wife Will it be rated-R, for violence? At this point, I must conclude that TEOR is on hiatus. :-("}, {"response": 1500, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (08:08)", "body": "My Little Eye director returns to horror genre Adam Minns in Milan 04 November 2002 04:05 Fresh from the success of his low-budget horror hit My Little Eye, director Marc Evans is returning to the psychological chiller genre with Trauma. The project marks the first from Ministry of Fear, the horror label set up by former Edinburgh International Film Festival chief Lizzie Francke at UK-Irish production outfit Little Bird. Ex-FilmFour International sales chief Sue Bruce-Smith is in Mifed raising finance on the buzz title. Currently doing the financing rounds as a script, the project tells the story of a thirtysomething artist haunted by apparitions of his wife after she dies in a car accident. The script is by newcomer Richard Smith. At this year\ufffds Edinburgh festival, Marc Evans also revealed plans to collaborate with producer Jon Finn (Billy Elliot) on what he described as \"musical verite\" - a teen movie set in a Swansea school in 1976, the hottest summer on the record for the UK. Laurence Coriat (Wonderland, Me Without You) is currently working on that particular screenplay, which will be produced by Working Title Films with an eye to starting production in summer 2003. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ From ScreenDaily's review of My Little Eye (2002): Ratings-hungry reality television meets The Blair Witch Project in My Little Eye, an effective, low-budget chiller that leaves its distinctive imprint on the scary movie tradition. Manoeuvring skilfully within genre requirements, director Marc Evans achieves an impressive balance between atmospheric, slow-burning suspense and the kind of bloodbath finale that addicts expect. Aggressive marketing should pay dividends, especially in territories like Britain, where the Big Brother phenomenon has been front page news. Momentum Pictures releases there in October after festival screenings in Locarno and Edinburgh. Read full review here: http://www.screendaily.com/story.asp?storyid=9087"}, {"response": 1501, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (08:28)", "body": "(Moon) At this point, I must conclude that TEOR is on hiatus. :-( (article) Currently doing the financing rounds as a script Not so hasty Moon, financing for the new one could take forever, if it happens at all. This just might be a project down the road a bit. Went to a screening and Q&A last night (to be posted on another topic) where the director said the script came to him with the star already attached for 4 years and no financing. Matter of fact, the production almost fell apart several times, which isn't unusual."}, {"response": 1502, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (08:30)", "body": "No, they have financing. Must have obtained it in November at MIFED. It is going into production."}, {"response": 1503, "author": "townranny", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (08:34)", "body": "Anglo-Irish production company Little Bird unveiled the first project from it's horror label Ministry of Fear Sounds like the answer to one of our questions. Was there any project you wish you had taken? Does he regret not taking the Shining? Here's Colin! A Little Bird told me he should keep looking."}, {"response": 1504, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (09:42)", "body": "\"Anglo-Irish production company Little Bird unveiled the first project from its horror label Ministry of Fear. \"Trauma,\" about a man whose life takes a sinister turn after the untimely death of his wife, will be directed by Marc Evans (\"My Little Eye\"). Ok, Bethan. This is your cue. Tell us how great Marc Evans is;-)) (Karen) No, they have financing . Must have obtained it in November at MIFED. It is going into production. *Big Smilie*. Music to ma'ears. Hate have to hump those films through all the festivals looking for a buyer. LOL. This could be the year for that kind of a genre. Jennifer is rumored to be in a \"supernatural thriller\" with Halle Berry and Penelope Cruz."}, {"response": 1505, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (09:46)", "body": "(Evelyn) Hate have to hump those films through all the festivals looking for a buyer. I said they had \"financing,\" which in this case may only mean the money to make the film. I didn't say anything about \"distribution.\""}, {"response": 1506, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (10:29)", "body": "(Karen)I didn't say anything about \"distribution.\" Ug...I hate those small \"going no-place\" British films.At best they go to the \"Outhouse\" circuit."}, {"response": 1507, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (10:34)", "body": "(Karen)I said they had \"financing,\" which in this case may only mean the money to make the film. I didn't say anything about \"distribution.\" Does this not sound like what happened to SLOW (trouble with the distribution)? I hope it gets out - sounds promising!"}, {"response": 1508, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (10:34)", "body": "(Evelyn) Ug...I hate those small \"going no-place\" British films.At best they go to the \"Outhouse\" circuit. Strange, it looks like Little Bird produced BJD, most everything else looks much smaller in scale... http://www.littlebird.ie/littleb.htm"}, {"response": 1509, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (10:58)", "body": "One of their principals (Jonathan Cavendish) was the \"working\" producer for the film, which is why the company got a credit; otherwise, it had no real involvement. He's like a 'producer for hire', i.e., Working Title/Universal hired him. More background from 2001: Former Edinburgh International Film Festival artistic director Lizzie Francke (pictured) has joined Little Bird, the Irish-based production company whose principals boast credits ranging from UK hit Bridget Jones's Diary to Werner Herzog's Invincible, to launch a horror label titled The Ministry Of Fear. Francke is to bring in projects for a slate of horror films ranging from psychological gothic suspense stories to teen horror pictures. Most are envisaged as director-driven projects from rising newcomers, film-makers established in non-horror genres or classic horrormeisters. \"What drew us to Lizzie is that she has international talent relationships on the one hand and her very rigorous taste on the other,\" said Little Bird's Jonathan Cavendish. \"She is coming in to develop a wide series of films.\" Cavendish, whose producing credits include Ordinary Decent Criminal and Croupier along with Bridget Jones's Diary, aims for Ministry titles to have a strong international draw. \"These won't just be British movies,\" he said. \"They will be set all over the world and star international talent.\" Francke, one of the leading candidates to head the low-budget production fund at UK support body Film Council, stepped down this August after running Edinburgh for five years. One of her innovations at the event was introducing the horror-laden Late Night Romps section. \"Maybe people will think Lizzie Francke - arty, but horror has always had a great tradition of filmmakers doing wild things,\" Francke said. \"It also attracts bums on seats, and watching a film with an audience that is caught up with it is one of the things that cinema is all about.\" Little Bird, which aims to significantly raise its output, recently appointed Sue Bruce-Smith to build production activities and international relationships. Bruce-Smith was previously head of sales at FilmFour."}, {"response": 1510, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (12:28)", "body": "Ok, I didn't realize that anything had been going on in this topic for the past few days because it wasn't showing up in the \"not read\" list. So, I'm a day late with this observation, but....WOW!!! Especially the top one...WOW!!! Granted the subject is...(*gulp*)...extraordinary, but that photo in particular is...well...mmmmmmmmmm. Ya know, I've read that he showed up looking like an unmade bed for his P&P reading/audition with SB, and if this is what he looked like, well no wonder they kept after him for the role, LOL!....*whew*......"}, {"response": 1511, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (14:34)", "body": "Karen, Mari and Sylvie -- Thanks! He looks scrumptious in a beard. Better than ever, IMO."}, {"response": 1512, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (16:04)", "body": "(Kathy) Oh my goodness!!! I had something to do, but I just forgot what it was. Heartfelt thanks to Silvie, Mari, Karen, Colin's mum and dad.... You took the words right out of my mouth. Thanks to everyone especially the folks. Trauma sounds like a good project. Hope it's a go."}, {"response": 1513, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (20:26)", "body": "FYI for those planning to check out the InStyle mag, but haven't yet.... First picture and intro on p. 197, then 2 page ad, then the interview and zebra picture on page after that. Seems the magazine ad slump is over. The table of contents is well hidden in ads. ;-) Well Trauma sounds like a step in the right direction. He's got plenty of time to do it before the TEoR shoot (thinking positive!). We'll see if that Little Bird flies. ;-)"}, {"response": 1514, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (07:16)", "body": "Colin talking about his music and book collecting (love that he loves Badly Drawn Boy as I can't get enough of his albums) reminded me of an article that I read this weekend in the Observer that was sort of about Nick Hornby and sort of about \"modern\" men... http://www.observer.co.uk/review/story/0,6903,891611,00.html ...a funny list of ideas but I like it"}, {"response": 1515, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (08:57)", "body": "Two of Colin's musical mentions were very Hornbyesque: Solomon Burke is one of Rob's favs in High Fidelity and Badly Drawn Boy did the music for About a Boy, although from what the Weisz bros said, Nick had nothing to do with but did approve."}, {"response": 1516, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (09:16)", "body": "Filming on Trauma is to start in April."}, {"response": 1517, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (09:58)", "body": "So then it could certainly be finished before the reported July start date for TEOR."}, {"response": 1518, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (11:14)", "body": "With all this talk of HS opening, I was amused to see masses of New Cardiff books in a local cheap bookshop, the ones that carry all the publishers remainders. Anyone needing a copy in the UK should check it out. Maybe we'll get a publishers tie-in instead with lots of scrummy pics."}, {"response": 1519, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (11:50)", "body": "(Lizza) Maybe we'll get a publishers tie-in instead with lots of scrummy pics. Where's your winkie, dear? We'll be lucky if we get a film. It's totally bizarre to me that there's not even a poster out in the halls at Disney as with every other future release. Back to Trauma, as my interests do not revolve around TEOR, I've been having second thoughts. It could be interesting and well done. Plus if the wife is dead, then Colin won't get eclipsed by his female co-star! ;-) I haven't checked out the reviews of Evans' last film, but this company was also involved in Croupier and perhaps they've learned from that experience. Well done, psychological and paranormal thrillers can be a plus on one's CV. The Other was very good, got good reviews and raves for Nicole; conversely, Solaris did nothing for George. It's a mystery. ;-)"}, {"response": 1520, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (12:32)", "body": "(Karen),Badly Drawn Boy did the music for About a Boy It should have been nominated. That is what a soundtrack should be, which is very hard to come by in films now. Plus if the wife is dead, then Colin won't get eclipsed by his female co-star! ;-) Think Memento. ;-) Maybe his wife gets killed right after they make love, while he goes to the kitchen to get something cold to drink form the fridge. Like a Dario Argento movie with a creepy soundtrack. ;-) Where would they film Trauma?"}, {"response": 1521, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (12:40)", "body": "(Dorine)FYI for those planning to check out the InStyle mag, but haven't yet.... I have, but thank you, Dorine. Needed to have my own copy...need to have those pictures close-by...like on the flip side of my car's sun visor. Still Drooling in NJ... Thank you, Karen, for the news on Trauma."}, {"response": 1522, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (12:42)", "body": "I checked out Little Bird. I loved \"Into the West\" and \"A Man of No Importance.\" Finney was heart-rending and Rufus Sewell adorable as the bus driver. Maybe \"Trauma\" will be another \"Croupier.\" Anything is possible, or so they say."}, {"response": 1523, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (12:48)", "body": "I found an interview with Marc Evans re My Little Eye: http://www.jigsawlounge.co.uk/film/marcevans2.html"}, {"response": 1524, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (12:51)", "body": "Sorry if this link has been shown before: http://www.fandango.it/eng/documentari/giuseppe/giuseppe.htm#alto"}, {"response": 1525, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (13:04)", "body": "Winking madly ;-)) Just out of practice!"}, {"response": 1526, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (14:23)", "body": "As some of you know, I don\ufffdt have a computer at home so when I\ufffdve been away from work for a couple of days, I print out the messages and take them home to read. Can you imagine my frustration last night when 90% of the posts were drooling over the photos that I couldn\ufffdt see. It was nearly enough to make drive to work at 10.00pm just to have a look. Needless to say, I\ufffdm here very early this morning (7.00am Aust time) and am very pleased to see that you were all 100% correct ~ he looks GORGEOUS. Many thanks to all involved."}, {"response": 1527, "author": "joyce", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (15:17)", "body": "de de de da de"}, {"response": 1528, "author": "joyce", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (15:19)", "body": "de de de da de click here"}, {"response": 1529, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (15:24)", "body": "re:masses of New Cardiff books in a local cheap bookshop Lizza, what bookshop is this, and will they be elsewhere?? For some reason I don't own HS yet, have only taken it out of the library twice..."}, {"response": 1530, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (17:17)", "body": "I got my WAGW kiddie book today (from chapters.ca)!! Is there a topic for spoilers yet or should I give anything away here? Not a lot of photos of Henry Dashwood but there are a few. Sorry I don't have a scanner."}, {"response": 1531, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (17:43)", "body": "(Brenda)Is there a topic for spoilers yet or should I give anything away here? Do you think, there will be a lot to give away, that can't be figured out ;-) For my sake, please spoil away. It most likely will never be shown in any cinemas, that I can get to -("}, {"response": 1532, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (22:31)", "body": "There's always a topic for Spoilers; it's #126, our all-purpose one. But if your spoiler involves Henry Dashwood getting nekkid and then some heavy duty shagging scenes, go right ahead and do it here for everyone to enjoy. ;-)"}, {"response": 1533, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Thu, Feb 13, 2003 (09:10)", "body": "(Karen)But if your spoiler involves Henry Dashwood getting nekkid and then some heavy duty shagging scenes, go right ahead and do it here for everyone to enjoy. Well, his daughter says he makes out with her mom at a wedding party but I'm guessing that's the usual chaste kissing. I'll pop over to #126 even though Annette is right about being able to figure the story out just from the trailer."}, {"response": 1534, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Feb 13, 2003 (09:12)", "body": "See you there, Brenda ;-)"}, {"response": 1535, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Feb 13, 2003 (18:44)", "body": "6. What A Girl Wants From Fame Tracker - Ten Least Essential Spring Films What A Girl Wants Release Date: April 4 The Plot: Little is known about this teen comedy, save for the fact that it borrows its title from a Christina Aguilera hit. The Pitch: \"What a girl wants! What a girl needs!\" Everybody! Why It's Inessential: Have we run out of hit songs from the '50s, '60s, '70s, and '80s so soon? Did someone already make a movie called Pass the Dutchie, about a crazy exchange student from the Netherlands, while we weren't looking? http://www.fametracker.com/blue_moons/misc_spring_films.shtml"}, {"response": 1536, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Feb 13, 2003 (21:07)", "body": "Thanks Murph. The only saving grace is that it was the only film they didn't mention any actors names. So when it does come out people won't associate the actors with the article. You think?"}, {"response": 1537, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb 13, 2003 (22:04)", "body": "Thanks for the \"Trauma\"atic news, Karen. I'd peg this as High Worry (Code Orange, for those of you playing along at home), due to: --Horror genre --Commonplace nature of plot --Same director as MOTM, which I found sloppy and incoherent in spots --1st time screenwriter --No distributor, and not likely to have one I guess we could always rent out Mr. Young's again. :-( Back to my duct tape . . ."}, {"response": 1538, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (06:54)", "body": "(Mari), Back to my duct tape . . . ROTF!"}, {"response": 1539, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (08:00)", "body": "A little more about Trauma. Filming will take place in London over a two-month period. Colin's character is named Ben."}, {"response": 1540, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (08:47)", "body": "Filming will take place in London over a two-month period. How convenient is that? ;-) Thanks, Karen! Any news on a the rest of the cast? And, thanks for the Valentine."}, {"response": 1541, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (09:03)", "body": "(Karen)Filming will take place in London over a two-month period. (Moon)How convenient is that? ;-) LOL. On the Victoria Line?;-D Anybody know the budget. Critic in Houston paper on HG in \"The Guru\": \"Graham is...well Graham. She's not much of an actress,but she doesn't really do any harm\"."}, {"response": 1542, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (09:18)", "body": "The budget isn't set yet. Have lovely pic of the long-haired Henry with Libby. He has his arms around her and is wearing blue jeans and black trainers with the requisite white laces."}, {"response": 1543, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (10:24)", "body": "(karen)Filming will take place in London over a two-month period... wahoo! Is this my big chance?! Don't forget, anyone gets any insider info on where exactly it's shooting, if you can't be there, you know, *one* of us might as well get a peek in =)."}, {"response": 1544, "author": "odessa", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (11:36)", "body": "help! where are the InStyle photos? Why can`t I see them?"}, {"response": 1545, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (12:34)", "body": "(Emma)wahoo! Is this my big chance?! Yes, Yes, Yes...I can feel it. This is it, Emma. (Karen)Have lovely pic of the long-haired Henry with Libby Can't find it, I've checked The Bucket. Can we see it as a Valentine's Day present? BTW, Mark Darcy is my favorite, so I'm in seventh heaven with Spring's home page, molto grazie. Happy Valentine's Day, everyone. Enjoy!"}, {"response": 1546, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (14:09)", "body": "ODB at Bradford Film Fest.. http://www.thisisbradford.co.uk/bradford__district/archive/2003/02/11/brad_news11.int.html"}, {"response": 1547, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (14:18)", "body": "Good find, Maria! Emma, go to it! Lizza, can you also make it?"}, {"response": 1548, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (16:46)", "body": "Funny that they think he's a \"Hollywood heartthrob\"..... when over here he's \"British heartthrob.\""}, {"response": 1549, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (18:48)", "body": "I don't even know where Bradford is (getting out map) but I WILL be there! Have just signed up for email updates for the festival. The website for it is a bit sketchy, but this is all getting very exciting...thanks for the confidence boost lindak!!!"}, {"response": 1550, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (20:04)", "body": "(Emma)I don't even know where Bradford is (getting out map) but I WILL be there! I can feel it, this may be the moment...;-) (Rika)\"Hollywood heartthrob\" I thought that was strange, too."}, {"response": 1551, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (21:10)", "body": "(Emma) I don't even know where Bradford is (getting out map) but I WILL be there! I hear it's approx 200 miles north of London in Yorkshire. If you can get there, by all means GO! I'll send you confidence vibes. And as you can purchase tickets to the screenings, no need for potted plants. The after-party is another matter. ;-) (Rika)\"Hollywood heartthrob\" (Linda)I thought that was strange, too. Me three."}, {"response": 1552, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (00:48)", "body": "Thanks Maria for the interesting article. Good Luck Emma!!!"}, {"response": 1553, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (09:10)", "body": "Thanks Maria for the the item. Hollywood heartthrob Colin Firth is set to spring into action to help launch the Bradford Film Festival. Not technically incorrect as his film is launch the fest. A bit misleading though, as they are only \"hoping\" to get some of the stars to attend. However, I wouldn't miss this opportunity, Emma, just in case. Bethan can tell you far more about the National Museum. As mentioned, it is outside of Leeds and was the setting for the film East is East."}, {"response": 1554, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (09:46)", "body": "\"but we're hopeful that Colin will come too.\" Me too. But won't he be filming Trauma? With or without him, I'm glad they're not mothballing HS. This is hopeful. Didn't they do MLSF there?"}, {"response": 1555, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (09:49)", "body": "PS Saw WAGW trailer with \"Kangaroo Jack\" film. Warning : Do not see KJ unless under duress. Undoubtedly the worst film I have ever ....."}, {"response": 1556, "author": "maryw", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (09:51)", "body": "Blast from the past - hello everyone! Hope all are well, despite uncertain times! As some of you may you know I made major transcontinental move recently and have been unable to drop in regularly. Got an email today from a co-Firthette reporting on \"The Bearded Look\". I can see that there has been some serious hyperventilating going on here...but bwaaahhh - I can't see the photos!!! What could possibly be wrong? Why can't I see the photos with the article in The Bucket? Emergency assistance much needed please before total ODB-deprivation kills (me, that is!) With out without seeing the photos - thanks to Karen et al who put them up. Ciao for now. Take care all."}, {"response": 1557, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (10:13)", "body": "Hi Minkee, I tried to email you with an alternative solution regarding the pictures - but your e-mail wouldn't work. Sorry to use this place to post to one person, but couldn't think of another place."}, {"response": 1558, "author": "odessa", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (10:37)", "body": "an alternative solution regarding the pictures what is it? please tell, I wanna see them *crying like a baby*"}, {"response": 1559, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (11:58)", "body": "The pictures from the book are terrific. I esp. like the biker/hippy one; Wig? But can't figure out storyline re the hippy one in an elegant environs. Picking teeth;-)... bet he doesn't want to show D. up. Last pic...picnic on his lawn. Did Lord Dashwood keep the same hippy clothes all those years??Gaaagh. Cute movie... once I get over the fact that I'm not watching a \"great Shakespearean actor\"! ...Me thinks Simon Russell Beale doesn't have to worry"}, {"response": 1560, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (16:44)", "body": "RE Bradford Film Festival I have tried unsuccessfully to book tickets for HS. I called the number listed on the website and the operator said someone would call me back on Monday. (Tickets are not available online). Arghh!!!"}, {"response": 1561, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (16:53)", "body": "Hi Everyone, I have emailed to Minkee (at an alternate email address) about the In Style photos, so don't panic. :-) Also, although I tried mightily, I could not find Parky after the show last week (not surprising, in light of his comments about the Australian cricket team during the show and the audience's reaction to them). I did email him at his BBC email address, suggesting that CF would make a great guest on his show, and saying that he's got four movies coming out this year. Perhaps others might want to do the same. Parky's email address is: parky@bbc.co.uk"}, {"response": 1562, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (20:13)", "body": "What is he filming in France???W Colin Firth was filming in France and unable to get away to be at the premiere - much to his fans' disappointment Dame Judi wows Earnest fans 21.34PM BST, 4 Sep 2002 Dame Judi Dench had the crowd at her feet as she arrived for the glittering premiere of her latest film, The Importance of Being Earnest. Not even the appearance of Rupert Everett on a Soho rickshaw and with a sexy Jade Jagger on his arm could redirect the enthusiasm with which the fans greeted the screen legend. Dame Judi duly rewarded them. Wearing a black trouser suit, with an orange scarf over the left shoulder, she emerged from a black Jaguar to sign autographs and pose for photographs. Dame Judi, who plays Lady Bracknell in the film adaptation of Oscar Wilde's classic comedy of manners, smiled broadly as she waved at the fans and the cameras. Other stars arriving at the premiere, which took place at the Odeon West End in Central London, included Frances O'Connor, Anna Massey and Tom Wilkinson. Colin Firth was filming in France and unable to get away to be at the premiere - much to his fans' disappointment. The film's director, Oliver Parker, wearing a navy blue suit and blue shirt, said he wanted to translate a \"beautiful production\" from the stage to the cinema, allowing film audiences throughout the world to revel in the brilliance of Oscar Wilde. He said: \"It was fairly easy to cast and a lot of people were very attracted to the material and I hope that An Ideal Husband gave them the confidence that I would give it a good shot. \"It all fell into place very well.\" He said that it was necessary to take \"a few risks\" to reinvent the classic for film audiences and to ensure that it was not done \"a disservice\". Other celebrities attending the glittering bash included Helena Bonham Carter, Ruby Wax and Angus Deayton. The critically acclaimed adaptation was the first film produced by Ealing Studios for 40 years after it was bought by Barnaby Thompson."}, {"response": 1563, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (20:19)", "body": "That was back in September when he was in France filming \"Love Actually\". Poor EmmaB, who was our Fearless Reporter On the Scene, was crushed.... as were the rest of us on her behalf."}, {"response": 1564, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (20:32)", "body": "Good God!! Thanks Rika..This is what you get when you add together frittering about with half an attention span here, a daydream there, adult ADD this way...well, you do the math...."}, {"response": 1565, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Feb 16, 2003 (11:14)", "body": "(Evelyn)But can't figure out storyline re the hippy one in an elegant environs. I'm still trying to figure out why there are hippies in the mid 1980s.;-) Can't wait to see the pics. P&P was USA Today's top Valentine's Day video pick this weekend. Bracing for *two feet*--yes, feet--of snow here in South Jersey . . . brrrr"}, {"response": 1566, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 16, 2003 (12:46)", "body": "(Mari)Can't wait to see the pics. Hmmmm. *drumming fingers*Me too. You're torturing us, boss;-D"}, {"response": 1567, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 16, 2003 (15:32)", "body": "I've had them all ready since Friday. Someone else, who doesn't mind getting gang raped and spat on by the fan/bystanders is going to have to do the honors. (I came *this* close to taking down the entire site.)"}, {"response": 1568, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sun, Feb 16, 2003 (17:41)", "body": "(Karen) (I came *this* close to taking down the entire site.) Don't let the turkeys get you down! If they are not brave enough to dis you in front of us, what good are they anyway? Sounds like their emails need to be in the delete before opening category.:-)"}, {"response": 1569, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, Feb 16, 2003 (17:51)", "body": "(Karen) I've had them all ready since Friday... Not surprised...you want the first with the best CF stuff, you come here..."}, {"response": 1570, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 16, 2003 (20:58)", "body": "(Karen) I've had them all ready since Friday... Don't put them up.Let the thieves pillage some other site. I keep telling you, Drool should be a restricted site for dues- paying members only. Including Fan Fic. Just because one logs in, doesn't make one a member. Drool is a privately funded website. For what? So a band of marauders can come in and steal us blind, and then go post the pics and info without giving credit? Getouttahere."}, {"response": 1571, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Feb 16, 2003 (21:53)", "body": "(Karen) (I came *this* close to taking down the entire site.) Mon Dieu, there must be a better way. (Evelyn)So a band of marauders can come in and steal us blind, and then go post the pics and info without giving credit? Well said, and good point. ...they only shoot at eagles. This is the best place and the cowardly pirates know it."}, {"response": 1572, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Feb 16, 2003 (22:46)", "body": "(Evelyn)Drool should be a restricted site for dues- paying members only. That works for me!"}, {"response": 1573, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (00:07)", "body": "(Evelyn) So a band of marauders can come in and steal us blind, and then go post the pics and info without giving credit? Then not take responsibility when called on it."}, {"response": 1574, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (03:51)", "body": "From the Bradford Film Fest website: RE:Hope Springs Premiere Name:Tom, From: NMPFT, Posted: 16/02/03 Yes, Hope Springs will be showing at the Bradford Film Festival opening night gala. The full festival diary will be available at the end of this week when times have been confirmed. I'll try to call today though, like you Janet. Also, have found http://www.visitbradford.com/index.asp where you can find a place to stay (some affordable places centrally located, more than the Hilton anyway). If anyone else is planning on going and they want a buddy to go with, just email me. Thanks again for the encouragement, all =)"}, {"response": 1575, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (06:07)", "body": "I've just booked my tickets for HS. The only showing during the Film Festival is on Friday 14 March at 8.00pm in the Pictureville cinema. (It only seats 300 BTW). The booking clerk told me it was the World Premiere, and with any luck, Colin Farrell may put in an appearance!!"}, {"response": 1576, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (06:20)", "body": "(Janet)The booking clerk told me it was the World Premiere, and with any luck, Colin Farrell may put in an appearance!! I really don't know, if I'm supposed to cry or laugh. But - since I usually look at the bright side of life, I choose to laugh ;-) Congratulation on the tickets. Will off course expect a full review and lots of pictures ;-) (I will un-cross my fingers, when we hear from Emma)"}, {"response": 1577, "author": "meg", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (08:06)", "body": "(Karen) I've had them all ready since Friday. Someone else, who doesn't mind getting gang raped and spat on by the fan/bystanders is going to have to do the honors. (I came *this* close to taking down the entire site.) I just got back (in the middle of the east coast semi-blizzard) and am trying to figure out what happened... What happened???"}, {"response": 1578, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (08:28)", "body": "Karen and all: I know from past experience what you are talking about - And how impossible it is to really keep control of a web site. Taking without asking first, however, is the worst net behavior around. In case anyone ever visits my little nostalgia site - I do have the pictures, but they were sent me by a Crowe/Firth fan who is not part of the Firth world. I would never disrespect Karen's right to keep her site exactly the way SHE wants it. Karen, don't ever take anything down - Think of all the fans who depend on you and Drool. Sad story out of Chi today...."}, {"response": 1579, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (09:02)", "body": "Some are already up *other* places, too. How exciting Janet! And Emma, good luck! You don't have to stay at the expensive one, just do some reconnaisance. ;-) 'Course if Harvey was footing the bill for this one, checking a Budgetel Inn might be an appropriate course of action as well. ;-) And ladies, take cash....It's the universal language. ;-)"}, {"response": 1580, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (10:03)", "body": "Murph: Why don't you post the link to your page? BTW, the one thing that's made Drool a great place is that we don't talk about other sites. This goes way, way back and has been a good thing. We were taught it just isn't polite. But... By putting a checkmark in a little box, this place will disappear from view, possibly only to reappear once a year, like Brigadoon, on Colin's birthday. While I would have to go through the huge users ID file to delete unnecessary participants and lurkers who either (a) take, take, take back to their little groups so they can be big heroes, but never give anything back or (b) read here and act like someone held a gun to their heads or that they need to take a shower after sullying themselves here, I would. But I don't want to. I often wonder about the sad state of affairs when people don't know the difference between primary and secondary research. Picking info off other boards isn't hard, especially when you don't give credit for where you found it. Making calls all over the world, trying to find contacts here, there and everywhere, can be. Many of us do this, selflessly, for all the fans. But unfortunately, many of the fans really don't care about what goes into the provision of news or websites. They can be like carnivores, salivating for the next slab of red meat, not caring one jot over how it was presented. The Bucket gets lots of mail, nearly all of which I answer. Some of the mail is from people who frequent other sites, asking do I have this or that or when am I going to have this or that. Do they ever offer up anything to me? This continual one-way street I find tiresome... I have a feeling that my current state of mind might be one reason why City of God really spoke to me. All those Lil Zhe's and Runts out there.... :-("}, {"response": 1581, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (10:35)", "body": "Karen: Some of the mail is from people who frequent other sites, asking do I have this or that or when am I going to have this or that. Do they ever offer up anything to me? This continual one-way street I find tiresome... ****************** Karen, m'dear. Another way of looking at this is that you are the one who gets all the scoops first and then lets all know. You have become \"The Source,\" which is an honor and a burden. I know, re my Crowe news etc. We salute you!! Here is the link to my scans of the article. The text is not too clear. I would like to link back to your page for that. Is that possible? http://www.murphsplace.com/firth/instyle.html"}, {"response": 1582, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (10:43)", "body": "(Evelyn) Drool is a privately funded website. For what? So a band of marauders can come in and steal us blind, and then go post the pics and info without giving credit? I understand the point, and it bothers me too.... but in this case, weren't the pictures stolen from The Bucket, not Drool? So charging for access to Drool wouldn't have made much (or any) difference. I realize, though, there have been other times where information or photos have been lifted from Drool and posted elsewhere without credit (heck, it's happened to me with some DVD captures), but as Murph said, this is a very tough thing to defend against. People think because it's online it's in the public domain. We deal with this in academia, too - some students think if they find something on a web site, it is fair game to copy and paste it into a research paper without any sort of attribution or citation."}, {"response": 1583, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (11:05)", "body": "Janet, I will see you in Bradford =). Best \ufffd5 I ever spent! Had a bit of a panic today since they wouldn't accept my debit card or my Amex but I rushed home to get the Canadian visa and now am very content. Even if he doesn't make it again... At least the guy I talked to there did say Firth instead of Farrell!"}, {"response": 1584, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (11:16)", "body": "I am already wishing Janet and Emma luck with this..it sounds very promising. Please keep us updated about any info you might hear! And, taking some cash might be just the thing. I would take advice that Dorine is giving out. ;)"}, {"response": 1585, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (11:37)", "body": "I thought you had put up the book photos, Murph. Whatever... I did put the Instyle pics back up at The Bucket after yours were posted by Meluchie. Figured people could steal from her site now since she doesn't mind."}, {"response": 1586, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (11:44)", "body": "weren't the pictures stolen from The Bucket, not Drool? The Bucket would turn into one of those \"memorial\" sites or text only."}, {"response": 1587, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (11:48)", "body": "(Rika) I understand the point, and it bothers me too.... but in this case, weren't the pictures stolen from The Bucket, not Drool? So charging for access to Drool wouldn't have made much (or any) difference. I stand by my original premise. Make Drool Private.*Getting signs ready!* Some of our posts are lifted verbally to other websites.I know several who would join if this was a private website. They don't want to post publicly. We could have access to pictures/info before they go on firth.com. Hell, I don't even care if the firth.com is just text as long as *I* get to see the pics.Ellen Armstrong had a terrific website 6 years ago , all text. \"Colin Firth : FAQ\" V. scholarly and well organized. *Waving to Ellen*... \"I still miss your site.\" You know, I don't really care about all those fans out there who just stand around waiting to be spoon-fed.They are not my responsibility or Karen's. This gig doesn't pay her that much to have to take all the abuse and aggravation."}, {"response": 1588, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (12:53)", "body": "Janet & EmmaB, good luck and have fun! Hope you have a close encounter with The Man :) Keep us posted!!!!! Karen, sorry you're having so much pirate trouble. I can only imagine the aggravation of having my stuff posted elsewhere with no permission requested and no credit given. :( Maybe we can blame the InStyle pics for scrambling some women's brains (*wan smile*)."}, {"response": 1589, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (12:54)", "body": "Karen -- No -- I'd love to see the book photos. I am always two steps behind when it come to Colin!"}, {"response": 1590, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (13:10)", "body": "Karen: Can Drool be set up as a private group? I have the capability from my Murphsplace host to have private e-mail mailing lists. You need to be invited to join, and password protection is also an option. You can read the messages on line or via e-mail. No pictures, but links can always be posted. If you ever need something like this, I would be glad to make you the leader. Since it is owned and paid for my me, there are no ads or any other extraneous nuisances. Would it work to have unlinked web pages only accessible through a private list for image viewing, etc? The thing is, though, that your web site should be out there in the search engines and elsewhere as THE Firth source. It takes day by day commitment to keep a site easy to navigate, fresh and up to date, and you have been doing that for years. I know I am still asked to bring back the Firth news page. Nadda for me anymore, but you certainly could. How the fans would love it! Lists and groups are one thing, but web fan sites still beat all, IMO. Among the Crowe clan, there isn't much problem about taking pictures - I think that is because he is so much in the public eye, anyone can access his photos and media stories etc."}, {"response": 1591, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (13:19)", "body": "(Murph) You can read the messages on line or via e-mail. But you can't beat the Yapp format.I love being able to post pics. Besides, we paid for that two years ago."}, {"response": 1592, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (13:25)", "body": "Can Drool be set up as a private group? As I said before, it will only take putting a checkmark in a box in an access control table. Among the Crowe clan, there isn't much problem about taking pictures I know! That doesn't happen with other actors' fansites and why is there this proliferation of fan groups? Why does everyone feel the need to start up their own group, instead of joining an existing ones? I'm amazed by the number of people who come here, probably on an hourly basis, so they can be the messenger for their groups. Why have these people never joined in here? They're here often enough. Maybe that would be a better subject for your study, Rika?"}, {"response": 1593, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (14:05)", "body": "Karen, I also would be willing to contribute more in order to make this site private. Janet & Emma, good luck to you both and have fun! Can't wait to hear back from you."}, {"response": 1594, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (14:26)", "body": "(Karen),I have a feeling that my current state of mind might be one reason why City of God really spoke to me. All those Lil Zhe's and Runts out there.... :-( You have an open invitation to my house for Martinis. You and this site are the reason CF still resonates with me. We have fun here too! xxxooo............ Why does everyone feel the need to start up their own group, instead of joining an existing ones? I am amazed at how many CF sites there are! It would be nice if it were a united front. I still think this is the best place and we laugh quite a bit too. If Colin had a chance to investigate all the groups, I'm sure he would have the most fun here because of our sense of humor. (Dorine), And ladies, take cash....It's the universal language. ;-) LOL! Good one! (Lisa), I am already wishing Janet and Emma luck with this..it sounds very promising. Please keep us updated about any info you might hear! Me too! Lizza, what's keeping you? Aishling? If it's the Gala opening, you might be able to buy tickets to the Gala event. Those are usually done for charity and Colin might be there as well. Nothing like a good elbow to elbow. ;-)"}, {"response": 1595, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (14:48)", "body": "(moon) Nothing like a good elbow to elbow. ;-) Awwww, of all the body parts you could have picked for a \"what if\", you chose the elbows????? ;)"}, {"response": 1596, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (14:57)", "body": "Good Luck Emma and Janet. Have a great time. Should be fun. So sorry for your difficulties, Karen. You work so hard and do indeed have the best sight. Your knowledge and skills make all the difference and everyone knows and appreciates it. Always a job well done."}, {"response": 1597, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (15:16)", "body": "Hey Emma and Janet, have loads of fun! Really envy you both, as we all do. I have a long standing trip on that weekend so can't make it to Bradford;-) The cheap copies of NC were \ufffd2.99 I think, not sure of the name of the shop tho' Book... something? Anyone else help? I'm really feeling for the Boss at the moment ;-( Takes an inordinate amount of hard work to have so much CF stuff at your fingertips and make it look so easy, not to mention the style and humour with which it's done. Offload the takers I say."}, {"response": 1598, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (15:59)", "body": "(Karen) Why does everyone feel the need to start up their own group, instead of joining an existing ones? This is a mystery to me as well. When I first started looking for CF news, I joined one of the Yahoo groups (*blushes*) because I didn't know any better :). It didn't take long to come to my senses, though; a lot of the news that showed up there was from Spring, so I jumped ship. Whatever you decide to do about the private/public issue, Karen, I'm game. I love it here :)"}, {"response": 1599, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (16:21)", "body": "Karen, sorry you're having so much trouble with pic robbery (to make you laugh a little, thought that sounded like that place in FP that Jo mentions to Sarah when she's smoking and pregnant and not moving there ;)). But seriously you put so much time and integrity into the Bucket and we appreciate your efforts in making it the most up-to-date and best CF site. Sometimes, especially during birthday parties on 168, I'm a little confused what pictures I can use and have sometimes borrowed from Meluchie for older CF pics. Is that okay to do? Maybe I should have asked this question before and also asked her permission? Sorry about that, if I should have asked permission and will do so in future. Thanks again, Karen, for all you do. ******************************************* Good luck, Janet and Emma! Can't wait to get your reports, and don't forget your cameras for some possible blue soup smiles! Enjoy the evening, and I hope you get into all the right places at the right time with the right Colin!"}, {"response": 1600, "author": "kasey", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (16:47)", "body": "Karen, delurking to add my voice to those thanking you for the wonderful work you do. As I mentioned once in an e-mail I barely ever post (all of you other quick, witty women have taken all the best lines and have verbalized what I'm thinking before the thoughts are fully realized in my head). I too admit to finding one or two of those other sites but quickly realized where the origin of the REAL information was to be found and the others were left behind."}, {"response": 1601, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (18:47)", "body": "I just want to add the distinction between fan groups and fan sites . I too think it would be a lot better to have fewer groups around. At one time, if memory serves, there was one Firth group - the old original list serve started by Robin. How far we have come since those old crazy \"Just In Love\" days! With so many now, it takes a lot of time to surf them to keep up with the latest news. I tend to lean to the side of keeping a group as public as possible. It helps new fans find a home and information a lot easier. Fan sites, however, are really one person's idea of what she or he wants to present about their favorite actor. The creativity part of creating and maintaining a fan site is 90 percent of the fun. Being able to design one that looks good and is easy to navigate takes talent. Karen has that in spades for her Bucket, and some of the other Firth sites do as well. The difference is, as I said before, keeping it updated, fresh and well indexed. How many sites have you visited that have obviously not been touched in a long time, or are impossible to figure out? Pictures shared among groups is hard to stop, but taking a picture from one fan site and putting it on another - without permission if that is the author's wish, is just plain bad internet manners."}, {"response": 1602, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (19:05)", "body": "Sorry, I'm a bit late in doing this, but a great big thank-you to Maria for posting the link to the Bradford FF, and thereby allowing me to buy tickets. My DH is driving me down from Glasgow (4 hours each way) and we're returning the same night, I think. He knows I'm obsessed, but I don't know how long his patience would last if I produced a camera and proceeded to tail ODB! Perhaps I should leave that to Emma! Assuming he does make an appearance. (Lighting candles and praying to any diety that will listen)."}, {"response": 1603, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (19:29)", "body": "(Mary) taking a picture from one fan site and putting it on another - without permission if that is the author's wish, is just plain bad internet manners . Very well put! Janet, you're DH is a sweetheart!"}, {"response": 1604, "author": "Jory", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (19:36)", "body": "I haven't posted here in month and I say ditto to Kathy C. response. I'm willing to come out of the woodwork to ad my voice to the mix. We'd all be in a Colin deprived mode if it wasn't for the hard work Karen puts in here. I don't have much to add but, this is where I live when I have a few moments to myself. Thank you, Karen! and all of you who add so much to my day."}, {"response": 1605, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (19:38)", "body": "(moonstar)Whatever you decide to do about the private/public issue, Karen, I'm game. I love it here :) I second that. And I'd like to add my two cents in thanking Karen for all that she does to make this place the best around. Good luck Emma and Janet. I'll be with you in spirit."}, {"response": 1606, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (20:02)", "body": "Karen, there isn't much I can say that all these other lovely women haven't said already. But my sentiments are exactly the same as theirs. I've said before that you do a marvelous job and alot of us really appreciate the work you do. That some people have to steal your work so it can make them look good, just goes to show that their mammas didn't raise them right. It isn't just bad internet manners...it's bad manners period! So you do whatever you need to do, just know that there's quite a few of us that'll cover your back anytime you need it. Now that I've said that, I'm going back into my hidey-hole :)"}, {"response": 1607, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (20:06)", "body": "closing tags, sorry"}, {"response": 1608, "author": "caribou", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (21:57)", "body": "(Karen)They can be like carnivores, salivating for the next slab of red meat, I am not one of the theives but I confess to understanding their insatiableness. With apologies to Laura Numeroff who wrote, \"If You Give a Mouse a Cookie\", \"If You Give a Pig a Pancake\", and \"If You Give a Moose a Muffin\": If You Give a Caribou a Colin tidbit! If you give a Caribou a Colin tidbit, she'll ask you where you got it. You'll post the URL and while you're doing that, she want to know where she can find a hard copy. While you make some calls to check on availability, she'll want some pictures to go with it. You'll scan the photo, do the proper formatting, cropping and air brushing (for MPB). She'll delete them by mistake so, she'll ask you to send her a hard copy. While your purchasing, packaging, and mailing the hard copy, she'll ask if you can include a hard-to-find video as well. When you mail her the video, she'll probably want to discuss it right away. You'll need to schedule a film discussion. During the film discussion, a Caribou will hear an new Colin tidbit, she'll ask you where you got it...... :-) ;-) :-) ;-) :-) ;-) :-) ;-) :-) ;-) :-) ;-) (Karen)not caring one jot over how it was presented. I hope I am not ever that. Can't seem to stop being insatiable but I am ever grateful for the time and effort you put into getting those Colin tidbits. I still think of you driving through the heat last summer, battling for a parking space, and walking a long way so, we would be able to see the mag that many of us couldn't have found. And, that's only one of the many, many, many things for which I am thankful."}, {"response": 1609, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (22:34)", "body": "Thank you, ladies, for all the nice things you've said here and via email. I don't require all these thanks and the stroking. I do this because I enjoy it...most of the time. And I'd like to put this behind me and concentrate on figuring out a viable solution that keeps the public Drool robust while having some private mechanism for the delivery of other information. Ada really hit the nail on the head for me when she said their mamas didn't raise them right. It's just bad manners. Period. The atmosphere of group is established by its host. While some sites nurture an atmosphere of talking behind people's backs, back stabbing, phoniness, anarchic behavior, etc., which you all should recognize as the fundamental tenets of a democracy, we aim for civility, humor, wittiness and respect, all while indulging in our CF hobby. As Bridget would say, \"And now back to the studio\""}, {"response": 1610, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (22:35)", "body": "Oh yes, v. cute, Caribou. I'm well acquainted with that behavior. ;-)"}, {"response": 1611, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (00:24)", "body": "(Karen)I don't require all these thanks and the stroking. I do this because I enjoy it...most of the time We know that, but we want to hug you and thank you anyway!:-) It really does take a lot of hubris to a) steal other people's work, whether it's photos or research and b) even worse, pass it off as your own discovery. And when they're called on it, they either play dumb (not a stretch) or say you have no right to complain. I'd make this a private site, by invitation only. Link a \"request to join\" to the firth.com website. And we all need to speak up when we see thieving going on, though some folks are so shameless they appear to be beyond embarrassment. But I support whatever you decide, Karen. You're the best! Visiting here is a fun part of my day, thanks to the great people who post here and to you, our hostess, who sets the tone."}, {"response": 1612, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (03:45)", "body": "(Janet)...I produced a camera and proceeded to tail ODB! Perhaps I should leave that to Emma!... Janet, don't worry, I got your back. It'll be covered =) -- as long as I keep my nerve up! And yes a GIANT thank you to Maria, that was such an amazing find - just another example of the quality information shared on this site."}, {"response": 1613, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (05:46)", "body": "(EmmaB)..as long as I keep my nerve up! I believe in positive vibrations and will send you both as many as I can ;-)"}, {"response": 1614, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (08:02)", "body": "EmmaB and Janet - Will light every candle in the house, set off flares from trunk of car, wear garlic braid necklace, eat Lucky Charms for dinner, adopt a rabbit so as to have all 4 lucky feet (besides, don't really care for foot of rabbit unattached from body of rabbit..I'm sure it will still work..), plant saint upside down in front of yard and in general be sending all manner of good thoughts your way!!! Go to it and have a great time!!!"}, {"response": 1615, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (09:33)", "body": "I'd make this a private site, by invitation only. Link a \"request to join\" to the firth.com website. Would solve lots of problems, boss. And we all need to speak up when we see thieving going on, though some folks are so shameless they appear to be beyond embarrassment. Problem is.. Spring is my only community, I don't go to the other CF groups.(Repulsive!). Though if someone tells me where thievery is going on, I'll be glad to be the \"gladiator\". \"Have spear, will travel\"."}, {"response": 1616, "author": "aishling", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (09:39)", "body": "Am hoping that Colin shows up at Bradford for you Emma and Janet. Unfortunately I am away that weekend or would have loved to have joined you."}, {"response": 1617, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (09:44)", "body": "(EmmaB)..as long as I keep my nerve up! (Annette) I believe in positive vibrations and will send you both as many as I can ;-) Good but there's better, I say we take up a collection and send Dorine!"}, {"response": 1618, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (09:50)", "body": "Unless Colin's out of the country, I could really see him going to Bradford for this. The film was done for his *favorite* UK studio (Fragile/Ealing) and he owes them in a way for continual local employment. ;-)"}, {"response": 1619, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (10:11)", "body": "Minor mention of Colin in a cute little hometownish Tasmanian article about Essie Davis (Catharina in GWAPE). Since the play, Davis has shot one film,A Girl with a Pearl Earring, with Colin Firth and is working on a new film Code 46. http://www.themercury.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,6006874%255E3462,00.html"}, {"response": 1620, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (10:47)", "body": "Am trying to get more info re Bradford FF and will hopefully post later."}, {"response": 1621, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (11:31)", "body": "(Evelyn) Problem is.. Spring is my only community, I don't go to the other CF groups.(Repulsive!). LOL, me too! Why go anywhere else?? :) (Dorine) Janet, you're DH is a sweetheart! He's just afraid she won't be able to behave around ODB ;) Emma & Janet, we're all rooting for you; have fun!"}, {"response": 1622, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (11:42)", "body": "(Evelyn)if someone tells me where thievery is going on, I'll be glad to be the \"gladiator\". \"At my signal . . . unleash hell!\" ;-) Good luck to the Bradford-bound. Even if he doesn't show up (but I think he will), you'll be the first fans on the planet to see Hope Springs!:-) God knows when we'll get it over here . . ."}, {"response": 1623, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (12:05)", "body": "(Evelyn)if someone tells me where thievery is going on, I'll be glad to be the \"gladiator\". And I can certainly take off the kid gloves I've used. ;-)"}, {"response": 1624, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (12:52)", "body": "(BEthan) Am trying to get more info re Bradford FF and will hopefully post later. Wasn't Bradford FF where MLSF was screened? And didn't you go? Or were planning to? A dreadful night as I remember. Some fan braved the elements ,drove miles across the moors.(Shades of Wuthering Heights;-) Hope you have better weather this time, Bethan."}, {"response": 1625, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (13:27)", "body": "(MariaT)plant saint upside down in front of yard I thought you only did that when you wanted to sell your house?:-) But heck, if it will help Janet and Emma...I'll go plant one right now. Problem is I'll have to dig through 18 inches of snow. But, I'll do it!"}, {"response": 1626, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (13:33)", "body": "You have no idea how much I hate defacing these or any pictures... BTW, clean pics have always been available for private use by request."}, {"response": 1627, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (13:54)", "body": "Oohhhhh....thank you Karen!!! I really like the 'hippy' picture! The that wicked grin just kills me. (Karen)...clean pics have always been available for private use... LOL....I want to know if you have dirty pictures available for private use?? ;-D"}, {"response": 1628, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (14:39)", "body": "(Tress) that wicked grin just kills me. Yes. Oh, yes. Dimples, and a hint of the devil in his eyes. LOL....I want to know if you have dirty pictures available for private use?? ;-D LOL! And I suppose you're not talking about Mark Darcy with bloodstains on his shirt. ;-)"}, {"response": 1629, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (14:57)", "body": "Wasn't Bradford FF where MLSF was screened? And didn't you go? Or were planning to? I went with my mother (not my DH's cup of tea, and, as you know, I keep my interest in CF a close secret, so as not to expose myself to ridicule!) I'm not sure if I'll be able to go this time, as, sadly, my mother is very unwell, and I don't have much free time (hence my near-lurkdom state.) I've got the phone number for the Festival organisers office though (as opposed to the Box Office which is permanently engaged) and I'll try to find out more details of the Premiere (like, who is attending). No reply today. The National Museum of Photography Film and TV is a very impressive building, but I do think that the centre of Bradford can be rather bleak, especially on a cold night. Hopefully, by March 14 we should be getting some signs of early spring evenings. Mark Herman hails from Yorkshire and his lastt three movies have been based in the North. I would think that if CF is free he would lend his support. Maybe a Q&A? Slightly OT, but there was a long article in (I think) this month's Harpers mag about \"Ted and Sylvia\" . I only glanced through (did not buy!), but I think that there was no evidence that CF \"refused to audition\". The original director Pavel ? dropped out at the last minute, the producer then brought in this NZ director, Christine Letts, a Syvia Plath fanatic. She flew to the US to see GP and started shooting 2 weeks later. Daniel Craig was her(the director's) first choice for the Ted Hughes role (there's mention of his performance in Road to Perdition) They flew to NZ to film the Cape Cod scenes (why not in Cape Cod itself?) . Director sounds very uncompromising. Re Trauma...well, I can't enthuse about \"from the director of MOTM\"! but IMHO Little Bird have a pretty good track record both for TV and film. Not world beating but solid entertainment And it's a break from rom coms!"}, {"response": 1630, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (15:28)", "body": "(Bethan) The original director Pavel ? dropped out at the last minute, the producer then brought in this NZ director, Christine Letts Haven't I been saying all along it had to do with the change in directors? Colin is nowhere near the level where he calls the shots and overshadows a director, who makes the casting calls. (Bethan) why not in Cape Cod itself? Can we say Southern Hemisphere vs. Northern Hemisphere? And would you want to be shooting in the ocean during the dead of winter off Massachussetts? Not I. ;-)"}, {"response": 1631, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (17:12)", "body": "(Rika)And I suppose you're not talking about Mark Darcy with bloodstains on his shirt. ;-) I nearly commentet that one whit a quote from Daniel Cleaver/Hugh Gnat or whatever you call him, but I don't mean to offend anybody;-) (you know the line??) Karen, the pictures made me quite week at my knees. I shall now have to go and have a lie-down, as this has taken my breath away .... Before I go, Bethan, thank you for the report. IMHO Karen is right; the shifting of directors would be the reason for Colin not getting the part."}, {"response": 1632, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (18:09)", "body": "(Tress)LOL....I want to know if you have dirty pictures available for private use?? ;-D Dirty pictures? Did someone say dirty pictures?...and for private use no less:-) (Mari)At my signal . . . unleash hell!\" ;-) I'll bring my dueling pistols and my swords. Mari, can't we use our evil eye stuff, too?:-)"}, {"response": 1633, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (18:54)", "body": "I love that hippie Colin picture, thanks, Karen! (Karen), Haven't I been saying all along it had to do with the change in directors? Colin is nowhere near the level where he calls the shots and overshadows a director, who makes the casting calls. I never argued that point. I just thought that he still should have gone and done the screen test, one never knows what might have happened unless one tries. Plus, it's part of an actors job, the audition, the screen test. Wus pus."}, {"response": 1634, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (19:11)", "body": "The hippie Colin pic needs further study. Perhaps the screen test was never an option for Colin once the new director came on board."}, {"response": 1635, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (19:50)", "body": "(Lisa) The hippie Colin pic needs further study. Agreed. I noticed I 'stuttered' when commenting on it earlier today! I tried to collect myself, but no such luck! If that's the 'hippy look', I'm all for it! (Rika) LOL! And I suppose you're not talking about Mark Darcy with bloodstains on his shirt. ;-) I was thinking more in the line of PM outtakes or something! Pictures shot by the 'towel boy' while ODB wasn't looking! ;-)"}, {"response": 1636, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (20:31)", "body": "The hippy look isn't cuttin' it for me, wicked grin or not. Can't get past the hair. :-( I think I prefer the \"loosened up Lord\" look while hanging out with Daphne on the wall in his barefeet. :-D (Linda) I'll bring my dueling pistols and my swords LOL!!!!! ;-) (Dorine) Janet, you're DH is a sweetheart! (Moonstar) He's just afraid she won't be able to behave around ODB ;) And he's smart, too! A keeper! ;-) (Moon) I just thought that he still should have gone and done the screen test, one never knows what might have happened unless one tries. OK, say the screen test was an option. But what if he didn't like the new director? And it's more than likely he wasn't into the location, especially if that was a change as she is from NZ. So why bother trying for something he may not have been remotely interested in anymore? Do you go on job interviews for a job you don't want? Maybe if you needed it, but I doubt he \"needed\" it. Because it may be a winner with GP in it? It seems all she touches is not gold either. There are many things that may seem good for us, but the timing to get them is not right, making the situation wrong. What the hell do I know? ;-)"}, {"response": 1637, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (02:25)", "body": "I keep telling you, Drool should be a restricted site for dues- paying members only. Including Fan Fic. Just because one logs in, doesn't make one a member. I'm completely in agreement with Evelyn.. (realizing I'm a few days late on response but still such a pertinent issue) You work too hard to keep us informed to let someone else rip you off like that, Karen. This is really the only true \"Firth\" site out there, and the only one that stays on top of Colin's activities and endeavors. I realize there's a lot of shy lurkers that might suffer this becoming an exclusive and protected site, however, even a shy lurker can pay a fee and be held responsible for their activities. So, there's my 2 cents worth. =) mari, loved the duct tape comment.. I was hoping the ship HAD turned around, but it seems to be stuck in the sucking vortex and spiraling out of control. ;) oh, I liked the gladiator line, as well.. \"At my signal . . . unleash hell!\" You know, the first time I ever saw that movie, I thought \"Hell\" was the name of his dog that followed him into battle. (rolling eyes)"}, {"response": 1638, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (08:37)", "body": "(Dorine), OK, say the screen test was an option. But what if he didn't like the new director? And it's more than likely he wasn't into the location, especially if that was a change as she is from NZ. So why bother trying for something he may not have been remotely interested in anymore? If that's the case, then it's a shame that the press picked up on his refusing to do the screen test. For my part, I think it was an ego thing. After all, he had just come back from co-starring in BJD, a hit movie, blah, blah, blah..."}, {"response": 1639, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (08:47)", "body": "(Dorine) So why bother trying for something he may not have been remotely interested in anymore? And it's worth noting that the shooting schedule overlapped with GWAPE, so perhaps he wasn't going to have the option of doing both. I know many here think T&S was by far the preferable project, and certainly it's getting more advance publicity, but there may have been good reasons for preferring GWAPE. And as to the location.... yeah, Luxembourg is closer to home than NZ, but it's not exactly on the Victoria line either."}, {"response": 1640, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (08:50)", "body": "(Tress)LOL....I want to know if you have dirty pictures available for private use?? ;-D LOL! I know there's one around here somewhere! (Bethan) And it's a break from rom coms! Exactly! I just hope they find a distributor :( (Dorine) Can't get past the hair. :-( The hair doesn't bother me; maybe it's because he has such a devilishly mischievous look on his face. I like Naughty!Colin; he's my favorite ;)"}, {"response": 1641, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (08:56)", "body": "(Rika) And it's worth noting that the shooting schedule overlapped with GWAPE That's a good point; it could be he had already signed on the dotted line to do GWAPE & simply wasn't available. IIRC, didn't this story originally come from a London tabloid? They don't exactly have the reputation of being bastions of solid journalism, LOL."}, {"response": 1642, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (08:59)", "body": "(Tress) Oohhhhh....thank you Karen!!! I really like the 'hippy' picture! The that wicked grin just kills me. (Moon Dreams) love that hippie Colin picture, thanks, Karen! (Tress) If that's the 'hippy look', I'm all for it! I'm with you girls..In fact, it makes me want to dab a little patchouli oil on my wrists, dust off my Birkenstocks, and grab my guitar to go find him..He looks like the perfect image of the man I was looking for twenty years ago but was too paralyzing shy to let know..."}, {"response": 1643, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (09:49)", "body": "Just home from the library having ordered randomly among anything slightly connectet to Vermeer, I read something from this one: Ornament and Silence, essays on women's lives from Edith Wharton to Germaine Greer. One of the essays is called \"The poet of everyday life\" (Vermeer) and once I got startet, I couldn't stop. Ex: He painted an earlope with its teardrop pearl. (Pearls might have symbolized chaste spirituality to contemporary observers, or perhaps the foolish vanities of this world; but more signigicantly, the nacreous substance suited Vermeer, the painter, perfectly. It suspended the light as if in an emulsion, yet also beamed it flying and twinkling out.) Like an alchemist making gold, he worked away in that home studio, capturing the light an the shadows and (in the free, silent world of his canvas) moving them about, like his props, to suit himself . Reading these 12 page made me want more - I do so hope, this movie will be released here. Hope I'm not out of topic, just really needed to share a wonderful moment. btw - have anybody read the book: Jan & Catharina by Michael Tobias? (It is unavaiable to me)"}, {"response": 1644, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (10:10)", "body": "'fraid I'm not in the long-haired hippie camp. Does nothing for me, except make me want to drag him along to good stylist for a trim. When I saw the Regatta pics, it seemed to me that I don't think I've ever seen Colin dressed before in a sports jacket (blazer) and light khaki/tan (whatever) slacks before...in a movie role or IRL. I suppose I should put the rest of them up now..."}, {"response": 1645, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (12:50)", "body": "(Karen)I suppose I should put the rest of them up now... Thanking you in advance, boss. I'm not crazy about the hippy look, but the \"look\" on his face can stay. (Dorine)I think I prefer the \"loosened up Lord\" look while hanging out with Daphne on the wall in his barefeet. :-D Oh, yeah! Hey, I like that...LULL;-)"}, {"response": 1646, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (13:11)", "body": "(Annette) Hope I'm not out of topic, just really needed to share a wonderful moment. No, it was very interesting, Annette. I recently had the opportunity to see the three Vermeers in the Frick collection in NY. He really had an extraordinary eye for color and light. (Linda) I'm not crazy about the hippy look, but the \"look\" on his face can stay. Exactly. That's what I like about the picture. (Dorine)I think I prefer the \"loosened up Lord\" look while hanging out with Daphne on the wall in his barefeet. :-D And at the playground. Sounds like we're going to get a fair mount of \"loosened up Lord\" in this movie, actually."}, {"response": 1647, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (13:16)", "body": "Have just skimmed through Disney's latest annual report and no mention of any of Colin's movies in Touchstone's 2003 highlights (Hope Springs) or Miramax's 2002 highlights (TIOBE). Will now move onto Notes to the Financial Statements for how any special treatment given to sucky CF films. ;-)"}, {"response": 1648, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (13:44)", "body": "(Dorine) The hippy look isn't cuttin' it for me, wicked grin or not. Can't get past the hair. :-( (Karen) 'fraid I'm not in the long-haired hippie camp. Does nothing for me, except make me want to drag him along to good stylist for a trim. (Linda) I'm not crazy about the hippy look, but the \"look\" on his face can stay. Ohhh...I like the hair (I'm sure the 'wig' on closer inspection won't do much for me, but I like the longer locks in that particular picture). Must be something from my past. I was one of those girls who had Parker Stevenson and Shaun Cassidy plastered on my walls (don't be too hard on me...remember we were all in fifth grade once...and my tastes have improved with age!). ;-) (Dorine) I think I prefer the \"loosened up Lord\" look while hanging out with Daphne on the wall in his barefeet. :-D Ohhhh yes!! Loosened up Lord is a good thing!! I like this 'version' too!"}, {"response": 1649, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (13:44)", "body": "(Rika) a fair mount of \"loosened up Lord\" Freudian slip perhaps? Watching too much WoF perhaps? ;-D"}, {"response": 1650, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (14:01)", "body": "Dorine) I think I prefer the \"loosened up Lord\" look while hanging out with Daphne on the wall in his barefeet. :-D Why people have a blush response... Shhhh..As I was reading my Scholastic Book WAGW last night(with ny flashlight under the sheets), I started to feel like a crush was blooming for Lord Dashwood..Lord, Hippy, whatever, he is divine I am truly one pathetic geek..."}, {"response": 1651, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (14:19)", "body": "Bethan, I'm very sorry to hear about your mother. Hope she's feeling better soon. LOL at all of this talk about The Scholastic Book WAGW. Think the last Scholastic Book I owned was from the 2nd or 3rd Grade: Ellen Tebbets or Ginny and the New Girl. We could be a whole new market for them, as long as ODB keeps playing dads in silly rom-coms.;-) *whipping out credit card to place online order...*"}, {"response": 1652, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (14:33)", "body": "I decided to e-mail Bafta for the second time in two weeks, the first, as I passed on to you last week, that BBCAmerica will televise the awards this year, and today I e-mailed asked them if CF would be attending or perhaps presenting...here is all the reply I received...:-( Sorry Colin Firth is not attending the Awards Well at least I won't have to figure out how to record off our new digital cable. I'm sorry to hear this, but not surprised. Last year there were several wonderful shots of Colin and Livia. The camera was on him quite a bit. Holding out hope for next year with LA."}, {"response": 1653, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (14:56)", "body": "Thanks Linda for inquiring"}, {"response": 1654, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (15:59)", "body": "I'm not sure if this should be in Firthology or here, but here's something to think about: What is your favorite romantic/love scene from Colin's films? (If you say on that hill in Playmaker, I'll scream!) I think mine is dancing in the rain at the end of MLSF."}, {"response": 1655, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (16:09)", "body": "(Karen), Will now move onto Notes to the Financial Statements for how any special treatment given to sucky CF films. ;-) You sure know how to make me laugh. It is alarming that HS is not even listed. Annette, Vermeer uses pearls repeatedly in his paintings and that one particular earring that Griet wears, is also used on different women. Got my tiny GWAPE book today. Am looking forward to bigger size pictures, Karen."}, {"response": 1656, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (16:16)", "body": "Murph, I think your question would get a lot of answers on 166."}, {"response": 1657, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (16:29)", "body": "(Moon) it's a shame that the press picked up on his refusing to do the screen test. For my part, I think it was an ego thing. After all, he had just come back from co-starring in BJD, a hit movie, blah, blah, blah... (Rika) And it's worth noting that the shooting schedule overlapped with GWAPE, so perhaps he wasn't going to have the option of doing both. Thanks, Rika. I had, in fact, forgotten this point. Irregardless, Moon, you're winkie seems to be written in invisible font. ;-) Because surely you must be joking. I have never read a word even remotely insinuating that he's displayed \"diva\" behavior. Plus BJD was close to two years ago and he's still not a \"household\" name. :-( Can't say \"clout\" is his middle name."}, {"response": 1658, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (16:35)", "body": "(Dorine) Can't say \"clout\" is his middle name. Okay, stupid question...what is his middle name? Anyone know? Or is everyone laughing because I don't?? ;-)"}, {"response": 1659, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (16:40)", "body": "(Moon Dreams)Vermeer uses pearls repeatedly in his paintings and that one particular earring that Griet wears, is also used on different women. Yes, I have noticed that too. One last quote from the book, which I find to be a lot different from the angel taking in the movie GWAPE according to CF (no humour at all). The writer talks of sounds of praying and babies crying and continues: \"But there was music-making, and love, and surely there was laughter in that home, as wel. In my mind, like one of his pictures within pictures, I imagine the paterfamilial genius sitting at his easel .......... while putti-like babies and teenage girls with their heads in curlpapers giggle in rooms and stairs all around.\" Not exactly the impression I got from the book. Will move to GWAPE bookdiscussion, if I feel the need to post any more ;-) As to Murphys question, I will move my ..... to 166. Only say this, that the dancing in the rain has been replaced in the European version (or vice versa), so I have only seen snapshots from it -("}, {"response": 1660, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (16:44)", "body": "(Tress)Okay, stupid question...what is his middle name? Anyone know? Or is everyone laughing because I don't?? ;-) I'll join you. I haven't got a clue neither ;-) (sorry to post twice, but I'm so very slow, that a lot gets postet, while I type and think of clever ways (or maybe not) to express myself ;-)"}, {"response": 1661, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (16:56)", "body": "I've got good news and bad news... First the good news. You won't have to make a big decision on which film to see on April 4. And the bad news. There's no real release date for Hope Springs in the US. It's sitting there with a \"sometime this year\" type date on the most recent schedules. The UK is still April 18, but TBA for the rest of the world."}, {"response": 1662, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (17:04)", "body": "(Karen)And the bad news I just checked the danish releaseplan today, which has been very reliable until now. It states a premiere on June 27th for Hope Springs, nothing for WAGW. I hope it is true, but I also know not to take anything for grantet -("}, {"response": 1663, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (17:06)", "body": "Sometimes it takes awhile for intl dates to be updated. Might need to check into flights to England for the Bradford fest at this rate."}, {"response": 1664, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (17:35)", "body": "(Dorine), I have never read a word even remotely insinuating that he's displayed \"diva\" behavior. (Moon), For my part, I think it was an ego thing. But I did not use the word diva. I choose ego as in male ego, who now speaks, eats and drinks Italian, his macho/latin ego. (Insert me bringing thumb to cheek in a downwards motion) ;-) There's no real release date for Hope Springs in the US. It's sitting there with a \"sometime this year\" type date on the most recent schedules. Sheesh, what a surprise! :-("}, {"response": 1665, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (18:38)", "body": "(Moon) But I did not use the word diva. I choose ego as in male ego Oh I know, that's why I chose to put diva in quotes as it is associated with female egos, but I like that word to describe that type of behavior. ;-) diva (Merriam-Webster) : Etymology: Italian, literally, goddess, from Latin, feminine of divus divine, god Date: 1883 : PRIMA DONNA 1 Prima Donna : 2 : an extremely sensitive, vain, or undisciplined person (Karen)There's no real release date for Hope Springs in the US. :-( And I was going to ask my movie class teacher if he could try to get it. Still might for the future."}, {"response": 1666, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (19:19)", "body": "(Karen)There's no real release date for Hope Springs in the US. It's sitting there with a \"sometime this year\" type date To quote Colin Farrell, \"Fookin' shite!\" (Barb, was LOL at that MegWood link on Odds and Ends--that gal is a riot!) Maybe we could negotiate something with the UK people; we'll swap you a bootleg WAGW for a bootleg HS. Ok, assignments: Janet and Emma, stick a video camera in your purses when you go to the Filmfest; Dorine, start checkig the street vendors in Chinatown, as surely one of them must have WAGW on DVD by now.;-) Thanks for the update, Boss."}, {"response": 1667, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (19:48)", "body": "(Maria) I'm with you girls..In fact, it makes me want to dab a little patchouli oil on my wrists, dust off my Birkenstocks, and grab my guitar to go find him..He looks like the perfect image of the man I was looking for twenty years ago but was too paralyzing shy to let know... LOL. My sentiments exactly. My kind of guy too, but alas, too shy to let him know. Great pics Karen. Thank you. Brought back many memories. But can't recall anyone looking quite that good. (Dorine), I have never read a word even remotely insinuating that he's displayed \"diva\" behavior. Me neither. No one ever says anything derogatory about him. Can't buy the ego thing, so IMO will go along with he had his reasons for not wanting to do it. Am disappointed he will not be at Bafta's as hoped to see him, maybe next year. Thanks for all the reports everyone. Good work."}, {"response": 1668, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (19:53)", "body": "(Dorine)But what if he didn't like the new director? [in Seinfeld mode]After MB, he?s choosey? (Moon)If that's the case, then it's a shame that the press picked up on his refusing to do the screen test. For my part, I think it was an ego thing. It wasn?t the press, as I remember, it was someone at BBC that leaked....And...all actors have egos! I like-a the hippie look...hair'n all."}, {"response": 1669, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (19:59)", "body": "(mari) \"Fookin' shite!\" I really need to remember this phrase...it is so very appropriate in the right context. (evelyn)...all actors have egos! Too true! And I bet Hola Lola could expand a little on that based on her insightful comments and well placed position with her job. Whether she'll do it or not....is another matter!"}, {"response": 1670, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (19:59)", "body": "Tags....."}, {"response": 1671, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (20:22)", "body": "(me) a fair mount of \"loosened up Lord\" (Dorine) Freudian slip perhaps? Watching too much WoF perhaps? ;-D Oops (blushing)"}, {"response": 1672, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (20:26)", "body": "(Mari) Dorine, start checkig the street vendors in Chinatown, And, don't forget, Secret Agent (I'd tell you but I'd have to kill you) Jeannie....who has been known to have an...in...as it were. (Evelyn) [in Seinfeld mode]After MB, he's choosey? Oh Louisa! Too cruel!"}, {"response": 1673, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (20:57)", "body": "(Barb) And, don't forget, Secret Agent (I'd tell you but I'd have to kill you) Jeannie....who has been known to have an...in...as it were. LOL, will contact via Saracen communicator. ;-) (Evelyn) [in Seinfeld mode]After MB, he's choosey? all actors have egos! Excellent points! :-) (Mari) Dorine, start checkig the street vendors in Chinatown, as surely one of them must have WAGW on DVD by now.;-) Must wait 'til next week or when snow melts as nowhere for them to stand, let alone room to roll carts away when police pop by. ;-)"}, {"response": 1674, "author": "odessa", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 2003 (11:14)", "body": "I`ve been hunting InStyle, but the only issues I can find are with Jennifer Lopez/Drew Barrymore on covers....and his photos aren`t in those?"}, {"response": 1675, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 2003 (11:30)", "body": "The one with Sheryl Crow on the front, March 2003."}, {"response": 1676, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 2003 (12:03)", "body": "From the Message Board for \"Love Actually\" at Yahoo.com Movies \"I was fortunate enough to see some rushes from the movie when it was 2/3 of the way through filming. It looks fabulous, funny and emotionally touching. Richard Curtis is the best screenwriter of romantic comedies on the face of the earth (4 weddings, Notting Hill, Bridget Jones) and it looks as if he knows how to direct as well. I can't wait to see the whole movie.\" Sounds promising!"}, {"response": 1677, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 2003 (14:02)", "body": "InStyle March isn't out yet here in Australia, February 2003 with JL is still out on the news stands. :)"}, {"response": 1678, "author": "Odile", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 2003 (14:21)", "body": "InStyle March is finally here in Alaska. Just picked it up today. Don't mean to make anybody jealous but I have this silly grin on my face ever since... :)"}, {"response": 1679, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 2003 (15:06)", "body": "From a Linda in the UK, she saw this item in the Evening Standard about boards, specially goatees, and how cool they are now. So then they painted one on Colin (using the Cannes pic from about four years ago). Clooney makes beards cool By Valentine Low, Evening Standard 20 February 2003 Beards: they are a bit dodgy. Or at least they always used to be, when they were the province of ageing Marxists, bird-watchers in anoraks and the sort of chap who is to be found underneath the arches shouting into his Special Brew. Now - and no one is quite sure when this happened - beards are sexy all of a sudden. Beards - and specifically goatees - are hip. Beards are so cool that when George Clooney - the Most Desirable Man On The Planet - went for a night on the town after the premiere of his new movie, not only was he sporting a trim, decidedly 21st-century beard, but he made sure he was photographed alongside Tom Jones (the previous holder of the MDMOTP title), who also had a goatee. Beards? They are so cool it hurts. Now, it does not require too much imagination to realise that there are some former style icons out there who once were hipper than hip, but now are looking a bit sad and dusty. What better way to spruce up their image than a spot of facial hair? [...] Some men grow beards to look hard, to adopt a veneer of masculinity. Look at Hugh Grant: we have got a bit tired of the foppish public schoolboy look - perhaps a beard will toughen him up a bit? Or perhaps it makes him look like a TV gameshow host. You decide. Other beards have a decidedly frightening effect. Colin Firth used to be another holder of the Most Desirable Man etc title, but has lost his focus. Put a beard on him, though, and what do you get? Richard Branson. Here, Colin, you can borrow my razor."}, {"response": 1680, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 2003 (15:16)", "body": "Ooops, the sender was a LisaK in the UK."}, {"response": 1681, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 2003 (15:34)", "body": "Other beards have a decidedly frightening effect. Colin Firth used to be another holder of the Most Desirable Man etc title, but has lost his focus. Put a beard on him, though, and what do you get? Richard Branson. Here, Colin, you can borrow my razor. LOL....okay, obviously the person who wrote this does not have a copy of the March issue of InStyle magazine! Thanks Karen and LisaK!!"}, {"response": 1682, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 2003 (16:48)", "body": "specifically goatees - are hip. One up for my hubby. Put a beard on him, though, and what do you get? Richard Branson. Here, Colin, you can borrow my razor. Branson!!! LOL! I thought he looked great in SIL. That goatee fit him purrfectly. ;-)"}, {"response": 1683, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 2003 (18:36)", "body": "(Tress)okay, obviously the person who wrote this does not have a copy of the March issue of InStyle magazine! Obviously not! Goatees? Lets here it for stubble. I think Valentine Low needs a copy. Look at Hugh Grant: we have got a bit tired of the foppish public schoolboy look - perhaps a beard will toughen him up a bit? Or perhaps it makes him look like a TV gameshow host Well, at least they got this bit right;-)"}, {"response": 1684, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Feb 21, 2003 (12:35)", "body": "Put a beard on him, though, and what do you get? Richard Branson. LOL! Isn't that the Londumb look? (Tress)okay, obviously the person who wrote this does not have a copy of the March issue of InStyle magazine! My thoughts exactly. That slimmed down face made ALL the difference. Mmmmmm."}, {"response": 1685, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Feb 21, 2003 (15:01)", "body": "I caught Laura Linney on the Today show today, She did give a little blurb about LA. She didn't mention any co-stars-just made mention of the fact that it was a British film. Since Colin isn't attending the BAFTA's, I'm consoling myself by watching him in the audience (from last year's show) everytime BBC America advertises the fact that they are carrying the ceremony \"live\" this year...they show Colin just at the end, looking so handsome in that tux. *Sigh*"}, {"response": 1686, "author": "Jacqui50", "date": "Sat, Feb 22, 2003 (18:36)", "body": "Hi...I've been lurking here for quite a while...thought I'd just jump in with a quick intro...My name is Jacqui, 50 yrs. old, live in Duluth, MN (USA), TOTALLY love CF since about '96 when I saw \"P&P\"...This group is number one for up-to-date info about CF...I'm still trying to figure out how everything works here...so if I make a mistake, PLEASE go easy on me...I WILL LEARN...HONEST !!"}, {"response": 1687, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sat, Feb 22, 2003 (19:01)", "body": "Welcome Jacqui! Glad you delurked...the more the merrier! Nice we have this place huh? It takes another believer to understand the obsession! Welcome!"}, {"response": 1688, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Feb 22, 2003 (19:55)", "body": "Hello Jacqui!!! Glad to have you with us!!!"}, {"response": 1689, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Feb 22, 2003 (20:54)", "body": "Welcome aboard Jacqui!!! You've come to the right place. ;-)"}, {"response": 1690, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 2003 (03:13)", "body": "Velcome Jacqui. This is the place to be!"}, {"response": 1691, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 2003 (08:53)", "body": "JACQUI Glad to have you on board. Any other lurkers out there....c'mon take the plunge. We love newbies and I haven't used my Welcome sign in a while:-)))"}, {"response": 1692, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 2003 (09:21)", "body": "Jacqui Good to see you've figured out how to post and have jumped in. If you have questions, you know where to find me. (And, just so no one thinks I'm singling them out, I have to let you know that we don't use all caps here very much, except for happy birthdays, news flashes, etc. No need for apologies. It's your first time.) Happy posting!"}, {"response": 1693, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 2003 (09:24)", "body": "BTW, ladies, an Italian journalist has sent me pics of Colin from the press conference. He's surrounded by women while autographing flyers of the movie's poster. The guy said his wife's a journalist too and a huge fan of Colin's. Evidently he doesn't seem to mind. ;-)"}, {"response": 1694, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 2003 (09:49)", "body": "How very nice of him, Karen! Vogliamo vedere le foto! ;-) Welcome, Jacqui!"}, {"response": 1695, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 2003 (10:35)", "body": "Welcome, Jacqui! Glad to see you here!"}, {"response": 1696, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 2003 (10:49)", "body": "Welcome Jacqui! I'm glad you decided to delurk and join the fun."}, {"response": 1697, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 2003 (13:30)", "body": "Hi, Jacqui, WELCOME This is a great place to be...glad you want to join in on the fun."}, {"response": 1698, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 2003 (17:59)", "body": "Welcome Jacqui. You'll have alot of fun here."}, {"response": 1699, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 2003 (18:12)", "body": "(Karen)an Italian journalist has sent me pics of Colin from the press conference Stupendo, will we be able to see them? Per favore."}, {"response": 1700, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 2003 (18:40)", "body": "Welcome Jacqui. I'm from Mankato."}, {"response": 1701, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 2003 (19:10)", "body": "(Moon)How very nice of him, Karen! Vogliamo vedere le foto! ;-) Er . . . what Moon said goes for me too!:-) Welcome overboard, Jacqui! You're in the right place for news, views, fun, and of course, drooling! I hope more of our lurkers can jump in. BTW, Jacqui, be sure to check out some of the other boards such as 168 for OT topics, mostly movies and such."}, {"response": 1702, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (10:05)", "body": "In search of Australian with a scanner, who knows how to use it..."}, {"response": 1703, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (13:30)", "body": "Does anybody know anything about an interview with Amanda Bynes on Fox last Thursday? It aired in the D.C. area around lunchtime, according to a friend of mine. She said it was part of some sort of celebrity-interview show; I don't know the details except that \"they make fun of people.\" Anyway, she said AB was asked about her new movie and said, yes, she was co-starring with Colin Firth, \"who is a hunk,\" and then, based on my friend's description, I think they showed the WAGW trailer. Sorry to be so vague - it's all I know."}, {"response": 1704, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (16:22)", "body": "I've posted this at #166, but will post here as well. According to the lady at the Box Office, the actual premiere for HS is before the public screening . It will be invitation only. So far they know that the director is coming, but they don't know about the cast. I don't know when \"before\" is..... a couple of hours before the public screening, I guess. Th Museum at Bradford has a huge foyer, with entrance to the Pictureville to the left, IMAX straight ahead, and an open plan bookshop to the right, so it's very easy to hang around and monitor who is coming and going. If you have time to fill in, you can look roumd the museum (it's free), watch an IMAX movie, or have a meal/snack in the restaurant. No need to hang round in the cold!"}, {"response": 1705, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (17:02)", "body": "(Bethan) the actual premiere for HS is before the public screening . It will be invitation only. So far they know that the director is coming, but they don't know about the cast. Doesn't sound like much of a premiere is no one is in attendance. So have you asked for an invitation to be sent? ;-) If there is a premiere, it will be in the usual place: London, Leicester Sq."}, {"response": 1706, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (17:21)", "body": "(Rika) AB was asked about her new movie and said, yes, she was co-starring with Colin Firth, \"who is a hunk,\" Nice to see such good taste in one so young. ;-)"}, {"response": 1707, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (19:17)", "body": "Looks like Hunk Daddy's film opens in the UK on August 8. :-)"}, {"response": 1708, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (19:59)", "body": "I don't know about the Fox interview with AB, but I had my daughter post a question to her on Teen AOL. The home page asks you to post questions for her that will be answered in mid March. I'll let you know the questions and results...to the relevant CF questions, of course. Well, at least there will be one CF question that we know of."}, {"response": 1709, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (02:25)", "body": "Looks like Hunk Daddy's film opens in the UK on August 8. That is the deadest time for film openings in the UK. Everybody is away. I am surprised that they are bothering to show it. As I have said I cannot think it has the slightest attraction for anyone in the UK - even CF fans ;-)"}, {"response": 1710, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (03:38)", "body": "Do you think they changed the format of the Bradford screening when they realised the tickets had been bought up entirely by women fans of a particular actor?! It is strange considering what the box office said when I spoke to them. Well, it will still be good to see it. And I will take a half day off work to get there late afternoon so hopefully if there is an earlier screening I can do the usual neck strain in the gathered crowd."}, {"response": 1711, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (03:59)", "body": "Maybe it would be a good idea to check again with the Box Office incase I misunderstood them. But I was told there was an earlier screening and that this was the one that the one that VIPs would be invited to. They also said that once the programme for the FF was published (this week) they expected that tickets would sell quickly. I don't think the Box Office staff really know anything about who will actually be attending the screening."}, {"response": 1712, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (07:46)", "body": "Looks like Hunk Daddy's film opens in the UK on August 8. (Allison) That is the deadest time for film openings in the UK. Everybody is away Sounds like January here (the time for dumping movies). They've waited this long, why not another 8 or 9 months. :-( Emma, good luck getting there early and hope what I told you is useful. :-)"}, {"response": 1713, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (08:29)", "body": "By Hunk Daddy, you are referring to WAGW, correct? There should be considerable interest amongst the kiddies for this film. Others might like it as well since it portrays the stereotypical, fish-out-of-water American, stumbling through British society, making faux pas after faux pas. Many would get a good laugh out of that I would think. ;-) August is considered the worst month to open a film in the US as well."}, {"response": 1714, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (09:26)", "body": "Many would get a good laugh out of that I would think. ;-) Sorry. I just think the whole thing sounds embarrassingly stereotypical. I hope I am proved wrong... BTW where are those photographs, boss? Where do we find them now? Under which stone?"}, {"response": 1715, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (09:55)", "body": "Oh, I agree, it does sound \"embarrassingly stereotypical\" but there is an audience for that, as many millions have plopped down their dollars and pounds week after week prove. ;-) The pics need some special work, which I'll be doing later today. *crawling back into my hole*"}, {"response": 1716, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (11:25)", "body": "Some little snippets on HS: Many in Fort Langley worked as extras for the big Cannon Ball scenes, while others simply came by to watch, hoping for a glimpse of the film's world-renowned stars. Most were rewarded with photos of the cast who were more than happy to pose with residents and tourists alike. The local press ran humorous stories of women gushing over Colin Firth - much admired for his charm and gentlemanly ways - and of the peculiar increase in dog walking along Glover Road during filming. * * * * * * * * * For Mandy, the time couldn't be better: \"There's nobody around here anymore,\" she laments to Colin, \"to really enjoy screwing your life up with.\" Mandy feels she's \"running out of options,\" as Heather Graham puts it, and so when the handsome Colin arrives in need of Mandy's gentle touch, the attraction proves irresistible. But a girl who decorates her room with butterflies - \"my symbol,\" she explains - needs more than the advice of her elderly charges to capitalize on the situation. In fact, it'll take a half bottle of Peach Brandy to give Mandy the courage to seduce Colin. \"I'm kind of shy,\" Graham notes of her character, \"so I get drunk.\" The intoxicated seduction pays off as she strips to her confused audience and delivers a lesson on the innocent joys of being naked. * * * * * * * * * Firth describes Colin and Vera as \"a weary old couple snarling and snapping at each other, bringing up old crap and throwing it out indiscriminately, reaching points of hysteria all too easily, and finding it very difficult to recognize that this means it's over.\" Nevertheless, Mandy is never presented as the perfect alternative to Vera. Vera begrudgingly admits her nemesis is \"vivacious and bubbly and fun,\" and can see how Colin could be \"charmed by her childlike spiritual innocence,\" but points out that Mandy \"is not exactly Mensa material\" and therefore hardly Vera's equal. And it's clear from the film's beginning that Mandy suffers from low self-esteem. \"My character's kind of insecure,\" admits Graham. \"I'm ready to bolt at any sort of problem. [Colin must] somehow convince me that he really does want to be with me.\" His efforts prove charming to both Mandy and the audience: \"It's very romantic,\" says Graham, \"how he coaxes me into our whole romance. It's really sexy.\" * * * * * * * * * \"It was one of those glorious coincidences,\" explains producer Barnaby Thompson, on how 'Hope Springs\" came together. As the story goes, Colin Firth had discovered New Cardiff, the book by Charles Webb upon which \"Hope Springs\" is based, as it made its way around prior to publication, and fell in love with the writing. Thompson had round the same time purchased the rights to the book and hired writer/director Mark Herman to begin the screenplay. Meanwhile, Thompson and Firth began making \"The Importance of Being Ernest\" together. One day on set Firth was talking about a book that he liked very much and how he was trying to find out who had the rights. When Firth revealed the book was New Cardiff, Thompson turned to him and said, \"I own that book.\" It was a case, as Firth puts it, \"of things falling into place like magic.\" * * * * * * * * *"}, {"response": 1717, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (12:02)", "body": "Moved from 166... Response 1102 of 1102: Moon Dreams (Moon) * Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (11:47) Could the premiere really be at the B Film Fest? No, they must mean festival premiere. Those things are normal at FF. The director and/or actors show up. In this case the director will. Keeping fingers crossed that Colin will too. Janet and Emma, let us know also about the music. Have fun!"}, {"response": 1718, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (12:20)", "body": "One day on set Firth was talking about a book that he liked very much and how he was trying to find out who had the rights. When Firth revealed the book was New Cardiff, Thompson turned to him and said, \"I own that book.\" It was a case, as Firth puts it, \"of things falling into place like magic.\" Wow! He was trying to find out who owned the rights? An iniciative? So what happened to the magic? Why is it taking so long to come out? There's a question to ask at the BFF. (Allison), Sorry. I just think the whole thing sounds embarrassingly stereotypical. I hope I am proved wrong... I read that little book and can tell you it is beyond bad. :-( I can only imagine he got a lot of $$$ for it, otherwise, it shows very bad judgement on his part. Not even that blue shirt saves it."}, {"response": 1719, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (12:36)", "body": "Thanks for the HS information Karen and good luck everybody in Bradford. I hope you enjoy the film, although if you're like me the first viewing only involves Colin, subsequent viewings include other actors and plot, so I'm afraid I would not give a fair review as I probably wouldn't be paying much attention to content first viewing. How bad can it be? Ooops forgot Londinium, sorry. It has to be better than that IMO, and anxiously await my turn if it ever comes. Hopefully it does. Could this film go straight to video?"}, {"response": 1720, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (12:46)", "body": "(Moon)Why is it taking so long to come out? There's a question to ask at the BFF. Janet, Emma please ask. Isn't it a hopeful sign that it's going to be shown at this ff? Karen, thanks for the HS snippets. Is this a recent article or just after filming took place?"}, {"response": 1721, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (13:00)", "body": "Oh, I agree, it does sound \"embarrassingly stereotypical\" but there is an audience for that, as many millions have plopped down their dollars and pounds week after week prove. ;-) \"The Princess Diaries\" which opened with no publicity and bad reviews took nearly \ufffd6million the UK Box office, so there *is* a market. Looks like Hunk Daddy's film opens in the UK on August 8. (Allison) That is the deadest time for film openings in the UK. Everybody is away Well not everybody...a lot of families take a break in July, which leaves quite a few bored pre-teens kicking their heels in August! I can only imagine he got a lot of $$$ for it, otherwise, it shows very bad judgement on his part. Not even that blue shirt saves it. I should think he opted for a movie which fitted in with looking after a twelve year old son, who would have to hang around all day on the set and might not like staying in hotels. Perhaps good judgement is putting your family relationships first. Most of our tabloids have been running the story of Jude Law's \"perfect marriage\" break-up...separation brings problems. Could the premiere really be at the B Film Fest? No, they must mean festival premiere. Maybe \"preview\" is the word. So what happened to the magic? Why is it taking so long to come out? There's a question to ask at the BFF. Placing small Brit films is very difficult - there's a lot of competition out there. Mid April is a good time to open in the UK - BJD opened in April and ran through til July."}, {"response": 1722, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (13:04)", "body": "Colin Firth had discovered New Cardiff, the book by Charles Webb upon which \"Hope Springs\" is based, as it made its way around prior to publication, and fell in love with the writing. Someone please tell me he has better taste in books than this. :-o"}, {"response": 1723, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (13:26)", "body": "(snippets from Karen)\"how he coaxes me into our whole romance. It's really sexy.\" Dare we hope? Thank you for the informations, Karen. I do hope U2, Janet and Emma, enjoy the trip, whit or whitout the presence of CF."}, {"response": 1724, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (14:45)", "body": "so there *is* a market. I actually found the UK release date info on a Bynes fansite message board, where a number of (presumably) teen boys from the UK (as well as US) post. As my dear mom always said, \"there's a lid for every pot.\" ;-) One day on set Firth was talking about a book that he liked very much and how he was trying to find out who had the rights. There was no need for him to try so hard; this is a 2-minute phone call from his agent to the book's publisher or author's agent. Sounds like press kit b.s. (Sigh) *Never kid a kidder.* ;-) Thanks for the new info, Karen, looking forward to reading more."}, {"response": 1725, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (15:15)", "body": "A comment from Yahoo Movies Message Board for \"Girl with a Pearl Earring\" \"Yeh , can't wait till it comes out. My sister who helped Jenny Shircore do the make up on it said it will be a beautiful film. Very exciting stuff\" Thanks for the info on HS Karen!"}, {"response": 1726, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (15:16)", "body": "Ooops! sorry, meant to post at #165"}, {"response": 1727, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (15:20)", "body": "Sorry again - am double posting and getting thoroughly muddled!"}, {"response": 1728, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (16:21)", "body": "(Karen)Janet and Emma, let us know also about the music. Have fun! I'll try my to take notes, but can't guarantee anything. - It may take several viewings to notice anything other than ODB! After all, it has been nearly six months since I've seen him on the big screen. BTW, I'm praying the BFF Box Office have got it wrong, but it would make sense that it would be invitation only to the Gala Opening Film Showing, earlier in the day. And due to work commitments, I can't get there until around 7.00pm, so I've no chance of seeing him!"}, {"response": 1729, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (16:26)", "body": "(Moon) I read that little book and can tell you it is beyond bad. It's the imbecillic narrative. My 13 yr. old when I asked her to read it, was insulted. So v. 12 yr. old. \"Princess Diary\" wasn't bad. Hey Julie Andrews was a hit. Mo betta than in RV. I saw it. V. different humor. Not so physical....no wall climbing or falling down stairs But there is a market out there for all kinds of trash. Ask me...I suffered through \"Kangaroo Jack\" . I'm hear to tell you ,that's baaaad. I actually liked New Cardiff.Wonderful dialogue. It's not the book that's pulling the film down; must be another reason."}, {"response": 1730, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (16:37)", "body": "Mandy \"is not exactly Mensa material\" You see, it didn't require any acting by HG. *meoooooooooooooow* ;-) (Mari) looking forward to reading more I'm looking for more good stuff, but am bogged down counting the number of times Colin uses the word \"irony.\""}, {"response": 1731, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (16:37)", "body": "(Evelyn), \"Princess Diary\" wasn't bad. This is the movie everyone will compare to WAGW. PD was cute. The story line is better than WAGW, IMO. I hope someone can get into the Gala at the BFF. As I've said before, Galas are usually fundraisers and tickets are available for purchase. Someone please look into this, Bethan?"}, {"response": 1732, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (16:43)", "body": "(Karen), am bogged down counting the number of times Colin uses the word \"irony.\" LOL! As in the irony that: 1. I wanted to this and it has not been easy to sell? 2. I thought this was a great story and no one else does? 3. BJD was supposed to get me bigger and better parts?"}, {"response": 1733, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (17:04)", "body": "Oh yeah, right! ;-) That the film plays with clich\ufffds is evident from the very beginning when a disheveled Colin attempts to buy art supplies in Hope. His unkempt appearance and request for \"rubbers\" (instead of an eraser) puts the small-town shopkeepers on alert. This seemingly innocuous request portends the subtle cultural differences between Americans and Brits that will cause all sorts of misunderstandings between the characters. ~~~~~~~~ And you should read the tripe they wrote about why it was filmed in Canada vs. New England. ;-)"}, {"response": 1734, "author": "Jacqui50", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (18:22)", "body": "Finally some info on HS, Thanks Karen"}, {"response": 1735, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (21:21)", "body": "ROTF, Moon! (Evelyn) \"Princess Diary\" wasn't bad I actually liked New Cardiff.Wonderful dialogue I thought Princess Diaries was cute once I finally saw it. I had no interest in it until I kept reading and hearing from people I knew how cute it was. The New Cardiff dialogue kept bringing the TV show Sports Night to mind....mainly the frequent repetitive dialogue within one conversation. That started to grate on me after a while. I didn't mind it so much in the show as I did to read it. Plus I would've preferred more character and story development......too short. And I wasn't fond of Mandy as a character. She was too much of a dizz for me to believe he would stay with her. Then that made me dislike the type of man he appeared to be. Thanks Karen and Bethan."}, {"response": 1736, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 2003 (04:36)", "body": "http://www.bradfordfilmfestival.org.uk/2003/strand_galas.asp"}, {"response": 1737, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 2003 (06:36)", "body": "A sometimes poster/mostly lurker from Germany booked a ticket for the HS screening, but is no longer going. Apparently it's sitting beside me. If anyone wants it, get it touch with me via email and I can connect with Tanja to see how we could transfer it."}, {"response": 1738, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 2003 (08:37)", "body": "Thanks, Emma. I see they still have no commitments, but you never know! Writer/director Mark Herman will introduce this UK Premiere screening and take questions afterwards. We also hope to welcome members of the cast and crew."}, {"response": 1739, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 2003 (09:22)", "body": "(Karen)Writer/director Mark Herman will introduce this UK Premiere screening and take questions afterwards. We also hope to welcome members of the cast and crew. Does this mean that there is no earlier showing? - And that I may get to see ODB after all? I'm confused! - But happy!"}, {"response": 1740, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 2003 (10:31)", "body": "(Karen)And you should read the tripe they wrote about why it was filmed in Canada vs. New England. Hmmm, let's see...because filming cost half as much?! Because the Hope signs were already up? Because the shopping in Eaton's has so many things you just can't get in Italy or London? ;-) Where's this article from, Karen? It's good to see some info at last. At this point I'm happy if we get to see a photo of the movie poster :-D Seriously, could someone please take a picture of the poster? Good luck to all who get to the festival! Many in Fort Langley worked as extras for the big Cannon Ball scenes, while others simply came by to watch My friend never did get to see the filming because it was raining so much, but she did get scolded by a guard for touching the leaves in front of one of the buildings. PS: I think the Eaton's store has since closed."}, {"response": 1741, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 2003 (11:20)", "body": "(Brenda)PS: I think the Eaton's store has since closed. Awwwww Doubt LD will want to go back;-) Thanks Boss for our Signature Picture on Spring. Good to have him back \"home\":-))))"}, {"response": 1742, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 2003 (12:04)", "body": "(Brenda) Hmmm, let's see...because filming cost half as much?! Because the Hope signs were already up? Because the shopping in Eaton's has so many things you just can't get in Italy or London? ;-) LOL! Yeah, right. The notes spin this idiotic story about how they didn't shoot in New England because their schedule was past the real NE autumn. Huh? What kind of calendar do these guys have? Since when is September, October and November not considered autumn? Then they went into scouting locations in various places in Canada, settling on the Vancouver area, specifically Fort Langely's small town look. My friend never did get to see the filming because it was raining so much, but she did get scolded by a guard for touching the leaves in front of one of the buildings. The rain is mentioned quite a bit. the crew was then faced with an abnormally wet autumn in British Columbia. Faced with an unfavorable forecast, cinematographer Ashley Rowe took advantage of a few dry days to shoot all his wide shots, then shot close-ups on the rainy days that followed with a long lens to throw the dismal weather out of focus. But my favorite part has to be this: \"Luckily the locations we've been filming in so far, like the Van Dusen Garden,\" says Rowe, \"we had many nice fall leaves and we added silk trees made up with silk autumn leaves. Once we filled the frame with these colors, we actually found that in this soft, misty kind of light, those colors are almost luminous.\" They had to add autumn silk trees and leaves! I wonder how this film actually looks. :-( Sounds like an ideal location."}, {"response": 1743, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 2003 (13:26)", "body": "They had to add autumn silk trees and leaves! I wonder how this film actually looks. :-( Waddaya mean?? The best animated films use those ;-) \"Shrek\", \"Monsters Inc.\""}, {"response": 1744, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 2003 (14:37)", "body": "(Evelyn), Waddaya mean?? The best animated films use those ;-) \"Shrek\", \"Monsters Inc.\" Exactly, she says cringing. They are happy using silk trees and leaves!!! Vermont is the most beautiful place in the Fall. I can't believe they said that."}, {"response": 1745, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 2003 (15:11)", "body": "(Karen)The notes spin this idiotic story about how they didn't shoot in New England because their schedule was past the real NE autumn. Huh? What kind of calendar do these guys have? LOL! When this was shooting, there were periodic set reports mentioning the unrelenting rain in BC, and a number of New Englanders at another Firth home kept saying how gorgeous the weather was during that period in Vermont, New Hampshire, Mass., etc. I hope this is from the UK press kit, because if they tried to sell that story here, they'd be laughed at. Anyway, sounds like they ended up spending their tax-break savings in silk.;-)"}, {"response": 1746, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 2003 (15:17)", "body": "There's an article in the March issue of Interview mag on Oliver James, the young man who plays Gidget's love interest in WAGW. Apparently he is on the soundtrack quite a bit, doing Satchmo, Sinatra, and as we already knew, James Brown."}, {"response": 1747, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 2003 (19:30)", "body": "I'm not sure if this is the right place but I'll peak out here (I hope) since this is where I started. Have been an Austen fan for a very long time. P&P and Persuasion my faves. A Darcy then a Firth fanatic for a couple of years now. A fan of the wonderful Bucket (the only current site) for some time and a Drool fan and lurker since that wonderful birthday party cruise hooked me and reeled me in! Must have been while you were turning that ship around. You women are keeping me from my seed catalogs and other very important domestic (and work) duties. Gotta do this place first when I get home while other things go to seed. Am completely Colinized and perhaps Droolinized as well. Keep it up, I'll cope."}, {"response": 1748, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 2003 (19:44)", "body": "Welcome, Beedee LOL, I can't tell you how many things I've let go to seed because I'm here. Glad you enjoyed Colin's birthday party. I don't think we've figured out if we turned that ship around...yet."}, {"response": 1749, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 2003 (19:50)", "body": "Hi Beedee You sound like you fit right in...stick around and play ."}, {"response": 1750, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 2003 (20:55)", "body": "Hey Beedee! Welcome! Glad you delurked...obsession is a whole lot more comfortable when it's shared!"}, {"response": 1751, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 2003 (01:27)", "body": "Hey Beedee, and velcome. I wantet to give you a flower as a delurking present, but couldnt't find the right size for the occassion. If you wish, take a look at topic 61, response 1051. (Beedee)Am completely Colinized and perhaps Droolinized as well. Well - so are we. This is a place for kindred spirits."}, {"response": 1752, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 2003 (03:35)", "body": "Andrew Davies is doing a 'how to write for tv' masterclass at the London Book Fair, Sunday March 16th http://www.lbf-virtual.com/page.cfm/Link=48"}, {"response": 1753, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 2003 (08:14)", "body": "Beedee!!!! Glad to see you've finally jumped in. Our Droolapaloozas can't be beat. I'm sure you're going to have a great time here because the company is marvelous, the wit nonstop and our subject matter generally* worth all the time we waste here. ;-) *Excludes unmentionable and \"for the dough\" projects"}, {"response": 1754, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 2003 (08:50)", "body": "Welcome Beedee to the most witty and intelligent group of people I know. The obsession is great to begin with but even better with these folks. Always makes my day."}, {"response": 1755, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 2003 (09:14)", "body": "Welcome Beedee!! As stated before this is a great place to drool and laugh, glad you have joined in!"}, {"response": 1756, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 2003 (09:36)", "body": "Thanks for the welcome. This is really all I need, applause for my distractions and obsession! But, it cannot be helped so I might as well enjoy it. Sorry for msiposts in odd & ends."}, {"response": 1757, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 2003 (10:11)", "body": "(Karen), the company is marvelous, the wit nonstop and our subject matter generally* worth all the time we waste here. ;-) There you go. :-) Welcome Beedee!"}, {"response": 1758, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 2003 (12:21)", "body": "(Beedee) This is really all I need, applause for my distractions and obsession! LOL! Welcome Beedee. This is one addiction I'm happy to enable! ;-D"}, {"response": 1759, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 2003 (12:30)", "body": "(Karen) our subject matter generally* worth all the time we waste here. ;-) I have been sooo busy at work this past week I can't even leave my desk to go to the bathroom, yet I always seem to find time to pop in here and when I have even one spare moment. And lately, I have been *Laughing* trying to figure out how to get a pic of a bunny onto a pic of ODB's (William's) tummy a la Joyce's story...At least my priorities are in place!!"}, {"response": 1760, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 2003 (14:23)", "body": "(snickering) I'll make comments about \"Our Goddess of all things Colinary\" and her quest for bunny placement over at the Peanut Gallery, later. (laughing)"}, {"response": 1761, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 2003 (14:24)", "body": "whoops.. sorry about that.. it wasn't Karen doing bunny placement, but Maria.. gawd, I'm getting more senile by the moment."}, {"response": 1762, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 2003 (14:55)", "body": "Hey there Beedee! Welcome!"}, {"response": 1763, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 2003 (20:42)", "body": "Hello everyone! Just a quick note to say that married life is great (so far) :) and please don't worry about Edge of Reason. Will come back from time to time when I have more updates. Take care Hola From LA"}, {"response": 1764, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 2003 (20:51)", "body": "(Lola)Just a quick note to say that married life is great (so far) :) and please don't worry about Edge of Reason. Lola, those are two pieces of good news! Good to hear from you. Welcome, Beedee! Won't you join me for a cup of tea?"}, {"response": 1765, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 2003 (21:06)", "body": "Hi again Beedee...you won't remember the rest of us who said hi to you now that Rika has had her say. Tea indeed! I just want to know Rika, if I leave and come back, can you do one of those for me? I especially like how those long fingers curl around that cup in a gentle, enfolding manner exerting only featherlight pressure.... (OK, stopping now, more appropriate for Firthology...) Happy married life Lola, welcome back and thanks for the reassurances on TEOR! They bought any towels yet?"}, {"response": 1766, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 2003 (21:29)", "body": "Welcome, Beedee! I hope you come to enjoy these boards as much as I do. Hola, Lola! Nice to hear that things are going well for you."}, {"response": 1767, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 2003 (22:34)", "body": "Thanks so much Rika, He's mine to keep? No no, I know by now how this works. This is a group that knows how to share...and plays well with others! Since the \"Valentine\" I have been dying to see more of SLOW, if that is from there. Those photos really got to me. Got any ideas how I might get a copy? I had to get Hostages from Canada. I'll go anywhere."}, {"response": 1768, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (06:47)", "body": "News on GWAPE's US release: Release Date: November 14th, 2003 (limited release); expands to other cities at later dates"}, {"response": 1769, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (08:43)", "body": "Hi Beedee! As a welcome gift, I'll send you a copy of SLOW, if you can play back PAL. Email me."}, {"response": 1770, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (08:58)", "body": "November 14th. Lovely! Serious film for a serious time of year. Remember, the Oscars are being moved forward next year and so is the release of those films that are thought to be contenders. With this date, they want GWAPE to be in the hunt. Yippeee!"}, {"response": 1771, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (09:32)", "body": "Maybe potential BAFTA screening...yeah! :-D"}, {"response": 1772, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (09:41)", "body": "Mari, thanks for the very encouraging news about GWAPE! I just hope they've got enough money to promote it so that it gets noticed. (Barb S) if I leave and come back, can you do one of those for me? Have left a little something in Firthology."}, {"response": 1773, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (10:14)", "body": "Mari: Great news on GWAPE and hi to Beedee and married lady Hola Lola!"}, {"response": 1774, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (10:30)", "body": "Great news to start the weekend...Thank you Lola for TEoR news, glad that married life agrees with you. Thanks Mari, for the GWAPE news."}, {"response": 1775, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (10:36)", "body": "Welcome, Beedee! I know you'll enjoy it here, with so many wonderful fellow Firth-fanatics and the object of our affection making an appearance from time to time. (Love the pic, Rika! Real men break off the handles.) Welcome back, Hola! I hope your honeymoon was lovely! The reassurances on TEOR are much appreciated. Great news on GWAPE, Mari!"}, {"response": 1776, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (10:53)", "body": "Thanks Lola, for the 'reassurance' on TEOR. Congrats on your marriage. Mari, thank you for the news about GWAPE. This makes up for the other 'Gidget' movie. ;-)"}, {"response": 1777, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (11:55)", "body": "Welcome Beedee, glad you joined us. :-) (Lola) Just a quick note to say that married life is great (so far)and please don't worry about Edge of Reason. Welcome back, Lola, Ain't married life grand? Soooo, did you get a tan? Rika, you are truly a goddess. You know how to capture his essence so well. Mari, thanks for news on GWAPE."}, {"response": 1778, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (12:02)", "body": "am closing tag. Trust me, it is closed now."}, {"response": 1779, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (12:15)", "body": "closing I hope Pardon me for being so rude and not saying... Welcome aboard, Beedee! Don't disappear now that you're here :-) Hola Lola! Or rather....Aloha Lola! Glad you had a good time and dropped by to spread some of that good cheer around. :-)"}, {"response": 1780, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (12:51)", "body": "Mari: Release Date: November 14th, 2003 (limited release); expands to other cities at later dates An aside (I know this really belongs in the Crowe section)...Same opening day as Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, which was postponed by Fox from June to get more into the Oscar season. What to see? What to see?"}, {"response": 1781, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (13:01)", "body": "Oh bugger! Forgot about that. And LA is Nov 7, right?"}, {"response": 1782, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (13:14)", "body": "(BarbS) Happy married life Lola, welcome back and thanks for the reassurances on TEOR! They bought any towels yet? LOL...if the towels have not been purchased, my vote is for hand towels.... ;-) Lola...I appreciate the reassurances on TEOR. I was in full panic mode realizing that if the film wasn't made, there would be no new soundtrack! And congratulations on your marriage! Hope your Hawaiian tan lasts longer than mine did!! Thanks for the GWAPE news Mari!"}, {"response": 1783, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (13:25)", "body": "It wouldn't appear that the release dates should cause much of a problem for anyone. LA will go out on Nov 7 in fairly wide release for a Brit rom-com and GWAPE will only open in NY/LA and maybe a few more cities a week after that; it's gonna take a while for GWAPE to make it into flyover country. ;-) But on the upside, there's considerable potential for Colin to do the rounds, with two films out. Yeah, Huge will do the heavy lifting for LA, but it could lead to some invites for Colin. *fingers and knees crossed* (the former making it rather difficult to type)"}, {"response": 1784, "author": "maya", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (13:45)", "body": "Hi All. This is my first time posting (embarrassed to say how long I've been listening in....), and I am very behind on my Drool reading, due to classes, but I want to add my thanks to Karen, and all the wonderful witty women here who keep the facts and fun flowing. I hope that if Drool does go private, there might still be a way for us quiet lurkers to remain a part of the group. In some ways, this group satisfies my Colin cravings more than Colin does, given some of his film choices of late... I'd be terribly sad to lose this."}, {"response": 1785, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (14:01)", "body": "Ok, here are some release dates for Love Actually: US Nov. 7 (the Video/DVD release date is tentatively set for 4/1/04) Australia Dec. 26 (Merry Christmas!) Austria Nov 21 Belgium Nov. 19 Czech Republic Nov. 20 Denmark Nov 21 Finland Nov 21 Germany Nov. 20 Great Britain Nov. 21 Italy Nov. 7 New Zealand Jan 31, 2004 Mexico Dec. 18 Please let me know if I missed your country P.S. What tan???? :) Have a great weekend ladies!"}, {"response": 1786, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (14:04)", "body": "For my Korean friend:) Theatrical release date for LA in South Korea is Dec. 19"}, {"response": 1787, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (14:30)", "body": "From Wednesday's \"Bradford Telegraph & Argus\" (full article is at thisisbradford site) \"Hollywood screen legend Jean Simmons is set to take a starring role in Bradford Film Festival's opening gala. Twice Oscar-nominated Jean, who starred in classic movies including Black Narcissus, Spartacus and Guys and Dolls during her career, will attend the opening night premiere at the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television on Friday, March 14, to launch a two-week retrospective of her work (Festival Director)Mr Earnshaw said: \"This year's film festival is the ninth since the event began in 1995. Each year it grows, gets bigger, more ambitious and more important within the wider field of film festivals generally. BFF 2003 boasts more guests than ever before, 14 high-profile directors, producers, cinematographers, writers, musicians and documentarians, as well as the yet-to-be confirmed cast and crew members who regularly turn up.\" Still seems hope that CF may turn up! Thanks for all the confirmed release dates. The date for GWAPE looks very promising."}, {"response": 1788, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (14:32)", "body": "(Lola) P.S. What tan???? :) LOL! Oooops! My faux pas....I suppose, since it was your honeymoon, that your itinerary involved more indoor activities! ;-) And thanks for all the release dates! Only 14 months til we can have the LA DVD (Rika, I hope you are marking your calendar)!! ;-)"}, {"response": 1789, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (14:35)", "body": "Hi Maya Luna.. This is my first time posting (embarrassed to say how long I've been listening in....) Don't be embarassed....took me months! Wow...two newbies in a week!! Love to see new folks posting. LOL.Nothing against the oldies, mind you....;-)But newbies bring us the old verve!"}, {"response": 1790, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (14:37)", "body": "Oh! I forgot to say 'Hello!' to Maya! Welcome aboard! It is great to see so many 'newbies'!!!"}, {"response": 1791, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (15:42)", "body": "(Karen) With premieres and parties!! ;-) How convenient I just bought a handful of party dresses on clearance. :-D"}, {"response": 1792, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (15:43)", "body": "bugger! Got too excited that I may have somewhere to wear all these clothes, LOL"}, {"response": 1793, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (16:04)", "body": "Welcome Maya! Glad you've delurked! Hope you come out to play some more (can't study all the time!)"}, {"response": 1794, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (16:25)", "body": "Welcome Maya! I'm fairly new myself, but feel very much among friends here. Glad you chose to join. Hola, Congratulations on your wedding! Wonderful to see a releasedate for LA in Denmark (same as GB, btw)"}, {"response": 1795, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (16:49)", "body": "US Nov. 7 Italy Nov. 7 How did the US and Italy get the same release date!? That never happens. Will he be torn as to where to go for promotion? ;-) Thanks, Lola about the LA info, now about TEOR... ? Thanks, Bethan for the BFF info. And... Welcome Maya Luna from Sue\ufffdo de Luna! :-D"}, {"response": 1796, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (17:10)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1797, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (17:11)", "body": "Thanks for the release updates, Hola, and welcome back. If you're not tan, then you must be very...er...ahem...relaxed. ;-D (Dorine) Got too excited that I may have somewhere to wear all these clothes, LOL Yeah, and I didn't even make the comment. ;-) Maya!!! Good to see you take the plunge. Since you probably know us very well, it would be nice to get to know you. :) (Maya) In some ways, this group satisfies my Colin cravings more than Colin does, given some of his film choices of late... In some groups this would be considered sacrilege, but I'm having this put on a T-shirt. ;-)"}, {"response": 1798, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (18:00)", "body": "Maya) In some ways, this group satisfies my Colin cravings more than Colin does, given some of his film choices of late... (I haven't practiced the tutorial on italics yet but can't wait.) Hi Maya Luna, another moon! Can't have too many. Re above, I just said as much to Karen in an email! This place has a charm of it's own. Warm and fuzzy and Karen's gentle support to lurkers makes it safe and natural to come out. Not to mention the support of all the \"sensible\" women and of course Mark and Terry."}, {"response": 1799, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (19:56)", "body": "US Nov. 7 Italy Nov. 7 (Moon)Will he be torn as to where to go for promotion? ;-) LOL, I was just thinking the same thing. More translations? WELCOME, MAYA LUNA. What a great time to delurk. Looks like things are going to begin cooking in just a short while."}, {"response": 1800, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (19:59)", "body": "(Dorine) Got too excited that I may have somewhere to wear all these clothes, LOL (Karen) Yeah, and I didn't even make the comment. ;-) LOL, took me a while to figure out what was wrong here. Boy, I got *really* excited. This is what I meant.... (Karen) But on the upside, there's considerable potential for Colin to do the rounds, with two films out With premieres and parties!! ;-D And I have new clothes to wear as you now know. ;-)) Welcome Maya!! Don't be shy! ;-) (Evelyn) Nothing against the oldies, mind you....;-)But newbies bring us the old verve! And what am I classified as? I know not an oldie (but I'm a goodie! ;-)). My year of posting will be coming up soon....just before a certain date in May. (That's your cue Linda! ;-)) Is there something between a newbie and an oldie? ;-)"}, {"response": 1801, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (20:06)", "body": "(Dorine)My year of posting will be coming up soon....just before a certain date in May. (That's your cue Linda! ;-)) Oh, you mean...Monday, May 13, 2002? Well that makes me older than you, Dorine. I'll celebrate my first year in April. So that means you have to share the party clothes;-)"}, {"response": 1802, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (20:29)", "body": "(Dorine) How convenient I just bought a handful of party dresses on clearance. :-D I knew I could count on you to be ready. Can't wait to hear of your encounters because I'm sure you'll be right there with him. Good girl. Welcome Maya Luna. You will have a great time here. Congratulations Hola, a lifetime of happiness to you both. Thank you so much for the good news about EoR and the release dates of LA. Looks like it's going to be a very good year. Looking forward to everything."}, {"response": 1803, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (22:38)", "body": "sorry, didn't realize I didn't close tags earlier today Welcome Maya!!"}, {"response": 1804, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 2003 (11:13)", "body": "Welcome, Maya! I listened in for months before I said anything (and still have a tendency to read more than I post, having nothing of interest to add to the conversation). My sister saw the WAGW trailer while watching some sorority/fraternity reality show on MTV yesterday. She also saw Londinium on HBO. Why does my sister, who is not a Firthette, get the CF sightings while I do not? (other than the fact that I don't get HBO)"}, {"response": 1805, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 2003 (11:18)", "body": "(KathyF) She also saw Londinium on HBO. Why does my sister, who is not a Firthette, get the CF sightings while I do not? (other than the fact that I don't get HBO) I'd consider yourself the lucky *not* to have a CF sighting in this scenario. ;-) See I found this an interesting addition to the conversation ;-)"}, {"response": 1806, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 2003 (14:27)", "body": "(KathyF) She also saw Londinium on HBO. Why does my sister, who is not a Firthette, get the CF sightings while I do not? (other than the fact that I don't get HBO) (Dorine)I'd consider yourself the lucky *not* to have a CF sighting in this scenario. ;-) L'dum has been on quite a bit recently, and I find if you lower the volume to almost as low as it can go, then wait for a scene with ODB in it to make the necessary adjustments, the movie has certain charms. I grab a book and look up from time to time to enjoy some lovely London scenery,the resonance of his voice comes through but you are unable to distinguish actual words, thereby saving yourself from any possible involuntary cringing, he of course is always a delight to look upon, and then there is always the scene where he marries Fiona, and the screen is split in four on the river and he is AFG as he smiles...."}, {"response": 1807, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 2003 (14:55)", "body": "Oops!! Welcome Maya!!! Congratulations Hola and thanks for the news!!"}, {"response": 1808, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 2003 (15:42)", "body": "(Tress) LOL...if the towels have not been purchased, my vote is for hand towels.... ;-) Wash cloths. Welcome, Maya! I'm delighted to make your acquaintance."}, {"response": 1809, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 2003 (20:59)", "body": "(Tress) LOL...if the towels have not been purchased, my vote is for hand towels.... ;-) (Rika)Wash cloths. loin cloths And thank you Rika, for that Mr. Darcy welcome."}, {"response": 1810, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 2003 (21:52)", "body": "Flipping through the channels I heard that voice and saw the last frame of the WAGW trailer on VH1. So i kept the channel on and it is getting alot of play. It is being shown twice an hour during commercial breaks...There are a couple of scenes I don't remember from the original trailer but were in the little book. The swing, the kitchen, and at the end of the trailer she is doing something to his head (showing him how to be a headbanger??)"}, {"response": 1811, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 2003 (22:25)", "body": "(Tress) LOL...if the towels have not been purchased, my vote is for hand towels.... ;-) (Rika)Wash cloths. (Linda) loin cloths Fingertip towels! ;-) After Beedee mentioned the birthday party, I decided to have another look-see. As you will recall, around that time I suggested that playing a mute might be a surefire way for Colin to get an award (oh yes!.....*that* again! LOL) as he can act rings around many without saying a word. I was ROTFL today (ok, not really. I was driving at the time ;-)) when I realized this scenario may not be so far fetched. As Karen noted the release date is very favorable for awards consideration and unless they expanded Vermeer's dialogue, he's practically a mute in the book. Go ahead, scoff if you will. ;-)"}, {"response": 1812, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 2003 (22:42)", "body": "Welcome, Maya! Glad you've delurked . . .it took me years! They've been showing the trailer on E! Coming Attractions also."}, {"response": 1813, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 2003 (22:55)", "body": "Let's see if we can get a better shot of Hunk Daddy . . ."}, {"response": 1814, "author": "maya", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (00:11)", "body": "Wow ! You gals are all really great! I finally saw the trailer for WAGW, in front of How to Lose a Guy.... I know I should be more excited, I know I should.... I also know I'll be seeing it opening night, anyhow. The way ODB moves in those leather pants will certainly make this one a keeper though -- how long until the DVD release?"}, {"response": 1815, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (00:38)", "body": "Can I get a Hunk Daddy calendar of my own for my fridge if I go out and come in again? ;-D"}, {"response": 1816, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (01:38)", "body": "(Rika)Wash cloths. (Linda) loin cloths (Dorine) Fingertip towels! ;-) ROTF....I love those little fingertip towels! If ODB needs a towel girl, I'll volunteer to 'heat' them...have to get that temperature just right , don't want to damage 'the package'. (Maya) I also know I'll be seeing it opening night, anyhow. I'm with you! I'll be in line for the first showing....now that HS isn't opening the same day, it allows for several WAGW viewings (and no theater changes...most inconvenient)! ;-) Thanks Mari for the calendar....the blue shirt is my second favorite outfit (so far) in WAGW. ;-) I just saw that you can pre-order 'The Advocate' DVD on Amazon. July 1, 2003 release date. $14.99. Just in time for that long holiday weekend!"}, {"response": 1817, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (07:17)", "body": "OHHHHHHH, Thank you Mari. How do I love thee...let me count the days. Oh stop it, you know you all thought of it when you saw the calendar;-) (Dorine)Go ahead, scoff if you will. ;-) I'd never scoff, BTW how do you type a scoff anyway?"}, {"response": 1818, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (09:06)", "body": "Me thinks Hunk Daddy has bunions. (Tress)....the blue shirt is my second favorite outfit (so far) in WAGW. ;-) Better grab it on Keepsakes #113 Thanks Mari."}, {"response": 1819, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (09:13)", "body": "Thanks, Mari, for posting those pics. Any other calendar pages? Any other calendar pages with Hunk Daddy or is that the only one?"}, {"response": 1820, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (10:09)", "body": "(Tress)....the blue shirt is my second favorite outfit (so far) in WAGW. ;-) (Evelyn), Better grab it on Keepsakes #113 Excuse me for cutting in, but I claimed that blue shirt a long time ago. See 113."}, {"response": 1821, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (10:56)", "body": "Hi Maya! Welcome to one of the most enjoyable places in cyberspace. Rika, I almost had a meltdown when Darcy made his appearance a few posts back. Thanks for the WAGW pics and calender, Mari. LOL at the name Hunk Daddy. I keep thinking that's his gangsta rap name! ;-)"}, {"response": 1822, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (11:42)", "body": "(Evelyn) Me thinks Hunk Daddy has bunions. Oh, now! You're just trying to get me all worked up! I had to double inspect after that comment and I think you're seeing things. All I see are perfect piggies on HD.... ;-) (Tress)....the blue shirt is my second favorite outfit (so far) in WAGW. ;-) (Evelyn), Better grab it on Keepsakes #113 (Moon) Excuse me for cutting in, but I claimed that blue shirt a long time ago. See 113. I thought it had been claimed.....besides, for now I'm happy sitting in a corner with Paul Ashworth's lighter....that is, until I see GWAPE. I'm sure there is a floppy hat, cape, boots, paint brush...in that film that I'll covet."}, {"response": 1823, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (12:00)", "body": "(Tress)All I see are perfect piggies on HD.... ;-) ...on my screen the perfect piggies are accompanied by bunions;-) Sorry Moon,"}, {"response": 1824, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (15:07)", "body": "Fantastic new website make-over, boss. Time to retire the ole 'firthful' Bucket.... colinfirth.com....whoopee!!*insert fireworks*"}, {"response": 1825, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (15:07)", "body": "Wow! Great new look at the Bucket Karen! AFG picture. V. well organized and fun to navigate."}, {"response": 1826, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (15:44)", "body": "Oh, my, Karen! Brava! No, bravissima! I love that blue background and the picture from Umbria! (See me dancing to a Bollywood soundtrack here) I tip my murano glass to you! Question: what is Lagniappe?"}, {"response": 1827, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (15:57)", "body": "(Moon) Question: what is Lagniappe? Thank you, I wondered that, too. :) I love it Karen! I love that picture as well."}, {"response": 1828, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (16:15)", "body": "Mari, where did the preview pictures come from? Thanks for posting them. Heck, I was just happy to see his name on the poster in the \"Coming Attractions\" section at the theater last night. (Moon) Question: what is Lagniappe? (Dorine) Thank you, I wondered that, too. :) Oh, good, I thought it was just me who didn't know. BTW, love the new firth.com home page, Karen! Beautiful design."}, {"response": 1829, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (16:19)", "body": "Lagniappe: An unexpected bonus: an unexpected bonus or extra ******************* Karen: I love the re-design. You have such an artist's eye for web design. Thanks for it."}, {"response": 1830, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (16:35)", "body": "Lagniappe indeed!! Not that I didn't like the \"old\" page, but this one *really* is very smart. Nice job, Karen (as always). Gorgeous picture too."}, {"response": 1831, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (16:35)", "body": "Great new look Karen! Love the picture....I can see my favorite mole peeking above OSB's collar! ;-)"}, {"response": 1832, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (16:37)", "body": "(Tress)..I can see my favorite mole peeking above OSB's collar! ;-) My favourite is the one on his left shoulder. I don't suppose you can pick such as keepsakes?? ;-)"}, {"response": 1833, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (17:08)", "body": "(Moon)Question: what is Lagniappe? (Murph) Lagniappe: An unexpected bonus: an unexpected bonus or extra Ohhhh...Playmaker shower pics maybe;-) ( LOL.I always thought it was an Italian dish )"}, {"response": 1834, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (17:16)", "body": "Hi Everyone, The wonderful welcomes you have given Jacqui, BeeDee and Maya Luna, and especially the ones from Matthew and Darcy, have convinced me that I must not lurk another day. Like BeeDee, I have been hooked on Drool since the fantastic birthday cruise. I've loved CF since seeing P&P the first time it was shown, but didn't realize I was obsessed until I started checking the Bucket every day in the weeks leading up to the opening of BJD. Thanks to Karen for her support and encouragement, and to all you very clever ladies for hours and hours of fun and reassurance that I'm not totally insane."}, {"response": 1835, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (17:18)", "body": "(Evelyn) LOL.I always thought it was an Italian dish. ROTF...I have never even seen the word before, but your comment sounds reasonable to me...a lasagna dish made with grappa! ;-)"}, {"response": 1836, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (18:37)", "body": "And a very big to Hen!"}, {"response": 1837, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (18:56)", "body": "Hi Hen! That birthday cruise was fun wasn't it? Glad you joined us! (Oh goody! I can hardly wait to see what Rika has up her sleeve!)"}, {"response": 1838, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (20:19)", "body": "Lagniappe...isn't that a term from New Orleans? Mardi Gras anyone? I could use a party.... Karen, Colinfirth.com looks absolutely elegant. Thanks for all that you do to make our lives a little brighter. Welcome, Hen. Glad you delurked and joined the fun."}, {"response": 1839, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (20:22)", "body": "WELCOME, Hen Glad you've joined us. Exciting times are just ahead. Karen, the new Bucket page is wonderful. Oh that picture...AFG."}, {"response": 1840, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (23:33)", "body": "They've added a number of things to the WAGW site, including the calendar above. Go to the flash portion. Check out Mr. August, ladies--like, far out, man!;-) http://whatagirlwantsmovie.warnerbros.com/ (Lisa)LOL at the name Hunk Daddy. I keep thinking that's his gangsta rap name! ;-) Exactly! We've all heard of Puff Daddy. Well this is Hunk Daddy. Yo, sistahs, we be keepin' it real. ;-) ;-) Welcome Hen! Nice to have you here. I love the new colinfirth.com design! Kudos, Karen!!"}, {"response": 1841, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (23:50)", "body": "HS review from BBCi site--3 out of 5 stars Charles Webb remains best known for his 1962 debut novel \"The Graduate\", famously filmed in 1967 with Dustin Hoffman. He has not exactly been prolific since, but the proceeds from this adaptation of his 2001 book \"New Cardiff\" - his first in 25 years - will no doubt make his reclusive life in Brighton with bald ex-wife Fred a little bit more comfortable. Named after the picturesque New England town in which it's set (\"18,459 people live in Hope\" reads a sign), \"Hope Springs\" tells of an English illustrator called Colin (Colin Firth) who - heartbroken at being dumped by his fianc\ufffde Vera (Minnie Driver) - heads to America to start again. Colin's matchmaking landlady Joanie (Mary Steenburgen) introduces him to \"trained care-giver\" Mandy (Heather Graham), who soon breaks through his English reserve with a combination of vivacity, nudity, and alcohol. But when Vera arrives requesting a reconciliation, he is forced to make a difficult decision. It's a dilemma most warm-blooded men would kill to face - horny Heather or Minnie the Minx? - and the love triangle throws up some amusing situations that compensate for the numerous lapses in logic and pacing. Firth's character may be something of a pill to begin with, but once he lightens up he emerges as a deft and affable leading man. It's also good to see supporting roles filled by such reliable talents as Steenburgen and Oliver Platt, a hoot as Hope's venal mayor. All in all, a date movie that's well worth making a date with."}, {"response": 1842, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (00:15)", "body": "(Mari) Go to the flash portion. Check out Mr. August, ladies--like, far out, man!;-) LOL....the best bit of Mr. August is that I believe he is wearing a gold earring (I'm not a big fan of the specs though)! Also, I sent myself a postcard....I put five Hunk Daddies in a boat and rowed them my way! ;-) Thanks for the article Mari. Horny Heather and Minnie the Minx? They sound like naughty cartoon characters. ...he emerges as a deft and affable leading man. Now those are the words I like to hear!!"}, {"response": 1843, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (01:48)", "body": "Thanks for the review, Mari. Not a bad start for the reviews. Welcome, Hen! Ma chere Hen, I am dreaming of you....."}, {"response": 1844, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (03:32)", "body": "Hi Hen! It is never easy to post after Rika - it is impossible to match her ;-) But - I would like to velcome you as well, so here you are"}, {"response": 1845, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (07:00)", "body": "Welcome Hen! Firth's character may be something of a pill to begin with, but once he lightens up he emerges as a deft and affable leading man. Affable leading man, I'll tale it! compensate for the numerous lapses in logic and pacing. Hence the delay. It looks like it went back for more editing. Thanks for the link, Mari!"}, {"response": 1846, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (07:01)", "body": "That should be, I'll take it! LOL!"}, {"response": 1847, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (08:31)", "body": "Welcome Hen. Good review of HS. Mobetta than I expected after all the delays. Thanks Mari."}, {"response": 1848, "author": "maya", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (09:05)", "body": "Karen -- the new site looks wonderful! Yummy picture! Is Lagniappe still under construction, or somehow password protected? I couldn't get a live link to it. Maya"}, {"response": 1849, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (09:26)", "body": "Hello Hen! Thanks Karen, the new page looks great! Mari, thanks for the review!!"}, {"response": 1850, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (10:07)", "body": "Is Lagniappe still under construction, or somehow password protected? I couldn't get a live link to it. I had the same problem *sob*."}, {"response": 1851, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (10:10)", "body": "Hen!! Sorry, but I had to do it when I saw that pic! ;-) Glad you've finally delurked and everybody else will have the opportunity to get to know you. (Psst, btw, she's really another Lisa but I begged her not to use that.) ~~~~~~~~ Thanks all. I'm glad you like the new firth.com design. It's been under development for over a year and some people kept pushing and nudging me and pushing and nudging me... ;-) ~~~~~~~ Firth's character may be something of a pill to begin with Eowww! Continuing with his stereotypical roles of the constipated Englishman. :-( Oh well, I do hope they show him \"loosening up.\" Hope does spring eternal... Thanks Mari for posting the review. Not too bad."}, {"response": 1852, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (10:11)", "body": "Is Lagniappe still under construction, or somehow password protected? I couldn't get a live link to it. Both it and FAQ are not live yet, but that password-protected thing might be something to pursue... ;-)"}, {"response": 1853, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (10:20)", "body": "Another thing that is long overdue is an Introductory topic for Drool. Most other conferences have them and Drool might have a long time ago (topic 1 no longer exists), so I've created one: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/174/new We've been getting so many delurkers lately, possibly because we've created such a fantastic hole in the wall in which to play, that it seems like an appropriate time."}, {"response": 1854, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (10:51)", "body": "Good idea, Karen. With all the delurking lately, I was wondering if you'd decide to do this."}, {"response": 1855, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (12:33)", "body": "(Karen) (Psst, btw, she's really another Lisa but I begged her not to use that.) And to think, my Mom named me Lisa, as she thought it was an unusual name. ;-) So, Hen, do you also write FanFic? ;-D Thanks, Mari, for the info about the WAGW website. When I tried to download the calendar, however, it was going to take over an hour, so...I didn't get to see Mr. August version of Hunk Daddy. ;-( Thanks also, for the HS review, Mari. ...who soon breaks through his English reserve with a combination of vivacity, nudity, and alcohol. In that order? ;-)"}, {"response": 1856, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (12:52)", "body": "Great job on site Karen. Wonderful. Thank you. Thanks for review Mari. Maybe such things will actually promote a release date here. Hope so. Welcome Hen. You'll really enjoy it here. Thanks for the great pics ladies and thanks for calendar Mari."}, {"response": 1857, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (13:23)", "body": "Phoned BFF Box Office tonight re Premiere of HS. There are 2 screenings: 6.00pm (Invite only) with introduction by director. 8.45pm (on sale to the public). So anyone wishing to see him(if he appears)will have to be there early."}, {"response": 1858, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (14:35)", "body": "Thanks for the new-look Bucket, Karen, and for the promising HS review, Mari. The BBC reviews can be scathing, and so I think HS has fared very well indeed....much better than the latest Huge and Rafe rom coms!! Samples.... \"But if there's going to be a sudden influx of visitors to the Big Apple, it probably won't have much to do with this lazy effort. ..\"Two Weeks Notice\" is a formulaic vehicle for Bullock that's so packaged it should have been delivered by the postal service According to the script, Grant and Bullock's characters are made for each other. But you'd never guess that from the performances. Even giving it two minutes notice would be overly generous.\" .............. \"Not since Walter Matthau shacked up with Jack Lemmon has there been such a cinematic odd couple as Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes. Unfortunately the latter combo has all the snap, crackle and pop of soggy cereal. The bizarre casting sets the tone for a romantic comedy which mistakes asinine for amusing. There are two things you should know. One: Jennifer Lopez is not funny. Two: Ralph Fiennes is less funny than Jennifer Lopez. Together they're about as humorous as a root canal\" See what I mean? :-)"}, {"response": 1859, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (15:15)", "body": "Thank you, Mari for the link and review of HS. Now all we need is a date...again. BTW, Mari, you remarkably clever girl...Hunk Daddy = HD = Henry Dashwood:-) Now that's what I call efficient. (LisaJH)...who soon breaks through his English reserve with a combination of vivacity, nudity, and alcohol. In that order? ;-) Any order and or combination of the three is fine with me."}, {"response": 1860, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (15:28)", "body": "I would have posted my thanks for the warm welcome sooner but have spent the day in LaLa Land after seeing Rika's welcome this morning. The Vicomte is just too delectable, is he not? I'll just have to check him out this evening. Thank you, Rika. You never disappoint. Thanks to Annette for the gorgeous floral greeting, and to everyone else for your very kind words of welcome. Since I've been lurking for several months I feel I know you all already. Lisa, I only wish I had your talent for writing. Fanfic was the last topic I explored, so I have a lot of catching up to do. Karen, the new website is fantastic! Thanks for all you do. Now I have to go practice posting."}, {"response": 1861, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (16:39)", "body": "(Bethan)Re:Rafe and J.LO & Huge and Sandra See what I mean? :-) MIM & 2 Weeks Notice = to date domestic each .....$93 M. Colin should be so lucky."}, {"response": 1862, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (16:49)", "body": "Which version of Advocate/HOTPig is the more...adult? Having never seen this one, it shouldn't matter to me anyway, just curious."}, {"response": 1863, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (16:54)", "body": "Colin should be so lucky Too true! }-:"}, {"response": 1864, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (17:24)", "body": "Bet he will be in LA (along with the other 8 or 10 other stars in it). ;-)"}, {"response": 1865, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (17:34)", "body": "(Meredith)Having never seen this one, it shouldn't matter to me anyway, just curious. HOTPig...also contains a few scenes missing from TA that make things a bit more clear."}, {"response": 1866, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (18:12)", "body": "(Bethan) The BBC reviews can be scathing. See what I mean? :-) But those two movies were hideous. I saw them both. The reviews were dead-on accurate."}, {"response": 1867, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (19:43)", "body": "(Da' Boss) But those two movies were hideous. But, but,...I liked \"Two Weeks Notice\". And Rafe actually *smiled* throughout \"MIM\";-) evelyn*part of the great unwashed*;-)"}, {"response": 1868, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (20:53)", "body": "Welcome, Hen! Like the new look of The Bucket, Karen!"}, {"response": 1869, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 2003 (09:45)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1870, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 2003 (10:02)", "body": "I have moved Janet's post to 149."}, {"response": 1871, "author": "meg", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 2003 (10:22)", "body": "Karen, The Bucket looks great! Tres chic!"}, {"response": 1872, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 2003 (11:03)", "body": "Very nice Bucket, Karen! There's a question in our local newspaper today in the entertainment section from a CF fan. (photo from MLSF) CK asks: \"Last year, it was reported that Firth was in Vancouver for the filming of New Cardiff. When might we expect the release of this movie?\" Answer: That movie, which has been renamed Hope Springs, is scheduled for limited release in the US in early April,with a wider release in the following weeks. This is the first of a few movies Firth has coming out this year. I'm going to assume this info is old. But if CK is out there and wants to come to a WAGW festival in Red Deer next month, give me a shout. Evelyn, don't apologize for liking TWN. I liked Kangaroo Jack :-)"}, {"response": 1873, "author": "meg", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 2003 (13:52)", "body": "(Murph) Lagniappe: An unexpected bonus: an unexpected bonus or extra (Evelyn)(LOL.I always thought it was an Italian dish) I think in this case it may be an English dish . . ."}, {"response": 1874, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 2003 (02:46)", "body": "And of course Lagniappe is an anagram of Appealing..."}, {"response": 1875, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 2003 (07:49)", "body": "Lagniappe Ha, my first \"tags\". A wee giftie at time of purshase....I'll pay extra! Now let's see if those tags worked....."}, {"response": 1876, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 2003 (09:55)", "body": "tag worked, now I need a spell checker..."}, {"response": 1877, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 2003 (10:21)", "body": "(BrendaL) I'm going to assume this info is old. Smart girl. ;-)"}, {"response": 1878, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 2003 (10:44)", "body": "This is bizarre. It lists Colin as a past student, but I've never seen any reference to his having attended any of these places and if you visit the site's alumni pages, his name doesn't scroll across the top. Maybe because he didn't graduate? Took a course in pottery? Well, Colin never graduated from the Drama Centre either. ;-) From BBC News : College bids for unique arts status A London college is applying for university status to become the only one in the country devoted entirely to the creative arts. The London Institute, which comprises five art and design colleges across the capital, wants to be recognised as the leader in its field. It says a dedicated creative arts college would reflect the growing national importance of the arts in the UK. London Institute alumni include author Sir Kingsley Amis, actor Pierce Brosnan and 1998 Turner Prize winner Chris Ofili. The London Institute is an umbrella for Camberwell College of Arts, Central St Martins College of Art and Design, London College of Printing, Chelsea College of Art and Design and the London College of Fashion. [...] Past students also include actors Alan Rickman, Colin Firth and John Hurt; director Mike Leigh; artist Antony Gormley and fashion designers Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/arts/2815847.stm"}, {"response": 1879, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 2003 (15:44)", "body": "From Yahoo Movies Message Board for GWAPE \"with my 2 children I was in the film as an extra. we had a lot of fun, the atmosphere was great and the actors were nice and very down to earth. I loved the book and can't wait until the film comes out.\""}, {"response": 1880, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 2003 (15:50)", "body": "Is this old news? The book for WAGW is available from Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0439530628/qid=1046900693/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_1/104-7112106-9236711?v=glance&s=books&n=507846#product-details"}, {"response": 1881, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 2003 (16:36)", "body": "Yes, I have a link up at the Boutique to benefit Spring."}, {"response": 1882, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 2003 (16:37)", "body": "Yup. And it's awful.We discussed the imbecillic narrative."}, {"response": 1883, "author": "WinniePeg", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 2003 (16:44)", "body": "Hi all! Welcome to all the new 'Drool' recruits! Karen, just wanted to add my 'great job' to the pile--the new look for the Bucket is lovely."}, {"response": 1884, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 2003 (18:00)", "body": "Sorry! I need to go back a bit in time before I post. This one is strictly for the teens, I imagine."}, {"response": 1885, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 2003 (19:32)", "body": "Just received BFF Official Guide. Small article on HS. No new photos, and text same as FF site. BTW, Tumbledown is being shown on 26 March as part of 'TV Heaven'."}, {"response": 1886, "author": "meg", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (07:50)", "body": "(Janet) BTW, Tumbledown is being shown on 26 March as part of 'TV Heaven'. Is this a U.S. thing? I'd love to finally see Tumbledown!"}, {"response": 1887, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (08:26)", "body": "Sorry, I should have made it clearer. Tumbledown is being shown at the Bradford Film Festival as part of 'TV Heaven'."}, {"response": 1888, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (08:34)", "body": "Then maybe he will go since two of his projects are being shown. *crossing fingers, lighting candles, etc*"}, {"response": 1889, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (09:43)", "body": "Janet, you lucky girl! Cannot WAIT to hear the report."}, {"response": 1890, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (10:51)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1891, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (10:59)", "body": "Murph, please repost on 166."}, {"response": 1892, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (12:32)", "body": "Kaen: Sorry about asking Mari where. That should go in a e-mail instead. I did find it though."}, {"response": 1893, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (12:43)", "body": "The Leeds Guide (a monthly magazine) has a picture of Heather Graham on the front cover - \"Hope Springs launches the Bradford Film Festival\" and contains a free guide to the BradfordFF. Usual blurb for HS, plus \"We hope to welcome members of the cast and crew\". The magazine itself has an interview with Mark Herman about HS... \"the book was read and loved by the star of the film CF, who approached Herman requesting that he be considered for the role of Colin Ware\" (not exactly Mr Pushy!)"}, {"response": 1894, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (13:59)", "body": "Thanks for the information lady. Something to digest on yet another snowbound day."}, {"response": 1895, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (14:22)", "body": "(Bethan), (not exactly Mr Pushy!) Oh, but so veerrry English. ;-)"}, {"response": 1896, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (18:02)", "body": "(Bethan), (not exactly Mr Pushy!) No, but a bit of a start perhaps?;-)"}, {"response": 1897, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (19:02)", "body": "HS delayed in UK? The filmfactory website shows 9 May as release date. - Not sure how reliable the info is. I hope they're wrong!"}, {"response": 1898, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (22:12)", "body": "I doubt they would've gone to the trouble of moving back the date unless it were true. Look on the bright side: at least you have a date. ;-)"}, {"response": 1899, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (09:32)", "body": "From a report on Universal's presentation to exhibitors at Showest: Romantic complications continue Nov. 7 with \"Love, Actually,\" which will vie for the preholiday audiences looking for an upscale comedy. The film, which stars a who's who of British acting talent, is the directing debut of Richard Curtis, writer of \"Notting Hill\" and \"Four Weddings and a Funeral.\" ~~~~~~ How nice that Huge wasn't mentioned. They're all Who's Who. :)"}, {"response": 1900, "author": "odessa", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (09:39)", "body": "I don`t have to wait anymore :( I got mail: ...The Importance of Being Earnest -movie won`t be seen on screen in Finland..."}, {"response": 1901, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (09:51)", "body": "Oh that's too bad, Odessa. Looks like you'll have to see it on tape or DVD, but the Region 2 DVD isn't coming out until the fall as I recall. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Another ShoWest mention from Monday's presentation by the international distributors: Another highlight for the UIP's 2003 slate was \"Love Actually.\" Set to bow domestically Nov. 7, the film stars some of Britain's top actors, including Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman."}, {"response": 1902, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (09:58)", "body": "Greg's Previews on Yahoo was updated today with the following: Release Date Note: (1/16/03) Disney's original target release was sometime in the fall of 2002. (3/7/03) There had been unconfirmed reports that Touchstone might be releasing this on April 4th, but it appears they're looking for a date later in the year (or maybe even in 2004) after the U.K. opening."}, {"response": 1903, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (11:47)", "body": "but it appears they're looking for a date later in the year (or maybe even in 2004) after the U.K. opening. This must be HS. How bad can it be? Emma and Janet, we await your very detail report. :-) How nice that Huge wasn't mentioned. You're giving Hugh too much of a reputation here ladies if you keep referring to him as Huge. ;-) I'm taking count. ;-) Were going to have to start that hand measuring system again. ;-)"}, {"response": 1904, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (12:29)", "body": "Yes, the release date info was on Hope Springs. Sorry, I neglected to post that. (Moon) You're giving Hugh too much of a reputation here ladies if you keep referring to him as Huge. ;-) I'm taking count. ;-) Maybe we shouldn't shorten his nickname and go back to the full Huge Gnat. Then there won't be any concerns or need for measuring systems. ;-)"}, {"response": 1905, "author": "joyce", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (12:44)", "body": "I propose a world-wide CF fan email event to release Hope Springs. Would have to identify other CF groups to contact and an email address or several to get the studio's attention. We can only be expected to take so much deja vu with his career. Must become empowered!"}, {"response": 1906, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (12:53)", "body": "In case anyone's interested and in Germany, Die Stunde des Schweins (Hotpig) will be on SWR TV on March 11. Details here: http://www.swr.de/tv/suche/index.html?doit=1&von_datum=11.03.2003&bis_datum=11.03.2003&von_uhrzeit=2300&bis_uhrzeit=2400&x=12&y=5"}, {"response": 1907, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (14:06)", "body": "Welcome to all the wonderful newbies who have delurked, now you won't want to leave;-)) Magnificent job Karen ! Is there no end....... actually we know there is no end to your talents. Here's raising a forkful of vindaloo to them :-)) The hail is lashing down and the thunder getting worse, what a thrill to discover such a wonderful new layout."}, {"response": 1908, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (14:11)", "body": "Laura Linney was on GMTV this morning, have nearly switched off video in disgust as ODB seemed to be the only male cast member she didn't mention for LA:-( Flicked thro' the April copy of \"Woman and Home\" in hairdressers today, mentions HS as a film to see (paltry resume) released April 18th."}, {"response": 1909, "author": "joyce", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (14:56)", "body": "RE: Hope Springs Can't find an e-mail address for Touchstone Pictures. Also found two snail mail addresses, one in Burbank, one in LA. Does anyone have an e-mail address for them? Imagine they don't post one on the website so that they aren't badgered by fans. : )"}, {"response": 1910, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (15:06)", "body": "Sorry, if this was posted already & not really sure where it should be posted \ufffd from April Vanity Fair, pg. 208 The Movie Set \ufffd Love Actually Picture of cast \ufffd A Great Cast, Actually: The Love Actually players in London, Colin Firth (in turtleneck & overcoat), Keira Knightley, Bill Nighy, Martine McCutcheon, Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman, Laura Linney, Liam Neeson & Emma Thompson. Since 1995, Richard Curtis, who wrote the scripts for FW&AF, NH, & BJD, has been providing movie-lovers with one very simple, albeit crucial pleasure: watching HG trying to find love while saying \ufffdactually\ufffd a lot. In Curtis\ufffds new one, LA (whose full title is actually Love Actually is all Around), Grant shares the screen with a juggernaut of talent \ufffd ET, AR, Colin Firth, LN, and LL, to name a few \ufffd and this time, says Curtis, \ufffdthey\ufffdre not just 35-year old people looking for love.\ufffd A multi-narrative film with casually interweaving stories in the style of Robert Altman, LA examines love in its many forms \ufffd family love, childhood crushes, even the affection between an aging rock star and his manager. The movie marks Curtis\ufffds debut as a director. \ufffdI thought, I\ufffdve hit 45. If I don\ufffdt do it myself now, I\ufffdd just have a heart attack next time,\ufffd he says. Along the way he gained an insight into why he has become the Go-To Guy when it comes to getting romance on-screen. \ufffdOne of the stories in this movie has a little boy who\ufffds in love, and as we were auditioning, I found out that most of the little boys we spoke to couldn\ufffdt give a damn about girls,\ufffd Curtis says. \ufffdI\ufffdve known who I was in love with every day since I was five. I can tell you the names of the girls in sequence.\ufffd"}, {"response": 1911, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (16:39)", "body": "\ufffdI\ufffdve known who I was in love with every day since I was five. I can tell you the names of the girls in sequence.\ufffd I'm melting. No wonder he's the king of rom coms. ;-) Laura Linney was on GMTV this morning, have nearly switched off video in disgust as ODB seemed to be the only male cast member she didn't mention for LA:-( That is a failing indeed. Isn't her bit mostly with Colin? :-( Then again, he didn't mention her when asked about an actress that he was most impressed with. He picked Scarlet. ;-) Touchy feely."}, {"response": 1912, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (16:41)", "body": "Thanks, Marianne! For once a magazine that I am subscribed to has an article relating to CF."}, {"response": 1913, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (17:50)", "body": "Thanks for info ladies. Big fopar LL not mentioning CF."}, {"response": 1914, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (18:37)", "body": "(RC) \ufffdI\ufffdve known who I was in love with every day since I was five. I can tell you the names of the girls in sequence.\ufffd (Moon) I'm melting. No wonder he's the king of rom coms. ;-) You mean of the sappy rom-coms, don't you or are you just a girl standing in front of a guy telling him... blah blah blah... ;-) (Lizza) Laura Linney was on GMTV this morning, have nearly switched off video in disgust as ODB seemed to be the only male cast member she didn't mention for LA:-( She should be horsewhipped! Especially as she plays his ex-whatever. Thanks Lizza for the news. And thanks Marianne for posting the article. I've been riding around all afternoon with the mag in my car. I've scanned it (and so has Mari, big thank you too!!) and I've put it all up on the Love Actually page. Here's the formal cast pic: Love that Colin has finally made it into Vanity Fair's big Hollywood issue, now if he could only get onto one of the cover's three panels... *am smokin'*"}, {"response": 1915, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (18:59)", "body": "Thanks Marianne and Karen. Yummy pic. Great to know that LA is going to get lots of publicity, and starting so early, too. Yipee!!"}, {"response": 1916, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (19:07)", "body": "Oooohh! Great picture Karen!! Thank you. ODB looks fantastic... Silly question, but who is the 'pinched' looking fellow standing next to ODB? I should know, as I have seen the cast list, but I don't recognize him."}, {"response": 1917, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (19:13)", "body": "Sorry to double post, but looking at CF in that Vanity Fair picture(again)...Dark overcoat and turtleneck...reminds me of my favorite all time walk and scene from BJD. Oh another AFG look coming our way. I hope we get a good long walk out of him."}, {"response": 1918, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (20:01)", "body": "Grrrrr, my VF has yet to arrive in the mail. (A friend of mine calls VF People Magazine for those with college educations. ;-)) Thanks Karen and Mari for giving us a preview of the picture, and Marianne for the article. (Karen) Love that Colin has finally made it into Vanity Fair's big Hollywood issue, now if he could only get onto one of the cover's three panels. Amen, sister Karen! VF has already given too much space to the 'other' Colin. I am over him!"}, {"response": 1919, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (20:45)", "body": "Tress - I think that's Bill Nighy. Funny they didn't have Rowan Atkinson in the pic - I thought he was one of the \"big name drawcards\" for the flick. Then again, it's doubtful many women consider him to be any sort of \"romantic ideal\"..."}, {"response": 1920, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (20:49)", "body": "(Tress)Silly question, but who is the 'pinched' looking fellow standing next to ODB? I should know, as I have seen the cast list, but I don't recognize him. He's English actor Bill Nighy, who has done a lot of work on British TV and on stage. Quite a respected actor."}, {"response": 1921, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (21:09)", "body": "(Linda) Dark overcoat and turtleneck...reminds me of my favorite all time walk and scene from BJD When I read the text of the article before seeing the photo, my first thought was, \"That's Mark Darcy!\" Thank you, Marianne and Karen!"}, {"response": 1922, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (21:20)", "body": "Oh my, F*** me! What is he wearing? Flaping coat tails! Cuddly jumper. Out I go for another 5 lb magazine for one picture! What's become of me? If I don't buy it will they continue to run his pics? It's a conundrum. What's a woman to do? Thanks Karen and Mari!"}, {"response": 1923, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (21:29)", "body": "(Jane) I think that's Bill Nighy (Janet) He's English actor Bill Nighy, who has done a lot of work on British TV and on stage. Thanks Jane and Janet! I am embarrassed to say I have only seen him in The Eye of the Needle (about 100 years ago...). (Beedee) Out I go for another 5 lb magazine for one picture! What's become of me? LOL! You've become one of us! Welcome to the fold!!"}, {"response": 1924, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (21:41)", "body": "(Beedee) Out I go for another 5 lb magazine for one picture! What's become of me? (Tress) LOL! You've become one of us! Welcome to the fold!! Huh? What? You talking about us? Sorry, I was planning my spring wardrobe from the Runway to Reality article in InStyle (who says I bought it just for his pics?) That Victoria's Secret ad is so me... (And yes, this probably doesn't belong in the CF topic area, got caught up in the flow)"}, {"response": 1925, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (21:46)", "body": "(Beedee) Out I go for another 5 lb magazine for one picture! I know this so well. Now put into the context of driving all over town for an obscure foreign magazine, running the risk of getting a $50 parking ticket whilst I zip into a shop that supposedly has it, or calling overseas to have it shipped. All this at times for a single pic. Talk about criteria for commitment. ;-) You do have an alternative, an unwritten Drool Rool for hair salon regulars or patients of a doctor or dentist. You are allowed to snip a certain number of pages per year from their waiting rooms magazines free of charge, as you've already paid for them. The line-up from left (politically and otherwise) to right: The Man Himself, Keira Knightley (go see her in Bend It Like Beckham), Bill Nighy, Martine McCutcheon, the Huge Gnat, Prof Snape, Laura Linney, Liam Neeson, and Emma Thompson."}, {"response": 1926, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (22:04)", "body": "This is all so very strange. (I know this doesn't belong here, but I have to tell this) I was in the store last night looking at the new GQ (it was THEIR Hollywood issue too) and I was thinking at the time that I should be looking for the VF Hollywood issue to come out soon, and I wondered if CF would be in it because he had 4 movies coming out this year. Then I laughed to myself and thought, yeah, like that would happen. And hey guess what..it happened. Now I don't know whether to hide in my closet or get my own TV show like John Edward;-)"}, {"response": 1927, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (22:05)", "body": "I am humbled or is it humbeld. This is why I'm here in any case. I bow."}, {"response": 1928, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (23:07)", "body": "In light of the news about HS seemingly being sent to the release date abyss, I thought the newbies, and others who may have forgotten about it, might enjoy this bit that dalec posted on May 9, 2002. It seems somewhat appropriate...and quite amusing.... ;-) just for fun-- firthette: i very much liked you running up the stairs with a bit of your leg showing C: thank you firthette: it didn't work out with steven spielberg again? C: no, it didn't firthette: i'm delighted to hear it C: look, you ladies seem to go out of your way to make me feel like a complete idiot every time i read one of your comments online. and you really needn't bother. i already feel like an idiot enough times when i have to sit through one of my own premeires and then realize i chose the wrong script. now if you would excuse me i have a casting call to go to, good bye. firthette: look...i don't think you're an idiot all. though sometimes it does come through in the projects you chose. i realized when i saw you in that wet shirt i would forever be a firthette. what i'm trying to say very inarticulately... is that well... though perhaps in spite of some of the roles you've chosen i like you very much. C: ah.. apart from L. and... firthette: no, i like you very much. just as you are. a man screams from a distance behind the firthette firthette's husband: will you hurry up and stop drooling already! this is the most incredicle sh*t, we have 2 screaming kids in the car and you are married for christ sake! firthette: yes.. right... (lightly wipes edge of month then turns to CF) well, i must go. bye. CF watches with a quizzical look on his face as the firthette leaves and walks towards her husband and kids with a piece of toilet paper trailing at the heel of her shoe. C: (mumbles to himself) hmm... i can't say i very much like the sight of her walking away with toilet paper on her shoe, should i let her know...oh sh*t! the casting call."}, {"response": 1929, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 2003 (00:50)", "body": "Thanks Karen and Mari for giving us a preview of the picture, and Marianne for the article. Hopefully this will lead to alot more publicity. Thank you Dalec and Dorine. Vey amusing indeed. I openly admit to having no knowledge of the inner workings of studios but wouldn't it be to their advantage to release HS and atleast make some money off it. I don't understand why they hold some movies back for such long periods of time. Anyone have a clue?"}, {"response": 1930, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 2003 (01:48)", "body": "Thank you Marianne, Mari and Karen for the article and picture. I had that BJD de-ja-vue as some of you said as well. I must say I also like the way, that Huge Gnat (my all time favourite alias) is somehow hidden in the back. I know he is probably put there to be in the center, but that is *not\" my way of seeing this. About the looking for magazines, since there aren't any here, I have found myself lending the most strange books from the library lately; the camera obscura, articles on Dutch painters in general and so forth. So, what I'm trying to say, very inarticularly, is that it is good to have this place to get my fix of ODB-pictures. btw, thank you Dalec and Dorine for the interview. I remember reading it earlier, but it still makes me laugh."}, {"response": 1931, "author": "odessa", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 2003 (05:08)", "body": "what? another magazine I have to start searching for? I`m still waiting right InStyle issue to show up..."}, {"response": 1932, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 2003 (07:42)", "body": "(Pam)I don't understand why they hold some movies back for such long periods of time. Anyone have a clue? Because they have other movies that will take up the same room and not tank."}, {"response": 1933, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 2003 (08:15)", "body": "ROTF....thank you dalec and Dorine! V. v. funny! firthette's husband: will you hurry up and stop drooling already! this is the most incredicle sh*t, we have 2 screaming kids in the car and you are married for christ sake! Okay, in my case, it is 2 parking dogs, but I could really see this happening (including toilet paper on shoe)!!"}, {"response": 1934, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 2003 (09:42)", "body": "\"She\" magazine (at least I think it was \"She\") gives HS a very good review. 4 stars.... \" a joyous film which makes you think that spring is just around the corner\". Other films reviewed get 3 stars (one was \"Evelyn\" with Pierce Brosnan). There may be other reviews in the April mags, but they're all wrapped up in cellophane!"}, {"response": 1935, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 2003 (10:16)", "body": "(She) \"a joyous film which makes you think that spring is just around the corner\". Leaves turning red, gold, orange and brown make that reviewer think that spring is around the corner? Huh? Doesn't winter follow your fall? How utterly idiotic. Thanks for the report, Bethan. Anything said about Colin specifically? P.S. If you're not sure which topic to use, try the main Drool page: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/drool/all for a complete listing."}, {"response": 1936, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 2003 (12:41)", "body": "(Karen), Doesn't winter follow your fall? How utterly idiotic. ROTF! Maybe he's checked here and found our repeated mentions of \"hope springs eternal\". ;-) Dorine, I remember that! How time flies!"}, {"response": 1937, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 2003 (14:18)", "body": "(Moon)Dorine, I remember that! How time flies! I do too, thanks Dorine. Lets see, that was just 4 days before May 13, 2002. OH those were the days..."}, {"response": 1938, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 2003 (16:55)", "body": "Thanks Bethan. I refuse to believe that this is a lousy film.Unless the idiot mis-directed or mid-edited it. Like Colin, I was enchanted with the book. The dialogue was all laid out for the director...easiest adaptation imaginable. Esp with the author on the writing team. How come the British newspapers are reviewing HS so soon? My newspaper listed WAGW and HS as 'new releases' on April 4th."}, {"response": 1939, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 2003 (17:04)", "body": "Karen, love the shiny new bucket! A nice reflection of all your time and effort. Thanks also for the LA pic. Love CF's \"position\" in the group photo!"}, {"response": 1940, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 2003 (23:48)", "body": "(Evelyn) Esp with the author on the writing team. Charlie didn't have anything to do with the screenplay; Mark Herman, the director wrote it. How come the British newspapers are reviewing HS so soon? Look at it another way, the review was leftover from November. ;-)"}, {"response": 1941, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (08:38)", "body": "Looks like Colin is going to make up for his no show for English PEN! Thanks to JennieT, we have the news that Colin is going to participate in another reading, sponsored by English PEN that will be held at the Italian Institute: The Leopard by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa Monday 28th April 7 pm Venue: Italian Cultural Institute, 39 Belgrave Square, London, SW1X 8NX Tickets: \ufffd10.00 Include drinks reception after panel discussion A celebration of the revered saga of a decaying Sicilian aristocracy, by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, to coincide with a Visconti retrospective at the NFT. A panel, to include David Gilmour, Lampedusa\ufffds biographer, and Manolo Blahnik, designer, discuss The Leopard as an enduring source of inspiration. Readings by actor Colin Firth. Followed by a drinks reception. ~~~~~ Be sure to wear your trendiest shoes!"}, {"response": 1942, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (08:43)", "body": "It might also be worthwhile to checkout the Italian Film Festival (28 March - Apr 6) that takes place at the Riverside Studios (*sigh*) http://www.italcultur.org.uk/eventsistmarch.htm"}, {"response": 1943, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (09:06)", "body": "Thanks Karen.... Manolo Blahnik and ODB in the same room??? A girl could die from happiness! ;-)"}, {"response": 1944, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (09:17)", "body": "Yeah, maybe they'll give out door prizes of shoes. Argh, my arches are already crying. ;-) The only thing I'm wary about is that Colin will be filming Trauma then and we all know what seems to happen when he schedules appearances or is scheduled to appear at those times: RV premiere, first ICI reading, PEN event..."}, {"response": 1945, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (10:00)", "body": ".....TIOBE London premiere......."}, {"response": 1946, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (10:31)", "body": "(Karen) The only thing I'm wary about is that Colin will be filming Trauma then and we all know what seems to happen when he schedules appearances or is scheduled to appear at those times... Yeah, but he did appear after missing his reading at the PEN event....He not only appeared, he looked pretty lit (and that could be more fun than listening to a reading)! ;-) And Dorine! You know how to get into those 'after' parties! All you need is a good place for a stake out! Any potted palms outside the Italian Cultural Institute?"}, {"response": 1947, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (11:04)", "body": "(Tress)He not only appeared, he looked pretty lit (and that could be more fun than listening to a reading)! LOL, he did look like he already had a few by the time that picture was taken. Emma this may be a good chance. Can you get there? (Evelyn)I refuse to believe that this is a lousy film.Unless the idiot mis-directed or mid-edited it. Like Colin, I was enchanted with the book. I was too, and the lines were so perfect for him. I heard his voice in my head the entire time I was reading it...He was perfect for the role... ...And the good reviews so far...what gives?"}, {"response": 1948, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (11:23)", "body": "No need for subterfuge, as the 'after parties' at the ICI are open to those attending."}, {"response": 1949, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (12:01)", "body": "yesterday's Guardian has small feature on Bradford FF, CF less of course;-( which proves that this is the place to be for the hottest info. However it does mention TIOBE's rental release on VHS and DVD from tomorrow. My local blockbuster assures me that they will have great difficulty in having it on the shelf by then *smiling thro' gritted teeth* Hope everyone else has more luck;-)) Thanks for the info on LA, Karen, Mari and Marianne. If I recall Laure Linney's comments she mentioned a \"gorgeous\" Brazillian actor who was wonderful to work with blah blah blah. When an actress uses those adjectives in a sentence you fully expect it to end with Colin Firth!"}, {"response": 1950, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (12:36)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1951, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (12:50)", "body": "Sorry about the random, blank post....I'm just half way through my first cup of coffee and watching LE, so I'm a bit distracted! ;-) (Evelyn) I refuse to believe that this is a lousy film. Unless the idiot mis-directed or mid-edited it. Like Colin, I was enchanted with the book. (Linda) I was too, and the lines were so perfect for him. I heard his voice in my head the entire time I was reading it... I liked the book as well...thought it was very funny and am anxiously awaiting a 'real' release date for the US. The reviews sound promising (rom-coms usually get shredded by film critics). Not my favorite genre, but as a CF junkie, I'll take it!!! ;-) (Karen) No need for subterfuge, as the 'after parties' at the ICI are open to those attending. Oh! Better and better! Another chance for Emma and Janet to make contact!"}, {"response": 1952, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (13:36)", "body": "(Karen) No need for subterfuge, as the 'after parties' at the ICI are open to those attending. Aw, that takes the sport out of it! ;-) (Tress)Another chance for Emma and Janet to make contact! Indeed. Good luck, ladies!"}, {"response": 1953, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (15:58)", "body": "(Tress)Another chance for Emma and Janet to make contact! I'm afraid this one's down to Emma and fellow Londoners. - There's no way I could justify a visit to London, and anyway, my Mum and I are going to Paris for the weekend and we don't come home until late Sunday evening. Poor me!! LOL"}, {"response": 1954, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (15:59)", "body": "Karen - in answer to your question on 166: I did actually think it was a mistake when I read that, but after checking yahoo movies for Australia, found that it's now listed there as opening Apr 3, and also now listed for that date in imdb - so I guess it's true - unless it's their idea of an April Fool's joke."}, {"response": 1955, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (16:30)", "body": "OK, IMDB entries are submitted by people like you and me with little, if any, verification. Yahoo, on the other hand, might be more reliable but I'm not certain as to where their updates come from. As you know, in the US, films open on Fridays. Is Thursday the customary day of the week for Australia? That's like Wednesday in the US though since you're like days ahead of us. ;-)"}, {"response": 1956, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (16:59)", "body": "About the London-events; I hope someone will have a chance to go there. Just remember to bring camera and a taperecorder. I now a pottet plant won't do the trick with this one, but there is almost no limit to what can be fittet in a ladys purse (or so I've herard). We must have our share of the conversation (not the right expression, giving it most likely will be oneway talk;-)) About the book by Charles Webb (Hope Springs/New Cardiff I really can't remember), I also read it with Colin on my mind and enjoyed it a lot."}, {"response": 1957, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (20:14)", "body": "Did anyone catch his Lordship in the black leather pants during an early commercial break of the SAG awards? Some of the scenes were different from what I saw in the trailer shown in theaters."}, {"response": 1958, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (20:21)", "body": "No, missed that. Was watching RZ's \"Inside the Actor's Studio\", from which one could certainly have drawn the conclusion that she and HG were the only two people with substantial roles in BJD. Sigh."}, {"response": 1959, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (20:27)", "body": "Thursday is the day that most films open in Oz - another reason I'm hoping the Apr 3 date is true. And the Yahoo site has always been pretty accurate over the last year, it's not done by \"Joe Public\", it's used as a promotions site by the film distributors. Yes, we'll actually be getting it two days ahead of you in \"real time\" if this is true. Hard to imagine. :D"}, {"response": 1960, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (20:30)", "body": "(Karen)... 39 Belgrave Square Ah, the unfashionable side. I thought there was something. However, that could easily by altered. :-)"}, {"response": 1961, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (20:30)", "body": "I'm rooting for you, Jane! It ought to be your turn to get something first for a change."}, {"response": 1962, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (22:19)", "body": "After seeing the trailer on SAG awards tonight I had to think of Katie Couric. She will be after him to be on the Today Show. Is that outfit leather or spandex. Wish the scene had been longer. Most of this trailer was about C.F."}, {"response": 1963, "author": "Jodi", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (06:17)", "body": "Rika, I was also watching Inside The Actor's Studio and I could not believe that RZ did not mention him either! The interviewer even said the the whole story was about her interaction with the Hugh Grant character. Guess he saw a different movie than I did."}, {"response": 1964, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (07:03)", "body": "We are so used to having Colin slighted. But, RZ surprised me. After all, isn't Colin the one who called her about TEOR recently? This goes to show how unknown Colin really is here. :-( And I know some here that would like him to get on Inside The Actor's Studio. Doen't seem likely. :-( I missed the commercial last night, by the time I heard starring CF, it was done. This movie seems to be getting the most publicity out of all his film, even more than BJD. His US breakout role? Perish the thought!"}, {"response": 1965, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (07:13)", "body": "(Rika) Was watching RZ's \"Inside the Actor's Studio\", from which one could certainly have drawn the conclusion that she and HG were the only two people with substantial roles in BJD. Sigh. (Jodi)I was also watching Inside The Actor's Studio and I could not believe that RZ did not mention him either I was shocked! Shocked and grieved...(and pissed off) It seems ODB's anti-PR devices are well oiled and working perfectly...I sat on the couch (after realizing he would not be mentioned I switched it off) and did a brat mantra \"I hate RZ, I hate James Lipton, Laura Linney, HG, The Actors Studio, casting directors, studios, and the film world at large..oh yeah, can't forget MB...Then I poured myself a nice glass of wine and watched Mediterraneo for the 50th time and was cheered..."}, {"response": 1966, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (08:49)", "body": "(Moon) His US breakout role? Perish the thought! *snort* But the commercial was good. It emphasized the daughter-father focus of the film and didn't even show her little prince charming. Lots of new bits: Colin raiding the refrigerator late at night, more from the \"cutting loose\" day where he's bobbing his head and then it ends with the \"they'll-be-queuing-up\" air guitar number. (I taped the first half hour of the SAGs, so I can replay the commercial.)"}, {"response": 1967, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (09:48)", "body": "Darn, I missed the first broadcast of the SAGs and instead watched the re-broadcast at 10 PM, and the commercial was different, but still a fair amount of CF. I was figuring they'd have Amanda do most/all of the promo for this one, but by the looks of the commercials they're trying for a slice of the adult audience as well, in which case maybe we'll get lucky and he'll do some talk show appearances."}, {"response": 1968, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (09:56)", "body": "Don't know if this is anywhere else. I had an Aussie friend scan the Herald Sun piece on CF from last Sunday's magazine. The text is a repeat of Karen's London Times article from last August, http://www.firth.com/articles/02times_825.html but the main picture is nice:"}, {"response": 1969, "author": "dalec", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (10:19)", "body": "I was channel surfing last night and happened to catch the WAGW commercial on FOX and it was quite different from the one that most of you saw. Can't remember it all but I believe there was only 1 scene with Colin, 2 at the most. The scenes were mostly AB and her love interest. Thanks for the pics and articles."}, {"response": 1970, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (10:25)", "body": "re: WAGW, interesting (and good, I think) that they're promoting it to two different target audiences with the two different kinds of trailers. Thanks for the photo, Murph. It looks familiar, but if I've seen it, I've never seen such a nice big blow-up of it."}, {"response": 1971, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (11:12)", "body": "That pic accompanied an article in La Repubblica's D supplement in 2001. It may have come from another source, since the second pic had previously been published in the Observer I think. It is here: http://www.spring.net/karenr/articles/d_101601.html"}, {"response": 1972, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (12:31)", "body": "So the Herald Sun more or less just took something from all over for their story. Lazy blokes, aren't they?"}, {"response": 1973, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (15:26)", "body": "I emailed the ICI from work and asked how to get tickets to the Leopard thing, but didn't get a response today. Just looked at their website, and it's 'strictly by invitation only': http://www.italcultur.org.uk/eventsistapril.htm Hmph. Just when I was wondering how to deal with potentially running into him at least twice in the near future. =)"}, {"response": 1974, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (17:00)", "body": "Emma: Go through English PEN. That's the link provided."}, {"response": 1975, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (17:42)", "body": "Thanks Murph, the picture is a great one even if the article isn't new. Thanks Karen for the article. (dalec)I was channel surfing last night and happened to catch the WAGW commercial on FOX I have been surfing VH1, E!, and Fox for the trailer for several days now...no luck. I can't believe I missed the first half hour of the SAG."}, {"response": 1976, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (18:25)", "body": "I posted something about that picture from the Herald Sun on #166, where I think it belongs. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 1656, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 166, "subject": "Introduction to Firthology (101) - a survey course", "response_count": 1999, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (18:47)", "body": "I've got a couple of questions about things that have come up that were from a long time ago. 1. Sometimes, Karen, you post older pics. I am thinking a while back when you put up the shot of CF and LD on their wedding day in the carriage. Is there somewhere in The Bucket where these older things are that I cannot find? 2. CF has been in other plays besides TDOR. Of course we all know about Hamlet and it's demise, but is there info on the really old ones from way back before the world was created that can be found somewhere? Does anyone know *everything* he's done on stage? Will think of more so I can appear to be contributing *very worthwhile* posts to this topic! ;) ;) (Double winkie)"}, {"response": 2, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (18:57)", "body": "1. No, in many cases those older pics are not on The Bucket because I didn't go back and try to establish a comprehensive Filmography approach. It would've been like re-creating the wheel. There are several other websites which would have extensive P&P pics and more are sprouting up everyday with their DVD caps. 2. There's one website that specializes in Colin's dramatic work. It has pics (if available) from the plays, scans of the programs, cast listings and more and it was put together by Luvvy, who posts here periodically. http://home.att.net/~luvvie/cf/ Actually, that was one area I've wanted to address, as I have a great deal of info on this area (reviews, programs, pics, etc.) and was revamping my 3DOR at one point to start the project...but...time, time, time..."}, {"response": 3, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (19:04)", "body": "(Lisa) Does anyone know *everything* he's done on stage? Don't know if this is everything (I'm sure I'll be missing a few), but I have a list of several. \"Hamlet\" You knew that already. \"Another Country\" CF played Guy Bennet (the role played by RE in the movie) \"The Doctor's Dilemna\" by Shaw. He played Loius Debedat \"The Lonely Road\" by Schnitzler. CF played Felix Wegrat. Also starred Anthony Hopkins. \"Desire Under the Elms\" by Eugene O'Neill. CF played Eben. Carmen de Sautoy (sp?) was in this as well (they were in LE together). \"The Caretaker\" by Pinter. I really liked this one (I have only read the plays....have yet to see ODB live). He played Aston. \"Chatsky\" by Griboyedov. He played the lead. Minnie Driver was in this as well \"The Deep Blue Sea\" I believe he only did this for television. It is a play by Terence Rattigan and CF played Freddie Page. \"Three Days of Rain\" you knew about this one as well.... I don't think this is a complete list...and cannot tell you if they have been discussed before, but would be interested to know if they have????"}, {"response": 4, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (19:30)", "body": "1.The Friends of Firth Scrapbook has a collection of all the old pics. http://www.grin.net/~meluchie/index1.html Meluchie took over from Robin. Back in 1996 that was the first CF website. It has a v. comprhensive collection of old pics and interviews."}, {"response": 5, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 20, 2002 (19:48)", "body": "TO KAREN, FOR ORGANIZING THIS FUNDRASING... To Jane Scott in Australia, and Lizza in UK"}, {"response": 6, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (09:53)", "body": "(from 165, about the Valmont bathtub photo on eBay) (Rika) A couple of us here can probably produce an identical DVD screen capture. (Kathy) So?????? we're waiting I'm going to need a day or so - real life intrudes. Maybe someone else can help in the meantime."}, {"response": 7, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (10:46)", "body": "(Rika) I'm going to need a day or so - real life intrudes. Maybe someone else can help in the meantime. I can wait. It will be something to look forward to. :-)"}, {"response": 8, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 21, 2002 (11:46)", "body": "Think that's Valmont? With the silver service in the foreground? So many of those pics are altered..I've gotten cynical;-)"}, {"response": 9, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (11:04)", "body": "TV Alert \"Relative Values\" will be shown this Wednesday on Starz cable TV at 11:30AM EST. Check you local listing of time. One of my favorites. The scene with the Girl Scouts is worth the price of admission. Once I watched it and focused on Peter Marshwood alone. Hysterical. This guy makes faces throughout!!A gem of a movie."}, {"response": 10, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (11:15)", "body": "Is this not News?"}, {"response": 11, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (11:18)", "body": "(karen) Is this not News? Getouttahere ..move it yerself;-) Don't I do anything right?;-)"}, {"response": 12, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (12:54)", "body": "(karen) Is this not News? Well sort of, but Evelyn did actually combine it with Peter's facial expressions from RV.(winkie inserted if needed) Hey, where did everybody go? Come on out, and lets do some Firthology 101. We sure had plenty to talk about last week. Lets get those walking, butt, and bald tours up and running. Wish I knew how to type an echo. HELLOOOOOO)))))))"}, {"response": 13, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (14:02)", "body": "Hey, where did everybody go? That's what I wanna know....I'm here.Waiting...*tap* *tap*. I have emailed A&E to see if they plan to show all the P&P episodes on the Sunday aft Thanksgiving. They have done it for several years. Yup....all 6 Eps."}, {"response": 14, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (14:49)", "body": "(lindak)We sure had plenty to talk about last week. Lets get those walking, butt, and bald tours up and running. Dang! And I was out of town for a few days...You ladies were on fire! I am just catching up from all of that fabulousness, the great pics, the copious droolability of the walking and butt discussions...I am raring to go, but I understand if we need to take the high road, so to speak for a little bit... *sniff*"}, {"response": 15, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (15:06)", "body": "(MariaT) I am raring to go, but I understand if we need to take the high road, so to speak for a little bit... *sniff* To heck with that. We really hadn't worried the hair discussion to death yet over on 163. We talked about bald vs. not-bald, but given that he's not at present bald, how about best vs. worst hair among his various characters? My nominations: Best - SLOW. I like the slightly lighter color (perhaps his natural color), and I love that his hair is almost disorderly - but not quite. So it has an irresistably tousled, \"please run your fingers through me and tidy me up\" thing happening. It amuses me that both of his female co-stars logged some fingers-in-hair time, not that I blame them an iota. Worst - I'm ducking the incoming tomatoes, but FP. Paul is adorable in his own way, but the hair was pretty bad."}, {"response": 16, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (15:18)", "body": "(Rika) Worst - I'm ducking the incoming tomatoes, but FP. Paul is adorable in his own way, but the hair was pretty bad. No, no tomatoes...but I would have to disagree...I think SIL is the worst... Kind of smarmy/greasy...I was watching Nostromo the other night and thinking about his hair color, and thinking perhaps I didn't like it quite that light, and then watching as he stood in the rain and then took his wife into the mine, and then I practically levitated when he dove into her!!! At that point I was so far gone it would'nt have mattered if he had had Chia pet hair growing out of his head!!!"}, {"response": 17, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (15:29)", "body": "(Maria) ...and then I practically levitated when he dove into her!!! Guard against inappropriate outbursts at work - must stop reading at work - must stop reading at work - must stop...."}, {"response": 18, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (15:54)", "body": "(Rika) We talked about bald vs. not-bald, but given that he's not at present bald, how about best vs. worst hair among his various characters? Okay, my nominations: Best: I'm not very original...P&P. Love the darker hair (and darker eyebrows), but the Elvis chops have to be included. But I thought he looked yummy in WoF as well. Worst: His hair in Tumbledown (half shaved) was sad. But I don't think counts as he had just had surgery in the film...so, my vote is FP. I loved Paul Ashworth, but he needed a comb (but the hair suited his character....so??) (Evelyn) I have emailed A&E to see if they plan to show all the P&P episodes on the Sunday aft Thanksgiving. They have done it for several years. Yup....all 6 Eps. Have marked my calendar...will watch it on PBS (even though I own it)...that whole guilt thing, you just can't change the channel on ODB. Gotta 'support the team'! Thanks for posting everyone...bad day. 170 people laid-off at my company."}, {"response": 19, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (16:06)", "body": "(Rika) Best - SLOW.....it has an irresistably tousled, \"please run your fingers through me and tidy me up\" thing happening. Worst - I'm ducking the incoming tomatoes, but FP...the hair was pretty bad Have to go out, so no time to elaborate....but am in *complete* agreement. While I didn't like his hair per se in AMITC, I *really* didn't like that wild mane in FP even though it suited his character."}, {"response": 20, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (16:29)", "body": "(Maria T) I understand if we need to take the high road, so to speak for a little bit... Unfortunately, I've lost my High Road map, so I'll just have to take my usual route. ;-) (Rika) Worst - I'm ducking the incoming tomatoes, but FP. Paul is adorable in his own way, but the hair was pretty bad. You cut me to the quick! I love the wild look, even though it might make the \"rubbed off\" spots a little more noticeable. It's not my favorite, though. I guess that honor would go to P&P (sideburns and all). Haven't seen SLOW, but it sounds promising."}, {"response": 21, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (17:12)", "body": "I just love his hair. I wouldn't like to see him lose much more of it. And I don't think I would ever like to see him with a close crop again - I just don't think it suits him. Best hair:my nomination. The best, IMHO, is in DQ, near the beginning, when he is standing outside Lucy's house. The camera pans from behind him round to the front and every time I watch it, I just want to run my fingers thru those lovely curls at his collar! - Next best is definitely SLOW."}, {"response": 22, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (17:47)", "body": "Worst - I'm ducking the incoming tomatoes, but FP. Paul is adorable in his own way, but the hair was pretty bad. Style, not so bad...but color, Luisa. That reddish tint. Cheap dye job. (Hey, low budget film. He even wore his own clothes!)"}, {"response": 23, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (19:00)", "body": "Best hair, eh. Is it really any contest?"}, {"response": 24, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (19:51)", "body": "Yeah... I keep forgetting ATA. Personally I like: Mr. Darcy...now and forever... (Thank you Mel)"}, {"response": 25, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (20:20)", "body": "(Mari) Best hair, eh. Is it really any contest? Are we talking chest hair now??? If so, I have to change my answer!!! :-)"}, {"response": 26, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (20:56)", "body": "I agree, got sidetracked with the view of some other visible hair. (insert drool) Just to make those who have not seen DQ jealous, his hair is yummy throughout. BTW, I have a bouvier. Her name is Freddie! (insert sheepish smile) I am always cutting her soft curly hair. So I could save a big bag of it the next time. Even though it's black, it could be dyed if it is put into service! This isn\ufffdt Fred but exactly what she looks like:"}, {"response": 27, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (21:04)", "body": "(Rika)Best - SLOW Absolutely, What I wouldn't do to run my fingers through that hair. Oh, Gawd! My next favorite hair/look is Mark Darcy. I do like the perfectly groomed look now and then. I can't mention P&P because I put that role in a category all of its own. As much as I love FP, can't say that the hair does anything for me, although Paul Ashworth sends me over the moon. (Maria)Unfortunately, I've lost my High Road map, so I'll just have to take my usual route. Me too, I burned my high road map a long time ago.:-) (Tress)that whole guilt thing, you just can't change the channel on ODB I told you, it feels like you've sinned or something. (Maria)I practically levitated when he dove into her!!! At that point I was so far gone it would'nt have mattered if he had had Chia pet hair growing out of his head!!! Dove into her. I love that part. Chi, chi, chia. LOL"}, {"response": 28, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (21:19)", "body": "(Tress)Are we talking chest hair now??? If so, I have to change my answer!!!;-) (Lisa)I agree, got sidetracked with the view of some other visible hair. (insert drool) Yup, I take the holistic approach.;-) We had a fan who used to post at one of the sites who was an extra on 1,000 Acres. She said the makeup people used to mascara Colin's chest hair so it would show up better on camera. Wouldn't you love a job like that?! ;-) She had great stories, said he was a real sweetheart. (Evelyn)Mr. Darcy...now and forever... Can't argue with that choice . . he's the gold standard."}, {"response": 29, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (21:24)", "body": "Mari...She said the makeup people used to mascara Colin's chest hair so it would show up better on camera. Wouldn't you love a job like that?! I was made for a job like that!"}, {"response": 30, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (21:27)", "body": "(Mari) She said the makeup people used to mascara Colin's chest hair so it would show up better on camera. Wouldn't you love a job like that?! ;-) Oh my.....that's my dream job. I can't believe I didn't know that there were openings for 'chest hair beauticians' (think they list stuff like that on Monster.com??). I would have remembered to do his pit hair as well (as it appears he has little/none). ;-)"}, {"response": 31, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (22:26)", "body": "(Mari) She said the makeup people used to mascara Colin's chest hair so it would show up better on camera. Wouldn't you love a job like that?! ;-) Oh. My. Goodness. (Janet, about DQ) every time I watch it, I just want to run my fingers thru those lovely curls at his collar! The curls at the collar! How could I have forgotten that? This is something you see with his hair sometimes and I love it. Allow me to use BJD to illustrate, since I don't have DQ on DVD. NOTICE This is a test of the Topic 166 Scope Question. This is only a test. The photos to follow are from BJD, but are intended to illustrate a general point and not to start a discussion about BJD. Had this been a genuine diversion to BJD, you would have been instructed to visit the appropriate topic. (Including three winkies, just to be safe) ;-) :-) 8-) Okay, now on to the illustrations of the \"hair on the collar\" thing. First, let's start with a view from the distance. Ding DONG! Notice how the hair comes down to a little point at the neckline in back? What's that you say? You want to zoom in for a close-up? Actually, the little curl is partly obscured by the turtleneck in the picture above, but it's such a nice view of that dark wavy hair that I figured it was worth including. I admit, that one had nothing to do with what I'm talking about, but I thought it would be fun to make Linda faint away at her keyboard. So, anyway, my point was that it's not unusual for that little curl to lap over the shirt collar.... like this: and when it happens I LOVE it. Like Janet said, it's very tempting to the fingers. I find myself looking for it now in any of his movies where he's got shorter hair. And now I think I have emigrated to the Land of the Truly Obsessed. Thank heaven I've got company! This concludes the test of the Topic 166 Scope Question. We now return you to your regularly scheduled drooling, still in progress."}, {"response": 32, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (22:32)", "body": "Oh Rika, what yummy examples, thank you so much!"}, {"response": 33, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (22:40)", "body": "Rika...okay, if we're now talking about 'over the collar hair', I'm putting my vote in for Valmont (cuz if you're goin' over the collar, you might as well just go for it...). I hope I'm not the only one (but am prepared to be if necessary). I LOVED it. Especially when it was wet and down....see, I'm easy to please...bald or down to his butt, I love it. BTW, does anyone know if it was extensions or a wig (I'm thinking it was extensions by the front, but you never know....)?"}, {"response": 34, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (22:41)", "body": "(Tress) I would have remembered to do his pit hair as well (as it appears he has little/none). ;-) So lightly colored that you cannot tell. Either that or the local drugstore was out of the waterproof variety. ;-)"}, {"response": 35, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (22:59)", "body": "Good illustrations Rika, but not my favorite hair moments of BJD. Funny enough this topic and using BJD as an example is timely... And now I think I have emigrated to the Land of the Truly Obsessed. Well I'm right next to you in that moving van.... On one of my recent trips, I took my computer and a couple of movies, including BJD to watch in case the plane movie wasn't something I wanted to see. I got as far as the Kafka Motorbike party, when I started focusing on his hair. First noticing how noticeable the thinning was on the shot as he walks into the room during Bridget's intro. *Then* I noticed all those wonderful waves on the side and back of his head as he's talking with SR and Natasha just as he tries to excuse himself to go over to Bridget. I just kept rewinding that and stopping on that frame to ogle the pattern those gorgeous waves made. *sigh* Not sure if I can grab that to illustrate. The DVD isn't in the computer at the moment anyway. In BJD, I thought his hair was a tad bit short for me until her bday party. Wasn't thrilled with it at the T&V party. But at the end, Oh mama!"}, {"response": 36, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (23:55)", "body": "(Rika) Best - SLOW. I like the slightly lighter color (perhaps his natural color), and I love that his hair is almost disorderly - but not quite. So it has an irresistably tousled, \"please run your fingers through me and tidy me up\" thing happening. It amuses me that both of his female co-stars logged some fingers-in-hair time, not that I blame them an iota. I loved his hair in SLOW too. One of my favorites. Was perfect style for role of playboy/writer. I think one of the most flattering for him. Just framed his face perfectly. Also love the hair in Lost Empires. Agree P&P is category all of its own. Watched \"You've Got Mail\" last night, a favorite. Never realized the similarites with P&P before. Also book is alluded to many times and the copies Tom and Meg are reading have picture of JE and CF on cover. Thought that was pretty neat. Obvious that director thought JE and CF the consumate Elizabeth and Darcy. Actually just love his hair in everything. Just love him."}, {"response": 37, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Oct 22, 2002 (23:57)", "body": "Gee, Rika, I think you passed the test. I'm not sure, because the illustrations made me forget (as in not care about) the reason for the test. Ding dong, indeed!! (Tress) I would have remembered to do his pit hair as well (as it appears he has little/none) (Karen) So lightly colored that you cannot tell. I noticed in one of the scenes in FP that it is very light, but there. I think it's just as he gets up from the bed, before donning the Arsenal boxer shorts. I think I'd make an excellent Body Hair Mascara Madam. I'd be very meticulous, making sure to get every single hair. :-)"}, {"response": 38, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (00:55)", "body": "(Tress) I would have remembered to do his pit hair as well (as it appears he has little/none) Maybe they tried, but just couldn't because he's just very, very ticklish.... *lol*"}, {"response": 39, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (01:24)", "body": "(Dorine) *Then* I noticed all those wonderful waves on the side and back of his head as he's talking with SR and Natasha just as he tries to excuse himself to go over to Bridget. I just kept rewinding that and stopping on that frame to ogle the pattern those gorgeous waves made. *sigh* Visual aid (I think I have the right moment):"}, {"response": 40, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (01:57)", "body": "Oh, Oh My! Can you see that one little curl breaking free from the rest, a little ways down from his ear??? I have dibs on that! Actually, I have dibs on that whole section there from the sideburns to the chin and on back around to the entire neck and what disappears below the collar. And did I mention the ear? I want that too."}, {"response": 41, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (07:45)", "body": "Rika - You rule... (Tress) that whole guilt thing, you just can't change the channel on ODB Speaking of this, (and looking for a little sympathy or empathy) I got home last night and flipped through the channels, ever eager to find one of ODB's movies on prior to watching one of his videos. I didn't see anything so I may a few phone calls, played w/the cats, etc. Then I flipped through once more about a half hour later and Fever Pitch had been on for almost an hour!! I was tormented! This is completely irrational!! I have Fever Pitch on video and could have watched it back to front if I wanted!! I can't stop exclamating!! Does this make any sense? (bang bang bang) (head banging on desk) It is as though I am mourning the loss of that hour in which it was broadcast freely to the world while I carelessly went about my life. Ah well, I'm sure some of you understand..."}, {"response": 42, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (09:00)", "body": "Oh, Rika!!!! Bless You! Bless You! You hit it right on the money! *heavy sigh* (overall still like hair in SLOW best though) (Lisa) Oh, Oh My! Can you see that one little curl breaking free from the rest, a little ways down from his ear??? I have dibs on that! Actually, I have dibs on that whole section there from the sideburns to the chin and on back around to the entire neck and what disappears below the collar. And did I mention the ear? I want that too. Hey! Hey! This is *my little moment*, but I can share....sometimes ;) ;) Actually Lisa, for you, all the time as thanks for all your great stories! And you Rika for posting that lovely picture to start my day!"}, {"response": 43, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (10:16)", "body": "Lisa) Oh, Oh My! Can you see that one little curl breaking free from the rest, a little ways down from his ear??? I have dibs on that! Actually, I have dibs on that whole section there from the sideburns to the chin and on back around to the entire neck and what disappears below the collar. And did I mention the ear? I want that too. LOL....okay, fine...but I've got dibs on the chest hair in this scene...cuz although you can't see it, it still very important (as I whip out my make-up brush)... (Dorine) Hey! Hey! This is *my little moment*, but I can share....sometimes ;) ;) Actually Lisa, for you, all the time as thanks for all your great stories! She only took one sideburn...I think the other belongs to you. Thanks Rika!!"}, {"response": 44, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (10:34)", "body": "I shouldn't read here first thing in the morning. How can I function properly while imagining the whole mascara-ing the chest scene? :-) I must put in a good word for the FP hair. I know it's a mess but that works for me! I love the contrast between that and the Darcy hair. Fave hair moment: In SLOW, the wife reached around to the back of his neck and gives his hair a good tug, making his head jolt back a bit. I felt like someone was reading my mind. And an honourable mention goes to: Another Country!! Practically a bouffant. Those were the days (sigh)."}, {"response": 45, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (10:34)", "body": "(Lisa) I have dibs on that whole section there from the sideburns to the chin and on back around to the entire neck... Okay Dorine, Lisa did take both sideburns... I shouldn't post right now (pre-caffeinated). I'll share his chest hairs...buy you'll have to bring your own mascara (I think dark brown for this role, not ebony). ;-)"}, {"response": 46, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (11:01)", "body": "(Pam)Also love the hair in Lost Empires. Bwaaaah. I don't have the DVD. Only lousy VHS tape. Lisa) I have dibs on that whole section there from the sideburns to the chin and on back around to the entire neck.. Sorry girls, body parts not allowed. (Not enough to go around;-)Clothing only...but yuo can pick the collars that touch the hair:-))) Looks like SLOW wins for hair.... (Pam) Also book is alluded to many times and the copies Tom and Meg are reading have picture of JE and CF on cover. Thought that was pretty neat. Obvious that director thought JE and CF the consumate Elizabeth and Darcy. Nora Ephron said in interview she's a big P&P fan. Notice the book cover had CF and JE on the cover...not the classic bound variety."}, {"response": 47, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (11:30)", "body": "(MariaT)Ah well, I'm sure some of you understand... Yes, some of us understand all too well! By the way, there's a web site where you can find out when and where (on US TV stations) his movies are being broadcast. Eight of them are/were on the schedule for October. Here's the URL: http://www.tv-now.com/stars/firth.html (Dorine) Oh, Rika!!!! Bless You! Bless You! You hit it right on the money! Thank you for directing me there! I'd never noticed it before and you're right - the waves and curls are mesmerizing. (Pam)Also love the hair in Lost Empires. (Evelyn) Bwaaaah. I don't have the DVD. Only lousy VHS tape. I just got the DVD's as an early birthday present from a wonderful friend who understands my obsession. Am just waiting for a block of time (maybe this weekend) when I can watch. I'm really looking forward to it. I'm glad many of you have enjoyed the illustrations!"}, {"response": 48, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (13:59)", "body": "(Me) I just kept rewinding that and stopping on that frame to ogle the pattern those gorgeous waves made. *sigh* There's another shot like this in P&P when he has just helped Lizzy up into the carriage. She stands there for a moment to say something and there's a nice shot of the back of his head and those great curls and waves. Did anyone else notice in that shot how right before he lets go of her hand when she's in the carriage, he rubs his thumb on her fingers a little? A little real life communication, perhaps? ;)"}, {"response": 49, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (14:04)", "body": "(Evelyn) Nora Ephron said in interview she's a big P&P fan. Notice the book cover had CF and JE on the cover...not the classic bound variety. Thanks for explination. Thought it was something like that. Knew the jacket was not classic, but very good and interesting to see. Thanks again for picture Rika. So happy you got LE. You'll really enjoy it. It's one of my very favorites. So well done all around."}, {"response": 50, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (14:17)", "body": "(Rika)but I thought it would be fun to make Linda faint away at her keyboard You really have my number, don't you? As I said, does one breath in heaven? Thank you Rika, you just succeeded in making my v. crazy day even crazier, but a whole lot more fun. (Lisa)I have dibs on that! Actually, I have dibs on that whole section there from the sideburns to the chin and on back around to the entire neck and what disappears below the collar. And did I mention the ear? I want that too. Wait, wait, I want some of that whole section there, too. Please? Even though I'll never give up my position as a LD (Latte Diva), I want to become a CHB (chest hair beautician)on the side. Rika, Dorine? Can't let Kathy have all the fun. Oh, those curls on the back of the neck. Oh my, my, my."}, {"response": 51, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (14:23)", "body": "(Dorine) Did anyone else notice in that shot how right before he lets go of her hand when she's in the carriage, he rubs his thumb on her fingers a little? A little real life communication, perhaps? ;) I didn't notice the thumb rub, but I did notice the grip (almost white knuckled, like he didn't want to let her go)... Love LE, good story, good cast (I found the book in a used bookstore for a buck...it's the tie-in, so it has a picture of ODB on the back). I liked his accent (it's different than BJD, DQ). I'm not good with dialects, but he doesn't sound like his usual self. I like that he narrates throughout...that voice **sigh** And to see him all dressed up for 'the act' is great. Those skinny legs riding a bike! You just gotta love it!"}, {"response": 52, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (14:55)", "body": "(Linda) Wait, wait, I want some of that whole section there, too. Please? Even though I'll never give up my position as a LD (Latte Diva), I want to become a CHB (chest hair beautician)on the side. Rika, Dorine?Can't let Kathy have all the fun. Who, me? While I've been working diligently (and only now taking a lunch break), you gals have been having a field day dividing up CF's various hairs. So, the heck with pits and chest hairs. I've decided all I want is the treasure trail, should the subject ever come up. *wicked laugh* (Dorine) Did anyone else notice in that shot how right before he lets go of her hand when she's in the carriage, he rubs his thumb on her fingers a little? I've always loved that part! It's similar to the scene at the Lambton Inn, when he strokes her arm (wanting to comfort her). There's something to be said for repressed sexuality -- it makes every touch seem so much more intense."}, {"response": 53, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (15:25)", "body": "(KathyF) I've decided all I want is the treasure trail, should the subject ever come up. *wicked laugh* Too funny!!! What does that leave me with?? Oooff, downy butt cheek hair I suppose...Well, beggars can't be choosers I suppose... There's something to be said for repressed sexuality -- it makes every touch seem so much more intense. You said a mouthful!! Argh, we are entering double entendre paradise..."}, {"response": 54, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (15:52)", "body": "(Tress) Love LE...I liked his accent (it's different than BJD, DQ). I'm not good with dialects, but he doesn't sound like his usual self. That's because Colin was doing (or trying to do) something of a Yorkshire accent, which sounds to me like very light Scots (eastern side)."}, {"response": 55, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (17:18)", "body": "(KathyF) I've decided all I want is the treasure trail, should the subject ever come up. *wicked laugh* So to speak. Now I'm imagining you on the set of PM the day of the first shower scene with a mascara brush in hand.... (Linda) I want to become a CHB (chest hair beautician)on the side. Rika, Dorine? Can't let Kathy have all the fun. I think maybe Kathy just gave up that position for an even better one (see above)! But to be serious for just a moment, it must have been weird for CF to be on the receiving end of this operation. Standing around with no shirt on (I know I just lost some of you to that image, but try to stay with me) while make-up is applied to his chest hair. Acting is such a bizarre profession. (Dorine) She stands there for a moment to say something and there's a nice shot of the back of his head and those great curls and waves. Dorine, you do have an eye for these things. Check this out, gang:"}, {"response": 56, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (17:37)", "body": "(Rika) Check this out, gang: I made it as big as I could (bigger than lifesize, but it was pretty pixellated). What is that? Looks like tape or something. it must have been weird for CF to be on the receiving end of this operation. Standing around with no shirt on (I know I just lost some of you to that image, but try to stay with me) while make-up is applied to his chest hair. And just imagine how weird it would be for someone to be performing my new (self-appointed) job. Weird for him, delightful for me!"}, {"response": 57, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (17:56)", "body": "(Dorine) Did anyone else notice in that shot how right before he lets go of her hand when she's in the carriage, he rubs his thumb on her fingers a little? I love that scene. Gives me, well never mind you know what it gives me. (Kathy)should the subject ever come up. *wicked laugh* Oh, I'm sure it comes up."}, {"response": 58, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (18:29)", "body": "A friend just sent me this...Don't know if this is #165 or #166...Whatever....Boss take down the one you want. Cute new story, (to me)in a new bio of Sam Mendes. But it's about 3 DOR (old play). A story about Colin on the opening nightof 3 DOR. He had wanted to get some fresh air, stepped outside a stage door, but it was locked and he couldn't get back in.LOL. He had to reenter the building via the front (wearing his Walker outfit), and had to refuse to sign autographs, as curtain time was in 20 minutes. The book even mentioned that the author, Richard Greenburg, never saw the London production. Odd. The book spent more time on Greenburg's other play \"Take Me Out\" which he did come to London to see.\" Book has pic of Colin we've seen before. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Don't think he went out to sneak a ciggie...he didn't even smoke in the play."}, {"response": 59, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (18:34)", "body": "(Evelyn) Don't think he went out to sneak a ciggie...he didn't even smoke in the play. Very cute story...has he quit smoking? Does anyone know?? I hope so (as we all want him to be around a long time (as I'm sure his kids do as well))."}, {"response": 60, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (19:39)", "body": "while make-up is applied to his chest hair.... Y'all got this all backwards, IMO. I'd so much rather volunteer to gently wash it off. ;)"}, {"response": 61, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (19:58)", "body": "(Elizabeth)Y'all got this all backwards, IMO. I'd so much rather volunteer to gently wash it off. ;) ROTFLOL. Bingo!"}, {"response": 62, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (20:07)", "body": "(Elizabeth)Y'all got this all backwards, IMO. I'd so much rather volunteer to gently wash it off. ;) My mascara doesn't come off that easily...need baby oil...hmmmmm...the possibilities now seem limitless..."}, {"response": 63, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (21:15)", "body": "Hmmm... re: Taking the High Road.. There's a High Road? (confused expression) I was told to come here to be silly, so here I am. (Lisa) Oh, Oh My! Can you see that one little curl breaking free from the rest, a little ways down from his ear??? I have dibs on that! Actually, I have dibs on that whole section there from the sideburns to the chin and on back around to the entire neck and what disappears below the collar. Hmmm... trying to remember if anything is left over for me.. ok, ok... I'll take his bellybutton (lint or no), his toesies, and his fingers. =P Best Hair would be difficult for me to vote on since I haven't seen very many of his movies (no, I haven't just been possessed by the travel agent of guilt trips) However, I really like Jack's/Earnest's hair. And, (picking up a tomato for each fist) you'd better lay off of Paul. He's a doll, and I don't care if he is scruffy. You know as well as I do that every single one of you would hit that, even if it was dressed in overly baggy sweat pants that were repeatedly hoisted to keep them from falling down. =PPPP"}, {"response": 64, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (21:34)", "body": "(Jeanie) You know as well as I do that every single one of you would hit that, even if it was dressed in overly baggy sweat pants that were repeatedly hoisted to keep them from falling down. =PPPP ROFLOL!! You think she knows us or what? Me? I'm not gonna saying nothin' about Paul's hair, even if it did look like a radiated chia pet on MiracleGro ****ducking tomatoes******"}, {"response": 65, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Oct 23, 2002 (22:50)", "body": "(Barb S) I'm not gonna saying nothin' about Paul's hair, even if it did look like a radiated chia pet on MiracleGro ****ducking tomatoes****** No tomatoes here, but Paul did need a comb (Paul Ashworth is one of my favorite characters that ODB has done, so although I think his hair is a mess, it's an adorable mess)...my hairdresser has a name for that look...She calls it a JFL...You all will have to work it out, I could get in trouble if I explain further. ;-)"}, {"response": 66, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (00:05)", "body": "(Elizabeth S) Y'all got this all backwards, IMO. I'd so much rather volunteer to gently wash it off. ;) Elizabeth, I bow to your superior vision. (Tress) She calls it a JFL... Does the \"L\" stand for \"Lazy\"? The rest I've got."}, {"response": 67, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (01:02)", "body": "(Tress) I would have remembered to do his pit hair as well (as it appears he has little/none) I noticed while reviewing the bath scene in P&P that his pit hair seemed to be died black, or perhaps something had been glued on. Difficult to tell which, as he never raised his arm. At any rate, definitely something v. dark in there. Paul did need a comb (Paul Ashworth is one of my favorite characters that ODB has done, so although I think his hair is a mess, it's an adorable mess) From someone who has been known to watch FP in its entirety four days out of five, I'll readily admit I find it sexy. It could stand some brushing (or combing) but all those curls look very grabbable (is that a word?). (Jeanie) There's a High Road? Not here, definitely not here!!"}, {"response": 68, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (06:14)", "body": "My computer, as many of you know, went bellyup in August and I had to basically have it completely overhauled. However, at the time of my mishap, I was playing \"Sims\" fairly regularly. Now, I need to put them back on the computer, but, as some of you were discussing in \"Odds & Ends\" it got me to thinking... I wonder if there's a Darcy Sim one can download.. maybe one that comes along with an Elizabeth and a \"Pemberley\" for their abode?"}, {"response": 69, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (07:54)", "body": "I really shouldn't come here first thing in the morning; I'll be distracted all day by those scrumptious Darcy pics Rika posted. Mmmmmm, you just want to dive right in, don't you? (Jeanie) And, (picking up a tomato for each fist) you'd better lay off of Paul. He's a doll, and I don't care if he is scruffy. I'll join you in the Defenders of Paul Brigade, Jeanie. Ohhh, when he's talking to the kid's mom at the parent/teacher conference thing, and he smiles at her, and the dimples come out, and OHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! She must have a will of iron 'cause I don't see how she doesn't fling herself at him from across the table! As for best hair, since P&P is in it's own hallowed category, and since I haven't been able to see his early stuff, I would have to say BJD. Especially since Rika was so good as to post so many yummy captures! (Tress) She calls it a JFL... Okay, all this talk has put me in somewhat naughty frame of mind, and, since no one's risen to the challenge, may I suggest \"Just F****d Look\"?????"}, {"response": 70, "author": "annea", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (09:01)", "body": "(Jeanie): I wonder if there's a Darcy Sim one can download.. maybe one that comes along with an Elizabeth and a \"Pemberley\" for their abode? Ha - laughed at this !!! My kids play Sims all the time and I got them to create a character called Mr Darcy, who lived on his own, and a character with my maiden name, who lived on her own. Then, just had to wait for Mr Darcy to come to visit, she (I)would ask him to stay, and voila !!! It worked - but they deleted the characters much to my dismay."}, {"response": 71, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (09:11)", "body": "(Moonstar) Okay, all this talk has put me in somewhat naughty frame of mind, and, since no one's risen to the challenge, may I suggest \"Just F****d Look\"????? Moon, if that isn't it...it should be!!!"}, {"response": 72, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (10:05)", "body": "(Moonstar) Okay, all this talk has put me in somewhat naughty frame of mind, and, since no one's risen to the challenge, may I suggest \"Just F****d Look\"????? That would be correct. My hairdresser cut all my hair off recently and now I have a Paul Ashworth special (so although it got my vote for his worst hair...). I asked her what was that??? She said 'it's the JFL special'. My DH likes it...wonder why. So, Moon (and Maria), you got it...I just didn't want to type it (though I laughed when she told me and now everytime I see FP, I think of it....)"}, {"response": 73, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (10:48)", "body": "Just a friendly reminder: when you quote moonstar don't refer to her as Moon. Moon Dreams is Moon. This can avoid any confusion. Thank you! :-)"}, {"response": 74, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (11:36)", "body": "Oh, dear. My pseudonym is causing problems again. I've been \"moonstar\" for so long on the 'net, I can't think what to change it to, and I can't use my real first name, because there's another Meredith here! (Annea) Then, just had to wait for Mr Darcy to come to visit, she (I)would ask him to stay, and voila !!! Oh, my! Now WHY haven't I thought of this? Might not be a good thing, though, since I already spend an ungodly amount of time on the computer as it is. However, for a (cyber)Darcy, I guess I can find the time..."}, {"response": 75, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (11:50)", "body": "(Moon) Just a friendly reminder: when you quote moonstar don't refer to her as Moon. Moon Dreams is Moon. This can avoid any confusion. Thank you! :-) Sorry Moon (and moonstar)!!! I should be more careful. I'm like moonstar, someone here already uses my real name (Terry) and I thought just changing the spelling would be just as confusing, so I use a nickname given to me as a kid. (Jeanie) I wonder if there's a Darcy Sim one can download.. maybe one that comes along with an Elizabeth and a \"Pemberley\" for their abode? I have the Sims game and have yet to play it...you've now inspired me. Think I'll load it tonight. I'll try doing a Bridget character (and give her a couple of neighbors (MD and DC) and see how things work out...) ;-)"}, {"response": 76, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (12:53)", "body": "(Tress)She calls it a JFL...You all will have to work it out, LOL I got it right away, but my sister firthettes were here before me. Look how good we're all getting at those tags. I, too, can watch FP over and over. But, I think Matthew from SLOW, has several JFL moments, in a different sort of way than Paul Ashworth. No talking tomatoes here, Rika will swoon, as I do about BJD pictures."}, {"response": 77, "author": "meg", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (13:30)", "body": "Re: Darcy and the Sims... Ask and you shall receive... (don't we wish) Sorry, but I don't know how to do links. http://www.lyranssimdesign.com/Darcy.htm http://www.simplyforfun.net/sims/PP.html"}, {"response": 78, "author": "meg", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (13:33)", "body": "Hey, it seems that I do know how to do links... Curious."}, {"response": 79, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (13:57)", "body": "I love you, Meg. (doing happy dance in jubilation) Gosh, they even have maids! I have all the extensions up to \"Hot Date\", but I don't have the most recent one. Perhaps Santa might send it to me. (Annea) Ha - laughed at this !!! My kids play Sims all the time and I got them to create a character called Mr Darcy, who lived on his own, and a character with my maiden name, who lived on her own. Then, just had to wait for Mr Darcy to come to visit, she (I)would ask him to stay, and voila !!! ROTLMAO! I can only assume you have the vibrating \"love bed\", then? Oh, how wonderful.. must reinstall, must reinstall!"}, {"response": 80, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (14:15)", "body": "Meg! You are awesome! I'm going to install tonight and get cracking (I have abandoned my Bridget idea...Mr. Darcy's moving into my neighborhood). I don't know how accurate the regency plumbing is, but I'm all for hot running water and indoor toilets! ;-)"}, {"response": 81, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (16:51)", "body": "Hey, Meg, where can you download the Darcy and Elizabeth skins? I didn't see it located at that website.. maybe I've overlooked it?"}, {"response": 82, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (16:55)", "body": "Looks like I'm going to have to get The Sims now??? Oh, good, I needed something to do in my spare time.... (Linda) But, I think Matthew from SLOW, has several JFL moments, in a different sort of way than Paul Ashworth. A verrrrrrrrry different way. Mmmmmmmm. No talking tomatoes here, Rika will swoon, as I do about BJD pictures. That's pretty much a given. It's probably just as well SLOW isn't available on DVD or I'd drive myself crazy."}, {"response": 83, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (17:10)", "body": "Ok, I found em, sorry.. LOL.. they're here: http://members.lycos.co.uk/ronya/ and it appears the download comes with a complete family.. (dancing happily) really cool antique armoire which I'm definitely gonna have to download for Elizabeth: Antique Ceylon Armoire http://www.oph3lia.com/ she has all sorts of interesting pieces.. you just have to sort through the gothic things, unless that's what you like! (smiling) She also has an antique lovebed, along with stained glass windows and all sorts of little authentic looking pieces. Another one of my favorite places is : http://moonsims.asi.org/dh-sims-site/ His creations are so detailed and original. Ok, I'm getting carried away.. (breathing slowly to calm down)"}, {"response": 84, "author": "meg", "date": "Thu, Oct 24, 2002 (23:04)", "body": "I downloaded The Family so I could check out Darcy, but then realised that we don't have Sims loaded right now on the computer. Has anyone been able to see him? I assume that anyone obsessed enough in P&P to go to the trouble to create this world would be so because of ODB... Please tell me he looks at least a teeny bit CF-ish? My husband has promised to load the game back on tomorrow so I can play... (So patient with my little hobbys.)The house looks like loads of fun! Now how to get Lizzy into it... I'll have to have my kids give me some instructions I think!"}, {"response": 85, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (00:20)", "body": "A new question, re: Valmont. Someone already had noted that there's at least one scene missing on the DVD (when he goes to see de Tourvel and finds out she's back with her DH). But as I went through it I started to think that there's more missing than that. Does anybody have both the VHS and DVD versions who could compare? I may get to it eventually, but I don't have the official VHS tape - I just taped it off AMC, and they cut some of the butt-worship and perhaps other things I haven't noticed."}, {"response": 86, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (10:36)", "body": "Here they are! These donors have been very generous in supporting Spring and helping us reach our goal. However, there are still pledges outstanding and, if I have not personally emailed you, then I haven't received it or notice of it. Please keep those donations coming in. If you don't know how to do so, contact me at nomdedrool@yahoo.com. Even Colin knows a good thing when he sees it!"}, {"response": 87, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (12:20)", "body": "I finally saw Playmaker last night. I hope to be back to normal soon, my eyes are only just settling back into my head. I'll have to do some searching of past posts for notes on Nessie hunting...I can see not spending a ton of time watching it again but there are definitely some parts to go back to. And I have not done a full review of roles for hair ratings, but I certainly think he rates highly in this one!"}, {"response": 88, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (12:55)", "body": "(Barb S) I'll have to do some searching of past posts for notes on Nessie hunting...I can see not spending a ton of time watching it again but there are definitely some parts to go back to. I just recently saw PM as well...Nessie makes an appearance for a nano-second. Jeanie pointed me in the right direction on topic 163. Try the slo-mo on your VCR (if only it were on DVD...never thought I would say that about PM, but hey, if they are going to release Begotten on DVD, PM should be out as well) Not his best film, but not his worst, I just finished L'dum yesterday...ohhhh gawd...that was painful. At least there was nekk'dness in PM, L'dum had none of that...did anyone ever bother to discuss it? I did a search and couldn't find anything."}, {"response": 89, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (14:14)", "body": "ROFL, Oh, Tress, hold on to your bonnet and get ready for the time of your life: L'dum discussion: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/126.954"}, {"response": 90, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (14:23)", "body": "(Tress) L'dum had none of that...did anyone ever bother to discuss it? There is one of the funniest discussions ever on this movie. I just don't know where to start you off. Agree, PM is not great, but he's wonderful and that's all that counts for me. My eyes haven't been in my head since 1995. It's a constant condition as I watch atleast one movie every day."}, {"response": 91, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (15:10)", "body": "I've been reading the discussions of PM, both of them in fact (?!) For such a uniformly condemned movie, I think it's interesting it's been discussed twice! OK, maybe 1 1/2 times to be precise! I guess I need to get the hint that this was not cinema at its best and any coherent plot was accidental at best, but I'm thinking I need to watch it again just to try to map it out. It's times like this though that I really appreciate the dedication of those who have gone before and left us a record of their discussions...I hope they know their multiple PM viewings were not in vain! (And when I give up trying to map out the plot, I have very precise coordinates for mapping of a completely different type!)"}, {"response": 92, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (15:49)", "body": "(FanPam) - My eyes haven't been in my head since 1995. It's a constant condition as I watch at least one movie every day. I am soooo happy to hear this...You ladies are an inspiration..I knew I was hanging around the right crowd..."}, {"response": 93, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (17:14)", "body": "Funny how once you start coming here, everything picks up a certain slant. Just saw an interesting bit on ABCnews.com\ufffd Scientists Study If Gait Can Be Used to ID People \ufffd according to scientists, one day it may be possible to recognize anyone by the way they walk, or their gait. Oh really? ..if gaits are as unique as say voice patterns or fingerprints, advanced surveillance systems could identify and track people by the way they walk\ufffd. Got anyone in mind we could track by his distinctive gait? Forget \ufffdColin-cam\ufffd, we could launch a surveillance satellite! When a person walks, body parts ... create a particular repeating pattern (they certainly do!) as they each move through space. The video camera captures these points of movements and sends them to a computer for analysis. The computer ... establishes mathematical relationships for each point to create the \"signature\" patterns it needs to recognize for each individual. You don\ufffdt say? Does the computer give extra points for flapping coat tails? \ufffd experimental setups use signatures captured from volunteers walking on treadmills\ufffd researchers report the machines make a correct match 90 percent to 95 percent of the time. They need a machine to track this? I would volunteer as long as the subject was right! But there are still difficulties in such systems.... (among others...) such systems would have a very difficult time picking up distinct movement points of a person ... wearing bulky, concealing clothing such as a heavy coat... But the coat is PART of the signature...duh! \ufffd(scientists are exploring the use of radar...) ...the radar system isn't hindered by clothing or inclement weather \ufffd making it ideal for outdoor security and surveillance systems. Now THAT\ufffdS what I\ufffdm talking about...I like that \ufffdnot hindered\ufffd by clothes part! .. Greneker and his team say that labs tests have shown their system can recognize a person by their gait 80 percent to 95 percent of the time. But the eventual goal is to improve the accuracy to the high-90 percentile range. Should we volunteer to help out? I bet as analytical as we can be, we can get their average up!"}, {"response": 94, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (18:25)", "body": "(Article)such systems would have a very difficult time picking up distinct movement points of a person ... wearing bulky, concealing clothing such as a heavy coat... Well then, maybe they need to be nekkid. Looks like we may need to revive our Stairmaster discussions."}, {"response": 95, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (19:32)", "body": "Ooh - and I just saw some nice Stairmaster stuff (as well as evidence of short socks, if we ever want to bring that one back) in the early part of LE. Great article, Barb (but even greater commentary). I guess our problem is that there's only one gait we're interested in identifying. (BarbS, about PM) I guess I need to get the hint that this was not cinema at its best and any coherent plot was accidental at best, but I'm thinking I need to watch it again just to try to map it out. PM all but traumatized me the first time I saw it, but it has improved on repeat viewing, and if you're really in a hurry you can just FF to the shower scenes :-). Seriously, though, it's interesting to watch CF's portrayal of Ross once you know the whole plot. It's a multi-layered performance that I couldn't appreciate the first time because I didn't know about Michael (and also because of the noxious talent-obscuring fumes emanating from most of the other actors). I just FF any time he's not on screen, as I watched those parts once, and that was once more than they deserved to be watched."}, {"response": 96, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (20:08)", "body": "(Jeanie) ROFL, Oh, Tress, hold on to your bonnet and get ready for the time of your life: L'dum discussion Thanks Jeanie...have been reading up on the L'dum discussion. There were so many things that bothered me about this movie (I'm not done reading the detailed analysis yet, so many of the things that bothered me were mentioned and some I haven't seen posted yet...but I'm sure I will). Couldn't really find a redeeming quality about any of the characters (although CF's 'drinking problem' was a bit amusing...but that was it!). MB is horrid. I can't believe anyone thought the script was funny...must now go drink some pints and let off a bit of steam! :-) (Barb S) Scientists Study If Gait Can Be Used to ID People LOL, Barb, the best thing about this article was your commentary...and we all know that you don't even have to see ODB (though the visual is part of the thrill), all you have to do is hear that shuffle to know it's HIM!"}, {"response": 97, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (20:18)", "body": "(Rika) PM all but traumatized me the first time I saw it Funny you should say that. DH got up this morning moanin' and groanin' that he slept literally not a wink. Among other things, he says his mind kept turning over that warped movie he watched the end of with me. He's sacked out on the floor with the dog now (8:15 PM) -- hmmm...think I'll go back and count glass blocks."}, {"response": 98, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Oct 25, 2002 (23:43)", "body": "(Barb S) that warped movie he watched the end of with me. So I take it he missed the shower scenes? It's hard to drool when DH is present."}, {"response": 99, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Oct 26, 2002 (10:45)", "body": "(Rika) - It's hard to drool when DH is present. Absolutely!! And compulsive rewinding is not looked upon favorably either, thus taking away all the multiple little joys of viewing!"}, {"response": 100, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 26, 2002 (10:58)", "body": "(Tress)ohhhh gawd...that was painful. At least there was nekk'dness in PM, L'dum had none of that... But it did win the Pennis Award;-)"}, {"response": 101, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Oct 26, 2002 (12:47)", "body": "(Evelyn) But it did win the Pennis Award;-) And it did deserve it...yesterday when I posted, I had only read about half-way through the L'dum discussion (and now have read quite a bit more), I can only say that I am REALLY happy that this movie was made. If that piece of tripe had not been put out there for everyone to see, I would not have had the pleasure of reading those posts from the past. I LMAO at some of the things that were written. It started with Mari's quiz (v. funny) and just got sillier and sillier!! Hillarious! I didn't see my 'favorite worst scene' discussed though (maybe even farther down in the posts perhaps)...when Ben asks Carly if she will sleep with him if his wife sleeps with her husband. What kind of an idiot would say such a thing to someone who is lamenting that their marriage is falling apart? Funny??? No. I hated MB right then. What an a$$. And the whole 'set up' to get Fiona and Allen to the B&B...auggghhhhh! One more thing and I will shut up...no one mentioned what was down ODB's pants in the beginning of L'dum...I couldn't help but notice, so if anyone has an idea, let me know. After the first picnic (of the 12-13 they had), when Allen and Fiona are walking with the basket and he is upset because it is the anniversary of Prince Albert's death...what is in his pants?? Too narrow for a wallet...too 'pointy' for....I don't know...I am hoping it is a cell phone (please, no one review your tapes...not necessary, if you ever happen upon the film again (Cinemax at 3:00 a.m. and all your DVDs/VHS have disappeared and there is no other option) then try to figure it out...I'm stumped). ;-)"}, {"response": 102, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Oct 26, 2002 (19:37)", "body": "I may be wrong Tress, but I think it is a cell phone too because he always carries one. Watching PM now. He's about to go down on the rocks. I really can't stand JR, and try as hard as he does, nothing saves her or the other cast members. He of course is outstanding, albeit not difficult to achieve that status in this film."}, {"response": 103, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Oct 26, 2002 (21:56)", "body": "(FanPam) Watching PM now. He's about to go down on the rocks. I really can't stand JR, and try as hard as he does, nothing saves her or the other cast members. He of course is outstanding, albeit not difficult to achieve that status in this film. I agree he isn't bad in PM...but I've just come off of L'dum, so PM looks really good to me now. PM has its moments (of silly dialogue, the rocks scene in particular is odd...and the whole wheelchair scene is a bit off-putting) JR is awful...don't know why she didn't get a part in MB's movie. But there is the added benefit of all those showers (and no visible cell phones!)."}, {"response": 104, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (18:34)", "body": "Not Sims, but real: From my old web site - A fan who made doll houses had made a lovely regency one: I have oodles of closeups of rooms."}, {"response": 105, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (18:40)", "body": "Re -- His hair... Still trying to get my eyes up from the pants to the hair in Rika's first Mark D pic from the other day! If you like the bearded look, there is this one:"}, {"response": 106, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (18:56)", "body": "(Mary Murphy) If you like the bearded look, there is this one: Thanks for the pic Mary! He looks great (Nostromo right? I still haven't seen that one). Although I think the bearded look is a good one on him (and I actually liked his goatee in SIL), it should be some kind of crime to cover up those dimples..."}, {"response": 107, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (18:57)", "body": "closing...i hope (whimper)"}, {"response": 108, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (19:40)", "body": "one more try.."}, {"response": 109, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (20:29)", "body": "I was channel surfing today and discovered SLOW on Lifetime Movie Network. Alas, I'd missed 35 minutes. However, it's due to be on again at 5 a.m. (CST) tomorrow, which would be 6 a.m. EST. Runs for 1-3/4 hours (including commercials). Having now seen (most of) it, I must agree the SLOW hair is very yummy!"}, {"response": 110, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (20:37)", "body": "closing, closing, one two three..."}, {"response": 111, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (20:51)", "body": "Re Mary's bearded look picture, afraid the first thing that came to mind was \"Colin does Commander Riker, Star Trek, Next Generation.\" That picture does come from Nostromo and I do like him in that one though."}, {"response": 112, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (22:28)", "body": "Let me reiterate what I've posted many times. If you are not sure tags are closed, then go out of the topic and come back in, backing up one message. Tress closed the tag in her next message, but you all kept seeing italics because the \"bad\" unclosed message was still up on the monitor."}, {"response": 113, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Oct 28, 2002 (22:33)", "body": "(Barb) Re Mary's bearded look picture, afraid the first thing that came to mind was \"Colin does Commander Riker, Star Trek, Next Generation.\" ROTFL! (KathyF) Having now seen (most of) it, I must agree the SLOW hair is very yummy! Welcome to the club! ;-)"}, {"response": 114, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (14:25)", "body": "(KathyF)I must agree the SLOW hair is very yummy All of Matthew Field is very yummy. Rika are you drooling just thinking about him?"}, {"response": 115, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (14:30)", "body": "Matthew Field is one of my favorites. Love everything about him. He can bring me tomatoes anytime he likes."}, {"response": 116, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (14:56)", "body": "I actually got up at 5 and watched all of SLOW again (how's that for commitment?). Not only is Matthew yummy, but I really loved the whole film! Now I'm wondering what, if anything, LMN left out. Sometimes the continuity seemed a little abrupt."}, {"response": 117, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (16:19)", "body": "Now I'm wondering what, if anything, LMN left out. Sometimes the continuity seemed a little abrupt. Foolish antelope, that's just the dumb movie."}, {"response": 118, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (16:47)", "body": "(Evelyn) Foolish antelope, that's just the dumb movie. LOL...hey! It's better than some (IMO). He looks REALLY good in SLOW (which makes up for the awful brown suits he had to wear in another movie...). ;-)"}, {"response": 119, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (16:52)", "body": "(Evelyn) Foolish antelope, that's just the dumb movie. I'd gladly be a foolish antelope, if it meant having CF and \"ever-ready Eddie\" to play with. :-)"}, {"response": 120, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (19:33)", "body": "Barb) Re Mary's bearded look picture, afraid the first thing that came to mind was \"Colin does Commander Riker, Star Trek, Next Generation.\" Oh? LOL! \"Meet me in my ready room, Number One.... warp 7, ENGAGE!\" Really cute dollhouse, Murph.. thanks for posting it. That's something I wouldn't mind having, myself."}, {"response": 121, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (20:24)", "body": "(Linda) All of Matthew Field is very yummy. Rika are you drooling just thinking about him? You know you don't need to ask. I know it'll never come out on DVD, but if it ever did..... sigh..... (Kathy) I'd gladly be a foolish antelope, if it meant having CF and \"ever-ready Eddie\" to play with. :-) Yup. Couldn't agree more. I just wish parts of the movie had made more sense. I wonder what it was like before it got edited?"}, {"response": 122, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (21:17)", "body": "(Barb) Re Mary's bearded look picture, afraid the first thing that came to mind was \"Colin does Commander Riker, Star Trek, Next Generation.\" (Jeanie) Oh? LOL! \"Meet me in my ready room, Number One.... warp 7, ENGAGE!\" ROTF.....okay, this is killing me...I always thought that Commander Riker looked a bit like an older Potsy (from Happy Days), so now I'm stuck on that and I don't think ODB looks like Potsy at all..."}, {"response": 123, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (21:45)", "body": "LOL Tress... I see the Potsy thing but no way. See, the way I see it, Potsy was genetically incapable of having facial hair so any resemblance to #1 must be solely in the non-facial hair versions. The superficial resemblance of ODB to #1 is based purely on the facial hair (ala Nostromo) which by definition lets Potsy out. You may now safely disassociate the two. (You're welcome!) (Jeanie) ENGAGE! LOL I'll never hear that line the same way again."}, {"response": 124, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (21:47)", "body": "Last weekend I watched LE for the first time. I had intended to savor the 7 episodes, but I wound up devouring them instead. And of course I had to share a photo or two of dear, adorable Richard. So for starters, look at this young flirt, resplendent in white tie: http://www.spring.net/~rika/richard1.jpg I'm sorry the image is somewhat grainy - since this is an older production, the picture quality isn't up to today's standards. More to follow later...."}, {"response": 125, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (21:48)", "body": "Oops - posted the link instead of the image:"}, {"response": 126, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (21:57)", "body": "Oh Rika, thank you. I too just recently watched LE. That picture and all, he looked so very young, makes me feel very \"Summer of '42\"-ish. (BTW, like the hands.)"}, {"response": 127, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Oct 29, 2002 (21:58)", "body": "(BarbS) The superficial resemblance of ODB to #1 is based purely on the facial hair (ala Nostromo) which by definition lets Potsy out. You may now safely disassociate the two. (You're welcome!) Thank you Barb! That was like a good slap in the face, the whole facial hair fantasy thing wasn't working for me there for a second (I kept picturing a letter jacket and rolled up jeans)...am now safe....whew! Free to ENGAGE. Thanks for the picture Rika. I loved LE (and I think it is now about time to rewatch it)."}, {"response": 128, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Oct 30, 2002 (07:49)", "body": "( BarbS)(BTW, like the hands.) Interesting to see them, not nude (?) The hands are my latest fixation, which I think started pre the hair on the collar discussion, when someone mentioned how he puts his hand to his mouth in several instances. I find myself feverishly chasing nuances around until a new one distracts and then I'm off again!!!"}, {"response": 129, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Oct 30, 2002 (10:44)", "body": "Young and Beautiful:"}, {"response": 130, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Oct 30, 2002 (10:56)", "body": "(MariaT) The hands are my latest fixation, which I think started pre the hair on the collar discussion, when someone mentioned how he puts his hand to his mouth in several instances. I find myself feverishly chasing nuances around until a new one distracts and then I'm off again!!! Maria, check out his hands in MLSF. When he smokes (though I'm sad he smokes, as I want him to live forever, I love watching him do it). The scenes in front of the fireplace are to die for...and as for hand across the mouth scenes, CoF. When Simon is talking to Nan at the cabin about 'the little chap'. He just touches his moustache (twice). The first time right before (maybe after) he pulls her slip strap down and the other just a few seconds later...v.v. good (but Simon is, as Nan says, a 'real sh***y article'). :-)"}, {"response": 131, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Oct 30, 2002 (11:25)", "body": "( Tress) Maria, check out his hands in MLSF. When he smokes (though I'm sad he smokes, as I want him to live forever, I love watching him do it). The scenes in front of the fireplace are to die for...and as for hand across the mouth scenes, CoF. When Simon is talking to Nan at the cabin about 'the little chap'. He just touches his moustache (twice). The first time right before (maybe after) he pulls her slip strap down and the other just a few seconds later...v.v. good (but Simon is, as Nan says, a 'real sh***y article'). :-) Funny you should mention MLSF..I was rewatching this morning and when Gamma eats too much of the sherry trifle and he puts his hand on her to help her up it is edible! Actually MLSF has many many great hand moments, very clean and large. It will be my handography film until another replaces it... I had to leave for work before the smoking scenes but I remember those whet my appetite last time as well, by the time I finished with those scenes I think he was up to a pack and a half!. And COF is being replayed alot lately on cable, I try to suspend my knowledge of how he turns out and just enjoy the moments like those you mentioned."}, {"response": 132, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Oct 30, 2002 (12:17)", "body": "I hope it is OK to put up all these image files I have around here. Here is one of his hands done a few years ago:"}, {"response": 133, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Oct 30, 2002 (12:35)", "body": "Yikes!! Mary!! You should have warned me first!! I'm mellllltting.............Oh Noooooooooooooooooooooo...My iron composure (hah!) has picked up its skirts and fled...I'm a goner...No seriously, thanks!!!!"}, {"response": 134, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Oct 30, 2002 (14:09)", "body": "(Kathy) I'd gladly be a foolish antelope, if it meant having CF and \"ever-ready Eddie\" to play with. :-) I'm with you 100%. Am definitely ready for \"ever-ready Eddie\". Thanks Mary and Rika for the wonderful Pics. LE is one of my very favorites and I too watch it feeling Summer of 42ish. Could eat him up."}, {"response": 135, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Oct 30, 2002 (14:22)", "body": "(Barb S) That picture and all, he looked so very young, makes me feel very \"Summer of '42\"-ish. Boy, can I relate. It was certainly easy to understand why Julie got involved with him. (BTW, like the hands.) That was one of the reasons I picked that shot - the white gloves. Here's another. This might qualify as an early rendition of the Blue Soup smile:"}, {"response": 136, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Oct 30, 2002 (14:32)", "body": "(MariaT) Just the thought of a happy trail made me happy...At the risk of becoming monofixated, his hands look quite hairless as well. Large, clean,expressive... I can see them stirring the blue soup and working other miracles as I daydream away.... I've almost mentioned the relatively hairless arms and hands before, but I thought I must be crazy to be noticing this sort of stuff. I noticed the same about his legs in LE. If he were a female impersonator, the shoulders would be a problem, but his legs would look great in pantyhose and high heels."}, {"response": 137, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Wed, Oct 30, 2002 (14:39)", "body": "(HUGE SIGH)Thanks so much, Mary! Now, I want to see a collage of \"Middle-Aged & Even More Beautiful\"! He was a doll as a young man, but so help me he gets prettier all the time. His eyes are more soulful, his dimples are deeper, and he is, overall, yummier. I don't think that it's just my preference for him, either. Most actors do not physically improve with age.. (Robert Redford, Clint Eastwood, etc...) I guess \"He Who Must\" is one breathtaking example of an exception. Let's hear it for exceptional genetics!! (laughing) As far as the hand shot.. well, I've already sang my many praises for his delightful digits. Rika, I agree that the shot above looks like an early \"Personally, I don't think there's enough blue food...\" photo. Thanks for posting it, you DVD Diva!"}, {"response": 138, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Wed, Oct 30, 2002 (14:41)", "body": "LOL... hey, I like DVDiva even better! (laughing at thought of HWM in pantyhose & stilletos."}, {"response": 139, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Oct 30, 2002 (15:09)", "body": "(Rika) I've almost mentioned the relatively hairless arms and hands before, but I thought I must be crazy to be noticing this sort of stuff. LOL....Rika, you were right to move the hair conversation over...I just get so excited sometimes I don't think of those types of things. ODB's general hairlessness was something I noticed quite a while ago (the first time I saw him in ATA, I think...the scene with Jessica Lange in the back of the rusty truck). (Rika) If he were a female impersonator, the shoulders would be a problem, but his legs would look great in pantyhose and high heels. ROTFL....would love to see that!!! In heels he would be WAAAAAY taller than even most men (he's about 6'1 isn't he?)....in a pair of strappy Manolo Blahnik's he could be 6'5 or 6'6. Quite impressive (I'm really trying hard not to envision a paler Ru'Paul). But you're right...great, long, hairless legs....only ONE problem...that walk (he walks like a man (thank goodness)). Don't think ODB would be real graceful in the heels, a bit bow-legged. Still, if he ever needs help painting his toenails...."}, {"response": 140, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Oct 30, 2002 (15:25)", "body": "( Rika)I've almost mentioned the relatively hairless arms and hands before, but I thought I must be crazy to be noticing this sort of stuff. I noticed the same about his legs in LE. If he were a female impersonator, the shoulders would be a problem, but his legs would look great in pantyhose and high heels. (Jeanie)(laughing at thought of HWM in pantyhose & stilletos LOL! Hey! A remake of Rocky Horror with ODB...I wish I could say that I find the thought of the pantyhose and stilettos unappealing, but, hey, I watched AZ over the weekend and had a terminal case of rewinditis for adorable gay Adrian, so evidently there is very little he can do to hinder his breathtaking fabulosity. (With the exception of Londinium perhaps, acording to readings of prior posts)"}, {"response": 141, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Oct 30, 2002 (15:33)", "body": "(MariaT)...so evidently there is very little he can do to hinder his breathtaking fabulosity. (With the exception of Londinium perhaps, acording to readings of prior posts) Even L'dum cannot ruin his breathtaking fabulosity, Maria..."}, {"response": 142, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Oct 30, 2002 (15:34)", "body": "Meant to say there is very little he can do to hinder my admiration for etc. etc...Must must must stop getting so excited that I want to blurt...Sorry"}, {"response": 143, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Oct 30, 2002 (17:36)", "body": "(Tress)Don't think ODB would be real graceful in the heels, Could you imagine that walk of his in heels? LOL. ... Still, if he ever needs help painting his toenails ...Just leave that to the CHB's. On the hands talk, my favorite hand scene is P&P when Mr. Darcy hands Elizabeth into the carriage after she visits Pemberley. Just seeing those two hand touching makes me weak. He does have such lovely hands, arms, legs, hair, dimples...shall I go on? Thank you Mary, and Rika for the pictures."}, {"response": 144, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Oct 30, 2002 (18:54)", "body": "Rika, thanks for that great picture...you're right, it does look a bit like an early blue soup grin.... (MariaT) Meant to say there is very little he can do to hinder my admiration for etc. etc...Must must must stop getting so excited that I want to blurt...Sorry What's to be sorry about??? I feel the same way...there is very little he can do to hinder my admiration as well....I mean, if I heard he had a cameo in the worst film ever made, I would sit through it just to see him. He has made two or three films that I haven't particularly liked, but it still doesn't lessen my admiration of his fine eyes (that, and I think he is a fairly good actor, so even when he is in a stinker, he is usually the best thing in it). I may question his judgement on some of his projects, but I won't ever like him less on account of it (if that makes any sense at all). :-) (lindak) Could you imagine that walk of his in heels? LOL. I keep imagining him taking the stairs (as he does 2 or 3 at a time), or running down the stairs (like him running in MLSF on the way to the lake). He would definitely need to learn to be more dainty or he would fall on his behind!! ;-)"}, {"response": 145, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Oct 30, 2002 (21:01)", "body": "(Rika) I've almost mentioned the relatively hairless arms and hands before, but I thought I must be crazy to be noticing this sort of stuff. I noticed the same about his legs in LE. If he were a female impersonator, the shoulders would be a problem, but his legs would look great in pantyhose and high heels. (MariaT) I wish I could say that I find the thought of the pantyhose and stilettos unappealing, but, hey, I watched AZ over the weekend and had a terminal case of rewinditis for adorable gay Adrian, so evidently there is very little he can do to hinder his breathtaking fabulosity. I've found the hands/hairlessness/high heels discussion today most entertaining! (Tress) I keep imagining him taking the stairs (as he does 2 or 3 at a time), or running down the stairs (like him running in MLSF on the way to the lake). The idea of him running along in that red and white-striped bathing suit, in heels -- now there's a picture! He'd have to lose the towel, though."}, {"response": 146, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Oct 30, 2002 (23:14)", "body": "(Jeanie) hey, I like DVDiva even better! I like it! Would look very good on my business card, I think. (KathyF) The idea of him running along in that red and white-striped bathing suit, in heels -- now there's a picture! He'd have to lose the towel, though. I have a better idea - lose the suit, keep the towel. I don't mind if it's just the heels (though they might get stuck between the planks on the dock, so maybe this is a safety issue....) (Tress) and I think he is a fairly good actor I'd go quite a bit further than that - I think he's an exceptionally talented actor. Most of his recent projects just haven't given him a showcase for those talents. (Linda) Just seeing those two hand touching makes me weak. Quick - somebody catch Linda if she falls: When the \"hands\" discussion started, I grabbed this capture because I knew we'd come around to this point sooner or later!"}, {"response": 147, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Oct 30, 2002 (23:16)", "body": "Sorry to follow up my own post, but I just saw the Halloween picture on the Drool front page. Love it, Karen!!!!"}, {"response": 148, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Oct 30, 2002 (23:38)", "body": "GOOD GAWD!!!!!! I was expecting to see our October pinup gone any day now, but sheesh Karen, can't you email us a warning when something like that goes up? I nearly lost it!"}, {"response": 149, "author": "Leah", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (04:37)", "body": "Talk about a bad hair day!"}, {"response": 150, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (07:44)", "body": "(Rika) When the \"hands\" discussion started, I grabbed this capture because I knew we'd come around to this point sooner or later! You smart girl! Thanks for the picture! ******sigh********"}, {"response": 151, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (08:45)", "body": "Shame that pic can't be a looped moving one.....as I mentioned before, I like when he rubs her fingers with his thumb just before letting go. (Rika) I'd go quite a bit further than that - I think he's an exceptionally talented actor. Most of his recent projects just haven't given him a showcase for those talents. I heartily second that!"}, {"response": 152, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (09:20)", "body": "(Dorine)as I mentioned before, I like when he rubs her fingers with his thumb just before letting go. I'll take it just as it is...thank you Rika. Got one at the Lambton Inn?When he caresses her whole arm???"}, {"response": 153, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (09:23)", "body": "(Rika)Quick - somebody catch Linda if she falls: Help, I've fallen into my keyboard, and I can't get up. Oh, Rika, Rika, Rika now I know for sure that subliminal messages work. I'm so glad I saw that capture this morning, and not last night. It just made my day. My absolute favorite, favorite, scene in any movie. I can't explain it, just drives me wild everytime. Thank you, Rika (Dorine)Shame that pic can't be a looped moving one Hey, sounds like a job for the DVDiva. (Rika)I have a better idea - lose the suit, keep the towel. I have an even better idea...:-)) Thank you, Karen, for our dreamy Richard Herncastle. Lovely to have him here all decked out for Halloween."}, {"response": 154, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (09:27)", "body": "( Rika) I'd go quite a bit further than that - I think he's an exceptionally talented actor. Most of his recent projects just haven't given him a showcase for those talents. (Dorine)I heartily second that! Yes! And this fact should not be obscured by recent and past discussion re walking, hands, butt, left/right tendencies, hair (or lack of)(or how it rests on collars) (or little runaway curls by delectable ears), dimples, cleft, mascara possibilities and happy trails... the fact is without his considerable talent he would not be able to hold the interest of so many of us. Watching him at his work is beyond a guilty pleasure, it is watching someone at the top of their form, attaining an aesthetic that can literally touch you at your core. Not to be a hyperbolist (my DH always calls me such), but it is very much like a chef that knows exactly what to do with his ingredients to astonish people or a winemaker that captures the very essence of the soil, the year that the grapes grew in and the region itself, and crafts it into a wine that transports the recipient...Well, I've babbled enough..."}, {"response": 155, "author": "meg", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (09:30)", "body": "MariaT\ufffd Wow. Couldn't have said it better."}, {"response": 156, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (09:48)", "body": "Thanks, Rika, for the great screen capture! Karen, a most apropos choice for Halloween -- I laughed with glee! (MariaT) Watching him at his work is beyond a guilty pleasure, it is watching someone at the top of their form, attaining an aesthetic that can literally touch you at your core. You have captured the essence of why we are here, IMO. He's definitely not just another pretty face. If only he could get a part that would awaken the majority of the moviegoing public to this fact!"}, {"response": 157, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (09:49)", "body": "(Rika) I'd go quite a bit further than that - I think he's an exceptionally talented actor. Most of his recent projects just haven't given him a showcase for those talents. (Dorine) I heartily second that! I was being a bit facetious when I said he was a fairly good actor...I do believe he is exceptionally talented, and, there is no other actor that I have ever taken vacation days for...I take vacation whenever there is a CF movie opening so that I can see the first showing on the first day. It's a bit of a joke at work (because if I take any day off now, they all ask me what movie has opened). I have already tentatively got January 31st off for LC. When Valmont came out (in 89?), I talked the projectionist into letting me and a friend see it with the reviewers (on the Wednesday prior to release)...so, I do think he is more than a fairly good actor. I love seeing him in dramas (am beside myself with joy at the GWAPE potential), but he is also very good at comedy (12 more days until TIOBE is out on DVD/VHS). Not many actors do both really well. BTW, thanks for the pictures (The DVDiva, Rika for the yummy hand shot (look at those veins on the back of his hand...mmmmm) and Karen for Richard in his funny Gunga Din costume)."}, {"response": 158, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (11:50)", "body": "(Maria) LOL! Hey! A remake of Rocky Horror with ODB... OOOOOO how funny would that be. TRICK OR TREAT. Sure would be easy to see which way the jewels are set in that get up. Remember its an alien. Getting ready to get slapped. Could see him doing it and being very very good. Doesn't need a great singing voice for it, just a great body and that he's got. Thanks for great pics Rika. How about one of him in his suit and hat. Love that look on him. (Tress) there is very little he can do to hinder my admiration as well....I mean, if I heard he had a cameo in the worst film ever made, I would sit through it just to see him. You are not alone here. I know I feel the very same. (MariaT) Watching him at his work is beyond a guilty pleasure, it is watching someone at the top of their form, attaining an aesthetic that can literally touch you at your core. (KathyF) You have captured the essence of why we are here, IMO. He's definitely not just another pretty face. If only he could get a part that would awaken the majority of the moviegoing public to this fact! There are very very few who possess Colin's incredible acting talent. To paraphrase SueB she wanted him for Darcy because he was one of the few actors she knew who could do ANY acting roll in ANY time period, and do it so well. IMO there is none better and he is the consumate actor to me in any roll. I adore him."}, {"response": 159, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (12:07)", "body": "It must be the Halloween moon, looks like a Drooly day... (Evelyn) Got one at the Lambton Inn?When he caresses her whole arm??? Are you kidding? That might count as irresponsible posting...if just the hands can work us up into such a frenzy, what might the arm caress do? I shudder to think of it (OK, the shudder might be something else but nevermind....) (Maria) Not to be a hyperbolist (my DH always calls me such) (The first time I read this, I thought \"Why does her DH call her a herbologist? I'm slow but I get there.) Maria, your eloquence astounds me. I am very glad you returned us to the high road, it's important once in a while to focus on his excellence at his craft, his other allurements can be so distracting. Besides, I was getting a little concerned at the discussions of ODB in heals. And since he does not have a publicist, I volunteer you! (Tress) ...there is no other actor that I have ever taken vacation days for Now THAT is a true measure of devotion, maybe we can get them to consider it a Mental Health day!"}, {"response": 160, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (12:23)", "body": "( BarbS)I am very glad you returned us to the high road, it's important once in a while to focus on his excellence at his craft, his other allurements can be so distracting. It's all about balance, the light and the dark, the yin and the yang, the sun and the moon, the hand on the arm, huh? To hell with the high road! That was before lunch, (now scrolling back up to take delight in Rika's fine hand post..)It's all interconnected, the incredible acting which leads one to admire one, which leads one to take note of one's attributes, which leads one to not be able to get enough of one, which leads one back to watching everything one has ever done because of the incredible acting (on his part anyway...)"}, {"response": 161, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (12:41)", "body": "Yeah, what you said Maria, I agree. ODB is the best."}, {"response": 162, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (14:22)", "body": "(Barb S) Now THAT is a true measure of devotion, maybe we can get them to consider it a Mental Health day! LOL...I'd need a Mental Health Day every day if that were the case. Actually it is a Mental Health Day for my co-workers (and a 'CF Mini-Break' for me). See, they know if I don't get to see the new CF movie the day it opens (first show), that I will drive them all mad (like a trapped animal, I may be forced to chew off my own leg to get out). I tell them I belong to the 'Church of Colin' and we have special days of observance (I can't be turned down for religious holidays)...I now have a fellow devotee at work as well (she is asking for Jan 31st off to go with me this time round...it will be the first time that two of us will be taking the day off). ;-)"}, {"response": 163, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (14:59)", "body": "(Tress) I now have a fellow devotee at work as well You might now be able to register as a bona fide nonprofit too. Think of the advantages! ;-)"}, {"response": 164, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (15:59)", "body": "(Maria) To hell with the high road! And, I ask once again... \"what high road?\" (looking around curiously) Ok, ok... I've finished proof-reading part four of Lisa's Halloween story, and I couldn't help but take out one of her words and put in \"engaged\".. (giggling) I wonder if she'll keep it? Make it so! (doing my best Picard voice)"}, {"response": 165, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (16:26)", "body": "(Jeanie) And, I ask once again... \"what high road?\" (looking around curiously) Oh darn...did that map get misplaced again??? Has anyone seen it today (or yesterday for that matter)? ;-) I just got a copy of the script for \"Another Country\"...has anyone else read it? I must say I'm a bit sad...it's such a good script, and to know that ODB played Bennett and there's no way to see it! The script is different than the film (obviously)....I'll have to finish it and then watch AC again to see what got changed/moved around."}, {"response": 166, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (16:36)", "body": "You mean the play, right? Yes, it differed from the film. In fact, Evelyn saw it in London just last year, where it got rave reviews again."}, {"response": 167, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (16:57)", "body": "Maria, well said (both when you were on the high road and when you weren't! (Dorine) Shame that pic can't be a looped moving one I'm pretty sure the JPEG format doesn't support animation, or I'd give it a try. There have been so many times when I wanted to post a little \"action loop\" of a few images. (Evelyn) Got one at the Lambton Inn?When he caresses her whole arm??? I'll see what I can do about that when I get home from work, but in the meantime here's one I love: His hands are so neatly folded on his lap, but look at the wicked glint in his eye. He's just made the \"your figures appear to the best advantage while walking\" remark, so he's flirting outrageously (at least, by Fitzwilliam Darcy standards, he is). That's why I love the hands - his body language is so prim and proper and sedate, as if to say, \"Who, ME, a flirt? NEVAH!\""}, {"response": 168, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (17:19)", "body": "(Karen) You mean the play, right? Yes, it differed from the film. In fact, Evelyn saw it in London just last year, where it got rave reviews again. Sorry...should have been a bit clearer. Yes, the play. I really like it so far (am only 30 pages into it though). Lucky Evelyn! To have seen it live (even w/o ODB, I'd like to see it done on stage). Thank you again DVDiva! I love that whole scene. How uncomfortable he becomes when Elizabeth says \"a man without fault!\". He played that scene so well (as did JE and Duckface). The verbal sparring was fantastic (and you could tell at that moment that he really liked her (even if he didn't fully realize it yet)). Ooooohhhhh....good stuff! Thankyouthankyouthankyou...."}, {"response": 169, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (18:46)", "body": ""}, {"response": 170, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (18:59)", "body": "(Rika) His hands are so neatly folded on his lap, but look at the wicked glint in his eye Every time I watch that scene, I think it's a good thing he had a book in his lap. ;-) (Mary) Right now I couldn\ufffdt get up and walk if... LOL!! Very clever!"}, {"response": 171, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (19:18)", "body": "Ok, ok... I've finished proof-reading part four of Lisa's Halloween story, and I couldn't help but take out one of her words and put in \"engaged\".. (giggling) I wonder if she'll keep it? BWAGHHH Jeanie...you know what happened? After I sent you part four I started reworking that \"car\" part, (I always do these kind of things) so I went through all you did until then and had to stop with yours until the last few paragraphs, as very little of it fit with what I changed. But, I did use everything you changed up to that point luv! It all read much much better...thank you again. But you know I don't remember that specific word. I'm a little frazzled right now though. (insert over-tired bug-eyed winkie)"}, {"response": 172, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (19:28)", "body": "Mary, that was hilarious. Really, too many funny parts. I especially like the eyesbrows running. it fits in nicely with the recent discussion about jobs as chest hair tinters. And I agree, the hands folded in the lap are definitely concealing something that is not appropriate for younger P&P viewers."}, {"response": 173, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (19:32)", "body": "Thanks as usual, Rika! *Love* that wicked glint. ;-) Can never decide which is my favorite scene...that one or the dance at the Ball. Everytime I watch one of them, I think I like that one best, then I switch. ;-) ROTF Murph! Is there more somewhere else?"}, {"response": 174, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (20:22)", "body": "Thank you, Mary. Loved that motivation. Rika, you've done it again. From work no less. You truly are the DVDiva. (Jeanie) And, I ask once again... \"what high road?\" (looking around curiously) High road? Nah, aint seen no hide nor hare of a high road:-)"}, {"response": 175, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (23:32)", "body": "Love the way he played that scene Rika. He got more and more stiff as it went on. You could see that Darcy was getting mad but he couldn't let anyone else in the room know that Lizzie was getting under his skin. I loved the way his mouth got tighter and tighter and his chin came up."}, {"response": 176, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Oct 31, 2002 (23:55)", "body": "(Lucie) He got more and more stiff as it went on. (evil giggle) No, I'm not gonna say it. Since it looks like this is morphing into Darcy Drool, I'll put the Lambton Inn DVD capture that Evelyn requested over on that topic."}, {"response": 177, "author": "annea", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (05:05)", "body": "Just caught up on all the \"hairiness\" postings - must say that that is always ssomething that has disappointed me a bit. I do like some body hair - legs, arms, pits, a sprinkling on the chest (draw the line at back and butt although unfortunately me DH has a liitle of both - am trying to find out how to wax without him knowing !!) ODB has quite a noticeable beard shadow, so it is surprising that he has not more body hair. Even my DH has noticed \"at least I have hair on my arms\". He takes every opportunity say something disparaging - definitely the green eyed monster !! although he will quite happily watch CF movies with me."}, {"response": 178, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (05:47)", "body": "Okay am I going to start Chaos by posting under this topic? We will see. I wanted to point out something that is a little disturbing. If you look at the pic that Keren has up of CF from LE and you scroll down enough so that you cover the turban, you can have a startling deja vu. Of course, you'd have to have seen Doby Gillis to understand what I'm saying. And, no I'm not of that era, but Fer Gawd's Sake I saw that pic and his face looks just like the girl with the funny voice and (I think) the glasses. Didn't she have a weird name? Oh, this may be time for a goggle moment.........."}, {"response": 179, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (05:57)", "body": "Ok went to google instead of goggle and found out that actress isn't on the net too much. Anyway, this was the best I could do and it is a little scary. Compare the faces...no, not Dwayne Hickman's, the other one."}, {"response": 180, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (08:26)", "body": "Darcy Flirt? Yeah, right! Oh baby, oh baby! And my all time favorite... Yes, I know, we should have put this over in the darcydrool, but I'm not the one who started it! (sticking tongue out at DVDiva)"}, {"response": 181, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (09:43)", "body": "Yes, Jeanie, but those were very specifically HAND photos to support the HANDS discussion. Where are the HANDS In yours, huh? Huh???????"}, {"response": 182, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (10:18)", "body": "(Rika) Yes, Jeanie, but those were very specifically HAND photos to support the HANDS discussion. Where are the HANDS In yours, huh? Huh??????? OOOOhhhhhhh....don't care where the hands are right now. MMMmmmmmm...darcy pictures good......(besides, I have an idea where the hands may be, but I'm not tellin!) ;-)"}, {"response": 183, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (10:31)", "body": "Seems to me we also had a hair topic going. These are monstrous fine in support of that. Darcy hair has of course been decreed to be in a class by itself but nonetheless worthy of study. And there is also the hint of five o'clock shadow in the last one, I believe they TOTALLY support one of the topics at hand! (Thanks Jeanie!!!!) And perhaps we should begin a discussion of his bottom lip which I have just noticed in these pictures looks extremely kissable!"}, {"response": 184, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (11:31)", "body": "Neenerneeenerneeeener! (in DVDiva's general direction) (Barb) I believe they TOTALLY support one of the topics at hand! Ack, a PUN! (Tress)OOOOhhhhhhh....don't care where the hands are right now. MMMmmmmmm...darcy pictures good......(besides, I have an idea where the hands may be, but I'm not tellin!) ;-) (laughing) OHhhhhh, it's so nice to be appreciated! and yes, Barb, you're right... he has such a sweet & tender lower lip.. almost pouty like a little boy's... yeah... I think I'm gonna go put ice cubes in my undies, now. See ya later!!"}, {"response": 185, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (12:25)", "body": "(Lisa) his face looks just like the girl with the funny voice and (I think) the glasses. Didn't she have a weird name? Zelda Gilroy (and yes, it does!)"}, {"response": 186, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (12:41)", "body": "(Lisa) his face looks just like the girl with the funny voice and (I think) the glasses. Didn't she have a weird name? (KathyF) Zelda Gilroy (and yes, it does!) Never saw Doby Gillis...but there is a resemblence to (a slimmer version of) Mimi on the Drew Carey Show (IMO)..."}, {"response": 187, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (13:01)", "body": "(Barb S) Seems to me we also had a hair topic going. These are monstrous fine in support of that. Well, oooookay - long as we can find SOME connection!!!! (Jeanie)Neenerneeenerneeeener! (in DVDiva's general direction) You just wait till next weekend, missy! You'll get yours."}, {"response": 188, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (13:26)", "body": "Hey, Boss.. my typical hotmail email account is not working right now, so, I'm wanting to make a donation. My payment will go to you if I use the paypal logo on the topic page, right? It'll come from \"secret_o_life@hotmail.com\", so don't let the different name fool you."}, {"response": 189, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (13:37)", "body": "Send it to me at rosie45@hotmail.com"}, {"response": 190, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (14:03)", "body": "Thanks for pics Rika and Jeanie. Great stuff Murph. So clever. Would like to read more if you tell me where it is."}, {"response": 191, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Nov  1, 2002 (17:36)", "body": "Ohhhhhhhh, Jeanie, that first picture is a killer. While the \"look\" will always be the \"look\", I love the expression on his face. Thank you. (Tress)don't care where the hands are right now I'm with you, Tress. I'm too busy drooling to care. OK, Ok, I'm moving over to Darcydrool."}, {"response": 192, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (11:15)", "body": "I've had a question emailed to me and can't answer it. The writer wants to know when Colin learned to ride. I don't recall reading anything about this anywhere, but perhaps others have better memories (no doubt) than I. The first role that required Colin to ride is Valmont (1989) and I have seen behind-the-scenes footage of Colin rehearsing a scene on a horse."}, {"response": 193, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (20:12)", "body": "(Karen) The first role that required Colin to ride is Valmont Well, unless you count the merry-go-round ponies in LE. :-) I couldn't decide if this belonged on O&E or here, but I finally decided to put it here because of the DQ connection: DH and I saw \"Man of La Mancha\" this afternoon. It's in D.C. for a pre-Broadway tune-up (it opens in NY later this month). We thoroughly enjoyed it. Brian Stokes Mitchell was terrific as Quixote - wonderful stage presence, and a rich, full, gorgeous voice (speaking and singing). Ernie Sabella played Sancho and was just right in the role. The reason I mention it, though, is because there's a \"one degree of separation\" factor: MEM played Aldonza/Dulcinea. I thought she was marvelous. I hadn't realized what a difficult role that is to sing. But at one point I found myself thinking, gee, I'm in the same building with someone who has kissed CF. Gaaaaaah - talk about pathetic! There were two more CF connections: First, of course, the storyline (I will probably have to watch DQ tonight), and second, the bald spot on the top of Ernie Sabella's head, which was constantly on view from our seats on the mezzanine. (Though calling his a \"spot\" is like calling Lake Superior a pond. We have much to be thankful for!)"}, {"response": 194, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Nov  2, 2002 (21:50)", "body": "Glad you enjoyed play Rika. You're not pathetic. I would have thought the same thing about MEM. I think about that when I think about Dorine, Amy, Evelyn, Karen and those fortunate ladies who have met him. We communicate with people who have physically met him. If you're pathetic than so am I."}, {"response": 195, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (07:10)", "body": "Hmmm... ok, there's a topic which is being touched on a bit in \"New Colin Stuff\" thread. So, I'll pose it to everyone here: \"If you were on the street and saw CF, how would you react/respond?\" I already know what I'd do... but, I want to see what everyone else says before I reveal my rather strange and twisted fantasy. (laughing)"}, {"response": 196, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (12:05)", "body": "I'd probably freeze like a deer in the headlights and stare. I don't think I'd approach him or try to speak to him, partly because of the deer-in-the-headlights thing, but mainly because in your example he's just out on the street minding his own business and I wouldn't think it appropriate to bother him."}, {"response": 197, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (13:28)", "body": "Jeannie...suppose it depends on if he has wife and kids in tow. If he was with them, I would probably just walk on by (and regret it for the rest of my life), but I would feel to awkward to approach him during family time... If ODB was with friends or by himself....I'd have to go up to him to say hello and just hope that I didn't (1) pass out (2) pee myself (3) throw up or (4) make such a scene that security had to be called. The perfect scenerio would be to see him at a premiere or event (when he could see me coming and be prepared). Then I would, once again, hope that (1)-(4) above did not occur."}, {"response": 198, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (15:41)", "body": "Oh Gosh Jeannie, in answer to your question, I've got a confession. I'm a C.S. I grew up in Southern California and spent several years living in LA/Westwood. It's just the nature of living there to run into famous people every once in a while in a department store or supermarket. I never approach anyone. I watch and then get a little sad when they go off their own way and realize I didn't take the initiative to get an autograph or say something. I've been in an elevator with Jimmy Stewart, sat right behind Lillian Gish in an audience, walked by the front garden of Burt Reynolds house while he was in the driveway, stood by while Lizza and Vincent Minella signed autographs all around me, and waited next to Tony Bennet before boarding a plane. Mind you none of these have the appeal of CF, but they are famous. I never said \"Boo\" or anything else to any of them. Do you want to know the worst thing? Years ago, my girlfriend and I were out on the town one night and in comes Beau Bridges. He looked good back then. He actually came over during the evening and sat down at our table and I couldn't hardly say a word. (What a wasted opportunity. Maybe he would have introduced me to Jeff!) After a few minutes he got up and left...I didn't blame him! Anways, to answer your question, what would I do? I'm smarter these days. I'd go up and ask him if he could wait just a sec and I'd go get Dorine! (insert wise woman winkie)"}, {"response": 199, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (17:23)", "body": "(Tress) The perfect scenerio would be to see him at a premiere or event (when he could see me coming and be prepared). Then I would, once again, hope that (1)-(4) above did not occur. Yes, at a public event I'd view it differently from if he were just walking down the street. I'd probably still just do \"deer in the headlights\", but in my head I'd be screaming, \"SAY HELLO!\" And then, like Lisa said, I'd go get Dorine!"}, {"response": 200, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (17:29)", "body": "(Tress) I'd have to go up to him to say hello and just hope that I didn't (1) pass out (2) pee myself (3) throw up or (4) make such a scene that security had to be called. I admitted on 165, I'd turn bright red, then (2), then possibly (3). If I actually had the nerve to speak, I'm sure whatever emerged from my mouth would sound totally idiotic. I've actually thought about this a number of times and can't even say for sure which of his films I'd admit to loving. (Lisa) I never approach anyone. I watch and then get a little sad when they go off their own way and realize I didn't take the initiative to get an autograph or say something. I've had close encounters with celebrities in NYC and here in Houston, and I've yet to say anything to any of them. Like you, I wished later I'd acknowledged them in some way, instead of pretending not to recognize them. Not that any of them made me want to gush, but I wish I'd said, \"I admire your work.\" CF is a whole different subject, however. Don't know how I'd really react, but I'm sure I'd do something and I'm fairly sure I'd embarass myself somehow."}, {"response": 201, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (18:07)", "body": "(KathyF)CF is a whole different subject, however. Don't know how I'd really react, but I'm sure I'd do something and I'm fairly sure I'd embarass myself somehow. All of the above. Just to let you know, (some of you already know)I didn't go to the TIOBE premiere because I knew I would see him. I got so worked up just thinking about it, that I decided against it. DH was willing to take me, too. Now I could kick myself. I keep thinking, suppose I'd gone and had hooked up with Dorine...Oh, well coulda, woulda, shoulda..."}, {"response": 202, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (19:18)", "body": "(KathyF) I admitted on 165, I'd turn bright red, then (2), then possibly (3). If I actually had the nerve to speak, I'm sure whatever emerged from my mouth would sound totally idiotic. I've actually thought about this a number of times and can't even say for sure which of his films I'd admit to loving. Kathy, if we ever happen to be in a situation together (at a premiere or event), I'll bring the Depends and you can bring the smelling salts... (linkak) I didn't go to the TIOBE premiere because I knew I would see him. I got so worked up just thinking about it, that I decided against it. DH was willing to take me, too. Now I could kick myself. Linda, you sound like me! I get nervous just thinking about such things (prior to their actual occurrence), but when I actually find myself in the situation, I usually do better...not so much as grace under pressure as a survival instinct, I think! ;-) I think my DH would make me go...he is a bit odd, he doesn't understand the obession, but if he knows I want something, he will make sure it happens (he is a good guy)...He would probably push me in front of ODB to get me to talk to him, if he had to..."}, {"response": 203, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (19:49)", "body": "(Tress) I think my DH would make me go...(he is a good guy)... LOL Tress, not sure mine would MAKE me go, I just sure wouldn't want him to be anywhere close at the exact moment. I am absolutely sure he would say something totally embarassing. \"Do you know, it's all your fault, she makes me whisper in her ear \"Dearest,loveliest Barbara...\" or \"Do realize how tired one gets of wearing boots all the time?\" or some such."}, {"response": 204, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (21:25)", "body": "(BarbS) LOL Tress, not sure mine would MAKE me go, I just sure wouldn't want him to be anywhere close at the exact moment. I am absolutely sure he would say something totally embarassing. ROTFL...oh my! I had not thought of this! I am certain the DH would say something totally embarassing...best to leave him at home and fend for myself. He can pay for the tickets and hotel rooms! ;-)"}, {"response": 205, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (22:48)", "body": "Let's see, what would I do. I have given this alot of thought. I initially felt I would lose consciousness or make a fool of myself in some other equally undignified manner. However, I have changed my opinion of myself and have decided I would not waste probably one of the most memoriable moments of my life by lousing it up. I would save that for after it was all over and he was out of sight and ear shot. You know, you make it through the emergency with assuredness and then when its all over you react. (1) On the street as a private person, with or without family, I would engage eye contact, walking slowly of course to take in all of him, nod and possibly mumble a greeting as if we were acquainted and walk on by. (2) At premiere, hoping I am in a que so I get to look at him for some time, attempt to get autograph comment on his brilliancy, without over emoting, dress appropriately for occassion and then find Dorine and Amy and go to the party with them!!! Would let Dorine sit on my shoulders if no flower pot was available. What could be better than that. Then hopefully make it home before involuntary reflexes set in and I become incoherent for the next 3 to 4 days. If only the opportunity would arise........"}, {"response": 206, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sun, Nov  3, 2002 (23:17)", "body": "(Pam) Then hopefully make it home before involuntary reflexes set in and I become incoherent for the next 3 to 4 days. Do you actually think it would only be for 3 or 4 days?! I think you underestimate the level of your devotion. ;-)"}, {"response": 207, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (07:51)", "body": "If the setting is appropriate, I would just ask for an autograph & ask him what he's working on (then try to look like I don't already know what his current project is!) and hopefully not faint dead away when he looks at me or speaks to me. Just the thought of him saying my name gets me all a-flutter, LOL! Okay, Jeanie, tell us what your fantasy is; I'm dying to know..."}, {"response": 208, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (08:24)", "body": "Since it is so unlikely to happen, this totally does not matter, but given half a chance, I would throw myself at him, touch his hair (being careful not to dislodge any!) and then try to figure out what he carries in his front pocket. I would then introduce myself as Jeanie from Drool (insert evil grin winkee) and tell him how much I admire his ...ummm... work. Since the above would probably get me arrested though, I guess I would settle more for something along the lines of what Pam wrote. *****sigh****"}, {"response": 209, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (08:27)", "body": "My reaction to seeing him on the street would be (I hope)restrained and respectful, although given the fact that I start and gasp just when flipping through channels and find him on (o.k., truth be known, I even gasp when I put a dvd or movie of his on)his effect on me would very likely go unnoticed but I would not bother him. If in an appropriate setting (like another Donmar evening!), and with the assistance of wine courage, I would hope to have him sign my playbill but I would ask for my full name to be signed as my last name is the same as in the title of a very popular Italian movie from last year and maybe I would get a few extra words as we discuss this fact and Italy in general and I would just be playing it so cool...Thats right, composed and impassive, admiring perhaps but from a distance...HoHoHo...No, I would be up there with the best of you, trying not to ralph, either hiding or fighting the urge to run away with hairpins flying..."}, {"response": 210, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (09:26)", "body": "(Moonstar) , I would just ask for an autograph & ask him what he's working on (then try to look like I don't already know what his current project is!) and hopefully not faint dead away when he looks at me or speaks to me. ROTF! That was me! ;-) LOL! Sounds like a good plan, Barb!"}, {"response": 211, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (10:08)", "body": "(moonstar) Just the thought of him saying my name gets me all a-flutter, LOL! There is a movie in which he says my name several times...I rewind and rewind...even though the person he is speaking of (and to) is a man, I don't care. It'll probably be the only time I hear him say it. Makes me melt!! And yeah, Jeanie, what moonstar said! What's your CF fantasy encounter like??? (BarbS) I would then introduce myself as Jeanie from Drool (insert evil grin winkee) and tell him how much I admire his ...ummm... work. ROTFL...thanks for the good laugh Barb. Good way to start my morning! (Dorine) ROTF! That was me! ;-) You are still my hero! Now, whenever I see a potted anything (and Portland has a lot of potted shrubbery), I wonder if it's climbable and what the view would be like..."}, {"response": 212, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (11:30)", "body": ", but if he knows I want something, he will make sure it happens (he is a good guy)...He would probably push me in front of ODB to get me to talk to him, if he had to... LOL. There have been cases where the wife freezes and DH has to ask for the autograph. Another time, someone's son ran down Earlham St. in London to get an autograph for his mum.Lots of DHs accompanied the wives to the Donmar. One struck up a conversation with Colin about Vancouver."}, {"response": 213, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (12:14)", "body": "(Evelyn) LOL. There have been cases where the wife freezes and DH has to ask for the autograph. This could very well happen to me if I ever get close enough...my DH is not very shy, and since he doesn't have the same reverence for ODB as I do, I have no doubt that he would start to talk to him about any number of things that would embarass me. If my DH even knew that ODB had lived in the Vancouver area, I am sure this would be a topic to cover...the DH spends many winter days skiing in the area (and we go up there together in the summers to camp). I now think (after Barb helped me see the light) that maybe I should leave him at home if the chance ever arises (and take Maria's wine advice...a bottle (or two) of chardonnay would give the courage to do or say pretty much anything, letting me embarass myself instead of being at the mercy of the DH)..."}, {"response": 214, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (12:25)", "body": "Just a quick bit of info...A show called \"From page to screen\" on the Bravo network will be on, the Nov. 18th episode will be about TEP. Maybe some good behind the scenes footage...Starts at 8 pm. Here is the blurb - What began as a young writer's image of a plane crash in the desert, ended in a best-selling novel and then a film that put everyone involved - author, director, filmmakers and stars - on the map. Though the 10-year journey to create the book and then the movie was not an easy one, for the visionaries that made The English Patient, patience paid off. In this episode of Page to Screen, author Michael Ondaatje, director/screenwriter Anthony Minghella, as well as stars Juliet Binoche, Ralph Feinnes and Kristin Scott Thomas, join others to reveal the epic story behind The English Patient - from Chapter 1 to Oscar night. After six years of writing and researching The English Patient, a little known Canadian author stunned the literary world by winning the celebrated Booker Prize. The novel attracted the attention of the fledgling British film director, Anthony Minghella who, although inspired by the \"avalanche of images,\" was quickly faced with the challenges of adapting a novel that shifts between two time periods, two locations and three love stories to the big screen. Working closely with the author, the vast movie crew had to battle the desert to bring The English Patient to life, raking the shifting sands and constantly repairing their authentic 1940's cars. Then a battle over casting decisions caused the production to shut down. And these were just the first of many challenges\ufffd From casting battles, to script changes, to dramatic edits, Page to Screen: The English Patient brings you along on the dramatic movie-making experience that flirted with disaster but ultimately triumphed beyond everyone's wildest dreams - winning nine Oscars\ufffd."}, {"response": 215, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (13:31)", "body": "Thanks for info on TEP Maria. Sounds interesting. Hope they interview or atleast show CF in it."}, {"response": 216, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (15:08)", "body": "Thanks Maria for the heads-up. TEP is my favorite movie of all time:-))))"}, {"response": 217, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (15:09)", "body": "My fantasy? I'd ask him to lean down, and I would stick my nose in his left dimple and sniff... and if I couldn't sniff his dimple, I'd go for the neck meat. (yes, twisted feral girl here) Then tell him that I love him to death and that he is one of those people who makes life a great deal more enjoyable for all of us simply because he's alive.. then, I'd thank him, pat his arm and leave... just in time to be arrested and make my debut in the evening paper. How's that?"}, {"response": 218, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (15:14)", "body": "LOL Jeanie, oh twisted, feral one. Here's hoping you get the chance! (I'd love to read about it in the paper!)"}, {"response": 219, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (15:36)", "body": "(Jeanie) I'd ask him to lean down, and I would stick my nose in his left dimple and sniff... and if I couldn't sniff his dimple, I'd go for the neck meat. LOL...Ooooohhhh...good call. If you miss the dimple you can go for a mole lick on his neck! And! When the restraining order expires, and you see him again, he will be sure to remember you!!! ;-)"}, {"response": 220, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (15:38)", "body": "My fantasy is to be sitting next to him on a long transatlantic flight. Has anyone seen \"L'Histoire D'O\"? ;-)"}, {"response": 221, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (15:49)", "body": "(Moon) My fantasy is to be sitting next to him on a long transatlantic flight. Has anyone seen \"L'Histoire D'O\"? ;-) Ooooohhh..another good fantasy. He can't escape on a long flight (transatlantic no less...might be good turbulence if you go at the right time of year). A captive. I like that one. ;-) Now I will claim ignorance...\"L'Histoire D'O\"? I don't know what that is!"}, {"response": 222, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (15:52)", "body": "(Tress), Now I will claim ignorance...\"L'Histoire D'O\"? I don't know what that is! A famous French film."}, {"response": 223, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (16:03)", "body": "(Moon) My fantasy is to be sitting next to him on a long transatlantic flight. You have nailed it! In first class (of course) with champagne flowing freely, conversation flowing smoothly, and hours of happy thoughts ahead..."}, {"response": 224, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (16:04)", "body": "(Moon) A famous French film. 'The Story of O'...if I spoke any French at all, maybe I wouldn't have been so thick. Worked at a video store in college...we kept that one in the back room (were the guys had screwed in red lights for effect)...you're naughty! ;-)"}, {"response": 225, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (16:36)", "body": "(Moon) My fantasy is to be sitting next to him on a long transatlantic flight. Has anyone seen \"L'Histoire D'O\"? ;-) Ah. Even without the \"O\" reference, that is the perfect scenario!"}, {"response": 226, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (17:59)", "body": "I love all the fantasies, and I'd like to join in anyone of them. Especially the transatlantic flight. I can think of some others, but...let's just leave it at that."}, {"response": 227, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (18:01)", "body": "(Moon) My fantasy is to be sitting next to him on a long transatlantic flight. Has anyone seen \"L'Histoire D'O\"? ;-) No, but I've read Green Shoe Diaries ;-) Now THAT one they could make into a video that would need to be kept in back rooms!"}, {"response": 228, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Mon, Nov  4, 2002 (19:24)", "body": "(Moon) Has anyone seen \"L'Histoire D'O\"? (clearing throat) Ahem, yes. What Moon said... ;) Were he single, I'd deploy the never-fail-rock-star-trick. Otherwise, I'd probably be over in the corner yacking with the missus and watching the show. :)"}, {"response": 229, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Nov  5, 2002 (23:34)", "body": "I watched A'ment 0 (for the first time). Apart from watching the opening scene 10 times, I was stunned by the eggs (scrambled this time). This is the 3rd time I've noticed him with them - if he's not whisking them, cracking them, then he's serving them! Also was very impressed that his pronunciation of *Jack* has improved."}, {"response": 230, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (11:13)", "body": "(Leah) This is the 3rd time I've noticed him with them - if he's not whisking them, cracking them, then he's serving them! Oh, that's true, I totally missed the egg theme we've got going on! I need to go back and watch it again some time soon. One thing that amazed me about his performance was how he somehow made himself look smaller than he is as Adrian. He's usually got such strong physical presence - partly because he's tall and broad-shouldered and partly just because he's got that indefinable \"something - but he managed to shrink all of that as Adrian. I really noticed it in the final scene of the movie, when the contrast was so striking."}, {"response": 231, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (11:19)", "body": "(Rika) Oh, that's true, I totally missed the egg theme we've got going on! Say, Rika...You wouldn't happen to have any fun egg themed pics, would you? It seems like a long time since any pics have been posted...We all count on you!!"}, {"response": 232, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (12:16)", "body": "Maria, I do have a capture of MD with the whisk, but I posted it not that long ago. (If you missed it, here's a link . I don't have AZ on DVD, so can't get the scrambled eggs. I can help you with TIOBE once I have my DVD, but not yet. But perhaps Jeanie might be able to accommodate us......????? In the meantime, this isn't quite what you asked for, but I thought it might offer certain..... compensations. No eggs, but something rather scrumptious-looking all the same:"}, {"response": 233, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (12:18)", "body": "Who cares about eggs when one can have Darcy necks? Thanks, Rika!"}, {"response": 234, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (12:31)", "body": "Good Morning! Thank you Rika!! One of my all time favorite shots of Mr. D. Love the Adam's Apple Action. And the look! The boy's in agony, someone help him!! Smooth that crease out from between his eyes.... Okay, found something kinda funny (but not really!). You have to vote at the top (ODB is NOT annoying)! http://www.amiannoying.com/view.asp?ID=2453"}, {"response": 235, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (12:41)", "body": "(Rika) In the meantime, this isn't quite what you asked for, but I thought it might offer certain..... compensations. No eggs... Did I say eggs? Don't listen to me! It's perfect! Thank you sooooooo much!! I feel very much compensated!!"}, {"response": 236, "author": "AnnieZ", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (13:34)", "body": "Shocking!!!!!!!!!!! Well, we've seen it ;-) but to be posted on internet.... http://groups.msn.com/ColinFirthFantasyWomen/wow.msnw"}, {"response": 237, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (14:02)", "body": "(Leah) This is the 3rd time I've noticed him with them - if he's not whisking them, cracking them, then he's serving them! Are you counting MOTM, too? He cracks the hard-boiled egg in the bar and eats it while talking to the bartender. Quite messy. And as for Annie's link, well, excuse me, but I'm having trouble breathing... :-)"}, {"response": 238, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (14:42)", "body": "Thanks, Rika! Such suffering poor baby. That's the Mr. Darcy that started it all."}, {"response": 239, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (15:08)", "body": "(Moon) Such suffering poor baby. I know..... it's pretty powerful when you can combine all that angst, just begging for comfort, with a neck that's just begging to be nibbled. (BrendaL) And as for Annie's link, well, excuse me, but I'm having trouble breathing... Yes, Janet posted that link on Odds & Ends during my birthday party on Sunday and I think that several of us were deprived of the powers of speech and breathing for an extended time period!"}, {"response": 240, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (16:38)", "body": "(BrendaL) And as for Annie's link, well, excuse me, but I'm having trouble breathing... :-) (Rika) I think that several of us were deprived of the powers of speech and breathing for an extended time period! My reaction?: Must....remember....to....breathe.... Whew!! I hope he doesn't know about this :)"}, {"response": 241, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (16:44)", "body": "(Rika) it's pretty powerful when you can combine all that angst, just begging for comfort, with a neck that's just begging to be nibbled. Ain't it the truth?! And to think Lizzie was going to throw this away for Wickham's misfortune! Makes you wonder just how smart that woman was!"}, {"response": 242, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (17:37)", "body": "(Rika) it's pretty powerful when you can combine all that angst, just begging for comfort, with a neck that's just begging to be nibbled. (KathyF) Ain't it the truth?! And to think Lizzie was going to throw this away for Wickham's misfortune! Makes you wonder just how smart that woman was! This is going into Darcy drool, but I can't agree more...very bite-able. I love his hands in that scene as well. If you watch, he rubs his thumb (I think after he puts down the pen) *sigh* Love the thumb rub... Another good neck nibble scene (IMO) is in FP. During the Bullock Brothers scene. When Sarah goes up to ODB and says...'that's the most romantic thing you've ever said to me'...he looks so scruffy and irresistible. Love that he hikes up his pants as he talks to her!"}, {"response": 243, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (18:41)", "body": "(BrendaL)And as for Annie's link, well, excuse me, but I'm having trouble breathing... I saw this for the first time on Sunday, while trying to finish my last post for Rika's party, I was speechless, as Dorine well knows. Breathing still has not returned to normal, especially because I just had another peek. Well, I had to be sure it was the same link, it could have been a different picture, well, couldn't it? On the neck front, who needs eggs? Apples are so very sexy."}, {"response": 244, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (18:44)", "body": "(Tress)During the Bullock Brothers scene BTW, that is one my favorite scenes in the whole movie. I love when he says \"Do I look like the sort of man who would own a Bread Album? Then, I love it when he says \"shut up\". Ah, loveable Paul Ashworth"}, {"response": 245, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Nov  6, 2002 (19:34)", "body": "(lindak) I love when he says \"Do I look like the sort of man who would own a Bread Album? Then, I love it when he says \"shut up\". Ah, loveable Paul Ashworth I've got to watch it again. It has been a while...and I do love FP (even with his messy hair)! The scene you mentioned is one of my favs as well...also like the scene were he talks about DH Lawrence. The way he looks at Sarah when he confesses is priceless... Now, I'm going to ask if anyone else has noticed something about ODB (and you probably have, but I'm still a newbie, so I've missed out on many posts). When CF puts his arms around his (female) co-stars, I have noticed a tendency to put his hand under their armpit (like he's catching a quick feel). He does this to RG in FP (when they are looking at the apartment) and I noticed he does it to MEM when they are sitting on the rock in MLSF (either before or after church...can't quite remember). I think I have seen him do it in another film...sorry, can't think! Anyway, I find it amusing because he is so tall that it seems that he would have to 'go out of his way' to put his hand there as opposed to across their shoulders.... Little thing, I know, but I find it funny (and I always think...'lucky girl') ;-)"}, {"response": 246, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Nov  7, 2002 (07:38)", "body": "(Tress) I love his hands in that scene as well. If you watch, he rubs his thumb (I think after he puts down the pen) *sigh* Love the thumb rub... pant slobber drool Thumb rub, holding cigarette (MLSF,RV,COF), holding drink (BJD, multiple times), turning page of book (P&P, BJD, WOF), holding/massaging leg (Vmont), groping breasts (COF) slurp, bite, devour"}, {"response": 247, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Thu, Nov  7, 2002 (09:22)", "body": "(Rika) Yes, Janet posted that link on Odds & Ends during my birthday party on Sunday and I think that several of us were deprived of the powers of speech and breathing for an extended time period! Like Rika, I've been suffering from oxygen deprivation since her birthday.. LOL! I think ODB would be personally appalled that the great Scottish legend has made such a public appearance, but birthday girly has assured me that shot can be seen if you stop PM at just the right place, so if he's gonna go nakey in a movie I guess having his... ummmm... finer points displayed on the web shouldn't come as a shock to him. Just in case it does, though, and someone in his organization decides that we don't need to be posting such a revelation, I saved the picture to my harddrive! (giggling inanely) So, the DVDiva is going to treat me to 6 hours of LE tomorrow night, and I'm gonna bring the pizza. (laughing) Here it is CMA week and the stars are all over the place at eateries and clubs and such and we decided we'd rather watch HWM than go out on the town...sheesh, noooo.. we're not fanatically obsessed or anything. ;) I'm really looking forward to seeing LE, because being still a relative newbie, I haven't seen it yet, but I've been assured that although HWM was quite young during the filming, he is still quite tasty. Oh, and here you go!"}, {"response": 248, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Nov  7, 2002 (10:04)", "body": "(Jeanie) I'm really looking forward to seeing LE, because being still a relative newbie, I haven't seen it yet, but I've been assured that although HWM was quite young during the filming, he is still quite tasty. LE is one of my new favs. I've read several times that CF enjoys playing characters that have issues, and in this case, he appears to be playing the only sane person surrounded by people with various problems...so, I don't know if this is a favorite role of his, but I enjoyed it so much! He narrates the whole story and you get to see him react to all these perfectly crazy characters! And he is very tasty, as you said, so it makes it a treat to view!! Listen to his accent, I think it was Karen who said he was doing a Yorkshire accent...love it, he sounds so different to me! Thank you Jeanie for the picture of Jack, I mean Earnest....Jack?! ;-) We get an egg shot and a good hand shot all in one! And wearing glasses (I love it when he wears glasses)..."}, {"response": 249, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Nov  7, 2002 (12:03)", "body": "(Tress)(like he's catching a quick feel). LOL. I hadn't noticed, now I have to go back and investigate. Yes, lucky, lucky girls. *sigh* LE is one of my favorites, too. So much delicious screen time, and those voice overs...A very serious and extensive role, and so well done at a fairly young age (Tress)also like the scene were he talks about DH Lawrence Yes, another favorite of mine when he says, \"I have to vary the answers\". I love when he is floundering to come up with the answer to his own question about which one of DH Lawrence's books is the longest. OK, Tress, you have put me into total FP mode. Must have a viewing tonight.-I can see Paul, and check out the quick feel bit."}, {"response": 250, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Nov  7, 2002 (12:55)", "body": "(lindak) Yes, another favorite of mine when he says, \"I have to vary the answers\". I love when he is floundering to come up with the answer to his own question about which one of DH Lawrence's books is the longest. There is a bit of irony in this scene as well (IMO). A few scenes earlier, when he is at Sarah's flat for the first time and he picks up the decorative item on the mantel...asks \"what's this for?\" and Sarah answers...\"nothing, it just looks nice\"...when he is talking about DH Lawrence, he is window shopping and looking at the same types of decorative items...he is so completely absorbed in Arsenal thoughts and having to answer Sarah, that he doesn't even realize what he's looking at in the shop. Paul appears to be the type of guy who likes functional stuff (doesn't think too much about decoration), but in this scene, he stops (while he is trying to come up with the DH Lawrence answer) and stares into a shop window that has absolutely nothing that I can think Paul would be interested in...it makes me laugh... I'm in full FP mode right now too...I'm going to have to watch it again real soon. (lindak) So much delicious screen time, and those voice overs... I'm a big fan of the voice overs. I could listen to him all day. I've been trying to find a copy of the book he narrates (Comeback). Not a book I would normally read, but if he was reading it to me! mmmmmm....Wish he would do an audio book of Ulysses, I've been trying to get past page 5 for the past year!"}, {"response": 251, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Thu, Nov  7, 2002 (14:14)", "body": "(Tress) I've been trying to find a copy of the book he narrates (Comeback). Not a book I would normally read, but if he was reading it to me! mmmmmm.... I've seen copies at Ebay; you might want to check there. (Jeanie) So, the DVDiva is going to treat me to 6 hours of LE tomorrow night Lucky you! LE marathon! Who needs the CMAs when you have ODB to entertain you? :)"}, {"response": 252, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov  7, 2002 (15:31)", "body": "I don't know if this is a favorite role of his, but I enjoyed it so much! He narrates the whole story and you get to see him react to all these perfectly crazy characters! I like it too...even on my lousy VHS copy. I dunno if Colin did or not. It was a long shoot....he called it a \"sentence\". Did not get good reviews."}, {"response": 253, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Nov  7, 2002 (18:11)", "body": "Jeanie - shot can be seen if you stop PM at just the right place In my VHS tape, the shot is cropped slightly higher that in the pic posted. - Nessie is only in view a few frames earlier, obscured behind the glass wall!!"}, {"response": 254, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Nov  7, 2002 (18:30)", "body": "(Jeanie) I'm really looking forward to seeing LE, because being still a relative newbie, I haven't seen it yet, but I've been assured that although HWM was quite young during the filming, he is still quite tasty. He is totally scrumpcious. Unbelievable. This is one of my favorite rolls of his, and the movie IMO one of the best. Hope you enjoy it. I really love him and this movie. Good reviews or not I think it was very entertaining, and extremely well acted. One of the best. Yet the voting on IMDB ranked it the highest 9.7 out of 10 out of all his films, with P&P at 9.5. I love the scenes with him and Julie Blaine. I see alot of chemistry there and I think they really interact well. Thanks for the pics Rika and Jeanie and Janet and Annie words can't express the gratitude. Are there any more anywhere?"}, {"response": 255, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Nov  7, 2002 (19:01)", "body": "(Janet) In my VHS tape, the shot is cropped slightly higher that in the pic posted. Mine, too. And believe me, I've stopped and started it and gone slowly backwards and forwards, and no matter what I do, it's still cropped higher. I feel cheated! (but still thankful for what IS there)"}, {"response": 256, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Nov  7, 2002 (19:56)", "body": "(FanPam) Yet the voting on IMDB ranked it the highest 9.7 out of 10 out of all his films, with P&P at 9.5. And all 4 Amazon reviewers gave it 5 out of 5 stars (I didn't check to see if the were CF fans, that can skew results if your smitten). ;-) (FanPam) I love the scenes with him and Julie Blaine. I see alot of chemistry there and I think they really interact well. They worked together again a few years later. Carmen Du Sautoy and ODB were in \"Desire Under the Elms\". I agree they had good chemistry. Enjoyed their scenes together in LE...I really liked the actress who played Cissie as well."}, {"response": 257, "author": "Leah", "date": "Thu, Nov  7, 2002 (23:21)", "body": "(Tress) I love his hands in that scene as well. If you watch, he rubs his thumb (I think after he puts down the pen) *sigh* Love the thumb rub... Had to watch this again. I keep forgetting to watch his hands, and then I have to rewind and remember to watch again, and then I miss it and have to watch it again... Do I have a problem?"}, {"response": 258, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Nov  8, 2002 (06:38)", "body": "(LeahP)Had to watch this again. I keep forgetting to watch his hands, and then I have to rewind and remember to watch again, and then I miss it and have to watch it again... Do I have a problem? No!! Leah there are things I have watched multiple multiple times and still have no idea what the dialogue is or who else is even in the scene because of the rapt attention paid to ODB. I keep promising myself I will watch it differently the next time but..."}, {"response": 259, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Nov  8, 2002 (09:17)", "body": "I loved him in the turban and eye make-up too. And it was Olivier's last role. Something to note."}, {"response": 260, "author": "sandym", "date": "Fri, Nov  8, 2002 (10:55)", "body": "LE was the movie that \"turned\" my 14-year-old. Not even Pride & Prejudice had stirred her interest in ODB, but after watching young Richard Herncastle... well, now she takes an entirely different view of her mum's \"obsession\", and I'm observing that she perks up now whenever ODB is on-screen, rather than the glazed expression she used to have \"pre-Richard\"."}, {"response": 261, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Nov  8, 2002 (12:52)", "body": "(Sandy) LE was the movie that \"turned\" my 14-year-old. Richard Herncastle stirred me too, and I was already stirred up!!! (Tress) I agree they had good chemistry. Enjoyed their scenes together in LE...I really liked the actress who played Cissie as well. I agree. Cissie was perfect. It was so well done. I believe CF and CdS appeared in \"Desire\" in 1987 which would have been shortly after LE. They were so very, very good together. I just can't get over him in that. He is so very very handsome. I sit with a bucket when I put that one on, and I ususally prefer his more mature look. But not in this case. Also loved his look in Dutch Girls which was similar to LE. Mary asked a very good question on 165. It was here opinion that one of his best acting jobs was \"Tumbledown\" which I agree with and she then asked if he had really been challenged in any roll since. This is a good one ladies. Any comments. IMO I don't know if I would call him challenged. He is so superior in his abilities that he makes rolls look easy IMO. I read where he said Mark Darcy was no challenge for him. But he's quoted many times saying that Darcy was a real challenge for him. FP he said was like playing himself, only without the football interest. IMO he seemed to be having fun with The Acvocate. Hostages and Master of the Moor I thought were really good too. But as far as challenges, I don't know. He just makes it look so easy and that's because he's so exceptional. I'm sure there are some rolls he found difficult but you couldn't tell. Good question."}, {"response": 262, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov  8, 2002 (13:33)", "body": "(FanPam) Also loved his look in Dutch Girls which was similar to LE. Loved his look in Dutch Girls! Was going to suggest to SandyM that her 14 year-old daughter might enjoy that one as well. Very young, very handsome, sweet movie (does have a red light district scene, but fairly tame stuff compared to other 'teen movies'). Liked his look in Another Country too, but might be a bit much for a 14 year-old...I was 19 when I first saw it and much of it went completely over my head (I was a bit naive), I got some of it (like how handsome all the leads were), but I didn't understand that it was based on Guy Burgess' life and I didn't understand the english school system (with prefects and head of house ect). I rewatched it years later and was surprised at all that I had missed. Regarding Mary's question on 165: Post Tumbledown...I think there have been several great roles since then (that I hoped he found challenging). I agree with Pam...he makes it look easy, but he has to be channeling some demons on a few of these parts: I enjoyed (and thought he did an exceptional job on): Hostages, Pride and Prejudice (Darcy was such a 'restricted' character. Think it has be hard to contain emotion as well as show it), Donovan Quick (loved this film and thought he was outstanding) and Conspiracy (the subject matter alone must have been tough to deal with, let alone the way it was filmed...like \"12 Angry Men\", there was such an intensity about the whole movie)."}, {"response": 263, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Nov  8, 2002 (13:43)", "body": "(Pam) He just makes it look so easy and that's because he's so exceptional. I agree totally. Unfortunately, this might keep him from getting the recognition he so richly deserves. IMO, many awards these days are being given to those guilty of overacting. It often seems that an actor who doesn't go \"over the top\" hasn't a chance of winning an Oscar, Emmy, etc. (I don't know if this is true for Tonys, because I haven't seen anything on Broadway in years.) I always thought the sign of a great actor was his ability to make the audience see him as whatever part he was playing, and not as an actor playing a part. To me, this is what CF does so well. He totally becomes his character, with every look and movement incorporated in his portrayal. I've often told the unColinized among my friends what an amazing actor CF is, but unless they've seen him in more than one or two films, they just don't understand my enthusiasm."}, {"response": 264, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Nov  8, 2002 (13:55)", "body": "(FanPam) I ususally prefer his more mature look. But not in this case. Also loved his look in Dutch Girls which was similar to LE. Pam,I totally agree! I just watched Dutch Girls and felt the same way!! I find it incredible that I am attracted to him even in his youth as I never liked \"younger men\" even when I was that age, I always thought they improved dramatically after 30 but with ODB all of my little isms get tossed out the window... as far as challenges, I don't know. He just makes it look so easy and that's because he's so exceptional. What a difficult question to ask of a bunch of devotees....His skills are so very extraordinary, and there is a dearth of extraordinary (i.e \"challenging\") material or roles. I have to go back to my food/wine analogies..(humor me)..A friend of ours is an amazing chef...He has worked and apprenticed himself with the best in the business and it shows..Eating his food is an sensual epiphany and yet there are those that eat his food that just want a steak and a baked potato. They live on one plane of existence and are unaware of all the layers beyond that hold so many more treasures beyond the ordinary. He is recognized but not in the way of those that shamelessly self promote and whore themselves to the food media..O.K., O.K., you can see where this all leads, (I hope) ODB IMO has always raised the bar for every production he has been in. There are bits and pieces of the exceptional in all of his performances and I can only hope that there is more than just steak and potatoes on his plate in the future..."}, {"response": 265, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Nov  8, 2002 (14:13)", "body": "There are bits and pieces of the exceptional in all of his performances Sorry to repost on my own post but I realized this line could be easily misconstrued...I should have just said, his acting is exceptional even when the material or fellow actors performances leave something to be desired..."}, {"response": 266, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov  8, 2002 (14:21)", "body": "(MariaT) ODB IMO has always raised the bar for every production he has been in. There are bits and pieces of the exceptional in all of his performances and I can only hope that there is more than just steak and potatoes on his plate in the future... What a great way to put this! He has raised the bar...if you think of even his worst movies, he is never the weakest link and is usually the one performer who shines. I hope ODB can get more than steak and potatoes! He is an exceptional performer and it would be a waste of his talent otherwise. I can easily see him getting an Oscar (or the elusive BAFTA) if only he were in the right role. I watch the Oscars year after year and I often see, what I think are mediocre actors, getting the golden guy because they had a great part...ODB is a great performer who just hasn't found that one role yet...I keep hoping (and get excited whenever I see a drama on his list of 'to-do's' since it's all about the drama)!"}, {"response": 267, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Nov  8, 2002 (14:39)", "body": "(Murph)Do you think Colin has grown as an actor over the years? I was thinking today that, IMO, his best role was Tumbledown many years ago. Outside of AZ, SIL and Conspiracy, has he been as challenged since? IMO, he was, on the whole, doing much more challenging work 15 years ago. Who would have thought that the young man who burst on the scene in Another Country or who mesmerized in Tumbledown or AMITC or AZ . . . would be doing Londinium, SLOW, Relative Values, TTOTS, and WAGW?! It's sad, to me. This is a distinguished actor. I do not like the preponderance of comedies. He does fine in them, but his forte is drama. He was truly outstanding in Conspiracy. I also very much liked him in 3DOR--playing two very different characters in a talky, complex play, in an accent not his own. Challenging. We do have GWAPE to look forward to on the drama front, but frankly it may be another repressed, emotionally constipated role, and I'm tiring of them because he's done so many. Again, the sameness. No growth, which is what your question was about."}, {"response": 268, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov  8, 2002 (15:14)", "body": "(Mari) IMO, he was, on the whole, doing much more challenging work 15 years ago. I often wonder if his personal life has something to do with his choices. I mean, 15 years ago, he was a single guy. Now he has two kids to support and I think that maybe he often does things to pay the bills (how else to explain PM or L'dum). Also, he seems very happy in his current family life and I wonder if his work just isn't the priority it used to be (he would rather be with wife and kid(s) than take that job which would require him to be away for too long...or do a screen test...it just isn't as important to him now??). I may be totally off base with this, because when he does get a role, he puts all he's got into it (no slacker), but he just doesn't seem too aggressive about seeking out projects..."}, {"response": 269, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Nov  8, 2002 (15:29)", "body": "Sorry - My question was in the wrong place. Here it is as FanPam indicates above: A question to throw out there (and I hope it belongs here) -- Do you think Colin has grown as an actor over the years? I was thinking today that, IMO, his best role was Tumbledown many years ago. Outside of AZ, SIL and Conspiracy, has he been as challenged since?"}, {"response": 270, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Nov  8, 2002 (16:00)", "body": "I don't know where I'm supposed to talk about my Darcy Sim, but you should see him! I made one today, and he's perfect! I'm gonna try to find some way to post a closeup of his face so that you can look at him! LOL!"}, {"response": 271, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Nov  8, 2002 (16:36)", "body": "Ok... here's his lil face And his lil body.... I'm gonna have to work on making him some new clothes."}, {"response": 272, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Nov  8, 2002 (17:59)", "body": "Jeanie, something important is missing! Haven't you been paying attention to the left-right discussions?"}, {"response": 273, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Nov  8, 2002 (19:09)", "body": "(KathyF)Jeanie, something important is missing! Haven't you been paying attention to the left-right discussions? Yeah, Jeanie, I know flat front slacks are in, but Darcy looks like he needs some left/right enhancement."}, {"response": 274, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Nov  8, 2002 (20:59)", "body": "And with those hands on the hips, he looks more like he'd be Peter than Darcy. ;-)"}, {"response": 275, "author": "meg", "date": "Fri, Nov  8, 2002 (23:10)", "body": "Jeanie, I really like your Darcy Sim. Can he be plugged into The Sims, or is he purely decorative? I think maybe a little shading to give the pants some ... dimension?"}, {"response": 276, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (00:46)", "body": "(Kathy) I always thought the sign of a great actor was his ability to make the audience see him as whatever part he was playing, and not as an actor playing a part. I agree 100%. IMO the actor has done the job if I laugh, cry, love or hate the person they are portraying. Evoking any emotional reaction means I believe they are who they are portraying and that is to me what an actor's job is. After seeing a movie instead of thinking of the character all I can think of is the actor who played it, then they didn't convince me, therefore not doing the job. IMO. The exception being of course the actor who has done such a good job that they become the character to me, Colin is Darcy, Richard Herncastle, Donovan Quick, etc. (MariaT) Sorry to repost on my own post but I realized this line could be easily misconstrued...I should have just said, his acting is exceptional even when the material or fellow actors performances leave something to be desired. I agree 100% and understand your analogy of people looking at only the surface and not be willing to see all the wonderful things lieing underneath. His acting unfolds on so many levels. I didn't mean in any way to imply it was easy, just so my statement isn't misconstrued. His abilities allow his performances to LOOK EASY. Being the highest of compliments. Great Darcy Sim Jeanie. You should be proud. He does however need to be anatomicly correct. (Tress) I often wonder if his personal life has something to do with his choices. I agree 100%. IMO that's the crux of the matter, but since we are not privy to his logic in picking the films he does I guess we will never know. IMO We can only hope that that \"perfect roll\" comes to him, and that he takes it. Many articles have been posted showing what is a marketable movie now, being aimed at the 18 to 30 crowd as the most financially successful. So that is what the production companies are going to make. At least that's what I've discerned from the articles. So IMO if an actor wants to work they have to accept the roles in whatever type of film is popular. It may not be something that will showcase their forte but when there are not alot of choices being offered IMO the actor is forced to take what is offered. One thing we do know for sure is that whatever movie he is in he will shine above the other actors and the plot."}, {"response": 277, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (00:52)", "body": "Oh, my lil darcy is fully functional! (giggling inanely) I had him studying cooking books today while he sat in the library so that he won't burn Pemberley to the ground the first time he attempts to cook some dinner. The outfit he has on wasn't made by me. I plan for my darcy suits to have more detail. Once I start on some personalized clothing for my little brooder, I'll have to consider the left/right situation. ;) Meg, you just put his files into the \"skins\" folder in the sims directory, and then you can choose him once you're making your family. I'll send him to you once I get him a little more perfected if you wish for me to. Rika is just as wonderful as she appears to be online, if not more so! =) We had a great time, and I really enjoyed LE. I'm hoping our paths will cross again one of these days."}, {"response": 278, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (02:13)", "body": "(Murph)Do you think Colin has grown as an actor over the years? I was thinking today that, IMO, his best role was Tumbledown many years ago. Outside of AZ, SIL and Conspiracy, has he been as challenged since? Do you think part of the reason for this is also that he has decided to concentrate on feature films? I am sure he could get plum roles in television in the UK but he has obviously decided that at this stage of his career he should be trying to make a go of film rather than television. I am sure he could take his pick of TV roles but the movie industry is an American medium largely and he is less well known there so he has less room to pick and choose."}, {"response": 279, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (05:11)", "body": "(Allison)I am sure he could get plum roles in television in the UK I agree, everytime I see a new drama on A&E, etc. I think-this would be perfect for CF. Lots more viewing time as well. I often wish he would do more TV as well as the films. But, that of course is IMO."}, {"response": 280, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (05:15)", "body": "I often wish he would do more TV But that might be seen as a downward move in the industry."}, {"response": 281, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (06:37)", "body": "I often wish he would do more TV But that might be seen as a downward move in the industry. And where would that leave us, who don't live in England or the USA and never get to see his TV-work? Exept P&P and Nostromo I have never had the opportunity to see anything he did for TV."}, {"response": 282, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (06:47)", "body": "(Nita)And where would that leave us, I didn't mean to suggest that he should do TV at the expense of his film career. Nor should he do TV exclusively, but an A&E drama every now and then would certainly help to fill in the gaps, and most of those are shown around the world."}, {"response": 283, "author": "meg", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (07:12)", "body": "Jeanie -- Thanks! Can't wait! RE: I'd like to see him do more of the talk show circut of course. Do you think it's too soon to start nagging Letterman to ask him to be on the show? Or even Leno. I wish we could view British DVD's and tapes on American machines. There are so many things I haven't seen. Does anyone out there have the book on tape he did? I could listen to that voice for hours... Don't much care what he's even saying."}, {"response": 284, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (08:59)", "body": "(Tress) I often wonder if his personal life has something to do with his choices. I mean, 15 years ago, he was a single guy. Now he has two kids to support and I think that maybe he often does things to pay the bills (how else to explain PM or L'dum). I completely agree that his family life has changed his priorities, and I certainly cannot fault him for that... good news for his family, bad news for us that love to see him accomplish meatier roles. Oh, and on that subject, I realized last night while watching LE with DVDiva that sweet baby-faced Richard could and did KISS! (laughing) I'd love to see him turn it on in a kissing scene now like he did back then. He was completely adorable... all legs, knees, elbows and raging hormones..LOL!"}, {"response": 285, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (09:31)", "body": "(jeanie) that sweet baby-faced Richard could and did KISS! (laughing) I'd love to see him turn it on in a kissing scene now like he did back then. He was completely adorable... all legs, knees, elbows and raging hormones..LOL! LOL. You mean he not only did better, work 15 yrs ago...but he even kissed better 15 yrs ago;-)"}, {"response": 286, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (10:29)", "body": "(Evelyn), You mean he not only did better, work 15 yrs ago...but he even kissed better 15 yrs ago;-) Well... he did seem to kiss better back then. ;-) And the roles were more interesting too. (Tress), I think that maybe he often does things to pay the bills (how else to explain PM or L'dum). I don't think he got paid much for either role. I know MB works on a very low budget and asks friends to do it. The sad truth is that he might have done L because he liked the script! I have seen the Italian films that he's liked and they are big ZZZZZZZ. I would have liked to have seen him as Ted Hughes. I thought he gave up on it without a fight. A co-starring role with Gwynneth would have been a great move. Let's hope TEOR and Fade to Black become a reality."}, {"response": 287, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (10:36)", "body": "(Tress), I think that maybe he often does things to pay the bills (how else to explain PM or L'dum). (Moon)I don't think he got paid much for either role. True he probably didn't get paid *that* much for PM in comparison to some others, but didn't he say he took it because he had a family to support, wasn't getting work living with Meg in the sticks, and it paid well for a short shoot? L'dum is a puzzlement. MB must be some friend. Maybe it looked better on paper. With different casting...who knows how it could've turned out, too."}, {"response": 288, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (10:42)", "body": "(Meg) I wish we could view British DVD's and tapes on American machines Some auction sites sell DVD hacks (supposedly legal) that allow you, via the remote, to change the software to allow your player to accept other region DVDs.(Doesn't work with my brand, unfortunately). You can email them to check before you buy. Worth a try!!"}, {"response": 289, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (11:14)", "body": "(Nita)And where would that leave us, who don't live in England or the USA and never get to see his TV-work? You find a Firthfan who lives in UK/Europe and you borrow them. Watch your email."}, {"response": 290, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (12:14)", "body": "(FanPam) Many articles have been posted showing what is a marketable movie now, being aimed at the 18 to 30 crowd as the most financially successful. So that is what the production companies are going to make. It is unfortunate. I honestly would rather see ODB in a small, independent film of good quality, than in a blockbuster with a formula plot and a Hollywood ending...just my opinion. Won't get him that Oscar (although there seems to be a growing trend right now and more and more people are seeking out \"alternate\" movies...he may get the recognition even in a small film). (Jeanie) Meg, you just put his files into the \"skins\" folder in the sims directory, and then you can choose him once you're making your family. I'll send him to you once I get him a little more perfected if you wish for me to. Oh, me too! Me too! (Pretty please)!!! ;-) (lindak) I often wish he would do more TV. (Allison M) But that might be seen as a downward move in the industry. I don't know. BBC and A&E do some pretty good stuff. I don't know if it is seen as a downward move anymore. In the US we have Keifer Sutherland doing 24, James Gandolfini doing The Sopranos, The West Wing is loaded with stars. Sex and the City (these are all serials I realize, but it has really done something for the stars of those shows). (Jeanie) I completely agree that his family life has changed his priorities, and I certainly cannot fault him for that... I cannot fault him either. If he has to make a choice, I would rather he take care of family and be happy (whimper...even if it means we have to see less of him). (Moon) I would have liked to have seen him as Ted Hughes. I was very disappointed to hear that he did not go for this...it could have been *the role*. Oh well.... (Evelyn) LOL. You mean he not only did better, work 15 yrs ago...but he even kissed better 15 yrs ago;-) LOL....I think maybe the women in his life (first MT then LD) may have something to do with his new kissing technique. He has to keep it chaste, otherwise, there may be h*ll to pay when he gets home!! :-D (Meg) Does anyone out there have the book on tape he did? I could listen to that voice for hours... Don't much care what he's even saying. I was just talking about this one the other day!! Moonstar was saying to check ebay because she has seen copies (I have done this sporadically, and am going to be more aggressive in my search now...I always see the book, but never the audio). BTW Meg, it is \"Comeback\" by Dick Francis (you may already have known that). I also want to hear the BBC Radio program \"The One Before the Last\". I have heard it is v. v. good."}, {"response": 291, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (12:51)", "body": "Hi everyone, coming out of lurkdom after a much too long absence!! I have been so busy with work and other CRAP, it is almost to impossible to keep up with CF news, let alone chime in.... I wanted to let you know that I HAVE the book, COMEBACK on audiotape. I would be happy to attempt to make some copies..I bought it about a year ago on EBAY... very pricey... but I could listen to his voice read the phone book.. so worth it!! email me at this address... sandi"}, {"response": 292, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (12:59)", "body": "He also narrated the docu \"Bintley's Mozart\" and a small fragment of \"Moby Dick\" on an Italian CD. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ"}, {"response": 293, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (13:13)", "body": "(Evelyn) ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ That bad??? Both of them...??? I'd love to hear him do all of 'Moby Dick'...\"Call me Ishmael\" Mmmmmmm.....guessing he didn't do that part though since you said it was a small fragment. On an Italian CD...did he do it in Italian ??? It may be worth a listen then! \"Bintley's Mozart\"? Never heard of that one either...is it actually about Mozart? From your reaction, I would guess it is not as gripping as 'Amadeus'. Still, possibly better than the phone book... ;-)"}, {"response": 294, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (16:12)", "body": "Still, possibly better than the phone book... ;-) LOL. Mobetta than Londinium. I haven't seen Bintlely'Mozart in 5 yrs. Unbearably boring. He speaks in a monotone. It's a docu of a ballet company.I'll check it out again and tell you about it in detail. The CD is called \"Dreamtime\" by Carlo Franci. Some of the pieces are electronic music . He narrates the one in English \"Music for an Albatross\" \"In the straightforward writing of The Albatross one recognizes a search for absolute internalization. The string orchestra converses with the electronic sounds, and interacts with them blending with them to the point at which the orchestra is swept into a chasm of sonority.....blah, blah..\" The last three pieces on the CD are: Dreamtime: The narrator recites the morning prayer of the Buddhist Soka-Gakkai sect of Japan. Mandala: For the Tibetan Buddhist the wheel of the Mandala is the residence of the gods. Rain Dreaming: The voices in this piece are from the Ngapa Aboriginies of North-west Australia and the Mbuti Pygmy children from the Congo region of Africa. A garanteed cure for insomnia... LOL. Emma found them online at a fire sale!!"}, {"response": 295, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (16:29)", "body": "(Evelyn) LOL. You mean he not only did better, work 15 yrs ago...but he even kissed better 15 yrs ago;-) Welllll, I guess I should rephrase and say that his onscreen kisses of the past tend to appear more passionate to me. I can't speak of how he really kisses now, but, like many of us, such talents can only tend to improve with age and experience! ;) Tress, I'll be glad to send my lil brooder to you once I can find some better clothes for him, and I need to work a bit on his ears and hands. They're not as clear as they should be in my opinion. Oh, and Dorine, because of your insult upon his manliness, lil darcy says he will not subject himself to be an object of ridicule again and has locked himself in the library and refuses to come out. =P I wish there was some way I could teach him to say \"Wot!\". Rika and I attempted to count the \"Wot\"s Richard said last night. Oh wow... just finished watching SLOW for the first time. I have to vote Matthew in for \"the best hair\" role. He was simply beautiful."}, {"response": 296, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (19:26)", "body": "(Evelyn re: Bintley's Mozart) LOL. Mobetta than Londinium. LOL...but isn't everything better the L'dum?? And please, don't watch it again on my account (if it is such a snoozer)! I wonder if it was done during his time with Meg? She was a ballerina...could explain the monotone...it was her interest, not his....'honey, you HAVE to do that ballet gig! It would be so wonderful!!' ;-) A garanteed cure for insomnia... LOL! Maybe that's why they called it Dreamtime? I found it on Yahoo Shopping (none available at this time, in case anyone was wondering), but I think ODB's 'piece' is about 3rd on the CD and if it is as exciting as Evelyn describes it, there may be time to hear him before you slip into that deep, deep sleep (I could actuallly think of worse things than hearing ODB's voice prior to snoozing)... ;-) (Jeanie) Tress, I'll be glad to send my lil brooder to you once I can find some better clothes for him.... Oh, goodie! He's coming all dressed up and ready to go! (Jeanie)...just finished watching SLOW for the first time. I have to vote Matthew in for \"the best hair\" role. He was simply beautiful. He does look particularly well in SLOW (which is why I don't have such a hard time with that movie)...pure eye-candy! (Dorine) L'dum is a puzzlement. MB must be some friend. Maybe it looked better on paper. I'm thinking CF must be some friend. MB had nothing to lose in this case...ODB has been in a couple of Oscar nominated films. It's a puzzle to me...the same man who chose to do SIL and TEP, chose to select L'dum as a project! I can't imagine it looking better on paper (okay, I can, because he can't hear MB's whiny, annoying voice)! ;-)"}, {"response": 297, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (19:38)", "body": "Just wanted to say that I just won an auction for a Femme Fatal DVD on eBay. The seller (from Hong Kong) guarantees it is region free. I guess FF is a new release to DVD? I'll let you know what it looks like when I get it."}, {"response": 298, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (19:47)", "body": "(Barb S) The seller (from Hong Kong) guarantees it is region free. I guess FF is a new release to DVD? I have a friend who is into old kung-fu movies and gets a lot of DVDs from Hong Kong. They are usually burned from the VHS tape onto a DVD. Most look professionally done and are quite good. Please let us know what it looks like! Imagine, PM could be next and then the frame-by-frame stuff could get really out of hand! ;-)"}, {"response": 299, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (20:24)", "body": "Jeanie, so glad you liked LE and he was indeed raging hormones and an excellent kisser. So passionate, so willing and so uninhibited. Have to say IMO on-screen kisses were better 15 years ago. Wouldn't even hazard a guess about quality of private kissing, as I believe they are out of my realm of experience and why punish myself any further. (Tress) I don't know. BBC and A&E do some pretty good stuff. I don't know if it is seen as a downward move anymore. In the US we have Keifer Sutherland doing 24, James Gandolfini doing The Sopranos, The West Wing is loaded with stars. Sex and the City (these are all serials I realize, but it has really done something for the stars of those shows). I agree good TV would be a wise career move. A&E BBC HBO. HBO gave us Conspiracy and him an Emmy nod. Potential is there. The majority of the cited stars also have film careers so it can be successfully intertwined. IMO if there was an actor I watched faithfully on TV appearing in a movie I would definitely see the movie and vise versa if the actor usually in films appeared on tv. So I think it would be good exposure. And even series today aren't as time consuming for actors as they used to be. They actually used to do 26 episodes. Now we're lucky if they do eight or 10 in a year affording them plenty of time for other projects IMO. Plus the salaries seem to be quite good."}, {"response": 300, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (21:50)", "body": "(Pam) Keifer Sutherland doing 24, James Gandolfini doing The Sopranos, The West Wing is loaded with stars. Sex and the City Um....actually...what of note, that has been a success critically or commercially, has any of the people in these shows done in movies. Yes, it's excellent exposure, but most of their film choices have been dubious, at best, as well. Martin Sheen is the only one I can think of out of this group that has done anything of note. And please don't construe that I'm insinuating the others are not talented in some way, I'm just saying that success in TV, does not translate to success in movies (and vice versa). Look at David Caruso, for example. He's not back on TV because he's done so well with movies. He's been in quite a few, but would not say that medium was good for/to him. TV *is* generally good money...or at least a steady paycheck."}, {"response": 301, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (21:51)", "body": "BTW, I'm sure I've left out someone besides Martin Sheen. He was just the strongest one to come to mind at the moment."}, {"response": 302, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (21:55)", "body": "(Evelyn, on LE) Did not get good reviews. That must not have been universal because I've read some very good ones. But I can imagine that this wouldn't have appealed to everyone. (Jeanie) Oh wow... just finished watching SLOW for the first time. I have to vote Matthew in for \"the best hair\" role. He was simply beautiful. Told ya!!! I want to add to what Jeanie said about our Firth-a-thon on Friday evening. I had to be in Nashville this weekend for a convention, and I had Friday evening free and knew Jeanie lived in the area, so we arranged to meet. We had pizza and watched episodes 1-4 of \"Lost Empires.\" Jeanie is just as much fun in person as in her posts, but now I'll be hearing all her posts in my head in the cutest Southern accent. :-) We made some discoveries: (1) You know that infamous stage direction in P&P for the \"On foot?\" scene? We found a place in LE where that same stage direction might have come into play. It's in Episode 1, when Noni (the flirtatious French acrobat) is coming on to Richard in the theater while he's waiting for his turn at band call. The look on his face..... well..... time for visual aids (the photo on the right is from immediately after she walks away): (2) There's a scene near the end of episode 2 where that Russian woman takes Richard aside and tries to warn him about Julie (\"you will be broken in pieces\"). We watched it a few times trying to decide if it's Richard or Colin who's struggling to suppress a smile. Either way, it's a real treat watching him trying SO hard to suppress the dimples. I don't blame him for having to fight back the giggles, because that woman is hilarious. (I tried to do a screen capture, but you've gotta see the dimples in motion to appreciate it.) (3) The kissing, which Jeanie has already mentioned. Verrrry nice. No lessons needed back then. (4) A certified count of seven \"Wot?\"'s in episodes 1-4. (5) Jeanie spotted the most delicious smirk. It's late in Episode 4. Richard and Uncle Nick are walking into the agent's office without giving the officious secretary a chance to announce them, and Richard is enjoying her distress tremendously because she was so rude to him when he tried to ask her about Nancy's whereabouts. It's funniest when you see him wearing the smirk as he walks through the door, so here's an \"action sequence\" (these are somewhat out of focus because he was moving fast):"}, {"response": 303, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (22:02)", "body": "(Rika) trying to decide if it's Richard or Colin who's struggling to suppress a smile. Either way, it's a real treat watching him trying SO hard to suppress the dimples Just got my LE this week but having a difficulty finding the time to sit long enough to really concentrate on it. Can't wait to come upon this scene and all the other little tidbits you pointed out. Thanks Rika and Jeanie. Glad you two had so much fun."}, {"response": 304, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sat, Nov  9, 2002 (22:16)", "body": "(Dorine) I'm just saying that success in TV, does not translate to success in movies (and vice versa). Look at David Caruso, for example. He's not back on TV because he's done so well with movies. He's been in quite a few, but would not say that medium was good for/to him. But DC is a red-headed goober, with the sex appeal of a dishrag, IMO. He must have gotten professional advice from the same person guiding Shelley Long (\"Cheers\") and Suzanne Sommers (wasn't that the name of the blonde from \"Three's Company\"?). When an actor suddenly becomes a hot property on TV, (s)he sometimes feels a successful film career is the next logical step. Unfortunately, sometimes that level of success on ONE television show is, instead, the high point of that actor's career. (Pam) I agree good TV would be a wise career move. A&E BBC HBO... I think it would be good exposure. And even series today aren't as time consuming for actors as they used to be. I can't imagine CF doing a TV series at this point, much as I would love it for my own selfish reasons. However, I feel that taking part in a quality TV production for A&E, BBC, HBO, PBS or similar would be a good thing for ODB. If the part is a good one, then the exposure couldn't hurt, IMO. After all, he may bemoan Darcymania, but P&P certainly didn't hurt him, either financially or professionally. He hasn't been typecast as a perennial Regency hero, and P&P definitely led to other roles. I really think he just needs a new agent, or some better professional guidance."}, {"response": 305, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Nov 10, 2002 (08:00)", "body": "(Dorine),Look at David Caruso, for example. He's not back on TV because he's done so well with movies. He's been in quite a few, but would not say that medium was good for/to him. DC lives in Miami and stars on CBS's top rated show CSI Miami."}, {"response": 306, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Nov 10, 2002 (08:15)", "body": "(Kathy) Suzanne Sommers (wasn't that the name of the blonde from \"Three's Company\"?). Ah yes, but turns out she didn't need TV shows anyway..she discovered infomercials! ;) She's more successful now because of her books and Thighmaster. And agreed about DC, he is flat, but he *is* better received on TV. I'd love to see ODB on more quality TV movies on HBO, etc. But it's not often that there is true success on both TV *and* Movies. As you say... sometimes that level of success on ONE television show is, instead, the high point of that actor's career..... P&P definitely led to other roles That hasn't been his *only* success certainly, but so far, it has been, popularity-wise, his pinnacle, the role he has been trying to live down.... he may bemoan Darcymania. Plus it depends on his definition of success in the business. If it's to be working on a fairly regular basis, then he is *very* successful. If it's to get critical plaudits, he has been very successful with that, too. If it's to be an A-list actor who gets a gazillion dollars for each role, then not. If it's to work consistently in projects that interest and challenge him professionally, I would also say that's been sporadic. As we've read, he bemoans that point, as well. It would be nice though if ODB could do *very, very* well financially though, so he could pick and choose and wait it out for the really great roles (drama if that's what he wants). The other night, went to a BAFTA screening of The Quiet American with a Q&A with Michael Caine after. Someone made a comment about how much they liked his movie Last Orders, but it was a shame that no one saw it. He commented that now he's financially in a position to take parts that he loves in small movies on a regular basis if he chooses, such as the next one he's doing in Texas with Robert Duvall and Haley Joel Osment. He and RD play the eccentric Texas uncles of HJO. Forgot the name. Looked it up, too. To top it off, Miramax will be pushing MC for Oscar consideration for The Quiet American. And this for a movie that sat on the shelf for a year."}, {"response": 307, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Nov 10, 2002 (08:18)", "body": "(Dorine),Look at David Caruso, for example. He's not back on TV because he's done so well with movies. He's been in quite a few, but would not say that medium was good for/to him. (Moon) DC lives in Miami and stars on CBS's top rated show CSI Miami. I'm not sure of your point to this comment except that you may have taken it as I was implying that he isn't successful on TV. I was saying he was not successful in the movies and subsequently landed back on TV. Sorry if I didn't say it clearly. :-)"}, {"response": 308, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 10, 2002 (09:26)", "body": "(Tress)they called it Dreamtime? I found it on Yahoo Shopping (none available at this time, in case anyone was wondering),... LOL. We probably bought them out.Drool made a run for it... (Evelyn, on LE) Did not get good reviews. (Rika)That must not have been universal because I've read some very good ones. But I can imagine that this wouldn't have appealed to everyone. Apparently it came on the heels of Brideshead Revisited and people expectations were higher than LE. Like you said: limited appeal. Like Nostromo which was released a yr after P&P. People expectations were not for that type of project. They expected another P&P. LOL No way is Joseph Conrad gonna be like Jane Austen!"}, {"response": 309, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Sun, Nov 10, 2002 (10:21)", "body": "(Evelyn) No way is Joseph Conrad gonna be like Jane Austen! You are correct, m'dear! I just bought Nostromo, in the middle of watching it for the first time now, one episode left to go - I have never had such a hard time watching one of his movies! I have to hold back from fast forwarding. It's just not for me. Although I am curious to see the outcome as I am not familiar with the story. But it's just not very good, IMO! Yes he's good at the restrained englishman yet again, but still..."}, {"response": 310, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, Nov 10, 2002 (10:27)", "body": "Sorry, Karen, I know this is probably the wrong place to post this. A very clever girl called Berry has created a montage of scenes from P&P and BJD to 'Out of Reach' by Gabrielle. (This was on the same site that had the very interesting snappie from PM). I think you'll like it!!!!!! http://www.green-sector.de/media/pride_bridget.zip"}, {"response": 311, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Nov 10, 2002 (12:03)", "body": "(Emma)/(Evelyn) No way is Joseph Conrad gonna be like Jane Austen! You are correct, m'dear! I just bought Nostromo, in the middle of watching it for the first time now, one episode left to go - I have never had such a hard time watching one of his movies! I have to hold back from fast forwarding. It's just not for me. Although I am curious to see the outcome as I am not familiar with the story. But it's just not very good, IMO! Yes he's good at the restrained englishman yet again, but still... I agree. And I have tried to watch it. Maybe its the storyline, but it's not my cup of tea either, Emma. Do like Colin in it and love his look, but just can't get into the story. Will keep on trying though. So glad you had such a good time Rika and Jeanie. Now LE is certainly my cup of tea, although can agree that it may not appeal to everyone. What great observations as I have watched atleast 20 times. One of my favorites and thanks for the great pics. There is so much to be observed in that movie. When Noni is coming on to him its the same time his voiceover is saying that he finds Nancy, Noni and Julie sexually attractive. Good stuff. Agree the dimples are in overaction in talk with Russian lady. I think Richard is a bit surprised that she is having this conversation with him at all, and possibly smiles are of embarrassment and amazement. As he honestly doesn't feel that everyone notices his tongue touching the ground or his eyes glazing over whenever he's around Julie Blaine. Great Stuff. And the \"smirk\" so appropriate. He's enjoying Nick's clout and letting her know it. \"Don't *f* with me bitch.\" Love it. Wish I could watch this with you. Just love the whole thing, even the people I hate in it. Love the Italian and their friendship. On the train when he goes into the dining car and sits with him, then they both eye the woman who just left him as she walks down the aisle. How cute is that. One of my favorite scenes could and do watch that over and over. Then Richard says, \"How do you do it?\" So funny. Love it. Also love the whole first time with Julie sequence. Totally believable and so well done. The look in his eyes when he first sees her. Oh God, then the way they are sleeping together and their arms and hands are entwined. Oh God, Oh God. Wish I was Carmen. Just once. Now that I am totally drooling will go to sink and do dishes. Might not be so obvious then. Then will have to watch it again. Can't help myself. (Dorine) I'm just saying that success in TV, does not translate to success in movies (and vice versa). Look at David Caruso, for example. He's not back on TV because he's done so well with movies. He's been in quite a few, but would not say that medium was good for/to him. About TV. Certainly did not mean to imply he should do crap. He wouldn't to begin with IMO. But the opportunity is there for good exposure and it would give us more of a chance to see him. TV is not all bad actors, I enjoy alot of them. The fact that he has a solid movie career will not put him in the same boat as some of them. KS I think is a very good actor as evidenced by 24. And JG was critiqued on a local radio show, of course keep in mind this is the NY area, as one of the best actors the interviewer knew. So it's all a matter of opinion which is the basis of entertainment choices anyway. IMO It's a very personal thing, IMO what and who appeals to each of us as well as what we each find entertaining. And isn't that wonderful. Thanks for the most enjoyable link, Janet. Good stuff."}, {"response": 312, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 10, 2002 (12:06)", "body": "(Emma B)I just bought Nostromo, in the middle of watching it for the first time now, one episode left to go - I have never had such a hard time watching one of his movies! Most of it was not Colin's fault. If you think the film is bad, try reading the book! Joseph Conrad is unfilmable; more sublplots than you can count.To compound the issue the director went for an international cast ( for funding, no doubt!).The myriad of accents don't help. Look at the last episode... put it away for a few months . Then give it another shot.There are outstanding moments...the mine scene for instance! And then there's Colin riding around on those little ponies. Read the film discussion we did about 4 yrs ago. The boss did some extensive research."}, {"response": 313, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Nov 10, 2002 (12:44)", "body": "Have to go back for an instant to TV and David Caruso -- You have to like red heads, but if you do, and got to see him as John Kelly on NYPD Blue, you would know he can be sexy and full of gritty charm. And he was good as Russell Crowe's sidekick in \"Proof of Life.\" These CSI Series' are not a good test for real acting, IMO. Still, I am glad he has a hit. James Gandolfini got great reviews for the Coen Brothers \"The Man Who Wasn't There,\" and he was the best thing in that awful Pitt/Roberts film, \"The Mexican,\" playing, of all things, a gay hit man. I think he will have a successful film career after Tony Soprano's last goodbye next year. ..now back to our regularly scheduled actor....."}, {"response": 314, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Nov 10, 2002 (13:06)", "body": "(FanPam) I agree. And I have tried to watch it. Maybe its the storyline, but it's not my cup of tea either, Emma. Do like Colin in it and love his look, but just can't get into the story. Will keep on trying though. (Evelyn) Then give it another shot.There are outstanding moments...the mine scene for instance! And then there's Colin riding around on those little ponies. I have just tried to watch Nostromo (twice) for the first time, this past week...I can't get past the 1st tape. I love ODB to death, but I'm just not getting into it. I read an interview w/ CF and he said he read the book out of pure pig-headedness (or something like that). That he found the book tough...I find the movie tough. Will make it through though!! And about the horses! LOL...could they have been any smaller? And did they give them speed?? Watch their little legs just go! It's very funny! ODB needed a stallion (not a pony)! (FanPam) About TV. Certainly did not mean to imply he should do crap. He wouldn't to begin with IMO. But the opportunity is there for good exposure and it would give us more of a chance to see him. TV is not all bad actors, I enjoy alot of them. The fact that he has a solid movie career will not put him in the same boat as some of them. When I first mentioned James Gandolfini and Keifer Sutherland, I realized I was mentioning actors in series. I don't think ODB should do a series! And like Pam, I don't want him to do crap either! I was thinking more in the line of a P&P2 series (Like 'Band of Brothers' type stuff). If you think about it, his best work (IMO) has been television stuff! Conspiracy, Tumbledown, Donovan Quick, P&P2, LE (BTW, thank you Rika for all the captures! The expression on his face in each one is so funny!)...I want more of that if he is gonna do WAGW and L'dum on the big screen (though I haven't seen WAGW, I just don't think it will be in the same league as Tumbledown). Would have loved to have seen him in \"The Forsyte Saga\"..."}, {"response": 315, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 10, 2002 (14:37)", "body": "Would have loved to have seen him in \"The Forsyte Saga\"... As Soames? Ouch:-(( Perhaps Boissney, but that's not the lead."}, {"response": 316, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Nov 10, 2002 (14:43)", "body": "(Evelyn)Look at the last episode... put it away for a few months . Then give it another shot. Exactly, I enjoyed it the second/third time around. The convoluted plot started to make sense. Also, after awhile, I forgot about the plot and concentrated on the only worthwhile reason I was watching this in the first place. Life was better after that.:-) (FanPam)If you think about it, his best work (IMO) has been television stuff! Conspiracy, Tumbledown, Donovan Quick, P&P2, LE I agree, and a few well done, and well placed TV dramas IMO, wouldn't hurt the film career, but might enhance the recognition of his work. Would have loved to have seen him in \"The Forsyte Saga\"... It may have held my interest more."}, {"response": 317, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sun, Nov 10, 2002 (15:00)", "body": "(Tress) Would have loved to have seen him in \"The Forsyte Saga\". I would have loved to see him in the remake of Rebecca that PBS did in 1997. What a beautiful Maxim de Winter he would have made! Would have been a much better choice than Charles Dance, IMO. Except they couldn't have had Emilia Fox as Mrs. dW, as it would have seemed incestuous since she played Georgiana in P&P2."}, {"response": 318, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Nov 10, 2002 (16:56)", "body": "(Evelyn) As Soames? Ouch:-(( Perhaps Boissney, but that's not the lead. LOL...I was actually thinking Young Jolyon (don't get me wrong, I really like Rupert Graves in that role)! Boissney would have been good as well... (lindak re: Forsyte Saga) It may have held my interest more. If ODB had been in TFS, I wouldn't be able to tear myself away! I may have even tried to find some reason why Irene was so lovable to so many...instead of just saying 'they're all crazy...must be in the genes!\" (KathyF) I would have loved to see him in the remake of Rebecca that PBS did in 1997. What a beautiful Maxim de Winter he would have made! Yes! Though, you're right, it would have been a bit 'awkward' with 'Georgiana' playing Mrs. dW! It would give me a bit of an icky feeling!! ;-)"}, {"response": 319, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Nov 10, 2002 (20:27)", "body": "(Tress) LOL...I was actually thinking Young Jolyon (don't get me wrong, I really like Rupert Graves in that role)! Agreed on both counts. And like Linda said, it would have held my interest more. I kept watching but I've been gradually losing interest. Max de Winter..... ohhhhhh...... YES indeed, that would have been a good role for him. I'm sorry to hear the comments about Nostromo. I have it but haven't watched it yet. Guess I'd better plan on it for some time when I have absolutely nothing to distract me (like that's gonna happen). (Pam) On the train when he goes into the dining car and sits with him, then they both eye the woman who just left him as she walks down the aisle. How cute is that. Yes, I love the timing of that! Jeanie and I had a good laugh at that."}, {"response": 320, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, Nov 10, 2002 (22:07)", "body": "There are movies I have watched because someone said they were great and I hated them and wondered what I was missing (The Piano for instance--and please don't try to convert me.) There are movies I have loved and will play over and over (any number come to mind...P&P---and don't tell me that was TV, Much Ado, Casablanca, etc.) Then there are those I can't say I \"enjoyed\" but which I count at least...worthwhile? Regarding Nostromo, I don't know what it was about it, but I ....hmmm... I can't say I enjoyed it, but I found it compelling (train wreck?) and I watched it all (it was one of the first I watched, post-obsession) and I think I enjoyed it some because I just purchased it and am anxious to watch it again. This is one of those I put down to ODB's conflicted character enjoyment and really try to focus on the character. I guess to say, to those having trouble watching it, I focused on Charles and Emilia and their relationship. Her needs and expectations, her love and support of him, and his progress ve possession by the mine and the role that was there for him, I found it very watchable. If you read into that the fact I feel they could have totally ignored Nostromo and his story, well, you've got it right. This reminds me, I've not done an archive search for existing notes, now that I have it, maybe I should read them before I re-watch it."}, {"response": 321, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Nov 10, 2002 (23:39)", "body": "Barb, I'll keep that in mind whenever I get around to watching Nostromo. It sounds like a good way to approach it."}, {"response": 322, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (06:59)", "body": "(BarbS)Regarding Nostromo, I don't know what it was about it, but I ....hmmm... I can't say I enjoyed it, but I found it compelling (train wreck?) and I watched it all (it was one of the first I watched, post-obsession) and I think I enjoyed it some because I just purchased it and am anxious to watch it again. This is one of those I put down to ODB's conflicted character enjoyment and really try to focus on the character. I guess to say, to those having trouble watching it, I focused on Charles and Emilia and their relationship. Her needs and expectations, her love and support of him, and his progress ve possession by the mine and the role that was there for him, I found it very watchable. If you read into that the fact I feel they could have totally ignored Nostromo and his story, well, you've got it right. I'm with you Barb, their relationship (and the mine scene)is a good point of focus...Although it is impossible for me to know if it is something I would have watched if ODB had NOT been in it, because I am so skewed when it comes to him and enjoy watching him so much that there never seems to be enough time with him on film..."}, {"response": 323, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (09:23)", "body": "Glad everybody feels at home here...now if we could only get some of those lurkers out there to come out & join in the fun."}, {"response": 324, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (09:40)", "body": "(Tress) Would have loved to have seen him in \"The Forsyte Saga\"... Me too. What a delicious Soames he would make. (IMO would have to be Soames, meatiest roll and most screen time) Irene would have to do some real acting to justiy leaving him though. Not enough screen time as Bossiney and not good enough roll for him IMO. I think RG is perfect as YJ so would keep him in that part. Soames, IMO, should be played by an actor who can do it all and CF is the one for that. He'd be great as a nasty mean man. He doesn't have to be the hero or be nice all the time, IMO. (Linda) It may have held my interest more. I agree 100%. I would even opt to buy it if he were in it. (Kathy) I would have loved to see him in the remake of Rebecca that PBS did in 1997. What a beautiful Maxim de Winter he would have made! What a perfect roll for him. I agree. If he can hook up with Caroline B who we know Darcy didn't like, he can hook up with Georgiana. I guess not many British actresses out there. And if you would feel \"icky\" seeing him act with Emilia Fox then its just another tribute to the fine acting jobs they did as Darcy and Georgiana. IMO. In watching all the movies I have of his it's very common to see alot of the same faces in different movies. It doesn't distract from the movie for me, but I'll say to myself he/or she was also in...."}, {"response": 325, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (10:06)", "body": "(FanPam) In watching all the movies I have of his it's very common to see alot of the same faces in different movies. It doesn't distract from the movie for me, but I'll say to myself he/or she was also in.... It's a good sign (IMO) to see the same faces in his films. Makes you think he isn't a difficult person to work with...Judi Dench seems to enjoy him (even though he is a trout), Rupert gets along with him (now), Irene Jacob (survived L'dum after MLSF)...there are a lot of actors he has worked with 2 or 3 times! I am keeping fingers crossed for TEoR! Though I enjoy him more in dramas, I just love Bridget (and can't get enough of her character (and Mark Darcy)). Still, Emilia Fox as his wife in Rebecca would have been a bit weird for me (like you say, it was the good acting done by both that would make it tough for me to accept them has lovers and not brother/sister)... I have decided that I need to read the Nostromo discussion prior to starting it for the 3rd time! Does anyone remember what topic it was on??"}, {"response": 326, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (12:04)", "body": "Rika, thanks for the yummy screen captures! The DVDiva strikes again! I didn't realize you live close to Jeanie; when HS opens we'll all have to get together for a screening--I live less than 2 hours drive time north of Nashville. Jst a reminder--TIOBE releases to DVD & video tomorrow!!!!!!"}, {"response": 327, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (13:11)", "body": "Rika (and Jeanie) Thanks for the LE screen captures and thoughts...Must get LE soon!! How great it must be to watch and rewind with a like minded soul!! I have finally talked my gay friend into a little film fest at my house in a couple of weeks (AZ, AC, undecided on RV...) but I can't REALLY let it all out with multiple rewinds and such as I'm sure you two did...Next premiere, play, or opening...I am kissing frequent flyer miles goodbye and hope to meet some of you there!"}, {"response": 328, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (15:13)", "body": "(Tress)Though I enjoy him more in dramas, I just love Bridget (and can't get enough of her character (and Mark Darcy)). Absolutely, I'm sitting here lurking and posting with BJD on in the background. It's on Starz right now, and again this evening. You know how that guilt thing is. And, I just never can get enough of Mark Darcy. (Evelyn)Glad everybody feels at home here I felt that from the first day I posted. Thanks to all of you, this is home."}, {"response": 329, "author": "sandym", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (15:52)", "body": "(Tress) Loved his look in Dutch Girls! Was going to suggest to SandyM that her 14 year-old daughter might enjoy that one as well. Very young, very handsome, sweet movie (does have a red light district scene, but fairly tame stuff compared to other 'teen movies'). Coincidentally, I received my recently purchased copy of DG in the mail last Fri and watched it that night. As you say, fairly tame. Am only a bit leery of the scene towards the end where we finally get to see what is in the suitcase that the strange, lecherous classmate with the bad complexion and ugly spectacles has been toting around. All manner of \"prosthetic devices\" and other things that I don't think I want to try and explain. ;-) (Pam) He just makes it look so easy and that's because he's so exceptional. (Kathy F)I agree totally. Unfortunately, this might keep him from getting the recognition he so richly deserves. IMO, many awards these days are being given to those guilty of overacting. It often seems that an actor who doesn't go \"over the top\" hasn't a chance of winning an Oscar, Emmy, etc. (I don't know if this is true for Tonys, because I haven't seen anything on Broadway in years.) I always thought the sign of a great actor was his ability to make the audience see him as whatever part he was playing, and not as an actor playing a part. To me, this is what CF does so well. He totally becomes his character, with every look and movement incorporated in his portrayal. A bit off the subject, but I wonder if his ability to so completely become a character, including looks and movements discrete to that character, has something to do with his having a less-than-Hollywood-sized ego. Am wondering if this might (somewhat) explain his ability to throw off his own persona and take on the persona of the character. By the same theory, am wondering if another (less-desirable) symptom of an under-developed ego might be his seeming unwillingness to aggressively pursue projects."}, {"response": 330, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (16:07)", "body": "(Moonstar) I didn't realize you live close to Jeanie I don't - I just happened to be in town for the weekend for a convention so we arranged to get together. Incidentally, are y'all okay, with the tornadoes and storms?"}, {"response": 331, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (18:44)", "body": "(Rika) Incidentally, are y'all okay, with the tornadoes and storms? Thank the Lord yes, but I was at the hospital with my dad when they went through. We were sitting in the ER, he was to be admitted and we were waiting on a room. They had to move EVERY patient whose room was on an exterior wall. We waited in the ER for about 4 hours for a room. My dad was"}, {"response": 332, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (18:45)", "body": "(ARG....can't believe I sent that off so quick...) ...not a happy camper. But we came through it here ok. Some south of here not so lucky though."}, {"response": 333, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Nov 11, 2002 (20:55)", "body": "(MariaT) ...Must get LE soon!! Highly recommend it! It has just hours and hours of goodies! ODB is just plain ol' yummy in this one! It may have gotten bad reviews by some, but I don't really know why...thought the story was good, the acting great....and did anyone notice the ferret? Not every movie has a ferret (it was supposed to be a polecat, I think, but they used a domesticated weasel...made me laugh!). (SandyM) As you say, fairly tame. Am only a bit leery of the scene towards the end where we finally get to see what is in the suitcase that the strange, lecherous classmate with the bad complexion and ugly spectacles has been toting around. All manner of \"prosthetic devices\" and other things that I don't think I want to try and explain. ;-) Ooops! Forgot about that bit! Sorry! Glad you viewed it prior to letting her watch it...what a fun conversation that would have triggered... ;-)"}, {"response": 334, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (02:59)", "body": "Went to see TIOBE last night - it closes on circuit on Thursday, but I NEED to know - in the singing scene inside, WHAT was he wearing under his pants?"}, {"response": 335, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (04:48)", "body": "No tornadoes here in Hendersonville, but a few miles north in Portland one touched down and destroyed a home or two. I just feel so sorry for the people east of here who experienced an F5. I think there's only been three F5s ever recorded in Tennessee history. As of last night they still had 15 people missing, and seven dead already, and a multitude seriously injured. They need our prayers, I think. (Leah) Went to see TIOBE last night - it closes on circuit on Thursday, but I NEED to know - in the singing scene inside, WHAT was he wearing under his pants? LOL... a chew toy?"}, {"response": 336, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (06:06)", "body": "Okay, What's a chew toy?"}, {"response": 337, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (07:24)", "body": "(SandyM)I received my recently purchased copy of DG in the mail Where did you get it? I can't find it anywhere."}, {"response": 338, "author": "sandym", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (07:33)", "body": "(SandyM)I received my recently purchased copy of DG in the mail (NitaE) Where did you get it? I can't find it anywhere. Ebay. :-) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------"}, {"response": 339, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (11:58)", "body": "(Rika) Incidentally, are y'all okay, with the tornadoes and storms? I live in Hart County, in south central KY, and we got a lot of hail, wind & lightning, but fortunately that's it. A co-worker's nephew, who lives in OH, unfortunately was killed in the same storm system. (Rika) I don't - I just happened to be in town for the weekend for a convention so we arranged to get together. Bummer! I thought if you lived close by, then three of the newbies could get together for a HS screening in March. Oh, well... BTW, anyone know if Karen will be back anytime soon? I sent in my donation, and haven't received a confirmation that it arrived."}, {"response": 340, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (12:11)", "body": "(LeahP) Okay, What's a chew toy? LOL...Jeanie was making a funny...chew toy...plastic toy that dogs chew on (they usually squeak, my dogs are crazy for them...). The scene right before ODB walks into the house, there is that dog jumping up and down in front of him (like ODB has one stuffed down his pants)! ;-) Look at Darcy Drool and I think Elizabeth S posted a better picture of it. ;-D Okay, okay, has anyone gotten TIOBE yet? I'm stuck at work and will get it later...any good commentaries or extras??? Hope everyone is okay...between the tornadoes down south and the earthquakes in Alaska...geez! Stay safe!"}, {"response": 341, "author": "myou", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (12:36)", "body": "(Tress) Okay, okay, has anyone gotten TIOBE yet? I'm stuck at work and will get it later...any good commentaries or extras??? What a bummer! Just drove around everywhere on my lunch hour and it seems they've delayed the release of IOBE another week in Canada. I was looking for a copy to buy, but it isn't even for rent this week!!!! ARRRRGGGHH! Up until yesterday, stores thought they were getting it in. Another week of torment!"}, {"response": 342, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (12:49)", "body": "Can we please keep the TIOBE DVD discussion on the main Firth topic, i.e., 165, because it's . . . current!:-)"}, {"response": 343, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (14:37)", "body": "Myou, I just spent a few hours driving around Edmonton trying to find tiobe and no luck here. This is what happened when BJD came out so I'll take it as a personal insult to Colin :-( It's this sort of thing that makes me use amazon.com!"}, {"response": 344, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (14:54)", "body": "(Tress) and did anyone notice the ferret? Not every movie has a ferret (it was supposed to be a polecat, I think, but they used a domesticated weasel...made me laugh!). YES! What was the deal with that? \"Here, Mr. Firth, please hop into this hole in the ground and lie down.... now, somebody, cue the ferret.\""}, {"response": 345, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (15:53)", "body": "(Rika) \"Here, Mr. Firth, please hop into this hole in the ground and lie down.... now, somebody, cue the ferret.\" Are polecats popular in Europe (was ODB supposed to be in France at the time)? I mean, do they run around like squirrels? I don't know, and the whole thing is too funny to me. Why a ferret/polecat? Rats, maybe, or mice...still, I would have gladly been the ferret wrangler on that set...\"Don't panic, Mr. Firth, he won't bite...I'll just place him here, on your belly.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 346, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Nov 12, 2002 (23:50)", "body": "(Tress) (was ODB supposed to be in France at the time)? Yes, he was supposed to be in France. I couldn't figure out what the animal was for either, unless in the real war it was supposed to be a rat crawling in the trenches, possibility, and no one would film with a rat so they used a stunt rat. Only thing I can think of."}, {"response": 347, "author": "sandym", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (04:10)", "body": "(LeahP)Went to see TIOBE last night - it closes on circuit on Thursday, but I NEED to know - in the singing scene inside, WHAT was he wearing under his pants? A microphone, perhaps? ;-)"}, {"response": 348, "author": "Leah", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (04:25)", "body": "(LeahP)Went to see TIOBE last night - it closes on circuit on Thursday, but I NEED to know - in the singing scene inside, WHAT was he wearing under his pants? Seems that I need to explain what I saw - two pairs of pants - if no one else saw this, I can understand, I only picked it up on the 4th viewing, (what with face and hands to look out for!) - but it looked so ... (here I am at a total loss for words...)"}, {"response": 349, "author": "sandym", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (06:30)", "body": "I have a general question (hope this is the proper topic) to pose. Does anyone else ever find themselves using phrases from ODB's movies when interacting with others? I find these pop into my mind often. For instance, this year my DH and celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary. When asked by others which anniversary this year was, my mind immediately fixed upon the argument between Sarah and Paul in FP where he shouts \"Eighteen years! Eighteen f***ing YEARS!!! Of course, could not actually say this, but it did give me an internal chuckle. Or when someone is being unknowingly rude, I want to say \"Have a care, Dawkins\", although am sure the person would have no idea what I am talking about. Am I the only one this happens too?"}, {"response": 350, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (09:04)", "body": "(Sandy m) Does anyone else ever find themselves using phrases from ODB's movies when interacting with others? \"Nevah\" \"Too many ladies..\" \"What's fifty miles of a good road..\" \"On foot?\"..(in Lizzie mode)\"As you see...\""}, {"response": 351, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (10:02)", "body": "(SandyM) Does anyone else ever find themselves using phrases from ODB's movies when interacting with others? \"Nevah\" (an all purpose one that is used daily) \"Her/his (fill in the blank) Louisa!\" (use this almost daily) \"Impossible\" (the way Lizzie says it when she hears of Charlotte's engagement) \"Go and have a lie down\" (Is this from LE? I think someone was saying it earlier this week...this one has been big for a couple months with me) \"F**k\" (okay, I'll blame Paul Ashworth, but have been using this one for years..I have a potty mouth) There are many others, but I cannot think of them all...mostly from FP and P&P2. There are many I don't say aloud, but think of all the time...someone around me will say something and it triggers a CF Flashback...;-) (FanPam) I couldn't figure out what the animal was for either, unless in the real war it was supposed to be a rat crawling in the trenches, possibility, and no one would film with a rat so they used a stunt rat. Only thing I can think of. LOL....Stunt rat!! That's funny! Maybe ODB doesn't like rodents, so they substituted the little domesticated weasel...there were rats in \"Hostages\" though (and I remember a roach or something similiar falling on ODB at one point as well, so I cannot imagine he is too squeamish). A preference by the director perhaps. Maybe someone's pet on the set! \"Bring in Mikey's ferret! We'll use him in the trenches!\" ;-)"}, {"response": 352, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (10:14)", "body": "(Sandy m) Does anyone else ever find themselves using phrases from ODB's movies when interacting with others? Sandy, I may not say it out loud (they already think I am a loon, esp. the DH..) but you can be sure those phrases are always lurking in the backround..some stick in your head and you love, like \"Fraser Pettigrew!\" some you wish you could get rid of , such as \"It's soooo refreshing!\". Obviously any phrase of ODB's is welcome to lodge itself in my mind as I have no problem hearing that voice regardless of the character!"}, {"response": 353, "author": "Odile", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (11:29)", "body": "I haven't seen LE but (domesticated) ferrets in France are used to hunt for rabbits... You send them on one side of the rabbit hole and put a bag at the other entrance. So think of ODB as a bunny! :)"}, {"response": 354, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (11:51)", "body": "(Tress) \"Go and have a lie down\" (Is this from LE? I think someone was saying it earlier this week...this one has been big for a couple months with me) It may also be from another movie, but I know it's part of the Jack/Algy banter during the closing credits of TIOBE."}, {"response": 355, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (12:13)", "body": "(Rika) It may also be from another movie, but I know it's part of the Jack/Algy banter during the closing credits of TIOBE. LOL...And that is where I got it! I bought the CD (I am a true CF geek) just for the two serenades. I play it on a loop (just those two songs) while I get ready in the morning! \"Why don't you go and have a lie down old man while I finish this bit?\" \"Go easy dear fellow\" \"Watch out I'm coming through\"...all great lines! I obviously needed my latte prior to posting and you can tell I didn't listen to that particular CD this morning...I was listening to Bridget Jones 2 just to mix things up a bit...(which I recommend if anyone hasn't gotten that one. It has more songs from the film...Van Morrison on this one, plus an accoustic version of one of the songs on the first CD)."}, {"response": 356, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (12:52)", "body": "(mari)Can we please keep the TIOBE DVD discussion on the main Firth topic, i.e., 165, because it's . . . current!:-) (doing horrible german accent) Paaapahs... do you havez yourrr paapahs? (running away and hiding from Mari) ;-) =PPP I thought TIOBE wouldn't belong in \"current thread\", frauline,because it's already done its circuit at the theaters.. (confusion reigns again) (Sandy m) Does anyone else ever find themselves using phrases from ODB's movies when interacting with others? Wot?"}, {"response": 357, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (13:00)", "body": "(SandyM) Does anyone else ever find themselves using phrases from ODB's movies when interacting with others? Just about constantly! I say them out loud whenever they can possibly be fitted into the conversation, and then I'm so pleased with myself for having snuck another one in! I use a lot from FP (the 18 years is a favorite, and everything is \"poxy\"), and also love to quote from P&P2. \"Have a care, Dawkins\" and \"Drive on, Rossiter\" are two favorites of mine, as well as \"happy thought, indeed!\""}, {"response": 358, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (13:28)", "body": "(KathyF...and everything is \"poxy\" I use \"poxy\" as well! FP is a great film for increasing your slang vocabulary. Yob, Axminster, got the hump...I found a site a while back that explains a lot of the slang and gives a run down of some of the Arsenal players: http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Lot/9482/gloss.html"}, {"response": 359, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (14:13)", "body": "(running away and hiding from Mari) ;-) =PPP LOL, no need to run from me, Jeanie. If it ain't Firth, I don't chase it.;-) We've had so little news recently and 165 looked lonely. The DVD and its special features really are *new.*"}, {"response": 360, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (14:19)", "body": "(SandyM) Does anyone else ever find themselves using phrases from ODB's movies when interacting with others? Crikey! So it would seem."}, {"response": 361, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (15:04)", "body": "(Sandy) I have a general question (hope this is the proper topic) to pose. Does anyone else ever find themselves using phrases from ODB's movies when interacting with others? Not only do I quote lines, I speak with the same inflections, like half an English accent. It's like learning a language while you sleep. Go to sleep to a video and wake up with an accent. I like the look of perplexity on my kids faces when I really get into it on purpose. Such fun. *f* and bollicks are favorites too."}, {"response": 362, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (15:40)", "body": "(FanPam) Such fun. *f* and bollicks are favorites too Oh yeah...When my phone rings for the umpteenth time at work I also favor \"would you please please please just ***king ***k off\" . But of course with his voice it sounds glorious..."}, {"response": 363, "author": "sandym", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (15:43)", "body": "Whew! It isn't only me, then. In present company, I am suddenly feeling *almost* normal. But don't despair. It will pass--no doubt more quickly than it should). :-D"}, {"response": 364, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (15:53)", "body": "SandyM) Does anyone else ever find themselves using phrases from ODB's movies when interacting with others? A small sampling: \"I'm quite put out!\" \"Wot?!\" \"Eighteen (f***ing) years!\"---for use with or without the f**k \"It's not the smoking, it's the suckiness\" (I think that's how it goes; haven't been able to watch FP for a while due to cranky DVD) \"Chech-ny-AH!\" (Tress)someone around me will say something and it triggers a CF Flashback...;-) LOL! That happens to me ALL the time!"}, {"response": 365, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (16:04)", "body": "(Moonstar) \"It's not the smoking, it's the suckiness\" \"It's not the smoking, Steve. It's the crapness.\" One of my favorites, also (and I was just saying it about 3 minutes ago). How could I have forgotten \"bollocks!\"? I usually link it together with \"poxy\" if I'm really peeved. And of course, one I used all the time at work -- \"I shall conquer this!\""}, {"response": 366, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (16:24)", "body": "(Sandy m) Does anyone else ever find themselves using phrases from ODB's movies when interacting with others? I often call the boss... ... \"Foolish antelope\".When SLOW was new, we used to say all those funny African sayings that Nimi's mom tells her. Jack to Miss Prism: \"Mothah\" \"Bugger Off\"is a fave."}, {"response": 367, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (21:08)", "body": "Re phrases: I use \"So-and-so is all politeness\" and \"I am all astonishment\" a lot. Also, definitely \"Happy thought indeed.\" Also, \"You delight in vexing me.\" Unfortunately, the all-too-frequent rejoinder is \"And yet I am unmoved.\" (Got a real smarty-aleck for a DH.) I also use \"I'm sure I should love sea-bathing\" or whatever (ala Lydia.) I find this is most effective when I can give it a good chest heave...oh yeah, and I mostly just use this on the DH :-D I have reached the conclusion my education is sadly limited as I have not yet seen SLOW. \"Foolish antelope?\" I think I can hardly wait. The really scary thing? I was informed recently that something was \"Capital, capital\" and that \"Life holds few distinctions but we have the silliest boy...\" I think I need to obsess more privately in the future."}, {"response": 368, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (21:11)", "body": "My most-used: \"Where are all the other tarts and vicars?\" Wot, you don't think there's much call for that?;-)"}, {"response": 369, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (22:31)", "body": "(Mari), My most-used: \"Where are all the other tarts and vicars?\" Wot, you don't think there's much call for that?;-) LOL! Once a paaarty girl always a paaaarty girl. ;-D"}, {"response": 370, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (23:31)", "body": "(Sandy) Does anyone else ever find themselves using phrases from ODB's movies when interacting with others? So it would seem...but out loud? Only at home (with my cats), LOL. Chech-ny-AH! Bolllocks! (when the cats have knocked something down) I am all astonishment (when I come home and the cats have knocked *many* things down);-) This makes me sound like a certifiable cat lady, LOL! Actually I use a bunch of phrases amongst people, but not usually so they can hear me. Can't bear to explain the origin *every* time. ;)"}, {"response": 371, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 13, 2002 (23:31)", "body": "Oops Haven't done that in a while."}, {"response": 372, "author": "annea", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (07:03)", "body": "My contribution to oft used phrases... Hot pot's reeeeady (or substitute some other word for hot pot as is required eg \"dinner's,\") and said with the same voice inflection. Favourite of my DH - \"Ooh Jones\" when I am wearing my stomach and thigh holding in granny pants Lots of others - but can never think of them when you want to !!!"}, {"response": 373, "author": "Leah", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (07:08)", "body": "Hot pot's reeeeady (or substitute some other word for hot pot as is required eg \"dinner's,\") and said with the same voice inflection. Nevah heard this one before - where does it come from? ps I've only seen VERY few."}, {"response": 374, "author": "Leah", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (07:12)", "body": "Sorry"}, {"response": 375, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (07:36)", "body": "(Me) \"It's not the smoking, it's the suckiness\" (KathyF) \"It's not the smoking, Steve. It's the crapness.\" One of my favorites, also (and I was just saying it about 3 minutes ago). I knew someone would be able to correct me; thanks! Last year, I bought FP from a Canadian retailer off the 'net & lately my DVD player won't play it; so, I'm a little rusty on my FP references. (BarbS)Unfortunately, the all-too-frequent rejoinder is \"And yet I am unmoved.\" LOL! A DH who can quote it right back to you? I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. (annea)Hot pot's reeeeady (or substitute some other word for hot pot as is required eg \"dinner's,\") and said with the same voice inflection. That one's a mystery to me as well. Please enlighten!"}, {"response": 376, "author": "annea", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (07:38)", "body": "Hot pot's reeeeady (or substitute some other word for hot pot as is required eg \"dinner's,\") and said with the same voice inflection. LeahP: Nevah heard this one before - where does it come from? ps I've only seen VERY few Leah, this is from MLSF - not said by CF but by his grandmother-in-law"}, {"response": 377, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (09:01)", "body": "(Sandy) Does anyone else ever find themselves using phrases from ODB's movies when interacting with others? A few little confessions here in the same vein...I also like to do the Elizabeth skip run thing from the great dane scene when I cross my lawn to get the mail aaaannnd when I am on the treadmill at the gym I favor the BJ walk with the groceries (sans the tuna) while thinking of that fun Artful Dodger song in my head. And lastly, whenever going up stairs it is v.v. important to wear a smug little grin and wiggle about a bit as BJ does after giving notive to DC and the bit about Sadam's ass..."}, {"response": 378, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (09:08)", "body": "closing tags"}, {"response": 379, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (09:20)", "body": "(Moonstar) I knew someone would be able to correct me; thanks! Last year, I bought FP from a Canadian retailer off the 'net & lately my DVD player won't play it; so, I'm a little rusty on my FP references. As Pam and I are currently plodding along in the world's slowest (my fault, entirely) email discussion of FP, I'm pretty familiar with the dialogue. Then, too, this has been my favorite line of the film ever since I first saw it. Don't know why. It cracked me up then and it continues to amuse me each time."}, {"response": 380, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (09:49)", "body": "(KathyF) \"It's not the smoking, Steve. It's the crapness.\" One of my favorites, also (and I was just saying it about 3 minutes ago). That's one of my favorites as well...along with the Mark Strong comment near the end...\"Jes*s Paul! You need medical help. You've got some kind of disease that turns people into miserable bastards!\" That whole scene just kills me...I'm a big fan of the dialogue in FP. Carpeting the ceilings, men as colonizers, sister's don't have seasons (ODB's 'yeah, whatever' response/delivery is too funny after that line)....good stuff."}, {"response": 381, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (10:48)", "body": "I use FP dialogue all the time like: I'd pay extra Eighteen years, eighteen, f***ing years (DH and I were married 18 yrs in July that line was in my head all week) That was just a one-off And my favorite streak of bad language: S**t, F**k, Bollocks (when things go really bad, or I bump my toe on a chair-which I do several times a week. BTW, the FP soundtrack has wonderful voice overs from the film. My daughter always says, Mom, it sounds like Colin is in the back seat and is having a conversation in our car. Play it loud enough, and you'd swear he's talking to you. I do that several times a week, too:-) and no one would film with a rat so they used a stunt rat."}, {"response": 382, "author": "meg", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (11:08)", "body": ""}, {"response": 383, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (11:24)", "body": "(lindak) BTW, the FP soundtrack has wonderful voice overs from the film. My daughter always says, Mom, it sounds like Colin is in the back seat and is having a conversation in our car. Play it loud enough, and you'd swear he's talking to you. I do that several times a week, too:-) Oh my! I think I'll have to run over to Amazon & order a copy just for the voice-overs! LOL about your daughter calling him Colin, like he's an old friend. Are you training her to like 6\"1\", curly-haired, dark-eyed men? :)"}, {"response": 384, "author": "meg", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (11:25)", "body": "Actually, you can just go here... http://www.green-sector.de/"}, {"response": 385, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (11:34)", "body": "(Sandy)Does anyone else ever find themselves using phrases from ODB's movies when interacting with others? I must \"confess\" I do this a lot too. \"I long for a ________\" (fill in blank for what I long for, i.e. vacation, dinner chef, new CF movie). \"My feelings are quite the opposite.\" BTW, I loved your hairless discussions too. I was LOL and nodding my head while reading those! All I can say is... \"This is Bridget Jones searching for more hair on arms, legs, and chest ;-).\""}, {"response": 386, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (11:57)", "body": "(Maria T) ...aaaannnd when I am on the treadmill at the gym I favor the BJ walk with the groceries (sans the tuna) while thinking of that fun Artful Dodger song in my head... The coolest thing was that when I first moved to London in August, I was grocery shopping and they actually played that Artful Dodger song over the loudspeaker - I almost got emotional about the whole thing, except I knew I would have looked a little weird about it. Never mind repeating movie lines (of which the whole Bridget script is my favorite repertoire), how about the fact that I just bought myself some Milk Tray! What kind of snack food is that?! And who else would buy something just for the literary/movie reference? Sorry, am asking the wrong people =)."}, {"response": 387, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (12:05)", "body": "(EmmaB) And who else would buy something just for the literary/movie reference? I almost did you one better. I was in a public loo in Cambridge this summer, and there was a Durex machine on the wall. I seriously thought about making a purchase, and it would have been entirely as a souvenir with an FP connection!"}, {"response": 388, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (14:37)", "body": "(EmmaB) And who else would buy something just for the literary/movie reference? (KathyF)...and there was a Durex machine on the wall. I seriously thought about making a purchase, and it would have been entirely as a souvenir with an FP connection! LOL...Kathy! You didn't buy one?? I know this is not the same as buying something, but I have thought that I would like to have a turkey curry buffet (complete with mini-gherkins and stuffed olives)...I did, however, buy \"The Famished Road\" by Ben Okri because Mark Darcy mentioned reading it (I can't remember which BJ book...though)...and of course, I haven't read it yet. ;-)"}, {"response": 389, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (14:51)", "body": "(Tress) LOL...Kathy! You didn't buy one?? Believe me, I was very tempted. But the thought of going through customs with it scared me a little, so I backed off. Lucky for me, because guess who ended up being one of the lucky ones who was randomly pulled aside, frisked, purse completely emptied and searched with the little wand! I would have been so embarrassed!"}, {"response": 390, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (15:05)", "body": "(Moonstar)LOL about your daughter calling him Colin, like he's an old friend. Are you training her to like 6\"1\", curly-haired, dark-eyed men? :) Just a very specific 6'1\", curly-haired, dark-eyed man:-) (EmmaB) And who else would buy something just for the literary/movie reference? Does a grey turtleneck sweater count? Saw one just a few days after I watched BJD for the first time,(not till last January), and I had to have it. Everytime I wear it I think of Mark Darcy. Come to think of it, I think of Mark Darcy a lot, with or without the sweater."}, {"response": 391, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (17:22)", "body": "(EmmaB)And who else would buy something just for the literary/movie reference? It's bad enough that I'm inspired to buy things referenced in movies, but I even got the Mango Chutney (Sharwood's, of course) from Lisa's UMS story. And it's very good mixed with a little barbecue sauce and spread on grilled pork chops, by the way :-)"}, {"response": 392, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (18:32)", "body": "(moonstar) Oh my! I think I'll have to run over to Amazon & order a copy just for the voice-overs! Just an FYI moonstar...there is one on ebay right now (I'm trying to find a FP screenplay and it came up in my search). It's listed at about 4.50 (significantly cheaper than Amazon), but has 6 days left (no bids). BTW, the voice-overs alone are worth it (well, it also has The Who and Van Morrison...)!"}, {"response": 393, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (18:58)", "body": "(Tress)I'm trying to find a FP screenplay Hope you find it, I got one in excellent condition from e-bay last spring. And Moonstar, if you can pick up the soundtrack at 4.50 go for it, the one I purchased from Amazon was 32.00! But worth every poxy penny.:-)"}, {"response": 394, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (21:31)", "body": "Dorine said: \"Actually I use a bunch of phrases amongst people, but not usually so they can hear me. Can't bear to explain the origin *every* time. ;)\" That's right, you've got to vary the answers, haven't you? ;-) Actually, I find myself having CF \"flashbacks\" constantly ! Sometimes I'll have one of those deja vu moments and it takes me 20 or 30 seconds to figure out why - and it's always because someone's said something which resembles a line from one of his movies... it's almost an illness, I tell you!"}, {"response": 395, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Nov 14, 2002 (23:53)", "body": "(Linda) And Moonstar, if you can pick up the soundtrack at 4.50 go for it, the one I purchased from Amazon was 32.00! But worth every poxy penny.:-) Amen, Moonstar, 4.50 would be an incredible price. But if there are six days to go in the auction, anything can happen."}, {"response": 396, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (07:16)", "body": "(Jane) Actually, I find myself having CF \"flashbacks\" constantly! LOL, I thought it was just me! Should've known better. Thanks for the info on the FP soundtrack. $4.50 is a bargain, but in six days who knows what it'll be like; I'll keep an eye on it."}, {"response": 397, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (08:12)", "body": "(Jane) Actually, I find myself having CF \"flashbacks\" constantly! (Moonstar) LOL, I thought it was just me! Should've known better. I had sort of a flashback (it was a \"flash\" anyway!) in an odd situation. I was just trained by my diocese to be able to take Communion to shut ins. There was a whole group of us from all over the diocese for training, it was a special thing to be part of. I had not made special notice of one of the other people there until in a group for role-play, he smiled. \"OMG, he reminds me of someone...who?!\" Then it hit me....the dimples, the nose, the eyes, he looked like ODB! But he had short hair...clipped short the way we were talking about CF maybe doing some day. Well, I will just say I made a masterful effort to wrench my attention back to the task at hand, but not before deciding I could be a little more flexible on ODB's possible future hair styles!"}, {"response": 398, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (08:30)", "body": "(Leah)Had to watch this again. I keep forgetting to watch his hands, and then I have to rewind and remember to watch again, and then I miss it and have to watch it again... Do I have a problem? Of course, as you well know, I love his hands, so I noticed the thumb rubbing thing. Karalou, a fanfic writer, picked up on that little nuance as well, because she mentions Darcy's nervous habit several times in her \"Assumed\" stories... \"Georgiana looked over at her brother, who seemed quite calm, except for the nervous rubbing together of his thumb and index finger. It was a habit she had come to recognize as meaning that although he appeared calm on the outside, on the inside he was quite anxious.\" Barb, if Catholic men often look like you know who, then I'm tempted to convert. LOL! Knowing my luck, though, they'd all turn out to be priests."}, {"response": 399, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (10:14)", "body": "(Barb S) Then it hit me....the dimples, the nose, the eyes, he looked like ODB! But he had short hair...clipped short the way we were talking about CF maybe doing some day. I'm tellin' ya...he'ld look REALLY good with the short hair! Lucky you to have a 'double' sighting! I have never had one of those even. There are two people at work who keep telling me that one of the research engineers looks like ODB...I laugh at them, cuz I know him fairly well (he's a good friend of the DH)...I keep telling them, \"No, it's Colin Firth I like, Aaron looks like Dougray Scott!\"...then I got, \"Who is DS?\" (Jeanie) Of course, as you well know, I love his hands, so I noticed the thumb rubbing thing. I'm big on the digits too! I watch ODB's hands and feet all the time (even to distraction, as I sometimes miss his face if his hands are doing something interesting). The thumb rub is one of my favorite things about the letter writing scene. I also like watching his hands as he talks to Lizzie at Pemberly (after the 'wet shirt' scene) as they walk. Anytime he brings them up to his face *sigh*...and my hand obsession is why I noticed that he tends to hug his female co-stars under their armpits, not around the shoulders...loved watching his hand in TIOBE when he catches the rose and holds it out to Algy (during dance hall scene). His thumb has a cool little bend in it... Good foot scenes?? Watch his feet in PM, while he sits at the piano...spreads his toes (love this). In FF (now I'm listing all his good movies, notice?), when he is talking to Billy Zane (ODB is leaning back against a wall), he keeps 'wiggling' his toes...(and as an aside, I also noticed he didn't wash his hands after he pee'd in this movie...thinking about the hands again)."}, {"response": 400, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (10:42)", "body": "(Tress) Good foot scenes?? Watch his feet in PM, while he sits at the piano...spreads his toes (love this). In FF (now I'm listing all his good movies, notice?), when he is talking to Billy Zane (ODB is leaning back against a wall), he keeps 'wiggling' his toes Ooohh!! I'm a big big of the digits myself! Also in FF when he comes down the stairs barefoot there is a nice place to stop and examine the \"dogs\"..."}, {"response": 401, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (13:34)", "body": "(Barb) OMG, he reminds me of someone...who?!\" Then it hit me....the dimples, the nose, the eyes, he looked like ODB! LOL Did you bring this to his attention. Did you get his name and number?"}, {"response": 402, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (13:40)", "body": "(Tress) Good foot scenes?? Watch his feet in PM, Like feet? You would have hit the jackpot in 3DOR. He kept wrapping his feet around the bar stool legs.I knudged Karen...but she had already hit on that. He has loooong toes...like a gorilla."}, {"response": 403, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (14:03)", "body": "(Pam) LOL Did you bring this to his attention. Did you get his name and number? LOLing at the very thought of it...No, I did not mention it, the uh, situation was hardly right for it (OK, maybe I do remember his name) though I was so startled at first, acting normal was the main thing on my mind. Besides, there are original works of art and then there are reasonable facsimiles. And I'm fairly sure we are both married...LOL"}, {"response": 404, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (14:06)", "body": "For all you digit demons, toe jammers, and piggie lovers:"}, {"response": 405, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (14:17)", "body": "(Evelyn) You would have hit the jackpot in 3DOR. He kept wrapping his feet around the bar stool legs.I knudged Karen...but she had already hit on that. He has loooong toes...like a gorilla. Lucky, lucky ladies!! I would have had to have been carried out of there (just imagining ODB's feet wrapped around a bar stool makes me light-headed)...love his gorilla feet... (Barb S)...there are original works of art and then there are reasonable facsimiles. Exactly! It may be close but it just isn't 'da man'. And (with me anyway), I need that voice. I seem to respond to that range his voice is in (much like a dog whistle for me). ;-) Thank you Mari!! As I type this, all I can see are his feet. Love the half hidden foot, the bent big toe *sigh*"}, {"response": 406, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (14:35)", "body": "(Mari)For all you digit demons, toe jammers, and piggie lovers: LOL. Thanks, Mari, and Tress, I can see just the toes as I type this too. OOHH. (Evelyn)He kept wrapping his feet around the bar stool legs. Why do I have this sudden urge to be a bar stool? As for sexy hands...His first scene in SLOW just shows his hands typing on a lap top. I could replay that over and over. I noticed the little dent in his thumb, too. V.V. sensual. Makes me want to run my fingers over it."}, {"response": 407, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (14:55)", "body": "(Evelyn) He has loooong toes...like a gorilla. Mmmmmmm...they look like hors D'oeuvres to me... (Tress) Lucky, lucky ladies!! I would have had to have been carried out of there (just imagining ODB's feet wrapped around a bar stool makes me light-headed)...love his gorilla feet... ditto (Mari) For all you digit demons, toe jammers, and piggie lovers: Mari, thanks for the picture! But a clarifying point...It is only ODB's toes which are so particularly appealing, I am always partial to men's hands but the feet, Good God! ew!! He is the exception..."}, {"response": 408, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (15:02)", "body": "For all the foot lovers (including yours truly), there's a B&W pic of him sitting on the sand in front of a boat, I think, that I just adore. First thing I noticed were the feet, then the big grin, then....everything. It's one of my favorites. ;-) Anybody have that? I think someone put it up a little while ago somewhere, but I don't know who and where. (Tress) Love the half hidden foot, the bent big toe *sigh* I love that, too. Wonder if he does that a lot. I tend to do that when I'm sitting and occasionally standing in barefeet...curl all my toes under, usually alternating both feet. Have done that since I was a child. Very odd. ;-) Thanks for the pic, Mari."}, {"response": 409, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (15:17)", "body": "Oh, Mari, Mari! Thank you! Sigh....... (Tress)...(and as an aside, I also noticed he didn't wash his hands after he pee'd in this movie...thinking about the hands again). Well, that was a scary place. I'm sure neither of the guys wanted to spend a millisecond longer in that men's room than was absolutely necessary."}, {"response": 410, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (16:01)", "body": "(Dorine)there's a B&W pic of him sitting on the sand in front of a boat, Anybody have that? I think someone put it up a little while ago somewhere, but I don't know who and where. Great, Dorine. You get me all fired up like you were going to post the picture, then, pfft, nothing, nada. Sheesh."}, {"response": 411, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (16:06)", "body": "(Dorine)...there's a B&W pic of him sitting on the sand in front of a boat, I think, that I just adore. First thing I noticed were the feet... Anybody have that? I think someone put it up a little while ago somewhere, but I don't know who and where. I remember the picture well! It was my 'welcome' picture and Elizabeth posted it back on Topic 163. I have it at home on my computer, and if I knew how to do anything cool, I would post it for you, but I am hopelessly graphically challenged...sorry. And you are right....great toe picture! (Rika) Well, that was a scary place. I'm sure neither of the guys wanted to spend a millisecond longer in that men's room than was absolutely necessary. He was forgiven the second after it happened! ;-)"}, {"response": 412, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (17:00)", "body": "Ok, because I love you all so much and because he's showing his lil gorilla piggies, here we go!"}, {"response": 413, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (17:23)", "body": "Thank you Jeanie, Now I can forgive Dorine. The toes are wonderful, but so is the smile. But, wait. Look at the length of the fingers.hmmmmmmmm.yum. If it's true what they say. Can you imagine!"}, {"response": 414, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (17:37)", "body": "Thanks Jeanie! (lindak) But, wait. Look at the length of the fingers.hmmmmmmmm.yum. If it's true what they say. Can you imagine! This was talked about last night on MTV (yes, I watch MTV). A show on urban myths. They consulted a urologist, brought in 4 guys (with various shoe sizes) and did a little study. The shoe size has nothing to do with the other (thought this was funny to 'watch'), but the urologist did note that in his 20+ years of experience, he has noted that size of fingers does appear to have a correlation. Just something to think about as we gaze at the picture...(sorry, if this went a bit off-sides) ;-) And keep in mind this is MTV!"}, {"response": 415, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (18:14)", "body": "(Tress) in his 20+ years of experience, he has noted that size of fingers does appear to have a correlation I told ya!! Didn't I tell ya! Heehee....now I have independent corroboration. I mean, the madam was one thing but a *urologist*! HE would know. But makes ya wonder, what he's doin' looking? Thank you Jeanie, that picture is soooo good for so many different reasons."}, {"response": 416, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (20:34)", "body": "Thanks Jeanie for posting that pic. It's nice to see it appear every once in a while. Maybe even more that that. ;-) Psst, Linda! I would've posted it if I'd had time to look for it before I went out. ;-)"}, {"response": 417, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Nov 15, 2002 (22:28)", "body": "Oooh, Jeanie! I just love that picture! Thanks so much!"}, {"response": 418, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (11:13)", "body": "Great picture Jeanie. Thanks. I think a Urologist has to look, doesn't he Barb. It's a part (LOL) of the job. Unfortunately all I do is imagine but have the gut feeling he is no small disappointment in that area -;)"}, {"response": 419, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (17:09)", "body": "Great conversations today, both here and over on 165!! But, wait. Look at the length of the fingers.hmmmmmmmm.yum. If it's true what they say. Can you imagine! Actually, since this topic is being addressed (knew you guys would get around to it sooner rather than later!), my workmate, who has a science degree in biochemistry and has studied genetics comprehensively, has stated in no uncertain terms that there is a direct correlation between the two - the gene which controls one also controls the other. So there you go - it's scientific fact. So every time I see those beautiful hands, with their LOOOOOONG (and rather SUBSTANTIAL) fingers, I can't help but imagine.... Is it hot in here?? *LOL* And the image of this man dancing in tight black leather pants in front of a mirror is almost too much to bear! We don't get HP until Nov 28, and there's no guarantee whatsoever that the WAGW trailer will be included, and at $15 for a ticket, that's a gamble, isn't it? Oh well, it's a gamble I'll just have to take..."}, {"response": 420, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (18:11)", "body": "(Jane)Is it hot in here?? *LOL* It's always hot in here."}, {"response": 421, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (20:22)", "body": "(FanPam) Unfortunately all I do is imagine but have the gut feeling he is no small disappointment in that area -;) I do a lot of imagining as well...but there are some movies, were, well, you just can't help but notice! I think you're right. He wouldn't disappoint! ;-) I often wonder if he's boxers or briefs...ohhh...the things that fill my day! ;-D"}, {"response": 422, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (06:55)", "body": "A Reminder -- On Bravo in the USA tonight - Behind the scenes: \"The English Patient\" Original Airdate: November 25, 2002. Future Airings: Page to Screen, Bravo Nov 18 11:00pm Page to Screen, Bravo Nov 19 04:00pm Page to Screen, Bravo Nov 24 12:00pm Page to Screen, Bravo Nov 25 08:00pm Page to Screen, Bravo Nov 25 11:00pm"}, {"response": 423, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (08:07)", "body": "Thank you, Murph. Glad to see this highlighted, although I consider this NEWS! ;-) (Although am curious how something with an original airdate of 11/25/02 can have future airdates in the past?) My TV Guide shows From Page to Screen at 7:00pm (CST) tonight but gives no info on which movie is being discussed."}, {"response": 424, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (10:52)", "body": "The Bravo website says TEP tonight at 7 & 10 Central http://bravotv.com/pagetoscreen/english.php Thanks Murph for the heads-up. My favorite film of all time;-))"}, {"response": 425, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (13:41)", "body": "Thanks for the heads up Murph."}, {"response": 426, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (13:51)", "body": "Thanks for the link Evelyn (One of my favorite films too). I see that 12/3 is LA Confidential. Karen - That scheduling sequence is very strange, I agree. Do you want to move this to NEWS? Maybe more will see it over there."}, {"response": 427, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (20:06)", "body": "I tuned in late, but can catch the re-run. Any Colin in it?"}, {"response": 428, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 18, 2002 (20:45)", "body": "Nope, except for when he's crashing the plane. Not a mention. He wasn't one of the key characters they discussed. Interesting though, but not essential viewing."}, {"response": 429, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (01:27)", "body": "Thanks for headsup on TEP as I taped it. Disappointed he wasn't in it."}, {"response": 430, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (08:52)", "body": "I really don't know where to post this... could be \"recent Colin\", \"HP\", here, or Odds & Ends.. I made my daughter guess a number between one and four, so here I am. LOL! According to my \"Entertainment Weekly\", and someone else might've already posted about this, ODB and Ms. Revolta spent some time on the HP set. \"After a word with his 13-year-old star, Columbus (the director) moves back behind a video monitor, offering a gentle smile to a gaggle of visitors. (Today's guests: Kelly Preston and Colin Firth, who are shooting the drama WAGW nearby) (shrugging) Has Sirius been cast? If you know, post answer at the HP thread."}, {"response": 431, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (09:49)", "body": "Whoops, just realized someone has already reported the thing from Entertainment Weekly. I was going to call attention over here, though, for you ladies who feel that ODB needs a tan. I say, after working many years in a plastic surgeon's (who specialized in skin care) office, that no one needs a tan. Let him use the fake stuff, but tanning bed big no-no! Beside's, like me.. when his hair isn't dyed darker, he could really be considered a red head... tanning bed HEAP BIG No-No for Red HEAD! (pondering why I've suddenly become Tonto) =) Unless, of course, you just want him to turn up with melanoma and die, or be permanently disfigured. (how I'm coming with my guilt trips, Rika.. improving, aren't I.. muhahahahahaha!) (Linda from the current thread) I will say that tight leather pants will definitely allow us to continue our left/right discussions with greater clarity. LOL! Just like a \"Latte' Lady\" to find, yet, another reason to be happy about this carrying on in front of a mirror! NEW CROTCH SCENES!!!! I can just see us now, once this movie is on DVD (which will probably be sooner than many... yes, I know, I argued the point on the current thread the other day, but I don't really believe this movie is going to be great, I was simply tired of the negativity and decided to take the opposite side just to be contentious.LOL)going forward and back.. \"Ok, dear, stop the film NOW!.. Ok, whad'dya think?.. Which side is his googie residing? Is that a shadow???\" (nose against the screen)"}, {"response": 432, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (10:10)", "body": "(Jeanie) Beside's, like me.. when his hair isn't dyed darker, he could really be considered a red head... tanning bed HEAP BIG No-No for Red HEAD! (pondering why I've suddenly become Tonto) =) LOL.....You're right, Tonto! He is mighty fair...Tanning bed in general a big no-no! I did enjoy the pics at the GQ Awards, thought that the bit of sun he had made him look absolutely gorgeous....but, no, I do not want him to get melanoma (or any other oma for that matter). Just had to poke a bit of fun at his pale-ness (a pallor that I replicate as well). ;-) (Jeanie) \"Ok, dear, stop the film NOW!.. Ok, whad'dya think?.. Which side is his googie residing? Is that a shadow???\" (nose against the screen) ROTFL....the DVD is going to be bought by pre-teen girls (who, if raised properly, will keep this DVD and treasure it forever) and grown women. I have no children at home and absolutely no excuse (except my obsession) to buy this DVD when it comes out....but I will have a copy. And enjoy every slo-mo, freeze frame, zoom minute of it!!! Marketing genius (three cheers to Warner Bros)!!! \"Get that Firth guy! The ladies love him...we'll sell billions of DVDs! Get him in leather pants! It'll be better than that time he dove into the water (okay, okay...that's a bit far fetched..)!!\""}, {"response": 433, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (10:49)", "body": "(Jeanie) Which side is his googie residing? Oh my mercy, had I read that 10 minutes later, you might have been responsible for my demise. Lunch is on the way. One of our favorite restaurants is called Googies. My order is for an original Googie (gourmet burgers to die for.) If I had not been anticipating lunch by the smallest margin and actually checked the boards with lunch in front of me, the consequences might have been disastrous! (Googie? Have never heard it called that before!)"}, {"response": 434, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (11:02)", "body": "(Jeanie) Which side is his googie residing? Is that a shadow???\" (nose against the screen) Googie?! That's a new one on me. Love it! Nose against the screen? Nope, because up that close I'm positively blind, but I'll hover about two feet away with remote in hand... (Tress) I have no children at home and absolutely no excuse (except my obsession) to buy this DVD when it comes out....but I will have a copy. And enjoy every slo-mo, freeze frame, zoom minute of it!!! Marketing genius (three cheers to Warner Bros)!!! I'm with you!! As soon as I saw those pics, I envisioned myself making an indepth DVD slo-mo study! ;-) (Jeanie) no one needs a tan Heavens, no! Although a slight tan looks nice, anything more than that on a fair-skinned person makes me extremely nervous and I want to get on my anti-tan, melanoma soapbox. I spent way too much time in the sun as a youngster (with no sunblock), and regret it now. A pale ODB is just fine with me!"}, {"response": 435, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (11:18)", "body": "(Jeanie) Which side is his googie residing? (Kathy) Googie?! That's a new one on me. ... Nose against the screen? Nope... but I'll hover about two feet away with remote in hand... LOLing at you all...BTW, my Original Googie burger is wonderful. The burger place has a website, given Kathy's description of herself watching the screen, thought I'd post the URL, we could maybe latch onto the logo for ourselves, it certainly seems appropriate! www.gottagettagoogie.com (gotta love the name!)"}, {"response": 436, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (11:41)", "body": "I love it, Barb! What a great logo, and so apropos! The rolling eyes, the tongue licking the lips! With a little modification, it would be perfect for our group of HOBWRs (horny broads with remotes)."}, {"response": 437, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (11:42)", "body": "Sorry, that was horny Old broads. Meant to take out the O, because some of us aren't!"}, {"response": 438, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (12:11)", "body": "LOL!!! You guys are cracking me up...I'm at work! Shut up! Am very busy and important! ;-D Gotta get me a googie!"}, {"response": 439, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (12:57)", "body": "(Barb)Original Googie burger is wonderful. ROFL!!! Yes, I bet it was.. which side was the mayo on? Actually, when Sam became old enough to say anything he began calling his.. ummm... extra appendage that none of us, here, have (hopefully).. lol) a googie. So, as the younger boys were born that's all we called it. Sam was appalled with me when he realized one day in kindergarten that it wasn't actually called a \"googie\" but something else! Tress, Barb, Kathy.. I guess we'll have to form another \"subgroup\" of firthettes for you.. I think \"Googie Girls\" would suit, whad'dya think?"}, {"response": 440, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (13:06)", "body": "(Barb) Original Googie burger is wonderful. (Jeanie) ROFL!!! Yes, I bet it was.. which side was the mayo on? And I want to know if that was a 1/4 lb Googie or a 1/2 lb Googie??? ;-D I've been a \"Googie Girl\" for a long time...just didn't know it had a name!"}, {"response": 441, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (13:21)", "body": "(Tress -- who is evidently no longer at work or who is done being important! ;-P) And I want to know if that was a 1/4 lb Googie or a 1/2 lb Googie??? ;-D Full size dear, full size, in all its lip-licking glory!"}, {"response": 442, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (13:24)", "body": "I just wrongly posted this on 165: Anyone watch the Bravo \"Stage to Screen\" last night? Good program with lots of the book...good comments by the cast and crew.....except for the gentleman my husband calls the \"forgotten man.\" If it weren't for a very quick pic of the airplane crashing, you would never know Colin Firth was even in the movie. Still it was good to see it all again. Best explanation I have heard for awhile why the script was altered from the book - i.e. taking away the book's ending and relegating Kip to a more minor role. Kip was the major character in the book. Ondaatje explained that the reason Kip left Hannah in the book was because he read about the atomic bomb dropping on Japan and had to go home to his Asian roots. Minghella wanted the \"family feeling\" among the movie's groups to stay in the forefront, and felt that bringing in the atomic bomb broadened and changed the focus on the characters. Worth seeing if you can. It is repeated several times."}, {"response": 443, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (13:27)", "body": "(Jeanie) I think \"Googie Girls\" would suit, whad'dya think? Well, for the last 20-something years I've referred to myself as a Goober. I guess now I'll be a Googie Goober. Sam became old enough to say anything he began calling his.. ummm... extra appendage that none of us, here, have (hopefully).. lol) a googie. You aren't going to tell Sam that his EA is now Drool material, are you?"}, {"response": 444, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (13:41)", "body": "(BarbS) (Tress -- who is evidently no longer at work or who is done being important! ;-P) LOL.....Ohhhhh...drat! My secret is out. I am still at work, which means that I am neither busy nor important. I was trying to have at least the outward appearance of being a big-wig... *snort* ;-D (BarbS) Full size dear, full size, in all its lip-licking glory! That's what I like to hear!!! (KathyF) You aren't going to tell Sam that his EA is now Drool material, are you? Oh my! Imagine the therapy bills later!! ;-)"}, {"response": 445, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (16:31)", "body": "Well, thank God everyone has gone home here at my work, because I've been catching up on today's posts, and there is no way I would be able to contain the laughter! (KathyF) You aren't going to tell Sam that his EA is now Drool material, are you? (Tress)Oh my! Imagine the therapy bills later!! ;-) LOL! I've heard he can do a near-perfect imitation of ODB's voice, to add the EA as Drool-worthy would indeed give the poor boy a complex (what kind of complex remains to be seen, hee hee). (Kathy F)What a great logo, and so apropos! The rolling eyes, the tongue licking the lips! ROTFL!! We have a LOGO now?!!! WOO HOO!!"}, {"response": 446, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (16:44)", "body": "(Murph) i.e. taking away the book's ending and relegating Kip to a more minor role. Kip was the major character in the book. I saw the show, thanks to you, Murph.was disappointed Colin's name wasn't even mentioned. Jsut for the record I liked the film more than the book. Ondaatje's prose notwithstanding."}, {"response": 447, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (17:07)", "body": "(looking around with a red face and noting that poor Evelyn & Mary were actually trying to have a \"normal\" conversation) I'm sorry ladies. Perhaps we should have an entire different thread that's called \"Colin Chaos\"?"}, {"response": 448, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (17:26)", "body": "(Jeanie) Perhaps we should have an entire different thread that's called \"Colin Chaos\"? I've wondered the same...a community place just to be non-topically silly or just together, not that I like you guys or anything -- oops, almost forgot to insert the winkie! ;-) Spring has the Porch, perhaps we could have something like \"The Loft\" or something else? Although I'm sure those who've been around here a bit are used to ignoring the baser frivolity."}, {"response": 449, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (18:08)", "body": "Yeah, I like that idea, Barb. Wot? You don't like me? Now, who around here wouldn't like me? (whoops, forgot my emoticon, ringing the siren for the Thread Nazis & The Winkie Police) Help, Help, they're after meeee! Where's my papers? Where's my passport?? In all honesty, I do like the idea of having a different thread for me, and others who have a tendency to go loo loo at the slightest provocation, because I become embarrassed when our more serious connoisseurs of all things colinery attempt to actually have an intelligent conversation and meanwhile I'm flitting around like a junebug on a string. So, frauline.. errmmm.. I mean Ms. Karen, do you think it's a good idea?"}, {"response": 450, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (18:11)", "body": "Yikes, I did it again! (in the above message insert winkie after \"frauline\". You're a good eggie, Karen. I'm just teasing you and I've been in a weird mood these past few days. I do apologize to you and others that I might have slighted with my foolishness."}, {"response": 451, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (18:33)", "body": "Listen, ladies - Give me \"Colin Chaos\" any day. This from a woman who lives with \"Crowe Chaos\" all the time!"}, {"response": 452, "author": "WinniePeg", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (18:41)", "body": "De-lurking... Now this has always been a fun place to lurk what with the right/left discussions along with the serious fingers, toes, hair debates but today had to be the best... Googie??? Googie burgers (Is that to go or..)??? LMAO.. You ladies are a crazy bunch.. (and I've decided that if I'm ever stranded on a desert island you're all coming along). Pssst Jeanie, the weird mood--blame it on the full moon not the medication.. Leona"}, {"response": 453, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (19:37)", "body": "(Jeanie)(looking around with a red face and noting that poor Evelyn & Mary were actually trying to have a \"normal\" conversation) I'm sorry ladies. Perhaps we should have an entire different thread that's called \"Colin Chaos\"? (Murph)Give me \"Colin Chaos\" any day. This from a woman who lives with \"Crowe Chaos\" all the time! ROTF..Is there a \"Owens Chaos\" too? Sorry... I should have said: \"We are sorry to interrupt...\" *Only joking*"}, {"response": 454, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (20:47)", "body": "(Tress)And I want to know if that was a 1/4 lb Googie or a 1/2 lb Googie??? ;-D No, it looked like a Whopper to me. Oh, I've been away all day and missed all the googie stuff. *kicking self* Jeanie, you are priceless."}, {"response": 455, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (21:19)", "body": "(Leona) You ladies are a crazy bunch.. (and I've decided that if I'm ever stranded on a desert island you're all coming along). Welcome Leona, glad you chose today to de-lurk! The more the merrier! Googie burgers (Is that to go or..)??? LMAO.. Yup, I could tell you were going to fit right in! (Linda) it looked like a Whopper to me. Does that mean I can have it my way? (I did NOT intend to type that when I started my response, it just came out...bad fingers...bad...)"}, {"response": 456, "author": "meg", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (21:34)", "body": "Would it be safe to say that a 1/2 lb googie would be a colinary treat? (With or without the works?)"}, {"response": 457, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (21:43)", "body": "(Barb S) Does that mean I can have it my way? (I did NOT intend to type that when I started my response, it just came out...bad fingers...bad...) ROTFLMAO....you deserve to have it your way with a comment like that!! ;-D"}, {"response": 458, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (21:47)", "body": "BWAHHHH... very good ladies....keep 'em coming, so to speak."}, {"response": 459, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (21:58)", "body": "(leona) Googie??? Googie burgers (Is that to go or..)??? LMAO. LOL... Would you like that supersized, ma'am? Just 75 cents more!?! Thanks for delurking, m'dear... it is now against the rules to relurk once you've delurked. Once you're here you can't go back or you won't be allowed to return (crossing fingers behind back). So, you have my sympathy, Leona... you're stuck with us! ;) (Barb) Does that mean I can have it my way? Yes, but it takes longer to receive your order and when they send him out he'll be all wrapped in paper, piping hot, with a yellow \"special\" sticker right on the.. ok.. that's it, no more late night latte's for me. (Evelyn) Sorry... I should have said: \"We are sorry to interrupt...\" *Only joking* Sheesh, after today's silliness I wouldn't be surprised if you weren't joking... we've been completely bonkers!... LOL! ok, ok.. I've been completely bonkers but it only takes one to incite a riot with these young, impressionable girls. ;)"}, {"response": 460, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Nov 19, 2002 (22:39)", "body": "(Jeanie) Yes, but it takes longer to receive your order and when they send him out he'll be all wrapped in paper, piping hot, with a yellow \"special\" sticker right on the.. ok.. that's it, no more late night latte's for me. LOL....I insist you have more lattes! I'll get you a Starbuck's card! Wait, you probably already have one (sorry if I offended you)! I'll get you another Starbuck's card!! ;-D Thank you Jeanie for making me laugh today!!"}, {"response": 461, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (01:41)", "body": "(Tress) but I will have a copy. And enjoy every slo-mo, freeze frame, zoom minute of it!!! Marketing genius (three cheers to Warner Bros)!!! \"Get that Firth guy! The ladies love him...we'll sell billions of DVDs! Get him in leather pants! It'll be better than that time he dove into the water (okay, okay...that's a bit far fetched..)!!\" And so will I. Leather pants may be enticing, as I pick my tongue up off the floor, but IMO nothing will ever better the WET SHIRT. His body was a temple, a marvelous piece of art then, still is, although IMO he could add a couple of pounds on. I'd like to be digging at that TEMPLE. (Tress) And I want to know if that was a 1/4 lb Googie or a 1/2 lb Googie??? ;-D I've been a \"Googie Girl\" for a long time...just didn't know it had a name! I've always been a \"Googie Girl\" and IMO this is the ULTIMATE FULL POUND GOOGIE. A Whopper of a mouthful. I'd gladly take that \"pounding\". Sweet dreams ladies."}, {"response": 462, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (18:04)", "body": "(FanPam)I'd like to be digging at that TEMPLE. I'd throw myself on the mercy of that TEMPLE."}, {"response": 463, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (19:39)", "body": "(FanPam) I'd like to be digging at that TEMPLE. (lindak) I'd throw myself on the mercy of that TEMPLE. LOL...I've rededicated my life to that TEMPLE. ;-)"}, {"response": 464, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (20:23)", "body": "All the Googie Girls must be tired out today."}, {"response": 465, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (21:19)", "body": "(FanPam) All the Googie Girls must be tired out today. I'm here...but barely...loooooong day. But! Still drooling and ODB's googie is always on my mind. ;-)"}, {"response": 466, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (22:10)", "body": "Gosh, I'm gone for a couple of days and all Googie breaks loose in my absence! (Barb S) Spring has the Porch, perhaps we could have something like \"The Loft\" or something else? Would that be a Moss Loft? Considering the way we get sometimes, \"The Gutter\" might be more like it. Not that I am complaining."}, {"response": 467, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (04:32)", "body": "(Rika) Considering the way we get sometimes, \"The Gutter\" might be more like it. Not that I am complaining. I couldn't agree more.. sheesh. I embarassed myself the other day to such a degree that I'm speechless.. you'd better mark this one down for posterity. ;)"}, {"response": 468, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (07:35)", "body": "Has anyone else noticed that we ladies get a little, er, *riled up*, every full moon? Last month it was his walking style, this month it's \"the googie\" (can't even type that without snickering). LOL, what on earth is it going to be next month? Perhaps \"The Gutter\" needs to be constructed before next month's full moon :)"}, {"response": 469, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (08:16)", "body": "(Rika) Would that be a Moss Loft? You got it, exactly what I was thinking. Though the Gutter idea is probably more appropriate. (Jeanie) I embarassed myself the other day to such a degree that I'm speechless.. you'd better mark this one down for posterity. ;) No no no...Jeanie, you cannot change...we like you just the way you are! Moonstar, interesting theory about the full moon, have to watch and see if there is anything to it."}, {"response": 470, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (09:12)", "body": "(Moonstar) Has anyone else noticed that we ladies get a little, er, *riled up*, every full moon? Oh is that what it is? (Wish there were more full moons) The titillation factor mixed with the general hilarity of all of you is what carries me through the days!!"}, {"response": 471, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (09:53)", "body": "(Jeanie) I embarassed myself the other day to such a degree that I'm speechless.. you'd better mark this one down for posterity. ;) LOL....Oh no! Don't tell us the other day was your 'one-off'! We count on you to lead the way! Quick! Someone get her a latte!!! ;-D (Moonstar) Has anyone else noticed that we ladies get a little, er, *riled up*, every full moon? I can't blame the moon....I'm like this all the time. I just need a nudge... ;-)"}, {"response": 472, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (18:41)", "body": "(Tress)I can't blame the moon....I'm like this all the time. I just need a nudge... Or a weeks's worth of talking about black leather pants and goggies. And perhaps thinking about the googie in the black leather pants. *slapping bad, bad fingers*"}, {"response": 473, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (22:14)", "body": "(Tress) I can't blame the moon....I'm like this all the time. I just need a nudge... ;-) I'm the same way. And I definitely get the nudge I need from the Temple."}, {"response": 474, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (23:50)", "body": "(moonstar) Perhaps \"The Gutter\" needs to be constructed before next month's full moon :) I could be wrong, but I thought part of the point of creating this topic was to give us a place where we could engage in full-moon frivolity.... so I think we're already home."}, {"response": 475, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (10:23)", "body": "(MariaT) What on earth is on the table on the paper, a Dungeoness crab? Maria I am answering you over here as requested by the boss....I think it is a sea shell. I have one that looks just like it. Thanks Rika, for the picture over on 165. He looks awesome! Love the pants and shirt. Looks long and lean (like I like him)!!! (MariaT) Maybe I'm just hungry...yes for the crab! Although I could always go for a Googie burger... All that and a bag of chips!!!"}, {"response": 476, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (11:11)", "body": "continued from the \"Current News\" thread.. (Rika) (vs. 39 when the BJD shoot started). Not that I am detail-oriented or compulsive about math. :-) Heh, of course not you cute lil' dimpled math momma! Actually, I wanna know a way that I can manage to just stay 39 for, let's say, the next six or seven years. Do you have an equation for that one, ol' building & loan pal?? Rachael watched \"SLOW\" today and wants to know what sort of heart condition does Matthew have. I told her I was sure one of you brilliant ladies could enlighten her. (Rika) Hi, Kathleen! Glad to have you here, and I couldn't agree more about that prayer for no red hair in GWAPE. As far as the Vermeer \"bozo\" comparisons, Colin's hair is about the same color as mine. I didn't see any bozo colors in the Vermeer \"works of art that possibly might have Vermeer in them\". It appeared to me that his hair was about the same color as ODB's natural color, so maybe my monitor's color levels are incorrect? LOL! Either that, or I have Bozo Red hair, which, if that is so, it is an issue I need to address.. or dye. =) Oh, and hi, Kathleen! Welcome to the \"Peanut Gallery\" \"The Peanut Gallery\"- where typically people of lower class than the orchestra section would sit (generally in the balcony), and were the rowdiest in the theater, and in late 19th century vaudeville, disapproving audiences did more than just heckle the performers, but would throw peanuts at them, as well as the people in the upper class seats down below."}, {"response": 477, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (12:12)", "body": "(Jeanie) \"The Peanut Gallery\"- where typically people of lower class than the orchestra section would sit (generally in the balcony), and were the rowdiest in the theater Well, I guess that's us! Wait, not us! Must not speak for everyone! But me, and anybody like me. I'm usually the rowdiest, wherever I go! ;-)"}, {"response": 478, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (16:57)", "body": "Rachael watched \"SLOW\" today and wants to know what sort of heart condition does Matthew have. I told her I was sure one of you brilliant ladies could enlighten her. I don't think the heart condition is ever really described in any detail. He seems to recover pretty rapidly."}, {"response": 479, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (19:10)", "body": "(LeahP) Rika, love the picture. Did you by any chance cut off the bottom of the picture, or is this it? I ask this very politely, as I'm looking into the mirror from the very top of my screen to see if I can see anything else. Help!! I moved this from 165 so as not to invoke the wrath of The Thread Cop (hi, boss :-). Leah, I regret to say that, although I cropped the photo horizontally, I didn't take off anything at the top or bottom. So what you see is what we got. Assuming you were googie-hunting, you'll have to look elsewhere. (MariaT) What on earth is on the table on the paper, a Dungeoness crab? (Tress) I think it is a sea shell. I have one that looks just like it. I have to laugh, Maria, because as I was working with the capture I was saying to myself, \"What the heck is that thing on the table?\" Thanks for enlightening us, Tress. (Jeanie) Do you have an equation for that one, ol' building & loan pal?? Can't help you there, Uncle Billy. But didn't Lady Bracknell say that there were many women in British society who had remained 35 for years? That summer home in London is sounding better and better. As far as the Vermeer \"bozo\" comparisons, Colin's hair is about the same color as mine. You think so? Maybe I'm not using the right movie as my natural-color reference for him, because I'd call his light brown with some red highlights, and I recall yours as being redder than that (but NOT Bozo-ish by any stretch of the imagination). I didn't see any bozo colors in the Vermeer \"works of art that possibly might have Vermeer in them\". The book doesn't describe Vermeer as having Bozo hair either. That was just a joke. When Griet meets him she says: \"His hat pressed into hair the red of brick washed by rain.\" That's not too helpful, but later when Griet meets his children she says, \"The second youngest...... had the brightest hair of the four, red like the dry brick wall behind her...... while the eldest's was the same dark red as her father's.\" (KathyF) Well, I guess that's us! Wait, not us! Must not speak for everyone! I think you can speak for most of us. Count me in, anyway. (LindaK) I don't think the heart condition is ever really described in any detail. Agreed. I think the production notes might have said something about his having had a heart attack - check the SLOW information on The Bucket - but it's extremely vague from the movie. I think I even read somewhere (maybe The Bucket again, or maybe Drool archives) that the writer intended his heart problems to be psychosomatic to some degree."}, {"response": 480, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (20:02)", "body": "(Rika) But didn't Lady Bracknell say that there were many women in British society who had remained 35 for years? That summer home in London is sounding better and better. Cr*p! This math only works in London??? ;-) (Rika) The book doesn't describe Vermeer as having Bozo hair either. That was just a joke. But OH MY!!! The paintings! If they truly are self-portraits of Vermeer....the hair looks brown (IMO), but the boy was in SERIOUS need of a hot oil treatment...and some deep conditioning. Trying hard to imagine ODB in a wig that looks like that! (KathyF) Well, I guess that's us! Wait, not us! Must not speak for everyone! (Rika) I think you can speak for most of us. Count me in, anyway. I have to stand up to be counted as well...that makes at least three of us...(I suspect there are more). ;-) Must now run. The DH has just gotten 7:00 tickets for James Bond. HP is at 7:05 and 8:15!! \"Plan Rika\" in place....will sneak the first preview 'while getting popcorn' and plan pee break at 8:10! Woooooohoooooooo...."}, {"response": 481, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (20:15)", "body": "(Tress) I have to stand up to be counted as well...that makes at least three of us...(I suspect there are more). ;-) Your suspects are correct. Count me in. Then there were four."}, {"response": 482, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (20:26)", "body": "(Tress)I have to stand up to be counted as well...that makes at least three of us...(I suspect there are more). (Pam)Then there were four. And now we're five.:-)"}, {"response": 483, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (21:16)", "body": ""}, {"response": 484, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (21:18)", "body": "(Tress) Must now run. The DH has just gotten 7:00 tickets for James Bond. HP is at 7:05 and 8:15!! \"Plan Rika\" in place....will sneak the first preview 'while getting popcorn' and plan pee break at 8:10! Woooooohoooooooo.... You go, girlfriend!!! We'll be waiting for the report. By the way, I want to post a comment about something that's going on that I know has concerned some of you. Several of my DVD captures from TIOBE that I posted on 165 (as well as two of Jeanie's) mysteriously materialized, without any sort of credit, on another CF fan site. The thief belatedly listed Drool's URL as the source of the photos, but only after she was embarrassed into it by members of the group enthusing about the photos and asking for others. Of course, my name and Jeanie's never entered into the discussion. I became aware of it when a couple of \"concerned citizens\" here e-mailed me to let me know about the unscheduled migration of my photos. I was going to let it go, but my ability to resist was finally overcome when I was alerted tonight that they were all atwitter because they thought Karen had stolen photos from their site and posted them on The Bucket (they were mistaken). They were displeased that anyone would do such a thing, especially without giving credit. And in honor of the occasion, I decided to go ahead and post one of the additional photos that was requested by a person on that other site. Because as y'all know, I do take requests! Besides, I already had a capture of it, and it's pretty cute:"}, {"response": 485, "author": "townranny", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (21:52)", "body": "I have no idea what you are talking about but count me in too. Lemming number 6! Thanks for the welcome at the Peanut Gallery. It's kinda hard to see the stage from up here, but we can do our own show. I'd get up to take a bow but there's something sticky on my seat. Colin Firth WAS good in his last movie. ( Does this qualify me to post in this thread?) BIG WINKIE."}, {"response": 486, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (21:52)", "body": "You are fantastic. Shame on them. (Rika)Because as y'all know, I do take requests! I think I know that better than anyone. Thanks for the above, and thanks for all the great pictures you give us to drool over."}, {"response": 487, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (22:51)", "body": "Me either. Knowing what you're talking about, that is. But, I don't like to miss out on anything, so count me in. Number 7. But only if it's good. If you all are going to get in trouble, count me out. Maybe I should think about it some more. I'll get back to you. RIKA!!!!! You know I get fiercely protective of my kids, my husband, my dog and people from Drool who get taken advantage of. Better you than me because I would have been over there in a flash and chewed them out good. I don't know what site you're talking about. I've been underground for a couple of days but I probably would have never seen it anyway. I do think it funny that there would be those who would think Karen was stealing from them! She's the one who regularly gets ripped off and posts to that affect on the boards here. And I want to give a big thank you to you as well. I try to always say thanks but I know I miss some. I can't tell you how much I enjoy the pictures you post. They give me a much needed boost at times. (Insert thank you winkie)"}, {"response": 488, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (23:47)", "body": "(Kathleen from the \"current\" thread)I heard that the chargirl living in the house in Islington was supposed to practice sleeping in a hole in the basement and grinding something in the attic while the occupants were away. Any confirmation? You know, sleeping in a hole in the basement doesn't really sound all that unattractive considering what goes on in the attic while the occupants, all but our brick haired artist that is, are away...What is that you say? She was grinding powder for paint? (Dodging peanuts and rotten tomatoes)"}, {"response": 489, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (23:52)", "body": "Lisa, thanks for the kind words. I'm always glad to hear that people enjoy the captures. I know how much I enjoy great photos that others share with us here! There are ways to prevent people from saving copies of the photos, but I would hate to have to resort to that. I know that some of you like to be able to save a capture that particularly tickles your fancy to a private collection on your hard drive, and I'm happy for my friends here on the Peanut Gallery to be able to do that!"}, {"response": 490, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (23:58)", "body": "(Kathleen) I'd get up to take a bow but there's something sticky on my seat. Colin Firth WAS good in his last movie. Lemming 6, you deserve to have your hand smacked! However, as Lemming #1 (I suppose) I think I'll steer clear of your digits. I'm going to go jump off a cliff now...."}, {"response": 491, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (00:05)", "body": "Wait a minute! I lost it! Jeanie must be No. 1 High Priestess of Peanutry. I got lost in my bad math for a minute! I'm a mere 2, at best!"}, {"response": 492, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (00:11)", "body": "And we all move down another place..... but for such a worthy one as Jeanie, it's an honor."}, {"response": 493, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (00:23)", "body": "(Rika) but for such a worthy one as Jeanie, it's an honor. I agree wholeheartedly! I'm envisioning all of us in a theater, grabbing our purses, soft drinks, and popcorn (make that peanuts!) and moving over a seat to make room for our fearless Peanut Princess!"}, {"response": 494, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (00:58)", "body": "(Rika) You go, girlfriend!!! We'll be waiting for the report. What a girl REALLY wants is to see ODB (twice) in one evening (did I say twice?)...in leather pants (that's right...twice)...on the big screen!! Uh-huh, uh-huh!! \"Plan Rika\" a complete success. Mission accomplished. ;-) BTW, was I supposed to know that Mrs. Richie played Verity the S&M fencing coach in Die Another Day? This tid-bit escaped me...Did think about ODB being the next Bond. Still think it should be JN (despite my love for ODB). BUT! If it did come to pass that our AFG boy became the next 007, I must say I would enjoy those shirtless, swimming, ski-diving, martini drinking minutes. And those toys! And those cars! ODB deserves the finer things, I think. (Rika) And in honor of the occasion, I decided to go ahead and post one of the additional photos that was requested by a person on that other site. And we all benefit from your kindness...thanks for the capture Rika! Love a man who can strum...and do a bit of delicate finger work! ;-) (KathyF) Wait a minute! I lost it! Jeanie must be No. 1 High Priestess of Peanutry. (Rika) And we all move down another place..... but for such a worthy one as Jeanie, it's an honor. Dusting off chair and making room for the High Priestess of Peanutry and Goddess of all things Googie! ;-)"}, {"response": 495, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (01:37)", "body": "(Kathy) I'm envisioning all of us in a theater One playing the WAGW trailer continuously, I hope! Speaking of which: (Tress)\"Plan Rika\" a complete success. Mission accomplished. ;-) You da woman! I'm in a mad, impulsive, capture-posting kind o' mood tonight. Maybe it's the ego boost of being the Unofficial Supplier of TIOBE Captures To The Internet. But I have been falling down on the job, as some of you have mentioned fave scenes and I've been slow about taking the hint and providing illustrations. So I think the following will get me all caught up, and if not I'm sure I can count on y'all to speak up. I apologize that I no longer recall who mentioned which scenes. First, there was a comment about his somewhat unusual thumb position after he catches the flower near the start of TIOBE. Visual aid: Next on the agenda, we have the \"mirror image\" effect that Rupie and Colin create in the scene in the doorway (\"We have to talk. You have to leave.\" \"If I leave, how can we talk?\"). Hard to fully illustrate in a still, but this gives part of the idea: Now, IMHO I've saved the best for last, even though you won't even see ODB's face in these. No, no googies either, sorry. When I posted the shot of FOC kissing the side of his face, someone commented that the part they loved about the scene was that she worked her way around to the back of his neck. For this situation, one picture just wasn't enough:"}, {"response": 496, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (09:20)", "body": "Hey Rika! Nicely done.....all around!! (Big Conspiratorial Winkie) I believe it was me who commented on the \"mirror image\". Thanks soooo much! A very brief scene with something about it that really amuses me. And an added bonus for me having the neck kissing pics, too, even without his facial expressions. (That is not a complaint nor a request, just a statement) ;-) (Tress)\"Plan Rika\" a complete success. Mission accomplished. ;-) LOL! Way to go! Raise any suspicions? ;-)"}, {"response": 497, "author": "townranny", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (09:28)", "body": "(Tress)\"Plan Rika\" a complete sucess! Have yet to see the clip once. I am impressed at your dedication. (Rika) Unofficial Supplier of TIOBE Captures to the Internet (USTCI) I am remiss in not thanking you for the lovely captures. Guitar playing is scrumptious. Can hear that sweet little off-key voice now. You're right about the thumb position on the rose. How odd! Maybe to film it better? Mirror image capture. Loved the way he motivates himself to go after Algy in the behind the scenes featurette. I wonder if he often walks around the set in hair clips. His curls must be a challenge to hairdressers. (happy the hairdresser!). Finally that clean shaven, good smelly neck shot. FOC, you are my hero! Didn't miss a follicle!"}, {"response": 498, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (10:28)", "body": "Lovely, Rika! Thanks! I also love his face right after that scene. The one that looks like he's in a daze. ;-D (Lisa), I do think it funny that there would be those who would think Karen was stealing from them! She's the one who regularly gets ripped off and posts to that affect on the boards here. My thoughts exactly! How dare they?"}, {"response": 499, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (10:32)", "body": "(Tress) Goddess of all things Googie Welll... I'm not saying I don't want this honor to be bestowed upon me, but, I do have to admit that such a title should be given to one whose eyes wander straight to the crotch area of HWM's self as soon as he appears in a scene. Mine do not, so I do not qualify. (laughing) I get too caught up in the face, and generally the googie gazing doesn't take place until I've seen the movie several times and know I'm not missing anything by lowering my field of vision. Tress, I'll have to try to pull a Rika in a couple of weeks, since (huge sigh) I missed the preview the first time around. I'm glad you had success! (Kathleen) His curls must be a challenge to hairdressers. (happy the hairdresser!). Finally that clean shaven, good smelly neck shot. FOC, you are my hero! Didn't miss a follicle! Kathleen, my husband has ODB's hair, by the way... aren't I lucky? After Rachael watched SLOW yesterday she commented that his hair is just like \"Daddy's\". It's even growing thinner in the same area. You can't do anything with it other than run your fingers through it. The women at work(who are like his sisters, by the way) do that to him all the time in passing.. Oh, and the neck on our precious boy.. well, you know what I think about the sniffy neck. ;)"}, {"response": 500, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (11:15)", "body": "(Moon) Lovely, Rika! Thanks! I also love his face right after that scene. The one that looks like he's in a daze. ;-D You mean like this?"}, {"response": 501, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (11:32)", "body": "Ooohhhh Rika! Outdoing yourself today! Even if that's not what *she* means, it's definitely what I meant. ;-)"}, {"response": 502, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (12:25)", "body": "Rika, Rika, Rika. I just got on and realized I've missed so much. You are over the top, today. (and probably every day):-) I love that whole sequence in TIOBE. Oh to be able to kiss that neck. And that look of his. Wish I could do that to him. I did get to see WAGW trailer yesterday. Bought a ticked for the 1:00 HP. (Which I didn't stay for,BTW) Thought I'd get two for the price of one, but a whole different set of Trailers for the 1:15 HP. Drat. I made a valiant effort, though, to see it twice. Just makes me more determined to go back, and I will. Totally AFG is all I can say, Totally AFG."}, {"response": 503, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (12:46)", "body": "Rika, you got it! Thanks."}, {"response": 504, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (12:48)", "body": "Rika! You DVDiva, you!!! I just logged on a couple of minutes ago and I get such a nice surprise! No coffee in my system, but am now fully awake and somewhat functional due to the visual glory before me!! ODB's lovely, curvy thumb to start with (thank you), followed by the mirror image scene (this amuses me as well Dorine...don't know why. I finding it more amusing now that I have seen the 'behind the scenes' action with the hairclip), and what can I say about the rest??? Lucky, lucky, lucky FOC!! I bet ODB smells good too! Don't know how she managed to refrain from just taking a little nip, right at the base of his neck.... the dazed look is too much...I have to lay my head down for a second....I'm back! Thanks Rika!! (Dorine) LOL! Way to go! Raise any suspicions? ;-) The first viewing was easy...decided to get that Diet Coke after all...the DH: \"hurry or you'll miss the previews\"...well....I didn't miss the preview I wanted to see! ;-) Next WAGW viewing...well, the Diet Coke kicked in and I just had to go! DH was so enraptured by (not Jinx, not Amanda Frost, but...) the Astin Martin that he didn't even notice that it took me a few minutes!! (Kathy) I'm envisioning all of us in a theater (Rika) One playing the WAGW trailer continuously, I hope! Perfect! One endless loop for 2 (or 3) straight hours....we could all get up and dance with ODB. ;-) (Jeanie) Welll... I'm not saying I don't want this honor to be bestowed upon me, but, I do have to admit that such a title should be given to one whose eyes wander straight to the crotch area of HWM's self as soon as he appears in a scene. I understand if you wish to pass on being \"Goddess of All Things Googie\". But you must understand, that without you...there would be no googie-ness here. Unless, of course, Barb discussed her lunch choice with us and then, well....we tend to run with things in the Peanut Gallery, so it could have happened...so, if you pass on the title, who out there will admit that they are a googie viewer first, before all else....anyone?? Hello??? ;-D"}, {"response": 505, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (16:32)", "body": "Tress, I must say that I go for the face first and then other things. Just popping in two post two more captures in response to an e-mailed request from a lurker. This is one of my two favorite of his suits from TIOBE, so it was no hardship whatsoever:"}, {"response": 506, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (17:01)", "body": "Rika I just wanted to join the chorus of thanks for all the wonderful screen captures you have posted over the past few months. - In relation to TIOBE, it makes the waiting for my own copy of the DVD that bit easier. Thanks again."}, {"response": 507, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (17:19)", "body": "Has anyone built a shrine to the Italian taylor yet? I'm thinking I may....thank you Rika!! Love the sprig of baby's breath (is that what that is??)!!"}, {"response": 508, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (17:36)", "body": "It's lily of the valley. A wonderful touch, isn't it? On the Italian tailor, I finally got around to listening to some of OP's director's commentary a couple of nights ago, and he mentioned the tailor.... I don't remember the exact words, but essentially said the tailor had been really good at designing clothes to bring out RE's and CF's natural assets. Amen, in one of those two cases, at least. He said they had about 17 outfits each. Which of course inspired me to start counting. Perhaps I need to design a web site with a photo of each outfit...."}, {"response": 509, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (17:49)", "body": "(Rika) ...but essentially said the tailor had been really good at designing clothes to bring out RE's and CF's natural assets. Amen, in one of those two cases, at least. Wait! RE has natural assets? Ooohhhh....that was mean. Sorry! I'm sure he is a lovely man, but I can't for the life of me remember what he looks like...ODB is sooooo distracting. ;-)"}, {"response": 510, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (17:51)", "body": "(Rika) He said they had about 17 outfits each. Which of course inspired me to start counting. Perhaps I need to design a web site with a photo of each outfit.... Ah, but you know CF's tennis outfit will be missing from the DVD. I believe it's only a PR pic on the Bucket's TIOBE page. LOL, I honed in on what OP said about that, too. And thanks yet again, Rika! When I look at those pics, I start vacillating on which movie I think he looks best in....SLOW or TIOBE (with hands outstretched in imitation of a scale)........SLOW or TIOBE. *Extremely* tough choice when looking at those last 2. Can't get over the hair as well as the suit. *And* is not looking too pale, too tired, gaunt, or anything but AFG!!"}, {"response": 511, "author": "townranny", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (20:24)", "body": "Rika, you should really post a warning before you post those photos from TIOBE When my screen loaded it stopped on the close-up with the lily of the valley sprig and I fainted dead away. (Tress) Who out there will admit that they are a googie viewer first, before all else? anyone?? hello? If I got it right, you are asking who looks at the \"Whole Package\" before \"The Package\"? I think I'm a Whole Package kind of girl but sometimes, (like in the P&P wedding scene) IT (read googie)stares you down. Men, women,children, dogs crowd around the screen and say, \"What the heck is going on in there anyway???\""}, {"response": 512, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (21:15)", "body": "(Kathleen) When my screen loaded it stopped on the close-up with the lily of the valley sprig and I fainted dead away. I am sorry! I have someone here who wants to nurse you back to consciousness - he's sent along a picture to prove his credentials:"}, {"response": 513, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (21:24)", "body": "No more than 24 hours, I swear, I've been away no more than 24 hours and it feels like a week worth of catching up.... Last things first...I only mentioned the odd coincidence between Jeanie's euphemism and my lunch...while I certainly have an appreciation for all things googie, I do not claim the title of Goddess of all things Googie. Paraphrasing Dirty Harry, I like a woman who knows her own limitations...I can get waylaid by ODB's bottom lip, I'll claim no particular affection...wait a minute...I guess to say, I would not want to single out one particular area...oh hell...there are so many OTHER attractions that...nevermind..shutting up and moving on now. Rika Rika Rika...do you live in my head? Do you positively KNOW when you post your captures they are my favorite? All of them? Thank you! Looks like tomorrow for us and HP...look forward to implementing \"Plan Rika\". Have to make sure son is between DH and me in the theater seats, DH does not know about the trailer but knows about my little foible. I might not have to go to the next theater, he might elbow me into it! Ok, now time for another, non-Googie, non-leather pants topic. I just got my DVD copy of Femme Fatale. There was some question over whether it was legit or pirated or whatever, it looks *official* but then I wouldn't really know I suppose? What would one look for? Quality was good. Movie was interesting. Twice now I've seen ODB do the Horizontal Mambo vertically ...or at least in a sitting position...and I wonder at it, I've not really kept a scorecard, but I don't think I've noticed that as being all too common in other filmed ...intimate ...situations. I liked Joe Prince though, very sweet, loyal, one of my favorites so far....except I was glad when he lost the Smokey the Bear uniform though."}, {"response": 514, "author": "townranny", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (22:20)", "body": "(LOL) Rika, I said, please post warnings! You did it again! I never thought I would envy Miss Prism. But looking at that capture, I do. Thanks"}, {"response": 515, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (22:21)", "body": "(BarbS) Twice now I've seen ODB do the Horizontal Mambo vertically ...or at least in a sitting position...and I wonder at it, I've not really kept a scorecard, but I don't think I've noticed that as being all too common in other filmed ...intimate ...situations. Okay Barb, you said non-googie related, and I think this is a sub-catagory of googie (as it involves googie activity)! But! I have noticed this as well...which movie besides FF have you noticed it in?? My 'scorecard' is: FF PM WoF HotP Any others????"}, {"response": 516, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Sun, Nov 24, 2002 (00:53)", "body": "Rika, thanks for all those wonderfull pictures. You ,once again, made my day!"}, {"response": 517, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Nov 24, 2002 (01:05)", "body": "Welcome back Charlady! I thought you were moving over here. So good to see you back on the job. My only concern is that he seems to want to have contact with MB. I find this greatly upsetting, as well as the gawd-awful green clogs. Great stuff Lisa. Please keep it up. Rika, what can one say. You are indeed the Queen of the DVD. All Hail. Many thanks."}, {"response": 518, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Nov 24, 2002 (11:57)", "body": "Barb, did you get the FF DVD on EBay? I've seen them there and have thought about bidding, but I was always concerned about it somehow being a rip-off. When you say the quality was good, I assume though that it suffers in comparison to more recent DVD's? I've been tempted to buy one if I could get it for a reasonable price because then I could do FF DVD captures."}, {"response": 519, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Nov 24, 2002 (13:56)", "body": "Rika, I think you should definitely set up a page where we can and take them all in at the same time. Wonderful job!"}, {"response": 520, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Nov 24, 2002 (14:49)", "body": "(Tress)who out there will admit that they are a googie viewer first, before all else....anyone?? Hello??? ;-D HELLO *hand raised high in the air and waving* My motto: Googie first, all else can wait. Oh don't get me wrong, the eyes, hair, neck, fingers, dimples, and walk are all accounted for... eventually. Lisa, you've done it again. I might have had to pull off those clogs, and ahem, well lets not go there. (Tress)...which movie besides FF have you noticed it in?? I think you covered them all. But, I certainly would have loved to know what position Simon picked out of the book in COF. Thanks, again, Rika for our lovely Jack."}, {"response": 521, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Nov 24, 2002 (15:44)", "body": "(Moon) Rika, I think you should definitely set up a page where we can and take them all in at the same time. Wonderful job! I'll certainly give it some thought. I have over 100 captures from the movie (and that's after eliminating some); I've just been posting the best ones so far. Of course every photo needs minimal editing before posting, so to post 100 of them would be quite an undertaking (not to mention the disk space they'd consume). I've also been researching how to get captures from RealAudio and Windows Media Player..... just preparing for the eventual posting of the WAGW trailer. :-)"}, {"response": 522, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, Nov 24, 2002 (17:46)", "body": "Regarding FF DVD, yes, I got it on ebay. Quality of the DVD was good, I might need to re-watch it to tune specifically into image quality, but if there were any problems, they were not distracting...IMO, quality was easily comparable to any old film transferred to DVD. The packaging was reasonable... though I would not really know what to look for on pirated product. My only indicator that all might not be as it should be is the package cover points to a website that does not seem to have any \"direct\" relation to DVD's or distribution, but a google search for the distributor turned up a Hong Kong company. My ebay vendor had a solid history, I paid 9.99 plus shipping and as far as I'm concerned, it was worth it. (Rika) I've also been researching how to get captures from RealAudio and Windows Media Player.....preparing for...the WAGW trailer. :-) You are too good to us!"}, {"response": 523, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Nov 24, 2002 (18:27)", "body": "(linkdak) HELLO *hand raised high in the air and waving* My motto: Googie first, all else can wait. Oh don't get me wrong, the eyes, hair, neck, fingers, dimples, and walk are all accounted for... eventually. Yeeeeahhh! Our Googie Goddess! ;-) I admit, I'm like Kathleen! I usually take in ODB's fine facial features...then my eyes will wander over the rest of him...BUT, there are times, when IT (to quote Katheleen) stares you down. P&P wedding scene, second proposal...even walking down the steps of Netherfeld...probably wasn't until my 3rd or 4th viewing that I saw ODB's face!! (BarbS) Regarding FF DVD, yes, I got it on ebay. Barb, did you in any way warn this gentleman that there would be a run on his product??? Course I'll make way for Rika as we all benefit from her having the next copy that comes up for bid! ;-D This may belong on Darcy Drool, but I picked up a book yesterday that is really interesting. \"Recreating Jane Austin\" by Wiltshire. It doesn't mention ODB specifically, but there is an entire chapter on P&P (comparing the novel with the BBC adaptation). The book is how JA's novels have been transferred to other mediums. Also mentions BJD in the introduction...the part at the launch party where Natasha and Bridget are discussing literary adaptations. V. good stuff! Will now put it down and resume reading UMS.... ;-)"}, {"response": 524, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sun, Nov 24, 2002 (19:11)", "body": "(Tress)who out there will admit that they are a googie viewer first, before all else....anyone?? Hello??? ;-D (linkdak) HELLO *hand raised high in the air and waving* My motto: Googie first, all else can wait. Oh don't get me wrong, the eyes, hair, neck, fingers, dimples, and walk are all accounted for... eventually. I've been considering this question, and I finally realized that I'm perfectly happy with a closeup of CF's face. However, in a long shot, it's Googie time!"}, {"response": 525, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Nov 24, 2002 (22:50)", "body": "Something funny (and somewhat googie-related) just happened. I was on the Guardian (UK) web site and did a search on \"Colin Firth.\" A bunch of articles came up. Midway down the page was this headline and this first sentence of the article: \"There's gold in them there pills The corporate headquarters of Vivus Inc, a company that develops therapies to treat sexual dysfunction, is at Mountain View in Silicon Valley, south of San Francisco.\" Hmmmm..... I did a search on Colin Firth and it returned an article on sexual dysfunction???? Needless to say I clicked on the link at once. Turns out that Vivus is working on a Viagra competitor, a drug for women, and some things that the author says are essentially aphrodisiacs. The author has some qualms about the whole business. And here's where CF comes in: \"These heretical thoughts seem ever more pertinent once you begin looking at female sexual dysfunction. When and how, exactly, does a lack of interest in sex start to become a problem? And how is one supposed to know whether that problem is caused by simple biochemistry, or by one of the following: you forgot to put the washing machine on before you came to bed; your baby was up all night; you're feeling unattractive, having eaten too many Kettle Chips while you watched EastEnders; your partner doesn't look like Colin Firth /David Beckham/George Clooney. I'm damned if I know. \" (Linda) My motto: Googie first, all else can wait. And to think I believed you were a shy, modest sort..... No, I just can't say that with a straight face. (implicit winkie)"}, {"response": 526, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (02:52)", "body": "Hi! Let me start by assuring you, that I will no longer lurk. It was never intended to be a regular feature of life. I found this conference while looking for something relating to Colin Firth. I have been following his \ufffdwork\ufffd since P&P and find it very comforting indeed to find someone, who share this interest (or should I say obsession?). My english is not very good, but I hope you understand me. Fortunately it is possible to find lots of quotes from all of his films, so perhaps that way, I can make myself understandable. As a newbie, I hope to figure out all of your references (thanks to Rika, I\ufffdve got most of them sortet out), but until then, pray forgive me for not knowing. If I were to be interviewed by Lady Bracknell, my answer too would be: I know nothing! If there is anything else, you need to know about me to accept me as a true fan, please don\ufffdt hesitate to ask. I will try to answer as truthfully as possible. As I have learned from your drool-conversations, it can be hard to keep this obsession a secret to your family \ufffd but I still try. I do have confided in my eldest son, as I need his help to track down all the missing movies. Perhaps some of my favourite scenes will provide you with an image of who I am: Best \ufffdlook\ufffd: P&P2 Best line: SLOW, Say my name! Wet shirt: Nostromo (inside the mine, off course) Restaurant: FP Bed: TA (with Samira) Kiss: BJD Dancing: Valmont Shower: PM Torment: MOTM Most devastated (TEP, the farewell-party) Intoxicated: RV Singing: TEP followed closely by TIOBE (it\ufffds a hard one to call) Silliest costume: SIL (still handsome though, and I love the movie) Best outfit: MLSF (rescuing Fraser, climbing the roof - and btw I think he looks lean and gorgeous) Rika \ufffd I still think you are magnificent. You have been the source of many delightful moments Karen \ufffd thank you for helping me to post Meredith \ufffd looking forward to hear from you Evelyn \ufffd still haven\ufffdt recieved the book (GWAPE) so I\ufffdll just have to enjoy your postings I\ufffdve taken up enough of your time and space, which is supposed to be about ODB, so I\ufffdll stop now. I'm on a break at work, and some of my co-workers have been asking, what's so interesting on the internet. This time I'll just say books (I have to vary the answers, you know). Annette, danish and 4 years younger than ODB PS As to the Googie-discussion: To me it is his eyes - no (sniff) his lips......."}, {"response": 527, "author": "sandym", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (06:50)", "body": "Chiming in... THANK YOU RIKA!! Love all of the captures, but especially that close-up with the Mona Lisa smile... mmmmmmmm!"}, {"response": 528, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (07:01)", "body": "(Tress)who out there will admit that they are a googie viewer first, before all else....anyone?? Hello??? Really, I would have to say that it is the Googie that dicates the viewing...For example, in P&P2 when he is about to deliver the letter, well, he turns around and The G goes to great lengths to be seen...I do love the whole package but when it is *ahem* poking it's head out and dancing a jig in front of you, what choice do your eyes have?"}, {"response": 529, "author": "Leah", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (07:16)", "body": "I think that esp with P&P2, I know exactly when to look for what - most of the time anyway, but with a new movie ie TIOBE, the first viewing is to see where HE is, and the second viewing is to look at the face - only after that can I concentrate on *other* things."}, {"response": 530, "author": "townranny", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (07:46)", "body": "Welcome Annette!!!! (would do more graphics if I knew how) I am impressed with your breadth and depth of CF knowledge!!! I adore that FP restaurant scene too. You have done so much independent research that we in Firthology 101 may have to award an honorary Dotoressa!"}, {"response": 531, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (08:17)", "body": "Mmmm, Rika, you posted my favorite scene in TIOBE! Neck AND hair nuzzling for FOC, the lucky, lucky woman. (Tress) Don't know how she managed to refrain from just taking a little nip, right at the base of his neck.... the dazed look is too much... Maybe he's got that dazed look on his face because they're on take 127, LOL! At least, *I* would be finding ways to screw up the scene just to increase neck time...oh, you know you would, too..."}, {"response": 532, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (08:34)", "body": "Annette!! Loved how well you incorporated CF movie dialogue. \"Have to vary the answers\" and his eyes - no (sniff) his lips....... *snort* You certainly have the knack and have spent many an hour watching those vids. A very nice favs list too. Welcome aboard."}, {"response": 533, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (09:05)", "body": "Welcome, Annette! I like your introduction very much and think you'll fit in with this crowd very well. as I need his help to track down all the missing movies. I also still need some of his films, so if you find some source in Europe I'd be very thankfull if you could pass the information on to me.(Btw my English isn't nearly as good as yours)"}, {"response": 534, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (09:39)", "body": "WELCOME, ANNETTE! I loved your list and I'm most impressed with your knowledge! You have obviously done exhaustive research, and will be a welcome addition to our band of obsessives."}, {"response": 535, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (09:56)", "body": "Thank you all, I'm happy to be here. I don't know how to to italics yet, so I hope, you get the references: Karen - yes I have spend to much time fretting about CF and watching movies, but fortunately I don't need much sleep, and enjoy some time by my self (and ODB)late at night. Nita - I must confess, that I didn't know about Springs deal with Amazon, so I bought most of my movies from Blackstar and BBCshop (and a few here in DK). But my son is searching the net for Conspiracy and LE, since they are not out on R2. If he has any luck, I'll let you now. Kathleen - I don't know how to do graphics either, and I definetly don't deserve any honour. KathyF - the reaseon, I joined, was that I finally found someone, who expressed some of the \"fealings\" about this actor, that has come over me to. I'll get back later, but for now it's dinnertime, and my family is hungry. BTW - I'll have to have a closer look at P&P2. I note from the latest postings, that something has past whitout me noticing."}, {"response": 536, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (10:19)", "body": "Welcome Annette I loved your introduction! You expressed yourself perfectly, I founded myself nodding my head in agreement while reading your post (especially about being so \"engrossed\" by my \"work\"). Looking forward to more of your posts!"}, {"response": 537, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (10:53)", "body": "NIce way to delurk, Annette! Welcome another firthette!"}, {"response": 538, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (11:29)", "body": "Welcome Annette!!! I'm very impressed with your list! I still have not seen all of Nostromo (still working on it...) Like your vote for most devestated: TEP! I agree. The look on his face at the party could just break a girl's heart! Glad you've decided to join us! Regarding italics, Ann's tutorial may help: http://austen.com/tutorial/index.html"}, {"response": 539, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (12:49)", "body": "WELCOME, ANNETTE (Annette)If I were to be interviewed by Lady Bracknell, my answer too would be: I know nothing! From your impressive list, I'd say you're off to a great start. And since I have the dubious honor of being the Googie Goddess, (Ah, it's a hard job, but someone has to do it. It is, afterall, WAGW your list inspired me to make a list of the best googies. I'll need your help out there to add to this, feel free. Best Googie that you know is there but just can't see it: PM, first shower scene, (a nano millimeter out of view) Best Visible Googies: P&P the wedding, second proposal, steps at Netherfield Best Googie for left/right discussions: TIOBE serenade scene (before the dog ruins the view) Best Use for a Googie: PM rocks scene (there are other uses as well, but this merits mention) Future Googie WAGW black leather pants scene (this category will be updated following DVD release) (Annette)Rika \ufffd I still think you are magnificent. You have been the source of many delightful moments To Rika, we love her, just as she is."}, {"response": 540, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (13:15)", "body": "(Rika) your partner doesn't look like Colin Firth/David Beckham/George Clooney. I'm damned if I know. \" LOL I know its a deterrent for me. (Moonstar) Maybe he's got that dazed look on his face because they're on take 127, LOL! At least, *I* would be finding ways to screw up the scene just to increase neck time...oh, you know you would, too... I would most definitely for days and days and days..... WELCOME ANNETTE I totally understand how he makes you feel. He makes me feel the same way."}, {"response": 541, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (13:45)", "body": "(lindak) And since I have the dubious honor of being the Googie Goddess, (Ah, it's a hard job, but someone has to do it. It is, afterall, WAGW your list inspired me to make a list of the best googies. I'll need your help out there to add to this, feel free. Okay, Googie Goddess, you asked: Best Googie coming straight at you: FP (Paul getting out of bed in those grey boxers) Best Googie Packaging: Valmont (was that a cod piece? Well wrapped gift)! (Annette) Rika \ufffd I still think you are magnificent. You have been the source of many delightful moments (linkdak) To Rika, we love her, just as she is. Just as she is! (moonstar) LOL! At least, *I* would be finding ways to screw up the scene just to increase neck time...oh, you know you would, too... (FanPam) I would most definitely for days and days and days..... LOL...I would have been fired from the job! \"Take 1,234! PLEASE miss! Can you take your teeth out of Mr. Firth's neck! And try and get the lines right this time!\" **Wait??!! I have lines??** ;-)"}, {"response": 542, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (14:44)", "body": "(Annette) I don't know how to to italics yet Welcome Annette! I don't do italics, either; I screwed up the board for something like 2 days when I first came here trying to do italics, so I haven't been able to work up the courage again (yet). (Tress) \"Take 1,234! PLEASE miss! Can you take your teeth out of Mr. Firth's neck! And try and get the lines right this time!\" **Wait??!! I have lines??** ;-) Exactly! **I'm getting vibrations, alright, but they aren't from his *name*!** (insert naughty winkie, lol)"}, {"response": 543, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (15:28)", "body": "Welcome Annette! I would say you are off to a good start, you inspired some very fun lists, it certainly has been a day to take a trip down memory lane!"}, {"response": 544, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (15:38)", "body": "lindak TIOBE serenade scene (before the dog ruins the view) I've got a black lab, and one of my fantasies would be, that he (my dog) was the one jumping up and down ODB. I would off course have to come to his rescue and the least I could do, was to take him (ODB) home, and entertain him, while his wonderful italian outfit got cleaned. A girl has got to dream. Otherwise I would just have to push away FOC, sorry that would be Tress, and take her place. BTW - I hope, the italics is working....."}, {"response": 545, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (15:47)", "body": "(Tress) Best Googie coming straight at you: FP (Paul getting out of bed in those grey boxers) Yes, yes, yes!!! I have been known to watch that scene 10 times in a row, going forward and backward each time! Can you wear a hole in a DVD?"}, {"response": 546, "author": "townranny", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (16:03)", "body": "(Rika) Turns out that Vivus is working on a Viagra competitor, a drug for women in case your partner doesn't look like Colin Firth Forget the Viagra drugs and let's get these guys going on Cloning! I'd pay extra. Italics??? Possible Happy Dance"}, {"response": 547, "author": "yura", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (17:01)", "body": "Hi, this is another lurker delurking! I fell in LOVE with CF watching BJD and P&P and I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one! In fact, I don't see how you cannot! Well, I've been fortunate enough to have two friends here that share this passion for CF and we've been having Tuesday night Firthnights. We are trying to watch all CF movies/TV series, what have you, that we can get our hands on: So far we've watched BJD, P&P, FP (loved is wild hair), AMITC, RV, SLOW and WOF together. We have independently seen TEP, AZ and SIL . The day TIOBE DVD was released, we got two bottles of champagne, had Italian to go, plopped ourselves in front of the TV and had a wonderful time swooning over ODB. I'm sure alcohol had something to do with it, but then again, no alcohol is needed for that! Tomorrow night, we are going to start watching LE and I'm really looking forward to it! Well I've babbled long enough, it's tough not to when I'm talking about ODB :) Thank you Karen for putting me in the user file so quickly that I can post! So needless to say, I was so excited to find people who are just as crazy, if not crazier, about CF as I am!"}, {"response": 548, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (17:40)", "body": "Two lurkers in one day! Woohoo! Welcome Yura! Babbling is totally fine, the more pointless, the better...in fact, it's like a yawn on this board, you start it and someone is sure to pick up the topic!"}, {"response": 549, "author": "Odile", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (17:50)", "body": "WELCOME Annette ! and your italics are working :) WELCOME Yura! I'm about to make another Firth convert myself: a friend came over to watch BJD and stayed until 1 am looking through the extras on the DVD and reading parts of the Edge of Reason; she wants to see it again already and wants to turn our evening into a Colin Fest with regular sessions! We decided on Nutella as the food of choice for future meets; for now we had to settle on ice cream :)"}, {"response": 550, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (20:25)", "body": "WELCOME YURA!! Great italics Annette, it took me weeks to have the courage to do italics, now I can even do bolds. Looks like I may have to watch FP tonight. Seems like I may have missed the googie comin straight at you in the grey boxers. At least, I think I missed it."}, {"response": 551, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (20:39)", "body": "And still the googie talk continues. I just want you all to know I'm paying. I can probably date the need for the root canal I just had to the day I mentioned Googies and their (locally) famous hamburgers online. I can assure you, the only thing I've found \"mmm mmm good\" lately was soup and karma is a dangerous thing."}, {"response": 552, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (21:23)", "body": "Before I forget.... Welcome aboard, Annette!! I'm v. impressed with at all the CF films you've seen already. I'd seen virtually nothing except P&P and BJD when I delurked and have had fun playing catch-up ever since. Welcome Yura!! How lucky you are to have friends nearby who you can have Firthnights with. I still must go it alone. *sniff*"}, {"response": 553, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (22:18)", "body": "Welcome Yura!!! Glad to see you out of lurkdom!! (Yura) Tomorrow night, we are going to start watching LE and I'm really looking forward to it! Lucky you! LE is such a treat! (kathleen) Forget the Viagra drugs and let's get these guys going on Cloning! I'd pay extra. LOL.....And they thought cloning might be a bad thing! Imagine! Each of us with our own replicant! ODB for all!! ;-D (Odile) We decided on Nutella as the food of choice for future meets; for now we had to settle on ice cream :) ODB and Nutella??? It doesn't get any more perfect than that! ;-)"}, {"response": 554, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (00:55)", "body": "Welcome, Annette and Yura! Annette e-mailed me a couple of weeks ago and we've been talking a bit since then. I could tell she was going to fit in just great. Yura, so nice to have you here - and how lucky you are to have local friends with whom to share your CF obsession! I just saw LE for the first time about a month ago, and thoroughly enjoyed it, so you have something to look forward to. He's SO young and eager and innocent..... And a couple of official welcome photos in honor of our de-lurkers. First, you can never go wrong with dimples: And second, a little opportunity for googie research: (Annette) Rika \ufffd I still think you are magnificent. You have been the source of many delightful moments (linkdak) To Rika, we love her, just as she is. (Tress) Just as she is! Awwww.... y'all have me blushing."}, {"response": 555, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (00:59)", "body": "Thanks Rika! What a killer smile. And yet again, another great suit."}, {"response": 556, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (01:05)", "body": "Thanks Rika. You make my day yet again. Yesterday I sat and stared at my computer like a love-sick puppy."}, {"response": 557, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (02:18)", "body": "(Tress)LOL.....And they thought cloning might be a bad thing! Imagine! Each of us with our own replicant! ODB for all!! ;-D Hmmm... such a thought to go nite-nite with! LOL! I can't even control my Darcy Sim... lol.. he only wants to wear his robe around the house, or less, mind you. .LOL (really shouldn't have downloaded those impressive \"nakey skins\") and then he shuts himself up in the library reads hours on end. The man doesn't have a life.. I'm gonna have to make a Lizzy in the next few weeks. Rika, as you know, the dimpled grin whiles't leaving \"The Savoy\" is one of my absolute favorites... can we clone that, dimples and all?"}, {"response": 558, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (02:35)", "body": "After my screw-up last night, I'll wait a while, before I use italics again. Rika - I do so like the dimples, but then again, whats there not to like with this guy. Thank you for helping me out so far. I can't promise, that I won't approach you again for further assistance. Dorine \"I'd seen virtually nothing except P&P and BJD when I delurked and have had fun playing catch-up ever since\" - I wish I had found this crowd of people before. I'm sure, that would have given me great pleasure with all your wonderful observations. Since I'm almost sure to be behind you all in viewing future movies (because of where I live), I will treat myself through your eyes (and Rikas wonderful captures). As for the trailer for WAGW, they don't show it before HP here. (My son went yesterday and had promised to keep his eyes wide open, but - no luck). I haven't been able to se it on our MTV or VH1 either. So you see - I have to be very patient, and that's not exactly one of my virtues. As for the program on TCM regarding Ealing Studios, thats probobly the same - no eyecandy for me at all."}, {"response": 559, "author": "yura", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (08:17)", "body": "Thank you everyone for the warm welcome. (Rika) And a couple of official welcome photos in honor of our de-lurkers. First, you can never go wrong with dimples Indeed you cannot! Does anyone have the same problem as me, where I keep on smudging the computer screen with my finger tips as I try to touch his dimples on screen...I need a bottle of windex next to me. As for cloning, my Firthnight buddies and I are biochemists, I'm sure we can put our heads together to clone CF somehow ;). I'm going to have to read up on how those scientists in Scotland cloned Dolly, then extrapolate how that method can be used for humans......instead of looking for a job, maybe I should propose my own research for CF cloning....... Happy thoughts indeed."}, {"response": 560, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (08:19)", "body": "Yura--welcome!! I'm rather envious that you have fellow Firthettes to swoon with on a weekly basis. What fun!! (Odile)I'm about to make another Firth convert myself Bring her on over; the more the merrier! (Linda) Seems like I may have missed the googie comin straight at you in the grey boxers. Mmm, the gray boxers are v.v. nice for research :) Rika--thanks for the dimplicious captures! You are the DVDiva! (Jeanie) he only wants to wear his robe around the house, or less, mind you. .LOL (really shouldn't have downloaded those impressive \"nakey skins\") So your Darcy Sim is an exhibitionist? Just how \"impressive\" are these nakey skins? LOL!! I REALLY need to get my home PC fixed--there is just too much fun I am missing!"}, {"response": 561, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (08:55)", "body": "(Moonstar) Yura--welcome!! Oh, my, my Moonstar, LOL....how many times you think she's heard *that* one?;-)"}, {"response": 562, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (09:23)", "body": "Yura! Very nice to have you with us and to hear that you've a group of friends with whom you can share your obsession and watch his films. It's always better watching Colin with other fans. You need someone to poke in the ribs when a particularly good part is coming. :)"}, {"response": 563, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (09:50)", "body": "Rika! Yipppeeee!!! I wake up to dimples! And a picture with glasses!! Gracias! (Jeanie) I can't even control my Darcy Sim... lol.. he only wants to wear his robe around the house, or less, mind you. .LOL (really shouldn't have downloaded those impressive \"nakey skins\") and then he shuts himself up in the library reads hours on end. I just have a couple of questions! (1) I, like moonstar, want to know just how impressive is the nakey skin? and (2) What is Mr. Darcy reading all alone in the library with no clothes on? ;-) (Yura) As for cloning, my Firthnight buddies and I are biochemists, I'm sure we can put our heads together to clone CF somehow ;) LOL....Oh! My! Once you clone him, I sure hope that my version has the same problem as Jeanie's Sim Darcy! Imagine! Life size and walking around the house in a robe or nakey! I'd love it!!! The DH may have some issues with it though.... ;-D Annette! Don't fret too much! I just saw a web site that promises to have the WAGW trailer soon. I'm sure the second it is available someone here will post the link so that you can view it!!"}, {"response": 564, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (09:54)", "body": "WELCOME ABOARD, YURA! How lucky you are to have two friends to share your CF obsession (and Firthnights) with!"}, {"response": 565, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (09:55)", "body": "(Tress) I just saw a web site that promises to have the WAGW trailer soon. Are you referring to Robair's note at the AB site? In any event, should the trailer hit the net, that news should be posted at 165. Is anyone understanding the difference between these two topics? :-("}, {"response": 566, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (10:41)", "body": "Is anyone understanding the difference between these two topics? :-( I do.:-) Welcome to Annette and Yura! Rika, DVDiva, thanks for the fabbo captures. Great as always."}, {"response": 567, "author": "townranny", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (12:12)", "body": "Welcome Yura I agree with you completely I don't know how you cannot be completely enamored with him! (Yura) my firthnight buddies and I are biochemists Okay now we're talking!! Someone must have gotten a flake of dermis,a hair or some body fluid at that NY premiere. Check your closets! Let's get Yura and the gals working on this right away! Can you figure out how to birth them at 22 yrs old? We'll need volunteers to raise them to maturity. (Rika) Bee-you-tee-ful captures! When he smiles like that, I just have to yell STOP IT! at the screen, I can't take it. Thank-you."}, {"response": 568, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (13:12)", "body": "Welcome Yura! (Mari), Rika, DVDiva, thanks for the fabbo captures. Great as always. I agree. Dimples for lunch, delicious!"}, {"response": 569, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (14:41)", "body": "(Jeanie) The man doesn't have a life.. I'm gonna have to make a Lizzy in the next few weeks. Don't be foolish, make a JEANIE. (Kathleen) Okay now we're talking!! Someone must have gotten a flake of dermis,a hair or some body fluid at that NY premiere. Check your closets! Let's get Yura and the gals working on this right away! Can you figure out how to birth them at 22 yrs old? We'll need volunteers to raise them to maturity. I personally am capable of raising 10 if not more from 22 to maturity with no trouble at all. And I intend to have them mature in all areas. Would welcome the opportunity. Put me on the list. What fun I will have. WELCOME YURA As you can see you have arrived in the nick of time. You and your girls have your work cut out for you. What fun to have friends to share with on a weekly basis. Alas, there's no one close to me either. Seriously would enjoy weekly Firthfests."}, {"response": 570, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (15:35)", "body": "Hi, Annette & Yura! Welcome to \"The Peanut Gallery\"! Poor Barb... I feel your pain. I really do. I need two root canals and have been putting it off, now, for three years. I probably won't have a tooth in my head by the time I'm 45. However, if the gregarious googie gossip is what has brought on this calamity for you, then, perhaps my rotten teeth can now be explained! ;)"}, {"response": 571, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (15:41)", "body": "(FanPam) I personally am capable of raising 10 if not more from 22 to maturity with no trouble at all. And I intend to have them mature in all areas. Would welcome the opportunity. Put me on the list. What fun I will have. ROTFL! Pam this just cracked me up! Do you know how much 10, 22 year-olds can eat??? I am thinking you'll have to rig your house up with bunk beds as well! And you'll need to come up with nicknames for them...and you'll help them and mature in ALL ways??? You're gonna be a busy lady! It was nice knowing you! Try to keep in touch! ;-D"}, {"response": 572, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (15:43)", "body": "(Kathleen) Someone must have gotten a flake of dermis,a hair or some body fluid at that NY premiere. Oh man! I knew I shouldn't have washed my hand ;-) ) Bee-you-tee-ful captures! When he smiles like that, I just have to yell STOP IT! at the screen, I can't take it. LOL! (Jeanie) The man doesn't have a life.. I'm gonna have to make a Lizzy in the next few weeks. (Pam)Don't be foolish, make a JEANIE. LOL! Now why didn't you think of that Jeanie? ;-)"}, {"response": 573, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (16:07)", "body": "(Tress)Don't fret too much! I know, I know, and I'm sorry. I guess I forgot, that I now have friends looking out for me. And Karen, I will certainly keep watching closely on 165, if and when a link should appear. (kathleen) Okay now we're talking!! Someone must have gotten a flake of dermis,a hair or some body fluid Do you think there is any fragrance or whatever left on a short typewritten note whit a handwritten signature? (A while back I wrote a rather emberrasing letter to ODB and I still keep the reply). But then again, it might just be his agents fluids, and that's not the man, I want."}, {"response": 574, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (16:15)", "body": "(Annette) Do you think there is any fragrance or whatever left on a short typewritten note whit a handwritten signature? (A while back I wrote a rather emberrasing letter to ODB and I still keep the reply). But then again, it might just be his agents fluids, and that's not the man, I want. Can't drop a tidbit like that and stop short of an explanation. Spill! We can email for details if you prefer, but it's too good slide by I'm sure. ;-)"}, {"response": 575, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (16:29)", "body": "Dorine About the letter - at my age I didn't think, I would ever do such a thing as to write a fanletter. But I did - that was before I found you to nurse my obsession. I will e-mail you - it's not something, that I want to write about \"in public\""}, {"response": 576, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (17:37)", "body": "Jeanie, I think I want to meet your Sim Darcy! And Pam is absolutely right about who he REALLY needs for his soulmate. Think of the beautiful auburn-haired children Sim Darcy and Sim Jeanie would have. (Annette) I can't promise, that I won't approach you again for further assistance. No problem - you know where to find me. I see you got italics figured out over on Help - congratulations! (Dorine) Oh man! I knew I shouldn't have washed my hand ;-) Oh, rats - you were our best hope for this project. (Yura) Does anyone have the same problem as me, where I keep on smudging the computer screen with my finger tips as I try to touch his dimples on screen. For me it's mostly the compulsion to run my fingers through his hair. (Karen) Is anyone understanding the difference between these two topics? :-( I think so. On this topic we don't have to behave ourselves. :-) No, seriously, I mostly get it. News goes on 165. Chat goes here. My only confusion comes when we're chatting about news."}, {"response": 577, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (17:43)", "body": "(Annette)I will e-mail you - it's not something, that I want to write about \"in public\" Well you better e-mail me, too. I won't be able to sleep until I see the reply. Like Dorine said, you just can't drop a tidbit like that, not around here anyway. We're (at least I)like a pack of wild dogs.:-)I can count Dorine in on that analogy-or should I say a pack of wild cats:-)"}, {"response": 578, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (19:23)", "body": "(Tress) You're gonna be a busy lady! It was nice knowing you! Try to keep in touch! ;-D 10 Colins to raise to maturity what a workout and what a way to go. I'd go out with a permanent smile on my face. Don't worry about finances they'll all have steady acting careers to support the mansion, and definitely no bunks each his own room and I travel. What a life that would be. (Rika) For me it's mostly the compulsion to run my fingers through his hair. For me it's the compulsion to run my fingers everywhere. (Annette) at my age I didn't think, I would ever do such a thing as to write a fanletter. IMO there is no such thing as an appropriate age to worship ODB. However, breathing might be the one requirement. Otherwise sit back and enjoy the sensations. It's quite a ride and I never plan to get off. Thanks for the beautiful pictures Rika, Mari and Murph. So talented. Can't wait for trailer."}, {"response": 579, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (20:43)", "body": "(Pam) 10 Colins to raise to maturity what a workout and what a way to go. I'd go out with a permanent smile on my face. Don't worry about finances they'll all have steady acting careers to support the mansion, and definitely no bunks each his own room and I travel. What a life that would be. For me it's the compulsion to run my fingers everywhere. IMO there is no such thing as an appropriate age to worship ODB. However, breathing might be the one requirement. ROTFL! You're in rare form tonight, gal! (Annette)I will e-mail you - it's not something, that I want to write about \"in public\" (Lindak)Well you better e-mail me, too. I won't be able to sleep until I see the reply. Sure, and what about me? Do I beg for an email, or let my imagination run wild? Maybe you should plan on a mass-mailing, Annette! ;-)"}, {"response": 580, "author": "neshacat", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (20:54)", "body": "(kathness) Sure, and what about me? Add me to the email beggars! Could anything you wrote possibly be more embarrassing than the googie discussion? There is no limit to the admiration for all things Firth expressed here. Fess up or email like crazy."}, {"response": 581, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (21:19)", "body": "Annette, me too - wanna hear the story (whine whine). (Pam) Can't wait for trailer. Go check 165 for some VERY good news on that front."}, {"response": 582, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (21:38)", "body": "Annette, me too! Meeeee tooooo! I want to hear all about your letter!"}, {"response": 583, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (21:38)", "body": "Hi Yura Glad to have you on board. Thanks for the good news on WAGW trailer, Rika."}, {"response": 584, "author": "yura", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (23:15)", "body": "(Pam)However, breathing might be the one requirement I had the opposite problem tonight, I had to prevent myself from hyperventilating. I just got back from our usual Tuesday Firthnight. We watched the first three episodes of LE. my...my...What Rika said about ODB being so young and eager was so ture...so so eager and innocent and so lovable. I was drooling all over my friend's cushion. I think I need to get that washed for her. oh, downloading of the WAGW trailer is complete..I must go."}, {"response": 585, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (23:24)", "body": "My problem with LE was that I had conflicting impulses. I wanted to mother him, and I also wanted..... well, not to."}, {"response": 586, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (23:44)", "body": "(Rika) My problem with LE was that I had conflicting impulses. I wanted to mother him, and I also wanted..... well, not to. I was in the \"......well, not to\" catagory! He was very adorable in LE. Would have jumped his bones in a heartbeat (I didn't just say that...really)! ;-)"}, {"response": 587, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (00:12)", "body": "(Yura) Does anyone have the same problem as me, where I keep on smudging the computer screen with my finger tips as I try to touch his dimples on screen. (Rika) For me it's mostly the compulsion to run my fingers through his hair. (Pam) For me it's the compulsion to run my fingers everywhere. Pam....a global thinker. Was thinking narrowly as Rika until your post. ;-) (Pam) It's quite a ride and I never plan to get off. Then what's the material point of the ride? ;-)"}, {"response": 588, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (04:49)", "body": "CF cloning from signature Oh my goodness - what have I done? Yes - I wrote a fanletter, including my humble opinion of his wonderful work and how I think, he is magnificent at portraing various caracters. I made it clear in the letter, that I was in no way in love with neither him nor any of the Darcys (!!!!!!). In short, it filled about 5 A4 sheeds, handwritten. His (or his agents) reply consisted of 3 lines, apprieciating and thanking for the long letter and expressing hope, that I might get a chance to se TIOBE soon. Signed best wishes, Colin. And this, my ladies, is all the reply, you are to expect on that subject. And I'll tell you this, I'm going quite giddy at my knees, fearing that he will ever read this."}, {"response": 589, "author": "WinniePeg", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (06:23)", "body": "Hi Annette & Yura- welcome! Yura, how I envy you the \"Firthnights\"--wish I had someone to appreciate ODB with. Agree with you about LE--he was wonderful in it. Jeanie - I like the little dancing Peanut guy--does he have a name yet? Think he should be the Official Mascot for the PG. Rika, let me add my thank yous for the lovely pics you post. TIOBE is definitely tops for 'Dimple Display'! I'm now off to watch trailer for the mmmmph time.."}, {"response": 590, "author": "townranny", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (08:42)", "body": "Jeannie - I agree with Leona. Your peanut man is absolutely adorable. Caution spoiler ahead About LE. What was with that last blue suit as he comes out of the hospital? Who was the tailor for that one? Captain Kangaroo? He also had put on about 20lbs in the hospital - not easy to do on hospital food. And gotten a lobotomy haircut! What were they thinking? The changes somewhat compromise his big scene with Nancy. Were they trying to make a point that war changes things? That this innocent beautiful boy had been so altered by the war? But they still loved one another? Okay, I got the point!!!!A heartbreaking limp would have been enough for me."}, {"response": 591, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (10:37)", "body": "LE is my second favorite movie and Richard Herncastle, just my style. No way do I want to be his mother. I'd be Julie Blaine. She had the most time with him. However, don't feel he was so totaly innocent. \"Just a little bit dirty.\" and with a twinkle and those dimples. Sorry have to go watch it now."}, {"response": 592, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (11:16)", "body": "I still keep the reply). But then again, it might just be his agents fluids, and that's not the man, I want. at my age I didn't think, I would ever do such a thing as to write a fanletter Happy girl, you at least got an answer. That is something I stopped hoping for a long time ago. And I tried more than once. And this, my ladies, is all the reply, you are to expect on that subject. Well, that was not too difficult to do, was it? ;)"}, {"response": 593, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (12:01)", "body": "(Pam) It's quite a ride and I never plan to get off. (Dorine) Then what's the material point of the ride? ;-) Hehehehe!! And we don't even have a full moon to blame this time!"}, {"response": 594, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (13:59)", "body": "(Kathleen) About LE. What was with that last blue suit as he comes out of the hospital? Who was the tailor for that one? Captain Kangaroo? Oh, if only the word \"Kangaroo\" wasn't sending me into convulsions right now because it reminds me of \"Kangaroo Jack\". I've seen the WAGW trailer in the theater, um...... a few times - let's just say I pulled off an unbelievably successful Plan Rika on Monday. And all too many of those viewings involved also seeing the Kangaroo Jack trailer. I can do unfortunately accurate impressions of all the lead characters, including the kangaroo. But back to your point. The blue suit. My thought was that the hospital probably had to issue clothing to wounded soldiers upon their release, since they might not have any of their own wardrobe around (except the uniform they wore in the door, undoubtedly bloodied and torn). I thought the production did very well by him wardrobe-wise up to that point."}, {"response": 595, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (15:44)", "body": "(Pam) It's quite a ride and I never plan to get off. I don't know how we're riding, but I plan to jump on, move over;-) (Pam) For me it's the compulsion to run my fingers everywhere. OH, YES, YES, YES. Beautifully stated, Pam (Rika)I've seen the WAGW trailer in the theater, um...... a few times A few times? Surely you jest.;-) (Maria)Could anything you wrote possibly be more embarrassing than the googie discussion? No, except perhaps, being the Googie Goddess"}, {"response": 596, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (15:55)", "body": "HP and TCoS opens here today, I wonder if they have the same trailers???????"}, {"response": 597, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (19:47)", "body": "Oh very nice, Rika, thank you for taking care of the photographic welcome; I've been a little under the weather lately but am much better now. Looking forward to the trailer photos whenever you're ready, Karen."}, {"response": 598, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Nov 29, 2002 (05:38)", "body": "(Tress)ROTFL! Pam this just cracked me up! Do you know how much 10, 22 year-olds can eat??? 10 heads of silky curly hair to run the fingers through(sigh), 20 soulful brown eyes to follow my every move (SIGH),100 long, tapered fingers to hold and smootch, (Zoinks), 100 little toesies (sorry Evelyn ;)) to tickle (EGADs),10 exceedingly fine necks to sniff, (pant), including chin cleft- 30 dimples to dive into (gasp), & last but not least.. LOL... 10 googies to.. well, I'm sure your fertile imaginations can fill in the blanks. (comatose) But, then again, can you imagine having to clean the shower after the pseudo-boys finish up? I bet I'd NEVER go to the bathroom without having to lower the lid.. lol...and they'd definitely go through the food like starving termites. There would be no \"tv time\", as well and I might as well forget scolding about the missing remote because that thing will never be seen again! I'd never have milk for my coffee. Can you imagine the wrestling that would be going on between these clolins,(clone&colin) and the arguments that would break out? 22 year old boys can be VERY territorial! LOL! Oh Lord, and the \"selective listening\" that would be taking place.. .I've always said that words and phrases such as \"wipe, clean, flush, take out the garbage, hush your bickering, shut the door you're letting in flies, and do you want me to come in there and beat you senseless\" do not register with a young man's cerebellum. So, I suppose my insanity might just prove to be a mixed blessing.. lol! (Dorine) Then what's the material point of the ride? ;-) (spewing coffee out my nose).. INDEED! LOL!"}, {"response": 599, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Nov 29, 2002 (05:58)", "body": "I just watched the trailer and noticed that we get a \"WOT\".. lol.. Sometimes I can't help but wonder if he peruses this site.. I can just see him now taking the director aside and saying.. \"Can I possibly say 'what' here instead of 'pardon'? I know it's a strange request, but I have my reasons.. \", but then, again, \"WOT\" has been around a lot longer than Drool, I suppose! =)"}, {"response": 600, "author": "yura", "date": "Fri, Nov 29, 2002 (14:18)", "body": "Speaking of 10 Colin clones: Thanksgiving with 10 colin clones- 2 20lb Turkey-$40 3 cans cranberrysauce-$5 Stuffing-$15 Buttered Corn-$8 Mashed potatoes with gravy $10 3 Apple pies-$20 10 satisfied ODB, flashing their beautiful dimples at you- PRICELESS I guess this won't mean anything unless you've seen the Mastercard commercials.."}, {"response": 601, "author": "yura", "date": "Fri, Nov 29, 2002 (14:19)", "body": "Prices-very approximate"}, {"response": 602, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov 29, 2002 (15:36)", "body": "(Jeanie) 10 heads of silky curly hair to run the fingers through (sigh), 20 soulful brown eyes to follow my every move (SIGH),100 long, tapered fingers to hold and smootch, (Zoinks)....... & last but not least.. LOL... 10 googies to.. well, I'm sure your fertile imaginations can fill in the blanks. (comatose) LOL.....comatose indeed! I have been thinking on this and I think I could make it work! I have room for at least 10 ODB Clones. The DH and I have no kids and our place is a bit small, but we do have two guest rooms....after the initial shock of having 10 other men move into our abode, I think the DH and the Clolins (to use your term) would get on famously. And the drawbacks??? I am already used to never having the remote and finding empy orange juice containers in the frig.... ;-) (Jeanie) Can you imagine the wrestling that would be going on between these clolins,(clone&colin)... ROTFL.....okay, I'll admit it...I would look forward to that part of it (can I add some jello?).... ;-D Yura, your PRICELESS Thanksgiving list made me laugh! Thanks!"}, {"response": 603, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Nov 29, 2002 (19:14)", "body": "(Yura) 10 satisfied ODB, flashing their beautiful dimples at you-PRICELESS That's for sure! LOL!"}, {"response": 604, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Nov 29, 2002 (20:46)", "body": "(Yura) 10 satisfied ODB, flashing their beautiful dimples at you-PRICELESS That's a total of 20 counting the left and right sides. Now that is really priceless;-)"}, {"response": 605, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Nov 29, 2002 (22:31)", "body": "(Tress) Best Googie coming straight at you: FP (Paul getting out of bed in those grey boxers) Ever since I read this I've been meaning to.... investigate (inquiring minds want to know, after all), and finally got the chance tonight. Tress, I can't BELIEVE I missed this:"}, {"response": 606, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov 29, 2002 (23:23)", "body": "Ooooooohhhh Rika! You have outdone yourself! The notorious grey googie! Nice package (Am I allowed to say that here?)!!! I have the most vivid dreams at night involving Paul Ashworth and those 'pants'. **sigh** You have made my evening. Thank you!!! (Rika) Tress, I can't BELIEVE I missed this And now it will be burned on your brain forever!! Woooohoooo! I believe he is holding *my (borrowed) lighter* in his right hand...I am a lucky girl!!! ;-)"}, {"response": 607, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sat, Nov 30, 2002 (00:53)", "body": "(Tress) Ooooooohhhh Rika! You have outdone yourself! The notorious grey googie! Nice package (Am I allowed to say that here?)!!! I have the most vivid dreams at night involving Paul Ashworth and those 'pants'. **sigh** The soft grey boxers have always been one of my favorites! Wot a great grey googie gift they are! I wonder if my son notices how often I stand transfixed before the television with this very scene playing slowly backwards and forwards. Thanks, Rika!"}, {"response": 608, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Nov 30, 2002 (07:32)", "body": "Thank you Rika. The Googie Goddess gives you an A+++++ for that capture. (Rika) Tress, I can't BELIEVE I missed this Me, too. I better be careful, I may loose my title.;-)"}, {"response": 609, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Nov 30, 2002 (07:56)", "body": "(Tress) I still have not seen all of Nostromo (still working on it...) I just saw some of Nostromo this morning, doing the laundry, and I might have found the encourichment you need, to watch it. At least in the beginning, in those lovely white-ish ridingpants, there definetly is material for the Googie-discussion. I'm sure, that if it were out on DVD, Rika would know to proove my point in no time. But - it doesn't reveale as much as the soft grey boxers (dozing off to dreamland - again)........"}, {"response": 610, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Nov 30, 2002 (09:25)", "body": "Ah, motivation to finally get around to watching Nostromo!"}, {"response": 611, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Nov 30, 2002 (18:07)", "body": "Okay - I will try hard not to complain - but it is quite frustrating to see a listing of movies, shown on various stations in US - and I cant find them anywhere overhere. So, what I'm trying to say - very inarticulary - is, that if someone in this lovely crowd of wonderful women (mostly, I mean mostly women, not mostly wonderful) can find it in their heart to help me, by taping some - it would be more than nice. I don't know, if I dare ask for Londonium, but in any case I would like to see for myself, just how bad it is. Perhaps you have allready figured it out, but I am quite obsessed, when it comes to watch everything with ODB in it. So would you please, please, please, please just e-mail me, if you can assist me? If I'm out of line, by using this conference for this purpose, please let me know, and I will fall back in disgrace......"}, {"response": 612, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Sun, Dec  1, 2002 (08:50)", "body": "(Anette) So, what I'm trying to say - very inarticulary - is, that if someone in this lovely crowd of wonderful women (mostly, I mean mostly women, not mostly wonderful) can find it in their heart to help me, by taping some - it would be more than nice LOL! Not inarticulat at all! I second all the above and dare ask for SLOW.(Anette, can you read my mind ? You express all I wish to say so well. BTW I'm willing to share the copies I have, but probably you have everything I've got.)"}, {"response": 613, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Sun, Dec  1, 2002 (14:06)", "body": "Rika! Thanks for the capture, since I missed the sighting too!!!! It is indeed \"burned into my brain\" now, LOL! Annette, if you have a DVD player, and you are having a lot of trouble finding CF's stuff for your region, I have seen players for sale on the 'net that supposedly play any region DVD. But, if you have VHS only, what format will your player support? I believe Europe and North America have incompatible formats (you are in Europe, right?), so unless you have the right player, American stuff isn't going to play on your machine :( However, I have seen European formatted VHS stuff at Ebay, so you might try there. Hope that helps..."}, {"response": 614, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Dec  1, 2002 (14:30)", "body": "Moonstar raises a key point. I know from past experience that some folks \"across the pond\" have VCR's that can play both NTSC and PAL tapes, but I don't know if that's universal. The vast majority of us in the States can only read and write NTSC format."}, {"response": 615, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Dec  1, 2002 (16:48)", "body": "As to the vcr-formats, I did some research when I wantet to buy The Advocate. In Europe, if you have a fairly new VCR player, it plays both formats. Most of the new VCR's has a label on them, that states, that it can play both formats. As to the DVD, I only have a PS2, which I borrow from my son, when I want to watch some of my DVDs. Knowing, that I will se all of ODB's movies \"a lot\" I try to buy DVD when possible."}, {"response": 616, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Dec  1, 2002 (20:06)", "body": "On the other hand, one advantage to DVD players on computers is that it's easier to get around the region problem on a computer. (AND, if you choose, it's easier to do captures!!!!)"}, {"response": 617, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sun, Dec  1, 2002 (20:25)", "body": "(Horse Cave Woman)Rika! Thanks for the capture, since I missed the sighting too!!!! It is indeed \"burned into my brain\" now, LOL! Not me! Muhahahahahahaha!!!! Cough, hack.. I have a terrible cold.. ick."}, {"response": 618, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, Dec  1, 2002 (20:38)", "body": "A new googie sighting! I've not heard this one mentioned before. In DQ, when he and Sandy are taken to the Windmill offices after stopping the train, there's a very close up shot of him from the waist down. Check it out! Sorry, it's on video, and I can't do screen captures. Rika? :)"}, {"response": 619, "author": "yura", "date": "Sun, Dec  1, 2002 (21:51)", "body": "Wonderful Googie capture Rika! Speaking of DQ, we want to watch it sometime during our firthnights, but we can't find a copy!! Does anyone in the US have a copy we can borrow or make a copy? Willing to pay for video and shipping! Or does anyone know where we can buy one? The firthnight ladies and I are DESPERATE!! E-mail me if you can help! I got the the soundtrack to TIOBE.....The track where oDB and RE sings together was worth the price I paid for the CD. It's been in my CD player all weekend, playing continuously. Now I can't get it out of my head...not necessarily a bad thing though ;)"}, {"response": 620, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (08:12)", "body": "(Annette) I just saw some of Nostromo this morning, doing the laundry, and I might have found the encourichment you need, to watch it. At least in the beginning, in those lovely white-ish ridingpants, there definetly is material for the Googie-discussion. (Rika) Ah, motivation to finally get around to watching Nostromo! There is another G moment just as he is being forced towards the garrot machine(?), he is twisting his body back and forth , left and right and it tends to lump the equipment together and force the package to the surface...Not that I wasn't riveted by the drama but I could'nt help noticing..."}, {"response": 621, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (10:20)", "body": "(Annette) At least in the beginning, in those lovely white-ish ridingpants, there definetly is material for the Googie-discussion. (Rika) Ah, motivation to finally get around to watching Nostromo! (MariaT) There is another G moment just as he is being forced towards the garrot machine(?), he is twisting his body back and forth , left and right.... LOL....okay...Nostromo is being dusted off, and I am putting it into the VCR tonight!! I must have my share in the conversation!!!"}, {"response": 622, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (10:35)", "body": "FYI, the garroting pic has been posted here many times."}, {"response": 623, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (12:31)", "body": "(Janet) Sorry, it's on video, and I can't do screen captures. Rika? :) Sorry - I can only do DVD's. I may need to ask for that Snappy for Christmas after all...."}, {"response": 624, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (12:52)", "body": "(Maria)he is twisting his body back and forth , left and right and it tends to lump the equipment together and force the package to the surface... Oh, Gawd, what an image you just conjured up in my mind. And it doesn't take much. Guess what I'm watching tonight? Rika, more motivation for watching Nostromo."}, {"response": 625, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (13:52)", "body": "Just when I'm surrounded by an avalanche of papers to grade, all this temptation to watch Nostromo!!! It couldn't be something quick, like his role in \"Blackadder Back & Forth.\" Noooooooooo. It's gotta be a miniseries. And from what I'm gathering, this isn't something I could watch with one eye trained on the TV and one on the paper I'm grading, right? The plot sounds a bit too convoluted for that. Semester break isn't coming a second too soon."}, {"response": 626, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (16:08)", "body": "(Rika) Just when I'm surrounded by an avalanche of papers to grade, all this temptation to watch Nostromo!!! It couldn't be something quick, like his role in \"Blackadder Back & Forth.\" Noooooooooo. It's gotta be a miniseries I don't have papers to grade, only a curious family, asking why it is only the part of the livingroom, where the TV is, thats getting cleaned up and decoratet for Christmas. I had told myself, that it would be enough to hear his voice while I was getting on with the above (today I picked RV after doing the BJD research), but something, or should I say somebody, kept dragging me back to the screen."}, {"response": 627, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (19:16)", "body": "I have both a copy of DQ and the necessary video capture widget, and will try to oblige. I probably won't be able to do it until the weekend, though, and I'll get stuck watching (I *always* do!) so it will help if someone posts the approximate minutes into the film. The widgets are cheap, around 60. for a pretty good one, and very easy to hook up and use."}, {"response": 628, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Dec  3, 2002 (00:39)", "body": "(Elizabeth S) and I'll get stuck watching (I *always* do!) I know. Occupational hazard."}, {"response": 629, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Dec  3, 2002 (08:41)", "body": "(Elizabeth S)I have both a copy of DQ and the necessary video capture widget, and will try to oblige. It's around 19 minutes and 30 seconds into the movie, Elizabeth. Thanks"}, {"response": 630, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Dec  3, 2002 (09:20)", "body": "Last week HolaLola posted (HolaLola) How can you not adore a man so completely and madly in love with his little baby? BTW, he's just as sweet and loving with his pets too! The Firth man is just one of the really good guys out there in this world. A talented professional who balances his life with love for wife and family and the world he lives in by trying to make it a fairer, better place. You people have chosen a fine person to admire. Smart bunch! :) As I was traveling for the holiday last week this got me thinking...We know that men of this calibre aren't prevalent, there are not alot of heroes to admire, not even for \"ready money\"...So I was reading my book, a biography of L. DaVinci, \"Leonardo, The Artist and The Man\" as I waited for my flight and they had this to say about Mr DaVinci - \"Celestial influences may shower extraordinary gifts on certain human beings which is an effect of nature, but there is something supernatural in the accumulation in one individual of so much beauty, grace, and might.\" OK, I admit, that is over the top in reference to ODB but the next part... \"He praises food to any friend, rich or poor, his kindness, his sweet nature, his eloquence, his regal magnanimity, his sense of humor, his love of wild creatures, his terrible strength in argument, sustained by intelligence and memory, the subtlety of his mind, his aptitude for science, music and poetry. What was more, he was a man of physical beauty beyond compare.\" Call me crazy, but as I sat in the boarding lounge reading this, and raised my eyes to survey the men around me, (actually singing the little Madeleine Kahn song from History of the World \"No, no no no no no no, no..\" all that came to mind was ODB, and that it has been a 500 year wait for the cosmos to work it\ufffds magic like this again\ufffd Well it WAS a long trip, and I was excessively tired, and really its just a small obsession..."}, {"response": 631, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Dec  3, 2002 (11:29)", "body": "(Maria) it has been a 500 year wait for the cosmos to work it\ufffds magic like this again\ufffd Maria, I have never regretted my inability (or rather, failure to try to learn) to post graphics here soooo much. If I COULD post the appropriate graphic here, it would be a gold medal, of all the tributes to His-Firthfulness I have ever seen, this must be the best. I'm just a sucker for understated obsession I guess! All I have to say is thank G*d for celestial influences!"}, {"response": 632, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Dec  3, 2002 (15:55)", "body": "(Maria) it has been a 500 year wait for the cosmos to work it\ufffds magic like this again\ufffd I'm so very happy to be in the time of his magic. Great comments Maria."}, {"response": 633, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (15:35)", "body": "I copied these postings from topic 165, but I'm trying very hard to follow Karens instructions as to a) is this current? b)am I just drooling? and c) I would so much like to earn a membership at Drool - so I'll make my comment here. (Yura) My friends and I were talking about his dancing just yesterday. I don't know of a scene where he really *grabs hold* of a woman (you know, hands on waist, not like the dance seen in P&P). Even if the dance is with his own daughter, I'd still love to see that on screen :) (FanPam)I believe in SLOW there is a scene where he is dancing with his wife, also Playmaker has a scene as does Dutch Girls, so he does dance. The comments of his dancing takes me to Valmont. It's a period-drama (I know, I know) and there isn't much hand on waist, but - to be Meg Tilly in that finale embrace of their dance, I would defy a thousand Wessex's (no, sorry red fingernails). This is not to say, that I wouldn't enjoy the grabbing part. I most certainly would! (Maria) it has been a 500 year wait for the cosmos to work it\ufffds magic like this again\ufffd I'll just repeat FanPams comment, as I can't figure out to articulate it any better: I'm so very happy to be in the time of his magic. Great comments Maria."}, {"response": 634, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (19:59)", "body": "(Annette) but - to be Meg Tilly in that finale embrace of their dance, I would defy a thousand Wessex's (no, sorry red fingernails). Or to be twirled around, like later in Valmont..... Speaking of Wessex, he danced in SIL too."}, {"response": 635, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (00:01)", "body": "Has his dancing in TEP already been mentioned? If I remember right, he even danced twice in that one. I'd like to have been his dance partner while his \"wife\" danced with RF."}, {"response": 636, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (00:10)", "body": "Hey, if you're interested... I posted four closeup pictures of my Darcy sim at Odds & Ends... I was able to make some closeups of him today, and he looks gorgeous! Please, if you're one of the girls who asked me for him once I finished making him, post me a note, here, or email me, and I'll send him to you!"}, {"response": 637, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (09:59)", "body": "(Tress) Best Googie coming straight at you: O.K. I know this is taking it back a few sessions, but last night while watching SLOW, I saw the absolute mother of all Googies coming straight at you! About 30 minutes into the movie, Sammy falls asleep at Matthew's house and Matthew is on the phone, Nimy comes in and he gets up...Frame by frame it takes up the ENTIRE screen ...I jest you not. Oh how I wish we could rent a movie theatre somewhere and have a CF filmfest, we could all drink wine and scream REWIND! at appropriate points (all too often, I'm afraid)and enjoy ODB on the big screen at leisure...I promise, if I win the lottery......."}, {"response": 638, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (10:08)", "body": "(MariaT)I promise, if I win the lottery I've already told my dh that if we win the lottery I'm opening an art house movie theatre nearby. What I didn't tell him was that I would also have a CF film festival, LOL! A girl can dream..."}, {"response": 639, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (11:08)", "body": "(Maria)Frame by frame it takes up the ENTIRE screen ... OH, GAWD, how did I miss this."}, {"response": 640, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (11:24)", "body": "(Maria) Frame by frame it takes up the ENTIRE screen ... HEL-lo!!!!! It sure does! Yet another one I can't believe I've never noticed before. That was just the ticket to brighten up a snowy afternoon. I like the film festival idea (just imagine that image up on a HUGE screen), but we need to make sure that the projector can not only rewind but also pause, advance frame by frame, etc."}, {"response": 641, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (11:32)", "body": "(Rika)but we need to make sure that the projector can not only rewind but also pause, advance frame by frame, etc. Oh, and don't forget the zoom. It must have a zoom feature."}, {"response": 642, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (11:58)", "body": "(MariaT) ...Frame by frame it takes up the ENTIRE screen ...I jest you not. (Rika) HEL-lo!!!!! It sure does! Yet another one I can't believe I've never noticed before. Ohhhhhh....it's just not right! I am stuck here at work and cannot take a quick peek! Are we sure it is ODB and not a 'googie double'??? (lindak re: CF Filmfest) Oh, and don't forget the zoom. It must have a zoom feature. LOL....Pause, frame by frame, zoom feature...AND only one remote, because if we all had one we would be hitting every button, every which way and lock up the entire system!! ;-)"}, {"response": 643, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (12:21)", "body": "LOL.. \"googie double\".. a stunt googie?! (laughing)"}, {"response": 644, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (12:55)", "body": "(Tress)Are we sure it is ODB and not a 'googie double'??? You mean like a stunt googie? Like the stunt butt in V... A stunt googie, now that gives me loads to think about on this snow day."}, {"response": 645, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (13:24)", "body": "(Jeanie)...a stunt googie?! (laughing) (lindak) A stunt googie, now that gives me loads to think about on this snow day. I suppose, there would have to be both, huh? A 'googie double' to do those shots where ODB's equipment just needed to be present (but he may be somewhere else shooting those essential close-ups and dialogue shots) and a 'stunt googie' for those \"action\" or \"dangerous\" googie sequences.... BTW, I am jealous of all those who have snow right now....just wet here! Oh, and Jeanie, I am one of the girls interested in Mr. SimDarcy. I will e-mail you from home as I am at work right now..."}, {"response": 646, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (14:32)", "body": "(MariaT)Oh how I wish we could rent a movie theatre somewhere ... Mr Young's on Wardour St.(Soho) in London will be happy to rent you his theatre.. We did once...."}, {"response": 647, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (16:36)", "body": "I'm having a really hard time trying to explain to DH why I'm sitting here laughing so hard. I'm not sure if he'd exactly understand about googie doubles and stunt googies..... (Tress) Ohhhhhh....it's just not right! I am stuck here at work and cannot take a quick peek! Yup, that was one advantage to having a snow day today. I'm afraid I couldn't provide illustrations 'cause it's not on DVD. (Evelyn) Mr Young's on Wardour St.(Soho) in London will be happy to rent you his theatre.. We did once.... That was to see SLOW, wasn't it?"}, {"response": 648, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (19:20)", "body": "Okaaaaay..... I'm watching the \"Forever Ealing\" special. And one the female stars being interviewed is named.... Googie Withers."}, {"response": 649, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (19:56)", "body": "(Rika) I'm watching the \"Forever Ealing\" special. And one the female stars being interviewed is named.... Googie Withers. ROTF....Withers?? Ohhhh noooooo...I don't think Withers and Googie should be in the same sentence! ;-D"}, {"response": 650, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (19:57)", "body": "ROTFL! I missed that aspect of it - I was just so taken with the \"Googie\" part!"}, {"response": 651, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (21:47)", "body": "(Rika)Googie Withers. Now, there is a good reason to have a googie double. Perfect timing, as usual to our discussions. The tears are still coming down. My sides hurt, too. (Tress)I don't think Withers and Googie should be in the same sentence! ;-D LOL. You said it. I don't even think someone with a name like that should be on the same TV special with ODB. Makes the Googie Goddess nervous.;-)"}, {"response": 652, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (22:09)", "body": "(Rika) I'm watching the \"Forever Ealing\" special. And one the female stars being interviewed is named.... Googie Withers Well.. now you've done it. I just laughed so hard I had a convulsing coughing fit and well.. .since you don't have kids you probably don't have this problem.. but, um, let's just say that after four childbirths, one's bladder never really completely recovers. (rolling eyes) Have you girls ever pondered why and how these strange coincidences of timing and content take place with us? I mean, when I mentioned the word \"googie\" a few weeks ago there was no possible way that I would've known that Barb had just eaten a \"googie burger\" for lunch.. (snickering).. and now, after discussing stunt googies, Rika watches a show with an interview with \"Googie Withers\".. (starting to laugh again).. ok, time to buy depends."}, {"response": 653, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (23:55)", "body": "(Maria)Frame by frame it takes up the ENTIRE screen ... (Lindak) OH, GAWD, how did I miss this. (Rika) HEL-lo!!!!! It sure does! Yet another one I can't believe I've never noticed before. Okay, what we need to do is start a petition for a DVD of this movie. The giant googie does fill the whole screen, but imagine it in the high definition of DVD!"}, {"response": 654, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Dec  6, 2002 (08:13)", "body": "(Rika)Googie Withers. I read this at the gym on the bicycle/internet machine and squealed with laughter, one woman on another machine raised her eyebrows so high they left her forehead and joined her scalp... Which leads me to Jeanie's post below...I have no kids but I am right there with you!! Googie Withers, we could'nt have come up with a more hilarious name if we had been trying!! (Jeanie)Well.. now you've done it. I just laughed so hard I had a convulsing coughing fit and well.. .since you don't have kids you probably don't have this problem.. but, um, let's just say that after four childbirths, one's bladder never really completely recovers. (rolling eyes)"}, {"response": 655, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Dec  6, 2002 (08:19)", "body": "I'm putting this here and not on 165 because it seems perhaps a tad \"chatty\" even though it's about something current. I watched 'Forever Ealing' at 8:00 last night but our cable reception was bad at the time. So I re-taped it at 11:00. DH came into the room a little after 11:30 - we're in the habit of watching Letterman - and said, \"You know Dave's on, or did you want to watch this?\" I shrugged and casually replied, \"Oh, I'd like to watch this if it's okay.\" (At the moment I can't watch one thing and tape another due to technical difficulties.) So he settled in and started watching with me. The program listing of Tumbledown appeared a few minutes later, and to my surprise, DH noticed it and remarked, \"Look, it says 'starring Colin Firth.'\" Excellent powers of observation, but as I knew the little segment on TIOBE was coming up, it was all I could do not to burst out laughing. The new Ealing logo came up, and then that familiar face, and I said.... nothing. DH just stared at me for a moment, sighed, and said, \"I should have known.\" I think he's onto me...."}, {"response": 656, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Dec  6, 2002 (08:50)", "body": "(Rika) The new Ealing logo came up, and then that familiar face, and I said.... nothing. DH just stared at me for a moment, sighed, and said, \"I should have known.\" I think he's onto me.... Oh Rika, I can totally relate to this!...As Londinium is on this morning (and my husband taped the wrong channel for me the other day, an oversight? I think not!) I bought a 6 hour videotape and pressed record before I left for work, taped a message on the TV, \"please do not touch, recording\" and went in to my sleeping husband and whispered in his ear, \"I'm going, I love you, please don't touch the tv/vcr, I'm recording\"..He rolled over opened his eyes slightly, frowned, and said \"You don't love me, you are having an affair\"...Ouch..."}, {"response": 657, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Dec  6, 2002 (09:08)", "body": "Oh man.. my dh has pretty much reached the boiling point, as well.. great, now our husbands are becoming hormonal at the same time, too... (rolling eyes). I told one of our sweet & shy lurkers who wrote to me the other day that I've been feeling like an adolescent again, but thusfar I haven't put any posters up on my bedroom wall.. .not yet.. (laughing). So, Rika, since my husband has been aware of my addiction for quite a bit longer than yours has, just try to be gentle.. LOL..I, basically, keep all of my Colin dvds out of sight and have discouraged Samuel about doing his rather admirable impersonation while Dadoo is present. We simply just don't mention his name around Dad anymore. (hiding face) But, though \"he who must\" may be out of sight whilest some of my family members are about, he'll never be out of mind.. or, for that matter, heart. ;) No, I'm not in love with the man, but I sure do admire the good & decent person that we all perceive him to be. The fact that he's a handsome and fine actor i .. well... simply the yummy scoop of vanilla ice cream on a hot apple cobbler."}, {"response": 658, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Fri, Dec  6, 2002 (09:51)", "body": "I'm having a really hard time trying to explain to DH why I'm sitting here laughing so hard. I'm not sure if he'd exactly understand about googie doubles and stunt googies.. I'm ever so glad my DH is not at home at the moment, I'm sure he'd come asking me what I was laughing so loud about and I wouldn't like to have to explain that at all. I have not laughed so hard for a long time. This whole \"googie discussion \" is too funny!"}, {"response": 659, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Dec  6, 2002 (09:52)", "body": "Quick notes...on the run... re Googie Withers-too funny, but then so is the picture of Maria on her bike reading that...at least I could fall off my chair in the comfort of my own home! re DH sensitivities to ODB, OMG, there truly must be some karmic connection between all of us -and that is NOT the reason I'm on the run, but IS the reason I have to choose better when I catch up with Darcyfic. re all the conversations about SLOW, I have"}, {"response": 660, "author": "townranny", "date": "Fri, Dec  6, 2002 (09:52)", "body": "Jeanie, What a timely discussion. My DH indulges my \"hobby\" and has read \"us\", including \"googie chat\", the whole enchilada. I have to tell you that in his eyes you personally have set a new standard with your recent \"sim\" posts. He thinks they are hysterical. Dadoo should be proud. It's like playing six degrees of separation at our house. How can something I am reading, listening to, watching possibly be related to CF? It's his job to find out. (LOL)."}, {"response": 661, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Dec  6, 2002 (09:53)", "body": "...(got to start watching what I'm typing...) ...got to find that movie."}, {"response": 662, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Dec  6, 2002 (10:12)", "body": "(Rika) The new Ealing logo came up, and then that familiar face, and I said.... nothing. DH just stared at me for a moment, sighed, and said, \"I should have known.\" I think he's onto me.... LOL....sounds like you outed yourself!! (MariaT) \"I'm going, I love you, please don't touch the tv/vcr, I'm recording\"..He rolled over opened his eyes slightly, frowned, and said \"You don't love me, you are having an affair\"...Ouch... My DH knows that I'm at home....and we work together, so it is not like he doesn't know exactly were I am 90% of the time. I have already told him that one DH is waaaaaaay too much work! Why would I want another one around? ODB is nice, because I don't have to pick up his jacket from the couch! I can love the man from a distance and not have to do his laundry (perfect)! (Jeanie) Oh man.. my dh has pretty much reached the boiling point, as well.. great, now our husbands are becoming hormonal at the same time, too... (rolling eyes). LOL.....it is like when a bunch of women all live together, and their cycles all start to coincide. Our DHs must be getting vibes through us!!!"}, {"response": 663, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Dec  6, 2002 (12:46)", "body": "Uhm...hello! I'm de-lurking long enough to introduce myself and say how much fun it is to read all your posts about ODB. I'm a relative newbie to CF..I've known about his work for years (and I've seen quit a bit of it) but I wasn't really \"aware\" of him until last year when I caught (what else?) P&P2 on A&E. Of course since then, it's been an almost obsession. My friends think I'm completely nuts (even though one friend managed to finagle a theatre poster of TIOBE for me). My DH just rolls his eyes and calls him \"that Colon Filth guy\" and my 4 yr old loves to watch P&P2 with me when I'm folding clothes. I took both my boys to HP and when the trailer for WAGW came up, he stood on his seat and shouted..\"dat's mommy's boyfriend!\" VERY VERY embarrassing. Anyway, I just wanted to throw my 2 cents in and let you all know how nice it is to know that there are other women out there with this obsession. I know now I'm not alone....and not crazy...heh And thank you Karen for all your help and support!"}, {"response": 664, "author": "Odile", "date": "Fri, Dec  6, 2002 (13:26)", "body": "Welcome Ada! LOL about the \"mommy's boyfriend\" story. My son when he looks at my screensaver just goes:\"Mommy, is that your Mr Darcy?\" What can you say to that? Of course, I do have to share with all the firthettes here, but it sure enhances the experience! Enjoy and we're glad to have you here!"}, {"response": 665, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Dec  6, 2002 (14:00)", "body": "Welcome AdaVW!! Glad you decided to de-lurk and join the party! (AdaVW)...when the trailer for WAGW came up, he stood on his seat and shouted..\"dat's mommy's boyfriend!\" VERY VERY embarrassing. LOL...your little boy is funny!! So is your DH...\"Colon Filth\" !?! ;-D BTW, Maybe we should all start a support group for our DHs?"}, {"response": 666, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Dec  6, 2002 (14:20)", "body": "Welcome AdaVW!!! (Ada) Anyway, I just wanted to throw my 2 cents in and let you all know how nice it is to know that there are other women out there with this obsession. I know now I'm not alone....and not crazy...heh Nope, you are definitely not alone!! And the craziness is the best part! (Tress BTW, Maybe we should all start a support group for our DHs? Great Idea! Maybe they would'nt feel so all alone then..."}, {"response": 667, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Dec  6, 2002 (14:34)", "body": "(KathyF) Okay, what we need to do is start a petition for a DVD of this movie. The giant googie does fill the whole screen, but imagine it in the high definition of DVD! I was just talking to the DH regarding this...he claims that we have the power to convert VHS to DVD on our computer (I really need to learn how to use the thing)! He then asked \"why?\" and I pointed to my stack of CF tapes (at this point he rolled his eyes)....anyway, my company has a two week shut-down over the holidays, and it is my mission to convert at least one tape (I believe I will start with SLOW). The image will be like the VHS (resolution not so good) but it will take up less space AND allow for slo-mo, freeze frame...oh, wait, maybe I'll start with PM?! ;-)"}, {"response": 668, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Dec  6, 2002 (14:48)", "body": "Not crazy? Wot? I'm a certified loony bird, I kid you not. In many older southern families there is almost always \"a character\", pronounced \"caaacktuh\", and guess who the character is in ours... LOL! Sometimes during family gatherings I can just feel the eyes on me.. it's like they're waiting for me to start foaming at the mouth and for my head to spin around. I'm honestly considering taking a can of rediwhip with me during the upcoming holidays and just when I feel as if I've become the reluctant point of interest.. just take a big hit off of the whipped cream and start screaming and carrying on.. Such a move, no doubt, would give them more fodder to expound upon behind my back, but, at least for just a little while, they'd be scared sh*tless. (evil grin) Ada, it sounds as if you're going to have a minion of your own on your hands in a few years if not already. (laughing) My Sam keeps all of us in stitches, but especially me.. we have the same twisted sort of sense of humor. Kathleen, my husband used to sort of indulge me as well, but I think it's beginning to wear a bit thin on him... I can certainly understand his problem with my illness (snorting).. He's always really liked Gina Davis, and I caught him one time drooling over an issue of \"Vanity Fair\" which featured a photo shoot with her. She, in the picture he was so taken with, was wearing nothing but stilleto heels and a pink feather boa. (laughing) It made me sooo mad, so I can truly understand the problem. However, I refuse to give up my obsession... I have too much fun. Tell your husband that I appreciate his sentiments about my lil' Sim man.. (recalling him wearing his nakey skin and rethinking the use of the word \"lil\").. perhaps something like \"Impressive & Extremely Intrigued Sim Man\".. snickering."}, {"response": 669, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  6, 2002 (15:09)", "body": "Ada!! See, it's not so difficult! :)"}, {"response": 670, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Dec  6, 2002 (15:21)", "body": "(Rika)I think he's onto me.... You \"think\" he's on to you\"?;-) My DH has been on to me for awhile now. I guess it may have something to do with pulling out CF's films and watching shamelessly. Can't help it, sometimes I need it bad. I don't say if it's a CF film, I figure he'll know in the first five minutes. He usually says \"oh no, not him again\" Or, \"how many movies did this guy make\"? Or, \"how come you have all these movies\"? But the usual comment now, is \"Colin Frith, again? No, I didn't mistype it that's what he calls him when he's teasing me. He didn't even flinch when I almost came unglued at the site of the trailer when we took our daughter to see HP. He even understood when I left the theater during Bond last Sat. to go and catch the trailer across the hall. He's been pretty good with it. I try not to get too crazy when he's around. However, there are certain films I would never view with DH--PM, HOTP, WOF a girl has to be careful;-)"}, {"response": 671, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Dec  6, 2002 (15:25)", "body": "OOPS, I almost forgot... WELCOME ADA Oh, what a great time to join us."}, {"response": 672, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec  6, 2002 (16:42)", "body": "Hi Ada"}, {"response": 673, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Dec  6, 2002 (16:54)", "body": "(AdaVW) I took both my boys to HP and when the trailer for WAGW came up, he stood on his seat and shouted..\"dat's mommy's boyfriend!\" That is just TOO funny. I almost didn't share my little story about DH and Forever Ealing - I'm really glad I did because it's so much fun hearing all the other DH stories that have come up as a result. (Tress) he claims that we have the power to convert VHS to DVD on our computer You can do WHAT????? Please keep us informed about this.... I'm willing to offer all sorts of shameless bribes in the form of custom-selected captures from the resulting DVD's..... And.... Welcome, AdaVW! How about a little serenade?"}, {"response": 674, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Dec  6, 2002 (16:59)", "body": "From one newly de-lurker to another: Velcome Ada If I had any talent in lines of graphics an such I would give you garden of roses, but I have not. Just a warning - what I'm about to write is so embarrassing to me, but it might give you a picture as to just how unwillingly obsessed a poor woman can get: This afternoon, having just checked the last postings at drool, it was time to play with my 5-year old. We were to make various things from playdough. He (my son) made some lovely pizza's and suddenly made this remark at my \"work\": Wouw, Mum, don't use all the dough on that one sausage. Need I add, that the sausage very, very quickly was transformed into some lovely rosebuds. The colour about as red as my face. So from now on, at least for a while, I'll have to skip the Googie-conversations."}, {"response": 675, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Dec  6, 2002 (18:00)", "body": "(Annette) Need I add, that the sausage very, very quickly was transformed into some lovely rosebuds Oh Annette, how very very creative you are, and such a quick thinker too! I'm sure the rosebuds were lovely but I have to say I would have loved to have seen the sausage, I'm quite intrigued! ROFLOL! And so glad you've delurked Ada. I'm convinced there's safety in numbers, please stay unlurked (?) long enough to dive right in. Although if Rika promises more caps like that as a greeting, you can come and go as often as you like! (That *may* be my favorite so far...I'll have to check them all out to compare though!)"}, {"response": 676, "author": "yura", "date": "Fri, Dec  6, 2002 (19:14)", "body": "Hi Ada, welcome! I'm a new delurker myself. The people here are really friendly aren't they? It's great, but that's to be expected from ladies with fine tastes (i.e. ODB). \"mommy's boyfriend\" comment was really cute! :) I've been away for a couple of days and I just managed to go through some new posts that I missed. I was so beat and tired but now, I'm all hyper from laughing so hard. re screen filling googie in SLOW ....oh..must watch SLOW again. re Googie Withers I hope I never meet anyone named Googie, I think I'll end up choking myself from uncontrollable laughter. Speaking of colin obssession, my sister the other day remarked \" you know, Colin Firth doesn't know you exist\"...v.v. cruel I thought. I mean yes, at some level I understand that, that in reality he doesn't know I exist but when it comes to ODB I don't live in realty, infact I'll be happy being in my lala land (or googie land) with Matthew, Richard, Fitzwilliam, Mark, Wessex, Paul etc..... Ok, maybe I do have a problem....."}, {"response": 677, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Dec  6, 2002 (20:30)", "body": "(Annette) Wouw, Mum, don't use all the dough on that one sausage. LOL My mind is in agreement with yours. WELCOME ADA These women are so friendly, kind, warm and talented. You will really enjoy yourself. And you certainly are not alone as you are well aware. (Yura) when it comes to ODB I don't live in realty, infact I'll be happy being in my lala land (or googie land) with Matthew, Richard, Fitzwilliam, Mark, Wessex, Paul etc..... Ok, maybe I do have a problem..... I'm with you all the way. And isn't it a wonderfully beautiful land in which to live. If you have a problem I'm certifiable. I don't have the DH problem to contend with but I do have the offspring reaction. My youngest, a male, doesn't think I'm quite right in the head. The pics on my wall don't help but what a lovely way to go to sleep at night and no better way to awaken in the morning. My eldest son has watched so many movies with me now he's beginning to rank performances although we see ODB through definitely different eyes appreciating ODB's fine qualities in different ways. Makes for alot of fun. And he laughs outloud with TIOBE. Good company."}, {"response": 678, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Dec  6, 2002 (21:18)", "body": "WELCOME, ADA! (Ada) my 4 yr old loves to watch P&P2 with me when I'm folding clothes. I took both my boys to HP and when the trailer for WAGW came up, he stood on his seat and shouted..\"dat's mommy's boyfriend!\" VERY VERY embarrassing. (Odile) My son when he looks at my screensaver just goes:\"Mommy, is that your Mr Darcy?\" I loved these comments by your very astute sons! My own 18-year-old has never commented about the fact that all the movies I watch seem to feature one actor. Actually, I think he doesn't pay enough attention to notice the difference between P&P2, TIOBE and BJD. I'm quite sure he doesn't recognize CF in FP."}, {"response": 679, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Dec  6, 2002 (23:06)", "body": "Welcome Ada! Take that observant son of yours to a Firth movie location and order some coffee ;-)! CF loves to talk about toddlers! And thanks, Rika, for the serenade! Very lovely, as usual!"}, {"response": 680, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Sat, Dec  7, 2002 (08:37)", "body": "Welcome Ada! It's always nice to have someone new to join the fun. Specially someone with such a clever son as yours :-)."}, {"response": 681, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Dec  7, 2002 (14:23)", "body": "Nita, Could you check your emails?"}, {"response": 682, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Dec  7, 2002 (18:03)", "body": ""}, {"response": 683, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Dec  7, 2002 (21:11)", "body": "(Pam)The pics on my wall don't help but what a lovely way to go to sleep at night and no better way to awaken in the morning When it was my daughters birthday, she had just finished redecorating her room. She was not sure what she wanted to put on the walls. I suggested(actually talked her into movie posters) Since she loved BJD and patiently attened several of my thirteen screenings of TIOBE, I happily had the movie posters for these films mounted and very proudly gave them to her as a birthday gift. Now, each morining when I go in to tidy up (ahem, yes I do go in every morning) I see CF's life size picture looking down the hall at me as I approach. I have a very understanding DH, but putting them on our bedroom wall might be crossing the line.;-)"}, {"response": 684, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec  8, 2002 (09:32)", "body": "(Linda) I have a very understanding DH, but putting them on our bedroom wall might be crossing the line.;-) Aw, I bet he'd be broadminded about such.... On Ehlenews we have a guy who not only has a picture of Jenn in their( married) bedroom, but kisses it every night."}, {"response": 685, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Dec  8, 2002 (12:03)", "body": "Thank you all for the lovely welcome..and thank you especially, Rika, for the serenade. I always wanted someone to sing just to me. As far as my DH is concerned..he's relatively unconcerned about ODB, but whenever he gets too impatient with me, I just mention Ally Sheedy and he shuts up. But I think I'd be pushing it if I did put up my poster..sooo it sits in my closet and whenever I feel the need, I sneak a look. Lora, I'd love to take my son to a movie location but I don't think ODB will be allowe...oops, sorry..will be coming to Virginia anytime soon. ;D"}, {"response": 686, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Mon, Dec  9, 2002 (17:08)", "body": "So Ada, was it all the googie talk that drove you out of lurkdom? :) Welcome!! It *is* a wild & crazy time... Stunt googie?! Googie Withers?! Good gawd, tears streaming down face, the aching sides! As for my dh, he is still clueless, although I'm not sure how. I don't hide the DVD collection, and he didn't say a word about TIOBE pretty much running constantly the first week after it arrived at our door. Nor has he said anything about the batch of soundtracks that arrived just before Thanksgiving, which all had one thing in common (*Wink, wink*). He would have known, though, if the cinema where we saw HP had played the WAGW preview; a surprise attack of HWM on the big screen in leather pants would have been waaaay too much for me, LOL!"}, {"response": 687, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (09:19)", "body": "I have a spare PAL copy of DQ (it won't play in North America). - I'll send to the first person to send me an email."}, {"response": 688, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Dec 12, 2002 (09:33)", "body": "I know, that all of you \ufffdoldies but goodies\ufffd probably have discussed and drooled over DQ earlier, but I need my share of the conversation as well. Or at least just post something to get it off my mind (hopefully). I love this film (thank you, Janet), and want to put something on my fav-list from it, so I was thinking; has he ever kissed a woman on the hand before (perhaps Valmont, but that was way back)? or driven a bus? Mentioning Valmont, now in DQ I love his hair, just not in his \ufffdsane\ufffd moments. I prefer, when it isn\ufffdt too wellgroomed. I also keep hearing the tune: If I said you had a beautiful body, would you hold it against me? I hope for the physical answer (as if ODB really was holding me tight against him). I also kinda wondered, why nobody had mentioned the \ufffdparking of the salami\ufffd during the current discussion, which I btw had promised myself to take a break from. I guess, I have to admit to myself, that attending this wonderful place is indeed going to be a regular feature of life, and I might as well enjoy the ride. Someone postet a link to a website, with some CF-inspired drawings of foxes and at least one wolf. Does any of you also see the resemblence of the wolf, when ODB grins (smiles widly or whatever the right expression is). It strikes me everytime, even on the photos with his son. Not to say, that I don\ufffdt like it \ufffd just an observation."}, {"response": 689, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 12, 2002 (12:32)", "body": "(Annette) has he ever kissed a woman on the hand Definitely Valmont and probably Camille. or driven a bus? A first. I believe he mentioned in some articles about how he had to learn how to drive one."}, {"response": 690, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (19:18)", "body": "Have just received my multi-region DVD player and TIOBE!!! He is TFG!!! Will comment further when I am sober. - I have just returned from my Christmas Night Out. Am totally pissed ALA Bridget. Good Night!!!"}, {"response": 691, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (20:07)", "body": "Might I say Janet that you type much better than some other droolers when you have imbibed! Well done! (Take asprin/tylenol and drink water before sleeping.)"}, {"response": 692, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (20:48)", "body": "Don't know exactly where to put this but must chose a Colin topic. GREAT PICTURE KAREN Very very clever. How do you do it? Love it."}, {"response": 693, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (10:04)", "body": "(BarbS) LOL Tress, not so hard when you think about it though, I'm fairly continuous with those types of thoughts myself...wait a minute....ooops, there I go again! Does kind of give new meaning to the song \"I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus\" though, doesn't it? I thought I would move over here since I was going to be silly.... LOL at \"I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus\". After I read this, I thought of another Santa song...I'm not even going to type it because now that I think about it, it would be v. v. bad (taken in this context)...and I do want (a particular) Santa to visit....I REALLY REALLY do!! (Annette) Oh yes, and I'm sure we both agree, that it isn't the costume (though he does so love a disguise) but the man inside (perhaps even preferebly without costume at all). Have to stop - otherwise wrong topic (again). It's okay Annette! I moved you over to 166! And I agree...ODB could 'lose' the costume...and still be quite remarkable! ;-D (Annette) btw What does it mean, when you put a D after your postings? It's a laughing winkie! ;-D"}, {"response": 694, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (10:34)", "body": "(attempting to look around the room discreetly) Mighty quiet in here.. surely this doesn't mean everyone is like I am and haven't even begun (oh gawd) their Christmas shopping yet!?! I'm about as much in the mood for Christmas right now as having a root canal with no anesthesia. BaHHH HUMBUG!"}, {"response": 695, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (10:49)", "body": "(Jeanie) Mighty quiet in here.. surely this doesn't mean everyone is like I am and haven't even begun (oh gawd) their Christmas shopping yet!?! I'm about as much in the mood for Christmas right now as having a root canal with no anesthesia. BaHHH HUMBUG! Some people are all done. I'm not one of them. :-( I ventured into a store on Saturday, stayed about 20 minutes and left in disgust. So far I've not bought a single present. I wonder how those on my gift list would feel about a donation to charity in their name. (Tress) It's okay Annette! I moved you over to 166! And I agree...ODB could 'lose' the costume...and still be quite remarkable! ;-D It's okay Annette! I moved you over to 166! And I agree...ODB could 'lose' the costume...and still be quite remarkable! ;-D Perhaps if a certain Santa would make an appearance at my house, I'd be more in the mood (yeah, but in the mood for what?)."}, {"response": 696, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (13:12)", "body": "(Jeanie)attempting to look around the room discreetly) Mighty quiet in here.. Sure is, but now that you are back, things may heat up...I hope."}, {"response": 697, "author": "yura", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (16:16)", "body": "What a delicious looking Santa...... (Jeanie)attempting to look around the room discreetly) Mighty quiet in here. yes it is. I've been out of town again and came back to see not too many new posts. But I guess it is a busy time of year with relatively few news about ODB :( So went out of town twice within two weeks and I realized that I get very agitated...I feel very empty. Then I realized that I need a colin fix!!! We've had to cancel our tuesday night firth night last week and since we are watching The lord of the Rings on Wed..we are skipping tuesday night firth night again this week....Blasphemy! I know. In the mean time I think I'm going to watch a little bit of Mr. F. Darcy to tie me over... I shall conquer this! I shall!!! oh I can't wait to see some location pictures of ODB as Vermeer.....just thinking about it puts a smile on my face :-D Good luck everyone with the Christmas shopping if you haven't finished already...I certainly haven't....and all the preparations for the festivities!"}, {"response": 698, "author": "yura", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (16:16)", "body": "sorry forgot to close tags"}, {"response": 699, "author": "yura", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (16:18)", "body": "sorry...testing to see if the tags are closed...gaawwwd I'm a mess.."}, {"response": 700, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (16:24)", "body": "(Jeanie)attempting to look around the room discreetly) Mighty quiet in here.. Well, this is how I normally feel. Most of the fun seems to happen when I'm sleeping (where I am the time is now 11.15 p.m.) - but a girl can be lucky (as the Santa and Tress). I didn't just want to take up space for this, so now heres a question to all you experts. On the MSNwebsite, there was a listing for Apartment Zero on DVD. The link was to Amazon, but I couldn't find anything. I know, that even if it is there, it will probably be american region, but I still hope for that multiplayer eventually. So is it out on DVD???? And as to the heating up - ohh my problem is quite the opposite. I'm still going through some of the old postings, and there is plenty of heat for me (but I can't get enough, so please - bring it on)."}, {"response": 701, "author": "yura", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (16:24)", "body": "this is my last attempt, if this doesn't work, PLEASE HELP crossing my fingers..."}, {"response": 702, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (16:27)", "body": "Yura, you may stop now. The italics have been closed."}, {"response": 703, "author": "yura", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (16:30)", "body": "Thanks Karen, sorry about that.... feeling very embarassed.. :-("}, {"response": 704, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (16:32)", "body": "(yura)We've had to cancel our tuesday night firth night last week an.... You are lucky to have some friends, who shares this \"little fling\" with you. Here's an example, what I have to put up with. A colleague of mine loved both P&P and BJD, so I suggested, that she borrowed MLSF (I had just bought it and loved it). When she returned it, I asked what she thought of it. The answer: Try seing, where I stopped the tape. I didn't bother to finish it. All my hopes for a fellow ODB-fan where chrushed. So, think of all of your \"friends in spirit\", when you have to watch alone. That'll do you!"}, {"response": 705, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (00:50)", "body": "(Annette) On the MSNwebsite, there was a listing for Apartment Zero on DVD. The link was to Amazon, but I couldn't find anything. I know, that even if it is there, it will probably be american region, but I still hope for that multiplayer eventually. So is it out on DVD???? I've had basically the same experience - have seen references to it being available on DVD, but when I've gone to sites to look for it, haven't seen it offered. If anybody knows anything else, I'd love to hear it. I just re-watched it recently. It's a very strange and creepy movie, but my main reaction is to be blown away by Colin's work in this film. And it's especially fascinating to watch the Jack/Adrian dynamic - lots of chemistry, and so much subtext!"}, {"response": 706, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (07:37)", "body": "AZ is an excellent film. Have you read our discussion?"}, {"response": 707, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (08:40)", "body": "I haven't yet read your discussion of AZ. As new to the board I still have lot of ground to get covered, so I started with the ones on the buckets main page. I have stumbled across others, surfing the older topics, but if anyone has a \"directory\" that tells a little of which topics and responses the discussions start, I would be very grateful. As to the DVD, another firthweb-site also have a listing (without link), that AZ is released on DVD. Has anyone asked there for information? Same site states, that LE is out on both regions, which I'm sorry doesn't seem to be right. So - perhaps it is all just wishful thinking?"}, {"response": 708, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (09:06)", "body": "The AZ discussion has not been edited or put up on The Bucket. You would have to read it in its raw form on Topic 98; it starts here: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/98.1763 I've always felt that if you have a question about something posted at another site, it is best to ask a person associated with that site. Galls me when people question items posted at Drool or The Bucket and don't bother to email me for clarification if they don't understand. Looks like the blind leading the blind (no offense meant to vision-impaired persons). I go to the source, but that's just my way of doing things."}, {"response": 709, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (09:20)", "body": "(Annette) On the MSNwebsite, there was a listing for Apartment Zero on DVD. The link was to Amazon, but I couldn't find anything. I know, that even if it is there, it will probably be american region, but I still hope for that multiplayer eventually. So is it out on DVD???? There is a listing for AZ on DVD at Ebay today...Is it for real? Non so..."}, {"response": 710, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (09:28)", "body": "Sounds to me like one of those import jobs, like the earlier Valmont DVD, which someone here purchased (MeredithP??). She said that was of poor quality. Eventually the real one was issued, but that would not necessarily be the case on AZ."}, {"response": 711, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (09:30)", "body": "(Karen). I go to the source, but that's just my way of doing things That's normally also my way of approaching subjects. I was actually thinking of doing just that, but I thought being very new and unexperienced that someone in \"this crowd\" had already made the enquiry. So not to bother about the same subject and perhaps provide other newbies with informations, I chose to ask here first."}, {"response": 712, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (09:36)", "body": "(MariaT) There is a listing for AZ on DVD at Ebay today...Is it for real? Non so... Two listings! I'm bidding on one...we'll see if I actually get it. One out of Washington and another out of Utah. Both have the same case...hmmm. I had actually seen one the other day and didn't bid, but now I'm curious (with two on ebay). I'm sure it is a copy and not an original, but it appears that someone is 'mass producing'."}, {"response": 713, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (09:40)", "body": "(Karen)The AZ discussion has not been edited or put up on The Bucket. Sorry Karen, making explanations as to my \"behaviour\" I forgot to thank you for the link - so here it is. T H A N K Y O U!"}, {"response": 714, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (09:47)", "body": "Here it is at Barnes & Noble, but that is also where the \"fake\" Valmont was too: http://video.barnesandnoble.com/search/product.asp?userid=527ZOVBBS9&EAN=96009047597 I can't remember if Meredith said her Valmont had chinese characters. ;-) BTW, I answer all my inquiries at The Bucket, unless the person is extremely rude and pushy. ;-)"}, {"response": 715, "author": "Andie", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (10:18)", "body": "Thanks Karen! from me too, for the link to the AZ discussion. I was wondering whether there were any AZ or early film discussions. I am having my own little CF 80's film festival, and have seen AC, AZ, Valmont & finishing on LE. What a treat it is. My fav has to be Richard, for being such a dear sweet(but naughty) boy, but the character where i find Colin's performance most impressive is Adrian. Like Rika, I find the film strange & creepy, but Colin's performance is really something else, and I find myself really sympathizing with his character. I remember a pic that was used to great effect for Lisa's UMS which featured Colin/Adrian 's eye and half hidden face, and was wondering where this pic came from. Now I finally know. Wish I could have seen this shot on the big screen. Judd and Valmont are great too, esp Valmont where CF is so fresh face gorgeous (I think V looks more beautiful than all the other ladies in the film). Now I must go hunt for more of his works done around this time. Not too impossible for me, I hope (in vain, i know)."}, {"response": 716, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (11:15)", "body": "(Andie)My fav has to be Richard LE/Richard is one of my favorites. He is so gorgeous and sweet in this. And loads of screen time as well. Not to mention the rest of the cast doing an excellent job. You just put me in the mood to watch this one again. But I really can't spare the time, but for Richard I'd do anything.*sigh*"}, {"response": 717, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (12:35)", "body": "(Andie) esp Valmont where CF is so fresh face gorgeous (I think V looks more beautiful than all the other ladies in the film). Agreed. I'd actually use that word (\"Beautiful\") to describe his appearance in a lot of his older films. Mind you, I think he's better looking today. (Karen) I've always felt that if you have a question about something posted at another site, it is best to ask a person associated with that site. What was odd about the AZ DVD situation was that I saw reference to its availability on a commercial web site, not a CF fan site. I don't remember where anymore (probably someplace like Moviefone). Yet when I tried to follow up and find the actual product on Amazon - even following the 'purchase' link offered by the site that said it was available - all that came up was the VHS version. I didn't pursue it - just figured the release date was probably wrong - and I totally forgot about it till Annette raised the question."}, {"response": 718, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (16:17)", "body": "(Tress)Two listings! I'm bidding on one...we'll see if I actually get it I hope, you will let us know the quality, if you get it. I had planned for only Christmaspreparations this evening. Just zapped the tv-programmes a little before I got started. Here's what drove me to drool: Short clip from BJD showing only HG and RZ Video shown from Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves with Bryan Adams (and MEM) Video shown with LA's: There she goes Lettermann talking about Ryan Adams and coffee (and later about \"stirring\" and \"lusty ladies\") That was all the references I needed to go straight here and catch up. I know, really silly posting."}, {"response": 719, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (17:29)", "body": "(Annette) I hope, you will let us know the quality, if you get it. Okay, Annette, I just got it...I'll let you know what it looks like since it appears that Barnes and Noble is selling copies as well. (Karen) I can't remember if Meredith said her Valmont had chinese characters. ;-) LOL...I'm not holding my breath. But a girl can dream (at least for 3-7 days until it arrives). Thanks for the AZ discussion link. Looking forward to reading it. BTW, just finished my first viewing of Nostromo and ODB shows some fairly obvious leftist tendencies...;-D"}, {"response": 720, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (19:29)", "body": "(Tress)BTW, just finished my first viewing of Nostromo and ODB shows some fairly obvious leftist tendencies...;- You just had to say that didn't you? I'm here trying to be good, Santa coming and all that... But, I just have to jump in and say, as far as Nostromo, yes, the left seems to dominate. And thanks for the AZ news. I'll be anxious to hear about the quality, too."}, {"response": 721, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (19:44)", "body": "(lindak) You just had to say that didn't you? I'm here trying to be good, Santa coming and all that... LOL...yeah!! I know how to summon the Googie Goddess! BTW, we'll probably both get lumps of coal in our stockings for all the naughty thoughts brought on by ODB in 'that scene' in Nostromo! Made watching the movie worth it! 6 hours of plot for 30 seconds of... ;-)"}, {"response": 722, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (07:31)", "body": "(Tress)BTW, we'll probably both get lumps of coal in our stockings for all the naughty thoughts brought on by ODB in 'that scene' in Nostromo! I guess you can count me too, since I kinda draw your attention in that direction (that is Nostromo, not the umentionable....;-)) Another btw, I bumbed into Santa from the main page, and he left me with a little greeting. I left it on the help-topic (response 979 and 980). Enjoy! (Perhaps I only dreamt, that I bumbed into him, but then again, it is the season for dreams coming true....)"}, {"response": 723, "author": "AnnieZ", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (10:15)", "body": "Ladies, what to an \"IBM\" Companion for the holiday? If you are handsome enough to tempt me , I'm all yours. Happy Holidays!"}, {"response": 724, "author": "AnnieZ", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (10:16)", "body": "Woops, I meant \"what to buy an \"IBM\" Companion for the holiday?\""}, {"response": 725, "author": "AnnieZ", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (10:27)", "body": "Another woops, I meant \" want to buy an \"IBM\" Companion for the holiday?\" I really should post more often :-("}, {"response": 726, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (11:25)", "body": "(Annie) I really should post more often :-( Please do! Especially if you are going to bring such a welcome 'guest'! LOL....IBM, indeed!"}, {"response": 727, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (13:48)", "body": "(Andie)My fav has to be Richard, for being such a dear sweet(but naughty) boy, but the character where i find Colin's performance most impressive is Adrian. I agree with you Andie, Richard is my favorite too, but one of his greatest performances IMO is Adrian, hands down. (Andie) esp Valmont where CF is so fresh face gorgeous (I think V looks more beautiful than all the other ladies in the film). LOL. I was thinking this last night when I watched Valmont. He is more beautiful and glamorous than the ladies in the film. Thanks for the lovely pic Annie."}, {"response": 728, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (15:23)", "body": "(Andie)My fav has to be Richard, for being such a dear sweet(but naughty) boy, but the character where i find Colin's performance most impressive is Adrian. (Pam)I agree with you Andie, Richard is my favorite too, but one of his greatest performances IMO is Adrian, hands down. Wow...all you new folks on the block sure have all the new DVDs. How much does Lost Empires cost?If only the boss had quit asking for $$$$ I would have bought mine. Now I have to wait..:-((( *busily cutting coupons*"}, {"response": 729, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (16:05)", "body": "I just recieved a care package from America where I have an assortment of CF films to add to my small collection. I got Valmont, Hostage, Conspiracy, HOTP, and everyone's fav...Londinium! So far I have viewed Valmont and HOTP so I can now comment on these 2. Right from the beginning of Valmont I was hooked. I agree, CF is a vision, AFG, his clothes, his deportment!, his speech. It is all there. But the cast in the film was superb. I forgot to make dinner I was so engrossed in it. I continually tried to compare it to DL but it has been so long since I saw it. And I kept trying to remember JM so I could compare his performance to CF's. One thing I can say is it was dark vs. light...with Valmont giving a light and breezy feel despite the darkness of the storyline. There was one actor that I felt was a strange casting choice, and the performance bugged me throughout the film. I found the actor somewhat unbelievable in the part, not the least by the physical appearance. Do you know who I mean?"}, {"response": 730, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (16:32)", "body": "(Lisa) Do you know who I mean? It's the end of a looooong day for me, so you might want to spell it out :) How lucky you are to get such a gift! Agreed, he's AFG in Valmont; check him out in Conspiracy--yummy 1930's (?) clothes, but oh, the things his character says! Very disturbing. An excellent performance by CF (he was nommed for an Emmy) and the whole cast as well. Enjoy your film festival!"}, {"response": 731, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (18:26)", "body": "(Annie)I meant \"want to buy an \"IBM\" Companion for the holiday?\" Oh, yeah. I'd pay extra for our IBM. (Tress)BTW, we'll probably both get lumps of coal in our stockings for all the naughty thoughts brought on by ODB in 'that scene' in Nostromo! LOL, my stocking isn't big enough, Santa is bringing me an entire coal mine. I've been v. naughty:-)"}, {"response": 732, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (18:43)", "body": "(Lisa) There was one actor that I felt was a strange casting choice, and the performance bugged me throughout the film. Okay, my guess is Jeffrey Jones. Ferris Bueller's principal...he was also in that 'other' Forman film as Emperor Joseph II. I thought he was an odd choice for both films. I thought that Henry Thomas was an odd choice as well (not the strongest actor IMO, but oh-so-much better than Keanu in the same role). I love ODB as Valmont. It is fun to compare it to DL (I do believe that both have their pros and cons), John Malkovich was 'over the top' evil and not at all the dish that ODB was...I liked ODB's performance much better! And I agree with moonstar regarding Conspiracy! A stand out performance by ODB and the rest of the cast. Beautifully acted. I can offer nothing but condolences regarding L'dum (but you really MUST read the discussion if you haven't already. It made viewing the movie well worth it). Another good one is Hostages. One of my favorites (and you get CF skin as an extra bonus)! Lucky girl to have so many 'new' movies to watch!! Have fun (but don't forget about us....some of us are quite anxious regarding a certain chapter (BTW thank for the teaser))."}, {"response": 733, "author": "townranny", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (18:53)", "body": "LOL Annie, RE: IBM I can see why you could get a little flustered posting that! (Valmont) Do you know who I mean ? Lisa, Would that be Annette Benning that seems to be miscast? Her voice is way overcoached and artificial sounding(which we could infer by Forman's interview of repeated micromanaged takes), but her appearance is very French. N'est-ce Pas? Isn't he divine in all that powder blue? Oh swoon! It was just on AMC recently, couldn't help sneaking a peak. And that smooch at the end w/Annette after Meg rejects him. Very intense eye contact there."}, {"response": 734, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (18:55)", "body": "(lindak) LOL, my stocking isn't big enough, Santa is bringing me an entire coal mine. Oh, now! Don't think like that! Be positive. Santa should bring you a whole silver mine (and maybe he'll wear a wet shirt for you and give you a little tour)!!! ;-D"}, {"response": 735, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (20:09)", "body": "(Lisa) There was one actor that I felt was a strange casting choice, and the performance bugged me throughout the film. I found the actor somewhat unbelievable in the part, not the least by the physical appearance. Do you know who I mean? (Tress) Okay, my guess is Jeffrey Jones. Ferris Bueller's principal...he was also in that 'other' Forman film as Emperor Joseph II. I thought he was an odd choice for both films. I thought that Henry Thomas was an odd choice as well (not the strongest actor IMO, but oh-so-much better than Keanu in the same role) I'd vote for Jeffrey Jones being the culprit. He was my first thought. HT was rather a strange choice, too, but he didn't bother me. I liked AB, and didn't mind her voice although many have complained about it."}, {"response": 736, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (07:57)", "body": "(Valmont) Do you know who I mean ? (Lisa), Would that be Annette Benning that seems to be miscast? Colin would not agree, but I thought Meg T was the miscast. I found her truly annoying, and not handsome enough to tempt him. ;-) Annette B played it very well. Subtle evil, jealous, flirty, as Kathleen said, very French. Geoffrey is one of my fav. He was brilliant in TEP."}, {"response": 737, "author": "townranny", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (08:45)", "body": "I know who else was miscast in Valmont. The servant at Valmont's aunt's house. The tall sort of spooky looking guy (as they eat breakfast the morning after). Have seen him before don't know his name."}, {"response": 738, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (09:23)", "body": "(Moon)I thought Meg T was the miscast. I found her truly annoying, and not handsome enough to tempt him. ;-) Absolutely agree. And in that faux french accent kept screeching: \"Valmon\"...\"Valmon\". In his bio Milos Forman said he promised MT that he would cast her in his next pic(V.) after she fell on location and had to drop out of Amadeus."}, {"response": 739, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (09:30)", "body": "he promised MT that he would cast her in his next pic(V.) after she fell on location and had to drop out of Amadeus. She would have been miscast there too. I assume this was the Frau Mozart role."}, {"response": 740, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (09:55)", "body": "(kathleen) The tall sort of spooky looking guy (as they eat breakfast the morning after). Have seen him before don't know his name. I wasn't going to rest until I figured out his name...Vincent Schiavelli. He was also in Amadeus. While looking that up, I stumbled on something else I thought was interesting (and many of you probably already know this...but it completely escaped me until about 5 minutes ago). Ian McNeice, who played Azolan in Valmont (Valmont's valet) also played Kopfler in Conspiracy! He's put on a few pounds. Had no idea that they were the same man...but now I don't see how I could have missed it. (Moon) I thought Meg T was the miscast. I agree with this as well. When Lisa said actor, I automatically thought of the men. But as far as the actresses go, MT was miscast IMO. She was very plain in the role (it was as if no one in the hair or make-up department got to her). I always see her as Chloe in The Big Chill (and I know that I shouldn't, but I can't help myself). I think I read a review that said she was 'bland' and I agree with that statement. (Moon) She would have been miscast there too. I assume this was the Frau Mozart role. Yes. She was to play Constanze. I think she would have be out of place in that role as well. Elizabeth Berridge did an outstanding job as her replacment in Amadeus."}, {"response": 741, "author": "Odile", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (11:26)", "body": "(Kathleen) The tall sort of spooky looking guy (as they eat breakfast the morning after). Have seen him before don't know his name. I didn't know his name (thanks Tress) but I know where he's familiar from: he had a recurring role on Moonlighting (80s, Cybill Sheperd & Bruce Willis); I think he was the love interest of the secretary."}, {"response": 742, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (14:18)", "body": "Ah Ha, you guys got it! At first I thought I might be the only one who thought so, but I was talking about Meg Tilly. Yes she wasn't pretty enough and I felt like I was listening to a dunce or a half-wit reciting lines most of the time. In fact her looks bugged me so much I started trying not to watch her when she came on screen. Something about the eyebrows! Or the hair. When I first saw JJ I thought, oh my why is he in that role, but as I watched I thought about it, I felt he fit it. And, he did ok in the fencing scenes too. And I recognized the servant, Vincent Schiavelli, from many films. He didn't bug me at all. I'm in the Annette Benning camp on this film. I thought she was prefect. Nasty, rotten, scheming, she really did a good job with the role IMO. And she looked fabulous. I want her bathtub! I wasn't paying too much attention to her Annette voice, which is a little unique!, because the film was a mix of accents anyways, and I was always thinking \"Oh my God\" whenever MT opened her mouth. But even MT couldn't ruin the film. I loved it. Such a shame about the whole history, especially for the actors. And yes, a powdered blue CF is very sexy, skinny legs and all."}, {"response": 743, "author": "townranny", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (17:22)", "body": "Never thought about Meg T. not being pretty enough. I've heard her described as a classic Botticelli beauty. Angelic. Beauty is in the eye, I guess. Something got CF's attention in a big way! ;-) MT's voice got to me too (Msr. Le Valmont etc.) but not as much as AB (when she asks Jeffrey Jones what day they can get together...Wednesday? Thursday? Gaaah!) That whirly twirly love scene could have been enhanced too. Too much smiling not enough action. Biologically CF only has so much dimple time stored in each of those cheeks and Forman used way more than his ration. He owes me if CF runs out."}, {"response": 744, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (18:41)", "body": "I've (finally) uploaded the old film discussion on Hostages to firth.com and I've added a little treat that wasn't there before. ;-) http://www.firth.com/filmdis/hos/host-part1.html"}, {"response": 745, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (18:56)", "body": "Karen, Very nice, thanks! I don't know what the treat was as I am embarrassed to admit I hadn't looked at it before. But it was all nice!"}, {"response": 746, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (20:32)", "body": "May I just say that the 3rd pic down in Pt 1 immediately brought up some naughty thoughts and images for me (imagine my hand(s)on his back). Thank goodness it's not close to bedtime...sleep might be elusive. ;-) Yes, thanks Karen for posting that....oh, and the discussion, too. ;-)"}, {"response": 747, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (21:24)", "body": "(Kathleen), I've heard her described as a classic Botticelli beauty. Angelic. Whoever said this does not know Botticelli. LOL! Thanks, Karen!"}, {"response": 748, "author": "townranny", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (22:51)", "body": "Whoever said this does not know Botticelli, LOL LOL2. Moon, I meant Joey Botticelli from Long Island. Who were you thinking of? Would you buy Modigliani? ;-D"}, {"response": 749, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (23:15)", "body": "(Kathleen) I meant Joey Botticelli from Long Island. Didn't you really mean Joey Buttafuco from Long Island? ;-)"}, {"response": 750, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (07:47)", "body": "(Kathleen), I meant Joey Botticelli from Long Island. Who were you thinking of? LOL! Nevah hoid of 'im. Now, I'm totally confused! ;-) Would you buy Modigliani? ;-D Yes. But I would rather have a Botticelli. The classic Botticelli beauty is rather round, beautiful eyes, lovely flowing hair."}, {"response": 751, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (12:00)", "body": "Can I say something in defense of MT? My DH certainly likes her - she does have a very delicate beauty. Although, apparently in real life, she's rather fiesty! - ODB obviously liked what he saw!! And I don't think she was the weakest actor - she was playing sweet and innocent, not too badly, IMHO."}, {"response": 752, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (13:56)", "body": "(MoonDreams) Colin would not agree, but I thought Meg T was the miscast. I found her truly annoying, and not handsome enough to tempt him. ;-) Annette B played it very well. Subtle evil, jealous, flirty, as Kathleen said, very French. I'm with you Moon. I thought MT was horribly miscast. But I guess that's what fate is all about. Obviously she was meant to be there to meet and get Colin and she did just that. I thought AB was terrifically evil. She gave me chills. I hated her and that was good. (Kathleen) LOL2. Moon, I meant Joey Botticelli from Long Island. Who were you thinking of? LOL Kathleen. IMO could be the only plausable comparison."}, {"response": 753, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (16:38)", "body": "(Janet)Can I say something in defense of MT? I must say, that since I saw the film first time this summer, with eyes for nothing but ODB, I didn't find her that bad. I found it intriguing to wathc, knowing that they \"ended up together\". And again, I'm still too focused on ODB's performance (and perhaps looks, just at tiny bit) to form much oppinion of the other actors. I still haven't desided to be proud or embarrased to share my name with AB!"}, {"response": 754, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (18:46)", "body": "(Dorine)3rd pic down in Pt 1 immediately brought up some naughty thoughts and images for me (imagine my hand(s)on his back). Naughty girl, you just want to join the \"I'm getting coal in my stocking crowd\" ...and you know they stripped him nekkid later in that scene;-) IMO, MT isn't too bad, but I didn't like her in V. I thought she was a bit too delicate both physically and verbally to complement CF's characterization of V. I also didn't feel a whole lot of chemistry between them on screen. Off screen, however, it was obviously a different kettle of fish."}, {"response": 755, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (21:22)", "body": "(Annette re: AZ) I hope, you will let us know the quality, if you get it. I just got my DVD copy of AZ. It's a keeper. It looks great. Color is much more crisp than my VHS copy. Sound is better. It is fullscreen (I prefer widescreen...but I guess you can't be too picky). There are no subtitles available. No goodies. It does have chapter selection, but only 8 chapters. Very good freeze frame, slo-mo stuff here!! I haven't watched the whole thing yet, but have been jumping around and 'pausing' at all the good anguished looks from ODB! Here is the link that Karen posted earlier this week for the DVD in case anyone is interested: http://video.barnesandnoble.com/search/product.asp?WRK=3637653&userid=51SI3GEHQH"}, {"response": 756, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Dec 21, 2002 (10:15)", "body": "Re Hostages. Does anyone know if this is still available for sale? - I have seen it occasionally on Ebay (I assume second hand) at crazy prices."}, {"response": 757, "author": "WinniePeg", "date": "Sat, Dec 21, 2002 (11:46)", "body": "Janet, I got my tape of Hostages at Videoflicks.ca. It took quite a while but they were able to supply. Price was v. reasonable."}, {"response": 758, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Sat, Dec 21, 2002 (11:48)", "body": "(Janet) Re Hostages. Does anyone know if this is still available for sale? I see Hostages for sale at videoflicks.ca http://www.videoflicks.ca/titles/1042/1042591.htm?SHOW=1&TYPE=0&ASSN=V00001&ESID=XUUXAXXAAXVVVVEVURUUUU"}, {"response": 759, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Dec 21, 2002 (12:36)", "body": "Oh, it's so good to have time to read Drool again! I've been in grading hell for the past few days and got miserably behind. (Moon) She would have been miscast there too. I assume this was the Frau Mozart role. (Tress) Yes. She was to play Constanze. I think she would have be out of place in that role as well. Elizabeth Berridge did an outstanding job as her replacment in Amadeus. I recently got the Amadeus Director's Cut DVD (highly recommended to any Amadeus fans, BTW). The featurette talks about frantic last-minute search to replace MT after she was injured, and has a shot of her in costume and wig as Constanze. Milos Forman commented that in retrospect he felt that Berridge was better for the part."}, {"response": 760, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Dec 21, 2002 (15:40)", "body": "(Rika)Oh, it's so good to have time to read Drool again! I've been in grading hell for the past few days and got miserably behind. Rika, good to have you back. Happy to know you are finally finished. Sure missed your captures, they certainly give a girl something to think about while she's waiting for Santa;-)Frankly, I'm a little tired of shopping and wrapping, and I could use a little, um, diversion Tress, thanks for the link, just ordered my DVD of AZ."}, {"response": 761, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Dec 21, 2002 (23:56)", "body": "Well, now that the Semester From Hell is over, I thought I'd better do something before I lose my title as the DVDiva. And with the holidays upon us, it seemed appropriate to spend a bit of time exploring..... First up, we have the ever-popular turtleneck jumper, with a little holiday twist: a festive reindeer motif. Hard to see the details? Yes - let's try a close-up. Note the dark, wavy hair; the intense, brown eyes; the troubled expression.... oh, wait, we're supposed to be discussing the jumper! Let's try again: Mmmmmmm, nice profile...... oh, I did it again! Okay, once more: Wearing this bold design, the successful barrister is sure to make an unforgettable first impression at any holiday party! Now let's get a rear view of the barrister.... I mean, the jumper: See what I mean about the unforgettable first impression? Ding DONG. Well, that's all we have time for today. Tune in tomorrow for the next chapter of"}, {"response": 762, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Dec 22, 2002 (02:12)", "body": "Rika - it's so good to see, sorry I mean hear from you again. Glad that you have found the christmasspirit after your turn to ......"}, {"response": 763, "author": "townranny", "date": "Sun, Dec 22, 2002 (08:03)", "body": "Holiday Fashions for Barristers Dear Sir or Madame: My what an impressive line you have this season! I would like to order. One ever-popular turtleneck sweater in the green, some dark wavy hair, some intense brown eyes and a lovely profile. Would the matching grey slacks also be available? Please send COD. I'll be waiting on my porch. GAAH! RIKA -Great to have you back. K. Janet - My DH certainly like her (MT) So does mine but it has something to do with twisting herself into a pretzel in Big Chill. K."}, {"response": 764, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 22, 2002 (09:12)", "body": "(Kathleen) So does mine but it has something to do with twisting herself into a pretzel in Big Chill. I've always suspected that was the reason. ;-) Very cute, Rika."}, {"response": 765, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Dec 22, 2002 (10:16)", "body": "Great stuff, Rika, thanks! Colin and his jumper were singled out in an article in yesterday's Philly Inquirer on bad Christmas sweaters."}, {"response": 766, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sun, Dec 22, 2002 (10:59)", "body": "Thanks, Rika! I seem to be having a hard time tearing myself away from picture #2. Note the dark, wavy hair; the intense, brown eyes; the troubled expression.... oh, wait, we're supposed to be discussing the jumper! The look, the cleft... AFG!!"}, {"response": 767, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Dec 22, 2002 (13:31)", "body": "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire Jack Frost nipping at your nose Yule-tide carols being sung by a choir And folks dressed up like Eskimos. Everybody knows a turkey curry and some mistletoe Help to make the season bright The WoD (that's Women of Drool) with their eyes all aglow Will find it hard to sleep tonight. THANK YOU RIKA!"}, {"response": 768, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Dec 22, 2002 (18:42)", "body": "(Kathleen) Would the matching grey slacks also be available? Please send COD. I'll be waiting on my porch. GAAH! Regret to inform you that grey slacks are.... well, back-ordered. But have the following item available in grey, from our \"Sleepwear for the Football-Obsessed\" catalog. Would this be an acceptable alternative? Please advise."}, {"response": 769, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Dec 22, 2002 (18:43)", "body": "Welcome to today's installment of: Today's topic: neckwear. What could be more festive than a holiday-themed necktie? And we have a fine specimen to show you. What? You say you can't see the necktie? And you actually CARE about that???? Well, okay..... There. You can see a little bit of the tie. As well as some nice eyelashes. But we really should check out the necktie in more detail..... I suppose. Here, take your pick: This is a special tie, by the way. If someone squeezes the barrister - I mean, the tie - hard enough, he - I mean, it - makes noises! Well, that's all we have time for today. Thanks for joining us for today's episode of: And a very Merry Christmas to all those celebrating it this coming week!"}, {"response": 770, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sun, Dec 22, 2002 (19:22)", "body": "Thank you, Rika! It's too bad the Successful Barrister didn't get any reindeer boxers for Christmas! I guess we'll have to be content with the grey ones from the \"Sleepwear for the Football-Obsessed\" catalog. Not a hardship at all, IMO."}, {"response": 771, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Dec 22, 2002 (20:34)", "body": "Oh thank you Rika. I see you are back in full DVDiva mode. You know how much I love Mark. Wot a treat. Forget the jumper and tie, just send Mark Darcy...Federal Express, Overnight delivery. I'll pay extra."}, {"response": 772, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Dec 23, 2002 (01:14)", "body": "Thank you, Rika! I second all the postings of both reindeer boxers, Mark Darcy express and so forth......... A very merry Christmas to all of you."}, {"response": 773, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Dec 23, 2002 (05:17)", "body": "Oh Rika, how I've missed you....and your pics! My fav of the lots over the 2 installments has to be tie picture number three. That's when Bridget starts her prattling, I think. That look is wonderfully amazing and melts my butter! Other other tie pic just before, number two, is a very close second. There is something about CF when he looks down in those shots that just, well, makes you wish the two of you were on a desert island for an indefinite period of time! Alone. Several cases of champers, sunblock and nothing else. ;) Thanks very much. Happy Holidays to everyone!"}, {"response": 774, "author": "townranny", "date": "Mon, Dec 23, 2002 (07:42)", "body": "LOL RIKA please advise Dear Holiday Fashions for the Successful Barrister : Yes!! I will take a substitution from the \"Sleepwear for the Football-Obsessed Catalog\". Cannot quite make out all detail.Will you please send them for my FREE 30-day trial closer inspection. I understand my 100% satisfaction is guaranteed. Still waiting on porch! Also a very big fan of eyelashes, frown lines and that little vein that pops above his left eye from time to time. Ah, the maturing man! Just gets better and better. Thanks Rika Happy Holidays Everyone"}, {"response": 775, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Dec 23, 2002 (09:22)", "body": "Rika, did you notice the make-up on him? You can see the under-eye concealer and I believe he even has mascara on the upper lashes. Thanks! And a very Happy Xmas to all!"}, {"response": 776, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Dec 23, 2002 (09:49)", "body": "Rika!!! Blowing kisses your way... What a great start to a day that seems silly to be at work! Squeeze the barrister indeed!! Thank you!! Um, are there any plans for your catalog to showcase the Successful Barrister/Wealthy Landowner/Football Obsessed in clothing two sizes too small? Just a thought..."}, {"response": 777, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Mon, Dec 23, 2002 (09:54)", "body": "Rika, thank you so much for these wonderful Christmas-pictures. I love the one when he is looking down best, I'm simply melting. did you notice the make-up on him? You can see the under-eye concealer and I believe he even has mascara on the upper lashes. My, Moon, you must have very good eyes to see that. I can't see it even when I look for it ;-)"}, {"response": 778, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Dec 23, 2002 (11:08)", "body": "THANK YOU SO MUCH RIKA What great pics and comments. I'd like to find him under my tree and would squeeze every part of him. HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!"}, {"response": 779, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Dec 23, 2002 (15:00)", "body": "Rika, I think I like it when you are on holiday break...nothing like being out of school to make the teacher giddy! Keep it up! Your pics are brilliant choices! **especially the yummy tie ones!!** Thanks so much!"}, {"response": 780, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Dec 23, 2002 (15:51)", "body": "An old one resurrected: Twas the night before Xmas, when all through Firthworld Not a person was stirring, under covers they curled. The stockings were hung by the great chimney with care In hopes that Lord Wessex soon would be there; The ladies were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of Colins danced in their heads; And Karen in her kerchief, and Evie in her cap, Had just settled their brains for a long winter\ufffds nap, When out in the courtyard there arose such a clatter, We sprang from our beds to see what was the matter. Away to the window we flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow Gave a luster of midday to objects below, When, what should we see on that night cold and chilly? But a opulent carriage and seven sleek fillies, With a tall dark haired driver so handsome and sexy, We knew in a minute it must be Lord Wexy. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled and shouted, and called them by name: \"Now Lizzie! Now Julie! Now Chirsty! now Meg! On, Nancy! On, Katherine, on Viola \ufffd shake a leg! To the top of the ramparts! To the top of the wall! Now Dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!\" As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky, So up to the Towers the coursers they flew With the carriage full of goodies \ufffd And Lord Wessex too. And then, in a twinkling, we heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As we drew in our heads, and were turning around, Down the chimney Lord Wessex came with a bound. He was dressed all in velvet from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot; A bundle of goodies he had on his back, And he looked like the Kingly Head of the Pack. His eyes \ufffd how they sparkled, his dimples so keen! His cheeks were like roses, his legs long and lean, His large mobile mouth was drawn up in a grin And the beard on his chin was darker than sin; The candlelight lit his smiling white teeth, And a white ruff encircled his neck like a wreath. He had a small waist, and a whole lot of pep, And he walked with a swaggering, rollicking step. He was elegant, daring, a right handsome old thing, And we laughed when he saw him, and wanted to sing! A wink of his eye, and a twist of his head, Soon gave us to know we had nothing to dread; He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk; And laying his fist against mouth (nothing new!) And giving a nod, up the chimney he flew. He sprang to his carriage, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, \"I\ufffdll see you next year, Luvs, but for now, A Good Night!"}, {"response": 781, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec 23, 2002 (16:48)", "body": "With a tall dark haired driver so handsome and sexy, We knew in a minute it must be Lord Wexy. LOL.The One and Only. Thanks for re-posting that one Murph and for the greeting on O&E"}, {"response": 782, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Dec 23, 2002 (20:26)", "body": "Happy Holidays, everyone."}, {"response": 783, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Dec 23, 2002 (23:52)", "body": "Thank you Rika! All necktie pics are perfection...that dimpled chin (I grow weak in its presence) I am assuming that the Barrister fashions are on back order. Is it possible to get a rain check? I believe Kathleen is still waiting on the porch for her order (I hope you are bundled up Kathleen). I will content myself by waiting for the next catalog by the fireplace with some hot buttered rum. Is it possible to pre-order? I have in mind a barrister in a grey turtleneck with a long trench coat. Just wondering! Happy Holly-Days to All!!"}, {"response": 784, "author": "townranny", "date": "Tue, Dec 24, 2002 (07:27)", "body": "Thanks Karen for making this topic! Googie girls Rule!! As does our lovely DVD Diva, Thanks, Rika!!!"}, {"response": 785, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Dec 24, 2002 (17:23)", "body": "Thanks for the poem Murph had never seen it. Very clever. Happy Holidays Everyone."}, {"response": 786, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Dec 26, 2002 (20:04)", "body": "I hope everybody had a great Christmas! Ours was even slightly white.... but it's good to be back home again. I'm glad you all enjoyed my little Christmas gift in the form of a fashion expo. (Lisa) My fav of the lots over the 2 installments has to be tie picture number three. That's when Bridget starts her prattling, I think. Close, but not quite. That's his look in Bridget's direction when his father explains that Mark is going to be moving to NY for the new job. Other other tie pic just before, number two, is a very close second. There is something about CF when he looks down in those shots that just, well, makes you wish the two of you were on a desert island for an indefinite period of time! Alone. Several cases of champers, sunblock and nothing else. ;) That's pretty much the effect it has on me, hence its inclusion among the photos! (Kathleen) Yes!! I will take a substitution from the \"Sleepwear for the Football-Obsessed Catalog\". Cannot quite make out all detail.Will you please send them for my FREE 30-day trial closer inspection. I understand my 100% satisfaction is guaranteed. Kathleen, will do my best with your shipment. As to the 100% satisfaction guarantee...... no, I'm not touching that one with a ten-foot pole. ;-) (Moon) Rika, did you notice the make-up on him? You can see the under-eye concealer and I believe he even has mascara on the upper lashes. You might be right about the make-up - I didn't notice. All I can say is, I wish under-eye concealer and mascara made ME look that delectable. (Maria) Um, are there any plans for your catalog to showcase the Successful Barrister/Wealthy Landowner/Football Obsessed in clothing two sizes too small? I think Maria is on to something here, particularly when it comes to the football obsessed. Thanks for the poem, Murph!"}, {"response": 787, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Dec 26, 2002 (20:13)", "body": "Rika, I am DVDelirious over the Barrister holiday line. I'm willing to back order only if the model is included with the attire. Think I\ufffdll pass on the yob in his underpants. Murph, v. clever poem."}, {"response": 788, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Dec 26, 2002 (23:05)", "body": "(Tress) Is it possible to pre-order? I have in mind a barrister in a grey turtleneck with a long trench coat. Don't worry, it's not my intention to keep doing this forever. In fact, the snowman episode was to be the last. But Tress made a request, and as you know I do take requests. So that means it's time for an episode of: Yes, the successful barrister needs to bundle up, yet still look stylish, in the cold winter months. And what better choice than a gray turtleneck under a dark overcoat? Here, you'll see what I mean: Ah, yes. Warm, stylish, and absolutely edible. I know you're waiting for a close-up so you can carefully inspect the color and the quality of the knit fabric. Too bad, because that's not the kind of close-up I have in mind! This is the perfect ensemble for so many purposes. For example, neck nuzzling: Leaning in for a kiss: Checking out reading material: Catching up on your reading: Going for a brisk walk: Leaning in for another kiss: Wrapping someone else in the coat with you: Mmmmmmmmmmmmm.................................. And on that note, we come to the end of this episode of:"}, {"response": 789, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Dec 27, 2002 (01:04)", "body": "RIKA!!!!! I've just fallen off my chair!!!!!!!!!!!! I can still see the monitor so will be quite content as I can view ODB....I mean the turtleneck and coat that I wish to order! Will take it all! Please send express (will pay extra for immediate delivery). Am particularly taken with picture number 2...the dimples, I mean ribbing on the turtle neck make it a fine specimen of ....well, ribbing. The last picture clearly illustrates proper use for a large overcoat, so glad to see it included in the winter line. Thank you so much for sharing your holiday and winter fashions. I anxiously await your Spring catalog! ;-)"}, {"response": 790, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Dec 27, 2002 (05:51)", "body": "Rika, I just love your latest fashion selection! - Pic 2 especially! Thanks for all the wonderful screen captures you've done over the past few months. - I'll have to learn how to do them! And to everyone, I'd like to wish you all a wonderful Christmas holiday and a peaceful New Year."}, {"response": 791, "author": "Andie", "date": "Fri, Dec 27, 2002 (09:43)", "body": "WOW! Rika, your fashion series is truely wonderful. Thanks so much! I love all of them, esp the latest series (my fav nuzzling and perfect side profile scene). Sure adds to the season cheers. But...what do you mean to say that its not your intention to keep doing this (wonderful thing) forever?? Do think of your fashion fans! :-) I too am looking forward to your spring collection. Will you be looking for a new model? How abt a spring fashion showcase for A Wealthy Landowner? Thanks also to everyone for another wonderful year here. Have a very Happy New Year!"}, {"response": 792, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Dec 27, 2002 (09:59)", "body": "(Andie) How abt a spring fashion showcase for A Wealthy Landowner? I'll give it some thought.... after all, there are a couple of wealthy landowners from which to choose....."}, {"response": 793, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jan  3, 2003 (06:57)", "body": "Bringing you up to date: Topic 166 of 172: 'Introduction to Firthology (101) - a survey course' Resp 793 of 814: MariaT (poostophles) Fri, Dec 27, 2002 (13:47) 3 lines Blockbuster survey New Years Eve Dream date...CF #2 behind Vin Diesel???... http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/021227/daf005_1.html Topic 166 of 172: 'Introduction to Firthology (101) - a survey course' Resp 794 of 814: lindak (lindak) Fri, Dec 27, 2002 (14:59) 7 lines (Tress) Is it possible to pre-order? I have in mind a barrister in a grey turtleneck with a long trench coat. I want it all, one in every size and color. And I want two of the \"catching up on your reading\" model. Rika, you are the best. Thank you. Topic 166 of 172: 'Introduction to Firthology (101) - a survey course' Resp 795 of 814: Jeanie (Firthermore) Fri, Dec 27, 2002 (15:07) 1 lines Thanks, Rika, for posting another lovely series of captures.. especially \"The Grunt Scene\". (laughing) I hope everyone had a great Christmas. I've been bunkered down, here. I actually went four days without checking my email until my box overflowed and I stopped receiving messages, so if you've sent something and it's been returned, please send again, oksey? (huggling everyone affectionately) Topic 166 of 172: 'Introduction to Firthology (101) - a survey course' Resp 796 of 814: MariaT (poostophles) Fri, Dec 27, 2002 (15:51) 3 lines (Jeannie) Thanks, Rika, for posting another lovely series of captures.. especially \"The Grunt Scene\". (laughing) LOL \"The Grunt Scene\" I love that!! I wish I had an empty fireplace and could rig a tv that just fit inside of it with the grunt scene playing over and over...Actually this brings to mind what could be a fun \"avant garde\" art show..There could be many of these type fireplace/window/medicine chest/microwave/empty sink monitors up in a gallery designed as a home. Favored scenes would replay on the monitors, and speakers hung in darkened rooms would whisper favored lines \"I like you, just as you are\", \" on foot?\", \"Say my name\", \"Would you please please please just ***king ***k off!\". Male models would parade about the room in \"Winter fashions for the successful barrister\" ,and Arsenal boxers, and etc. etc...Muffins and espresso could be served...Getting carried away... Topic 166 of 172: 'Introduction to Firthology (101) - a survey course' Resp 797 of 814: Rika (Rika) Fri, Dec 27, 2002 (16:19) 2 lines Problem is, where would you find enough male models with the right attributes? I think it's back to that cloning idea again. Topic 166 of 172: 'Introduction to Firthology (101) - a survey course' Resp 798 of 814: Annette (anjo) Fri, Dec 27, 2002 (16:23) 5 lines (Rika)Problem is, where would you find enough male models with the right attributes? I think it's back to that cloning idea again. I was just about to post, that if it wasn't \"the real one\", it had no interest whatsoever - but if you get the cloning part going again, I would love to join you. And Rika, thank you for all the wonderful captures from the world of fashion. For once in my life I might actually try to keep up, at least with men-fashion. Topic 166 of 172: 'Introduction to Firthology (101) - a survey course' Resp 799 of 814: MariaT (poostophles) Fri, Dec 27, 2002 (16:40) 5 lines (Rika) Problem is, where would you find enough male models with the right attributes? I think it's back to that cloning idea again. You can't...But...They could be made to hold up ODB on a stick masks and well, the whole idea is silly but you would just have to drink a great deal of wine and have fun with it... Topic 166 of 172: 'Introduction to Firthology (101) - a survey course' Resp 800 of 814: KathyF (kathness) Sat, Dec 28, 2002 (01:52) 3 lines Rika, what a thoroughly delicious sampler of Winter Fashions for the Successful Barrister! I can't decide which one I like best, as all are very scrumptious. Once again I ask myself why Bridget would feel the need to go find tiny knickers at a moment like that?! Such a silly girl! Topic 166 of 172: 'Introduction to Firthology (101) - a survey course' Resp 801 of 814: FanPam (FanPam) Sun, Dec 29, 2002 (09:18) 6 lines Thanks for great pics Rika. As usual an outstanding job. (Kathy) Once again I ask myself why Bridget would feel the need to go find tiny knickers at a moment like that?! Such a silly girl! I agree Kathy, one of the great mysteries of the Universe. If she knew how to read her man, she would have realized they wouldn't have been on long enough for him to even notice what kind they were, IMO. If only I were Bridget he would have had his clothes off so fast, his head would have been spinning. No games, just give the man what he had come for, meanwhile making me the happiest of women. Such a silly girl, indeed. Topic 166 of 172: 'Introduction to Firthology (101) - a survey course' Resp 802 of 814: lindak (lindak) Sun, Dec 29, 2002 (18:55) 4 lines (Pam)No games, just give the man what he had come for, meanwhile making me the happiest of women. Such a silly girl, indeed. Well sa"}, {"response": 794, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Mon, Jan  6, 2003 (08:28)", "body": "Well, that's what I get for having internet access only at work. I've been off for a couple of weeks, and now that I'm back, I can't see all of the wonderful sounding pics that Rika posted (SOB!!!). V. distressing, to say the least... While I was catching up at another (completely non-related) site, I came across a list of unusual holiday gifts on Miami Herald online; while the holidays have passed, I thought this one would amuse all you lovely ladies out there: apparently, a company has figured out how to put a photo on a chocolate bar. Imagine, CF & chocolate, all in one!! (BTW, my birthday is Jan. 16th, hint, hint) Here's the story from the Miami Herald: Chocolate Photograph, from Holiday Gift Guide by Dave Barry $30 plus shipping and handling from Hearts and Flowers Candy, 485 S. Broadway, Unit #19, Hicksville, N.Y. 11801, phone: 516-931-2155, Internet: www.firstchocolate.com Suggested by Evelyn Crawford of Greenville, N.C. Do you have a favorite photograph of a loved one? Would you like to display it in an attractive frame, and yet still be able, if the need arose, to eat it? If so, you are going to be very excited by this item. Thanks to important scientific advances in the field of chocolate, researchers have figured out a way, using food coloring, to put a photo -- supplied by you -- onto a half-pound chocolate bar in such a way that the whole shebang is actually edible! We tested this concept ourself by sending in a nice color photograph of Vice President Dick Cheney. We chose him because there is absolutely nothing funny about using his name in this context. But you can submit any photo you want. This will make a tasteful (Ha ha!) gift for anybody on your gift list. And of course you'll want to get one for yourself -- maybe a photo of your family, to keep on your desk at the office. When your boss compliments you on how nice your loved ones look, you can reply: ''Thanks! Would you like a bite of them?'' This puts you on the fast track to promotion."}, {"response": 795, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Jan  6, 2003 (08:55)", "body": "(moonstar)''Thanks! Would you like a bite of them?'' This puts you on the fast track to promotion. LOL and whatever. I'm also at work (on my way home), and would love one of those chocolatebars. I wouldn't want to share ODB with anyone though, not even for a promotion ;-)"}, {"response": 796, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Jan  6, 2003 (14:49)", "body": "(moonstar) I've been off for a couple of weeks, and now that I'm back, I can't see all of the wonderful sounding pics that Rika posted (SOB!!!). V. distressing, to say the least... They may reappear later. My web space hasn't been moved to the new server yet. I'm hoping it'll happen soon (insert energetic tapping-of-foot noise, hoping Terry will hear)."}, {"response": 797, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Jan  6, 2003 (15:25)", "body": "(Rika) My web space hasn't been moved to the new server yet. I'm hoping it'll happen soon (insert energetic tapping-of-foot noise, hoping Terry will hear). Forget energetic tapping-of-foot noise, how about banshee-like wail of DVDeprived drooleurs? Be afraid, be very afraid."}, {"response": 798, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Jan  7, 2003 (14:10)", "body": "(Moonstar) But you can submit any photo you want... Would a picture of \"The Whopper\" be acceptable. Would the manufacturer approve?"}, {"response": 799, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jan  7, 2003 (22:06)", "body": "Today I found an interview with RW about TIOBE that I don't know if we ever had posted here. I think I would have remembered the \"Colorado\" remark (see below). These are excerpts from the \"Interview of the Week\" by Karen Butler of the UPI Life & Mind Desk, 5/2/2002: ----------------------- So, how was it working with Colin Firth (\"Bridget Jones's Diary\") and Dame Judi Dench (\"Iris,\" \"Shakespeare in Love,\") actors known for taking their jobs very seriously. \"Well, Colin is just so self-effacing, that you just immediately are just like, 'He's so great.' But, Judi, I was really, really nervous because she's Judi Dench... She has a few awards on her shelves. But, she was so wonderful, too. She was exactly as I would hope she would be. She was gracious and kind. [Giggles.] The boys were always trying to tease her into talking bad about people and she never would. She was just: [Reese does spot-on impression of Judi Dench.] 'I absolutely refuse to talk about that. This is just silly. You should get to work.' It was fun. We had a really good time,\" Witherspoon recalled. [.....] \".....But, the costumes and the set design are so lush and beautiful. You always have something to look at when you can't understand what Colin Firth is saying because you don't understand what he's saying half the time. \"Am I the only American who can't understand people [with accents] sometimes? Colin is so funny. He was talking about how he had to loop a lot of his lines. He was like [affecting a perfect Colin Firth imitation] 'I guess they didn't understand me in Colorado.' It's like: 'You need to slow down, darling, I can't understand a word you said,\" she stated. ------------------------- Link for the full article: http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=02052002-125522-5354r"}, {"response": 800, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jan  7, 2003 (22:35)", "body": "I remember it. Actually was just rereading around the time it was posted. Someone made a crack about or a mention of Coloradoans. I'd forgotten he had to loop so much. Maybe all that air whooshing in her head made it hard for her to hear him properly. ;-) Guess I shouldn't make cracks about her...which one of us is getting 5 to 15 million dollar paychecks. :("}, {"response": 801, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Jan  7, 2003 (23:10)", "body": "I remember mention of the estate being directly under a flight path. That was at least part of the reason he had to 'loop so much.' :)"}, {"response": 802, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Jan  8, 2003 (07:19)", "body": "(Rika/Reese)He was talking about how he had to loop a lot of his lines Would someone please explaine what it means to \"loop lines\"? I cannot find any translation, that makes any sense at all."}, {"response": 803, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Wed, Jan  8, 2003 (07:37)", "body": "I think it means he had to record his lines after the filming , in the studio."}, {"response": 804, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jan  8, 2003 (10:17)", "body": "(Dorine)Maybe all that air whooshing in her head made it hard for her to hear him properly. ;-) Wooshing? I like that. LOL. Did you have any trouble understanding him, Dorine? Apart from the loud music, that is."}, {"response": 805, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jan  8, 2003 (10:29)", "body": "To my knowledge, none of us have had difficulty understanding him anywhere. Not that I've read anywhere anyway."}, {"response": 806, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Wed, Jan  8, 2003 (12:15)", "body": "The only time I've had trouble understanding him was in Fever Pitch. Maybe the hair distracted me? :P Nah, it was the dimples..."}, {"response": 807, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Jan  8, 2003 (23:00)", "body": "Or, the Arsenal Undies!"}, {"response": 808, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jan  8, 2003 (23:08)", "body": "(moonstar) The only time I've had trouble understanding him was in Fever Pitch. Maybe the hair distracted me? :P Nah, it was the dimples... (Lisa) Or, the Arsenal Undies! For me it was the gray undies...everything after that was a blur. ;-)"}, {"response": 809, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (00:00)", "body": "(Tress) For me it was the gray undies...everything after that was a blur. ;-) You mean there's something after that?!! ;-)"}, {"response": 810, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (11:53)", "body": "(Tress) For me it was the gray undies...everything after that was a blur. ;-) LOL, true. But for me it started with the shoulder, grunt, and kiss...by the time I got to the grey undies...Thank goodness for subtitles."}, {"response": 811, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (13:39)", "body": "My web space is more or less back in one piece again. So if anybody missed the Fashions for the Successful Barrister series over the holidays, you can back up in this topic to see it and the photos should all be there. Meanwhile, I'll be reposting parts 1-4 of Dorine's birthday tea party as soon as I figure out whether it should be here or on O&E."}, {"response": 812, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (14:44)", "body": "Was looking around today - Found a site regarding the Physiognomy Of Men . ???There are lots of classes one can take regarding reading peoples faces and bodies..Reminded me of something someone (BarbS?) posted awhile back regarding the studying of people's gaits. They had this to say about areas we would be concerned with... Height A tall man is usually a symbol of good personality of man. A tall man with well proportioned body parts is lucky and leads a comfortable life. A short statured man is sexy in nature, often he is clever and cunning. Tall - Lucky Short - Clever Hair On Head If the hair on the head is jet black and thick, it shows a person who is endowed with mainly qualities. But when the hair is thin and black, such person is likely to be passionate. If the hair is reddish in color, it denotes that he will lead a life of comfort. But if the hair is thick and rough, he may be poor. If he has red colored hair, he may become the head of a section, community, army. Thick & Rough - Poor Red Colored - Leader Cheeks When the cheeks are raised, the person is selfish. If dimples are seen while laughing or talking, the subject will be wealthy and lucky. In case the cheeks are quite broad and fleshy, the person is destined to be a ruler, a wealthy man and will enjoy power. Dimples - Wealthy Raised - Selfish So lots of wealth and luck for ODB!!! And next week, I'll read all of your tea leaves!!!!"}, {"response": 813, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (16:27)", "body": "(Lisa) Or, the Arsenal Undies! (Tress) For me it was the gray undies...everything after that was a blur. ;-) LOL! I'm partial to those gray undies myself :) (Rika) So if anybody missed the Fashions for the Successful Barrister series over the holidays, you can back up in this topic to see it and the photos should all be there. Oooh, thank you so much! I felt very left out when I returned from Christmas holiday, and I couldn't see the pics, but could read all the drooling comments. Off to see the reputed Darcy eye-candy; yum!!"}, {"response": 814, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (18:11)", "body": "(Maria) Was looking around today - Found a site regarding the Physiognomy Of Men . ??? Maria!! Dying to know what your google keywords were! ...classes one can take regarding reading peoples faces and bodies Sign me up for the Braille one! If dimples are seen while laughing or talking, the subject will be wealthy and lucky. Explains six million for Love Actually!"}, {"response": 815, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (18:43)", "body": "A tall man with well proportioned body parts is lucky and leads a comfortable life. I think I'll take the class that concentrates in this area. Thank you, Maria. And Rika, I forgot to thank you on O&E for the gorgeous capture. I wonder how many we'll have of dashing Lord Dashwood by the time WAGW is out on DVD. You're doing just fine with the trailer;-)"}, {"response": 816, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (11:49)", "body": "If anybody missed the Fashions for the Successful Barrister series during the holidays and would like to see them, I've restored all of the missing photos and other graphics. You can view them by going back to their response numbers (761, 769, and 788). Meanwhile, though, we've got something new to do. Linda and I had the misfortune of trying to hold a birthday fashion show/Victorian tea party in honor of our fellow Latte Diva, Dorine, right when the move to the new server was going on. Karen and I thought that at this point it probably made the most sense to host the party here on Firthology. So let me start with the invitation: In honor of Dorine's birthday, please join us for a Victorian Tea Party and Fashion Show. The tea will be supplied by Dorine's fellow Latte Divas (we're branching out from coffee), and the fashions and models are provided courtesy of the \"Summer Fashions for the Wealthy Victorian Gentleman\" catalog. Hope to see you there!"}, {"response": 817, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (14:34)", "body": "Tress would be delighted to accept the Rika's kind invitation to attend Latte Diva Dorine's Victorian Tea Party and Fashion Show. I am leaving the DH at home so only one will be attending. Thank you."}, {"response": 818, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (16:08)", "body": "Would adore a tea and fashion show, but the date is not specified on the invitation, m'dear. Corsets are optional, yes? ;)"}, {"response": 819, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (17:48)", "body": "(moonstar)Would adore a tea and fashion show.. Me too. If I provide some of the roses, could I please not wear corset?? I'm having trouble breathing around anything ODB-related as it is."}, {"response": 820, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (20:08)", "body": "Regarding the tea party, I only hope you'll have Lane get cucumber for sandwiches, I do so love cucumber sandwiches! (If there's a problem with the ready money, perhaps we can help!)"}, {"response": 821, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (20:47)", "body": "Thank you Maria for the very interesting information. I will be signing on for the hands on lectures. A tea party and cucumber sandwiches are indeed most welcome and will be happily attended."}, {"response": 822, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (21:18)", "body": "Welcome to the Victorian Tea Party and Fashion Show in honor of Dorine's birthday, postponed due to technical difficulties. The tea and goodies are supplied by Dorine's fellow Latte Divas (we're branching out from coffee), and the fashions and models are provided courtesy of the \"Summer Fashions for the Wealthy Victorian Gentleman\" catalog. In fact, our first model has just arrived. Here we see a traveling costume for the Victorian Man About Town - a light wool overcoat, with a smart hat and scarf. We'll give the gentleman a chance to get settled and changed into the next ensemble, and then the fashion show will continue. In the meantime, grab a hot cuppa...... .....and get something to eat - how about some cake? .....or help yourself to some bread and butter, or a muffin. There might even be some cucumber sandwiches available, if they haven't all been eaten already."}, {"response": 823, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (21:31)", "body": "Here we go! A nice relaxing tea party where all the models can be seen by everyone. :) Annette, I see your flower shop got a new delivery man. ;-)"}, {"response": 824, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Sat, Jan 11, 2003 (05:49)", "body": "Thanks for the invitation to your party. A piece of cake would be most welcome, even if it not fashionable anymore in the best houses:-)."}, {"response": 825, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sat, Jan 11, 2003 (06:36)", "body": "Rika.... Thanks for reposting this, I am anxiously awaiting the next bits... Even though seen it before, it is just too good."}, {"response": 826, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Jan 11, 2003 (15:02)", "body": "Dorine's birthday tea party and fashion show continue now, as our next model (you'll notice all our models look alike) shows us some country fashions: Here's a lovely brown tweed suit, so appropriate for a pleasant day in the country. It's cut to show off the model's broad shoulders tapering to narrow hips. Also note the wire-rim spectacles. Every element of this ensemble says, \"I'm a wealthy, responsible man of property, but I could be tempted to be naughty by the right offer......\" Here's another brown tweed suit - without the jacket, to give our model a casual look. We need to talk to him, though, about the contents of his pockets - the drape of the trousers is being disturbed by his decidedly non-Victorian cell phone. Here's a white linen suit designed to keep a gentleman cool, calm, and collected, even when fighting to win back the woman of his dreams. The cream vest and white shirt continue the \"cool heads will prevail\" motif, while the plaid tie contributes a devil-may-care splash of color. (Hey, Annette, is this the right one?) Next we have another tweed suit, in a lighter brown this time, with a dark tan vest, white shirt, and a jaunty polka-dotted tie. And a divine little mischievous smile.... Let's take another look (or two or ten) at this outfit. We're going to take a short break now. Enjoy a tea cake, socialize with the other guests, and the fashion show will continue soon."}, {"response": 827, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Jan 11, 2003 (15:13)", "body": "Rika, as I sit here with my cucumber sandwich and tea, all I can say is thank you....brilliantly hosted fashion show (special thanks for the pic with the glasses...I love a man in spectacles)! And Annette, if it isn't the right one, it should be! Wow! That suit and those dimples! Many thanks to the model for taking the time to show us these exceptional suits!"}, {"response": 828, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Jan 11, 2003 (16:16)", "body": "(Tress) Many thanks to the model for taking the time to show us these exceptional suits! Three cheers for our model. He's over with me changing for his next set, so will be somewhat delayed. I told him to try not to outshine the clothes so much as we are trying to make sales here, but it can't be helped when the model is far more handsome than the clothes. Put those dimples away, I'm trying to work here. Being his assistant is such a chore. Must go he's asking for something to eat. He is so demanding ;) Great fun Rika. Thank you."}, {"response": 829, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Jan 11, 2003 (17:56)", "body": "(Tress)And Annette, if it isn't the right one, it should be! Wow! That suit and those dimples! Oh yes, I decided right away, that it most certainly is the right one. He will be my pick for a date at the post-fashionshowparty. (That is, if he is ever going to return from his little rendezvous with FanPam). Thank you so much Rika, for bringing him. Please do whatever necessarry to bring him back to the fashion show ASAP. And - you might wanna inform him, that is is costume to \"mingle\" with the guests!"}, {"response": 830, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jan 11, 2003 (18:59)", "body": "(Pam)I told him to try not to outshine the clothes so much Easier said than done. Glad that all of you are enjoying the model, eh, party. Pam, please don't tire him out...he has lots more work to do;-) Eat up, eat up, several courses to go."}, {"response": 831, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Jan 11, 2003 (21:50)", "body": "(Pam) Being his assistant is such a chore. Wow, how did you get THAT job, Pam! And I'm stuck out here serving tea."}, {"response": 832, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jan 12, 2003 (00:00)", "body": "Very nice party....again. Nice decorative accents! ;-)"}, {"response": 833, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (07:08)", "body": "(Rika's Fashion Show) Here's a white linen suit designed to keep a gentleman cool, calm, and collected Whut the? LOL.. well, there's a suit that will be on the clearance rack sooner than one can say \"geez louise on tuesday\". How about a thermal goosedown body suit, instead, oh madam of \"Colin Collectibles\"? Yes, I've been gone for far too long (laughing). I've missed everyone dreadfully, but I'm attempting to spend as much free time with my daughter before she disappears into the wilds of Missouri and boot camp in a couple of weeks as possible. (sigh) Happy belated birthday, gnome of the potted ficus! (mucho huggos) My daughter has also been making me slave away making sims for her \"Anita Blake:Vampire Hunter\" series universe. Have any of you read those silly books?"}, {"response": 834, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (07:34)", "body": "Hello? Dorine? It's Matthew Field. I've changed my mind, and decided to come and model after all. I'm on vacation at Villa Eden, and you know how much I hate going on location. But, for your birthday celebration, I've decided to rise above it. I'll do anything for your tea party, Dorine. Can find a quite spot afterward so you can Say My Name? See you soon."}, {"response": 835, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (11:18)", "body": "Sorry, Dorine. I'm so excited about attending that I've forgotten how to spell. That should be...Can we find a quiet spot."}, {"response": 836, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (14:43)", "body": "Matthew! Thank you so much for popping up like this. I'll say *anything* you want! ;-)"}, {"response": 837, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (15:33)", "body": "Yummy photos, ladies! So...not that I'd go out and buy it (ahem)...but does anyone happen to know what pattern of china was used for TIOBE? Rika got such a nice shot of that cup. I had looked in various shops but nothing comes close."}, {"response": 838, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (16:10)", "body": "(Jeanie) Yes, I've been gone for far too long Yes, you have, and we've missed you terribly!!! I understand there's more to life than making clever comments on Drool, but please try to toss us a crumb of your wit and wisdom from time to time, or we might suffer from withdrawal!"}, {"response": 839, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (17:51)", "body": "Welcome back, Jeanie. Glad you popped by, and in time for the tea party/fashion show. Missed you."}, {"response": 840, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (18:07)", "body": "Knock-knock, Ahem - is this the place they host a fashionshow? I was told to deliver some roses for the occassion and I am very determined to get the order right (they fired the last delivery-boy for not being able to \"get the job done\"). I was told to ask for Dorine? Well - here they are (hopefully):"}, {"response": 841, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (08:50)", "body": "Great pics ladies and what lovely roses Annette. Welcome back Jeanie."}, {"response": 842, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (14:38)", "body": "Welcome back, Jeanie! The place just hasn't been the same without you. We move on to formal and special-occasion wear for the Man of Property. Just because you're charged with responsibility for your dead (and fictional) brother's ashes is no reason not to score points on the fashion scale. This mourning ensemble, complete with elegant black gloves, is dramatic, yet tasteful. Attempting to impress your future in-laws is a daunting prospect, but our model looks like every mother-in-law's dream in this exquisite morning suit. A navy coat and trousers coordinate beautifully with a dove gray vest and a blue-gray tie. A lily of the valley completes this stunning ensemble. The mother-in-law may decide she wants this tasty treat for herself! You can't go wrong with the classic tuxedo, and you also can't go wrong putting this particular model in formal wear. Mmmmmmmmm. If only he'd show us some dimples...... Did you say you wanted dimples? Our model is looking irresistable in this night-on-the-town ensemble.A black tail coat, a white tuxedo shirt, and a cream satin vest and tie make an elegant fashion statement. Absolutely freakin' gorgeous..... oh, and the clothes aren't bad either. I hope you don't mind - I'm not quite ready to move on yet. Some more views of this ensemble.... and the dimples.... Lucky Dorine - as the birthday girl, she gets to personally inspect the model.... I mean, the outfits. I don't know about you, but I need to take a break and get something cool to drink.... perhaps some refreshing lemonade. But stick around - there will be more fashions and models to drool over coming up soon."}, {"response": 843, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (16:16)", "body": "Rika, my DH was just looking over my shoulder, other than laughing at all of us, he does want to compliment you on one of the last dimple pics...he especially admires the little dish practically spilling out over ODB's shoulder. (He actually likes to watch TIOBE with me, now I think I understand!)"}, {"response": 844, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (16:42)", "body": "Rika, once again wonderful captures. About the Hello Magazine vote for most wonderful(?) man/actor of the year. Has anyone heard the result? I can't seem to find it on their website. (You should think, that counting the number of times, I votet, I should be able to remember the catagorie, but sorry, I do not)."}, {"response": 845, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (18:31)", "body": "(Barb S)...he especially admires the little dish practically spilling out over ODB's shoulder. Yeah, I thought about trying to digitally eliminate her - or at least cover her up - but I'm glad he enjoyed it!"}, {"response": 846, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (21:50)", "body": "(Barb) Rika, my DH was just looking over my shoulder, ......laughing at all of us LOL, he's just jealous he doesn't have someone to post captures for him of some little dish of his own. ;-) The last series of models can't be repeated too many times. Thanks so much! ;-D"}, {"response": 847, "author": "Leah", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (02:07)", "body": "Love the fashion show. Do you think that somewhere in his past, someone said to him that he looks good in a black shirt? Well he does!, but don't you think it's time that he's told that he looks good in other colour shirts as well."}, {"response": 848, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (07:26)", "body": "(Leah), but don't you think it's time that he's told that he looks good in other colour shirts as well. That blue shirt in WAGW suits him better than the black one. Of course, black is the cool colour to wear. ;-)"}, {"response": 849, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (16:26)", "body": "Rika, With your latest batch of captures, you have surpassed all that has gone before. Simply wonderful!!"}, {"response": 850, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (04:59)", "body": "What a marvelous success!!! Now I'm making sure our model is resting comfortably. The massage I'm giving him is working wonders. He has so much energy and after such a long day!! Sorry must run, \"You want to wot...\"-;) Such fun Rika. Sorry its over. Best pics of the group. I think he noticed the dish behind him, too. Hence that satisfying grin."}, {"response": 851, "author": "AnnieZ", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (10:42)", "body": "Ladies, the following site was so much fun (at least for me ;)). May be you have seen it: http://www.afirthionado.com/private/dejavu/dejavu.html"}, {"response": 852, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (11:47)", "body": "We thought it might be interesting to take a behind-the-scenes peek at the models' dressing rooms and see what's going on. Oops. Looks like we arrived at an inconvenient time. Let's check the other dressing rooms. Looks like our country-attire model is all tuckered out and is having a quick lie-down. Tragically, he's chosen to nap fully clothed (except those adorable bare feet peeking out). Love the dressing gown, though. The book title? \"Tongues Ahoy: A Guide to More Passionate Screen Kissing and the Avoidance of Chicken-Pecking.\" Next door, our formal-wear model is practicing some poses for use later on. Someone should tell him that smoking is bad for you. And down the hall we find.... oh, my...... it's not every day one sees a proper Victorian gentleman in a black sleeveless tee and BLP*. He must moonlight as a rock guitar god.... Let's pause and enjoy this image, shall we? A pity that the photo is somewhat Blurry.... * - Black Leather Pants, of course! But now it's back to the fashion show. This black velvet jacket over a brown vest, white striped shirt, and red silk tie is the perfect choice for proposing to your beloved - or for snarfing down cucumber sandwiches, unless there are no cucumbers to be had, in which case I recommend muffins. The white carnation, the stray curl on the forehead, and that gleam in the model's eye are the sort of extra touches that just about guarantee a \"yes.\" Sober gray pinstripes - an inspired choice for a quick trip to the library to do some research. The stray curls are beginning to run amok. But wait - who is this new arrival? He doesn't seem to be dressed in Victorian garb, but he has certain..... charms all the same. Stay tuned for further developments!"}, {"response": 853, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (12:24)", "body": "Ah, man.. .charms, schmarms... look at the hair, Rika, the HAIR!!!! (laughing) It's pure perfection, but I've already given my 10 cents worth here regarding Matthew's hair. (sigh.. pitter-pat, pitter-pat) Hey, this IS the place where I can give my 10 cents worth of opinion & preference without getting slapped around (more like K.O.ed) by tempermental artist types who feel they've been slighted by my words even though my words weren't in any way addressed to them, right? (scratching head in amused bemusement) LOL! You know, as difficult as I've been here at times with our poor beleaguered fearless leader, especially when she was writing GSD & I was belittling \"bayou barbie\" at every opportunity, her response to my tasteless barbs were nothing compared to what I experienced a few days ago while wandering about the various fanfiction sites, and I was trying to be tactful, too!!!! (laughing) Perhaps I should work on my tact... (considering).. nah.. LOL! I'll just be sure not to row by boat down the river st x again without wearing a flameproof sailor suit. (grinning) Now, does anyone know where I can purchase such a wardrobe??? ;)"}, {"response": 854, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (12:29)", "body": "Hmmm.. for some reason my post above rejected the word \"Styx\", oh well.. I can't say I blame it. =P"}, {"response": 855, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (12:50)", "body": "(Jeanie) Perhaps I should work on my tact... (considering).. nah.. Oh, please don't!!! I like your tact just as it is!"}, {"response": 856, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (14:19)", "body": ""}, {"response": 857, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (15:47)", "body": "He doesn't seem to be dressed in Victorian garb, but he has certain..... charms all the same. Stay tuned for further developments! Please, develop away!"}, {"response": 858, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (17:47)", "body": "(Rika)The stray curls are beginning to run amok. Please, run amok all you like. Again - wonderful show, Rika. But this terribly se.., sorry good-looking model is making me quite week at my knees, so I might just have to go and have a lie-down. Perhaps the model with the instruction-book could move over a wee bit? Then he would also have practicing-material nearby. He wouldn't even have to pay anything - I'd pay extra to \"service\" him. btw - I think I just found an explanation as to why I have taken up such an interest in \"the Gunners\" (at the moment no. 1 in the league!!)."}, {"response": 859, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (18:10)", "body": "Rika, Are you hinting at a Fashion Show modelled by a certain writer living abroad? I do hope so!"}, {"response": 860, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (18:21)", "body": "Jack and Matthew...what a combination. Then of course Lord Dashwood and his BLP. *SIGH* Thank you Rika. Dorine, I'm sticking with you at all times while this modeling stuff is going on.;-)"}, {"response": 861, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (19:11)", "body": "Karen, Loved latest pics posted at the Bucket. Especially the one cropped from the HS pic with MD. I notice he has a bit of a 'wattle' at his throat, (I think that what Fish called it in Ally McBeal) - I could never understand his character's fascination with Dyan Cannon's before, but I can now! He just gets better as he matures!"}, {"response": 862, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (19:30)", "body": "(FanPam) The massage I'm giving him is working wonders. He has so much energy and after such a long day!! Dear Madam: Am interested in an assistant position at your company. Please contact me at your earliest convenience. Have excellent references (okay, some of them are a bit dicey, but you gotta cut a girl a break!) ;-D Rika.....I cannot ever thank you enough! I do want to say that I think our model should consider putting that book (\"Tongues Ahoy: A Guide to More Passionate Screen Kissing and the Avoidance of Chicken-Pecking\") down and using a live model for his lessons. I will volunteer if no one else is up to it! ;-)"}, {"response": 863, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (07:57)", "body": "(Rika) He doesn't seem to be dressed in Victorian garb, but he has certain..... charms all the same. Stay tuned for further developments! And does he intend to develop in every direction? *snicker*"}, {"response": 864, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (12:38)", "body": "Ohhh, I just had a lovely surprise. For anyone who might have a Netflix membership, AZ is now in their catalog. They might have only one copy, though, and if so, it's on its way to ME! So, you'll just have to wait til I'm done with it, LOL! (BTW, for those of you who live in the boonies like me and the local video rental place doesn't have a very good selection, Netflix is great)"}, {"response": 865, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (13:27)", "body": "(Janet) Are you hinting at a Fashion Show modelled by a certain writer living abroad? The gentleman in question doesn't think he has sufficient outfits to rival Jack Worthing in a fashion show, but he has confided to me that he believes he could offer a different sort of demonstration. This is going to take a couple of days of preparation between us, but watch this space for a special presentation by Matthew Field..... (moonstar) And does he intend to develop in every direction? *snicker* Some might argue that he's pretty well-developed already. :-0"}, {"response": 866, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (14:02)", "body": "(Rika). This is going to take a couple of days of preparation between us, but watch this space for a special presentation by Matthew Field..... Excuse me?? I thought I was the wardrobe mistress. Sheesh! (Rika)Some might argue that he's pretty well-developed already. :-0 I'll just be they do. **sigh**"}, {"response": 867, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (14:42)", "body": "I've just received a email stating that FF is being released on DVD and Video. It was referring, or course, to the Brian de Palma film of the same name. Buyers beware!"}, {"response": 868, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sat, Jan 18, 2003 (22:35)", "body": "(Linda) Excuse me?? I thought I was the wardrobe mistress. Sheesh! Noooo.. you're the googie goddess.. would you PLEASE stop trying to be everything to our precious? (laughing) You have to leave some jobs to others, you know? You must share!"}, {"response": 869, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Sun, Jan 19, 2003 (13:49)", "body": "I was just over at Amazon, and TIOBE is the featured DVD of the day! Doesn't even mention RE in the short blurb; it's all about CF (huge smile) Has anyone seen the DVD version of AZ yet? I remember when Valmont was released to DVD, it was reported here that there was a scene missing. I'm renting AZ soon, and was wondering if it's intact. I've never seen it, so I won't know if they left anything out."}, {"response": 870, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Jan 19, 2003 (19:50)", "body": "(moonstar) Has anyone seen the DVD version of AZ yet? I remember when Valmont was released to DVD, it was reported here that there was a scene missing. I'm renting AZ soon, and was wondering if it's intact. ODB appears to be 'intact'....you have a treat ahead of you moonstar! All that angst! It's a lovely thing to witness. ;-) I did laugh at the cat scene....you'll have to let us know what you think!"}, {"response": 871, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (18:39)", "body": "(Tress)All that angst! It's a lovely thing to witness My AZ DVD just arrived today...I watched this only once before...OH yes there is angst, even more that some of our fan fic."}, {"response": 872, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (19:37)", "body": "I received my R2 DVD of AC, ordered on Sunday from a Spanish site(www.dvdgo.com, with English text option), at a very reasonable price of 26 euros, including postage. Only drawback is case and inner sleeve printed in Spanish, but small price to pay, IMO."}, {"response": 873, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (18:39)", "body": "So, I saw the AZ dvd at Best Buy months ago on sale for $7 and didn't get it.. how stupid is that? LOL! Needless to say, it's not there anymore. It's snowing again. It's not supposed to snow here.. (bouncing off the walls)"}, {"response": 874, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (19:10)", "body": "(Jeanie) So, I saw the AZ dvd at Best Buy months ago on sale for $7 and didn't get it.. LOL! What were ya thinkin'? I just paid $9 for The Secret Garden (I have no children) for a minute of ODB...you could have gotten nearly 2 hours of pent up rage for $7! What a deal! ;-) I'll trade you...snow for wet, damp, foggy cr*p...."}, {"response": 875, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (21:07)", "body": "(Jeanie) So, I saw the AZ dvd at Best Buy months ago on sale for $7 and didn't get it.. Ugh! Why can't I have a Best Buy that actually carries AZ or any other CF movie for that matter...all I get around here is Bow Hunting for Beginners and Speed 2! ;-)"}, {"response": 876, "author": "kasey", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (21:46)", "body": "Ordered the AZ DVD from Barnes & Noble.com 2-4 weeks ago when it said 1-2 weeks for delivery. Price was $10.99 and no shipping since I ordered one other item at the same time. Next thing I knew, one item had shipped (NOT AZ of course) and AZ was \"temporarily unavailable\". Well, it finally arrived today. Absolutely no extras of course and the quality not as crisp as films made for DVD rather than transferred to that format. Now, to watch it through and find the film discussion here on it to compare my reactions to others here."}, {"response": 877, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (23:02)", "body": "Is the sound a little weak on your DVDs. I have to turn my TV's volume up louder for this one."}, {"response": 878, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (12:06)", "body": "(Karen) Is the sound a little weak on your DVDs. I have to turn my TV's volume up louder for this one. Mine sounds fine...but I have my DVD player routed through a stereo (most of the sound comes through 'other' speakers). I didn't have to turn up the volume though."}, {"response": 879, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (16:52)", "body": "(Jeanie) So, I saw the AZ dvd at Best Buy months ago on sale for $7 and didn't get it Were you feeling okay at the time? Or was the dh with you (oh, no, not HIM again!)? LOL! (AdaVW) Ugh! Why can't I have a Best Buy that actually carries AZ or any other CF movie for that matter...all I get around here is Bow Hunting for Beginners and Speed 2! ;-) LOL! I have a BB that's relatively near me (40 miles away) and it's one of the smaller ones. I think they only carry BJD & TIOBE, but it was the Christmas shopping season. The internet is a wonderful thing... (Tress) I'll trade you...snow for wet, damp, foggy cr*p.... I'm very tempted to take you up on that trade, if you'll extend it to Kentucky. It was 7 degrees here when I got up this morning, windchill 15 below, 2 inches of snow on the ground. But, Adrian LeDuc is awaiting me when I get home (yay!). AZ on the DVD player tonight..."}, {"response": 880, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Mon, Jan 27, 2003 (13:02)", "body": "(Moonstar)Were you feeling okay at the time? Or was the dh with you (oh, no, not HIM again!)? LOL! LOL.. well, my once sensible dh has completely gone on shutdown mode concerning Our Precious, so now, here at home, we refer to CF as \"He Who Must Not Be Named\"... LOL!"}, {"response": 881, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (09:17)", "body": "(Jeanie)LOL.. well, my once sensible dh has completely gone on shutdown mode concerning Our Precious, so now, here at home, we refer to CF as \"He Who Must Not Be Named\"... LOL! Your comment brought to mind how my DH refers to ODB. I don't know if I could print it here! He is only joking, though, and is very good at printing off photos, showing me how to do downloads, etc. Does any other DH's have unusual ways of referring to him, I wonder?"}, {"response": 882, "author": "smitten", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (09:54)", "body": "Janet... Have discovered that my DH is genius. Got new computer of my own that sits next to his on same desk. Installed YUMMY photo of CF looking lovingly at Lizzie playing piano at Rosings as wallpaper. Also installed collection of 30 photos of same delightful man as screen saver, and sat back waiting for the roar..... for three days not a word. Finally I broke down and asked DH if he minded. He just laughed and said it was my computer and my photos, and since we have been married for twenty three years and he intended to stay that way for twenty three more, I could put anything there I liked. Also asked me to never again ask him if an outfit makes me look fat. Do you think that an honest answer might be in the affirmative??????"}, {"response": 883, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (09:57)", "body": "(Janet) Does any other DH's have unusual ways of referring to him, I wonder? In my house he is \"that Colin guy\" or \"your boyfriend\" (as in \"your boyfriend's in that movie\"). I always correct him and tell the DH he is not \"my boyfriend\" as I have to share him with numerous others (including LD)....the DH is fascinated by this....a bunch of women all drooling over one man (a bit jealous, I think). He is very helpful though...with the downloads and the printing and other ODB projects. He just doesn't understand it completely (and am hoping he never realizes just what the fanfic is really all about.....) ;-)"}, {"response": 884, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (09:59)", "body": "Hello, Marilyn! (Janet), Does any other DH's have unusual ways of referring to him, I wonder? My Italian DH call him \"il cornuto\". But I know that CF is \"He Who Must Not Be Named\" in my house. ;-)"}, {"response": 885, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (10:11)", "body": "(Janet) Does any other DH's have unusual ways of referring to him, I wonder? (Moon Dreams) My Italian DH call him \"il cornuto\". But I know that CF is \"He Who Must Not Be Named\" in my house. ;-) Help!! Does this mean \"little horn\"? LOL... (MarilynF) and since we have been married for twenty three years and he intended to stay that way for twenty three more, I could put anything there I liked. Also asked me to never again ask him if an outfit makes me look fat. Do you think that an honest answer might be in the affirmative?????? He sounds like a good egg with a good sense of humor to me Marilyn!! And the trade he asks for is not too much to ask!! My DH keeps changing in this regard. Initially I think he was very wounded, after that, he became certain I had really gone off the deep end, and now, sometimes I think he has rounded the corner into acceptance. Not to say he still won't make fun of him but there is no one name he uses and (Huge victory for me!) I was able to get him to watch DQ by extolling it's social views and he enjoyed it! (But I did'nt hear it from him!)"}, {"response": 886, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (12:41)", "body": "(Janet)Does any other DH's have unusual ways of referring to him, I wonder? My DH used to refer to him as \"that Colin guy\", or, \"there is your boyfriend, again\". Like Maria's DH, he has fallen into the acceptance category. He has watched several of Colin's films with me, and I've gotten used to the \"Oh no, not him, again\" Or \"how many films did this guy make\"? Little does he know...since there are a few he'll never see. (Tress)He just doesn't understand it completely (and am hoping he never realizes just what the fanfic is really all about.....) ;-) LOL, the fan fic would be the undoing;-)"}, {"response": 887, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (12:51)", "body": "Sorry for the double post, but I missed this...priceless! (Maria)Help!! Does this mean \"little horn\"? LOL... LOL, not quite. My sides are splitting."}, {"response": 888, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (13:40)", "body": "(lindak) LOL, the fan fic would be the undoing;-) I now look upon fanfic as \"Inspirational Reading\"...the DH should be grateful (still, I don't think I'll enlighten him any time soon)! ;-) (Maria) Help!! Does this mean \"little horn\"? LOL... It's okay, Maria, I don't know what it means either (and Linda didn't help!! ;-D ). I have asked an Italian speaking co-worker. We'll see what his reaction is!"}, {"response": 889, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (13:41)", "body": "(Maria)Help!! Does this mean \"little horn\"? LOL... (linda), LOL, not quite. My sides are splitting. The cuckold. ;-)"}, {"response": 890, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (13:52)", "body": "(Moon Dreams) The cuckold Main Entry: cuck\ufffdold Pronunciation: 'k&-k&ld, -(\")kOld Function: noun Etymology: Middle English cokewold Date: 13th century : a man whose wife is unfaithful - cuckold transitive verb OUCH!!"}, {"response": 891, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (13:55)", "body": "(Marilyn) He just laughed and said it was my computer and my photos, and since we have been married for twenty three years and he intended to stay that way for twenty three more, I could put anything there I liked. What a great guy you have there. Seems like a keeper to me. (Maria) Help!! Does this mean \"little horn\"? LOL... How funny. LOL. But if all reports are indeed true, fortunately NO My kids refer to him as my \"boyfriend\". Daughter saw WAGW trailer the other day and came a running to tell me \"Your boyfriend's coming out with a new movie\" laughing at the leather and MJ bits. Was impressed when I knew all about it and just shook head when I pulled trailer up for her to view."}, {"response": 892, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (14:01)", "body": "(Moon Dreams) The cuckold (Maria) OUCH Think back to his movies, TEP, SIL & BJD. My DH saw those movies with me, it came natural to him to call him that. ;-)"}, {"response": 893, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (14:13)", "body": "(Moon) Think back to his movies, TEP, SIL & BJD. My DH saw those movies with me, it came natural to him to call him that. ;-) Your DH is very funny! I was thinking more in line with Maria...thought it might be a bit naughty ('little horn' is hilarious BTW!)"}, {"response": 894, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (14:40)", "body": "This is all too funny! Because my husband was working in Korea when I first discovered P&P2, it was my boys who were wise to me watching Mr. Darcy over and over. Now, they try to make mention of CF and tease me a little in front of my DH but I still have the upper hand to some degree. I keep my DVD's and videos in a cabinet in the bedroom, mostly because everything gets shuffled around so much at our house, I know one of my films will get taped over if I don't keep them under lock and key!, so tons of CF movies lying around aren't any kind of hint. I have my photo collection buried in a couple of documents in my Working Chapters folder for UMS, so I keep my bases covered. ;) As far as FF goes, my husband has a slanted view of it all. He sees me spending too much time at the computer, from his way of thinking, and I believe he is a little jealous! He has never read anything I have written, although he did try to get through a couple of chapters of ALRTH ages ago. *snort* However, based on what little he has seen in comments in emails passed back and forth, he is sure I am a smut writer. ;) There is nothing I can do to change his mind. Actually, I don't think he'd really care if I were a smut writer, as long as I was a successful one! But, he sees the whole thing as entirely out of character for me and thinks I may have gone 'round the twist! :)"}, {"response": 895, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (15:03)", "body": "(Moon) My Italian DH call him \"il cornuto\" (MariaT) Help!! Does this mean \"little horn\"? LOL... Okay, the Italian speaking co-worker just got back to his desk, and when he read my e-mail, he translated (a bit more 'loosely'..LOL..) and when he did, he made a hand gesture that looked like horns! According to him, it is a v. bad insult...especially when accompanied by the little hand thing! (Lisa) ...he is sure I am a smut writer. ;) LOL....one woman's smut is another's \"inspiration\"! ;-D BTW, did you explain to the DH that the happiness of countless women depend upon your next chapters of UMS and ALRTH??"}, {"response": 896, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (16:36)", "body": "(Lisa)He has never read anything I have written, although he did try to get through a couple of chapters of ALRTH ages ago. Why not a few chapters of UMS?;-) (Tress)BTW, did you explain to the DH that the happiness of countless women depend upon your next chapters of UMS and ALRTH?? Good Point!"}, {"response": 897, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (20:34)", "body": "My DH also falls into the \"good-natured acceptance\" category, often refers to him as my \"boyfriend.\" I don't typically impose CF movies on him, though - he's seen most of P&P, most of BJD, and that's about it. We're thinking about a trip to England this summer, and he already knows he'll have to go along on the \"Jane Austen tour.\" What he DOESN'T know is that we'll also be visiting Islington and (if the time is right) trying to find location shoots of TEoR."}, {"response": 898, "author": "townranny", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (21:40)", "body": "(Janet) Does any other DH's have unusual ways of referring to him, I wonder. We talk about him like we know him (AS IF). Colin should have wrapped it up in Luxembourg by now. He talked Renee into the BJD sequel.(ME) I thought Renee looked great in Bridget. She looked a little thin in Chicago. (DH) When I had DQ on recently. Is this one of Colin's movie's? (DH) Of course, I have to listen to his tidbits about his stuff too. (Tress) I'm hoping he never realizes just what the fanfic is really all about. DH has also read Fanfic and thinks it is very creative. Impressed that people can think of so many variations on a theme. Knows it can be smuttish. He likes to read all kinds of books though. Maybe one day his head will explode from CF talk. Right now, I am more concerned about me than he is."}, {"response": 899, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (10:33)", "body": "My hubby of almost 43 years calls him the \"Forgotten Man.\" I.E. Hardly ever mentioned in the ads etc for his big films, like SIL and TEP. For your enjoyment, The February Calendar:"}, {"response": 900, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (10:35)", "body": "The picture in the calendar is one from the Daily Telegraph a few years ago. The larger size shows the cut on his nose, received when an audio sysem he was putting up apparently fell and bumped the beautiful nose."}, {"response": 901, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (10:56)", "body": "My son, who for some reason was quite slow to catch on, now refers to him as \"That Darcy Dude\" (although I'm pretty sure he's caught me watching FP, BJD and MLSF at least as often as P&P). He has also grasped that fanfic revolves around Darcy, although thus far I don't believe he knows exactly why Mom likes the fanfic so much ;-), thank heavens!"}, {"response": 902, "author": "yura", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (10:32)", "body": "Hi everyone, I haven't had a chance to visit the board in a while but I hope you are all doing well and surviving the 'colin news' drought....at least it feels that way. I've been catching up on the all the posts and just couldn't stop laughing when I read about how ODB is being referred to by your DHs! Since I am single, I've gone all out in my obsession for \"The Darcy Dude\" but the unlucky guy I may one day snag will have to understand, infact that's crucial. ....there fore I will be a spinster and will be found eaten by Alsatians (spell?) or turn up like Glenn Close in Fatal attraction. Ok I'm watching too much BJD. Rika, I'm so jealous that you may be going to England on a holiday...do you think you can fit me in in your luggage? I won't take up too much space and I swear, I'll be quiet as a mouse... : )"}, {"response": 903, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (19:30)", "body": "My DH and I are off tomorrow to the Frankfurt/Heidelberg area for the weekend to celebrate his birthday. I've just checked the map, and found that Luxembourg is fairly close by. (OK, about an hour away). Very tempting to visit instead that very picturesque principality. But I truly think my DH would freak if I suggested it, don't you?"}, {"response": 904, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (19:59)", "body": "(Yura) Since I am single, I've gone all out in my obsession for \"The Darcy Dude\" but the unlucky guy I may one day snag will have to understand, infact that's crucial. This goes without saying. (Janet) My DH and I are off tomorrow to the Frankfurt/Heidelberg area for the weekend to celebrate his birthday. Have a wonderful time and weather permitting wouldn't a lovely long drive through the beautiful countryside be appropriate? How could DH protest such a serene activity."}, {"response": 905, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (21:55)", "body": "But I truly think my DH would freak if I suggested it, don't you?"}, {"response": 906, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (22:03)", "body": "Okaaayyy..let me try that again...:-P But I truly think my DH would freak if I suggested it, don't you? Janet, you could always try to bribe your DH with something sweet. Isn't Luxembourg famous for their chocolates? You could say, Oh, honey, let's buy some chocolate covered truffles to remind us of our trip.....and oh, by the way, there's this movie being filmed over here, do let's stop and check it out!"}, {"response": 907, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (23:06)", "body": "(AdaVW) You could say, Oh, honey, let's buy some chocolate covered truffles to remind us of our trip.....and oh, by the way, there's this movie being filmed over here, do let's stop and check it out! That's my plan if DH and I got to England this summer - the \"Oh, by the way, there's this movie.....\" approach. It's a variant on the \"Wow, what an amazing coincidence!\" approach I used when, after nagging DH until he agreed to go see HP the weekend it opened, there just happened to be a trailer playing for a CF movie. But isn't GWAPE finished filming by now?"}, {"response": 908, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (08:44)", "body": "It's okay Rika, you can say 'Oh by the way there's this little movie called EOR filming here right now..' this summer when in London (fingers crossed!!). Believe me, I am planning on spending most of the summer staking out the city, I'll let you know if I have any luck finding the set (and am assuming that some will be the same like Bridget's apartment)."}, {"response": 909, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (10:20)", "body": "Rika, you might keep an eye on this website...or email them This is a v. resourceful group. I have not doubt you'll make it. But let's plan how to inveigle DH to go there....failing is not an option here;-)) http://www.london-film.co.uk/"}, {"response": 910, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (11:12)", "body": "Rika: Check your hotmail now if you're on"}, {"response": 911, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 2003 (12:59)", "body": "Mighty quiet in here...hmmmm... (checking under the sofa)."}, {"response": 912, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 2003 (13:33)", "body": "(Jeanie) Mighty quiet in here...hmmmm... (checking under the sofa). I was thinking the same thing...everyone was on fire yesterday with the planned heist of the P&P clothes, but I think our time has run out on Darcy Drool...I keep checking over here to get my fix...I will be leaving for a few days and will be ODB Free. This may not be a good thing. He's like my coffee. Gotta have a 'shot' or I'm just not right. Think many may be watching the telly right now...:-( Sad news..."}, {"response": 913, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 2003 (14:14)", "body": "I slept late today and had no idea what you were talking about, Tress.. oh, how tragic.. Of course, I guess almost all of us had the same response that I did. .\"Dear God, not again!\" (sad sigh) I'll send you something to cheer you up and take care of your Darcy Drool fix, how's that? (smiling) It's rather risque, so if you want me to send it to you either email me, or leave me a message at Darcy Drool."}, {"response": 914, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 2003 (14:52)", "body": "(Jeanie) I'll send you something to cheer you up and take care of your Darcy Drool fix, how's that? (smiling) It's rather risque... Oh, now...I don't think I like risque. Goes against my very nature. ;-) *clearing throat* I, uh, sent you an e-mail...."}, {"response": 915, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 2003 (16:24)", "body": "(Tress)Oh, now...I don't think I like risque. Goes against my very nature. ;-) Uhm, maybe we are a few others, who also need cheering up. The evenings are mighty cold......."}, {"response": 916, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 2003 (16:32)", "body": "Ok, I originally attempted to post this to \"Darcy Drool\" but it wouldn't let me. \"I am truly honoured by all the attention you fine ladies give me, but would you please consider returning my clothing? Pemberley is drafty this time of year, and I'm sure to die of a consumption unless I find warmth!\""}, {"response": 917, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 2003 (16:36)", "body": "(laughing) Please, Linda, Dorine, Rika, or Terry please forward to Annette \"the package\".. (dying of laughter) I deleted mine because of prying eyes.."}, {"response": 918, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 2003 (16:42)", "body": "(laughing to)Jeanie, you are the best!! I was just on my way to bed (it is almost midnight), so \"the package\" arrived just in time. Good Night everyone, and sweet dreams!!!!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 919, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 2003 (17:02)", "body": "(Jeanie....oops...I mean Mr. Darcy) \" ...Pemberley is drafty this time of year, and I'm sure to die of a consumption unless I find warmth!\" I'll give ya something to keep ya warm! (Jeanie) (dying of laughter) I deleted mine because of prying eyes.. ROTFL.....the DH was just asking what I was looking at....I was shutting things down left and right....\"huh? what do you mean? I wasn't looking at anything!\" I didn't delete though! Funny I can read fanfic all night w/o a word, but once I get visuals.....it's all over. LOL...Annette! I hope thoughts of \"the package\" don't keep you up!"}, {"response": 920, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 2003 (17:35)", "body": "All right now, if you're going to talk about it, you're going to have to share! pretty please?"}, {"response": 921, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 2003 (17:49)", "body": "Me too please! With a cherry on top"}, {"response": 922, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 2003 (21:41)", "body": "Perhaps it would've been better if you all would have emailed each other, rather than leave messages here."}, {"response": 923, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (00:08)", "body": "sorry, that was MY fault, boss.. won't happen again, or, at least, I'll attempt to make sure it doesn't happen again.. =("}, {"response": 924, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (17:46)", "body": "responding to some of the Conspiracytalk from Ods and ends: I think Karen is right about his approach to the \"problem with the jews\". One thing, I took notice of, was the way he tried to differ between species and race. In my ears, that places him right in the middle of them all. He too wantet to get rid of the jews. He said to acknowledge them as part of our species but prevent them from being part of our race (quote). He wantet it done with this in mind, and BY THE LAW. I will say, that I think the movie is scaring, but very well actet. I also noticed, that when CF was acting furious, he had a vein beating very clearly in his forehead. How can anyone control their face like that? Amazing!"}, {"response": 925, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (17:57)", "body": "Wow, I missed a lot while I was gone this weekend! Thanks for the encouragement on my possible London trip and TEOR stake-out. I've bookmarked the site Evelyn told me about - thanks!!!!"}, {"response": 926, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (17:59)", "body": "This is the babbling-topic, right? I have noticed, that ODB sings in many of his movies. Here are the ones, I know of: Tumbledown (army-like: have you heard, what I've been told, or something like that) Hostages (Jinglebells) SIL (some odd morning-like song, sunday morning) Donovan Quick (We shall not, we shall not be moved) TIOBE (Lady come down) WAGW (Staying alive, perhaps - surely looks like something like that;-)) Have I forgotten any? How would you rank them?"}, {"response": 927, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (18:01)", "body": "Rika, if you are still here - please check out the news on the release of The Advocate on dvd. I see so many possibilities for the DVDiva (and those of us fortunate to see how you work wonders)."}, {"response": 928, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (18:10)", "body": "(Annette)I also noticed, that when CF was acting furious, he had a vein beating very clearly in his forehead. I've noticed it in the last scene of WOF as well."}, {"response": 929, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (08:51)", "body": "Sometimes I really HATE technology--- I got AZ from Netflix, was *really* psyched about (finally!) getting to watch it, put it in the DVD player last night, and after about 30 seconds of thinking, the player spits it back out with a \"disc error\" message!!!! I tried two more times, and IT WOULDN'T PLAY!!! It also didn't like RV (rental), and while it used to play FP (own it), it won't anymore! GRRRRRRRRRR!!!! I would say that the dh has hexed the DVD player to not play CF's films, but P&P, BJD, Conspiracy and TIOBE all work just fine. I have a couple of other DVD's it won't play as well. Anyone know what gives???"}, {"response": 930, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (15:43)", "body": "I got the AZ DVD from Barnes & Noble last week. I've played it through several times and it works fine."}, {"response": 931, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (23:11)", "body": "On DVD's: I assume you've cleaned it. Whenever I've had problems like this it's because the disk has something on it (like a big ol' thumbprint). AZ on DVD..... yes, most interesting possibilities. Though I think they'd be of the variety that would have to be distributed via e-mail..... Speaking of which, I've owed everybody a Matthew Field montage for a while now. Sorry - real life has been interfering with the important stuff, and in addition there have been technical problems with my web space and I've been waiting for resolution. But I assure you that I have an AFG collection of captures from SLOW.... and one of these days I'll get some of 'em up on display."}, {"response": 932, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (08:49)", "body": "(Rika) I assume you've cleaned it. Whenever I've had problems like this it's because the disk has something on it Yeah, it's clean; I put the cleaning disk in the DVD & cleaned the laser too, all to no avail. **Sigh** It's a fairly early model player, and we've been having more and more trouble with it the older it gets. Hubby's pushing for an X-Box... (Rika) Though I think they'd be of the variety that would have to be distributed via e-mail..... How *intriguing* :) put me on your distribution list, if you decide to do it that way..."}, {"response": 933, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (14:04)", "body": "(Rika) Though I think they'd be of the variety that would have to be distributed via e-mail..... (moonstar)How *intriguing* :) put me on your distribution list, if you decide to do it that way.. Me too!!!!!!!!!!! (and remember SIL?)"}, {"response": 934, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (22:42)", "body": "There's a new Darcy Drool topic (173) set up, since 112 is all filled up."}, {"response": 935, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (11:15)", "body": "Not long ago we were talking about how our DH's talked about CF. Well, I just got a phone call from DH that I simply had to share. He's on a business trip, and just called to let me know it had been cut short and he was on his way home. I need to explain that I teach on Wednesday nights so I get home pretty late. Anyway, he said, \"Just wanted to let you know that when you get home tonight there may be a man in your bed, and unfortunately it won't be Colin Firth.\" Thank goodness he has a good sense of humor about it! I'm still laughing....."}, {"response": 936, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (11:20)", "body": "LOL Rika, congratulations, he sounds wonderful! (so much for keeping ODB a secret!)"}, {"response": 937, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (13:14)", "body": "Anyway, he said, \"Just wanted to let you know that when you get home tonight there may be a man in your bed, and unfortunately it won't be Colin Firth.\" Too funny, Rika.YDH has good sense of humor; keep him. I hope someday he'll get to meet Colin. There are great stories of the men(DH, boyfriends, fiancees,partners) who accompanied their gals to 3 DOR , hung around the Donmar lobby.Some of the remarks to Colin were priceless."}, {"response": 938, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (15:49)", "body": "(Rika) Anyway, he said, \"Just wanted to let you know that when you get home tonight there may be a man in your bed, and unfortunately it won't be Colin Firth.\" LOL! Oh, Rika, that's just too funny. How on earth did you respond to *that*?! (Evelyn) Some of the remarks to Colin were priceless Are there any you could repeat? Am v. curious :)"}, {"response": 939, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (15:57)", "body": "LOL, Rika! You have him well trained. ;-)"}, {"response": 940, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (16:30)", "body": "(Evelyn) Some of the remarks to Colin were priceless I remember some reference to this way way back and would Love to hear them again too...hint hint."}, {"response": 941, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (16:39)", "body": "Really,they don't translate too well in print. Also, some were told in private and I don't feel comfortable putting them on a public board. Perhaps you can find some of them in the Donmar reports."}, {"response": 942, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (16:56)", "body": "What a great husband you have Rika. He seems to be very understanding. Which leads me to believe he might have someone he particularly likes. Do you know who she is?"}, {"response": 943, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (17:56)", "body": "(moonstar)How on earth did you respond to *that*?! I was so shocked I just laughed and turned about 15 shades of red (which he couldn't see since we were on the phone). (Evelyn) I hope someday he'll get to meet Colin. One thing at a time - first I would like to meet him! But, yeah, I can actually imagine DH going with me on a trip like that. As to his own \"interests\", he's got a bit of a thing for Catherine Zeta-Jones (we haven't been to \"Chicago\" yet, but the first time we have a weekend night free, I'll have no trouble getting him to see it). But he's not collecting her movies and discussing her online (at least, not as far as I know ;-)."}, {"response": 944, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (18:32)", "body": "Rika, your DH sounds like a honey, you'll have to tell him we were all drooling over him...if of course you want him to know he was a topic of conversation. (Rika) he's got a bit of a thing for Catherine Zeta-Jones Don't they all? Mine just learned he has a thing for Brit-whatever-ny Spears. If you wonder why, check her out on the last page of this week's People mag. Guess he has that in common with ODB."}, {"response": 945, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (20:09)", "body": "\"Just wanted to let you know that when you get home tonight there may be a man in your bed, and unfortunately it won't be Colin Firth.\" Good thing that was you and not me. I might have blurted out \"unfortunately\" OK just kidding. I think;-)"}, {"response": 946, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (22:15)", "body": "(Barb) Rika, your DH sounds like a honey, you'll have to tell him we were all drooling over him...if of course you want him to know he was a topic of conversation. I haven't decided yet if he'd want to know that or not. He is an incredibly tolerant fellow. But he doesn't know too much about Drool - just that I sometimes visit this place where CF fans hang out. How much do the rest of our DH's or SO's know about Drool?"}, {"response": 947, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (07:21)", "body": "Drool is top secret."}, {"response": 948, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (08:03)", "body": "(Moon Dreams) Drool is top secret Agreed..I have to ALWAYS remember to clean out the browser and erase all history before signing out...especially when I have been Drooling whilst drinking wine(v.v often)so I don't have to wake up in a panic with a 50 pound wine head, and race to the computer at midnight to try and log in and clean it out and quickly sign off and put it away and jump on the couch and turn on tv and pretend to be only slightly awake just as DH walks in..(obviously NOT a hypothetical situation..);-)"}, {"response": 949, "author": "meg", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (08:13)", "body": "My DH knows about Drool, but not by name. (Didn't want to open myself up to drool slobber jokes...)Just that I check out this CF place everyday. A few times. He's amazingly tolerant. Even helps me tape shows, and is willing to go to NY with me for openings etc., although that is probably just because he likes NY... He's not at all the jealous type, and I'm sure feels this is quite harmless. I do make sure to tell him that CF is only the second sexiest man I've ever seen... My eldest son (13)is not as tolerant. I keep telling him it's just a pretend boyfriend and that I'm kidding, and that Daddy has three girls that he likes, but I think with all his friend's parents being divorced, it kind of makes him uneasy. I've stopped joking about it in front of him. I think I'd rather not see CF in the company of my husband though. If I do turn to a silly puddle of blabbering mush I'd rather my DH wasn't witness. So undignified. Haven't been this silly since I was 15! So if anyone in the PA area wants company on a trip to NY to drool this spring, feel free to contact me..."}, {"response": 950, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (08:15)", "body": "(Moon Dreams)Drool is top secret. Indeed it is!!"}, {"response": 951, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (08:32)", "body": "(Maria) ...clean out the browser and erase all history before signing out....(obviously NOT a hypothetical situation..);-) LOL Maria. I am much luckier. My DH is such a Luddite, he would not begin to know how to access history. However...sigh...as disguise of every sort is his abhorrence and he caught me a few times too many clicking over to other screens as he came in, I'm outed. I guess he thinks a sneaky wife is worse than one who is in all other things (mostly) sensible and he actually finds it amusing. He's got a way with the quotes and he still says he's going to buy some boots. At Christmas he pressed for access to one of you to find out how he might find CF items....if anyone knows how to get a life-size stand-up posterboard cutout, you might email me...he's in the market!"}, {"response": 952, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (11:30)", "body": "(Meg) I think I'd rather not see CF in the company of my husband though. If I do turn to a silly puddle of blabbering mush I'd rather my DH wasn't witness. That's my fear as well. And I'd never hear the end of it. I used to do the same stuff as Maria - cleaning out history and such - but I have my own laptop now and I do almost all of my drooling from there."}, {"response": 953, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (11:36)", "body": "(BarbS) if anyone knows how to get a life-size stand-up posterboard cutout, you might email me...he's in the market! LOL! I would think you'd know by now if anyone here knew how to procure such an item; how could anyone possibly keep such a thing a secret?! And if anyone out there is holding out, well, shame shame on you!!"}, {"response": 954, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (12:56)", "body": "Sorry to take you away from your discussion of husbands but.... One of our lurkers would like to share the wealth and has generously donated her VHS tape of Apartment Zero (NTSC) and the book \"Speaking with the Angel\" to any Drool Darling who would like them. One per customer. First come, first serve. email me at my \"office\" (nomdedrool@yahoo.com)"}, {"response": 955, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (15:33)", "body": "(Meg) Haven't been this silly since I was 15! Me too, not since the Beatles were on every inch of my bedroom walls and ceiling. Feels good doesn't it."}, {"response": 956, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (19:12)", "body": "(Meg) Haven't been this silly since I was 15! Nor, I. I got bold and now have CF wallpaper, and I told you all about the TIOBE and BJD movie posters, that I had framed for my daughter's bithday. She loves them in her room...so do I. Of course I had a few other movie posters done as well so it didn't look too obvious;-)"}, {"response": 957, "author": "townranny", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (09:24)", "body": "(Annette ) From BJD topic, Number 9 is still my favorite. (The BJD snow kissing scene as a romantic moment in film). Okay, To get ready for Valentine's day, what are your ten favorite romantic CF moments? Is it possible to narrow it down? I could probably fill 10 spots with P&P so will use others first. Joe Prince in the frozen food section, \"You have to marry me\"."}, {"response": 958, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (09:49)", "body": "(Kathleen)what are your ten favorite romantic CF moments? Just off the mark, and please don't think I've totally lost it (more than always, that is), but here they are: FP, D. H. Lawrence, If he would look at me like that, he didn't have to vary the answers at all. and - The Bollock Brothers scene, being a bit - not the right mood. He could play me any music he liked, if I could crawl into those arms......... Off to fetch a bucket, very much needed..............."}, {"response": 959, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (09:50)", "body": "Favorite P&P Moment: Lambton Inn(both times) Blue Soup smile in BJD."}, {"response": 960, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (11:54)", "body": "Here are mine: The Look in P&P. At the dinner table in BJD, after the \"just as she is\" toast, when Mark gazes at Bridget, wine glass in hand. Near the end of BJD, upstairs in her flat, when Mark leans in for a kiss. If there's any interest, I can probably provide an illustrated version of the list (most of it, anyway), once we have it all assembled."}, {"response": 961, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (12:08)", "body": "(Rika) If there's any interest, I can probably provide an illustrated version of the list (most of it, anyway), once we have it all assembled. I, for one, have absolutetly NO interest in seeing illustrations of ODB's most romantic moments.......... ARGGHHH!!! Hurry!! Hurry!! Compile list quickly so Rika can go to it!!"}, {"response": 962, "author": "townranny", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (14:56)", "body": "(Maria) Compile list quickly so Rika can go to it!! I second the emotion! Will add a few, did not want to be piggy. Kitchen kiss - Fever Pitch Kiss with Marianne in labyrinthe Vertical mambo kiss with Lisa Zane - Femme Fatale Here Charles? kiss in mine - Nostomo Thou art...my sister my wife- Advocate Need to do some research on Lost Empires. Were so many. Need to do some research in general. Bye. Thanks Rika. Always look forward to your special talents."}, {"response": 963, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (16:15)", "body": "Here are mine BJD leaning in to kiss her in the doorway of her flat, grey turtleneck BJD kissing final scene BJD Entire kitchen scene until Daniel arrives P&P Handing Elizabeth into the carriage at Pemberley FP Kissing (with shoulder action) Sarah the first time And just about every other scene mentioned in the other posts. Rika, looking forward to a visual list. YUM"}, {"response": 964, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (17:17)", "body": "(Kathleen)Thou art...my sister my wife- Advocate I didn't know, how to post this mumbling part, but it most definetly belongs on the list (along with just about every other scene..... as postet by Linda) I don't think anything from TIOBE has been mentioned. Well, one of the first scenes with FOC he says something like she is the most beautiful women he has ever met, since he met her (or whatever), also very romantic...."}, {"response": 965, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (17:19)", "body": "sorry - should off course be \"woman\", and I forgot to beg Rika for the visual list: would you please, please, please, please just get it done (please don't take me seriously - ever, just tried to express how much I look forward to seing it!)"}, {"response": 966, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (18:44)", "body": "Favourite moment from FP: when they're viewing the flat and he puts his arms around her. I melt every time I watch this!"}, {"response": 967, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (18:54)", "body": "(Kathleen) (Kathleen)what are your ten favorite romantic CF moments? I have just a few off the top of my head, including a few repeats..... \"Say my name\" scene in SLOW BJD doorway lean-in FF grocery store proposal Ditto Evelyn and Linda's BJD Blue Soup/kitchen scene P&P's verbal fights at Netherfield and Rosings Park (at least they are strangely romantic to me)"}, {"response": 968, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (19:25)", "body": "Short list... The Look The reminiscing in the music room over The Look Running down steps and across courtyard at Pemberley to catch up... (plus he looks AFG!)...all the way through the best legs in the biz walking with her (OMG, the steps....did I say he looked AFG?) Waiting for Lizzy in the inn with Georgianna. Hand into the carriage as she leaves Pemberley. Is there nothing I can bring for your present relief? (the hands!) BJD Dinner table BJD doorway attempts to latch on BJD final kiss *and the coat* More research needed...back into the trenches I go."}, {"response": 969, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (22:06)", "body": "LE sleeping scene with Julie arms entwined. Descending stairs LE they have their arms around each other. Many more in LE as they have such great chemistry. Was very believable to me. When Darcy looks out of window at Lizzy after bath. When Darcy meets Lizzy in garden at Pemberley. Lean in doorway attempted kiss BJD Reminiscence scene at Pemberly in music room. First proposal argument. The look. Blue Soup grin and dimples. Look on Jack's face when Gwendolyn tells him she plans to grow in all areas."}, {"response": 970, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 2003 (02:25)", "body": "The apology scene to MEM near the end of MLSF Paul and Sarah in bed at the end of their \"Seasons\" discussion, when he looks over at her and smiles smugly! Paul and Sarah approach one another for a final kiss during the Victory Celebration. The moment when Darcy and Elizabeth's hands first touch in the Dance at Netherfield. Also stairs scene at Pemberley. Valmont dancing with the 4 women, each in turn. Kissing Bianca in the maze in WOF Second the freezer dance and snog in FF. That last non-touching contact in the belfry between Birkin and Mrs. Keach. His gratitude for the apples showed he had already mastered \"The Look\" even at that age."}, {"response": 971, "author": "townranny", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 2003 (08:25)", "body": ""}, {"response": 972, "author": "townranny", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 2003 (08:26)", "body": "(Rika) I can provide an illustrated version. Oops, looks like there is about 10 times 10 here. Any suggestions on how to narrow it down Rika? Could make a case for any of these which I could take to the highest court in the land. We'd just need more women on the Supreme Court. Or would you like to surprise us? Thanks. KJArt The last non-touching contact in the belfrey between Birkin and Mrs. Keach. KJArt, I'm with you. This film is perfection isn't it? Similar to P&P, can feel the intensity, when she wakes him up in the graveyard and she leaves the loft and he falls on his bed! But nothing is happening that can be seen. Bless my active little brain."}, {"response": 973, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 2003 (09:52)", "body": "One thing that will limit it somewhat is that I can't do captures from every film of his. Here are the ones I CAN get captures from: BJD, TIOBE, FP, LE, P&P, SLOW, MLSF, and DQ, along with three that are rather unlikely to make our list - COF, RV, and Conspiracy. So at the moment that leaves out the stuff mentioned from FF, AMITC, Nostromo, and HOTP/TA. We might be able to find relevant captures from some of them, or perhaps somebody out there who can get captures from VHS tapes can help me. Nobody's mentioned DQ. Even though he's a mess of bruises, I think their snog on the bed the night before he's taken away is very romantic. And his courtly appreciation for the mac & cheese always melts me too. (And, yes, DQ is on the list of possibilities for illustration.) It would be fun to have a vote on what the top ten should be, if we could come up with an easy way to tabulate the results...."}, {"response": 974, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 2003 (12:15)", "body": "BJD BJ: You're not going to America then? MD: So it would seem."}, {"response": 975, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (20:22)", "body": "Barb picked my fav: Is there nothing I can bring for your present relief? (the hands!) Gah! the hands! *fanning face* 2nd fav: the leaning in for a nuzzle in the door way, before Bridget dashes off for genuinely tiny nickers"}, {"response": 976, "author": "townranny", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (22:12)", "body": "Voting Tabulation for Valentine's Day Favorite Romantic Scenes (For films Rika can capture) BJD - lean in at doorway 6 BJD - blue soup dimples 4 P&P - the look 3 P&P - 1st Propsal argument 3 BJD - final kiss 2 BJD - just as she is 2 FP - shoulder 2 FP - season discussion in bed 2 P&P - hand to carriage 2 P&P - waiting for Lizzy at Lambton 2 P&P - hand raking 2 Lean in is the runaway favorite! Honorable mentions FP - not the right mood 1 FP - DH Lawrence 1 FP - hug looking for flat 1 FP - end kiss 1 BJD - just as you are toast 1 BJD - so it would seem 1 MSLF - so sorry at end 1 LE - sleeping w/Julie 1 LE -going down steps with Julie 1 SLOW - say my name 1 TIOBE - ever since I met you 1 TIOBE - intend to develop 1 P&P - after bath Lizzy look 1 P&P - after pond meeting 1 P&P - running to catch up at Pemberly 1 P&P - 1st touch at Netherfield 1 If someone has a way to capture FF, Valmont, WOF, AMITC, Advocate, Nostromo I have those results too. FF - Freezer kiss 3 FF - vertical mambo kiss 2 WOF - maze kiss 2 Advocate - my sister my wife 2 AMITC - birkin and keach in belfry 2 Valmont dance - 1 Nostromo - Here Charles 1 Any suggestions Rika or anyone? The day quickly approaches.Difficult to concentrate however with new postings elsewhere today."}, {"response": 977, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (22:46)", "body": "Good job, Kathleen! You're right about difficulty concentrating today due to other distractions. Whoa, mama..... I'll go to work on the top group. That should keep me busy for a while, at least when I can tear my eyes away from two photos I'm keeping plastered on my desktop."}, {"response": 978, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (07:27)", "body": "I know I am very late to add but love the charming bit when MD and BJ are whisking eggs and mimicking Pam and Una...He is finally loosening up...Also first dimple sighting in P&P when he visits her alone around the time of \"I call it a very easy distance..\""}, {"response": 979, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (07:43)", "body": "Wait there were dimples before that! I have mental blockage here, but isn't the phrase \"On foot?\" in the Netherfield Gardens? Then a smirk with dimples then a stroll behind her with coattails billowing. :) Sounds funny......"}, {"response": 980, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (07:55)", "body": "(Lisa) Wait there were dimples before that! You are so right Lisa...Maybe it is just that every time he flashes those dimples, it feels like the first time!!!"}, {"response": 981, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (09:48)", "body": "Ah, the list grows larger....."}, {"response": 982, "author": "Andie", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (10:00)", "body": "(MariaT)Also first dimple sighting in P&P when he visits her alone around the time of \"I call it a very easy distance..\" Yes! My vote for the 50 miles of good road scene too. Love the way he looks at her, and the way he tilts his head as he takes his leave too. (Rika)Ah, the list grows larger..... Well, there are simply too many melting moments to choose from :-) . Looking forward to another lovely piece from you, dear DVDiva. Thank you so much!"}, {"response": 983, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (12:51)", "body": "DVDiva...after those pictures from yesterday you have your work cut out for you. At this point I'm in such a state of drool...I'll take anything."}, {"response": 984, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (16:14)", "body": "Great job Kathleen. Agree Rika Whoa Mama on those great pics. He just keeps getting better and better."}, {"response": 985, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (03:40)", "body": "(andie)Yes! My vote for the 50 miles of good road scene too. Love the way he looks at her, and the way he tilts his head as he takes his leave too. yeah, when he tilts his head and looks down at her chest before he goes out the door.. (laughing)... That's another time when Sam, my minion, takes on his Colin voice and states the word \"boobies\". (snickering)"}, {"response": 986, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (02:50)", "body": "(Rika)Ah, the list grows larger..... You can choose whichever moments you like. They all make me melt... Karen, thank you so much for the valentine-picture. Lovely as allways."}, {"response": 987, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (02:57)", "body": "Sorry, forgot to post that the rose is my valentine-greeting to all of you wonderful fellow-droolers."}, {"response": 988, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (08:28)", "body": "Thank you for the rose, Annette, and thank you, Karen for a very yummy trio of pics on the main Drool page. You've both made my rainy V-Day a little brighter :)"}, {"response": 989, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (12:50)", "body": "Thank you, Annette and Karen. Anyone celebrating today in Colin mode? Before DH gets home...I'm doing FP. After DH falls asleep...BJD. Think I'll have a glass of white wine and some chocolates, as well. SIGH"}, {"response": 990, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (16:07)", "body": "Speaking of celebrating in Colin mode..... Here's Part 1 of our illustrated Most Romantic Moments in CF Movies. I'm posting a link instead of the actual pictures because I've got the formatting \"just so\" and I don't feel like fighting with the conference software here to make it work. I hope you enjoy - there's more to come. http://www.spring.net/~rika/valentine/part1.html"}, {"response": 991, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (16:23)", "body": "Rika, loved the oops! Great job, great moments. Please put a link to that page for the next. I've bookmarked it."}, {"response": 992, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (16:47)", "body": "Lovely, Rika! I have a soft spot for Matthew, too. However, CF is welcome in any incarnation. In fact, I didn't even vote since I couldn't seem to narrow my choices down (I let others choose for me). Can't wait to see part 2!"}, {"response": 993, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (16:55)", "body": "Rika, my all-time favourite producer. Thank you so much for part 1, especially loved the Matthew-gaze look. I can understand, he pointet that one out"}, {"response": 994, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (17:19)", "body": "Rika....I'm not caught up with reading past posts, but I must have my say in the matter...and what I have to say is....THANK YOU!! Perfect! A wonderful Valentine's Day treat and since I have no idea what everyone chose as their Most Romantic Moments, it is truly a surprise to me (and I'm enjoying every second of it)!!!"}, {"response": 995, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (17:30)", "body": "Rika, you are a genius and our once and future DVDiva! And you know, I'm sure you've got no time at all invested in this ;-) How good you are to us! Thanks!"}, {"response": 996, "author": "townranny", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (18:20)", "body": "Wow Rika! Didn't want to pressure you. (But was getting ready to). Yummy Matthew. Have not looked at an Ever Ready battery quite the same ever since. Could find 10 moments in SLOW too. Hair tousled, clothing nicely rumpled...but I digress. Love Sure-fire Hints for winning a women's heart. Who is that having the lie-down? Just wonderful Rika! Have long weekend ahead w/blizzard impending. Who cares?! Bring it on."}, {"response": 997, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (18:53)", "body": "Rika!! Man oh Man!! We bow to your superior judgement..Of course Matthew Field should have been included!! Thank you so much for this Valentine present, it is the perfect feast for my eyes to accompaniment the wine I am presently enjoying..You are the best!!"}, {"response": 998, "author": "yura", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (19:26)", "body": "Happy Valentine's everyone.........wow.....Rika....I'm Speechless.....hyperventilating..."}, {"response": 999, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (19:31)", "body": "Part 2 of the Most Romantic moments is posted. http://www.spring.net/~rika/valentine/part2.html As Moon suggested, as I add new pages I'm linking them to the old ones. So you can also enter at the first page and just work your way through. And some good news.... this project finally got me off my butt, and I bought the Snappy I'd been thinking of buying for ages. It arrived this afternoon (how's that for cosmic timing?) This means I can capture from VHS tapes. You'll see some of my first attempts at using it in Part 3 when it's ready."}, {"response": 1000, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (19:50)", "body": "Am I not adorable...? LOLing my head off! And you got THE HANDS!!! I thought you could not get the HANDS!? And now a Snappy? How shall I bear so much happiness? And him standing as Lizzy rolls away from Pemberley...mercy!"}, {"response": 1001, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (19:51)", "body": "(Matthew)Still resting? Still waiting for company? Oh, here I am dear boy. I'll say your name all day long if you wish. Woah! Rika. You have outdone yourself. AFG, and what a Valentine treat. (Matthew) We asked for the Top Ten, but this group has been known to go \"over the top\" before, so we weren't surprised when they couldn't stop at just ten! Yeah, that would be us;-) Special thanks for the \"handing into the carriage capture\". I told you no matter how many times I see that scene it drives me over the edge...the capture does the same."}, {"response": 1002, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (20:24)", "body": "Thanks Rika, excellent, of course. I didn't vote either, everyone else named all the good ones so all's well anyway! Big sigh at Darcy standing with huge trees and shrubbery around him as Lizzy's carriage pulls awa from Pemberley. :)))))"}, {"response": 1003, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (20:29)", "body": "I'm with Barb on this....I'm doing a little Snoopy dance in my cube at work!!! Rika has a Snappy!!! I shall burst from pure joy! Thanks for the second 'set'! Numbers 15 and 13 are killing me! Good choices ladies! Mark Darcy in the snow trying to get a kiss from crazy Bridget who just won't let him....and THE HAND Louisa, THE HAND!! I feel faint....that little curl that has escaped as he hands Lizzy into the carriage...."}, {"response": 1004, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (22:19)", "body": "Marvelous, Rika! The dimples, the hands, standing there as Lizzy's carriage drives away, reminiscing about \"The Look\".... I'm in heaven! And to think there is more to come! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!"}, {"response": 1005, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (00:00)", "body": "This is great, Rika! As the *only* one who posted a vote for anything in SLOW (I also could find 10 moments here), I'm thrilled to see Matthew as our host! (And it is amazing how great the color turned out on that). Darcy has quite a few Oops! moments, LOL. And in the series of Darcy helping Lizzy into the carriage, you got another one of my favorite \"hair looks great on the back of his head\" shots like in BJD. Love those waves. :-) I'm still resting.... If it were up to me, you'd need it. And then I woke up ;-) Am I not adorable Master of understatement ;-)"}, {"response": 1006, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (01:00)", "body": "All I can say is a repeat of everyone else. Wonderful job Rika. You are indeed the master, and certainly have given me the best Valentines ever. Thank you."}, {"response": 1007, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (01:37)", "body": "Rika, as FanPam wrote, all to do is repeat everyone else. I thought that by now I was getting really good at varying my comments, but now - words fail me! And - I will try to give you time and wait patiently for the next part (or maybe not). btw, I was never one to acknowledge Valentines Day in any way, but this has most certainly turned me around;-)"}, {"response": 1008, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (09:40)", "body": "I like the \"Oops\"captions, Rika.Thanks Hope \"On foot\" is coming in Part 3. Several years ago a friend made a Power Tape of all the Lizzie/Darcy moments. Nice that I don't have to plow through all six episodes for my P&P fix."}, {"response": 1009, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (11:11)", "body": "Rika, you are amazing at capturing CF's amazing moments! I didn't vote either, but I knew you all would pick what stays in the mind's eye of all firthettes everywhere. And thanks for making Matthew the host in your \"Field\" trip through CF's wonderful moments in film. Always gives me a sudden urge for a tomato salad ;-). (Barb)And him standing as Lizzy rolls away from Pemberley...mercy! Rika, your captures are so precise, we can even see that it's \"to the left\" even from afar in this one! :-)"}, {"response": 1010, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (11:15)", "body": "I'm glad y'all are enjoying the Valentine's Day special. I had intended to start it on the 13th, but just wasn't able to do so. A couple of comments: For those who have mentioned poor Darcy and his \"oops\" moments, there's at least one more on its way.... plus one for someone else. Unfortunately, \"On Foot\" was on the honorable-mention list that Kathleen assembled when she tabulated the votes (thank you, Kathleen!) ...... so not in the Top 20. I wish I'd had time to do them all. Two or three things off the honorable mention list made it onto the top 20 so it wouldn't be a \"top 17\" (and I couldn't bear to cut anything out and make it a \"top 10\" or \"top 15\").... but there were so many good suggestions! Incidentally, the order of #7 - #20 was arbitrary, since they all got the same number of votes, except that I saved the VHS-based ones for later on, hoping my Snappy would arrive in time. And, as you'll see in Part 3, it did! Part 3 is up now. The last two parts (4 and 5) are almost done and should be posted this evening. http://www.spring.net/~rika/valentine/part3.html"}, {"response": 1011, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (11:26)", "body": "Mmmmmm, Mmmmmm good! Nothing like a confident man with an unbuttoned shirt. :-D"}, {"response": 1012, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (11:47)", "body": "And, how's our Valentine from Rika today? We are thankful.;-) I can understand some of the problems with SLOW but nonetheless, it is among my top five most-frequently-viewed Firthfilms. Rika, I'd say you are adequately capturing why! As they say, one finger can not bring in the harvest... No, no, one man can not bring in the harvest.. No, that's not it either, Here it is: One fine gal can harvest the snappies and one man can bring in the ohhs and ahhhs!"}, {"response": 1013, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (11:58)", "body": "(Caribou)Here it is: One fine gal can harvest the snappies and one man can bring in the ohhs and ahhhs! LOL, you all seem to have a way with words!!! Rika, once again. Beautiful captures. I especially liked the middle of the AMITC pictures. So close, and yet so far apart (heartbreaking, sniff)"}, {"response": 1014, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (11:58)", "body": "sorry, closing tags (I hope)"}, {"response": 1015, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (13:06)", "body": "(Annette) Rika, once again. Beautiful captures. I especially liked the middle of the AMITC pictures. So close, and yet so far apart That one really got me, too. (Me) Mmmmmm, Mmmmmm good! Nothing like a confident man with an unbuttoned shirt. :-D On second thought....nothing like a confident man with *no* shirt (among other things). ;-D"}, {"response": 1016, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (14:05)", "body": "Thank you Rika. So very very good and witty. Nothing is better than this."}, {"response": 1017, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (16:56)", "body": "(Annette) I especially liked the middle of the AMITC pictures. So close, and yet so far apart (heartbreaking, sniff) I know. I almost posted just that one for AMITC, but some of the close-ups were very good too. I was lucky to get that one - I don't yet have a set-up where I can pause the videotape and snap whatever I want, so I'm using a \"continuous snap\" mode where it takes pictures every few seconds till I tell it to stop. (Caribou)Here it is: One fine gal can harvest the snappies and one man can bring in the ohhs and ahhhs! Oh, I like that. Love the proverbs in that movie. I have a list of them somewhere."}, {"response": 1018, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (18:31)", "body": "Parts 4 and 5 of the Top 20 Romantic Moments are now posted: http://www.spring.net/~rika/valentine/part4.html Or if for some reason you want to start the whole thing from the beginning, now that it's finally complete. http://www.spring.net/~rika/valentine/part1.html Thanks to Kathleen for coming up with the original idea and doing the tabulations, to everybody who suggested such yummy scenes, to the people at Computers4Sure for shipping my Snappy quickly, and to everybody who's posted comments to let me know they enjoyed the pictures. Oh... and Evelyn, here's a bonus just for you. I wouldn't do this for just anybody! :-) \"On foot?\""}, {"response": 1019, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (19:02)", "body": "Rika, What can I say? I have just come across your Valentine snappies, and as usual, they are wonderful. And I have to say I totally agree with you. Matthew is AFG. The clothes! The hair!!"}, {"response": 1020, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (19:08)", "body": "Rika, very nice job! Surely we can come up with an excuse to do this again...besides, you'll already have most of the pictures! Thanks!"}, {"response": 1021, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (19:35)", "body": "LOL. Thanks, Rika, I'm honoured! D.(mockingly) \"On foot\"? L. (saucily) \"As you see\" Gets me every time.*sigh*"}, {"response": 1022, "author": "townranny", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (20:04)", "body": "Matthew, Matthew, Matthew, Matthew....I'm a believer, Rika! I heard CF is looking for new representation. I nominate you because you can take someone AFG and make him even better. There are so many there that I don't get to see nearly enough (but I hesitate to say which one(s) because I don't want to hurt someone's ie. Matthew Tomahto, Say my name, Eddie Field's, feelings.) But let's just say how wonderful it will be to order up a big old bowl of #19,#15,#12,#8 or#1 just like a Chinese menu. It also has been nice to have a multiple day Valentines Day (similar to Hanukah or 12days of Christmas). I think we at Drool are the first in the nation. Always at the cutting edge. And you Rika started it! Really,really great. Long live the snappie!Thanks!"}, {"response": 1023, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (20:18)", "body": "Rika, Rika, Rika Mark Darcy and Matthew...WOT an AFG combination.(And Mr. Darcy...you're not bad either) Oh that \"string soup\" capture is to die for. I'm sure glad Matthew gave Mark the leaning in lesson. He certainly put it to good use in the BJD doorway scene. Too bad we can't have sound. Just think about the little grunt that goes with that scene. I'm pure mush just now, pure mush. Thank you, thank you, thank you."}, {"response": 1024, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Feb 16, 2003 (02:31)", "body": "(Matthew Field)I don't quite understand what these Darcy gents have that I haven't..... a good scriptwriter, perhaps? Rika, loved the captures as well as Matthews commentary-track. I think, you should offer your services as scriptwriter! Evelyn, on foot gets me aswell (along with almost everyone of the captures) Thank you!"}, {"response": 1025, "author": "odessa", "date": "Sun, Feb 16, 2003 (10:59)", "body": "perhaps this is an old link: The CHIBI Strip Archive note the `firthette` charachter"}, {"response": 1026, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Feb 16, 2003 (11:04)", "body": "(Kathleen) I heard CF is looking for new representation. I nominate you because you can take someone AFG and make him even better. Hear!! Hear!! Thank you again Rika for another wonderful job. Most appreciated."}, {"response": 1027, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Feb 16, 2003 (11:15)", "body": "Thanks for the CHIBI link, Odessa! Love those dreams....."}, {"response": 1028, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Feb 16, 2003 (11:47)", "body": "Well Rika I have nothing else to say 'cept.... BRAVO!! Thanks for the best valentine present! :-D And thanks for the \"On foot?\". One of my favorites, too. ;)"}, {"response": 1029, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Sun, Feb 16, 2003 (12:04)", "body": "Rika you are a genius!!!! You put on all my favourites and I didn't even vote. Thank you so much. Too bad not every day is Valentine's day.:-("}, {"response": 1030, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sun, Feb 16, 2003 (14:01)", "body": "Thanks, Rika!! Even after looking at them, I can't decide which one is my favorite. They are all too wonderful! And I thought Matthew's commentary was brilliant! Now that you have your snappy, I bet we can come up with all sorts of special interest projects for you. ;-)"}, {"response": 1031, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Feb 16, 2003 (15:59)", "body": "Well done, Rika, thank you! BTW, I'm off to Grasse. ;-) An unusual number of you from Florida? There must be some explanation. To quote one of my colleagues, I shall conquer this - I shall! ROTF! There are quite a number of us here. ;-)"}, {"response": 1032, "author": "WinniePeg", "date": "Sun, Feb 16, 2003 (18:39)", "body": "Rika, well done! Lovely pictoral--lovely commentary. A very nice Valentine's Day treat--thank you!"}, {"response": 1033, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Feb 16, 2003 (18:53)", "body": "(Matthew Field, being petulant) An unusual number of you from Florida? (Moon) ROTF! There are quite a number of us here. ;-) I threw that in for you, Moon."}, {"response": 1034, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (10:49)", "body": "Loved your Valentine's treat, Rika! So funny and yummy. I especially love the BJD in-the-kitchen where he's really working those dimples. I always imagine the director coaching him on that look. And him practising in his mirror at home. Rika, these snappies are v. useful. I've managed to narrow my search for the china pattern from TIOBE thanks to the photo you posted a while back. Apparently the pattern is a Spode Trapnell Sprays, from the early 1900's. Thanks!!"}, {"response": 1035, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (11:57)", "body": "I especially love the BJD in-the-kitchen where he's really working those dimples. I always imagine the director coaching him on that look. And him practising in his mirror at home. Oh please, no. This is as bad as telling us about all the \"stand-ins.\" I have this fantasy that his smiles are all unrehearsed and extemporaneous."}, {"response": 1036, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (12:27)", "body": "Rika, I just wanted to add to the chorus of thank you's for your time & trouble in putting together a fantastic capture collection. Thank you *so* much!!!!!"}, {"response": 1037, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (12:49)", "body": "Karen, The Valentine's collage is one of my fav's......thanks for putting it up again!"}, {"response": 1038, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (12:52)", "body": "Rika, it bears repeating...thank you so much. I have, so to speak, tried to lead a few of the other female horses in the stable around me to water, with your Valentines show, but evidently they just don't know quality water when it is offered (they did like your commentary though...) Found this Italian link with 44 photos of ODB, a few of the older ones I hav'nt seen before.. http://film.spettacolo.virgilio.it/cinema/gallery.php?id=66907&persona=11990&ord=10"}, {"response": 1039, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (13:05)", "body": "Maria, thanks for the link. The AMITC pics were the most interesting for me, since I haven't see that film. I swear he looks about 15, LOL! Love the one of him with the suspenders from TEP..."}, {"response": 1040, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (13:08)", "body": "Thanks, Maria. Funny, though, pic #2 isn't Colin and Rupe from AC. It is Rupe with another of the boys."}, {"response": 1041, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (13:11)", "body": "(Moonstar) The AMITC pics were the most interesting for me, since I haven't see that film. I swear he looks about 15, LOL! A very skinny 15 year old!!!"}, {"response": 1042, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (13:28)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1043, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (14:13)", "body": "Rika, thank you for your Valentine's Day treat: mmmm, better than Godiva. :-) Karen, the Valentine's Day 'card' on Drool's front page was delish, too. Thanks!"}, {"response": 1044, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (15:09)", "body": "Thanks for the link Mari. The pics were good. Agree #2 wasn't Colin though."}, {"response": 1045, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (15:50)", "body": "(Evelyn) I have this fantasy that his smiles are all unrehearsed and extemporaneous. Me too. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it."}, {"response": 1046, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (15:57)", "body": "(Evelyn) I have this fantasy that his smiles are all unrehearsed and extemporaneous. (Rika)Me too. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it. I'm glad we agree on this one. Couldn't bear(sp?) to se this fantasy squashed, like a stick insect on, well whatever."}, {"response": 1047, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (19:57)", "body": "Thank you Maria (moonstar)Love the one of him with the suspenders from TEP, I just watched TEP, again, last night. I did notice that I loved him in the suspenders, and today they show up. Lovely movie. I thought I rememberd his face being a lot fuller in this film. But on viewing last night, for pure CF factor, I noticed that he wasn't as filled out as I recalled. He looked great to me. Sigh...CF always looks great to me."}, {"response": 1048, "author": "caribou", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (22:33)", "body": "(BrendaL) Apparently the pattern is a Spode Trapnell Sprays, from the early 1900's. Thanks for sharing your find,BrendaL. I would not have had the first clue as to where and how to find out which pattern it was. When I first read 1900's, I thought they must have used a service from a National Trust house but Spode reissued the pattern recently. So, any of us who want, can, for a mere $105 for cup and saucer, join Cecily and Gwendolyn for a cup of tea. And if we want to pour from a matching pot, it will only cost an additional $470. Egads! Definitely added it's share to the cost of TIOBE production.:-)"}, {"response": 1049, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (23:48)", "body": "Rika, thanks so much for the Valentine's Day \"candy\". Mari, thanks for the link. Quite a number of pictures I hadn't seen before."}, {"response": 1050, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (01:22)", "body": "I forgot to thank you for the link Maria. I went back to have a look at them all this morning (needed a \"fix\" to get startet on a long, busy day), and especially picture no. 42 produced, well if not vibrations, then an idea for Rikas next project. As far as I remember, I once picked up on ODB's singing performances, and would love to have an illustrated list. Is this something, you other girls would like aswell or am I being too silly on this one? (Rika - we (I) ask a lot, I know, I know - but you are the DVDiva and as with most titles - obligations follows;-)) I haven't postet anything about the bad manners of some people, and I do not want to continue along that road. Just want to say to Karen \"in public\", that I would love to continue to be a part of this group, whichever form it might take. And Karen - we love you, just as you are!"}, {"response": 1051, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (10:52)", "body": "(Caribou)Thanks for sharing your find,BrendaL. I would not have had the first clue as to where and how to find out which pattern it was. You're welcome :-) All I did was email Rika's cup photo to various pattern search companies. And if you write Spode they'll tell you the store nearest you. Too bad about the price--I'll pass on this souvenir. Btw, Solomon Burke is on Letterman on Friday night. He was on Colin's latest CD list."}, {"response": 1052, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (11:20)", "body": "(Annette) Is this something, you other girls would like aswell or am I being too silly on this one? Pictures are *always* a good thing, as far as I'm concerned . See what you've started, Rika? You've spoiled us... (Caribou) for a mere$105 for cup and saucer, join Cecily and Gwendolyn for a cup of tea. And if we want to pour from a matching pot, it will only cost an additional $470 Yikes! The on-set insurance rep must have been a nervous wreck, LOL! Too rich for my blood; it'll have to go on the \"things to purchase when I win the lottery\" list, along with that fabulous chair from \"La Selva\" :)"}, {"response": 1053, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (01:54)", "body": "(Evelyn) I have this fantasy that his smiles are all unrehearsed and extemporaneous. (Rika)Me too. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it. (Annette)I'm glad we agree on this one. Couldn't bear(sp?) to se this fantasy squashed, like a stick insect on, well whatever. Oh, I couldn't agree more, ladies... I think that's one of his greatest appeals as an actor.. that he doesn't come across as forced, but very natural.. and those boyish unrehearsed smiles are to die for! Rika, you nearly killed me with your valentine.. no one could even possibly come close and you have now set the standard.. (laughing) I got so carried away from reading Matthew's suggestions that I had to go watch SLOW twice and eat a bowl of ice cream.. Yeah, I know, my psychologist loves me! (laughing)"}, {"response": 1054, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (10:49)", "body": "(Evelyn)I have this fantasy that his smiles are all unrehearsed and extemporaneous. And I have this fantasy that I'm the director who's standing in front of a mirror with him, poking him in the cheek to show exactly which dimple I'm looking for. ;-D There are different degrees of dimpleness! Not to take anything away from his natural skills as a thespian, but I would like to know how aware he is of his dimple-power, and if he's ever uses it to his own advantage."}, {"response": 1055, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (13:16)", "body": "(Brenda) Not to take anything away from his natural skills as a thespian, but I would like to know how aware he is of his dimple-power, and if he's ever uses it to his own advantage. There are moments in his movies when I can't believe he isn't fully aware of what he's doing and the impact is has on women, which makes me think he's more than capable of doing the same off the set. Example: when Mark arrives at Bridget's flat on the blue soup evening and is trying to get himself invited in. He keeps his head more or less level, but raises his eyes up to hers, and it strikes me as very deliberately flirtatious. And entirely devastating."}, {"response": 1056, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (13:31)", "body": "(Rika) He keeps his head more or less level, but raises his eyes up to hers, and it strikes me as very deliberately flirtatious. And entirely devastating. Yes!! And then again at \"Oh it's string soup\"... Next stop, utter devastation..."}, {"response": 1057, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (13:38)", "body": "Yeah, \"string soup\" was one of my favorite pictures in the Valentine's Day thing. I've had that capture sitting around for months waiting for a good occasion to use it."}, {"response": 1058, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (14:31)", "body": "(MariaT) Yes!! And then again at \"Oh it's string soup\"... Next stop, utter devastation... (Rika) Yeah, \"string soup\" was one of my favorite pictures in the Valentine's Day thing. I've had that capture sitting around for months waiting for a good occasion to use it. Gaaahh..*thud* Okay (picking self off floor)! I just had to go back and look at Rika's VD Special again (because I was questioning if that look was truly devastating ;-) )...I clicked on the bookmarked site (for easy and fast referencing I recommend this) and well, as Maria said...utter devastation! I must add that the pictures below that one are pretty dangerous as well (IMO)...the last two in that series (\"Beetroot cubes, mini-gherkins, stuffed olives\")! There should be cautions posted on any photos that have visible dimples...some of us can't view these without increased heart rate and light-headedness! ;-)"}, {"response": 1059, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (14:48)", "body": "The string soup look is the most devastating use of dimples known to mankind, or firthettekind. It was that scene, that look, that brought the \"moment\" about. You know, the moment when your brain kicks in and says...Oh yeah...you've reached the point of no return, and obsession sets in. After two thousand rewinds of that first viewing of the string soup dimples, I ceased being the rational, level headed woman I thought I was."}, {"response": 1060, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (14:51)", "body": "(Tress) (\"Beetroot cubes, mini-gherkins, stuffed olives\")! There should be cautions posted on any photos that have visible dimples...some of us can't view these without increased heart rate and light-headedness! ;-) It is pretty much a charm festival and dimple decadence from when she opens the door to him to that last look over the wine glass. I think I would have thanked Daniel Cleaver for the champagne and asked him not to let the door hit him on the a** on his way out..."}, {"response": 1061, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (14:57)", "body": "(MariaT) I think I would have thanked Daniel Cleaver for the champagne and asked him not to let the door hit him on the a** on his way out... LOL! \"Buh-bye, Daniel!\" And then told my urban family that although they were most welcome on most nights, a 'disappearing act' from them would be heartily appreciated on this occassion!"}, {"response": 1062, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (15:06)", "body": "(LindaK) After two thousand rewinds of that first viewing of the string soup dimples, I ceased being the rational, level headed woman I thought I was. Well I can't say I was EVER rational or level headed, but I know what you mean about the \"moment\" and the 2000 rewinds (it is still not enough!)...;0)"}, {"response": 1063, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (16:59)", "body": "Everytime I read your posting as to where his is most beautiful, charming and so forth I agree. Also about the multiple rewinds - that's why everything should be out on dvd (in my dreams, yeah). As to Murphys question about the romancepart (pardon me for being thickheaded), but isn't that our newly illustratet Valentine Special? I know, that still leaves the lovemaking scenes open for ranking. Is that our next project??? (wouldn't mind a little research;-))"}, {"response": 1064, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (17:29)", "body": "I think the most devastating use of his smile(and dimples) is in DQ, when he is distribtuing leaflets in town. Totally natural and utterly breathtaking!"}, {"response": 1065, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (18:28)", "body": "Who are we really kidding? It's ALL GOOD! (laughing) We've discussed \"Our Precious\" and his ambidexterous dimps before, and I still say the leaner he is, the deeper they are, and yep, I think if he's told to bring um on, he can... I can hear Ms. Maguire now.. \"oh, Colin, (batting eyelashes) this time with MORE dimple\" LOL... you KNOW it more than likely was like that, and probably will be again. He can also hide them sometimes.. as in \"the look\" in P&P .. his smile is almost completely in the eyes, and just the barest hint of left dimpleature. ;) So, what I'm saying now seems to not agree with my earlier statement about his smiles being natural, but I still say that most of his are.. with the exception of the obvious. (laughing) Look, I just finished Jane last night!"}, {"response": 1066, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (18:42)", "body": "Re my \"romance\" question at 165. I didn't know it had already been covered -- sorry."}, {"response": 1067, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (20:13)", "body": "(Brendal) Not to take anything away from his natural skills as a thespian, but I would like to know how aware he is of his dimple-power, and if he's ever uses it to his own advantage. IMO of course he does. If you're blessed with the asset why not use it to it's greatest advantage. IMO it would be a fool who didn't or wouldn't. Besides have you ever met a man who doesn't use his good points to their best advantage. I haven't. And that IMO is to our benefit because we get to see those gorgeous dimples and smiles that much more. (MariaT) I think I would have thanked Daniel Cleaver for the champagne and asked him not to let the door hit him on the a** on his way out... (Tress) LOL! \"Buh-bye, Daniel!\" And then told my urban family that although they were most welcome on most nights, a 'disappearing act' from them would be heartily appreciated on this occassion! LOL Maria and Tress. Agree 100%. Would have done anything to be alone with him. Stupid Stupid Bridget."}, {"response": 1068, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (20:53)", "body": "(Jeanie) Look, I just finished Jane last night! I definitely see Jane but Murph's question about romance/love scenes made me pull out Nostromo and I also see Emilia Gould!"}, {"response": 1069, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (22:45)", "body": "(Maria) a charm festival and dimple decadence I love this! (Murph) Re my \"romance\" question at 165. I didn't know it had already been covered -- sorry. Murph, Kathleen got us discussing this around Feb. 1. If you'd like to see the top 20, visit: http://www.spring.net/~rika/valentine/part1.html (Annette) I know, that still leaves the lovemaking scenes open for ranking. Is that our next project??? A couple of them made the romance list, but this still might have possibilities! (Janet) I think the most devastating use of his smile(and dimples) is in DQ, when he is distribtuing leaflets in town. Oh, heavens, yes, that's a good example. Visual aids: (Sorry they're a little blurry; I did my best)"}, {"response": 1070, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 2003 (06:06)", "body": "Thanks for great \"visual aids\" Rika. The smile, nothing better."}, {"response": 1071, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 2003 (07:51)", "body": "(Annette) I know, that still leaves the lovemaking scenes open for ranking. Is that our next project??? (Rika) A couple of them made the romance list, but this still might have possibilities! I was kind of thinking along the same lines and was beginning some preliminary research. For instance, the mine scene in Nostromo is not romantic but it's always generated some heat for me, I guess that's what made me think of it. If we decide to proceed with this, fine, but I'll probably continue my independent study in either case ;-) BTW, unless someone mentioned it and I missed it, I don't believe Valmont's dance with Madame de Tourvel was mentioned for romantic moments. I'm not sure it's Top 20, but maybe it's Honorable Mention."}, {"response": 1072, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 2003 (08:38)", "body": "(lindak) It was that scene, that look, that brought the \"moment\" about. You know, the moment when your brain kicks in and says...Oh yeah...you've reached the point of no return, and obsession sets in. Yup, that was my \"moment\" too, LOL! Stomach does a little flip-flop, then a little gasp of astonishment and I thought \"ohmigod...tall, dark, handsome, curly hair, and he has dimples TOO?!\". Haven't been the same since :)"}, {"response": 1073, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 2003 (08:57)", "body": "(lindak) It was that scene, that look, that brought the \"moment\" about. You know, the moment when your brain kicks in and says...Oh yeah...you've reached the point of no return, and obsession sets in. Got me thinking. When was your epiphany? I'm a late starter, but am making up for lost time! - Mine's was when he appeared outside Bridget's flat, as she was leaving for Paris. Made me go weak at the knees. I think my DH thought I was unwell, 'cos I left the cinema in a daze and had lost the power of speech. Quite unusual for me, I can assure you!"}, {"response": 1074, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 2003 (09:40)", "body": "(Moonstar) Stomach does a little flip-flop, then a little gasp of astonishment and I thought \"ohmigod...tall, dark, handsome, curly hair, and he has dimples TOO?!\". Haven't been the same since :) The feeling was (is) exactly like falling in love. After the \"moment\" it was a continual awakening of the senses to his talents, his intelligence and humor, the causes (that we know of) that he believes in. It all came together for me when after watching BJD for about the 3rd time on cable, I really noticed him and then *noticed* how handsome he truly is, I got your stomach flops Moonstar and woke up with his name on my lips. That led to the internet and to lurking here for a bit before joining in and obtaining all his work I could and rushing home after work (literally breathless) to watch each one. The thrill definitely ain't gone!!"}, {"response": 1075, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 2003 (10:01)", "body": "(Janet) Got me thinking. When was your epiphany? Mine is in two parts (I was 'born again' after several years)....the first time my stomach was a mess and I couldn't stop thinking about ODB was in 1989. My friend Pattie and I saw Valmont. That first screening....when ODB reaches down and kisses Cecile's hand. Mdme de Merteuil says something like: \"Cecile, if you allow your hand to be held for too long, men will take that as an encouragement\". I think I fell off my chair at that point. He flashes THE most amazing smile! I was a goner. I had the press kit and hung up all the pics that he was in on my dorm wall by my desk (not good for concentration). I re-rented AC to view (had seen it but not paid any special attention to ODB). And saw Valmont another 9 times in the theater...then all was quite for several years..... I noticed ODB in movies (SIL and TEP) but did not become born again until the first time I saw BJD. And again, it was the first scene....'Ding, Dong!' All he had to do was turn around (or he could stay with his back to me while I admired that too)! I had read the book (BJD) and had noticed the CF connection...thought it was very funny...had NOT seen P&P. I saw BJD several more times in the theater and then ordered my P&P copy. I have not been the same since."}, {"response": 1076, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 2003 (13:53)", "body": "(Janet) Got me thinking. When was your epiphany? It was during the first episode of the original A&E broadcast of P&P. The scene was the party at Lucas Lodge, right after Lizzy refuses to dance with him--the \"fine eyes\" talk with Caroline. I'd seen him before in LE and Valmont, and recognized his name on the opening credits of P&P (\"oh, yeah, Colin Firth--I like him!\") but it was not until that moment that I went totally round the bend."}, {"response": 1077, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 2003 (18:29)", "body": "(Janet)When was your epiphany? Like Tress, my epiphany was also in two parts, several years apart. The first was the episode in P&P (original telecast) when Elizabeth is leaving Pemberley and Mr. Darcy just looks so AFG when she turns to look back at him. Then I noticed him several times during reruns. He was always in the back of my mind, and I know I saw him on and off in other things. It wasn't until last January, that I picked up BJD in the video rental store...hadn't seen it when it was in the theater, didn't even know Colin was in it. (I know, I must have been on another planet). I even spent the first half of the movie convincing myself that it was Mr. Darcy. But, as I said as soon as he flashed the blue soup/string soup dimples...that was it. Then I found The Bucket, Karen, and the rest is history."}, {"response": 1078, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 2003 (20:26)", "body": "(Janet)When was your epiphany? 2 years ago, I rented a 'weekly' rental of P&P, a double video, not having ever heard of the specific production, wet shirts or CF. Mine was a pursuit of all films Austen. My husband was working overseas at the time and I recall being grateful, because I spent all my free time that entire week watching it. Over and over and over. My two sons were interested at first, but throughout the week, they would come in , shake their collective heads, and recite with the actors whatever lines were being spoken on the TV! :) A few weeks later I rented it again. This was about the time that BJD was coming out here in OZ, but for the life of me, I didn't connect the film with Mr. Darcy, having never read the book, and didn't go and see it in the theatre. Also, simply by some strange coincidence, I had never seen SIL or EP, the two more current, popular films he had been in. The scenes that grabbed me were when Darcy takes Elizabeth's hand in the inn, linda's 'leaving Pemberley scene', and my all-time heart-stopping non-Austen favourite is the 'On foot?' scene. Oh the dimples! And the delights that appear to be running through Darcy's head. There are more I'm sure, but the ones that don't do as much for me are the highly popular Music Room scene with \"the Look\", and the hand at the Netherfield Ball."}, {"response": 1079, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 2003 (20:46)", "body": "(Janet)When was your epiphany? A&E telecast, January 1996. All the Lizzie& Darcy scenes. Ditto with Linda's faves quoted above."}, {"response": 1080, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 2003 (22:53)", "body": "(Janet)When was your epiphany? I'm another whose interest goes back to the A&E P&P, and I'm also one of the two-stage converts. Like Lisa, my interest in P&P was Austen-related. As to when CF's Darcy really grabbed me, I cannot fix on the exact moment - I believe I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun. (Okay, that's not an exact quote from P&P, but I'm too lazy to look it up :D). I watched my own home-recorded VHS tape over and over and over and over.... but sadly, it never occurred to me to go online and look for like-minded people. I sought out CF in other movies, but the only ones I found were SIL and TEP, and it wasn't quite the same. Then I got busy studying for a Ph.D., and kind of lost track of him. I will always regret that I missed BJD in theaters - we were selling a house and moving and I was finishing my Ph.D, and I wasn't even aware it was out. DH came home from a business trip in the fall/winter and said, \"I saw a movie on the flight that I bet you'd like. It's called BJD.\" Little did he know what he had just done. So I rented it and said, \"Ding DONG!\" And right around the same time, I got P&P on DVD for my birthday. And there were NEW SCENES that had been cut out of the A&E version (like \"Wot?\"). The one-two punch of these two things was more than I could stand. It took me a few months to think of looking online for information, but eventually I did, and here I am."}, {"response": 1081, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Feb 21, 2003 (01:41)", "body": "(Janet)When was your epiphany? I\ufffdve always been a hopeless romantic and having read P&P, I felt the tv-series would \ufffdsuit me just fine\ufffd. It did! I totally lost my heart to the whole production and to Mr. Darcy in particular. Then the the dry years followed. I missed out on seeing SIL in the cinema (for which I will never forgive myself), but went to see BJD as soon as it was in my area. This meeting with Mark Darcy knocked me right of my feat. I must have looked precisely like the maid (Alice?) in Relative Values, when she saw Don Lucas. I was floating on a sky when I left the cinema, and I have no intention of ever returning to \ufffdground level\ufffd again."}, {"response": 1082, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Feb 21, 2003 (08:39)", "body": "I always wondered how P&P2 passed me by all those years ago. I then worked out, that at the time it was first shown, I had 4 young children, 2 of whom were toddlers, and transmission night (Sunday) was the night we visited my In-laws. I don't think I ever had time to read a newspaper or magazine, either. So I missed out on all the hulabaloo. Just as well that I did, though, 'cos I think I'd have lost the place completely!"}, {"response": 1083, "author": "odessa", "date": "Fri, Feb 21, 2003 (08:41)", "body": "I noticed him on the second time I watched P&P (where were my eyes on the first time?) Then I saw SIL trailer and it took me some time to discover why that one actor looked so familiar...and when I realised it was Darcy...I had to see SIL, and everything else he has done!"}, {"response": 1084, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Fri, Feb 21, 2003 (10:31)", "body": "My epiphany? It was a Friday night, the second week after BJD was released. During the fight scene. I remember thinking how strange to be this excited watching 2 men try to fight. I don't want to analyze that too closely :-) I began a bit of research into CF. That was him in SiL?! That was him in CoF?! I reserved P&P at the library but it was taking weeks so I gave in and bought it. I was pacing myself by watching one hour a day but by day 3 I knew I was getting hooked. When I put in tape 5, the machine spit it out. I tried again and same thing. I looked at the tape and it was empty. I swear there was only a tiny bit of clear plastic tape. So at 8:30PM I was driving 15 miles to get to the store before it closed, praying there was another set of tapes there. There was and I spent the summer watching bits of P&P every day. I was very fortunate that the video stores in my town had quite a variety of his films. That just fed my growing obsession, and I'm still here."}, {"response": 1085, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Feb 21, 2003 (11:25)", "body": "Well, hmmm... (trying to recall)... I once saw \"AZ\" on cable, I think, or somewhere, I don't remember the details...AGES ago and was very much taken with \"that darlin' boy\" but didn't think about getting his name and such. Then came P&P, and it took me till about the middle of the second episode to make the connection... and, get this, I STILL didn't get his name. This is how things went for the longest time. I even walked out on \"TEP\" because he was cheated on.. (laughing), but I still didn't know his real name and he was always called \"Mr. Darcy\" in my mind. I also realized who he was in SIL, but still.. even though at that point (and you have to consider I was super mom at the time and hardly had a moment to myself)I was thinking.. \"you know, you really need to find out who this beautiful man is and stop calling him \"Mr. Darcy\"..I didn't take time to do the research. LOL! Then, like Linda, I rented BJD for my daughter and I to watch, and I nearly passed out... I screamed as soon as he appeared in h s reindeer jumper, \"That's the real Mr. Darcy and he's playing a Mr. Darcy in THIS movie!!!\"... I think my daughter thought I had developed tourette's or something. Needless to say, I did take the time to find out his identity that time around. I had no idea he had such a following, and I didn't search the web for his name until last June, and I found you girls, and the rest is, (sighing happily), history. (grinning)"}, {"response": 1086, "author": "neshacat", "date": "Fri, Feb 21, 2003 (16:10)", "body": "It started innocently enough. A couple of years ago I read BJD at the end of the school year during my traditional readahon. That reminded me how much I had loved P&P when I read it the summer before 8th grade. I reread it. Mr. Darcy was just as inviting 35 years later. So I rented P&P and within minutes found CF to be exactly the way I had pictured Darcy. I went over the edge about the time Elizabeth and Darcy walked up the steps at Pemberley. BJD reinforced the addiction. This board keeps it alive. I keep telling myself \"It's a harmless thing . . .\""}, {"response": 1087, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Feb 21, 2003 (18:22)", "body": "(MariaT) It all came together for me when after watching BJD for about the 3rd time on cable, I really noticed him and then *noticed* how handsome he truly is, I got your stomach flops Moonstar and woke up with his name on my lips. That led to the internet and to lurking here for a bit before joining in and obtaining all his work I could... The thrill definitely ain't gone!! Well said Maria, that's exactly how it happend with me too. I honestly feel the thrill will never be gone for me and that's a great feeling."}, {"response": 1088, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Sat, Feb 22, 2003 (03:33)", "body": "(Janet)When was your epiphany? (Annette)I?ve always been a hopeless romantic and having read P&P, I felt the tv-series would ?suit me just fine?. It did! I totally lost my heart to the whole production and to Mr. Darcy in particular. So it was with me. That was in the summer 1996 when it was first shown on Swiss TV. Luckily for me it was not dubbed as most films are, because his voice had a big part in my falling for him. From then on I looked out for everything about ODB. I'm very glad to have found this place where my obsession is shared by so many :-)"}, {"response": 1089, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Feb 22, 2003 (12:40)", "body": "(NitaE) Luckily for me it was not dubbed as most films are, because his voice had a big part in my falling for him. Me, too! I am a huge fan of his voice as well...there are other handsome actors out there, but they just don't do it for me. When you get that voice (the dimples and fine eyes don't hurt).....perfect! IMO, no one else will ever play Mr. Darcy like ODB! He just sounds the part to me. Oh! And he's a v. v. good actor as well!! I sometimes forget to add that bit. ;-)"}, {"response": 1090, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Feb 22, 2003 (19:06)", "body": "I have two very jealous relatives. I was talking to my sister-in-law and her best friend (who also happens to be my future niece!) tonight at a family birthday celebration - I know, I have a complicated family! They were devastated to hear that I had tickets for the world premiere of HS, because they, too, are devoted fans. The men of the family are totally perplexed, but trying to be cool about it. I think if we had our way, we girls would all disappear for the weekend and leave the men to it! BTW, My DH and I have decided to make a night of it, and booked into a hotel. If anyone else is interested, some hotels are offering special rates if you quote Bradford Film Festival at the time of booking. We got a great rate at the Hilton, which is only a few minutes walk away. Looking forward to meeting fellow Droolers there."}, {"response": 1091, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Feb 22, 2003 (19:58)", "body": "Oh Janet, I'm so envious!! Have fun and say hello to all the Droolers there!! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that ODB will be there and you will all get to meet him!!"}, {"response": 1092, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 2003 (03:15)", "body": "(Tress)Oh Janet, I'm so envious!! Have fun and say hello to all the Droolers there!! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that ODB will be there and you will all get to meet him!! Me too!!!!"}, {"response": 1093, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 2003 (09:55)", "body": "(Tress), I'm keeping my fingers crossed that ODB will be there and you will all get to meet him!! Have a plan in case he is also staying at the Hilton. ;-D Looking forward to your report, Janet. We want a complete synopsis of the movie. If you've read the book, we'd like to know how the two compare. And... you must take a camera!"}, {"response": 1094, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 2003 (11:04)", "body": "Janet, I am all anticipation! I'm with Moon, you must take a camera so that your DH can take a photo of you with ODB's arm around you."}, {"response": 1095, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 2003 (13:47)", "body": "(LisaJH)Janet, I am all anticipation! I'm with Moon, you must take a camera so that your DH can take a photo of you with ODB's arm around you. Ditto, Good luck Janet. My heart is fluttering just thinking about it."}, {"response": 1096, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 2003 (18:07)", "body": "Good Luck, Janet, Emma and all you fortunate ladies going to Bradford. Really hope he is there. Can't wait to hear what you thought about HS. Have alot of fun."}, {"response": 1097, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 2003 (19:24)", "body": "Rika, I just got around to looking at your Valentine's Day treat--capital, capital! Not to mention yummy!:-) Thanks. Janet, I hope your video camera works under low light conditions.;-)"}, {"response": 1098, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (16:20)", "body": "According to the lady at the Box Office, the actual premiere for HS is before the public screening . It will be invitation only. So far they know that the director is coming, but they don't know about the cast. I don't know when \"before\" is..... a couple of hours before the public screening, I guess. Th Museum at Bradford has a huge foyer, with entrance to the Pictureville to the left, IMAX straight ahead, and an open plan bookshop to the right, so it's very easy to hang around and monitor who is coming and going. If you have time to fill in, you can look roumd the museum (it's free), watch an IMAX movie, or have a meal/snack in the restaurant. No need to hang round in the cold!"}, {"response": 1099, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (17:30)", "body": "(bethan)According to the lady at the Box Office, the actual premiere for HS is before the public screening . It will be invitation only. So far they know that the director is coming, but they don't know about the cast. Oh well, I guess I'm really not too surprised! - But I suppose at least I get to see it a good five weeks ahead of it going on general release. C'est la vie!"}, {"response": 1100, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (17:34)", "body": "(Bethan)So far they know that the director is coming..... Don't dispair , Janet...maybe Matthew Mondine will show up;-)"}, {"response": 1101, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (03:45)", "body": "But I suppose at least I get to see it a good five weeks ahead of it going on general release I don't really think the Box Office staff know anything about it - other than there are two screenings . Don't give up hope!"}, {"response": 1102, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (11:47)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1103, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (12:00)", "body": "Let's keep the dicussion of the News about the Bradford FF over at 165. Will move your comments, Moon."}, {"response": 1104, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (15:13)", "body": "A comment from Yahoo Movies Message Board for \"Girl with a Pearl Earring\" \"Yeh , can't wait till it comes out. My sister who helped Jenny Shircore do the make up on it said it will be a beautiful film. Very exciting stuff\" Thanks for the info on HS Karen!"}, {"response": 1105, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (20:53)", "body": "(Moon) And... you must take a camera! And please, please, make sure there's film in that camera!! Janet and Emma, am v.v. envious. Have a great time and don't be shy about pushing the papparazzis out of the way."}, {"response": 1106, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (21:58)", "body": "And if you need any coaching on Standing On Potted Plants, you might want to check with Dorine before you go!"}, {"response": 1107, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 2003 (09:32)", "body": "(Moon) And... you must take a camera! Take two! Winter had one that malfunctioned at the SIL premiere in LA."}, {"response": 1108, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 2003 (17:14)", "body": "Karen, Thanks for the pic on the 'Front Page' Simply perfection!"}, {"response": 1109, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (09:44)", "body": "(Barb S, in 165) if I leave and come back, can you do one of those for me? I've just dropped by the party because I understand that some of you ladies have been looking for me...... and might want to share a cup of tea."}, {"response": 1110, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (10:25)", "body": "Oh Matthew, we do want to share, but get rid of the tea."}, {"response": 1111, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (12:16)", "body": "(From 165--Barb S) if I leave and come back, can you do one of those for me? (Rika) Have left a little something in Firthology. Was holding my breath when I clicked next, did not know what to expect. Very nice choice, thank you kindly! Such lovely hands... must get mind back on work...really"}, {"response": 1112, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (12:56)", "body": "Thank you all for the news and pictures. I am all with you regarding the towels and such ;-) Rika, I have a request: Could you make a capture of the rose from AMITC? I just got the screenplay from the library, which differs in some ways from the film. I thought of posting some of the differences in case any of the other newbies would be interested along with a nice little picture of the rose. But - the Sarah Van Fleet is a pink rose. Therefor - the rose from AMITC cannot be a Sarah Van Fleet, and now I'm determined to find out, which rose it could be (perhaps because I also have this idea of planting one this summer in my garden). Sorry about the babbling - I think it is due to a need to escape from \"real life\""}, {"response": 1113, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (13:23)", "body": "RIKA! Ohhhh...thanks (and Barb too! For making the 'request')! Those fingers Louisa! And I love the furrowed brow...*sigh*"}, {"response": 1114, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (14:37)", "body": "Rika, Wonderful screen captures, as always! How do you manage it? And I think I'll have to reassess my previous opinion. He looks his absolute best here. - Not the greatest movie he has made, I know, but for eye candy, this is simply the best."}, {"response": 1115, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (14:44)", "body": "(Janet2)He looks his absolute best here. - Not the greatest movie he has made, I know, but for eye candy, this is simply the best. Agreed... must have something to do with the light in Grasse... Would love to see him in a movie filmed in that magical Italian light"}, {"response": 1116, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (17:04)", "body": "Rika - thanks so much for all of the wonderful screen-caps. Have only just dropped in for the first time in over a week, and you folks have really been busy! Took hours to catch up on all the posts. Lisa > Big sigh at Darcy standing with huge trees and shrubbery around him as Lizzy's carriage pulls awa from Pemberley. :))))) When I read this, I thought, \"There were TREES and SHRUBS in that pic???\" I actually had to go back and look at it again! *LOL* And I volunteer for the local Forest Campaign Group. Sheesh! That man is SO distracting."}, {"response": 1117, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (20:22)", "body": "(Jane) When I read this, I thought, \"There were TREES and SHRUBS in that pic???\" LOL Jane, he *is* rather the focal point, isn't he? But of course there were trees and shrubs, they're the ones D & E will be using to such advantage in all the firth-coming fan fiction!"}, {"response": 1118, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (21:00)", "body": "Thanks for the great pics Rika. Nothing better to cast the eyes on before going to bed. Will bring such great dreams."}, {"response": 1119, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (21:11)", "body": "just got caught up on this topic and saw your great valentine's treat for us Rika - was wonderful beyond words! thank you, thank you, thank you!!! :-)"}, {"response": 1120, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 2003 (15:49)", "body": "(Jane) When I read this, I thought, \"There were TREES and SHRUBS in that pic???\" LOL. I had exactly the same thought when Lisa posted her comment. (Annette) Could you make a capture of the rose from AMITC? Give me a day or two and I'll do my best. If the movie were on DVD I could turn it out in a hurry, but VHS captures take longer. By the way, I wanted again to thank everybody who has made a comment about the Valentine's Day web site. I spent quite a bit of time on it, so it's good to know that it was appreciated. And as I said before, we owe Kathleen a big \"thank you\" for coming up with the idea for the Top 10 Romantic Moments poll to begin with."}, {"response": 1121, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 2003 (19:21)", "body": "(Rika) By the way, I wanted again to thank everybody who has made a comment about the Valentine's Day web site. I spent quite a bit of time on it, so it's good to know that it was appreciated. And as I said before, we owe Kathleen a big \"thank you\" for coming up with the idea for the Top 10 Romantic Moments poll to begin with. Again just want to thank you for all the memoriable moments you give us Rika. Everything is so much appreciated. The Valentines Day site was outstanding but so is everything else your do. And to Kathleen your idea was brilliant. You make a great team."}, {"response": 1122, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 2003 (16:08)", "body": "I was searching for some \"behind the scene\" pictures from Relative Values and came across this page. There aren't any new pictures of ODB (none from RV at all), but some of the other actors from TIOBE and BJD, that I haven't seen before (even Hugh Grant, Rika ;-)) http://www.gregwilliamsphotography.com/features/ btw, would anybody want to read \"the missing scenes\" from AMITC?"}, {"response": 1123, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 2003 (17:03)", "body": "(Annette) btw, would anybody want to read \"the missing scenes\" from AMITC? Sounds interesting!"}, {"response": 1124, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 2003 (19:37)", "body": "(Annette)btw, would anybody want to read \"the missing scenee\" from AMITC? Count me in. I just recently saw this film for the first time and would love to learn more about it. Thanks, Annette."}, {"response": 1125, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 2003 (20:55)", "body": "Me too. It one of my favorites. Cause it's one of the ones I have at this point, but got WoF in the mail today and can't wait!"}, {"response": 1126, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 2003 (23:20)", "body": "(Beedee)...but got WoF in the mail today and can't wait! Oh Beedee! I like WoF. Some of the characters are a bit over the top, but ODB is yummy (I remember a couple of amazing smiles)! And! It has one of the best (IMO, of course) CF shag scenes! Enjoy! And let us know what you think of it!"}, {"response": 1127, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 2003 (09:09)", "body": "(Annette) would anybody want to read \"the missing scenes\" from AMITC? Count me in!"}, {"response": 1128, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 2003 (09:18)", "body": "(Annette) would anybody want to read \"the missing scenes\" from AMITC? Count me in too please. Thank you."}, {"response": 1129, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 2003 (09:36)", "body": "I'm betting that more went on in that belfry than just some apple tasting. ;-)"}, {"response": 1130, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 2003 (09:44)", "body": "(Annette) would anybody want to read \"the missing scenes\" from AMITC? I'd love to,add me to the list, please."}, {"response": 1131, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 2003 (12:53)", "body": "Yes Annette, I'd love to be included as well. Thank you so much. I don't know what it is about lofts and belfrys...in CF movies. They always seem to have a lot more going on than meets the eye, or just lousy editing;-)"}, {"response": 1132, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 2003 (13:39)", "body": "I'm not sure, I can promise anything revealing from the belfry;-) but - I will post the missing scenes as soon as I have got it typed down. Just give me time, girls, give me time ;-)"}, {"response": 1133, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (11:27)", "body": "Reposting here re Karen -- from my old attic files: I spend far too much time with this cutie pie gent -- I'm going to give up Colin for Lent. I'm counting in pixels, I've developed a squint -- I really must give up Colin for Lent. Outside grows the lilac, I breathe in the scent -- No time if I don't give up Colin for Lent. If I want to make cookies -- chocolate or mint -- I'll have to give up my Colin for Lent. I'm up after midnight reading messages sent -- (Big Yawn) I need to give up Colin for Lent. I once had a life, attended events -- No more, until I give up Colin for Lent. A wedding's a comin' and a Blessed Event -- Can't plan them unless I give up Colin for Lent. I forget to pay bills, I'm behind in my rent -- I surely must give up Colin for Lent. I'll miss all the news, but in any event -- It's better to give up Colin for Lent. I meant what I said, & I said what I meant -- I'm definitely giving up Colin for Lent. What's that you said? A new picture to print!!! Well, next year I promise to give up Colin for Lent."}, {"response": 1134, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (12:27)", "body": "(Murphy)What's that you said? A new picture to print!!! Well, next year I promise to give up Colin for Lent. LOL, the story of my life. And no, I didn't give up Colin for Lent."}, {"response": 1135, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (14:03)", "body": "(Linda) LOL, the story of my life. And no, I didn't give up Colin for Lent. Me either Linda. I'd give up chocolate first!!! Nice poem Murph. Thanks."}, {"response": 1136, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (14:34)", "body": "Also liked the poem, and I'll join Linda and FanPam. Not giving up ever! Here is what I promised from AMITC. I apologize in advance for any missing tags and whatever have you. I might have left out something, but then I'll try to get back to it later."}, {"response": 1137, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (14:34)", "body": "After the first night in the belfry, Birkin is shaving outside. EXT. VILLAGE STREET. DAY BIRKIN walks up the street, passes DOUTHWAITE working in his blacksmith\ufffds forge. He nods to BIRKIN, who nods back. A MAN on crutches walks pass him. BIRKIN enters small Post Office, which is also the local store. In the corner a young man, blind, (obviously from the war) is sitting. Several people talking in there fall silent, at the stranger\ufffds arrival. BIRKIN picks up the Daily Mail, takes money from his pocket, looks anxiously at how little he has, decides to buy cigarettes. BIRKIN: ( To the woman behind the counter) A pa-pa-pa-packet of ci-ci-ci (BIRKIN can\ufffdt finish the word. He stops, defeatet, amid glances. Pays for the newspaper.) Th-th-th-thank you. (BIRKIN leaves.) INT. CHURCH. MORNING \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd.. INT. BARTON TERRY CHAPEL, Birkin in the pulpit: This last part has been left out: Now I\ufffdll tell you about my tools. What I basically use is a lancet \ufffd that\ufffds for lifting off the limewash. Then I have alcoholic solution of hydrochloric acid \ufffd EXT. OUTSIDE CHAPEL. AFTERNOON We come in on the elderly from the congregation, the old man in front. Pause on his face. Cut to BIRKIN\ufffds face, apprehensive, and cut back to the old man\ufffds face. The old man nods acknowledgement, turns away, the others following him. BIRKIN stares after them, then turns to KATHY and EDGAR as LUCY SYKES, in shot, locks the chapel door. KATHY: (To EDGAR) They liked it, didn\ufffdt they? EDGAR: But our Dad\ufffds louder. (LUCY SYKES approaches. Little pause.) LUCY: You could come and have your tea. BIRKIN: Well, I \ufffd I came with these two. LUCY: They can come too. After he leaves the Ellerbecks \ufffd before the screaming at God in the graveyard. EXT. VILLAGE. LATER Cut to BIRKIN walking through the village. As he does so, he passes the blind young man sitting on the doorstep. BIRKIN, glancing at him, continues walking, his face set. The nightmarescene with Moon crying, which follows Birkins screaming at God in the graveyard in the movie, is placed after the pressing of the rose in the book in the belfry in the screenplay. After Mrs Keach has been on the scaffold and thanks Birkin ;For letting me see: EXT. VILLAGE PUB. DAY Later. Opposite the pub is the chapel. BIRKIN and MOON are sitting on the bench outside the Shepherd\ufffds Arms. As they talk, PEOPLE are entering the chapel. Among them the ELLERBECKS, who don\ufffdt see BIRKIN and MOON. Then the scene which in the movie takes place in the pub, where Moon talks about the war, follows . The \ufffdacting\ufffd in the movie is different than suggested in the screenplay; The screenplay says for Moon to be cheerful and grin at the end of the conversation, where in the movie, he weaps. After this, another missing scene: BIRKIN: (Standing up) I\ufffdll get us another \ufffd ( BIRKIN begins to go into the pub,. Puts his hand into his pocket, takes out a few coins, looks down at them, stops.) I\ufffdm sorry, I can\ufffdt. MOON: Keach still hasn\ufffdt coughed up, eh? Then you\ufffdll just have to go and get it from him, won\ufffdt you? Like a good soldier. Tell him you need it to drink a toast to that lost beauty, his wife. Tonight\ufffds on me. ( Gets up, then turns back.) Did she get you to show her the painting? I saw her going into the church. BIRKIN: Yes. MOON: I told her you wouldn\ufffdt, but I was sure you would. (BIRKIN stands, looks towards the chapel, from which comes the discordant hymn, voices even louder. He suddenly smiles.) BIRKIN: That\ufffds more like it. followed by the scene, where he goes to the vicarage to collect his money. Another difference in acting from the screenplay takes place in the wood, after the shot. In the screenplay Birkin is attempting to smile, then says the words of believing in paradise (He smiles, MRS KEACH smiles back. They part.) e.n. Not excatly what I remember from that scene (more rage than smile). Missing scene after this: INT. CHURCH. DAY BIRKIN on the scaffold. He is cleaning the last stages of the whold omage of the falling man. We see him working on a detail, not clear what it is. He steps back and takes in the whole image. His face expresses controlled excitement. Cut to image. A cresent-shaped star on his brow, bright hair streaming like a torch (a second Simon Magus), plunging headlong sown the wall. Two demons with delicately furred legs clutching him, one snapping his right wrist while his mate splits him with shears. BIRKIN: (Mutters) I wonder what you did then. (The sound of footsteps below. BIRKIN is unaware.) MOSSOP: (Out of shot) Mr Birkin. BIRKIN: (Still engrossed) Mmmmmm? MOSSOP: (Out of shot) Don\ufffdt forget tha\ufffdt standing umpire again this Sunday, Mr Birkin. BIRKIN: What? (BIRKIN turns and sees MOSSOP) Oh, no, I\ufffdm afraid I can\ufffdt, Mossop, I\ufffdve got an important engagement. Sligthly maliciously) You\ufffdll have to do it, I\ufffdm afraid. MOSSOP: I can\ufffdt neither, Mr Birkin. I\ufffdm busy too. BIRKIN: Then it\ufffdll have to be the Colonel. (BIRKIN turns back to the painting and we see again the falling man.) EXT. CROSSROADS. MORNING Shot of crossroads, hot."}, {"response": 1138, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (15:08)", "body": "Oh Shoot! Now I'm gonna have to see this video again today. Thanks Annette and LOL Mary, I can't give him up for lent either!"}, {"response": 1139, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (15:21)", "body": "Thank you Annette! I'll have to view the video again too!! Jeez! I hate that when that happens!! ;-D And give up ODB for Lent?? Nevah! That would mean missing the WAGW premiere! I can't miss out on all that leather. I would never admit to having that kind of self control (and I'm glad to see I have some company!!) ;-)"}, {"response": 1140, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (15:22)", "body": "Oh Shoot! Now I'm gonna have to see this video again today. Thanks Annette and LOL Mary, I can't give him up for lent either!"}, {"response": 1141, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (18:38)", "body": "Cruising IMDB for Australia release dates - still none for WAGW, but Hope Springs is coming out July 24th."}, {"response": 1142, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (19:12)", "body": "Thanks so much, Annette, for sharing what you found on AMITC. I'm looking forward to watching it again this weekend. Loved your lovely poem, Murph. Colin would definitely qualify as a \"worldly pleasure\", but I'm not giving him up! I\"m thinking chocolate, I'm thinking wine, I'm thinking pastries..."}, {"response": 1143, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (08:34)", "body": "Thanks for typing all this up, Annette. I'll have to print it out and watch the film now. I'm especially interested where you've indicated differences in how it is played."}, {"response": 1144, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (11:13)", "body": "(Karen)I'll have to print it out and watch the film now. Oh my, that's what I did until too late last night. Tried to pay close attention to the differences but got lost in the eyes, the hands, the..... I'll take a better look for differences next time."}, {"response": 1145, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (11:16)", "body": "Thank you, Annette! I just finished reading it, but will obviously have to rewatch now (which is no hardship at all because I love this movie)."}, {"response": 1146, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (13:41)", "body": "Thank you, Annette...back to the VCR for me as well!!!"}, {"response": 1147, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (17:05)", "body": "(Tress)Oh Beedee! I like WoF. Some of the characters are a bit over the top, but ODB is yummy (I remember a couple of amazing smiles)! And! It has one of the best (IMO, of course) CF shag scenes! Enjoy! And let us know what you think of it! Well I'm not getting much sleep these days what with WOF and reviewing AMITC! WOF was lovely to watch. Lovely face, great strides, tripping up and down stairs, and what that guy can do with his coat tails! Great shag scenes and a lovely soft \"yes\"! Kind of like those lovely yesses in Valmont when he's in his room soaking wet. I just love those yesses ummmmmmmmm. But I kind of lost the thread of the story. Bet there was a film discussion here, no? I'll probably get it the third or fourth or well, you know."}, {"response": 1148, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (17:38)", "body": "Loved the Lent poem Murph! Thanks :-)"}, {"response": 1149, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (17:54)", "body": "Thanks for the missing scenes Annette and for typing them up. Good job."}, {"response": 1150, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (18:38)", "body": "Yep, there was a film discussion of WOF not all that long ago. If you go back on that topic, you should be able to find it."}, {"response": 1151, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (19:29)", "body": "My DH is going to London on business on Tuesday. And where is he staying? - The Hilton in Islington. It's just not fair! He laughed when I told him where ODB lives, and feels he just can't escape the guy!"}, {"response": 1152, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (20:14)", "body": "Annette, I'd also like to add my thanks for taking the time to type up the 'extra bits' of AMITC. Haven't watched it in ages, and will give me an excuse... (Janet) He laughed when I told him where ODB lives, and feels he just can't escape the guy! Janet, don't feel bad--I'm known as 'Obsessia' at my house.;-) *hangs head in shame...*"}, {"response": 1153, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (21:10)", "body": "Annette, thanks for the AMITC extras! I'm going to have to watch it this weekend. (LisaJH) I'm known as 'Obsessia' at my house ROTFL! I'm glad my DH hasn't thought of this."}, {"response": 1154, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (21:50)", "body": "Annette, thanks so much for the extras..I'd be at my TV right now but I have company for the weekend and I don't think they'd be happy if I completely ignored them for the better part of the weekend! (Janet) And where is he staying? - The Hilton in Islington. It's just not fair! What do we have to bribe him with so he can take you?;-)"}, {"response": 1155, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (22:15)", "body": "Yep, there was a film discussion of WOF not all that long ago. If you go back on that topic, you should be able to find it. I knew you'd make me do the work. \"I'll do it\". But...thought perhaps some other fithette might weaken and slip me the #'s. So I will stoop to cheat at times. Nono, I'll go back."}, {"response": 1156, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 2003 (10:18)", "body": "You will find the WOF discussion starting here: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/98.1825"}, {"response": 1157, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 2003 (18:24)", "body": "I thought I'd better move to the survey course topic for my next formulae: 1. MB(CF+MH)= 0 2. CF-MB > 1 3. (CF + RZ )2 = TEOR (Sorry...just in a silly mood today...:-))"}, {"response": 1158, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 2003 (18:33)", "body": "Thanks for your help to the WOF discussion posts Karen! Lots of great ideas and insights. I have been sneaking back to it all day. Now I can't wait to see the film again. This time will try to take my eyes off ODB to take in the details."}, {"response": 1159, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 2003 (23:43)", "body": "2B + ~2B + CF = :-) 2B + ~2B - CF = :( A+ 4 (CF + HG) = HS... (Oh, what's the sign for infinity? I should have studied harder and practiced more.)"}, {"response": 1160, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 2003 (23:44)", "body": "(LisaJH) MB(CF+MH)= 0 You cannot alter the rules of math: zero times anything is zero and MB = 0 You get an A!"}, {"response": 1161, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (03:16)", "body": "I work with numbers every day and it do get boring from time to time. But - from this day I will just put CF in my equations; that'll do me. Arithmetichs will never be the same again. (having just seen L.. I must agree on MB; He *is* the full zero)."}, {"response": 1162, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (13:07)", "body": "(Karen)You cannot alter the rules of math: zero times anything is zero and MB = 0 Exactly. It's a shame HBO didn't do the math first. ;-) Coulda saved them $$. (Thank God ODB didn't to a cameo on TMOTMM.)"}, {"response": 1163, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (15:17)", "body": "Just found out that CF is featured in a four-page spread in yesterday's Sunday Telegraph here in Oz. The article is an exact reprint of one that was originally printed in England, I think - I had deja vue reading it. Photos are all ones we've seen before. The only truly *interesting* bit was the tagline at the end of the article -- What a Girl Wants opens April 3!!! WOOOO HOOOO!! A CF film opening in Australia BEFORE the States! Can you imagine?? *lol* That's gotta be a first, I think. Time to start planning another CF movie outing down under, I think. What bothers me about this is that, although I have been really hunting for *any* publicity, I have yet to see a single trailer, commercial, movie poster or even *mention* of this movie other than the recycled article in yesterday's telegraph. So it seems they're throwing it to the wolves here... no publicity whatsoever for this film..."}, {"response": 1164, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (15:26)", "body": "(Jane) A CF film opening in Australia BEFORE the States! Can you imagine?? *lol* That's gotta be a first, I think....What bothers me about this is that, although I have been really hunting for *any* publicity, I have yet to see a single trailer, commercial, movie poster or even *mention* of this movie other than the recycled article in yesterday's telegraph. So it seems they're throwing it to the wolves here... no publicity whatsoever for this film... Have you not considered other alternatives, i.e., that the date is wrong? I would. Movies like this do not typically open outside the US first. Recently, there was one exception, some big holiday blockbuster opened in Japan as I recall about a day before the US for I forget the reason."}, {"response": 1165, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (15:29)", "body": "Oh yes, New news paper articles belong on the News topic, #165. OK?"}, {"response": 1166, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (15:58)", "body": "Sorry Karen. Since it was a rehash of an old article, I didn't think it qualified... but I guess the news that it's opening April 3 does make it so - will post there from now on. Will answer your question on 165..."}, {"response": 1167, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (16:22)", "body": "Okie doke (lots of winkies)"}, {"response": 1168, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (18:39)", "body": "(Karen) some big holiday blockbuster opened in Japan as I recall about a day before the US for I forget the reason. That's alright that you forgot, the director said he didn't really know or understand the reasoning for it either. ;-) Love the Firthamatics, LOL. Maybe if I'd studied that instead of geometry and algebra, I'd have done much better. ;-)"}, {"response": 1169, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (20:23)", "body": "I was a math major. Little did I know that I could have found my math homework much more enjoyable if I'd taken the Firthamatics elective!"}, {"response": 1170, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (04:01)", "body": "Just returned from romantic minibreak to Bath for the weekend =) and had full Austen experience - went to the small Jane Austen Centre (which I actually found disappointing except for the fact that the gift shop had the P&P soundtrack on repeat!), had the Jane Austen cream tea at Sally Lunn's, and then the COOLEST thing was stopping in Lacock a.k.a. Meryton on the way back to London. Sat in the Red Lion. Took lots of photos. Went to the Abbey (also used for Hogwarts). If you ever get a chance to go, don't miss it!"}, {"response": 1171, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (04:44)", "body": "Thank you for sharing, EmmaB. Makes a girl dream away on a grey monday morning."}, {"response": 1172, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (09:01)", "body": "Agree about Lacock... absolutely charming. The main street remains the same. If you stop and chat with some of the shop keepers, they'll be happy to relate about the filming of P&P. The JA home in Chawton is better than the Bath museum. Besides it's nr. Winchester;-) Someday I want to get to Pemberley. *hint, hint* to some members of this board who have promised to drive there...."}, {"response": 1173, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (18:27)", "body": "That picture I posted earlier on the 165 section and this one from my picture of the day remind me how beautiful his hands are:"}, {"response": 1174, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (18:46)", "body": "*sigh* Thanks Murph, I needed that."}, {"response": 1175, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (19:26)", "body": "Thank you Murph! I was going to comment on his hands earlier (when you posted the picture on 165), but got sidetracked at work...now, with this picture, I feel I can't sit quietly by...Gah! Loving the curls on the forehead as well...oh! And did I mention the dimples! Love those too! And wearing black, no less! I hope the drool doesn't short out my keyboard... ;-)"}, {"response": 1176, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (01:20)", "body": "Thank you for the lovely pictures, Murph. They are my all time favourites. I actually have this one \"hidden\" at work, so I can take a peek, whenever it gets hard to cope with real world (or it has been to long since my last viewing, let's say half an hour or so ;-))"}, {"response": 1177, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (01:33)", "body": "Sorry to post twice, but I just got inspired by the top 10 lines on Ods and Ends. Isn't it time we had our own little poll of favourite/most used lines from ODB-movies? I'll start with a few, that springs to mind: Not as such! Words fail me! I know, I know! He is the full axminster! I shall conquer this, I shall! Bet you anything, you like! I know nothing! If I'm being to silly, just ignore this"}, {"response": 1178, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (10:17)", "body": "I'll bite Annette... On foot? Nono, the green one A pig? They want me to defend a pig? I\ufffdd pay extra! You have said quite enough, Madam... I forgot to kiss you goodbye, do you mind? I\ufffdve been laboring under a misapprehension.. I could go on and on."}, {"response": 1179, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (11:26)", "body": "All of the above and... grunt in the doorway (BJD) Eighteen years, eighteen...f---ing years (FP) Yes, here (Nostromo) So it would seem, and I like you just as you are (BJD)...can't forget that one I have to vary the answers (FP) Wot? (P&P) Oh I shall be thinking of this all day."}, {"response": 1180, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (11:37)", "body": "Okay, I'll play (and Beedee and Annette, you've already picked out some of my favorites!). \"You have employed your time much better. No one admitted to the privilege of hearing you, can think anything wanting. We neither of us perform to strangers.\" \"It was your eyes. No, your lips.\" \"In vain I have struggled.\" \"Uxuriousness. That's my favorite kind of love. Excessive love of one's wife\" \"What I'm trying to say, very inarticulately, is that I like you, very much, just as you are.\" \"I'm the school joke. I quite realize that. But I am, don't you think, a respected joke?\" And finally, \"Would you PLEASE, please, please, please just f**king, F**K OFF! You have arrived at the worst sixty seconds of my life and I REALLY don't want to see you.\""}, {"response": 1181, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (11:46)", "body": "Oh! Linda! Just saw your list! Love the grunt in the doorway (and the two FP quotes)!"}, {"response": 1182, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (13:03)", "body": "To add to all the above, four from FP (which is full of favorites) It's not the smoking, Steve, it's the crapness. I knew it, I knew it! You shagged the football hooligan! Do I look like the sort of man who'd have a Bread album? Paul, are you a complete fool?"}, {"response": 1183, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (13:31)", "body": "Love those too! This has been a fun but not dangerous distraction from the heavy lifting here at work. Thanks again Annette."}, {"response": 1184, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (13:32)", "body": "You're welcome. I enjoy it as much as the rest of you. But - to pick only 10. It's gonna be a hard one to call ;-)"}, {"response": 1185, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (19:14)", "body": "Good idea, Annette! Wow, most of my favorites are already here."}, {"response": 1186, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (19:38)", "body": "Wot? Is no one going to mention Say my name? A few more of my favorites: I've gone quite weak in the knees. Be still, my beating heart! Moxie's \"I mean really..\" Paul, you need medical attention. You've got some kind of dicease that turns people into miserable bastards. Alright, no more football. I have to vary the answers. A, I hate her, B, she hates me, and C, what's the point of it all... I also love the way he says the word Yes in all of his films."}, {"response": 1187, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (20:16)", "body": "(Hen) I also love the way he says the word Yes.. LOL Hen, perhaps a focus for further study!"}, {"response": 1188, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (20:57)", "body": "Please pardon my spelling. I do know how to spell disease. Thinking about Mr. Ashworth got me quite flustered, as usual."}, {"response": 1189, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (23:42)", "body": "Hen, I can't believe I forgot \"Say my name\"! Another word we've found in almost every film is \"Wot?\""}, {"response": 1190, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 2003 (07:54)", "body": "Love all the quotes previously mentioned... Also... \"that shows what you know about it\" \"good god,that dog smiled at me\" \"that'll do me, wife and kid\" \"I am not afraid of you\" and all the non verbal dialogue relayed with just a look..."}, {"response": 1191, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 2003 (08:12)", "body": "I don't know about the rest of you, but reading all these favourite quotes, makes me say like Meg Ryan in \"When Harry met Sally\", the cafe-scene; Yes, yes, yes ..... I'm not saying it out loud, off course ;-) If it was possible to pick a quote as a keepsake, mine would have to be: I have to vary the answers. That is the story of my life, trying to keep this \"fling\" a secret. Enough, enough (another quote;-)) Here is a link to a bbc-page with a small mentioning of Colin. Nothing new or anything. http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/news/liquidnews/team/steph.shtml http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/news/liquidnews/team/steph.shtml"}, {"response": 1192, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 2003 (08:40)", "body": "(Maria)and all the non verbal dialogue relayed with just a look... My thought exacty! Had a little Darcy fix last night (probably the result of day time \"best lines\" rumminations) and thought about my favorite non-verbal moments like the billiards room \"Look\" in P&P."}, {"response": 1193, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 2003 (08:51)", "body": "(Beedee)Had a little Darcy fix last night (probably the result of day time \"best lines\" rumminations) and thought about my favorite non-verbal moments like the billiards room \"Look\" in P&P. Also love the tiny little smile and slight turn of his head he gives Bingley at the first dance showing his soft spot for his friend. And the way his face changes at the restaurant in FP when Sarah tells him she does'nt know what she wants to do yet.. On and on...."}, {"response": 1194, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 2003 (09:20)", "body": "(MariaT) On and on.... And on....the way his expression changes when he first sees Elizabeth walk into the room at the Netherfeld Ball. And the look on his face as he walks, late at night, down the hall at Pemberley with the two dogs (BTW, how is it the candle doesn't go out??). Then the look as he stands by the mantel remembering Lizzy. And the look, in FP, as he sits, surrounded by pizza boxes, after Sarah has left him. And the look, he gives Bridget while he is being interviewed by her....and...."}, {"response": 1195, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 2003 (15:29)", "body": "Oh, I'll go again since I only listed one - The whole beautiful silent bath and window scene in P&P and....."}, {"response": 1196, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 2003 (16:05)", "body": "Karen, just saw the new picture on the GWAPE-gallery. Beautiful. I can't wait to see more from this movie. I know, this is current, but I didn't want to start posting on the brand-new topic with no news or anything. About the un-said. You are perfectly right. I'm afraid to have startet an avalanche, but - boy, am I enjoying the ride;-) One more unsaid: the devastatet look in TEP and ........"}, {"response": 1197, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 2003 (17:50)", "body": "...and the whole kitchen scene in BJD, ...and many, many scenes and looks from SLOW...when he speaks French, facts of life scene with Sammy, ...and the look of him in the dinner scene from MLSF...and OH sigh. Just everything he's ever done, any line he's ever uttered, every look, smile, and what have you. Mortgage, Wife, Kid, Cool! And yes, yes, yes...I have to post this here because I don't want to double post over on the other CF current topic, but I finally caught the trailer. Yahoo. Am signing off before I catch heck from the boss...;-)"}, {"response": 1198, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (09:03)", "body": "(Beedee) The whole beautiful silent bath and window scene in P&P and..... This is one of my favorites too as well as the look on his \"boyish and must softer face\" when he's talking to Lizzy with his wet shirt on. Also love the look on his face in LE when he and the juggler are in the dinning car on the train, turn and look at the departing woman, and then look at each other. Love it."}, {"response": 1199, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (09:21)", "body": "(FanPam) Also love the look on his face in LE when he and the juggler are in the dinning car on the train, turn and look at the departing woman, and then look at each other. Love it. LE is just FULL of looks! I just recently rewatched it and love the look on his face as Nonnie flirts with him while he is sitting in the theater! Very funny! And on the ferris wheel! Grrr....dimples. And when he first sees Nancy again after the war breaks out..."}, {"response": 1200, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (10:20)", "body": "(Tress)LE is just FULL of looks! Sure is! I am facinated by many of them, especially when he is in stage costume and the make-up accentuating those amazing eyes."}, {"response": 1201, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (16:29)", "body": "(Tress)LE is just FULL of looks! I just recently rewatched it and love the look on his face as Nonnie flirts with him while he is sitting in the theater! Very funny! Yes, LE is excellent for looks and those voice overs kill me. But that look that you mention in the theater with Nonnie is one of my favorites. He looks so innoncent yet so smug...knowing that he's got what she wants. *major sigh*"}, {"response": 1202, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (16:36)", "body": "I thought he looked like something was happening... down south, if you catch my drift."}, {"response": 1203, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (17:16)", "body": "(Rika)..down south, if you catch my drift I have never seen LE, but I'm pretty sure I'm with you ;-) (I have to wait a long time for this one, but it sounds as if it is worth waiting for)."}, {"response": 1204, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (23:36)", "body": "I love LE. I got it for my birthday last year, and had intended to watch it a little bit at a time (it's about seven hours long). But once I started I just couldn't stop. He's in almost every scene, plus he's the narrator (complete with a Yorkshire accent). He's very young - was 26 or so when he made it, but looks much younger than that. And it's an interesting story, too, though there's a rather lurid section of it that I thought went over the top. He also winds up kissing most of the female cast members. Oh - and there's a scene where he gets tickled and he giggles, and it always cracks me up because the giggle is a bit high-pitched. V. cute."}, {"response": 1205, "author": "annea", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (04:58)", "body": "Do I look like the sort of man who'd have a Bread album? (Kathyf) Hi, have just been glancing after a long absence and saw the above quote. Am probably way past this discussion now, but this is one of my favourite quotes also. We recently had a garage sale (Australian talk) and my DH was clearing our, very reluctantly, some old albums to sell - one of which was \"The Best of Bread\". Of course I immediately launched into the FP quote above. Funnily enough, someone did buy the record - a man, and I had to refrain from again repeating the phrase as he handed over his money. Felt sorry for him that he was such an (imaginary) object of derision."}, {"response": 1206, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (09:52)", "body": "(Rika) Oh - and there's a scene where he gets tickled and he giggles, and it always cracks me up because the giggle is a bit high-pitched. V. cute. I love that bit! Isn't that when Julie reaches over and either pinches or bites him (and he 'yelps' as well...v.v. funny)? It is shot in the reflection of a picture hanging on the wall....? (annea)...my DH was clearing our, very reluctantly, some old albums to sell - one of which was \"The Best of Bread\". LOL...so what your saying is that your DH is the sort of man to own a Bread album?? ;-)"}, {"response": 1207, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (10:11)", "body": "(Rika) I thought he looked like something was happening... down south, if you catch my drift. (pervy alter ego talking) I'd like to catch your drift..You would'nt happen to have a photo that illustrates?? (annea)...my DH was clearing our, very reluctantly, some old albums to sell - one of which was \"The Best of Bread\". (Tress) LOL...so what your saying is that your DH is the sort of man to own a Bread album?? ;-) Cute Tress.."}, {"response": 1208, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (10:46)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1209, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (10:50)", "body": "(Tress) I love that bit! Isn't that when Julie reaches over and either pinches or bites him (and he 'yelps' as well...v.v. funny)? It is shot in the reflection of a picture hanging on the wall....? Exactly. And you hear the yelping/giggling both at the start and the end of the scene. His voice is usually so deep and mature, so the contrast always cracks me up. I wondered if she ad libbed whatever she did to him and that was his unrehearsed reaction. (me) I thought he looked like something was happening... down south, if you catch my drift. (Maria)(pervy alter ego talking) I'd like to catch your drift..You would'nt happen to have a photo that illustrates?? The scene is shot in tight close-up on his face, so I was talking about my interpretation of the look on his face, not of any other evidence in the frame. But here goes: I'm not sure that a capture can pick up the little nuances you see in the actual scene, though. In fact, I was going to pull some captures from the \"favorite looks\" that people mentioned, but often the power is in the subtle little things that happen during the look, and one photo can't do that justice."}, {"response": 1210, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (11:16)", "body": "(Rika) I wondered if she ad libbed whatever she did to him and that was his unrehearsed reaction. I thought this as well...if it wasn't ad libbed, actually scripted, then it was the best piece of acting ever done. He seemed genuinely surprised! And thanks for the picture Rika! So funny! ODB did such a great job in LE. His character is so 'contained' and he does so much of his acting with just facial expressions (especially his eyes)!"}, {"response": 1211, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (12:20)", "body": "(Tress)His character is so 'contained' and he does so much of his acting with just facial expressions (especially his eyes)! I much agree and IMHO found that \"containment\" even more impressive when he was acting opposite Olivier."}, {"response": 1212, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (12:33)", "body": "Thank you Rika!! (Rika) so I was talking about my interpretation of the look on his face, not of any other evidence in the frame LOL!! If there had been any other evidence I am sure it would have made many appearances here before!!"}, {"response": 1213, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (14:05)", "body": "(MariaT) LOL!! If there had been any other evidence I am sure it would have made many appearances here before!! Oh, I don't know! I remember there was a time, just a little while back, where Rika 'caught' a moment from P&P that I had not noticed before (capture of Darcy running to catch up to Lizzy at Pemberley). There are hidden treasures that pop-up all the time!! ;-)"}, {"response": 1214, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (14:16)", "body": "(Tress) There are hidden treasures that pop-up all the time!! ;-) LOL!! You are killing me..."}, {"response": 1215, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (18:31)", "body": "(Tress) There are hidden treasures that pop-up all the time!! ;-) Naughty girl. You are always posting what I'm thinking;-)Pleasant thoughts, indeed."}, {"response": 1216, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (15:51)", "body": "(Annette) (I have to wait a long time for this one, but it sounds as if it is worth waiting for). Believe me Annette the wait is well worth it. This is one of my absolute favorites. I know all the lyrics to the songs I've watched it so much. Word's can't describe him. Absolutely delectable, good storyline and great cast. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. (Linda) Pleasant thoughts, indeed. I agree Linda, the most pleasant of thoughts indeed."}, {"response": 1217, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 2003 (11:08)", "body": "My favorite comedy scenes with Colin: FP...Though not a fav movie of mine...has a great scene when he's interviewing the school board for the new job. TIOBE..several Interview with Lady Bracknell as a potential suitor with Gwendolyn. The cigarette case scene at the theatre with Algie. BJD...When he first meets Bridget in the reindeer \"jumper\". MLSF...explaining the facts of life to Fraser. He's brilliant doing 'deadpan'"}, {"response": 1218, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 2003 (11:44)", "body": "(Evelyn)He's brilliant doing 'deadpan' I agree! I'll second all of your comedy scenes. When you say comedy, I have to bring out Relative Values. Every scene with Sophie Thompson are hilarious (dutch curage, week at the knees ...) There are some good ones in TA too: There must be priests in hell, and when the daughter tries to seduce him in the hall and he says Oh shit."}, {"response": 1219, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 2003 (11:51)", "body": "Oh fun! Those are good. I like HOTPIG v. much. The scene and dialog in the bath with the priest and nekkid women. The scene when he laughs out loud in cort when pic was accused of eating human flesh on Friday. Sissy fight is v. funny"}, {"response": 1220, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 2003 (11:53)", "body": "that's *court* as you probaly guessed."}, {"response": 1221, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 2003 (11:58)", "body": "Some of my favorite comedy scenes with CF: FP: Steve and Paul watching the final. \"It's my flat\" \"Yeah, well try and get me out.\" \"Sisters don't have seasons\" scene and the Bread album scene! FP has many funny moments for me! Hard to pick just a few. TIOBE: Also like the Lady Bracknell interview. Proposal scene with Gwendolyn. \"We have to talk, you have to leave\" scene with Algy. BJD: Blue soup scene. \"Did I really swim around naked in your paddling pool?\" \"Yes. You were four and I was eight\" \"Bit pervy really\" \"Yes. I like to think so\" Love how he delivers those lines! SIL: His 'proposal' scene with Viola. \"It was your eyes...\" Lord Wessex is so beautifully icky!"}, {"response": 1222, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 2003 (17:40)", "body": "(Evelyn)MLSF...explaining the facts of life to Fraser. One of my all time favorites. I agree, Annette. Just about all of his scenes in RV. Here's looking at you kid. The scene in the restaurant in FP... it was just a one off. Explaining the facts of life to Sammy in SLOW...love his facial expressions in that. I just got back from the weekend, and you guys caught me off guard. I'll be back later after a good think."}, {"response": 1223, "author": "Leah", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 2003 (22:53)", "body": "(Tress) There are hidden treasures that pop-up all the time!! ;-) I have noticed a scene in DQ (which I couldn't comment on in the film discussion - as that was serious) which holds some potential. Take a look at the scene where Lucy asks \"Donovan, who is Daniel Quinn?\""}, {"response": 1224, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 2003 (23:51)", "body": "(Evelyn) He's brilliant doing 'deadpan' Yes, he is. And I don't think he gets nearly enough credit for it. That's not as easy as some people think. Interview with Lady Bracknell as a potential suitor with Gwendolyn. I love his facial expression when he's trying to decide if he knows everything or nothing - and then afterwards, when he finds out he made the right choice. Very subtle, but very effective. Also, I never failed to laugh when he started to describe the handbag (though I was usually the only one in the theater laughing). (LindaK) Here's looking at you kid. LOVE him there. There are parts of RV where I can't decide if he's too broad, or if he's supposed to be that way, but in that scene I think he's absolutely perfect."}, {"response": 1225, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (08:25)", "body": "(Tress) Lord Wessex is so beautifully icky! Icky, but wonderful! There's a point where he does this little wiggle thing when he bows to Viola, and I just want to smack him, he's being so smarmy; makes me laugh every time I see it! (Rika) Also, I never failed to laugh when he started to describe the handbag (though I was usually the only one in the theater laughing) The only one? :( Thankfully, I was in a theater of people who were ready for a good time; I remember several people laughed along with me at the handbag description."}, {"response": 1226, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (12:02)", "body": "(Rika) Also, I never failed to laugh when he started to describe the handbag (though I was usually the only one in the theater laughing). (moonstar) I remember several people laughed along with me at the handbag description. The DH laughed out loud at this bit! I was surprised! We both thought this scene was very funny (although, I had seen the film about five times prior to the DHs first viewing and knew it was coming up). I love ODB's hands in that scene....as he opens the 'invisible' bag to demostrate! Cracks me up!"}, {"response": 1227, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (13:41)", "body": "(Tress) I love ODB's hands in that scene....as he opens the 'invisible' bag to demostrate! Cracks me up! Exactly. It's the hands - along with his earnest (no pun intended, but it works, doesn't it?) attempt to describe the handbag accurately. It's a great little piece of subtle comedy that also says a lot about the character. He's so caught up in the handbag, because it's his only link to his family, that he doesn't realize that its physical features are utterly irrelevant. I'd love to know if the business with the hands was his, or if OP suggested it."}, {"response": 1228, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (13:43)", "body": "Rika, Tress; I'm all with you in the \"handbag-business\". I remembered one more funny scene from SLOW; When he is sitting on the wall with Sammy/Sweet Potato and they are having a shoot-out. The way he dies and falls gets me every time."}, {"response": 1229, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (13:45)", "body": "YES! I can't believe I didn't think of that. That little grunt, and then he just pitches off backwards. SLOW is another movie with some fun deadpan stuff."}, {"response": 1230, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 2003 (11:12)", "body": "More deadpan stuff... BJD...the launch party, when Bridget describes Perpetua and Mark with thoughtful details...When it's Mark's turn and he describes Briget as playing naked in his paddling pool. I love the subtle glint in his eyes as he takes a sip of his drink. He's sparring with her, and its caught her very off-guard."}, {"response": 1231, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 2003 (11:56)", "body": "yet more deadpan stuff.. SLOW..the conversation with Nimia in her office about the rules of employment. \"those are the rules.....for now.\" Hummmmmmmmmm"}, {"response": 1232, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 2003 (12:15)", "body": "And... SLOW........telling Sam, \"Real men just lop the handles off altogether.\" (Linda) I love the subtle glint in his eyes as he takes a sip of his drink. He's sparring with her Love this too....a \"gotcha\"!"}, {"response": 1233, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 2003 (16:22)", "body": "I have a Netflix subscription, and every now & then I'll do a \"Colin Firth\" search to see if they've added Lost Empires to their catalog. No luck on this morning's search, but I was amused to see that HS & WAGW are to be added when released, and they already have *viewer ratings*, no less! In case you're wondering, they have HS as a 2003 DVD release, the DVD cover shown is the \"Titanic\" shot, and from five ratings an average of three out of five stars. As for WAGW, they also have it as a 2003 DVD release, the DVD cover shown is the much-seen shot of AB & the guards, and from eleven ratings an average of 4.1 stars! (*giggles*) Okay, 'fess up; who's been pumping up the ratings on a film that hasn't even been screened yet?"}, {"response": 1234, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 2003 (18:36)", "body": "(moonstar)Okay, 'fess up; who's been pumping up the ratings on a film that hasn't even been screened yet? LOL, let's see what we can do for the ratings for HS. Thanks for the Netflix info. Keep us posted."}, {"response": 1235, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 2003 (13:08)", "body": "Help me! I'm trying to sum up the favourite lines and add, which movie they come from. But - MariaT postet this one \"I am not afraid of you\" and I know I've heard it, but I just can't remember where. Would someone please help me?"}, {"response": 1236, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 2003 (13:32)", "body": "(Annette) I'm trying to sum up the favourite lines and add, which movie they come from. But - MariaT postet this one \"I am not afraid of you\" and I know I've heard it, but I just can't remember where. Would someone please help me? Annette, it is from P&P. At Rosings when Lizzy is sitting with Col. Fitzwilliam at the pianoforte. She is teasing Mr. Darcy... \"Indeed, Mr. Darcy, it is very ungenerous....and very impolitic too -- for it provokes me to retaliate, and say such things as will shock your relations to hear.\" \"I am not afraid of you.\""}, {"response": 1237, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 2003 (13:37)", "body": "That's it! Thank you. Off course I know it. I haven't had my P&P dvd available for about 2 months, so I'm missing out on my weekly quota :-) I'll get back to organizing the quotes (my DH is out, so I try to make the most of my \"free\" time in front of the computer ;-))"}, {"response": 1238, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 2003 (14:03)", "body": "I have now summed the quotes. About the vote; there\ufffds been all these b***** hints and stuff, but has there actually ever been any known fiddling with the votes? (big winkie and hint at the lates poll for film-discussion;-)) I suggest, that we all get to pick 10 quotes. The 10, that get\ufffds the most votes, wins. If any qoutes gets the same number of votes, they will be placed alongside eachother, eliminating the next numbers in line (am I making myself clear, or have I really messed up this time?) The maine reason for this pole is an excuse to get Rika to post some captures, but please do not let this influence your voting (as if anything I say could influence you in any way;-)). Another reason is to distract some of us, who won\ufffdt be able to see WAGW next week (or the next year for that matter). Sorry about the fretting, here are the quotes: 1. AC I'm the school joke. I quite realize that. But I am, don't you think, a respected joke? 2. BJD Enough, enough 3. BJD grunt in the doorway 4. BJD I forgot to kiss you goodbye, do you mind? 5. BJD I like you just as you are 6. BJD I\ufffdve been laboring under a misapprehension.. 7. BJD Not as such! 8. BJD So it would seem 9. BJD What I'm trying to say, very inarticulately, is that I like you, very much, just as you are 10. FP A, I hate her, B, she hates me, and C, what's the point of it all... 11. FP Alright, no more football. 12. FP Bet you anything, you like! 13. FP Do I look like the sort of man who'd have a Bread album? 14. FP Do I look like the sort of man who'd have a Bread album? 15. FP Eighteen years, eighteen...f---ing years 16. FP He is the full axminster! 17. FP I have to vary the answers 18. FP I have to vary the answers. 19. FP I knew it, I knew it! You shagged the football hooligan! 20. FP I know, I know! 21. FP I\ufffdd pay extra! 22. FP it was just a one off. 23. FP It's not the smoking, Steve, it's the crapness. 24. FP Mortgage, Wife, Kid, Cool! 25. FP Paul, are you a complete fool? 26. FP Paul, you need medical attention. You've got some kind of dicease that turns people into miserable bastards. 27. FP that shows what you know about it 28. FP that'll do me, wife and kid 29. FP Words fail me! 30. FP Would you PLEASE, please, please, please just f**king, F**K OFF! You have arrived at the worst sixty seconds of my life and I REALLY don't want to see you 31. Nostromo Yes, here 32. P&P I am not afraid of you 33. P&P I shall conquer this, I shall! 34. P&P In vain I have struggled 35. P&P Nono, the green one 36. P&P On foot? 37. P&P Wot? 38. P&P Wot? 39. P&P You have employed your time much better. No one admitted to the privilege of hearing you, can think anything wanting. We neither of us perform to strangers 40. P&P You have said quite enough, Madam... 41. RV Be still, my beating heart! 42. RV I've gone quite weak in the knees 43. RV Moxie's \"I mean really..\" 44. SIL It was your eyes. No, your lips 45. SLOW Say my name? 46. TA A pig? They want me to defend a pig? 47. TA good god,that dog smiled at me 48. TEP Uxuriousness. That's my favorite kind of love. Excessive love of one's wife 49. TIOBE I know nothing! 50. Yes"}, {"response": 1239, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 2003 (14:46)", "body": "Ooops, I seem to have listet WOT twice. I know, it's good, but nevertheless it should only have one entering. The same goes for the Bread-album guy and vary the answers. Sorry!"}, {"response": 1240, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 2003 (15:23)", "body": "(Annette) Ooops, I seem to have listet WOT twice. I know, it's good, but nevertheless it should only have one entering No, no....you can never have too much of a good thing. ;-)"}, {"response": 1241, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 2003 (16:03)", "body": "Just for you Annette...... 1) #50 - Yes 2) #34 - In vain I have struggled 3) #4 - I forgot to kiss you... 4) #45 - Say my name 5) #30 - Would you PEASE, please....... 6) #13 - Do I look like the sort of a man.... 7) #39 - You have employed your time much better.... 8) #9 - What I'm trying to say..... 9) #32 - I am not afraid of you 10)#37 - WOT?.......in just about everything This was a very hard one to call!"}, {"response": 1242, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 2003 (18:17)", "body": "These were a very hard ten to call 3, 13, 15, 17, 21, 22, 24, 31,45,46 thanks Annette...just thinking about these makes me want to go and watch each and every one, again."}, {"response": 1243, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 2003 (20:09)", "body": "Oh, I love a poll. It's almost impossible to narrow it down to 10, but for you, Annette, I'll do it. 4, 8, 9, 10, 17, 21, 33, 36, 37, 45 Let's hope this inspires Rika to illustrate our top ten list. Thanks for a great idea, Annette."}, {"response": 1244, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 2003 (20:16)", "body": "Got a bit busy today, but I have been thinking about this: 1, 4, 7, 15, 17, 23, 30, 32, 34, 36..."}, {"response": 1245, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 2003 (20:56)", "body": "ARRGGG! I hate this...got to whittle 3 away... OK, now one more... Got it...(Woohoo, got to put the grunt back when I realized 9 also covers 5...) 3, 4, 9, 31, 32, 35, 36, 38, 39, 45 Thanks Annette, this was fun!"}, {"response": 1246, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 2003 (22:42)", "body": "Tough choice, considering I haven't seen all the lines mentioned, but (3 4 7 9 15 21 33 36 39 49) get my vote."}, {"response": 1247, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Mar 26, 2003 (00:46)", "body": "Don't care for this weeding out process... 9, 10, 12, 17, 21, 23, 27, 33, 43, 47 If you asked me tomorrow, I'd probably answer differently..."}, {"response": 1248, "author": "Leah", "date": "Wed, Mar 26, 2003 (00:55)", "body": "We anyway have to vary the answers."}, {"response": 1249, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Mar 26, 2003 (07:18)", "body": "(KJArt) If you asked me tomorrow, I'd probably answer differently... You are so right...and I feel disloyal eliminating ANY of them but for right now, today... 3,4,8,22,27,30,32,34,36,45"}, {"response": 1250, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Mar 26, 2003 (07:18)", "body": "closing"}, {"response": 1251, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Mar 26, 2003 (12:21)", "body": "...a pig, they want me to defend a pig? Here is a *good* list too... If this doesn't work as a link, please just cut and paste since I'm very busy and important.....(so why do I have time to find this?......my lunch break) http://www.drury.edu/multinl/story.cfm?ID=5947&NLID=229"}, {"response": 1252, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Mar 26, 2003 (13:18)", "body": "Good job Annette. Here are my choices: 4, 8, 15, 25, 33, 37, 42, 47, 49, 50. Thank you."}, {"response": 1253, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Mar 26, 2003 (16:18)", "body": "Here are mine: 3,5,7,8,9,15,33,36,37,45 (Hen) Let's hope this inspires Rika to illustrate our top ten list. Thanks for a great idea, Annette. Only if y'all are very patient. I'm buried at the moment and am likely to have to spend the next couple of weeks playing catch-up (but for a fun reason - the World Figure Skating Championships are in town, and I bought an All-Events Ticket. When I'm not at school, I'm at the competition). We'll have to see, anyway - sometimes there's not that distinctive of a facial expression to go with a line of dialogue."}, {"response": 1254, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Mar 29, 2003 (04:36)", "body": "Come forward, ladies, there is still time to place your votes! Another matter: Apparently the commentary track with Oliver Parker is not on the danish TIOBE dvd. Would you please tell me, if this is reason enough to wait another 5 months for the dvd (in your oppinion, off course)?"}, {"response": 1255, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 29, 2003 (11:20)", "body": "Someone sent me this older article and I thought it was cute. It was originally published for Valentines's Day in the San Diego Union-Tribune by Karla Peterson (you'll recall her interview during the TIOBE promotion; it's in the archives and she wrote me about it). Lights, camera, attraction; It\ufffds a celebrity crush In honor of Valentine\ufffds Day, this one goes out to the ones we love. The ones we crave. The ones who have no idea that we exist. And how could they? They are somebodies and we are nobodies, and between us lies the lonesome one-way street of the celebrity crush. Of all the pranks Cupid inflicts on helpless humans, falling hard for a star is the most humiliating. One minute, you are a reasonable person, minding your own boring business. The next, you are a beady-eyed lunatic devoting time, money and precious Internet resources to someone who will never acknowledge your presence, much less return your insane affections. If you have ever haunted eBay for rare Erik Estrada photos, or celebrated David Duchovny\ufffds birthday as if it were your own, then you are familiar with the hypnotic power of the celebrity crush. And you will not be surprised to hear that mine started with a fever. This time last year, my husband was out of town and I had the flu. Out of sympathy for an ailing working mother, a friend dropped off her VHS copy of the 1995 \ufffdPride and Prejudice\ufffd miniseries. She figured that whatever TheraFlu and chicken soup couldn\ufffdt cure, a six part BBC costume drama probably could. She was right. And so very wrong. For hour after hour, tape after rewound tape, the love affair between the imperious Mr. Darcy and the delicious Elizabeth Bennett bloomed before my glassy eyes like a tidy oasis. It was sumptuous, smart and sexy, and I watched the whole six-hour saga from beginning to end. Three times. And when the flu bug finally flew the coop, I emerged from my sic bed with an obliterating crush on Colin Firth, the dreamy British actor who played the brooding Mr. Darcy. In less than a week, I went from being vaguely aware of him (He was the guy in \ufffdBridget Jones\ufffds Diary\ufffd who was not Hugh Grant, right?) to being wildly obsessed with his life and his career. Driven by a bewildering hormonal rush not felt since ninth grade, I had to feed the craving on an alarmingly regular basis. Fortunately, there were a million ways to keep the pathology alive. Thanks to the Internet Movie Database, I was able to view Firth\ufffds long and wildly varied filmography. Thanks to Amazon.com, I could buy whatever I couldn\ufffdt rent from my Anglophile friends at Kensington Video. An with the help of the TVNow Web site, I always knew which obscure Firth film was playing on HBO Signature at any given time. Then I found the fan sites. Firthfrenzy.com. Friends of Firth. \ufffdPride and Prejudice\ufffd Paradise. The Colin-y Sites dedicated to his stage work. Sites that archived pretty much every article ever written about him. Sites like the pop-culture obsessed FameTracker.com, where savvy Web-page editors like Tara Ariano keep an eye on lunatics like me. \ufffdCelebrity crushes are very common. I\ufffdm not surprised by anyone any more,\ufffd Ariano said reassuringly form her Toronto office. \ufffdIf someone is in the public eye enough to be a celebrity, they generally have enough charisma that someone is going to be attracted to him or her. And there are so many entertainment products now, that celebrity crushes can be fed very easily.\ufffd Can they ever. On the FameTracker forums, like-minded fans passionately discuss Billy Corgan\ufffds shaved head, Sarah Michelle Gellar\ufffds weight and Kylie Minogue\ufffds underpants. On the Colin Firth forum, my insane sisters sigh over Pride and Prejudice,\ufffd give multiple thumbs\ufffd up to video-store treasures like 1988\ufffds quirky \ufffdApartment Zero,\ufffd and express collective anxiety over the upcoming teen-comedy \ufffdWhat a Girl Wants.\ufffd Whose resemblance to \ufffdThe Princess Diaries\ufffd makes us all kind of twitchy. \ufffdWhen my roommate and I saw the trailer, we just sat there, stunned,\ufffd one poster writes. \ufffdAnd I think at the same time we just said, \ufffdOhhh\ufffd.Colin\ufffd\ufffd What we don\ufffdt discuss is why we devote so much time and psychic energy to someone we don\ufffdt know and have no real hope of meeting. Isn\ufffdt life too short for follies like this? \ufffdWhy do anything?\ufffd Ariano says. \ufffdWhy collect stamps? If it\ufffds fun to put pictures of pretty boys up in your cubicle, why not? I think most celebrity crushes are harmless. It\ufffds something fun to occupy your time. It\ufffds like a little hobby, coming up with harmless, generally PG-rated fantasies of what would happen if you met your live object.\ufffd A few months after Firth became my love object, I actually met him. We sat next to each other on a couch in the lobby of the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, where I interviewed him about his role in \ufffdThe Importance Of Being Earnest.\ufffd He was handsome, smart and quotable. He had also been ground to a nub by the movie-promotion machine. So while I was one life regression away from writing \ufffdMrs. Colin Firt"}, {"response": 1256, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 29, 2003 (11:52)", "body": "Cute article. It's just a job; just like hers."}, {"response": 1257, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Mar 29, 2003 (11:54)", "body": "Amen! But I really try to avoid reality checks;-) Great article, Karen. Thank you."}, {"response": 1258, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Mar 29, 2003 (12:26)", "body": "(article) So while I was one life regression away from writing \ufffdMrs. Colin Firth\ufffd in the margins of my geometry homework, he just wanted to wrap up his media duties and go home. I could not have made less of an impression on him if I had stayed in the parking garage. LOL! If I ever do meet ODB, this is how I see it unfolding! Thanks Karen....very funny! And Linda, I've been boucning those reality checks for years! ;-)"}, {"response": 1259, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Mar 29, 2003 (13:31)", "body": "(article)Driven by a bewildering hormonal rush not felt since ninth grade, I had to feed the craving on an alarmingly regular basis. Story of my life! But - as you, Linda and Tress, no reality checks for me;-) Thank you for the article, Karen."}, {"response": 1260, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Mar 30, 2003 (09:44)", "body": "Fortunately, there were a million ways to keep the pathology alive. Ain't it the truth!"}, {"response": 1261, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Mar 30, 2003 (11:22)", "body": "\ufffdHe really is something special,\ufffd Amen sisters. Thanks for the really cute article Karen."}, {"response": 1262, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, Mar 30, 2003 (18:24)", "body": "My Top Ten: 3,4,17,27,30,31,32,34,36,39 Ask me tomorrow, and I'd probably think of others, though!"}, {"response": 1263, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (13:40)", "body": "It isn't easier to choose 10 if you wait! If I could only remember the right phrase, I would quote Edward, jumping into the lake. But - alas and alack - I cannot. I can't keep putting it up. I shall conquer this, I shall, so here are my choices: 8, 10, 12, 17, 29, 34, 37, 41, 44, 45 If only I could pick 10 from each movie, that would do me! If it is allright by you, we will keep open for new to vote until Rika get's over her \"skating-thing\" and return to more sensible matters ;-)"}, {"response": 1264, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (20:11)", "body": "Exact time might be an iffy thing, but I've got it at right at 2 hr 49 mins before *Karen gets rid of that obscene picture on the front page!*"}, {"response": 1265, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (20:12)", "body": "(I trust she is ready...our ability to hold out might be tested!)"}, {"response": 1266, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (01:12)", "body": "Sadly, it's past midnight (here, anyway) and it's still there. The impostor was on Letterman tonight too. Ack."}, {"response": 1267, "author": "Leah", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (02:21)", "body": "I'm starting to wonder whether the picture was (is) a joke. It is midmorning here - We'll have to burn some candles or something."}, {"response": 1268, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (02:59)", "body": "Karen, I'll do almost anything to get \"the real CF\" back. I'll try posting a wee flower as persuation;-)"}, {"response": 1269, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (07:31)", "body": "Aarg! The anti-colin is still there! In the anti-wet shirt."}, {"response": 1270, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (07:33)", "body": "Karen, Isn't it the morning of the 2nd in the US? Please, please, please remove the imposter CF and replace him with ODB asap!!!"}, {"response": 1271, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (07:43)", "body": "Yes, it's morning here, Janet. I don't know what happened to the boss. PLease, Please, Please will someone get that @#$%$#@ imposter off the front page. Thank you."}, {"response": 1272, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (07:48)", "body": "Help, fast! Someone in the mid-west call 911!! Karen is certainly *lying on floor being eaten by large dogs*! There can be no other explaination."}, {"response": 1273, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (09:13)", "body": "Thank you so much, Karen - my favorite teacher. About the driving and drooling - well it's hard not to, when you've got the soundtrack from FP in your car;-)"}, {"response": 1274, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (09:20)", "body": "Thank you Karen! Those dimples are deadly! Hope the 'other' CF found a better home!"}, {"response": 1275, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (09:38)", "body": "Ooooh yes!! The *football hooligan*! Thank you, thank you!"}, {"response": 1276, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (12:27)", "body": "Oh I just love Paul. Thank you, Karen. Thrilled to see that the other CF has been booted off. I drool and drive all the time... Yes, Annette, especially with the FP soundtrack."}, {"response": 1277, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (15:02)", "body": "Thank you so much, Karen. Mr. Ashworth is looking v. delectable and puts that Irish imposter to shame. The dimples...oh, my! Your little April Fool's experiment certainly woke everybody up. Karen, you are the best!"}, {"response": 1278, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (15:23)", "body": "It was only April Fools Day. Can we not appreciate a little humor without the hysteria? You'll know I'm seriously disgusted with the first Colin when my Pepperoni Pizza Boy's pic goes back up. ;-)"}, {"response": 1279, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (15:41)", "body": "Thanks for the great pic of Paul Karen."}, {"response": 1280, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (15:45)", "body": "(Karen)Can we not appreciate a little humor without the hysteria? Indeed we can. I think our responses are part of the game ;-)"}, {"response": 1281, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (16:52)", "body": "( Karen)Can we not appreciate a little humor without the hysteria? Indeed we can. I think our responses are part of the game ;-) LOL, my thoughts exactly! It was fun sharing in the hysteria this morning and gasping at the lovely driver. Thanks for the tease Karen."}, {"response": 1282, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (18:10)", "body": "I think I'll post my favorite lines before I change them again: 4, 9, 13, 15, 17, 21, 23, 34, 37, 45 Thanks, Karen, for adorable smiling Paul Ashworth! It made my day."}, {"response": 1283, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (09:33)", "body": "(Karen)Can we not appreciate a little humor without the hysteria? Indeed we can. I think our responses are part of the game ;-) Exactly - well said."}, {"response": 1284, "author": "Snooze", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (03:44)", "body": "I don't know if this means I need to get a life, but, the other day I discovered I had a Hidden Talent . . . I was sitting in the bus, thinking (as one does) of ODB and going to see WAGW when some little thought made me smile. And as I smiled, I had a clear mental image of the same smile on his face. I thought this was pretty good, so I experimented (furtively) with other facial expressions. It worked! I could imagine all sorts of smiles and frowns and looks! I wondered if this meant I had seen too much of him on screen, but then I thought, \"Naaa - too much is never enough!\" It certainly made the bus trip fly! Am I weird/obsessed/a sad case?"}, {"response": 1285, "author": "odessa", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (03:59)", "body": "Am I weird/obsessed/a sad case? no, I think you`re a typical ODB fan ;)"}, {"response": 1286, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (06:52)", "body": "(Sue)Am I weird/obsessed/a sad case? I agree with odessa; you're just like the rest of us. What I tend to do most, is find myself walking, long strides etc. you know, just like ... When I become aware of what I'm doing, I go back to a more \"ladylike-kind-of\" walking. (this coming from someone rather short, not exactly slim, not twenty anymore. So you see, much better smile ;-))"}, {"response": 1287, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (09:14)", "body": "(Sue)Am I weird/obsessed/a sad case? (Annette)I agree with odessa; you're just like the rest of us. How about pursing your lips together, like in the doorway scene of BJD? Been there, done that;-)"}, {"response": 1288, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (11:20)", "body": "Karen's AFG photo of Paul A. popping up every time I stopped by here drove me crazy (and made me smile) so I *had* to watch FP again last night. I'm a newbie so this must have been said before, but our obsession for CF seems so like Paul's for Arsenal! Reading the posts on Spoilers and Colin Firth topics shows we too love and hate (if not him then some choices he makes) at the same time! If CF is in s**t then life is s**t;-) Like Paul, I'm sure most of us will be there for the victory........when it comes."}, {"response": 1289, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (11:38)", "body": "(Beedee) Like Paul, I'm sure most of us will be there for the victory........when it comes. LOL....let's hope it's not 'eighteen years....eighteen f**king years!' Good analogy!"}, {"response": 1290, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (11:24)", "body": "Great analogies ladies. Let's hope not eighteen f**king years!"}, {"response": 1291, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (09:45)", "body": "(Beedee) our obsession for CF seems so like Paul's for Arsenal! I never thought about it that way, but you are so right! Would Paul endure Miramax marketing, L'ium, potted palms, a teen comedy for his beloved Arsenal? Absolutely! What a weekend! Not only did I see WAGW, but AZ came in from Netflix, and with our new X-box I was actually able to watch it (old DVD player refused to play AZ; very distressing)! Talk about night and day films..."}, {"response": 1292, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (10:13)", "body": "(Beedee) our obsession for CF seems so like Paul's for Arsenal! (Moonstar)I never thought about it that way, but you are so right! Would Paul endure Miramax marketing, L'ium, potted palms, a teen comedy for his beloved Arsenal? Absolutely! It's funny, I have tried to explain the fascination to my DH in this manner but as he is not a sports fan, it did'nt take. Have decided I will work the \"It is like a phenomenal wine, and not everyone \"gets\" it or tries it but to those that do it is breathtaking\" angle as wine is a language he understands. Wish me luck...;-)"}, {"response": 1293, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (10:44)", "body": "(Beedee) our obsession for CF seems so like Paul's for Arsenal! (Moonstar)I never thought about it that way, but you are so right! Would Paul endure Miramax marketing, L'ium, potted palms, a teen comedy for his beloved Arsenal? Absolutely! LOL, very nice analogy (is that a word?). (MariaT)Wish me luck...;-) Good luck, Maria! My dh *is* a sportsfan, but I won't even try to explaine \"the state I'm in\". He wouldn't get it anyway. I'll stick to my \"movies-in-general freak\". That is something, he can relate to."}, {"response": 1294, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (12:35)", "body": "Sorry to post twice, but just came across this old journal from September 2002. She writes quite funny, and have some bits, that I particularly like: Hugh Grant as Daniel Cleaver is fine too, but I can't really see him as some sex god. Oh, by the way, did anyone notice the Pemberley pun there? It's in the scene where Bridget first turns up in the Kafka's Motorbike book launch party. Look at the wall in the scene and you can see the Pemberley sign hanging there, all nice and green. Here is the link: http://blueskies.sunflower-secrets.net/archives/00000034.html"}, {"response": 1295, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (16:35)", "body": "Thanks, Annette! A little scary that she thought CF was in his 40's when he made P&P.... He was, what, 34 then? But she's probably young, and young people often can't tell 30-somethings and 40-somethings apart. One of my students guessed that I was about 18 years younger than I am - and while I may or may not look my age, I DEFINITELY don't look as young as she thought."}, {"response": 1296, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (08:02)", "body": "Todays result of googling http://www.hellomagazine.com/vote/mostattractiveman/?mensaje = To vote or not to vote, that is the question! Especially with the article from Fameaudit in mind ;-) Okay, I'm off to vote!"}, {"response": 1297, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (08:04)", "body": "Another reason to vote; Colin Farrell is one of the other options. How would you feel, if he beat our CF?"}, {"response": 1298, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (08:57)", "body": "(Annette)Colin Farrell is one of the other options. How would you feel, if he beat our CF? Sure Annette, this's why I'm gonna vote;-) Off I go....."}, {"response": 1299, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (09:16)", "body": "Last entry (for now): The largest collections of photos, I've seen (I haven't checked, if there are any new ones) http://www.alltheweb.com/search?t=all&q=colin+firth&c=img&cs=utf-8"}, {"response": 1300, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (11:25)", "body": "Omigod! That is incredible. It even has the Colin-behind-the-maple-leaf graphic from my Hope Springs page and the collage of Livia's footwear that was posted here. v. strange search engine, as there's nothing from Dolores' or Lisbeth's site. Seems to have focused mainly on mine, Meluchie's, Carrie's and some of Murph's. v. peculiar. And it picks up every image from whichever page it has honed in on. :-("}, {"response": 1301, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (11:45)", "body": "(Karen) It even has the Colin-behind-the-maple-leaf graphic from my Hope Springs page and the collage of Livia's footwear that was posted here. Lots of pictures from your site....and oddly, some random family photos (?), a picture of the Dave Matthews Band and a bra... And I voted Annette. ODB appears to have the lead so far! Really like the picture....(thanks for that!)."}, {"response": 1302, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (11:59)", "body": "(Annette) To vote or not to vote, that is the question! Boy that's interesting pics of ODB. Looks almost 3 sheets to the wind. And it seems marriage to whichever Spice has not been good to David Beckham....he's morphed into David Arquette, LOL."}, {"response": 1303, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (11:59)", "body": "Wow Annette, you are on a roll!! This had to be posted!! LOL!!! The hair is too funny! Priceless..."}, {"response": 1304, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (12:00)", "body": "Oops, ow well, page 10, bottom row, second from left..."}, {"response": 1305, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (12:06)", "body": "Thanks for the pictures Annette. My God. Amazing."}, {"response": 1306, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (12:11)", "body": "LOL, Maria. I guess it's from AC? If it were AMITC you know, why I postet the part of the makeup- and hairartist;-) (The hair looks almost as bad as the wig in Valmont - I hate that long, thin ponytail, and even worse when it is wet - yeikes;-))"}, {"response": 1307, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (12:16)", "body": "Thanks, Annette! It is hard to imagine how some of them got on this list (like Dabney Coleman in a towel)."}, {"response": 1308, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (12:24)", "body": "(Rika) Or the naked man pic...Or how about the very phallic tower pic entitled (I think)Mark and Bridget...There is also a poster for foot fetish (that should go over on 175 with the new HS pic!)..."}, {"response": 1309, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (12:25)", "body": "closing"}, {"response": 1310, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (12:40)", "body": "There's a pic on page 23 that I'm very fond of....ODB at the TEP premiere. Photo looks like it was taken from below. Yum....Thanks again Annette!"}, {"response": 1311, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (12:47)", "body": "Yikes, Annette. What a find. I thought it was very strange when I clicked on the pictures and started seeing Karen's name come up."}, {"response": 1312, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (14:51)", "body": "(Annette)To vote or not to vote..... Aright! Who besides me has voted early and often? At this rate he'll have over 800 votes today leaving the anti-cf in the dust!! Har har But get a load of the previous winners.... This may not be the best company for him to be in for more than just the \"craft\" reason."}, {"response": 1313, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (15:54)", "body": "(Beedee)But get a load of the previous winners.... This may not be the best company for him to be in for more than just the \"craft\" reason I had the same thought, when I saw them. Nevermind, I really don't want the other guy to get better score. btw, did you notice Craig David? If I remember correctly, he was on the soundtrack from BJD (Women trouble - my youngest favourite music right now)."}, {"response": 1314, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (02:04)", "body": "Annette, you're awesome. What a find!"}, {"response": 1315, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (06:10)", "body": "Today it is an old article, that I haven't seen before (promoting BJD): (quote article)..but anybody who didn't find the right relationship until they're 35 there's bound to have been a few ups and downs,\" he says. http://archive.nandotimes.com/noframes/story/0,2107,500472223-500723644-504061107-0,00.html"}, {"response": 1316, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (08:02)", "body": "Annette, do you *ever* sleep??? This is quite a find! Thanks a bunch..."}, {"response": 1317, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (09:27)", "body": "(MeredithA)Annette, do you *ever* sleep??? Oh yes, but not as much as \"the doctor might order\";-) If only every day consisted of 30 hours or so, I might get to do all the things, I would like to do. My entrys might also seem \"worse\", timewise that is, because I'm 8 hours ahead of the time of this board."}, {"response": 1318, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (10:05)", "body": "Thanks Annette for reprinting the article.It was posted 2 yrs ago, but a lot of folks weren't here then. (CF)\"I was being rather arch and camp when I said being with an actress is a nightmare. The response was, 'Oh, you'll live to regret that...\" ROTF. He must have read Drool. Those were my words. (CF) \"I don't think anything quite matches the birth of a child, perhaps, especially the first child.\" He might live to regret this one too. I tell ya' he talks too much.\"Keep the answers simple, Colin\""}, {"response": 1319, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (10:28)", "body": "(Evelyn) He might live to regret this one too. I tell ya' he talks too much.\"Keep the answers simple, Colin\" LOL! I remember he once said that he might give the same question a different answer in the following day. Maybe he did have another answer for this one. :)"}, {"response": 1320, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (10:48)", "body": "(CF) \"I don't think anything quite matches the birth of a child, perhaps, especially the first child.\" (Evelyn) He might live to regret this one too. I tell ya' he talks too much.\"Keep the answers simple, Colin\" This really stuck me, too. Ouch! \"I was being rather arch and camp when I said being with an actress is a nightmare......But only in the sense for the most obvious reasons is that you rub egos in the wrong way sometimes. Not with Meg, actually, I wouldn't say that. Sometimes it's a great help to have some complementary qualities rather than have the same.\" Double ouch! He really was talkin' too much. ;-)"}, {"response": 1321, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (10:49)", "body": "Hmmmm Not sure how this happened. Was very careful."}, {"response": 1322, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (11:12)", "body": "Definitely closing the tag. Anyway, thanks for reposting the article, Annette. Don't know why I never put it in the Archive. Such an omission. Will do so later."}, {"response": 1323, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (11:53)", "body": "Taking this to the right place: Re Joe Prince, (Evelyn)\"You could be sure he'd be there in the morning\". (Winter's words). And that's not all! Best male \"face\" shag scene I have ever seen! \"Did the earth move?\""}, {"response": 1324, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (12:24)", "body": "(FF)\"Did the earth move?\" (JP) \"A little\" *sigh* ***I love Joe Prince*** Watched a bit more of LE yesterday(not my first time) and Richard is v. dreamy."}, {"response": 1325, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (13:31)", "body": "(beedee) Best male \"face\" shag scene I have ever seen! OMG, yes! Incredible."}, {"response": 1326, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (16:28)", "body": "(beedee) Best male \"face\" shag scene I have ever seen! (Rika)OMG, yes! Incredible. Okay, perhaps it's time to count the favourite lines-pole. I can feel an urge for a new pole: I'm thinking \"certain\" faces (hint hint beedee and Rika), I'm thinking investegating the subject, I'm thinking evidences........ (follow my drift?) btw, really like Joe Prince too. (Karen)Don't know why I never put it in the Archive I thought, you where bound to have seen it those years ago, but when I didn't see it in the archive, I postet the link. I'm glad it gets to the archive, so it is easy to find for later rereadings."}, {"response": 1327, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (16:34)", "body": "Thanks for the article Annette. And I agree sometimes less is more."}, {"response": 1328, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (17:37)", "body": "(Annette) (follow my drift?) Oh, yeah. Drifting with you! But haven't we talked about favorite looks recently? Not that there's anything wrong with doing it again! But looks can be hard to capture in stills, as I think I said before, because usually it's the progression of subtle changes that makes the look, not any one instant."}, {"response": 1329, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (18:08)", "body": "A friend of mine in New York told me a scandalous Colin Firth rumor today, should I keep it to myself, dismiss it as probabably fake, or discuss it with some of you in email?"}, {"response": 1330, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (18:59)", "body": "email me Terry"}, {"response": 1331, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (19:04)", "body": "(Rika)usually it's the progression of subtle changes that makes the look, not any one instant. Absolutely! And it's one of the things that makes ODB so fascinating to watch."}, {"response": 1332, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (19:18)", "body": "Email sent."}, {"response": 1333, "author": "joyce", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (21:30)", "body": "Okay. In a tribute to the leather pants, if you care to respond. Which of the CF characters from his other movies would you like to see dance in the leather pants from WAGW? Each would dance differently correct?"}, {"response": 1334, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (22:30)", "body": "The image that immediately flew into my mind was the Netherfield Ball with Fitzwilliam in the pants!"}, {"response": 1335, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (22:57)", "body": "Ohhhhh.....tough one! I too think Fitzwilliam would look mighty nice in Henry's leathers! But I have to vary the answers so I'll say....Paul Ashworth (but ask again after GWAPE comes out....I may want to see Vermeer shake his thang)!"}, {"response": 1336, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (07:54)", "body": "My vote is for Ross/Michael (Playmaker, as if I needed to explain to this group). First because of the \"bike\" scene or is it First because he doesn't have skinny thighs in this one!! I've checked this issue again and again;-)"}, {"response": 1337, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (09:09)", "body": "Yes, some matters definitely deserve intensive investigation. I know that many of us have checked certain other, um, issues in Playmaker again and again as well. Understand, when I mentioned Fitzwilliam, he wasn't necessarily the one I'd most like to see in them. It was just the first image that came into my sleep-deprived brain."}, {"response": 1338, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (09:22)", "body": "Oh God this is a tough one. Richard Herncastle, Paul, Darcy and definitely Ross/Michael \"on the rocks.\" LOL"}, {"response": 1339, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (10:24)", "body": "Yeah, Fitzwilliam came to my mind first as well (vector of the desease)but I too had to vary the answers! LOL FanPam! \"Ross/Michael on the Rocks.\""}, {"response": 1340, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (11:52)", "body": "Oooh, I'll bite and say...Matthew, Mark, and maybe even Colin Ware...since we know there will be no underwear under there. (FanPam)Ross/Michael on the Rocks Ladies please, as I just finished saying on the other topics...My heart cannot take anymore images, thoughts, favorite looks, lines, trailers...I'm overloading and I'm going to short out any minute."}, {"response": 1341, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (12:10)", "body": "Definitely Matthew! (Linda) maybe even Colin Ware...since we know there will be no underwear under there. LOL! Good thinking. Oh, but is there such a thing a chafing from leather? ;-)"}, {"response": 1342, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (12:13)", "body": "(Dorine) Oh, but is there such a thing a chafing from leather? ;-) Baby powder fixes that....not that I know from personal experience or anything...."}, {"response": 1343, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (12:24)", "body": "Oh right! Like Ross on Friends, ROTF. As long as lotion isn't used concurrently. Ewwww!"}, {"response": 1344, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (12:59)", "body": "Ok, shorting out..."}, {"response": 1345, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (13:21)", "body": "(Beedee)...or is it First because he doesn't have skinny thighs in this one!! Wait! You were looking at his thighs?! ;-) (Pam) (FanPam)Ross/Michael on the Rocks I'll take him stirred, not shaken! ;-) (Linda) Ok, shorting out... I'm right behind you...can now access the HS trailer at work. Not good. Am very busy and important and cannot be seen sitting in a puddle of drool...."}, {"response": 1346, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (13:46)", "body": "(Tress)Wait! You were looking at his thighs?! ;-) Eventually, yes. Did a fair amount of \"lab work\" on this one. Frame by frame observations. It did take a while to get to the thighs but I'll admit I do love those long legs with or without pants! Also those dimples above his butt."}, {"response": 1347, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (21:26)", "body": "(Beedee)Also those dimples above his butt. Am I viewing a parallel trailer or wot?...I guess I'm not v. focused. Please tell me what scene this is in...Yeah, right. Now I can short out some more."}, {"response": 1348, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (22:15)", "body": "(Beedee)Also those dimples above his butt. (Linda) Am I viewing a parallel trailer or wot?...I guess I'm not v. focused. Please tell me what scene this is in... This refers to Playmaker, not the trailer. You know which scene!"}, {"response": 1349, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (23:17)", "body": "Yup, I'm still catching up! It is the Playmaker and he does have dimples there too! Front and back, this guy is AFG."}, {"response": 1350, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (23:18)", "body": "And that's *not' AFGeezer!"}, {"response": 1351, "author": "neshacat", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (23:49)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1352, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Apr 12, 2003 (06:53)", "body": "(Rika)This refers to Playmaker, not the trailer. You know which scene! Ah, thanks for clearing that up, I really thought I had lost it there for a bit. PM, oh yes. Those dimples. Now I get it."}, {"response": 1353, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Apr 13, 2003 (22:30)", "body": "Can't seem to help myself but I seem to be playing one degree of separation with CG films! A few weeks ago I took out The Lion in Winter and John Castle from LE was in it and gave me a provate thrill. Last night I saw The Road to Perdition which had Cairin Hinds of Hostages (he got killed early and tonight the DH wanted to escape with a viewing of Braveheart and I got excited because I realized that the crazy Irishman played by David O'Hara of Donovan Quick (Clive) was in it. I'm hopeless!!"}, {"response": 1354, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Apr 13, 2003 (22:33)", "body": "Oh s**t! It's late, that's CF films as if you didn't know. That's what I get for posting this late and after some bubbly. CG films my a**."}, {"response": 1355, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Apr 14, 2003 (08:28)", "body": "(Beedee)I'm hopeless!! Once again I'll join you. Not just co-actors, even just music, that has been played in one of his movies is enough to make my heart pound. I'm planning to count the votes for favourite quotes tonight (that'll be afternoon to most of you). So - this is the last chance for those of you who have not votet yet. Would anyone volounteer to check my countings?"}, {"response": 1356, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (02:28)", "body": "Good Morning, Beedee and others. Todays treat (top left corner is v.g.) http://members.sniffout.com/nickwall/secret_laughter_of_women.htm"}, {"response": 1357, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (07:12)", "body": "Ooooo! Thanks Annette! Lovely way to start the morning. Off I go to staff meeting with a sm ile on my face! I'm gonna look like \"the cat that ate the canary.\" Showing my age again! When was the last time you heard that expression otherwise known as a \"s**t eating grin?\""}, {"response": 1358, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (07:25)", "body": "(Beedee)I'm hopeless!! (Annette)Once again I'll join you. Not just co-actors, even just music, that has been played in one of his movies is enough to make my heart pound. I know what you girls mean! Van Morrison is'nt just VM anymore, I have a Pavlovian ODB reaction when I hear his songs! Thanks for the googling Annette!"}, {"response": 1359, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (08:28)", "body": "(Beedee)When was the last time you heard that expression otherwise known as a ... Well, not exactly heard, but saw it last night watching cartoons with my son ;-) (I know just how you feel). About the music, I just got a cd from the library. I had to check out At Last with Etta James (as mentioned on the Bridget-topic). I've even listened to Ryan Adams, just because ODB mentioned him in an interview. Last burb: I've been counting the number of films using There she goes (the LA's). I think I'm up to 5 or 6 by now ;-)"}, {"response": 1360, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (09:19)", "body": "(Annette) Todays treat (top left corner is v.g.) Absolutely lovely! Thanks, Annette! (MariaT) I know what you girls mean! Van Morrison is'nt just VM anymore, I have a Pavlovian ODB reaction when I hear his songs! Yes! I'll hear VM while in the grocery store and suddenly my mind is miles away from frozen foods, and I realize I'm grinning like an idiot. (Annette) I've even listened to Ryan Adams, just because ODB mentioned him in an interview. I've purchased several CDs for their ODB connection (and I don't mean soundtracks). In fact, I've bought a couple because I knew he liked the artist, although I had absolutely no idea what they sounded like. Sad, isn't it?!"}, {"response": 1361, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (09:23)", "body": "Thank you Annette for the lovely wake up! Matthew is better than coffee (wow....seeing how much I need coffee, that's a pretty powerful statement)! And talking about music, I'll confess that I've listened to several things mentioned by ODB.....Ryan Adams, Coldplay, The Doves, Mark Mulcahy (that was impossible to find), Teenage Fanclub.....a few others. I'm pretty hopeless....I'm just giving in now....trying hard not to fight it! ;-)"}, {"response": 1362, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (09:27)", "body": "(Tress)I've listened to several things mentioned by ODB.....Ryan Adams, Coldplay, The Doves, Mark Mulcahy (that was impossible to find), Teenage Fanclub.....a few others. Any recommendations to try from his list of recommendations? :-)"}, {"response": 1363, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (09:33)", "body": "(Maria) Any recommendations to try from his list of recommendations? :-) All the things listed are really good....I listen to Coldplay all the time and Ryan Adams. The Doves are similar. Mark Mulcahy is truly tough to get (but v. good)! That came from Germany....no copies to be had here, not even for ready money. There is more stuff....Townes Van Zandt and Gram Parsons are more 'country' than I usually listen to (but are good, just not my favorites)."}, {"response": 1364, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (09:47)", "body": "Gram Parsons are more 'country' than I usually listen to (but are good, just not my favorites).chosen text I don't usually listen to country either but Love Emmy Lou Harris and she does some great Gram Parsons stuff (Wrecking Ball). He was a very wry writer. I do enjoy his Grievous Angel."}, {"response": 1365, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (09:56)", "body": "(Beedee) I do enjoy his Grievous Angel. I actually really do enjoy the songs \"Return of the Grievous Angel\" and \"Love Hurts\" off of that album....v. v. good. Oh....and Maria! Badly Drawn Boy is good! Best thing to do (before you commit to purchase) is to listen to the soundbites off of Amazon. The stuff I tend to like is more of the pop/rock type stuff (ODB also mentioned Me'Shell Ndegeocello and Common. They are rap/R&B Common does that Coke commericial that you see all the time....both have explicit lyrics, so if you are bothered by that, you may not want to bother)."}, {"response": 1366, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (10:54)", "body": "Solomon Burke is good!! I love some of his oldies like \"Cry to Me\" & \"Down in the Valley\", and his latest album \"Don't Give Up on Me\" is really fabulous. Aqualung. I suppose it's an indie band. It's good too, just not my cup of tea though. Oh, did he mention Coldplay before? Hmm, my copy of \"A Rush of Blood to the Head\" is still unopen. Maybe I should go and play it now..."}, {"response": 1367, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (11:15)", "body": "Aqualung. I suppose it's an indie band..... No, you young little cutie! It's an *oldie* band. I think I still have a *record* of theirs;-("}, {"response": 1368, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (11:34)", "body": "Oh, WOW, annette! You rock! That production still comes from one of my favorite moments in the film - when he stands behind her and runs his hands slooooowly up her arms and nuzzles her. And the still is even better than the movie because of the camera angle and the lighting. But I haven't contributed any captures in ages, so here are some that go along with the still: Interesting music discussion. I've considered looking into the bands ODB mentioned but have never gotten around to it, so I appreciate the recommendations!"}, {"response": 1369, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (11:35)", "body": "(Josie) Solomon Burke is good!! I love Solomon Burke! Forgot about him....and I agree about \"Don't Give Up on Me\"...v. v. good! (Beedee) No, you young little cutie! It's an *oldie* band. I think I still have a *record* of theirs;-( There is an indie band (actually I think it is just one guy) called Aqualung (from the UK)...they used one of his songs on a VW commercial. But Jethro Tull had an album called Aqualung a while back!"}, {"response": 1370, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (11:46)", "body": "(Tress) But Jethro Tull had an album called Aqualung a while back! That's the one I have! It's been a while. Thanks for the reality check. Now the \"long term memory\" is going. Pretty soon it will just be me and visions of *himself*......"}, {"response": 1371, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (11:54)", "body": "(Beedee) Pretty soon it will just be me and visions of *himself*...... LOL....not a bad thing...really! Quite perfect when you think about it! ;-) I think I'll join you...right now....because.... THANK YOU RIKA! OMG! The hand....and that neck nuzzle thing he does....it's too much."}, {"response": 1372, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (12:00)", "body": "(Tress)...and that neck nuzzle thing he does...it's too much. OMG! The vampire's coming!!"}, {"response": 1373, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (12:09)", "body": "A silly little story that kind of flows in the same vein of listening to his music preferences, etc... My DH is in the wine business. He came home the other night raving about this wine, an Italian Chardonnay (rare enough), called \"Livia\". As silly as it seems, I can only guess at the look on my face as he told me this, but what i said (I think) is \"Arhmmmmm\". Later, I brought it up again, \"An Italian Chardonnay huh? God, thats so interesting, what region is it from? What is it like? There are'nt many Italian Chardonnays out there are there? Is it a family vineyard?\" He seemed pleased by my interest. I kept at him, \"What other wines do they make? Are you going to get us some? What was the name again? I think he was beginning to doubt my sanity at this hysterical point (as if I have ever given him reason to doubt!:-) He turned to me and said \"Lidia\". Ppppfffftttt (Is'nt that the sound of a deflated balloon as it flies around the room?) Pa The Tic..."}, {"response": 1374, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (12:16)", "body": "He turned to me and said \"Lidia\". LOL again!!!"}, {"response": 1375, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (12:21)", "body": "(Rika) That production still comes from one of my favorite moments in the film - when he stands behind her and runs his hands slooooowly up her arms and nuzzles her. Amen, sister! And thanks, Rika, for the lovely captures from one of my very favorite ODB scenes ever! No wonder I love SLOW! (MariaT) Ppppfffftttt (Is'nt that the sound of a deflated balloon as it flies around the room?) Pa The Tic... ROTFL!"}, {"response": 1376, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (12:29)", "body": "(Beedee) No, you young little cutie! It's an *oldie* band. I think I still have a *record* of theirs;-( (Tress) But Jethro Tull had an album called Aqualung a while back! (Beedee) That's the one I have! It's been a while. OK, I'm a young little cutey fortune-cookie (You know how much I hate to be like one) - I totally, utterly have no idea who Jethro Tull is! ;-)"}, {"response": 1377, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (12:41)", "body": "(Josie) OK, I'm a young little cutey fortune-cookie (You know how much I hate to be like one) - I totally, utterly have no idea who Jethro Tull is! ;-) LOL...Okay Josie...I'll go you one better! My DH has Jethro Tull on vinyl...I still cannot name a single song done by him (or tell you what he sounds like). I'm sticking to Coldplay... (MariaT) Ppppfffftttt (Is'nt that the sound of a deflated balloon as it flies around the room?) Pa The Tic... (KathyF)ROTFL! I second what Kathy says! But I don't think it is 'Pa The Tic...' just 'fun knee'! ;-) And those pics of Matthew should blow that balloon right back up!"}, {"response": 1378, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (12:42)", "body": "(Tress)And those pics of Matthew should blow that balloon right back up! Too true! I always find I forget to breathe during this scene! Thanks Tress, and Rika and Annette!"}, {"response": 1379, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (12:46)", "body": "I'm a young little cutey fortune-cookie ....... LOL! You are too! I totally, utterly have no idea who Jethro Tull is! ;-) They were a band from the late 60's, way before most of you were born, I'm sure. They did have the ability to produce some pretty sophisticated music IMO, not that they always chose to. Aqualung (the song) was a big hit for them. Now it's coming back to me but see how far back in time I had to go for it!? Whew! I'm tired now....."}, {"response": 1380, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (13:00)", "body": "(Josie) I totally, utterly have no idea who Jethro Tull is! ;-) cough *cough* *GASP!* ;-) (Tress) I still cannot name a single song done by him (or tell you what he sounds like). Um.....them. ;-) If you hear a rock song with a flute, more than likely it's a Jethro Tull song. They were in the same vein of music from Yes, Pink Floyd, Genesis, and Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, etc."}, {"response": 1381, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (13:04)", "body": "Josie) I totally, utterly have no idea who Jethro Tull is! ;-) (Dorine)cough *cough* *GASP!* ;-) If you hear a rock song with a flute, more than likely it's a Jethro Tull song. They were in the same vein of music from Yes, Pink Floyd, Genesis, and Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, etc. Yikes, I think I have ALL of these in vinyl....And in WAGW I was disappointed they mention Little Feat, but never played them:-("}, {"response": 1382, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (13:07)", "body": "(Dorine) If you hear a rock song with a flute, more than likely it's a Jethro Tull song. Yes, and poor Ian Anderson (the floutist), so many people thought his name was Jethro Tull. I could name a lot of their songs. Oh, God, showing my age, here. I went to a Tull concert--my first rock concert, actually."}, {"response": 1383, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (13:11)", "body": "(Dorine) Um.....them. ;-) LOL...I kinda figured that out when Beedee said 'them'...was hoping no one else would notice I goofed. ;-) But HEY! We're the same age...you must have had more musically progressive parents/siblings! I won't tell you what mine made me listen to growing up. I'm playing catch-up now. (Maria) And in WAGW I was disappointed they mention Little Feat, but never played them:-( LOL...do you think Lord Dashwood's favorite song was \"Rocket in my Pocket\" or \"Don't Bogart that Joint\"???! ;-)"}, {"response": 1384, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (13:12)", "body": "(MariaT) Yikes, I think I have ALL of these in vinyl....And in WAGW I was disappointed they mention Little Feat, but never played them:-( Me, too.......and me, too! ;-)"}, {"response": 1385, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (13:17)", "body": "(Tress)LOL...do you think Lord Dashwood's favorite song was \"Rocket in my Pocket\" or \"Don't Bogart that Joint\"???! ;-) I selfishly would wish for the former...;-)))"}, {"response": 1386, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (13:23)", "body": "Let me remind everyone that this topic is Firthology, where people who wanted to talk about older films or films for which we had already had a formal discussion could bring them up again and ask questions or comment about them. Again, this is not a chatroom either. Spring has many topics if you'd care to venture out of Drool. Also, unlike other internet communities, this one is about actors, mainly Colin. If your other family members and friends want to post about what they think about the subject, fine. If you will go back into the older topics, you will notice that the participants on Drool spoke for themselves, not for others. It is not that information on family and friends isn't interesting, but you might want to keep it private, on email or elsewhere. Finally, the number of messages/storage is an issue here as well. Thank you."}, {"response": 1387, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (15:02)", "body": "Looking at the captures of SLOW with ODB's natural hair color...does anybody besides me wish they would quit dyeing his hair coal black? Some films are better than others.FP was a cheap dye job...looked reddish in some scenes. WAGW is better, but didn't go with the reddish/brown stubble at the end. I like his light brown best like in AMITC."}, {"response": 1388, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (15:12)", "body": "(Evelyn)Looking at the captures of SLOW with ODB's natural hair color...does anybody besides me wish they would quit dyeing his hair coal black? I agree. I have the movie poster from BJD and his hair and eyebrows are a lovely,light brown and I presume, his natural color. He was very lovely in SLOW. Just throwing that in for good measure."}, {"response": 1389, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Wed, Apr 16, 2003 (07:33)", "body": "(Evelyn) does anybody besides me wish they would quit dyeing his hair coal black? I was wondering about that when I was watching WAGW, too. I *think* his natural color is medium brown w/ red highlights, and I'm not sure why filmmakers feel the need to change it. Maybe the color doesn't come out well on film with the lights and such. Dunno, but I've noticed this as well."}, {"response": 1390, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 16, 2003 (08:26)", "body": "As Colin himself has said in interviews, dark-haired men smoulder, but fair-haired ones don't. Can't remember the exact quote. Also, hair darkens and can lose its highlights as one gets older. However, they definitely need to dye his eyebrows."}, {"response": 1391, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 16, 2003 (08:27)", "body": "And I wouldn't say it is coal black now or anywhere near it."}, {"response": 1392, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Wed, Apr 16, 2003 (11:02)", "body": "I think his hair if fabulour regardless of colour! And I didn't notice any thin spot even in the overhead shots. Do you suppose he's finally done something about it or is just a good hairdresser?"}, {"response": 1393, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 16, 2003 (14:32)", "body": "I prefer the darker look as long as it includes the eyebrows. The closer to FD the better."}, {"response": 1394, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Apr 16, 2003 (14:43)", "body": "(Evelyn) ...does anybody besides me wish they would quit dyeing his hair coal black? Hmmmmm...I like ODB in all his various 'forms' but I think I'm with Moon. I prefer the darker hair. It brings out his eyes more (IMO). I'm also a sucker for the sideburns...I like them longer (when Bridget says he needs to rethink the length of them...I'm confused. I want them 'just as they are' or longer...I think she was thinking the opposite)."}, {"response": 1395, "author": "odessa", "date": "Sat, Apr 19, 2003 (03:27)", "body": "Yesterday both TEP and Sunshine were shown on tv, so it was like Darcy and Lizzy reunion (well, in different movies, but I was able to match them;). ODB is all the time referred as Darcy, so maybe JE is called Lizzy the same way? I was watching her as Valerie and all I could think about was: Elizabeth! You`re with a wrong man!"}, {"response": 1396, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Apr 19, 2003 (15:59)", "body": "I watched Master of the Moor last night for the first time in quite a while. It was interesting to re-watch in the context of the upcoming 'Trauma.' Stephen Whalby is so different from most of his other characters (especially the more recent ones). He does a great job as his world and his sanity disintegrate. He's got very slumped, almost round-shouldered posture in this role, unlike his ramrod-straight carriage as the more dignified, repressed, wealthy men of his recent repertoire. \"The Walk\" is there but it's modified (and I had to laugh - twice, characters remarked about him, \"I'd know that walk anywhere.\" Yes. So would we.) Also, there's a brief appearance by Sylvia Syms (WAGW's Princess Charlotte) as Stephen's mother. I hadn't recalled that she was in it."}, {"response": 1397, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sat, Apr 19, 2003 (19:02)", "body": "I love Master of the Moor. When I saw it for the first time I realized what Colin was talking about when he said he would rather play dark, conflicted characters. I am amazed how he can inhabit a character so completely. I'm so glad we have Trauma to look forward to. It sounds like a role he can really sink his teeth into."}, {"response": 1398, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Apr 20, 2003 (16:35)", "body": "(Hen)I am amazed how he can inhabit a character so completely, I think that everytime I watch AZ. Of course I love him in MOTM as well."}, {"response": 1399, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Mon, Apr 21, 2003 (04:04)", "body": "(Annette) The largest collections of photos, I've seen (I haven't checked, if there are any new ones) Thank you so much for that link. It'll take me hours to view all the pictures thoroughly. (Evelyn).does anybody besides me wish they would quit dyeing his hair coal black? (moon) I prefer the darker look as long as it includes the eyebrows. The closer to FD the better. Moon,I agree with you. I have always preferred him with dark hair, probably because that's how I saw him first."}, {"response": 1400, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Apr 26, 2003 (04:38)", "body": "I so agree about the comments on MoTM. A masterpiece in my book! Just a suggestion. If you liked AMITC and you haven't read the book yet, you really should do so. It is v.v.g. I do not agree with one of the reviewers, who characterize it as better than the book ( nothing is better than to have ODB to look at ), but as I said, it is really good reading (and quick, very short). http://www.history-europe.com/A_Month_in_the_Country_New_York_Review_Books_Classics_0940322471.html"}, {"response": 1401, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Apr 26, 2003 (08:21)", "body": "(Annette) If you liked AMITC and you haven't read the book yet, you really should do so. It is v.v.g. I agree! Very good book. Was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. Also enjoyed \"Lost Empires\" if you like reading the books that the films are based on....written in the first person, I could almost hear ODB as I read it. There is also a companion book that is very interesting called \"When the World Was Young\"."}, {"response": 1402, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Apr 26, 2003 (11:36)", "body": "I did read lost empires and enjoyed it. Got it at a booksale at the local library. I haven't been able to track down \"When the World Was Young\". I usually try through the library first, not to spend good money on not so good material. There allways seem to be something ODB-relatet stuff, you would like to buy:-)"}, {"response": 1403, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 26, 2003 (12:33)", "body": "It has lots of pictures. Need I say more? ;-)"}, {"response": 1404, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Apr 26, 2003 (13:58)", "body": "(Karen)It has lots of pictures. Need I say more? ;-) Lost Empires or When the World Was Young? Thanks, Annette and Tress for the book info."}, {"response": 1405, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Apr 26, 2003 (17:31)", "body": "Well Linda, I have Lost Empires. Only a picture on the cover and a small one on the back (I think). So it must be When the World Was Young."}, {"response": 1406, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 26, 2003 (17:52)", "body": "Yes, it's a coffee table book, full of pics - from the movie and more. You can see them on the Roles Project page: http://colinfirthrolespage.tripod.com/lostempires.html At the time the page was constructed, the new video/DVD hadn't been released, so there were only snappies done from second-generation copies (optimistically) and scans from the book. You'll find more here: http://www.grin.net/~meluchie/lost_empires01.html"}, {"response": 1407, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Apr 26, 2003 (17:57)", "body": "Thank you, Karen for the links. Off to spend money again :-)"}, {"response": 1408, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (05:01)", "body": "Okay, finally the counting has finished. My mind seems to have been otherwise aggreably engaged the last days;-) Favourite quotes, according to the 13 firthettes, who bothered/wantet to wote: No 1: BJD I forgot to kiss you goodbye, do you mind? No 2: SLOW Say my name! No 3: BJD What I'm trying to say, very inarticulately, is that I like you, very much, just as you are! FP I have to vary the answers! P&P On foot? No 6: BJD grunt in the doorway FP Eighteen years, eighteen f***ing years! P&P In vain, I have struggled, P&P On foot No 10: BJD So it would seem! FP I'd pay extra! P&P I am not afraid of you! P&P I shall conquer this, I shall! I hope you have enjoyed this little distractment from real life. Perhaps it could inspire some discussions of his older movies (I know, that right now it is hard enough just to keep up with the postings on current news - so perhaps later?)."}, {"response": 1409, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (05:09)", "body": "I'd better confess, that I found the first errors (with double r!) The On foot listet as no 6 should have been WOT! Other than that, the double posting in the summary also caused, that I didn't count one of its votes. So, here we go again with the correct list: No 1: BJD I forgot to kiss you goodbye, do you mind? No 2: SLOW Say my name! No 3: BJD What I'm trying to say, very inarticulately, is that I like you, very much, just as you are! FP I have to vary the answers! P&P On foot? P&P Wot! No 7: BJD grunt in the doorway FP Eighteen years, eighteen f***ing years! P&P In vain, I have struggled, No 10: BJD So it would seem! FP I'd pay extra! P&P I am not afraid of you! P&P I shall conquer this, I shall! Sorry to have to doublepost. I'm not sure anybody would have noticed (except perhaps the great lover of WOT (Dorine);-)"}, {"response": 1410, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (05:54)", "body": "Okay, two reasons to go to this website: Colin is once again up against HG for the monthly vote. Who would want to see CF get beaten? Reason no 2: Ronan Keating is also listet. I don't mean for you to vote for him, but some asked who he were when he was mentioned to be on the soundtrack for Hope Springs. http://www.hellomagazine.com/vote/mostattractiveman/month/ once again I've prooved my own shallowness;-)"}, {"response": 1411, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (06:17)", "body": "Thank you, Annette, for having the votes counted. I missed the vote, but anyway, many of the lines are also my favourite. I've just made my vote in hellomagazine.com. I can see that the number of votes for CF is rising. You ladies are acting fast! ;-)"}, {"response": 1412, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (06:41)", "body": "I\ufffdve also done my duty and voted. Thank you Annette. bye Petra"}, {"response": 1413, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (08:57)", "body": "OMG! They won't let me vote twice (and he is doubly good-looking...something is terribly wrong their system! ;-D ). Thanks Annette! And thanks for the quote list! I was just watching P&P again (after quite a break from it...shockiing!). Only got to the Netherfeld ball before the DH claimed the telly from me (so only got to 'On foot?' on the list of quotes). You should hear the hubby do his Darcy impersonation....it's quite good!"}, {"response": 1414, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (09:13)", "body": "Tress, I think you can vote again tomorrow. Their site would probably be overwelmed if they let us vote more than once a day ;-)!"}, {"response": 1415, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (09:19)", "body": "(AdaVW)Tress, I think you can vote again tomorrow. Their site would probably be overwelmed if they let us vote more than once a day ;-)! I have to whisper, in case any Hello-controllers are lurking. It is quite easy to vote several times a day. Just try after signing out or restart the computer. I works for me (or so I think, I would off course never try to \"fumble\" in any way with any poles ;-)) So Ada, you are also from the very good year of 1964. Congratulations on tomorrow, in case I can't get online to greet you proberly."}, {"response": 1416, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (09:32)", "body": "(Annette) I have to whisper, in case any Hello-controllers are lurking. It is quite easy to vote several times a day... Annette!? Sweet, gentle, innocent Annette? Our Annette, our own personal gardener and floral welcoming committee? Ballot-box stuffing for ODB? I'm stunned! Shocked! Grieved! ROFL -- I'm also kidding and off to give it a try! (insert *really* big winkie!)"}, {"response": 1417, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (09:42)", "body": "(BarbS) Ballot-box stuffing for ODB? I'm off to 'stuff' at work! Different address! Can make co-workers vote as well.... (Annette) I have to whisper, in case any Hello-controllers are lurking. It is quite easy to vote several times a day... Shhhhh......LOL.....I'm sure the folks at Hello think their poll is completely legitimate! We must only talk about this here!! In whispers....but I will make sure ODB gets 'his share' of the vote!! ;-D"}, {"response": 1418, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (09:57)", "body": "Hello! is right up-to-date, too - that's a HS premiere pic. Somebody mentioned P&P. I watched just a snippet of it the other night. I was amazed that I was sitting there thinking how, on the attractiveness scale, Fitzwilliam couldn't hold a candle to Henry Dashwood (or Stubble Boy, for that matter). It seemed like sacrilege, but there it is."}, {"response": 1419, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (10:17)", "body": "(Rika) I was amazed that I was sitting there thinking how, on the attractiveness scale, Fitzwilliam couldn't hold a candle to Henry Dashwood (or Stubble Boy, for that matter). But....ahh...but...but....it's Fitz! It's...those pants! and....and.....! Okay, but I will say, I do think ODB is getting better and better looking. I love the new Hunk Daddy/Stubble Boy thing he has going right now! My tummy hasn't felt normal in days (it's all flip-floppy!)."}, {"response": 1420, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (10:18)", "body": "Bite your tongue, girl;-) FD: \"The Divine One\"."}, {"response": 1421, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (10:30)", "body": "Not to be wishy washy or anything, FD was one fine specimen (the boots Louisa! the boots! No wait! The thighs! The thighs! oh... nevermind...) but I'm thinkin' if he'd looked at Lizzy with one of HD's looks at Libby, the woman would have self-combusted. I'm rather bothered right this second by mentally combining the two. Is Sue Birtwistle listening and is there something new she could have him do?"}, {"response": 1422, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (11:02)", "body": "(Rika) I was amazed that I was sitting there thinking how, on the attractiveness scale, Fitzwilliam couldn't hold a candle to Henry Dashwood (or Stubble Boy, for that matter). I can't do it, I can't! I refuse to choose between them...Hmmm, the chicken exit led me to this... All of these incredible men are contained within and brought to life by ODB, so I can spend my time more agreeably engaged lusti/I mean loving ODB instead of feeling Catholically guilty, as though I snubbed a lover from the past..."}, {"response": 1423, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (11:08)", "body": "I have just done my duty and voted for ODB and even bookmarked the site so I'll remember to go back and vote again. (Tress) I do think ODB is getting better and better looking I couldn't agree more with you on this."}, {"response": 1424, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (11:10)", "body": "Twenty-nine websites , with world -wide fans from Russia to China for HD? I-don't-think-so. To be fair part of the mystique is that FD is one of the great lit roles of all time. Now and Forever. From #175 (sorry I'm away from my pc and don't know the # for O&E) (Moon) James Bond must be dark haired and he must do a british accent. Not RF, please! Clive Owen is not handsome enough. Jeremy Northam would be great. Glad to see Tom Cruise is not included. JN is my vote. Glad to see Russell Crowe & the other CF aren't included."}, {"response": 1425, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (11:31)", "body": "(Evelyn) To be fair part of the mystique is that FD is one of the great lit roles of all time. Now and Forever. Ahhh, you'd be taking the high road. In the hormonally super-charged atmosphere around here of late, I forgot ODB had scored a shut-out on any future FD wannabes with his definitive Darcy. With the complete picture in mind, I yield the point (in the absence of being able to yield anything more fun...)"}, {"response": 1426, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (12:00)", "body": "(Evelyn) Glad to see Russell Crowe & the other CF aren't included I wouldn't be surprised if the other CF is considered, though, as hot a commodity as he is right now :((((((( The only thing that works against him is his age. JN's my choice, too, but our CF would do nicely :) Oh, my: FD vs. HD. Don't make me choose (whine, whine, whine). Can I have FD with HD's sense of humor? (LOL at the thought of Darcy calling the Meryton Assembly \"ass-numbingly boring\") (Barb S) I'm rather bothered right this second by mentally combining the two I've been a mess all morning 'cause I've been combining Stubble Boy with FD & then HD, LOL! Brain...shutting down....too much...stimulation...."}, {"response": 1427, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (12:17)", "body": "Thank you Annette for compiling that list for us. Maybe next week when the stubble has worn off, I'll put up a survey of something I've been thinking of lately (moonstar)LOL! Brain...shutting down....too much...stimulation.... ...and the stimulation has been positively stimulating. My brain shut down hours ago. I'm operating on whatever brain cells caffine can produce."}, {"response": 1428, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (12:21)", "body": "(Moonstar)Can I have FD with HD's sense of humor? (LOL at the thought of Darcy calling the Meryton Assembly \"ass-numbingly boring\") LOL!! Or perhaps telling Aunt Catherine he does'nt give a flying fart in space what she thinks?"}, {"response": 1429, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (15:33)", "body": "(Moonstar)Can I have FD with HD's sense of humor? (LOL at the thought of Darcy calling the Meryton Assembly \"ass-numbingly boring\") I agree. FD with HD's sense of humor. Nothing better. LOL. Thank you Annette for compiling the quotes. Good job. Glad to see all of mine are on there. Thanks again."}, {"response": 1430, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (16:07)", "body": "(moonstar/MeredithA) LOL at the thought of Darcy calling the Meryton Assembly \"ass-numbingly boring\" (Maria) LOL!! Or perhaps telling Aunt Catherine he does'nt give a flying fart in space what she thinks? Okay....have been thinking about this...just has to come out...Fitzwilliam, with those sideburns AND stubble...in regency leather...(boots included of course), dancing in front of a mirror....and Miss Bingley walks in! I have no idea where that just came from! ;-)"}, {"response": 1431, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (18:02)", "body": "FD with HD's sense of humor Ah, but FD was besotted with Lizzie. Never gave up hope.*sigh* He wouldn't have waited 17 (f******!)years ;-) Sorry, that second proposal always leaves me weak-kneed. Sometimes after viewing one of his crappy films,(won't mention names!) I have to put on Episode 6 just to diffuse it."}, {"response": 1432, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (19:45)", "body": "(Tress) Okay....have been thinking about this...just has to come out...Fitzwilliam, with those sideburns AND stubble...in regency leather...(boots included of course) *THUD*.... make it barefoot FD with HD's sense of humor (Evelyn) Ah, but FD was besotted with Lizzie. Never gave up hope.*sigh* He wouldn't have waited 17 (f******!)years ;-) LOL!!"}, {"response": 1433, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (19:47)", "body": "(Evelyn) Sorry, that second proposal always leaves me weak-kneed. Definately! and that look he gives her right at the end, just before they cut away and show them walking from behind.... *sigh* Sometimes after viewing one of his crappy films,(won't mention names!) I have to put on Episode 6 just to diffuse it. LOL true, true ....Thank God for P&P!! :-) (Moonstar)Can I have FD with HD's sense of humor? (LOL at the thought of Darcy calling the Meryton Assembly \"ass-numbingly boring\") this has 'tongue in cheek' fan fic written all over it!!! ;-D LOL!! too funny Moonstar"}, {"response": 1434, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (21:03)", "body": "(Tress) Okay....have been thinking about this...just has to come out...Fitzwilliam, with those sideburns AND stubble...in regency leather...(boots included of course), dancing in front of a mirror....and Miss Bingley walks in! I have no idea where that just came from! ;-) (Dorine) *THUD*....make it barefoot I'll take either boots or barefoot, but how about adding a wet shirt? ;-) I love ODB in all his incarnations (some more than others), but FD will always hold a special place in my heart. As amazingly beautiful as CF is now, and he just keeps getting better and better, IMO it's impossible to beat the combination of FD and P&P. I can't count the number of times I've started playing it just to check something and ended up watching a couple of hours... or all six."}, {"response": 1435, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (21:14)", "body": "(Evelyn) Sorry, that second proposal always leaves me weak-kneed. (S B Robinson) Definately! and that look he gives her right at the end, just before they cut away and show them walking from behind.... That's the look that did me in for good! After watching that scene, I've never been the same again."}, {"response": 1436, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (22:15)", "body": "(KathyF) I'll take either boots or barefoot, but how about adding a wet shirt? ;-) Gah! of course......and pinkie ring! OMG! .....and....maybe the riding whip! ;-D"}, {"response": 1437, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (01:01)", "body": "Ooh, I like this idea of combining pieces of various characters together. Mmmmmm."}, {"response": 1438, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (08:40)", "body": "(S B Robinson) Definately! and that look he gives her right at the end, just before they cut away and show them walking from behind.... (Josie)That's the look that did me in for good! After watching that scene, I've never been the same again. How true. The ties that binds us together . What an indelible mark he has made in our lives."}, {"response": 1439, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (12:49)", "body": "Several have asked about having a in-depth (?) discussion of the \"Lisa\" tape. Joyce has sent me her transcription (big thank you) and I will put it up sometime over the weekend. (weather permitting) We will have the discussion on Topic 158, which is normally used only for film discussions, but it is relatively safe from being interrupted by other matters or discussions. Shall we say the discussion begins on Monday? Enough lead time? If not, jump in whenever you'd like."}, {"response": 1440, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (16:29)", "body": "So the transcript will be posted at 158? (Rika), on the attractiveness scale, Fitzwilliam couldn't hold a candle to Henry Dashwood (or Stubble Boy, for that matter). It seemed like sacrilege, but there it is. (Evelyn), Bite your tongue, girl;-) FD: \"The Divine One\". I'd say cut the tongue! FD is the one and only, the keeper of the flame, the Obi-One... Although, I have a feeling I will very taken with Vermeer too. ;-)"}, {"response": 1441, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (16:52)", "body": "(Tress) Okay....have been thinking about this...just has to come out...Fitzwilliam, with those sideburns AND stubble...in regency leather...(boots included of course), dancing in front of a mirror....and Miss Bingley walks in! I have no idea where that just came from! ;-) ...and lets not forget FD in HD's robe and pj's eating cocoa pops---with stubble of course. Tress, with the images you just brough to my mind, I'll have another sleepless night."}, {"response": 1442, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (17:03)", "body": "(Linda) ...and lets not forget FD in HD's robe and pj's eating cocoa pops---with stubble of course. LOL...I kinda like FD's robe. He was nekk'y and wet under there...HD with stubble...in FD's robe eating Coco Pops! ;-)"}, {"response": 1443, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (20:15)", "body": "(Tress)HD with stubble...in FD's robe eating Coco Pops! ;-) . Pefect! I forgot about the wet and nekk'y part."}, {"response": 1444, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (21:56)", "body": "Ooh, a wet, nekked HD under the robe. Yeah, baby! (Sorry - I taught a class session yesterday on the marketing campaign for the Austin Powers movies, and have Power-isms on the brain at the moment.) Incidentally, I didn't intend to impugn dear FD's honor. I wasn't referring to the overall package - character, etc. - since in that respect he IS da man. But on a pure \"visual eye candy\" scale.... I dunno."}, {"response": 1445, "author": "joyce", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (23:05)", "body": "(Karen) Several have asked about having a in-depth (?) discussion of the \"Lisa\" tape. Joyce has sent me her transcription (big thank you) and I will put it up sometime over the weekend. (weather permitting) We will have the discussion on Topic 158, which is normally used only for film discussions, but it is relatively safe from being interrupted by other matters or discussions. Shall we say the discussion begins on Monday? Enough lead time? If not, jump in whenever you'd like. Thanks Karen, I just have a minute. I think that posting on 158 is an ideal situation all around. I think I could be ready by Monday because I've memorized the whole tape. ; )I've heard from several people who wanted to participate in an in-depth discussion and would like to know when they think they might be ready to get going. I know several people got theirs a week or so later than me and it is an 1 1/2 long. Would like to know what they want to do too."}, {"response": 1446, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (23:09)", "body": "Shall we say the discussion begins on Monday? Enough lead time? If not, jump in whenever you'd like. I guess I will check in sporadically. :-( Will be practically living/working at the Tribeca FF til next Sunday. Lizzie McGuire screening with red carpet treatment tonight. She's kinda tiny. Will continue on O&E with other Tribeca stuff if needed."}, {"response": 1447, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sat, May  3, 2003 (07:28)", "body": "Hen (Lisa, aka Ron or Bob) will be there on Monday. Thanks for typing up that very lengthy transcript, Joyce. And to Karen (who never sleeps), thanks for everything you do to make this such a delightful place."}, {"response": 1448, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, May  3, 2003 (09:16)", "body": "Thanks Joyce for typing up the transcript. Looking forward to discussing this."}, {"response": 1449, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Sat, May  3, 2003 (11:11)", "body": "I still have not received my tape yet. Poor me, this is the first time that the post office may have lost a parcel for me. Why? Why? I have been looking forward to this tape so much! Anyway, hopefully I can get another copy next week, and shall join in the discussion once ready (I hope not for long.) :-P"}, {"response": 1450, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, May  3, 2003 (11:23)", "body": "Thank you Joyce! I know this took a long time....but now you are the resident expert on 'all quirky habits in regard to ODB'! (Hen) And to Karen (who never sleeps).... ...or gardens! ;-D Thanks boss!"}, {"response": 1451, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May  3, 2003 (11:36)", "body": "Shall we put this off a little bit longer? (just like I've had to do with *other* things)"}, {"response": 1452, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, May  3, 2003 (12:21)", "body": "Thanks Joyce for typing up the transcript. Thank you for sharing and Karen for neverending boundless energy to make this site the top of the A-list. Should be a great discussion. Looking forward to it."}, {"response": 1453, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, May  3, 2003 (12:50)", "body": "(Karen) Shall we put this off a little bit longer? I watched mine last night to refresh my memory, so I'm good to go, but if others haven't had time yet..."}, {"response": 1454, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, May  3, 2003 (13:17)", "body": "(Karen)Shall we put this off a little bit longer? (just like I've had to do with *other* things) Just a bit. I could do with another viewing and this weekend is v.hectic. But I could be ready by Tuesday or Wednesday. I'll defer to the majority, and stay up long into the night if need be...hearing him say Lisa and knowing he meant Linda:-)"}, {"response": 1455, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, May  3, 2003 (14:57)", "body": "(Karen)Shall we put this off a little bit longer? (just like I've had to do with *other* things) I received my copy last weekend, but with all the excitement over at 175, I've only watched it once! But I'm happy for it to go ahead on this week sometime, if everyone else is. Thanks to Joyce for typing up the transcript."}, {"response": 1456, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, May  3, 2003 (16:01)", "body": "(Karen)Shall we put this off a little bit longer? (just like I've had to do with *other* things) I do not have the tape yet, but I mean to participate as much as possible by having read the transcript (Thank you Joyce!). That is as much as \"other things\" doesn't interrupt my plans too much. It seems to be the season for putting off things. So - no need to delay anything on my account :-)"}, {"response": 1457, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, May  3, 2003 (18:19)", "body": "(Karen)Shall we put this off a little bit longer? (just like I've had to do with *other* things) Certainly whatever the majority wants is fine. I'll hardly be home, so I can catch up the week after. Or I'll post a couple of comments ahead of time on Sunday, if I can, of anything that really struck me and will read the rest the following week. If that's OK? Is there any kind of format or topic structure I need to follow?"}, {"response": 1458, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, May  4, 2003 (11:26)", "body": "Lucky are the ladies that can view the tape at leisure! I was only able to sneak one viewing. My DH would object and my sons would think I'm nuts. I have learned to make the very best of one viewing. ;-) A big thank you to Joyce for the transcript."}, {"response": 1459, "author": "soph", "date": "Sun, May  4, 2003 (15:48)", "body": "-catching up on old posts- (rika) Ooh, I like this idea of combining pieces of various characters together. Mmmmmm. *brainwave-brainwave* yeaaaaah, un cadavre exquis, cf-oriented ! what a great idea for my new multimedia project, thanx... tress, love your turnip-fight anime... hey joyce : about this (now famous) transcript, will there be a huge game of jeopardy going on on 158 ? but the big question is : will it be a serious game or a tongue-in-cheek one ???"}, {"response": 1460, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May  4, 2003 (17:21)", "body": "(Sophie) will there be a huge game of jeopardy going on on 158 ? I think Mari had a few good ones ..."}, {"response": 1461, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, May  4, 2003 (22:13)", "body": "(Sophie) will there be a huge game of jeopardy going on ....a tongue-in-cheek one ??? Gosh, I hope so! ;-) Thanks Joyce for the transcript! I know it must have felt like it took you a year and a half to do it. I look forward to reading the discussion when I can."}, {"response": 1462, "author": "joyce", "date": "Sun, May  4, 2003 (22:29)", "body": "(sophie)hey joyce : about this (now famous) transcript, will there be a huge game of jeopardy going on on 158 ? but the big question is : will it be a serious game or a tongue-in-cheek one ??? A little of both I think but I am partial to free for alls. ; ) (Dorine) Thanks Joyce for the transcript! I know it must have felt like it took you a year and a half to do it. It was a tough assignment to look at the tape OVER and OVER and OVER but someone had to do it. ; )"}, {"response": 1463, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (08:07)", "body": "(Me) (LOL at the thought of Darcy calling the Meryton Assembly \"ass-numbingly boring\") Yikes! I must have been really excited at the prospect of a combination FD & HD 'cause I misquoted; it's supposed to be \"ass-numbingly dull\". DUH! (Evelyn) Ah, but FD was besotted with Lizzie. Never gave up hope.*sigh* He wouldn't have waited 17 (f******!)years ;-) LOL! I never made the PA connection! Just gimme the sense of humor & maybe some stubble and I'd be set up forever ;) (SB) this has 'tongue in cheek' fan fic written all over it!!! LOL! Writers, are you paying attention? :) (Karen) Shall we say the discussion begins on Monday? Enough lead time? If not, jump in whenever you'd like. Hopefully, I'll be able to jump in eventually; waiting for my tape..."}, {"response": 1464, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (09:18)", "body": "Seems like I got the possibility to buy \"The Turn Of The Screw\" . What do you think about it ? Would it be a good investion ? What is the movie about ? Thanks for your advices and opinons."}, {"response": 1465, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (09:25)", "body": "A just read on a german web page about the movie and it says that Colin appears only four minutes in the movie. Is that true ?"}, {"response": 1466, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (09:31)", "body": "Yes, that's true, although I've never timed his brief appearance at the beginning, never to be seen again. Check firth.com's page for Turn of the Screw and you can read what it is about."}, {"response": 1467, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (09:55)", "body": "A just read on a german web page about the movie and it says that Colin appears only four minutes in the movie. Is that true ?"}, {"response": 1468, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (10:04)", "body": "On Drool, you shouldn't hit the \"Reload\" or \"Refresh\" buttons on your browser. It will repost your last message. In order to see if there is anything new posted, use the location bar or url."}, {"response": 1469, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (10:12)", "body": "A just read on a german web page about the movie and it says that Colin appears only four minutes in the movie. Is that true ?"}, {"response": 1470, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (11:43)", "body": "Skip it. He looks like an idiot."}, {"response": 1471, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (12:14)", "body": "(Evelyn)Skip it. He looks like an idiot. Now that's what I call not mincing your words. LOL."}, {"response": 1472, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (15:56)", "body": "Speaking of naked body doubles, here's an oldie but goodie: http://www.britishnews.co.uk/lifeandlovearchive/baredouble.htm It's from 1999 and we've never been able to figure out which movie she's referring to, only HOTPig comes to mind..."}, {"response": 1473, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (16:05)", "body": "And the scene must have been cut, but I don't remember that bath scene being co-ed."}, {"response": 1474, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (16:20)", "body": "LOL...hot tub? And if the article is from 1999 (and it says she has been doing this for three years...so 1996-1999....HOTP was 1993 wasn't it?) Did they cut some great bit from P&P?? And what would he be doing hitting on the body double at this time? Wasn't either Jennifer or Livia around? Hmmmmm.....most curious. Maybe it was the other CF! ;-D Thanks Karen!"}, {"response": 1475, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (16:59)", "body": "Thank you for the article, Karen. You sure know how to get our fantasies going. Have to rethink every possible movie, in the timeframe listet by Tress. I think, I'll have to spend my night wondering/dreaming about this one :-)"}, {"response": 1476, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (18:31)", "body": "Thanks for the link to the article, Karen. Re timescale: Ken Branagh's Frankenstein was released in 1994, so maybe it was HOTP, after all. Nothing else comes to mind, except maybe Playmaker?"}, {"response": 1477, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (18:35)", "body": "I couldn't remember when Frankenstein was released (and was lazy and didn't look)...so maybe HOTP...I don't think Playmaker would have used her as the body double as I think that was filmed in LA. Whatever it was, I'm very disappointed that I haven't seen it!"}, {"response": 1478, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (19:02)", "body": "(Tress)Whatever it was, I'm very disappointed that I haven't seen it! Me, too. Even though HOTP seems to be the likely choice, would you consider the bath scene as a hot tub? (Evelyn)but I don't remember that bath scene being co-ed I thought women were in the bath scene. At least I thought there were during the scene when he enters with the priest?"}, {"response": 1479, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (19:13)", "body": "(Evelyn)but I don't remember that bath scene being co-ed (Lindak)I thought women were in the bath scene. At least I thought there were during the scene when he enters with the priest? Co-ed, co-ed...definitely co-ed..definitely"}, {"response": 1480, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (19:19)", "body": "(Linda) At least I thought there were during the scene when he enters with the priest? There were a couple (at least) women in that scene (remember they both watch them get out of the water and Richard asks the priest if \"it ever goes away\"...referring to how a man sees women (sorry if this is vague...it has been a while since I have seen it)). Could this be the 'hot tub' she is talking about? Is she one of those women? The way it was worded, I assumed it was just the two of them. Then there is that dream sequence Richard has....in the bath with all the nekk'y people...but I cannot rememember if he is nekk'y or not."}, {"response": 1481, "author": "MonicaM", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (20:45)", "body": "(Lindak)I thought women were in the bath scene. At least I thought there were during the scene when he enters with the priest? (Tress) There were a couple (at least) women in that scene Yes, there were women in the scene, but I think I can safely say they were not using body doubles! And if they were...well, let's just say I think any of us could have a career in body doubling if that's the standard you have to meet! (Tress)Then there is that dream sequence Richard has....in the bath with all the nekk'y people...but I cannot rememember if he is nekk'y or not. Nope, no nekk'y Richard (not that I recall, at least)"}, {"response": 1482, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (22:20)", "body": "(Evelyn)but I don't remember that bath scene being co-ed (Tress)There were a couple (at least) women in that scene (remember they both watch them get out of the water and Richard asks the priest if \"it ever goes away\"...referring to how a man sees women (sorry if this is vague...it has been a while since I have seen it)). Then Richard says \"I think of them all the time.....\" Oooh yes, nekk'y women and a slender butt only nekk'y Richard! Hotpig was one of the two (w/AZ) that I had for a while after P&P. I watched it often. Loved the bath scene. Dry and witty dialog and a fairly hairless chest. No mascara."}, {"response": 1483, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (07:43)", "body": "Oooh yes, nekk'y women and a slender butt only nekk'y Richard! Those were the good old days. When he could have fun. ;-) Hell, even Hugh Jackman as Wolverine gets a full frontal shot in the current X-men movie! And he says, he thought it would be fun to do it!"}, {"response": 1484, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (08:59)", "body": "Just goes to show how impressed I was with the nekk'y gals;-( Now the cockcrowing scene...."}, {"response": 1485, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (09:04)", "body": "Am reading this old book \"Fever Pitch The Screenplay\". There is an introduction written by Nick Hornby with a few mentions about CF. In case some of you haven't read this book before, here's for you: Listen, it wasn't my idea, OK? I didn't insist on having Mr Darcy play 'me'; Liora Reich, the casting director, suggested it - although I immediately saw that she was right... I felt I had heard and made every joke it is possible to make on this subject within about ten minutes of Colin Firth's name first being mentioned; suffice to say that, yes, I am bald and he is not, he is tall and I am not, my ears and stomach protrude more than his ears and stomach, he looks good on TV in a wet white shirt and...well, nobody has ever given me a chance, actually, so I'm not conceding that one. At Christmas 1995, when we were casting, Pride and Prejudice was being watched by thirteen million people and it was hard (for us, anyway) to see Colin swapping the Austen breeches for the Arsenal boxer shorts. But he was sent a script anyway, and it is to his great credit that he bothered to read it; once he had expressed an interest, that was it as far as we were concerned. Colin and I went to Highbury to see Arsenal against Leeds at Easter, 1996. He had been to a couple of games before - he was brought up in Winchester, and had been to the Dell to see Southampton - and he knew a reasonable amount about football: when he told me that on reading the book he was reminded of a lot of names he'd forgotten, I was fearing those names might be George Bates and Pele, but they were more along the lines of Bob McNab and Jimmy Husband, which is understandable and forgivable - possible even sensible. Colin read a history of Arsenal, he watched videos and, for reasons best known to himself, he memorized the names of the 1971 and 1989 squads.(In one of the classroom scenes you can see the fruits of this useless labour - he wrote down the names on the blackboard before they shot the scene.) 'I can tell you everything you need to know in five minutes,' Paul Ashworth tells Robert's mum in the parents' evening scene; one extra overheard Colin Firth giving Annette Ekblom, the actress playing opposite him, a potted history of the club in between takes . Stuff like this was pretty much all I had to show for my four decades on the planet; it was a bit depressing to see someone master it in a couple of weeks. On Highbury Hill a small crowd of Darcy admirers gathered to catch a glimpse of Colin Firth; their patience was rewarded when he opened a top-floor window and yelled out, 'WILL YOU PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, JUST FUCKING FUCK OFF', just as the script told him to do. ('Half of my mail comes from old ladies congratulating me on doing nice parts, not modern sweary parts,' Colin said later, rather mournfully.) Hornby also wrote that in the scene when Paul and Sarah kiss for the first time, the business with the coffee cups, the awkwardness and the silences are not in the script; they are all come from the director and the actors. There are a number of B&W photos in the book, some of them that I've never seen before. But the quality is not very good."}, {"response": 1486, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (09:12)", "body": "There are a number of B&W photos in the book, some of them that I've never seen before. But the quality is not very good. Thanks, Josie. I got my copy of the FP screenplay on e-bay last spring. I really enjoyed reading the directors notes and the into by NH. It helps that Paul Ashworth is one of my personal favorites:-) But it didn't help to clear up the Miss Hughes/Miss you? line. However the DVD subtitles, I think, says Miss Hughes. Looks like I need another viewing."}, {"response": 1487, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (09:15)", "body": "\" Colin Firth giving Annette Ekblom, the actress playing opposite him...\" Hmmmm. Wonder who she was. The film would have been better if Hornby had just stuck with the book and not the screenplay. Just MHO, however."}, {"response": 1488, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (09:20)", "body": "Thank you, Josie! Great inside information, and as I've never seen the screenplay this was all news to me. Colin read a history of Arsenal, he watched videos and, for reasons best known to himself, he memorized the names of the 1971 and 1989 squads.(In one of the classroom scenes you can see the fruits of this useless labour - he wrote down the names on the blackboard before they shot the scene.) An excuse to watch the movie again some time soon!!!"}, {"response": 1489, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (09:20)", "body": "IMDb:Annette Eckblom is Robert's mother"}, {"response": 1490, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (09:21)", "body": "I borrowed the book from the library. Would love to have one copy for myself too. I like the photo with Paul sleeping on the bench very much. Don't you agree? It should be Miss Hughes, I suppose - even Nick Hornby said so in his intro."}, {"response": 1491, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (09:39)", "body": "(Evelyn) The film would have been better if Hornby had just stuck with the book and not the screenplay. That's why NH also said '...any writer who thinks he or she is the one who has done all the hard work is kidding themselves.' (although IMO, he's just 'trying' to be modest. :-P) (Rika) An excuse to watch the movie again some time soon!!! Me too! Have to see his handwriting! And to hear him saying 'please, please, please...' :)"}, {"response": 1492, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (09:56)", "body": "Sorry to double-post, but I've just found one more thing about CF mentioned in the book: Colin Firth, who has a thorough and occasionally eccentric knowledge of popular music - he knows the name of Uriah Heep's guitarist, for example - contributed to a lot of these discussions. [Note: about the music used in the film] He was keen to get John Martyn and Gram Parsons into the film, and who can blame him? Seems that our search of CF's favourite music is going to start again..."}, {"response": 1493, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (11:21)", "body": "(Josie)\"Fever Pitch The Screenplay\" Thanks Josie! Great stuff. Can't get too much Paul A. myself! Love the image of Darcy fans hanging out and getting the please, please, please scene!"}, {"response": 1494, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (11:33)", "body": "Does anyone know if there is there any truth in the story published that RE and CF still don't get on? I am surprised that CF would go on record as saying this - he always seems so discreet."}, {"response": 1495, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (11:58)", "body": "(Josie) It should be Miss Hughes, I suppose - even Nick Hornby said so in his intro. I'm pretty sure Paul says \"Miss Hughes\" as he passes her (I could be wrong). But I found this very funny. At the beginning of the film, she makes such a big deal with her class \"It's Ms., not Missus, not Miss. Say it with me...\" I find it amusing that Paul would not have picked up on her preference after having had a relationship with her (but typical, because he is so wrapped up in football). Thanks Josie for typing all that up! But you left out the naughty bit in the hallway! I about fell over when I read what that girl said and thought maybe her mum had coached her. ;-)"}, {"response": 1496, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (12:26)", "body": "Oh, Tress...that one...nice guess! :-D As I found the 'please, please, please' scene so hilarious that I completely ignored this one. hmmm, then let me also type it up here, but I think I need to turn down my volume, as I'm a bit shy, ya know :) At Fortismere School in Muswell Hill, a young (female) extra was asked to improvise a cheeky line that might elicit a bonk on the head with a rolled-up newspaper from Paul/Colin: she came up with 'Nice cock, sir'. (And the scriptwriter wondered whether the dialogue he had written for near-contemporary teenagers was quite...funky enough.) And finally (I hope!), I should have been more careful in not dividing the info into so many posts. I will do better next time. :-P"}, {"response": 1497, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (14:28)", "body": "she came up with Clever girl:-) Thanks, Tress I almost forgot about that, as well. I know I can count on you to remember that cheeky stuff:-)"}, {"response": 1498, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (15:20)", "body": "(Linda) Thanks, Tress I almost forgot about that, as well. I know I can count on you to remember that cheeky stuff:-) LOL...unfortunately I majored in cheek...it's all I know. It is the serious, important stuff that escapes me on a daily basis. Thanks again Josie...that bit just cracks me up! My mum would have had my mouth washed out it I said that to an adult. But it is ODB and we all know that all his bits are 'nice'! ;-)"}, {"response": 1499, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (15:42)", "body": "(Janet) Does anyone know if there is there any truth in the story published that RE and CF still don't get on? I am surprised that CF would go on record as saying this - he always seems so discreet. I wondered that too, especially since there appeared to be tremendous evidence to the contrary during the TIOBE publicity - that their failure to get along was a thing of the past. If I recall, the interview that had those quotes was mostly using old material. So I suspected it was either taken out of context or just plain inaccurate."}, {"response": 1500, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (16:32)", "body": "(Janet) Does anyone know if there is there any truth in the story published that RE and CF still don't get on? (Rika)I am surprised that CF would go on record as saying this - he always seems so discreet. I took his comments as being tongue in his lovely *cheeky* cheeks and also the fault of the once again stupid reporting/editing. That recent Guardian piece also seemed to be by a very self-involved *Guy*. Much ado about him and very little about ODB!"}, {"response": 1501, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (16:37)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1502, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (16:40)", "body": "(Beedee) That recent Guardian piece also seemed to be by a very self-involved *Guy*. Much ado about him and very little about ODB! It's in a weekly section called \"Parenting\" (or similar) so the focus isn't going to be on Colin. Too bad there wasn't a contact via email, as I'm sure the writer would have far more ammunition if he knew Colin had a son nearly the same age as his daughter. ;-) (and I'd more than happy to supply him with photos if necessary) FYI, I'd put the Rupert-Colin hatred business in the same compartment as any of the manufactured soundbytes used in publicity campaigns, like the SAS training for the BJD fight scene, posturing, etc. None of this is real. So they weren't good buddies on the set of Another Country, now they're laughing about it. Big deal"}, {"response": 1503, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (08:47)", "body": "I'm considering buying Hostages from a Canadian online store. Can anyone tell me if it's any good? - Or is that a stupid question to be asking here?!"}, {"response": 1504, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (08:56)", "body": "I'm considering buying Hostages from a Canadian online store. Can anyone tell me if it's any good? - Or is that a stupid question to be asking here?! I think it's very good with very good acting by an impressive cast. For more info you can go to firth.com for the film discussion which I found useful."}, {"response": 1505, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (09:07)", "body": "(Janet) I'm considering buying Hostages from a Canadian online store. Run, don't walk...and buy it. IMO it's superb. Painful to watch at times, but with a terrific cast. Esp in this era of rom-coms, this one stands out. (Janet)Or is that a stupid question to be asking here?! Hey, you always get a straight answer from me. I don't applaud all of his projects. ( Though a small contingent might disagree with me on Camille;-)"}, {"response": 1506, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (09:39)", "body": "(Janet) I'm considering buying Hostages from a Canadian online store. I can only agree with Evelyn and Beedee; very good! And another reason; Colin speaks Danish! (and very well, I might add)"}, {"response": 1507, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (10:52)", "body": "(Beedee)(Rika)I am surprised that CF would go on record as saying this - he always seems so discreet. It's not a big deal, but just for the record, I didn't say this, Janet did. It only appeared in my post (in italics) because I was quoting her. (Janet) I'm considering buying Hostages from a Canadian online store. Another 'thumbs up'. Very well worth the time and money."}, {"response": 1508, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (12:13)", "body": "(Janet) Can anyone tell me if it's any good? - Or is that a stupid question to be asking here?! One of my favorites. And just because no one else has said so...a quick bit of skin! Always improves an ODB film IMO!! Good cast, good acting...and interesting. Read the book \"An Evil Cradling\" by Brian Keenan if you end up liking the film."}, {"response": 1509, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (13:13)", "body": "Also \"Some Other Rainbow\" by John McCarthy (Colin's character ) and Jill Morrell. It's out of print, but Amazon can hunt down a copy for you. I sorta followed their lives after viewing the film."}, {"response": 1510, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (15:00)", "body": "Conspiracy is being shown in the Philippines on May 27th http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/abs_news_body.asp?section=Celebrity&oid=22563 From the write-up; \"...Starring Academy Award nominee Kenneth Branagh, Emmy and Golden Globe winner Stanley Tucci, and the multiawarded Colin Firth,.... \" Bet HS gets a good review there;-)"}, {"response": 1511, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (15:23)", "body": "Another two thumbs, *way up* for Hostages, Janet. (Evelyn) I don't applaud all of his projects. Though a small contingent might disagree with me on Camille;-) *waving arm* That would be me. ;-)"}, {"response": 1512, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (15:24)", "body": "(Janet) Can anyone tell me if it's any good? - Or is that a stupid question to be asking here?! Can only echo what others have said Janet. Well worth it. Difficult subject matter but excellently portrayed."}, {"response": 1513, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (10:06)", "body": "Tomorrow will be a year since Lora's DH gave her the Best Mother's Day gift of all time. And she was generous enough to share it with us;-) Thanks again Lora.*kiss, kiss* to you and DH"}, {"response": 1514, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (11:16)", "body": "(Evelyn) Tomorrow will be a year since Lora's DH gave her the Best Mother's Day gift of all time. I was curious so I went back to the archives. Wow, did he ever! Now, another topic. On 129, I was mentioning that my DH likes WAGW, and even commented on what a good actor CF is, and Joyce mentioned some possible DH-friendly movies that I could try moving him on to. She suggested Conspiracy, Tumbledown, AMITC, and FP as possibilities. Has anybody tried out these or other movies on DH's? I have no doubt he'd like Conspiracy and Tumbledown (if my copy were better, anyway - the sound is pretty garbled). AMITC strikes me as a bit too slow and subtle for him, and FP might not work that well because he's not a sports fan. He's seen BJD, SIL (though probably doesn't know CF was in it), and parts of P&P. And I figured I could get him to watch TIOBE with me some time by telling him it's in the same house where WAGW was filmed."}, {"response": 1515, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (12:08)", "body": "(Rika) Has anybody tried out these or other movies on DH's? My DH has seen several ODB films.... My DH has seen SIL (liked it...and spotted ODB immediately....I thought I could slip that one by him), TEP (hated it...but really enjoyed the Seinfeld episode were they make fun of it), SLOW (shocker! He didn't walk from the room but watched the entire thing), BJD (didn't say one way or the other, but laughed several times), TIOBE (liked this...laughed several times but called it 'another chick flick') and DQ (liked this....was forced to watch it because I made him....). And he has seen so many bits and pieces of P&P that he can recite lines (and once said \"I'm all astonishment\" but that may be because I say it....and imitated ODB just last week. Said \"I would by no means suspend any pleasure of yours\" with a decent accent...now....if only I can get him to wear those pants and grow the sideburns...hmmmm....) ;-) He has not seen but I think he would like FP (he liked Hornby's other movie adaptations......HI and AAB and is a bit of an obsessive himself about rock climbing (and can tell you assnumbingly dull things about climbs, holds, knots....)), Conspiracy and Tumbledown....maybe even MOTM."}, {"response": 1516, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (14:23)", "body": "(Evelyn)Tomorrow will be a year since Lora's DH gave her the Best Mother's Day gift of all time. Ok, once more for Lora... Monday, May 13, 2002. I love the sound of that. (Tress)...now....if only I can get him to wear those pants and grow the sideburns...hmmmm....) ;-) ...I think that's called going over the edge:-) My DH's favorite is TIOBE, followed by BJD. He hated FP,and SLOW but has watched P&P in bits and pieces."}, {"response": 1517, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (12:00)", "body": "Given our current interest in stubble, I wanted to contribute some from another CF film that a few of us have seen once or twice ;-)"}, {"response": 1518, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (12:22)", "body": "*THUD* If only Lizzie had looked up. This movie may have taken a different turn. She would have gotten more than a peek of stubble as she looked up at that window. Darcy didn't close that robe....that window was low.....;-) Thank you Rika!"}, {"response": 1519, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (13:05)", "body": "(Tress)Darcy didn't close that robe....that window was low.....;-) LOL, Tress! Now THAT bit should have been on the DVD as an extra. ;-) Oh, Rika. Darcy stubble! (The best kind, IMO.) Thanks so much."}, {"response": 1520, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (14:19)", "body": "Since we're talking Darcy stubble, Rika, could you please, please, please post the capture of FD sitting back in the chair after finishing his letter to Lizzie. It's been a while since I saw it, but I'm sure there must have been some stubble showing. If not, the open-necked white shirt will be worth the trouble. ;-)"}, {"response": 1521, "author": "joyce", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (17:05)", "body": "(Rika)Given our current interest in stubble. Wow!I never noticed the stubble in this scene. Thanks Rika. I could never get past his eyes - almost unworldly. I didn't weigh in on the FD/HD debate (sorry for tardiness)but I think that the FD role transcends everything for CF. He was FD just as Pacino was Michael Corleone. They were born to play the roles IMO. Would be great if he could achieve it again."}, {"response": 1522, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (17:24)", "body": "(Joyce) I think that the FD role transcends everything for CF. He was FD just as Pacino was Michael Corleone. They were born to play the roles IMO. Yes....he did seem to be born to play Mr. D. I cannot see another actor in the role....I've tried to imagine it, but I seem to be stunted! Just doesn't work for me.... (Joyce) Would be great if he could achieve it again. He will! Wait, Joyce, let me fill your glass!!! ;-)"}, {"response": 1523, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (17:58)", "body": "(Rika)Given our current interest in stubble, I wanted to contribute some from another CF film that a few of us have seen once or twice ;-) Yikes! I'm a gonner! That was the scene that did it for me! Way before the wet shirt I fell for the wet tub, wet eyelashes, wet robe, wet.......er, stubble! (Lots of exclaimation points here!) I haven't been the same since and it eventually brought me here to my everlovin gratitude! Thanks Rika, the perfect treat on what has been a lovely day!"}, {"response": 1524, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (18:52)", "body": "(Hen) FD sitting back in the chair after finishing his letter to Lizzie. It's been a while since I saw it, but I'm sure there must have been some stubble showing. If not, the open-necked white shirt will be worth the trouble. Excellent choice!! That got me before the wet shirt....mainly because it was on before the wet shirt. ;-) Actually I like both those scenes for the same reason. The untucked/disheveled look. And for some reason, that little bit of wet, curly hair at his forehead when he splashes his face gets me, too. :-D"}, {"response": 1525, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (19:34)", "body": "(Dorine)Excellent choice!! That got me before the wet shirt....mainly because it was on before the wet shirt. ;-) Timing is everything:-) I totally missed FD stubble. The ultimate! The full Axminster! Now, if we can get MD with stubble...I'll pay homage for the rest of my life. I like when he stands in the tub...makes me all tingly. Here we go-- back to stubble heaven. Hey, we need something to keep those glasses full after the trials and tribulations this week on 175. Sheesh. Thank you, Rika, for helping us document the stubble. A stubble documentary...now that could be v. entertaining."}, {"response": 1526, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (22:15)", "body": "Can't seem to stop myself with these CF connectons. Watched DVD of SIL tonight. A mother's day gift from a lovely understanding daughter. Noticed Jim Carter who plays the *guy* actor who plays the nurse in Romeo and Juliet. Jim Carter plays Mathieu in The Advocate. Can't wait for TA DVD (around the same time as WAGW). Hope it's the HOTPIG version! I find TA plenty hot and am ready for the hotter version."}, {"response": 1527, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (22:45)", "body": "Jim Carter also played Ellerbeck, the stationmaster in AMITC and father of little Kathy and Edgar."}, {"response": 1528, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (08:05)", "body": "He also played Inspector Crabbe in LE."}, {"response": 1529, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (10:35)", "body": "(Rika) Has anybody tried out these or other movies on DH's? Haven't got DH but two sons in 20's who liked Conspiracy, Hostages and FP. You did pick a good one. What a great DH. Thanks for Darcy stubble. I think the best, too."}, {"response": 1530, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (14:12)", "body": "(Evelyn)Tomorrow will be a year since Lora's DH gave her the Best Mother's Day gift of all time. Thanks again Lora.*kiss, kiss* to you and DH (Linda)Monday, May 13, 2002. I love the sound of that. Thanks for remembering! I was remembering it yesterday and today, too! What a whirlwind and memorable occasion it was! I just shared my little photo album of the whole experince with Maria when she was here to see WAGW with Moon and me. (And it was Moon who scanned all the photos so professionally so I could get them to all of you via Karen, of course). Glad you went back to have a look, Rika. Can't say I saw any stubble that day though so thanks for providing it for a Mother's Day treat this year! Were you able to see some of the photos? I can't remember if they are still up. Thanks for the trip down memory lane, Evelyn, Linda, Rika!"}, {"response": 1531, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (15:08)", "body": "(Lora)I just shared my little photo album of the whole experince with Maria when she was here to see WAGW with Moon and me. It was worth every moment of driving 3 hours in monsoon type weather to see! But just how you pried my fingers off that album I'll never know! Oh, and btw it was really really nice to meet you and Moon as well!;-);-)"}, {"response": 1532, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (10:21)", "body": "From 158: Response 1044 of 1060: joyce (joyce) * Mon, May 12, 2003 (07:58) I hereby declare these Jeopardy games open. Go to it Sophie. Response 1045 of 1060: sophie (soph) * Mon, May 12, 2003 (09:07) (thanks joyce ! putting on my track suit and flexing my phantom muscles and would-be funny bones) hello and here's our first candidate, sophie : what's your first choice ? -i'll take number 20: \"Yes, I mean its not. (...)\". that'll fit in the \"finding good excuses\" category, for $300. question : \"isn't this dashwood character just an obvious rehash of the mark darcy character, who in turn is just a rehash of the mr. darcy character ?\" - veeeeery good, that's $200 for you. (cheers, claps, etc.) -i'll now try my hand at an exerpt from number 59, guessing which category it fits in : \"(...) The thing I?m going to do next. I don?t know how it will quite come out but it is it?s largely about a man. It?s a film called Trauma. It?s about a man who?s having a breakdown. (...)\" the category, for $200, should be \"nominee for the worst pitch of the year award\" -excellent (yeepee, the crowd goes wild, etc.) ! you have now $500. what's your next choice -ok, another 'guess the category' for me, please. for $200, i'll take number 34 \"The criteria, the criteria are different every time really. (...)\", and i'd saaaaay... this fits in the \"not to mention the paycheck, of course\" category.. -you're on a roll (\"we have a winner, yeah\" and the crowd goes wild again !). $700 for you so far, what next ? -ok, so now, that'll be number 15: \"Ah I, I yes I haven?t actually been counting but I think this year will produce four (...)\" on that one, i'll take \"family laundry\", for $1000. question: \"is it true that you are expecting another child soon ?\" - ohhh, noooo, a spectacular mistake ! (booooo, hiss, etc.) to be that close and to answer so dumbly on this easy one ! off the board you go (\"get back to work, you lazy...\" goes the audience) and your score is..... -$300. i'm afraid you owe us big on this one... Response 1046 of 1060: MarkG (MarkG) * Mon, May 12, 2003 (11:05) 2) He\ufffds in England, he's a politician, he\ufffds very high up in society and uh he\ufffds running for election and the last thing he needs is a love child on his doorstep um complicating his chances. So that\ufffds the setup and the complication and the story is really about these two people rediscovering each other. I would like to guess that the question was: Listen: there's this rumor about Tony Blair's mistress dying in labor, and then his wife volunteers to pretend to have given birth again despite her age, causing her husband to reassess her big-time - anyway, who is this Tony Blair? Response 1047 of 1060: lindak (lindak) * Mon, May 12, 2003 (12:39) I\ufffdm sorry I\ufffdm getting quite a distorted version of your question. I\ufffdm not really hearing you. Could you ask the question again? I\ufffdm just getting a bit of fuzz. Hmm? ...In other words, I can pretend that there is a bit of fuzz everytime I get a question I'm ab-solutely sick of answering... #5...I think without her I would have got left behind. She was very much the person who kind of put bit of spark back into it, into me. Co-stars for $500, please, Alex. Were you worried about being left behind in the desert, or were you having a bit of male mid-life crisis? Response 1048 of 1060: Moon Dreams (Moon) * Mon, May 12, 2003 (12:52) I\ufffdm sorry I\ufffdm getting quite a distorted version of your question. I\ufffdm not really hearing you. Could you ask the question again? I\ufffdm just getting a bit of fuzz. Hmm? How much did you pay Hugh Grant to let you have this role? ;-) Response 1049 of 1060: joyce (joyce) * Mon, May 12, 2003 (13:18) Gaaah! Computer is fussy today. Must balance notebook carefully and not breathe while typing. Love all responses so far Sophie, Mark, Linda, Moon. Very,very funny. He should do all interviews like this. Will go offline and come back. Response 1050 of 1060: joyce (joyce) * Mon, May 12, 2003 (13:32) I'll take boo-boos for $1000 The answer is: And I think that if you are trying to make people laugh its probably just as well to forget that anyway. What is hiring Heather Graham? Response 1051 of 1060: Dorine (gomezdo) * Mon, May 12, 2003 (14:57) I\ufffdm sorry I\ufffdm getting quite a distorted version of your question. I\ufffdm not really hearing you. Could you ask the question again? I\ufffdm just getting a bit of fuzz. Hmm? (Moon) How much did you pay Hugh Grant to let you have this role? ;-) ROTFLMAO!! Bad luck, Sophie!! Good run, though. ;-) Good answers everyone! I must get to it. Response 1052 of 1060: MariaT (poostophles) * Mon, May 12, 2003 (14:58) (Karen) 1. Would you consider a front-row seat watching Colin reading a telephone directory dying and going to heaven? Yep, right up there with watching a test pattern breathlessly so as not to miss a throat clearing or impatient sighing or to hear him say \"no, I'm fine\"..;-) Response 1053 of 1060: Beedee (Beedee) * Mon, May 12, 2003 (15:23) (Karen) 1. Would you consider a front-row seat watchin"}, {"response": 1533, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (11:26)", "body": "(Karen) 1. Would you consider a front-row seat watching Colin reading a telephone directory dying and going to heaven? (Maria) Yep, right up there with watching a test pattern breathlessly so as not to miss a throat clearing or impatient sighing or to hear him say \"no, I'm fine\"..;-) And rewinding said test pattern a dozen or two times just to hear ODB say the word \"a$$hole\" (and giggle each time). ;-) Sorry Karen...was half asleep when I posted the last bit on Film Discussions...not saying if I had been fully coherent I wouldn't have made the same mistake, just it would have lessened the possibility. ;-)"}, {"response": 1534, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (11:58)", "body": "Ah I, I yes I haven?t actually been counting but I think this year will produce four (...)\" How many good reviews will you films receive this year?"}, {"response": 1535, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (11:58)", "body": "(Hen) Since we're talking Darcy stubble, Rika, could you please, please, please post the capture of FD sitting back in the chair after finishing his letter to Lizzie. Sorry for the delay - here 'tis:"}, {"response": 1536, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (12:08)", "body": "5) It was great. Um yes she\ufffds a real pistol. Um you know she\ufffds an amazing ball of energy really and in a way you just have to keep up. Tell us about the pig you co-starred with in \"The Advocate.\" 13) She\ufffds fantastic. I\ufffdm quite a big fan really. I think she has the most extraordinary talent. She\ufffds able to do all sorts of these things I can\ufffdt do. She can do variety acting, she can do different voices, she can do all sorts of different characters. And I\ufffdm a straight actor and I sort of sit back in awe and watch the enormous variety of talents she has. Tell us some things you will never say about Heather Graham. 37) Well I didn\ufffdt you know because of the demographic I fit into as a middle aged English male I wasn\ufffdt aware of her work until I met her and so I basically encountered her as a grown woman and serious actress and someone whose maturity I had a lot of respect for and who struck me as very intelligent and very professional. Tell us some more things you will never say about Heather Graham."}, {"response": 1537, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (12:27)", "body": "(Rika)Tell us some more things you will never say about Heather Graham. How about this... #28 I found an extremely intelligent very thoughtful mature young woman and I didn\ufffdt really know anything about the kind of baggage she was carrying with her...I was fairly astonished actually really to see how broad her talent is. Absolutely."}, {"response": 1538, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (12:33)", "body": "Rika, thanks! There's nothing like FD. *sigh*"}, {"response": 1539, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (12:53)", "body": "Hen and LisaL, this is for us: 10) ...Smile. Okay. All right, this, okay, hello all right. Hello Lisa. Hello Lisa can you hear me? Okay Hello Lisa. Hello Hmm...Sigh. Hello Lisa. Can you hear me? Hello Lisa. Hello. Shakes head. Listening. Sigh. Jut. Hello Lisa. Hello Lisa. Hello. I can. Colin, if you really fancy me, say my name. I can't hear you. Say my name....Can you hear me now? Good! (I realize this is not in the Jeopardy format, but a girl only gets this kind of opportunity once in a lifetime!)"}, {"response": 1540, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (12:57)", "body": "(LisaJH) (I realize this is not in the Jeopardy format, but a girl only gets this kind of opportunity once in a lifetime!) Or forever and ever if you hit the rewind button!! Lucky girls! ;-)"}, {"response": 1541, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (13:56)", "body": "Question: What course in drama school prepared you for this challenging role. 10) Well I know I think uh it?s it's very important that there?s a place in entertainment for you know the sweet stuff as well as this isn?t broccoli you know this is desert."}, {"response": 1542, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (14:00)", "body": "LOL, Evelyn, are you saying that his favorite course was lunch? ;-) (BTW, Joyce, a belated thanks for typing this up. I can't even imagine how long that must have taken. Gaaaaah!)"}, {"response": 1543, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (16:31)", "body": "Wow! Been gone all day. Where\ufffdd all this Interview Jeopardy come from here? *scratching head* In honor of the anniversary of the NY TIOBE premiere and to commemorate a get together of Rika, Linda, and I commemorating some of the events of that night, we\ufffdre presenting an updated version of ..... The NY TIOBE Premiere or The Legend of the Potted Palm Hope you all enjoy it as much as we enjoyed making it!"}, {"response": 1544, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (16:54)", "body": "Dorine, Rika, Linda (Amy and Kate): Thank you so much for the lovely report. So good for you to be able to share this :-)"}, {"response": 1545, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (16:56)", "body": "Sorry, that didn't sound right (it's really late here). What I was trying to say, very inar.. was that it was so good *of* you to share this with us and good *for* you to share this with eachother. There! Hope this is more understandable:-)"}, {"response": 1546, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (17:09)", "body": "Happy Anniversary Dorine!! Rika: But it was fun watching Dorine climb the potted palm, and then getting photos. By the way, I didn't add the blue dot over her face. That's really what she looks like! ;-) OMG Dorine...we really are twins! ;-D Linda: I spent quite a bit of time getting exact locations of where Colin was standing, so I could walk over the same bit of concrete as he did. Rika: I'll vouch for that. She really did. LOL...I'm so, so glad you all got to do this and thank you so much (from the bottom of my heart) for sharing your NY adventures! (Dorine) I have to say that it really was a bold move for me to just walk up and put my hand on his back....and then leave it there for a bit! LOL! Oh, well! ;-) He probably suspected you were one of those touchy-feely Americans...you know, we can't help ourselves sometimes (at least that will be my excuse if I ever get near him). ;-) (Dorine) So there it is in gory detail. It was a complete blast! Something I've never done before and will probably never do again. I don't think lightning could strike twice. Don't think that way! We have recent proof that lightening can strike twice! Thanks so much...what a great treat ladies, you made my day!!"}, {"response": 1547, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (18:35)", "body": "Cute report, gals. Glad you had such a good time. Next time also go to: That's where he stays."}, {"response": 1548, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (18:38)", "body": "Ahem, *cough cough* not any more. Lovely report, ladies. Thanks for all the work and for sharing. :)"}, {"response": 1549, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (18:48)", "body": "Ahem, *cough cough* not any more. \"Stayed\";-)"}, {"response": 1550, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (19:23)", "body": "Thank you so much Dorine, Rika, Linda, Amy and Kate!! Thanks for weathering the weather, and reliving what had to have been an utterly amazing night! It has me all in a tither imagining what it was like to have been there, hand on his back, in the dim lighting, with cornish game hens on the Tiles on Which He Walked...I'm afraid my reverie includes my fingers with a sticky inclination to abscond with perhaps The Fork with Which He Ate or The Glass In which He Sipped Wine as well...Sigh..."}, {"response": 1551, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (20:20)", "body": "Thanks for sharing! LOL at the courage, shyness, the sweet polite approaches! A great vicarious trip. It was easy to place myself with you! Especially with Kate!"}, {"response": 1552, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (21:56)", "body": "(LisaJH)Hen and LisaL, this is for us: 10) ...Smile. Okay. All right, this, okay, hello all right. Hello Lisa. Hello Lisa can you hear me? Okay Hello Lisa. Hello Hmm...Sigh. Hello Lisa. Can you hear me? Hello Lisa. Hello. Shakes head. Listening. Sigh. Jut. Hello Lisa. Hello Lisa. Hello. I can. Colin, if you really fancy me, say my name. I can't hear you. Say my name....Can you hear me now? Good! (I realize this is not in the Jeopardy format, but a girl only gets this kind of opportunity once in a lifetime!) OMG, this got me in such a state that I posted stuff at O&E that should have gone here. Thank you, my dear Lisa, for stepping up to the plate with that. Lots of ladies are wishing their parents had loved the name like ours did. Talk about producing vibrations!! I can't wipe the smile off my face for hours after watching, and re-watching, and re-watching that bit. Thanks, Rika, for the FD stubble with white open-necked shirt. Remind anyone of HD in the library when Jocelyn comes in to comfort him? Oops, I'm on the wrong topic again.;-)"}, {"response": 1553, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (22:48)", "body": "Ah I, I yes I haven?t actually been counting but I think this year will produce four (...)\" (Moon) How many good reviews will you films receive this year? ROTF!! Moon, you're killing me with these! (Hen) Since we're talking Darcy stubble, Rika, could you please, please, please post the capture of FD sitting back in the chair after finishing his letter to Lizzie. (Rika) here 'tis: Ooooh! *sigh* That notch. *sigh* ;-) (Rika) Tell us some things you will never say about Heather Graham. Tell us some more things you will never say about Heather Graham ROTF!! You're killing me, too!"}, {"response": 1554, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Wed, May 14, 2003 (01:33)", "body": "Alex, I'll take Future Projects for $200 please. 1) Hmm. Actually at the moment your guess is as good as mine. You know I read yesterday that I was. ... I would love to get back with the same people and have another go. Colin, is it true your third child will be born soon? Alex, let's try In Style for $400. 59) But if um, no I if I feel it is demanded of me to let rip I will do it with pleasure. I have done it in the past um I just haven\ufffdt tended to do it in the films that people have noticed. I tend it get noticed more when I put that suit on and the stiff collar Colin, do you have any aversion to \"baring it all\" for your art?"}, {"response": 1555, "author": "soph", "date": "Wed, May 14, 2003 (02:43)", "body": "(from sandy) 1) Hmm. Actually at the moment your guess is as good as mine. You know I read yesterday that I was. ... I would love to get back with the same people and have another go. Colin, is it true your third child will be born soon? hahaha !!!! almost wrote one along those lines the other day but figured the \"produce four\" line would do just as well... as for the stiff collar, ahaha again, sandy..."}, {"response": 1556, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Wed, May 14, 2003 (03:07)", "body": "SW: How about \ufffdScript Tease\ufffd for $1,000. Alex: The first of two Daily Doubles. What would you like to wager? SW: Let\ufffds make it a true Daily Double, Alex. 40) I\ufffdm told there\ufffds a wonderful script which is just about to be delivered. SW: What is the status of TEOR? Alex: Sorry. The correct answer is, \ufffdWere there problems with the script for Hope Springs?\ufffd"}, {"response": 1557, "author": "soph", "date": "Wed, May 14, 2003 (03:09)", "body": "i'm quite surprised no-one did that one yet : 3) i was i felt probably in more of a position to ask her advice (...) question : tell us a bit more about the body double and the afternoon you spent with her while shooting HS ? was it comfy ? and the answer to the fuzz bit ; what do you think was going on on the line ? it was karen , yes \ufffdbermisscrankypants herself, chanting over the interviewer's voice \"get back to drama, get back to drama !"}, {"response": 1558, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 14, 2003 (08:34)", "body": "40) I?m told there?s a wonderful script which is just about to be delivered. He reads scripts??;-)"}, {"response": 1559, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, May 14, 2003 (09:25)", "body": "He didn't say he'd read it, just that he'd been told that there was one! ;-)"}, {"response": 1560, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, May 14, 2003 (11:33)", "body": "Thanks, ever so much, Dorine, Rika and Linda for the in-depth reporting of TLOTPP. This sounds like the best ever walking tour of NY! Loved the blue dot on Dorine's face! Reminds me of that racy cable program that used to be on in NYC, except that the blue dot wasn't covering a face, if you know what I mean. ;-) And now, Alex, back to your program...."}, {"response": 1561, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, May 14, 2003 (11:57)", "body": "Alex, I'll take Post Production for $400 4)...our relationship was very good she was a visitor in my city and uh I was quite conscious of being the proud host. And she was a lot of fun to be with really. I think the whole cast jelled (ed. note: ?) extremely well...it was a genuinely harmonious and happy shoot. I\ufffdd like to think she was very comfortable with us. We certainly really loved having her company. Lip lick. Smile. Question: What was the situation with the body double that's been mentioned a lot in Hope Springs press conferences?"}, {"response": 1562, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, May 14, 2003 (12:05)", "body": "Thanks Dorine, Rika, Linda, Amy, and Kate for your thorough retouring of that rainy but ab-so-lute-ly fabulous night. Dorine (et al), one can see what fun you had written all over your blue face! ;)"}, {"response": 1563, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, May 14, 2003 (18:13)", "body": "Getting Naked for $1,000 please, Alex. Will MD do the kitchen scene naked, as written in TEoR? I fantasize about that sort of thing believe me Plasters for $500 please, Alex. Did you sneak a peek at HG's bosom? Did it loook real? I know it's real believe it or not. No it looks so fake even to the naked eye looking around there it looks fake. HS reviews for $100 please, Alex. What do you think of the HS reviews? it suddenly went really crappy in the last couple of days. Yeah it can be a bore"}, {"response": 1564, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, May 14, 2003 (22:28)", "body": "From 175 (Dorene)It is a hard one to call, but IMO, I have to give it to L'dum. At least Colin looked AFG in SLOW (oh yes, I *am* that shallow ;-)). But I still find SLOW much more amusing (intentional or not). Ok, so it's not \"A Streetcar\" but I gotta say that OBD is great eye candy in it to me. That hair, those clothes, those hands and that *say my name* delivery gets votes on the quote polls every time. It does not gross me out at all like the *L-word* film does. Must say that I'm that shallow too and have given it multiple viewings to come to this discriminating conclusion;-) So hit me......"}, {"response": 1565, "author": "Leah", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (00:38)", "body": "After all the comments about the body double feature, I hope you enjoy the following: Imagine the scene: CHi honey, I'm home. L How was your day, dear? C Well, actually, it was um, well, I acted well today L Oh, what did you have to do? C Just sit L Just sit? C Others were acting around me, I just had to sit... L Wasn't it boring just sitting while watching the others work? C Well, no dear, I had to concentrate L Concentrate on what, dear? C The people acting around me L Was it difficult? C What, to sit or to concentrate? L Tell me about the scene C Well, there was just the two of us, and Heather, well, she decided the scene would be too difficult for her to do, so they asked her body double to \ufffdsit in\ufffd for her and do the scene. L Did the body double manage the scene allright? C She \ufffdmanaged\ufffd the scene allright. L What did she do that Heather thought difficult to do? C She had to sit on my lap L So you sat and she sat? C Technically, yes L And\ufffd C Well, she had no clothes on L what! Cue to Italian style temper tantrum"}, {"response": 1566, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (05:53)", "body": "(Beedee)Must say that I'm that shallow too and have given it multiple viewings to come to this discriminating conclusion;-) So hit me...... Me next! SLOW is one of the movies, I have watched several times. Very good looking Matthew, wonderful colours - I even like the music (really don't like Nimi's mother-in-law-to-be, though)! I agree I'm more than biased, but so be it;-) Then again, I also love AMITC. A totally different film where you don't have to be so biased towards ODB to appreciate it (that's IMHO off course). As someone said at some point. We might not be the best crowd to judge his movies. I'm sure we do not use the same scale as we do for not-ODB-relatet films. I enjoy, what is to enjoy, that be his looks, the story, the setting, the dialogue - whatever makes it worth watching. sorry for a confusing post. As said on earlier occassions: Articulating (sp?) is not my strong side :-("}, {"response": 1567, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (13:48)", "body": "What a bevy of talented and cleaver women are assembled here. It's a privilege to read all your humorous comments. Great Game. Dorine, Rika, Linda, Amy and Kate. What a pleasure and so enjoyable and well done. Thank you for sharing and thanks for doing it. Leah I don't think this conversation was too far from the truth. LOL. Great Job."}, {"response": 1568, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (14:29)", "body": "(Dorine)It is a hard one to call, but IMO, I have to give it to L'dum. At least Colin looked AFG in SLOW (oh yes, I *am* that shallow ;-)). But I still find SLOW much more amusing (intentional or not). L'dum was incredibly painful to watch (for me)...SLOW was miles away from that (IMO). ODB looked relaxed, beautiful and happy in SLOW (he was on his honeymoon or something wasn't he?) and in L'dum...nothing but insipid dialogue and that hideous brown suit. I have tried to watch 'L'dum' a second time (haven't made it though) and have watched SLOW for the mere 'eye-candy' of it all several times over. I believe that both films are weak spots in ODB's CV, but I find SLOW soooo much better. ;-)"}, {"response": 1569, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (14:51)", "body": "(Dorine)It is a hard one to call, but IMO, I have to give it to L'dum. At least Colin looked AFG in SLOW (oh yes, I *am* that shallow ;-)). But I still find SLOW much more amusing (intentional or not). (Tress)L'dum was incredibly painful to watch (for me)...SLOW was miles away from that (IMO). ODB looked relaxed, beautiful and happy in SLOW I believe that both films are weak spots in ODB's CV, but I find SLOW soooo much better. ;-) I hate disparaging remarks in reviews or otherwise so I Better get this in quick, before my consciousness nuns rap me with a ruler...L'dum was written by a little man, with little to recommend aside from ODB and the scenery. SLOW at least had a feeling about it,chopped as it was, I still cared what happened to the characters and both ODB and the scenery was beautiful. L'dum just seemed hateful and spiteful...( Was I too harsh? ;-))"}, {"response": 1570, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (15:14)", "body": "I think most of you already know which side of the SLOW/L'dum discussion I would land on, so I'm going to allow someone else to do my talking for me: You're comparing my movie to L'dum? There must be some serious mistake. I'm Satan, a destroyer of mutants, and a great big truck bearing down on a foolish antelope, all rolled into one. If any of you are still unable to recognize my superiority, may I invite you to try one or more of the following experiences: Saying my name Running your fingers through my hair (though I think Rika may have claimed this one) Neck nuzzling Having a bit of a lie-down"}, {"response": 1571, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (15:22)", "body": "Gah! Rika, has anyone mentioned lately that you rule!! You and Matthew, of course... Mmmm, and you made me remember that hand over hand move with the pastels...ab-solutely a vibration inducing scene! Thanks!"}, {"response": 1572, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (15:22)", "body": "Yes, he is AFG, always AFG in SLOW, thank you Rika. I've missed Matthew."}, {"response": 1573, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (15:24)", "body": "(Maria) Mmmm, and you made me remember that hand over hand move with the pastels Oh, you mean: Why am I drooling at Matthew and not grading exams? Wait, don't answer that, I already know..."}, {"response": 1574, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (15:29)", "body": "OMG! O.K., O.K. Matthew, your point is made!!! L'dum sucks!!I'll meet you later for a pastis and say your name until Saracen circles the moon!(panting)"}, {"response": 1575, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (15:34)", "body": "Thank you Rika!!! Those pics just wiped away all those icky L'dum thoughts from my mind! Matt's da Man!"}, {"response": 1576, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (15:45)", "body": "Rika, I'm widya sister friend!;-)"}, {"response": 1577, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (15:49)", "body": "(Linda) Yes, he is AFG, always AFG in SLOW, thank you Rika. I've missed Matthew. OK, Miss Finicky Pants! You were all Matthew, Matthew, Matthew! before. Then Lord \"Hunk Daddy\" Henry Dashwood came on the scene and you were all \"Oooh, tux and stubble, tux and stubble!\" Meanwhile I stuck by Matthew through thick and thin, repeated WAGW viewings, votes of no confidence in SLOW, and even through HS clip and trailer viewings......(though will admit the HS clips and pics are wearing me down). So, MFP, you can't have them both and Matthew's *mine* since you shamelessly tossed him aside for the first rich, aristocratic, AFG, tux-wearing, stubble-growing guy you could find. Hrrmph! ;-) And thanks so much Rika for the as always wonderful Matthew captures. Those first 3 always get me."}, {"response": 1578, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (16:40)", "body": "(Dorine)Matthew's *mine* since you shamelessly tossed him aside for the first rich, aristocratic, AFG, tux-wearing, stubble-growing guy you could find. Hrrmph! ;-) Trying really hard to squize my way in here as well. I never left Matthew. HD hasn't made it to my continent yet, and even if/when he eventually do I don't think he will make me \"toss aside\" Matthew. This ruling is made entirely on the looks, I admit. So Dorine, please share, please! Rika, thank you for finding the time to treat us with these wonderful captures. From another topic, FP Paul and Mrs Parker: I'm sure the \"vibrations\" between them had something to do with the way he said her real name. It produces vibrations, I can tell you! (Well, off course I haven't really heard it \"for real\", but it has been actet before me in my mind several times ;-))"}, {"response": 1579, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (17:41)", "body": "(Dorine)OK, Miss Finicky Pants! You were all Matthew, Matthew, Matthew! before. Then Lord \"Hunk Daddy\" Henry Dashwood came on the scene and you were all \"Oooh, tux and stubble, tux and stubble!\" Crikey! Wot's got your panties (pants) all a twitter? LOL I never \"tossed aside\" Matthew. Put him on the back burner until I could get better acquainted with HD, maybe, but certainly didn't throw him away. I just got lost in the stubble and tux, that's all. I can handle them both. A girl needs to keep her options open:-) (Annette)I don't think he will make me \"toss aside\" Matthew Ah, um...don't be too hasty...Pleasures await you. Remember, Matthew is \"ever ready\" so he won't mind if you stray for a bit."}, {"response": 1580, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (17:53)", "body": "Won't someone say somethin nice about Playmaker....I much prefer Ross Talbot and his little film to these other two;-)"}, {"response": 1581, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (18:03)", "body": "(Evelyn)Won't someone say somethin nice about Playmaker.... I can't put down SLOW, because I really do like it, very much...but I have watched PM several times...never thought it was that bad. I know he hated it, and that just made me all the more curious to see it. Well, the shower scenes did have something to do with it, but certainly watchable."}, {"response": 1582, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (18:14)", "body": "Won't someone say somethin nice about Playmaker....I much prefer Ross Talbot and his little film to these other two; Oh yeah! The \"double dimples\", oh so fine nekked butt (and pretty much everything else) film! It does have it's charms. But Matthew was the one to welcome me to Drool so what can a girl do?"}, {"response": 1583, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (18:20)", "body": "(Linda) Well, the shower scenes did have something to do with it, but certainly watchable. Love the shower scenes (my tape is very thin in those spots)...it's Jennifer Rubin that makes PM difficult. ODB is very watchable ;-)"}, {"response": 1584, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (18:55)", "body": "(Evelyn) Won't someone say somethin nice about Playmaker... I can do that. It goes with saying it has fantastic drooly bits. I laughed more during Playmaker than L'dum and I can get through PM. How's that? ;-) (Tress) it's Jennifer Rubin that makes PM difficult And amusing at the same time. ;-)"}, {"response": 1585, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (19:15)", "body": "Loved the LOTPP (I'll never tire of hearing it, and never get over my jealousy). Great \"Lisa Tape\" Jeopardy questions and answers from everyone! Very funny scene, Leah, and it sounds like it might be close to the truth. Thanks so much, Rika, for the beautiful Matthew captures. I don't care what anybody says, I love SLOW! As for ODB's incarnations, I'd take any of them! :-) Some, however, are more AFG than others. Matthew, Paul, Mark and Henry (funny, for a minute there they were sounding positively religious) are my particular favorites so far for modern-dress. I know, some of you think Paul's hair and wardrobe just don't cut it, but there's stubble and the gray boxers, plus the black leather jacket, so I'm a happy camper! When it comes to costumers, Darcy will always reign supreme! (Beedee) Oh yeah! The \"double dimples\", oh so fine nekked butt (and pretty much everything else) film! It does have it's charms. But Matthew was the one to welcome me to Drool so what can a girl do? (Tress) Love the shower scenes (my tape is very thin in those spots)...it's Jennifer Rubin that makes PM difficult. ODB is very watchable ;-) The shower scene in PM is mighty fine, but don't forget TA for \"double dimples\"! And no JR, which is a big plus IMO."}, {"response": 1586, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (20:10)", "body": "(Bee)But Matthew was the one to welcome me to Drool so what can a girl do? LOL. I admire your honesty. My other fave is Joe Prince. I seem to go for \"loyalty & ardor\" ....what can I say;-) Hey, JR isn't any worse than MH. The ending of Playmaker....ohgod...gets me every time."}, {"response": 1587, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (20:26)", "body": "(Evelyn) Hey, JR isn't any worse than MH. LOL...Evelyn...I was going to see what films both had been in...to see how they would compare. And I found that they have done a film together (I'm running out right now to rent it). Deceptions II: Edge of Deception (1995). I agree with you though. And now I need to apply the Thumper Rule...I have been just ripping on all sorts of actresses today and I need to stop! But regardless of how I feel about ODB's co-stars (in his lesser appreciated efforts) I always think he is the strongest point in those films. And now I'll admit that I like WOF (and know that others think this is not one of his best...)."}, {"response": 1588, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (20:45)", "body": "And now I'll admit that I like WOF (and know that others think this is not one of his best...). By no means one of his best, but I like it, too. Think because of the PO'T cool factor. Actually, I thought it was an interesting attempt at getting its message across. Well, guess there was another reason or two to be rather fond of it. ;-)"}, {"response": 1589, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (22:10)", "body": "The shower scene in PM is mighty fine, but don't forget TA for \"double dimples\"! And no JR, which is a big plus IMO. Yup, that \"cock crowing\" scene is one of my faves!;-)) Hee hee! Looking forward to the DVD in July!"}, {"response": 1590, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (22:29)", "body": "(Beedee) Yup, that \"cock crowing\" scene is one of my faves!;-)) Hee hee! Looking forward to the DVD in July! A fave of mine as well! I love TA/HOTP. Thought it was great fun....for more reasons than one!! ;-) The 'cock crowing' scene is, of course, fantastic, but I also enjoy that ODB feels the need to be so clean. Baths are so important when the plague is running rampant! And I can't wait for the DVD either (am imagining the captures right now....hmmmmm..... and the slo-mo potential is just very, very high on this one. All those grainy moments on the VHS will become crystal clear on the DVD. ;-))."}, {"response": 1591, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (23:50)", "body": "A fave of mine as well! I love TA/HOTP. Thought it was great fun....for more reasons than one!! ;-) Don't ya love it when you can \"seem\" to be \"historically\" interested and pervy at the same time? That's what TA does for me (I tell myself)!;-) The title \"T\" and \"A\" doesn't deter me at all."}, {"response": 1592, "author": "Leah", "date": "Fri, May 16, 2003 (05:45)", "body": "My CF satelite tape arrived last night. Does anyone know the date of the interview? One of his comments (not an answer to a question) just before the WAGW trailer, was \" are you okay? \" and I wondered whether Livia was there as this could have taken place just before they had to go to the PEN later that night. (Wearing same clothes) If it was the same evening, surely he would not have gone home from Westminster to Islington and then to the reading as the answer to the Lisa (also may be known as Ron or Bob) question about the time was 05:30pm, with at least another hour to go. Is this gropping at straws, or do you think its a possibility?"}, {"response": 1593, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, May 16, 2003 (08:18)", "body": "(Leah)Is this gropping at straws, or do you think its a possibility? ...I think the tape was before the PEN. If my memeory serves me correctly, I believe I already had my copy before he made the PEN appearance."}, {"response": 1594, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, May 16, 2003 (10:51)", "body": "(Beedee) The title \"T\" and \"A\" doesn't deter me at all. ROTFL!"}, {"response": 1595, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, May 16, 2003 (15:06)", "body": "Thanks for the pics Rika. As usual outstanding. And thank you CF for the great cheeks and dimples. Outstanding."}, {"response": 1596, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, May 18, 2003 (18:50)", "body": "You know, looking back over old captures, I'm noticing that P&P is somewhat of a stubble-fest. Not serious stubble, like in the HS premiere photos, but FD had five o'clock shadow quite often. Check out the dinner at Pemberley, for example. You can tell he hasn't shaved since quite early that day. Also, I guess they didn't have all our advancements in razor technology back in those days...."}, {"response": 1597, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, May 19, 2003 (02:39)", "body": "(Rika)Check out the dinner at Pemberley, for example. Assignment for tonight acceptet with pleasure ;-) While we are waiting for news on TEOR, you might find this site fun (old, but perhaps new to some of us) http://www.femail.co.uk/pages/standard/article.html?in_article_id=37208&in_page_id=112"}, {"response": 1598, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (12:10)", "body": "Moved from 176: Response 21 of 23: lindak (lindak) * Tue, May 20, 2003 (11:49) A quick question, I'll post here because...well, just because. I just signed up for a fourteen day free trial to Variety...then I'll ditch it, but I was roaming around on the site and typed in Colin Firth a list of his films, etc came up. What is the Pleasure Principle?? It has it listed as 1/1/91 release on Video. Colin is listed in the cast as Dick.???? Karen? Anyone?"}, {"response": 1599, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (12:11)", "body": "(Linda) What is the Pleasure Principle? Erroneous information. I believe it was by Peter Firth (also, unrelated). Ignore it, as it shows up in various databases."}, {"response": 1600, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (10:20)", "body": "A few weeks ago I asked you, if the WAGW DVD were available today, what you'd want captured. I got a good list - thanks, everybody! My ulterior motive was in preparation for Linda's birthday party. I figured that anybody who had seen WAGW 15 times definitely needed a significant visit from HD to her party. So I got quite a few captures from the download of the movie. I put them on the Web and asked a few people to help me come up with birthday-related captions. When Linda's party kicked off a day early, I didn't have time to complete that project, but a few of us used some of the captures in other birthday posts. Anyway, it's still out there and I thought some of you might like to see it. There are over 75 captures. Most of the captures people requested are there, plus some others I found that people should have requested ;-). I couldn't get a few of the requests because the download's quality isn't great - it's very grainy - and anything that wasn't a close-up really suffered a lot. I mostly avoided duplicating production stills or the captures Karen got from the trailer (posted on firth.com), since they're of better quality. For example, Karen did a great job with the leather-pants dance, so I didn't do any captures from there, instead focusing on his preparations for the dance, and on his reactions to Glynnis's arrival. Once in a while, though, I got trigger-happy, so there are a few duplicates. Some day I need to eliminate them. Here's the URL: http://www.spring.net/~rika/wagw/prep.html Most of you will have to scroll horizontally to see the right-most column of pictures, and the rows aren't very well aligned - I never got around to cleaning up the site."}, {"response": 1601, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (10:43)", "body": "Well done Rika. It was like seeing the movie again. And I'm with you, where does one apply for KP's job in this one? My favorite look from WAGW is the post punch. I don't remember ever seeing that look in his other movies. Second favorite is when he hugs Daphne after telling her he loves her (Awwwwww). He had much more chemistry with AB than with KP, imo."}, {"response": 1602, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (11:42)", "body": "Great Job Rika. Thank you so much. Will enjoy over and over again."}, {"response": 1603, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (12:42)", "body": "#79 - And she got paid to do this! Some girls have all the luck. Heck, I'd have worked overtime and for free! Thanks Rika, they are lovely. Now I really miss HD:-("}, {"response": 1604, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (12:51)", "body": "HD is still around in my part of the world, though down to one theater. Just saw him yesterday."}, {"response": 1605, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (13:02)", "body": "Thanks, Rika for my special request. ;-) Unfortunately, the graininess takes away some of the detail. Will wait patiently for the quality copy. Still love the part where he leans against the swing set legs, too."}, {"response": 1606, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (13:11)", "body": "Thank you, Rika. I think my favourite site is the stubble one. Can't wait to see it \"in motion\" ;-) Once again, I really like your captures. Makes the viewing even more enjoyable!"}, {"response": 1607, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (17:30)", "body": "(Linda)Thanks Rika, they are lovely. Now I really miss HD:-( Going through HD withdrawal was worse than I expected, so I was thrilled to see that Rika has come through for us again. Thanks so much, Rika, you have made my day. #9 is probably my favorite because it shows how much intensity he put into this role. But then there's #37, and I love that whole playground sequence. And can't you just feel that hug he gives Daphne after she says 'I love you, Dad\"? Rika, wasn't it your DH who said you can see what Colin is thinking? And the Stubble - Wow! I know this was a lot of work, Rika. Thanks again."}, {"response": 1608, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (17:55)", "body": "HD withdrawal is v. v. tough. It isn't playing at any theaters near me any longer (can only hope that it makes its way to the pub theater...Hunk Daddy and a glass of wine would be very nice)! (Hen) But then there's #37, and I love that whole playground sequence. Me too! #37 has that 'hint o' dimple' that just makes me loopy (loopier than normal, I should say). Also love the entire dance floor sequence with Libby. I was just obsessing over his eyelashes (I know, I need a life...I realize that) the other day. His lashes appear to grow very straight....love how they look when he has his eyes closed or nearly closed...those pics on the dance floor just do me in!!! And thank you Rika!"}, {"response": 1609, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (18:03)", "body": "Lovely Rika! I hear the Beatles song was really dedicated to you. ;-)"}, {"response": 1610, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (18:27)", "body": "(Tress)I was just obsessing over his eyelashes (I know, I need a life...I realize that) the other day. You're not alone! Did you notice how great they looked in one of the pictures recently posted from the SIL premiere, when he was looking down? For some reason #63 makes me think of Edward Pettigrew. (Moon) Lovely Rika! I hear the Beatles song was really dedicated to you. ;-) That's me, the metermaid! ;-)"}, {"response": 1611, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (18:27)", "body": "My, my Rika! Once again a lovely job. I just noticed your great work is growing in my \"favorites\" file! I love going back to Valentine's Day;-)"}, {"response": 1612, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (18:39)", "body": "(Rika) You're not alone! Did you notice how great they looked in one of the pictures recently posted from the SIL premiere, when he was looking down? Oh yes! I noticed! I like it when he looks down (as when he was signing autographs in the SIL pics)...great eyelash viewing. I think it gets me because it is that 'pre-kiss look' that he does. Since he's taller than many of his female co-stars, his eyes are half shut...like in the final scenes of BJD and I noticed it (for some reason) in ATA as Jess kisses Ginny. I'm like Pavlov's dog...I start to pant when I see his lids going dowwwwnnnn...;-)"}, {"response": 1613, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (18:50)", "body": "Lovely job Rika, you are too good to us in your multi-faceted way! You are a true proficient! (Tress) I'm like Pavlov's dog...I start to pant when I see his lids going dowwwwnnnn...;-) ...and also when he gives full dimples; ...and also when he's got the walk fully cranked up; ...and also when he does that laugh thing; ...and also when he does the hand-to-mouth thing... ...etc etc OK, OK, I'll stop, much more panting and I'll hyperventilate!"}, {"response": 1614, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (18:51)", "body": "Rika, You are truly amazing! Thanks for all these wonderful captures. ODB does indeed look wonderful in this movie, but IMHO, he looks even better in HS. I'm off for my 4th viewing tomorrow night, just to confirm this opinion! To be honest, I've a feeling it won't be showing for much longer, so I wanted to see him one last time on the big screen, before I have to wait for the DVD."}, {"response": 1615, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (20:29)", "body": "(Tress)...great eyelash viewing. I think it gets me because it is that 'pre-kiss look' that he does. Yes, the eyelashes from the SIL picture...I've been thinking about them for days. And I know what you mean by the \"pre kiss\" look. Oh Gawd. I miss HD, I do, I do. Withdrawl is v. painful, indeed. Poxy UK critics...a hunk of HS would have done the trick:-(((( no offense intended to our UK ladies)"}, {"response": 1616, "author": "Leah", "date": "Thu, May 22, 2003 (00:03)", "body": "Rika, this looks good. I haven't met HD yet, (still another 2 months to go), but by the time I do meet him, we'll be old friends. Thanks"}, {"response": 1617, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, May 22, 2003 (10:12)", "body": "This is a few years old, so chances are most of you have seen it...but, impassioned pleas from a AFG passionate man for a good cause on a Thursday morning in May are never a bad thing,are they? http://www.survival-international.org/bushmanfilms.htm"}, {"response": 1618, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, May 22, 2003 (10:27)", "body": "Indeed they are not! Thanks, Maria - that was new to me."}, {"response": 1619, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, May 22, 2003 (11:09)", "body": "Lovely captures, Rika. Thanks."}, {"response": 1620, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, May 22, 2003 (12:45)", "body": "(Maria)impassioned pleas from .. for a good cause... Not bad at all, no! New to me as well. Thank you Maria. Once again, I wish I had a computer, that worked properly - but blurry is better than nothing."}, {"response": 1621, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, May 22, 2003 (13:04)", "body": "(Maria)...but, impassioned pleas from a AFG passionate man for a good cause on a Thursday morning in May are never a bad thing,are they? I don't know about Survival, but it sure was good for my cause:-) I saw this a while back but couldn't access it. Thanks, Maria. That AFG man certainly brightened up my grey May afternoon."}, {"response": 1622, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Thu, May 22, 2003 (14:16)", "body": "Rika Thanks a lot for the lovely captures, especially since I still have not seen WAGW on the big screen. It helps to endure the waiting;-)."}, {"response": 1623, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, May 22, 2003 (18:44)", "body": "I've just returned from my fourth(and I believe final) viewing of HS - not showing in the Glasgow area next week. I'm so looking forward to the DVD's release. There are some wonderful captures in this movie! Cue Rika!! My faves would have to be: 1) The towel scene, leaning against the wall, after he discards the scarf 2) The restaurant scene with Mandy (reminiscent of his look outside Bridget's flat in the snow) 3) His half-smile, showing dimples, when he wakes in the morning, and finds Mandy looking at him OK! I'll be honest, just about any scene in the movie!!"}, {"response": 1624, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, May 22, 2003 (18:53)", "body": "(Janet) His half-smile, showing dimples, when he wakes in the morning, and finds Mandy looking at him Ohhhh....did I tell you how envious I am? Can't wait to see this...on DVD. ;-( Like that he wakes smiling...the opposite of Mark Darcy's reaction at the beginning of TEOR!"}, {"response": 1625, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, May 22, 2003 (20:42)", "body": "(Janet)I've just returned from my fourth(and I believe final) viewing of HS Withdrawl is a b--ch. But you are so lucky:-) I like your #1. A towel scene...oh I can't take it. Crawling back to my cave of CF film withdrawl. Heck, I'm even withdrawling from Janet's withdrawl."}, {"response": 1626, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, May 22, 2003 (22:13)", "body": "(Linda)Withdrawl is a b--ch. But you are so lucky:-) I like your #1. A towel scene...oh I can't take it. Crawling back to my cave of CF film withdrawl. Heck, I'm even withdrawling from Janet's withdrawl. Linda! You'd get MVP for CF viewing in any country is my guess. That's one hell of a Jones you've got there! I've got to content myself with my smallish screen and my library ( with a special thanks to KR ! Would love to see that towel scene for myself. I thank all of the UK droolers so much for sharing."}, {"response": 1627, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, May 22, 2003 (22:20)", "body": "The list of capture spots sounds v. tantalizing, Janet! We'll have to see how soon it's out on DVD over here. re: the towel scene, I saw a clip of the early part of it. He looked so good before he put on the scarf that I was mad that they didn't just let him answer the door looking gorgeous."}, {"response": 1628, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 22, 2003 (22:42)", "body": "Wouldn't a discussion of scenes in a newly released film belong on Spoilers?? Gee, I thought that's what that topic was all about... ;-)"}, {"response": 1629, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, May 23, 2003 (01:47)", "body": "Had to look again several times today. Thanks again Rika. Wonderful job as usual."}, {"response": 1630, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, May 23, 2003 (05:41)", "body": "Sorry, Karen! I know now I should have posted under Spoilers, but the discussion of screen captures veered off into another topic without me realising!"}, {"response": 1631, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 23, 2003 (09:34)", "body": "Perhaps if we talk/think about \"scenes\" and parts of the movie we like, instead of captures."}, {"response": 1632, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May 23, 2003 (09:44)", "body": "Woo Hoo!! WAGW is now at my local $1. movie (50cents on Tuesday!!) LOL.Won't swell the BO receipts, but nice for \"sayonnara\" viewing;-)"}, {"response": 1633, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, May 23, 2003 (17:31)", "body": "Perhaps if we talk/think about \"scenes\" and parts of the movie we like, instead of captures Yes, but with ODB of all people, I would think *visuals* are just as important at times. ;-) Especially when some people are deprived of big screen viewing and in between premieres, apearances, etc. Or anytime really. Isn't that one of the big reasons we're here? To Drool? Kinda tough to drool over typeface. ;-)"}, {"response": 1634, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May 23, 2003 (17:42)", "body": "(Drool) Kinda tough to drool over typeface. ;-) I dunno. I was drooling this aft *listening* to \"The One Before the Last\" . Let me tell you, Colin reciting Rupert Brooke's poetry is a sublime experience. No facial expressions here....only \"words\";-)"}, {"response": 1635, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Fri, May 23, 2003 (17:43)", "body": "(Evelyn)WAGW is now at my local $1. movie (50cents on Tuesday!!) LOL.Won't swell the BO receipts, but nice for \"sayonnara\" viewing;-) Me too! Me too!! Was delighted to find HD at the local bargain theater today; although mine costs $2.00. But wot's a couple of dollars when what a girl wants is a nice dose of Henry D.? I hope all my fellow HD addicts have such a theater near them. Linda? I may catch up with you yet."}, {"response": 1636, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May 23, 2003 (17:45)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1637, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, May 23, 2003 (18:22)", "body": "(Evelyn) Let me tell you, Colin reciting Rupert Brooke's poetry is a sublime experience. No facial expressions here....only \"words\";-) Colin's voice period is a sublime experience, but not an option here. :-( (Evelyn) WAGW is now at my local $1. movie (50cents on Tuesday!!) LOL.Won't swell the BO receipts, but nice for \"sayonnara\" viewing;-) (Hen) Me too! Me too!! Was delighted to find HD at the local bargain theater today; although mine costs $2.00. Lucky ducks! Been looking for it here at my $4.50 theater (NY equivalent of $1 theater), but no go yet. I'm in luck if I'm looking for Indo/Pakistani movies, though. ;-)"}, {"response": 1638, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, May 23, 2003 (18:44)", "body": "(Hen)I hope all my fellow HD addicts have such a theater near them. Linda? I may catch up with you yet. Go for it. No bargain theaters here, no nothing. Looks like I'm stuck at 15. It's gone:-("}, {"response": 1639, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 24, 2003 (10:41)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1640, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 24, 2003 (10:43)", "body": "(Dorine) Isn't that one of the big reasons we're here? To Drool? Seriously, yes, of course. However, there aren't \"visuals\" right now and HS *is* the main subject right now of the Spoilers topic. Why not discuss it there in terms of what you liked and are prepared to \"drool\" about later? What you've liked/disliked? I've been trying (unsuccessfully) to get the discussion of HS onto Spoilers and I don't understand why there seems to be this reluctance to use the topic which was created for new releases. Discussion of Rika's captures of WAGW was moved here because HS had become the topic du jour there, plus it was now only to be a discussion of looks/drool over those looks - not about the movie itself. When WAGW hits other countries and people want to talk about the movie itself, then it'll be back to Spoilers. Is any of this clear? It is not capricious on my part. There is some rationale behind the categorizations."}, {"response": 1641, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, May 24, 2003 (10:46)", "body": "We just keep cross topic-ing I guess. Sorry Hey!.......Nice visual! ;-)"}, {"response": 1642, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (18:21)", "body": "(MaryH) Could someone please post links to the eyelash and stubble ones from the reading? Here's a handful of pics for those having trouble with the main site index (mentioned on CF topic) at firthissimo, kudos to those responsible and Rika and the lurker for pointing them out. ... http://www.firthissimo.it/pen.asp?imm=3 http://www.firthissimo.it/pen.asp?imm=4 http://www.firthissimo.it/pen.asp?imm=5 http://www.firthissimo.it/pen.asp?imm=14 http://www.firthissimo.it/pen.asp?imm=2"}, {"response": 1643, "author": "neshacat", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (19:01)", "body": "Barb Thanks for trying. I also work on a Mac. That may be the probem. The links that worked were posted directly to the larger jpeg images. Please, please try again : )."}, {"response": 1644, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (19:16)", "body": "(Mary)..posted directly to the larger jpeg images. Sorry, that's what I did, a direct link to the large image. Can't think what the problem is, but watch for an email from me, maybe we can do it that way."}, {"response": 1645, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (19:52)", "body": "Use these: http://digilander.libero.it/firthissimo\\img2\\PEN_3.JPG http://digilander.libero.it/firthissimo\\img2\\PEN_4.JPG http://digilander.libero.it/firthissimo\\img2\\PEN_5.JPG http://digilander.libero.it/firthissimo\\img2\\PEN_14.JPG and if you haven't seen the rest, just change the #s (1-15)"}, {"response": 1646, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (19:54)", "body": "That's courtesy of the \"Do Unto Others\" netiquette club. ;-)"}, {"response": 1647, "author": "neshacat", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (20:12)", "body": "Thanks Karen The links didn't work as posted, but they do work if you replace the backslashes with forward slashes as in the example below. Hope this works for the other Mac users as well. So in the spirit of \"Do Unto Others\", what would you \"Do Unto Colin\"? http://digilander.libero.it/firthissimo/img2/PEN_3.JPG"}, {"response": 1648, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (20:22)", "body": "(MaryH)So in the spirit of \"Do Unto Others\", what would you \"Do Unto Colin\"? ...Anything I could get away with:-)"}, {"response": 1649, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (20:28)", "body": "OMG!!! Thank you MaryH and Karen (it works) and Barb (for trying)!! I get to see ODB up close and personal now!! Yum! Blasted Mac makes things difficult sometimes! (MaryH) So in the spirit of \"Do Unto Others\", what would you \"Do Unto Colin\"? (Linda) ...Anything I could get away with:-) LOL! You said it!"}, {"response": 1650, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (22:41)", "body": "How truly bizarre about the slashes being reversed. Oh well, now you can see them."}, {"response": 1651, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, May 26, 2003 (00:49)", "body": "(Dorine) The difference in his tooth color is a bit more evident in that one...caps on the front I presume. Think it's been mentioned or alluded to before. (Evelyn) LOL.Ole Eagle-Eye! Probably noticed as a spillover from my last job in dental sales. (Karen) Of course, he's had dental work since his early films. Valmont (pre) and later... Yes, I mentioned it because I remembered it had been spoken of or alluded to various times in the past by Karen or whoever. (Annette) it is quite natural, that the \"corner\" teeth are a bit more \"yellow\" than the ones in front. It is supposedly because the cornerteeth are thicker than the others. .....the coulor difference alone isn't evidence of caps (Tress) I think he has had caps and bonding....can't be sure (should ask my dentist friend who can spot it at 50 paces). There was something about the shape of his front teeth (soooo perfect, at that angle anyway) beside the color difference that hit me. I asked my dental hygienist friend who also happened to have a dental tech with her tonight to look at that pic and another of a straight on view with a big smile (one of the B/W ones). Couldn't find any good older pics to compare. This is what she said... both agree we believe he has porcelain laminates. It's not so much the shape of his teeth, but just the way they look...he needs to bleach from his canines to his molars. I mentioned the coffee and the smokes to her, too. Curious what your dentist friend has to say Tress. She also reiterated what you said Annette. Think National Health will pick up the tab for whitening? ;-) Thanks Annette for the Trauma news."}, {"response": 1652, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, May 26, 2003 (11:03)", "body": "Just spent a little drool time (it's raining here) by revisiting that Italian site that Rika and generous lurker provided and saw that there was a link to The Bucket. I \"have no Italian\" but I guessed that it says it's \"the\" current site. Maria? Moon?"}, {"response": 1653, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, May 26, 2003 (12:30)", "body": "(Brenda) It just occurred to me he could've worn a speedo in this scene. I wouldn't have survived that! (Dorine) I'm sorry, but I do have to say......Ewwww. I don't have an affection for Speedos on anyone. (Karen) OK, maybe not Colin, but are your eyes not glued to the TV during Olympic swimming? ;-)))))))))) (Beedee) Mine are!! It is a rare bod that they look good on (imho) but those sleek swimmers, and might I add divers, often got em. (Joyce) Have I just entered a parallel universe? Since when don't Drool ladies want to see CF in speedos? I'm having my own Memorial Day film festival double feature of Tumbledown and Part Three of Lost Empires. Just so happens Robert of TD pops out of bed with Sophie and jumps into a pair of tiny black briefs (read speedos). (Karen) Right, I stand corrected the black briefs started up the saliva (actually that happened a couple of seconds before they appeared). I must have my say in the conversation! I'm with Dorine here.....just not a Speedo fan. It is either one of two things (or maybe the combo)....I saw too many hairy backed, chubby, old guys wearing them when I was younger AND/OR they reminde me of girls bikini bottoms so are oddly 'sexless' for me. Don't do anything. Even in Tumbledown. When ODB put those on....my thought was....'hope he doesn't wear those IRL!\" Didn't avert my eyes....oh no! Was a nice butt shot before the drawers went on! When I envision (really, I don't EVER do this) ODB in his keks, I see him in the Paul Ashworth grays (LOVE those!)."}, {"response": 1654, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, May 26, 2003 (14:08)", "body": "Re: Speedos/briefs/thongs--as ODB would say, it's very case-specific. ;-) If the man is toned and gorgeous, then, yum. If not, well then...Yeah, I, too, saw way too many overweight older men in Speedos when I lived in Germany. Ugh. (Joyce) Just so happens Robert of TD pops out of bed with Sophie and jumps into a pair of tiny black briefs (read speedos). I'm with you on this, Joyce. A drool-worthy Speedo moment.;-)"}, {"response": 1655, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, May 26, 2003 (14:34)", "body": "Finally saw Hostages last night. Will have to obsess through any related material to help process it, it's so hard to walk away from that and have the movie be enough. Especially the Brian Keenan book, though I'm not sure I'm separating the character from the actor (I love Ciaran Hinds.) Those who have already done all this, do you have recommendations? Since this was the throwaway viewing (meaning too caught up in ODB and the story to be observant) I'll have to watch again to absorb his performance, but for now, my only observation is Wow. That had to have been one of the most physically debilitating, mentally exhausting roles to play, but what a role. Wow."}, {"response": 1656, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, May 26, 2003 (17:05)", "body": "Barb, I'm glad you saw Hostages. Wow indeed. CH and CF are excellent in this movie. I watched it again last night. Seemed fitting for a Memorial Day weekend. The first hostages were taken in 1985. The last were released in 1991. Here we are in 2003, and the movie is still relevant. Some time ago, I came across this article about a new feature film based on BK's book An Evil Cradling http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_452115.html Haven't seen any update since. Does anyone have more info about it?"}, {"response": 1657, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, May 26, 2003 (19:36)", "body": "(LisaJH)Speedos/briefs/thongs--as ODB would say, it's very case-specific. ;-) If the man is toned and gorgeous, then, yum. If not, well then... ...and let's face it, he is AFG and toned. Double Yum. It's not like he would have been parading around in them, but lying on his back, on the beach, eating melon. Wow, I can deal with that. (Tress)I saw too many hairy backed, chubby, old guys wearing them I have, too. But, in the spirit of case specifics...ODB is neither hairy backed, chubby or old:-)"}, {"response": 1658, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, May 26, 2003 (19:55)", "body": "(Linda) ...ODB is neither hairy backed, chubby or old:-) LOL.....no....he is not! But still, I think....if I had my way, I'd rather see him on a nude beach than in Speedos (I know, I know...the sand gets everywhere and you have to worry about burn....)!"}, {"response": 1659, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, May 26, 2003 (20:07)", "body": "(Tress)I'd rather see him on a nude beach than in Speedos . Crikey, how did we get from a speedo to nude? (don't answer that) That works, that definitely works."}, {"response": 1660, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, May 26, 2003 (20:21)", "body": "(Linda) Crikey, how did we get from a speedo to nude? (don't answer that) LOL....my mind works in mysterious ways....maybe I should have gone the other way (cuz I still don't like the Speedo thing). I'd rather see ODB in Edward Pettigrew's trunks than in Speedos (see....but now I'm cutting hairs...EP's trunks weren't that attractive to me either....but I LOVE watching his legs as he runs down the stairs. Nice muscle tone....he has that cut right above the knee that I find so incredibly attractive)."}, {"response": 1661, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, May 26, 2003 (22:10)", "body": "For the record, I would rather see ..... this this these or and this (Tress) he has that cut right above the knee that I find so incredibly attractive .... and possibly my favorite But not or or Ewww! Oh....and I like some of the underwear/swimwear, too. ;-)"}, {"response": 1662, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, May 26, 2003 (22:13)", "body": "Which was he wearing in HS? Oh right, none of them.;-)"}, {"response": 1663, "author": "joyce", "date": "Mon, May 26, 2003 (22:28)", "body": "It's a hard one to call ; ) Today in Drool Congress Agenda Great Speedo debate Representative Brenda - Nay Representative Dorine - Nay (with a qualified eww!) Representative Karen - Nay Representative Tress- Nay (hairy back and chubby considerations) Representative Beedee - Nay (swimmers only) Representative Joyce - Yay (and I do mean yay!) Representative Karen - Yay (switched under lobbying pressure) Representative Lisa JH - Yay (seconding the motion) Representative LindaK - Yay (with justification) Oh where is Dick (Cheney) when you need him? We need someone to break the 4-4 tie vote. Who's it going to be?"}, {"response": 1664, "author": "joyce", "date": "Mon, May 26, 2003 (22:42)", "body": "Was slow to post excuse double here. First off I must admit to my own prejudices (Lizzy has been a good influence on me). The white BVD style Calvin Kleins make me think of nothing but Homer Simpson. Do like the red and black trunks, gray ones not bad. The others look like they've been stuffed with socks from REI. ; ) More like an artist's conception or a serving suggestion. ; )"}, {"response": 1665, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, May 26, 2003 (22:47)", "body": "Well, since I already stated that the Turkish beaches nauseated me into a horror of speedos, I'll be the tie-breaker. Yes I will admit, I love to watch those olympic swimmers dive from their platforms and perform their strokes. But seeing them every 4 yrs just isn't enough for me ;-)."}, {"response": 1666, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, May 26, 2003 (23:19)", "body": "This is gonna be an eclectic post....... From the difficult to the sublime. ( Sonia)Here we are in 2003, and the movie is still relevant. I feel this too when I see it. I find Colin's part simply wonderful and I also fell in love with Cairin Hines' performance. There's so much to admire in this one in many ways. you inspired me Sonia, I'll revisit tomorrow! Now to the sublime........it could only happen here! (Linda)I have, too. But, in the spirit of case specifics...ODB is neither hairy backed, chubby or old:-) My phobia of speedos comes from the unseemly visages of too many men on beaches who have a misguided body imagage! No consideration of the state of my stomach! I'd rather ban them all than be exposed to another obscene display. ODB will just have to go without IMHO! Nude beaches for him if I had my way. He has a lovely smooth body perfect for display. Those little underpants are another story. I love 'em. Seeing the panty scene in Tumbledown reminded me of the lovely scene in The Big Easy with Denise Quaid slipping on his little \"pants........or panties\" after a phone call. I \"pant\" through both! (Joyce)Today in Drool Congress Agenda Great Speedo debate ROTFL Joyce! And I was sitting here in the rain thinking it was slow here today and you were doing an acedemic study all the time! That'll teach me!"}, {"response": 1667, "author": "joyce", "date": "Mon, May 26, 2003 (23:32)", "body": "Ada Well, since I already stated that the Turkish beaches nauseated me into a horror of speedos, I'll be the tie-breaker. Yes I will admit, I love to watch those olympic swimmers dive from their platforms and perform their strokes. But seeing them every 4 yrs just isn't enough for me ;-). I'll consider that a Nay. Every four years you like to look at Speedos corect Ada? We'll be back then with a new congress to try again. The Nays have it. CF can forget about Speedos until he is 46. : ) Dorine, I think it was your excellent and well researched photo expose (and I do mean expose)that swayed her vote. Or something else. ; )"}, {"response": 1668, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, May 27, 2003 (05:59)", "body": "Weighing in on the Great Speedo Debate... I swam competitively for years and really grew to appreciate a good Speedo on a good boy, but will readily admit most other men should NOT flaunt their ass ets in public...That said, this is ODB fergawdsakes!!! Of Course I want to see the tiniest piece of fabric around his most sensitives whilst he fondles a melon in his mouth! Gah!!!Strictly for research of course..I'm doing a life study of family jewels, thanks Dorine for the excellent visuals!"}, {"response": 1669, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, May 27, 2003 (09:33)", "body": "(Mari)That said, this is ODB fergawdsakes!!! ...Excellent point! I'd like to see your research. I pay homage to his family jewels:-) Joyce, LOL. I feel so honored to be part of the DC...makes me feel v. busy and important. ...Thanks, Dorine. You sure know how to drive your point home:-)"}, {"response": 1670, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, May 27, 2003 (09:34)", "body": "Sorry, that should be Maria...sorry Mari."}, {"response": 1671, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, May 27, 2003 (09:43)", "body": "(Maria)I swam competitively for years and really grew to appreciate a good Speedo on a good boy....I'm doing a life study of family jewels, Hah! Family jewel studies in addition to the study of mythic sea creatures? You studious water nymph!"}, {"response": 1672, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, May 27, 2003 (10:37)", "body": "(Maria)I'm doing a life study of family jewels In that case, the pic posted over at CF Fantasy Women a while back, may be of interest to you!!"}, {"response": 1673, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, May 27, 2003 (13:45)", "body": "From 177 (Dorine) Sonia, you thought TEP was drool-worthy and lame? (Sonia) In the words of FD, it was tolerable I suppose but not handsome enough to tempt me. I seem to find myself defending almost any film, he has ever been in. TEP, yes a really long movie, but with wonderful scenarie, powerful performances from all of the cast and as allways a very handsom Colin. One of my all-time favourite monologues (sp?) is Cathrine telling the story of Gyges' wife. And then the paper-wedding talk at the office - woaw! All of this IMHO off course. Another matter; speedo vs whatever. I'm with Tress (I think) - give me the grey boxers any time - that'll do me ;-) Family jewels; perhaps I know, one of the reasons Evelyn loves Camille. From the Italian site I saw pictures from Camille with some pictures worth investigating ;-P"}, {"response": 1674, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Tue, May 27, 2003 (14:15)", "body": "Joyce, I want to change my nay to a yay on the speedo. I'd usually agree with the naysayers, but I think there are exceptions to the rule :-) Having said that, I've been checking out some of the appliances needed for carrying HG around. I vote yay for this one:"}, {"response": 1675, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, May 27, 2003 (14:26)", "body": "(Annette) I seem to find myself defending almost any film, he has ever been in. TEP, yes a really long movie, but with wonderful scenarie, powerful performances from all of the cast and as allways a very handsom Colin. Like many of ODB's films, TEP was visually handsome. However I couldn't care less about the main characters because I didn't buy their \"love\" story."}, {"response": 1676, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, May 27, 2003 (17:23)", "body": "(Brenda)I vote yay for this one: I vote yay for both. I voted for the speedo and the nude beach, but lying about in those black boxers would not have been bad, either. As for the appliance...certainly keeps the right/left debate front and center:-)"}, {"response": 1677, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, May 27, 2003 (17:57)", "body": "Dorine! Thanks for the visuals! Where are all those boys on the beach? I go all the time and have yet to see one frolicking in his skivvies! I'm obviously going to the wrong places (I like your favorite too BTW...also like the gray pair). Would prefer a diffent model...slimmer and a bit paler ;-) (Maria) That said, this is ODB fergawdsakes!!! Of Course I want to see the tiniest piece of fabric around his most sensitives whilst he fondles a melon in his mouth! Gah!!!Strictly for research of course..I'm doing a life study of family jewels, thanks Dorine for the excellent visuals! I admire this line of study, of course. It has nothing to do with ODB....just the Speedo thing never worked for me. Can think of many other pieces of fabric I would rather see him in. I suppose I would be quite pleased with the HS trunks if I ever got to see them! And LOL Brenda! I don't even want to think about that one! It gets worse....crotchless Speedos...er 'appliance'!"}, {"response": 1678, "author": "joyce", "date": "Tue, May 27, 2003 (18:45)", "body": "Voting Procedure 1. When the yeas and nays are ordered, the names of Representatives shall be called however I feel like it; and each Representative shall, without debate (AS IF, with this group) declare his assent or dissent to the question, unless excused by the Congress; and no Representative (that would be you Annette and Maria) shall be permitted to vote after the decision shall have been announced by the Presiding Officer (Moi), but may for sufficient reasons, with unanimous consent, change or withdraw his vote (BrendaL). Annette and Maria - too late on the Speedo vote. Please try to get to Congress on time. Tsk.tsk. ; ) BrendaL - Could have changed your vote before we made it final.You could have made the difference. Don't you remember the hanging chads? ; ) (Brenda)Having said that, I've been checking out some of the appliances needed for carrying HG around. I vote yay for this one: (lindak)As for the appliance...certainly keeps the right/left debate front and center:-) Snort! ROTF etc.etc. Am dying here you two. Okay this session of Congress is now closed. Thanks for the great visuals Dorine. Excellent analysis."}, {"response": 1679, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, May 27, 2003 (23:11)", "body": "(Joyce-CSPAN)Voting Procedure 1. When the yeas and nays are ordered, the names of Representatives shall be called however I feel like it; and each Representative shall, without debate (AS IF, with this group)..... ROTFLMAF! Is it too late to vote yea or nay on the appliances presiding officer? If not I vote nay with the \"front and center\" contrivance as I have had too much fun reading the \"which way\" debate here while I was a mere lurker! I therefore have a sentimental attachment to the aforesaid debate."}, {"response": 1680, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, May 27, 2003 (23:12)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1681, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, May 27, 2003 (23:48)", "body": "(Presiding Officer aka Joyce) Annette and Maria - too late on the Speedo vote. Please try to get to Congress on time. Tsk.tsk. ; ) Bummer - I missed the roll call too. I'll have to fire my aide for not rushing me to the floor in time. But, see, I was off in a corner writing a new piece of legislation - but then I got sidetracked by some photos of some guy with stubble, and..."}, {"response": 1682, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, May 28, 2003 (17:12)", "body": "(Beedee)\"which way\" debate here while I was a mere lurker! True, but front and center is a \"way\" as well:-) Just think, now we have all angles covered:-)"}, {"response": 1683, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, May 28, 2003 (20:02)", "body": "Geez, Dorine, and here I thought you were hosting a beach party on Fire Island, if you know what I mean. ;-D Nice pics, though. ;-) Okay, let's talk about Hostages...."}, {"response": 1684, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, May 28, 2003 (20:05)", "body": "ROTFL, Lisa!!"}, {"response": 1685, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, May 28, 2003 (21:40)", "body": "(Lisa)Okay, let's talk about Hostages.... I watched it again yesterday. I am now actually able to see the \"whole\" picture;-) It has such a wonderful cast. I thought that the character development was v. good for a film of it's length and complexity. Ciarin Hinds was stunning in it, imo. It's one of my favorite peerformances by ODB. He shows a great range in this one."}, {"response": 1686, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, May 28, 2003 (21:59)", "body": "(Lisa)Okay, let's talk about Hostages.... Would love to. When do we start?"}, {"response": 1687, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, May 28, 2003 (22:57)", "body": "(Sonia) Would love to. When do we start? Actually, this seems to be one of those places to benefit first from those who have gone before -- they've been here, done that. Afer I posted my question, I checked the discussions and Hostages has been done...lots of good info to answer my direct question about what other resources should be looked into. Does not mean it could not be done again, but there may be new ground to cover as well."}, {"response": 1688, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, May 29, 2003 (07:33)", "body": "Forgot to thank Dorine and Joyce for the \"pantys\"-convention - so Thank you :-) The filmdiscussion on The Bucket are really worth looking into. I found it a great benefit to have read the discussion before watching the movie. There is no \"plot\" to give away, and it kind of prepares you for the viewing IMHO. (Me, myself, I whatever)Family jewels; perhaps I know, one of the reasons Evelyn loves Camille. From the Italian site I saw pictures from Camille with some pictures worth investigating ;-P I just finished watching Camille and after one viewing I'll join Evelyn in the chorus to praise the film. I'm biased and a hopeless romantic, which might both influence my experience, but it is certainly one, I'll be watching again. I also happen to like some of the other actors (Ben Kingsley, John Gielgood, \"Hercule Poirot\" (not PU off course, the new one). Lots of lovely closeups and lots of screentime (and no ponytail) - just what this girl wants."}, {"response": 1689, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 29, 2003 (09:25)", "body": "(Annette) The filmdiscussion on The Bucket are really worth looking into Thank you. FYI, I just put our Three Days of Rain discussion back up a couple of days ago."}, {"response": 1690, "author": "socadook", "date": "Thu, May 29, 2003 (09:46)", "body": "(Annette) The filmdiscussion on The Bucket are really worth looking into. They sure are. Just thought there might be new pov. (Karen)Thank you. FYI, I just put our Three Days of Rain discussion back up a couple of days ago. Thanks, I'll hop to it."}, {"response": 1691, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 29, 2003 (16:12)", "body": "Feel free to discuss Hostages here though. That's what this topic is here for."}, {"response": 1692, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Jun  2, 2003 (13:35)", "body": "(Annette) I just finished watching Camille and after one viewing I'll join Evelyn in the chorus to praise the film (...) I also happen to like some of the other actors (Ben Kingsley, John Gielgood, \"Hercule Poirot\" (not PU off course, the new one). Lots of lovely closeups and lots of screentime (and no ponytail) - just what this girl wants. I like those actors too. It's unfortunate for the film that the weak point was the portrayal of the title character. GS didn't cut it, imho. OT: David Suchet has made me forget PU ever played Hercule. Though Albert Finney did a good job of it, to me DS is the quintessential Hercule Poirot. (Karen) Feel free to discuss Hostages here though. That's what this topic is here for. And so I shall. Thank you, ladies, for a very thorough discussion of this film\ufffds serious, droolworthy and funny aspects. Love it. On a serious note, many scenes hit me full force during viewing. The one that stands out is the scene when they\ufffdre playing monopoly and hear of the passenger jet shot down by Americans. Bravo to all the actors for being so convincing. The hostages listening to the radio go from teasing each other about the \ufffdcapitalist game for a capitalist country\ufffd to being grieved, grieved and shocked (sorry couldn\ufffdt resist :-)) and realize that reprisals (beatings maybe, death even) await them. The terrorists watching television mirror their reaction until anger, hatred and action take over. The whole scene culminates with Brian\ufffds fight to keep the radio, the click of Ali\ufffds gun, and Brian\ufffds shaken reaction. Wow! Bravo to the writers/directors as well. On the drool side, you\ufffdve covered and uncovered so much. I\ufffdll just add that at the end of the fight for the radio, there are brief peeks (thank goodness for the pause and slow buttons) at ODB\ufffds, wide, wet shoulders (slurp!), delectable neck (yum) and well-shaped head. Profile is traceable, cleft in chin is very visible, hair is begging for fingers to run through it, lips are parted just so (mmmm), and upper chest is wet and heaving (yikes). On the funny side, I\ufffdll add the exchange between Brian and John: \ufffdPaddy\ufffd \ufffdYou\ufffdre calling me a f***ing Brit?\ufffd Brian\ufffds no comment is priceless."}, {"response": 1693, "author": "joyce", "date": "Mon, Jun  2, 2003 (22:34)", "body": "(Lisa)Has anyone ever heard him refer to himself as a nerd before? I might as well just start this here. ; ) I have always been in denial about this particular tendency of his and now that he has outted himself: Favorite CF nerd moments. Haven't seen it yet but I think the twirling scarf in HS is going to top the list. (but it's still my keepsake - i'm so pitiful) Joe Prince in the baseball hat has got to be there."}, {"response": 1694, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  2, 2003 (22:53)", "body": "The baseball cap is a list topper. But is it nerdy or dorky? Must check dictionary... ;-0"}, {"response": 1695, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  2, 2003 (22:56)", "body": "Please add his running in Master of the Moor to that list."}, {"response": 1696, "author": "joyce", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (08:48)", "body": "Karen Please add his running in Master of the Moor to that list. Must check this out. May have to start a deinitely un-nerdy list too. Darcy is cool - not doubt about it, not a nerdy bone in his body. Paul Ashworth - PDC (pretty damn cool) Matthew Field - He redefined cool English Patient - Yes we have no bananas dance,you tell me."}, {"response": 1697, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (09:57)", "body": "Nerd alert: Simon Westwood in shirt and socks on bed. Geoffrey Clinton - bananas dance = nerdy but he's PDC in a tux (Joyce) Matthew Field - He redefined cool Yes, Ma'am! To the un-nerdy list, I'll add: Jess Clark - PDC Henry Dashwood - PDC when he put his house in order Vicomte de Valmont - timeless cool Anytime his characters put their hands in their pockets, they're cool, imo."}, {"response": 1698, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (09:59)", "body": "We've got fingers, we've got smirky dimples, we've got open neck, we've got the all important stubble!! (It is slightly different than what is already in the gallery, besides, I have been at a dude ranch in Colorado and am seriously ODB-deprived!) Oh, another un-nerd would have to be Valmont..."}, {"response": 1699, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (10:40)", "body": "Nice dimply smile! Ernest Worthing = PDC, at least he is when he's explaining why he never pays his bill at the Savoy Jack Worthing = too serious to be cool. More nebbish than nerd? (Joyce) Paul Ashworth - PDC (pretty damn cool) I'd say he's nerdy at least as often as he's cool. (Karen) Please add his running in Master of the Moor to that list. In fact, I think it's safe to generalize and say that poor Stephen is not cool."}, {"response": 1700, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (10:57)", "body": "(Sonia)Anytime his characters put their hands in their pockets, they're cool, imo. Or walk, or stride or hurry/skip down steps or......."}, {"response": 1701, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (11:05)", "body": "Or ride or are helpful in the kitchen..."}, {"response": 1702, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (11:38)", "body": "Henry Dashwood dancing in BLP = nerdy cool"}, {"response": 1703, "author": "joyce", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (11:55)", "body": "(Rika)Paul Ashworth I'd say he's nerdy at least as often as he's cool. I was thinking black leather jacket, beer drinking, pizza eating, ciggie smoking, man's man. Please elaborate on his nerdness. Apartment zero - nerdman Mark Darcy - about that jumper, and that blue and white checked shirt 9did sombody say nerdy?)at the picnic, however he redeems himself in Evelyn's suits. I'm with you on Valmont, Jack Worthing and HD (although KathyF has something there and then again the Batman dancing and strange sunglass wearing during the shopping montage but redeems himself in white tie). ; )"}, {"response": 1704, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (12:05)", "body": "I'm thinking Jack Worthing slipped into the nerd zone with that little boxy dance overexuberancenessness(?)at the end... Ditto Joyce on the Apt Zero nerdman vote. FD - a man without nerdishness Neil Truelove - dignified nerd?"}, {"response": 1705, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (12:28)", "body": "PDC- -Anytime he wears a navy suit.*sigh* Nerdy-Matthew Field dancing with wife:-((( Nerdy--Hayloft scene in MLSF"}, {"response": 1706, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (12:39)", "body": "(Sonia) Or ride..... I suppose the degree of coolness may depend on *what* or.... ;-), he's riding? (Evelyn) Nerdy-Matthew Field dancing with wife:-((( Oh gosh, yes. I think that's so nerdy compared to how Matthew is the rest of the time that I tend to conveniently forget that part. The ultimate nerd in AZ I think. Very cool in PM as long as he's the one in control."}, {"response": 1707, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (12:48)", "body": "(Dorine) I suppose the degree of coolness may depend on *what* or.... ;-), he's riding? \"The horse is taken for granted in England\". Why Dorine, whatever else are you thinking? (She asks in a not-so-innocent-very-knowing way. Big, big ;-D)"}, {"response": 1708, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (13:15)", "body": "(Sonia) Vicomte de Valmont - timeless cool (Maria) Oh, another un-nerd would have to be Valmont... Although the Vicomte is one of my all time favorites...I do think his fall into the water and then his 'giggle' afterwards while talking to Mme. Merteuil was nerdy (but I loved it nonetheless and appears to be his 'real life giggle' which makes it better!). (KathyF) Henry Dashwood dancing in BLP = nerdy cool LOL...very 'nerdy cool'! I love Lord Dashwood (and miss him so!). (Maria) Neil Truelove - dignified nerd? . Truly a dignified sporty nerd (even with weighted stick...that doesn't sound right but you know what I mean)....as opposed to Tommy Judd...the dignified scholarly nerd. (Dorine) The ultimate nerd in AZ I think. AZ was tops for modern nerddom (although, Allen Portland also has my vote due to insipid dialogue...a 'gassy nerd')....and Lord Wessex was a truly clueless Elizabethan nerd! For PDC....Fitz Darcy (Mark is out due to reindeer sweater and snowman tie), Matthew Field (gorgeous cool), Brian Smith (dead cool!) and Donovan Quick (crazy cool!)."}, {"response": 1709, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (13:18)", "body": "Lovely list once more ladies! Geoffrey Clinton - bananas dance = nerdy but he's PDC in a tux AFA(Absolutey F Adorable), I adore Geoffrey. Funny how no one is touching Ldum.;-)"}, {"response": 1710, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (13:30)", "body": "(Moon) Funny how no one is touching Ldum.;-) (Tress) Allen Portland also has my vote due to insipid dialogue...a 'gassy nerd' Doesn't that count?"}, {"response": 1711, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (15:05)", "body": "Richard Herncastle = toyboy cool Tom Birkin = smoking cool (sweetly nerdy otherwise) Richard Courtois = Medieval cool, but fashion-challenged Peter Ingleton = cigarette-smoking, champagne-sipping, piano-tinkling, gay cool (Sonia) Anytime his characters put their hands in their pockets, they're cool, imo. Agreed! Love when he does that! (Beedee) Or walk, or stride or hurry/skip down steps or....... Give him stairs and I'm in heaven! He simply can't do stairs in a nerdy manner!"}, {"response": 1712, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (17:53)", "body": "Edward Pettigrew= invented cool in the blue suit, but not so cool in the bathing suit, would have been EC (extremely cool) without it. Ross Talbert= Hot as hell cool in the shower. Henry Dashwood= Lord of cool."}, {"response": 1713, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (18:32)", "body": "I hope this isn't too obnoxious but I just had to re-read it and then of course, share it. This is from the Fresh Air transcript on that most wonderful of resources........firth.com! (CF)There was, if I remember it...the original script had it down that Darcy dives in completely naked and I suppose he might well have done that. He\ufffds on his own property and it\ufffds a hot day. But the BBC didn\ufffdt consider that acceptable and then there was some talk of underwear and then we heard that nobody wore underwear (Colin laughs) in those days and then I think there was an attempt to create underwear, the kind of \ufffdIf they had worn underwear, would they have looked like this?\ufffd And I went to be fitted with those and there was no way on earth...and I can tell you now, had I worn those, there would have been no heartthrob. Now where would we all be tonight in that case?"}, {"response": 1714, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (18:44)", "body": "(Beedee)Now where would we all be tonight in that case? Suppose the BBC did consider it acceptable? I know where I'd be. In front of the TV watching the lake scene for the zillionth time."}, {"response": 1715, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (19:03)", "body": "(Linda) Edward Pettigrew= invented cool in the blue suit, but not so cool in the bathing suit, would have been EC (extremely cool) without it. Trying to imagine the 'run down the steps' sans bathing suit....I'll be with you in a minute...hmmmm....;-) Okay...I'm back...Gamma may not approve, but I do! And I went to be fitted with those and there was no way on earth...and I can tell you now, had I worn those, there would have been no heartthrob. Hmmmmm...can we claim keepsakes that were never used in filming?? I'm kidding, of course! (Linda) Suppose the BBC did consider it acceptable? I know where I'd be. In front of the TV watching the lake scene for the zillionth time. I think I'd be six feet under...don't think I could take nekkiness and Darcy! Though...I'd have loved to have seen him unbuttoning those trousers...they looked...so...complicated! ;-D Thanks for finding that Beedee!"}, {"response": 1716, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (19:24)", "body": "Been following this fun nerd/geek thread. IMO, Adrian from AZ is the ueber PsychoGeek. As for all the other nerdy characters and the Darcy dream date reference from the news topic, I can't help but think that we're playing an odd version of the old Mystery Date boardgame, with CF as all of these variations on Poindexter. :-)"}, {"response": 1717, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (19:28)", "body": "(LisaJH) I can't help but think that we're playing an odd version of the old Mystery Date boardgame, with CF as all of these variations on Poindexter. :-) LOL! I learned how to manipulate that board fairly early. I never got stuck with Poindexter...just had to turn the knob on that wee door just sooooo....Oh! Look! It's Lord Dashwood to pick me up again!! ;-D"}, {"response": 1718, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (21:20)", "body": "(Joyce)Favorite CF nerd moments. Hey, I missed all the fun today. (Rika)Paul Ashworth I'd say he's nerdy at least as often as he's cool. (Joyce) was thinking black leather jacket, beer drinking, pizza eating, ciggie smoking, man's man. Please elaborate on his nerdness. \"...and Chocolates!\" EP preaching the sermon has to be one of the all-time nerdiest moments. And the facts of life talk with Fraser. Love the way he blows his nose there. And then there's darling Peter. Watched him again last night and I must say that the yellow scarf re-defines the nerd look. Absolutely adore him in the tux though. He and Sophie Thompson are a riot together."}, {"response": 1719, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (21:22)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1720, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (21:24)", "body": "sorry closing tags"}, {"response": 1721, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (09:15)", "body": "(LisaJH)I can't help but think that we're playing an odd version of the old Mystery Date boardgame, with CF as all of these variations on Poindexter. (Tress)LOL! I learned how to manipulate that board fairly early Figures you would:-) Wow, does that date us or wot??? I can still remember the commercial...Mystery date, mystery date. Open the door for your...Mystery date. I can still hum the tune. Yeah, I'd take HD at the door. I'd break it down if I knew he were on the other side. OHHH, my Mystery Date in BLP..."}, {"response": 1722, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (12:02)", "body": "(LisaJH)I can't help but think that we're playing an odd version of the old Mystery Date boardgame, with CF as all of these variations on Poindexter. I'm not familiar with the boardgame but I'll play anything with variations of CF, I'll play anything with CF ;-] (Joyce) was thinking black leather jacket, beer drinking, pizza eating, ciggie smoking, man's man. Please elaborate on his nerdness. (Hen)\"...and Chocolates!\" I don't think PA is nerd at all. There are elements of the nerd about him. His mother is pretty interesting. And he really is an apallingly bad table companion. And he tends to let whatever's in his head come out of his mouth without much thought to the consequences. I realize that when he runs down the stairs after the alien visitor from the planet Thar that I was incredibly rude in thinking him nerdy. But the thing is, what I'm trying to say, very inarticulately is that, in fact, perhaps despite appearances, I think he's cool, very cool, just as he is."}, {"response": 1723, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (12:08)", "body": "(Sonia) I don't think PA is nerd at all. There are elements of the nerd about him. His mother is pretty interesting......But the thing is, what I'm trying to say, very inarticulately is that, in fact, perhaps despite appearances, I think he's cool, very cool, just as he is. ROTFL! Brilliant! Well said. And I agree. If Paul is nerd...then he's my type of nerd! I like him....just as he is (Bollock Brothers albums, Arsenal obsession, questionable wardrobe and all)!"}, {"response": 1724, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (12:27)", "body": "FYI, in an article I'm putting up it says the following about Colin (either one): And we do see him drop his trousers, but don't get too excited. That scene in itself is squirm-inducing enough, in a Benny Hill kind of way. Benny Hill??? That's pretty nerdy IMO."}, {"response": 1725, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (13:18)", "body": "(Sonia)But the thing is, what I'm trying to say, very inarticulately is that, in fact, perhaps despite appearances, I think he's cool, very cool, just as he is. Excellent! I love that scruffy Paul and Loved your speach! (Karen)Benny Hill??? That's pretty nerdy IMO. Benny Hill??? Nevah!"}, {"response": 1726, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (16:20)", "body": "From The Telegraph, a book about the author of AMITC: What it is to be English (Filed: 02/06/2003) Hugh Massingberd reviews The Last Englishman: the Life of JL Carr by Byron Rogers I met JL Carr (1912-94), novelist, publisher, map-maker, conservationist, carver and teacher, only once, at Lord's Cricket Ground, but he made an unforgettable impression. Like Thomas Lord himself, he was born at Thirsk, though he did not conform to the stereotype of the professional Yorkshireman. His adopted county was Northamptonshire, appropriately enough in the middle of England. Nor did his diminutive stature confirm the clich\ufffd of the aggressive little man, even if the strength of his personality was unmistakable. It was more a case of small is beautiful. For JL Carr was essentially a miniaturist. His masterpiece, A Month in the Country, which should have won the Booker Prize as well as being made into a haunting film with Kenneth Branagh and Colin Firth, was hardly more than a novella in terms of length. His quirky maps were covered with exquisite vignettes and nuggets of esoteric learning. The little books he published from the back bedroom of his modest house in Kettering celebrated, in just a few covetable pages, English poets, wood engravers and, my own favourites, extra-ordinary English Cricketers. Read more here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2003/06/01/borog02.xml&sSheet=/arts/2003/06/01/bomain.html"}, {"response": 1727, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (18:39)", "body": "(Sonia)I don't think PA is nerd at all. There are elements of the nerd about him. His mother is pretty interesting. And he really is an apallingly bad table companion. And he tends to let whatever's in his head come out of his mouth without much thought to the consequences. I realize that when he runs down the stairs after the alien visitor from the planet Thar that I was incredibly rude in thinking him nerdy. But the thing is, what I'm trying to say, very inarticulately is that, in fact, perhaps despite appearances, I think he's cool, very cool, just as he is. Not with slightly thicker hair...or more muscular thighs? Ok, you convinced me, Mr. Ashworth is cool, v. cool, just as he is."}, {"response": 1728, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (18:46)", "body": "(Annette, on 176) But - I have entered the parallel universe of Lord Dashwood and I'm not sure I'll be able to find room for anyone else the next few days. I hear you, Annette. I just saw it again yesterday (it's still hanging on in a few theaters here). I have concluded that he becomes more gorgeous and more appealing every time I see it. I like the movie, I think it delivers just what it was \"sold\" as - a sweet fairytale with the focus on Father/Daughter. Yesterday this man came in partway through the movie and stayed till the end - he applauded! One last comment: Favourite look (for now, that is) is when he drags Daphne away from the lp's and headbanging. Just the way I like it. (I may have to look into Rikas captures to search for it ;-)) Don't I wish. That turned out to be one I couldn't get from the bootleg - quality was only good enough for close-ups without much movement. Will be on the list when the DVD comes out. I know most of you have probably allready gotten beyond this stage, but for me right now, I'll never be beyond Lord Dashwood :-) You still have company, trust me!"}, {"response": 1729, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (19:03)", "body": "(Hen) Not with slightly thicker hair...or more muscular thighs? Welllllllllll... Had to think about that one for a second. Nah. I like his thighs very much, just as they are. (The hair too) :-) (Rika) I just saw it again yesterday (it's still hanging on in a few theaters here). HD has left the building (in my area.) You're soooooo lucky. Enjoy! :-)"}, {"response": 1730, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (19:40)", "body": "Karen, thanks for the JL Carr article. AMITC was a great book and film....need to rewatch as it has been a while (and I love ODB's stutter). Wasn't he (Carr) in the film? I thought he played the Birkin part at the very end. (Annette) I know most of you have probably allready gotten beyond this stage, but for me right now, I'll never be beyond Lord Dashwood :-) (Rika) You still have company, trust me! I'll never get over Lord Dashwood....he broke my heart when he left town a week ago! ;-)"}, {"response": 1731, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (19:48)", "body": "(Rika)I have concluded that he becomes more gorgeous and more appealing every time I see it. My thoughts exactly. I finally ended up seeing it 12 times, and probably would have gone again if I could have found the time. (Sonia) Welllllllllll... Had to think about that one for a second. Nah. I like his thighs very much, just as they are. (The hair too) :-) I am very partial to his thighs myself, although I think they look best in those FD breeches :-)"}, {"response": 1732, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (19:50)", "body": "Uh oh. So sorry."}, {"response": 1733, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (20:50)", "body": "Thanks from me too karen, for the JL Carr article. He sounds like a very interesting person. The introduction to AMITC (I put the book away upstairs and don't remember his name) was very amusing. I loved that little book. I will look for the bio since I am now also interested in the \"church saving\" project that inspired AMITC."}, {"response": 1734, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (21:08)", "body": "closing tags"}, {"response": 1735, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (22:18)", "body": "(Sonia) I don't think PA is nerd at all... I think he's cool, very cool, just as he is. Bravo, Sonia! I know you find great enjoyment in professing opinions which are not your own. However, in this instance I believe you completely, and am in total agreement. (Annette) I know most of you have probably allready gotten beyond this stage, but for me right now, I'll never be beyond Lord Dashwood :-) (Rika) You still have company, trust me! (Tress) I'll never get over Lord Dashwood....he broke my heart when he left town a week ago! ;-) This is the first week since Lord Dashwood's arrival on April 4th, that I haven't been able to pay him at least one visit. :-( He's taken a little piece of my heart with him. I am having HD withdrawal pains. August and the DVD seem a long way off. Karen, thank you for the most interesting article on JL Carr. I just rewatched AMITC a couple of weeks ago. What a lovely film! Now I must read Byron Rogers's biography. LOL the champion cat story!"}, {"response": 1736, "author": "soph", "date": "Thu, Jun  5, 2003 (07:36)", "body": "think i closed the tags... hmmm, well, hope so ! anyway, i figured the time had come for the latest installment of our favorite animated characters, yes, that's our animatronicolins (they sing, they dance, speak french *and* german, cover screens and i know not wot). on today's program, the answer to this mysterious question : how come we don't get to see cf doing tv interviews/promo that much ? well, that's easy, tv sets (and audiences) tend to blow up when he's around. check it out : animatronicolin (version 1.2) *careful*, i mean business, and we are again talking large files here (a 250 ko animated gif)... next on colin tv : \"cha-cha-cha, anyone ?\""}, {"response": 1737, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  5, 2003 (08:39)", "body": "*clap clap* clap*"}, {"response": 1738, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Jun  5, 2003 (09:53)", "body": "Perhaps next time he will put on his pyjamas *after* blowing up the tv. Very good, Sophie. Thank you!"}, {"response": 1739, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jun  5, 2003 (09:57)", "body": "Yeah Sophie!!!"}, {"response": 1740, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Jun  5, 2003 (10:54)", "body": "Sophie, that was great! Thanks so much! (BTW, I forgot to thank you for your assistance on the Trauma pics...sorry about that!)"}, {"response": 1741, "author": "socadook", "date": "Thu, Jun  5, 2003 (11:05)", "body": "(Sophie) that's our animatronicolins (they sing, they dance, speak french *and* german, cover screens and i know not wot). LOL. Thank you so much for the animation. Well done, Sophie!"}, {"response": 1742, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Jun  5, 2003 (11:36)", "body": "Love it, Sophie!"}, {"response": 1743, "author": "soph", "date": "Thu, Jun  5, 2003 (16:03)", "body": "thanx for the feedback on animatronicolin 1.2 (there's plenty more to come if you like that kind of silly things). if you wish to go back to old versions, they are still available @ cloud_9 . sorry if i don't always return the favor re: certain posts, but some topics are not my scene and i don't read all the boards (ie 172). thought i should mention it in case you wondered why i was sticking selfishely and snootily to 166, 176 & 177... karen, something truly weird just happened as i was entering my post, i think i knwo see double posts everywhere ! sorry if i messed up the board, argghhh!"}, {"response": 1744, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jun  5, 2003 (16:09)", "body": "(Sophie) karen, something truly weird just happened as i was entering my post, i think i knwo see double posts everywhere ! Psst...Sophie...it's the Chardonnay....board looks fine! ;-D Have a nice night!! BTW...I love the one you did today...the little hand turning the knob and the 'blah..blah...blah...' behind ODB is hilarious! And the 'stride' one...GAH! Thanks for the link!"}, {"response": 1745, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun  5, 2003 (16:39)", "body": "Nothing like going out with a BANG! LOL! Merci, Sophie!"}, {"response": 1746, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jun  5, 2003 (17:20)", "body": "(Moon) Nothing like going out with a BANG! LOL. Very good Moon. Thanks so much Sophie. Good Fun."}, {"response": 1747, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jun  5, 2003 (18:22)", "body": "(Kathy)He's taken a little piece of my heart with him. I am having HD withdrawal pains. August and the DVD seem a long way off. My heart has been broken for weeks, now. Withdrawal has been most severe. Not even Cocoa Pops ease the pain. I long for August, I long for HD. Thank you Sophie, I love when you do those. I do tend to blow up when ODB is on. Thanks for the link, as well. It brought back wonderful memories from my party."}, {"response": 1748, "author": "soph", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (04:50)", "body": "coming out and begging for your attention. but wait, i have to warn you, this one's a bit scruffy, a bit wild. due to this mad clonig machine of mine, he's turned into a headbanger all of a sudden. far from the cha-cha-cha / suave / xavier cugat version i was expecting (and spent a long time tuning), this is indeed the love child of paul ashworth & nina hagen. admire the style (un chic, une classe, une elegance toute parisienne), you probably and hopefully won't see it anywhere else, except at wedding receptions when everyone is trying to recapture the good old days of the 80ies after a few bottles. animatronicolin 1.3, headbanger version *warning* 230 ko file ! ! ! sorry about this, your set of pix was waaaaay too tempting karen..."}, {"response": 1749, "author": "soph", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (04:53)", "body": "oooops ! the begining of my message dissapeared somehow : the begining reads : ok, errr, look, i thought that was it, but it seems my cloning machine went wild all of a sudden and there's another animatronicolin coming out and begging for your attention... playing dr. frankenstein certainly gets to my head."}, {"response": 1750, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (07:12)", "body": "Bravo Sophie! What an eyeopener first thing in the morning!! Looks like our \"love child\" could use a relaxing......."}, {"response": 1751, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (08:08)", "body": "(Beedee) Looks like our \"love child\" could use a relaxing....... LOL...ohhhhh....I like him all 'dirty'!! ;-) Take a bow Sophie!!! Thanks for that!!!"}, {"response": 1752, "author": "joyce", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (08:09)", "body": "Sophie, Very clever and nicely done. Think we've seen our first Trauma clip."}, {"response": 1753, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (10:01)", "body": "Excellent, Sophie. Seems ODB can dance, and play and do all sorts of things...all sorts of things....hmmmmm."}, {"response": 1754, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (10:34)", "body": "(Joyce) Think we've seen our first Trauma clip. LOL! A very sneaky preview... Love the facial expression at the end (Wot?) He's a maniac, maniac on the floor And he's dancing like he's never danced before Great job, Soph!"}, {"response": 1755, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (10:40)", "body": "Thanks so much Sophie, just great!... Now if only you could figure out a way to put animatronicolin onto the inside of my sunglasses, I'd be watching him walk and headbang all day...It is a good thing I have not your talent, I'm afraid I would turn into something of a Dr.Frankenstein, bringing all these beautifil Colin faces to life!"}, {"response": 1756, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (12:09)", "body": "Brilliant, Sophie! I kept thinking Colin the Rapper. LOL!"}, {"response": 1757, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (12:12)", "body": "Great Job Sophie! WOT! LOL."}, {"response": 1758, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (12:15)", "body": "Tr\ufffds bon, Sophie! Or should I say Frau Doktor Frankenstein? Uh-oh, all sorts of flashbacks from Young Frankenstein are popping to mind. ;-)"}, {"response": 1759, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (12:30)", "body": "Sophie, wot about an animatronicolin in black leather pants???"}, {"response": 1760, "author": "socadook", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (12:39)", "body": "Merveilleux, Sophie! Bien joue'! (Joyce)Think we've seen our first Trauma clip. It's the music video, a back to the 80s drool exclusive! Sing it with me You say Captain, I say Wot, You say Captain, I say Wot"}, {"response": 1761, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (13:15)", "body": "It's the music video, a back to the 80s drool exclusive! Sing it with me You say Captain, I say Wot, You say Captain, I say Wot Hey, I have that album! LOL, so true!"}, {"response": 1762, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (15:08)", "body": "(LindaK) Sophie, wot about an animatronicolin in black leather pants??? Or doing his little hand-to-mouth gesture??? Maybe not - I'd definitely get ab-so-lutely nothing done all day! Well done Sophie, and thanks for sharing your talent with us."}, {"response": 1763, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (15:28)", "body": "Headbanger, Sophie? Very funny (though the word makes me think HD at the moment ;-)) Thank you! (Karen from 177)Extras? You're expecting extras on a nontheatrical release? Pffft! This brings me to TIOBE, which I've just gotten a month ago (no theatrical release here, only dvd). On our dvd there is something called B-roll. Some very odd clips from the making of the movie. No commentary at all - just some sequences. Other than that it has interviews with the cast and Barnaby Thompson. No commentary track at all. I remember someone mentioning something about a hairclip when you talked about the extras on the US-dvd. None of that on mine. Which leads me to my question. Does the US-version has a behind the scene featurette at all? and if it does, what's in it?"}, {"response": 1764, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (15:55)", "body": "(Annette) This brings me to TIOBE...(no theatrical release here, only dvd But the additional work to create the 'extras' has already been done. When I referred to theatrical release, it really meant for the US. You can't go on a country-by-country basis. Interestingly, though and OT-ish in a way, in the May Film Review (with HS info), the DVD release of Marc Evans My Little Eye (no US release either) had a huge spread (back cover) and a fantastic write-up (5 stars). Evidently, they went to the max to create the 'ultimate' two-disc package, full of stuff. The reviewer said this DVD raised the bar and was a must-have. Unfortunately, we can't necessarily expect the same for Trauma (different production companies). B-roll are the clips given to our TV stations, etc., which run during reviews and or interviews. There are scenes to highlight the various actors' performances. So when Colin went on TV, they showed the \"I Like You the Way You Are\" clip from the B-roll. I have to guess that the movie itself is the A-roll. ;-) The US TIOBE had a director's commentary *yawn* (you aren't missing anything) and some deleted scenes. I don't think Colin was in much of the extra package."}, {"response": 1765, "author": "soph", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (16:11)", "body": "cramming it again... thanx for the feedback, *again*. i promise it's over now (for at least a week !). (Karen) He's a maniac, maniac on the floor And he's dancing like he's never danced before oh no, no-no-no, go away, not the soundtrack from one of the worst films ever filmed ! i can close my eyes and see the video, what a magnificent piece of eighties fm left-over (and a particularly lame one-hit-wonder as well, an all-time high in electronic/tacky drums). let... me... think... *michael sembello*, aha ! got you !... (Sonia) You say Captain, I say Wot, You say Captain, I say Wot hahahahahaahahaaaaahahahahahaha, oh boy, i can't believe i had almost forgotten that one as well !!!!!! let... me... think... captain sensible, hahahahaaaahhaaaaah !!!!!!! say, is this some sort of alt. VH1 quiz program i've stumbled upon all of a sudden ? pass the bollocks brothers will you ? as for colin the rapper (Moon Dreams) , hehehe, i should have added a couple of golden chains. oh no, wait, i'm getting confused here, were these actually leather cords ? (Lindak) Sophie, wot about an animatronicolin in black leather pants??? (Sandy) Or doing his little hand-to-mouth gesture??? hmmm, ok, all i need a clean set of pix, preferably some 'anchors' (key 'positions', errrrmm... don't ask). i can easily do it with the infamous blp dance, snapping straight from the hi-rez trailer (actually, the one i did for your b'day linda came from the \"she's staying for the summer\" wagw clip), but i have to think about a way of transforming it, for your enjoyment : what's the point of turning out *exactly* the same thing, when you can all see the real mccoy from the trailer (yeeeesss, i do have my artistic pride) ? now, come to think of it, there might be an angle : remember the glam stall from the rex trauma series (*nyarh nyarh nyarh* - mad hyena laugh mode on-) ? ooooh, i'm getting vibes, ideas, visions, plans (oh, ok karen, i have to finish the family pic first, i know). now, the hand-to-mouth, sandy, yeah, that sounds cool, only i cannot snap from dvds (wrong graph' chip, don't ask again)... (Lindak) Seems ODB can dance, and play and do all sorts of things...all sorts of things....hmmmmm weeeell, you should have seen the first experimental version my computer turned out this morning... it was kind of, well, let's say i had to add a couple more anchors, for the general swing was, hmmm, would you say 'vigourous' in english ? (LisaJH) Uh-oh, all sorts of flashbacks from Young Frankenstein are popping to mind. argghh, i don't get it for i've never seen it, only the soup scene (and it *was* hilarious, but i have to say that early brooks movies, esp. blazzing saddles, are definitely high on my list)"}, {"response": 1766, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (16:23)", "body": "(Karen)You can't go on a country-by-country basis. I know - and especially not when one of the countries is my little dot on the globe :-) I only used this as a trigger to ask about the extras, which I've been meaning to ask for a while. Thank you for the answers, Karen. I'll replace the US version on my wishlist with the WAGW soundtrack ;-) (Karen)Unfortunately, we can't necessarily expect the same for Trauma (different production companies). You know me - I'll keep hoping till we know for sure (toasting my half full glas and lighting any candles that might do the trick ;-))"}, {"response": 1767, "author": "socadook", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (21:15)", "body": "(Moon) Hey, I have that album! There was an album?! ;-) (Karen) He's a maniac, maniac on the floor And he's dancing like he's never danced before (Sophie) i can close my eyes and see the video I can close my eyes and see the hamster from the Blockbuster commercial. Now he's a maniac! :-) (LisaJH) Uh-oh, all sorts of flashbacks from Young Frankenstein are popping to mind. LOL. Just keep Igor away from the abby something... (Karen) Extras? You're expecting extras on a nontheatrical release? Pffft! Yep. I'm naive enough about the business to hope for (not expect) extras. Hey, if they want to recoup money and have more than the CF fans buy the HS dvd, they better add something to make it attractive. The HG fans won't come out in droves, not with all the talk of her not going naked. ;-)"}, {"response": 1768, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (22:58)", "body": "(Annette)You know me - I'll keep hoping till we know for sure (toasting my half full glas and lighting any candles that might do the trick ;-)) You and me both Kiddo! This one's for you!!! src= http://pages.prodigy.net/bestsmileys1/emoticons3/martinitrayCLR.gif border=0> These are my first graphics so I hope it works"}, {"response": 1769, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (22:59)", "body": "It worked on the practice board.......back to study hall........"}, {"response": 1770, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (21:12)", "body": "(Sophie)let's say i had to add a couple more anchors, for the general swing was, hmmm, would you say 'vigourous' in english ? Hey don't worry about too many anchors, vigourous is fine with me:-)"}, {"response": 1771, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (10:56)", "body": "Don't remember seeing this cute little article about BJ's body double...I applaud her taste in men, but you would'nt catch me passing my knickers around a public place (besides, tiger print knickers in my size would frighten small children!) http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/S/thesalon/news/stories/0310_all_in_days_work.html"}, {"response": 1772, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (11:08)", "body": "Cute, but that Sabrina must not be one of Colin's millions of fans in England. ;-) Interesting how Melinda characterized the two. Bet she volunteered to stand-in for Renee during the final scene. ;-) (though body doubles don't do that; a stand-in does) (Maria) but you would'nt catch me passing my knickers around a public place At least they didn't auction them off and gave them to her!"}, {"response": 1773, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (11:33)", "body": "Colin Firth, on the other hand, she quite 'likes'. \"It's a damn shame he's married,\" she chuckled. Not for his wife. Cute...lucky LD (but we all know that)! Thanks Maria! (Maria) I applaud her taste in men, but you would'nt catch me passing my knickers around a public place LOL....Oh! Now! I would pass mine around if they had been anywhere near ODB, I would expect you to share too! ;-)"}, {"response": 1774, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (11:36)", "body": "Thought I would say hello on this topic as well. I've been around for a couple of days, but I was reading the whole back from posting #1. It's been quite an education! ;-) I just realized how important ODB has become to me. Yesterday I got a call that I didn't get a job I really wanted and was thus quite despondent. Luckily I popped TIOBE in the VCR and by the final rendition of \"Lady Come Down,\" I was back to happy and hopeful. Such a lifesaver! I'm involved in psychological research - we have CB (cognitive behavioral) therapy. I think there should be official CF therapy. I'll start the clinical trials if anyone's interested. :-)"}, {"response": 1775, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (11:47)", "body": "Shoshana)we have CB (cognitive behavioral) therapy. I think there should be official CF therapy. I'll start the clinical trials if anyone's interested. :-) LOL Shoshana. Will it show up in the DSM4? CF therapy is an excellent dx for what goes on here. We often take two CF DVDs and write about it in the morning!;-)"}, {"response": 1776, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (11:49)", "body": "\"He actually plays himself in a lot of films. I don't know about that. How many and which ones of HG's films has she seen? Colin Firth, on the other hand, she quite 'likes'. \"It's a damn shame he's married,\" she chuckled. Too bad nothing was printed about his acting. Another one who doesn't seem to contribute to the box office. :-( At least she has good taste in men. (Shoshana) I think there should be official CF therapy. I'll start the clinical trials if anyone's interested. :-) Let me be the first victim ;-), I mean patient."}, {"response": 1777, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (11:55)", "body": "I was watching MOTM this weekend (and please forgive if this has already been talked about), but I thought it was interesting that two people commented on ODB's walk in this film (Stephen Whalby's grandmother and his cousin, Peter). Then was thinking about it and couldn't remember any other films were his walk was brought up...are there any? (Beedee) We often take two CF DVDs and write about it in the morning!;-) LOL..this is a cure all for most things that distress you! Headache? BJD and a cup of tea. Upset Tummy? P&P and 7-up...."}, {"response": 1778, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (11:59)", "body": "(Beedee)Will it show up in the DSM4? I suppose that this all could be, as DSM-IV calls it, a dependence disorder (though that would make ODB a drug (hmmmm)). If so, then I am happily crazy and do not want anything but more!"}, {"response": 1779, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (13:00)", "body": "Brilliant! (Tress) Then was thinking about it and couldn't remember any other films were his walk was brought up...are there any? Can't think of one off the top of my head. Still working on my firthography. Just got my hands on WOF. Walk + jacket = lovely. Walk + coat = lovelier. Walk - (coat + jacket) = loveliest. All in all, quite lovely. Oh yeah, the film wasn't bad either."}, {"response": 1780, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (13:03)", "body": "Oops, forgot the beginning. Sorry :-( (Beedee) We often take two CF DVDs and write about it in the morning!;-) Brilliant!"}, {"response": 1781, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (13:19)", "body": "P&P is playing right now...My daughter is home sick, and P&P is the first thing she pops in just after the motrin. I'll be listening to FD all day, now.**sigh** (Tress)I was watching MOTM this weekend I loved his walk in this. Don't remember if it was talked about in other films. Loved his walk in SLOW when he leaves Nimi's after spending the night. It had that just f'd look, too. Sorry, but I just had to verbalize that."}, {"response": 1782, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (13:24)", "body": "(Sonia) Just got my hands on WOF. Walk + jacket = lovely. Walk + coat = lovelier. Walk - (coat + jacket) = loveliest. All in all, quite lovely. Mmmmm.....I love Brian Smith! He's sarcastic and wears a coat! I do love it when ODB wears a coat (that billowing action does me in)!! The film itself has a cheesy, 60's feel about it (like they were poking fun of Fellini or Bergman...I don't know if that was their intention, but it has that feel)!"}, {"response": 1783, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (15:43)", "body": "(Linda) Loved his walk in SLOW when he leaves Nimi's after spending the night. It had that just f'd look, too. My sister, where have you been? Love that scene. Camera starts on his butt and stays put (mesmorized) as he struts away. What I wouldn't do for a \"Saracen distress call\". Yow!"}, {"response": 1784, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (16:41)", "body": "(Tress) The film itself has a cheesy, 60's feel about it (like they were poking fun of Fellini or Bergman...I don't know if that was their intention, but it has that feel)! If you picked that out, then you should read the film discussion. Lots of good background info."}, {"response": 1785, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (17:00)", "body": "(Karen) If you picked that out, then you should read the film discussion. Lots of good background info. Do you know where I can find it? It's not one of the archived discussions. Was going to rewatch this one sometime this week....I haven't seen Brian in a while and...I miss him!"}, {"response": 1786, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (17:16)", "body": "(Tress)Do you know where I can find it? I don't know how to paste links to an exact response, but try looking at topic 98, Filmdiscussion part II, response 1822. Something is about to happen around June 11 2001. I can't say I miss Brian. Cute, yes but I really do not like his hair. Way to trimmed. But - then I usually concentrate more on his facial expressions, so perhaps it's worth another look ;-) I like the film, though in a kinda quirky (is that a word) way."}, {"response": 1787, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (17:27)", "body": "Thanks Annette...I'll check that out. (Annette) Cute, yes but I really do not like his hair. Way to trimmed. I'm a huge fan of ODB's 'messy look', so it is odd that I like Brian as much as I do (I think I was lured in by the coat, his sarcasm and that great shag scene), because every time I see WOF, I think he looks too 'trimmed' too! Very coiffed! BTW, I'm currently worshipping ODB's Trauma hair (that'll do me!). And quirky is the perfect word to describe WOF!"}, {"response": 1788, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (18:39)", "body": "(lindaK)P&P is playing right now...My daughter is home sick, and P&P is the first thing she pops in just after the motrin. I'll be listening to FD all day, now.**sigh** Listening?? I would not be able to do anything else! (Karen)If you picked that out, then you should read the film discussion. Lots of good background info. On my first WOF viewing I suffered from the CF *stunned* factor. Hard to process much else so I missed much of the point. After being guided to and reading the film discussion I had a blast watching it. Great filmography insights on both this film and what the influences for it may have been and look for the *Jello*! Loved the coat too! It's a great prop to \"show off\" his walk and \"figure to best advantage\"."}, {"response": 1789, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (19:09)", "body": "Rewatching WOF is very good idea, mind if I join you? I've always secretly liked this one...sarcasm and vertical shag scene rating highly as reasons. (Annette) ...quirky (is that a word) Yes, it is a word and yes, it is quirky! (to say the least!)"}, {"response": 1790, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (20:00)", "body": "(BarbS) Rewatching WOF is very good idea, mind if I join you? Ohhh! Please do! So much fun to drool in droves! I'm sure I'll be here panting and drooling after I view it! Yippee! I love 'company'!"}, {"response": 1791, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (20:10)", "body": "(BarbS) Rewatching WOF is very good idea, mind if I join you? (Tress) So much fun to drool in droves! I'm game. Went to topic 98 to read up on WOF discussion. Saw there were still some responses before the topic was full. How about, we meet there when you're done with your viewing?"}, {"response": 1792, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (20:30)", "body": "Oh boy...... digging out WOF and dusting off. Ooops, MOTM still in vcr, better finish that 3rd viewing first. Oh no, see P&P is still in the DVD player......"}, {"response": 1793, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (20:41)", "body": "LOL, Beedee. Decisions, decisions! (Tress) I'm currently worshipping ODB's Trauma hair (that'll do me!). I just know I'm gonna love this movie for looks alone: the hair, the stubble, the scar, the clothes, the pain of loss, the trauma . I can't wait to know how he suffers. ;-)"}, {"response": 1794, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (20:45)", "body": "(Beedee) digging out WOF...Ooops, MOTM still in vcr, ...Oh no, see P&P is still in the DVD player...... Wot a dilemma! (I *really* need to get MOTM.) Answer to Beedee's dilemma: buy special DVD solely for P&P (priorities ARE priorities afterall.) (Sonia) Went to topic 98 to read up on WOF discussion. Saw there were still some responses before the topic was full. Only a little room at 98 and 158 has been most recently used for film discussions ...continuity (gawd, isn't *that* a nice thing to have?) may be best served by doing it at 158. What is the word on the streets? This is a \"been there done that\" review. Shall we do it here, informally, and save 158 and group energy for films that have not been done or do we take it to 158 and see who else is interested? (Did not mean to start a ruckus, was really only just drooling over vertical shag....)"}, {"response": 1795, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (21:25)", "body": "(Beedee) digging out WOF...Ooops, MOTM still in vcr, ...Oh no, see P&P is still in the DVD player...... I just hit the lovely moment of having, concurrently, Valmont in the VCR, SIL on the cable, TIOBE and TEP sitting next to the TV, and, of course, P&P in the DVD; however in such a situation, how do I choose?"}, {"response": 1796, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (22:28)", "body": "This topic is for talking about films we've already done on the \"formal\" discussion topic. So if you want to talk about WOF, this is the place."}, {"response": 1797, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (22:35)", "body": "(Shoshana)I just hit the lovely moment of having, concurrently, Valmont in the VCR, SIL on the cable, TIOBE and TEP sitting next to the TV, and, of course, P&P in the DVD; however in such a situation, how do I choose? Hmmmm, let's see, do you feel playfully sinful? Or classically mercenary? Or merry and gay? Or deserted in the desert or are you in the mood for a gloriously gorgeous, coat swaggering, broodingly eyepopping demigod...... It's a hard one to call.......I know, Fever Pitch!! Great shorts!"}, {"response": 1798, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (00:08)", "body": "(Beedee) It's a hard one to call.......I know, Fever Pitch!! Great shorts! When in doubt go for the shorts! Or wait, is it better to go for the \"coat with the tails\" blowin' in the wind? But then, there's the dimple factor...TIOBE is good, but Valmont probably wins by a grin. I'm afraid when it comes to SIL and TEP, I have to go to the Fiennes factor for the tie break and SIL wins every time. But then, there's the \"barely legal\" appeal of Lost Empires, Another Country and Dutch Girls...which of course, totally ignores the Dramas. I have come to the conclusion there *just* is not enough time in a day. (And having just re-watched WOF, I can forget the hair factor because Brian Smith is just so darn cute!)"}, {"response": 1799, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (06:21)", "body": "(Beedee) I know, Fever Pitch!! Great shorts! Oh, yes, I can't wait to find FP, LE, WoF, and the rest! Where have you all found those available? I've exhausted the supply of our local library system and the Blockbuster is notoriously weak in the area of decent films. Also, I just watched 1000 Acres... what are other's opinions on that film? I thought CF was the only redeeming factor (though his accent was disconcerting)."}, {"response": 1800, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (07:48)", "body": "Blockbusters should (or used to have) FP. It came with a hideously offputting cover when it was initially released in the US. Very doubtful that you'll find either WOF or LE at any rental place or library. WOF is a very cheap video to own (about $7 new on the reissue). Go to the Boutique for links at amazon. LE is out on DVD."}, {"response": 1801, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (08:51)", "body": "(Shoshana)Also, I just watched 1000 Acres... what are other's opinions on that film? I thought CF was the only redeeming factor (though his accent was disconcerting). Oh oh, don't get them started on his accents;-)"}, {"response": 1802, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (09:17)", "body": "(Beedee) Oh oh, don't get them started on his accents;-) LOL..too late! (Shoshana) (though his accent was disconcerting). The accent really threw me off initially, but now I find I'm staring at his neck during the entire movie (love those open neck shirts he gets to wear), so I don't even remember what he sounds like! I actually had a hard time with the American accent in ATA.....which is so odd because it didn't even effect me when I watched PM (but there were so many other things to distract me in that film....)"}, {"response": 1803, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (09:36)", "body": "Also, I just watched 1000 Acres... what are other's opinions on that film? As a movie? Out of the 100 films reviewed by Premiere Mag that year, ATA was voted 100. I thought CF was the only redeeming factor Esp in the navy blue suit in the courtroom scene;-) He has a little problem with American accents..on stage and screen.Changes the resonance of his voice."}, {"response": 1804, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (09:38)", "body": "Having just finished a viewing of P&P, yesterday...I must say, FD has it all, the look, the walk, the coat swaying in the wind, the body, and don't forget the breeches, Louisa. Smolder, did I mention smolder? Oh yes of course, there is that bit of stubble, too."}, {"response": 1805, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (10:03)", "body": "(Shoshana)Also, I just watched 1000 Acres... what are other's opinions on that film? I thought CF was the only redeeming factor (though his accent was disconcerting). (Evelyn) As a movie? Out of the 100 films reviewed by Premiere Mag that year, ATA was voted 100. Evelyn, that says it all. Yes Shoshana, CF was the only redeeming factor. His accent didn't bother me (I've heard worse). Besides his was the best voice out of anyone in that movie. I just love the \"and you're just oblivious\" scene by the back door. I've replayed that scene time and again. The voice, the look, the body language. *sigh* Made a trip to Virgin Megastore for FP and BBAF. Got SLOW, Tumbledown and WOF on ebay."}, {"response": 1806, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (12:11)", "body": "The Virgin store in Times Square does Not have the FP soundtrack. Not on their database either. Someone asked me to check. I wonder if the soundtrack is available in the US. I've bought them in UK for US Droolies, but that was about 5-6 yrs ago. Best part of the film (besides YKW)"}, {"response": 1807, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (12:14)", "body": "(Evelyn)I wonder if the soundtrack is available in the US. I've bought them in UK for US Droolies, but that was about 5-6 yrs ago. I have my name on some list (Amazon maybe?) that keeps checking for me if anyone puts one up for sale, not available to my knowledge otherwise.."}, {"response": 1808, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (14:07)", "body": "(Evelyn) I wonder if the soundtrack is available in the US. No. It was never released in the US by a US company. Any copies at music stores (mainly Virgin) were in the Import section. (Sonia) BBAF OK, now I'm really drawing a blank. Bad Boys Against Firth??? Big Bimbos Admiring Firth?"}, {"response": 1809, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (14:18)", "body": "(Karen) Big Bimbos Admiring Firth? Hey, quit talking about me like that! ;-) I've always wanted the FP soundtrack, too. Amazon UK doesn't have it. ;-("}, {"response": 1810, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (14:45)", "body": "(Evelyn)The Virgin store in Times Square does Not have the FP soundtrack. Not on their database either. Someone asked me to check. That was me, Evelyn. Thanks so much for checking. I'm still looking and would absolutely love to find a copy of this."}, {"response": 1811, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (15:07)", "body": "(Karen) Bad Boys Against Firth??? Big Bimbos Admiring Firth? Forgot to proofread before submitting. What a difference an A makes. Should've been BABAF as in Black Adder Back and Forth. Like your interpretations. Big Bimbos Admiring Firth?! I've been called worse. ;-) (Evelyn) The Virgin store in Times Square does Not have the FP soundtrack. The trip I referred to was to the Orlando Megastore. They had the DVD but not the soundtrack. Sorry to cause confusion. My mind is more agreably engaged by linens."}, {"response": 1812, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (17:45)", "body": "Karen)Big Bimbos Admiring Firth? Hey! I thought we agreed on *Ladies who Lunch*! For the argumentative, yes,this can and has led to BBAF. This is MEO (my expert opinion)."}, {"response": 1813, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (17:47)", "body": "Ahhh, I see. Well, Black Adder is Black Adder (BA) to me. The others in the series are kind of meaningless here."}, {"response": 1814, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (23:14)", "body": "(Evelyn) The Virgin store in Times Square does Not have the FP soundtrack. I got mine on Ebay. Paid too much for it, but that's not the first time I've paid too much for something CF-related."}, {"response": 1815, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (08:17)", "body": "Here's a hint to finding a FP soundtrack, as I got mine for \ufffd1 on ebay.co.uk -- sometimes people who have them don't understand why we would be interested in them. Hint hint. Think about your search terms."}, {"response": 1816, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (12:38)", "body": "Another unrelated question from a newbie: What is P&P2? Is it a film? Is CF in it? Thanks."}, {"response": 1817, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (13:02)", "body": "The traditional numbering scheme, developed when Spring hosted the Austen conference was: P&P0 - Laurence Olivier/Greer Garson film version P&P1 - David Rintoul/Elizabeth Garvie BBC version P&P2 - Colin Firth/Jennifer Ehle BBC version ...and that's how most people refer to them."}, {"response": 1818, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (13:46)", "body": "(Evelyn)does Not have the FP soundtrack. I purchased mine on Amazon, last April. I paid $32.00 for it. It was worth it to me because I love FP, and the voice overs in between the songs...have caused me major meltdowns. BBAF...Big, Bad, And Frothy."}, {"response": 1819, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (14:28)", "body": "For all newbies: Those of you who are P&P fans might be interested in going to another Drool section which features stories of Lizzie and Darcy in different periods...from regency to contemporary. Written by devotees of Jane Austen: some of the early stories are esp outstanding. Drool Fan Fic Archive at the top of this website: http://droolfic.tripod.com/ Also Murph has a lovely story: \"Viola and Wessex in the New World\" on her website. http://www.murphsplace.com/firth/prequel.html Bring a box of tissues!"}, {"response": 1820, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (19:38)", "body": "ahem... (blink, blink, blink) Ok..(breathing to slow down pulse rate) I've found a new man with expressive brown eyes to lust and drool over. No, he's not as gorgeous as ODB, but who is, you know? Peter Krause (peering over shoulder to make sure sofa is proper place and then proceeding to faint dead away)"}, {"response": 1821, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (10:00)", "body": "Okay....I finished reading the WOF discussion. Wish I had been there for that one!! I now know more about Jello than I ever thought I would. ;-) There were some great observations. I, too, noticed some similarity to 'Wings of Desire' (BTW, Moon, it comes out on DVD July 1 for the first time ever. I've had my copy pre-ordered for months. One of my favorite films (sorry Karen!)). I'm now going to have to rewatch WOF....which I'm going to do tomorrow (wedding stuff for a friend has kept me busy). Must look for (1) Jello, (2) white 'cover' worn by ODB during 'the scene' (I'll pay special attention to this part), (3) the birthdate on Brian's door, (4) woman speaking about the Titanic and half a dozen (to 10,000) other things.....And I want to thank those that participated and gave info on TS Eliot and other topics and Karen....for the info on Chekhov's character Trigorin. Now my little observation (from the first time I viewed and this probably has no significance at all). Did anyone notice that PO'T initals were CV (a CV being a list of 'accomplishments') and ODB's intials were BS (we know what that means). Now I'll be quiet until I watch again..... And....hey there Jeanie!!! Where ya been?? Lusting after a boy running a mortuary!? Oh the humanity! ;-)"}, {"response": 1822, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (10:05)", "body": "(Tress) Did anyone notice that PO'T initals were CV (a CV being a list of 'accomplishments') and ODB's intials were BS (we know what that means). Excellent! I've always been a great believer that names in lit, etc., are significant. Good catch. (Tress) And....hey there Jeanie!!! Where ya been?? Lusting after a boy running a mortuary!? Oh the humanity! ;-) Not here. email please."}, {"response": 1823, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (11:33)", "body": "Shouldn't this be in the film discussion topic? Glad you liked it, Tress. :-)"}, {"response": 1824, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (12:00)", "body": "(Moon) Shouldn't this be in the film discussion topic? Per the boss: (Karen) This topic is for talking about films we've already done on the \"formal\" discussion topic. So if you want to talk about WOF, this is the place. (Karen) Excellent! I've always been a great believer that names in lit, etc., are significant. Good catch. LOL...okay, if you bought that, then Norman Eliot Trigorin is NET. Nets being used to catch things...(Meriam Webster says: an entrapping device or situation ). The book trapped Valentin. It was the reason for his death and the reason he ended up at the hotel with Brian. Now I really will keep quiet and promise to come back after actually rewatching the film with drooler comments! ;-)"}, {"response": 1825, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (12:00)", "body": "No, we already had *the* film discussion of WOF. This topic is for additional discussions of older films. Time to lay off the Cosmos, Moon. ;-)"}, {"response": 1826, "author": "AnnieZ", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (13:38)", "body": "Saw this on another site (CFFW), some of you may have seen it. So sexy and mysterious ;-)"}, {"response": 1827, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (13:38)", "body": "Time to lay off the Cosmos, Moon. ;-) Oh, hell! LOL!"}, {"response": 1828, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (14:07)", "body": "Annie, that's an AFG pic. Now, about that hair conditioner....;-) (Karen)Time to lay off the Cosmos, Moon. ;-) (Moon) Oh, hell! LOL! Hey, Moon, did you start partying a day early? ;-D"}, {"response": 1829, "author": "socadook", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (14:17)", "body": "(Annie) So sexy and mysterious (Lisa) Annie, that's an AFG pic Couldn't agree more. I know this site is known for drama vs. rom-com discussions on ODB's career. Can't you just picture him in an epic adventure a la Three Musqueteers: the hair, the clothes, the boots, the sword, the riding...? *sigh*"}, {"response": 1830, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (15:08)", "body": "(Annie) So sexy and mysterious (LisaJH) Annie, that's an AFG pic (Sonia) Couldn't agree more. Hmmmmm.... OMG....He's dead sexy! Look at those eyes! Look at that hair (er...wig)! Look at that stubble! Bring on the puffy pants! Bring on the torquoise suit! Bring on all that angst! I'm ready!!! (LisaJH) Now, about that hair conditioner....;-) Oh...no, no! I like! It's very \"17th century bedhead\" and I do like that look...makes me think of.....mmmm.......nothin', sorry.... ;-D"}, {"response": 1831, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (15:20)", "body": "(Sonia)Can't you just picture him in an epic adventure a la Three Musqueteers: the hair, the clothes, the boots, the sword, the riding...? *sigh* Ab-so-lutely...an epic...about six hours long...double DVD..."}, {"response": 1832, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (15:41)", "body": "Finally somehow managed to drag my eyes from his face,and, I know I am muppet-minded, but does'nt his sleeve almost resemble an eagle muppet face? O.K., back to his face now... (Tress) \"17th century bedhead\" LOL!"}, {"response": 1833, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (16:21)", "body": "(MariaT) doesn't his sleeve almost resemble an eagle muppet face? ROTFLMAO!!"}, {"response": 1834, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (06:18)", "body": "It's confirmed then...Vermeer was using another poor innocent to grind his paints for him...Poor Mr.Beaky..."}, {"response": 1835, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (08:48)", "body": "(Maria) Poor Mr.Beaky... LOL....At least Beaker has a nice lab coat to keep from getting all that powder on his clothes....poor Griet has to grind and then wash, grind and then wash....she must be exhausted! I suppose we could lend Griet a hand (and Beaker) and finish up that grinding with ODB? ;-) Okay...watched WOF last night and I knew I would be back here to drool.....I'm so glad he made this film if only because he goes up and down stairs constantly! Up the stairs, down the stairs....mmmmmm.....and there is one scene in particular, when he smiles.....I nearly hit the floor! Brian comes into the dining room. There are about 200 tables where there should be 50. Walks across the room to see Bianca, who is on her knees looking for her earring. And he askes \"What are you doing?\" (and I love the delivery of this line)....she says \"I lost my earring.\" and then we get \"Wot?\" GAH!!!! Then he smiles at her....an amazing smile! Full teeth...full dimples. Matter of fact, we get a lot of big smiles in this film. And it's good for mole viewing. There was mention in the formal topic about ODB having a body double (my guess is for the pool dangle scene) because the BD was not used during 'the scene'. All moles were accounted for (even from the back). ;-) Also love this piece of dialogue between Dr. Frisch and Valentin: V: \"He's deranged, I'm telling you. Absolutely deranged.\" F: \"You mean a syndrome of sensory hyperconnection?\" V: \"No! I mean he's f**king mad!\" This just cracked me up! And then....when BS and CV make it back to earth. Those last few moments.....ODB is full of stubble! GAH!!! Beautiful! He didn't grow it on the island....but once he got to earth, all that manliness just sprouted! On a more 'serious' note. And I just read the discussion, but cannot recall if this was mentioned. When ODB gets to the front desk for the first time. He says he is \"Norman Eliot Trigorin\". The desk clerk says \"I'm sorry there is no one by that name here\" and then ODB says \"Brian Smith\" and the desk clerk recognizes him immediately. ODB is trying to still be recognized for his writing, but that isn't what made him famous....so he is only recognized at the hotel as BS. Which says something about fame. You can do something really great (like writing), but in the end, you will be recognized/remembered for your infamous activities! I do go on....I'll shut up now...."}, {"response": 1836, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (09:46)", "body": "(Tress)You can do something really great (like writing), but in the end, you will be recognized/remembered for your infamous activities! I do go on....I'll shut up now.... Nono, don't shut up. This film is just chocked with great ODB shots and mind ramblings. I see different angles each time I watch it and was sorry to have missed the original discussion. It's so great to read the literary and literate contributions. I haven't delved much into Chekov so those references were very helpful. I would have missed so much without them. It was also fun to go back and slow-mo at the *door* numbers. This film was made for multiple video viewing!"}, {"response": 1837, "author": "socadook", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (11:33)", "body": "(Beedee) This film is just chocked with great ODB shots and mind ramblings (...)It's so great to read the literary and literate contributions. Ditto. (Tress) Now my little observation (...) PO'T initals were CV and ODB's intials were BS (...)then Norman Eliot Trigorin is NET. Brilliant! To that end, Bianca: white, lacking color, blank space. Speaking of Bianca, \"they tell me I was a singer\". She walks around with the recording but did she ever try to sing while on the island? Why does she believe she's a singer but she doesn't believe she's dead? How did the \"medical staff\" try to make her believe she was dead? And who told her she had amnesia? She says she has all these dreams but does she ever consider them as actual memories and not obscure \"clues to the past\"? Did she ever talk to Dr. F? \"This reminds me of someone,\" are we to guess it was a guy? Did he look/feel like BS? Was he also in the car accident? Were they shagging and driving? Were they parked and hit by someone else? Were they at home and a car slammed into their room? And what do you make of the vertical shag? Could ODB have been any less into it (pardon the pun?) Questions, questions, questions. (Tress) The book trapped Valentin. It was the reason for his death and the reason he ended up at the hotel with Brian. It's also a reminder of the great big lie he lived on Earth and continues at the hotel until he sees NET handwritten in the book. CV discovers NET is aka BS and realizes he's been found out. He fights it at first and eventually recognizes BS as the writer. From then on, of course, his fame on Earth is fading, his standing at the hotel has declined and his attitude/ego is defeated. Also (yes I do go on :-)) CV put an end to NET's writing career (ok, ok, I'm guessing). BS put an end to CV's life. (Tress) You can do something really great (like writing), but in the end, you will be recognized/remembered for your infamous activities! Agreed. For example, younger generations know Rock Hudson for having and dying of AIDS not for his Hollywood career, and OJ for his criminal and civil trials not his football career. As for BS, he wasn't famous before the murder. His most successful work, the one he could've been known for as NET, was published under the name CV. V: \"No! I mean he's f**king mad!\" Love that bit of dialogue as well. Other favorites: Journalist: \"What do you think of British cinema?\" CV: \"Oh that would be a v.g. idea\" (It's been used before but it still works for me!) CV: \"Oh yes the Nobel Prize for literature. Aren't you the man who didn't get it?\" BS's exit from the yoga session: love the body language, facial expressions followed by the delivery of \"this is bulls**t, I'm off\""}, {"response": 1838, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (13:06)", "body": "Sonia, you're just full of questions! ;-) I need to re-watch this one - it's been a while. It's such an interesting mix of opportunities to dissect symbolism (the jello, for example), sly references to other films, and quirky humor, with some major drooling opportunities thrown in for good measure. BS's exit from the yoga session: love the body language, facial expressions followed by the delivery of \"this is bulls**t, I'm off\" Love that! Also like the way BS plays cat-and-mouse with CV regarding why he killed him. Nice revenge for the way CV kept ignoring BS's attempts to talk to him back on earth. I also love it when, back on Earth, BS watches CV talking to the \"fans\" that BS sent him. V. nice. And it's always amused me that Lassie is on the island."}, {"response": 1839, "author": "socadook", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (14:31)", "body": "(Rika)Sonia, you're just full of questions! ;-) And they keep coming but I'll spare you for now. ;-) Also like the way BS plays cat-and-mouse with CV regarding why he killed him. Nice revenge for the way CV kept ignoring BS's attempts to talk to him back on earth. Love that too. At those times BS reminded me of Valmont. On the boat trip to the island, CV is in front of BS. Neither man acknowledges the other until the hallway outside their rooms. The metro trip to Earth, CV is behind BS (order restored). Again neither man acknowldeges the other until the bench outside."}, {"response": 1840, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (15:07)", "body": "(Sonia ) To that end, Bianca: white, lacking color, blank space. Oh...I was going to mention Bianca and forgot about her (thanks Sonia)!! Dr. Frisch (frisch in German meaning fresh, recent). (Sonia) Did he look/feel like BS? ROTFL....uh....I don't know how to answer that!! ;-) (Sonia) She says she has all these dreams but does she ever consider them as actual memories and not obscure \"clues to the past\"? This is a really good point. I need to pay attention to her dreams more the next time I view it. Okay....and now I want to know....CV was killed and BS dies immediately afterwards. They go to the hotel. That was 1966....I am guessing that it is 1986ish when they come back. Isn't anyone curious why they are back, when they died 20 years before? And why they look so young!? Can't remember if this was talked about on the WOF discussion (I read it but I'm 'feeble minded' and can't recall if this specific thing was covered)."}, {"response": 1841, "author": "socadook", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (17:04)", "body": "(Tress) Isn't anyone curious why they are back, when they died 20 years before? Oooooooh, good point. And aren't BS and CV curious about the date as well? I don't remember reading that take on it in the discussion. (I may be feeble minded as well). Maybe it's like Back to the Future. They changed the time continuum or something along those lines."}, {"response": 1842, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (20:17)", "body": "(Tress) Isn't anyone curious why they are back, when they died 20 years before? And why they look so young!? Good point, though the whole reason they were allowed to go back was because pretty much nobody remembered them."}, {"response": 1843, "author": "soph", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (09:15)", "body": "a fast contribution (before i get back to my animatronics due to some renewed agitation on the birthday front)about WOF : i am definitely not crazy about it (at least, i like it better than others. don't get me started on ATA for instance...): sounded like a good joke to begin with (the island and all that), but i thought the joke was running thin after a while and i am not into heavy handed demonstrations anyway (\"oh, look, there's albert einstein\", yeah yeah). plus character development disappeared behind those gizmos in my opinion. anyway, enough with that, and just a thought about the \"i don't remember\" routine : interestingly, it struck me (well, apart from the view, of course) as being the absolute opposite of classic romance development, where meeting someone & falling in love equals with total oblivion of the past. the new lover obliterates old ones, and opens up a brand new life for the hero/heroin (hence, endless plots in cheap romance novels where the heroin conveniently suffers from amnesia, is rescued by a doctor/lawyer/fireman with whom she falls in love, and discovers her troubled past in the end). i am not sure i made myself clear here. about the island in itself : it seems to me closer to utopia in a way, in the true sense of the word : no name (which reflects placelessness. plus, the hotel is the perfect exemple of the most anonymous place in the world, where you can even fake identities, eventhough the staff is perfectly aware that you are faking), and out of time, eventhough you can eventually be kicked out (which makes it no hell). anyway, enough of my ramblings, back to the reanimation chamber (igor, pull the switch !)."}, {"response": 1844, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (10:40)", "body": "Sophie, one of the reasons I liked WoF so much is because it reminded me of one of my favourite French films: Alain Resnais, \"L'Ann\ufffde derni\ufffdre a Marienbad\". But I agree with you about ATA. I hated it."}, {"response": 1845, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (11:36)", "body": "(Rika) though the whole reason they were allowed to go back was because pretty much nobody remembered them. I think the w/d just wanted a \"feel good\" ending for his film. They could've ended up treading water like the other poor, unfortunate souls. ;-) (Sophie) i am not into heavy handed demonstrations anyway (...)character development disappeared behind those gizmos in my opinion. Which is why the film discussion is so interesting. Not having seen L'Ann\ufffde derni\ufffdre \ufffd Marienbad and Wings of Desire, read Chekhov or Sartre in a long time, nor delved into the meaning of labyrinths and Jello, I appreciate the many pov expressed in the film discussion. Interpretations I didn't have at the first viewing."}, {"response": 1846, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (06:01)", "body": "This is from an old article, but I hadn't seen the picture before. Link to the article: http://www.thehollandsentinel.net/stories/052202/ent_052202058.shtml"}, {"response": 1847, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (07:58)", "body": "Oh Annette!!! What a lovely way to wake up! Thank you so much! Looks like he is wearing that Armani t-shirt again (when it was new)!!! ;-)"}, {"response": 1848, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (09:18)", "body": "My, don't you just love to wake up to Annette in the morning?! It's a beauty! Thanks Annette"}, {"response": 1849, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (09:19)", "body": "Love the pic, Annette! Though after doing a bit of digging I have traced it. As the article was a reprint from the Washington Post, I went back to the original (which was syndicated many places) and there's a small, cropped one in color of this shot. However, I do like this big black and and white much much better. http://firth.com/articles/washpost51902.html Thanks so much!"}, {"response": 1850, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (09:23)", "body": "Thank you, Annette. I must have sweet dreams tonight :-)"}, {"response": 1851, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (09:33)", "body": "Annette, you really know how to get my blood boiling early in the morning. Thank you, and thanks Karen for the article."}, {"response": 1852, "author": "socadook", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (09:37)", "body": "Oklahoma! fans sing along with me: Oh what a beautiful morning Oh what a beautiful day. I can't believe what I'm seeing How great to wake up this way! Annette and Karen thanks for pics and articles. Lovely, just lovely."}, {"response": 1853, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (09:53)", "body": "Thanks Annette and Karen! He certainly does b/w photos justice (and color, and period dress, and undress, and suits, and jeans, and boxers, aaaand towels, mmm, etc. etc...."}, {"response": 1854, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (11:20)", "body": "...and don't forget the stubble, the curls, the toes, the hands... Drooling heavy duty just now."}, {"response": 1855, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (14:52)", "body": "(Maria) Thanks Annette and Karen! He certainly does b/w photos justice (and color, and period dress, and undress, and suits, and jeans, and boxers, aaaand towels, mmm, etc. etc.... (Linda) ...and don't forget the stubble, the curls, the toes, the hands... And there really isn't anything that can be added to that. In total agreement ladies."}, {"response": 1856, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (15:52)", "body": "Annette - gorgeous photo! I love how it highlights his Adam's apple (one of my favorite parts) ;-)"}, {"response": 1857, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (18:56)", "body": "There's something about him in black and white. The contrasts just make the photo more life-like or something (think beach pic with toes). I've been drooling over this picture for hours now. Thanks Annette and Karen!"}, {"response": 1858, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (10:56)", "body": "(Annette)This is from an old article, but I hadn't seen the picture before. But in the end, the role he is likely to be best remembered for is the brooding Mr. Darcy in a BBC production of Jane Austen's \"Pride and Prejudice.\" That lavish 1995 miniseries, broadcast here on A&E and seen by more than 100 million viewers worldwide, turned Firth into an unlikely international heartthrob. Firth's not all that handsome -- his neutral actor's face can be substantially altered by expression and makeup -- but having a crush on Colin has become a pop-culture commonplace. What nonsense is this, especially when next to that photo?"}, {"response": 1859, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (11:17)", "body": "I agree. He is so very handsome. And what is wrong with being remembered as Mr. Darcy, the eyes, the wet shirt, wet hair, brooding and wonton looks. Absolutley nothing IMO."}, {"response": 1860, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (11:43)", "body": "Firth's not all that handsome -- (Shoshana) What nonsense is this, especially when next to that photo? I thought the same thing when I read it! Alona Wartofsky! She's clearly the most dreadful cold fish! How could you not be moved by all that lovliness before you??! Oh well!! More for us! ;-)"}, {"response": 1861, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (11:56)", "body": "Firth's not all that handsome -- his neutral actor's face can be substantially altered by expression and makeup - Maybe she was another of those \"journalists\" who borrow by reading other interviews and borrowed his descriptions of his own looks;-)"}, {"response": 1862, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (13:14)", "body": "(Beedee) Maybe she was another of those \"journalists\" who borrow by reading other interviews and borrowed his descriptions of his own looks;-) No, she was right there and the Washington Post had its own photog there too. She did write one of the more bizarre articles about him during that publicity blitz."}, {"response": 1863, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (13:39)", "body": "(Cyndy) Please ladies! I don't WANT to think of Colin as Orson Wells.......... I don't know...I have heard of this great diet...20 donuts a day and Big Macs for breakfast!! ;-D"}, {"response": 1864, "author": "cyndy", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (13:55)", "body": "I am quite speechless...........(Take advantage here--it won't happen often!) Love the picture ;-)"}, {"response": 1865, "author": "socadook", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (14:01)", "body": "Nice before picture, Tress. \"Rosebud...\";-) Hee, hee, hee."}, {"response": 1866, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (14:18)", "body": "AAAACCCKK!! Tress! (Not gonna think about, nope, not even for Drama...eeeuuuwwww!)"}, {"response": 1867, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (14:19)", "body": "(Karen)No, she was right there and the Washington Post had its own photog there too Well! Then she *is* the most dreadfully *dead* fish! IMnotsoHO!"}, {"response": 1868, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (14:22)", "body": "Sorry for the double post but if Karen wants to make the posting above go away, the text next to the smiley did not show up where I found it, I want the jaw drop, but not the words...sorry)"}, {"response": 1869, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (14:27)", "body": "From what we know about Fade to Black, where Colin might be playing a younger and slimmer Orson Welles, it sounds wonderful to me, except for the director attached (Oliver Parker). It's a film noir-ish thing. Please ladies, let's not condemn something you don't know about. There is info about FTB on the older topics, which you might want to skim through."}, {"response": 1870, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (14:28)", "body": "Oh yes, John Sayles adapted the screenplay. Unfortunately, that no-talent writer/director Parker is putting his paws on it."}, {"response": 1871, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (14:40)", "body": "(Barb) (Not gonna think about, nope, not even for Drama...eeeuuuwwww!) But think! They both (OW and ODB) have those great voices! Maybe they could just do a radio show (and ODB wouldn't have to bulk up, because I do like him lean...mmmmmmm.....). ODB does \"War of the Worlds\"... I actually think the pic looks a bit like Ewan McGregor (with the forehead wrinkles and that expression) (Barb) the text next to the smiley did not show up where I found it, I want the jaw drop, but not the words...sorry Ohhh...It's all good! It's funny.... ;-)"}, {"response": 1872, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (15:03)", "body": "(Tress)But think! They both (OW and ODB) have those great voices! Maybe they could just do a radio show (and ODB wouldn't have to bulk up, because I do like him lean...mmmmmmm.....). ODB does \"War of the Worlds\"... I was taken aback as a newbie too but on getting more information and looking back at OW the younger I think no one could do it better if someone got a great dialect (not voice) coach. I have a little candle lit for this one! I find the young OW v. charasmatic...no winkie!"}, {"response": 1873, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (15:41)", "body": "When we first heard about FTB, one of OW's movies from around that time frame was on TCM (can't recall which one anymore) and I watched it, specifically thinking about ODB in the role. I don't think it would be at all a physical stretch, and no donuts required. (Beedee) I think no one could do it better if someone got a great dialect (not voice) coach. Yup. That would be my concern - the accent."}, {"response": 1874, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (15:48)", "body": "(Beedee) I think no one could do it better if someone got a great dialect (not voice) coach. (Rika)Yup. That would be my concern - the accent. He'll have a lot of time to practice in that lemon grove;-)"}, {"response": 1875, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (16:56)", "body": "From what we know about Fade to Black, where Colin might be playing a younger and slimmer Orson Welles, it sounds wonderful to me OW was very handsome when he was quite young. (Karen again) Oh yes, John Sayles adapted the screenplay. Unfortunately, that no-talent writer/director Parker is putting his paws on it. Too bad John Sayles won't be directing it, too.:-( (Rika)Yup. That would be my concern - the accent. Well, he did better with an American accent in the \"Lisa tape.\" ;-) But OW's voice is very distinctive and am not quite sure what to call his accent. Maybe ODB can get his hand on a few old Paul Masson commercials: \"We will sell no wine before it is bottled.\" ;-) Evelyn) He'll have a lot of time to practice in that lemon grove;-) LOL!"}, {"response": 1876, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (17:29)", "body": "(LisaJH) But OW's voice is very distinctive and am not quite sure what to call his accent. Kenoshian...LOL...he was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, but traveled a great deal overseas when he was very young. I love OW's voice...think ODB could do it...would love to hear him try anyway. Citizen Kane and The Magnificent Ambersons are on my 'top twenty all time favorite films' list (here I go sounding like Rob in High Fidelity again)."}, {"response": 1877, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (17:41)", "body": "Re Welles: ...and the Third Man. He looked great in The Third Man, one of my all time favs. Not only does it have Welles, but also Trevor Howard -- And the best sewers in the world."}, {"response": 1878, "author": "64BakerSt", "date": "Sat, Jun 21, 2003 (03:34)", "body": "De-lukring The Third Man is one of my very fav movies period!! I could see Colin playing Welles, but the accent/voice is going to be difficult. Maybe they could do like they did in the movie \"Ed Wood.\" ;) Vincent D'Onofrio played Welles in that film. According to the trivia for \"Ed Wood\" at Imdb.com: \"The voice of Orson Welles was dubbed by Vincent D'Onofrio and Maurice LaMarche which was combined digitally on a computer.\" (Whatever that means.) LaMarche was also the voice of the Welles-like \"Brain\" on \"Pinky and the Brain.\" K.P. (back to lurking and drooling over ODB)"}, {"response": 1879, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Jun 21, 2003 (08:13)", "body": "K.P. (back to lurking and drooling over ODB) Great info Kelly! You don't say much but when you do"}, {"response": 1880, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 21, 2003 (09:16)", "body": "Yeah, but I wouldn't want someone to dub Colin's voice. I'm sure they'll have it all worked out. He'll learn to do something with his voice that sounds similar to Welles, that is, if they spring for a dialect coach."}, {"response": 1881, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Jun 21, 2003 (11:17)", "body": "(Karen) Yeah, but I wouldn't want someone to dub Colin's voice. I agree! Love ODB's voice too much....if he had someone else doing the dialogue, I think I would be too aware of it during the film and it would bug me....I think (hope) I would know it was ODB, even if he sounded like Welles and not himself. ODB has a great 'commanding' voice (isn't that one one of his teachers once said?). I think he can do it. I don't know what kind of coach they had for ATA (or PM for that matter), but I think in a film like FTB, they would have to realize he would need a bit more 'help'. And thanks K.P! I didn't know that about \"Ed Wood\". Burton is great about using everything at his disposal...I hadn't heard about the D'Onofrio/LaMarche digital blend. Will have to watch it again (I love Burton flicks....)."}, {"response": 1882, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Jun 21, 2003 (13:49)", "body": "(Karen) Yeah, but I wouldn't want someone to dub Colin's voice. Me neither! About ATA I didn't get to see it enough to care about his dialect. After first viewing I concentratet on the \"eye-candy\" factor. And playmaker - the same! I do sometimes wish, he would do more audiowork. I've even tried to save some of the interviews (with no luck :-(), just to hear his voice. Have to go - family-allert!!!"}, {"response": 1883, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (16:58)", "body": "I'm not sure, which topic to use, so I'll just post here. I had a little doze of P&P this afternoon between this and that and made a silly observation. Remember Julian (the purple shit-face or whatever)? Well, I'm sure the actor was very inspired by David Bamber playing Mr Collins. The way Julian almost \"bows\" as he talkes about the Dutchess of Kent is just as seeing Mr Collins at the dinnertable at Longbourn. I was amazed, I hadn't noticed before - but perhaps it's because I've been skipping every scene without Mr Darcy for a very long time. We have to make use of what little time we have, ey! And while I am posting, I talked to Tress about the soundtrack for BJD. Does anybody know, when Killing Kind is \"used\"? On our version it's not listed in the credits. (Tress, this is not to stop you from investigating but perhaps others would like to participate ;-) Another matter, inspired by my last post (sorry to post twice in a row, but no postings for 2 days, really not v.g.). Someone (Shoshana?) mentioned something of watching P&P without hearing anything (hairdryer, was it?). I would actually like to have an audiotape of all the episodes. There is so much wonderful dialogue and music, that I think it would be a real treat. Perhaps we could persuade BBC to release this along with the \"cuttings\" mentioned earlier."}, {"response": 1884, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (18:53)", "body": "Thanks to a very dear friend and a fellow-poster I am fortunate enough to have the P&P sound track and listen to it often. I love the music on it. It's so wonderful. Would love to have an audio version too. That would get me through my housework just fine."}, {"response": 1885, "author": "CeeJ", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (22:11)", "body": "(annette) Someone (Shoshana?) mentioned something of watching P&P without hearing anything (hairdryer, was it?). I would actually like to have an audiotape of all the episodes. (FanPam) Would love to have an audio version too. Yes! I listen to books on tape/cd all the time (long commute) and have never never never found a good P&P. I'll ask around at work, with all the tech available, shouldn't we be able to make a sound recording off the DVD? Just wishing maybe. I really do enjoy the voice . . . (FanPam) That would get me through my housework just fine. Yes! or yardwork or paperwork . . ."}, {"response": 1886, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (22:35)", "body": "(CeeJ)Yes! I listen to books on tape/cd all the time (long commute) and have never never never found a good P&P. I'll ask around at work, with all the tech available, shouldn't we be able to make a sound recording off the DVD? Just wishing maybe. I really do enjoy the voice . . . Yes! or yardwork or paperwork . . . Or dishes, laundry, cooking....... I wear a \"fanny pack\", as though I needed anything to accentuate my hips. This made the comment, on was it the Lisa tape?, of Colins all the more funny. He was remarking how different words and phrases meant different things here and there. There is a very good (I think and Hen does too I think;-))P&P Recorded book that I have been taking out of the library for many years. The reader is Flo Gibson, who's voice is off putting at first (especially after ykw's)but you soon forget this and enjoy the story. I don't know of a soundtrack of the P&P2 voice etc. I've tried to tape from DVD without success but we all know of my technoboobishness;-) I listen to books on tape all the time too. In and out of the car now."}, {"response": 1887, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (22:36)", "body": "say good night Gracie....."}, {"response": 1888, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (22:36)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1889, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (22:51)", "body": "(Annette) Does anybody know, when Killing Kind is \"used\"? Wasn't it used over part of the closing credits? DH has the DVD player busy right now or I'd check."}, {"response": 1890, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (23:06)", "body": "(Annette) Does anybody know, when Killing Kind is \"used\"? (Rika) Wasn't it used over part of the closing credits? Yes, it's used in the closing credits, right after the childhood montage. Maybe accompanying footage in the movie ended up on the cutting room floor."}, {"response": 1891, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jun 24, 2003 (07:33)", "body": "(Rika) Wasn't it used over part of the closing credits ...yes, and the music video just after the creits."}, {"response": 1892, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Jun 24, 2003 (08:14)", "body": "Thank you so much for the informations, ladies :-) And thank you Maria for the picture - very droolable indeed ;-) I remembered as soon as I saw your postings. Another BJD-thing. In Europe they released a new video early this year with a few interviewminutes with HG and CF. Are they released in the US as well? Next music-question: \"Angel\" with Robbie Williams. Which scene is this one played?"}, {"response": 1893, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, Jun 24, 2003 (10:24)", "body": "(Annette) In Europe they released a new video early this year with a few interviewminutes with HG and CF. Are they released in the US as well? Not that I've seen or heard of here in the States. Lucky Europe! Would you share what's in the HG and CF interviews? Is is anything new? \"Angel\" with Robbie Williams Are you referring to Not Of This Earth? If so, it's in the closing credits after Killing Kind."}, {"response": 1894, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Jun 24, 2003 (10:44)", "body": "(Sonia)Would you share what's in the HG and CF interviews? Is is anything new? Off course, I will. I think HG gets 4-5 minutes and CF about 3 minutes. CF says the words \"when you're in love\" and I've never heard him say anything as lovely. It sounds so \"heart-melting\". Anyway - I'm not sure I'll be able to make a transscript untill after my vacation, but then I would be more than happy to oblige :-) And I am referring to Not of this Earth - silly me! I never get to see further than the credits, then I'm off to other droolable moments (with pictures, if possible ;-))"}, {"response": 1895, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, Jun 24, 2003 (10:58)", "body": "(Annette) It sounds so \"heart-melting\". Crikey! Will patiently wait for your return from vacation (hope you have a great one). Out of curiosity, since the US and Europe versions of BJD have different ending credits, what music is played on the Europe version? In the US it's Have You Met Miss Jones followed by Killing Kind and ending with Not of this Earth."}, {"response": 1896, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (11:55)", "body": "(annette) Someone (Shoshana?) mentioned something of watching P&P without hearing anything (hairdryer, was it?). I would actually like to have an audiotape of all the episodes. LOL! I do this all the time. It's easy to hook-up your VCR or DVD to a tape recorder. Plug your audio link into the aux on the recorder. Most stereos with recorders have this, I'm sure. Then you just play and tape. I find it funny how much I enjoy listening to the tapes even though I could sit down and watch the movie on TV. One can never get enough of that voice, I guess :-)"}, {"response": 1897, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (17:20)", "body": "(BrendaL)One can never get enough of that voice, I guess :-) Nevahh!!! (isn't that, how it's spelled? ;-)) If only I had the hardware mentioned, I'm sure I would be a true proficient like you ( ;-) ), but alas and alack I have not. Anyway - thank you for the information. I'll save it for future use, I hope ;-)"}, {"response": 1898, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (12:12)", "body": "I do seem to have taken on a bad habbit of posting twice in a row, but - it can't be helped. I need help on a most urgent matter: I just saw a few minutes of FF (guess where). A few minutes later after Joe has been at the tatoo-place he goes with Elijah (?) to some strange arty-funky place. There are people doing weird things and people who are freezed into one position. The last of the \"freezed\" people is dressed a bit like a mummy and I'll bet you anything you like, it's Colin! Perhaps some of you have allready seen this, then I apologize, but I have to know if anyone know if it really is him, dressed like that."}, {"response": 1899, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (12:25)", "body": "Annette, I remember this scene and I am sure it is Colin although I never paused to wonder why, exactly...I'm not sure they even had a reason except that it was supposed to be an \"arty-funky place\" where people did weird things.. Helllloooo Mummy!!"}, {"response": 1900, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (12:32)", "body": "(Maria)Helllloooo Mummy!! LOL, you are so funny ;-) If there ever was an discussion of this movie, I'm sure someone has figured out some \"metaphore\" or \"emphasis\" or whatever it is called, when something seemingly indifferent is put into a movie. I must admit, I haven't looked for any discussion. My main reason for watching FF is purely the \"eyecandy-factor\" ;-)"}, {"response": 1901, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (13:03)", "body": "(Annette) The last of the \"freezed\" people is dressed a bit like a mummy and I'll bet you anything you like, it's Colin! I just watched this the other day! And didn't notice this bit (I'm off again to rewind)! I just get so distracted knowing the scene were ODB goes pee and doesn't wash his hands is coming up (Billy Zane doesn't wash his either, although Billy had the good sense to use his foot to flush! LOL!). This is a good toe movie....lots of great shots of the tootsies.....to many distractions....I missed the mummy. (Maria) Helllloooo Mummy!! ROTFL....you gave this a whole new meaning.....hellllooooo indeed!"}, {"response": 1902, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (13:04)", "body": "Yes, it is Colin."}, {"response": 1903, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (13:14)", "body": "Thank you, Karen! (Tress)I just watched this the other day! And didn't notice this bit (I'm off again to rewind)! I just get so distracted knowing the scene were ODB goes pee and doesn't wash his hands is coming up (Billy Zane doesn't wash his either, although Billy had the good sense to use his foot to flush! LOL!). This is a good toe movie....lots of great shots of the tootsies.....to many distractions....I missed the mummy. I feel just the same about the \"bathroom-scene\" - annoys me every time. And - I just thought of you a few minutes ago, when JP sits on the floor, talking to the model and doing his toe-thing ;-)"}, {"response": 1904, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (13:22)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1905, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (13:25)", "body": "(Annette) I just thought of you a few minutes ago, when JP sits on the floor, talking to the model and doing his toe-thing ;-) LOL...that's nearly my favorite scene of the movie! His toes are acting their socks off!! So expressive! ;-D"}, {"response": 1906, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (19:33)", "body": "I'm watching this one tonight...Oh the new stuff I'm learning...red billard balls and a mummy. Thanks ladies, as always for the insight, and for Karen backing them up."}, {"response": 1907, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (21:15)", "body": "If Colin can play both Joe Prince and the mummy in the same movie, then it is proof positive he can do both MD and CF in one too! ;-)"}, {"response": 1908, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (21:30)", "body": "(KJ) If Colin can play both Joe Prince and the mummy in the same movie, then it is proof positive he can do both MD and CF in one too! ;-) You do understand the difference between \"can\" and \"won't,\" don't you? ;-D"}, {"response": 1909, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (10:53)", "body": "(Karen), You do understand the difference between \"can\" and \"won't,\" don't you? ;-D All roads lead to nudity. ;-)"}, {"response": 1910, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (16:16)", "body": "(KJ) If Colin can play both Joe Prince and the mummy in the same movie, then it is proof positive he can do both MD and CF in one too! ;-) (Karen) You do understand the difference between \"can\" and \"won't,\" don't you? ;-D Oh, yes, I am well aware that the greatest resistance might be coming from the man himself, but if he, or the makers of the picture need a demonstration to help convince, there it is... (Moon Dreams) All roads lead to nudity. ;-) ??????? :-/"}, {"response": 1911, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (23:02)", "body": "(KJ) greatest resistance...to help convince That is a deal-breaker. He's been clear enough. I don't know what the problem is in understanding this point. Plus, I agree with him. Give it up. Is totally useless to bemoan this here."}, {"response": 1912, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 28, 2003 (11:29)", "body": "\"can\" and \"won't,\" (Moon Dreams) All roads lead to nudity. ;-) (KJ),??????? :-/ He can do nude scenes but he won't do them. I just expanded the subject matter. Hope this clears it up for you, KJ. ;-)"}, {"response": 1913, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Jun 28, 2003 (21:36)", "body": "Thanks. All clear. Over and out ... ;-)"}, {"response": 1914, "author": "odessa", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (11:14)", "body": "just the voice"}, {"response": 1915, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (11:23)", "body": "I used to have that when I booted up my computer. ;-D"}, {"response": 1916, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (15:46)", "body": "It's not news so it can go here - I just wanted to share that I got to visit West Wycombe Park finally on Sunday. Unfortunately they only have guided tours on weekdays so I didn't get to learn much about the Dashwoods, but we did get to go inside the house and see some very familiar spaces. The only hint of CF I could find was a framed photo of the scene in IOBE when he is running outside towards...um...what's her name when she collapses. You all know who I mean irregardless :) Anyway it was very cool, strolling around the water, took some nice photos outside, and we drove up to see the mausoleum too (end of IOBE). Alas no indoor photography allowed! I just wanted to get the staircase but a guy told me I was going to set alarms off. Damn."}, {"response": 1917, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (16:56)", "body": "(Odessa) just the voice In such cases as this, I believe the established mode is to express a sense of obligation. And I shall. What a wonderful treat, and on Monday no less. Thank you so much for sharing the voice (Emma) Alas no indoor photography allowed! Too bad you didn't pull a Prism, Emma. They would've had to carry you inside, and you could've snuck pictures while they weren't looking. ;-) Glad you enjoyed your visit to West Wycombe Park. And you can learn all about the Dashwoods watching WAGW. ;-)"}, {"response": 1918, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (18:10)", "body": "Your visit to WWP sounds lovely, Emma. You'll see so much more of the house both inside and out when you see WAGW. You'll even see it pop up in the NY scenes as well;-) ...Odessa, thank you for the \"voice\". My, what wonderfully lovely surprises we've had today."}, {"response": 1919, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (18:35)", "body": "OK, somebody please relieve my suffering and tell me what Colin is saying on the link Odessa posted earlier. This #$%&#$% laptop I'm using will not play the audio and I can't stand it any longer without knowing what I'm missing."}, {"response": 1920, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (19:02)", "body": "(Hen)OK, somebody please relieve my suffering and tell me what Colin is saying on the link Odessa posted In vain, I have struggled, it will not do.(heavy breathing) My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you."}, {"response": 1921, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (19:40)", "body": "I was looking for something else (obviously) and came across this cute piece from a UK media studies sight. Making trailers A Year 11 Media Studies group worked for a day with Nick Hornby, author of Fever Pitch, to make trailers of the film of his book for their WJEC GCSE coursework. This exciting and intensive day gave us some early insights into the possibilities of the powerful editing software. The process allowed the students to distil the film, selecting key moments in the narrative key images, particularly dramatic closeup shots which powerfully represent the central characters key sections of dialogue key sequences of music from the soundtrack CD. The dismemberment of selected sequences from the film and their reassembly into the trailer sequence made clear the processes of post-production, as the students superimposed their own sequence, transitions and soundtrack on the original. We also noticed how the students developed a complex sense of different possible audiences. A key feature of non-linear editing is the opportunities it offers for 'redrafting'. This allowed our students to produce different versions of the trailer for different audiences: football fans, female audiences, and so on. Caitlin's group produced separate versions of their trailer for male and female audiences. This ability to keep amending and rethinking produced some interesting decisions about censorship. A line of particularly obscene dialogue, delivered with gusto by Colin Firth, was chosen as an epigrammatic ending for one group's trailer. In the version for an audience of prospective parents, they bleeped out the offending words. http://www.mediaed.org.uk/posted_documents/Nonlin.html Didn't bother to do the *linky* stuff but I wonder if it was *our* please please please line?"}, {"response": 1922, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (21:47)", "body": "(Linda)In vain, I have struggled, it will not do.(heavy breathing) My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you. Oh, I love to hear him say those words. Thank you so much, Linda. Back to the DVD for me."}, {"response": 1923, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Jul  1, 2003 (11:53)", "body": "An interesting little bit about the \"composers\" from Fever Pitch. The director's instructions to them gave me a giggle... Fever Pitch was written by Nick Hornby and Nick Hornby happened to like our band the Bible. When in '96 a film was made of this fantastic book we were suggested as \"composers\". This meant that we had to \"pitch\" for the job. That is, do a demo; we were going to have to learn a lot of new words. I was on tour at the time, which meant that Neill had to do the pitch himself. He came up with a piece for the scene where Colin Firth and Ruth Gemmell first snogged. He did a great job and got us the gig beating several other contenders. I've always felt slightly guilty as I have received royalties for this music (called First Kiss). I went back and looked at my statements and worked out that I have diddled Neill out of nearly \ufffd17. The next stage was to \"spot\" the film. Oh how we laughed, \"it's over there,\" we cried. What this really means is sitting with the director and working out where score is needed. At this point you have a rough cut of the film and you time each segment down to the frame (a twenty-fourth of a second). The director then discusses with what he'd like the music to \"do\". When you're in a band you might say, \"Play something bluesy\" or \"How about a Beatlsey thing\". With David Evans, Fever Pitch 's director, the instructions were much more specific. \"We need to feel uncertainty at this moment\", \"Something nostalgic yet hopeful\" and my favourite, \"Nothing too post coital\". These comments were surprisingly hopeful. Once it was tallied up there were about thirty bits to be written, in some scenes existing records would be used such as, Baba O'Rielly by the Who and There She Goes by the La's. No pressure of comparison then. Neill and I wrote together, separately or plundered our store of old ideas. An instrumental version of my song Last Cigarette was used in one scene; a long discarded tune became Park Bench (used in a segment in a park, the action taking place on a bench. Our titles are nothing if not literal). After three weeks of demoing we were ready to record for real. We had ten days in the Church, a north London studio owned by Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics. We put together an ad-hoc band for these sessions (including the delightfully named Eric Pressley on bass). After getting the basic tracks down some of them had strings added. Once it had all been mixed and approved it was time for our lovely music to be added to the film itself. We sat in a huge dubbing suite and watched in silent disappointment as the fruits of our labours were added to the soundtrack far too quietly. Thoughtless actors talked all over work, sound effects drowned out beautiful chord changes and some of the crowd scenes& oh well. After several edits the film was ready to be shown at screenings. Chrissie Hynde came to one of these as the Pretenders were going to perform I'm Going Back over the end credits. Neill and I met her as possible producers. I was too scared to speak. Months later it was time for the premiere. At last me and the missus would get the red carpet treatment. Sadly in this case the carpet was green so as to resemble a football pitch. After being roundly ignored by the paparazzi we entered the Leicester Square Empire to find ourselves surrounded by vaguely familiar celebs. I finally got to see my name up on the silver screen. And in bigger letters than the gaffer. Fever Pitch did quite well and soon after we were invited to pitch for Twentyfourseven . A debut feature by 24-year-old Shane Meadows this wonderful black and white film about a boxing club starred Bob Hoskins and won many awards. We only had a fortnight to write, record and mix the whole thing. We had learned a lot of lessons from the first film and I feel our music was much more cohesive this time. I'm extremely proud to have been a small part of this film; it was all going to be downhill from now on. Next came Our Boy starring Ray Winstone. Oh dear. I hated the script, the recording process was slow and laborious and I was soon bored out of my gourd. It came as no surprise to me that this mawkish tale failed to gain general release. To add insult to injury our music was removed before the film was finally shown on TV. After one more go (a tele-film about the millennium bug, oh blimey) the lure of the screen was gone for me. I like writing songs, touring, making records and having fun. I don't like staring at a monitor all day with a guitar in my hand. Despite being wooed by big name agents Neill and I went our separate ways. It's what he does for a living now and he's much better at it than I ever was. It was all worth it though. If you watch the video of Fever Pitch turn the volume on your TV up full during the non-league match and you'll hear Honey Be Good by the Bible playing on the radio in the tea bar. Boo Hewerdine"}, {"response": 1924, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jul  1, 2003 (12:03)", "body": "Great find, Maria! \"Nothing too post-coital.\" Love it."}, {"response": 1925, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jul  1, 2003 (12:13)", "body": "\"We need to feel uncertainty at this moment\", \"Something nostalgic yet hopeful\" and my favourite, \"Nothing too post coital\". These comments were surprisingly hopeful. ROTFL...I had never known that music fell into these catagories...will now have to crank up the volume and pay better attention to 'those' moments. This guy is a riot! I think I would be sad too if I thought I would get to do the red carpet thing and found it was green....it's just not the same. Thanks Maria, you always find the best stuff!!!"}, {"response": 1926, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jul  1, 2003 (12:14)", "body": "I loved the article, Maria. FP is one of my favories, and I ab-so-lutely adore the soundtrack. I'll listen to the music in the film much more interest now that I know the history. LOL, Nothing can be \"too post-coital\" after a shag with PA...real or imagined;-) Thank you."}, {"response": 1927, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Jul  1, 2003 (12:15)", "body": "Another bit from musicland talking about other songs HD might have danced to instead of Rock and Roll Hootchie-koo. Obviously it changed yet again after this... Tim Hands was working on a feature film, 'What a Girl Wants'. Colin Firth is dancing around in front of a mirror to 'Whole Lotta Love'. This works, but publishers want millions, so that's not going to happen. Tim suggests trying 'Once Bitten, Twice Shy'. they hear it - they like it - then somebody says, 'but we're Warner Brothers - and that's on Columbia (Sony) so now it's 'Communication Breakdown' which they got cheap. It's nice to see how it works in the movies. Well, thanks for trying Tim; maybe next time."}, {"response": 1928, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jul  1, 2003 (12:33)", "body": "Great find, Maria! \"Nothing too post-coital.\" Love it. Ditto! Of course I had to pull out the CD and look at the tracks and now I have to play track 6 (Cafe '68) and track 17(Fever Pitch) and later FP will replace P&P2 in the DVD machine.... Just part of my ODB scholarship (right louise?). Thanks for taking me round the bend Maria;-)"}, {"response": 1929, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  1, 2003 (14:54)", "body": "Great finds, Maria. Thanks! in some scenes existing records would be used such as, Baba O'Rielly by the Who and There She Goes by the La's. No pressure of comparison then. We sat in a huge dubbing suite and watched in silent disappointment as the fruits of our labours were added to the soundtrack far too quietly. Thoughtless actors talked all over work Chrissie Hynde came to one of these as the Pretenders were going to perform I'm Going Back over the end credits. Neill and I met her as possible producers. I was too scared to speak. This Boo guy is a riot! If you watch the video of Fever Pitch turn the volume on your TV up full during the non-league match and you'll hear Honey Be Good by the Bible playing on the radio in the tea bar. Excellent, excellent. I wonder if he knows where that Pogues song is. I asked Nick Hornby and said that others have asked and he thinks you need really good speakers to hear it playing at the pub. 'but we're Warner Brothers - and that's on Columbia (Sony) LOL, but that's how decisions are made. Is there any coincidence that so much of the BJD soundtrack is by artists on the Island label?? I always wondered if what they used to film certain scenes was the final music, as in HD's air guitar dance. Question answered. (would rather have heard a Whole Lotta Love)"}, {"response": 1930, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jul  1, 2003 (15:05)", "body": "(Karen), (would rather have heard a Whole Lotta Love) Considering that I once had a huge crush on Jimmy Page, I would have flipped over this one. :-D Thanks, Maria! Interesting tidbits."}, {"response": 1931, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Jul  1, 2003 (16:15)", "body": "(Boo Hewerdine) a long discarded tune became Park Bench (used in a segment in a park, the action taking place on a bench. Our titles are nothing if not literal) One of my favorite musical bits in the movie -- I'm glad they retrieved it from the long-discarded bin! Thanks, Maria! This was a real treat for a FP fanatic, and Boo's a very funny guy! Colin Firth is dancing around in front of a mirror to 'Whole Lotta Love'. Would this have been enough to make it a PG-13? ;-)"}, {"response": 1932, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (11:01)", "body": "O.K., this is from about 9 months ago, again, may be old to some of you but I was here then and don't remember it.. Besides I chased alot of useless links before actually getting to see his picture itself and needed to feel vindicated... From article - http://www.hellomagazine.com/2002/09/04/art/"}, {"response": 1933, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (12:26)", "body": "Maria...you are amazing. I can't believe the things you find! Wonder who the sketch is of? Can you imagine owning such a piece of memorabilia? OMG! Wonder who has it....lucky girl (that's just a guess, BTW ;-))!"}, {"response": 1934, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (12:35)", "body": "(Tress) Wonder who the sketch is of? I was just staring at it and wondering the same...Do you think it could be his projection of himself in the future ? Chin is kind of there...Hmmmmm..."}, {"response": 1935, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (12:51)", "body": "(Maria) I was just staring at it and wondering the same...Do you think it could be his projection of himself in the future ? Chin is kind of there...Hmmmmm... ROTFL...okay...I thought the same thing when looking at it initially! The chin and the ears....BUT! 'Picture guy' has eyebrows! ;-)"}, {"response": 1936, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (12:57)", "body": "(Tress) BUT! 'Picture guy' has eyebrows! ;-) Obviously he considered deeply the \"migration\" pattern...He may yet end up like his parents and be a college professor, judging by this pic! ;-))"}, {"response": 1937, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (12:58)", "body": "Maria, I agree with Tress that you find the greatest stuff. How funny that he didn't draw a neck and shoulders, too, as the head looks like it is \"floating\" on the page. It would be interesting to know who the person is supposed to be. Maybe he'll illustrate his next short story. ;-)"}, {"response": 1938, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (13:03)", "body": "Chin is kind of there...Hmmmmm... Great chin, tight jowels;-)....Hmmmmm I just had the thought that there are many \"one eyed\" enigmatic shots of him. Recently Trauma and the Vermeer as well. You can see the other eye perhaps, but the highlight and effect is the thing, imo."}, {"response": 1939, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (13:36)", "body": "(Maria) He may yet end up like his parents and be a college professor, judging by this pic! ;-)) Grrrr...things to think about...\"Professor Firth, I have a question!\" or \"Dr. Firth, could you please explain....\" If more of my profs had looked like him I may have spent less time in the cafe smokin' cigs and drinking coffee.....and more time in class! ;-)"}, {"response": 1940, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (13:43)", "body": "(Tress) Wonder who the sketch is of? (Maria) I was just staring at it and wondering the same...Do you think it could be his projection of himself in the future ? Chin is kind of there...Hmmmmm... Looks sorta like CF's father to me."}, {"response": 1941, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (13:54)", "body": "\"Dr. Firth, could you please explain... Aha! we're playing doctor now?;-)"}, {"response": 1942, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (13:56)", "body": "(KathyF) Looks sorta like CF's father to me. Just pulled up a pic of Papa Firth to check...I can see that! But if it is him, then ODB gave his pop a rockin' haircut (a la Tom Skerrit). Papa Firth's cut is a bit more conservative. But the glasses are there and there is that ODB resemblance!"}, {"response": 1943, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (15:37)", "body": "(Beedee) Great chin, tight jowels;-).... This has been cracking me up for hours....I have been trying to think of something clever to say...but...well, being clever is tough for me at times....let's just say that anything I could write could get me in trouble... Thank you Beedee...I'll just sit here and think of ODB's tight jowels!"}, {"response": 1944, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (16:24)", "body": "(Tress)....let's just say that anything I could write could get me in trouble... Been there, have deleted far too many thoughts before I hit the old submit button;-) I thought of Daddy Firth as well. Reminded me of the HS premiere."}, {"response": 1945, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul  4, 2003 (00:03)", "body": "That is a sketch of his father, one of many pieces of \"celebrity art\" that were solicited to raise money for a charity. It was posted here at that time, which wasn't all that long ago (Sept 2002)"}, {"response": 1946, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Jul  4, 2003 (12:19)", "body": "Maria, great article and great pic. I thought it was of his dad too. Thanks for confirmation Karen."}, {"response": 1947, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul  6, 2003 (12:54)", "body": "I've updated/reorganized some Hope Springs pages since (a) it's hot and humid and I hate heat and humidity and (b) I've been dawdling far too long. The screen captures by KathyC start here: http://www.firth.com/hs_sc_gal1.html and there are 6 galleries. *phew* Then, I've added three pics to one of the London premiere pages that Sophie worked her magic on. You'll see them at the bottom of here: http://www.firth.com/hs_premgal4.html I'm particularly fond of the \"Look\" he's looks like he's giving to KST, although some people have tried to convince me he's looking past her to something else. Think what you will. ;-D The organizational layout can be viewed here: http://www.firth.com/hs_gal.html http://www.firth.com/hs_gal.html"}, {"response": 1948, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul  6, 2003 (12:55)", "body": "Oh yeah, let me know if any links don't work. My mind had a meltdown ages ago. ;-D"}, {"response": 1949, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sun, Jul  6, 2003 (13:51)", "body": "Thanks Karen for the great work you did with the HS Gallery. Lots of great sunlight/shadow close-ups, which I really love. This may be the most some of us ever see of this film. Of course he looks AFG, but how could he not? (Karen)I'm particularly fond of the \"Look\" he's looks like he's giving to KST, although some people have tried to convince me he's looking past her to something else. Think what you will. ;-D I'm with you on this one. Can you just imagine being on the receiving end of one of those looks?"}, {"response": 1950, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Jul  6, 2003 (14:02)", "body": "Karen)I'm particularly fond of the \"Look\" he's looks like he's giving to KST, although some people have tried to convince me he's looking past her to something else. Think what you will. ;-D Just *ran* in from the garden and I thought I'd just stop in quickly on what has been a slow day and Wow! Here's looking at you kid! I'm with you Karen and Hen. What a drooler! Thanks for the lovely pics........ Now how am I gonna explain my absence?"}, {"response": 1951, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jul  6, 2003 (15:44)", "body": "Fantastic job, Karen!"}, {"response": 1952, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jul  6, 2003 (17:57)", "body": "Bravo, Karen. I don't know if KST was on the recieving end of it, but it definitely is \"the Look\"...Makes me tingle just thinking that someone was on the receiving end of it. Karen, the HS gallery is fantastic. You just made the northeast...NJ, in particular, a bit more hot and humid with those captures. Pages 3&4 are especially causing me to steam up. All those bare-chested, towel and bed picturs...WOW! The last one on page one is gorgeous. Is that a tear? Does anyone remember which scene that is from? Many thanks, Karen."}, {"response": 1953, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul  6, 2003 (23:08)", "body": "(Linda) Is that a tear? Does anyone remember which scene that is from? Yup. It's during the final bit of him sketching Fisher, telling him about the swami/cult, and Fisher tells him he has to move on with his life. About 18:30 minutes into it."}, {"response": 1954, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Jul  7, 2003 (08:22)", "body": "What a great treat Karen! Thanks! The gallery (and ODB)look fabulous! I am humid and hot weather's biggest detractor, but will at least be grateful I can sit here in my misery of h & h and enjoy these pics! (If I color print them all and staple them together and then flip the pages together I will get to see this in action finally!)"}, {"response": 1955, "author": "Leah", "date": "Mon, Jul  7, 2003 (08:38)", "body": "(Maria) If I color print them all and staple them together and then flip the pages together I will get to see this in action finally! LOL. Good idea."}, {"response": 1956, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Jul  7, 2003 (11:29)", "body": "Not sure where to put this...small little interconnected world... Short subjects.The 18-year-old actress Scarlett Johansson - who played jailbait to Billy Bob Thornton'sbarbershop loser in theCoen Brothers' The Man Who Wasn't There, and Thora Birch's best buddy in Ghost World - has been busy busy busy. After back-to-back-to-back roles in Lost in Translation, Sofia Coppola's sophomore effort; in Girl With a Pearl Earring, as Vermeer'smuse, with Colin Firthplaying the Dutch Master; and in The Perfect Score, a stealing-the-SAT ensemble number, Johansson has linked with John Travolta for A Love Song for Bobby Long. She'll play a headstrong daughter dealing with the death of her estranged mother; Travolta plays an older guy with a cleft in his chin and an L. Ron Hubbardian twinkle in his eye... . Ren\ufffde Zellweger is said to be preparing to play Janis Joplin in a big-screen biopic. Zellweger, like the live-hard, die-young '60s blues belter, hails from Texas. The actress was 1 when Joplin died, in October 1970, in a Hollywood motel, the victim of an overdose."}, {"response": 1957, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Jul  7, 2003 (16:30)", "body": "Thank you Karen and KathyC for the captures!! Okay...this pic has left me speechless. I know that some have said this is not ODB's best. But on the yummy factor alone...OMG! And Sophie....thanks for the 'magic'. I'm with Karen...love the pic with KST. That look is to die for. But I also love the pic of just ODB, standing in Evelyn's suit! GAH!! Now I'll stop 'emoting'!!"}, {"response": 1958, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jul  7, 2003 (19:22)", "body": "Dimples and a bare chest...what more could a girl want? Oh, and the look is there with a bit of a smile...stubble, too. Oh, that's it. I'm done for the day."}, {"response": 1959, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Jul  7, 2003 (20:32)", "body": "KathyC, where are my manners--I neglected to include you in the thank yous for the HS pics. So, I shall do so now: thank you!!!!!!! ;-) Tress, I'm with you--the eye candy factor is the one consolation for this less than stellar film."}, {"response": 1960, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Jul  9, 2003 (11:53)", "body": "Karen, Kathy C Great Job. At least we have these wonderful pics to sustain us just in case we never get access to the movie itself."}, {"response": 1961, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Jul 12, 2003 (23:53)", "body": "Hee hee, just snuck a CF DVD in while watching with the DH tonight;-) Slipped in TA because we couldn't find anything *we* wanted to watch and he previously saw it as one of my period (is this some kind of freudian thing?) pieces which was ok with me. Anyway, he was very amused by it and recognised Ian Holm as Bilbo Baggins. It's the little things..........ummmmm"}, {"response": 1962, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Jul 14, 2003 (11:56)", "body": "What the heck, can't hurt, my jowls could use a tightening, and if Cornel says so then...;-) http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/londonlife/articles/359907"}, {"response": 1963, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Jul 14, 2003 (19:10)", "body": "Just flew in an hour ago from the beautiful island of Corfu. And guess what the in-flight movie for July is for outward-bound flights from the UK with Excel Airways - WAGW!! But not on the return flight. We were stuck with Agent Cody Banks. - What a disappointment. And I saw their stash of videotapes in the overhead locker next to me. I can tell you, I was sorely tempted to help myself to a certain tape!! Ah well, only a few more weeks till I see him on the big screen!"}, {"response": 1964, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 14, 2003 (23:05)", "body": "And what/who stopped you? ;-)"}, {"response": 1965, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jul 15, 2003 (13:22)", "body": "Another CF \"connection\" recognized.... Watched Breaking Away this weekend. A family Favorite and one I have seen often but only now recognized Hart Bochner as the nasty college kid learning to be a nasty roomy in AZ;-)"}, {"response": 1966, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 15, 2003 (14:16)", "body": "How could anyone forget the guy in the purple frat shirt? I remember him well, plus Dennis Q. ;-D"}, {"response": 1967, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jul 15, 2003 (14:22)", "body": "How could anyone forget the guy in the purple frat shirt? I remember him well, plus Dennis Q. ;-D Too busy oogling at Dennis Q, I guess! What great abs etc and those cute cut offs...yum! Gorgious! Hart had this \"Eddie Haskel\" kind of a persona that I just wanted to slap."}, {"response": 1968, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 15, 2003 (14:37)", "body": "Aw, but even he smiled in acknowleging the townies' win. BTW, I seem to recall that Hart attended an LA Bafta screening of TIOBE (maybe) when Colin was there. Buddies? Who knows."}, {"response": 1969, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Jul 15, 2003 (15:21)", "body": "OMG, I loved Breaking Away. \"No more of that \"Ite-y food!\" Doesn't it make you want to play a Caruso record and shave your legs or, at the very least, swim in a quarry? ;-) Beedee, you didn't like Moocher? ;-) When we were discussing AZ, I remember reading that was HB in BA and AZ, and a light bulb went off."}, {"response": 1970, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jul 15, 2003 (15:37)", "body": "I just saw HB in 'Anywhere But Here' which was on about a week ago. The DH recognized him as being in 'Die Hard' (which I don't remember) and I said I knew him from AZ...which elicited the question \"don't tell me....a Colin Firth movie?\" I didn't have to respond...;-)"}, {"response": 1971, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jul 15, 2003 (15:49)", "body": "Doesn't it make you want to play a Caruso record and shave your legs or, at the very least, swim in a quarry? ;-) LOL! Nothing makes me *want* to shave my legs.....though I will;-) That quarry looked best with DQ in it. And I love all of those cute Cutters. IU is my Hoosier Hubby's alma matter and he took me there on a field trip. V. romantic;-)"}, {"response": 1972, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jul 15, 2003 (22:57)", "body": "I got my DVD of \"The Advocate\" today (yeah, I'm a little slow). I sent this out to a few folks in e-mail earlier, but I wanted to share it here too so everyone could enjoy. I had forgotten what a lovely stubble-fest this movie was! Wouldn't you like to look across to the other pillow on the bed and see this?"}, {"response": 1973, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jul 15, 2003 (23:16)", "body": "YESSSSSSSS!!!! You did ask if I wanted to see this across my pillow?? The DH may be 'squished', but I imagine...after a while....he may get used to sleeping at the foot of the bed! ;-) Thank you Rika! Love the sort of furrowed brow in this capture....he's dreaming...a good dream...it's okay....I have brothers!"}, {"response": 1974, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (09:13)", "body": "(Tress)....he may get used to sleeping at the foot of the bed! ;-) LOL! In *your* dreams!"}, {"response": 1975, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (10:09)", "body": "Tress thanks for the gorgeous pics. LOL DH at bottom of bed. It is indeed ok, I have brothers too ;-)"}, {"response": 1976, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (10:30)", "body": "Honestly I have no idea what all might be in here, but it looked like so much fun to explore, reminds me of plum design visual thesaurus (also quite fun) but with Colin... http://www.kartoo.com/"}, {"response": 1977, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (10:36)", "body": "Wouldn't you like to look across to the other pillow on the bed and see this? Oh, I can't think about that right now I'll explode. But why do I suddenly have a burning desire to become a masseuse? Thank you Rika, thank you, Colin"}, {"response": 1978, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (10:37)", "body": "closing tags"}, {"response": 1979, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (10:48)", "body": "But why do I suddenly have a burning desire to become a masseuse? I hear ya. Just to be clear, though, that photo wasn't from the massage sequence. It was from the beginning of the sequence in which Maria heard him talking in his sleep and then discovered that the cock was about to crow."}, {"response": 1980, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (11:29)", "body": "Oh, Rika, you capture the rapture. Thanks for sharing. Tress, I agree the slightly furrowed brow adds a whole other dimension to the picture!"}, {"response": 1981, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (18:19)", "body": "(Rika)I hear ya. Just to be clear, though, that photo wasn't from the massage sequence I know, I wasn't even thinking massage sequence...I forgot about that. The shoulders just screamed out at me...Linda, Linda are you there, Linda. I need a massage, woman."}, {"response": 1982, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 19, 2003 (12:09)", "body": "(Karen) I enjoy Playmaker (Dorine) *GASP* You do? Holy cow! It's the 8th wonder of the world! Why so shocked? I've said so on numerous occasions. I find it a good laugh, Colin \"acts\" in it, and he's nekky. Three reasons to recommend. Can't say the same for... ;-D And SLOW is looooowwww on your list, to say the least, if I'm not mistaken? I like the proverbs. ;-D"}, {"response": 1983, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 20, 2003 (22:33)", "body": "Admin Note: Somehow or other Topic 158, the current Film Discussion topic was overlooked and I created a new one. Since over half of 158 still remains, I've deleted the new 179. Confused? Doesn't matter. We'll be using Topic 179 for discussing SLOW."}, {"response": 1984, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Jul 21, 2003 (12:22)", "body": "Except, we're really using 158, right?"}, {"response": 1985, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Jul 21, 2003 (12:31)", "body": "Sorry to follow my own post. It's not my fault. Matthew made me do it. Good afternoon. I'm Matthew. Matthew Field. Can you say that? Say my name. I knew you could! I just wanted to tell you how thrilled I am that my very own film has been selected for the film discussion. So I thought I might pop in here from time to time to say hello. And as for any of you evil recombinants who may be tempted to mock my movie (yes, I've heard the rumors), let me just say, \"Let no Drooler say my pot is broken without her hand on her sword hilt.\""}, {"response": 1986, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Jul 21, 2003 (12:32)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1987, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Jul 21, 2003 (12:41)", "body": "(Rika) \"Let no Drooler say my pot is broken without her hand on her sword hilt.\" LOL. Can't wait for the proverbs discussion on 158. :-) Looking good Matthew."}, {"response": 1988, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Jul 21, 2003 (16:19)", "body": "(Rika)Matthew made me do it. Nobody ever questioned his sensationally good looks in this movie, so no need for swords on that issue ;-) In my book he's one of the top 5 best looking characters, I think, but perhaps this needs investigation aswell ;-)"}, {"response": 1989, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Jul 21, 2003 (17:44)", "body": "(Annette)In my book he's one of the top 5 best looking characters, I think, but perhaps this needs investigation as well ;-) Ranks even higher with me. Definitely Top 3."}, {"response": 1990, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jul 21, 2003 (19:09)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1991, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Jul 21, 2003 (19:14)", "body": "(Janet) Definitely Top 3. Boy, I don't know...unless you're counting both Darcys as one and even then... I don't pretend to have done an exhaustive survey to rank them (yet) but Darcy v.1, Darcy v.2, Earnest and Hunk Daddy (not necessarily in that order)...tough call!"}, {"response": 1992, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Jul 21, 2003 (19:32)", "body": "(Janet) Definitely Top 3. I'll see your 3 and raise you a 2."}, {"response": 1993, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Jul 22, 2003 (13:52)", "body": "(Barb) Boy, I don't know...unless you're counting both Darcys as one and even then... I don't pretend to have done an exhaustive survey to rank them (yet) but Darcy v.1, Darcy v.2, Earnest and Hunk Daddy (not necessarily in that order)...tough call! I agree with your choices. Wow. And through in Richard H for me. There's something about a vested suit and hat that gets me. Especially the man that's wearing them. AFG"}, {"response": 1994, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jul 22, 2003 (15:52)", "body": "(BarbS) Boy, I don't know...unless you're counting both Darcys as one and even then... I don't pretend to have done an exhaustive survey to rank them (yet) but Darcy v.1, Darcy v.2, Earnest and Hunk Daddy (not necessarily in that order)...tough call! Speaking for myself, I'd put Matthew about Earnest (it's a little closer when he's Jack, but I still think so). The other three... a tough call indeed."}, {"response": 1995, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Jul 22, 2003 (17:37)", "body": "Maybe I'm wierd, (ok, not maybe..) but it has long been a desire of mine to hear him speak Italian...I fear I shall listen to this over and over!! (and hurrah, my heart leaps again after the crash and burn of HS...;-)) Too bad it isn't more clear! http://www.rainews24.rai.it/ran24/rubriche/cinema/videointerviste/interviste.htm And how about those hand movements, huh? Pretty impressive! Molto bello!"}, {"response": 1996, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Jul 22, 2003 (17:47)", "body": "(MariaT)Maybe I'm wierd, (ok, not maybe..) but it has long been a desire of mine to hear him speak Italian...I fear I shall listen to this over and over!! And how is his Italian? - Was it spontanious or rehearsed, do you think?"}, {"response": 1997, "author": "KathyLC", "date": "Tue, Jul 22, 2003 (17:49)", "body": "Thanks so much Maria! I don't post often, but this is such a wonderful find I had to say thanks! I too will be listening over & over. It's already been saved to a CD so that I can take it to work!!"}, {"response": 1998, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Jul 22, 2003 (17:50)", "body": "(Janet) And how is his Italian? - Was it spontanious or rehearsed, do you think? Sounds great to me! I know it's probably been used a million times, but it seems to have the Jamie Lee Curtis/John Cleese effect on me!"}, {"response": 1999, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jul 22, 2003 (17:56)", "body": "All I can say, Maria, is how do you find these gems? Thank you. How perfectly delightful. He seems pretty fluent to me. But Moon shall be the ultimate judge of that! :-D drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 1667, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 167, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 1671, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 168, "subject": "Odds & Ends - Part 6", "response_count": 1654, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (15:42)", "body": "Wow, didn't notice I closed out the last chapter.... Did anyone see this? People Picks Ben Affleck As Sexiest \"I didn't need People magazine to tell me he's the sexiest man alive,\" Lopez said in the issue, which comes out Friday. \"The difference between me and People magazine is that he'll still be the sexiest man alive in my eyes when he's 100 years old.\" Yeah because she'll have dumped him looooong before then and she'll only have memories of when he was younger to refer to. I really do hope they are happy and will last, but....."}, {"response": 2, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (16:20)", "body": "People Picks Ben Affleck As Sexiest What? The guy is undeniably cute, but the sexiest?! No way! Of course, you know who has my vote! (Dorine) Yeah because she'll have dumped him looooong before then Now, now. Just because J-Lo has the marital attention span of a gerbil..."}, {"response": 3, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (16:37)", "body": "People Picks Ben Affleck As Sexiest And have you seen his ghetto tattoe? Those two have great PR people. (Dorine), They go hand in hand to me. Interesting. A cute couple vs a good couple. Cary Grant had great chemistry with many of his leading ladies, same for Ralph Fiennes. Even Andy McDowell and Gerard Depardieu had it in \"Green Card.\" *** Changing the subject. From the weirdo dept: BERLIN (Nov. 20) - Michael Jackson said he made a ''terrible mistake'' by holding his infant son over the railing of a fourth-floor balcony at a Berlin hotel to show fans below but shocking many people who watched the scene captured on video. Television around the world repeatedly broadcast footage of the reclusive pop star's brief appearance Tuesday at the Hotel Adlon across from Berlin's landmark Brandenburg Gate. The boy had a white cloth over his head as Jackson held him with one arm around his waist over the edge of the hotel's iron balcony railing. Fans cheered as Jackson appeared with the child, but the pop star quickly retreated into his hotel room. The child, wearing a baby blue jumper, was the singer's third and youngest, Prince Michael II, said Antje Sigesmund, a spokeswoman for the Bambi entertainment award ceremony, which Jackson is attending in Berlin. On Tuesday night, Jackson issued a statement saying he had gotten carried away when fans below the window asked to see the baby. ''I made a terrible mistake,'' he said. ''I got caught up in the excitement of the moment. I would never intentionally endanger the lives of my children.'' European media scolded Jackson for the incident, with Berlin's BZ daily calling his behavior ''foolish.'' Sweden's Expressen headlined its story ''Jackson plays with the baby's life.'' In Britain, Jackson was chastised in The Sun tabloid under the headline ''You lunatic'' and in the Daily Mirror as ''Mad bad dad.'' ''The Berlin police should arrest this negligent father for reckless endangerment of his own child,'' said an editorial by Mirror show business editor Kevin O'Sullivan. Berlin prosecutors said they were not investigating the incident, although an inquiry could be opened if a complaint was filed. Promoters of Thursday's Bambi ceremony, during which Jackson will receive a lifetime achievement award, played down the flap. ''Some people obviously found it strange, but that's why Michael Jackson has given an explanation for the incident,'' said Patricia Riekel, editor of celebrity magazine Bunte and a board member at publisher Burda, which organizes the Bambis. ''I thought it was a very spontaneous action and he loves children. I don't think it was dangerous,'' Riekel said at a news conference on the awards. On Wednesday, teenage fans still crowded the pavement in front of the luxury hotel, hoping to glimpse Jackson and breaking into intermittent screams of excitement even though Jackson was nowhere in sight. ''It was rather bizarre, what he did,'' said 17-year-old Joerg Diestel of Berlin. ''But Michael's a bizarre person.'' Maria Hunyadi, 15, from Budapest, Hungary, said, ''I thought it was dangerous, but he probably did it spontaneously.'' Uta Nierlein, a 16-year-old fan from Berlin, said, ''If I had a child I wouldn't hang him out of the window like that.'' The Chicago-based advocacy group Prevent Child Abuse America criticized Jackson's behavior, though it said the boy did not appear to be harmed. ''It is a painful reminder that even the most well-intentioned among us sometimes act in ways that put children in danger of being abused or neglected,'' said A. Sidney Johnson, president and CEO of the group. Little is known about Prince Michael II. People Magazine reported in August that he was six months old. The magazine, citing an anonymous friend, said the boy was not adopted and did not identify the mother. The singer also has two children with ex-wife Debbie Rowe: a 5-year-old boy - also named Prince Michael - and a 4-year-old girl, Paris. The couple divorced in 1999."}, {"response": 4, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (16:45)", "body": "(Dorine) Did anyone see this? How can you miss it? When my browser opens to Netscape, there it is, large as life. Sexiest? To whom? (Moon) and Gerard Depardieu had it in \"Green Card.\" gagging, puh-leeez!! :-("}, {"response": 5, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (16:48)", "body": "(Moon) and Gerard Depardieu had it in \"Green Card.\" (Karen),gagging, puh-leeez!! :-( Exactly! Not what you'd expect but it was there."}, {"response": 6, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (17:01)", "body": "(Moon) and Gerard Depardieu had it in \"Green Card.\" (Karen),gagging, puh-leeez!! :-( (Moon) Exactly! Not what you'd expect but it was there. Amazingly true. I agree. (Karen) How can you miss it? When my browser opens to Netscape, there it is, large as life. Sexiest? To whom? Am thanking God for a different browser. Don't get me wrong, he's a darned good looking guy. Don't think he won the personality lottery, though. ;-) And I am getting overloaded on these 2. I was at a Q&A event with the speaker being someone who is very familiar with BA. This person related how lovey dovey they were and said to Ben that things seemed good and he'd better not cheat on her. I said somewhat under my breath that he's probably not the one to worry about. A few people around me seemed amused. Again I wish them the best of luck. They will need it."}, {"response": 7, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (17:03)", "body": "(KathyF)Just because J-Lo has the marital attention span of a gerbil... Very good one Kathy. I can't figure out if these people are bizarre before they become famous, or if they lose all common sense and reasoning after the fact. Interesting, really for as many *famous* people as there are, it seems to be the same ones who pop up over and over again in the headlines with behaviour that stuns and amazes. The greater percentage you don't hear about. Like our AFG boy! Now, does that mean the ones that avoid tabloid publicity are *normal* or just smart enough to stay out of the headlines? And, What about that Michael Jackson? How can you even speculate on a recluse whose nose is falling off after repeated attempts to try and become Diana Ross's twin sister, names his ranch Neverland , has three children with all the appearance of very light skin in contrast to his own genes, has chosen to name his two sons Prince Michael and Prince Michael II (choke choke, sorry I'm gagging here), and now hangs the young prince over a balcony four stories high! IMO, the guy is round the twist, off his rocker, cuckoo, screwy in the extreme, and ready for a stay in the loony bin. But, there is a business oppotunity here for an ingenius enterprenuer. He has three children whose heads are covered when out in public. Surely someone can design *something* more appropriate than those silly white towels he has to use. Some kind of hood with breathing holes? Come on all you creative seamstresses!"}, {"response": 8, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (17:17)", "body": "(Lisa) Now, does that mean the ones that avoid tabloid publicity are *normal* or just smart enough to stay out of the headlines? Sometimes both ;-)"}, {"response": 9, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (17:20)", "body": "(Lisa) has chosen to name his two sons Prince Michael and Prince Michael II(choke choke, sorry I'm gagging here), Aren't something like 5 of George Foreman's kids named George? Did anyone see those closeups of MJ while testifying in court the other day? His nose, Louisa! Looked like someone had put putty on parts of it to fill in the gaps. Ew!"}, {"response": 10, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (18:05)", "body": "Is it just me having trouble getting in at spring.net or is everyone else having the same problem?"}, {"response": 11, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (20:40)", "body": "Ok, was going to post this in FF but thought it was too funny and might be seen by more people here......."}, {"response": 12, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (21:13)", "body": "I'll tell you what, along the lines of on-screen chemistry, I really did not like the film Notting Hill. Why, you ask? Because I was not convinced that JR and HG really had the hots for each other. They didn't fit, IMO. No chemistry. However, talking about another Gnat role, I loved Fours Weddings and a Funeral. Of course *every* actor in the film was excellent in their parts, but I believed the attraction between HG and AMcD. Andie was at her least-wooden best in this film. (I can't remember Green Card, to long ago.) Although I often wonder the motivation of her taking him to try on that Bo Peep wedding dress."}, {"response": 13, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (21:26)", "body": "Love the sign Freddie. Thanks. I like SB. I thought HG and SB appeared pretty chummy at Oscars. Didn't notice any animosity. But who knows what's happend since. Liked Sleeping and Congeniality too. IMO I don't see JR having any chemistry with her leading men either. Is she still married? IMO Jackson has lost it. Hanging his child over a railing, suing a record company because his effort wasn't a success. Sour grapes IMO. Maybe he senses the end is near. Even \"Bizar\" people have to take responsibility for what they do or don't do. Wasn't impressed with the concert taped right before 9/11 either. People chose Affleck as the Sexiest Man of the Year or was he one of several. He isn't in the same league as Colin IMO, never even has a chance of being there. And I believe last year's choice was PB. Is there even the remotest comparison here. Was the pool limited this year? He's ok, but the Sexiest anything, I don't think so. Did anyone see Leno last night? He did a cute joke about JLO and BA engagement. He showed a card with the front as an Invitation to their Wedding and the back a Thank you card for the wedding gift to her wedding with Chris. Funny stuff. Just saw an ad for a McCartney concert next Wednesday night at I believe 10:00 on ABC. Should be good."}, {"response": 14, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (21:48)", "body": "(Lisa) I'll tell you what, along the lines of on-screen chemistry, I really did not like the film Notting Hill. Why, you ask? Because I was not convinced that JR and HG really had the hots for each other. They didn't fit, IMO. No chemistry. Lisa, I thought I was the only one who felt this way about Notting Hill. Glad to know I'm not! I agree with you about 4WaaF, too - liked it, and believed the HG/AMcD chemistry. On the 2 Weeks Notice trailer - I thought it was pretty anemic. It may not be possible to truly judge chemistry from something that short; however, I noticed nothing in the trailer that struck me as romantic or funny. Given that I assume it's a romantic comedy, that would seem to indicate a problem."}, {"response": 15, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Nov 20, 2002 (22:31)", "body": "(Lisa) How can you even speculate on a recluse whose nose is falling off after repeated attempts to try and become Diana Ross's twin sister (Dorine) His nose, Louisa! Looked like someone had put putty on parts of it to fill in the gaps. Ew! ROTFLOL! Excellent comments, and so true! I remember when MJ was black and had a nose. He was absolutely adorable. I understand he has a skin condition, but there was no reason for disfiguring himself through plastic surgery. The Jacksons who have opted to keep their own features look much better than MJ and LaToya, IMO."}, {"response": 16, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (07:54)", "body": "Quite frankly, I'm astounded that BA has been chosen as sexiest alive. I realize that Daredevil is going to be released soon, but the new Bond film is about to be released as well, and PB would have been a much more logical choice (although CF is my personal favorite). He's cute, but sexy?? No way. Love the J-Lo gerbil comment! I actually used to like her when she was *just* an actress. Now, she just gets on my nerves. MJ--what can I say? At best, very poor judgement on his part. *Shiver* How are these three children going to turn out with that *person* raising them?"}, {"response": 17, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (08:21)", "body": "(Jeanie) People chose Affleck as the Sexiest Man of the Year. And I believe last year's choice was PB. Was the pool limited this year? (Moonstar) I'm astounded that BA has been chosen as sexiest alive. I realize that Daredevil is going to be released soon, but the new Bond film is about to be released as well, and PB would have been a much more logical choice. Yeah, limited to who had a project coming out in the very near future. They don't repeat the Sexiest Guy I believe. Maybe once if at all. Now I'm curious if once you've been on the inside, like Colin has, does that preclude you from getting a cover later."}, {"response": 18, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (08:53)", "body": "People Picks Ben Affleck As Sexiest I don't see it...I really don't think much of him as an actor either..IMO he was the weakest link in SIL. (FanPam) I like SB. I like her too, very down to earth. Good in the \"chick flick\" genre."}, {"response": 19, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (10:12)", "body": "(FanPam) IMO Jackson has lost it. I used to feel bad because I thought someone close to him needed to get him some help....now I'm just scared for his children (and I'm still waiting for the blood work to prove they are even his kids...sorry, I've just thought that for a long time)! To be raised in that environment cannot be healthy. People Picks Ben Affleck As Sexiest Man of the Year Not by a long shot!!! Sexy? The guy in Dogma? Mall Rats? Cute, maybe, but not sexy."}, {"response": 20, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (10:50)", "body": "(Dorine), I'm curious if once you've been on the inside, like Colin has, does that preclude you from getting a cover later. I don't think it ever stopped Brad Pitt. I still think it is all a matter of who has the best PR agent, as long as he works all the time and BA is everywhere."}, {"response": 21, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (11:04)", "body": "People Picks Ben Affleck As Sexiest Man of the Year And Hugh Grant is Sexiest Import. Huh? I like HG a lot but don't ever think of him as desirable. And talking about Notting Hill, I'm sure this is very old news but I read recently that that story was based on the true-life adventures of Madonna. Apparently she hooked up with a commoner for a short time and Hugh told Richard Curtis, who then made NH. As for Jackson's who haven't had surgery, I think Tito might be the only one left. Seriously. Has anyone seen the new Clooney movie yet? I can't believe the fuss made about his butt. Especially after seeing the Jeremy Northam movie which I believe was for British TV, where he was running around for all to enjoy! I don't know how GC keeps from yelling at these silly entertainment reporters who cannot talk about anything else."}, {"response": 22, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (12:05)", "body": "(Brenda) As for Jackson's who haven't had surgery, I think Tito might be the only one left. Seriously. Really? I'm by no means an expert on things Jackson, but I saw a picture of all of them not too long ago, and it appeared that Tito, Marlon and Jermaine (sp?) still had their original noses. Although it had been a long time since I'd seen them, so I might have forgotten what the originals looked like. Especially after seeing the Jeremy Northam movie which I believe was for British TV, where he was running around for all to enjoy! Oooh, that sounds tasty! What was the name of it?"}, {"response": 23, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (12:41)", "body": "(Rika)Lisa, I thought I was the only one who felt this way about Notting Hill. Glad to know I'm not! I agree with you about 4WaaF, too - liked it, and believed the HG/AMcD chemistry. No, count me in there too. NH left me cold. 4WaaF I've watched several times and really enjoyed it."}, {"response": 24, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (13:05)", "body": "(Brenda)Has anyone seen the new Clooney movie yet? I can't believe the fuss made about his butt. Solaris? It's all about publicity and money. Has nothing to do with prudishness; it never does. The film is now on the tip of everyone's tongue--pretty clever, I'd say, for a cerebral story. And the lower-teen friendly rating widens the potential audience/box office appreciably. Ebert & Roeper gave it 2 thumbs up and there are raves in Rolling Stone and in Dave Poland's column. That's all I've seen as far as reviews go. I think it opens end of month. BTW . . .I love George Clooney!!! Had to get that out of my system, lol.:-) Re: Affleck as People's sexiest. For what it's worth, I saw him about a month ago when they were filming scenes from Jersey Girl at the Hardrock Cafe next door to my office. He is tall! Like, at least 6'3\". Buzz among the crew and crowd was how nice he was, signing autographs, kissing babies, very accommodating and easy to work with. He doesn't get my sexy vote, but is a cute younger brother type. And if I were big sis, I'd tell him not to marry \"that woman.\";-)"}, {"response": 25, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (14:43)", "body": "(KathyF)Oooh, that sounds tasty! What was the name of it? Fatal Inversion. It's a Ruth Rendell movie. Now why didn't Colin do this one? http://us.imdb.com/Title?0102126 ...it appeared that Tito, Marlon and Jermaine (sp?) still had their original noses I forgot about Marlon, but I'm pretty sure Jermaine was one of the first to get the nose job. Harder to tell with him. (Mari)Solaris? It's all about publicity and money. Has nothing to do with prudishness; it never does. I saw one interview where GC said the controversy was manufactured by people trying to sell the movie. What bothers me is the immaturity in the questions asked from shows like Access Hollywood. It makes me cringe when everyone at the premiere is asked what George's butt is like. What's the correct answer for that anyhow? :-) I give a lot of credit to GC for the way he handles the press."}, {"response": 26, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (16:18)", "body": "(Mari), I love George Clooney!!! Had to get that out of my system, lol.:-) I stand with you sistah! And Jeremy Northam too. :-D Now if only he would buy a house on Lake Como. ;-)"}, {"response": 27, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (16:19)", "body": "(Brenda)Has anyone seen the new Clooney movie yet? I can't believe the fuss made about his butt. (Mari) Solaris? It's all about publicity and money. Has nothing to do with prudishness; it never does. The film is now on the tip of everyone's tongue--pretty clever, I'd say, for a cerebral story Yes, the butt story is a brilliant PR move. Exactly what I thought when I heard of the rating board being prudish. Up til now, there was little to no attention on it that I know of, and on AICN a couple of people posted reviews that while the movie was confusing (and the authors liked it for the most part), apparently *many* people got up and left in the middle. *Plus*...they will be getting his name out there now in prep for the PR for his directing debut in Confessions of a Dangerous Mind next month. (Mari)I love George Clooney!!! Had to get that out of my system, lol.:-) Me, too! (Brenda) What bothers me is the immaturity in the questions asked from shows like Access Hollywood. It makes me cringe when everyone at the premiere is asked what George's butt is like. I give a lot of credit to GC for the way he handles the press. Was thinking that last night watching E! News Live. Did anyone see that *dizzy* blonde talk to him? And then went up to pose by the poster to look like he was kissing her? Yuch! Too much. BTW Brenda, I had already typed my stuff about the controversy as PR and after saw your comments of same. Didn't mean to be redundant. :-)"}, {"response": 28, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (16:19)", "body": "geez"}, {"response": 29, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (16:20)", "body": "I'll go out and come in again.... (anyone Monty Python Spanish Inquisition fans?"}, {"response": 30, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (16:45)", "body": "Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!!!"}, {"response": 31, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (17:21)", "body": "As I recall, they made repeated appearances at one of Eileen's bday parties a couple...oh 3 years ago."}, {"response": 32, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (17:27)", "body": "Me too: on George Clooney, Ben Affleck , only because he and Gwynnie worked so hard to put SIL over the top. Without them it would have been DOA. Jeremy Northam...any ole time Rafe, because he takes risks on everything he does. Failure (The Avengers) doesn't daunt him. He puts it behind him,...keeps plugging. And he loves the theatre ... doesn't just talk about it."}, {"response": 33, "author": "Odile", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (18:52)", "body": "I don't know if this was posted somewhere else: Katie Couric will have Helen Fielding Tuesday on her book club thing with a guy. Just saw an ad for it, don't know anything else about it..."}, {"response": 34, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (22:27)", "body": "Thanks Odile for heads up on Helen Fielding. Will definitely watch. Hope you are ok. Was in error last night. McCartney concert Wednesday Nov. 27. 9:00 pm est. ABC for those interested."}, {"response": 35, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (00:44)", "body": "Jeremy Northam was interviewed on PBS \"Fresh Air\" today, BTW, heard it in the car. I don't think this was a rerun, since they asked him about the Dean Martin role that's airing here on Sunday night. He called the Hamlet understudy incident one of the most terrifying moments of his life! Worth looking for if it's out online anywhere. (Wonder why this didn't post on the first try! Odd.)"}, {"response": 36, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (07:41)", "body": "I'm wondering if Vegas will be odds on how long this 'marriage' will last btw J.Lo and Affleck???? She seems to go through men like I go through money (and that is NOT a good thing!). Anyhoo, just hope they don't get married here in Boston, MA (or anywhere in MA). Hate seeing all those satellite antennaes in the air!"}, {"response": 37, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (08:18)", "body": "(Elizabeth) (Wonder why this didn't post on the first try! Odd.) Maybe because it knew it wanted to be posted on Topic 43? Bwahahahahahha!! ;-)"}, {"response": 38, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (10:42)", "body": "Anyone planning on seeing Bond, James Bond? I hadn't but then saw a vague preview of a Rowan Atkinson short called, maybe, Johnny English. It may be showing before DAD so, if it does, please let us know. I'm just going to movies now for the preview stuff :-) Trailers and shorts! Jeremy may be on Caroline Rhea today. He hasn't showed up yet but my TV guide keeps promising."}, {"response": 39, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (10:57)", "body": "Please check Topic 43 for Jeremy Northam news : http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/43/new"}, {"response": 40, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (11:31)", "body": "preview of a Rowan Atkinson short called, maybe, Johnny English. Saw it with HP. It looked funny. My kids like Mr. Bean. Might be taking them to Bond today. I haven't decided. ;-)"}, {"response": 41, "author": "sandym", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (15:15)", "body": "(Dorine) I give a lot of credit to GC for the way he handles the press. Was thinking that last night watching E! News Live. Did anyone see that *dizzy* blonde talk to him? And then went up to pose by the poster to look like he was kissing her? Sounds like he's getting some good prep work if GC's rumored role as Bridget's interview subject in the EOR comes true. :-D"}, {"response": 42, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (17:17)", "body": "NOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition! Our chief weapon is surprise...surprise and fear...fear and surprise.... Our two weapons are fear and surprise...and ruthless efficiency.... Our *three* weapons are fear, surprise, and ruthless efficiency...and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope.... Our *four*...no... *Amongst* our weapons.... Amongst our weaponry...are such elements as fear, surprise.... I'll come in again. Sorry, oh \"Goddess of All Things Colinary\", I just couldn't resist. I'll go now.. (slinking off to the peanut gallery with a pouty face)"}, {"response": 43, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (17:55)", "body": ""}, {"response": 44, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (18:18)", "body": "Bring out the comfy chair!"}, {"response": 45, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (18:20)", "body": "No more!"}, {"response": 46, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Nov 22, 2002 (20:23)", "body": "(Laura) She seems to go through men like I go through money (and that is NOT a good thing!). LOL I agree 100% Great pics Karen with oh so funny memories. Thanks."}, {"response": 47, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (16:53)", "body": "I have just watched the first episode of Daniel Deronda, featuring Hugh Bonneville. My DH was reading the newspaper, but glanced up when he heard what he believed to be a familiar voice, and said, 'Not HIM again'. He thought I was watching one of my many CF tapes/DVDs! I have heard it mentioned before that they have similar voices. (In fact, HB mentioned in an interview some time ago, that someone mistook him for ODB in the street)!! Now, there MAY be a similarity in the voice, but that's as far as it goes, IMHO!"}, {"response": 48, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Nov 23, 2002 (17:39)", "body": "Yeah, I sure don't see any physical resemblance! I haven't seen him in that many things so I can't recall what his voice sounds like."}, {"response": 49, "author": "EllenAsh", "date": "Sun, Nov 24, 2002 (10:51)", "body": "Re: J-lo: Chut chut, ladies! Although letters to the editor (of People Mag etc.) do not have the power to influence journalistic endeavors they once did. Enclosing a better photo (eg. the quilt photo of JN) is useless. It seems that the \"fanzines\", ex. Starburst, display a photo along with a fan's well-written, well-argued letter. Their choice of photo, that is, which is often very funny. :) In other news, yes, an evening out on the town with JN would be worth polishing the long-forgotten dancing skills. I admire a guy who cooks, fish. Secrecy, surprise, and ruthless efficiency! Those are our three weapons. ;)"}, {"response": 50, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Nov 24, 2002 (14:36)", "body": "Keep those clooney comments coming, I'm all ears Ladies, and we get so little coverage (unlike his butt:-)"}, {"response": 51, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Nov 24, 2002 (14:36)", "body": "...... on this side of the pond I mean!"}, {"response": 52, "author": "EllenAsh", "date": "Sun, Nov 24, 2002 (16:43)", "body": "With those liquid-black, puppy-dog eyes . . . you'd think GC'd have a UK fanclub to compete with Mr. Firth's! (ducking the cuflinks thrown by CF fans). I hear you, a Rickmanfan on the Western side of the pond."}, {"response": 53, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Nov 24, 2002 (17:56)", "body": "(Brenda)I saw one interview where GC said the controversy was manufactured by people trying to sell the movie. . . I give a lot of credit to GC for the way he handles the press. Did he really? Good for him--there's no b.s. about George! But he's *always* nice about it.:-) What bothers me is the immaturity in the questions asked from shows like Access Hollywood. They are painful to watch, aren't they? I tuned in this past week to see if they'd have the full WAGW trailer on (they didn't). But J.Lo is on every single day, no exaggeration. What a publicity machine that girl has. I actually think she has talent, but this overexposure is turning me way off. (Moon)I stand with you sistah! And Jeremy Northam too. :-D Now if only he would buy a house on Lake Como. ;-) LOL, I *told* you I'd wind up being the only one Como-less.;-) Excellent taste, Moon. CF, GC, and JN are my ultimate love triangle. Sigh . . . (Lizza)we get so little coverage (unlike his butt:-) Hee hee. Am hoping Soderbergh restores the sex scene snips (ouch!;-) when the DVD comes out!:-)"}, {"response": 54, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Nov 24, 2002 (18:36)", "body": "Don't forget ladies JN is on Channel 2 tonight at 9:00 as Dean Martin. Getting good reviews from what I hear. Enjoy."}, {"response": 55, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, Nov 24, 2002 (20:35)", "body": "At the risk that this should be posted at a book forum, due to it's relation to Droolable topics and the likelihood of finding interested parties, I'm putting it here... People Magazine book review of their \"Page-turner of the week\": Jane Austen in Boca by Paula Marantz Cohen reviewed by Bella Stander \"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife,\" wrote Jane Austen in the classic opening of Pride and Prejudice . Austen never schmoozed by the pool with a pack of bronzed yentas, but her Pride plot proves as durable as ever, even after being transplanted to Cohen's \"surreal nirvana\" of a Florida retirement community. In this witty romp, widowed Jewish women and their extended kin fill in for the country families in Pride . Instead of silly Mrs. Bennet pushing daughter Jane at wealthy Mr. Bingley, suburban New Jersey supermom Carol Newman sets up her mother-in-law in Boca Raton with a retired leather importer. Breaking with Austen's storyline, Cohen has fun with the \"group therapy session\" in the communal changing room at Loehmann's, death by Viagra and a too-tan septuagenarian spearing a \"cocktail shrimp the size of a tennis ball\" at a Valentine's Day dance. (St. Martin's, $24.95) BOTTOM LINE: What's not to like? ************************** This is one I'll watch for."}, {"response": 56, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Nov 24, 2002 (21:27)", "body": "(re: Jane Austen in Boca I will definitely have to read this as I grew up near that area and know Boca people *quite* well. Thanks so much, Barb!"}, {"response": 57, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Nov 24, 2002 (22:24)", "body": "(Janet) I have just watched the first episode of Daniel Deronda, featuring Hugh Bonneville. My DH was reading the newspaper, but glanced up when he heard what he believed to be a familiar voice, and said, 'Not HIM again'. He thought I was watching one of my many CF tapes/DVDs! I have heard it mentioned before that they have similar voices. (In fact, HB mentioned in an interview some time ago, that someone mistook him for ODB in the street)!! Saw this in an article about Daniel Deronda on the Guardian web site: The advice for any actor auditioning for an Andrew Davies-scripted production must be to look for the bastard, for that's where the best part is to be found. Deronda is rumoured to be illegitimate, but he is clearly no bastard. Grandcourt is, though, and Hugh Bonneville, so often allocated the role of the bumbling fool, now takes his revenge as a cold dish. His performance is a highly entertaining homage to Colin Firth's Mr Darcy at his most handsomely imperious. Although amusing, this kind of inter-canon reference does little to counter the criticism, however unfair, that Andrew Davies's costume dramas all seem alike. URL for the full article: http://www.observer.co.uk/review/story/0,6903,846054,00.html"}, {"response": 58, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (03:26)", "body": "does little to counter the criticism, however unfair, that Andrew Davies's costume dramas all seem alike. That is such a two edged comment. What criticism? Why imply criticism and then say that to do so is unfair? HB's perfprmance was terrific IMHO and did not remind me in the least of CF's Darcy. Grandcourt is nothing like Darcy. Do these commentators ever watch these plays? And if they do, do they understand what they are watching grrrrrr. Just an early morning rant; am enjoying DD which I have never read so am all anticipation for the next instalment."}, {"response": 59, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (09:26)", "body": "I guess Demme needs to be hit on the head harder. Sheesh! Won't this guy ever learn not to remake \"classic\" films. Demme Vies for 'Candidate' Remake By Michael Fleming Filmmaker Jonathan Demme, coming off box office disappointment \"The Truth About Charlie,\" is negotiating to direct Denzel Washington (news) in the remake of \"The Manchurian Candidate.\" Production will begin next fall. Both Demme and Washington sparked to a strong script by Daniel Pyne (\"The Sum of All Fears\"), who was able to make believable the film's premise about soldiers who return from war unable to remember their heroic exploits because they've been brainwashed to commit murder. In the 1962 original, which was directed by John Frankenheimer, the soldiers returned from the Korean War rewired by communists to assassinate the president of the United States. Its star, Frank Sinatra, was so devastated by the subsequent assassination of President Kennedy that he bought control of the film's rights and kept \"Manchurian Candidate\" out of circulation for many years. Later, he gave his daughter Nancy permission to pursue a remake. She will produce the film at Paramount with Scott Rudin. [Ed note: Shame on her]"}, {"response": 60, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (09:58)", "body": "(Mari)CF, GC, and JN are my ultimate love triangle. Ditto: Will add, RF and Stephen Dillane."}, {"response": 61, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (10:57)", "body": "From Ananova: Mendes bows out with best director award Director Sam Mendes's swansong season at London's Donmar Warehouse has earned him one of the most prestigious awards in British theatre. He was named Best Director at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards for his farewell productions of Twelfth Night and Uncle Vanya. Gwyneth Paltrow had been nominated for Best Actress for her West End debut in Proof at the Donmar, which earned rave reviews. But the Hollywood actress lost out to relative unknown Clare Higgins for her role in Vincent In Brixton. The stage version of The Full Monty beat Andrew Lloyd Webber's Bollywood extravaganza Bombay Dreams to the title of Best Musical, while the Best Play award went to Caryl Churchill's A Number. Jake Gyllenhaal was named Outstanding Newcomer for his role in This Is Our Youth, in which he played alongside Star Wars actor Hayden Christensen. The full list of winners is: Best Actor - Simon Russell Beale for Vanya in Uncle Vanya and Malvolio in Twelfth Night Best Actress - Clare Higgins for Ursula Loyer in Vincent In Brixton The Carlton Television Award for Best Musical - The Full Monty The Sydney Edwards Award for Best Director - Sam Mendes for Uncle Vanya and Twelfth Night Best Stage Designer - Ian MacNeil for A Number and Plasticine The Charles Wintour Award for Most Promising Playwright - Vassily Sigarev for Plasticine Outstanding Newcomer - Jake Gyllenhaal for This Is Our Youth Special Award - The Globe Season of Cupid and Psyche 2002. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lucky NYers, aren't the two Donmar plays (and full casts) coming to BAM (Brooklyn) in a few months?"}, {"response": 62, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (11:13)", "body": "while the Best Play award went to Caryl Churchill's A Number. Pfft. No one even heard of that one... Big shut-out for Stoppard's Coast of Utopia triology .Bummer The critics must not have brought cushions for their tushes. Best Actor - Simon Russell Beale for Vanya in Uncle Vanya and Malvolio in Twelfth Night The guy must be running out room for his awards. Ho, hum. thanks Karen."}, {"response": 63, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (11:19)", "body": "You crack me up, Evelyn! LOL! Gwyneth Paltrow had been nominated for Best Actress for her West End debut in Proof at the Donmar, which earned rave reviews. But the Hollywood actress lost out to relative unknown Clare Higgins for her role in Vincent In Brixton. I smell sour grapes. I bet the British hate the fact that she keeps getting parts that they feel should go to British actresses. Everyone knows that Proof is a tour-de-force. Shame on them."}, {"response": 64, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (11:38)", "body": "(Moon Dreams)But the Hollywood actress lost out to relative unknown Clare Higgins for her role in Vincent In Brixton Could it not be simply, that in the judges opinion, hers was the better performance?"}, {"response": 65, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (11:40)", "body": "(Evelyn)Ditto: Will add, RF and Stephen Dillane Ralph is waiting in the wings for me, and could be elevated to love triangle status should any of the current occupants (continue to) stumble.;-) The Maid in Manhattan commericals look cute, and he is darn adorable in them! A light change of pace for him (as opposed to people who make a steady diet of such.;-) I like his American roles, e.g., Quiz Show, Red Dragon. Stephen D. is an outstanding actor--but sadly doesn't do anything for me in the department of l'amour. And I am just shallow enough that that matters.;-)"}, {"response": 66, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (11:49)", "body": "(Janet), Could it not be simply, that in the judges opinion, hers was the better performance? You think that if it makes you happy. ;-)"}, {"response": 67, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (11:52)", "body": "(Mari), Ralph is waiting in the wings for me, and could be elevated to love triangle status should any of the current occupants (continue to) stumble.;-) I agree. I don't usually go for blonds. Stephen D. is an outstanding actor--but sadly doesn't do anything for me in the department of l'amour. And I am just shallow enough that that matters.;-) LOL! We seem to agree here too."}, {"response": 68, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (11:57)", "body": "(Janet) Could it not be simply, that in the judges opinion, hers was the better performance? LOL. Nevah!! Janet, you just have to get used to us...no malice intended. But we just get fed up with the Brit press for not giving American stars their due. In this case, it's because they object to a screen actress taking a stage role...and an American screen actress..[in Lizzie mode] \"Heaven forbid\". The West End is a pretty closed shop. Proof was a Pulitzer prize winner in the US.And Gwynnie got rave reviews at the Donmar.. Enough of my mini-rant. It only happens once a year, honestly. Usually around theatre awards time. (Mari) Stephen D. is an outstanding actor--but sadly doesn't do anything for me in the department of l'amour LOL.Not as Karenin , for sure. Check out \"Firelight\"."}, {"response": 69, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (12:02)", "body": "Check out \"Firelight\". LOL! You're saying that because we get to see him naked. ;-) (Evelyn), Janet, you just have to get used to us...no malice intended. Rule #1 Don't trust judges."}, {"response": 70, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (12:59)", "body": "Check out \"Firelight\". LOL! You're saying that because we get to see him naked. ;-) ROTF. Helps:-)))Even though it's a bit blurry. Go topic to #43 for the news on the Martin & Lewis special last night...with Mr Knightly! Topped the Sunday night ratings !!Way t'go Jeremy."}, {"response": 71, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (13:21)", "body": "(Janet) Could it not be simply, that in the judges opinion, hers was the better performance? Always a possibility and, since we saw neither performance, I couldn't characterize the victory and its merits. BTW, as I recall, the Evening Standard's Drama Awards are rather strangely done. A group of people get together and try to reach consensus or beat up the weakest members. Something like that. ;-)"}, {"response": 72, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (14:28)", "body": "Outstanding Newcomer - Jake Gyllenhaal for This Is Our Youth Very pleased to see this; once I saw Donnie Darko, I put him on my \"one-to-watch\" list (even tho he was Bubble Boy :( lol). (Evelyn), Janet, you just have to get used to us...no malice intended. We are a rather cynical bunch :)"}, {"response": 73, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (21:08)", "body": "(Mari)CF, GC, and JN are my ultimate love triangle. I'm right there with the first two and the third tends to fluctuate. (Mari), Ralph is waiting in the wings for me, and could be elevated to love triangle status should any of the current occupants (continue to) stumble.;-) (Moon)I agree. I don't usually go for blonds. (Mari)Stephen D. is an outstanding actor--but sadly doesn't do anything for me in the department of l'amour. And I am just shallow enough that that matters. ;-) (Moon)LOL! We seem to agree here too. And I agree on both counts as well! Since GC keeps popping up here lately (pun wasn't intended... unless someone found it funny ;-) ....... I wanted to mention I saw Solaris yesterday. Two things.... 1. If you really want to see it, it should be seen on a big screen at least once IMO, and 2. You have to stick with it through the first half. If you didn't like 2001: Space Odyssey, you won't like this. Pacing is very similar. The themes don't really start to emerge til at least the halfway mark. I actually want to see it again (on DVD) to review the first half and see what I may have not picked up on the first time around. I applaud GC for doing something very different for him. No real intended humor, but a few places for small chuckles. Also, Jeremy Davies was v. good as well. GC and NM make a nice looking couple. And to address the question on the minds of a few of you....*wow*, that is some bod he has. One shot from the back was from far away and quiet shaded...but you could tell. And the other was when he and NM were laying on their stomachs on the bed with no covers, full side shot. Colin might do well to use his trainer than...what was that guy's name? Although in all fairness, I believe they have very different body types. Colin seems taller and lankier. Maybe GC puts on muscle easier as he seems shorter and stockier(?) by comparison."}, {"response": 74, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (10:47)", "body": "Check out \"Firelight\". Oh, I love that one! But he still doesn't float my boat . . . *wow*, that is some bod he has. One shot from the back was from far away and quiet shaded...but you could tell. And the other was when he and NM were laying on their stomachs on the bed with no covers, full side shot. Dorine, you're killin' me here!! Thanks for the preview; my, um, appetite has been duly whetted.;-)"}, {"response": 75, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (15:35)", "body": "Thanks Dorine for headsup on Solaris and GC. Saw him interviewed by Katy this morning. Have to say he is a fine specimen. Even at that hour as he commented it was early for him. Katy remarked that people thought this should be an \"Art House\" film. He replied, \"I wouldn't be so hasty in putting it on the Art House trash heap yet.\" Just thought that was an interesting comment. Is this an indication that actors consider Art House as trash. Please help me out here Karen and Evelyn. Thanks."}, {"response": 76, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (17:40)", "body": "Is this an indication that actors consider Art House as trash. Please help me out here Karen and Evelyn. Will I do?;-) I saw the interview too, Pam, and from the context, it was clear to me that he was commenting on her statement that \"the industry\" didn't expect Solaris to do well at the box office. His reply was about not throwing in the towel on the box office prospects, not intended as a knock on art house films. He said that he wasn't willing to concede box office defeat just because a film was challenging."}, {"response": 77, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (17:54)", "body": "Plus, I think with the name of Steven Soderburgh behind it should garner some attention! Besides, it has such a beautiful cast! :)"}, {"response": 78, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (19:33)", "body": "(Mari) Will I do?;-) Of course. Thank you. I just took offense at \"Art House\" being considered trash as I personally don't feel that way. Thank you for intepretation. Didn't he look good? The more I see him I can envision the Bridget interview. I agree, he shouldn't concede box office defeat under any circumstances. A movie that actually requires thought process while viewing is an innovation now-a-days. Too few of them in my opinion."}, {"response": 79, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (21:26)", "body": "George Clooney is on Letterman tonight."}, {"response": 80, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 26, 2002 (23:31)", "body": "(Pam) Please help me out here Karen and Evelyn. (Mari) Will I do ;-) If you leave off names, and not address your comments specifically to people, it keeps the board open. That is why we put people's names in parens. It means you are responding to a comment they made, not addressing them. It is a subtle difference but effective."}, {"response": 81, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (08:25)", "body": "Flying home in a few hours, just wanted to wish all those that celebrate a happy and safe Thanksgiving. I will miss this place the next few days! My best to you all!"}, {"response": 82, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (13:27)", "body": "A Very Odds and Ends Post: (Evelyn re A Number) \"Pfft. No one even heard of that one...\" Now Ev, just a darn minute here. We too few Craig admirers must have our say -- Great play (I've listened to it on audio) - Less than an hour long - rave reviews all over the Brit press -- AND it stars Michael Gambon and Daniel Craig. They are hoping to bring it to Broadway. ***************************************** Nice words for Clooney in today's NY Times review of Solaris: \"Whether gazing darkly over the ocean from a captain's perch in \"The Perfect Storm\" or contemplating the viscous, shape-shifting reality of a mysterious planet from a space station in his new movie \"Solaris,\" George Clooney projects the brooding solipsism of a man's-man encased in a shell of loneliness. In the Hollywood pantheon of recycled heroes, he suggests a Clark Gable for the new millennium, without the raised eyebrow and rakish leer.\" ************************************** Mari - Love Triangles? I love love triangles. I agree about Ralph. Would add Clive Owen and Nicky Katt to mine. Just picturing the three of them offering me champagne and strawberries by a glowing fire gives me palpatations."}, {"response": 83, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (14:01)", "body": "Speaking of GC, he was terrific on Letterman last night. I kept wondering if Letterman would tease him about the butt shots - but he delegated that task to Stephanie."}, {"response": 84, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 27, 2002 (16:11)", "body": "(Evelyn re A Number) \"Pfft. No one even heard of that one...\" (Murph)Now Ev, just a darn minute here. We too few Craig admirers must have our say -- Great play .. A -Ha...knew a certain Daniel Craig webmaster would chime in eventually;-))I know you will love the play when it comes to B'way:-)) (Murph)Mari - Love Triangles? I love love triangles. I agree about Ralph.. I didn't say ole Lizard Legs was in the hunk category...just a great actor whom I admire."}, {"response": 85, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (10:01)", "body": "Happy Thanksgiving Ladies!"}, {"response": 86, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (10:31)", "body": "Happy Thanksgiving to all those who celebrate it"}, {"response": 87, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (13:38)", "body": "(Rika)Speaking of GC, he was terrific on Letterman last night. I kept wondering if Letterman would tease him about the butt shots - but he delegated that task to Stephanie. GC is a great interviewee. Good sense of humour and smart. When he was talking about his villa in Italy, I immediately thought about Bridget flying over to interview him. Hurrah! She can still go to Italy! And GC can get a bit of a vacation :-) Happy Thanksgiving to all!!"}, {"response": 88, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (22:16)", "body": "(BrendaL) When he was talking about his villa in Italy, I immediately thought about Bridget flying over to interview him. Hurrah! She can still go to Italy! I thought exactly the same thing when he said that."}, {"response": 89, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (22:52)", "body": ""}, {"response": 90, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Nov 28, 2002 (23:37)", "body": "As those of you who have the Drool birthday list may know, we have a birthday on Sunday, December 1. But Odile, the birthday girl, is going to be without Internet access for a few days, so we'd like to delay her party till Tuesday, December 5 so she can participate! Be there or be square - I have it on good authority that several of our favorite guys (the Darcy boys and some of their friends) are going to make an appearance!"}, {"response": 91, "author": "Leah", "date": "Fri, Nov 29, 2002 (00:34)", "body": "So Lord Dashwood is able to attend then?"}, {"response": 92, "author": "neshacat", "date": "Fri, Nov 29, 2002 (07:04)", "body": "Last weekend I shared parts of the googie discussion with my DH. We have, over the last 16 years, made sort of a hobby of collecting these euphemisms. It all began with a parent teacher conference about our youngest son's response to the teacher's question \"Where did he kick you?. Our son responded with the correct term and was throroughly chastized by his pre-school teacher. The teacher was quite offended when we found it amusing rather than very serious and suggested several other words he could have used. My son was, at that time, only three years old. Thus, the collecting began. Googie is the only really new addition in quite a while. Yesterday, he (the DH) handed me this month's Scienctific American and said quite innocently, \"You may want to read the article titled Members Only.\" Some of you may enjoy reading it also. A link is below. http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?colID=15&articleID=0005182A-A784-1DC9-AF71809EC588EEDF"}, {"response": 93, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Fri, Nov 29, 2002 (07:27)", "body": "( MariH)you may enjoy reading it also I did. It's too funny. Sometimes I wonder at what these scientists come up whith. (Is that a correct sentence?)"}, {"response": 94, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 29, 2002 (08:21)", "body": "To Karen, Lora and everyone who celebrates this holiday HAPPY HANUKKAH"}, {"response": 95, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 29, 2002 (08:53)", "body": "Karen, for your Hanukka gift ...I am giving you.... my... and just so you can Shake, Shake *your* Booty too.... Lora, For your Hanukkah gift I'm grabbing the white tie and tails for you before anyone else does..."}, {"response": 96, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 29, 2002 (09:25)", "body": "Was rather apprehensive, as Scientific American is not exactly our normal reading here. ;-) But that was cute. which translates to \"we somehow got 104 guys to agree to drop their pants next to a tape rule.\" This doesn't seem like it would be so difficult to do. Stand on any street corner or L stop. ;-) Thanks, Evelyn, for the gift. I'll be taking v g care of those."}, {"response": 97, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Nov 29, 2002 (11:21)", "body": "Geez, Karen that certainly IS a v.v nice Hanukkah gift!!! Happy Hanukkah!! and a belated turkey day (had quiet one with becks and nice bottle of Shiraz/Grenache) (were'nt you the one who turned me on the the Shiraz'????) ;) Love to you all!!!"}, {"response": 98, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 29, 2002 (13:32)", "body": "Hide your eyes, Karen.... From NY TIMES: Greek Wedding Courts a Prince Named Oscar: \"My Big Fat Greek Wedding,\" the $5 million independent film phenomenon, is being widely discussed as a significant player in the forthcoming Academy Awards race...... The Hollywood Reporter this week named \"Greek Wedding\" one of the most likely nominees for a Golden Globe for best comedy or musical, alongside Reese Witherspoon's \"Sweet Home Alabama\"; Eminem's \"8 Mile\"; the forthcoming \"Chicago,\" with Ren\ufffde Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones, based on the Broadway musical; and \"Analyze That,\" with Robert De Niro. Full article: http://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/28/movies/28GREE.html?8mu"}, {"response": 99, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov 29, 2002 (15:55)", "body": "Happy Hanukkah to those celebrating!!! MaryH, thank you for the very interesting article! LOL...it is so good to know that they can grow them in a petri dish! ;-D BTW, shame on that pre-school teacher for chastising your little boy (he was right and she was wrong)!"}, {"response": 100, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Nov 30, 2002 (01:33)", "body": "In the recent Atlantic Monthly: The lifelong problems of John F. Kennedy constitute one of the best-kept secrets of recent U.S. history -- no surprise, because if the extent of those problems had been revealed while he was alive, his presidential ambitions would likely have been dashed. Kennedy, like so many of his predecessors, was more intent on winning the presidency than on revealing himself to the public. In the Spring's politics conference there is a topic on this. What is your view? Was JFK noble or unethical to hide his medical problems from the public?"}, {"response": 101, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Nov 30, 2002 (17:38)", "body": "We don't have much celebrating around Thanksgiving here but I wish you, who did, had a nice day. I just spend the last hours wrapping 24 parcels for my sons Christmas-calender. By dec. 1th they have to hang on the wall, ready to be opened, one for each day until Christmas Evening. Do you do that, where you live? I'm just curious and hope it's allright to use this topic. In my imagination - were I to get something each day until Christmas - I think I would have to put my wishes on another topic (it would involve some drooling about ODB)."}, {"response": 102, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Nov 30, 2002 (19:58)", "body": "Here in the States, some people do put together daily calendars for their children as you describe them, but others don't. Sometimes they're referred to as Advent calendars. I like your suggestion about the daily wishes!"}, {"response": 103, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Dec  1, 2002 (14:14)", "body": "Run, don't walk to see Todd Haynes \"Far From Heaven.\" Absolutely beautiful, sad and mesmerizing acting by Dennis Quaid, Julianne Moore and Dennis Haysbert. Cinematography gorgeous .... And Elmer Bernstein's score! Wow."}, {"response": 104, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (07:48)", "body": "\"Solaris\" was not very good. And after what we've read about RZ's body double, we must wonder if the long shot of him naked is him. ;-)"}, {"response": 105, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (08:11)", "body": "I liked it , but I found that in the group of people in the theater that I saw it with, opinions were firmly on one side of the fence or the other. And a few people walked out. I had read about that happening at a previous screening and was not surprised to see that. As far as the long shot, I think there was a point as they turn when you can tell it's him by seeing his face at an angle. And I think it was done in one shot, so unless they digitally imposed something (butt or face) on him, then it may be him. No question in the other shot. Won't be able to check again til video is out. I thought overall it was beautifully shot, too. I also like that he took the risk to make it. But I will say if people don't like 2001:Space Odyssey, they won't like this."}, {"response": 106, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (09:40)", "body": "Mixed feelings on Far from Heaven. I thought Julianne Moore was wonderful, as was Dennis Quaid, but Dennis Haysbert seemed all wrong to me. Frankly, I found Pleasantville a more unique film. This was seemed so self-conscious that it was re-making a 50s film, and I was fixed on certain details. At the end, I felt like screaming to the person next to me, where is her handbag???? How can she go shopping without her handbag? It didn't work 100% for me, yet the messages came across even more vividly than the color palettes used. Hmmmm, still nagging at me as to whether there were yellow phones in 1957. I suppose they did their research, but..."}, {"response": 107, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (10:40)", "body": "Too bad that Colin is probably off in Luxembourg, otherwise, he might have joined his fellow Sainsbury shopper and Amnesty Intl brethren here: http://www.ananova.com/entertainment/story/sm_720026.html?menu ="}, {"response": 108, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (12:32)", "body": "OOOOOOOkay!! So much for \"Solaris\" and \"Far From Heaven\"... Roll on \"Chicago\"!"}, {"response": 109, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (14:26)", "body": "Roll on \"Lord of the Rings\"! I saw a preview of Chicago, I thought it was rather confusing. I bet they re-do it. But I will go see it. Dorine), I thought overall it was beautifully shot, too. I also like that he took the risk to make it. But I will say if people don't like 2001:Space Odyssey, they won't like this. I loved 2001. But Solaris didn't do it for me. As it happened TMC had on the original Solaris (the Russian film), last Friday night. I have to finish the tape but I did notice how some of the ship's interiors, the hallway was copied in the new one. Will report once I'm done watching it."}, {"response": 110, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (16:00)", "body": "(Moon)I saw a preview of Chicago, I thought it was rather confusing. So was the play.But I'm going to see the stars:-D"}, {"response": 111, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (16:03)", "body": "(Moon)As it happened TMC had on the original Solaris (the Russian film), last Friday night. I saw that...but decided to watch \"Nine Months\" with HG and Julianne Moore. Old , but cute. *Three hours* of a Russian film with subtitles???? That's a sentence:-(("}, {"response": 112, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (17:32)", "body": "The original Solaris is going to be playing at the main arthouse next month. Think I might drag myself up there to see it, but first must see the GC version."}, {"response": 113, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (17:59)", "body": "(Karen) Hmmmm, still nagging at me as to whether there were yellow phones in 1957. I suppose they did their research, but... Yellow phones in 1957? It doesn't really seem right, but I do remember beige, white and olive green phones around 1960, so perhaps it's possible. (Evelyn) *Three hours* of a Russian film with subtitles???? That's a sentence:-(( Subtitles require so much effort -- trying to read them and watch the action at the same time. I always end up with a headache, and the nagging suspicion I've missed half the movie. Although if I'm watching a foreign film, I'd rather put up with subtitles than have it dubbed."}, {"response": 114, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (21:36)", "body": "If you had asked me about the telephones, I would have said white, beige, pink, blue and maybe turquoise but never yellow. I couldn't stop wondering so I went looking. Go to the first link and there's a tribute to AT&T with pics of phones in yellow, pink, mint green, olive green - circa 1954-1960, including a very bright yellow wall phone in 1956. The \"Princess\" phone (\"It's little, it's lovely, it lights\ufffd\") apparently arrived in 1958 and came in white, beige, pink, blue and turquoise. The second link has a pic of a yellow phone in someone's collection (about mid-page) and although it's not dated, it looks fairly old and is mixed in with some very old models. (Very educational, 'Odds & Ends' LOL) http://www.telephonetribute.com/tribute/the_att_telephone_story.html http://www.telephonetribute.com/tribute/photos.html"}, {"response": 115, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (22:25)", "body": "The reason I wondered is that I had a yellow phone (not a Princess) in my bedroom as a kid, but that was sometime in the sixties. We didn't get our own line until it was absolutely necessary, maybe early 60s. ;-) For some reason, I didn't think those colors (pink, turquoise, etc.) came in that early, that there would only have been black and white. In the movie, it was a yellow wall phone too."}, {"response": 116, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Mon, Dec  2, 2002 (23:56)", "body": "My parents didn't believe in children having a private line. They also thought plain black was perfectly serviceable. But, when I ordered my first phone for my first apartment, it was bright red. :-)"}, {"response": 117, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Dec  3, 2002 (09:43)", "body": "One goof the IMdb noticed was an IBM Selectric typewriter (1971 vintage) outside Dennis's office. I thought the film spoke so well about all that had to be hidden and disguised in life during the 50's. It was telling that Clarkson's character accepted Dennis' homosexuality, but could not accept a white woman and a black man having a friendship. Going through fire made Moore's charcter much stronger. I had the feeling she would do OK after the film ended, whereas Dennis would be jilted by that youngster and live in limbo. Haysbert was a bit too noble - but maybe that was Haynes tribute to the old mixed relationship films like \"Guess Who's Coming To Dinner.\""}, {"response": 118, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  3, 2002 (09:58)", "body": "(Murph) It was telling that Clarkson's character accepted Dennis' homosexuality, but could not accept a white woman and a black man having a friendship. That was the film's main point and it illustrated it very well, but overall I just wasn't all that impressed with it. IMO, it seemed rather self-conscious of it's stylistic homage. Going through fire made Moore's charcter much stronger. I thought she was a strong character all along. She was never afraid to associate with whomever she wanted and didn't care what people thought. It was only when her husband threw a fit over the rumor that she bent. Besides, at the beginning, one of the luncheon ladies (pass me a daiquiri!) mentions Cathy's liberalism in college. Red! Interestingly, when I saw the credits at the beginning and Elmer Bernstein's name, I was taken aback, assuming that he was dead and that maybe they had reused one of his older scores. And at the end, it said orchestrations were by an Eimilie (sp) Bernstein, who I assumed assisted with reworking daddy or grandfather's works. Then today I see that Elmer is being giving a Life Achievement Award. So I guess he's still alive! ;-)"}, {"response": 119, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec  3, 2002 (10:33)", "body": "So...what say you...is there Oscar material here? I've already decided to wait for the video unless it gets a nom. A pity...good dramas are so few and far between. Really, they're being dumped on the Art House circuit.Which most of the country doesn't get to see. Roll on \"The Hours\"...."}, {"response": 120, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec  3, 2002 (11:02)", "body": "I need to take a day or 5 off to catch up with you all on the new films! Am feeling horribly behind as I usually start my fall filmgoing in earnest by now.;-) Anyway, the fact that Murph and Karen are debating Far From Heaven's handling of serious issues and the performances of serious actors in serious roles puts it on my must-see list. Contrast with the fluff being produced in other quarters.:-( Plus, I really like Moore, Quaid and Haysbert. Have been reading raves about 2 upcoming films: Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (George Clooney's directorial debut) and Adaptation (Nic Cage, and written by Charlie Kauffman of Being John Malcovich fame)."}, {"response": 121, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  3, 2002 (11:15)", "body": "(Mari) the fact that Murph and Karen are debating Far From Heaven's handling of serious issues and the performances of serious actors in serious roles I think we're only debating how \"great\" this film is. Seems we're both in agreement over the acting and that Haysbert doesn't quite fit in. My only reservation is that critics are calling this a \"masterpiece\" and I don't see it at all. Nothing all that original, except that neither subject matter would've been dealt with in films of that period, and I preferred Pleasantville, which was truly original in approach (stylistically and message). Julianne Moore will definitely get nommed this year, either for this or The Hours. Might be tough having two strong film performances, as has been the case with other actors before. Dennis Quaid's got a fighting chance, unless the \"cram it into the last two days of the year\" stuff has more than the category allows. Cate Blanchett's performance in Heaven is Oscar worthy too."}, {"response": 122, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec  3, 2002 (13:33)", "body": "Whatever. My point was that these are films worth discussing. Anyone want to take a *very* early shot at who/what will be nommed in the major categories? I know that some of the best films and performances are just rolling into the theaters now, but just for fun. When are Golden Globe noms announced?"}, {"response": 123, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Dec  3, 2002 (15:06)", "body": "Good points, Karen. We do agree that the acting was top drawer. I have already ordered Elmer Bernstein's score. It was so lush and so 50's films. I loved it. All of this may be because I was a college gal in the 50's. Our attempt at being different was loving J.D. Salinger and Marlon Brando in the \"Wild One!\" I have Roger Ebert's review where he explains about Haynes' homage to Douglas Silk films. Here is the paragraph: ***************** \"Far from Heaven\" uses superb craftsmanship to make this film look and feel like a film from the 1950s. Todd Haynes says he had three specific inspirations: Douglas Sirk's \"All That Heaven Allows\" (1955), which starred Jane Wyman and Rock Hudson in the story of a middle-aged widow and her handsome young gardener; Sirk's \"Imitation of Life\" (1959), with Lana Turner as a rich woman whose maid's daughter (Susan Kohner) passed for white, and Max Ophuls' \"The Reckless Moment\" (1949), about blackmail. In Sirk's films you often have the feeling that part of the plot is in code; that one kind of forbidden love stands for another.\" ************************ Hope some others see it. It is thought-provoking - at least I thought so. Mari - Will have to get something together on nominations. I guess that \"Gangs\" and Daniel Day L. in a high hat and mutton chops will be one. The Hours another, (I liked the book) and good words are being written about Adaptation. (I came late to Jonz' \"Being John Malkovich,\" but loved its quirky, crazy hunor)."}, {"response": 124, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec  3, 2002 (16:31)", "body": "(Murph)The Hours another, (I liked the book) I loved the book; will be tricky to film. Getting fantastic buzz."}, {"response": 125, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Dec  3, 2002 (19:18)", "body": "(Mari) Adaptation (Nic Cage, and written by Charlie Kauffman of Being John Malcovich fame). Saw NC interviewed by Katie on Today this morning. Seems like a really interesting roll for him as he plays twins. Also with a great deal of class he denied to answer her question about his recent separation and she backed off just as graciously. Am looking forward to Chicago. I don't think it will disappoint."}, {"response": 126, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Dec  3, 2002 (21:15)", "body": "Just got home and I have 2 words for you...... Chicago.........PHENOMENAL!!!! :-) (Murph)The Hours another, (I liked the book) (Evelyn) I loved the book; will be tricky to film. Getting fantastic buzz. It is excellent!"}, {"response": 127, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Tue, Dec  3, 2002 (21:19)", "body": "(Rika) As those of you who have the Drool birthday list may know, we have a birthday on Sunday, December 1. But Odile, the birthday girl, is going to be without Internet access for a few days, so we'd like to delay her party till Tuesday, December 5 so she can participate! Mine was today, so I'll celebrate with Odile.. feel sorry for me.. I'm officially starting down the other side of the hill.. =("}, {"response": 128, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Dec  3, 2002 (21:31)", "body": "I'm confused...December 5th is Thursday, at least here in Australia! Since the day has come and gone, why don't we plan to pop in tomorrow and give them both proper birthday greetings! (I can plead ignorance, I don't have a list!)"}, {"response": 129, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Dec  3, 2002 (22:06)", "body": "You're right - my mistake. THURSDAY, December 5. And Jeanie, if only you'd told us sooner!!!!! But here's something for you, in honor of our Evening of Pizza and Richard Herncastle: Happy Birthday, Jeanie! I can't resist him in white tie....."}, {"response": 130, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Dec  3, 2002 (22:34)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JEANIE! Naughty girl -- you should have told us! And it's not the other side of the hill anymore. The top of the hill has officially been moved up. You have years to go before that downhill slide!"}, {"response": 131, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Dec  3, 2002 (22:57)", "body": "Happy Birthday to You!!! Happy Birthday Jeanie - hope you had a great day!!! And I have heard that the hill has been officially closed (until they get more snow). So you have no worries!! Stay in the lodge and have a few cocktails!!!"}, {"response": 132, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (02:10)", "body": "Even though I'm a newbie, I would like also to congratulate: Happy Birthday to you Jeanie As to the up-hill/down-hill - as long as ODB adds one year at the time as the rest of us, there is no need to worry. Where I come from, we allways say, that you are as old, as you feel - so don't worry, be happy and enjoy every day."}, {"response": 133, "author": "WinniePeg", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (06:43)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Jeanie!!!"}, {"response": 134, "author": "Leah", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (08:01)", "body": "Jeanie, hope you have had a great day."}, {"response": 135, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (08:53)", "body": "Happy Birthday Jeannie!!! Jeanie, I understand the valley is even more beautiful than the hike up the hill, and you are in lots of good company!! Best Wishes!! Maria"}, {"response": 136, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (09:08)", "body": "Jeanie, you may have your Darcy SIMS, but we nearly had our Firth Hamlet... And since you brought up \"topography\" ;-) HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!"}, {"response": 137, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (09:27)", "body": "Hope you had a wonderful birthday, Jeanie!"}, {"response": 138, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (10:14)", "body": "Jeanie...Sending along Mr. Sexy to keep you company. Happy Birthday!"}, {"response": 139, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (10:41)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JEANNIE"}, {"response": 140, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (11:39)", "body": "Well, Mr. DarcySim is coming in to say \"thank you\" for wishing me \"happy birthday!\".."}, {"response": 141, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (12:11)", "body": "(Murph) One goof the IMdb noticed was an IBM Selectric typewriter (1971 vintage) outside Dennis's office. What about the bed? Yes, two twin beds pushed together (and their frames bolted together underneath) is realistic for the period, but not for a \"film\" made during this period. Twin beds, separated by a nightstand or two, is how it was usually shown. I'm pretty sure I've Sirk's \"Imitation of Life\" and the Jane Wyman-Rock Hudson as gardener is ringing a major bell, but I can't recall it at all. But now Haysbert makes more sense. He's very much in the Rock Hudson mold. Now, I'm curious as to how Rock played the gardener. He was never very good at playing lower, working class types. Here's an interview with Haynes that was reposted: http://www.indiewire.com/film/interviews/int_Haynes_Todd_021101.html iW: After I saw the movie, there were some people in the audience who had never seen a Sirk film and some who had. How do you see these two different audiences experiencing your movie? Haynes: I am eager to know that as anyone. In Venice, there was a very well-attended press screening and we heard afterwards it was filled with a lot of appreciative laughter. I realized in the laughter, there is some interaction with the codes that we're obviously playing with -- and ultimately embracing. And then we had the official screening and they were dead silent through the entire movie. It was weird. And then they all stood up afterwards and applauded and then Julianne won the best actress award, so it's beginning to dawn on me that for certain viewers it's possible to watch the film with absolutely no framework whatsoever and get right into the content immediately. ~~~~~~~~ The only laughter at our theater was at some of the 'dated' dialogue, especially the little boy's. The politeness and respectfulness toward the parents got laughs."}, {"response": 142, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (12:23)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Jeanie! Don't pout about being near the \"over the hill\" part of your life, especially when HWM is waiting for you on the other side of the hill in this bonny glen ;-). Have a great day in the \"highlands\" !!!"}, {"response": 143, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (13:32)", "body": "When this film (Russian Ark) played at our FF, I couldn't get tickets, as it had sold out. It's going to be playing at one of the art houses next month and is considered a technical marvel, very unique achievement in filmmaking. http://www.indiewire.com/film/interviews/int_Buttner_Tilman_021126.html"}, {"response": 144, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (14:14)", "body": "(Jeanie) Well, Mr. DarcySim is coming in to say \"thank you\" for wishing me \"happy birthday!\".. But, Jeanie, he's dressed! I thought he liked to wear a robe.... or less....."}, {"response": 145, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (14:42)", "body": "Jeannie and Odile, Since this is a combined Happy Birthday greeting I splurged and hired some entertainment. First, Mr. Checkerhead, the Living Checkerboard will perform tricks of dexterity! Then I found a comedian who swore he would be funny. I tested him out first on a very tough audience. He seemed to go over well with the chimp. Then I found a group who wanted to perform their favourite play for you. And sing Happy Birthday afterwards. They have considerately provided a means of translation. So, to the ladies who share birthdays with Lyle Lovett and Larry Flynt, Adam Ant and Dolph Lundgren, (sorry I couldn\ufffdt bring myself to post photos of these guys!) I say Happy Birthday\ufffd\ufffd. Lisa"}, {"response": 146, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (16:17)", "body": "Winners of the National Board of Review 2002: TOP TEN FILMS OF 2002 TOP FIVE FOREIGN FILMS OF 2002 1. The Hours \ufffd Best Film 2. Chicago 3. Gangs of New York 4. The Quiet American 5. Adaptation 6. Rabbit-Proof Fence 7. The Pianist 8. Far From Heaven 9. Thirteen Conversations About One Thing 10. Frida 1. Talk to Her \ufffd Best Foreign Film 2. Y Tu Mama Tambien 3. 8 Women 4. City of God 5. El Crimen del padre Amaro Best Actor: Campbell Scott, Roger Dodger Best Actress: Julianne Moore, Far From Heaven Best Supporting Actor: Chris Cooper, Adaptation Best Supporting Actress: Kathy Bates, About Schmidt Best Acting by an Ensemble: Nicholas Nickleby Breakthrough Performance Actor: Derek Luke, Antwone Fisher Breakthrough Performance Actress: Maggie Gyllenhaal, Secretary Best Director: Phillip Noyce, The Quiet American and Rabbit- Proof Fence Best Directorial Debut: Rob Marshall, Chicago Screenwriter of the Year: Charlie Kaufman, Adaptation, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Human Nature Best Documentary: Bowling for Columbine Best Animated Feature: Miyazaki\ufffds Spirited Away Best Film Made for Cable TV: The Laramie Project Special Award for Visionary Cinematic Achievement: George Lucas Career Achievement: Christopher Plummer Special Filmmaking Achievement: George Clooney, Director, Producer, and Star of Confessions of a Dangerous Mind Career Achievement \ufffd Film Music Composition: Elmer Bernstein Career Achievement \ufffd Cinematography: Conrad Hall Humanitarian Award: Sheila Nevins William K. Everson Award for Film History: Annette Insdorf for her book \ufffdIndelible Shadows: Films and the Holocaust \ufffd Special Recognition of Films that Reflect the Freedom of Expression: Ararat, Bloody Sunday, The Grey Zone, Rabbit-Proof Fence Special Mention for Excellence in Filmmaking The National Board of Review, in keeping with its long tradition of recognizing excellence in filmmaking is proud to salute the following films, crafted by visionary artists which demonstrate the creativity and determination which have always been vital to the film industry: Frailty The Good Girl The Guys Heaven Igby Goes Down Max Personal Velocity Real Women Have Curves Roger Dodger Sunshine State Tadpole Tully"}, {"response": 147, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (16:27)", "body": "National Board of Review picks 'The Hours' as top movie; Campbell Scott, Julianne Moore win By CHRISTY LEMIRE, AP Entertainment Writer NEW YORK - \"The Hours,\" starring Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore and Nicole Kidman, is the year's best movie, according to the National Board of Review (news - web sites) of Motion Pictures. Based on Michael Cunningham's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, the film follows three women in three eras who are all tied to Virginia Woolf's \"Mrs. Dalloway.\" Moore also won the board's best-actress award for \"Far From Heaven,\" in which she plays a 1950s New England housewife who learns her husband is gay, then begins a relationship with her black gardener. Campbell Scott was named the best actor for \"Roger Dodger,\" in which he stars as a shallow womanizer who teaches his nephew about dating during an eventful night in Manhattan. The group's supporting actor prize went to Chris Cooper for \"Adaptation.\" Cooper co-stars as an eccentric orchid breeder in search of a rare, perfect flower. Kathy Bates won best supporting actress for \"About Schmidt,\" in which she plays a bohemian divorcee. Philip Noyce was the group's director of the year for two films: \"The Quiet American\" and \"Rabbit-Proof Fence.\" The documentary honor went to \"Bowling for Columbine,\" Michael Moore's examination of America's gun culture. Pedro Almodovar's \"Talk to Her\" was the board's choice for best foreign film of the year. The Spanish film follows two men who are in love with women in comas in the same hospital. Completing the list of the top 10 movies for 2002: \"Chicago,\" \"Gangs of New York,\" \"The Quiet American,\" \"Adaptation,\" \"Rabbit-Proof Fence,\" \"The Pianist,\" \"Far From Heaven,\" \"Thirteen Conversations About One Thing\" and \"Frida.\" The National Board of Review awards represent the first step in anticipating Academy Award winners, but they're usually not in step with what Oscar voters prefer. Last year, board members chose Baz Luhrmann's revisionist musical \"Moulin Rouge\" as the best movie; the Academy Award for best picture went to Ron Howard's \"A Beautiful Mind,\" a far more traditional pick for its inspirational themes. And in 2000, \"Quills,\" starring Geoffrey Rush as the Marquis de Sade, was the board's top choice; the best-picture winner was \"Gladiator,\" starring Russell Crowe. The National Board of Review, made up of teachers, writers, actors and movie production workers, will award the winners at a ceremony Jan. 14 in New York."}, {"response": 148, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (16:30)", "body": "Thank you Murph...of the top 10 films only 5 have played locally. None of the foreign."}, {"response": 149, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (16:35)", "body": "(Mary Murphy) Career Achievement: Christopher Plummer I would just like to say, that I think it's very nice indeed, for him to get such an award(if thats what it is?). His performance in Sound of Music is one of my fondest memories from my childhood. Hearing Edelweiss still moves me. Not to say, that he hasn't done anything worth seeing later. I just haven't paid much attention. My mind has been otherwise engaged."}, {"response": 150, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (18:06)", "body": "I found what I think is a very neat application. If you go to http://www.wimba.com/tools/vmail/showroom.php you can record a voice email and send it to anyone you like. Send one to me! (terry@spring.net) I'd love to hear from you using this tool so I could hear you. I've been reading your posts for so long and I often wonder what the voices behind all the words are like! Tell me how your holidays are going and what you'd like to see more of on the Spring, I'll listen!"}, {"response": 151, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (19:26)", "body": "Karen -- FYI All That Heaven Allows (1955) movie review by Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews Rating: FRESH (A) After seeing Sirk's disturbing film, it makes one wonder why any sensitive person would have wanted to live in an American small town in the 1950s. ALL THAT HEAVEN ALLOWS (director: Douglas Sirk; screenwriter: Peg Fenwick/based on the story by Edna L. & Harry Lee; cinematographer: Russell Metty; editor: Frank Gross; music: Frank Skinner; cast: Jane Wyman (Cary Scott), Rock Hudson (Ron Kirby), Gloria Talbott (Kay), William Reynolds (Ned), Conrad Nagel (Harvey), Agnes Moorehead (Sara Warren), Virginia Grey (Alida Anderson), Jacqueline de Wit (Mona Plash), Alex Gerry (George Warren), Hayden Rorke (Dr. Dan Hennessy), Donald Curtis (Howard Hofer), Charles Drake (Mick Anderson), Leigh Snowden (Jo-Ann); Runtime: 89; MPAA Rating: NR; producer: Ross Hunter; Universal; 1955) \"After seeing Sirk's disturbing film, it makes one wonder why any sensitive person would have wanted to live in an American small town in the 1950s.\" Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz \"Heaven\" is Douglas Sirk's brilliantly perceptive sudsy romantic melodrama that turns into an attack on the American Dream, the ugly provinciality of small town life, and the ill effects of consumerism and materialism on the American soul. After seeing Sirk's disturbing film, it makes one wonder why any sensitive person would have wanted to live in an American small town in the 1950s. The filmmaker of Leftist politics and born in 1900 of Danish parents, went to Germany in his teens to study art and drama and remained there until he fled Nazism in 1937 with his Jewish wife for the American way of life and to be a Hollywood director in its studio system; and, since his established film career was little known in Hollywood, he had to start over from scratch. In \"Heaven\" he slowly builds his case against America's oppressive cultural life by his soap opera story about a wealthy middle-aged widow in the fictional New England town of Stoningham, Cary Scott (Jane Wyman). She is the loving mother of two college attending children--Ned (William Reynolds) and Kay (Gloria Talbott). Cary is glad to be stuck with her conventional life among the town elites, friends who are living the good country club life of cocktail parties and material comfort. She seems contented because she doesn't know any better. She also has her good reputation to fall back on, her status in the community has been passed on to her by her pillar of the community late businessman hubby, her motherly concerns for her children to keep her occupied, the big house that's been in the family for generations to live comfortably in, and all the money she needs so as to never want for anything. She would like to be swept off her feet romantically, or at least marry someone appealing of the same upper-class trata, but the only eligible bachelor among her set is Harvey (Conrad Nagel). He's someone she does not love (he's just not lovable), but he's safe to be seen with and to be her steady escort at social functions. Harvey's an older, boring man whose idea of romance centers around the need for companionship and affection, but even though he's a dolt he's someone her children feel comfortable with and can accept as a replacement for their dad (you would think, she would say to herself so much for caring about what her dopey kids think!). Her best friend is the snobbish Sara Warren (Agnes Moorehead), someone who looks out for Cary and with whom she feels comfortable telling her personal things. The one in her circle that's even too revolting for her, is the big-mouthed gossip Mona Plash (Jacqueline de Wit). The handsome Adonis, Ron Kirby (Rock Hudson), is her gardener. He's taken over the maintenance job when his dad died three years ago, but she only notices him on this spring day when he's pruning her trees and she eyeballs his bulging muscles and thinks she would rather be with him then with any other dude in town. He's also nice and is no dummy. So begins an affair with someone bred from lower-class parents and fifteen years her junior. He's a nature boy who is building a cabin in the woods and going into the tree farming business with his pal, an advertising executive dropout from the rat race, Mick Anderson (Charles Drake). After a disasterous time at a country club party where married man Howard Hofer (Donald Curtis) makes a boorish pass at her, she's ready to hang out with Ron's 'back to nature friends' who are warmer and more easy going than her old 'uptight' friends. Mick's wife Alida (Virginia Grey) is much sweeter and more genuine than Sara, and Cary begins to think maybe she could live with the pr mitive Ron and learn to also love nature. After all, she swallowed whole that line of bull Ron fed her about the 'golden rain tree' near her house that can only bloom where there's love. Cary at present doesn't love anything, but she swoons unashamedly whenever she's with the hunky Ron. He's secure "}, {"response": 152, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (20:05)", "body": "8 Women as one of the top 5 foreign films????? Hmmm. (Annette) His performance in Sound of Music is one of my fondest memories from my childhood. Hearing Edelweiss still moves me. Me too, though I believe that someone else did his singing in the movie."}, {"response": 153, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (21:57)", "body": "Oh GAH, missing birthdays again, and without suitable photos too. Happy birthday, y'all. Will try to be better prepared next time...unless you would like an ice storm?"}, {"response": 154, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (22:11)", "body": "Jeannie and Odile? My sense of them on first impression is that they are quite mature for their age, well mannered, self contained, and soft spoken. . . until they post on 166.;-) Happy Birthday to Jeannie and Odile!"}, {"response": 155, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (22:18)", "body": "Unfortunately, this is just a quick Happy, Happy Birthday to Jeanie and Odile!! Hope you had lots of fun!"}, {"response": 156, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (22:35)", "body": ""}, {"response": 157, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (22:37)", "body": ""}, {"response": 158, "author": "sdeaconsm", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (22:38)", "body": "Testing!!!"}, {"response": 159, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (22:39)", "body": "\"TWO Drool birthdays at once? But.... how can I manage to be with both of the birthday girls at the same time?\" Happy Birthday, Jeanie and Odile!"}, {"response": 160, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (22:40)", "body": "\"Having a birthday, Odile? Well, go to it!\""}, {"response": 161, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (23:39)", "body": "These are for you, Rika.. lol... perhaps you'll see why I'm sooo intrigued! (bwhahahahaha!) He thinks he's going incognito.. I told him, though, that you'd recognize him for sure! Note the toes!!! http://pages.ivillage.com/firthermore/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/darcehandonhips.jpg\" > Striking a Goofy Pose! Daydreaming..."}, {"response": 162, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Wed, Dec  4, 2002 (23:42)", "body": "Ok, one didn't come out right.. (sniffing).. last one, I promise, and if they take up too much room, just delete em, oksey?"}, {"response": 163, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (02:00)", "body": "HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, ODILE! I hope it was a wonderful one!"}, {"response": 164, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (06:29)", "body": "Rika, thanks for those wonderfull pictures. Especially the one from BJD is very droolworthy. As it was my birthday too, I enjoied them as an unexpected present."}, {"response": 165, "author": "WinniePeg", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (06:34)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Odile!!!"}, {"response": 166, "author": "Leah", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (06:39)", "body": "Odile, hope you had a great birthday. Nita, hope you also had a great day. Rika, thanks for the pictures - I enjoy them too, and I've long to go before I have a birthday."}, {"response": 167, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (07:35)", "body": "So many birthday girls! Hope you all had a great day!"}, {"response": 168, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (07:35)", "body": "Here's a toast to the birthday girl. Happy Birthday Odile! This sweater kept me warm in England, but you will have to do the honors in Alaska."}, {"response": 169, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (08:48)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY ,ODILE A posie for you birthday in Alaska"}, {"response": 170, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (09:37)", "body": "This is O&E because, well, you'll see. From the SF Examiner: The importance of doing Wilde BY LESLIE KATZ Two extraordinarily skilled actors pretend to be Ernest in a delightful new production of \"The Importance of Being Earnest.\" The fact that they're women only adds to the fun. For the first time in its four-year history, Woman's Will, the Bay Area's excellent all-female Shakespeare troupe, goes beyond the Bard with this holiday-time presentation of Oscar Wilde's classic farce. The show has the appealing elements theatergoers have come to expect from Woman's Will: an extremely competent cast, compact direction by Virginia Reed that proves how less is often more, and an innovative twist. Here, the novelty is the setting. Woman's Will artistic director Erin Merritt (who also plays Algernon), has lined up a series of 19th-century historic venues at which to perform, making this a parlor comedy set in a real parlor. The show has been running at Oakland's 1860s-era Pardee Home; it moves to The City Thursday for a performance at the Trocadero Clubhouse in Stern Grove. At the cozy Pardee Home, which seats about 30, it's difficult not to be pulled in by the setting alone. The audience is more or less \"onstage,\" particularly when the actors make their way to the corners of the antique-filled room. (At one point between scenes, the performers, front and center, take a whimsical equivalent of a seventh-inning stretch, inviting the audience to rise, too.) The close quarters illuminate the laughs, of which there are many. Even after 100 years, Wilde's jokes sparkle, especially when delivered with such panache. (This show's measurably funnier than the recent film starring Rupert Everett and Colin Firth.) Even though the synopsis sounds tricky, the show is anything but. Merritt stars as Algernon, a dry-witted London fellow about town who does his best to mitigate his involvement with his even snootier family: his aunt, Lady Bracknell (Phoebe Moyer) and her daughter Gwendolen (Laura Hope). Algernon has made up a sick friend, Bunbury, whom he \"visits\" when he wants to avoid an unpleasant social obligation. Likewise, Algernon's friend Worthing (Carla Pantoja) has an imaginary brother, \"Ernest,\" whom he uses for similar purposes. Yet to people he doesn't want to avoid, Worthing himself goes by the name Ernest, which works wonders in wooing Gwendolen, who hilariously says the name gives her vibrations. In Act 2, the action moves from Algnernon's London residence to Worthing's country home, where his beautiful, ditzy young ward, Cecily (Chlo\ufffd Bronzan), lives with her tutor Miss Prism (Lauren Carley), and they receive visits from wise village vicar Dr. Chasuble (Dianne M. Terp). High jinks kick in when Algernon, masquerading as brother Ernest, shows up in the flesh, and sets his heart on Cecily. Yet the silly intricacies simply provide the framework for Wilde's pithy observations abut people and society, with comments such as \"The very essence of romance is uncertainty -- divorces are made in heaven,\" or \"He's never read a single book, so you can imagine how much he knows,\" or Miss Prism's dissatisfaction over \"the modern mania for turning bad people into good people at a moment's notice.\" Delivered by these uniformly spot-on actors, the personal quips are even funnier, as when Algernon, as Ernest, calls Cecily \"the visible personification of absolute perfection\" and she promptly records it in her diary, which she has \"ready for publication.\" Or when Lady Blackwell accuses Cecily, \"Your hair seems almost as if nature left it -- that can be altered.\" Yet Cecily's tresses and wardrobe are indeed lovely. Lustrous period costumes by Greeta Ahart give this Woman's Will production particular glamor, especially compared to shoestring-staged free summer park shows for which the company is famous. The troupe pulls out all the stops here. In addition to the refreshing entertainment, appropriately themed refreshments -- tea and cucumber sandwiches -- are served at intermission. Like everything this company does, they're downright cool. http://www.examiner.com/ex_files/default.jsp?story=X1204EARNESTw [Ed Notes: Oh, to be able to see Colin perform this in a theater that only holds 30! All those lines quoted above weren't in the movie.]"}, {"response": 171, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (09:55)", "body": "Ack! I've missed so many birthdays! And I'm graphics impaired, to boot! I hope everyone had a great time, and stay warm! I'm iced in :( P.S. Hey, Jeanie, what happened to the nakey skins? :P"}, {"response": 172, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (10:10)", "body": "Not here, move to 166 if necessary. Please."}, {"response": 173, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (10:16)", "body": "Happy Birthday Odile!!! Sorry no graphics! Hope you are keeping safe (....no more earthquakes) AND I hope the weather hasn't gotten too nasty for you (just throw in a movie with ODB in it and that should warm you right up)!"}, {"response": 174, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (10:16)", "body": "closing..."}, {"response": 175, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (10:41)", "body": "Happy Birthday Odile"}, {"response": 176, "author": "Odile", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (11:09)", "body": "Thank you so much for the birthday wishes Elizabeth S, Dorine, Kathy F, Leona, LeahP, Barb S, moonstar and Tress (no more big earthquakes for now AND a heat wave of sorts; times are good!) Thanks Evelyn & Karen for the lovely graphics (I keep thinking that the cake is blowing those flowers out :) ) (Mari)My sense of them on first impression is that they are quite mature for their age, well mannered, self contained, and soft spoken. . . ...thanks Mari, Lord Dashwood is so well ... dashing (had to remember the well mannered, self contained part, sigh... ) :) Moon, thanks for Mark, I'll just take the toast to go... along with the toaster of course. Keeping warm is what Odiles do best :) Rika, what can I say? Wonderful pictures, thank you so much! The little neck movement with the go to it is definitely melting me every time... He's just finally starting to be so happy, so giddy... sigh... And I'm glad to share my birthdays with two others great firthette: Happy Birthday Jeanie & NitaE! By the way, my DH earned huge Joe Prince points on this one (you know as in lovable, sweet, ...): he took two days off to stay with the kids, cashed in his frequent flyers in order to send just me to Atlanta for a Bruce Springsteen concert. I had the time of my life (I hadn't seen the guy on stage for 9 years), felt like a princess at the hotel. Definitely a great mini-break!"}, {"response": 177, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (11:13)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Jeanie, Odile, and Nita. Thank you Rika, and Mari for those lovely pictures. I love celebrating birthdays around here. So many treats."}, {"response": 178, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (11:29)", "body": "ANOTHER Drool birthday? And here I am, stuck in this rowboat with Natasha.\" Happy birthday, Nita!"}, {"response": 179, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (11:42)", "body": "I'ts Nita's Birthday Too!!! Oh My!!! Happy Day o'Birth Nita!"}, {"response": 180, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (12:42)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Jeanie, Odile, and Nita!!! (insert AFG pic of ODB here...)"}, {"response": 181, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (12:46)", "body": "Big rush at the bakery today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY NITA"}, {"response": 182, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (13:40)", "body": "I have arranged to get you into the set to meet Vermeer. Happy Birthday, Nita!"}, {"response": 183, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (13:42)", "body": "HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JEANIE, ODILE AND NITA. MANY HAPPY RETURNS. Thanks for most interesting articles Mary and Karen. Thanks for great pics Mari and Rika."}, {"response": 184, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (14:27)", "body": "Happy Birthday , Nita"}, {"response": 185, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (15:19)", "body": "Happy Birthday to Odile and Nita! Here's some \"love - love\" for the two birthday girls! (I consider the pic \"love-love\" because it was shown zero times in the movie ;-)) (Jeanie, hope you had fun with Edward P. yesterday! Happy birthday again!)"}, {"response": 186, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (16:09)", "body": "Happy birthday to Nita and Odile If I knew how to post something sweet or funny or whatever, rest asure I would do so. But I cannot. You just have to take my word, that I am at this moment singing happy birthday out loud. I know it probably won't cause the vibrations, as if ODB sang to you."}, {"response": 187, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (16:17)", "body": "Nita, Happy Birthday...here is an image created by Vermeer. I'm sure she's strumming \"Happy Birthday to you...\" in your honor!"}, {"response": 188, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (16:39)", "body": "(Lora) Happy Birthday to Odile and Nita! Here's some \"love - love\" for the two birthday girls! (I consider the pic \"love-love\" because it was shown zero times in the movie ;-)) And we certainly would have \"loved\" it if they had at least included it on the DVD."}, {"response": 189, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (19:01)", "body": "All these birthday celebrations are exhausting. I think I'll have a lie down. Nita, won't you join me . . .? Happy Birthday, Nita!"}, {"response": 190, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (22:44)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NITA! You got one of my favorite pics -- wistful CF in the rowboat!"}, {"response": 191, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Dec  5, 2002 (23:21)", "body": "I know.... the wistful look just melts me."}, {"response": 192, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Fri, Dec  6, 2002 (10:06)", "body": "Thanks everybody for your birthday wishes. I'm quite overwhelmed by so much attention and so many wonderful pictures of ODB! Lisa, I suppose we will see that yellow coat in that picture again in GWAPE as it is described in the book as one of Vermeer's wife. And I have seen another picture by him with the model wearing it."}, {"response": 193, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Dec  6, 2002 (11:23)", "body": "(Rika)And we certainly would have \"loved\" it if they had at least included it on the DVD. How very true, Rika! He even looks great in a short tie ;-) and love the way he carries those T-balls (to the right ;-)?). Also should have said that the \"love\" in that picture is \"true\" (yet virtual ;-)) love coming Odile and Nita's way on their birthdays and in no way amounts to \"zero.\" Hope that \"sets\" that wish right!"}, {"response": 194, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Dec  6, 2002 (14:45)", "body": "Two things...My first question is how unique is this site? Meaning, are there any other celebrities (of any kind) that elicit this kind of response for several years running to include constant newcomers, ongoing fanfic, and obvious dedication...I would love to know.... Secondly, I may (if DH does'nt balk) have the opportunity to fly to London New Years Eve for a few nights. Can anyone make any recommendations as to theatre at that time, neighborhoods to stay in, restaurants, etc? Karen, I hope it is ok to ask this here, after all, I will in all honesty be going to check out things related to ODB. Feel free to email me personally. Thanks!"}, {"response": 195, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  6, 2002 (15:06)", "body": "This site is very unique and is the oldest on the web for Colin. But I have no idea about other celebrity sites. Most of the messageboarding groups started after this site. As to your NY questions, Maria, they are OK to post, but if people have suggestions, they should email you."}, {"response": 196, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Dec  6, 2002 (16:57)", "body": "The birthday hits just keep on coming. Don't put away the cake pans and candles just yet, because we have another birthday in the house next week. Mari's is December 11 (that's Wednesday, and I think I got it right this time). Don't miss it!"}, {"response": 197, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Dec  6, 2002 (17:13)", "body": "(Rika) Christopher Plummer After all this talk about doubles, I was a little worried, that you were right about someone else singing. So I did some research (nothing as sophisticated as captures an so forth) and found out, that he is the only one being credited on the soundtrack. I know that does not eliminate the possibility of it being someone else, but I'll hang on to my childhood fantasies."}, {"response": 198, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Dec  7, 2002 (19:35)", "body": "I'll check the extras on my Sound of Music DVD and see if it says anything about it."}, {"response": 199, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec  7, 2002 (20:50)", "body": "Thanks Rika; like Annette, I thought he did his own singing. If not , he's awfully good at lip-syncing."}, {"response": 200, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Dec  7, 2002 (21:28)", "body": "I just checked the Sound of Music documentary, and I regret to report that my memory was correct. Bill Lee was the singing voice of Captain von Trapp. Plummer could sing - in fact, he had sung on stage in the past. And he insisted that the recording sessions take place at the end of the shoot instead of the beginning in order to give him time to keep working on his voice. He did record the songs, but they decided that although he was good, \"good\" wasn't good enough, partly because it was going to take an outstanding singer to sound good with Julie Andrews in the \"Something Good\" duet. A side note - Peggy Wood didn't sing \"Climb Every Mountain\" either. Evidently she felt she was too far past her prime to handle a song that challenging. Any other cherished beliefs I can destroy while I'm at it?"}, {"response": 201, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Dec  8, 2002 (01:33)", "body": "(Rika)and I regret to report that my memory was correct. Bill Lee was the singing voice of Captain von Trapp. I will never again question your evidently astonishing knowledge on various subjects. I still believe Sound of Music is one of the greatest non ODB-classics, with or without CP's actual singingvoice. And to comfort me I have ODB singing Lady come down. I know, that is his own voice. If it isn't, pray do not tell me! (btw - I loved the welcome-capture for ADA - and then again, who cares, if he (ODB) does his own singing. He is the full axminster (as notet on the BJD-topic))."}, {"response": 202, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec  8, 2002 (09:20)", "body": "Any other cherished beliefs I can destroy while I'm at it? LOL. Thanks Rika. Me and my big mouth;-)"}, {"response": 203, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec  8, 2002 (11:26)", "body": "From Screendaily: Almodovar's Talk To Her triumphs at European Film Awards Patrick Frater in Rome 08 December 2002 The 15th European Film Awards were a huge triumph for Spanish maestro Pedro Almodovar and something of a let down for Europe\ufffds cherished diversity. For his touching coma drama Talk To Her (Hable Con Ella), which was crowned as European film of the year, Almodovar also personally scooped awards for best screenwriter, the reinstated prize for best director and its equivalent in the People\ufffds Choice section \ufffd a category voted for directly by the cinema-going public. Javier Camara, the newcomer who played the male nurse Benigno in the picture, was also the recipient of the People\ufffds Choice award as best actor. In the official section, selected by members of the European Film Academy (EFA), Sergio Castellito was named best actor for Marco Bellochio\ufffds The Hour Of Religion (L\ufffdOra Di Religione), having also been nominated for Bella Martha. The ensemble cast of 8 Women (8 Femmes) was named best actress, an award which drew gentle reproach from the audience assembled in Rome, even before it was discovered that not one of the cast, nor director Francois Ozon, was in attendance. The award was instead collected by fellow Frenchman Johnny Hallyday, the rocker-turned-actor whose breakout performance in L\ufffdHomme Du Train had surprisingly not even been short-listed. EFA\ufffds nod to new talent came in the form of the European Discovery/Fassbinder Award which went to young Hungarian director Gyorgy Palfi, with his diploma film Hukkle, an unusual agrarian-set murder mystery almost entirely without dialogue. The peripatetic awards this year travelled to Rome and were housed in the splendid Teatro dell\ufffdOpera followed by a lavish party at the imposing Palazzo delle Esposizione across the road. The ceremony went off without major hitches, but also without much in the way of atmosphere. While it gained in professional touches \ufffd co-host Asia Argento wore three different dresses during the ceremony and Castellito, unusually for a European actor, even thanked his agent \ufffd it was undermined by the excruciating performance of British comedian Mel Smith, who returned to share hosting honours with Argento. It was difficult to tell which was worse, Smith or a juvenile script which included pathetic jokes about a late taxi, Smith's prejudices about Italy and farting noises. Chemistry with Argento was non-existent. The biggest cheer of the night, and the only one to merit a standing ovation, was the Lifetime Achievement Award for local Italian screenwriting legend Tonino Guerra, writer of some 90 screenplays. Almodovar\ufffds awards may have sat easily with the audience and EFA members, and the director was as generous and excitable as ever in his acceptance speeches, but the rostet of awards meant that many of Europe\ufffds stand out films went away empty handed despite multiple nominations. These included Aki Kaurismaki\ufffds The Man Without A Past Mies (Vailla Menneisyyta), Peter Mullan\ufffds The Magdalene Sisters and Paul Greengrass\ufffd Bloody Sunday. Cannes Palme d\ufffdOr-winner The Pianist, which is beginning to carve out a successful career at the box office, only took the best cinematography award, for Pawel Edelman. The Awards for once will have little chance of illuminating the path towards future Oscar glory. Spain selected Monday\ufffds In The Sun over Talk To Her as its official candidate for the foreign-language Oscar. And the Screen International Award for a non-European film went to Elia Suleiman\ufffds Divine Intervention, which was last week rejected as an Oscar contender as the US Academy does not recognise the statehood of Palestine. European Film Awards 2002 European Film Talk To Her (Hable Con Ella) dir: Pedro Almodovar European Director Pedro Almodovar for Hable Con Ella European Actor Sergio Castellito for The Hour Of Religion (L\ufffdOra Di Religione) European Actress The cast of 8 Women (8 Femmes) Lifetime Achievement Award Tonino Guerra European Discovery/Fassbinder Award Hukkle dir: Gyorgy Palfi European Short Film/Prix UIP 10 Minutes dir: Ahmed Imamovic Screen International Award for a Non-European Film Divine Intervention Dir: Elia Suleiman European Cinematographer Pawel Edelman for The Pianist European Achievement In World Cinema Victoria Abril European Critics Prize/Prix FIPRESCI Sweet Sixteen Dir: Ken Loach European Screenwriter Pedro Almodovar for Hable Con Ella People\ufffds Choice \ufffd Best Actor Javier Camara in Hable Con Ella People\ufffds Choice \ufffd Best Actress Kate Winslett in Iris People\ufffds Choice \ufffd Best Director Pedro Almodovar for Hable Con Ella"}, {"response": 204, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec  8, 2002 (11:58)", "body": "People?s Choice ? Best Actress Kate Winslett in Iris Glad to see this. I frankly thought Judi Dench was the standout, but hey, she has a enough awards already. They by-passed Enigma. Huh!"}, {"response": 205, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec  8, 2002 (12:08)", "body": "Enigma might have been last year for them."}, {"response": 206, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec  8, 2002 (12:15)", "body": "M\"Man of La Mancha\" gets v. luke-warm review from NY Times.... \"The set asks for performances of operatic scope, and no one provides them here. The fine-featured Ms. Mastrantonio, an excellent actress, is miscast as the earthy Aldonza. Singing in a reedy, vibrato-heavy voice, she suggests a Judy Collins-like folk singer, newly sprung from Sarah Lawrence and hitting the coffeehouse circuit.\" Last line is best of all: The horse, a fanciful prop awaiting the magic to make it move, just stands there. For the most part, so does the show\" Whole review: http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/06/arts/theater/06MANC.html \""}, {"response": 207, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Dec  8, 2002 (12:42)", "body": "Rented and watched \"Last of the Mohicans\" the other day. Had not realized that Turn of the Screw's Jodhi May played the younger daughter of the commander of the Brit regiment. (She was 17 then) I thought a recent episode of the Sopranos was the most violent thing I had seen in a while, but this whole film had one scene of horror after another. I suppose it was being true to the times, but one more hacking and burning, and I was ready to \"trow up.\" Still the silent strength of Hawkeye, and those flowing locks, kept me watching. Also the malignant intensity of Wes Studi's Magua."}, {"response": 208, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Dec  8, 2002 (18:25)", "body": "(Evelyn) The set asks for performances of operatic scope, and no one provides them here. They didn't even like Brian Stokes Mitchell? I saw this production during its pre-Broadway tune-up in Washington, and I thought he was fantastic. The fine-featured Ms. Mastrantonio, an excellent actress, is miscast as the earthy Aldonza. Singing in a reedy, vibrato-heavy voice, she suggests a Judy Collins-like folk singer, newly sprung from Sarah Lawrence and hitting the coffeehouse circuit.\" She did have a lot of vibrato - and at times I thought it got a touch out of control when she was singing in harsher tones - but I have to disagree with the Judy Collins comparison (unless she's changed her approach quite a bit in the month since I saw her in the role). I thought she handled the vocal textures required of Aldonza quite well."}, {"response": 209, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  9, 2002 (09:05)", "body": "For those following developments, from Empire: Exclusive: Miss World meets Jane Austen 09/12/2002 Now that's what we call a leading lady. Brit director Gurinder Chadha has managed a major casting coup by nabbing perhaps the starriest star of Bollywood - and former Miss World - Aishwarya Rai for her Bollywood take on Jane Austen's classic novel \"Pride and Prejudice.\" Exclusively talking to Empire Online at the European Film Awards in Rome this weekend where her last movie Bend It Like Beckham was up for the Best European Film gong, Chadha let slip that her Eastern reinvention of Mr Darcy and friends will be called Bride and Prejudice and with obvious relish described her next project \ufffd which should be ready for Cannes next year - as \"an extremely cheeky, irreverent film.\" It'll also be a truly international one. She commented, \"It'll be set in India, England and America and the biggest star of Indian cinema, Aishwarya Rai \ufffd the former Miss World \ufffd is cast.\" Architect student turned world-beating model Rai has starred in such huge Bollywood successes as \ufffdAur Pyaar Ho Gaya - for which she won an award for best female debut - and this year's grand saga Devdas which was the first Bollywood film to be invited into the Official Selection at Cannes. And who might play Mr Darcy? \"I'm now looking for someone in America,\" Chadha said before giggling, \"It'll be someone very good-looking and handsome I assure you!\""}, {"response": 210, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec  9, 2002 (10:01)", "body": "Last night's episode of The Sopranos was better than most movies I've seen this year. Edie Falco is the wonder. And having Dean Martin tape playing on the boat \"by the shore\" was a hoot. Today Show had three of the guys on...Furio was one of them. Says he doesn't know whether or not his character will re-appear. The writers are at it as we speak. Taping starts end of Feb and March for the 5th and last season next year. (Evelyn) The set asks for performances of operatic scope, and no one provides them here. (Rika)They didn't even like Brian Stokes Mitchell? They didn't even like the horse!! Called it...\"stiflingly overscaled production\". I saw Brian Stokes Mitchell in Kiss Me Kate and he was terrific. It's difficult to take on these shows when someone like Richard Kiley was legendary in the role years ago. Actually the reviewer said to leave at 9:15 after BSM sings \"Impossible Dream\"!"}, {"response": 211, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  9, 2002 (10:35)", "body": "That was *quite* an ender, wasn't it? The way they advertised it you would've thought another major whacking was to have taken place. In a sense, it was as shocking though not if you were aware that this season was \"dedicated\" to the Tony-Carmella relationship. Each season has had a focus. Edie Falco was outstanding and is probably now a shoe-in for the Emmy. ~~~~~~~~ BTW, I put a very interesting article about Daniel Day-Lewish on his topic (60). Because he is considered of the same \"acting class\" as Colin, it really provokes comparisons between the two. If so, 165 would be the place to discuss."}, {"response": 212, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec  9, 2002 (11:17)", "body": "(Screendaily on the European Film Awards) The ceremony went off without major hitches, but also without much in the way of atmosphere. I watched this on the Sundance channel late Saturday. It was possibly the worst awards show I've ever seen. I have no idea who Mel Smith is, but he was a complete embarrassment. It's bad enough to be unfunny, but this guy was boorish and insulting to boot. His co-host Asia Argento has a permanent snarl on her face and is about the least charismatic beautiful woman I've seen in recent memory. The absolute low point was when Almodovar came up for one of his prizes and the first thing out of his mouth was \"awards are very commonplace for me.\" Ioan Gruffudd (announced by Asia as \"Johann\") was one of the few spots of charm, IMO, speaking in his native Welsh accent and rolling those Rs like mad!:-)"}, {"response": 213, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Dec  9, 2002 (12:19)", "body": "Hope this is ok to post here. I had the opportunity to catch Andrea Bocelli in concert last night at the First Union Center in Philadelphia. He was outstanding and worth every penny of the ticket price. Last evening was the last date of this tour, but I encourage anyone who has the opportunity to catch one of his concerts to go. What a performance."}, {"response": 214, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec  9, 2002 (12:29)", "body": "Thank you, boss, for the Daniel Day Lewis article...I don't know where my comments belong...they don't relate to Colin and I don't want to insult fans of DDL on his topic.... But really, I can't see the fascination with this man... (DDL)\"I certainly have no plans to work in a film at any point soon. I've managed to avoid it for the past five years.\" I haven't missed him either. 'Normally, Daniel never says more than two words. And the second one is usually \"off\".' Why put up with this man...His acting talents aren't that superior to warrant this type of behavaior. Hey, Danny...take a tip from that gentleman, Tom Hanks. Personally, I think he generates his own mystique by being so aloof, and arrogant. Yes, his films have been classics. But so have other actors. I will see \"Gangs...\" only because of all the hoopla. But certainly not to see him."}, {"response": 215, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec  9, 2002 (13:00)", "body": "(Evelyn)Last night's episode of The Sopranos was better than most movies I've seen this year. My thoughts exactly! Edie Falco is an amazing actress. she conveyed geneuine shock, rage, and betra Edie Falco is the wonder. And having Dean Martin tape playing on the boat \"by the shore\" was a hoot. Today Show had three of the guys on...Furio was one of them. Says he doesn't know whether or not his character will re-appear."}, {"response": 216, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec  9, 2002 (13:10)", "body": "Whoops, hit send by mistake. Back to Edie, and portaying shock, rage, and betrayal. So well done. Many actors/actresses chew scenery like made in such scenes, and go completley overboard. Not her. There wasn't a second where you didn't feel it was real. I'm so sorry I didn't see her and Stanley Tucci recently on stage in Frankie and Johnny. . . I think others have taken over their roles now. Loved the Dino on the boat bit, too. And the tremendous irony of the family getting on Christopher for the dope--but carrying out hits is ok in their world, because after all, he's sober now. All in all, a good season."}, {"response": 217, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Dec  9, 2002 (13:28)", "body": "Mari re Frankie and Johnny: I think others have taken over their roles now. Ralphie (Joe Pantoliano -- with his head) now has Tucci's role. Falco is just a wonderfully natural actress. The scenes between the two of them kept me riveted. And we should give a nod to Park Ridge New Jersey's own James Gandolfini. His expressions when she talked, and his physical reactions were right up there too. The guy playing Johnny Sack is one scary, dangerous dude. Next year is the last, as I have read. I hope Furio comes back, that they finally do something more than stare at each other, and that Carm ends up in a little villa in Italy with him. Dean Martin on the boat - hysterical! And how about the beautiful \"I Have Dreamed\" from The King And I\" over the ending credits? Hurry up next September!!!"}, {"response": 218, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Dec  9, 2002 (14:13)", "body": "Uh Hum...clearing throat Spoiler Alert for The Sopranos Season Ending We have not had those episodes aired yet here in Australia......I skipped over and think I didn't blow it! (Gosh I hope we haven't, if we did I missed them.)"}, {"response": 219, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  9, 2002 (14:25)", "body": "(Murph) \"I Have Dreamed\" from The King And I\" over the ending credits? Is that what it is? I recognized it as the same music Michael Douglas and Annette Bening danced to in the American President. Strange, it doesn't bring back memories of King and I. *whistling a happy tune* :) (Mari) Mel Smith is, but he was a complete embarrassment Didn't the various articles mention how bad he was too? Ioan Gruffudd (announced by Asia as \"Johann\") If the \"J\" was pronounced as a \"Y\" then it would be correct. I've seen the transliterated written as Johann Griffith."}, {"response": 220, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  9, 2002 (14:27)", "body": "Re: Spoilers Hey, I opened up Netscape's home page and saw the finale info in big bold letters. There's a nice article about it up on Yahoo news too, with all the details. ;-) Are you even seeing the same season as us?"}, {"response": 221, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Dec  9, 2002 (14:44)", "body": "We have two seasons of TV programming per year for the imports. Not one and then a series of reuns like in America. :( For example, they might show new Jag for half a year and then new Stargate for the second half. Then go back to the newer episodes of Jag. Almost everything, and I say almost as there are exceptions, are shown later on. The first Survivor is a good example. You couldn't read the internet unless you spoiled the ending. Although now I think the latest series is pretty much in line with America."}, {"response": 222, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Dec  9, 2002 (15:32)", "body": "Karen: It was an orchestral version. The King and I soundtrack lyrics - I Have Dreamed [LUN THA] I have dreamed that your arms are lovely, I have dreamed what a joy you'll be. I have dreamed every word you whisper. When you're close, Close to me. How you look in the glow of evening I have dreamed and enjoyed the view. In these dreams I've loved you so That by now I think I know What it's like to be loved by you, I will love being loved by you. [TUPTIM] Alone and awake I've looked at the stars, The same that smile on you; And time and again I've thought all the things T hat you were thinking too. I have dreamed that your arms are lovely, I have dreamed what a joy you'll be. I have dreamed every word you whisper. When you're close, Close to me. How you look in the glow of evening I have dreamed and enjoyed the view. In these dreams I've loved you so That by now I think I know. [BOTH] What it's like to be loved by you. I will love being loved by you."}, {"response": 223, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec  9, 2002 (16:01)", "body": "WARNING: SOPRANOS SPOILERS IN HERE: (Karen)Didn't the various articles mention how bad he was too? I only saw the article you posted, which is what prompted me to comment. If the \"J\" was pronounced as a \"Y\" then it would be correct. But it's not the way he or the Welsh pronounce it; as hostess, Asia should have used the pronunciation he uses. YO-in, not Yo-hahn. For example, I can transliterate \"Asia\" as we'd pronounce the continent and it would be incorrect because she (and the Italians) say it \"Oz-ee-ya.\" No biggie, for this show's standards; the English subtitles in one of Almodovar's clips were misspelled.:-( (Murph)Ralphie (Joe Pantoliano -- with his head Is that right, Joey \"Pants?\" I'll *never* forget the \"head\" episode!: Christopher, recoiling over the rug: \"ACK! Did you know he wore that thing?\" Tony: \"Of course I knew. You're so hopped up on dope, he coulda been wearin' your mother's muff on his head and you wouldn't have known the difference.\" Classic. Agree that James G. is superb; he is so good and gets to shine week after week that I take him for granted.;-) Was beating my head trying to identify the ending theme--King & I, of course--thanks! Perfect touch. Am still chuckling over Dino's \"serenade\": \"I love Vegas in the springtime. . . I love Vegas in the fall . . .\" I hope Furio comes back Me too. I almost fell over the first time I saw him interviewed and realized he was American. That Italian accent is so right on; says his mother is Neapolitan and he patterned it after her accent. Re: Daniel Day Lewis. I saw him and Scorsese interviewed on Charlie Rose last week. He comes across as far more normal than the printed articles would have you beleive. He is sort of quiet, and not nearly as articulate as I would have thought. I do like him very much as an actor. As for doing one film every 4 or 5 years, either he or his wife or both of them must have *big* family bucks. Also, after reading what he goes through for each role, I guess he can't pull that off twice a year. To his credit, he never takes \"I can phone this in\" sort of roles, which would, in his words, \"waste my talent.\" Then again, it appears he can afford not to. Also, *his* wife actually *does* work--a writer by trade, she has now written and directed a film, Personal Velocity, which is greating great reviews. I think it was a grand prize winner at Sundance last year."}, {"response": 224, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec  9, 2002 (16:15)", "body": "More Soprano Spoilers I have dreamed that your arms are lovely, I have dreamed what a joy you'll be. I have dreamed every word you whisper. When you're close, I almost wept when Carmela said to Tony: \"What does she[mistress] have that I don't have\" The painful cry of the betrayed woman... Catharina to V. \"Why didn't you ever paint me\". One of those writers on that show has walked in those mocassins. At the end I was wrung-out.A triumph for television."}, {"response": 225, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Mon, Dec  9, 2002 (16:37)", "body": "Happy belated birthday to Nita, and a regular happy birthday to Mari, from the graphics impaired Drool member :( (Rika) Any other cherished beliefs I can destroy while I'm at it? I've got one, and I thought of it while reading the Christopher Plummer lip-synching discussion: Audrey Hepburn's singing was dubbed in My Fair Lady. (*ducking*) It's true! (Mari) either he or his wife or both of them must have *big* family bucks Probably so. According to imdb, DDL's maternal grandfather, Sir Michael Balcon, was head of Ealing Studios (!) at one time. His wife is, I believe, the daughter of playwright Arthur Miller (Death of a Salesman, The Crucible). Might explain why he can take a 4-5 year hiatus in between acting jobs."}, {"response": 226, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  9, 2002 (16:50)", "body": "MIGHT *BE* SOPRANOS SPOILERS IN HERE! ;-) YO-in, not Yo-hahn. Oh yes, that's it. Must be my Midwestern mental inflections. ;-) I actually missed the Ralphie Decapo-ization episode, but Ev caught me up on it when I got back so that I would know what was going on. Despite its goriness, I could easily see why it would be necessary. We needed to be reminded that these guys are not nice human beings, your next-door neighbor types (for all youse in Joisey). They are animals. Sounds like it did the trick. But don't you love how they straddle the line between civilized and their normal behavior? Like that \"intervention\" for Christopher. What was that line of Tony's...\"you should be glad we didn't intervention....\" I heard Furio being interviewed last year, but I'd bet most people really think he's from Italy. Makes me kind of laugh when everyone always starts backing off from Americans doing foreign accents, claiming they'd be caricatured. LOL! Re: DDL When I read the article, it made perfect sense to me why he is so much in demand. He puts so much into his roles and he did make a name for himself with the early ones: Unbearable Lightness of Being, My Beautiful Launderette, etc., that when he did My Left Foot, he had arrived. Last of the Mohicans was a major feat (no pun) of physical preparation, with the result being total believability. I saw Personal Velocity back in October. It was OK. Three separate stories, two dramas sandwiching a very funny piece with Parker Posey in the middle. I saw so many films during those two weeks that some are more vague than others. But this one had a voiceover narration, which I find a weak element for film, but not surprising given Rebecca Miller's background."}, {"response": 227, "author": "sdeaconsm", "date": "Mon, Dec  9, 2002 (18:19)", "body": "Bronwen: Love your story, \"Untitled\". Will there other postings to this story? I certainly hope so. elaine"}, {"response": 228, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Dec  9, 2002 (22:52)", "body": "Happy Birthday Jeanie & Odile"}, {"response": 229, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Dec  9, 2002 (23:58)", "body": ""}, {"response": 230, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Dec 10, 2002 (00:00)", "body": "(Moonstar) Audrey Hepburn's singing was dubbed in My Fair Lady. Yup, true. Marni Nixon (who also sang for Deborah Kerr in \"The King and I\") did the singing. (Here's some trivia that connects the factoid above to the Christopher Plummer stuff: Marni Nixon played one of the nuns in \"The Sound of Music.\") Audrey Hepburn recorded at least some of the songs from \"My Fair Lady,\" but they didn't use her recordings. I've heard that she was very upset that they wouldn't let her do her own singing. She was supposedly feeling defensive because she got the film role instead of Julie Andrews (who originated the role on stage), and so she tried to keep it a secret that she had a \"vocal double\" for the film. I once heard Hepburn's recording of \"Wouldn't It Be Loverly\" and I didn't think it was half bad. But I doubt that she had the pipes to handle some of the other songs."}, {"response": 231, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Dec 10, 2002 (08:10)", "body": "Magazine (New Yorker) Paints Miramax's Weinstein as 'Raging Bull' Mon Dec 9, 9:25 PM ET LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - In the town that invented the temper tantrum, Miramax studio chief Harvey Weinstein stands out -- not only as a brilliant filmmaker -- but as a bully whose rages and boorish behavior have repelled Hollywood, the New Yorker magazine reported on Monday. But the magazine says Weinstein, whom it describes as \"a man with little self-control,\" has vowed to reform. Weinstein told New Yorker writer Ken Auletta that his temper \"is the thing I hate most about myself,\" but denied raising his voice or threatening anyone. \"It's like Ariel Sharon (news - web sites) -- you can't be a lion of the desert and then not govern properly,\" he said. \"At a certain point it's time for the fire-bombing to be over. You've got to know when the revolution has succeeded. Why do I have to keep fighting?\" Auletta said that \"At times, (Weinstein) appears about to burst with fury, his fists closed, his teeth clenched, his large head shaking as he loses the struggle to contain himself.\" The scrappy Weinstein conceded that he has lately developed a reputation for picking nasty fights with competitors, but blamed his outbursts on his passion for making good films. Stung by accusations that he conducted a smear campaign against Vivendi Universal Entertainment's \"A Beautiful Mind\" during Oscar voting season, Weinstein confronted Universal's chief Barry Diller and executive Stacey Snider in two well-publicized incidents. At a party following the Golden Globe Awards (news - web sites) in January, an enraged Weinstein reportedly jabbed a finger in Snider's face and told her: \"You're going down for this.\" The encounter led to the second confrontation with Diller, who had called Weinstein \"a thug\" in a New York Post article. Witnesses to the incident said the two studio heads went toe-to-toe and appeared headed for a fistfight. Weinstein, 50, believes the tumult that surrounds him arises from Hollywood's jealousy over his success, and that creative tension is essential to making good movies. Director Anthony Minghella (news), whose film \"The English Patient\" was a critical smash for Miramax, described Weinstein as \"a bull.\" \"When he's charging alongside you can be an exhilarating presence in your life,\" Minghella said. \"If he's charging toward you, then it's a big force to negotiate.\" Although respected as an instinctive editor, Weinstein's sometimes heavy-handed tactics with directors have earned him the nickname \"Harvey Scissorhands.\" \"I'm not cutting for fun,\" he said. \"I'm cutting for the s... to work. All my life I served one master: the film. I love movies.\""}, {"response": 232, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Dec 10, 2002 (08:15)", "body": "\"Harvey Scissorhands.\" Oh very good, thanks Mary for the article. And, thanks droolers for the spoiler warmings!!!!! Er, warnings! :)"}, {"response": 233, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Dec 10, 2002 (18:48)", "body": "LOS ANGELES \ufffd\ufffd The season finale of \"The Sopranos\" was the second most-watched episode of HBO's mob drama, with 12.5 million viewers tuning in as Carmela and Tony Soprano split. The episode, which aired Sunday, drew a larger audience than any broadcast network show airing at the same time, according to Nielsen Media Research figures. \"This is a huge number by anyone's standards,\" David Baldwin, HBO's executive vice president for program planning, said Tuesday. As last year, the finale proved a runner-up in ratings to the season premiere: \"The Sopranos\" drew its biggest-ever audience, 13.4 million, when it returned Sept. 15 for the fourth season. Overall, the series was up 22 percent in viewership compared to last season. In the finale, mob boss Tony (James Gandolfini) crossed the marital infidelity line once too often. Carmela (Edie Falco) threw him and his golf clubs out of their New Jersey home after hearing of a new indiscretion. On the business front, Tony backed out of both a deal to buy a waterfront home and a plot to kill New York boss Carmine \ufffd the latter decision leaving fellow co-conspirator Johnny Sack very unhappy. The episode, which included high-volume blasts of Dean Martin's crooning used as a weapon, ended to the bittersweet strains of \"I Have Dreamed,\" the Richard Rodgers' tune. Series creator David Chase has said he intends to do just one more season of \"The Sopranos,\" but noted that HBO holds the series' rights. HBO's Baldwin had no comment on its future. \ufffd 2002 The Associated Press"}, {"response": 234, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 10, 2002 (19:15)", "body": "(Variety)\"Director Anthony Minghella (news), whose film \"The English Patient\" was a critical smash for Miramax, described Weinstein as \"a bull.\" Minghella didn't say that in \"The Making of TEP\" . If it hadn't been for Harvey's backing $$$ the TEP never would have been made after Paramount pulled the plug on the financing."}, {"response": 235, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Dec 10, 2002 (20:49)", "body": "If I see another Soprano spoiler I think I\ufffdll just\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd"}, {"response": 236, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Dec 10, 2002 (22:49)", "body": "Heehee, I like your icon, Lisa. Very well done. Weren't we looking for something to show that action a while back? I've forgotten though what we wanted it for. MB ;-)?"}, {"response": 237, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 10, 2002 (22:59)", "body": ""}, {"response": 238, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 10, 2002 (23:01)", "body": ""}, {"response": 239, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Dec 10, 2002 (23:19)", "body": "Mari, hope you have a great day!"}, {"response": 240, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Dec 10, 2002 (23:36)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARI! May it be a wonderful, Firth-filled one!"}, {"response": 241, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (01:19)", "body": "Just to make the meaning perfectly clear ... Best wishes for a wonderful day!"}, {"response": 242, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (03:02)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Mari As someone might have noticed, I have a weakness for roses, so here is some for you."}, {"response": 243, "author": "Odile", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (04:19)", "body": "Have a great birthday Mari!"}, {"response": 244, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (05:31)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARI I had a great time shopping for you and couldn\ufffdt decide on just one! So I picked you out three! Oops, wonder how that got in there?!!!"}, {"response": 245, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (08:01)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Mari! A toast to the birthday girl, who always makes me laugh, even if it\ufffds at my expense. With all my love, Colin I know my size has never bothered anyone here before. ;-)"}, {"response": 246, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (08:21)", "body": "Happy Birthday Mari!!! I was looking for yet another stunning picture of ODB for you, but instead I ran across the link below which might give you a little giggle. Scroll down a bit, there are sketches of Colin Valmont and morphing Colin, etc. I don't see the resemblence, but I appreciate that ODB was in mind..."}, {"response": 247, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (08:22)", "body": "Oops fogot to provide link... http://vcl.ctrl-c.liu.se/vcl/Artists/Kitsune25/index01-by-date.html"}, {"response": 248, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (09:06)", "body": "Hey Mari....would you ask Karen and Suzee to let me come to your party? (They won't let me in the door) HAPPY BIRTHDAY.... Love from 'Roland'"}, {"response": 249, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (09:09)", "body": "[Pssst spoiler, Lisa, don't read] For your birthday, Mari, we were going to do another intervention: but instead we just decided to raise our glasses and have this toast: And Artie is sending along a few treats."}, {"response": 250, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (09:11)", "body": "From the guys across the river:"}, {"response": 251, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (09:23)", "body": "The gang at PS 35, St. Louis playground are proud to call Colin Firth one of their alums...they wanna wish you.... HAPPY BOITDAY Leanvenworth Cell #33479"}, {"response": 252, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (10:04)", "body": "What's your favorite music for a horizontal mambo?"}, {"response": 253, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (10:24)", "body": "Happy Birthday Mari! Hope you have a wonderful day."}, {"response": 254, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (10:37)", "body": "In Honour of your birthday, the staff at THE DOME wish to present you with your favorite exhibit Found on the beach of...."}, {"response": 255, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (10:46)", "body": "ROTFLOL Ev!! Somehow I missed that one. Spent way too long trying to get anything to work at the exhibits I did go into. ;-D"}, {"response": 256, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (11:47)", "body": ""}, {"response": 257, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (11:55)", "body": "It's lunchtime out east. Time for Mari for spit up her lunch. ;-) [insert Lisa's new graphic here] Linda Richman: Welcome to \"Coffee Talk\". I'm your host, Linda Richman. Because it's her 90th birthday today, everyone here should give my great-aunt Estelle Fishkin a big hand. Come on. Get off your tocheses, and give her a hand. How many of you think you're going to live to 90? You should be so lucky. Happy Birthday Tante Esther. G'zid. g'zint. Oh that was so moving. I need to take a minute here to compose myself. Talk amongst yourselves. I will give you a topic: The Holy Roman Empire was neither holy nor Roman nor an empire. Discuss.\" [pause] OK, I'm better now. Yeah, Esther has her little mishigas, but she's got a heart of gold. Oy, I'm getting a bissileh verklempt again. [waving stagehands off] No, I'm alright now and thank God that Lancome mascara is waterproof. Have we got a such a big star with us today. No, it's not another to die-for visit by our beloved Barbra Joan, but something almost as good. What a treat! He was here last year and, long story short, he's was named one of People's 50 Most Beautiful and a GQ Man of the Year. This man is like butter. He looks like butter. His acting is like butter. And when he talks, it's like that real expensive imported butter you don't buy at the store because who needs it. [shrugs shoulders] And pay close attention, girls, when he walks in. It'll be a Land O Lakes moment. Is it getting hot in here? [fans self] And then we have a surprise guest. [zips lip] No hints from me, no matter how many deals you try to make. But there's a lady in audience--is that you, Pearl?--with the shpilkes, so I'll bring him in. Coffee Talk is so proud, like you wouldn't believe, to have this very talented, gawgeous British actor here today. Let's welcome Colin Firth, star of Bridget Jones's Diary and the one and only Mr Darcy from six hours of heaven, Pride and Prejudice: [Colin sits down, gives Linda a peck on the cheek.] Colin: Thank you, Linda, I am honoured to be back on your program. Linda: We enjoyed having you here so much last time. Did you enjoy it? Colin: How can one not enjoy such a marvelous hostess? [Linda starts blushing and fanning self again] Linda: So, bubala, what have you been doing since the last time you were here? Any new movies? Colin: Well, yes, this summer you could've seen me in The Importance of Being Earnest, with Rupert Everett and Judi Dench. Linda: Oy that fegellah. I don't like to go to movies with them. But I do like that Judi Dench of yours. Real chutzpah that one. Am I right or am I right? [winks knowingly at audience] But you liked working with that fegellah? Colin: I'm not familiar with term? Linda: Oy, pardon my language, I know it's not [uses fingers to denote quotation marks] P.C. but it means he's a little light in the loafers as they used to say in my day. Colin: Er, you know, we worked together many years ago and didn't get along. He keeps telling everyone that, in those days, I was a ghastly guitar-playing communist ready to give my first $500 to charity instead of getting rich. He found that objectionable. Of course, it's probably not far from the truth. Linda: Are you still like that or have you finally grown up? Colin: [with a shy nod] I've given in to my superficialities. Linda: How so? Colin: Well, at 15, I wanted to be pop star. Nowadays, I don't even go out on a Saturday night. I prefer Tuesdays when nobody's around. I like my easy life and I get a few more upgrades than before. Linda: [points to head] Smart boy. So can we expect to see you as the dashing romantic lead in another film soon? Colin: I would die of boredom if I spent my life playing romantic leads. I can hardly bring myself to do more than one every few years really. It's not very interesting work usually. Linda: No? But we love you in it. You're like butter. Colin: Thank you, but I try to vary the parts. Linda: Is that right. Well, the other night me and Mortie were in bed. He had the remote and landed on one those porn channels--what goes on would make your head spin--and I saw you in some London movie... Colin: Right. Brilliant comedy. When I read the script I said to myself that I had to jump at something like this. Linda: Lemme tell ya, boychik, you should stop talking to yourself. It was drek, pure and simple, drek and that pipsqueak's mother should wash out his mouth with soap. [Colin looks a little dejected] But I'm sure your next one will be better, something they should give you an Oscar for. Colin: Um, er, my next one is called Hope Springs, which is based on a novel by the man who wrote The Graduate... Linda: Oy! Did I love that movie. Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft were to die for. And here's to you, Mrs. Robinson... Sorry, Colin, go on. Colin: It's about an Englishman who shows up in a tiny town in New England called Hope in a desperate state. It's a torn-between-two-women love story. Linda: [raises eyebrows] And you said you wouldn't be doing anymore da"}, {"response": 258, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (11:55)", "body": "(*Positively SHRIEKING with laughter*) Oh Karen!!! How dare you post that during lunch?! I almost spit my ravioli all over the keyboard! So, so, so funny!!!!! Many thanks to Lisa for the graphic!!!"}, {"response": 259, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (12:07)", "body": "Party? Did someone say PARTY? And such a lovely guest list! Many thanks to Moonstar, KJ, Kathy, Leah, Odile, and Ada for the wonderful wishes! Much appreciated, ladies. Interesting Colin morphing, Maria, thanks! Annette, I can almost smell those roses from here--they're my favorite, too! Karen, you know how I love that \"hills are alive\" pic! As for the intervention . . . I swear I didn't sit on anybody's dog, though the neighborhood cats had better watch out . . .;-) So many distinguished guests . . . nice of the Prince to let bygones be bygones. I swear I didn't sit on him either, just mowed him down unintentionally. Hey, he shoulda watched where he was going . . .;-) I see Moon has supplied the bubbly, and yes, that Colin is just my size!:-) Evelyn, ROTFPIMP! Thanks for sneaking Roland in. I like being In The Company of (good looking) Men!:-) And no wonder poor CF had a hard time fitting in at PS 35--those short pants he wore should have had horizontal stripes.:-) \"Nobody knows . . . the trouble I've seen . . .\" ;-) Sing it, Colin!;-) As for the Dome message . . . omigod, I can't stop laughing. Brings back fond memories of a very happy day in a lovely city with lovely friends!:-)"}, {"response": 260, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (12:34)", "body": "Tante Esther....ptoey *dodging the spit!* Too funny Karen... (Karen)Spent way too long trying to get anything to work at the exhibits I did go into. ;-D My favorite exhibit was at De Beers...*hint, hint* for my birthday.... Hey, I'm thirsty. What is this ...a tea-totaler party?"}, {"response": 261, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (12:38)", "body": "Even in Australia, along the Rabbit Proof Fence, and up to Coffs Harbour and to Nana Glen, the word spread... H A P P Y D A Y!"}, {"response": 262, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (13:13)", "body": "Happy Birthday Mari! I came to your party all dressed up...where ARE all those other tarts and vicars???!! Hope you have a great day!! LOL Karen! Linda: Is that right. Well, the other night me and Mortie were in bed. He had the remote and landed on one those porn channels--what goes on would make your head spin--and I saw you in some London movie... Colin: Right. Brilliant comedy. When I read the script I said to myself that I had to jump at something like this. Linda, should have stuck with the porn...better acting and beefier plot! ;-)"}, {"response": 263, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (13:41)", "body": "Oh my, look at the calendar, it's Mari's birthday today! I was planning a party for her here at my home away from home, but no one could make it - not even Gwendolyn and Cecily are in their places behind me! But I hear Mari's having a great party on the World Wide Web. I don't know much about the computer, but can you get me there in this limo? Oh well, I can see that I've been laboring under a misapprehension. Very, very foolish mistake. Forgive me, Mari. So I'll just send happy thoughts and wishes your way! Have a very, very wonderful birthday!"}, {"response": 264, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (13:47)", "body": "(Evelyn) What is this ...a tea-totaler party? *hic* We've all been out, drinking our lunches. Moon hasn't left the cocktail lounge yet. Wonder who will drive her home. ;-) OK, now for something completely different. A little culture. A post-modernist look at Dylan Thomas' classic The Hunchback in the Park Take heart, Mari. He is practicing his classics."}, {"response": 265, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (13:47)", "body": "oops, Mari, here's the limo. Colin was lost in it in cyberspace for a little while...;-) Again, have a very happy birthday!"}, {"response": 266, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (13:56)", "body": "Happy birthday, Mari I wish you a wonderful day and lots of presents!"}, {"response": 267, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (14:05)", "body": "Karen!! LOL!!! Love the Linda Richman interview! He is \"Like buttah\" Great party!!"}, {"response": 268, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (14:20)", "body": "Karen, Absolutely maaaaavalos, wonnerful, steee-u-pen-dous...well I could go on! If you all want to wing it over to my place the fires are out, the smoke is gone and the sun is shining. I'll do some fresh oysters from the bay and get some of Mari's favourite wine. What's your preference Birthday Girl???"}, {"response": 269, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (14:34)", "body": "I brought some beverages. You choose the one you want, Mari, and Colin can have the other."}, {"response": 270, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (14:40)", "body": "OMG, Karen! I can hardly type, I'm laughing so hard!"}, {"response": 271, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (14:44)", "body": "He's running a little late, Mari, but he wanted to look his best for your party. He'll be along soon."}, {"response": 272, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (14:58)", "body": "I know how you've been defending my acting talents and I want you to know how much I do appreciate it. (that's the right word, isn't it? Anyway, if you'd like to start up a fanclub for me or a new website, I would really like for someone with your good taste to do it. Many people can't see through to my real talents like you have and I don't know why that is. I've bared my soul in so many of my films, yet they haven't made the connection that you and I have. *hugs* Heather"}, {"response": 273, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (15:04)", "body": "Colin: [with a shy nod] I've given in to my superficialities. ROTF! Too funny Karen! (Karen), Moon hasn't left the cocktail lounge yet. Wonder who will drive her home. ;-) Hic! Great party! I have the Rolls remember. ;-)"}, {"response": 274, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (15:05)", "body": "KAREN!! Just when I thought it was safe to bite into my gefelte fish, along comes Cawffee Tawk. . . ROTFLMAO! You have outdone yourself this time; almost worth getting a year older for! And when he talks, it's like that real expensive imported butter you don't buy at the store because who needs it. [shrugs shoulders] Are you still like that or have you finally grown up? Oy that fegellah Lemme tell ya, boychik, you should stop talking to yourself. It was drek, pure and simple, drek and that pipsqueak's mother should wash out his mouth with soap. The tsores she put that family through. Oh, hell, I could highlight the whole thing. Brilliant, shana, thank you! Now dialing foyve-foyve-foyve-faw-faw-faw-faw . . .;-)"}, {"response": 275, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (15:14)", "body": "(Moon)I have the Rolls remember. ;-) I can give you a lift in Colin's cyberRolls ;-) Karen, Linda and Colin's interview cracks me up, but where did you find that picture of Heather? Hope she springs for better clothes in her next movie ;-) What a birthday, Mari!"}, {"response": 276, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (15:31)", "body": "MANY MAGICAL MOMENTS MARI Special birthday greetings to you! I see an excellent party is in full swing and you deserve no less honey;-) As well as the illustrious Mr. Firth as guest of honour another of your very favourite guests is begging to be let in bearing gifts, mmmmmmm nice uniform Major, .... red hair, freckles, no wait he's in his \"Victorian Bastard \" outfit tonite, just the way you like him ! Well Colin's taken a bit of a beating in recent days I understand with all these celebrations;-) Happy Belated Birthday , Jeanie, Odile and Nita"}, {"response": 277, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (16:26)", "body": "Sorry we had to leave the party temporarily, but Colin and I needed to rest up before the festivites got into full swing. . ."}, {"response": 278, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (16:30)", "body": "You've all been busy! Lisa, of the 4 choices you gave me earlier, I'll take Mark Darcy, hands down. --Matthew is cute, but he had the poor judgment to appear in a bad movie. So here's outtahere.;-) --Donovan Quick is well-meaning, but he had the poor judgment to leave a well paying job. Ix-nay. --Paul Ashworth and I have more in common than I sometimes care to admit, but momma always said never go with a man whose thighs are thinner than yours. So, Mark it is!:-)"}, {"response": 279, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (16:39)", "body": "Karen That interview was very, very good indeed. ROTFLOL. (Rika - what is OMI?) I didn't have any trouble spitting out my lunch, since its almost midnight. But I have to come \ufffdp with some explanation to my family (whom I woke up with my uncontrolable laughs). And I have to find out something new and fast. You know, I still have to vary the answers."}, {"response": 280, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (16:45)", "body": "Murph, you thank that larrakin Russell for stopping by! But the booze is all for me.;-) Some Australian Chardonnay, Lisa, if you please. Thanks for the good wishes, Tress, Lora and Nita. Lora, I do love a man with a Rolls . . .no Hyundais for this girl.;-) (Karen)A post-modernist look at Dylan Thomas' classic The Hunchback in the Park LOL! You choose the one you want, Mari, and Colin can have the other. . . Take heart, Mari. He is practicing his classics. Yes, uneasy lies the head that changes the nappies.;-) Rika, you tell that man to stay put in that tub--I'll be right in!:-) (\"Heather\")that's the right word, isn't it? Pfft! Linda Richman and I are taking Heather out back to question her about Colin's approach to his craft, his professionalism, his art of acting. . .and whether or not he schtupped her.;-) (Lizza)nice uniform Major, .... red hair, freckles, no wait he's in his \"Victorian Bastard \" outfit tonite, just the way you like him ! Hee hee, yes this is a dual purpose party--half is a birthday celebration, the other half is a meeting of the Soames Anti-Defamation League! (I go for Victorian bastards, what can I say?!)"}, {"response": 281, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (16:49)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARI. Have a licken-good time... From me, my cross-dresser husband and kleptomaniac son Play Doh sculpture will arrive in the mail"}, {"response": 282, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (16:54)", "body": "Victorian Bastard did you say???? Hope I'm not late..."}, {"response": 283, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (16:59)", "body": "And the Guys form Easy Company wanna wish you a Happy Birthday too...."}, {"response": 284, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (18:52)", "body": "Hey Mari, I'm looking out for you, bella birthday girl, from my villa on Lake Como. Our late supper is waiting. I hope my neighbor Moon hasn't given you too many of her famous Martinis. I have a chilled Bollinger that Signor Broccoli sent me to try and sweet talk me into the James Bond role. That can wait. But, I did sign up for TEOR upon your suggestion, and yes they want me to wear a wet shirt. Shall we practice tonight?"}, {"response": 285, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (19:37)", "body": "He's on his way, Mari - just had to stop off at Rosings for a quick visit first"}, {"response": 286, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (19:38)", "body": ""}, {"response": 287, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (19:52)", "body": "Mari, I'm sorry to be so late. I've been in court all day. After all I'm a top barrister, England's top person, really. I thought after the party we could sneak away and have some time alone. Maybe we could try out all the new things I've learned from my kissing lessons. Happy Birthday, Mari"}, {"response": 288, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (20:03)", "body": "\"I can't believe my horse threw me into that blasted lake! Now I have to go change clothes, and I am already late for Mari's party!\" (By the way, I've always been one who said that the wet shirt scene did nothing for me.... but I have to admit that in slow motion it does have its charms.)"}, {"response": 289, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (20:06)", "body": "Happy Birthday Mari! Looks like all the best people showed up! You have a good time and if you need a break and want to send in a stunt double, just let me know!"}, {"response": 290, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (20:19)", "body": "\"All right, now back to my horse quickly, and to Mari's party straightaway!\""}, {"response": 291, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (20:21)", "body": "Wohoo, Rika. Thank you for that. He better get to that horse quickly... Oh, I just love birthdays around here. So much to look at."}, {"response": 292, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (20:25)", "body": "OMG What are you trying to do to me by posting a picture like that without a warning? File that one away for serious right left dicussion which I am hankering to get going with that motivation before me! Mari, you lucky girl. Looks what's coming at ya!"}, {"response": 293, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (20:36)", "body": "Ohhhhh Rika! My favorite pants....and those boots...and that stride....! Mari! I'm jealous!! Looks like ODB is more than ready for your celebration and is bringing you some party favors! ;-)"}, {"response": 294, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (20:55)", "body": "To paraphrase Mae West... \"Is that a sausage in your pocket...or are you happy to see me.\""}, {"response": 295, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (20:55)", "body": "(Tress) more than ready for your celebration More than ready for something. OMG...I CANNOT believe that picture. If I did not already lust for his luscious little self, that one would do it... \"Back to my horse quickly\"? Honey, yer horse ain't got nuthin' on you. (BTW, whose birthday is next?) Nice boots shot too! Thanks from the bottom of my sole!"}, {"response": 296, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (21:18)", "body": "I had an entirely different Darcy-walking-fast capture selected, but when I saw that one I knew that to post it would be akin to tossing a raw steak into a room full of hungry wolves. Couldn't resist. ;-) Well, anyway, he's back on his horse and on his way again, though he's wondering when his horse changed colors:"}, {"response": 297, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (21:29)", "body": "And here he is at last..... (drum roll.........) I was contacted by Miss Mary Bennet, who informed me that some behavior of the most unseemly kind was taking place here. I hastened at once to assist in restoring the appropriate moral tone for young ladies of good character. I encountered Mr. Darcy on his way here, but I urged him to return home, as from Miss Mary's reports he would be in great jeopardy were he to venture to this place. Happy Birthday anyway, Mari!"}, {"response": 298, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (21:30)", "body": "Oh my GAWD, Karen, I'm still choking here. Buttah indeed. Should be archived! I replaced my tea, sat back down and found Soames...up and down again, only to find Darcy in several rather interesting states of dress. Mari, happy birthday! I do hope you have a good one. I will refrain from sending you any flu viruses. :( My birthday is Friday...yes, the 13th"}, {"response": 299, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (21:34)", "body": "Sorry Rika and Mari, but I have further comments about the previous capture. WHAT THE HELL WAS ELIZABETH THINKING??? SHE HAD HIM IN THE WOODS RIGHT AFTER THAT FOR GOD'S SAKE!!! DITCHING THE GARDINERS WOULD HAVE BEEN A SIMPLE MATTER, MRS. G HAD TROUBLE WALKING!!! OH, SHE WAS OUT OF HER LIVING MIND. If that had been me I would have grabbed the man by those wide green lapels, dragged him across his expansive gravel drive and had him in the shubbery faster than his horse is now taking him to Mari's party. Whew, guess I'll go do some Christmas shopping now!"}, {"response": 300, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (22:16)", "body": "Lisa, I think you have the right idea for Elizabeth. Please remember this when writing the next chapter of ALRTH. :-) (Elizabeth S) My birthday is Friday...yes, the 13th Okay, gang, we've got another birthday in two days! Don't miss it! (And, by the way, there's still at least one more in December, but more on that later. Busy month!)"}, {"response": 301, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (22:24)", "body": "(Rika) (By the way, I've always been one who said that the wet shirt scene did nothing for me.... but I have to admit that in slow motion it does have its charms.) Oh, my! I, too, was one of the unbelievers. I must have been blind!! (Lisa) What are you trying to do to me by posting a picture like that without a warning? File that one away for serious right left dicussion which I am hankering to get going with that motivation before me! (Tress) Mari! I'm jealous!! Looks like ODB is more than ready for your celebration and is bringing you some party favors! ;-) (Evelyn) \"Is that a sausage in your pocket...or are you happy to see me.\" (Rika) I had an entirely different Darcy-walking-fast capture selected, but when I saw that one I knew that to post it would be akin to tossing a raw steak into a room full of hungry wolves. Couldn't resist. ;-) Well, that's certainly enough to get the blood boiling! I think there's no right/left discussion needed. We should all be in agreement now!!"}, {"response": 302, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (22:29)", "body": "Oh goodie! I see Georgie has appeared. I'd say the scenery around the lake has increased tremendously. ;-) That's some picture, Rika. But Ev, I thought we decided he was packing luncheon meats in those. The craft services table was badly placed. Great party but will probably be hung over in the morn."}, {"response": 303, "author": "LizBeth", "date": "Wed, Dec 11, 2002 (23:11)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Mari! It looks like someone is happy to see you (see repsonse #290) Holy Cr@p! LizBeth"}, {"response": 304, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Dec 12, 2002 (00:34)", "body": "(Karen) But Ev, I thought we decided he was packing luncheon meats in those. Well, Evelyn did make reference to a sausage! Now, if only I could give my final exam tomorrow on Firthology I'd be all set. Some v. interesting essay questions come quickly to mind....."}, {"response": 305, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec 12, 2002 (07:06)", "body": "(Lisa), WHAT THE HELL WAS ELIZABETH THINKING??? SHE HAD HIM IN THE WOODS RIGHT AFTER THAT FOR GOD'S SAKE!!! DITCHING THE GARDINERS WOULD HAVE BEEN A SIMPLE MATTER, Heehee. Have you read Pride & Promiscuity? (Evelyn), \"Is that a sausage in your pocket...or are you happy to see me.\" LOL! Poor baby on that white horse must feel that tight squeeze. ;-)"}, {"response": 306, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec 12, 2002 (07:23)", "body": "From my coctail lounge throne, I bring you: Bond's shaking up martini world ``Shaken, not stirred.'' Ah, the very words -- as recognizable and assertive as, well, a dry martini. Except James Bond's favorite libation, a shaken vodka martini, isn't really a martini after all. As any martini purist will tell you, Bond (despite his elegant tuxedo and debonair double-agent demeanor) makes two egregious cocktail errors: using vodka instead of gin and shaking the drink instead of stirring. Double bad for 007. Or is it? ''I will shake it if they want me to. I'm not going to tell someone how to drink their martini,'' says New York's Dale DeGroff, a career bartender whom many consider the world's authority on cocktails. ``But for myself, I want a gin martini stirred. The classicist still orders them that way.'' It's not that the Bond martini is bad -- after all, today's cocktail culture prefers a vodka martini over the classic gin version. It's just that the Bondtini is a little show-offy, verging on the vulgar. ''It's tacky,'' says Jose Arbona, a bartender at the venerable Oak Bar at the Plaza hotel in New York. 'He does it for the sole purpose of disputing the tradition. For him, it's his way of saying, `I'm going to do it my way.' '' OSTENTATIOUS His way, indeed. From the outset, the Bond martini has been a curiously ostentatious thing. Ian Fleming gives the recipe for Bond's favorite tipple in Casino Royale : ''Just a moment,'' Bond tells the barkeep. ``Three measures of Gordon's, one of vodka, a half measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it's ice-cold, then add a large, thin slice of lemon peel. Got it?'' Bond names this drink the Vesper, in honor of the beautiful double-agent Vesper Lynd. Still, it's not a classic 'tini. Neither are the other vodka stingers Bond sips on film: a Smirnoff martini in Dr. No, a vodka and Cinzano martini in Thunderball, a Russian vodka martini made with Noilly Prat in You Only Live Twice and plain vodka cocktails in GoldenEye. For a character of such refined taste (so knowledgeable about the world of spirits and wine, he is able to expose two waiters as assassins when they fail to identify Chateau Mouton-Rothschild '55 as a claret in the film Diamonds Are Forever ), how does one explain this cocktail oddity of Bond? ''It's just a quirk of his,'' says food writer John Mariani, who wrote a piece about Bond food and drink for this month's Wine Spectator. ``It's silly, but rather cool.'' And perhaps cool, as in icy cold, is exactly what Bond was going for. ''Shaken gets the drink colder,'' says David Geiseng, head bartender at Lucky's Lounge. ``Today, martinis are shaken unless they ask for them stirred. Diehard martini drinkers are very picky, though. They order them how they want them.'' VODKA FROUFROU Indeed, cocktails, even martinis, are all over the place. Vodka martinis now sport all sort of froufrou: sour apple flavor, chocolate, caramel, raspberry and even mint flavors -- heresy to the drinkers of the classic gin martini (stirred, not shaken). ''The martini has come to mean something else these days,'' says DeGroff, the master mixologist whose new book, The Craft of the Cocktail, has just been released. ``The classic martini is fading slightly. It's always been an evolving drink. It's still evolving.'' But to gin martini drinkers, there is something wholly wrong about Bond's martini. A shaken martini, while colder than a stirred martini, aerates or ''bruises'' the gin. Little shards of ice, created by the vigorous shaking, also get through the strainer and into the martini glass, which eventually waters down the drink. Third, a shaken martini dissolves the vermouth, robbing the drinker of the familiar vermouth slick. Carlos Villalobos, bartender at the Bar at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Boston, makes a martini as famous for its taste and mouth-feel as it is for the precise, almost clinical approach to creating them. Villalobos' martini is ``stirred 12 times, not 11 or 13.'' DeGroff agrees that the classic gin martini must be stirred not shaken. ''You want the martini heavy, silky and cold,'' he says. ``That's what you get when you stir properly.'' BUBBLES Shaking, DeGroff says, produces bubbles that aerate the alcohol. While this helps spread flavors across the tongue quickly, it isn't proper for a martini. His rule about shaking and stirring is simple: ``If you have spirits only, stir. If you have fruit juices and other sweet ingredients along with spirits, shake.'' With Die Another Day open, the Bond martini is certainly on the mind. But Bond is poised to throw another curveball within his cocktail culture. His drink of choice in the new movie? It appears to be a mojito. One can only hope that he doesn't try to make it with vodka instead of rum. BY GREG MORAGO The Hartford Courant"}, {"response": 307, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Dec 12, 2002 (08:03)", "body": "(Lisa) WHAT THE HELL WAS ELIZABETH THINKING??? ...I would have grabbed the man...dragged him across his expansive gravel drive and had him in the shubbery... (Rika) Lisa, I think you have the right idea.... Please remember this when writing the next chapter of ALRTH. :-) You tell her Rika! Enough of this Long Road stuff, how about Any Old Shrub Will Do?"}, {"response": 308, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 12, 2002 (08:26)", "body": "Indie Movie World Salutes 'Amazing,' 'Heaven' (Reuters) - The ensemble comedy \"Lovely & Amazing\" and the 1950s period drama \"Far From Heaven\" headed the list of contenders for the independent movie world's version of the Oscars web sites), organizers said on Wednesday. The lineup for the 18th annual Independent Spirit Awards was dominated by small films with tiny budgets and relatively unknown actors. Perhaps the biggest name on the list was \"Friends\" co-star Jennifer Aniston (news) who was nominated for her lead role in the comedy \"The Good Girl.\" The Spirit Awards honor films based on such criteria as original, provocative subject matter, budget and the degree of independent financing. The lack of edginess knocked out current box office smash \"My Big Fat Greek Wedding,\" the biggest independent movie of all time. The $5 million romantic comedy, which has sold more than $213 million worth of tickets in North America, picked up just one nomination. Star and screenwriter Nia Vardalos will compete for best debut performance. \"It's a different kind of aesthetic than the more challenging, artier other kinds of independent films,\" said Dawn Hudson, executive director of west coast branch of the Independent Feature Project, the event's organizer. Indeed, nominated films covered such territory as guns in America (\"Bowling for Columbine\"), lesbian romance (\"Kissing Jessica Stein\") and serial killers (\"Dahmer\"). PARTY ON THE BEACH The awards will be handed out on March 22, the day before the Academy Awards, during a leisurely luncheon underneath a marquee on Santa Monica Beach. There is usually some crossover between Spirit and Oscar nominees (which will be announced on Feb. 11), but none of this year's Spirit winners, including \"Memento\" and \"In the Bedroom,\" nabbed Oscars the next day. Leading this year's pack with six nominations was \"Lovely & Amazing,\" a comic take on female insecurity that marks the second feature for director Nicole Holofcener. She was nominated for both director and screenplay. Three of its stars were also nominated: Catherine Keener (female lead), Emily Mortimer (supporting female) and youngster Raven Goodwin (debut performance). Additionally, the film will compete for best feature, opposite \"Far From Heaven,\" \"The Good Girl,\" the kinky office sex drama \"Secretary\" and the Midwestern family drama \"Tully.\" \"Far From Heaven,\" a 1950s drama starring Julianne Moore (news) as a housewife who catches her husband (Dennis Quaid) in bed with another man, received five nominations overall. Moore was cited for female lead, Quaid for supporting male, Todd Haynes for director and Edward Lachman for cinematography. \"The Good Girl,\" the Hollywood morality tale \"ivans xtc.\" and \"Tully\" each picked up four nominations. Other directing nominees were Gus Van Sant (\"Gerry\"), Bernard Rose (\"ivans xtc.\") and Joe Carnahan (\"Narc\") Keener, Moore and Aniston will compete for the female lead prize against Maggie Gyllenhaal (\"Secretary\") and Parker Posey (\"Personal Velocity\"). In the male race, nominees were Derek Luke (\"Antwone Fisher\"), Graham Greene (\"Skins\"), Danny Huston (\"ivans xtc.\"), Jeremy Renner (\"Dahmer\") and \"Campbell Scott (news) (\"Roger Dodger\"). Scott, who was previously nominated for \"Big Night\" and \"Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle,\" said he hoped \"Roger Dodger's\" three nods would boost the movie's profile. The $1 million black comedy marks the debut film for director Dylan Kidd, who will compete for screenplay and best first feature. Scott plays the title character, a sleazy ad executive who mentors his teen-aged nephew. He spent three weeks shooting the film and received scale wages. \"I like that guerrilla film thing,\" Scott said in an interview. \"It keeps me awake.\""}, {"response": 309, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 12, 2002 (08:28)", "body": "(indieWIRE: 12.12.02) -- The IFP Independent Spirit Awards announced the nominees for its 2003 awards to be held once again in Santa Monica and hosted for the third consecutive year by director John Waters. Lions Gate Films took the lions share of nominations with director Nicole Holofcener's \"Lovely & Amazing\" receiving the most nominations of any film, including Best Feature, Best Director, and Best Screenplay, Best Female Lead for Catherine Keener, Best Supporting Female for Emily Mortimer and Best Debut Performance for Raven Goodwin. The West Coast-based distributor received 10 nominations in all with Steven Shainberg's Sundance 2002 favorite \"Secretary\" also nabbing a Best Feature nomination as well as Best First Screenplay for Erin Cressida Wilson and Best Female Lead for Maggie Gyllenhaal. Also faring well was Todd Haynes' Douglas Sirk-inspired '50s story \"Far From Heaven,\" which received five nominations including Best Feature and Best Director. Julianne Moore took a Best Female Lead nomination for her role in the Focus Features film, while Dennis Quaid received a Best Supporting Male nod. Fox Searchlight's \"The Good Girl\" has four of the specialty distributor's seven nominations with Jennifer Aniston named as a Best Female Lead contender as well as John C. Reilly for Best Supporting Male. Miguel Arteta's film also received a Best Feature nomination, while fellow Fox feature \"Kissing Jessica Stein\"'s Heather Juergensen and Jennifer Westfeldt were named in the Best First Screenplay category. IFC Films' box office titan \"My Big Fat Greek Wedding\" took a Best Debut Performance nom for Nia Vardalos, who also wrote the Joel Zwick-directed film. IFC's Alfonso Cuaron-directed Mexican hit \"Y Tu Mama Tambien\" was named a Best Foreign Film contender. New York City-based Magnolia Pictures' \"Interview with the Assassin\" was nominated in three categories for the Woodstock Film Festival-winning picture. The film will compete for Best Feature, Best First screenplay for writer/director Neil Burger, and Best Cinematography for Richard Rutkowski. Other triple nominees include \"Narc,\" \"Personal Velocity,\" and \"Roger Dodger.\""}, {"response": 310, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Dec 12, 2002 (08:32)", "body": "(BarbS) Enough of this Long Road stuff, how about Any Old Shrub Will Do? LOL!!Buh-bye Aunt and Uncle, slap the dang carriage horse on the a** and tear up the topiary!"}, {"response": 311, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 12, 2002 (08:36)", "body": "Full list: BEST FEATURE Far From Heaven The Good Girl Lovely & Amazing Secretary Tully BEST DIRECTOR Joe Carnahan, Narc Todd Haynes, Far From Heaven Nicole Holofcener, Lovely & Amazing Bernard Rose, ivans xtc. Gus Van Sant, Gerry BEST SCREENPLAY The Good Girl, Mike White Lovely & Amazing, Nicole Holofcener Roger Dodger, Dylan Kidd Thirteen Conversations About One Thing, Jill Sprecher and Karen Sprecher Tully, Hilary Birmingham and Matt Drake BEST FIRST FEATURE (Award given to the Director) The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys, Director: Peter Care Interview with the Assassin, Director: Neil Burger Manito, Director: Eric Eason Paid In Full, Director: Charles Stone III Roger Dodger, Director: Dylan Kidd BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY Hysterical Blindness, Laura Cahill Igby Goes Down, Burr Steers Interview with the Assassin, Neil Burger Kissing Jessica Stein, Heather Juergensen and Jennifer Westfeldt Secretary, Erin Cressida Wilson JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD (Given to the best feature made for under $500,000) Charlotte Sometimes Dahmer ivans xtc. Personal Velocity The Slaughter Rule BEST DEBUT PERFORMANCE (Actors in their first significant role in a feature film) Bob Burrus, Tully America Ferrera, Real Women Have Curves Raven Goodwin, Lovely & Amazing Artel Kayaru, Dahmer Nia Vardalos, My Big Fat Greek Wedding BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE Viola Davis, Antwone Fisher Jacqueline Kim, Charlotte Sometimes Juliette Lewis, Hysterical Blindness Emily Mortimer, Lovely & Amazing Julianne Nicholson, Tully BEST SUPPORTING MALE Alan Arkin, Thirteen Conversations About One Thing Ray Liotta, Narc Dennis Quaid, Far From Heaven John C. Reilly, The Good Girl Peter Weller, ivans xtc. BEST FEMALE LEAD Jennifer Aniston, The Good Girl Maggie Gyllenhaal, Secretary Catherine Keener, Lovely & Amazing Julianne Moore, Far From Heaven Parker Posey, Personal Velocity BEST MALE LEAD Graham Greene, Skins Danny Huston, ivans xtc. Derek Luke, Antwone Fisher Jeremy Renner, Dahmer Campbell Scott, Roger Dodger BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY Far From Heaven, Edward Lachman Gerry, Harris Savides Interview with the Assassin, Richard Rutkowski Narc, Alex Nepomniaschy Personal Velocity, Ellen Kuras BEST FOREIGN FILM Bloody Sunday - Ireland Director: Paul Greengrass The Fast Runner (Atanarjuat) - Canada Director: Zacharias Kunuk The Piano Teacher (La Pianiste) - France Director: Michael Haneke Time Out (L'Emploi du temps) - France Director: Laurent Cantet Y Tu Mama Tambien - Mexico Director: Alfonso Cuar\ufffdn BEST DOCUMENTARY Bowling for Columbine, Director: Michael Moore The Cockettes, Directors: Bill Weber and David Weissman Devil's Playground, Director: Lucy Walker How to Draw a Bunny, Director: John Walter Stevie, Director: Steve James"}, {"response": 312, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec 12, 2002 (08:50)", "body": "I just saw John Waters in Miami at Basel Art. \"Far From Heaven\" headed the list of contenders for the independent movie world's version of the Oscars web sites), This film has everything they love. Homosexuality and mixed race love. The two turn-offs for my DH as far as films to go see. ;-)"}, {"response": 313, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Dec 12, 2002 (09:44)", "body": "(BarbS) Enough of this Long Road stuff, how about Any Old Shrub Will Do? (MariaT) LOL!! Buh-bye Aunt and Uncle, slap the dang carriage horse on the a** and tear up the topiary! ROTF....thanks for my first big laugh of the day! Glad I didn't have coffee in my mouth as it would have ended up on my monitor! The visuals were just too much...;-D"}, {"response": 314, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Dec 12, 2002 (11:01)", "body": "(MariaT) tear up the topiary You know, I like that. That might even have staying power. To AFG and HWM and ODB, we can add TUTT... ...when he looks like that, I just want to drag him away and TUTT! ...what I would give for a chance to TUTT! ...do you suppose Lisa will ever get around to having them TUTT? ...don't mind us, we're going out to TUTT. Don't mind me either, I'm stopping now and fully intend to TMAFTS (tear myself away from this screen) It's lunchtime and I got a hankerin' for a Googie."}, {"response": 315, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Dec 12, 2002 (12:13)", "body": "Evelyn, thanks for bringing Damian and the boys; I do like men who are Easy Company!:-) And Moon, molto grazie, sorella mia, for bringing Georgie! My birthday would not have been complete without him. Hey, he's been talking up Como on all the chat shows; he likes to ride his mororcycle in the Alps. Brace yourself for a wave of female tourists!:-) \"All right, now back to my horse quickly, and to Mari's party straightaway!\" RIKA! Or should I say, Eureka!!! That pic brings new meaning to the phrase, \"Colin is a leftist.\" ;-) Mymymymymy . . .Great captures, honey, thanks! Poor Lizzie B. didn't have the benefit of RikaVision when she turned this guy down, did she?;-) Linda, thanks for bringing Mark Darcy. We had a tete-a-tete (or should I say a TUTT TUTT?), and it turns out he really does like a woman who smokes like a chimney and drinks like a fish! Yes, I am back in style!:-) Thanks LizBeth, Barb and Elizabeth for the good wishes! And thanks to everyone who made this such fun. You are a great, good humored group of women and it's a pleasure to hang out with you all for a part of each day.:-)"}, {"response": 316, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Dec 12, 2002 (12:26)", "body": "HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARI What a wonderful party you had, and so many wonderful guests!!!! What a lucky, lucky girl you are. KAREN TRUE GENIOUS Absolutely hysterical. Ladies, the talent cannot be equaled anywhere. You are all fantastic and amazing. (Barb) OMG...I CANNOT believe that picture. If I did not already lust for his luscious little self, that one would do it...\"Back to my horse quickly\"? Honey, yer horse ain't got nuthin' on you. OMG picking myself up off of floor. How did I miss that in 100 or more viewings? I feel sorry for the horse, he has definitely been surpassed here. Great pic Rika. Thanks for the Spirit Awards news ladies. (Barb) You know, I like that. That might even have staying power. To AFG and HWM and ODB, we can add TUTT... ROTFLOL All hail the King of TUTT."}, {"response": 317, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 12, 2002 (12:28)", "body": "Moving on... Last night, Dennis Quaid was on Leno and they showed a clip of Far From Heaven. You know, it looked better on TV than it did on the big screen. Must be because I'm more used to seeing films set in that era on TV than in a theater. It actually looked very right and not pretentious. A newborn video/DVD classic."}, {"response": 318, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Dec 12, 2002 (13:12)", "body": "Thanks for the Independent Awards list, Karen. Anyone see Lovely and Amazing? We did because my Joe has a BIG crush on Catherine Keener. I pretty much liked it, though all the daughters were a bit annoying. Mari - What a wonderful birthday celebration for you!! You deserved everyone of the wishes. Memories from long ago and far away..."}, {"response": 319, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Dec 12, 2002 (13:24)", "body": ""}, {"response": 320, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 12, 2002 (13:42)", "body": "I have moved Ada's message to: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/movies/51/new"}, {"response": 321, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 12, 2002 (15:10)", "body": "Thanks Karen for the list. What happened to Julianne Moore for Best Lead...or CB? Me thinks these folks have a short memory..they don't remember this summer's Road to Perdition and About a Boy. Tom Hanks, Paul Newman Jude Law...forgotten. [I know these two are not IF , but I haven't seen them on any short list.]"}, {"response": 322, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Dec 12, 2002 (15:11)", "body": "Here's an interesting one: MALIBU, Calif. (Reuters) - Actor Nick Nolte (news) pleaded no contest Thursday to driving under the influence of the \"date rape\" drug GHB and was placed on three years' probation with orders to remain in drug rehabilitation for 90 days. Under the plea agreement accepted by Malibu Superior Court Judge Lawrence Mira, prosecutors dropped a second misdemeanor drug count stemming from Nolte's Sept. 11 arrest, when he was pulled over by police in Malibu, dazed and drooling, behind the wheel of his car. If the 61-year-old actor completes the program successfully he must then enter a state-run drug education program within six months. Nolte also was fined $500 and warned that if he violated the terms of his probation he faced up to six months in county jail. The full story is here: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20021212/people_nm/nolte_1 There is a photo of him in court and what struck me immediately was how much the ravages of excesses have altered his physical appearance. He reminded me of Richard Harris. Very sad. But possibly expected. We used to have 'famous' celeb's and authors come to my university campus and have what was dubbed 'lunch talks' and Nolte came to one. Of course the hall was packed, mostly with young women. He took questions and answers. He sounded like a jerk to be honest and he brought a beer with him that he drank at the podium. Total turn off IMO."}, {"response": 323, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 12, 2002 (16:30)", "body": "(Ev) What happened to Julianne Moore for Best Lead...or CB? Julianne Moore was nommed. Evidently, they didn't think as highly of CB's but I also didn't notice any actors being nommed from a \"foreign film,\" which is what \"Heaven\" is. Doubt if it matters though. Me thinks these folks have a short memory..they don't remember this summer's Road to Perdition and About a Boy. Tom Hanks, Paul Newman Jude Law...forgotten. [I know these two are not IF , but I haven't seen them on any short list.] I think you've answered your own question. These actors/films were not indies. Actor Nick Nolte (news) pleaded no contest Thursday to driving under the influence of the \"date rape\" drug GHB Very sad, but also a little funny. Can't imagine anyone slipping him the drug in order to have their way with him. ;-)"}, {"response": 324, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Dec 12, 2002 (18:02)", "body": "Date rape drugs are somthing guys give to girls, not themselves, Nick!"}, {"response": 325, "author": "townranny", "date": "Thu, Dec 12, 2002 (21:30)", "body": "WOW! Some Party! You all aren't getting your deposit back on the rental of the hall, are you. Happy Belated Birthday! Nita, Odile and Mari! Loved the Cawfee Talk! Ptooey, Ptooey! Poor Minerva Driver. Don't want to make Babs mad. She could get your movie deep sixed for a L....O...N....G.....time in Hollywood. That was a roll of pound coins in Darcy's pocket for the carriage parking meter. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. I'm patiently waiting in the TUTT queue. Read Andrew Davies is remaking Brideshead Revisited."}, {"response": 326, "author": "LizBeth", "date": "Thu, Dec 12, 2002 (23:31)", "body": "Kathleen, where did you hear about \"Brideshead\"? That is one of my FAVORITE Masterpiece Theatres! Loved Jeremy Irons in that! (Anthony Andrews was a little light in the loafers for me. Then, as the Scarlet P, I really began to question him!) Tell More, please! LizBeth"}, {"response": 327, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (00:00)", "body": "I *know* we have a topic for this, but it could also be odds and ends. I was Christmas shopping last night and went into the ABC Shop, checked out Ioan Gruffudd's stuff, I admit it, and I almost bought The Forsythe Saga DVD since I foolishly missed it when it was aired here. Am still wondering if I should. It was $49.95 Aussie which is about $28 USD. Now that is one time when I can say we got it here first!"}, {"response": 328, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (01:26)", "body": "Happy Birthday Elizabeth I asked this fine young man to pop by and bring you a present If you need some ideas, what to make from it, just ask this lady or perhaps Rikas captures from Mari\ufffds birthdayparty can be of some assistance. btw, I think Evelyn has taken up this hobby as well."}, {"response": 329, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (01:34)", "body": "Dearest Elizabeth! I'm sorry to start your birthday by messing up. The images worked, when I tested them. I don't want to take up space by messing up again, so here's a listing of the pictures 1. DQ 2. Playdough 3. Mae West Once again: Deeply apologize!"}, {"response": 330, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (01:42)", "body": "One last try Elizabeth (it worked on the help-board):"}, {"response": 331, "author": "WinniePeg", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (06:47)", "body": "Looks like I missed a couple of birthdays (and parties).... Happy Birthday (a little late), Mari & Nita! And an on-time wish for Elizabeth! Have a great Birthday! Ta!"}, {"response": 332, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (07:09)", "body": ""}, {"response": 333, "author": "townranny", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (07:56)", "body": "I'm here early for the party this time. Happy Birthday Elizabeth! Lizbeth - Re: Brideshead revisited. Sunday Times on the 1st. Ecosse Films (Mrs. Brown, Charlotte Gray, Monarch of Glen)hired Davies. He will emphasize religious contrast between Ryder and Marchmain family. \"Is God more important than love?\". Minimize Oxford Days. Thought Teddy Bear a bit silly. He'll lose the narrator. Already much howling about his approach by previous writer (John Mortimer - Rumpole of Bailey), big mistake etc. No dates or actors set. Finally, since Mary Murphy brought up Stanley Tucci again, and Edie Falco was discussed above. Must say I saw them in Frankie and Johnny on Broadway (the one where they are both el nude-o and going at it on stage as the curtain goes up and stay nude for 15 or 20 minutes while proceeding with the play). They were both absolutely tremendous in it. Much better than Pacino and Pfeiffer. Also Tucci could give Fiennes a run in another department (big winkie)."}, {"response": 334, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (09:08)", "body": "Elizabeth, No obstacle was too big\ufffd\ufffd.. Too high\ufffd\ufffd Too low\ufffd\ufffd Too wide\ufffd. Or too scary\ufffd.. \ufffd.for me to conquer to come and celebrate your birthday. First I took a\ufffd.. then I hopped a\ufffd\ufffd I thumbed a ride with\ufffd.. and I bought a\ufffd.. and rode it until I got a flat. Then I resorted to\ufffd.. and I finally made it! Now, I just need a little nap and I\ufffdll be all set to party! In the meantime, until I wake up\ufffd\ufffd"}, {"response": 335, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (09:10)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELIZABETH"}, {"response": 336, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (09:15)", "body": ""}, {"response": 337, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (09:24)", "body": ""}, {"response": 338, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (09:25)", "body": "LOL, Lisa! How did you ever find that pic? Amazing. I have some shopping to do for our BTW, message #332 has been moved to the Ralph Fiennes board, as should all discussion of Maid in Manhattan. http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/40/new"}, {"response": 339, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (10:23)", "body": "Birthday Greetings Elizabeth. Have Fun"}, {"response": 340, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (10:38)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ELIZABETH! No fancy graphics, but heartfelt wishes for a wonderful day!"}, {"response": 341, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (10:39)", "body": "Seeing as how you're such a late night gal, Elizabeth..."}, {"response": 342, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (10:54)", "body": "Lisa, wonderful graphics and birthday post. Shows how we'd go to the ends of the earth for Firth ;-)! Happy Birthday, Elizabeth! Hope you like the wet look on your birthday! Have a great day!"}, {"response": 343, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (10:58)", "body": "Sorry about the missing pic, Elizabeth. Ding, dong, I think maybe this time, I've got it right!"}, {"response": 344, "author": "Odile", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (11:32)", "body": "Have a GREAT birthday Elizabeth! And thanks to everybody who is still catching up with mine :)"}, {"response": 345, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (11:43)", "body": "Happy Birthday Elizabeth! Lucky Friday the 13th!! I cannot post pics, so: Insert perfect imaginary picture of ODB here.... ;-)"}, {"response": 346, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (12:03)", "body": ""}, {"response": 347, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (12:13)", "body": "Grrr. . . trying AGAIN"}, {"response": 348, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (12:18)", "body": "Dearest, loveliest Elizabeth . . .forgive the technical screwups!"}, {"response": 349, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (12:36)", "body": "I won't embarrass myself any further. :-( Have a happy one anyway. Leona, Kathleen, and Pam, thanks for your good wishes! And Murph, thanks for the lovely pic--what happy memories it brings back--even the Darcy bear is in there! I think that was taken at the first official meeting of the NJ Firth fans."}, {"response": 350, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (13:26)", "body": "Okay, I think I got my computer back up & running (it melted from response #290, LOL) in order to say: Happy Birthday Elizabeth!!! From a graphics challenged Drooleur :)"}, {"response": 351, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (15:02)", "body": "Elizabeth, hope you have a very happy birthday. And since I dare not try any graphics, just insert another imaginary pic of ODB here.....maybe that lovely shower scene where he's stepping out ....and he's holding a very large birthday cake just for you ....with a very big grin on his face ....and the towel is nowhere to be found! now what he would be doing with a cake in the shower I don't know but you get the idea. and I'm getting carried away so I'll stop now. Anyway, have a great day!"}, {"response": 352, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (15:31)", "body": "Elizabeth: I wasn't sure what could possibly interest you in racing, you being such a cultured lady and all, that I decided to investigate. Luckily, I happened on this fine-looking guy, who said he'd personally take you into the pit and give you a complete lube job and clean out your exhaust. ;-) Shhhhhh! No one tell my wife!"}, {"response": 353, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (16:59)", "body": "We've had flowers and a bouquet of wire whisks in that auspicious spot, so why not a cake. ;-) Sorry, no interviews could be scheduled at such short notice. :-( But am expecting another bad boy to join us soon. ;-)"}, {"response": 354, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (17:20)", "body": "Coming off my perch and diving into the great underground world... ;-) I am imagining it is your neck, my dearest loveliest Elizabeth"}, {"response": 355, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (17:25)", "body": "Elizabeth, for your birthday here's a lovely pair of eyes to drown in:"}, {"response": 356, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (17:28)", "body": "You've got all the bad boys, Elizabeth!!!! My computer is kaput and I am borrowing one and can't stay long, but I wanted to stop by and wish you a very happy birthday, Elizabeth. Hope you have a very firthfilling day. :-D"}, {"response": 357, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (17:38)", "body": "LOL at the Santa picture Karen! BTW, who is ODB calling a ho??? ;-D"}, {"response": 358, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (17:42)", "body": "(Rika)Elizabeth, for your birthday here's a lovely pair of eyes to drown in: I hope it's okay for a lurking birthdayguest to take a dive as well. I just could not resist. (Be still, my beating heart). And Karen, I see you have put my all time favourite Santa on the main page. I never used to believe in him, but you have just converted me!"}, {"response": 359, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (19:26)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Elizabeth. Enjoy your day!! Thanks for all the lovely pictures, ladies. Thanks for our Santa on the main page, Karen. Puts me right in the spirit."}, {"response": 360, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (20:17)", "body": "Happy Birthday Elizabeth, I hope one (or all!) of the \"bad\" boys were v.v. good! And I have GOT to stop blowing by the main page, I was going to back up in O&E to find the Santa picture I missed but I've figured it out in time...."}, {"response": 361, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (21:10)", "body": "HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELIZABETH AND MANY MANY MORE. sorry, graphically illiterate. You lucky, lucky girl so many men to fit into 24 hours. (Mari) And Murph, thanks for the lovely pic--what happy memories it brings back--even the Darcy bear is in there! I think that was taken at the first official meeting of the NJ Firth fans. Are all you lovely ladies in NJ. So am I where are you located? Is anyone near Norwood? e-mail if you'd like. I'd love to meet up with someone if you're near. I'm going to sit on Santa's lap on the front page and tell him what I want. I've been good so I should get it. Dream on. Great pic Karen. Great job ladies. Love the Elvis'. LOL."}, {"response": 362, "author": "Ebeth", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (22:41)", "body": "Oh my my, an embarrassment of riches. Elvii (with military escort)! Dario (sooooo hot)! Darcys, both Fitz and Mark! The sopping-wet Vicomte! Nessie! Paul! And where do you find those logos and cakes? One of these things is not like the others; that Pufftard needs to lose 20 pounds, shut up and act. ;) Aaagh! My eyes! It's been a good day all the way around. The wife of one of my coworkers had their first child today, as I laughingly predicted eight months ago when he told us his big news. Psychic friends network! Now if only they'd pay me 3.95 per minute... Thanks so much for the good wishes today from each and every one of you, and the constant stream of \"fellow\"-ship and entertainment all the time. I don't feel older at all!"}, {"response": 363, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Dec 13, 2002 (23:01)", "body": "Hope it was happy and your expected guests showed up!! Best wishes!"}, {"response": 364, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Dec 14, 2002 (08:14)", "body": "Oh boy! Have I had a lot to catch up on since I've been \"away\". Excuse my commenting on a few \"old\" things.... (Rika, re Sound of Music) Any other cherished beliefs I can destroy while I'm at it? No, please!....you've done quite enough damage for me already. ;) (Mari) The absolute low point was when Almodovar came up for one of his prizes and the first thing out of his mouth was \"awards are very commonplace for me.\" Oooh, that is bad. Nonetheless I loved the movie. The music was wonderful. The 38 page notes package I received when I saw it helped a bit, too. (Mari) I didn't see her and Stanley Tucci recently on stage in Frankie and Johnny. . . I think others have taken over their roles now. I just saw it last weekend...they were excellent! Beware anyone who plans to see it though....there is complete nudity in the first 10-15 minutes. The lights are low for most of the time, but doesn't hide anything. Rosie Perez (yuch) and Joey Pants takes over Dec 29, I think. (Mari, re DDL) He is sort of quiet, and not nearly as articulate as I would have thought. I do like him very much as an actor. I unfortunately missed the CR Show, but he and Scorsese did a Q&A after my GoNY screening. Difficult to tell how articulate he was when Scorsese kept interupting him when the moderator or audience member would ask him a question. MS even acknowledged it once, but kept doing it at times, or would get ancy if he was trying not to. Did that happen with the CR Show? His was the best performance by far in GoNY. Actually appreciated it more hearing him speak after the movie and realize how different he had become."}, {"response": 365, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Sat, Dec 14, 2002 (10:05)", "body": "Happy birthday Elisabeth! As I'm only just beginning to learn HTML I hope this works ;-)"}, {"response": 366, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Dec 14, 2002 (13:46)", "body": "Mari and Elisabeth....I'm beside myself for missing your birthdays and the parties! Had I realized, I would've had an extra glass of Chardonnay at a party on Thurs to toast you (though what I had was plenty I'm sure ;)). At least Linda Richman kept you entertained, ROTFL! And as a belated bday present Mari, maybe I can elicit some interesting info from one of your bday guests on Monday ( assuming those silly subway and bus workers don't strike...otherwise may have to walk part of the way to get there )."}, {"response": 367, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Dec 14, 2002 (19:30)", "body": "We've had flowers and a bouquet of wire whisks in that auspicious spot, so why not a cake. ;-) Why not, indeed. However, I opt for a clear shot in that spot.:-))"}, {"response": 368, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Dec 15, 2002 (18:24)", "body": "(Dorine)And as a belated bday present Mari, maybe I can elicit some interesting info from one of your bday guests on Monday I hope so! Girlfriend, even if you have to take a pack mule, it will be worth it.:-) Hope there's no strike anyway. Will be waiting for a full report. Be sure to ask about TEOR, if you get a chance. Here's a rundown of the Los Angeles Film Critics' Association's 28th annual awards: Film: About Schmidt (Runner-up: Far From Heaven) Actor: (Tie) Daniel Day-Lewis, Gangs of New York; Jack Nicholson, About Schmidt Actress: Julianne Moore, Far from Heaven and The Hours (Runner-up: Isabelle Huppert, The Piano Teacher) Supporting Actor: Chris Cooper, Adaptation (Runner-up: Christopher Walken, Catch Me If You Can) Supporting actress: Edie Falco, Sunshine State (Runner-up: Kathy Bates, About Schmidt) Director: Pedro Almodovar, Talk to Her (Runner-up: Todd Haynes, Far from Heaven) Screenplay: About Schmidt (Runner-up: Adaptation) Foreign Film: Y Tu Mama Tambien (Runner-up: Talk to Her) Animated Film: Spirited Away (Special citation: Lilo & Stitch) Score: Elmer Bernstein, Far from Heaven (Runner-up: Philip Glass, The Hours) Production design: Gangs of New York Cinematography: Far from Heaven Documentary: The Cockettes (Runner-up: Bowling for Columbine) New Generation Award: Lynne Ramsey"}, {"response": 369, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 15, 2002 (18:55)", "body": "I don't know about that About Schmidt movie. Ever since seeing the trailer, I have been less than enthusiastic about seeing it, and if I had to pinpoint an exact point...is when he mentions the \"old woman\" next to him. Blech! :-("}, {"response": 370, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Dec 15, 2002 (19:01)", "body": "Thanks Mari for the information."}, {"response": 371, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Dec 15, 2002 (22:03)", "body": "(Mari) Girlfriend, even if you have to take a pack mule, it will be worth it.:-) Have no fear, I have contingency plans ready to go. ;-) Film: About Schmidt Jack Nicholson, About Schmidt Glad you printed this as I wanted to comment on this and emphatically disagree. It was a good movie, but by no means was the best of anything. They definitely should have picked at least Nicholas Cage over Jack. NC was great as the twins in Adaptation. Very interesting movie as well. And Philip Seymour Hoffman could run rings around Jack in Love, Liza (which may not be released yet). That was some performance IMO, too. Granted Jack was not his usual hard nosed character, and was good, but no special accolades need be given. Screenplay: About Schmidt (Runner-up: Adaptation) Adaptation was by far the better of the two IMO."}, {"response": 372, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 15, 2002 (22:29)", "body": "v. sad~~~~~ ExxonMobil Ends Sponsorship of Masterpiece Theater Fri Dec 13, 6:17 PM ET BOSTON (Reuters) - ExxonMobil Corp. will soon close the book on more than 30 years of sponsorship of Masterpiece Theater, the public television show that serialized classics such as \"David Copperfield\" and \"I, Claudius.\" \"We feel that the time has come for us to look at new and alternative philanthropic opportunities,\" including environmental work, public health, and other educational efforts, said Sandra Duhe, a spokeswoman for ExxonMobil, which generated revenue of $212.9 billion in 2001. \"This is just a matter of refocusing our efforts,\" said Duhe, who added the program's content had nothing to do with the decision. The program's sole sponsor since its inception in 1971, ExxonMobil has contributed more than $250 million to the program and other shows during that time. The oil giant plans to fund the show through 2004, said Jeanne Hopkins, the program's spokeswoman. Masterpiece Theater said it was seeking new funding but had not yet found a sponsor, according to Hopkins. The show's title is ExxonMobil-Masterpiece Theater, which appears on the spine and title page of a book featured in the show's opening credits. \"It's certainly very disappointing,\" Hopkins said. \"They've been a major, unparalleled funder and we are hoping we can find others who would be interested.\""}, {"response": 373, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sun, Dec 15, 2002 (22:40)", "body": "Dorine, I must have missed something.....Where are you going?"}, {"response": 374, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (01:31)", "body": ""}, {"response": 375, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (01:33)", "body": "ExxonMobil Corp. will soon close the book on more than 30 years of sponsorship of Masterpiece Theater \"We feel that the time has come for us to look at new and alternative philanthropic opportunities,\" including environmental work, public health, and other educational efforts, said Sandra Duhe, a spokeswoman for ExxonMobil, which generated revenue of $212.9 billion in 2001. The program's sole sponsor since its inception in 1971, ExxonMobil has contributed more than $250 million to the program and other shows during that time. The oil giant plans to fund the show through 2004, said Jeanne Hopkins, the program's spokeswoman. Masterpiece Theater said it was seeking new funding but had not yet found a sponsor, according to Hopkins. Should we begin a writing campaign? Hopefully Masterpiece Theater will find another sponsor, but perhaps ExxonMobil should be reminded of the importance of corporate sponsorship to PBS, and how much viewers appreciate the quality of programming offered by MT. Although I understand there are many worthwhile charities for ExxonMobil to sponsor, I am stunned and saddened by this announcement."}, {"response": 376, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (01:33)", "body": "Closing tags, I hope and sorry for the double post."}, {"response": 377, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (08:13)", "body": "Big names up for London Film Critics awards Hugh Grant, Kenneth Branagh, Samantha Morton and Sam Mendes are among the nominees for the London Film Critics Circle Awards. Halle Berry, Jude Law, Michael Caine, Jack Nicholson and Peter Jackson are also among the nominees. All Or Nothing, About A Boy and Sweet Sixteen will compete for the British Film Of The Year award while The Road to Perdition, Lantana, About Schmidt, Donnie Darko and Bowling for Columbine are nominated for Film Of The Year. Ruth Sheen, Emily Watson and Shirley Henderson are the contenders for British Actress in Supporting Role while Jude Law, Kenneth Branagh and Paul Bettany will fight it out for the male version. Samantha Morton, Lesley Manville and Miranda Richardson are nominated for Best British Actress while Halle Berry, Kerry Armstrong and Stockard Channing are up for Best Actress. In the Best British Actor category the nominees are Chiwetel Ejiofor, Hugh Grant and Ralph Fiennes. The Best Actor nominees are Michael Caine, Jack Nicholson and Al Pacino. The Best British Director category sees Sam Mendes take on Christopher Nolan and Mike Leigh. Best Director is between Pedro Almodovar, Phillip Noyce and Peter Jackson. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on February 12."}, {"response": 378, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (08:15)", "body": "American Film Institute reveals top ten films of the year The American Film Institute has named its top ten films of the year. The list is usually a good indication of what films may feature in the Oscar nominations. [Ed note: This is only the second year they've made up this useless list.] The AFI has decided to only release the list alphabetically and has declined from saying what it thinks is the number one film. The list is: About a Boy; About Schmidt; Adaptation; Antwone Fisher; Chicago; Frida; Gangs of New York; The Hours; The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers; The Quiet American."}, {"response": 379, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (08:26)", "body": "Bafta awards to have 'virtual red carpet' Bafta bosses are considering using a \"virtual red carpet\" for the 2003 Orange British Academy Film Awards. This year's event was a wash-out after heavy rain caused a strange white substance to froth up on the carpet and ruin many of the female guests shoes. Bafta has called in special effects experts to see if they can create a \"virtual red carpet,\" using some kind of lasers for the ceremony in February. \"I am incredibly anxious to do something different this year,\" Bafta boss Amanda Berry tells www.variety.com. \"That carpet cost us an absolute fortune.\" The 2003 Orange British Academy Film Awards take place on February 23."}, {"response": 380, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (09:13)", "body": "Masterpiece Theater said it was seeking new funding but had not yet found a sponsor,.. The end of an era....:-(( Agree with Kathy. Let's explore email addy for Exon. Viewership has gone down. I still think Monday nights was better. Going up against S&TC or The Sopranos is fruitless. BTW I thought Andrew Davies and Sue Birtwistle really nailed a good one with Wives and Daughters. Last night's episode was a winner. Lots of our old friends there....Lady Catherine (replicating her P&P role!), Bridget's Tom Hollander. Justine Waddell was terrific, and I'd like to know what kind of wine Francesca Annis drinks...the woman is ageless. Must be due to living with Rafe:-)) Glad to see award panels haven't forgotten About A Boy."}, {"response": 381, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (11:37)", "body": "This is shaping up to be one of those non-consensus years. THE PIANIST SWEEPS BOSTON FILM CRITICS AWARDS BEST FILM: \"The Pianist\" BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: \"Y Tu Mama Tambien\" BEST DIRECTOR: Roman Polanski, \"The Pianist\" BEST DOCUMENTARY: \"The Kid Stays in the Picture\" BEST ACTOR: Adrien Brody, \"The Pianist\" BEST ACTRESS: Maggie Gyllenhaal, \"Secretary\" BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Alan Arkin, \"Thirteen Conversations About One Thing\" BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Toni Collette, \"About a Boy\" and \"The Hours\" BEST SCREENPLAY: Charlie and Donald Kaufman, \"Adaptation\" BEST NEW FILMMAKER: Peter Care, \"The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys\" BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: Edward Lachman, \"Far from Heaven\""}, {"response": 382, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (12:03)", "body": "I think critics' lists typically are all over the place. Thought I'd read that NY Film Critics list was supposedly released yesterday too, but I haven't found it yet. BTW, I am looking forward to see The Pianist too. I can see how Maggie G will get a lot of indie recognition but IMO it won't translate to anything bigger, especially with all those other actresses from The Hours taking up the slots. It wasn't half as significant as Hillary Swank's a couple of years ago, and the film was pretty uncomfortable to watch at times. About as unmainstream as it gets. ;-)"}, {"response": 383, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (12:49)", "body": "NEW YORK FILM CRITICS CIRCLE AWARDS ___________________________ Best Picture: Far From Heaven Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis, Gangs of New York Best Actress: Diane Lane, Unfaithful Best Supporting Actor: Dennis Quaid, Far From Heaven Best Supporting Actress: Patricia Clarkson, Far From Heaven Best Director: Todd Haynes, Far From Heaven Best Screenplay Adaptation: Charlie Kaufman and Donald Kaufman Best Cinematographer: Edward Lachman, Far From Heaven Best Foreign Film: Y tu mam\ufffd tambi\ufffdn, Alfonso Cuar\ufffdn Best Non-Fiction Film: Standing in the Shadows of Motown, Paul Justman Best Animated Film: Spirited Away, Directed by Hayao Miyazaki,Buena Vista Pictures Distribution and Nibariki Best First Film: Roger Dodger, Artisan Entertainment Special Award: The restoration of Metropolis, by Kino International"}, {"response": 384, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (15:46)", "body": "(I hope this is not a repeat - I don't think I see it.) National Board of Review (12/11/02) Top 10 1. The Hours 2. Chicago 3. Gangs of New York 4. The Quiet American 5. Adaptation 6. Rabbit-Proof Fence 7. The Pianist 8. Far From Heaven 9. 13 Conversations About One Thing 10. Frida Top 5 Foreign 1. Talk to Her 2. Y Tu Mama Tambien 3. 8 Women 4. City of God 5. El Crimen del padre Amaro Picture: The Hours Actor: Campbell Scott - Roger Dodger Actress: Julianne Moore - Far From Heaven Supp. Actor: Chris Cooper - Adaptation Supp. Actress: Kathy Bates - About Schmidt Director: Philip Noyce - The Quiet American, Rabbit-Proof Fence Ensemble: Nichoals Nickelby Screenplay: Charlie Kaufman - Adaptation, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Human Nature Breakthrough Actor: Derek Luke - Antwone Fisher Breakthrough Actress: Maggie Gyllenhaal - Secretary Directorial Debut: Rob Marshall - Chicago Documentary: Bowling for Columbine Foreign Film: Talk to Her Everson Award Film History: Annette Insdorf - Indelible Shadows: Films and the Holocaust Animated: Spirited Away Career Achievement: Christopher Plummer Special Achievement: George Clooney - Confessions of a Dangerous Mind Special Award for Visionary Cinematic Achievement: George Lucas Career Achievement (Composer): Elmer Bernstein Career Achievement (Cinematography): Conrad Hall Humanitarian Award: Sheila Nevins Special Recognition (films celebrating freedom of expression): Ararat, Bloody Sunday, The Grey Zone, Rabbit-Proof Fence -------- Belated \"Happy Birthday\" to Mari and Elisabeth and other recent honorees."}, {"response": 385, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (16:52)", "body": "Thank you ladies for the \"lists.\" Screenplay: Charlie Kaufman - Adaptation, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Human Nature I love CK! I've seen all the foreign films on the NBoR but none of the Top 10's. LOL! Best Picture: Far From Heaven It is almost stereotypical how NY picks their PC films. And highly predictable. :-( I hope Masterpiece Theater finds a sponsor soon. Very sad news indeed."}, {"response": 386, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (18:04)", "body": "28th Annual Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards Best Picture About Schmidt (New Line) Directed by Alexander Payne Runner-Up: Far From Heaven (Focus Features) Directed by Todd Haynes Best Actor Daniel Day-Lewis, Gangs Of New York (Miramax) and Jack Nicholson, About Schmidt (New Line) Best Actress Julianne Moore, Far From Heaven (Focus Features) and The Hours (Paramount) Runner-Up: Isabelle Huppert, La Pianiste (The Piano Teacher) (Kino) Best Supporting Actor Chris Cooper, Adaptation. (Columbia) Runner-Up: Christopher Walken, Catch Me If You Can (DreamWorks) Best Supporting Actress Edie Falco, Sunshine State (Sony Classics) Runner-Up: Kathy Bates, About Schmidt (New Line) Best Director Pedro Almod\ufffdvar, Talk To Her (Sony Classics) Runner-Up: Todd Haynes, Far From Heaven (Focus Features) Best Screenplay Alexander Payne & Jim Taylor, About Schmidt (New Line) Runner-Up: Charlie Kaufman, Adaptation. (Columbia) Best Foreign-Language Film Y Tu Mam\ufffd Tambi\ufffdn (IFC Films) Directed by Alfonso Cuar\ufffdn Runner-Up: Talk To Her (Sony Classics) Directed by Pedro Almod\ufffdvar Best Documentary The Cockettes (Strand) Directed by Bill Weber and David Weissman Runner-Up: Bowling For Columbine (UA) Directed by Michael Moore Best Cinematography Ed Lachman, Far From Heaven (Focus Features) Best Production Design Dante Ferretti, Gangs Of New York (Miramax) Best Music Score Elmer Bernstein, Far From Heaven (Focus Features) Runner-Up: Philip Glass, The Hours (Paramount) Best Animation (Feature) Sprited Away (Disney) Directed by Hayao Miyazaki Special Citation: Lilo & Stitch (Disney) Directed by Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois New Generation Award Lynne Ramsey, Morvern Callar"}, {"response": 387, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (19:33)", "body": "I well I finally found The Sopranos on TV here. It is into the latest season although I'm not sure where we are at with it. The episode I saw last night had Christopher being 'made' and struggling with making the 6 grand a week he needs to pay the other guy. They hold up a charity concert at a university. ;)"}, {"response": 388, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (19:48)", "body": "(LA Critics) Best Supporting Actress Edie Falco, Sunshine State (Sony Classics) I wonder how much of this award is an acknowledgement of her exquisite performance in The Sopranos.(I know, I know...different media...) I saw Sunshine State...an OK movie (v. PC, Moon;-), but I don't think her performance warranted an award. Now Carmela....."}, {"response": 389, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (20:54)", "body": "(Evelyn) but I don't think her performance warranted an award. Au contraire! I had to think long and hard as to why she was in the Supporting Category, as I thought she and Angela Bassett starred in it. But as it was an ensemble piece, they had to put everyone into that Supporting category. I thought she was marvelous."}, {"response": 390, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (21:15)", "body": "I think it's funny that most of these awards are listing Charlie and Donald Kaufman as co-writers of Adaptation. If you know anything about the movie . . .you'd know why that's so funny.;-) I too like CK, Moon. Don't worry, you'll catch more of those top tens--unless you're a film critic or Dorine, you couldn't have seen them yet as most haven't opened.;-) And where is Dorine with her Georgie report? Tapping foot, looking at watch . . .;-) Time Magazine has a round-up of all the holiday films. They love Gangs of NY, Catch Me If You Can, LOTR, The Pianist, and Nicholas Nickleby. They hated The Hours, and you don't even want to know what they wrote about Maid In Manhattan.;-)"}, {"response": 391, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (22:14)", "body": "(Mari), And where is Dorine with her Georgie report? Have I been away? Is that Georgie as in OUR Georgie? ;-D"}, {"response": 392, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec 16, 2002 (22:19)", "body": "Yes, OUR GEORGIE! She's going to a preview screening of Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, followed by Q& A with Mr. Wonderful . . .sigh . . ."}, {"response": 393, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (07:33)", "body": "Dorine you are a lucky girl! (Mari), you couldn't have seen them yet as most haven't opened.;-) And the ones that have, I have decided to rent instead. ;-)"}, {"response": 394, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (11:05)", "body": "From the Sunday Observer: Gangs of Los Angeles Bruising, bad-tempered movie producer Harvey Weinstein is at loggerheads with director Martin Scorsese over their epic $100m movie, out this week in the US. And if it proves a flop, the industry sharks are circling, reports Lawrence Donegan Any new film by the celebrated director Martin Scorsese is worthy of attention but as his Gangs of New York, a sweeping tale of conflict between immigrants in nineteenth-century Manhattan starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Daniel Day-Lewis and Cameron Diaz, is released in the United States this week, it is a subplot, the story of the film rather than the film itself, that is attracting most attention. A scriptwriter would call this subplot the back story and it goes like this; for the past three years production of the film has been dogged by endless tales of problems with the budget, script and editing, and at the heart of the trouble is a studio executive called Harvey Weinstein, a man who has had the temerity to interfere with the artistic vision of a cinematic genius. In the past few days Weinstein, a corpulent, cigar-smoking New Yorker, has been portrayed to the American public as a cartoon version of a power-crazed movie mogul. It is an image that is not far from the truth. As is Hollywood's way when faced with bad publicity, Weinstein and Scorsese released a statement saying they had a terrific working relationship, which no one believed, not even, it seems, the men themselves. 'I've been a bad boy on movies. But I was good with Marty,' said Weinstein. Oh really? Scorsese, who had been trying to get Gangs of New York made for more than two decades, said later: 'I found Harvey really imposing on me... the pressure was hard. Very hard.' The wait for next weekend's reviews notwithstanding, the apparent agony that has been the making of Gangs of New York is over for Scorsese. For Weinstein and Miramax, the production company he runs with his brother Bob, it is just beginning. The film, which cost more than $100 million to make, is the biggest gamble of their careers, not to mention a startling shift in approach for a company that made its name by taking chances on small, arthouse movies for a fraction of what Scorsese's epic has cost. Weinstein insists Miramax's financial future is not at stake at the box office, but there are many who believe its credibility as a major force in the American film industry is. Nay-sayers point to its less than stellar 2002. A series of box-office bombs has dented profits, prompting stories of arguments between Weinstein and Michael Eisner, the head of Miramax's parent company, Disney. Then there was the collapse of Talk magazine, financed by Weinstein and run by Tina Brown, with estimated losses of about $25m. Just as damagingly, stories of Weinstein's erratic behaviour and temper tantrums have become a staple of the diary columns, a trend that reached its peak last week with the publication by the New Yorker magazine of a 16-page profile of the producer. It was, by common consent, the hatchet job to end all hatchet jobs. Its writer, Ken Auletta described 50-year-old Weinstein as someone who 'at times appears about to burst into fury, his fists closed, his teeth clenched, his large head shaking as he loses the struggle to contain himself' before going on to list the bullying, finger-jabbing, thrown ashtrays and toe-to-toe confrontations with the heads of rival studios. Even Weinstein, who had co-operated with Auletta in the writing of the piece, conceded that his temper was 'the thing I hate most about myself'. 'It's like Ariel Sharon - you can't be a lion of the desert and then not govern properly.' Like everything else about Weinstein, this frankly uncharacteristic mea culpa has divided the film community. His many friends plead forgiveness on his behalf, arguing that his mercurial temperament is part of what makes him a genius. His enemies say they have heard his apologies before; that with success has come hubris and, more ominously, that Weinstein has lost his touch. It says much about Weinstein's standing in the film community these days that there are many in Hollywood who fervently hope that Scorsese's film is a stone-cold flop. The name Miramax is an amalgamation of the names of the Weinstein brothers' parents, Miriam and Max. Founded in 1979 with proceeds from the sale of Weinstein's concert promotion company and fuelled by the brothers' desire to introduce their taste for edgier, more intelligent films to a wider audience, the company was not an immediate success. Indeed its first legitimate hit didn't come for nine years, when Weinstein bought the rights to Stephen Soderbergh's Sex, Lies and Videotape for $1m. The film took $25m at the box office. Further successes quickly followed, especially after Disney bought the company from the Weinsteins for a reported $80m - a deal which gave the brothers continued independence from studio interference and the wherewithal to bet on their hunch"}, {"response": 395, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (12:27)", "body": "Here are the Broadcast Critics nominees: Nominees for 2002 (Gala dinner on January 17, 2003 at the Beverly Hills Hotel): The BFCA traditionally nominates ten films for Best Picture. There are three nominees in each of the other categories, all of which are listed below in alphabetical order. Best Picture About Schmidt Adaptation Catch Me If You Can Chicago Far From Heaven Gangs of New York The Hours The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers The Pianist Road to Perdition Best Actor Daniel Day Lewis - Gangs of New York Jack Nicholson - About Schmidt Robin Williams - One Hour Photo Best Actress Salma Hayek - Frida Nicole Kidman - The Hours Diane Lane - Unfaithful Julianne Moore - Far From Heaven Best Supporting Actor Chris Cooper - Adaptation Alfred Molina - Frida Paul Newman - Road to Perdition Best Supporting Actress Kathy Bates - About Schmidt Meryl Streep - Adaptation Catherine Zeta-Jones - Chicago Best Acting Ensemble Chicago The Hours My Big Fat Greek Wedding Best Director Roman Polanski - The Pianist Martin Scorsese - Gangs of New York Steven Spielberg - Catch Me If You Can, Minority Report Best Writer Charlie Kaufman - Adaptation, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor - About Schmidt Nia Vardalos - My Big Fat Greek Wedding Best Digital Acting Performance Dobby - Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Gollum - The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Yoda - Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones Best Young Actor/Actress Kieran Culkin - Igby Goes Down Tyler Hoechlin - Road to Perdition Nicholas Hoult - About a Boy Best Animated Feature Ice Age Lilo and Stitch Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron Spirited Away Best Family Film (live action) Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets The Rookie Tuck Everlasting Best Picture Made for Television Door To Door Live From Baghdad Martin and Lewis Best Documentary Bowling for Columbine The Kid Stays in the Picture Standing in the Shadows of Motown Best Foreign Language Film Monsoon Wedding Talk to Her Y Tu Mama Tambien Best Song \"Father and Daughter\", Paul Simon - The Wild Thornberrys Movie \"Hero\", Chad Kroeger - Spider-Man \"Lose Yourself\", Eminem - 8 Mile Best Composer Phillip Glass - The Hours Howard Shore - The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers John Williams - Catch Me If You Can, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Minority Report"}, {"response": 396, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (12:37)", "body": "Forgot to highlight the Martin & Lewis nom above.;-) Interesting article on Harvey, Karen. Liz smith wrote an impassioned defense of him in the NY Post yesterday. (Observer) And if it proves a flop, the industry sharks are circling And the sharks are aided and abetted by articles like this one, written by someone who hasn't even seen the film yet. They manufacture stories where none exist. I keep reading about how The Quiet American is causing all sorts of controversy over here. Really? Nobody in the general public has even seen it yet, so how could it be controversial? The story about holding back its release date? It's true, but Miramax itself is spreading that story to anybody who will listen. It's called publicity. However, opinion on Gangs is mixed, From whom? A few self-promoting Internet critics? No newspaper has published its reviews yet. And the magazine reviews (e.g., Time) are great. with some observers suggesting it is too long and dark to find a wide audience in the US. And these observers would be . . . the competing studio heads, perhaps? People flocked to the butt-busting Harry Potter flicks and LOTR."}, {"response": 397, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (12:51)", "body": "the story of the film rather than the film itself, that is attracting most attention. I am not impressed with the previews of GoNY. All the actors seem like caricature, and there is something wrong with the wardrobe too. Scorsese has a big ego and so does Harvey. The tension between these two must have been something. I was looking forward to Gangs, but frankly, there are a lot of films that I will see before it. (Mari), It's called publicity. (Harvey), 'I'm frightened I'm going to have a better year than last.' Crystal clear message. Best Digital Acting Performance Heehee. goes to Jack"}, {"response": 398, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (13:01)", "body": "by articles like this one, written by someone who hasn't even seen the film yet \"It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.\" One of my all-time favorite lines. The trailer did it a great disservice, as well as most of the publicity with LeoD. I'm glad to read that DD-L is really the star of it and everyone else pales in comparison. I didn't feel like seeing Titanic Redux, which is what the trailer looked like to me. ;-) Thanks for the Broadcast Critics' noms. Looks like there was a tie in the Best Actress, as there are 4 names. Gaah! I can't believe Robin Williams got in there. He and the movie were (I thought) pretty well vilified. That 'Acting Ensemble' category looks like a joke to me. Imagine putting the acting of say, The Hours anywhere near that Wedding crapola. Surely that is the category for LOTR. Pah! And Digital Acting?!!! Bwahahahaha! Surely, there should be a posthumous award for Jiminy Cricket too. ;-) But take heart, ladies, I spy a category for one of Colin's films for next year: Best Family Film. ;-)))))))))))"}, {"response": 399, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (13:02)", "body": "(Moon) and there is something wrong with the wardrobe too. Care to hunt down the Italian costume designers?"}, {"response": 400, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (13:41)", "body": "I rarely decide whether or not I'll see a film based on the preview trailer. Increasingly, trailers are not a representative slice of the film; they're all about marketing to the widest audience possible. Did anyone catch DDL interviewed by Katie on Today this morning?"}, {"response": 401, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (16:41)", "body": "Here is a bit from Todd McCarthy at Variety: GANGS OF NEW YORK \"The enormously ambitious picture that has emerged after some 30 years of on-and-off effort and more than two years of production falls somewhat short of great film status, but is still a richly impressive and densely realized work that bracingly opens the eye and mind to untaught aspects of American history...as it almost always has with Scorsese films, the mass public will likely resist the violence and tough, unsentimental stance of the picture, resulting in hard-won midrange B.O....A scary, galvanizing presence here with his massive moustache and chops, plastered-down hair and one good eye, Day-Lewis succeeds in making Bill the Butcher into a surprisingly rounded figure one can understand without ever forgetting his malevolence...More robust than before and sporting light whiskers, DiCaprio is a dynamic physical and emotional force throughout, while Diaz vibrantly plays the redheaded wildcat.\" Sounds like a tough one to watch. But also a must see. I got this from Guy Flatley's web site. Guy used to write for the NY Times among other places, and he has a great film site. Worth a visit. He is having fun now with actors and remakes. http://www.moviecrazed.com/guymovies.html"}, {"response": 402, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (18:14)", "body": "The New Yorker review is really a nasty one on Gangs, especially for the newly beefy Leonardo. \"The Hours\" and \"Catch Me If You Can\" fare better: http://www.newyorker.com/printable/?critics/021223crci_cinema"}, {"response": 403, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (19:14)", "body": "(article) However, opinion on Gangs is mixed, (Mari) From whom? A few self-promoting Internet critics? No newspaper has published its reviews yet. And the magazine reviews (e.g., Time) are great. (article) with some observers suggesting it is too long and dark to find a wide audience in the US. (Mari) And these observers would be . . . the competing studio heads, perhaps? People flocked to the butt-busting Harry Potter flicks and LOTR. While not many people have written about it, more than just critics have seen it. There have been many industry screenings (more in LA than NY and other cities, I think) and I have yet to hear anyone say it was \"grrrrrreat!\". General consensus about an excellent performance from DDL. In my screening, there was a discernible (almost) indifference to the movie as a whole. Some people weren't too into the violence as would be understandable. But I wasn't overwhelmed, as it seemed others weren't, but did like it for the most part. And for a movie to come from Scorsese and cost $125 million, I expect to be blown away. But despite the lack of excitement over the story and most main performances, I do think the cinematography was fantastic."}, {"response": 404, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (20:06)", "body": "\"In Harvey's case there is a sense that his streak has waned, that the magic may be gone.'\" They're green with jealousy. Harvey isn't the paragon of virtue, but he's been awfully good to the British Film industry. (Dorine)But despite the lack of excitement over the story and most main performances, I do think the cinematography was fantastic. Sadly the latter won't put bums on seats. I'll go....but don't expect me to like DDL. The guy stays out of the industry for five years, has to be begged to take the role and then cleans -up at awards time. Grrrrrrr."}, {"response": 405, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (20:34)", "body": "Here's Richard Corliss's GONY review from Time: Maybe nobody told Martin Scorsese the American film epic was a dead form. Or maybe Scorsese was too stubborn to give up a project he had nurtured since 1970, when the epic was still the genre du jour and, on Belfast's mean streets, Protestants and Catholics were spilling one another's blood in a replay of the New York City Irish-Anglo gang wars of the 1860s, which Scorsese was itching to dramatize. Then Star Wars changed the landscape of the epic from our own martial planet to a galaxy far, far away. Today when audiences go into the past, they want fantasy. They're not looking to pay for history lessons. Thus Gangs \ufffd with so many detours in its making, and abraded by Scorsese's well-publicized struggle with Harvey Weinstein of Miramax Films \ufffd may be the epic's last gasp. If so, it is a gasp that sings, howls, like a grand tenor at an Irish wake. Set in the gaudy, pestilential Five Points section of lower Manhattan, Gangs begins with an 1846 street fight: Bill the Butcher (Daniel Day-Lewis) and his Nativists against Priest Vallon (Liam Neeson) and his horde of Hibernians. It ends in 1863 with another rumble \ufffd Bill now battling Priest's vengeful son Amsterdam (Leonardo DiCaprio)--as the city explodes in riots that escalate from a protest against Civil War conscription to a four-day massacre. In between are violent scenes played out with a ferocity as erotic as it is deranged; murder and mutilation, when performed by men who have been close, are acts more intimate than sex. There's a triangular conflict \ufffd an evil man, the rival he has treated like a son and the woman (Cameron Diaz) they both have loved and used \ufffd with three stars at the top of their form. DiCaprio's winsomeness has matured into a wily assurance that doesn't rely on bravado. Diaz, stifling the giggles, displays a grave, bruised beauty. Day-Lewis struts with the insane intensity and twisted grin of early Robert De Niro; the Butcher loves the monster he has become. For most of its galloping 2-hr. 45-min. span, Gangs confidently enlarges this triangle to include the sweeping vision of a New York suddenly swarming with immigrants. Displaying an urgency and elegance unmatched by any other living auteur, Scorsese finds drama in visual contrast: a door in a dark, noisy room that is kicked open to reveal a silent, snow-laden street. One amazing panorama shows men coming off a ship from Ireland, being immediately conscripted and outfitted in Northern blue, then put on a troop ship \ufffd all in a single shot that ends with a view of the troop ship's cargo: 20 coffins on the dock. As the newcomers gain political power through their numbers, the question isn't whether an Irishman can be elected to city office but whether he can survive his victory. Ruthless toughs mingle with 1860s gentry in a colossal mix of Scorsese's Mean Streets and The Age of Innocence. Gangs is the director's proclamation that all his movies about belligerent young men are modern-dress versions of a crucial melodrama that shaped urban America. Gangs is the prototype for every one of Scorsese's films; it just happens to come after them. At the film's climax, the Draft Riots engulf the city as Bill and Amsterdam line up for their final face-off \ufffd a Celtic clan skirmish that has little to do with the larger atrocities. The point may be that the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of corpses when anarchy breaks loose. This daring, perhaps confusing declaration of irrelevance suggests that the epic is a form a director like Scorsese must subvert even as he invokes it. But it doesn't erase the sordid splendor of Scorsese's congested, conflicted, entrancing achievement. --By Richard Corliss"}, {"response": 406, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (21:23)", "body": "Here's the BBC's review. \"Gangs of New York\" arrives soaked in the sweat and tears of one of cinema's greatest living artists. Martin Scorsese has nurtured this brutal, astonishing creation through a 25-year development process and a troubled shoot. The result is the culmination of a lifetime's worth of obsessions - with violence, God, loyalty and the US. It both astounds and enthrals, providing a riveting exploration of America's dark heart. New York, 1846 - a brutal gang battle turns the snowy ground muddy with blood. Fifteen years later Amsterdam Vallon (Leonardo DiCaprio) returns to the Five Points district of Manhattan to avenge his father's death at the hands of Bill \"The Butcher\" Cutting (Daniel Day-Lewis). Leader of the anti-immigrant 'Native Americans' gang, Bill rules the neighbourhood with fear. Still, he happily employs this street-savvy unknown, who begins to find the father he lost in the man he must kill. \"Hamlet\" is an obvious influence on the screenwriters and the plot isn't the only factor reminiscent of the stage. There's an expansive, histrionic aspect to Day-Lewis' phenomenal performance as the arch villain, and a theatrical quality to the dialogue, which frequently appropriates biblical language. There's nothing stage-bound about the action, though - the violent, gripping spectacle that plays out against a perfectly realised recreation of 19th century New York. DiCaprio quietly impresses, as does Cameron Diaz as his pickpocket squeeze, but their story is secondary to Scorsese's thematic concerns, as a simple tale of revenge escalates into a portrait of class, race and religious war - an incendiary assault on the foundations of the so-called land of the free. The finished picture may not be as assured or well-paced as Scorsese's best works - \"GoodFellas\", \"Taxi Driver\" - but it has the energy and passion of \"Mean Streets\" writ large. A work of staggering ambition, grandeur and terrible beauty. In a word: majestic. \"Gangs of New York\" opens in UK cinemas on Friday 10th January 2003."}, {"response": 407, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (21:27)", "body": "Sorry, these reviews don't look that lengthy when you see them at the source, but here they take up a lot of room. Will post URLs instead, or key excerpts, as Murph has done."}, {"response": 408, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (22:41)", "body": "(Mari) Interesting article on Harvey, Karen. Liz smith wrote an impassioned defense of him in the NY Post yesterday. Hmmm....at times, when a question to a guest or a guest mentions Harvey or a veiled reference to his editing \"prowess\" is made, it is usually in a sarcastic manner, and the snickering of audience members is quite audible. Although IMO, many times he appears to be right, despite his tactics. I haven't read any of the above reviews (thanks for posting them Mari)..... (Moon) and there is something wrong with the wardrobe too. Not sure what you mean exactly. One other thing I neglected to mention above, the production design was really incredible IMO. *Definitely* Oscar worthy. And if I'm not mistaken, the costumes were historically accurate as worn by the various Gangs. The reviews above may dispute that, but if they did such amazing research to find and use old recordings of Wordsworth or someone from that time reading Wordsworth (forget which) to help DDL develop his speech pattern accurately, would think they have fairly accurate costumes as well. Oh, and I almost forgot.....it really bugged me that they spend so much money on this (enough to feed a medium-sized country), and they can't get scar makeup to stick completely. Check out the first love scene with LDC and CD. There's a close up of Amsterdam's chest (note I didn't say LDC's chest ;))... as she runs her fingers along it, you can see the ends of a couple of scars seem to be loosely attached."}, {"response": 409, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (23:28)", "body": "Re: the movie, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind....I enjoyed it immensely as it seemed everyone in the theater did. We don't usually clap after the movies...only this and Chicago as of late. Very interesting story. Yet another great screenplay by Charlie (and not Donald) Kaufman. Sam Rockwell did a fantastic job as Chuck Barris. Had him nailed. (SR was also at the Q&A) Great directing debut by George Clooney. Interesting vision and use of a variety of styles. Said he stole styles and shots from every director there ever was (his words) ;-). Actually he did run down quite a list of directors he \"borrowed\" from. A variety of styles are used throughout the film that may seem a bit disconcerting to some, but it worked for me. Quite a few full rear shots of SR (and probably his double) that may not have been entirely necessary. In afterthought, clarification of that would've been an interesting question ;-). One very funny scene like that with Drew Barrymore, though. Wasn't too enthused to know Julia Roberts was in this as wasn't thrilled with her in Ocean's 11, but really liked her in this. Great use of music, too. May actually go see this one again."}, {"response": 410, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (23:33)", "body": "I noted that recently a review of Maid in Manhattan was moved from here to the Ralph Fiennes topic. To be consistent, shouldn't the GoNY discussion should be taking place on the Daniel Day-Lewis topic?"}, {"response": 411, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 17, 2002 (23:54)", "body": "Ever try to teach old dogs new tricks?"}, {"response": 412, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (08:07)", "body": "Rika! LOL! (Moon) and there is something wrong with the wardrobe too. (Dorine), Not sure what you mean exactly. And if I'm not mistaken, the costumes were historically accurate as worn by the various Gangs. Those stripes and colours, belts, etc. They looked to me like they were drawn for cartoon. But you've seen it and if you say they look authentic, then I'll go with it."}, {"response": 413, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (08:34)", "body": "The Miami Herald Scorsese takes 'Gangs' strife in stride BY RENE RODRIGUEZ NEW YORK - In March 2001, Miramax Films president Harvey Weinstein flew to Rome's legendary Cinecitta Studios, where Martin Scorsese was nearing the end of nearly five months of filming on Gangs of New York, to confer with the director about the production. At the end of their meeting, Scorsese recalls, ``Harvey got up to leave and said, `You know I love the picture, I love you, but don't forget I want this picture out for Christmas.' 'I said, `Absolutely!' Then Harvey said, 'I mean Christmas 2001.' And I said, 'Oh.' '' As it turned out, Scorsese didn't have to rush to finish his long-awaited epic, which opens Friday. After Sept. 11, everyone involved agreed last year was not the proper time to release a film about New York City circa 1863, when gangs of Irish immigrants and xenophobic Nativists clubbed, chained, stabbed and axed each other in all-out rumbles; when gambling, corruption and public executions in the city's Lower East Side were rampant; and when an uprising by the Irish, infuriated by unfair Civil War draft policies that favored the rich, led to one of the most ferocious riots in the country's history, with widespread looting, burning and lynchings that left 119 people dead. The delay was a boon for Scorsese, who used the extra year to whittle down his movie from an original running time of three-plus hours to a more manageable two hours and 40 minutes. During that time, though, the film was dogged by persistent rumors of behind-the-scenes struggles between the filmmaker, who had been trying to make Gangs since 1978 and was understandably passionate about the material, and Weinstein, who was concerned that the running time and Scorsese's penchant for graphic violence might limit the $110 million movie's potential box-office gross. `THE FINAL CUT' The constant speculation that played out in the media was, as Scorsese puts it, ''creatively draining.'' But if the filmmaker did succumb to any pressure to tone down the bloodshed, or cut the film shorter than he had anticipated, he's certainly not talking openly about it. ''There will be no director's cut of the movie on DVD,'' he says. 'The press has been asking me, `Is this the film you wanted? Did they force you to cut?' But no, this is it. Whatever you see on the screen is, after a long process, the final cut. There are no other scenes I actually shot that I think are worth adding back into the picture. They would only weaken the pacing of the film.'' The plot of Gangs centers on Amsterdam (Leonardo DiCaprio), an Irish-American out to avenge his father's death at the hands of Bill the Butcher (Daniel Day-Lewis), the killer who holds sway over the no-man's-land known as the Five Points (an area of lower Manhattan occupied today by New York's Federal Court House and City Hall). The movie does contain a romantic element, in the form of Cameron Diaz as a pickpocket who falls for Amsterdam. Still, the R-rated film's overriding tone is brutal. Titanic, this is not. But while Gangs certainly contains its share of bloodletting, the movie is not nearly as violent as you might expect, considering the subject matter and Scorsese's tendency to feature gruesome imagery. There again, though, the director claims it was by design. ''By now, I don't think I have to prove to anyone that I can do violence,'' he says, chuckling. ``I can do violence. But what's the point of doing an almost three-hour movie with tons of violence? I tried to do it less graphically than what I normally do. I tried to do it through editing, sound effects and the implications of violence. You never see knives entering; you never see it graphically. That was a major decision. ``It might have been different if I had made the film in the 1970s when I was younger. But I think the sense of violence in the film -- that violence is prevalent in this world -- permeates every scene. It is the main way these characters express themselves, because they have to make themselves heard, and no one will listen to them.'' Having a big-budget film scrutinized by the press and labeled as ''troubled'' before it's even released is a rite of passage most major filmmakers undergo sooner or later. It happened to Steven Spielberg with Jaws, Francis Ford Coppola with Apocalypse Now, Brian De Palma with Bonfire of the Vanities and James Cameron with Titanic. ''This movie has had more scrutiny than any of my other pictures,'' Scorsese, 60, says with a sigh. ``Usually, that kind of controversy happens early or midway through a filmmaker's career. At least it came a little later to me, and I think I've learned enough in 25 years of doing films to prepare me for it. I don't know if I would have been able to complete this thing if it had been my third or fourth film. I don't know if I would have been ready.'' OSCAR TALK Whatever its fate at the box office, early critical reaction to the movie has been strong, with Scorsese some pundits' early fa"}, {"response": 414, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (08:48)", "body": "shouldn't the GoNY discussion should be taking place on the Daniel Day-Lewis topic? I understand the logic but I have appreciated what has been posted. I don't follow DDL, don't check his board and think the topic goes beyond just him. This movie has significant hype around it and the MS - HW angle seems of general interest. Though I suppose I should broaden my view, \"unforget\" some of the topic areas I have hidden in the interest of time and see if there is a HW topic area (insert facetious winkie!) *sigh* And I'm sure in the broader world of Spring there is a perfectly wonderful movie discussion going on...this just seems such a convenient place for general conversation about multiple topics likely to be of mutual interest. But if that is not the intent for this area, I'll work on those new tricks. ;-)"}, {"response": 415, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (09:11)", "body": "I had to insert this in. I was just reading the CNN review on LoTR: Two Towers when this apropos popped up. Love the last line tho'! Between the lightsaber-wielding Yoda in the latest \"Star Wars,\" the quivering Dobby in the latest \"Harry Potter,\" and now the pop-eyed Gollum, the powers-that-be may have to announce a new category for the Academy Awards: maybe something like Best Non-Human/Computer Generated Performance of the Year. And no, neither Madonna nor Keanu Reeves could be considered... although it would be tempting."}, {"response": 416, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (09:33)", "body": "I don't follow DDL, don't check his board and think the topic goes beyond just him. I totally agree with the above, and I personally don't mind that the discussion is here; however, couldn't the same things be said with respect to Maid in Manhattan? I'm pretty sure it has at least one or two stars besides RF. ;-)"}, {"response": 417, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (09:54)", "body": "(Rika) I noted that recently a review of Maid in Manhattan was moved from here to the Ralph Fiennes topic. To be consistent, shouldn't the GoNY discussion should be taking place on the Daniel Day-Lewis topic? The reason for the MIM move was because the discussion was going to focus on RF anyway; therefore, that's where the discussion should be. GONY is a slightly different can of worms in that it is a major film release, having had lots of publicity for years. When I posted the article about DDL at his topic, it was because it was *about* him. I don't expect GoNY to consume this topic, and don't see why it is necessary to post every review of it. To that extent, I do agree with BarbS, but she undermined her argument with the \"inconvenience\" line of logic. ;-) Hated it when my staff would answer: 'but that's the way we've always done it.' *rolling eyes* (CNN) And no, neither Madonna nor Keanu Reeves could be considered... although it would be tempting. LOL! Was Keanu even in a movie this year? I sure didn't miss him."}, {"response": 418, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (10:56)", "body": "(Karen) I do agree with BarbS, but she undermined her argument with the \"inconvenience\" line of logic. ;-) LOL Darn, I *hate* when I DO that -- can never leave well enough alone ;-) --going off now to practice Mr. Collins shushing move ;-)"}, {"response": 419, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (11:01)", "body": "LOL! Was Keanu even in a movie this year? I sure didn't miss him. ] LOL!!! I just thought that was perfect. That Madonna movie sunk before it opened. And I know how much you liked the original!"}, {"response": 420, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (11:48)", "body": "I'm interested in the Martin Scorsese angle on the film. Definitely, not DDL or his side-kick;this movie transcends the stars IMO. Katie Couric called it an epic & homage to NY. Personally, I'm grateful for all the reviews and articles. We seem to post lot of other miscellaneous tripe here."}, {"response": 421, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (12:55)", "body": "From a newsletter I get from Tom O'Neil of Gold Derby.com. It's long, but I think interesting - background on the critics and their choices: ***********************************************8 12/18/02: Who Roughed Up \"Gangs\" at the N.Y. & L.A. Film Critics' Awards & Why Were the New Yorkers So Far from Julianne Moore? -- By Tom O'Neil: host, GoldDerby.com Except for that half of a Best Actor bone that Californians tossed to Daniel Day-Lewis, why wasn't there more support for \"Gangs of New York\" -- plus other presumed Oscar frontrunners \"Catch Me If You Can,\" \"Antwone Fisher,\" \"The Hours,\" \"Chicago\" and \"Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers\" -- when the New York and L.A. film critics recently decided their award champs? And while \"Far From Heaven\" pulled off the biggest sweep in the history of the New York Film Critics Circle, how come voters were so far from the star whose performance was at the heart and cinema soul of it: Julianne Moore? The N.Y. and L.A. film critics' awards always seem to be mysterious, even illogical, to outsiders, but they're really quite revealing, especially this year. Despite reports that the most recent batch of critics' kudos failed to offer any clarity to the Oscar race, the opposite is true. For the first time in many years, the same two films were the finalists for Best Picture at both awards -- \"Far from Heaven\" and \"About Schmidt.\" \"Heaven\" ended up prevailing on the east coast, \"Schmidt\" on the west. No other pix came close. Their victories ordained them officially as the \"In the Bedroom\" contenders of this year: i.e., those little arty movies that are most likely to take on the biggies in the Globes' and Oscar's top races. The fact that \"Gangs of New York\" and other heavy hitters weren't cited was expected. Last year none of the three Oscar frontrunners for Best Picture -- \"A Beautiful Mind,\" \"Moulin Rouge!\" or \"Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring\" -- had been major players at the critics' voting powwows months earlier. Oscar frontrunners seldom are. The critics see themselves as key players in the Academy Awards derby, true, but not in terms of predicting who'll win. They push Oscar ponies that might not make it otherwise. It's doubtful that Oscar voters would've taken note of Denzel Washington's perf in \"Training Day\" last year if the Los Angelenos hadn't hailed it first, just as they'd discovered Hilary Swank in \"Boys Don't Cry\" two years earlier. Two years ago the New Yorkers championed the Oscar success of Marcia Gay Harden (\"Pollock\") and Benicio del Toro (\"Traffic\"). This year the Californians may advance Chris Cooper (\"Adaptation\") and Edie Falco (\"Sunshine State\"); the New Yorkers are backing two \"Far From Heav n\" stars - Patricia Clarkson and Dennis Quaid. When Golden Globe nominations come out tomorrow morning, expect to see \"Gangs\" come out swinging tough, ready for a fight that it will probably win easily. Why? More than any other awards group -- even the Oscars -- the Globes adore epics. And this year, save for the latest \"Lord of the Rings\" installment (part 1 was a loser last year -- Globe and Oscar voters simply HATE sci-fi), \"Gangs\" is the only epic in the arena. Also, it has three other things going for it: 1.) critics love it even if they didn't vote for it at their own kudos; 2.) it'll probably be a huge box-office hit; 3.) it has a director at the helm (Martin Scorsese) who's long overdue for a big Hollywood bow. The Oscarless film icon has lost the academy's Best Director prize race THREE TIMES (\"GoodFellas,\" \"Raging Bull,\" \"Last Temptation of Christ\") and wasn't even nommed for some of his greatest pics like \"Taxi Driver\" or \"After Hours,\" both of which won the Palme D'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. \"The Globes will anoint where the critics overlooked,\" says GoldDerby.com pundit Thelma Adams of Us Weekly, a member and former chair of the New York Film Critics Circle. For example, she expects \"Chicago\" to \"come out very strong as an Oscar contender, boosted by that comedy-musical category\" at the Globes, which honors dramas and comedies/musicals separately. The L.A. and N.Y. critics' awards did establish Julianne Moore as the clear Best Actress frontrunner -- at least for now. (Remember what happened to Sissy Spacek last year?) But, hey, wait a minute -- what about Diane Lane, you ask? Didn't the \"Unfaithful\" star beat Moore at the New York Film Critics Circle vote where Moore's movie -- \"Far From Heaven\" -- tied \"Broadcast News'\" record for most wins ever (5)? Yes. And Lane's victory probably assures her a spot in the Oscar lineup, but it doesn't detract from Moore's clout. Moore came in a close second place in the voting in New York after having won the same prize two days earlier during the Los Angelenos' vote. \"Far From Heaven's\" success in 5 other NYFCC categories is largely due to Moore's radiant turn as a Donna Reed clone (Donna Reed, remember, won an Oscar!). Lane is luminous, too, and gives a great performance, but she won Best Actress -- "}, {"response": 422, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (13:19)", "body": "Thanks for reposting this here, Mary. I like this guy's take because it agrees with my own perception of what goes on, that the critics are pushing the ponies into the AA paddock is an apt analogy as well as everything he has to say about the GGs. It will be Scorcese's year, just as Steven Spielberg got his due."}, {"response": 423, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (13:31)", "body": "(Dorine)old recordings of Wordsworth or someone from that time reading Wordsworth (forget which) to help DDL develop his speech pattern accurately That's interesting. From what I've seen and heard in clips (admittedly limited), DDL's accent seems like a very over-exaggerated Noo Yawk-type thing. But hey, if they based it on recordings . . . I'll bow to your Big Apple expertise, D, what did you think of it? Re: the movie, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind....I enjoyed it immensely as it seemed everyone in the theater did. I'm so happy for George; the guy works so hard. And he's such a sweetheart. And gorgeous. I'lllstop now.;-) Really looking forward to this one. Thanks, Dorine. The critics see themselves as key players in the Academy Awards derby, true, but not in terms of predicting who'll win. They push Oscar ponies that might not make it otherwise. That's an excellent point. Good article, Murph, thanks!"}, {"response": 424, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (13:57)", "body": "Interesting article Murph, thanks. (Martin Scorsese) who's long overdue for a big Hollywood bow Here, here! And he comes across as such a very sweet man the few times I've seen him speak. Seems truly flabergasted at times at what has been well received or not by critics. I truly hope GoNY does well for him. If nothing else, to make up for Harvey riding him so hard. I honestly think (and got the impression from body language) he's been sweatin' bullets over this one. My pick (and hope) is Chicago for Best Pic and Scorsese, Best Director. Though I'd like to see Rob Marshall (dir for Chicago) pick up the statue with his first effort. And there definitely is a history of giving the nod to those who have been slighted previously on better efforts vs the current effort.... which while very good should not necessarily be the winner. No explanation is needed for why Jack Nicholson did so well.....Award-givers are just plain nuts about the guy. Jack is SO BELOVED by kudos-givers And that is a failing indeed. I'm not saying I think Jack or the movie was bad. I liked it, but I don't think my audience was overwhelmed about the whole movie either. Glowing review in Time, but he has a midwestern connection to relate to. I enjoyed him in this rather different role for him, but still think others deserve nods more. I'm curious about opinions on this movie. DDL's accent seems like a very over-exaggerated Noo Yawk-type thing Early NY accent."}, {"response": 425, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (13:59)", "body": "Also, can't believe Nic Cage not getting more attention for Adaptation. :( But Chris Cooper was great."}, {"response": 426, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (14:41)", "body": "Thank you everyone for the interesting articles and awards listings. Interesting to see how different they are in different parts of the country. Am looking forward to items on Chicago as I am most anxious to see this one."}, {"response": 427, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (14:57)", "body": "Thanks, Murph! (Dorine), Also, can't believe Nic Cage not getting more attention for Adaptation. :( That is one film I am looking forward to seeing. On the I love CK dept: Adaptation: Filmmakers grow trippy version of 'The Orchid Thief' By RENE RODRIGUEZ NEW YORK - When Charlie Kaufman first sat down to adapt The Orchid Thief for the screen, he intended to write a movie about flowers -- orchids, specifically -- and the people who obsess over them. And that's exactly what he did. Adaptation, which opens Friday, does indeed recount the reporter-subject relationship between Orchid Thief author Susan Orlean, a staff writer for The New Yorker, and John Laroche, the eccentric South Florida horticulturist who briefly made news in the mid-'90s after being arrested for poaching rare orchids from the Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve. But that's only half the movie. ''I really liked Susan's book,'' says Kaufman, 44, whose first screenplay, Being John Malkovich, earned him an Oscar nomination and branded him as Hollywood's go-to guy for brainy, weird ideas. ``It wasn't the type of book I normally get sent to adapt, but I liked the sadness of it, and I liked learning about the stuff she was writing about. At first I thought, `Well, OK, I don't have to do anything weird with this.' ''I was incorrect about that,'' he adds, laughing. ``But at least I had good intentions to begin with.'' Those intentions were set aside after Kaufman discovered, early in the writing process, that The Orchid Thief was perfectly unfilmable. Orlean's book was filled with long, informative chapters about the history of adventurous orchid collectors risking their lives -- and often dying -- in their quest for the elusive flower. It had beautiful, contemplative passages in which Orlean marveled over Laroche's obsessive fixation on the plants, then lamented a lack of similar passion in her own life (``I wanted to want something as much as people wanted these plants, but it isn't part of my constitution. I think people my age are embarrassed by too much enthusiasm and believe that too much passion about anything is naive.'') What The Orchid Thief didn't have was a linear plot to support a feature-length film. The more Kaufman struggled to remain true to the book, the more frustrated he became. With the deadline for his script approaching, desperation set in. And then came the eureka moment. ''Charlie had already written hundreds of pages and couldn't figure out how to make it into something that was all of a piece,'' says Spike Jonze, 33, who directed Adaptation and Being John Malkovich. ``Months into his anxiety, he told me he was spending most of his time thinking about his inability to make it work. He'd wake up in the morning feeling so unhappy that he had to go sit in front of the typewriter and try to figure it out some more. ``And then he told me he was going to write about that, and I started to get really excited. That's when I said I wanted to direct it, because I knew he was going to deliver something incredible. I just didn't know what it would be.'' THE BIG SURPRISE Neither did anyone else. Producer Ed Saxon, who had commissioned Kaufman to adapt The Orchid Thief before Being John Malkovich was even released, says he didn't get a single phone call from the writer during the writing process. Finally, eight months after their first meeting, a package from Kaufman arrived at Saxon's office. ''We knew Charlie would do something original,'' Saxon says. ``We just didn't know that we were going to get The Orchid Thief: The Remix.'' The first sign strangeness was afoot was right there on the cover page: The Orchid Thief had suddenly become Adaptation. And the script was credited to Charlie Kaufman -- and Donald Kaufman. 'My first reaction was, `Why did he change the title? And who is Donald Kaufman?' '' Saxon recalls. 'I picked it up immediately and read it -- twice. The first time through was a white-knuckled, what's-going-to-happen-next kind of thing. The second time I read it, it was like, `Oh my God, this is really good. But can I get it made?' '' Good question. Kaufman's solution to adapting The Orchid Thief -- now pay attention -- was to insert himself into the movie as a main character (played by Nicolas Cage), who is struggling to adapt The Orchid Thief. At the same time, the movie shows Orlean (played by Meryl Streep) as she befriends Laroche (Chris Cooper) and goes about writing the New Yorker article that would serve as the basis for The Orchid Thief. The result is that you get to watch Kaufman's torturous process of writing Adaptation while you're watching the finished movie itself. Got that? But wait, there's more. Kaufman also gives himself a fictional twin brother, Donald (also played by Cage), who serves as Charlie's foil, landing a production deal for a trite screenplay about a serial killer while Charlie wallows in his creative misery. And then there's the movie's highly controversial -- and utterly brilliant -- third act, wh"}, {"response": 428, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (15:17)", "body": "(Dorine), Also, can't believe Nic Cage not getting more attention for Adaptation. :( And I can't believe everyone has forgotten Sam Mendes' \"Road to Perdition\" which was a masterpiece.Can any one of these supporting actors be better than Jude Law? Or Paul Newman? I wish Jack Nichols would hang it up...he is so 'same ole, same ole\". *yawn*"}, {"response": 429, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (15:23)", "body": "I wish Jack Nichols would hang it up...he is so 'same ole, same ole\". *yawn* I couldn't agree more! But they love him in Hollywood. He has the same Marlon Brandon mystique and I think he's 'same ole, same ole\" too. My acting teachers all loved him and I could never agree with them."}, {"response": 430, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (15:30)", "body": "(Evelyn) I wish Jack Nichols would hang it up...he is so 'same ole, same ole\". *yawn* (Moon Dreams) I couldn't agree more! But they love him in Hollywood. He has the same Marlon Brandon mystique and I think he's 'same ole, same ole\" too. I third that opinion...Cut and paste performances..."}, {"response": 431, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (15:39)", "body": "At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I do like all these reviews and awards posting, but in truth little of what is on the lists has been available to be seen here. Some will eventually get here but much never will. I don't really know half of what I reading about! ;)"}, {"response": 432, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (16:03)", "body": "I like Jack Nicholson a lot. I like just about everythig he's ever done. Not sure how someone could watch The Pledge or Hoffa, and think he was the same in every movie. Thanks for the CK article, Moon, and for the Adaptation feedsback, Dorine. This one sounds right up my alley. Gah, so many good movies, so little time!! I like Nic Cage too, and have been waiting since Leaving Las Vegas (one of the best male performances I've seen in the last decade) for him to do something worthy of his ability. I liked Perdition, Ev. I thoght it was a well-directed, acted, and photographed film. If Paul Newman isn't nommed, I'll spit. He was wonderful! I think they'll remember him. \"Sell crazy someplace else. We're all stocked up here.\" --Melvin Udall, As Good As It Gets :-)"}, {"response": 433, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (17:00)", "body": "I does seem as though \"Road\" is being forgotten. That's a shame. I wonder why? Short attention spans on the part of the critics?"}, {"response": 434, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (17:04)", "body": "Don't count \"Road\" out. It will get a great deal of recognition in the technical categories (cinematography, art direction, costumes, etc.) and we probably haven't seen anything yet in the campaigns/ads for noms. The one for Diane Lane was mounted early, as she would've been forgotten as well. But I didn't think she was all that great, in the summer, when people were talking about her being up for an Oscar. The supporting actor category has a huge wealth of possibilities. I would've put James Coburn in there too, but he's died and he did get one a couple of years back. Sorry, but I wasn't all that enamored of Newman's turn. Jude's was more impressive IMO."}, {"response": 435, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (17:40)", "body": "I'm putting this here because I don't wanna get in trouble with the boss. :) (Mari) LOL! Rupie already beat him to it in Part 1. And look where it got him. Wellll, Rupie is doing the voice of a bad guy on Nickelodeon's \"The Wild Thornberry's movie. Gotta be big star money there! :D"}, {"response": 436, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (17:54)", "body": "Road To Perdition is all over this article, so take heart! I liked Law in RTP, but his role was very small. Newman had to show a much greater range in his role, IMO. To tell you the truth, I liked Tyler Hoechlin, the kid, best of all. The boy was amazing, IMO. But he'll get left out, unfortunately. Oscars Offer Mix of Prospects By DAVID GERMAIN, AP Movie Writer LOS ANGELES - This year's crop of Academy Awards (news - web sites) contenders may not be the healthiest, but it sure is an interesting one. With a generally so-so lineup, 2002 has produced a handful of traditional-looking candidates and a host of darker, edgier prospects that might slip into the race for lack of more conventional Oscar fare. Hollywood's awards season, which culminates with the Oscars (news - web sites) March 23, offers a mix of the old guard who've won before (Jack Nicholson (news), Meryl Streep (news)); established performers who've never won (Salma Hayek (news) in \"Frida,\" Chris Cooper (news) in \"Adaptation\"); past winners back in the hunt after long absences (Paul Newman (news), Nicolas Cage (news)); and at least one fresh face (Derek Luke in the title role of \"Antwone Fisher\"). Along with sober, smells-like-Oscar candidates such as the crime epics \"Gangs of New York\" and \"Road to Perdition\" or the impassioned literary adaptation \"The Hours,\" the field includes the zestful musical \"Chicago,\" the fantasy sequel \"The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers,\" the old-school melodrama \"Far From Heaven\" and the absurdist's delight \"Adaptation.\" Oscar nominations come out Feb. 11. Here's a rundown of possible contenders in major categories: Best Picture: \"The Hours,\" Stephen Daldry's artful adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel interweaving stories about Virginia Woolf, a despondent 1950s housewife and a troubled modern woman, is a likely competitor, along with two Irish-American mob tales, Martin Scorsese (news)'s \"Gangs of New York\" and Sam Mendes (news)' \"Road to Perdition.\" Peter Jackson (news)'s \"The Two Towers\" is more action, less depth than last year's \"Lord of the Rings\" installment, but it might bring another nomination for the franchise. Sam Raimi (news)'s \"Spider-Man,\" the year's top-grossing hit, probably will be viewed too much as a summer popcorn flick to merit best-picture consideration. Though a bit lightweight, Rob Marshall's \"Chicago\" entertains well enough that it could follow last year's \"Moulin Rouge\" as a musical nominee. Steven Spielberg (news)'s cat-and-mouse adventure \"Catch Me If You Can\" also may lack the heft, but it's an engaging romp and has better Oscar prospects than his other 2002 flick, \"Minority Report,\" which bears the stigma of a sci-fi genre generally not favored by awards voters. The year's surprise blockbuster \"My Big Fat Greek Wedding\" is a feel-good romance adored by general audiences but may prove too much of a featherweight for awards voters. Other possibilities: \"Antwone Fisher,\" Denzel Washington (news)'s directing debut, based on the real-life story of an angry orphan who finds solace in the care of a Navy psychiatrist; \"Frida,\" Julie Taymor (news)'s vibrant film biography of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo; Todd Haynes (news)' \"Far From Heaven,\" a sumptuously photographed work that updates the style of '50s melodrama maestro Douglas Sirk; \"About Schmidt,\" a darkly comic drama of late-life self-examination from director Alexander Payne; \"Adaptation,\" the latest bizarre concoction from writer Charlie Kaufman and director Spike Jonze (news), the team behind \"Being John Malkovich (news)\"; \"The Quiet American,\" Phillip Noyce's thoughtful rendering of Graham Greene (news)'s novel of American imperialism in 1950s Vietnam; Spike Lee (news)'s \"The 25th Hour,\" tracing the last day of freedom for a rueful prison-bound drug dealer; and Roman Polanski (news)'s comeback film, \"The Pianist,\" a somber Holocaust story that took top honors at last spring's Cannes ilm Festival (news - web sites). Best Actor: Past winner Daniel Day-Lewis (news) is the man to beat, presenting one of cinema's most black-hearted yet magnetizing villains in \"Gangs of New York.\" Like Oscar winner F. Murray Abraham, whose bad guy Salieri upstaged Tom Hulce (news)'s Mozart in \"Amadeus,\" Day-Lewis' turn overwhelms a solid performance by \"Gangs\" hero Leonardo DiCaprio (news). Along with \"Gangs,\" DiCaprio has a shot at a nomination for \"Catch Me If You Can.\" Three-time Oscar winner Jack Nicholson is a likely nominee for \"About Schmidt.\" Two-time winners Tom Hanks (news) for \"Road to Perdition\" and Michael Caine (news) for \"The Quiet American\" also are leading candidates. Dual roles in \"Adaptation\" could land a nomination for Nicolas Cage, who gives his best performance since his Oscar-winning turn in 1995's \"Leaving Las Vegas.\" Other possibilities include newcomer Derek Luke, \"Antwone Fisher\"; Edward Norton (news), \"The 25th Hour\"; Richard Gere (news), \"Chicago\"; Dennis Quaid (news), \"The Rookie\"; Adrien Brody (news), \"The Pianist\"; Sa"}, {"response": 437, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (18:00)", "body": "Long article, but some good quotes here. 'Gangs' a Long Labor of Love for Scorsese By Martha Graybow NEW YORK (Reuters) - It's been a long, long wait for Martin Scorsese (news)'s sweeping epic, \"Gangs of New York.\" The ambitious, big-budget film about rival street thugs in 19th century Manhattan finally hits U.S. theaters on Friday, more than 30 years after Scorsese first envisioned it. And the end result, he says, is different than if he had made the film when he was a young director in the 1970s. \"I changed over the years, and this is the story that ultimately came down,\" said the 60-year-old director of films such as \"Taxi Driver\" and \"GoodFellas,\" speaking at a recent media gathering. The nearly three-hour film, starring Leonardo DiCaprio (news), Daniel Day-Lewis (news) and Cameron Diaz (news), was a labor of love for Scorsese, who has long been fascinated with the history of his native New York. But it took years to bring the story to the big screen largely because of its massive scale. Rife with production delays and ballooning costs, the Miramax Films production had a hefty price tag of at least $100 million. Scorsese traces the film's genesis to New Year's Day 1970, when he house-sat for friends and plucked a 1928 nonfiction book, \"Gangs of New York\" by Herbert Asbury, off the shelves. He then devoured the tales of street warfare in 19th century New York. \"Gangs of New York,\" loosely based on Asbury's book, chronicles a little-known era when lower Manhattan was overrun by ruthless bandits. It takes place against the backdrop of the Civil War and the draft riots in the Five Points slum, where so-called \"Nativists\" born in the United States saw the waves of new Irish immigrants as invaders out to steal their jobs and livelihoods. The film deals \"with a world that's lawless almost, anarchic, chaotic,\" Scorsese said. \"And out of that comes order but unfortunately it comes through violence.\" The film is plenty violent. But Scorsese insists it is not as graphic as some of his other work, saying he tried to convey the brutality of the era through sound effects and editing. \"I certainly look at my movies that I made and I don't have to prove anything whether I can do violence in movies,\" he said. The film was shot almost entirely in Rome, where the filmmakers re-created acres of tenements and cobblestone streets on a back lot at Cinecitta Studios, where many classic Italian movies were made. The filmmakers hired fair-haired Italian extras who would resemble the Irish immigrants. Cast members say the realistic set helped immerse them in the that period. \"We cocooned ourselves in this little environment,\" DiCaprio said. \"People ask me, 'Did you learn any Italian while you were in Italy? You were there in Rome for 10 months.' I say 'No, because we were in New York.' ... We woke up every day and went on set and went back in time.\" \"Gangs of New York\" is DiCaprio's biggest movie since the 1997 blockbuster \"Titanic.\" The 28-year-old Hollywood heartthrob, who plays a young Irish American out to avenge the death of his father, also appears in another highly anticipated film this month, Steven Spielberg (news)'s \"Catch Me if You Can.\" The film also marks the return of Day-Lewis, whose last movie was 1997's \"The Boxer\" and who starred in Scorsese's \"The Age of Innocence\" in 1993. Day-Lewis plays \"Bill the Butcher,\" a native-born gang leader who detests the Irish immigrants. To prepare for the role he apprenticed with a butcher to learn more about his character. But playing an anti-Irish \"nativist\" was a big stretch for the real Day-Lewis, who lives in Ireland with his family. \"I'm sure they'll burn my house down when it comes out in Ireland,\" he said with a laugh. \"But there's something strangely liberating about crossing the border line and looking backward and seeing things from exactly the opposite point of view.\" The cast also includes Diaz, who plays a savvy pickpocket named Jenny; Liam Neeson (news), who makes a brief appearance as the father of DiCaprio's character, and Jim Broadbent (news) as the flagrantly corrupt politician William \"Boss\" Tweed. \"Gangs of New York\" is one of Scorsese's most personal movies. When he was a boy in Manhattan's Little Italy neighborhood, his father often told stories he had heard growing up about the city's violent past. Scorsese mulled over his vision for \"Gangs\" throughout the 1970s and 1980s, while he made other films such as \"Raging Bull\" and \"The Last Temptation of Christ.\" It wasn't until the late 1990s that he was able to get funding for the project. Miramax had hoped to release the film in late 2001, but the studio later decided not to put out the movie so soon after Sept. 11. Scorsese also says he needed more time to edit it. The long wait was worth it, said DiCaprio, who saw \"Gangs of New York\" for the first time a few weeks ago. \"Marty was tinkering with this film during the editing process for a long time, and I think that he put a lot of painstaking effort into maki"}, {"response": 438, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (18:19)", "body": "(Mari)I like Jack Nicholson a lot. I like just about everythig he's ever done. Not sure how someone could watch The Pledge or Hoffa, and think he was the same in every movie. I agree, and don't forget Chinatown. That was my favorite. Thanks Mari, and all for the great articles and reviews."}, {"response": 439, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (18:36)", "body": "Chinatown, Hoffa, The Shining was a looong time ago. The Pledge .. OK. But lately he's doing these cookie-cutter Senior Citizen comedies. Marty looks older than 60.Must be due to all those fights with Harve. I liked Law in RTP, but his role was very small. Bigger than JD's in SIL.That one clocked in at two minutes."}, {"response": 440, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (19:05)", "body": "As of late, Jack Nicholson simply coasts on his atonishingly good work from the seventies. Starting with \"The Shining\" he has trafficked in little else than his patented Jack Nicholson impersonation. It is a very pale reflection of his remarkable performances in \"Five Easy Pieces\", \"Chinatown\", \"The Last Detail\", et al."}, {"response": 441, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (19:30)", "body": "Criticizing JN for being JN has become a cliche, IMO. The Pledge, The Crossing Guard, Blood and Wine are all very good dramatic performances--and relatively recent ones, like within the last 5 years or so. And if As Good As It Gets is what you feel is his Jack persona . . . bring it on, I laughed like hell. How can you diagnose someone with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and then blame him for barging in here as if he had control over it? --More Melvin U. :-)"}, {"response": 442, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (23:58)", "body": "(Evelyn) I wish Jack Nichols would hang it up...he is so 'same ole, same ole\". *yawn* Actually in About Schmidt, I did find this character different than his usual. Not confident, sure of himself, or even obnoxious. Quite the opposite. \"My Big Fat Greek Wedding\" is a feel-good romance adored by general audiences but may prove too much of a featherweight for awards voters. One can only hope. Cameron Diaz (news) is a contender for \"Gangs of New York.\" Fail to see this myself. She was a yawn for me. Steven Spielberg (news)'s cat-and-mouse adventure \"Catch Me If You Can\" also may lack the heft, but it's an engaging romp Just saw this tonight....an accurate description. Definitely a winner for Spielberg. Great buzz coming out of the theater and in comments by others who've seen it previously. I loved it! It was fun to root for the \"bad\" guy. ;-) Best Actor Along with \"Gangs,\" DiCaprio has a shot at a nomination for \"Catch Me If You Can.\" Best Supporting Actor Tom Hanks, who delivers an engaging supporting role in \"Catch Me If You Can.\" Not sure about award worthy, but..... was impressed much more by Leo in \"Catch...\" than in GoNY which I did think he was very good in. Showed quite a range of emotions throughout the movie and at times within one scene. TH was a hoot! If anyone can pick up that accent he does (maybe MA/Boston), let me know. ;) And I thought Christopher Walken was very good, too. Not eccentric at all. Just played it straight as his dad. Thought it was interesting that physically, Leo seemed much smaller in Catch than GoNY where he seemed beefed up. Not sure of the shooting schedules. Can't decide if it was the way the shots were set up, his body language and posture, or if he was truly in different shape for each. Though at the end of Catch he seemed a bit larger. Loved the opening credits. I liked the very different score from John Williams than I'm used to. The theme for the TH character and his cohorts is cute. Michelle Pfeiffer (news), \"White Oleander\"; I forgot when I saw this I said I thought she should be nommed. Apparently critics forgot her too. Strong candidates include scene-stealers Chris Cooper in \"Adaptation\" and Ed Harris (news) in \"The Hours.\" Tough call. I definitely think EH should be. Miramax had hoped to release the film in late 2001, but the studio later decided not to put out the movie so soon after Sept. 11. Scorsese also says he needed more time to edit it. And kudos to Scorsese for not sanitizing one particular shot. You'll see what I mean. Yes, yes...I'm getting to it! Be patient. ;-)"}, {"response": 443, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Dec 18, 2002 (23:59)", "body": "Bugger!....closing"}, {"response": 444, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (07:27)", "body": "Evelyn, I think that you do have a point about the pervasive saminess of Jack Nicholson's recent performances...\"But lately he's doing these cookie-cutter Senior Citizen comedies.\" Very true, indeed. Jack Nicholson's recent work = cliche. It's very much the paint-by-numbers school of acting. He has no need to take chances; so he doesn't. Things become cliche because they have a persistent basis in fact. As for Jack, he hasn't done much lately (or much of anything) which isn't the same old, same old."}, {"response": 445, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (07:48)", "body": "I agree with Cheryl and Evelyn on JN's recent performances. As Good as it Gets typified what a Hollywood Oscar campaign can do. The movie and the performances were nothing special. (Mari), Criticizing JN for being JN has become a cliche If the shoe fits. He has become his own clich\ufffd. There are so many good movies opening next week, can't wait! For now, it's LOTR tonight."}, {"response": 446, "author": "townranny", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (08:22)", "body": ""}, {"response": 447, "author": "townranny", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (08:26)", "body": ""}, {"response": 448, "author": "townranny", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (08:29)", "body": ""}, {"response": 449, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (08:35)", "body": "Reposting in non-bottom-line-on-eyechart size: Response 446 of 447: kathleen (townranny) * Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (09:22) * 3 lines i saw a very good indy film last weekend called 'real women have curves' about a mexican-american girl who graduates high school and faces working in a sweat shop but wants to go to college."}, {"response": 450, "author": "townranny", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (08:41)", "body": "Thanks Karen. It was a very little film."}, {"response": 451, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (08:50)", "body": "But it was excellent, as I told everyone when I saw it way back in October. This is the movie that should be getting all the praise instead of that other one."}, {"response": 452, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (08:57)", "body": "'Chicago's' 8 noms tops Golden Globes; 7 to 'Hours' Dec. 19, 2002 By AP \"Chicago\" received a leading eight Golden Globe nominations Thursday, including best musical or comedy and best actress for stars Renee Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones. \"The Hours,\" a three-tiered story about women whose lives are linked to a novel by Virginia Woolf, had seven nominations including best film drama, best actress for Nicole Kidman and supporting actor for Ed Harris. The comedy of in-jokes, \"Adaptation,\" about its own writers' attempts to fashion its screenplay, had six mentions including best musical or comedy, screenplay by Charlie Kaufman and best comedy actor for Nicolas Cage. Nominees in 13 movies and 11 television categories for the 60th annual Golden Globes were announced by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. The awards are regarded by some as indicators of front-runners for the Academy Award nominations in February. The Globes will be awarded on Jan. 19 during a live telecast on NBC. Besides \"The Hours,\" the best film drama contenders were the bittersweet Jack Nicholson road-trip saga \"About Schmidt,\" director Martin Scorsese's \"Gangs of New York,\" the fantasy sequel \"The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers\" and Roman Polanski's Nazi escape story \"The Pianist.\" Along with \"Adaptation\" and \"Chicago,\" the Charles Dickens classic \"Nicholas Nickleby,\" the Hugh Grant redemption comedy \"About a Boy\" and the crowd-pleasing blockbuster \"My Big Fat Greek Wedding\" will compete for best musical or comedy. Meryl Streep received two nominations, competing with \"The Hours\" co-star Kidman for best dramatic actress and in the supporting actress category for \"Adaptation.\" Other dramatic actress nominees were Salma Hayek for \"Frida,\" Diane Lane for \"Unfaithful\" and Julianne Moore for \"Far From Heaven.\" Nicholson's turn as a bedraggled widower in \"About Schmidt\" earned him a dramatic actor mention along with Leonardo DiCaprio's runaway con artist in \"Catch Me If You Can,\" Daniel Day-Lewis' brutal crime lord in \"Gangs of New York,\" Michael Caine's weary, seen-it-all journalist in \"The Quiet American\" and Adrien Brody as the piano player evading Nazis in \"The Pianist.\" Cage's role as screenwriter Kaufman and his fictional twin brother in \"Adaptation\" placed him against Grant in \"About a Boy,\" Kieran Culkin in \"Igby Goes Down,\" Richard Gere in \"Chicago\" and Adam Sandler in \"Punch-Drunk Love\" in the comedic or musical actor category. Besides Zellweger and Zeta-Jones in \"Chicago,\" Nia Vardalos' role as a Greek woman who marries outside her ethnicity in \"My Big Fat Greek Wedding\" received a musical or comedy actress mention, along with Goldie Hawn in the \"The Banger Sisters\" and Maggie Gyllenhaal in \"Secretary.\" Directing nominees included Scorsese for \"Gangs of New York,\" Peter Jackson for \"The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers,\" Stephen Daldry for \"The Hours,\" Spike Jonze for \"Adaptation,\" Rob Marshall for \"Chicago\" and Alexander Payne for \"About Schmidt.\" In a blur between reality and fiction, Kaufman was credited along with his fictional twin brother \"Donald\" in the screenplay category for \"Adaptation.\" Also nominated: Bill Condon for adapting the stage musical \"Chicago,\" David Hare for his version of the novel \"The Hours,\" Todd Haynes for \"Far From Heaven\" and Payne and Jim Taylor for \"About Schmidt.\" Kathy Bates in \"About Schmidt,\" Cameron Diaz in \"Gangs of New York,\" Queen Latifah in \"Chicago,\" Susan Sarandon in \"Igby Goes Down\" joined Streep in the supporting actress category. Supporting actor nominees were Chris Cooper for \"Adaptation,\" Harris for \"The Hours,\" Paul Newman for \"Road to Perdition,\" Dennis Quaid for \"Far From Heaven\" and John C. Reilly for \"Chicago.\" Perennial award nominees \"The Sopranos\" and \"The West Wing\" competed again for best TV drama along with \"Six Feet Under,\" \"The Shield\" and \"24.\" TV comedy nominees included \"The Simpsons,\" \"Will & Grace,\" \"Sex and the City,\" \"Curb Your Enthusiasm\" and \"Friends.\" HBO led television networks with 26 total nominations for its shows \"The Sopranos,\" \"Six Feet Under,\" \"Curb Your Enthusiasm\" and the movies \"Path to War,\" \"Live From Baghdad\" and \"The Gathering Storm.\" NBC had 13, followed by Fox with seven and CBS and FX with three each. ABC and TNT had two apiece. Golden Globe nominees are chosen by the association's roughly 90 members who cover Hollywood for overseas publications. A partial list of nominations follows. MOTION PICTURES Picture, Drama: \"About Schmidt,\" \"Gangs of New York,\" \"The Hours,\" \"The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers,\" \"The Pianist.\" Actress, Drama: Salma Hayek, \"Frida\"; Nicole Kidman, \"The Hours\"; Diane Lane, \"Unfaithful\" ; Julianne Moore, \"Far From Heaven\"; Meryle Streep, \"The Hours.\" Actor, Drama: Adrien Brody, \"The Pianist\"; Michael Caine, \"The Quiet American\"; Daniel Day-Lewis, \"Gangs of New York\"; Leonardo Di Caprio, \"Catch Me if You Can\"; Jack Nicholson, \"About Schmidt.\" Foreign Language: \"Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress,\" France; \""}, {"response": 453, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (09:01)", "body": "To Lisa, who commented that she couldn't relate to any of these movies: None of the Best Dramas and only 2 of the Best Comedy (About a Boy and the Wedding movie) nominations have really opened yet."}, {"response": 454, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (09:15)", "body": "Where is Road to Perdition....where is Sam Mendes!!! Happy for Paul Newman. I did hear on TV that Greek Wedding and Nia were nommed...;-D So was \"About a Boy\" and HG. Thanks for the partial list, Karen.Thanks Dorine for your comments. Closest I'll get so seeing some of these. \"Far From Heaven\" left here so fast there are skid marks on Route 66."}, {"response": 455, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (09:18)", "body": ""}, {"response": 456, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (09:19)", "body": "There are only five slots. Can't accommodate everyone. Besides, this is only the Hollywood Foreign Hack awards. The real nominations for best director will come from the Directors' Guild. (though still doesn't mean Road to Perdition and Mendes will get anything; I didn't think Road was all that great.)"}, {"response": 457, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (09:41)", "body": "But it was excellent, as I told everyone when I saw it way back in October. This is the movie that should be getting all the praise instead of that other one. I was not impressed. Thanks for the GG list, Karen. The Best Picture category will probably match the Oscars too. They'll just have to add Chicago in there. Best Director will also be a match up. I guess they couldn't fit a third film from Mexico, Y tu Mama Tambien was left out. Biggest faux-pas The Greek Wedding picture, please!"}, {"response": 458, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (09:44)", "body": "Forgot to add that if all the stars do show, it will be the biggest star-studded GG in years."}, {"response": 459, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (09:52)", "body": "Here are more of the nominations: Screenplay, Motion Picture -- Bill Condon, \"Chicago\"; David Hare, \"The Hours\"; Todd Haynes, \"Far from Heaven\"; Charlie Kaufman and Donald Kaufman, \"Adaptation\"; Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor, \"About Schmidt.\" Original Score, Motion Picture -- Elmer Bernstein, \"Far from Heaven\"; Terence Blanchard, \"25th Hour\"; Peter Gabriel, \"Rabbit Proof Fence\"; Philip Glass, \"The Hours\"; Elliot Goldenthal, \"Frida.\" Original Song-Motion Picture -- \"Die Another Day\" (\"Die Another Day\"), music by Madonna and Mirwais Ahmadzai, lyrics by Madonna; \"Father and Daughter\" (\"The Wild Thornberrys Movie\"), music & lyrics by Paul Simon; \"The Hands that Built America\" (\"Gangs of New York\"), music & lyrics by U2; \"Here I Am\" (\"Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron\"), music by Hans Zimmer, lyrics by Bryan Adams/Gretchen Peters; \"Lose Yourself\" (\"8 Mile\"), music & lyrics by Eminem. Miniseries or TV Movie -- \"The Gathering Storm\" (HBO); \"Live from Baghdad\" (HBO); \"Path to War\" (HBO); \"Shackleton\" (A&E); \"Steven Spielberg Presents: Taken\" (SCI FI). Actress in a Miniseries or TV Movie -- Helena Bonham Carter, \"Live From Baghdad\"; Shirley MacLaine, \"Hell on Heels: The Battle of Mary Kay\"; Helen Mirren, \"Door to Door\"; Vanessa Redgrave, \"The Gathering Storm\"; Uma Thurman, \"Hysterical Blindness.\" [Ed note: Are they nuts?!!! Mirren, best actress. She was supporting; she died! Kyra Sedgwick had the female lead.] Actor in a Miniseries or TV movie -- Albert Finney, \"The Gathering Storm\"; Michael Gambon, \"Path to War\"; Michael Keaton, \"Live from Baghdad\"; William H. Macy, \"Door to Door\"; Linus Roache, \"RFK.\" Supporting Actor in a TV Series, Miniseries or TV Movie -- Alec Baldwin, \"Path to War\"; Jim Broadbent, \"The Gathering Storm\"; Bryan Cranston, \"Malcolm in the Middle\"; Sean Hayes, \"Will & Grace\"; Dennis Haysbert, \"24\"; Michael Imperioli, \"The Sopranos\"; John Spencer, \"The West Wing\"; Donald Sutherland, \"Path to War\"; Bradley Whitford, \"The West Wing.\" Supporting Actress in a TV Series, Miniseries or TV Movie -- Kim Cattrall, \"Sex and the City\"; Megan Mullally, \"Will & Grace\"; Cynthia Nixon, \"Sex and the City\"; Parker Posey, \"Hell on Heels: The Battle of Mary Kay\"; Gena Rowlands, \"Hysterical Blindness.\""}, {"response": 460, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (10:12)", "body": "(Karen) But it was excellent, as I told everyone when I saw it way back in October. This is the movie that should be getting all the praise instead of that other one. It got horrible local reviews and only stayed for a week. I missed it. I did want to see it. Will have to wait for video. I'm beside myself as there is so much to see and I have family in town. Am going to work in Far From Heaven and GoNY this week sometime.... I have a somewhat personal question and I hope it is okay...Dorine, how is it that you get to see all the movies prior to their release? I know in the past you have mentioned that you attend Q&As with various directors/actors....just wondering. If I am out of line please let me know."}, {"response": 461, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (10:19)", "body": "Hey, whaddya know, old Mr. Paint By Numbers made it in there! Somebody besides me and Linda must like him.;-) Remember, friends, there are no \"facts\" in these discussions--only subjective opinions. Yeah, now all you have to do is hold the chicken, bring me the toast, give me a check for the chicken salad sandwich, and you haven't broken any rules. --Cliche, Five Easy Pieces ;-);-)"}, {"response": 462, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (10:26)", "body": "(Tress) It got horrible local reviews and only stayed for a week. While I *do* know where you live, I don't know whose reviews you are reading. It has practically won every \"audience\" award at film fests and has a 93% fresh rating from the cream of the crop reviewers at Rotten Tomatoes, with an overall fresh rating of 82%. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/RealWomenHaveCurves-1113456/ If it only stayed a week, then it was because it didn't get the word of mouth buzz it should've. Did you rely on the reviews for the Greek Wedding? It only scored in the mid-70%."}, {"response": 463, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (10:29)", "body": "Ooof, bad sentence structure. It has won practically every \"audience\" award at the film fests it has played. [It won at Sundance and many others.]"}, {"response": 464, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (10:29)", "body": "Here are the major film categories, all in one spot. BEST MOTION PICTURE DRAMA ABOUT SCHMIDT Michael Besman/Harry Gittes Prod.; New Line Cinema GANGS OF NEW YORK Alberto Grimaldi Prods.; Miramax Films THE HOURS Paramount Pictures/Miramax Films; Paramount Pictures THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS Wingnut Films; New Line Cinema THE PIANIST R.P. Prods./Heritage Films/Studio Babelsberg Runteam Ltd./Canal+ and Studio Canal; Focus Features BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE DRAMA Salma Hayek Frida Nicole Kidman The Hours Diane Lane Unfaithful Julianne Moore Far From Heaven Meryl Streep The Hours BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA Adrien Brody The Pianist Michael Caine The Quiet American Daniel Day-Lewis Gangs of New York Leonardo Dicaprio Catch Me if You Can Jack Nicholson About Schmidt BEST MOTION PICTURE - MUSICAL OR COMEDY ABOUT A BOY Tribeca/Working Title; Universal Pictures/Studio Canal ADAPTATION Columbia Pictures/Intermedia Films; Sony Pictures Releasing CHICAGO Producer Circle Co.,/Zadan-Meron Prods.; Miramax Films MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING Gold Circle Films/HBO/Playtone; IFC NICHOLAS NICKLEBY Hart Sharp Entertainment Prods./Cloud Nine Films; United Artists/MGM BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE - MUSICAL OR COMEDY MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL Secretary GOLDIE HAWN The Banger Sisters NIA VARDALOS My Big Fat Greek Wedding RENEE ZELLWEGER Chicago CATHERINE ZETA-JONES Chicago BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE -MUSICAL OR COMEDY NICOLAS CAGE Adaptation KIERAN CULKIN Igby Goes Down RICHARD GERE Chicago HUGH GRANT About a Boy ADAM SANDLER Punch-Drunk Love BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE KATHY BATES About Schmidt CAMERON DIAZ Gangs of New York QUEEN LATIFAH Chicago SUSAN SARANDON Igby Goes Down MERYL STREEP Adaptation BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE CHRIS COOPER Adaptation ED HARRIS The Hours PAUL NEWMAN Road to Perdition DENNIS QUAID Far From Heaven JOHN C. REILLY Chicago BEST DIRECTOR - MOTION PICTURE STEPHEN DALDRY The Hours PETER JACKSON The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers SPIKE JONZE Adaptation ROB MARSHALL Chicago ALEXANDER PAYNE About Schmidt MARTIN SCORSESE Gangs of New York BEST SCREENPLAY - MOTION PICTURE BILL CONDON Chicago DAVID HARE The Hours TODD HAYNES Far From Heaven CHARLIE KAUFMAN AND DONALD KAUFMAN Adaptation ALEXANDER PAYNE AND JIM TAYLOR About Schmidt"}, {"response": 465, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (11:48)", "body": "I have not seen any of the TV movies except: \"Steven Spielberg Presents: Taken\" (SCI FI). ;-D (Mari), Remember, friends, there are no \"facts\" in these discussions--only subjective opinions. Break it to me gently, Mari. ;-) I hope we don't always have to put IMO. And so say all of us, and so say all of us, for he's such a jolly clich\ufffd. ;-) I'm going to take a guess on the winners without having seen the films: BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE DRAMA Nicole Kidman The Hours BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA - tie Adrien Brody The Pianist Daniel Day-Lewis Gangs of New York BEST MOTION PICTURE - MUSICAL OR COMEDY CHICAGO Producer Circle Co.,/Zadan-Meron Prods.; Miramax Films BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE - MUSICAL OR COMEDY CATHERINE ZETA-JONES Chicago BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE -MUSICAL OR COMEDY NICOLAS CAGE Adaptation BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE MERYL STREEP Adaptation BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE PAUL NEWMAN Road to Perdition BEST DIRECTOR - MOTION PICTURE MARTIN SCORSESE Gangs of New York BEST SCREENPLAY - MOTION PICTURE CHARLIE KAUFMAN Adaptation BEST MOTION PICTURE DRAMA THE PIANIST"}, {"response": 466, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (13:06)", "body": "(Karen) While I *do* know where you live, I don't know whose reviews you are reading. It has practically won every \"audience\" award at film fests and has a 93% fresh rating from the cream of the crop reviewers at Rotten Tomatoes, with an overall fresh rating of 82%. I know! It got great reviews everywhere, but a bad one in my 'home town' (LOL...see the Rotten Tomatoes link you gave me...Kim Morgan, The Oregonian. That's one of the reviews from here). I still want to see it! BTW Mari, love that quote from Five Easy Pieces. One of my all time favorite JN scenes."}, {"response": 467, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (13:31)", "body": "Rick Lyman today in the NY Times has an interesting article on the awards and how the small studios so far (this was before the GGs) are grabbing the attention. It's long and you need to register, so I have it available here: http://www.murphsplace.com/lyman.html"}, {"response": 468, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (14:49)", "body": "\"The Hands that Built America\" (\"Gangs of New York\"),music & lyrics by U2 Oooo, I hope not. I didn't like this or think much of the music in the movie fit. I understood his reasoning of what he used, but it was jarring to me. Yeah, now all you have to do is hold the chicken, bring me the toast, give me a check for the chicken salad sandwich, and you haven't broken any rules. --Cliche, Five Easy Pieces LOL! One of my favorites :D (Moon) BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE - MUSICAL OR COMEDY CATHERINE ZETA-JONES Chicago After you see it, you may change your opinion to Renee IMO (insert wicked winkie), as CZJ all but disappeared for a good portion of it. Renee was in it constantly (and excellent). Am mostly in agreement with you. Must go rent Road to Perdition and see Far From Heaven, though."}, {"response": 469, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (15:04)", "body": "\"The Hands that Built America\" (\"Gangs of New York\"),music & lyrics by U2 (Dorine), Oooo, I hope not. Well, at least there's no John Williams. ;-) (Dorine), After you see it, you may change your opinion to Renee. Renee was in it constantly (and excellent). Am mostly in agreement with you. I'll take your word on RZ. I'm glad you agree since you've seen the movies."}, {"response": 470, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (15:24)", "body": "(Moon)I hope we don't always have to put IMO. IMO, maybe we should. LOL! Nah, don't let me spoil your opinionated fun.;-) You know I enjoy the give and take with you girls. Now, I'll go ahead and make your day: I like Al Pacino. I do. And I thought he was great in Insomnia, another performance passed over because the voters have the memories of fleas. IMO.;-) Interesting article, Murph. He makes a good point--increasingly the big studios are under intense profit pressure from their conglomerate parents, and have become almost completely risk-averse. Ergo, \"safe\" sequels galore and films guaranteed to have big opening weekends from teenage boys. Good thing the right coast is picking up the slack. (Dorine)Renee was in it constantly (and excellent). Is there anything this girl can't do? A tremendous talent, IMO. If I were her, they'd have to throw an awful lot of money at me to persuade me to do BJD2. See disparaging comment on sequels, above.;-) Outta my way, son, you're usin' up my oxygen.\" --Randle P. McMurphy, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"}, {"response": 471, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (15:35)", "body": "(Moon) I'm glad you agree since you've seen the movies. But am waiting for the \"What the hell were you thinking saying he/she/it was good/bad?\" comments once everyone else has seen these flicks. ;-)"}, {"response": 472, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (15:43)", "body": "If I were her, they'd have to throw an awful lot of money at me to persuade me to do BJD2. See disparaging comment on sequels, above.;-) BJD2 will be a come-down for her at this point in her career. Bound to have better offers. I'm sure it's pure loyalty to Working Title that's she's succumbing. Wonder if Colin looks at these lists and wishes....:-((("}, {"response": 473, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (15:56)", "body": "(Dorine)Renee was in it constantly (and excellent). (Mari) Is there anything this girl can't do? A tremendous talent, IMO. If I were her, they'd have to throw an awful lot of money at me to persuade me to do BJD2 Can't remember now whether it's out that she's inked the deal, but if not, would imagine she could ask for a BIG bump up now just for the nom. Not Oscar yet, but wouldn't be surprised if she's there, too."}, {"response": 474, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (16:19)", "body": "Someone posted a comment about the costumes from GONY (strange looking appreviation!) and I just looked at a few of the pics with DDL. Was it Dorine who said they are authentic for the period and setting? Even so, they look very strange. I saw one with a group of men in top hats and blue ribbons. But it wasn't just that, there was more to it that seemed 'staged' and I can't say exactly why. Maybe that's the look MS was going for."}, {"response": 475, "author": "freddie", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (16:39)", "body": "(Evelyn) BJD2 will be a come-down for her at this point in her career. I'm not sure I understand why. BJD was a huge hit. I see lots of well-known actors take on big blockbuster flicks and then small art house ones. Do you mean in terms of salary or do you think the role is not 'big enough' for her now? TEoR won't be a 'smaller' film. The role is a major role, even if it doesn't pay what some others would. Or do you think the sequel aspect may follow along, as many other sequels have, and not live up to the original? Hopefully, with the same writing team and others involved, it will be one of those films that proves to be as good, or better than the original."}, {"response": 476, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (18:05)", "body": "Of course Jack Nicholson got a Golden Globe nomination. I think that it's in the bylaws of the Hollywood Foreign Press that Jack Nicholson is entitled to an obligatory nomination. *Grin* In all fairness, and reality, he did tie in the best actor category with Daniel Day-Lewis with the Los Angeles Film Critics. He also finished a close second to Day-Lewis in the same category with the New York Critics. I still think that Nicholson is in a rut insofar as his more recent work is concerned. As for those who admire his current body of work; you are in agreement with some people whose opinions are eminently qualified. The famous \"chicken salad\" scene from \"Five Easy Pieces\" is a cliche for representing a fact of modern life. Who really hasn't had to deal with a similar situation to that on atleast one, if not several, occasions? I think that the \"chicken salad\" scene may even have transcended cliche and become iconic, working it's way into not just American popular culture, but the popular culture of the English-speaking world. Much like the phrase \"a Charlie Brown Christmas tree\". So where am I going with a reference to that sad little tree, which isn't really such a bad little tree? It just needed some love. Why to seasonal greetings, of course! Have a Merry Christmas to all of those who celebrate Christmas. If not, have a wonderful time on the holidays which you observe. One more thing, to everyone, Happy New Year!"}, {"response": 477, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (18:26)", "body": "Evelyn) BJD2 will be a come-down for her at this point in her career. (Lisa)I'm not sure I understand why. Not many actors like to make sequels when they're on the way up. (I hear Sy Stallone is going to make Rocky VI....puhleeze) She has some interesting roles in the can....She's Ruby in Cold Mountain, Down with Love , a Doris Day redux with Ewan Mc Gregor. Why go to England and go backwards..."}, {"response": 478, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (20:56)", "body": "(Lisa) Someone posted a comment about the costumes from GONY (strange looking appreviation!) and I just looked at a few of the pics with DDL. Was it Dorine who said they are authentic for the period and setting? Even so, they look very strange. Well I didn't say they were pretty ;-)"}, {"response": 479, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (21:17)", "body": "(Dorine), But am waiting for the \"What the hell were you thinking saying he/she/it was good/bad?\" comments once everyone else has seen these flicks. ;-) (Mari), don't let me spoil your opinionated fun.;-) LOL! That's why we get along. :-D (Lisa),Someone posted a comment about the costumes from GONY (strange looking appreviation!) and I just looked at a few of the pics with DDL. Was it Dorine who said they are authentic for the period and setting? Even so, they look very strange. I made that comment from the previews that I saw of GONY. They looked out-of whack to me. Dorine, why do you think they looked authentic? In fact the what I saw looked liked a cartoon. I am sad to report that I was disappointed in The Two Towers. :-( I preferred the first LOTR."}, {"response": 480, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (22:29)", "body": "(Moon) I am sad to report that I was disappointed in The Two Towers. :-( I preferred the first LOTR. LOL! That's why we get along. :-D And can agree to disagree! I was bored stiff by the first one. Not a huge fan of the books, but really enjoyed TTT for the most part. At least I was engaged more than 20 mins in this one. Still about 20-30 mins too long, though. (Lisa)Someone posted a comment about the costumes from GONY (strange looking appreviation!) and I just looked at a few of the pics with DDL.....they look very strange. (Moon) I made that comment from the previews that I saw of GONY. They looked out-of whack to me. Dorine, why do you think they looked authentic? In fact the what I saw looked liked a cartoon. Couldn't the outfits worn by today's gangs also be considered \"like a cartoon\" compared to the way most people dress (excepting some eccentric NY'ers)? With their different colored bandanas/hats and coats, etc? As I remember, Scorsese discussed the costume and set design (as well as the accent on Bill) as authentic as possible in the Q&A he just did with DDL last week. Also found some info in an article in the U-San Bernadino Sun..... But on \"Gangs,\" Ferretti and Lo Schiavo (it's pronounced low-skee-ah-vo) naturally turned to the history books for set inspiration. \"A lot of it was made with books over there in New York, from the period,\" says Ferretti, who found New York's historical society helpful. \"Also, a lot came from pictures by (photographer) Jacob Riis.\" \"Gangs\" set decorator Lo Schiavo brought out the film's themes from the large-scale illustrations her husband churned out. In many cases, she says, reality meant dirt making sets as dirty as possible to reflect how lower-class people lived in those days. This made the contrast between some of the gangsters' vivid costumes and their environs even more apparent. While they have a bit of a wait before this cycle's Oscar nominations emerge, Ferretti and Lo Schiavo say they've already earned a bit of professional praise that makes up for not winning an Academy Award yet. Writer Luc Sante, author of \"Low Life,\" a 1992 book that dug back into the 19th-century New York gangs, saw their movie, Ferretti says. Sante also worked as a consultant on the \"Gangs\" and he liked their work. \"He saw it and he said, 'Oh my gosh, this is exactly what he described,'\" Ferretti remembers. \"I think people will see it and then decide if they like it.\" Scorsese did mention going to the Historical Society and some of the books they used. They may not be authentic down to the last thread. I believe the number of gangs had to be condensed for the movie as well, so possible elements of several gangs were incorporated into a few. I've read so many articles about the movie, I don't remember where I saw what."}, {"response": 481, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (22:40)", "body": "Oh yeah, and one more thing...Antwone Fisher. Have plenty O' Kleenex on hand with this one. Mostly near the end. And to Denzel Washington on his directorial debut...well done! Well done, indeed! The guy that played the title character was great. And of course DW was very good as well. Not a lot of range for his character, though. I thought it was an engrossing movie. Didn't explore the issue with DW's character and his wife enough and quickly explained it away at the end. Went into it blind for the most part. Knew Antwone Fisher was in the Navy and had to go see a psychiatrist played by DW. That was pretty much it. Didn't know he was a real person and wrote it, too. And a co-producing credit! Poor kid. It's not all sadness and tears (unless you're ultrasensitive). It's an interesting story."}, {"response": 482, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (23:01)", "body": "Am surprised no one has mentioned the huge omission in the Best Drama category - one of the most critically acclaimed films of the year."}, {"response": 483, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Dec 19, 2002 (23:28)", "body": "Besides Road to Perdition?"}, {"response": 484, "author": "townranny", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (01:23)", "body": "We interrupt these seemingly endless awards reports to bring you a bulletin from Contern Luxembourg. We join our hero nimbly perched atop a boulder along a fake canal wardrobed in regulation red fright wig, puffy pants, tights, curly shoes and pointed hat. CF:(mobile pressed against ear) Si mi amore! A combined total of 100 nominations for DiCaprio, Jack and Day-Lewis. Their movies haven't even been released yet. I could jump in the canal. What do they have they I don't have? LD: hmmphy, hmmph, hmmphy,hmmph, hmmphy, hmmph? CF: What was that, you're breaking up....Hollywood Friends, Hollywood Friends, Hollywood Friends....Oh. LD:hmmphy, hmmph, hmmphh ,mmph piggy wiggies CF: I know to think I could have had an Oscar for My Left Foot but I refused the toe painting audition. The rest is history. LD: hmmphy, mmphy, hmmphy, mmph tippy-tap, tippy-tap. CF: I don't think a cobbler shop in Umbria would be a good marketing tool mi amore. Besides you know I could never keep the family in shoes. LD: mmph, hmmphy,mmph, mmmphy shake! shake !shake! CF: Yes, I'm still very disappointed about the Chicago role. That Zeta-Jones is a real competitor. LD:hmmphy,mmphy, hmmphy, wee! wee! wee! CF: What do I do for fun around here? After a long days shoot, I go back to my room, get undressed and pop in a video cassette of the Ealing studios logo. It makes me tingly all over. LD: hmmpphy, mmphy mmph, mmph, slosh, slosh, slosh! CF: I don't know if I can summon the courage to walk down the virtual red carpet for the BAFTAS this year. The ABOUT A BOY role should have been mine. HUGE is a shoe-in. LD: hmmphy, mmph, hmmph, mmphy tippy... CF:No, for the last time we cannot open a cobler shop in Umbria. Well look, I think they're calling me for my big scene where I get to touch Griet's cheek. LD: hhmmphy, hmmph, hmmphy, hmmph, no,no,no CF: Yes, I'm wearing a condom under my puffy pants. Gotta go. Te amo. Ciao."}, {"response": 485, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (05:49)", "body": "Pffffftttttttttt.......!!!!!!!!!! kathleen, have you been drinking?????? Laughing all the way to bed, it being late here in the end of oz."}, {"response": 486, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (05:49)", "body": "land of..yes yes, I KNOW Karen.........."}, {"response": 487, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (07:58)", "body": "Very funny, Kathleen! (Dorine), Couldn't the outfits worn by today's gangs also be considered \"like a cartoon\" compared to the way most people dress Point well taken. I would certainly take those old ones to the way they dress today. Those gigantic Frankenstein sneakers with no socks and those ridiculous basketball players outfits? How could a girl ever be turned on by that? And to top it off, the shaved heads? I balme Michael Jordan and the rest of his clowns for starting it. This generation of kids lack personality. I say rebel and go back to 19th Century dress. ;-D Hell, I much prefer the hippy outfits. (Lucky for me my boys are preppie) phew!"}, {"response": 488, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (08:19)", "body": "NY TIMES review for GoNY http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/20/movies/20GANG.html?8mu \"This is historical filmmaking without the balm of right-thinking ideology, either liberal or conservative. Mr. Scorsese's bravery and integrity in advancing this vision can hardly be underestimated. This movie was a long time in the making, but its life has barely begun...\""}, {"response": 489, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (08:41)", "body": "I go back to my room, get undressed and pop in a video cassette of the Ealing studios logo. It makes me tingly all over. Well look, I think they're calling me for my big scene where I get to touch Griet's cheek. Yes, I'm wearing a condom under my puffy pants. Major morning chortles here. Brava, Kathleeen!!"}, {"response": 490, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (08:42)", "body": "Thanks for posting that Evelyn. Read most of it last night online and thought it was a very accurate and appreciated."}, {"response": 491, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (08:46)", "body": "(Dorine) Besides Road to Perdition? Yeah"}, {"response": 492, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (09:07)", "body": "From Empire: Critics' Choice 20/12/2002 Not to be outdone by the Golden Globe nominations yesterday, the London Film Critics Circle have now gone and weighed in with their pick of the year's cinematic offerings ready for their 23rd annual awards at the capital's Dorchester Hotel this February. Celebrating the best in both British and international film, the nominations mirror the Golden Globes' choice of Alexander Payne's About Schmidt as one of the stand out films of the year which joins Bowling for Columbine, the Aussie drama Lantana, Mendes' Road to Perdition and our personal favourite Donnie Darko. But there's no place for The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. Peter Jackson will just have to be happy with a nomination in the Best Director category. Less dominated by a mere handful of films than the Globe list, the Critics Circle's selection is a more inclusive bag all together with nods going towards a wide array of fantastic films. A fair summation of the classiest acts of the year, we reckon. British Film of the Year About a Boy All or Nothing Sweet Sixteen Film of the Year About Schmidt Bowling for Columbine Donnie Darko Lantana The Road to Perdition Foreign Language Film of the Year The Son\ufffds Room Talk to Her Y tu mama tambien British Director of the Year Mike Leigh - All or Nothing Sam Mendes - Road to Perdition Christopher Nolan - Insomnia Director of the Year Pedro Almodovar - Talk to Her Peter Jackson - Lord of the Rings:The Two Towers Phillip Noyce - The Quiet American British Actor of the Year Chiwetel Ejiofor - Dirty Pretty Things Ralph Fiennes - Spider Hugh Grant - About a Boy Actor of the Year Michael Caine - The Quiet American Jack Nicholson - About Schmidt Al Pacino \ufffd Insomnia British Actress of the Year Lesley Manville - All or Nothing Samantha Morton - Morven Callar Miranda Richardson \ufffd Spider Actress of the Year Kerry Armstrong - Lantana Halle Berry - Monster\ufffds Ball Stockard Channing - The Business of Strangers British Actor of the Year in a Supporting Role Paul Bettany A Beautiful Mind Kenneth Branagh Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Jude Law Road to Perdition British Actress of the Year in a Supporting Role Shirley Henderson 24 Hour Party People Ruth Sheen All or Nothing Emily Watson Red Dragon British Newcomer of the Year Martin Compson - Sweet Sixteen Asif Kapadia - The Warrior Keira Knightley - Bend It Like Beckham British Screenwriter of the Year Steven Knight - Dirty Pretty Things Paul Laverty - Sweet Sixteen Mike Leigh - All or Nothing Screenwriter of the Year Andrew Bovell - Lantana David Self - Road to Perdition Nia Vardalos - My Big Fat Greek Wedding"}, {"response": 493, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (09:10)", "body": "An article about Alex Kingston, mentions Andrew Davies and has this inexplicable quote \"Efforts at similar costume dramas, such as Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth, have proved worthy, but not as popular.\" Wot?! Article - http://www.dailytelegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2002/12/20/nboad20.xml&sSheet=/news/2002/12/20/ixhome.html"}, {"response": 494, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (09:17)", "body": "British Actor of the Year Chiwetel Ejiofor - Dirty Pretty Things Surprising choice. I saw this and liked him, but... British Actor of the Year in a Supporting Role Kenneth Branagh Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets LOL. I really liked him in this. How is their \"year\" determined? Some of these are last year's? A Beautiful Mind? Monster's Ball?"}, {"response": 495, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (09:31)", "body": "The London Critics go by when a film \"actually\" opens in the UK, unlike what Bafta has now done to bring the films into line with what is eligible for an Oscar."}, {"response": 496, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (10:19)", "body": "(Karen) Am surprised no one has mentioned the huge omission in the Best Drama category - one of the most critically acclaimed films of the year. I'm going to say \"Minority Report\"...."}, {"response": 497, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (10:27)", "body": "one of the most critically acclaimed films of the year. Far From Heaven. I think they're calling me for my big scene where I get to touch Griet's cheek. LOL, Kathleen! I hope this isn't eclipsed by his other big scene where he gets to Look At Griet Longingly And Convey Repressed Emotion. And you people criticize Jack for donig the same ole, same ole?;-) ;-) Thanks for the Times review, Evelyn. What a beautifully and thoughtfully written piece. Kudos to the London critics for recognizing Insomnia, Al Pacino and Chris Nolan. Oh, and Jack, too.:-)"}, {"response": 498, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (10:37)", "body": "Far From Heaven Give the young lady a kewpie doll. And just think, a year from now, Kathleen can write another little story about how overjoyed Colin/LD are for all the nominations he'll be receiving for WAGW: Best Actor Supporting an American Teenage TV Actress, Best Actor Supporting Children on Two Continents, Best Actor Reprising British Stereotypical Roles, etc. Ooooh, cannot wait. ;-)"}, {"response": 499, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (10:53)", "body": "(Mari) Far From Heaven (Karen) Give the young lady a kewpie doll. LOL...I'm just going to stay out of this until I see a few more of the movies...I saw \"Far From Heaven\" in the list, just assumed it was nom'd for Best Picture (it was Julianne Moore)."}, {"response": 500, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (11:13)", "body": "*Laughing through my tears, Karen!* I still say 2003 might be the year he finally nabs that MTV award--\"Category: Best, Like, Old Guy\" Tress, actually Minority Report would have been my other guess. Entertainment Weekly puts together an annual list of the best reviewed films (based on about 10 critics from around the country), and MR was in 5th place, I think."}, {"response": 501, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (11:47)", "body": "MTV award--\"Category: Best, Like, Old Guy\" Didn't they retire this category because Jack kept winning, year after year? ;-)"}, {"response": 502, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (12:09)", "body": "I was about to say \"Heaven\", but at least I would've been partly right ;)"}, {"response": 503, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (12:48)", "body": "(Mari), his other big scene where he gets to Look At Griet Longingly And Convey Repressed Emotion. And you people criticize Jack for donig the same ole, same ole?;-) ;-) You got us there! LOL! Miami Herald gave GONY 2 1/2 stars, and this guy loves MS. Gave Adaptation the max 4 stars. Read at http://www.miami.com go to arts. Gotta run to the elementary school for a party."}, {"response": 504, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (14:40)", "body": "Thank you all for the award lists and interesting article. What a good day. My personal faves are RZ Chicago and DDL. They say he is astounding. Kathleen, marvelous LOL."}, {"response": 505, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (14:49)", "body": "(Mari), his other big scene where he gets to Look At Griet Longingly And Convey Repressed Emotion. And you people criticize Jack for donig the same ole, same ole?;-) ;-) (Moon)You got us there! LOL! Ah, maybe so, but I would MUCH rather watch ODB doing same ole, same ole, the view is so much more agreeable. ;-)"}, {"response": 506, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 20, 2002 (17:21)", "body": "Got to see CoNY this aft. Have to agree with the critics on everything. Yes, DDL is magnificent, but I'll post those comments on his topic. This movie will stand the test of time.I was particularly interested because it's my neighborhood...the 18th precinct. Nice to know what it looked like in 1863 . Yikes! However, for my taste it was v. v. gory and a tad long. I still prefer RTP. I felt \"Gangs\" was dragged in parts and RTP's story is tighter. I was lost at times in \"Gangs\". Aesthically I prefer Sam Mendes' theatre. But this is worth seeing. ~~~~~~~~~~~ LOL. Karen. Perhaps MTV will also give him \"Father of the Year\".He seems to be on that kick."}, {"response": 507, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Dec 21, 2002 (09:13)", "body": "I've heard Govida chocolates mentioned in Fanfic a number of times, and until recently, hadn't had the opportunity to try them. Then my DH and I spent the weekend in Brussels, and he bought me a box - absolutely delicious!! The other day, he returned from a business meeting in London. One of the Belgian delegates brought with him an enormous box of Godiva chocolates which they all tucked into. Did he save any for me? Did he hell!! Arghh!!!"}, {"response": 508, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 21, 2002 (10:21)", "body": "Beginning reports on the nominated films... I've seen About Schmidt. And my response is: What *is* the big deal? Yes, it's an enjoyable movie and Jack is v.g. but still what is the big deal here. It's about a man who, after retiring, wonders what his life has all been about and has he mattered. Yeah, so? The men (mature one especially) really laughed themselves silly on this one. Lots to identify with. But I kept wondering would a movie about a 66-year-old woman in a similar situation even get made let alone be considered for such acclaim. I expect that one to be shown on the Lifetime channel. :-( And the trailer is completely misleading on this one. From that, you'd expect it all to be about when he meets the fruitcake family his daughter is marrying into. That's only about the last half hour of the film. It is all About Schmidt. He is the entire film. Everybody else is a minor character here. Jack is the film and no doubt accounts for his nomination, and he is not doing the cliched Jack of old, as he's a man in nearly a catatonic state or at least looks like it. Good film, well made but not IMO an Oscar-class Best Picture of year."}, {"response": 509, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 21, 2002 (10:21)", "body": "As far as themes go, did we not just see this (and more) in American Beauty?"}, {"response": 510, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec 21, 2002 (11:10)", "body": "(Karen)The men (mature one especially) really laughed themselves silly on this one. Ahem...rated #1 in \"Modern Maturity\";-)He's their poster boy....no kidding."}, {"response": 511, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Dec 21, 2002 (12:05)", "body": "(Karen), I've seen About Schmidt. And my response is: What *is* the big deal? I saw that coming. This is a film that can be a rental, IMO. (note to Mari);-) (Evelyn), Have to agree with the critics on everything. Have all the critics been saying the same thing?"}, {"response": 512, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Dec 21, 2002 (12:22)", "body": "This hardly seems to fit here, with all the film talk (hey, Karen, maybe we should have a separate topic for birthday celebrations???), but I wanted to mention that there's a Drool birthday coming up this coming week (Dorine, on December 24), but we've decided to delay the party knowing that a lot of people won't be around. We'll celebrate on January 2."}, {"response": 513, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec 21, 2002 (13:27)", "body": "(Evelyn), Have to agree with the critics on everything. (Moon)Have all the critics been saying the same thing? All the ones I read."}, {"response": 514, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Dec 21, 2002 (14:33)", "body": "Toronto Film Critics Association Awards Best Film Adaptation. (Columbia) Directed by Spike Jonze Runners-Up: Punch-Drunk Love (Columbia) Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson Y Tu Mam\ufffd Tambi\ufffdn (IFC FIlms) Directed by Alfonson Cuar\ufffdn Best Male Performance Nicolas Cage, Adaptation. (Columbia) Runners-Up: Daniel Day-Lewis, Gangs Of New York (Miramax) Jack Nicholson, About Schmidt (New Line) Best Female Performance Julianne Moore, Far From Heaven (Focus) Runners-Up: Maggie Gyllenhaal, Secretary (Lions Gate) Isabelle Huppert, The Piano Teacher (Kino) Best Male Supporting Performance Chris Cooper, Adaptation. (Columbia) Runners-Up: Paul Newman, Road To Perdition (DreamWorks) Dennis Quaid, Far From Heaven (Focus) Best Female Supporting Performance Emily Watson, Punch-Drunk Love (Columbia) Runners-Up: Kathy Bates, About Schmidt (New Line) Toni Collette, About A Boy (Universal) Best Director Paul Thomas Anderson, Punch-Drunk Love (Columbia) Runners-Up: Alfonso Cuar\ufffdn, Y Tu Mam\ufffd Tambi\ufffdn (IFC Films) Todd Haynes, Far From Heaven (Focus Films) Best Screenplay Charlie and Donald Kaufman, Adaptation. (Columbia) Runners-Up: David Hare, The Hours (Paramount) Paul Thomas Anderson, Punch-Drunk Love (Columbia) Best Documentary Bowling For Columbine (MGM) Directed by Michael Moore Runners-Up: Gambling, Gods & L.S.D. (Odeon) Directed by Peter Mettler Standing In The Shadows Of Motown (Artisan) Directed by Paul Justman Best First Feature Atanarjuat (The Fast Runner) (Lot 47) Directed by Zacharias Kunuk Runners-Up: Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind (Miramax) Directed by George Clooney Igby Goes Down (MGM) Directed by Burr Steers Best Canadian Film Atanarjuat (The Fast Runner) (Lot 47) Directed by Zacharias Kunuk Runners-Up: Un Crabe Dans La T\ufffdte (Film Tonic) Directed by Andr\ufffd Turpin F.U.B.A.R. (Odeon) Directed by Michael Dowse Special Citation for Best Film Not To Receive A Proper Theatrical Release in Canada Donnie Darko Directed by Richard Kelly"}, {"response": 515, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Dec 22, 2002 (10:18)", "body": "(Moon)I saw that coming. This is a film that can be a rental, IMO. (note to Mari);-) I will have to see it myself before deciding whether it's a rental.;-) ;-) Off to see GONY . . ."}, {"response": 516, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec 22, 2002 (16:52)", "body": "(Moon)I saw that coming. This is a film that can be a rental, IMO. (note to Mari);-) (Mari)I will have to see it myself before deciding whether it's a rental.;-) ;-) Speaking of rentals....\"Maid in Manhattan\" Believe the critics. Baaad. Though not as bad as \"The Avengers\". More on Rafe on #40 Basically , another teen-flick. To prove:They showed the trailer of WAGW. Colin has cute smile after Amanda's Bee Gees comment."}, {"response": 517, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Dec 22, 2002 (18:35)", "body": "(Evelyn) Colin has cute smile after Amanda's Bee Gees comment. He sure does. Does anybody know if the WAGW trailer is also being shown with TWN?"}, {"response": 518, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 22, 2002 (22:15)", "body": "Yes, the WAGW trailer was shown with TWN; both are WB films. Overall, I liked GoNY except three things: (1) Last shot. Could see it coming from a mile away and was silently praying he wouldn't do it. Wish they hadn't succumbed to the maudlin. (2) The musical score, except U2's song at end. (3) can't remember. Know there were three things. Gaah! But will come back to me. I had no trouble with the gore, the accents, or the costumes, although I was having a hard time trying to figure out what kind of underground cavernl they could be living in behind the church's facade. Caverns? Isn't NY built on very hard limestone, which made digging the subways and setting the foundations for the skyscrapers very difficult. Where are these caverns? :-( DDL was great and I managed to accept even Cameron Diaz. Loved seeing all sorts of other actors here and there, but in reading the credits, I missed David Bamber and Tim Pigott-Smith. And I believe we saw why barber shops eventually had to close on election days. LOL!"}, {"response": 519, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Dec 22, 2002 (22:51)", "body": "(Karen) Yes, the WAGW trailer was shown with TWN; both are WB films. Thanks for the report. I know they're both from WB, but it didn't necessarily follow that they'd promote WAGW before TWN, as opposed to other upcoming WB movies. Seems like they're starting very early with WAGW - most of the other WB movies that were promoted with HP were due out within about 4-6 weeks."}, {"response": 520, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Dec 22, 2002 (23:08)", "body": "I liked GONY very much. Thought it was a bit long, but I honestly don't have a suggestion about how they could have cut it. I thought the performances were all very good. Bill the Butcher has all the best lines, and DDL delivers a very memorable performance. WHOOPS-A DAISY!;-) I also thought Leo was very good--he has the far less flashy but, in a way, more difficult role. Not a scenery chewing role. Thought Cameron Diaz was fine. Re: the Butcher's accent--none of the others--even the so-called \"natives\" spoke like that. I think it was a DDL invention that actually does work well--his lines are funnier with it. Bill has that eloquent vocabulary and it sounds funny juxtaposed with the accent he used. (1) Last shot. Could see it coming from a mile away and was silently praying he wouldn't do it. Wish they hadn't succumbed to the maudlin. To me, it didn't come off as maudlin. Yes we see the towers in the background, but I think the larger point was what's in the foreground. The gravestones are knocked over and unkept; in the final analysis, these guys were forgotten and unimportant. (2) The musical score, except U2's song at end. For me the U-2 song--while a good one--didn't work at all. It's called \"The Hands That Built America.\" Huh? I figured maybe Scorsese was being ironic. By the time my people came here in the early 1900s, they were lucky there was an America left, after these hoodlums. These guys built nothing. A great city--and the most pluralistic society in the world--was built despite them. Toward the end, we can see that Bill's time has passed. Anyway, a very worthwhile and thought-provoking film. Thumbs up from me."}, {"response": 521, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 23, 2002 (00:54)", "body": "OK, maybe not maudlin, but trite. And yes, I noticed the gravestones were all gone. I would've preferred they not update the cityscape. And, as I said on the DDL topic, most of the \"natives\" were not native born, like Bill. Despite his prejudices, he did take in that scum that slid off the gangplanks. These guys built nothing. A great city--and the most pluralistic society in the world--was built despite them. Eoww! I would vociferously disagree. Boss Tweed was part of that and was a very lasting influence in the way all the major cities were ultimately run and built. I very much enjoyed seeing the American political machine in its early days."}, {"response": 522, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec 23, 2002 (07:30)", "body": "I was talking about the gangs. They contributed nothing, except mayhem. Contrast with the other millions of law-abiding immigrants."}, {"response": 523, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Dec 23, 2002 (09:24)", "body": "So has anyone seen Adaptation? I'm going today. :-)"}, {"response": 524, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 23, 2002 (09:31)", "body": "Try \"A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.\" ;-) I do disagree about the gangs, as they've always been an important fiber of our urban development and the immigrant experience. They've continued (can you say Godfather or Once Upon a Time in America?) and still exist. I noticed things like the gang colors and apparel, no different from today. Which reminds me, where do you get a gang jacket for the Plug Uglies? ;-) Contrast with the other millions of law-abiding immigrants. I don't disagree, but I don't think that is what the movie and the last shot were all about. Of course I can be wrong. Let's have Dorine ask Marty next time she sees him. ;-)"}, {"response": 525, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec 23, 2002 (11:22)", "body": "they've always been an important fiber of our urban development and the immigrant experience. For the small minority. But that's the group he chose to focus on and make a movie about, and that's fine. Just as Coppola made films about the Mafia. I don't disagree, but I don't think that is what the movie and the last shot were all about. I don't think that's what the film is about either, was just throwing my view in there.:-)"}, {"response": 526, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Dec 23, 2002 (12:45)", "body": "Seasonal Topic: ...To All!"}, {"response": 527, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec 23, 2002 (13:15)", "body": "I wonder if he threw in that ending after 9/11. It did sort of go into a Nova documentary mode. I missed Mr. Colins too...but with all that dirt and grime doubt I would have recognized him. Cameron Diaz has come a long way . In this month's Vanity Fair she credits Scorsese for her perfomance. Says he draws the best out of the actors."}, {"response": 528, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 23, 2002 (13:20)", "body": "(Evelyn) I missed Mr. Colins too...but with all that dirt and grime doubt I would have recognized him. In the credits, he's listed as gentleman on the omnibus, which I'm guessing was the streetcar Cameron Diaz used for Madison Ave. He might have been the guy sitting next to her who tried to pick her up, cause she was such a lady."}, {"response": 529, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Dec 23, 2002 (21:38)", "body": "Murph, thanks for the Holiday cheer although Colin looks like he's behind bars. LOL! Or maybe those red fingernails keep him there. ;-) I saw Adaptation. I was very disappointed! It was very self-indulgent and not that funny. It is such a mystery to me why the critics ignored his last film Human Nature, which is absolutely brilliant and they're raving about this one. If I lose faith in CK, who else is left for me to like in Hollywood? I can see a best supporting actor nomination there. Merry Christmas to the lovely Firthettes!"}, {"response": 530, "author": "townranny", "date": "Tue, Dec 24, 2002 (07:35)", "body": "Unbelievable parties this year!!! Great job Thanks everyone!!!"}, {"response": 531, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Tue, Dec 24, 2002 (08:00)", "body": "Happy Holidays to you all !!"}, {"response": 532, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Dec 24, 2002 (09:02)", "body": "To all of you who had a birthday this past year, Happy Birthday. :-P New Year's resolution: learn how to upload pictures via my Yahoo-ey address. Mery Christmas to my fellow Firthlings."}, {"response": 533, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec 24, 2002 (09:32)", "body": "A very Merry Christmas to all who celebrate it! Too bad about Adaptation, Moon. Sounds like a rental.;-) My son saw LOTR--TTT and said it was a big bore. Thank goodness he was old enough this year to go with his friends so I didn't have to sit through it as I did last year . . . zzzzzzz. Bring on Chicago and Catch Me If You Can!:-)"}, {"response": 534, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 24, 2002 (09:42)", "body": "(Mari) Too bad about Adaptation, Moon. Sounds like a rental.;-) LOL! Actually, I give it a big thumbs up. It was \"originally derivative.\" ;-) But I don't think most of my audience understood what was going on in the third act. I was laughing; they appeared to be taking it seriously. Excellent performances and v. funny. Brian Cox was so much better than Tom Cruise (Magnolia) as the guru/huckster seminar king. I'm looking forward to The Hours. Opens here on Friday. Yesssssssssss!!"}, {"response": 535, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Dec 24, 2002 (10:24)", "body": "(Karen), But I don't think most of my audience understood what was going on in the third act. That was the only salvable part. Saw too many films in this one. Not as original as he normally is. Talk about Deux ex machina!!! I'm looking forward to The Hours. Opens here on Friday. Me too! (Mari) Too bad about Adaptation, Moon. Sounds like a rental.;-) Indeed it is. If anyone is looking for a great film to rent for the Holidays, I suggest \"Human Nature,\" it is a hoot!"}, {"response": 536, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 24, 2002 (11:37)", "body": "(Moon) If anyone is looking for a great film to rent for the Holidays, I suggest \"Human Nature,\" it is a hoot! Where do you find these films? Me thinks you make them up;-)"}, {"response": 537, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec 24, 2002 (11:46)", "body": "Ok, so maybe Adaptation is one of those that I have to see for myself before deciding upon rental vs. theater.;-) The Hours doesn't open here for at least another week.:-( Will be heading to NYC for a long weekend--have tickets for Baz's La Boheme!:-)"}, {"response": 538, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Dec 24, 2002 (11:56)", "body": "In my surfing around for Crowe news each day, I came across a bit about Heath Ledger and how he likes older women. Naomi Watts is his current squeeze, but a past one was.... Lisa Zane! I hadn't seen her name for dog's years, though my huuby who keeps up with cable films, says she is still making movies. Mari! La Boheme! Let us know how it was. My list of films still to see is: GONY (later this week) Rabbit Proof Fence Talk To Her The Hours I had wanted to see Adaptation for Chris Cooper and Meryl Streep, but now I'm not so sure."}, {"response": 539, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 24, 2002 (12:05)", "body": "Rabbit Proof Fence is fantastic. (have seen it twice) You will be amazed at eerily similar KB's part is to Heydrich's. The girl who plays Molly is wonderful. Now, *that* is a child actor who should get some recognition, but I guess she isn't as Hollywood \"cute\" as a Dakota Fanning or Haley Joel Osment. :-("}, {"response": 540, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Dec 24, 2002 (17:30)", "body": "Thank you all for the imaginative, so very funny, and graphically astonishing postings. It is always such a pleasure to enjoy the wonderful talent that gathers here. Happy Holidays."}, {"response": 541, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Dec 24, 2002 (19:38)", "body": "Just a quick Merry Xmas to all who celebrate! For all those who will be traveling, especially in the big storm, be careful and take your time. :-)"}, {"response": 542, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec 24, 2002 (22:47)", "body": "It's snowing! Heavily! Take it away Bing . . . I'm dreaming of a White Christmas . . . Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!"}, {"response": 543, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Wed, Dec 25, 2002 (03:14)", "body": "Happy Holidays Everyone"}, {"response": 544, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Dec 27, 2002 (10:34)", "body": "I understand Time Magazine said The Hours was the worst film of the year. You should read today's review in the NY Times! Totally the opposite. Warning -- Spoilers.... December 27, 2002 Who's Afraid Like Virginia Woolf? By STEPHEN HOLDEN In \"The Hours\" Nicole Kidman tunnels like a ferret into the soul of a woman besieged by excruciating bouts of mental illness. As you watch her wrestle with the demon of depression, it is as if its torment has never been shown on the screen before. Directing her desperate, furious stare into the void, her eyes not really focusing, Ms. Kidman, in a performance of astounding bravery, evokes the savage inner war waged by a brilliant mind against a system of faulty wiring that transmits a searing, crazy static into her brain. But since that woman is the English writer Virginia Woolf (a prosthetic nose helps Ms. Kidman achieve an uncanny physical resemblance), her struggle is a losing battle. On March 28, 1941, Woolf, hounded by inner voices while in the throes of her fourth breakdown, put a stone in her pocket and drowned herself in the Ouse River near the English country house she shared with her husband, Leonard. And in the opening scene of \"The Hours,\" the eloquent, somber screen adaptation of Michael Cunningham's meditation on that suicide (it won the 1998 Pulitzer Prize for fiction), Woolf scrawls an anguished farewell letter to her husband, then hurries into the muddy water like Joan of Arc embracing the fire, accompanied by the churning, ethereal strains of Philip Glass's score. The deeply moving film, directed by Stephen Daldry (\"Billy Elliot\") from a screenplay by David Hare that cuts to the bone, is an amazingly faithful screen adaptation of a novel that would seem an unlikely candidate for a movie. A delicate, layered reflection that skips around through time, \"The Hours,\" which opens today in New York, is Mr. Cunningham's homage to Woolf's first great novel, \"Mrs. Dalloway,\" published in 1925. Woolf's novel details a day in the life of Clarissa Dalloway, a conventional upper-class Englishwoman giving a party, who experiences nagging intimations of the more adventurous life she might have led. On the same day, Septimus Warren Smith, a character in the novel whom she never meets but with whom she shares some of the same observations, commits suicide. Five years ago \"Mrs. Dalloway\" was adapted into a shallow, unsatisfying film starring Vanessa Redgrave. In accomplishing the virtually impossible feat of bringing to the screen that novel's introspective essence, the director and the screenwriter of \"The Hours\" have righted a wrong, albeit by proxy, through Mr. Cunningham's intuitive channeling. A central idea animating \"Mrs. Dalloway\" and embodied in its stream-of-consciousness language is that people who never meet, like Clarissa Dalloway and Septimus Warren Smith, are connected by experiencing the same external events. \"The Hours\" extends that idea through the decades to celebrate the timelessness of great literature by placing the author, her fictional alter ego and two of her latter-day readers in the same sphere of consciousness. Interweaving flashbacks from Woolf's life as she was writing \"Mrs. Dalloway\" with scenes from the lives of Laura Brown (Julianne Moore), a Southern California housewife and mother in 1951, and Clarissa Vaughan (Meryl Streep), a New York book editor living in contemporary Greenwich Village, their stories blend into a lofty, mystical theme and variations on Woolf's novel. Laura, who is depressed and agitated, is reading \"Mrs. Dalloway\" on the same day she is baking a birthday cake for her husband, Dan (John C. Reilly), a blunt, hale World War II veteran who dotes on her and barely notices her anguish. Observing and absorbing Laura's distress is her timid, fiercely clinging young son, Richie (Jack Rovello). While baking the cake, Laura receives a surprise visit from a brightly perky neighbor, Kitty (Toni Collette), who is about to go into the hospital to be tested for cancer and admits she's frightened. Meanwhile, in New York, Clarissa Vaughan (named after Woolf's character) is planning a celebration for her closest friend, Richard Brown (Ed Harris), a poet in the advanced stages of AIDS who has just won a prestigious award. As the movie folds these stories together, it emerges that Richard is Laura's grown-up son. And in a huge risk that pays off, the movie gives the dying poet a sudden flashback to the scared little boy he was (and fundamentally still is). Another bold surreal touch imagines Laura lying on a bed that's suddenly engulfed by the river that took Woolf. Clarissa and Richard were lovers when they were younger, but both eventually chose partners of the same sex. Richard had a long affair with Louis Waters (Jeff Daniels), now a college professor in San Francisco, who shows up for the celebration of the award. Clarissa has lived for years with a woman, Sally Lester (Allison Janney), and has a college-age daughter, Julia (Claire Danes"}, {"response": 545, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan  2, 2003 (18:05)", "body": "Thanks, Murph for the good wishes. Will check the actual one out later. Evelyn, 'ugs back at ya! I hope your friends aren't representative of what I'm to expect in men now, nice as friendly as they appear. ;-) And Harv! What a ple...er, an unexpected surprise! How did you get in here? Is your name on the list with the girl at the door with the clipboard? Nice of you to *finally* acknowledge my presence when we're in the same room. Thought I'd have to start resorting to tripping you get you to speak to me rather than just looking at me like I don't belong. Since it's my birthday (1 1/2 weeks ago) , I have a second question for you.....What's up with your marketing plan? Is it possible that when you release that movie with Colin that's worthy of his talent, you could put it in more than 2 theaters per state for more than 2 weeks at a time? Gas is going to get a whole lot more expensive soon. BTW, nice job on Chicago! Lizza....had to give up those pretty, yet unpractical corsets and frilly things. Can't do it alone.....though when the fashion show is over, maybe the model can help. But wait! *slapping head* I shouldn't be asking him to help put clothes on.... Hey Armand...nice breeches there. ;-P Just hold that pose. And big thanks to the hostesses....my Latte Diva sisters for organizing this swanky tea party and fashion show!"}, {"response": 546, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan  2, 2003 (18:06)", "body": "Thanks, Murph for the good wishes. Will check the actual one out later. Evelyn, 'ugs back at ya! I hope your friends aren't representative of what I'm to expect in men now, nice as friendly as they appear. ;-) And Harv! What a ple...er, an unexpected surprise! How did you get in here? Is your name on the list with the girl at the door with the clipboard? Nice of you to *finally* acknowledge my presence when we're in the same room. Thought I'd have to start resorting to tripping you get you to speak to me rather than just looking at me like I don't belong. Since it's my birthday (1 1/2 weeks ago), I have a second question for you.....What's up with your marketing plan? Is it possible that when you release that movie with Colin that's worthy of his talent, you could put it in more than 2 theaters per state for more than 2 weeks at a time? Gas is going to get a whole lot more expensive soon. BTW, nice job on Chicago! Lizza....had to give up those pretty, yet unpractical corsets and frilly things. Can't do it alone.....though when the fashion show is over, maybe the model can help. But wait! *slapping head* I shouldn't be asking him to help put clothes on.... Hey Armand...nice breeches there. ;-P Just hold that pose. And big thanks to the hostesses....my Latte Diva sisters for organizing this swanky tea party and fashion show!"}, {"response": 547, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Jan  2, 2003 (19:25)", "body": "Happy Birthday Dorine and thanks for all your info over the year! Knowing that the Queen just made her annual awards, I think we need our own here and you should be the first recipient for services rendered and in honor of your birthday. Perhaps some graphically inclined drooleur would want to design a Drool Meritorious Service award (with palm leaf clusters.) I think that would be a fitting commemorative! And thanks to the Latte Divas for the floor show...I mean fashion show! Is tucking appropriate?"}, {"response": 548, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Jan  2, 2003 (19:30)", "body": "Dorine, happy birthday! What a firthwhile fashion show in your honor! Hope you understood the analogy I was making the other day on 166 between us and ladies from TIOBE :-) Shall we be calling each other (Firth) sisters now? Anyway sometimes my parodies don't come off as well as I intend. So from one firth sister to another: Happy birthday and many more happy returns!"}, {"response": 549, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Jan  2, 2003 (19:55)", "body": "Happy birthday, Dorine! I left you another message but I think it's in another time zone because of the problem with the url. Anyway I hope you understood the analogy I was trying to make on 166 the other day between us and the ladies of TIOBE. But sometimes my parodies don't work that well... So I hope will shall be calling each other (Firth) sisters now. From one firthy sis to another: Happy birthday and many happy returns! Also thanks for the firthwhile fashion show in your honor (to the latte girls, Rika, and you). All the best to you!"}, {"response": 550, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jan  2, 2003 (20:41)", "body": "MANY MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY, DORINE AND MANY MANY MORE. What a great party ladies!!! and the guests !!!! You lucky girl you. This is much more fun than New Year's Eve!!!! Rika, outstanding party, as usual. Never realized how much fun tea could be."}, {"response": 551, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jan  2, 2003 (22:26)", "body": "HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY DORINE !!!! What wonderful guests at your marvelous tea party/fashion show. Must say the model looks vaguely familiar. Although I seem to recall him posing without clothing on occassions. As usual Rika, great job. Absolutely wonderful. I posted before but don't know where it went. Great job everyone."}, {"response": 552, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Jan  2, 2003 (22:50)", "body": "Happy Birthday Dorine and a very lbelatedHappy Birthday to Elizabeth"}, {"response": 553, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jan  3, 2003 (06:29)", "body": "If you're reading this you are on the *new* server. Thre is confusion now because some of you are getting to the old server and some are making it to the new server like Lucie, FanPam and Barb. Congratulations to you for making it over to the \"other side\". There are going to be some missing posts that didn't make it over from the old server but I can (or Karen R can) move these over to here in a \"catchup\" post. The good news is that you are among the first to make it to the new server, which I can't even do yet from my location."}, {"response": 554, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jan  3, 2003 (06:37)", "body": "I am bringing these posts over from the old server so we are up to date. Topic 168 of 172: 'Odds & Ends - Part 6' Resp 545 of 642: Mary Murphy (Brown32) Fri, Dec 27, 2002 (18:58) 4 lines That review I posted above has some major spoilers in it. So do not read if you want to see The Hours without knowing ahead what happens. So sorry! Topic 168 of 172: 'Odds & Ends - Part 6' Resp 546 of 642: Evelyn (lafn) Fri, Dec 27, 2002 (21:41) 8 lines Looks like not even Georgie-Porgie can pack 'em when a film isn't a \"crowd-pleaser\" \"STEVEN SODERBERGH'S \"Solaris,\" an abstract, moody science-fiction tale based on a novel by Stanislaw Lem, opened last month to largely positive reviews. Audience response, it seemed, has bordered on outright rejection. The film earned a rare distinction from CinemaScore, a research company that for the last 20 years has been surveying opening-night audiences at movie theaters around the country. Divided into age groups, the grades for \"Solaris\" were as follows: UNDER 21: F 21 TO 34: F 35 AND UP: F http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/22/movies/22KEHR.html?8mu Topic 168 of 172: 'Odds & Ends - Part 6' Resp 547 of 642: Mari (mari) Mon, Dec 30, 2002 (01:10) 7 lines I thought for sure I'd come back to oodles of reviews of all the films you've seen over the past weekend. I'm hoping to see Chicago tomorrow. Anyone seen it yet? How about The Hours? It was only playing in 2 or 3 theaters in NY. Saw La Boheme on B'Way. Terrific! Beautiful staging (what else from Baz L.?) and a wonderful young cast who can act as well as sing. If anyone wants to know more about the show, just ask. This one is a real celeb magnet. Garry Shandling was sitting two seats away; friendly and chatty, but he brings his own water and snacks! LOL! Heather Graham was across the aisle; she's much prettier and delicate looking in person. Marisa Tomei was a few rows back--gorgeous and tiny. Saw Matt Damon catching a smoke at intermission. Cute, and taller than I expected. Went to the Frick and saw their Vermeers; they have 3. Saw Catch Me If You Can last week; sweet, light-hearted romp. A good holiday-type film. Nice performances, especially from Leo DiC and Christopher Walken. Very evocative of the early '60s. Fun. Topic 168 of 172: 'Odds & Ends - Part 6' Resp 548 of 642: Mary Murphy (Brown32) Mon, Dec 30, 2002 (10:04) 74 lines Welcome back Mari! Liked \"Catch Me If You Can,\" especially Christopher Walken (Joe says he is the only REAL character in the film), and the opening credits. Here's a sweet quote from the Salon review: \"Except for his show-stopping number in \"Pennies From Heaven,\" Walken's talents as a hoofer have been criminally underused in movies. Watching him glide his wife around their living room provides \"Catch Me If You Can\" with one true, fleeting moment of bliss. You just want the movie to stop so you can watch Walken go on dancing. Perhaps it's that strange, innate reserve of Walken that allows him to play this man without lapsing into sentimentality, and why you allow your heart to break a little for him. This is Walken's most touching performance.\" I had posted the review in the Times for The Hours, but it contained major spoilers and I suggested not reading it if you haven't read the book. Rick Lyman in today's NY Times: A Big Fat Box Office Increase By RICK LYMAN LOS ANGELES, Dec. 29 \ufffd An awesome achievement! Enormously enriching! The biggest box-office year of all time! Sometime in the next few days, when the final figures dribble in from the farthest-flung theaters in the back end of nowhere, the crowing will begin in Hollywood about yet another record-shattering year at the movies. More than $9 billion worth of tickets were sold in North America in 2002, up about 10 percent over last year's record. Even with higher prices, actual attendance was up at least 5 percent, reaching levels not seen since Eisenhower was in the White House. But let's not pop those Champagne corks just yet. There are plenty of reasons for concern and doubt amid the hype and hyperventilating. This was the year of both \"Spider-Man\" and \"My Big Fat Greek Wedding,\" when the major studios embraced franchise series for dear life \ufffd the sequels, prequels, remakes, spinoffs and comic-book blockbusters that offer the path of least risk \ufffd and then declared themselves puzzled that audiences adopted an inexpensive, sentimental, starless comedy that at least offered something light, comforting and family friendly. It was also, by general consent in Hollywood, an unusually strong year for movies, spurred by well-regarded spring and summer fare like \"About a Boy,\" \"Insomnia,\" \"Minority Report\" and \"Road to Perdition\" and then bolstered by the best holiday movie season in years: critically acclaimed efforts like \"Chicago,\" \"The Hours,\" \"About Schmidt,\" \"Adaptation,\" \"Far From Heaven,\" \"Talk to Her,\" \"Nicholas Nickleby,\" \"Gangs of New York\" and \"The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.\" But it was also a year in which many of those films either struggled to fi"}, {"response": 555, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Jan  3, 2003 (09:44)", "body": "Glad to hear I'm not wandering around lost. I was able to change seamlessly just by entering www.spring.net. All the rest of you, just get your tails over here! Also glad to hear the completion of the fashion show has been delayed. The pics weren't showing up and I was following all the links to the pic but it's not the same."}, {"response": 556, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jan  3, 2003 (11:07)", "body": "Glad you're not lost, Barb S. We're just waiting for the rest of the guests to arrive. Karen will have a bit of updating to do once she gains admission again. I've done my best to update the conferences with the \"lost\" conversations."}, {"response": 557, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jan  3, 2003 (12:33)", "body": "Their are now people wnadering around on the old server who think they are on the new server. Soon, they will find their way and realize what is going on."}, {"response": 558, "author": "townranny", "date": "Fri, Jan  3, 2003 (12:53)", "body": "Guess I'm here! Hey who gave the directions to this party? Don't be afraid to stop and ask for directions like our DH's (sexist comment alert)! If you gone to the end of the earth - that's too far - we may need some designated drivers for this group!!!"}, {"response": 559, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan  3, 2003 (15:06)", "body": "OK, I appear to be over here on the new server. What a mess those transferred postings are. Let's not do anymore of that. Tres ugleeeeeeee! Sorry this had to happen on your birthday, Dorine, but as I recall we once had an outage on mine that lasted about 5 days. As Forrest Gump's T-shirt used to say... ;-)"}, {"response": 560, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jan  3, 2003 (15:42)", "body": "Sorry for the trasferred posts. Just wanted to keep things up to date ;-) There are still folks wandering around on the old server because their isp's don't refresh their server caches often enough."}, {"response": 561, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jan  3, 2003 (15:45)", "body": "Lisa (freddie) is over there and can't get here yet. And can't find DWG. I looked at http://www.austen.com and http://www.firth.com and they seem to be happy, but let me know of any \"glitches\" as there are bound to be a few."}, {"response": 562, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan  3, 2003 (16:04)", "body": "Yes, I know Terry, but I seem to recall you used to be able to overlay onto the new site so that they were merged in properly. I don't think there's anything else over there that requires copying but I'll take a look, using the old IP address."}, {"response": 563, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jan  3, 2003 (16:12)", "body": "They are hard to merge since folks are posting at both sites at the same time. I could move the whole topic over but then the new postings here would be wiped out and I would have the same dilemma."}, {"response": 564, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jan  3, 2003 (16:13)", "body": "You'll be glad to know that you have daily statistics now on this site, firth.com and Ann will be able to see stats on austen.com. I'll give Ann a call and see how she's doing."}, {"response": 565, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Jan  3, 2003 (18:03)", "body": "Thanks Terry and Karen for getting us here. And thanks Terry for transferring all the posts on topics. Yesterday I was a bit confused as I was going between both servers for some reason, but today I seem to be ok at the new home. Thanks everybody and hoping to see all of you here soon."}, {"response": 566, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan  3, 2003 (18:15)", "body": "Ok, I think I'm here now. Weird."}, {"response": 567, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Jan  3, 2003 (18:39)", "body": "Ok, back now, clicking the heels must have worked. But I was just thinking on the way home from work it must be about time for more ALRTH. Should we send a search party out for Lisa?"}, {"response": 568, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Jan  3, 2003 (18:51)", "body": "LOL, Barb, I'm sitting here doing a last little edit on it, but I have emailed Karen to be sure it's ok to post with all the mess that's going on."}, {"response": 569, "author": "townranny", "date": "Fri, Jan  3, 2003 (18:58)", "body": "Hey Barb, Don't you mean AOSWD (Any Old Shrub Will Do?). Thanks, Lisa! Will look forward to it. And I will post in the right place (Fan -Fic). When the troops regroup."}, {"response": 570, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Jan  3, 2003 (19:08)", "body": "I don't think I'm going to post until I hear from Karen. My topic doesn't show all the current posts in FF. It stops at #148, before my post of Ch 22 of UMS."}, {"response": 571, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Jan  3, 2003 (20:25)", "body": "The one day I DON'T come online, we have a wonderful birthday tea party along with apparently a stimulatingly (is this a word, maybe?)lovely fashion show and I am assuming because Terry transferred the old posts to the new server that I can't see the show Harvey, I can see..but who (in all honesty now) wants to see Harvey? This is so so typical of my luck....sheesh. Dorine, Happy Birthday! I hope you had a wonderful day, so sorry I'm late."}, {"response": 572, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Jan  3, 2003 (21:20)", "body": "(Ada) This is so so typical of my luck....sheesh. LOL Ada though in truth, I believe this twilight zone thing disrupted it for most of us -- I mostly just saw little boxes with x's. Perhaps we could importune the lovely and talented people responsible (insert fawning winkie)to run it again? (Any Old Shrub Will Do?) LOL Kathleen, that's the one. And that actually works for the other one she's got going too -- Any Old Shower Will Do. Nice to see you made it Lisa. :-D"}, {"response": 573, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Jan  3, 2003 (23:00)", "body": "(Dorine)Got caught in that alternate Drool universe some of the posts are ending up at. Trying to navigate this site now is reminiscent of Blackadder flip-flopping through time in B&F. LOL! What a great way to put it. Thanks for rescuing Barb and me from that \"alternate Drool universe\" - it was very weird. But I seem to be in the right place now. Though I don't know what I'm doing right or differently this time as opposed to last night during Dorine's b-day party. Thanks Terry and Karen for putting it right. Would love to see the fashion show again too since many of Rika's (I'm sure lovely) pics were X's in my \"alternate drool universe.\" :-)"}, {"response": 574, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Jan  4, 2003 (00:42)", "body": "Hi, everybody - so glad to be at our new playground! Just wanted to let you know that your tea party hostesses intend to repost the entire tea party/fashion show starting Sunday afternoon/evening. We know a lot of people missed it and want to rectify that situation. We'll wait till Sunday just in case there are any stragglers who are still wandering around lost in cyberspace."}, {"response": 575, "author": "maryw", "date": "Sat, Jan  4, 2003 (11:06)", "body": "Just dropping in to say hello and wish all dear Drooleurs a safe and prosperous 2003! Am settling in to my new home in another continent. Certainly no prospect of CF sightings here, not even CF movie viewings. I hope you all get to see ODB this year to make up for my deprivation. Don't know when I'll be back...but you are all always remembered fondly. Enjoy!"}, {"response": 576, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sat, Jan  4, 2003 (14:51)", "body": "Minkee! Good to see you back! Happy New Year to you too! And anything we can do to help with the deprivation, let us know...care package, whatever! Good luck!"}, {"response": 577, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Jan  4, 2003 (16:29)", "body": "Karen: Without the use of slippers or any other accessories, it seems I finally made it here. Thank you very much indeed!!!! Rika: Looking forward to the re-run and continuing of the fashionshow. I hope, you won't need roses for this one, since I don't seem to have much luck in the delivery-department."}, {"response": 578, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sat, Jan  4, 2003 (19:53)", "body": "For some reason, I feel like I'm all alone here. HELLO????"}, {"response": 579, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Jan  4, 2003 (22:05)", "body": "Hi everybody - glad to see everyone is making it here."}, {"response": 580, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sat, Jan  4, 2003 (22:36)", "body": "Minkee, so glad to hear from you. You are missed. So, there is a new Minkeeland! Wishing you the best of luck in your new endeavors and wishing you a happy, healthy New Year - may lots mirth and Firth come your way. Let us know what we can do to help!"}, {"response": 581, "author": "freddie", "date": "Sat, Jan  4, 2003 (23:27)", "body": "Minkee.... I have wondered where you've been and what you're up to! Where in the world are you? Surely, if you have little CF where you've moved, you really need to check in here regularly! Good Luck in your new home! Lisa"}, {"response": 582, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Jan  5, 2003 (05:36)", "body": "I'm setting up a topic in the unix conference linked to the web conference. It's help for drool authoris and administrators and other site administrators and austhors. I's called authors and administrators help and you'll find out how to enjoy life with the new system if you're in one of these categories. I got a very insightful email from wx5u@tcares.org - Mickey - whoi has spent time as a user poking around. Today I'm going to masquerade as Karenr and various other authors and administrators and try to understand what life is like for them."}, {"response": 583, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Jan  5, 2003 (09:04)", "body": "Hi all, I wanted to let you know that the reprise of the tea party/fashion show may be delayed. My web space for pictures hasn't been set up yet on the new server and, until it is, I have no place to put all those photos of our model in his various ensembles. And hi, Minkee! Great to hear from you!"}, {"response": 584, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Jan  5, 2003 (09:13)", "body": "'Pianist' Tops National Critics Awards Sat Jan 4, 9:51 PM ET Add Entertainment - AP to My Yahoo! NEW YORK (AP) - \"The Pianist,\" the biography of a Polish-Jewish pianist and Holocaust survivor, took top prizes for best picture, director, actor and screenplay at the National Society of Film Critics (news - web sites) awards Saturday. Alfonso Cuaron (news)'s coming-of-age romp \"Y Tu Mama Tambien\" came in second in the best picture voting, while Pedro Almodovar's \"Talk to Her,\" a film about a nurse caring for a comatose ballet dancer, came in third. The group of 55 newspaper and magazine film critics held its 37th awards ceremony at Sardi's Restaurant in Manhattan. The critics honored Roman Polanski (news) for directing \"The Pianist,\" actor Adrien Brody (news) for his portrayal of Wladyslaw Szpilman, and Ronald Harwood for the screenplay. Diane Lane (news) was named best actress for playing an adulterous housewife in \"Unfaithful.\" She finished far ahead in the weighted voting, which awarded decreasing numbers of points to critics' first, second and third choices, of Maggie Gyllenhaal (news) in \"Secretary\" and Isabelle Huppert in \"The Piano Teacher.\" Christopher Walken (news) was named best supporting actor for his portrayal of a con man's father in \"Catch Me If You Can,\" closely edging Chris Cooper (news)'s orchid lover in \"Adaptation.\" Patricia Clarkson was named best supporting actress for playing a friend of 1950s housewife Julianne Moore (news) in \"Far From Heaven.\" Fiona Shaw (news) received the same amount of weighted votes \ufffd 24 \ufffd for her performance in the comedy \"Triumph of Love,\" but came in second because she didn't appear on more than half of the ballots. \"Far From Heaven\" also received an award for Ed Lachman's cinematography. \"Standing in the Shadows of Motown\" was named best documentary, while \"Y Tu Mama Tambien\" was named best foreign film. The society awarded a special \"film heritage\" award to the Kino International film distributor for releasing restored versions of Fritz Lang's \"Metropolis\" and boxed sets of D.W. Griffith silent films. It gave a special citation to UCLA's film and television archives for work in film restoration."}, {"response": 585, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan  5, 2003 (13:22)", "body": "Thanks for the article, Murph. I'm glad it's the pianist. restored versions of Fritz Lang's \"Metropolis\" and boxed sets of D.W. Griffith silent films. It gave a special citation to UCLA's film and television archives for work in film restoration. One of my favourite films, Metropolis. Cheers for UCLA! Lately I have had the chance to see: GoNY, I was bored. It is an awful film, don't waste your time. Calling it an epic is an insult to many real epics. DDL will win Best Actor. Chicago, as flashy as it was, does not compare to All that Jazz or Cabaret, two very superior films with superior choreography, IMO. RZ was miscast, she can not sing and she can not dance. She is so stiff when she dances and she does try poor thing. You can really see the difference at the end when she dances with CZJ, who can really dance. RZ has no rhythm. Everytime I saw Richard Gere, I kept thinking of how much better Jeremy Northan would have been in that role. JN can sing. And he did overact. My favourite part of the film was the puppet show, vvg. I see a Best Supporting Oscar for CR. Catch Me if You Can, highly enjoyable, great music, spot on with the costumes of the different era's. It was long but the time flew by. A better film than the other two. Adaptation, took a Woody Allen turn on me. I prefer CK's original scripts to his adaptations. Although overall, it is not a throw away. Far from Heaven I've yet to see, but that might be a rental too. I am not interested in the subject matter of AS. So will wait and rent. The Pianist is the one I am anxious to see. Adrien Brody is a cutie and very nice according to a friend of mine who met him last week in Miami. Saw the previews of CoDangerous Mind and they are advertizing Julia Roberts as if she were co-starring. I thought she only had a cameo? The Hours is next on my list."}, {"response": 586, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan  5, 2003 (15:52)", "body": "This weekend's Ebert & Doper show was their Top 10 lists. Has to be one of the worst years for me in matching up with anything on Roger's list. Reminds me of many, many years ago, when Roger's lists used to consist solely of obscure foreign films. ;-) Ebert: 1. Minority Report 2. City of God 3. Adaptation 4. Far From Heaven 5. 13 Conversations About One Thing 6. Y Tu Mama Tambien 7. Invincible 8. Spirited Away 9. All of Nothing 10. The Quiet American Doper: 1. Gangs of NY 2. 25th Hour 3. Minority Report 4. Y Tu Mama Tambien 5. Adaptation 6. Signs 7. Rabbit-Proof Fence 8. About Schmidt 9. One Hour Photo 10. About A Boy"}, {"response": 587, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jan  5, 2003 (17:34)", "body": "(Moon)You can really see the difference at the end when she dances with CZJ LOL, I thought the opposite! I felt RZ made CZJ look clunky when they were side by side. But as I said before, I enjoyed them both, especially RZ. CZJ disappears for a big chunk of the pic. As for Gere's role, Kevin Spacey turned it down; he'd have been great. Has a very good voice, and can dance well enough. I too enjoyed the ventriloquist part immensely. I see a Best Supporting Oscar for CR. Who dat? Did anyone here see Minority Report? I've heard nothig but good things and it got great reviews; surprised it hasn't been mentioned more in the awards season, aside from Ebert & Roeper."}, {"response": 588, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jan  5, 2003 (17:43)", "body": "Hi Minkee, Sure miss you, hope you are doing well and getting settled. Stop by when you get a chance. It was great to hear from you. Take care."}, {"response": 589, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Jan  5, 2003 (17:58)", "body": "Hi Minkee, Hope you are getting settled. It must be very exciting. Keep in touch. Thanks for the reports Murph and Karen."}, {"response": 590, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jan  5, 2003 (18:09)", "body": "Dateline NBC has a segment on tonight with the Chicago cast--RZ, RG and CZJ. Also, BJD premieres on Encore tonight at 8 & 11. And somewhere in there I'm going to try to catch Wives & Daughters. Missed it last week. Good to hear from you, Minkee! Wishng you well!:-)"}, {"response": 591, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Jan  5, 2003 (18:19)", "body": "(Mari) Did anyone here see Minority Report? I've heard nothig but good things and it got great reviews; surprised it hasn't been mentioned more in the awards season, aside from Ebert & Roeper. I loved it...one of those films the DH would actually go see with me! Not a huge TC fan (like some of the things he has been doing lately though...Vanilla Sky, Eyes Wide Shut and Magnolia). Despite the presence of MB in the film (he has about 3 minutes of screen time and is STILL the worst actor ever), I would recommend seeing it (it's on DVD now). I feel that all December films have pushed MR out of everyone's mind, but still a very well done film (if you like sci-fi). Nice to see Samantha Morton. And \"Hello\" to Minkee! Glad to hear you are getting settled!"}, {"response": 592, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jan  5, 2003 (18:36)", "body": "Thanks for the Dateline alert Mari. Just got home from seeing......Chicago! (Moon) (Moon)You can really see the difference at the end when she dances with CZJ (Mari) I felt RZ made CZJ look clunky when they were side by side I could see some difference certainly. Showed up the weight/body type difference. I thought CZJ looked to be the more relaxed, while RZ looked a little over enthusiastic if anything, rather than stiff. Not being a trained dancer, can't say to what degree. But overall I thought they looked v. good together. That scene usually really gets people in my theaters (as it's designed to I'm sure). Will be going again in a week, so will see how my viewpoint changes if any. (Moon) Chicago...does not compare to All that Jazz or Cabaret, two very superior films with superior choreography, IMO. But if I'm not mistaken, Fosse is dead. ;-) I see a Best Supporting Oscar for CR Did you mean JR? Another puppet scene fan here. Love Cell Block Tango, too. Very forceful song in the chorus. (Moon) Adaptation, took a Woody Allen turn on me \\ Can you clarify this for me, please. :-) Saw the previews of CoDangerous Mind and they are advertizing Julia Roberts as if she were co-starring. I thought she only had a cameo? She's in about 3 small scenes. Not a blink and you miss it role like the people in Catch Me and Chicago. They need to use her for advertising to bring in butts. She's one of the reasons it was greenlighted, among others."}, {"response": 593, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Jan  5, 2003 (21:17)", "body": "(Moon)You can really see the difference at the end when she dances with CZJ And look closely, you can actually see red lipstick smeared on RZ's front teeth at the beginning of that last number. See how our movie discussions have made me a much better observer of film ;-)!"}, {"response": 594, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jan  5, 2003 (21:46)", "body": "For those who saw and liked Road to Perdition, just read that Conrad Hall, the film's cinematographer passed away... Considered an expert in the use of light, Hall filmed nearly three dozen movies in a career that stretched 50 years. He won Academy Awards for 1969's \"Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid\" and 1999's \"American Beauty.\" \"With 'Road to Perdition' you could virtually take every frame of his work and blow it up and hang it over your fireplace. It was like Rembrandt at work,\" Zanuck said. \"Connie was not known for speed, but neither was Rembrandt. He was known for incredible genius.\" Wonder if people were planning to give him an Oscar nom. :("}, {"response": 595, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan  6, 2003 (07:53)", "body": "(Mari) Did anyone here see Minority Report? I liked it. (Mari) I felt RZ made CZJ look clunky when they were side by side (Dorine), I could see some difference certainly. Showed up the weight/body type difference. I thought CZJ looked to be the more relaxed, while RZ looked a little over enthusiastic if anything, rather than stiff. She was very willing, but definitely stiff. (Moon) Chicago...does not compare to All that Jazz or Cabaret, two very superior films with superior choreography, IMO. (Dorine), But if I'm not mistaken, Fosse is dead. ;-) True, but the director keeps saying that He thinks Fosse would have approved, I don't. He certainly would not have hired RZ. (Moon), I see a Best Supporting Oscar for CR (Dorine), Did you mean JR? Yes. (Moon) Adaptation, took a Woody Allen turn on me\\ (Dorine), Can you clarify this for me, please. :-) That whinning, loser attitude that Charlie takes. It gets old fast, especially since we know that things have gone so very well for him in real life. Also I'm not a follower of Darwin's Theories. He could have done a little more research there too. Please rent Human Nature and see how very brilliant he can be. (Lora), And look closely, you can actually see red lipstick smeared on RZ's front teeth at the beginning of that last number. I saw that too. Way too many close ups in the dance scenes. ;-)"}, {"response": 596, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan  6, 2003 (07:54)", "body": "closing tags sorry"}, {"response": 597, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Jan  6, 2003 (08:56)", "body": "Look For: PBS in February: Trial By Fire. A Colin One Degree: Juliet Stevenson stars as the persevering prosecutor Helen West in the two-hour Trial by Fire, based on Frances Fyfield's taut psychological thriller, premiering on PBS's MYSTERY! Thursday, February 24, 2000 at 9pm (check local listings). Acclaimed for her roles in Truly, Madly, Deeply, The Politician's Wife, and Cider With Rosie, Stevenson takes up the mantle of the middle-aged female crimefighter in the brisk, sexy style created by Helen Mirren in Prime Suspect. Jim Carter (A Very British Coup; Shakespeare in Love) plays her live-in lover, Geoffrey Bailey, who happens to be chief superintendent of police in the leafy London suburb where they've moved to escape the seamy metropolis. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/mystery/programs/trialfire/full.html"}, {"response": 598, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Jan  6, 2003 (09:46)", "body": "This sounds like a riot! ******* DEC 19 Aishwarya in Bride And Prejudice CALCUTTA (INDIA) -- Bollywood's Aishwarya Rai is set for her debut in international cinema after signing up for Bend It Like Beckham director Gurinder Chadha's next venture, which is based on Jane Austen's classic, Pride And Prejudice. The former Miss World confirmed at a press conference on Tuesday: 'I have signed up with Gurinder Chadha for the film... I got four other offers from Hollywood, but sadly, I couldn't fit them into my schedule.' Chadha has said his film will be a 'cheeky, irreverent' musical titled Bride And Prejudice, and Gladiator star Joaquin Phoenix has been said to be in the cast. The Bennett family of Hertfordshire will become an Indian family in the English-language movie. Aishwarya is in town to work on her debut Bengali film, Chokher Bali. The Rabindranath Tagore classic is being shot by Rituparno Ghosh and will co-star Arjun Rampal. She said acting in films in English or any other language held no special significance. Dressed in the trademark sari of a private airline of which she is a director, she visited Mother Teresa's Missionaries Of Charity and paid respects at her tomb. She also visited Sishu Bhavan, a home for orphans."}, {"response": 599, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan  6, 2003 (10:12)", "body": "'Road to Perdition' you could virtually take every frame of his work and blow it up and hang it over your fireplace.\" A big Edward Hopper fan obviously. Esp. the scene where they drive up to the diner. Will never forget that film. I am not a sci-fi fan, but I thought Minority Report was v. well crafted. TC has never been better.Worth checking out. Best Movie of the Year? I...don't ....think...so."}, {"response": 600, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan  6, 2003 (10:38)", "body": "Re: Conrad Hall He could still get a posthumous Oscar (a nom I believe is a certainty). Wonder if his medical condition was known, as he received a lifetime achievement from the cinematographers group not very long ago, possibly the same year as American Beauty, when he won from the Oscar and from guild award. An artist with a camera. Definitely. (Moon) She [RZ] is so stiff when she dances and she does try poor thing. OK, haven't seen it yet, but is not the choreography supposed to be Fosse's, which is characterized by ramrod stiffness, except when they do that slithery back wave? And all those \"jazz hands\" of course. ;-) Naturally, RZ couldn't possibly look as polished as a trained dancer (i.e., anybody behind her), but I'll be on the lookout for this and the lipstick on the teeth. ;-) (Moon) Adaptation, took a Woody Allen turn on me\\ (Dorine), Can you clarify this for me, please. :-) (Moon) That whinning, loser attitude that Charlie takes. I don't think we saw the same movie. :-("}, {"response": 601, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan  6, 2003 (12:50)", "body": "is not the choreography supposed to be Fosse's, which is characterized by ramrod stiffness, except when they do that slithery back wave? LOL! I never saw the musical so I would like to hear from someone that can compare. I have heard from a friend that she thought there was less in the film. (Moon) That whinning, loser attitude that Charlie takes. (Karen), I don't think we saw the same movie. :-( I stand by my comment."}, {"response": 602, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jan  6, 2003 (15:36)", "body": "(Moon) Adaptation, took a Woody Allen turn on me..... That whinning, loser attitude that Charlie takes. It gets old fast, especially since we know that things have gone so very well for him in real life I'm not sure I understand your reference to his real life. First, this movie isn't an autobiography, but it does have some autobiographical elements. Maybe that's how he feels inside, despite his success. I can't see how his real life can be the basis for a criticism of this movie. He doesn't have a twin brother either, yet he is credited with co-writing the screenplay. And I bet Susan Orlean didn't become a flower drug junkie and chase the brothers through the swamp. Or maybe......;-) And I'm sorry you didn't enjoy Chicago much. :( (Karen)Re: Conrad Hall.....he received a lifetime achievement from the cinematographers group not very long ago Per Reuters: \"He was to be honored later this month with a lifetime achievement award from the National Board of Review and a career achievement award from the Palm Springs Intl. Film Festival.\" (Lora), And look closely, you can actually see red lipstick smeared on RZ's front teeth at the beginning of that last number. Did miss that. Will have to check that out."}, {"response": 603, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan  6, 2003 (16:08)", "body": "Karen)Re: Conrad Hall.....he received a lifetime achievement from the cinematographers group not very long ago Per Reuters: \"He was to be honored later this month with a lifetime achievement award from the National Board of Review and a career achievement award from the Palm Springs Intl. Film Festival.\" No, there was something else at the same time he won the Oscar for Am Beauty (1999-2000), but I can't find it. Hall received a lifetime achievement award from the American Society of Cinematography in 1994. Oh well..."}, {"response": 604, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan  6, 2003 (16:23)", "body": "(Dorine), I'm not sure I understand your reference to his real life. First, this movie isn't an autobiography, but it does have some autobiographical elements. Maybe that's how he feels inside, despite his success. The elements I refer to are, CK the real person, writing about his adaptation for a movie. I thought he wrote himself much like Woody does when he goes on with his self-deprecating whinning. I can't see how his real life can be the basis for a criticism of this movie. He criticizes himself, and I can't criticize him for the same thing? ;-) Maybe that's how he feels inside, despite his success. Ugh, yuk. No... he's shown himself to be too brilliant to think himself such a loser."}, {"response": 605, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan  6, 2003 (16:27)", "body": "(Moon) he's shown himself to be too brilliant to think himself such a loser. I never saw him as thinking himself a loser, but afraid of not being able to measure up to the high standards he expects of himself and has proven with his prior work. He wanted this \"adaptation\" to be as unique as his own original work. I didn't see the whining at all."}, {"response": 606, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jan  6, 2003 (16:33)", "body": "(Moon) he's shown himself to be too brilliant to think himself such a loser. And brilliant people commit suicide, too. Can't imagine they'd want to if they thought so highly of themselves. Your perspective on the movie is certainly interesting. :-)"}, {"response": 607, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan  6, 2003 (17:26)", "body": "(Dorine), And brilliant people commit suicide, too. Can't imagine they'd want to if they thought so highly of themselves. In fact, he creates Donald, the alter-ego who does die. ;-) (Karen), He wanted this \"adaptation\" to be as unique as his own original work. I didn't see the whining at all. And it did not turn out as original, IMNSVHO. If you don't call that whinning..."}, {"response": 608, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Jan  6, 2003 (22:52)", "body": "Chicago finally opened here and I saw it over the weekend. Loved it. Thought all three leads were v. good, and was impressed with RZ. I thought she did a fine job. I\ufffdm encouraged that musicals are still being made and reinvented. If I remember correctly, the film Cabaret was considered ground breaking as it was the first realistic musical: the song and dance numbers were performed on the stage of the Kit Kat Club by Sally Bowles, the Emcee, etc., rather than the characters of the movie spontaneously bursting into song. I thought it was equally clever that the numbers in Chicago were mostly in Roxie\ufffds imagination\ufffdIMO, a creative device that suited the film well. I have not seen the stage version of Chicago, but a friend of mine told me they cut the best song (apparently it was filmed and will most likely be on the DVD). I plan to see CMIYC tomorrow. A major coup for me\ufffdtwo movies in a week! (The Hours has still not opened yet.) PS: George Clooney alert: he\ufffdll be on 60 Minutes II, Wednesday at 9:00 pm EST (new later time.)."}, {"response": 609, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Jan  7, 2003 (03:43)", "body": "I have a PAL video of The English Patient which was on ETV last night in South Africa. If anyone wants it, please email me. Thanks. Yes, yes, I know that you all most probably have it, but this is how far we sometimes are behind the times..."}, {"response": 610, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan  7, 2003 (09:23)", "body": "I have a good Conspiracy and 'doggie', but watchable, MOTM and Tumbledown. Any Drool Darling can have it for the postage."}, {"response": 611, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  8, 2003 (09:14)", "body": "Saw The Hours again last night at a special screening that had Michael Cunningham for Q&A. Fascinating and v. funny! From what he said, anyone who wants to read the source material should really start with Mrs Dalloway, then his book. The Hours started out as simply a modern retelling of Mrs Dalloway (the Meryl Streep storyline). He wasn't terribly satisfied with just that and added the storyline about the day Mrs Dalloway was created, and then finally the Julianne Moore story, who BTW is based on his mother."}, {"response": 612, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan  8, 2003 (09:18)", "body": "Oliver Platt is supposed to be on the Caroline Rhea show today. Maybe he'll say something about HS. If someone can stomach to look at it."}, {"response": 613, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  8, 2003 (09:51)", "body": "Maybe he'll say something about HS. Don't hold your breath. ;-) He's there to hype his new show, Queens Something or Other, the one with Annabella Sciorra, where they are judges in Queens."}, {"response": 614, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jan  8, 2003 (10:47)", "body": "Thanks for the 60 Minutes Clooney alert, Lisa; I'll be watching! Apparently they did the interview at his home; I hope they show his pig.:-) The Hours doesn't open here for another couple of weeks. Karen, where is Michael Cunningham from? He's there to hype his new show, Queens Something or Other Sheesh, Oliver Platt has his own show, Minnie Driver is getting her own show, Heather Graham had good seats to La Boheme . . .;-) All successful HS grads.;-)"}, {"response": 615, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  8, 2003 (11:01)", "body": "He's from LA area, so the cookie-cutter suburban housing tract shown would probably reflect the kind of area where he grew up."}, {"response": 616, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jan  8, 2003 (11:30)", "body": "Could be good news for us DL fans: Spielberg Eyes Briton for Starring Role International fame and fortune could be on the cards for Brit-actor Damian Lewis following the news that movie mogul Steven Spielberg is keen to sign him up for the second series of highly successful American TV program Taken. The star, who teamed up with Spielberg in his TV hit Band Of Brothers, spent an entire day with the director. A source says, \"Steven pulled out all the stops to impress Damian. He believes Damian is the man to make the second series of Taken even bigger. It's normally impossible to get to spend a whole day with Steven as he's always busy. But when he heard Damian was in town just before Christmas, he invited him to spend the day at his mansion.\" Lewis was in Hollywood finishing off new movie Dreamcatcher, in which he stars alongside Morgan Freeman, when he got the call."}, {"response": 617, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jan  8, 2003 (12:03)", "body": "While I'm sure this is not news to most of us, I think it's interesting he's quoted as saying it. Don't recall reading it before. Heart-Throb Clooney Bares Bottom to Promote Film 1 hour, 32 minutes ago BERLIN (Reuters) - Hollywood heart-throb George Clooney (news) bared his bottom in the movie \"Solaris\" to stir-up excitement and promote the film, he was quoted telling a German magazine on Wednesday. \"If my ass helps the film, I don't have a problem with that,\" Clooney, 41, told the German edition of Playboy magazine in its February issue. Clooney said the film's promoters found it hard to sell \"Solaris\" because it was a hybrid of sci-fi and romance. \"It's a serious film without any spectacular special effects and, in times like these, these sorts of films can be difficult to promote,\" he said. Clooney plays a psychologist, Chris Kelvin, sent to a space station orbiting the energy-rich galactic sphere, Solaris, to investigate a string of mysterious deaths. He learns people who travel to Solaris can contact people important to their lives. Hey I'm all for whatever works in this case. ;-)"}, {"response": 618, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jan  8, 2003 (19:14)", "body": "FYI Renee Zellweger is scheduled for David Letterman Thursday, and The View on Friday."}, {"response": 619, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (01:10)", "body": "Saw an utterly fascinating documentary tonight in class.....Lost in La Mancha. It's about Terry Gilliam's (from Monty Python) train wreck of an attempt to film his project The Man Who Killed Don Quixote. An ironic title if there ever was one. Terry Gilliam is indeed Don Quixote himself. The movie was to star Johnny Depp, his girlfriend Vanessa Paradis (sp?), Miranda Richarson, and Jean Rochefort as Don Quixote. It looked to be an *very* interesting film. He spent 10 years trying to make it. Took 5 days of production to be destroyed. There is a review on the imdb.com website for this dated May 22, 2002 that is a fairly good description, though not well written....I will presume due to language difficulties. I completely agree with the last 3 lines. It's interesting that Orson Welles also tried to get a Don Quixote film done and failed. The writer/directors were the guests tonight and said there is a curse Cervantes placed at the end of the 2nd volume. At the time it was for plagiarizers. It seems to go beyond that now. I know the one with Peter O'Toole was made though. The animation that looks like TG's in a segment reviewing TG's film career was in fact the filmmaker's. Definitely fooled me. They also said at $16 mil, it was the most expensive insurance payoff for a film in European history. The budget was $32 mil. He couldn't get funding here. Bad reputation after Baron Munchausen. It opens Jan 31, but I know not where. It's finishing up the film festival circuit now."}, {"response": 620, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (08:34)", "body": "Thanks Dorine...I know I'll never get to see it. (Dorine) He couldn't get funding here. Bad reputation after Baron Munchausen. Also no one would go see it except the film cognoscenti. George Clooney was cute on 60 Minutes.He tried to make it light and amusing. The one with Barbara Walters and the Oceans 11 was better. Could they have picked a worse interviewer than Dan Rather?"}, {"response": 621, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (09:08)", "body": "Thanks, Dorine, for the info. I've seen the trailer for the doc and it looks hilarious. Of course, I followed the attempted making of the actual film because I feared that it would come out and ensure that Donovan Quick would never make it off the shelf or get lost in the shuffle of praise over Gilliam's endeavor. You know, another DL-Valmont situation, especially as Gilliam's a more acclaimed filmmaker than some nobody from BBC Scotland. ;-)"}, {"response": 622, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (09:36)", "body": "(Karen) I feared that it would come out and ensure that Donovan Quick would never make it off the shelf or get lost in the shuffle of praise over Gilliam's endeavor. Well DQ was finished long before TG started production at least. And DQ was TV, wasn't it? Did it actually air in 1999 or did it sit on the shelf for a while. Would TG's actually have overshadowed it so much? Similar themes also, but very different execution. TMWKDQ had the more traditional characters, costumes, and settings. DQ was more of a metaphor, if I use that term correctly. Forgot to mention Chuck Barris and his wife Patty sat in front of me. They are a very cute couple. Seem extremely happy. Not sure if they regularly will be taking the class or just came for the film last night. I won't know as it's not my regular night to go. (Evelyn) I know I'll never get to see it. Sure you will, eventually. When the DVD/video comes out. I asked him about additional footage and they said it would be on there. First cut was 3 hours. It's now close to 2 I think (didn't look at my watch). Said they had 80 hours of film and it took 2 straight weeks of all day viewing to go through it all. You might also catch it on IFC on TV...he said that's the last stop for it. IFC Films is the distributor, if I understood him correctly. GC was cute. Liked when he tried to coax Max the pig out of his house, LOL. Realized this morning we both have pets named Max, but who couldn't be further apart on the weight scale. Could they have picked a worse interviewer than Dan Rather? Please someone put him out of our misery. :)"}, {"response": 623, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (10:04)", "body": "(Dorine) Well DQ was finished long before TG started production at least. And DQ was TV, wasn't it? Did it actually air in 1999 or did it sit on the shelf for a while. Here's the chronology: DQ was first announced in Jan 1999. It was filmed sometime after May '99 (summer), as the press release was dated the end of April. Gilliam's project hit THR on April 22, 1999, with the Johnny Depp casting, saying they hoped to start in late summer or early fall. DQ played at the Cork Film Festival in Oct 1999. It was *intended* as a theatrical release, or that's what the makers really wanted, and it does play well on the big screen. Got a good review. However, about the same time, another article said it would be broadcast shortly on BBC, which never happened. Minimal efforts were under way to try to sell this as a theatrical vehicle. But for some reason or other (many speculations), DQ bowed on the Australian (ABC) network in January 2000. I saw DQ at the Chicago FF in Oct 2000 and Donna Franceschild said they really wanted it as a theatrical release but BBC hadn't lifted a finger. So the timing was closer than you might think. Would TG's actually have overshadowed it so much? Absolutely, even though they were done very differently, Gilliam's project had a high profile amongst the film geeks, who love his stuff, whereas DQ would be viewed as just another little film from England, that Americans wouldn't understand because of the accents (sorry, Janet, but that was a stumbling block on this one)."}, {"response": 624, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (13:02)", "body": "I finally saw Roxie Hart's Diary (aka Chicago). I thought it was great! Really enjoyed it, much more than expected. I was especially impressed with John C. Rielly. I know that everyone has already been talking about this for weeks, but I just wanted to put my dollar in (a day late). ;-)"}, {"response": 625, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (13:20)", "body": "Yahoo News : Hugh Grant Among New Entrants in Who's Who LONDON (Reuters) - Heartthrob actor Hugh Grant (news), athlete Steve Cram and yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur are among around 1,000 new entries in the latest edition of Who's Who, Britain's bible of the rich and famous. Actress Emily Watson (news) and ballerina Agnes Oaks also made it into the 2003 version of the big red book, to be published on Friday for the 155th consecutive year. Grant, dashing star of \"Four Weddings and a Funeral\" and \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" lists football and singing among his hobbies and reveals his two middle names -- John and Mungo. Among the more unusual pastimes listed by entrants are \"shelling peas,\" the favored hobby of writer Richard Boston, and working as \"village duck warden,\" the part-time job of civil servant Georgina Radford. Who's Who has been published annually since 1849, and lists over 32,000 autobiographies of people of note in British society. Entrants remain in the book until they die, when their profiles are transferred to Who Was Who."}, {"response": 626, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (13:26)", "body": "(Karen), I feared that it would come out and ensure that Donovan Quick would never make it off the shelf or get lost in the shuffle of praise over Gilliam's endeavor. You know, another DL-Valmont situation, especially as Gilliam's a more acclaimed filmmaker than some nobody from BBC Scotland. ;-) I remember fearing the same thing. In fact, maybe Colin had something to do with a TV release fearing the competition that it would have with TG's version. Conjecture on my part, but possible."}, {"response": 627, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (13:37)", "body": "I heard a rumor that we had an unheralded birthday yesterday..... and there's someone here in his birthday suit to help celebrate! Well, okay, not THAT birthday suit, but lovely to look at all the same.... Happy belated birthday, Tress!"}, {"response": 628, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (13:56)", "body": "Oh! MY! That last post was very dangerous! The past two days I have been plied with too much chocolate and too many lattes...seeing ODB in 'a' birthday suit about gave me a heart attack! My co-workers just had to peel me off the ceiling!! Thank you for the birthday greeting (someone's been tattling on me)!! ;-)"}, {"response": 629, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (14:07)", "body": "HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRESS. AND MANY MANY MORE. I see you're date is ready to pick you up, you lucky lucky girl. Great picture Rika."}, {"response": 630, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (14:36)", "body": "Tress! You know I won't let you off that easily!! Now get back here and party with me!! Happy Birthday!!!!"}, {"response": 631, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (15:01)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TRESS!!! And what very nice Colins have made an appearance! Somebody may have to peel me off the ceiling, too. Are belated birthdays the only kind we do anymore?"}, {"response": 632, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (16:04)", "body": "(Karen) DQ was first announced in Jan 1999. It was filmed sometime after May '99 Gilliam's project hit THR on April 22, 1999, with the Johnny Depp casting, saying they hoped to start in late summer or early fall. So the timing was closer than you might think. Actually not. TG didn't start filming until late Sept 2000 and the plug was pulled end of Oct by the financiers. DQ was way out of the gate by then. Too bad they didn't capitalize on that and relegated it to TV no less. Here's a link to the web site for Lost in La Mancha. Very good synopsis and interviews with the filmakers. The taller, bald one, Keith (sometimes with a hat) is the one I spoke to after. They both addressed my questions in the Q&A. Keith seemed nice to talk to in person, but displayed a *definite* tude about it all when engaged with people he came with. Not without reason in one instance I overheard. Ok, don't know why I messed up the link, but here: http://www.smart.co.uk/lostinlamancha/lm_index.htm"}, {"response": 633, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (16:12)", "body": "(Dorine) Actually not. TG didn't start filming until late Sept 2000 and the plug was pulled end of Oct by the financiers. Perhaps I didn't make myself clear. I am aware of the *actual* start date and what befell the project, but when it was first announced with the Depp et al. cast, it did give all appearances of somewhat rival productions, i.e., a modern retelling of the DQ story vs. a period one."}, {"response": 634, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (16:15)", "body": "Belated Happy Birthday, Tress Hopefully (crossing fingers) heres a rose for you:"}, {"response": 635, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (16:21)", "body": "Happy Day, Tess! Chicklit's good literary web site for women has a new article on \"Shakespeare in Love,\" comparing it to what is known of S's real life. Interesting. http://www.chicklit.com/paperjam/paperjam40.html"}, {"response": 636, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (16:22)", "body": "Happy belated birthday, Tress! You and the great David Bowie! You were very naughty, you should have told us sooner."}, {"response": 637, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (16:40)", "body": "Rika, you shouldn't tease us; that's not nice! Birthday suit, indeed, LOL! Tress, happy belated birthday!!!"}, {"response": 638, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (16:41)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Tress! Here are some lovely Tress-es in honor of your special day!"}, {"response": 639, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (17:01)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Tress. I'm so glad Lord Dashwood and Valmont dropped by...Have fun!!!"}, {"response": 640, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (18:01)", "body": "Thanks again to Rika for bringing Lord Dashwood! Love a man who knows how to dress (or undress when needed...) ;-D (FanPam) I see you're date is ready to pick you up, you lucky lucky girl. I am more than willing to share! Thank you for the warm wishes! You are truly a good friend! (MariaT) Now get back here and party with me!! Oooohhh! I'm more than ready to party with ODB! Thanks so much for the yummy picture (you must know I like those hand shots)! ;-) (KathyF) Somebody may have to peel me off the ceiling, too. LOL...I'll move over..there is plenty of room up here! Annette, thank you so much for the rose! It will be a lovely addition to the flowers that my co-workers gave me this morning! Thanks for the birthday wishes lindak and Mary!! (Moon) Happy belated birthday, Tress! You and the great David Bowie! And Mr. Presley. Due to all the Elvis tributes on my birthday, everytime I hear a tune by The King, I'm like Pavlov's dog (what was that dog's name anyway?), I think I'm getting presents! And David Bowie is great! You were very naughty, you should have told us sooner. ahh...schucks...I'm just shy! ;-) (moonstar) Rika, you shouldn't tease us; that's not nice! Birthday suit, indeed, LOL! I know! See earlier comment about a heart attack! I was all worked up thinking about a nekk'd picture of ODB! I thought maybe the DVDiva had been holding out on us! Still, the look in that picture is enough to make me have to take a seat (so am secretly glad that it wasn't a real 'birthday suit picture' as I would be comatose right now)! ;-) Lora!!! Thank you! I think I may need help getting ODB out of those wet clothes! Don't want him to catch cold and be late for the party!! I'll also have to comb those locks out...such sacrifices! LOL!"}, {"response": 641, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (18:17)", "body": "Happy Birthday Tress!!! Hope it has been a good one!"}, {"response": 642, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (19:05)", "body": "Oops...sorry I'm late... But then it's never too late to celebrate ... Happy Birthday Tress"}, {"response": 643, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (19:15)", "body": "Along with Tress...I too just saw CHICAGO. ( We're slow in mid-America). CZJ and Renee were super, but Richard Gere was the real stand-out. He gave the film momentum and pizzaz.The court-room scene alone would win him the GG nom.I saw the stage play six years ago with Bebe Newirth. She played the role of Roxie brassier; Renee is more vulnerable. The stage play gave a larger scope of the action. Some of the scenes played simultaneously.The \"He Got What He Deserved\" (always my fave) was the same. The puppet scene will be a classic in musicals. I loved it. Pure entertainment...park your brain at the door...no obscure plot or message to dissect. Just sit back and tap your feet."}, {"response": 644, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (19:29)", "body": "Saw trailer for.....*drum roll*.... LE DIVORCE (forgot it's on my famous night table!) Gaaaagh... it looks boring. But who knows with Colin's feet coming out of the garbage can, perhaps it would have been a winner.;-) Also...hey Mari...don't dispair...your fave...Jack Nicholson along with Adam Sandler is due for another doosey this spring...\"Anger Management\". As they say....the hits keep comin'....;-))))))"}, {"response": 645, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (21:10)", "body": "Damn,I can't see a thing! Wait a tick . . . I see presents . . .and they're rolling in a cake now . . .it says \"Happy Birthday, Tress!\""}, {"response": 646, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (21:18)", "body": "(Evelyn)CZJ and Renee were super, but Richard Gere was the real stand-out. I liked him, too. Did you see him on the Today Show this morning? Matt Lauer has been interviewing cast members all week. Gere is a riot. I had no idea he was so funny, had the place in hysterics. BTW, they had Queen Latifah on earlier im the week (I giggle every time I think of her Mama in the blonde Roxie 'do!) and Matt said Kathy Bates, Bette Midler and Rosie O'D had all been considered for the role. Half of Hollywood auditioned for this fim. Yes, auditioned. ;-) Charlie Rose has John C. Reilly on tonight. Also, Jason Patric from Narc, which looks great (Dorine, I know you mentioned this one as a goodie)."}, {"response": 647, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (22:25)", "body": "HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, TRESS!"}, {"response": 648, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (22:47)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Tress!! It's nice to see Lord Dashwood dropped by. Did he take you for a *ride* in the Rolls? ;-D"}, {"response": 649, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Jan  9, 2003 (23:05)", "body": "Tress, the dancer I ordered for your birthday party FINALLY arrived....."}, {"response": 650, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (00:12)", "body": "Hey Dashwood! Is that a crease in your leather pants or are you just wishing Tress a *really* Happy Birthday! ;-D"}, {"response": 651, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (00:23)", "body": "Evelyn, thank you for the bubbly. It will help to wash down the 37 cupcakes that a girl from work made me...for some reason she thought it would be a good idea to make one for every year I've been around! I may need all the champagne I can get! Thanks for the birthday greetings Barb and Karen! And Dorine....LOL....I did tell Lord D to bring the STRETCH limo as I needed the room to house all my cupcakes! ;-D Mari! Thank you for bringing Guy to the party....he needs to put down those glasses and come help me eat my treats (he IS looking a bit thin!). And Rika! What can I say???? Nothin' is mo betta than a boy in black leather! Danke schon! ODB can be my private dancer any old time! ;-) Thank you everyone for making my day so much fun!!!"}, {"response": 652, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (00:34)", "body": "(Mari) Kathy Bates, Bette Midler and Rosie O'D had all been considered for the role Bette Midler I could see. Maybe. Definitely more than the rest. Charlie Rose has John C. Reilly on tonight. Also, Jason Patric from Narc, which looks great Thanks a lot, Mari. Glad I looked here when I did. Unfortunately missed JCR for the end of the umpteenth viewing of BJD on Encore, but caught 95% of Jason Patric. I have to say, he is much more attractive.....on TV! God, I wish he'd talked this much or articulately at the Q&A as he did with CR. What a great interview I thought. Couldn't get him to say more than a few words even with questions directed to him when we saw him. Ray Liotta was quite verbose though. Had I known how articulate and interesting he is, think I would've either ditched talking to his grandmother, or stayed around until I saw if he walked up to say goodbye. (Actually, she was adorable). Think the gfriend was there though. :( And Narc is a very gritty film, but well done. Several twists, the last in the last few minutes. Anybody see RZ? Too funny! Think she loaded up at that Starbucks she mentioned beforehand. Chuck Barris a riot, too. Both of Dave's interviews/guests were the best I'd seen in a loooong time. But I don't watch often anymore."}, {"response": 653, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (09:31)", "body": "Dear Tress, I realised it was your birthday after the fact, as I was busy lamenting the loss of another. If only there had been antibiotics and Nyquil. If only there had been a better script\ufffd. Hope you had a wonderful day!"}, {"response": 654, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (10:09)", "body": "Thank you LisaJH! Glad to see Armand stop by.....he does look a little glum. Think he wants a cupcake??? ;-) Maybe he wouldn't be so sad if his cravats weren't so huge (still there is that question of a better script as well....LOL)."}, {"response": 655, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (10:27)", "body": "(Dorine) Anybody see RZ? Too funny! Think she loaded up at that Starbucks she mentioned beforehand. I should say so. I remember her on Letterman promoting BJD and she was a lot more relaxed. Chuck Barris a riot, too. Yes! I loved how he played cat-and-mouse with Dave about how much truth there is in the book."}, {"response": 656, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (10:36)", "body": "(Evelyn), park your brain at the door...no obscure plot or message to dissect. The one that gets the nooze, is the only one that claims to be innocent and prays and recites the Rosary, and can't afford the big bucks for the lawyer. ;-) (Doreen), Anybody see RZ? Too funny! Think she loaded up at that Starbucks she mentioned beforehand. interviews/guests were the best I'd seen in a loooong time. I thought RZ was awful. She tried to tell that GG story but Dave cut her off. And her entrance! She looked so \"Barbie Doll.\" Her face looks different too as if she might have had some surgery."}, {"response": 657, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (10:38)", "body": "What a birthday party ladies for such a great girl!!!! Does anyone know if she's made it home yet? I think not. RZ was great on Letterman. Good interview, altghough agree she seemed a bit hyper. Watching her on The View now. She seems calmer. Good sense of humor and like her hair."}, {"response": 658, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (10:48)", "body": "Did anyone see RZ on the Today Show this morning? At the very end, Matt asked her if the rumors that she and George were back together were true; she seemed to be confirming it, but they ran out of time and the damn music started up, drowning her out! Argh! Could anyone catch what was said? Too bad Katie didn't do the interview; she'd have gotten the scoop on TEOR for sure!:-) (Dorine re: Jason Patric)I have to say, he is much more attractive.....on TV! God, I wish he'd talked this much or articulately at the Q&A as he did with CR. I had the same reaction, Dorine--what an interesting and articulate guy! Yet when Diane Sawyer interviewed him on GMA the other day, he was monosyllabic. Guess he felt comfortable with Charlie. (Tress)Maybe he wouldn't be so sad if his cravats weren't so huge LOL, they could make draperies out of that thing!"}, {"response": 659, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (11:13)", "body": "(Moon) Her face looks different too as if she might have had some surgery. So it wasn't just me. Have her lips always been that full?"}, {"response": 660, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (11:23)", "body": "Must agree with Moon about Renee's face; it does look different from her Bridget- days.Collagen shots after loss of weight??? She is cadaverous. I just saw her on The View. Barbara W. asked her about the George Clooney rumors. She tried to change the subject...but B. persisted. Renee says they are \"just friends\" like to play basketball together and discuss politics.Spoke highly of his kindness to his friends. Evelyn), park your brain at the door...no obscure plot or message to dissect. (Moon)The one that gets the nooze, is the only one that claims to be innocent and prays and recites the Rosary, and can't afford the big bucks for the lawyer. ;-) LOL. Moon...\"sometimes a cigar is just a cigar...\";-) On a different subject: \"NATURAL NYLON ENTERTAINMENT, the film and theatre production company founded by JUDE LAW, SADIE FROST and EWAN McGREGOR has folded. The company was set up in 2000. Natural Nylon also teamed up with the Ambassador's Theatre Group in 2001. Their joint aim was to produce \"an exciting range of drama, comedy and mid-scale musicals on the British stage\". Most notable to date was Natural Nylon's staging of \"Dr Faustus\" at Young Vic in 2002, starring Jude Law. Ewan McGregor resigned from the company in October 2002 because his mounting film commitments. Now both Jude Law and Sadie Frost have withdrawn because of other commitments.\" I was fortunate to see Dr. Faustus; thanks to Donna who got the tickets. He shudda sold the company to YKW who doesn't have 'mounting film commitments'"}, {"response": 661, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (12:03)", "body": "Evelyn), I was fortunate to see Dr. Faustus; thanks to Donna who got the tickets. You were very lucky! He shudda sold the company to YKW who doesn't have 'mounting film commitments' YKW, doesn't have the foresight. ;-) LOL. Moon...\"sometimes a cigar is just a cigar...\";-) Oh, cherie, once you puff on the mini-Montecristos, you realize that a cigar is not just a cigar. ;-D On RZ, I must add that I always found her annoying. She looks awkward and I can't stand her voice. And, in fact, I would love to see someone else play Bridget in TEOR. Kate Winslet was my choice."}, {"response": 662, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (12:33)", "body": "(Rika)Have her lips always been that full? Yes, absolutely. As for her face and body, I notice no great differnce. She is a bit tan, I suppose, but that is to be expected, Miss Bingleys, when one travels in the summmer.;-) Seriously, rent her pre-BJD movies. Try \"One True Thing,\" with RZ, Meryl Streep and William Hurt. Excellent film and performances, and as a bonus you'll see just how boney her knees always were.;-) (Moon)And, in fact, I would love to see someone else play Bridget in TEOR. Kate Winslet was my choice. You have to be kidding. Was just watching BJD again last night on Encore and she is so perfect--every inflection, every facial expression, so many little things she brings to the role. The viewer falls in love with this girl. Besides, Kate Winslet is a bitch in real life, and full of crap in her interviews. Good actress, I will grant you."}, {"response": 663, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (12:37)", "body": "Mari: \"Seriously, rent her pre-BJD movies. Try \"One True Thing,\" with RZ, Meryl Streep and William Hurt.\" And Nicky Katt....though I have no memory of him in that film. I was probably crying too hard."}, {"response": 664, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (12:39)", "body": "I wanted to add that I have found a terrific Meryl Streep web site if anyone wants to check it out. http://www.merylstreeponline.net/"}, {"response": 665, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (14:40)", "body": "(Moon) I thought RZ was awful. She tried to tell that GG story but Dave cut her off. That's funny, my impression was that she cut herself off while Dave was trying to drag the story out of her. Not sure why she didn't want to tell it, it's funny. Maybe she thought it would take too long or was old news. It could've been told succinctly, yet be amusing I think. Maybe she changed her mind after the pre-interview. On RZ, I must add that I always found her annoying. She looks awkward and I can't stand her voice. Now I understand part of the etiology of your scathing review of Chicago. ;-) Has anyone seen Kate Winslet on the cover or Harper's Bazaar or one of those mags?....she looks absolutely amazing to me. Stunning. Matter of fact, didn't believe it was her at first."}, {"response": 666, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (15:23)", "body": "(Moon), On RZ, I must add that I always found her annoying. She looks awkward and I can't stand her voice. (Dorine), Now I understand part of the etiology of your scathing review of Chicago. ;-) In my defense, Chicago is a film I was predisposed to like. There are some enjoyable moments, but I would change Richard Gere for Jeremy Northan. And I would change RZ for someone who can sing and has inborn rhythm. RZ has physicality and that's why the puppet show worked so well. I will also add that I liked her Bridget, her British accent toned down that high pitch voice. I don't think her new look suits Bridge at all. Has anyone seen Kate Winslet on the cover or Harper's Bazaar or one of those mags?....she looks absolutely amazing to me. Stunning. And she has a beautiful body. Going to see the Pianist tonight. Tomorrow taking the boys to Nicholas N."}, {"response": 667, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (15:58)", "body": "(Dorine)Has anyone seen Kate Winslet on the cover or Harper's Bazaar or one of those mags?....she looks absolutely amazing to me. Stunning. Matter of fact, didn't believe it was her at first. She didn't believe it was her either--or so she says. Read about Airbrush-gate here: http://www.ananova.com/entertainment/story/sm_738155.html?menu = Let us know about P and NN, Moon."}, {"response": 668, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (18:00)", "body": "English Patient's Minghella to Head Film Institute LONDON (Reuters) - Oscar-winning film director and writer Anthony Minghella (news) was named on Friday to head the British Film Institute, created 70 years ago to make film more accessible to the public. \"I am delighted and honored to be joining the BFI as Chair,\" Minghella, 49, said in a statement. \"Most of all I want to promote a BFI whose work is better understood by the public.\" Minghella, a former drama teacher who moved to writing for Muppeteer Jim Henson (news) and then into filmmaking, is best known for his 1996 Oscar-winning The English Patient for which he wrote the screenplay and directed. He started feature filmmaking five years earlier with the popular romance Truly, Madly, Deeply starring Alan Rickman (news) and Juliet Stevenson. He also directed The Talented Mr. Ripley with Gwyneth Paltrow (news), Matt Damon (news) and Jude Law (news), and has completed principal photography on his latest epic Cold Mountain with Law, Nicole Kidman (news) and Renee Zellweger (news). Minghella, born in January 1954 in the Isle of Wight, will head the 15-seat board of governors of the BFI, a charity which was set up in 1933 to spread the word about British cinema. Among its assets it has the world's most extensive film and television archive including 275,000 feature films dating back to 1894, 210,000 television programs and seven million film stills. It runs the renowned National Film Theater and hosts the annual Regus London Film Festival which attracts audiences and directors from around the world."}, {"response": 669, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (20:16)", "body": "(Mari) She didn't believe it was her either--or so she says. Read about Airbrush-gate here: ... Followed the additional link at the bottom of the page Mari referenced...this quote closes the article.... In the GQ interview she says: \"What is sexy? All I know from the men I've spoken to is that women think in order to be adored they have to be thin. Very thin. I just don't understand that way of thinking.\" Kate Kate Kate, you said that then let them airbrush you? And GQ, WTG to prove her point."}, {"response": 670, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 10, 2003 (22:14)", "body": "From the Masterpiece Theatre newsletter: Masterpiece Theatre's 32nd winter season promises rich viewing in the traditional Masterpiece vein; we're offering the pastoral, the supernatural, the romantic and the adventurous. Join us for another superb season. Here's what's ahead: Sunday, January 12, 2003 MY UNCLE SILAS II Albert Finney returns as rustic rapscallion Uncle Silas in five new sketches from the charming country tales of H. E. Bates. The jovial thatcher poaches, revels, wenches, and waxes eloquent to the continued amusement of great-nephew Edward (Joe Prospero) and the consternation of his housekeeper Mrs. Betts (Sue Johnston). Sunday January 19, 2003 THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES \"Bleak, brooding and violent... terrific fare... part murder mystery, part Gothic ghost story and superbly well done... marvellous.\" {The Daily Mirror} The hellhound of the moors imperils the world's greatest detective in Arthur Conan Doyle's classic tale of sleuthing versus the supernatural. Richard Roxburgh (Moulin Rouge, The Road from Coorain) stars as the indomitable Sherlock Holmes with Ian Hart (Harry Potter) as the tenacious Dr. Watson, along with an exceptional cast and the hellhound itself, a truly terrifying beast brought to life as never before with state-of-the-art, computer-generated special effects. Sunday, January 26, 2003 ME & MRS JONES Robson Green (Reckless, Touching Evil) stars as Liam Marple, alias tabloid columnist \"Mrs. Jones.\" Assigned to get the dirt on the comely Prime Minister (Caroline Goodall, Princess Diaries, The Sculptress), Liam poses as a political fundraiser to strike up a friendship. As amity turns into torrid romance, his editor and ex-wife (Keeley Hawes, Othello) wonders why his copy is losing its bite. Liam wonders what will happen when the PM learns the truth. Sundays, February 2 through 23, 2003 FOYLE'S WAR Coastal Britain during World War II... Amid the disorder and danger, Police Inspector Christopher Foyle (Michael Kitchen, The Railway Children, Oliver Twist, Reckless) faces four cases. As bombs sporadically fall, he and his driver Samantha Steward (Honeysuckle Weeks) deal with murder, espionage, and treason. Ever shorthanded, Foyle gets invalid soldier Paul Milner (Anthony Howell, Wives and Daughters) as a brilliant if emotionally unhinged assistant. Sunday and Monday, March 30 & 31, 2003 DANIEL DERONDA George Eliot's last, most ambitious novel charts a love story set in Victorian high society and takes a surprising turn into the hidden world of English Jews. Hugh Dancy (Madame Bovary) stars as Daniel Deronda, and Romala Garai is his soul mate Gwendolen Harleth. Though entranced with Daniel, Gwendolen is forced into an oppressive marriage to Henleigh Grandcourt (Hugh Bonneville, The Cazalets), while Daniel finds a new life through his friendship with singer Mirah (Johdi May, Turn of the Screw). The screenplay is by Masterpiece Theatre's drama favorite Andrew Davies (Middlemarch, Moll Flanders, Wives and Daughters, Othello, The Way We Live Now)."}, {"response": 671, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 11, 2003 (09:53)", "body": "Thanks Karen...lots of goodies coming up \" Andrew Davies (Middlemarch, Moll Flanders, Wives and Daughters, Othello, The Way We Live Now).\" MT likes to toot their own horn...they ain't gonna credit AD with his most famous screenplay that was presented on A&E.LOL."}, {"response": 672, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 11, 2003 (10:53)", "body": "Saw The Pianist yesterday. It will be a tough one for many people to take; doesn't sugar coat anything. I was only mildly critical of the way Polanski chose to depict the two uprisings, especially the first (Warsaw Ghetto Uprising) but do understand the POV. Adrien Brody is excellent and right now it's a tough call for me between him and DDL. Oh yes! No one got up when the credits started rolling. People sat and waited until it was completely through. Don't think I've seen that for a long time."}, {"response": 673, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 11, 2003 (11:21)", "body": "NYer review http://www.newyorker.com/critics/cinema/?030113crci_cinema NY TIMES : \"The ambition to produce a comprehensive vision ? a single spectacle adequate to the Holocaust ? ultimately defeated Steven Spielberg's admirable and serious \"Schindler's List.\" Mr. Polanski, in staging a narrow, partial slice of history, has made a film that is both drier and more resonant than Mr. Spielberg's http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/27/movies/27PIAN.html?8mu One reviewer I read said Polanski was too easy on the Poles . Many of whom sided with the Nazis. How did you like \"Georgianna\"?;-) This is one I won't miss."}, {"response": 674, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Jan 11, 2003 (11:38)", "body": "Regarding RZ, I agree with you Moon that she does have an annoying voice, but I can\ufffdt say that it detracted from my enjoying her in APAR, OTT, BJD (agree that it was lower in this one) or Chicago, as I do think she is a good actress. I, too, saw her on Letterman and the View (yes, I do other things than watch TV\ufffdI swear!), and I noticed that rather than look people in the eye when she spoke, RZ looked down a lot. I found that very annoying. Regarding the GC interview by DR, agree it could have been better. And what\ufffds with Dan Rather\ufffds hair? I hate it when these guys try to look modern, as all it does is make them look that much older\ufffd.. ( I can\ufffdt stand to look at Matt Lauer anymore, either, since he decided to shave his head and keep it a length \ufffd of an inch.) Anyway, loved the fact that they did talk about the pig! Speaking of which, here\ufffds a shot of George and Max when he first got the little piggie:"}, {"response": 675, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jan 11, 2003 (11:58)", "body": "LOL, Lisa, such a sweet picture. Colin and George will have pig stories to exchange on the set of TEOR. ;-) Thanks, Karen for the Masterpiece T. info. (Karen), Adrien Brody is excellent and right now it's a tough call for me between him and DDL. Oh yes! No one got up when the credits started rolling. People sat and waited until it was completely through. Don't think I've seen that for a long time. Everyone stayed here too. I loved it! This is my choice for Best Picture. Adrian Brody was excellent. It will be a tough call betwen him and DDL but I would go for Brody. DDL appears too much as a cartoon caricature. Was there anyone more out of place than Scorsese in that scene at the table? Ridiculous! LOL! GoNY is so awful. I liked Georgianna too. ;-) This is Polanski at his best."}, {"response": 676, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 11, 2003 (12:17)", "body": "(NYer) Mr. Polanski, in staging a narrow, partial slice of history, has made a film that is both drier and more resonant than Mr. Spielberg's Very true. It wasn't a tearjerker the way Schindler's List was for many people. You got a more true sense of the horror in day-to-day life. One reviewer I read said Polanski was too easy on the Poles. Many of whom sided with the Nazis. Many? How about the majority? Yes, he was too easy on them, choosing only two characters as the embodiment of that view. Instead, you had Szpilman being in contact with others who were active in the Underground and therefore anti-Nazi. That they helped Szpilman had more to do with \"who\" he was as an artist than his religion.' Georgiana was fine, but I was getting her mixed up with another blonde. Drove me nuts that they looked so similar. Happened with other characters as well. A real mish-mash of supporting, unknown players. Oh yes, and the guy from TIOBE was in it too. The out-of-breath little guy who came to summon Rev Chasuble that Miss Prism was waiting for him in the vestry. Hey! And they used accents too (could hear the underlying British accent in many cases) but not at all caricatured."}, {"response": 677, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Jan 11, 2003 (12:34)", "body": "Thanks for posting the MT info Karen. I sure hope MT can find another sponsor soon, so they can continue offering decent programming. Evelyn)MT likes to toot their own horn...they ain't gonna credit AD with his most famous screenplay that was presented on A&E.LOL. Evelyn, that was my first thought, too. ;-D Thanks, Ladies, for the info on The Pianist. This is the movie I have been waiting to see, along with The Hours."}, {"response": 678, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jan 11, 2003 (13:23)", "body": "(Karen), That they helped Szpilman had more to do with \"who\" he was as an artist than his religion.' That holds true also for the Nazi at the end. That Art would unite all! Georgiana was fine, but I was getting her mixed up with another blonde. Drove me nuts that they looked so similar. Happened with other characters as well This was interesting and obviously done on purpose. Maybe stereotyping the Poles as the Jews had also been stereotyped. Hey! And they used accents too (could hear the underlying British accent in many cases) but not at all caricatured. Which proves it can be done."}, {"response": 679, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 11, 2003 (13:34)", "body": "(Moon) That holds true also for the Nazi at the end. That Art would unite all! Perhaps you should've written *SPOILER*???? ;-) Yes, he appreciated the artist and was the only \"good German soldier,\" but he could represent more than that. He was a realist. He knew the war was coming to an end and they were going to lose any day now. Why bother?"}, {"response": 680, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 11, 2003 (13:39)", "body": "(Karen)Oh yes, and the guy from TIOBE was in it too. The out-of-breath little guy who came to summon Rev Chasuble that Miss Prism was waiting for him in the vestry. LOL. Wasn't he the little gardener who blesses himself during the urn scene? (Karen)Hey! And they used accents too (could hear the underlying British accent in many cases) but not at all caricatured. (Moon) Which proves it can be done. I like movies that are authentic...even if the accents aren't flawless. Which was my objection to \"Conspiracy\"...they didn't even try. Consequently, Bruce Cox creamed them. Speaking of accents...did you catch Dominic West as the sleazy boyfriend in \"Chicago?\" Miniscule part...but mobetta that TTOTS;-)"}, {"response": 681, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Jan 11, 2003 (14:17)", "body": "(Evelyn) I like movies that are authentic...even if the accents aren't flawless. Which was my objection to \"Conspiracy\"...they didn't even try. I didn't mind the \"Conspiracy\" accents. I dated a German for 2 1/2 years. He had studied English at university and when I first met him I thought he was from the UK. His accent had no trace of German in it...all his friends had similar accents. When I went to London with him, people there thought he was English as well (until they heard his name). Many Germans do have German accents when they speak, but some do not (so many begin studying English at such a young age that the accent is negligible)....Granted in \"Conspiracy\" they would have been speaking German to each other, but if they HAD been speaking English, some of them may very well have sounded as they did in the film. I did note that ODB did a great job on pronouncing the German names (much better than I could have done ;-) )."}, {"response": 682, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Jan 11, 2003 (14:55)", "body": "Adaptation...SPOILERS... Just got back from seeing Adaptation -There I was, enjoying the interweaving plot about writer's bloc, and the Meryl Streep/Chris Cooper relationship, when the two plots came together and whole film went haywire, giving us a lot more violence than I cared, or needed, to see. The movie, written by Charlie Kaufman (Being John Malkovich), is about a brother who can't write his script adapting the real book \"The Orchard Thief,\" and finally gets the help of his twin. All I can figure is that in \"real life,\" Charlie couldn't figure it out either, sniffed some glue or something, and just decided what the heck, let's go crazy. Movies like this make me angry! Anyone else see it? Care to comment? The major critics called it brilliant. Well, at least 3/4 of it was. Guess I am too nuance-deprived for Mr. Jonze."}, {"response": 683, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 11, 2003 (15:11)", "body": "(Tress) Granted in \"Conspiracy\" they would have been speaking German to each other, but if they HAD been speaking English, some of them may very well have sounded as they did in the film. You have to take into consideration the times. These guys didn't study at English universities. (Murph) The major critics called it brilliant. Well, at least 3/4 of it was. Guess I am too nuance-deprived for Mr. Jonze. I think you might have missed what he was trying to show with that ending. I was laughing myself silly, once I realized what was going on. Of course, no one else around me was. They took it seriously, not undertstanding that Kaufman put a formulaic Hollywood ending on the movie. It was a big joke. Of course, Moon told me she preferred the \"last act\" to the first two. Now, that I find strange. ;-)"}, {"response": 684, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 11, 2003 (15:13)", "body": "Oh yeah!! SPOILERS above. ;-) and below The ending represented what Hollywood would've done to the book. Get it?"}, {"response": 685, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jan 11, 2003 (15:49)", "body": "Like he told them he specifically didn't want to do if I'm not mistaken. I actually liked this better than BJM. But enjoyed them both. Didn't realize script guru in the movie actually is one."}, {"response": 686, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 11, 2003 (16:15)", "body": "Thanks for the \"Adaptation\" comments.Definitely a 'renter' Think I'd rather see \"Maid in Manhattan\"..... again;-)"}, {"response": 687, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Jan 11, 2003 (16:34)", "body": "DUH! - Hitting myself aside the head -- Now I get it. Thanks, Karen. No one in our theater laughed. They didn't get it either. Joe says he agrees with you, and that the relationship of Cooper and Streep was also a bow to conventional Hollywood. Working relationship turns tender..."}, {"response": 688, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Jan 11, 2003 (18:39)", "body": "Heard today that Sophia Loren has been offered the role of Lady Penelope in the live action remake of 'Thunderbirds'. Hardly typically English aristocrat! - Got me thinking. Edward Fox would make a wonderful Parker. I can just imagine him saying, \"Yes, milady\"!"}, {"response": 689, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Sun, Jan 12, 2003 (03:34)", "body": "Can you tell me if there has been a discussion of Apartment Zero in the past. I've just seen it for the first time and would like to get a better understanding of it."}, {"response": 690, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Jan 12, 2003 (07:46)", "body": "Karen postet a link some time ago: topic 166, posting 708. Very interesting reading material indeed."}, {"response": 691, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 12, 2003 (09:24)", "body": "(Dorine) Didn't realize script guru in the movie actually is one. You mean the name of Brian Cox's character? Lots of SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!!! (Murph) Hitting myself aside the head No need for that and glad to be of service. Actually, when I saw it, I was slow to pick up the transition. I knew something had happened when Meryl Streep's character went completely out of character when she said they would have to kill him. But I believe the transition actually occurred right after the script guru's seminar. As he was berating bad scripts (use of voiceover narrative), I realized most of them were in this movie. But then he screamed, don't you dare use a cheap deus ex machina to resolve your script problems. That's exactly what Brian Cox's character turned out to be, a deus ex machina. After that, you got nothing but cheap Hollywood cliches: illicit love affair, drugs, a chase scene, murders, the alligator and then at the end, you had the \"hope of a happy ending\" for Charlie's character with that girl."}, {"response": 692, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan 12, 2003 (09:27)", "body": "BBC Conducted a poll Top Five Actresses: 1. Dawn Steele (Monarch of the Glen) 2. Haydn Gwynne (Merseybeat) 3. Jennifer Ehle (Pride & Prejudice) 4. Michelle Holmes (Merseybeat) 5. Tamzin Outhwaite (Red Cap) Even after seven years.... http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/fun.shtml Next week Top Actors: Vote Now so Anthony Sher doesn't win;-) (Wasn't that the one who beat Colin once ..or was it Anthony Andrews?)"}, {"response": 693, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Jan 12, 2003 (09:28)", "body": "SPOILERS again... Just another opinion on the ending of Adaptation from David Demby of the New Yorker's review in December (an aside - I love Meryl Streep in anything. That wonderful face and the talent behind it never disappoints): \"...But the distraught Charlie, to our amazement, is impressed by McKee's platitudes, and abruptly turns the orchid story into a violent melodrama after all. What then envelops Orlean and Laroche and Charlie (who writes himself into the story) is awful nonsense. Drugs, guns, car crashes, alligators - the movie becomes a complete shambles, and far more desperate than anything conventional filmmakers would fall into. It's hard to know how to read this mess of an ending. Is it a way of throwing in the towel after a long struggle and \"adapting\" to Hollywood? Or is it meant to be taken as a savage parody of selling out? The first possibility is sad, the second condescending to the audience. The trouble with experimental comedies is that it's often impossilbe to figure out how to end them. But a least this one is intercate fun before it blows itself up.\""}, {"response": 694, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Jan 12, 2003 (09:30)", "body": "Karen: I posted the above before reading your opinion. You say exactly what Denby says. Thanks!"}, {"response": 695, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Jan 12, 2003 (09:38)", "body": "Me Again... Evelyn, I followed up on your note about best actresses at the BBC fun section, and found this Andrew Davies Quiz: http://www.bbc.co.uk/cgi-bin/quiz.pl?QUIZDATA=dramquiz_davies.dat&WEBSITE=drama"}, {"response": 696, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 12, 2003 (09:44)", "body": "(Murph) You say exactly what Denby says. LOL! But not exactly with his conclusion about the ending. It's hard to know how to read this mess of an ending. Is it a way of throwing in the towel after a long struggle and \"adapting\" to Hollywood? Or is it meant to be taken as a savage parody of selling out? The first possibility is sad, the second condescending to the audience. I took it as the latter, but didn't think it was condescending at all. Sheesh! How can it be condescending when most people don't get it. You would think if he was talking down to his audience, it would be simple. It isn't, hence the confusion. BTW, I heard last night that, if Adaptation is nominated for a screenwriting award, Donald will be credited. The Academy doesn't care whether he's real or not. Once before, someone gave the credit to his dog, who eventually won the Oscar for Greystokes. ;-)"}, {"response": 697, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jan 12, 2003 (11:47)", "body": "(Dorine) Didn't realize script guru in the movie actually is one. (Karen) You mean the name of Brian Cox's character? Yes, Robert McKee. For some reason when looking for books on the subject, I discounted his and apparently put his name out of my consciousness completely."}, {"response": 698, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan 12, 2003 (11:59)", "body": "I don't know why you folks who have seen ADAPTATION are prefacing your comments with \"Spoilers\". Frankly, I think you're doing the audience a favor . Sounds like a gimmick to me. IMO any film with a story-line that needs a cheat-sheet to be understood is being disingenuous to the audience.I don't care how good the acting is."}, {"response": 699, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan 12, 2003 (12:02)", "body": "*SPOILERS* ;-) (Karen), Moon told me she preferred the \"last act\" to the first two. Now, that I find strange. ;-) It was a riot to see how he had written in all the cheap deus ex machina after the script guru's seminar. The comedy finally turned in. The first parts dragged on. and then at the end, you had the \"hope of a happy ending\" for Charlie's character with that girl. And that Charlie was out-of-character with the way Charlie had been portrayed throughout the film. Or is it meant to be taken as a savage parody of selling out? The first possibility is sad, the second condescending to the audience. (Karen), I took it as the latter, but didn't think it was condescending at all. Sheesh! How can it be condescending when most people don't get it. You would think if he was talking down to his audience, it would be simple. First of all, CK does not write for most people. Second, he blew this one big time. Will repeat self: Rent \"Human Nature.\""}, {"response": 700, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 12, 2003 (13:53)", "body": "(Evelyn) Sounds like a gimmick to me. IMO any film with a story-line that needs a cheat-sheet to be understood is being disingenuous to the audience *scratching head* I don't recall you're saying that for Memento, which had the granddaddy of all gimmicks. ;-)"}, {"response": 701, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan 12, 2003 (14:21)", "body": "I know...I didn't get that one either.Even tried to play it backwards on the DVD!! LOL.Doesn't work. But I did like \"Croupier\";-)"}, {"response": 702, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Jan 12, 2003 (14:50)", "body": "(Evelyn) I know...I didn't get that one either.Even tried to play it backwards on the DVD!! Did you watch it on the Limited Edition DVD? There is an egg for that one that will put the film in chronological order for you. Try this site if you own the DVD and it will tell you how to get there: http://www.eeggs.com/items/34998.html"}, {"response": 703, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (08:43)", "body": "(Janet) Heard today that Sophia Loren has been offered the role of Lady Penelope in the live action remake of 'Thunderbirds'. Hardly typically English aristocrat! Wrong Sophia, I'm afraid. ;-) Someone named Sophia Myles. Here's the news item, but I'm afraid I've never heard of the 'Thunderbirds': LONDON -- After more than five years of planning, script rewrites, casting conundrums and decisions over directors, a live-action film version of the 1960s cult U.K. television show \"Thunderbirds\" is a go. Under the guidance of Working Title Films, the fantasy adventure is scheduled to begin shooting in March on location in the Seychelles, with studio work at Pinewood Studios in the United Kingdom. Directed by Jonathan Frakes (\"Star Trek: Insurrection\") from a script by William Osborne (\"The Scorpion King\"), the film, with an estimated budget of more than $50 million, marks Working Title's largest production. Universal Pictures has worldwide rights to \"Thunderbirds,\" which is being produced by Working Title co-chairmen Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner along with Mark Huffam. Casting is being finalized, and Working Title expects to announce full casting in the next week. The company said it has already cast British actress Sophia Myles (\"The Abduction Club\") in one of the film's key roles, Lady Penelope. British p oduction house Framestore has been signed to carry out the extensive special effects works that will be required on the picture, producer Bevan said Friday from Working Title's Los Angeles outpost. ~~~~ Hmmm, anything here for Colin? Action film? Seychelles? Wouldn't appear so. ;-)"}, {"response": 704, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (09:26)", "body": "2002 7th Golden Satellite Awards (nominations December 17, 2002; to be awarded January 12, 2003) Best Motion Picture - Drama Antwone Fisher * Far from Heaven The Hours The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers The Quiet American Road to Perdition Best Actress - Drama Selma Hayek - Frida Nicole Kidman - The Hours * Diane Lane - Unfaithful Julianne Moore - Far from Heaven Meryl Streep - The Hours Sigourney Weaver - The Guys Best Actor - Drama * Michael Caine - The Ugly American * Daniel Day-Lewis - Gangs of New York Jack Nicholson - About Schmidt Edward Norton - 25th Hour Robin Williams - One Hour Photo Best Supporting Actress - Drama Kathy Bates - About Schmidt * Edie Falco - Sunshine State Julianne Moore - The Hours Miranda Richardson - Spider Do Thi Hai Yen - The Quiet American Renee Zellweger - White Oleander Best Supporting Actor - Drama Jeremy Davies - Solaris * Dennis Haysbert - Far from Heaven Alfred Molina - Frida Viggo Mortensen - Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Paul Newman - Road to Perdition Dennis Quaid - Far from Heaven Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical About a Boy Adaptation Chicago Igby Goes Down * My Big Fat Greek Wedding Punch Drunk Love Best Actress - Comedy or Musical Jennifer Aniston - The Good Girl Maggie Gyllenhaal - Secretary Catherine Keener - Lovely & Amazing Nia Vardalos - My Big Fat Greek Wedding * Jennifer Westfeldt - Kissing Jessica Stein Renee Zellweger - Chicago Best Actor - Comedy or Musical Nicolas Cage - Adaptation * Kieran Culkin - Igby Goes Down Hugh Grant - About a Boy Sam Rockwell - Confessions of a Dangerous Mind Adam Sandler - Punch Drunk Love Aaron Stanford - Tadpole Best Supporting Actress - Comedy or Musical Toni Collette - About a Boy * Tovah Feldshuh - Kissing Jessica Stein Lainie Kazan - My Big Fat Greek Wedding Emily Mortimer - Lovely & Amazing Bebe Neuwirth - Tadpole Meryl Streep - Adaptation Best Supporting Actor - Comedy or Musical * Michael Constantine - My Big Fat Greek Wedding Chris Cooper - Adaptation Jake Gyllenhaal - The Good Girl Philip Seymour Hoffman - Punch Drunk Love Nicky Katt - Full Frontal John C. Reilly - The Good Girl Best Foreign Film All or Nothing - UK Bloody Sunday - Ireland/UK Everyone Loves Alice - Sweden Monsoon Wedding - India Rain - New Zealand Sex and Lucia - France/Spain * Talk to Her - Spain Best Motion Picture - Animated or Mixed Media Ice Age Lilo & Stitch Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron * Spirited Away The Wild Thornberry's Movie Best Documentary Biggie and Tupac Bowling for Columbine The Cockettes Dogtown and Z-Boys * The Kid Stays in the Picture Best Director Pedro Almodovar - Talk to Her Stephen Daldry - The Hours * Todd Haynes - Far from Heaven Peter Jackson - The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Phillip Noyce - The Quiet American Denzel Washington - Antwone Fisher Best Original Screenplay All or Nothing - Mike Leigh Far from Heaven - Todd Haynes The Good Girl - Mike White Igby Goes Down - Burr Steers Lovely & Amazing - Nicole Holofcener * Talk to Her - Pedro Almodovar Best Adapted Screenplay * Adaptation - Charlie Kaufman, Donald Kaufman Chicago - Bill Condon Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - Frances Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Stephen Sindair, Peter Jackson My Big Fat Greek Wedding - Nia Vardalos The Pianist - Ronald Harwood Best Original Score About a Boy - Badly Drawn Boy (Damon Gough) * Frida - Elliot Goldenthal Roger Dodger - Craig Wedren 25th Hour - Dane A. Davis 24 Hour Party People - Liz Gallacher Best Original Song \"Die Another Day\" - Die Another Day \"8 Mile\" - 8 Mile \"Girl on the Roof\" - Van Wilder \"Love Is a Crime\" - Chicago * \"Something to Talk About\" - About a Boy \"Work It Out\" - Austin Powers: Goldmember Best Cinematography Far from Heaven - Edward Lachman Gangs of New York - Michael Ballhaus Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - Andrew Lesnie Minority Report - Janusz Kaminski * Road to Perdition - Conrad Hall Best Visual Effects Gangs of New York - Bruce Steinheimer, Michael Owens, Edward Hirsh, Jon Alexander * Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - Jim Rygiel Minority Report - Scott Farrar Road to Perdition - Michael J. McAlister Spider-Man - John Dykstra Best Film Editing Adaptation - Eric Zumbrunnen * Gangs of New York - Thelma Schoonmaker Insomnia - Dody Dorn Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - D. Michael Horton One Hour Photo - Jeffrey Ford Best Sound Gangs of New York - Philip Stockton Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - Ethan Van der Ryn Minority Report - Richard Hymns, Gary Rydstrom Signs - Richard King * Solaris - Larry Blake Best Art Direction Catch Me If You Can - Sarah Knowles CQ - Luc Chalon, Oshin Yeghiazariantz Frida - Felipe Fernandez, Hannia Robledo * Gangs of New York - Alessandro Alberti Road to Perdition - Richard L. Johnson, Dennis Gassner Best Costume Design Austin Powers: Goldmember - Deena Appel * Frida - Julie Weiss Gangs of New York - Sandy Powell Road to Perdition - Albert Wolsky Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones - Trisha Biggar Outstanding New Talent Derek Luke - Antwone Fi"}, {"response": 705, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (09:43)", "body": "(Karen)Wrong Sophia, I'm afraid. ;-) Someone named Sophia Myles. Here's the news item, but I'm afraid I've never heard of the 'Thunderbirds': Wrong name used in news report I heard, obviously! BTW, Thunderbirds was a puppet TV series, albeit with fairly big production values, shown in the UK in the Sixties, which had cult status among children (and some adults)."}, {"response": 706, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (11:33)", "body": "Thanks Murph...lots o surprises there. \"Big Fat Greek Wedding\" also won The People's Award last night. Anbody see it? Tom Hanks off on the sidelines proudly taking snapshots of wife Rita as she accepted the award as the producer."}, {"response": 707, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (11:49)", "body": "(Evelyn)Tom Hanks off on the sidelines proudly taking snapshots of wife Rita as she accepted the award as the producer I thought that was sweet; he let Rita have her moment in the sun. He did the same thing on the red carpet interview, walked out of camera range and let her do the interview. Of course, maybe he was just trying to get away from Joan.;-) Opreah Winfrey has a show on The Hours today, with Streep, Kidman, and Moore as guests. Should be good. As I won't be home in time to see it, maybe someone could fill me in. Thanks."}, {"response": 708, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (14:36)", "body": "2002 7th Golden Satellite Awards What the heck are these?! A few odd winning choices I must say...nothwithstanding some odd noms as well. Tom Hanks was adorable last night and thought she looked great as always. Only saw him with Joan, though. Couldn't get through the show."}, {"response": 709, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (14:48)", "body": "What the heck are these?! Aren't these from the *real* Hollywood Foreign Press? As I recall, the ones who give the GGs represent only a small number of foreign journalists. This group split away (but didn't get Dick Clark's backing!) or some such thing."}, {"response": 710, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (15:16)", "body": "Karen says: Aren't these from the *real* Hollywood Foreign Press? As I recall, the ones who give the GGs represent only a small number of foreign journalists. This group split away (but didn't get Dick Clark's backing!) or some such thing I didn't know that! If you like Jim Broadbent as much as I do, here is a good interview with him in today's Guardian. http://film.guardian.co.uk/interview/interviewpages/0,6737,873784,00.html"}, {"response": 711, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (17:04)", "body": "(Mari) Opreah Winfrey has a show on The Hours today, with Streep, Kidman, and Moore as guests. Should be good. As I won't be home in time to see it, maybe someone could fill me in. Thanks. Lucky me, living in Oprahville. I'll tune into the rebroadcast later tonight."}, {"response": 712, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (19:48)", "body": "Oprah show was excellent.A tea party at The Bel Air Hotel In Hollywood. V. conversational and friendly. All three are not only excellent actresses, but poised, intelligent women. Those attributes don't always exist in some of these these dolls that appear on the late show. I loved Meryl Streep's sense of humor...so deprecating. For those who get the Oxygen Channel, I hear there was also an \"After The Oprah Show\" a 30 minute segment that was casual. And some v. nice comments were made about Stephen Dillane \"being the unsung hero \"."}, {"response": 713, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Jan 13, 2003 (20:09)", "body": "(Evelyn) Thanks Murph...lots o surprises there. \"Big Fat Greek Wedding\" also won The People's Award last night. Anbody see it? Tom Hanks off on the sidelines proudly taking snapshots of wife Rita as she accepted the award as the producer. I got to see this live last night because a friend managed to score a couple of tickets. It was a pretty dreadful show, but a good night for celeb watching. Of course most of our star gazing was of the tops of their heads since we peons were relegated to the balcony, but we were lucky to be in the first row of the balcony. Tom Hanks definitely wins the \"good sport\" award. I think they must tell the nominees in advance if they won, because for the most part only the winners bothered to show up. We pretty much knew before the show started who won in the major categories just by who we could see sitting in the front few rows. Tom Hanks was nominated for favorite male movie performer but Mel Gibson won, so the only reason Tom was there was to support Rita and Greek wedding. At least the camera man had the good graces not to show his face when they announced Mel Gibson's name ;-)."}, {"response": 714, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (00:30)", "body": "(Evelyn) And some v. nice comments were made about Stephen Dillane \"being the unsung hero \". Huh? Did I miss this. They hardly discussed the film at all, but I know far more about what junk foods they all like then before. Hey Janny!! Good to see you checking in (hmmm, I owe you an email). So you attended an awards show. How fun. Were Joan and Melissa there? ;-) Yes, I do believe the winners know this one in advance. Maybe they get a phone call by the Gallup org, which has never called me to get my vote. Really idiotic award most years, as the 'favorite' may not have even been in a film."}, {"response": 715, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (09:03)", "body": "(Jana) I think they must tell the nominees in advance if they won, because for the most part only the winners bothered to show up. We pretty much knew before the show started who won in the major categories just by who we could see sitting in the front few rows. I agree with you. I thought they knew in advance from previous shows too. Agree show was horrible. Thanks for award info Murph. Glad to see MC tied with DDL. Good choices."}, {"response": 716, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (09:45)", "body": "Here we go, the beginning of the guild nominations, which will ultimately translate into Oscar noms. For Art Direction: Period or Fantasy Films: \"Chicago,\" John Myhre; \"Gangs of New York,\" Dante Ferretti; \"The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers,\" Grant Major; \"Minority Report,\" Alex McDowell; \"Road to Perdition,\" Dennis Gassner Contemporary Films: \"The Bourne Identity,\" Dan Weil; \"Catch Me If You Can,\" Jeannine Oppewall; \"The Hours,\" Maria Djurkovic; \"One Hour Photo,\" Tom Foden; \"Panic Room,\" Arthur Max"}, {"response": 717, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (10:07)", "body": "The NY Times today: Love in the Afternoon By JOYCE WADLER The subtext of the New York Film Critics Circle Awards, it appears to us, is that the awards are more discerning, more intellectually rigorous than those out-of-town awards. So we had to admire the fearless way that ANNA POCH\ufffd, the girlfriend of DENNIS QUAID, sang out her credits to the press gantlet at the awards dinner on Sunday night at Noche. \"Snowboarder, wakeboarder,\" said Ms. Poch\ufffd, blond, young and gorgeous in a deep-cut Prada gown. \"And I assist Dennis.\" During cocktails, she and Mr. Quaid, who was named best supporting actor for \"Far From Heaven,\" stood back to back, leaning into one another. Their hands were intertwined. Mr. Quaid wore Prada, too. They had flown in from Montreal, where Mr. Quaid is making a film. (Ms. Poch\ufffd brought her cat.) Sunday, they went to Prada, where they were outfitted down to their shoes. Ms. Poch\ufffd says she will keep her outfit. Mr. Quaid said he would probably give back his suit. It was an impressive crowd: Presenters included MARTIN SCORSESE, RICHARD GERE, WILLEM DAFOE, the New Yorker writer SUSAN ORLEAN and SALMA HAYEK. Award winners included DANIEL DAY-LEWIS, best actor for \"Gangs of New York,\" and DIANE LANE, best actress for \"Unfaithful.\" JULIANNE MOORE presented the award for best director and picture to TODD HAYNES, for \"Far From Heaven.\" Among the crowd, HILARY SWANK and GEORGE LUCAS. Mr. Lucas was seated at a table with HARVEY WEINSTEIN and Mr. Scorsese and Mr. Day-Lewis, but as the others arrived late (Mr. Scorsese and Mr. Day-Lewis were flying in from Rome), Mr. Lucas for a time sat alone. Also attending was CHARLIE KAUFMAN, who won best screenplay for \"Adaptation,\" the story of an anxious, insecure screenwriter by the name of Charlie Kaufman. Mr. Kaufman, having told the truth of how writers really spend their afternoons (obsessing, loathing themselves, masturbating) is the reporter's hero, but Mr. Kaufman \ufffd slight, curly haired, 44, but looks younger \ufffd is so shy as to recall Woody Allen. Arriving with his parents and sister, he dodged the reporters and stood with his back against an iron railing, clutching it so intensely one waited for it to bend. No interviews that night, the publicist said. Approached later in the evening one on one, which one sensed would put him at a tremendous disadvantage, Mr. Kaufman talked. He had indeed struggled after being hired to adapt Ms. Orlean's book, \"The Orchid Thief,\" he said, and would have given back the money had he not already spent it. Yes, \"Being John Malkovich,\" which he wrote, was a big hit, but at the time he was working on \"Adaptation,\" it had not yet been released. Was Mr. Kaufman as anxious as he was in the movie? \"More.\" Those self-involved afternoon activities that are the bane of the self-employed? A friend has a name for it, Mr. Kaufman said: \"Procrasturbation.\""}, {"response": 718, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (10:16)", "body": "\"Procrasturbation.\" LOL! Thanks, Mary. Mr. Kaufman, having told the truth of how writers really spend their afternoons (obsessing, loathing themselves, masturbating) is the reporter's hero, but Mr. Kaufman \ufffd slight, curly haired, 44, but looks younger \ufffd is so shy as to recall Woody Allen. See, Moon. It doesn't matter how successful one has been."}, {"response": 719, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (10:17)", "body": "Karen: \"...the beginning of the guild nominations.\" Karen: Which are these? I get confused."}, {"response": 720, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (12:19)", "body": "(Evelyn) they ain't gonna credit AD with his most famous screenplay that was presented on A&E.LOL. Didn't PBS get approached first to put up some bucks for P&P, but they decided to pass? (Evelyn) Next week Top Actors: Vote Now so Anthony Sher doesn't win;-) Okay, help for the technically challenged: I tried to vote, but it says I have no default mail client, and to run Outlook Express and designate that as the default. I only have 'net access at work, and I don't have Express! Any ideas? (Moon) Will repeat self: Rent \"Human Nature.\" I plugged the title into Netflix & came up with a film that has Patricia Arquette & Tim Robbins; is this the right one? No writer is mentioned in the blurb. As for the Art Direction nominations, I can't believe Harry P. & the CoS wasn't nominated in the fantasy category; better-looking film than the first, and SS got an Oscar nom, if I'm not mistaken."}, {"response": 721, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (13:05)", "body": "Which are these? I get confused. All the trades that go into films: directors guild, screen actors guild, writers guild, cinematographers, editors, etc. They all do their own awards, which are all presented prior to the Oscars. In many cases, only people of a certain profession can vote in an Oscar category: art directors for the art direction Oscar; therefore, it pays to see what is not only nominated for the guild award but what wins. Very often is the same. I believe all Academy members vote in the big categories of Best Picture and Actors, but only directors vote for directors, etc."}, {"response": 722, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (16:24)", "body": "Evelyn) And some v. nice comments were made about Stephen Dillane \"being the unsung hero \". (Karen)Huh? Did I miss this. They hardly discussed the film at all,... That took place at the \"After the Oprah Show\" a 30 minute segment on the Oxygen Channel. I think that's an E. coast channel. At least it's not an offering on my Dish Network. Nice to hear from you Jana,ole buddie. Drop in more often. You think the 2003 show was bad?....you shudda seen it last year."}, {"response": 723, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (16:40)", "body": "(Moon) Will repeat self: Rent \"Human Nature.\" (moonstar), I plugged the title into Netflix & came up with a film that has Patricia Arquette & Tim Robbins; is this the right one? No writer is mentioned in the blurb. That's the one. It is brilliant!"}, {"response": 724, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (16:42)", "body": "In today's Miami Herald: Coming soon to a theater near you -- or maybe not Trailer teases not always kept in films BY DOUGLAS HANKS III In the trailer for Unfaithful, a private eye warns Richard Gere against looking too hard into his wife's dalliances. A grim Gere barks back: ``I want the truth!'' But when the movie opened five months later last May, Gere never got testy with the gumshoe. And the detective didn't offer to come up empty in the case. Director Adrian Lyne cut those bits of dialogue from the movie's final version. The excised conversation is part of a little-noticed phenomenon in Hollywood, where studios tease with footage that never actually comes to a theater near you. Trailers -- those brief previews movie theaters run before a show -- have moved into a starring role. Opening weekends now rule the film industry, where a crush of new competition and skyrocketing budgets have studios seeking huge box-office debuts before losing the public's attention to the next blockbuster. The hunt for instant audiences has pushed studios into launching promotional campaigns earlier and earlier -- and often months before a film's final edit. One result, some industry experts say, are trailers that don't match the final product. ''With big films, the anticipation is so high, you've got to get in there. Other studios are jockeying for position,'' said Skip Chaisson of Skip Film, who edited trailers for Mission: Impossible and Pearl Harbor. The longer lead times for trailers leave producers like Chaisson shaping rough edits or even raw footage into an estimate of the film they're hyping. Some guesses are better than others. In The Royal Tenenbaums trailer, Gwyneth Paltrow wins a Pulitzer Prize as a ninth-grader. She only garners a playwriting grant in the movie. To turn over a missing file, Ben Affleck tempts Samuel L. Jackson with $10,000 in the preview for Changing Lanes. The offer switched from cash to a new car by the time the movie opened. When the leader of the Scooby-Doo gang rattled off hip-hop jive in the trailer, audiences knew the cartoon dog had joined the MTV era. But moviegoers who missed the teaser didn't hear Fred tell a bewildered Shaggy: ``You had best get your smack on, smack off. You know what I mean?'' OBSCURE TOPIC Experts in the movie industry say there have always been some differences between trailers and the movies they promote. But the experts are divided on whether Hollywood's new marketing timetable is generating more of the extra scenes. Trailer discrepancies are such an obscure topic that no one seems to track them -- even on the Internet, the ultimate catalog of cinematic minutiae. But there is no doubt that trailers are more important than ever in Hollywood. A boom in movie production has meant more competition for theater screens, just as blockbuster budgets are crossing the $140 million threshold. The result: Studios need to make massive profits rapidly before being eclipsed by the next big release. ''Nowadays the opening weekend is life and death,'' said Jeanine Basinger, who heads the film studies department at Wesleyan University in Connecticut. ``A lot rides now on the advertising campaign. If [a movie] doesn't do well, it's moved out.'' HYPE MACHINE Recent years saw Hollywood scrap its staggered distribution strategy for blitzkrieg debuts. Big movies used to open on 400 screens and then expand on word-of-mouth buzz; now they launch in 4,000 theaters. Studios start the hype machine early: Audiences that once got sneak peeks of movies a month ahead of time are seeing snippets of footage six months or even a year in advance. ''In today's media-saturated society, there's a very good argument for priming the pump way ahead of time'' with trailers, said film critic Leonard Maltin, who hosts the Hot Ticket television show. Trailers are now so crucial to marketing a film that movie theaters complain studios show them too often and too early. Theater owners balked in the fall of 2001 when Warner Brothers insisted on a lengthy trailer package with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, which included a preview for the following summer's Scooby-Doo. ''There's a lot of pressure to play more trailers than we have space for,'' said John Fithian, president of the National Association of Theatre Owners. Despite the grumbling, trailers are more popular and visible than ever. Studios include trailers in DVD releases, websites are devoted to the genre, and newspaper critics review the latest previews from Hollywood. The industry will gather March 13 in Los Angeles for the fourth annual Golden Trailer Awards. Studios usually farm out trailers to freelance producers, who have between 30 seconds and 4 \ufffd minutes to telegraph a movie's premise. That might seem like the most discriminating edit possible, but footage that cuts to the chase in a trailer can lack the subtlety a director seeks for a two-hour feature. ''It's not that we want to change what the actors are saying,'' said Barbara Glazer,"}, {"response": 725, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (16:44)", "body": "Do you think we will still get black leather, air-guitar playing CF in WAGW? ;-)"}, {"response": 726, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (16:48)", "body": "LOL Oh yes, I most certainly hope so."}, {"response": 727, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (20:45)", "body": "(Moon) Do you think we will still get black leather, air-guitar playing CF in WAGW? ;-) My youngest and I went to HP again yesterday and the trailer for WAGW was still running and CF is still dancing...so I'm keeping my hopes up! ;-)"}, {"response": 728, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Jan 14, 2003 (22:28)", "body": "(Karen) Hey Janny!! Good to see you checking in (hmmm, I owe you an email). So you attended an awards show. How fun. Were Joan and Melissa there? ;-) Yes, I do believe the winners know this one in advance. Maybe they get a phone call by the Gallup org, which has never called me to get my vote. Really idiotic award most years, as the 'favorite' may not have even been in a film. Evelyn) Nice to hear from you Jana,ole buddie. Drop in more often. You think the 2003 show was bad?....you shudda seen it last year. Hi KK and Evie, nice to see you too! I'll try and stop by more often. For the People's Choice, we had to queue up in the back and go into a side door so we didn't get to see the red carpet at all. Darn, I was really hoping to catch a glimpse of Joan ;-). This was the first time I'd ever seen this particular award show and if last year's was even worse I shudder to think what it must have been like. Sheesh, we got Tony Danza doing rap and playing the trumpet :-0."}, {"response": 729, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (07:21)", "body": "Hi, Jana! Any chance of you making it to the GG? (Ada), My youngest and I went to HP again yesterday and the trailer for WAGW was still running and CF is still dancing...so I'm keeping my hopes up! ;-) I was referring to this part of the article: The hunt for instant audiences has pushed studios into launching promotional campaigns earlier and earlier -- and often months before a film's final edit. One result, some industry experts say, are trailers that don't match the final product."}, {"response": 730, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (10:45)", "body": "(Moon) I was referring to this part of the article Moon, I got what you were saying....I just misread the article and thought it said that they changed the trailers too often and too fast. My comment meant to say that it's been 2 months and they still had that trailer still going, at least. Goes to show that speed reading couse I took was not a good thing! ;-)"}, {"response": 731, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Jan 15, 2003 (19:39)", "body": "Jana, it seems like this award show get worse every year. I stopped watching after about 10 minutes."}, {"response": 732, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (09:42)", "body": "For those who are interested in the West End Drama awards: Olivier Awards Nominations were announced today: *BEST ACTRESS....... Anita Dobson for FROZEN at the Cottesloe Clare Higgins for VINCENT IN BRIXTON at the Cottesloe and Wyndham's Gwyneth Paltrow for PROOF at the Donmar Warehouse [I don't wanna hear that she's just a pretty face] Emily Watson for UNCLE VANYA at the Donmar Warehouse *BEST ACTOR........ Michael Gambon for A NUMBER at the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court Simon Russell Beale for UNCLE VANYA at the Donmar Warehouse Mark Rylance for TWELFTH NIGHT at Shakespeare's Globe David Tennant for LOBBY HERO at the Donmar Warehouse and New Ambassadors *BEST PERFORMANCE IN A SUPPORTING ROLE ........ Essie Davis for A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE at the Lyttelton Jessica Stevenson for THE NIGHT HERON at the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court [For you Mark Strong fans!] Mark Strong for TWELFTH NIGHT at the Donmar Warehouse Sian Thomas for UP FOR GRABS at Wyndham's *BEST DIRECTOR ..... Matthew Bourne for PLAY WITHOUT WORDS at the Lyttelton Richard Eyre for VINCENT IN BRIXTON at the Cottesloe Edward Hall for ROSE RAGE at the Haymarket Sam Mendes for TWELFTH NIGHT and UNCLE VANYA in repertory at the Donmar Warehouse Big coup for the Donmar this year. Sam's swan song."}, {"response": 733, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (09:48)", "body": "(Evelyn)Gwyneth Paltrow for PROOF at the Donmar Warehouse [I don't wanna hear that she's just a pretty face] You won't hear it from me ;-). I have never seen her on stage, but I like her very much in the movies, I have seen (SIL and Sliding doors just to mention a few)."}, {"response": 734, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (09:56)", "body": "In the \"yes, there is a god\" category, from THR: ;-) It's splitsville for HBO's 'Married' after two years Jan. 16, 2003 Divorce is on \"The Mind of the Married Man.\" HBO has decided not to renew Mike Binder's comedy series for a third season. \"It was a very hard decision for us, but it was one that we had to make,\" HBO executive vp original programming Carolyn Strauss said. \"We've picked up a bunch of new shows, and it basically came down to a matter of allocation of resources.\" HBO has recently given the green light to three one-hour series: \"Deadwood,\" \"Marriage\" and \"Carnivale.\" \"Deadwood\" and \"Carnivale\" are period pieces, which generally are very expensive to produce. \"Mind,\" a look at the challenges of modern-day marriage from a male perspective, never reached the commercial and critical acclaim [Ed note: Duh, wonder why?] of HBO's \"Sex and the City\" or the cult following and critical praise of the cable channel's \"Curb Your Enthusiasm.\" In its second season this fall, \"Mind\" ran as a companion to \"Curb,\" which has been picked up for a fourth season (HR 11/14)."}, {"response": 735, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (09:56)", "body": "On the other hand, now it's back to making feature films... :-("}, {"response": 736, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (10:39)", "body": "Some nice, behind-the-scenes info: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hollywoodreporter/columnists/grove/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1796311 I can't believe that this is still in such a limited state of release: *pathetic* Last weekend, Paramount began expanding its release of \"Hours,\" adding 34 more playdates. That put the film in 45 theaters where it grossed a very encouraging $907,621, averaging $20,169 per theater. Paramount is widening its run to about 400 theaters this Friday and plans to follow that with additional waves of expansion."}, {"response": 737, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (11:25)", "body": "Fascinating article Karen..timely,since it's coming here tomorrow. \"Given Daldry's background in theater, it's not surprising that he likes to rehearse with his actors, all of whom have spent a lot of time working on the stage.\" Interesting that all of lead stars and supporting are from the stage. But pox on Daldry for not mentioning SD. Anybody see Renee on Charlie Rose the other night?"}, {"response": 738, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (11:59)", "body": "At the Chicago roundtable? Good show. Did anyone catch Adrien Brody on Charlie Rose last night? What a sincere and thoughtful young man. Very serious about the work, but without one iota of actorly/luvvie b.s. about him. I was very impressed."}, {"response": 739, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (12:08)", "body": "Oh shoot, didn't see it, although it might be on the Indiana station's replay now. I liked Brody in that Spike Lee film a couple of years ago (Summer of Sam, which was v.g.) and he was in Bread & Roses, which most of you probably wouldn't have seen. He's very versatile."}, {"response": 740, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (13:19)", "body": "Totally Odds and Ends....I am posting this here because I saw a reference to \"Cheapside\" there and immediately heard Miss Bingley's voice! I have been seeing a lot about Samuel Pepys these days, what with the well reviewed new biography by Claire Tomalin, and today's note in the the NY Times about a London gentleman who has put the diary on line as a weblog: \"Phil Gyford, a Web developer in London, set up the site because he had always wanted to read the diary but found it \"daunting and uninviting\" in its long form. \"I haven't read much further ahead than what's on the site,\" he said by e-mail. \"I'm enjoying reading it along with everyone else.\" Mr. Gyford also had the inspired idea of allowing site visitors to annotate the entries. The annotations can be personal comments or explanations proffered for obscure terms and historical references. The result is like reading a book along with a group of clued-in friends.\" http://www.pepysdiary.com/"}, {"response": 741, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (13:36)", "body": "In the NY Post Sunday. \"Ted and Sylvia\" filming in NZ. Looking forward to this one!"}, {"response": 742, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (13:56)", "body": "HBO has decided not to renew Mike Binder's comedy series The Munchkins are beltin' it out: Ding dong, the kvetch is dead! Which old kvetch, the kvetchy kvetch . . .;-) Murph, just put a dagger through my heart.:-("}, {"response": 743, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (14:45)", "body": "Karen: Did you know the fourth Federica Potter book was out???? Since December??? Called \"The Whistling Woman\"???? I just heard about it!"}, {"response": 744, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (14:54)", "body": "sorry, Frederica!"}, {"response": 745, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (15:24)", "body": "Wot?!!!!!!!!!!! How did this get past us? But the horrible thing is it's been so long since I read any of the books, I'd have to reread them to know what was going on, and the prospect of rereading Babel Tower is a bit numbing. ;-) *smacking lips though to find out what is in store for Alexander* Think I'll stop by B&N tomorrow, when I go to see Chicago."}, {"response": 746, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (16:39)", "body": "Oh, the best is my horoscope for today!!! :) How freakin' bizarre (on top of the news of the HP V finally being released!) (please don't make me do Babel Tower again!!!! ;)) Remember how fried I was after reading that????? my horoscope! Laura's Daily Forecast Daily Astrology Forecast - January 16, 2003 Aries Horoscope: A favorite female author might have recently released a new book. This has you inspired . You're likely to be feeling especially alert mentally, and perhaps particularly creative, Laura. If you've been thinking about trying your hand at an artistic project, this is the time to do it. Communication with those closest to you should go very well, as you're feeling especially warm and open. Romance is enhanced by stimulating conversation about matters of interest to both of you."}, {"response": 747, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (18:29)", "body": "(Mari)HBO has decided not to renew Mike Binder's comedy series Mari, didn't I tell you that frog's tongue was too large? Sheesh, I think we over did it with the double, double toil and trouble thing."}, {"response": 748, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jan 16, 2003 (22:38)", "body": "Not to worry, Linda, we'll blame it on Pam. Or should I say, we'll give Pam the credit.;-)"}, {"response": 749, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (07:24)", "body": "Confessions of a Dangerous(ly) Hormonal Mind Don't throw tomatoes (well, you can throw them, but only if you throw the garlic, basil, and bread too..mmm..panzanella..but I digress..)but last night I happened to see Joe Millionaire. Yes, yes, I know, it is base, vulgar, and ludicrously inane...but well, he (JM) was tall, dark, curly haired and with dimples and had a nice deep voice, mind you I cringed though when he tried to string a sentence together...Anyway to get the taste out of my mind after I popped FP in the VCR and remembered what REAL hormonal euphoria is!! (Mari)HBO has decided not to renew Mike Binder's comedy series Well his \"girlfriend\" MH is on Connie Chung tonight...(I am a wealth of useless information today!)"}, {"response": 750, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (07:47)", "body": "Finally saw About a Boy last night on DVD, and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it, even thought I kept thinking about CF in that role the entire time. I thought it was interesting that this film was full of voice overs, as was High Fidelity & Fever Pitch. Apparently, writers can't resist NH's musings (including NH in FP). I assume someone besides myself saw the Arsenal pennant hanging in Ali's bedroom window ;) I got some strange looks from my dh & friends when I started chuckling at the sight of it :) (LindaK) Mari, didn't I tell you that frog's tongue was too large? Sheesh, I think we over did it with the double, double toil and trouble thing. I think the results are very satisfying, myself :)"}, {"response": 751, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (09:11)", "body": "Awards News -- the Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards are to be held this evening. It will be broadcast on E! TV Tomorrow (Saturday) night. I See \"Martin & Lewis\" is nominated. Maybe Jeremy will be there. http://www.bfca.org/criticschoiceawards.asp"}, {"response": 752, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (10:02)", "body": "(moonstar) I assume someone besides myself saw the Arsenal pennant hanging in Ali's bedroom window ;) I saw AAB in the theater, but watched it again Wednesday night. I did notice the Arsenal pennant! Made a remark about it and the DH was asking what I was babbling about....Noticed they lived in Islington as well. And, is the grocery store that Will goes to the one where ODB has been spotted??? I couldn't read the signage and have no idea how large Islington actually is?!"}, {"response": 753, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (10:03)", "body": "(Murph)the Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards are to be held this evening. It will be broadcast on E! TV Tomorrow (Saturday) night. Sheech....They must be taking tips from BAFTA...you'd think they could televise it live. who wants to see an old show? Thanks Murph.I'll look for JN. With GG on Sunday night, maybe Stephen Dillane will be there. 'Strong-Arm Harvey' is in there somewhere. Goodie...awards-time is here:-)))"}, {"response": 754, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (10:35)", "body": "(moonstar) I thought it was interesting that this film was full of voice overs, as was High Fidelity HF used an entirely different technique. John Cusack's character spoke directly to the audience. (Tress) Noticed they lived in Islington as well. Nick Hornby's been living in North London (Islington) for far longer than Colin. (Evelyn) With GG on Sunday night, maybe Stephen Dillane will be there. Oooooh! Stop me!! The tears are rolling down my cheeks. He's not nominated; he won't be there. If The Hours gets nominated for the SAG's equivalent of Best Film, which is Best Ensemble, then I'd wonder if he would show. But still doubt it. ;-)"}, {"response": 755, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (10:47)", "body": "New Schedule Turns AFI Fest Into a Quick Hit Fri Jan 17, 3:44 AM ET By Timothy M. Gray and Jill Feiwell HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - The American Film Institute (news - web sites) on Thursday welcomed a stellar turnout for an \"AFI Awards 2002\" luncheon that was energetic, fast and fun. The group last month named 10 \"significant\" TV shows and 10 films from last year that deserved recognition; the lunch at the Four Seasons Hotel was to salute the creatives behind those works. The absence of TV cameras and the lack of competition -- as well as acceptance speeches -- gave a relaxed and upbeat mood to the two-hour event. Food was pretty much an afterthought as 200 honorees and 30 guests (mostly AFI trustees) began with an hour of elbow-rubbing and table-hopping, where lunchgoers could see New Line boss Bob Shaye and Miramax's Harvey Weinstein looking gregarious, Hugh Grant (news) and Spike Jonze (news) looking shy, Edie Falco (news) chatting with Renee Zellweger (news), and Nicole Kidman (news) in huddles with Sydney Pollack (news). Other guests included Jon Avnet, Stephen Daldry, Phillip Noyce, Martin Scorsese (news), Julie Taymor (news), Denzel Washington (news) and Chris & Paul Weitz, Robert Greenblatt & David Janollari; and actors Michael Caine (news), Brendan Fraser (news), Salma Hayek (news), Nicole Kidman, William H. Macy (news) and Nia Vardalos. The decision for an informal, non-televised event was a brilliant stroke after last year's AFI awards saw a low star turnout, which many attributed to the fact that the event was held Jan. 5, when many industryites were still on vacation. The works were saluted in a 45-minute program. TV honorees included \"The Believer,\" \"Boomtown,\" \"Door to Door,\" \"Everybody Loves Raymond (news - Y! TV),\" \"The Gathering Storm,\" \"Gilmore Girls (news - Y! TV),\" \"The Simpsons (news - Y! TV),\" \"Six Feet Under,\" \"The Sopranos (news - Y! TV)\" and \"The West Wing (news - web sites).\" The 10 films saluted were \"About a Boy,\" \"About Schmidt,\" \"Adaptation,\" \"Antwone Fisher,\" \"Chicago,\" \"Frida,\" \"Gangs of New York,\" \"The Hours,\" \"The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers\" and \"The Quiet American.\" At the wrap of the event, honorees were given framed certificates for their contributions, and everyone was handed an Award Season Survival Kit, which included Rolaids and Hollywood Stress Mints."}, {"response": 756, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (12:16)", "body": "FYI - There's another picture of GP and DC for Ted and Sylvia in this week's Newsweek magazine. My scanner isn't set up yet, or else I'd send it over. The pic is of them dancing, and the caption says: A Meeting Of Beautiful Minds - Hollywood has wanted to make a Sylvia Plath movie for years. Poetry, passion, suicide - what's not to like? Gwyneth Paltrow is now in New Zealand filming the story of Plath and British poet Ted Hughes (Daniel Craig). Theirs was a stormy marriage, but this movie is said to be \"a love story, essentially.\" Is Miramax behind this one?"}, {"response": 757, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (15:37)", "body": "Interesting little article about British Film Industry with a mention of Love Actually.. http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,874939,00.html"}, {"response": 758, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (15:50)", "body": "\"Hugh Grant Discusses His Recent 'Two Weeks' and Next 'Bridget Jones'\" It's really just a line or so but also mentions Richard Curtis, LA and AAB... http://www.zap2it.com/movies/news/story/0,1259,---14883,00.html"}, {"response": 759, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (16:03)", "body": "(Tress) saw AAB in the theater, but watched it again Wednesday night. I did notice the Arsenal pennant! Made a remark about it and the DH was asking what I was babbling about....Noticed they lived in Islington as well. OMG, last one..sorry..Islington making it's own press, \"Borough remains popular with filmmakers\" http://www.islingtonexpress.co.uk/archived/2003/0103/news/asp/p9col1.asp"}, {"response": 760, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (16:39)", "body": "The BBC-backed Ted and Sylvia, starring Gwyneth Paltrow as doomed poet Sylvia Plath, was filmed in Islington Nothing like having a film he wanted to do (or not) done in his front yard."}, {"response": 761, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (18:08)", "body": "(Evelyn) With GG on Sunday night, maybe Stephen Dillane will be there. (Karen)Oooooh! Stop me!! The tears are rolling down my cheeks. He's not nominated; he won't be there *wiping tears from cheek*There, there now.....settle down....;-) I know he's not nominated but at times supporting actors appear to support the film...sitting at the producer's table. Saw The Pianist today.....DDL is toast."}, {"response": 762, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Jan 17, 2003 (22:00)", "body": "I gladly take credit for the excessive hex in pot to eliminate MB from TV. Now am making potion to tackle production company. Did anyone catch the very entertaining and fun-filled Disco Ball on ABC last night. Whoppi Goldberg's \"It's Raining Men\" was outrageous. Good fun."}, {"response": 763, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jan 18, 2003 (09:55)", "body": "(Evelyn), Saw The Pianist today.....DDL is toast. I agree! Saw the Hours. Meryl Streep was my favourite. She's had a great comeback year. Nicole Kidman and J Moore were vg too, but there was something about Meryl's performance..."}, {"response": 764, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Sat, Jan 18, 2003 (13:02)", "body": "If anyone's going to London in the next few weeks, I just saw Judi Dench and Maggie Smith this afternoon in The Breath of Life and it was GREAT. The reviews are not sparkling, but I didn't really care, it was just too cool to see the Dames! And I did like the story. You can pretty much only get returns though, even though they extended the run. Had lunch on Upper St. with Tanja (the lurker) from Germany again! Topping off a great week, I am off to Barbados for a week tomorrow..."}, {"response": 765, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sat, Jan 18, 2003 (14:47)", "body": "(EmmaB) ....just saw Judi Dench and Maggie Smith; ...Had lunch on Upper St. with Tanja; ...off to Barbados; ...a great week Now there's an understatement!"}, {"response": 766, "author": "suzee202000", "date": "Sun, Jan 19, 2003 (00:30)", "body": "Broadcast Film Critics Awards: Winners for 2002 Best Picture: Chicago Best Actor: Daniel Day Lewis - Gangs of New York Jack Nicholson - About Schmidt TIE Best Actress: Julianne Moore - Far From Heaven Best Supporting Actor: Chris Cooper - Adaptation Best Supporting Actress: Catherine Zeta-Jones - Chicago Best Acting Ensemble: Chicago Best Director: Steven Spielberg - Catch Me If You Can, Minority Report Best Writer: Charlie Kaufman - Adaptation, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind Best Digital Acting Performance: Gollum - The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Best Young Actor/Actress: Kieran Culkin - Igby Goes Down Best Animated Feature: Spirited Away Best Family Film (live action): Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Best Picture Made for Television: Door To Door Best Documentary: Bowling for Columbine Best Foreign Language Film: Y Tu Mama Tambien Best Song: \"Lose Yourself\", Eminem - 8 Mile Best Composer: John Williams - Catch Me If You Can, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Minority Report http://www.bfca.org/criticschoiceawards.asp"}, {"response": 767, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan 19, 2003 (09:20)", "body": "Imagine ignoring Adreien Brody's performance....unbelievable. I saw that show re-run last night.CZJ obviously thrilled with her award. JN, ho-hum about it. Made a spectacle of himself bringing Robin Williams up to the mike who didn't win.DDL brought dignity to the evening...looked like he wished he wasn't up on that stage with the other two clowns."}, {"response": 768, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 19, 2003 (09:39)", "body": "Seems like a reasonable list, well, except for the JN part or anything to do with that film. Sorry, but I'll never be able to get my head around About Schmidt getting such accolades. It was a same old, same old film. What, are they trying to get a message across by rewarding Jack for finally playing someone his own age? ;-) Like the fact that CZ-J is in the \"supporting\" category here, instead of Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy as she is for the GGs tonight. That's where she belongs. RZ is the female lead in that movie, I can say without qualifications, as I've finally seen it! Felt it was absolutely necessary before the GGs, in order to make informed guesses. ;-) Anyway, it was entertaining and I'm still trying to decide if it will be rewarded at the Oscars. Naturally, it will win in its Musical/Comedy category tonight, but I wouldn't want it to win for Best Picture at the Oscars because it just *wasn't* that great. I have problems with any musical, which features dancing, and doesn't show the dancers' feet. Fred Astaire is turning over in his grave. :-( Otherwise, it was very good and I thought Richard Gere did a good job, and RZ really pulled her (cough) weight. ;-)"}, {"response": 769, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan 19, 2003 (12:22)", "body": "Me thinks Chicago is gonna win the Oscar. Catch the big smile on ole' Harve??He's banking on \"Chicago\" to make up the $$ he's losing on \"Gangs of NY.\""}, {"response": 770, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jan 19, 2003 (13:37)", "body": "I just got back from seeing The Hours, and thought it was excellent. The three ladies are extraordinary and what a pleasure it is to see a serious movie about women. I particularly was drawn to Julianne Moore's story line and her work in this--subtle and heartbreaking. (Evelyn)Me thinks Chicago is gonna win the Oscar. Me too. It's quality *and* it's feel-good *and* it's making money at the box office. Oscar can't resist.:-) Any predictions for the GGs tonight? I predict DDL will win out over Brody. The GGs will not honor a Holocaust drama, IMO. The Oscars will be another story."}, {"response": 771, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Sun, Jan 19, 2003 (13:43)", "body": "EmmaB, wow! Did you have one fantastic week! Think about us shivering in the cold & the snow, while you are in Barbados, and don't get too sunburned! :) (Karen) Sorry, but I'll never be able to get my head around About Schmidt getting such accolades. It was a same old, same old film. I completely agree. My hubby and I saw (suffered through) About Schmidt yesterday, and was completely disappointed. A very predictable story, not very sympathetic characters (Kathy Bates cracked me up, though), and Jack was, well, Jack. Why the critics are slobbering all over this movie is beyond me. Maybe we need to get to work on a hex to prevent JN from winning an Oscar, LOL, although it's probably too late! It seemed to work on MB :)"}, {"response": 772, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jan 19, 2003 (18:35)", "body": "LOL!! Did anyone see Joan Rivers pull up HG's dress in the front? And HG's only plug was for The Guru on Jan 31. Guess it's a tad early for a sound bite/PR for HS."}, {"response": 773, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (07:49)", "body": "You know I meant Heather Graham, right? ;-)"}, {"response": 774, "author": "Leah", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (08:01)", "body": "(Dorine)You know I meant Heather Graham, right? ;-) Hopefully the other HG wouldn't wear a dress."}, {"response": 775, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (09:36)", "body": "Hey, he seems to try to grab the spotlight when others are around. This would certainly be a new tactic. ;-) After that getup from Lara Flynn Boyle last night, I wouldn't be surprised at too much. Maybe she wasn't getting enough attention from Jack."}, {"response": 776, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (09:42)", "body": "Yeah, I saw Joan with Heather. It didn't look like she was spilling out of it. I mostly watch Joan with the sound muted, but did hear the painfully inane comments she made to Chris Weitz, co-director of About a Boy who was with Heather. Why does she even bother to try to say anything about a film she knows nothing about? With the exception of the two awards for About Schmidt, it went pretty much as I expected on the movie side, and I was thrilled that The Hours and Nicole Kidman won. Thought her speech was great, but that she missed an opportunity to praise her only co-star, Stephen, to single him out. Thought when Meryl Streep won at the beginning was a great moment, and was so glad that RZ won over CZ-J, who was in the wrong catgory IMO."}, {"response": 777, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (10:10)", "body": "(Karen) I was thrilled that The Hours and Nicole Kidman won. I haven't even seen the movie (only read the book) and was so excited to see this! Loved Nicole's speech....hopefully Hollywood will listen and realize that complex female characters are a GOOD thing and continue to write decent parts for women! What was Lara Flynn Boyle thinking? She looked like a child's jewelry box ballerina. I told the DH they should have had LFB and Salma Hayek present together...so you could see a 'healthy specimen' standing beside...well, one that isn't! Glad to see that Sigourney Weaver finally learned to dress (she looked very nice last night). Very glad to see RZ win! And Richard Gere! It has been a long time for Meryl Streep and I am so happy for her this year...two films getting so much recognition. Thought her speech was very funny!"}, {"response": 778, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (10:10)", "body": "After that getup from Lara Flynn Boyle LOL! I was arguing on the phone with Moon that it \"couldn't\" be LFB, no way!! Did she wear that on a bet? Another hideous one: Sharon Stone, who was there with her mother. I don't know about you, but my mother wouldn't have let me leave the house looking like that. ;-) And could someone give Michael Douglas a better number from Clairol? He is no strawberry blonde. :-("}, {"response": 779, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (10:15)", "body": "Did anyone catch info on RZ's dress? I'm betting it was vintage. Looked v. late '50s, although she didn't wear a fuller, flouncy slip."}, {"response": 780, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (10:41)", "body": "Karen, she was wearing vintage Valentino..not sure how old, the report didn't say."}, {"response": 781, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (10:44)", "body": "OK, this answers the question about RZ's dress... Real Tutu, Fake Nose Top Globe Fashion Mysteries LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Mystery swirled around the red carpet at the 2003 Golden Globe awards Sunday, where the night's gilded display by Hollywood's hottest talents raised more fashion questions than answers. Why did Lara Flynn Boyle appear in a tutu? Why did Richard Gere say it would take hours to explain why he was wearing a Tibetan bracelet? Why did Meryl Streep \"smell like a camel?\" And, oh yes, why would one of Hollywood's most beautiful and respected actresses, Nicole Kidman, have a clown nose stuffed in her shoe? The Golden Globes, celebrated as a dress rehearsal for February's Academy Awards and one of the most rollicking Hollywood parties of the year, have a history of producing odd fashion statements and striking admissions. Sunday night was no different. Boyle, who appeared onstage to present an award, caused the biggest stir of the night with her outfit: an outrageous pink tutu accented by ribbons wrapped around her calves. Samuel L. Jackson, known for pushing the high-fashion envelope himself, smilingly declined to be drawn into the tutu controversy. Jack Nicholson called it \"startling.\" Renee Zellweger, who hadn't seen it, gushed over it nevertheless. \"Did she wear a tutu? Good for her! Good for her!\" Zellweger said. Of her own outfit, a vintage Valentino swept out of a closet in Rome and on to the red carpet, she said: \"It's simple, it's elegant. It's not fussy. It's not trying and I like it.\" Streep, who was honored as best supporting actress for her role in \"Adaptation,\" was complimented for her glittery neckless Giorgio Armani jacket, but cautioned that she had flown straight from Rome where she was shooting \"Angels in America.\" \"Don't get near me. I smell like a camel,\" Streep joked with reporters. Then there was the enigmatic bracelet worn by Richard Gere, who took best-actor honors for his role in \"Chicago\" as a hard-hearted defense lawyer. \"It's a Tibetan thing,\" he told reporters backstage. \"It would take hours to explain what it means.\" Kidman, who won best dramatic actress honors, for her turn in \"The Hours\" as Virginia Woolf credited a prosthetic nose for part of the film's magic. More puzzling, she removed a clown's nose that was tucked into her strapped heels. \"Someone gave me a red nose to wear,\" she said, declining to don it in front of cameras. The decision to wear a fake nose as Woolf was worrying at first, but not because she cared about her own looks, she said. \"At first in the make-up, I thought this could be totally ridiculous or it could help people get lost in the character and the film,\" she said.\" As for the night's best denial -- that award went to Zellweger who flatly denied a romantic involvement with George Clooney. \"We have been friends for a very long time and we are not 'friends,\"' she said, making giant invisible quote marks in the air. \"He is a good friend and I am keeping him. He is a cute friend. He is a smart friend.\""}, {"response": 782, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (12:32)", "body": "Why did Lara Flynn Boyle appear in a tutu? Easy. So that she'd be the one people would talk about the next day, the one that news services 'round the world would post pictures of. Which is what Joan Rivers told her to her face, and she was right. Mostly decent picks last night, though the show was uncharacteristically dull. Surprised no one has mentioned Bono's acceptance speech: \"This is fucking great!\" Obviously, the network didn't have the show on a 5 second delay.;-) Or Colin Farrell on the red carpet, talking about the prospect of meeting his fave TV stars--\"Oh yeah, I watch all this shit back home!\" Gee, do you think the Irish swear more than we do?;-)"}, {"response": 783, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (12:52)", "body": "Obviously, the network didn't have the show on a 5 second delay.;-) LOL! Didn't Farrell say he only knew he couldn't say the F word? ;-) But he is so utterly unimpressive when he starts talking. Sheesh! That boy is only after fame and fortune (mostly the latter) and wants the easiest way there. Boy! Does he project the image of a bum, rather be hoisting a few, I'd say."}, {"response": 784, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (13:27)", "body": "What about Sharon Stone, who looked liked she had taken a page out of Cher\ufffds stylebook, with that Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves number? She almost seemed Evita-like (or would that be Norma Desmond-like?) when she blew two-handed kisses to the fans on the risers outside the theatre before the show. And what was that weird little dance Sharon did as Richard Gere came toward her on the stage to accept his award? She is one weird chick living in her own private Idaho."}, {"response": 785, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (13:34)", "body": "I can'think of a single pretty gown. Jennifer Connelly should have worn the gown she wore last year. This one was a loser. Goldie Hawn in her little bo-peep number. Did she pinch it from Kate's closet? Cate Blanchette in that dress that looked like an Atlas.I don't care how expensive it was. Fashion Police tonight on E! channel at 9 Central. Were those real diamonds on Renee's ankle strap shoes?Karen thought so....decadent. And talking about diamonds...CZJ's pendant.How many karats? Any guesses? Comes the revolution!! (I know, they are all borrowed)"}, {"response": 786, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (13:45)", "body": "PS: I watched the GG and the pre-GG shows with my 80 year old mother. She made the observation that it is time Dick Clark retire, as at the close of the NBC pre-GG show, when DC was walking alone on the red carpet toward the theater entrance, that he shuffled like an old man getting up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. :-)"}, {"response": 787, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (13:57)", "body": "She made the observation that it is time Dick Clark retire...that he shuffled like an old man getting up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. :-) LOL! I so agree. Or maybe he need to get his face tightened. It looks so fakey now."}, {"response": 788, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (14:06)", "body": "(Evelyn) I can'think of a single pretty gown. I thought there were several very pretty gowns (but no great ones)...Diane Lane, Jennifer Garner and Marissa Tormei (in her vintage 70's gown) all looked very good, IMO. (Evelyn) Jennifer Connelly should have worn the gown she wore last year. This one was a loser. Totally agree! And what about that eye make-up? Less is more...or so I hear. Awful gowns? Besides LFB...Sharon Stone (someone said Gothic hooker and I tend agree. She was acting oddly as well...), Debra Messing (what was around her neck?) and Goldie Hawn (the Oktoberfest gown)..."}, {"response": 789, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (15:04)", "body": "Not so sure about pretty gown aspect, but as far as the total presentation... ...Goldie needs to take notes from Kate, I thought Kate looked fabulous. ...Annette Benning looked great also, I especially liked her hair. ...Sharon Stone own private Idaho ...LOL that's for sure. Other thoughts, overall, it seemed like a huge Harvey W lovefest, the big lug! Gotta love him! And by the end of the evening, I'd had about enough of Celine in her ghost driven car singing to herself. And Richard Gere is a babe even with glasses that must have some huge prescription...those looked like some dense lenses. And was there an ending for the thing planned or was Halle just supposed to stand there and sort of say \"That's all folks\"? And I like Jeff Goldblum, but I'm thinking he'd been into the Moet pretty heavy...Calista trying to get him to say \"Albert Finney\" and then the sounds he kept making. I hoped Harrison would come back out and kick him off and take over. All right, that's enough randomness for now."}, {"response": 790, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (15:55)", "body": "(Evelyn) I can'think of a single pretty gown. Really? I liked many more than I thought I would. Most simple and elegant, others a bit more colorful and involved. Jennifer Garner, too cute with her hubby, Marissa Tomei, anyone notice how she and Jennifer Anniston were practically twins? Same hair, virtually same dress. Like MT's more. RZ, thought she looked fantastic, too cute with speech. Halle Berry, I don't think she ever looks bad. The woman that plays Larry David's wife on Curb Your Enthusiam, Cheryl something I think. Loved the dress, hair makeup, everything. More colorful, but not loud. A few others. (Barb) Annette Benning looked great also, I especially liked her hair. She looked fabulous. Looked 10 years younger at least. (Karen) Yeah, I saw Joan with Heather. It didn't look like she was spilling out of it. I didn't think so either, no more or even less than others. But not a big fan of HGm and thought it was funny nonetheless. I mostly watch Joan with the sound muted, but did hear the painfully inane comments she made to Chris Weitz, co-director of About a Boy who was with Heather. Why does she even bother to try to say anything about a film she knows nothing about? That was awful. Joan seemed esp bad last night. Maybe it's the same, but the stars handled it quite well I thought. Thought it was funny when she tried to get MT (I think) to comment on LFB. Didn't Farrell say he only knew he couldn't say the F word? ;-) But he is so utterly unimpressive when he starts talking.Boy! Does he project the image of a bum, rather be hoisting a few, I'd say. LOL, think he said something to that effect in a magazine interview once. (Barb) And Richard Gere is a babe even with glasses that must have some huge prescription...those looked like some dense lenses. They don't look that bad up close. it seemed like a huge Harvey W lovefest, the big lug! Gotta love him! I hope waders were in those gift bags. Wonder how much he much he's pitchin' their way for all that love."}, {"response": 791, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (16:54)", "body": "New interview with Minghella in The Observer: http://film.guardian.co.uk/interview/interviewpages/0,6737,878759,00.html GG Bits: Sigorney Wever looked great to me - classic and elegant. And she is 53 this year. Didn't know Tony Shalub is married to Brooke Adams. I flashed back to Days of Heaven when I saw her. She is 53 as well. Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connelly make a cute new married couple."}, {"response": 792, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (18:00)", "body": "(Barb) And Richard Gere is a babe even with glasses that must have some huge prescription...those looked like some dense lenses. (Dorine) They don't look that bad up close. LOL Way to rub it in. Bet he doesn't smell like a camel either!"}, {"response": 793, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (18:23)", "body": "Had a stressful day! But here I am! it seemed like a huge Harvey W lovefest, the big lug! Gotta love him! I agree! Unless he spiked everybody's drink with a Harvey designer drug. ;-) What will he do come Oscar? Who will he root for? ;-) I want to go to the Miramax post Oscar party! I loved RZ's dress. But IMO, you can never go wrong with Valentino. Heather Graham's dres was also a very lovely Valentino. I liked Kate's dress too. And Debra Messing looked great in hers, nothing I would wear but I liked it on her. Edie Falco and Kim Cattrall also looked great, and I liked Cameron Diaz's mini too. I never like what Jennifer Aniston wears She was having a bad hair and everything night, apart from the GG. ;-) I absolutely love Jude Law. The most elegant in that 60's tux. Colin Farrel is a slob, I agree. Sharon Stone must have been stoned last night. She was jumping up and down all night. Put her next to Goldie and voil\ufffd! What here they thinking? Lara FB could have stuffed a few tissues in her tutu. The big fashion statement of the evening was the hair. So many different hairstyles, and some identical too. It started with Melissa Rivers's hair. (Evelyn), CZJ's pendant.How many karats? Any guesses? 20 to 30 depending on the depth. Beautiful, but I would have worn it with a thin black silk rope. I was disappointed that 'same ole Jack' got the GG over Adrian Brody from the Piano. That was a popularity contest. The Hours is a very European film, so it was not such a surprise winner, the Oscar will be another story."}, {"response": 794, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (18:25)", "body": "I saw About Schmidt today and I liked both the film and Jack very much. Go figure!;-) Thought it was well written, sharply observed, funny, bittersweet, and honorable towards a demographic that gets short shrift on the big screen--the middle class, midwestern working stiff. If any films are made about those folks, it's usually with smug condescension, but this one wasn't like that at all. Anyway, I enjoyed it. (Karen)But he is so utterly unimpressive when he starts talking. Sheesh So true. He's coarse and stupid-sounding. A disgrace to the man whose initials he matches.;-) I thought there were a number of very pretty dresses. Renne looked superb, I like her new hairdo. Was very glad she won--well deserved! Julianne Moore looked beautiful, as did Nicole Kidman (but the earrings overwhelmed her). Was very surprised that NK did not mention any of the film's other stars, as this is such an ensemble piece. Rita Wilson looked great, as did Nia Vardalos, and the woman from Curb Your Enthusiasm (I can't recall her name either, Dorine, but she looked sensational, I agree!). Was disappointed in Debra Messing's outfit; she is usually pulled together so beautifully. Agree that Richard Gere is still a babe--and has he gotten a personality transplant or something? He always struck me as sort of strange and austere, but then again he never spoke much to the press. Glad to see him open up, he's absolutely charmimg, and he's clearly having a ball. Maybe marriage and babies agree with him. Was happy to see Uma Thurman win for Hysterical Blindness, whuch I thought was very good. Most other nominees in that cateogry (actress, TV movie) had no business being there, their roles were nothing."}, {"response": 795, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (18:29)", "body": "Can't forget about Nicole Kidman and Julianne Moore, they looked great, earrings and all. I too was disappointed in Kate Blanchett. I find the subject matter of About Schmidt a bore. I will rent that one."}, {"response": 796, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (18:33)", "body": "(moon)I want to go to the Miramax post Oscar party! Me too! And to their pre-Oscar party also, where they all put on skits poking fun of each other's films. You remember, the skits CF wouldn't participate in.:-( The Hours is a very European film, Actually, it's American. But maybe you meant European in feel?"}, {"response": 797, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (18:49)", "body": "But maybe you meant European in feel? Sheesh, Mari! I thought we had ESP. ;-) You remember, the skits CF wouldn't participate in.:-( I thought he did participate! Party pooper."}, {"response": 798, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (19:38)", "body": "Heads up! GC on Charlie Rose tonight according to the ticker on Access Hollywood. (Moon) I absolutely love Jude Law. The most elegant in that 60's tux. Very very handsome. Mmmm Mmmm. (Mari) I saw About Schmidt today and I liked both the film and Jack very much. Go figure!;-) I liked the movie, just expected to love it. Got to give partial kudos though to a film that has a character who says specifically she is an Occupational Therapist. No explanation of what that means and what OT's do, but there may come a time. Usually poorly portrayed in films if at all (e.g. in Regarding Henry). PT's get all the glory usually. Agree that Richard Gere is still a babe--and has he gotten a personality transplant or something? ROTF! Did you see him in the one on one room with Mary Hart on ET? They went into the little picture booth like you used to see at the mall, and he started burrowing his head in her breasts and seemingly trying to bite them, LOL. He was so giddy. It's adorable."}, {"response": 799, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (20:11)", "body": "Am so glad RZ and Chicago did so well. Very happy for her. Happy to see Meryl Streep win as well. And did think Gere deserved win as well. Also feel he has had personality transplant. Actually, almost enjoyable to watch on recent interviews. Couldn't stand him before. Surprised the JN won over DDL. Did not feel performances comparable in the very least. Even JN repeated several times he thought he made a comedy. How tall is Nicole Kidman? She seems to tower over everyone. Laura Flynn is the talk of the nation and I'm sure world for her outfit. Next to winners getting most publicity. Smart move. Didn't know ponytails were back in high-fashion. But apparently so. However feel Joan needs to hang up the mic. Absolutely horrible and gets worse each outing. Didn't know people were married and when corrected was flippant. Didn't know movies actors were in. It's time to go Joan. Read where Reese Witherspoon is #1 actrees according to Entertainment Weekly. RZ is #2. Yet neither showed up in Peoples Choice. Does anyone know who actually votes for People's Choice? I never heard of some of the movies nominated either. Also reported RW signed for $22 mil for Red, White and Blonde, Legally Blonde 2. Is she really worth that? Wonder what she got for TIOBE. Anyone know?"}, {"response": 800, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (21:01)", "body": "(Pam) Also reported RW signed for $22 mil for Red, White and Blonde, Legally Blonde 2. Is she really worth that? Heard she got 5 mil for Sweet Home Alabama and 15 mil for Legally Blonde 2. Didn't hear the 22 mil. She gets it because her movies have big openings and judging by Sweet Home AL, some staying power as well. No idea what she got for TIOBE. Not a huge amount, think the budget was only around 15 mil. Can't remember off hand for sure."}, {"response": 801, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 20, 2003 (23:12)", "body": "Did you see him in the one on one room with Mary Hart on ET? They went into the little picture booth like you used to see at the mall, and he started burrowing his head in her breasts and seemingly trying to bite them Hysterical! And he just came out on the Tonight Show with a shocking pink tutu. Mari, when did you become a 55 y.o. man? ;-) Sorry, but AS doesn't fit my definition of a Best Picture candidate, no matter what the demographic. Or is the fact that guys like to keep the sit up, live like slobs and stock up on frozen foods something new to you? A million laughs, huh? New insights on middle America? ;-)"}, {"response": 802, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (00:11)", "body": "ROFLOL at Lara Flynn Boyle's outfir. She looked to me like a cross between a ballerina and a dog musher with the tutu and the laces up to her kmees."}, {"response": 803, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (10:57)", "body": "Don't you think the Harveyfest had its origins in all the bad press Harvey's gotten lately? A little effort to say that not everybody feel the same way about Mr Scissorhands Old Time Mogul?"}, {"response": 804, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (12:38)", "body": "(Karen)Mari, when did you become a 55 y.o. man? ;-) There's a lot you don't know about me.;-) Does one need to be depressed and suicidal to appreciate The Hours?;-) If all you took away from the film was that some men can be helpless slobs, no wonder you didn't like it. I found it to be a wonderful character study of a man who has done what was expected of him all his life--worked hard, paid taxes, had a family--only to find out that he has conributed nothing of substance, left no mark. His \"work life\" has been reduced to dozens of archive boxes that no one will ever refer to. He has no real relationship with his daughter. His marriage had been on auto pilot for probably decades. A lonely retirement stretches before him. And the road ahead is looking a lot shorter than the one behind. Tragic, and unfortunately very common, but perhaps not hopeless. Loved the \"Dear Ndugu\" bits."}, {"response": 805, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (13:34)", "body": "If all you took away from the film was that some men can be helpless slobs, no wonder you didn't like it. What I'm saying is there's nothing new here (ho hum entertainment) and the film doesn't warrant the high praise it has being given. If you had a woman in that role, my bet is it would have a hard time getting a distributor and most of the Hwood papers would call it Lifetime Channel entertainment. American Beauty showed the same type of thing (whole life has been a waste) as well, but much more and with far more style and artistry."}, {"response": 806, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (13:35)", "body": "And the \"men being slobs, etc.\" thing, that's what the audience laughed hardest at."}, {"response": 807, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (14:00)", "body": "(Karen) Don't you think the Harveyfest had its origins in all the bad press Harvey's gotten lately? A little effort to say that not everybody feel the same way about Mr Scissorhands Old Time Mogul? Is this a serious or rhetorical question? There were no winkies. ;-) (Mari) Loved the \"Dear Ndugu\" bits. LOL, those were the parts I did actually love. Too few of them, though. Tend to agree with Karen on AS as far as award and accolade worthiness."}, {"response": 808, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (14:39)", "body": "(Karen)If you had a woman in that role, my bet is it would have a hard time getting a distributor and most of the Hwood papers would call it Lifetime Channel entertainment. You're probably right, and that's a shame. But I can't penalize the film that did get made, on that basis. American Beauty showed the same type of thing (whole life has been a waste) as well, but much more and with far more style and artistry. Yes, and with a lot less realism. I liked AB very much, but they are very different films, IMO. Warren Schmidt is 67; Lester Burnham is only about 37, still lots of time to turn things around. AB used exaggeration and invented a series of unlikelihoods to make its points: Most men don't get fired. Most don't have neurotic, shrill wives who are cheating on them. Most don't have affairs with their teenage daughter's friend. Most don't take up pot midlife. Most don't have a gun-toting sociopath living next door (who, for good measure, is one part homosexual and one part homophobe). Most don't get murdered by said neighbor. AS is a lot less arty and stylized, but it's more real. And therefore more frightening, IMO. Nothing against AB, I liked it, but it's contrived."}, {"response": 809, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (14:41)", "body": "(Karen) What I'm saying is there's nothing new here (ho hum entertainment) and the film doesn't warrant the high praise it has being given. If you had a woman in that role, my bet is it would have a hard time getting a distributor and most of the Hwood papers would call it Lifetime Channel entertainment. Wait a minute here... I haven't seen AS, have no interest in seeing it. But Nicole Kidman hit the nail on the head when she asked the writers to keep writing great roles for women, because we are very interesting people. I think if you took the same premise of AS and turned it into a woman, it would be more complex. Men just aren't complex, they're as easy as an Harlequin Romance novel! ;)"}, {"response": 810, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (14:51)", "body": "(Karen) Hysterical! And he just came out on the Tonight Show with a shocking pink tutu. How funny was that. I was hysterically laughing out loud. He was jubilant. I can't think what has caused this transformation."}, {"response": 811, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (15:03)", "body": "(Dorine) Is this a serious or rhetorical question? There were no winkies. ;-) From today's IndieWire: In his acceptance speech, Gere made sure to thank Miramax honcho Harvey Weinstein, saying that he had a \"heart of gold\" contrary to a recent New Yorker magazine profile."}, {"response": 812, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (15:39)", "body": "The reason I asked is that I was very aware already of the New Yorker article (read some of it and articles about it), and why everyone was thanking their \"God\", Harvey Weinstein and thought you might know of it, too. Granted others may not. RG practically scowled while he sort of scolded the New Yorker in his speech. Did you hear him call HW, Harvey Weintraub in one of those interviews after? With the guy from E!, I think? I think RG went on and on so much during that interview, the host practically kicked him out as soon as he stopped talking, LOL."}, {"response": 813, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (16:31)", "body": "... (Laura)....writers to keep writing great roles for women, because we are very interesting people. I'm not."}, {"response": 814, "author": "townranny", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (22:13)", "body": "Gere thanked his wife for teaching him how to smile. I think he took himself very seriously at one time. I think the Dalai Lama smiled more than he did. Might just be a maturity thing."}, {"response": 815, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (23:11)", "body": "Thanks, Dorine for the heads up on GC on Charlie Rose. Here is an article from our local paper about CG and COADM: Sunday, January 19, 2003 From: The Cincinnati Enquirer By Margaret A. McGurk In 'Confessions,' Clooney 'stole' the best scenes George Clooney borrowed from the best for his first job as director. From the Coen brothers, who directed Mr. Clooney in O Brother Where Art Thou?, he adopted the tactic of using \"camera as a character.\" He said he took cues on \"non-linear storytelling\" from Steven Soderbergh, his director in Out of Sight, Ocean's Eleven and Solaris, and his partner in a production company called Section Eight. But more important influences - \"the guys I was ripping off, to be quite honest\" - were Mike Nichols and Alan Pakula. Mr. Clooney's movie, Confessions of A Dangerous Mind, opens Friday in Cincinnati. \"I screened movies for the cast and crew quite a lot,\" Mr. Clooney said recently by phone. \"I screened Carnal Knowledge, Catch 22, The Graduate,\" all directed by Mr. Nichols. \"Then I screened some Pakula films, The Parallax View and Klute, some films that dealt with danger and suspense, because Alan was really good with that. I was stealing shots from those. I was stealing sounds from All That Jazz. ... Every time we'd do a shot, it would be some old film. I'd look over at (cinematographer) Tom (Sigel) and say, `You know, Carnal Knowledge.' \" The movie is based on the bizarre autobiography of game-show creator Chuck Barris, in which he claimed to be a CIA assassin while simultaneously running The Dating Game and The Gong Show. Mr. Barris, portrayed in the movie by Sam Rockwell, never has recanted that story. Mr. Clooney has backed away from his declaration after finishing Confessions that he would not direct again. \"It will come down to if I find another story I have a unique view of. I had sort of a great way of understanding this,\" he said, attributing it to his father, longtime television personality Nick Clooney. \"I grew up on sets, on TV shows. The Nick Clooney Show, the set would fly up in the air at like 1:30 after he'd finished the show. He'd put it on ropes and the risers would all go up in the air, and there'd be a bowling alley underneath it. And they'd shoot Bowling for Dollars right there. \"I knew what those sets looked like from the back and I knew how they felt, what they looked like when cameras weren't on. I certainly understand the trappings of celebrity. ... So I thought I had a unique take on this. And if I have another film like that, I'd do it. But only if there's a reason to.\" Influenced partly by his father's new book, The Movies That Changed Us, he said, \"I'm in the middle of watching Hail The Conquering Hero right now. I've been thinking about a Preston Sturges kind of comedy.\" If it does come to pass, he is likely to use favored collaborators. \"I believe in rep companies,\" he said. \"I've worked with Don Cheadle three or four times, Mark Wahlberg three times. I'm a firm believer in working with people you like and trust.\" Asked for new additions to his dream team, he said, \"You gotta get Renee in there, Renee Zellweger, 'cause she's just as good an actress as they come.\" Meanwhile, he and Mr. Soderbergh intend to produce movies that appeal to their own tastes. \"We're just looking for good screenplays,\" Mr. Clooney said. \"... You want to get people who've written something on spec, because they've written it out of passion, not because they've written it for a job. . . . \"It's just a gut feeling. It's the first 10 pages in. It's that simple. You know by the way they write dialogue, because it's something unique, a voice you haven't heard before, or a voice you've heard before you'd like to hear again.\" While Confessions is tallying encouraging reviews and box office figures in early release, the year has held disappointments. Welcome To Collinwood, the Cleveland-based film that Mr. Clooney produced (and appeared in briefly), came and went with little notice. And while critics raved about Solaris, audiences rejected the psychological science-fiction movie. \"My feeling is seven, eight years from now, there will be people who rediscover that film, and that's OK,\" Mr. Clooney said. \"People didn't get Out of Sight at all, in fact it lost money, and now people talk about it as a really good film. O Brother they didn't get and Three Kings they didn't get. And I find those films hold up. My feeling is, it's sort of better to just do them and let them sit there and pick up the pieces all at the end.\""}, {"response": 816, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Jan 21, 2003 (23:17)", "body": "And here is an interesting companion piece to the above article about the guy who did the storyboards for COADM: Sunday, January 19, 2003 From: The Cincinnati Enquirer By Margaret A. McGurk Dayton native has fun working with Clooney Dayton native J. Todd Anderson made his on-screen debut as a murder victim in the Coen brothers' movie Fargo while working as the film's storyboard artist, a craft he has practiced for 15 years. He landed his second movie role - as a nameless Dating Game contestant in Confessions of a Dangerous Mind - in pretty much the same way. George Clooney met him on the Coens' O Brother Where Art Thou?, and invited him to draw for Confessions, Mr. Clooney's directing debut. \"I was working with him every day on storyboarding,\" Mr. Clooney said of Mr. Anderson, \"and the more I worked with him, the more I sort of kept thinking, `This guy is perfect for this part.' ... Isn't he great in it? He's going to get a lot of acting jobs from it.\" Mr. Anderson puts it this way: \"I guess George felt I could be a fat bachelor.\" (The role now appears in the credits as \"stud bachelor.\") Mr. Anderson said acting in Confessions was \"terrifying.\" \"I have never done anything with that kind of breadth before,\" he said. \"I had to memorize a lot of dialogue, and I had to be on my mark. I knew all that stuff because I had been on the other side of the camera\" as co-writer and director of the independent feature The Naked Man, \"but I was always wondering whether I was going to give George what he wanted. When you work for George, you really want to do a good job. \"He's not like other directors. He's ... always pushing that envelope to get the absolute best. He forces you to work beyond your potential. ... You really had to dial in and give it the best you had. \"He was always on time, I never saw him stressed out, never once. I just remember how when we were doing The Naked Man I was a piece of meat with eyes. I never saw that glaze in George's eyes. \"Every day it was a lot of fun. ... This set never got heavy, never once. I've never seen anybody with such immaculate people skills. You can tell that he's just been around the block quite a few times in this business.\""}, {"response": 817, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (07:01)", "body": "Nice words in the UK for TV's \"The Lost Prince.\" Looks like we will see it over here: http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,7493,878840,00.html"}, {"response": 818, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (08:09)", "body": "(Evelyn)I'm not. Says who??? You've raised two boys, you travel, how can you not be interesting???? YOU MET COLIN FIRTH??????? ;) (You know I love you!)"}, {"response": 819, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (09:26)", "body": "Davies pens steamy Chatterley drama John Plunkett Wednesday January 22, 2003 The Guardian The controversial screenwriter of Tipping the Velvet is to set pulses racing once again with a raunchy drama based around the obscenity trial of Lady Chatterley's Lover. Andrew Davies is returning to the erotic classic, which he adapted for BBC1 10 years ago. His new drama, The Trial of Lady Chatterley, is centred on the story of two jurors who become lovers after they fell under the spell of the novel during the infamous 1960 trial. \"It is based around the trial of Lady Chatterley's Lover,\" said Davies. \"Two of the jurors taking part in the trial have a brief encounter after they fall under the influence of DH Lawrence's prose.\" The drama, which he is writing for ITV, is expected to be very much in the tradition of Davies' other TV credits, which include Moll Flanders, Pride and Prejudice and Vanity Fair. Davies' recent ITV credits include a modern Othello and a new adaptation of Dr Zhivago. Lady Chatterley's Lover, which had been banned since it first appeared in 1928, was published by Penguin Books in May 1960. The publisher was found not guilty following a five-day trial, and within a year Penguin had sold a massive 2 million copies. \"Physical love plays an important part in the book,\" reported the Guardian at the time of the trial. \"The theme of physical love calls for detailed description of sexual acts. These are what make the book controversial. But their purpose is an honest one. It is to show the redeeming power of that love and the importance of tenderness.\" Davies is no stranger to controversy. Asked why readers of lads' mags should watch his adaptation of Sarah Waters' lesbian drama, Tipping the Velvet, he replied, \"Two women fucking - each other.\" The controversy surrounding the show helped the much-hyped costume drama to nearly 5 million viewers last October, more than twice BBC2's normal audience. Davies described the drama, about an oyster girl from Whitstable swept away by a cross-dressing music hall star, as \"absolutely filthy\". Davies is also adapting another Anthony Trollope novel for the BBC following the success of his previous adaptation, The Way We Live Now. He described I Knew He Was Right, a four-part adaptation for BBC1, as \"a story of pathological jealousy - with a comic sub-plot\". The Way We Live Now, starring David Suchet, was one of BBC1's flagship dramas last winter and won the best drama prize at last year's Bafta television awards. Davies said I Knew He Was Right would be ready by the end of this year. The BBC's adaptation of Lady Chatterley's Lover, which starred Joely Richardson and Sean Bean, aired on BBC1 in 1993."}, {"response": 820, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (09:37)", "body": "The Directors Guild nominations: High Five for Helmers HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Three relative newcomers and two veterans were center stage in nominations for the 55th annual Directors Guild of America awards. Receiving nods for directorial achievement were Stephen Daldry (\"The Hours\"), Peter Jackson (\"Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers\"), Rob Marshall (\"Chicago\"), Roman Polanski (news) (\"The Pianist\") and Martin Scorsese (\"Gangs of New York\"). The pictures ranged from fantasy to musical to heavy drama, but all were December releases. And period tales prevailed as only one-third of one film -- \"The Hours\" -- is set in present day. The nominees are also an international mix with Daldry from the U.K., Jackson from New Zealand, Polanski from Poland and Marshall and Scorsese from the United States. Though none of the five has previously won a DGA award, Scorsese is a five-time nominee and was recently selected by the DGA for this year's lifetime achievement award; Polanski is a third-timer and Jackson's nod is his second. Scorsese's previous nominations came for \"Taxi Driver\" (1976), \"Raging Bull\" (1980), \"Goodfellas\" (1990) and \"Age of Innocence\" (1993). Polanski's nods came for \"Rosemary's Baby\" (1968) and \"Chinatown\" (1974) Jackson was nominated last year for \"The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.\" Daldry and Marshall are getting their first DGA film nods. \"The Hours\" is Daldry's second feature following \"Billy Elliot\" while \"Chicago\" is the first film for Marshall, who received a DGA TV nomination for the 2000 TV movie \"Annie.\" Contenders failing to make cut included Todd Haynes (\"Far From Heaven\"), Spike Jonze (\"Adaptation\"), Sam Mendes (\"Road to Perdition\"), Philip Noyce (\"The Quiet American\"), Alexander Payne (\"About Schmidt\"), Steven Spielberg (\"Catch Me If You Can,\" \"Minority Report\"), Denzel Washington (\"Antwone Fisher\"), as well as two foreign-language helmers, Pedro Almodovar (\"Talk to Her\"), and Alfonso Cuaron (\"Y tu Mama Tambien\"). Spielberg holds the all-time DGA record for nominations (nine) and wins (three, for \"The Color Purple,\" \"Schindler's List\" and \"Saving Private Ryan\"). The nominations, selected among 382 eligible pictures by the DGA's 12,000 members, were unveiled Tuesday by DGA president Martha Coolidge at guild headquarters in Hollywood. She stressed the DGA voting has been \"the most accurate\" indicator of which director will an Academy Award, with winners matching in all but five of the 54 years in which the DGA has given its award. \"We all want to win an Oscar but directors will tell you that this award is nearest and dearest to their heart,\" Coolidge added. The winner will be announced March 1 at the 55th annual DGA Awards Dinner at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles. The DGA will announce TV and documentary nominations in coming weeks. Oscar nominations will be unveiled on Feb. 11, with the ceremony taking place on March 23. Marshall, who was driving when he was notified of the nomination by his publicist, said he was stunned: \"I'm overwhelmed to be included when it's such a strong season.\" Marshall said the DGA support was probably due to appreciation by members for the complexities of directing a musical. \"Even though musicals look like nothing but fun, it's as if you're making one and a half movies,\" he added. Jackson, who is in New Zealand editing \"Lord of the Rings: Return of the King,\" said he was pleased to receive back-to-back nominations, citing the challenges of integrating multiple story lines on \"Towers.\" \"'The Two Towers' is the most difficult of the three and I believe people recognize that this film is not just more of the same,\" he added. \"I'm very appreciative that people didn't say, 'We gave him one last year so we don't need to do it again.\"' Polanski issued a statement: \"Nothing can be more gratifying than recognition by one's peers. My nomination by the DGA for 'The Pianist' gives me the greatest pleasure. However, it would not have been possible without the collaboration of my magnificent crew.\" Daldry said, \"I'm very grateful to the members of the Directors Guild, for whom I have a great respect. This film means so much to me, and working with the three greatest actresses of our day was pleasure enough, but the nomination by the directors is more than icing on the cake -- it's a compliment I shall treasure. DGA nominations are selected by feature directors, TV helmers, associate directors, assistant directors, stage managers and unit production managers while this year's Oscar noms will be made by the 370 members of the Academy's directors' branch. The last split between the DGA and the Academy came two years ago as Ang Lee won the DGA race for \"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon\" while the Oscar went to Steven Soderbergh (news) for \"Traffic.\" The other divergences: DGA and Oscar winners were, respectively, Anthony Harvey for \"The Lion in Winter\" and Carol Reed, \"Oliver!\" in 1968; Francis Ford Coppola, \"The Godfather,\" and Bob Fosse, \"Cabaret,\" 1972"}, {"response": 821, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (09:44)", "body": "\" Contenders failing to make cut included.... *And* what about Sam Mendes... (laura)(You know I love you!) Gosh.... Cold up there...are you wearing your Arsenal scarf;-))"}, {"response": 822, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (09:47)", "body": "*And* what about Sam Mendes... He was listed as \"failing to make the cut."}, {"response": 823, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (09:48)", "body": "They can only nominate five. Who would you drop?"}, {"response": 824, "author": "Odile", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (12:30)", "body": "Nick Hornby wrote a new book called either 31 Songs or Songbook (depending on the source or publisher?) where in a High Fidelity fashion he made a list of his favorite songs and wrote essays about each. Does any Firthette have a copy, and if so would you mind emailing me the essay about Bruce Springsteen's Thunder Road -- NH's most oft-played tune? I'd be most thankful! An article about the release: http://store.yahoo.com/mcsweeneysbooks/songbook.html An article that talks specifically about Thunder Road with references to NH's essay: http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/music/features/story.jsp?story=369940 I hope O&E is ok for this. I'm still wading through past drool topics to see what else is there. You girls have been so busy! :) So if there is a NH topic, Karen feel free to move this there."}, {"response": 825, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (12:58)", "body": "It IS FRIGID up here. Funny that you mention the Arsenal scarf, because I saw someone wearing Liverpool! and mentioned the only thing that team had for them was Michael Owen, nearly fell over speechless!"}, {"response": 826, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (13:55)", "body": "Thanks, Odile. Must check it out. (Karen), They can only nominate five. Who would you drop? Easy, Martin Scorsese. He's done so much better. I hated that circus he's created. The bad news is that he didn't win for Taxi Driver or Raging Bull. They might just give it to him. How Polanski did not win it for Rosemary's Baby is a mystery. That film is a classic. Can we say the same of the film that won for the director? Thanks for all the interesting articles. George Clooney's method of directing cracked me up, \"I'd look over at (cinematographer) Tom (Sigel) and say, `You know, Carnal Knowledge.'\" LOL!"}, {"response": 827, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (15:25)", "body": "I'd put Peter Jackson in the animation category if they had one. ;-) IMO those films shouldn't even be competing in some categories, because they are nothing more than computer generated effects."}, {"response": 828, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (15:56)", "body": "Jeannette Walls Newsletter... Dear Readers: Things were looking mighty grim on the red carpet at this year's Golden Globes. Arrivals were over at 5 p.m. PT, and by 3:30 p.m., the biggest stars I had on camera were Bernie Mac (from the next \"Charlie's Angels) and Sean Astin (Samwise \"Sam\" Gamgee, a supporting Hobbit in \"LOTR.\") The accountants from Ernst and Young kept walking back and forth in their sensible shoes, conspicuously swinging their logo-emblazoned briefcases, but no one wanted to interview them. Catherine Dent of \"The Shield\" also walked the carpet until it was threadbare. I was getting desperate for a good sound bite when I spotted a potential voting scandal: Access Hollywood had asked viewers to pick the dress that hostess Nancy O'Dell would wear for the evening. There she was, right in front of me, a vision in robin's egg blue, when I KNEW FOR A FACT that the viewers had voted for the lilac gown! With mike in hand, I bravely confronted Ms. O'Dell. She explained with a perky smile that she was changing into the lilac dress after the arrivals. \"Oh,\" I said. \"OK.\" Joan Rivers demanded to see the back of my hair. \"Well,\" she sniffed. \"It's better than when you worked with me.\" (I used to appear on Joan's now-defunct gossip show. Her critique was a quasi-insult, I think.) \"Entertainment Tonight\" -- which usually gets a prime spot -- was crammed into a teeny corner plot, and the producers were grumbling. KTLA's Sam Rubin was giving out free M&Ms to try to seduce the celebs into talking. Shirley MacLaine was getting sulky, and whined to her publicist, \"Can we go now?\" Jamie Lee Curtis, who years ago became bored with telling reporters who designed her dress and did her hair, was handing out pre-printed cards with the info. Ashley, my producer, started walking up and down the red carpet, cleverly posing as a publicist, to see who was coming. She came back breathless and wide-eyed. \"Major news!\" she said. \"Lara Flynn Boyle is wearing a tutu!\" \"What do you mean?\" I said, my reportorial skepticism kicking in. \"I mean a pink tutu! I swear. With lace-up, high-heel ballet slippers! The crowd is going wild. This is momentous! Really, really huge!!!\" (Check it out at http://www.msnbc.com/news/861573.asp#tutu ) I breathed a sigh of relief even as my palms got sweaty in anticipation. There is nothing worse than covering an awards show if you can't come out and say truly snarky things about someone. It was then that the Golden Globes really picked up. The celeb crush came all at once: Nicole making I-really-want-to-talk-to-you-but-my-publicist-won't-let-me gestures to camera crews. Catherine and Michael wouldn't talk to most reporters, but she insisted they stop for the British press. Daniel Day Lewis, almost unrecognizable and still quite bald. Cameron and Salma and Edie and Beyonce and Renee and Halle appeared practically all at once and all looking fabulous. Goldie and Sharon looking not so fab. Halle's hubby stroked her arm as she turned away. Nicholas Cage pointedly refused to speak with Us Weekly. Apparently, he's not thrilled with what they wrote about his mini-marriage to Lisa Marie. When Lara Flynn Boyle pranced down the red carpet, your humble Scooper reached new lows -- and, Dear Readers, I've stooped pretty darned low -- trying to get a sound bite. \"Lara, PLEASE, over here! Show us your dress! Wave to our camera! PLEASE!\" Faye Dunaway watched my performance with a mixture of amusement and horror. \"Lara! I'll get fired if you don't speak with me. Please! My livelihood depends on you.\" \"Give it up,\" Faye said to me. \"It isn't going to happen.\" * * * After the arrivals, we took our seats backstage. The Golden Globes are the best awards show out there because -- for whatever reason -- even the most press-hating stars come back to talk to us. A couple of years ago, Tom Cruise fielded questions, and the year before that, we couldn't get Barbra Streisand to shut up and sit down. Meryl Streep came back and told us why she didn't want to meet Susan Orlean, the New Yorker writer she plays in \"Adaptation.\" \"I chose not to be confused by the truth,\" she said. She got off the stage, announcing to her publicist, \"I really have to pee!\" Richard Gere also came back and talked. And talked. He talked about musicals. He talked about the meaning of life. But he was mercifully short when someone asked him the meaning of some string-bracelet he was wearing. \"That would take about three days to explain,\" he said. He also demurred when an L.A.-based online reporter asked, \"Richard, why is gray hair so damned sexy on you?\" Uma Thurman -- to her credit -- also dodged an inappropriate question or two. \"Are you wearing a thong?\" a reporter asked. \"You're just going to have to guess,\" Uma said after regaining her composure. \"What's the sexiest Christmas present you've ever received?\" asked another. \"Sexy Christmas present? Uh, er, gee?\" Uma said as her publicist escorted her off stage. Sam Rubin kept asking celebs if they liked"}, {"response": 829, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (16:14)", "body": "(Karen) They can only nominate five. Who would you drop? (Moon) Easy, Martin Scorsese He's already getting the lifetime acheivement award. He really shouldn't get it for Gangs, but I don't think it was as bad as Moon thinks. I think it was a beautifully shot movie though didn't like how most of the first fight scene was shot, the production design incredible. But still quite flawed. Bet DDL's Oscar clip will be the one with him in the chair with the flag draped around him. He also demurred when an L.A.-based online reporter asked, \"Richard, why is gray hair so damned sexy on you?\" Uma Thurman -- to her credit -- also dodged an inappropriate question or two. \"Are you wearing a thong?\" a reporter asked. Daryn was waiting with open arms, which she threw around Bono. She was all over him like a cheap suit. Or perhaps I should say, like Sharon Stone on Richard Gere. LOL!!! Next stop for our intrepid reporters....60 Minutes!"}, {"response": 830, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (23:04)", "body": "Oh, I don't think any working director would be happy with a \"consolation\" prize award and would rather get it for an individual work."}, {"response": 831, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jan 22, 2003 (23:47)", "body": "I completely agree and at a Q&A he expressed almost profound disappointment and bewilderment (along with the rest of us) as to why he hadn't won one already. Not sure how secret those results are among any or all of the guild members, but seems they wouldn't give him the \"consolation\" prize if he was truly going to win one. I suppose it could be a fluke though if he won."}, {"response": 832, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (01:06)", "body": "Thanks for the great and humorous report Jeannette. Hope you got to go to the parties and have some fun."}, {"response": 833, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (06:37)", "body": "Related News : From a USA Today review of Sam Mendes' two productions at the Brooklyn Academy of Music: \"Similarly, Mark Strong uses his gentle but firm presence to great advantage as both the duke who desires Olivia but is strangely drawn to Cesario and the passionate young doctor who is the object of Sonya's unrequited love.\" Whole story: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=680&e=5&cid=680&u=/usatoday/20030122/en_usatoday/4798624"}, {"response": 834, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (07:59)", "body": "Sean Astin (Samwise \"Sam\" Gamgee, a supporting Hobbit in \"LOTR.\") Hate to burst your bubble, but Sam is not the supporting Hobbit, but the hero of the books. Frodo is the supporting Hobbit. Just had to clarify. ;)"}, {"response": 835, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (11:00)", "body": "Saw \"The Hours\" yesterday. It and The Piano are the big toss-ups for me for Oscar winners. A Big Must -See. I read the book (Pulitizer Prize, 1998)and considered it unfilmable. I mean, how do you film a story linking an author (Va. Woolf)in 1923 with two of her latter day readers (1950's and 1991)in the smae sphere of consciousness.Stephen Daldry does it in spades.It was his luck to get such fantastic actresses...I've seen Julianne Moore and Meryl S. in similar roles. But Nicole Kidman ...what a stretch for her, and she nails it. David Hare's / Michael Cunningham (author of the book) wrote a dialogue that's brilliant. .Hare also wrote \"The Blue Room\" .NK appeared in it at the Donmar and won the BAFTA.(Did she also win the Tony?) Although featuring women, I liked the fact that they didn't depict men in a demeaning or disrespectful manner. All of them admire, love and respect the women . Leonard (SD) is loving and caring. SD never hogs the screen, a true supporter, he lets Nicole shine. Mermerizing performances and direction."}, {"response": 836, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (13:27)", "body": "had a bit of a permisssions problem a bit ago and I got a call from Karen. I think it's ok now but I'm still testing. I've been doing a lot of heavy lifting on teh site and it's no doubt due to all the big changes I've been doing."}, {"response": 837, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (14:02)", "body": "I tried to post and it wouldn't let me:("}, {"response": 838, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Thu, Jan 23, 2003 (16:41)", "body": "Okay, weighing in a bit late on the GG's I know, but the stomach flu kept me in bed & away from the PC: Was very happy for RZ & she looked fabulous! My friends and I were trying to identify her dress, and I can't believe I got it right; I've been reading too much InStyle, apparently :) Anyone catch the nuzzle from RG on the red carpet on the network's arrival show? His wife didn't look too pleased... Speaking of the arrival show, what was up with the god-awful questions they were asking? For example, to HG (paraphrased): your character in About a Boy was running from marriage; do you feel you have a lot in common with that? Tacky, tacky. Joan Rivers had a lot of company in the dumb question department, apparently... LFB...well...she will definitely go down in GG history as having one of the most *memorable* dresses...ye gods... What was up with all the dark eye makeup and pale lipstick? And the ponytails? Ick... SS had to be on something, the way she was acting (and dressing) and Goldie Hawn...yikes! Time to fire your stylist, hon. Colin Farrell amused me somewhat b/c he seemed so excited to be there ($hit!!); no canned answers from him, that's for sure. But, as for my preference between the two CF's? LOL, oh I'm a true-blue Firthette; no contest..."}, {"response": 839, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan 24, 2003 (12:49)", "body": "How about this: Ndugu is a real boy, affiliated with a real organization: Real kid touches 'Schmidt' audience By Scott Bowles, USA TODAY Abdallah Mtulu can't read or write, doesn't speak English and has never seen a movie. Yet the 6-year-old Tanzanian has managed to touch audiences and Hollywood's elite with his film debut in About Schmidt. Since Abdallah, known as Ndugu in the Jack Nicholson film, had his picture and crayon drawing featured in the movie, donations to the real-life organization that helps care for him and 1 million other children have soared. \"It's incredible,\" says Samuel Worthington of Childreach, one of the largest non-profit humanitarian groups. \"We were just hoping the movie would let people know the work we do. We didn't expect so many to join in.\" The group, which recruits U.S. sponsors for children in developing countries for $24 a month, typically receives three sponsorships a day on its Web site (www.childreach.org). When the movie went nationwide Jan. 3, that rose to 80 a day. Nicholson, producer Harry Gittes and director Alexander Payne gave $5,600. The movie crew wrote to Abdallah on their lunch breaks. In the film, Nicholson plays a retired insurance actuary who sponsors Ndugu and writes rambling letters to his \"foster son.\" Gittes says filmmakers were looking for realism, \"so we wanted a real child with a real, reputable organization.\" The search led them to Childreach and to Abdallah, who lives in Longongogole, a 236-family village in Tanzania with a per-capita family income of $1 a day, according to Childreach. Unlike in the film, money to Childreach is used for food, shelter, to build schools and hospitals, and doesn't go directly to the child. But the rest is true to life, says Childreach's Amy Luz. \"That's our phone number on the screen, and we encourage the kids to draw pictures for their sponsor, since so many can't read or write.\" Gittes says that two Golden Globe awards and Oscar buzz for Schmidt have been rewarding but \"not like the real-life effect it's having. I've been producing movies for more than 30 years, and you always aspire to make one that has real impact. This may be the one.\""}, {"response": 840, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Jan 24, 2003 (22:12)", "body": "Just saw that Londinium is playing on HBO Signature (or HBO3)several times next month. I wonder if some exec at HBO felt bad that \"the one who shall be nameless\" had his show cancelled and is trying to make amends somehow? ;-)"}, {"response": 841, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 2003 (10:10)", "body": "(Ada) Just saw that Londinium is playing on HBO Signature (or HBO3)several times next month. Lord save us. At least it's not the main HBO. I kept hoping it would hide out at Cinemax which no one gets."}, {"response": 842, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 2003 (10:15)", "body": "(AdaVW) I wonder if some exec at HBO felt bad that \"the one who shall be nameless\" had his show cancelled and is trying to make amends somehow? ;-) Can anyone feel THAT bad about cancellation? Would much rather think being shown to capitalize ;-) fine talents of great actor doing best with nothing to work with."}, {"response": 843, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jan 25, 2003 (17:21)", "body": "Saw \" Confessions of a Dangerous Mind\" last night. I was very impressed with Sam R. I never knew him or noticed him before. Julia once more confirmed that she can not act and she is not a femme fatale. Georgie boy copied too many stiles for me to be a fan of this film but it was a good effort. * Spoiler* Question: How did GC die? He bled to death, but the blood was leaking from the shoe. Dorine?"}, {"response": 844, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Jan 26, 2003 (02:39)", "body": "(Moon) I was very impressed with Sam R. I never knew him or noticed him before. Wasn't Sam R. the male lead in Lawn Dogs? I have to smile thinking about that film because it was you and winter that recommended it to me the day we had tea at the Four Seasons. That was a fun day, although perhaps not quite as stimulating an event as when we hooked up for the BJD sneak preview ;-)."}, {"response": 845, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan 26, 2003 (09:55)", "body": "Hi, Jana! Yes, our LA escapades were fun. I would have enjoyed the BJD sneak preview more had my DH not been with us. ;-))) Wasn't Sam R. the male lead in Lawn Dogs? Good memory! He was vg in that too. Another film I recommend to rent. Saw the restored \"Metropolis\" last night. This film was done in 1927 and it really started it all. The lighting, the sets, the prophetic story. An inspiration!"}, {"response": 846, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Jan 26, 2003 (11:22)", "body": "(Moon) Saw the restored \"Metropolis\" last night. Fantastic! I love this film....if you liked that, you should check out Fritz Lang's first talkie \"M\" with Peter Lorre. It is amazing. Lang uses sound for the first time and does so brilliantly. He uses it to build tension and move the story along. Highly recommend it if you have not already seen it."}, {"response": 847, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan 26, 2003 (11:41)", "body": "you should check out Fritz Lang's first talkie \"M\" with Peter Lorre. I've seen it. I am a big fan of German expressionist film. I had seen \"Metropolis\" ages ago but that was an edited version. The restores \"Metropolis\" has all the lost reels and original sound track too."}, {"response": 848, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jan 26, 2003 (17:06)", "body": "Sunday night MT update: Masterpiece Theater has Me and Mrs. Jones, tonight. With Caroline Goodall and Robson Green. She's the Prime Minister and he is a tabloid reporter trying to dig up some dirt."}, {"response": 849, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sun, Jan 26, 2003 (21:20)", "body": "Katy Murphy (Donovan Quick) is in Me and Mrs. Jones (Masterpiece Theater), too."}, {"response": 850, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Jan 27, 2003 (07:06)", "body": "From the BBC: The main nominations for this year's Bafta film awards, to be held at the Odeon Leicester Square cinema in London on 23 February. Best film Chicago Gangs of New York The Hours The Lord of The Rings: The Two Towers The Pianist Best British film (Alexander Korda award for the outstanding British film of the year) Bend it Like Beckham Dirty Pretty Things The Hours The Magdalene Sisters The Warrior Best director (David Lean award for achievement in direction) Rob Marshall - Chicago Martin Scosese - Gangs of New York Stephen Daldry - The Hours Peter Jackson - The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Roman Polanski - The Pianist Best actor in a leading role Adrien Brody - The Pianist Nicolas Cage - Adaptation Sir Michael Caine - The Quiet American Daniel Day-Lewis- Gangs of New York Jack Nicholson - About Schmidt Best actress in a leading role Halle Berry - Monster's Ball Salma Hayek - Frida Nicole Kidman - The Hours Meryl Streep - The Hours Renee Zellweger - Chicago Best actor in a supporting role Chris Cooper - Adaptation Ed Harris - The Hours Alfred Molina -Frida Paul Newman - Road To Perdition Christopher Walken - Catch Me If You Can Best actress in a supporting role Toni Collette - About A Boy Queen Latifah - Chicago Julianne Moore - The Hours Meryl Streep - Adaptation Catherine Zeta Jones - Chicago Make-up and hair Chicago Frida Gangs of New York The Hours The Lord of The Rings: The Two Towers Special visual effects Gangs of New York Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets The Lord of The Rings: The Two Towers Minority Report Spiderman Best sound Chicago Gangs of New York Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets The Lord of The Rings: The Two Towers The Pianist Editing City of God Gangs of New York The Hours Chicago The Lord of The Rings: The Two Towers Costume design Catch Me If You Can Chicago Frida Gangs of New York The Lord of The Rings: The Two Towers Production design Chicago Gangs of New York Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets The Lord of The Rings: The Two Towers Road to Perdition Cinematography Chicago Gangs of New York The Lord of The Rings: The Two Towers The Pianist Road To Perdition Best music (Antony Asquith award for achievement in film music) Catch Me If You Can Chicago Gangs of New York The Hours The Pianist Best film not in the English language Y Tu Mama Tambien (And Your Mother Too) City Of God (Ciudad de Deus) Devdas Hable con ella (Talk To Her) The Warrior Original screenplay Y Tu Mama Tambien (And Your Mother Too) Dirty Pretty Things Gangs of New York The Magdelene Sisters Hable con ella (Talk To Her) Adapted screenplay About a Boy Adaptation Catch Me If You Can The Hours The Pianist Carl Foreman award for special achievement in first feature film Simon Bent - Christie Malry's Own Double Entry (writer) Lucy Darwin - Lost In La Mancha (producer) Asif Kapadia - The Warrior (writer and director) Duncan Roy - AKA (writer and director) Best short film Bouncer Candy Bar Kid Good Night The Most Beautiful Man In The World My Wrongs 8245-8249 And 117 Rank Short animation The Chub Chubs The Dog Who Was A Cat Inside Fish Never Sleep Sap Wedding Expresso"}, {"response": 851, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Jan 27, 2003 (07:09)", "body": "Nothing for \"Far From Heaven.\" I'm surprised about music and cinematography. I thought it would at least get one in these categories."}, {"response": 852, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Jan 27, 2003 (08:22)", "body": "Thanks Murph for the Bafta noms. Personally routing for Renee and Chicago. Any idead of when it will be shown here?"}, {"response": 853, "author": "townranny", "date": "Mon, Jan 27, 2003 (08:35)", "body": "Hard to believe that HG wasn't included here. What could be the reason?"}, {"response": 854, "author": "freddie", "date": "Mon, Jan 27, 2003 (09:04)", "body": "Colin who?????????? ;) Jude Law Is Film Fans' Pick for Next 007 LONDON (Reuters) - English actor Jude Law topped a poll of film fans Monday to find the next incarnation of suave secret agent James Bond. The 30-year-old star took more than a quarter of votes in the Total Film magazine survey, finishing just ahead of Scottish \"Star Wars\" actor Ewan McGregor . Total Film editor Matt Mueller felt Law had that \"posh\" edge over the competition. \"I think Jude Law has that upper class, debonair sophistication about him that people associate with James Bond,\" he said. \"More so than Ewan McGregor and Christian Bale who came close.\" But he said McGregor's close second place was interesting because, like Sean Connery, he is Scottish. Current 007 actor Pierce Brosnan has committed himself to a fifth outing as Bond, but has said he may be too old for a sixth. \"It takes stamina to play this role. I would like to get off the stage with grace,\" he told a news conference last year. The list of actors, and even pop stars, who have been linked with the role of Bond is a long one. They range from Oscar winner Russell Crowe and English actor Clive Owen to cheeky British singer Robbie Williams. Comedian Richard Blackwood is even reported to have offered his services as the first black Bond. \"American Psycho\" star Christian Bale came in third in Monday's poll, followed by Owen. Hugh Grant , famous for playing a foppish Englishman in \"Four Weddings and a Funeral,\" took just two percent of votes."}, {"response": 855, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 27, 2003 (09:14)", "body": "Nothing for \"Far From Heaven.\" My guess is that it didn't have a qualifying release in the UK during the right time frame. The Hours, I believe, just opened there, but all films were to have been screened in the UK by 12/31 in order to qualify. Somehow I think that one fell through the cracks. Pls note inclusion of Halle Berry for Monster's Ball from our last year's slate. They tried to insure there wouldn't be these discrepancies due to differences in release dates by having so-called qualifying runs for films that would be opening after the end of the year, but there was still last year's leftovers to deal with. Hard to believe that HG wasn't included here. OK, am drawing a blank here. :-( IMO these look like pretty pedestrian picks for the most part. No shockers or inspired ones. How can they justify putting both Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman in the lead actrrss category for The Hours and Julianne Moore in the Supporting one??"}, {"response": 856, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 27, 2003 (10:04)", "body": "From THR's article: Eligible films must have been screened for at least seven consecutive days for a public, paying audience by the date of the ceremony itself and/or released during 2002. Previously movies must have been released during Jan. 1-Dec. 31 of the previous year. This year \"The Hours,\" \"Adaptation\" and \"Catch Me If You Can\" have not yet been seen by paying public audiences in the U.K. but are scheduled for release over the coming weeks."}, {"response": 857, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 27, 2003 (10:10)", "body": "In the 'Oh, no, don't do it\" category... 'Birdie' flying to big screen again with Columbia By Zorianna Kit With a sudden resurgence of the musical genre thanks to the critical and commercial success of Miramax Films' \"Chicago\" and last year's \"Moulin Rouge\" from 20th Century Fox, Columbia Pictures is now angling for a piece of the musical pie. The studio, along with Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher's Red Wagon, is hoping to mount a big-screen version of \"Bye Bye Birdie.\" The studio already owns the feature film rights to the musical, having previously brought it to the big screen with the 1963 version starring Dick Van Dyke, Janet Leigh, Maureen Stapleton and Bobby Rydell, among others. [Ed note: Ann-Margaret is considered \"among others\"?] No writer is yet on board to pen the new version, but Columbia executive vp Amy Baer is overseeing. \"Birdie\" takes place during the 1960s and centers on Conrad Birdie, an Elvis Presley-type rock 'n' roll star who is drafted into the Army, much to the horror of his broke agent, Albert Peterson. In an attempt to get some publicity to get rich and marry his sweetheart, Rose, Albert makes arrangements for Conrad to appear on \"The Ed Sullivan Show,\" where he will give his last kiss as a civilian to a girl. The lucky recipient, Kim, is selected from Conrad's fan club, and the group sets out to Sweet Apple, Ohio, to meet her, much to the dismay of Kim's new boyfriend, Hugo. Relationships begin to unravel as Rose gets impatient with Albert, and the jealous Hugo knocks Conrad out cold during the televised kiss. Van Dyke originated the stage role of Albert when the musical opened April 14, 1960, at the Martin Beck Theater in New York before reprising the role for the feature film three years later. Chita Rivera starred as Rose in the production, which ran for 607 performances. ~~~~~~~~~ Maybe they'll cast Britney Spears in the 'among others' role this time. ;-)"}, {"response": 858, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Jan 27, 2003 (10:42)", "body": "Thanks, Karen. And I agree about the remake of Bye Bye. We saw the original on Broadway and have the vinyl cast album. Age has its compensations!"}, {"response": 859, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 27, 2003 (10:51)", "body": "I know, am truly a purist. Leave great things alone!! I was even bugged by the cover version of \"How Can I Be Sure\" in last night's Me & Mrs Jones program. Would've much preferred hearing the Rascals singing it. ;-)"}, {"response": 860, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 27, 2003 (11:35)", "body": "LONDINIUM HBO E Feb 14, 3:50 AM (Eastern)[a Valentine treat;-)] HBO SIGNATURE E Feb 1, 3,9,20, 26 HBO W Feb 24 [...and to ease their conscience] CONSPIRACY on HBO SIGNATURE E Feb 8,10,16,19,28"}, {"response": 861, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jan 27, 2003 (12:26)", "body": "CONSPIRACY on HBO SIGNATURE E Feb 8,10,16,19,28 ] Bill just ordered that for me on netflix (still haven't seen it!) should arrive today amof. They did a remake of BBB on ABC w/ Jason Alexander, it was HORRIBLE... I can't see them re-making it. (I'm not even a big fan of the original!)"}, {"response": 862, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Jan 27, 2003 (12:27)", "body": "(Karen) I know, am truly a purist. Leave great things alone!! I was even bugged by the cover version of \"How Can I Be Sure\" in last night's Me & Mrs Jones program. Would've much preferred hearing the Rascals singing it. ;-) Me, too! About that time my 18-year-old son said something about what a terrible song it was. I told him it used to be good. I was glad to see Toni Collette nommed for supportint actress in AAB. I thought she was wonderful in it. Good to see her get some recognition."}, {"response": 863, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Jan 27, 2003 (12:42)", "body": "KathyF: I was glad to see Toni Collette nommed for supportint actress in AAB. I thought she was wonderful in it. Good to see her get some recognition. She is also good in a brief scene in The Hours. Those Aussies!!! This mini-review from my blogging page: I saw \"The Hours\" yesterday. There was one brief scene that captured, to me, the essence of the film. Meryl Streep's character is talking to her daughter, and she remembers an early morning years ago, when she was sitting outside at a beach home, and her lover came out behind her and touched her on the shoulder. She said it was a moment of pure happiness for her -- the beginning of many such moments in her life, she thought -- but it turned out the happiness was just that one brief moment in time - pure and joyous and gone. The film is a slow, meditative one, very literary in dialogue, and the acting is of the highest caliber by all the cast, not just the three stars. But the overwhelming feeling I took away was that Streep was lucky to have had that one brief moment of joy. The lives and characters of the three principals were ones of deep unhappiness and disconnection from the rest of the world. They seemed to be trapped in some kind of well of loneliness. The movie left me wanting a happier redemption for the three than what we were given. I suppose in Kidman's Virginia Woolf, it was death. In Moore's Laura Brown character, desertion of family, and in Streep's Clarissa Vaughan, the losing of the person she thought made up her whole world. Sad, and finally not a film I would want to see again - Except maybe to watch the wonderful face of little Jack Rovello as Moore's young son."}, {"response": 864, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Mon, Jan 27, 2003 (12:56)", "body": "Gee whiz.. I'm so far behind, again. I completely missed the GGs, but thanks to you all I almost feel as if I was there. =) My daughter leaves tomorrow, and after her graduation from boot camp, I won't see her again until Christmas, if then, so I'm even more scatterbrained and dimwitted. I guess letting go of your first must be very difficult for every mother, but I'm taking this pretty hard.. she and I have been the only girls in this house of men, now, for nineteen years. I'm going to be feeling very alone, so I'm depending upon all of you sweet girls to continue to keep me cheered up. =) (big appreciative hugs all around.. even to you more standoffish repressed types.. LOL! ;)) I've started on \"The Pianist\", thanks to my online \"kids\" (innocently batting eyelashes.. ting) The movie is only showing in one theater in Nashville as was TIOBE, so I was glad that the \"kids\" had mercy upon their mama, because with everything going on right now and the weather, there's no way I'd be able to go see it. It was fabulous seeing Emilia again. She has certainly grown up to be a very lovely woman! I'm only about 20 minutes into it, but I'm hoping to finish it up today. Maybe I'll manage to be more in touch.. we can hope, I guess!"}, {"response": 865, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jan 27, 2003 (13:30)", "body": "Thought you'd find this interesting Director Martin Scorsese and actress Anjelica Huston have been chosen as Man and Woman of the Year by Harvard's Hasty Pudding Theatricals. Story"}, {"response": 866, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (09:29)", "body": "Saw 'Jane Bennett' last night on the BBCA's episode of \"Waking the Dead\". No longer an ingenue, she is still a stunner and put in a great performance as the murderer's (Sam West)victim. \"Jo \"(FP) played the psychologist.Trevor Eve as the detective never disappoints. An excellent series if you get BBC America."}, {"response": 867, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (09:36)", "body": "9th ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS\ufffd NOMINATIONS THEATRICAL MOTION PICTURES For Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role Adrien Brody / THE PIANIST \ufffd Wladyslaw Szpilman (Focus Features) Nicolas Cage / ADAPTATION \ufffd Charlie Kaufman/Donald Kaufman (Columbia Pictures) Daniel Day-Lewis / GANGS OF NEW YORK \ufffd Bill \"The Butcher\" Cutting (Miramax Films) Richard Gere / CHICAGO \ufffd Billy Flynn (Miramax Films) Jack Nicholson / ABOUT SCHMIDT \ufffd Warren Schmidt (New Line Cinema) For Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role Salma Hayek / FRIDA \ufffd Frida Kahlo (Miramax Films) Nicole Kidman / THE HOURS \ufffd Virginia Woolf (Paramount Pictures/Miramax Films) Diane Lane / UNFAITHFUL \ufffd Connie Sumner 20th Century Fox Julianne Moore / FAR FROM HEAVEN \ufffd Cathy Whitaker (Focus Features) Ren\ufffde Zellweger / CHICAGO \ufffd Roxie Hart (Miramax Films) For Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role Chris Cooper / ADAPTATION \ufffd Guy LaRoche (Columbia Pictures) Ed Harris / THE HOURS \ufffd Richard Brown (Paramount Pictures) Alfred Molina / FRIDA \ufffd Diego Rivera (Miramax Films) Dennis Quaid / FAR FROM HEAVEN \ufffd Frank Whitaker (Miramax Films) Christopher Walken / CATCH ME IF YOU CAN \ufffd Frank Abagnale (Dreamworks SKG) For Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role Kathy Bates / ABOUT SCHMIDT \ufffd Roberta Hertzel (New Line Cinema) Julianne Moore / THE HOURS \ufffd Laura Brown (Paramount Pictures) Michelle Pfeiffer / WHITE OLEANDER \ufffd Ingrid Magnussen ( Warner Bros.) Queen Latifah / CHICAGO \ufffd Matron Mama Morton (Miramax Fillms) Catherine Zeta-Jones / CHICAGO \ufffd Velma Kelly (Miramax Fillms) For Outstanding Performance by the Cast of a Theatrical Motion Picture ADAPTATION (Columbia Pictures) Nicolas Cage - Charlie Kaufman /Donald Kaufman Chris Cooper - John LaRoche Brian Cox - Robert McKee Cara Seymour - Amelia Meryl Streep - Susan Orlean Tilda Swinton - Valerie CHICAGO (Miramax Films) Christine Baranski - Mary Sunshine Taye Diggs - Bandleader Colm Feore - Harrison Richard Gere - Billy Flynn Mya Harrison - Mona Lucy Liu - Kitty Baxter Queen Latifah - Matron Mama Morton John C. Reilly - Amos Hart Dominic West - Fred Casely Ren\ufffde Zellweger - Roxie Hart Catherine Zeta-Jones - Velma Kelly THE HOURS (Paramount Pictures / Miramax Films) Toni Collette - Kitty Claire Danes - Julia Vaughan Jeff Daniels - Louis Waters Stephen Dillane - Leonard Woolf Ed Harris - Richard Brown Allison Janney - Sally Lester Nicole Kidman - Virginia Woolf Julianne Moore - Laura Brown John C. Reilly - Dan Brown Miranda Richardson - Vanessa Bell Meryl Streep - Clarissa Vaughan THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS (New Line Cinema) Sean Astin - Sam Cate Blanchett - Galadriel Orlando Bloom - Legolas Billy Boyd - Pippin Brad Dourif - Wormtongue Bernard Hill - Theoden Christopher Lee - Saruman Ian McKellen - Gandalf Dominic Monaghan - Merry Viggo Mortensen - Aragorn Miranda Otto - Eowyn John Rhys-Davies - Gimli Andy Serkis - Gollum Liv Tyler - Arwen Hugo Weaving - Elrond David Wenham - Faramir Elijah Wood - Frodo Baggins MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING (Playtone / IFC / Gold Circle Films / HBO) Gia Carides - Nikki Michael Constantine - Gus Portokalos John Corbett - Ian Miller Joey Fatone - Angelo Lainie Kazan - Maria Portokalos Andrea Martin - Aunt Voula Nia Vardalos - Toula Portokalos PRIMETIME TELEVISION For Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries Albert Finney / THE GATHERING STORM \ufffd Winston Churchill (HBO) Brad Garrett / GLEASON \ufffd Jackie Gleason (CBS) Sean Hayes / MARTIN & LEWIS \ufffd Jerry Lewis (CBS) William H. Macy / DOOR TO DOOR \ufffd Bill Porter (TNT) John Turturro / MONDAY NIGHT MAYHEM \ufffd Howard Cosell (TNT) For Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries Kathy Bates / MY SISTER\ufffdS KEEPER - Christine (CBS) Stockard Channing / THE MATTHEW SHEPARD STORY \ufffd Judy Shepard (NBC) Helen Mirren / DOOR TO DOOR - Irene Porter (TNT) Vanessa Redgrave / THE GATHERING STORM \ufffd Clemmie Churchill (HBO) Uma Thurman / HYSTERICAL BLINDNESS - Debby (HBO) For Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series Michael Chiklis / THE SHIELD \ufffd Det. Vic Mackey (FX) James Gandolfini / THE SOPRANOS \ufffd Tony Soprano (HBO) Martin Sheen / THE WEST WING \ufffd President Josiah Bartlet (NBC) Kiefer Sutherland / 24 \ufffd Jack Bauer (FOX) Treat Williams / EVERWOOD \ufffd Dr. Andrew Brown (The WB) For Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series Lorraine Bracco / THE SOPRANOS - Dr. Jennifer Melfi (HBO) Amy Brenneman / JUDGING AMY \ufffd Judge Amy Gray (CBS) Edie Falco / THE SOPRANOS - Carmela Soprano (HBO) Allison Janney / THE WEST WING - C.J. Cregg (NBC) Lily Tomlin / THE WEST WING \ufffd Deborah Fiderer (NBC) For Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series Sean Hayes / WILL & GRACE - Jack McFarland (NBC) Matt Le Blanc / FRIENDS \ufffd Joey Tribbiani (NBC) Bernie Mac / THE BERNIE MAC SHOW - Bernie Mac (FOX) Ray Romano / EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND \ufffd Ray Barone (CBS) Tony Shalhoub / MONK \ufffd Adrian Monk (USA) For Outst"}, {"response": 868, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (09:39)", "body": "Evelyn: How I wish my cable company carried BBC America. I am so deprived - can't see that and no Yankees again for another season. It is too much to bear! War Stories on NBC tonight got a pretty good review in the NY Times. Nice to see this: \"...Fifteen years of female empowerment have had their effect: the British actress Louise Lombard (\"The House of Eliott\") plays Gayle Phelan, a beautiful news magazine reporter who is both a driven, dedicated reporter and blithely promiscuous. Gayle is a new breed of woman on network television, and entirely likable: a whore with a heart of stone.\""}, {"response": 869, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (09:54)", "body": "Thanks, Mari! I can't believe they ignored Meryl Steep!!!"}, {"response": 870, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (09:56)", "body": "Wow!! Those SAGs noms are shockers. Meryl Streep's been totally overlooked, though they've given Julianne Moore two nods, doing that bizarre supporting thing for The Hours. And there were lots of rumors (and probably campaigning) for Michelle Pfeiffer. Had to pick myself off the floor for including the MBFGW in the category of Outstanding Cast, their equivalent of Best Picture, in lieu of GONY. Everytime I think of people like Andrea Martin, I don't think acting, but overacting. Bleech!!! Actors consititute the largest branch of the Academy."}, {"response": 871, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (10:01)", "body": "And they've ignored Jeremy for Martin & Lewis. Interesting how all five male roles were biographical."}, {"response": 872, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (12:09)", "body": "Doesn't SAG do directors? Well, at least \"Catch Me if You Can\" isn't on the list of \"Best Anything\". Entertaining film, but Best??? I feel Sam Mendes has been sandbagged by Dreamworks who is now pushing its owner(surprise , surprise!) Stephen Speilberg's two movies. Has anyone seen Nicholas Nickelby?I haven't seen it listed on any list. One would think BAFTA would give it an 'Honourable Mention'. I tell 'ya costume dramas & classics have been relegated to television."}, {"response": 873, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (12:57)", "body": "SAG (Screen Actors Guild) is acting only. Nicholas Nickleby was a GG nominee."}, {"response": 874, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (13:15)", "body": "(Evelyn) Well, at least \"Catch Me if You Can\" isn't on the list of \"Best Anything\". Entertaining film, but Best??? Not totally shut out.... Christopher Walken / CATCH ME IF YOU CAN \ufffd Frank Abagnale (Dreamworks SKG) For Outstanding Performance by the Cast of a Theatrical Motion Picture THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS (New Line Cinema) Big waste of a nomination spot. I thought at the time I saw White Oleander, MP would be up for awards too."}, {"response": 875, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (13:18)", "body": "(Dorine) For Outstanding Performance by the Cast of a Theatrical Motion Picture THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS (New Line Cinema) Big waste of a nomination spot. That's just your opinion, I thought LoTR:TT was very good. Granted haven't seen ANY of the movies that were nom'd, but hopefully will see Chicago on Friday night."}, {"response": 876, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (14:47)", "body": "(Karen)I know, am truly a purist. Leave great things alone!! Can't agree with you more. When will they ever learn perfection can only be botched up, not equalled or better. And who's going to be Birdie, EnanM? Britany would have to take alot of lessons from AnnMargaret. Please spare us the agony. Thanks for the SAG noms Mari. Interesting that the Shield got Emmy, GG but no ensemble nom from SAG. Saw Me and Mrs Jones Sunday. Did anyone else think male lead was a miscasting? I just couldn't buy their relationship. Thought Goodall was vg though. Saw Suzanna Harker in a Mystery series recently on PBS. Filmed I think 3-4 years ago. Very attractive and good portrayal. Saw Carmen du Sautoy in a Midsomer Murders last week on A&E portraying what else, the \"older woman\" seducing the \"younger man\". Good job and great fun to watch."}, {"response": 877, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (15:04)", "body": "(KathyF) I was glad to see Toni Collette nommed for supportint actress in AAB. I thought she was wonderful in it. Good to see her get some recognition. Some obtuse sentiments from a subjective film viewer... Watched AAB last night and enjoyed it. Agree Toni Collette was wonderful, but (here it comes, and I can't seem to break through to objectivity..) really liked FP so much more..."}, {"response": 878, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (15:44)", "body": "(Murph)How I wish my cable company carried BBC America. I am so deprived Murph, honestly, you're not missing much. Their programming--comprised largely of those shows where they re-plant the garden or redecorate your home--leaves much to be desired. The best BBC shows get shown to us on PBS or A&E. (Karen)Meryl Streep's been totally overlooked, though they've given Julianne Moore two nods, doing that bizarre supporting thing for The Hours. That's how the studios are promoting JM--Best Actress for Far From Heaven, but Supporting for The Hours. This way (so the reasoning goes) she can get a BA nod, while not hurting Nic or Meryl's chances for one. Bizarre that they've overlooked Meryl altogether--for Hours and Adaptation. And where the heck is Paul Newman for Road To Perdition??? Greek Wedding gets an ensemble nod ahead of that???? I should keep in mind that the SAG membership--many tens of thousands strong--includes the guy who waits tables asnd doesn't make a living from acting. I guess they like the rags to riches story behind Greek Wedding. (Dorine)Big waste of a nomination spot. I agree. Can't they give them a Really Really Special Award that would cover next year's movie too, and be done with it?;-) (Pam)Saw Me and Mrs Jones Sunday. Did anyone else think male lead was a miscasting?I just couldn't buy their relationship Neither could I. Robson Green--reptilian, IMO. I thought the show stunk. Talk about stretching credulity. TV Guide said it made Hugh Grant movies look like Checkhov.;-)"}, {"response": 879, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (16:00)", "body": "(Laura) That's just your opinion, I thought LoTR:TT was very good. Granted haven't seen ANY of the movies that were nom'd, but hopefully will see Chicago on Friday night. I didn't say I didn't like LOTR:TT. Matter of fact, despite thinking it was 20-30 mins too long, I enjoyed it a *great* deal more than the first one. I only went because it was a screening and my friend was really hyped to see it. But I think there were movies that would be a better choice....Road to Perdition for instance. Next year the LOTR movie will get tons of awards to cover it for all three. (Mari) Bizarre that they've overlooked Meryl altogether--for Hours and Adaptation. I was shocked by that as well. While I loved her in Adaptation, I remember saying after seeing The Hours I thought it was her best role in a long time and she should get a nom. What do I know? I thought MP should get one too. Course that was before all the year-end stuff came out. I should keep in mind that the SAG membership--many tens of thousands strong--includes the guy who waits tables asnd doesn't make a living from acting. The nominations are done with a random group of 2100 and now the entire guild of 98,000 will vote for the award. Least that's what I read in Variety today. Can't remember if the 2100 were all or any Academy members. LOL, Mari. I suggested Road to Perdition above before reading your post. (Pam) Saw Me and Mrs Jones Sunday Can you say MT Lite?"}, {"response": 880, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (22:00)", "body": "I hope I'm not alone in thinking this, but I've been watching JM act since she played \"Frannie\" on \"As The World Turns\". I found her whole performance in FFH forced and fake, seemingly. I've seen her do much better. Of course, I wasn't that crazy about the whole movie. I know it was supposed to be sort of a surreal episode of \"Donna Reed\".. LOL.. but, still... I didn't like it. I wasn't impressed with DQ, either. He was much better in \"The Rookie\" imho. My husband is a huge Tolkien fan from WAY back, and he practically salivated while waiting for TT to come out, and he's done nothing but complain since. LOL! He's really down on Jackson and the whole project at this point, and I can't help but think his \"drifting from the book\" will hurt their chances greatly. However, most of you have much more insight into these things.. so, I dunno."}, {"response": 881, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Jan 28, 2003 (23:08)", "body": "(MariaT) Some obtuse sentiments from a subjective film viewer... Watched AAB last night and enjoyed it. Agree Toni Collette was wonderful, but (here it comes, and I can't seem to break through to objectivity..) really liked FP so much more... So do I! FP is one of my favorite movies, to the extent that it apparently has a permanent spot on my DVD changer. I enjoyed AAB, but IMO there's no comparison. Of course, part of that could be due to FP's male lead. ;-) (Pam) Saw Me and Mrs Jones Sunday. Did anyone else think male lead was a miscasting?I just couldn't buy their relationship (Mari) Neither could I. Robson Green--reptilian, IMO. I thought the show stunk. Talk about stretching credulity. TV Guide said it made Hugh Grant movies look like Checkhov.;-) Couldn't they have gotten someone with at least an iota of sex appeal? Would the PM take such a risk for that?! LOL the TV Guide quote!"}, {"response": 882, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (07:38)", "body": "Saw Suzanna Harker in a Mystery series recently on PBS. Filmed I think 3-4 years ago. Very attractive and good portrayal. Saw Carmen du Sautoy in a Midsomer Murders last week on A&E portraying what else, the \"older woman\" seducing the \"younger man\". Good job and great fun to watch. That was Caroline Harker on Mystery the other night. Her sister."}, {"response": 883, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (07:39)", "body": "Heh, Caroline Harker is married to Anthony Calf who played Col. Fitzwilliam in (duh!) P&P. Thought that was interesting."}, {"response": 884, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (09:29)", "body": "(KathyF) LOL the TV Guide quote! It was a hoot, but ended with this: \"There's a sweet plot twist at the end, but by then you'll be wishing you had rented \"Notting Hill\" instead. Read that to Ev over the phone, we both laughed but still watched it. What else was there? A&E's attempt at counterprogramming with a Murder She Wrote marathon? ;-)"}, {"response": 885, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (09:30)", "body": "(Murph)How I wish my cable company carried BBC America. I am so deprived (Mari)Murph, honestly, you're not missing much. Their programming--comprised largely of those shows where they re-plant the garden or redecorate your home--leaves much to be desired. LOL. Those DIY shows are v. popular with the young set.Isn't \"Changing Rooms\" where a neighbor decorates your house in a weekend hot on TV now? Pam) Saw Me and Mrs Jones Sunday (Dorine)Can you say MT Lite? Contrived, I think. MT trying to become more homogenized and not just stuffy Brit costume dramas. (Pam)Saw Me and Mrs Jones Sunday. Did anyone else think male lead was a miscasting?I just couldn't buy their relationship (Mari)Neither could I. Robson Green--reptilian, IMO. I thought the show stunk. Strictly soap, but a good option to the Super Bowl for me. BTW how many MT or PBS shows for that matter have you seen on the TV awards list? No one but us and the gang at Pemberley watches those anymore. Too much Sunday night competition.Can you blame EXon for dumping it?"}, {"response": 886, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (09:45)", "body": "LOL. Those DIY shows are v. popular with the young set.Isn't \"Changing Rooms\" where a neighbor decorates your house in a weekend hot on TV now? And with the older set. A friend told me that she knew that she and her husband were on the way down when they found themselves videoing *Changing Rooms\" when they were out for the evening ;-)"}, {"response": 887, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (09:45)", "body": "Contrived, I think. MT trying to become more homogenized and not just stuffy Brit costume dramas. ] Well the head of PBS did say she wanted more American programming and not a lot of period/literary stuff."}, {"response": 888, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (09:55)", "body": "Finally got to see Bend It Like Beckham last night. Adorably funny and well-received by the audience. I hope it gets around and isn't viewed too parochially."}, {"response": 889, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (10:02)", "body": "From Empire: Peter Passes 29/01/2003 Now, you could accuse him of quite audacious cheek, but we here at Empire Online admire Peter O'Toole all the more after he declared that he wasn't sure he wanted an honorary Oscar this year after all. Announced only a couple of days ago as the revered recipient of the Honorary Oscar at next month's Oscar ceremony, O'Toole has sent an open hand-written letter to the Academy big cheeses stating that he was \ufffd and this is a perfect O'Toole touch \ufffd \"enchanted\" at their gesture but added politely that since he is \"still in the game and might win the lovely bugger outright, would the Academy please defer the honour until I am 80?\" Academy President Frank Pierson rather pointedly told Variety, \"We will have the Oscar for him and if he cares to pick it up, that would be great,\" adding that the Academy is \"bemused and sorry\" but \"it would be great if he decides to change his mind and join us.\" Pierson even went as far as sending a letter to the eccentric actor saying, \"The board unanimously and enthusiastically voted you the honorary award because you've earned and deserved it. As to being 'in the game,' nobody ever thought you were out of it. The award is for achievement and contribution to the art of the motion picture, not for retirement.\" He also pointed out that Paul Newman and Henry Fonda, for example, went away with competitive Oscars after receiving the honorary awards so O'Toole shouldn\ufffdt feel he has been completely put out to pasture. This is, indeed, uncharted territory for the Academy used to teary acceptance speeches combined with an iron grip from the stars it honours. In the past, winning thespian types such as Marlon Brando and George C. Scott have refused the Oscar, but no honorary winner has ever declined the prize. O'Toole's specially inscribed statuette will, however, be waiting for him at the 23 March ceremony and will be safely ensconced in the Academy vault if he doesn't show. As Pierson's letter told O'Toole, the little bronze man \"will be at the Academy for you to pick up when you're 80 or whenever you're ready.\""}, {"response": 890, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (10:30)", "body": "O'Toole has sent an open hand-written letter to the Academy big cheeses stating that he was \ufffd and this is a perfect O'Toole touch \ufffd \"enchanted\" at their gesture but added politely that since he is \"still in the game and might win the lovely bugger outright, would the Academy please defer the honour until I am 80?\" ROTF!! I have always been \"enchanted\" with that man. Where the hell has he been?"}, {"response": 891, "author": "Odile", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (11:53)", "body": "(Pam)Saw Me and Mrs Jones Sunday. Did anyone else think male lead was a miscasting?I just couldn't buy their relationship Okay. I seem to be in the minority here but I fairly enjoyed it. I still remember *fondly* RG as the lover of his surgeon boss's wife in a miniseries. I think he does good in the repressed, horny guy attracted to somebody he can't have. He's Darcyish to me in that way, except he gets the girl right away (the modern twist I guess) and boy can he kiss onscreen! The way he lowers his eyes to soften them is something Ralph Fiennes only wishes he could do. Before this turns into RG drool, there were weak points to Me & Mrs Jones but I laughed out loud a couple of times when RG and the real fundraiser were onscreen together..."}, {"response": 892, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (12:02)", "body": "(Odile) boy can he kiss onscreen! Whoa ..I noticed that.And I thought Caroline Goodall (whom I did not like in SLOW) rose to the occasion as the PM. The way he lowers his eyes to soften them is something Ralph Fiennes only wishes he could do. Kristin Scott Thomas would disagree. In a Vogue (Uk) interview she ranked Rafe as # 1 in the smooch category. Also ,Mari...re: BBC America....you no like-a Graham Norton;-)))"}, {"response": 893, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (12:16)", "body": "(Evelyn)Isn't \"Changing Rooms\" where a neighbor decorates your house in a weekend hot on TV now? I don't have a problem with these shows in short doses, but BBCA has made them a cornerstone of their programming. Plus, we already have similar shows here (which are just as dreary). It's the repetitive nature of the programming that bothers me. On the night in question, there were 3 episodes of Ground Force, one of Changing Rooms. Tonight's line-up of hits includes three back to back episodes of Keeping Up Appearances. I've seen these shows many times over already on PBS. KUP has been around since the Nixon administration.;-) I don't fault the BBC, but rather I blame whomever is in charge on this side of the pond for purchasing the programming. They obviously have no budget if all they can provide are DIY and reality-based shows (very cheap to produce) and re-runs of 30-year old sitcoms. As I said before, most of the good British shows are already on PBS, A&E, and, increasingly, Bravo. Any my faves are the co-productions with HBO, such as Conspiracy and The Gathering Storm."}, {"response": 894, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (12:37)", "body": "(Odile) boy can he kiss onscreen! (Evelyn) Whoa ..I noticed that. Whoa....I noticed that, too. Was thinking as I watched it that I think every actor in England could be giving Colin some pointers....or rather, encouragement for \"proper\" kissing technique. ;-)"}, {"response": 895, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (13:01)", "body": "(Moon) Saw \" Confessions of a Dangerous Mind\" last night. * Spoiler* Question: How did GC die? He bled to death, but the blood was leaking from the shoe. Dorine? I (and a few others) don't feel that GC's death was literally right there at the pool. Nor in such a manner as he would have blood leaking from the shoe. Yes the implication later was that JR killed him. It was just an ambiguous, stylishly set-up scene. Would love to know what movie/director that shot eminated from if not himself. Apparently it didn't occur to anyone there to ask about that scene specifically, unless it was someone not called on. Was that helpful at all? Any other opinions? I loved this movie, despite the over stylishness, especially the use of music. And SR was fantastic!"}, {"response": 896, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (13:26)", "body": "(Dorine), Apparently it didn't occur to anyone there to ask about that scene specifically, unless it was someone not called on. LOL! Of course, I would have! It was just an ambiguous, stylishly set-up scene. Doesn't cut it. That must be studied a bit further. Isn't \"Changing Rooms\" where a neighbor decorates your house in a weekend hot on TV now? I love this show. It has inspired me to do some outrageous things in my house. I don't care for ground force, they are too pedestrian. I would agree that BBC/America is not what I thought it would be. I was hoping for a 24 hour period drama channel. ;-)"}, {"response": 897, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (13:31)", "body": "This and That: Evelyn: Mari)Neither could I. Robson Green--reptilian, IMO. I thought the show stunk. Strictly soap, but a good option to the Super Bowl for me Ev, Green is, if not reptilian, very tiny! Remember when people thought Peter Firth was Colin's brother? I gave up on the Super Bowl at the half, and I enjoyed the PBS show as a diversion. What I am looking forward to is the upcoming Edward Fox and Michael Kitchen detective series. Kitchen is one of my favs. He was the third person in Reckless, speaking of Robson. Francesca Annis could tell us which was the best kisser, Green or Ralph! As a lunch-time pleasure these past few days, I have just rewatched the entire Jewel in the Crown series (Which I bought years ago). How I love it still! I am completely taken over by Hari Kumar, Daphne Manners, Barbie Batchelor, Sarah Layton and (sigh) Guy Perron. Ronald Merrick remains one of the creepiest bad guys around. Wish they would show this one again on PBS or A&E."}, {"response": 898, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (13:31)", "body": "This is laugh-out-loud funny. Something for you LOTR fans (*snort*): By Dave Barry -- Miami Herald - Published January 26, 2003 I finally saw the new Lord of the Rings movie, \"Lord of the Rings II: A LOT More Stuff Happens.\" It's a tad on the long side (three days) but I am not complaining. My eyeballs were literally riveted to the screen, by literal rivets, from the moment I sat down until the moment I lost all sensation in my lower body. Yes, this is a classic movie, the kind that makes you laugh; makes you cry; makes you wonder, over and over, if this would be a good time to go to the bathroom. Above all, it's a movie that makes you think about the issues raised by the plot, the main issue being: What the heck IS the plot? I say this because it's a very complicated story, with numerous subplots and 11,000 major characters, most of whom have hard-to-remember names like \"Flagodirt\" or \"Grempkin.\" So today, as service to all of you who were confused by this great movie, I present: Simplified screenplay for \"Lord of the Rings II.\" Scene 1 Frodo: Darn! I still have this darned ring that I got in the first movie! Samwise: The ring with the terrible power that causes everyone who comes near it to over-act? Frodo: Yes! And to destroy it, we must walk, slowly, all the way across New Zealand! Samwise: Who will guide us? Frodo: How about a reptilian computer-generated creature with a bad comb-over? Samwise: Dick Cheney's in this movie? Gollum: Very funny, Hobbitt-breath. Scene 2 Aragorn: Well, my two trusty companions -- Legolas, the Strangely Tall Elf; and Gimli, the Comic Relief Dwarf -- in our subplot, we are pursuing Merry and Pippin, who have been captured by Orcs, and now we find ourselves in the Kingdom of Rohan, ruled by King Theoden, whose daughter, Eowyn, will become my second love interest once the king is released from the spell cast by his trusted counselor, Grima Wormtongue, who is in league with the evil wizard Saruman! Legolas: I have no idea what you're talking about. Aragorn: Me either. I'm just reading the script. Gimli: Well, I'm really short! (Laughter) Aragorn: But enough explanatory dialogue. It's time for one of the estimated 17 big sword-clanging battles with hideous computer-generated monsters who always outnumber us by the thousands, although we defeat them every time, because we are courageous heroes! Legolas: Also, they have the combat skills of alfalfa. Monsters: Arrrrrr. Swords: CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! Scene 3 Merry: Pippin, we escaped the Orcs, and now we are being carried around by talking trees! Pippin: Apparently, the audience will swallow anything! Tree: It gets worse! Later on, we engage in branch-to-hand combat! Scene 4 Monsters: Arrrrrr Swords: CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! Scene 5 Frodo: How come, if I'm the protagonist, Lord Aragorn has TWO love interests, and I'm stuck in a subplot with Dick Cheney? Gollum: Maybe it's because your big hairy feet make you look like you're wearing dead weasels. Scene 6 Aragorn: Well, Legolas and Gimli, with the help of Gandalf the White, formerly Gandalf the Grey, also known as Gandalf the Beige, we have defeated the Uruk-hai in a giant computer-generated battle. Now we must make haste to the Really Big Rock of Karambador, before the forces of Ba'Zoot, led by the evil King Weltpimple, conquer the Mullions of Gneep and obtain the Remote Control Unit of Doom! Legolas: Now you're just making stuff up. Aragorn: Well, it's not as stupid as the kung-fu trees. Gimli: I'm still short! (Laughter) Scene 7 Frodo: UH-oh! The movie is over, and I still have this darned ring! Do you realize what that means? Samwise: That \"Weasel Feet\" would be a good name for a rock band? Frodo: Yes, as would \"Kung Fu Trees\" and \"Combat Alfalfa.\" But my point is that the forces of Evil have been let loose upon the land, which means soon there will be ... Samwise: No! Not that! Frodo: Yes. Another sequel. Monsters: Arrrrrr. About the Writer --------------------------- Dave Barry is a columnist for the Miami Herald. Write to him c/o the Miami Herald, One Herald Plaza, Miami, FL 33132."}, {"response": 899, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (13:43)", "body": "it's a movie that makes you think about the issues raised by the plot, the main issue being: What the heck IS the plot? LOL! It was one interminable string of battle scenes to me. Not much else. Kung Fu Trees and Overacting Actors ;-) RG: I thought his biggest claims to fame were his intense blue eyes and propensity to drop trou. ;-)"}, {"response": 900, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (14:03)", "body": "(Mary Murphy) As a lunch-time pleasure these past few days, I have just rewatched the entire Jewel in the Crown series (Which I bought years ago). How I love it still! I am completely taken over by Hari Kumar, Daphne Manners, Barbie Batchelor, Sarah Layton and (sigh) Guy Perron. Ronald Merrick remains one of the creepiest bad guys around. Wish they would show this one again on PBS or A&E. IMO one of the best miniseries ever! Excellent from start to finish, and I agree, Merrick is marvelously frightening! Thought I had it somewhere, but upon searching for it recently I discovered I apparently own the books, but not the tapes. It deserves to be broadcast again."}, {"response": 901, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (14:52)", "body": "(Laura) That was Caroline Harker on Mystery the other night. Her sister. I agree saw that one Monday night too. Barbara Leigh Hunt (?) was in that one too, as was Mr. Herst. The one with Suzanna takes place in Africa where she's a bush piolot. Two different shows. The cable station TLC shows daily the American counterpart Trading Spaces where friends do a makeover in each others homes with $1,000 budget and a designer. Also there's While You Were Out where mate or housemate gets rid of partner and makesover a room. Surprise. Both taken from British counterpart.Actually they're not bad. Have learned alot of decorating techniques but draw the line at grass on walls and in rooms."}, {"response": 902, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (14:55)", "body": "Mystery solved. What a bunch of screw-ups at Sony. Streep's SAG Snafu Wednesday January 29 3:30 PM ET We're guessing the hours are numbered for the Sony employee who screwed up Meryl Streep's shot at Screen Actors Guild ( news - web sites) Awards glory this year. Eyebrows around Hollywood arched yesterday when the acclaimed actress was not nominated for SAG Awards for her supporting role in Adaptation or her lead role in The Hours. A double nominee at the Golden Globes, where she won Best Supporting Actress for Adaptation and picked up a Best Actress nod for The Hours, Streep had been considered a shoo-in to repeat at the SAGs. But--in a shocker--she didn't. Seems an employee foul-up at Sony, the studio behind Adaptation, is at the root of the problem. An unnamed staffer submitted Streep in the wrong category for her role as author Susan Orlean in Spike Jonze ( news)'s critically acclaimed film. She was placed in the Best Actress category when the ballots mailed last month, rather than Supporting Actress, and was thus up against herself for The Hours, which was produced by Paramount and Miramax. Reps for the studios and Streep's own publicist say the snafu most likely cost her a nomination for either film. \"It's possible that's what happened,\" Streep's rep, Lois Smith, tells the Los Angeles Times. For its part, Sony tried to rectify the problem by offering to reprint and mail the ballots at their expense, but SAG officials quickly nixed that plan, saying it would set a bad precedent. \"It was an unfortunate mistake,\" Sony spokesman Steve Elzer tells the Times. \"But it should not take anything away from her remarkable performance in the film.\" This isn't the first time a studio screwed up an actor's shot at a SAG Award. Last year, Golden Globe and Oscar winner Jennifer Connelly ( news) lost out on a nomination for her supporting role in A Beautiful Mind when Universal staffers accidentally entered her in the Lead Actress race, where she received a nomination but ultimately lost to Halle Berry ( news) in Monster's Ball. Benicio Del Toro ( news) was luckier--he was submitted and won in SAG's Lead Actor race in 2001 for his turn in Traffic besting eventual Best Actor Oscar winner Russell Crowe ( news). Del Toro bagged a Globe and Oscar as a supporting actor. In spite of the nomination loss, it's not like Streep will end the 2003 awards season empty-handed. Aside from her Golden Globe, Tinseltown pundits say she is still considered a frontrunner for Oscar nominations in both categories. Some studio-types, however, say her Oscar chances may be hurt by the SAG screw up, but that remains to be seen. Academy Award nominations will be announced February 11. While she's not up for any individual honors at the 2003 SAG Awards, Streep could still collect a trophy, since she's part of The Hours' cast up for Best Ensemble. Without Streep for competition, the SAG Supporing Actress field lines up like this: Kathy Bates ( news) for About Schmidt, Julianne Moore ( news) for The Hours, Michelle Pfeiffer ( news) for White Oleander and Queen Latifah and Catherine Zeta-Jones ( news) for Chicago. Best Actress are: Salma Hayek ( news) for Frida, Diane Lane ( news) for Unfaithful, Julianne Moore in Far from Heaven, Ren\ufffde Zellweger for Chicago and Streep's The Hours cohort Nicole Kidman ( news)--who incidentally is probably the one who had the most to gain from the mistake because she won't have to compete with her costar. The Screen Actor's Guild Awards, honoring both TV and film and voted on by the 98,000 members of the actor's union, will air from the Shrine Auditorium March 9 on TNT at 8 p.m. E!'s exclusive red-carpet coverage begins at 4 p.m."}, {"response": 903, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (15:03)", "body": "Wow, knew there had to be something bizarre going on behind the scenes. The shut-out was illogical. In spite of the nomination loss, it's not like Streep will end the 2003 awards season empty-handed. Aside from her Golden Globe, Tinseltown pundits say she is still considered a frontrunner for Oscar nominations in both categories. Some studio-types, however, say her Oscar chances may be hurt by the SAG screw up, but that remains to be seen. Hurt???? Could these \"insiders\" be more idiotic? She's a shoe-in for the Oscar, given the publicity this screwup will have generated."}, {"response": 904, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (15:12)", "body": "(Me) It was just an ambiguous, stylishly set-up scene. (Moon) Doesn't cut it. That must be studied a bit further. Will be speaking with my movie class teacher on Friday and will ask him. He's known GC for years. Will see if he has any insight...or can get some from somewhere/someone ;-) Speaking of the class....Chuck Barris was the guest last night. What an adorable man. Extrememly articulate and self-effacing. Went through some really tough patches in his life (never read his books). Most recently dealing with the death of his daughter from an OD and fighting lung cancer. On the upside, married his wife (4th I think ;)) sometime in the last couple of years after a blind date. Says she's his soul mate. Awwwww. Started chatting up a woman (guest of a classmember) who claimed to be a Chuck Barris groupie.....go figure! She came only to see him, but then was too terrified to say anything to him when I pointed out he was sitting in the back of the theater, talking occasionally to someone, and seemingly quite approachable. I practically took her by the hand to go talk to him. I didn't go speak to him, but watched her go walk right by him at first, then finally circle around and speak to him. When she got back to her seat behind me, she had tears rolling down her face and she was so glad she got to talk to him. At the end of the interview, our teacher presented him with a plaque of appreciation (my teacher is a big fan too apparently). A woman across the aisle from me started taking pictures then, and the teacher made her stop. Ironically the woman was one of the people who came with CB and was sitting next to his wife. Don't think the teacher picked up on that and CB didn't say anything."}, {"response": 905, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (15:15)", "body": "\"It was an unfortunate mistake,\" Sony spokesman Steve Elzer tells the Times. \"But it should not take anything away from her remarkable performance in the film.\" Big of him to say so. I'm sure she's comforted by this."}, {"response": 906, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (15:31)", "body": "(Dorine)....Chuck Barris was the guest last night. What an adorable man. My former boss was on The Gong Show. It says a lot about the man! He played the harmonica through various orifices...just so you know the caliber of people I work with...The reason he went to TGS was because he was a huge fan of CB. I found this all really amusing when he told me, but it appears that there are many 'groupies' out there!"}, {"response": 907, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (15:33)", "body": "Miami Herald\"LOTR:Kung Fu Trees and ...\"creature with Dick Cheney comb over\"....11,000 characters...film lasting three days...!! *tears rolling down face*ROTF, Mari. (Pam)(Pam)Have learned alot of decorating techniques but draw the line at grass on walls and in rooms. I dunno, Pam...might make for a pretty good party;-) (Dorine)I practically took her by the hand to go talk to him. You made her day! We have a mentor in our midst. ...\"It was an unfortunate mistake,\" Sony spokesman Steve Elzer tells the Times. \"But it should not take anything away from her remarkable performance in the film.\" Sending Meryl my \"give 'em the finger\" smilie."}, {"response": 908, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (15:47)", "body": "(Tress) My former boss was on The Gong Show. It says a lot about the man! He played the harmonica through various orifices...just so you know the caliber of people I work with... How funny is that? I'm surprised you could look at him with a straight face. Did he display his tallent in the office? I always liked him too. Saw him on recent talk shows. Very self effacing. Sorry to learn about his daughter, remember her too. And I will never forget \"Palisades Park.\" One of my favorites then and now."}, {"response": 909, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (15:57)", "body": "From Hello Online Newsletter: ED. note...I was disappointed in the last paragraph...Had a few thoughts of my own for Edward VIII. Just one, actually. 29 JANUARY 2003 American women seem to have a way of stealing English hearts. Gwyneth Paltrow, with her flawless home counties accent, has long been a darling of British cinema. And now she is to take on the roll of Wallis Simpson, the American divorcee who almost brought down the monarchy through her relationship with King Edward VIII. Edward was forced to abdicate in 1936 after his romance with Wallis sparked a huge controversy. He had only held the throne for 11 months when pressures from both the royal family and politicians resulted in him relinquishing it to George VI. Scriptwriter Heidi Wallis has revealed she is waiting for US and British intelligence documents to be made public before she puts the final touches to the screenplay. The secret reports on the couple have been locked away for 70 years, but are due to be made public on Thursday. \"There are many gaps in our understanding of Wallis Simpson and Edward VIII because of the secrecy surrounding them,\" she said. \"This is the last piece of the jigsaw.\" It has not yet been confirmed who will play Edward in the BBC production, which is to be entitled The American Woman. Frontrunners for the role are Band Of Brothers star Damian Lewis and Gosford Park's Tom Hollander."}, {"response": 910, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 29, 2003 (16:25)", "body": "(Linda) Had a few thoughts of my own for Edward VIII. Just one, actually. No. *thinking one more time* No. *Ok, once again. *No. ;-) Anyone see the other CF last night on Leno? Having just recovered from seeing HG on the night before (not a brain in her head), it was bleep city, and Jay was having such a good time. Even when Jeff Goldblum came out, it didn't stop; he couldn't believe it. I knew, when I saw the trailer, this film was going to do it for him. And tonight you'll all be treated to him at the premiere with Britney. Said his mum told him to stop using the F-word."}, {"response": 911, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (00:08)", "body": "Anyone see the other CF last night on Leno? Such class. Breaks my heart to see people like this make millions of dollars. ;-) JG's face was a riot when CF would pop out another choice word. And HGm? not a brain in her head ..... She'll be able to answer affirmatively during HS PR to the question.... Are there any similarities between you and your character?"}, {"response": 912, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (07:07)", "body": "I guess guys like girls like HG. Isn't her new boyfriend the guy who directed About a Boy? Looking forward to more insight on that scene, Dorine."}, {"response": 913, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (08:19)", "body": "Isn't her new boyfriend the guy who directed About a Boy? One of them. ;-) What's awful is that both of the brothers seemed pretty intelligent, when I heard them. Had to laugh when she described her role in The Guru, which is a porn star. Talk about being stereotyped."}, {"response": 914, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (08:35)", "body": "Well they haven't picked Edward yet, is there a hope that our CF could do it. IMO would certainly be better than what's opted for so far. Saw HG early this morning. IMO Acting should be easy for her as she seems to be portraying herself in majority of her roles. Personally don't get what all the excitement about the other CF is all about. Doesn't do anything for me."}, {"response": 915, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (08:45)", "body": "(Pam) IMO would certainly be better than what's opted for so far. Watch out! That sounds like excommunication language to me."}, {"response": 916, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (08:46)", "body": "(FanPam)Personally don't get what all the excitement about the other CF is all about. Doesn't do anything for me. Would someone please tell me who \"the other CF\" is? And - I would also like to se our CF play Edward. One can always hope...."}, {"response": 917, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (08:49)", "body": "And BBC has publicly announced Gwynnie isn't associated with the project: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=597&ncid=805&e=12&u=/nm/20030130/tv_nm/television_edward_dc"}, {"response": 918, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (09:19)", "body": "The sealed file on the Dukes of Windsor have been made public in England. Turns out Wallis was two timing him. How stupid is that?"}, {"response": 919, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (09:25)", "body": "The other CF is Colin Farrell."}, {"response": 920, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (09:46)", "body": "(Moon) The sealed file on the Dukes of Windsor have been made public in England. Turns out Wallis was two timing him. How stupid is that? I did not know this! How sad is that?? Make the man give up the throne for you and then cheat on him? She sounds like she may have been high maintenance (probably ordered her salad dressing on the side). ;-) Who was the 'other man'? Does anyone know?"}, {"response": 921, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (10:19)", "body": "Talk about putting the *right* talent on a project! ;-) \"Maid in Manhattan\" screenwriter Kevin Wade has been tapped by Miramax Films to pen the mini-major's upcoming comedy \"I Don't Know How She Does It.\" The big-screen adaptation of Allison Pearson's best-selling debut novel follows the day-to-day life of Kate Reddy, a successful investment banker who struggles to balance her high-powered career with an equally demanding role as a mom. Pearson based the novel on her own weekly columns for London's Daily Telegraph. Miramax said she also will be involved in the adaptation process."}, {"response": 922, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (10:21)", "body": "Turns out Wallis was two timing him. Correction: she was 3-timing her husband. She was still married, but was having affairs with both Edward and some car salesman from the north of England. No evidence that she cheated on Edward after they married. But who cares, really . . . glad Gwynnie is not associated with the project; couldn't picture her as Wallis who was, let's face it, homely as sin. I guess guys like girls like HG. Isn't her new boyfriend the guy who directed About a Boy? LOL, shades of Natasha: \"Amazing what some men find attractive.\" Correct about the boyfriend, Chris Weitz. He was with her at LaBoheme. Very cute, but looks about 20."}, {"response": 923, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (10:48)", "body": "Here's the article. King Edward VIII files add to the royal legacy of love and scandal BY ALAN COWELL New York Times News Service LONDON - The prince nurtured a burning, hidden love that might block his way to the throne. His chosen one herself kept clandestine trysts. The secret police spied on all of them. And the government massaged the news media to sway public opinion. The events might have been taken from just about any of the recent annals of Britain's House of Windsor as Prince Charles, the heir to the throne, Camilla Parker-Bowles, his longtime love, and Diana Princess of Wales played out the acts of a tragedy that ended with Diana's death in a car crash in Paris in 1997. In fact, the events relate to another royal saga: the abdication of King Edward VIII in December 1936 to permit his marriage to his twice-divorced American mistress Wallis Warfield Simpson. That at least is the fairy-tale version. But what was not widely known to most Britons until now was that the unfolding romance between Edward and Simpson was closely monitored by detectives from the police Special Branch, who reported that she was two-timing the prince with Guy Marcus Trundle, ``a motor engineer and salesman.'' The police reports are part of a trove of 120 files that the British authorities in 1967 ordered sealed for 100 years. In 1999, secrecy rules changed, and the Public Records Office was ordered to open files not related to national security. FILLING THE GAPS They ''contain a wealth of detail that will fill many gaps in knowledge,'' said Susan Williams, a historian from the University of London. They may also deepen a view among some Britons that marital misbehavior is embedded in the monarchal genes. The story unfolded like this: Simpson met Edward well before his coronation in January 1936 and was granted a preliminary divorce from her second husband, Ernest Aldrich Simpson, in October of that year. In November 1936, the king expressed his desire to marry her but was told by government leaders that the public would not accept the marriage, prompting a constitutional crisis. The king offered a so-called morganatic marriage according to which Simpson would not have become queen. Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin rejected the proposal. In December 1936, after the news broke, the king abdicated and left the country for Austria. LATER MARRIED In June 1937, after Simpson's divorce was finalized, the ex-king -- now titled the duke of Windsor -- married her in France. Later that year, they traveled to Germany as guests of the Third Reich. According to the documents released on Wednesday, Simpson navigated a tricky course between her husband, Edward and her other lovers. ''Mrs. Simpson has also alleged that her husband is having her watched'' and ''in consequence she is very careful for the double purpose of keeping both POW and her husband in ignorance of her surreptitious love affairs,'' a police report said, using the initials to describe the Prince of Wales, as King Edward VIII was known before his coronation. ''Trundle is described as a very charming adventurer, very good looking, well bred and an excellent dancer,'' a Special Branch report said in July 1935, long before the crisis burst open. ``He meets Mrs. Simpson quite openly at informal social gatherings as a personal friend, but secret meetings are made by appointment when intimate relations take place.'' The documents also assert that Ernest Simpson agreed to a prearranged act of hotel room adultery in July 1936 to facilitate his divorce. The documents show that the royal family closed ranks against Simpson to prevent her from securing a royal title beyond duchess of Windsor and that the government was desperate to control the news media's coverage of the crisis. Baldwin apparently feared that his main opponent, Winston Churchill, would use public sympathy for the king to win political support, and felt ``the less opportunity for public discussion and debate, the better.''"}, {"response": 924, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (11:20)", "body": "(Mari) Correct about the boyfriend, Chris Weitz. He was with her at LaBoheme. Very cute, but looks about 20. She dated Heath Ledger for a while as well...seems she likes 'em young! Thanks for the article Moon! Very interesting..."}, {"response": 925, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (11:27)", "body": "Sort of makes you feel sorry for Edward after all this. Bullied by the government, cuckholded by Simpson, his relatives wanting nothing to do with either of them, suspected of being a Nazi sympathizer. No wonder he never looked happy in any of his pictures."}, {"response": 926, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (11:58)", "body": "Correct about the boyfriend, Chris Weitz. He was with her at LaBoheme. Very cute, but looks about 20. ] Well the Weitz Brothers DID direct that horribly disgusting American Pie I&II, now there is an American Wedding coming out, where band camp girl marries pie humping guy.... (and people did copy this in real life???? how stupid???) Can you tell I really didn't like the American Pie movie? (i've only seen one, and it was MORE than enough for me); I don't care about Stifler's mom:)"}, {"response": 927, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (12:02)", "body": "According to the documents released on Wednesday, Simpson navigated a tricky course between her husband, Edward and her other lovers. I don't see why there's confusion. She \"navigated a course between her husband (that's person # 1), Edward (person # 2) and her other lovers\" (persons # who knows how many).;-) keeping both POW *and* her husband in ignorance of her surreptitious love affairs,'' a police report said, using the initials to describe the Prince of Wales, as King Edward VIII was known before his coronation. Seems clear to me."}, {"response": 928, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (12:41)", "body": "More On Colin Farrell (IMO - There is difference between larrikins and thugs. Farrell DOES not appeal!) USA TODAY: Holy hormones! Pop princess Britney Spears (news) and Gaelic gigolo Colin Farrell (news) are Hollywood's hottest new item. And just when we were getting used to the idea of Britney and Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst and Farrell and seductive older woman Demi Moore (news). But that was so yesterday. Farrell, 26, and Spears, 21, made a grand red-carpet entrance at Tuesday's Hollywood premiere of The Recruit, which stars Farrell and Al Pacino (news) and opens Friday. They held hands for flashing cameras and TV crews. After the screening, Spears, wearing what could best be described as a camisole, hooked up again with Farrell at Chateau Marmont, where they snuggled and kissed into the wee hours. It wasn't their first date. On Saturday, the lip-locked lovers were seen at L.A.'s Troubadour nightclub, the New York Post reports. They met last week when Spears visited the set of Farrell's movie S.W.A.T. But why, Britney, why? Colin has made it no secret he's a Tinseltown tomcat. In the March issue of Playboy, Farrell says: ''I've always been a firm believer that casual sex is a (expletive) good thing. Sometimes . . . all I'm looking for is the simple act of sexual intimacy. It's like ordering a (expletive) pizza.'' The foul-mouthed Irish actor also brags about his love for porn, beer, Ecstacy and prostitutes: ''I have never been with a prostitute that I haven't been completely polite to and just treated like a (expletive) human being.'' Farrell, who was married for four months in 2001 to British actress Amelia Warner (news) and still has her nickname, ''Millie,'' tattooed on his ring finger, says he has no interest in a serious relationship. ''Girl trouble, for me, is when you fall in love,'' he told Playboy. Farrell has been linked to a laundry list of women, including model Josie Maran (news), Playboy Playmate Nicole Narain and actress Maeve Quinlan (Tom Sizemore (news)'s ex-wife). ''If I really slept with every woman they've said I've slept with, I'd be a happy man,'' Farrell recently told USA TODAY. So, are Farrell and Spears officially dating? ''They're friends,'' says Spears' publicist, Lisa Kasteler. What about Durst? Or rumors that Britney was back with Justin Timberlake (news)? ''That I can't tell you,'' Kasteler said. ''She's young, she's single, she's beautiful. What guy in his right mind wouldn't want to date her?'' At Tuesday's premiere, Farrell echoed the party line. ''She's just a mate,'' he told Entertainment Tonight. ''Seriously, we just met a week ago, (we're) having a laugh.''"}, {"response": 929, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (13:19)", "body": "(Karen)Had to laugh when she described her role in The Guru, which is a porn star. HG also described her role as a bimbo on the am circuit this morning.*still scratching head over that one.*"}, {"response": 930, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (17:22)", "body": "No wonder he never looked happy in any of his pictures. But he dressed so well."}, {"response": 931, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (20:46)", "body": "(Annette)Would someone please tell me who \"the other CF\" is? Colin Farrell (sp) (Karen)Watch out! That sounds like excommunication language to me. IMO Colin would be better in the part than the actors cited in previous post. That's what I meant. Is it really so surprising that Simpson had multiple affairs? Twice divorced, obviously \"looking\" for something IMO. And could Edward really fill the bill for her?"}, {"response": 932, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 2003 (23:12)", "body": "(Pam)Is it really so surprising that Simpson had multiple affairs? Twice divorced, obviously \"looking\" for something IMO. That's my opinion too. After all, she cheated on her previous husband with Edward. So at the very least he ought to have realized that her attitude towards fidelity and marital vows was.... shall we say, flexible. But I guess everybody always thinks that this time it'll be different."}, {"response": 933, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (10:55)", "body": "Anyone remember John Garfield? The NY Times had a nice article on him yesterday. The reason - Turner Classic Movies will have an hour documentary on him on Monday, Feb 3. The story inspired me to make a page for him. He was the first of \"New Yawk\", natural actors. I am watching \"Force of Evil,\" taped by Joe, and considered Garfield's best performance, today. http://www.murphsplace.com/garfield/main.html"}, {"response": 934, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (13:23)", "body": "So at the very least he ought to have realized that her attitude towards fidelity and marital vows was.... shall we say, flexible. I don't want to defend Mrs. Simpson....but how do we know what the content of that contract was..In some cases, this type of behavior is accepted by the other party. Called \"Open Marriages\", I believe. Like the Matthew Fields;-)"}, {"response": 935, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (15:58)", "body": "I just read that smoking will be banned in the pubs in Ireland! I wonder what will happen? I can't imagine them putting up with that."}, {"response": 936, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (16:05)", "body": "Sorry but anything to do with this oddity attracts my attention! I just read that Michael Jackson owes Sotheby's $1.5 million for two painting that he successfully bid on in October and he is refusing to pay because he has changed his mind and feels they no longer fit into his collection! You go Michael!"}, {"response": 937, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (17:36)", "body": "I saw Nicholas Nickelby yesterday and recommend it. I have not read the book, but the reviews say some of the subplots were not included. The movie runs two hours...if more subplots were included, it would have to be a mini-series.The cast inspired; all our old friends...Sophie Thompson, Alan Cummings, Jim Broadbent,..the usual suspects;-). Nathan Lane and Spall are standouts. Sadly, IMO the weak link was Nicholas himself, Charles Hunnam. A Dicken,s main lead needs a more experienced actor.This fellow, though good-looking \"recited\" the lines.Jamie Bell (Billy Elliott)is the an excellent \"Tiny Tim\". Director Doulgas Mc Grath (Emma)gives the film a whimsical twist without compromising the spirit of Dickens. Go see it...it's fun.With Nathan Lane you're in for a treat."}, {"response": 938, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 2003 (21:20)", "body": "(Evelyn) Go see it...it's fun.With Nathan Lane you're in for a treat. I agree. Have never been disappointed in any Lane performance I've seen."}, {"response": 939, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 2003 (08:25)", "body": "USA folk: Don't forget PBS Masterpiece theater Sunday night (2/2/03) - Michael Kitchen and Edward Fox - what a treat! http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/"}, {"response": 940, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 2003 (09:27)", "body": "The Guardian today. Possible CF vehicle? Witty, irreverant and all that stuff: \"Hit studio snaps up Millington rights\" http://film.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/Guardian/0,4029,886025,00.html"}, {"response": 941, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 2003 (13:44)", "body": "Thanks, Mary, for the update on MT. I see that Rosamund Pike (Agent Frost, Die Another Day) plays Sarah Beaumont. RP is one of my choices for Rebecca in TEoR. At least she was after seeing her in Bond. I'll be watching to see if she still looks Rebecca-like."}, {"response": 942, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 2003 (16:57)", "body": "Evelyn, I read NN and I can understand why some subplots were missing, the book is HUGE!!! Finally saw Conspiracy last night. Bill, knowing how much I admire CF, said that he was the 'conscience' of the cast. How eerie that this roundtable meeting takes place, asking people's opinion, when the decision was already made???? (I know I'm years later in asking a question someone already asked.) And to the Israelis and Americans here on this board, my heart goes out to you on this black day in space history. Everyone aboard the Columbia were the real heroes."}, {"response": 943, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 2003 (17:26)", "body": "Bill, knowing how much I admire CF, said that he was the 'conscience' of the cast. Sorry, to break the bubble, but his character was in no way the 'conscience' of the group."}, {"response": 944, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 2003 (17:26)", "body": "(Laura) How eerie that this roundtable meeting takes place, asking people's opinion, when the decision was already made???? (I know I'm years later in asking a question someone already asked.) Conspiracy is such a well done (and acted) film! Like you said, eerie. I have found a good site that talks about the conference and gives a translation of the Wannsee Protocol if you are interested. The numbers are a bit staggering....hard to imagine. http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1010697&lastnode_id=1010705"}, {"response": 945, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (07:01)", "body": "Long, but a fun read - The Sunday London Times 2/2/03 Interview with Hugh Grant: Learning to lie back and enjoy it? In his romantic-comedy roles with Julia, Ren\ufffde and now Sandra, Hugh Grant ranks with his namesake Cary. But, as Jeff Dawson finds, he\ufffds not satisfied with that Sorry ... For Elton John, seemingly, the hardest word. For those in love, apparently, an unutterable term. No such inhibition in the world of Hugh Grant. Onscreen, Grant begs more pardons than a death-row lawyer. Off it, too, the apologies spill with compulsive abandon. Some years ago, in an uncharacteristic display of road rage, when Grant jumped on the bonnet of his antagonist\ufffds motor and ripped off the windscreen wipers, he swiftly implored forgiveness \ufffd then offered his victim a lift home. \ufffdLike all Englishmen, the moment it\ufffds done, you immediately start apologising,\ufffd he says. Contrite and English: if \ufffdHugh Grant\ufffd were an adjective, that\ufffds what you\ufffdd find next to it in the dictionary. Still, mercy is being sought. Grant, you see, rarely squats with the British press. Not since (cough) you-know-what, when he was hung out to dry by our mischievous tabloids. You can\ufffdt really blame him. The breaking of bread today has thus involved the signing of a paranoid release document threatening high-court action lest any quotes be sneaked to the gutter press (as if!). With lesser publications, Grant has even taken to securing copy approval. Not even Barbra Streisand demands that. \ufffdMe and Barbra are very similar nowadays,\ufffd he offers, rather sheepishly. He searches for something better but fails. \ufffdWell, I don\ufffdt know. F*** it. If you can get it, get it.\ufffd Here it comes again. \ufffdSorry about that.\ufffd Hugh Grant is an immensely likeable sort. He welcomes you into his Manhattan hotel suite, thrusts out a palm and pumps manfully. \ufffdNow, what can we offer you?\ufffd he ventures, employing the royal pronoun while poking and rattling the drinks cabinet (soft stuff, sadly, for we are on the dollar of an American film studio). He commands an exiting lackey to return with grub \ufffd \ufffdSomething healthy, please ... a fruit plate\ufffd \ufffd then grumbles that living in hotels, as he has done lately, does not serve well the needs of the nutritionally conscious. Recently, Grant took to the services of a personal trainer. Trim, unseasonally tanned (and dazzlingly white of teeth) \ufffd it certainly shows. \ufffdAbout two years ago I realised I was fat and middle-aged,\ufffd he says. The hair, having outgrown its About a Boy spikes, is back to its floppiest and finest. \ufffdByronically sensual\ufffd, as someone once put it. We may be at the \ufffdber-chic Drake Hotel, high above the crawling limos of Park Avenue, but Grant\ufffds garb, reassuringly, still screams Pitcher & Piano: City-boy civvies of Arran jumper over dress shirt and pressed jeans. His fitness routine, he adds, includes doing his pelvic-floor exercises, a legacy of reading \ufffdtoo much Cosmo\ufffd. But then Our Boy Hugh also has an instinctive tendency to reach for the retort, the class quipster diverting you from undelivered homework. Who else could go on Desert Island Discs and proclaim his favourite songs as Viva El Fulham (his team\ufffds 1975 Cup Final record), the Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves from Verdi\ufffds Nabucco (\ufffddedicated to my agents\ufffd) and The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies? \ufffd\ufffdWe don\ufffdt care, we don\ufffdt care, we don\ufffdt care a jot,\ufffd\ufffd he trills. \ufffd\ufffdIf there\ufffds nothing in the larder, Peter Rabbit\ufffds got the lot...\ufffd It\ufffds a wonderful philosophy. Very soothing. I still hum that to myself.\ufffd Grant is in New York to tub-thump on behalf of his new film, Two Weeks Notice, a feelgood romantic comedy in which he stars opposite Sandra Bullock (with whom he has been inevitably, and erroneously, linked). In it, a self-absorbed property tycoon (him) and do-good civil lawyer (her) go down the trusty route of can\ufffdt-live-with-\ufffdem/can\ufffdt-live-without-\ufffdem. Grant peddles the American model of himself (see also Mickey Blue Eyes), a slightly fluffier version of that familiar from his British outings. The movie marks the directorial debut of Marc Lawrence, who wrote both an early version of that Grant-meets-Mafia caper and also Bullock\ufffds Miss Congeniality. Two for the price of one, as it were, and giving Grant another big female star to bounce off. He compares his various experiences. \ufffdI couldn\ufffdt honestly say I fear Sandra Bullock, but I still fear Julia,\ufffd he announces. \ufffdShe has a scary quality.\ufffd Though as with Roberts and Zellweger, Bullock is given the chance to be intimate. In one scene, she gets her hair trapped in Grant\ufffds fly. He grins. \ufffdSandy was at her happiest that day, her cheek pressed up against my bits and pieces.\ufffd Already a sizeable hit in the USA (the film, not Grant\ufffds bits), Two Weeks Notice will probably do a roaring business here. For the record, it contains neither horses nor hounds. (If there were one incident to alter irrevocably Grant\ufffds relationship with the press, it was that scene from Notting Hill in which he ripped down the curtain on celebrity journalism.) Much has been "}, {"response": 946, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (07:30)", "body": "\ufffdI mean there are huge questions for me about what to do next. I\ufffdve deliberately kept the slate clean for the next year Next year, would that be 2003 or 2004, and if 2003 - what about TEOR? Thank you, Murph."}, {"response": 947, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (09:42)", "body": "Sorry, to break the bubble, but his character was in no way the 'conscience' of the group. ] I beg to disagree, he did not want to 'kill' off the 'Jews', he definately didn't want mixed blood and fought hard to limit (sterilize) the mixing. He definitely did NOT agree w/ the Branagh character. He fought hard to define German/Jew and the percentage of what race controls."}, {"response": 948, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (10:01)", "body": "Oh, Laura, you've missed the point. :-( Stuckart was as vehemently anti-Jew as anybody at that table. He was only standing up for his \"Nuremberg Laws\" (pride of authorship, his work), wanting for there to be a legal basis for the extermination. As you'll recall, he warned against creating martyrs, which he foresaw their approach might do in the world's eyes. Stuckart had risen very high in the Nazi ranks (not just the government bureaucracy); you don't do that by being soft on such issues. He had the most realistic viewpoint there; many of the others (SS types) were merely thugs. Kritzinger (David Threlfall) was the only one wavering on some moral grounds. BTW, sterilization = extermination in the longer run."}, {"response": 949, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (10:03)", "body": "And BTW, this kind of discussion belongs on Topic 166, Firthology."}, {"response": 950, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 2003 (23:51)", "body": "Holy moly, did you notice the guy who played Adrian (?), the student who fathered Kelly Macdonald's babies? When he stopped in front of her at the stocks, he cocked his head and looked exactly like Colin in 'on foot.' Then later he had the big blousy white shirt; it wasn't wet, but you get the idea. That boy has potential!"}, {"response": 951, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (00:42)", "body": "(Karen) Holy moly, did you notice the guy who played Adrian (?), the student who fathered Kelly Macdonald's babies? When he stopped in front of her at the stocks, he cocked his head and looked exactly like Colin in 'on foot.' Then later he had the big blousy white shirt; it wasn't wet, but you get the idea. That boy has potential! I noticed, and I agree! Very nice, IMO. Who was he?"}, {"response": 952, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (08:28)", "body": "Sorry, I don't know where anything belongs anymore :( (must've been the montepulciano I was drinking while watching it, definitely should've drank the wine during XXX, I probably would've thought THAT was a good movie! :))"}, {"response": 953, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (09:24)", "body": "From today's New York Times: February 3, 2003 The Guy in That Canadian Film Sounds Like a Noo Yawka, Eh? By JOANNE LATIMER MONTREAL \ufffd So many New York movies are being made in Canada that David Schaap, an unmistakable New York transplant, accent and all, has been kept busy as a dialect coach helping Canadian actors pass for New Yorkers. It's important for actors who want to work here or in Toronto to be able to do at least the standard, white-collar American accent, said Mr. Schaap, 44, himself an actor and the director of TheaterWorks Montreal. Its brochure says that all its staff members were trained in New York. Mr. Schaap worked for five weeks as a dialect coach on a television film called \"Rudy's Wars,\" directed by Robert Dornhelm for Carlton America and USA Network. It's about the career and personal life of Rudolph W. Giuliani, starring James Woods and Penelope Ann Miller, who are the only Americans in the cast. Canadians play the other roles. American unions complain bitterly about jobs lost when filming is done in Canada, but for producers who want to stretch their budgets, the cheaper labor costs and the American dollar's strength against the Canadian dollar are difficult to ignore. During the production Mr. Schaap worked from a trailer, tweaking New York accents for the 45 Montreal actors with speaking parts. \"This movie is going to be under a microscope, so we don't need a penalty flag for bad accents,\" said Mr. Schaap, who grew up on Long Island and studied acting with Uta Hagen. \"I`m honored as a New Yorker to be working on this project. Films come to Canada because they can't afford to shoot anywhere else. They're not runaways. Why? Because they never intended to shoot in the States to begin with. They don't have the budget.\" Canadian actors rely on the business. \"Rudy's Wars\" is only one film in a string of American projects that turn Canadian waiter-actors into working actors. There isn't enough indigenous production to sustain a career in Canada, said Mark Camacho, who plays Tony Carbonetti, the mayor's appointments officer, in \"Rudy's Wars,\" so picking up the New York accent is on every actor's mind. \"When casting agents in town get the character breakdowns for a movie, it's stipulated in big bold type across each page that actors must sound American,\" he said. Some of the American productions filmed in Montreal in the last year or so were \"Confessions of a Dangerous Mind,\" directed by George Clooney; \"Timeline,\" by Richard Donner; \"Beyond Borders,\" starring Angelina Jolie; \"Levity,\" with Billy Bob Thornton and Morgan Freeman; and \"The Human Stain,\" with Nicole Kidman and Anthony Hopkins. Steven Spielberg's \"Catch Me if You Can\" was also filmed here. While it is not common practice for a visiting production company to hire dialect coaches for the entire shoot, coaches train actors privately for auditions and hold workshops. American speech therapists like Sam Chwat and acting teachers like Warren Robertson come to Montreal and Toronto to give workshops, and the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists, the Canadian equivalent of the Screen Actors Guild, invites guest coaches. Occasionally, an American production will bring its own dialect coach along. When \"Bonanno: A Godfather's Story\" was filmed here in 1999, the producer brought over a coach from Sicily, but no one on the set sounded like a New York gangster, Mr. Schaap recalled. \"I got them talking out of the side of their mouths a little more and changed their body language,\" he said. The biggest challenge is hiding the Canadian accent. Nancy Helms, one of the dialect coaches at TheaterWorks, spent her first 30 years in South Carolina, so she has an ear for the subtle differences between American and Canadian speech patterns. Like Mr. Schaap, she does a lot of private coaching, often faxing drills to clients who have moved to Los Angeles. \"Tawking is one thing, but speakin' is another,\" Ms. Helms said. She uses the International Phonetic Alphabet and recommends the David Stern voice manuals. \"But the ear is fallible, and manuals have limitations,\" she said. \"Canadians have upward inflections at the end of sentences and stress different syllables. You can really hear the difference in words like mobile, resource, adult and contributed. Canadians stress the first syllable, making the word sound longer.\" Christopher B. MacCabe, an actor who coaches more than 300 dialect students, works between Toronto and Montreal, training people for auditions. He advises his students to chew gum in the front of their mouths to help perfect their New York accent. Frequent phrases that he tackles are \"fegettabowit,\" \"how yuh doin'?\" and \"tamarra\" for tomorrow. Many New Yorkers speak out of the front of their mouths, so the gum-chewing trick helps, Mr. MacCabe said, adding: \"They also tend to emphasize verbs, while we emphasize pronouns. The tongue is more concave for Americans. It's not the queen's English that we're used to. The tip of"}, {"response": 954, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (09:49)", "body": "(The actor's name in Brush with Fate is Kieran Bews) Pretty special stars By Luke Leitch, Arts Reporter 3 February 2003 Some of Britain's finest film actors past and present gathered at the Savoy to celebrate the 30th Evening Standard British Film Awards - and witnessed a star of the future crowned best actor. Chiwetel Ejiofor won the award for his performance as an illegal immigrant in Stephen Frears's Dirty Pretty Things. In a ceremony hosted by Jack Dee last night, German supermodel Heidi Klum presented Ejiofor's award in front of British stars including Roger Moore, Hugh Grant - with Mariella Frostrup as his date [Ed note: again] - Rosamund Pike, John Hurt, Samantha Bond, Twiggy, Mike Leigh, Gillian Anderson and Maureen Lipman. Receiving his award Ejiofor, 25, said: \"I had a wonderful, incredible time doing this film, but it seems incredible to receive an award for doing it.\" It was only the first triumph last night for Frears's brilliant expos\ufffd of 21st-century London, which also won the best film award. Introducing the ceremony for her first time as Editor of the Evening Standard, Veronica Wadley paid tribute to the vibrancy of the British film industry - which continues to produce world-beating cinema in the face of increasingly vicious economic strictures. She said: \"Our awards are dedicated solely to British talent at home and abroad. This makes them unique. British film companies like Film Four are retrenching. Granada has ceased making films - we hope only temporarily. The Film Council is being forced to take a harder look at value for public money. There may be less of it soon. But we keep a special affection for the talents that these awards have honoured and discovered over 30 years.\" Presenting Stephen Frears with the best film award, maverick director Terry Gilliam said: \"These are not good times and I do not know how much money is going to make new films - but I wonder how much is being spent on all these employees of the Film Council.\" Despite the industry's bureaucratic and financial problems, last night was a time, above all, to celebrate the films made in Britain during 2002. Catherine Zeta-Jones - once a lowly chorus girl in a West End production of 42nd Street - was best actress for her high-kicking, high-decibel performance as Velma Kelly in Chicago. Speaking via videolink from her California home she apologised for being gushingly theatrical but added: \"I can't tell you, receiving this award in my homeland means so, so much to me. I wish I was with you tonight.\" Dougray Scott - tipped as the next James Bond - was in the audience to see the Bond films win the Evening Standard's Special Award for 40 years of cinematic excellence. Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson were presented with the award by former 007 Roger Moore. Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe presented the technical achievement award to Eve Stewart for her work on the gritty, bittersweet film All Or Nothing. Daniel said of special effects work: \"When you've been stuck on a broomstick for as many days as I have, you really appreciate it.\" Receiving her prize Ms Stewart gave Daniel a huge smacker and declared: \"I can't believe I've just kissed Harry Potter.\" The best screenplay award, presented by actress Gina McKee, went to Neil Hunter and Tom Hunsinger for The Lawless Heart. Rosamund Pike awarded young director Asif Kapadia the most promising newcomer award for The Warrior. Hugh Grant - a former Evening Standard film award winner - came a cropper when presenting the Peter Sellers award for comedy. The hapless actor lived up to his onscreen persona by forgetting the names of Keith Fulton and Louis Pepe, who won with Lucy Darwin for their painfully funny docudrama Lost In La Mancha. \"I just can't remember their names,\" said Grant, \"I really am terribly sorry.\""}, {"response": 955, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (10:20)", "body": "Music by Glass Binds Film 'The Hours' Together (Reuters) - As movies go, \"The Hours\" is different: Three stories unfolding simultaneously in three different time periods featuring three different actresses and a unique score that forces its way into the drama as if it were a key player. Director Stephen Daldry's adaptation of Michael Cunningham's Pulitzer prize-winning novel, which is based on Virginia Woolf's breakthrough novel \"Mrs. Dalloway,\" has something setting it apart from other films as the season's most intense period of award-giving begins: a pulsating score by minimalist concert hall composer Philip Glass. Performed by a piano and 50 violins, the score becomes as much of a character in the movie as stars Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore and Meryl Streep. And the story is that Glass got the job in classic, or as some would say, typical, Hollywood fashion. Director Daldry filmed the movie with temporary music and he and the producers kept wanting a score that sounded more and more like Philip Glass. So they had people come in with Glass-like music until, finally, some one had the bright idea to call for the real Philip Glass. This slightly miffed Glass because it meant that by the time he came into the editing room, the stars had left and it wasn't until the film's promotional tour that he got to meet them. \"At the press junket, I followed Nicole Kidman to the podium and ... it's not so bad to have everyone so wide awake when you walk into a room,\" he said in a recent interview. TYING THE BOW Glass has written scores for more than a dozen previous films ranging from the avant-garde \"Koyaanisqatsi\" and the slasher flick \"Candyman\" to the Tibetan-flavored \"Kundum,\" for which he won an Oscar nomination. He said he sees the job of writing music for movies as \"tying the bow round the box, not baking the cake.\" For \"The Hours,\" with its floating from one story and time period to another, Glass's bow became something that held the whole cake together. He saw his job as uniting the three seemingly disparate stories. \"I used the same music to go between the three time periods and the effect was to bind the film. The music was a bridge .... I am so glad that people are getting it.\" Or as director Daldry told Reuters recently: \"This film seemed to reject music which was in any way merely emotional wallpaper. It needed a very different sort of music, a music that actually allowed a stream of consciousness to emerge, which was as if it was another character. \"The picture and the music worked in counterpoint to each other. It didn't just link the time periods it worked as a subconscious element. And of course Philip's music is so much about time and the relationships of the different time periods to one another.\" Daldry said it was an easy collaboration. \"The fantastic thing about Philip is that he is such a good collaborator, so we would score and then record, then score and record again, keep working at it. Not only was he brilliantly patient but he was brilliantly engaged in the whole process. Said Glass, \"I wanted the music to lift you away and I didn't want it to be gloomy and downcast at the end .... Even with all the suicide and death in the movie, I wanted people to feel that life was rich.\" A RICH HERITAGE The film is based on Cunningham's novel which blends the life of British writer Virginia Woolf and the writing of her breakthrough \"stream of consciousness\" novel \"Mrs Dalloway\" in the 1920s with those of a reader on the brink of suicide in the 1950s and with a modern day Mrs. Dalloway, performing decades later the same tasks as the heroine of the novel. If it sounds complicated, it is: Three stories essentially telling the life and death struggles of three women -- all within the confines of a single day. The film begins with Woolf's real suicide and then proceeds to weave the tale of her battle against depression and mental illness into two other deeply connected stories. Glass's pulls the movie together with his characteristic hypnotic repetitive phrasings and does it so well that the experts think he is a shoe-in for an Oscar nomination, although he will have stiff competition for the statuette itself. Novelist Cunningham thinks Woolf would have approved. In liner notes for the CD of the film score, Cunningham said, \"I love Glass's music almost as much as I love Virginia Woolf ... When I saw the movie with the music added I thought automatically of how I could use the soundtrack ... to help me with my next book.\" ~~~~~~~ Cunningham also said he thought the music stood in for his prose, reiterating the bit about it being a character as well, and that people either loved it (being so pronounced) or hated it."}, {"response": 956, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (10:28)", "body": "For those hoping for a CF role in The Thunderbirds: Kingsley joins 'Thunderbirds' THR: Feb. 03, 2003 LONDON -- Ben Kingsley has signed to star in the live-action film version of the 1960s cult U.K. television puppet series \"Thunderbirds\" for Working Title Films and Universal Pictures. Kingsley will star as the Hood, the movie's evil international master criminal, Working Title Films said Friday. The movie follows the Tracy family and their top-secret International Rescue organization. They travel around the world carrying out covert missions with the Thunderbirds, a set of five vehicles ranging from a rocket to a space station. Working Title also revealed the first details of the movie's plot, which will see Kingsley's character invade Tracy Island, the secret base and home of International Rescue and the Thunderbirds, in the hope of using them for his own evil needs. The Tracy family will be headed by Bill Paxton, who will play Jeff Tracy, the father of the family of five sons, Virgil, John, Gordon, Scott and Alan."}, {"response": 957, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (10:34)", "body": "Lots of interesting (at least to me) miscellaneous news today ... ;-) Adaptation noms confuse Oscar THR: Feb. 03, 2003 By Josh Spector Wasn't \"Gangs of New York\" a book, written by Herbert Asbury in 1928, long before it became a movie? Didn't \"My Big Fat Greek Wedding\" first appear onstage before it was transformed into a film? And didn't Antwone Fisher first tell his story in the 2001 memoir \"Finding Fish\" before the big-screen version of his life, \"Antwone Fisher,\" ever went before the cameras? So what are all three movies doing courting an Academy Award nomination as best original screenplay when, at first glance, they would seem to qualify as adaptations? This year, the question of what is and what isn't an adaptation isn't just one of the themes of a movie currently onscreen -- the conveniently titled \"Adaptation\" -- it's also a question that officials at both the WGA and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have been forced to ponder as they ready their nominations. (The WGA noms will be announced Wednesday, with Oscar noms to follow Feb. 11.) While the WGA declined comment on how it decides to categorize screenplays for awards purposes -- a spokesman would only say that the WGA's credit department makes such decisions -- Academy Awards coordinator Patrick Stockstill admitted that this year's Oscar hopefuls have forced him to do his homework. Typically, when Stockstill sets out to verify a claim to originality, he combs through press kits, checks published interviews and considers a film's credits as well as the category to which the WGA has assigned it. He then makes a recommendation to the 25-member Writers Branch Executive Committee, which makes the final call. \"Gangs,\" for example, required that Stockstill do \"a lot of research\" because the finished film itself carries a credit that it was \"suggested by\" Asbury's book. \"Ultimately, we decided to list it as original because we felt that the writers had done enough original research on the film to warrant it as an original,\" Stockstill said. \"The fact that the 'suggested by' credit ran during the end credits as opposed to the main title sequence in the beginning was also a factor in the decision.\" \"Gangs\" writer Jay Cocks -- the first of the three credited writers on the project -- was surprised to hear the Academy had considered the possibility that the film could be anything but original. \"The 'Gangs of New York' book is a compilation of the history of that era and has no narrative at all, no plot, and nothing to hang a story on,\" Cocks said. \"It was just the first of more than 50 books we used for research.\" The 'suggested by' credit, Cocks explained, was designed to honor the book whose title the film shares. He added that the only aspects of the book used in the film were names of some of the gangs, descriptions of the draft riots and Daniel Day-Lewis' Bill the Butcher character. \"The phrase 'suggested by' is quite accurate because we took that book's title, and I would want to acknowledge that in some way,\" he said. \"But to have that acknowledgment suggest that the script is any less original is not fair. It is intended as an acknowledgment of inspiration.\" In the case of \"Greek Wedding,\" press kits issued when the film was first released in April described the movie as \"based on the one-woman show written by and starring Second City alumna Nia Vardalos.\" And the voluminous press accounts that accompanied the movie's success played variations on the theme of how producer Rita Wilson visited the one-woman show and came away convinced that it could be transformed into a film. As Vardalos tells it, though, she and the film's producers sought the Academy's advice before deciding in which category to submit her screenplay. For, she said, she had actually written the screenplay before creating the stage monologue that brought her to Wilson's attention. \"I had written the screenplay first but couldn't even get an agent off of it, so I decided to put it on as a play,\" she said. \"Plus, the stage play was actually only about a third of what was in the script. The Academy said that since I registered the screenplay first that it should be listed as an original. We really wanted there to be no controversy, which is why we checked with the Academy first.\" Much like \"Greek Wedding,\" \"Antwone Fisher\" was ruled to be an original screenplay because Fisher's screenwriting efforts predated the \"Finding Fish\" memoir he fashioned from his autobiographical tale. \"Because this is a life story and there was a book published, some people have been confused about which category it belongs in,\" said \"Fisher\" producer Todd Black. \"But we absolutely are happy to be competing in the original category because, without a doubt in my mind, it is a less competitive category this year.\" In fact, the big guns in this year's Oscar race all appear to be bearing down on the best adapted screenplay category. Such already-laureled movies as \"Chicago\" and \"The Hours\" as wel"}, {"response": 958, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (10:36)", "body": "I can't believe they are making a live-action film of \"The Thunderbirds\"; I used to watch that when I was little, it was ridiculous then, and when I saw it again in Ireland, I couldn't imagine why I liked it so much as a kid! BTW, the Threfell (sp?); I thought he was related to the Fox's (Edward, etal); strong resemble..."}, {"response": 959, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (11:46)", "body": "Regarding \"About Schmidt\".. I have not seen the movie but my parents went a few days ago even though they are not big JN fans. My father really enjoyed the movie, thought JN played it just right, etc. The only thing is, he has not been able to sleep since seeing it. I guess it brought to light many issues which can be extremely poignant and frightening for people of a certain age group (well, anyone really)... Now I really won't see it..."}, {"response": 960, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (13:44)", "body": "I was more or less ambivalent about Colin Farrell, but after reading the article posted on #928, my opinion of him is \"ugh\". At best I would refer to him as \"that other CF\", but we ought to find some other way to refer to him other than \"CF\" (something more or less polite, LOL). I can't stand the thought of anyone getting those two mixed up."}, {"response": 961, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (15:09)", "body": "Big article (3 pages) in the new Time magazine about Women in Film. Should be online soon. Points out all the inequities we've talked about and more (takes 3 women to equal 1 big male star in a film). Grrr! But no hints at solutions, other than what some of the actresses with clout are trying to do. An excerpt: It's a long way down from the '30s and '40s, when Hollywood had as many top female stars as male--when sexual and intellectual equality was the onscreen norm. Dozens of down-to-earth movie goddesses stood up to their men and used wit as well as wiles on the way to the kiss at the final fade-out. Oddly, though, as women, improved their status in American society, they found their roles diminished in films. Since the 70s, Hollywood has undergone seismic shifts, and most of those militate against women's films. Scripts haven't become more sophisticated, but special effects have, and they are best suited to burly action films and fantasies. Hollywood has long relied on literary properties for source material, but today inspiration is more likely to come from the comic-book racks (guy stuff) than from the shelves of best-selling romantic novels (gal stuff). And since 1975, when Jaws proved the wisdom of opening a movie in thousands of theaters on the same day, the pressure has increased for a film to grab big first-weekend numbers. The queue is full of teenage boys and young couples, but, says Rudin, \"older women, the main audience for women's movies, don't run out on a Friday night to see a film.\" A women's film is thus at a severe demographic disadvantage."}, {"response": 962, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (15:40)", "body": "Thanks for all the very interesting articles ladies. Good reading."}, {"response": 963, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (15:43)", "body": "Thanks, Karen and Mari, for these good Off Topic articles."}, {"response": 964, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (16:28)", "body": "Since the 70s, Hollywood has undergone seismic shifts, and most of those militate against women's films. Let me say firstly, that I agree with the article. However , the industry has also exploded9$$$) since the 70's. And I wonder if wanting to appeal more to the international market has more to do with the content of films than previously when the domestic market was the focus. ...\"but special effects have, and they are best suited to burly action films and fantasies.\" This translates more to the international scene than a lot of \"wit and wiles\" (wordy). The young go to the movies more often, there is no doubt ...moreover, they see the same film over and over again and then buy the vid. = $$$"}, {"response": 965, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (18:02)", "body": "Sylvia Plath's Daughter Pens Condemnation of Film Mon Feb 3, 2:47 PM ET Add Entertainment - Reuters to My Yahoo! By Richard Ayton LONDON (Reuters) - The daughter of Boston-born poet Sylvia Plath has resorted to verse to vent her anger at plans for a major film dramatization of her mother's life and suicide. Frieda Hughes, daughter from Plath's celebrated marriage to fellow poet Ted Hughes, expresses her contempt for the plan in a poem entitled \"My Mother.\" \"My buried mother / Is dug up for repeat performances,\" she writes in the poem, set to appear in the March edition of women's lifestyle magazine \"Tatler.\" \"Now they want to make a film / For anyone lacking the ability / To imagine the body, head in oven.\" Plath, one of the most celebrated poets of her generation, gassed herself to death in the winter of 1963, leaving Hughes with two children. The planned BBC film \"Ted and Sylvia\" has a budget of $11 million and Gwyneth Paltrow (news), who won an Oscar in 1999 for her role in \"Shakespeare in Love,\" is set to play Plath. But the poet's daughter seems appalled at the apparent popularization of a very private event in her life. \"The peanut eaters, entertained / At my mother's death, will go home... Maybe they'll buy the video,\" she writes. \"...All they have to do / Is press 'pause' / If they want to boil a kettle, / While my mother holds her breath on screen / To finish dying after tea.\" Plath had attempted suicide in the early 1950s but went on to win a prestigious Fulbright scholarship to study at Cambridge University, where she met Hughes. They married in 1956, uniting two literary minds that were among the most renowned of the post-war period. The BBC production was made possible after Hughes's decision to publish 140 previously unseen letters and other documents relating to his marriage shortly before his death in 1998. Though his infidelity is sometimes blamed for Plath's suicide, in the letters Hughes tells a friend his wife killed herself after taking anti-depressants. BBC bosses have promised they will deal sensitively with Plath's suicide, which they say will not be the film's focus. But Frieda Hughes is adamant she will not help producers use her mother's poetry. \"They think I should love it /... they think / I should give them my mother's words / To fill the mouth of their monster, / Their Sylvia Suicide Doll, / Who will walk and talk / And die at will, / And die and die, / And forever be dying.\""}, {"response": 966, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 2003 (18:52)", "body": "LONDON (Reuters) - Hollywood star Kevin Spacey (news) is to take over as artistic director of one of Britain's most famous theaters, The Times said on Tuesday. It said that the dual Oscar winner would take the helm at The Old Vic, the 180-year-old London theater that needs a huge injection of funds to ensure its survival. Spacey, who won Hollywood's ultimate accolade for his haunting performances in \"The Usual Suspects\" and \"American Beauty,\" is reported to have given a six-figure sum in support of the venerable theater. As artistic director, he would follow in the famed footsteps of Jonathan Miller and Sir Peter Hall (news) to try to revive the Old Vic's sagging fortunes."}, {"response": 967, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (08:41)", "body": "(Mari) Sylvia Plath's Daughter Pens Condemnation of Film Keep those hexes coming, ladies (Mary Murphy) Hollywood star Kevin Spacey (news) is to take over as artistic director of one of Britain's most famous theaters So let me get this straight: KS gave a six-figure contribution to the Old Vic, and they made him the artistic director for it??!! Does he even live in London? I can't imagine a theatre having a long distance AD; maybe he'll \"just\" do fundraising."}, {"response": 968, "author": "townranny", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (09:00)", "body": "(Mari) Sylvia Plath's Daughter Pens Condemnation of Film SP's daughter certainly expresses her pain very clearly. How sad for her."}, {"response": 969, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (09:09)", "body": "Closing tag. It is, trust me."}, {"response": 970, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (09:48)", "body": "From the \"it isn't just money department...\" ;-) Warner Bros puts classics division on the fast track Los Angeles 04 February 2003 Warner Bros has confirmed that it has put its plans for a specialized film unit back on the fast track and is now actively searching for an executive to run it. Warner has been the only major studio without a classics division for some time and has been toying with the idea for about two years now. But in The Los Angeles Times yesterday, Warner Bros president and chief operating officer Alan Horn said that the perception of the studio was as a producer of franchise and event pictures not of so-called prestige movies. \"Let's just say with my tickets to the Golden Globes this year, they sent me binoculars,\" he joked, adding that it was when he read and passed on Todd Haynes' Far From Heaven because the studio was not positioned to release a film like it that he started to feel uneasy. Far From Heaven was produced by Killer Films and executive produced by Warner-based producer John Wells who has a partnership with Killer. Horn has been restructuring Warner Bros Pictures in the wake of the departure of long-time chief Lorenzo di Bonaventura in Sept 2002. di Bonaventura had championed the formation of a classics division at the studio and was in advanced negotiations with Sundance Film Festival director Geoffrey Gilmore to run it in late 2000. Russell Schwartz, the former head of Gramercy Pictures and now marketing chief at New Line Cinema, was in the frame to co-head the unit before he segued to New Line. But that configuration was never finalized, although di Bonaventura did sign a co-production agreement with the UK's FilmFour which yielded the disappointing Charlotte Gray starring Cate Blanchett. In the wake of Di Bonaventura's departure, Jeff Robinov assumed the role of president, domestic production, and, now that he is ensconsed alongside Steve Papazian who is president of physical production, Horn is turning his attention fast to specialized films. Currently being determined is the structure of the unit and how it will work alongside the existing studio infrastructure: whether it will share marketing and distribution with Warner Bros Pictures or operate autonomously and how many films to produce a year. In addition to the obvious benefits of producing arthouse films like attracting talent, discovering new film-makers and winning awards, Warner, like every other studio, is highly conscious of the ageing baby boomer audience, some 40% of which is now over the age of 40. In addition, Warner has been dramatically expanding its international production activities which have already yielded local hits such as It Can't Be All Our Fault (Ma Che Colpa Abbiamo Noi) in Italy and Le Boulet in France. The studio recently committed to its first Chinese-language picture Turn Left, Turn Right, to be written and directed by one of Hong Kong's most successful filmmaking teams - Johnnie To and Wai Ka-fai - and is backing Jean-Pierre Jeunet's follow-up to Amelie - A Very Long Engagement in France. If these activities, which are overseen by Warner Bros executive vice president, international, Richard Fox deliver films which could warrant a US release, a classics division would be the perfect place. The Warner initiative comes during a season which has seen Disney's Miramax enjoy a breakout hit with Chicago, MGM's United Artists score $20m success with Bowling For Columbine, and Universal's new Focus Features division flourish with Far From Heaven and The Pianist. Paramount Pictures' Paramount Classics arm bought multiple territory rights to The United States Of Leland at the Sundance Film Festival in January, while Sony Pictures' Sony Pictures Classics - the oldest studio team of all - is pitching for Pedro Almodovar's Talk To Her to score Oscar nominations next Tuesday. Warner meanwhile has focused on its powerhouse blockbuster lineup in 2003 which includes The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions and Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines (domestic only)."}, {"response": 971, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (09:51)", "body": "Now THIS gets me mad (Among a million other things about this administration)! ***************************************** Bush plan cuts pubcast funding Tue Feb 4, 2:10 AM ET Add Entertainment - Hollywood Reporter to My Yahoo! By Craig Linder WASHINGTON (The Hollywood Reporter) --- The $380 million budget that President Bush (news - web sites) has proposed for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting will not be enough to keep public broadcasters on the air, the head of the federal agency fears. In the budget message he proposed to Congress on Monday, Bush called for $380 million in federal spending for the CPB in the 2004 fiscal year, down from the $390 million he proposed for fiscal 2003. \"The president's budget would, if enacted, seriously compromise our ability to deliver the services we are required by law to provide to the American people,\" CPB president Robert Coonrod wrote in a statement with the heads of the nation's three other public broadcasting agencies. The combination of a May deadline for public television to convert to digital broadcasting and replace its satellite distribution system and competitive issues that are forcing public radio stations to explore going digital is placing unprecedented pressures on the CPB's budget, the executives said. \"Public broadcasters are able to set priorities and live within strict budget parameters, but without additional funding, we cannot build an entirely new, federally mandated, technological infrastructure while also delivering the public services required of us,\" Coonrod and the others wrote. The proposed $2.2 trillion budget proposal Bush sent to Congress on Monday could also mean that broadcasters that don't speed their transition to digital could face millions of dollars in new federal taxes. Broadcasters still using the analog spectrum after the nation's proposed 2006 switch to digital television would have to pay the FCC (news - web sites) as much as $500 million each year to continue using that spectrum, under legislation Bush proposed as part of his 2004 budget plan. Bush proposed a similar analog spectrum-use tax in his previous budget proposals, though the broadcasting industry's allies on Capitol Hill doomed the measure. National Association of Broadcasters president Edward Fritts said in a statement that his trade group will again try to derail the use tax. \"Congress has wisely rejected spectrum taxes on broadcasters for the past several years because lawmakers recognize the timetable for the transition to digital television will be determined by consumer acceptance and not by arbitrary government dictates,\" he said. \"Broadcasters should not be saddled with an unfair spectrum tax, which would ultimately slow the transition to digital and harm consumers.\" The FCC received a budget proposal of $280 million, largely flat compared with last year's levels."}, {"response": 972, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (09:57)", "body": "Keep those hexes coming, ladies Still doing cauldron duty.;-) Actually, it is sad. I can understand her feelings. BTW, Spacey has been a Director of the Old Vic for quite some time now, and has been instrumental in keeping it afloat. They're lucky to have him."}, {"response": 973, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (10:19)", "body": ""}, {"response": 974, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (10:36)", "body": ""}, {"response": 975, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (10:37)", "body": "More on Kevin and the Old Vic. So he might out himself tomorrow? Interesting. (Ev - Sorry to bring in my political viewpoint. I got carried away. Won't happen again. Can you close your tags? I don't know how to get back to the regular font) **************************************** This is LONDON 04/02/03 - News and city section Spacey to join Old Vic By Luke Leitch, Arts Reporter, Evening Standard Actor Kevin Spacey was poised to announce today that he is to direct three plays at the Old Vic in the next three years, it is believed. But reports that Spacey is to become \"artistic director\" were greeted with bemusement by West End insiders because it already has an artistic director. Matthew Warchus, responsible for Life x 3 and Art, was appointed only 12 months ago. Double Oscar-winner Spacey, already an Old Vic board member, has supported the venerable but troubled theatre for years. In 2001, he hosted a star-studded fundraising gala at the Waterloo venue in aid of New York's firefighters. A source said that while it is possible that Spacey might become artistic director, it would be problematic. \"The Old Vic is not a state-funded theatre like the National and the RSC. It is a commercial theatre, there to make money, and you can't programme a commercial theatre in that way,\" said the source. Speaking in January last year the theatre's owner, former actress Sally Greene, praised Mr Warchus's \"huge, huge enthusiasm\" and adding that he had \"the final say on all artistic matters\". Last night however Greene refused to comment on the reports linking Spacey with the Old Vic, adding: \"I really don't know at the moment. There is an announcement due on Wednesday-I can't confirm anything.\" The Times also today reported that Spacey might also use the conference to end speculation in the media about his sexuality. Spacey, 43, arrived in the UK at Luton airport this week and has been staying at a London hotel. He has always been discreet about his private life. In 1998 he said: \"It's not that I want to create some bullshit mystique by maintaining a silence about my personal life, it is just that the less you know about me, the easier it is to convince you that I am that character on screen.\" In a 1999 interview with Playboy magazine he said of women: \"For them, it's a challenge. They want to be the one to turn me around,\" adding: \"I let them.\""}, {"response": 976, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (10:45)", "body": "Fixing itsy bitsy font."}, {"response": 977, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (18:03)", "body": "(moonstar)Keep those hexes coming, ladies You ain't see nothin yet! (Mari)Still doing cauldron duty.;-) Who is on for the weekend? I can work Saturday if you'll take Sunday?"}, {"response": 978, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 2003 (23:03)", "body": "(Linda) (moonstar)Keep those hexes coming, ladies You ain't see nothin yet! (Mari)Still doing cauldron duty.;-) Who is on for the weekend? I can work Saturday if you'll take Sunday? Sisters, broom is fired up and I'm ready to go."}, {"response": 979, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (08:42)", "body": "Thank goodness the Jersey girls are on top of things. . . and that somebody else is working the weekend.;-) Brace yourself for the snow, sisters . . . brooms may have to do double duty come tomorrow."}, {"response": 980, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (08:45)", "body": ""}, {"response": 981, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (08:47)", "body": "Ooops, I \"slipped\" with Mari (she posted at the same time I did), We're even looking at little white stuff down around the Austin area if this weather pattern holds."}, {"response": 982, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (08:48)", "body": "The Spring is listed today and tomorrow only at http://www.geourl.org/ and our geourl page is at http://www.spring.net/geourl.html"}, {"response": 983, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (11:39)", "body": "WGA Nominations Original Screenplay Antwone Fisher ....Written by Antwone Fisher; Fox Searchlight Bowling for Columbine ....Written by Michael Moore; United Artists/Alliance ....Atlantis/Salter Street Films/Dog Eat Dog Films Far From Heaven ....Written by Todd Haynes; Focus Features Gangs of New York ....Screenplay by Jay Cocks and Steven Zaillian ....and Kenneth Lonergan, Story by Jay Cocks; ....Miramax Films My Big Fat Greek Wedding ....Written by Nia Vardalos; Gold Circle ....Films/HBO/MPH Entertainment/Playtone Adapted Screenplay About a Boy Screenplay by ....Peter Hedges and Chris Weitz & Paul Weitz, ....based on the novel by Nick Hornby; Universal ....Pictures/Studio Canal/Working Title Films/Tribeca ....Productions About Schmidt .... Screenplay by Alexander Payne & Jim Taylor, ....based on the novel by Louis Begley; New Line ....Cinema Adaptation .... Screenplay by Charlie Kaufman and Donald ....Kaufman, based on the book The Orchid Thief by ....Susan Orlean; Columbia Pictures Chicago .... Screenplay by Bill Condon, based on the musical ....play, book by Bob Fosse and Fred Ebb and the ....play by Maurine Dallas Watkins; Miramax Films The Hours .... Screenplay by David Hare, based on the novel by ....Michael Cunningham; Paramount ....Pictures/Miramax Films"}, {"response": 984, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (15:49)", "body": "Thanks for info Mari and Terry. You're right snow is due in tonight. But the sisters will make it with ease."}, {"response": 985, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (07:32)", "body": "Karen and Ev: Going to see AS Byatt tomorrow; she's promoting the whistling woman. I'll buy it tomorrow and have her sign. I guess this is more for Karen, are you going to re-read the books before you read \"The Whistling Woman\" or have you already started and finished it? (don't tell me anything about it, I read a review in Book magazine and it got 4 stars out of 5, so not too shabby, eh?)"}, {"response": 986, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (09:30)", "body": "Better get your tickets, Karen;-) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ David Mamet's \"SEXUAL PERVERSITY IN CHICAGO\" starring MINNIE DRIVER, opens at the Comedy Theatre 14 May 03, following previews from the 3 May 03, and booking to 2 Aug 03. Booking is now open!! Hollywood British star MINNIE DRIVER will be making her West End debut. Her film credits include \"Good Will Hunting\" and \" An Ideal Husband\". ~~~~~~~ West End debut, my foot!"}, {"response": 987, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (09:42)", "body": "Gaah! I checked the Random House site and only the Boston appearance is shown. She was in SF last month. I've only just started rereading the books."}, {"response": 988, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (10:17)", "body": "In Book Magazine it looks like she only did San Fran 1/24 San Diego 1/29 LA 1/30 NYC 2/3,4,5 Philly 2/6 Boston 2/7,8 I would expect she'd do more, but winter and weather..."}, {"response": 989, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (10:19)", "body": "No, she never seems to come into the middle of the country. She only thinks we have coasts."}, {"response": 990, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (10:24)", "body": "(Karen)No, she never seems to come into the middle of the country. She only thinks we have coasts. LOL, a woman who is so erudite, only thinking the US has no middle section???? certainly you jest! ;) I'll ask her tomorrow why she doesn't visit the middle US:)"}, {"response": 991, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (10:25)", "body": "Where is Earnest???? Judi is a nominee though. ;-) AARP Honors Films That Appeal to Elderly NEW YORK - \"About Schmidt,\" about a retiree on a search for self-discovery, and \"Far From Heaven,\" an homage to the female-driven melodramas of the 1950s, are among the nominees for \"Best Movie for Grown-ups\" from AARP The Magazine. This is the second year the publication is giving its \"Chaise d'Or\" awards, a takeoff on the Cannes Film Festival's Palme d'Or, to films that appeal to older moviegoers. The winners will be announced March 11. \"For years, our 23 million readers have complained to us that Hollywood doesn't make enough films for them,\" editor-in-chief Hugh Delehanty said Thursday. \"We instituted these awards both to steer them toward the excellent films we've found out there, and to encourage filmmakers to make even more such movies in the future.\" The other nominees for best film are \"The Hours,\" about three women with ties to Virginia Woolf's novel \"Mrs. Dalloway,\" and \"The Quiet American,\" about a journalist in 1952 Saigon. Other categories include \"Best Intergenerational Film,\" \"Best Grown-up Love Story\" and \"Best Movie for Grown-ups Who Refuse to Grow Up.\" ~~~~~~~~~ If you'd like to vote, go here: http://www.aarpmagazine.org/entertainment/Articles/a2003-02-04-mag-movies-awards"}, {"response": 992, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (10:27)", "body": "Oh, and btw, I have to PAY to see her $2"}, {"response": 993, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (10:29)", "body": "As far as I know, she's never come here, though I think I recall Denver being on her last book tour, the rest East Coast."}, {"response": 994, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 2003 (09:22)", "body": "The Mail Weekend Magazine - From Gill, a friend in Liverpool: **************************************** I know some of you have previously mentioned watching the likes of The 1900 House or The 1940's House. The next show to be made later this year will be set in the Regency era. They are now taking applications and the article below taken from the Daily Mail's Weekend mag goes into further detail. Austen Powers Could you be behind the next Jane Austen hero or heroine? The team behind The Edwardian Country House are looking for volunteers to live and love by the morals of the novelist's era. Mary Greene peeks behind the doors to see what we can expect from Channel 4's Regency mansion. It is late summer in 1811 and, to your mother's fervent excitement (let's call her Mrs Bennet), you have been invited to a house party a Mr Darcy's country residence, Pemberley. Fortunately, England's roads have been much improved in recent years, and so country life is not nearly as dull as it used to be. Now fashionable people can gad about and visit their friends for weeks at a time. Maybe the gentlemen will enjoy talking about politics, for the poor old King has gone mad and his ludicrous, fat son, the spendthrift Prince of Wales, has been Regent for only a few months. Doubtless some guests will have been to the Prince's recent midsummer fete at Carlton House in London's Pall Mall. Two thousand guests drank iced champagne and dined off silver dishes, while the dining table was dressed with an artificial stream stocked with fish, which may help explain why the party cost \ufffd120,000. So there will be plenty to talk about after dinner at Pemberley. But the real business of the country house party will be matchmaking. Alliances will be made, old gentry titles will be traded for new money. But it is also where a girl with looks or wit - but no fortune - will hook a husband of better standing if she makes him fall in love with her. In the era that invented romantic love, that promoted sensibility over sense, a Regency country house party, dealt with adroitly by a young woman and her chaper\ufffdone, could set her up in style for the rest of her life. It was a game of flirtation and charm played for the highest stakes. And now, in our own era - where courtship is a forgotten ritual and sex is easier to come by than romance - a new Channel 4 TV series is to give a houseful of young people the chance to live for a summer by the morals and manners of Jane Austen's day. The makers of the hugely successful Edwardian Country House, 1900 House and 1940s House series are sending out Invitations to a Regency House Party, to be broadcast later this year. For ten weeks this summer, in a residence the producers describe as 'a cross between Pemberley and Northanger Abbey', their guests will live a life loosely based on Austen's characters, authentic in every period detail. This is more than Big Brother in muslin frocks. If they enter into the spirit o it, says producer-director Caroline Ross-Pirie, there is a fine chance that romance will blossom. Ross-Pirie is looking for a party of ten unattached people, aged under 35; at this age a Regency miss would have been on the shelf, she readily allows, but she wants them old enough to play the marriage game seriously. 'We are looking for the social mix that you might have found in a Jane Austen house party,' she says. 'We thought the best way to re-create this mix was to look for modem day versions of the characters in her novels. However, we would certainly not rule out anyone because they didn't fit the part exactly. We are looking for people who share a similar personality, background, or profession to Austen's characters, but not necessarily all three in one person. We are not demanding carbon copies'. The host could be a gentleman of fortune like Mr Darcy. There will be a Mr Bingley, wealthy, but less so, and a George Wickham type, of amiable manners but not to be relied on. There should also be a clergyman; maybe ( not as boring as Mr Collins, who would hardly have been a welcome house guest, but more of an Edmund Bertram - from Mansfield Park - idealistic enough to take his calling seriously and not be in it for the money. As for the ladies, Ross-Pirie is looking for an heiress of inferior birth, who is so rich that this shortcoming can be glossed over. There could be a Miss Bennet who has only her charms with which to win a husband, and a more brittle society fashionista such as Caroline Bingley. There should be a mousey, modest Fanny Price and an older hostess, sophisticated enough to entertain the Prince of Wales. Ross-Pirie says she has already been approached by several titled ladies willing to appear on the show. There will also be older chaperones to conspire in the business of matchmaking; applications are welcome from real-life mothers and daughters. And there will be occasional dinner guests, maybe a figure such as a risqu\ufffd poet of the Lord Byron type, or a dashing army man; a famous pugili"}, {"response": 995, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 2003 (09:26)", "body": "Re Minnie D. She was the guest on Will and Grace this week. Playing a scudsy Britsh gal who was fooling around with Karen's philandering husband. She made a play for Jack. Had the worst costumes on I've ever seen!"}, {"response": 996, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 2003 (09:40)", "body": "What a great reality show Regency House seems to be. Hope it is shown over here. Saw Minnie D. Costumes were awful but IMO were supposed to be for her character. How funny Karen and Minnie fighting over \"her gay\" as Karen referred to Jack."}, {"response": 997, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 2003 (09:55)", "body": "And now, in our own era - where courtship is a forgotten ritual and sex is easier to come by than romance - a new Channel 4 TV series is to give a houseful of young people the chance to live for a summer by the morals and manners of Jane Austen's day. Not if they use most of the period fanfic as a basis! ;-) 'Ladies wore false wax bosoms to get the right look and you could even buy false buttocks. LOL! The infamous 'stunt butt' makes another appearance. Now, this is a program I'd watch, especially if they have a tempting Mr Darcy character. They do seem to be fixated on him, don't they? *counting number of mentions* ;-)"}, {"response": 998, "author": "townranny", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 2003 (11:10)", "body": "Austen Powers/Murph There aren't many books to help avoid the gaffes. How about watching P&P a 1000 times? Does that qualify you? Finally a reality show we can all sink our teeth into! Saw The Quiet American last night. Michael Caine was so great. He really does get better and better. Brendan Fraser was somewhat dorky as the American, which I think was supposed to be a part of the character but he has that tendency. I did like him in Gods and Monsters. Very touching. But TQA is another Miramax movie that Harvey W didn't want to release in US. MC talked him into it. Every seat in theater was taken, applause at end. MC role would have been too old for CF but can see how he could fit into GG book so well."}, {"response": 999, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 2003 (17:04)", "body": "Didn't go see AS Byatt as we were slammed w/ 22 inches of snow (SO reminiscent of New Years 1999 in Chicago:)) But, I'll survive. Stayed over friends house and drank ourselves silly while watching Buffy and then (get this!) Reservoir Dogs... WHAT a combination! :)"}, {"response": 1000, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 2003 (23:28)", "body": "(Laura) Stayed over friends house and drank ourselves silly What a great way to spend a snowstorm. WOT No P&P?!!"}, {"response": 1001, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 2003 (11:07)", "body": "Vermeer by Howard Nemerov Taking what is, and seeing it as it is, Pretending no heroic stances or gestures, Keeping it simple; being in love with light And the marvelous things that light is able to do, How beautiful! a modesty which is Seductive extremely, the care of daily things. At one for once with sunlight falling through A leaded window, the holy mathematics Playing out the cat's cradle of relation Endlessly; even the inexorable Domesticates itself and becomes charm. If I could say to you, and make it stick, A girl in a red hat, a woman in blue Reading a letter, a lady weighing gold... If I could say this to you so you saw, And knew, and agreed that this was how it was In a lost city across the sea of years, I think we should for one moment be happy In the great reckoning of these little rooms Where the weight of life has been lifted and made light, Or standing invisible on the shore opposed, Watching the water in the foreground dream Reflectively, taking the view of Delft As it was, under a wide and darkening sky"}, {"response": 1002, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 2003 (17:29)", "body": "Keeping it simple; being in love with light I think this matches very well what Griet senses in the studio. Thank you Murph!"}, {"response": 1003, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 2003 (19:05)", "body": "Karen, are you having a conversation with yourself on the other topic with invisible font? ;-)"}, {"response": 1004, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (09:37)", "body": "Seeing that it is one before the AA noms are announced, we have the Razzie nominations: RAZZIE Voters \ufffdSWEPT AWAY\ufffd by Madonna, Murphy, Britney, Benigni \ufffd And \ufffdSTAR WARS\ufffd Big budget box office bombs, big name embarrassments and one of 2002\ufffds biggest box office hits are featured among nominations for The 23rd Annual Golden Raspberry (RAZZIE) Awards, dis-honoring the year\ufffds Worst Achievements in Film. \ufffdWinners\ufffd (if that\ufffds the right term here!) will be announced in ultra-low-budget ceremonies scheduled for 11am/PST Saturday, March 22 at the Four-Points Sheraton Hotel in Santa Monica, the now traditional 24 hours BEFORE That Other Award Show, a.k.a. \ufffdThe Giving Out of the Little Gold Naked Men\ufffd\ufffd Competing as 2002\ufffds Worst Picture are Eddie Murphy\ufffds THE ADVENTURES OF PLUTO NASH (which cost over $85 million and grossed under $5 million), the first joint effort from Mr. and Mrs. Madonna SWEPT AWAY, Madonna- Wannabe Britney Spears\ufffd less-than-auspicious screen debut CROSSROADS, former Oscar\ufffd winner Roberto Benigni\ufffds wooden-headed (and horribly-dubbed) remake of PINOCCHIO, and George Lucas\ufffd disappointing 5th entry from a galaxy far, far too long, STAR WARS EPISODE II: ATTACK OF THE CLONES. Joining Murphy and Benigni in Worst Actor are Adriano Giannini for SWEPT AWAY, Steven Seagal in HALF PAST DEAD and 1999 Worst Actor \ufffdWinner\ufffd Adam Sandler with two titles, ADAM SANDLER\ufffdS 8 CRAZY NIGHTS and his wretched remake of MR. DEEDS. Alongside Britney and Madonna vying for Worst Actress will be former Oscar\ufffd darlings Angelina Jolie (LIFE OR SOMETHING LIKE IT) and Winona Ryder (MR. DEEDS) as well as RAZZIE Repeat Offender Jennifer Lopez (ENOUGH and MAID IN MANHATTAN). Lopez was also a Worst Actress nominee with 2 ti les last year, but lost out to Mariah Carey in GLITTER. Madonna, with 4 previous Worst Actress \ufffdwins\ufffd and 4 nominations this year alone, plus a Worst Actress of the Century award, is now the undisputed Female RAZZIE Champion. Other familiar names listed among contenders for Tinsel Town\ufffds Tackiest Trophy include former Female RAZZIE Champion Bo Derek (MASTER OF DISGUISE) 2001\ufffds biggest RAZZIE \ufffdwinner\ufffd Tom Green (STEALING HARVARD) and Oscar\ufffd winners Robin Williams (DEATH TO SMOOCHY) and Christopher Walken (THE COUNTRY BEARS). A complete list of nominations is included with this press release. The 2003 RAZZIE ceremony will commence with a glitzy Opening Number (\ufffdAll That RAZZ!\ufffd a parody of guess-what-tune from likely Oscar\ufffd contender CHICAGO) and then rip-and-tear its way through some 11 categories in under an hour. Among this year\ufffds categories are such long-term RAZZIE traditions as Worst Screen Couple and Worst Remake or Sequel and a brand new one, Most Flatulent Teen-Targeted Movie, designed to dis-honor the often moronic movies Hollywood is forever aiming at the acne-and-braces set. Nominees were determined by mailing ballots to 537 Golden Raspberry Award Foundation members throughout 38 U.S. states and a dozen foreign countries. The award itself is a handcrafted golf-ball-sized raspberry atop a mangled reel of Super 8 film, spray-painted gold. It has an estimated street value of $4.89. 23rd Annual RAZZIE Award\ufffd Nominations KEY: (*) Indicates Former Oscar\ufffd Winner or Nominee (#) Indicates Former RAZZIE\ufffd Winner or Nominee Worst Picture THE ADVENTURES of PLUTO NASH (Warner Bros.) CROSSROADS (Paramount) Roberto Benigni\ufffds PINOCCHIO (Miramax) STAR WARS: EPISODE II: ATTACK OF THE CLONES (Fox/Lucasfilm) SWEPT AWAY (Screen Gems) Worst Actor Roberto Benigni (Dubbed GODZILLA-Style by Breckin Meyer) PINOCCHIO*# Adriano Giannini/SWEPT AWAY Eddie Murphy/ADVENTURES of PLUTO NASH, I SPY and SHOWTIME# Steven Segal/HALF PAST DEAD# Adam Sandler/ADAM SANDLER\ufffdS 8 CRAZY NIGHTS and MR. DEEDS# Worst Actress Angelina Jolie/LIFE, OR SOMETHING LIKE IT*# Jennifer Lopez/ENOUGH and MAID IN MANHATTAN# Madonna/SWEPT AWAY# Winona Ryder/MR. DEEDS* Britney Spears/CROSSROADS WORST Supporting Actor Hayden Christensen/STAR WARS/EPISODE II: YADA-YADA-YODA Tom Green/STEALING HARVARD# Freddie Prinze, Jr./SCOOBY DOO Christopher Walken/THE COUNTRY BEARS* Robin Williams/DEATH TO SMOOCHY* WORST Supporting Actress Lara Flynn Boyle/MEN IN BLACK II Bo Derek/MASTER OF DISGUISE# Madonna/DIE ANOTHER DAY# Natalie Portman/STAR WARS: EPISODE\ufffdWHO CARES?# Rebecca Ramijn-Stamos/ROLLERBALL MOST FLATULENT TEEN-TARGETED MOVIE (New Category!) ADAM SANDLER\ufffdS 8 CRAZY NIGHTS (Sony/Columbia) CROSSROADS (Paramount) JACKASS: THE MOVIE (Paramount) SCOOBY DOO (Warner Bros.) XXX (Sony/Revolution) Worst Screen Couple Adriano Giannini & Madonna#/SWEPT AWAY Roberto Benigni* & Nicoletta Braschi/Benigni\ufffds PINOCCHIO Hayden Christensen & Natalie Portman# STAR WARS/EPISODE II: SEND IN THE CLONES Eddie Murphy# & EITHER Robert deNiro# (SHOWTIME) Owen Wilson (I SPY) or Himself Cloned (THE ADVENTURES OF PLUTO NASH) Britney Spears & Whatever-His-Name-Was/CROSSROADS Worst Director Roberto Benigni/PINOCCHIO* Tamra Davis/CROSSROADS George Lucas/STAR WARS/EPISODE II: ATTACK OF THE GROANS * Guy Ritchie/"}, {"response": 1005, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (09:48)", "body": "The Moment of Truth for Academy, Actors (Variety) - For the film biz, Tuesday is the second biggest day of the year. At 5:38 a.m. PST, the kudos season shifts into Phase Two as Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences president Frank Pierson and Marisa Tomei (news) will announce nominees for the 75th Oscars. Hanging on their every word while sitting in the audience will be 500 individuals, including studio workers, Oscar campaigners and reps from 200 media outlets. All three network morning shows, CNN, E! and the BBC will air live coverage of announcements of 10 categories (picture, director, script, foreign-language film, etc.). Immediately after the announcements, Academy staffers hand out press kits with the complete lists, and campaigning begins again as studios and contenders map out plans for the next five weeks. HISTORICAL REFERENCE The idea of turning the nominations into a live TV event goes back to 1955. After getting huge ratings for the first two televised Oscar shows, NBC figured the nominations announcement could garner big numbers as well, so it was done as a primetime show. A few eager (and sometimes tipsy) nominees gathered at nightclubs around town to hear Louella Parsons and others read their names. But after two years, this short-lived ritual was dropped. Nearly 30 years later in 1987, the Academy revived the live announcement gambit by convincing all three networks to broadcast it on their East Coast-based morning shows. Everyone will gather at the Academy's lobby, to be admitted to the Samuel Goldwyn Theater upstairs about 40 minutes before the announcements. The hour is painful for those attending, but Academy publicity coordinator Leslie Unger points out that the Academy serves a buffet breakfast in its lobby to ease the pain. There is also an open bar -- and a surprising number of people take advantage of it. (Well, you know what the press is like.) According to Unger, more than 100 requests for credentials were turned down this year. \"Interest in attending and covering in person has continued to grow each year, but unfortunately our theater hasn't,\" she said. Unger adds that security procedures since Sept. 11 have been heightened as well, with background checks and photos for everyone approved for a credential. In November, the Academy sent out applications for press credentials to cover the announcements and started gathering publicity materials on potential contenders from the studios. LIKE A FORTRESS At about 9 p.m. Monday night, two dozen staffers, including Academy executives Bruce Davis, Ric Robertson and John Pavlik, will go into lockdown on the building's upper floors. Accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers will bring its typed-up results and Academy staffers will make 1,200 copies, to be included in press kits that will also contain comments about the nominees. \"Everyone who is in the building at 9 p.m. cannot leave,\" said Unger. \"All of our telephones are shut off, fax line modems are disabled, and people are requested not to bring cell phones into the facility. We take it very seriously.\" A few crews are allowed in the theater on Monday, but most crews wait until 12:30 a.m. Tuesday. They can work until 3:30 a.m., when the theater is locked down and Pierson and Tomei will rehearse, coordinating their readings with the slides that will pop up behind them. After the announcements, the real chaos starts, as everyone tries to hook up the media with the nominees. \"Everyone needs to know where their (nominees) are, to get them maximum exposure,\" said Michele Robertson, a marketing and PR campaign consultant for Focus Features, among others. \"Getting reaction out there is just the first part of the process of being nominated and it's important, especially in a competitive year like this.\" Want Richard Gere, Renee Zellweger or Rob Marshall? They're in Paris. Nicolas Cage and Michael Caine? London. Meryl Streep and Martin Scorsese? Ready to make statements in New York. Julianne Moore, Adrien Brody, Kathy Bates? Los Angeles. As one \"ET\" producer puts it, \"Anybody willing to show their gratitude to the Academy will certainly find a place to do it on our show.\""}, {"response": 1006, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (10:04)", "body": "In the Who Cares Dept. Matthew Perry(Friends) and Hank Azaria (voices on The Simpsons) will join Minnie Driver in the David Mamet play \"Sexual Perversity in Chicago\"on the West End in May ."}, {"response": 1007, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (10:28)", "body": "(article)RAZZIE Voters \ufffdSWEPT AWAY\ufffd by Madonna, Murphy, Britney, Benigni \ufffd And \ufffdSTAR WARS\ufffd When I first saw the names Murphy,Britney together, I must have read it too fast and thought the article included Britney Murphy too. Am so glad it didn't - I really like her and think she's a very versatile actress. Still haven't seen 'Just Married.' Anyone have a review? It's still playing here so it can't be too bad. I know, I know, it's another teen flick. I can't believe she's the same actress from 'Clueless' who played Cher's friend, Tai. That's what I mean by versatility."}, {"response": 1008, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (12:05)", "body": "Thank you for the two very interesting articles Karen. Can't agree more with the Razzie's. How funny. Love it. And will ofcourse be tuned in tomorrow a m for live Oscar noms. This is great fun."}, {"response": 1009, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 2003 (14:46)", "body": "Can't agree more with the Razzie's But, but...I liked J. Lo in MIM:-)) She's also laughing all the way to the bank"}, {"response": 1010, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (07:51)", "body": "Oscar Noms just read off Best Supporting Actress Kathy Bates, About Schmidt Julianne Moore, The Hours Queen Latifah, Chicago Meryl Streep, Adaptation Catherine Zeta-Jones, Chicago Best Supporting Actor Chris Cooper, Adaptation Ed Harris, The Hours Paul Newman, Road to Perdition John C Reilly, Chicago Christopher Walken, Catch Me if You Can Best Actress Salma Hayak, Frida Nicole Kidman, The Hours Diane Lane, Unfaithful Julianne Moore, Far From Heaven Renee Zellweger, Chicago Best Actor Adrian Brody, The Pianist Nicolas Cage, Adapation Michael Caine, The Quiet American Daniel Day-Lewis, Gangs of New York Jack Nicolson, About Schmidt Best Director Rob Marshall, Chicago Martin Scorcese, Gangs of New York Steven Daldry, The Hours Roman Polanski, The Pianist Pedro Almodovar, Talk to Her Best Original Screenplay Far From Heaven Gangs of New York My Big Fat Greek Wedding Talk to Her Y Tu Mama Tambien Best Adapted Screenplay About a Boy Adaptation Chicago The Hours The Pianist Best Picture Chicago Gangs of New York The Hours Lord of the Rings-The Twin Towers The Pianist"}, {"response": 1011, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (08:15)", "body": "Lord of the Rings-The Twin Towers Oh dear! Highly predictable and very competitive. Thanks, Karen!"}, {"response": 1012, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (08:22)", "body": "But it was shut out of acting (naturally) and Peter Jackson was passed over. Good, v.g. ;-) Meryl Streep is the omission in Best Actress. Guess that studio snafu is responsible. As I recall, when it was announced, that was the day Oscar ballots were due in, so the publicity news wouldn't have impacted it, as they were already sent it."}, {"response": 1013, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (08:50)", "body": "I think I heard that Harvey has 38 nominations for his four films. When you see the full listing, there is such complete domination by the same films. Best Cinematography (*hee hee hee* another LOTR shutout, as it should be!) Chicago - Dion Beebe Far from Heaven - Edward Lachman Gangs of New York - Michael Ballhaus The Pianist - Pawel Edelman Road to Perdition - Conrad L. Hall Best Art Direction-Set Decoration Chicago Frida Gangs of New York The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Road to Perdition Best Costume Design Chicago Frida Gangs of New York The Hours The Pianist Best Editing Chicago Gangs of New York The Hours Lord of the Rings The Pianist Best Sound Chicago Gangs of New York The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Road to Perdition Spider-Man Best Music, Original Score Catch Me If You Can - John Williams Far from Heaven - Elmer Bernstein Frida - Elliot Goldenthal The Hours - Philip Glass Road to Perdition - Thomas Newman Best Music, Song Chicago - Fred Ebb, John Kander (For the song \"I Move On\".) 8 Mile - Eminem, Jeff Bass, Luis Resto (For the song \"Lose Yourself\".) Frida - Julie Taymor, Elliot Goldenthal (For the song \"Burn It Blue\".) Gangs of New York - Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton (I), Larry Mullen Jr. (For the song \"The Hands That Built America\".) The Wild Thornberrys Movie - Paul Simon (I) (For the song \"Father and Daughter\".) Best Makeup Frida The Time Machine Best Effects, Sound Effects Editing The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Minority Report Road to Perdition Best Effects, Visual Effects The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Spider-Man Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones Best Documentary: Feature Bowling for Columbine Daughter From Danang Prisoner of Paradise Spellbound Le Peuple migrateur Best Foreign Language Film Ying xiong (China) Mies vailla menneisyytt\ufffd (Finland) Nirgendwo in Afrika (Germany) El Crimen del padre Amaro (Mexico) Zus & zo (Netherlands)"}, {"response": 1014, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (09:07)", "body": "Renee Zellweger, Chicago Ka-ching! Best Foreign Language Film Zus & zo (Netherlands) I just saw this 2 weeks ago. It was cute, but Oscar? Best Supporting Actor *extrememly* competitive. Nicolas Cage, Adapation V. glad to see this. Thought he was great. Chicago - Fred Ebb, John Kander (For the song \"I Move On\".) By far the best IMO of the 5. At least my favorite. Meryl Streep is the omission in Best Actress. I think she has a much better shot in Supporting Actress category. Esp in that field. Thanks, Karen."}, {"response": 1015, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (09:32)", "body": "I'm surprised Frida received so many nominations. It has done poorly at the BO.And no one gave it a WOW review.Most just complimented Salma on her efforts to get it made. First hispanic actress , though to receive Best Actress nom. With 38 nominations Harvey must be dancing up and down Soho. Wha'happened to Richard Gere? He got lost in the Chicago hoop-la. I thought he held that film together."}, {"response": 1016, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (09:49)", "body": "I wasn't all that thrilled about Frida either; most are commenting about Alfred Molina being overlooked. Wha'happened to Richard Gere? There are always too many potential nominees for this category. Something's got to give. But I'm sure he's taking it in his Zen... ;-)"}, {"response": 1017, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (10:15)", "body": "First hispanic actress , though to receive Best Actress nom. Rita (?) in West Side Story? Meryl Streep is the omission in Best Actress. (Dorine), I think she has a much better shot in Supporting Actress category. Esp in that field. If that's the case it's too bad for CZJ, who should win. Meryl should have been in the Best Actress category. I hope Nicole Kidman gets it over RZ. But it looks vvg for Renee. Needles to say, The Pianist is my choice for Best Picture, Actor, Director. But how likely is that?"}, {"response": 1018, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (10:32)", "body": "(Moon)Needles to say, The Pianist is my choice for Best Picture, Actor, Director. But how likely is that? Ditto. And Zero."}, {"response": 1019, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (10:47)", "body": "LOL! Hey, when the director can't even set one toe into the country...not likely. ;-) (Dorine), I think she has a much better shot in Supporting Actress category. Esp in that field. I'm not big on that rationale. I prefer to put them where they belong. The ridiculous placement of all The Hours actresses is...er...ridiculous IMO. Their parts were completely balanced in terms of screen time. But they've certainly made it possible for Nicole to take it this year."}, {"response": 1020, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (11:46)", "body": "*yippee* *yippee* I can't remember who I told about these films but I just read this. You must see these, they're amazingly good. From IndieWire: \"Trilogie\" Nabbed for U.S. Release by Magnolia Magnolia Pictures' Eamonn Bowles is the latest dealmaker to broker a pact in Europe. The American distributor and exhibitor closed a deal on Monday for Lucas Belvaux's French/Belgian \"La Trilogie,\" a trio of new feature films from the actor turned director. The films hit Bowles' radar in Toronto, achieved greater attention in Rotterdam this year and Bowles sealed the pact here in Berlin. In a conversation with indieWIRE, at Monday night's crowded European Film Market party in the Berlinale Palast, Bowles discussed the acquisition. The films in Belvaux's \"Trilogie,\" each with a different story but all set in Grenoble, France, uses primarily the same cast while highlighting different characters in each film. In the first feature, \"Un Couple Epatant\" (\"An Amazing Couple\"), a marriage is \"put under pressure by the strange behaviour of the hypochondriacal husband.\" The comedy is followed by \"Cavale\" (\"On the Run\"), a film noir about \"an extreme-left-wing terrorist who escapes from prison and proves that dinosaurs can still cause a lot of damage.\" It stars the director, Belvaux. Finally in \"Apres La Vie\" (), the film offers a \"cross-section of modern life in Grenoble,\" including \"a loving cop (who) has for years been scoring morphine for his addicted wife.\" In a unique plan, Bowles indicated that Magnolia will open the trilogy in the United States in July. Each installment will open two weeks after the previous one. Bowles added that he will look to the success that the three films had in their French release when he is mapping out a strategy for bringing the films to theaters this Summer. ~~~~~~~~~~ I think the article got the order of the films wrong. They should be seen as follows: \"Cavale\" (\"On the Run\"), break the drama with the comedy \"Un Couple Epatant\" (\"An Amazing Couple\") and then the dramatic \"Apres La Vie\" (\"Afterlife\")."}, {"response": 1021, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (12:32)", "body": "Will put it on my list, Karen. I loved the \"Blue\", \"White\" and \"Red\" trilogy. I've seen two very good films lately which I recommend: Costa-Gavras latest \"Amen\" and \"\ufffdtre et Avoir\" an amazing French documentary. Both released in late 2002."}, {"response": 1022, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (12:56)", "body": "Will put it on my list, Karen. I loved the \"Blue\", \"White\" and \"Red\" trilogy. ] Oh they are the BEST... I try to talk EVERYONE into watching them. I'd be interested in seeing Decalogue."}, {"response": 1023, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (13:22)", "body": "A \"heads up\" for fans of The Three Colors trilogy: goodies-packed DVDs of all three films with commentary tracks, featurettes, a bonus short film, etc. are to be released on March 4th, according to Netflix. Think I'll have to give them a whirl; I couldn't find the films you mentioned, Karen :("}, {"response": 1024, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 2003 (16:27)", "body": "Thanks for all the information and noms Karen. JM receiving double nomination is interesting. To those in the know does that mean the Academy members want her to receive at least one? Personal choice RZ and Chicago, I think she's got a good chance. Was glad to see Sir Michael's nom too."}, {"response": 1025, "author": "Odile", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (02:29)", "body": "Just wanted to share... I had dinner with a lady involved in the making of The Fast Runner (Atanarjuat) tonight. It was interesting to hear about her life in the Inuit village where she spent ten years and that in the end despite the big success in the art house circuit the producers never got all of their money back. The distributors are the ones who profited from it. :( She came to Alaska to present a documentary about village life impacted by wannabe-helpful government bringing prefab houses to the Inuits to replace their traditional abode. (anyway like I said, I just wanted to share since I'm always so jealous ;) of all the reports from coastal drooleuses and their brushes with the cinema crowd (right Dorine? :) ) BTW this was very informal: 4 French-speaking folks in a Thai restaurant for 3 hours; we showed each other kids' pictures and such...)"}, {"response": 1026, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (09:34)", "body": "Shakespeare's Globe Spinning to America By Robert Hofler (Variety) - It only took a few hundred years. Shakespeare's Globe Theater leaves London to make its American debut this fall in a two-month tour of the United States. Under the auspices of 2Luck Concepts, the theater company will bring its much-acclaimed all-male version of \"Twelfth Night\" to at least six U.S. cities, kicking off in late October at UCLA's Freud Theater. Under the direction of Mark Rylance, who also plays Olivia, the gender-bending staging of the Bard's romantic comedy opened last year at London's Middle Temple Hall, the venue of the play's first recorded staging in 1602. In keeping with the Globe's authentic presentation of Shakespeare, 2Luck Concepts is looking for American venues that can replicate the footprint of Middle Temple Hall with its extended thrust stage. At present, the Freud is the only traditional theater booked to present the production. \"But the auditorium is not being used,\" said John Luckacovic, director of 2Luck with his wife, Eleanor Oldham. \"The audience fits on risers on the stage of the Freud.\" Duplicating the design of Middle Temple Hall limits seating to between 300 and 500. Chicago's Shakespeare Theater will present the production at Navy Pier. [Ed note: But that's where the company resides, at a fabulous Globe Theater replica.] A ballroom will be used on the campus of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. And the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis is currently looking at everything from high school gymnasiums to a cave on the bank of the Mississippi River. Other cities on the tour include Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Despite a rave review from Ben Brantley in the New York Times, the Globe's production of \"Twelfth Night\" is not currently booked for Gotham. Open weeks in the tour are early October and mid-December, not the ideal time for optimum box office. \"In many ways, we're not in the commercial world but rather the performing arts-center world, with venues that are more attuned to risky undertakings,\" Luckacovic said. \"We are producing the tour, but finding the venues that will pay for it.\" The tour of the 33-member company is capitalized at around $140,000 a week. Shakespeare's Globe Theater, a replica of the original Globe, was the vision of American actor-producer Sam Wanamaker, who died in 1993. The company and its new venue opened four years later, and has toured Germany and Japan."}, {"response": 1027, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (09:54)", "body": "Studios want their prints all over additional screens Feb. 12, 2003 By Nicole Sperling With the Academy delivering few surprises in the Oscar nominations, most distributors are sticking to their existing release patterns for nominated films. Those few surprises are seeing studios scramble to get prints added across the country, joining an already congested marketplace. Miramax's big winner, \"Chicago,\" with 13 nominations, had structured its entire release strategy around Tuesday's Oscar nominations, opening small on 500 screens and pushing back its expansion until last weekend. The strategy seems to have paid off, with the film grossing $64 million. The New York-based operation intends to expand \"Chicago\" onto 300-400 more screens, hoping to surpass the 2,000-screen mark this weekend. But Miramax has quite a bit of juggling on its hands. After dropping about 500 screens in the past week for its \"Gangs of New York,\" the company is now gunning to get the Martin Scorsese-helmed picture -- which garnered 10 nominations, including best picture -- onto a substantial number of additional screens during the next few weeks. The film, which has been in theaters since Christmas and has generated more than $70 million in revenue, may be a more challenging sell considering that its latest weekend per-theater average had dropped below the $1,500 mark. In addition, the company is expanding \"The Quiet American,\" which received a best actor nom for Michael Caine, onto an additional 80-100 screens this weekend, targeting primarily the New York and Los Angeles markets. The film has take in $1.3 million in boxoffice receipts in its very limited 44-screen run. Miramax is also looking to expand \"Frida,\" based on Salma Hayek's nom for best actress, but considering the film has played through most of its markets -- generating an impressive $23 million -- the company has not yet nailed down exact locations. \"The Hours,\" which received nine nominations, including best picture, will get a sizable jump at the boxoffice this weekend, with Paramount expecting to send it onto 450 additional screens for a total screen count of about 1,000. The film, which also received noms for Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore and Ed Harris, could add a couple million dollars more to its current gross of $22 million. Focus Features' \"The Pianist,\" which earned seven nominations for the Roman Polanski-directed Holocaust story, may receive one of the most sizable gains from the added Oscar publicity. Running on only 300 screens for the past six weeks, the film has generated $9 million for a per-theater average of $3,000. According to Focus distribution president Jack Foley, the film will expand to 500 screens across the country. Targeting the over-35 male and female audience, \"Pianist\" has faced significant competition from \"Adaptation,\" \"About Schmidt,\" \"The Hours\" and, to a lesser degree, \"Gangs of New York.\" Foley is hoping that by keeping the film small he'll be able to capitalize on the nominations -- including best picture, best director and best actor -- to the greatest degree. \"We've kept the film fresh, recognizing that the film was holding to a certain demographic,\" he said. \"We've been very careful about nurturing it so the picture would be around for this very moment, rather then playing out quickly.\" The other best picture nominee, \"The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers,\" is unlikely to receive much of a boost considering that the film has already earned a phenomenal $320 million since its December release. It will get the requisite hike because of the added buzz, but it might be tough to find additional audiences beyond hard-core fans."}, {"response": 1028, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (10:54)", "body": "(Odile)(anyway like I said, I just wanted to share since I'm always so jealous ;) of all the reports from coastal drooleuses and their brushes with the cinema crowd (right Dorine? :) ) BTW this was very informal: 4 French-speaking folks in a Thai restaurant for 3 hours; we showed each other kids' pictures and such...) Seems like it was a wonderful evening. And how nice to be interested in each other's children. Not many brushes with the cinema crowd would get that personalized attention. Good for you. Thanks for report Karen."}, {"response": 1029, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (11:53)", "body": "Sounds like you had a good time, Odile. Congrats."}, {"response": 1030, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (12:30)", "body": "FYI... The Orange British Academy Film Awards will be shown on BBC America at 1.00pm Pacific Time on Sunday 23 February 2003."}, {"response": 1031, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (13:11)", "body": "Thanks, linda! Here is a very insightful interview with George Clooney. He is obsessive! Recommended reading: http://www.observer.co.uk/life/story/0,6903,636209,00.html"}, {"response": 1032, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (13:27)", "body": "A word about Lucas Belvaux's \"La Trilogie\" and how it is not like KK's Decalogue, IMO, which makes it even more remarkable. Each of the movies is set around the *same* group of characters. The stories all intersect. You see the same scene in different movies but from another POV and it will go off into that character's life. He filmed the movies all at the same time and took the footage to make three separate films, representing three different genres. The director himself plays a major character in the first film because the original actor dropped out at the last minute. He doesn't really appear though in the other two films."}, {"response": 1033, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (13:29)", "body": "One more thing. I don't recommend it for Evelyn, as there is a druggie in it. ;-)"}, {"response": 1034, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (14:25)", "body": "LOL, Karen! Will wait for it to make it to the Tropics. ;-)"}, {"response": 1035, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (15:33)", "body": "(Karen) One more thing. I don't recommend it for Evelyn, as there is a druggie in it. ;-) But does he puke in the toilet;-)"}, {"response": 1036, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (15:37)", "body": "\"She\" does a lot of horrible, disgusting things."}, {"response": 1037, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (15:53)", "body": "(Karen) \"She\" does a lot of horrible, disgusting things. Thanks for saving me ten bucks;-)"}, {"response": 1038, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (16:59)", "body": "Thanks for the GC interview, Moon! V.v. funny and insightful."}, {"response": 1039, "author": "freddie", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (17:27)", "body": "Ditto, Moon, the interview was a very good read."}, {"response": 1040, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 2003 (17:45)", "body": "Ditto, ditto Moon (or whichever way you can repeat the last to postings;-))"}, {"response": 1041, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb 13, 2003 (07:36)", "body": "(Evelyn) Thanks for saving me ten bucks;-) First of all he didn't 'puke', he used a suppository;) And that movie does sound fantastic (no, not Trainspotting, already saw that!!!!); Karen is this something that is out now, older, on video/dvd, etc...???"}, {"response": 1042, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 13, 2003 (08:17)", "body": "The article said they won't open until this summer. I saw somewhere else that it will screen at the Tribeca FF, so any NYers might want to catch it there and not have to wait two weeks between films."}, {"response": 1043, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb 13, 2003 (14:28)", "body": "I know this isn't place to post this, but seeing that it has to do with Hollywood and actors and Iraq and that stupid Bing guy;) Sean Penn is suing Stephen Bing over breach of contract. Bing is the guy who impregnated Liz Hurley, nonetheless, Penn is accusing the sometime producer of reneging on contract because of his position on Iraq and why we shouldn't be there, going, whatever. Well now Spike Lee has gotten into the act (no pun intended) by telling people at the Berlinale that our government should be more like their government (pretty funny when you think of it) meaning more unified and that Germany, France and Belgium should be applauded for standing up against the big bad americans, blah blah blah. Now, when Hollywood and Politics coincide (Reagan, anyone?) things become a disaster, because who exactly is running the country? Well Congress (thank you to some stupid Boston lawyer) has just filed an injunction to stop Bush from declaring war because the constitution states that only congress can eclare war. Martin Sheen (who is NOT a president, just plays one very well on tv), Martin Scorsese (who will never get a golden nekkid guy now), and some other yahoos have come together disagreeing with our president, but doesn't want to sound anti-american. So this all begs the question??? Should I rent Possession???? :)"}, {"response": 1044, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb 13, 2003 (14:56)", "body": "Hell, yes! I'm going for Igby Goes Down. LOL, Laura."}, {"response": 1045, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb 13, 2003 (15:17)", "body": "I don't even want to know what Igby Goes Down on;) I thought I was pretty funny:) (the whole Stephen Bing thing just drives me crazy because he's a pretty big loser, and why would Sean Penn want ANYTHING to do with him???) Well tonight it's MBFGW; tomorrow is some movie from netflix, and possibly, I'll rent Possession (yeah, when hell freezes over, or we really do bomb Iraq and stop talking about it!)."}, {"response": 1046, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Feb 13, 2003 (17:27)", "body": "(Laura) ...possibly, I'll rent Possession (yeah, when hell freezes over, or we really do bomb Iraq and stop talking about it!). OK, hell isn't about to freeze over (that I know of) but we're promised an ice storm here for tomorrow and I rented it. I did not get to see it in the theater. I'm looking forward to the director's commentary! ;-)"}, {"response": 1047, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Feb 13, 2003 (21:11)", "body": "LOL. I'm going for Possession, Greek Wedding and Sweethome Alabama. We're due heavy snow all weekend. Happy Valentines Day everyone."}, {"response": 1048, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb 13, 2003 (22:15)", "body": "Not too many surprises on the Oscar noms. I find it bizarre, though, that the only Best Actress nom for the Hours is NK's, who has the least amount of screen time. (Someone has counted it up--MS had over 40, JM had about 35 and NK about 30). I also found her story the least compelling, but \"pretty girl has the guts to look like Jimmy Durante\" wins out, I guess. MS got screwed. JM should be in the Best Category for Hours, but is being shortchanged for being too good this year, in two films. (Laura)So this all begs the question??? Should I rent Possession???? :) LOL, Laura! I have no problem with these people speaking their minds--if it's motivated by scruples and not the desire to curry some very easy favor with the Berlinale crowd. Time will tell--if they come home and say the same things to the hometown crowd, then it's scruples. Courage is staking out an unpopular position in the face of strong opposition, not pandering to the crowd."}, {"response": 1049, "author": "Leah", "date": "Thu, Feb 13, 2003 (23:39)", "body": "Ooh Karen, thanks for the Valentines from Mark Darcy. He just made my day."}, {"response": 1050, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (07:57)", "body": "Courage is staking out an unpopular position in the face of strong opposition, not pandering to the crowd. ] Mari, I TOTALLY think they were pandering to the crowd. Scorsese and Hoffman, both said (and at black tie events, no less!); that we should be proud of Germany, France and Belgium for not falling into line with Bush and Blair. Of course they're pandering to the audience! And just so you know, I'm not pro-bomb Iraq. To me it seems like this cowboy of a president has some vendetta against him. (possibly because the psychic reminded him that every president who has been elected with the last number being 0 has ALWAYS been assassinated, but of course, that's just bullwash;) I prefer to keep Hollywood out of politics (c'mon how many people REALLY voted for Gopher, from the Love Boat???). I guess what I'm trying to say.... Why do these people feel the need to congratulate Germany, France and Belgium??? but yet, say they don't want it to come across as an anti-American sentiment (while in Germany????)? Rosario Dawson summed it up pretty well. It's scary out here now. It's either you're with the President or your not, and for some people who are gung ho about going after Hussein (the Saddam one); I hope they don't create havoc with the people who demonstrate against going to war. I'm tired of rhetoric; they found something, but then it's within the UN guidelines. C'mon, the reason why people treat the US as the supercop is because when they have no food, medical or war equiptment, they come to us. I would say they're is a higher anti-Bush sentiment right now. And now Blair is being called on the carpet for pandering to him! (it's a vicious cycle, honestly)"}, {"response": 1051, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (08:19)", "body": "Word of the Day for Friday February 14, 2003 osculation \\os-kyuh-LAY-shuhn\\, noun: The act of kissing; also: a kiss. He had engaged in nervous osculation with all three of Lord Flamborough's daughters. --Thomas Sutcliffe, \"The art of seduction, the skill of the tackle,\" [1]Independent, June 13, 1994 Osculation comes from osculatio, \"a kissing,\" from osculari, \"to kiss,\" from osculum, \"a little mouth, a kiss,\" diminutive of os, \"mouth.\" Happy Valentines Day!!"}, {"response": 1052, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (08:23)", "body": "Dang!! Well, insert MD osculating BJ here..."}, {"response": 1053, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (08:57)", "body": "MD, the obscure art of osculating. Buon San Valentino!"}, {"response": 1054, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (09:03)", "body": "(Laura) I don't even want to know what Igby Goes Down on;) LOL! No, no, don't be afraid; it's a good movie about a teenager (Kieren Culkin, who did a great job, btw) with an extremely dysfunctional family (Susan Sarandon, Bill Pulman, Jeff Goldblum, Ryan Phillipe); Claire Danes (sp?) also has a supporting role. I was a bit apprehensive because of the title, but it was good. Grrr, MBFGW just went on \"Long Wait\" status on Netflix, which means if I wait for them I *might* see it in the next 6 months. Oh, well; 8 Women shipped yesterday, so I am pretty happy."}, {"response": 1055, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (09:22)", "body": "Oh, well; 8 Women shipped yesterday, so I am pretty happy. Why? Is worst movie I saw last year. Practically had to superglue my butt to the seat to stay there. I really wanted to walk out and I've only done it once before ever."}, {"response": 1056, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (09:29)", "body": "My friend bought MBFGW, which I didn't watch because my PMSing daughter was tired (can you believe that middle school has MONO going around???); so we watched (and don't you dare laugh!) freakin' Joe Millionaire and High School Reunion. Why, oh why are these 'reality' shows so popular??? Evan Marriott is a complete idiot (he couldn't spell cereal on Howard Stern or temperature); and my fave is they bill him as a $19,000/yr construction worker, yet he modeled underwear. And I believe they pay you pretty damn well to do that? (and will someone tame those curls! geez, louise!) Something MUST be going on with me, because I'm just in a foul mood lately. My boss is trying to increase sales (I work in investments); so I told him for every $100,000 fixed annuity sold we give away free duct tape and plastic window coverings... he didn't freakin' get it???? stupid git!"}, {"response": 1057, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (10:53)", "body": "Apropos of Valentine's day;-D Cartoon in today's Houston Chronicle: Bouquet of Red Roses.. .....\"To France and Germany\"... .....\"Love, Saddam\""}, {"response": 1058, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (11:02)", "body": "As I said before on 165, Drool is not the place to discuss politics and world affairs and Hollywood stars' comments about same. Please take it the News conference, where there are many topics from which to choose. I will *delete* any further postings. http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/news/all/new"}, {"response": 1059, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 2003 (11:35)", "body": "Oh, Karen, don't ruin my ranting... ;) Why can't I drool over stupid hollywood stars and their thoughts???? ;) If Colin Firth had anything to say on the subject???? ;)"}, {"response": 1060, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (10:10)", "body": "From today's NY Times: February 15, 2003 The Virginia Woolf of 'The Hours' Angers the Real One's Fans By PATRICIA COHEN THE imitation of Virginia Woolf's writing was presumptuous. The obsession with her suicide irritating. The absence of her politics vexing. And the Nose? Don't get them started on the Nose. \"Ugh,\" huffed Jane Marcus, an English professor at the City University of New York Graduate Center and the author of three volumes of essays on Woolf. \"Imagine the great brilliance of Virginia Woolf to be turned into this absolutely maimed fool with a really ugly nose.\" One source of this travesty in Professor Marcus's view is Michael Cunningham, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of \"The Hours,\" a reimagining of Woolf's \"Mrs. Dalloway.\" And the Nose is the elongated prosthetic attachment that adorns Nicole Kidman's face in the acclaimed movie version in which she portrays the Queen of Bloomsbury. This week the movie and Ms. Kidman were nominated for Oscars, ginning up even more publicity for a book and film that have helped turn Woolf into this season's It girl. Buyers are snapping up \"Mrs. Dalloway,\" as book groups and college professors do a tag-team reading of it and \"The Hours\" (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1998). \"Mrs. Dalloway\" is the No. 1 paperback on Amazon's sales list, the first time the 78-year-old book has ever been a best seller. Woolf aficionados are certainly grateful for all the attention and sales. Still, at conferences, over dinner and through Virginia Woolf e-mail lists, many Woolfians are fuming, arguing that their idol has been turned into a pathetic, suicide-obsessed creature, her politics ignored, her personality distorted and even her kisses inaccurately portrayed. The Woolf that Professor Marcus knows and loves is funny, witty and clever, a committed feminist and pacifist, a productive writer and editor. In her view, Mr. Cunningham doesn't come close. \"It's a tiny, insignificant spinoff from a great book,\" she said. \"Neither Cunningham nor the filmmakers capture the multilevel quality\" of \"Mrs. Dalloway.\" \"Nobody likes it,\" she declared, referring to her colleagues' reception of \"The Hours\" in both its forms. In reality, that assessment is too harsh. Some like the book and hate the movie, others hate the book and like the movie. And a few love both. \"It's one of the great books of the 20th century,\" said Louise DeSalvo, whose own book, \"Virginia Woolf: The Impact of Childhood Sexual Abuse on Her Life and Work\" (Beacon Press, 1989), kicked up a storm among Woolf scholars, and is cited by Mr. Cunningham as a source in \"The Hours.\" \"And the movie was fabulous.\" But the passions engendered by the portrayal of their beloved Virginia in one, or the other, or both, are white hot. Artists have certainly always borrowed from the classics. Jane Rhys's \"Wide Sargasso Sea\" was a sequel to Charlotte Bront\ufffd's \"Jane Eyre\"; Amy Heckerling's movie \"Clueless\" was based on Jane Austen's \"Emma.\" And before everybody started borrowing from Shakespeare, he borrowed from Italian novellas. Cutting and pasting are staples of postmodern literature. Carping \ufffd and worse \ufffd are predictable. The Margaret Mitchell estate went so far as to sue the author of a sequel to \"Gone With the Wind,\" \"The Wind Done Gone,\" to try to prevent its publication. (The suit failed.) And it is no surprise that scholars are sensitive about outsiders trespassing on their turf. \"I have to defend my territory,\" concedes Vara Neverow, the president of the International Virginia Woolf Society, with a just-doing-my-job matter-of-factness. But to many of the Woolf faithful, there is a bigger problem. They argue that the book and movie play into long-held, insidious views of Woolf that they have spent their professional lives repudiating. For years the standard take on Woolf was as the invalid lady of Bloomsbury, a frail, snobbish madwoman. It was not until the 1970's and 80's that feminist scholars finally rescued her from being a pinched neurotic. Professor Neverow, who is also chairwoman of the English department at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, makes a point of saying she does not want to attack Michael Cunningham. \"Both the film and book are worthy creative efforts and deserve to stand on their own,\" she said, adding that she liked the movie even better the second time around. \"But at the point where they begin to seep into representing Woolf as helpless and an emotional vampire, my hackles go up.\" \"We fought hard to get her into a cultural perspective where she is respected, a remarkably productive novelist, publisher, critic, activist,\" Professor Neverow added. \"But that is now being undermined by the Cunningham book and movie and I'm very uneasy about that.\" Brenda R. Silver, an English professor at Dartmouth and the author of \"Virginia Woolf Icon\" (University of Chicago, 1999), also finds this latest presentation of Woolf troubling. \"There's a whole history of presenting Woolf as this neurotic, suicidal, bad-to-"}, {"response": 1061, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (10:46)", "body": "(Cunningham) \"I wonder what movie those people are seeing and what book they're reading,\" he said. \"To see it otherwise,\" he continued, \"is a sort of cranky and willful misviewing.\" Can't speak to the books, but I have to agree. I've seen the movie twice and didn't see anything in the movie's portrayal to support what they're criticizing. I thought she came off as a brilliant woman, not a \"maimed fool\" or \"invalid lady of Bloomsbury, a frail, snobbish madwoman,\" or \"pinched neurotic.\" Sheesh! Some criticisms were specific to the film. Moviegoers who see Ms. Kidman wading into the River Ouse at the film's beginning and end may have the impression that Woolf kills herself right after finishing \"Mrs. Dalloway,\" her first great novel, and not 16 years later There will always be stupid moviegoers. ;-)"}, {"response": 1062, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (11:21)", "body": "Evelyn, you're man did well.... From BBC Online Friday, 14 February, 2003, 15:46 GMT Mendes triumphs at Oliviers Director Sam Mendes has become the first ever triple winner at the Olivier Theatre Awards, saying his love for partner Kate Winslet inspired him. [Awww!] Mendes collected the best director and best revival awards at the prestigious ceremony for his swansong plays Twelfth Night and Chekhov's Uncle Vanya and received a third trophy to mark his 10 years at the Donmar theatre. But Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow was left disappointed after being pipped to the best actress award by Clare Higgins for Vincent in Brixton. [That evil eye is working all over the place on her. ;-)] Paltrow was nominated for her role in Mendes' production Proof for which she received critical praise. Click here to see the award winners in full Oscar-winning Mendes, 37, the partner of actress Kate Winslet, was given his awards in a surprise presentation in New York, where he is directing on Broadway [I didn't know Broadway snaked its way down and across the East River into Brooklyn] . He was sitting in the audience of a performance of Uncle Vanya with his actress partner Kate Winslet when he was told of his win [Bet they won't be at my matinees tomorrow and next month. :( ] . He said: \"I want to say thank you to my partner, Kate, because these are two plays about love and it helps when you direct them, to have some personal experience,\" he said after gaining his composure. Predecessor The best actress in a musical was won by Joanna Riding who stars as Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, building on the success of her predecessor last year. The show's Alex Jennings won the best male in a musical title. Lord Lloyd-Webber's lavish Bollywood show Bombay Dreams was beaten in the new best musical category by the Madness-inspired show Our House. Actor Simon Russell Beale was named best actor for Uncle Vanya but could not be at the ceremony because he was starring in Mendes' Broadway version of the play. But he thanked Mendes' for the \"privilege\" of working alongside him for 12 years. Vincent in Brixton, which has also transferred to New York, won the best new play, while Sir Trevor Nunn's Anything Goes was named outstanding musical production. Sir Trevor said: \"I'm really delighted - since this marks my penultimate production at the National Theatre, it gives me an opportunity to say I've had a wonderful time for the past few years running the National. \"It's an extraordinary collection of individuals who have somehow merged to become a coherent team - I'm very proud of them. This award will take morale to even higher levels.\" The awards are judged by stage experts and members of the theatre-going public. The 27th Oliviers - hosted by Clive Anderson at London's Lyceum Theatre, - will be televised by BBC Two on Saturday. Full list of winners: Outstanding musical production - Anything Goes (Olivier Theatre) Best costume design - Twelfth Night (Shakespeare's Globe) Best actor in a musical or entertainment - Alex Jennings (My Fair Lady, Theatre Royal Drury Lane) Best theatre choreographer - Matthew Bourne and company (Play Without Words, Lyttelton) Outstanding achievement in opera - Antonio Pappano (for opening season as music director of Royal Opera House) Best new opera production - Wozzeck (Royal Opera House) Best actress in a musical or entertainment - Joanna Riding (My Fair Lady, Theatre Royal Drury Lane) Best performance in a supporting role in a musical or entertainment - Paul Baker (Taboo, The Venue) Best entertainment - Play Without Words (Lyttelton Theatre) Best new comedy - The Lieutenant Of Inishmore (The Pit/ The Garrick) Outstanding achievement in dance - Robyn Orlin (Daddy, I've Seen This Piece Six Times And I Still Don't Know Why They're Hurting Each Other, The Pit) Best new dance production - Danses Concertantes' Polyphonia (Sadler's Wells) Outstanding achievement of the year - Gregory Doran and cast of Jacobean Season (Gielgud Theatre) Best director - Sam Mendes (Twelfth Night and Uncle Vanya, Donmar Warehouse) BBC award for best new play - Vincent In Brixton (Cottesloe and Wyndham's Theatre) Best lighting design - Bacchai (Olivier Theatre) Best performance in a supporting role - Essie Davis (A Streetcar Named Desire, Lyttelton Theatre) Best set design - A Streetcar Named Desire (Lyttelton Theatre) Best revival - Twelfth Night/Uncle Vanya (Donmar Warehouse) Most promising playwright - Charlotte Eilenberg (The Lucky Ones, Hampstead Theatre) Most promising performer - Noel Clarke (Where Do We Live, Jerwood Theatre Upstairs at the Royal Court) Best actress - Clare Higgins (Vincent In Brixton, Cottesloe/Wyndham's Theatre) Best actor - Simon Russell Beale (Uncle Vanya, Donmar Warehouse) Best new musical - Our House (Cambridge Theatre) Special award - Sam Mendes (for his 10 years as artistic director of the Donmar Warehouse)"}, {"response": 1063, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (11:42)", "body": "(Dorine) [I didn't know Broadway snaked its way down and across the East River into Brooklyn]. Wonder if they got it mixed up with his future project, which is a musical for Broadway, that is under way? Can't remember which one it is though. Movie recommendation: \"City of God\" from Brazil. An amazing piece of filmmaking. Huge thumbs up. (and yes, it is subtitled)"}, {"response": 1064, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (12:09)", "body": "\"through Virginia Woolf e-mail lists, many Woolfians are fuming, arguing that their idol has been turned into a pathetic, suicide-obsessed creature, her politics ignored, her personality distorted and even her kisses inaccurately portrayed.\" The whiners are always with us.... I read the book and thought the film was v. faithful.Loved both Shades of the Janeites in UK who complained ad nauseam about the sexual undercurrents between Lizzie and Darcy in P&P2. Get over it! a And in the \"Give 'em the Finger Department\" \"But Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow was left disappointed after being pipped to the best actress award by Clare Higgins for Vincent in Brixton. Bull. She was thrilled to be nominated. Oliviers are the most political awards around. Besides...she has the Oscar. Thanks Dorine. I am happy for Sam Mendes; who should have gotten an Oscar nod for \"Road to Perdition\"!!!! (Am I getting to sound like Laura?...but no caps, boss;-)"}, {"response": 1065, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (13:00)", "body": "(Evelyn) Shades of the Janeites in UK who complained ad nauseam about the sexual undercurrents between Lizzie and Darcy in P&P2. Wow, people actually *complain* about that? ;-) I am happy for Sam Mendes; who should have gotten an Oscar nod for \"Road to Perdition\"!!!! Finally saw it last week. It is beautifully done. (Karen) Movie recommendation: \"City of God\" from Brazil. An amazing piece of filmmaking. Huge thumbs up. (and yes, it is subtitled) You're right, it was amazing. Fascinating they used the residents as the actors and needed to ask permission from the local drug lord (who is in prison), so he could provide protection while filming. Didn't think I'd like it from the description. Funny how it was co-directed, but rarely hear about the woman director in articles, or at least little about her. She stopped by relatively briefly as a guest in our movie class on her way to the National Board of Review Awards dinner."}, {"response": 1066, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (14:50)", "body": "Best costume design - Twelfth Night (Shakespeare's Globe) I saw that one! Thanks, Dorine. Kate W was on Letterman last night, did anyone see it?"}, {"response": 1067, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (15:18)", "body": "(MoonD) Yes, I saw her on Letterman. Thought she was good, and really laughed about the airbrushing. She's got a good sense of humor and a good sense of self as well as Sam Mendes and baby. Very entertaining. Thanks for all the news everyone."}, {"response": 1068, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (17:35)", "body": "Saw WAGW trailer today with 10 days to Lose a Guy . (Another loser:-(( But wish Kate Hudson had kept the role of Griet.She has a big following ."}, {"response": 1069, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (18:20)", "body": "(Moon) Kate W was on Letterman last night, did anyone see it? Yes. She was great and Letterman was quite smitten (as he tends to be with all the young female guests). As Pam said, she joked quite a bit about the airbrushed GQ photos. She pointed out that in one of them you can see her reflection in the mirror, and it hasn't been digitally altered. She joked about her rear end in one of the pictures - \"I've never seen one that high!\" She also discussed American vs. British accents, at one point slipping back and forth between the two and saying, \"Now I'm just showing off!\""}, {"response": 1070, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 2003 (20:37)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1071, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 16, 2003 (07:55)", "body": "Please only post the relevant text from a webpage and please take a look at what you post after you post."}, {"response": 1072, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 16, 2003 (17:05)", "body": "Cool it George: From CNN: Entertainment \" TEMPER, GEORGE: At a press conference at the Berlin Film Festival for his film \"Solaris\" (which tanked in the U.S.), George Clooney , 41, didn't take a comment by one Turkish journalist lightly -- responding with what Reuters termed a stream of invective. In front of everybody, the journalist called the space movie \"boring.\" \"I find you fascinating,\" Clooney snapped back at the guy. \"You crack me up, man. You just wanted to get up and be a rat, you know that? You just wanted to get up and say something rotten. What a jerk! I mean honestly, you know, what a (expletive) thing to say!\" Clooney finished the fellow off by calling him \"a jerk.\""}, {"response": 1073, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Feb 16, 2003 (18:57)", "body": "Whoa. I can see why the \"boring\" remark got George hot under the collar, but still...."}, {"response": 1074, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Feb 16, 2003 (21:14)", "body": "V. Funny, Evelyn:) You know how I like to push the envelope (esp. where I personally know the boss:)) ;) Karen, you know that I mean no harm:)"}, {"response": 1075, "author": "caribou", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (00:29)", "body": "This under the category of: If Colin Firth is mentioned in my local paper, I feel obliged to report.:-) Leanne Potts writes musings on popular culture. Today\ufffds was \"British actor\ufffds art stunt is less than persuasive\". Maligned Artist vs. The World, Part 34,261. An unemployed British actor (Ed note: This is where we can stop worrying that the entire article is about CF since, he's never been unemployed. ;-))sealed himself in a wooden crate the size of a portable toilet last week and mailed himself to London's Tate Museum to make a statment about how society mistreats artists............ Shelton's project was funded by a 10,000-pound grant (that's about $16,000 U.S.) from a foundation established by Charles Webb, a mistreated artist himself.........The movie (Graduate) grossed $98 million. Webb got nothing. For decades, Webb and his wife, Fred (like Cher or Madonna, she is just Fred) lived in poverty, working at a Kmart outside London and home-schooling their children. Then last year, film rights to their latest novel \"New Cardiff\" (Charles wrote it, Fred illustrated) were sold to a film company for an undisclosed amount. The film, \"Hope Springs\", stars Minnie Driver and Colin Firth and will be theaters in April. Webb and Fred used the proceeds to establish the Creative Minority Foundation. Each year the organization will give a grant to the artist who comes up with the best project showing how society treats creative people like dirt....... Fred, Charles and Dan aren't doing much to eradicate the stereotype of artist as weirdo. I'm not sure mailing yourself to a museum articulates to the world that artists are professionals deserving of society's respect. And Fred refused to answer my questions about the foundation unless I agreed to write an article reuniting her husband with his estranged brother in Las Cruces.[Ed. note: in southern New Mexico] Once again, not very professional.......... Shelton was the first winner of the Creative Minority award....... To apply for next year's Creative Minority grant, go to www.creativeminority.org."}, {"response": 1076, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (09:22)", "body": "(Ed note: This is where we can stop worrying that the entire article is about CF since, he's never been unemployed. ;-) LOL! Thanks Caribou. Hmmm, even though I don't consider myself an artist, maybe I should apply? ;-)"}, {"response": 1077, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (15:14)", "body": "Thanks Caribou for article. Wonder if CF would crate himself up and ship over to me? What a piece of art to have. And I know just what room he would adorn."}, {"response": 1078, "author": "caribou", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 2003 (16:20)", "body": "(article)Each year the organization will give a grant to the artist who comes up with the best project showing how society treats creative people like dirt. (Karen)maybe I should apply? ;-) I saw the winkie but I think you should. Wonder if they would be able to rise above the hoi poloi and honor the creative but little-respected web mastering you do. In my opinion, you put together creative web pages which require an artist's eye and expert execution. Wonder if they can think outside the box of more conventional art media and totally off-the-wall stunts. Maybe you could apply during the next dirth of Firth.:-)"}, {"response": 1079, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (09:12)", "body": "In the \"oh man, this bites\" department, two things! ;-) (1) The guy who has been picked to replace John Corbett in the Greek Wedding TV show is my favorite Colin lookalike. I always watch the programs he's on, mainly 'cause he looks like Colin. What am I going to do? :-( (2) Younger sister got called by a market research company to participate in a focus group about the Academy Awards show. They rated various clips from the program and then talked about what could be done to improve the show and the preshow."}, {"response": 1080, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (09:23)", "body": "(Karen)'cause he looks like Colin. What am I going to do? :-( Ouch - that is a tough one to call. If you really dislike GW this much, spend you time with \"the real thing\". That's why they invented videos and dvds ;-) btw - what's the name of \"the guy\" (just in case he should ever appear around here)"}, {"response": 1081, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (09:32)", "body": "Did anyone see Kate Winslet, Kevin Spacey and Laura Linney on Charlie Rose last night? I was half asleep but I forced myself to stay awake and send powerful brain vibes and mind control messages to LL to mention something (anything!) about Love Actually. I guess I need to take some stronger brain vibe vitamins and sign up for another Bazooka Joe mind control course...."}, {"response": 1082, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (09:47)", "body": "Here you go, Ev, recognition for Road to Perdition for the category in which it really shined. This *should* also mean he will get the Oscar, except for the inclusion of Chicago in the AA slate which makes it not so clearcut now IMO: Conrad Hall wins ASC honours for Road To Perdition Conrad Hall, who died on Jan 4 this year, took top honours at the American Society Of Cinematographers (ASC) annual Outsanding Achievement Awards in Los Angeles over the weekend for his work on Road To Perdition. The award was accepted by his son Conrad W Hall. Hall beat out Michael Ballhaus for Gangs Of New York, Pawel Edelman for The Pianist, Ed Lachman for Far From Heaven and Rodrigo Prieto for Frida. Hall is now the frontrunner for the Oscar in which he is nominated alongside Ballhaus, Edelman, Lachman and Dion Beebe for Chicago. Hall has won the ASC award on three previous occasions \ufffd for Tequila Sunrise in 1989, for Searching For Bobby Fischer in 1994 and for American Beauty in 1999."}, {"response": 1083, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (09:57)", "body": "Here's the page for Greek Wedding; his name is Steven Eckholdt, but I don't think that pic is too good. http://www.cbs.com/primetime/my_big_fat_greek_life/ This one is better: http://www.wchstv.com/abc/itslikeyouknow/steveneckholdt2.jpg"}, {"response": 1084, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (10:01)", "body": "From THR: BAFAs to air live on BBC America NEW YORK -- For the first time, Americans will be able to watch the British equivalent of the Oscars live and commercial-free. Cable network BBC America has secured exclusive rights to the Orange British Academy Film Awards, commonly known as the BAFAs, and will air the event at 4 p.m. EST on Feb. 23 and repeat it in primetime over the course of the following week. E! Entertainment Television had covered the BAFAs in the past on tape. \"Chicago\" and \"Gangs of New York\" lead the field with 12 nominations each, followed by \"The Hours\" with 11, \"The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers\" with nine and \"The Pianist\" with seven. Peter Van den bussche, director of sales and international development at Touchdown Television, the event's international distributor, brokered the deal. The show will reach a potential of more than 1 billion viewers throughout Europe, Russia, the Middle East and China. Actor-comedian Stephen Fry will host the awards, which take place at the Odeon, Leicester Square in London. BBC Ameri a reaches 34 million homes, largely through digital cable and satellite."}, {"response": 1085, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (10:24)", "body": "*I'll* watch GW.LOL Actually have the video! I think Steven Eckholdt is better looking than \"Adrian.\" Glad\"Road to Perdition\" is getting some recognition. I'm also hoping Paul Newman gets Supporting..As long as they're in an \"old guy\" mode this year;-)"}, {"response": 1086, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (10:51)", "body": "In the moot point department: I loved MBFGW (the movie-now own the DVD), but how much of a TV series can you make of it?! Geez, how many episodes will it last? Perhaps I am just out of sit-com mode. Been watching too much Law & Order, am warped ;-)"}, {"response": 1087, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (11:08)", "body": "The show is being called MBFGLife, so I'm sure it will be your usual family sit com, with a Greek-American twist. Can't you see the hilarity ensue from when they have their first family BBQ and the Greek relatives bring over a whole lamb to roast? *my sides are splitting just thinking about this* ;-)"}, {"response": 1088, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (11:29)", "body": "Did anyone see Kate Winslet, Kevin Spacey and Laura Linney on Charlie Rose last night? I did, Maria; am anxious to see David Gale. Also enjoyed the interview with Ralph Fiennes and David Cronenberg; Ralph is getting to be practically a regular on Charlie's show! I saw Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, and enjoyed it. An impressive directorial debut from Georgie, IMO. Sam Rockwell is terrific in it; too bad he hasn't gotten more attention, he is brilliant in this."}, {"response": 1089, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (11:32)", "body": "(Karen) The guy who has been picked to replace John Corbett in the Greek Wedding TV show is my favorite Colin lookalike. I always watch the programs he's on, mainly 'cause he looks like Colin. What am I going to do? :-( You really think he looks like Colin? I've seen him in stuff for years, but never made that connection. Course I didn't pay attention to CF until relatively recently, either. Peter Sarsgaard is the one the one who really looks like Colin to me, most of the time. Especially in the (not so hot) movie The Center of the World. He has very similar facial expressions, but the similarity really ends when he opens his mouth. www.ugo.com/channels/filmTv/features/k19widowmaker/images/k19_4_th.gif (Couldn't get it to link) Seen him in pics with Maggie Gyllenhaal quite a bit. BAFTAs to air live on BBC America Maybe I should get my money back for the party and stay home to watch it for free. ;-) Speaking of Maggie Gyllenhaal, saw her and her brother Jake (he's a hot little number, but a *tad* young for me) and Kirsten Dunst during intermission of the Donmar's Twelfth Night at BAM Sunday afternoon. I don't follow them, but think KD and JG may be an item. Saw them a month ago at a basketball game but they didn't sit together (they did for the play). After halftime, she came out of the VIP tunnel with him then went back to her seat carrying a rather large flower (maybe fake) and looking quite smitten. She kept looking over her to the side, back toward his section and smiling. He spent a great deal of time talking to Chelsea Clinton and her boyfriend Ian who were sitting the row behind him. Thank God for binoculars! ;-) If anyone is or will be in the NYC area in the next month, consider seeing the Donmar productions of Twelfth Night and Uncle Vanya in Brooklyn. Uncle Vanya is next month for me. Loved the set design, esp the lighting design for 12th Night. Very minimalist, but effective. Never knew it could be so musical too. The Fool sang quite a bit and there was trio playing classical music in between. Had forgotten Mark Strong (Orsino) was in Fever Pitch til I read the bio in the Playbill. He wasn't in it much, but thought he was quite attractive. Had the stubble going and a really nice voice. Funny I liked him since I tend to like men with *considerably* more hair. ;-) Simon Russell Beale was a riot as well. Sam Mendes actual *Broadway* project is the Gypsy revival starting in April, I think. Must get my tix."}, {"response": 1090, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (11:41)", "body": "(Dorine) Peter Sarsgaard is the one the one who really looks like Colin to me, most of the time. Especially in the (not so hot) movie The Center of the World. I had to look, something about his look in this pic that does remind me... http://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hc&id=1800020285&cf=pg&photoid=189030&intl=us"}, {"response": 1091, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (12:02)", "body": "(Mari) An impressive directorial debut from Georgie, IMO. Sam Rockwell is terrific in it; too bad he hasn't gotten more attention, he is brilliant in this. Agreed!! That is a very good example Maria! Trying to find pictures with him where he resembles Colin is hit or miss. But it really struck me in that movie."}, {"response": 1092, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (13:05)", "body": "Sam Mendes actual *Broadway* project is the Gypsy revival starting in April, I think. Must get my tix. \"I'm there, baby\".... ..with Bernadette Peters too. (Mari) Also enjoyed the interview with Ralph Fiennes and David Cronenberg; Did they show clips of Spider?That's the role Karen and I had picked out for Colin. And I bet Colin did too."}, {"response": 1093, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (13:08)", "body": "Did they show clips of Spider? That's the role Karen and I had picked out for Colin. Yup, they did, but don't make me start crying again."}, {"response": 1094, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (14:18)", "body": "(Evelyn), That's the role Karen and I had picked out for Colin. And I bet Colin did too. LOL! And he was traumatised when he didn't get it. ;-))))"}, {"response": 1095, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (14:36)", "body": "And he was traumatised when he didn't get it. ;-)))) Hardly. That script was never available to him. Even Cronenberg said last night that when the script came to him Rafe's name was attached and that was the *only* reason he read it. He didn't know the writer and probably wouldn't have given it a chance. Rafe's agent sent it to him."}, {"response": 1096, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (15:34)", "body": "(Karen)Even Cronenberg said last night that when the script came to him Rafe's name was attached and that was the *only* reason he read it. He didn't know the writer and probably wouldn't have given it a chance. Rafe's agent sent it to him. Now you got *me*crying."}, {"response": 1097, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (15:44)", "body": "Even Cronenberg said last night that when the script came to him Rafe's name was attached and that was the *only* reason he read it. He didn't know the writer and probably wouldn't have given it a chance. Rafe's agent sent it to him. Figured that would be one of the things he'd mention last night. Did he say that when they did a small reading several years ago Miranda Richardson happened to be one of the people doing it, but she wasn't necessarily pegged then for the role?"}, {"response": 1098, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (15:45)", "body": "Shouldn't all this be on RF's topic? ;)"}, {"response": 1099, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (15:50)", "body": "Shouldn't all this be on RF's topic? ;) As Tom would say, \"it's a hard one to call.\" ;-) But not really, because we're carping about Colin not getting the role, which he wasn't even up for. Can't remember anything being said about Miranda Richardson."}, {"response": 1100, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (18:47)", "body": "(Moon), And he was traumatised when he didn't get it. ;-)))) (Karen), we're carping about Colin not getting the role, which he wasn't even up for. I'm losing my touch if I have to explain that I was playing on him getting the great lead role in Trauma. Not punny enough. :-("}, {"response": 1101, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 2003 (20:33)", "body": "ROTF, Moon! I just got it *hanging head in shame*"}, {"response": 1102, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (08:40)", "body": "No mention of Colin :( ...just those silly Hollywood people. ;-) Hollywood Nominees Make BAFTA Trek 2 hours, 7 minutes ago By Adam Dawtrey LONDON (Variety) - A slew of Hollywood stars are flying into London for Sunday's British Academy of Film and Television Awards at the Odeon Leicester Square, despite the heightened state of alert in the U.K. following terrorist threats. Actor nominees Adrien Brody (news), Nicolas Cage (news), Daniel Day-Lewis (news) and Michael Caine (news) will brave the tanks that have been defending Heathrow Airport, but fellow nominee Jack Nicholson (news) said he won't make the trip. Salma Hayek (news), Nicole Kidman (news), Meryl Streep (news) and Julianne Moore (news) will be on hand for the opening of the actress envelope. The fifth nominee, Halle Berry (news), has yet to confirm whether she can come. In the director race, Martin Scorsese (news), Rob Marshall and Stephen Daldry are set to attend. Peter Jackson (news) is busy finishing his \"Two Towers\" DVD, and Roman Polanski (news) never shows up for gongs, even in countries he is allowed to enter. Supporting actress contenders Catherine Zeta-Jones (news) and Toni Collette (news) are confirmed to show, alongside Streep and Moore, but the fifth runner, Queen Latifah, has a prior engagement at the Grammys (news - web sites). THINNEST FIELD Thinnest field looks to be the supporting actor race, with only Alfred Molina (news) and Ed Harris (news) set to attend. Among those presenting awards will be Michael Douglas (news), Jennifer Connelly (news), Mena Suvari (news), Tim Robbins (news), Angelina Jolie (news), Gael Garcia Bernal, Miranda Richardson (news), Paul Bettany (news), Natascha McElhone (news), Kristen Scott Thomas, Ian McKellen (news), Jim Broadbent (news) and Richard Attenborough. However, all the U.S. celebrities could change their mind if terrorist threats escalate. Ozzy Osbourne's singer-daughter Kelly canceled a performance at the U.K.'s New Musical Express music awards Thursday due to safety fears. The BAFTA ceremony, sponsored by mobile phone company Orange, will be broadcast on pubcaster flagship channel BBC1. [and BBC America]"}, {"response": 1103, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (08:41)", "body": "Oh, wait, there are some others....but I don't know if I can watch if Jack won't be there. ;-)"}, {"response": 1104, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (12:52)", "body": "Every once in a while when it's apropos, references pop-up here to Meg Wood's Boyfriend of the Week site. This week is interesting and relevant to some past discussion here...check out her treatment of her first ever \"unboyfriend of the week\" -- Colin Farrell. http://www.megwood.com"}, {"response": 1105, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (13:02)", "body": "And those of you who don't care about his major character flaws can do a quick search on the web to find out more about him and his unique brand of arrogant bastardness. ROTF...thanks Barb! The commentary on the 'Other CF' is hilarious!"}, {"response": 1106, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (13:23)", "body": "Thanks, Barb. It was a great commentary indeed. What a pity that people like that still manage to become the object of mass adoration. If there were any justice, he'd be digging ditches, not making millions in Hollywood."}, {"response": 1107, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 2003 (20:30)", "body": "Thanks for all the links and news ladies. Will watch MBFGLife as I really enjoyed movie. Hope it does well."}, {"response": 1108, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 2003 (13:04)", "body": "Thought some of you might find this interesting (got it from Variety) After five years of planning, Kevin Spacey is darin' to play Darin. The actor will star in, direct and produce \"Beyond the Sea,\" a movie about the life of singer Bobby Darin, set to begin shooting in June. Producer Mark Damon's MDP Worldwide has come aboard to fully finance and produce with Spacey's production shingle, Trigger Street. MGM is in negotiations to acquire North American distribution rights to the film, though no deal has yet been inked. \"Sea\" had once been planned as a Warner Bros. release, but Spacey bought the rights from Warner two years ago. Among the executive producers on the film is Arthur Friedman, who has worked on the project for 12 years. Spacey told Daily Variety on Wednesday that the budget will be \"considerable.\" The film covers the 1940s through the 1970s, but as described by Spacey, \"it's not a linear story. And not a docudrama.\" Details of the film's soundtrack must still be worked out, as must rights issues surrounding Darin's original recordings. But Spacey will sing songs including \"Dream Lover,\" \"Mack the Knife,\" \"Splish Splash\" and the title tune. \"Kevin's passion for 'Beyond the Sea' is overwhelming and has consumed us as well,\" Damon said. It's been five years since Spacey first expressed an interest in bringing Darin's life to the big screen. \"They say I'm too old,\" he lamented at that time -- Spacey was then 38. Darin died at age 37 when his heart gave out following heart surgery. Asked if he's too old now, Spacey laughed, \"Bobby always looked a little older -- but if I waited any more I might be too old.\" Spacey proved his ability to imitate Darin on the \"Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil\" album, singing \"That Old Black Magic\" as a tribute to the performer. Spacey repeated when he sang during his hosting stint on \"Saturday Night Live.\" Three years ago, Spacey said he planned to take six months off to devote to singing ahead of the Darin biopic, but added he would do the film \"only when it can be done the right way\" (Daily Variety, March 14, 2000). On Oct. 24, 2000, Spacey brought down the house when he sang two songs a la Darin before an all-industry party created to involve young Hollywood in the Motion Picture and Television Country House & Hospital. Since then, the actor has continued to work with Darin's conductor, Roger Kellaway. Spacey has continually emphasized that he wanted the Darin family to know he would treat the project \"with respect.\" He sent letters to that effect to Darin's wife, Sandra Dee, and their son, Dodd. They will be portrayed in the film, which will have \"many other good roles as well,\" Spacey said. Darin was told that he would not live past his late teens due to a severe heart condition. He set out to prove he could become a showbiz legend by age 25 and in fact became a big star in the music industry as well as finding success in nightclubs and in films. Over the years, the \"Sea\" project attracted writer Lewis Colick and writer-director James Toback, among others. Spacey said the film won't conflict with his new job as artistic director of the Old Vic in London, a job that doesn't start until fall 2004. \"Sea\" marks the second film jointly produced by Trigger and MDP after \"The United States of Leland,\" which Spacey also starred in and directed. It was acquired by Paramount Classics at this year's Sundance Film Festival."}, {"response": 1109, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 2003 (14:35)", "body": "Thanks, Laura. I've been waiting for word on this one. Kevin really does resemble Bobby D. He sang a bit on Letterman last night; has a great voice. I know I'm probably the last person on earth to have seen it, but I finally rented Big Fat Greek Wedding. I thought it was funny. Not a \"great\" movie, but enjoyable. Anybody whose parents or grandparents came from \"the other side\" as it was called in our house--LOL!--will find things to identify with."}, {"response": 1110, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 2003 (14:55)", "body": "(Mari)Thanks, Laura. I've been waiting for word on this one. Kevin really does resemble Bobby D. He sang a bit on Letterman last night; has a great voice. Well it SHOULD be an interesting story. I never really gave it much thought about Spacey looking like Darin, but now that I think of it. I can tell you one thing, IT will be a major tearjerker! It's got everything a movie should have, drama, love, beauty, music and a startling twist:)"}, {"response": 1111, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 2003 (15:00)", "body": "I've been hearing about this one for a long time. Spacey will be perfect. Wonder if they'll recreate scenes from those classic Sandra Dee-BD movies, like that one with Maurice Chevalier where her shoes come off when she kisses BD. Hmmm, and Robert Goulet was in that one too. ;-) Always turn the radio up when \"Beyond the Sea\" comes on."}, {"response": 1112, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 2003 (16:23)", "body": "(Karen) Wonder if they'll recreate scenes from those classic Sandra Dee-BD movies, like that one with Maurice Chevalier where her shoes come off when she kisses BD. LOL, that's the first thing I thought of!"}, {"response": 1113, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 2003 (16:43)", "body": "At first I thought that was Darren as in Darren Stevens, Samantha's husband! LOL! We know Nicole Kidman is playing Sam... So now we will have Bobby Darin and in Miami those two kids who won that singing contest are filming an Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon inspired film. We need Gidget next. I saw Renee last night on 60 Minutes, was so not impressed. A few revelations, working as a waitress at a topless joint was one. Of course, she always smiles on the set. All she has to do is think about her past. ;-)"}, {"response": 1114, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 2003 (16:49)", "body": "No one has mentioned Sunday's The Music Man. *big sigh* Could Matthew Broderick have been more miscast? Next I suppose they'll want him to do John Raitt/Gordon Macrae's role in Carousel. Ugh! And Molly Shannon too. Waste of a part IMO. Nobody, but nobody can say Balzac like Hermoine Gingold. Too bad they couldn't have picked more talented and suitable musical actors instead of \"names.\""}, {"response": 1115, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 2003 (23:18)", "body": "(Karen) No one has mentioned Sunday's The Music Man. *big sigh* I read a review of The Music Man ahead of time that focused on the miscasting of Matthew Broderick. Based on that review, I decided not to watch.... but about 15 minutes after it started I thought, what the heck, and turned on the TV. Marian had just arrived home from the library - it was the piano lesson scene. Right away I was squirming because Kristen Chenoweth's Marian was just.... wrong. I'm probably too accustomed to Shirley Jones's version. The killer for me was at the end of the song in that scene, when Marian remarks, \"Well, if that isn't the best I ever heard!\" In the film, Shirley Jones says the line as a reaction to her mother's multi-syllabic comment on Marian's unrealistic dreams about Mr. Right, but Amaryllis misunderstands and thinks it's a compliment about her piano playing. And I'm sure that's what Meredith Wilson intended - it's funny. In this version, Chenoweth said it sweetly to Amaryllis as a genuine compliment. And I thought, \"I'm outta here; these people don't understand the material.\" So I never even saw Matthew Broderick. I spent the rest of the evening watching the film version, which I adore (if you couldn't guess that), and one big reason is that: Nobody, but nobody can say Balzac like Hermoine Gingold. Amen, sister! I can rarely restrain myself from saying it along with her when I watch. (\"One Grecian urn\" is pretty high up on my list of favorite sayings too.) Too bad they couldn't have picked more talented and suitable musical actors instead of \"names.\" I think Broderick is a talented musical actor, but just wasn't right for this part - but some of the other choices did seem to be \"stunt casting.\" I was afraid of exactly this sort of thing when I saw the casting for \"Chicago\", but they did a remarkable job of finding \"names\" who were also up to the demands of the roles."}, {"response": 1116, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Feb 21, 2003 (08:28)", "body": "Victor Garber is a VERY well respected broadway actor. Kristen Chenowith is also a VERY talented broadway comedic actress. I've seen so many versions of the Music Man (alas, not this one), that I find the Shirley Jones one insipid. I think the problem was the use of broadway actors and trying to transfer it on to the little screen. Obviously, on broadway, you're must be larger than life."}, {"response": 1117, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 21, 2003 (08:38)", "body": "(Rika) And I thought, \"I'm outta here; these people don't understand the material.\" So I never even saw Matthew Broderick. You would've been 'outta there' earlier if you had seen Broderick doing \"Trouble in River City.\" As soon as he finished, a character said, \"isn't he spellbinding\" and I nearly lost it. I've seen high school Harold Hills with more charisma and talent. (Rika) I think Broderick is a talented musical actor His background isn't in musicals. Even he has admitted it was a stretch putting him in The Producers, but that part doesn't require anywhere near the same level of abilities as it would for a lead character like Hill. (Laura) Victor Garber is a VERY well respected broadway actor Yes, I know, but I even felt he was weak most of the time. (Laura) Kristen Chenowith is also a VERY talented broadway comedic actress. Yes, I know that as well and didn't mention her or Garber above, although I thought she looked a little too trashy for the sweet and prim Marian the librarian. Hey, the little kid who played Winthrop was great. Obviously, on broadway, you're must be larger than life. The old movie was perfect version was 1000x better. They should've just aired that."}, {"response": 1118, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Feb 21, 2003 (10:42)", "body": "Laura) Kristen Chenowith is also a VERY talented broadway comedic actress. Yes, I know that as well and didn't mention her or Garber above, although I thought she looked a little too trashy for the sweet and prim Marian the librarian. ] she was a perfect Sally Brown in the Charlie Brown musical on Broadway. ;)"}, {"response": 1119, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb 21, 2003 (10:47)", "body": "I didn't like the movies to \"The Music Man\" or \"Oklahoma\". I have a problem with movie versions of the old musicals. \"Gypsy\", \"Cabaret\" and even \"Chicago\" worked much better. \"The Other Side of the Bed\" is a Spanish musical and it's opening the Miami FF tonight. Got great reviews."}, {"response": 1120, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Feb 21, 2003 (16:22)", "body": "(Karen) although I thought she looked a little too trashy for the sweet and prim Marian the librarian. Maybe that was the problem. She also seemed.... well, the word \"chirpy\" comes to mind."}, {"response": 1121, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Feb 21, 2003 (19:18)", "body": "(Karen) Spacey will be perfect. Wonder if they'll recreate scenes from those classic Sandra Dee-BD movies, like that one with Maurice Chevalier where her shoes come off when she kisses BD. Hmmm, and Robert Goulet was in that one too. ;-) I agree and when I saw him on Today and he mentioned the movie I noticed that he does indeed resemble BD. Come September with Gina Loalabrigida and Rock Hudson is another favorite SD/BD movie. Wonder who will play SD. Movie should be good, am looking forward to it. Thanks Laura. (MoonD) I saw Renee last night on 60 Minutes, was so not impressed. A few revelations, working as a waitress at a topless joint was one. Of course, she always smiles on the set. All she has to do is think about her past. ;-) Read an article in TV Guide about her not too long ago. Topless bar was mentioned but in article stated she kept her top on. (Mari) I know I'm probably the last person on earth to have seen it, but I finally rented Big Fat Greek Wedding. I thought it was funny. Not a \"great\" movie, but enjoyable. No, you're not. I just saw it during the blizzard. I agree. Not blockbuster calliber but I enjoyed it very much and found it very funny and entertaining. (Karen) No one has mentioned Sunday's The Music Man. *big sigh* Could Matthew Broderick have been more miscast? Next I suppose they'll want him to do John Raitt/Gordon Macrae's role in Carousel. Ugh! And Molly Shannon too. Waste of a part IMO. Nobody, but nobody can say Balzac like Hermoine Gingold. Too bad they couldn't have picked more talented and suitable musical actors instead of \"names.\" Did see Music Man. Had wondered about casting of Broderick even before viewing but thought maybe would be a repeat of calliber of performance in The Producers. Sorry to say definitely wrong. Kept seeing Robert Preston, Shirley Jones and Hermoine Gingold on screen. Just made me ask Why."}, {"response": 1122, "author": "kasey", "date": "Fri, Feb 21, 2003 (19:45)", "body": "The Music Man... Sorry, but that is Robert Preston's role and Matthew Broderick is just so NOT Harold Hill. Didn't bother to watch it the other evening. Broderick is very talented as a stage actor, but musical comedy is not his forte IMO. It happened to work in The Producers but I don't think that'll happen too often, and I really believe it was because he and Nathan Lane had a chemistry. I don't care that much for the movie version of Music Man - I've never quite understood the appeal of Shirley Jones, but I guess it's the available version. I wish all Broadway productions would be filmed and preserved for posterity. Well, maybe not ALL - Dance of the Vampires is hopefully really dead, not undead. Guess I'll just have to put on the Original Broadway Cast Album and listen to Preston and Barbara Cook. That's the performance I WISH I'd seen. Just a little too young."}, {"response": 1123, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 22, 2003 (11:58)", "body": "(Kathy) I wish all Broadway productions would be filmed and preserved for posterity. They are: Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts Library. In house only, not for circulation. Didn't see TV's \"Music Man\"(saw the original on stage), but I thought Matthew Broderick was brilliant in \"The Producers\". I saw it twice, once with Nathan Lane's understudy who now has the role and he was equally good. I read where MB didn't plan to replicate Robert Preston's Harold Hill, but portrayed him as a more naive con man. Too bad it didn't work."}, {"response": 1124, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 2003 (09:19)", "body": "BAFTAS Tonight \"Watch this star studded awards ceremony exclusively on BBC America - LIVE and COMMERCIAL FREE on Sunday, February 23rd at 4 pm/et, 1 pm/pt, with a repeat showing on Thursday, February 27th at 8 and 11 pm/et, 5 and 8 pm/pt. \" Wanna take a bet \"Lord of the Rings\" wins Best Picture ;-)))"}, {"response": 1125, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 2003 (10:37)", "body": "(Evelyn) a more naive con man Seems like somewhat of a contradiction in terms, doesn't it?"}, {"response": 1126, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 2003 (12:31)", "body": "(Evelyn) a more naive con man (Rika)Seems like somewhat of a contradiction in terms, doesn't it? Exactly. Ostensibly."}, {"response": 1127, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 2003 (16:09)", "body": "Nope, Ev - The Pianist best picture -- Polanski best director -- DDL best actor -- Nicole best actress -- Christopher Walken best supporting -- Catherine Zeta Jones best supporting"}, {"response": 1128, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 2003 (18:12)", "body": "Thanks for results Murph. Seems like they went for the dramatic this year. Did Polanski accept in person?"}, {"response": 1129, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 2003 (18:54)", "body": "(Pam)Did Polanski accept in person? No, Adrien Brody accepted for him."}, {"response": 1130, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 2003 (19:16)", "body": "Is Roman locked out of England too?;-) I said to Evelyn, it was like the MLSF premiere--Harvey Weinstein and Matthew Modine.;-) Best moment--Charlie Kaufman's funny acceptance speech as read by Meryl Streep and her faux pas in saying \"and I wish to spank . . .\" I also liked Adrien Brody's and Daniel Day Lewis's speeches. I hate that Julianne Moore is getting little recognition for The Hours. Next time, JM, use a fake schnozz instead of a fake belly.;-) Saul Zaentz . . . has a short memory . . ."}, {"response": 1131, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 2003 (22:41)", "body": "Hey Moon, Norah Jones racked 'em up! Well done! BAFTA party was fun. Nothing remarkable to report. Didn't get much time to talk to many as arrived approx 20 mins before the show started. And people actually sit and watch for the most part. Go figure. Many seemed very surprised by The Pianist wins. Was difficult to see who was there unless I had Loved Meryl Streep! Love Stephen Fry's comment that it was a good thing Spike Jonze's name wasn't William, LOL."}, {"response": 1132, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 2003 (22:43)", "body": "Got distracted gabbing..... Was difficult to see who was there unless I walked around all the tables while people were sitting eating and watching. Wasn't going to interrupt my dinner just for that. ;-)"}, {"response": 1133, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (08:26)", "body": "(Mari) it was like the MLSF premiere--Harvey Weinstein and Matthew Modine.;-) *snort* Did you notice that Harvey has about three new chins? ;-) Best moment--Charlie Kaufman's funny acceptance speech as read by Meryl Streep Absolutely, and you could tell Charlie wrote it and not Donald. ;-) David Hare did not too pleased. Do you think it worthwhile to slo-mo through the montage of \"great films of 2002\" shown at the beginning to see if TIOBE was snuck in there?"}, {"response": 1134, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (08:42)", "body": "I watched the show and was surprised it was one made especially for us; thought we'd be getting the UK programs. Thought it was OK, but am surprised about this reaction and had no idea that the interviewees were unaware of what they would face. From the Guardian: Ali G fails to win respect in the US One victim is reportedly considering legal action. Others claim exploitation. The public figures and minor officials tricked by comic Ali G into spoof interviews for his new US television series are not among his latest fans. Their collective failure to appreciate his flippant humour is unlikely to damage his reputation among his mythical Staines \"massive\" posse. But the refusal by most US TV critics to accord him any respect may prove more wounding. Determined to challenge conventional wisdom, Ali G - the creation of Sacha Baron Cohen - launched his first programme on the cable channel HBO by explaining he had crossed the Atlantic to help the US with some of the problems following \"7/11\". \"Cohen in character is clueless as Caucasian hip-hop interviewer Ali, but nothing excuses joking about September 11 2001,\" observed Tom Shales in the Washington Post. \"The word tasteless doesn't even begin to cover it.\" The first in the six-part series of Da Ali G Show, entitled Law and Order, was broadcast last Friday. In one interview Cohen, as Ali G, puts questions to former CIA director James Woolsey. \"Let's talk about some conspiracy things. Let's go back to the grassy knoll,\" he says. \"Who actually shot JR?\" Mr Woolsey politely corrects the reference to JFK's assassination. Los Angeles-based television writer Lynn Elber is not amused: \"If we give Cohen the benefit of the doubt and assume he's trying to drive home a point about American violence and the pop culture of Dallas and JR Ewing, we've just reached the Ali G mountaintop of wit. \"Otherwise, he's busy making jokes about sex, about whether the seat in the UN marked Jordan is for Michael Jordan rather then the country, and then more jokes about sex.\" In another spoof interview during the show, the former US attorney general Richard Thornburgh is asked: \"So when's it all right to murder someone?\" Mr Thornburgh, shocked, replies: \"Never\". Ali G persists: \"But what if de call your ma a ho?\" This Friday's programme features the former UN general secretary Boutros Boutros-Ghali, who is asked: \"Is Disneyland a member of the UN?\" Future victims include Newt Gingrich, the former speaker of the House of Representatives, and Ralph Nader the consumer rights champion. Mr Nader is understood to be so irritated he is considering suing."}, {"response": 1135, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (08:46)", "body": "Norah Jones really did rack 'em up. The Texas singer's sultry jazz sound got her 5 Grammys including album and record of the year. A disc she thought would appeal only to jazz purists has sold more than 6 million copies worldwide and become the talk of the music business. Jones, who emerged last year after signing with the tiny Blue Note label, also won for best female pop vocal, best new artist and best pop album. The major awards had been widely expected to be a duel between Springsteen and Jones, the daughter of New York concert producer Sue Jones and Indian musician Ravi Shankar. Actor Dustin Hoffman called him Bruce Springstreet. The Dixie Chicks dominated the country awards for a low-key album they thought they might not even release. Natalie Maines dad, Lloyd Maines, an Austin favorite, coproduced the Chicks album and got to be onstage at the Awards. He had turned down a gig on Saturday Night Live with the Chicks last week because he would have had to cancel a gig for a 200 person audience in Austin. The night also featured a tribute to the late Bee Gees singer Maurice Gibb, who died last month, by brothers Barry and Robin. \ufffdN Sync sang a medley of the band\ufffds hits."}, {"response": 1136, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (09:05)", "body": "(Terry) \ufffdN Sync sang a medley of the band\ufffds hits. I cringed my way through it. Was nice to see Barry and Robin on stage afterwards, though.... and loved seeing Maurice's son up there with them."}, {"response": 1137, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (09:09)", "body": "(Karen)Did you notice that Harvey has about three new chins? ;-) Harve is going to need his own zip code pretty soon.;-) Re: Ali G--yes, these are US-specific programs, as you can tell from the guest list. My understanding is that his MO is the same in the UK, though, i.e., the \"interviewees\" have no idea that it's a set-up. I thought the show was very funny in spots. Liked his question to Dick Thornburgh about \"hung juries.\" ;-) And I'd just like to add that the Philly Police Dept. acquitted itself *very* graciously.:-)"}, {"response": 1138, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (09:31)", "body": "I put a few pictures (one of Norah Jones and her sister Anouska Shankar) and some comments on the Grammy's in a new topic in the music conference on on this little web page: http://www.spring.net/music/grammy.html"}, {"response": 1139, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (09:32)", "body": "Empire has reviewed the Bafta broadcast, award by award and is highly critical of the broadcast: Long before a single award was presented at this year\ufffds BAFTAs, the ceremony could already claim to have been a huge success, simply by attracting an enormous number of A-list stars, the like of which has never been seen for a film do in London. The cunning re-working of the ceremony, rescheduling it to go out before the Oscars has been a huge success for the British Academy, bathing the whole British film industry in reflected glory. Now all that's required is for the BBC to give the show the scheduling it deserves and put it out live. There\ufffds a certain insanity first in delaying the broadcast of the BAFTAs to create edited highlights and then in cutting into Britain\ufffds most prestigious film awards ceremony with the evening news, giving viewers the opportunity to check the internet for the winners of the biggest awards before that part of the show had been broadcast. [...] And so to our verdict. Well, masochistic as it might seem, watching the edited highlights on the BBC can never be the same as watching the full shebang and hearing the awards announced live. We want the full version next year and are launching our campaign for it right now. If you agree, email the BBC and say so by clicking here. http://www.empireonline.co.uk/news/news.asp?4560"}, {"response": 1140, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (09:46)", "body": "There were more Hollywood stars at the BAFTA this year this all the previous years put together. I wanted to see British faces there....not Matthew Mondine ;-) Agree with Empire that the BAFTAS was made for the US audience. Sweet emotion on Michael Douglas' face when his wife won the BAFTA. Was *thrilled* to see \"The Pianist\" win. Holocaust films are generally not popular in Uk & Europe.Wish Adrien Brody would have won....or at least have him say something positive about the film...\"everyone should see this film at this time in our history\". But was nice to see DDL smile.What's with the shaved head...is this de riguer for shoe cobblers in Florence;-) (Mari)Saul Zaentz . . . has a short memory . . . Another of: \"When in Rome...\""}, {"response": 1141, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (09:46)", "body": "Heads up for Oscars: (Editing) Miramax Films ganged up on the competition at the picture-cutters ball, taking home two Eddies. \"Gangs of New York,\" edited by Thelma Schoonmaker, and \"Chicago,\" edited by Martin Walsh, won best edited dramatic feature and best edited comedy or musical, respectively, on Sunday night at the 53rd annual ACE Eddie Awards at the Beverly Hilton. (Art Direction) New Line's \"The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers\" won the period/fantasy feature category and DreamWorks' \"Catch Me If You Can\" took contemporary feature honors during the seventh annual Art Directors Guild Awards."}, {"response": 1142, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (10:28)", "body": "(Mari), Best moment--Charlie Kaufman's funny acceptance speech as read by Meryl Streep Absolutely! (Dorine), Hey Moon, Norah Jones racked 'em up! Well done! Loved it! Got it over M&M. ;-)))) NJ's cd was one of the ones I gave Colin on his birthday last year. Many seemed very surprised by The Pianist wins. A happy moment! Wanted Brody to get it too. You don't give out Best Picture and Best Director and ignore the wonderful performance of the actor that carries the film. He is in every single scene! As much as I like DDL, his performance in GONY was too OTT. The whole film was OTT as is Scorsese's ego. I'm hoping The Pianist gets all the Oscars. Surprised at Christopher Walken's win. Very happy for CZJ who deserves it, IMO. I also think that RZ thought she had it. It's looking more like Kidman for the Oscars too, and I am glad. The dresses: Rachel Weiz(sp), Nicole Kidman, Kristin Scott Thomas very lovely, and KZJ was an 8month knockout. Did not like RZ's dress with those stripes. BTW, I read that RZ sold her Beverly Hills home and bought a house in the Hamptons. She plans to live in NY. That puts her far away from Georgie boy. ;-)"}, {"response": 1143, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (11:12)", "body": "(Karen)Do you think it worthwhile to slo-mo through the montage of \"great films of 2002\" shown at the beginning to see if TIOBE was snuck in there? No, been there, done that:-) (Loved Meryl Streep! Love Stephen Fry's comment that it was a good thing Spike Jonze's name wasn't William, LOL. LOL, brilliant moments by far. I thought SF was v.v. good. IMO, I love the fact that they get right down to giving out the awards, and it moves rather quickly. I'm thrilled that they don't have endless production numbers throughout the broadcast."}, {"response": 1144, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (11:50)", "body": "I missed seeing RC as a presenter;-) I'm thrilled that they don't have endless production numbers throughout the broadcast. Add commercials. But I did miss seeing the actual clips of the films instead of the montages & BBC voice-over.Who cares about the plot. \"City of God\"clip:-((....Thank you boss for saving me ten bucks.. I wish Stephen Fry would do the Oscars."}, {"response": 1145, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (12:16)", "body": "How did Daniel Craig look when he accepted for Conrad Hall's award for cinematography? Is he bearded, clean shaven? Describe, please. There isn't a picture to be found, alas. I don't get BBC America, but someone is taping for me. It is repeated several times. Can't wait for Stephen Fry. Thanks."}, {"response": 1146, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (12:25)", "body": "He was clean-shaven, Murph, with very short hair. I believe he read a statement of thanks from Mr. Hall's widow. If you ever need something taped from BBCA, Mary, please just let me know."}, {"response": 1147, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (12:55)", "body": "He was clean-shaven, Murph, LOL.On my screen I thought he was sporting a designer stubble. Has a good voice."}, {"response": 1148, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (13:08)", "body": "Here is Empire's review of the BAFTAS: THE SHOW REVIEWED Long before a single award was presented at this year\ufffds BAFTAs, the ceremony could already claim to have been a huge success, simply by attracting an enormous number of A-list stars, the like of which has never been seen for a film do in London. The cunning re-working of the ceremony, rescheduling it to go out before the Oscars has been a huge success for the British Academy, bathing the whole British film industry in reflected glory. Now all that's required is for the BBC to give the show the scheduling it deserves and put it out live. There\ufffds a certain insanity first in delaying the broadcast of the BAFTAs to create edited highlights and then in cutting into Britain\ufffds most prestigious film awards ceremony with the evening news, giving viewers the opportunity to check the internet for the winners of the biggest awards before that part of the show had been broadcast. That aside, the show began well as the master of ceremonies for the evening \ufffd Stephen Fry \ufffd welcomed the A-list audience and the viewers at home, with trademark battiness, to the BAFTAs in London\ufffds West End. \ufffdIf London is Britain\ufffds heart then the West End is the surgeon\ufffds aorta.\ufffd Explaining the academy\ufffds decision to give him a third outing as compere as \ufffda tribute to both my availability and my plain old fashioned cheapness,\ufffd Fry launched into an opening speech of unusual eloquence and surrealism \ufffd after all, how many times do you hear the word \ufffdcartilaginous\ufffd at the Oscars? \ufffd urging stars to keep their speeches short lest the huge BAFTA masks at the back fall down and crush them into a bloody pulp. Best British Director and Film, Asif Kapadia's The Warrior The first award of the evening was the Alexander Korda Award for Best British Film which went to The Warrior. Director Asif thanked, \ufffdeveryone here for being so famous and for letting us in.\ufffd Best Supporting Actor went to Christopher Walken \ufffd oddly there was no thank-you video shown, the trophy being taken away by its presenter, Angelina Jolie. Almodovar makes plea for peace Next up was Best Special Effects which went to The Two Towers followed by the Anthony Asquith Award for Achievements in Film Music which was won by a visibly-moved Philip Glass for his score for The Hours. Then we had the award for Best Film Not in the English Language; \ufffda shoo-in,\ufffd quipped Fry, \ufffdyou\ufffdd think for Scooby-Doo.\ufffd In the event, it was won by Pedro Almodovar for Talk To Her, who took the opportunity to make an eloquent plea for peace. \ufffdCinema and war are two very different things\ufffd,\ufffd said Almodovar before going on to tell the audience that; \ufffdwe have to stop this army of darkness.\ufffd The Two Towers; Costume & Visual Effects winner Michael Caine presented the Michael Balcon award for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema to two Assistant Directors, Michael Stephenson and David Tomblin. Then to present the award for Best Cinematography, we had Gael Garcia Bernal, who prefaced his reading of the nominees by saying that millions had voted against war in Iraq, \ufffdbut we still haven\ufffdt had a response,\ufffd but votes were made for the 10 films \ufffdand we have the results right here\ufffd. In the event, the award went to the late Conrad Hall for Road To Perdition. Best Supporting Actress was presented by Martin Scorsese to Catherine Zeta-Jones. \ufffdI\ufffdm very hormonal!,\ufffd she shrieked, before slipping from her usual Mid-Atlantic twang to deepest Swansea, thanking everyone she\ufffdd ever met or worked with. Best Original Screenplay was won by Pedro Almodovar for Talk To Her and The Orange Film of the Year was announced as The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. Spanking Spike Jonze The Hours picked up Best Adapted Screenplay Meryl Streep picked up the award for Best Adapted Screenplay on behalf of writer Charlie Kaufman \ufffd reading out a speech he\ufffdd faxed over and which had been given to her in a sealed envelope. As you\ufffdd expect from Kaufman it was supremely quirky, giving Streep directions on how she should read the speech. Thrown by it, in a great Freudian moment Streep read out that she wished to \ufffdspank\ufffd rather than \ufffdthank\ufffd Spike Jonze \ufffd a mistake that was clearly relished by the audience. Best British Director went to Asif Kapadia for The Warrior. This was followed by Best Director which went to Roman Polanksi for Best Director and was collected by the film\ufffds star Adrian Brody whose rambling thank-you speech told the audience that; \ufffdthe important thing to acknowledge is that Roman has overcome a tremendous amount of loss in his life\ufffdtelling this story allowed him the opportunity to tell something that was extremely personal without jeopardising his own memories.\ufffd Introduced with great unctuousness by Stephen Fry as a \ufffdclassic\ufffd, Sir Ian McKellen presented the award for Best Actress to Nicole Kidman. Kissing Meryl Streep before she mounted the stairs to the stage, Kidman told the audience that \ufffdthis was really a big deal for me,\ufffd thanking the British film industry for being so good to her"}, {"response": 1149, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (13:09)", "body": "Thaks, guys, for the Craig glimpse. Empire doesn't even mention him."}, {"response": 1150, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (13:23)", "body": "(Evelyn), \"City of God\"clip:-((....Thank you boss for saving me ten bucks.. LOL! Too much angst. I want to see the one that won Beast British film. What did Almodovar talk about? I missed his long speech. I wish Stephen Fry would do the Oscars. Me too. Although, I did find him a bit stiff in comparison to last year."}, {"response": 1151, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (14:48)", "body": "Murph, Wire Image now has a pic of DC from the after-show party last evening. Just go to wireimage.com and search on his name. Am surpised the show didn't go out live and in whole in the UK. Last year's show was better, IMO. We had Colin and Livia. And Livia's mother. And Livia's aunt. The sudsy carpet. And Russell Crowe to liven things up!:-)"}, {"response": 1152, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (14:50)", "body": "Moon, I couldn't understand Almodovar. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.;-) Funniest moment of the night, IMO, was when I checked ananova's early report and they quoted Saul Z. as saying \"In the words of Nelson Mandela, 'We shall overcome.'\" Pfft!"}, {"response": 1153, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (16:18)", "body": "\"Adrian Brody whose rambling thank-you speech told the audience...\" Give the guy a break, it was his first time in a foreign country accepting an award for his director.I thought it was v. sincere and heartfelt."}, {"response": 1154, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (16:59)", "body": "I saw some Grammy fashions on TV. Didn't anyone think that Nelly was dressed by the same tailor as Jack Worthing? ;-)"}, {"response": 1155, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (17:17)", "body": "(Evelyn) I wish Stephen Fry would do the Oscars. I said the exact same thing last night. (Karen)*snort* Did you notice that Harvey has about three new chins? ;-) LOL, my friend leaned over and said he seems to gain weight every time she sees him. Do you think it worthwhile to slo-mo through the montage of \"great films of 2002\" shown at the beginning to see if TIOBE was snuck in there? Was hopeful though for a glimpse of him when the EP clips started. (Terry) \ufffdN Sync sang a medley of the band\ufffds hits. (Rika)I cringed my way through it I had to call for a bucket. :-(****) Loved the son. And how sad to see his widow starting to bawl. (Evelyn)I wanted to see British faces there....not Matthew Mondine ;-) Agree with Empire that the BAFTAS was made for the US audience Yeah, what was the deal with him being there. No one had a clue, those who knew who he was. I enjoyed the sedateness of it actually. A nice switch. Couldn't have that every year I think though. \"City of God\"clip:-((....Thank you boss for saving me ten bucks.. You know I wasn't thrilled with the thought of it and avoided seeing it, but when it showed up in my class and I actually watched (most of)it, I was surprised I liked it so much. Very interesting cinematography. Think I was almost more interested in the story behind making it rather than the story itself. Can see how the appeal would be limited."}, {"response": 1156, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (17:31)", "body": "(Evelyn)I wanted to see British faces there....not Matthew Mondine ;-) (Dorine)Yeah, what was the deal with him being there. No one had a clue, those who knew who he was. LOL. There is an inside joke about him, Dorine. Whenever we expect Colin to show up at one of these events, invariably either MM or Stanley Tucci show up. It started at the MLSF premiere in NY .Not a stellar event, but Harvey , MEM, Sir David Puttnam and an array of NY socialites were there including the British diplomatic corps. Colin was off someplace in the Isle of Skye filming RV....not even his movie! Everyone knows these actors schedules are arranged when there is a premiere involved...Esp when he had *the* starring role. The NY Post had a write- up on the screening event and gave MM a lot of publicity. One would have thought he was the star. I couldn't believe my ears when I heard MM name last night. I tell ya' he's Colin's surrogate."}, {"response": 1157, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (17:44)", "body": "LOL!! That's pretty funny."}, {"response": 1158, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (17:54)", "body": "Day-Lewis Favorite to Scoop Oscar for Best Actor Mon Feb 24,10:42 AM ET And Jack was the frontrunner in the first place becauuuuse.........anyone? anyone? (Sorry Mari ;-)) LONDON (Reuters) - British actor Daniel Day-Lewis (news) was tipped Monday as the favorite to win the Oscar for best actor following his success at Sunday's Bafta awards for his role in \"Gangs of New York.\" Leading British bookmaker Ladbrokes said Day-Lewis, who won best actor at the British film awards, has replaced former frontrunner Jack Nicholson (news) as the clear favorite for the coveted award with odds of 10/11. Nicholson was nominated for his part in \"About Schmidt.\""}, {"response": 1159, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (19:15)", "body": "Dear Ndugu: These gals are still givin' me a hard time. I think someone's removed their reason and accountability. Well, kid, here's this month's check. Go down to Bob's Big Boy and get yourself a nice chicken salad sandwich. I'm enclosing enough to cover the tip. Yours very truly, Warren Schmidt"}, {"response": 1160, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 2003 (23:07)", "body": "(Dorine) what was the deal with him being there. No one had a clue, those who knew who he was. In addition to Evelyn's story re: MM, he was announced as being in the upcoming Merchant-Ivory film \"Le Divorce,\" which I've just seen listed as likely to be in competition at Cannes. As you'll recall, there was that rumor of Colin being in the film. They are totally interchangeable. ;-)"}, {"response": 1161, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (07:51)", "body": "(Karen) MM, he was announced as being in the upcoming Merchant-Ivory film \"Le Divorce,\" which I've just seen listed as likely to be in competition at Cannes. As you'll recall, there was that rumor of Colin being in the film. They are totally interchangeable. ;-) LOL, I must have been talking when he came out as I didn't hear his intro. I saw the trailer, doesn't look remotely interesting to me."}, {"response": 1162, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (08:53)", "body": "(Dorine) I saw the trailer, doesn't look remotely interesting to me. I enjoyed the book, though I liked the second one (Le Mariage) better. Ooo la la Antoine! ;-)"}, {"response": 1163, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (10:10)", "body": "This film has SOME cast! ******************************** O'Toole, Christie Confirmed for 'Troy' Epic Tue Feb 25, 2:44 AM ET Add Movies - Reuters to My Yahoo! By Michael Fleming NEW YORK (Variety) - As he set Peter O'Toole and Julie Christie for starring roles in \"Troy,\" director Wolfgang Petersen has vowed that a war in the Middle East will not stop his big-screen showdown between Achilles and Hector. Petersen has set a firm April 22 start date in London for the Warner Bros./Village Roadshow Pictures epic, and a May 21, 2004, release date. O'Toole aapparently wasn't kidding recently when he resisted a lifetime Oscar on the grounds that he wasn't finished turning in big performances. O'Toole will play Priam, the king of Troy, who charges his son Hector (Eric Bana) to defend the kingdom against 1,000 advancing Greek ships ready to raze the city because Priam's other son, Paris (Orlando Bloom), has stolen away with Helen. She's the wife of the Spartan king Menelaus (Brendan Gleason), who with his brother Agamemnon (Brian Cox) and Odysseus (Sean Bean), set all their forces for vengeance. They are led by the unparalleled warrior Achilles (Brad Pitt). Christie will play Thetis, the mother of Achilles who tries to help him choose between happiness with a Troy princess, Briseis (Rose Byrne), or the chance to become legend by sacking Troy. It is no coincidence that O'Toole is best known for starring in \"Lawrence of Arabia\" and Christie in \"Doctor Zhivago,\" the best known epics made by David Lean. \"David Lean was one of my heroes, and my ambition has been for 'Troy' to be made in the tradition of the great Lean epics,\" Petersen said. \"To have two of his greatest actors join this balance of stars and fresh faces is unbelievable luck.\" Petersen has also set Saffron Burrows to play Hector's wife, Andromache. After his casting director, Lucinda Syson, held a worldwide search for Helen of Troy, Petersen said he's close to choosing a newcomer for the role. \"She has to be believable as the face that launched 1,000 ships and caused the Greeks to go against Troy,\" said Petersen. \"She has to be that beautiful.\" The director steadfastly denied published reports that the shoot of \"Troy\" is imperiled by the prospect of a war in Iraq. It is among several grand-scale period films that expect to shoot in the sands of Morocco. \"We start shooting in April, and then we will move on to Malta,\" said Petersen. \"We won't be shooting those final battle scenes until July or August. If things are going on in the world that make Morocco impossible, we have explored Mexico and Spain. Of course, we will take care of the security and safety of everybody involved, but the movie will happen and there won't be a week of delay. Everything is in place, cast included.\" Petersen has been sweet on \"Troy\" since screenwriter David Benioff first turned in his adaptation of Homer's \"The Illiad.\" The director's participation seemed iffy when he agreed to first make \"Batman vs. Superman.\" He said he is glad that circumstance prompted him to double back to the epic confrontation pitting Achilles vs. Hector. \"When Warners decided to make 'Superman' right away, I think it was fate that worked well for me,\" said Petersen. \"All of a sudden, I was back on 'Troy,' and Brad Pitt was suddenly available to play Achilles because he was no longer doing 'The Fountain.' This is the best kind of epic because you are working on the grandest scale, with 1,000 ships and 75,000 people waging enormous battles. But the core is emotional themes that Homer handled so well on a human scale.\""}, {"response": 1164, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (11:22)", "body": "(Karen)They are totally interchangeable. ;-) Talking about \"interchangeable\", I saw the first Greek Wedding episode last night and you are right, boss, \"Thomas\" does look v. much like a younger Colin. Esp. the profile. Skip the show...not as good as the film which I loved. The TV version is really the father's show."}, {"response": 1165, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (11:36)", "body": "\"Thomas\" does look v. much like a younger Colin. And I see it in his acting mannerisms and presence. I can just picture Colin delivering lines in the same way. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thought this was great. From Ananova: Schoolgirls in charity plea to Zeta Jones Catherine Zeta Jones' claim that \ufffd1 million is not a great deal of money is being tested by a group of schoolgirls. They have written to the actress asking for her help in raising money for Nicaraguan children. Their request came after Zeta Jones told a court that a \ufffd1 million deal for photos of her wedding to Michael Douglas was \"not that much\" for the celebrity couple. The actress told the High Court the contract with OK! magazine was \"a lot of money maybe to a lot of people in this room, but it is not that much for us\". Following her comments, 120 children from Notre Dame RC School in Plymouth have asked her to help with their fundraising efforts. Many of the letters from the 11 and 12-year-old girls include drawings and good luck wishes. The pupils have spent four years raising money for the region, and are trying to buy books and equipment for a school. Teacher, Dominique Olney, said: \"We decided to write because she was quoted as saying that \ufffd1 million did not mean that much to her. \"This is something the girls feel very strongly about. The letters come from the heart and reflect both the admiration for Miss Zeta Jones and the real caring they feel for the Nicaraguan friends they wish to help. \"We are just asking for a little bit of help, not the whole \ufffd1 million.\""}, {"response": 1166, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (11:56)", "body": "I hope she does give them the \ufffd1 million. (Karen) MM, he was announced as being in the upcoming Merchant-Ivory film \"Le Divorce,\" which I've just seen listed as likely to be in competition at Cannes. The trailer is awful, as Dorine said. ' This is the best kind of epic because you are working on the grandest scale, with 1,000 ships and 75,000 people waging enormous battles. But the core is emotional themes that Homer handled so well on a human scale.\" Thanks, Murph! That's my kind of movie, P'OT and JC, a blast from the past."}, {"response": 1167, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (12:41)", "body": "I watched My Big Fat Greek Life and Why did they changes the names???? Toula and Ian are now, Nia and Thomas???? But the rest of the cast keeps their names? (btw, Gia Carides is married to Anthony LaPlaglia, for those who care)"}, {"response": 1168, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (12:58)", "body": "(Evelyn) Skip the show...not as good as the film which I loved. I was disappointed too. It didn't seem as natural as the movie was. Almost like they were trying too hard. Missed John Corbett. Even Vardalos seemed a bit over the top to me. Maybe next episode will be better."}, {"response": 1169, "author": "Jacqui50", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 2003 (18:35)", "body": "I was really surprised how much Steven Eckholdt reminded me of CF..I'll watch the TV show just to see him..I bet everyone was really nervous about getting so much into such a short amt. of time and knew it would be compared to the movie..But did seem like some were trying to hard..I'll give it another go.."}, {"response": 1170, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 2003 (18:42)", "body": "Janice Turner Up close and personal with the A-list at the Baftas I turned into a stalker, even timing Renee Zellweger in the loo Tuesday February 25, 2003 The Guardian Veal-white and eerily perfect, Nicole Kidman was ahead of us on the Bafta red carpet. It was one of those Leicester Square encounters between Hollywood stars and the anoraked hordes which look almost charming on TV: see how she deigns to walk among us. But from inside the velvet rope, amid an epilepsy of flashbulbs, you understand why all actresses are half crazy. For a start there was no question that Nicole, despite the February chill, could wear a coat. People want a look at the goods. So for a full 15 minutes, she pranced her horseflesh around the rope cordon while common, straining hands endangered the ivory satin of her Ungaro sheath. For all her shimmering otherworldliness, how vulnerable and needy she looked. What a price to pay in order to keep Catherine Zeta-Jones - who breezed imperially through the crowd - off the front page. Further up the carpet, Halle Berry, Mena Suvari and Angelina Jolie were each performing their private dances for the paparazzi. Living in London you are used to spying Kate and Sam lunching in Lemonia or Ewan McGregor in the park. But when Hollywood emerges from behind electric gates and iron publicist control, you cannot help but gawp. I have never been a \"fan\"; no pop star adorned my teenage walls. I could never see the attraction in adoring someone who didn't even know I existed. But award ceremonies make stalkers of us all. Once inside the Leicester Square cinema, watching the A-list take their seats, we became our most shallow and judgmental selves. What joy to sip a mini-Moet through a straw, munch the free Maltesers and Mini-Cheddars and play Short/Thin - ie make cruel snap assessments of the bodies of the rich and famous. So it's ooh look, Joely Richardson (scarily skinny), Daniel Day Lewis (disappointingly weedy), Salma Hayek (long body, Shetland pony legs), Ed Norton (waifish), Martin Scorsese (midget), Kidman (straight, white and long as a human light sabre), Rachel Weisz (winner of the Frida Kahlo eyebrow prize). It is a harsh mode of thinking which you would never employ on your own friends. But surely this is what famous people are for? And even legendary screenwriter William Goldman was so obsessed with actors' heights that he once sprinted across a restaurant to get a looksy at short-arse Sly Stallone emerging from a swimming pool. There are a few stars who actually look better in the flesh: Tim Robbins (big, smiley and handsome as a ranch hand), Mena Suvari (lustrous, far less flat-faced than in photos) and Natascha McElhone, who won in the pregnant-actress category, easily fended off Catherine Z-J with her barmaid decolletage and shiny face. The awards themselves were a challenge to attention spans and bladder control. Barry Norman, behind me, dozed off during the technical categories. Would it, my husband wondered, be disrespectful to slip to the loo during the obituaries? Then, once we were disgorged to await coaches taking us to Grosvenor House for dinner, a new game commenced: Spotting Famous People Doing Ordinary Things. It is the live version of those Heat magazine picture spreads entitled EastEnders Star Crosses Road. I spied Renee Zellweger in the 10-long queue for the ladies loo, lining up just like anyone else. In her dreamy Monroe murmur she sweetly accepted compliments from my fellow non-entities, all equally astonished to discover stars didn't retire to some special, gilded facility. When her turn came I found myself, without thinking, looking at my watch. I lingered by the wash basins until she emerged two minutes and 35 seconds later. Quite a long time, no? But then with all those straps on her gown, she probably had quite complicated underwear. You couldn't help but walk into fascinating vignettes: Jerry Hall and her daughter Elizabeth Jagger - ageing and nubile beauties standing together before the makeup mirror. Catherine Z-J eating: would the editor of Heat go over and take her picture? But the strangest thing about such a starry occasion is that it voids all neurosis about your own appearance. Roaming deliberately around the tables were lovely 20-year-old starlets in look-at-me frocks, unseasonally depilated, tanned and bare. And I felt not envy but compassion. Being a nobody at the Baftas is liberating: wear what you like, no one's looking anyway."}, {"response": 1171, "author": "Jacqui50", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 2003 (21:10)", "body": "Loved the article...Thank you, Murphy..."}, {"response": 1172, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 2003 (09:01)", "body": "Maybe they'll want Matthrew Broderick for Sky Masterson but doing a naive big time gambler? Sit down they're rockin' the boat. :-( Miramax Rolls Dice for 'Guys and Dolls' Remake By Michael Fleming (Variety) - After resuscitating the big-screen musical with \"Chicago,\" Harvey Weinstein is ready for an encore. Miramax Films is negotiating a \"Guys and Dolls\" rights package for a remake that will be produced by Storyline Entertainment partners Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, the duo that served as executive producers of \"Chicago.\" The tap dance to secure multiple rights components for the stage musical-turned-movie is nearly complete. Zadan and Meron held pieces of the necessary rights, and Miramax secured the final component, the original short story on which the musical was based, \"The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown (news),\" from newspaperman Damon Runyan's estate. The producers had the blessing of composer Frank Loesser's widow, Jo Sullivan Loesser, and Samuel Goldwyn Jr., who held rights because his father made the original film. In all likelihood, the Goldwyn name will be on the new picture as Goldwyn will be involved in a producing capacity. Zadan and Miramax confirmed that they were hoping to strike a deal that would turn \"Guys and Dolls\" into their next musical collaboration, even as they look at other projects. Zadan said they aim to keep intact much of the rather large support team that made \"Chicago.\" \"The great thing about a musical like 'Chicago' is the amount of people you get to work on it, it's like three movies rolled into one. You're hiring a dance troupe, choreographer, a music department, and the elements to make a dramatic film as well.\" Agencies have begun to buzz about casting possibilities. \"A lot of actors are coming forward who we never knew were capable of singing and dancing,\" Zadan said. \"After 'Chicago' and 'Moulin Rouge,' they're going to their agents, saying, 'Hey, put me in a musical.' ... The musical is no longer defined as a niche area.\" All of this is a result of the accolades and commerce earned by \"Chicago,\" which received 13 Oscar nominations and is about to cross the $100 million mark in the United States. The soundtrack just went platinum. Miramax and the producers feel that \"Guys and Dolls\" has similar potential, even though it's a comedy. It shares a gritty period setting, colorful characters and the benefit of some popular stage tunes. \"Guys and Dolls\" centers around Nathan Detroit, the organizer of the oldest established floating crap game in New York. He challenges fellow gambler Sky Masterson to a bet that he can't make the next girl he sees fall in love with him. The music and lyrics were penned by Loesser, and the 1955 film starred Frank Sinatra as Detroit, Marlon Brando (news) as Masterson and Jean Simmons as love interest Sarah Brown. Classic tunes include \"Luck Be a Lady\" and \"Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat.\" Zadan and Meron previously made the TV musicals \"Gypsy\"; \"Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella\"; \"The Music Man\"; and \"Annie,\" which marked the directorial debut of Oscar-nominated \"Chicago\" director Rob Marshall."}, {"response": 1173, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 2003 (09:03)", "body": "Confirmed: JE is a mum...a baby boy.... George M. Ryan. Mum and baby are doing well."}, {"response": 1174, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 2003 (09:05)", "body": "Great article. Thanks Murph."}, {"response": 1175, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 2003 (09:29)", "body": "Remake Guys and Dolls? Say it isn't so... A \"poisson\" could develop a cold!"}, {"response": 1176, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 2003 (09:30)", "body": "Remake Guys and Dolls? Say it isn't so... A \"poisson\" could develop a cold! What's next, a new West Side Story?"}, {"response": 1177, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 2003 (09:30)", "body": "Oops, sorry...."}, {"response": 1178, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 2003 (09:40)", "body": "LOL! That's alright. 'Poissons' often take a while to get used to the place. Me, I've gotta 'post-nasal drip.' ;-) What's next, a new West Side Story? Actually, I've been really worried about this one. :-("}, {"response": 1179, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 2003 (10:19)", "body": "He challenges fellow gambler Sky Masterson to a bet that he can't make the next girl he sees fall in love with him. How to lose Guy in 10 Days. Same thing there."}, {"response": 1180, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 2003 (10:39)", "body": "Well Sky can't take her to Havana, at this time. Where they gonna go? Redo a stage production yes but we already have that little gem of a film. I don't want to hear Adelaide's lament from anyone other than Vivian on the screen yet....well maybe from Nathan Lane."}, {"response": 1181, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 2003 (12:36)", "body": "What's next, a new West Side Story? Actually, I've been really worried about this one. :-( J. Lo was approached for this one and she declined. Said the same as you....didn't think she could improve on the original."}, {"response": 1182, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 2003 (13:05)", "body": "Wait a minute, Jen had baby boy??? When, where, who, how??? ;)"}, {"response": 1183, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 2003 (13:11)", "body": "Thanks for the update on JE, Evelyn. I visited the JE website a few months ago and was surprised to find out she had married."}, {"response": 1184, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 2003 (13:21)", "body": "(Laura) When, where, who, how??? ;) I think you know the 'how' part. ;-) As I was telling Ev, that's a bad name choice around here as that's the name of our last crooked governor, who was booted out finally in November."}, {"response": 1185, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 2003 (13:50)", "body": "JE is a v. private person. Actually, have no intention of posting this on her website; which only features her professional career.It was posted on the JE List. The only reason we posted the marriage was because it was published in a UK newspaper. Watch your email Laura, I'll explain the \"how\";-)))"}, {"response": 1186, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 2003 (17:02)", "body": "Congratulations to JE and family. This is good news. Thanks for report on Guys and Dolls Karen. But doubt it can improve on original cast."}, {"response": 1187, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (10:31)", "body": "If you liked Chicago, (and I didn't,) you can see a behind the scenes film by Miramax here: http://www.ifilm.com/ifilm/product/film_multimedia/0,4470,2451564,00.html Got this info from the really good oscarwatch site: http://www.oscarwatch.com DGA Awards tomorrow."}, {"response": 1188, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (10:48)", "body": "Time and channel on the DGA Awards?"}, {"response": 1189, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (10:50)", "body": "Making of \"The Pianist\" tomorrow on Bravo 2 PM"}, {"response": 1190, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (12:20)", "body": "Thanks for the link, Murph! I suppose that featurette will be on the 'Chicago' DVD. I enjoyed it."}, {"response": 1191, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 2003 (12:46)", "body": "Terry: DGAs not on TV, as far as I know."}, {"response": 1192, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 2003 (09:13)", "body": "These are exerpts from an article on Harvey Weinstein in the latest issue of Entertainment Weekly. (March 7) If you're Good to Harvey, Harvey's Good to You by Josy Young Just last fall, everyone was talking about how HW had finally gone too far and spent too much. Predictions abounded that the brash and burly Miramax cochairman and his slate of films would go belly-up after a decade-long winning streak. But by the time this year's Oscar nominations were announced, it was pretty clear that once again, reports of Weinstein's professional demise were greatly exaggerated... He Just Can't Do It Alone... EW: Renee Zellweger originally passed on Chicago. Meryl Poster (Miramax's copresident of production) came into your office crying and begged you to call Renee at home so she would reconsider. What did you say to Renee? HW: I said, \"Renee, we've done great work together. Renee knew that when she was competing for Bridget Jones's Diary against Kate Winslet and Helena Bonham Carter, we supported casting her because we had made A Price Above Rubies with her. She knew that Miramax's backing at a crucial time landed her the movie that made her a movie star. We also knew that she wanted to be in Cold Mountain , (which Miramax will release at the end of this year), and Anthony Minghella will admit she wasn't a first choice of his. We said we could be influential in that decision. Under those circumstances she agreed to come back and meet Rob Marshall. People never understand what we do. (ED.note...I loved this part) EW: You very seldom pay the big actors their full freight. How do you constantly convince them to take pay cuts? HW: It's all based on material. It's not like we're cheap. We're not. On the upcoming Duplex , we paid Ben Stiller and Drew Barrymore their asking price plus a huge piece of the gross. It's a romantic omedy. There's no pretension that it's going to win art awards, or that we're making it for anything other than to make money. When Gwyneth Paltrow does View From the Top (another comedy, opening March 21), she gets paid $10 million. We paid Meg Ryan $15 million to do Kate & Leopold. See, there's another misconception about us. Whenever we do a studio movie, we always pay retail. EW: Why didn't you make Tom Cruise's deal on Cold Mountain? HW: We offered (Cruise)an alternative that was maybe a little bit more risky for him. It certainly had a guarantee attached to it, which was $20 million. But the back end, on Tom's deals is...first of all, he deserves it. But it just might have overpowered all of the other things that we needed to make that movie. It's an ensemble piece. Your other talent could have gotten limited. Two seconds later I offered Tom his deal for The Great Raid (Cruise passed on the war drama; the role went to Benjamin Bratt.) It's where you need to do it and where you don't need to do it. EW: Do you have a financing partner on Cold Mountain yet? HW: No. We called all of the other studios and said, \"MGM pulled out at the script stage--would you like to be our partner? Everybody said no. I'm not sure that we want a partner anymore. EW: So if you go it alone, at $83 million plus marketing costs, Cold Mountain will be by far your biggest investment ever. HW: Yeah. We come from a place where we try to champion the things that nobody else would do and try to find a way of making them work... The article goes on to talk about TEP, his relationship with Disney, and other projects that were profitable and others that were not."}, {"response": 1193, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 2003 (09:16)", "body": "Sorry, the article was written by Josh Young."}, {"response": 1194, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 2003 (10:41)", "body": "(Linda) The article goes on to talk about TEP,... Thanks linda....Did you do all that typing???Or is it online. What does he say about TEP? Last I heard none of those guys had been paid."}, {"response": 1195, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 2003 (10:50)", "body": "(HW) Whenever we do a studio movie, we always pay retail. LOL! What, Harvey, don't you know somebody who can get it for you wholesale? ;-) No, that makes perfect sense and there is a rationale behind it. Actors can take paycuts on the art house films and those with award potential because that ups their asking price for all others. And, if the awards/critical acclaim come through, you can bet Harvey & Co. are going to put their money with their mouths are to back the campaign. That's what they're good at. Who wouldn't like to be in Harvey's shoes right now. The guy barely has to spend a dime as he has nearly all the important nominations in his pocket. Just a matter of deciding who *he* wants to win this year. Why spend money campaigning against himself. ;-) TEOR is definitely a film where they're going to have to pay retail. Thanks for typing up these excerpts, Linda."}, {"response": 1196, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 2003 (12:15)", "body": "(Evelyn)What does he say about TEP? Last I heard none of those guys had been paid. I was going to type the bit about TEP because I know it is your favorite, but I was in a bit of a hurry. I'll do it now. The article isn't online, at least not yet. ...And yes, Karen, I'm going to learn how to use the scanner. We just got a new one. More from the same article on HW from Entertainment Weekly, March 7. By Josh Young. EW: Let's talk about the sticky situation surrounding your first Oscar-winning Best Picture, TEP. Producer Saul Zaentz believes that not only is he owed money, but there are records he hasn't been allowed to see. What's the situation? HW: TEP was a risky movie. I sold it internationally for way too low. But I just wanted to cover myself. On the Oscar situation, yeah, I admit it, we probably spent way too much money but we wanted a Best Picture win. We spent $42 million in prints and advertising, but studios spend that on Just Married. Unless you spend $50 million on Kangaroo Jack , Jerry Bruckheimer, that film's producer, doesn't get out of bed. I don't blame Jerry. He's one of the best producers in the world. So I'm saying to Saul Zaentz, Sue us! Please sue us! We've released 492 films. We are monitored as a public company by Disney. We are audited by Disney. This is no Enron situation, and we're inviting Saul to sue us so that he keeps quiet. I'll give you another thing. Saul Zaentz will probably make--I would guess because I negotiated his deal--$50 million to $100 million on Lord of the Rings (to which Zaentz once owned film rights). One tenth of his back end takes care of any money that anybody is o ed on TEP."}, {"response": 1197, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 2003 (12:34)", "body": "(Harve)\" Saul Zaentz will probably make--I would guess because I negotiated his deal--$50 million to $100 million on Lord of the Rings (to which Zaentz once owned film rights). One tenth of his back end takes care of any money that anybody is owed on TEP.\" \"Yeah, but the actors didn't sign the contract with Saul Zaentz.\" Harvey covers himself and the actors don't get paid.Swell. Figures Saul would make the mint. Actually, I don't care if Saul falls off the end of the earth, anyway."}, {"response": 1198, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 2003 (14:35)", "body": "On the upcoming Duplex, we paid Ben Stiller and Drew Barrymore their asking price plus a huge piece of the gross. That's what is holding up TEOR, IMO. I bet the actors want a huge piece of the gross too. Once there is a precedent... Thanks, linda, for typing this out."}, {"response": 1199, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 2003 (16:45)", "body": "(Harvey) We are monitored as a public company by Disney. We are audited by Disney. Stop! My sides are splitting. Saul Zaentz will probably make--I would guess because I negotiated his deal--$50 million to $100 million on Lord of the Rings (to which Zaentz once owned film rights). One tenth of his back end takes care of any money that anybody is owed on TEP. Isn't that an admission of sorts, even though however much Zaentz is making on another deal is irrelevant because it should be coming out of Harvey's pocket?"}, {"response": 1200, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 2003 (19:33)", "body": "Thanks for the great article Linda. I love to learn about the inner workings of things. Find it so interesting. I may be wrong but based on publicity if this is how Harvey choses what he wants to win could it be Chicago? Great publicity for that film."}, {"response": 1201, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (08:33)", "body": "Variety: Posted: Sun., Mar. 2, 2003, 1:08am PT Marshall wins DGA award 'Chicago' tapped into frontrunner position By DAVE MCNARY LOS ANGELES -- Hollywood directors tapped \"Chicago\" helmer Rob Marshall for outstanding directorial achievement, kicking up the prospects of the critically praised tuner. \"I am overwhelmed,\" an elated Marshall told an audience of about 1,000 at Saturday's 55th Annual Directors Guild of America awards ceremonies at the Century Plaza Hotel. Marshall, who made his reputation on Broadway before taking on \"Chicago\" as his first feature, said the themes of crime and celebrity from the darkly comic musical continue to be timely and powerful for audiences. He first credited the choreographer Bob Fosse along with John Kander and Fred Ebb, who wrote the original 1975 musical. \"Chicago,\" following in the footsteps of the success of \"Moulin Rouge,\" has revived Hollywood interest in the musical genre. It is nearing $100 million in domestic grosses and received 13 Oscar nominations. Marshall also cited prominent musical directors Vincent Minelli, Stanley Donen, Robert Wise and Herbert Ross along with thesp-dancer Gene Kelly before offering kudos to the cast and Miramax exec Harvey Weinstein. Earlier in the evening, \"Chicago\" star Rene Zellweger presented Marshall with a nomination award and told him, \"Bob Fosse would be proud.\" Marshall topped an impressive field, including Stephen Daldry for \"The Hours,\" Peter Jackson of \"The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers,\" Roman Polanski for \"The Pianist\" and Martin Scorsese for \"Gangs of New York.\" Polanski had already been awarded best director nods from BAFTA and the National Society of Film Critics, while Scorsese won the Golden Globe and was also receiving a DGA Lifetime Achievement Award. Marshall's victory makes him a front-runner for the Academy Award for Best Director since the DGA winner has matched the Oscar winner in 49 of the last 54 years. The last time voting diverged came in 2000 when the DGA opted for Ang Lee for \"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon\" and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences selected Stephen Gaghan for \"Traffic.\" Polanski, who has remained outside the United States due to a sexual assault conviction, sent a videotaped greeting to the gathering that was shot by his daughter while both were in the Swiss Alps. The message concluded with Polanski skiing down a mountain slope. In accepting his lifetime achievement award from Steven Spielberg at the close of the evening, Scorsese stressed the collaborative nature of work in film and the need for filmmakers to preserve history. He also underscored the importance of foreign films, noting, \"It's the very nature of movies to bring us together.\" In another recognition of Fosse earlier in the evening, Matthew Diamond picked up the TV musical variety award for \"From Broadway: Fosse\" presentation on PBS's \"Great Performances: Dance in America.\" HBO dominated in major TV awards, with Bryan Gordon winning in comedy series for the \"Special Section\" episode of \"Curb Your Enthusiasm,\" John Patterson taking the drama series award for the \"Whitecaps\" episode of \"The Sopranos\" and Mick Jackson taking the TV movie award for \"Live From Baghdad.\" Scott McKinsey won daytime serials for ABC's \"One Life to Live\" and Guy Ferland took the children's program award for Showtime's \"Bang Bang You're Dead.\" Baker Smith took the commercial trophy and Tasha Oldham won for \"The Smith Family\" in the documentary category. Michael Moore's hit \"Bowling for Columbine\" was not among the nominated documentaries. Several presenters expressed concerns over the prospect of a looming war with Iraq. Jackson noted that \"Live From Baghdad\" was shot in Morocco, where the cast and crew were well treated by the Muslim population, and added, \"I hope that our common humanity will get us through this.\" Carl Reiner, who served as MC for the 17th consecutive DGA, concluded the evening by asserting that the U.S. should not be going to war. \"I hope that our elected officials will allow us to have another DGA dinner next year,\" he said."}, {"response": 1202, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (08:48)", "body": "The message concluded with Polanski skiing down a mountain slope. I love this! Michael Moore's hit \"Bowling for Columbine\" was not among the nominated documentaries. Why is that? I have a feeling that the Oscars will turn into one huge \"anti-war declaration\" program with all these actors making comments. Let's hope the UN is able to accomplish somethihg by then. Thanks, Murph!"}, {"response": 1203, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (09:10)", "body": "Marshall's victory makes him a front-runner for the Academy Award It sure does. I really thought they'd split it this year--best pic to Chicago and best director to Marty--but it doesn't look that way anymore. John Patterson taking the drama series award for the \"Whitecaps\" episode of \"The Sopranos\" Isn't that the second to the last episode, where they had the boat blaring out Dean Martin doing \"I like Vegas\"? ;-)"}, {"response": 1204, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (09:21)", "body": "I don't know about you...but I have \"award fatigue\" already. ~~~~~~ Movie awards have become predictable and tired, argues Matt Wolf Sunday March 2, 2003 The Observer Are you tiring of the awards season and that ever-familiar rollcall of names - Nicole, Jack, Daniel, Catherine - who are dominating this year's run-up to the seventy-fifth Academy Awards? Just imagine how the nominees themselves must feel, amid an increasingly prize-heavy schedule in which the frocks change but the people involved rarely do. Last Sunday's Baftas have clearly shown that their debatable raison d'\ufffdtre nowadays is to anticipate the Oscars, an event that, in turn, takes its cue from the Golden Globes, not to mention the panoply of end-of-year awards from various critics' organisations. And through it all emerges the same parade of people: a trio of Hours women here, a pair of Chicago hoofers there. And hardly an idiosyncratic, bravely off-the-wall, boldly counterintuitive nominee in sight. It is not my intention to slight the people involved. I remain as admiring of Nicole Kidman's schnozzle as the next person and of Ren\ufffde Zellweger's ability to command the camera in song-and- dance terms the way the late, great Gwen Verdon, Chicago's first-ever Roxie Hart, once held a Broadway stage. But even these ladies must find themselves wishing that there were one less prize-giving pow-wow to have to schlep to. Or that at least one of the many British and American awards-giving bodies might have the imagination to cast a wider net. A taste of that eclecticism was seen in early December when the National Board of Review gave its best actor prize to Campbell Scott for the low-budget and quirky film Roger Dodger, while Edie Falco, from The Sopranos, began popping up here and there in the supporting actress category for her work in John Sayles's Sunshine State. Such diversity of names gives all the more reason to cheer Hollywood's Independent Spirit Awards, which will be handed out 22 March, the night before the Oscars. There, at least, one finds mentions of the talent behind Personal Velocity, Narc, and Lovely and Amazing, none of which registered on the Oscar-Bafta radar, as well as a best actor nod for Campbell Scott. In more mainstream ceremonies, the consensus has very nearly become crippling: how else to explain those categories (best picture and best actor, quite amazingly, among them) in which the Bafta nominees were exactly the same as the quintet of Oscar hopefuls? How was it that Bafta voters were so keen on, say, Christopher Walken in Catch Me if You Can and Meryl Streep in Adaptation when the entire casts of such top-rank British films as The Magdalene Sisters and Dirty Pretty Things went entirely unremarked? The answer lies in extensive lobbying on behalf of the major American studios for their Oscar front-runners for which a Bafta could provide a useful perch. (Thank heavens that at least the winners tilted toward the realm of the surprise, starting with the Brazilian epic City of God beating Gangs of New York to take best editing.) Oh well. Perhaps Bafta is merely mirroring the world at large. If Tony Blair is going to be Dubya's poodle, why shouldn't the Baftas be Oscar's lapdog? To be fair, the Baftas are in a bind: present them after the Oscars, as was the case for many years, and most nominees don't want to know; their season sashaying down red carpets has come to an end. And yet, bring forward the Bafta date and they become part of the Oscar furniture and you risk making a mockery of whatever allegiance the Baftas have ever had to British films, amid which the two prizes won by Asif Kapadia for The Warrior constituted the most welcome news of the night. The real irony may well come if and when Peter Mullan and Geraldine McEwan find themselves among next year's Oscar nominees following the autumn 2003 release in the States of The Magdalene Sisters. The 2004 Baftas, wanting to pay rightful homage, will have failed to grasp the nettle: their time to honour the film closer to home was now and the chance was missed. And so it is that the rollcall of recipients rarely changes - note the fact that Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep between them can boast nearly 30 Oscar nominations. Sometimes, a new name gets added to the list, and a very sweet addition he or she is, too: no one was more surprised than Judi Dench herself at being nominated four out of the past five years (three times runner-up, one win, for Shakespeare in Love). That fact, in turn, suggests just how greatly disliked the recent Oliver Parker film of The Importance of Being Earnest must have been that Dench wasn't Oscar-nominated again for her Lady Bracknell. Or for a Bafta either, in sharp contrast to that era when all Dench had to do to figure in the Bafta race was make a film - she had four successive supporting actress nominations between 1986 and 1989 for barely remembered movies like 84 Charing Cross Road. Things have perked up of late at the Evening Standard Thea"}, {"response": 1205, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (09:23)", "body": "Sorry...here's the source: http://www.observer.co.uk/review/story/0,6903,905454,00.html"}, {"response": 1206, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (10:07)", "body": "But even these ladies must find themselves wishing that there were one less prize-giving pow-wow to have to schlep to. Or that at least one of the many British and American awards-giving bodies might have the imagination to cast a wider net. What is he smoking? That's what they live for, recognition. the two prizes won by Asif Kapadia for The Warrior constituted the most welcome news of the night. I agree! I want to see this. Thanks, Evelyn!"}, {"response": 1207, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (11:01)", "body": "the two prizes won by Asif Kapadia for The Warrior constituted the most welcome news of the night. Actually, that award was intended as slap to the Academy since the film was rejected as the UK's submission for Best Foreign Language film since it whatever language it is in (Hindi??) is not the submitting country's native language. BTW, the article is ridiculous. Bafta wanted its awards to be deemed \"relevant\" and chose to play on the AA's playing field. Unfortunately, I still don't believe the Bafta voters mirror Academy voters' minds. Not even possible."}, {"response": 1208, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (11:12)", "body": "Thanks Linda for the article on HW. Guess he's having the last laugh now--New Yorker hatchet job be damned...."}, {"response": 1209, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (11:50)", "body": "Oh I don't think it's so ridiculous....well at least , I don't agree with all that he says. i.e. : I thought Angela Bassett was better than Edie Falco in Sunshine State. I have no problem with awards going to Hollywood stars and films if they are deserving...but why the preponderance of Hollywood stars as presenters... trot out the Brit talent they have . Besides it seems more genuine & hospitable to receive an award from a national than a foreigner."}, {"response": 1210, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (14:26)", "body": "Marshall's victory makes him a front-runner for the Academy Award (Karen) It sure does. I really thought they'd split it this year--best pic to Chicago and best director to Marty--but it doesn't look that way anymore That was my guess, too, but I'm sooooo glad to see Rob Marshall get this. Guess they figured Marty's Lifetime award is enough for one year. You can tell in today's NY Times what basket Harvey is putting his $$ eggs in for the Oscar....2 full page, color ad, in the middle fold of the Arts section for Chicago and 1 full page b/w for Gangs and The Hours (with Paramount) . Finally managed to see The Pianist last week.....brilliant! Talk about angst overload. And, if anyone is going to be in the NYC area in the next week or 2, check out the Donmar's 12th Night or *especially* Uncle Vanya at BAM. It's ending soon, but very well worth the effort to get there. Was *very*(!) struck by Mark Strong in Uncle Vanya. Didn't notice so much in 12th Night. Barely in it. Forgotten the connection to FP til I read the Playbill when I saw 12th Night first, but boy is he a stage presence in Vanya. Have to admit, was saying CF who for those 3 hours (and did time blow by). He looks totally different but was captivating with his comanding presence, intense gaze, and booming voice. After looking on some pics on the net, decided he's much more appealing with a beard, too. And I'm not usually big on men with such short (or lack of) hair. *Wonderful* cast all around."}, {"response": 1211, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 2003 (14:39)", "body": "Here comes another rumor.... From Dark Horizons: \"Pal Joey: Catherine Zeta Jones, Richard Gere and Renee Zellweger are tipped to re-unite in another musical. This one's a remake of Sinatra classic \"Pal Joey\"."}, {"response": 1212, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (09:27)", "body": "geez, you guys get to see some great movies and my boyfriend drags me to Daredevil to drool over Jennifer Garner... *sigh*"}, {"response": 1213, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (13:11)", "body": "From a good film site: Guy at the Movies (Guy Flately, who used to be a NY Times film critic): (Lola, take note) http://www.moviecrazed.com/guymovies.html TIME FOR A REALITY CHECK AT UNIVERSAL? If you have tears to shed for major movie executives, prepare to shed them now for the big boys at Universal Pictures. It\ufffds obvious they expected \"The Life of David Gale\" to show more signs of life than it did. The heavy-sweating melodrama about Texecutions got mowed down by the critics and is currently experiencing death rattles at the box office. How could this happen to a Kevin Spacey vehicle all the focus groups said would go through the roof? According to a report in weekly Variety headlined \"Assassination of \ufffdDavid Gale\ufffd,\" one studio insider, stupefied by the critical panning, whined, \"I think the press have cut the box office in half.\" He went on to speculate that critics may have felt that Alan Parker, the British director who got America\ufffds civil rights movement all wrong in \"Mississippi Burning,\" is hardly the person to be preaching to us about the Texan passion for capital punishment. \"Given the personal tone of some reviews,\" said the anonymous insider, \"do they just have something against Parker?\" On the other hand, Universal has reason to expect a far kinder critical response to another of its new movies. In the same issue of Variety, Lisa Nesselson gives a glowing review to \"The Final Curtain,\" which \"features a bang-up perf by Peter O\ufffdToole as a monstrous gameshow host. Fast-paced look at the vicious rivalry between two successful U.K. TV presenters is craftily structured and merciless in its black humor.\" So can we expect \"The Final Curtain\" to surpass the pitiful $7,000,000 opening-weekend gross of \"The Life of David Gale\"? No way. Universal is sending the British import directly to Blockbuster. Look for it on the shelves in May. By the way, does Universal have something against Peter O\ufffdToole?"}, {"response": 1214, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (13:37)", "body": "\"..the British director who got America?s civil rights movement all wrong in \"Mississippi Burning,\" is hardly the person to be preaching to us about the Texan passion for capital punishment. \" You want me to pay ten bucks to hear a \"sermon\" about capital punishment? Hate movies that \"preach\" to me. However in this case there is a lot more wrong with this film and not just the topic. Always think of Samuel Goldwyn of MGM who once said: \"If I wanted to send a message, I'd go to Western Union\"."}, {"response": 1215, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (13:46)", "body": "Thanks for all the great information ladies. So glad Rob Marshall won best director, hoped he would. I would say Harvey's eggs are in the basket for Chicago. Constant publicity."}, {"response": 1216, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (15:23)", "body": "(Evelyn)However in this case there is a lot more wrong with this film and not just the topic. Amen. I saw this last weekend. I'm a sucker for anything labeled a \"thriller\". It left me cold. I never once twisted in my seat...even at the obvious part where we should all be getting nervous and apprehensive. Nothing in this film made me care about anything. As far as making a statement on the death penalty?? I don't think they succeeded."}, {"response": 1217, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (15:48)", "body": "Here's the Variety review of The Final Curtain (Peter O is still going strong! And it has a couple of one degrees of CF in it) (U.K.) A UIP (in U.K.)/Universal (in U.S.) release of a DNA Films presentation, in association with UIP, of a Young Crossbow production. (International sales: Youngfilms, U.K.) Produced by Duncan Kenworthy, Andrew Macdonald, Christopher Young. Directed by Patrick Harkins. Screenplay, John Hodge. J.J. Curtis - Peter O'Toole Jonathan Stitch - Adrian Lester Dave Turner - Aidan Gillen Karen - Julia Sawalha -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By LISA NESSELSON -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A sardonic Greek tragedy about celebrity and ambition, which would have had the ancient Greeks applauding between laughs, \"The Final Curtain\" features a bang-up perf by Peter O'Toole as a monstrous gameshow host. Fast-paced look at the vicious rivalry between two successful U.K. TV presenters is craftily structured and merciless in its black humor. Satisfying romp, properly marketed, should attract attention, although Universal has decided to bypass theatrical release Stateside and send the picture straight to video in May. Saga of showbiz skullduggery is told in flashback by Jonathan Stitch (Adrian Lester), a serious novelist who, against his better judgment, agrees to write the biography of J.J. Curtis (O'Toole). Cleverly assembled archival footage establishes both backstory and irreverent tone. We learn J.J., had no luck as an entertainer until a fortuitous accident in 1973 jumpstarted his career. J.J. later invented \"The Big Prize,\" a TV quizshow awash in wholesome family values that made its host a household name. Negotiations are under way for what is to be the crowning achievement of J.J.'s life -- the sale of his long-running show's concept to \"the Americans.\" But J.J.'s chief on-air rival, Dave Turner (Aidan Gillen) -- \"a combination of Sid Vicious and Pee-wee Herman,\" per Stitch's narration, also hopes to make a deal with U.S. broadcasters. Turner's show, \"Current Account,\" rewards contestants for shooting 5,000 volts of electricity through a loved one who's strapped into an electric chair before an enthusiastic audience. Although he's jaunty and warm on the tube, J.J. is abusive and opportunistic off-screen. Dave is even more objectionable in real life, as we learn from his erstwhile personal assistant, Karen (Julia Sawalha). It's not just that the two rivals will stop at nothing; it's the ingenuity with which they wage their private war that keeps upping the ante. Script by John Hodge -- his first beyond movies with helmer Danny Boyle -- gleefully sends up every variety of craven self-interest. Along the way, it mocks the tactics required to stay on top in a fickle field where public opinion can spin on a dime -- or a fabricated scandal. Lester is well cast as the honorable practitioner of high art sucked into the sphere of lowest common denominators. Gillen looks and moves like a spoiled brat who mistakenly equates celebrity with mass affection. But it's O'Toole who shines as the wily and resilient operator whose rottenness is comprised of almost too many layers for Stitch to investigate. Debuting helmer Patrick Harkins tells the intricate tale with clear lively strokes, breezily sustaining a mood of ambient malice. It's getting increasingly difficult to satirize TV -- and this premise may well seem tame a few years hence -- but for now, it delivers both as entertainment and as social commentary. With: Ralph Brown, Henry Goodman, Patrick Malahide, Ian McNeice, Charles Simon. Camera (color), Oliver Curtis; editors, Justine Wright, Scott Thomas; music, Mozart, Strauss, J.S. Bach, Verdi, Chopin; production designer, Kave Quinn; art director, Tracey Gallacher; set decorator, Rebecca Gilles; costume designer, Susannah Buxton; sound (Dolby), Tim Fraser, Peter Gleaves; assistant director, Sean Guest; casting, Nina Gold. Reviewed at Gothenburg Film Festival, Sweden, Jan. 30, 2003. MPAA rating: R. Running time: 84 MIN."}, {"response": 1218, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (16:34)", "body": "Satisfying romp, properly marketed, should attract attention, although Universal has decided to bypass theatrical release Stateside and send the picture straight to video in May It's a conspiracy. No one wants him to get the \"real\" Oscar now. He might prove his point when he was declining the \"fake\" one that he still has some good performances left in him and wasn't ready to go to pasture. ;-)"}, {"response": 1219, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 2003 (10:05)", "body": "Not much here potentially for an actor considered to be in Miramax's \"stable\" of talent: Miramax puts Euro titles on prod'n fast track By Stuart Kemp LONDON -- Miramax Films is gearing up its development and production ambitions across Europe, fueled by the return to London from New York of executive vp production and development Colin Vaines. Working in tandem with New York-based executive vp production and development Julie Goldstein, Vaines is fast-tracking several European-set titles on Miramax's burgeoning development slate, he said Monday. According to Vaines, Miramax is ramping up its commitment to \"making family movies\" on its next production slate. Headlining such projects is an adaptation of Jonathan Stroud's as-yet-unpublished kids adventure \"The Amulet of Samarkand.\" The first in Stroud's \"Bartimaeus Trilogy,\" the book is billed by Vaines as a \"classic kids' adrenaline story\" and details the story of a young magician who conjures up a disgruntled genie. Stroud is writing an initial draft script for Miramax from his story, which is set against the backdrop of London in a parallel universe ruled by magicians. Former children's book editor Stroud struck a $3 million deal with Miramax Books for U.S. publishing and film rights based on a partial manuscript and outline for his proposed trilogy last year. His adaptation joins another Miramax-published novel, \"Artemis Fowl,\" on the development/production fast track at Miramax. Vaines is working closely on the big-screen adaptation of \"Fowl,\" which Larry Guterman will direct. The screenplay is being penned by Chris Viscardi and Will McRobb (\"The Cricket in Times Square\"), based on Irish author Eoin Colfer's book of the same name. The mini-major is developing the film Stateside under the supervision of Goldstein, and the project will be produced by Tribeca Films partners Jane Rosenthal and Robert De Niro. \"Fowl\" follows the adventures of a crafty 12-year-old boy immersed in a world of fairies, leprechauns and gnomes. Miramax is also stepping up development on Philip Pullman's novel \"The Firework-Maker's Daughter,\" having optioned the script development rights. Pullman's book details a young girl's quest through exotic lands to become a maker of fireworks like her father. \"It is in active development, but we are currently deciding on who will adapt it at the moment,\" said Vaines. Other titles on the fast track through the company's European operations include \"Newton's Law,\" from a script by Richard Kurti and Bev Doyle. The story centers on British scientist Isaac Newton, who, according to the history books, worked as a warden at the Royal Mint. The script tells the story of Newton breaking a counterfeit ring during his stint there. Vaines and Goldstein are also fast-tracking an adaptation of Allison Pearson's book \"I Don't Know How She Does It.\" Miramax has brought in screenwriter Kevin Wade (\"Maid in Manhattan\") to draft a screenplay from Pearson's best-selling novel about a professional woman who juggles a career, marriage and children against the hectic world of big business. The mini-major is also developing \"Four Knights,\" from a script by Paul Webb. Vaines described the project as \" 'A Man for All Seasons' meets 'Trainspotting.' \" \"Although it is a historical-set drama, it has a really contemporary voice,\" Vaines said. \"Four Knights\" chronicles four knights' attempt to kill Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Beckett in 12th-century England."}, {"response": 1220, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 2003 (08:22)", "body": "Another Kudo for Miss Darcy..... The Soul Keeper (Prendimi L'Anima)-- Lee Marshall in Rome 05 March 2003 Dir: Roberto Faenza. Italy-France-UK. 2003. 97mins. Italian director Roberto Faenza's first English-language film spins a historical romance out of a footnote in the history of psychoanalysis. By turns involving and frustrating, it demonstrates the danger of a many-handed script which was only translated into English at a fairly late stage. But while the dialogue smacks a little too much of a language-teaching video; strong performances from the two leads, Emilia Fox (The Pianist) as Sabina Spielerein and Iain Glen as her psychoanalyst, Carl Jung, make up for the occasional weak line. Italian audiences - apparently unfazed by the dialogue in the dubbed version - have responded well to The Soul Keeper, which on its opening weekend in early January posted the best screen average after The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers. Five weeks later it is still playing on 112 screens and has taken $3.2m. Fox will be the strongest selling-point for the film in its bid for distribution in English-language territories (more so after the burgeoning awards success of The Pianist), where it is unlikely to repeat its strong Italian showing. In 1977 Italian historian Aldo Carotentuto came upon a bundle of letters and diaries that revealed the true nature of the relationship between Carl Jung - the influential but wayward disciple of Sigmund Freud -and his first patient, a young Russian-Jewish girl called Sabina Spielerein. The film is built on the speculation that, once cured, Spielerein may have become Jung's mistress; indeed, the central image on Italian distributor Medusa\ufffds poster artwork is a scene of the two engaged in a steamy tussle on a Persian rug. Having qualified as a psychoanalyst herself, Spielerein returns to native Russia a few years after the Revolution, where she set up a progressive nursery school whose pupils included one of Stalin's sons. The correspondence between Spielerein and Jung and between Jung and his master, Freud, underpins a story that takes the audience from the asylum where Jung first attempted to impose his modern methods (cue traditional 'enemy' doctors with medieval straps and chains) to urban Vienna circa 1905 (cue coffee houses and Klimt exhibitions), to a Moscow still in love with Lenin's vision of a brave new world (cue sepia newsreel-style footage). Over didactic and over obvious (both of the dreams recounted in the film involve that old Freudian chestnut, the charging stallion), the script is lifted by Emilia Fox's performance as Sabina. Some audiences may find her scenes of madness somewhat over-melodramatic, but Fox is capable of reining herself in too, and gives Audrey Tautou a run for a money as an actress who can signal emotion with the eyes alone. Less convincing, however, is the film's contemporary frame, involving a Scottish professor and a mysterious Frenchwoman who are researching the life of Jung's first patient. Prod co: Jean Vigo Italia Co-prods: Les Films du Centaure, Cowboy Films It dist: Medusa Int'l sales: Adriana Chiesa Enterprises Prod: Elda Ferri Scr: Faenza, in collaboration with Gianni Arduini, Alessandro Defilippi, Giampiero Rigosi, Hugh Fleetwood, Ferri Cinematography: Maurizio Calvesi Prod des: Giantito Burchiellaro, Vladimir Trapznikov Ed: Massimo Fiocchi Music: Andrea Guerra Main cast: Iain Glen, Emilia Fox, Craig Ferguson, Caroline Ducey, Jane Alexander, Daria Galluccio"}, {"response": 1221, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 2003 (09:12)", "body": "Thanks for posting the review, Murph. I'll look for this one if/when it gets here. Speaking of Audrey Tautou, I just saw \"He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not.\" Definitely worthwhile to see but you shouldn't read too much about it as most reviews give away too much of the story. I can't even tell you why you should see it because then you'd know too much. ;-)"}, {"response": 1222, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 2003 (09:22)", "body": "Thanks for the interesting articles ladies."}, {"response": 1223, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 2003 (10:09)", "body": "Karen, off topic (which is weird as this is odds and ends;)), but did you read Byatt's The Biographer's Tale?"}, {"response": 1224, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 2003 (10:25)", "body": "I just found this and it looks interesting (I'll also post the pictures at the bottom). Doogie Howser goes raunchy Neil Patrick Harris remakes his image from M.D. to Emcee Neil Patrick Harris has established a career for himself in musical theater since leaving his role as \"Doogie Howser, M.D.\" NEW YORK (AP) -- Theatergoers may not be quick to recognize the new master of ceremonies in Broadway's \"Cabaret.\" Chances are that many have seen him in something before, but never quite like this. Neil Patrick Harris -- TV's \"Doogie Howser, M.D.\" -- began headlining the Roundabout Theatre Company's raunchy revival of the musical in January, joining a cast that has been heavy on mainstream name recognition in the long-running show that opened in 1998. As the painted, lascivious Emcee who lures audiences into director Sam Mendes' dark vision, the only thing familiar about the former teenage star is his name. Harris shed some weight for the role, along with the squeaky-clean image that accompanied his early stardom. Taking a break in his dressing room on a recent afternoon, Harris' signature wholesomeness was apparent. Only traces of the goth stage persona were visible -- a long flap of jet black hair pushed away from his eyes and \"weeks-old\" layers of chipped nail polish, also black. \"Cabaret\" is the latest in a recent flurry of theater work for Harris, who jumped at the opportunity to play the strung-out host of the Kit Kat Klub. \"Living in Berlin in the late '20s, at the end of the Weimar Cabaret period, there was great fun and frivolity,\" he says. \"And suddenly it started to turn very dark and caustic and drugs were abundant. Cocaine addiction was running rampant. There was lots of heroin and opium. So you have this very twisted sense of reality.\" 'It's not so bad' The sight of Harris as The Emcee in \"Cabaret\" tends to shock audiences. The distortion of reality is somehow tweaked by the procession of familiar faces that has starred in the production, which celebrated its 2,000th performance this month. The cast has featured, at various times, such actors as Molly Ringwald, Brooke Shields, Tom Bosley and Hal Linden. Michael C. Hall and John Stamos had stints as The Emcee, a role originated by Alan Cumming, who also won a Tony. A lot about this role is new, including some physical challenges, like the accent. \"The trick is being as authentic as you can, but still be American enough so that people can understand you,\" says Harris, who worked with a few different dialect coaches. Also, by his standards, there is a lot of dancing, at times in drag and high heels. \"I find you're on the balls of your feet, so it's not so bad.\" Peter Wolf, the production's stage manager, was impressed with how quickly Harris picked up the dance numbers and other challenges of the role. \"He came very prepared and ready to work,\" says Wolf. \"We were ahead of schedule all the time. He just kept pushing us to move on.\" Harris also pushed himself to slim down. Actors playing The Emcee learn quickly that being in shape is a necessity, according to Wolf. \"They realize that their stamina has to be built up. They are moving constantly from the top of the show to the end. They're on stage probably 85 percent of the time.\" Of the several Emcees Wolf has seen pass through the production, he noted that Harris' approach was to accent The Emcee's broad change in tone, waiting until later scenes to fully reveal the character's deeply cynical and tragic sides. This nightly metamorphosis is something Harris relishes about the part. \"The whole idea of The Emcee's role is that he sort of defines transformation. He starts off very happy and charming as the 'Willkommen' man,\" Harris says, referring to the show's famous opening number. \"And then he's an aristocrat flaunting his money, or a lovesick man falling in love for the first time. Sometimes he's a woman in the kick line. It's not until the final transformation at the end that you realize who he truly is.\" Up next: Peter Parker's voice For Harris, who turns 30 in June, range is part of the fun of acting. His recent assignments have spanned \"the token white guy\" in the movie \"Undercover Brother\" to the cerebral love interest of Anne Heche's Catherine in the Pulitzer Prize-winning play \"Proof.\" We were ahead of schedule all the time. He just kept pushing us to move on. -- Stage manager Peter Wolf on Neil Patrick Harris In his latest television project, scheduled to premiere in April, his identity may be even more thickly masked than it is by The Emcee's caked-on makeup. He plays the voice of Peter Parker in MTV's animated series \"Spiderman.\" \"It's all computer-generated 3D animation. Very cool stuff,\" says Harris, who has done much voice work. Like many actors, he splits his time between New York and Los Angeles. But theater, he says, is more than just a way of filling time in the off-season. And musical theater is something he especially intends to keep pursuing -- a goal made easier by Stephen Sondheim, wh"}, {"response": 1225, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 2003 (10:26)", "body": "well to see the pic http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/TV/03/04/wkd.neil.patrick.harris.ap/index.html"}, {"response": 1226, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 2003 (11:27)", "body": "The film is built on the speculation that, once cured, Spielerein may have become Jung's mistress; It known that Jung tended to have affairs with his deciples too and that included Marie Louise Von Franz. Any aspect of Jung's life would make an interesting film, IMO. Thanks, Murph."}, {"response": 1227, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 2003 (11:43)", "body": "Attn: Conspiracy Theorists! From the LA Times: Judge 'The Pianist,' not Roman Polanski The battle over the director's nomination speaks volumes about why the Oscars have devolved into a seamy mystery. By PATRICK GOLDSTEIN March 4 2003 Ah, the sweet smell of Oscar season in full bloom! Samantha Geimer, the woman who was sexually violated by \"The Pianist\" director Roman Polanski when she was a 13-year-old Valley Girl way, way back in 1977, recently popped up on ABC's \"Good Morning America\" and CNN's \"Larry King Live,\" forgiving the director for his sins. She also penned an op-ed piece in this newspaper, gracefully saying, \"No one needs to worry about me.... Mr. Polanski and his film should be honored according to the quality of the work. I think that the academy members should vote for the movies they feel deserve it. Not for people they feel are popular.\" That was the last we saw of anything resembling goodwill. The reaction in hard-boiled Hollywood speaks volumes about why the Oscars have devolved from a classy night at the opera into a seamy murder mystery. The question on everyone's lips: Who was behind Geimer's TV appearances? Was the leading suspect \"Pianist\" distributor Focus Films, betting that Geimer's forgiveness would cast Polanski in a more sympathetic light? Or was it Miramax's Harvey Weinstein, the dark prince of past Oscar campaigns, who somehow engineered the \"Good Morning America\" interview (after all, conspiracy theorists say, aren't ABC and Miramax both owned by Disney?) figuring the rehashing of Polanski's sordid escapade would nudge voters toward Miramax candidates \"Chicago\" and \"Gangs of New York\"? Focus Films Co-President James Schamus says his company \"unequivocally had no knowledge of her appearances\" while Miramax spokeswoman Amanda Lundberg says her company had nothing to do \"in any way\" with any Geimer appearances. There seems to be no evidence driving the rumors except the cynical view that this is a contest no different from any hardball political campaign. Now in her late 30s, Geimer comes off as a wholesome-looking suburban soccer mom. Asked why she hasn't seen \"The Pianist,\" she explained: \"I don't go for dramas. I'm more of an action-adventure or comedy [moviegoer].\" She kept her poise, even when King walked her through her encounter with Polanski like a homicide detective, leeringly asking, \"It was just straight sex -- nothing else? Did he ask you to do other things?\" The most poignant moment came when Geimer tried to explain why her mother had allowed a 13-year-old girl to go alone for a photo session with the rakish film director. \"We trusted him,\" she said. \"We had no reason not to. He was a celebrity.\" That's not to say that Geimer isn't media savvy. When King speculated that Polanski probably wouldn't even recognize her today, Geimer glanced around the TV studio and wryly replied, \"He probably would now.\" With \"The Pianist\" having emerged as a formidable best picture contender, especially after winning both film and director statuettes at the recent British and French awards ceremonies, Polanski's tangled life story has taken center stage again. But what has also taken center stage is an age-old debate over whether an artist's accomplishments should be judged against his misdeeds, a debate that has divided Hollywood many times over its history. Always a fugitive \"The Pianist,\" which features Adrien Brody as noted Polish pianist Wladyslaw Szpilman, chronicles the lethal Nazi occupation of the Warsaw Jewish ghetto, something Polanski experienced first-hand as a child. In many ways, he has always been a fugitive. During the war he escaped through a gap in the wall of the Krakow ghetto not long before his pregnant mother was sent to the gas chambers. In 1969, after Polanski's pregnant wife, Sharon Tate, was murdered by the Charles Manson family, nasty insinuations by the media sent him fleeing back to Europe. Even bastions of propriety like Time and Newsweek took relish in printing the grisly details of his wife's bloody demise, gossiping about her \"shaky\" marriage and describing the murders' similarity to nightmarish scenes in Polanski movies \"Repulsion\" and \"Rosemary's Baby.\" After being viewed more with suspicion than sympathy in that dark hour, when Polanski got word that the judge in the Geimer case planned to throw the book at him, he opted for fugitive status again. For anyone who's seen 1974's \"Chinatown,\" Polanski and Robert Towne's masterful portrait of corruption in pre-war Los Angeles, revolving around an oily paterfamilias who rapes his daughter and lusts after his granddaughter, the back-room events surrounding the 1977 sex scandal have an eerie resonance. For that matter, if Polanski's case had gone to trial, the resulting media circus might've had many of the outlandish shenanigans that dominate \"Chicago.\" According to Geimer's lawyer, Lawrence Silver, all parties agreed to a plea bargain allowing Polanski, who spent 42 days in jail undergoing psychological "}, {"response": 1228, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 2003 (12:24)", "body": "(Laura) Karen, off topic (which is weird as this is odds and ends;)), but did you read Byatt's The Biographer's Tale? Not only is this off topic, but it is also what email is for. :)"}, {"response": 1229, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 2003 (16:42)", "body": "\"...an age-old debate over whether an artist's accomplishments should be judged against his misdeeds, a debate that has divided Hollywood many times over its history.... ...As time passes, the personal transgressions fade into the background; the artist's brilliance is what we cherish and remember. \" Oh yeah...well it certainly cooked Russell Crowe last year for A Beautiful Mind. Scandalous."}, {"response": 1230, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 2003 (18:05)", "body": "Karen: Thanks for the LA Times article. Gives us many things to ponder."}, {"response": 1231, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 2003 (18:41)", "body": "I'm glad Patrick Goldstein is is rooting for The Pianist. He is a very well known and respected critic in LA. My DH saw The Soul Keeper (Prendimi L'Anima), in Milan today. He says it's terrible. But my DH is among other things, a Jung scholar, so he was probably looking out for more than the average viewer would."}, {"response": 1232, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 2003 (22:11)", "body": "(Polanski's lawyer) \"What the judge did was outrageous,\" Silver recently explained. Um, no, actually thinking that he'd get away with time served--42 days--for rape is what's outrageous! On what planet would that be a fair sentence for rape? In an ideal world, people should be judged on their accomplishments, of course. But AA voters are human beings, and as such do tend to vote for people they like--or at least those they don't find loathsome. And I think Goldstein is reaching when he brings up CZJ in the same context--ok, maybe she's tacky and money-grubbing, maybe she's not. But she hasn't hurt anyone. *That* is the difference. On the other hand, some celebs seem to be Teflon-coated, such as the nominee who is allegedly carrying on with a married actor, you know, the one whose poor wife is ill.:-("}, {"response": 1233, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 2003 (22:20)", "body": "(Mari), the nominee who is allegedly carrying on with a married actor, you know, the one whose poor wife is ill.:-( I am so out of it! Who is that? But AA voters are human beings, and as such do tend to vote for people they like-- Here's..............................Jack! ;-)"}, {"response": 1234, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (08:53)", "body": "Ah, Moon, you know me, I don't like to gossip.;-) Let's just say it got awfully warm on that cold mountain.;-) Why the heck couldn't CF have nabbed a role in this? Will be a huge blockbuster, lots of publicity: Clive Owen Confirmed as King Arthur Thursday, March 6, 2003 8:17 CST Disney has crowned Clive Owen as King Arthur and is in talks with fellow British actor Stephen Dillane to take on the role of Merlin in the studio's Jerry Bruckheimer-produced take on the medieval legend. The Hollywood Reporter says the project, being eyed for a spring start with Training Day helmer Antoine Fuqua set to direct, is described as a demystified take on the tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and promises a more realistic portrayal of Arthur than has ever been presented onscreen. The film will focus on the history and politics of the period during which Arthur ruled -- when the Roman empire collapsed and skirmishes over power broke out in outlying countries -- as opposed to the mystical elements of the tale on which past Arthur films have focused."}, {"response": 1235, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (09:17)", "body": "(Polanski's lawyer) \"What the judge did was outrageous,\" Silver recently explained. (Mari) Um, no, actually thinking that he'd get away with time served--42 days--for rape is what's outrageous! On what planet would that be a fair sentence for rape? Don't disagree one jot with the sentiment, but I believe the lawyer's outrage had to do with the fact that the judge had approved the plea and was now going to toss it out. He should never have agreed to such a pathetic agreement to begin with is what is outrageous. (Actually, I didn't think the judge had a say, though they can set aside a verdict.) But Polanski has to bear the ramifications of his actions. If his artistic work is tainted, then that's how it will be. I merely thought the article interesting because of the accusations that Miramax was again conducting a smear campaign by ensuring that Polanski's past was in the public's consciousness. (Mari) such as the nominee who is allegedly carrying on with a married actor, you know, the one whose poor wife is ill.:-( There were two, single nominees up on that cold mountain. Is she taller than the one whose poor wife is ill? ;-)"}, {"response": 1236, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (09:26)", "body": "Well, like I said yesterday, the AA folks cut RC out last year because they disapproved of his behavior..... simply roughing up some BBC honcho for editing his acceptance speech at the BAFTA. C'mon."}, {"response": 1237, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (09:37)", "body": "(Evelyn) Well, like I said yesterday, the AA folks cut RC out last year because they disapproved of his behavior That situation was not so \"cut and dry.\" The Oscar was *his* to lose and lose it he did, when the forces of Right (give it to Denzel) mobilized. From BBC News, especially for Janet2: US writer Bryson tops 'England' poll A travelogue by US author Bill Bryson has been chosen as the book which best represents England in a poll organised for World Book Day. Notes from a Small Island, a book based on Bryson's experiences in Britain, was chosen ahead of classics such as George Orwell's 1984 and George Monbiot's Captive State. In the poll, Welsh readers chose Work, Sex And Rugby by Lewis Davies, Scottish readers picked Me And Ma Girl by Des Dillon while Northern Ireland chose Desire Lines by Annie McCartney. In a separate poll organised by BBC Radio 4, English listeners made Orwell's 1984 their choice. Bryson, who lived in the UK for 20 years, said he was delighted by the honour. \"I'm both grateful, and surprised, to receive this honour. \"We are just about to move back to the UK so it's especially pleasing that my affection for the country has been recognised at this time.\" Originally from Des Moines in Iowa, he settled in England after visiting on a backpacking trip. He lived for many years in north Yorkshire with his wife and children and his book topped the best-seller lists. [...] World Book Day, organised by the Publishers Association and the Booksellers Association of the UK and Ireland, is an annual festival of reading. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/arts/2824715.stm"}, {"response": 1238, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (09:47)", "body": "Stephen Dillane to take on the role of Merlin Fantastic! I will see any movie that has to do with the legend of King Arthur. There were two, single nominees up on that cold mountain. Is she taller than the one whose poor wife is ill? ;-) Yes. Thanks, Dorine!"}, {"response": 1239, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (10:01)", "body": "(Karen)There were two, single nominees up on that cold mountain. Is she taller than the one whose poor wife is ill? ;-) This lady is very tall indeed, very glam, and to be fair, very talented--she's to die for, really.;-);-) It's predicted that her paramour's shaky marriage will last only as long as it takes for her to pick up her Oscar. (Meow;-) The Oscar was *his* to lose and lose it he did, when the forces of Right (give it to Denzel) mobilized. Yep. IMO, the industry closes ranks and protects its own. Rough up a Beeb producer? They weren't going to let that stand. And I actually thought Denzel was great in Training Day. Still, I'd have given it to RC--awesome in ABM. He'll have more chances . . . but the needs to steer clear of the booze and rein in the temper. Re: Polanski--it's not like there's no one else deserving for the award. I'd give it to Daldry or Marshall."}, {"response": 1240, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (10:49)", "body": "Re: Polanski -- that was a singular issue. Did you know that girl looked older than 13 and indeed was passing herself of as older? There's no excusing what he did if he actually had knowledge of her being a minor, but the girl went to that party, there were drugs there, film types, etc. She went looking for a movie role. It's an old clich\ufffd. She has forgiven him, he has suffered great loss. Get over it! The Pianist is the best movie of the year. That said, I think all pedophiles should be shot, no jail time on tax payers money."}, {"response": 1241, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (10:52)", "body": "(Moon)Re: Polanski--it's not like there's no one else deserving for the award. I'd give it to Daldry or Marshall. Exactly. Mari, you do know the dirt! I had no idea that mountain wasn't so cold after all.;-) Very sad story about the wife...."}, {"response": 1242, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (10:53)", "body": "Oops, that was Mari, not Moon. Sorry...."}, {"response": 1243, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (10:58)", "body": "(Moon) That said, I think all pedophiles should be shot, no jail time on tax payers money. LOL! Now, don't mince words. What do you really think? ;-)"}, {"response": 1244, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (12:18)", "body": "Oscar Fun: http://www.maximonline.com/entertainment/articles/article_5131.html Whoopee!!! Clive IS King Arthur! Thanks, Mari"}, {"response": 1245, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (12:22)", "body": "Mari: Where was this news?"}, {"response": 1246, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (12:31)", "body": "Re: Polanski--it's not like there's no one else deserving for the award. I'd give it to Daldry or Marshall. Oh I agree.I wouldn't give it to Polanski.....or Scorcese,for that matter. Best movie and director don't always go hand in hand...remember SIL & Steven Speilberg won one year.*gasp* But \"Pianist\" is Best Movie and Adrian Brody Best Actor."}, {"response": 1247, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (12:33)", "body": "(Karen)The Oscar was *his* to lose and lose it he did, when the forces of Right (give it to Denzel) mobilized For me it had a certain ironic twist since I strongly felt that DW should have gotten it the year before for Hurricane but it went to RC for Gladiator (with the big bucks.) I then thought RC Should have gotten for ABM."}, {"response": 1248, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (12:35)", "body": "(Beedee) I strongly felt that DW should have gotten it the year before for Hurricane but it went to RC for Gladiator (with the big bucks.) I then thought RC Should have gotten for ABM. So did I. I thought Denzel's performance as the Hurricane should've won that year too."}, {"response": 1249, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (12:42)", "body": "(Mari)Why the heck couldn't CF have nabbed a role in this? Will be a huge blockbuster, lots of publicity: WOT?...and give up Trauma?;-)"}, {"response": 1250, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (15:35)", "body": "A Little humor to brighten dark days: HERE AND NOW At the Oscar lectern, just point to your ribbon Here's a handy guide for the glitterati to tell us just what they are thinking. By Paul Brownfield Times Staff Writer March 6 2003 To: Presenters and winners at the 75th Annual Academy Awards From: Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Ribbon Committee Subject: Ribbons for the 75th Annual Academy Awards Dear presenters, nominees and winners: As you know, the 75th Annual Academy Awards are taking place under the terrible cloud of a potential war in Iraq. We at the academy understand that many of you will be tempted to voice deeply held opinions -- opinions, I trust, that your assistants are busily researching at this time. However, we have a dilemma, and that dilemma is time. There is simply not enough space in our Oscar broadcast for everyone onstage to voice an opinion (do you know how long it takes to say \"Paul Wolfowitz\"? Try it some time). While the American public feels the Oscar telecast drags on and on, we here at the academy fully appreciate the vital (my emphasis) and courageous (Tom Cruise's emphasis) role actors and actresses play when they formulate an opinion on world affairs -- particularly when they haven't even been in a movie about world affairs. After much consideration, therefore, the academy has decided to issue various ribbons as a means of wordlessly representing the diversity of political opinion in the Hollywood community toward President Bush and U.S. military action in Iraq. These ribbons will be color coded for your convenience; we ask only that you decide which ribbon to wear no later than one week prior to broadcast and that once you decide which ribbon to wear you do not flip-flop, thus creating havoc for our volunteer staff. The ribbon color schemes will be released to the media so that Oscar viewers can follow along at home, matching ideology to their favorite star! Finally, those opting to wear a button are asked not to wear a ribbon, as the academy feels this will be aesthetically confusing. Ribbon guidelines are as follows: Red, white and blue ribbon with a green trim: You are in favor of a preemptive invasion of Iraq. Red, white and blue ribbon with a mauve trim: You are not in favor of a preemptive invasion of Iraq. Red, white and blue ribbon with a black trim: You feel a preemptive invasion of Iraq has little to do with security issues and everything to do with foreign oil interests. Red, white and blue ribbon: You have no opinion on the entire matter. Red, white and blue ribbon in the shape of a baguette: You can't understand what is up with the French. Blue and white ribbon with an orange trim (kind of a blood orange): You feel the ongoing crisis in Israel has to be priority No. 1 for the Bush administration. While you do not hold the Israeli people responsible for the actions of their government, you are dismayed at the ongoing crisis with the Palestinians. Blue and white ribbon with an orange trim (a more soothing, \"desert spice\" shade of orange): You feel the same as the people wearing the ribbons with the blood orange trim, but you wish to say that you not only consider Israel an important ally strategically but a friend. In fact, some of your best friends are Jewish; at parties you can be seen nodding your head as they complain about how the media distorts Israel's role in the Middle East conflict. Green ribbon (green-apple green): You drive a hybrid car; you consider yourself an environmentalist first and foremost. Green ribbon (more like a teal): OK, so you have an SUV, but you also own a hybrid car and you have instructed your nanny to use the hybrid when she takes the kids to, say, Jerry's Deli on Saturday. Ribbon with a question mark (available in white with black question mark, or black with white question mark): You don't understand how this whole U.N. resolution process works. Ribbon with an exclamation point: You can't believe the people wearing the ribbons with the question mark don't know how this whole U.N. resolution process works. Black ribbon: You feel the end of the world is at hand. Black ribbon with white trim: You feel the end of the world is at hand, but you want agents and producers to know that you're still listening to movie offers, although you are not willing to do television, unless it's a starring role in one of those criminal procedure series that people and critics seem to like."}, {"response": 1251, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (16:02)", "body": "LOL Murph. Never mind the ribbons, just gag'em. I'm only interested in what they're wearing anyway;-)"}, {"response": 1252, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (16:28)", "body": "(Evelyn) Never mind the ribbons, just gag'em. I'm only interested in what they're wearing anyway;-) ROTF...I'm not a big fan of the long speech either. But, I don't think they should be gagged. They just need to get up to the podium and tell us who they are wearing (better them than Joan Rivers, IMO) and forgo the 'thanks' (we already know they want to thank their producer, director and mother)! ;-)"}, {"response": 1253, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (16:43)", "body": "Murph, thanks for the LOL Paul Brownfield article. I especially loved the last one!"}, {"response": 1254, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 2003 (17:09)", "body": "A Little humor to brighten dark days A little humor? Understatement! That's a lot of humor. I can't even pick out a favorite from that list. They're a riot, especially the detail on the precise shade of a color. More like teal but not desert spice, eh? And the baguette! This is too funny. many of you will be tempted to voice deeply held opinions -- opinions, I trust, that your assistants are busily researching at this time. Green ribbon (more like a teal): OK, so you have an SUV, but you also own a hybrid car and you have instructed your nanny to use the hybrid when she takes the kids to, say, Jerry's Deli on Saturday. Black ribbon with white trim: You feel the end of the world is at hand, but you want agents and producers to know that you're still listening to movie offers, although you are not willing to do television, unless it's a starring role in one of those criminal procedure series that people and critics seem to like. *clap clap clap* Thanks Murph for posting."}, {"response": 1255, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (08:59)", "body": "Oh, Jeez, how timely. For book club I just read Bryson's \"A Walk in the Woods\"; I liked it. It seems neck and neck w/ RZ and NK for best actress NK 33% think she'll win 30% think RZ will win."}, {"response": 1256, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (09:19)", "body": "deeply held opinions -- opinions, I trust, that your assistants are busily researching at this time. You feel the end of the world is at hand, but you want agents and producers to know that you're still listening to movie offers, Oh, Murph, too funny! I am LOL. Loved this, thanks for posting. BTW, the Clive/King Arthur news was on Coming Soon, and they cited the Hollywood Reporter. Re: Oscars--It would be nice if they gave them to people in the years in which they deserved them. For example, I thought Russell deserved it for The Insider; but, they passed over him and gave it to him the next year for Gladiator instead, when, IMO, he was less deserving than Denzel in Hurricane. Then last year, RC should have won for ABM, but, ooops, here comes Denzel who they slighted the previous year in favor or Crowe. My, I can't even keep it all straight!"}, {"response": 1257, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (18:09)", "body": "Thank you Murph!! This article is great!!! Agree with Karen can't pick just one. Loved them all. And oh so true."}, {"response": 1258, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 2003 (12:26)", "body": "'The Hours,' Gun Documentary Win Screenplay Honors LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Social satirist Michael Moore (news)'s anti-gun documentary \"Bowling for Columbine\" and David Hare's dead-serious adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel \"The Hours\" took top honors on Saturday at the Writers Guild of America Awards . Moore's win for best original screenplay marked the first time a documentary feature has been so honored by the Writers Guild, and Hare's award for best adapted screenplay gives \"The Hours\" a major leg up on the competition for that prize in the Oscars (news - web sites) this month. The Academy Awards (news - web sites), the movie industry's highest honors, will be presented March 23. Many members of the WGA, which represents U.S. film and TV writers, also cast ballots for the best-screenplay Oscars as members of the writers' branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (news - web sites). Last year, both of the WGA's top winners, Julian Fellowes (news)' \"Gosford Park\" for original screenplay and \"A Beautiful Mind\" by Akiva Goldman for adapted screenplay, went on to win the Oscars in those categories. \"Bowling for Columbine,\" which also was the first documentary feature ever nominated by the Writers Guild, earned an Oscar nomination as best documentary. \"The Hours,\" which stars Nicole Kidman (news) as British novelist Virginia Woolf in a story of three women's lives intertwined around Woolf's novel \"Mrs. Dalloway,\" also is in the Oscar running for best picture. Kidman was nominated for lead performance and Julianne Moore (news) picked up a nomination as best supporting actress. Hare, a British-born playwright known for works exploring the difficulty of moral and emotional expression, won acclaim at the Berlin Film Festival in 1985 as the writer and director of \"Weatherby,\" a bleak story of a schoolteacher (Vanessa Redgrave (news)) who witnesses a grad student's suicide. His screenplay for \"The Hours\" beat out \"Chicago,\" \"Adaptation,\" \"About Schmidt\" and \"About a Boy.\" Moore, famed for populist attacks on corporate greed, sprang to public attention with his first film \"Roger & Me.\" He recently made the bestsellers list with his book \"Stupid White Men ... and Other Sorry Excuses for the State of the Nation.\" His film edged out \"My Big Fat Greek Wedding,\" \"Far From Heaven,\" \"Gangs of New York,\" and \"Antwone Fisher.\""}, {"response": 1259, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (12:02)", "body": "The NY Times: March 9, 2003 Survivor, Philosopher, Gentleman, Star By DAVID THOMSON (Murph note: author of The Biographical Dictionary of Film - a good resource book) IT is fitting that the fastidious Peter O'Toole (bookmaker's son turned gentleman) should have led us to reconsider the etiquette of that shame-faced award, the honorary Oscar. How lovely, he said, that at the age of 70 and with seven unrequited nominations on his record, he should now be on the receiving end of the academy's mortified politeness. But then, as if out of respect for old comrades like Richard Harris and Richard Burton (the only other seven-time loser, and gone before the academy could tidy up), Mr. O'Toole added that no, how nice, but no. He'd rather struggle on and take his chances that a new role and a new picture might flat-out win. Who knows what arm-twisting went on? Still, we are now being led to believe that Mr. O'Toole will attend his party. For the sake of what is so often a numbing evening, one prays this is so and that Mr. O'Toole has 10 minutes or so of clips and tribute, of his own superb talk and teasing, with some final suggestion that this statuette might be put in escrow. \"Not just yet!\" I can hear him saying, the way he said it one night on a London stage in the early 80's, in Shaw's \"Man and Superman,\" when he had to walk back and forth on the lip of the stage and swayed occasionally from the embrace of that steady companion, drink, and anxious supporters in the front row of the orchestra seats reached up to stop a possible fall. \"Not just yet, ladies and gentlemen!\" You do not have to have met Mr. O'Toole to know that he is not just a rare survivor and philosopher but a star from a grand and golden age. If you have doubts, just look again at the magnificent comic timing of Alan Swann, his swashbuckling cocktail of Errol Flynn, Tyrone Power, John Barrymore and Johnnie Walker in \"My Favorite Year\" (1982) \ufffd one of the seven no's. (After all, it was only a comedy.) Like Mr. O'Toole himself, Alan Swann has the gaunt-visaged, wide-eyed look of a man who can believe in every fresh form that disaster can take. Mr. O'Toole has been told by the London press that he was a disgrace to the Old Vic and Shakespeare with his travesty of a Macbeth in 1980. He has been warned so many times of his own demise. And he has responded by perfecting the look and manner of a very polite, but very insolent, ghost. He is theater through and through, as witness his apprentice years at the Bristol Old Vic when he did one of the great Hamlets, along with Chekhov, Beckett and John Osborne's Jimmy Porter, plus the dame in the theater's annual pantomime. And then, after he had yielded a goodly part of his interior to surgery, he came back on the London stage in 1989 in the play \"Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell,\" a one-man show and a bow to being self-destructive, alcoholic but undefeated. He has not often accepted tributes and awards. But maybe it was being 70 that persuaded him to go into the Colorado Rockies last August for a tribute at the Telluride Film Festival \ufffd an event of such wonder it surely started the academy's thought processes. He came a little shyly, or hesitantly, to 9,000 feet. He had been warned of the altitude. And he sipped the one drink a doctor had allowed before entering the throng of that very sociable festival. That was Thursday night. By Sunday, he was the toast of the town, having engaged in a thrilling battle of literary quotations with Roger Ebert in the onstage tribute and having gone all over town to showings of \"Rough Shoot,\" a 1978 television film from the Geoffrey Household novel in which Mr. O'Toole plays an English sportsman who gets a shot at Hitler, and the film of \"Jeffrey Bernard.\" Then on Monday he hired a local guide and a gun and actually went shooting. He was, as he has always been, a gent who gives great value. He is not just a marvel as a speaker but a very good writer; his memoir, \"Loitering With Intent,\" is not to be missed, no matter that it says relatively little about his own career and so much about his bookmaker father and Mr. O'Toole's preoccupation with Hitler, formed as a child listening to radio speeches, but since developed into scholarship. It is acknowledged that this insouciant and not always organized man has had such troubles in his life that his career has often looked untidy. So be it, if that's your point of view; Mr. O'Toole does not offer the comfort of blaming anyone else. On the other hand, you might as well pick out these straws amid the untidiness: the central force that challenges sun, light and desert and holds \"Lawrence of Arabia\" (1962) together; the king, Henry II, in \"Becket\" (1964, with his pal Burton) and the same king in \"The Lion in Winter\" (1968), with Katharine Hepburn as his queen. (She was 25 years his senior, but he was used to that: at Stratford he had done \"The Taming of the Shrew\" with Peggy Ashcroft as his Kate.) Then there are \"Goodbye, Mr. Chips\" (1969), \"T"}, {"response": 1260, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (13:31)", "body": "Thanks, Murph, for the article on POT. Sadly, POT has looked about 75 for the past 20 years. When I see how handsome he was in LOA, it's hard to believe it is the same person. I don't mean this in a mean-spirited way--I just find it very sad that alcohol has frequently gotten in the way of his talent and potential. Onto another topic... What does everyone make of the musicians' strike on B'way? Sept. 11 nearly did Broadway in, and now this? ;-( Of course, I don't know enough about the back history to know whether the producers are just plain greedy or the musicians are unrealistic in these tough economic times...."}, {"response": 1261, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (13:55)", "body": "Was thinking the same thing Lisa JH while reading that article in the paper that had an awesome picture of P'OT as LOA with it. What incredible eye. And he is cooler than hell. Thanks Murph....you beat me to it. (Murph) What does everyone make of the musicians' strike on B'way? Sept. 11 nearly did Broadway in, and now this? ;-( Of course, I don't know enough about the back history to know whether the producers are just plain greedy or the musicians are unrealistic in these tough economic times.... Don't know enough about it to have an opinion. From what I could tell, some people in the industry were probably surprised that the actors equity voted to support them. At least this is the impression I got overhearing some conversations in the audience at a dress rehearsal Friday before the decision was made. Bet this may hasten the demise of some shows that may be just hanging on, so anyone who has tickets for musicals in the next few months may want to check periodically to make sure they are still around. :("}, {"response": 1262, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (14:19)", "body": "Article in NYTimes on such; \"Theatres dark, Rest of NY shudders\" http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/09/arts/theater/09BROA.html Seems musicians are the victims of technology. Synthesizers and such reduces the number of musicians in the orchestra pit. And then there's the issue of canned music. I must admit, I hate paying $100. for a musical and having to hear music on tape. CONTACT had taped music and I thought they had a nerve charging as much as if they had an orchestra."}, {"response": 1263, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (18:14)", "body": "(Evelyn) And then there's the issue of canned music. I must admit, I hate paying $100. for a musical and having to hear music on tape. CONTACT had taped music and I thought they had a nerve charging as much as if they had an orchestra. And you know they won't reduce ticket prices with canned music all around. Just think of that potential profit margin. :("}, {"response": 1264, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (20:56)", "body": "Wow! I'm floored RZ beat out NK for the SAG award. Seems she has a real shot at the Oscar now. It was NK's to lose. And lose it she may."}, {"response": 1265, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (00:37)", "body": "Last week's BBC Radio 4 \"Book of the Week\" program featured Nick Hornby reading chapters from his newest, \"Songbook.\" He read two chapters each day (Monday through Friday). I found it quite interesting to hear NH read. If anybody's interested, here's the web address: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/arts/book_of_the_week.shtml I apologize for not posting this sooner. The Monday reading will disappear tomorrow, which means (unless my math is faulty) at 7 a.m. EST. The Tuesday reading will remain until that time Tuesday, and so forth. The readings may be archived somewhere after they are removed, but I'm new to this site and haven't figured out exactly how it works."}, {"response": 1266, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (07:11)", "body": "(Dorine), I'm floored RZ beat out NK for the SAG award. By her reaction, she probably thinks the Oscar is in the bag. But the SAG people screwed things up royally by not nominating Meryl S as Best Actress for The Hours. I loved her RZ dress and Meryl's new hairdo. It looks like CZJ and DDL all the way."}, {"response": 1267, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (08:45)", "body": "(Dorine), I'm floored RZ beat out NK for the SAG award. Move over Virginia Woolf...here comes Roxie!! Whoa! Big coup for Renee to get this award from her fellow actors. And she didn't even need a nose;-) (Moon)I loved her RZ dress Oh I did too. V. elegant.Reminiscent of Balenciaga. Was Julianne Moore trying to outdo J. Lo? That dress...ug. But I liked Uma Thurman's. (Moon) It looks like CZJ and DDL all the way. NY Times yesterday called DDL \"the most gifted actor of his generation.\" http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/09/movies/09LYAL.html The reverence for him in that audience was palpable. They were transfixed by his every word."}, {"response": 1268, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (08:54)", "body": "RZ's win IMO was really out of left field. But it really fit in with the film montage they showed of other actors not known for their singing in musical roles. (Loved how it ended with totally untalented in any genre Keanu!) And she sure likes those vintage dresses."}, {"response": 1269, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (09:17)", "body": "This probably shows how great the cultural divide. Nos. 1, 3 and 9 wouldn't even make any American list. ;-) From Ananova: Italian Job one-liner is 'cinema's greatest' An immortal comment from Michael Caine in The Italian Job has been named the greatest one-liner in cinema. Movie fans say the Caine's classic pay-off: \"You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off\" is the top screen line. Runner-up in the Orange poll was Rhett Butler's (Clark Gable) put-down from Gone With The Wind: \"Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn.\" Cult hit Withnail And I came in third place for the line \"we want the finest wines available to humanity, we want them here and we want them now\", delivered by Richard E Grant. Kenneth Williams's speech \"infamy, infamy, they've all got it in for me\" as Julius Caesar in Carry On Cleo is at number nine. The survey was carried out to mark a series of talks at the British Library called the Orange Word Screenwriters season featuring movie writers such as Chris Columbus, Hanif Kureishi, Mike Leigh and Withnail creator Bruce Robinson. Listeners to radio station BBC London also took part in the poll, which also identified the duffest lines on screen. Andie MacDowell's cringeworthy \"Is it raining? I hadn't noticed\" from Four Weddings and a Funeral was voted the worst line. Top 10 Film lines: 1. \"You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off\" - The Italian Job 2. \"Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn\" - Gone with the Wind 3. \"We want the finest wines available to humanity, we want them here and we want them now\" - Withnail and I 4. \"You talkin' to me?\" - Taxi Driver 5. \"I love the smell of napalm in the morning\" - Apocalypse Now 6. \"I'll have what she's having ...\" - When Harry met Sally 7. \"All my life I wanted to be a gangster\" - Goodfellas 8. \"I do wish we could chat longer. But I'm having an old friend for dinner\" - Silence of the Lambs 9. \"Infamy, Infamy, they've all got it in for me\" - Carry on Cleo 10. \"He's not the Messiah - he's a very naughty boy\" - Life of Brian"}, {"response": 1270, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (09:32)", "body": "Empire has a little poll up: Which one of the following actors most deserves to have been on Vanity Fair's Hollywood cover shoot? Mel Gibson Colin Farrell George Clooney Vin Diesel Orlando Bloom Leonardo DiCaprio (Note absence of...) Anyway, GC immediately came to mind when I unfolded the cover panels."}, {"response": 1271, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (09:40)", "body": "(Karen-article)Top 10 Film lines This is one topic, where it is hard to keep up. And this list just prooves my ignorance once more. I only knew four of the lines (4, 6, 8 and 10). The dinner remark still makes me laugh. And the Empire-list. Yes, I notet the absence, and agree that having said that, GC must be the second best for the job."}, {"response": 1272, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (09:46)", "body": "(Annette) I only knew four of the lines You didn't know #2? Interesting article about trying to turn around the declining A&E network (The median viewership age for A&E is in the mid-50s, Raven said.) http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=529&ncid=529&e=14&u=/ap/20030309/ap_en_tv/ap_on_tv_a_e_network"}, {"response": 1273, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (09:58)", "body": "(Note absence of...) Anyway, GC immediately came to mind when I unfolded the cover panels. I noted the absence of Ben Affleck. Who cares about Edward Norton? Good issue, BTW. I loved the article by Bob Weinstein. \" \"When the audience wants more from TV, they should be turning to A&E.\" Since I got my Dish satellite, I never look at A&E anymore unless it's a \"special\". Boooorrrring"}, {"response": 1274, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (10:02)", "body": "Whoa! Big coup for Renee to get this award from her fellow actors. And she didn't even need a nose;-) LOL! What a (pleasant, IMO) surprise. NY Times yesterday called DDL \"the most gifted actor of his generation.\" I loved DDL's acceptance speech. Very heartfelt, down to earth, no \"actorly\" BS. He talked about how people wanted to wrap him in doublet and hose early in his career, but he always wanted to be in movies. Very gracious in acknowledging the friendship and support he's received from the acting community here."}, {"response": 1275, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (10:16)", "body": "I liked DDL's acceptance speech too and the list of films that had made an impression on him at a young age. There's a common element among them. Did you catch DDL's reaction to the clip of Sean Hayes doing the superficial acting instructor on Will & Grace? He got a real kick out of it."}, {"response": 1276, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (10:17)", "body": "He talked about how people wanted to wrap him in doublet and hose early in his career Maybe that's why he walked off of Hamlet? ;-)"}, {"response": 1277, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (11:21)", "body": "(Karen)the film montage they showed of other actors not known for their singing in musical roles. (Loved how it ended with totally untalented in any genre Keanu!) And a few splices before Keanu, wasn't that Sir Lawrence O. singing in LE?!! Was disappointed Renee spoke so much about Hugh only during her interview on Inside the Actor's Studio during BJD discussion. Does one need to be part of the Actor's Studio in order to be even mentioned? CF always seems so close, yet so far away from even a glimpse or a sound bite. Am happy RZ won the SAG, she was so excited going up there and the heart of her speech was good, but did it look to anyone like she forgot or thought she might mispronounce Pierce's whole name (there was a pause) and chose to refer to him as \"Mr. Bond\" instead (after receiving his kiss)? He looked sort of disappointed/insulted by that pigeon holing, especially at the SAGs around all those actors. But just IMO, I've been wrong before ;-)."}, {"response": 1278, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (11:47)", "body": "(Lora) wasn't that Sir Lawrence O. singing in LE?!! No, I'm pretty sure that was his famous role as Archie Rice in The Entertainer."}, {"response": 1279, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (12:13)", "body": "I liked DDL's acceptance speech too and Christopher Walken's speech cracked me up. It looks like he's a shoo in too. Karen, are you sure RZ dress was vintage? This one, with those vv long sleeves, looks current. I liked Uma Thurman's dress too, Evelyn. She looked vg. Lots of actresses going for that big cleavage thing, Melissa Gilbet?! And, we got to see a bit of JN, from the Jerry and Dino clip!"}, {"response": 1280, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (12:46)", "body": "(Karen)No, I'm pretty sure that was his famous role as Archie Rice in The Entertainer. Oh well, but it did remind me right away of LE :-). Was thinking that CF was just backstage in that clip ;-). Thanks for clearing that up in my mind's eye. (Moon) Lots of actresses going for that big cleavage thing, Melissa Gilbet?! I thought the same thing. As the president of SAG I especially thought she ought to act her age. Julianne's had too much material in that belly button neckline. Only Debra Messing can carry that neckline (or maybe it works because it's not so carried ;-)). DM did look beautiful - almost bridal."}, {"response": 1281, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (14:13)", "body": "Karen, thanks for the Top 10 Film Lines! Number 3 (Withnail and I) is probably my favorite comedy from the 80s (also recommend \"How to Get Ahead In Advertising\" if you are fan of dark comedies or Richard E. Grant). Missed the SAG Awards (completely), so thanks everyone for the reviews."}, {"response": 1282, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (14:48)", "body": "Re: Top 10 Film Lines, I can't believe they didn't pick something from Patton."}, {"response": 1283, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 2003 (15:37)", "body": "Or Die Hard :)"}, {"response": 1284, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (08:14)", "body": "Looks like it's over: Broadway Musicians' Strike Ends with Agreement http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=769&ncid=805&e=8&u=/nm/20030311/music_nm/leisure_broadway_dc"}, {"response": 1285, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (08:58)", "body": "From THR: London theaters pump life into worn down West End By Frank Scheck LONDON -- A recent visit to London's West End amply demonstrated that it still boasts a theatrical vitality and variety that its counterpart in New York can only envy. A serious theatergoer could choose among Brecht and Weill's \"The Threepenny Opera\"; Gilbert & Sullivan's \"HMS Pinafore,\" performed by the venerable D'Oyly Carte Opera Company at the theater where it originally premiered; Shakespeare's \"The Tempest\" and \"Macbeth\"; plays by August Strindberg, Salman Rushdie, Noel Coward, Mike Leigh and David Hare; and performers on the order of Judi Dench, Ralph Fiennes, Maggie Smith, Derek Jacobi, Tom Courtenay, Ian McKellen and Janet McTeer. Thanks to the continued presence of such invaluable, government-funded institutions as the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company, one could also take in a Jacobean drama (\"The Duchess of Malfi\") and five obscure plays written during Shakespeare's time, including his own rediscovered work \"Edward II.\" (Shakespearean productions, by way of contrast, rarely show up on the Great White Way unless they're British imports or feature a TV star like Kelsey Grammer.) It's also still possible to see such long-running favorites as \"The Phantom of the Opera,\" \"Les Miserables,\" \"My Fair Lady,\" \"Blood Brothers\" and the longest-running play of all time, Agatha Christie's \"The Mousetrap.\" Pop music aficionados can choose among shows devoted to the songs of ABBA (\"Mamma Mia!\"), Culture Club (\"Taboo\"), Madness (\"Our House\") or Queen (\"We Will Rock You\"), while family audiences can take in \"Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,\" \"The Lion King\" and \"Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.\" It's enough to make a theater lover's head spin. To see these productions, however, theatergoers must surmount some problems. The first is the physical state of the aging theaters, which Member of Parliament Chris Bryant recently described in a news conference as \"not right for the modern world.\" Producer Cameron Mackintosh, who owns seven West End theaters, is spending \ufffd30 million ($48 million) on renovations, with \ufffd7 million ($11.2 million) spearheaded for the Prince of Wales alone. One of the city's most venerated theaters, the Old Vic, recently got a creative shot in the arm with the announcement that Kevin Spacey will be its new artistic director. But it also was acknowledged that more than a half-million dollars was needed to repair the decrepit roof of the 185-year-old building. Transportation problems in the area also need to be addressed. Recently, a controversial \"congestion charge\" was levied on cars entering central London in an effort to keep traffic down. Further, there is a general consensus that the mass transportation system serving the area needs to be dramatically improved. Really Useful Theatres is distributing questionnaires to its patrons, polling them on whether the company should take the dramatic step of running its own bus service to \"take audience members quickly and cheaply out of the West End at the end of the evening.\" Frith Banbury, who has been producing shows on the West End for more than half a century, said, \"The West End itself is now very tacky, and a lot of people are not keen to go there.\" Among the other problems, he said, are the lack of viable product, the ever-increasing costs of putting on a production and the audiences themselves. Critic Michael Billington of the Guardian apparently agrees; he began a recent review of a show staged at a prison by saying, \"You certainly meet a better class of audience in prison than you do at the average West End first night.\" Regardless, Banbury is undeterred from producing yet another show later this year, though he admits, \"I must be entirely, absolutely mad.\" While such prominent figures as Andrew Lloyd Webber have declared that ticket prices need to be increased in the commercial sector (they still run significantly less than on Broadway), Mayor Ken Livingstone disagrees. He has established Get Into London Theater, a program offering discounted tickets during the winter months, traditionally a slow theatergoing time, to West End shows as well as dance and opera productions. Ticket prices range from \ufffd10-\ufffd20 ($16-$32). Seniors and youngsters get in for as little as \ufffd5 ($8) to many shows. Nicholas Hytner, the new director of the National, has instituted a new program of reduced pricing, with two-thirds of the seats in the Olivier, its largest theater, priced at a mere \ufffd10 ($16), with the rest going for \ufffd25 ($40). There's no denying the massive importance the West End theater industry has for the British economy. The Wyndham Report, commissioned in 1998 by the Society of London Theatre, determined that West End theater, on which about 41,000 jobs depend, made a total economic impact of \ufffd1.075 billion ($1.72 billion) the previous year, with \ufffd250 million going toward tickets and another \ufffd433 million on restaurants, hotels, transport and merchandise. "}, {"response": 1286, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (10:20)", "body": "\"about 12 million people attend West End productions every year, and there was a 3.2% rise in attendance last year -- a remarkable statistic considering the current depressed states of the economy and tourism.\" Bet they don't get 'em in '03;-) Julianne Moore's dress was out of proportion. Would have looked better long like DM's."}, {"response": 1287, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (11:46)", "body": "(Karen) Looks like it's over: Broadway Musicians' Strike Ends with Agreement Thanks for the update. I'm glad it got resolved quickly."}, {"response": 1288, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (14:33)", "body": "(Dorine) Wow! I'm floored RZ beat out NK for the SAG award. Seems she has a real shot at the Oscar now. It was NK's to lose. And lose it she may. I was so glad RZ won was really rooting for her. Would love to see her get the Oscar. Could kind of be like the \"Triple Crown\": Golden Globe, Actor, Oscar. Thought the show was really good. Liked DDL speech especially where he told Harvey he would thank him later but this evening was to thank his fellow actors. Agree he is held in high regard. He did get a kick out of Will and Grace clip. DM is amazing. She always looks good and always makes the top of the lists. Good taste."}, {"response": 1289, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (17:26)", "body": "Hey, much to my surprise when I got VF today (at a dollar a pound) I found that there is at least $3 worth of fun stuff in it. That means I only paid $2 for that picture of the lovely, muffled Colin. I love a bargain!"}, {"response": 1290, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 2003 (08:15)", "body": "Random thoughts from recent viewings... From Emma - IMO It all boils down to when JN says \"Indeed we are not\" ... From Valmont - How did MT's line \"You shouinta dunn that\" not get axed or repaired? Also from Valmont - When Valmont dances with the four ladies, there is a musical piece that begins with a bassoon melody, meanwhile the bassoonist in the orchestra is holding his prop, the bassoon, like a 10 pound inactive bubble machine, clearly not aware this was his 2 seconds to shine..."}, {"response": 1291, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 2003 (08:51)", "body": "Oh my! They've created a monster. ;-) Entertainment - Hollywood Reporter Gere waltzes into Miramax 'Dance' By Zorianna Kit LOS ANGELES (The Hollywood Reporter) --- After tap dancing his way through Miramax Films' \"Chicago,\" Richard Gere (news) will take on ballroom dancing for his next project. The actor is set to star in Miramax's \"Shall We Dance?\" -- a remake of the 1996 Japanese feature that Peter Chelsom will direct. Production is scheduled to begin in June. Audrey Wells scripted the remake, which is a romantic comedy about a man who takes ballroom dancing lessons to impress a beautiful young dance teacher. A high-profile actress is expected to be cast soon in the role of the teacher. Adam Fields is producing the project. Gere, repped by ICM, is coming off a successful year that included a Golden Globe win and a SAG nomination for his performance in \"Chicago\" and rave reviews for his performance opposite Diane Lane (news) in \"Unfaithful.\" (Gere also won a SAG Award as part of \"Chicago's\" ensemble cast.) Miramax, which acquired \"Dance\" in 1996, released the original film in 1997 and began developing an English-language version shortly thereafter."}, {"response": 1292, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 2003 (08:52)", "body": "What is this about? Ladies, please check what topic you are on before posting. It looks as though our sophmore class may not be graduating. ;-)"}, {"response": 1293, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 2003 (08:54)", "body": "(article)..released the original film in 1997 I actually saw that one, and liked it very much. Thank you for the article, Dorine."}, {"response": 1294, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 2003 (08:56)", "body": "(Dorine) Oh my! They've created a monster. ;-) Why? It's just ballroom dance. They haven't exactly cast him as Bernardo in West Side Story yet. ;-)"}, {"response": 1295, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 2003 (09:22)", "body": "(Karen) What is this about? Ladies, please check what topic you are on before posting. It looks as though our sophmore class may not be graduating. ;-) Sorry Karen..."}, {"response": 1296, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 2003 (09:28)", "body": "OMG..sorry to repost, but (laughing) that last picture was supposed to show a dunce cap smiley...how fitting I got the kiss of embarassment box...."}, {"response": 1297, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 2003 (09:42)", "body": "(Dorine) Oh my! They've created a monster. ;-) (Karen) Why? It's just ballroom dance. They haven't exactly cast him as Bernardo in West Side Story yet. ;-) Give them time, just give them time. ;-)"}, {"response": 1298, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 2003 (09:46)", "body": "a remake of the 1996 Japanese feature that Peter Chelsom will direct. FYI, Peter Chelsom is such a loser of a director. He is regularly ridiculed at most of the movie sites and is the man behind the biggest box office flop of all time (Town & Country) and he made the loser Serendipity. Doesn't bode well at all. :-( (I'll watch my vid of the original, thank you very much.)"}, {"response": 1299, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 2003 (14:20)", "body": "(Karen) the biggest box office flop of all time (Town & Country) Really, Town and Country? Not Heaven's Gate, Pluto Nash, or....what was the name of that Schwartzeneger one..something with a kid and a rocket, or something like that? Or Ishtar?! ;-)"}, {"response": 1300, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (06:45)", "body": "Not sure where to post this, an article about Andrew Davies which mentions BJD EOR and Darcy but which is more about, well, Andrew Davies... http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/03/13/1047431124407.html"}, {"response": 1301, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (09:26)", "body": "Oscar nomination is actor's ticket to DeKalb MICHAEL KILIAN Chicago Tribune March 13, 2003 NEW YORK -- An Oscar nomination usually means a big bounce for a movie career. Veteran British actor Tom Wilkinson had every right to expect a lot of doors to be opening for him after his nomination for best actor last year for his role in the psychological thriller \"In the Bedroom.\" Instead, he soon found himself enjoying the scenic wonders of DeKalb, shooting a made-for-cable movie about a Midwestern tractor factory foreman who decides to undergo a sex-change operation. \"I was initially resistant to doing it, because it was a television thing,\" he said, in an interview here. \"I felt my position was, `What's the point if you get an Oscar nomination and the next thing you do is a television show?' But my agents prevailed on me, saying it was too good to miss -- and there was nothing else doing.\" The breaking point The film, \"Normal,\" telecast at 9 p.m. Sunday on HBO, pairs Wilkinson and Jessica Lange as a long-married and archetypal Midwestern couple whose strong bonds are strained to the breaking point by the husband's sudden announcement that he is a woman in a man's body. \"This is not a film about gender change,\" insisted writer/director Jane Anderson. \"It's about a marriage, and what happens to it when confronted by the biggest challenge any marriage could face.\" \"It is a character study -- in depth,\" said Lange. \"I don't think stories like that are all that common anymore.\" Lange is a Midwesterner who has moved back to her native Minnesota. But Wilkinson is a classically trained British actor. Wasn't the transformation to stolid Midwesterner as difficult as his screen transformation from man to woman? \"Not as much as you would think,\" he said, \"because I'm from farming stock myself. I think that held-in stoicism that's characteristic of the Midwest, certainly in the rural farming communities, is something I could relate to very well. My father was a farmer and his father and his father and his father and his father, into the mists of time.\" Anderson, who earlier wrote the script for HBO's \"If These Walls Could Talk 2,\" starring Vanessa Redgrave as a \"widowed\" partner in a lesbian marriage, said she wanted Wilkinson for the \"Normal\" lead \"because he represents the universal ordinary man more than any other actor I know of.\" He said he made no special preparation for the role because his character had made no special preparation for his sex change. \"I wanted it to be a bit like the character, who sort of doesn't quite know what he's into,\" Wilkinson said. \"It isn't as if he's been a habitue of the cross-gender clubs in Amsterdam.\" Indeed, they shot the film in and around DeKalb, whose impression on Wilkinson is perhaps best summed up by the fact that he couldn't remember which month he was there. That country \"seemed to sort of replicate itself every 40 or 50 miles,\" he said. \"You'd travel along and there would be the same shops: Wal-Marts and these long lines of huge stores that seemed to be absolutely identical to those you'd seen three-fourths of an hour earlier.\" His motel was \"very nice,\" he said, \"but they don't give you food. No bar. No restaurant. No room service. You had to go out. There was only one restaurant in town that anyone ventured to eat in. It was one of those steak places.\" The road to DeKalb -- and far beyond -- began in the 1960s for the 54-year-old Wilkinson. Benefiting from the breakup of the rigid British class system that began then, the one-time farm boy was able to enter and graduate from the University of Kent and London's prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. He became a major star of the London stage and a leading performer on British television, but he did few films because England had more or less lost its movie industry. Six years or so ago, he began to note the large number of colleagues heading across the Atlantic to Hollywood. \"I said, `That seems to be where the big boys are, and I want to sit down at that table for a bit.'\" The films \"The Full Monty\" and \"Shakespeare in Love\" got him a place at the table and led to his remarkable dramatic turn in \"In the Bedroom.\" Opening doors And there has proven to be more in the offing from his Oscar nomination than his sojourn in DeKalb. He has just finished shooting a comedy in New York with Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet and Kirsten Dunst called \"The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind\" (I hope Hollywood doesn't reduce that to \"Sunshine\"), the title deriving from a line in Alexander Pope's \"Rape of the Lock.\" \"It's written by the clever young writer Charlie Kaufman, who wrote `Being John Malkovich,'\" Wilkinson said, \"and it's along similar themes: people inhabiting other people's heads, and I mean that quite literally.\" Late last year he joined Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson in making \"The Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" a film about the painter Johannes Vermeer and his most famous portrait subject, which will be released later this y"}, {"response": 1302, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (09:38)", "body": "Say It Isn't So! Between this and the need for a possible Soprano withdrawal pill, I'm in a funk. *************************** Universal Studios Faces French-Fried Fate By Meredith Amdur and Jonathan Bing NEW YORK (Variety) - Now that French fries have been renamed \"freedom fries\" in the cafeteria of the U.S. Congress, what will they call them at the Universal Grill? Morale is falling at Universal Studios as the French chief of Vivendi Universal, Jean-Rene Fourtou, continues to dither over the sale of his U.S. entertainment assets. Wall Street has been vocally unhappy with Vivendi's fuzzy strategic guidance, with Vivendi shares currently trading at three-month lows. On the lot, executives and staffers are putting on a brave public face. Universal Pictures brass descended on the ShoWest exhibitors convention in Las Vegas last week to unveil their 2003 slate, which shifts into high gear on Memorial Day with the Jim Carrey (news) comedy \"Bruce Almighty,\" followed by tentpoles like \"The Hulk\" and sequel \"2 Fast 2 Furious.\" Universal Pictures also is forging ahead with an ambitious 2004 slate, ramping up production on pricey films like \"Van Helsing\" and \"Riddick,\" the sequel to \"Pitch Black\" with Vin Diesel (news). In an effort to trim spending and minimize risk, Universal Pictures recently sold international distribution rights to upcoming titles \"Seabiscuit\" and Peter Berg (news)'s untitled action-adventure film (formerly \"Helldorado\") starring the Rock and Seann William Scott (news) -- moves that could result in short-term savings of more than $75 million. But with two long months to go before summertime, the studio is stuck in the Hollywood equivalent of financial and strategic purgatory, as Vivendi Universal Entertainment president Ron Meyer struggles to stave off the perception in Hollywood that Universal is slashing budgets and laying off staff. Vivendi Universal Entertainment shareholder and CEO Barry Diller continues to make the final calls on budget decisions. It's been reported that, under Diller, Universal's film production and marketing budget has been cut by 25 percent for this year. Studio sources declined to comment on the budget. At the same time, Vivendi is trying desperately to refinance another $4 billion to keep itself afloat. In one related deal, the Vivendi Universal Entertainment unit is within a week of closing on a $1 billion-plus refinancing of its own corporate loans. The new financing -- which is being led by JPMorgan along with Bank of America -- primarily features commercial debt tied to projected revenue from film library. About $950 million of the financing comes from the projected catalog income and another $670 million from conventional bank loans, for a total VUE financing of $1. 62 billion. Meanwhile, the stress of cost-cutting, risk-reduction measures, slow growth and utter confusion about the future is taking its toll on the troops. The company officially denies there have been any mass layoffs or budget slashing, but sources close to the company insist some TV and film staffers are growing insecure about their jobs and updating their resumes. Much is made of the amount of money Time Warner staffers lost on their AOL stock options, but it's worth noting that most Vivendi Universal execs are sitting on options that are at least $35 per share under water. The unceasing rumors about when, how and to whom Fourtou will sell the U.S. entertainment assets certainly doesn't help morale, nor does the fact that the studio itself is increasingly looking like the ugly duckling to would-be suitors. With operating income growth slowing to a crawl, despite healthier, DVD-fueled operating margins in 2002, some financial pundits value the studio at slightly less than either the music division or USA Networks. And so far, only Marvin Davis' leveraged buyout group seems to want to buy the studio business, while other interested parties say the cable networks are of more interest. Fourtou's French reserve is, by all accounts, as exasperating to his American staff as it is to would-be buyers of his assets and potential investors in his company's stock. Davis' crew is in Paris working on the financing for its estimated $20 billion offer, but still seems to get only half an ear from Fourtou. Company insiders say they resent the style of communications (or lack thereof) that Fourtou has elected to adopt in his silent-auction process. It's as unclear now as it was three months ago what VUE chief exec Diller's designs on the business are. Some say Diller these days simply wants to get his money out of Universal and has given up on the idea that he can save the business. Others insist he's deep in negotiations with bankers to walk away with cash and some choice VUE assets, with or without John Malone's Liberty Media as partner. At the same time, the financial picture at the French concern grows murkier by the day. Fourtou has made good on his promise to trim its debt, having agreed to sell around $7 b"}, {"response": 1303, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (09:38)", "body": "Poor Tom Wilkinson... There was only one restaurant in town that anyone ventured to eat in. It was one of those steak places.\" *snort* But it sounds like he really wasn't in DeKalb but somewhere outside there. Not that I've ever been to DeKalb, but there's a huge state university there (NIU), so there's a lot more than a Wal-Mart and a steak place I suspect. I'm sure he had it better than Colin in Rochelle."}, {"response": 1304, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (10:01)", "body": "\"There was only one restaurant in town that anyone ventured to eat in. It was one of those steak places.\" But was it a good steak;-) Hey Tom, I've been to some places in England where they only had a pub...with not a v. good steak. (Karen) Poor Tom Wilkinson... I'm sure he had it better than Colin in Rochelle. And both had a job. Funny article about Andrew Davies....AKA \"Dirty Ole Man\""}, {"response": 1305, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (10:27)", "body": "Fluff of romance, comedy entices preteens By Claudia Puig USA TODAY Romantic comedies are rolling back the clocks. The stars are younger, as are the audiences seeing them. Meg Ryan was 28 when she made When Harry Met Sally, and Julia Roberts was 29 when she made My Best Friend's Wedding. But this year even younger stars are getting romantic: Kate Hudson, 22, stars in the $86.9-million-and-counting hit How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Amanda Bynes, 16, stars in What a Girl Wants, which opens April 4. Bynes, a star on Nickelodeon's The Amanda Show and the WB's What I Like About You, plays a girl who discovers the father she never knew is a British aristocrat. Along the way, she falls in love with a motorbike-riding British teen. Seventeen-year-old Malcolm in the Middle star Frankie Muniz and 15-year-old Hilary Duff (Disney's Lizzie McGuire) star in Agent Cody Banks, opening Friday. Muniz is a CIA agent assigned to get a date with Duff, whose scientist father mistakenly turns over secrets to enemy agents. Plus, Duff has just signed on for the lead role in another romantic comedy, Cinderella Story, for a reported $2 million. Tweens (9- to 12-year-olds) were largely behind the success of the holiday hits Maid in Manhattan ($93.4 million) and Two Weeks Notice ($92.6 million), and current box office smash How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, industry watchers say. (Related item: Eight actors in the mood for love.) \"There's no question about it. There are just a lot of movies out there that the tween audience is driving,\" says Peter Adee, president of worldwide marketing for MGM, the studio behind Cody Banks and Legally Blonde. \"Teens are the main audience, followed by tweens.\" Adee says that sometimes, teen audiences see a movie first, then pass the word along to younger siblings. This tends to be the case particularly with PG-13-rated movies, such as 2001's Legally Blonde and this year's Just Married and How to Lose a Guy. \"It was girls under 21 that drove Legally Blonde,\" says How to Lose A Guy producer Christine Peters of the Reese Witherspoon movie that made $96.5 million. Its sequel, Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde, is due this summer. Says Adee: \"With a movie like that rated PG-13, initially 13- to 17-year-olds go to see and love it, they tell their siblings and eventually, you start to have the audience get younger and younger.\" Industry watchers are struck by how successful romantic comedies have become by targeting younger audiences. \"The target audience right now is under 21,\" Peters says. Within that target, preteen girls are the bull's-eye. Even though some follow the recommendations of older siblings, others are a key part of the all-important opening weekend. And they're big repeat viewers. \"If we go through the movies that have opened (to big business) this year, Just Married and Kangaroo Jack had quite a few tweens,\" Adee says. \"The tween audience is an extremely important part of who's going to the movies.\" How to Lose a Guy, like Legally Blonde, is rated PG-13 with the express intent of attracting young moviegoers. Just Married, which starred teen heartthrob Ashton Kutcher and Brittany Murphy, was also a modest success, grossing $55 million. \"Because of the success of Just Married, you may see more even-younger-skewing romantic comedies,\" says Paul Dergarabedian, president of Exhibitor Relations box office tracking firm. This summer Duff will begin filming Cinderella Story, which is described by filmmakers as Clueless meets Cinderella. Duff has several other film projects slated, including the Lizzie McGuire movie, opening May 2, and Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, not yet in production. Studios have milked the talent on Nickelodeon and the Disney Channel for films aimed at tweens, and the setting is usually a comedy with some tame romance thrown in. Producers explain that romantic comedies are filling a unique niche for those who've moved beyond kids fare. \"Kids are curious, and they get a little insulted by kids' movies,\" says Peters. \"They want to see a romantic comedy and learn from it.\" Twelve-year-old Becca Blasdel of Burbank, Calif., likes the blend of realism and make-believe in movies such as How to Lose a Guy and Just Married. And also the hotties who star in them. \"What I like about them is that they deal with real life but in a sort of fantasy way,\" she says. For young girls particularly, romantic comedies fill that niche between the cartoons of their youth and the tougher fare of their later teens. \"I hate scary movies and violent movies,\" Blasdel says. \"A lot of girls my age can't handle gore. Romantic comedies are fun to see with your friends and laugh at the jokes. There could be a cute guy or someone in it that intrigues you.\" And like most adults these days, she is craving an escape. \"It's fun to sit in the movie and forget about the real world,\" Blasdel says. Some might say the sexual innuendo and language in some of these films is inappropriate for the preteen set. But filmm"}, {"response": 1306, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (11:29)", "body": "\"I think they've really hit on a way to re-invigorate the genre,\" says Dergarabedian Putting in Hunk Daddies works for me! ;-)"}, {"response": 1307, "author": "Odile", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (11:46)", "body": "(Universal article)Company insiders say they resent the style of communications (or lack thereof) that Fourtou has elected to adopt in his silent -auction process. Somehow that made me chuckle. But what makes me cringe: (Tween article)Tweens (9- to 12-year-olds) were largely behind the success of .....PG-13-rated movies. If it's PG-13 isn't it supposed to be inappropriate for children younger than 13? Reminds me of the tobacco thing. They're not supposed to see those movies but they're so sophisticated, it's cool for them to do so and thus we'll aggressively advertise for them. Ok off my soapbox now... Back to teaching Freedom 102 at the university... :)"}, {"response": 1308, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (12:58)", "body": "Interesting articles, ladies, thanks! \"This is not a film about gender change,\" insisted writer/director Jane Anderson. \"It's about a marriage, and what happens to it when confronted by the biggest challenge any marriage could face.\" ROTF! Yeah, right."}, {"response": 1309, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (13:53)", "body": "\"The target audience right now is under 21,\" Peters says. ......Within that target, preteen girls are the bull's-eye. Get ready for more daddy roles for YKW. (Fred Mac Murray lives!)"}, {"response": 1310, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (15:28)", "body": "As the mom of a 'tween', I totally see the marketing towards their age. I think at that age, they want that sort of happily ever after, because they're learning, it really doesn't happen that way. Life is hard and you have to live in it. It's just pure escapism for their young burgeoning (and i mean that literaly!) minds:)"}, {"response": 1311, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (07:09)", "body": "Screen Daily: Industry prepares for 2004 pre-Oscar calendar crush Jeremy Kay in Los Angeles 14 March 2003 04:05 With much of the film industry focused on the Oscars later this month, it's hard to believe that anybody could be thinking about next year's Academy Awards ceremony. Yet that's what many senior figures in charge of film festivals and awards ceremonies worldwide are doing right now - thanks to the decision last year by the Academy to bring forward its 2004 ceremony by one month to February 29. The move has created a host of anxious diary date shifts as rival awards ceremonies struggle to position themselves just ahead of the Oscar behemoth and festivals manoeuvre to make sure they find themselves best placed to profit from the merry-go-round of stars promoting their films. The move has already resulted in several other North American awards bodies bringing forward their 2004 galas. Among the more significant declarations so far are: the Directors Guild of America, which moves from March 1 in 2003 to Feb 7 in 2004; the Producers Guild of America (March 2 to Jan 25); and the Screen Actors Guild (March 9 to Feb 22). At the time of writing, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which votes on the Golden Globes, the New York Film Critics Circle, the Los Angeles Film Critics Association and the Writers Guild Of America, were yet to announce a date. Internationally, the UK's BAFTA awards moved fast last year to bring themselves ahead of the Oscars once more. It will take place on Feb 8 next year. \"If we had stayed where we were, we'd have been a week before the Oscars. That would have been untenable for everybody,\" said BAFTA boss Amanda Berry. The Berlin International Film Festival last week also announced its dates for 2004. Taking place between Feb 5-15, it will be the earliest scheduling of the festival since it moved to February in 1978. Berlin's early dates also prompted a knock-on shift for the Rotterdam Film Festival which, anxious not to overlap with the German event, brought its planned dates forward by a week. Perhaps more significantly, however, will be the effect on distributors' release strategies. For years now the studios have structured their Oscar campaigns within a rough three-month timeframe, starting with the National Board of Review awards in early December and climaxing with the announcement of the Best Picture Oscar in late March. While a revised schedule will not unduly affect the Oscar prospects of blockbuster releases like The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King, which can count on the full weight of New Line's marketing support, there is concern that the smaller distributors' platform releases may suffer. Studio executives are skilled at knowing when to roll out their platform releases - serious pictures like Chicago, The Hours and The Pianist that open in a limited number of theatres and generate sufficient buzz before expanding into more sites. Generally smaller in scope and lower profile than the average tentpole picture, platform releases need to come out early enough to be seen by awards voters and build public awareness and box office momentum. Too early, however, and the picture may be forgotten. Too late and nobody will know about it. Miramax COO Rick Sands, whose company is distributing this year's Oscar favourite Chicago as well as Gangs Of New York, Frida and The Quiet American domestically, told Screen International: \"We will have less time to platform our titles. So the marketplace is going to be faster. One of two things will happen: you will either open smaller and then expand or you will open around Christmas and expand more quickly after that.\" Miramax's early 2004 Oscar prospects Cold Mountain and Human Stain, which both star Nicole Kidman, have been set for Dec 25 and fourth quarter 2003 respectively. The smaller distributors that tend to buy at the Venice and Toronto festivals typically require a longer lead-in to cue up their picture for a nomination and then go for the extra box office. Monster's Ball, which famously earned Halle Berry her Oscar last year, earned around half of its $31m domestic box office for Lions Gate in the lucrative six-week window between Oscar nomination and Oscar ceremony. In a compressed timeframe, smaller distributors may struggle to do the kind of figures enjoyed by Monster's Ball. Russell Schwartz, president of domestic marketing at New Line Cinema, said at ShoWest that he did not think there would be much impact at all. He argued that platform releases were not so time-specific and could go with the flow as the whole awards campaign process is shunted forward by a month. His assertion that November and December will now become the core campaigning season, 2004's two month event crush Sundance Festival: Jan 15-25 Rotterdam Festival: Jan 21-Feb 1 PGA Awards: Jan 25 Berlin Festival: Feb 5-15 DGA Awards: Feb 7 BAFTA Awards: Feb 8 SAG Awards: Feb 22 AFM: Feb 25-March 3. Academy Awards: Feb 29 * Golden Globes yet to confirm"}, {"response": 1312, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (08:20)", "body": "There is a \"first degree\" cast member - See \"James Connolly\" in cast list at end -- and James D'Arcy plays Pullings in the upcoming Master and Commander. I also like the looks of Liam Cunningham: March 14, 2003 Romance and Rebellion in Ireland By LAURA MILLER The most remarkable thing about \"Rebel Heart,\" a handsomely mounted romantic drama set in Ireland from the Easter Rebellion to Michael Collins's acceptance of the Anglo-Irish treaty of 1921, is that it was produced by the BBC. A balanced but generally sympathetic depiction of the Irish struggle for independence from Britain, the film will be broadcast in two parts, beginning Sunday night, on BBC America. \"Rebel Heart\" follows the coming of age of a fictional character, Ernie Coyne (James D'Arcy), the scion of a family of wealthy Dublin Roman Catholics with a passionate commitment to the republican cause. He is among the few volunteers who show up to help seize the city's main post office from the British on Easter Monday, 1916. A pair of older working-class riflemen, O'Toole (Vincent Regan), a Marxist, and the roguish Kelly (Frank Laverty), find untried Ernie's dewy idealism about the battle for freedom fairly amusing. \"You already have what you need to be free,\" O'Toole says. \"Money.\" Nevertheless, Ernie acquits himself bravely, and in doing so befriends O'Toole and Kelly and meets a saucy, rifle-wielding Belfast girl, Ita Feeney (Paloma Baeza), barricaded in a park with a rebel group. He watches raptly as Ita picks off a British sniper in a third-floor window, glimpsing an inch of her bare thigh as she proposes a near-suicidal hand grenade attack, and he's a goner. Alas, so is the uprising. Badly outnumbered, the Irish rebels surrender and are imprisoned. Ernie's father secures his release, but Ernie prefers to serve out his term. Although the British execute the uprising's leaders, Ernie and the rest of the captured rebels are released a few months later. Beanpole-thin, with a pale, delicately handsome face, Mr. D'Arcy ably negotiates the tricky role of Ernie, who nearly trembles with bashful sensitivity one moment and exhibits a doughty resolve the next. When the time comes to kill, Ernie doesn't hesitate. Still, it's a surprise when the Sinn Fein leader Michael Collins (Brendan Coyle), one of the many real-life figures who appear in \"Rebel Heart,\" taps this still-green lad as an important asset in the newly formed Irish Republican Army. The I.R.A. sends Ernie to Belfast, where he is reunited with Ita, only to lose her again when they are among the few survivors of a police raid on her family's house. The film doesn't flinch from depicting the brutality of British rule in the North, but its approach to the conflict is ambivalent. A rousing scene of rebel courage in the face of daunting odds is likely to be followed by a fleeting shot of the pitifully boyish face of a British soldier lying dead in the street. Collins sends Ernie to the west to fire up a rural I.R.A. contingent. There, again, the excitement of seeing Ernie rise to the occasion and rally the motley volunteers into a respectable guerrilla force is undercut when he is forced to shoot the amiable local constable. In accord with the film's low-key irony, the man has just asked about life insurance to provide for his \"missus\" because he's ingenuous enough to have fallen for Ernie's highly unconvincing disguise as a traveling salesman. \"Rebel Heart\" is full of such glancing touches of bleakness, a welcome, earthy counterpoint to the grand, old-fashioned love story unfolding between Ernie and Ita. You can spot the conflict destined to tear Ernie up a mile away: his loyalty to the pragmatic Collins, who will consent to the incremental advances of the 1921 treaty rather than continue the bloody war of independence, versus his commitment to Ita and her Northern compatriots, who will be left out in the cold by the deal. There's just enough history here to keep \"Rebel Heart\" from seeming to use Ireland's troubles as a mere backdrop for romance and adventure. The film's end, in particular, strikes an unsentimental note. It mirrors a grimly stirring early scene in which two doomed, outgunned, battle-weary men holed up in a Dublin house prepare to face down an attack from a group of soldiers. The familiar but always terrible paradoxes of civil war, in which friends, lovers and relatives find themselves on opposing sides in a bloody conflict, have seldom felt more absurd or more inevitable. REBEL HEART BBC America, Sunday night at 9, Eastern time; 6 and 9, Pacific time; 8, Central time. Directed by John Strickland; Malcolm Craddock and Robert Cooper, producers; Ronan Bennett, writer. WITH: James D'Arcy (Ernie Coyne), Paloma Baeza (Ita Feeney), Dawn Bradfield (Ursula Feeney), Brendan Coyle (Michael Collins), Frank Laverty (Albert Kelly), Vincent Regan (Tom O'Toole), Lorcan Cranitch (Inspector Nelson), Liam Cunningham (Michael Malone), Darragh O'Malley (James Grace) and Bill Paterson (James Connolly)."}, {"response": 1313, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (08:26)", "body": "Oops! I meant \"one degree\" in the above post. First degree comes from watching too many John Garfield movies!"}, {"response": 1314, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (15:19)", "body": "Miramax Pulls Controversial 'Gangs' Ads LOS ANGELES (AP) - Citing objections from Oscar voters, Miramax Films has pulled ads featuring an opinion column that called on them to award Martin Scorsese for directing \"Gangs of New York.\" The column written by Oscar-winning director Robert Wise, former president of the Academy Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, was later reprinted in advertisements that appeared in Hollywood trades, the Los Angeles Times and The New York Times. Miramax said late Thursday it has pulled the advertisement, which was published six times. Academy President Frank Pierson said the column breached an academy rule that voters, including Wise, should not reveal to anyone how they will cast their ballots. \"It's an outright violation of academy rules,\" Pierson told the Los Angeles Times. \"It's a corruption of the process.\" Vigorous campaigning during awards season is nothing new for major studios, but some academy members were outraged and said an ethical line has been crossed. \"We were completely unaware that this was something academy members found offensive, and since there is nothing that addresses this in the academy marketing guidelines, we certainly did not know this practice was a violation of academy rules,\" Miramax's chief operating officer Rick Sands said in a statement. Barry Levinson, the Academy Award-winning director of \"Rain Man,\" said he was among those dismayed by the studio's efforts to drum up support. \"There is just something extremely vulgar about the idea of a blatant campaign advertisement like this,\" said Levinson. \"You look at an ad like that and say, 'My God.' Why don't we just give money to people and tell them how to vote?\" Pierson said an unspecified number of the 5,800 Oscar voters have asked that completed ballots be returned so they can strike Scorese's name. Despite the backlash from some academy members, mailed ballots will not be sent back, Pierson said. Ballots are due March 18, five days before the awards ceremony is scheduled to take place. Wise's column first appeared March 6 in the Daily News of Los Angeles. Wise said in the column that Scorsese deserves the Oscar for best director for his work on \"Gangs of New York.\" He said the column was originally written by an assistant, but that he later revised that draft. Wise, 88, said his intent behind the article was to help the film at the box office. Miramax subsequently took out the ads, which declared, \"Two time Academy Award Winner Robert Wise declares Scorsese deserves the Oscar for 'Gangs of New York.'\" Scorsese's publicist, Lois Smith said the director was also displeased with the ads. \"Marty was very touched by what Bob Wise said. But he never knew it was going to become an advertisement. He was not happy.\" \"Gangs\" has been nominated for 10 Oscars, including best picture, and is among the 40 nominations that Miramax has received this year."}, {"response": 1315, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (15:41)", "body": "Harvey's heavy hand may have cost Scorsese the Oscar. No one will ever know for sure if he doesn't win."}, {"response": 1316, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (12:53)", "body": "After all I've read about this, still can't say I'm anxious to see this. It's a tough one to call..... McGregor Comedy to Open Tribeca Fest Sat Mar 15, 5:38 AM ET - AP to My Yahoo! By The Associated Press NEW YORK - \"Down With Love,\" starring Renee Zellweger (news) and Ewan McGregor (news), will be the opening night film at this year's Tribeca Film Festival. The 1960s-style romantic comedy stars Zellweger as a woman who has sworn off love and McGregor as a playboy who thinks he doesn't need love. It's scheduled to open in theaters May 16, but it will premiere May 6 at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center, festival planners said Friday. The Tribeca Film Festival, now in its second year, runs May 3-11. This year's festival is longer than the last, with more than 200 premiere screenings as well as panel discussions and filmmaker events. Robert De Niro (news) and his Tribeca Films partner, Jane Rosenthal, founded the festival last year to boost the lower Manhattan economy after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Last year's opening night film was \"About a Boy,\" starring Hugh Grant (news) and Toni Collette (news), which is up for an Oscar for adapted screenplay. Tribeca Film Festival Web site: http://www.tribecafilmfestival.org"}, {"response": 1317, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (14:13)", "body": "(Dorine) After all I've read about this, still can't say I'm anxious to see this. It's a tough one to call..... Don't like Ewan MacG., but I'm a sucker for all these rom-coms. Like Laura's daughter, I like the \"...happily ever after\" endings. C'mon...that's where we all started out...with P&P;-)"}, {"response": 1318, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (14:24)", "body": "Re: Down with Love I too have some qualms about it. From what RZ said, it is a '60s rom-com (a la Doris Day-Rock Hudson) but will show what couldn't be shown then. Sort of like what was done in Far from Heaven. I wasn't terribly comfortable with FFH, as it didn't feel quite right. I have the same suspicions that it won't work in DWL. It will look like a parody."}, {"response": 1319, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (16:03)", "body": "(Evelyn) Don't like Ewan MacG., but I'm a sucker for all these rom-coms. Like Laura's daughter, I like the \"...happily ever after\" endings. C'mon...that's where we all started out...with P&P;-) I love the happily ever after endings too. Love the feel good movies. Thanks for articles Murph and Cheryl. Pierce Brosnan is on Actor's Studio tomorrow night."}, {"response": 1320, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 2003 (11:12)", "body": "Anybody see \"Normal\" last night with Tom Wilkinson and Jessica Lange. Preposterous premise, IMO. But great acting from Jessica Lange. Lots of photography reminded me of the ATA. But hey, if Colin ever takes on a role like that in serious drag...I'm outta here."}, {"response": 1321, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 2003 (11:59)", "body": "Nope, was getting my first dose of SLOW! I'm absolutely besotted with MF......so I missed NORMAL* *had to put that in to keep in Odds & Ends"}, {"response": 1322, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 2003 (12:10)", "body": "Sorry about the caps. I thought that was how it was billed till I reread Karen's post. It's CF fever."}, {"response": 1323, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 2003 (13:17)", "body": "I liked \"Normal\" very muich. Acting was superb. Lange has never been better, and Wilkinson once again nailed the part of the middle-class, middle-aged middle-American man with a heavy heart. Good stuff. HBO rarely gets it wrong."}, {"response": 1324, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 2003 (14:06)", "body": "I found it inconceivalbe that any man who was taking so many hormones would \"feel complete\" without the company of fellow gay men.Changing lifestyles is part of transexual decisions; not just the surgery in itself for the sake of getting a vagina, IMO.Anyway, the characters weren't believable to me. Actually, they should have named it :\"Hormone City\". The whole family was going through hormone changes...mom and the kids thrown in along with \"Ruth\"/AKA Dad. The lesson I got was that we love ourselves above all others."}, {"response": 1325, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 2003 (23:52)", "body": "(Evelyn) But hey, if Colin ever takes on a role like that in serious drag...I'm outta here. Too bad. If LE is any indication, he's got the legs for it. ;-)"}, {"response": 1326, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (00:44)", "body": "(Evelyn) But hey, if Colin ever takes on a role like that in serious drag...I'm outta here. Might be right behind ya. And who knows what kind of ideas for the future that To Wong Foo director will get for Colin while filming TEOR. ;-)"}, {"response": 1327, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (09:53)", "body": "Kenneth Branagh Bags Two BAFTA TV Nominations Tue Mar 18, 3:10 AM ET Add Entertainment - Reuters/Variety TV to My Yahoo! By Debra Johnson LONDON (Variety) - Kenneth Branagh (news) has picked up two actor nominations, recognizing his performances in \"Shackleton\" and \"Conspiracy,\" for the 2003 BAFTA TV awards, honoring British small-screen entertainment, announced Sunday. He will be up against James Nesbitt for \"Bloody Sunday\" and Albert Finney (news) for \"The Gathering Storm.\" Performers vying for actress awards are Julie Walters (news) for \"Murder,\" Vanessa Redgrave (news) (\"Gathering Storm\"), Jessica Stevenson (news) (\"Tomorrow La Scala!\") and Sheila Hancock (\"Bedtime\"). BBC1 dominates the drama series nominations, with \"Clocking Off,\" \"Cutting It,\" \"Spooks\" and \"Teachers\" competing. Chef Jamie Oliver (\"Jamie's Kitchen\") is up against fashion gurus Trinny and Susannah (\"What Not to Wear\") for feature show along with \"Faking It\" and \"Lads Army.\" Hat Trick Prods. and BBC2 lead the entertainment performance category with \"The Kumars at No. 42\" (Sanjeev Bhaskar (news) and Meera Syal (news)) and \"Have I Got News For You\" (Paul Merton and Angus Deayton). The BAFTA TV awards, to be hosted by \"Weakest Link\" host Anne Robinson, will take place in London on April 13."}, {"response": 1328, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (11:36)", "body": "to be hosted by \"Weakest Link\" host Anne Robinson, will take place in London on April 13. Wonder if we'll get it live. How come none of these shows are featured on BBC America. Did Foyle's War play in UK yet? It was terrific (PBS here)."}, {"response": 1329, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (13:19)", "body": "Soooooo quiet in here...which sends me banging around my cubicle like flubber for something, anything fun or interesting...Here is a silly little website that shows dolls that suggest or were obviously based on celebrities. No ODB but the Fiennes are there as is JN and GC and many others..."}, {"response": 1330, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (15:14)", "body": "Maria - May we have the URL link? Thanks. Evelyn -- I loved Foyle's War too. I was hoping for a bit of romance between Kitchen and Honeysuckle before the end. There was something there between them, and I don't mean father and daughter."}, {"response": 1331, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (15:19)", "body": "(Mary Murphy) Maria - May we have the URL link? Thanks. Oops... http://members.rogers.com/ipkevin/celebs/celeb_main.html"}, {"response": 1332, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 2003 (08:48)", "body": "For anyone wanting to discuss AI, Spring has a TV conference: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/tv/all/new Just click on the button on the top to \"Create New Topic\" and fill in the required info and you will have an American Idol topic. Very easy. (and if anyone is interested, we could start up some new ones over there for my fav vices...B3 is about to start) ;-)"}, {"response": 1333, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 2003 (08:54)", "body": "Re: the Bafta TV awards, Conspiracy itself has been nominated in the Single Drama category and is up against Bloody Sunday, Flesh & Blood, and Tomorrow La Scala!"}, {"response": 1334, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 2003 (09:14)", "body": "For Hayek, 'Frida' Brought Fame but No Fortune MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexican actress Salma Hayek said on Monday that while her controversial film portrayal of artist Frida Kahlo was a high point in her career, financially it was a losing proposition for her. \"I didn't make one dollar. I lost a lot of money, though I got a lot of other things,\" she said of her Oscar-nominated work in \"Frida.\" \"I'm not complaining, but economically this film ... was a loss,\" she told reporters in Mexico's capital, where she was honored by the government and thousands of fans over the weekend. Hayek, 36, said Disney'a Miramax Films paid her a salary of only $2,000 for her depiction of the Mexican surrealist painter, and she helped finance the project from her own pocket during seven years seeking backers. The film took in about $24.8 million in U.S. box office receipts. It was unclear why her salary was so low. \"Frida\" converted Hayek into a Hollywood star and the first Mexican woman nominated for an Oscar as best actress in the award's 75-year history. This quieted Mexican critics who labeled the movie \"Frida of Hollywood\" for taking literary license with history and for the film's commercial aspects. She is considered a long shot to win the Academy Award. \"I'm happy with just the nomination. I could die now knowing I was the first Mexican nominated as best actress,\" said Hayek, who began her career in Mexican soap operas. \"But I can't lose hope. I have a chance like the others ... I like to surprise.\" She will attend the Sunday night Academy Awards with her partner, Edward Norton, and her parents, confident that \"Frida\" will win in at least some of the categories in which it was nominated. The film is a strong contender, she said, for the Best Makeup award."}, {"response": 1335, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 2003 (09:30)", "body": "How else are we to get a good look at what they are wearing? For all of us that are part of the fashion police here, this is bad news : No red-carpet glitz for the Oscars By Miki Turner and Robert Philpot Star-Telegram Staff Writers A worker dismantles drapes that adorned the Academy Awards red carpet arrival area along Hollywood Boulevard (photo) HOLLYWOOD - There will be no screams when Denzel Washington, Nicole Kidman, Halle Berry or Julia Roberts walk into Sunday's Academy Awards show. There will be no Joan and Melissa Rivers dissing their outfits. There will be no reporters and no cameras. No splash. No flash as Hollywood streams in for the Oscars this year. Organizers called off the traditional red-carpet entry. Some stars, acknowledged Academy Awards producer Gil Cates, had even asked whether they could enter the theater through \"the back way,\" illustrating the anxiety that has gripped Hollywood since President Bush's ultimatum to Saddam Hussein on Monday. \"We're all at the whims of war,\" said Frank Pierson, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. \"The Academy Awards have always reflected the times and will do so on Sunday with a more subdued version of the show. We all want to go ahead with the show. None of us in this room knows what's going to happen.\" Organizers of other big events face the same dilemma and are dealing with it in different ways. The NCAA, for example, declared that the college basketball championship tournaments will continue as scheduled, but Major League Baseball canceled the March 25-26 season-opening series in Japan between the Seattle Mariners and Oakland A's. All week Cates has said the Oscars show, scheduled to air on ABC, will go on. Tuesday, however, he did little to knock down rumors that Hollywood's biggest event could be postponed for only the fourth time in its 75-year history. Cates and Pierson said they expect to hold another news conference Friday afternoon. \"First of all, we all are continuing to work diligently to put the 75th Academy Awards on the air this coming Sunday, March 23,\" said Cates, reading from a prepared statement at the Hollywood Renaissance Hotel. \"That said, we understand that the country is on the brink of war. ... [We] do understand that ABC may adjust to war coverage if it is required and that ABC news will cover news as it happens.\" The red-carpet announcement alone was a sizable blow to the event, Hollywood's best opportunity to show off in front of an international television audience, especially when celebrities arrive in often-revealing and outlandish designer outfits. According to Cates, many stars were uneasy about such strutting this year. \"The Academy is mindful that many of its celebrity guests would feel uncomfortable arriving at this year's awards at the beginning of a major war to face a business-as-usual phalanx of interviewers and photographers,\" he said. Security will be tighter around the Kodak Theatre this year. The section of Hollywood Boulevard in front of the theater has been shut down since Monday. The Los Angeles police have increased the number of officers assigned to the event, and they'll be assisted by the FBI and private security personnel. Additionally, celebrities and their guests will have to go through metal detectors and their limos will be swept for bombs. Academy officials have also requested that the airspace over Hollywood be restricted for the day. The Oscars have been postponed three times: In 1938, because of a flood; in 1968, after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.; and in 1981, after an assassination attempt on President Reagan. But at this late date, with millions of dollars of advertising already sold, the academy will do its best to let the show go on. Other high-profile events faced similar difficult decisions Tuesday. The NCAA will not postpone or move any men's and women's basketball tournament games or other events if the United States goes to war with Iraq. \"From everything we know right now, it's in the best interests of the country to go forward,\" NCAA President Myles Brand said Tuesday. Brand kept open the possibility of reconsidering if threats emerge in coming days. Major League Baseball, meanwhile, canceled the March 25-26 season-opening series in Japan between the Seattle Mariners and Oakland A's because of the threat of war in Iraq. \"It would be unfair and terribly unsettling for [players] to be half a world away -- away from their families at this critical juncture,\" baseball commissioner Bud Selig said Tuesday. Even with the red carpet rolled up at the Oscars, celebrities are still debating what to wear to the event. It appears that unlike the business-casual garb worn at the twice-postponed Emmys in 2001, Hollywood's elite are still being encouraged to dress for the occasion. \"This is still a celebration,\" Cates said, while also acknowledging that stars faced the possibility of a public backlash if they're seen to be preening during wartime. \"That certa"}, {"response": 1336, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 2003 (09:49)", "body": "(Karen)....: the Bafta TV awards, Conspiracy itself has been nominated in the Single Drama category. ...\"Hayek, 36, said Disney'a Miramax Films paid her a salary of only $2,000 for her depiction of the Mexican surrealist painter,\" I would have told Harvey to keep it. I'd rather say I had \"volunteered \" my efforts for the sake of art;-) I don't think cancelling the Oscars is all altruism...more like news interruptions and competition from CNN and FOX. Thanks Moon."}, {"response": 1337, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 2003 (09:54)", "body": "You would have thought there might be a silver lining.... but no. :-( Cable net E! Entertainment is pushing ahead with plans for a whopping 11 hours of Oscar-related coverage, including its signature two-hour arrivals segment hosted by Joan Rivers and her daughter Melissa starting at 6 p.m. EST. Mark Sonnenberg, executive vp entertainment at E! Networks, said the pair will still interview the stars, even if they do so in a special media room rather than the traditional red-carpet grab-and-gab. \"There will still be a role for Joan and Melissa,\" Sonnenberg promised. (A rep for Joan Rivers referred calls to E!) ABC, broadcaster of the 75th Anniversary Academy Awards, is still planning to produce an arrivals show, though it will be \"slightly different in tone,\" a network spokesman said. E! producer Gary Snegaroff pointed out that the network has already banked numerous taped pieces commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Oscars, which could help cover many contingencies."}, {"response": 1338, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 2003 (11:11)", "body": "Wonder if they're being told to 'dress down' for the occasion??? (like the emmy's two years ago). Personally, I think this is ridiculous, Actors and sales people are the only ones who award each other with frivilous gifts and statues. Does winning a 'best actress' or 'best actor' really do much? Look at past winners and the junk they've made.... Can't exactly see Nic Cage doing anything remotely oscar worthy... Halle Berry... Oh, yeah, James Bond was such a HUGE hit for her... Look at the supporting category, what has Anna Paquin done remotely award worthy? Tatum O'Neal? Whoopie Goldberg???? I'm starting to think that these people have nothing better to do than congratulate themselves for doing something that they get paid WAY too much money to do!"}, {"response": 1339, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 2003 (11:45)", "body": "You would have thought there might be a silver lining.... but no. :-( LOL. My first thought early this morning! Ha! No Joan and Melissa. You burst my little balloon...."}, {"response": 1340, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 2003 (12:41)", "body": "Thanks for the articles, Murph, Karen and MoonD Wondered what safety precautions were going to be taken for Oscars. Think it's a good idea to interview in room. Atleast we still get to see outfits. Hope show goes on."}, {"response": 1341, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 2003 (15:33)", "body": "(Karen) For anyone wanting to discuss AI, Spring has a TV conference: Indeed it does, but this raises a question I've wondered about. Spring also has a Movies conference, yet there are frequent conversations here about movies. I take it that's different somehow?"}, {"response": 1342, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 2003 (16:26)", "body": "The difference is one time/limited duration vs. ongoing."}, {"response": 1343, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 2003 (16:38)", "body": "'Reckless, courageous and a little bit crazy' As he prepares to receive an honorary Oscar, Peter O'Toole tells Peter Manso about racing camels, stealing cigars - and working with the greats Peter Manso Wednesday March 19, 2003 The Guardian Peter Manso: Early on, when you got out of the navy, you joined that amazing group of actors - Michael Caine, Albert Finney, etc, at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art - who transformed British cinema. Peter O'Toole: Accurately, in 1953 at Rada in London, there was Albert Finney, Alan Bates and countless others. I always miss people out, so they get very upset. But we all moved into the theatre as well as the cinema. A number of us are still alive, which is even more amazing. PM: Was there a sense of competition, or was it more as if you were all in it together? PO: No actor worth his salt doesn't know what competition means. In the older days, the 1800s, theatre was on a par with present-day boxing. It had as much excitement, as much fancy. Junius Booth, Edmund Kean together at Drury Lane in 1816, whatever it was, competing, playing Iago in Othello... Yeah, there has always been a healthy sense of competition and this is what makes it interesting. PM: You've spoken of the time you first saw Burton doing Hamlet at the Old Vic and having the epiphany: \"I belong here.\" How conscious were you of being blessed with fortunate timing, coming into it during the 1950s, when art was somehow purer? PO: Had I begun 10 years earlier, the timing would have been perfect. Yes, certainly for the first decade - of stage acting, anyway. I mean, who were my contemporaries, the people I came up with? Richard Burton, Claire Bloom, Fay Compton etc. And the et ceteras are very important, too. Rosemary Harris, John Gielgud, Ralph Richardson, Sybil Thorndike. These are all extraordinary veterans. PM: But it was more than just talent that set that world apart? PO: Yes, it was a continuation of what had been the case since the 17th and 16th centuries. It all ended in the late 1960s. PM: You were a particularly good friend of Katharine Hepburn's. You must have had a great challenge in that performance. PO: I was in a play in London called The Long and the Short and the Tall, and there was no lavatory in my dressing room. After the show, I was pissing in the sink - which one does - and the voice said: \"Hello, my name is Kate Hepburn and I've got round everywhere!\" And then we met... and it was a joy, as you say, and indeed a challenge. If, as many of us were, you were a bit tired in the mornings, she'd give you about 60 seconds in which to recover and if you weren't there - \"Zip!\" - cut your head off. Kate's still alive, she's in her 90s, a great, great beautiful woman. I adore the girl. PM: Every time I've seen Lawrence of Arabia, I'm just bowled over: the length of the film, the ambition of it, the breadth of it, the fact that it had the patience to tell its story without having to blow something up every five seconds. It's a masterpiece. PO: One's life did tumble before one's eyes, watching that on the screen. When Lawrence is taking the boy into the bar, the shot of the load of officers watching - one of the officers was Robert Bolt, the author. Another was John Fulton, the only non-Spaniard ever to win a full alternativa [to become a fully fledged bullfighter], from Philadelphia. So you can imagine. Yes, it is a beautiful film. I never tire of it. But the script demanded all those things you mention, the circumstances demanded all those things. David [Lean, who directed] had the courage to do them. We were the right people to do all those things, and we took two years. And I don't think there was one boring second. PM: I read that Albert Finney was considered for the role. PO: That's right. So was Marlon Brando. I think probably Groucho Marx and Greta Garbo... PM: David Lean had to find you when you were essentially unknown as a movie star, then trust you for two years with this great undertaking. It must have been a leap of faith on both your parts. PO: I had a phonecall at Stratford-upon-Avon where I was playing Shylock, and it was David Lean, and would I be able to come to London to have a chat with him? So I did, and I'd grown my own beard and long hair, which I'd died black. David smoked with a cigarette holder: \"Peter, what do you look like underneath all that stuff?\" I said: \"Well, I'm quite fair-haired, really.\" He said: \"Uh, uh, uh, we'd need... I've seen a film called The Day They Robbed the Bank of England, in which you play a young, uh, English army officer and you didn't put a foot wrong. And I really want you to do it.\" I said: \"Well, who's the producer?\" He said: \"Sam Spiegel.\" I said: \"Not a chance.\" Because Sam Spiegel and I didn't get on at all. And David said: \"Well, look, you're going to hear that everybody in the world is about to play this, but please have faith, please trust me, and you'll do it.\" And come, oh, three or four months after the end of the season at Stratford, "}, {"response": 1344, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 2003 (17:06)", "body": "Thanks, Murph, for the wonderful interview! I grinned all the way through. Peter O'Toole has long been a favorite, and he's one of the best actor/storytellers ever (another was Richard Harris)."}, {"response": 1345, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 2003 (09:32)", "body": "Same night as the Oscars. No Colin mentioned, but it seems like something he would participate in: LONDON CONCERT FOR PEACE Proceeds go to Red Cross, Oxfam, Care, & Amnesty International Sunday 23rd March 2003 7.30pm Already Confirmed: Dame Judi Dench, Sir Ian McKellen, Sir Alan Ayckbourn, Harold Pinter, Samantha Bond, Mark Rylance, Jemma Redgrave, Adrian Lester, Nicola McAuliffe, Edward Petherbridge, Lindsay Duncan, Sian Phillips, Josette Bushell-Mingo, Clive Rowe, Arabella Weir, Sally Burgess, Alison Steadman, Maggie Steed, Josie Lawrence, Saskia Wickham, Dilys Laye, Emily Bruni, Jenny Galloway, Linda Nolan, 2003 Olivier Award Winners Alex Jennings and Joanna Riding, Janie Dee, John Barrowman, Maria Friedman, Henry Goodman, Simon Green, Catherine Griffiths, Charlotte Kinder, Stefan Bednarczyk, Juliet Aubrey, David Tennant, Rebecca Callard, Rohan Tickell, Amanda Stevens Lee, Hilton McCrae, Finty Williams, Jason Morrell, Alan Cox, Kim Criswell, Rhashan Stone, Malcolm Sinclair, Rupert Wickham, Kit & The Widow, John Rees [Stop the War Coalition], The Maida Vale Singers, The casts of Blood Brothers Company, Anything Goes Company and Ragtime Company, and Yvonne Ridley. Celebrating the Joy of Life. Artists from Opera, Theatre, Ballet, Comedy and Music. Plus journalists and writers contribute their thoughts and talent to what promises to be a very special evening at Theatre Royal Drury Lane."}, {"response": 1346, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 2003 (09:46)", "body": "Yes, it would, but the WAGW press junket is/was scheduled for that weekend and Colin would be in LA and then stay for the premiere. Naturally, all that could be canceled, even the premiere."}, {"response": 1347, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 2003 (11:48)", "body": "oooh, so happy! Helen Mirren is reprising her Prime Suspect, Jane Tennison! On PBS next year!"}, {"response": 1348, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (10:04)", "body": "Oscars will go on ...maybe... From NY Times: \"....The official word from academy headquarters today was that Sunday's show would go on as scheduled at 8:30 p.m., Eastern time, in the Kodak Theater on Hollywood Boulevard. But time still remains for it to be postponed should wider attacks involving American soldiers occur\".... Parties more subdued... \"Miramax Films, whose 40 Oscar nominations, including 13 for the front-runner, \"Chicago,\" make it the dominant player this weekend, has always had a night-before party at which stars from its nominated films appear in satirical skits, and then a second party on the night of the ceremonies. As of this morning, the parties were to go on as scheduled, but without the skits. \"At the moment, the plan is for everything to go on but be more subdued,\" said Harvey Weinstein, co-chairman of Miramax.\" \"Suspense Over Speeches Oscar producers were reporting no other major defections from the show as of this morning. Of more concern to them was whether any of the celebrities would take advantage of the global television audience on Sunday night to make a political statement about the war. Gil Cates, the show's producer, said that the presenters had been given scripts and would be expected to stick to them but that the winners would be free to say anything. \"It's their 45 seconds,\" Mr. Cates said. The uncertainty about who will speak out, and how strongly, could well add to the pleasure of watching the show, said Peter Bart, editor of Variety. \"It will add another element of suspense, in a way,\" he said. \"And they really lucked out in having Steve Martin as the host this year. He's shown himself to be brilliant at coming up with the right tone and the right note of wit for the right moment, and that's really going to be needed this year.\" Bruce Vilanch, the show's longtime chief writer, said he hoped the winners would keep their political views to themselves. But, he added, he understands that the temptation may prove too great for some. \"We'll have to play it by the seat of our pants, since we don't know what's going to happen,\" he said. Stephen Daldry, a nominee for his direction of \"The Hours,\" has said that he will most certainly make an antiwar statement if he wins, although he is widely considered a long shot in that category.\" [Gee, I hope he wins;-)] Whole article which talks about security for our brave thespians who are risking their lives to attend.What troupers!! http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/21/movies/21OSCA.html?8mu"}, {"response": 1349, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (10:27)", "body": "Uh oh...Poor Gwynnie....Kelly Preston better work overtime plugging this one.... \"What is Gwyneth Paltrow doing squandering her talents on a wan little airline comedy like \"View From the Top\"? \" http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/21/movies/21VIEW.html?8mu And our friend Damien Lewis didn't fare much better in Dreamcatcher.... \"Lawrence Kasdan's adaptation of the Stephen King novel manages to squish five or six bad movies into about two and a quarter hours.\" http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/21/movies/21DREA.html?8mu But don't despair...all is not lost this weekend... .... \"Piglet's Big Movie,\" a charmer of a family film spun off from A. A. Milne's \"Winnie-the-Pooh\" books,..... If you're interested.... http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/21/movies/21PIGL.html?8mu -----"}, {"response": 1350, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (10:44)", "body": "You gotta read this...it's not the \"Harvey Love Fest\" that it seems... 'Chicago' Is a Hit After Feuds The grueling struggle to transform \"Chicago\" from a Broadway musical into an improbable Hollywood hit was filled with squabbles, meddlings and miscalculations. http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/19/movies/19CHIC.html?8mu"}, {"response": 1351, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (10:47)", "body": "More Miramax gossip [read:\"Bashing\"].....from NY Times \"Oscar Jockeying, Down to the Wire By DAVE KEHR The Oscar campaign is over. The votes, due last Tuesday, are in the hands of Price Waterhouse, being tabulated for Sunday night's ceremony (related article, Page 1 of Weekend). There are no more advertisements to be run, no more hastily arranged tributes to be held, no more talk shows to be booked with Oscar contenders. Yet the dirty tricks and wild accusations continued unabated through the final days. Who was responsible for getting Samantha Geimer, who in 1977 was the 13-year-old victim of Roman Polanski's sexual advances, to write a warmly phrased opinion article in The Los Angeles Times asking Oscar voters not to take Mr. Polanski's personal life into account when judging \"The Pianist\"? And who was then responsible for leaking the transcript of the 1977 grand jury hearings on the Polanski case to an Internet site, the Smoking Gun (www.thesmokinggun.com), where Ms. Geimer's testimony can be read? A spokesman for the Smoking Gun has said that the documents came from open court files, but that hasn't stopped speculation that the records were dug up by a rival distributor hoping to harm Mr. Polanski's Oscar chances. The tooth-and-claw competition reached a new level last weekend, when The Los Angeles Times reported that an opinion article in The Los Angeles Daily News and The Long Beach Press-Telegram ? an endorsement of Martin Scorsese for best director, signed by Robert Wise, the venerable Hollywood filmmaker and past president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences ? had actually been written by a Miramax publicist, Murray Weissman, and submitted to Mr. Wise for his approval. Miramax subsequently reprinted the article as an advertisement in several publications. When the academy suggested that the advertisement was a violation of its bylaws, which forbid individual members to reveal how they will vote, Miramax stopped running it. But nowhere does Mr. Wise say he is voting for Mr. Scorsese. His most enthusiastic statement took the form of a question: \"Could this be the year that Oscar catches up with the rest of us and recognizes the wonderful body of work of this great director?\" In a statement issued by Rick Sands, chairman of worldwide distribution for Miramax, the company said, \"We were completely unaware that this was something academy members found offensive, and since there is nothing that addresses this in the academy marketing guidelines, we certainly did not know this practice was a violation of academy rules.\" Mr. Sands cited other examples of academy members endorsing particular nominees in advertisements, including last year's \"Moulin Rouge\" campaign, to which Mr. Wise also lent his name. One veteran Oscar campaigner, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: \"There's a lot of hypocrisy in the academy's position. What this really boils down to is an East Coast-West Coast spat.\" Miramax, though a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Corporation, is based in New York; the academy was founded by Hollywood studio heads and continues to be a Hollywood-centered organization even as relatively few Hollywood films receive nominations.\" ~~~~~~"}, {"response": 1352, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (10:57)", "body": "He wanted Britney Spears to get a role and commissioned Janet Jackson to write a song for the film LOL! Great examples of Harvey's legendary great taste, which has obviously gone to his tuchis. ;-) But Mr. Marshall and others were dead set against having someone they regarded as a fluffy, pubescent pop star in a role that required a brutal edge. Must have been Lucy Liu's role and we all know her \"brutal edge.\" Grrrowl But Richard Gere was not signed to play the tap-dancing lawyer until Hugh Jackman, Kevin Kline and Kevin Spacey had all rejected the role. (Mr. Jackman felt he was too young, Mr. Kline did not want to play such a negative character Aw, Kevin Kline would've been great."}, {"response": 1353, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (11:23)", "body": "Can I just say, that actors are all talk and no action? Why are they so anti- anything???? They have nothing better to do than get up on a podium and state their opinions, which really mean nothing to the general public? What right do they have to use an awards show to state what they feel what is going on in the world? Personally, most of these \"anti-war\" actors are a ridiculous (now, I'm not saying I'm pro or against), but they should AT LEAST be supportive of the Americans that are over in the middle east. Don't see any of them joining the armed forces like Jimmy Stewart, Henry Ford, etc.. did during WW2. So they should just accept their stupid little awards and SHUT UP!"}, {"response": 1354, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (11:34)", "body": "I agree, Laura and Ed Harris should be the first one OUT. Watch Meryl Streep wear her French Medal around her neck again. (Karen), Aw, Kevin Kline would've been great. So true! That Oscar campaign has all the war tactics, I am sick of the hypocracy. I wonder what will happen at the IFC awards today. Thanks, Evelyn!"}, {"response": 1355, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (11:50)", "body": "(Laura)What right do they have to use an awards show to state what they feel what is going on in the world? Aw, Laura..you know that the roles they've played have given them great expertise in foreign policy [insert tongue- in- cheek smilie.] (Laura) Don't see any of them joining the armed forces like Jimmy Stewart, Henry Ford, etc.. did during WW2. Bruce Willis said on CNN he would gladly enlist, but is too old. And he looks so cute in uniform;-)"}, {"response": 1356, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (12:05)", "body": "(about the Brittany Spears idea) But Mr. Marshall and others were dead set against having someone they regarded as a fluffy, pubescent pop star in a role that required a brutal edge. (Karen) Must have been Lucy Liu's role and we all know her \"brutal edge.\" They used another pop star (Mya) in the Cell Block Tango number - she had 'artistic differences' with Al Lipschutz - so maybe Harvey was thinking of Brittany for that scene. I gag at the very thought. (Karen) Aw, Kevin Kline would've been great. Oh, yes! I thought Gere was fine in the part, but I would have loved to see KK in that role. Interesting reason for turning it down. On \"Chicago\" Mr. Weinstein relied upon three Miramax executives \ufffdMeryl Poster, Julie Goldstein and Jennifer Berman \ufffd who acted as a fearsome, swarming tag team of advisers and naggers between the studio and Mr. Marshall. \"We wanted to allow him to get through it on schedule and to make it in a financially smart way,\" Ms. Poster said. I do so admire the way she worded that. Sounds better than, \"We made his life a living hell with our incessant interference.\""}, {"response": 1357, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (12:18)", "body": "Oscar Anger as Press Is Shut Out The war with Iraq is claiming casualties here in Hollywood: It's killing the relationships between the working press and the movie studios, the publicists and Vanity Fair magazine. What?s happening has been in the making for a long time. The doorkeepers for various Oscar-related events have seized on the uncertain geopolitical climate to ban the press from whatever events will still be happening this Academy Awards weekend. This means, for example, that Vanity Fair has finally figured out a way to give its Oscar party in secret. On Thursday, the magazine?s clipboard Nazis called all the press people it had already invited to the party and told them they were out. All of them, not just the regular enemies list. Vanity Fair also bounced New York Post columnists Liz Smith and Cindy Adams, as well as other writers who?d come to Los Angeles specifically to attend the multi-million-dollar festival of self-importance the magazine tosses itself each year. Vanity Fair even banned writers from other magazines published by Cond\ufffd Nast. The magazine's excuse? During this time of war, it wanted its guests to have a safe and secure place where they could party. What this really means is that Vanity Fair wanted a place where the stars could really groove on excess without reporters chronicling it. At the Oscars, the stars will look appropriately grim and world-weary. But in the privacy of the Vanity Fair circus tent (a real, not figurative, one), the celebs can party like there?s no tomorrow\" [Ed note:How do you spell \"hypocrites\"?] http://foxnews.com./story/0,2933,81773,00.html"}, {"response": 1358, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (12:26)", "body": "So true."}, {"response": 1359, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (12:50)", "body": "Yep, I can see Iraqi scud missiles aiming right for the auditorium where ALL the actors will be... (stupid stupid stupid); Do they really think themselves THAT important???? I had posted a whole other thingy, then my network went down (hate when that happens). This whole oscar show is getting TOO political. They should just post the winners on a website or run the names on the crawl underneath the news reports:)"}, {"response": 1360, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (12:57)", "body": "(Evelyn)'Chicago' Is a Hit After Feuds Thanks for the link to the article. Amusing distraction. (Moon Dreams)I wonder what will happen at the IFC awards today. Thanks too Moon for this..... I would have probably missed it with all of bleak stuff on the tube. Planned to head right to the DVD player. I always enjoy this show and *not just* because most presenters and recipients look like graduates of the Paul Ashworth School of Fashion! Joan and Melissa, eat your hearts out."}, {"response": 1361, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (13:00)", "body": "(Laura)So they should just accept their stupid little awards and SHUT UP! Amen! It's the nature of celebrity, which by definition is self-centered and ego-driven. Some of these people actually think that the rest of us care what they think about politics. What bothers me most is this: the Oscars will be beamed to the US and UK troops in the Gulf, intended as a brief and entertaining respite for them. Anybody who says anything other than a simple \"let's all keep in our thoughts anyone who's in harm's way tonight\" is an arrogant fool (if, in fact, they feel compelled to say anything). At the Oscars, the stars will look appropriately grim and world-weary. But in the privacy of the Vanity Fair circus tent (a real, not figurative, one), the celebs can party like there's no tomorrow\" I think that says it all. Hey, Nicole K. says she and her family are winging in, come hell or high water! Way to go, girl. (Moon)Watch Meryl Streep wear her French Medal around her neck again LMAO! I keep hoping someone will ask her if she won that for ski-jumping. ;-)"}, {"response": 1362, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (13:10)", "body": "(Mari)What bothers me most is this: the Oscars will be beamed to the US and UK troops in the Gulf, intended as a brief and entertaining respite for them. Yikes...hadn't thought of that. One would think that some of these actors would go and entertain the troops at the deployment centers.Take some of the premieres to the guys/gals like they did in WWII Billy Crystal and Rob't De Niro premiered \"Anylyze This 2\"at an air base in Fla."}, {"response": 1363, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (13:15)", "body": "Anybody who says anything other than a simple \"let's all keep in our thoughts anyone who's in harm's way tonight\" is an arrogant fool (if, in fact, they feel compelled to say anything ] I can imagine Sharon Stone getting up there and going on her tirade... *snooze*... Honestly, the AA are supposed to be fun and fairytale-ish, I don't want real life intruding! ;)"}, {"response": 1364, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (14:31)", "body": "Thanks for all the great articles and links Murph and Evelyn. (Laura) Anybody who says anything other than a simple \"let's all keep in our thoughts anyone who's in harm's way tonight\" is an arrogant fool (if, in fact, they feel compelled to say anything. Hear! Hear! Especially with the troops watching the show. How short the Hollywood memory seems to be IMO. It wasn't too long ago luminaries of A-list stature were blacklisted for saying much less than their worldly and so politically astute counterpart ;-) of today. I'm hoping with all my heart they don't disgrace our armed forces. And would love to see the equal of Jimmy Stewart, Henry Fonda, Bob Hope, Clark Gable come forward, but sadly IMO there doesn't seem to be any equals."}, {"response": 1365, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (15:00)", "body": "The IFC Spirit Awards are the day before the Oscars, so that would be Saturday. BTW, the smart money is saying it's Nicole Kidman by a nose. ;-)"}, {"response": 1366, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (15:05)", "body": "Nicole Kidman by a nose. ;-) LOL! Thanks for the correction."}, {"response": 1367, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (15:18)", "body": "Let's get real on those \"Oscar cancellations.\" Will Smith and Tom Hanks aren't nominated. Peter Jackson's film is nominated, but he was bumped to make room for Pedro. Little surprise that he wouldn't bother to show up. The Academy barely acknowledged the film. And Aki K (the Finnish director), I won't even bother. He mouths off and boycotts everything here. ;-)"}, {"response": 1368, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (15:20)", "body": "Pam, I didn't say that. Mari did. You really think Nicole Kidman will get it? (would be a nice kick the butt for TC); but I kinda hope RZ gets it. Because I like her new haircut;)"}, {"response": 1369, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (15:27)", "body": "(Laura) but I kinda hope RZ gets it. Because I like her new haircut;) Now, there's a reason. ;-) I find it really strange that RZ isn't performing with the 20-month pregnant CZJ; Queen Latifah, who didn't do that number in the film, is doing it instead. *raised eyebrows*"}, {"response": 1370, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (15:30)", "body": "(Pam) It wasn't too long ago luminaries of A-list stature were blacklisted It was 50 years ago. The past is the past and this has little bearing on the current situation. They were not blacklisted for what they said."}, {"response": 1371, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (16:10)", "body": "(Karen) I find it really strange that RZ isn't performing with the 20-month pregnant CZJ; Queen Latifah, who didn't do that number in the film, is doing it instead. *raised eyebrows* Me thinks she doesn't want to sing in front of a live audience. Not all of those actors can. CZJ and Queen L.started out there. (Pam)It wasn't too long ago luminaries of A-list stature were blacklisted It was 50 years ago. The past is the past and this has little bearing on the current situation. They were not blacklisted for what they said. Some of us are keeping a private list. Hey...it's my money."}, {"response": 1372, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (16:56)", "body": "LOL, Evelyn! (Karen),I find it really strange that RZ isn't performing with the 20-month pregnant CZJ; I've told you that she's not a talent when it comes to dancing. She's a stiff that needs lots of rehearsals. Bad sport."}, {"response": 1373, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (16:57)", "body": "(Karen) I find it really strange that RZ isn't performing with the 20-month pregnant CZJ; Queen Latifah, who didn't do that number in the film, is doing it instead. *raised eyebrows* (Evelyn) Me thinks she doesn't want to sing in front of a live audience. Not all of those actors can. CZJ and Queen L.started out there. Yes I was betting they really cleaned up Renee's voice in the recording. Bet she doesn't have the power to do it well live. I'm not surprised, nor do I blame her, but it does seem odd nonetheless. I didn't think CZJ would be able to breathe properly to sing that far along in her pregnancy. When I first saw Evelyn mention a ways back that they were singing together, I thought it would be the song \"Class\" that they did on the CD and was filmed and cut,but will be on the DVD. But then I remembered the song is \"I Move On\"."}, {"response": 1374, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (16:59)", "body": "(Karen),I find it really strange that RZ isn't performing with the 20-month pregnant CZJ; (Moon) I've told you that she's not a talent when it comes to dancing. She's a stiff that needs lots of rehearsals. Bad sport. I certainly doubt CZJ is hoofing it up Sunday either. And she can...does that make her a bad sport, too?"}, {"response": 1375, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (17:01)", "body": "Oops! Forgot ;-)"}, {"response": 1376, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (19:35)", "body": "Just read somewhere that RZ may not even show. The article said that she has given what sounds like a rather tentative confirmation, though her reps say she is \"taking everything day-by-day.\" I can understand someone from overseas not wanting to fly over here...but she lives in LA right? Soooo,what's the prob?"}, {"response": 1377, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (19:39)", "body": "Does she still? I thought I heard or read somewhere that she sold or was selling that big house in LA and moving to NY."}, {"response": 1378, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 2003 (13:39)", "body": "Get ready...bring a cush.... From Fox News : Somber Oscar Show Will Run Long, as Usual Don?t expect the bombing of Baghdad to change how long the Academy Awards will run tomorrow night. I am told that, as usual, the Oscar presentation will go the usual distance between three-and-a-half to four hours. But the show will be funereal and respectful if it goes according to the latest plans, with producer Gil Cates eschewing as much fun as possible in order to seem reverent. Host Steve Martin and writer Bruce Vilanch have already been instructed to \"tone it down.\" An opening joke that tied the \"queens\" of Chicago to the Gangs of New York has been dropped because it seemed too irreverent, according to my rehearsal sources. Also, upbeat music ? outside of the actual nominated scores and songs ? has been excised. \"They took out 'Hooray for Hollywood' and replaced it with the theme from Schindler?s List,\" my source said. In the song category, Cates is apparently holding out hope, though, that Eminem will show up and rap his otherwise unperformable number from 8 Mile. A stand-in has lip-synched the piece during rehearsals. \"Gil just keeps saying, 'We?ll worry about that when we get there,'\" said one observer. Eminem previously said he was on vacation, although on vacation from what I?m not sure. However, Bono and The Edge will be present to perform the theme from Gangs of New York, a very pregnant Catherine Zeta-Jones will do her number from Chicago and Paul Simon is expected to play as well. What of the idea that the Academy should have canceled, or at least postponed, the show? Not possible, said my source. \"ABC was adamant about them doing it and there were a lot of phone calls back and forth,\" the source said. \"There?s too much advertising money tied up in the show. Even a war couldn?t have stopped it.\" As for Cates? assertion that the Kodak Theatre will be the safest place on Earth come Sunday night: \"There?s so much dog sniffing and scanning, he?s right,\" said someone who?s been to rehearsals. \"It goes on and on.\" Elton Bans Press at Oscar Party Too Add Elton John and InStyle Magazine as the latest hosts to ban press from their Sunday night party."}, {"response": 1379, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 2003 (13:49)", "body": "Un, oh....Attention Fashionistas: From CNN News : Jolie's Fashion Outfit Stolen LONDON, England (Reuters) -- The outfit due to be worn by Hollywood star Angelina Jolie at Sunday's Oscar ceremony has been stolen from the designer's car in London. British designer Scott Henshall said the dress, along with jewellery, accessories and other gowns earmarked for guests at the annual glitzy show in Los Angeles, had been stolen from his car in the upmarket Knightsbridge area of the British capital on Wednesday evening. \"There is no way I can remake Angelina's or any other dresses in time,\" he told Thursday's London Evening Standard. \"There were 20 outfits in the collection and now the nine most glamorous have gone.\" Jolie's outfit was described as a 3,000-pound (about $4,500) body-hugging corset dress decorated with cherubs. \"We are investigating the theft of nine designer dresses plus other items of clothing and accessories from a car,\" a police spokesman told Reuters."}, {"response": 1380, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 2003 (16:26)", "body": "Also, upbeat music ? outside of the actual nominated scores and songs ? has been excised. \"They took out 'Hooray for Hollywood' and replaced it with the theme from Schindler?s List,\" my source said Oh fergodssake! Hollywood has entertained troops for as long as it's been around. Why is it so bad to celebrate with a lighter tone now?"}, {"response": 1381, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 2003 (16:39)", "body": "Jolie's outfit was described as a 3,000-pound (about $4,500) body-hugging corset dress decorated with cherubs. Cherubs? The thief may have done her a favor."}, {"response": 1382, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 2003 (09:07)", "body": "In case people missed it, the Independent Spirit Awards were yesterday and Far from Heaven carried the day (Julianne Moore, Dennis Quaid, the director, best film and more). However, the highlight had to be the musical intros before each best film clip. Jennifer Tilly's \"Hello Tully\" (a la Hello Dolly) was a hoot; she was a riot, but Lesley Ann Warren's rendition of \"Cheat on Your Man\" (a la Stand By Your Man) for the Good Girl brought the house down. If Bravo reruns this again, it's a must."}, {"response": 1383, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 2003 (09:42)", "body": "Jennifer Tilly's \"Hello Tully\" (a la Hello Dolly) was a hoot; she was a riot, but Lesley Ann Warren's rendition of \"Cheat on Your Man\" (a la Stand By Your Man) for the Good Girl brought the house down. I saw LAW's song....it was a riot! Couldn't get past Thora Birch's singing voice (or lack of it) to be that amused with hers. Must have turned it off before JT's. I didn't watch the very beginning or end of the repeat. Wanted to see Elvis Costello at the start but missed it. Didn't see The Good Girl, and didn't realize from the trailer, the security guard telling Jennifer Anniston she'll be doomed to damnation is the screenwriter who won last night. I \"saw\" FFH twice, thought production design was beautiful. Fell asleep for much of second viewing. Slow pace not optimal for viewing while very tired. ;-) Was it on Bravo on your cable? It's on Independent Film Channel on mine. Repeats at 10pm tonight."}, {"response": 1384, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 2003 (09:55)", "body": "I thought LAW was great! Highlight moment when the Antwone Fisher actor brought his wife up with him. Now for the Oscars. Everyone knows I am rooting The Pianist, but here is what I think will happen: Best Picture: Chicago Best Director: Martin Scorsese Best Actor: DDL Best Actress: Nicole Kidman Best Supp. Actress: CZJ Best Supp. Actor: Christopher Walken (although my vote would go to Chris Cooper) Best Cinematography: Chicago Editing: Chicago Original Screenplay: Talk to Her Adapted Scrennplay: The Hours Costume Design: GoNY (although I hated it) Foreing Film: Nowhere in Africa I hope that everyone holds their opinions on the war considering that it will be broadcast to our soldiers. Peace on Earth and may God protect our troops abroad would be acceptable. Looking forward to the \"somber\" Oscars."}, {"response": 1385, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 2003 (10:10)", "body": "Ahhh, the picks. I'm going to have to do them sometime. Here goes... Best Picture: Chicago (but would rather have The Hours) Best Director: Rob Marshall (Chicago) Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis Best Actress: Renee (this is killing me 'cause I think Nicole should get it, but RZ's got the momentum and is considered the heart of the film and The Hours is just too ensemblish) Best Supporting Actor: Christopher Walken Best Supporting Actress: Catherine Zeta Jones Adapted Screenplay: The Hours Original Screenplay: GONY Cinematography: Road to Perdition Foreign Language: Nowhere in Africa Original Dramatic Score: The Hours Song: The Hands that Built America Art Direction: Chicago Costume: Frida Editing: The Hours Makeup: Frida and then those technical ones..."}, {"response": 1386, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 2003 (12:08)", "body": "Just in case anyone is interested. You can set up a group on Yahoo! for Fantasy Oscars. You can do your pics and the results are posted as the Oscars are won. It is loads of fun (we've been doing it at work for about four years now and usually get about 15 to 20 people to participate). I lost by one last year as I hadn't seen all the animated shorts and had to just wing it in that catagory. You can change your answers up to about 10 minutes before the Oscars start. They are extra points awarded for guessing how long the program will go over this year."}, {"response": 1387, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 2003 (18:18)", "body": "My picks for what they\ufffdre worth...... Film: Chicago Director: Rob Marshall Actor: DDL Actress: NK (would be great to see Renee get this, but...) Supp Actor: Chris Cooper Supp Actress: CZJ Orig Screenplay: Talk to Her Adapted Screenplay: Chicago (like to see Adaptation) Orig Score: The Hours Orig Song: Anything but U2\ufffds song (if they have a brain in their head) Film Editing: Chicago Cinematography: Conrad Hall (RTP) Costume: GONY Art Direction: GONY"}, {"response": 1388, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 2003 (18:56)", "body": "Okay, my picks..... Best Picture: Chicago Best Director: Martin Scorsese Best Actor: Jack Best Actress: Nicole Kidman (would be happy if NK got it, and think she will, but would love to see RZ win) Best Supporting Actor: Chris Cooper Best Supporting Actress: Catherine Zeta Jones (but think it could go to MS since she was overlooked in Best Actress catagory) Adapted Screenplay: Chicago Original Screenplay: GONY Cinematography: Far From Heaven (It probably won't win, but I loved the 'look' of this film) Foreign Language: El Crimen Del Padre Amaro Original Score: Catch Me If You Can (very Esquivelesque) Original Song: \"Lose Yourself\" 8 Mile (GAH! Do not want this to win, but I think it will) Art Direction: GONY Costume: Chicago Editing: Chicago Makeup: Frida Animated Short: Mike's New Car (I always miss this one!)"}, {"response": 1389, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 2003 (19:06)", "body": "(Karen) If Bravo reruns this again, it's a must. Excellent show and agree the highlights were Tully and Warren. Great stuff. You'll enjoy it. Agree with everyones picks. Would like to see Renee get it but think Nicole will. Am rooting for Renee anyway. Enjoy show everyone. Glad to see they are dressing up. Might not be as somber as we think, hopefully."}, {"response": 1390, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 2003 (00:05)", "body": "Can I post my picks now? ;-) Lots of surprises! And nearly everyone looked fantastic. Nice that no one film walked away with everything, as happens sometimes."}, {"response": 1391, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 2003 (06:37)", "body": "Wow, bet you guys were blown away when your picks (mainly director and actor were totally off); I couldn't make a list as I haven't seen any of the movies. However, am glad that Eminem got it for \"Lose Yourself\"... it's a great song."}, {"response": 1392, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 2003 (08:50)", "body": "(Laura) Wow, bet you guys were blown away when your picks (mainly director and actor were totally off). I was in no way sad to see Adrian Brody win! Thought he had the best speech of the evening (loved it when he told the orchestra to pipe down because he only had one shot at this and wanted it to be right). I haven't seen The Pianist yet. Love it when a person wins and they don't appear to be expecting it."}, {"response": 1393, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 2003 (09:00)", "body": "That was quite a show! Adrien Brody was a pleasant surprise. Loved his smoocheroo of Halle Berry and his line about the gift bag. Later, when he was interviewed by the press, someone asked about the kiss and he said (with a lot of Queens attitude), \"I took a shot.\" Bet those two bits will be shown a lot. The Polanski award is easily rationalized. The Academy has a difficult time giving an award to a first-time director, unless he is an actor. ;-) And they weren't going to reward Marty or Harvey. (BTW, who was that blonde with Harvey?) Some great dresses. So many that I liked: Nicole Kidman's was fabulous, Diane Lane's, Kate Hudson's, Susan Sarandon's, Renee's..."}, {"response": 1394, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 2003 (09:17)", "body": "(Karen)(BTW, who was that blonde with Harvey?) Dorine?;-) Just kidding."}, {"response": 1395, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 2003 (10:23)", "body": "Glad Nicole got Russell in there. Thought most of the gowns were very nice. I like the way Meryl Streep looked especially. O'Toole -- witty, classy and brief. Did you notice that very few Brits were there? As past honorees, I mean? Rafe, Kristin Scott, Brenda Blethyn, Jim Broadbent? I really thought Jennifer Jones was dead - ditto Claude Jarman Jr. Guess I was wrong! I loved seeing all those older winners. I thought Theresa Wright has aged nicely. And Olivia did a good job introducing them. Margaret O' Brian!!! Do I feel old. Louise Rainer is 93!! On the whole, the evening was very boring until 11 PM, when it picked up with O'Toole. Joe and I ask why good film clips are no longer shown - with the 75 year anniversary, I thought we would have much more film nostalgia last night. That Bernal guy is a cutie:"}, {"response": 1396, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 2003 (10:28)", "body": "The blonde with Harve was his wife, Eve. I thought the show was good, and Steve Martin did a superb job. LOL when he told Mickey Rooney (in the way back section) that they'd have gotten him a better seat but Vin Diesel was here. Pfft! Loved Steve's Teamsters ad lib after Michael Moore's, ahem, speech. Enjoyed seeing the Oscar winners from years past; I could have sworn some of those folks were dead, but am glad to be wrong on that score.;-) Lots of great dresses--my fave was Diane Lane's. Delighted for Adrien Brody--well deserved, and very heartfelt remarks."}, {"response": 1397, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 2003 (10:32)", "body": "On the whole, the evening was very boring until 11 PM, Think so? I thought Steve Martin was a hoot start to finish. He was impromtu too... \"The teamsters are loading Michael Moore into a van now\" Thrilled about Adrien Brody.Well deserved. DDL's Butcher Bill was way over the top."}, {"response": 1398, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 2003 (10:36)", "body": "(Mari)The blonde with Harve was his wife, Eve. Trophy wife??"}, {"response": 1399, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 2003 (10:49)", "body": "Yeaaaa for Brodie! The highlight of the night. I believe that The Pianist must have been very close in the votes for Best Picture. For a moment there after Best Director and Adapted Screen play, I thought it would win. Funny how they omitted to show clips from WoF, for O'Toole. ;-) (Mari), Lots of great dresses--my fave was Diane Lane's. I will have to agree, that dress was special. Beautiful dresses, even Meryl Streep looked good. I didn't like Renee's red dress though, it clashed with her skin tone. \"The teamsters are loading Michael Moore into a van now\" MM behaved as he looks, last night. He used the same speech from the IFC awards. Susan Surandon was a surprise, and I thank her. Glad Steve Martin added that bit for the troops at the end. (Mari)The blonde with Harve was his wife, Eve. (Evelyn), Trophy wife?? Gold digger?"}, {"response": 1400, "author": "Odile", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 2003 (10:55)", "body": "(Mari), Lots of great dresses--my fave was Diane Lane's. My DH's fave: Salma Hayek. :)"}, {"response": 1401, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 2003 (10:57)", "body": "(Moon) Funny how they omitted to show clips from WoF, for O'Toole. ;-) Shocker, huh? ;-) We were on the edges of our seats... (Mari) Loved Steve's Teamsters ad lib after Michael Moore's, ahem, speech. That was great, but I too was pretty surprised that MM, a talented guy, only had the one speech, same as he used for the Indie Spirit Awards. :-( I thought Steve Martin was excellent. Loved his H'wood jibes, especially about being thin or skinny and the actresses pictured for \"middle-aged\" and older. *snicker* Reese being an older actress. ;-) BTW, Olivia de Havilland is remarkably well-preserved and has been for years. Hasn't aged a day since she was 70. ;-)"}, {"response": 1402, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 2003 (12:14)", "body": "(Murph)As past honorees, I mean? Rafe, Kristin Scott, Brenda Blethyn, Jim Broadbent? Only Broadbent is an Oscar winner. The others were only nominees. (Moon) Funny how they omitted to show clips from WoF, for O'Toole. ;-) LOL, great minds, Moon! Shocking omission, IMO.;-) ( Trophy wife?? Gold digger? No, Harve is actually younger than he looks--about 50-ish. His weight makes him look so much older. The wife is not that much younger, but just wears it a lot better. (Karen)Loved his H'wood jibes, especially about being thin or skinny and the actresses pictured for \"middle-aged\" and older. *snicker* Reese being an older actress. ;-) That was so funny. He struck just the right chord last night. Also enjoyed the way they kept targeting Jack Nicholson for some laughs--he's a good sport. I liked Nicole's speech about why \"the show must go on.\" Sensible gal."}, {"response": 1403, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 2003 (13:08)", "body": "(Murph) That Bernal guy is a cutie: Indeed he is Murph. Love his eyes, they sparkle. Thanks for the great pics. (Mari) I thought the show was good, and Steve Martin did a superb job I agree. He was excellent. Loved the bit about who he slept with. He was great."}, {"response": 1404, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 2003 (14:21)", "body": "Since everyone seemed to enjoy Steve Martin and his jokes, I thought you might enjoy reading this from the Miami Herald: Joking around with Oscar and Steve BY DAVE BARRY About six months ago, I got an e-mail. Here's what it said: Hi Dave, it's Steve Martin. I'm hosting the Oscars this year and am trying to put together a team of geniuses to help me write it. Here's my question: do you know any? HA! I'm wondering if the idea appeals to you at all. You, me, Rita Rudner and a few others. Best Oscar monologue ever. California. Tickets to the show. Fame. I know you won't do it, so go (bad word) yourself. Steve Needless to say, I was excited. I've been a big Steve Martin fan since he had an arrow through his head. To have him ask me to work with him was an honor. On the other hand, I worried that I'd embarrass myself. I've never tried to write jokes for somebody else, and I knew the other writers on Martin's team would be show-biz pros. So I showed the e-mail to my wife, and told her about my concerns. She told me to think about it carefully, and make whatever decision I truly thought I would be comfortable with, as long as that decision was yes, because if I turned down a chance for us to go to the Academy Awards, she would kill me with a machete. That was all the encouragement I needed. I e-mailed Martin that I'd do it. My exact words were: ``The Oscars? (Bad word) YES.'' Even though the first meeting of the writers was two months away, I immediately started trying to think up Academy Awards jokes that would be good enough for Martin to deliver to an audience of extremely famous movie stars, plus something like one billion TV viewers. It was intimidating, but within a few weeks, I had: no jokes. I didn't even have any funny-sounding words that might eventually be assembled into jokes. I had zero. My wife, meanwhile, was making substantial progress. Within a few days, she had a new dress and a matching purse, and was actively pursuing earrings. She also had ordered a pair of shoes that cost roughly the same as a year in medical school. There was to be no turning back. In November, I went to California for the first meeting of the writers, in a Beverly Hills hotel. We sat at a round table in a conference room. Martin was to my immediate left, taking notes on his laptop computer as the other writers tossed out idea after idea. This group process was unfamiliar and intimidating to me; I've always written alone. I tried to have an idea, but my brain had frozen into a cold, hard mass of lifeless tissue. For about an hour, the only coherent thought it could form was: I'm sitting right next to Steve Martin! SHARING LAUGHS But gradually my brain began to thaw, as I realized a surprising thing: These people were all remarkably generous. I'd assumed that they'd be competitive -- lobbying for their own jokes, maybe even criticizing other people's. But it wasn't like that at all. In fact, it was the opposite: If somebody came up with something good, the laughter around the table was instant and genuine; if somebody came up with a joke that needed help, everyone tried to think of ways to improve it. Many jokes mutated through a number of forms, with various people coming up with various elements, until eventually there was no way to tell whose joke it was. This is the way it works in Hollywood; almost everything is collaborative. All of these people had spent many hours sitting in writer-filled rooms just like this, dreaming up stuff. As I became comfortable with the process, I also got to know, and become friends with, the other writers, my collaborators. In alphabetical order, they were: \ufffd Beth Armogida, an awards-show veteran who writes jokes for Jay Leno and for two seasons wrote for Drew Carey on Whose Line Is It Anyway? \ufffd Dave Boone, the head writer for Hollywood Squares and a collaborator on four previous Academy Award shows, creating material for Billy Crystal and Whoopi Goldberg. \ufffd Andy Breckman, who has worked for Dave Letterman and Saturday Night Live; wrote a bunch of movies (including Rat Race and Sgt. Bilko); created the TV show Monk; and is insane (I mean this in a good way). \ufffd Jon Macks, an Academy Awards veteran and a staff writer for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and who is nicknamed the ''Machine'' because he is so prolific. This is a guy who, as far as I can tell, thinks entirely in jokes. If Jon were sentenced to die on the guillotine, he'd fire off three jokes while the blade was coming down and at least two of them would be really good. \ufffd Rita Rudner, the very funny standup comic lady and TV host, who also turns out to be a sweet person. \ufffd Robert Shapiro, our dryly amusing liaison to the Academy Awards, who kept us updated on which stars were coming, which stars were not coming and which stars were actually deceased. \ufffd Bruce Vilanch, actor, comedian, Hollywood Squares fixture, big hairy funny guy and award-winning writer who has worked on every Academy Awards show since 1989 and knows all the dirt on"}, {"response": 1405, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 2003 (14:26)", "body": "(Mari) Loved Steve's Teamsters ad lib after Michael Moore's, ahem, speech. And I read this morning an unconfirmed report that it was primarily the stagehands who were booing, which of course Martin would have seen and heard. That just makes it all the funnier. (Karen) Some great dresses. So many that I liked: Nicole Kidman's was fabulous, Diane Lane's, Kate Hudson's, Susan Sarandon's, Renee's... Almost everybody looked good. I'd add Mira Sorvino's to the list too. At first look it was a fairly plan black beaded dress with a plunging neckline, but the beads were apparently on a mesh layer over the dress and in the skirt it moved beautifully. And three cheers for CZJ and QL for their great performance - especially CZJ, who was probably worrying her water might break any second. She sure made being nine months pregnant look glamorous! The men mostly looked good too (Harrison Ford.... sigh.....), but please, Sean Connery, just wear a James Bond tux next time."}, {"response": 1406, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 2003 (16:02)", "body": "an unconfirmed report that it was primarily the stagehands who were booing Must be very unconfirmed because if you watched clips of the audience, you could see people with their hands cupped around their mouths booing. Great article, Moon. I'd bet you and Mrs Barry would get along perfectly. ;-)"}, {"response": 1407, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 2003 (17:56)", "body": "I'd bet you and Mrs Barry would get along perfectly. ;-) I've met them and can tell you that she is nothing like me. He has a band and plays at special occasions in town."}, {"response": 1408, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 2003 (19:52)", "body": "Hi everybody! I've been away from Drool for ages--travel, impossible work schedules, and home renovations have consumed all my time, and I haven't posted. But I have to say how much I've enjoyed the latest \"top 10\" about Colin's latest no-show, and all your comments on the Oscars. Mari, thanks so much for posting the Barry article. I love his work. There aren't many writers who've made me literally LOL, and he's one of them. (Woodhouse and Fielding are two others who come to mind.) In addition to his own band, isn't he part of the writers' band called \"The Remainders\"? (Barry) and which stars were actually deceased. I noticed lots of comments here like that, and it struck me, too, that some stars were there who I thought were no longer alive. Jennifer Jones was a surprise, I think because she died in a lot of her movies? It was strange to see Patricia Neal, because I just met her a few months ago (she is v.v. nice), and there she was, on TV. I don't know if I should be proud of this or not, but I knew who a lot of them were and could name the film(s) for which they won. I think that means I've logged way too many hours watching AMC and TCM. (Moon) Susan Surandon was a surprise, and I thank her. I wondered if they gave her the intro to the obits with her politics in mind, hoping she'd have the good taste not to make a speech at that point. (Rika)but please, Sean Connery, just wear a James Bond tux next time. That jacket would have been just the thing with a kilt. What's the tartan for Connery? BTW, is it my imagination, or does his Scottish accent keep getting stronger as time goes on? I, too, watched the O'Toole clips closely. I'm not convinced that they left out WoF. There was about a second of him walking down a staircase. Could it have been the Afterlife Hotel?"}, {"response": 1409, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 2003 (13:43)", "body": "Brody Cites Old Friend in Oscar Speech Tuesday March 25 1:24 PM ET They weren't watching the Oscars, but it wasn't long before Ada and Thomas Zarobinski heard that best-actor winner Adrien Brody mentioned their son, a U.S. soldier stationed in Kuwait, in his acceptance speech. The Queens couple was listening to news of the war in Iraq when a neighbor told them that Brody, who received the award for playing a Holocaust survivor in \"The Pianist\" ended his remarks with a goodwill message for Tommy Zarobinski. \"There are feelings of both happiness and sadness,\" Ada Zarobinski told Newsday in Tuesday's editions. \"Because I wish my son was here to see Adrien's success.\" Brody received a standing ovation for his emotional speech, in which he urged the audience to \"pray for a peaceful and swift resolution\" to the war. \"And I have a friend from Queens who's a soldier in Kuwait right now, Tommy Zarobinski, and I hope you and your boys make it back real soon,\" he said. Brody, who grew up in Woodhaven, and Zarobinski, a native of Rego Park, attended the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School for Performing Arts together, where Brody studied acting and Zarobinski studied drawing. The two, who grew up like brothers, \"would cut school together and do all sorts of pranks just like regular kids,\" said Thomas Zarobinski Sr. \"Here he is making the Oscars for the first time in his life, and he's talking about my son,\" Zarobinski told the Daily News. \"That's amazing.\" Tommy Zarobinski, 31, joined the Army National Guard in 1996 and has been stationed in Kuwait since November, Newsday said."}, {"response": 1410, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 2003 (15:23)", "body": "Question: (probably stupid question) what nationality is Adrien Brody?"}, {"response": 1411, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 2003 (18:34)", "body": "His mother is Hungarian, I think she's a photographer..not sure about dad."}, {"response": 1412, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 2003 (18:46)", "body": "From NY Newsday: http://www.nynewsday.com/news/local/queens/nyc-hood0325,0,1165846.story?coll=nyc-topheadlines-left \"...Brody, 29, the youngest actor to win a best-actor Academy Award, grew up (in Queens NY) several miles away in a three-story frame house on 85th Road with his parents, Elliot, a history teacher, and Sylvia Plachy, a noted photojournalist. They were all working the party circuit in Los Angeles last night.\" Guys...Sorry about the noms and not the winners. I think I was still have wishful thoughts years after TEP."}, {"response": 1413, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 2003 (22:41)", "body": "(Mari), Lots of great dresses--my fave was Diane Lane's. I liked J. Lo's. She sure has cleaned up her act.....*winkie*"}, {"response": 1414, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Mar 26, 2003 (11:11)", "body": "I liked J. Lo's. She sure has cleaned up her act.....*winkie* ] That dress made her ass look even bigger (they have this commercial on the radio here it's a new CBS hit with J. Lo starring in My Big Fat Wide Ass, shown On mondays at 8.30pm:))"}, {"response": 1415, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Mar 26, 2003 (14:13)", "body": "Thanks for the great article on the joke writing Moon and thanks for the link Murph."}, {"response": 1416, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 28, 2003 (20:42)", "body": "(laura) That dress made her ass look even bigger I'll trade mine with hers any day;-)"}, {"response": 1417, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Mar 29, 2003 (11:03)", "body": "(laura) That dress made her ass look even bigger... (Evelyn) I'll trade mine with hers any day;-) I thought JLo's pastel toga (the DH's name for it) was nice, but not stunning. She usually goes for a shock factor and that was missing. The hubby was very disappointed. He is a big fan of JLo's 'ass'ets and he didn't get to see what he had been hoping for!! Poor guy! He was cursing Ben Affleck....."}, {"response": 1418, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 29, 2003 (11:11)", "body": "Toga gown was a copy of Jackie Kennedy's. ~~~~~~~~~~~ Article on Andrew Davies in LA Times. Re: \"Daniel Deroda\" which premieres on PBS tomorrow night. A bit on P&P: \"After 'Pride and Prejudice,' I thought, yes, I probably am becoming first choice,\" Davies reflected modestly. \"When I first started doing adaptations, there were other people in the field. I knew if I was offered something, it had probably [already] gone to two or three others. \"But 'Pride and Prejudice' was a phenomenal success. It got a huge prime-time audience. And that was when ITV started thinking: 'We should do some of those ourselves,' \" he said of the BBC's commercial rival broadcaster. \"They asked me to adapt 'Moll Flanders,' which was also a hit. It's a nice feeling.\" Whole article: http://www.calendarlive.com/tv/cl-ca-gritten30mar30,0,4130728.story?coll=cl-home-more-channels"}, {"response": 1419, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Mar 29, 2003 (13:26)", "body": "Here is the NY Times review of Daniel Deronda: March 29, 2003 Anti-Semitism and Love Gone Bad, From George Eliot By MEL GUSSOW Daniel Deronda,\" published in 1876, was George Eliot's last and most controversial novel, dealing with anti-Semitism and other social injustices in Victorian England. As late as 1948, F. R. Leavis objected to the Jewish aspect of the novel and suggested that it should be removed and the book retitled \"Gwendolen Harleth,\" after its leading female character. With the distance of time, the novel has taken its place alongside \"Middlemarch,\" \"The Mill on the Floss\" and other Eliot masterworks. The wide canvas and the split narrative \ufffd Gwendolen's disastrous marriage and Daniel Deronda's search for a purpose in life \ufffd pose a problem for anyone trying to dramatize the novel. In his television adaptation Andrew Davies has undertaken \ufffd and met \ufffd that challenge, as he did in 1994 with his mini-series based on \"Middlemarch.\" Mr. Davies's version of \"Daniel Deronda\" (directed by Tom Hooper), to be presented tomorrow and Monday on Masterpiece Theater, is a richly rewarding distillation of the novel. Something similar was accomplished several years ago onstage in London with the Shared Experience company's dramatization of \"The Mill on the Floss.\" At three and a half hours, \"Daniel Deronda\" is more a long movie than a mini-series. Necessarily there are losses and some characters are reduced to cameos, but lovers of the novel should not be disappointed. Those who are new to the work should be held by the intricacy and the ironies of the relationships and by the intensity of the performances. At the same time, one has to be prepared for the melodramatic contrivances of the plot. As A. S. Byatt has written, in \"Daniel Deronda\" Eliot was interested in \"the workings of violent accident and blind chance.\" One might call Gwendolen's life a hazard of misfortunes. Along the way to a hopeful ending for Deronda (though not for Gwendolen), there are twists and turns and sudden changes of fate, including Deronda's rescue of a woman attempting suicide and, later, the death at sea of another character. Although the surprises often stretch credibility, the direction and the acting go a long way in compensating. The opening scene is splendidly staged, as Deronda first sees the beautiful and headstrong Gwendolen gambling in a casino. As described in the novel, she is \"losing like wildfire\" while bearing it \"with immense pluck.\" That moment sets the tone and foreshadows all the seemingly fortuitous events that will alter the lives of the principal characters. As in the book, the first half of the film focuses on Gwendolen \ufffd and Romola Garai captures the exuberance and glamour that barely mask desperation. As Gwendolen and her family become impoverished, she is forced to marry Henleigh Grandcourt, who is as grand but not as courtly as his name. Hugh Bonneville conveys the languidness as well as the brutality of his character. Gradually the story turns to Deronda, the handsome, intelligent but undirected man who does not know his parentage. His search is the core of the drama, and Hugh Dancy artfully communicates his character's sensitivity to the slights suffered by those around him. His doubts about himself are replaced by a kind of nobility as he pursues an early vision of Zionism. His devotion to Mirah Lapidoth (Jodhi May), the mysterious waif he has rescued, is palpable. In a difficult role, Ms. May is the \"onyx cameo\" of Eliot's imagination. In the distinguished supporting cast there are persuasive contributions from Allan Corduner as Klesmer, the composer who is the only Jew allowed in this circle of society; David Bamber as Grandcourt's snakelike crony Lush, and Greta Scacchi as a woman Grandcourt has abandoned. As Deronda's wise and generous guardian, Edward Fox is the personification of all well-bred upper class Englishmen. Mr. Fox's character has his own secret in his past, a \"secret\" portrayed in the final episode by Barbara Hershey. In a poignant scene of reconciliation, with suppressed emotion she tells Deronda of the choices she had made that have deeply affected his life and the lives of others. MASTERPIECE THEATER DANIEL DERONDA On most PBS stations tomorrow and Monday nights (check local listings) Adapted by Andrew Davies from the novel by George Eliot; directed by Tom Hooper; produced by Louis Marks; a BBC/WGBH, Boston co-production; Rebecca Eaton, executive producer for WGBH, Boston; Kate Hardwood and Laura Mackie, executive producers for BBC; Rebecca Eaton, executive producer; Russell Baker, host. WITH: Hugh Dancy (Daniel Deronda), Romola Garai (Gwendolen Harleth), Hugh Bonneville (Henleigh Grandcourt) and Jodhi May (Mirah Lapidoth)."}, {"response": 1420, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 31, 2003 (09:51)", "body": "Anybody see Daniel Deronda last night on MT? I'm hooked on the story , but wonder where the two main characters converge in this storyline which seems to be wandering all over the place. Am not overwhelmed with Hugh Dancy's acting skills as the lead, so far. Romola Garai is terrific.As is Hugh Bonneville, Amanda Root & Edward Fox who never disappoint. And then there's ole Mr. Collins the smarmy Lush. Great supporting cast."}, {"response": 1421, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Mar 31, 2003 (12:37)", "body": "(Evelyn)Anybody see Daniel Deronda last night on MT? Yes, and I was disappointed that there wasn't more interaction between the two main characters last night. I just enjoyed seeing so many familiar faces...Una from BJD, and Lane from TIOBE, Mr. Collins. The dancing scene reminded so much of P&P with all of the discussion going on between the characters mingled with the dance. A lot of it reminded me of P&P. I wonder why;-)"}, {"response": 1422, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 31, 2003 (12:52)", "body": "Jodhi May coming a loooong way from the Governess in TTOTS. I like her in this. Dancing scene reminded me too of P&P. But only in the format;-)"}, {"response": 1423, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Mar 31, 2003 (15:12)", "body": "(Evelyn) Anybody see Daniel Deronda last night on MT? Romola Garai is terrific.As is Hugh Bonneville, Amanda Root & Edward Fox who never disappoint. And then there's ole Mr. Collins the smarmy Lush. Great supporting cast. I saw it too. Thought Romola Garai very good. Hugh Dancy needs a bit more punch IMO. Maybe tonight. But am enjoying it. Looking forward to tonight. (Linda) I just enjoyed seeing so many familiar faces...Una from BJD, and Lane from TIOBE, Mr. Collins. The dancing scene reminded so much of P&P with all of the discussion going on between the characters mingled with the dance. A lot of it reminded me of P&P. I wonder why;-) It reminds me alot of P&P too only without the main ingredient. I thought the dance scene very reminiscent of P&P and was happy to see Mr. Collins again. Had to do double look to make sure it was him. Good makeup."}, {"response": 1424, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 31, 2003 (15:43)", "body": "From CBS News Kelly Preston's Red Carpet Message to the Troops Actress Kelly Preston braved high winds and attended the What A Girl Wants premiere - so she could send a message to American troops. Preston, who is married to John Travolta, pulled out of press junkets for the film a week ago, expressing her concerns about the conflict in Iraq - and publicists feared she'd join co-star Colin Firth and boycott Thursday night's red carpet in Hollywood. But Preston attended the screening, explaining she wanted to support her young star Amanda Bynes and send out messages to the troops.\" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~"}, {"response": 1425, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 31, 2003 (15:47)", "body": "cont'd \"She said, \"I love Amanda. I think she's wonderful. I'm glad I came as it gives me the chance to say thank you to our soldiers. We love you and we hope you come back safely. John and I are praying for you and your families.\" ~~~~~~~~~~~~ V. gracious comment."}, {"response": 1426, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (00:19)", "body": "ROTFL at the new picture......the anti-CF! ;-) Anyone see him at the beginning of E! News Live tonight at the premiere of Phone Booth? Had to get the F word in there, only 3 times though. And E! didn't bleep them out. Have to admit I was ROTF with him and Joel Schulmacher in tight grips around each other and (the other) CF spouting his philosophical musings. ;-)"}, {"response": 1427, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (00:42)", "body": "So this is Colin's site. Any Colin will do? I don't think so. Lovely April Fools Joke!!"}, {"response": 1428, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (08:28)", "body": "LOL at the pic on the front page! Good call, Karen. I beginning to not like the 'Irish' CF. He seems to be very into himself lately. Wonder how he took the news that his ex-gf was preggers. However, will admit that his sister is v. pretty indeed! got my haircut like RZ the other day and it's straight (and brown!). Guess I liked it more than I thought!"}, {"response": 1429, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (08:44)", "body": "I thought this interesting...I personally don't care what he does with his life....as long as he gets his skinny little butt to work to complete TEOR! ;-) Hugh Grant Says Hates Acting, Wants to Settle Down 2003-04-01 01:25:09 GMT (Reuters) LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - British film star Hugh Grant may be Prince Charming on the screen but he says he is secretly a cad and hates acting so much that he's ready to take some time off, meet a nice girl and settle down. \"I'm ready, baby. I need to get married and have children,\" Grant, 42, told Vanity Fair magazine. \"Put it this way,\" he said. \"If I went to a party tonight and bumped into a fantastic girl, whereas 3 years ago it might have led to a short-term relationship, now I definitely keep my thoughts open to the idea of settling down. Definitely.\" Grant who has spent years as a bachelor, also dismissed the idea that he could rekindle a romance with actress and model Elizabeth Hurley, with whom he spent more than a decade. \"She's with another guy and, you know, we're good friends,\" he said. \"But no, that train has sailed as Austin Powers would say.\" Grant told the magazine that he wants to take a break from acting to focus on his personal life, but also because he \"hates\" acting, despite the wealth that comes along with it. \"In fact, I hate it quite a lot,\" he said. \"All acting, but especially movie acting.\" The star of \"About a Boy\" and \"Four Weddings and a Funeral\" said he fell into acting \"by mistake\" and would like to spend time pursuing other interests, including writing, and insists that he is not as charming as the characters he often plays. \"I'm full of poison and jealousy,\" Grant said. \"Virtually no milk of human kindness.\""}, {"response": 1430, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (09:34)", "body": "Thanks for article Maria. Are there any surprises here. Should a person \"full of poison and jealousy\" reproduce? LOL LOL Karen on main page pic. He was on Today with Katie. Attempted to swear and then laughed telling her she told him not to. Dressed in jeans and t-shirt she thanked him for dressing up for the show. Apparently quite the clown he had her laughing through most of interview."}, {"response": 1431, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (09:49)", "body": "Attempted to swear and then laughed telling her she told him not to. Dressed in jeans and t-shirt she thanked him for dressing up for the show. Apparently quite the clown he had her laughing through most of interview. He definitely gives the Irish a bad name. We (or they) don't ALWAYS say the F word.... Tho' when I was Ireland bollocks was pretty common:))"}, {"response": 1432, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (12:29)", "body": "I caught the other CF on E! News Live last night, they were at the premiere of PB. I thought he was a mess. I thought I lost the rest of my marbles when I signed on here, today. Sheesh. Happy April Fool's to you, too, boss!"}, {"response": 1433, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (12:53)", "body": "Had taped Daniel Deronda and finally watched it. Am getting rather tired of seeing West Wycombe Park in every TV series and period movie.Or did no one notice that is where Grandcourt lived? ;-) Thought it was alright and kept wondering when Barbara Hershey would appear. Hugh Bonneville was particularly good; liked his explanation of why he wanted Gwendolen, to break her like a horse. Whoa mama! Nasty bastard. Hugh Dancy was a little too milquetoast for my taste and David Bamber was sleazier than I could ever imagine. Not a bad program overall, especially if you're dramatizing Eliot. ;-)"}, {"response": 1434, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (13:20)", "body": "Not a bad program overall, especially if you're dramatizing Eliot. ;-) It's just Middlemarch that is insufferable.... ewwwwwwww.... Although, there is Jonathan Firth and Rufus Sewell... But Juliet whatsitsname, ick...."}, {"response": 1435, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (13:38)", "body": "(Pam) Should a person \"full of poison and jealousy\" reproduce? LOL! Though he certainly wouldn't be the first."}, {"response": 1436, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (15:40)", "body": "I thought the second episode of Daniel Deronda picked up a little bit. Hugh Bonneville was the stand-out. Evil, evil man. No more Mr Nice-Guy of Notting Hill or Iris. Gwendolyn:\"I'm a better person because I met Daniel Deronda\" was vintage Andrew Davies, IMO. Good location shots in Genoa...nice shot of him walking on the sea wall with Med Sea as background. All 'n all not a bad project. But...I remember when it was shown in England there was a hoop-la about a graphic lesbian scene. Am I making this up? If so can't imagine who it would have been."}, {"response": 1437, "author": "Odile", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (16:24)", "body": "(Evelyn)But...I remember when it was shown in England there was a hoop-la about a graphic lesbian scene. Am I making this up? Wasn't that for Tipping the Velvet or some other Davies adaptation? I'll add my two cents to the Daniel Deronda show. Definitely a P&P feel to it, although at the moment I only remember Gwendolen's \"It's charming\" and something else to that effect about country manners when they get to Offendine. I agree that Bonneville was great; I didn't mind Daniel Deronda too much but he looked like an outsider, a bit out of his league compared to the rest of the cast, but in a way, it fitted his character who's still searching for an identity... I liked the composer's character -- although he softened too much as the story progresses. :) All in all a good watch!"}, {"response": 1438, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (16:42)", "body": "Since tomorrow is the kickoff for the newest Bachelor show (my reality show weakness), I've created a topic in the TV conference for anyone who wants to discuss it: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/tv/83/new"}, {"response": 1439, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (09:41)", "body": "Just read at Dark Horizons that Hugh Dancy (Daniel Deronda) is up for Galahad in the big movie version of King Arthur by Jerry Bruckheimer. That's the one with Clive Owen as Arthur and Stephen Dillane as Merlin to refresh your memories."}, {"response": 1440, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (11:07)", "body": "Oh, Karen, The Bachelor???"}, {"response": 1441, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (13:04)", "body": "Karen: Was just going to post that info on Dancy. Here is Film Force's story on the new casting. http://filmforce.ign.com/articles/391/391694p1.html I am enjoying Daniel Deronda very much. I taped it for leisurely viewing. Karen!! Not The Bachelor!! Guys like you and my daughter are killing West Wing. (Though its writers lately may have something to do with that too)"}, {"response": 1442, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (13:55)", "body": "(Mary)Guys like you and my daughter are killing West Wing. (Though its writers lately may have something to do with that too) Aaron Sorkin works better higher than a kite... I've given up on WW. Angel is SO much better and it's TV Guide's 6 best shows (actually, it's number 2!!!!!)"}, {"response": 1443, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (14:31)", "body": "I've gotten so behind on Angel. I hope I can catch up on reruns this summer."}, {"response": 1444, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (15:48)", "body": "(Laura)Angel is SO much better Are we talking of Angel as the vampire with a soul? I have to know, before I embarras myself any further by revealing what I have just been watching ;-)"}, {"response": 1445, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (21:05)", "body": "as much as Karen hates this, yes, Angel, tbe vampire w/ a soul! but where she admitted her preference to the bachelor...;P"}, {"response": 1446, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (22:10)", "body": "Okay,I've been here at drool for as long as drool (or Austen) has been here. Some of you may remember me complaining about turning 30, well in one week, I'll be 35. However, THAT is not why I am posting. Last night, I called my mom to tell her that I was watching the 20th Anniversary of..... The Thorn Birds... I remember running home from Confirmation class (after being told by priests not to tune in) and getting in at 8.30 to watch what was supposedly banned by the Catholic Church because it ran during Holy Week. Well, I just happened to call my mom during the episode when Father Ralph (the gorgeous Richard Chamberlain) shows up at that remote island that Meggie is staying. The memories it brought back to both my mom (whom I don't really get along with) and myself was amazing. First off, TWENTY YEARS?????!!!!!! when did that happen!!! I remember the book and I loved the mini-series. They definitely don't make them that way anymore.... Father Ralph was probably the closest to Mr. Darcy ANY Catholic could get to;)"}, {"response": 1447, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (23:14)", "body": "I've been watching The Thorn Birds, too! One of my all time favorites! When I read the book, I had pegged Richard Chamberlain as Ralph. I think he was on my mind as he was just in Shogun at the time. I, too, couldn't believe it was 20 years. Remember mom letting me stay up late on school nights to watch it. All time classic love scene for me on that island. And BTW, ironic that RC could probably give ODB kissing lessons with women."}, {"response": 1448, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (07:53)", "body": "(Laura)Some of you may remember me complaining about turning 30, well in one week, I'll be 35. *I* can remember you complaining because you turned 29....jeeze;-) But things are improving....only three words capitalized ...six years later;-))) In case I forget.... Dear Laura"}, {"response": 1449, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (14:24)", "body": "Why Ms. Preston is so agressive? Perhaps she's just had a lot of training? Ananova: John Travolta says his sex life has improved John Travolta says his sex life has improved - after losing almost two stone. The 49-year-old star revealed he shed 25lb working out and training with US soldiers to get in shape for his new film Basic. And he says his wife of 11 years, Kelly Preston, loves his staying power. He told the Oprah Winfrey Show: 'When I was out of shape I was not as good a lover, because my wife had to do most of the work. \"And when I got into shape, well, she just loves the new stamina.\" Basic is a military mystery about a squad of Army Rangers who end up shooting at each other during a training mission. Travolta plays an investigator brought in to interrogate the survivors and find out who is telling the true story, alongside co-stars Connie Nielsen and John McTiernan. Story filed: 10:44 Friday 28th March 2003"}, {"response": 1450, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (14:34)", "body": "And he says his wife of 11 years, Kelly Preston, loves his staying power. He told the Oprah Winfrey Show: 'When I was out of shape I was not as good a lover, because my wife had to do most of the work. \"And when I got into shape, well, she just loves the new stamina.\" OMG....too much information! LOL! Thanks Beedee!"}, {"response": 1451, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (15:36)", "body": "Don't know why but images like this keep flashing in front of me: With her little revelation on Jon Stewart's show, I agree, too much information. ;-)"}, {"response": 1452, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (15:59)", "body": "(Karen)Don't know why but images like this keep flashing in front of me: LOL, I know what you mean. I remember The Thorn Birds aswell. Very romantic, as I remember. Back to Angel (for the last time, Karen, I promise) I wondered why I wantet to watch this series so much and found out, that David Boreanaz (sp?) reminds me of CF. There - now you can place your verdict: lunatic ;-))"}, {"response": 1453, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (16:42)", "body": "(Tress) OMG....too much information! LOL! Amen! And LOL On the beached whale. (Annette) David Boreanaz (sp?) reminds me of CF. Hmmm. I can't say that I see it."}, {"response": 1454, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (13:29)", "body": "How Great was the Thorn Birds. Chamberlain and Ward wonderful. Has just gotten better, if possible in 20 years. Agree they don't make them like that any more. Was wonderful to see again."}, {"response": 1455, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (21:10)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1456, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (21:32)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1457, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (07:19)", "body": "A mention of Love Actually.... Hugh Grant Cheers Up 07/04/2003 Is there anything worse than a multi-millionaire actor whinging on about how he's tired of being cast in roles for which, in return for a few week's work, he gets paid more than the whole Empire Online team makes in a decade? (Bitter \ufffd us? Not a bit of it!) Well Hugh Grant is at it again in the latest issue of Vanity Fair, where he moans on about acting, not having a woman and being too successful in his career at the expense of his home life. Thankfully, when Grant wasn't sniffing on about the tough life of a rich actor, he gave the reporter some news nuggets about his role in Richard Curtis's directorial debut, Love, Actually. Grant, who plays the newly-elected British Prime Minister , 'not based on anyone, I hasten to add,' in one of a series of overlapping stories will deliver the film's keynote voice-over as he explains. 'The camera is on the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport, and people are coming through and greeting friends, relations, mothers \ufffd kissing, hugging, all the stuff you actually see in airports. 'And the voice-over is saying, \"Everyone says the world is going down the tubes, and full of hatred and misery. But that's not the way I see it. You know, when the planes hit the Twin Towers, the last messages from those planes and buildings weren't ones of hatred and revenge; they were ones of love. So I think that blah, blah, blah, blah....Love, actually, is all around as they say in the song.\"' It sounds very happy-clappy, but Grant is keen to explain that he won't be his usual fluffy self in the role, 'I said to Richard [Curtis], \"I don't know that I really can go back to being that nice person\"...But he kind of adjusted things and we put a little more steel in the character.'"}, {"response": 1458, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (10:40)", "body": "I put this here as it's really about Amanda with only a passing mention of CF.... AB Story She really seems to have her head screwed on straight. :-)"}, {"response": 1459, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (12:27)", "body": "Good Lord, I almost forgot! Happy Birthday Lora and Laura!!! Hope you girls got what you wanted!!"}, {"response": 1460, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (13:12)", "body": "Oh my....which one gets Jack and which Algy? ;-) Happy Birthday Lora and Laura! Hope it's a party!"}, {"response": 1461, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (13:22)", "body": "Happy Birthdays, Lora and Laura! I'd swin across the ocean if there where any chance of meeting you (and your guests). Could it be a pre-Easter-party?"}, {"response": 1462, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (13:30)", "body": "I'm so sorry to mess up again. I should stick to what I know: flowerdelivery Once more, Happy Birthday to both of you (crossing my fingers) :"}, {"response": 1463, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (13:32)", "body": "my bday is Thursday, April 10 sorry for any confusion:)"}, {"response": 1464, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (15:32)", "body": "Thanks for the birthday wishes, Maria, Dorine, and Annette! Maria, I'll definitely take J-J-Jack, as CF practices it in front of the mirror ;-). Dorine, thanks for the conga line of mice, very appropriate for the weather down here. And Annette, thanks for the rose and the good cheer. Receiving birthday wishes from firthy friends is exactly ;-)"}, {"response": 1465, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (15:34)", "body": "That was supposed to be, Receiving birthday wishes from firthy friends is exactly... What a Girl Wants! Oh well..."}, {"response": 1466, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (15:45)", "body": "are firthy birthday wishes! There, that should do it ;-)!"}, {"response": 1467, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (15:46)", "body": "Happy Birthday Lora! (I'll wait a few days to give Laura a cake!!) Make your wish a good one (R rated at least)! ;-)"}, {"response": 1468, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (15:56)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY LORA"}, {"response": 1469, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (16:07)", "body": "A birthday cake and a birthday song, too! What more could a girl want? ;-) I'll leave that to m birthday wish and your imaginations. Thanks, Tress and Evelyn, for the good wishes."}, {"response": 1470, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (16:33)", "body": "Delurking briefly from taxes, headaches, work, etc., to Get This Party Started ;-) Happy Birthday Lora!"}, {"response": 1471, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (17:05)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Lora. You know what I'd love to send you, but (he's) not traveling these days. Enjoy your day!"}, {"response": 1472, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (18:59)", "body": "Lisa, love that party music! Just get me some leather pants and a mirror. ;-) Linda, thanks for the thought indeed. Maybe he'll be able to travel when and if HS opens in NYC and his babies are preteens. ;-P Many thanks!"}, {"response": 1473, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (19:59)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Lora! I have a feeling you got What A Girl Wants for your birthday!! At least what the girls around here want ;-)"}, {"response": 1474, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (21:04)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Lora!!!! I think the girl got what she wants;)"}, {"response": 1475, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (22:33)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1476, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (10:36)", "body": "Oh Gawd, Karen. Lovely picture. Memories....Hope you had a great day, Lora."}, {"response": 1477, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (12:11)", "body": "I can't compete with the handsome man wishing you ladies a happy birthday but I send you, Lora and Laura my best wishes for the happiest of birthdays. Great cards ladies."}, {"response": 1478, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (12:32)", "body": "\"Okay, now, your flowers are for Lora, and mine are for Laura. Got it, old chap?\" \"No, no, dear fellow, mine are for Lora and yours are for Laura. \"Oh, you're always talking nonsense.\" Happy birthday, Lora and Laura!"}, {"response": 1479, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (19:07)", "body": "Thanks Kathy and Laura - I did get what I wanted for my birthday, especially the very firthy, dimple showing pic from Karen! At first I thought it was the one from the TIOBE opening, but it's from the HS poster, isn't it? I'd be happy to take Heather's! And thanks, Rika, for the bros! Do I need to go to 113 to make sure that my flowers are from Colin ;-)? You know that's what this girl wants! (Sorry, Laura, you can have them on the 10th!) Thanks for the b-day party everyone. Karen can I copy the properties from your pic? I want to light candles underneath it and hope for NYC premiere of HS to happen asap on a date that I'm able to go!"}, {"response": 1480, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (19:15)", "body": "(me)I'd be happy to take Heather's! That should have been: I'd be happy to take Heather's place by his side! Sorry, I'm always talking nonsense ;-/"}, {"response": 1481, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (19:42)", "body": "(Lora)Sorry, I'm always talking nonsense ;-/ That is definitely allowed around here;-)"}, {"response": 1482, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (22:10)", "body": "Lora: Of course :)"}, {"response": 1483, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (10:21)", "body": "The Age au: Very long and very interesting.... When men were men April 9 2003 Homer did it first. A battlefield, two friends, one of them the son of a goddess but still vulnerable \ufffd if only through his heel \ufffd to human death. His heart, of course, is open to any number of human feelings, all played out against the vast canvas of history. Small wonder that, when looking for sufficiently massive themes to fill a big screen \ufffd and scope for thousands of extras \ufffd Hollywood immediately looked to the ancient civilisations that gave us the epic poem. All hail the epic movie! If your hero wore a sword and sandals, it was clear you were setting out to tell a story in grand terms. Personal tragedies were writ large in the epic, wherever it was set; everything, in fact, was large. \"Bigger than Ben Hur\" entered the language along with the 1959 film, William Wyler's huge remake of a 1926 silent film that, it was hoped, would be sensational enough to stall the encroachment of television on the movie business. MGM, then so much in the doldrums that it faced closure, staked everything on it. Ben-Hur cost $US50 million ($A84 million), an unimaginable fortune at the time. As everyone knows, it employed thousands of extras. It also employed something of the brutality of the era it depicted: its central spectacle, the famous chariot race, cost the lives of 250 horses. And then, luckily, it was a success. Ben-Hur won 11 Academy Awards in 1960, a record unequalled until James Cameron made his contribution to the genre, Titanic. Size, it seemed, really could be made to matter. Three years later \ufffd and 40 years ago today \ufffd David Lean's Lawrence of Arabia won seven Academy Awards. In its own way, the story of El Aurens, a British soldier with a passion for the Bedouin world that led him to change his whole identity, was to be the grandest classical epic of them all. Ostensibly, perhaps, it is nothing like the conventional sword-and-sandals flick, given that it is a more or less true story that takes place in Palestine during World War I that was, at least in 1962, still well within robustly living memory. But Lawrence as interpreted by Robert Bolt, the screenwriter, was the epitome of an epic hero, albeit in different sandals; riddled with flaws, he was tormented by inchoate passions worthy of Achilles himself. He even thought that he, too, was immortal. And when he did die it was, as it had to be for Achilles, through a freak accident. Lawrence crashed his motorcycle in 1935, an event we see right at the beginning of Lean's film. His Arabian saga has yet to be told but this, we are given to understand, was already his destiny. This life was the stuff of legend. Lawrence of Arabia was, in fact, a very large film indeed, even by epic standards. For a start, it was very long; its restored version, completed in 1989, weighs in at 217 minutes. It was also the last film to be shot on 70mm film, rather than shot on 35mm and blown up, which meant every visual detail was more precise than anything we can see now. American critic Roger Ebert, writing when the film was re-released in all its newly minted glory, noted one scene that was not visible at all on television. Turning back on a perilous desert crossing to find one of the Arab soldiers who has fallen behind, Laurence spots a small speck in the rushing sand. Very slowly, the speck takes the shape of a staggering man. \"In a theatre, looking at the stark clarity of a 70mm print,\" Ebert writes, \"we lean forward and strain to bring a detail out of the waves of heat, and for a moment we experience some of the vastness of the desert and its unforgiving harshness.\" The entire film, in fact, is felt rather than considered. Visually, it is a great sensuous sweep of blood and sand. Back in 1962, this meant that it was written off by many critics as a \"camel opera\" that failed to get to the bottom of Lawrence's tormented character or to establish a firm point of view about him. Strange, though, the tricks history plays; to our post-modern way of thinking, where all fixed attitudes are questionable and historical interpretation always suspect, this not-knowing is one of the film's many virtues. Lawrence of Arabia never takes the moral high ground, is never melodramatic, never tries to psychologise its hero. Now, this seems right, for how can we actually know T.E. Lawrence? We can only try to imagine what drove him from Dorset to the desert. In an early scene in Lawrence of Arabia, Alec Guinness's Prince Feisal refers sarcastically to the Englishmen who \"have a great hunger for desolate places\" and thus \"hunger for Arabia\". Lawrence, he recognises, is one of them. \"No Arab loves the desert,\" he continues. \"We love water and green trees. There is nothing in the desert.\" Why an Englishman should love it is never explained, although we may be able to infer reasons, albeit inarticulate ones, from Freddie Young's majestic cinematography. We might try imagining, too, the monsters lurking in the dark corner"}, {"response": 1484, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (10:26)", "body": "From my Guinness site: Lawrence remains with Feisal after Brighton and Sherif Ali leave the tent, and as they speak about the Arab destiny in the face of Western warfare, the masts of the tent creak as the wind blows: Feisal: Colonel Brighton means to put my men under European officers, does he not? Lawrence: In effect my lord, yes. Feisal: And I must do it because the Turks have European guns. But I fear to do it. Upon my soul I do. The English have a great hunger for desolate places. I fear they hunger for Arabia. Lawrence: Then you must deny it to them. Feisal: You are an Englishman. Are you not loyal to England? Lawrence: To England, and to other things. Feisal: To England and Arabia both? And is that possible? (He walks right up close and looks into Lawrence's eyes.) I think you are another of these desert-loving English...No Arab loves the desert. Without water and green trees, there is nothing in the desert. No man needs nothing. Or is it that you think we are something you can play with because we are a little people? A silly people, greedy, barbarous, and cruel?...To be great again, it seems we need the English or... Lawrence: ...or?... Feisal: ...what no man can provide, Mr. Lawrence. We need a miracle!"}, {"response": 1485, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (11:30)", "body": "\" When men were men\" Wot??? Hey Murph, Are they kidding? I thought ole Lawrence was gay."}, {"response": 1486, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (12:37)", "body": "When I read that scene again, I can hear the wind moaning outside in the darkness, and the tent poles creaking. Ev: Real Men can't be gay? Laurence and Alexander - conquerors and leaders of men."}, {"response": 1487, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (15:14)", "body": "(Murph) Ev: Real Men can't be gay? Laurence and Alexander - conquerors and leaders of men. Er...*scratching head* ...let's see now how I can phrase this... \"Personally\", I don't give a *&* about the leadership qualities in my man... would rather have the erotic qualities next to me. Nice if he has both. Grrrrrrrr;-)"}, {"response": 1488, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (16:38)", "body": "Thanks for very interesting and thought provoking articles Murph."}, {"response": 1489, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (17:28)", "body": "Don't know where this info should go, but for those interested in P&P continuations, I found a new book today \"Mr. Darcy's Daughters\" by Elizabeth Aston. Amazon is carrying it, but I found mine at a B&N."}, {"response": 1490, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (19:33)", "body": "TOM Cruise may brighten next month's Cannes Film Festival. Tom is sooo-o-o good on a press line. He and Hollywood's p.r. empress Pat Kingsley have it down - pardon the phrase - pat. He's like a politician. Very sophisticated. Speaks in sound bites. Looks straight at you when speaking with you as though what you're saying truly resonates with him. Smiles at women, shakes gents' hands, walks on. Unworthies get erased before his arrival. Kingsley asks such miscreants, \"Could we talk for a moment outside?\" and firmly but politely removes them from the line. The White House should run so smoothly. http://www.nypost.com/gossip/cindy.htm"}, {"response": 1491, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (10:41)", "body": "Happy Birthday Laura!!!"}, {"response": 1492, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (11:50)", "body": "I actually think this *could* be remade (I never liked Bobbie Rydell as Hugo): 'Birdie' redo hatches in Chu's hands By Zorianna Kit \"Kids! What's the matter with kids today?\" complains the father in the musical \"Bye Bye Birdie.\" Absolutely nothing, is the answer at Columbia Pictures, which is embarking on a remake of the classic '60s musical. Although \"Birdie\" contains the comic lament \"Kids!\" the studio is entrusting the project to a relative kid himself -- 23-year-old USC graduate Jon Chu. Thanks to a student musical short film he completed in December and was using as a calling card, Chu has suddenly found himself in negotiations to make his feature directorial debut on Columbia's latest incarnation of \"Birdie,\" with studio-based Red Wagon producing. Chu's attention-grabbing short, \"When the Kids Are Away,\" was made on a $20,000 budget and is about the secret lives of mothers and what they do when their families go away for a day -- which is to sing and dance, including everything from salsa to swing to country to break dancing. Chu's short caught the eye of Red Wagon producers Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher and convinced them that he was the man who could make \"Birdie\" fly again. \"Jon Chu got this job the old-fashioned way -- pure talent,\" Fisher said. In an interview, Chu said he has been ready \"for a long time\" for the opportunity to direct his first full-length feature film for a studio. \"I'm excited to go and play with storytelling on a longer format,\" he said. \"I love music. I tap-danced for 12 years. I'm first-generation Chinese-American and the youngest of five kids. My parents came to the U.S. when they were 19 years old and decided they would immerse us in American culture. Every Sunday, (we) went to musicals and ballets. I took piano lessons and violin lessons. By the time I was at USC, I wanted to play with storytelling and music.\" The original \"Birdie\" bowed in 1960 on Broadway and offered gentle swipes at Elvis Presley and late-1950s/early-'60s teen culture, but Chu said he already has thoughts on how to make a new version. \"I have a lot of ideas of how you can update it and make it cutting-edge and original,\" he said. \"The original is a great classic, but it's about that time, that era. To make it about this era is really intriguing to me.\" Added Wick: \"Just thinking of his version of the movie gets my foot tapping.\" A writer will come aboard to work with Chu on an updated version of the musical, whose rights the studio already owns, having brought it to the big screen in a 1963 version that starred Dick Van Dyke, Janet Leigh, Maureen Stapleton and Bobby Rydell. Red Wagon vp Rachel Shane is overseeing with Columbia executive vp Amy Baer. Chu is repped WMA, Marathon Entertainment and Stone, Meyer & Genow."}, {"response": 1493, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (12:11)", "body": "Oh Happy Day, Laura!!! If you feel the need to don leather pants and dance around, feel free...you are among friends!"}, {"response": 1494, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (12:32)", "body": "This may only be of interest to me, but I'll put it up anyway. From the NY Times: Films Flee the Loop, but Chicago Fights Back By DAVID BERNSTEIN HICAGO, April 8 \ufffd If Hollywood were to make a movie about the film industry here, it would chronicle the making of \"My Big Fat Greek Wedding,\" set in Chicago's Greek neighborhoods, and \"Chicago,\" the musical set in its namesake city. But it would be shot in Toronto. These two blockbusters were among 57 feature films with Chicago backdrops that have been shot in Canada since 1985, taking what Richard Moskal, director of the Chicago film office, estimates is $1.9 billion and 17,000 jobs from the local economy. While it has been much publicized that the loss of the commercial film business to Canada and other countries, known as \"runaway production,\" has hurt movie production in Los Angeles and New York, a recent study by the United States Commerce Department found that it had been devastating to the much-smaller film markets in Chicago and other cities between the coasts. \"It's not just a Hollywood issue,\" Mr. Moskal said. \"It's a small business issue, a lunch-bucket Joe issue. A lot of people less visible than Julia Roberts are trying to make a living.\" Several other cities and states, particularly in the country's midsection, also lost productions last year. A recent report by the Center for Entertainment Industry Data and Research in Los Angeles said Colorado, Iowa, Michigan Wisconsin trimmed the size of their film offices in 2002, as did Phoenix; their counterparts in Ohio, Massachusetts and the Washington State have all but shut down, viewed as nonessential programs, their budgets eliminated. In Illinois the runaway production trend has accelerated in recent years. The nation's third-largest film-production market throughout the 1990's, it now ranks fifth, behind not only Los Angeles and New York but also Texas and Florida. Screen Magazine, a Chicago-based industry publication, reported that 70 percent of the companies listed in its 1999 industry directory were no longer in business when it printed its 2000 edition. Last year production spending in the city was the lowest since 1977, as 18 films with Chicago story lines were made in Canada, and last summer, usually the busiest season for production, only one major feature, \"Uncle Nino,\" starring Joe Mantegna, was shot entirely in the metropolitan area. This low-budget film, scheduled for release this year, agreed to stay in large part because local trade unions took pay cuts of about 30 percent at the urging of the local film office. Now the Illinois Production Alliance, an industry advocacy group formed in December, wants to make the state more like Canada. The new group includes representatives of companies, the state and city film offices and the industry's various arms, among them the Association of Independent Commercial Producers, the actors' union, Directors Guild of America and local chapters of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. \"It's sort of like being an alcoholic,\" said Eileen Willenborg, executive director of the Chicago Screen Actors Guild. \"You have to hit rock bottom before you begin your recovery program, and we have.\" One of the group's top priorities is to help save Chicago Studio City, the largest full-service production center east of Hollywood. Its three cavernous buildings, with a total of 151,000 square feet of stage and office space on the city's West Side, used to handle about 80 percent of the area's film and television studio production. After a year of sitting empty, it is up for sale. Ron DeRosa, vice president of the studio, said only 2 of the company's 11 employees \ufffd he and his secretary \ufffd remained on the job. Business began to sour for the studio in October 2001, when \"What About Joan,\" the ABC situation comedy starring a Chicagoan, Joan Cusack, was canceled. The show was the first sitcom to be filmed outside Los Angeles or New York and employed a cast and crew of more than 100. Mr. DeRosa said his company spent $400,000 on new equipment for the show. The new alliance is trying to persuade the state to purchase Chicago Studio City's property and offer it to producers free or at low prices to lure productions from Canada. Members are also lobbying state lawmakers for tax and wage incentives to reduce filming costs and spur new production. \"There's always going to be a cheaper place for a movie to be made,\" Mr. Moskal said. \"But you can't change anything by guilt-tripping or sticking your hand out and complaining that you need some help. You have to present yourself as a unified, distinguished and credible community to give government a good reason to help you out.\" Mr. Moskal said the new group was more organized, more united and better financed than previous industry lobbying coalitions. But with Illinois facing a $5 billion deficit this year, it also faces an uphill battle to convince state lawmakers to give the industry any of the financial breaks it need"}, {"response": 1495, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (12:57)", "body": "Oh, this'll teach me not to neglect this topic. Happy belated birthday, Lora and Laura!!"}, {"response": 1496, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (12:59)", "body": "I couldn't resist; Dave's Top Ten from last night: Top Ten Things Iraq's Information Minister Has To Say About The War 10. \"We're pulling down the statues of Saddam to have them cleaned\" 9. \"Don't believe that stuff you see on CNN...or NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox or MSNBC\" 8. \"If you ask me who the winner is, it depends on what your definition of 'is' is\" 7. \"Iraqi television is off the air because we didn't want you to have to sit through 'Becker'\" 6. \"Do you know of any job openings for a lying weasel?\" 5. \"Wolf Blitzer and I are engaged\" 4. \"Iraqis are in the streets celebrating Cher's 40 fabulous years in show business\" 3. \"Incoming!\" 2. \"Saddam's not dead -- he's just out with a case of the shingles\" 1. \"War? What war?\""}, {"response": 1497, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (14:12)", "body": "Mari, thanks for sharing! That is hysterical! Thank you for the bday wishes!"}, {"response": 1498, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (16:18)", "body": "Have a wonderful b'day Laura. Hope to see you around for many more:-)))) 35????You're getting pretty old;-))) Mari...too funny. Jay Leno was too last night."}, {"response": 1499, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (16:45)", "body": "Thanks for your happy b-day wish, Mari! Love the top 10 - LOL about the Cher one! I'm not even sure why!"}, {"response": 1500, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (08:13)", "body": "Thanks, Evelyn! I feel ancient! :)"}, {"response": 1501, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (11:27)", "body": "Laura! Hope you had fun yesterday."}, {"response": 1502, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (12:58)", "body": "Hope you had a great day, Laura!"}, {"response": 1503, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (13:25)", "body": "Laura, hope you had a very happy birthday! I hope you got the blue bells from Colin yesterday! It was your turn. Very confusing birthday week with Lora and Laura and Jack and Algy (or is it more like Ernest and Earnest?)."}, {"response": 1504, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (14:23)", "body": "Thanks, Lora and Linda and Lisa (all the L's!). Very confusing week, indeed!"}, {"response": 1505, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (18:57)", "body": "(Tress) Don't know where this info should go, but for those interested in P&P continuations, I found a new book today \"Mr. Darcy's Daughters\" by Elizabeth Aston. Amazon is carrying it, but I found mine at a B&N. Have you read it yet Tress? what did you think? Belated Happy Birthday Lora and Laura!!! :-)"}, {"response": 1506, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (19:16)", "body": "My brother just stopped by my cube and gave me very disturbing news...I almost feel sick to my stomach. I had to look it up and this is what I found: April 7, 2003 - The Daily Star reports Jennifer Lopez and fiance Ben Affleck have secured a deal to remake the classic movie 'Casablanca'. The original film was a hit in 1942 starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman and J.Lo and Affleck want to repeat the success. A pal said, \"They are overjoyed at the propspect of being in Casablanca together. It is the chance for them to show how much they love each other through their on-screen chemistry.\" Am I the only one who thinks this is wrong?? (EssBee) Have you read it yet Tress? what did you think? Oh Gosh no! It has been added to a huge stack that is by the nightstand...I did glance through it and it looks promising. Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth do not play a big role in it though...it appears that the novel follows their five daughters (the elder Darcys are in Constantinople)."}, {"response": 1507, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (21:17)", "body": "Am I the only one who thinks this is wrong?? No you are not!! Makes me want to gag. \"In all the gin joints......\" Great thespians that they are, they should feel a little trepidation, no? Wish they would spare us this display of personal affection!"}, {"response": 1508, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (21:26)", "body": "...another Swept Away"}, {"response": 1509, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (22:16)", "body": "(Tress) Am I the only one who thinks this is wrong?? Heck, no. It is wrong on so many levels."}, {"response": 1510, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (22:34)", "body": "(Tress) April 7, 2003 - The Daily Star reports Jennifer Lopez and fiance Ben Affleck have secured a deal to remake the classic movie 'Casablanca'. The original film was a hit in 1942 starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman and J.Lo and Affleck want to repeat the success... JLo should have her mouth washed out with soap for even thinking she and IB should be mentioned in the same sentence. How dare she. IMO critics are not too excited about her efforts, and after seeing them I have to agree. And as for BA taking on an HB roll so foolish IMO to even dare to attempt it. Is it possible JLo and BA feel they are the modern day Bogart and Bacall? If so, it's time for a serious reality check. There is no similarity in capabilities IMO of these two men. These great actors must be rolling in their graves. If such a foolish attempt to remake one of the top movies of all times is even considered the least they can do is cast actors with credibility who can actually act at least somewhat near the HB/IB level and who may just possibly give some credence to such a foolish venture. IMO it certainly isn't these two. Will be interesting to note Ms. Bacall's reactions as she is not one known to keep her viewpoints to herself. Gastly mistake on all parts IMO."}, {"response": 1511, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (23:20)", "body": "And I enjoyed the original Swept Away with GG."}, {"response": 1512, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Apr 12, 2003 (10:23)", "body": "I like J. Lo and Ben Affleck"}, {"response": 1513, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Apr 12, 2003 (11:48)", "body": "(BeeDee) Great thespians that they are, they should feel a little trepidation, no? They might if their new movie Gigli, or whatever the new name is now, doesn't do well. It's getting horrendous buzz at the moment. Not testing well at all. Think they're reshooting some, re-editing the ending, or something."}, {"response": 1514, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Apr 12, 2003 (12:05)", "body": "MIM had a 41% rating in Rotten Tomatoes and still made $93.M They're hot. WAGW is up to 36%; with the mainstream newspapers reviews at 19% and it's packing them in. If you give people what they want, they don't care about the critics' reviews."}, {"response": 1515, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Apr 12, 2003 (12:26)", "body": "(Evelyn) If you give people what they want, they don't care about the critics' reviews. To clarify, are you referring to what I wrote or making a general statement of JLo's B.O. draw? Cause the bad buzz about the new one isn't from critics. It's from regular movie goers. Isn't that who goes to test screenings? And if I'm not mistaken, Enough didn't do very well, but I don't have the numbers handy. And even Two Weeks Notice had to do reshoots, too, right? And *everyone* loves HG and SB."}, {"response": 1516, "author": "Megs128", "date": "Sat, Apr 12, 2003 (13:55)", "body": "(Tress) Am I the only one who thinks this is wrong?? (Evelyn) I like J. Lo and Ben Affleck No, you're not the only one who thinks that it's wrong, and I can't imagine that even they would get much draw to the box office for the remake of a movie that was perfectly good on its own. I like Ben Affleck a great deal, too, and J. Lo is tolerable in her genre, but they are certainly not dramatic actors \ufffd la Bogart. Hopefully they drop this plan and don't mess with the classics. Next thing you know Eminem will be reshooting the Ten Commandments."}, {"response": 1517, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Apr 12, 2003 (22:32)", "body": "I see their Casablanca with a latin twist. Done in South America before a revolution, maybe Cuba. Those two are smart enough to know that it will have to have a different angle."}, {"response": 1518, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Apr 13, 2003 (09:22)", "body": "(Megs) Hopefully they drop this plan and don't mess with the classics. Next thing you know Eminem will be reshooting the Ten Commandments. LOL Megs. Agree totally. Good advice for all classic ventures."}, {"response": 1519, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Apr 13, 2003 (09:42)", "body": "(Megs) Hopefully they drop this plan and don't mess with the classics. Next thing you know Eminem will be reshooting the Ten Commandments. (FanPam)LOL Megs. Agree totally. Good advice for all classic ventures Good Thing they didn't buy this notion when remaking P&P or I would be vacuuming my house this morning instead of being here;-))) Keeping in mind that I too was an early nay-sayer on just the above mentioned grounds!"}, {"response": 1520, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Apr 13, 2003 (10:35)", "body": "(Beedee) Good Thing they didn't buy this notion when remaking P&P or I would be vacuuming my house this morning instead of being here;-))) Keeping in mind that I too was an early nay-sayer on just the above mentioned grounds! Then again this goes to choice of actors. P&P was exceptional and on the money with their cast. Unfortuately, IMO this is not the case here."}, {"response": 1521, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sun, Apr 13, 2003 (13:22)", "body": "(Beedee) Good Thing they didn't buy this notion when remaking P&P or I would be vacuuming my house this morning instead of being here;-))) LOL! However, the Laurence Olivier/Greer Garson P&P wasn't true to the book, and while in P&P1 Elizabeth Garvie was fine as Elizabeth, David Rintoul was a terrible choice for Darcy, IMO. So it wasn't as if Andrew Davies was messing with perfection when remaking P&P."}, {"response": 1522, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr 13, 2003 (17:17)", "body": "So it wasn't as if Andrew Davies was messing with perfection when remaking P&P. *snort*Don't tell that to the UK Jane Austen's Society. They had a hissey-fit.They prefer the non-AD version."}, {"response": 1523, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Apr 13, 2003 (17:29)", "body": "(Evelyn) *snort*Don't tell that to the UK Jane Austen's Society. They had a hissey-fit.They prefer the non-AD version. OMG, really? I like Lizzy too much to imagine her settling for someone like David Rintoul's Darcy! He had no personality....(Just MHO of course). I just saw this version for the first time recently and it took me days to finish it....I kept stopping it and popping in P&P2 so that I could see a Darcy with some spunk.... I'm all for reinterpretations if they can be done well (improved upon), but Casablanca is one of the best films ever made (IMO again). I just cannot see Affleck saying \"of all the gin joints....\" I think they should start small and work their way up to the bigger stuff. There is nothing that either JLo or Ben have done that could make me think they could pull this off and make it better than Bogart and Bergman."}, {"response": 1524, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sun, Apr 13, 2003 (17:40)", "body": "(Evelyn) *snort*Don't tell that to the UK Jane Austen's Society. They had a hissey-fit.They prefer the non-AD version. I'm sure they didn't care for the addition of the wet shirt scene, although I'm quite fond of it. :-) Well, they're welcome to my share of David Rintoul! That guy's just plain weird looking. Even with 10,000 per year, I can't see why any thinking woman would give him the time of day. (Tress) There is nothing that either JLo or Ben have done that could make me think they could pull this off and make it better than Bogart and Bergman. I just can't imagine it at all, nor do I wish to. *shudder*"}, {"response": 1525, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, Apr 13, 2003 (20:37)", "body": "(Kathyf)... it took me days to finish it....I kept stopping it and popping in P&P2 so that I could see a Darcy with some spunk.... Don't try the Olivier/Garson one then, I think I finished it, but I'm not sure. ;-) As far as Garvey/Rintoul, it had it's moments (though none really contributed to directly by DR.) I'm thinking mainly the expanded Netherfield scenes. \"of all the gin joints....\" Given earlier speculation, this might end up being \"all the rum joints.\" And that is the only way I could buy it...if then. Casablanca, to me, is virtually untouchable. But I know, as shown by fanfic, change the setting, make it intelligent and believable, and it can be done, and be enjoyable too. But is this an amazing example of rampant ego? Perhaps. If so, no one will see it anyway."}, {"response": 1526, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Apr 14, 2003 (03:26)", "body": "(Barb) Casablanca, to me, is virtually untouchable. But I know, as shown by fanfic, change the setting, make it intelligent and believable, and it can be done, and be enjoyable too. But is this an amazing example of rampant ego? Perhaps. If so, no one will see it anyway. I agree. Fanfic is extremely well written by very talented people. However, doubt a rewrite of Casablanca would fare as well IMO. Ego Perhaps. Ahh the voice of reason. Thank you Barb."}, {"response": 1527, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Apr 14, 2003 (10:58)", "body": "Well, here it is, a few days after my birthday and the one birthday present I got, is so unbelievable that I don't think even YOU guys will believe, but yes, it's true.... I'm having a baby.... due in December."}, {"response": 1528, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Apr 14, 2003 (11:04)", "body": "Laura, congrats! How wonderful."}, {"response": 1529, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 14, 2003 (11:36)", "body": "Laura....!!!! A Christmas baby.... \"Honorable Auntie\" v. happy for you"}, {"response": 1530, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Apr 14, 2003 (11:47)", "body": "Thanks, Ev! that is EXACTLY the response I was expecting! (I've been pretty sick lately)"}, {"response": 1531, "author": "Megs128", "date": "Mon, Apr 14, 2003 (12:02)", "body": "Laura, congratulations! Keep us updated about the newest generation of Firthettes or....perhaps he'll be a boy, and then he could be the newest Darcy. :-D (or you know, whatever s/he wants to be...hehehehe)"}, {"response": 1532, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Apr 14, 2003 (12:25)", "body": "Congratulations Laura!!! A baby! Happy thought indeed!!"}, {"response": 1533, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Apr 14, 2003 (12:39)", "body": "I'm very happy for you Laura! Congratulations!!"}, {"response": 1534, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr 14, 2003 (13:22)", "body": "Congratulations, Laura! Becky must be thrilled."}, {"response": 1535, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr 14, 2003 (13:23)", "body": "I meant Rebecca."}, {"response": 1536, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Apr 14, 2003 (14:22)", "body": "Oh we call her everything. But no, I haven't told her yet. (I'm scared to:)) She's going to be 13 and have a baby brother or sister around... I'm hoping she'll be excited, but I'll take it all in stride."}, {"response": 1537, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr 14, 2003 (16:03)", "body": "Best wishes for a healthy pregnancy, Laura. December babies are the best!;-)"}, {"response": 1538, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Apr 14, 2003 (20:35)", "body": "Congratulations, Laura. My step-son was sixteen when my daughter was born. They are very close. I'm sure your daughter will be just fine."}, {"response": 1539, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Apr 14, 2003 (21:33)", "body": "Congratulations and best wishes, Laura! Your daughter may be in shock at first, but I'm sure she'll be delighted once she gets accustomed to the idea."}, {"response": 1540, "author": "Megs128", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (01:23)", "body": "I was 12 when my sister was born and it was great. We're pretty close, but she's only nine, so I'm still waiting for her teenage years for some girl talk. Maybe I can even introduce her to my favorite actors, hehehehe. Seriously, I was definitely some free babysitting and an extra hand around that a younger person just can't provide. I think that it was great for my family, and I'm sure that everything will work out well for you, too."}, {"response": 1541, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (01:34)", "body": "Laura congratulations! The only problem with having such a big gap between children is that you have forgotten the sleepless nights, nappy changes etc and this can be a shock to your system, but the best of luck to you, and I hope that the sickness passes soon."}, {"response": 1542, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (01:41)", "body": "Congratulations Laura. From personal experience I can tell you, that the gap in age can be an advantage rather than an obsticle. But I can also relate to Leah's comment on the sleepless nights etc ;-)"}, {"response": 1543, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (11:38)", "body": "Congratulations, Laura! What wonderful news!"}, {"response": 1544, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (13:25)", "body": "Congrats, Laura, and a belated happy birthday. Let me remind everyone again, even this is not chat. If you'd like to speak further to Laura about the subject, I'm sure you can find her at Dwiggie chat. Thanks"}, {"response": 1545, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (13:49)", "body": "Yippee! Congratulations, Laura! I'm sure Rebecca will be very excited to be a big sis. Now... remember to take your folic acid, get plenty of rest and take it easy! Very, very important!"}, {"response": 1546, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (14:30)", "body": "Karen, were you away???? (e-mail is easier, I hardly chat nowadays, only when bored at work) lauram30@yahoo.com"}, {"response": 1547, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (14:30)", "body": "Wow, Winter, is this what it takes to get you out of drydock? (you still in Singapore, malayasia, Fiji??? ;))"}, {"response": 1548, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (14:38)", "body": "I hardly chat nowadays Then please don't do it here."}, {"response": 1549, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (14:44)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1550, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (15:33)", "body": "And here's a real film in development that is to be directed by Sydney Pollack, which I could see Colin in. With Working Title... oh, but alas, it might be filmed in NY. From THR: Sydney Pollack is in negotiations to direct the thriller \"The Interpreter\" for Universal Pictures, Working Title Films and Misher Prods. A late-fall or early winter start is expected. Written by Charles Randolph, \"Interpreter\" is described as \"No Way Out\" set in the United Nations. Working Title's Tim Bevan and Liza Chasin are producing the project with Kevin Misher. Universal's Scott Stuber and Dylan Clark are overseeing. Pollack, repped by CAA, has helmed such projects as \"The Firm,\" \"Tootsie\" and \"Out of Africa,\" the last of which won him Oscars for best director and best picture. Recent credits include \"Random Hearts\" and \"Sabrina.\""}, {"response": 1551, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (15:44)", "body": "(Karen) A while back I provided a link to a chatroom facility that Terry set up, but no one used it. Did anyone else figure out how to get in it? Or am I the only dense one. And that's perfectly fine if I am."}, {"response": 1552, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (16:49)", "body": "(Dorine) Did anyone else figure out how to get in it? Or am I the only dense one. And that's perfectly fine if I am. No, I was dense, too. However, I don't think my ancient computer will let me chat. I need something and can't upgrade. :-("}, {"response": 1553, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (19:16)", "body": "Wow, Winter, is this what it takes to get you out of drydock? (you still in Singapore, malayasia, Fiji??? ;)) Yeah, I've been MIA for a while now. I was living in Indonesia (Bali) since January 2002, and got back a few months ago. I've already shared my news with some people via email (I meant to email more of you but lost your addresses!), but I thought I'd \"go public\" here: I'm engaged! Yup, I'm getting married! I met my fiancee while in Bali-- we knew each other before, but really got to be close friends (and more!) while we were abroad. He's from Maine (but actually French-Canadian by birth), and he was also doing research in Indonesia at about the same time I was. Very whirlwind-- lots of island hopping, lots of sunsets by the beach kinds of outings. I never thought this would happen to a kid from the suburbs like me! Anyway, the wedding isn't till August 2004-- in Canada (his family's from there, and my mother's side immigrated there 30 years ago). Planning should be fun, and in the meantime, my family's getting to know the fiancee (they LOVE him). My fiancee is a nice Catholic boy with a priest for an uncle that will be marrying us. Bonus points from Mom on that. And he's cute too!"}, {"response": 1554, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (19:48)", "body": "(Dorine) Did anyone else figure out how to get in it? Or am I the only dense one. And that's perfectly fine if I am. I personally haven't tried it because the thing about chat is you can only chat with the other people who are there. We're pretty spread out geographically and schedule-wise, so I don't see that chat is a one-to-one substitute for a discussion forum."}, {"response": 1555, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (20:33)", "body": "(Dorine)Did anyone else figure out how to get in it? Or am I the only dense one. And that's perfectly fine if I am. Count me in the dense column as well. But I didn't try that hard either. I give up too easily... Congratulations, Winter."}, {"response": 1556, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (21:14)", "body": "(Rika) We're pretty spread out geographically and schedule-wise, so I don't see that chat is a one-to-one substitute for a discussion forum. I've been able to manage it though other places. Just takes figuring out who would be talking, from where, and what is the best time."}, {"response": 1557, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Apr 16, 2003 (02:25)", "body": "congratulations, Winter! I hope that means you'll be back in Boston as well as Maine... :) I'm getting married as well, however a bit sooner than August 2004;)"}, {"response": 1558, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 16, 2003 (08:55)", "body": "Looks like I'll be shopping for lots of shower prezzies;-))"}, {"response": 1559, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Apr 16, 2003 (09:24)", "body": "Happy Passover to those who celebrate it!"}, {"response": 1560, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 16, 2003 (10:25)", "body": "\"The Evening Standard reported on Monday (14 April) that the owners of the Comedy Theatre (Ambassadors Theatre Group) are demanding around 80,000 ukp compensation, or 5, 000 ukp a week, from the producers of \" SEXUAL PERVERSITY IN CHICAGO\", which will be at the Comedy Theatre from 3 May 03, starring MINNIE DRIVER and MATTHEW PERRY. They are claiming loss of revenue arising from drinks, refreshments and programme sales as a result of the 90minute play not having an interval. A spokesman for the Ambassadors Theatre Group told the Evening Standard, \"It is standard practice in the West End and nationally for theatres to charge producers a 'no-interval' fee . This is to compensate for lost revenue from interval bar sales, which make up a vital part of a theatre's income.\" ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Waddya mean...they charge for programs. Too bad.... Besides..just think how the poor Riverside felt."}, {"response": 1561, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Apr 16, 2003 (12:35)", "body": "OK Magazine (April 15)had an article on Hollywood Doubles. I'm not going to type it all out here, but they cited several look alikes from past to present. One was Hugh Grant: The New Cary Grant, I'm posting here because it's more Odds and Ends than Colin Firth news. ...On screen, Hugh and Cary are sophisticated and elegant men with well-honed comic timing. Their upper-class accents and posh charm are lapped up by American audiences and have invited fond mimicry: Tony Curtis took off Cary Grant in Some Like It Hot while TV impressionist Alistair McGowan has Hugh Grant down to a tee. Cary and Hugh were sometimes criticised for repeating the nice guy role in their films but they showed their caddish side in His Girl Friday and Bridget Jones's Diary respectively. Most parties agree that Hugh and Cary Grant are peas in a pod (ed. note, Really? I never thought about it that way). But TV actor Stephen Thompkinson isn't convinced. 'Hugh can't even be mentioned in the same breath as Cary Grant,' he said. The only thing he shares is the name Grant and that's probably not even his. (ed. note, \"huge\" ouch) Colin Firth -who starred with Hugh in Bridget Jones's Diary-disagrees, calling Hugh 'the best actor of light comedy anywhere'. He contnues: 'What Hugh has is an extremely inaccessible ability. I can think of very few actors since Cary Grant who have had it.'"}, {"response": 1562, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 16, 2003 (13:24)", "body": "Slowly the success of WAGW is creeping into the British media (hoorah!). There is an article in today's Teletex \"The Rise and Rise of Girl Power \" \"It used to be the Hollywood maxim that boys were the prime target audience, but now the big studios are rethinking their attitudes to chick flicks.\" [No more.. chick flicks are hitting high receipts in the box office:] \"The box office success of flicks like Legally Blonde have set the pace, with current US favourites being Amanda Bynes' coming-of-ager What A Girl Wants and low-budget romcom Just Married.\" [I like the last bit best:] \"There used to be this perception among studio executives that all you have to do is make some gross-out low-brow junk and feed it to young males,\" he admits. The American Pie-style feature seems to have lost of lot of its steam.\" 16/04/2003 http://www1.teletext.co.uk/entertainment/generic.asp?slot=32&page=1&ref=3"}, {"response": 1563, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Apr 16, 2003 (14:48)", "body": "(Linda/OK) Thompkinson isn't convinced. 'Hugh can't even be mentioned in the same breath as Cary Grant,' he said. The only thing he shares is the name Grant and that's probably not even his. (ed. note, \"huge\" ouch) Have to agree here. Although probably one of the best for light comedy in present day terms can't compare to Grant. Somehow can't see him in \"An Affair to Remember\"or \"Philadelphia Story\" not even to scratch the surface. The talent or range just isn't there. There just really is no comparison IMO. (Evelyn/Teletex) The American Pie-style feature seems to have lost of lot of its steam.\" You mean there's hope for the modern young man? Congratulations Laura and Winter. VG news."}, {"response": 1564, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Apr 16, 2003 (15:11)", "body": "You mean there's hope for the modern young man? ] God, I hope so!"}, {"response": 1565, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Apr 16, 2003 (15:12)", "body": "Grant and that's probably not even his. (ed. note, \"huge\" ouch) ] Grant's last name isn't Grant. He took it from Cary Grant, who's name wasn't Cary Grant, it's all soooo confusing;)"}, {"response": 1566, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Apr 16, 2003 (16:09)", "body": "(FanPam)Somehow can't see him in \"An Affair to Remember\"or \"Philadelphia Story\" Or North by Northwest fer-cryin-out-loud!"}, {"response": 1567, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Apr 17, 2003 (08:12)", "body": "IMDB.com 4/17/03 Chicago' Becomes Miramax's Biggest Hit Crossing the $157-million mark at the domestic box office on Monday, Chicago starring Renee Zellweger, Richard Gere and Oscar winner Catherine Zeta-Jones) became the highest grossing film in Miramax's 24-year history, the company observed Tuesday. Miramax's previous top grosser was 2000's Scary Movie. \"We are very pleased to have such a wonderful film, and have it recognized both critically, and by movie going audiences around the world,\" Miramax COO Rick Sands said in a statement. TEOR, waiting for Renee' to sign......"}, {"response": 1568, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 17, 2003 (08:14)", "body": "Happy Passover holidays to Karen, Lora and all our friends who celebrate this season."}, {"response": 1569, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 17, 2003 (08:16)", "body": "TEOR, waiting for Renee' to sign...... Hope she soakes them...her $10.M sticker price , plus a cut of the back end like she did for Chicago. (Premiere Mag)"}, {"response": 1570, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Apr 17, 2003 (12:46)", "body": "Happy Passover, friends!"}, {"response": 1571, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Apr 17, 2003 (12:55)", "body": "Happy Passover and Easter everyone."}, {"response": 1572, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Apr 17, 2003 (15:14)", "body": "Have a Wonderful Passover Karen, Lora and any others who celebrate!!"}, {"response": 1573, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Apr 17, 2003 (16:40)", "body": "Happy Passover and Easter to all."}, {"response": 1574, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 17, 2003 (19:35)", "body": "Hoppy Easter..."}, {"response": 1575, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Apr 17, 2003 (20:44)", "body": "That won't work because it's an address on your local computer."}, {"response": 1576, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Apr 18, 2003 (08:36)", "body": "Something to see this Monday on PBS USA: Really looking forward to the film, starring Jeff Bridges (Yeah!), Chris Cooper (Yeah!) and Tobey Maguire: The NY Times - April 18, 2003 An Affair to Savor in 'Seabiscuit' By RICHARD SANDOMIR No one could read Laura Hillenbrand's best-selling book, \"Seabiscuit: An American Legend,\" and not recognize that the horse biography was one of the great love stories of the 1930's. Seabiscuit was loved by Depression-era fans who saw in the knobby-kneed, undersize horse an athlete who overcame a lack of physical endowments (although he was descended from Man o' War) to break speed records nearly everywhere he raced. He was loved by sportswriters, including one Jolly Roger, who overheatedly wrote after a Seabiscuit victory, \"Oh, that I have lived to see this day.\" And he was loved by Tom Smith, the horse-whispering trainer who could barely communicate with people; the owner, Charles Howard; and the poetry-quoting jockey, Red Pollard, for whom the winner's circle may have been on the moon. In a new PBS documentary, \"Seabiscuit\" (Monday, 9 p.m. Eastern), one love story is predominant: the one between Pollard and Seabiscuit. \"Pollard and Seabiscuit separately were nothing,\" Stephen Ives, the documentary's director and co-producer, said. \"They were a banged-up old jockey with a terrible record and a gawky, ungainly horse who hadn't won anything in a while and seemed to be at the end of his career.\" When Pollard met Seabiscuit, he gave the horse a sugar cube; the horse gave the jockey his muzzle, until then a rare sign of his affection for humans. When Pollard rode Seabiscuit, they usually won. They won 18 of their 30 races; before Pollard, Seabiscuit had won 9 of 47. In all, he had 89 races. When both were severely injured in 1939, Pollard and Seabiscuit convalesced together, the wounded seeking one last victory romp. \"I think in some way, Seabiscuit became his role model,\" Pollard's daughter, Norah Christianson, said in the film. Together, she said, they \"made a whole, a comet, a star, a ball of light.\" The focus on Pollard and Seabiscuit simplifies Hillenbrand's complex, detailed story. For those more familiar with Secretariat and Mr. Ed than Seabiscuit, Hillenbrand's book (Random House, 2001) was a thunderclap of research and elegant writing. Though not a surprise, \"Seabiscuit,\" the documentary, succeeds as a well-told biography and a moment-in-time film. \"Red's journey really mirrored Seabiscuit's,\" Ives said. \"They both have such a natural dramatic arc, and filled with equal measures of heartbreak, loss and hope.\" Ives said he had to abandon covering most of Smith's and Howard's backgrounds and the fate of the protagonists after Seabiscuit's final race, in 1940. \"But 52 minutes is 52 minutes,\" Ives said. PBS did not have the time or budget to let him go longer. Reading Hillenbrand's book required imagination to see Seabiscuit racing, but the documentary tapped unusually rich sources of archival film and photographs. \"Seabiscuit was such a huge phenomenon,\" Ives said. \"The newsreel cameras were all over him.\" Nine black-and-white newsreel versions of Seabiscuit's 1938 race against War Admiral at Pimlico survived. The Howard family doctor took 16-millimeter color movies of Seabiscuit's triumphant final race, the Santa Anita Handicap, in 1940, which were blended with color newsreels. The documentary also benefited from photographs and newspaper clippings collected in scrapbooks by the Howard family. To their credit, Ives and the co-producer, Eve Morgenstern, employed no academicians as commentators; interviewees included a jockey who rode Seabiscuit in warm-ups, a trainer and a jockey agent of that era, and a friend of Pollard's. Leonard Dorfman, the trainer, \"has a picture of Seabiscuit over his bed,\" Ives said. Hillenbrand's book and the documentary play heavily on Seabiscuit's renown in the 1930's, a fame that nearly equaled Franklin D. Roosevelt's and Hitler's, and his role in lifting the lives of a country benumbed by the Depression and anxious about the war in Europe. In explicit fashion, the trailer for \"Seabiscuit,\" the Universal film being released on July 25 (starring Tobey Maguire as Pollard), uses the horse's place in history as the primary emotional lure. \"In a time of uncertainty,\" it says over film of Roosevelt and other images of the era. \"In a world consumed by fear. For a people whose spirit was shaken. It would take a broken hero to get them back on their feet.\" It adds: \"The dreams of a nation rode on a long shot.\""}, {"response": 1577, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Apr 18, 2003 (08:38)", "body": "Hope everyone's Seder Dinner was faith-filled and filling! Happy Easter to all as well."}, {"response": 1578, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Apr 18, 2003 (09:42)", "body": "Thanks for the Seabiscuit on PBS in info! I knew it was coming but not when."}, {"response": 1579, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 18, 2003 (09:43)", "body": "If only he had a film to promote then. Possibly his best chance to get on the late night shows in a warm, friendly environment. Jay Leno, Katie Couric to Switch Jobs for One Day (Reuters) - Don't get confused if you hear this promotional spot on TV: \"Coming up this morning, Jay Leno interviews U.S. officials on the reconstruction of Iraq, while later this evening, Katie Couric and Joan Rivers dish about Joan's latest plastic surgery.\" NBC's \"Today\" show co-host Katie Couric and \"Tonight Show\" host Jay Leno will switch jobs for a day on May 12, marking the first time since 1992 that someone other than Leno has hosted the \"Tonight Show\" since he replaced Johnny Carson 1992, a network spokeswoman said on Thursday. The TV news magazine \"Access Hollywood,\" quoting Leno, said the switch was Couric's idea. \"People like her, she has an infectious personality, and she's so cute that if she bombs, she can get away with it because she's cute,\" Leno told the syndicated program. \"If I bomb, it's 'boo hiss.\"'"}, {"response": 1580, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 18, 2003 (09:49)", "body": "Another co-star making good. You all do remember Lisa Blount, don't you? Shame they didn't include in her past credits a fav here. ;-) Billy Bob Thornton will star in the indie feature \"Chrystal,\" which will mark the big-screen directorial debut of Oscar-winning short filmmaker Ray McKinnon. McKinnon's wife, Lisa Blount, who shared the Oscar with her husband, will star in the title role. McKinnon wrote, directed and starred in the short film \"The Accountant,\" with Blount co-starring and executive producing. \"Chrystal\" is the husband-and-wife team's follow-up project. \"Chrystal,\" produced by Bruce Heller, David Koplan and Blount, goes into production May 28 in Arkansas. The project, written by McKinnon, sees Blount star as the title character, a rural woman whose convict husband (Thornton) returns home from prison only to see that the vacancy in her life left by the death of her child years earlier becomes even more acute. Walton Goggins (\"The Shield\") also stars. As an actor, McKinnon has appeared in such films as \"O Brother, Where Art Thou?\" and \"Apollo 13.\" Blount, repped by McCabe/Justice and manager Darris Hatch, most recently starred n the WB Network pilot \"Trash.\" She also starred in the Tom DiCillo feature \"Box of Moonlight.\" Thornton, repped by CAA, is shooting the Walt Disney Co.'s \"The Alamo.\" Upcoming projects include \"Intolerable Cruelty\" and \"Bad Santa.\""}, {"response": 1581, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Apr 19, 2003 (08:44)", "body": "Happy Easter! Enjoy your fill of chocolate! Buona Pasqua!"}, {"response": 1582, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Apr 19, 2003 (13:36)", "body": "Thanks for the Seabiscuit info Murph. I've heard talk of it before. Will watch. Even read where one critic sees it as a possible Oscar contender. Sounds really good to me. Happy Holidays everyone."}, {"response": 1583, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Apr 19, 2003 (15:48)", "body": "Thanks for those Chocolate eggs, Moon, they remind me so much of Easter in Italy two years ago. Sigh Happy Holidays to all."}, {"response": 1584, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Apr 19, 2003 (16:04)", "body": "And for those craving some special Easter jewelry that's even edible:"}, {"response": 1585, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Sun, Apr 20, 2003 (16:09)", "body": "Love the \"Bunny\" pics. Thanks Karen."}, {"response": 1586, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Apr 20, 2003 (21:01)", "body": "I want to send an email thank you to everyone thanking them for their contributions but that might not make everyone happy. So, I'll say it here. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your contributions. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I think you know who you are!"}, {"response": 1587, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 21, 2003 (09:59)", "body": "Trio set to scale musical 'Heights' for MTV original April 21, 2003 By Zorianna Kit and Nellie Andreeva Erika Christensen, Mike Vogel and Katherine Heigl are in final negotiations to topline \"Wuthering Heights,\" MTV's musical adaptation of Emily Bronte's classic novel. The movie, written by Max Enscoe and Annie deYoung, takes a contemporary look at the tragic story of revenge and romantic love between the offspring of the Earnshaws, who live at Wuthering Heights, and their genteel, refined neighbors the Lintons. \"Wuthering Heights\" centers on the saucy and selfish Catherine Earnshaw (Christensen), who falls in love with Heathcliff (Vogel), an orphan adopted by the Earnshaws, but marries her neighbor Edgar Linton instead. Meanwhile, Linton's sister Isabella (Heigl) marries Heathcliff but escapes after his ill temper makes her life miserable. The project marks Christensen's onscreen singing debut. Suri Krishnamma is set to direct the movie, overseen at MTV by executive vp series and movie development Lois Curren and vp original movies Maggie Malina."}, {"response": 1588, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr 21, 2003 (11:25)", "body": "So is this another Bollywood type movie? I love those, but I'd much prefer they keep the literary novels out of it."}, {"response": 1589, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 21, 2003 (17:23)", "body": "Anybody watching \"Helen of Troy\" with Rufus Sewell on USA? Second part tonight, but they are showing the first part right before. I think it's pretty good for a commercial station endeavor. Helen's \"beauty\" doesn't overwhelm *me*, but what do I know. Shot on location obviously and the scenery is spectacular. Several of our friends in the supporting cast: \"Georgianna\" and Bridget's friend \"Tom\""}, {"response": 1590, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Apr 21, 2003 (21:38)", "body": "(Evelyn)Anybody watching \"Helen of Troy\" ........Several of our friends in the supporting cast: \"Georgianna\" and Bridget's friend \"Tom\" LOL! I am! I knew I knew them but couldn't place from where. It was driving me crazy. I ask the DH but he was clueless and now I know why. Thanks Evelyn. Was also watching Third Watch tonight and saw this beautiful African American who played a police woman who I couldn't place at first but I knew I've seen her often lately. Mentioned to DH but he hadn't seen her before and finally I realized she looke alot like Nia Long! I've spent much time with Matthew Field lately. Will find out more tomorrow."}, {"response": 1591, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Apr 21, 2003 (22:25)", "body": "I am now, since I read this."}, {"response": 1592, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr 22, 2003 (11:06)", "body": "No, I didn't watch Helen of Troy. I did watch Ice Bound, with Susan Sarandon; the true story of Dr. Jerri Nielsen, who was trapped in Antarctica for the winter, during which she discovers she has breast cancer. Terrific; catch it on a rerun!"}, {"response": 1593, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 22, 2003 (11:11)", "body": "Saw the first half of Helen of Troy and will catch the second on Thursday (I think), when it is rebroadcast. Ice Bound was pretty good."}, {"response": 1594, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Apr 22, 2003 (12:01)", "body": "Karen!! Thanks for the new \"Aqualung\" pic!!"}, {"response": 1595, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 22, 2003 (12:05)", "body": "It's especially for Josie. :) [no self-respecting person who was in college at the time wouldn't own this one.]"}, {"response": 1596, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr 22, 2003 (12:12)", "body": "Thank you, Locomotive Breath!:-) One of my pet peeves is limiting one's knowledge of pop culture only to those who were/are popular during one's \"youth.\" I know all of the '30s and '40s Big Bands intimately, thanks to my dad. Poor guy, nobody ever had the heart to tell him that Glenn Miller's plane went down . . .:-("}, {"response": 1597, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Apr 22, 2003 (12:26)", "body": "Thanks for the new pic Karen! The original 'Aqualung' by the BAND Jethro Tull (got it!). ;-) And speaking of music....Nina Simone died yesterday. Very sad news. :-("}, {"response": 1598, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Apr 22, 2003 (13:24)", "body": "(Tress)And speaking of music....Nina Simone died yesterday. Very sad news. :-( Yes indeed. Love her earthy yet sweet voice."}, {"response": 1599, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Apr 22, 2003 (14:25)", "body": "(Mari), One of my pet peeves is limiting one's knowledge of pop culture only to those who were/are popular during one's \"youth.\" I know all of the '30s and '40s Big Bands intimately Well said! Even my boys sing Sinatra thanks to their mom. ;-) BTW, my current favorite groups are, Wilco and The American Analog Band. Would love to sit and talk music with Hornby. ;-D"}, {"response": 1600, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Apr 22, 2003 (14:29)", "body": "And my compliments, Karen! Tull indeed!"}, {"response": 1601, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Apr 22, 2003 (14:38)", "body": "(Moon) Would love to sit and talk music with Hornby. ;-D Check out Nick Hornby's Songbook. A fun read (and informative for the musically stunted, such as myself)."}, {"response": 1602, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Apr 22, 2003 (16:35)", "body": "Jennifer's Mom gets to fly with Spiderman: http://aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=15036 The scenes were filmed on Easter Sunday in NYC. My 4 year old grandson Sean would have been over the moon to see that! And here is a link to The Hulk trailer if you are into that one: http://www.apple.com/trailers/universal/the_hulk/international/ Beedee - Re Third Watch: Nia Long! I thought she looked familiar! I wonder if she will be a regular next season? (If there is a next season. Rumor has it the show is in trouble. A shame. It is a good character study of a lot of interesting people."}, {"response": 1603, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Apr 22, 2003 (17:23)", "body": "Wonderful new picture, Karen...Thanks so much."}, {"response": 1604, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Apr 22, 2003 (17:28)", "body": "(Murph)Nia Long! I thought she looked familiar! I wonder if she will be a regular next season? (If there is a next season. Rumor has it the show is in trouble. A shame. It is a good character study of a lot of interesting people. You too? I'm not sure it's her but sure looked like her. I tried to google but without success. It is a shame if the show goes. I too think it has a good ensamble of actors with interesting character studies and reliably good writing."}, {"response": 1605, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Apr 23, 2003 (00:49)", "body": "Just popping back in briefly with a couple of things..... Topic 1.... I thought Ed Burns was very attractive and talented before. Now, I think he's really freakin' hot.....and very talented. Just kinda hit me when he walked up to be interviewed. He was the guest at movie class tonight to promote Confidence. Some lady stole my seat tonight when I went to the bathroom before class started, but I showed her.....I managed to get a seat 8 ft away, LOL! Anyway, he has reaallly long, thin fingers ;-), great skin, seemed newly tan, 5 O'clock shadow. Mmmm, Mmmm, Mmmm. Said he had just come from taping Charlie Rose. Not sure if turn around on that show is immediate or not. Forgot to watch when I got home. He had on an incredible suit that appeared to be Navy colored silk with a sky blue silk shirt. Yum! Get to see him at BAFTA Q&A for Confidence screening tomorrow, too. Woo Hoo! Moderated by that At the Angelika chick. I liked and recommend Confidence very much, but I definitely need a second viewing to get a few things straight. Topic 2..... Going to a ....seminar? Q&A? whatever.....with Harvey Weinstein next Wed. Janet Maslin, NY Times Film Critic is the moderator. We were sent an email asking us for one question we wanted to ask him. So that brings me to my point...... The question I thought of is something like this.... Can you explain your platform marketing strategy for a smaller movie like TIOBE (vs. a larger one like Chicago?--not sure about that last part). For example, many people wanted to see TIOBE, but couldn't as they couldn't find it or they had to drive hours to see it. Couldn't it have been more successful (at least greater than approx $10-11 million) if it had been more accessible to more of the people who wanted to see it? And less likely (if I can tack this on)....... It seemed the focus of the marketing may have changed with TIOBE from RW to CF,at least as noted by the change of center characters in the print ads and the amount of PR CF did on US TV vs RW. Is there any truth to that? If you have a burning question for Harve, let me know. I'll consider it. Please email me.... don't post it or I won't get it."}, {"response": 1606, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 23, 2003 (09:25)", "body": "Dorine(at least greater than approx $10-11 million) Close.But I think it made $16.Cost $24. All sounds fun. Good luck. Kick Janet Maslin for me;-)"}, {"response": 1607, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Apr 23, 2003 (11:13)", "body": "Looks interesting: Starz Encore Nets Expand Originals Tue Apr 22,10:27 PM ET By Cynthia Littleton LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - The Starz Encore Group of themed cable channels is beefing up its slate of originals with three feature film acquisitions and a new weekly series devoted to the business of moviemaking. Starz! Cinema, the Starz Encore channel devoted to indie and offbeat films, has acquired the world premiere rights to the 2003 Peter O'Toole (news) starrer \"The Final Curtain\"; the romantic comedy \"All I Want,\" starring Elijah Wood (news) and Mandy Moore (news); and the Paul Gauguin biopic \"Paradise Found,\" starring Kiefer Sutherland (news). \"Final Curtain,\" produced by Christopher Young Films, stars O'Toole as the reigning king of TV game show hosts who slowly loses his grip to a younger rising star played by Aidan Gillen. It'll debut on Starz! Cinema in June, followed in July by \"Paradise Found\" and in August by \"All I Want.\" Starz! Cinema also has picked up the TV premiere rights to the action-drama feature \"Wasabi,\" written and produced by Luc Besson (news); the Iranian comedy \"Secret Ballot\"; and \"Quitting,\" which tells the story of 1980s Chinese film star Jia Hongsheng. Meanwhile, Starz Encore is preparing for the May 4 launch of the weekly series \"CineNews\" on its fledgling Encore channel, which bowed April 1. The show, to air at 5:30 p.m. Sundays with a rerun Monday in the same time slot, will offer a rundown of the latest film production news -- from spec script sales to casting and all elements in between -- and on-set interviews with actors and directors. There also will be a segment devoted to the latest studio executive shuffles and other news from the corporate side of Hollywood. \"CineNews\" will be presented with voice-over narration but will not have on-air hosts. Robert Leighton, president of Starz Encore Entertainment, said the show will be \"an in-depth look at moviemaking that goes beyond celebrity glamour and gossip, taking viewers behind the camera and to the bottom line.\" Reuters/Hollywood Reporter"}, {"response": 1608, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Apr 23, 2003 (12:21)", "body": "Thanks Murph. Looks v.interesting."}, {"response": 1609, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Apr 23, 2003 (14:34)", "body": "(Dorine)And less likely (if I can tack this on)....... Tack it on, Dorine. Two great quesions. Thanks for the CineNews, Murph."}, {"response": 1610, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Apr 23, 2003 (14:35)", "body": "That's, two great questions. Sorry!"}, {"response": 1611, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Apr 23, 2003 (15:01)", "body": "(Linda)That's, two great questions. Sorry! Or one good two part question? Or, a very good run-on sentence?"}, {"response": 1612, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Apr 23, 2003 (16:03)", "body": "I believe, there was a few mentionings of Daniel Deronda here a while ago? Today I came across a few \"on the set\" pictures in the Scotmans ( http://www.photogallery.scotsman.com/)photogallery . I think you need to register in order to see them (I was off course searching for a different name, but nothing came up). Hope you will enjoy the Weinstein-session, Dorine."}, {"response": 1613, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (22:10)", "body": "Great new pic Karen, thanks. Thank you Murph for the Starz news. Looks very interesting."}, {"response": 1614, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Apr 25, 2003 (00:14)", "body": "(Karen) Think I've found something worse than the baby mole at this evening's viewing (prior to an advance screening of Confidence at same theater). Do I infer correctly that you saw Confidence? Did you like it? I liked it the first time, but found I had to spend a great deal of time just keeping up with the con and not so much paying attention to the actors and characters. I liked it even better the second time around when I could really pay attention to the nuances of the performances and the character relationships all of which I found interesting. EB gave some interesting tidbits about evolution of the script while filming among other aspects. There was an interesting show the other night on IFC called Anatomy of a Scene which featured Confidence. LOL, as an aside, EB had on the same suit both nights I saw him. Talk about keeping continuity. ;-) He said they offered his part to someone else (of course) first, but wouldn't say who. I could see Tom Cruise doing this."}, {"response": 1615, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 25, 2003 (08:26)", "body": "Yes, I saw Confidence last night and liked it for its sharp wit and intelligence. Sort of a David Mamet-lite. The con wasn't all that difficult to spot (the man next to me found it necessary to inform his wife of each of his conclusions), especially if you've seen others of this genre. I think, if you go in knowing what kind of movie it's going to be, you know what to expect. There are established patterns, not to mention the fact that the EB character explains how it works right upfront. The players were very good, very Mamet-esque, with personalities and history. I usually don't find watching them a second time very satisfying. I recommend highly House of Games (Mamet), which I own, and the more recent Nine Queens, which I've read is going to be remade here."}, {"response": 1616, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 25, 2003 (09:19)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1617, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 25, 2003 (09:19)", "body": "Oh yeah, Dustin Hoffman was probably the best thing in the movie, and I didn't care much for EB, kept reminding me of Ben Affleck/someone who was trying too hard to be cool. He's no Joe Mantegna, that's for sure."}, {"response": 1618, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Apr 25, 2003 (09:54)", "body": "'Confidence' pulls a con; it's a flimsy, flimflam film Rene Rodriguez Miami Herald 2 Stars Confidence is a stale pastiche of crime-caper dramas that goes through all the usual reversals, betrayals and triple-crosses with a sense of weary obligation. It's as if director James Foley (The Corruptor, Glengarry Glen Ross) had been forced to make the movie at gunpoint, as a way to pay an outstanding debt. You can almost hear him sighing from behind the camera. Right from the Sunset Boulevard-ish opening -- an overhead shot of narrator Jake (Ed Burns) lying in a pool of blood as he informs us ''So I'm dead. And I think it's because of the redhead.'' -- first-time screenwriter Doug Jung makes it clear which movies he's going to be plagiarizing. There's a whole lot of David Mamet-patter in Confidence, and there's more than a little Tarantino attitude, too. There are also lazily-defined characters, like a hammy Dustin Hoffman as a mob boss with attention deficit disorder, or Andy Garcia as a federal agent with an anger management issue. These are not people. These are personality traits. The plot of Confidence centers on Jake's elaborate scam to steal $5 million from a shady banker (Robert Forster). This involves much conversation about offshore bank accounts and corporate loans, two subjects that define the term ''uncinematic.'' Among Jake's gang of fellow grifters are Rachel Weisz as a professional pickpocket, Paul Giamatti as a fast-talking hustler and Luis Guzman and Donal Logue as a pair of corrupt cops. All are fine -- even Burns comes off more substantial than usual here -- but there's no overcoming the pedestrian nature of this material. The best movies about con artists teach you a scheme or two you could, if so inclined, try out on your own. Confidence has one such scene, in which Burns and Weisz walk into a jewelry store and convince a total stranger to buy them an expensive ring. The rest of the film is just a series of confusing shell games, complete with the requisite last-minute switcheroo. Rarely has being bad seemed this dull."}, {"response": 1619, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Apr 25, 2003 (11:10)", "body": "this is an excerpt from the Boston Globe review of Identity. \"As it turns out, these are not people, they're personality types, none of whom is particularly likable. Liotta does Liotta -- to the hilt. And DuVall seems to still be playing the same teary-eyed crazy as she did in ''Girl, Interrupted,'' directed by this movie's maker, James Mangold. He also guided a mega-cast in ''Copland''; in ''Identity,'' he seems to prefer having a lot of actors around without encouraging them to perform in the same movie.\" Wonder if they watched the same movie???"}, {"response": 1620, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 25, 2003 (11:12)", "body": "Two different movies. We were talking about \"Confidence\" not \"Identity.\""}, {"response": 1621, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Apr 25, 2003 (11:21)", "body": "Two different movies. We were talking about \"Confidence\" not \"Identity.\" ] I know they are two different movies. I was pointing out the similarity in reviews... (duh!)"}, {"response": 1622, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Apr 26, 2003 (19:26)", "body": "The Spring server is going down for 10 minutes for some routine maintenance. It will be going down now."}, {"response": 1623, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (00:35)", "body": "(Dorine re TIOBE box office total)... at least greater than approx $10-11 million (Evelyn) Close.But I think it made $16.Cost $24. Oh gosh. According to boxofficemojo.com we both highballed it... The Importance of Being Earnest Total Gross: $8,384,929 :-( (Laura) Wonder if they watched the same movie??? Taking this question in a slightly different context, I don't think the WSJ critic saw the same Confidence I did. Unless I missed Rachel W's blonde period in the movie. He seems to think she had blonde hair at some point."}, {"response": 1624, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (11:42)", "body": "I know I'm a bit late with this, but I recommend Confidence as well....always nice to see a film that the DH and I can see together (he was interested in going because he likes RW, but ended up really liking the film as well). I liked how they shot so much of this in extreme close-up. I felt I was studying everyone's face (and eyes....you know, you can't tell when their 'lying', they were all good ;-) ). The characters (and they were characters ) were very enjoyable to watch....liked seeing Donal Logue on the big screen (I'll admit that I enjoy his television show). And Dustin Hoffman was fantastic! And Ed Burns....well, you can just about watch him in anything. ;-)"}, {"response": 1625, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (13:02)", "body": "Saw Identity and I guessed the ending very quickly. Not a very good film. Confidence seems like a rental."}, {"response": 1626, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (16:20)", "body": "Interesting article. April 14, 2003 TELEVISION & RADIO BBC's mock stock market puts a price on celebrities By David Gritten, Special to the Times New York -- New York -- Cultural critics often make the point that modern celebrities use their fame as a form of currency and come to view themselves as celebrity brands or commodities with \"value\" that they try to maintain. Now a British television show has taken that metaphor at face value, giving real celebrities a \"share price\" and encouraging viewers to \"invest\" in them by predicting whether their \"stock\" will rise or fall. \"Celebdaq\" (its awkward name stems from Nasdaq) was created for the British Broadcasting Corp. last summer as a Web site, but this year it has also become a controversial Friday night TV show on the new digital channel BBC3, which is targeting an audience aged 25 to 34. The show has the look of a financial news channel. The stock value of some 250 celebrities -- actors, musicians, sportsmen and the famous-for-being-famous -- crawls across the bottom of the screen like tickertape. Stars have their own abbreviations: SALHAY is Salma Hayek, SANBUL is Sandra Bullock. The show is presented by Patrick O'Connell, who appears in a conservative suit and tie; only his sardonic manner betrays that \"Celebdaq\" is tongue-in-cheek. Minor celebrity guests appear on the show to reveal which stars are in their portfolios. Among the most profitable celebrities recently were Prince Charles, whose price increased from $3.85 to $30.64 after the publication of a report about his staff's selling gifts to his household; former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, who along with her husband, England's soccer captain David Beckham, is a perennial presence in Britain's tabloid press; and singer Kylie Minogue, whose career and romances are a current obsession with the nation's gossip columnists. (Recently, she was briefly linked with pop star Justin Timberlake.) Jennifer Lopez was among the most profitable a few weeks ago, having made tabloid news every day when she visited London to promote her film \"Maid in Manhattan.\" And Michael Jackson stock soared to $35 after the infamous TV documentary about him, presented by Martin Bashir. \"Celebdaq\" viewers can register to invest virtual cash on celebrities of their choice; their stock value depends on the volume of trading in their name and the number of column inches in British tabloid newspapers for the preceding week. No actual money changes hands, but at the end of each week, the registered investor whose portfolio shows the highest gain wins a modest cash prize of around $160 and a garish jacket of the kind favored by traders on the floors of stock exchanges. The Web site was attracting some 70,000 investors, but within \"Celebdaq's\" first month as a TV show, it was drawing 170,000 viewers. \"The show seems to be doing very well,\" said executive producer Chris Wilson, 37. \"The demand for the show has enabled us to do daily one-minute updates of celebrity share prices.\" \"Celebdaq\" has also attracted criticism, in part because it does not discriminate about the reasons why various celebrities make headlines. Last month, Nicole Kidman, Jude Law and Law's wife, actress Sadie Frost, were featured heavily on the \"Celebdaq\" index because the British press reported rumors of a romance between Kidman and Law. (Kidman strenuously denied the rumors.) Law and Frost released a statement that their marriage had broken down, and Frost was reported to be suffering from postnatal depression. This added up to tabloid newspaper columns in yards rather than inches. British television's trade magazine \"Broadcast\" led the assault on \"Celebdaq,\" wondering whether the distress of celebrities like Frost and Law (who had asked to be left in peace) was appropriate fodder for viewers. Newspaper columnist Rebecca Tyrrell of the Sunday Telegraph, while admitting that \"Celebdaq\" was addictive, said it seemed \"morally dubious.\" Criticisms of \"Celebdaq\" have a deeper resonance for the BBC, which is subsidized by British taxpayers; everyone who owns a television set pays an annual license fee, which funds its programming. And the BBC's existence is controlled by Parliament, which renews its charter as long as it demonstrates its commitment to public service programming. Whether \"Celebdaq\" can be construed as public service programming is debatable. Not everyone in public life is listed in the \"Celebdaq\" index. Prime Minister Tony Blair is a notable absentee. Pope John Paul II was originally listed when the Web site launched last June but was dropped after complaints from viewers. Wilson defends \"Celebdaq.\" \"Like it or not, that story about Jude and Sadie and Nicole ran a long time,\" he said. \"We've had celebrities tell us they're pleased to be on the index. Kylie Minogue said she was thrilled her price was on the up. \"The point of the show is to predict the press. [Viewers] need to put themselves inside the heads of tabloid editors and show-business hacks, spot"}, {"response": 1627, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (17:38)", "body": "Thanks for the interesting article MoonD. The concept is very interesting and obviously very popular. Tomorrow night the \"reality\" series Manor House premieres on PBS 8:00 est for those who remember the article previously posted by Murph I believe. 18 people go back to the lifestyle 100 years ago. Could be interesting."}, {"response": 1628, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (17:50)", "body": "Thanks for the heads-up Pam! I love these types of shows...I watched '1900 House' a few years ago and then 'Pioneer House' last year."}, {"response": 1629, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (08:03)", "body": "Monday Nights with Oscar - \"Shakespeare in Love\" 4/28/03 Ames Auditorium, Lighthouse International Building, 111 East 59th St., New York, NY Just saw this on Varietys newsletter. Since I don't subscribe, I have no further information."}, {"response": 1630, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (09:23)", "body": "re: Celebdaq. Started to play, buying stock in various people, then realised - no CF. Yet some other very random people on there."}, {"response": 1631, "author": "elizh", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (09:43)", "body": "I think there's a similar concept on the \"Hollywood Stock Exchange\" at http://www.hsx.com/ ODB is listed on this one..."}, {"response": 1632, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (10:36)", "body": "Compare this to Colin's Telegraph article. Everything about it makes we want to cry...not the least of which is this: ... and, early next year, in the role that is set to indisputably reveal his talent to the world, he plays Ted Hughes in the biopic Ted and Sylvia, opposite Gwyneth Paltrow as Sylvia Plath. http://film.guardian.co.uk/interview/interviewpages/0,6737,944213,00.html"}, {"response": 1633, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (11:01)", "body": "I agree, Karen! He should have fought for that one. :-("}, {"response": 1634, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (11:17)", "body": "Yes but Karen you should see those Daniel Craig pics! Omigod we thought Colin was having an off day in the Telegraph.... these take the biscuit. Shame as DC is talented."}, {"response": 1635, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (11:33)", "body": "(Lizza) you should see those Daniel Craig pics! Omigod we thought Colin was having an off day LOL! (Moon) He should have fought for that one. :-( It's not that. It's the whole tone of the article and how DC comes off, far better than Colin IMO. He doesn't dance around the answers, he's forthright, talks about his craft as if it's meaningful to him, etc. Just everything shows he's an actor who wants to do his best."}, {"response": 1636, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (12:27)", "body": "(Karen), It's not that. It's the whole tone of the article and how DC comes off, far better than Colin IMO. Of course he does. That Telegraph interview was bizarre on both their parts. People work hard to get the cover of the Sunday Telegraph, it was a wasted opportunity to make people to care to see it. He could take pointers from Hugh Grant."}, {"response": 1637, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (12:51)", "body": "Colin's had covers before in many of the Sunday supplements, including the Telegraph's."}, {"response": 1638, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (13:03)", "body": "Interesting that Natasha Richardson's been featured a couple of times this weekend in Sunday telegraph arts review and also Observer (I think) discussing Redgraves, Liam, plus her new stage role. It's a coup to get the supplement cover, either saturday or sunday in UK especially as the broadsheets feature a separate arts review section which is often a showcase for other interviews not deemed hot enough to command cover. How does it work in US? (Karen) it's the whole tone of the article I'm with you on this one Karen, he does appear deeply involved in his craft and it is communicated well, but then he's not had loads of column inches devoted to him either. He also can't rely on his looks in quite the same way as Colin or Hugh OOOps back to those damn photos again ;-))"}, {"response": 1639, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (13:31)", "body": "(Karen), Colin's had covers before in many of the Sunday supplements, including the Telegraph's. I know. My point is that it is not a given, it is a coup as Lizza says to get the supplement cover. There is a big PR effort to get that cover story. I felt that he didn't make it interesting enough for the readers. In the US, everyone strives for that cover story, Lizza, same as in the UK."}, {"response": 1640, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (14:01)", "body": "Thanks Moon:-))"}, {"response": 1641, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (15:06)", "body": "For those who looked at the pics that Murph posted of Rosemary Harris (Aunt May in Spiderman) flying through the air with Spidey.... Well someone from ehlenews spoke with Rosemary after these NY photos and she said she had a wonderful time and was not at all afraid of flying through the air with Spiderman. The wire people were the professionals with the circus!!LOL. (Karen), It's not that. It's the whole tone of the article and how DC comes off, far better than Colin IMO. We must have read different articles. I considered it v. ordinary. In fact if I hadn't been looking to see how much better you said it was than Colin's ,I would have dumped it. Ted and Sylvia is a meaty movie. Lots to talk about there. Real stuff, a bio.HS is a simple rom-com"}, {"response": 1642, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (15:13)", "body": "Did your article show Rosemary and jennifer together too? cute photo (Tony's?)"}, {"response": 1643, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (15:24)", "body": "No the article was about Spiderman..think it's on Imdb."}, {"response": 1644, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (15:35)", "body": "What I meant was that the digested version last week that I read in a tabloid (mirror?) in a coffee shop had the pic and article about Rosemary with Spiderman but also her and jennifer, probably to qualify it to Brit audience, as jen is well known here too."}, {"response": 1645, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (15:42)", "body": "(Evelyn)Lots to talk about there. Real stuff, a bio.HS is a simple rom-com Hopefully he'll get his turn again for GWAPE. Lots to talk about there...I hope."}, {"response": 1646, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (15:44)", "body": "(Karen) It's not that. It's the whole tone of the article and how DC comes off, far better than Colin IMO. You mean come off professionally? In any other context, I actually found him rather annoying with such frenetic energy and activity.... -- his hands gesticulating in spasms of urgency, his talk littered with expletives -- This feverish personality -- It's incredible Craig is so controlled on screen, because you get the feeling he must find it hard to sit still. His fingernails are short, he fidgets, his hands working overtime to cover up his face as he cringes over something he's said. He's constantly undercutting himself with a little alter-ego voice that takes the piss and everything is expressed at a mile-a-minute -- then he splutters, crumbs falling out of his mouth along with the inevitable expletives I would've been in a partial hell interviewing him. I would enjoy his thirst and quest for knowledge though. Would much rather interview a laid back Colin. And again, who knows what he talks about during interviews that is nixed later, either by the editor, writer, or himself even. Am I way off base in my thinking on that? I don't know...I still am not too upset he didn't take this (or try ;-)). It's going to be such a downer and just because it's a heavy meaty drama with GP doesn't mean it will give him all that great a notice..... Craig, for example, has done some work in Hollywood and there was 'Oscar buzz', which came to little, around Road to Perdition. Look what happened with Spider, too. That was heavy, meaty drama and excellent, but.... And really, GP's last couple of movies tanked. Craig chooses parts because they're 'a bit weird', and it's clear from his performances that he thrives on that edge While Colin hasn't necessarily chosen these roles often (or they haven't chosen him), at least of late, he has expressed his interest in similar roles."}, {"response": 1647, "author": "Odile", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (11:15)", "body": "Interesting article from Slate about the sales of literary classics. It's called Cents and Sensibility. hhtp://slate.msn.com/id/2081052 Extracts: Take Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. It sold 110,000 copies last year, [...] which excludes academic sales [...]. Compare it to figures for, say, The Runaway Jury by John Grisham, which was the No. 1 best seller in 1996: Last year, Grisham's novel sold 73,337 copies\ufffdalmost 40,000 fewer than Pride and Prejudice. Measured against a best seller in its first flush, sales of any classic book are piddling, of course (unless the classic has just been made into a blockbuster movie, in which case all bets are off) . But the overall sales picture resembles the proverbial tortoise-and-hare scenario: As the race goes on, the classics win out. The paperback edition of The Nanny Diaries may be the rage right now, but authors Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus should look over their shoulders; another story about tending the children of the rich, a book by the name of Jane Eyre, is chugging along, slow and steady."}, {"response": 1648, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (09:51)", "body": "I suppose this could have gone any number of places but if it needs to be moved, I apologize... From Ananova... Fiennes voted favourite for next Bond Ralph Fiennes is film fans' top choice to be the next James Bond, according to a poll. The English Patient actor beat the likes of Colin Firth (edit. note: the trend continues?) and Robbie Williams as the best man to play 007. Almost a quarter of people surveyed (24%) reckoned Fiennes would make the perfect replacement for Pierce Brosnan. The 40-year-old actor recently showed off his romantic leading man credentials opposite Jennifer Lopez in Maid In Manhattan. George Clooney came second in the poll by amazon.co.uk, with 15% of film fans believing the role should go to the American star. Colin Firth, who played Mr Darcy in the TV adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, tied with fellow Clive Owen for third place with 12%. And 11% chose Robbie Williams despite his lack of acting credentials. Hollywood heavyweights Leonardo DiCaprio, Ben Affleck and Russell Crowe got only 10% of the vote between them. Hugh Grant, Jude Law and Ewan McGregor were all missing from the list. The survey of 1,000 people was conducted by amazon to celebrate the forthcoming DVD and video release of the latest Bond blockbuster Die Another Day. Women favoured Clooney, with 20% voting to see him bedding Bond girls compared to 19% for Fiennes. In an identical amazon poll carried out in France and Germany, Clooney came out on top with Ben Affleck and Mel Gibson also highly placed."}, {"response": 1649, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (10:18)", "body": "Listen, Pierce Brosnan is gonna stay in that role til he drops. Fergeddaboutit. Kenneth Brannagh is going to appear at the National this summer in David Mamet's play \"Edmund\". KB and RF at the National at the same time. Ug, I'm dying here."}, {"response": 1650, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (15:22)", "body": "Yep, hasn't Rafe opened in Stratford first with it then onto London.? i'm dying here (Evelyn) Agree it's a bit of a dreamteam;-)) Christopher Fettes eat your heart out."}, {"response": 1651, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (10:01)", "body": "Just a note - AdaVW's birthday is tomorrow, May 2. So it's almost party time."}, {"response": 1652, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (12:20)", "body": "There is nothing new under the sun in Film Land.... *************************** Hollywood's 2003 Sequels and Prequels Thu May 1, 3:40 AM ET LOS ANGELES - Hollywood delivers a record 25 sequels and prequels this year: \"Final Destination 2\" \"Shanghai Knights\" \"The Jungle Book II\" \"X2: X-Men United\" \"The Matrix Reloaded\" \"Pokemon Heroes\" \"2 Fast 2 Furious\" \"Dumb & Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd\" \"Rugrats Go Wild\" \"Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle\" \"Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde\" \"Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines\" \"Bad Boys II\" \"Exorcist: The Beginning\" \"Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over\" \"Lara Croft: Tomb Raider \ufffd The Cradle of Life\" \"American Wedding\" \"Freddy vs. Jason\" \"Jeepers Creepers 2\" \"Once Upon a Time in Mexico\" \"Scary Movie 3\" \"The Whole Ten Yards\" \"The Matrix Revolutions\" \"Barbershop 2\" \"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King\""}, {"response": 1653, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (12:29)", "body": "Notice there was some Craig discussion going on. I loved that interview, but then I'm a fan. He sounds like an intense, interesting character. I bet he doesn't suffer fools gladly, and as one who can think of nothing original to say to a celebrity, he would have made mincemeat out of me. ...On the other hand, his new film, Mother, is about a 30-some man having an affair with a 65 year old woman, so there may be hope for me yet. Yes, the Ted Hughes hair is awful. I think it is a wig. They could have been a bit more flattering there. I prefer:"}, {"response": 1654, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (12:31)", "body": "Sorry about that picture link. I'll try again: drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 169, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 17, "subject": "Daniel Day Lewis", "response_count": 44, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 1997 (00:27)", "body": "Well, I guess if I asked I have to get things started. Some of us were beginning a DDl drool over on the who else to play Darcy thread. I am mesmerized by this man's ability to become whatever role he plays. When you contrast what he did in Room With a View and Last of the Mohicans, it's impossible to believe it's the same guy!"}, {"response": 2, "author": "Amy", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 1997 (00:35)", "body": "I am amazed how he can change social classes with such facility too. Example, the difference between the working class role in \"Name of the Father\" and the snooty Cecil in ARWAV."}, {"response": 3, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 1997 (03:10)", "body": "Ok, now that we have our own DDL Drooling Topic, I feel compelled to repeat something I said elsewhere: Oh Hawkeye, with your long hair flowing down your back, dressed in your buckskins, running through the woods, come rescue me , ooh baby, ooh baby! There I feel better! I must see this movie again...and soon!"}, {"response": 4, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 1997 (03:18)", "body": "Somehow I knew you'd be showing up on this thread, Cheryl..."}, {"response": 5, "author": "Ann2", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 1997 (15:17)", "body": "And I'm the lucky woman to own a copy of that very mohican, Cheryl you know I'm saving it as a special treat, I have seen it once but in company and that is no proper way to drool along is it. I remember though, my amazement at the romance factor, much higher than I could remember from childhood readings of it. Did he not do My Left Foot as well?? Versatile indeed."}, {"response": 6, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 1997 (15:29)", "body": "Yes Ann, he won an Oscar for his role in My Left Foot. Amazing actor!"}, {"response": 7, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 1997 (17:38)", "body": "I found a couple of good sites with pictures, but I'm a no-nothing newbie and don't know how to link them here. Maybe someone else can or you can look at them later: http://web3.starwave.com/showbiz/memorybank/starbios/danieldaylewis/index.html (This one has the picture of him as Hawkeye that I think Cheryl likes along with a brief bio) http://well.com/user/dkscully/index/htm (WWW page) http://well.com/user/dkscully/pictures.htm (lots of them) http://well.com/user/dkscully/danielda.gif ( killer full-face shot with long hair) Let me know what you think!"}, {"response": 8, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 1997 (17:53)", "body": "Geez, is that all there is to it? I clicked on the links, and the first one works just like it is, but the other three only get you as far as the well.com part. However, if you just type in the rest of the address at that point, it brings up the site. Good luck!"}, {"response": 9, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 1997 (13:43)", "body": "My favorite DDL scene is from the Last of the Mohicans: His impassioned Stay Alive! I will find You!( Just before he dives into the waterfall.) One of the sexiest lines in recent movie history!!! And I also thought he made an adequate Newland Archer(although I would have preferred Jeremy). I loved the carriage scene in the movie when he bends down and unbuttons MP's glove. Best though-the moving scene by the lighhouse. If she doesn't turn....."}, {"response": 10, "author": "Susan", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 1997 (00:26)", "body": "Yes, I think he reached his peak so far in Last of the Mohicans. But in Age of Innocence, are you referring to Jeremy Northam or Irons? The latter is quite bewitching, also."}, {"response": 11, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 1997 (02:13)", "body": "Susan, DDL played Archer in Age of Innocence."}, {"response": 12, "author": "Ann2", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 1997 (09:23)", "body": "\" Irons? The latter is quite bewitching, also.\" Susan, how true. I can't understand why Amy didn't put Jeremy Irons on our list. He has got an interesting voice, other advantages unmentioned ;=)"}, {"response": 13, "author": "Amy", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 1997 (12:59)", "body": "You got it, Ann2. Who else?"}, {"response": 14, "author": "Susan", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 1997 (13:08)", "body": "#9 I thought he made an adequate Newland Archer (although I would have preferred Jeremy) #11 Cheryl, I was referring to the above with my which Jeremy question. Although I liked DDL in Age, I prefer his less nancy roles much more. #12 I fell in love with Jeremy Irons's voice (among other things) in House of the Spirits. I thought he had that same don't-want-to-love-him-but-I-do quality that Malkovich displayed in Dangerous Liaisons. That scene where Glenn Close's character sees Jeremy and Meryl making love is totally erotic, and previously in the movie when he is uncontrollably aroused on his bed and jumps on his horse and runs down that young girl and rapes her, I was ashamed to be stirred by his lust, but there you have it. He did an excellent acting job in that movie, even though I didn't think it was that great overall. Oh my -- do we need another thread?"}, {"response": 15, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 1997 (14:29)", "body": "#10 Susan-I was referring to my beloved Jeremy Northam or as the ladies refer to him over at the Northam topic-Jeremy Knightley. Sigh."}, {"response": 16, "author": "panache", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 1997 (22:38)", "body": "Irons: He did an amazing voiceover of Scar, the wicked lion uncle, in THE LION KING! DDL: I know a young man who bears a heartbeating resemblance to DDL, with one difference- the long hair is chestnut. But the eyes, voice, and presence are quite similar (so I sidle to the far side of the room when he comes around, to lessen the impact)(and as Darcy would say, have a better view while he walks about ;-) )."}, {"response": 17, "author": "Susan", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 1997 (21:55)", "body": "LUCKY girl!"}, {"response": 18, "author": "elder", "date": "Sat, Feb 22, 1997 (13:16)", "body": "This DD-L thread has been quiet for more than two weeks. Do you fans/droolers have access to the March 1997 issue of Biography magazine (published by our friends at A&E tv)? There is a nice article w/ many pics. I have neither the means nor the knowlege to scan in the photos, but perhaps one of you could do us the honor. The article was very positive, and I especially liked the comment about how he gets into character: This isn't an actor who just disappears into parts -- he leaves no forwarding address. Or as he once put it, 'I suppose I have a highly developed capacity for self-delusion. So it's no problem for me to believe I'm somebody else.'\" [Note for Hawkeye fans: there is a pic from that film, but it shows him from the waist up. :( ]"}, {"response": 19, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sat, Feb 22, 1997 (16:04)", "body": "Kathleen, so glad you posted -- I've been thinking I'd have to do it again. I can't figure out how to make the picture actually come up here, but if you click on the address, it does. Pretty droolable, I'd say. Maybe we'll want to discuss him more after The Crucible is out -- the promos look good. Anyway, here goes: http://www.well.com/user/dkscully/danielda.gif"}, {"response": 20, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sat, Feb 22, 1997 (16:05)", "body": "Kathleen, so glad you posted -- I've been thinking I'd have to do it again. I can't figure out how to make the picture actually come up here, but if you click on the address, it does. Pretty droolable, I'd say. Maybe we'll want to discuss him more after The Crucible is out -- the promos look good. Anyway, here goes: http://www.well.com/user/dkscully/danielda.gif"}, {"response": 21, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sat, Feb 22, 1997 (16:14)", "body": "And especially for Cheryl, but also for us other LOTM fans, how about this one (sorry, the color version wasn't working right for some reason): http://www.well.com/user/dkscully/hawkeye.gif"}, {"response": 22, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sat, Feb 22, 1997 (16:15)", "body": "And especially for Cheryl, but also for us other LOTM fans, how about this one (sorry, the color version wasn't working right for some reason): http://www.well.com/user/dkscully/hawkeye.gif"}, {"response": 23, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sat, Feb 22, 1997 (16:17)", "body": "Arrgggh! My first double posts!! And it only happened after I clicked on the address to see if the picture would work. Would somebody mind e-mailing me (or posting something in Help!) about why I couldn't get the actual picture to show up, why it's doubleposting, and why you have to reload after viewing it? God, it's hell being a newbie!!!!"}, {"response": 24, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 1997 (23:37)", "body": "I did it!"}, {"response": 25, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 1997 (01:07)", "body": "Oh thank you Susan! I do like that pic, hair just the right length...;-)"}, {"response": 26, "author": "Ann2", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 1997 (15:30)", "body": "Thanks Susan, this picture loads so slowly on my browser it is exquisitely tormenting first hair...then eyebrows--FLASH EYES then nose and cheekbones and at last... la bocca de la verita!! Very good and worth waiting for IMHO. Glad you have been here Cheryl, seems to be the closest I'll get to you these days, sigh ."}, {"response": 27, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 1997 (11:52)", "body": "Ann: Glad you have been here Cheryl, seems to be the closest I'll get to you these days, sigh . I know Ann! *pout* I've missed you! Email me, we must make a date to meet at Pemberley and catch up. :-) *samooch*"}, {"response": 28, "author": "rosarugosa", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 1997 (05:16)", "body": "I'm surprised no one has mentioned The Unbearable Lightness of Being. Really sexy scenes with DDL and Juliet Binoche, DDL and Lena Olin, and Juliet Binoches and Lena Olin. I'm not a lesbian, but the last was probably the sexiest. Anyway, that's the first thing of his I saw. He was astounding in My Left Fott, and In the Name of the Father. I didn't see Last of The Mohicans, cause I can't stomach Madeleine Stowe, but if his actiing is on a par with these other films, I probably should rent it right away!!!! The bare chest, long hair and leather pants may help me make the deciision. Did anyone here see The Crucible? I'm certain he was good, but what abou the film?"}, {"response": 29, "author": "kate", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 1997 (08:11)", "body": "The Crucible: Yes I saw it and liked it, but I acted in it at school, so I enjoyed seeing how they'd changed it, left it alone. It's very depressing."}, {"response": 30, "author": "Susan", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 1997 (09:38)", "body": "It's very depressing. I've only seen the play, done locally and very well. I did find it depressing, but also very moving and somewhat uplifting. I do want to see the DDL version."}, {"response": 31, "author": "Donna", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 1997 (11:29)", "body": "DDL is on the March cover of \"Biography\" (was A&E monthly)."}, {"response": 32, "author": "valen", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 1997 (19:10)", "body": "DDL was stunning in The Last of the Mohicans, rent it Rhea, you may find you like it quite well! It's not true to the original work, but romanticized a bit. Must be truthful, some scenes are violent, but only adds to the adaptation, imho. Husband bought both the video and framed poster for me, I liked it so well when it came out! Also liked DDL in My Left Foot, and The Age of Innocence. Love those period costumes."}, {"response": 33, "author": "Genette", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 1997 (19:31)", "body": "I've watched Last of the Mohicans about 50 times (own it, of course). Was thinking that though I too love the scene where he so reluctantly leaves Cora under the waterfall, the most strangely beautiful scene is during the massacre--- where he is desparately fighting through the multitude of attacking Huron- rather heedless of his own safety except as a tool to saving Cora... running, screaming her name, desparate to reach her in time... though a terrribly violent scene it is highly passionate!"}, {"response": 34, "author": "Genette", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 1997 (19:31)", "body": "I've watched Last of the Mohicans about 50 times (own it, of course). Was thinking that though I too love the scene where he so reluctantly leaves Cora under the waterfall, the most strangely beautiful scene is during the massacre--- where he is desparately fighting through the multitude of attacking Huron- rather heedless of his own safety except as a tool to saving Cora... running, screaming her name, desparate to reach her in time... though a terrribly violent scene it is highly passionate!"}, {"response": 35, "author": "Susan", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 1997 (19:53)", "body": "Yes, Genette, that is a very powerful scene. But the scene which is most memorable for me doesn't involve Hawkeye and Cora. I can't remember names here, but is it Cora's sister who so bravely steps backward off the cliff to her death rather than marry a man she despises? I have forgotten a large portion of the show (I plan to watch it again soon), but the visual image of that scene has never left my mind."}, {"response": 36, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 1997 (00:06)", "body": "How about the scene in the fort when Hawkeye and Cora meet in the midst of all those people, having eyes only for each other, and then their first kiss..Aaaahhhhh!!!!! And when he's in the stockade and he's holding her through the bars? *sigh*"}, {"response": 37, "author": "Genette", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 1997 (18:48)", "body": "Yes, Susan. I also love the B plot with Alice and Uncas (sister of Cora and \"brother\" of Hawkeye). I've rewatched several times to see how those two put much love/relationship development into a few looks throughout the movie. But I still love power and passion of Hawkeye's love for Cora. OK, coming off the intellectual pedestal, the leather pants and the sheer beauty of DDL don't hurt the role a bit! I also think that Eric Schweiger (Uncas sp?) is a good example of male beauty. So, in the end, I cl ng to the part that feeds my fantasies most without disagreeing with you one bit!"}, {"response": 38, "author": "Genette", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 1997 (18:51)", "body": "Chery, are you the same Cheryl who says Oooh baby over Darcy? (Just curious). Would agree totally. The romance permeating all scenes of Last of the Mohicans (even the most violent i.e. the passion of Nathaniel/Hawkeye for Cora amidst the massacre and the yearning of Uncas for Alice while he knows he is about to die in a futile attempt to save her from Magua) is what makes it a classic to me."}, {"response": 39, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 1997 (21:57)", "body": "Genette: Chery, are you the same Cheryl who says Oooh baby over Darcy? (Just curious) Guilty! yes, that would be me. So far as I know I am the only Cheryl here, which is fine by me (and probably everybody else!), I'm glad that I don;t have to put numbers after my name like all of the Ann's, Anne's, Anna's, etc...;-)"}, {"response": 40, "author": "Genette", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 1997 (15:04)", "body": "I'm new here, but noticed your comment (Oooh baby!) and totally agree. Both for Darcy and for DDL in Mohicans. Was curious to see how much good taste we have in common :) And, yes, I enjoy the luxuries of a unique name as well!"}, {"response": 41, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 1997 (14:31)", "body": "Chery, are you the same Cheryl who says Oooh baby over Darcy? (Just curious). There is only one Cheryl!"}, {"response": 42, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 1997 (14:59)", "body": "Myretta: There is only one Cheryl! Ladies, have you all met my big Sister Myretta? Thank you dearest! ;-)"}, {"response": 43, "author": "Genette", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (20:45)", "body": "Glad to meet you both!"}, {"response": 44, "author": "rosarugosa", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 1997 (22:06)", "body": "Hey everyone -- nice to be back. Someone had mentioned how DDL can play such varied characters. Well, one of my fave DDL films is My Beautiful Laundrette, by Hanif Kureishi (who also wrote Sammy & Rosie Get Laid, The Buddha of Suburbia, etc) & directed by Stephen Frears. DDL plays a punk (shaved head, earrings, tatoos, etc) who is the boyfriend of the main character. He is absolutely terrific. I can't help but chuckle when I mentally compare this character to the affected fop in Room With a View. The sexy man in that film is Julian Sands. Decisions, decisions.... drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 170, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 171, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 172, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 173, "subject": "Colin Firth - Darcy Drool 3 (cont. from 112)", "response_count": 254, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (09:05)", "body": "From Annette, most romantic movies: http://www.mochasofa.ca/leisure/program/editors/02february04a.asp V. nice description of why P&P is so good."}, {"response": 2, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (09:24)", "body": "Thanks for the link. Well said indeed. It's nice to see it still making these sorts of lists all these years after it came out. It amazes me still how many of my friends have never seen it."}, {"response": 3, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (16:53)", "body": "I was just scrolling through the Amazon top 100, and P&P is #46 on the DVD bestseller list. Pretty remarkable, considering how long it's been out; everything else in the top 50 has been out less than a year. If we're still divying (sp?) up Darcy's wardrobe, and someone already has those breeches from the walk around Pemberley scene, then I want the grey greatcoat (***sigh***)."}, {"response": 4, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (17:02)", "body": "Undoubtedly P&P will never go out of fashion. No reason it should. It is a real classic, well acted, casted and entertaining film. According to A&E it is their Number 1 runaway Best Seller."}, {"response": 5, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (17:59)", "body": "Something Moonstar said reminds me - when the old topic ran out of space, there was an open question (from her, I think) about the specific breeches that were supposedly in the storage area, and for which we were organizing a fiendish plan for a heist. I understood that they were the breeches that went into the lake, not those wonderfulwalk-around-Pemberley ones. Too bad we can't re-claim Keepsakes.... I bet a lot of the P&P keepsake holders aren't here anymore."}, {"response": 6, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 2003 (20:13)", "body": "When the topic ran out, I wanted the saddle that those breeches rode on. May need the help of other crack firthettes to help carry it out."}, {"response": 7, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (13:14)", "body": "(LindaK)May need the help of other crack firthettes to help carry it out. I'm more than willing to help but y'all realize we're going to need a double decker bus waiting around the corner just to carry out everything we're going to take don't you? :-) By the way, Annette, just so you know, I'm willing to fight you for that shirt!"}, {"response": 8, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (17:08)", "body": "Ada)By the way, Annette, just so you know, I'm willing to fight you for that shirt! Well, you just try, if you dare. But I have to warn you: I have studied sissy-fighting intensly (fought by a couple of blokes, I think you know??;-))"}, {"response": 9, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (20:18)", "body": "(Annette)But I have to warn you: I have studied sissy-fighting intensly Oooh I know..I've studied it quite a bit, myself! ;-) But knowing that I'm much too short to play CF and would have to be HG (which I don't think I'd like too much)maybe we can work out a custody deal instead...you have the shirt for 6 months and I'll have it for six months..how's that sound? ;-)"}, {"response": 10, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 2003 (23:10)", "body": "It's a fight!!! A REAL fight!!!!"}, {"response": 11, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 2003 (01:16)", "body": "(Ada)maybe we can work out a custody deal instead...you have the shirt for 6 months and I'll have it for six months..how's that sound? ;-) Sorry to disappoint you, Rika, but I think I'll go for the custody deal. Given my height and strenght I believe it to be a wise decission ;-)"}, {"response": 12, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 2003 (18:20)", "body": "I stiil want the wine glass he drank from at Pemberley while Caroline was on her tirade against Lizzy. P;ease."}, {"response": 13, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Fri, Mar 28, 2003 (10:00)", "body": "If anyone is planning a trip to Lyme this summer, this is the day to go. Event : \"Pride and Prejudice\" Venue : Lyme Park Date(s) : 18 July 2003 Details : 7pm in the Magical setting of the Lyme Park Garden. \ufffd8.50 adult; \ufffd5.50 child; \ufffd24 family ticket. If entering the park prior to 4pm park admission payable Tel 01663 762023 Note : Pride and Prejudice returns to 'Pemberley' open air theatre with Illyria"}, {"response": 14, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Fri, Mar 28, 2003 (10:25)", "body": "Oh my god - it's my birthday that day AND I just joined the National Trust?! Perfect. Got some planning to do =)."}, {"response": 15, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Mar 28, 2003 (12:03)", "body": "(Brenda) Pride and Prejudice returns to 'Pemberley' (Emma) it's my birthday that day AND I just joined the National Trust That is so cool! (and yes Emma, i am green, green, green with jealousy!!) take lots of pics! :-)"}, {"response": 16, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Fri, Mar 28, 2003 (16:55)", "body": "Emma, it sounds like they're doing this play just for you. With a little more luck maybe their Lizzy will trip and hurt her ankle, and they'll need a quick replacement. I'm sure you have the script memorized already :-) Be sure to take a bonnet, just in case!"}, {"response": 17, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Mar 29, 2003 (01:28)", "body": "Hmmmmm..... will have to call travel agent and firm up those plans for England this summer......"}, {"response": 18, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (20:10)", "body": "Awhile ago someone (of course i cant remember who) posted that they'd bought the book: Mr. Darcy's Daughters. i read it last week, and was wondering if anybody else had read it yet. In the book, Darcy and Elizabeth have 5 daughters of their own- it was amusing, but i have to admit to being mildy disappointed. Has anybody else read this?"}, {"response": 19, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (21:44)", "body": "Bought Mr. Darcy's Daughters last week but haven't started it. Right now I'm reading Love: A Users Guide by Clare Naylor. The quote on the back cover from the Times caught my eye: \"A novel for anyone who ever thought 'If only I could meet Rufus Sewell/Colin Firth/Ralph Fiennes'\" And yes, the author definitely had ODB in mind when she wrote this. Ever the muse...."}, {"response": 20, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (11:08)", "body": "(Esbee)Mr Darcy's Daughters.. it was amusing, but i have to admit to being mildy disappointed. Has anybody else read this? Son sent it to me, on my night table ;-) Will discuss it aft I finish."}, {"response": 21, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, May 23, 2003 (19:27)", "body": "(Evelyn) Will discuss it aft I finish. Cool Beans! :-) Hen, you start reading too!!"}, {"response": 22, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Fri, May 23, 2003 (21:13)", "body": "(Sue?)Cool Beans! :-) Hen, you start reading too!! Will do. I just finished Love: A User's Guide. Pretty good stuff. The cover says movie rights have been sold. The main male character is a famous British actor and the only thing about him that is different from CF is that his eyes are blue."}, {"response": 23, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, May 23, 2003 (23:03)", "body": "the only thing about him that is different from CF is that his eyes are blue. Well then the answer is obviously, contacts...Or a re-write ;-)!"}, {"response": 24, "author": "Jodi", "date": "Thu, May 29, 2003 (06:06)", "body": "I read Mr. Darcy's Daughters. I kind of liked it. It really isn't a P & P sequel though. Darcy & Elizabeth aren't even in it. Their 5 daughters (there are 2 young sons as well but they are stashed away at Pemberley w/ grandpapa Bennet) all have characteristics of the original characters. For instance the eldest daughter is the most beautiful (like Jane) but her coloring is dark and she seems to have a personality very close to Mary's. You meet up with some of the original characters as well. Colonel (now Mr.) Fitzwilliam has turned into a big crankpot. The whole story definitely is an echo of the original. Definitely not a great piece of literature but an enjoyable, quick read."}, {"response": 25, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, May 29, 2003 (11:09)", "body": "(Jodi) an enjoyable, quick read I agree. I enjoyed it but was frusterated by the re-hashing of personalities into new characters. I know some family traits are passed down, and even the obvious \"Mary\" character wasnt as annoying as the twins. I mean, do we really think that Elizabeth and Darcy raised daughters who were so wild they put their aunt Lydia to shame? i find it hard to believe. And what was up with weird personality changes in Col Fitzwilliam and the Gardners? And then there was the creepy relationship between Caroline and her step-son? *shudder* LOL - i know i sound like i didnt like it, but i did. Just kept shaking my head over some of the more odd things. -Like the date!?! Doesnt the book (i've passed it on to my mom, so cant double check) take place only a few years after the end of P&P -yet their oldest daughter is 21??? The only other \"sequel\" i've read is the Bar Sinster, and of the two -it's still my favorite. (more naked Darcy in it ;-) -LOL! or more acurately, Darcy is actually in it!)"}, {"response": 26, "author": "Jodi", "date": "Fri, May 30, 2003 (06:07)", "body": "I totally agree that there is no way Darcy & Elizabeth would have raised such wild daughters! I also love The Bar Sinister. I've heard it referred to as Pride & Porn which really makes me giggle. I wish I knew the proper person to give credit to for that moniker though. I probably saw it on some sort of JA appreciation board."}, {"response": 27, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Jun  2, 2003 (09:48)", "body": "No surprise here... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/arts/2955396.stm"}, {"response": 28, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Jun  2, 2003 (11:40)", "body": "LOL - dream date indeed. :-)"}, {"response": 29, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Jun  2, 2003 (22:30)", "body": "This is the same 'dream date' news as MariaT's. There's nothing new, but I loved the headline and a couple of the quotes. Bashful Darcy Universally acknowledged hunk vetoed nude scene Fiachra Gibbons, arts correspondent in Hay-on-Wye Monday June 2, 2003 The Guardian It is one of the most unforgettable moments in British TV history: Mr Darcy emerging dripping from the lake in Pride and Prejudice, his wet shirt clinging to his manly chest. But had the screenwriter extraordinaire Andrew Davies had his way, Colin Firth, who played the hunk in Jane Austen's classic, would have been wearing neither shirt nor breeches. \"The idea was that Darcy would jump stark naked into the lake, as chaps did back then,\" Davies said yesterday at the Guardian Hay Festival. But Firth vetoed the idea, preferring to keep his shirt and trousers on. \"Pride and Prejudice is all about sex and money, about young people with pumping hormones,\" explained Davies, who has cornered the market in TV and film adaptations of classic novels. \"Darcy is supposed to marry this sickly aristocrat, but as soon as he sees keen-witted, rosy-cheeked Elizabeth Bennet panting from a walk, he gets an instant erection.\" Davies, who has finished a script for the sequel to Bridget Jones's Diary, said Austen was the only writer he has adapted whom \"I feel awe and reverence for\". Here's the link to the whole article, which goes on about the new adaptation of Brideshead Revisited. http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,968574,00.html"}, {"response": 30, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Jun  2, 2003 (22:31)", "body": "sorry about the bold!"}, {"response": 31, "author": "odessa", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (05:15)", "body": "he gets an instant erection I think he plays this very well ;-)"}, {"response": 32, "author": "odessa", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (05:18)", "body": "I mean with face expressions, of course..."}, {"response": 33, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (10:44)", "body": "Of course! ;-) I find it interesting how you hear different versions of who wanted Darcy to be naked and who didn't. AD says it was CF who said no, and hasn't CF said he was game but BBC wouldn't let them?"}, {"response": 34, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (11:03)", "body": "and hasn't CF said he was game but BBC wouldn't let them? That's the version he has given more than once and is the one in my fantasy..."}, {"response": 35, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (13:45)", "body": "(Rika) and hasn't CF said he was game but BBC wouldn't let them? (Beedee) That's the version he has given more than once and is the one in my fantasy... And you can actually hear him say it! The NPR archive has an interview were he talks about the nekky scene and how he was also fitted for funny looking underwear as an alternate to make BBC happy. The interview dated 05/07/01 if you are interested. http://www.npr.org/"}, {"response": 36, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (14:12)", "body": "(Tress)And you can actually hear him say it! The NPR archive has an interview were he talks about the nekky scene and how he was also fitted for funny looking underwear as an alternate to make BBC happy. The interview dated 05/07/01 if you are interested. That's the one!! I love this interview (and program.....on NPR of course;-))and used to listen to it at work until we were stopped from streaming there due to system overload. Karen also has a convenient link to it on firth.com."}, {"response": 37, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (19:57)", "body": "(Evelyn)Will discuss it aft I finish. Are you still having a book discussion? May I join? I need to study my Darcy-related literature!"}, {"response": 38, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (13:35)", "body": "Sure, i'll be happy to discuss with you Shoshana :-) only two i have however are Mr. Darcy's Daughters, which is relatively new, and The Bar Sinister. if you have any others you've read and would recommend, i'd love to know about them... Evelyn, did you ever finish Mr. Darcy's Daughters???"}, {"response": 39, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (14:37)", "body": "(EsBee)Evelyn, did you ever finish Mr. Darcy's Daughters??? I'm plodding along. Pl. give me a little more time. (EsBee) if you have any others you've read and would recommend, i'd love to know about them... I have \"Presumption\" and \"The Diary of Henry Fitzwilliam Darcy\". Both are pretty good. But I think some of the stories in the Drool Fan Fic Archives are just as good. especially the early ones. http://droolfic.tripod.com/"}, {"response": 40, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (15:28)", "body": "(Evelyn)I have \"Presumption\" and \"The Diary of Henry Fitzwilliam Darcy\". I need to get Presumption. I liked The Diary of HFD, too. The Bar Sinister was my favorite. I thought she'd do a sequel from the way she left it, though."}, {"response": 41, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (15:58)", "body": "(Evelyn) I have \"Presumption\" and \"The Diary of Henry Fitzwilliam Darcy\". (Linda) I need to get Presumption. I liked The Diary of HFD, too. The Bar Sinister was my favorite. I thought she'd do a sequel from the way she left it, though. I never made it through \"The Diary of HFD\" (I couldn't buy that Darcy wanted to be an actor. I know, ironic...in a weird, parallel universe, sort of way. And his name isn't Henry, unless I missed something). I've read only the naughty parts of \"Bar Sinister\" (and boy....are they naughty!). I have read \"Darcy's Story\", which I really liked. I also have \"Excessively Diverted\" and \"Mr. Darcy's Daughters\" but have not read them yet."}, {"response": 42, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (16:12)", "body": ""}, {"response": 43, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (16:54)", "body": ""}, {"response": 44, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (09:01)", "body": "(Evelyn) But I think some of the stories in the Drool Fan Fic Archives are just as good. especially the early ones. (SB), Definately!! i love the period stories espically, i have a hard time getting into the modern P&P stories. fanfic is the reason i came to Drool -i followed a link from ROP to a PG-13 version of a story, about 4 1/2 years ago -and never went back :-) I agree! Same reason for my joining drool. And I too prefer the period stories. But once in a while a fun modern one comes along. I bought \"The Diary of Henry Fitzwilliam Darcy\" at Chatsworth. A fast read, but The Fan Fic Archives has better ones."}, {"response": 45, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (17:31)", "body": "Besides which, where the heck did \"Henry\" come from? Have never read that one, but I've heard people say that too much of it is verbatim from P&P. I did enjoy \"Confession of Fitzwilliam Darcy\", as a Darcy-oriented version of the story."}, {"response": 46, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (21:22)", "body": "Great disappointment... I eagerly (and rapidly - the library was about to close) checked out a book called \"The Bar Sinister\" only to find when I got home that it is a book written in 1905 about old British mena and their dogs and such. Will continue to look, but agree that the fanfic has well written, interesting versions that are imminently available. Reading original P&P for now, and then follow with Pemberley."}, {"response": 47, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (22:32)", "body": "Reading original P&P for now, That's the one! I read or listen to it annually and it is so much more enjoyable being able to put that *face* and stubble into it! I especially enjoy the second proposal which was abbreviated in the BBC production and I would have loved to have seen ODB and JE do this on the screen."}, {"response": 48, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (09:19)", "body": "(Beedee) I especially enjoy the second proposal which was abbreviated in the BBC production and I would have loved to have seen ODB and JE do this on the screen. Love this scene in the book too! The BBC version was 'rushed' toward the end IMO. They could have tacked on another hour and I would have been happy...starting from about that moment! There were no additional walks (remember in the book, they go for another walk the next day?), we don't see Darcy and Bingley at the Bennet's home again....and it would have been nice to see D walk into the library to talk to Mr. B. Also...the talk between Mr. B and Lizzy was cut short. Lizzy never explained to her father that it was D who found Wickham and paid him off....I always felt badly about that scene, because it made me feel that Mr. B never fully approved of the marriage. And the scene I really would have liked is the one were Elizabeth asks Darcy to account for him ever falling in love....this was great in the book...and I can just see ODB and JE doing this every time I read it!"}, {"response": 49, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (09:55)", "body": "(Tress) And the scene I really would have liked is the one were Elizabeth asks Darcy to account for him ever falling in love....this was great in the book...and I can just see ODB and JE doing this every time I read it! Oh my yes!! Can't you just hear FD say \"I was in the middle before I knew I had started\"! Wouldn't you have loved to have seen the heartleaping look on Lizzy's face on \"that second day\" when when Mrs. B asks Lizzy suffer for Jane and to take FD on a walk to give Jane and Bingly some time alone together? And the sly shy looks between them when they come into the after their walk when they are engaged....... Oh I could go on! I want another hour too! What do you think the chances are?"}, {"response": 50, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (12:17)", "body": "I wondered if anyone knew of any deleted scenes from P&P2? I know that they had to conform to the time allocated for the mini-series and that AD even felt the ending was a bit rushed. If so, wouldn't it be wonderful if they could be included in a re-issued DVD. Think of the sales it would generate!!"}, {"response": 51, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Jun 15, 2003 (09:55)", "body": "(Janet)If so, wouldn't it be wonderful if they could be included in a re-issued DVD........Think of the sales it would generate!! Great idea! I would then buy my 4th copy! Shall we start a campaign?"}, {"response": 52, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sun, Jun 15, 2003 (15:21)", "body": "(Beedee)Shall we start a campaign? That sounds capital! I should be happy to assist."}, {"response": 53, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, Jun 15, 2003 (16:08)", "body": "I agree that it would be a wonderful idea, but only if such footage exists. Does anyone know of it does? - or who to contact to find out?"}, {"response": 54, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Jun 15, 2003 (16:30)", "body": "I have to believe that if it existed, it would have been released by now. The P&P videos and DVD's have been huge commercial successes, so I'm sure BBC understands that there would be a substantial market for a \"special special edition\" with extra footage. Sigh."}, {"response": 55, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Jun 15, 2003 (18:06)", "body": "(Rika)I have to believe that if it existed, it would have been released by now. The P&P videos and DVD's have been huge commercial successes, so I'm sure BBC understands that there would be a substantial market for a \"special special edition\" with extra footage........Sigh. That would be my guess, but a girl can dream, *sigh* too. The possibilities just sent me into a lather."}, {"response": 56, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sun, Jun 15, 2003 (19:41)", "body": "May I join you all in adding to your sighs? Suppose I will just go and watch my copy, just as it is."}, {"response": 57, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (08:21)", "body": "I read somewhere eons ago that for the second proposal there are two takes, one in which Darcy kisses her and the other one we see. They decided that the kiss should happen at the end. Silly them!"}, {"response": 58, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (09:52)", "body": "I read somewhere eons ago that for the second proposal there are two takes, one in which Darcy kisses her and the other one we see. They decided that the kiss should happen at the end. Silly them! I was disappointed that they didn't at least walk arm in arm or (shocking) hand in hand after the second proposal. The last installment was much too rushed, and IMO there should have been some kissing or touching before the end. Blast!"}, {"response": 59, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (10:35)", "body": "(Rika)I have to believe that if it existed, it would have been released by now. The P&P videos and DVD's have been huge commercial successes, so I'm sure BBC understands that there would be a substantial market for a \"special special edition\" with extra footage. You can't really assume anything, except that BBC and our PBS haven't really been in the business of producing DVDs with \"extras.\" When P&P came out on DVD in the UK, it had the behind the scenes bit, which the US one did not, until the \"special edition\" did. In fact, the first US DVD was of very poor quality that many people replaced theirs, and the PBS people had to negotiate to get the BBC's behind-the-scenes featurette (slightly abbreviated as well I'm told). BBC has a ton of other P&P footage from programs it aired, special educational videos, etc. No doubt there are deleted scenes hidden away in a vault somewhere."}, {"response": 60, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (10:36)", "body": "Sorry, instead of PBS, please substitute A&E before I'm corrected by another. ;-D"}, {"response": 61, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (16:54)", "body": "Karen, I agree that there will be tons of footage around somewhere. But how do we persuade the powers that be, that there is a market out there for it? - Surely we won't have to wait until the 10th or(God forbid) the 20th Anniversary edition, as has happened with some films. -You wouldn't have any influential contacts, would you?"}, {"response": 62, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (17:01)", "body": "(Janet-You wouldn't have any influential contacts, would you? Well, i'm often impressed by her *inside* contacts;-)"}, {"response": 63, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (09:37)", "body": "Different smile than he has now...don't you think? get a life, evelyn"}, {"response": 64, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (09:48)", "body": "I don't know Evelyn,hard to say, and hard to find alot of big open mouth smiles, but this one is recent for comparison..."}, {"response": 65, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (09:57)", "body": "The difference looks to be in the eyes, primarily, though you can see how his face has slimmed down some (though it could be the framing by the dark hair)"}, {"response": 66, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (10:06)", "body": "get a life, evelyn Please, don't. I like you so much better this way...in darcy drool mode;-) Love the smiles, ladies...just made my day."}, {"response": 67, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (10:39)", "body": "Concerning smiles-- it seems to me that there is some difference in his teeth. Was watching Valmont last night (lots of great smiles and the wonderfully annoying giggle) and his teeth seem more prominent (similar to the P&P capture); is this dental work or simply a less extreme smile as he has matured."}, {"response": 68, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (10:42)", "body": "(Shoshana) it seems to me that there is some difference in his teeth i agree, that was my first thought. :-)"}, {"response": 69, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (10:45)", "body": "(Evelyn)get a life, evelyn Don't change a thing, Evelyn. We like you, v. much, just as you are! I certainly have a smile on my face after seeing those two smiling Colins. Thanks."}, {"response": 70, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (10:49)", "body": "It reminds me of all teeth Austen Powers the before and after dental job. LOL!"}, {"response": 71, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (11:06)", "body": "Colin definitely had cosmetic dental work after Valmont."}, {"response": 72, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (11:36)", "body": "Good God, I have just been in search of a few more examples, scrolled through countless pages of ODB and the best one, a very young shot of his teeth being quite different from now, I only have in my personal files..Grr...But the search has not been all torment and torture (sheesh, why don't don't you just send me to the \"comfy chair\" next time! Uh..oops..ug.. Come on then...let it out!!! Would you help me write a letter?"}, {"response": 73, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (12:00)", "body": "(Karen)The difference looks to be in the eyes, primarily, though you can see how his face has slimmed down some (though it could be the framing by the dark hair) Ooo, I love in-depth studies when you all dig into your extensive files! I remember being blown away by that one big flash of smile at the end of P&P! At the end of 6 long and smouldering hours.....yummy."}, {"response": 74, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (17:00)", "body": "(Beedee)Ooo, I love in-depth studies when you all dig into your extensive files! Hurrah for research! V. nice examples... would not mind to assist in any way possible (i.e., stare at pictures to determine dental history)."}, {"response": 75, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (17:14)", "body": "Maybe I shouldn't say this, but I really don't like that pic of him from WAGW. Most unflattering, IMHO. And I'm none too fond of the goofy grin in the carriage in P&P either! Sorry!!!(Ducking)"}, {"response": 76, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (17:44)", "body": "Janet, I'll duck along with you. I think the Jack smile is rather nice, though. But - in my book nothing compares to this \"little\" smile: Thank you for starting us, Evelyn. Caused one of the important reasons for hanging out here: Intensive drooling ;-)"}, {"response": 77, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (17:55)", "body": "GAAAH! Annette! I'm still at work! You cannot do that to me without a dimple alert! He has 'that look' that makes me take on WOF Jello qualities! Am now useless...I may as well go home and call it a day. ;-)"}, {"response": 78, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (18:08)", "body": "I'm so sorry, Tress (or maybe not ;-)) I nearly hadn't postet the picture, afraid of being off-topic, but this is Darcy drool, so I decided it was *the* right place. Anyway - now I have to find time to check out, what on earth Jello qualities is. Another study of WOF needed .... and when I know, what you are talking about, I'll get back to the subject at Firthology (I'm doing my very best to follow the guidelines, believe it or not ;-))"}, {"response": 79, "author": "kasey", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (19:48)", "body": "Janet, No need to duck on my account. I see the shopping montage picture from WAGW and immediately think, \"Oh, no! Now he's going to do that silly V thing with his fingers.\" How embarassing was THAT moment?"}, {"response": 80, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (21:20)", "body": "(Janet)And I'm none too fond of the goofy grin in the carriage in P&P either! I am not fond of the *still* either! But I love the animated version. That brilliant flash of smile while he's *walking* to the carriage finally after having gotten the prize! I'll tell only you guys, but this is a case I have often found in myself. I think *I* look better in animation than in most of my photos;-)"}, {"response": 81, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (08:46)", "body": "(Janet)And I'm none too fond of the goofy grin in the carriage in P&P either! (Beedee)That brilliant flash of smile while he's *walking* to the carriage finally after having gotten the prize! I must admit that the goofy grin in the carriage makes my heart skip a beat, though it's the whole scene that really makes me melt. Still, I'll take the big toothy smile whenever I can get it. ;-)"}, {"response": 82, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (08:52)", "body": "I'm none too fond of the goofy grin in the carriage in P&P either! \"Goofy\"!!! Bite your tongue;-) LOL.Depends on what brought you here. Mr. Darcy did it for me. And that 'goofy' pic with Jenn has been my screen wallpaper ever since. *sigh*..."}, {"response": 83, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (09:25)", "body": "(Evelyn) \"Goofy\"!!! Bite your tongue;-) I love his \"goofy\", 'I'm gonna get lucky tonight' grin at the end of P&P (especially following that very serious look he had in the church...but that may have been due to his pants and knowing we were all staring at him ;-) )! Mr. Darcy looked so happy! But I'm a big fan of ODB's goofy smiles and laughs, so this should not be a surprise coming from me!"}, {"response": 84, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (09:32)", "body": "(Tress)I love his \"goofy\", 'I'm gonna get lucky tonight' grin at the end of P&P (especially following that very serious look he had in the church...but that may have been due to his pants and knowing we were all staring at him ;-) )! LOL Tress!! Actually I think it was all just in our heads with the lucky bit, after the church panyts bit we were dying for it!! And Evelyn, one last smile as I know this is OT (except that it was supposed to be a comparison from his Darcy \"get lucky\" smile days to present and then I just got carried away..talk about needing a life!)"}, {"response": 85, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (10:09)", "body": "(Maria) Actually I think it was all just in our heads with the lucky bit... Pssst......it was his wedding night! He got lucky (I will not believe otherwise....I mean, really, could you keep your hands off those pants?)! ;-) OMG....and thanks for that pic!! Looks like a 'real' laugh and we get those lovely digits as a bonus!!"}, {"response": 86, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (10:19)", "body": "Oh Maria! The smile, the deep dimples, the hands, so what if there are no toes;-)"}, {"response": 87, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (10:21)", "body": "(Beedee)I am not fond of the *still* either! But I love the animated version. I agree. And it definitely was his performance as Darcy that turned me into a true fan(atic). And I agree with Annette, Darcy in the snow is just too wonderful. - What a smile!!!"}, {"response": 88, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (10:29)", "body": "Maria, how lovely! (Kathy) \"Oh, no! Now he's going to do that silly V thing with his fingers.\" How embarassing was THAT moment? I loved that moment. And it was perfectly \"in character\"."}, {"response": 89, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (11:41)", "body": "(Kathy) \"Oh, no! Now he's going to do that silly V thing with his fingers.\" How embarassing was THAT moment? (Moon)I loved that moment. And it was perfectly \"in character\". I thought it was sweet too and v. well done in \"character\". The cringe factore for me was empathetic. Watching his character *struggling* to make this connection with a stanger daughter with his uncool attempt."}, {"response": 90, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (12:14)", "body": "Many thanks, Maria! Very, very nice pic!"}, {"response": 91, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (15:35)", "body": "I just finished \"Mr Darcy's Daughters\", and liked it....mostly;-) It's a good summer read. Picks up twenty years after P&P left off. Elizabeth and Darcy have gone to Constantinople on a diplomatic mission (they never say why0. The five daughters are sent to stay with their cousin Fitzwilliam & wife (2nd) Fanny, who live in London on Aubrey Sq. They are to stay \"for the season\". The girls are fictious , of course . But some of the other characters surface from P&P. The Gardiners are there, with daughter Sophie. Aunt Lydia ....now Lydia Pollexfen is still around. And Caroline Bingley is now Lady Warren; still trying to sabotage Lizzie. mr. Collins has morphed into Rev. Valpy. The author is v. good in developing the characters of the girls. She also follows Jane Austen's format Camilla obviously takes after Lizzie. She even says the same remarks at times. I kept hoping the parents would arrive home in the next chapter, but they never do. I got lost with all the characters at first, but they all fall into place. The author is a JA scholar and it shows. She manages to wrap up all the characters at the end; which is IMO the genius of JA. Anybody else, besides Esbee read this? It's new this year. I ordered Excessivley Diverted on Tress' recommendation. I sorta collect these sequels."}, {"response": 92, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (15:47)", "body": "(Evelyn)I ordered Excessivley Diverted on Tress' recommendation. I sorta collect these sequels. I ordered mine last week. I've been sequel hungry since The Bar Sinister...with or without the editing problems. (Moon)I loved that moment. And it was perfectly \"in character\". I know we're OT, here. I thought so, too. Thought it was cute and the whole father/daughter connection/chemistry started coming together with that outing. I never felt like cringing...not once in the 15 times I saw it;-)LOL, when we play the soundtrack in the car, my daughter and I do it everytime the song plays...sick, I know, but..."}, {"response": 93, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (15:51)", "body": "Sorry to double post...Maria that picture is out of this world FG. Thanks so much. Thanks again, ladies, for all the Darcy comparasion smiles pictures."}, {"response": 94, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (21:44)", "body": "(Evelyn)Anybody else, besides Esbee read this? It's new this year. I finished it last week and liked it in some respects. Was very disappointed that the parents never showed up to deal with the wild twins. Saw a few anachronisms, including the notion that a man of that period would actually talk to a young woman about a man's sexual orientation. Young ladies were far too sheltered to hear of such things, IMO. Although you can tell the writer knows her Austen, sometimes it seemed to me like it was written by a modern romance novelist. It was better than some I have read, but of course no one could ever duplicate the beautiful language of JA. I do enjoy the sequels, though, and will order Excessively Diverted."}, {"response": 95, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (08:29)", "body": "(Hen) Although you can tell the writer knows her Austen, sometimes it seemed to me like it was written by a modern romance novelist. LOL. How else is it gonna sell at Barnes & Noble;-) (Hen)It was better than some I have read, I liked Presumption best."}, {"response": 96, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (13:36)", "body": "Appealing to all of you lovely ladies as I have been stuck on this image (you do not know what I suffer!)and perhaps someone has this...When Darcy rides up to Pemberly just prior to taking the dip in the pond, he reins his horse in to head in the direction of the pond and makes a face as though he were going to whistle, pulling his bottom jaw down and making a face as though he were going to whistle the way you do when you put your forefinger and thumb together in your mouth? Make any sense?...In vain I have struggled to find it...Very masculine, very stubbly looking, very sexy...Must...see...photo...(said in James Kirk speak)help..."}, {"response": 97, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (14:47)", "body": "(Maria)Make any sense?...In vain I have struggled to find it...Very masculine, very stubbly looking, very sexy...Must...see...photo...(said in James Kirk speak)help... No I don't but I know the one you mean! He makes a *tongue* clicking sound to his horse and it always excites my anticipation! Anyone have a pavlovian dog smiley:-) I'll just use this for now..."}, {"response": 98, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (14:50)", "body": "When Darcy rides up to Pemberly ...he ...makes a face as though he were going to whistle,...Make any sense?... I know the *exact* face you mean, have pondered long on my fascination with that look, such expressive lips...*sigh*...thanks for the mental mini-break! (Hope you get your pic!)"}, {"response": 99, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (15:00)", "body": "Thanks for all the great pics ladies. From Darcy to Henry, I've noticed quite a difference in the smile. IMO deffinite dental work, and he doesn't whistle as much when he talks either. Anyone else notice that?"}, {"response": 100, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (15:16)", "body": "(Evelyn)Anybody else, besides Esbee read this? It's new this year. Just waiting to grab it from the library, then it will be next on my list."}, {"response": 101, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (16:24)", "body": "(Maria)When Darcy rides up to Pemberly just prior to taking the dip in the pond,... Oh yes, Maria. I know just what you mean. Unfortunately I'm not able to make captures, but I do hope someone finds it for you/us. I also like to see him riding (we don't say horseback here ;-)). We don't get to see that much anymore. Thank you for the book-informations. Most of them aren't available at our libraries, and I don't like to spend my money not knowing, if it will be worth it."}, {"response": 102, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (23:09)", "body": "(Maria) Must...see...photo...(said in James Kirk speak)help... I tried. I really tried. Unfortunately, the horse moves a bit just before he does it, and that means he's moving, and that means he's out of focus most of the time (if you've never stepped through a DVD frame by frame, try it for a minute or so sometime - you'll be amazed by how many frames are out of focus, but the eye cleans it all up). This was the only semi-in-focus capture I could get from that sequence."}, {"response": 103, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (23:25)", "body": "Hey Rika, I'll buy that! Thanks, click, click......."}, {"response": 104, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (02:00)", "body": "(Maria)Very masculine, very stubbly looking, very sexy... Thank you so much, both Maria for asking and Rika for delivering the capture. I think it fits the description above just fine ;-)"}, {"response": 105, "author": "Leah", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (06:01)", "body": "Rika to the rescue. Thanks. Must have been a v hard job to work through that scene ;)"}, {"response": 106, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (07:46)", "body": "(LeahP) Rika to the rescue I could'nt have said it better! Thanks Rika! This capture you have certainly is contained in those moments (something about the eyes, that determined look) and the rest is, in Barb's words, a \"mental mini-break\"."}, {"response": 107, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (08:42)", "body": "GOOOOOD Morning! Nothing like waking up to all that manliness! I love that scene....he's got road dust on him, he's sweaty...you get that ultra-intense look as he ponders the pond! And that pic! Thank you Rika!!! The DVDiva strikes again. The best bit of that capture (for me), that bit of curl that is by his left eye and we see tongue (call me a freak, I'm used to it!!). And I love his crooked bottom teeth....his molers drop off in back (you can't tell that here, but I know they're there)! Thank you Maria (for obsessing) and Rika (for providing) and Barb (for giving it a name \"MM-B\", I like that!)."}, {"response": 108, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (09:13)", "body": "That's the one that expresses all he feels to be returning to Pamberley without E as his bride, as it should have been. There is such disappointment in his eyes. I love that moment too. Thanks Rika!"}, {"response": 109, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (09:27)", "body": "(Moon) That's the one that expresses all he feels to be returning to Pamberley without E as his bride, as it should have been. There is such disappointment in his eyes. Well said! I get so caught up in the drooly bits and anticpate the pond so much, that I forget the reason why he has that look in his eyes....disappointment, a bit of sadness (he's coming home alone.....) and determination (he shall conquer this! he shall!)."}, {"response": 110, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (09:30)", "body": "(Maria) Must...see...photo (Rika) I tried. I really tried. (What a wiz! The things you do for us! Thanks) (Leah) Must have been a v hard job to work through that scene ;) (Tress) we see tongue (call me a freak, I'm used to it!!)...his molers drop off in back (you can't tell that here, but I know they're there)! ROFLMAO This is why I love this group! We're obsessing about what, 8-10 seconds of screen time...the *precise* formation of those (luscious) lips? (And I thought it was just my eyes out of focus as he seems to be about to lick his lips!) Oh, and the intense eyes. And you all understand! I love you guys! What are we obsessing about next? (My morning was starting kinda sucky, I'm much better after the MM-B! Thanks)"}, {"response": 111, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (09:36)", "body": "(Moon)There is such disappointment in his eyes. I love that moment too. Thanks Rika! And the \"heat\" Louisa!"}, {"response": 112, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (09:41)", "body": "Is it just me, or are those neckcloths way sexier than ties? They make me fantasize about untying them and unwrapping them and getting at that neck (and Adam's apple, etc.). (Moon) That's the one that expresses all he feels to be returning to Pamberley without E as his bride, as it should have been. There is such disappointment in his eyes. Exactly! (Tress) Nothing like waking up to all that manliness! I love that scene....he's got road dust on him, he's sweaty...you get that ultra-intense look as he ponders the pond! And that pic! Thank you Rika!!! The DVDiva strikes again. The best bit of that capture (for me), that bit of curl that is by his left eye and we see tongue (call me a freak, I'm used to it!!). He does look nice and dusty, and it is a lovely curl. (and okay, you're a freak) Thank you Maria (for obsessing) and Rika (for providing) and Barb (for giving it a name \"MM-B\", I like that!). Ditto!"}, {"response": 113, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (10:23)", "body": "(KathyF) Is it just me, or are those neckcloths way sexier than ties? They make me fantasize about untying them and unwrapping them and getting at that neck (and Adam's apple, etc.). Oh! I hear ya! Way, way, way sexier than the modern neck tie....it's like all those buttons....just begging to be undone! ;-)"}, {"response": 114, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (11:20)", "body": "OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH. That face, those eyes, those lips. Let me at him;-)"}, {"response": 115, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (12:04)", "body": "OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH. That face, those eyes, those lips. Let me at him;-) So Pam! You still have the energy after yesterday;-) You ended up with the cream of the crop and now you want to after the guy with the crop!"}, {"response": 116, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (18:26)", "body": "(Beedee)You ended up with the cream of the crop and now you want to after the guy with the crop! Whatever turns you on, I guess;-) I agree, neckcloths are ultra-sexy. I just watched all six hours last night till 1am. I have a closet firthette staying for the week. She didn't want to stop after the first three parts, as I suggested. It was great fun watching P&P with someone who had never seen it before. She said she couldn't sleep until she found out what was going to happen. ...Now waking up to Mr. Darcy, his tongue, and curls, WOW. Thanks ladies."}, {"response": 117, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (22:05)", "body": "(Linda)Ijust watched all six hours last night till 1am... She didn't want to stop after the first three parts, as I suggested. I think P&P is the shortest almost 6 hours around, and I agree with your friend that stopping after the third part would be impossible (I hate having to pause it even to go to the bathroom). (KathyF) Is it just me, or are those neckcloths way sexier than ties? They make me fantasize about untying them and unwrapping them and getting at that neck (and Adam's apple, etc.). Indeed!!!!"}, {"response": 118, "author": "CeeJ", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (22:19)", "body": "Hell week for me I'm afraid, though I've had P&P in the DVD to enjoy while I'm getting ready for work. Am always surprised that whil(st) I'm drying my hair, see expressions, etc. that I'd never picked up on before. Just never tire of it (sigh). Taped Femme Fatal(e?) today, which was quite a trial, since it began in my area at 8:15 AM and had to talk someone thru the taping, due to my new Cable system that doesn't (near as I can figure) understand programming!! Does it bother anybody else when they discover that they have P&P in the DVD, The Advocate in the VCR? I mean honestly, I do enjoy other actors! But I watch it over and over and over . . . too sad! But, the whole clothing thing, and breeches and four or six buttons truly, that's really borne out in the FanFic, rather than the film. Can't, (Kahnt) get past it in the wedding pic, though I have to doubt Jane Austen had it in mind, per se. Passion can be a wonderful thing, yes?"}, {"response": 119, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Jun 21, 2003 (08:28)", "body": "(Shoshana)I think P&P is the shortest almost 6 hours around, and I agree with your friend that stopping after the third part would be impossible.. A common affliction here;-) This topic never stays \"cool\" for long;-) (CeeJ)Does it bother anybody else when they discover that they have P&P in the DVD, The Advocate in the VCR? I mean honestly, I do enjoy other actors! But I watch it over and over and over . . . too sad! This is apparently an aspect of the pathology of Droolers as well! The DH doesn't even bother putting stuff in the machines anymore. \"I'll let you put the film in so you can take out whatever you've got in there......\" He hasn't figured out what the \"common denominator\" is yet:-)))) Passion can be a wonderful thing, yes? Yup! As we have daily proof here at Drool!"}, {"response": 120, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Jun 21, 2003 (08:29)", "body": "Oops, it's early."}, {"response": 121, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Jun 21, 2003 (11:31)", "body": "(Beedee) He hasn't figured out what the \"common denominator\" is yet:-)))) LOL....Give him time, give him time! My DH made the connection during SIL, of all films! It was all over for me then....\"Hey, it's that guy again! How many movies is he in??!!\" It's not the number darling, it's the rotation schedule! (Shoshana) I think P&P is the shortest almost 6 hours around... Completely agree! I'm always surprised when the first disc ends....means I haven't left the couch in three hours....not to get a drink of water, not to pee, not to turn my neck to see if my dogs are breathing, not to answer the phone....;-D (CeeJ) Am always surprised that whil(st) I'm drying my hair, see expressions, etc. that I'd never picked up on before. Ohhh....you'll be happy here then....we love to obsess over every little nose twitch and eye flutter! And what a great idea...to watch it without sound! Though I know every bit of dialogue, I would be reciting it in my head! It took them five (?) months to film it and I have probably spent five month of my life watching it!!! I suppose I really shouldn't be proud of that....but it rains here..... a lot ...that's my excuse and I'm stickin' to it!! ;-)"}, {"response": 122, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Jun 21, 2003 (11:47)", "body": "(Tress)Ohhh....you'll be happy here then....we love to obsess over every little nose twitch and eye flutter! LOL, every mole fergodsake!"}, {"response": 123, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jun 21, 2003 (14:51)", "body": "(Tress)Ohhh....you'll be happy here then....we love to obsess over every little nose twitch and eye flutter! Every little everything."}, {"response": 124, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (14:52)", "body": "...Am in the middle of P&P, again. Trying to satisfy the the closet firthette who is still with me. She now admits to obsession. This is the second run of P&P in three days. I know we discussed this before, but I am amazed at the amount of stubble scenes in this. I never noticed it before until we started talking about CF's stubble at the HS premiere. Very noticable at the Netherfield Ball when Mr. Darcy is approached by Mr. Collins."}, {"response": 125, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (15:23)", "body": "but I am amazed at the amount of stubble scenes in this. Oooo, I noticed it and thought they were just being true to the absence of modern hair removal equipment!;-) Loved it then, love it now. The \"earthy Darcy\"."}, {"response": 126, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (15:41)", "body": "(Lindak) I am amazed at the amount of stubble scenes in this. I never noticed it before until we started talking about CF's stubble at the HS premiere. Very noticable at the Netherfield Ball when Mr. Darcy is approached by Mr. Collins. Thank you Linda for coming to my rescue and bringing me back from the brink of utter despair! I needed a task like this as I have been entirely too productive at work today and I'm beginning to lose respect for myself as a drooler!"}, {"response": 127, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (16:40)", "body": "Maria, don't you know that photos like that need to come with a warning label attached? Yum-MY!"}, {"response": 128, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (16:45)", "body": "Fortunately, I'm at home Maria. As Rika said, warning needed, but a great thank you. Nice bedtime picture indeed. ;-)"}, {"response": 129, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (16:48)", "body": "(Rika)Maria, don't you know that photos like that need to come with a warning label attached? Yum-MY! Yeah, LOL! I agree! And from this pic it looks like the guy in red thinks so too!"}, {"response": 130, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (16:53)", "body": "(Rika) Maria, don't you know that photos like that need to come with a warning label attached? Yum-MY! Grrrrrr..... that's all I gotta say 'bout that!! (Maria) Yeah, LOL! I agree! And from this pic it looks like the guy in red thinks so too! ROTFL.....It cannot be helped. Everyone thinks ODB is a hottie!"}, {"response": 131, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (17:24)", "body": "On the topic of facial hair, how come Mr Darcy has eyebrows? I mean, CF has eyebrows, but just barely? Did they use an eyebrow pencil? Granted, I'll drool over him either way, but it's just bugged me a bit. Also, Maria... many thanks. That is yum!"}, {"response": 132, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (17:30)", "body": "(Shoshana)On the topic of facial hair, how come Mr Darcy has eyebrows? LOL! You may also be asking yourself why he has chest hair too........ and in his \"pre-migration\" period;-) Like those gorgeous lashes, make-up!"}, {"response": 133, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (19:15)", "body": "(Maria) I needed a task like this as I have been entirely too productive at work today ... That's ok Maria, I made up for you today (and was on a non-roll waaaay before this picture--not my fault, it's Monday.) Anyway, I've never been so sure that this *really* qualifies as stubble. It may be just more \"shading\", certainly of the 5:00 kind, but I just put it down to his excesssive manly-man-ness. This picture certainly works for me on other levels: Curl factor=10 Neck Cloth=10 Lips=10 (displeased nature of grimace might otherwise cause points off, but as it accentuates upper and lower dimples, points back.) GSQ (General smolder quotient)=10 I say just lay him out on the table and carve him up, he looks good enough to eat!"}, {"response": 134, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (21:19)", "body": "Lovely photo, Maria! Thank heavens I didn't see it until just now! I would have gotten even less accomplished today than I did. (BeeDee) LOL! You may also be asking yourself why he has chest hair too........ and in his \"pre-migration\" period;-) Like those gorgeous lashes, make-up! And underarm hair, too! BTW, this just led to a 20-minute mini-droolfest centered around watching the bath scene over and over in slow motion. Funny how fascinated I can become, watching the valet pour water over Darcy's head as I obsess about the mole on CF's back. Does anybody else hold their breath every time, hoping the valet will be a little slower to hold up the dressing gown or Darcy will be a little quicker to stand up?"}, {"response": 135, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jun 24, 2003 (07:29)", "body": "(Barb)I say just lay him out on the table and carve him up, he looks good enough to eat! Yikes! Oh, I'm not at work, thank gawd. What an ab-so-lutely delectable idea;-)"}, {"response": 136, "author": "Leah", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (07:49)", "body": "(KathyF)Does anybody else hold their breath every time, hoping the valet will be a little slower to hold up the dressing gown or Darcy will be a little quicker to stand up? Yesss! I also hope that the gown will flap open as he is tying it, but it never does.;)"}, {"response": 137, "author": "birdy", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (16:14)", "body": "I am new to posting but not reading here, and I may have missed this. But I haven't seen any note made about this specific aspect of the scene where Elizabeth, having come to Netherfield to see after Jane, happens upon Darcy playing billiards. When she leaves the room, he resoundingly hits the red ball into the corner pocket. A symbolic gesture if I every saw one. I have only recently come to learn that \"pocketing the red\" is a long held euphemism for \"sexual congress.\" Somehow I doubt this information was unknown to the production:) Pretty sly. Whaddaya think?"}, {"response": 138, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (16:39)", "body": "(Louise) A symbolic gesture if I every saw one. Was just talking about this to another drooler! And agree..... I have only recently come to learn that \"pocketing the red\" is a long held euphemism for \"sexual congress.\" Somehow I doubt this information was unknown to the production:) Pretty sly. Had not heard this....but I am sure someone on the set had to have some knowledge of it. Like the look on his face as he \"pockets the red\". Very sexy..... Was Darcy playing snooker (I think most of the balls are red in that game)? I guess it is hard to tell what he was playing as it was a quick shot.... I was just watching P&P yesterday and does anyone else find it odd that when Wickham is first introduced to Aunt Gardiner that he mentions growing up at Pemberley and she states how she grew up in Lambton...but then when Elizabeth sets out on a tour with her aunt and uncle, Aunt G goes over the same details almost as if Elizabeth wasn't present at the Wickham introduction? I've always thought it was strange....."}, {"response": 139, "author": "birdy", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (17:43)", "body": "I hadn't noticed that until you brought it up. In the carriage, Elizabeth asks her aunt where she was brought up! A version of the earlier scene is in the book, no such conversation as the second occurs so we must assume it expository for a three-evening watch. It appears to me that this slid by. Guess they should have had you as their editor of synchronization. BTW, my info says snooker didn't come about until the late 1800's, so if they were as slavish to the era in that as everything else, I guess it was billiards."}, {"response": 140, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (18:15)", "body": "Welcome Louise!! (Louise) When she leaves the room, he resoundingly hits the red ball into the corner pocket. A symbolic gesture if I every saw one. And precisely the reason why I *own* the red billiard ball in our Keepsakes listing. ;-D Our own dear Marcia wrote a very droolable description of that consummate action, which I then incorporated into a bit of fanfic many years ago. (Louise) I have only recently come to learn that \"pocketing the red\" is a long held euphemism for \"sexual congress.\" Somehow I doubt this information was unknown to the production:) Pretty sly. Whaddaya think? I'd say Andrew Davies knew precisely what he was doing when he wrote it into the script in the manner in which he did. Not very subtle to my way of viewing, but I had never heard that such a euphemism existed...but then again, so many phrases men use for sexual activities are \"sports-related.\" Nothing changes."}, {"response": 141, "author": "birdy", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (18:57)", "body": "On my first viewing of the shot that climaxed (no pun intended) that scene, I blurted out(far too loudly),\"Red ball, corner pocket!\" No subtlety on the imagery whatsoever. But I'd be willing to bet that was an \"in joke.\" It's just too on the money. It makes me love that production that much more. I don't remember anything in the book about Elizabeth cavorting with those big dogs either (with the biggest dog of all watching:) I will research other sports analogies, but I'm not optimistic that we'll find that one there."}, {"response": 142, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (19:00)", "body": "(Louise) I have only recently come to learn that \"pocketing the red\" is a long held euphemism for \"sexual congress.\" Well I'll be. But I'm thinking when I make my entry in my \"what I learned today\" journal, maybe I should just leave an asterisk. \"Pocketing the red\" googles -- and if it googles, it must be true -- though not as \"pocketing the red\" but \"pocket the red\". Oh yeah, and you have to go all the way to the end, but it's there. I guess if anyone would know, Andrew Davies would know."}, {"response": 143, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (19:03)", "body": "LOUISE Glad you decided to delurk....and another P&P addict at that:-)))"}, {"response": 144, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (19:34)", "body": "(Tress) I was just watching P&P yesterday and does anyone else find it odd that when Wickham is first introduced to Aunt Gardiner that he mentions growing up at Pemberley and she states how she grew up in Lambton...but then when Elizabeth sets out on a tour with her aunt and uncle, Aunt G goes over the same details almost as if Elizabeth wasn't present at the Wickham introduction? I've always thought it was strange..... Good point Tress. Could indeed be mistake, or perhaps she was so mesmerized by Wickham she wasn't listening to her Aunt. Could be a possibility. Great point Louise. No doubt at all about his sexual attraction to her."}, {"response": 145, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (20:44)", "body": "Hey! *I* was watchin P&P yesterday! It's those birthdays and those lovely picks.....*sigh* (Tress)...but then when Elizabeth sets out on a tour with her aunt and uncle, Aunt G goes over the same details almost as if Elizabeth wasn't present at the Wickham introduction? I've always thought it was strange..... And that it was 5 miles from Pemberly, 5 miles from Pemberly, not 5 miles from Pemberyly........ (Barb)I guess if anyone would know, Andrew Davies would know. LOL, now that's the biggest dog of all;-) And I'm not complaining. Geez Louise!! A stealth delurking! Welcome to the table! Beedee thanks you too, for mentioning one of her favorite scenes! She loves my *side* pockets..."}, {"response": 146, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (20:46)", "body": "my tags?"}, {"response": 147, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (21:26)", "body": "Major crankiness brewing, do not have link to Andrew Davies - Austen discussion at Univ of Wisconsin (something like big men, big horses, big thighs, Knightly was pervy.) Google not delivering workable link. Help!"}, {"response": 148, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (21:42)", "body": "(Karen) And precisely the reason why I *own* the red billiard ball in our Keepsakes listing. ;-D You didn't want the stick? Only the ball??! ;-D (Louise) I don't remember anything in the book about Elizabeth cavorting with those big dogs either (with the biggest dog of all watching:) I will research other sports analogies, but I'm not optimistic that we'll find that one there. I think it was purely gratuitous eye candy for us.....a wet, naked Darcy (with loosely tied robe) looking down on Lizzy without her knowing it. He gets those extra scenes so that we can be convinced that he is a hot blooded male (like we needed convincing). ;-) Another symbolic gesture.....at a film class I had at school we talked about how swords and guns are often used as phallic imagery. All that thrusting Darcy does while thinking of Lizzy....Mr. Davies, I'm sure, knew that one. And where are my manners? Louise!! (I'll try to refrain from any \"but her hair Louise-ah!\" stuff....I can't promise though) ;-)"}, {"response": 149, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (21:47)", "body": "Sorry to post twice in a row! Try this Barb for your big men, big thighs and big horses: http://www.humanities.wisc.edu/archives/austen/davies/index.html"}, {"response": 150, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (22:46)", "body": "Louise! How wonderful to have another P&P addict in our midst! (Tress) I was just watching P&P yesterday (Beedee) Hey! *I* was watchin P&P yesterday! So was I! Does this mean something? Perhaps simply that great minds think alike. ;-)"}, {"response": 151, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (22:50)", "body": "As God is my witness, it worked fine in practice! Closing tag, I hope."}, {"response": 152, "author": "CeeJ", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (23:35)", "body": "(Tress) I was just watching P&P yesterday (Beedee) Hey! *I* was watchin P&P yesterday! (kathyF) So was I! Does this mean something? Perhaps simply that great minds think alike. ;-) Me too! There must be something in the air! This a.m. I went from Bingley's never coming (clearly not Jane's fault) back thru to almost the proposal. Feel so deficient to have missed the double where-I-was-raised explanation of Mrs. G . . . feel like must have been sleepwalking . . . oh probably was, anticipating Pemberley/Lambton time. Which also brings up the importance of delurkers (though not me unfortunately) like Louise!! Such inciteful commentary! And I do think Andrew Davies doesn't miss a step with this one and the Sue Birtwistle (sp?) production. The book seems to emphasize planning, planning, planning and I have to say it shows. Never tire of it (sigh!) I don't always think he's particularly well-spoken but what translated to the screen really captures the book, the slow-burn sexuality, the this-is-life quality, I could go on and on, brilliant! So huge welcome to Louise!"}, {"response": 153, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (01:10)", "body": "Louise!"}, {"response": 154, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (07:06)", "body": "(Tress) I was just watching P&P yesterday (Beedee) Hey! *I* was watchin P&P yesterday! So was I! Does this mean something? Perhaps simply that great minds think alike. ;-) ...and so was I. That's why I missed all this lovely darcy drool. I think the last three viewings in this week, alone, has made me more obsessed with \"The man, himself\", than ever. I'm noticing things like never before. ...great info on the red billard ball. and... Louise"}, {"response": 155, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (08:48)", "body": "(Tress)at a film class I had at school we talked about how swords and guns are often used as phallic imagery. As are canes. Witness second proposal ;-) Thanks Tress for the AD link, but I can't access the lecture either. I bet the boss has it in her files. it's an oldie."}, {"response": 156, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (10:41)", "body": "(Evelyn) As are canes. Witness second proposal ;-) Hmmmm.....so wonder I what it means that he uses it as a 'crutch' and not a 'walking cane'....Mr. Darcy is leaning on it and using it as a support in that second proposal...LOL... (Evelyn) Thanks Tress for the AD link, but I can't access the lecture either. I realized that it wasn't working...after I posted that link (d'oh!). Sent an e-mail to the admin....says there is work on the site and that it should be up again by the end of July."}, {"response": 157, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (10:52)", "body": "Welcome, Louise! Nice of you to enter with the \"hole in one.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 158, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (11:51)", "body": "(Barb) I guess if anyone would know, Andrew Davies would know. For some reason, I have this vision of his library at home and its a veritable treasure trove of volumes of erotica, sexual customs and mores, and the like. He's truly a DOM (dirty old man) and proud of it."}, {"response": 159, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (12:02)", "body": "Barb) I guess if anyone would know, Andrew Davies would know. (Karen)For some reason, I have this vision of his library at home and its a veritable treasure trove of volumes of erotica, sexual customs and mores, and the like. He's truly a DOM (dirty old man) and proud of it. Remind me to send him a thank you note..;-))"}, {"response": 160, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (13:06)", "body": "first closing tag...then (Tress) You didn't want the stick? Only the ball??! ;-D Honey, this girl kept her \"eye on the ball\" and so did everyone else."}, {"response": 161, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (13:21)", "body": "(Karen) Honey, this girl kept her \"eye on the ball\" and so did everyone else. LOL....Touche! Had to throw in a fencing reference here.....couldn't be helped! ;-D I'll try to get Mr. Davies address for us, Maria....we can both sign that thank you note! ;-)"}, {"response": 162, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (13:21)", "body": "closing I hope! Sorry Karen....we're a mess today!"}, {"response": 163, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (13:24)", "body": "I did close it. Trust me, when I say so. When in doubt, leave the topic, then come back in, backing up only to see the message after someone has said it was closed. If the bad message is still on the monitor, it may look like it hasn't been fixed. Now, tape those instructions onto your monitor. ;-D"}, {"response": 164, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (19:49)", "body": "Welcome Louise! Glad you've joined the fun. You've come to the right place to indulge you ODB obsession."}, {"response": 165, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (22:08)", "body": "(Karen)For some reason, I have this vision of his library at home and its a veritable treasure trove of volumes of erotica, sexual customs and mores, and the like. He's truly a DOM (dirty old man) and proud of it. (Maria)Remind me to send him a thank you note..;-)) I'll add my name to that note...... Have gotten much renewed pleasure from his particular takes on the classics;-)"}, {"response": 166, "author": "WinniePeg", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (23:11)", "body": "All this talk of bath scenes, riding crops, and stubble made me pull out P&P DVD and watch the whole 6 hours on Sunday after not seeing it for nearly a year. Now all this talk about billiard balls, big dogs and fencing makes me think I may have to watch it again!!!"}, {"response": 167, "author": "birdy", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (07:54)", "body": "(Tress) Another symbolic gesture.....at a film class I had at school we talked about how swords and guns are often used as phallic imagery. All that thrusting Darcy does while thinking of Lizzy....Mr. Davies, I'm sure, knew that one. Yikes! I plum forgot about the fencing! Talk about your phallic imagery, and in this instance Darcy's implied phallic longings. It wasn't exactly \"trafficking with oneself\" but a socially (and BBC) acceptable alternative. But lest we forget, this entire phallic imagery was set by Davies with the opening scene. Men on horses. Big men on big horses. Galloping. Galloping wildly through a field. Elizabeth watching from atop a hill. Can you spell \"foreshadowing?\" 'Scuse me while I search for my hanky to mop my brow, I suddenly feel a tad flushed."}, {"response": 168, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (11:52)", "body": "Was watching the pond scene last night. If you listen closely you can hear those same little purring sounds that he made in \"Colin Unplugged\" tape as he talks to Lizzie in that embarassed way.*sigh* I am sure those were not in the script. Adds to the charm."}, {"response": 169, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (14:02)", "body": "(Evelyn) If you listen closely you can hear those same little purring sounds that he made in \"Colin Unplugged\" tape as he talks to Lizzie in that embarassed way.*sigh* *sigh* That's always been one of my favorite things about that scene....among others. ;-)"}, {"response": 170, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (14:27)", "body": "(Evelyn) If you listen closely you can hear those same little purring sounds that he made in \"Colin Unplugged\" tape as he talks to Lizzie in that embarassed way.*sigh* *sigh* That's always been one of my favorite things about that scene....among others. ;-) Oh......it's one of mine too...*sigh*, if it's the post pond meeting. I just love the way he tries but just can't quite keep eye contact while he's purring.... LOL! There must be a heat wave all over! So many of us have jumped into the P&P pond this week, even in Hong Kong;-)"}, {"response": 171, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (15:56)", "body": "(Bee Dee) LOL! There must be a heat wave all over! So many of us have jumped into the P&P pond this week, even in Hong Kong;-) Prescribed as an antidote after watching HS;-)"}, {"response": 172, "author": "birdy", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (19:54)", "body": "I haven't watched P&P in a while - just taking a peek to check a fact is enveloping! Can't stop once you start. AND Mea Culpa! Forgive my manners! So intent was I to immerse myself in the \"Darcy Drool,\" I neglected to thank the ladies of DD for the lovely welcome! Thank you! Now if someone would be ever-so kind as to direct me toward some tutorial on how to italicize, bold etc., not to mention add all the little \"cutesies\" that you have mastered, I would be even more beholden and future entries a little more entertaining;)"}, {"response": 173, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (20:03)", "body": "(Beedee)Oh......it's one of mine too...*sigh*, if it's the post pond meeting. I just love the way he tries but just can't quite keep eye contact while he's purring.... Oh my, I just watched P&P this week and twice last week. How have I missed this? I did enjoy the purring this morning while I watched Colin Unplugged. It's back to P&P pond and post pond scenes for me."}, {"response": 174, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (20:07)", "body": "Hello Louise! Basic HTML Tag Tutorial is the site that the lovely ladies here guided me to. It's very easy to understand and very informative. Have fun here!"}, {"response": 175, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (20:42)", "body": "(Bee Dee) LOL! There must be a heat wave all over! So many of us have jumped into the P&P pond this week, even in Hong Kong;-) (Evelyn) Prescribed as an antidote after watching HS;-) Not exactly - I don't have the luck to have seen HS. But who knows, FD is our all-time hero, and it's always a delight to re-visit an old friend (or old flame? ;-))"}, {"response": 176, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (21:27)", "body": "(Evelyn) Prescribed as an antidote after watching HS;-) (Josie)Not exactly - I don't have the luck to have seen HS. But who knows, FD is our all-time hero, and it's always a delight to re-visit an old friend (or old flame? ;-)) Right-O Josie! I haven't seen HS either but perhaps I was intuitively taking P&P2 as a prophylactic for a future malady?;-) It always cures what ails me!"}, {"response": 177, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (22:17)", "body": "(Beedee)Right-O Josie! I haven't seen HS either but perhaps I was intuitively taking P&P2 as a prophylactic for a future malady?;-) It always cures what ails me! Ah, good old Darcytherapy! Take it before, after, or during and you'll drool til you're better. ;-)"}, {"response": 178, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Tue, Jul  1, 2003 (08:40)", "body": "(Beedee) perhaps I was intuitively taking P&P2 as a prophylactic P&P2 as birth control???? Now there's a use I never thought of ;) A Freudian slip, perhaps??"}, {"response": 179, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul  1, 2003 (08:40)", "body": "(Linda)In vain, I have struggled, it will not do.(heavy breathing) My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you. (Hen)Oh, I love to hear him say those words \"My dearest, and loveliest , Elizabeth\" does it for me. Almost makes me want to change my name;-) On another vein..... If Mr. Collins was an ordained clergyman, why isn't he addressed as \"Reverend Collins\". Or at least introduced as such by Mr. Bennett. That is his official title. Is that a custom in England? Same with the military officers...'Colonel' Forster is addressed as such, but not 'Mr. Wickham' or the others. IMDb reports that they are filming a new P&P on 'location' [they're joking!!] in Utah as we speak! http://us.imdb.com/Title?0366920"}, {"response": 180, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Tue, Jul  1, 2003 (09:03)", "body": "(Evelyn) IMDb reports that they are filming a new P&P on 'location' [they're joking!!] in Utah as we speak! They may not be joking, but I find it very funny. I tried to check the credits for the director and writer, and, well, there weren't any to speak of! Speaking of other P&P productions, I read in Entertainment Weekly that Martin Henderson from The Ring will be Darcy in Bride & Prejudice (The Bollywood Musical); made me LOL. Isn't it just ridiculous to even conceive of a non-CF Darcy???"}, {"response": 181, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jul  1, 2003 (09:38)", "body": "(Beedee) perhaps I was intuitively taking P&P2 as a prophylactic (Meredith)P&P2 as birth control???? Now there's a use I never thought of ;) A Freudian slip, perhaps?? LOL! In this case my meaning was a \"medical/preventative\" action. To prevent something in advance.... but with ODB it never hard to go to sexy places;-) I'm sure you could find Freud happily dancing all over my obsession!!"}, {"response": 182, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jul  1, 2003 (12:21)", "body": "(Meredith)P&P2 as birth control???? Now there's a use I never thought of ;) I'd say that could be quite dangerous, indeed. (Evelyn)\"My dearest, and loveliest , Elizabeth\" does it for me. Almost makes me want to change my name;-) Just pretend he says \"My dearest, and loveliest, Evelyn\". It worked for me on the Lisa tape;-)"}, {"response": 183, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Tue, Jul  1, 2003 (15:27)", "body": "(Beedee) LOL! In this case my meaning was a \"medical/preventative\" action. Oh, I know, I was just teasing a bit :) Birth control should not be so, erm, *stimulating* :)"}, {"response": 184, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (14:21)", "body": "Serial poster here...sorry, my ADD is in high gear this week (really, I am incredibly busy (and important, HAH!) at work, I just tend to get more done all around the busier and more frantic things are...) anyway, fun little article... http://vision.york.ac.uk/articles/139/books/43205.shtml"}, {"response": 185, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (15:15)", "body": "(think of Colin Firth in those breeches\ufffd) Mmmmmm...*in dreamy mode* I do...every day.... Great article Maria (and I thank you)! I don't know how I would get through my work day without these little 'tidbits o' joy'! BTW, am very disappointed to see that the Vicomte was not listed :-("}, {"response": 186, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (15:23)", "body": "(Tress)BTW, am very disappointed to see that the Vicomte was not listed :-( Good call, he was the perfect bad boy...I say we dump Marlowe...."}, {"response": 187, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (15:29)", "body": ".Maria...sorry, my ADD is in high gear this week....anyway, fun little article... Hey thanks! That was good for me...... It was quiet around here, folks taking pre holiday time off, so this was pleasantly diverting!"}, {"response": 188, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (15:32)", "body": "Good call, he was the perfect bad boy...I say we dump Marlowe.... Dump Bogie? Aw no..... Did Evelyn put you up to this? Dump Daniel Clever!"}, {"response": 189, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (19:55)", "body": "But what are these bad boys' redeeming features, apart from the fact that your mother would disapprove of them? ... that hint of unbridled passion and danger... Unbridled passion and danger? Works for me! In fact...would set *me* up forever! But Mr. Darcy a \"bad boy\"? Oh! One can only hope! Nice work Maria! ADD is in high gear this week I have recently heard of a particular variation of this that may be more to the point...AAADD -- Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder. (Funny email bit making the rounds -- it's me to a \"t\", don't ask me to send it, I forgot what I did with it.) I'm not concerned -- when they track my web usage at work, I'll plead age *and* disability and be untouchable!"}, {"response": 190, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (20:01)", "body": "Where's Rhett Butler? I'd think he belonged up there before either Marlowe or Cleaver."}, {"response": 191, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul  4, 2003 (00:05)", "body": "(Tress)BTW, am very disappointed to see that the Vicomte was not listed :-( You may not realize this but Valmont did not even get a theatrical release in England, and the video wasn't released there either for quite some time. So it's not very well known."}, {"response": 192, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Jul 12, 2003 (17:13)", "body": "Thank you Maria, for the \"tidbits\" (and all the stuff on other topics). Please don't ever stop ;-) About Valmont - one of the few which had a theatrical release in DK - and the reviews I've read here (not many) favoured it over DL. Back to topic - this is the place to recommend/discuss published \"Darcy\"- fiction, right? (a girl should allways have something exciting (?) to read on her vacation, so I did a lot of reading ;-))"}, {"response": 193, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (10:25)", "body": "Anybody read \"Excessively Diverted\"? It's the P&P sequel published last year. It depicts the first year of married life in Pemberley. The visitors, (Mrs. Bennet!),the Christmas ball,marriages,the scandal(!), and a teary ending. All our old friends are back...Col. Fitzwilliam, Jane, Lydia, Wickham , Lady Catherine and some new characters. The author writes in the same format as JA, which makes slow reading because some to the sentences are convoluted, but adds to the credibility of the story. I enjoyed it"}, {"response": 194, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (10:50)", "body": "A Firth fan has offerred to send me the book as a fundraiser...or she'll donate it to her local library. Anyone interested?"}, {"response": 195, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (13:53)", "body": "It's worth $20. I'll donate Darcy Daughters to the cause."}, {"response": 196, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (15:50)", "body": "Anybody read \"Excessively Diverted\"? I finished it about two weeks ago. I enjoyed it, too. Darcy's transformation seemed to be complete."}, {"response": 197, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (16:03)", "body": "(Evelyn) I'll donate Darcy Daughters to the cause. LOL! So, it'll be like a PBS pledge drive? With $__ donation, you get your choice of gifts? VHS tapes, P&P sequel books, Darcy tea towels, et al.? ;-D"}, {"response": 198, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (16:33)", "body": "(Karen)Darcy tea towels, et al.? ;-D I'll take those towels! Got pretty warm with those recent links and would love to wipe my brow with a Darcy tea towel!;-D"}, {"response": 199, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (16:35)", "body": "Excessively Diverted sounds like fun - Thanks, Evelyn, for the report! (Karen) A Firth fan has offerred to send me the book as a fundraiser...or she'll donate it to her local library. Anyone interested? I would be but I'm sure I'm not alone. I guess you need to decide how you want to handle it - an auction, first come first served, or what."}, {"response": 200, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (17:10)", "body": "Darcy tea towels The other Darcy could wear it in TEOR. ;-)"}, {"response": 201, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (17:13)", "body": "(Dorine) The other Darcy could wear it in TEOR. ;-) And THAT is an example of why you're my hero! ;-)"}, {"response": 202, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (17:17)", "body": "(Evelyn)Anybody read \"Excessively Diverted\"? A friend gave it to my for my birthday. I read it during my holiday, and I thought it was the best sequel I've read so far. I can only second the \"sentiments\" written by Evelyn. I would gladly recommend it. I also read Letters from Pemberley, which didn't score nearly as high as ED on my \"whattoreadometer\". (Dorine)The other Darcy could wear it in TEOR. ;-) LOL, that'll do me :-D"}, {"response": 203, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (18:33)", "body": "Darcy tea towels (me) The other Darcy could wear it in TEOR. ;-) Matter of fact, Karen, could you pass this suggestion on to the TEOR powers-that-be? THanks. ;-D"}, {"response": 204, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jul 25, 2003 (18:33)", "body": "(Dorine)Matter of fact, Karen, could you pass this suggestion on to the TEOR powers-that-be? Just as long as they don't have him use them to improve his domestic hygiene...tea towels are for wearing not for drying the dishes.:-)"}, {"response": 205, "author": "Leah", "date": "Fri, Aug  1, 2003 (02:39)", "body": "After watching WAGW, I have realised another reason I love P&P. The way in which Caroline has a comeback line for whenever Darcy snubs her, is great, and it seems as though she is going to let nothing get in her way of getting him. (Shame, if only she knew!)"}, {"response": 206, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (09:57)", "body": "From the Sun-Times: Life goes on for some classic books August 7, 2003 BY PAIGE WISER SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST We obsessive-compulsive types like to re-read our favorite books, once a year or so. Maybe we're trying to re-create the thrill we felt when we first discovered a book that spoke to us. Maybe we're just a sucker for a good story. In the last year, I've returned to both The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Valley of the Dolls, but most often I reach for my pliable paperback copy of Pride and Prejudice. Maybe it's because so few people die in it. Yes, I already know how it ends, but I can't help myself. With nothing but a sharp wit and a nice set of eyes to commend her, heroine Elizabeth Bennett nabs the hottest, richest guy in England--but makes him beg for it first. It's the perfect romance. I've tried to warm to the movie version of \"Pride & Prejudice,\" without success. Maybe if George Clooney had been cast as Darcy instead of Laurence Olivier, I'd be wearing out my videotape. The more recent British miniseries spiced things up with Colin Firth as Darcy, and even filmed a scene with him emerging from a pond in a wet, clinging white shirt. I don't remember that from the book. And then author Helen Fielding caused a sensation by updating Pride and Prejudice as Bridget Jones. The idea of Elizabeth as a drunken, chain-smoking, bad-karaoke-singing, boss-dating, pudgy modern girl was irresistible. But it didn't answer the question: Did Elizabeth and Darcy live happily ever after? Was the marriage as promising as the courtship, or did Darcy spend all his time fox hunting while Elizabeth fired chambermaids? How was, you know, the sex? I found out when my editor slipped the book Mr. Darcy's Daughters on my desk. A sequel! It never occurred to me there could be a sequel. The media made such a big deal when Alexandra Ripley wrote Scarlett, the sequel to Gone With the Wind, this surely would have merited a literary outcry. But without fanfare of any kind, I surrendered myself to the new novel. Author Elizabeth Aston conveniently packs off Elizabeth and Darcy to Constantinople before the action even begins. Diplomatic mission, you see. But we can assume that they are happy, and that the sex was quite something: They have five daughters and two sons. In their absence, the girls are in London for the season, staying with their cousins. They range in age from 16 to 21, and they're all filthy rich. Suitors come calling. Aston writes in the manner of Jane Austen, and the result is respectable: great characters, great comic moments, great romance. And yet ... well, things seem to have changed quite a bit in the generation since Pride and Prejudice. In the original book, it was truly scandalous when unmarried little sister Lydia ran off with Wickham. In Mr. Darcy's Daughters, there are plot points having to do with cross-dressing, foot fetishism, illegitimate red-haired children, unscrupulous married men and closeted homosexuals. The language is so fancy you almost don't notice, but yep--there's that word: \"Sodomite.\" I went to Amazon.com to find out a bit more about the author. There I discovered, to my shock, that Mr. Darcy's Daughters is not the only sequel to Pride and Prejudice. Far from it. Call me as naive as Jane Bingley, but you can also buy: *Excessively Diverted: The Sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, by Juliette Shapiro. *Virtue and Vanity, by Ted Bader and Marilyn Bader. *Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy and Other Stories, by Anne Fafoutakis. *Presumption: An Entertainment: A Sequel to Pride and Prejudice, by Julia Barrett. *Old Friends and New Fancies: An Imaginary Sequel to the Novels of Jane Austen, by Sybil G. Brinton. *Letters From Pemberley, the First Year: A Continuation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Dawkins. Elizabeth and Darcy have been continuing their love story in parallel universes, all this time! And it turns out that Bridget Jones wasn't the only update of Pride and Prejudice, either. In Pride, Prejudice and Jasmin Field: A Novel, by Melissa Nathan, Elizabeth has become a modern-day columnist in London for a trashy women's magazine. And in Jane Austen in Boca: A Novel, by Paula Marantz Cohen, the Bennett sisters have been recast as elderly Jewish widows. In the 11 minutes I've spend researching this, I have not yet been able to find sequels to my other favorite books, including To Kill a Mockingbird. If Orwell had written a followup to 1984, what would he have called it? Big Brother '85? And what if it turned out that Anna Karenina realized--at the last minute--that no man was worth dying for, and she dodged that train? At the end of the novella Breakfast at Tiffany's, Holly is reportedly on the loose somewhere in Africa. Seems like that sequel would be a best seller, no? And what about Holden Caulfield? Did he fight in the Korean War, or go to grad school? Did he become a stockbroker, or scribble in notebooks in a hut in Montana? There's only one way to find out: J.D. Salinger, get "}, {"response": 207, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (13:40)", "body": "Did Elizabeth and Darcy live happily ever after? Was the marriage as promising as the courtship, or did Darcy spend all his time fox hunting while Elizabeth fired chambermaids? How was, you know, the sex? Obviously her research wasn't complete. Checking out The Bar Sinister would have answered her questions, too. Especially the last one. Though I'm not making a comment on quality of it in regards to proofreading and adherence to Jane Austen's writing style."}, {"response": 208, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (13:40)", "body": "Uh-oh, forgot my winkie. ;-)"}, {"response": 209, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (15:22)", "body": "Obviously her research wasn't complete. What about : The Diaries of Fitzwilliam Darcy Pemberley by Emma Tennant Good article though. Thanks .I had never heard of some them. *taking notes*"}, {"response": 210, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (19:37)", "body": "In the 11 minutes I've spend researching this Most of us could've dug up far more. ;-)"}, {"response": 211, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (20:06)", "body": "P&P will be shown on A&E on August 15 & 16 8 PM Eastern time."}, {"response": 212, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (21:33)", "body": "(Evelyn)P&P will be shown on A&E on August 15 & 16 8 PM Eastern time. Ah, perfect for vacation viewing...thank you. (Dorine)Checking out The Bar Sinister would have answered her questions, too. Especially the last one Can't imagine how she missed this one."}, {"response": 213, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (13:42)", "body": "Eight years later applause keeps coming.... From Ananova.. Classic comedy drama tops list of TV's greatest Classic comedies and television shows have been included in a list of the 40 greatest programmes ever made, it has been announced. A list of the all-time television greats, from comedy to hard-hitting drama, with soaps, documentaries and medical dramas has been drawn up by the Radio Times TV editor Alison Graham. ..... Drama series featured range from the Nineties epic Our Friends In The North and the classic 1995 adaptation of Pride And Prejudice, starring Colin Firth as Mr Darcy and Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth.\" Whole article: http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_813431.html"}, {"response": 214, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (09:08)", "body": "From Gail, who taped and transcribed the promos for A&E's latest airing of P&P because they were parodying the reality relationship shows: \"It is quite cute...calling Darcey the original bachelor millionare. Bouncy lead-in music, shot of Darcy's on-foot look. \"He's not exactly Mr. Personality. But these bachlorettes want to marry a millionaire.\" Shot of 'a young man of great fortune' scene. \"For love or money, see who goes home without a rose.\" Shot of Netherfield dance with Darcy & Lizzie in line of four, then Darcy's pictures is torn out, showing the scene: 'you're the last man in the world...\""}, {"response": 215, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (09:09)", "body": "closed the tag"}, {"response": 216, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (10:01)", "body": "\"It is quite cute...calling Darcy the original bachelor millionare. How acute is that? To borrow from Amanda.... That's my kind of reality *show*. I, in reality, Love Darcy !"}, {"response": 217, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (10:04)", "body": "How acute is that? To borrow from Amanda.... That's my kind of reality *show*. I, in reality, Love Darcy! Double posting but I didn't even understand that! Amanda says *too cute* and I say *I really Love Darcy!* Whew....."}, {"response": 218, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (10:05)", "body": "last post, I promise."}, {"response": 219, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (11:47)", "body": "Evidently, Toni Morrison's a big fan. Thanks to CathieP, who pointed this bit out from the current issue of Newsweek: BUT IT\ufffdS JUST HER, with a smile, a handshake and a flowing ankle-length black dress that would come down only to midcalf on the Personage you were expecting. In the course of a long conversation-\ufffdtouching on the blackout, Al Green, the resurgence of Philip Roth (\"I don\ufffdt know what it is-\ufffdhe took a different vitamin or something. Who knows?\"), Nabokov\ufffds prefaces to his novels, the \"Pride and Prejudice\" she just saw on A&E (\"The guy who plays Darcy is ... won-der-ful\" ), her forthcoming novel (the reason you came), the comma and the crossing of female legs-\ufffdshe keeps breaking into laughter. http://www.msnbc.com/news/956561.asp"}, {"response": 220, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (12:35)", "body": "the \"Pride and Prejudice\" she just saw on A&E (\"The guy who plays Darcy is ... won-der-ful\"), I'm verklempt! My favorite living writer! This, I'd bet, would impress him."}, {"response": 221, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (13:03)", "body": "Thanks CathyP via Karen! (Toni Morrison interview)the \"Pride and Prejudice\" she just saw on A&E (\"The guy who plays Darcy is ... won-der-ful\") (Beedee)I'm verklempt! My favorite living writer! This, I'd bet, would impress him. Indeed! Such august company! Anyone want to invite her to Drool? Can't you imagine the fan-fic? ;-)"}, {"response": 222, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (15:31)", "body": "(\"The guy who plays Darcy is ... won-der-ful\"), Oh Toni...please write us a sequel;-)"}, {"response": 223, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 2003 (19:47)", "body": "Another contender for the DH Hall of Fame- Follow link then search for ODB's name http://blackraptor.hispeed.com/close/rhea/rhea.htm"}, {"response": 224, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 2003 (22:04)", "body": "(DH Hall of Fame Contender) \"Mom? Why are you crying?\" OMG! He gets it! He truly gets it! I'm laughing and crying...thank you Maria!"}, {"response": 225, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 2003 (23:27)", "body": "Holy cow! And that's the cute guy from Without a Trace. Amazing! And he really knew his stuff to correct CR when she mixed up Darcys."}, {"response": 226, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 2003 (23:42)", "body": "(Maria) Another contender for the DH Hall of Fame- LOL! This guy is great...I'm completely impressed that he knew the words to the proposal! Thanks Maria!!! My DH knows about the first two words then bolts because he can't take it anymore!"}, {"response": 227, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 2003 (23:45)", "body": "Maria, thanks for that. Now that's love."}, {"response": 228, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 17, 2003 (09:41)", "body": "I don't know Eric Close, but he's a winner."}, {"response": 229, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Sep 17, 2003 (13:57)", "body": "(Tress)My DH knows about the first two words then bolts because he can't take it anymore! Wow, he stays that long? My DH now bolts at the music from the opening credits;-("}, {"response": 230, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Sep 17, 2003 (14:18)", "body": "I don't know Eric Close either, but will from now on. Any man who can quote Fitzwilliam is ok in my book. Will check out his show tomorrow night. I like a secure man, and he is secure and loves his wife enough to be interested in what she cares about. Fantastic. Thanks Maria."}, {"response": 231, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Sep 17, 2003 (15:53)", "body": "Eric Close has been around for what seems like ages, but doesn't seem to have aged a day. Couldn't tell you what he's been on...maybe a soap at one time? Have seen him in quite a few things though. But what a DH!"}, {"response": 232, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (16:32)", "body": "He was on \"Now and Again\" on CBS with Dennis Haysbert and Margaret Colin a few years back. I liked him. But, wow, what a guy!"}, {"response": 233, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (19:24)", "body": "P&P is going to be on A&E November 19, 20, and 21 at 8 am EST."}, {"response": 234, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (21:22)", "body": "Followed by his interview on BWTA on Sunday Nov 23. A&E is no dummy."}, {"response": 235, "author": "Gail", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (09:05)", "body": "Along with the 8 a.m. airings of P&P the episodes will be replayed in the afternoon at 2pm EST on Nov. 19, 20, & 21."}, {"response": 236, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (15:25)", "body": "Aside from the upcoming Bollywood version of P&P, there appears to be another one which is a modern-day adaptation. According to the website it opens Dec 7th and seems to be a low budget film made by BYU grads, with many of the actors being local (yeah, I read everything at the website). Their Darcy, however, is British and is pretty cute. Watch the trailer. It has a snippet of the updated version of the first proprosal. http://www.PridePrejudice.com/ Check out the pic of Collins and Mary. ;-)"}, {"response": 237, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (16:22)", "body": "Thanks, Karen! What an ambitious website. I want to know where it's opening without having to sign up for updates. That Darcy is very attractive....til he starts talking. Thought his voice would be a bit deeper. And that Collins! Looks like it'll be very cute."}, {"response": 238, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (21:45)", "body": "Seems to be of the Clueless variety, but I have to wonder with its Mormon ties. Did you notice the words \"latter day\" in the after title? I thought their Darcy sounded pretty good myself; the background music was rather insipid and got on my nerves while I was checking out the site."}, {"response": 239, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (22:22)", "body": "Interesting! The music is a bit like some sort of torture....gah! Did you notice that Collins real name is Hubbell? He was doomed from the beginning, poor guy! And Darcy...I want to wax his eyebrows....otherwise, he's kinda cute...but he's no ODB! (Karen) Seems to be of the Clueless variety, but I have to wonder with its Mormon ties. Did you notice the words \"latter day\" in the after title? And Elizabeth reading the \"Pink Bible\"? I didn't know what that was so googled and came up with a review for the film....which mentioned ODB, but just briefly. It appears that it is an LDS film. http://deseretbook.com/mormon-life/news/story?story_id=1083"}, {"response": 240, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (23:20)", "body": "I going the first week it is out, as I am in Utah. Guess it will be the only opening of any kind available to me here! Will give a report. Should be totally squeaky clean, and will go with my young teen Neices, 12-16. Sandi"}, {"response": 241, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Nov 29, 2003 (07:38)", "body": "P&P features in 100 Sexiest TV Moments on Channel 4 (in the UK) tonight. I think we can guess which scene! ( Although I'd go for the piano scene at Rosings myself.) BTW, The DVD is available from Amazon.co.uk for \ufffd15.99."}, {"response": 242, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Nov 29, 2003 (13:53)", "body": "(Janet)( Although I'd go for the piano scene at Rosings myself.) I love that scene, and always thought it was the more sexy of the two. I love the banter between them, and the lowering of the eyes to bosom level;-) The look on Darcy's face when Lady Catherine begins complaining from the other room has always made me laugh, too. I also like the scene from Netherfield when Lizzy is there to help poor Jane. I love the part when Caroline insists they take a turn about the room and Darcy, knows very well why."}, {"response": 243, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Nov 29, 2003 (19:09)", "body": "(lindak)I love that scene, and always thought it was the more sexy of the two. I love the banter between them, and the lowering of the eyes to bosom level;-) It's the expression in his eyes that I always notice. I think the chemistry was real. I suppose they would have been in the middle of their real-life ralationship at that point!"}, {"response": 244, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Nov 30, 2003 (08:28)", "body": "(linda)I love the part when Caroline insists they take a turn about the room and Darcy, knows very well why. Mmm I agree love that scene too . .. .love the look on his face when he tells Caroline he'd rather sit then join them, so he could better appreciate watching them walk about the room . .the twinkle in his eyes and that liitle smile around the corners of his mouth are delicious!"}, {"response": 245, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sun, Nov 30, 2003 (20:40)", "body": "(linda)I love the part when Caroline insists they take a turn about the room and Darcy, knows very well why. (Kimberly S.) Mmm I agree love that scene too . .. .love the look on his face when he tells Caroline he'd rather sit then join them, so he could better appreciate watching them walk about the room . .the twinkle in his eyes and that liitle smile around the corners of his mouth are delicious! I always wonder if he just can't get up, and what he's hiding under the book in his lap (which he seems to be holding firmly in place). ;-)"}, {"response": 246, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sun, Nov 30, 2003 (21:17)", "body": "(Kimberly S.) the twinkle in his eyes and that liitle smile around the corners of his mouth are delicious! (Kathy)and what he's hiding under the book in his lap (which he seems to be holding firmly in place). ;-) Yum! What fun! Sorry it's such a big image... I'm experimenting with my newfound ability to make DVD captures, and I couldn't resist. ;-)"}, {"response": 247, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Nov 30, 2003 (22:10)", "body": "Great image Shosh! You go girl....... Ya think it's this discussion of *pressure* books that gets us banned on some work sites? Gawd, I hope mine doesn't catch on! :-0"}, {"response": 248, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 2003 (06:47)", "body": "I know there was some discussion of this new LDS version of P&P earlier... Quick interview with the new Darcy.. http://www.harktheherald.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=7851"}, {"response": 249, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 2003 (09:23)", "body": "\"? Does it follow the novel closely? (Orlando Seale, a London native who plays Will Darcy in the film, It's not exactly faithful to the novel. It's very, very different.\" Count me out. Thanks Maria."}, {"response": 250, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 2003 (12:28)", "body": "I guess if you are interested in that new P&P film .just came accross this *************************************** Variety - Tuesday, December 2, 2003 Film Review - Pride and Prejudice by Scott Foundas Recently the basis for a well-regarded BBC miniseries, Jane Austen's 1813 comdey-of manners is transposed to a contempo American college town in director Andrew Black's splendidly, surprisingly charming \"Pride and Prejudice.\" Taking inspiration from Amy Heckerling's \"Clueless\" (loosely based on Austen's \"Emma\"), pic transforms its source material into a bubbly, pastel-colored frolic, while adhering closely to Austen's essential themes. Boistered by a strong cast of relative newcomers, pic is much smarter thatn the fare usually pitched at its targeted teen ticket-buyers. However, the lack of name thesps (save for Carmen Rasmusen in a cameo) means careful grassroots marketing will be required for pic, whic opens in limited release on Dec. 5. Modern dress makeovers of \"P&P\" are all the rage nowadays, with writer Helen Fielding citing the book as the inspiration for \"Bridget Jone's Diary\" and \"Bend It Like Beckham\" director Gurinder Chadha currently at work on the Bollywood-style \"Bride andPrejudice,\" due next year. This considerably lower-profile entry, cleverly scripted by Anne Black, Jason Faller and Katherine Swigert, actually represents the latest in a wave of independantly-financed films made in and around the Utah area by predominately Mormon (or Latter-day saints) filmmakers. (It's even subtitled \"a latter-day comedy\" in the advertising.) However, whereas such niche LDS successes as \"The Other Side of Heaven\" and the films of Richard Dutcher have distinctly religious themes, \"Pride and Prejudice\" is a movie in which the characters just happen to be Mormon. Most non-LDS audiences may not even detect the movie's LDS content, and yet the substitution of a present-day Mormon setting for Austen's Regency England is an inspired one, given the correlation between the two cultures' emphasis on traditional values and, most importantly, marriage. \"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possesion of a good fortune must be in want of a wife,\"Austen famously wrote at the beginning of her novel, before detailing the efforts of her plucky heroine, Elizabeth Bennet, to find the right such man. Likewise, the movie's Elizabeth (Kam Heskin), a student and bookstore clerk with dreams of becoming a famous novelist, oft has marriage on her mind, though she is loathe to admit it. The four other Bennet sisters from the book, have here been turned into Elizabeth's housemates: sultry Argentinian Jane (Lucila Sola); perpetually squabbling Lydia (Kelly Stables) and Kitty (Nicole Hamilton); and the fatally shy, awkward Mary (Rainy Kerwin). At a party thrown by the charmingly naive Charles (Ben Gourley), Elizabeth is rather disastrously introduced to Will Darcy (Orlando Seale), an expat Brit stopping through Utah on undisclosed business. It's Will's smug \"pride\" that in turn, \"prejudices\" elizabeth against him,a lthough viewers may realize from the start these two are meant to be But first elizabeth settles for the company of her erstwhile admirer (and inveterate gambler), Jack Wickahm (Henry Maguire),as Will is persued by Charles' strapping sister, Caroline (Kara Holden) That's alot of relationships for any movie (especially on running under two hours) to keep track of, but \"Pride and Prejudice\" does so nimbly The screenwriters understand the story's appeal lies in its chaotic structure, in the way that its many suitors and their potential mates are constantly pairing off and trading places as if part of an elaborate square dance Black, the Scotish born director, whos short film, \"The Snell Show,\" won Grand Jury ath the 2003 Sundance Film Festival, has a fine sense of pacing and timing, so that no one part overstays its welcome. Winning cast breathes new life into Austen's characters. Spunky Heskin is responsive to the comic stimuli around her like Reese Witherspoon was in the first \"Legally Blonde\" (or, natch, Alicia Silverstone in \"Clueless\"). And like those actresses, she's well-supported by an array of charismatic scene-stealers, including the irrepressibly emotive Sola, the hilariously repressed Kerwin and the acrobatically goofy Gourley, whose inspired phyisical-comedy antics dominate the movie's Vegas-set climax. Tech achievements are wel realized on a modest budget, with Travis Cline's sunny lighting adding luster to the giddy pinks, purples and greens of Anne Black's production design."}, {"response": 251, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (11:21)", "body": "(kathy)I always wonder if he just can't get up, and what he's hiding under the book in his lap (which he seems to be holding firmly in place). ;-) Now why didn't I think of that;) . . ."}, {"response": 252, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (12:03)", "body": "I'm a little concerned about Charles in that scene. Charles seems to have 'checked out' (he does this a few times in P&P). He is in the background....just staring into space. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy are having a very racy, then heated conversation and Charles seems to be in his own world. No comment from him, no spark in his eyes...is he saving his energy for some later time? He also does this at Pemberley..."}, {"response": 253, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (13:34)", "body": "(Tress) Charles seems to have 'checked out' (he does this a few times in P&P). Tress you are killing me!!I am trying to silently LMAO here! ...Perhaps he thought he wasn't in the scene?"}, {"response": 254, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (15:06)", "body": "(Tress)No comment from him, no spark in his eyes...is he saving his energy for some later time? He also does this at Pemberley... LOL, maybe he wasn't there a'tall. Maybe it was computer graphics or what have you, a cardboard cut-out, perhaps;-) drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 174, "subject": "Introduce Yourself to the Drool Conference", "response_count": 792, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Jodi", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (11:48)", "body": "Well I guess I will be first. I actually have posted once or twice before but usually choose to remain quiet. However with so many new movies coming out this year I'm not sure I'll be able to contain myself."}, {"response": 2, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (12:23)", "body": "Welcome Jodi! Thanks for christening the new topic, and never fear, the inability to contain one's self is pretty common here!"}, {"response": 3, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (13:28)", "body": "Hi Jodi Glad to meet you:-))"}, {"response": 4, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (14:07)", "body": "Hello Jodi! Glad you have joined us!!!"}, {"response": 5, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (14:16)", "body": "Hi Jodi!! Glad you decided to dive in!!"}, {"response": 6, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (14:28)", "body": "Hello Jodi. How fun to have been the first person in this new topic. Hope you will post more often, too."}, {"response": 7, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (15:10)", "body": "Hi Jodi, and a hello in advance for any other lurkers. Come on, dive in, have fun. Lots of new Colin stuff coming our way very soon. We'd love to hear from you."}, {"response": 8, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (16:47)", "body": "Welcome, Jodi. The more, the merrier!"}, {"response": 9, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (17:06)", "body": "Hi Hen, my fellow cruise lurker and also to Jodi! Feels like I'm in this fun \"Class\" of delurkers. Annette, beautiful flowers, how do you do that?"}, {"response": 10, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (17:16)", "body": "Welcome, Jodi! This place should open the doors to other lurkers... Firthettes!"}, {"response": 11, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (18:19)", "body": "Jodi!! We don't bite, though a few like to nibble. It's all harmless. ;-) Looks like the Class of 2003 is shaping up nicely. Off to look for my curriculum and dusting off the midterms and final exams on Firthology 101."}, {"response": 12, "author": "kasey", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (18:45)", "body": "Well, while not entirely new (I delurk on infrequent occasions) I'd like to formally matriculate at this time. Karen, bring on the midterms, bring on the finals. While only an indifferent student in my younger days, somehow I think I'll be a MUCH more avid student this time around."}, {"response": 13, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (19:38)", "body": "Welcome to the class Kathy! I wonder if there are any openings in Mr. Ashworth's class? I've read the book where the little bloke kills the big bloke. And I think Women in Love is bigger than...... Oh never mind."}, {"response": 14, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 2003 (20:47)", "body": "Welcome, Jodi ! I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself here! Lots of nice people and good info!"}, {"response": 15, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 2003 (04:35)", "body": "(Beedee)how do you do that? As much as I would love to be thought of as highly intelligent and very giftet in the \"posting-area\", there really isn't much to it. When I delurked back in November, Tress gave me this link, which explains it all very well ( italics , bold , images and so forth) http://austen.com/tutorial/index.html about images - remember to check for copyrights, acknowledgments etc"}, {"response": 16, "author": "pastorsmith", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 2003 (07:26)", "body": "Well, I have been sort of a \"lurker\", mainly because I have been trying to learn how to post correctly. So, I have only made two test post, so far. I do enjoy the stories here and the comments. I am a widow,from and still in the South, a retired teacher and business owner, with one daughter(terribly spoiled), who is in college, scheduled to graduate in July. I love to read, watch good movies(too few of them, right now am watching \"Now Voyager\"(Bette Davis), love crosswords,and playing piano. I do presently work part-time. Today is Mardi Gras, so no work where I live today. THanks!! elaine"}, {"response": 17, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 2003 (09:16)", "body": "Hi Elaine. Aw we all make mistakes ...so don't be concerned about the \"perfect post\". We just like hearing from you. So stick around."}, {"response": 18, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 2003 (09:45)", "body": "Hello Elaine!! Welcome to the party! Please stay 'delurked'....we love the company!!!"}, {"response": 19, "author": "Jacqui50", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 2003 (09:53)", "body": "Welcome Elaine...I'm right with you there, girl (not wanting to make mistakes...lol...)I think I've posted 2 or 3 times now..So far, so good..I love this place, tho..Great reading... Jacqui in MN (USA) Here goes ....."}, {"response": 20, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 2003 (10:42)", "body": "Hi Elaine. Welcome! And don't worry about posting correctly. I think it's tradition that each person has to forget to close the italics tag at least once. ;-) Glad you decided to delurk. It's much more fun to particpate than to sit on the sidelines."}, {"response": 21, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 2003 (11:21)", "body": "Elaine! No worries. You'll get the hang of things here. :)"}, {"response": 22, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 2003 (11:52)", "body": "ELAINE So glad you've decided to join us. I'm still learning, still making mistakes and I've been here almost a year. You won't find a better place to hang out."}, {"response": 23, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 2003 (11:53)", "body": "See, still making mistakes."}, {"response": 24, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 2003 (13:24)", "body": "Don't feel bad Linda, I thought I was the queen of the embarassing little boxes... but here goes again.. Welcome Elaine!! (If the drool gods are with me there should be some sort of cute little picture here instead of previously mentioned embarassing little box)"}, {"response": 25, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 2003 (13:53)", "body": "It's much more fun to particpate than to sit on the sidelines...... Not ready to try the tags yet (but now know where to go to learn) but it is more fun to participate! Hi Elaine, love old Bette Davis movies myself."}, {"response": 26, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 2003 (15:55)", "body": "Velcome Elaine - there is no place like home (well, this is a second home to many of us, I think ;-)) I chose this rose for your velcomegreeting from the name, which illustratets some of the activities, that goes on here"}, {"response": 27, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 2003 (19:32)", "body": "I'm more than happy to go back to school if I can attend North London Comprehensive and stay after school to help Mr. Ashworth. I'd pay extra! Just don't put me in Miss Jean Brodie's class. LOL. Welcome classmates Jodi and Elaine. Looking forward to getting to know all you better. So far there are six of us, right? Thanks to all the wonderful women at Drool for making us feel wanted."}, {"response": 28, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 2003 (19:49)", "body": "I'm going to try this once more, If it doesn't work, just let me say a very plain but heartfelt WELCOME to all of our new friends. Glad you are all here, and this is a great topic, Karen. Here goes..."}, {"response": 29, "author": "pastorsmith", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 2003 (20:00)", "body": "Awwwwwwww!! Thanks you guys! I really feel wanted and appreciated. elaine"}, {"response": 30, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 2003 (20:05)", "body": "Once more, then I give up...for now."}, {"response": 31, "author": "kasey", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 2003 (20:16)", "body": "With such an interesting freshman class I hope to drop in more often now. Seems like there is the possibility of progression. I'm still at plain text. I really CAN spell, they're ALL typos (that's my story and I'm sticking to it). From there I hope to get the hang of bold and italics etc. someday soon and then move on to those embarassing little boxes 'til someday I successfully move on to graphics. At the rate I'm going that should be sometime in the next millenium."}, {"response": 32, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 2003 (20:53)", "body": "Kathy: AT the rate I'm going that should be sometime in the next millenium. Me too, LOL. I'm still at the cut and paste stage but I plan to have graduated some by the next bithday party,........at least."}, {"response": 33, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 2003 (21:05)", "body": "Elaine and Jacqui !!"}, {"response": 34, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 2003 (09:41)", "body": "Welcome Jodi, Elaine, Jacqui and Hen!!! So glad you all decided to \"delurk\". It's wonderful to have so many new people coming on board. Because, one, now I don't feel so new and second, the more the merrier. hopefully I didn't forget anyone but if I did, blame it on not having any coffee this morning :-)!"}, {"response": 35, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (00:55)", "body": ""}, {"response": 36, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (00:56)", "body": "A Serenade to the Class of 2003 from Mr. John Worthing The western winds are blowing fair In the world of Firthology, With folks de-lurking everywhere, And they're all drooling over me. Oh, welcome, Jodi, to the fold, And also, welcome, Kathy C, I'm very pleased that you're so bold As to post droolage about me Come down, Ladies come down. Come down, Ladies come down. Monsieur Valmont dreamed about Hen, And Matthew joined Beedee for tea. And Maya got a welcome from The famous Fitzwilliam Darcy. Hello, Elaine, I'm glad you're here, Jacqui from Minnesota too. You other lurkers - join the fun - I'll sing a serenade for you! Come down, Ladies come down. Come down, Ladies come down."}, {"response": 37, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (01:04)", "body": "Wauh - Rika, will there be a delayed entry for the class of 2002? The DVDiva has certainly returned in all her glory;-)"}, {"response": 38, "author": "Jodi", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (05:57)", "body": "Wow Rika! Thanks. I've always wanted to be serenaded by a handsome man!"}, {"response": 39, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (08:12)", "body": "Great Rika, I'll never listen to that song again without taking it personally. Thank you, thank you!"}, {"response": 40, "author": "smitten", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (09:45)", "body": "Hi! I'm Marilyn, and like most of the newly met members I have been hesitant to have too much to say as my posting protocol is awful. Seeing the rest of you out there has given me a little push. Have just read great book called Improper English, written by Katie MacAlister, and suspected that she must be one of us. Book was apparantly written for ODB and has one or two references to BJD. Sincerely hope the Binders don't get hold of it. Happy to be with you all."}, {"response": 41, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (09:52)", "body": "Hi Marilyn!!! Thanks for joining in!! Rika!! Wahoo!! Thanks as always!!"}, {"response": 42, "author": "pastorsmith", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (10:53)", "body": "Hi Marilyn: I joined the fun this week also. Welcome aboard, and hope you enjoy you stay. I don't know how to use the emoticons yet, I don't even know where to go to find them. I hope you will forgive my plain text until I learn more about posting. So WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME!!!! elaine"}, {"response": 43, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (11:39)", "body": "Nice to have join our little party here, Marilyn, welcome! Delurking and mentioning Binder will get you noticed quickly. ;-) Do tell us more about that book."}, {"response": 44, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (12:27)", "body": "Welcome Marilyn. I second Moon Dreams remark, both on Binder and the book-part."}, {"response": 45, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (13:06)", "body": "Marilyn !!"}, {"response": 46, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (14:15)", "body": "Welcome Marilyn!!"}, {"response": 47, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (14:30)", "body": "WELCOME EVERYONE! great to see so many delurkers have joined this special place. Rika, loved your class of 2003, just finished playing the CD, so was able to do a welcome singalong , my singing is even worse than Rupe's piano playing:-))"}, {"response": 48, "author": "firthfetish", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (14:59)", "body": "I'm not new...but I've been on a bit of a hiatus! It's good to see that things still look the same around here!"}, {"response": 49, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (15:54)", "body": "Oh, Rika, you are my hero! Thank you so much for the lovely welcome from Jack. Those dimples are just too, too yummy. I'm still trying to recover from Monsieur Valmont in his satin sheets. Be still, my beating heart! Do I ask too much to beg for a Springtime fashion show? Welcome, Marilyn. I think all of us newbies need to get a study group going before Karen hits us with a pop quiz. Off to look for Improper English."}, {"response": 50, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (16:51)", "body": "Hi Marilyn welcome to the class of 2003 from a fellow class mate! Hen, that study group is a great idea! It's taking me a while to catch up on past posts so I don't make the upper class people groan with old material. Have enjoyed reading some of the past film discussions."}, {"response": 51, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (18:19)", "body": "Welcome Marilyn and Elaine and apologies to those I've missed. This is so great. You will really have a wonderful time here. It is the best. Enjoy."}, {"response": 52, "author": "smitten", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (18:44)", "body": "Thanks all for the nice welcome. The book I told you about is put out by dorchester publishing,and is a Lone Spell Romance paperback. If you'all don't think one of our illustrious members wrote it I'll eat my copy...may do that anyway."}, {"response": 53, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (19:05)", "body": "WELCOME, MARILYN..."}, {"response": 54, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (19:16)", "body": "Welcome Marilyn! Glad to have you with us, the more the merrier. And besides, every time someone joins, Rika puts up a goody! (She may have outdone herself this time---and yes, that's a dare!) So, who is still lurking out there and aren't you just squirming to post? (Annette) The DVDiva has certainly returned in all her glory;-) She sure has!"}, {"response": 55, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (19:51)", "body": "Hi Marilyn! Glad you came out to play with us. (Marilyn)If you'all don't think one of our illustrious members wrote it I'll eat my copy...may do that anyway. Awww, don't do that; I can think of better sources of fiber. ;-) Rika, those captures were {AFG)3 = (AFG)x(AFG)x(AFG) Firthamatics anyone? ;-)"}, {"response": 56, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (20:38)", "body": "Welcome Marilyn and Ruth ...back from vacation. Stick around."}, {"response": 57, "author": "pastorsmith", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (20:42)", "body": "Hi Everyone: Where do I find all of the neat \"stuff\" that you all use in your posts? All of it is great, especially the \"Giggles\" roses. HELP!!!! elaine"}, {"response": 58, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (21:22)", "body": "As to where the clip art comes from, there are all sorts of different sites. If you want to check an individual one, put your cursor over it and click the right mouse button. A menu will come up. Click on \"Properties.\" Most of the time (though not always) it'll show you the Web address of the clip-art site where the person found it. Welcome, Marilyn! Glad you decided to jump in!"}, {"response": 59, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (21:30)", "body": "Hi Elaine, here is a great resource for a start which is where I am. http://www.austen.com/tutorial/index.html I got this from Annette. I need to spend more time here but then how will I do my study on AMITC. So much Colin, so little time."}, {"response": 60, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (21:30)", "body": "(LJH) {AFG)3 = (AFG)x(AFG)x(AFG) Firthamatics anyone? ;-) ROFLMAO now that's math I can do! Anyone in the mood for some plain old fashioned multiplying? ...bisecting angles? (is that legal in the UK?)"}, {"response": 61, "author": "pastorsmith", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 2003 (21:38)", "body": "Thanks, Beedee and Rika."}, {"response": 62, "author": "Jory", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 2003 (13:53)", "body": "Hi, I'm not exactly new but I don't get out much. I just want to say how much I appreciate everyone here, especially Karen and many of you allumni,(oldies but goodies). This is where I come to dream and get my thrill for the day. A hardy welcome to all newbies and other lurkers like myself who wallow in the drool and enjoy ODB so much. You all rock! From a fellow lurker who usually doesn't have much to add. Here's my two cents worth."}, {"response": 63, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 2003 (14:22)", "body": "WELCOME, Joanne. Even if you're not new...welcome back, then. Stay with us."}, {"response": 64, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 2003 (16:51)", "body": "Welcome Jodi, Elaine, Jacqui, Hen, and Marilyn!!! I haven't posted in a while but had to welcome all of you to the Firth Class of 2003! Welcome to a wonderful, friendly place to learn and enjoy all things firth! You are all well on yur way. Thanks for all the lovely pictures, Rika, in honor of the new firthettes. And, Karen, thanks for the new introductory page. Very nice way to go to a sort of launch party before his 4 new films come our way. (LisaJH) Firthamatics anyone? ;-) With all the newbies and Rika's magic fingers, it's a geometric progression around here!"}, {"response": 65, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 2003 (18:46)", "body": "Elaine, if you want to practice HTML privately (in other words, you don't want to post your test anywhere) you can to do so on what is called an HTML practice pad. Here's a link to one that I use sometimes: HTML Practice Pad"}, {"response": 66, "author": "pastorsmith", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (01:27)", "body": "Thanks Lisa. I would prefer that no one see the post until after I have practiced. elaine"}, {"response": 67, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (09:06)", "body": "(Elaine) Thanks Lisa. I would prefer that no one see the post until after I have practiced. Don't be shy...we all makes mistakes. I always go to #61 to \"test ride\" a pic or practice. The bonus is that the boss sometimes is around and comes to your rescue;-)"}, {"response": 68, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (11:05)", "body": "(Evelyn) The bonus is that the boss sometimes is around and comes to your rescue;-) That is a v.g. point, Evelyn. Actually, I like to use a practice pad when I want whatever it is I'm working on to be a surprise to our fellow Drooleurs. If not, I use the #61 topic."}, {"response": 69, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 2003 (11:26)", "body": "Thanks for posting the practice pad place, Lisa."}, {"response": 70, "author": "Snooze", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (05:13)", "body": "OK (takes a big breath) I think I'm ready to take the plunge . . . Hi, I'm Sue and I've decided to be very brave and delurk after several months of enjoying the repartee between you drooleurs. Thing is, I'm from Oz, and things take a long time to filter through to down here, and a lot of the stuff we get is just rehashed (as in the Herald Sun article). I did, however, see a poster for WAGW at our local movie theatre the other day so things are looking up for the school holidays!"}, {"response": 71, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (07:20)", "body": "Hello Sue!! Glad you decided to join in!!"}, {"response": 72, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (07:56)", "body": ""}, {"response": 73, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (07:59)", "body": "Sue!!! Nothing better than a cold plunge in the pond here. The waters are so refreshing you'll never want to leave. Nice to have you with us in the cyberflesh. ;-)"}, {"response": 74, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (08:34)", "body": "Hi Sue and welcome. The weather is a bit cold for plunging in ponds, but spring is near (we hope;-))"}, {"response": 75, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (08:42)", "body": "The weather is a bit cold for plunging in ponds But Sue is Downunder. Hey, Annette, as I was just thinking Hope Springs about multi-colored fall leaves, that snowdrop of yours came right to mind. *snicker*"}, {"response": 76, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (08:58)", "body": "Sue! Glad you decided to join us. We like plunges and ponds very much. ;-)"}, {"response": 77, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (10:15)", "body": "Welcome, Sue! You are lucky to have a very nice group from OZ here too. And to think that you will be able to see WAGW before anyone else!"}, {"response": 78, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (11:09)", "body": "Hello Sue! So glad to have you with us!!!!"}, {"response": 79, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (11:35)", "body": "HI, Sue. Glad you've joined us, enjoy WAGW a day early...lucky girl!"}, {"response": 80, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (13:24)", "body": "Sue !! Glad you decided to delurk!"}, {"response": 81, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (14:17)", "body": "Welcome, Sue, you've taken the plunge at a \"perfectly delightful\" time with April 3rd just around the corner! This place is a lot of fun when a new CF movie is released."}, {"response": 82, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (14:38)", "body": "Glad to welcome you Sue. You will have a great time here. Great Ladies and the best information possible. Enjoy."}, {"response": 83, "author": "pastorsmith", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (15:28)", "body": "Hi Sue!! Welcome to the fun. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have been and am since last week. They really make you feel welcome here. Have fun. elaine"}, {"response": 84, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (17:28)", "body": "Hi Sue! Welcome to the class of 2003."}, {"response": 85, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (17:42)", "body": "Welcome, Sue, from one of your fellow Firthette freshmen! I think things are going to heat up around here soon, what with one thing and another. What a fun crowd to be around! Glad you joined us."}, {"response": 86, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (19:29)", "body": "Welcome, Sue! My friends call me Matt."}, {"response": 87, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (20:08)", "body": "(Well fine, if I'd have just posted earlier, I wouldn't have had to follow Matt...) Hi anyway Sue and welcome!"}, {"response": 88, "author": "Snooze", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 2003 (22:43)", "body": "Well now, that's one mat(t) that can grace my floor any day! ;)"}, {"response": 89, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 2003 (14:40)", "body": "Hi Sue from Downunder But don't we already have a Sue from Texas?"}, {"response": 90, "author": "Snooze", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 2003 (22:38)", "body": "Thank you very much, guys, for the warm welcome. I feel at home among friends. At last, we here Downunder get to see something first! Now all I have to do is persuade my daughter that she really does want to see WAGW without seeming absurdly keen myself. She likes 'The Amanda Show' so there's hope ...."}, {"response": 91, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (14:13)", "body": "Sue, A big welcome to you! You have found the best and ultimate place to indulge in ODB drooling. Great guy and a great bunch of Ladies, here's to many happy hours ;-)"}, {"response": 92, "author": "pastorsmith", "date": "Thu, Mar 27, 2003 (18:44)", "body": "Hi, Guys!! I can't seem to get pass the March 18 posts. Can anyone tell me why?? Help!!!!!!!!!!! elaine"}, {"response": 93, "author": "pastorsmith", "date": "Thu, Mar 27, 2003 (18:54)", "body": "Also had trouble getting into this forum. It seems to go from 172 to 175. I had to type in 174 to get into the forum. elaine"}, {"response": 94, "author": "pastorsmith", "date": "Thu, Mar 27, 2003 (18:59)", "body": "It looks like nothing has been posted since 3/18, now that I look at it. Sorry about that. elaine"}, {"response": 95, "author": "Megs128", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (10:10)", "body": "Hello everyone. I don't know if many people remember me, but I posted a lot this summer(particularly about Helena and the GSD, I'd never seen a debate like that before, hahaha) and then had to go to France for school. Now that I'm back, I thought that I'd introduce myself to the new people and reintroduce myself to everyone. I can't wait to start posting again, and the pile of fan fic for me to read right now is a wonderful feeling!"}, {"response": 96, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (14:30)", "body": "Welcome back, Megs! I remember you quite well, and I'm glad you're back!"}, {"response": 97, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (14:40)", "body": "Hey Megs! Welcome back!! :-)"}, {"response": 98, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (14:49)", "body": "Yeah!!! Megs is back! We were never formally introduced, but I am glad to see you here again!"}, {"response": 99, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (15:46)", "body": "Hi Megs, glad to have you back. Welcome home."}, {"response": 100, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (15:56)", "body": "Being fairly new I haven't met you before. But - I would think, you would appreaciate a rose to greet you on your \"homecoming\"."}, {"response": 101, "author": "pastorsmith", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (16:27)", "body": "We have not been introduced, as I am very new, but welcome back. elaine"}, {"response": 102, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (20:38)", "body": "Welcome, Megs. As a member of the freshman class of the University of St. Colin, I'm pleased to meet another longtime drooler. Glad you joined us!"}, {"response": 103, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (20:57)", "body": "Ah, yes ... good ol' USC, my old Alma Mater ... now, it's in more ways than one! Welcome back Megs."}, {"response": 104, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (07:49)", "body": "Hi Megs, We hav'nt met but I do remember reading your posts! Welcome back!!"}, {"response": 105, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (07:57)", "body": "(Linda)Welcome, Cranky!! stick around, you'll have fun here Karen, I guess this is my que to give you a flower, as all newbie's get ;-) (big winkie)"}, {"response": 106, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (08:03)", "body": "LOL! You guys crack me up! Fun way to start a Monday, thanks."}, {"response": 107, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (10:41)", "body": "(Annette)Karen, I guess this is my que to give you a flower, as all newbie's get ;-) (big winkie) LOL, Gawd you're brave. I'll say it here, too. WELCOME, Cranky Pants.(insert the biggest winkie you've ever seen)"}, {"response": 108, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (10:05)", "body": "Hello everyone. I'm a Chinese from Hong Kong. I've been watching this group for some time, and I always enjoy your posts a lot. Thank you Karen very much for posting the Premiere article for me; it's always a pleasure (and thrill) for me to share latest news about Mr Firth with you. I'm just too envious of all of you to be able to watch so many CF's films - God knows when WAGW will be released here! :-( - Josie"}, {"response": 109, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (10:19)", "body": "Hi Josie, glad to meet you. Thank you very much for the article and the new photos from GWAPE (and to Karen for adding them to The Bucket). About WAGW, well you can always join the little club of HD-deprived ;-)"}, {"response": 110, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (10:28)", "body": "A very warm welcome Josie!! I am in the \"class of 03\" myself. I have already seen/enjoyed the lovely picture, thanks for sharing."}, {"response": 111, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (10:57)", "body": "Josie!! Staying up late, huh? ;-) Glad to see you make it to the boards. And a big thank you for adding to our enjoyment with the article and pic."}, {"response": 112, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (11:07)", "body": "Hi Josie, Welcome!! Thanks for the news and Picture of GWAPE, glad you have joined in!"}, {"response": 113, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (11:54)", "body": "Hello Josie! Thank you so much for the GWAPE news and photo! The picture is actually my wallpaper at work so I see it everyday (and drool)! Glad to have you with us!!"}, {"response": 114, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (12:13)", "body": "Hi, Josie. Great time to join us! Thanks for the GWAPE news and picture."}, {"response": 115, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (12:18)", "body": "Hi Joseie. Welcome to a wonderful group of ladies. You'll have a wonderful time here. Thank you for GWAPE pics and article."}, {"response": 116, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (12:36)", "body": "Hello, Josie! Welcome to our little corner of the Internet. \"And while you're awaiting WAGW, please don't forget that I'm always happy to entertain the ladies of Drool. Just say my name and I'll be there.\""}, {"response": 117, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (12:47)", "body": "Arg.....! Now I'm supposed to go back to work and be intelllligent?"}, {"response": 118, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (13:29)", "body": "Welcome Josie so glad you've joined this special place. Great article and pics too."}, {"response": 119, "author": "Megs128", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (14:32)", "body": "Welcome Josie, hope that you find the ladies of Drool as delightful as I always have. :-D"}, {"response": 120, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (20:43)", "body": "Thank you so much to all ladies!!! I'm sure I'll have a wonderful time here. :)"}, {"response": 121, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (21:03)", "body": "Hi Josie, What a nice way to make an \"entrance\"...bringing us a pic and GWAPE info. Stick around and Drool with us...."}, {"response": 122, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (21:36)", "body": "I've got so excited when I saw that pic and article, and I couldn't wait to share with you ladies. I've read the book and loved the story very much. Like many of you, I just cannot wait to watch this film! To me, CF is the perfect choice as Vermeer (in the story). Just imagine those eyes when he looks at Griet...it always gets my knees weak!! :-D"}, {"response": 123, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (23:15)", "body": "You've got it Josie! I've re-read the book with him in mind and it's better the second time around."}, {"response": 124, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (23:33)", "body": "To tell you the truth, I've had him in mind when I first read this book, even before I'd had this major and life-long (I have a gut feeling about that) crush/obsession/affection to him. Now, see what a good taste I have! ;-)"}, {"response": 125, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (13:23)", "body": "We all second that Josie!"}, {"response": 126, "author": "pastorsmith", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (14:30)", "body": "Hi Josie!! I am a little late with my welcome, but WELCOME anyway. I hope you enjoy yourself as much as I do. They are a great bunch. elaine"}, {"response": 127, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (20:45)", "body": "Thank you, Elaine. I do enjoy very much with the ladies of Drool."}, {"response": 128, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (21:44)", "body": "Figured it was time for a proper greeting Josie (and the others I missed before. Sorry ). Thanks for your welcome gift to us!"}, {"response": 129, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (06:58)", "body": "Thank you, Dorine. The frog is so cute!!"}, {"response": 130, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (11:15)", "body": "Josie! So glad you've joined us. (Sorry my welcome is a bit belated)"}, {"response": 131, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (18:53)", "body": "(that's okay Lisa, mine's even later....) ;-) WELCOME JOSIE!!!! :-)"}, {"response": 132, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Mon, Apr 14, 2003 (20:40)", "body": "Welcome Josie!! So pleased to meet a CF fan from your corner of the world. Glad to have you as a member of the class of 2003!"}, {"response": 133, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (09:35)", "body": "Hallo to everybody :o) . I think I should introduce myself. My name is Petra, 24 years and economy student from near Frankfurt/Germany. I\ufffdm a devoted Colin Firth fan and just delighted that I found this board and can communicate with other fans. Unfortunately, Colin isn\ufffdt that famous in Germany and so I don\ufffdt get much information beside the Internet. Even his movies are difficult to get here (luckily, my brother is in NYC at this time and can buy for me \"my life so far\" and \"conspiracy\"). I even think the chance to see \"hope springs\" in Germany isn\ufffdt on my side, but I hope. Bye bye Petra"}, {"response": 134, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (09:54)", "body": "Welcome Petra, it's very nice to meet you! LOL about \"Colin isn't that famous in Germany.\" I'm afraid too often it's still \"Colin who?\" here, though maybe not as bad (one more person says \"oh, you don't mean that obnoxious Irish guy do you? -- meaning Colin Farrell -- I might have to slap them.) Nice to have an understanding brother who is helping keep you supplied, what a guy! Glad you found us!"}, {"response": 135, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (10:06)", "body": "Welcome Petra! I used to live right down the road from you in Igstadt! That was a long time ago though! Glad you have come to join us!!! You'll have fun here!"}, {"response": 136, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (10:06)", "body": "Welcome Petra!! I fully understand how frustrated it is to live in a place where ODB is not that famous. From where I live, only a few people around me can recognise him and say, \"He's that lawyer in BJD.\". :( Therefore, it's so nice to find this place, and I truly hope you'll have a great time here!"}, {"response": 137, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (10:45)", "body": "(Josie) Well my experiences when I say: My favourite actor is Colin Firth is a conversation like this Me \ufffdMy favourite actor is Colin Firth\ufffd Others \ufffdWho?\ufffd Me \ufffdYou saw Bridget Jones?\ufffd Others (mostly) \ufffdYes \ufffd Me \ufffdThat Mark Darcy. The other guy beside Hugh Grant\ufffd Others \ufffd Oh I remember. But I don\ufffdt see/remember how he looked like (!!!!!!!!!) Me (thinking) Ahhhhhhhh I don\ufffdt know why I bother. This is a frustrating conversation isn\ufffdt it? But I don\ufffdt take it serious anymore. Only one time, on my brothers 30th birthday (January this year) it was another way. Conversation with a girlfriend of one of my brother\ufffds friends: Me: My favourite\ufffd She \ufffdOh yes\ufffd with an understanding smile on her face. I was in heaven when she told me she has got Pride and Prejudice on Video. She lend it to me and so, finally, I could watch it. Hope I entertained you :o) (Barb) Talking about the mix-up of Colin with Colin Farrell I remember that we\ufffdve got an Music channel called VIVA(beside Mtv). On Videotext the headlines about actors sometimes starts with Colin\ufffd. And it is always about Colin Farrell. But one time (headline \ufffdColin proud of his mega fan\ufffd) it was about Colin Firth. And what was it about? A stupid story told by somebody from the cast of \ufffdwhat a girl wants\ufffd about Colin being proud of having a stalker, a lady dressed in red, he talks to quite often. Great. Well done VIVA I would say. Nothing about Colin is more interesting . ha ha ha Bye Petra"}, {"response": 138, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (11:04)", "body": "LOL! You're luckier than me; at least you really met someone who also likes him."}, {"response": 139, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (11:42)", "body": "Petra!! Glad to see you've delurked and are making yourself comfortable. While it can be tough being a Firthfan in many (if not most) countries, even the UK, yours in the only country that I'm aware of where the L-dum movie has been released commercially on video and DVD. It is dubbed but I wonder why they didn't CGI out one of the castmembers. ;-)"}, {"response": 140, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (14:37)", "body": "Welcome Petra. So nice to meet you. You certainly won't find anyone saying \"Colin Who\" here. So many great people who admirer him so very very much. It's just a wonderful place to be. Enjoy."}, {"response": 141, "author": "Odile", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (15:20)", "body": "Welcome Petra! Something in German from TV-Programm while surfing, in German: http://www.prisma-online.de/rga-online/person.html?pid=colin_firth Enjoy!"}, {"response": 142, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (15:40)", "body": "WILKOMMEN Petra. You are in drool heaven (especially right now!) Good to have you with us."}, {"response": 143, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (15:41)", "body": "(Karen) I got the Londinium DVD. The film is o.k. I think, maybe not one of his best in refer to the story, not to his acting certainly. What does CGI stands for ? I also got taped \"the houre of the pig\" by a friend (who also likes him. Hey, we are 3 at least actually) (Odile) Thank you for mentioning this page. I stumpled over this page month ago. It\ufffds a door to heaven for me because you can check out every actor/ actress or movie if he/she is on telly soon. bye Petra Bye Petra"}, {"response": 144, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (15:59)", "body": "(Petra) maybe not one of his best No need to be diplomatic. It's on the bottom of my list. It don't get any worst than that, a puss-filled boil on his CV. Do I need to be more specific? ;-) CGI stands for computer-generated imagery in filmmaking. What I meant is that they should have deleted a person, using the computer."}, {"response": 145, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (18:04)", "body": "WELCOME PETRA Happy you delurked. There's no going back now;-)"}, {"response": 146, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (19:14)", "body": "Hi Petra, Welcome. Come and join us over at 175."}, {"response": 147, "author": "Megs128", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (22:20)", "body": "Welcome Petra! It's always nice to meet another Firth devotee... our numbers are growing!! But I know what you mean about BJD~! ;-)"}, {"response": 148, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (23:42)", "body": "Welcome, Petra! So glad to have you here. As I explained to Kelli and Monica over on CF News, I usually post a DVD capture of one of CF's characters as a welcome, but with the fantastic photos from the premiere, anything else would pale in comparison."}, {"response": 149, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (06:53)", "body": "Herzlich Willkommen, Petra It's so nice to have another German speaking drooler here(I'm Swiss). I got the Londinium DVD Where did you get it? I havn't seen it offered anywhere yet, but maybe I didn't look hard ehough ;-)"}, {"response": 150, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (08:15)", "body": "(NitaE) Gr\ufffdzi I bought it on ebay but it also should be sold on amazon.de (I\ufffdm not sure) bye Petra"}, {"response": 151, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (08:49)", "body": "Hi Petra, and welcome. As Rika said, it is almost impossible to come up with anything to match the new premiere-pictures (I think, I haven't seen them yet!), so I'll just give you a buttefly, and hope you like the joke. Karen, I couldn't find any size of the picture, so please remove it as soon as Petra has had a chance to see it, if it is to big. Thank you!"}, {"response": 152, "author": "soph", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (09:36)", "body": "ok, there seems to be quite an interesting delurking trend going on this day, but the water (and the swimmers) seem really warm here and jumping in looks easy, sooooo... thought i'd pop in 174 and join... the class of 2003 i major in trailer captures (HS comes to mind...) and animatronics (if you're good boys and girls, you'll hear more about this in a few days, hehehe...). major thanx to karen for her patience with my fumblings and mails. great to be here, it feels like home already."}, {"response": 153, "author": "soph", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (09:37)", "body": "closing tags... first mistake, there'll be plenty more"}, {"response": 154, "author": "soph", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (09:41)", "body": "okayyyyyy, hope it works this time"}, {"response": 155, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (09:42)", "body": "Welcome Sophie...I'm glad to hear you say it's warm here, being a \"woman of a certain age\", I thought it was me! (insert v.b. winkie!) A specialist huh? Animatronics? I can hardly wait for the explanation! Welcome!"}, {"response": 156, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (09:45)", "body": "WELCOME SOPHIE Glad to have you on board. the class of 2003 LOL. Actually I expected more lurkers after WAGW. We usually get a group aft each film. \"I know you're out there...come out, come out wherever you are\";-)"}, {"response": 157, "author": "soph", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (10:01)", "body": "(evelyn) Actually I expected more lurkers after WAGW. We usually get a group aft each film hmmm... i'll probably be only able to see wagw in three years. suffice it to say that tiobe is out where i live *today* !"}, {"response": 158, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (10:07)", "body": "Welcome Sophie and Petra!! So glad you joined us. This freshman class is turning out to be a great one! Me \ufffdMy favourite actor is Colin Firth\ufffd Others \ufffdWho?\ufffd So funny, this is the same response I always get. Until I drag them to see a movie of his..then it's \"Oh my, he is nice isn't he\"!"}, {"response": 159, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (10:12)", "body": "Glad to have you with us Sophie!!!"}, {"response": 160, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (10:29)", "body": "WELCOME SOPHIE TO THE CLASS OF 2003!! As one of your classmates, I also feel very down when some of these ladies have already had viewing #1x of WGAW. Anyway, glad to have you here, the ladies here are all very nice."}, {"response": 161, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (10:40)", "body": "Welcome Petra and Sophie (and other lurking members of the class of 2003!) Great time to join in on the drooly lovefest! Glad you are here!"}, {"response": 162, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (10:43)", "body": "It has really been a hard one to call today; go read all the news or welcome new delurkers. But - knowing how much a warm welcome means, I'd better start here (I still have very fond memories of my own delurking;-)) Welcome Sophie! TIOBE was just released here yesterday, so you are not the only one to wait for CF-movies. But - enjoy this wonderful place. Makes the waiting so much more fun."}, {"response": 163, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (12:17)", "body": "Sophie, Petra, Kelli, Monica and anyone else I've missed. Sorry, but I've not been in control of my senses these last few days. The king of stubble has made me one big mess. Oh what a time to delurk. Have loads of fun and stick around. This is just the beginning."}, {"response": 164, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (13:37)", "body": "(Sophie) i major in trailer captures (HS comes to mind...) Yes, you're the one Karen acknowledged as the source for some of them on The Bucket! Well done!"}, {"response": 165, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (15:19)", "body": "Petra and Sophie, great that you've joined us and over at CF news, it's a great time to be drooling:-))"}, {"response": 166, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (17:38)", "body": "Welcome Monica! [sorry am too exhausted to even look for my animated welcome signs] (Sophie) i major in trailer captures (HS comes to mind...) *hee hee* I feel like Claude Rains and Humphrey Bogart at the end of Casablanca, the beginning of a beautiful friendship. ;-D She's also a whiz at dewatermarking."}, {"response": 167, "author": "soph", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (18:34)", "body": "(barb s) Animatronics? I can hardly wait for the explanation! well, there's no reason to hold it back i guess.... as a gift to you all, thanx for the warm welcome here's disneyland's new attraction (sort of a tie-in to hope springs, to be installed in tomorrowland and hopefully not in neverneverland), yes, ladies and droolers, the one and only animatronicolin 1.0 our poo' boy seems quite distracted : \"well, i'll be... It's those damn droolers again !\" (to be continued...)"}, {"response": 168, "author": "soph", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (18:39)", "body": "hmmmm... looks like the link is not valid... sorry folks, these things happen once again : animatronicolin 1.0"}, {"response": 169, "author": "sdeaconsm", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (18:42)", "body": "Welcome Sophie and Petra. Glad to have you aboard. Enjoy, Enjoy. elaine"}, {"response": 170, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (18:46)", "body": "Sophie!!! Very nice!! Thanks.... There is nothing quite like that stride!!"}, {"response": 171, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (20:52)", "body": "Welcome Petra, Kelli, Monica, and Sophie to the class of 2003. As a freshman myself, I am thrilled to see such interesting and talented new classmates come on board. This place is so much fun, especially with all the action at 175. You will have a great time here! Sophie, you have nailed his walk. Can't wait to see more. Thanks for the great trailer caps, too."}, {"response": 172, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (22:16)", "body": "Sophie, I love it!"}, {"response": 173, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (22:27)", "body": "Bravo!! Woo woo!! That was better than I had expected, and that's the same Colin stepping off of Trauma."}, {"response": 174, "author": "soph", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (03:27)", "body": "(karen) that's the same Colin stepping off of Trauma yep. knew the boss would spot it straight away (source : fashion shots from italian vogue)."}, {"response": 175, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (07:37)", "body": "Sophie! Brilliant! Thanks!!"}, {"response": 176, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (09:39)", "body": "Sophie) I major in trailer captures (HS comes to mind...) (Karen) the beginning of a beautiful friendship. ;-D She's also a whiz at dewatermarking. Whoa....the answer to our prayers.Esp. the latter!! Go Sophie!"}, {"response": 177, "author": "Odile", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (10:32)", "body": "Thanks Sophie and welcome here! I see your site is on wanadoo. Dare I hope another French Drooleuse is upon us?"}, {"response": 178, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (16:11)", "body": "Thanks Sophie. This is great. Welcome Monica, Kelli and Petra! What fun you'll have here. It's truly wonderful. Enjoy."}, {"response": 179, "author": "soph", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (17:24)", "body": "(odile) Dare I hope another French Drooleuse is upon us? yep.... the paris brigade is ready to report on the local tiobe release (better late than nevah !)"}, {"response": 180, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (20:30)", "body": "Kelli, Monica, Petra, and Sophie. You picked a great time to join the fun. There's plenty of stubble to go around! ;-) Sophie, I loved your animation! So many talented ladies here."}, {"response": 181, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (09:54)", "body": "A little orientation for our new class of 2003... Drool has a topic structure, which helps us organize our discussions. New ones that have been established and a list of the ones which are currently most active are shown on the main Drool page: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/drool/all/new Right now we are using: 175: Current Colin News 166: Firthology - for discussion/questions about older films and general Colin drool type things 126: Spoilers - currently being used for discussion about What a Girl Wants and should be used for Hope Springs viewings 173: Darcy Drool - and about Pride and Prejudice 149: Bridget Jones's Diary - this is now for news about The Edge of Reason 168: Odds and Ends - for just that, plus birthday celebrations 113: Keepsakes - where people claim items from films Also, if you have questions or problems about posting here, we have a Help topic (#61) where you can practice posting images, changing fonts, etc., and everyone here can help. Please try to post everything you need to say within a message, as each topic here on Drool has a limited number of messages within it (1999 to be exact). There's never a need to post an apology for misposting or mistyping something. We get it and it just uses up a message unnecessarily. OK, I think I've covered just about everything...for now. ;-) If you have questions, just email me at nomdedrool@yahoo.com."}, {"response": 182, "author": "Odile", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (20:30)", "body": "Look at my manners. I forgot to welcome Kelli, Monica, and Petra! Have fun in the class of 2003. No exams here, just friendly drooling banter (towels not included) (Sophie) the paris brigade is ready to report on the local tiobe release (better late than nevah !) Judging from the last two times I went back to Paris, the brigade is doing good holding the fort: both times BJD was playing in some theater there! I was lucky to be travelling to California last summer because TIOBE never made it to Alaska... Feel free to email me. I'm accent-challenged with my American keyboard but otherwise would be glad to chat."}, {"response": 183, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, May  4, 2003 (17:55)", "body": "A hearty welcome to all new droolers! Lots of catching up to do so I'll be brief!"}, {"response": 184, "author": "sdeaconsm", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (22:10)", "body": "I see we have been joined by others I have not met, so welcome to everyone. This is a FUN place to be. elaine"}, {"response": 185, "author": "64BakerSt", "date": "Fri, May 16, 2003 (04:06)", "body": "Delurking... Hi all! I'm a CF newbie. I first saw him in Nostromo eons ago, but I wasn't hooked (shame on me!). I saw him in a clip from WAGW, and was very impressed (I also came to the conclusion that he was one of the most gorgeous men I had ever seen). I immediately went online to look up other films he had been in. Needless to say, P&P and BJD hooked me. I have also just found out that one of my friends is a closet CF fan, and has nearly worn out her copy of P&P!"}, {"response": 186, "author": "Leah", "date": "Fri, May 16, 2003 (05:55)", "body": "Welcome Kelly! my friends is a closet CF fan, and has nearly worn out her copy of P&P! you're in very good company here, as almost all copies of P&P are worn thin in one or two places."}, {"response": 187, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 16, 2003 (09:37)", "body": "Kelly! Glad to see you've decided to delurk and jump into the cool waters of our pond. Hopefully we can keep our Kelly/Kelli situation straight. ;-)"}, {"response": 188, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, May 16, 2003 (09:40)", "body": "Kelly! I advise obtaining backup copies of anything you particularly fancy! Multiple viewings can be tough on tapes!"}, {"response": 189, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May 16, 2003 (10:00)", "body": "Hi Kelly , how ya' doin."}, {"response": 190, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Fri, May 16, 2003 (10:21)", "body": "Kelly Glad you decided to join in the fun! I first saw him in Nostromo eons ago, but I wasn't hooked (shame on me!) I can't blame you for that. When I saw P&P I didn't even remember I had seen him before as Valmont."}, {"response": 191, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, May 16, 2003 (10:22)", "body": "Hi Kelly!! You are in the right place if you think he is the most gorgeous man you have ever seen and are hooked! And if you have only seen him in those few movies, I envy all the happy breathless initial viewings you have ahead of you!!"}, {"response": 192, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, May 16, 2003 (11:04)", "body": ""}, {"response": 193, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, May 16, 2003 (11:04)", "body": ""}, {"response": 194, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 16, 2003 (11:06)", "body": "Glad you joined us, Kelly, welcome!"}, {"response": 195, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, May 16, 2003 (11:07)", "body": "Sorry about that.... Welcome, Kelly! Glad you decided to make the leap into the Drool pond!"}, {"response": 196, "author": "Odile", "date": "Fri, May 16, 2003 (11:20)", "body": "Welcome Kelly! (MariaT) I envy all the happy breathless initial viewings you have ahead of you!! Ditto! I keep a fond memory of hunting the local videostores for any CF material..."}, {"response": 197, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, May 16, 2003 (11:34)", "body": "Welcome, Kelly! Glad you decided to delurk and join the fun."}, {"response": 198, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, May 16, 2003 (12:45)", "body": "Hello Kelly! Glad you have joined us.... I also came to the conclusion that he was one of the most gorgeous men I had ever seen Oh...is this the place for you!!!!!"}, {"response": 199, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, May 16, 2003 (13:00)", "body": "Hi, Kelly. Glad you're here. I saw CF in P&P when it premiered on A&E then lost track of him until eight months after BJD. I can't wait to hear your comments on the pleasures that await you. I'll say Welcome again, because my graphics don't always work:-)"}, {"response": 200, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Fri, May 16, 2003 (13:02)", "body": "Hi Kelly I\ufffdm joining this group for a few weeks now You\ufffdre definitely right here. Have fun."}, {"response": 201, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, May 16, 2003 (13:44)", "body": "Welcome, Kelly! We have a lot of fun here, so feel free to join us on any and all topics!"}, {"response": 202, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, May 16, 2003 (15:12)", "body": "Welcome Kelly. You'll have a really good time here. Enjoy."}, {"response": 203, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, May 16, 2003 (17:07)", "body": "Welcome Kelly! (MariaT) I envy all the happy breathless initial viewings you have ahead of you!! I do too! We are allways ready to drool over \"old\" material on Firthology. I usually greet new members (I'm fairly new myself, though) with roses, but lately I've found it wise imagewise to stick to white flowers ;-)"}, {"response": 204, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, May 16, 2003 (20:42)", "body": "Hi Kelly and welcome! You'll like it here, we're all generally very well-behaved, except when we're not! (and that's when it's the most fun!) (Annette, what's this with your image? You know we like you just as you are!)"}, {"response": 205, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Fri, May 16, 2003 (22:21)", "body": "Welcome Kelly!! I'm also newbie, and am really glad to meet another delurker. You'll find much fun here."}, {"response": 206, "author": "64BakerSt", "date": "Sat, May 17, 2003 (04:50)", "body": "Thanks for all of the nice welcomes (and the dimply photo too)!!! ;-) Kelly"}, {"response": 207, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sat, May 17, 2003 (06:52)", "body": "Hey Kelly, WELCOME You've found the best place and the best crowd to indulge in your obsession. Enjoy;-)"}, {"response": 208, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, May 17, 2003 (08:10)", "body": "(Kelly)I also came to the conclusion that he was one of the most gorgeous men I had ever seen Hi Kelly from a relative newbie. There are folks here who's hearts are probably melting because of your finding ODB via WAGW! Have fun with his \"archive\" and you too can look forward to the DVD of TA/HOPig (am I obsessing about this DVD a little?........oh well, I'm in the right place for it). See, you can let loose of those CF hummers here, Welcome!"}, {"response": 209, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sat, May 17, 2003 (08:16)", "body": "Welcome, Kelly!! Glad you decided to join us. What delights are in store for you as you discover ODB's earlier work. Enjoy!"}, {"response": 210, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, May 17, 2003 (11:04)", "body": "(BeeDee) See, you can let loose of those CF hummers here, Excuse me? Did I read this right? ;-) ;-) Welcome, Kelly! A great group...lots of wicked fun!"}, {"response": 211, "author": "sdeaconsm", "date": "Sun, May 18, 2003 (20:00)", "body": "WELCOME KELLY!! GLAD TO HAVE YOU. elaine"}, {"response": 212, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (18:14)", "body": "Hello to all from a newbie ready to join your fine company. My first glimpse of CF was decades ago in trailers for Valmont. Unfortunately, at that time I was way over anything and everything remotely related to DL. Neither MF nor his gorgeous lead actor was going to make me sit through another version anytime soon. My true introduction to the man himself was SW \ufffdit was lovely\ufffd (I know, you really are a s****y article.) And so began many wonderful and at times frustrating relationships with those you may be acquainted with. Can you guess whom I mean? AD \ufffdI haven\ufffdt pleased you?\ufffd (change partners, mon cher, it takes two to *cough* tango), CG (I blinked, where\ufffdd you go?), RL \ufffdit wasn\ufffdt worth it\ufffd (your performance was, thanks Karen), VdV \ufffdand Maman will have a huge scandal on her hands\ufffd (what Maman doesn\ufffdt know\ufffd), JP \ufffdshe\ufffds a total sucking fuccubus\ufffd (your marriage is illegal, forget the succubus and move to Florida), MC on the rocks (no acting gig is worth this, buddy), JM \ufffdis this really necessary?\ufffd (does Bette Davis have an Oscar?), FD \ufffdon foot?\ufffd (planes, trains, automobiles, by any means necessary), GC (you say it best, when you say nothing at all), PA \ufffd18 years, 18 f**king years\ufffd (ah feel yo pain, I\ufffdm a NY Rangers fan), JC \ufffdand you\ufffdre just oblivious\ufffd (guess again), LW \ufffdyou may show your pleasure\ufffd (indeed!), EP \ufffdI\ufffdve been a child\ufffd (you can be my baby anytime), MF \ufffdI can put temptation in her path\ufffd (look in the mirror, babe, you are temptation), WS \ufffdwho\ufffds Ken Branagh?\ufffd (don\ufffdt worry, Ken\ufffds still working on that one), PI \ufffdhave a pinch\ufffd (may I pick my spot?), AP \ufffdhello mon ch\ufffdri\ufffd (that\ufffds ma ch\ufffdrie, we\ufffdll get to the French kissing lessons later, for now what is your heart telling your pennis?), MD \ufffdthe door was open\ufffd (Ding, Dong!! Come on in), Dr. WS \ufffdI am speaking!\ufffd (not anymore, thank God), JW \ufffdI don\ufffdt think it suits me atall\ufffd (but it produces vibrations), and last but not least, HD \ufffdI wouldn\ufffdt change a single hair on your head\ufffd (but would you mess it up a little given the right incentive?) So ladies and gents, here\ufffds to many more encounters on the stage, wide screen, vhs or dvd. Sorry to be so long winded everyone. I hope you don\ufffdt mind, CF\ufffd \ufffdnotatall\ufffd. I knew you wouldn\ufffdt ;)"}, {"response": 213, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (18:41)", "body": "I'll be short... Hi Sonia"}, {"response": 214, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (19:03)", "body": "Sonia You've picked an exciting day to join us. Drama, a real drama! Loved your list"}, {"response": 215, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (19:36)", "body": "Oh Sonia! Love the list!!! Well done! \ufffdI don\ufffdt think it suits me atall\ufffd Oh! I do love how he runs those words together when he says them... \ufffdand Maman will have a huge scandal on her hands\ufffd The movie that hooked me...I have such a softy, squishy spot for Msr. Valmont...despite his wicked reputation! ;-)"}, {"response": 216, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (20:06)", "body": "Thanks for the warm welcome. It\ufffds as if I\ufffdve finally arrived at the party after getting lost on my way there."}, {"response": 217, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (20:21)", "body": ", Sonia. It's never too late to join the party."}, {"response": 218, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (00:24)", "body": "Sonia!! That was some introductory message. Loved the list, particularly... your marriage is illegal, forget the succubus and move to Florida I think several other ladies here will there to meet the plane. A good elbow to the stomach will get them out of your way. ;-) that\ufffds ma ch\ufffdrie, we\ufffdll get to the French kissing lessons later, for now what is your heart telling your pennis? I had no idea you'd been lurking that long. ;-)"}, {"response": 219, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (07:24)", "body": "Welcome, Sonia! Nice way to delurk \ufffd trying to remember all the quotes. I couldn\ufffdt remember these two, but knowing this lovely crowd, someone will soon provide me with answers, I\ufffdm sure. CG (I blinked, where\ufffdd you go?), RL \ufffdit wasn\ufffdt worth it\ufffd (your performance was, thanks Karen), This rose has your name, so I hope it\ufffdll do you ;-) Karen, this picture is above the size, you once recommended. Please remove it if nescessary, when Sonia has had a chance to see it. Thanks!"}, {"response": 220, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (07:41)", "body": "Sorry, last try. If it doesn't work, try the link. I just remembered one of the above: CG = Charles Gould perhaps?"}, {"response": 221, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (09:07)", "body": "Yes, CG = Charles Gould and RL = Robert Lawrence (Psst! I needed a cheat sheet myself.)"}, {"response": 222, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (09:38)", "body": "Ladies, you know your \"classics\". (Annette) I just remembered one of the above: CG = Charles Gould perhaps? (Karen) Yes, CG = Charles Gould and RL = Robert Lawrence (Psst! I needed a cheat sheet myself.) Psst, I needed one too. (Karen) I had no idea you'd been lurking that long. ;-) Not that long but certain themes seem more prevalent than others:) Tried the link and saw the rose. Thanks Annette."}, {"response": 223, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (11:11)", "body": "Welcome, Sonia! So glad you've decided to join us. :-D your marriage is illegal, forget the succubus and move to Florida (Karen, I think several other ladies here will there to meet the plane. A good elbow to the stomach will get them out of your way. ;-) LOL! You think so? He'd have a hard time getting out of the foursome. Of course, I would finally have my chance at the kissing lesson. ;-) He'd never be the same again. Mmmm"}, {"response": 224, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (12:10)", "body": "Welcome, Sonia. What a great list. I need a cheat sheet too. You'll really enjoy it here."}, {"response": 225, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (18:45)", "body": "Great list Sonia! I'm a quote obsesser myself and you gave me some fun work to do! (I just got through all of Nostromo this week.) A hearty welcome to you!!"}, {"response": 226, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (20:05)", "body": "Sonia - Welcome to the Class of 2003. You must have been lurking a long time (like me) because your list shows you did the pre-requisite viewing before school started. You'll have a great time here!"}, {"response": 227, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, May 22, 2003 (00:25)", "body": "Sonia! Fun list! The old brain needed a cheat sheet, though."}, {"response": 228, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sat, May 24, 2003 (06:43)", "body": "WELCOME SONIA LOL! Love browsing your list! A really great intro. have a pinch Remember it well, a favourite moment of mine. Glad you found the best CF party at last!"}, {"response": 229, "author": "socadook", "date": "Sat, May 24, 2003 (11:11)", "body": "Thank you all. It's going to take a while for me to catch up with Spring's goodies and festivities. At least here, I don't have to go through the usual scenario when talking about CF: \"you know, the guy from COF, SiL, TEP, BJD\" \"oh yeah, which one was he?\""}, {"response": 230, "author": "sdeaconsm", "date": "Sat, May 24, 2003 (12:08)", "body": "WELCOME, SONIA!! I don't comment often because I cannot visit the page everyday, but I try to as often as possible. You will have a great time here, even if you only get to read the comments of others and view the \"neat\" emoticons they send. ENJOY!! elaine"}, {"response": 231, "author": "soph", "date": "Fri, May 30, 2003 (09:56)", "body": "*ooooops ! where was i again !* sorry kelly, sorry sonia... a very very late welcome to the class of 2003. enjoy the ride."}, {"response": 232, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Jun  5, 2003 (12:48)", "body": "No - not a new member. But I came across this site, with very helpful explanations of the use of \"signs\" i.e. winkies and so forth. It might help me to vary my answers :-) http://www.windweaver.com/emoticon.htm"}, {"response": 233, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jun  5, 2003 (13:01)", "body": "Ah! Annnette! Some of those are very funny! Look! Plasters!! (::( )::) (::( )::)"}, {"response": 234, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Jun  5, 2003 (13:34)", "body": "(Tress) Look! Plasters!! (::( )::) (::( )::) LOL! :-D -great site Annette, thanks!"}, {"response": 235, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Jun  5, 2003 (15:38)", "body": "LOL, Tress! V. v. clever."}, {"response": 236, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jun  5, 2003 (17:43)", "body": "Thanks so much Annette, now I'll know what everyone means."}, {"response": 237, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (09:17)", "body": "Hello! My name is Shoshana. I just decided to de-lurk after a few days of reading all the CF chat I could. I feel so at home here! A little about me: I'll be 22 in two weeks, I live in Atlanta, and I fell for CF very hard very quickly in the last month, though I had known of him for a while. So far I've seen P&P, BJD, Valmont, CoF, TIOBE, AZ, SIL, TEP, MLSF, and I have ATA from the library ready to be watched. :) I think I'll go head over to Intro to Firthology now. Thanks for having a place like this available!!!"}, {"response": 238, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (10:00)", "body": "Shoshana!! Glad you have decided to join us!!"}, {"response": 239, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (10:36)", "body": "Welcome Shoshana!! I'm so glad you are *delurking*! ps.....I've been dying to use this little graphic so thanks for that too. I have been saving it since I found it and started to learn to post graphics...he he."}, {"response": 240, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (11:00)", "body": "Shoshana!! Glad to have you delurk and to join in the fun. :)"}, {"response": 241, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (11:14)", "body": "Welcome Shoshana!! Welcome to the class of 2003. Have fun!!"}, {"response": 242, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (11:30)", "body": "Hi Shoshana, I'm a newbie myself. So glad you decided to The more merrier!"}, {"response": 243, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (11:46)", "body": "Welcome, Shoshana! Glad you decided to join us!"}, {"response": 244, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (11:48)", "body": "Hello Shoshana!! You've come to the right place to share and appreciate Colin! We've all fallen hard, and we can't (and don't want) to get up!"}, {"response": 245, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (12:18)", "body": "Such a lovely greeting!"}, {"response": 246, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (12:27)", "body": "Shoshana!"}, {"response": 247, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (12:30)", "body": "Something tells me that we're to be great friends. I like you (all) already more than I can say and my first impressions of people are never wrong! Perhaps I have watched TIOBE too many times recently? Nah!!"}, {"response": 248, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (13:01)", "body": "Shoshana What made you fall for CF so hard in the last month??? We all love to know things like that. What was the moment, or the film?"}, {"response": 249, "author": "soph", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (13:49)", "body": "welcome aboard shoshana, welcome to the class of 2003, from another newbie, and a lot more ignorant one as well. fasten your seat belt, the ride seems somewhat bumpy sometimes, but hey, gallery x is up and it's really a purrr-fect opportunity to delurk."}, {"response": 250, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (14:26)", "body": "Hi Shoshana, and welcome! Your welcomerose is a bit tricky. It has reference to a CF-movie by it's name, but not it's colour. (I don't like, when they mess with facts). From your impressiv list, I think you have this one to look forward to :-) Enjoy! The \"real\" Sarah van Fleet:"}, {"response": 251, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (20:56)", "body": "Welcome Shoshana! All of a month and you're dropping quotes like that already? LOL I think you'll fit right in!"}, {"response": 252, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (21:34)", "body": "Such a lovely rose... thank you, Annette! My name means rose, btw, so it is especially fitting. To what movie does it refer? but hey, gallery x is up What, pray tell, is gallery x? Unfortunatelly, my computer has the habit of deciding not to show some images on the lists (to my overwhelming disappointment when I came to the Googie discussion on Firthology 101 ;-) )."}, {"response": 253, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (01:14)", "body": "The rose refers to A Month In The Country. One of my favourites. I can't tell you what gallery x is, but I'm sure one of the clever girls can tell us in no time :-) I'll be off, perhaps it's time to check older discussions (he-he-he);-)"}, {"response": 254, "author": "soph", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (05:07)", "body": "(shoshana) What, pray tell, is gallery x? oops, sorry that was kind of obscure. i was only refering to the first-of-many (hence, the x) galleries featuring snaps of HS put up by karen & kathyc (shrine shrine shrine) @ cf.com. (too lazy to post the link this morning, so check out 176)."}, {"response": 255, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (07:06)", "body": "(sophie) snaps of HS put up by karen & kathyc (shrine shrine shrine) Wow! Thanks! I think I'll like it here!"}, {"response": 256, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (13:41)", "body": "Shoshana, welcome! I'm thrilled to finally meet a fellow Drooler fom Georgia. I'm part of the class of 2003 myself, so I'm still learning. You will have so much fun here, even when not much is going on with ODB. These ladies are a riot!"}, {"response": 257, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (17:29)", "body": "(Hen)I'm thrilled to finally meet a fellow Drooler fom Georgia. If you don't mind me asking, where in GA are you from? It would be great to not be watching ODB alone."}, {"response": 258, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (17:39)", "body": "FYI, we do personal things via email. Click on the name and you'll get each other's email addresses."}, {"response": 259, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (19:22)", "body": "Oops! Sorry!!"}, {"response": 260, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (19:38)", "body": "(lindak)What made you fall for CF so hard in the last month??? We all love to know things like that. What was the moment, or the film? May I discuss this here?"}, {"response": 261, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (19:53)", "body": "Of course, especially since your intro mentioned it. Inquiring minds apparently want to know. ;-)"}, {"response": 262, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (20:20)", "body": "(Shoshana)May I discuss this here? (Linda) We all love to know things like that. (Karen) Inquiring minds apparently want to know. That's part of the fun, Shoshana. Add mine to the inquiring minds."}, {"response": 263, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (21:30)", "body": "Hehe! It's hardly that exciting. Let's see... I was reading EoR and became infatuated with the Mark Darcy character. I was able to 'see' MD ar CF, though the name Colin Firth didn't mean much to me. About the same time we got a DVD player! Almost immediately afterwards I went to the audio-visual specialty library to look for DVDs. The special P&P set was there (I had heard of it but never seen it). Having recently come across the Darcy/Firth worship by BJ, I was intrigued. I think I watched all 6 hours and the extras in practically one sitting! I was in love! I went back to see CoF, BJD, and SIL (Joseph Fiennes is nice... )again and was able to really watch the actor who had caught my eye before. I have since checked out every CF film in our library system (DeKalb County in Atlanta has a wonderful library system - I hardly ever have to pay to rent films because I can check out from the big selection in the library). Within a week I was intoduced to TIOBE, MLSF, TEP (yes, I hadn't seen it before), ATA, Valmont, and AZ (Conspiracy s waiting for me at the local library for tomorrow ). Anyway, eager web searches lead me from IMDb to Colin Firth Fantasy Women and Colin Firth Down Under and firth.com (all three lovely sites - thanks for being there!) and finally here. Finding screenshots from PM there didn't hurt my developing interest either! Wow! That wass a lot of rambling (and I didn't realize I used quite so many paranthetical comments)."}, {"response": 264, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (00:09)", "body": "(Shoshana) (and I didn't realize I used quite so many paranthetical comments). Don't be upset. It's apparently a feature of the pathology. As well as exclaination points, winkies, panting, thuds, drooling and my own syndrome appears to include the use of whatever these things are called \".............\" To me it means: well, you all know where I'm going with this! See, those exclaimation points again..........."}, {"response": 265, "author": "MaryW", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (09:49)", "body": "Unlurking to say \"hi\" to all. Wanted to say my CF history is more like Shoshana's than those of you who've been fans since \"Valmont.\" I'd seen ODB in CofF (boo! bad guy!)SiL (boo! hiss! bad guy!) and EP (poor heartbroken lad) when they came out, but he never really made an impression on me until I watched P&P3 this spring. (Had to have some escapism from the war.) Being very fond of P&P2 I was reluctant to see #3, since I didn't like JE in the previews. After having seen P&P3, I still believe Elizabeth Garvie *IS* Eliza Bennett and JE is an imposter, but there can NEVER be another FDarcy other than ODB! I read BJD and then saw it (anyone else get goosebumps down their spine when ODB says his last line?--the *timbre* of his voice,ladies!--)and I've just finished reading EoR. I live in a small town (poor library) and have trouble finding any of CF's earlier works in our pathetic Blockbuster. Do any of you subscribe to on-line video/DVD rental places, and if so, are you satisfied with them? The only other thing I have to add is Karen has summarized my CF infatuation with her subtitle of \"ordinarily sensible women who have temporarily lost their heads over movie stars.\" I think the majority of CF's appeal for me is not just that he's extremely talented, handsome, and has a voice that gives goosebumps, but that (from his interviews, anyway) he seems to be a genuinely good *person*--good husband,good father, good citizen. He's not some pretty-boy egomanic actor. I think his appeal for me is that he's something of a beau ideal. When my DH failed to get me a card...or gift..or flowers for Mother's Day (though we have a toddler and at 40, am pregant after a v. diff. delivery last time), I could think \"Well, at least CF wouldn't have done that to HIS wife!\" Silly, but it's nice to think that somewhere in the world some men behave as they should. ;-)"}, {"response": 266, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (10:02)", "body": "MaryW Welcome! (and Happy Mother's Day!) I think your description of ODB is what makes him so appealing to many of us (the towel shots are, admittedly a bonus! ;-) Join in, wax rhapsodic, and drool with other like minded souls!"}, {"response": 267, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (10:46)", "body": "A Hearty welcome to the class of '03 Mary! (Mary)I think the majority of CF's appeal for me is not just that he's extremely talented, handsome, and has a voice that gives goosebumps, but that (from his interviews, anyway) he seems to be a genuinely good *person*--good husband,good father, good citizen. He's not some pretty-boy egomanic actor. I think his appeal for me is that he's something of a beau ideal. And consequently he attracts the best kind of fan. This group has been a wonderful bunch to play with and I'm sure you will enjoy them as I have. (Maria)(the towel shots are, admittedly a bonus! ;-) A very big bonus! I guess I'm shallow enough to admit to the *being a nice guy* as the early bonus;-)"}, {"response": 268, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (10:46)", "body": "MaryW. Glad to have you on board. Sounds like you know your way around ODB's films. (Have to disagree with you on Elizabeth Garvie as Elizabeth--JE is tops in my book.;-))"}, {"response": 269, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (10:52)", "body": "Hi Mary Glad you joined our little group (Mary)After having seen P&P3, I still believe Elizabeth Garvie *IS* Eliza Bennett Oh ...did she get the BAFTA for that role ;-)) Interestingly, actually I thought Garvie made a better Camilla Parker-Bowles in \"Diana\". And I know lots of people who preferred David Rintoul as FD"}, {"response": 270, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (10:57)", "body": "Mary, you've definitely come to the right place. Have fun! Love your description of ODB. Couldn't agree you more. A warm welcome from a newbie, i.e. me! :-)"}, {"response": 271, "author": "socadook", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (11:12)", "body": ", Mary. Happy Mother's Day and congratulations on your toddler and upcoming bundle of joy. From one newbie to another, glad to have you join the class of 2003. What I've learned in the short time I've been here: do not drink and read at the same time (if you must, keep some wipes and tissues handy), wear comfortable clothes (to allow plenty of breathing room for those moments of uncontrollable laughter), and should you have \"one of those day\" in the words of Beedee take two CF DVDs and write about it in the morning! ;-)"}, {"response": 272, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (11:20)", "body": "Excellent suggestion, Sonia! (Sonia) do not drink and read at the same time (if you must, keep some wipes and tissues handy), Keep the tissues handy anyway, you never know when the keyboard would be flooded by drooling."}, {"response": 273, "author": "socadook", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (11:36)", "body": "(Shoshana) Having recently come across the Darcy/Firth worship by BJ, I was intrigued. I think I watched all 6 hours and the extras in practically one sitting! I was in love! (Mary) there can NEVER be another FDarcy other than ODB! Darcy strikes again! I'm sure it's been said before but I'll say it now anyway. It is a testament to all involved (yes Mary, even JE :-)) that I still watch P&P time and again (with CF as the ultimate FD). (Shoshana)... was able to really watch the actor who had caught my eye before. I have since checked out every CF film in our library system (Mary) I think the majority of CF's appeal for me is not just that he's extremely talented, handsome, and has a voice that gives goosebumps CF strikes again! Those attributes are enough to send me on VHS/DVD quests to libraries, rental stores, video shops, Bucket's Boutique, ebay, swaps and I know not wot (standard operating procedure, imo). And yes, it's a bonus to read he's a decent person irl."}, {"response": 274, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (12:39)", "body": "Hi Mary! Sorry I can't do any fancy graphics! I've only been here for a little while, but it's great! Have fun!"}, {"response": 275, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (13:14)", "body": "Welcome Mary! You are joining us just as summer semester is starting. The Class of 2003 is a great group,and the alumni are simply the most clever, talented, and witty people you'll ever meet. And the subject of our study is definitely worth the time and effort we put in. Especially when he is modeling linens. You'll learn a lot and have a wonderful time here!"}, {"response": 276, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (13:37)", "body": "Yippeee!!!! Another playmate!!! Welcome Mary! (Mary) The only other thing I have to add is Karen has summarized my CF infatuation with her subtitle of \"ordinarily sensible women who have temporarily lost their heads over movie stars.\" LOL...I can only speak for myself here, but I don't know if it's 'temporary'!! (Beedee) As well as exclaination points, winkies, panting, thuds, drooling and my own syndrome appears to include the use of whatever these things are called \".............\" Ohhh...LOL....extremely guilty of those \".........\" things (as well as the winkies, panting, thuds and gasps)! IRL you would never guess that I'm a technical writer...shocking!"}, {"response": 277, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (14:50)", "body": "BTW, I can't take credit for the conference summary. It was here when I arrived."}, {"response": 278, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (15:02)", "body": "Mary (Mary)(anyone else get goosebumps down their spine when ODB says his last line?--the *timbre* of his voice,ladies!--) Yep, that's why we're here. Love the way he says...F--k, f---ing, in any film. (Evelyn)And I know lots of people who preferred David Rintoul as FD I still have that on tape from the first time it was on MT. I loved DR, that is, until THE real Mr. Darcy arrived on the scene. I fear all others are pretenders to the throne:-)"}, {"response": 279, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (15:11)", "body": "Welcome Shoshana and Mary. So nice to meet you. You'll have a wonderful time here. Enjoy these wonderful ladies."}, {"response": 280, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (17:29)", "body": "Hi Mary, and welcome Fortunately it's very modern to recycle, cause I'm afraid I might have used this rose as greeting earlier. But - It has your name, it has Fitzwilliams name, it's developed by Mr Bennett, so I couldn't help myself. Here you go: Lady Mary Fitzwilliam I know only of one Mr Darcy and one Elisabeth Bennett. ODB and JE - that'll do me anytime ;-)"}, {"response": 281, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (01:17)", "body": "Mary! I know you'll enjoy drooling with this crowd!"}, {"response": 282, "author": "MaryW", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (08:13)", "body": "Thank you for your warm and generous welcomes. What a fun Class! I must say, while I admire a pair of fine eyes in the face of a handsome gentleman, I wouldn't mind a towel scene or five in EoR... ;-)"}, {"response": 283, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (08:52)", "body": "A big Welcome to the latest Firthettes, Shoshana and Mary! (Evelyn), And I know lots of people who preferred David Rintoul as FD Wot? Impossible!"}, {"response": 284, "author": "CeeJ", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (15:34)", "body": "Yikes here I am, another delurker. I've been a bit shy about delurking, but I find I have questions and you people have the answers! Honestly, I'm not shy at all but just a little bit in awe (okay, mostly a LOT in awe) of so many of you! So . . . he's been my favorite actor for a long time, but I didn't ever hyper-focus on him until the last year or two. It's been gradually building and I must say for the last six months I've become a bit obsessed. I expected it to pass! Or to be replaced or something, but it hasn't so now I'm thinking I just want to have a place to talk about him without having to worry that I've lost my brain! (so . . . does the obsession calm down over time?) I do have a badly framed picture of him in my office at work, printed off of this site, so I'm \"out\" there, but to be honest I also have one of Ted Koppel (but that was a gift from co-workers). I know that's a little weird though thankfully I don't obsess about Ted in the same way (though I do tape his show nightly, so there's a little obsession there too) and I definitely do NOT ponder him in the same way (nudge, nudge, wink, wink). Okay then there's also Elvis Costello but again, this Colin thing is way beyond the other two! Incomparable! I think it must have something to do with words to begin with, but then Colin has all those other things to make the picture complete (sigh). Anyway, I hope the people here do not think me too peculiar. I've kinda decided it's his voice that does me in completely. My favorites are of course BJD (and would someone please tell me why I watch it when it comes on TV when I have the tape (and a backup) and the DVD?) and FeverPitch. Oh sorry of course P&P3 is my top favorite, and I watch them all quite a lot. Sorry to say I like Londinium too -- I like how unpredicable his character is, I think it's very funny. I taped Camille recently and I guess I'm glad I have that but my oh my was he young. I'm frantically searching around right now for the soundtrack to FeverPitch because I like it so much, but haven't had any luck yet. And I love the Lady Come Down from TIOBE and all of that scene. Really can't wait for EofR, wish I was casting it! Also just wanted to mention that Karen's great (and thank you for helping me figure out a few things!) and I like it so much that people's personalities come out so strongly, even with just a few sentences I feel as though I've already gotten to know some of you already, good writing! For me, Karen is a fun perfectionist, very detail oriented, very giving. And have I got it right that Linda's a wild/brash/hold-nothing-back woman? And I would love to hear if there are other similar-minded people out here in the Pacific Northwest. And since I must have intellectual stimulation when my mind is in the gutter, I'm also looking forward to figuring out all the wonderful graphics! I've never given any of that a nod but I'm looking forward to the exploration ('had I ever learnt, I would have been a true/great proficient!') Kuddos to you all, what a wonderful group of people!"}, {"response": 285, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (16:03)", "body": "Miss CeeJ, would it be too much....would you allow me...to introduce myself and Miss Bennet to you and to say..... And from me too! Welcome to Drool and to the *new-bloods* of 2003!"}, {"response": 286, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (16:29)", "body": "CeeJ (CeeJ) would someone please tell me why I watch it when it comes on TV when I have the tape (and a backup) and the DVD? That's one of the great mysteries of womankind, and one of the symptoms of our obsession. You're going to fit right in!"}, {"response": 287, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (16:30)", "body": "closing tags, I hope."}, {"response": 288, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (16:31)", "body": "(so . . . does the obsession calm down over time?) LOL! Maybe when he's old and grey. ;-) Welcome, CeeJ! We love Elvis Costello's music too."}, {"response": 289, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (16:31)", "body": "CeeJ (CeeJ) would someone please tell me why I watch it when it comes on TV when I have the tape (and a backup) and the DVD? That's one of the great mysteries of womankind, and one of the symptoms of our obsession. You're going to fit right in!"}, {"response": 290, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (16:32)", "body": "Help, Karen! This thing won't close!"}, {"response": 291, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (16:48)", "body": "It might have been me"}, {"response": 292, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (17:11)", "body": "Hi ya' CeeJ (Cee J)I'm frantically searching around right now for the soundtrack to FeverPitch because I like it so much, but haven't had any luck yet. Tower Records UK tells me they can get it for $23.95. email me for contact."}, {"response": 293, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (17:44)", "body": "(CeeJ) (so . . . does the obsession calm down over time?) (Moon) LOL! Maybe when he's old and grey. ;-) LOL, maybe not. He's aging too gracefully. :-) Welcome to the class of 2003, CeeJ."}, {"response": 294, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (17:56)", "body": "CeeJ I expected it to pass! Oh you think so, huh??? Stick around. Mine has only gotten worse since I've been here;-) My favorites are of course BJD (and would someone please tell me why I watch it when it comes on TV when I have the tape (and a backup) and the DVD?) It gets me every time. Just watched it on TV last week. See, you are in the right place. I got it right that Linda's a wild/brash/hold-nothing-back woman? LOL,*looking around for any other Lindas'* I'll try not to disappoint. BTW, I've only developed that side of my personality since I've landed here;-)"}, {"response": 295, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (18:00)", "body": "CeeJ!!! (CeeJ) I've kinda decided it's his voice that does me in completely. Mmmm....love the voice! It causes vibrations! (CeeJ)And I would love to hear if there are other similar-minded people out here in the Pacific Northwest. Representin' Portland, Oregon here!! I'm also looking forward to figuring out all the wonderful graphics! For starters: http://www.austen.com/tutorial/"}, {"response": 296, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (19:09)", "body": "Welcome CeeJ! Glad you delurked! hyper-focus That's a good term, I think it describes the lot of us! You'll fit right in! Welcome and have fun!"}, {"response": 297, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (20:12)", "body": "Greetings CeeJ! I am new as well, but everyone here is helpful, obliging, and, most of all, willing to talk and drool over CF! Just keep on exploring -- I find exciting new images, news, and drool everyday. (CeeJ) I've kinda decided it's his voice that does me in completely. (Tress)Mmmm....love the voice! It causes vibrations! Oh yesss...... ;-)"}, {"response": 298, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (21:07)", "body": "Welcome CeeJ! You have defintely come to the right place. (CeeJ)It's been gradually building and I must say for the last six months I've become a bit obsessed. I expected it to pass! Or to be replaced or something, but it hasn't so now I'm thinking I just want to have a place to talk about him without having to worry that I've lost my brain! (so . . . does the obsession calm down over time?) So you were in the middle of it before you even knew you had started? We all know that feeling. If you want to calm down your obsession you'd better not stick aroud here;-) Towel pics and stubble shots are quite addictive. Glad you've joined us!"}, {"response": 299, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (22:41)", "body": "CeeJ! (CeeJ) And I would love to hear if there are other similar-minded people out here in the Pacific Northwest. Whidbey Island, Washington, here."}, {"response": 300, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (23:18)", "body": "Welcome, CeeJ! If you\ufffdll think you\ufffdll get over this obsession, there are those of us ahead of you who can readily say the odds aren\ufffdt in your favor. ;-) Glad to have you on board. I\ufffdm obsessed with all the Darcys\ufffdthese days especially Mark."}, {"response": 301, "author": "CeeJ", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (00:46)", "body": "You people are so kind! Love the lovely welcomes!"}, {"response": 302, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (03:57)", "body": "Hi CeeJ and welcome! Apparently I'm messing up most of the things, I touch today, but - as said before - I shall conquer this, I shall. One thing I've given up conquering is getting past this obsession-stage. This place is way to fun and informative, and the droolers are the most sensible women on this planet (IMHO). So, enjoy the ride. You never wanna get off ;-) given my past behaviour, I'll just post the link aswell: http://www.orchidworks.com/orchids/mayphals/ruben02.jpg"}, {"response": 303, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (08:17)", "body": "Welcome CeeJ!!! So glad you have \"come out\" so to speak! And as for your question, \"and would someone please tell me why I watch it when it comes on TV when I have the tape (and a backup) and the DVD?)\" all I can say is we all understand and are right there with ya! Maria (who has been a voluntary \"prisoner\" of Mark Darcy and her cable company, watching BJD no less than 6 times this past week because it was on...)"}, {"response": 304, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (08:51)", "body": "Welcome, CeeJ! Welcome to the class of '03. Once you spend your time here, bet your obsession will only get worsened every day! I do have a badly framed picture of him in my office at work, I made a *personalized* screensaver in the computer at work which is a slideshow of CF's pictures. Therefore whenever I'm working in front of the monitor, which is quite a lot of time, there is constant danger for me being unproductive at work. ;-)"}, {"response": 305, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (09:04)", "body": "CeeJ!! Good to see you posting now. Have fun and when you need help with the graphics and other stuff, we're all here to help on Topic 61. would someone please tell me why I watch it when it comes on TV when I have the tape (and a backup) and the DVD?) Ahhh, one of the great mysteries of the universe. Been there myself. ;-D"}, {"response": 306, "author": "soph", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (09:28)", "body": "(CeeJ) (...) does the obsession calm down over time? ohh, suuuure, [says the shrink to the demented patient], suuure, don't you worry about it, everything's gonna be aaaalllright. (en appart\ufffd : \"come on you guys, this is a serious one, bring the straightjacket\"). ceej, welcome to the mad house, ward 2003 : you'll easily recognize the patients, they all drool like crazy. and a big welcome to mary too, with quite a lot of delay (sorry sorry)"}, {"response": 307, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (13:43)", "body": "CeeJ would someone please tell me why I watch it when it comes on TV when I have the tape (and a backup) and the DVD I do that too. It feels a bit like going on a date with him, doesn't it."}, {"response": 308, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (15:01)", "body": "I've even sat thru the 6 hrs when A&E has the P&P marathon. They used to do it the Sunday aft Thanksgiving. Reminds me, time to start bombarding A&E again."}, {"response": 309, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (15:01)", "body": "Welcome CeeJ. So nice to meet you. You'll have a wonderfult time here. Everyone is so nice and talented."}, {"response": 310, "author": "cyndy", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (08:48)", "body": "I thought I was the only Colin drooler out here! I am so excited to find out I am not alone. I think I have probably just found my way home! I'm probably a relative newcomer to Colin's admirers. I first saw him some years ago in \"A Thousand Acres\", which I enjoyed tremendously. Imagine my surprise when the next thing I saw him in was BJD and he was talking with an accent! But what a wonderful accent. I don't know how to use the wonderful graphics and such I have seen on this site, but I hope to get a bit more savy about it all. I'm located in the Mid-West, Kansas actually. My daughter, who is 25 thinks her mother has crossed over into weirdness with my facination with Colin. Around work, they have been teasing me frequently, so I put Colin screensavers on my computer, just to make 'em laugh a bit more. If I can't enjoy my preoccupation--why bother??? Cyndy"}, {"response": 311, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (09:07)", "body": "Welcome Cyndy!!! You are definitely not alone! Welcome \"home\", glad you have joined us!"}, {"response": 312, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (09:18)", "body": "Welcome Cyndy! It's always wonderful to meet Colin's fan. Have fun!"}, {"response": 313, "author": "socadook", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (09:28)", "body": "(Cyndy) If I can't enjoy my preoccupation--why bother??? Isn't that the truth! You're home now so feel free to roam around. It's great to have you join the class of 2003."}, {"response": 314, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (10:06)", "body": "Cyndy!! (Cyndi) Around work, they have been teasing me frequently, so I put Colin screensavers on my computer, just to make 'em laugh a bit more. If I can't enjoy my preoccupation--why bother??? Oh...I've got the screensavers too! And I work at the same company as the DH....so not only do I get teased about it....so does he! Poor guy takes it pretty well though....I do have backup. Another co-worker has pictures hanging in her cube of ODB. Takes the pressure off a bit! ;-) Glad to have you with us Cyndi!"}, {"response": 315, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (10:07)", "body": "Hi Cyndy and welcome!! (Cyndy)My daughter, who is 25 thinks her mother has crossed over into weirdness with my facination with Colin. Perhaps she can join my son in therapy, which he claims *I'm* in need of due to this \"obsession ;-) I'm sure, you'll enjoy this lovely place."}, {"response": 316, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (10:20)", "body": "(Annette) Perhaps she can join my son in therapy, which he claims *I'm* in need of due to this \"obsession ;-) BTW, Evelyn's son conducts the sessions and he will convince all your children that there's nothing wrong with your \"hobby.\" ;-D"}, {"response": 317, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (10:36)", "body": "CYNDY Evelyn's son conducts the sessions... LOL. Even encourages it. Got SLOW tickets for Aishling and me in London."}, {"response": 318, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (10:47)", "body": "Cyndy!! Put your feet up and enjoy yourself here. There aren't any 12 step programs to deal with your \"hobby\" though this place can be a fabulous outlet. Plus it doesn't go on your police record or is circulated to your neighborhood watch group. ;-D"}, {"response": 319, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (10:55)", "body": "Cyndy ! I admire your willingness to go public with your obsession! Although all my friends and family know of my fondness for ODB, I usually try to hide it from others (unless I suspect they might be similarly affected). My 19-year-old son thinks I am certifiable, and I doubt even Evelyn's son could convince him otherwise."}, {"response": 320, "author": "cyndy", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (11:05)", "body": "I am having such fun! Thankfully, this is my really, really slow time of year here. I keep telling my daughter that she could stand an obsession of two herself, it's done wonders for me! And look at all the delightful people I am getting to chat with."}, {"response": 321, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (11:12)", "body": "Welcome to the party Cyndy! Glad you decided to delurk!"}, {"response": 322, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (11:41)", "body": "Cyndy (Tress)Oh...I've got the screensavers too! I've got HD wallpaper. I just need to walk in the room and my day is made. You're in the right place,Cyndy. Enjoy."}, {"response": 323, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (12:37)", "body": "Welcome, Cyndy,to the place to be if you have taken a shine to ODB. The Class of 2003 likes to welcome newbies to share in the fun. Glad you've decided to jump in!"}, {"response": 324, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (12:46)", "body": "Welcome, Cindy! You are a Firthette now."}, {"response": 325, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (13:36)", "body": "Hello!!! Welcome to the asylum, where everyone is certifiably crazy about CF!"}, {"response": 326, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (14:08)", "body": "Oi! Oi! I would like to take this moment to welcome Cyndy. Is this mike on?;-)"}, {"response": 327, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (14:54)", "body": "Well, dang, Lisa, my welcome to both CeeJ and Cyndy is going to sound so boring now...thanks;-)!!! But to both of you (sorry I'm late CeeJ!)... WELCOME!!! We don't issue straight jackets in this asylum for your \"weird fascination\". No one will look at you strangely or say \"hunh?\" when you mention his name and if you have an inordinate fondness for his feet...well then you need to get together with BeeDee and Tress;-)!!"}, {"response": 328, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (15:06)", "body": "Welcome Cyndy, nice to meet you. My children really think I'm certifiable but I just ignore them, hoping maybe they'll go away. This is too great a pleasure to deprive yourself of. Relax and enjoy it. What a magnificent obsession."}, {"response": 329, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (01:11)", "body": "Welcome, Cyndy. I am sure you will feel a kinship with all these savants who share in your Infinite Wisdom..."}, {"response": 330, "author": "houstonandy", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (18:48)", "body": "Well, hello, all. I've been lurking a bit for the past few months, and, finally, big thanks to Karen, I've finally negotiated my way technically to delurking and joining in. I first noticed ODB in BJD, succumbed to obsession pretty quickly, and then, went looking for his other movies, most of which I had already seen. Can't believe I never noticed. They say that you're not ready to see or understand until you're ready. Well, ready or not, there I was! And then, of course, when I thought I was going bonkers with this teenage type crush, (I'm married, middle-age) I found you guys. Thank goodness. Now I know I'm not alone. Happy to be here."}, {"response": 331, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (19:05)", "body": "ANDREA Our lucky day... happy to have you join us."}, {"response": 332, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (19:30)", "body": "Yay, another Southerner in our midst! Welcome Andrea! You don't ever have to feel alone or wonder about your sanity again. We may be crazy but we sure do have fun. Glad you joined us!"}, {"response": 333, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (19:48)", "body": "Andrea You're never alone here. Welcome aboard."}, {"response": 334, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (19:52)", "body": "Andrea!! Hello there! Glad you have come to join us! And you are saying this is the guy that converted you???: hmmmmm.....guess I just don't get it! ;-)"}, {"response": 335, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (20:13)", "body": "Welcome Andrea! Glad you found us, it's much better to obsess in company, you've found the right place!"}, {"response": 336, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (20:20)", "body": "(Hen)Yay, another Southerner in our midst! Capital, capital! Welcome from another newbie! This is a wonderful group. See what wonderful perks you get here (with many thanks to Karen)!"}, {"response": 337, "author": "sdeaconsm", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (20:45)", "body": "Gee, this is great. So many new members, too many to greet each by name, sooooo....WELCOME TO ALL!! This is a great place to meet and greet. elaine"}, {"response": 338, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (22:04)", "body": "Wot? Andrea is finally here? \"Welcome my dear. Let's go upstairs..."}, {"response": 339, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (22:21)", "body": "Welcome Andrea and Louise. You'll have a wonderful time here."}, {"response": 340, "author": "Leah", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (00:49)", "body": "Andrea and Louise, welcome!"}, {"response": 341, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (02:06)", "body": "Welcome, girls! This \"is\" the place to be, if you want to keep sane. To contain all these \"thoughts and fantasies\" about ODB and not being able to share them with anyone would truely drive me mad ;-) Louise, this one for you: and Andrea, this is for you:"}, {"response": 342, "author": "houstonandy", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (09:33)", "body": "Thanks to you all for the welcome. And to Beedee: \"Wot? Andrea is finally here? \"Welcome my dear. Let's go upstairs...\" If it were only true or possible!! Dreams, my friends, make for an interesting past-time. And believe me, I've got dreams!"}, {"response": 343, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (10:08)", "body": "Given our topic du jour.... (cover your eyes, Janet) Andrea and Louise!!! You're both very welcome here. Have fun and know you're among kindred souls, who hopefully don't take themselves or their \"hobby\" seriously. ;-D"}, {"response": 344, "author": "socadook", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (10:11)", "body": "Welcome Andrea and Louise. You're sure to have a great time. Glad to have you with us."}, {"response": 345, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (11:29)", "body": "Andrea! You've come to the right place!"}, {"response": 346, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (11:31)", "body": ""}, {"response": 347, "author": "cyndy", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (11:42)", "body": "Welcome ladies from another \"new\" drooler hereself! This is a great fun place to let your CF dreams out of the cage! Cyndy"}, {"response": 348, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (11:51)", "body": "Welcome, Andrea!"}, {"response": 349, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (21:31)", "body": "Welcome Andrea and Louise!! I know you're going to love it here:-)!!"}, {"response": 350, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Jun 29, 2003 (23:17)", "body": "Welcome, Andrea and Louise! As you can see, the door's always open, and you never know who might drop by. ;-)"}, {"response": 351, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Jun 29, 2003 (23:25)", "body": "(Lisa's pic) Yum!!! I love Newbies! They bring the best guys out of the woodwork!"}, {"response": 352, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (07:37)", "body": "Can I delurk and become a newbie all over again???I'd do anyting for Mark Darcy. Thank you, Lisa"}, {"response": 353, "author": "birdy", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (08:17)", "body": "Well! A girl tries to slide into this little bit of heaven under the radar and what does she get? A big hoopla welcome anyhow! Thanks guys! I can't get much more artistically enthusiastic than that in that I'm still working on my tutorials. You may not hear from me much, but be assured I'm out there enjoying priceless gems like that one about Evelyn's windshield:0 I'm still laughing! Again, thanks for the warm welcome (especially with who's behind that door);)"}, {"response": 354, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (09:01)", "body": "Ok, shy Louise.... Tell us a little about your ODB obsession before you hide away again! Enquiring (and nosy) minds want to know..."}, {"response": 355, "author": "birdy", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (17:59)", "body": "Okay, BeeDee, throwing down the gauntlet, huh? Colin Firth obsessed? I have no idea to what you refer. I only come here for research. I only read the articles. I'll still love you in the morning. The check is in the mail. AND I don't slo-mo when ODB is wearing light colored trousers. ACTUALLY, P&P2 was my downfall. Been hooked ever since. I watch ANYTHING he is in, but I like to see him in more serious work and spiders or no, I am looking forward to getting a chance to see TRAUMA. But I will admit that I intend to buy the DVD of WAGW. What can I say? The check is in the mail;)"}, {"response": 356, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (19:54)", "body": "(Louise)I only come here for research. I only read the articles. I'll still love you in the morning. The check is in the mail. AND I don't slo-mo when ODB is wearing light colored trousers. Aha! A spirited kindred! I knew it;-) Lots of research of many different forms and formats here. Some of us have even studied the *novel* on which WAGW is based!(insert double winkie) Thanks for sharing."}, {"response": 357, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Jul  1, 2003 (00:19)", "body": "(Louise)Colin Firth obsessed? I have no idea to what you refer. I only come here for research. I only read the articles. AND I don't slo-mo when ODB is wearing light colored trousers. LOL, Glad you're not obsessed. Obsession only starts once you can recite, word for word, the 6 hours of P&P."}, {"response": 358, "author": "birdy", "date": "Tue, Jul  1, 2003 (07:48)", "body": "Goodness, I would not be so fastidious as you are for a KINGDOM! You thought me devoid of every proper feeling. How long have I been P&P obsessed? I believe it was from first seeing his beautiful drenched white shirt,beg pardon, grounds at Pemberly. But it was ODB's arts and allurements that drew me in. The turn of his countenance I shall never forget. Heavy misfortunes indeed. My affections and wishes are unchanged; but one word from you will silence me on the subject forever;) because there isn't room here for all six hours - trust me, I could fill them."}, {"response": 359, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Jul  1, 2003 (09:29)", "body": "(Louise) trust me, I could fill them. LOL Louise...I'm sure if we just gave you the opportunity, you would prove a true proficient! BTW, welcome! And to anyone I missed, nice to meetcha!"}, {"response": 360, "author": "AotearoaKiwi", "date": "Sun, Jul 27, 2003 (08:17)", "body": "Kia Ora I am Rob Glennie from New Zealand and I am most likely to be found on Geo (Marcia's patch)where roughly 95% of everything I post ends up. I thought I would diversify, which is the real reason for my coming here and get to know a few people in this corner of the Spring. I tend not to follow celebrities, showbiz and the entertainment industry much. But I will be posting later in the year about the brilliant Lord of the Rings trilogy of which I have seen both of the movies thus far released. Even Kiwi's familiar with the New Zealand terrain and locations were left looking like stunned mullets after the second film came out - it was BRILLIANT. Anyway, I am sure a few of you would have wandered around this place and looked at a few other conferences here, so do not feel scared to wander into Geo. It might look scary but we can ease a few fears, and make you at ease with the dynamic rock-ball you live on. Cheers Rob"}, {"response": 361, "author": "AotearoaKiwi", "date": "Sun, Jul 27, 2003 (08:24)", "body": "PS if you are wondering why I joined a conference for women, I am happy to keep you up to date with what goes on in the South Pacific. There are a few stars around down here... Rob"}, {"response": 362, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jul 27, 2003 (10:35)", "body": "Rob, be careful in here. You are seriously out numnbered by a large congregation of ladies of wit and intelligence who will share the worship of their chosen demigods. But, do hang around. This is where I met someperfectly wonderful friends and learned to do what I had to do to make Geo work ! Keep movies the quality of the Lord of the Rings coming to America from New Zealand and you will have friends forever!"}, {"response": 363, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 27, 2003 (12:54)", "body": "(Rob) PS if you are wondering why I joined a conference for women Hi Rob from Geo and New Zealand...we're happy to have you join us.Thanks for dropping in. We'll be glad to hear your comments on \"Lord of the Rings\" next fall over on #178 which is where we discuss movies. But we're not just a chick place...several guys *I* know lurk, so you're brave even to come out!! And every now and then Mark, \"our man in London\" chimes in. You won't be alone. And just for the record, I peak in on Geo occasionally. Interesting stuff. *Aloha to ole buddie, Marcia* LOL worship their chosen demigods *scratching head*:\"Who could that be\";-)"}, {"response": 364, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jul 27, 2003 (15:24)", "body": "(Rob), But I will be posting later in the year about the brilliant Lord of the Rings trilogy of which I have seen both of the movies thus far released. Even Kiwi's familiar with the New Zealand terrain and locations were left looking like stunned mullets after the second film came out - it was BRILLIANT. I must agree. We even have the DVD with the extended hours. Can't wait the third. From NZ, I like some of the bands too. Split Ends and the Finn Bros. etc Welcome, Rob. I too peek at Geo. Marcia does a great job."}, {"response": 365, "author": "socadook", "date": "Sun, Jul 27, 2003 (19:24)", "body": "(Rob) Kia Ora It's sounds beautiful (though I don't know what it means). Regardless, I'll send it right back atcha with a warm welcome."}, {"response": 366, "author": "AotearoaKiwi", "date": "Sun, Jul 27, 2003 (23:34)", "body": ""}, {"response": 367, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (10:24)", "body": "Welcome Rob. What a beautiful place you come from. You have come to a place of beautiful people. Enjoy yourself."}, {"response": 368, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (10:57)", "body": "Haere Mai, Rob. I hope I got that right. It's been a good number of years since I've been in New Zealand, but it holds a very special place in my heart. Anyway, welcome and have fun here!"}, {"response": 369, "author": "pastorsmith", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (19:50)", "body": "WELCOME ROB AND ANYONE ELSE I MAY HAVE MISSED SINCE I LAST POSTED!!!! IT'S A GREAT PLACE TO BE!!"}, {"response": 370, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (16:36)", "body": "Hi Everyone! I've been a Firth fan since 1995 (COF ) and have been visiting colinfirth.com just since 2000. HOWEVER, I never ventured to click on the SPRING icon.A few weeks ago, I made the connection between Scoop ( Bucket) and our hostess, Karen, in a round-about way, and discovered drool.I've only lurked very recently, and am busy catching up on all of the past conferences. I find comfort in knowing I'm not alone in being an ordinarily sensible woman....Why don't we lobby A&E Biography (and whichever of VH1 or MTV that runs Revealed with Jules Asner ) to cover Mr. Firth ? We know what's out there, already,in print, but wouldn't it be nice to hear him verbalize the facts and sentiments?"}, {"response": 371, "author": "hershey", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (16:37)", "body": "Hi! I join the ranks of the delurkers here. I've been reading a bunch of the topics for a couple of months, then I found this conference topic for newbies. I decided if so many others could be delurkers, then so could I! Another painless effort at overcoming shyness. I am woefully shorthanded on fellow CF fans in my little Iowa town, so it's refreshing to find a group online that understands why I am obsessed. I've been a fan since BJD, and since then have tried to find any of his other movies to watch, a none-too-easy task in my aforementioned little Iowa town. Anyway, I'm glad to be joining the group, and plan to join in the discussions on the other topics as time goes on. Thanks in advance to all of you for understanding my obsession. :)"}, {"response": 372, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (16:45)", "body": "Bonnie and Dena, what a great time for you to join the class of 2003! If you enjoy this place half as much as I do, you're sure to have a great time."}, {"response": 373, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (17:21)", "body": "Hi Bonnie and Dena Happy to have you on board. We love new folks to join us. Jump right in."}, {"response": 374, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (17:28)", "body": "Hello Bonnie and Dena! As a relatively recent newbie (since June), I just wanted to let you know that this is a wonderful group of ladies who will make you feel very welcome. You have arrived in the midst of excitement so enjoy!"}, {"response": 375, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (17:28)", "body": "Welcome Bonnie and Dena!!!! Just in time for ODB's Birthday Party!! Hope you brought your dancin' shoes!"}, {"response": 376, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (18:57)", "body": "Bonnie and Dena. What a fantastic time to join us. So many films, publicity, and pictures of ODB. And of course, September 10th. This is a great place to be through all of it."}, {"response": 377, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (20:00)", "body": "Welcome, Bienvenue, Bienvenidas, to Bonnie and Dena! As Tress said, it's almost time for the big bash of the year. On September 10th we celebrate Colin's birthday, lots to drink, eat, lots of celebrities pop in, but most of all we roast and toast OVDB. So make sure you drop by colinfirth.com. And that goes for other lurkers too. This is the best time to delurk and personally wish Colin a happy birthday. :-D"}, {"response": 378, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (20:34)", "body": "Welcome Bonnie and Dena from another member of the Class of 2003! You are among friends who share your obsession, and a group of ladies who love to have fun! Last year's birthday party is what got me hooked, but I didn't join in until a few months later. You'll love it here!"}, {"response": 379, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (23:04)", "body": "Welcome Dena and Bonnie! Glad you will join us for the festivities. Excellent timing."}, {"response": 380, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 2003 (10:08)", "body": "Bonnie and Dena!!! An excellent time to delurk and join in on our festivities this month. Plus, you can bet the conversation will be nonstop about the upcoming films and appearances will be making. Limber up your fingers and make sure you have some Windex near your monitor, just in case. ;-D Glad to have you both onboard!"}, {"response": 381, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 2003 (10:33)", "body": "Thank you,Sonia,Evelyn,Shoshana, Tress,lindak,Moon Dreams,Hen,LisaJH,and Karen!A big welcome to Dena-my comrade in initiation ! What a wonderful welcome.....and the clip art is much appreciated-love those vintage leather pants and that dimpled smile! What Topic includes the Birthday Bash on September 10 ? I have to hit the highway for five days beginning on that date,but I intend to drop in before departing--and I'll have my own celebration with all of the postings upon my arriving back in Florida. Looking forward to it!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 382, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 2003 (10:40)", "body": "The birthday party is held on Topic 110. http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/110/new but I will put up a link to the beginning of this year's celebration. If you use that \"new\" one now, you'll not only see the previous year's but you'll also clear things up. There are so many messages with images and animation that starting from the beginning will be a loading nightmare."}, {"response": 383, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 2003 (13:42)", "body": "Hi Bonnie and Dena and welcome from another fairly newbie. This years birthday party is my first too, and I believe we're in for a real treat. This is what had me started obsessing. Looking forward to your postings :-)"}, {"response": 384, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 2003 (14:26)", "body": "Hello and Welcome Bonnie and Dena! You've landed in the perfect parallel universe at just the right time for appreciating ODB! Glad you have joined us!"}, {"response": 385, "author": "hershey", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 2003 (14:44)", "body": "Thanks for the welcomes. I have paused my DVD in that exact BJD moment many times, Lisa, but now I have it on my computer so I can look at it any time. Excellent! I can see I have a learning curve to this whole thing so I can master the art of clipart and photos. I had no idea there was so much to keep up on...bday parties even. I'm glad I got in when I did! What a happy place. Dena"}, {"response": 386, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 2003 (16:28)", "body": "Glad to have you among us at this very special time Dena and Bonnie!"}, {"response": 387, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 2003 (17:25)", "body": "I'm sorry I could'nt make it flashier at the moment, but..... Welcome Bonnie and Dena!!"}, {"response": 388, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 2003 (18:55)", "body": "Hi Bonnie and Dena! Welcome to our own wondrous little corner of the world! You are certainly among kindred spirits here! And as for the coming party which it looks like I might miss except for the afterglow there is not a better time to be had anywhere! Welcome!"}, {"response": 389, "author": "Gina2e", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (01:35)", "body": "Hello everyone After much wailing and nashing of teeth I have finally found my way to posting (only possible with Karens help!). I have been reading all your news regarding Colin for some time now and have had a wonderful time knowing that you would not be eternally bored by my pre-occupation with you know who. I hope to be able to post a birthday message tomorrow and also tell you about the day when I got him to myself for at least 2 minutes .I do have photographic evidence but I'm a long way from being able to get that posted anywhere. However- Evelyn- I do believe he was wearing your Blue suit at the time.! I also went to see him at English Pen when Emma did such a good job of reporting. So I guess I've been very lucky I certainly felt estatic and walked on air for at least a week!If there is anyone in the London area who fancies going to whatever premiers are opening then, Husband permitting, I'm up for that! Looking forward to the big day. Thanks Gina"}, {"response": 390, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (02:16)", "body": "Gina, Welcome You have chosen a great time to 'de-lurk'. I often don't have much to add to whats happening here, but just to know I can add a responce if I need to, keeps me sane ! Congrats on meeting TMH (the man himself), can't wait to hear how, why and when."}, {"response": 391, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (05:23)", "body": "Hi Gina, and welcome. I'll just second, what Leah wrote :-) Looking forward to your report! Your welcome-rose is chosen because of it's name. I'm sure your meeting with TMH was indeed \"unforgetable\" :-D"}, {"response": 392, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (08:36)", "body": "Hi Gina! Two minutes huh? You certainly have me intrigued! Welcome and have fun!"}, {"response": 393, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (08:58)", "body": "Gina, good to have a fellow local! We've got some big dates coming up, I am sure, with LA and GWAPE so will we arrange something then... Perhaps I will recognise you from PEN, although I can't say I was looking at too many other people at the time. :)"}, {"response": 394, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (10:43)", "body": "Gina!! See how easy it was? ;-D And that you're going to make it to the birthday party? Hope you'll share your close encounters with us soon, and have fun while here."}, {"response": 395, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (11:33)", "body": "Welcome, Gina! I look forward to hearing all about those two minutes."}, {"response": 396, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (11:33)", "body": "(Gina) also tell you about the day when I got him to myself for at least 2 minutes .I do have photographic evidence but... Welcome Gina! You have come to the right place to be preoccupied by YKW! Bored? Nevah! We are intrigued believe me, so please don't make us wait too long to find out how those two or so special minutes came about! Drool will put the wind in your hair and get your ears flappin!"}, {"response": 397, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (12:32)", "body": "Greetings Gina! You are indeed a lucky lady! Please share everything about meeting TMH! Inquiring minds want to know!"}, {"response": 398, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (16:03)", "body": "Hello you lovely Droolers! My name is Ildi, I've been smitten with our droolee for almost a year now. After reading P&P a friend of mine suggested I watch the movie, the CF version. I did so, but since I heard about the Darcy Fever and I was determined not to let myself catch the disease I refused to look at anything Colin. I've been smitten before, joined a fan club, and still remember the endless hours spent on my PC, and my \"abandoned\" family. So I decided not to read his bio, not look at any publicity pics, and generally not give a darn about who this gorgeous guy was or whatever else he was in. I always thought myself a tough girl, hey, I could do this! I lasted 3 weeks. Then with a resigned \"who am I kidding?\" I shrugged, found a search engine, typed his name in and I've never been the same. It took me a while to delurk, but now here I am, greeting you all, happy to be among fellow smitten people. Since I've been reading you for a while I know what a group of fun people you are, and I'm looking forward to share all the exciting news, pics and fun you all have to offer. I'm also looking forward to contribute, and feel lucky that having been at the GWAPE screening Sunday night gives me the opportunity. I'll post the account of my adventure as soon as I'll have the chance."}, {"response": 399, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (16:11)", "body": "Welcome Ildi! I'm doing a happy dance here singing \"Another One Bites The Dust\"! Glad you delurked and gladder still you got to GWAPE and shared your pictures with us! I'm looking forward to hearing all about your adventure! (Ildi)I've never been the same. Yep, that says it all! Welcome and have fun!"}, {"response": 400, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (16:30)", "body": "Welcome Ildi! Love the name! Lucky girl to have seen GWAPE."}, {"response": 401, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (16:33)", "body": "Ildi!! And such an auspicious start here at Drool, with your Toronto pics and recollections to share. Glad to have you with us finally. :)"}, {"response": 402, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (17:16)", "body": "Ildi, thanks for delurking! Can't wait to hear more of your excitement in Toronto! Glad that you are joining in the fun!"}, {"response": 403, "author": "hershey", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (17:39)", "body": "Hi, Ildi and Gina! I myself \"delurked\" just about a week ago, so it's good to have company in that area (and also not to be the VERY newest anymore!!). I, too, tried to avoid getting silly over yet another actor (I certainly don't need any more celebrity crushes in my life), but I couldn't help it. BJD and P&P were the end of me, and so I decided to embrace my inner silliness and enjoy it. And then I found this site with people who also embrace the silliness and fun of this particular crush (and believe me, I mean \"silly\" in the best, most positive, loving, respectable, and esteemable sort of way!) Dena"}, {"response": 404, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (19:09)", "body": "(Dena) ...embrace my inner silliness Wow Dena, I don't believe I have ever heard it put that way before--thank you! I like that perspective on it, and I think (adopting highbrow tone) psychologists would support the idea of articulation of (even some baser) feelings and ahhhhh...sensations... from stimulating input among a safe group of kindred spirits. Given this perspective, it does not take much to realize we are a noble group indeed! (Just as long as you all don't start charging me by the hour!)"}, {"response": 405, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (19:18)", "body": "Ildi and Gina (Gina)I hope to be able to post a birthday message tomorrow and also tell you about the day when I got him to myself for at least 2 minutes . (Ildi)and feel lucky that having been at the GWAPE screening Sunday night Wow, what an impressive pair of delurkers. Usually the encounters come after the delurking (Oh Gawd, I hope so) You two are amazing. Welcome to you, both. See you at the party. Ildi, I long to hear about your two minute encounter with ODB!"}, {"response": 406, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (19:31)", "body": "Gina and Ildi! How exciting that you both have seen Firth in the flesh. Hope you'll join all of us for the festivities."}, {"response": 407, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (19:49)", "body": "Ildi and Gina Do any of you like Camille ?;-))"}, {"response": 408, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (19:53)", "body": "(Evelyn)Do any of you like Camille ?;-)) . Here we go, again;-)"}, {"response": 409, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (20:27)", "body": "Welcome Gina and Ildi! A while back we were embracing our inner 12 year old while falling hard for Henry Dashwood, so I see no reason why our inner silliness shouldn't be embraced as well;-) So impressive that you both have had close encounters of the ODB kind. How could you not become Drooleurs after that experience? ;-) And you are here just in time to party!"}, {"response": 410, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (20:32)", "body": "Ildi and Gena ... ..We know you are among kindred spirits! Enjoy! ...!"}, {"response": 411, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (21:53)", "body": "(Evelyn)Do any of you like Camille ?;-)). (Linda)Here we go, again;-) We-el you can't blame me for trying...gotta get 'em before they start making cheeky and smart-assy remarks like Camille -*cough* - *cough*;-))"}, {"response": 412, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (22:07)", "body": "Aw, don't give Ev a hard time. She's just looking for... *cough cough*"}, {"response": 413, "author": "Heather97", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (22:11)", "body": "Umm... I have a little soft spot for Camille. *cough cough* ;-)"}, {"response": 414, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (01:37)", "body": "Welcome Ildi! What a way to delurk, bravo :-) Your welcome-flower is chosen in light of the latest comments on Camille, which I happen to like, very much."}, {"response": 415, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (07:59)", "body": "Thank you for the warm welcome, all of you, I sure appreciate it. I'm looking forward to lots of fun and adventure - real and vicarious - in your company. :-) I have not seen Camille, actually there are many films of Colin I've never seen, but that can be remedied, I'll just take things slowly, one step at a time. I don't want to overindulge myself. Although I think I did that a bit Sunday night. That experience will sustain me for a while I think..."}, {"response": 416, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (23:27)", "body": "Ildi and Gina!!!! So nice to have you both with us!!!! Ildi, I saw your beautiful pics!! Wonderful!"}, {"response": 417, "author": "lorilv", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (18:57)", "body": "Hello Ladies! It is, at last, a previledge to be coming out of the shadows. I too, have been \"lurking\" about for some time (April 2002 to be exact). I, perhaps like so many of you, could not believe my discovery!! Where had I been? The better question, where had he been, who was he, how long had he been perfecting his craft and was I the only one who knew about this incredibly handsome talent? When I asked aquaintances, they had not a clue who I was talking about. I felt completely alone in my new state of adoration. Then one spring day I typed his name in the search engine and there you were. I must say how relieved I was to find I was not alone. Thanks to your conferences, birthday parties (I have observed two now), filmology and personal coverage/photos of his public events, I no longer feel isolated. In fact, I have \"turned\" several friends and family members into Colin junkies. What a glorious feeling. Anyway, I am happy to finally have the nerve to come out of the shadows and participate. Living on the west coast of US, I feel deprived sometimes as news of him is not always available and I am so happy to have access to current events. I have also, as a result of this site, acquired quite the CF film collection. Thank you all. And Ilda, WHAT A LUCKY GIRL YOU ARE!!!"}, {"response": 418, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (20:15)", "body": "lorilv--Welcome! was I the only one who knew about this incredibly handsome talent? Nope, and therein lies the happiest discovery of all...and we do so like to talk about him (embracing our inner silliness--can you tell I now have a rallying cry?!) Welcome and glad you have delurked!"}, {"response": 419, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (20:52)", "body": "Lorilv!!!! So glad you decided join us after lurking for so long!!!"}, {"response": 420, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (20:53)", "body": "closing...I hope!!!!!"}, {"response": 421, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (22:27)", "body": "Lorlilv I too, have been \"lurking\" about for some time (April 2002 to be exact). Don't feel badly, I lurked for four months...but now that you're here, there's no goin' back."}, {"response": 422, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (23:45)", "body": ""}, {"response": 423, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (23:47)", "body": "Lori!! I had no idea you were lurking for so long. Way back when, I probably lurked for a couple of days and was chomping at the bit to have my say. Sit back and enjoy yourself. :)"}, {"response": 424, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (00:37)", "body": "Lori! Glad you decided to delurk! It's always fun to \"meet\" a fellow Drooleur. And you've come out to play at such a great time, too."}, {"response": 425, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (07:41)", "body": "Hello there, Lori! Welcome!"}, {"response": 426, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (08:33)", "body": "Hi Lori, and welcome! Lurking was fun, but nothing to being a part of this :-)"}, {"response": 427, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (09:50)", "body": "Hi Lori! Great to finally meet you!"}, {"response": 428, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (11:30)", "body": "Welcome Lori, and echo Shoshan, great to finally meet you. You know so well what a great place this is."}, {"response": 429, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (11:44)", "body": "Greetings to all newcomers. Glad you decided to join the fun."}, {"response": 430, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (17:41)", "body": "Welcome Lori and don't be shy! This is a great group of friends , many of whom have had close encounters of the CF kind. So impressive that you have already won some converts with your missionary work ;-) You have taken the plunge at a fantastic time, with LA and GWAPE coming soon!"}, {"response": 431, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (17:58)", "body": "Lori (Lori)Then one spring day I typed his name in the search engine and there you were. Yep, exactly how it happened for me. This is the best place to be! I can't believe you sat through two birthday celebrations, and didn't jump in. I admire your restraint;-) Now, let that be the last of it. Dive in."}, {"response": 432, "author": "lorilv", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (22:43)", "body": "Ladies - Thanks for the warm welcome and especially to Karen for all of her help. Ahh! Home at last. It IS a great time to join in. Can't wait for GWPE and LA! My only despair is the lack of HS on this side of the pond! Nothing anywhere and I am quite jealous of all of you that have had the pleasure (like the film or not). I too would watch him do anything, including reading the phone book! Thanks so much."}, {"response": 433, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 2003 (19:29)", "body": "Hello Lori, nice to meet you! I'm glad you delurked, it is so much better to be out of the shadows than hiding all by yourself. Believe me I know, I've been lurking long enough myself. And I AM a lucky girl as you said, for many reasons: I found this lovely actor to admire, met him in the flesh (and lived to tell the tale), and found this wonderful group of people who know exactly what's bubbling in my heart (and anywhere else) when I look at this beautiful man. :-) So welcome, please make yourself comfortable, and have fun with us!"}, {"response": 434, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 2003 (19:36)", "body": "(Ildi) ...this wonderful group of people who know exactly what's bubbling in my heart (and anywhere else) ROFL--You know, chardonnay wipes relatively clean off of monitors, but it leaves some stickiness behind!"}, {"response": 435, "author": "Gina2e", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (02:50)", "body": "Hi everyone Just a quick post to thank everyone who sent welcome messages. I read them over and over again and felt delighted to have them,and to read everyone elses news,up dates, developments, sightings and reports.However I felt a bit of a wall flower delurking next to Ilde with all her wonderful news. I really identify with \"bubbling in my heart\" etc.I feel a bit pathetic not having anything much to contribute at present, but I get really excited by everybody elses' contributions and news. I must confess ,pretty much as Loriv, Welcome Loriv- up until 18 months not *18 years*-(large expressive hands near the kitchen sink ) yes I'm one of those- until then I hadn't seen P/P and even didn't see BJD until April 2002.Pretty sad case however I'm not in the *wrong job or the wrong life* but I'm in the right place to know what makes me happy- mostly Paul Ashworth. Im off leaf peeping- New Cardiff inspired. I hope there are some leaves left on the trees .For all of you on the east coast anywhere near Isobels projected path. Keep safe."}, {"response": 436, "author": "mjmorris", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (18:18)", "body": "Good evening from the soggy Midwest. I'd like to come out of lurkdom to introduce myself. My name is Michelle and I live in a suburb of Kansas City, MO. I probably won't post that often, but wanted to make sure I had said \"hello\" before I jumped in and said my 2 cents. I'll be 31 in less than 2 weeks and have indeed lost my senses when it comes to ODB. (It's going to take me a long time, but I will learn all the acronyms.) I first felt the pangs of this crush with the first run of P&P on A&E. I ignored my heart and head for years except for reading P&P over and over until DH and I saw SIL. BJD absolutely did me in and that's when I fell off the deep end and starting searching for anything ODB to figure out if I felt as good about the man behind the mask as I did about the characters I had fallen for. I did, found Karen's site, then started lurking here about a month ago. I was a bit late on the BDJ bus, because we are unable to go to the movies very often and I end up renting what we want to see, many times months later. I have learned so much from this conference and can't wait to see GWAPE and LA. I will get a babysitter and see these in the theatre. The last straw that told me that I belonged here was the other night when my DH walked in, saw me on the laptop and asked how Colin was. I about died. My secret was out. He was good natured about it and was smiling as I backpeddled and he walked away. I guess the only other thing I'd like to say in my intro is that I'm now a SAHM with our 2 1/2 yr old daughter. Pre-dd I was a research historian for a local museum. Lastly, I'm afraid to admit this to this distinguished group, but this is the first and only time I've gone head over heels with respect and admiration for an actor (other than my stage actor husband). I know I'm in good company dreamily envisioning those eyes....that smile....that voice. Talk to you all soon, Michelle"}, {"response": 437, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (18:31)", "body": "(Michelle)Lastly, I'm afraid to admit this to this distinguished group, but this is the first and only time I've gone head over heels with respect and admiration for an actor (other than my stage actor husband). I know I'm in good company dreamily envisioning those eyes....that smile....that voice. Don't be afraid Michelle!! I'm in the same boat and have found great company here. A hearty Welcome to you and I'll post a graphic at some later time but I gotta get dinner ready........"}, {"response": 438, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (19:32)", "body": "Welcome Michelle! Your story mirrors that of many of the class of 2003. I was a longtime lurker before jumping in back in February. This is a wonderful place to be and you'll have a great time drooling along with us. You mentioned those eyes, that smile, the voice. Don't forget the hands, the hair, the dimples, the walk..."}, {"response": 439, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (20:34)", "body": "Welcome Michelle! Yay! Another lovely lady to join in on the fun! (Hen)You mentioned those eyes, that smile, the voice. Don't forget the hands, the hair, the dimples, the walk... I would add to the list, but there are some standards of decency on Drool, right? ;-)))"}, {"response": 440, "author": "hershey", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (20:40)", "body": "Greetings back from another part of the soggy Midwest (Iowa). I have a friend who is a SAHM, too, and she doesn't get to see many movies, either. And, what's worse, I have yet to entice her into my BJD obsession, so you deinitely have one up on her for that one. :) I'm pretty new here as well, so I can relate to being a little overwhelmed by the acronyms. I have a fairly good idea what AFG stands for but can't say 100%......... Obviously, I have nothing of much interest to say, but I did want to say hi and it's nice to \"meet\" you."}, {"response": 441, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (22:11)", "body": "Ma-Shell!!! Okay, won't do that to you...LOL! Welcome Michelle! (Michelle) The last straw that told me that I belonged here was the other night when my DH walked in, saw me on the laptop and asked how Colin was. My DH just says \"say hi to your boyfriend for me\"....knowing I'm drooling away (and I keep having to explain that he is ODB, not MDB)!! So glad you could join us !! (Hen)You mentioned those eyes, that smile, the voice. Don't forget the hands, the hair, the dimples, the walk... We are referring to both sets of dimples, yes? ;-) (Dena) I have a fairly good idea what AFG stands for but can't say 100%......... Absolutely freakin' gorgeous (or a close approximation!) ;-)"}, {"response": 442, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (23:02)", "body": "Michelle!! ...am counting all the acronyms you did manage to use. Not too shabby. You'll get used to it, but if you ever get lost, just ask. when my DH walked in, saw me on the laptop and asked how Colin was. I about died. My secret was out. He was good natured about it and was smiling as I backpeddled and he walked away. You mean he strode away in Colin mode, huh? Loved the story about your husband. Fess up now, he is Eric Close, right? And he took you to Lyme Park and did the P&P proposal scene for you, right? ;-) You're going to have lots of fun here. What's with all the wet weather?? Not in my part of the Midwest. Dry, dry, dry!! (Tress) Absolutely freakin' gorgeous (or a close approximation!) ;-) Wimp! ;-)"}, {"response": 443, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (23:48)", "body": "Welcome Michelle Nice to have you on board.Another westerner,hooraaay!"}, {"response": 444, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (12:02)", "body": "Michelle You are in good company, here. During our movie outing on Saturday, before LIT began, my DH leaned over and said, \"Did you know your boyfriend was on all this week\"? I said, really? I knew he meant V because I caught him watching it;-) Funny how Colin was never mentioned by name, he just assumed I'd know who he was talking about. He's come a long, long way;-) (Tress) Absolutely freakin' gorgeous (or a close approximation!) ;-) (Karen)Wimp! ;-) My thoughts, exactly! \"freakin'\"???? What kind of namby pamby talk is that?;-) How about, the InStyle photos: JFL. Just F---ed Look. Only adding the --- for decorum, not that I possess an abundance when it comes to ODB, but what can I say?"}, {"response": 445, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (12:33)", "body": "I'm a little late but a great big welcome to Michelle and Lori! (Tress), and I keep having to explain that he is ODB, not MDB)!! ROTF! My DH has O tolerance for ODB. In fact, I can safely say he's allergic to him. ;-)"}, {"response": 446, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (12:39)", "body": "Welcome Michelle, so nice to meet you. Your DH seems great. He's already in the right frame of mind about our mutual obsession. Good for him. Did you say he's an actor? Do we know him? Welcome aboard. You will have a wonderful time and meet so many wonderful ladies. Enjoy."}, {"response": 447, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (12:45)", "body": "(Tress) Absolutely freakin' gorgeous (or a close approximation!) ;-) (Karen)Wimp! ;-) (Linda) My thoughts, exactly! \"freakin'\"???? What kind of namby pamby talk is that?;-) Alright...I was just trying to set a good example **snicker** for the incoming class! And I didn't want to be sent to time out (my mouth is more Paul Ashworth-ish than should be tolerated)!! BTW...'namby pamby' shouldn't be makin' fun of 'freakin'!!! ;-D"}, {"response": 448, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (12:51)", "body": "(Tress)BTW...'namby pamby' shouldn't be makin' fun of 'freakin'!!! ;-D Maybe we should have an ODB cursing contest over on Firthology...just kidding, boss. \"Freakin\" can't get that out of my head. Can't believe you said that;-)LOL. See what you started, Michelle;-)"}, {"response": 449, "author": "hershey", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (14:20)", "body": "Absolutely freakin' gorgeous (or a close approximation!) Namby pamby or not, thanks, Tress, for the verification. I was right after all (use of more \"colorful\" word included)!"}, {"response": 450, "author": "mjmorris", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (15:20)", "body": "Absolutely freakin' gorgeous (or a close approximation!) And here I thought the \"G\" meant god with a small \"g.\" I can go with gorgeous. Point made with either wussy or sailor talk. :) Did you say he's an actor? Do we know him? No, he was a stage actor in college and has done community theater and Renaissance Festivals in the midwest. We met at a New Year's party for the theatre group I was with at the time. He came as a guest. Thanks everyone for making me feel welcome and in the right place. DH hasn't said whether he likes OBD or not. The only comment he's made is that he can see why *I* like him. ...I was just trying to set a good example **snicker** for the incoming class! Yeah, right. I may be in the Freshman class here, but I've been around the block elsewhere. *grin* Michelle"}, {"response": 451, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (15:46)", "body": "Better late than never: Welcome Michelle I can't get you a real Vermeer as a welcomegift, so you'll have to settle with these roses:"}, {"response": 452, "author": "mjmorris", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (15:50)", "body": "Thank you Annette. Roses are my favorite flower. That's a gorgeous graphic too. M."}, {"response": 453, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (20:34)", "body": "(Michelle) ...my DH walked in, saw me on the laptop and asked how Colin was. I about died. My secret was out. Michelle, you lucky girl, you at least had a secret for a while. I got busted almost the moment I fell head over heels. My DH saw \"it\" in my eyes right away, and rolling his eyes said \"Oh no, you are in love again!\" Not that this happens every day, but darn it, he knows me too well. :-) Welcome to the group!"}, {"response": 454, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (20:38)", "body": "To all of you From a belated This is for all of you I've missed in this lovely *swelling* membership...... You know who you are!;-)))"}, {"response": 455, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (20:43)", "body": "I must double post here newbies for here is a lesson for you! I practiced this on http://www.e-pixs.com/practicepad.html and it came out in a horizontal line. Now much to my chagrine it is vertical.:-( But we just must keep plugging away and try to learn something everyday. Glad to have you among us and we'll all have a grand old time.......now back to the practice board for me.:-))"}, {"response": 456, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (21:14)", "body": "Yes! The more the merrier. Welcome from a Class of '03 newbie."}, {"response": 457, "author": "Gina2e", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 2003 (02:54)", "body": "Welcome Michelle, My secret has been out in our house for about a year now. I used to have my Colin cupboard with Videos, CDs, Soundtracks ,associa ted books and articals, now I have a Colin corner topped of with a photo.One day someone said to my son \"who's that with your Mum?\"-\" It's my uncle Colin.\" In the Uk the term \"uncle\" does not always imply true family connections/relationships! Now everyone refers to Uncle Colin.! I have observed that walk, seen those fine eyes and dimples,heard that voice, felt those expressive hands and much to my delight slid my arm around his back and waist- he felt wonderful.It was the most natural thing in the world and was done without any forethought or intent, (there's another P/P quote in there somewhere ) \"the first and only time\"-I can equate with that as there never has been any other time or person actor or otherwise who had that effect in my adult life.My husband is different I married almost straight from school. As regards SAHM it's a tough job but someone's gotta do it ! Seriously I'm happy to talk tears and temper at 2,22,or 32 but obviously not here. Got to rush now last day at work before leaf peeping. A big thank you to everyone else just for being there and understanding my addiction."}, {"response": 458, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 2003 (10:00)", "body": "(Gina) I used to have my Colin cupboard with Videos, CDs, soundtracks, associated books and articals, now I have a Colin corner After that, an entire room gets dedicated to the collection and then you might have to build an extension. Gary the Builder? ;-) slid my arm around his back and waist Sounds to me like he posed for a picture with you. Right? Wish I'd thought of doing that myself, but due to the height differential, I'm not sure where my hands might have wound up. *snort*"}, {"response": 459, "author": "Gina2e", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 2003 (12:13)", "body": "Karen I'm down there with you at 1.51 metres in height but what's *50* centimeters of good arm length?.I respect him too much for inappropriate use of touch! Apart from anything else I was too dumbstruck to make the most of it. I've not had the aquaintance of Gary the builder -which film/tv production is that?There's lots of early work that I have not seen and have found it difflecult to get. I would love to see Camille but no luck in MLSF."}, {"response": 460, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 2003 (13:10)", "body": "(Gina) I would love to see Camille but no luck in MLSF. I like your turn of phrase. Gary the builder is in TEOR, the book."}, {"response": 461, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 2003 (13:18)", "body": "and the Telegraph columns, albeit not as a psycho. ;-)"}, {"response": 462, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Mon, Oct  6, 2003 (13:10)", "body": "Peek-a-boo! Delurking at last, after enjoying the pleasure of your company from a distance for more than a year. I honestly feel I know you all so well, and hope you'll get to know me now. I just reread GWAPE, so I'll be posting on 183. Got hooked on CF with P&P, and have managed to collect most of his works on video. Have to say that WAGW is one of my favorites now, purely for the amount of smouldering screen time allocated to HD. Can't wait to see GWAPE! Ladies, I salute you and look forward to serious (and not so serious) Drooling. :-)"}, {"response": 463, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct  6, 2003 (13:13)", "body": "serious (and not so serious) Drooling. :-) I can see you fit right in. ;-D Happy to have you Deb, WELCOME!"}, {"response": 464, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct  6, 2003 (14:23)", "body": "Deb...you've been lurking for a year? 'bout time you came out;-) Happy to have you on board:-)))"}, {"response": 465, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Oct  6, 2003 (15:13)", "body": "Deb, (Deb)Have to say that WAGW is one of my favorites One of mine, as well. Glad you can join us. Great stuff happening in the next few months. What a great time to delurk!"}, {"response": 466, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Oct  6, 2003 (15:15)", "body": "DEB!!! !! So glad you delurked to drool with us! I can't believe you have been lurking for a year....are you just near to bursting? I would be!! It's going to be a great winter with so many ODB projects out and pending!! So glad to have you here!!"}, {"response": 467, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Mon, Oct  6, 2003 (16:38)", "body": "(Tress) \"...are you just near to bursting?\" You got it, girl! There have been times I've nearly peed my pantaloons reading these boards, and by the time I thought of what I might have posted, someone else took the words right outta my mouth. Thanks for the \"glowing\" Welcome, Tress. I'm envious of your recent CF encounters, but was very appreciative that you shared every delicious moment with us!"}, {"response": 468, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Mon, Oct  6, 2003 (18:13)", "body": "Welcome, Deb! I was a longtime lurker like you and I know you're going to be glad you joined us. HD is one of his most droolworthy roles, IMO, and the next few months promise even more delights. Glad you took the plunge!"}, {"response": 469, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Oct  6, 2003 (19:50)", "body": "Hi Deb! Glad you've decided to join the party!"}, {"response": 470, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Oct  6, 2003 (21:21)", "body": "Deb, you startled Henry a bit with your \"peek-a-boo,\" but he wants to know if you share a fondness for Cocoa Pops. ;-) Welcome, Deb! Glad you decided to delurk and join the fun."}, {"response": 471, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 2003 (10:03)", "body": "Deb!!! So glad to see you've taken that first step. I'm looking forward to you joining into the GWAPE discussion and having fun on the rest of the *educational* topics here at Drool. ;-)"}, {"response": 472, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 2003 (10:30)", "body": "Welcome Deb!So glad you decided to join us for the ride!Now step out of those shadows and start posting!! :-)"}, {"response": 473, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 2003 (13:16)", "body": "Hi Deb, so nice to meet you. Henry is one of my favorites too. He just gets better and better. Can't wait to meet Vemeer. You fit right in."}, {"response": 474, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 2003 (22:27)", "body": "Hi Deb! to the best gabfest in town! Late again but I was waiting for another *mob*;-)"}, {"response": 475, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (16:11)", "body": "(Bee)Late again but I was waiting for another *mob*;-) Can I join your *mob* - I'm also terrible late? :-) Welcome Deb! Greetings from across the pond, where we celebrated the presentation of our Crownprince's new fiance. That's why your welcomerose is this pretty thing, named after our Queen:"}, {"response": 476, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (16:32)", "body": "Guess I'm a mob of one! Sorry I couldn't drag a few more lurkers into the sunlight with me, but we're a squirrelly bunch. Thanks for the lovely roses and the warm welcome! I'm so impressed with everyone's mastery in the use of graphics. Hope I'll catch on soon."}, {"response": 477, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (16:37)", "body": "Hey Deb! I'll post the graphic/italic/bold/misc cheat sheet (for you if you don't have it yet and any others you may need it). Here it is! http://www.austen.com/tutorial/"}, {"response": 478, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (20:15)", "body": "Hi Deb! Welcome to the party! Glad you're delurking to join us, the more the merrier!"}, {"response": 479, "author": "mjmorris", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (09:16)", "body": "Welcome Deb! I'm also in the Freshman de-lurker class this year. I've been off for a couple of days, so this is late too. I really like HD as well. I wish I could put up a pin-up of the air guitar and leather pants. Have a great day! Michelle"}, {"response": 480, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (09:50)", "body": "Hey Michelle -- we think alike! A while back Shoshanna (I think, and forgive me if I got the name wrong) posted a little dancing HD in the black leathers. I don't know much about graphics yet, but I managed to save that little sucker to my desktop, so now I can make him wiggle those hips any ole time I want! Sorry I can't figure out how to stick him here again for you to see."}, {"response": 481, "author": "houstonandy", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 2003 (14:26)", "body": "Welcome, Deb I knew tempting you to de-lurk with tomatoes would work!! These are particularly juicy, just for you!! Good to have you join the party!!!"}, {"response": 482, "author": "pastorsmith", "date": "Sun, Oct 12, 2003 (16:36)", "body": "Welcome to all the Newbies!! Haven't posted in a while, so don't know the names. Enjoy, Enjoy!! elaine"}, {"response": 483, "author": "soph", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (07:25)", "body": "\"daaaaamn ! how thoughtless ! i missed the arrival of all these new droolers again, ildi, lori, michelle, deb... but look, i still have my ticket, so i guess i can still board the newbie train of sept-oct 2003 : hey ladies, who wants to share a seat with me ?\" welcome aboard everyone, and hang on tight (it's going to be a bumpy ride)."}, {"response": 484, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (15:15)", "body": "for the warm welcome! Love ODB jumping up and down with joy -- what a guy!"}, {"response": 485, "author": "Darla", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (19:48)", "body": "Hi I am new...could someone please explain to me what does ODB stand for? Not to sound stupid but I can't figure it out..... Hi I am Darla. Hopelessly obsessed with Mr. Firth...... I did pop over to London about a month ago, but drew the line at running over to Islington....lol Nice to meet you all :)"}, {"response": 486, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (20:40)", "body": "Our Dear Boy........ or any number of illicit names we can come up with, when the mood and circumstances strike. ;-D drew the line at running over to Islington We'll cure you of that. ;-) Welcome, Darla! You'll get the hang of it soon."}, {"response": 487, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (20:44)", "body": "Hi Darla! Nice to meet you! ODB stands for \"Our Dear Boy.\" Granted, I'm practically still a newbie, so if anyone else wants to chime in, take their word over mine. ;-)"}, {"response": 488, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (23:38)", "body": "Hi Darla and welcome! The abbreviated stuff stumped me a bit at first, too. :-)"}, {"response": 489, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (09:29)", "body": "Hi Darla Glad you joined us. If you go back and read the old messages you'll catch on to the short-cuts."}, {"response": 490, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (10:13)", "body": "Darla!! Nice to see you posting. Have fun here. You'll not find anywhere better than this on the net for discussing Colin, amongst other things. ;-)"}, {"response": 491, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (13:58)", "body": "Darla This is the best place to be, and your timing couldn't be better."}, {"response": 492, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (14:27)", "body": "This is where the action is and we have the most fun...that's for sure. Which says a lot for you guys. Next few months should bring lots of newbies. Always does aft one of his films:-) And we're getting two goodies. Pleasegawd the 'dogs' have gone forever. I like newbies."}, {"response": 493, "author": "Darla", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (15:23)", "body": "Well I have been reading for a while, but just joined and gave to the drool fund :) So I liked it enought that I paid BEFORE I stayed :) Darla"}, {"response": 494, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (15:39)", "body": "WELCOME, DARLA!!! I'm a newbie, too. There's a lot to be learned here, and it's all v.g. fun!"}, {"response": 495, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (16:01)", "body": "Welcome Darla! it's all v.g. fun is right."}, {"response": 496, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (16:17)", "body": "Welcome Darla! I'm sure, you'll enjoy this v.v. fun place :-)"}, {"response": 497, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (16:30)", "body": ""}, {"response": 498, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (18:51)", "body": "Welcome Darla! You're just in time to join us in a major droolfest over Mark Darcy being back in town! And then there are lots of other delights to look forward to as well, like LA, GWAPE and Trauma. Life is good!"}, {"response": 499, "author": "Darla", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (20:46)", "body": "I have already tried to get screening tickets to LA. I was just over in London about 3 weeks ago, why couldn't they have started shooting then. My dh is about to set off for Amsterdam, I am trying to work out a deal to land me back in England soon, but alas I think the stars are against me......lol Thanks to everyone for the great welcomes!"}, {"response": 500, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (15:17)", "body": "Welcome Darla! Sorry I'm late! Have had computer problems at home for three days (as in the 'puter is in the 'hospital'...it came on quite suddenly and it's been quite a 'trauma'!) So anyway! A very belated..."}, {"response": 501, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Fri, Oct 17, 2003 (23:36)", "body": "They say \"better late than never\", so... Hello Deb and Darla, welcome to Drool! It's great to have you with us, have fun! I know I do. :-)"}, {"response": 502, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (22:16)", "body": "...Well, I guess it's time...peeks around the corner...Hi, it's just me, Eithne (pronounced Enya, just like the singer)...thought I'd de-lurk for a minute. Must say how much I've enjoyed the location reports from London and all the other fun you have here. Don't know how much I'll be able to contribute, but I did want to say Hi!"}, {"response": 503, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (23:18)", "body": "What a great time to delurk! ODB all wet for you today!!!! Welcome Eithne!!!!!"}, {"response": 504, "author": "Leah", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (00:14)", "body": "Eithne Welcome. Its great to have you here. Its always good to hear other people's views on, well, Colin ;-)"}, {"response": 505, "author": "Darla", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (04:43)", "body": "Hello Eithne! It is nice to see you here."}, {"response": 506, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (07:48)", "body": "Eithne, welcome! I like your name."}, {"response": 507, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (08:38)", "body": "Hi Eithne Glad you came on board at the best time ever... Two movies almost out at the same time.. Both getting good reviews... Filming in London for a high- profile hit.... Whoa! Doesn't get any better than this:-)))"}, {"response": 508, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (09:34)", "body": "Eithne! Saying hi back at ya. Stick around and soon you'll be \"contributing\" with the rest of us. ;-)"}, {"response": 509, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (15:16)", "body": "Hi Eithne and welcome! Glad you delurked and decided to join our merrymaking. :-)"}, {"response": 510, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (19:15)", "body": "Eithne Welcome aboard. Excellent time to delurk. It doesn't get any better than this!"}, {"response": 511, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (19:59)", "body": "Hi Eithne! Welcome! Glad you're here! This is a great time and it's even going to get better! Have fun!"}, {"response": 512, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (21:03)", "body": "Welcome Eithne! Now you've taken the plunge, don't be shy. Such an exciting time to join us here at Drool with two films coming out v. soon and others in the works for next year. Enjoy!"}, {"response": 513, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (22:43)", "body": "Glad you decided to *delurk* Eithne! Coming out can be wonderfully liberating! Here's my hard earned trick for you!!! Glad to have you among us. So where are you from?"}, {"response": 514, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sat, Oct 25, 2003 (20:06)", "body": "Sorry I'm so late to say hello. Maybe the picture (thanks Karen!) will help me make up for my belatedness. ;-) Welcome Eithne!"}, {"response": 515, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Oct 26, 2003 (16:58)", "body": "Eithne, better late than never: Welcome! Your name led me to Irish Flower, so here's to you:"}, {"response": 516, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Sun, Oct 26, 2003 (20:10)", "body": "Thank you all for the lovely welcome! Beedee, you are amazing with your HTML and Shoshana, thank you for the lovely picture (those dimples are devastating)! Annette, thank you for the beautiful flower. I feel so at home. Speaking of which, I currently live in NE Florida {so if he's getting rid of the succubus, I will be glad to meet him at the airport ;-D}, but will be moving to the Baltimore/Washington area in the near future. In the meantime, I'm reading the reports from London and waiting for LA to open."}, {"response": 517, "author": "momi", "date": "Tue, Oct 28, 2003 (04:23)", "body": "Hi All, Just saying \"hello\" to all of you :)....I've enjoyed watching CF over the years and this is a wonderful website about him filled many of his dedicated fans/supporters....:) Momi"}, {"response": 518, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Oct 28, 2003 (07:23)", "body": "Momi Welcome, enjoyed watching CF over the years I have only enjoyed watching CF for about a year, and now I wonder how I could have missed him ;-) dedicated fans/supporters....:) yes, and I love all the updates, pics, reports etc that they share"}, {"response": 519, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 28, 2003 (10:27)", "body": "Hello Momi and welcome!"}, {"response": 520, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 28, 2003 (11:15)", "body": "Momi!!!! Have fun here and thanks for the info on the Hawaii Film Fest; I hope you'll share your impressions of the film after you've seen it. Lucky girl!!"}, {"response": 521, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Tue, Oct 28, 2003 (15:20)", "body": "ALOHA, Momi! Welcome to the world of Firth. It is indeed a v.v.g. place to visit!"}, {"response": 522, "author": "socadook", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (18:00)", "body": "Eithne, Momi, glad you've joined us. Perfect timing too."}, {"response": 523, "author": "pastorsmith", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (20:50)", "body": "Once again, welcome to all of the newbies!! elaine"}, {"response": 524, "author": "momi", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (04:05)", "body": "\"Mahalo Nui\" (Thank you) for the \"welcome\"..... We tried seeing GWAPE last Friday, Oct. 31, but the showing at the film festival was \"sold out\"....Many people including ourselves who stood in line to get tickets were disappointed....We'll have to wait until GWAPE is shown in wider release in Jan. 2004....It sounds like a long time from now, but actually it's only 2 months away....:)"}, {"response": 525, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (16:25)", "body": "Welcome, Momi! So sorry you and your friends didn't get tickets to GWAPE. But hope you get other opportunities to see CF in theatres or in person in the near future. This is a great place to find out about those things, so stick around! So glad you're here! Aloha, Momi!"}, {"response": 526, "author": "Gail", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (09:30)", "body": "Hello everyone. This is a fabulous site. I have been lurking around for a few months and have thought about de-lurking for awhile. However, in September I thought \"These ladies know so much I'll never be able to add to it\". I thought about it in October, especially while the Cubs were in the playoffs because the atmosphere reminded me of Fever Pitch, but was not quite ready. Now it is November, I've seen LA, can't wait for GWAPE and I'm bursting to talk about everything. So here I am taking the plunge after much thought."}, {"response": 527, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (09:39)", "body": "I only recently took the plunge myself and it didn't hurt a bit! Such exciting things going on around here -- so glad you're here!"}, {"response": 528, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (09:39)", "body": "Gail! We welcome your bursting! Come out and play with us! Such a wonderful time to delurk..... And taking the plunge! Just like Jamie! ;-)"}, {"response": 529, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (09:51)", "body": "Hi Gail! Glad you are delurking and joining the party!"}, {"response": 530, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (10:24)", "body": "Welcome Gail! Glad you decided to delurk. The magic of this place is not in what you say, it's how everyone understands what you *do* say. Where else is someone likely to understand the preoccupation a pair of fine dimples can cause? Have fun and \"burst\" away, the fun part is it's contagious!"}, {"response": 531, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (10:46)", "body": ""}, {"response": 532, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (10:47)", "body": "Gail!!! As many have said, it is a great time to delurk. So much happening and so many great stories to enjoy. Sit back, put your feet up and keep the Windex nearby 'cause your monitor screen may need a good wipe every once and awhile. ;-)"}, {"response": 533, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (11:44)", "body": "Drool Gail!!! Don't burst, talk! You can't hold these things in! ;-)) Glad you have joined us!"}, {"response": 534, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (12:52)", "body": "Welcome Gail! You've come to the right place to"}, {"response": 535, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (13:07)", "body": "Welcome, Gail! You have definitely come to the Best Place on the Web Period for CF! ;-) Glad you've joined us!"}, {"response": 536, "author": "Darla", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (14:58)", "body": "Welcome Gail!"}, {"response": 537, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (16:53)", "body": "Gail! Glad to have you with us. So much to drool about and not enough hours in the day to do so! :-)"}, {"response": 538, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (17:48)", "body": "Gail So glad you joined us...I love newbies...'Bout time we had someone new. C'mon you lurkers out there...come join us."}, {"response": 539, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (17:52)", "body": "Let's see if I'm lucky this time, Gail....."}, {"response": 540, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (17:58)", "body": "LOL Evelyn, nice one! Got this sudden urge to sing \"Hey Hey We're the Monkees...\""}, {"response": 541, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (18:48)", "body": "Welcome Gail! I'm new too, and loving it! Sooo...come on it, the water's warm and inviting and there are NO EELs."}, {"response": 542, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (19:07)", "body": "LOL, Barb!! Loved them, esp Mike. Welcome, Gail!! And everyone I may have missed in the last couple of months."}, {"response": 543, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (19:20)", "body": "(Dorine) LOL, Barb!! Loved them, esp Mike. LOL Not me, I've been a sucker for the accent since waaaaay back!"}, {"response": 544, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (20:24)", "body": "Gail I think you deserve a prize for delurking at the most opportune time. Glad you're here!!"}, {"response": 545, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (20:37)", "body": "Welcome Gail to the best place to indulge your fascination with all things ODB. You'll have a great time. I was scared to jump in for several months, but once I did I've never looked back. This is a great group to drool with and a great time to do it!"}, {"response": 546, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (21:25)", "body": "LOL Evelyn, nice one! Got this sudden urge to sing \"Hey Hey We're the Monkees...\" LOL. After all these yrs, I'm sick of the ole Welcome graphics....gotta branch out."}, {"response": 547, "author": "Gail", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (15:12)", "body": "Thanks so much for the welcome. I loved all the graphics. I have so much to learn. Hey, I know that theme from the Monkees, but before I sing I would need to put on the old Yardley Pot-o-Gloss to be a perfectly mod gal."}, {"response": 548, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (17:40)", "body": "Hello Hello!!!!!!! I'm Kimberly (residing in Westchester County, NY - USA!)I'm so very happy to be a part of this WONDERFUL conference! . .At last fellow fans of Colin Firth I can share my feelings with . .I do think my husband thinks I have gone mad with my teensy . .OK . . . LARGE obsession with Colin. Lets see . .where did it start? . .I recall catching bits of Another Country . .I think on television . .noticing him . .rather cute young man . . then years later I caught P&P when it first aired here in the US (have always been a fan of costume dramas) . .again, how could one not notice Colin . .those eyes, that voice!!!!!. . then fast forward to BJD, amazingly enough . .I was so put off by the hype about the film . .I waited till it came out on DVD to see it!!!! . .I realized it was him! (then after looking at his filmography I realized how much of a chameleon he is . .how I've loved him in numerous of my favorite films - Circle of Friends, Shakespeare in Love). .ahhh and the true love for Colin has blossomed . . I searched frantically the internet for sites, pics (he is now very prevalent on my screen savers both at work and at home) . .I found my way to www/firth.com . .and then eventually here!!!! I am catching up on as many of his movies that I have missed and am starting a collection of my own of his works . . . Having trouble getting copies of his earlier works and some of his BBC Television pieces . . . But I will prevail!!!! I'm rather excited to be a part of this . .!!!!! Forgive me if I go on and on. .when I get excited I get a bit well . .wordy!!! My dear husband is getting a bit tired of me prattling on about Colin anyway . .and it's nice to share it with people who can truly understand!!! OH and I guess before I go . .I should tell a little bit more about myself! I'm an actress . .residing here in NY, NY . .and you can bet I have my fingers crossed for the day I get to work with Colin on screen . . . I also sing, and write ( I do love the fan fic topi . .have read some of the pieces (mostly Lisa's BJD inspired ones) . .can't wait to read the rest . .and perhaps I may try my hand at a piece or two . . (Confidentially I have a few screenplays floating about in my head - just need to put it to paper!. .and of course wouldn't you know I have dear Colin as the leading man in a few of them!!!) OK . .guess that's it for my intro!!!!! Hi again everyone!!"}, {"response": 549, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (17:55)", "body": "!!!"}, {"response": 550, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (18:02)", "body": "Welcome Kimberly! Nice to meet you! You've picked a great time to delurk and the more the merrier! Glad to have you!"}, {"response": 551, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (18:50)", "body": "Hi Kimberley. You picked it...right place, right time... Glad to have you here."}, {"response": 552, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (20:19)", "body": "Kimberley Perfect time to be caught in the web..."}, {"response": 553, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (20:50)", "body": "To the newbies! Glad to have you here."}, {"response": 554, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (21:55)", "body": "Welcome Newbies, what a great time to join! I hope you'll all enjoy your time here with us."}, {"response": 555, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (08:36)", "body": "WELCOME ALL NEWBIES!!! WARNING: Enthusiasm is contagious around here. Be prepared!"}, {"response": 556, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (09:02)", "body": "Welcome Kimberly!! So glad you came to drool! (Kimberly) -- then after looking at his filmography I realized how much of a chameleon he is . .how I've loved him in numerous of my favorite films - He does kind of sneak up on you that way, doesn't he!?? Loved him ages ago in Valmont, then he snuck by me in TEP and SIL (recognized him, but didn't have the epiphany yet...) before I had my Ding Dong moment in BJD!"}, {"response": 557, "author": "soph", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (10:58)", "body": "late again... welcome aboard momi, gail & kimberly check out the animatronicolin extravaganza , they sing, they dance, and i know not wot. warning : big files ahead a few of them are missing (particularly the infamous 2003 birthday bash cha-cha animatronicolin), but you'll get the picture."}, {"response": 558, "author": "soph", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (11:02)", "body": "sorry, don't know what got into me (must be all those pix on 184) here's the correct link boys, boys, boys ! enjoy."}, {"response": 559, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (11:38)", "body": "Kimberley!!! Your enthusiasm and background will be a great addition to the site, especially when we do another of our formal film discussions. We once had a director on the boards and the insights were amazing. Glad to have you onboard and I hope you have a great time with this great group of people who share a common interest."}, {"response": 560, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (12:46)", "body": "SOPHIE!!! Well done, you! I just had to pop back in to say \"YOU ARE AMAZING!\" Thanks for the goody file!"}, {"response": 561, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (13:29)", "body": "Sophie - Wonderful file!!!!! Karen - Would love to help out . .and give as much insight as I can (from a actor's point of view) I do love the film discussions on www.firth.com and would be honored to take part in any future ones.:) I am ruthlessly committed to becoming a useful and helpful part of this conference! I do also like to read the literary works that ODB's (oh . . I feel priveliged to actually call him that now that I'm an offical member of Drool!) films have been based on. (have already gotten through: GWAPE, 3 Days of Rain, Thousand Acres, BJD & BJD:TEOR, P&P) Am currently in the middle of Camille . .had read GWAPE awhile ago, may have to bone up on it before jumping in on any discussions of the book. Shoshanna - Thanks for the emails! To everyone - thank you for your welcomes (**blushes**) Please bear with me .usually in my enthusiasm, I spell horribly (OK so I spell horribly to begin with, but usually it is much worse when I start typing quickly . .I think faster than I type (you could say I tend to let whatever's in my head come out of fingers without much consideration of the consequences) . .and I am getting used to HTML (thanks for the tips Shoshanna!) . .Will soon want to learn how to get all those lovely graphics/pics on my posts! All in good time!"}, {"response": 562, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (16:21)", "body": "Welcome, Gail and Kimberley (I hope, I haven't forgotten any others) You've landed in the best parallel universe, there is :-)"}, {"response": 563, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (17:07)", "body": "(Kimberley)Am currently in the middle of Camille I like you already;-)"}, {"response": 564, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (17:22)", "body": "Welcome, Kimberley and all newbies!"}, {"response": 565, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (20:04)", "body": "Welcome Kimberley! As you add to your collection you'll be amazed by the range of his talent, even from some of his earliest works. So glad you have joined us!"}, {"response": 566, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (21:02)", "body": "May I make a humble suggestion to all the newbies and I am sure we're getting many because of LA. Next week is P&P and that brings out lots of newbies. Then next month GWAPE. You will enjoy Drool more if you read some of the old postings and familiarize yourself with the acronyms we use on this website. Also the flavor of the place; we're a friendly bunch,... respect opinions. Again...happy you came here. Have fun!"}, {"response": 567, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 2003 (11:33)", "body": "Kimberly, welcome to the world of Firth! An actress AND a writer, eh? So you can write the perfect roles for ODB, and then act beside him in your screenplays as well? ;-) Not a bad idea...."}, {"response": 568, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 2003 (14:02)", "body": "(Lisa) So you can write the perfect roles for ODB, and then act beside him in your screenplays as well? Wouldn't that be a trip!!! . .I would be more than happy to work with both Colin AND Richard Curtis. RC has quite a great way with dialogue that I am still trying to master . .that is when I find time between running to auditions to sit myself down and write!!! I must bow to your writing skills . .LOVE your BJ inspired fan fiction!!! (I read all of it!) I can't wait till you write another story!!!!!"}, {"response": 569, "author": "Zing", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (18:53)", "body": "Hello everyone \ufffd I discovered this special site on ODB\ufffds birthday but have been lurking for the past couple of months because (a) I had no news/sightings/Firthiana to contribute, and (b) I hadn\ufffdt the faintest idea how to do all the neat things with pictures, icons, animatronics, etc. (Still don\ufffdt, in fact.) But I just spent a week in London on vacation with possibly the worst timing ever, managing to miss every single opportunity to see ODB in person: I was there AFTER the shooting of the Primrose Hill/Borough Market/Hyde Park scenes in TEOR, but DURING the time when ODB was doing all the LA and GWAPE promotion back in the US, and got home (Boston area) just BEFORE the LA premiere and the International Survival benefit showing in London. So instead of a vacation away from my usual routine of e-mail and Internet busi(busy?)ness, I interrupted many well-planned mornings and afternoons by searching for an internet caf\ufffd (which often took me quite far out of my way), and then spending many an hour following ODB\ufffds doings on this site. Several times in the late evening, after I got back from the theater or a concert, I even went to a 24-hour internet caf\ufffd near my hotel that charges extortionist rates, just so I could keep up with the latest. So a big THANK YOU to all you wonderful Drooleurs for your postings!! O herwise, despite London\ufffds many charms (and I did have a great time \ufffd Thank you, London!;-) I might have been climbing the walls from having to go cold turkey on news about ODB. When I first came down with the CF bug this summer, I thought it would be just a passing fancy. This vacation has finally jolted me out of my denial, and I now recognize that I have a hopeless (though not necessarily fatal) case of Obsessive Colin Disorder. So I\ufffdve finally taken the plunge, for who better to hang out with than fellow Firthanatics? ;-)"}, {"response": 570, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (19:28)", "body": "Welcome, Zing! So glad you joined us. Lots of firth things happening all over. Sounds like London was a lot of fun, but sorry your timing was a little off :-(. With the help of drool, your timing will get better ;-). (Zing)case of Obsessive Colin Disorder Love this! I believe you've coined a new firth phrase already!"}, {"response": 571, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (20:05)", "body": "Hi Zing"}, {"response": 572, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (20:36)", "body": "Welcome Zing! If keeping up with Colin is what you want to do you're in the right place. How did you first contract OCD? I know you said you caught the bug this summer, but tell us how you knew you were hooked."}, {"response": 573, "author": "Zing", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (23:12)", "body": "(Hen) How did you first contract OCD? I know you said you caught the bug this summer, but tell us how you knew you were hooked. Well, since you asked\ufffd In need of some distraction this summer but not wanting to go with the usual beach reads, I had decided to re-read all of Jane Austen in chronological order and watch the associated films. First up was Sense and Sensibility, which went as planned \ufffd read the book, watched the movie, liked them both, onto the next. But then I got completely stuck on P&P \ufffd read the book first (which by then must have been my fifteenth time), then sat down to watch the DVD at around 10 p.m. one night, thinking I\ufffdd only watch the first couple of episodes, at most the first DVD. Yeah, right. Of course I ended up watching all 6 hours at one go (somehow managing to get up a few hours later to go to work), then watched it again multiple times over the next few days, then read the book again, then watched the DVD again, then went back to the book, and so on in an endless (and endlessly pleasurable) loop! I had actually watched the original A&E presentation of P&P back in 1996, thought it was an excellent production, but at the time was more taken with Jennifer Ehle than with CF, whom I thought good but not as handsome or as Darcyesque as Laurence Olivier. The funny thing is, my niece, who was not quite six years old at the time, fell completely in love with Mr. Darcy when she watched the 1996 broadcast. After that she insisted on watching the tapes over and over again (she must have sat through the entire series 4 or 5 times), even though she really couldn\ufffdt have understood most of the dialogue. But she did pick up enough to get the gist of the story, and kept dressing up as Lizzie and pretending to get married to \ufffdMr. Darcy\ufffd as she called him. I still have a picture she drew at the time of Mr. Darcy (complete with top hat and cane) and Lizzie walking together under the trees. I even watched the tapes with her a couple of times, but somehow remained impervious to CF\ufffds charms. But then this summer when I watched it again I just fell completely under his spell. I think it started as early as the first dance at the Meryton Assembly, when Lizzie walked past him after overhearing his comments to Bingley, and he had that shy, hurt, embarrassed but intrigued look on his face -- I was just amazed at his ability to convey so many different moods and feelings in a matter of nanoseconds! By the time of his next scene, at the Lucas party, when he gazes at Lizzie with those smoldering eyes and the sexy little smile playing around the corners of his mouth, meanwhile telling Caroline Bingley about the pleasure a pair of fine eyes in a pretty face can bestow, I was a goner!! After that I was completely hooked, and started down the path that is I\ufffdm sure familiar to my fellow Drooleurs: first step was to look for all the CF movies I could get my hands on (and was astounded to find I had already seen many of them and had in fact enjoyed his performances, but just had not realized it was the same actor!). The next stage of Firthfever entailed checking out all the websites devoted to him, and of course firth.com was at the top of the Google list, and I have spent many happy hours here reading up on all the articles, interviews, and reviews, drooling over the many pictures of his gorgeous face and form, and of course keeping up with all the latest news of ODB. I finally discovered the Lovely Ladies of Drool at the birthday party for ODB, but didn\ufffdt muster up the courage to join you all until my obsessive behavior on my London trip convinced me that I might as well take the plunge! ;-) And oh, yes, except for Persuasion, I have not made any further progress on my Austen cycle. I have, however, read some books I would otherwise not have thought to read: Fever Pitch, A Month in the Country, Speaking with the Angel, and BJD I and II. (Don\ufffdt laugh, I\ufffdm kinda slow at some things!) ;-))"}, {"response": 574, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (02:31)", "body": "(Zing)Don\ufffdt laugh, .. We never laugh at anybody, just share a lot of laughs :-) Welcome, Zing. Your case of OCD is something, you share with a lot of us :-)"}, {"response": 575, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (08:08)", "body": "(Zing)But then I got completely stuck on P&P \ufffd read the book first (which by then must have been my fifteenth time)...... Of course I ended up watching all 6 hours at one go (somehow managing to get up a few hours later to go to work), then watched it again multiple times over the next few days, then read the book again, then watched the DVD again, then went back to the book, and so on in an endless (and endlessly pleasurable) loop! LOL Zing!! This could have been my story except that I only had the videos from the library which was a moderating factor as not all were available. But I rewound them over and over till I got my own set. You are in very supportinve company."}, {"response": 576, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (08:35)", "body": "(Zing) ...sat down to watch the DVD at around 10 p.m. one night, thinking I\ufffdd only watch the first couple of episodes, at most the first DVD. Yeah, right. Of course I ended up watching all 6 hours at one go (somehow managing to get up a few hours later to go to work) Been there, done that, heard it repeatedly. The darn thing ought to come with a warning! Welcome! LOL about your niece, obviously a discerning child...did she retain any of the obsession?"}, {"response": 577, "author": "Gail", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (09:00)", "body": "Welcome Zing. I'm new here myself and I'm so glad you are here and that I now have name for this condition \"OCD\". OCD must have been rampant this summer, because I caught it on August 9th at 2p.m."}, {"response": 578, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (09:26)", "body": "(Zing)I now recognize that I have a hopeless (though not necessarily fatal) case of Obsessive Colin Disorder Hi Zing! Welcome . .I'm a recent newbie too!!!! I'll admit to ya I seem to have OCD for ODB as well!!! You're story is very familiar . .I've done the 6 hour P&P marathon many a night myself (usually at that time my husband rolls his eyes and proceeds to the other room to watch ESPN!) . .as well as the searching out of Colin's other works and reading related books/plays that dealt with his projects! If you do get back to your Austen reading/watching cycle . .Have you seen the BBC film of Persuasion with Ciaran Hinds (v.g.) also their version of Emma with Kate Beckinsdale is v.g. Have not seem the Gwyneth Paltrow version of Emma . .but Ewan McGregor is in that one as Frank Churchill . .and I have heard sings . .I do love his voice . .so I may watch it after all!"}, {"response": 579, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (09:43)", "body": "(Zing)and I now recognize that I have a hopeless (though not necessarily fatal) case of Obsessive Colin Disorder LOL Zing! You've stated it perfectly! Glad you have decided to delurk in these exciting days!"}, {"response": 580, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (14:17)", "body": "Welcome Zing!!!! LOL at your OCD...don't think there is a cure. At least not that I know of...and I don't think there is a twelve step program for it either...glad you found Drool so that you can 'suffer' with us! ;-)"}, {"response": 581, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (16:21)", "body": "Pull up a chair and make yourself at home in the OCD ward!"}, {"response": 582, "author": "Zing", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (18:27)", "body": "Thanks, everyone, for coming to my \ufffdcoming out\ufffd party! I feel right at home now in the OCD ward. ;-) Lora \ufffd I don\ufffdt think I can take credit for the OCD phrase: I\ufffdm sure I saw it somewhere before. Annette \ufffd Thanks for the lovely roses! Wish I could get the ones in my garden to look as good\ufffd BeeDee, Tress, Shoshana and Deb \ufffd How do you do those neat things with the letters and icons? (BarbS) LOL about your niece, obviously a discerning child...did she retain any of the obsession? Her current idol is Orlando Bloom, but she has happily watched a fair number of my CF DVDs with me (TIOBE, RV, BJD, and WAGW), and thinks that Mark Darcy is \ufffdobviously much cuter\ufffd than Daniel Cleaver. I showed her the GWAPE trailer without telling her who was in it, and in the scene where he turns around after Griet first went into the studio, my niece said \ufffdOooooh, there\ufffds Colin Firth!\ufffd Still a discerning child. Perhaps when she watches P&P again but on a more adult level, she\ufffdll catch the fever once more. ;-) Gail and Kimberley \ufffd nice to meet you fellow newbies. What an exciting time to be an OCD \ufffdsufferer\ufffd! (Kimberley) If you do get back to your Austen reading/watching cycle . .Have you seen the BBC film of Persuasion with Ciaran Hinds (v.g.) also their version of Emma with Kate Beckinsdale is v.g. Have not seen the Gwyneth Paltrow version of Emma\ufffd Yes, I agree, the film of Persuasion is one of my favorite Austen adaptations and I did watch it again as part of my abbreviated \ufffdcycle\ufffd this summer. I saw the Gwyneth Paltrow version of Emma when it first came out, but didn\ufffdt watch it again recently since I didn\ufffdt get around to re-reading the novel. (My rule was I must finish the book first before I could watch the movie.) If I ever get around to reading Emma again I will look for the Kate Beckinsdale version as well \ufffd thanks for the tip. (And a tip for you: if you\ufffdre still working on your collection of CF films and have exhausted all the commercial sources such as amazon.com, ebay, and half.com, then talk to the Boss Lady Karen \ufffd I\ufffdm sure she can help you out!) ;-) Evelyn \ufffd Er, um, sorry for the long postings! I\ufffdll try to be brief from now on. ;-)"}, {"response": 583, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (22:24)", "body": ""}, {"response": 584, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (22:26)", "body": "Zing!!! Da plane! Da plane! Isn't that the plane that just brought you back? ;-) Loved the story of your descent into OCD. Oh, to have a niece like that. My three are totally worthless. ;-) Do watch the Paltrow \"Emma.\" IMO, it's much better than the Beckinsale version, plus it has Jeremy Northam as Knightley. Forget about Ewan. There's Jeremy Northam, looking mighty fine."}, {"response": 585, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (23:13)", "body": "(Zing) But then this summer when I watched it again I just fell completely under his spell. I think it started as early as the first dance at the Meryton Assembly, when Lizzie walked past him after overhearing his comments to Bingley, and he had that shy, hurt, embarrassed but intrigued look on his face -- I was just amazed at his ability to convey so many different moods and feelings in a matter of nanoseconds! By the time of his next scene, at the Lucas party, when he gazes at Lizzie with those smoldering eyes and the sexy little smile playing around the corners of his mouth, meanwhile telling Caroline Bingley about the pleasure a pair of fine eyes in a pretty face can bestow, I was a goner!! Wonderful! You were \"zinged\" by exactly the same two scenes that got me going, back in 1996! Welcome to the magnificent obsession! And a belated welcome to all the other newbies (or by now, not-so-newbies) whose welcome parties I've missed."}, {"response": 586, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (00:10)", "body": "Welcome, Zing! Love the name. And I am glad to finally know the name of our disease, OCD. (I'm referred to as Obsessia in my neck of the woods. Sadly, I'm not making this up!) Kimberly, thank you for your kind words. I don't have a Bridget story on the horizon at the moment, as I have been trying to write a modern P&P story. P.S. To everyone else, Kimberly is not my mother, nor has any money exchanged hands. ;-D"}, {"response": 587, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (15:11)", "body": "(Zing)case of Obsessive Colin Disorder Brilliant. The first step is admitting it to yourself. The next is to properly feed the disorder with large doses of Firthiana and all things Firth. This should guarantee permanent residence in the OCD ward. I'm two doors down left of center. Should you find my room empty, be patient, I'm being treated for lingering HS-itis and newly diagnosed LA-phobia."}, {"response": 588, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (16:37)", "body": "(Karen)Do watch the Paltrow \"Emma.\" IMO, it's much better than the Beckinsale version, plus it has Jeremy Northam as Knightley. Forget about Ewan. There's Jeremy Northam, looking mighty fine. Oooh . .Jeremy plays Knightley???? . .then it's a must rent . .I did so like him in An Ideal Husband"}, {"response": 589, "author": "lupa", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (23:04)", "body": "hey all - just posting a quick note of introduction! i'm risa and i'm Beedee's daughter from Brooklyn. i have to take a moment to brag - i was a Firthite well before she was! in 1988 or 1989, we watched Apartment Zero together and his character struck me so strongly that i've noticed him and picked him out in films ever since, whether it was as the cuckolded husband in English Patient, the scorned suitor in Shakespeare in Love, or the elegant long-legged dandy of Valmont (winks at Beedee). so when Beedee revealed to me the extent of her interest, i was terrifically happy to join in! she turned me on the Bridget Jones (which i would not have seen without her influence), Another Country, and the all important P&P, and in turn i passed along The Advocate, Valmont, and re-introduced Apartment Zero. but to be wholly honest, i'll admit that Sir Colin (the title i'm sure he'll acquire soon) is not tops of my list of obsessiveness. i've been a desperate Guy Pearce fan for a few years now. but ODB is much nicer and forthcoming to his fans, and has a more tenderly romantic range of films to watch! ;) other than that, i have to note that i don't have much time to post, being actice in a bunch of other 'net locations, but if anyone knows of an opportunity for photographs in the NYC metro area, let me know - i'm a photography nut! ~risa"}, {"response": 590, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (23:47)", "body": "Welcome Little Bee! You started your ODB appreciation around the same time I did (different movie...Valmont for me)! So glad that you are posting! Was wonderful to meet you in NYC....hopefully we can all do it again sometime....Was so much fun I had withdrawal from all the excitement! Love that you and your mum can share your love for Colin together!"}, {"response": 591, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (06:49)", "body": "Hi Risa! Glad to \"see\" you again! I know you are v. busy and important, but I do hope you'll spend time here. ;-)"}, {"response": 592, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (08:15)", "body": "Nice to meet you Risa! I've heard such lovely things about you! How nice that you and your mom share this! Welcome!"}, {"response": 593, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (09:12)", "body": "(Risa)or the elegant long-legged dandy of Valmont (winks at Beedee). Do you mean these legs? Welcome to my parallel universe..... again!;-))"}, {"response": 594, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (09:16)", "body": "Hi Little Bee. Great to see you again. Nice to share Drool with ones kids. My son introduced me to Jane Austen, and thinks Drool is a fun place."}, {"response": 595, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (09:28)", "body": "Hi Risa (or do you prefer Little Bee:)!!!! Glad to meet another New Yorker!!! . .I'm up in Westchester County!! ( A nice 30 minutes from GCT) . .hopefully at the next event here I'll get to meet you in person . .if not before then!!!"}, {"response": 596, "author": "Zing", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (21:21)", "body": "(Well, it was supposed to be little, but you get the picture...) Hi Risa -- You have a most discerning eye to have spotted ODB from way back when--that must be why you were able to take those great pictures at the NY premiere!! Hope to see you around once in a while."}, {"response": 597, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 2003 (20:07)", "body": "Hi Risa, and welcome! How perfectly delightful to have a mother/daughter team of Drooleurs. Hope you will find the time to join us now and then. Thanks for the lovely pictures you shared."}, {"response": 598, "author": "lupa", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (20:19)", "body": "thanks to all for the lovely welcome! i congratulate you all on your great taste in men ;)"}, {"response": 599, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (10:37)", "body": "From the \"Bettah Late Than Nevah\" dept: Little Bee to our Web Hope you'll get caught up in our fun!"}, {"response": 600, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (16:08)", "body": "Welcome Risa! Thanks for bringing gifts (NY pics), they're much enjoyed and appreciated."}, {"response": 601, "author": "pastorsmith", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (21:06)", "body": "Welcome to all of the \"Newbies\" since the last time I posted. This is truly a great place to be. I usually don't say much when on the board. I like to spend my time reading what others have to say. I work so much I am usually behind on much of what is happening and find this a great place to catch up. Once again, welcome to all. elaine"}, {"response": 602, "author": "NicoleM", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (03:05)", "body": "Hello to everyone! First off, thanks to Karen for the assistance in registering here. This seems to be a wonderful community, and I look forward to joining in the fun! Now, a little about myself. Don't worry; I won't be offended should any snoring ensue during the reading of this post. Though hopefully it will not come from myself, lol. My name is Nicole, and I live in a small farming community in west central Ohio (yawn). It is nice enough, though the main benefit of the area for me is its proximity to cities I enjoy visiting. My interests include theatre, cinema, and figure skating, of all things. My figure skating \"habit\" accounts for most of my travel, as I will normally attend competitions or shows within a day's driving distance, provided I have the funds and can arrange the time off work to do so. Strangely, it was my skating fandom that let me here, as someone at The Michelle Kwan Forum posted a link to firth.com on the board. Why I had never previously thought to look for a firth.com, I don't know, but I was certainly happy to find it, and consequently, this community. One of the first tidbits of information I found was the news that Colin would be appearing on \"The View\" on Nov. 11th. I had been thinking about a trip back East anyway, to meet up with some friends and attend Ice Wars (a televised professional skating competition) as well as some Stars on Ice rehearsals, but the fact that Colin would be appearing on a talk show in Manhattan that very week sealed the deal. I determined to try and get into the show on standby, and luckily, succeeded! It was wonderful to see Colin on the show, and confirm that he is actually a real person! I am reminded of the commercial in which the talking M & M candies happen upon Santa Claus, and exclaim, \"He DOES exist!\" That was very much my feeling seeing Colin walk onto the set! As you know, Colin was witty and charming, and I do think made some new fans in the audience that day. It seemed to me that most of the people attending the show had no idea who was going to be on it that day, as they had ordered tickets months ahead of time. It was fun to see them fall under the spell that so many of us are quite familiar with. ;) As I told Karen, during his appearance Colin had the audience in continues giggles, as well as the hosts (as you could see on the broadcast, I'm sure). I do think co-host Erin Hershey Presley developed a slight crush on Colin, particularly noticeable when the hosts were seeing Colin off (after his segment, off-camera). She seemed to sink her head into her shoulders bashfully when Colin took her hand to say goodbye; I had to laugh because I would have done the same thing! It's very cute to see a celebrity somewhat awed by another celebrity. :-) This posting ended up being much longer than I intended; my apologies! I look forward to keeping up with all the latest happenings here. Thank you all in advance for your patience; I promise to try not to write quite so much next time!"}, {"response": 603, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (08:47)", "body": "Way t'go Nicole!! You picked the best TV appearance. Were you the one with the sign? LOL. And I didn't snore. Your posting was interesting and timely."}, {"response": 604, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (10:11)", "body": "What a way to make an entrance! Congratulations on your live CF sighting, and thanks for the report. (BTW, this place is addictive!)"}, {"response": 605, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (10:17)", "body": ""}, {"response": 606, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (10:19)", "body": "Nicole - Welcome! Welcome! I think your posting was great! . .thanks for the report on the View!"}, {"response": 607, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (10:19)", "body": ""}, {"response": 608, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (10:23)", "body": "Nicole!!! All of you with The View on tape can see Nicole, holding that sign and looking pretty thrilled to be there. (Nicole) She seemed to sink her head into her shoulders bashfully Good thing you characterized it as \"bashfully,\" otherwise, I'd have to step in for Moon and yell, \"whore!\" ;-) [it's an old joke here] It's very cute to see a celebrity somewhat awed by another celebrity. :-) She seems to be following in the Katie Couric mode. I didn't get a sense (after viewing the tape over and over the other day) that Meredith Viera had succumbed or entered a state of drool. Can you recall? No worries, if you cannot. I doubt your eyes were on her. ;-) Glad to have you with us finally! As you can see, it isn't too difficult to post. Have fun!"}, {"response": 609, "author": "NicoleM", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (11:20)", "body": "Thanks for the welcome, everyone! I don't recall anything specific about Meredith, but you're right, I wasn't really looking at her during Colin's interview! My overall impression was that all of the ladies were rather taken with him. :-) BTW, I hadn't decided if I was going to own up to the sign, LOL, but yes, as Karen knows, that was me. I saw the clip of that when I got home, and had to laugh. I noticed that the camera caught me realizing that most everyone had taken their seats already to listen to the interview, while my seatmate and I were still standing, and I was shouting out \"WHOOOOO\"! Ah, well, I am more accustomed to figure skating ovations; they tend to run a bit longer! I'm off to Michigan now for a skating competition today. I am almost afraid to see how much I'll have missed here when I return! Enjoy the weekend, everyone!"}, {"response": 610, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (11:44)", "body": "Welcome, Nicole! Glad you made the trip over here!"}, {"response": 611, "author": "socadook", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (12:09)", "body": "Welcome Nicole, what an entrance indeed! Love your M&M reference and didn't snore one bit. Got a few questions for you. What really goes on during those commercial breaks? How did CF react to your sign? Sorry, I missed the View appearance :-( How did firth.com come up on the MK forum? What was it about ODB that got you interested in the first place? Any favorite role/movie of his? Just call me curious"}, {"response": 612, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (15:44)", "body": "Nicole Wow, you work mighty fast! It took me almost a year to work up the nerve to get to NY to see ODB. Bravo!!!! Glad you're here."}, {"response": 613, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (17:52)", "body": "Nicole!!! Sorry for the late welcome! Am having a v. v. hectic day at work fannying about with the spreadsheets! I'm so happy you were at The View! Wot an amazing experience!!! I envied the ladies who got to see the rockin' floral shirt 'live'!! Did you get to see him afterwards or beforehand for autographs or pics? Glad that you have joined us..."}, {"response": 614, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (16:46)", "body": "Nicole from a fellow Midwesterner. (I'm in Cincinnati). How great that you got to see Colin on The View. Well done! So glad to have you with us."}, {"response": 615, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (20:58)", "body": "Welcome Nicole! As far as I know you are the only one of us who got to see Colin live on The View. I thought when I first saw it that the woman with the sign must be one of us. LOL! And now you are. This is such a great place to be!"}, {"response": 616, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (22:54)", "body": "I loved your story of your visit to the view! Having had a viewing myself I know the feeling and it's a great thing to be able to share. next year I've really gotta get a new welcome thing going.;-)"}, {"response": 617, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (22:56)", "body": "Well Nicole, it's late and I goofed (and *X* marks one of the spots)but I hope you feel welcome here!"}, {"response": 618, "author": "NicoleM", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (22:10)", "body": "Thank you to everyone for the additional welcomes! It is very much appreciated! :-) Sonia, to answer your questions: During the commercial breaks, the hosts got their make-up retouched, and they would move to a different part of the set if they would be doing another segment somewhere else (as they did for the boring shoe segment at the end). I was to the far left of Colin and not very close, so I don't think he saw my sign at all (he didn't look over quite that far when he acknowledged the audience). As far as the Michelle Kwan Forum, a fan there posted a link to firth.com for another fan that she knows to be a Colin fan, as well as for anyone else who might be. I cannot say that it was one performance alone that stirred my interest in Colin; it was more of a gradual thing. I would see films that he happened to be in, and increasingly began to think, \"Wow, this guy is always REALLY good in whatever role he plays\". I don't think I can name a single favorite role; I like him in all the ones I've seen for different reasons. Certain roles, including anyone named Darcy lol, cause little butterflies in my tummy. ;) Other times, (for example, in his \"Apartment Zero\" role), he astounds me with the skill and depth with which he can inhabit a strangely fascinating character. And I like his ability to play humor; no matter how many times I see \"Shakespeare in Love\", I still chuckle at his blustering scenes in that! Anyway, hope I answered all your questions. :) Tress, unfortunately the show did not offer the opportunity for autographs or pics with Colin (and I'd settle for just the pic!). The only time you could take pictures at all was between segments, and Colin was ushered off after his segment, so it didn't provide the opportunity to get a good shot of him. Needless to say, I tried anyway, but since I was so far away, and didn't have an especially great camera on me, all I have are a couple of fuzzy distant snapshots (although *I* know who it is, even if most looking at the photos wouldn't, so I will treasure the pics all the same!). Beedee, no worries! And yes, I feel quite welcome; thanks! :) BTW, can anyone tell me how to italicize text, or edit a post here? I noticed a spelling error in one of my previous posts, and as that is likely to happen again, I'd like to know if it can be repaired!"}, {"response": 619, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (22:22)", "body": "I noticed a spelling error in one of my previous posts, and as that is likely to happen again, I'd like to know if it can be repaired I love it here for many reasons and the fact that spelling doesn't count is one of them! Neither does penmanship.;=))"}, {"response": 620, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (00:11)", "body": "(Nicole) I cannot say that it was one performance alone that stirred my interest in Colin; it was more of a gradual thing. Jane Austen couldn't have written it better. ;-) Admin questions No, there isn't anyway to edit a post here. But it really isn't necessary to do so. We'll figure it out and attribute the typo to the fact that you are v. important, busy person and are multi-tasking. Also, there's no need to apologize for a mistake in another message. Many of us learned our basic HTML skills here for italics, bold, posting images, etc.: http://austen.com/tutorial/index.html Topic 61 is used as a Help board."}, {"response": 621, "author": "NicoleM", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (22:51)", "body": "Thanks for the tips! No, there isn't anyway to edit a post here. But it really isn't necessary to do so. We'll figure it out and attribute the typo to the fact that you are v. important, busy person and are multi-tasking. Ah, yes, it must be that, rather than an indication of my typing abilities being anything less than stellar! ;)"}, {"response": 622, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (07:25)", "body": "First of all, welcome Nicole, sorry to be slow about welcoming you but have been v. busy ;-) No, there isn't anyway to edit a post here....We'll figure it out and attribute the typo to the fact that you are v. important, busy person and are multi-tasking. Besides that, I find the subject matter around here can be guaranteed to distract and fluster one! (That's my story and I'm sticking to it!)"}, {"response": 623, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (09:15)", "body": "Welcome Nicole!! Loved your intro and so happy you were able to See Colin when he was on The View! I will look for you when I get a copy of the tape. What a great time for you to join the community, we have been in perpetual party mode for months now and I hope it continues on and on!!"}, {"response": 624, "author": "NicoleM", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (02:55)", "body": "Thank you Barb and Maria! BTW, I am enjoying \"perpetual party mode\" a great deal! :-)"}, {"response": 625, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Dec 29, 2003 (16:27)", "body": "Hi everyone. Having recently de-lurked on Topic 187, I thought I should properly introduce myself here. A mid-forties, at-home mom in Westchester County NY. Like many of us, my first symptoms of OCD came on when P&P first aired several years ago. Since that time the condition has steadily worsened with symptoms being alleviated only intermittently as new Colin productions have been released. Recently found this website and it's been a great reassurance to learn that there are many others similarly afflicted. What a hoot you guys are. It's become almost a daily habit to log in and get a 'fix'. Thanks for making it so much fun. One day I'm sure I'll be able to fully come out of the closet and not panic when my husband looks over my shoulder to see what's got me so fully engrossed on the computer screen. Anyway, thanks for having me. I'll do my utmost to learn 'HTML' and try to be a productive member of the community. Would love to hear from more ladies in the neighborhood and locally scheduled Colin appearances. I'm afraid though, I've come too late in the game. Can't imagine many more NY appearances after the abundance that have occured in recent months. And yes, I died when I found out from you all that he'd been in Pleasantville in November - a mere 15 min from home- while I was probably having one of my usual 'help with the homework-do the dishes' type of nights. C'est la vie..."}, {"response": 626, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Mon, Dec 29, 2003 (16:48)", "body": "Welcome aboard to you and all the other folk who've joined lately! Yes, I agree that, along with OCD, this place is habit forming, but you'll not find a nicer group than this one!"}, {"response": 627, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Dec 29, 2003 (19:12)", "body": "Welcome Leslie! Too bad you missed him in your backyard, I will hope for you that you have another chance soon! Welcome!"}, {"response": 628, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec 29, 2003 (19:19)", "body": "Welcome Leslie Pity we didn't know you around Nov. 7th, you coulda' hung out with us at the Zeigfield , Ruby Foos , Hilton Bar...and various other watering holes in NY. Stick around for the 2004 Drool Happening...."}, {"response": 629, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Dec 29, 2003 (19:39)", "body": "Stick around for the 2004 Drool Happening.... What, pray tell, is that? Sounds like a hoot.."}, {"response": 630, "author": "neshacat", "date": "Mon, Dec 29, 2003 (21:34)", "body": "Welcome Leslie"}, {"response": 631, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 2003 (09:11)", "body": "Leslie!! For some, a daily fix is the starting point. ;-) Soon, it turns into a little dose of Drool with each meal and then before you go to bed at night. After that, you're ducking into internet cafes while away from home and toting a laptop on vacations so you won't miss anything. All this is perfectly normal. Glad to have you here and you're in a prime position to take part in future Firth in the Flesh happenings if you don't mind traveling into the city. Above all, have fun with a great group of people here!"}, {"response": 632, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 2003 (09:33)", "body": "Hi Leslie!!! Glad to have another addition to the Metro Gal pool of Drool . .believe me, you'll love it here! \"See you around . . .\""}, {"response": 633, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 2003 (13:14)", "body": "Leslie, Welcome to Drool. This place is really great, and if you do happen to miss an actual sighting of CF, you can be assured that the reports of those who do see him are well worth the read."}, {"response": 634, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 2003 (14:55)", "body": "...After that, you're ducking into internet cafes while away from home That's been me! Glad to have you among us Leslie!"}, {"response": 635, "author": "madsky", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 2003 (19:08)", "body": "Happy New Year... My name is Madelyn and I\ufffdve been reading your conference board for weeks now. There are 2 reasons I\ufffdve decided to join in here (not in any order): 1) serious, scholarly, intellectual inquiry \ufffd wait, what was my research question again??? ...... Um..... uh..... I got distracted again \ufffd by my topic! ... Which means reason #2 is ... 2) I know exactly how you feel! 1) Yes, an actual research project. I have a PhD in media studies and am a part-time college instructor. My other major research project so far was my dissertation on Loretta Young. Next up: CF. (Talk about a compelling research topic!) In case anyone has reservations, I am not a journalist \ufffd I am a researcher and I hope to publish articles in film/media journals. I certainly hope all this will not inhibit you. (I would never quote any post by name, log-on, entry number, or specific date.) Feel free to email me privately if you have a question, and I\ufffdm sure I will occasionally post mundane questions where emailing responses to me separately will save conference space. (There\ufffds a possibility I\ufffdll pursue questions about your fandom later on, but that would be done primarily off the board, privately and with complete confidentiality.) P.S. Karen already knows about this. 2) Yes, I\ufffdm a fan of CF. (So don\ufffdt let my other reason put you off.) He is my favorite actor. I find him intriguing in many ways. He\ufffds a talented, sexy, and unique actor, and he also seems to be someone with integrity. I\ufffdve now mentioned my project and/or talked about CF with a number of women and there is complete agreement \ufffd \ufffdOh yes, I like him.\ufffd My husband weighed in (half-jokingly) with his hope that my project would not mean CF pictures would start appearing everywhere! (OK, that won\ufffdt happen to the walls but, with this project, I cannot say the same thing about the TV or computer screens!) When I told him that Richard Gere (#1 actor on my list since I was a teenager) had moved to #2, he knew it was serious. Which film snared me? BJD. (I had previously been only marginally aware of CF.) And the more I watched/read, the more I liked. I\ufffdm now trying to catch up to speed on everything CF; with my project, I can have my cake and eat it, too! By the way, my family also includes our 4-year-old son and 2 dogs. I hope you all are having a very pleasant holiday season. I\ufffdm looking forward to 2004 \ufffd I\ufffdm excited about my research, about \ufffdmeeting\ufffd you all, and about potential career developments for our favorite actor. Madelyn P.P.S. Anyone in the areas of Bloomington, IN, Santa Barbara, CA, or Pittsfield, MA?"}, {"response": 636, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 2003 (22:10)", "body": "(Madelyn) P.P.S. Anyone in the areas of Bloomington, IN... You mean God's country? (Not counting coaches...he's moved anyway.) Your areas are pretty disparate...but since I know people who count anything south of Lafayette IN as Bloomington, does Fishers/Indianapolis count? He is my favorite actor. I find him intriguing in many ways. He\ufffds a talented, sexy, and unique actor, and he also seems to be someone with integrity. Sufficient bona fides for me. Welcome!"}, {"response": 637, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 2003 (23:14)", "body": "Welcome aboard, Madelyn! You'll find we're a pretty neat crowd here, and as friendly as can be. I found, aside from ODB's obvious \"charms\", that the fact that he seemed literate and intelligent only added to the attraction."}, {"response": 638, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Dec 31, 2003 (08:12)", "body": "Hi Madelyn! So you\ufffdre gonna *soak* us up? This may be fun! Good to have you!"}, {"response": 639, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Dec 31, 2003 (09:50)", "body": "Hi Madelyn! Welcome aboard!!!! Always great to meet another fan! And good luck with this project . .will be interesting to hear how it develops . .and ODB couldn't be a better choice for you! (as an aside, I was a Communication major myself (w/ concentrations in Journalism and Interpersonal communications with a minor in writing . .one of my final projects dealt with the discussion of the rise of interest in Irish culture in various forms of media and the development of a single issue magazine dedicated to highlight the Irish artistic community . . . I relished the research portion of the projet . .ahh the films, the music, it was wonderful; . . .I can only forsee the enjoyment you'll have collecting info for your current project!)"}, {"response": 640, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Dec 31, 2003 (11:25)", "body": "Greetings to Leslie and Madelyn!!! Glad you've decided to come out and join the fun! (Sorry Darcy, don't get too excited; I don't think they came on foot.) ;-) (Leslie)It's become almost a daily habit to log in and get a 'fix' LOL! Hi. My name is Shoshana and I'm a Firth addict... (Madelyn)serious, scholarly, intellectual inquiry \ufffd wait, what was my research question again??? ...... Um..... uh..... I got distracted again \ufffd by my topic! The best of both worlds it seems! Good for you! I always enjoy it when Colin and psychology/psychopathology (my area of study) overlap."}, {"response": 641, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 31, 2003 (13:07)", "body": "Madelyn!!! Always glad to welcome another afflicted with ODBOCD here, as one of the gang. Richard Gere, huh? *brain cells clicking away, trying to process this one* Have fun!! Clarification: For those who may be concerned, nothing from these boards will be used unless specifically approved by the respective poster. Madelyn's data collection, interviews, etc., would be done via email or other methods off these boards. I wouldn't want anyone to feel inhibited or fear expressing themselves here because his/her words may turn up in someone's published book or article. However, since these are public boards and messages are archived, they are a unique way to soak up the atmosphere and educate one's self."}, {"response": 642, "author": "Gail", "date": "Wed, Dec 31, 2003 (14:03)", "body": "Leslie, Madelyn welcome. This is a wonderful and entertaining place to be. Leslie, being new here myself I can totally relate to your not being fully out there when you husband looks over your shoulder, I used to minimize the screen anytime someone came in, but after receiving a number of ODB's DVDs at Christmas I've been discovered. Madelyn, good luck with your research. You've got a great subject. I now know I had the wrong major. I spent months researching the marketing and distribution of ethnic foods in the south. Somehow I thnk yours will be more fun."}, {"response": 643, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Wed, Dec 31, 2003 (14:31)", "body": "WELCOME LESLIE AND MADELYN!!! Hey, I drooled over Richard Gere long before ODB was wearing long pants. I hope CF will age as well as RG, and still be making new movies when he's \"old and gray.\" (Gail) \"researching the marketing and distribution of ethnic foods in the south\" I'm guessing you're not referring to grits and chitlins, are you?"}, {"response": 644, "author": "charmedbycolin", "date": "Wed, Dec 31, 2003 (15:37)", "body": "Hello everyone. My name is Carolyn. I've known about the spring conference board for years. I use to run a Joseph Fiennes fan site for a few years, and would come over here when he had a thread and look for news. However, I've had the most persistent Colin obsession for years now. So I decided to stop fooling myself and come here and admit my obsession. Of course started with the first time Colin was in P & P and it aired in the U.S. Then I definitely noticed him in Shakespeare in Love. Just thought he was hysterical. I love the scenes between Gwen and Colin. Colin is only actor my Mother and I completely agree that is talented, handsome, intriguing. Also I agree with Madelyn there is something about him that seems like he has integrity. I have a thing about how tall he is. I love BJD how that camera just pans up on him all the time, and he's long and lanky. Also another favorite scene is P & P when he's watching Elizabeth play the piano (or pianoforte or whatever she\ufffds' playing) and something about that man on a couch (or the Georgian version of a couch) I have couch fantasies about that guy, he\ufffds\ufffd so tall and substantial just cuddly at the same time. Oh I feel so relieved that I've admitted all this. Some of my friends understand - others don't think Colin is all that. I can't understand how people watch BJD and prefer Hugh, but I have friends that do. I've seen Love Actually three times. I saw GWAPE last Sunday (The \ufffdartsy\ufffd local movie theater was PACKED) and Colin was outstanding in that one. The intensity in his eyes just drew me in all over again. I also love Valmont (young sexy whippersnapper Colin) and Fever Pitch. I have even the Advocate on tape. A friend in the UK got me a copy. Someone posted in one of these threads that when they watch Colin on screen they just smile and smile. I know I\ufffdm like that esp. during BJD. I just love almost all his scenes. Has anyone noticed he is always mumbling stuff between his lips, esp. in the interview scene with Bridget on TV? I always wonder what the heck he is muttering. But it seems sexy whatever it is. About me: I\ufffdm a web designer by trade. I\ufffdve lived in the UK, Australia, and Hawaii and now I\ufffdm back in So. California where I grew up. Also I\ufffdm a Mom. So lastly, it\ufffds so nice to be among like minded people. Thanks Karen for all your help getting me established on the conference. Carolyn"}, {"response": 645, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 31, 2003 (16:04)", "body": "Carolyn!!! I'm trying to figure out if this is a delurking record. ;-) Shocking to say the least. I can remember chomping at the bit to get on this board way back when and there were technical problems at the time. Good to have you with us and sorry that Joe's topic didn't survive. Have fun!"}, {"response": 646, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Dec 31, 2003 (16:24)", "body": "Hello and welcome Leslie, Madelyn and Carolyn! So happy all of you have joined us!"}, {"response": 647, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 31, 2003 (17:21)", "body": "Welcome to all... ...can't remember when we've had a year with so many newbies. (Karen)Good to have you with us and sorry that Joe's topic didn't survive. Huh? I thought it was till goin'. Why don't you reactivate it, Carolyn. What's he doin these days He's a terrific actor...as is big bro who's on #40. Just watched Joe the other night in \"Rancid Aluminum\"."}, {"response": 648, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Dec 31, 2003 (18:00)", "body": "Welcome Carolyn . .(and Madelyn again . .found a cute welcom pic for the both of you!) (Carolyn)I have a thing about how tall he is. I love BJD how that camera just pans up on him all the time, and he's long and lanky. Mmmmmm .I'm with you Carolyn . .and he is wonderfully so in person . .a friend of mine didn't believe me when I told her so . . .;) Welcome to Drool! Carolyn . .what was the name of that film JF did with Heather Graham? . .I'm having a brain spasm and can't recall at the moment . . .wasn't he a mountain climber of sorts?"}, {"response": 649, "author": "hershey", "date": "Wed, Dec 31, 2003 (18:15)", "body": "Madalyn-I'm excited to hear about your project. I will start my Ph.D. in exactly the same area in the fall. I'd love to read your papers about CF when you have them done. I've told people I am going to do my dissertation on the effects of BJD movie/book on urban singletons such as myself. Your work makes me think maybe I actually COULD do that. Good luck!!!"}, {"response": 650, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Dec 31, 2003 (20:19)", "body": "Nicole, Leslie, Madelyn, and Carolyn!!! Glad to have you join our merry, witty band!"}, {"response": 651, "author": "charmedbycolin", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (02:58)", "body": "Thanks everyone for the warm welcome. The mountain climber picture was \"Killing Me Softly.\" I've never seen it. I think after running the web page for two years I just burnt out on Mr. Fiennes. I'm usually not that \"fiddle dee dee\" about stars I follow, but I haven't really understood some of his career choices. I think you have to balance out the artistic with the pop culture if you are an actor (much like Colin has done and why he is so successful and has a long lasting career) From what I understand Joe declined a Miramax deal after SIL, which I can't understand. I mean Miramax isn't known for making \"fluffy\" films. Look at Gwyneth's career. Joe has received critical success in some of the stage productions he's done in the U.K. I don't know if he's as good of a film actor as his older brother. Although, I think he was born to play the Barb. But I'm here to talk about Colin!! Thanks for the warm welcome and Happy New Year!!"}, {"response": 652, "author": "charmedbycolin", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (03:21)", "body": "PS I meant the Bard... Not the Barb.... Although, that might be interesting. Ah wouldn't a Mark and Bridget - Ken and Barbie be cute? - Mark in reindeer jumper, Bridget in Mother's outfit. Note to self - do not post after midnight New Year's champagne. Stop posting full stop. hee hee. Thanks again for the welcome."}, {"response": 653, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (09:26)", "body": "Thank you everyone for your warm welcomes both on and off the site. Surpising things happen when one chooses to come 'out of the closet..' 1) As Karen predicted my daily fix has turned into not being able to walk past the computer witout logging on. That last quick? check before bed invariably winds up with me burning the midnight oil well beyond what I should. 2) My charge card bills will be interesting next month as I begin to total all the expenses for those older CF releases I've ordered. (Any advice as to how to explain that to my DH?) Better yet, any advice as to where to find a copy of AMITC for less than $50? 3)Wonderfully so, you've all empowered me to begin revealing the truth of my OCD to my significant others. A true triumph...after our New Year's outing last eve, I convinced my DH and 2 sons to curl up in bed and watch P&P with me. Better yet, they say they'll finish it with me today. Don't know how supportive they'll be, however, when they discover my complete stash of newly arrived DVD's. They might opt to commit me at that point. 4) Best of all... I laugh a lot more during the course of a day. It's been a long time since I've encountered a group of women as quick-witted and bright as all of you are. To Madelyn and Carolyn...thanks for joining me as \"newbies\" . And good luck with your research, Madelyn. Perhaps you'll consider a place somewhere for Karen's quip on our welcome page about it being a place for \"ordinarily sensible women who've lost their heads over movie stars\". I think she summed it brilliantly with that one. Carolyn...In terms of the comments of ODB's looks vs. intellect. Kimberly and I have just been having an off-line discussion about that precisely. IMHO what separates ODB from all the other pretty faces out there is his intellect, talent, and self-deprecation that's wonderfully evidenced in today's USAWeekend article (see the posting for this morning's entries on topic 178?). It's the full package that's turned me into a true DD. A great New Year to all.... Can't wait to see what 2004 brings to all the DD's!"}, {"response": 654, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (10:49)", "body": "(Carolyn) Note to self - do not post after midnight New Year's champagne. Well, I don't know. That was cute. ;-) (Leslie) Karen's quip on our welcome page about it being a place for \"ordinarily sensible women who've lost their heads over movie stars\". I think she summed it brilliantly with that one. Sorry, but I can't take credit for that line. It was here when I arrived. (Leslie) In terms of the comments of ODB's looks vs. intellect. Kimberly and I have just been having an off-line discussion about that precisely. If you'd like to share your thoughts, Firthology is the topic for that. No real need to go off line."}, {"response": 655, "author": "charmedbycolin", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (12:39)", "body": "Just one more newbie question. Okay I caught the post about what ODB stands for. What does DD mean? (Double Darcys?) or OCD? Okay recovering nicely from last night - off to post in Edge of Reason thread. Thanks everyone. Carolyn"}, {"response": 656, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (13:23)", "body": "Just catching on myself. I assume the following: DD = drool darlings OCD = obsesive colin disease Am I correct on these, ladies?"}, {"response": 657, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (13:25)", "body": "Back after a few weeks and trying desperately to catch up! Welcome all newbies! Lesliep, Madelyn and Carolyn! So glad you could join the fun!!!! Have missed this place....but great to come back and \"see\" all the new faces!!!"}, {"response": 658, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (13:59)", "body": "Hey Bridget, can you believe all of the newbies coming out at Drool? It's going to be a good new year!"}, {"response": 659, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (14:00)", "body": "Oh Pooh! I forgot to say that the above welcome is for you Carolyn!"}, {"response": 660, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (14:03)", "body": "So many newbies and so little time to greet them. Hope you'll enjoy this place as much as I have. You are in for a real good time :-) Velcome to all of you :-)"}, {"response": 661, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (14:06)", "body": "Oh, shoot :-( I know one shouldn't use a post to apologize for misspellings and such (off course I couldn spell Welcome :-( ) - but I forgot to wish everybody here, both newbies and \"oldies\" a Happy New Year. Looking forward to enjoying your company in the year of 2004 :-)"}, {"response": 662, "author": "madsky", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (20:04)", "body": "(BarbS)I know people who count anything south of Lafayette IN as Bloomington, does Fishers/Indianapolis count? I'd say it's close enough if we ever needed to get together for anything.... like CF in Indy -- hmm, probably not. If I do interviews with fans, it would be great to do some in person rather than rely totally on email. You can cover so much more and have a lot more fun with it :) I have family in the other 2 cities and visit occasionally. (Eithne)I found, aside from ODB's obvious \"charms\", that the fact that he seemed literate and intelligent only added to the attraction. I definitely agree -- more of those \"intriguing\" things about him. (Kimberly S)I was a Communication major myself....I relished the research portion of the projet . .ahh the films, the music, it was wonderful; . . .I can only forsee the enjoyment you'll have collecting info for your current project!) Most definitely! One reason I picked CF -- I wanted a topic that would keep my interest! (Dena)I will start my Ph.D. in exactly the same area in the fall....I've told people I am going to do my dissertation on the effects of BJD movie/book on urban singletons such as myself. We could chat via email... The first article/paper I'm working on right now deals with BJD. What did you do your MA in? (lesliep)Don't know how supportive they'll be, however, when they discover my complete stash of newly arrived DVD's. They might opt to commit me at that point. Told my DH with my newsflash about Richard Gere dropping to #2 -- added a touch of humor. I had already told him, while watching BJD, that I thought CF was very sexy and that I loved that film (got it on DVD for Christmas). Anyway, thank you so much one and all for the warm welcome! This is great:)"}, {"response": 663, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (21:43)", "body": "Hi Carolyn! Great to see you here! Also another favorite scene is P & P when he's watching Elizabeth play the piano (or pianoforte or whatever she\ufffds playing) and something about that man on a couch (or the Georgian version of a couch) I have couch fantasies about that guy, he\ufffds so tall and substantial just cuddly at the same time. Great taste in scenes! Mmmmm..."}, {"response": 664, "author": "hershey", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (18:24)", "body": "(Dena)I will start my Ph.D. in exactly the same area in the fall....I've told people I am going to do my dissertation on the effects of BJD movie/book on urban singletons such as myself. (Madelyn)We could chat via email... The first article/paper I'm working on right now deals with BJD. What did you do your MA in? That'd be great! I'd love to hear more about the paper. I got my M.S. in journalism (same as my B.A.). I'm interested in broadening it out to communications more generally and media less specifically."}, {"response": 665, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (20:21)", "body": "Welcome Leslie, Madelyn and Carolyn! I'm just returning from two weeks in the wilds of Central Florida and I have a lot of catching up to do, but I wanted to say that I'm happy you've joined us and look forward to sharing OCD with you. It's one contagious disease that I hope they don't find a cure for;-) Happy New Year to all the DD's!"}, {"response": 666, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (14:34)", "body": "Thought I'd better reintroduce myself Boss in case you don't let me back;-)) Just call me the lustful whisker. Welcome to everyone who's found this haven. Let the fun begin!"}, {"response": 667, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (16:50)", "body": "LIZZA ole' buddie.... 'bout time thought you dumped us;-)"}, {"response": 668, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (16:59)", "body": "About time! ;-)"}, {"response": 669, "author": "locarol", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (18:21)", "body": "Finding this, I thought I had better obey the law [ You know how scary Karen can be! ;-) ] and introduce myself, although I suspect my name has been seen in various places. So, hello! Although work keeps me very busy, I assure you that my often long silences are not preventing me nodding in all the right places, shaking my head when necessary and generally smiling as I read."}, {"response": 670, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (21:55)", "body": "Hi lizza!!! . .Hi locarol!!! Pleased to meet ya!"}, {"response": 671, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (11:36)", "body": "(locarol)although I suspect my name has been seen in various places. Nope...not me. Never metcha. [ You know how scary Karen can be! ;-) ] Nah! LOL. Just watch those \"we's\" and skip the sermons;-) Anyway.... Hi..Glad to meetcha."}, {"response": 672, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (13:14)", "body": "locarol"}, {"response": 673, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (13:43)", "body": "Carol!! Another about time! Do you have any idea how many times I've turned this over?? Looking forward you sharing your bitching and moaning with everybody. ;-)))))"}, {"response": 674, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (13:59)", "body": "!! Welcome locarol and welcome back Lizza (I recognize your name from discussions of yore.....so feel I know you...a bit!)!!! Sorry for my delayed welcome....have been sick (no voice and general crapness). I feel as if I have played in a fountain with Hugh and Colin and then afterwards they denied me access to hot tub and tea! The nerve! ;-D"}, {"response": 675, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (08:20)", "body": "Hello Lizza, Carol! Nice to meet both of you."}, {"response": 676, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (09:16)", "body": "(Carol)[ You know how scary Karen can be! ;-) (Evelyn)Nah! LOL. Just watch those \"we's\" and skip the sermons;-) ...and watch those topic choices! Glad to have you among us at last Carol!"}, {"response": 677, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (10:38)", "body": "Welcome Carol, hope you will enjoy yourself enormously here. Remember the Boss's bark is worse than her bite ;-)))"}, {"response": 678, "author": "LauraS", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 2004 (16:04)", "body": "Hey everyone, I've decided to delurk for the want and need to contribute to the TEOR book discussion that begins tomorrow! Have been a CF fan for quite a while and was estatic to find somewhere where I can share my obsession with others that understand (most of my friends and family just look at me strangely when I get on the topic)!! Little bit about myself - I'm Canadian singleton from Vancouver(home of winter olymics 2010!) Have seen many of CF's works and really love his earlier stuff (LE,WoF,Azero,etc. His newer stuff's not bad, although it certainly doesn't live up to his potential. Must admit though I loved GWAPE and really, really want to see Trauma. However will take ODB in any way, shape or form (he's one of few actors who's actually is getting better looking with age). I was in London UK last year and was at the Survival showing of LA (although foolish me, missed the LA Premere as was in Paris-dang!). Am hoping to be back in London in the Fall and maybe take in the premere of Trauma or TEOR if I can swing it and maybe get a closer look at my fav guy. Sorry - didn't mean to write a book!!"}, {"response": 679, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 2004 (16:58)", "body": "\"Pssst....is that you, Laura?\" Welcome, Laura. From one recent de-lurker to another, you\ufffdre bound to have a lot of fun here."}, {"response": 680, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 2004 (17:09)", "body": "Welcome Laura, from a next door neighbour (Surrey) This is *the best* place to be for CF fans."}, {"response": 681, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 2004 (17:12)", "body": "Laura"}, {"response": 682, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 2004 (19:21)", "body": "Welcome to all Drooleurs new and not-quite-so new!!! I apologize for my belated greetings, but I've been traipsing all over the US, and have had limited Drool time (sad, yes, but I may have found another newbie!) Hiya, Lizza! Good to see you back again! Hello Carol! I hope this guy might make you smile! (Laura) really love his earlier stuff Good taste! Richard is a favorite of mine! Mmmmm..."}, {"response": 683, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 2004 (09:57)", "body": "Laura, Welcome! Write a book by all means . .I'm eager to get to know you! Really, I'm all ears:)"}, {"response": 684, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 2004 (10:18)", "body": "LauraS!!! Caught you! Glad to see you onboard and eager to jump right into the fray with a discussion."}, {"response": 685, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Feb 18, 2004 (14:13)", "body": "Lookie whose come out to play!!! Hey Laura! Sorry for the late welcome (been a bit under the weather and just hanging out)...you live right up the road a piece! I'm in Portland."}, {"response": 686, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Feb 18, 2004 (17:52)", "body": "Welcome, Laura and thanks Tress for the lovely MD...makes me want to introduce myself all over again;-)"}, {"response": 687, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 2004 (12:07)", "body": "(Locarol)I assure you that my often long silences are not preventing me nodding in all the right places, shaking my head when necessary and generally smiling as I read You took the words right out of my mouth. Welcome Leslie, Madelyn, Carolyn, Carol, Laura and anyone else I might have missed."}, {"response": 688, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (14:04)", "body": "Shoshana..... I feel completely spoiled by your whisking. Thank you ;-)) Laura, Welcome, you've found a great home here."}, {"response": 689, "author": "LauraS", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 2004 (13:37)", "body": "Thanks to all for the warm welcome and all the wonderful pic's. Let the obsession begin!"}, {"response": 690, "author": "odea5", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 2004 (14:42)", "body": "Hello to everyone -- I've been reading about everyone's activities during premiers and TV appearances and the like and enjoying the stories immensely. It has been a relief to hear that there are other women out there with \"sense and education\" but an obsession with a movie star! I was starting to feel a little voyeuristic so I thought I'd take the plunge and say hello and introduce myself. I am a teacher at a community college in Western Pennsylvania -- married with two teenagers who have all accepted my obsession. First saw Colin Firth a couple of years ago in P & P and was floored! BJD came next and since then I've rented or borrowed (library) many of his other works. He really is something else and deserves any and all of the accolades that are coming his way! Thanks for all the sharing that goes on -- it is great fun to tune in and find out what is going on."}, {"response": 691, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 2004 (14:59)", "body": "MAURA Glad to have you on board. We love newbies. Join us at Firthology /Darcy Drool and we'll be happy to drool with you over all his roles. \"bout time you joined us!"}, {"response": 692, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 2004 (15:02)", "body": "Maura . . . Welcome to Drool!!!! Jump on in! The water's fine;) Thanks to Firthissimo for the pic!"}, {"response": 693, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 2004 (15:09)", "body": "Maura!!! A Mr. Darcy and Bates smiley for you since that is how you came upon ODB!!!"}, {"response": 694, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 2004 (20:10)", "body": "Welcome, Maura... Glad you've come out from the shadows. It's always nice to meet another 'newbie'!"}, {"response": 695, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 2004 (20:34)", "body": "Welcome Maura, nice to you! Glad you took the plunge and delurked...have fun!"}, {"response": 696, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 2004 (20:45)", "body": "Let me add my welcome, Maura. You couldn't ask for a better group of Droolers! Let the fun begin ;-)"}, {"response": 697, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 2004 (22:23)", "body": "Maura!! Glad to see you've decided to take a more active role. While there are good and satisfying aspects, I'm sure, to voyeurism, it really can't compare to jumping into our pond and getting all wet and wild. Have fun!"}, {"response": 698, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 2004 (23:29)", "body": "Maura!!! It has been a relief to hear that there are other women out there with \"sense and education\" but an obsession with a movie star! The ladies here (IMHO) are great fun, clever, and funny as well as very smart (as you've probably noticed)! Thanks for delurking and enjoy joining in on the discussions!!! A toast to you!"}, {"response": 699, "author": "pourescoler", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 2004 (07:18)", "body": "I thought it was about time that I introduced myself here as I've been reading since before Christmas! I read with envy all the stories about the SNL appearance and have had to content myself with the screen caps, as I couldn't watch it 'for real' being in Australia... It was quite refreshing to find a community that shares my obsession for all things Colin. And as I'm currently studying at the moment I'm constantly surprised at how many other nerdy bookish types (said very fondly, of course) find ODB to be AFG (see, I've been picking up the lingo along the way...). We often find ourselves dicussing the finer points of P&P in lectures! so, I guess it's on with the Drooling! :)"}, {"response": 700, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 2004 (09:13)", "body": "Hi Louise! I do enjoy a great discussion of good literature . . . \"All this she must possess,\" added Darcy, \"and to all this she must yet add something more substantial, in the improvement of her mind by extensive reading.\" Many thanks to Firthissimo again for the pic Welcome aboard!"}, {"response": 701, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 2004 (09:35)", "body": "Hello Maura and Louise, nice to have you on board! I hope you'll both have a great time here with us."}, {"response": 702, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 2004 (11:23)", "body": "LOUISE (Don't we already have a Louise, boss??? And please, no more Barbara's or Kathy's!)"}, {"response": 703, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 2004 (11:30)", "body": "Yes, we do have another Louise (Louise/birdy). Aussie Louise, could you please pick out something else or come up with a way to differentiate yourself? In any event... Aussie Louise!!"}, {"response": 704, "author": "LauraS", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 2004 (11:46)", "body": "Welcome Maura & Louise. Glad you've both decided to delurk!!"}, {"response": 705, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 2004 (11:47)", "body": "(Evelyn)Don't we already have a Louise, boss??? (Karen)Yes, we do... I never run into this problem with my name.;-) WELCOME LOUISE! grateful thanks to firthissimo"}, {"response": 706, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 2004 (11:49)", "body": "Louise from Down Under! Glad you decided to climb in! There's always room for more!!!!! Glad you could join us!"}, {"response": 707, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 2004 (11:55)", "body": "Welcome Maura and Louise! This is really the fun place to be. Glad you decided to join the fun."}, {"response": 708, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 2004 (21:58)", "body": "Welcome Louise d'Oz. I suggest you find the other Louise(s?), I'll see how many Barbaras (and variants--not to be confused with deviants) I can round up and we'll show the MaryKate and Ashley duo how it's done! Welcome! Looks like you're already AFG with the lingo...carry on!"}, {"response": 709, "author": "socadook", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 2004 (19:32)", "body": "Louise and Maura, I'll join the other Droolers, Metro Gals, ODB and Bridget's urban family in bidding you"}, {"response": 710, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 2004 (20:48)", "body": "A big belated welcome, Louise. You\ufffdre bound to love it here. It\ufffds a very cool place\ufffd\ufffd"}, {"response": 711, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 2004 (21:07)", "body": "Hi Maura! Sorry for the \"slightly\" belated welcome. ;-) These two just came to sympathize with you as they understand the issues of sharing a name!!! Have a great time here and thanks for joining in!"}, {"response": 712, "author": "SweetCycle", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 2004 (04:40)", "body": "Hi there all you happy droolers! I\ufffdm a newbie, only Karen knows me yet. My name is Manuela, I\ufffdm German and absolutely addicted to Colin Firth! The movie that first caught my attention was \ufffdHour of the pig\ufffd(on German TV back in 1996). But what really really DID IT to me was \ufffdFeverpitch\ufffd. I pretty much liked this cute, cuddly guy with the curls. The only problem I had with this movie\ufffd.Colin played an Arsenal fan and I\ufffdm \ufffd though German \ufffd ALL for Liverpool. That was hard. ;-) Thanks to Karen I was able to see MOTM, TD and DQ. 3 great flicks with a brilliant CF. Now I am totally hooked and there\ufffds no way out. Desperately waiting to see GWTPE (DVD is ordered, don\ufffdt think this movie will hit the German cinema screens\ufffdsigh) and \ufffdTrauma\ufffd. CF\ufffds acting surprises me all the time. He\ufffds just magnificent! I even liked \ufffdPlaymaker\ufffd. I found this one subtle and somehow profound. Whenever I thought I know what\ufffds going on something different happened. Actually I think this movie shows perfectly how quick people can get bondaged and do what others want them to do. Terrible thought. Colin, of course, gave a great performance \ufffd as always. First the tough guy who decides everything and then all of a sudden insecure and without any self-confidence. Same opinion on Femme Fatale. If you think about it the story on FF is pretty heavy stuff; it does have depth. Dealing with a multiple personality is very difficult. If you would ask me what\ufffds my fav CF movie I couldn\ufffdt answer. Which ones do I love? Hmm, of course always \ufffdFeverpitch\ufffd. Further P&P, TSLOW, TIOBE, Lost Empires, AMITC and even Camille. In the end I like them all. Up to now only one movie disappointed me \ufffdThe Engl. Patient. Not Colin\ufffds fault! I just found this movie boring and way too long. But my deepest wish is to see Colin live at the theatre. Guess some of you have seen him already; maybe in \ufffd3 days of Rain\ufffd. I admit\ufffd.I envy you. Besides Colin my heart and passion belongs to my fav singer Donnie Munro. Good we do have 2 ventricles. ;-) Guess that\ufffds enough for a start, huh?!"}, {"response": 713, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 2004 (11:11)", "body": "(Manuela)Further P&P, TSLOW, TIOBE, Lost Empires, AMITC and even Camille. In the end I like them all. (Manuela) Same opinion on Femme Fatale. If you think about it the story on FF is pretty heavy stuff; it does have depth. Dealing with a multiple personality is very difficult. Did you all see *that*? She likes Armand and my Joe Prince!!! Hooray...we're gaining in numbers!! WELCOME MANUELA"}, {"response": 714, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 2004 (11:39)", "body": "Manuela!! Success! You're on! How could I not welcome a kindred spirit, who finds serious subtext in Playmaker, though she hadn't shared it with me before. I must have sensed it. ;-) Have fun!"}, {"response": 715, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 2004 (14:29)", "body": "Don't look so grim, Paul . . it's a right happy day! Manuela's joined Drool! And besides I've heard that Arsenal is so far undefeated this year;) Hurrah to another Fever Pitch fan! Welcome aboard!!! Thanks to Firthissimo for the pic!"}, {"response": 716, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 2004 (14:47)", "body": "Willkommen Maura! So glad you have come to join us!!! And you like FF and PM??? Great! You can tell us anything here! We promise we won't be shocked!"}, {"response": 717, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 2004 (15:07)", "body": "Maura, Louise and Manuela - It was high time you joined us! I'm tickled purple (or I'd like to tickle what's under the purple?:)) At any rate, wahoo and welcome!!!"}, {"response": 718, "author": "socadook", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 2004 (18:16)", "body": "(Manuela)...The Engl. Patient. Not Colin\ufffds fault! I just found this movie boring and way too long. You said it! We're going to get along just fine. Wilkomen, bienvenue, welcome!"}, {"response": 719, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 2004 (19:58)", "body": "Manuela! OMG...I called you Maura...and I have no idea where that came from! LOL! Obviously I needed coffee! Es tut mir leid!"}, {"response": 720, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 2004 (20:08)", "body": "Welcome Manuela! Looks like you move to the head of the class with the list of pre-work you've done, HotPig and Playmaker were pretty advanced stuff for me and I *just* saw Camille...can't fault your taste a bit! Have fun and welcome!"}, {"response": 721, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 2004 (20:57)", "body": "Welcome to ALL the newest Drooleurs! You've picked a wonderful group of smart, funny, witty, caring folk! Enjoy!"}, {"response": 722, "author": "pourescoler", "date": "Sun, Apr 18, 2004 (17:43)", "body": "Thank you all for the welcomes and lovely pics. I do think I'm gong to enjoy getting a little more involved here. And to save any confusion re Louise, I'll just use Lou. :)"}, {"response": 723, "author": "SweetCycle", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 2004 (02:19)", "body": "Yeah, Karen, caught in the spiders-web!! *beg* Thank you for the warm welcome and all the great pix. Karen had a tough time explaining to me how to get here. Finnally we made it. J Feels good to be a part of people who share the same feelings! (Karen) though she hadn\ufffdt shared it with me before. Oops, I hadn\ufffdt? Shame on me! ;) Kimberly is right\ufffdunfortunately!\ufffdalmost undefeated it looks like Arsenal is winning this season. But they lost vs Chelsea in the Champions league and guess who screamed \ufffdHooray\ufffd ha ha Ahhh Tress, Maura or Manuela \ufffd soulsisters \ufffd so it doesn\ufffdt matter much, huh? I can\ufffdt think without my dose of coffee as well. ;) (BarbS) looks like you move to the head of the class\ufffd. Well, I have to catch up lots of things, maybe not that much movie-wise (by now I have seen almost all of CF\ufffds flicks, but I\ufffdm not very good in remembering character names or movie-lines). But I\ufffdm still trying to figure out all the abbreviations you\ufffdre using. I can remember OCD, that\ufffds what I\ufffdm suffering from and ODB, though\ufffdI wouldn\ufffdt call him a \ufffdboy\ufffd. J"}, {"response": 724, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 2004 (03:44)", "body": "Getting out of lurkdom to greet the new members. You've chosen a great place to hang out. Welcome!"}, {"response": 725, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 2004 (09:17)", "body": "Herzlich willkommen, Manuela. It's so nice to have one more German speaking member on board. Wich part of Germany do you come from? I pretty much liked this cute, cuddly guy with the curls. So did I, even if I hate football."}, {"response": 726, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 2004 (09:21)", "body": "\ufffdOooo lookie down there\ufffd..another newbie on Drool\ufffd Welcome, Manuela! It\ufffds great to meet you."}, {"response": 727, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 2004 (13:10)", "body": "Hi Manuela!!! I'd try writing this auf Deutsch , but it's been four years since my last class, and my vocabulary has vanished. ;-) Anyway, sorry I'm late, but Paul here fell asleep. Welcome!!!"}, {"response": 728, "author": "SweetCycle", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 2004 (00:25)", "body": "Thank you Shoshana and Lesliep for the cute pix. Paul feel asleep, huh? Guess I let him wait too long. But he needed a lesson. ;) Well, it's not easy to use a foreign language if there's no time or chance to practise. I'm still learning English every day. Think my writing is okay, but I don't talk that well. But then...I'm not much of a talker, not even in German. To NitaE: the town I'm living in is Iserlohn, about 1 hour from Cologne, where I grew up."}, {"response": 729, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 2004 (00:35)", "body": "Your writing is more than just okay. I know that you probably agonize over every single word, but what comes out is worth reading. Manuela and I have been going back and forth on a number of movies and she has a lot to say. ;-)"}, {"response": 730, "author": "SweetCycle", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 2004 (02:36)", "body": "That's so sweet of you Karen. :-) You're right! Sometimes I have to look up even the easiest words in the dictionary. (and I just saw my mistake...wrote feel instead of fell...ack!) Plus I'm never sure about the grammar. Well, I don't want to bore you and bring up discussions you already had over the years."}, {"response": 731, "author": "sabineh", "date": "Wed, May  5, 2004 (21:07)", "body": "BIG HELLO to everyone !!! Since October, when I came across drool, I has read step by step the great stories here, from 3DOR to SNL. So exciting. Now I decide to delurk (thanks to Karen). I am another CCAFG (Crazy Colin addict from Germany). It is extremly hard to pick out my favourite odb movie, deep in my heart there will always be the fight between Mark and Fitzwilliam, and Valmont and Paul, and Jamie and Richard, and Jack and Matthew, and... and.... Nevertheless BJD was the movie that caught me. Oh, and Fever Pitch: loved the character of Paul and the whole story. WAGW was the first movie , in which I saw Colin on big screen. Very funny indeed, but not in the way Dennie Gordon intended. But I have to confess: I watch the last, very kitschy scene with the piano (\"I love you Daphne....\") very often. Quite embarrassing for me. BTW piano, received today \ufffdDeath Date\ufffd (Playmaker) and couldn\ufffdt resist to make screencaps- sadly the only thing you could do with DD. Strangly enough the DD dvd is available in Germany, but not in the US. Perhaps it has sold very well here- but why ??? IMO DD is painful to watch, because 1) \"great\" dubbed voice of Colin 2) v ery \"convincing\" script 3) \"beautiful\" and \"talented\" actress. Hmm, but the DVD gives me the chance to analyse two scenes, which I always wanted to observe (I think you know what I mean) ;-) Oh no, must stop here. v. bad subject to demonstrate my intellectual qualities :-("}, {"response": 732, "author": "sabineh", "date": "Wed, May  5, 2004 (21:18)", "body": "Oh no, what a mess in my first post. Argh ! Listen: Colin has something to say to you:"}, {"response": 733, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, May  5, 2004 (22:52)", "body": "Wilkomen und danke for the DD (love the German title) screencaps, Bine. As you can tell from your lurking, there's fun to be had around here."}, {"response": 734, "author": "sabineh", "date": "Thu, May  6, 2004 (07:35)", "body": "sorry that the DD pics didn\ufffdt work. You can find them here: http://de.geocities.com/sabinehardt/welcome.htm http://de.geocities.com/sabinehardt/deathdate.htm http://de.geocities.com/sabinehardt/index.htm"}, {"response": 735, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May  6, 2004 (08:59)", "body": "Hi Bine Nice try on the images, but geocities will screw you every time. Along with Tripod."}, {"response": 736, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  6, 2004 (09:05)", "body": "Bine!! Love your caps, especially of Ross. Amazing the difference a nicely natural head of hair looks. Besides, Ross would never roll up his jeans. ;-) Good to have you with us finally, Bine!"}, {"response": 737, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Thu, May  6, 2004 (09:23)", "body": "Hello Bine! Nice to see you here in Colinland. Thanks for the screencaps, they were looovely. :-)"}, {"response": 738, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Thu, May  6, 2004 (20:36)", "body": "Welcome Bine! I know you'll have a great time!"}, {"response": 739, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, May  6, 2004 (21:45)", "body": "Bine!!! Thanks for the fun Ross/Michael captures! I love ODB with the big poofy hair (of course, he's AFG no matter his hairstyle/length/color)! Viel Spass!!!"}, {"response": 740, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (10:32)", "body": "Hallo Bine! Ich freue mich, dass du uns gefunden hast. Thanks for the captures. FP is one of my favorites too."}, {"response": 741, "author": "sabineh", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (18:51)", "body": "Thanks for the great welcome Karen, Sonia, Evelyn, Ildiko, Eithne, Shoshana, NitaE ! I am glad to be here. (NitaE)Hallo Bine! Ich freue mich, dass du uns gefunden hast. Ooooh, that was good. ;-) Lots of familiar words."}, {"response": 742, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (22:52)", "body": "Bine!!!!! Welcome welcome to another Fever Pitch fan!!! So happy you've joined Drool!"}, {"response": 743, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (23:04)", "body": "Bine, glad you've joined us, welcome!"}, {"response": 744, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, May  8, 2004 (09:14)", "body": "To all of the newbies joining us in Droolland! Lou, Mnuela and Bine I'm glad to meet you! Sorry to be late..."}, {"response": 745, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, May  8, 2004 (09:40)", "body": "Oops! I forgot Maura Welcome"}, {"response": 746, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, May  8, 2004 (20:15)", "body": "Bine! Wilkommen!!"}, {"response": 747, "author": "SweetCycle", "date": "Tue, May 11, 2004 (06:32)", "body": "Hi Bine, another German and FP lover! Wunderbar! Welcome! Have fun You disliked PM/DD? Well, most people do. I liked it for what reason ever. ;) Stehe halt manchmal auf so durchgeknallte Filme! Sorry droolers...don't know a translation for this sentence."}, {"response": 748, "author": "windblaze8", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 2004 (22:56)", "body": "Hi, thanks to Karen's help, I'm finally introducing myself to Drool. I've been visiting the boards sporadically for a while, but I've recently been reading through a few of them manically. I've always been a terribly passive lurker, but I just can't take it any more! :) Like most everyone else here, I'm completely addicted to CF. I'm in San Francisco, and I've gone through every single one of his films/TV things available out here. I'm so glad I'm just one of the many here... I can't tell you how many people probably thought I was cracking up when I watched HS on a recent flight to Asia (like I could explain to a bunch of elderly Chinese folks why some girl was grinning like an idiot into the telly for two hours straight)."}, {"response": 749, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 2004 (23:36)", "body": "Welcome Ashley! And welcome to a place where no explanations are necessary! Nice to meet you! Have fun! Barb"}, {"response": 750, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 2004 (07:57)", "body": "Glad to have you among us Ashley!"}, {"response": 751, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 2004 (09:04)", "body": "Ashley!! Glad to see you've been cured of your passive lurkoma disorder and joined us here, where OCD is well-understood. Have fun!"}, {"response": 752, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 2004 (12:01)", "body": "Ashley!!!! Welcome!!!"}, {"response": 753, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 2004 (14:42)", "body": "Hi Ashley"}, {"response": 754, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 2004 (19:34)", "body": "A big welcome Ashley! And you are from my hometown...Even better! Glad you delurked and you are in like company...grinning like an idiot at ODB comes with the territory!"}, {"response": 755, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 2004 (20:30)", "body": "Welcome. Ashley. Nice to know ya'!!"}, {"response": 756, "author": "Gails", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (09:24)", "body": "Ashley, welcome. Glad you decided to join in the fun."}, {"response": 757, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (13:02)", "body": "Ashley! Great to have you here! Welcome!"}, {"response": 758, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (19:13)", "body": "Gotcha, Welcome, Ashley!"}, {"response": 759, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (23:11)", "body": "Sorry I've been so late...Welcome Ashley. You couldn't havw joined a nicer bunch!"}, {"response": 760, "author": "Zing", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 2004 (20:18)", "body": "A hearty welcome, Ashley! Jump right in -- the water's fine!!"}, {"response": 761, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 2004 (09:56)", "body": "Hello ladies! My name is Yvette. I have been reading your posts (quite rabidly) for a couple of weeks now. Let me start by saying that I share ALL of your feelings for ODB. I live in Maine and work off shore, on an oil rigging boat in the Gulf of Mexico. I go there to work for 6 weeks and then have 6 weeks of idle time. I don't think I need to tell you how I have spent most of that idle time!!! I still have a way to go before seeing all of his work, but in the last 2 wks I have made it through TA, V, C, AZ, AC, GWAPE, LA, WAGW, ATA...( sorry, but I loved his accent in it!!) TIOBE, FP, HS, SIL, P&P (thrice in 7 days) and the one that started it all for me -BJD. A good portion of my remaining idle time has been spent on IMDB playing 6 deg. of Colin Firth. I think I'm going to require an intervention soon. I look forward to sharing my obsession with people who GET IT. Am getting a little tired of the blank stares when I mention a movie title of his and the raised eyebrow and the sarcastic \"hmmmm who's in it, I wonder\" from my roommate. I'll close by saying that I spent 4 years in NYC, in the early 90s. I managed movie theatres for Cineplexodeon. One of the theatres I managed for them, briefly, was the Ziegfeld. It pains me to look at the premiere photos of HS (I think it is) and to think that if I had stayed in the city, I could have been there!! Oh well, maybe I can make it to the next one!! Ciao for now, Vetty"}, {"response": 762, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 2004 (12:23)", "body": "Yvette!! That is some commute! Maine to the Gulf of Mexico? It pains me to look at the premiere photos of HS (I think it is) and to think that if I had stayed in the city, I could have been there!! Let's see, the most recent would've been Love Actually, as HS never played in the US (and I'm not counting anything in Florida, hanging or otherwise) in theatres. He would've also been at the Ziegfield for the premiere of SIL, but that too was after your tenure. However, I like your attitude and desire to be on the scene. Glad to see you've decided to join in. This is a unique place. Have fun!"}, {"response": 763, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 2004 (12:44)", "body": "Yvette! (Yvette) ...and the one that started it all for me -BJD. Well, here's to looking forward to Bridget and Mark again (looks like he's pulling another 'doorjam face' here!)!!"}, {"response": 764, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 2004 (15:51)", "body": "Welcome Yvette! I have a bit of a Mark Darcy obsession, too. ;-) You've picked a great time to join in the fun--November will be here before we know it!"}, {"response": 765, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 2004 (15:52)", "body": "Whoa, that font grew! Oops."}, {"response": 766, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 2004 (15:59)", "body": "(Yvette)I look forward to sharing my obsession with people who GET IT. Oh, I think you've come to the right place. MD is one of my main ODB men;-)"}, {"response": 767, "author": "Gails", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 2004 (19:29)", "body": "Welcome Yvette! You are in for a great deal of fun. It seems with all that youhave already seen of ODB's work you are an expert."}, {"response": 768, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 11, 2004 (15:59)", "body": "Make yourself at home, Yvette. Glad you found us."}, {"response": 769, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 11, 2004 (16:15)", "body": "Yvette....."}, {"response": 770, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 2004 (09:04)", "body": "Yvette!!!! Welcome to Drool!"}, {"response": 771, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 2004 (09:21)", "body": "Thanks, ladies, for all the warm welcomes. (and all the pics that are warming as well). You are more than usually kind!!"}, {"response": 772, "author": "Dhanaha", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 2004 (21:18)", "body": "I think I have finally gotten up the nerve to pop in and say hello. My name is Dhana (pronounced Donna). Unbelievably, I didn't even know about this wonderful actor until about 5 weeks ago. BJD was the only thing worth watching on tv. I watched the entire movie while reading a book. But, the movie got my full attention after BJ decided NOT to go to Paris! And, it hit me......oh my gawd!!! Who is this man??!!?? Luckily for me, the tv station showed the movie again immediately. Undivided attention this time around. I started Firthing the net, and found this site. Way cool! In the last 5 weeks, I have accumulated 29 CF VHS/DVDs (with more on the way), and a dozen or so books. I have been ending each day with a Firth Fest. So far, I haven't been able to pick a favorite. I was excited to learn about Trauma being at the Toronto International Film Festival this year. DH's birthday is Sept.10, (!) and our anniversary is the following week. Perfect time for a vacation. Toronto is only about 4 hours from home (metro Detroit). If anyone would be willing to share with me about previous TIFF experiences, I would be glad to hear about them. You know, what to do, what to wear, where to go, what to see...etc. I'm new to posting at places like these, so please forgive me if something goes horribly wrong. Thank you to everyone who makes this such a wonderful place to visit! Dhana"}, {"response": 773, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 2004 (21:52)", "body": "Who's that around the corner? It's Dhana! So happy you've come out of lurking! Hopefully I'll see you in Toronto!"}, {"response": 774, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 2004 (22:12)", "body": "Dhana!! You're going to love it here, getting to know more about CF and getting to know our Temple goddesses. ;-)"}, {"response": 775, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 2004 (08:27)", "body": "Er....I mean \"temple\" Glad you found us Dhana."}, {"response": 776, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 2004 (15:44)", "body": "Hi Dhana! A special Temple welcome awaits you... Wot? Wrong Temple Goddess? Welcome Dhana, hope you enjoy yourself and don't be shy about donating those panties!! Glad you're here."}, {"response": 777, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 2004 (16:06)", "body": "Dhana!! Feel free to leave your jollyhose at the foot of the alter Then enjoy a dip in the purifying waters... Glad you could join us Dhana!!"}, {"response": 778, "author": "Dhanaha", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 2004 (20:01)", "body": ".......Gulp!!! Thank you for the wonderful welcome! Nice pictures. Is it rather warm in here, or is it just me? (Fanning self furiously) I was ready to sacrifice my knickers at the sight of the first picture, Tress, but then I saw the second one! Suddenly, I feel the need to change. Excuse me, please..... Dhana (wandering off; mumbling about some postings should come with warning labels)"}, {"response": 779, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 2004 (21:04)", "body": "Welcome Dhana! Glad to have you in the Temple of the arguably intelligent, horney, Jollyhose lovin' Acolytes! You're just in time for some great fun!"}, {"response": 780, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 2004 (10:29)", "body": "Hope I'm not too late to welcome you, Dhana! Glad you joined us. P.S. I like Mark Darcy, too. ;-)"}, {"response": 781, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 2004 (08:47)", "body": "Welcome newest Goddess! You're going to have fun here. BTW, Your DH's birthday is Colin's too. :-) Wait till you see the party we throw!!!!"}, {"response": 782, "author": "slpeg2003", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 2004 (13:02)", "body": "Hello ladies, my name is Peggy and I am taking a leap into the drool pond after much lurking and a little coercion from Karen. I have a wonderful DH (doesn't know yet, I'm hoping some of this fervor will subside)+ a son and a daughter in college. I really don't know why I became infected with OCD this summer. I haven't felt like this since 1963-64 when I was totally obsessed with the Fab Four (esp.George). I tried to think of ways to meet them and find something in common with them. Well, that was a lifetime ago and I'm all grown up now, but I find myself thinking in a similar vein about ODB. Crikey!! Mid-June,I reluctantly returned from a wonderful vacation house in Provence - a la Peter Mayle or Jamie in LA - and a week in Paris(I'm a long time francophile) to a life of summer reruns and south Texas monsoons. In my jet lag stupor, I watched BJD on the tube and was totally smitten by MD. Then my daughter rented GWAPE, so I watched that,too. I remember walking out of LA last Fall and telling my friends that Jamie's story was the best because I really liked CF. Needless to say, I started my CF quest online and found drool. What an education! I hit the jackpot last month V,TIOBE,RV,C,WAGW,MLSF,LONDINIUM,and FP all on TV. Of course, I rented then bought PP ,and ODB as FD took my breath away. Like Dhana, I've been renting,buying,taping,and reading like a madwoman for 2 months. My feelings about his body of work run hot and cold. I still have more to see, mostly TV productions. I really enjoy the wit and repartie of you DD's. Loved the MG's accounts of SNL and their close encounter of the Colin kind and the accounts of premieres and IFF's, also. The ladies of drool appear to be so knowlegeable about the industry and ODB that I'm not sure I can keep up, but now I can add my tuppence occasionally. Thanks to Karen and all here who add more laughter to my day. Peggy"}, {"response": 783, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 2004 (13:25)", "body": "Welcome Peggy!! You'll have a lot of fun here. Your timing couldn't be much better with all the upcoming film festivals. Thanks to the faithfull DDs who are lucky enough to attend, you should have much to drool over soon ;o) Cheers!"}, {"response": 784, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 2004 (13:37)", "body": "Peggy!! Okay, I won't hold your head underwater any more. ;-) My feelings about his body of work run hot and cold. I knew I'd spotted a kindred spirit. You'll do just fine here so long as you resist the francophile urge to speak in Ouis. ;-)"}, {"response": 785, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 2004 (13:50)", "body": "Peggy This is the place....glad you found us."}, {"response": 786, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 2004 (13:56)", "body": "LOL, Karen! Taking a piss on the ouis, ouis again? ;-) Welcome, Peggy! We are certainly in for a fun fest this year so this is a great time to join and add your tuppence. :-)"}, {"response": 787, "author": "Gails", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 2004 (14:37)", "body": "Peggy, welcome! You have come to a great place and will have a great time."}, {"response": 788, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 2004 (14:49)", "body": "Peggy!!! In my jet lag stupor, I watched BJD on the tube and was totally smitten by MD. Ooohhh...LOL....those stupor epiphanies! Those are wonderful!! Well in honor of your delurkdom, a stupefyingly handsome gentleman would like to say \"Bonjour\"!"}, {"response": 789, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 2004 (14:56)", "body": "Welcome, Peggy. You certainly sound like a kindred spirit and I'm sure you'll enjoy it here. Loved your comments about all of a sudden finding yourself obsessing over ODB like a teenage crush - a strange sensation that many of us have had to come to terms with. You've 'come out' at a great time...there will be tons to dish over in the coming months! Perhaps a little \ufffdfairy dust\ufffd to cure what ails you?? (Thanks, Firthissimo)"}, {"response": 790, "author": "slpeg2003", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 2004 (16:19)", "body": "Many thanks to all: Yvette, Karen (ouis interdit),Evelyn, Moon, Gail, Tress (wonderful pic-the look of wonderment on his face!)and Lesliep (maybe the fairy dust and the little smirk will help). As you can see, I'm still a novice and promise to work on the copy and paste for more personal replies. All the warm fuzzies are greatly appreciated."}, {"response": 791, "author": "Zanie", "date": "Sat, Aug 21, 2004 (00:45)", "body": "Hello, I'm from New Zealand. 50, a firth fan, with two boys, 22 and 20. I've known about Colin from way back, so perhaps have a different take on him from the rest of you. I saw many of his early works at the time, and recognised the talent, but didn't feel it was quite *there* at the time. I didn't feel he was \"sure\" of himself, except on a horse, and it was as if he was \"holding\" himself back, or insecure about something. In Pride and Prejudice, something changed, and that seemed to be where he got more confidence, though I felt he was still a bit constrained by the constipated script. I really started to relate to him a lot better in Fever Pitch and The Secret Laughter of Women. I loved Shakespeare in Love, for different reasons... just thought he portrayed LW so well. I wasn't enamoured with BJD and could give a shrug about the next one. Loved WAGW, and GWAPE. Have refused to watch ones like Tumbledown (my father was in two wars, and I know all about that, and what its cost our family), and will not go and see Trauma, even if it comes here. One of my hats is working with people who have been traumatised one way or another, and people who have had what they euphemistically call \"mental\" problems. Have read all your comments (those who have been and seen Trauma) and don't think I want to go. For many reasons, not least of which is that I don't think its possible to correctly portray something when you've never \"been\" there, if you know what I mean. But I know, its just a film. So that's prolly never a valid reason. Sure as an experiment, between director and actor fine, but I'm very selective in what I watch. Relative Values was fun, The importance of being Earnest didn't quite hit the spot for me. Felt that Rupert Everett didn't quite \"get\" there in a sense, and neither did Colin. Valmont was okay to a point, but lacking *something\" ~ after a point there was no glue, and the plot drifted and became very uncohesive... is there such a word? I enjoyed My Life so Far... ... Lost empires was interesting, but I struggled with parts of it. Hated the English Patient. Couldn't see the point of it. Hope Springs, well, just couldn't get into that one, and Love Actually was trite IMO... I enjoyed bits of it (apart from Colin's scenes, the best of Love Actually was in the deleted scenes IMO) Have a month in the country, but yet to see it. That's enough for now. Given all the comments about the html being difficult to work with, what's the bet I've messed this up. Zane."}, {"response": 792, "author": "Zanie", "date": "Sat, Aug 21, 2004 (00:49)", "body": "PS. I don't think I've quite got the drool factor that you all have. I rationalise things too much I think. I can appreciate his acting, and love his eyes, and the body language, but appreciate it more in a clinical sense than any other way. :) :) drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 175, "subject": "Colin Firth - Part 15", "response_count": 1999, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 2003 (16:48)", "body": "I get to start another topic? Yeah!! ;-) Still no news whether he'll be at Bradford? :-("}, {"response": 2, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 2003 (17:08)", "body": "Drat! You beat me, Dorine!! But I have news...maybe. http://www.interbridge.com/lineups.html Colin is listed for March 25 on the Daily Show! It isn't marked as a repeat."}, {"response": 3, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 2003 (17:16)", "body": "Whoopee!!Crank up the VCRs....Looks like he'll be doing WAGW publicity after all.Is this from LA? If it's from NY, bet he'll do Today Show. Thanks Brenda....you're a doll."}, {"response": 4, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 2003 (17:34)", "body": "(Tress) religious holiday due to ODB being a demigod) ROTFL!!! Thank you, Brenda, for the Daily Show scoop!!!! This is great news. He was an excellent guest on The Daily Show during the TIOBE publicity - the English schoolboy schtick was a riot, and he and Jon Stewart had a nice rhythm going between them (once they got past the U.S.-centric Ernest reference that went right over poor Colin's head). Thanks also, Mari, for the possible hint on seeing the Hunk Daddy-focused trailer. I have to go out tonight but I'll set my VCR."}, {"response": 5, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 2003 (17:38)", "body": "Thanks, Brenda...this is great news. Thanks Mari and everyone for the trailer sightings...not that I haven't seen it one hundred times, but it's great to know the publicity is beginning to heat up."}, {"response": 6, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 2003 (17:42)", "body": "Just wanted to mention something that Annette mentioned on Firthology, but it is current. If you haven't seen it, do yourself a favor and hop over the The Bucket. Karen just started a gallery for GWAPE, and there's an amazing photo of Vermeer and Griet there. Wow. And thanks, Karen!"}, {"response": 7, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 2003 (17:44)", "body": "Jon Stewart is out of NY, but I have this feeling that it might be taped in advance, as the dates make no sense. 'nuff said. Thanks Brenda for the report."}, {"response": 8, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 2003 (17:47)", "body": "(Rika) If you haven't seen it, do yourself a favor and hop over the The Bucket. Karen just started a gallery for GWAPE, and there's an amazing photo of Vermeer and Griet there. Wow. I saw Annette's post and 'ran' over there...OMG! I have it up on my computer at work and I haven't fully recovered yet. We were talking about 'looks' on Firthology...well, there's a look! Beautiful."}, {"response": 9, "author": "Jodi", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 2003 (17:49)", "body": "OMG that GWAPE picture! If he has that sexy stubble (like InStyle mag) througout this film I will absolutely faint."}, {"response": 10, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 2003 (18:24)", "body": "(Brenda)Colin is listed for March 25 on the Daily Show! WOO-WOOOO! Autoeroticism! Doughy Stilton cheese! Pervy boys schools! Bring it on, baby, this was my fave interview from his last junket. Thanks much, Brenda. (Tress) religious holiday due to ODB being a demigod) LOL! Love the GWAPE pic, Karen. Am a big fan of the stubble look. Am wondering what thr rest of the hair will look like. I'm thinking of his Shakespeare look in Black Adder as a possibility."}, {"response": 11, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 2003 (19:01)", "body": "(Tress) religious holiday due to ODB being a demigod) That made my day. LOL Thanks Karen, for the Vermeer. With eyes and a gaze like that...such intensity. Can't wait to see how they do this..."}, {"response": 12, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 2003 (20:04)", "body": "(Jodi) OMG that GWAPE picture! If he has that sexy stubble (like InStyle mag) througout this film I will absolutely faint. My thoughts exactly...must remember to bring smelling salts when viewing this one! ;-) And paper bag in case of hyperventilation! And thank you Brenda for the Daily Show info. Have marked my calendar!"}, {"response": 13, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 2003 (20:05)", "body": "(Mari) Am wondering what thr rest of the hair will look like. I'm thinking of his Shakespeare look in Black Adder as a possibility. In the GWAPE photo, if you look to the lower right, I'm pretty sure I see long, dark brown, straight hair hanging down."}, {"response": 14, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (03:18)", "body": "WAGW, soundtrack informations and more pictures here: http://www.atlantic-records.com/whatagirlwants/artistPhotoBio_frameset.html (beware of bare feet;-))"}, {"response": 15, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (06:23)", "body": "Love the GWAPE picture Karen. Thanks! Really whets the appetite... Thanks Annette for the link and the warning... Very expressive toes!!"}, {"response": 16, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (07:22)", "body": "Great news about the Daily Show. My favourite along with VH1. Thanks, Brenda! Karen, the GWAPE page looks great. Love the lighting and his look. I hope the film is good. ;-)"}, {"response": 17, "author": "Leah", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (07:35)", "body": "I opened the site and couldn't find any toes, but then took a closer look. But oh to be that tennis ball!!"}, {"response": 18, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (08:57)", "body": "(Mari) WOO-WOOOO! Autoeroticism! Doughy Stilton cheese! Pervy boys schools! Bring it on, baby, this was my fave interview from his last junket. And don't forget the HP reacharounds. This too was my favorite interview. Thanks so much for the info Brenda. Can't wait to see it. Thanks for the pic on GWAPE, Karen. Could this be \"The Look 2\"? Thanks for link Annette, the pics are great."}, {"response": 19, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (09:00)", "body": "Thanks Annette for the morning treat! You are a great morning \"jump starter\"! Leah, You can have the tennis ball, I want the scarf and in the hippie pic ( Photo 7), Lovely!"}, {"response": 20, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (09:11)", "body": "(Annette)(beware of bare feet;-)) WooHoo! Annette, you *are* the woman! Thanks! Love it. (Pam)And don't forget the HP reacharounds. LOL! \"Harry, is that your wand?\" ;-)"}, {"response": 21, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (09:15)", "body": "Thank you Annette (for the pictures and the *warning*)! Made my day....you can really see the henna tattoo in the air guitar picture. And I'm with Leah! Oh, to be a tennis ball (ODB call roll me in the sand with his toes any day!!)! ;-D (FanPam) Could this be \"The Look 2\"? And 3 and 4! This film has potential of being filled with 'looks' if it follows the book! I'm quite pleased with the one picture. I can't imagine what I'll be like when the whole movie is made available (I may have to take a whole week off of work for this one)!! ;-)"}, {"response": 22, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (09:24)", "body": "Woo woo!! Thank you, Annette. Finally, someone has put up pix that appeal to us!"}, {"response": 23, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (09:45)", "body": "The Daily Show around here - NYC Metropolitan area - is on at 5:30 PM, 3/25, Comedy Central. Such a lot of good news and perving pics. Thanks all"}, {"response": 24, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (09:55)", "body": "WAGW: You can listen to one of the soundtrack songs here: http://www.atlantic-records.com/whatagirlwants/artistDiscography_main.jhtml Thanks Annette - great find!"}, {"response": 25, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (09:58)", "body": "(Murph) The Daily Show around here - NYC Metropolitan area - is on at 5:30 PM, 3/25, Comedy Central. The show broadcast at that is a replay of the previous night's. The 3/25 show that would have Colin is broadcast at 11 pm Eastern and then replayed a number of times after that...until the next new show at 11."}, {"response": 26, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (10:25)", "body": "You can order the soundtrack at Amazon via this link (also on The Boutique) http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00008OM18/spring-20"}, {"response": 27, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (10:53)", "body": "(BeeDee)..a great morning \"jump starter\"! Thank you, but it is rather easy on this board, i.e. (?) that I'm 7 hours ahead (timewise, that is ;-)) I also tend to use my morning break at work, typing various key-words into Google. It's amazing what pops up sometimes. Well, among the privacy of this group I can confess, that 2 words seem to stick to every search. It's not as when I'm asked by co-workers, what I search for. Then I have to vary the answers, you know ;-)"}, {"response": 28, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (11:12)", "body": "Sorry, I couldn't help myself... ;-0"}, {"response": 29, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (11:18)", "body": "Annette, what a find! Thanks! And Karen, the GWAPE photo! I also love the the layout of the page, with the paint brush, etc. Still haven't seen the WAGW trailer on TV. Suffered through ET last night, and didn't see a thing. ;-( And a Hunk Daddy interview junket right around the corner! Yesssssss!"}, {"response": 30, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (12:48)", "body": "LOL, Karen! Annette, I don't know how I skipped that page this morning, thanks! I still like this one, my favorite blue shirt:"}, {"response": 31, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (12:48)", "body": "Some tantalizing tidbits: In a moment of spontaneity and instinctual rebellion, Henry commandeers Ian's motorcycle, Daphne jumps on back and they make a roaring escape from the rabid paparazzi. Firth's experience handling the motorcycle for the sequence wasn't quite as heroic, however. \"I found that if you have one motorbike lesson, then don't practice for a couple of weeks, you have about 10 minutes of thinking you're rather brilliant before you fall off,\" he divulges. \"I went up a hill at high speed and then fell over at two miles an hour. I came back with bits falling off the bike.\" * * * * * * * * This modern day fairy tale touches on some vital lessons in every child's coming-of-age. \"There are some very deep themes running through the romance, the comedy, the heartbreak and the happiness,\" Di Novi believes. \"The importance of a loving relationship between a father and daughter; the importance of a parent in a child's life; and the importance of a parent's willingness to make sacrifices in order to be a good parent.\" \"Maybe it's because I'm a father,\" Bill Gerber muses, \"but I've read the script and seen the film 100 times and I still get choked up at the end.\" (better bring kleenex!) ;-) * * * * * * * * [For MarkG's London Tours...] In the East End of London, the What A Girl Wants production team gave a makeover to Borough Market, a bustling thoroughfare, which was transformed into a New York Chinatown street, complete with wrought iron fire escapes. A coffee shop became a Chinese restaurant \ufffd confusing a local resident on that particular Sunday morning when he arrived for his caffeine fix! * * * * * * * * \"Henry is a good boy,\" Colin Firth says of his aristocratic character. \"The most scandalous thing he\ufffds ever done is fall in love with Libby. Now, nearly 20 years later, he's living out his father's political dreams and he\ufffds engaged to a woman he's been advised to marry.\" Firth is best known to American audiences as stuffy solicitor Mark Darcy in the hit romantic comedy Bridget Jones's Diary. As Di Novi observes, \"Colin plays this reserved aristocrat so convincingly, but there's great heart beating beneath the surface. He portrays so much through his eyes, through the slightest expression or gesture.\" \"Colin is the master of restraint,\" Gordon concurs. \"His integrity and sex appeal bring added depth and texture to his character. He was my first and only choice to play Henry Dashwood.\" * * * * * * * * Sorry, still can't find the party line as to why he did this role. ;-)"}, {"response": 32, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (12:49)", "body": "Or white shirt. He looks vvg. Must dash, the limo is waiting. ;-)"}, {"response": 33, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (12:53)", "body": "\"Colin is the master of restraint,\" Gordon concurs. \"His integrity and sex appeal bring added depth and texture to his character. He was my first and only choice to play Henry Dashwood.\" Oh, how sweet... must bring kleenex. ;-) Sorry, still can't find the party line as to why he did this role. ;-) Keep searching. ;-)"}, {"response": 34, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (13:30)", "body": "(Karen) Sorry, still can't find the party line as to why he did this role. ;-) (Moon) Keep searching. ;-) Maybe it was the bit about the motorcycle that got him! He saw himself as Tom Cruise in MI2 but his hopes were dashed when he fell over going 2 mph! I'm so shallow that I don't much care why he took the role...just glad to see him looking so good! ;-)"}, {"response": 35, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (13:59)", "body": "I should have asked this before: as all the Bradford publicity still seems to indicate that Mark Herman will at least be there, and will be taking questions at our screening, anyone want to email/post any pressing queries that Janet or myself can throw out-- other than why the hell we haven't all seen this movie by now?? Camera? Check. Notebook? Check. New Cardiff to read on the train? Check. Not sure if I will get online tomorrow at all as I am taking a half day after a morning meeting, but I will try to. And if the news is v. v. good tomorrow night (doubtful), perhaps I'll hunt down an internet cafe somewhere. Otherwise, I'll report back Saturday night."}, {"response": 36, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (15:00)", "body": "Emma, you are \"our top girl in Bradford\" - our only person, really, since I think Janet posted that she'll be in Paris with her mother (that was Janet wasn't it?). So have a great time and go to it! You are really finding your way around England! You might want to ask when the film is definitely going to be released in the U.S. Also try to listen to what music has been used in the film. (I know it will be difficult though so don't worry if it's impossible because of the CF factor :-))."}, {"response": 37, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (15:48)", "body": "(Lora)since I think Janet posted that she'll be in Paris with her mother I'm going to Bradford, but will be in Paris for ICI reading. I hope I can recall music, differences in storyline, etc, but as has been said, there is the CF factor to consider. I will do my best, and take my camera, just in case. Thanks to Annette and Karen for the new pics. - Wonderful! See you, Emma!"}, {"response": 38, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (15:53)", "body": "Thanks for the CD link, Annette! The songs are more varied than I had expected. And there's no Christina A., Clings, or \"Get Up Offa...\". Wonder if there'll be a video. Good luck, Emma!"}, {"response": 39, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (16:02)", "body": "Karen, thank you for the tidbits and the picture. I would have loved it a bit more, if his lines where something like: Come hither, girls. I'll practise with every one of you (I don't care, what he needs to practise. I'm all his). (Tress)I'm so shallow that I don't much care why he took the role...just glad to see him looking so good! ;-) Me too! Emma and Janet: Have a wonderful trip, enjoy it and report back asap, please ;-) One more thing: the galleri from the soundtrack has Colin on a picture, eating breakfast (and picking his teeth. You can't see him on the small ones (only AB), you have to enlarge them to see."}, {"response": 40, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (16:13)", "body": "Well, after a major disappointment last night (suffered through HOURS of Fox, but no Hunk Daddy trailer), what a pleasure to see all the great stuff here today! Thanks, Annette, for that wonderful link, and Karen, for the press tidbits. And enjoy, Emma and Janet! Can't wait to hear about it"}, {"response": 41, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (16:24)", "body": "(Colin)\"I went up a hill at high speed and then fell over at two miles an hour. I came back with bits falling off the bike.\" I wonder if this is the reason for the bandaged arm and scratches in the LA pictures from France? (Annette)eating breakfast (and picking his teeth. Actually, I think he's licking butter off his pinkie since he is buttering his toast. AB is doing the same thing in that picture as well...maybe to show that they have the same mannerisms because they are father and daughter even though they have been separated for many years. (Lora)You might want to ask when the film is definitely going to be released in the U.S. Excellent question. (Karen's tidbits)\"His integrity and sex appeal bring added depth and texture to his character As usual...thank you Karen for these. Thank you Annette, Mari, Moon, and Karen for the yummy HD pictures."}, {"response": 42, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (16:35)", "body": "Has this link been posted yet? http://romanticmovies.about.com/library/weekly/blwhatagirlwantspicsa.htm It's got some production stills. Most of them were familiar, but there were a few I hadn't seen before. If I missed it and am being redundant, sorry. Also, in the \"hippy\" photo on the Atlantic Records site, I noticed he's wearing an earring in his left ear. That old ear-piercing, paying off! (Linda) I wonder if this is the reason for the bandaged arm and scratches in the LA pictures from France? Could be!"}, {"response": 43, "author": "WinniePeg", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (16:42)", "body": "Good Luck Emma & Janet! Have fun! I'm keeping fingers crossed (and candles lit) that CF will make an appearance. Karen, that GWAPE pic is gweat! Thanks Annette for the HD info..."}, {"response": 44, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (17:26)", "body": "Linda, I think you are right about the \"licking of butter\" (I have to be very careful, this could lead to drooling, and therefor wrong topic, so - I shall conquer this, I shall!) And the bandaged arm (copying Rika): Could be! Rika, thank you for the link. Some new, that I haven't seen before. About GWAPE, there has been these talks about his hair (to be wigged or not to be) judging from the Now-pictures, he had pretty long hair. I think we're allowed to hope, he was growing it for this one ( I really hate wigs )"}, {"response": 45, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (20:15)", "body": "Hi everyone, Just a quick hello and to say that the 35 minute promo trailer of Love Actually we previewed at ShoWest recently was a big hit. I really think this film will do very well and it is extremely funny. We've started some pre publicity on it so be on the lookout for more Colin as time goes by. I think you'll be pleased. Take care everyone and I'll stop by after the 25th when I have a little more time. Hola"}, {"response": 46, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (20:28)", "body": "Thanks so much, Hola!! You're exciting my anticipation! ;-)"}, {"response": 47, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (20:56)", "body": "(Hola Lola) ...be on the lookout for more Colin as time goes by. I think you'll be pleased. Just 'hearing' you say that makes me pleased! November is going to be a fine, fine month! Thanks Lola!!!"}, {"response": 48, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (22:59)", "body": "(Hola) We've started some pre publicity on it so be on the lookout for more Colin as time goes by. Some bits on ET, Access Hollywood, and the others... maybe? Would be nice to know in advance, but we can wait until after the 25th. Thanks! P.S. The Colin WAGW commercial played during Friends tonight. WB is springing for the big bucks in promoting this film. This was prime time on a highly rated show. It cost major $$$$$ to run, not in the same league as commercials on E! or Fox or MTV or whatever."}, {"response": 49, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 2003 (23:29)", "body": "Excellent news about the ad during Friends, Karen! I know some people aren't enamoured of this project, but I think it's great that he's getting some serious exposure. On the other hand, regarding the showing during Friends, I could just scream. I am NEVER going to see the HD version. Everywhere I watch, that's where it's not - until I stop watching there, of course, and then it shows up. (Annette) About GWAPE, there has been these talks about his hair (to be wigged or not to be) judging from the Now-pictures, he had pretty long hair. I think we're allowed to hope, he was growing it for this one (I really hate wigs) Sorry to rain on your parade, but the long hair I think I can see in the photo on The Bucket is way too straight to be his own. So I'm betting it's a wig. But, hey, that lovely stubbly beard is his own!"}, {"response": 50, "author": "Snooze", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (00:06)", "body": "Has anyone in Australia seen promos for WAGW? It doesn't seem to be getting the same publicity as in the US. Or maybe three weeks is still too far away."}, {"response": 51, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (04:46)", "body": "From Baz - Daily Mail 14 March Laura\ufffds talent straddles the Pond \ufffd\ufffd..review on the The Life of David Gale\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Afterwards, Ms Linney moved right on to a comedy, Love Actually, for Richard Curtis. It\ufffds an ensemble movie, and she did most of her scenes with Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman \ufffd and, she adds with an amazing guffaw, \ufffda character who I have a crush on\ufffd. \ufffdHe\ufffds played by Brazilian actor Rodrigo Santoro and he\ufffds from the Planet of Handsome. He\ufffds a good looking man and my love interest is him\ufffd"}, {"response": 52, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (06:56)", "body": "That's interesting, Aishling, thanks. Here we thought it was Colin and Laura L? Lola, do tell us something about Colin's role in LA. Who is his love interest? The Brazilian actress was the only one not in the VF group picture. Best to Emma and Janet!"}, {"response": 53, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (08:24)", "body": "Best of luck, Emma and Janet. I'm so excited for you both. Thank you Lola for the LA news. (article)...Alan Rickman \ufffd and, she adds with an amazing guffaw, \ufffda character who I have a crush on\ufffd. I took this to mean that the character that she has the crush on is in addition to, or other than her scenes with actor AR.;-) In any event lucky Laura. (Karen)WB is springing for the big bucks in promoting this film I'll say. The poster and commercials are everywhere. I caught the HD version of the trailer twice last night during The Simpsons...I've never watched this in my life...entire household thinks I'm crazy. Yesterday at the mall I rode the escalator up to the second level and this huge glass marquee loomed in front of me with the WAGW poster. I almost fell backwards. I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing that Colin is not pictured. Could be very dangerous for me if his face was life size and coming at me from all directions. Leads me to wonder if WB will change the poster. The TIOBE poster changed several times as the focus of attention changed during the summer. Colin moved from the outside to front and center."}, {"response": 54, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (09:03)", "body": "(LL) she did most of her scenes with Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman \ufffd and, she adds with an amazing guffaw, \ufffda character who I have a crush on\ufffd. \ufffdHe\ufffds played by Brazilian actor Rodrigo Santoro and he\ufffds from the Planet of Handsome. He\ufffds a good looking man and my love interest is him\ufffd (Moon) Here we thought it was Colin and Laura L? Isn't it that Laura Linney's character is *cheating* on Colin's. He's your proverbial il cornuto again but at least does something about it: goes to France to get over it with the Portguese singer (Lucia Monez). LA has a huge cast; they only put the more significant castmembers in the pic."}, {"response": 55, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (09:17)", "body": "I only wish he was getting the exposure in a better role. *evelyn who is holding out for GWAPE and Trauma which no one will see*!"}, {"response": 56, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (09:25)", "body": "The article below is from the nice folks at amandabynesnow.com, who are doing a super job of covering this film: Disney Adventures Movie Special: Spring 2003 WHAT AMANDA WANTS by Deborah Barnes In \"What a Girl Wants\", 17-year-old Amanda Bynes plays Daphne, a teenager who lives in New York City with her mom and works as a part-time waitress. She's pretty typical -- oh, except that her father, Henry, whom, she's never met, is an English Lord! (For all you commoners, that means he's rich, proper and lives in a fancy mansion.) Daphne wants to get to know her dad, so she travels to England -- but she soon realizes her free-spirited ways don't exactly mesh with his stuffy lifestyle. And that's when the trouble starts! Q: What was it like shooting \"What a Girl Wants\"? AMANDA: We shot all over England in various \"manors\" (mansions). Shooting on a British set was different than in America, because they gave us all an afternoon snack. Q: Did you start using British words like \"loo\" (for \"bathroom\") and \"lift\" (for \"elevator\")? AMANDA: No, but I am a mimic -- not on purpose, though, because I don't even realize I'm doing it -- but I took on the British accent. People who knew me from before would say, \"Oh, so now you're British.\" Q: What did you miss most from home? AMANDA: My friends and American food, especially Mrs. Fields chocolate chip cookies. And pizza -- it's different in England. They do have great Chinese and Indian food, but sometimes you want something else! Q: You were on the back of the motorcycle driven by Colin Firth, who plays your dad. What was it like shooting that chase scene through London? AMANDA: Pretty scary. They used stunt doubles when it was more dangerous but Colin's very good so it was exciting and fun. Q: What is your favorite part of the movie? AMANDA: The relationship of Henry and Daphne is pretty cool. They go from not knowing each other at all to becoming friends. Q: Did you like Daphne's everyday clothes or the fancy \"lord's daughter\" clothes she has to wear to all the proper English events in the film? AMANDA: I liked the everyday clothes more than the fancy clothes -- they were itchy jackets and dresses or gowns, not really \"me\". But it was fun to play dressup. Q: Daphne works as a waitress -- how would you rate your waitressing skills? AMANDA: I'm getting better. I'm still not perfect, though. I could have my finger in someone's glass and not even know it!"}, {"response": 57, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (09:35)", "body": "Cute, Mari, thanks. (Karen), Isn't it that Laura Linney's character is *cheating* on Colin's. He's your proverbial il cornuto again but at least does something about it: goes to France to get over it with the Portguese singer (Lucia Monez). So Colin and the unknown singer are co-starring? Just how handsome is that Rodrigo for her to ignore Colin? Back to \"il cornuto\" my DH will have another laugh. :-("}, {"response": 58, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (10:03)", "body": "(Evelyn) *evelyn who is holding out for GWAPE and Trauma which no one will see*! Oh...I'll be there! I'll be first in line for GWAPE (with emergeny crews standing by in case I pass out). And Trauma? I would be first in line for that one as well but have a feeling I may have to go to the UK to do it! Is this going to be a film that will be distributed to the US? I see myself a year after its release bidding heavily on ebay....;-)"}, {"response": 59, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (10:50)", "body": "I've put up an \"exclusive\" for colinfirth.com, an article/interview based on the Rome press conference. There is new information in it, plus a number of the same old questions everybody published. This has been difficult to put together but very interesting. I'm deeply indebted to Antonella for the translation and to the author for giving me the pictures. In addition, the artist and owner of the Essential Vermeer website contacted me and has provided some clarification of things Colin said about what he learned. (FYI, this man also painted the Hyacinth Blue painting that was used in the Hallmark movie.) He has an in-depth study of GWAPE on his site (sort of an \"everything you wanted to know about...\"), which I've added as a link as well. http://www.firth.com/articles/03romepc1.html"}, {"response": 60, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (11:14)", "body": "Wow. Thanks so much, Karen (and Antonella). That was an excellent interview. There were too many interesting aspects of it to even know where to begin, so I won't even try, except for two little things. First, I had to laugh at the TEOR/George Clooney exchange. I can just imagine the deadpan delivery when he suggested that Clooney would do very well as someone to play him. Also, there was this: Generally, American actresses complain a lot and behave unpleasantly. He said this in contrast to RZ, who was wonderful. I was trying to think which other American actresses he has worked with: Reese Witherspoon, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Mariel Hemingway, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jessica Lange, Michelle Pfeiffer.... and longer ago, Lisa Zane and Jennifer Rubin."}, {"response": 61, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (11:34)", "body": "What a day of informations; thank you Hola, aishling, Mari, Karen and Antonella. I allways seem to end up copying, what Rika posts, so I'll just say: Ditto! About the Amandy Bynes; Glad she picked the relationship with Henry over the young co-star, when pointing out her favourite part. About TEOR; after having read the interview given by Andrew Davies, and someone (sorry, don't remember who) calling him dirty old guy, I can't help but think that rewriting his script might mean, that they are *not* making the kitchen scene, as we would like it to be ;( (most be the longest sentense ever postet, sorry)."}, {"response": 62, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (11:51)", "body": "(Annette)and someone (sorry, don't remember who) calling him dirty old guy, Me, LOL. (Not original...courtesy of the British press.) But I wouldn't call the towel scene in TEOR \"dirty\"...would you? Your page on the Rome press conference is outstanding Karen. I know you went to a lot of trouble to not only put this together , but to get it in the \"first place\" and then get a translation.Our thanks to Mr. Spagnoli for providing the pictures exclusively to firth.com. A real coup for you, boss. I sometimes think we take Karen for granted here....without her we would be deprived of three-quarters of the info we have now."}, {"response": 63, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (11:55)", "body": "(Evelyn)But I wouldn't call the towel scene in TEOR \"dirty\"...would you? No, I like it, just as it is. What I meant was about the way the size of the towel, he could be wearing. During the resent conversation about the subject the towel seemed to get smaller and smaller and ..... ;-) Sorry to be a copycat again, but I would like to join the chorus:"}, {"response": 64, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (11:58)", "body": "Wow Karen! Great article and pictures! It would seem the interviewer was very taken with ODB by the tone of the first paragraph. And very interesting info regarding the paint. Thank you so much! Have to go back and read again now... Evelyn,love your little \"I'm not worthy\" smiley. LOL"}, {"response": 65, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (12:17)", "body": "Kudos to Karen, et. al.!!! Really interesting article, I like the bit on Vermeer."}, {"response": 66, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (12:18)", "body": "Yes, the author said that he had met many actors and that Colin was the kindest and most interesting that he'd come across. But am very embarrassed! I just noticed that the last three questions didn't make it onto the page. How? Why? Wot happened? Must go fix...."}, {"response": 67, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (12:24)", "body": "You are on a roll, Karen! Colin should be very proud of his namesake website. Bravissima! And thank you also for your efforts to get the meaning of those Vermeer colors, malaga indeed. :-D Grazie Antonella, who did a vg job in translating from some very unclear statements."}, {"response": 68, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (12:59)", "body": "ZOWIE, Karen!! Firth.com gets an exclusive! Good for you and many thanks. Mille grazie to Antonella. Lots of new information here. He really sounds like he got into the Vermeer character; I'm so glad for Colin that he's had a chance to do a part representing this sort of challenge and requiring the type of research that he did. High praise for Scarlett Johansson, which I was happy to read as I said from the start she was perfect for this. Bodes well for the project. Like the candid pics as well. Geez, what a coup! Again, great job, Karen; *nobody* goes the extra mile for Firth news like you do!:-) Rika, I didn't get the impression that he was necessarily referring to any of the actresses he's worked with; none of them have a rep for being difficult, and he's praised them in the past. (Annette)Glad she picked the relationship with Henry over the young co-star, when pointing out her favourite I liked that too, Annette. I am starting to look forward to this one. Agree with Karen that Warner's is spending big bucks to promote it. Nice to see CF out of the Miramax cheapskate ghetto."}, {"response": 69, "author": "Jodi", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (13:30)", "body": "Wow Karen! Thanks for the great article and pictures. I especially like the one where he seems to be surrounded by women. Thanks to Antonella too. My kids are counting down the days to see the \"Amanda Bynes\" movie. Mommy is of course very happy to oblige! Jodi"}, {"response": 70, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (15:03)", "body": "There's praise for Colin from Marine McCutcheon (\"Love Actually\"). She's quoted as saying that when she met Paul McCartney, she asked him how people like himself and Colin Firth \"who is lovely\" managed to stay so normal! Also the Times readers have just voted P&P as best book of all time, partly attributed to the impact of CF and wetshirt (after all these years!)"}, {"response": 71, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (15:10)", "body": "Thank you for a very good interview, Karen! All very interesting - good questions."}, {"response": 72, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (15:36)", "body": "It has been a very strong inner experience, on a very dark and beautiful set. The experience of the light has been wonderful. I'm extremely intrigued by this statement. I'm really looking forward to this one. They are all American [sic] and all very clever. Poor FO'C. Overlooked by critics in Earnest for the most part, and co-stars. :( But if anyone were to play the role of Colin Firth who, according to Colin Firth, could play the role? George Clooney would do very nicely. I wouldn't argue with him here. ;-) Thanks very much Karen and Antonella! And to the author of the article and owner of the Essential Vermeer website, as well. :-) Hope all is going well with Emma and Janet. *fingers crossed*"}, {"response": 73, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (16:10)", "body": "Thanks for adding the last two questions, boss.Sheech!! I too look forward to his next literary project. Why don't we discuss \"The Dept of Nothing\" some time on #158. It doesn't have to be films....we did 3 DOR. I think he would be pleased. We could even send/give it to him;-) \"All in all, that set was for me really magical. A very strong and unforgettable experience. I hope the film will be good.\" He doesn't know how magical it will be for me to see him in a \"non-comedy\"."}, {"response": 74, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (17:21)", "body": "(Moon) Colin should be very proud of his namesake website. *snort* Please, I'm laughing myself silly. ;-) Actually, it has made me think of about all those years when it was unimproved real estate. Pathetic. Antonella, who did a vg job in translating from some very unclear statements. Absolutely. At times, I thought why don't we just paraphrase he must have intended. Off to Malaga now... ;-) (Mari) I didn't get the impression that he was necessarily referring to any of the actresses he's worked with I agree, and we probably should work a little more on rewriting that one before Colin gets into trouble. ;-D He's always so tactful about his co-stars. My guess is that he meant American actresses have a reputation, not that it is true. (Jodi) I especially like the one where he seems to be surrounded by women. He's surrounded by women in #3,4 and 5 because they're lined up for autographs. But I really liked the one where Ivan Tobeitalian is gesticulating. ;-) (Dorine) I'm extremely intrigued by this statement. I expect it really had to do with the unusual play of light you find in Vermeer's work. If you go to the Essential Vermeer website, you'll see quite a bit written about it and the use of the camera obscura. Check out how he painted the Girl in Hyacinth Blue for the film company: http://essentialvermeer.20m.com/girl_in_hyacinth_blue.htm (Evelyn) He doesn't know how magical it will be for me to see him in a \"non-comedy\". Can we say, sistahs, Hallelujah?"}, {"response": 75, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (17:44)", "body": "(Karen) I agree, and we probably should work a little more on rewriting that one before Colin gets into trouble. ;-D He's always so tactful about his co-stars. My guess is that he meant American actresses have a reputation, not that it is true. When I read that, I thought, oh, boy, that could be trouble. But you may be right - he may be talking about the stereotype, not the reality."}, {"response": 76, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (18:18)", "body": "(CF/article) I dream of the images he created. It has been a very strong inner experience, on a very dark and beautiful set. Sounds like GWAPE was a powerful role for ODB. I can't wait to see this. Thank you Karen, wonderful article and pictures. You're the best. Thank you, Antonella and Mari. I wonder how the ladies of the film festival are doing?. I can't wait to hear."}, {"response": 77, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (19:23)", "body": "First report from the FF, from our intrepid Antonella, who saw HS twice (she attended a press screening in the a.m. and she and another guy were the only ones there). Anyway, Colin wasn't there, only Mark Herman (director) and Barnaby Thompson (producer from Fragile Films). Herman introduced the film by saying: \"The female viewers will be disappointed to see me here instead of Colin Firth, but unfortunately both Colin and Heather are working at the moment\". [Ed note: liar liar, pants on fire!] She said the film is good. \"Lots of great shots of Colin and a lot of Colin's flesh! even though not his best.\" I have no idea what she means by this but will definitely hear more tomorrow from her. She also had a nice chat with Mark Herman, a sort of mini-interview. Said he was nice and lived in York as well. All for now."}, {"response": 78, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (19:36)", "body": "\"Lots of great shots of Colin and a lot of Colin's flesh!\" All I can say is...OMG! I'm sorry to here ODB is 'working' and couldn't be there for Emma and Janet! :-( (will have to make mental note to purchase fire retardant pants for Mr. Herman). But am happy to hear that although Mr. Firth was a 'no show' that there was some skin to be seen! Thank you Antonella and Karen! Can't wait for further reports!!"}, {"response": 79, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (19:58)", "body": "Someone asked who the love interest in LA is for Colin. It's not Laura, it's Lucia. Lots of great kissing scenes. There is even a kissing scene with Colin and another man. :) Have a great weekend everyone!!"}, {"response": 80, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (20:12)", "body": "(Lola) There is even a kissing scene with Colin and another man. :) I have to say it again...OMG! Lola, you are such a tease, but we love you! Thanks! Can't wait to see this!!!"}, {"response": 81, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (20:55)", "body": "(Karen) . If you go to the Essential Vermeer website, you'll see quite a bit written about it and the use of the camera obscura. More about a camera obscura still working in my hometown S.F. here.. http://brightbytes.com/cosite/sanfran.html"}, {"response": 82, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 2003 (21:26)", "body": "Hey m'lovies! Don't know if you've mentioned this yet, and if you have, then please forgive me for being redundant, but there's an pretty cast picture and a small article on \"LA\" in Vanity Fair, page 208. Our Precious is the prettiest person on the page and that's including the women! =)"}, {"response": 83, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (02:58)", "body": "Lots of great kissing scenes Does this mean Moon's kissing lessons have *finally* paid off? ;-) Kissing and flesh *and* drama! Oh my!! Oh what a wonderful year it's shaping up to be. ;-) Though chances are becoming slim of seeing HS anytime soon here.:-( Thanks Hola, Karen, and Antonella! (Evelyn) Why don't we discuss \"The Dept of Nothing\" some time on #158 Great! I just borrowed it a few weeks ago from a friend. (Dorine) I'm extremely intrigued by this statement. (Karen) I expect it really had to do with the unusual play of light you find in Vermeer's work. If you go to the Essential Vermeer website, you'll see quite a bit written about it and the use of the camera obscura. It all makes me very curious about the cinematography, though. (Karen) Antonella, who saw HS twice (she attended a press screening in the a.m. and she and another guy were the only ones there). You mean they were the only press? (Lola) There is even a kissing scene with Colin and another man. :) I have to say it again...OMG! I see your OMG and raise you a Holy Moly! ;-) And how did *this* get past the red fingernail test? ;-) Very much looking forward to hearing from Emma and Janet."}, {"response": 84, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (05:48)", "body": "All I can say about the publicity for HS is that they must be spending every last DIME of it in the US, because I haven't seen a single movie poster, commercial or trailer here in Oz yet - they're really throwing this one to the wolves over here. I guess because the last AB film tanked in Oz... that's the only possible reason I can think of because TIOBE actually played here for months on end. But of course, we STILL can't buy a TIOBE DVD or video here. Hmmmph!"}, {"response": 85, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (06:13)", "body": "(Dorine)I see your OMG and raise you a Holy Moly! ;-) I see your Holy Moly and raise you a Oh holy J--us! (Lola)There is even a kissing scene with Colin and another man. :) Could this be the bit about the aging rock star and his manager??? Lola thank you for the LA report. Karen, thanks for brining us the film festival report, but has anyone asked when HS will open in the US? Thank you, Antonella. (Tress)will have to make mental note to purchase fire retardant pants for Mr. Herman). But am happy to hear that although Mr. Firth was a 'no show' that there was some skin to be seen! LOL, Now I really can't wait to see this, skin? Wow! But please relieve our suffering, how much skin, where?"}, {"response": 86, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (07:22)", "body": "\"Irishman\" was at Sho West and has this bit on a preview of LA: love, actually: A bizarre preview, with almost the entire first half in silence except a group of people chanting/singing the word \"love\" in the background. Weird and annoying. As soon as that stopped, however, it looked moderately interesting. A romantic comedy from the makers of \"4 Weddings and a Funeral\" is how they were selling it, and the cast includes Hugh Grant (of course) Alan Rickman, in what looks like a very outlandish role. There was absolutely zero plot discussion, just scattered scenes and character shots. Very little dialogue even, mostly background music. An odd choice for a movie preview, and I'm left undecided by it. I'll need to find out more before I know if I'm interested or not. http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com/display.cgi?id=14699"}, {"response": 87, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (07:42)", "body": "According to Coming Soon, WAGW has been moved up a week, to March 28. Warner's site still says April 4, but they are slow to update. Stay tuned. Very much looking forward to hearing more from Antonella re: HS! Re: LA kissy face--mystery solved, from empireonline. ;-) ;-) Billy Bob\ufffds Cameo Well he may be afraid of antique furniture and old things in general but, by God, Billy Bob Thornton isn\ufffdt afraid of coming over to lil \ufffdole England to film a cameo when asked. Turns out that Angelina\ufffds ex will be popping up in Richard Curtis\ufffds new movie Love, Actually. There\ufffds no word yet on the role he\ufffdll be playing."}, {"response": 88, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (08:52)", "body": "(Linda) But please relieve our suffering, how much skin, where? Yes, yes! How much!?? Where?!! But, where-oh-where are Janet and Emma?! Hello!?? We must have our share!! Oh, and was the movie any good? ;-D (Mari/empireonline article) Well he may be afraid of antique furniture and old things in general but, by God, Billy Bob Thornton isn\ufffdt afraid of coming over to lil \ufffdole England to film a cameo when asked. Gah! You don't think??? Not ODB and Mr. Thorton?? Oh...we don't know where BBT's mouth has been (okay, we kinda do, but we REALLY don't want to think about it)! ;-)"}, {"response": 89, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (09:26)", "body": "A report from Pam. This has some minor spoilers if you're not familiar with the book. She also took a pic of the poster, which I'll put up soon. Colin looks absolutely miserable at the start of the film, he is travelling, upset, tired, uncomfortable, Can't sleep, stubbly and you just feel you want to give him a hug !! He is so jet lagged that when he arrives he is unable to function or think, and has to be helped by Mary Steenbergen. His impression of jet lag is just how I felt last year. Perfect !! He can't even go through a door, just keeps banging his head on it to try and get thro. This scene is so funny. At the art store, he is still not with it, and it keeps very closely to the book. The couple who run the art shop take evything from him as if he is about to steal it, this too is hilarious !! I never thought I would laugh so much, and so did hubby !!! His facial acting is absolutely great in all the scenes, you know how much he can convey this way from all the films he does. Minnie plays the part of Vera very well, totally unlikeable and you can't wait for her to leave Colin alone. Heather surprised me. I am not a fan of hers, but she is very endearing in this part, and plays off Colin very well. The bit where she drinks the alcohol in the car is done very well. It is so funny, and Colin's face is a picture. She then says he will have to drive, which he does, all over the road and slowly, so Mandy puts her foot on his and a very fast car drive ensues, nearly causing many a crash !!! The bit on the monument is on a boat, as in the pic we have, like the Titanic scene. The ending does not go as far as the book. I asked Mark Herman after, and he said there had been 4 endings to the book initially. They do not go back to England at all, which cuts out the strange ending in the book. It ends with everyone in the US. The part about Vera being Queen and ending up with Doug is made more plausible, Colin tries to tell her she is wrong re being related to Hope, but she will not listen. In this way he really gets his own back on her for what she has done, with Doug's help. I liked the soundtack, and hope they decide to do one. The last song is a Ronan Keating song. Another song isa cover of a 10CC song, very nice. RE the Q and A, I asked re the release dates: UK 9 May, Us not yet fixed. Sorry, girls. I also said to him that the changes he had made re leaving out some bits in the book, and changing the end had made it much better, which I am sure you will agree with as soon as you see it."}, {"response": 90, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (09:49)", "body": "Pl. ask Pam if the tie scene is still in. Her review sounds good to me...but hey, we liked SLOW at Mr. Young's too;-) Being with your groupie makes a big diff....."}, {"response": 91, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (10:07)", "body": "(Pam), I also said to him that the changes he had made re leaving out some bits in the book, and changing the end had made it much better, which I am sure you will agree with as soon as you see it. Good, I never did like the ending. Thanks, Karen and Pam! Do we get to see the towel scene? Weird reference to the Titanic instead of the tower?! (Lola) Lots of great kissing scenes There is even a kissing scene with Colin and another man. :) (Dorine),Does this mean Moon's kissing lessons have *finally* paid off?;-) ROTF! I guess they helped too much. Here is another free-for-all for my DH. Can't wait to hear more about HS. Karen, the Antonella mini-interview is another cf.com coup, worth adding to the HS page. Brava Antonella!"}, {"response": 92, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (10:21)", "body": "(Pam) I never thought I would laugh so much, and so did hubby !!! Yeah! Good news! If it passes the hubby test (always a good thing to have one coherent person when doing a CF review) then there is hope! It does sound v. v. promising! (Pam) RE the Q and A, I asked re the release dates: UK 9 May, Us not yet fixed. Sorry, girls. Drat! Double Drat! But thank you Pam (v. much) for asking! Thank you so much Pam and Karen!"}, {"response": 93, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (10:26)", "body": "Came out better than I expected...Courtesy of Pam, here's the poster:"}, {"response": 94, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (10:27)", "body": "Oh yes, the tagline below the title read: \"Love is simple. This is complicated.\""}, {"response": 95, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (11:12)", "body": "(Mari) According to Coming Soon, WAGW has been moved up a week, to March 28. Makes sense given the date of the premiere. Anyway, since I'm the only one posting today, here's an article (scanned by Antonella) from The Yorkshire Press about Mark Herman, where he mentions that there will be a London premiere and how there's a different UK poster with The Graduate overtones (famous shot of Benjamin Braddock through the legs of Mrs Robinson; I can just visualize the same of Colin....yum yum) and other TG refs: Hope Springs Eternal for Mark The Yorkshire Press, 14 March 2003 York writer-director Mark Herman introduces his new film, Hope Springs, at the opening gala of the Bradford Film Festival 2003 this evening. Hope Springs (12A) is a romantic comedy adapted by Mark from the novel New Cardiff by The Graduate author Charles Webb. It is his first Anglo-American project since Blame It On the Bellboy in 1992 and his first Disney-backed project since he was unceremoniously dropped from a three-film contract after Bellboy was panned, even though its box-office target. Mark did not re-surface until Brassed Off in 1996, by which time he had left London for York, to stem the rising tide of mortgage payments. \"It's a whole different Disney regime and there's nothing wrong with the way Disney is set up,\" says Mark, over lunch at City Screen, York, as he takes a brief break from hitting the deadline-less than a fortnight away-for his latest screenplay, Friends And Family. After Brassed Off, 1998's Little Voice and 2000's deliberately low-budget, no A-list celebrity Purely Belter, Mark was looking to break the mould of social realist comedy dramas about realising dreams in the face of adversity. Step forward Hope Springs. \"I was sent Charles Webb's book in a proof copy three Christmases ago by Fragile Films, who have a deal with Disney. They were seeing quite a few people about it but they liked the idea of a writer-driector so I got the job,\" recalls the 48-year-old Yorkshireman. \"It was put back on the Disney slate but then Colin Firth read the book and started enquiring about the rights, and that's how he came on board and as soon as he was involved it had momentum because he'd just done Bridget Jones's Diary.\" Firth plays British artist Colin Ware, leading a cast that includes Minnie Driver, Heather Graham, Oliver Platt and Mary Steenbergen. When Colin discovers that his fianc\ufffde, Vera (Driver), is to marry another man, he takes a flight to America, ending up in a tiny Vermont village called Hope. Distraught, he finds more than a shoulder to cry on after his innkeeper (Steenbergen) introduces him to beautiful nurse Mandy (Graham), who extols the innocent charms of nakedness. No sooner has Colin all but forgotten his old flame than Vera shows up. In the end only one woman can win his heart. \"Charles Webb has written hardly anything since The Graduate but suddenly he came up with this book and I love it because it's so quirky,\" says Mark, who will meet the Brighton-based American for the first time at Hope Springs' London premiere. They have, however, communicated by e-mail; Webb has indicated his enthusiasm for the film and Herman has paid him the compliment of putting a few nods to The Graduate in his movie. \"In terms of cinema audiences, we're almost a generation on from The Graduate, so I realised no one would spot the references when I dropped them in,\" says Mark, with typical dry humour. \"Anyway, the opening scene is an echo of Dustin Hoffman arriving at the airport, and there's a definite reference to The Graduate poster with Heather Graham's legs featured in our poster.\""}, {"response": 96, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (11:35)", "body": "(Mari) According to Coming Soon, WAGW has been moved up a week, to March 28. Noooooooooooo!!! That couldn't be a worse day for me. :-( :-( :-( Gah! Bugger, bugger! Thanks Pam, Karen, and Antonella for the HS reports. I'm looking more forward to this now.......whenever it finally arrives. Makes sense given the date of the premiere In LA or......? Is he just making a short PR stop here on his way to the left coast?"}, {"response": 97, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (11:43)", "body": "WAGW has been moved up a week, to March 28. That's Luca's birthday."}, {"response": 98, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (12:27)", "body": "Hi! Just got back from Bradford. Couple of other minor details. There's a towel scene and he looks AFG, (obviously he's been looking after himself). Although Minnie Driver has been overdoing the workouts - scary! And the tie scene is in, too. He looks wonderful throughout the film, even at the beginning, when he's very dishevelled. I was pleasantly surprised by the film: I liked the humour, and Mark Herman's script had some funny one-liners which didn't appear in the book. Don't think I should mention them here, though. - Kinda like seeing a trailer over and over, and it ruining the film for you, whem you finally see it. Soundtrack: Songs by Ash, The Mavericks, Ronan Keating (Do What You Do?), Fun Loving Criminals and a song written by Willie Nelson, although I don't know who sings it. Also a cover version of the old 10cc song, I'm not in Love. - Will ask my DH if he can remember others. Barnaby Thompson said at the Q&A that they will be releasing the soundtrack, although he didn't mention a date. BTW, the paperback of New Cardiff is being released first week in April featuring stills from the film. I have to go out now. Off to an engagement party!"}, {"response": 99, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (12:38)", "body": "There's a towel scene and he looks AFG, (obviously he's been looking after himself). Hoorah!! Did you have plenty of napkins hand for drooling? ;-) Look forward to the music if nothing else (which seems likely in the near future). Love The Mavericks. Don't know the others except Willie Nelson and 10cc. Do you know if the music is mostly previously released stuff or new for the movie? Thanks, Janet! How'd your DH like it?"}, {"response": 100, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (12:39)", "body": "Janet ! Thank you so much for the news! I'm relieved that everyone is finding it a funny film! (Janet) Couple of other minor details. LOL...you call what follows minor ? (Janet) There's a towel scene and he looks AFG, (obviously he's been looking after himself). *sigh* Lucky, lucky girls who got to see this! *big sigh* I almost wish it would just go straight to video for the US. The slo-mo and pause potential sounds very high! ;-)"}, {"response": 101, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (12:48)", "body": "I thought I'd type this up befroe I went out. Telegraph and Argus by David Behrens: Colin Firth's underpants were revealed to an appreciative festival audience last night, a month ahead of their national release. They had been shed during the sort of romantic entanglement Mr Firth has made his own just lately. In this case, it's Heather Graham, above with Colin('Titanic' photo) and Minnie Driver fighting over them, in New England. Most men would be glad of such attention, but unbridled ecstasy isn't Colin's thing; he's more the emotionally battered and devastated type. Hope Springs which opened Bradford's 2003 Film Festival, is a gentle romantic romp written and directed by Mark Herman, creator of the award-winning Yorkshire comedy, Brassed Off. Firth's character is Colin Ware, a British artist who has fled to Hope, Vermont, on the rebound from his two-timing fiancee Vera (Driver). There he falls into the arms of the loving but worryingly intemperate Mandy (Graham). All goes well until Colin opens the door of his motel room without underpants to find Vera on the doorstep*. Hope Springs is no romantic firecracker, but it's a warm and likeable piece that augurs well for two fun weeks of film going. *cue towel scene!"}, {"response": 102, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (12:55)", "body": "The is absolutely my last post for now, 'cos I must get ready to go out! (Dorine)Look forward to the music if nothing else (which seems likely in the near future). Love The Mavericks. Don't know the others except Willie Nelson and 10cc. Do you know if the music is mostly previously released stuff or new for the movie? Thanks, Janet! How'd your DH like it? Mixture of old and new tracks, I think.( Ronan Keating's was in the UK charts some months ago). And my DH really enjoyed it. He thought ODB was particularly good! So I'll have no problem persuading him to go again (and again, and again, I hope!)LOL"}, {"response": 103, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (12:56)", "body": "Wow, hope springs for sure (along with LA, WAGW, GWAPE)! What a wealth of information thanks to Karen's beautifully presented article from Rome PC, Antonella's translation, the author of the article, the Essential Vermeer expert, Lola, and Pam and Janet's first-hand reports of HS! (Tress)I'm relieved that everyone is finding it a funny film! So glad to hear it too! Would definitely make a nice follow up to dramatic role of Vermeer, which sounds like a great film too! Would really show how versatile an actor he is."}, {"response": 104, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (13:02)", "body": "(Jaet)And my DH really enjoyed it. He thought ODB was particularly good! So I'll have no problem persuading him to go again (and again, and again, I hope!)LOL This is a very good sign indeed. Thanks so much for all your posts! You have been a very busy lady this weekend!"}, {"response": 105, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (13:04)", "body": "Colin Firth's underpants were revealed to an appreciative festival audience last night I bet that's an understatement, LOL. *How* did they show their appreciation? ;-) And the all important question.......boxers or briefs? ;-) *cue towel scene! Bath, hand, washcloth, or fingertip size? ;-) Thanks, Janet! Have fun at the party, but rush home to continue with any tidbits you can remember. People get engaged all the time. A new CF movie is an event. ;-) Where's Emma?"}, {"response": 106, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (13:14)", "body": "How lovely that everyone is really enjoying the film and it would be nice if the London broadsheet reviewers take a few chill-out pills before writing up their pieces. One can only, what is it they, hope springs eternal?? ;-) Thanks so much Janet for the report. But am getting a little confused about the underpants, nekkidness, towels, etc. From the article you typed up: (1) we have visible underpants (an an unknown variety) in the romance scene with Mandy. Yes/no???? (2) we have Colin in a towel going to the door to find Vera. Yes/no?? Does the towel drop? If not, how can the guy write he doesn't have underpants during that scene? Stunt butt here? (Janet) There's a towel scene and he looks AFG, (obviously he's been looking after himself). Please elaborate on parenthetical comment. ;-) How fit is he? Be specific."}, {"response": 107, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (13:24)", "body": "(Janet) *cue towel scene! (Dorine) Bath, hand, washcloth, or fingertip size? ;-) ROTFL....Probably the most profound and deep question I could think to ask! Please! Do tell! (Telegraph article) Hope Springs is no romantic firecracker, but it's a warm and likeable piece that augurs well for two fun weeks of film going. I never expected a firecracker, I'll take warm and likable (better than most reviews for a rom-com I have seen lately)! I liked the book, love ODB, so expect I will enjoy this, if I ever get to see it! Thanks for all your hard work Janet! NOW! Go have fun at your party!!! ;-) (Karen) Please elaborate on parenthetical comment. ;-) How fit is he? Be specific. LOL....yes! Please, be very , very specific!"}, {"response": 108, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (13:34)", "body": "(Telegraph article) Hope Springs is no romantic firecracker, but it's a warm and likeable piece (Tress) better than most reviews for a rom-com I have seen lately Exactly! So what's the hold up with the US release? (Karen) How fit is he? Be specific. (Tress) LOL....yes! Please, be very , very specific! Ok, I'm jumpin' on this bandwagon, too......Well, Janet? Or anyone else who's seen it? ;-)"}, {"response": 109, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (14:08)", "body": "(Mark Herman)\"It was put back on the Disney slate but then Colin Firth read the book and started enquiring about the rights, and that's how he came on board and as soon as he was involved it had momentum because he'd just done Bridget Jones's Diary.\" V. crucial. Disney took notice. Hoorah! He's \"inching\" along on his own. Not carrying the water for anybody else in this one. I never did think the release delay is because of any film flaws. (Janet)..and a song written by Willie Nelson, Always a winner.Too bad he doesn't sing it."}, {"response": 110, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (14:17)", "body": "The PEN/ICI event on \"The Leopard\" has been rescheduled. It is now on 24 April at 7pm. This is shown on the PEN webpage. (was originally on the 28th)"}, {"response": 111, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (14:32)", "body": "This place has been hot, hot, hot! Too many to thank for all of the great news. My cup runneth over. I know this probably sounds naive but might distributors be waiting for some post WAGW tail wind? Hope does Spring eternal!"}, {"response": 112, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (15:37)", "body": "I've *finally* schlepped in from the scary city of Bradford... knew everyone was going to beat me to the punch in reporting since I took such a late train back today, but I did get to spend the afternoon watching Tumbledown for the first time ever at the Museum...anyway... Janet figured we'd need to open the Spoilers topic but I guess not! (btw, it was fabulous to meet you and your DH). I can't wait till you all see this movie. He's at his silliest ever, it's all about him, and he's great. There are some other things I can do without (well mostly Heather!) but I was grinning through most of it."}, {"response": 113, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (15:40)", "body": "So Colin Ware in the movie is much less deadpan than in the book - we still have a lot of Webb's dialogue verbatim, but MS added all kinds of silliness (Mandy and him doing yoga together with him turning it into karate/falling over, for example). Just wait till you see what he does with Mandy's scarf! Lots of bare chest - LOTS. And everyone has the towel they've been looking for! My favourite scene involves Mandy meeting him at a church to ensure that they talk and don't just have sex. The look on his face and his smile as he responds to that is the best!"}, {"response": 114, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (15:47)", "body": "Trying to collect all my thoughts... Changes - Mandy doesn't find him subjects to sketch, he just will randomly sketch anyone anywhere, it seems. The reason why Mandy drinks all the peach brandy is lost - if you didn't read the book, I'm not sure you would get it. I mean, it's a bit weak in the book IMHO, but losing the history/monument thing made it less understandable. Although changing the monument to a garden meant that Colin suggested Mandy was doing \"non-botanical things\" in high school, a good line! Vera now accepts that Colin made up the family tree. Why change it I don't know. But she still ends up Queen of Hope. Just read my last post - sorry that's MH Mark Herman not MS. Long 2 days! At first, I thought Heather was okay as Mandy. Then I just wanted to throttle her! I drifted off for a second at the end during the questions, but he did say that it would take her 4 or 5 takes and then finally it was \"magic\". I didn't see a lot of magic from her! She does cry quite good though. IMO she made it seem as if Colin was holding together some really weak acting. Maybe I'm being too harsh =). Colin cries! About Vera. It was very sad. Tears up a bit with Mandy."}, {"response": 115, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (15:56)", "body": "Thanks, Janet and Emma. Ladies you know us by now to know we need more details. Tell us about the scarf. Is the library scene still on. Does he carry he off? What does he ear for the joga class? Details, please! :-D Am very surprised at the added comedy on HS. Was it necessary? Is it in character? Karen, you should write a script for Colin because you are just too funny!"}, {"response": 116, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (16:05)", "body": "I gotta go out in a few minutes, but if you really want me to spoil it all, keep asking questions (or should I open Spoilers after all?!). Yoga he's wearing tight pants/leggings and a t-shirt I believe, was too caught up in him falling over/being silly to take a good look (that's one for May). Frank Collison really steals the show, he is great. We also end on him - which many people commented on as brave in a rom-com. I'm trying to think what the library scene is, Moon - remind me? Ooh - Colin carrying Mandy after they get engaged. MH said that upon Colin seeing the finished movie, he was quite miffed that there wasn't even more footage of him carrying her as they took about 6 days to film it all and there was even a truss made (Barnaby added this). He really does carry her far! The scene at the beginning already mentioned, him jetlagged and hitting his head against the door in the motel, is too funny. Of course he's meant to look rough and he just looks fantastic =)."}, {"response": 117, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (16:22)", "body": "(Emma)was too caught up in him falling over/being silly to take a good look Huh? But , but in the book Colin Ware wasn't silly. \"Silly\" wouldn't fit the book dialogue. Did MH feel he could improve on the book? (Emma).. carrying her as they took about 6 days to film it all and there was even a truss made Uh,oh...I can see someone claiming that truss on #113;-) Thanks Emma."}, {"response": 118, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (17:07)", "body": "With the level of detail we're getting into, yes, let's go over to Spoilers on 126... We want to hear more, more, more..."}, {"response": 119, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (17:13)", "body": "From the message board at Yahoo Movies........ \"I was lucky enough to see the premiere of Hope Springs last night in Bradford and it was HILARIOUSLY FUNNY! Colin Firth, Heather Graham, Minnie Driver and the rest of the cast were all superbly played. Mark Herman gave a Q&A about the film after the premiere showing and said the UK release date would be May 9th. No release date yet for the US, but this film is worth waiting for. Excellent soundtrack, A1 feel-good factor and the audience response was massive - a mixture of men and women in the audience all laughing at this very funny, well directed film. I can't wait to see it again and hope it will be out on general release everywhere before too long. Well done Mark Hermann and Barnaby Thompson\""}, {"response": 120, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (17:16)", "body": "Thank you Emma and Janet. OHHHHH this sounds just too lovely. We must have it here in the US we must. (Emma)Just wait till you see what he does with Mandy's scarf! We may not be able to see what he does with Mandy's scarf. Tell us, please. I can't wait. (Emma)Colin cries! About Vera. It was very sad. Tears up a bit with Mandy. . (Evelyn)Uh,oh...I can see someone claiming that truss on #113;-) Can we have a group claim for this? I'm dying here. Help."}, {"response": 121, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (17:35)", "body": "Wow! So much news and all preliminarily so good!!! Thanks for all the news Emma and Janet and everyone else giving early reports...wish we could've been there! I'm going to go light a few candles and hope a date is released here soon!"}, {"response": 122, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (18:06)", "body": "Incredible!!! So much news, I've been feasting as though at a royal banquet. Thank you everyone, Janet, Emma, HolaLola, Pam, and again Karen and Antonella. I did'nt think it possible that I could be more enamored with ODB, but the article seems to have made it so. So much to look forward to,I've got plenty of candles and matches, I better get busy........"}, {"response": 123, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (18:10)", "body": "(dancing with excitement) This is almost too much for me, it really is! (laughing) Think I'll go back and look at that picture from Vanity Fair again.. gawd, I do so love it when \"the powers that be\" dress him head to toe in black. Thanks everyone for the numerous reports and insights. (looking at HS poster).. ok, ok.. I'm really glad the dh isn't at home right now. Oh, what is the Willie Nelson song, by the way? It isn't \"Crazy\" is it?"}, {"response": 124, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (18:15)", "body": "Thanks to everyone for all their great reporting!! And a picture of the poster! Well done, you lucky ladies!"}, {"response": 125, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (18:25)", "body": "Such great posts to read! Thanks to all. This sounds like a lot of fun. Hope it gets a release in the US of A. The underpants/no underpants made me think of Tumbledown. Anyone else remember that scene?"}, {"response": 126, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (18:37)", "body": "(Emma) Lots of bare chest - LOTS. Gaaaah! *thud*. Sorry, just falling off my chair.... (Emma) My favourite scene involves Mandy meeting him at a church to ensure that they talk and don't just have sex. The look on his face and his smile as he responds to that is the best! I cannot wait to see this film! I'm about to bust.....Beedee, I'm with you....I hope they are waiting for WAGW to pass so that they can then announce a date for HS in the US! Like the poster. It's simple, understated, with just the right hint of....;-) Thank you to Emma and Janet and Antonella and Karen and Pam and Lola and all others for keeping us informed! It's been a great couple of days here!!! And thanks Bethan for posting the Yahoo message! Another good review!"}, {"response": 127, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (18:41)", "body": "First of all my undying thanks to Karen for providing the best site there is. Only a person as dedicated, hardworking and caring could produce such wonders as she always does. It takes a very very special person to be able to do this, and Karen is that person. There aren't enough thank yous.... And to all of you wonderful ladies, so many who provide links, articles, pics, witty commentary, provoking thoughts my eternal gratitude. You all bring a smile and a warmth to me every single day. And of course a big thank you to the man who gives me not only a smile and warmth everyday but a warm fuzzy good all over feeling. You are all remarkable. And I am so thankful to be a recipient of all your talents. Thank you Emma and Janet and Pam for your Bradford reports. It must be so exciting attending a film festival. Sorry he wasn't there but seems like he was in spirit and underwear. Cannot wait to see this and am ecstatic that it is being met with such great response. Come on USA it's time to climb on board. However, do agree that hold up might be because of WAGW and not wanting to interfere with the box office for that. Hopefully the wait won't be too long. With such positive response to HS it just has to make it here. Might make a great summer movie. If its as good as it seems, could be good promotion for LA in the long run. Raves for Colin could only ad to publicity for LA IMO. LA news looks good too and looks like we'll get alot of publicity. Good news. Did see HD WAGW trailer on Friends the other night. Stupidly smiling face wasn't due to Friends. They really are going for it with WAGW. Very exciting."}, {"response": 128, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (18:56)", "body": "Wow. I haven't had a chance to read Drool since about dinnertime last night, and got here to find about 50 new posts on this topic alone! I can't remember the last time we had so many projects to talk about at once! Thanks, Karen, Antonella, Emma, Janet, Bethan, and anybody else I've forgotten for all the HS news. Hmmm - DH and I are still talking about going to England this summer, and I was sort of hoping to coordinate it with the TEOR filming schedule, just in case any street scenes would be filmed. But maybe I need to coordinate it with a HS viewint opportunity instead..... Oh, and we're still waiting for answers to that list of questions Karen posted, regarding underpants and specific nature of his fitness, and so on. These are things that enquiring minds definitely want to know. ;-)"}, {"response": 129, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (19:43)", "body": "This is wonderful news about HS. Lots of skin?? Hilariously funny? I can't wait to see this. Thanks, Karen, Emma, Janet, Antonella, Pam and Bethan for all the great news and pics. Love the understated HS poster. I knew things were going to heat up around here this weekend. Can anyone confirm the new release date for WAGW?"}, {"response": 130, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (19:54)", "body": "Don't want to burst the bubble here, the film is good, but could have been better, IMHO. Heather Graham gives her usual performance, which she can get away with here, since her character is meant to be a bit ditzy ie (the total opposite of Vera), but I think they should have gone for a 15 rating (UK) and elaborated on the scenes between ODB and HG, if you know what I mean. Very little details, dammit! I don't think this would have adversely affected the viewing figures, since I think very few teenagers would want to see this film. Definitely for a slightly more mature audience. The towel is bath size(white), BTW, and ODB looks slightly more 'filled out' than in BJD(thank God)and strangely, his chest looked a little more hairy, although I don't think mascara was involved! - It looks totally natural. Frank Collison was brilliant: his facial expressions have to be seen to be believed! Lovely to meet Emma, BTW. Will post again when I remember more, (and when I am sober)!"}, {"response": 131, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (21:32)", "body": "Re underpants: In the scene where Mandy gets naked, ODB drops his trousers, but keeps on his shirt (which I think had tails front and back) and Mandy remarks that he's not wearing underwear. In scene with Vera, he's wearing only a towel, but (off camera) dons his trousers, causing her to remark that he's not wearing any underwear. There's also a rather interesting view of his 'cellphone' when he visits Mandy at her flat! (Fully clothed, I should say). Karen - should all this be posted under 'spoilers', if so, could you please delete and move? Thanks. Off to Bedfordshire!"}, {"response": 132, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 2003 (22:14)", "body": "(Janet)ODB drops his trousers, but keeps on his shirt (which I think had tails front and back) and Mandy remarks that he's not wearing underwear. If there's anything to be found (around those tails) I've come to be confident that Rika will *scope* it out eventually!"}, {"response": 133, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 2003 (01:50)", "body": "I'm not generally the one with the eagle eyes. But I must say, I've been thinking all evening about the pleasures in store for us when this comes out on DVD."}, {"response": 134, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 2003 (06:46)", "body": "I'm away for the weekend, thank goodness DH needed to have the lap top. LOL...It would have taken me hours to catch up. I know I said it yesterday, but thank you to all of the ladies who have reported to us. Karen thanks to you for this wonderful place."}, {"response": 135, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 2003 (06:51)", "body": "Thanks for all these wonderfull news. From what iI read there is no chance of successfull Nessie hunting ;-) :-("}, {"response": 136, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 2003 (09:09)", "body": "UK release date would be May 9th. Thanks Karen for the poster...it's OK.Pic of him good. This film needs promotion though in UK. Not just a poster in the tube stations and an interview in The Guardian.UK is a tough market to crack. Hope he comes through and does some TV interviews ,and doesn't just let it hang out there."}, {"response": 137, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 2003 (09:12)", "body": "Bethan....how did you like HS ?"}, {"response": 138, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 2003 (13:15)", "body": "I can see, that I picked the wrong 24 hours to be away from drool. Thank you Janet, Emma and Pam (and everyone, that I have forgotten). HS sounds really promising. I think I'm gonna like the bare chest-part. About the soundtrack, Dorine. Ronan Keating was on Notting Hill as well; \"When you say nothing at all\". I would call him a modern ballad-singer. (Under pressure I might have to admit, that I know more than one of his songs by heart;-) 10cc, I'm not in love. Yeaahh, one of my all time favourite songs in the whole wide world."}, {"response": 139, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 2003 (14:20)", "body": "Well, never mind Spoilers, it's pretty much spoiled anyway =). Had more random thoughts today that I wanted to put down. The soundtrack I was not entirely keen on, and I am a fan of Ash and Garbage. It's the fact that it seems unnatural and wrong even for ODB to be in a scene with All the Small Things by Blink 182 playing (this was the Mandy with her foot on the pedal as they almost killed other people in the car). A lurker has sent me an email saying that she asked Mark Herman and Colin is in Vancouver visiting his son- also I met up with a woman in Bradford from the Earnest premiere who said she heard he had just come back from Canada. Is it a little ironic that he's in Canada and the Canadian is here looking for him?! The underwear that Janet explained, it's turned into a running gag in the movie that he doesn't wear underwear, based on the purchase of boxers by Vera. The Petersons from the art store know all about him and the fact that he's bare under there... The scarf, I guess I had better divulge. When Vera knocks on the motel door for the first time, he thinks it's Mandy. This is the towel scene, just coming out of the shower. On his way to the door he picks up Mandy's scarf (see Titanic photo, this scarf appears a lot in the film), winds it around his chest and uses the ends as tassels... twirling them as he goes... =) I was ever so slightly embarrassed at this! There's no mention of Colin and Vera's meeting as fetuses, or the story of the first time they had sex. In fact, you might wonder why he's so heartbroken about this British stick insect (Janet mentioned already how terrible she looks in the lingerie! ugh!) who smokes too much and works for a magazine. Colin says they are 'inextricably linked' like Marks and Spencers or Foot and bloody Mouth (another addition to the dialogue that got lots of laughs). I'm not sure about the silliness factor. When I read New Cardiff, it's very flat to me - still funny, but sort of one dimensional. I guess when Herman adapted it, he probably thought he was going to have to put some more life into it."}, {"response": 140, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 2003 (14:57)", "body": "Once again, Pam, Janet, Emma, and lurker who emailed Emma (!please join us here!), thanks for answering all of our inquiring minds that want to know all these wonderful HS details! Karen and Pam, thanks for the HS poster. I like Colin in the middle and look forward to the poster that makes homage to The Graduate. Can't wait to look for 'Graduate' references in HS too! Nice idea on the part of MH. (Janet)and strangely, his chest looked a little more hairy, although I don't think mascara was involved! - It looks totally natural. V. v. nice observation. Is there any more hair on arms as well?;-) (Janet)and Mandy remarks that he's not wearing underwear. So Mandy has the only revealing point-of-view? And tails are in the way of movie viewers? So where is Mandy? On floor? (Janet)There's also a rather interesting view of his 'cellphone' when he visits Mandy at her flat! (Fully clothed, I should say). So do you mean that the cellphone is in his pocket like in that picture with Sam W. (or was that his keys)? ;-) (Emma)winds it around his chest and uses the ends as tassels... twirling them as he goes... =) I was ever so slightly embarrassed at this! Was it embarrassment like at the end of TIOBE when he goes a little lulu over Algie being his brother and he \"puts up his dukes\" or was it because he acts like he's a stripper? Wait, if he plays like hes a stripper that could be another reference to TG! ;-) Can't wait for HS to come to US. Sounds v. funny with different than usual aspects of CF!"}, {"response": 141, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 2003 (14:59)", "body": "Oh WOW! I cannot believe they didn't include their \"first time\" together as teenagers. That was one of the cutest parts of the book! (scratching head and trying to figure out the mindset of editors and producers)"}, {"response": 142, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 2003 (15:47)", "body": "(Lora)So do you mean that the cellphone is in his pocket like in that picture with Sam W. (or was that his keys)? ;-) When he sits down, camera is trained on his lower body, and what you see is all him! Didn't notice the hair on his arms, BTW. Soundtrack: Willie Nelson song is maybe called I Hope So, (not sure, though). Also a track by a band called Wartahs(or something similar)."}, {"response": 143, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 2003 (15:52)", "body": "(Emma) When I read New Cardiff, it's very flat to me - still funny, but sort of one dimensional. I guess when Herman adapted it, he probably thought he was going to have to put some more life into it. I'm glad as the book was a bit flat to me, too, though cute at times. Glad the end was changed. Garbage in the soundtrack, too? Great! I was ever so slightly embarrassed at this! I was a bit embarrassed just reading about it. And excellent point Lora re: end of TIOBE. I kinda cringed at that, too. ;-) Thanks so much, Emma! Did the crowd sound audibly disappointed when it was announced that Colin wouldn't be there? Was the sound from all women? ;-) the purchase of boxers by Vera Got my answer, though guess he doesn't wear them. ;-) I need to reread the book when it is ready to be released here."}, {"response": 144, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 2003 (16:06)", "body": "Can't believe I forgot to mention this! The kissing scene at the Monument is obviously not there, since there's no monument in the film, but later, they are at a dance(I think for the residents of the Retirement Home where Mandy works), and dancing together. Suddenly they become very amorous and they kiss with a bit more passion than we're used to seeing from him. - No tongues, though, that I could see!"}, {"response": 145, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 2003 (18:12)", "body": "Thought this was *very, very* exciting to see Lions Gate appears to have a *lot* of confidence in GWAPE, which I imagine will mean *major* PR with Colin. What Happy Holidays we may be in store for! :-D Posted: Sun., Mar. 16, 2003, 6:00am PT The Oscar shift hits the fan Early deadline already disrupting start dates, strategies By TIMOTHY M. GRAY, DAVID BLOOM Forget about next week's Oscar ceremony -- let's talk about next year. The 2004 Oscar rites may portend the least-noticed production deadlines in Hollywood history. The Academy decided to move up the 2004 Oscar ceremony almost a month to Feb. 29, creating a set of headaches in production, distribution and marketing as companies prepare awards-worthy pics for year-end consideration. Almost every studio has a big-budget Oscar hopeful to launch by early December; this means (in theory) that there will be no year-end cavalry charge like 2002, when December's release calendar bulged with 40 openings and all five best-pic contenders bowed in the final two weeks of the year. But this December doesn't seem to be logjammed, meaning the Academy's accelerated schedule should be easy, if everything goes as planned. The problem is, almost nothing in Hollywood goes as planned....... \"It's going to hurt the little guys the most,\" says one awards strategist. He points out that independent films get the biggest box office boost from awards recognition, but little films need more time to build word of mouth among awards voters............. Oscar campaigns are all about timing and momentum. The recent practice of expanding distribution of small films as they pick up awards on \"the beats\" of nom announcements and award wins will be much more complicated. \"It's a film like 'The Pianist' that's going to suffer,\" Curtin says. \"All that word of mouth was enough to get (Academy voters) to put the DVD screener in the machine.\" Lions Gate's \"Monster's Ball\" opened at Christmas 2001 with little fanfare and slowly built word of mouth. With ballots likely due in early January of 2004, few execs are expecting to emulate that timing. This year, Lions Gate has moved up the release of its big Oscar hopeful, \"Girl with a Pearl Earring,\" to Nov. 14 because of the new Oscar schedule. By Christmas, the film will be in 20 cities nationwide. \"The challenge for us is we have to get it into a slightly broader distribution earlier than we did with 'Monster's Ball,' 'Affliction' or \"Shadow of the Vampire,' \" says Tom Ortenberg, Lions Gate prexy of releasing. \"But then, we won't have to keep it alive forever, spending, spending, spending, on an exclusive basis. We're hopeful we can use that to our advantage to get our costs down a little. But the challenge is getting them noticed in L.A. and New York.\" This is a *very* long article so I just hit some major points. Here's the link to the rest. Variety.com"}, {"response": 146, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 2003 (18:22)", "body": "(Janet)they kiss with a bit more passion than we're used to seeing from him. It's becoming more and more obvious that What a *Gal* Wants is Hope Springs! And of course....... (Dorine)!This year, Lions Gate has moved up the release of its big Oscar hopeful, \"Girl with a Pearl Earring,\" to Nov. 14 because of the new Oscar schedule. By Christmas, the film will be in 20 cities nationwide It just keeps getting better. Thanks Dorine and all to all those women who trecked to the BFF and have been keeping us in a lather ever since."}, {"response": 147, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 2003 (18:33)", "body": "There will be a sneak preview of WAGW throughout NA on Saturday, March 29. Looks like the rumors of the date being accelerated a week were unfounded. Thanks to \"Robair\" from amandybynesnow.com! Am lovimg reading the HS reports--thanks to all! Very much looking forward to it. (Janet)The kissing scene at the Monument is obviously not there, since there's no monument in the film, How did they work in the tie scene--wasn't the tie supposed to a depiction of the monument (which turned ouy looking like a penis)? Suddenly they become very amorous and they kiss with a bit more passion than we're used to seeing from him. Yea!:-) No tongues, though, that I could see! Boooooo!:-( Thanks for the GWAPE/Oscar bits, Dorine--I *knew* this was the right film for Colin.;-)"}, {"response": 148, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 2003 (18:42)", "body": "(Dorine) And excellent point Lora re: end of TIOBE. I kinda cringed at that, too. ;-) I was surprised they kept that bit in actually! It was the one moment in TIOBE were I felt uncomfortable! Glad to know I wasn't alone! (Emma)...winds it around his chest and uses the ends as tassels... twirling them as he goes... =) I was ever so slightly embarrassed at this! I dislike those 'cringeworthy' moments in films (most actors have them, but it is worse when you 'fancy' them!). Still, I have to admire the fact that there is so little self-consciousness on the part of ODB that he can do things like that! And thank you Dorine for the article....glad to see that GWAPE may be a contender (it will probably be competing with Ted and Sylvia)! ;-)"}, {"response": 149, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 2003 (18:43)", "body": "(Mari)How did they work in the tie scene--wasn't the tie supposed to a depiction of the monument (which turned ouy looking like a penis)? The cannon was depicted on the tie, and it looked a great deal like a penis!"}, {"response": 150, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 2003 (20:20)", "body": "Thanks, Janet and Emma. I would like to know about the dance, how does he dance? Does it look like he knows what he's doing? Those script changes are strange. Did anyone ask MH why he made them?"}, {"response": 151, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 2003 (20:51)", "body": "I liked the book...but a film has to stand on its own...sooo I won't piss and moan about it.But Colin Ware was not silly in the book...wonder why the new interpretation. I hate when he acts like that. He doesn't do \"silly\" well. Deadpan, yes. Grrrrreat news about GWAPE. Thanks Dorine,but your link doesn't work , you have to be a subscriber. Boss was right about the intention for the new shift in dates. Big coup for Colin.Hope Rafe throws more films our way;-)"}, {"response": 152, "author": "kasey", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 2003 (22:10)", "body": "And here I was feeling guilty for cringing at that point in TIOBE. Guess it's not just me. As Evelyn says, he doesn't do \"silly\" well. So glad he does most everything else SO much better... Well, there IS the kissing, but maybe those lessons are beginning to pay off if early reports about HS are to be believed."}, {"response": 153, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 2003 (03:51)", "body": "(Dorine/Emma)I'm glad as the book was a bit flat to me, too, though cute at times. Glad the end was changed. My thoughts exactly. (BeeDee)It's becoming more and more obvious that What a *Gal* Wants is Hope Springs! LOL It was the one moment in TIOBE were I felt uncomfortable! Glad to know I wasn't alone! Me too! Dorine, thank you for the Oscar article. Dare we hope? When the Oscars is mentioned alongside ODB, I allways think about the kitchenscene in FP (18 years, 18 f***ing years). Wonder if he didn't addlip the Oscar-part? Oh, and the kissing. Lots in LA and also some in HS. Sounds v.g."}, {"response": 154, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 2003 (04:13)", "body": "Yeah I did a bit more than cringe. I audibly said 'oh god' with the stripper act. Embarassed at the silliness, but it at least does show his range (I consoled myself with this), and the fact that he really doesn't take himself very seriously. I wish that the question period with Mark Herman could have been, oh, today or something! It wasn't until Saturday and Sunday when I could actually process all that I've seen that I started to think of all the things I would have liked to have asked him. Like about all the changes. I do remember him saying that he thought with the format of New Cardiff that it would have been an easy adaptation, and it turned out to be really hard. I guess Disney saw the third draft and went for it, but either Barnaby or Mark said that he was rewriting some of it as they were shooting it. I forgot about the dance, thanks Janet! I was critically looking for some improved kissing, but as she said, it wasn't spectacular. Good though. I don't really remember how he danced (I'll check in May!)."}, {"response": 155, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 2003 (04:26)", "body": "(EmmaB)Embarassed at the silliness, but it at least does show his range (I consoled myself with this), and the fact that he really doesn't take himself very seriously. Perhaps I should duck my head really fast saying this, but - I guess this is how I felt the first time I saw the BLP-scenes. He looks gorgeous, I know, but playing air-guitar and in that outfit at his age?"}, {"response": 156, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 2003 (06:53)", "body": "(shining self diligently and grinning like the Cheshire cat)"}, {"response": 157, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 2003 (08:59)", "body": "(Emma), I audibly said 'oh god' with the stripper act. Wot? He does the stripper act? Is that what he does with the scarf? I can't or don't want to imagine. Too many changes from the book. I was critically looking for some improved kissing, but as she said, it wasn't spectacular. Colin Ware is totally taken with her sexually, you'd think he'd show a bit of tongue. :-( Back to the kissing lessons you go, Mr. Firth."}, {"response": 158, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 2003 (09:00)", "body": "(EmmaB) Embarassed at the silliness, but it at least does show his range (I consoled myself with this), and the fact that he really doesn't take himself very seriously. Makes you think that you could get him liquored up at a party and he would surprise you with how he truly is!! BTW, I think I have only one more cringeworthy moment from ODB (besides the ending of TIOBE)...the song from TEP. Though he makes up for it later with the taxi scene, which was spectacular. (Annette) He looks gorgeous, I know, but playing air-guitar and in that outfit at his age? LOL....Mick Jagger and Steve Tyler do it for a living! But I know what you mean Annette, it has the potential to be either v. v. funny or downright silly (and cringeworthy). I'm hoping for the former, as he looks really good in those leather pants (and I'm not a leather pants type of girl!)....and he will be making up for the LP dancing (I think) with GWAPE! As long as it isn't a 'string' of silliness (I don't want ODB to turn into Jerry Lewis or Jim Carrey....or join the Ministry of Silly Walks), I can take it! ;-)"}, {"response": 159, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 2003 (10:03)", "body": "Re Hope Springs I'm trying to visualise the dance scene. I think this may have been when the Willie Nelson song was played. It was a slow dance and they were standing very close and he was looking down at her with that intense look of his. - Very, very nice. Then they suddenly began kissing enthusiastically, which seemed to please the elderly couples dancing beside them."}, {"response": 160, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 2003 (10:18)", "body": "Well, never mind Spoilers, it's pretty much spoiled anyway =). :("}, {"response": 161, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 2003 (10:57)", "body": "(Emma)I remember him saying that he thought with the format of New Cardiff that it would have been an easy adaptation, and it turned out to be really hard. A more experienced director could have pulled it off, Mark. (Emma)I guess Disney saw the third draft and went for it,.. Me thinks this was the current \"silly scenario\" (Emma)..but either Barnaby or Mark said that he was rewriting some of it as they were shooting it. Not a good sign. Big Thanks to Emma and Janet for their comments.*clap,clap* I guess this is how I felt the first time I saw the BLP-scenes. He looks gorgeous, I know, but playing air-guitar and in that outfit at his age? Listen gang...this is all part of being a fan of his.We'll live through these moments ....somehow. Think GWAPE!"}, {"response": 162, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 2003 (11:42)", "body": "(Evelyn) Listen gang...this is all part of being a fan of his. We'll live through these moments ....somehow. I'll live...despite the two (and considering his CV, I have only seen two...and now heard of another) silly moments, ODB manages to give us moments of pure brilliance! I'll hang tough! (Evelyn) Think GWAPE! Everyday!!"}, {"response": 163, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 2003 (12:38)", "body": "I must be a moron because I think that twirly bird scarf/tassle scene in HS sounds funny, and I like the looks of the WAGW mirror dance because the boy has the moves. My feeling is, if he insists on doing comedies, he may as well be the funny one, and not the (thankless) straight man. Then again, this is coming from someone who doesn't recall a day in her adult life that she didn't mirror-morph into Aretha//Chaka/Janis/Gladys/etc.;-) BTW, in the Hunk Daady WAGW commercial, what is Amanda doing when she's grabbing his head? Kelly Preston is scheduled for Letterman on March 26."}, {"response": 164, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 2003 (12:45)", "body": "Is this new? Is it real? Title: FIVE FEET OF HEAVEN Genre: Mystery Release Date: Undecided Director: Roman Polanski Players: Courtney B. Vance, Rachel Ticotin, Colin Firth, Venus Terzo, Dominic Keating, Tia Carrere, Casey Biggs, Zuleikha Robinson PITCH: Cameron Vincent (Vance) blames himself for the accidental dead of his wife and child. The memory haunts him constantly. Then Cameron met Dr. McHenry (Firth), a man who promised to erase those bad memories and replace them with happy ones. Now, Cameron remembers new things, including a new woman (Ticotin) whom he loved, and who returned that love. But something's wrong. This woman was real, and she was murdered. Cameron begins to remember disturbing things that may conect with the death of his wife and daughter. Are these memories real? Could Cameron have killed someone he never knew? He must find out. http://redwood.topcities.com/soon.htm"}, {"response": 165, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 2003 (13:22)", "body": "No, looks like someone's fantasy site, Maria. None of the \"past films\" have ever come out, plus they've taken poster art I recognize from other films (e.g., Murder by Numbers) and slapped their made up titles on them."}, {"response": 166, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 2003 (15:02)", "body": "Just had a truly wonderful hour reading all the great posts. Big thank you to Emma and Janet and Pam for their FF reports . How wonderful to have seen HS and give us all the details as tho' we were there. Karen, magnificent stuff...... you should have the oscar, move over Nicole ;-)) ( I know Harve has such a soft spot for you too, saw it with my own eyes!)"}, {"response": 167, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 2003 (15:47)", "body": "(Mari) I must be a moron...I think that twirly bird scarf/tassle scene in HS sounds funny,..I like the looks of the WAGW mirror dance because the boy has the moves...if he insists on doing comedies, he may as well be the funny one, and not the (thankless) straight man. I'm with you. I for one will be glad to one day see his name in print when it is not preceded by smoldering and repressed. Versatile and multi-faceted sound good..too much thankless straight man! (Mari too)...this is coming from someone who doesn't recall a day in her adult life that she didn't mirror-morph into Aretha//Chaka/Janis/Gladys/etc.;-) ROFLMAO You go girl! (I only do that in my car...)"}, {"response": 168, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 2003 (16:04)", "body": "(Emma)I remember him saying that he thought with the format of New Cardiff that it would have been an easy adaptation, and it turned out to be really hard. ...but either Barnaby or Mark said that he was rewriting some of it as they were shooting it. (Evelyn) A more experienced director could have pulled it off, Mark Ouch! (That's not to say I disagree) (Mari) BTW, in the Hunk Daady WAGW commercial, what is Amanda doing when she's grabbing his head? Thank you! I asked someone else that and still no idea. Kelly Preston is scheduled for Letterman on March 26. She is and he's not? He's got a bigger part! Not really surprising as Letterman seems to have a thing for cute blondes. ;-) (MariaT) Is this new? Is it real? Title: FIVE FEET OF HEAVEN One should hope not with Tia Carrere. ;-)"}, {"response": 169, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 2003 (16:16)", "body": "(Barb S)I for one will be glad to one day see his name in print when it is not preceded by smoldering and repressed. Versatile and multi-faceted sound good..too much thankless straight man! I'm all with you on this. Regarding the BLP-scene. Perhaps it doesn't help, that I still haven't seen the trailer \"in full motion\". My only experience so far is sort of snippets moving very slowly (thanks to very old computer ;() And the dancing in front of the mirror, girls - we could form a club. Just an example of my silliness in that direction; VH1 had soundtrack-weekend, and they showed \"When the going gets tough\" with Michael Douglas, Danny DeVito and whatshername (War of the roses blabla). They sang along in white suits and all I could think of was ODB doing something like this. (Shallow and pathetic, I know. I'll fall back leave room for better material;-))"}, {"response": 170, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 2003 (17:11)", "body": "Kelly Preston is scheduled for Letterman on March 26. This appearance is probably to promote A View From the Top, another Gwinnie film coming out this Friday. Ashamed to say that I know this because it is the film I will see with my girlfriend so that she will go see WAGW with me. The lengths we go to!"}, {"response": 171, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 2003 (17:19)", "body": "Just got my Premiere magazine (don't laugh) and there is a small picture of ODB (mouth closed but with visible dimples) and the following blurb (and Karen, if this is not the correct place, please delete and I apologize): The Slate Who's doing What - And With Whom Colin Firth In April, he'll play a buttoned-up Brit who finds out What a Girl Wants when his long-lost American daughter (Amanda Bynes) tracks him down. Then he'll dive into Hope Springs with Heather Graham, discover that all you need is Love Actually with Liam Neeson, and portray the painter Vermeer in Girl With a Pearl Earring. Sounds promising that they are mentioning HS!"}, {"response": 172, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 2003 (17:26)", "body": "Saw HD version again on NBC last night with American Dreams. As Karen said big money being spent on this. Thanks for article Dorine. One can only hope and pray. Emma, Janet, Pam thank you so much for your great great reports. Made me feel like I was there. Thank you for such good work."}, {"response": 173, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 2003 (17:33)", "body": "(Mari)I must be a moron because I think that twirly bird scarf/tassle scene in HS sounds funny, and I like the looks of the WAGW mirror dance because the boy has the moves. My feeling is, if he insists on doing comedies, he may as well be the funny one, If you're a moron, then so am I. When I go to see a comedy, I want to laugh. I laughed several times at the dialogue in the book. I don't really like it when they totally change things, but from what I hear so far...I can't wait to see HS. (Mari)...this is coming from someone who doesn't recall a day in her adult life that she didn't mirror-morph into Aretha//Chaka/Janis/Gladys/etc.;-) Thank Gawd, I thought I was the only one:-)"}, {"response": 174, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 2003 (23:59)", "body": "(Mari)I must be a moron because I think that twirly bird scarf/tassle scene in HS sounds funny, and I like the looks of the WAGW mirror dance because the boy has the moves. Joining the moron club. And the dance-in-front-of-mirror club. My feeling is, if he insists on doing comedies, he may as well be the funny one, I agree. The straight man always seems to get overshadowed."}, {"response": 175, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (07:24)", "body": "(Mari)I must be a moron because I think that twirly bird scarf/tassle scene in HS sounds funny, and I like the looks of the WAGW mirror dance because the boy has the moves. (Rika)Joining the moron club. And the dance-in-front-of-mirror club. I have to join as well...It does'nt seem as though this character will be chronically goofy, but maybe just letting a little goof out, a one off so to speak after being depressed. I think of my dh, who is generally pretty serious, (he could make Camus seem like a clown), and even he has silly spells. So maybe, what I am trying to say is, Colin joked around yesterday, or was it the day before.....;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 176, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (09:31)", "body": "(MariaT) I think of my dh, who is generally pretty serious, (he could make Camus seem like a clown), and even he has silly spells LOL! He (and we) talked about his getting \"buttock clenching\" rolls in pin striped suits. I'm ready to watch him let-er-rip."}, {"response": 177, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (12:08)", "body": ""}, {"response": 178, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (12:09)", "body": ""}, {"response": 179, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (12:13)", "body": "The WAGW premiere will be on Thursday, March 27, in Hollywood, at the Cinerama Dome on Sunset Blvd."}, {"response": 180, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (12:38)", "body": "Great news, Karen! I am doing a Bollywood dance, I arrive in LA on March 27th! Could this actually be my turn to meet ODB? Maybe Colin will attend the post Oscars Vanity Fair party! He does Comedy Central and then off to LA for the VF party. He's in the current issue so he should have no trouble getting in. ;-)"}, {"response": 181, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (13:38)", "body": "Your chance to give ODB a tutoring session in kissing lessons personally! ;-) Maybe he'll go to Harvey's Oscar Eve bash, too."}, {"response": 182, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (13:43)", "body": "I was hoping for NY, but I'll have my fingers crossed for you, Moon. Maybe GWAPE will have a NY premiere."}, {"response": 183, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (13:47)", "body": "I'll have to settle for a long distance relationship and enjoy all of your firsthand experiences. Moon Dreams; if Rika crosses fingers, then I'll light candles for you."}, {"response": 184, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (14:21)", "body": "WOO-HOO! Thanks for digging out the premiere info, Karen. I hope some of our left-coasters can go and report back!! Rika, we'll have our chance. (Dorine)Your chance to give ODB a tutoring session in kissing lessons personally! ;-) I predict she will not only tutor him, but also . . . Moon him! ;-) What great timing, Moon. Godspeed to you, dear! bitch;-) (Annette)they showed \"When the going gets tough\" with Michael Douglas, Danny DeVito and whatshername (War of the roses blabla). Kathleen Turner! I know exactly the video you mean, Annette. From one of my faves of the '80s, Romancing The Stone. Ok, attention all morons and mirror singers/dancers: American Idol (tonight at 8:00) has proven a reliable sighting source for Hunk Daddy commercials over the past 2 weeks, so be sure to tune in. And put Dorine and me out of our misery by figuring out exactly wot AB is doing with his head! :-)"}, {"response": 185, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (14:48)", "body": "I've been reading the posts backwards from the past several weeks, (before the new topic!) and I have to say it's kinda like reading the ending to a book first!!! Since it would be impossible, boring and repetitious to comment on about 300 posts, I would like to give a blanket \"well done, thanks for the info, I can't believe that, AFG, and cringe.\" That should cover the range of emotions. ;) Last night I happened to walk in front of the TV when, yes, a AWAG commercial was playing. It was about 7:30, a major channel. I'm not a big TV watcher, so I don't know how long they have been running them. From the posts, it was the one with more of AB, about a 2/1 ratio. The release date here is April 3."}, {"response": 186, "author": "freddie", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (14:50)", "body": "AWAG???????? Maybe it would make more sense as WAGW......."}, {"response": 187, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (15:47)", "body": "Great timing, Moon! We will be over the 'moon' for you while you are in LA giving kissing lessons and asking YKW to 'walk' for you! ;-). Maybe you can get to an Oscar party too! Wishing you lots of up close and personal ops! Bring your camera! (Mari)And put Dorine and me out of our misery by figuring out exactly wot AB is doing with his head! :-) Somehow I managed to tape just the tail end of the HD commercial (I had left a tape in the VCR just in case I would catch it during prime time and there it was on Friends!) so I slo-moed it and it looks like AB moves her head first in a certain way as if to show HD how to do the right move with one's head - perhaps while dancing?? Then maybe she is showing HD how he should do it by placing her hands on his head, but she shows him in a very exaggerated manner. But there's really not a lot of footage to work with here."}, {"response": 188, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (15:49)", "body": "(Dorine)Your chance to give ODB a tutoring session in kissing lessons personally! ;-) (Mari), I predict she will not only tutor him, but also . . . Moon him! ;-) What great timing, Moon. Godspeed to you, dear! bitch;-) LOL! I wish! I think the funniest part will be breaking the news to my DH. We're off to celebrate our wedding anniversary and he must take a CF detour. ;-) Keeping fingers crossed. I will try my best to be there. :-D"}, {"response": 189, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (16:00)", "body": "ROTF, Moon! Good luck! ;-)"}, {"response": 190, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (16:06)", "body": "Bethan....how did you like HS ? (Evelyn) I'm afraid I couldn't make it - as I think I've mentioned, I'm having to spend a lot of time with my mother who is ill - rather restricts my activities. But HS certainly sounds as though it could be a Box Office winner! Here's another report - from a lad (ie less likely to be ardent CF fan). Spelling is not his strong suit! by - lad_2010 2 days ago (Sun Mar 16 11:43:04) I was lucky enough to attend the Uk and world premiere which was held last Friday (14th March) in Sunny Bradford, England. Opening the Bradford film festival the premier was excelent, even got a change to mingle with the likes of Richard Whitely!!! what a privalidge. The film was excellent i thought. The director Mark Herman along with the producer introduced the film and did a Q+A sesion afterward which quality. They manged to get the balance between comed and romance which it often far off in todays romcom's There were many many funny moments i havent heard a cinema laugh so much in a long while and the romance matched this blow for blow. Excelent performances from all the cast members in particular Colin Firth was ecelent very funny but with such feeling too. Heather greaham was looking fantasitc all the way through and gave a very strong performance. The storyline was a little clieched but a very enjoyable film and it comes hightly recomended. Worth a visit when its relesed."}, {"response": 191, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (16:25)", "body": "(Mari) Ok, attention all morons and mirror singers/dancers: American Idol (tonight at 8:00) has proven a reliable sighting source for Hunk Daddy commercials over the past 2 weeks, so be sure to tune in. Oh, suuuuuuure, Mari. You sucked me in with that line last week and I watched the Wednesday 'results' show and saw - nothin'. ;-P So I'm undecided. Should I watch, in case the commercial definitely won't run, and I'll deprive other Firthettes of seeing it? Or should I not watch, in which case the commercial definitely will run, and tomorrow I'll have to read all these posts saying, \"Saw the HD commercial on American Idol last night?\" It's a hard one to call!"}, {"response": 192, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (16:40)", "body": "(Rika) So I'm undecided. Should I watch....Or should I not watch... To watch or not to watch, that is the question. Rika, I would watch...it is countdown time for WAGW and they will probably play it five times! I have not seen the HD version either! And I will be out for part of American Idol, so am hoping to see Hunk Daddy in the second half!"}, {"response": 193, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (16:50)", "body": "Sorry Tress, don't mean to fret, but my chances of seing ODB tonight, is taping Huge Gnat Revealed on E. It has about 2 nanoseconds of ODB commenting on the sissyfight. So - set your vcr's, ladies, and fastforward all the unwantet parts. (I have worn out several tapes this way during the TIOBE periode and all it got me was mostly Rupert Everett and Reese Witherspoon ;( Please remember, I'm laughing while I write this, no pun intended in any way ;-)"}, {"response": 194, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (18:31)", "body": "(Rika)You sucked me in with that line last week LOL, sorry 'bout that, was poxy Wednesday results show.;-) The action is on the Tuesday night competition shows!:-) Actually, I'm addicted to it and would watch anyway--some great contestants; keep an ear out for Joshua, Ruben, Kimberly, Carmen, and my favorite, Clay, who looks like Alfred E. Newman but boy can he sing! Even Simon Cowell has a hard time finding fault with him. Moon, I want to be a fly on the wall when your DH figures out where he's been led.;-)"}, {"response": 195, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (18:42)", "body": "Just read that Elisha Cuthbert (\"Kim,\" Kiefer's daughter on 24) has a role in Love Actually. Kelly Preston will be on Regis & Kelly on April 1."}, {"response": 196, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (19:34)", "body": "I saw a new ad for WAGW during ET tonight. Amanda is sort of outlined in neon during parts and then she stands out by herself. It shows the ending with the picnic on the lawn (at a table)(from a distance). It's a short ad. (Lora)...it looks like AB moves her head first in a certain way as if to show HD how to do the right move with one's head - perhaps while dancing?? I agree with you, Lora. It's like a head-banging dance move. I thought it was more of a heavy metal thing. Good luck with the premiere, Moon! Mari, Clay rules!"}, {"response": 197, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (21:01)", "body": "Um..... Mari?????? Okay, first, I want to apologize to everybody else who watched \"American Idol\" hoping to see the HD commercial. As you have probably guessed by its absence, I did decide to watch. Okay, so what shows on OPPOSITE \"American Idol\" had the commercial tonight? Go ahead, break my heart. (BrendaL)Mari, Clay rules! Yeah, he does, I must say. Ruben isn't chopped liver either."}, {"response": 198, "author": "Jodi", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (21:03)", "body": "Wow! I was away for a few days and there are almost 150 new posts! Thanks for all the great news and info. My head is literally swimming now, must proccess all this. Gaaaah."}, {"response": 199, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (21:19)", "body": "Rika, Rika . . . even before checking this board, I could tell that you had watched tonight.;-) what shows on OPPOSITE \"American Idol\" had the commercial tonight? LOL, you know me too well, I was going to make something up. ROTF! Well, there's always the results show tomorrow.;-) Tell the truth, show is worth watching anyway. (I wouldn't mind discussing Clay, Ruben and any other AI faves on the Odds & Ends board, if anyone is interested!)"}, {"response": 200, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (22:19)", "body": "(Mari) Rika, Rika . . . even before checking this board, I could tell that you had watched tonight.;-) I saw the same movie commercials that were on Wednesday's results show (yawn) - View from the Top and Boat Trip. They're both opening Friday. I have seen quite a few WAGW banner ads on the Internet tonight, though. On Moviefone, the People site, I think someplace else too. (I wouldn't mind discussing Clay, Ruben and any other AI faves on the Odds & Ends board, if anyone is interested!) I'll see you over there. I think you may have hooked me on this show, which I had never watched before. Thanks a bunch. ;-)"}, {"response": 201, "author": "kasey", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 2003 (22:21)", "body": "Rika, it wasn't just you. I'm the one who gets in line (any line) just as it comes to a screeching halt while every other one starts moving. With BOTH of us watching I guess it was a foregone conclusion that there would be no HD sightings. Of course every OTHER movie in the known universe was plugged on the show."}, {"response": 202, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 2003 (04:46)", "body": "(Mari)And put Dorine and me out of our misery by figuring out exactly wot AB is I finally saw the full HD version of WAGW commercial. It aired during the Simpsons. I have to agree...AB is definitely showing Hunk Daddy some sort of dance move. Moon...best of luck. We'll be here with our fingers crossed. You will have to check out all the parties. Lucky girl!! Thanks Karen, for the premiere news."}, {"response": 203, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 2003 (09:37)", "body": "(Linda) I finally saw the full HD version of WAGW commercial. It aired during the Simpsons. Sure, rub it on. I just wanted to let anybody know who wants to see the HD version that tonight would be a good night to watch for it. My guess is that it will be on every show, all evening, since I have to work and so won't have the TV on. ;-)"}, {"response": 204, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 2003 (10:36)", "body": "(Rika)Sure, rub it on. Hey, welcome to the club of HD-deprived ;-)"}, {"response": 205, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 2003 (11:03)", "body": "Please check the heading above for the topic. This is Colin Firth News."}, {"response": 206, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 2003 (12:57)", "body": ""}, {"response": 207, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 2003 (18:25)", "body": "Some BJD2 news. It looks like Miramax will again handle the domestic (U.S and Canada) distribution and marketing for the sequel and Universal again will handle the international distribution. :) The studio is still planning for a March 26, 2004 release. We'll see Press junkets for Love Actually in Europe will tentatively begin mid November around the 21st. The junket for the U.S. is being scheduled now to coincide withe theatrical release in early Nov. Will let you know closer to the dates when you can expect to see interviews and press for the movie and cast. Trying to coordinate it with everyone's schedule is a bit tricky. Stay safe everyone!"}, {"response": 208, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 2003 (22:33)", "body": "(Hola) Some BJD2 news. It looks like Miramax will again handle the domestic (U.S and Canada) distribution Hurrah!! A NY premiere........ right?! The studio is still planning for a March 26, 2004 release. We'll see I thought it was scheduled for May 2004 the last we heard. That's a *really* fast turaround, isn't it? After ending shooting in Oct, according to the last we heard? Thanks, Hola for the BJD and LA update! :-D"}, {"response": 209, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 2003 (23:57)", "body": "Oh! Oh! Oh! Hunk Daddy-centric ad during Letterman! At 12:45am. Wouldn't think teens targeted this late and on this show. ;-) HD locks lips with Daphne's mom! Doesn't look too shabby either. :-D Anyone else seen this one? At the end, he tentatively asks Daphne if she likes Cocoa Puffs. Think they were in the kitchen....maybe with him in the robe? Was so flustered by the kiss, my attention was scattered after. ;-)"}, {"response": 210, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 2003 (09:09)", "body": "I see that Colin's name is no longer listed for Jon Stewart's show on the 25th. Could be just the usual schedule shuffling, or maybe he's not too crazy about hopping a transatlantic commercial flight at this time. couldn't Warner's send a company jet?;-) (Dorine)Hunk Daddy-centric ad during Letterman! . . . HD locks lips with Daphne's mom! That must be the scene from the \"book\" where D mentions her parents making out. Am glad that made the cut.:-) (Lola)It looks like Miramax will again handle the domestic (U.S and Canada) distribution I knew it. Boo hiss . . ."}, {"response": 211, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 2003 (09:52)", "body": "Thanks, Hola, for the news. (Hola) The studio is still planning for a March 26, 2004 release. (Dorine) I thought it was scheduled for May 2004 the last we heard. Maybe I missed an update, but I have April 9th on TEOR page. But it is a quick turnaround."}, {"response": 212, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 2003 (10:00)", "body": "I see that Kelly Preston is now scheduled for Last Call with Carson Daly on 4/3. So, she's doing the heavy lifting for the adult audience. (Hubby is also on the circuit, promoting his film, and they seem to have it all coordinated.)"}, {"response": 213, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 2003 (10:04)", "body": "(Hola) The studio is still planning for a March 26, 2004 release. (Dorine) I thought it was scheduled for May 2004 the last we heard. (Karen) Maybe I missed an update, but I have April 9th on TEOR page. But it is a quick turnaround I think I thought it was May 9, so that's my confusion. Oddly, it didn't occur to me to check the TEOR page first."}, {"response": 214, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 2003 (11:47)", "body": "(Lola)It looks like Miramax will again handle the domestic (U.S and Canada) distribution (Mari)I knew it. Boo hiss . . . Thanks, Lola, for keeping us up to date...I'm just glad someone is handling it. Thanks for the LA news as well. (Dorine)Anyone else seen this one? Oh no, don't tell me I have to hunt for another new version."}, {"response": 215, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 2003 (12:14)", "body": "Someone from another list just e-mailed me this about a NY premiere for WAGW. I'm late for a meeting, but can someone else call and find out if he's coming? Could they have bagged the LA premiere in favor of one that's to benefit a worthy cause? http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/news/movie-premiere/index.html"}, {"response": 216, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 2003 (12:45)", "body": "Well this is a mystery! Dorine and Rika, there is your chance. It would be most upsetting if they cancelled the LA premiere. They don't usually have bi-coastal premieres, right? :-("}, {"response": 217, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 2003 (13:01)", "body": "Thanks, Mari and whoever, for the news item. Date sure works with all of Kelly Preston's NY-based TV appearances. Is this one of her charities? (Moon) They don't usually have bi-coastal premieres, right? :-( There are quite a few."}, {"response": 218, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 2003 (13:16)", "body": "(Moon) They don't usually have bi-coastal premieres, right? :-( ( Karen)There are quite a few. Must be, here is another in San Diego... http://kswbtv.trb.com/community/contests/kswb-contests-whatagirl-main,0,2049374.customform?coll=kswb-home-utility"}, {"response": 219, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 2003 (13:24)", "body": "Are there any confirmed sneak-preview sites for WAGW on the 29th? I'm trying to figure out how to find that out in my area. (Moon) Dorine and Rika, there is your chance. For Dorine and some others, maybe. Unfortunately I teach Wednesday nights. Suppose I could get away with cancelling class using that \"religious holiday\" line of Tress's? (Dorine) Oh! Oh! Oh! Hunk Daddy-centric ad during Letterman! At 12:45am. Naturally, I turned Letterman off at 12:30 am. Sigh. It was also on Good Morning America on Wednesday, according to a colleague."}, {"response": 220, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 2003 (13:39)", "body": "MariaT, that's an exculsive screening. They have plenty of those, not like a premiere, where the stars are expected."}, {"response": 221, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 2003 (16:16)", "body": "I called and got an answering machine that takes your info for RSVPs. Will hold tix at Will Call window. I also asked in my message who may be attending and how to donate to the Rainforest Alliance (how PC of me). Actually it's a cause I believe in. I suppose it's a tie-in to Sting and his wife, Trudy Styler's annual benefit concert. It's usually at the beginning of April. Whether he's there or not, if I can get tix, I'm going. Ziegfeld has a huge screen. Great old theater. Thanks so much for the heads-up, Mari."}, {"response": 222, "author": "smitten", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 2003 (16:24)", "body": "Hi y'all Just want to tell you that I contacted Katie MacAllister, author of 'Improper English'. I could have sworn that book was written by one of our more talented members. I had to ask: Q) Is it my imagination or did you write Improper English as a screen vehicle for Britain's dishiest actor? A) you know there are several actors I wiould personally like to see in the role of Alex. Of course I would have to audition them all privately just to make sure they were right for the role --- come to think of it many many auditions --- very, very privately---- would probably be in order . It would be a sacrifice on my part, but nothing is to good for my readers. Mmmm, yes! You're not buying that, are you? I'm glad you enjoyed the book, and Yes! Colin Firth is just about right for any role. Awed by Katie's marvelous sense of self-sacrifice your humble servant has decided to spare her the trouble of one particular audition at least, by offering my poor self in her place. If you haven't read it yet please do, you will love it. you can get it through dorchesterpub.com"}, {"response": 223, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 2003 (16:43)", "body": "(Dorine)Ziegfeld has a huge screen. Great old theater. Way t,go, Dorine!!You're our rep! That's where we attended the BJD premiere exactly two years ago. On 54th St. across from the Hilton off 6th. Lots of premieres are shown here...SIL when Colin and Livia attended. They had one in LA too.(Also with C& L)"}, {"response": 224, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 2003 (16:48)", "body": "I just caught a glimpse of Colin on Extra. It was between 5 and 10 minutes into the show and was an old clip (probably) of him walking down the carpet at some premiere. Maybe BJD? He didn't speak and I missed what the announcer was saying. Something about Colin coming over to the US to do publicity. Very short clip but it made my heart pound anyhow. After I saw that I went back to watching the Letterman show I'd taped last night and got to see HD's kiss in the new ad. I see lips parting! Kelly very cleverly goes for the upper lip. He gets better looking in each new ad. Dorine, Sting and Colin in one night?! They'd have to carry me out. Be sure to take extra oxygen :-) Marilyn, thanks for mentioning the \"Improper English\" book. Colin is quite the muse. I had written to Suzanne Brockmann about how she referred to Colin in her Into The Night book. She said she's a big fan and thought it was funny how I read the book because she wrote his name a few times. He should get royalties!"}, {"response": 225, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 2003 (17:03)", "body": "(Brenda) I just caught a glimpse of Colin on Extra. Grrrr! Nothing we can do here. All those shows have been preempted. Wonder if there's a late night replay... Yeeees! At 1:35 in the morning. Surely, that won't be preempted. Time to start that tape... ;-)"}, {"response": 226, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 2003 (18:32)", "body": "Just caught the trailer with the kiss on E! during E!News Live. That kiss didn't look half bad. I wonder if it will be repeated on tomorrow's repeat? Does that make sense? Now, I have to check if there is a late night repeat of Extra here. Just got my copy of Improper English, can't wait to read it."}, {"response": 227, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 2003 (19:15)", "body": "I just saw the rerun of Extra and what they said was that Colin won't be flying over to the US for publicity for WAGW."}, {"response": 228, "author": "WinniePeg", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 2003 (19:15)", "body": "I just saw Colin on Extra -- not good news I'm afraid. The announcement was that he won't be leaving England to promote WAGW!!! (Wonder if I should cancel my trip to London????) I just ordered Improper English--curiousity got the best of me!"}, {"response": 229, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 2003 (22:01)", "body": "(Linda) That kiss didn't look half bad. I wonder if it will be repeated on tomorrow's repeat? Does that make sense? I just caught 'the kiss' on The Simpsons. Yeah! Finally! I hadn't seen this trailer and was about to just give up! And I agree....the kiss doesn't look half bad! Had the worst day at work....not feeling well...come home to CNN blasting....the DH walks out of the room for 2 seconds. Had my window and BAM! There is ODB making-out (and appearing to do it quite well)! I feel so much better now! ;-) BTW, love the 'eye thing' he does toward the end."}, {"response": 230, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 2003 (22:29)", "body": "The announcement was that he won't be leaving England to promote WAGW Thanks all you Canadians for the reports from Extra. My question would be why did Extra announce this? It's not like anyone knows Colin or like it was the Huge Gnat. Seems strange to me. But I'll try to catch the replay later."}, {"response": 231, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (00:38)", "body": "(Leona) The announcement was that he won't be leaving England to promote WAGW (Karen) My question would be why did Extra announce this? It's not like anyone knows Colin or like it was the Huge Gnat I thought it was rather bizarre as well. Especially if they didn't mention anyone else. Maybe when he got that new agent, he actually did pick up a PR rep and they're just getting his name out there for any reason. Can't believe how they're promoting the heck out of this movie. The WAGW posters are in all the subway stations on the express line in Queens. I noticed them as we blew through each station. Multiple posters in each station, not just one. And as I said, if I can get tix, I'm going anyway. :-)"}, {"response": 232, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (01:25)", "body": "(Brenda) Sting and Colin in one night?! They'd have to carry me out. Be sure to take extra oxygen :-) Well, will bet it's neither. Be surprised to see Sting at this, but as it is one of his wife's (and maybe his) pet projects, maybe they will be. Oddly enough though, haven't heard a peep about the concert. Maybe not having it this year? Usually all over the rock stations. (Moon) They don't usually have bi-coastal premieres, right? :-( I don't know about other times of year, but during awards season, almost all, if not all contenders seem to have bicoastal premieres."}, {"response": 233, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (01:29)", "body": "I was looking for sneak preview information, and while I didn't find any that was relevant to me, I did find these. They're all at universities, and I don't know if passes are restricted to students or not. At any rate, it's interesting that they've lined up a lot of these, and I wouldn't think college students would be at all the target market for this film: MIT, April 1, 8 pm - http://lsc.mit.edu/current_term/desc.html University of Georgia, March 31, 9 pm - https://db.uga.edu/stuact/cal.html RPI (Troy, NY), March 31 - http://cinema.union.rpi.edu/s03b.html University of Rochester, March 31, 9 pm - http://sa.rochester.edu/urcg/ U Cal. San Diego, April 2 - http://eventplanner.ucsd.edu/stafffeaturess1.lasso U Cal. Davis, April 1, 8 pm - http://campuscinema.ucdavis.edu/films.html U Cal. Santa Barbara, April 1, 8 pm - http://www.as.ucsb.edu/aspb/calendar.html"}, {"response": 234, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (02:51)", "body": "Just wantet to say thank you for all the news, ladies - though sorry to hear that he will not appear on the Daily Show:( Good luck to those of you, who are going to the previews."}, {"response": 235, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (08:36)", "body": "Looks like another opportunity for Matthew Modine is looming in the horizon;-)"}, {"response": 236, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (09:00)", "body": "(Rika)Are there any confirmed sneak-preview sites for WAGW on the 29th? I'm trying to figure out how to find that out in my area. I called our local multiplexes where I've seen the poster. One confirmed a sneak preview, or sort of...the guy was nice, and tried not to give out info that he wasn't supposed to, but he did tell me that I could buy tickets on Tuesday;-)"}, {"response": 237, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (09:01)", "body": "Thanks Winnie and Brenda for the CF news from Extra. What context was it in? War affecting Hollywood plans? Did they say why he wasn't coming? Didn't want to fly over? Didn't want to appear trivial? Didn't want to appear? ;-) (Evelyn)Looks like another opportunity for Matthew Modine is looming in the horizon;-) LOL!"}, {"response": 238, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (09:14)", "body": "(Mari) Didn't want to appear? ;-) How convenient everything started now. ;-) April 2 is still almost 2 weeks away. Maybe there's a *slim* chance that he'll pop over then. Maybe things will be \"calmed down\" some by then. (One can hope) (Linda) I called our local multiplexes where I've seen the poster. One confirmed a sneak preview, or sort of...the guy was nice, and tried not to give out info that he wasn't supposed to, but he did tell me that I could buy tickets on Tuesday ;-) Nice work Linda! Guess I'll start an investigation, too, and check out Sunday's paper. Nothing in this week's Time Out. :-("}, {"response": 239, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (09:21)", "body": "Mystery's threads beginning to unravel. Turns out Extra is produced by Warner Bros. At its website, here's the blurb for yesterday's lead story: On the next \"Extra,\" will the Oscars go on? The war has begun and Hollywood's setting up for the Academy Awards, but will the stars show? Plus, growing fears may bring air travel to a grounding halt. Find out how the war could devastate the travel industry. And the stars speak out about the war. There's a video preview. Doesn't look like there's even a Colin snippet, but that could just be for my slow connection. http://extratv.warnerbros.com/ Probably should check later when they switchover to today's lead story; maybe this one will rate an article and we'll get the context."}, {"response": 240, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (10:12)", "body": "\"...but will the stars show? Plus, growing fears may bring air travel to a grounding halt. Find out how the war could devastate the travel industry. And the stars speak out about the war. \" Oscar folks say all the [Ed. note \"brave\"]nominees are coming \"from around the globe\". I posted snippets and the URL from the NY Times article on O&E."}, {"response": 241, "author": "WinniePeg", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (10:16)", "body": "(Mari) What context was it in? Mari, the part about Colin came up right after they mentioned that Will Smith would not be attending the Oscars. No specific reason was given just that a lot of stars were being extra cautious because of the war. There was mention of some other people too who had cancelled various things because of what's happening... (But it was a nice shot of Colin...)"}, {"response": 242, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (10:22)", "body": "Extra cautious? The stated reason for Will Smith's cancellation was that he didn't feel comfortable attending, given the situation. There's a big difference between \"being cautious\" and \"making a statement.\" Was Colin's name in the latter group? I would expect that to be the case more so than the first. Besides, he probably has an appointment at the perfume counter at Harrods. ;-)"}, {"response": 243, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (10:30)", "body": "(Leona)(But it was a nice shot of Colin...) Thanks Leona. For whatever reason...at least it gives him exposure;-)"}, {"response": 244, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (10:50)", "body": "Plus, growing fears may bring air travel to a grounding halt So will I be the only one on the plane to Atlanta tomorrow? ;-) Was looking forward to seeing some of these shows live with CF for a change but 'tis not to be."}, {"response": 245, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (11:36)", "body": "'Tis not to be for me either. I was so close. I will not be attending the premiere if ODB's not there."}, {"response": 246, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (12:07)", "body": "I don't know what Colin's reasons are for not traveling, but I don't blame anyone for not traveling within the next week or two. (Moon)I was so close. I was too, I was definitely going to NY if he was attending the premiere there;-("}, {"response": 247, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (12:21)", "body": "(Linda)but I don't blame anyone for not traveling within the next week or two. I am....so is a buddie from UK....:-D Have a good time in Atlanta, Allison. Wish it was Chicago;-)"}, {"response": 248, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (12:40)", "body": "Wish it was Chicago;-) That's next month :-)"}, {"response": 249, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (13:06)", "body": "Allison, there's a preview showing of WAGW on Saturday, March 28 throughout the US and Canada, so if you're staying on, you can see the film and your trip won't be a total loss. ;-) ;-) ;-) (Evelyn)For whatever reason...at least it gives him exposure;-) No such thing as bad publcity, eh?;-) Thanks for the Extra description, Leona."}, {"response": 250, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (13:07)", "body": "Oops, make that Saturday, March 29."}, {"response": 251, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (13:23)", "body": "I found this tidbit in a Canadian mag called Inside Entertainment: What a Girl Wants....a girl gets! Particularly if she's a 19-year-old loud American (Amanda Bynes) who bursts her way into upper-crust British society like a bull in a china shop, forcing a reunion with her absentee father. Kelly Preston stars as the bohemian mother who, together with Colin Firth, begat the ingratiating--and thoroughly grating--Daphne. I like the word 'begat'. I don't expect any great reviews for WAGW, but the writers should remember it's for kids. And me!"}, {"response": 252, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (13:35)", "body": "Ten Reasons Why Colin Will Not Be Coming to the Premiere * *Note : This is a traditional response on Drool whenever he is a no-show. No offense is mean't. All in fun. 1.(Karen: message 242)... he probably has an appointment at the perfume counter at Harrods. ;-) 2.(E) The anti-war marches are more fun in London than in LA;-)"}, {"response": 253, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (13:53)", "body": "(Evelyn)Ten Reasons Why Colin Will Not Be Coming to the Premiere* 1.(Karen: message 242)... he probably has an appointment at the perfume counter at Harrods. ;-) 2.(E) The anti-war marches are more fun in London than in LA;-) 3.He will be too busy monitoring(a la Ross Talbert)Rika, and manipulating the networks, to ensure she never sees the HD trailer prior to the movies release..."}, {"response": 254, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (13:58)", "body": "Too funny Evelyn! You'e right, we must carry on with Drool no-show tradition: 4. Big party at Will Smith's house. 5. Quantas Captain John Travolta refused to give him a lift over here. 6. He suffers from SPS--Shy Piggie Syndrome--a rare but debilitating disorder that prevents sufferers from removing their shoes in front of airport personnel. 7. Susan Sarandon already stole all his topical one-liners for the talk show circuit."}, {"response": 255, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (15:05)", "body": "(Dorine)Anyone else seen this one? Yes, I've seen it a couple of times this week. Only saw this version this week though. Was flustered by kiss too. Looking vg. Above average kiss. (Dorine) Maybe when he got that new agent, he actually did pick up a PR rep and they're just getting his name out there for any reason. One can only hope. LOL ladies. Great list. 8.Who needs press junket, when black leather pants speak volumes."}, {"response": 256, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (15:07)", "body": "FYI, the April Empire prominently features the Love Actually pic of Laura Linney and that guy she never mentions. The write-up gives the story (yada yada), whose in it (yada yada) and naturally some soundbytes from the Gnat about his lover Richard Curtis. How Richard wanted to direct him, instead of fawning and being a syncophant, and he kept asking Huge to do it this way or that way. ;-) 8. Volunteered to sort the Spring collection into appropriate bins at Oxfam. 9. Everything he owned clashed with the red carpet."}, {"response": 257, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (15:30)", "body": "Thanks for all the info everyone. Do go to Ziegfeld, it was great for the BJD premiere. I see that today's Guardian has taken a leaf out of Laura Linney's book and mentioned all 4 of ODB's co-stars in its TIOBE review plus Oliver Parker...... So 10. Too busy writing to the Guardian letters page about their lack of fully informed Arts coverage in times of strife."}, {"response": 258, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (15:47)", "body": "9. Everything he owned clashed with the red carpet. And its corollary: 11. Rufuses to walk a red carpet that's not covered in white mystery foam. *Waving to you Lizza, our Ziegfeld Girl!* I just got a callback from a very nice lady at the Rainforest Alliance. April 2 is indeed a real premiere, with stars, press, etc. She said she was told that all the main stars were coming, including Colin. But . . . she may not have been watching Extra last night.;-) I doubt he'll have a change of heart in the next week and a half (which is the problem with avoiding things out of fear--when does it become \"safe\"?), but if anyone is planning to go, I say do it anyway--and pump Kelly P. about the snogging skills.;-)"}, {"response": 259, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (15:56)", "body": "12. Mario (is he still there?) at ICI called a rehearsal for the reading in April. 13. \"You want me to go back? I was just in Canada last month.\" and the corollary: 14. Going to Bradford ....hey, better late than never."}, {"response": 260, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (16:28)", "body": "I just got a callback from a very nice lady at the Rainforest Alliance Bugger, I don't know if I have tix or not. No calls to confirm. :( Must be patient. Must be patient. LOL re the list everyone!"}, {"response": 261, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (16:47)", "body": "15. Can't possibly travel, not feeling well after overindulging on Luca's birthday cake. 16. Avoiding Mr. Travolta as he may be angry that I slipped Ms. Preston the tongue. Okay, I'm not 100% sure on that last one, but a girl can dream. Good luck Dorine! Hope you hear that you have your tickets soon..."}, {"response": 262, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (16:52)", "body": "17. Angry about small size picture in Premiere Mag. 18. Not invited to Vanity Fair party. 19. Can't face Moon and her kissing lessons question."}, {"response": 263, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (17:39)", "body": "Once again, words fail me. I'll try; thank you for the informations (what good will it do me ;-)), and marvellous list, ladies (clapping my hands;-)) About the red carpet thing, didn't he mention once in that interview from Italy with MEM that he would never \"wear\" read again? :D (I'm trying to vary my winkies)"}, {"response": 264, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (18:07)", "body": "Hi, Just wanted to drop in and say that I am with Karen on the belief that Colin's decision not to come to the US is probably more motivated by a political stance/statement than by fear. There are many people in other countries talking about boycotting US industries and products, including the US movie industry. Australians are talking about 'boycotting' the Oscars, though I really think it's a bit pointless, since most of the actors in Hollywood are just as opposed to war as most Australians... Anyway, I just wanted to say that I think it's more probable that Colin is 'boycotting' America, not that he's afraid to come."}, {"response": 265, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (18:32)", "body": "Um, if that were the case, Jane, he'd have to boycott Great Britain too, right? By that measure, he'd have to leave home and hang out in Italy until he's no longer mad at either one of us.;-) His reasons are his reasons. I wouldn't be surprised if he felt it was a bit trivial to go hawking a movie (especially one as trivial as this) at the present time. Whatever. The Top Ten List (which has gloriously grown into a Top 19 and couting) is Drool's way (and a very healthy way, IMO) of dealing with disappointment/sadness/nerves with a touch of humor and irony. Not meant to be taken literally."}, {"response": 266, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (18:45)", "body": "Dorine, just leave your order on the answering machine. That's what she told me to do if I decided I wanted tickets. They'll hold them for you at \"will call\" on the day of the premiere. BTW, it didn't sound like they'd run out of them any time soon.:-) Flipping through the new Entertainment Weakly, I see Colin was to have been a guest on Regis & Kelly next Tuesday. But here's the best part: Regis's guest co-host that day is to be: Sean Combs! Yes, we could have had Hunk Daddy and Puff Daddy on the same screen! Are you not diverted?;-)"}, {"response": 267, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (19:02)", "body": "(Jane) I am with Karen on the belief that Colin's decision not to come to the US is probably more motivated by a political stance/statement than by fear. I didn't think I'd voiced an opinion. Nor very importantly have I said anything one way or the other in judgment of his decision. Just wanted to make that clear, folks. (Mari) Yes, we could have had Hunk Daddy and Puff Daddy on the same screen! Are you not diverted?;-) Oh man, total bummer!! But at least we wouldn't have Kelly going into the post-partum stuff again and again and again."}, {"response": 268, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (19:17)", "body": "Just saw on Access Hollywood that while several premieres in the next week are cancelled, WAGW's press/publicity junket and premiere next week are still a go. No mention of stars to attend. Thanks, Mari re: WAGW premiere. Would be nice to have confirmation beforehand, so I don't have to worry that they've gotten something wrong and just find out when I get there. (Mari) Yes, we could have had Hunk Daddy and Puff Daddy on the same screen! Are you not diverted?;-) ROTFL!! I'd pay lots of money to see that. Oh wait, I'm giving the cable company my first born. ;-) I wouldn't be surprised if he felt it was a bit trivial to go hawking a movie (especially one as trivial as this) at the present time. But....but....it's for the Rainforest! That's a worthy cause. The Top Ten List (which has gloriously grown into a Top 19 and couting) is Drool's way (and a very healthy way, IMO) of dealing with disappointment/sadness/nerves with a touch of humor and irony. Not meant to be taken literally. Thank goodness I have you guys to amuse me. I try my best to reciprocate. ;-)"}, {"response": 269, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (19:56)", "body": "(Dorine)But....but....it's for the Rainforest! That's a worthy cause. You're right, it is. I hope they get lots of donations. I like when the premieres benefit a good cause. And I shouldn't have called the film trivial. If it was trivial, he wouldn't have done it, right?;-) Here's our first WAGW review from a major critic--and it's a decent one. I'm sure they'll post the full review soon. From Rolling Stone: A New York teen (Amanda Bynes) leaves the mom who raised her (Kelly Preston) to find the Brit lord of a dad (a charming Colin Firth) who deserted her. It's slick girlie stuff, but the cast makes it go down easy. --PETER TRAVERS (March 21, 2003)"}, {"response": 270, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (20:21)", "body": "Anyway, I just wanted to say that I think it's more probable that Colin is 'boycotting' America, not that he's afraid to come. I doubt that v. much. The Oscars have nothing to do with foreign policy , fergodsake. There are many people in other countries talking about boycotting US industries and products, including the US movie industry. Gasp! That's terrifying."}, {"response": 271, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (20:32)", "body": "And I shouldn't have called the film trivial. If it was trivial, he wouldn't have done it, right?;-) Nor if it teemed with frivolity, right? ;-) Thanks for the mini RS review, Mari. Just figured it wouldn't seem so trivial to hawk this film in NY, at least, as it's tied to a good cause. Though if he's concerned about the safety of himself and family, can't blame him. Geez, how selfish of me to think only of this premiere than sitting at home staring at the TV and not living life. Staying home won't help those soldiers or show whether I'm supportive or not."}, {"response": 272, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (21:36)", "body": "Love the top 10+, and very honored to have been a part of it! Saw another AB-centric trailer (heavy sigh) tonight on Gilmore Girls, which I taped on Tuesday but hadn't watched yet. This one had Daphne (I assume) tossing him something as he sat among other people, and he was startled as it landed in his lap. The WB was also doing tie-ins to the movie with promos for her TV show. And I've seen tons of banner ads for it. (Peter Travers) to find the Brit lord of a dad (a charming Colin Firth) Woo hoo! Off to a good start, anyway. Thanks, Mari!"}, {"response": 273, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (22:07)", "body": "You're not selfish, Dorine. Life goes on, as it has to. Ok, Rika, now you have no excuse. Thanks to Robair at amandabynesnow.com, we have the commercials! #3 (which I'll call headbangers ball, due to the final frames;) is my personal fave.:-) Enjoy, ladies! http://www.amandabynesnow.com/channel/channel.htm"}, {"response": 274, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 2003 (23:06)", "body": "(Me)Geez, how selfish of me to think only of this premiere than sitting at home staring at the TV and not living life. Staying home won't help those soldiers or show whether I'm supportive or not. (Mari) You're not selfish, Dorine. Life goes on, as it has to. Thank you Mari. I forgot my excessively sarcastic winkie after my statement. ;-) Thanks for the link and ad info Mari."}, {"response": 275, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 2003 (00:51)", "body": "Sorry Karen - certainly didn't mean to \"put words in your mouth\". I thought that when you posted (post #242)... There's a big difference between \"being cautious\" and \"making a statement.\" Was Colin's name in the latter group? I would expect that to be the case more so than the first. ...that you meant that you thought Colin was more likely to be \"making a statement\" than \"being cautious\"... please pardon my confusion. As for my remarks about boycotts, I was simply trying to let you know what is going on in places other than the US. I didn't expect anyone to be \"terrified\". ;-)"}, {"response": 276, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 2003 (01:56)", "body": "Mari, thank you for the link. Now I know where to go and get my fix of HD whenever I need it. (Also thank you Rika, for fretting, if that has anything to do with the link being postet here ;-)) About the videosnippets, once again being silly, but I couldn't help but notice at least to small Mr. Preston imitations; blp/sleeveless top and the \"two finger attitude\" from PULP fiction. Not intentional, I'm sure ;-)"}, {"response": 277, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 2003 (07:41)", "body": "Mari thanks for the link * waving back *"}, {"response": 278, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 2003 (08:47)", "body": "(Mari) You're not selfish, Dorine. Life goes on, as it has to. *in manner of British Parliament*...Here! Here! And those guys on TV wouldn't want it any other way. Thanks for the link, Mari. Should we celebrate Amanda's 17th b'day next week?;-) As for my remarks about boycotts, I was simply trying to let you know what is going on in places other than the US. I didn't expect anyone to be \"terrified\". ;-) *Whew! Whiping brow* I wouldn't want to boycott those divine Australian wines;-)."}, {"response": 279, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 2003 (09:32)", "body": "Ev: Now just a darn minute! I must have my say about Australian wines: http://www.australianwines.com/contents.html http://www.mcguiganwines.com.au/awards.php3"}, {"response": 280, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 2003 (10:43)", "body": ""}, {"response": 281, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 2003 (10:55)", "body": "(Mari)Ok, Rika, now you have no excuse. Thanks to Robair at amandabynesnow.com, we have the commercials! #3 (which I'll call headbangers ball, due to the final frames;) is my personal fave.:-) Mari, you're my HERO!!! I've been to that site a few times this week to see if they had the spots, but always on the WAGW page - I didn't know about the \"AB Channel\" page! Finally got to see the head-banger dance! Am doing a happy dance myself."}, {"response": 282, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 2003 (12:25)", "body": "OT (Murph)Now just a darn minute! I must have my say about Australian wines: LOL.You won't get an argument outta me...I said: \" divine Australian wines....\" I'm a Lindemann Chardonnay girl myself ( what we drank at \"192\", Mari.) But hey...those reds from Adelaide are a close second;-) sorry boss"}, {"response": 283, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 2003 (14:01)", "body": "The list continues as to why YKW isn\ufffdt attending the US premiere of WAGW: 20. Has taken up new hobby of memorybooks (scrapbooks), and is too busy sorting and pasting (with acid-free glue stick) pics of Will and Luca. 21. Has decided to \ufffddo\ufffd Hamlet after all...next week. 22. Is coping with own version of \ufffdShock and Awe:\ufffd he found Spring and is busy reading all the postings from the beginning to the present! Gaaaaaaah! Thanks to all who have posted so much CF news of late. Mari, I was v. grateful for the ads, as I have only seen the hunk daddy version once. Isn\ufffdt that guitar riff from the ubiquitous La\ufffds \ufffdThere She Goes?\ufffd"}, {"response": 284, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 2003 (14:21)", "body": "Article about Vermeer at The Telegraph today because of an upcoming BBC2 documentary on 29 March. Since the site requires registration, here it is: Violent truths behind the Vermeer of tranquillity (Filed: 22/03/2003) In a new BBC2 documentary, Andrew Graham Dixon reveals details of the life of the great Dutch painter that have never before been made public - details that, he argues, show his art in an entirely new light. He talks to Jasper Rees For 300 years after his death, almost nothing was known of the life of Jan Vermeer. In the past 20 years, researchers and scholars have retrieved scraps of information from archives in Holland. We now know that his grandfather was a coin-forging huckster, and possibly a spy, while his grandmother ran illegal lotteries. His father was a humble innkeeper who mortgaged his property to pay for his son's apprenticeship. We also know that Vermeer married into a Catholic family, had 13 children, of whom two died young, and lived with his mother-in-law, whose own experience of marriage consisted largely of beatings handed out by her violent husband. Vermeer died in penury aged 43. Pieced together, such details tell us something about the turbulence of 17th-century Holland that the paintings withhold. Or do they? In his film on Vermeer for BBC2's The Secret Lives of the Artists, Andrew Graham Dixon argues that the artist imagined on canvas a vision of tranquillity which eluded him in life. Q: Yours is the first film which brings these findings to a wider public. Why have they not emerged before? A: Vermeer and his Milieu by John Michael Montias was published in 1989. I can't think of another book that has more changed the landscape of what we know about an artist, and yet for some mysterious reason this information hasn't got across to the general public. Montias set out to write a book about the economic conditions of the art market in Delft and in the course of his researches he found that he had discovered Vermeer's family quite by chance. He managed to recreate this web of history. Q: He is the person who found all this information? A: He didn't find all of it. The most amazing document of all is the eyewitness account given by Vermeer's widow of his death. Vermeer dies a pauper, broke because of the French invasion of Holland in 1672 and the Dutch decision to break the dykes to expel the French; this ruins the economy, the art market crashes, Vermeer can't sell his pictures or pictures by other painters which he has as part of his stock. He goes mad, he dies. We wouldn't know any of that if it hadn't been for the fact that his widow was from a very rich family in Gouda. Her great-great-grandfather left a charitable bequest to the Charity Chamber in Gouda, and any member of his family who fell on hard times was entitled to claim that money. After Vermeer died, she went to Gouda. In her claim there is this account by his wife of how he died, which is totally extraordinary. She is possibly laying it on a bit thick because she needs money for her and her 11 children. But she says, \"Please help me. Tormented by anxiety my husband fell into `decadence and decay' and went into a frenzy,\" so that in a day and a half he went from being healthy to being dead. This document was turned up by a schoolteacher. He even published it, but in the form of a private pamphlet, so nobody saw it. Q: You take these scraps of fact to make a case for a sort of unified vision in Vermeer's work. Can these biographical details - in particular, the discovery by scholars of a violent father-in-law and an equally violent brother-in-law - be read into the paintings? A: The aim of this series is to take artists who are very well loved and to reveal facts that 99 per cent of people don't know about them, which are capable, I think, of making you see the art in a completely different light. A lot of art history is highly suspicious of attempts to interpret artists' works in the light of artists' lives. The notion that art is an autobiographical activity comes after Vermeer. But the fact is that Vermeer's paintings are decidedly strange compared to all other Dutch 17th-century painters. There is something about the nature of their calm and their overall consistency that is fascinating. You do feel you are dealing with a vision rather than a series of paintings. There is an interesting archival basis for this because it turns out that nearly all his pictures were painted for one man, Jacob Van Ruijven. It makes you think that Vermeer could, more than nearly any other painter of his time, paint the pictures that he wanted to paint. You have an artist who is painting, in a sense, his own pictures. So it's not completely mad to see those pictures as the expression of some kind of personal fantasy or compulsion. Q: An art historian in the film accuses you of being \"very 19th-century\". A: I suppose I am being quite 19th-century. There is a degree of advocacy. Do I really believe that The Milkmaid is Tanneke Ever"}, {"response": 285, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 2003 (15:25)", "body": "(article)\"Please help me. Tormented by anxiety my husband fell into `decadence and decay' and went into a frenzy,\" V. interesting, thanks Karen. I wish we could see The Madness of Vermeer here in the states. Thanks, Mari for the link to WAGW snippets. LOL.You won't get an argument outta me...I said: \"divine Australian wines....\" Yes, they are divine...our local liquor store invited the owners of an Australian winery to promote their wines, excellent;-) Enjoy!"}, {"response": 286, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 2003 (16:12)", "body": "Thanks Karen. That's v. v. interesting. Got a book on Vermeer on the Frick a couple of months ago I haven't read yet. I'll have to keep this in mind when I read it."}, {"response": 287, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 2003 (16:13)", "body": "Rather that should say....at the Frick. :-)"}, {"response": 288, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 2003 (16:16)", "body": "\" Vermeer and his Milieu\" by John Michael Montias *in supercilious manner\"... Ahem....some of us used this book as reference in the GWAPE book discussion. \"thinking about Vermeer as an artist who is determined to make in paint a kind of paradise of peace and tranquillity that his world will not furnish him with, I began to see things that I hadn't previously seen.\" Great insight. Can see ODB playing Vermeer like this. Thanks Karen for posting this. Those slugs at the Telegraph make you pay now. Boo Hiss. Lots in that article that I hadn't heard of before...mad brother-in-law etc. Reason #23: Wants to see \"Madness of Vermeer\" on BBC2 on Saturday, March 29th...for possible re-takes;-)"}, {"response": 289, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 2003 (16:37)", "body": "(LisaJH) 22. Is coping with own version of \ufffdShock and Awe:\ufffd he found Spring and is busy reading all the postings from the beginning to the present! Gaaaaaaah! ROTFL! Shock, for sure - I don't know about the \"Awe\" part, though! More like \"Shock and Horror,\" probably! Thanks, Karen, for typing up that article for us. I had the good fortune to see the Vermeers in the Frick Collection back in January (thanks to Mari posting that she'd done so when she was in New York - great idea!). This article puts a whole new spin on the remarkable tranquility and delicacy of the paintings."}, {"response": 290, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 2003 (19:29)", "body": "One more... 23. He had second thoughts about Livia wearing Angelina Jolie's missing dress to the WAGW premiere."}, {"response": 291, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 2003 (01:45)", "body": "(Linda)23. He had second thoughts about Livia wearing Angelina Jolie's missing dress to the WAGW premiere. Especially after having read Rikas comment on O&E during his read-through of spring LOL, Linda. Great list. Thank you for the article, Karen. Very interesting and in harmony with the other stuff I've been reading about Vermeer."}, {"response": 292, "author": "annea", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 2003 (05:34)", "body": "Hi, just to let all of you Aussies fans know - I saw an ad tonight for WAGW. It was on Ch 10 during Everybody Loves Raymond. Said starting April 3rd (as we knew). Was greeted with much joy and jumping up and down. Family thought that I'd gone mad (as usual) !!!"}, {"response": 293, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 2003 (13:42)", "body": "I have seen the WAGW ads too - finally! They are playing on most of the 'teen-targeted' evening shows (Home & Away, Neighbours, Simpsons, etc.) Since I can't stand many of these shows, I just turn to that station and go do other things until I hear the music from the ad... then run into the room to watch. *LOL* I also snuck into the previews before Maid In Manhatten on Saturday when I went to see The Emporer's Club and saw it twice - first in MiM previews, then in the previews before TEC. Sydney-area CF fans who would like to get together on the weekend of Apr 5-6 for a WAGW viewing in Sydney, please email me. It looks more like Sunday than Saturday at this point, but if enough ppl want to go on Saturday, I could be persuaded to go both days... ;-)"}, {"response": 294, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 2003 (15:33)", "body": "Re Vermeer on UK TV. I'd be happy to tape it (remember it will be PAL format), and send it to anyone interested, in return for a copy of one of his more hard-to-obtain movies. Email me if you're interested."}, {"response": 295, "author": "joyce", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 2003 (18:45)", "body": "From the better late than never bureau 24. He's still chafing from those leather pants. 25. His hippy wig is at the cleaners. 26. He already used his best autoeroticism jokes. 27. He threw his back out doing air guitar. 28. He's practicing picking things up with his toes. 29. He's been told to limit his carbohydrate intake and this movie is just too damn sweet. 30. He ran out of political causes to discuss at those pesky movie press junkets. 31. He has a fear of potted palms. 32. LD told him that What a Girl Wants is for his ass to stay home. 33. That little Amanda Bynes is a B----! ;-))))) (apologies to Amanda fans, I'm sure she's a very sweet girl. No letters please."}, {"response": 296, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 2003 (19:04)", "body": "(Joyce) From the better late than never bureau ROTFL....late? They were worth waiting for! 24. He's still chafing from those leather pants. Where was that assistant with the baby powder?? ;-)"}, {"response": 297, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 2003 (19:09)", "body": "34. As a socialist, he hadn't yet met his quota of things to boycott. (Not sure if that's really what socialists do, but that was a line in a play I saw last night. I have nothing against socialists) 35. Found out the crazy chick on the potted plant actually has a ticket to get *into* the theater this time. ROTFL, Joyce! My favorites of those....26, 29, 31, 32."}, {"response": 298, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 2003 (19:30)", "body": "(Tress) Where was that assistant with the baby powder?? ;-) I was there but he didn't want powder. Likes to suffer says it helps his performances. But I did get to give massage."}, {"response": 299, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 2003 (01:34)", "body": "The ad schedule for WAGW is rather odd. Just saw a shortened version of the HD-centric one with the kiss at 2am on TNT."}, {"response": 300, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 2003 (04:50)", "body": "Not sure if it's a definitive source but www.odeon.co.uk has a release date listed for WAGW - August 8 2003."}, {"response": 301, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 2003 (05:23)", "body": "Hope Springs has been deleted from the danish releaseplan. Has been listet for late June until now. WAGW is not listet at all. But - TIOBE is released on dvd April 29 (R2) in Denmark, which is almost 5 months earlier than the UK-release date. (Well, since the movie hasn't had any theatrical release here, it's only fair, that we get the dvd first ;-))"}, {"response": 302, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 2003 (08:30)", "body": "(LindaK) 23. He had second thoughts about Livia wearing Angelina Jolie's missing dress to the WAGW premiere. *reaching for my Windex* ;-) Great ones Joyce, especially: 29. He's been told to limit his carbohydrate intake and this movie is just too damn sweet. 32. LD told him that What a Girl Wants is for his ass to stay home. They were worth the wait! P.S. Evelyn, who can't remember her password, is getting a real chuckle out of #29! Thanks EmmaB for the news about WAGW's release in the UK; it's very likely to be correct. And, you'll finally get to see TIOBE, Annette. That's great!"}, {"response": 303, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 2003 (11:00)", "body": "DH pointed out that there may be a sneak preview of WAGW this Sat. Too bad, he is going out of town, so I'll have to go without him ;-)"}, {"response": 304, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 2003 (11:33)", "body": "Just a little tidbit from the Bradford Film Festival newsletter in case any of our UK friends are interested. The screenings are for this week, no specific dates given. We are using all of the Museum's facilities at this year's Festival, the TV Heaven Viewing Room will host a selection of titles from the TV Heaven archive including Scum, Tumbledown , Monitor: Elgar, First Tuesday: the Falklands War, Hillsborough and The South Bank Show."}, {"response": 305, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 2003 (12:24)", "body": "(Evelyn)I'm a Lindemann Chardonnay girl myself ( what we drank at \"192\", Mari.) Wonderful stuff! Instead of three days of bottled water . . . I keep that around.;-) (Joyce)29. He's been told to limit his carbohydrate intake and this movie is just too damn sweet. 32. LD told him that What a Girl Wants is for his ass to stay home. ROTFLMAO! Great ones, Joyce! The Hot Button's Dave Poland wrote this in his column, based on Universal's 2003 preview at ShowWest. He's predicting $130 in box office for LA--that's blockbuster territory, folks: \"Love Actually was presented as a kind of music video to the song, \ufffdLove Is All You Need\ufffd. The most overwhelming thing is that the movie seems to have more stars in it than an Irwin Allen movie. But even in this odd format, you can feel the overpowering warmth of this movie. It has the scent of Four Weddings & A Funeral, which might seem to be an obvious comment, since the movie is being made by Richard Curtis, who is the writer of most of \ufffdthose\ufffd films and who is taking the director\ufffds chair for the first time. But how can anyone resist all these people in all these loving situations? The film opens against The Matrix Reloaded, but looks like it will be a Thanksgiving favorite, perhaps for a second visit from many, with only Mona Lisa Smile as real competition for the holiday heartstrings.\""}, {"response": 306, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 2003 (12:26)", "body": "Er, that's $130 million , of course.:-)"}, {"response": 307, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 2003 (13:19)", "body": "(Joyce) 29. He's been told to limit his carbohydrate intake and this movie is just too damn sweet. 32. LD told him that What a Girl Wants is for his ass to stay home. ROTFL Great, so funny and clever Joyce. Thanks for LA article Mari. Looks promising."}, {"response": 308, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 2003 (13:30)", "body": "If anyone is still planning on going to the LA premiere, WHO: From the film: AMANDA BYNES, OLIVER JAMES, KELLY PRESTON and Director DENNIE GORDON will be joined by celebrity guests. *sniff sniff* Sorry Moon Dreams... http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/cb_headline.cgi?&story_file=bw.032403/230835594&directory=/google&header_file=header.htm&footer_file ="}, {"response": 309, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 2003 (15:47)", "body": "The Touchstone site now lists HS as coming soon which is cheering...It had been removed entirely there for awhile...Hope they are'nt just toying with us...."}, {"response": 310, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 2003 (16:40)", "body": "The film opens against The Matrix Reloaded, but looks like it will be a Thanksgiving favorite, perhaps for a second visit from many No, really? Thanks Mari, Thanks, Maria for the HS news. Toying with us...nah."}, {"response": 311, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 2003 (18:45)", "body": "Old Pals - Zeta Jones and Colin -- Out Of the Blue: Did either of them think in 1991 when they were Chirsty and Alan making love in the moonlight that one day one of them would win an Oscar? Let's hope Colin's time in that sun comes one day."}, {"response": 312, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 2003 (08:47)", "body": "(Murph)Chirsty and Alan making love in the moonlight The song Blue Moon has a very special place in my heart, because of this. I've forgotten to comment on your entrys, Joyce. V.g. indeed. On my daily surf I came across this site with productionnotes. Nothing new, but quite interesting. If they have allready been postet, I apologize. http://movies.warnerbros.com/pub/movie/whatgirl/notes.htm"}, {"response": 313, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 2003 (09:07)", "body": "His other film credits include Relative Values, My Life So Far, The Secret Laughter of Women, Fever Pitch, Circle of Friends, Playmaker, and the title role in Valmont. Won't he be pleased to see PM on the list? Oh, well, at least L. isn't. Thanks, Annette! I recognized a few of the quotes, but that included lots of new information (new to me, anyway). Some interesting locations."}, {"response": 314, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 2003 (10:23)", "body": "Director Dennie Gordon was so passionate and determined to make What A Girl Wants in England that before the film was even greenlit, she traveled to England on her own coin to woo Colin Firth and to snap hundreds of potential location photos. It's a tough job, but somebody's gotta do it. ;-) Thanks for the link, Annette. Most of this was new to me. I believe the story synopsis was longer than the National Scholastic book."}, {"response": 315, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 2003 (11:24)", "body": "Thanks, Annette, I hadn't seen most of this. she traveled to England on her own coin to woo Colin Firth Can only wonder how she feels about him not doing promotion for this."}, {"response": 316, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 2003 (11:32)", "body": "Thanks, Annette. I recognized some things in there, but a lot was new to me as well."}, {"response": 317, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 2003 (12:31)", "body": "she traveled to England on her own coin to woo Colin Firth (Mari) Can only wonder how she feels about him not doing promotion for this That's a v v good point. At least as bad as we do? :( It seems I have the opportunity to see it 3 days in a row next week, before it even opens. I may not want to see on opening day at this rate. ;-) Thanks, Annette."}, {"response": 318, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 2003 (18:10)", "body": "Just got my tickets for the Saturday sneak preview. Can't wait. It will feel good to be doing theater reports, again. It boosts ticket sales, too;-)"}, {"response": 319, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Mar 26, 2003 (07:17)", "body": "Having read the productionnotes from WAGW more closely, I have to admit they held new informations to me too. Todays hunt gave this (at least one picture, I haven't seen before, no 15) go to the photogallery from this site: http://www.zap2it.com/movies/details/1,1295,34641,00.html"}, {"response": 320, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Mar 26, 2003 (07:53)", "body": "(Annette)(at least one picture, I haven't seen before, no 15) Thanks, Annette. I haven't seen that one either, reminds me of his look at the Polo event this past summer. Very British...Secret Service type of look.*sigh*"}, {"response": 321, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Mar 26, 2003 (08:03)", "body": "Thanks Annette, Great hunting! #4 also has him in tiny version.."}, {"response": 322, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 26, 2003 (08:30)", "body": "From Robair (of the AmandaBynesNow website), Empire's comments of the trailer of WAGW. BTW, Lizza says that last line (re: David Brent) is extremely cruel (a major slur) but I think it does take aim at what I've questioned since day one... :-( Is there anything more frightening than seeing a grown man trying to express himself through the medium of dance? That's the question we're asking ourselves here in the Empire Online office after sitting through the trailer for the new teen film What A Girl Wants. Leaving no cliche unturned, the film follows an American bratty teenager's trip to England to find her long-lost father, played by Darcy himself \ufffd Colin Firth. That's the cue for obligatory shots of Big Ben, red double decker buses and mansion in the country...because you know, we British don't live in anything less than stately piles. Click here for the trailer, which features the most frightening dance sequence since David Brent took inspiration from Flashdance and MC Hammer."}, {"response": 323, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 26, 2003 (08:57)", "body": "Title of the item is: Colin's Groove Thang (Mr Firth gets down with his bad self) http://www.empireonline.co.uk/news/news.asp?4631"}, {"response": 324, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Mar 26, 2003 (09:07)", "body": "Yeah, but love the title of that little piece....Colin's Groove Thang. LOL! Between this and the silliness with the scarf in HS we've heard about (but may never see, Grrrr! ;-)), it appears he may be going through a kind of midlife crisis that's he has been exploring in his films lately. Getting in touch with his inner silliness......for all to see. ;-) How's *that* for armchair psychology? ;-) Just in case the winkie was overlooked, of course you know I'm kidding"}, {"response": 325, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 26, 2003 (09:19)", "body": "On the positive side, another mention of Lions Gate's planned release of GWAPE for awards consideration: It is the smaller, independent companies that will have to make the most adjustments to the new Oscar date. Without unlimited marketing budgets, these outfits will now have to unveil their movies early and quickly. If they follow past habits and patiently wait for word-of-mouth to build, it could be too late for awards attention when a film's momentum finally reaches its apex. \"We definitely are going to have to release our films faster,\" says Tom Ortenberg, president of Lions Gate Releasing, whose fall art house titles include William H. Macy's \"The Cooler,\" Hayden Christensen's \"Shattered Glass\" and Colin Firth's \"The Girl With a Pearl Earring.\" Says Goldwyn, whose company released the Oscar-nominated \"The Crimes of Padre Amaro\" on Nov. 15: \"You just have to move everything up. You'll have to get your movies opened in September and October.\" http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/oscars/cl-et-horn25mar25,0,7200865.story?coll=cl-home-more-channels"}, {"response": 326, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar 26, 2003 (09:41)", "body": "Colin's Groove Thang (Mr Firth gets down with his bad self) I'd expect nothing less from someone dubbed \"Hunk Daddy.\" ;-) Methinks HD will promote WAGW in Britain just as aggressively as he has in the States.;-) Speaking of which, a reminder that Kelly Preston will be on Letterman tonight; Luke Wilson is guest host. Also, saw brief KP interview bits from the press junket on ET and AH last night. She apparently lived in Iraq for a year as a child; dad was some sort of agricultural consultant, trying to help farmers become self-sufficient."}, {"response": 327, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 26, 2003 (11:11)", "body": "(Mari), Methinks HD will promote WAGW in Britain just as aggressively as he has in the States.;-) Can we blame him? What could he possibly answer that would really be of interest from WAGW? Thanks for all the links, ladies. I'm off to Los Angeles tomorrow, see you sometime in April."}, {"response": 328, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar 26, 2003 (13:30)", "body": "(Moon)What could he possibly answer that would really be of interest from WAGW? Oh, I'm not the one to ask. *I* didn't take the role (and the money).;-) Enjoy your vacay, Moon."}, {"response": 329, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Mar 26, 2003 (14:39)", "body": "Moon, enjoy your time in LA. (Mari)I'd expect nothing less from someone dubbed \"Hunk Daddy.\" ;-) LOL, weren't you the one who did the dubbing?;-)"}, {"response": 330, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Mar 26, 2003 (15:25)", "body": "Have a good vacation Moon. Thanks for all the links ladies. There was alot of new stuff on WAGW for me Annette, thanks. Sounds promising for HS. Fingers crossed."}, {"response": 331, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Mar 26, 2003 (15:56)", "body": "Don't think I've seen this yet... COLUMNS THE WICKED STAGE/GAG REEL March 27, 2003 By Rob Kendt My sainted boss has stepped out of the office for a week, daring to turn this column over to one of the inmates. \"Rant,\" he said, \"but nothing out of bounds.\" ... (snip) \ufffd Colin Firth stayed home rather than fly to Los Angeles for his press junket to promote What a Girl Wants. While this meant I didn't get the interview for the second year in a row\ufffdc'mon, Mr. Darcy, make another film next year and talk to me about the craft of creating an infinite variety of Englishmen\ufffdI couldn't exactly fault him for staying in England with his family during the first days of war. But in checking around L.A. theatres to see if performances were cancelled last week and weekend, I found theatre makers are a dauntless bunch\ufffdeven if the audiences aren't. Publicist Philip Sokoloff reported box offices down about 25 percent for the shows he reps. But actor/director/teacher Laurie Woolery last week encouraged her cast and crew at Citrus College to continue prepping The Skin of Our Teeth. \"We personally can't stop the war,\" she said she told her class, \"but this can be our voice.\" http://www.backstage.com/backstage/columns/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1849008"}, {"response": 332, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Mar 26, 2003 (23:14)", "body": "Oh my....seems Colin gets teary in WAGW. Awwwwwww! ;-) KP and Luke Wilson cute on Letterman. She brought an excellent clip, lots of CF closeups. She and HD talking on the phone about Libby. He has to pause for a moment to wipe his eyes. Least that's what it looked like. Just realized she didn't mention Amanda once. If she did, I missed it. Kelly made comment everyone always says \"Colin Firth, he's so great\" and she readily agreed. Guess Mr. Preston wasn't around. ;-) Wasn't too keen on the new dark color of her hair with multiple shades of highlights. But she is gorgeous. Can't remember how old she is, but she looks so young."}, {"response": 333, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Mar 27, 2003 (06:58)", "body": "Greg's Upcoming Movies at Yahoo: My Top 10 Best Picture Contenders: The Alamo (Touchstone, 12/25); Big Fish (Sony, December); Cold Mountain (Miramax, 12/25); House of Sand and Fog (Dreamworks, Fall TBA); Kill Bill (Miramax, 10/10); The Last Samurai (Warner Bros, 12/5); The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (New Line Cinema, 12/17); Love Actually (Universal, 11/7) ; The Matrix: Revolutions (Warner Bros, 11/7); Peter Pan (Universal, 12/25) My 11th Pick: Seabiscuit (Universal, 7/25) (note: as I made up my list this morning, I completely forgot about Seabiscuit; it definitely deserves to be in the top list, even if that leaves me with the uneven number of 11) http://movies.yahoo.com/upcoming/"}, {"response": 334, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 27, 2003 (07:58)", "body": "There's a long article in the Australian Women's Weekly about Colin that was done from the GWAPE set. The magazine had contacted me a couple of months ago about pics, but they weren't able to secure one of Colin as Vermeer in time for publication. I'm awaiting the full text from Mimi, but Jane C has typed up some interesting tidbits from the article. I'll get the full thing up later... CF on Vermeer: \"Very little is known about him, he is an enigma. he could well have been boisterous fun loving, completely bald, we just don't know. I already have a love of Vermeer but there is this particular quality about his paintings that I can't describe. I think they are serene. Then I look at them again and think they are rather troubled. I find I'm emotionally involved with the job. I love going to the gallery and pretending to be this bloke.\" CF on Lost Empires and acting: \"I learned early on that having a sense of one's own ridiculousness can keep you sane. I was quite young and I had put a lot into a series Lost Empires (1986). It was one of my first disappointments. There was no ay that I could spin it to make it okay and I was feeling really bad about the whole thing. There was a moment where the misery of being an actor in something that nobody liked had just reached a peak, you know, and I suddenly found that it was hilarious, a fantastic feeling. [Ed note: Hmmm, L'dum and SLOW??] Now if something horrible has been written about me, I hone a friend and read it out. I learned that from another friend who once rang me and read out all his bad reviews. It is howlingly funny. The more precious you are the more it hurts, I think. And if it is hurting, it's a sign that you are being precious.\" That is not to say that he doesn't take his work seriously. He spent hours grinding minerals such as black onyx into powder to make Vermeer's paints. \"I loved the smell of it. The actor's job begins where the words finish: you do the gesture, the walk, what lies in between. I try to work out what the person would have had to experience to have resulted in saying a line. I love solving how to say the line, and if I can't I will try and change it.\" On stardom: Yet Colin Firth is a reluctant star, uncomfortable in the media gaze and retreats from his fame with some alarm, wrestling with the dilemma of being a private person in a public occupation. \"The normal things in my life are very important to me; friends, family, having a life.' You get the impression that he is far too intelligent to buy into the shallower, more hysterically egomanical aspects of celebrity. 'I don't occupy that zone, I don't have a star persona. That is a completely separate world and not where life's blessings are as far as I'm concerned. It is such an unnatural thing to watch yourself on the screen, it really throws you, and I have a tendency to withdraw. Sometimes, when you read your name, it is like reading about someone else. The name Colin Firth on a screen is very different from the name I used to see on my exercise books.\" A female journalist, going to interview Colin, was cautioned by a male friend who had worked with him not to be taken in by his \"totally transparent mock modesty\". there may be something in that. In the same way that there is always something going on underneath the repressed exterior of the characters he plays, there is something in the way Colin talks about himself that makes you suspect that there would have to be a healthy degree of ego and narcissism underneath the self-deprecating persona he presents. Given the amount of praise he receives from women, it would be hard to avoid at least absorbing some of it. This is a confirmed in a jokey but telling aside by his co-star Scarlett Johansson, who plays the servant girl, Griet, in Girl With a Pearl Earring. \" Colin has such a huge ego he probably thinks he painted the paintings himself.' And so we leave him in his surreal pretend world of men in Flemish hats and women in tightly corseted brocade dresses, an exquisite work of art, smouldering among the sausages."}, {"response": 335, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Mar 27, 2003 (08:37)", "body": "(CF in article) I love going to the gallery and pretending to be this bloke. I just love that he used the word bloke! ;-) (CF on Lost Empires) There was a moment where the misery of being an actor in something that nobody liked had just reached a peak, you know, and I suddenly found that it was hilarious, a fantastic feeling. Oh, now....I'm thankful everyday (okay, at least once a week) that he did LE! I love that movie!! (CF) I love solving how to say the line, and if I can't I will try and change it. Not if you are in a Milos Forman film you won't! A female journalist, going to interview Colin, was cautioned by a male friend who had worked with him not to be taken in by his \"totally transparent mock modesty\". LOL....hey, it is a girl's prerogative to be taken in by ODB's TTMM!! Thank you Karen and Mimi and Jane C....this was a very entertaining read!!"}, {"response": 336, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Mar 27, 2003 (08:38)", "body": "Thanks so much Jane C and Karen. Can't wait for the whole article from Mimi. Nicely done I thought. In the same way that there is always something going on underneath the repressed exterior of the characters he plays, there is something in the way Colin talks about himself that makes you suspect that there would have to be a healthy degree of ego and narcissism underneath the self-deprecating persona he presents. Given the amount of praise he receives from women, it would be hard to avoid at least absorbing some of it That's interesting that she's kind of \"calling him on it\", albeit not to his face it seems. I don't recall someone saying this quite so directly before, or it never struck me as such before. This is a confirmed in a jokey but telling aside by his co-star Scarlett Johansson, who plays the servant girl, Griet, in Girl With a Pearl Earring. \" Colin has such a huge ego he probably thinks he painted the paintings himself.\" LOL! Wonder if he'll do demos of paint grinding and painting techniques instead of cooking demos on the talk show circuit during GWAPE PR. ;-)"}, {"response": 337, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Mar 27, 2003 (09:40)", "body": "In the same way that there is always something going on underneath the repressed exterior of the characters he plays, there is something in the way Colin talks about himself that makes you suspect that there would have to be a healthy degree of ego and narcissism underneath the self-deprecating persona he presents. Given the amount of praise he receives from women, it would be hard to avoid at least absorbing some of it I know I am biased, but if this were the case, what would be the point of all his false modesty? A man who is both a narcissist and egoist simply could'nt be bothered, unless he had a grand plan to manipulate the masses and the press so that they would think otherwise??? And he certainly does not seem to seek out the attention as this type of individual would be likely to do. The logic seems convoluted, but then again, I'm late for class again at USC (University of St. Colin) ;-))"}, {"response": 338, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 27, 2003 (09:47)", "body": "Sorry, but I can easily believe that statement and have heard many intimations of such. His friends outside the Donmar were laughing at what was going on... Anyway, I have the scanned article and have started to type it up, but don't have time to deal with it now."}, {"response": 339, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Mar 27, 2003 (10:28)", "body": "the way Colin talks about himself that makes you suspect that there would have to be a healthy degree of ego and narcissism underneath the self-deprecating persona he presents. I could imagine it. Much nicer and socially acceptable to quietly glory in unsought for attention rather than appearing to be needy or requiring it. Now, lest I find myself expelled from USC, the writer said \"healthy degree of ego and narcissism.\" I can forgive him that, I believe it's generally agreed some measure of ego and narcissism is natural and probably necessary for actors. Besides, I'm sure he strives to keep it under good regulation. ;-) ``Nothing is more deceitful,'' said Darcy, ``than the appearance of humility. It is often only carelessness of opinion, and sometimes an indirect boast.''"}, {"response": 340, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar 27, 2003 (10:34)", "body": "(Dorine)KP and Luke Wilson cute on Letterman. She brought an excellent clip, lots of CF closeups. She was darling. She mentioned co-starring with Colin and added that \"women are always saying--ooooooohhh!, Colin Firth, he's so great!--and he is great!\" Good clip, but an odd choice for promoting a comedy; but clearly this is the adult audience they're trying to bring in, so I suppose it's fine. Thanks for the new article tidbits, Karen, Mimi, and Jane. Of course he has an ago--it's inherent in an actor's being. Some are obnoxious about it and some aren't. I don't think this reporter has said anything that we all haven't already thought, i.e., how the hell could he not know he's hot?;-) He tries to be gracious about it, but maybe it comes across as disingenuous to some. Like protesting too much. Also, keep in mind, as we have been told, that he is very careful not to say things in interviews that would upset people close to him."}, {"response": 341, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar 27, 2003 (11:52)", "body": "Amanda Bynes will be on Caroline Rhea's show Tuesday, April 1."}, {"response": 342, "author": "Jodi", "date": "Thu, Mar 27, 2003 (12:13)", "body": "Thanks Karen, Mimi & Jane C!!!! Mari, do you think Caroline Rhea will tell AB that she is a Colin stalker?"}, {"response": 343, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Mar 27, 2003 (12:13)", "body": "(Barb)...I believe it's generally agreed some measure of ego and narcissism is natural and probably necessary for actors. Besides, I'm sure he strives to keep it under good regulation. ;-) I agree with you Barb. I think most actors have to have some degree of ego/narcissim in order to do what they do. I can overlook this in ODB...besides, I don't know which is more disturbing, that fact that he may be like that or that I don't mind in the least bit! ;-) I honestly don't think the 'face' he shows to the public is what he is truly like anyway. (Mari)...how the hell could he not know he's hot?;-) ROTF! Indeed!"}, {"response": 344, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Mar 27, 2003 (12:17)", "body": "(Mari)Amanda Bynes will be on Caroline Rhea's show Tuesday, April 1. Thank you, Mari. I was wondering when AB was going to do some publicity. I was pleasantly surprised that AB wasn't in the clip on Letterman last night. Thanks Karen, Mimi and Jane... (Mari)Some are obnoxious about it and some aren't As for the article...I tend to think he is aware that he is, \"What you Americans call a hottie\"...as I remember him saying,(how in Gawd's name can he not know) but I don't think I've ever read anything or heard any co-star ever say that he has a huge ego or was difficult to work with."}, {"response": 345, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Mar 27, 2003 (12:20)", "body": "(Mari)...how the hell could he not know he's hot?;-) Oh, he's just putting a *neutral(looking)* face on it;-)"}, {"response": 346, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Mar 27, 2003 (12:32)", "body": "(Barb) I believe it's generally agreed some measure of ego and narcissism is natural and probably necessary for actors. Besides, I'm sure he strives to keep it under good regulation. ;-) I agree Barb, IMO its part of the makeup of the actor or anyone in the public eye for that matter. May be what makes them chose their professions to begin with. The need to have the ego sated moreso than the average indivdual. IMO a certain amount of ego is necessary to want to achieve notice from the public. (Tress) I honestly don't think the 'face' he shows to the public is what he is truly like anyway. Oh, I agree. And that is what makes it so much \"fun\" for him IMO and others. I doubt very much that anyone but the nearest and dearest really know what any luminaries are really like and IMO that's just how they want it. Thanks girls for all the news."}, {"response": 347, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Mar 27, 2003 (13:24)", "body": "(BarbS) Much nicer and socially acceptable to quietly glory in unsought for attention rather than appearing to be needy or requiring it. There are 2 extremes in this situation. One extreme is to consciously seek it out, possibly being cocky about it, and the other is to attempt to ignore it as much as possible and not acknowledge it or disown it as much as possible if attention is brought to it. Before I read Mari's post, I was thinking as a compromise, I don't think it's inappropriate for someone in his situation to acknowledge it very discreetly simply by saying \"thank you or it's nice of people to say\", or whatever. I thought if I was in a position similar to some people, I don't know that I'd have too much of a problem with it and might even take a peverse pleasure in knowing I have something others want and can't have. But a person has to be fairly secure in many areas to have that attitude and I realized some people may not. Therefore someone in his position might need to display a certain attitude that may or may not be genuine. Then I read Mari's comment...... He tries to be gracious about it, but maybe it comes across as disingenuous to some. Like protesting too much. Also, keep in mind, as we have been told, that he is very careful not to say things in interviews that would upset people close to him"}, {"response": 348, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Mar 27, 2003 (14:42)", "body": "There's a nice long clip on AOL Movies:First Look - What a Girl Wants. It's their motorcycle ride to get away from photographers. They go to an outdoor market to look at clothes and albums (like in trailor) that are being sold. CF says (while looking at albums for sale), \"I've been looking for Coo Coo Al.\" It's cute. And, yes, Daphne is trying to teach him how to head bang. Anyway, I'm usually not so good at providing links, but if you have AOL, it's right on the initial 'you've got mail' page on the lower right hand side. Just click on it. What's nice about it is that it's a long continuous clip instead of a trailor montage. There's also a funny scene with Duckface during the air guitar scene that I hadn't seen yet! Maybe I can send it to someone and they can link it here. Would that work?"}, {"response": 349, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Mar 27, 2003 (15:07)", "body": "Thanks so much, Lora! It wasn't on my Welcome page for some reason, but got it through Keyword: First Look. Alternated between ROTFL! and.....cringing is too strong a word. ;-)"}, {"response": 350, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Mar 27, 2003 (15:33)", "body": "Just saw the First Look, if you're not on AOL this probably won't work, but you might give it a try. For those who've seen it, did you see the place to rate it and its score so far? 41% loved it, 35% liked it and 25% hated it -- did you guys vote more than once? ;-) aol://4344:1566.FirstGrl.25309796.732394605"}, {"response": 351, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Mar 27, 2003 (15:58)", "body": "(Lora)There's a nice long clip on AOL Movies:First Look - What a Girl Wants OMG, thank you Lora. The black leather pants scene...Can he move or what? I have seen the trailer before, but Yikes! He really can shake his thang. Noticed the earring too, I don't remember being able to see that from the trailer, at least I couldn't. Loved CF's smile as they finished the head banging and began to walk away. Great facial expressions as AB was trying on different outfits. Also, I found it amazing that the entire clip was all about CF and AB, except for the small clip of Duckface. No boyfriend, and the KP clip from Letterman focused on Mom and Hunk Daddy. Great! Thanks again, Lora."}, {"response": 352, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Mar 27, 2003 (16:22)", "body": "(Linda)The black leather pants scene...Can he move or what? You definitely get a nice long sequence of the air guitar moves! I noticed the earring for the fist time here also. Love how he goes right back to dancing after Duckface leaves crying and \"wanting her Henry back\" ;-). He also air guitar/dances with his pinky sticking out - how very English ;-)! The outdoor market is where Hunk Daddy gets his henna tattoo. Plus we get lots of cute fatherly looks from HD/HD towards Daphne! I'm so thrilled to have provided some new info for fellow firthettes. I've never done that before, but there's always a firth time! Sorry I wasn't able to show a direct link for it. Thanks Barb and Dorine for mentioning other ways of trying it. Thanks Karen, Mimi and Jane for the comments above about GWAPE and 'ego'...very interesting comment from SJ. Thanks Annette for the very informative article about WAGW. There was some good behind the scenes stuff there."}, {"response": 353, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar 27, 2003 (18:51)", "body": "Oh pooh, for the first time ever, I regret not having AOL. Saturday night's sneak preview of WAGW will be at 1,000 theaters. Film is expected to open on 2,600 screens on April 4. That's wiiiiide! Just saw the HD snogging commercial--not bad . . . not bad at all!:-) (Jodi)do you think Caroline Rhea will tell AB that she is a Colin stalker? Hee hee. I wouldn't put it past Caroline to ask Amanda how she was able to limit her onscreen emotion to innocent daughterly affection.;-)"}, {"response": 354, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar 27, 2003 (20:26)", "body": "Hollywood Reporter review What a Girl Wants Mar. 28, 2003 By Michael Rechtshaffen Opens Friday, April 4 While it shares its title with a Christina Aguilera tune, what \"What a Girl Wants\" really, really wants is to be \"The Princess Diaries'\" sassy sibling. The only problem is, compared with that surprisingly successful fish-out-of-water fairy tale, the 2003 version looks more like the impoverished stepsister. Its makers have been so busy running around trying to push all the preprogrammed buttons that the tender father-daughter theme at the picture's core seldom feels like anything more than another opportunity to alter the frantically changing pace. Given the ardent following of the \"Girl\" in question -- namely former Nickelodeon star Amanda Bynes -- the Warner Bros. Pictures release stands to do at least moderate tween business, but it's destined to fall short of joining the ranks of boxoffice royalty. Very loosely based on the William Douglas Home play \"The Reluctant Debutante,\" which was turned into the 1958 Vincente Minnelli-directed comedy of the same name starring Rex Harrison and Sandra Dee, the new edition has been considerably reworked. Bynes is Daphne Reynolds, a seemingly all-American girl who has been brought up by her bohemian wedding-singer mother, Libby (a tune-carrying Kelly Preston), while the father she's never known happens to be a British lord (Colin Firth), whom her pregnant mom left back in London 17 years earlier because she was deemed inappropriate wife material by his aristocratic family. Beguiled by Libby's bedtime stories surrounding that fabled past, Daphne one day impulsively hops a flight to London with plans to finally introduce herself to daddy. Naturally, there are complications. Firth's Lord Henry Dashwood is not only in the midst of a high-stakes political campaign, but there's also the matter of his social-climbing fiancee (Anna Chancellor) and her snooty daughter (Christina Cole). After a rough start, she and Daddy bond, and, while being groomed for her own coming-out party, she meets a sweet, young British musician with an angelic singing voice (newcomer Oliver James), who loves her for who she is, rather than the person she's trying so hard to become. As he puts it, \"Why fit in when you were born to stand out?\" Alas, that's a question the filmmakers themselves never really figure out. Director Dennie Gordon (\"Joe Dirt\") and screenwriters Jenny Bicks (\"Sex and the City\") and Elizabeth Chandler (\"A Little Princess\") are so concerned with second-guessing what their targeted young female audience wants that the tone keeps hopscotching between goofy slapstick and forced poignancy. And when neither mode seems to fit, the prevailing wisdom appears to be, \"When in doubt, throw in another trying-on-clothing montage.\" That scattershot approach extends to the acting styles, which are also all over the place. Providing something of an anchor is a convincing turn by the always reliable Firth (\"Bridget Jones's Diary\"), while Eileen Atkins (\"Gosford Park,\" \"The Hours\"),strikes the right chord as Daphne's ally, the sympathetic Lady Jocelyn."}, {"response": 355, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar 27, 2003 (20:30)", "body": "Moviehole review, 3 out of 5 stars: What a girl wants - Amanda Bynes, Colin Firth, Kelly Preston, Eileen Atkins, Anna Chancellor, Jonathan Pryce Ah, the return of the classic cinematic makeover. You know the one, a lass of incongruity or superficial ugliness, is suddenly altered into something of magnetic beauty and promise. Julia Roberts went from high-class hooker to elegant gown adorner, Anne Hathaway had her hair straighten and found herself crowned Queen of Genova and Freddie Prinze Jr removed the specs and undid the pony tail of Rachel Leigh Cook to mould that year\ufffds prom queen. In \ufffdWhat a Girl Wants\ufffd, it\ufffds not a conversion from ugly duckling to glistening swan that\ufffds so much the case, but more a change of protocol and behavioural blueprint that the lead youngster has to endure. Daphne Reynolds (Amanda Bynes) has always wanted to meet her estranged father, whom her mother Libby (Kelly Preston) shared a whirlwind romance with 17 years prior. The romance ended when his aristocratic family had the unsuitable Libby exercised from the high-class circle. Determined to live our her fantasy of forging a fairytale relationship with her long-absent Dad, Daphne hops a plane to London where she quickly discovers her father is high profile politician Lord Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth). Henry ultimately opens his front door to the daughter he never knew existed, which ends up having repercussions on his high-standing political position. Seems Daphne is just too skittish and typically teenage for the elite crowd. But with a splash of shampoo and a change of clothes, Lord Henry soon finds himself with a changed daughter, one he can truly show off to the royal crowds he floats in. But inevitably Daphne realizes that the change hasn\ufffdt been for the good, and although she wants to be her father\ufffds daughter, decides it\ufffds not worth it if she can\ufffdt be herself. Will Daddy come around? Of Course he will, and you know that within the film\ufffds first meeting between Daddy and daughter. In fact, most of the film is as predictable as cats near a river. But as much of a rip-off as the film is \ufffd dating way back to the similar \ufffdThe Reluctant Debutante\ufffd, released in 1959 starring Sandra Dee and Rex Harrison and to much more contemporary classics \ufffd it\ufffds still an enjoyable outing. Having already established herself on Television and also recently on film with a role in the comedy \ufffdBig Fat Liar\ufffd, Amanda Bynes proves herself to be quite the comedienne, intertwining a performance of physical shtick and cutesy gesticulation. She\ufffds definitely one to watch. In addition, British actor Colin Firth proves the perfect choice for the role of the high-class Politician, suddenly softened when he discovers he has a teenage daughter. It\ufffds the charming performances of Bynes and Firth who\ufffdll keep older viewers interested. I\ufffdm sure they won\ufffdt be half as interested in the cute boys, pop music and pretty dresses that the film is also littered with, but young teenage girls will, and that\ufffds plainly who this film is aimed at. So while this is far from an avant-garde, ingenious flick, it uses a dependable formula that\ufffdll definitely deliver \ufffdWhat a Girl Wants\ufffd"}, {"response": 356, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 28, 2003 (02:20)", "body": "Variety review: By TODD MCCARTHY \"What a Girl Wants\" may be a modern-dress version of the frothy 1958 romantic comedy \"The Reluctant Debutante,\" but it feels much more like a shameless reshuffle of \"The Princess Diaries.\" This squirm-inducing catalog of Yank/Brit differences, which spins on the way a vivacious 17-year-old New York City girl loosens up her newly met, broom-up-his-bum upper-class British dad, no doubt will score with the sizable target aud of female teens, drawn by Amanda Bynes, star of Nickelodeon's \"All That\" and \"The Amanda Show,\" as well as \"Big Fat Liar.\" All others will have their teeth set on edge. Pic's title serves as fair warning that every element of the script by Jenny Bicks (a \"Sex in the City\" regular) and Elizabeth Chandler (\"Someone Like You\") is set up to inspire and quickly satisfy the desires of adolescent girls. It's a fairy tale, to be sure, but one in which everything comes so easily -- and all plot strand resolutions are so thoroughly visible from the beginning -- that there's no chance to build up any genuine longing for dreams to come true. It's fantasy time for the instant-gratification generation. The brunette, somewhat puffy-faced Bynes plays Daphne Reynolds, who's grown up in Gotham's Chinatown with still-bohemian mom Libby (Kelly Preston). Latter has long regaled Daphne with tales of her dashingly romantic dad, Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth), whom Libby met while traipsing around Morocco but with whom things just couldn't work out long-term. Without telling her mother where she's going, Daphne impulsively sets off for London, which gets the travelogue treatment to the accompaniment of the Clash's \"London Calling\" and where Daphne immediately meets cute young musician Ian (Oliver James). Meanwhile, Dashwood has removed all the dash from his personality to become Lord Henry, perpetuator of his ancient family's name, a current candidate for Parliament and, in the view of his longtime adviser (Jonathan Pryce), a sure-thing prime minister. When Daphne climbs the wall of the Dashwood estate and presents herself to Henry as the daughter he never knew he had, he can barely speak. Things don't get much better for Firth as the picture progresses, which means his character here is even more clenched and constipated than the solicitor he played in \"Bridget Jones's Diary.\" Expressing their discombobulation at the news of Henry's fatherhood in more demonstrative ways are his conniving fiancee Glynnis (Amanda Chancellor), for whom every move is a political decision, and her snobbish daughter Clarissa (Christina Cole), who comes off like the sourest possible version of Reese Witherspoon's character in \"Election.\" As if born to be evil stepmother and stepsister, the women do all they can to rid themselves of this potential scandal producer and rival for Henry's affections, but Daphne's winning New World ways keep jolting to life a society otherwise shown as teetering on the white cliffs of calcification. Pic's midsection is taken up with a succession of high-society events at which Daphne makes a spectacle of herself by puncturing all vestiges of propriety. She doesn't really mean to, but she just can't help herself when she dresses way down at the Royal Dress Show (with Prince Charles in attendance), sets off a musical outburst that makes a priceless chandelier crash at a formal ball, pushes Clarissa's would-be b.f. into the water at a regatta, endangers Henry's political prospects by inducing him to expose his old motorcycle-riding, leather-pants-wearing rock 'n' roll self and walks out of her own \"coming-out\" party just as the Queen herself is arriving. From anything but a teen wish-fulfillment p.o.v., story doesn't convince for a moment because the differences between Daphne and the society she's visiting are so artificial. Despite the wayward hijinx the scripters desperately concoct for her, Daphne is an unusually composed and presentable 17-year-old, hardly the stuff of anyone's worst nightmares. At the same time, the English upper crust here behaves as if the last 50 years hadn't happened, so flustered is everyone by even the slightest breach of decorum. Given the programmatic writing and cut-and-paste direction of Dennie Gordon, over whose debut film, the unforgettable \"Joe Dirt,\" this must in all candor be judged a slight improvement, one can only be grateful for the small favor of Bynes. Not exactly a beauty nor a conveyor of character depth, she nonetheless displays an ease before the camera that is disarming and suggests a maturity beyond her years. She alone makes pic watchable to the extent that it is. Chancellor (\"Duckface\" in \"Four Weddings and a Funeral\") makes an easily hissable villainess, while Eileen Atkins sallies forth bravely as Henry's mother and Daphne's secret ally in the household. Sylvia Syms turns up briefly as a grande dame with an eccentric little dog. Extensive use is made of London and surrounding locations, while soundtrack collection of more than"}, {"response": 357, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Mar 28, 2003 (09:35)", "body": "'Girl' filming causes a royal fuss By Claudia Puig, USA TODAY Who stirred up more attention during the London filming of What a Girl Wants: Queen Elizabeth or British actor Colin Firth? Tough call. Firth may have emerged the winner, but only because Her Majesty was a pretender, played by an impersonator known as Elizabeth R. \"She's the greatest Queen Elizabeth look-alike on the planet,\" director Dennie Gordon says. \"She even goes to the queen's optometrist to get the identical glasses. We had 300 extras in St. James's Palace, and she was just walking across the room and all the extras started applauding. She was so great, she just stood there with her little wave.\" Off-screen, though, she indulged in some unregal behavior. \"She lit up a cigarette and created a riot,\" Gordon says. \"Oh, my God, the queen is smoking with the grips!\" In the film, which opens April 4, the dashing Firth, 42, plays an aristocratic politician who realizes he has a 17-year-old American daughter (played by Nickelodeon star Amanda Bynes). Gordon says the married Firth works in the role, in part, because he has \"that thing that adult women love. After Bridget Jones, Colin Firth makes us all weak in the knees.\" Some of Firth's fervid fans showed up unannounced during filming. \"We had stalkers on the set,\" Gordon says. \"One woman shows up everywhere he goes. She's very proper in her little red suit. He sees her and says, 'My stalker's here,' and goes over and says, 'Hello, how are you?' \""}, {"response": 358, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Fri, Mar 28, 2003 (10:33)", "body": "He sees her and says, 'My stalker's here,' and goes over and says, 'Hello, how are you? This, somehow, is very reassuring to me! Like if he starting noticing that some girl was at all the premieres and book readings etc, he wouldn't be too freaked out. Oh wait, sorry, he would need to attend any of them to notice that =)"}, {"response": 359, "author": "Odile", "date": "Fri, Mar 28, 2003 (10:45)", "body": "\"One woman shows up everywhere he goes. She's very proper in her little red suit . He sees her and says, 'My stalker's here,' and goes over and says, 'Hello, how are you?' \" Should that be the Firthette uniform? :) Thanks Mari for all the reviews!"}, {"response": 360, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Mar 28, 2003 (10:52)", "body": "The pictures are up at wireimage for last night's premiere of WAGW in LA. No ODB of course, but looked liked a good time anyway. Thanks Mari for the reviews. http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=gls===25016"}, {"response": 361, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Mar 28, 2003 (11:48)", "body": "Thanks, Linda. When I checked late last night, there were only 3 of Kelly with the guards up at that time. Thanks for the reviews Mari, and Maria for that cute little article. \"We had stalkers on the set,\" Gordon says. \"One woman shows up everywhere he goes. She's very proper in her little red suit. He sees her and says, 'My stalker's here,' and goes over and says, 'Hello, how are you?' \" Damn, I knew black would have been less noticeable to everyone else. ;-) That's pretty funny if that's true, but stil freaky as well. Hate that term."}, {"response": 362, "author": "meg", "date": "Fri, Mar 28, 2003 (12:50)", "body": "I'm picturing a bunch of us showing up at one of his premiers next fall, all wearing red suits... Think he'd notice? Or do you think that the red would clash too badly with the potted palms? Seriously though, it's kind of creepy that he's being stalked. And yet, with the free time and wherewithal... No, no, not that bad off yet."}, {"response": 363, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 28, 2003 (13:01)", "body": "I've put the entire article up here: http://www.firth.com/articles/03auswomwk_april.html As I've typed this out, it looks to me like she supplemented her interview by the extensive use of \"Internet\" resources, but should've had a fact-checker at a minimum, as a latter-day CF fan, she hasn't a clue about his early films/career. Many of the observations and quotes come from other sources, including transcripts of his TV appearances. *chuckling* More to come...as I catch up"}, {"response": 364, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 28, 2003 (13:12)", "body": "Courtesy of Silvie, from the Montreal Gazette: Amanda Bynes will surely bring a teen audience to WAGW, a coming of age story set in England. But director Dennie Gordon is counting on \"hunka chunka\" Colin Firth to draw grownups into the theater too. What a director wants: kids and adults Jamie Portman Canwest News Service Beverly Hills, Calif. \ufffd There she was \ufffd her majesty QEII \ufffd in all her regal finery, puffing away on a cigarette on the grounds of London's venerable St. James Palace and chatting with member of the film crew. Or so it looked to the scandalized security personnel. \"Oh my God!\" one of them exclaimed. \"The queen's hanging out with those ruffians.\" Actually, what they were seeing was a British actress who's a dead ringer for her majesty. She was taking a break from a shooting - a scene from the new Warner Bros. comedy in which Amanda Bynes \ufffd in the role of an uninhibited U.S. teenager on the loose in London high society \ufffd makes a splash at a royal ball. \"We had the greatest queen look-alike on the Earth in that movie,\" director Dennie Gordon said. But the trouble was that it was happening in a venue where the presence if British royalty is an everyday occurrence and security is high. \"You cannot get in and out of that building without showing your passport and massive ID,\" Gordon noted. She said that's understandable given the frequent appearances on the premises of people like Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles. But no one had alerted security about the queen's look-alike. Gordon won't even give the real name of the actress concerned. \"It's Elizabeth R,\" she said coyly. She loves telling the story as an illustration of how much fun everyone had making the film. She also wants audiences to have fun watching it. The one thing she doesn't want is for WAGW to be perceived as just another teenage flick when it rolls into theatres next Friday. This, she declares, is a teenage movie that adults will want to see too. The key component in her strategy is the presence of Colin Firth in the cast. Gordon knew the film risked being pigeonholed when she first took on the project. After all, the central character is a teenager, and 16-year-old Bynes would portray her. Bynes is something of a teenage superstar thanks to her various Nickelodeon TV programs and last year's feature comedy Big Far Liar, in which she co-starred with Frankie Muniz. \"My 14 year-old thinks she's hot,\" Gordon said. Which is why Bynes was at the top of everybody's list for the role of Daphne Reynolds, a high-spirited U.S. teenager who lives with her bohemian mother (Kelly Preston) but yearns to be united with the British dad she has never met. After Big Fat Liar was released, Bynes said she was still \"a Nickelodeon goofy Lucille Ball girl.\" But in WAGW, she must make an emotional transition as the story infolds. In an effort to fulfil her dream of a storybook relationship with her absent father, she takes off to London, where she discovers he's very much of the upper class \ufffd a high profile politician named Lord Henry Dashwood. Her arrival on the Dashwood doorstep causes chaos; her astonished father takes her in and tries to introduce her to high society, where her uninhibited behaviour creates an uproar. \"When I met Amanda, she was so clearly this girl,\" Gordon recalled. \"She's worldly, yet still in awe of the world. We captured her just at the moment she's becoming a woman, and of course she has this amazingly huge following, so once we knew she as interested, it was a slam-dunk. This is the movie where she gets to show that she's a big, grown-up young lady who can both wear ball gowns (yet) look fabulous in T-shirt and jeans.\" It's a given that Bynes will bring the kids into the theatres. But Gordon wants the adults as well, and that's why she cast Britain's Colin Firth in the role of Dashwood. Firth's performances in the TV version of Pride and Prejudice and the film version of Bridget Jones's Diary have spawned a huge international fan following. Ever since she saw Firth in Pride and Prejudice, Gordon knew he was \"hunka chunka\" and that he \"smoulders like nobody else. I had to have him.\" She flew over to England and met Firth at a posh hotel in central London, where he started a mini riot as he entered the hotel, she recalled. During the meeting, Gordon chickened out when telling Firth what he would have to do: squeeze into a pair of leather pants from his youth and start swivelling about to a throbbing rock beat. But, screenwriter Elizabeth Chandler said: \"He really got into it.\" What a Girl Wants is loosely based on two plays by British dramatist William Douglas Home, The Relucant Debutante and The Reluctant Peer, neither of which screenwriter Chandler read before she took on the final script duties. Much of the humour stems from Daphne's floundering attempts to adapt to the English way of doing things and the horrified response of the English upper crust. Chandler makes no apology for hauling out the timeworn clich\ufffds and s"}, {"response": 365, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Mar 28, 2003 (13:24)", "body": "\"Oh, my God, the queen is smoking with the grips!\" LOL, hands down, my favorite line from the article :-)"}, {"response": 366, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 28, 2003 (15:06)", "body": "Entertainment Tonight will have WAGW premiere coverage on tonight's show. Also, go to the ET sight to see a clip of Kelly talking about the film. http://www.etonline.com/movie/a15141.htm"}, {"response": 367, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Mar 28, 2003 (15:30)", "body": "(article)Ever since she saw Firth in Pride and Prejudice, Gordon knew he was \"hunka chunka\" and that he \"smoulders like nobody else. I had to have him.\" She took the words right out of my mouth. Hunka chunka...Hunk Daddy... During the meeting, Gordon chickened out when telling Firth what he would have to do: squeeze into a pair of leather pants from his youth and start swivelling about to a throbbing rock beat. But, screenwriter Elizabeth Chandler said: \"He really got into it.\" From the looks of the AOL clip...he sure did. Thanks, Mari for the ET news"}, {"response": 368, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Mar 28, 2003 (15:31)", "body": "all that hunk stff has me nuts...sorry closing tags"}, {"response": 369, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 28, 2003 (15:35)", "body": "Speaking of Mrs T... (Mari) She was darling. She mentioned co-starring with Colin and added that \"women are always saying--ooooooohhh!, Colin Firth, he's so great!--and he is great!\" Gaah! I thought that comment fell totally flat. There was not an ounce of reaction from either the audience or the lump sitting in Dave's chair to her comments. Both KP and LW were actually an embarrassment to watch (and I didn't like KP's hair color either.) Any reason you didn't bold Variety's comments about being clenched and constipated? ;-) (LindaK) but I don't think I've ever read anything or heard any co-star ever say that he has a huge ego or was difficult to work with. And no one was implying it. The Scarlett Johannson comment was clearly referred to as \"jokey.\" C'mon people, let's not get too bent out of shape at everything. (Odile) Should that be the Firthette uniform? :) Absolutely not. Stalking is one thing this site doesn't condone or think funny in the least. Thanks Lora for the link on AOL and Linda for the premiere pics."}, {"response": 370, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 28, 2003 (15:36)", "body": "Really closing the tag..."}, {"response": 371, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 28, 2003 (15:44)", "body": "(USA Today)He sees her and says, 'My stalker's here,' and goes over and says, 'Hello, how are you?' \" Too funny! Thanks for this, Maria. I have the print version and it's on the front page of the Weekend section, with the playground pic of HD and daughter. But Gordon wants the adults as well, and that's why she cast Britain's Colin Firth in the role of Dashwood. Firth's performances in the TV version of Pride and Prejudice and the film version of Bridget Jones's Diary have spawned a huge international fan following. Oh man, it sounds like they were really counting on him to do promo for this. Thanks, Karen and Silvie."}, {"response": 372, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Mar 28, 2003 (15:51)", "body": "(Karen) Gaah! I thought that comment fell totally flat. There was not an ounce of reaction from either the audience or the lump sitting in Dave's chair to her comments. I noticed the lack of audience response, too. Made my heart sink, but not surprised either. Didn't expect one or much of one from him. Thanks for the ET info Mari. Doubt it will be on here. 7pm showing has been blocked out all week for expanded news coverage. There's always the 3am showing I suppose. Wonder if E! News and and Access Hollywood will have it."}, {"response": 373, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Mar 28, 2003 (15:52)", "body": "(USA Today)He sees her and says, 'My stalker's here, and goes over and says, 'Hello, how are you?' \" Actually that is encouraging to *real* stalkers. :-("}, {"response": 374, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Mar 28, 2003 (16:04)", "body": "(article)I had to have him Well, who don't (at least in this crowd), but to actually stalk, no way! Thank you ladies (noone mentioned, noone forgotten ;-)) for the articles and links. (Dorine)Wonder if E! News has it I was kind of counting on this (perhaps Coming Attractions) but it seems, that both news and CA is no longer broadcastet here. All we get are old \"revealed\" and \"Wild on shows\" -("}, {"response": 375, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 28, 2003 (16:15)", "body": "(Karen)There was not an ounce of reaction from either the audience or the lump sitting in Dave's chair to her comments. LOL, did you expect them to jump up and start doing the wave?;-) Hey, like Karen says, c'mon peole let's not get bent out of shape at everything. Oh wait, you are Karen. LOL! Dorine, in my area, ET has been coming on a half hour later."}, {"response": 376, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Mar 28, 2003 (16:20)", "body": "Just a little comment on the Australian article. I think you're right, Karen, about the use of sources, but I must say, that the way she describes him (long legs, hand around head.....) produces vibrations. I think, she's got the \"bug\" as well ;-) And it seems he will be wearing a wig -(. I comfort myself, that he can't look any worse, than he did in CoF, so if that is what it takes to do Vermeer justice, then bring it on. We'll cope!"}, {"response": 377, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 28, 2003 (16:22)", "body": "\"Extra\" had coverage of the premiere by Charlie (ahhhhhhhh!). The clip didn't show YKW or even mention him as starring in it, only AB and KP. Several of the celeb guests (Jenny Garth and someone else) were pretty excited about his being there, asking how he was, etc. ;-)"}, {"response": 378, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Mar 28, 2003 (17:03)", "body": "(Dorine)Wonder if E! News has it Sorry to repeat, but according to this, they do: http://www.eonline.com/On/Enews/schedule.html please report back to those of us, who can't see this."}, {"response": 379, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Mar 28, 2003 (17:18)", "body": "I grow weary... Commentary: Joe Bob's Week in Review By Joe Bob Briggs From the Life & Mind Desk Published 3/28/2003 5:46 PM Posters for \"What a Girl Wants,\" starring Amanda Bynes, were airbrushed by Warner Brothers to eliminate the peace sign she was flashing. Studio officials said they didn't want any \"political overtones\" to be associated with the movie's April 4 release. The movie tells the story of a 19-year-old girl (Bynes is actually 16) traveling from New York to London for a reunion with her upper-class father, played by Colin Firth, and her efforts to fit into British society. One way she could probably fit into British society would be to tell them she thinks people who flash peace signs should be suppressed like the Zulus. http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20030328-025602-8101r"}, {"response": 380, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 28, 2003 (17:51)", "body": "Studio officials said they didn't want any \"political overtones\" to be associated with the movie's April 4 release. LOL! Bet no one was allowed to say why Colin wasn't there. Or could be why no one is mentioning his being in the film. ;-) (Mari) Oh wait, you are Karen. LOL! Yeah, and I wasn't \"bent out of shape\" or \"excited.\" Just making the observation because it it had been someone *else*, say the other CF, there would've been some audience reaction. Or these could've been Caroline Rhea's old audience members, woken from the dead. ;-)"}, {"response": 381, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Mar 28, 2003 (17:55)", "body": "(Annette) but I must say, that the way she describes him (long legs, hand around head.....) produces vibrations. At least! I must say that it was worth reading the whole \"cut and Paste\" article to get that description. Was hard getting my mind back to work after that. Had lovely visions for some time. Enjoyed the little bit of the Vermeer stuff, especially the fresh quip from Scarlett. Bet they had some fun together."}, {"response": 382, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 28, 2003 (18:09)", "body": "E! News Daily just showed the premiere, a bit of a clip (with Colin) and then that bleached blonde Guiliana (?) said that WAGW star Colin Firth opted not to attend the premiere. His rep said that it was due to \"concerns about the war.\" BTW, you could see the movie poster in the background and the peace sign hasn't been airbrushed out."}, {"response": 383, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 28, 2003 (20:27)", "body": "From the WB network's website: The WB: What made you want to do this movie? Amanda Bynes: \"The script seemed really cute, but I didn't know if it was right for me. Then I heard that Colin [Firth] was interested in doing it and I started to change my mind. I wanted to work with him so badly and I was shocked that he would even be near me, let alone do a movie with me.\" What a sweet kid. On the film's website, there's an Ask Amanda section: Q: What's it like to work with Colin Firth, is he as lovely in real life as he is in all his movies? --Obsessed Firth fanatuic in Bristol Amanda: He is amazing! I adore him, and feel lucky to know him! (Karen)Just making the observation because it it had been someone *else*, say the other CF, there would've been some audience reaction Well, that's because the other CF (Colin Farrell) actively courts the publicity and has a massive PR machine behind him. His film Phone Booth opens the same day as WAGW and he is scheduled for every--and I do mean every--talk show there over the next 2 weeks. Whereas, our Colin has . . .\"concerns.\";-) Not a criticism of either one, just pointing out that one can hardly blame the audience for not reacting to someone who goes out of his way to remain low key."}, {"response": 384, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Mar 28, 2003 (21:06)", "body": "Thank you for all the news, articles and links ladies. Can't wait, a week to go."}, {"response": 385, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Mar 29, 2003 (01:23)", "body": "I have a question. I unfortunately can't attend a sneak preview Saturday night (then again, it's because I have tickets for the ladies' free skate at the World Figure Skating Championships, and as I'm a skating fan that's a fairly cool thing to be doing too). So since as of Sunday morning a lot of you are going to have seen the movie, is it safe to assume that discussion of it will go on the film spoilers topic (is that 126?) and not here?"}, {"response": 386, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Mar 29, 2003 (07:39)", "body": "For: TodaySun Mar 30Mon Mar 31Tue Apr 1Wed Apr 2Thu Apr 3Fri Apr 4Sat Apr 5Sun Apr 6Mon Apr 7Tue Apr 8Wed Apr 9Thu Apr 10Fri Apr 11Sat Apr 12Sun Apr 13Mon Apr 14Tue Apr 15Wed Apr 16Thu Apr 17 in Enter ZIP code or Town, State Powered by Zap2it Celebrity News : 28th March 2003 Blake Pleads Innocent Troubled actor Robert Blake pleaded innocent to murdering his wife yesterday - in his first appearance since being released on bail. During an arraignment, Blake and his co-defendant Earle Caldwell waived their rights to a speedy trial until October, when proceedings are likely to begin. Deputy District Attorney Pat Dixon read off the charges against Blake - murder, solicitation to murder, conspiracy and the special circumstance of lying in wait. Dixon asked him, \"Mr. Blake, to those charges how do you plead?\" Blake replied, \"Not guilty, sir.\" Caldwell, Blake's former bodyguard, pleaded innocent to a murder conspiracy charge. The 69-year-old actor is accused of killing 44-year-old Bonny Lee Bakley on May 4, 2001, after they dined at Vitello's restaurant - Blake's longtime hangout in his Studio City, California neighborhood. Blake claims he found his wife shot in the head and upper body in their car, after he went back to the restaurant to retrieve a handgun he carried for protection. But Prosecutors argue t at Blake despised Bakley - a con artist with a criminal record - and wanted to find a way to get rid of her but keep their baby. The actor, on the other hand, has suggested she was killed by a victim of one of her con schemes. At the end of the arraignment Blake praised the Judge who granted him release on $1.5 million bail, saying, \"I want to thank Judge (Lloyd) Nash for saving my life.\" In a message to his supporters, he added, \"I believe in America, I'm happy to be an American. I'm standing here in front of you and that's proof that this is still America and it still works.\" Sarandon Charity Event Canceled Susan Sarandon's upcoming spot at a charity event in Tampa, Florida has been axed - because of an overwhelming number of complaints about her opposition to the war in Iraq. The United Way Of Tampa Bay - which raises funds for a series of good causes in the region - had lined up the Thelma And Louise star to give a talk at their April 11 event, but were concerned it would provide a means for the actress to voice her views. When invitations went out about two weeks ago, the United Way received over 30 phone calls, e-mails and letters from donors and others criticizing Sarandon's selection as a speaker - because of her anti-war stance. Robin Carson, chairwoman of the United Way, says, \"The focus of our whole meeting had shifted to whether or not we were creating a political platform for Susan Sarandon. That is not our purpose. That's not what we're about.\" Sarandon was to be the featured speaker at the event's $75-a-plate luncheon in Tampa to talk about the role of women as leaders and contributors. Sheen Tapes Up Mouth for Anti-War Vigil Hollywood anti-war protestor Martin Sheen covered his mouth with duct tape which had the word \"peace\" scrawled across it - before leading 60 demonstrators in a prayer vigil. The star of hit political TV show The West Wing carried a huge painted cross during Wednesday's protest in Los Angeles. A statement written by the outspoken actor was read out by the Reverend Michael Kennedy of Delores Mission Catholic Church in East Los Angeles. It read, \"Nationalism and militarism have become the gods of our idolatry at the expense of our humanity. By some demented form of logic the men, women and children of Iraq are relegated to 'collateral damage' as the dogs of war slouch toward Baghdad.\" The vigil was held to pray for the safe return of American soldiers, and to express solidarity with two Catholic priests and one peace activist who have been fasting on a liquid diet since March 5. Halle Berry In Fur Furor Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry has sparked outrage among animal rights activists after she was photographed wearing a fur coat. The People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals (PETA) blasted the big-screen beauty for her furry sense of fashion - and insist they've long had an eye on what she chooses to wear. PETA spokesperson Michael McGraw says, \"We have written to Halle Berry numerous times over her wearing fur and have received absolutely no response. With so many fashionable alternatives, there's no excise for wearing fur.\" But it seems the uproar has been over nothing - the Die Another Day star's spokesperson in Los Angeles says the silvery creation is actually fake fur - although he refuses to deny or confirm whether or not his client likes to indulge in the real thing. Farrah & Ryan's Oscar Show Farrah Fawcett and Ryan O'Neal are fueling reports they're giving their romance another chance - after being spotted kissing and cuddling at a post-Oscars Vanity Fair party on Sunday night. The couple split in 1997 after a stormy 18-year romance, but arrived at the party hand in"}, {"response": 387, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Mar 29, 2003 (07:41)", "body": "Oops, sorry! Only meant to post the last paragraph of IMDB news. Back to my hole.;-("}, {"response": 388, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 29, 2003 (09:28)", "body": "Spoiler discussion of WAGW goes on 126 (IMDB) But Brit Firth...is refusing to fly to America for promotional duties and Preston, his former flame in the movie, has also pulled out of junkets. But that isn't true. KP is doing all the shows and was at the premiere. She's also filmed little messages to the troops for all the entertainment news shows that aired after the premiere coverage."}, {"response": 389, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Mar 29, 2003 (11:44)", "body": "(Karen)And no one was implying it. The Scarlett Johannson comment was clearly referred to as \"jokey.\" C'mon people, let's not get too bent out of shape at everything. . Actually, I wasn't referring to SJ's comment. I know that it was referred to as a jokey. I was reacting in general to our discussion of celebs who are clearly bit by the ego bug and those who are not. Thanks Beedee for the article, and to Karen in advance to my question about discussions of WAGW from those of us going to the sneak preview this evening. (Amanda Bynes): \"The script seemed really cute, but I didn't know if it was right for me. Then I heard that Colin [Firth] was interested in doing it and I started to change my mind. I wanted to work with him so badly and I was shocked that he would even be near me, let alone do a movie with me.\" I would have changed my mind too, Duh! Smart kid. Sounds like AB had a bit of a crush on CF long before the script:-) Thanks Mari."}, {"response": 390, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 29, 2003 (12:03)", "body": "Don't know if this was mentioned before, but I was watching a couple of the programs I had to tape this week and I saw the CF kissing commercial for WAGW. When AB happens on Daddy doing his thing in front of the mirror and then gasps (all editing BTW), Daddy bends over to zip up his pants. Did anybody notice that? If so, never mind. I had to zip over things rather quickly."}, {"response": 391, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Mar 29, 2003 (12:16)", "body": "(Karen) When AB happens on Daddy doing his thing in front of the mirror and then gasps (all editing BTW), Daddy bends over to zip up his pants. Did anybody notice that? If so, never mind. I had to zip over things rather quickly. I noticed this....initially I wasn't sure if it was a fly check or an adjustment...then thought about it and realized they wouldn't allow for adjustments on a PG film! It's very funny and I hope it is in the film (and not just a trailer thing). And was he bending over? I thought he was looking over his shoulder (to see if he was being observed)...."}, {"response": 392, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Mar 29, 2003 (12:46)", "body": "(Tress)I noticed this....initially I wasn't sure if it was a fly check or an adjustment I noticed it too, and I also noticed that the sound effect for this is that of a zipper as well. I will definietly keep an eye and ear out for uh, fly checks and zip ups;-)"}, {"response": 393, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Mar 29, 2003 (13:09)", "body": "(Linda) I noticed it too, and I also noticed that the sound effect for this is that of a zipper as well. LOL....wait! There is sound with this movie?? Gah! Hadn't noticed....I feel like I'm in a tunnel whenever I see the trailer! ;-)"}, {"response": 394, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Mar 29, 2003 (15:15)", "body": "More on GWAPE release: Release Date: November 14th, 2003 (LA/NY); December 25th, 2003 (top 20 cities); expands to other cities at later dates"}, {"response": 395, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Mar 29, 2003 (16:23)", "body": "Thanks Mari for the update! December 25th, 2003 (top 20 cities); expands to other cities at later dates I somehow doubt I'm in a top 20 city..... :-("}, {"response": 396, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sat, Mar 29, 2003 (16:54)", "body": "Regarding possible airbrushing of the peace sign in the poster, the ad ran in my newspaper this morning with the poster picture but no peace sign. Not proof positive (how many shots for ads were there?) but I don't think I've seen this picture before."}, {"response": 397, "author": "maryw", "date": "Sat, Mar 29, 2003 (18:22)", "body": "from Karen's post 334 : \"Very little is known about him, he is an enigma. he could well have been boisterous fun loving, completely bald, we just don't know. I already have a love of Vermeer but there is this particular quality about his paintings that I can't describe. I think they are serene. Then I look at them again and think they are rather troubled. I find I'm emotionally involved with the job. I love going to the gallery and pretending to be this bloke.\" A quick hello to all dearly beloveds of Spring! Just thought I'd drop in to say I just spent a week at The Hague for work and arrived in London today. Work did not allow any private time but thought last Friday that if it was the only private thing I can do in The Hague - it was to go to Mauritshaus and stare at the GWAPE postrait. I took a short lunch, got on tram to museum, paid my 7 Euros and just sat in front of the portrait and stared for about 20 mins. Then calmly walked out and back to work again. Wouldn't have been so calm if I had seen a man lurking next to me \"pretending to be this bloke\". (Sigh!) Is there any ODB events/films that I should watch out for whilst I'm here in London?"}, {"response": 398, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Mar 29, 2003 (21:55)", "body": "Thanks Mari for the GWAPE update. I wonder if any NJ cities are in the top 20? We were for TIOBE. I'll be optomistic."}, {"response": 399, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Sun, Mar 30, 2003 (12:32)", "body": "I found this Amanda Bynes interview at tribute.ca: B.L. You must get a lot of scripts coming your way. What was it about What a Girl Wants that intrigued you? A.B. There was just something about going to London and it was over the summer, so that was perfect for me. I just sort of liked the idea of the coming-of-age story and growing up, and it seemed a little older than what I had done usually. I definitely wanted to make that transition. B.L. How exciting is it that this is all your movie, you really had a lot of responsibility on your shoulders! A.B. It didn\ufffdt really hit me until I got to London and realized that the story mostly focused on me. Here is this girl who goes to London to find her father and everything that revolves around her. It was very cool and I have to say that I am really proud of the way it came out. B.L. What did you like most about your character Daphne? A.B. I liked that she was free-spirited and a go-getter. I liked that she wasn\ufffdt afraid to seek out what she wanted, and I really liked the fact that she was a good person. B.L. So you got to work in London, was it at all overwhelming for you? A.B. It wasn\ufffdt really overwhelming. I got to go there for three months and for the first month we just sort of got used to it and rehearsed. I think it was great for me because it gave me time to get used to the time zone and stuff. B.L. I know you got a little homesick. A.B. I got America sick. I think I missed the food and the weather and everything. It was my first time being away for that long a time. B.L. Did any one from your family come with you? A.B. Yes, I had my grandma there, so that made things a little easier. B.L. You got to co-star with British heartthrob Colin Firth who plays your dad. Did anything surprise you about him? A.B. I have yet to meet a woman who doesn\ufffdt love Colin. I just think he is one of the cooler guys you\ufffdll meet. He is just so down to earth and so funny and so smart. It\ufffds almost like he is too perfect, but he was a great father. The thing that sort of surprised me, I guess, was he was so funny. He had a really great sense of humor. B.L. He was absolutely perfect in the role. A.B. As far as I\ufffdm concerned there was no one better to play my dad in this movie. There was nothing intimidating about Colin Firth, he made me feel at ease right from when I met him. He is so talented and a real professional. He never made me feel awkward at all. B.L. You are now starring in the TV series, What I Like About You, with Jennie Garth, and you were a big hit in your own sketch comedy show, The Amanda Show. What is it you would like to see yourself doing in the next few years? Would you like to do more movies or more TV? A.B. I don\ufffdt really see myself doing sketch comedy just because I did it for so long. I did it from when I was 10 to 14 so I feel sort of burned out. I would like to continue doing movies and I would like to do my TV series What I Like About You for a few years because it\ufffds a really great learning experience and I really like the people I work with. I would really like to do more movies, not as much quantity as quality. Even if it\ufffds just one, and something that I am really proud of and that I think is a good story. B.L. In What A Girl Wants your co-star is a hot new up and coming young actor from London named Oliver James. How did you enjoy working with him, because you did have a big kissing scene with him! A.B. He was great, it was his first movie and he was really professional and always worried about how he could make it better. He was very sweet and all round a great experience. I was very glad that he got to be in it. B.L. What was the most exciting or most fun thing about making this movie for you? A.B. I think just going to England and getting to make a movie there. It was so cool and I just feel so lucky that I got to do that. B.L. Your birthday is coming up real soon, so, what does Amanda want? A.B. I don\ufffdt know! I wouldn\ufffdt mind a BMW but who wouldn\ufffdt really? Diamonds are also good if you\ufffdre buying! Who knows!"}, {"response": 400, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Mar 30, 2003 (16:52)", "body": "Thanks, Brenda Does anyone remember when AB is on Caroline Rhea this week? I can't seem to find the post with the date."}, {"response": 401, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Mar 30, 2003 (19:21)", "body": "AB is on Carolyn Rhea Tues. Apr. 1. Times are local, I presume (ABC, TV, I think)."}, {"response": 402, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Mar 30, 2003 (19:29)", "body": "Thanks for article Brenda and thanks KJ for interview time. I believe it is ABC late night in NYC."}, {"response": 403, "author": "Leah", "date": "Mon, Mar 31, 2003 (07:39)", "body": "Can anyone give me a release date for WAGW in South Africa?"}, {"response": 404, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 31, 2003 (08:28)", "body": "Caroline Rhea's show is syndicated, which means it can be on any channel at any time."}, {"response": 405, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Mar 31, 2003 (08:47)", "body": "The BBC2 programme on Vermeer included a clip from GWAPE, but it was one with Tom Wilkinson and Scarlett J. Looks as though it will be a serious, classy movie."}, {"response": 406, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 31, 2003 (09:22)", "body": "Hallelujah! The candles worked. ;-)"}, {"response": 407, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 31, 2003 (09:38)", "body": "(Bethan)Looks as though it will be a serious, classy movie. (Karen) Hallelujah! The candles worked. ;-) 'bout time. Followed by \"Trauma\":-))) Thanks Bethan. Really want to see that Vermeer program. Serious stuff. They would not have included the clip from the film if it was not representational."}, {"response": 408, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 31, 2003 (09:46)", "body": "FYI, I've revamped the WAGW galleries, which now include a number of high res captures."}, {"response": 409, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 31, 2003 (10:20)", "body": "Interview with AB on comingsoon.net, which expands on what was in the tribute.ca one that Brenda posted. My guess is that it was a group session at the junket. Amanda Bynes was unsure about starring in What a Girl Wants when she first got the script. It was only when she found out Colin Firth would be playing her father that she was sure of the project. Bynes plays a girl traveling to England to find her long lost dad. \"I got a script and it's really interesting with scripts because you never really know,\" Bynes said. \"It's paper and it could be great or awful. Even scripts that are good could end up not working. Once I read it, it seemed really cute but I didn't finish it. I don't like reading scripts because I'm everywhere and I have such a short attention span for that. I thought it was cute but I didn't know if I wanted to do a movie. Then I heard Colin Firth was interested and I was like 'What? He's interested? Let me look at that again.' I just thought this is a good thing and would be a good message to give to girls which is important I think because I've grown up with kids watching me. As they're growing up, I'm growing up and hopefully they can get a good message from it. When I found out Colin was doing it I was shocked that he would be near me, let alone do a movie with me. He was amazing. Even better than I thought he would be. He's down to earth and has such a good sense of humor and is so charming and such a lovely guy.\" Sharing the screen with Firth taught Bynes about the craft of acting. \"There's no exact 'how to' but he's so natural that when he does it, I don't ever see him studying lines but he always brings something to it. He's hard on himself and will do the take 50 times and make sure it's right. Having that type of commitment and stamina is really impressive and is really a good role model and something good to see.\" More here: http://comingsoon.net/cgi-bin/archive/fullnews.cgi?newsid1049125242,53855 ,"}, {"response": 410, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Mar 31, 2003 (10:26)", "body": ""}, {"response": 411, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar 31, 2003 (11:37)", "body": "I think I posted the Variety review earlier. Anyway, don't expect the critics to be kind to this one. They eat movies like this for lunch.;-) (Amanda)\"There's no exact 'how to' but he's so natural that when he does it, I don't ever see him studying lines but he always brings something to it. He's hard on himself and will do the take 50 times and make sure it's right. Thanks for this, Karen, and also Brenda for the quotes you posted. Obviously the girl is wise beyond her years.;-) I thought she was very good in the film, a very warm and appealing presence, and her chemistry with Colin is great. That's what makes the movie, the daughter-father bond. I'll keep spoilers on 126.:-)"}, {"response": 412, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar 31, 2003 (11:40)", "body": "Closing tags"}, {"response": 413, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Mar 31, 2003 (16:14)", "body": "Thank your for review Ada and for article Karen and for quotes Brenda. I agree Amanda seems very mature and quite professional. I'm sure she has a bright future. IMO the critics won't be too kind as it is a movie for pure entertainment mushy and humorous which they don't usually find very appealing, but I sure do. Looking forward to seeing it. Thanks again everyone."}, {"response": 414, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Mar 31, 2003 (18:18)", "body": "E!New Live just mentioned that Warner Bros. is revising the poster for WAGW because they don't want it associated with the war. I got the impression that it might involve more than just airbrushing out the peace sign. Guliana said they asked WB for a copy of the new poster but WB declined. I wonder if this is their chance to get CF into it? I'm also wondering how WB felt about CF's pulling out of the press junket??"}, {"response": 415, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar 31, 2003 (22:05)", "body": ""}, {"response": 416, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Mar 31, 2003 (23:04)", "body": ""}, {"response": 417, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Mar 31, 2003 (23:05)", "body": ""}, {"response": 418, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar 31, 2003 (23:08)", "body": "(Linda)I'm also wondering how WB felt about CF's pulling out of the press junket?? Do you reallly want me to answer that?;-) Here's the screen counts for the coming weekend, with WAGW leading the bunch for new openers. Will have leftover competition from films that opened this week and last, though. Maybe it can crack the top 5. Look at the disparity in the numbers once you get past the first few. A pity. What a Girl Wants Amanda Bynes, Colin Firth 2,700+ Warner Bros. Phone Booth Colin Farrell, Dir. Joel Schumacher 2,500+ Fox A Man Apart Vin Diesel 2,400+ New Line DysFunKtional Family Eddie Griffin comedy concert 600+ Miramax Bend It Like Beckham Hit British soccer movie 100+ Fox Searchlight Assassination Tango Dir. Robert Duvall 25 United Artists The Good Thief (4/2) Nick Nolte, Ralph Fiennes 6 (LA, NYC) Fox Searchlight Cet Amour-La (4/2) French romantic biopic NYC New Yorker Fellini: I'm a Born Liar (4/2) Documentary 1 (NYC) First Look The Guys Sigourney Weaver 15 Focus Hypnotic Goran Visnjic, Miranda Otto Lansing, MI (test market) First Look Levity Billy Bob Thornton, Morgan Freeman 9 (LA, NYC) SPC The Man Without a Past Finnish drama 2 (NYC) SPC Waiting for Happiness (4/5) Cannes '02 Best Film winner NYC New Yorker Under the Skin of the City Drama in Farsi LA First Look"}, {"response": 419, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar 31, 2003 (23:09)", "body": ""}, {"response": 420, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 31, 2003 (23:17)", "body": "I don't know what you guys are seeing, but the tags were never left open. But I'll go delete whatever...off to find it."}, {"response": 421, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar 31, 2003 (23:25)", "body": "Sorry, boss, but I'm only seeing italics. Just this board, not the others. Anyway . . . Amanda B.'s WAGW appearances for Tuesday: --Caroline Rhea's show --MTV's TRL (Total Request Live) (4:00 PM) --MSN chat (7:00 PM) --And some morning radio show from NYC."}, {"response": 422, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 31, 2003 (23:51)", "body": "Still? Bizarre. Where do they start? Use the redisplay box below and let me know the comment number where they start."}, {"response": 423, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (00:05)", "body": "Okay, Karen, are you trying to give us heart attacks with the \"new Mark Darcy\" photo? ACK!"}, {"response": 424, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (00:08)", "body": "Still? Bizarre. Where do they start? Use the redisplay box below and let me know the comment number where they start. There seems to be one problem around 410/411, and another somewhere around 415."}, {"response": 425, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (00:11)", "body": "It starts at #415 but I closed them with my post on 417. If you start from posts before 417, the italics appear again. If you start viewing from 417 on, it's back to normal. Anyway . . . Amanda B.'s WAGW appearances for Tuesday: --MSN chat (7:00 PM) Was kinda hoping to have her as a guest for my movie class viewing of WAGW, but this would more than likely be the time, unless it was after the movie. It's possible it may not be our movie anymore, too. The schedule changes sometimes."}, {"response": 426, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (00:24)", "body": "(Rika)Okay, Karen, are you trying to give us heart attacks with the \"new Mark Darcy\" photo? ACK! My feelings exactly! Could you please, please, please, please just make this \"look-a-like\" disappear, and put our guy back?"}, {"response": 427, "author": "Snooze", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (06:28)", "body": "Hey, for all the Colin deprived gals in Oz - \"Master of the Moor\" is showing on Ovation over the next three Tuesdays. Tell me, this \"new Mark Darcy\" is just a joke - right? (giggles nervously)"}, {"response": 428, "author": "Snooze", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (07:10)", "body": "D'oh! I just realised the date!"}, {"response": 429, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (07:17)", "body": "I noticed the date right away, but there are some things, that are *not* to be joked about. One of them is ODB ;-) How would you feel, if I postet, that he had agreed to \"stand by\" Amanda Bynes on her promotion tour round the states? (winkie, winkie, and whathaveyou;-))"}, {"response": 430, "author": "susanne", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (07:27)", "body": "From the Dallas Morning News today: excerpt from the Nancy Churnin column about Oliver James He was even more startled to discover that he was to perform not only with Amanda Bynes (the teen star of Nickelodeon's The Amanda Show and All That), but with British stage legends Colin Firth (as Daphne's father), Eileen Atkins (as Daphne's grandmother) and Jonathan Pryce (as Daphne's father's adviser). His very first scene was with Mr. Firth (best known here for the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and for Bridget Jones's Diary with Ren\ufffde Zellweger). But Mr. Firth put him at ease right away. \"The World Cup was going on when we were filming and I didn't have a TV in my trailer, so Colin called me in to watch soccer with him. He is very approachable and keen to help \ufffd even more charming off screen than on.\""}, {"response": 431, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (07:38)", "body": "There is a new clip on the WAGW website for those of you that have to wait a few more months for release. At this rate you will see most of the movie in trailers and clips! ;-)"}, {"response": 432, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (08:31)", "body": "Reposting from above: Response 415 of 431: Mari (mari) * Mon, Mar 31, 2003 (22:05) * 8 lines The NY Times ran an article today about all the movie premieres, red carpets, and TV promotional appearances that have been cancelled. then it mentions the WAGW flag peace with this at the end: \"Another change to the ad is coming Friday, she said: the British guards will be gone \ufffd not to soften any political impact, but to make room for quotes from critics.\" They must think they'll have some decent reviews to pull quotes from. Response 416 of 431: Dorine (gomezdo) * Mon, Mar 31, 2003 (23:04) * 1 lines The ad in Sunday's paper was already the altered one with her hand in her pocket, no guards, and 3 or 4 quotes on the left side from such quality institutions as zap2it.com. ;-)"}, {"response": 433, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (08:33)", "body": "Warner Bros. eliminates peace image from 'What a Girl Wants' ads The Associated Press Last Updated 7:25 p.m. PST Monday, March 31, 2003 LOS ANGELES (AP) - \"What a Girl Wants\" is to avoid making a political statement. Print advertisements for the teen comedy originally featured a photograph of star Amanda Bynes wearing an American flag T-shirt and flashing the peace sign with her fingers as she stands between two British royal guards. With the war in Iraq sparking anti-war protests in the United States and abroad, however, Warner Bros. quickly changed the ad. The studio said Monday it feared the peace sign would be viewed as a political message. New versions of the image feature Bynes with her right hand at her side, although many of the original posters had already been placed on billboards and buses before the change was made. In the film, Bynes plays an American girl who discovers her estranged father is a British politician. \"What a Girl Wants\" is set for release on Friday."}, {"response": 434, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (09:10)", "body": "Review from The Trades with no mention of Colin. All AB. \ufffdWhat A Girl Wants\ufffd is to dance with her father, as we find out in this mostly delightful and amusing new comedy and coming-of-age tale from Warner Brothers and director Dennie Gordon. Inspired by both the play and 1958 film \ufffdThe Reluctant Debutante,\ufffd Amanda Bynes shines as Daphne Reynolds, the love child of an American free spirit (Kelly Preston as Libby Reynolds) and English aristocrat (Colin Firth as Lord Henry Dashwood). The film opens with Libby telling (again) her young daughter the romantic story of how she met Henry in Morocco, fell deeply in love, and how she then lost him to his duty when the couple returned to the Dashwood estate in England. This loss was precipitated by the machinations of Alistair Payne (Jonathan Pryce), the social climbing aide who conspired to keep the two apart in order to further his own selfish interests. Neither Libby nor Henry realized that the other had no desire to end the relationship, but end it did, although not without a daughter being conceived and subsequently born by Libby after her return to America. She has kept the existence of the daughter secret from Henry, but now 17, that daughter longs to see her father. So, Daphne runs away from her Mom and New York City (Chinatown) apartment and makes her way to London, England where she meets Ian Wallace (Oliver James), a young musician struggling to make it. There is a chemistry between the two and a relationship develops that parallels the romance between Daphne\ufffds father and mother, since Libby is also a struggling musician who earns a living playing weddings and parties with her band. Daphne also helps her mother pay the rent by working as a waitress at the affairs where her mother performs. Pluckiness doesn\ufffdt begin to describe Daphne, as she finds the home of her father and steals her way in past the guard and high fences. She is thought to be a paparazzi, and is brought before Lord Dashwood and staff, as well as Henry\ufffds fianc\ufffd, the scheming Glynnis Payne (Anna Chancellor) and her daughter, played by Christina Cole. Her \ufffdcrass\ufffd American ways disturb the household, but Daphne manages to charm her way into an invitation to spend the \ufffdseason\ufffd (summer) with her father at his English estate. What follows is hilarity as Daphne is invited to event after event within English aristocratic circles (for example, the Henley Regatta) and causes a stir with the British press who are following Lord Dashwood in his attempt to be elected to the House of Commons, after eschewing his hereditary place in the House of Lords. The director uses Amanda Bynes\ufffd gift for physical comedy (something she has honed on the Nickelodeon TV show \ufffdAll That\ufffd) to good effect in some of the sequences set at the high society functions, and director Gordon has a field day showcasing the infectious smile of Amanda Bynes in many scenes. The screenplay by Jenny Bicks and Elizabeth Chandler is witty and turns scenes that could have been clich\ufffds into charmers. They\ufffdve also helped to create a presentation that has a certain richness and solidity lacking in a lot of films dealing with a young girl\ufffds coming of age. This movie might be considered in the same light as the original \ufffdGidget,\ufffd with Sandra Dee. Bynes\ufffd Daphne possesses the same kind of innate chutzpah and strength of character as did Dee\ufffds Gidget. While there is a good dose of improbability present in \ufffdWhat A Girl Wants,\ufffd the director has made a modern fairy tale, so, as with any good fairy story, our disbelief is suspended for the most part. I would also like to applaud the producer\ufffds choice of music for the film, as I knew there was more to what I was about to witness when The Clash\ufffds \ufffdLondon Calling\ufffd was used to introduce Daphne\ufffds arrival in the British City. There were also other musical moments featuring American pop and soul music that were well placed. The movie may be mostly fluff, but it does have a heart and a bit o\ufffdsoul that are lacking in many of today\ufffds studio releases. It is strictly a fairy tale designed to inspire young girls, but I found it amusing and heartwarming enough that I can recommend it to anyone looking for something that doesn\ufffdt challenge, but does move one to smile. Overall Rating: B"}, {"response": 435, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (09:33)", "body": "Dallas Morning News \"British stage legends Colin Firth\" *snort* Another one who didn't have tickets for Hamlet. Even though the Trades didn't mention YKW, it's still a v. encouraging review of the movie as a whole. \"B rating\" ain't bad from this crowd."}, {"response": 436, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (09:54)", "body": "Thanks for items and review ladies. Not a bad review at all. And so many theaters. Looks like this one will produce the money."}, {"response": 437, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (10:36)", "body": "Hope Springs review from empireonline. 2 out of 5 stars British artist Colin arrives in America heartbroken after receiving an invitation to Vera\ufffds wedding - the woman he thought was his fianc\ufffde. Local nurse Mandy tries to dry his tears, and soon they fall for each other. But Vera\ufffds sudden arrival puts a spanner in the works. This is one of those films where you\ufffdre mentally recasting throughout - Hugh Grant, obviously, then perhaps Cameron Diaz, and Catherine Zeta-Jones... but the actors shouldn\ufffdt shoulder the whole blame for this rather mediocre effort. Early scenes with Firth as a deadpan depressive arriving in a small town, Hope Springs, are full of comic promise. It\ufffds with the appearance of Graham that things start to get shakier. Despite the potential humour in certain scenarios - like her naturist turn in the repressed Englishman\ufffds hotel - both her character and the love match fail to ring true. Bring in Minnie Driver as a manipulative, chain-smoking embodiment of materialism, and the supposed plot tension crumbles. It\ufffds perfectly clear that Colin shouldn\ufffdt be with Vera, but this point seems to have eluded the writers as they struggle to convince us that there\ufffds a crucial competition for his affections at play. Early laughs give way to bland romance and an uninvolving love triangle plot device. As Mandy says to Colin at one point, \ufffdIt was funny at first, now it\ufffds just irritating.\ufffd ANNA SMITH Issue 162 May 2003"}, {"response": 438, "author": "joyce", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (12:22)", "body": "Oh Evil Woman and Blasphemer! I have one word for the new Mark (choke!) Darcy. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW! That little pisher could not begin to fill his reindeer sweater."}, {"response": 439, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (13:00)", "body": "(IdiotfromEmpire) This is one of those films where you\ufffdre mentally recasting throughout - Hugh Grant, obviously Obviously??!! Well, you might as well dismiss the entire thing. She a \"Huge\" fan, as are most of the dimwits from Empire (having just doublechecked its BJD review, which was all *Hugh Hugh Hugh*) As Mandy says to Colin at one point, \ufffdIt was funny at first, now it\ufffds just irritating.\ufffd Major ouch! Thanks, Mari, for the bad news. :)"}, {"response": 440, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (13:10)", "body": "(IdiotfromEmpire) This ........ Very well said, Karen. Thank you for the articles and reviews (even the bad ones;-)) Just got word from the Danish distributor of TIOBE (sorry, but current to me). They were not offered the commentary track. So I'll have to do without OP. There is no way I'll wait another 5 months to see Jack/Earnest!"}, {"response": 441, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (13:14)", "body": "Don't know if anyone else is able to try this, I can't download this at work but it may be worth it for \"thousands of images\" from the movie... Click here to download the \"What A Girl Wants\" Eyetide screensaver. More than a screensaver, it's an interactive media application that connects you with thousands of images from the movie and enables you to customize your computer desktop by selecting the images and content you want. The Eyetide screensaver is currently only available for PC. http://www.zap2it.com/movies/details/1,1295,34641,00.html"}, {"response": 442, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (13:36)", "body": "(Maria) Click here to download the \"What A Girl Wants\" Eyetide screensaver. I did this a while ago and there were about 15 images from the movie, all of which at this point we've seen. They were supposedly going to add more, though - maybe somebody can tell us if they did. I uninstalled it a couple of days later because it does insist on acting as your screensaver and I didn't want it to take over my system that way. \"The World Cup was going on when we were filming and I didn't have a TV in my trailer, so Colin called me in to watch soccer with him. He is very approachable and keen to help \ufffd even more charming off screen than on.\" Awwwwww....."}, {"response": 443, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (13:46)", "body": "(Rika)maybe somebody can tell us if they did I installed it on my sons computer (one of those: don't ask, just leave it there until I say so!!) and I still only have the same pictures, that Rika mentiones. I then send an email to the company, and they said to be patient. There definitely would be more to come. I'll keep it on, though, and let you know, if they start flowing in."}, {"response": 444, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (14:33)", "body": "(Annette) they said to be patient. There definitely would be more to come. That means there haven't been any new ones in at least six weeks and maybe more, so...."}, {"response": 445, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (14:58)", "body": "I just watched my tape of Amanda Bynes on Caroline Rhea (how did that woman ever get a talk show??? Oh, well, at least she's a Firthette.) The first 2-3 minutes was general stuff - her birthday is Thursday (she'll be 17), etc., etc., and then CR asked how her career had developed: AB: \".... and then I just did 'What I Like About You', and then I did 'What a Girl Wants' - in England.' \" CR: \"How good is your career?\" AB: \"I think it's good - thank you!\" CR: \"How much do you love Colin Firth?\" AB: \"He is incredible.\" (strong audience reaction - clapping, some cheering) CR (talking at the same time as AB): \"He is the dreamiest, dreamiest, most gorgeous, wonderful(?) man.\" (couldn't hear her too well over the audience reaction) AB (pointing to the people in the crowd clapping): \"I know. Everyone is nodding, even men are like, 'Mmm hmm.'\" CR: \"Even men. We love Colin Firth.\" AB: \"Yeah. He is dreamy.\" Then they talked about 'What I Like About You' for a while, AB's boyfriend (older man - today was his 21st birthday). After the commercial break, they got back to the movie. The film clip was the scene where she told Henry she was his daughter. After the clip: CR: \"We were talking about Colin... We were just dishing about Colin. I know he didn't come over from London, because he was going to come on the show.\" AB: \"Yeah, because of all the, you know, scary war stuff, you know, but I just wish he were here, but he's here in spirit.\" (ed. note - Very gracefully handled on her part.) CR: \"Did you tell him you love him? And did you love Kelly Preston?\" AB: \"Yes. She was such a doll. I love them all. I'm so lucky. They were such good parents to have.\" And then they wrapped up."}, {"response": 446, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (14:59)", "body": "Cute - From Guy Flately's Movie Crazed Site: WHAT A GIRL WANTS: Amanda Bynes, Colin Firth, Kelly Preston, Anna Chancellor, Tom Harper, Jonathan Pryce, Eileen Atkins, Oliver James, Chris Mulkey (Directed by Dennie Gordon; Warner Bros.) In 1958, spunky Sandra Dee made a modest splash as an American teenager who is reunited with her snobbish British father--played by the suavely bored Rex Harrison--in Vincente Minnelli\ufffds \"The Reluctant Debutante.\" Even though the director worked a few miracles in jazzing up William Douglas Home\ufffds insipid play for the screen, the film was minor Minnelli at best. Who knows what Dennie Gordon\ufffdthe director who shattered David Spade\ufffds dreams of movie glory with \"Joe Dirt\" \ufffd will do with the remake? Two more questions: will Colin Firth make us forget Rex Harrison, and will Warner Bros. lure the reclusive Ms. Dee to the premiere of \"What a Girl Wants\"? Opens 4/4 http://www.moviecrazed.com/ultimate/april_2003.htm"}, {"response": 447, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (15:31)", "body": "I'm old enough to remember this. Re the WAGW \"controversy\"... I am sure Amanda is not making a peace sign at all, but a very British V for Victory made famous by Winston Churchill:"}, {"response": 448, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (15:39)", "body": "You're very right, Murph, about the 'V' but most people wouldn't even know who Churchill was. :-( Thanks, Rika, for the transcript. CR: I know he didn't come over from London, because he was going to come on the show. Oh lordy, and to think we might have gotten a piggie update (or Caroline might have divulged what she really liked about the movie) ;-) Someone really should send her the unedited version."}, {"response": 449, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (15:47)", "body": "but I just wish he were here, but he's here in spirit.\" (ed. note - Very gracefully handled on her part.) I'll say. Thanks, Rika. As Peach and Pear (the Orwood twins in the movie) would say: \"She's sooo nice!\" Poor kid. I hope he's not still scared when GWAPE opens.;-) he was going to come on the show. Damn. Caroline was ready to drool over him big time. We were talking about Colin... We were just dishing about Colin Oh to have been a fly on the wall . . . Re: Warner's yanking the peace sign from the ads--I smell a clever PR gimmick. Look at all the press coverage the film is getting over this. I've worked in PR and I know exactly how they operate."}, {"response": 450, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (15:51)", "body": "Another version of the altered artwork: No Peace for Amanda Bynes By Lia Haberman (E! Online) Soon to be causing an international uproar at your local multiplex: Warner Bros.' teen comedy What a Girl Wants. Tee-hee. The studio has, like, jumped on the PC bandwagon, doctoring a so-called controversial poster of star Amanda Bynes. Promos for the movie originally had the teen standing dressed in a stars-and-stripes tank top between two British royal guards and flashing the peace sign. No way! Fearful that the peace symbol could be misconstrued while war rages in the Middle East and opinions clash at home, the studio airbrushed the offensive digits. Now, print ads running in the Los Angeles Times and other newspapers feature Bynes with her arm at her side. Changes were not made to billboards and bus banners already in place, because there was not enough time. The movie opens this weekend. \"We did not want to add any political overtones to a completely nonpolitical movie,\" a Warners rep told the Washington Post. Gotcha. Warners also says that after the film opens, the beefeaters flanking Bynes will be replaced by review blurbs. In the movie, Bynes plays Daphne Reynolds, a stylish teen who's got everything a girl could want--except a dad. Daphne impulsively jets off to London to find the sperm donor who ditched her mother 17 years ago. Turns out, Daddy Dearest is a titled politician (phew, thank god he's rich and not some lying lowlife). Now Daphne must decide if she should change her very special self to fit in with father's snooty crowd or maybe (hope, hope) he'll accept her for who she is. That clears up how audiences might have confused this G-rated fluff feature with a political indictment of the administration's policies. [Ed note: LOL!] Given the backlash against activist-minded celebrities there is a shred of validity to Warners' concerns--though the marketing decision could also be considered a well-timed promotional tactic to draw attention to an otherwise unremarkable movie. Studios, networks and record labels are all being ultracautious to appear to the right of impartial for fear of alienating audiences and, more importantly, losing money--despite pleas from the Screen Actors Guild to avoid a return to McCarthy-era retaliations. Martin Sheen may have been the first to suffer financially for his antiwar stance. Visa allegedly pulled a promo starring the TV prez and his son after viewers complained (the credit card company denied the cancellation had any political overtones). Next, Sean Penn claimed he was unfairly dropped from a movie called Why Men Shouldn't Marry after he traveled to Baghdad on a fact-finding mission. Then, Natalie Maines' Bush bashing speech in London affected Dixie Chick record sales and radio play after American listeners objected. And finally, Susan Sarandon's keynote speech at the United Way of Tampa was nixed after the not-for-profit organization received complaints about her political views. (Lord knows what's going to happen to Michael Moore after his Oscar tirade.) According to the studio, Bynes, 16, was tipped off to the tweaked posters before they were released and had no objections. She currently stars opposite Jennie Garth in the WB's What I Like About You and was last seen on the big screen opposite Frankie Muniz in 2002's Big Fat Liar."}, {"response": 451, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (15:59)", "body": "Man, what a b****! (Feeling very defensive of WAGW at this point)She must be taking lessons from the mother /daughter team at E! ;-) Thank for the transcript Rika! Hope to catch this and hear CR gush..."}, {"response": 452, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (16:01)", "body": "(E! online) though the marketing decision could also be considered a well-timed promotional tactic to draw attention to an otherwise unremarkable movie. HAHA! What did I just get done saying . . . it's the money, honey. phew, thank god he's rich and not some lying lowlife). LOL! Hey, if he were a lying lowlife, on the dole, in a bug-infested slum on the east side . . .it would be a Mike Leigh movie.;-)"}, {"response": 453, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (16:37)", "body": "(Mari) Hey, if he were a lying lowlife, on the dole, in a bug-infested slum on the east side . . .it would be a Mike Leigh movie.;-) And a Bafta nominee. ;-)"}, {"response": 454, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (19:51)", "body": "CR\"he was going to come on the show. Now we know the real reason he was MIA. I hate that show. Mari) Hey, if he were a lying lowlife, on the dole, in a bug-infested slum on the east side . . .it would be a Mike Leigh movie.;-) (Karen)And a Bafta nominee. ;-) Uh oh...I sense vomiting in the toilet...I wouldn't go see it;-) \"more importantly, losing money--despite pleas from the Screen Actors Guild to avoid a return to McCarthy-era retaliations.\" Big difference. Bottom line... called $$$$$$."}, {"response": 455, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (20:51)", "body": "(Evelyn) Dallas Morning News \"British stage legends Colin Firth\" *snort* Another one who didn't have tickets for Hamlet I'll see your snort and raise you a guffaw. He's been called a \"respected stage star\" and \"stage legend\" before. Probably one reporter got it wrong and everyone else is just recycling. Need to fact-check, guys. (Joyce, about the \"new\" Mark Darcy) That little pisher could not begin to fill his reindeer sweater. Not to mention his biker leathers! ;-)) (Evelyn) CR\"he was going to come on the show.\" Now we know the real reason he was MIA. Yes, in an interview where ODB was asked about the Fielding-as-Bridget interviewe, he was also asked if he'd had real interviews as bad as that, and I think he said, yes, even worse ones. Could he have meant Caroline? (My bet for #1 worst interview is still Chevy)"}, {"response": 456, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 2003 (22:31)", "body": "WAGW screened in class tonight with Dennie Gordon the guest. She did a rather long interview with the teacher. I also got to speak to her one on one a tad bit as she and her family walked up the two escalators out of the theater toward the exit. Do I put the info here or at the Spoilers topic? Also, found a CF interview in Gotham magazine. Seems to have some different questions. It's too long to type now. I've been having computer problems during typing that I don't understand since my computer last crashed and I don't have the patience to type any of this now. If you knew how long it took to type this and how badly I want to throw this thing out the window, you'd sooooo understand."}, {"response": 457, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (02:39)", "body": "(Dorine)If you knew how long it took to type this and how badly I want to throw this thing out the window, you'd sooooo understand. Been there - almost done that, so I totally understand. And the story of my life seems to be waiting, so I'll wait patiently ;-)"}, {"response": 458, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (03:10)", "body": "Has anyone read The Leopard? Trying to read it now, to and from work on the tube in preparation for the PEN thing. I'm not really that thrilled by it though - yet?! Would love to hear via email what other people think of it, if you have picked it up or are reading it right now."}, {"response": 459, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (06:51)", "body": "From the Sydney Morning Herald - What A Girl Wants By Alexa Moses April 3 2003 Cute as a bunny ... Amanda Bynes. Directed by Dennie Gordon Screenplay by Jenny Bicks and Elizabeth Chandler Rated G Cinemas everywhere When the butterfly fluttered across the screen during the credits, the teenager in the back row started to make retching noises. \"Oh God, it's a chick flick,\" he groaned. Well, yes. From its first upbeat strains, What a Girl Wants announces itself as an aspirational flick aimed squarely at pre-pubescent girls. So unless you're able to shoo your inner critic off to the coffee shop for a couple of hours, don't bother entering the cinema. Daphne Reynolds (Amanda Bynes) is an effervescent, clutzy teenager who lives in \"a fifth-floor walk-up in Chinatown\", New York, with her mother (Kelly Preston), a wedding singer. But Daphne feels like \"half of me is missing\". She dreams of meeting the father she's never known. Desperate to meet him, she hops a plane to England to discover her father is the strait-laced Lord Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth), favoured political candidate in the upcoming elections. She barges over his fence and in her sweet, goofy way hijacks his life. Dashwood has a Sloaney, controlling fiance (Anna Chancellor) with a priggish daughter (Christina Cole) and some weasly advisers, all of whom Daphne confronts as she unleashes herself upon British society. Like The Princess Diaries, this film's plot is merely a vessel for an orgy of satin dresses, stuffy parties to liven up, grand corridors in which to dance down wearing socks, and endless opportunities for Daphne to model funky clothes to music. Your inner critic is bound to cringe at the way director Dennie Gordon has wrung every sentimental drop from father-daughter moments. That crusty critic will also gag with the teenager up the back when Daphne gets those uptight Brits dancing. Yet your inner 10-year-old girl has to love Amanda Bynes. The gangly, round-eyed Bynes, host of an American children's television show, has a knack for physical comedy. She's so cute you can imagine her screwing up her nose like a quizzical bunny. Oliver James is pukka as Ian, her almost bad-boy love interest (how can a bad boy be called Ian?), and the understated Firth holds the film together as the nervous but droll Henry. Eileen Atkins also adds a pleasing tartness as the shrewd Lady Jocelyn. It's a predictable fairytale with a sappy ending, and the message - be yourself - won't start any neurons firing. But your 10-year-old daughter's going to love it."}, {"response": 460, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (07:46)", "body": "Does anyone know what happened to KP's interview on Regis, yesterday. I just heard the commercial for today's guests and she wasn't mentioned."}, {"response": 461, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (09:30)", "body": "I don't know if this has been posted already (apologize if it has), but there are film clips up on the official WAGW site. The first one has ODB, the second one is with Daphne and Ian on the boat. http://www2.warnerbros.com/whatagirlwants/"}, {"response": 462, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (09:32)", "body": "(Dorine) Amanda B.'s WAGW appearances for Tuesday: --MSN chat (7:00 PM) I actually got a question in...Said I liked the film and had read she decided to do film after finding out CF was in it. Asked her how she had become aware of him. She answered she had seen P&P and BJD...I'm thinking her grandma (who is probably only in her 50's?? and accompanied her to England for the filming might have had something to do with influencing her in this regard ;-)"}, {"response": 463, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (09:38)", "body": "(Dorine) Do I put the info here or at the Spoilers topic? If it is spoiler-ish, then there. If it is the stuff contained in printed interviews, then here. (SMH) the understated Firth holds the film together as the nervous but droll Henry. That's nice to read, though not being a 10-year-old girl anymore concerns me. will also gag with the teenager up the back Need Aussie translation for \"up the back\" ;-)"}, {"response": 464, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (09:46)", "body": "Dismissive review here: http://www.killermoviereviews.com/main.php?nextlink=display&dId=233&subLinks ="}, {"response": 465, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (10:17)", "body": "From the Montreal Film Journal by Kevin Laforest (2-1/2 stars) though no mention of Colin, except for the \"unprotected sex\" line. *snicker* Once in a while a film critic finds himself attracted to the unlikeliest movies. Tonight, I could have been watching some well-regarded foreign language release or maybe an innovative independent film or even something lowbrow like the latest John McTiernan or Chris Rock\ufffds directorial debut. Anything but this sugary comedy targeted squarely at teenage girls, right? Don\ufffdt I actively dislike annoyingly superficial girlie-girls flicks and haven\ufffdt I vowed never to waste my time with them anymore? Then again, it\ufffds raining, I\ufffdm tired... and I have a little crush on Amanda Bynes, who\ufffds cuter than both Olsen twins rolled into one! Bynes stars as Daphne Reynolds, a fun-loving teenage girl from New York who goes to England to establish a relationship with her long-absent father (Colin Firth), a prominent political figure unaware that after his brief idyll with a free-spirited American woman (Kelly Preston) years ago, \ufffdfate gave her the most beautiful gift of all: a beautiful daughter\ufffd (fate? how about unprotected sex?). Are we in for a touching, multi-layered story about father-daughter relationships? Or is this is a Cinderella-out-of-water-story, wild-gal-loosening-up-the-aristocrats, \ufffdtrying-to-fit-in, born-to-stand-out\ufffd WACKY! romp? If I tell you that this is the second feature of Dennie Gordon, who last directed Joe Dirt (a movie I was embarrassingly fond of, actually), and that it\ufffds named after a Christina Aguilera song, does that give you an idea? There are a lot of eye-rollingly trite scenes full of contrived sentimentality and the rest of the film is padded with way too many let\ufffds-try-on-outfits scenes and musical montages (including one set to The Clash\ufffds London Calling- punk is dead indeed), but the cast is likable enough to somewhat elevate the by-the-numbers screenplay (an updated version of the 1958 Minelli film \ufffdThe Reluctant Debutante). I liked how the movie dares to embrace its own corniness, with lines like \ufffdI love you like a million red M&Ms\ufffd or \ufffdOh! My evil stepsister!\ufffd, and while Daphne\ufffds constant pratfalls and social faux pas are not all that funny, Amanda Bynes is at her most adorable when she\ufffds being goofy. I also found her romance with a not-too-threatening bad boy (Oliver James) surprisingly endearing. She\ufffds got much chemistry with James, who\ufffds pretty damn cool as a motorbike-riding Brit musician who can really funk up a stuffy debutante soir\ufffde! \ufffdWhat a Girl Wants\ufffd has got the production values of a TV movie, it\ufffds derivative, inconsequential and desperately predictable, but if you\ufffdre in the mood for a harmless MTVed fairy tale you\ufffdll have a good time."}, {"response": 466, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (10:35)", "body": "1-1/2 stars from the Kalamazoo Gazette: http://www.interbridge.com/jamessanford/2003/whatagirl.html \"She has my eyes,\" Henry notes, an oddball observation, since Daphne's eyes are pale green and round while Henry's are decidedly brown and slightly squinty. Six months from now, it's possible this may be a hot video rental for the slumber party crowd. But if you no longer need your parents to escort you to the movies, you're probably too old to care much about \"What a Girl Wants.\" LOL! From Reel Talk, an overall positive review: http://www.reeltalkreviews.com/browse/viewitem.asp?type=review&id=427 This time around, Bynes plays the daughter with more physical humor and Firth projects more unconscious sex appeal as the father, but both versions are definitely worth seeing. This fine actor speaks volumes merely by the look in his eyes, the slightest change of expression or a simple gesture. Trying to relate to a daughter he never knew he had, especially during the midst of an important election, poses quite a challenge for Lord Dashwood; and Firth makes the man\ufffds frustration and compassion seem very real. From that Frank Swietek guy (One Guy's Opinion), a C- rating: http://www.oneguysopinion.com/review.asp?ID=923 Firth has to act so flustered and uncool that he looks as though he were suffering from a perpetual case of colitis If you should find yourself trapped in a theatre with it, just take to heart a line that the scowling Pryce addresses to Chancellor at one point. \"Relax,\" he says. \"She'll be gone before long.\""}, {"response": 467, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (11:09)", "body": "As expected, more negative reviews from online critics (sic) for whom this movie is not aimed, more like their baby sisters: http://home.earthlink.net/~qwipster/whatagirlwants.htm Whenever I see a film that is wholly intended for an audience of which I am not a part of, I feel the need to put in a disclaimer to let you know, so that you can take this into account as to why I am giving it a negative review. Such is the case for WHAT A GIRL WANTS, which has a definite audience for young girls of about 8 to 14, and probably little outside of this. A more accurate description would be an even more watered-down version of PRETTY WOMAN, with Colin Firth playing the Richard Gere role of the rich man having to confront his feelings while introducing a spirited fish-out-of-water, who makes him happy despite the displeasure of the crusty socialites around him. If you're still at an age (or mentality) where MTV is on your television watching agenda for most of the day, you're probably the type who might be entertained by this music video era comedy of manners. Everyone else will probably experience a gag reflex when such an overload of cotton candy sweetness would be your only source for sustenance for the almost two hour duration."}, {"response": 468, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (12:10)", "body": "What a Girl Wants\ufffd has got the production values of a TV movie, it\ufffds derivative, inconsequential and desperately predictable, but if you\ufffdre in the mood for a harmless MTVed fairy tale you\ufffdll have a good time. Perhaps movies should always be reviewed by the audience for whom they're intended. The reviews over at IMDB are all very positive! \"I think this movie shows teenagers, guys or girls to not be afraid to be themselves no matter what others say about them. Other people around the world don't understand our way of life, so they laugh because we are different. In the Movie Amanda does a great job portraying Daphne as a cool American teen who wants to learn more about herself. What teenager doesn't want that?! Its not insulting its trying to show people what America is about, being an individual. It was a great movie that I enjoyed. I'm 17, my brother's girlfriend saw it, she's 16 and my sister saw it and she's 13, we all liked it. My two guys cousin's saw it too, they are 14 and 13 and they laughed so hard they cried. Therefore I think this movie is one anybody at any age can see and enjoy. Unless you're super sensitive and believe everyone is out to make Americans look bad. I give this movie a 10 out of 10! \""}, {"response": 469, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (12:25)", "body": "(Maria)Perhaps movies should always be reviewed by the audience for whom they're intended. The reviews over at IMDB are all very positive! Oh so well said, Maria...and don't forget all the positive reviews over on the spoiler topic by that \"other\" audience;-)"}, {"response": 470, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (12:31)", "body": "I pay little attention to online \"critics.\" Any pimply-faced 17-year-old with enough bandwidth can have his own site and proclaim himself a critic. Now, here's the definitive review. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/click/movie-10001840/reviews.php?critic=columns&sortby=default&page=1&rid=1123690 Dorine, I want to hear what Dennie G. had to say!! Linka, I don't recall Kelly P being set for R&K, but she is slated for Jon Stewart's show tonight. She's a trouper, as her role in this is relatively small."}, {"response": 471, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (12:43)", "body": "(Bethan) (Maria)Perhaps movies should always be reviewed by the audience for whom they're intended. The reviews over at IMDB are all very positive! (LindaK)h so well said, Maria...and don't forget all the positive reviews over on the spoiler topic by that \"other\" audience;-) I did'nt say it, but I believe it! Or at least be reviewed by someone other than jaded grinch hearts whose only objective is to show off how clever they can be in trashing a movie. It gets tiresome to read these reviews which all seem like a regurgitation of one another and it seems uncertain if they have actually even watched the film. Look, I know I am not objective in regard to this film, but I know the difference between Lilo and Stitch and Citizen Kane. I think these are the same people that hate kittens and puppies, don't write their grandma's and as I read once, if you kicked em in their heart, you'd break your toe..."}, {"response": 472, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (12:44)", "body": "closing"}, {"response": 473, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (12:46)", "body": "(Bethan) Perhaps movies should always be reviewed by the audience for whom they're intended. You can't be serious. :-( For the most part, I don't bother with the online critics, except for a couple (Harvey and James) but we needed some entertainment in the face of a certain somebody's (won't name names) absence. (Mari) Now, here's the definitive review. Saw that and closed browser. ;-)"}, {"response": 474, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (12:48)", "body": "not closed but now is. Let's be careful, folks. My eyes are burning already and squinting makes it even worse. ;-)"}, {"response": 475, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (13:35)", "body": "Oh Mari...the Rotten Tomatoes one is one hoot.Are you making a scrapbook of reviews to give him;-)))) \"Of course, we can all identify with Daphne because we all have experienced the emptiness caused by the seperation of a father.\" I've thought of this...given that 50% or that age bracket come from one-parent homes.Lots of identification here given their fantasy that the parents will someday get together. I don't want to read reviews written by ten year olds, thank you. Films like actors have certain standards. Having said that, \"Joe Dirt\" had a v. similar story line as WAGW. Boy (JD)gets dumped by parents at the garbage can [get the name??]in Grand Canyon and he spends the rest of the movie trying to find them. It really wasn't half bad. Depends if you're a fan of Saturday Night Live;-)"}, {"response": 476, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (14:28)", "body": "It happens to be elevated by the fresh-faced appeal of Amanda Bynes (who should draw the target audience of young girls) and the solid presence of Colin Firth (who should draw their mothers). At least somebody FINALLY figured that out!"}, {"response": 477, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (14:46)", "body": "What a Girl Wants\" Cast Interviews Yeah, we wish..AB and KP only..KP's most relevant q & a.. What was it like to work with Colin Firth? Wonderful. He's very English, somewhat formal, but really kind and really warm at the same time. And he's really funny. http://romanticmovies.about.com/cs/whatagirlwants/"}, {"response": 478, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (15:35)", "body": "This is from the Gotham magazine with Rachel Weisz on the cover. Firth and Foremost Dashing British leading man Colin Firth opens up about Bridget Jones, Tony Blair, Mick Jagger, and much more. Considering his nearly 20 years in the business, two Oscar-winning movies (Shakespeare In Love and The English Patient), and big-time blockbuster success with Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary, you would think Colin Firth would be a household name in the US. Rather, he\ufffds still best remembered as the man who hit Hugh Grant in the kisser over the winsome Ms. Jones. This month, his latest movie, What a Girl Wants, starring Amanda Bynes, hits theaters nationwide. \ufffdHe\ufffds one of the nicest people I\ufffdve ever worked with,\ufffd says Bynes. \ufffdHe brings so much to his character and the film.\ufffd When we sat down with the first gentleman of the screen, he shared his thoughts on playing British stereotype, concealing rage, and speaking one\ufffds peace. \ufffd CLAY WEINER Gotham: What does it feel like to be constantly pegged as the successful yet repressed and uptight British man? Colin Firth: It\ufffds a paradox really. I realize that it looks that way from the outside, though I\ufffdm not seeing it so much myself. It\ufffds been lingering since Darcy [his acclaimed, career-making performance in the BBC\ufffds production of Jane Austen\ufffds Pride and Prejudice]. I don\ufffdt mind it really, being typecast as British. When you are British, it doesn\ufffdt feel like being typecast at all. G: If you were to play off type, what kind of roles would you most desire? CF: I\ufffdm about to do a film about a man suffering a nervous breakdown, which will be welcome new terrain. This recent picture, What A Girl Wants, is a return, I guess, to previous material, but it\ufffds a fairy tale. I like to think that the cinema holds a place for dreaming, for escapism...I wouldn\ufffdt want to be always in that area, and at times there was a sentimentality that I resisted, but for that moment it was satisfying. The desire to be truthful and the desire to be too austere compete with one another. This was, after all, a movie for teenagers. G: What happens when you sign on for a film, get halfway through it, and realize it\ufffds a dog? (Ed. note \ufffd This is now my all time favorite interview question for him. This writer is my hero. ;-)) CF: I\ufffdm very used to making the wrong call on things. I guess my instincts aren\ufffdt that good on that. (Ed. note\ufffdIs this including advisers as well?) Nobody\ufffds are, or else we would all be making masterpieces. You can cut eight different movies from what you shoot, and often your vision of a project is not in line with the director\ufffds. I think the reverse is also true; I have seen beauty come from what I thought was rubbish. (Such as?...) G: It\ufffds been rumored that you had a hand in convincing Renee Zellweger to reprise her role in Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary. CF: No, I don\ufffdt know where that got out. It\ufffds entirely not the case, and I suspect she is capable of making her own decisions. G: When the movie industry thinks sequels, we often get paltry versions of a quality original. What was your reaction when Bridget Jones 2 was brought to the table? CF: In the abstract, my thoughts were quite negative. The word sequel conjures up dreaded thoughts. You ask yourself do you want to do a sequel about something you\ufffdve already done? But then you read the story, and if the script transcends your skepticisms, you find a new affinity for it. In some respects, revisiting a familiar character is quite attractive to me. I\ufffdm not drawn to characters by how much they require a transformation. That might sound like an unusual thing for an actor to say, but what concerns me most is telling a story truthfully, not using a funny accent or changing my walk (Whew! Thank goodness). Getting deep into characters can be relentlessly interesting. G: One quality your movies have shared is managing to reach the heartstrings of women. What do you think women find so attractive about you? CF: I have no idea. I\ufffdd fall into all kinds of traps if I was to speculate on that matter. I suppose it\ufffds inherent in the qualities my character possess. There is something charming when you see one thing but suspect something is bubbling underneath; the substance below becomes more alluring, more erotic for that reason. (Couldn\ufffdt have said it better myself) Many of my characters have personified that duality. In the same respect, such qualities endure simply as an English archetype. I had some Italian friends over here on a visit, and they couldn\ufffdt understand it. They thought if I was perceived as sexy, then who else? Does that make John Major sexy? G: There is something subtle to your portrayals of men that goes beyond mere repression. CF: I look for twists. It isn\ufffdt just repression. They have to have a simmering below, a discomfort. You have to find it in the character. I find that what blocks people, their own limitations, most intriguing. G: Is there a future for the English gentleman, or is that character a dying sentimentalism? CF: The English are an e"}, {"response": 479, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (16:17)", "body": "Thanks for typing up that interview, Dorine; it was a good one! I liked the \"dog\" question too :) (CF) They thought if I was perceived as sexy, then who else? Does that make John Major sexy? LOL!"}, {"response": 480, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (16:19)", "body": "Dorine, thank you so much for the article (and your ed.notes). I seem to recall, that the headline has been used before, but who cares with these \"fresh\" questions. (interview)I like to think that the cinema holds a place for dreaming, for escapism... So true! No man provides sweeter dreams than ODB!"}, {"response": 481, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (16:25)", "body": "*Clap, clap* Dorine. You are #1 for taking the time to type this up. Good luck on getting any cred. I will say I enjoyed your side remarks as much as the interview!! G.\": How does English manhood compare to American manhood? (Is that in inches or cm? ;-)) \" A classic CF: I?m very used to making the wrong call on things. I guess my instincts aren?t that good on that.\" Even after 45 films??Hopeless.Maybe time to change agent. CF\"Especially Mick Jagger and John Lennon. Those are the guys I want to emulate. \" Lord save us. ~~~~~~~~~~~ I can't say I'm surprised at any of the answers.You?"}, {"response": 482, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (17:43)", "body": "Dorine...thanks so much for doing this! Love this interview. Good questions, but I must say it was your running commentary that increased the fun factor for me! (CF) That might sound like an unusual thing for an actor to say, but what concerns me most is telling a story truthfully, not using a funny accent or changing my walk (Whew! Thank goodness) . My sentiments exactly! Don't be changing that walk! (CF) We have an enormous history of warfare, a high record of violence at home, we\ufffdre oversexed (please expand on this! ;-)) , like to drink a lot -- Please do! Inquiring minds want to know! Thanks again Dorine!!"}, {"response": 483, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (18:16)", "body": "Dorine, thanks for typing up the Gotham Mag. article. You are firth and foremost in the editor's notes area! Your comments are right on! (Gotham article-CF)The one prevailing one is that every boy who ever went through English public school is gay. Wasn't this the same conversation he was having with Jon Stewart and Harry's wand? ;-) (Gotham article-CF)Those are the guys I want to emulate. The rock-and-roll culture still looms large. And he did a great job emulating one in WAGW, for sure. (Gotham article-CF)It\ufffds entirely not the case, and I suspect she is capable of making her own decisions. V. v. good answer on his part. He always knows how to answer these things that go back and forth with the truth so very politely."}, {"response": 484, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (18:40)", "body": "(Evelyn)Even after 45 films??Hopeless.Maybe time to change agent. Or the advisor;-) Thank you, Dorine for typing that. I enjoyed it. Really good questions, for a change. Great comments...As for the answers...that's ODB. (CF)but suspect something is bubbling underneath; the substance below becomes more alluring, more erotic for that reason. Oh, I could say something, but I won't! I'll be good for a change:-)*sigh* (Mari)I don't recall Kelly P being set for R&K, but she is slated for Jon Stewart's show tonight. She's a trouper, as her role in this is relatively small TV Guide had her listed for Tuesday. I thought Karen had it posted on the WAGW TV appearances, too. I even taped today thinking it was a mistake in the Guide but all I got was that %$#@$ \"other\" CF."}, {"response": 485, "author": "Megs128", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (20:42)", "body": "Thanks for the typing AND the commentary. Next time we let Dorine do the interview. (CF) \"Especially Mick Jagger and John Lennon. Those are the guys I want to emulate. \" Let's hope in fashion sense as well as attitude? I'd love to learn more about the difference between English and American, ahem, manhood...and I think that ODB in Mick Jagger's pants could DEFINITELY help with that one."}, {"response": 486, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (21:07)", "body": "CF)but suspect something is bubbling underneath; the substance below becomes more alluring, more erotic for that reason. Like magma?? Thanks, Dorine, for taking the time to type this article for us. It was refreshing to see some new questions and the way he varied the answers. I loved your editorial comments, especially the one about English vs. American manhood!"}, {"response": 487, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (22:46)", "body": "Just a quick note for people in later time zones. Be sure to catch Kelly P. on Jon Stewart's show; the clip she shows is the one where she and Henry are seeing each other for the first time in 17 years. The looks he gives her . . . I thought my TV would melt!:-)"}, {"response": 488, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (23:13)", "body": "Dorine! Thanks for the great interview. Do you know if Gotham Mag is available outside NYC? I've seen it in hotels up there, and on newsstands. Anyway, thanks so much for typing it out. Good interview, and some new questions, blessedly! Loved your running commmentary. I\ufffdm very used to making the wrong call on things. I guess my instincts aren\ufffdt that good on that This is new, never heard him be so open before. Wish I knew which ones he considers to be the dogs. I can tell you the ones that would get my vote.;-) I\ufffdm about to do a film about a man suffering a nervous breakdown Now we're talkin'. I guess this is Tramua; wish we had more info on it. I know--let's call his agent.;-) I had some Italian friends over here on a visit, and they couldn\ufffdt understand it. They thought if I was perceived as sexy, then who else? Does that make John Major sexy? Now we know why Rome no longer rules the world.;-) I like to think that the cinema holds a place for dreaming, for escapism...I wouldn\ufffdt want to be always in that area, and at times there was a sentimentality that I resisted, but for that moment it was satisfying. I can smell treacle a mile away, and this movie does not come off like that. The sentiment feels real and honest; is a tribute to Hunk Daddy and Baby Hunkette.:-) You\ufffdre met with hostilities, as in \ufffdWhat gives your opinion any more weight than mine?\ufffd Or \ufffdWhat makes your opinion any more qualified?\ufffd Damn, he's been reading the Odds & Ends board again.;-) Having some celebrity, in the end it is pretty damn useless in the scope of changing world affairs. Being a businessman would probably be far more influential. Finally, an actor who admits that what I do is more relevant than what he or she does.;-)"}, {"response": 489, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (23:21)", "body": "(Mari) Do you know if Gotham Mag is available outside NYC? It might be possible down there if you have a B&N or Borders, etc with a very comprehensive magazine selection. Outside of tri-state area, I would doubt it, but ya never know. Wonder if the interview was by a freelancer with an exclusive to Gotham."}, {"response": 490, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (23:35)", "body": "Entertainment Weakly actually gave it a decent review B-. But Owen G. is clearly jealous of HD.;-) What a Girl Wants Reviewed by Owen Gleiberman Today's tween girls want to be princesses without being snobs about it. That makes Amanda Bynes the perfect star for a princess fantasy about a bubble-icious American girl who gets to wear her tiara and cast it off, too. In What a Girl Wants, Bynes hops over to England to reunite with her long-lost dashing aristocrat father (Colin Firth), who let go of her mother (Kelly Preston) shortly after marrying her in Morocco. Bynes, who worked her way up the Nickelodeon kiddie ladder before costarring with Frankie Muniz in ''Big Fat Liar,'' has chipmunk cheeks, eyes as clear as a Kansas sky, and the ability to rock out in the punkette-gymnast manner of Avril Lavigne without in any way suggesting that her knowing hip swivels are driven by salacious thoughts. Ensconced in Daddy's mansion, Bynes shocks the stuffing out of all those fuddy-duddy English people, even as she gets the privilege of absorbing their classy airs. In her sassy but scrubbed way, Bynes is a real charmer, and ''What a Girl Wants'' is a likable throwaway. You do wish, however, that it didn't leave you with the unfortunate sight of Colin Firth, who comes off like Hugh Grant with mild indigestion, attempting to put aside his crusty ways by donning leather pants to play air guitar to ''Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo.'' Grade: B-"}, {"response": 491, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (23:43)", "body": "Thanks for typing up the article, Dorine. Is it the April or May issue? for correct citation purposes ;-) Will read later, but title is getting v. old. May have to number all the Firth and Foremosts in the archives. (Mari) the clip she shows is the one where she and Henry are seeing each other for the first time in 17 years. The looks he gives her . . . I thought my TV would melt!:-) Really? I thought it was one of his weaker \"Looks.\" Not up to par with the great ones. I'm guessing Mr Preston was on set that day and Colin wouldn't dare. ;-) Print reviews are coming in... From the Toronto Eye (might be alt paper), one star: If a kid's film features some secret surrounding a character's parents, you can bet on the parents turning out to be wildly famous, funny and, of course, rich. (Movies in which adopted children find out their parents are totally ordinary and poor are mostly only-for-grownups Mike Leigh movies.) In What a Girl Wants, New York teen Daphne (Amanda Bynes) finds out her biological dad is British aristocrat Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth), and, like an irrepressible Annie in the mansion of Daddy Warbucks, she disrupts his well-ordered life with rambunctious displays of Yankee love. Dennie Gordon directs this ho-hum story of father-daughter bonding with all the finesse you'd expect from someone who built his [sic] career directing TV shows like Dawson's Creek and Party of Five -- in other words, Daphne humourously falls over a lot in between blasts from the upbeat soundtrack. Gordon and Co. slobber all over themselves at how quaint and wonderful the British are, producing an effect that is strongly, cheesily American. Colin Firth and his co-star, Eileen Atkins (who plays his mother) seem to be under the misapprehension that they're in a serious movie about estrangement and reconciliation, which makes for some decent acting that's out of synch with the rest of the package. Bynes is a young actor with some serious limitations, and her awkward presence is at odds with the Daphne's supposedly magnetic personality. What a Girl Wants is a knock-off of The Princess Diaries -- Daphne even gets her own tiara -- with a pro-family message that grows increasingly nauseating. Why is it that little boys in movies get chosen as Jedi knights, wizards and secret agents, while the only job descriptions offered to little girls are princesses and socialites? Skip this pile of Eurotrash and take your female youngster to Bend it Like Beckham. CATHARINE TUNNACLIFFE ~~~~~~~ Another bad one from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune: http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Date=20030402&Category=APE&ArtNo=304020851&Ref=AR Besides wasting Bynes' talents, \"What a Girl Wants\" also squanders several veteran actors, including Eileen Atkins as Henry's mother, Jonathan Pryce as this top adviser, and Firth himself, though they manage to allow some deadpan humor to come through."}, {"response": 492, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Apr  2, 2003 (23:54)", "body": "(Karen) Is it the April or May issue? for correct citation purposes ;-) Ironically I was concerned about that, but I didn't put it because I didn't know, hence, indicated who was on the cover instead (had to leave for the premiere right after I typed it so no time to call stores to ask). I ripped the article out of the magazine at my salon.....with full permission of my stylist I might add. ;-) She told me I could take the whole mag as they had several copies, but I had a heavy-ish bag with me already...didn't want to add to it as I had to drag it uptown. There are no dates on the pages and the website had a Marisa Tomei article as the main feature, so I was pretty sure that wasn't current and didn't see a date anyway."}, {"response": 493, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (00:59)", "body": "CF: I\ufffdm very used to making the wrong call on things. I guess my instincts aren\ufffdt that good on that Maybe he should follow George Costanza's (Seinfeld) lead and do the exact *opposite* of his instincts. It worked for George. ;-)"}, {"response": 494, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (01:18)", "body": "Dorine, did you get to the premiere? Also, still want to hear about Dennie Gordon. What was your class's reaction to the film? What was yours? Am so proud; the Catholics \"get\" it;-) What a Girl Wants By David DiCerto Catholic News Service NEW YORK (CNS) --\"What A Girl Wants\" (Warner Bros.) is a contemporary fairy tale about a precocious American teen-ager (Amanda Bynes) who travels to London in search of the father she has never known. Inspired by the 1958 film \"The Reluctant Debutante\" and directed by Dennie Gordon, this delightful modern Cinderella story celebrates the bonds between parents and children and the possibility of second chances which love affords. Daphne Reynolds (Bynes) feels incomplete. She has style, charm and a bright future. She lives in New York's Chinatown with her doting, bohemian mom, Libby (Kelly Preston), a wedding singer who has raised her daughter in an atmosphere of spirited independence. Daphne, however, longs to meet the father she has only heard about in her mother's bedtime stories -- a dashing Englishman Libby had shared a whirlwind romance with 17 years ago while traveling through the Moroccan desert. Working weddings with her mom has afforded Daphne a front-row view of countless brides dressed in storybook gowns dancing \"that special dance\" with their dads -- an all-too-painful reminder of the lost relationship which will deny her from ever sharing in that joyous ritual. Armed only with her unabashed joie de vivre and a photo of the debonair Brit, Daphne impetuously hops across the pond to seek the one missing piece of the puzzle that will make her life and her family complete. Once in London, Daphne befriends a young punk musician, Oliver (Ian Wallace), who, as Cupid would have it, immediately falls for her charm. Together they track down her father, who just happens to be a high-profile Tory politician, Lord Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth), who is currently embroiled in a hotly contested campaign for election in Parliament. Needless to say, her arrival triggers a series of events, which put Dashwood's political plans as well as his personal life in a tailspin. At times both comic and touching, Daphne slowly has a liberating effect on Dashwood's self-imposed highbrow stodginess. The aristocrat, however, must ultimately choose between acknowledging the brash Yank as his daughter, thereby jeopardizing his political ambitions, or walking away from his one chance at true happiness. As Lady Jocelyn (Eileen Atkins), the Dashwood matriarch and resident fairy godmother, ruefully observes, \"For 600 years this family has been sacrificing parts of its body for England. You are going to have sacrifice your heart.\" Further complicating the situation are the machinations of Dashwood's conniving fiancee, Glynnis (Anna Chancellor), and Glynnis' Machiavellian father, Alastair Payne (Jonathan Pryce), both of whom contemptuously view Daphne as gauche. Years earlier, the elitist Payne had likewise deemed Libby unsuitable and plotted the lovers' eventual break-up. No fairy tale would be complete without a jealous stepsister (Christina Cole) and a broom closet in which Daphne is locked on the night of the royal ball. Bynes, the popular star of Nickelodeon's \"The Amanda Show,\" brings comedic timing and a youthful grace to the role of Daphne, with saucer-like eyes which reflect the vulnerability of a girl on the cusp of becoming a woman. Firth's Dashwood conveys with restraint and subtlety the stiff-upper-lip pathos of a man torn between happiness and duty. His measured Prince Charming balances Bynes' zestful Cinderella. While the film has instances of mildly offensive language and scattered sexual innuendoes, its strong moral message reinforces the important role a parent plays in a child's life and the sometimes-courageous sacrifices demanded of a parent's love. As such, some parents may feel the film is fine for their pre-teens as well. True to its storybook inspiration, the movie reaffirms the timeless message that if you remain true to yourself and embrace the uniqueness of every person, dreams can come true. To our cynical society, such optimism may seem dubious. Perhaps we need more fairytales, especially in light of current events which seem to preclude hopes of \"happily ever afters.\" The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG -- parental guidance suggested. - - - DiCerto is on the staff of the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops."}, {"response": 495, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (06:24)", "body": "\"Mr. Beaks\" has an interesting interview with Dennie Gordon at AICN, which talks about, among other things, \"the Alpha-Anglo Firth.\" . . .But mention Colin Firth, and Dennie, like most women nowadays, *really* gets excited. \ufffdI always wanted Colin. I wanted to get Colin before the movie was even greenlit. I came over to woo him because I felt he could bring something for the adults. Since BRIDGET JONES, he makes all girls kinda weak in the knees.\ufffd As for why it is that this proper, straight-laced Brit melts hearts the world over, Dennie enthuses, \ufffdI gotta tell you, when I first went to England to beg him to be in the movie, we didn\ufffdt even have a script. I just pitched him the story. And there was something about the pitch, I think, that spoke to him. And with Colin\ufffd you get this unbridled principle integrity from Colin; it\ufffds just there in the man.\ufffd . . . For full story go to http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com"}, {"response": 496, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (06:35)", "body": "Dorine thanks for the Gotham interview and your great comments, loved it and appreciate you taking the time with your bratty computer. Karen and Mari, thanks for all the reviews. Especially fond of the Catholic news service review...maybe it is time to go back to church ;-)"}, {"response": 497, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (08:06)", "body": "(DennieG) Dennie enthuses, ?I gotta tell you, when I first went to England to beg him to be in the movie, we didn?t even have a script.\" He signed on *before* reading the script??? Oh, for sure, he must have seen \"Joe Dirt\" \"Have to work with that director\". These kids don't read reviews.I looked up Maid in Manhattan which had 41% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has made $93. M domestic alone."}, {"response": 498, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (08:39)", "body": "(Dennie Gordon interview) \ufffdI always wanted Colin. LOL.....Me too! Imagine! (Dennie continues...) I wanted to get Colin before the movie was even greenlit. I came over to woo him.... This is amazing! This works??! I don't have a movie! Does anyone have his number? I wanna call him! A girl can try! And even if he says no to my non-existent movie without a script at least I can woo him! ;-D Thanks for the reviews Mari!"}, {"response": 499, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (08:56)", "body": "Sorry to post twice in a row. More WAGW clips on Yahoo! http://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hv&id=1808415451&cf=trailer&intl=us"}, {"response": 500, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (09:12)", "body": "(DennieG) Dennie enthuses, \"I gotta tell you, when I first went to England to beg him to be in the movie, we didn't even have a script.\" (Evelyn) He signed on *before* reading the script??? Oh, for sure, he must have seen \"Joe Dirt\" \"Have to work with that director\". ROTFLOL!! Hadn't even seen the script? I'd bet the begging included a \"big paycheck.\" He's so transparent."}, {"response": 501, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (09:22)", "body": "LOL Karen! She probably *paid extra!*"}, {"response": 502, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (09:26)", "body": "Only Amanda, Oliver James, another kiddie kast member, and Dennie Gordon were at the NY Premiere; I've been supplying pics to Robair. ;-)"}, {"response": 503, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (09:34)", "body": "another kiddie kast member The guy who played Armistead."}, {"response": 504, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (09:38)", "body": "Essentially, a so-so review, but one with the best writeup on Colin. From the Fort Worth Weekly: Bynes of the Times What a Girl Wants is a nice coming-out party, but its star deserves better. By Kristian Lin Amanda Bynes has big, saucer-shaped eyes, a naturally vivacious personality, and considerable gifts for physical comedy and vocal impersonations. For the past several years, she has shone on cable tv shows and in a supporting role in last year's Big Fat Liar. It doesn't seem premature at all that she has now earned her first lead role in What a Girl Wants, a movie that allows her quite a few opportunities to flash the qualities that have made her a star. Bynes plays Daphne Reynolds, a salt-of-the-earth New Yorker who grows up listening to her mom (Kelly Preston) tell the story of falling in love with the handsome English Lord Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth) while backpacking through the North African desert. When his uptight family rejected her, she returned to America and had Daphne without telling him about his child. Wanting to know her father after all this time, Daphne packs up after she turns 17 and heads to London on her own. Her father takes her in after getting over his initial surprise. However, Daphne's tendency to get into bad public situations endangers his burgeoning political career. The credits claim that this movie is based on The Reluctant Debutante (a pleasant 1958 comedy starring Rex Harrison and the incredibly cool, tragically short-lived Kay Kendall), but the resemblances are hard to come by. The film would have been better off concentrating on the father and daughter getting to know each other. Instead it tries to do too much. There are subplots about Lord Henry's political career (na\ufffdve), his relationship with his snobbish fianc\ufffde and her spoiled daughter (overdrawn), and Daphne's romance with a sensitive musician (limp). Though director Dennie Gordon fights to maintain the energy level, the movie loses too much steam as it winds to its conclusion. ***** Still, that can't kill off the good will generated by Bynes and Colin Firth. The essentially glum English actor continually finds his way into comedies that mine his glumness for humor. Previous films have made him a straitlaced foil for looser actors such as Hugh Grant (Bridget Jones's Diary) and Rupert Everett (The Importance of Being Earnest), which he does pretty well. He's given more to do here, and he responds, flashing anger and betrayal at the people who kept his daughter's existence from him, and suggesting a hip guy underneath the lordly exterior. Many actors faced with the challenge of playing second fiddle to a 17-year-old would have phoned it in; Firth gives a performance that's as real as the script allows him to be. Bynes gets plenty to do as well, including a funny dance number at the beginning and several pratfalls, which she takes skillfully. Sadly, she's not as good with the big heartfelt speeches that the movie gives her. The speeches themselves aren't so much of a problem, but they indicate that the film isn't satisfied with the genuine cuteness of its star and wants to make her into the kind of actress that she isn't at this point in her career. What a Girl Wants is supposedly about being true to yourself. It should have taken its own advice when it came to its leading lady. http://www.fwweekly.com/issues/2003-04-03/film2.html"}, {"response": 505, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (09:45)", "body": "Dorine, thanks so much for the Gotham article! I agree with others - I enjoyed your comments as much as the article. It was an unusually good set of questions. And he had me giggling over this comment - I can just imagine the deadpan delivery: I don\ufffdt mind it really, being typecast as British. When you are British, it doesn\ufffdt feel like being typecast at all."}, {"response": 506, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (09:59)", "body": "I was just googling for news and found an odd reference to a movie *our* CF was supposedly in. Clearly they meant the \"anti-CF\" (Photo caption) Crisis situation. Forest Whitaker and Colin Firth (inside the phone booth) star in \ufffdPhone Booth,\ufffd about a man who is held on the phone by a sniper. http://www.dailytrojan.com/article.do?issue=/V148/N47&id=03-dorect.47d.html"}, {"response": 507, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (10:04)", "body": "Many actors faced with the challenge of playing second fiddle to a 17-year-old would have phoned it in; Firth gives a performance that's as real as the script allows him to be. I'll take this! Again, never the weak link (you would hope not in a cast with so many teenagers) and always spot on! Won't lead to that amazing dramatic role in the future, but I don't think it will hurt his career either (hey, at least it's not Boat Trip, right?). I enjoyed it and I guess that is what matters....enjoyed it so much that tomorrow is a day off in honor of my second viewing...going to the early show! And thanks Karen...you've been a mad 'review poster'....I know we all appreciate all the hard work!"}, {"response": 508, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (10:14)", "body": "v.bad review by a not a pimply-faced online review, though he did get Dennie Gordon's gender wrong as I've been noticing others have as well. By James Berardinelli: Forget Halloween. Forget The Shining. Forget The Exorcist and The Ring. The movie to truly horrify a grown man is What a Girl Wants, a motion picture that only a female (preferably between the ages of 8 and 16) could love. This goes beyond the term \"chick flick\" to something more estrogen-driven than a romantic comedy. It's a variation of the Cinderella fairy tale that knows its target audience. Pre-teen and teenage girls (and maybe a few older women) will adore this motion picture. They will identify with the main character as a fantasy object, sigh over older hunk Colin Firth and younger hunk Oliver James, and hiss and spit at wicked, nasty Anna Chancellor. In fact, the only thing surprising about What a Girl Wants is that it's not from Disney, the company that foisted the oh-too-similar Princess Diaries upon us. Predictable, giddy movies with contrived plot devices and relentlessly upbeat endings are not my kind of thing. I don't like films where I'm always at least two steps ahead of the screenwriter and three ahead of the characters. It is possible to construct a modern-day fairy tale with a smart script (try Drew Barrymore's Ever After, if you don't believe me), but that would take more effort than what has occurred here \ufffd slapping together a bunch of tried-and-true elements and throwing them up on the screen. I didn't hate What a Girl Wants, but there were plenty of times when I found myself wishing it would have the gumption to be more than it is. The 100 minutes go by effortlessly, although they aren't spent profitably. Daphne Reynolds (Amanda Bynes) is a typical 16-year old teenage girl being raised by a single parent, Libby (Kelly Preston). She has never met her father because he doesn't know about her. 17 years ago, Libby met Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth), in Morocco, where they were married in a desert ceremony. But the marriage fell apart when Henry returned to England and his stuck-up friends and advisors urged Libby to go home. Now, nearly two decades later, Daphne tracks down her father and shows up unannounced in his back garden, upsetting his life, his bid for a seat in Parliament, and his prospective marriage to the haughty Glynnis (Anna Chancellor). Aside from Henry, the only one delighted to meet Daphne is her grandmother (Eileen Atkins). Thus begins a tug-of-war, as Daphne and Henry work to change one another. She tries to loosen him up; he tries to teach her decorum. Along the way, she also finds time to fall in love with Ian (Oliver James), a local musician. Lead actress Amanda Bynes is perky and energetic, and does a good job when the screenplay doesn't require much in the way of emotional range or depth. After a while, however, the non-stop cheerfulness and high-wattage smile begin to wear on one's nerves. Colin Firth does his best not to appear constantly embarrassed, which is something of a challenge, especially when he's put in the position of having to try on tight leather pants. Kelly Preston is relaxed and in her element. This is the kind of role she can play without trying. Both Anna Chancellor, as the wicked stepmother type, and Jonathan Pryce, as her father, look constantly constipated. What a Girl Wants is not only the victim of mediocre writing, it is hamstrung by amateurish camerawork. Director Dennie Gordon only has one feature on his resume (Joe Dirt), and his lack of skill is apparent. He is overly fond of close-ups (probably as a result of his numerous television credits) and many of his shots are static and composed with a 1.33:1 aspect ratio in mind (despite the fact that the movie is projected at 2:35:1). The result is a movie whose flat look seems strangely appropriate for its lightweight story. This is a throwaway TV movie packaged for a theatrical release. Anyone not in the target demographic is advised to give it a wide berth. http://movie-reviews.colossus.net/movies/w/what_girl.html"}, {"response": 509, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (11:04)", "body": "Here is a gallery of the images from the NYC premiere from Wire Image http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=gls===25201"}, {"response": 510, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (11:08)", "body": "This group from Wire Image shows Amanda and Oliver James presenting memorabilia to Planet Hollywood. Interesting that the peace/victory sign poster is the one shown. http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=gls===25232"}, {"response": 511, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (11:42)", "body": "Thanks, Dorine, for the great interview. And to everyone for reviews, photos, etc. Here's a small find from The Edmonton Sun. There's no real Colin info, but I'd love to see the home videos she made. http://www.canoe.ca/EdmontonExpress/es.es-04-03-0080.html Modern Cinderella tale for teens What a Girl Wants star grows up By LOUIS B. HOBSON, CALGARY SUN Girls just wanna have fun and that goes for celebrities like Amanda Bynes. Bynes, 16, has been a TV star since she was 10 - yet she insists her life has been fairly normal. She first began appearing on the Nickelodeon kids' show All That in 1996. Three years later she had her own Nickelodeon series, The Amanda Show. Last year she began filming her first TV sitcom, What I Like About You, for the WB network. Between these series, Bynes managed to star opposite Frankie Muniz in the 2002 comedy Big Fat Liar, and on Friday she opens as the star of the comedy What a Girl Wants. \"I don't think I've missed out on my youth. Even when I was doing my TV shows I managed to attend classes at a regular school for at least half of each year. \"I have a lot of friends but I also have my career so I really do have the best of both worlds,\" says Bynes. Her world expanded significantly when she agreed to star in What a Girl Wants, where she plays an American girl who goes to England in search of her birth father, played by Colin Firth. The film was shot in and around London. It was Bynes's first trip abroad but, even more importantly, it was her first time on her own. Her parents stayed in California. \"As soon as I got off the plane and into the car and realized they drive on the opposite side of the road I felt so weird. I got a headache just trying to take it all in. \"It was so incredible to be walking around Picadilly by myself and meeting all the cool people on our British crew. \"I've been so protected in my little Nickelodeon bubble and on my American TV shows and on Big Fat Liar.\" Bynes had brought her video camera so she could share moments with friends and family once the shoot was over. \"I was videotaping all the time. England is so beautiful and it's so rich in history. It was so much fun being there.\" In the film, Bynes's character Daphne Reynolds causes quite a stir with her father's upper-class friends and associates because she is so different. \"England and America are not nearly as different as we portray it in the film. We just magnify some of the obvious differences to get laughs. \"In real life, kids my age like pretty much the same music and they dress the same. I didn't really stand out like Daphne does when she goes places in the movie.\" Daphne's big transformation occurs when she attends garden parties, formal affairs and parties. True to the Cinderella tale this is, the girl who exclusively wears jeans, T-shirts, clogs and sweats suddenly appears in magnificent designer gowns. \"At first I really wanted to keep the white gown I wear at Daphne's coming-out ball. I thought if I got married one day it would be a big help.\" By the time she had finished shooting that extended sequence, Byne had changed her mind. \"I had to wear that dress for so long and it was so tight it gave me bruises, so I didn't even want to look at it anymore let alone keep it.\" Bynes says she hopes her romantic comedy will have the same appeal for young girls as Clueless and Legally Blonde had for her when she saw them. \"Clueless is still my favourite movie of all time and I also like Legally Blonde and The Princess Diaries because movies like these provide a fun way to feel good about being a girl.\" What a Girl Wants and her new TV show What I Like About You excite Bynes because she gets \"to play my own age. I'm not being passed off as a little kid anymore. \"These projects deal with issues that people my age go through. I know it's difficult for some of my fans from my Nickelodeon shows to accept that I'm not a little kid anymore because there are so many reruns of those series. \"I'm not that little girl anymore so I hope they don't expect me to stay young forever.\" Bynes says she has been offered several film projects to fill her hiatus from What I Like About You this summer but she hasn't accepted anything yet. \"I'd actually just like to take the summer off. I'd rather not work. I'm pretty tired from everything I've had to do these past 12 months. \"I just want to be me for a while.\""}, {"response": 512, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (11:57)", "body": "Thanks Karen, Mari, and all for the typing and scanning so that we can enjoy the reviews...good and not so good. (article)Still, that can't kill off the good will generated by Bynes and Colin Firth IMHO, the film's strongest asset. (CF)I don\ufffdt mind it really, being typecast as British. When you are British, it doesn\ufffdt feel like being typecast at all. LOL, I love that line. (Tress)This is amazing! This works??! I don't have a movie! Does anyone have his number? I wanna call him! A girl can try! And even if he says no to my non-existent movie without a script at least I can woo him! ;-D I think you need an assistant for this, Tress."}, {"response": 513, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (12:33)", "body": "By CHRISTY LEMIRE, AP Entertainment Writer What Amanda Bynes (news) should have wanted from \"What a Girl Wants\" is a better script \ufffd and she deserves it. A rising star who had her own variety show on Nickelodeon at 12, and who was easily the best thing in the otherwise unwatchable \"Big Fat Liar\" with Frankie Muniz (news), Bynes is cute, funny and infinitely likable. She has the looks and comic timing of a young Jennifer Aniston (news) \ufffd another actress for whom it took too long to leap successfully from television to film. What the 17-year-old Bynes got was a sticky-sweet fairy tale strictly for tweens and teens who couldn't get enough of this movie when it came out in 2001 and was called \"The Princess Diaries.\" \"What a Girl Wants\" smacks of the sitcommy humor Bynes hopefully will be so done with soon, full of pratfalls and repeated sight gags. This should come as no surprise, though; the director, Dennie Gordon, previously directed episodes of \"Ally McBeal (news - Y! TV)\" and other TV shows before making her feature debut with 2001's disastrous \"Joe Dirt.\" And Jenny Bicks, one of the screenwriters, has written episodes of \"Sex and the City (news - Y! TV).\" Thirty minutes or so of this kind of comedy may work, but in feature film form, it feels forced \ufffd and Gordon made the movie even longer than it had to be with several montages of Bynes' character trying on clothes, with insipid girl-power pop playing in the background. The most interesting thing about the movie took place behind the scenes: Warner Bros. changed the ads, which featured Bynes flashing a peace sign and wearing a tank top adorned with an American flag, to ones in which her hand is resting at her side. Because of the war in Iraq (news - web sites), the studio feared the peace sign would be misinterpreted as a political statement. But there's no way anyone could confuse this movie with one that has something serious to say. Bynes plays the perky Daphne Reynolds, who grew up in New York City's Chinatown section with her bohemian mother, Libby (Kelly Preston (news)). At one of the many weddings where Daphne works as a waitress while Libby sings with her rock band (and Preston really does belt out bad covers of Celine Dion (news) songs), Daphne laments that she'll never have the father-daughter dance the bride enjoys because she doesn't know her father. Dad is Lord Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth (news)), a British politician from an aristocratic family with whom Libby fell in love and informally married in Morocco 17 years ago. But Henry's family gave her the boot because she was an unsuitable Yank, and he never learned he had a daughter. (You see where this is leading, right?) Daphne impetuously jets off to England, where The Clash's \"London Calling\" plays as she sees the sights from the top of a double-decker bus, naturally. (The filmmakers couldn't resist using that great but obvious song, but notably left out Christina Aguilera (news)'s \"What a Girl Wants\" \ufffd though its inclusion certainly couldn't have hurt.) All the requisite cultural clashes ensue. Daphne's cute new boyfriend, a local musician named Ian (Oliver James), has to explain that the \"loo\" is a thing, not a person. And when she finally meets her father \ufffd along with his controlling fiancee, Glynnis (Anna Chancellor), and her snooty daughter, Clarissa (Reese Witherspoon (news) look-alike Christina Cole) \ufffd Daphne is forced to conform to their conservative, traditional ways, which includes changing her wardrobe and stifling her personality. While the movie's you-go-girl, be-yourself message is exactly what its target audience needs to hear, the problem is, Daphne was by no means socially unacceptable in the first place. She's extremely normal \ufffd a vivacious, stylish, inquisitive girl. So breaking her down just to rebuild her in their image, and having her assert herself, is a pretty unfounded premise. Besides wasting Bynes' talents, \"What a Girl Wants\" also squanders several veteran actors, including Eileen Atkins as Henry's mother, Jonathan Pryce (news) as his top adviser, and Firth himself, though they manage to allow some deadpan humor to come through. But lines such as \"This Cinderella's got a dad \ufffd she not going anywhere,\" are likely to be the groaners you remember long after this movie has turned into a pumpkin. \"What a Girl Wants,\" a Warner Bros. Pictures release, is rated PG for mild language. Running time: 103 minutes. One and a half stars out of four. ___ Motion Picture Association of America rating definitions: G \ufffd General audiences. All ages admitted. PG \ufffd Parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children. PG-13 \ufffd Special parental guidance strongly suggested for children under 13. Some material may be inappropriate for young children. R \ufffd Restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. NC-17 \ufffd No one under 17 admitted."}, {"response": 514, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (13:18)", "body": "Maria has found an older interview, done for BJD, which has quite a lot of new information and a morbidly funny quip by Colin. I've given it the 'special interview' treatment: http://www.firth.com/articles/01unreel_bjd_p1.html BTW, it is one two pages, in case no one notices the link. ;-) More to come..."}, {"response": 515, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (13:42)", "body": "Thanks Dorine for the great article. And thank you everyone for all the items, links and reviews. So much to take in. Thanks again."}, {"response": 516, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (14:06)", "body": "(Maria) Especially fond of the Catholic news service review me too! (an am not even Catholic) :-)"}, {"response": 517, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (14:08)", "body": "How do they regard your profession? They're dead. So they're perfectly at peace with it now ROTFL! This has been posted or printed somewhere before? Some of it seems quite familiar. Thanks Karen for this and all the reviews. And to Mari, Murph, Brenda, et al for the recent articles and reviews."}, {"response": 518, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (14:26)", "body": "(Linda) I think you need an assistant for this, Tress. Oh definitely! You can help me do the pitch...can you improvise? ;-) (CF interview) But I've been sent shoes. I think that is even stranger than underwear. That's were that other shoe went! ;-) (CF interview) I can say to this day, that I've actually never had a sexual proposition. LOL...this is hard to believe! But I guess that's his story and he's sticking to it...imagine LD wouldn't want to hear otherwise. Thank you Maria and Karen for that interview! Wow..two good ones in two days! Thanks ladies!"}, {"response": 519, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (14:50)", "body": "Dorine's article is here with *my* interpretation. ;-) http://www.firth.com/articles/03gotham_apr.html"}, {"response": 520, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (16:10)", "body": "Oooooh Mari! I just read Mr Beaks' interview with Dennie and you didn't highlight this part: Our conversation is wide ranging, from her graduate work at Yale to her possible future collaborations with Alpha-Anglo Firth, (note to Dennie: pursue fervently)... *banging head against wall*"}, {"response": 521, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (16:15)", "body": "(Maria) Especially fond of the Catholic news service review Perhaps all that candle-lighting has finally paid off????? thanks everyone for posting reviews, good and not so good. Can't believe tomorrow is Friday already!!! Time to go to the movies!"}, {"response": 522, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (16:26)", "body": "(article)I've just tended to find that I'll operate on a case-by-case basis He could operate my case any day ;-) Thank you all, for the articles and reviews."}, {"response": 523, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (16:36)", "body": "(Karen)which has quite a lot of new information and a morbidly funny quip by Colin. Thanks for the interview.(All two pages;-). Hysterically funny....we got the bird again in Nigeria. But he hasn't recalled the St. Louis playground gang in a few years now...I miss 'em;-)))"}, {"response": 524, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (16:52)", "body": "Thank you, Karen and Maria! What female stars would you like to work or think you'd have great chemistry with? I'm not getting caught out on that one. That's private. Smart boy (though I loved his reference back to it in the following question)"}, {"response": 525, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (17:35)", "body": "How do they regard your profession? They're dead. So they're perfectly at peace with it now Dorine, this was my favorit line, too. LOL The new man doesn't work so now I've got to try to discover my inner wild man. Come to think of it, I like this one, too. Oh just the thought of it. Thank you, Karen."}, {"response": 526, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (17:44)", "body": "Her parents are from...one is from Siena and one is from Florence. Moon's going to like this one. Parents from two warring cities. They generally hate each other. ;-) Is there anything that you want him to see? No. There's nothing I'm burning him to see, at all. Sad, v. sad. :-("}, {"response": 527, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (18:13)", "body": "WOooooh Mari! I just read Mr Beaks' interview with Dennie and you didn't highlight this part Hey, I lead the horses to the water . . .;-) Thanks for the interview, Karen and Maria! Ok, the real reviews, from real newspapers, are starting to come in. Appropriate that this woman's name is actually ogle, given her comments;-) What a girl wants: mom and dad -- and a lot of wholesome fantasy Connie Ogle Miami Herald What a Girl Wants is exactly what a girl -- specifically a dreamy middle-school girl -- wants. It's a cheery, impossible fantasy in which the bright, resourceful but completely nonthreatening heroine has a cool, gorgeous, ex-hippie singer mom who doesn't seem to object to tattoos; a rich, gorgeous, ex-hippie politician father; access to his extensive family estate and connections, and an adorable British singer boyfriend who looks like a baby Keanu Reeves and rides a motorcycle. In a wholesome, nonthreatening way, of course. It also has a reasonably likable star in Nickelodeon's Amanda Bynes, a teen-friendly message that won't appall parents -- be true to yourself -- and, for mothers weary of the boring grown-ups in Crossroads and A Walk to Remember, Colin Firth, who may look like a dad to the kids but will always be Pride and Prejudice's Mr. Darcy to the rest of us. Firth is only one member of the high-pedigree cast; others, such as Eileen Atkins and Jonathan Pryce, also lend the film a touch of respectability. Inspired by 1958's The Reluctant Debutante and bearing a whopping debt to Cinderella and The Princess Diaries, What a Girl Wants tells the story of 17-year-old Daphne (Bynes), who wants to meet her high-profile father in England. Her mom (Kelly Preston) has tried to protect Daphne from his severe and snooty family, but Daphne takes off across the sea anyway. Don't ask where the waitress daughter of a wedding singer got the money for the Virgin Atlantic ticket. It would be unseemly. Daphne discovers Lord Henry Dashwood (Firth) is busy running for Parliament, and, worse, he comes complete with a wicked stepmother-to-be (Anna Chancellor, doomed to lose Firth's affection yet again the way she did in Pride and Prejudice) as well as an even more wicked stepsister (Christina Cole). Henry does, however, accept Daphne into his home, where she proceeds to disrupt stuffy British events because she is, after all, an American. That means she is madcap and irrepressible while all around her turn up their noses, at least until they're bewitched by her charm and dance moves. (It should be noted that I will scream aloud at the next movie in which uptight people dancing is the stuff of high comedy.) Daphne does try to change into the perfect daughter, much to the dismay of her singer suitor Ian (pin up-to-be Oliver James), but eventually realizes she must be herself. This, like everything else in the movie, is not unexpected. But What a Girl Wants is a fairy tale, after all, and by now we know what that means. The bad are punished, good triumphs and The Clash's London Calling blares on the soundtrack. Daphne makes a designer original out of a truly hideous dress armed only with a pair of scissors, and Dad loosens up enough to try on a pair of his old leather pants. That's Colin Firth in leather pants. Now talk about a fantasy."}, {"response": 528, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (18:19)", "body": "Karen Heller Philadelphia Inquirer Designed as the ideal confection to attract a young girl or teen, What a Girl Wants will more likely hook their mothers. Ostensibly, the movie stars Nickelodeon luminary Amanda Bynes, but it truly belongs to Colin Firth, the thinking woman's Hugh Grant. Bynes, late of The Amanda Show, plays Daphne Reynolds, love child of a footloose American flower child (Kelly Preston) and English aristocrat Firth, who split before her birth despite true love because, well, that's the way these movies work. After high school graduation, Bynes flies to London, picks up a cute singing beau in no time at all (newcomer Oliver James), but all she really wants is Daddy, whose inner rebel is muffled in pinstripes. Firth is also saddled with a stuck-up fiancee and her daughter, plus a run for Parliament orchestrated by her nasty father. Nobody can do hound-dog eyes coupled with upper-class repression better than Firth, and here he gets his chance. Not to belabor the point, although Girl is nothing if not belabored, Firth plays Lord Dashwood, the surname of Jane Austen's sisters in Sense and Sensibility, after having played Mr. Darcy twice, in A&E's entrancing Pride and Prejudice and in Bridget Jones's Diary. But this, alas, is Clueless without a clue. Bynes has a pixie face and a Brazilian-model body of death, the juxtaposition supplying the movie's greatest tension. She's likable enough, though her acting range is ideally suited for children's cable and this role calls on her to be nonstop adorable. Girl, you'll be happy to know, contains the entire catalog of chick-flick cliches: shopping (twice), debutante ball, evil rivals (mother and daughter), good and bad suitor (for Dad and daughter), makeover (ditto), plus acquisition of major jewelry. Sterling stage actors Jonathan Pryce and Eileen Atkins are prominently featured, but only Atkins is put to good use, uttering such maxims as \"No hugs, dear, I'm British. We only show affection to dogs and horses.\""}, {"response": 529, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (18:29)", "body": "(Mari) Appropriate that this woman's name is actually ogle, given her comments;-) *hee hee hee* Apparently, the P&P graduating class have all become movie critics. That's one way to take over. ;-) That's Colin Firth in leather pants. Now talk about a fantasy. it truly belongs to Colin Firth, the thinking woman's Hugh Grant. Am putting my boots on."}, {"response": 530, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (18:31)", "body": "What a Girl Wants will more likely hook their mothers. Ostensibly, the movie stars Nickelodeon luminary Amanda Bynes, but it truly belongs to Colin Firth, the thinking woman's Hugh Grant. Finally, we're recognized;-) Loved that!!! Loved that \"it truly belongs to Colin Firth, bit as well. Thanks, Mari...and from the Inquirer, too! thank you Maria, too."}, {"response": 531, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (18:47)", "body": "http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0404/p16s01-almo.html Christian Science Monitor reviews Highlights...mainly lowlights SWINGING INTO COMEDY: Colin Firth, who has made something of a specialty of romantic leads, takes on the role of Dad in 'What a Girl Wants' with Amanda Bynes. WARNER BROS. Mr. Darcy trades in horse for a motorcycle ...\"I enjoyed it because I play a father ... and also, I didn't have to leave England,\" says Mr. Firth, who plays Lord Henry Dashwood. \"I was home each night with my wife and young son.\" ...When Firth isn't working, one can find him reading. That is, unless he is with his Italian-born wife, vacationing in Italy. \"I love to travel to Rome. I really enjoy visiting the little villages near there,\" Firth says. \"One of the things important to me is to try my hand at cooking their specialties. \"Don't ask my wife about my cooking. She'll agree the food is quite wonderful, but after I'm finished, the kitchen is far from tidy.\" ****** And, if you follow the link to the movie review... The junior nobility diaries By David Sterritt If the Warner Bros. wizards have it right, what a girl wants is to see as much of Amanda Bynes as she possibly can. Eager to please, said wizards have shoved Ms. Bynes into almost every frame of their new romantic comedy. This is excellent news for Bynes's youthful fans...It's not so great for the rest of us, since the film has nothing else to offer. The junior nobility diaries By David Sterritt If the Warner Bros. wizards have it right, what a girl wants is to see as much of Amanda Bynes as she possibly can. This is excellent news for Bynes's youthful fans...It's not so great for the rest of us, since the film has nothing else to offer. ...For my money, \"What a Girl Wants\" is weaker in every department, but I don't expect that to weaken its box-office prospects. These are assured by Bynes's popularity and - in case anyone over 21 shows up - supporting performances by Kelly Preston, the gifted Eileen Atkins, and Colin Firth, whose Hugh Grant impersonation has reached its pinnacle. Ladies? Time for the evil eye."}, {"response": 532, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (19:08)", "body": "(Barb S)Ladies? Time for the evil eye. No worries, I was born in Salem, Mass... (no, really...)"}, {"response": 533, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (20:01)", "body": "NY Times [Not so hot] MOVIE REVIEW | 'WHAT A GIRL WANTS' Teaching the Old World Relatives Her New World Ways By DAVE KEHR Credit for fast thinking has to go to the Time-Warner executive who realized that Vincente Minnelli's 1958 comedy \"The Reluctant Debutante\" was ripe for a remake after the success of the 2001 Cinderella fantasy \"The Princess Diaries.\" A result, thoroughly retooled for the audience now known as tweeners ? girls too old for Nickelodeon but not quite ready for \"The Hours\" ? is \"What a Girl Wants.\" It was directed by Dennie Gordon (\"Joe Dirt\") from a script by Jenny Bicks and Elizabeth Chandler (\"A Little Princess\"), loosely derived from the play by William Douglas Home that inspired the Minnelli film. What was a supporting role in the original movie ? an American teenager (Sandra Dee) who spends a season in the social whirl of aristocratic London ? is now, in the child-centric universe of contemporary Hollywood, the leading part. As portrayed by the Nickelodeon alumna Amanda Bynes, Daphne Reynolds is a frisky young woman who lives in Manhattan's Chinatown with her single mom (Kelly Preston), an aging rock musician who now plays Long Island weddings. Daphne has never met her father, an English lord, Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth, stammering like a second-string Hugh Grant), who was tricked into breaking up with her mother before Daphne was born. Impulsively, she hops a jet to London to look him up and finds him in the midst of a campaign for the House of Commons after giving up his hereditary seat in the House of Lords. Though he's running as a populist, he's turned stuffy in the intervening years and has acquired a very proper fianc\ufffde (the wonderfully dry Anna Chancellor, who deserves a film of her own some day) and a snooty future stepdaughter (Christina Cole). Amanda's assignment is clear: teach these doddering Old Europeans some New World funk (yes, there is a scene in which a James Brown song is performed at a coming-out ball), banish the fianc\ufffde, humiliate the pretentious daughter and reunite her biological parents. All that, and try on an awful lot of clothes. Minnelli's comedy had its serious underpinnings: by the end of the film, a girl had become a woman. By the end of Ms. Gordon's film, which opens today nationwide, the girl is still a girl, but a girl with much cooler stuff, including a stately home, a butler and a cute British boyfriend (Oliver James). It's no longer the children who must learn to grow up, but the adults ? exemplified by Mr. Firth's character as he slips into a pair of leather pants and practices his air-guitar moves ? who are required to grow down. \"What a Girl Wants\" is rated PG (Parental guidance suggested); it includes a few glimpses of adolescent nuzzling. Directed by Dennie Gordon"}, {"response": 534, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (20:05)", "body": "London Times ,April 4th [They're a little slow] \"Peace offering? Warner Brothers is the latest entertainment giant to react to the sensitivities of the Iraq War. Warner has altered the billboard for What a Girl Wants, its film about a New York teenager, portrayed by Amanda Bynes, who tries to track down her long-lost English Dad, played by Colin Firth. In the original publicity poster, Bynes flashes a peace sign, but in the latest publicity shots she places her hand uncontroversially on her right hip.\""}, {"response": 535, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (20:25)", "body": "Here's one for HOPE SPRINGS from Reuters , London Film Review: Hope Springs Thu April 3, 2003 09:11 PM ET Hope Springs By Mark Adams LONDON (Variety) - All of the elements are in place for the romantic comedy \"Hope Springs\": an attractive and talented cast, witty script, nice direction and glorious locations. But somehow it can't make the leap from an enjoyable light film to a movie to remember. Boxoffice looks to be moderate, but expect a longer life in the DVD/video marketplace. The film premiered at England's Bradford Film Festival and gets a U.K. release in early May. Writer-director Mark Herman has adapted the 2001 book \"New Cardiff\" by Charles Webb, best remembered from his 1962 debut novel, \"The Graduate.\" The script pretty closely follows the story of a disillusioned Englishman who heads to the picturesque New England town of Hope to start life over. Colin Ware (played with real charm by Colin Firth) is an illustrator, recently dumped by his fiancee, Vera (Minnie Driver), who sends him an invitation to her wedding to another man. He thus arrives heartbroken and jet-lagged in this charming small American town. As a sign reads, \"18,459 people live in Hope.\" Joanie (Mary Steenburgen), the matchmaking landlady of the local motel, promptly introduces him to Mandy (Heather Graham), a trained \"caregiver\" who works at the local old folks home. Before long, she has broken through his grief and introduced a little sex into his life. Soon he is planning a series of pencil portraits of locals. The fly in this romantic ointment comes in the form of Vera, who arrives in Hope to announce the wedding invitation was just a joke to try to get Colin to commit. She wants him to return to England with her. This all, of course, leads to a heady triangle of love, jealousy and confusion with Colin forced to make a few difficult life decisions. The early scenes of Colin arriving in Hope feel heavy-handed -- uncomfortable Greyhound bus, stumbling jet lag, etc. -- and Firth seems ill at ease playing more physical comedy. Later in the story, the script's wit and his impressive line delivery carries the film. Firth certainly has the charm and style to be a romantic lead, but too often here he has to be dry and sour. It is a leap of faith to ask an audience to believe he can change so dramatically. Graham's role as Mandy allows her to be little more than a warmhearted local girl with only hints of problems from her past slipped into the script. As with many of her films, she is down to her underwear within a half-hour. While this is a very attractive proposition, her seduction of Colin feels telegraphed and clumsy. As a contrast, Driver as vampish Vera gets to wear the designer gear and come out with an array of barbed line deliveries. Whether railing about her inability to smoke anywhere in town or verbally abusing aging golfers, Driver does a great job in showing Vera as a smart, contriving woman. She also manages to get down to her underwear as she tries to seduce Colin, proving it is not just Heather Graham territory. Herman does a fine job but can't make the story leap from a lightweight, endearing film to a really fine romantic comedy. His direction is efficient, and he makes good use of the locations in British Columbia (nicely doubling for New England). The casting of Oliver Platt, as the town's mayor, and Steenburgen is inspired, with both bringing class and laughs to the proceedings. Buena Vista Pictures, Fragile Films"}, {"response": 536, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (20:32)", "body": "From Zap2it.co[They do boxoffice predictions] PREDICTION: That Girl Wants to Take Down Two Guys By Mike Szymanski Thu, Apr 03, 2003, 05:04 PM PT The two newcomers ready to duke it out for the box office this weekend are Vin Diesel in \"A Man Apart\" and Colin Farrell in \"Phone Booth.\" Both are action thrillers, but while Vin's has great fight scenes and wild special effects (a bit smaller than \"XXX\"), Colin's is in real-time and the whole story takes place in a tight 90 minutes directed by Joel Schumacher. Both are getting pretty poor reviews, however. Of course, that doesn't stop the box office (note: last week's win for Chris Rock's much-maligned presidential run in \"Head of State\" which won the box office at $13.5 million). Getting even worse reviews, however, is the film that probably will take hold of the top spot in the box office, and that's \"What A Girl Wants.\" Don't underestimate the power of that Nickelodeon TV darling Amanda Bynes. It's the widest opening of any movie this weekend, at 2,964 theaters, while the disappointing sci-fi film \"The Core\" is chugging away at 3,019 burrows. Also starring Kelly Preston and Colin Firth, it's a perfect family film about a girl who wants to meet her father in England for the first time, and it's geared for the young girl audience, so it should do well. \"The Princess Diaries\" tapped into that often ignored audience, and won the box office at $23 million opening weekend!"}, {"response": 537, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (20:42)", "body": "(HS Review) Later in the story, the script's wit and his impressive line delivery carries the film. Ohhhh...I long to see this film. Thanks Evelyn for posting all those reviews!"}, {"response": 538, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (20:53)", "body": "LA Times, April 4th, [Benign review. Focuses on AB] A girl just might want this fantasy Amanda Bynes charms in \"What a Girl Wants.\" By Kevin Thomas, Times Staff Writer \"What a Girl Wants\" is a modern-day fairy tale for preteens with an exceptionally strong passion for romantic fantasy. Compared with this, the similar \"Princess Diaries\" is a tough-minded work of realism, yet on its own narrow terms \"What a Girl Wants\" works well enough. It has a decided plus in its appealing young star, Amanda Bynes, last seen opposite Frankie Muniz in \"Big Fat Liar.\" What Bynes' 16-year-old Daphne wants is a father. Her band-singer mother, Libby (Kelly Preston), and her British father, Henry (Colin Firth), crossed paths in a Moroccan desert, fell in love and had a Bedouin wedding ceremony. But back in London, free-spirited Libby was overwhelmed by Henry's aristocratic family, which was in turn aghast at her hippie-like unsuitability. The sudden death of Henry's politically powerful father turned Henry into Lord Dashwood, and his late father's wily advisor, Alistair Payne (Jonathan Pryce), maneuvered a pregnant Libby into decamping to the U.S. Seventeen years pass, with mother and daughter living picturesquely in an apartment in New York's Chinatown. Libby and her band play at weddings, where Daphne works as a waitress. Libby encourages her daughter to plan for college, but first Daphne takes off to London to seek out the father who does not know she exists. In the meantime, Henry is running for office and could in time become prime minister. Alistair is not only managing the campaign, but also maneuvering his aggressive daughter (Anna Chancellor), who has an equally obnoxious daughter (Christina Cole) Daphne's age, into becoming Lady Dashwood. Daphne scales the walls of the vast ancestral Dashwood estate and easily charms Henry and his mother (Eileen Atkins). Daphne's all-American spontaneity wins over the aristos but also causes a sufficient number of inadvertent calamities to require Henry to remind her of the duties that go along with being a Dashwood. Naturally, Daphne wants her father to win the election, but along the way she discovers the importance of being herself. As a reworking of 1958's \"The Reluctant Debutante,\" starring Sandra Dee and Rex Harrison, \"What a Girl Wants,\" which was directed by Dennie Gordon and written by Jenny Bicks and Elizabeth Chandler, is likely to seem short on subtlety and credibility to anyone over 13. One can accept that Henry's sense of duty and feelings of rejection prevented him from running after Libby, and Libby's pride in raising Daphne on her own is believable. But how for a second could the intelligent and charming Henry let himself become engaged to such an obvious social-climbing barracuda as Chancellor's Glynnis, with her shallow snob of a daughter? And there's no explanation as to why Henry's sensible mother so quickly opens her heart to Daphne when she apparently did not do the same with Daphne's likable mother. Gordon manages some heart-tugging and some humor, and works in a down-to-earth boyfriend for Daphne (Oliver James), but the make-believe becomes increasingly just that. However, \"What a Girl Wants\" could just be the kind of fantasy more than one will want to see. ~~~~~~~~~~~` [This guy never liked fairy tales.]"}, {"response": 539, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (21:05)", "body": "Chicago Tribune,1 1/2 stars (out of 4) [Disgusting don't read it] by Robert K. Elder If \"What a Girl Wants\" wasn't already from the minds that brought us \"Joe Dirt\" and \"Message in a Bottle,\" it might have been necessary to describe the movie's tone as \"Joe Dirt\" meets \"Message in a Bottle.\" Were it not for young star Amanda Bynes' energetic good nature in the face of drab dialogue and wooden stereotypes, \"What a Girl Wants\" might have been a career-ending movie violation rather than just an embarrassing fender-bender. Essentially a misguided retread of the 1958 Rex Harrison/Sandra Dee vehicle \"The Reluctant Debutante,\" \"What a Girl Wants\" follows teenager Daphne Reynolds (Bynes) to England in search of her father, Lord Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth). In the 1980s, after a whirlwind romance with Daphne's bohemian mother Libby (Kelly Preston), Henry suddenly inherited the family fortune, along with obligations to uphold its reputation and traditions. Under pressure from Henry's advisor (Jonathan Pryce), a pregnant Libby ran back to America, never telling Henry of their daughter. Seventeen years later, Daphne changes all that, swooping in on Henry unannounced, right before his election to Parliament and his marriage to snooty social climber Glynnis Payne (Anna Chancellor). What a girl wants, according to screenwriters Jenny Bicks and Elizabeth Chandler, is a father. What a girl needs, however, are better filmmakers. Director Dennie Gordon (\"Joe Dirt\") has mistaken England for the moon, and the English for robotic, idiot aliens. \"The Reluctant Debutante\" was an example of Hollywood's \"polite\" comedies of manners. \"What a Girl Wants,\" however, can best be described as impolite attempt at comedy that should be filed next to Cuba Gooding Jr.'s gay-themed \"Boat Trip\" in a video-store section called \"Dusty Cultural Stereotypes.\" When Daphne hugs her grandmother (Eileen Atkins), she bristles: \"I am British. We only show affection to dogs and horses.\" Firth, fresh off \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" and \"The Importance of Being Earnest,\" joins Pryce as top English talent wasted for no good reason. That's not to say he isn't willing to throw himself into a role. It might take him years, however, to live down a scene in which he pours himself into leather pants, plays air guitar and yowls Rick Derringer's \"Rock and Roll Hootchie Koo\" in front of a mirror. Tom Cruise in \"Risky Business\" he is not. Yet, newcomer Bynes makes Daphne her own, bringing charm and a kinetic crackle to a movie that needs it badly. Former Tim Burton producer Denise Di Novi (\"Message in a Bottle,\" \"Ed Wood\") continues a run of launching promising actresses in vapid movies (such as Mandy Moore in \"A Walk to Remember\"). A peasant amid \"good breeding,\" Bynes is the wild-card American forced into stupid set pieces (example: a goofy, ice-down-the-back wedding dance set to \"Shout!\"), or situations geared to make her look like a forward-thinking Pollyanna sent to liven up the corpse-like British. It's all transparent, absurd posturing that makes everyone look culturally ignorant, if not a bit daft. In the end, it's difficult to gauge who looks more ridiculous - the wild, howling Americans or the humorless, pitiable British. If \"What a Girl Wants\" were read as pure history, one might surmise that Americans were simply rude houseguests the British kicked out 200-plus years ago.\" ~~~~~~~~ [For all that is worth, I liked \"Message in a Bottle\"]"}, {"response": 540, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (21:18)", "body": "Dallas Morning News [Don't read this one either] Movie Review (Grade C-) Published in The Dallas Morning News : 04.04.03 By NANCY CHURNIN / The Dallas Morning News What a Girl Wants is not just a rip-off of 2001's The Princess Diaries, it's also a rip-off of the 1958 film The Reluctant Debutante. In the first, a free-spirited American teenager, brought up by her American mother, suddenly finds out her late father was an aristocrat. In the earlier Rex Harrison/Sandra Dee film, a free-spirited American teenager, brought up by her American mother, suddenly decides to meet her living, aristocratic father and turns society on its ear. But, more than anything, the story is one of those laboratory concoctions in which you can tell the conclusion from the opening scene. Daphne Reynolds (Amanda Bynes) longs to meet the father she has never known. The father turns out to be Lord Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth), who fell in love with her rock 'n' roll-singing mother, Libby (Kelly Preston) 17 years ago. That was before he gave up his motorcycle to become a stuffy British politician. But his family, finding Libby less than acceptable, told each of them lies in order to end the relationship. So guess who is going to clear up those misunderstandings and bring them back together? The talented cast ? an impressive mix of new faces and old pros ? valiantly swims in a sea of clich\ufffds about evil stepmothers, rich and royally-connected daddies, and true love that waits, untouched, for the right spark to send it into flame after decades of neglect. Newcomer Oliver James brings charm and an affecting singing voice to Ian, Daphne's British boyfriend and aspiring musician. Mr. Firth, who played heartthrob Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones's Diary, plays yet another volcanic heart poised to erupt under a crusty exterior. And it's certainly possible that Ms. Bynes' fans, who adore her from Nickelodeon's The Amanda Show, won't mind the silliness of her character here. Ms. Bynes does offer some touching moments as she gazes at other girls doing what she can't ? being escorted by their fathers in a father-daughter dance. But Daphne's character is so lacking in substance that it's unintentionally comical when she comes to the big conclusion that she must be herself ? especially when all that seems to mean is wearing jeans and purple nail polish instead of a ball gown at a dressy event. What a Girl Wants is also one of those movies in which no one bothers with real-life minutiae, such as where does a presumably penniless teenager get the money to fly to London and stay in hotels? And how do all those unwrinkled outfits fit into that smart little handbag, which is all we ever see her carrying? Did she get the bag in the same shop that Mary Poppins got hers? Of course, Mary Poppins seemed a lot more believable than this.\""}, {"response": 541, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (22:24)", "body": "Hey, since he doesn't take his career seriously, neither will I. So am enjoying the barbs, at least the clever ones. ;-) (CS Monitor) Colin Firth, whose Hugh Grant impersonation has reached its pinnacle. And that other one about stammering???? Say, it ain't so. :-( (Trib) \"What a Girl Wants,\" however, can best be described as impolite attempt at comedy that should be filed next to Cuba Gooding Jr.'s gay-themed \"Boat Trip\" in a video-store section called \"Dusty Cultural Stereotypes.\" LOL! (Trib) It might take him years, however, to live down a scene in which he pours himself into leather pants, plays air guitar and yowls Rick Derringer's \"Rock and Roll Hootchie Koo\" in front of a mirror. Tom Cruise in \"Risky Business\" he is not. I agree, even without seeing the movie. He should've done it without pants. ;-) In re: Hope Springs (Variety) Firth certainly has the charm and style to be a romantic lead, but too often here he has to be dry and sour. It is a leap of faith to ask an audience to believe he can change so dramatically. Hmmmmm Thanks, Ev, for all the reviews"}, {"response": 542, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (23:30)", "body": "SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/movies/115714_whatgirl04q.shtml 'What a Girl' is not the royal hit that Bynes would want Friday, April 4, 2003 By WILLIAM ARNOLD GRADE: C+ The so-so teen comedy \"What a Girl Wants\" is out to duplicate the box-office success of \"The Princess Diaries\" and turn Nickelodeon TV personality Amanda Bynes (\"All That\") into a movie star. Unfortunately, it's likely to fail in both ambitions. Bynes has a definite appeal, her supporting cast (Kelly Preston, Jonathan Pryce and especially Colin Firth, who gives a genuine performance as her long-absent father) is strong and the movie musters a moment or two of fairy-tale charm. But it's mostly forced and predictable, too much of the physical comedy falls very flat and director Dennie Gordon (\"The Adventures of Joe Dirt\") doesn't have the kind of masterful touch that might whip the sit-com proceedings into something special. It's the story of a 17-year-old girl (Bynes) raised in New York's Chinatown by her hippie musician mother (Preston) without ever having met her father (Firth), an English lord who is now on the cusp of being elected prime minister and doesn't even know she exists. When, one day, she goes to London and declares herself to him, he takes her in, but it's all culture-clash goofiness from there on as she butts heads with British society and the snobbish baddie (Pryce) who ruined her parents' marriage in the first place. As she foils the villain, falls in love with a nice English boy (Oliver James) and straightens out all of Dad's problems, Bynes' expressive eyes and sharp comic timing are sporadically winning, but she always seems somewhat dwarfed by the dimensions of the big screen."}, {"response": 543, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (23:37)", "body": "USA TODAY By Claudia Puig, Girls undoubtedly will want to see it, but What a Girl Wants feels a bit like a reheated version of The Princess Diaries. It lacks Diaries' exuberance, but Girl does boast the likable presence of Nickelodeon star Amanda Bynes, the suave charm of Colin Firth and a cute, chaste romance with youthful hunk Oliver James. The story line and gags are predictable: Daphne Reynolds (Bynes), a 17-year-old free spirit raised by her bohemian mother (Kelly Preston), goes to London to meet her father, Lord Henry Dashwood (Firth), a prominent aristocrat running for public office. He had no idea that his short-lived marriage produced a child and has since gotten engaged to the ambitious daughter (Anna Chancellor) of his conniving political adviser (Jonathan Pryce). Daphne gets to know her father while coping with a snobby stepsister-to-be (Christina Cole) and with the myriad social obligations expected of her. The contrast between her rollicking American self and the tamped-down version she must become while in British society is so oversimplified that it likely will reinforce stereotypes for a youthful audience. The Brits are all stuffy, unfashionable twits, except for the adorable, dark-eyed musician (James) whom Bynes falls for. His is the only character with some measure of depth. He tells Daphne: \"Why fit in when you were born to stand out?\" Regarding English stereotypes, there is a funny line from Daphne's grandmother (Eileen Atkins), who fends off Daphne's embrace with: \"No hugs, dear. We're British. We only show affection to horses and dogs.\" Firth's own inner rebel gets dusted off \ufffd though it might be going a tad too far to show the dignified Firth rocking out and playing air guitar in skintight leather pants. Both Firth and Pryce deserve better material than their one-dimensional roles call for. Bynes' efforts to be cute and endearing sometimes veer into mugging. In the movie's finale, there are echoes of yet another movie, The Parent Trap, in which two long-estranged parents reunite. This fits into the fantasies of many kids raised by single parents and contributes to Girl's fairy-tale quality. There's nothing wrong with fairy tales, but they don't have to be formulaic. A movie like this would have benefited from a blending of the fanciful and the inventive"}, {"response": 544, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (23:46)", "body": "'What a Girl Wants' has the sweet sass teen girls crave By BRUCE WESTBROOK Houston Chronicle The first thing we love about What a Girl Wants is the literalism of its title. Like The Simpsons' Lisa reading Non-Threatening Boys magazine, the movie brandishes its agenda in a moniker that would fit almost any teen chick flick. A cross between The Parent Trap and The Princess Diaries by way of Cinderella, What a Girl Wants concerns Daphne, 17, played by Amanda Bynes, who turned 17 April 3. Daphne doesn't find a long-lost twin, \ufffd la Parent Trap, but she does finally meet her long-lost dad, Lord Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth). As seen in flashbacks, this reluctant aristocrat and Daphne's Bohemian mom (Kelly Preston) are soulmates. But Henry's handlers drove them apart before Daphne was born (without his knowledge), and she grew up in New York thinking Dad didn't want her. As a teen she seeks him out, flying to London to turn his life upside-down just as he wages a political campaign. In fact, she turns all of London topsy-turvy, the premise being that a free-spirited girl is as rare as a moon rock among the city's stuffy elitists. Daphne also instantly meets a handsome boy (Oliver James) who's perfect for her, and she ably defies the mean gold digger (Anna Chancellor) engaged to her dad. Heck, she might even be able to reunite her parents. Such things, after all, are what a girl wants. Though predictable and often preposterous, this warm and funny wish-fulfilling fantasy is a richly rewarding ride. From its seductive wealth trappings to a sweet romance, director Dennie Gordon pushes the right buttons. Of course, any cast with Firth has built-in charm. Flustered but entranced by his daughter's appearance, his Henry is thrown lovably off-balance. Though devoted to aristocratic duty, at heart he's a guy who loves rock 'n' roll, Cocoa Puffs and motorcycles. Just like Queen Latifah enlivening Steve Martin in Bringing Down the House, Bynes unleashes Firth's inner party animal. That's epitomized by a hilarious scene in which he dons leather pants to play air guitar before a mirror. More importantly, he must learn that being a public servant shouldn't preclude being a devoted dad. No problem. Throwing political caution to the winds, he immediately adores his daughter. But apart from Daphne's Cinderella-style stepmom-to-be and her \"cranky pants\" offspring, who doesn't? For all this to work, Bynes, of Nickelodeon's The Amanda Show, had to fit the film's glass slipper. Happily, it glides on like a Steve Madden sneaker. More feisty than most young heroines, she boisterously sticks up for herself while loosening up the Brits with her radiant smiles, cute clothes and brash, girl-power zest. Daphne not only gets what she wants -- she also prevails with ease. For her, inspiring party poopers to let down their hair is a snap, and she even wins over a dignified crowd when crashing a fashion runway. Loosely based on 1958's The Reluctant Debutante, the film's only awkwardness comes from trying to have it both ways. Londoners are quickly smitten by this lively girl, who is thrust into view through her father's campaign. But they also seem content when Daphne, after his poll numbers drop, adopts a conservative veneer. As if. Anyone who knows teen flicks knows you must be true to your heart. For Daphne, \"tacky-American\" fun is always around the corner, whether from Lizzy McGuire-style pratfalls or comments such as, \"Don't let him in -- I'm not cute yet!\" London is ever-sunny and picturesque, and the buoyant song score is superbly chosen, from the Isley Brothers' Shout to the Clash's London Calling, which vibrantly introduces the city just as it did in Die Another Day. Brits may agonize over the stereotypes* (\"No hugs, dear -- I'm British\") and the notion they need Yanks to break an icy veneer, but this wasn't made for them. It was made for American teen girls who know exactly what they want from a romantic comedy. And, as the title promises, they get it. Grade: A- ***** * Ed. note: It's interesting that the \"no hugs\" line was improvised by Eileen Atkins, per the AICN story."}, {"response": 545, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 2003 (23:50)", "body": "NY Daily News : To the manor Bynes in a silly teen frolic Thursday, April 3rd, 2003 What a girl wants, according to the new movie with that very title, is her daddy. \"I feel like half of me is missing!\" wails annoying teenager Daphne (Amanda Bynes), who jets across the Atlantic to meet the father she never knew. She proceeds to charm him to pieces with the same behavior that makes this cloying fantasy such a chore to sit through. This irritating wish-fulfillment movie, obviously tailored to cash in on the crowd that ate up \"The Princess Diaries,\" is the second one in as many weeks to show uptight people getting in touch with their better, looser selves by doing a line dance. In \"State of the Union,\" there was a racial divide; here the divide is between starched-shirt Brits and fun-loving America, as personified by Daphne Reynolds, irrepressible all-American teen. Daphne, 17, is supposed to be such a lovable kook that all of England breathlessly awaits her next escapade. But the reality is that Daphne, like everything else in this cookie-cutter movie, is preprogrammed and packaged to avoid anything approaching spontaneity. One would be hard-pressed to find a story more safely predictable. Its approach to girlish longing can be summed up by the screenwriting team of Jenny Bicks (\"Sex and the City\") and Elizabeth Chandler (\"A Little Princess\"). Not only does a girl want her daddy, it seems, but a daddy who is rich and handsome and secretly very cool. Lord Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth) also, fortuitously enough, shares Daphne's predilection for a certain product-placement breakfast cereal. Daphne was raised on the picture-book story of how her wedding-singer mom (Kelly Preston) met Henry in the Moroccan desert, where love and camelback swept them up in passion. Back home in stuffy England, Henry's handlers broke up the unsuitable romance, so Mom went back to New York. Henry doesn't even know about Daphne's existence until she tumbles wide-eyed over the garden wall of his manor. Can Daphne also tear down the wall that guards Henry's heart? Need you wonder? Minor complications include a dastardly political adviser (Jonathan Pryce) and another mother-daughter pair who are trying to hook Henry for their own nefarious purposes. The movie strains for sentiment, but if the fluttering of moist handkerchiefs was what the producers wanted, they should not have hired the flatfooted Dennie Gordon, director of \"Joe Dirt.\" For the first time, Firth disappoints. Only Eileen Atkins manages some dignity as Daphne's wise, wry grandmother. 1 star by Jami Bernard (the one who wrote Chick Flicks) http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/moviereviews/story/72532p-67172c.html"}, {"response": 546, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (00:00)", "body": "Notes from the Dennie Gordon interview in my film class I\ufffdm just going to put down things haphazardly as I remember them. (My teacher will be henceforth referred to as \ufffdhe\ufffd, and \ufffdthey\ufffd when speaking about them both). Also, some of this info might be in production notes that are floating around. I didn\ufffdt read them all, so it may be a repeat for some. Some things may be obvious to some as well. Funny thing about his introduction of her. I guess he used some notes given by WB, as the same one was used to introduce her at the premier last night. The thing I thought was funny was, in talking about her previous directing jobs, they mention all the David E. Kelley shows, the Tracy Takes On, and Sports Night jobs, then says Adam Sandler produced comedies. Didn\ufffdt occur to me that this meant \ufffdJoe Dirt\ufffd. Either I didn\ufffdt realize or didn\ufffdt remember that AS produced \ufffdJoe Dirt\ufffd until I read that AICN story. I thought it interesting, but certainly not surprising that it wasn\ufffdt mentioned both times. He mentioned Colin right off the bat. (Possibly for me initially as I got quite excitable in his office about Colin one day when I found out this would be screened). But then there was a chorus of Ooooohs from many of the women in the audience when he mentioned Colin. So they talked about CF for the first 10 mins or so. Very similar things to what was said in the AICN interview (Thanks, Mari...saved me some typing :-)). She even said the comment about Colin being so principled which I thought was interesting in light of his not doing press for this and said so to her later. She told us the script was being written and when she looked at it, she said, \ufffdYou\ufffdre writing this for Colin Firth aren\ufffdt you?\ufffd But WB wanted Pierce Brosnan (a resounding Oooh No! from the audience). He couldn\ufffdt do it since Bond was overschedule, so they wanted Hugh Grant next. She knew he wouldn\ufffdt want to portray someone with a teenage daughter. I\ufffdve forgotten who the next studio choice was at the moment. But she said it really was a short list of acceptable choices......Jude Law too young, for example. She mentioned Jeremy Northam and didn\ufffdt really seem to discount him, but obviously not who she wanted. So as we know, she jetted off to England to beg CF so it could be greenlit. She mentioned his reluctance again as in the AICN article. She said they interviewed 300 hundred kids looking for an Ian. But couldn\ufffdt find anyone who was a good enough singer and actor and the right age. Somehow she found out about Oliver James, who was on the verge of becoming a member of a boy band put together by the guy who put together the Spice Girls. She auditioned him and the clincher was when he sang a Red Hot Chili Peppers song (don\ufffdt remember the name and didn\ufffdt recognize it when she said it). The boat scene with Ian and Daphne was supposed to be done in that lake with the boat on a submerged platform, but it didn\ufffdt show up. Instead they had two people (she said like Navy Seals) stand on either end of the boat with ropes to keep it in place. Then during the part where they kiss...... (?? \ufffd I\ufffdve seen it twice and never saw them kiss. This was my bathroom break as I knew it was the only time ODB wasn\ufffdt onscreen for a length of time. And I never get up in the movies).....the boat is on land for stabilization. The chandelier crash scene.......there were 2 instances of CGI used here. One is that the people were filmed dancing as a group in a \ufffddoughnut\ufffd as she called it since they were in a circle. Choreographing that was rather harder than she expected. Then the chandelier was filmed falling separately (with 5 cameras) and merged later with the people. Also, when it fell, apparently the gold band around kept the crash rather compact and it just landed with a boring thud. So they added CGI pieces to make it look like more of a spectacle. Regarding the book Daphne gives Henry of her life...the crew contacted Amanda\ufffds family, unbeknownst to anyone, and had them send real pictures of Amanda to put in the prop. So when Colin was looking at it, he was really very much affected by it and wasn\ufffdt acting so much in that scene. There was some consternation over how much Amanda should vamp it up during the Royal Dress Show. Since child labor laws there are similar to here, Amanda could only work 6 hrs a day. A double was used in most shots from the side and behind. Colin wasn\ufffdt too into or too sure about the leather pants scene at first, but he got into the fun of it eventually. (Think it was the extra $20 they slipped him?) ;-) I believe a bit of ad-libbing by Eileen Atkins was in the AICN article about the \ufffd We\ufffdre British....\ufffd line. She also ad-libbed the line \ufffdIs that how the West was won?\ufffd They talked quite a bit about how great Eileen Atkins is and what a good writer she is. Co-writer of Upstairs/Downstairs, her stage performance of Virginia Woolf inspired Michael Cunningham to write The Hours. As I\ufffdm sure most people have noticed, or will, the shots of the house grounds is actually "}, {"response": 547, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (00:12)", "body": "Thanks, Dorine, for typing up your notes. V. interesting, especially as it confirmed this for me: so they wanted Hugh Grant next. She knew he wouldn\ufffdt want to portray someone with a teenage daughter. Yeah, it also works to slip him an extra $20. ;-)"}, {"response": 548, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (00:13)", "body": "London is ever-sunny and picturesque More notes.... DG said it was the rainiest summer in London in years and the sun only came out when they filmed inside. Had CGI to make the sky blue with clouds on some shots. Also, Henry's library is the same one used in Gosford Park. There are a couple more locations that were used in other movies that I missed. I admit I spaced out on a couple of occasions trying to come up with or keep questions in mind."}, {"response": 549, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (00:22)", "body": "'Girl' Gone Bad By Desson Howe Washington Post Staff Writer Friday, April 4, 2003; Page WE47 This movie's aimed exclusively for girls and women who make quiet moaning sounds at the thought of being born into an aristocratic and rich family -- preferably an English one. Young Daphne (Amanda Bynes) has always known that her father is Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth), an English Lord who, in his salad (and motorbike riding) days, fell in love with and married Daphne's American mom, Libby (Kelly Preston). But on the British side of things, the scheming Alastair Payne (Jonathan Pryce) fixed things so Henry and Libby (pregnant with Daphne, unbeknownst to Henry) split up. When Daphne becomes a teenager, she decides to look up her father. She finds Lord Dashwood, who isn't even aware he has a daughter, engaged to Alastair's haughty, snobbish (and divorced) daughter, who has her own snobbish daughter in tow. The movie's a tiresome one-gag movie: Daphne moves in with her father, who's now an aspiring candidate for prime minister, and stands out like a Yank as Henry and family attend royal fashion and boat shows. It's uninspired and insipid all the way. And to add sacrilege to mediocrity, the Clash's \"London Calling\" plays on the soundtrack when Daphne arrives in town. WHAT A GIRL WANTS (PG, 104 minutes) -- Contains princess fantasy propaganda."}, {"response": 550, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (00:28)", "body": "Thanks for all the reviews Evelyn, Karen, and Mari. Interesting the Philadelphia Inquirer was kind. If it was Carrie Rickey, she would have torn it to shreds (\"She'll hate it. She hates everything\"). She's still there right? (Karen) Hey, since he doesn't take his career seriously, neither will I. Now wait a minute....he took that extra $20 so he could afford to do GWAPE and Trauma, which are steps in the right direction. ;-) it's also a rip-off of the 1958 film The Reluctant Debutante. Why is this a criticism? She said WB bought this with the MGM(?) catalog they purchased and their intention was a remake for several years. the story is one of those laboratory concoctions in which you can tell the conclusion from the opening scene I knew the conclusion of Apollo 13, but that didn't make the story less interesting to me. It's not always the destination that's important, it's the journey. :-)"}, {"response": 551, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (00:32)", "body": "Dorine! Thanks so much for typing out your notes! Lots of goodies.... Regarding the book Daphne gives Henry of her life...the crew contacted Amanda\ufffds family, unbeknownst to anyone, and had them send real pictures of Amanda to put in the prop. So when Colin was looking at it, he was really very much affected by it and wasn\ufffdt acting so much in that scene. Thought this was interesting! Sweet (okay, I shouldn't say that in reference to this movie, but I had to!). Like that AC made the remark that she lost Mr. Darcy again!"}, {"response": 552, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (00:57)", "body": "I hope no one watched Kelly Preston on Carson Daly. *cringe* After they showed the clip (Libby meeting with Henry at ball, AC horning in, a few \"looks\"), Carson Daly said something along the lines of: \"the older guy, that's Colin Firth.\" Since the only other man they showed was Jonathan Pryce... Eowww!"}, {"response": 553, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (01:04)", "body": "ROTF, Karen. I can't stomach that cardboard cutout Daly. Forgot she was on though. Thanks for the \"highlights.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 554, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (06:48)", "body": "I thought this was nice: From The NY Times....Though he's running as a populist, he's turned stuffy in the intervening years and has acquired a very proper fianc\ufffde (the wonderfully dry Anna Chancellor, who deserves a film of her own some day) and a snooty future stepdaughter (Christina Cole). Despite the critics, want to bet that it will be the top money-maker this weekend?"}, {"response": 555, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (06:56)", "body": "yeah, it probably will, murph... I'm taking \"my minion\" who happens to be a huge AB fan to see the flick this afternoon. Of course, we're just going for Sam's benefit..Oh my, the things we go through for our kids. ;)"}, {"response": 556, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (07:15)", "body": "Thanks Dorine for typing -up your comments your comments, and questions to Dennie. DM\"so they wanted Hugh Grant next. She knew he wouldn?t want to portray someone with a teenage daughter.\" Neither would Jeremy Northam or Jude Law(gaaah, he's only 30!)I suggested Alan Rickman, but my Drool commrades said he was too old. Agree with Murph that the box office will prove the critics wrong. But I'll post a goodie from my paper since I posted all the \"dogs\" last night. But brace yourselves for the UK reviews. They will be brutal. But he must have known this when he took the project without reading the script. *shaking head*"}, {"response": 557, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (07:16)", "body": "Friday, April 4, 2003 It's same-old for the same young 'What a Girl Wants,' a 'Princess Diaries' retread, doesn't appeal far beyond its star's ' 'tweener' constituency. By ROGER EBERT Chicago Sun-Times \ufffdWHAT A GIRL WANTS\ufffd: Daphne (Amanda Bynes) finally meets her father, a filthy-%rich Brit nobleman(Colin Firth). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amanda Bynes, the star of \"The Amanda Show,\" is well- known to fans of the Nickelodeon channel, who are so numerous that she is to 'tweeners as Jack Nicholson is to the academy. She was sort of wonderful in \"Big Fat Liar,\" a comedy about kids whose screenplay is stolen by a Hollywood professional, and now here she is in \"What a Girl Wants,\" a comedy whose screenplay was stolen from \"The Princess Diaries.\" But I am unfair. What goes around comes around, and to assume this is a retread of \"The Princess Diaries\" is to overlook its own pedigree. It's based on the 1956 play and 1958 screenplay, \"The Reluctant Debutante\" by William Douglas Home - who, by the way, was the brother of Sir Alec Douglas Home, briefly the British prime minister in the 1960s. 'What a Girl Wants' QUICK HIT: Nickelodeon star Amanda Bynes stars as an American teenager who discovers from her mother (Kelly Preston) that her real father is the wealthy Sir Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth). Flying to London to meet him for the first time, she is involved in the intrigues of family and royalty, in a plot that seems to be a retread of \"The Princess Diaries\" but in fact is a remake of the 1958 movie \"The Reluctant Debutante.\" Aimed at 'tweener girls and the more civilized of their brothers; not much use to anyone else. GRADE: B STARS: Amanda Bynes, Colin Firth, Kelly Preston, Eileen Atkins, Anna Chancellor, Jonathan Pryce, Oliver James, Christina Cole BEHIND THE SCENES: Directed by Dennie Gordon; written by Jenny Bicks and Elizabeth Chandler, based on the screenplay by William Douglas Home RATING: PG, for mildly crude language RUNNING TIME: 1 hour, 44 minutes PLAYING: Opens today throughout Orange County Do you need to know this? Perhaps not, but then do you need to know the plot of \"What a Girl Wants\"? The movie is clearly intended for girls 9-15, and for the more civilized of their brothers, and isn't of much use to anyone else. Bynes stars as Daphne Reynolds, who has been raised by her mother, Libby (Kelly Preston), in an apartment above a restaurant in Chinatown, for the excellent reason that we can therefore see shots of Daphne in Chinatown. As nearly as I can recall, no Chinese characters have speaking lines, although one helps to blow out the candles on her birthday cake. Daphne is the love child of Sir Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth), a handsome British politician. Sir Henry had a Meet Cute with Libby in Morocco 15 years ago, and they were married by a Bedouin prince but never had a \"real marriage\" (a Bedouin prince not ranking as high in this system as a justice of the peace). Then Sir Henry's evil adviser (Jonathan Pryce) plotted to drive them apart, and she fled to Chinatown, believing Sir Henry did not love her and nobly saving him the embarrassment of a pregnant American commoner. So great is the wealth of the Dashwoods that their country estate, surrounded by a vast expanse of green lawns and many a tree, is smack dab in the middle of London. The Dashwoods, in short, live on real estate worth more than Rhode Island. Daphne jumps the wall at Dashwood House to meet her father, her lovable but eccentric grandmother (Eileen Atkins), her father's competitive fiancee (Anna Chancellor), her father's future stepdaughter (Christina Cole), and her father's adviser (Pryce), who frowns on the notion of introducing a love child on the eve of the election. Now that you know all that, you can easily jot down the rest of the plot for yourself. There are moments of wit, as when the eccentric grandmother recoils from the American teenager (\"No hugs, dear. I'm British. We only show affection to dogs and horses.\"). So is this movie worth seeing? Well, everybody in it is either sweet or cute, or eccentric and hateful, and the movie asks the timeless question: Can a little girl from America find love and happiness as the daughter of a wealthy and titled English lord? If you are a fan of Amanda Bynes, you will probably enjoy finding out the answer for yourself. If not, not."}, {"response": 558, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (07:24)", "body": "From Daily Oklahoman (3 stars out of 4) Gene Triplett, Charming film fulfills what a moviegoer wants 2003-04-04 \"What a Girl Wants\" falls somewhere between \"Cinderella\" and \"The Parent Trap,\" with a healthy dash of \"The Princess Diaries\" to bait the snare. The intended quarry are girls between ages 6-16 with a taste for sassy, modern fairy tales loaded with cool fashions, \"cute\" boys on motorbikes and high-society settings. A lot of romance-loving moms will fall for this lighthearted comedy, too, since it stars handsome British heartthrob Colin Firth (\"Bridget Jones's Diary\") and lovely Kelly Preston (\"Jerry Maguire\") as a pair who missed the love boat after a whirlwind affair that happened long ago. But the teenybopper draw is bright- eyed Nickelodeon star Amanda Bynes as Daphne Reynolds, the 17-year-old product of that brief-but-beautiful romance, who just might put her parents in their proper place -- back together again. Based loosely on the William Douglas Home play \"The Reluctant Debutante,\" which became a 1958 Vincente Minnelli- directed film with Rex Harrison and Sandra Dee, this updated yarn from director Dennie Gordon (\"Joe Dirt\") and screenwriters Jenny Bicks (\"Sex and the City\") and Elizabeth Chandler (\"A Little Princess\") definitely plays to the younger female crowd, and quite effectively, judging from the laugh-filled reaction of a pre-release screening audience made up largely of that constituency. Bynes brings the perfect measure of pep, wit and charm to the role of Daphne, a spirited, all-American girl raised by her bohemian, wedding-singer mother Libby (Preston) to think and do for herself. Daphne has long been enchanted by her mother's bedtime stories of the father she's never known -- a British lord (Firth) whom a pregnant Libby left after his aristocratic family voted her unfit for marrying. The flighty Daphne one day decides to hop a plane for London, determined to meet dear old Dad, only to discover he's in the midst of an important political race and about to marry a social- climbing fiancee (Anna Chancellor) who has a snotty, conniving daughter (Christina Cole) just Daphne's age. Firth is fine as poor, befuddled Lord Henry Dashwood, who never knew he had a daughter until now. Henry takes her in willingly, despite the protests of his wife-to-be and his closest political adviser (an oily Jonathan Pryce). Knowing the uproar she's causing in high society could hurt her dad's campaign, Daphne tones down her free- spirited act, starts dressing the part of a debutante and prepares for her coming- out party. But a handsome young British musician she's met (scene-stealing newcomer Oliver James) sets her straight when he asks: \"Why fit in when you were born to stand out?\" The plot (and the plotting against Daphne) thickens when Mom arrives from America to retrieve her daughter, old flames are re-ignited, and Daphne's would-be step-mother and step-sister get their backs up. Slapstick and sweetness combine for a bright, sometimes poignant 104 minutes of fun -- if you're female, and young in years or at heart. The title says it all. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [At least this reviewer doesn't take this fairy tale seriously]"}, {"response": 559, "author": "Jodi", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (08:01)", "body": "Well I'm glad the Daily Oklahoman gave WAGW 3 out of 4 stars. Unfortunately NY Newsday did not agree and only gave it 1/2 star. However, a review like that would never keep me away from the pleasure of seeing ODB on the big screen. I am going tomorrow with my 2 Amanda Bynes fan daughters and a girlfriend of mine who is equally CF obsessed."}, {"response": 560, "author": "BarbaraT", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (08:44)", "body": "Te May issue of the UK edition of In Style has a shortened version of the interview with CF that appeared in the US a couple of months ago. It has the picture of him sitting on a bed, but not the one of him leaning on his elbow. All in all, the magazine has 3 plugs for HS - Heather G is on the cover and the feature on her mentions the film, as does a short item on Minnie D's different hairstyles. Incidentally, the snippet Evelyn quoted from the Times about the peace sign being removed from the WAGW poster is very prominent as it is accompanied by colour photos of the 2 different posters."}, {"response": 561, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (08:46)", "body": ""}, {"response": 562, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (08:49)", "body": "Naturally, it is going to do big guns at the box office, just like the Princess Diaries did. Did anyone doubt it? You make pablum, and they eat it up. (But Phone Booth will top the weekend.) For the most part, WAGW is being reviewed by most newspapers' second/third string. Here's an irrelevant one from the WSJ, unless the tween has a large stock portfolio: ;-) Wall Street Journal 4/04/03 Joe Morgenstern \"What a Girl Wants\" Another botched update, \"What a Girl Wants\" is a contemporary riff on \"The Reluctant Debutante,\" Vincente Minnelli's 1958 comedy with Sandra Dee and Rex Harrison. Amanda Bynes plays an American teenager, Daphne Reynolds, and Colin Firth is Lord Henry Dashwood, the English father Daphne has never known but yearns to meet. Ms. Bynes is at her best when she's asked to do the least - left alone, she's a likable young actress. But the director, Dennie Gordon, working from a frenetic screenplay by Jenny Bicks, isn't there to celebrate simplicity. \"What a Girl Wants\" plays like a TV cartoon, not even a sitcom, and makes little sense on its own terms. Lord Henry, who is running for a seat in Parliament as a commoner, should welcome his long-lost daughter with open arms when she arrives in England unannounced. Instead, he and his handlers see her presence as a dire threat to his campaign. Young audiences may welcome this movie, but girls, and boys, should want more."}, {"response": 563, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (09:16)", "body": "The Ebert review that Maria posted is missing a number of paragraphs (still doesn't say anythign about Colin), but I'll repost it from the Sun-Times: Amanda Bynes, the star of \"The Amanda Show,\" is well known to fans of the Nickelodeon channel, who are so numerous that she is to 'tweeners as Jack Nicholson is to the Academy. She was sort of wonderful in \"Big Fat Liar,\" a comedy about kids whose screenplay is stolen by a Hollywood professional, and now here she is in \"What a Girl Wants,\" a comedy whose screenplay was stolen from \"The Princess Diaries.\" But I am unfair. What goes around comes around, and to assume this is a retread of \"The Princess Diaries\" is to overlook its own pedigree. It's based on the 1956 play and 1958 screenplay \"The Reluctant Debutante\" by William Douglas Home--who, by the way, was the brother of Sir Alec Douglas-Home, briefly the British prime minister in the 1960s. The point, I suppose, is that few movies are truly original, and certainly not \"What a Girl Wants\" or \"The Princess Diaries.\" Both are recycled from ancient fairy tales in which a humble child discovers a royal parent and is elevated from pauperdom to princehood, to coin a phrase. I would not be surprised to learn that Jenny Bicks and Elizabeth Chandler, who adapted Home's screenplay, did homework of their own--because a key plot point in the movie mirrors Sir Alec's own decision, in 1963, to renounce his seat in the House of Lords in order to run for a seat in the Commons. He won, became prime minister after Harold Macmillan, and quickly lost the next election to Harold Wilson. Do you need to know this? Perhaps not, but then do you need to know the plot of \"What a Girl Wants\"? The movie is clearly intended for girls between the ages of 9 and 15, and for the more civilized of their brothers, and isn't of much use to anyone else. Bynes stars as Daphne Reynolds, who has been raised by her mother, Libby (Kelly Preston), in an apartment above a restaurant in Chinatown, for the excellent reason that we can therefore see shots of Daphne in Chinatown. As nearly as I can recall, no Chinese characters have speaking lines, although one helps to blow out the candles on her birthday cake. Daphne is the love child of Sir Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth), a handsome British politician who has decided to renounce his seat in the House of Lords in order to run for the Commons (the movie dismisses such minutiae as that Tony Blair has already booted most of the Lords out onto the street). Sir Henry had a Meet Cute with Libby in Morocco 15 years ago and they were married by a Bedouin prince but never had a \"real marriage\" (a Bedouin prince not ranking as high in this system as a justice of the peace). Then Sir Henry's evil adviser (Jonathan Pryce) plotted to drive them apart, and she fled to Chinatown, believing Sir Henry did not love her and nobly saving him the embarrassment of a pregnant American commoner. So great is the wealth of the Dashwoods that their country estate, surrounded by a vast expanse of green lawns and many a tree, is smack dab in the middle of London, so central that Daphne can hop off a bus bound for Trafalgar Square and press her pert little nose against its cold iron gates. The Dashwoods, in short, live on real estate worth more than Rhode Island. Daphne jumps the wall at Dashwood House in order to meet her father, her lovable but eccentric grandmother (Eileen Atkins), her father's competitive fiancee (Anna Chancellor), her father's future stepdaughter (Christina Cole) and her father's adviser (Pryce), who frowns on the notion of introducing a love child on the eve of the election. Now that you know all that, you can easily jot down the rest of the plot for yourself. There are moments of wit, as when the eccentric grandmother recoils from the American teenager (\"No hugs, dear. I'm British. We only show affection to dogs and horses\"). And an odd scene where Daphne is locked in a bedroom, released just as Queen Elizabeth II is arriving at a party, and flees in tears--causing her father to choose between chasing her and greeting the queen. My analysis of this scene: (1) He should choose to greet the queen, or 19 generations of breeding have been for nothing, and (2) Daphne won't get far before being returned, dead or alive, by the Scotland Yard security detail that accompanies the queen when she visits private homes. I found it a little unlikely, by the way, that the guests at the party were all looking at Daphne and not the queen. Paul Theroux wrote of being at a dinner party for the queen and agonizing over what he should say when she entered the room. Suddenly seeing her famous profile, all he could think of was: \"That reminds me! I need to buy postage stamps.\" So is this movie worth seeing? Well, everybody in it is either sweet and cute, or eccentric and hateful, and the movie asks the timeless question: Can a little girl from America find love and happiness as the daughter of a wealthy and titled English lord? If you "}, {"response": 564, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (09:21)", "body": "WSJ :\"Young audiences may welcome this movie, but girls, and boys, should want more.\" Oh dear, an idealist. It is true that this genre is enabling the \"dumbing-down\" of the young generation. But parents of pre-teeners have such little choices after the excellent Disney (and recently Japanese) animated films. There is a void til they get to the PG-13. And \"How to Lose a Guy\" isn't much better.So we get this and \"Kangaroo Jack\". Pitiful."}, {"response": 565, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (09:33)", "body": "From MSNBC and San Diego Tribune; Colin even gets his own section: Fluffy, amusing \ufffdWhat a Girl Wants\ufffd Amanda Bynes is pert teen star, but Colin Firth keeps film fun By David Elliott April 4 \ufffd In a world of war and economic disarray, let us turn to the great issue of the day: Will Amanda Bynes become a movie star? Already a TV star at 12 with Nickelodeon\ufffds \ufffdThe Amanda Show\ufffd (she\ufffds now 17), Bynes hugs and smooches the camera as Daphne Reynolds in \ufffdWhat a Girl Wants.\ufffd Daughter of New York soft-rock singer Libby (Kelly Preston), she is also the daughter of the very rich and now political Lord Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth), a British cutie and \ufffdfuture prime minister!\ufffd HENRY IS A BIT GUILTY about splitting with Libby long before, which ended his wild years by folding him into the pastry crust of the highest Establishment. Man, is he baked. His Moroccan Bedouin wedding with Libby evidently doesn\ufffdt impede his coming marriage to the militantly upscaling Glynnis (Anna Chancellor). Her snob daughter (Christina Cole) is eager to hate Daphne with blistering superiority. Never intimidated, Daphne dashes to the Dashwood estate in London (yes, in the city \ufffd it\ufffds that grand), where her spunky American adorableness can wreck wedding plans and a lofty chandelier, yet also make a party \ufffdrock.\ufffd Some are enraged, more are smitten, especially new boyfriend Ian (Oliver James), whose working-class band is ready to rock at just about every posh function short of state funerals in Westminster Abbey. Amanda Bynes is a pert package. From her round face comes a smile so eager and frequent that her pout is only a smile in reserve. Her go-girl Americanism might not be in sync with current global trends. But if Cairo, Berlin and Paris returns are spotty, in the United States she may become, at least, the new Alicia Silverstone. PRAISE FOR FIRTH The distant source of this taffy is a play by William Douglas Home, whose high Scottish family includes a past prime minister. It was previously fluffed as \ufffdThe Reluctant Debutante,\ufffd a 1958 Vincente Minnelli comedy with Sandra Dee, Rex Harrison and Kay Kendall, and to his small credit director Dennie Gordon doesn\ufffdt try to mimic Minnelli. If there is an adult excuse to chew the taffy, beyond the need to escape news from Iraq, it is not for the plug-in charms of old pros like Eileen Atkins and Jonathan Pryce. It is Colin Firth. Watching Firth mumble and flubber and fidget with adorable sincerity, you wonder if he took some priestly vow of serious acting. He works through his jokey squiggles of emotion, even his \ufffdair guitar\ufffd dance in leather from Dashwood\ufffds youth, as if he were being loyal to Chekhov or the Oscar Wilde of \ufffdDe Profundis.\ufffd It is Firth, and the spread of British sites, sights, speech and clipped wit (plus some dorky stuff) that keep \ufffdWhat a Girl Wants\ufffd bearably amusing. There are even good facsimiles of Prince Charles and his royal mother. It is all a lot closer to Cyndi \ufffdGirls Just Want to Have Fun\ufffd Lauper than to Sigmund \ufffdWhat do women want?\ufffd Freud. Poor old Freud, stuck in a pre-Firth era, never did answer his question. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- David Elliott is the movie critic of The San Diego Union-Tribune."}, {"response": 566, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (09:41)", "body": "Lovely! I'd bet Karla Peterson (who did two Firthcentric articles for the U-T) has tutored this reviewer in the finer aspects of Firth films."}, {"response": 567, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (09:45)", "body": "HENRY IS A BIT GUILTY about splitting with Libby long before, which ended his wild years by folding him into the pastry crust of the highest Establishment. Man, is he baked. LOL....I think this is my favorite line so far in any of the reviews I've read! Watching Firth mumble and flubber and fidget with adorable sincerity, you wonder if he took some priestly vow of serious acting. He works through his jokey squiggles of emotion, even his \ufffdair guitar\ufffd dance in leather from Dashwood\ufffds youth, as if he were being loyal to Chekhov or the Oscar Wilde of \ufffdDe Profundis.\ufffd Like this bit too! Thank you to all the ladies who have been putting up reviews and interviews! I've enjoyed them all!"}, {"response": 568, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (09:48)", "body": "Been looking hard for another decent one... Bill Muller The Arizona Republic Apr. 4, 2003 12:00 AM Hollywood's latest version of Cinderella is What a Girl Wants, in more ways than one. For one thing, the film stars Amanda Bynes, the apple-cheeked, belly shirt-clad ambassador for a generation of teenage girls who are switching from Nickelodeon to MTV. With its fairy-tale plot, peppy soundtrack - ranging from Michelle Branch to the Clash - and emphasis on fashion, the movie should delight its target audience and keep parents interested as well. Although What a Girl Wants could be easily dismissed as a Princess Diaries knockoff, the film is a few degrees more earnest. It doesn't quite discard the emotional baggage of its subject matter, although it hardly qualifies as a primer on family relations. The movie is predominantly fluffy and loveably goofy, mostly due to the presence of Bynes, who's definitely a star in the making. Her dramatic acting can be hit and miss, but her physical comedy skills are well developed from her years on the Nickelodeon skit show All That. More significantly, Bynes embodies the modern-day ingenue, possessing a combination of natural guile and plucky insouciance that adds up to charm. She also affects an endearing klutziness, a physical manifestation of those \"awkward\" teenage years. Unlike Brooke Shields and other female pop icons from the past, Bynes is better than beautiful. She's cute, making her accessible to legions of young fans and a perfect pitch-girl for all those wonderful products coming to a retail center near you. Bynes plays Daphne, 17, who lives in New York with Libby, her flower-child, wedding-singer mom (Kelly Preston). Daphne's never known her aristocratic British father, Lord Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth), who romanced her mother in his youth but never learned of Daphne's existence. Longing to meet her dad, Daphne travels to England just as Lord Dashwood is starting a run for Parliament. With the British tabloids hot on the trail of a scandal, Daphne does all the things you might expect from a youngish Yankee in King Arthur's Court. She stumbles into highbrow fashion show and wows the blue bloods, turns a stuffy party into a bash (literally) and dumps a boorish suitor into the drink. Firth (Bridget Jones' Diary) lends credibility simply by playing things straight. His character is allowed to express anguish over being cut out of his daughter's life. In most of these movies, it takes little more than buying the kid an ice cream cone to make everybody feel better. Inspired by The Reluctant Debutante, a 1958 Sandra Dee-Rex Harrison romantic comedy, What a Girl Wants has no shortage of stock characters, including Daphne's sympathetic grandmother (Eileen Atkins), her British dream date/musician (Oliver James) and Lord Dashwood's scheming assistant (Jonathan Pryce). Let's not forget the ultimate Cinderella touch: Daphne's' evil future stepmom (Anna Chancellor) and stepsister (Christina Cole), who are determined to keep little Janey-come-lately from spoiling their chance at status and wealth. Naturally, Daphne is given plenty of chances to outwit her stuck-up adversaries, from dazzling the royals to adding zip to a dowdy party dress to drawing the attention of prospective suitors. I'm surprised she doesn't fix Big Ben with her handy ratchet. It's hardly a memorable film, but it's bound to be a hit with the Britney and braces set. In this case, What a Girl Wants is what a girl gets. http://www.azcentral.com/ent/movies/articles/0404whatagirl04.html"}, {"response": 569, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (09:54)", "body": "Thank you Dorine, for typing and posting your notes from your screening and interview with Dennie Gordon. Also - thank you Karen, Evelyn, Mari, Maria and all of you I forgot to mention for posting the reviews. Enjoy your drooling, no sorry - viewing all of you who get to go this weekend. (Karen)He should've done it without pants. ;-) So that's why you wantet the leather pants as a keepsake; to see him without any ;-)"}, {"response": 570, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (09:58)", "body": "Los Angeles Daily News : 'Girl' needs an original idea By Glenn Whipp The watery Cinderella tale \"What a Girl Wants\" never fails to live down to your expectations. When someone stands up in a rowboat, you know they're going to fall in the drink. When it is mentioned that a pretentious snob loves his chandelier more than life itself, you know it's going to come crashing down. When someone needs a new dress, you know there's going to be one of those let's-go-shopping montages, a scene that has become such a cinematic cliche that it ought to be outlawed. What you don't expect to see is Colin Firth wearing leather pants and a muscle shirt. Then again, you don't expect to see the reliably charming Firth slumming in a \"Princess Diaries\" knockoff like this. Firth is essentially doing what Julie Andrews did in Disney's \"Diaries,' lending the enterprise a whiff of class and providing the film's younger castmates with an acting lesson or two. \"Diaries\" was agreeable entertainment, reaping the benefits of having pro's pro Garry Marshall behind the camera. Say what you will about Marshall's slick entertainments (\"Pretty Woman,\" \"Beaches,\" \"Runaway Bride,\" etc.), the man can at least wring laughs from a broad comedy scene with a sitcom director's precision. The same cannot be said here for Dennie Gordon, who fails again and again to transcend his own television background, settling for the painfully obvious at every turn. Nickelodeon poster girl Amanda Bynes is Daphne, the girl in the title, a sassy 16-year-old who misses the father (Firth) she has never known. The fact that he's an English lord isn't the attraction. Daphne has simply always wanted to participate in the father-daughter dance at weddings. And she goes to a lot of weddings since her hippie chick mom (Kelly Preston, who croons a mean \"Heaven Is a Place on Earth\") is a singer. So, without mom's blessing, Daphne lights out for England to bond with her father. Dad has trouble keeping a stiff upper lip as his wacky American daughter pratfalls her way around London (see the aforementioned crashing chandelier) and mucks up his political ambitions. Not that dad really minds. See, he's a nice guy. Who Daphne has to watch is the good lord's evil fiancee (Anna Chancellor, Duckface from \"Four Weddings and a Funeral\") and her prissy daughter (Christina Cole). Add a cute British musician suitor for Daphne (Oliver James) and an overwrought \"ya gotta be yourself\" message, and you've got a button-pushing, empty-headed fairy tale that will have even its preadolescent target audience squirming. Bynes is the least of the movie's problems. But sweet as she is, she's not nearly as irresistible as the movie thinks, which makes you wonder why everyone in London falls in love with her. Americans have enough image problems around the world without foisting this mugging cutie pie on the unsuspecting."}, {"response": 571, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (09:58)", "body": "(Karen)He should've done it without pants. ;-) (Annette)So that's why you wanted the leather pants as a keepsake; to see him without any ;-) Small correction here: I claimed the leather pants first, but gave them to Karen as a gift back in December;-)))"}, {"response": 572, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (10:05)", "body": "Sorry about the misunderstanding;-) Come to think of it, I do remember. Just wantet to make at least *one* remark, that hadn't been made before. I just can't keep up with you clever girls;-)"}, {"response": 573, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (10:09)", "body": "Thanks all for all the reviews. Special thanks to Mari for the San Diego David Elliot review. Looks like it is all settled, I'm moving to San Diego and becoming a Catholic! ;-)))"}, {"response": 574, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (10:17)", "body": "(Maria) Looks like it is all settled, I'm moving to San Diego and becoming a Catholic! ;-))) ROTF. Hey Mari...you better dial: 011-44-1-800-catholic news service"}, {"response": 575, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (10:18)", "body": "Found this googling: http://www.fametracker.com/fame_audit/firth_colin.shtml I think, they need to do a little more homework, but also think they have some good observations ( as: sexiest voice ever)"}, {"response": 576, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (10:29)", "body": "Many thanks for all the reports and reviews! By way of contrast with WAGW... \"MY LITTLE EYE director to give you TRAUMA While the U.S. release of his brain-frying MY LITTLE EYE remains in limbo, Irish director Marc Evans begins shooting his new psychological horror movie TRAUMA next week in London. According to our British scribe Alan Jones, TRAUMA stars Colin (BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY) Firth and sounds a bit like a nastier SPIDER (Ralph Fiennes). TRAUMA is the first of five movies from Little Bird, a new British production company; its second film, a vampire tale called INNOCENCE, will be directed by Carine (UNDER THE SKIN) Adler and star Samantha (MINORITY REPORT) Morton\""}, {"response": 577, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (10:32)", "body": "Fametracker is done by one of the gals at Televison Without Pity. I love the way they write. And Karen, I forget about Phone Booth. You are right. That will top the list. From the NY Times review of PB: \"Mr. Farrell, who resembles a younger, bushier-eyebrowed Brad Pitt, acquits himself decently enough as the scuffling Bronx-born hustler who favors Italian suits. But this likable Irish actor, touted as Hollywood's studly flavor of the last several months, ultimately lacks the soulful magnetism that signifies a major screen presence.\" http://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/04/movies/04PHON.html"}, {"response": 578, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (10:42)", "body": "Annette! OMG...I'm cracking up at the link you sent! Some favorite lines: ...he was upstaged by Gwyneth Paltrow's hair extensions and Joseph Fiennes's bizarre resemblance to Prince . I actually commented on that to my DH...LOL! And then this: And, let's face it -- Hugh Grant was so much fun to watch in that movie that it was hard to keep your eyes off him. During the fight scene in the film, we kept hoping he and Firth would start making out. Okay, I'll stop, but thank you for this! Very, very funny!! Love the assets (sexy voice and the ability to wear jodhpurs with dignity) and liabilities (At this point, he's in danger of becoming the love object of post-menopausal NPR listeners)....."}, {"response": 579, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (10:44)", "body": "closing, I hope...sorry."}, {"response": 580, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (11:38)", "body": "Review: 'Girl' Gives Bynes Fans What They Want Teen TV Sensation Has Magnetic Presence Tim Lammers, Staff Writer POSTED: 9:12 a.m. EST April 4, 2003 'What A Girl Wants' (PG) (two 1/2 out of four) Sure, its clash of cultures storyline doesn't make \"What a Girl Wants\" the most original film to come down to pike, but that's hardly reason to write off an otherwise charming movie that's sure to satisfy fans of Nickelodeon television star Amanda Bynes. Bynes stars as Daphne Reynolds, a free-spirited American teen who has celebrated each of 17 birthdays in heartbreak. She has her loving, yet unconventional mother, Libby (Kelly Preston), always by her side, but Daphne's father is never there to accompany her -- so she feels incomplete. At least Daphne knows who he is -- Lord Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth), a wealthy British aristocrat who lives in London. He and Libby are an ocean apart thanks to the deception of Henry's snobbish family, who didn't feel she was suitable for their high class society. So when Daphne impulsively hops a flight to London in order to find her father, there are several surprises in store. First of all, Henry, now a politician facing a crucial election, didn't know he had a daughter, and second, that daughter -- who's just like her mother -- causes an uproar with the British aristocracy. But unlike mom, will Libby change to please her pompous patriarchy? \"What a Girl Wants\" has a \"Princess Diaries\" fish-out-water sort of feel to it, where a reluctant heir is suddenly thrust into a world opposite of hers. It's a tried and true comedy formula, and the success of that formula usually relies on whether its actors can deliver the goods or not. With \"What a Girl Wants,\" the responsibility rests almost squarely on the shoulders of Bynes, who succeeds with a magnetic screen personality. It's easy to see why she has been a mainstay the past 10 years on cable's Nickelodeon network -- she has a wonderful sense of timing, and a great handle on physical comedy, to boot. Plus, she gets to show a tender side with the movie, which is sure give her fans a welcome surprise. But what really makes \"What a Girl Wants\" work is Bynes' chemistry with co-stars Oliver James and Firth. James, who plays Daphne's boyfriend and aspiring musician, impresses in his debut with a likeable demeanor and a great singing voice. The ever-dependable Firth is just plain charismatic, and his regret he expresses for not knowing he had a daughter provides the movie with its most poignant moments. There are no doubt shots on the way from film snobs out there who'll be quick to complain that \"What a Girl Wants\" has an all-too-familiar narrative and stereotypical characters. And, apart from any snide descriptions they'll use to criticize the movie, they're probably right. But that's not going to matter to the film's intended audience. What they'll get is a sweet and funny coming-of-age tale that teaches some important lessons about being yourself -- and kids, especially teens, can never get enough of that. \"What a Girl Wants\" is not an earth-shattering movie, by any means, but it's not completely frivolous either. For the lack of better words, it'll give fans of Bynes what they want. Copyright 2003 by TheKSBWChannel.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed."}, {"response": 581, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (12:26)", "body": "Per Annette's link: At this point, he's in danger of becoming the love object of post-menopausal NPR listeners. OMG - I've been so busted! This *is* me..... Thanks Annette for the *heads up*;-)"}, {"response": 582, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (13:10)", "body": "Another very favorable review (unfortunately, a secondary paper I think..) Highlight - \"And there's no way that we couldn't like Firth (Shakespeare in Love, Bridget Jones's Diary), who brings charisma, dignity and talent to every part he plays. Dashwood's interplay with Daphne evolves slowly and with subtlety and it's not a stretch to assume that has a lot to do with Firth's understated, compassionate turn.\" Yeah!! (Ok, I'll split my time between San Diego and Ohio...) http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/living/5556044.htm"}, {"response": 583, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (13:29)", "body": "(Evelyn)Hey Mari...you better dial: 011-44-1-800-catholic news service Karen is setting up a separate board for me, where I'll do baptisms. And distribute contribution envelopes.;-) Maria, how do you feel about becoming a Mormon: All You Could Want From a Teen Movie By Sean P. Means The Salt Lake Tribune A girl's search for her father becomes a charming, witty fairy tale. Rated PG for mild language; 104 minutes. \"What a Girl Wants\" is about as perfect a pop confection as you could want: sweet, funny, sly, hip, surprisingly touching -- and a showcase for the dynamic Amanda Bynes. Bynes, who turned 17 on Thursday, plays Daphne Reynolds, a New York City teen with only one sore spot in her happy life: She has never known her father. Daphne's rock 'n' roll mom, Libby (Kelly Preston), met Daphne's English father, Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth), in Morocco, but their romance was thwarted by his upper-class family with Henry never knowing Libby was pregnant. Daphne jets to London to find Henry. She finds him just as he is embarking on a run for Parliament, and his social-climbing fiancee, Glynnis (Anna Chancellor) and her Machiavellian father (Jonathan Pryce) fear Daphne's sudden presence will stir up scandal. Henry, though, is less worried about the paparazzi than he is eager to learn about the daughter he never knew he had. Daphne is plunged into high society, though she is too fun-loving and dynamic -- in short, too American -- for the high-tea set. Screenwriters Jenny Bicks (a \"Sex and the City\" writer) and Elizabeth Chandler (\"A Little Princess\") take their source material, the 1958 Sandra Dee movie \"The Reluctant Debutante,\" and update it with spunk and wit. The movie pokes fun at British stuffiness and class-consciousness. Director Dennie Gordon (\"Joe Dirt\") balances Bynes' physical comedy with a fairy-tale lightness. The British cast is well-chosen, from veteran performers like Pryce and Eileen Atkins (as Henry's eccentric mum) to newcomer Oliver James as Daphne's boyfriend. Firth, who exudes the same repressed hunkiness he did in \"Bridget Jones' Diary,\" is a sympathetic father figure and sparks nicely with Preston, who could make a niche for herself with the sort of sensuous earth-mama roles Susan Sarandon used to get a decade ago. But \"What a Girl Wants\" ultimately is all about the girl, and Bynes is the right girl for it. Bynes -- who starred on her own sketch-comedy series on Nickelodeon and co-starred in \"Big Fat Liar\" -- possesses a rare combination of goofy charm, great comedic timing and a lithe beauty that somehow never detracts from her girl-next-door appeal. Watching Bynes in \"What a Girl Wants\" is to see a star blossom beautifully."}, {"response": 584, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (13:34)", "body": "Or maybe Cajun is more your style, Maria?;-) From the New Orleans Times-Picayune Bynes' heart belongs to daddy in 'Debutante' remake By Michael H. Kleinschrodt Movie critic Although \"What a Girl Wants\" scores no points for originality, it is a charming and wholesome film that can be enjoyed by the entire family. The movie, directed by Dennie Gordon (\"The Adventures of Joe Dirt\"), is a loose remake of 1958's \"The Reluctant Debutante\" as filtered through 2001's \"The Princess Diaries.\" Taking the Sandra Dee/Anne Hathaway role is television star Amanda Bynes, who last appeared on the big screen in \"Big Fat Liar.\" Bynes plays 17-year-old Daphne Reynolds, who has everything a New York girl could want -- except a father. Mom Libby (Kelly Preston) has never made a secret of Daphne's father's identity: Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth), a British lord she impulsively married in a Bedouin ceremony. They were separated before Daphne even was born. One day, Daphne jets off to London to attempt to forge a relationship with her father. Her arrival comes as more of a surprise than she expects. Henry, in the midst of an important election, is thrown into shock by the revelation that he has a daughter, as are Henry's social-climbing fiancee, Glynnis Payne (Anna Chancellor), and her spoiled daughter, Clarissa (Christina Cole). The only understanding Daphne finds in London comes from her kindly grandmother, Jocelyn Dashwood (Eileen Atkins), and hunky musician Ian Wallace (Oliver James). As Daphne struggles to fit into her father's world, Glynnis and Clarissa do everything they can to sabotage her. The only people who possibly could doubt Daphne's eventual triumph are people who have never seen a movie before in their lives. Bynes is a fresh-faced presence in the lead, but she doesn't always possess the emotional heft some of her scenes require. The screenplay also makes her character a pratfall-prone klutz, which just isn't funny. Preston, currently appearing in \"View From the Top,\" is stuck with the least developed role and seems stranded by the screenplay. Chancellor is fine as the wicked future stepmother, but it's a role the star of \"Crush\" and \"Four Weddings and a Funeral\" could play in her sleep. The extent to which this movie works is a credit primarily to Firth and Atkins. Firth (\"The Importance of Being Earnest\") is a delight as the aristocrat struggling to rein in his wild side and as the bumbling father trying to figure out the meaning of his new role. Atkins (\"Gosford Park\") also shines as the plainspoken grande dame who no longer cares to censor her thoughts. Jocelyn's love of the freespirited Daphne is clear even as Atkins delivers lines such as \"No hugging, dear. We're British. British people show affection only to dogs and to horses.\" It's an old joke, but Atkins pulls it off. Less charming is Daphne's and Libby's habit of expressing their love for each other in terms of various candies. The most groan-inducing line is when Daphne tells Libby, \"I love you a million red M&Ms.\" The line isn't as sweet as it might first appear considering that Libby would have grown up during the time that production of red M&Ms was suspended because an unrelated red dye was found to cause cancer. Like countless movies before it, \"What a Girl Wants\" features the obligatory scene of the stuffy party just waiting to be enlivened by the heroine's superior taste in music. Still, it's a flaw audiences probably will overlook as they fall hook, line and sinker for the movie's heartfelt charms. _________________________ WHAT A GIRL WANTS (STAR)(STAR)(STAR) Plot: An American teen jets off to London to meet her father, a British noble who doesn't know she exists. What works: Colin Firth brings much charm to a heartfelt tale safe for the whole family. What doesn't: There's nothing here audiences haven't seen before."}, {"response": 585, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (13:52)", "body": "(Mari) Maria, how do you feel about becoming a Mormon?: Or maybe Cajun is more your style, Maria?;-) Wow! I like em both! But I guess I won't be the first gumbo loving, Pacific surfing, Salt Lake floating, bi-faith, commuting between four cities and goes to confession all for love of ODB fan...;-))"}, {"response": 586, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (13:59)", "body": "From TV Guide (just posting the salient parts);-) The happy ending is a foregone conclusion, but what could have easily have been a carbon copy of THE PRINCESS DIARIES (2001) benefits from the efforts of its strong cast. Bynes is a charmer who adeptly straddles the line between romantic heroine and physical comedienne, while Firth is extremely enjoyable as a befuddled father trying to balance his prim and proper life with his spirited teenager's influence. Not everyone could have pulled off the scene in which, clad in leather pants and a muscle tee, he cuts loose in front of a mirror to the strains of \"Rock 'n' Roll Hoochie Coo.\""}, {"response": 587, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (14:04)", "body": "Thanks for all the reviews ladies. Enjoy the movie."}, {"response": 588, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (14:54)", "body": "A second baby Firth is on the way. From Movie City News, some very interesting stuff on the marketing, including why CF isn't on the posters: The brief biography included on the What a Girl Wants website credits Dennie Gordon with being one of the most versatile directors working in Hollywood. The anonymous author of the bio goes on to say the Minnesota native is \"known for her craftsmanship, as well as her cajones.\" Unusual, but it beats having a reputation for bringing in your pictures late and over-budget. What a Girl Wants is that rare bird in Hollywood, a romantic fairy tale that should play every bit as well with mothers, as it does with their teenage daughters. Although posters for the Warner Bros. release feature only 17-year-old Amanda Bynes, What a Girl Wants also stars a lovelorn Kelly Preston and British hunk Colin Firth. (Earlier this week, reporters noticed that one-sheets no longer showed Bynes flashing the peace sign, while posing in front of a pair of beefeasters. The gesture was removed so no one would think the movie was trying to make a political statement.) Bynes plays the energetic and free-spirited Daphne, an 18-year-old New Yorker who travels to England in search of her father (Firth). Until Daphne arrives on the scene, the wealthy aristocrat is unaware he fathered a child with the hippie-dippie American musician (Preston) he traveled with in Morocco 17 years before. Nor is Lord Henry aware of the subterfuge that caused their relationship to evaporate before the girl was born. Although Bynes' name won't be familiar to most adults, the newly 17-year-old actress is hugely popular among teenagers who have watched her grow up on Nickelodeon's All That and The Amanda Show, as well as the WB's What I Like About You. The Thousand Oaks native can also be seen alongside Frankie Muniz in Big Fat Liar. Dawn Taubin, Warner Bros. president of domestic marketing, was also interviewed for this article. MOVIE CITY NEWS : Is it true that you're known around Hollywood for your \"cojones\"? DENNIE GORDON: Some of the actors I've worked with say I direct more like a man than a woman. I take it as a compliment. MCN: It seems as if you're walking a tightrope in the marketing campaign for What a Girl Wants. Amanda's a big star among teenagers, but you want adults to know the fairy tale aspect of the film will appeal to them, too. DG: When I took this on, the story was very much directed at a teen audience. As a movie-going mother, though, I just couldn't bear the thought of waking up every morning to go the set, and pour my heart and soul into it, unless we could make it a fairy tale for all ages. I wanted to make something smart, witty and fun, so parents could enjoy the movie, too. I liked the idea of the love triangle. MCN: Based on the posters and billboards, I didn't really expect to see a movie people my age could sit through. DG: Everyone who went to see it in the test screenings was so surprised, because it's Amanda on the poster, and they thought they were going to see a teen comedy. It became this conundrum for marketing. Early on, they realized they had this \"four-quadrant\" movie. That's a big deal for them, and it happens once in a blue moon. MCN: OK, I give up. Is a four-quadrant movie like a four-bagger in baseball? DG: We have the Amanda audience - the teen and pre-teen girls -- already. The tracking is off-the-charts in terms of their awareness of the movie, and desire to see it on the first weekend. The second key quadrant is made up of the same adult women who are attracted to movies like \"Bridget Jones,\" and we hope they'll drag their husbands or boyfriends to see it. Or, fathers might agree to see it with their teenage daughters. Teen girls might have to drag their boyfriends along, but we're hoping the boys will come on their own to see Amanda. My 14-year-old son thinks she is really hot. MCN: She has a terrific comic sensibility. DG: Amanda's huge with girls because they think she could be their best friend or the girl next door. She isn't so beautiful she intimidates them, like other young actresses. She's so real and charming on screen, they really connect with her. They think they actually could be her. DAWN TAUBIN: One of the segments we're targeting in our television campaign is pre-teen girls. They're attracted to the physical comedy, and are very aware of Amanda. The older girls, and tweens, enjoy watching Daphne go out on her own for the first time \ufffd experiencing romance for the first time \ufffd the sense of empowerment. The ads with Colin Firth and Kelly Preston are designed to attract moms. We'll use testimonials and reviews to the get the word out. It's easier to make our point in television commercials than in print ads, and that's why Amanda is prominent in the print ads. MCN: Is Amanda known across the pond? DG: Not yet. We were shooting in London, and the crew kept asking me who Amanda was. I said, \"She's huge in America, trust me.\" One day, we were shooting on the Millennium"}, {"response": 589, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (15:10)", "body": "Looks like Connie Ogle (from Miami Herald) did some 'ogeling' at Colin when she did a story about the making of TIOBE in England last year. She sounds like a definite fan ;-). (Thanks also for all the reviews all, for your great DG notes Dorine, and those pics Karen.) What a girl wants: mom and dad -- and a lot of wholesome fantasy Connie Ogle Miami Herald Published: Friday, April 4, 2003 What a Girl Wants is exactly what a girl -- specifically a dreamy middle-school girl -- wants. It's a cheery, impossible fantasy in which the bright, resourceful but completely nonthreatening heroine has a cool, gorgeous, ex-hippie singer mom who doesn't seem to object to tattoos; a rich, gorgeous, ex-hippie politician father; access to his extensive family estate and connections, and an adorable British singer boyfriend who looks like a baby Keanu Reeves and rides a motorcycle. In a wholesome, nonthreatening way, of course. It also has a reasonably likable star in Nickelodeon's Amanda Bynes, a teen-friendly message that won't appall parents -- be true to yourself -- and, for mothers weary of the boring grown-ups in Crossroads and A Walk to Remember, Colin Firth, who may look like a dad to the kids but will always be Pride and Prejudice's Mr. Darcy to the rest of us. Firth is only one member of the high-pedigree cast; others, such as Eileen Atkins and Jonathan Pryce, also lend the film a touch of respectability. Inspired by 1958's The Reluctant Debutante and bearing a whopping debt to Cinderella and The Princess Diaries, What a Girl Wants tells the story of 17-year-old Daphne (Bynes), who wants to meet her high-profile father in England. Her mom (Kelly Preston) has tried to protect Daphne from his severe and snooty family, but Daphne takes off across the sea anyway. Don't ask where the waitress daughter of a wedding singer got the money for the Virgin Atlantic ticket. It would be unseemly. Daphne discovers Lord Henry Dashwood (Firth) is busy running for Parliament, and, worse, he comes complete with a wicked stepmother-to-be (Anna Chancellor, doomed to lose Firth's affection yet again the way she did in Pride and Prejudice) as well as an even more wicked stepsister (Christina Cole). Henry does, however, accept Daphne into his home, where she proceeds to disrupt stuffy British events because she is, after all, an American. That means she is madcap and irrepressible while all around her turn up their noses, at least until they're bewitched by her charm and dance moves. (It should be noted that I will scream aloud at the next movie in which uptight people dancing is the stuff of high comedy.) Daphne does try to change into the perfect daughter, much to the dismay of her singer suitor Ian (pin up-to-be Oliver James), but eventually realizes she must be herself. This, like everything else in the movie, is not unexpected. But What a Girl Wants is a fairy tale, after all, and by now we know what that means. The bad are punished, good triumphs and The Clash's London Calling blares on the soundtrack. Daphne makes a designer original out of a truly hideous dress armed only with a pair of scissors, and Dad loosens up enough to try on a pair of his old leather pants. That's Colin Firth in leather pants. Now talk about a fantasy."}, {"response": 590, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (15:13)", "body": "(Mari)A second baby Firth is on the way. This makes me irrationally happy:-))... Do you think this was a \"blurt\" on Dennie's part?...oops..."}, {"response": 591, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (15:59)", "body": "He's doing some satellite interviews, but thought it better to stay at home with his wife, who is six months pregnant. The war affected everyone's travel plans, as well. How great is this??? And now we have the real reason he isn't doing the junket! Congratulations to ODB and LD! A girl, this time (maybe?)!! (Maria) This makes me irrationally happy:-))... Do you think this was a \"blurt\" on Dennie's part?...oops... I'm irrationally happy too Maria! I do wonder about Dennie mentioning this....it appears that ODB is very private about such matters and as far as I know, this is the first time it has been mentioned....hope this is okay and the press leaves him and his family alone. A June or July baby if Dennie is speaking the truth! Yeah!!!"}, {"response": 592, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (16:47)", "body": "(Maria) This makes me irrationally happy:-))... (Tress)I'm irrationally happy too *It shows an affection for ODB which is very appealing.* I'm with you girls!"}, {"response": 593, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (17:01)", "body": "Sorry about the misunderstanding;-) ...Just wantet to make at least *one* remark, that hadn't been made before. I just can't keep up with you clever girls;-) Nono Annette, you are so clever at getting me in a Firth frame of mind on those dismal workday mornings when you ask for favorite..whatevers and when you have already done some fun *googling* to share with us!"}, {"response": 594, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (17:22)", "body": "Mari, wonderful find! A good explanation of the poster, although I still don't like the photo used. And a new baby! I'm already thinking of names. Thanks for all the reviews. I'll try to type out the 2 reviews from my local papers, but I'm honestly embarrassed that one review became an anti-American monologue. That's what happens when a pompous theatre critic is sent to review a teen movie. Why can't these people relax?! Girls are very difficult. I only know this because I am one. LOL! Would make a great bumpersticker :-)"}, {"response": 595, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 2003 (21:04)", "body": "Thanks for all the reviews ladies. I was hoping they'd have another child. What good news this is."}, {"response": 596, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (01:11)", "body": "Quickie- Colin attended the opening night of Kirstin Scott Thomas' new play. I've put the info up at: http://www.firth.com/p_eye6.html"}, {"response": 597, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (01:38)", "body": "Thanks Karen. That's definitely one of the best pics of the bunch. Love the untucked look. LD must be away. ;-)"}, {"response": 598, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (01:48)", "body": "LOL, Dorine. Agree it's one of the best pics. Thank you for the picture, Karen. Information about TIOBE dvd-release: According to Blackstar the R2 is released on July 21. (amazon still has it for September) Not current movie, but there is also a SIL superdvd (also R2) on the way (released sometime April)"}, {"response": 599, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (02:06)", "body": "A few more DG film class notes ... Can't believe I forgot to put this one as it's the most interesting to me.... They were talking about how some directors get attached to the songs on the temp soundtracks during editing/test screenings. She really had her heart set on using Led Zeppelin's \"Whole Lotta Love\" during the BLP scene. Robert Plant and Jimmy Page and their kids saw it and liked it and gave her permission to use the song. But as it doesn't matter, of course, what singers/writers think unless they have the rights, it didn't matter if they gave permission. After the managers and publishers got done wrangling over it, it was going to cost $1 million, so WB passed. She said her husband thought it worked better with the current song. The falling chandelier scene cost $150,000."}, {"response": 600, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (02:13)", "body": "(Me) Love the untucked look That's why I love the playground scene so much...the untucked shirt, rolled up sleeves, and barefeet. And great hair and looks, too. :-P Same with that last Moroccan scene with him on that camel in that awesome (untucked ;-)) shirt."}, {"response": 601, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (02:45)", "body": "Thank you again Dorine. It is sometimes unbelievable the amounts of money, that flows through this business. btw - don't you ever sleep?"}, {"response": 602, "author": "joyce", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (07:18)", "body": "(Tress) And now we have the real reason he isn't doing the junket! (LOL) Let's see TIOBE, Love Actually and WAGW. Seems like all the London work gives CF and LD plenty of time to moonlight at their own production company. ;) Clever couple."}, {"response": 603, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (07:34)", "body": "Thanks for sharing with us all of your very interesting information Dorine. And how great it must be to be learning so much first hand. Thanks again. Thank you for great pic Karen. He looks nice and relaxed."}, {"response": 604, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (08:30)", "body": "Thanks Karen, Mari, Dorine, and Maria, for all the reviews, articles, and interviews. (DG)I wanted to make something smart, witty and fun, so parents could enjoy the movie, too. I liked the idea of the love triangle. As a parent who has sat through the likes of Dudley Duright and several other Gawd-awful films with my daughter, this is certainly a treat...with or without the CF obsession;-) (DG): He's doing some satellite interviews, but thought it better to stay at home with his wife, who is six months pregnant. Congratulations to the Firth's. I'd sure love to see some of those satellite interviews."}, {"response": 605, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (08:32)", "body": "Oh sorry to double post, but thanks Karen for the picture of Colin at the London play, he looks great. The sideburns look very Mark Darcy...yeah I know, Trauma first."}, {"response": 606, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (08:37)", "body": "On the producers for WAGW - older work and grosses - From Show Biz Daily: Producer Denise Di Novi WHAT A GIRL WANTS WARNER BROS. Year Title Gross 2002 WALK TO REMEMBER, A 41.23 2001 ORIGINAL SIN 16.25 2000 NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, THE 50.38 1999 MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE 52.80 1998 PRACTICAL MAGIC 46.61 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Producer E.K. Gaylord II WHAT A GIRL WANTS WARNER BROS. Year Title Gross 2002 WHITE OLEANDER 16.35 2002 DIVINE SECRETS OF THE YA YA SISTERHOOD 69.59 2002 WALK TO REMEMBER, A 41.23 1991 MY HEROES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN COWBOYS 3.60 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Producer Bill Gerber WHAT A GIRL WANTS WARNER BROS. Year Title Gross 2002 QUEEN OF THE DAMNED 30.31 2001 AMERICAN OUTLAWS 13.26 2000 GET CARTER 14.97 --------------------------------------------------------------------"}, {"response": 607, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (09:46)", "body": "'What a Girl Wants' is fairy-tale froth 04/03/2003 By Ann Brown ARIZONA DAILY STAR Apparently, what teen-age girls want is a loving and attentive father, a boyfriend from the pages of Cosmo Girl, and an undaunted, true sense of self. \"What a Girl Wants\" is a cotton-candy Cinderella fairy tale that stars Amanda Bynes (Nickelodeon's \"All That\") as spunky but feeling incomplete Daphne Reynolds. Seventeen-year-old Daphne and her mom, Libby (Kelly Preston), live in a fifth-floor walkup in New York City's Chinatown. Libby sings in a rock band at weddings, at which Daphne is a waitress. Daphne dreams of dancing with her never-met dad. The guy who didn't know he had a daughter is Lord Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth), who met and married Libby in an impromptu ceremony in Morocco. When Libby and Henry returned to England, the extra-crispy uppercrust Brits and Henry's manipulative handlers sent heartbroken Libby packing, telling Henry she'd found another. Daphne, feeling she's missing a part of herself, bursts off to London in hopes of finding Papa. She immediately meets dreamy, heartthrob musician Ian (Oliver James), the \"half-breed\" offspring of a commoner and a debutante. Free-spirited Daphne sneaks onto the huge, fancy-dancy Dashwood estate and finds that her father, a prestigious politician amid a campaign, now has a prissy fianc\ufffde (Anna Chancellor) with an uptight daughter (Christina Cole). Daphne is a bull in an aristocratic English china shop. Her go-for-it personality puts Henry's election in jeopardy. To make her new father-daughter relationship work and save his career, Daphne trades her boots and bluejeans for pumps and pearls, and gracefully glides into English society. (Remember Greek mythology? Daphne was a nymph who was changed into a tree to escape attention.) At no point is the airy plot ever plausible - this is a fairy tale, after all. \"What a Girl Wants\" gets off to a cheesy start, reminiscent of 2001's \"The Princess Diaries,\" but whips to a fuller froth when Daphne arrives across the pond. Bynes, pretty and cute, but not drop-dead gorgeous, adequately skips through the role, which is not a test of acting ability. Chancellor and Cole play the wicked, almost stepfamily with icy, gonna-get-what-I-want perfection. Their last name is Payne - get the not-so-subtle symbolism? Sure you do. Eileen Atkins brings a gracious balance and a contrast to the other women's characters. The absolutely adorable James plays a smart, kind, sweet-voiced, hard-working guy who loves Daphne for who she is. Ian is the breathtaking boyfriend every girl wants. But Dashing Dad is the real Prince Charming. Firth melts hearts with his usual charm as an honorable man struggling to balance his responsibilities and expectations with his newly found daughter and his heart. This make-believe story has a moral that Cinderella never discovered: finding Prince Charming isn't the key to happiness. To live happily ever after, you need to follow your heart and be true to yourself."}, {"response": 608, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (09:57)", "body": "Thanks, Mari, for posting the interview with Dennie Gordon. Stuff like this reinforces my feeling that sometimes Colin's fans are his worst enemy. I mean, how could anyone who adores him so much want him to be in such a triviality like this film? I would think she'd want him to be in good/great films. Seems incongruous to me. Liked all the inside info about the marketing and the poster. May-December? *snort* Nicer way to put it than another Lolita or worse. ;-) Thanks, Bethan, for the update on Trauma."}, {"response": 609, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (10:01)", "body": "Wow! so much gong on! A new baby on the way--congrats, Colin. That must be why he was on his own at the play. I don't like the untucked look with the jacket, looks too messy for me. Notice the bag in his hand? A souvenir for his wife, perhaps?"}, {"response": 610, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (10:06)", "body": "(Karen)I mean, how could anyone who adores him so much want him to be in such a triviality like this film? I know, I know, but sometimes we're just grateful to see him in SOMETHING, even \"for dough\" movies while we're waiting for the \"for show\" movies."}, {"response": 611, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (10:12)", "body": "The bag is in the hand of the lady to the left. If I answer the other part, this will turn into a career debate. :-("}, {"response": 612, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (11:00)", "body": "(Kate)That must be why he was on his own at the play. Not sure why being 6 months pregnant would preclude attendance at a play--or, more to the point, prevent hubby from going on a short business trip to promote his work, for that matter. I worked until the day before I delivered. I have colleagues who have gone straight from the office to the hospital. That's what women do today. It's not like you're ill. Oh, whatever. (Karen)I mean, how could anyone who adores him so much want him to be in such a triviality like this film? I would think she'd want him to be in good/great films. LOL, but she doesn't make good/great films; she makes very commercial ones. And you know what? He's coming out smelling like a rose in most of these reviews. Even the ones that don't like the film, like him. Cinderella tale is what this girl wants By Leslie Gray Streeter, Palm Beach Post Staff Columnist Saturday, April 5, 2003 Every once in a while, as I prowl The Palm Beach Post offices to look for creative inspiration or free snacks, I drop in on Scott Eyman, the Post's very own books editor/maharaja of movie history. Recently we pondered what differentiates a genuinely good actor from an adequate actor who seems great only because he lucked out in a once-in-a-lifetime role that not even a comatose ferret could screw up. I was reminded of that little chat this week while watching the truly talented and dashing Colin Firth stammer and beam his way through a stock part in the cheesy/sweet What a Girl Wants. This father/daughter fish-out-of-water fairy tale, based on Vincente Minnelli's The Reluctant Debutante, has a plot so simple that kindergartners with a working knowledge of Cinderella could predict it. Luckily, the movie also has Firth, as an upper-crusty candidate for the British Parliament who meets the free-spirited, 17-year-old American daughter (Amanda Bynes) he never knew he had. As Henry Dashwood, Firth wears his decency in his stammer, in his shy grasp for words, in his low, educated diction and in the way he desperately flounders to maintain his expected propriety, all while his heart is urging him to rebel. He's a non-cutesy Hugh Grant. I admit, I dig it. I don't know whether much of what Firth does is actually in the script. But he and the equally cute and talented Bynes can turn a goofy line or dumb musical montage into escapist joy without saying a thing. Bynes is Daphne Reynolds, raised in a tiny apartment in New York's Chinatown by her quirky wedding singer mother Libby (Kelly Preston). Daphne has never met her dad, Henry, but she knows all about how he and Libby met in Morocco, were married by Bedouins, much to the disapproval of Henry's snooty family of noblemen and their adviser, the crafty, evil Alistair Payne (Jonathan Pryce). Libby high-tailed it back to New York, never telling Henry that she was pregnant, because she thought Henry had chosen his position over her. Meanwhile, Henry never looks for Libby, because he believes she has ditched him for someone else. Sadly, both have been hoodwinked by the dastardly Alistair, because that's what crafty, evil advisers do. Unaware of all this nefariousness, Daphne aches for her father at each birthday and during every father/daughter dance she sees at the weddings where Libby and her band play. One day, Daphne hops a plane to London and looks up Henry, who is planning a wedding of his own -- to Alistair's dippy daughter Glynnis (Anna Chancellor) -- and a run for Parliament. Henry is understandably shocked to meet Daphne, but, being a decent chap, he eventually invites Daphne to stay the summer and take part in the social season, which appears to be like the Palm Beach season, except during the summer and with even more hats. Quirky, self-assured Daphne must fit in or be ostracized, understanding that if she's rejected, she's also likely messing up her newfound father's election. But as Ian (Oliver James), Daphne's eventual boyfriend, tells her, she was born to stand out, not fit in. High jinks, heartbreak and much musical goofiness ensue. Being a Cinderella story, What a Girl Wants gives us a wicked stepmother in Glynnis, who catches on that Henry might still carry a torch for the lovely Libby. Chancellor seems to be making a career of portraying uptight Brits whose fianc\ufffdes are really in love with quirky Americans (Grant ditches her at the altar for Andie McDowell in Four Weddings and a Funeral). Sure, she's not right for him, but if Henry doesn't love Glynnis, why is he engaged to her? I know Henry's the good guy, but doesn't this make him a little bit of a dog? Just wondering. As goofy and predictable as What a Girl Wants Is, I love that Daphne is a sweet, strong girl who stands up for herself without being disrespectful. I loved the movie's emphasis on family, its lack of sex, violence or bodily fluids, and especially the sweet, unspoken chemistry between Firth and Bynes. No, it's not Shakespeare. But with performances this good, it doesn't have to be. Besides,"}, {"response": 613, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (11:05)", "body": "(Kate)sometimes we're just grateful to see him in SOMETHING, even \"for dough\" movies while we're waiting for the \"for show\" movies If this was so horrible it was painful (as it seems it was for Karen), then I'd beg to differ, but I do think it's cute and like the two of them together. And that Oliver James kid is good, too. It has redeemable qualities. Even Anthony Hopkins and Michael Caine do \"dough\" movies in order to do \"show\" movies. Michael Caine readily admits it. Granted they are better known, but that's the breaks! (Karen) If I answer the other part, this will turn into a career debate. I bet that could be dangerous. ;-) Thanks, Bethan for the Trauma info. Has anyone seen that other movie of his?"}, {"response": 614, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (11:18)", "body": "Dorine, thanks so much for the notes from your class and the Dennie G behind the scenes stuff. I love reading the inside poop. Great info! I can't blame them for not wanting to shell out a million bucks for Whole Lotta Love. Awesome song, but RNR Hoochie Koo works well. And WB wanted Brosnan, eh? Not surprising. And no way would Huge take second billing to anyone unless they're of equal career stature to him (e.g., Sandra Bullock). I went again last night and the theater was packed. This was cute: 2 little girls were sitting directly behind me. Right after Daphne and Libby leave England, the younger girl starts to cry, big heaving sobs. \"This is soooo sad, she's gonna lose her daddy again, waaaaahhhhhhh!\" The older girl tries calming her with, \"don't cry, he'll come and get her, it's going to get happy again real soon, that's how movies like this are.\" She'd seen this plot before. Hee hee."}, {"response": 615, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (11:19)", "body": "Thanks, Mari for the PB Post Review. Gotta love those (W.) Gotta love those (W.) Palm Beachers. ;-D I like her writing style...and taste, of course. (Mari) Not sure why being 6 months pregnant would preclude attendance at a play--or, more to the point, prevent hubby from going on a short business trip to promote his work, for that matter Remember, he had to get in his quota of boycotts. ;-) But, I totally agree with you."}, {"response": 616, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (11:21)", "body": "The older girl tries calming her with, \"don't cry, he'll come and get her, it's going to get happy again real soon, that's how movies like this are.\" She'd seen this plot before. Hee hee. LOL! And they'll go to see 45 times more."}, {"response": 617, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (11:46)", "body": "(Dorine) Led Zeppelin's \"Whole Lotta Love\" during the BLP scene. I love this song! Oh...it would have been good (it's still good....but to see ODB rocking out to LZ?? OMG!). I'm a sad human being....I bought the soundtrack. And I like it. Oh well... (Dorine) Love the untucked look Me too! Those jeans! And I like the shoes....they look comfy (my first priority in shoes). And the sideburns.....mmmmm.....Thank you Karen for the pic and article about the play. (Joyce) (LOL) Let's see TIOBE, Love Actually and WAGW. Seems like all the London work gives CF and LD plenty of time to moonlight at their own production company. ;) Clever couple. And I was thinking it was GWAPE time.....LD liked that scruff on his face the way we all did!! (Karen) If I answer the other part, this will turn into a career debate. :-( I liked WAGW, so am not too distraught over this career move....I don't think it will hurt his career (won't push him toward anything great either, but won't hurt. Even many of the negative reviews say that ODB did well in his dad role). But, as I was telling someone yesterday, at least he isn't in any of these current pictures: The Life of David Gale (with Oscar winner Kevin Spacey) or The Hunted (with Oscar winners Benicio Del Toro and Tommy Lee Jones)...or Boat Trip (with Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr.)....View From the Top (Oscar winner Gwenyth Paltrow)...then there is Anger Management to look forward to....(Oscar winners Jack Nicholson and Marisa Tormei). Even 'certified' good actors make poor choices. ODB could have done much much worse (anything is better when compared to L'dum). (Mari) Not sure why being 6 months pregnant would preclude attendance at a play--or, more to the point, prevent hubby from going on a short business trip to promote his work, for that matter. I think it may have more to do with their privacy than with her feeling 'ill'. I mean, before Dennie Gordon mentioned it, we hadn't heard anything about it. Seems they want to do this 'alone' and not under the glare of reporters. Don't blame them really. And remember it was Luca's birthday as well...."}, {"response": 618, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (12:04)", "body": "(Karen)LOL! And they'll go to see 45 times more. Just like me, and besides, it helps the box office!!!;-) (Tress) But, as I was telling someone yesterday, at least he isn't in any of these current pictures,... I'll take WAGW anyday over the ones you mentioned. I agree, Dorine, Oliver James was excellent. Thanks, Bethan"}, {"response": 619, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (12:34)", "body": "(Tress) But, as I was telling someone yesterday, at least he isn't in any of these current pictures: The Life of David Gale (with Oscar winner Kevin Spacey) or The Hunted (with Oscar winners Benicio Del Toro and Tommy Lee Jones)...or Boat Trip (with Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr.)....View From the Top (Oscar winner Gwenyth Paltrow)...then there is Anger Management to look forward to....(Oscar winners Jack Nicholson and Marisa Tormei). Even 'certified' good actors make poor choices There was an article in the NYTimes or WSJ in the last week about that very thing. Toast of the town right after Oscars, ignored in the next few months or years."}, {"response": 620, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (12:54)", "body": "Top 5 box office estimates for Friday from boxofficemojo.com. No real surprises. May change over the weekend? Title/screens/gross PHONE BOOTH 2,481 $5,060,000 A MAN APART 2,459 $3,980,000 WHAT A GIRL WANTS 2,964 $3,480,000 HEAD OF STATE 2,155 $2,770,000 BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE 2,910 $2,370,000"}, {"response": 621, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (12:57)", "body": "(Tress) But, as I was telling someone yesterday, at least he isn't in any of these current pictures...Even 'certified' good actors make poor choices. ODB could have done much much worse (anything is better when compared to L'dum). He isn't in that league yet, with the award winners, and won't. He'll be getting lots more of these scripts. Reread Dennie Gordon's comment about Greek Wedding and how they think out there. No one is going to consider him for a substantial role based on this and then Love Actually and maybe Hope Springs, if we live long enough. He'll be the Daddy version of Hugh Grant. What a waste. :-( Thank goodness for GWAPE and maybe Trauma. Maybe the next will be as a disfigured homeless person or killer. A girl can only hope... *sigh*"}, {"response": 622, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (12:57)", "body": "Remember, ticket prices are less for WAGW's audience. ;-)"}, {"response": 623, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (13:09)", "body": "LOL, it was cheaper for me yesterday, too. A bargain matinee *and* it's cheaper in another state. ;-) (Karen) Maybe the next will be as a disfigured homeless person or killer. A girl can only hope... *sigh* LOL! A serial killer! More than just the one in MOTM. More candles ordered. ;-)"}, {"response": 624, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (13:36)", "body": "Thanks for all your hard work ladies in posting the info on WAGW. I know it doesn't sound like the greatest movie ever, but I think it'll be great eye candy, if nothing else! I'm sad that the news of the new baby has leaked out (I'm sure he wanted this kept quiet), and I think it also explains Livia's non-appearance at the play in London the other night. - I bet he's gutted!"}, {"response": 625, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (13:39)", "body": "(Karen) He isn't in that league yet, with the award winners, and won't. He'll be getting lots more of these scripts. I know ODB isn't in that league yet (and may never be....because he doesn't appear to really want it) but I was trying to say that just winning an Oscar doesn't make you 'golden'...sometimes it is fine acting that goes unnoticed by the masses! ;-) And that even with an Oscar under your belt, you can still just not know what you are doing when it comes to picking worthy projects. I am sure all the actors listed saw tons of scripts after their wins, what made them choose their current films? I am anxiously awaiting GWAPE....(but even it if does well, and ODB gets recognition...I still expect to see some more WAGWs in his future)."}, {"response": 626, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (13:56)", "body": "(Tress) I was trying to say that just winning an Oscar doesn't make you 'golden'. Actually, it does - or 50 years of making movies (with nominations) and getting a Lifetime Achievement Award. And that even with an Oscar under your belt, you can still just not know what you are doing when it comes to picking worthy projects. I never said that this isn't frequently the case. My *only* point is that he hasn't made it yet as a serious actor for serious directors for serious films and films like WAGW, HS, LA, TIOBE, and BJD aren't going to attract that element. I don't know what Colin wants, nor do I presume to know. I only know what I would like to do with his talents, which is not squander them. He acted up a storm in WAGW and was wonderful, but who in power positions is going to think of him for an important movie? H'wood thinks in sequels and ripoffs. Too bad he wasn't available for \"Daddy Daycare.\" because he doesn't appear to really want it Let's not start this."}, {"response": 627, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (14:03)", "body": "(Janet) I'm sad that the news of the new baby has leaked out (I'm sure he wanted this kept quiet)...I bet he's gutted! I agree. She had no business telling anyone. It wasn't her place."}, {"response": 628, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (14:30)", "body": "Thanks again for all the updates on WAGW. I liked this comment about stars in the eyes! - another one from IMDB. \"I have read several reviews of this film, and I have to say that men just aren't going to \"get\" this one. Our local paper's reviewer said he just didn't get the \"stars in the eyes\" of the women leaving the theater. His review didn't even MENTION Colin Firth. Well, I will! Colin is what is going to attract women to this film, and he does not disappoint. He is the best thing about the movie. Amanda Bynes is cute, and I enjoyed her too. The rest of the cast is quite good too...Anna Chancellor (Caroline Bingley, for those Pride and Prejudice fans...), and Eileen Atkins, particularly. I found the storyline about the daughter longing for her father and the father who just discovered her quite sweet and moving. Yes, the script was a bit sloppy and the humor often falls flat, but overall, Colin Firth's performance made it worth seeing for me. This is definitely a chick flick, though :) \""}, {"response": 629, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (14:59)", "body": "Thanks,Bethan. I overheard a handful of *men* over several showings, grown men, say they really liked it and it was a nice \"feel-good\" movie that's perfect for this point in time. (Karen) Too bad he wasn't available for \"Daddy Daycare.\" Perhaps you forgot your winkie? ;-)"}, {"response": 630, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (16:46)", "body": "(Karen) Too bad he wasn't available for \"Daddy Daycare.\" (Dorine)Perhaps you forgot your winkie? ;-) winkie? barf bag, more like. I saw the trailer for Daddy Daycare. ugh. In fact, most of the trailers I saw with WAGW were for movies that looked pretty dumb. Colin could have done a lot worse. I bet keping the pregnancy quiet was why Livia didn't go to the play. I wonder if a reluctance to travel will cause her to have to \"suffer in English\" this time? Interesting that EOR is supposed to begin filming in August (isn't that the latest info?), jut after his \"baby leave\" from work. (Karen) Remember, ticket prices are less for WAGW's audience. ;-) Yeah, AND they go to matinees (are kid's tix cheaper at matinees?). Still, with schools having Easter/spring vacations around now, I expect this movie to do a lot of matinee business."}, {"response": 631, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (16:51)", "body": "Let's not get too hung up over whether the pregnancy was a secret. I distinctly remember Colin saying when she was pregnant with Luca that she was always out and about, but no one in the press reported it. There'd be no reason to keep such things secret, or act as if you're hiding something. Which is probably why DG didn't give a second thought to mentioning it. Celebs' wives get pregnant and have babies every day, and nobody in the press makes much note of it that I can recall. I thought this was funny, from \"Teen Hollywood\": Amanda is fun and her scenes with Colin as dad are cute, well-acted and touching, although he looks young enough to be her boyfriend."}, {"response": 632, "author": "Odile", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (17:32)", "body": "he looks young enough to be her boyfriend. I was thinking that about the picture on the left from the play. He doesn't look a day over 30 to me in that one, and that's without makeup help (one hopes :) )"}, {"response": 633, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (18:06)", "body": "(Kate)I wonder if a reluctance to travel will cause her to have to \"suffer in English\" this time? LOL, I was wondering that myself. But then, again, suffering in Italian has such nice ring to it;-) (Odile)He doesn't look a day over 30 to me in that one, and that's without makeup help (one hopes :) ) Amazing how they succeeded in making him look beyond his years in the Morocco scenes...with make-up."}, {"response": 634, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (18:22)", "body": "As for this slightly older girl, I got something I wanted, too: British hottie Colin Firth -- Mr. Darcy, now and forever -- goofily rocking out in skin-tight leather pants. Please and thank you. Kimberley Jones [2003-04-04] http://www.auschron.com/gbase/Guides/Film?Film=oid%3A152858"}, {"response": 635, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (19:25)", "body": "(Karen)No one is going to consider him for a substantial role based on this and then Love Actually and maybe Hope Springs, if we live long enough. We just may! Just got back from the theatre and the good news is they had a Hope Springs coming soon poster up!!! I almost had a heart attack when I saw it and then made a complete fool of myself begging the 19 year old manager with the ill fitting suit coat for it (unsuccessfully):-("}, {"response": 636, "author": "Jodi", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (21:48)", "body": "Thanks for all the great reviews of WAGW. It is so interesting to read so many different views of the same movie. I just came back from the movie. I did enjoy it, it was very cute. Certainly not a stretch for ODB, probably one for the dough. My daughters and the hundred other girls in the theater LOVED it. I thought he looked unbelievably handsome! I didn't think he and Kelly Preston pulled off looking like 20 something year olds at the begining of the picture though. Every time Anna Chancellor (Glynnis) touched him and called him darling I cringed...eeewww Miss Bingley. I also thought there were quite a few P & P references, his mother was the something of Wickham & he pointed to a portrait of an ancestor named Bingley Dashwood. I hated the American and British stereotyping in this movie, though that is were all the laughs come from. All in all it was quite lovely drooling through all his screen time."}, {"response": 637, "author": "Jodi", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (21:50)", "body": "Oh P.S. Karen, thank you for that luvvlleee new picture!"}, {"response": 638, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (22:36)", "body": "(Maria) they had a Hope Springs coming soon poster up! No!!! We have to talk. There's a weird coincidence about this and where you live. v. Twilight Zone. Another \"interview\" with Colin here: http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0404/p16s01-almo.html I have a feeling these are all the result of the \"satellite.\" They probably held a press conference for him via satellite to whoever wanted to plug in. Damn! Why didn't they let me know. ;-)"}, {"response": 639, "author": "Snooze", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 2003 (23:43)", "body": "From The Sun-Herald's Rob Lowing, as part of a 'What to see in the school holidays' page. What a Girl Wants Story: American 17-year-old Daphne (Big Fat Liar's Amanda Bynes) searches London for her aristocratic father (Colin Firth). Her free-spirited ways shock the Brits but dazzle a nice local lad (Oliver James). Language: One swear word ( What? I missed it! ) Sex: Teenage smooching. Violence: A punch. Ages: 3-6: Gosh, no. 7-12: Too romantic for younger kids. 13-plus: Catnip for devotees of Cinderella clones, like The Princess Diaries. Adult compatibility: Better than expected, thanks to Bridget Jones's Diary charmer Firth. Rating: 7/10"}, {"response": 640, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (04:05)", "body": "Something to make Karen happy....from today's \"Sunday Telegraph\"... :-) ...Colin Firth tells me that he has tired of costume drama, light romantic comedy and aristocratic parts in general. Firth scarcely has the menace of Vincent Price, but he is having a stab at horror. \"I am about to start doing a film called Trauma which is a dark and surrreal psychological thriller.\" he told me last week \"I play a man who wakes up from a coma to find his wife has died. It's wonderful, just what I wanted. \""}, {"response": 641, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (06:48)", "body": "(Karen) No!!! We have to talk. There's a weird coincidence about this and where you live. v. Twilight Zone. LOL! You mean there is a difference?!"}, {"response": 642, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (09:48)", "body": "costume drama, light romantic comedy and aristocratic parts in general My voodoo sacrifices have finally worked against the Terrible Threesome. ;-) *shaking chicken bone one more time* Thanks, Bethan, for the good news."}, {"response": 643, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (09:49)", "body": "\"Don't ask my wife about my cooking. She'll agree the food is quite wonderful, but after I'm finished, the kitchen is far from tidy.\" Can a cooking show be far behind? Thanks, Maria for the HS update. Looks like I'll have to search the multiplex for posters this afternoon. Yes, I'm going again."}, {"response": 644, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (10:37)", "body": "(Linda) Looks like I'll have to search the multiplex for posters this afternoon. Ask the manager if they're showing the LA teaser trailer before anything. I did and they called up to the projection rooms and it wasn't."}, {"response": 645, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (11:52)", "body": "Box Office: Pretty darn good... 1 (*) Phone Booth ............... $15.0 million 2 (*) What A Girl Wants ......... $12.1 million 3 (*) A Man Apart ............... $11.2 million 4 (1) Head of State ............. $ 8.8 million"}, {"response": 646, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (11:54)", "body": "(Bethan/IMDB) Our local paper's reviewer said he just didn't get the \"stars in the eyes\" of the women leaving the theater. Oh I think he got it. Acknowledging and accepting it is a difficult task for the mere mortal man."}, {"response": 647, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (12:13)", "body": "Hi Everyone Wanted to stop by and tell you that I went to a screening of WAGW last week and I thought CF looks so good in this. While the film may not be everyone's cup of tea, it wasn't meant to be. It is what it is and no one should expect it to be anything different. If you go in knowing that then you can just relax and enjoy the movie and his performance in it. As always he did a great job and had the best lines throughout. I have to tell you that he got so many laughs from the audience and I loved it when he says \"Back when I was groovy\". :) Just go and enjoy his performance and don't get too hung up on the premise of the film or whether it is critically aclaimed or not. Actors can't and don't always get to do Oscar material work and they should not be expected to. Colin is well known and respected in the industry of his peers and I think that by doing a wide variety of films and roles only helps not hinders. Professionally speaking I would rather he do s bit of fluff every now and then that gets him a wider audience and more opportunities than just do obscure arthouse films that no one sees. He does and can do both and still have a terrific career. On a personal level I love the fact that Colin measures success on \"his\" terms and while it may not be everyone else's measurement stick, he is a working actor who is one of the best we have today and that is success. I sometimes find a certain bit of hostility towards Hugh Grant on the part of CF fans and that is something that truly puzzles me. There is room for both in this world. Both men are terrific actors but are as different as night and day. I've worked with both and have enjoyed each time immensely. I am looking forward to working with them again and give them each their proper credit and respect. Take care everyone. I'll be back when I can with some LA news as time draws nearer for the publicity campaign to roll out."}, {"response": 648, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (12:51)", "body": "Hello Lola! It is always good to 'see' you! Hope married life is treating you well.... (Lola) On a personal level I love the fact that Colin measures success on \"his\" terms and while it may not be everyone else's measurement stick, he is a working actor who is one of the best we have today and that is success. I completely agree with you here. I am just happy that ODB is a working actor. And he is a success! He has dozens of films, has lasted in an industry were most do not....and has the talent to continue working. I look forward to all his projects (blindly, of course...I'm an optimist when it comes to his films, it cannot be helped). I also can't help ribbing him along the way (that cannot be helped either)... (Lola) Both men are terrific actors but are as different as night and day. I've worked with both and have enjoyed each time immensely. I am looking forward to working with them again and give them each their proper credit and respect. I'm going to read into this that we can still expect more (good) news about TEOR?! Yippee!!"}, {"response": 649, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (14:24)", "body": "(HolaLola)Wanted to stop by and tell you that I went to a screening of WAGW last week and I thought CF looks so good in this. Ohhh Yeahhhhh!! (HolaLola) As always he did a great job and had the best lines throughout. I have to tell you that he got so many laughs from the audience and I loved it when he says \"Back when I was groovy\". :) I loved this too! (Must confess that the word \"groovy\" is part of my everyday language...;-) Thanks for stopping in Hola, and giving us the insiders perspective!! :-)"}, {"response": 650, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (14:29)", "body": "Bethan)TRAUMA stars Colin (BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY) Firth and sounds a bit like a nastier SPIDER (Ralph Fiennes). (Telegraph)\"I am about to start doing a film called Trauma \".. he told me last week \"I play a man who wakes up from a coma to find his wife has died. It's wonderful, just what I wanted. \" There is a God!!! Thanks Bethan, keep the Trauma news coming. Anybody besides the boss and me see Spider with Rafe.? The pinnacle of acting.No HD stuff. Just hard work. He won't be able to phone in this performance. (Tress)I know ODB isn't in that league yet (and may never be....because he doesn't appear to really want it) I don't want to go there either, Tress, but read his interviews a few years ago. You'll get a different insight."}, {"response": 651, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (14:50)", "body": "First of all, thank you for all the reviews and articles, and thank you Lola for your \"input\". I can only agree with you when it comes to the working actor Colin Firth. Speaking for myself, I'm happy he has been in so many different movies. It makes it possible to find one that fits almost any mood you're in. And imho it does only proof him to be a versatile actor. So - I'm looking forward to both WAGW and Trauma and what ever the future has in store for us - just like Tress: I look forward to all his projects (blindly, of course...I'm an optimist when it comes to his films, it cannot be helped)."}, {"response": 652, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (15:17)", "body": "(Evelyn) No HD stuff. Just hard work. He won't be able to phone in this performance. Agreed; however, I wouldn't say that he phoned in HD. Not saying it was a huge challenge, but some of the reviewers have even commented that he could have phoned it in but didn't. (Lola) Just go and enjoy his performance and don't get too hung up on the premise of the film or whether it is critically aclaimed or not. Thanks, Lola. I couldn't agree more, and I think that's precisely what many of us are doing."}, {"response": 653, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (15:29)", "body": "Hey Lola! Nice to hear from ya. Can't say I expected much, even less as I thought AB was going to annoy the bejeezus out of me, but she didn't and I thought it was really cute. Been seeing quite a few heavy, downer movies lately and I enjoyed lightening up. I resisted seeing The Princess Diaries for a long time until so many adults without kids kept telling me how much they liked it. Glad I did. And, of course, it goes without saying the eye candy was delish. ;-)"}, {"response": 654, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (15:37)", "body": "(Dorine)the eye candy was delish. ;-) Speaking of eye-candy; what a girl wants is a new poster for Hope Springs: http://www.art.com/asp/sp-asp/_/ui--89F2D80B1D724DACA44F99FF6AAEF95E/PD--10095848/sOrig--CAT/sOrigID--11509/Hope_Springs_(double-sided).htm"}, {"response": 655, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (15:40)", "body": "And while I'm looking forward to LA (and maybe HS in my lifetime) , the one I just can't wait for is GWAPE. Much the way I anticipated Chicago and GONY last year. Though I guess I'll have to be patient. Not my virtue. ;-)"}, {"response": 656, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (15:41)", "body": "Thanks, Annette! What a smile! Mmmm Mmmmm! :-D"}, {"response": 657, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (15:43)", "body": "(Dorine)the one I just can't wait for is GWAPE. Me too. I think it has a lot to do with our book-discussion. So many subjects were debatted, and it will be very interesting to see how the director/screenwriter or whateveryoucallthem will interpretate the book. the first picture from the movie (with Scarlett Johanson) also gives great promises for more eye candy"}, {"response": 658, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (15:51)", "body": "From Yahoo News Entertainment - E! Online \"Phone Booth\" Rings in First By Bridget Byrne Phone Booth rang up an estimated $15 million as the new No. 1 movie. After several weeks dominated by comedies, audiences apparently were ready for a good fright, or maybe just a glimpse of hot wild Irish boyo Colin Farrell. Debuting in the second slot was What a Girl Wants, in which Amanda Bynes plays an all-American girl who crash lands in the British social season in order to connect with her upper crust dad, played by Colin Firth. The PG Warners romantic comedy fable about this reluctant debutante earned an estimated $12 million by appealing to its target audience of young women and girls. appealing to its target audience of young women and girls. And young-at-heart women ;-) (Annette re GWAPE) ...it will be very interesting to see how the director/screenwriter or whateveryoucallthem will interpretate the book. It could be both who put their own spin on it. And, yes, that picture was quite a tease. Hope they put out more soon. I'm a glutton for punishment. ;-)"}, {"response": 659, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (16:00)", "body": "Found this review from a college newspaper. Not that college film critics are particularly influential in the entertainment world, but I thought it was interesting to see what someone that age would say about the movie: http://www.vanderbilthustler.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2003/04/04/3e8d0da78a1a0 from the Vanderbilt Hustler (yes, that's right) at Vanderbilt University: by Shelley Thomas The movie \"What A Girl Wants\" asks the age old question that still mystifies guys to this day: What does a girl want? Well, boys, in this movie you are still not going to find the answer to this question, because what this girl, Daphne Reynolds (Amanda Byrnes) wants is to become close to her estranged father (Colin Firth) in this definitely predictable, but fairytale-fun flick. Daphne is the all-American, fun-loving teenage girl who lives in New York with her bohemian, wedding-singer mother, Libby (Kelly Preston). Daphne, dejected by the failed whirlwind romance between her father and mother, watches the father-daughter dances at weddings with dismay wistfully hoping that someday that girl will be her. And, thus, the movie begins, with Daphne hopping a plane to London and clumsily finding her way into her father's life. Her father, Lord Henry Dashwood, just happens to be a member of the British nobility in the middle of a campaign for election to Parliament and is engaged to a stuffy British socialite (Anna Chancellor) with an equally stuffy daughter (Christina Cole). Along the way, Daphne finds a new friend/love interest Ian, (played by newcomer Oliver James), an aspiring rocker who is her champion throughout the movie and helps her to find her real place in British royal society. Needless to say, Daphne's arrival throws everything into an uproar. In an effort to present herself as the respectable daughter of a prominent political figure, wacky antics ensue and, of course, we find ourselves at the climax of the movie wondering if Daphne and her father will ever be together in the father-daughter relationship she's always dreamed of - will there be a happily ever after? Of course, if you know anything about movies clich\ufffdd and formulated for teenage girls everywhere, you know the answer to that one. Although there are one too many \"Let's go try on fun clothes and dance while we're trying them on\" montages and the ever-so-popular choreographed danced sequence, the movie goes past cheesiness and becomes surprisingly endearing with the perfect balance of wackiness and sentiment. Byrnes, with Nickelodeon shows like \"All That\" and \"The Amanda Show\" on her resume, seems to find a niche on the movie screen, with an ability to play physical shtick and say lines like \"I love you one million red M&Ms\" without causing the audience to cringe too much. Byrnes is a fresh face who is at her best in the movie when her character has her goofy moments, and her moments between her love interest James are genuine and heartfelt. The reason to go see this film is Colin Firth. He is the anchor of the movie and gives a reliable portrayal of a man torn between the love of a daughter and his ambition for a high-ranking political career. Firth shows a mildly wild side, driving off on a motorbike in the middle of a Royal Regatta Party, and his best moments are when he becomes the anxious father awaiting his daughter's return from a date. Firth is supported by a delightfully snobbish British cast, exactly what one would expect, with one-liners that make the movie a comedy. Is this the ultimate fairy tale for the 21st century as the tag line suggests? Probably not, but if you like watching Firth dance around in tight black leather pants and can handle a tolerable amount of the teenage movie clich\ufffd and predictability then this movie is for you. It is a fun MTVed fairytale that will be perfect for a harmless night of girls' night, out at the movies fun."}, {"response": 660, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (16:04)", "body": "(Evelyn) No HD stuff. Just hard work. He won't be able to phone in this performance. (Rika)Agreed; however, I wouldn't say that he phoned in HD. Not saying it was a huge challenge, but some of the reviewers have even commented that he could have phoned it in but didn't. But, but I don't always agree with some of the reviewers. I like Camille, remember?;-)"}, {"response": 661, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (16:06)", "body": "say lines like \"I love you one million red M&Ms\" without causing the audience to cringe too much. Um, well.....the only serious cringeworthy moment in the whole movie for me. It gets worse the more I see it. Thanks, Rika."}, {"response": 662, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (16:06)", "body": ""}, {"response": 663, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (16:06)", "body": "oh s*** closed"}, {"response": 664, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (16:10)", "body": ""}, {"response": 665, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (16:12)", "body": "(I posted this a few minutes ago and it got stuck inside of the italics that were open at that time. I deleted a reposted because it was pretty hard to read that way). If this one has been posted, I apologize for duplicating. I searched the topic for the author and some phrases from the review and didn't find it, but parts of it seem familiar. It's a good example of a reviewer who didn't like the movie but praises ODB all the same: http://www.boxoff.com/scripts/fiw.dll?GetReview?&where=Name&terms=What+a+Girl+Wants from Boxoffice Magazine, by Bridget Byrne (2 stars) Starring Amanda Bynes, Colin Firth, Kelly Preston, Eileen Atkins, Anna Chancellor and Jonathan Price. Directed by Dennie Gordon. Written by Jenny Bicks and Elizabeth Chandler. Produced by Denise Di Novi, Bill Gerber and Hunt Lowry. A Warner Bros. release. Romantic comedy. Rated PG for mild language. Running time: 104 min. What a girl wants is a much better script, especially if she\ufffds a girl with Amanda Bynes\ufffd talent. This popular TV teen star is woefully served by Jenny Bicks and Elizabeth Chandler\ufffds clunky, ill-informed \ufffdWhat a Girl Wants.\ufffd This is a paint-by-numbers update of a romantic comedy titled \ufffdThe Reluctant Debutante,\ufffd originally penned by William Douglas Home for the much more structured uptight 1950s, when American and British youth knew less about each other\ufffds manners and mores than they do today. Bynes has charm, dignity, wit and sensitivity, which she holds on to as best she can even when asked to take completely unnecessary pratfalls or act out some incredible false moment. Her portrait of a cute, clever and essentially well-meaning all-American girl is believable, even when the scenes she\ufffds plonked into are utter silly nonsense. The efforts here to satirize the upper-crust English society, which Bynes as Daphne penetrates in the hope of establishing a relationship with a father who didn\ufffdt know of her existence, are crass, ill-executed renditions based on superficial concepts. Peopling this high life with such cheap gimmicks as crude look-alikes of the British Royal Family and crashing chandeliers, set among cobbled together images of stately mansions and famous sporting venues, further destroys any sense of reality that might have made for a genuine, sweet, witty film fable about the power of a loving family circle. As it is, the moments of the film that do work are the tender, thoughtful, confrontational encounters between Daphne and her dad, Henry. He\ufffds played, also with charm, dignity, wit and sensitivity (excluding a silly scene in which he gyrates in tight leather pants) by Colin Firth, able, remarkably, to put across another interesting take on the constipated romantic Brit, who\ufffds actually much more complex and intriguing han the posh twit he initially appears. It\ufffds the sort of role that Firth has mastered many times before, notably as Mr. Darcy in a television production of \ufffdPride and Prejudice,\ufffd ad as the ultimate right guy, also a Mr. Darcy, in \ufffdBridget Jones\ufffd Diary.\ufffd It\ufffds interesting to see him work the same skills in a paternal role and he finds an excellent match in Bynes, who, despite her youth, has honed her talents for years in her own television variety show and the WB sitcom \ufffdWhat I Like About You.\ufffd Also to be liked are Kelly Preston, who seems utterly at ease in the role of Daphne\ufffds glamorous singer mom, and Eileen Atkins, who draws all the pith possible from the clich\ufffd lines of Henry\ufffds tartly sensible old mum. Oliver James, as the outside-the-fold British lad who catches Daphne\ufffds fancy and conveniently turns up at the social occasions as band singer or valet parker, has suitable confidence to match up to Bynes. But clich\ufffd lines and scenes abound, and some of the roles are so heavy-handedly written there\ufffds no way of overcoming the built-in problems. Chief victim of this is Jonathan Pryce, who simply smirks and smarms his way though the role of Henry\ufffds scheming political advisor with aspirations to become his father-in-law. Also stuck with very unimaginative versions of the wicked stepmother and daughter roles are Anna Chancellor as Henry\ufffds social climber fianc\ufffde and Christina Cole as her bitchy offspring. The film is crammed with songs, some performed adequately enough by the \ufffdsingers\ufffd of the script, Preston and James, but the opportunity to showcase them effectively as emotional pointers in the storyline is unfilled, so they come across mainly as just filler for a soundtrack album.-Bridget Byrne"}, {"response": 666, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (16:15)", "body": "Another one.... by Forrest Hartman, Gannett News Service. I've seen it on several newspaper web sites; here's one link: http://cityguide.news-press.com/fe/Movies/Reviews/030405_whatagirlwants.asp I can think of several better titles for \"What a Girl Wants,\" but my favorite is \"Firth Things First.\" Colin Firth's name belongs in the title because this isn't a movie so much as a star vehicle. Of course, my title has problems of its own. Namely, it fails to recognize Amanda Bynes, who makes up the other 50 percent of the film. When \"What a Girl Wants\" is working, it's because Bynes and Firth are charming us. When it's not, it's because the script got the better of them. Based on the William Douglas Home play \"The Reluctant Debutante,\" which first was made into a movie of the same name in 1958, this is one of those exercises that does exactly what you expect at the precise times you expect it. It exists for no other reason than to sell its stars and as a result should succeed as a harmless distraction for 10-year-old girls. For adults, it's still harmless but considerably less distracting. The plot revolves around Daphne Reynolds (Bynes), a young woman who has spent her life longing to meet the father she's never known. After years of being shined on by her mother, Libby (Kelly Preston), Daphne takes matters into her own hands, flying to England where she meets her father, Lord Henry Dashwood (Firth). One look in Daphne's eyes and Dashwood is convinced of her paternity, accepting her into his home. Only problem? She's an unmannered American and he's a respectable British politician. We spend the rest of the movie watching Bynes do the fish-out-of-water shtick and Firth remembering what it was like to be young. It is \"The Princess Diaries\" meets \"The Banger Sisters,\" and it's so mind-numbingly predictable that only a winning cast could save it. The remarkable news is they do, sort of. There is no getting around the film's manipulative nature and bland storytelling, but Bynes and Firth do the best with what's set before them. It would be easy not to care whether Daphne develops a relationship with her newfound dad, but Bynes ensures that we do. She is a charming actor, and the charm-o-meter is going full tilt here. Likewise, Firth plays Dashwood as the type of aristocrat we want to believe in. His character is dutiful and ambitious, yet governed by traits like honesty and morality. As if. The roles are cliche, yes, but Bynes and Firth put enough heart in their performances to sell them. And because we like them, we sometimes like the film. The key word being sometimes."}, {"response": 667, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (16:20)", "body": "And a Firthette reviewer weighs in: By BETH JONES THE ROANOKE TIMES Although you've seen this movie before (it was called \"The Princess Diaries\") it does have a certain sprightly charm - and Colin Firth. The filmmakers behind \"What a Girl Wants\" want to make sure the audience figures out their movie is a retelling of the \"Cinderella\" story. They hit us over the head with not-especially-subtle clues like dialogue about glass slippers and wicked step-sisters. I kept expecting singing mice to come out of the closet to help our heroine get ready for the ball. Maybe they thought that by keeping us focused on the fairytale connection, we wouldn't notice that \"What a Girl Wants\" is a rip-off of another formulaic, escapist film geared toward middle-school girls: the commercially successful \"The Princess Diaries.\" That said, \"What a Girl Wants\" is at least a likable formulaic film. Amanda Bynes, its Cinderella, is a little rough around the edges but she's much more fun than stale Anne Hathaway of \"The Princess Diaries.\" \"What a Girl Wants\" also has the one thing \"The Princess Diaries\" desperately needed: hubba, hubba Colin Firth (\"Bridget Jones's Diary\"). On her 17th birthday, Daphne Reynolds (Bynes) makes the same wish she makes every year: She wants to meet her long-lost, aristocrat Dad. Daphne's hippie mom (Kelly Preston) doesn't think it's a good idea. \"Getting to know someone because they share the same DNA as you is not the answer,\" she says. \"It's getting to know yourself.\" (Did Warner Bros. hire someone from Hallmark to write this stuff?) Daphne ignores her mother, of course, and somehow manages to buy a plane ticket to England without her mother's knowledge (this seems unlikely, as the pair obviously is short on cash, but hey, it's a fairytale) and shows up at the mansion of her kind, albeit uptight, father (Firth). Daphne has to battle her dad's social-climbing fiancee (Anna Chancellor) and her nasty daughter (Christina Cole, an unpleasant Reese Witherspoon clone). Of course, Daphne disrupts the household with her crazy teenage antics. Of course, she reminds her dad of the wild days of his youth (he digs out an ancient pair of leather pants and dances in front of a mirror). Of course, she wins his heart. Middle-school girls who spent their childhoods pretending to be princesses will likely enjoy this fairytale. Daphne's adventures fulfill most of their fantasies. She does, after all, get to live in a mansion, go on a big shopping spree, attend a ball held in her honor and meet a guitar-playing boy with a British accent and good hair. Although they know better, older chaperones may find themselves entertained as well. For one thing, there are British people saying funny things like \"holy poo on toast.\" And then, of course, there's gorgeous Firth. It'll be worth the price of the DVD just to watch him shimmy in those leather pants."}, {"response": 668, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (16:25)", "body": "but if you like watching Firth dance around in tight black leather pants and can handle a tolerable amount of the teenage movie clich\ufffd and predictability then this movie is for you. Oh I think I can handle it. Just came from the 3:00. V.V. large crowd. All ages, all enjoying. (Hola Lola)Colin is well known and respected in the industry of his peers and I think that by doing a wide variety of films and roles only helps not hinders. Professionally speaking I would rather he do s bit of fluff every now and then that gets him a wider audience and more opportunities than just do obscure arthouse films that no one sees. He does and can do both and still have a terrific career. Thanks, Hola for stopping by. I very much agree with your sentiments on the film and Colin's career in general. All I know is my daughter keeps bugging me to take her back. I will comply each and every time;-) I haven't been able to take her to see a truly enjoyable film in a long time, and be able to enjoy it with her. Thanks for more reviews, ladies, and thanks, Annette for the HS poster news."}, {"response": 669, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (16:26)", "body": "See the section I've bolded at the bottom - might be of interest: http://www.sacbee.com/content/lifestyle/columns/baltake/story/6394975p-7347474c.html 'What a Girl Wants' is familiar tale By Joe Baltake -- Sacramento Bee movie critic (3 stars) By all accounts, the new Amanda Bynes lark, \"What a Girl Wants,\" was inspired by Garry Marshall's Disney hit of 2001, \"The Princess Diaries,\" which in turn was inspired by every other teen flick. These movies have a way of feeding off each other. \"What a Girl Wants\" and \"The Princess Diaries\" are virtually the same movie -- dealing with a young teenage girl, a commoner, who learns that she's actually from royalty. In \"The Princess Diaries,\" San Francisco teen Anna Hathaway learned that she was the rightful heir to the throne of Genovia. She had no idea her mom had married a prince -- that the father she never knew was full-fledged royalty. In \"What a Girl Wants,\" Bynes is Daphne Reynolds, another commoner -- the daughter of a single-mom singer (Kelly Preston) who performs at weddings. Daphne, who usually works as a waitress at her mother's gigs, has seen one too many father-daughter wedding dances. They depress her now. So she decides it's high time to jet to London to finally meet the father of whom she's been deprived all her life, Lord Henry Dashwood (played by Colin Firth), who is vedy British and quite high-toned. It seems that Daphne's mom fell in love and married Henry and then was iced out by his clan of political sychophants. If you've seen \"The Princess Diaries,\" you know the rest. There are cute boys, mean-spirited rivals and, of course, kindly grandmothers who lend an old-fashioned \"Cinderella\" touch to what is otherwise your standard, all-American, coming-of-age story, girl-power variety. And the heroines are American charmers who simply won't be kept down. \"What a Girl Wants\" may have been sold to studio executives on the basis of the success of \"The Princess Diaries,\" but its history dates back even further. It turns out that producer Denise Di Novi (\"Heathers,\" \"Little Women\" and several Tim Burton titles) developed her film from the 1958 Sandra Dee comedy, \"The Reluctant Debutante,\" which was directed by Vincente Minnelli and co-starred Rex Harrison as Dee's father. Playwright William Douglas Home adapted his stage show for the Minnelli film. I have no idea how old Di Novi is, but my hunch is that she's a baby boomer who fell in love with \"The Reluctant Debutante\" as a young girl and, later, dreamed of doing her own version one day -- just as some other young girl may fall in love watching \"What a Girl Wants\" and perhaps will harbor the same vague fantasies, projecting herself into them. Bynes, of Nickelodeon's \"The Amanda Show\" and last year's Frankie Muniz movie, \"Big Fat Liar,\" is apparently a performer who also invites her audience of young girls to project. Incredibly poised and with charm to spare, Bynes makes a nice companion and guide through her film's various plot points and tested clich\ufffds -- and she brings to mind another pert teenage heroine from another, more innocent era. Neophyte filmmaker Dennie Gordon has assembled a tony supporting cast for her film, surrounding Bynes with some of the finest British actors. Firth puts the \"dash\" in Lord Dashwood in the Rex Harrison role as Daphne's stunned but accepting father. Anna Chancellor, who was so good in \"Four Weddings and a Funeral\" and last year's Andie MacDowell film, \"Crush,\" inherits the role originally played by the irrepressible Kay Kendall as Lord Dashwood's prospective new wife, Glynnis Payne, a perfectly opportunistic snob inconvenienced by the sudden appearance of a potential teenage stepdaughter. However, while Kendall's character in the Minnelli version was a snob, she was a lovable snob. Not so here. Chancellor plays her as a flighty, hissable harpy. Rounding out the awfulness into which Lord Dashwood is marrying are Jonathan Pryce and Christina Cole as Alistair and Clarissa Payne, Glynnis' plotting father and shallow daughter. Eileen Atkins, meanwhile, provides the same warmth and support that Julie Andrews brought to \"The Princess Diaries\" as Daphne's newfound grandmother, and Oliver James is Ian, the young British musician (a musician just like Daphne's mom) who develops a crush on Daphne and proves to be a nice bridge between the clashing American and British cultures. Preston is, as always, a sunny presence as Daphne's mother and exhibits a pleasing singing voice on such numbers as \"Shout\" and \"Because You Loved Me.\" The screenplay by Jenny Bicks and Elizabeth Chandler, of course, updates and tweaks the original story by Home. Angela Lansbury, for example, appeared in the 1958 film as Kendall's vicious cousin, a part that seems to have morphed into the Clarissa role here. And in the original, the love interest was not British, but a young American drummer, played by John Saxon. Incidentally, while \"The Reluctant Debutante\" is available on home video from MGM, for some reas"}, {"response": 670, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (16:31)", "body": "Thanks for all the reviews, Rika. Apparently reviewers (at least these) appreciate ODB, if they don't quite appreciate the movie. Thank you, Annette for the poster link (yum!)"}, {"response": 671, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (16:31)", "body": "One more. http://www.post-gazette.com/movies/20030404girl7.asp From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette by Barbara Vancheri 3 stars 'What a Girl' is a cute Cinderella story At a time when movie audiences crave comedies and family reunions have again become the stuff of wartime dreams, along comes \"What a Girl Wants.\" It's cute, lightweight, predictable fun for tweens and teens and their carpooling parents looking for a little comic escape from the real world. As a bonus, you get a lesson about how important it is to know and be yourself. And if you're out getting a Diet Coke refill the first time it's delivered, not to worry. The message will be repeated a couple of times before the corny but sweet fairytale ending. The girl of the title is 17-year-old Daphne Reynolds (Amanda Bynes), being raised by her singer-mother, Libby (Kelly Preston), in New York's Chinatown. While traveling in Morocco years ago, the bohemian Libby met and married an Englishman named Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth), but they split before the uppercrust Brit realized he was going to be a father. Every time Libby entertains and Daphne waitresses at a wedding, the teen watches the father-daughter dance with longing. Fresh out of high school, Daphne takes off (alone) for England and the estate of Lord Dashwood. He's now a politician with a very promising future; he's also engaged to a social climber with a teenager of her own. Libby's arrival throws the sedate estate into turmoil. As she figures out a way to fit into Henry's life, she must contend with her father's conniving political adviser, his fiancee and her jealous daughter and, of course, the media. This Cinderella, however, is not without her allies in her paternal grandmother and a cute British boy (Oliver James). And it's a Cinderella story, to be sure, complete with ball gowns, diamond tiaras and references to glass slippers. It's just that the prince doubles as dad, but not in a creepy way. Loosely inspired by the 1958 romantic comedy \"The Reluctant Debutante\" with Sandra Dee, \"What a Girl Wants\" doesn't exactly reinvent any movie genre. It has one too many moments of Daphne dancing with abandon plus a shopping montage, de rigueur since \"Pretty Woman.\" But it scores points for using The Clash song \"London Calling\" and capitalizing on the fresh-scrubbed charm of Nickelodeon's Bynes. She has an all-American girl quality with big, expressive eyes and she's lucky to be working with an actor of Firth's caliber. He does the tongue-tied, befuddled aristocrat with the soul of a hippie quite well. For girls whose dads are absent and not just living across the pond, they may watch this with the same pang experienced by Daphne. For the rest of us, it's a dandy diversion in a disconcerting time. Comic comfort food."}, {"response": 672, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (16:41)", "body": "http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/WhataGirlWants-1121619/reviews.php Rotten Tomatoes has all the reviews and others that have not been posted. They keep updating.Bookmark it."}, {"response": 673, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (17:19)", "body": "Again, many thanks for all the WAGW news! I meant to post a few snippets arising from the BBC programme on Vermeer...some you may already know. No-one knows how Vermeer and Catherina met, bur it was a love match. He was a poor Protestant, she was a rich Catholic. He converted to Catholicism. He seems to have been a devoted family man, liked and trusted by his mother-in-law (who held the purse strings.) The GWAPE painting was described as \"the look of love\" which is still entrancing people after nearly 400 years. Generally regarded as the most popular of Vermeer's paintings."}, {"response": 674, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (17:39)", "body": "Here's a good review - from Australia, eonline critic, 4 stars. Very perceptive about CF! Extracts All movies are not masterpieces, nor were they meant to be. Light, escapist entertainment has its place, and it can be just what is needed. Yes it's predictable and corny, yes it's derivative and heavily influenced by The Princess Diaries, yes it strains credibility, yes its production values are suspect, and yes it seems to have run out of money when it came to making its opening titles, BUT sometimes charm is enough to carry the day, and charm it has coming out of its American and English ears. ............... Her father Colin Firth makes you believe he could actually be a man who finds the love child - of his one true love - he never knew he had, and that he could change his life for them. In the hands of a lesser and less charming and attractive actor, the man would have been little more than a plot device, but Firth provides the heart of the movie and makes his character someone you grow to like and really care about - and maybe fantasize about, too - as a father or a husband, depending on your demographic ................. It's a lightweight fairy tale that often misses its mark, but it lets you forget your troubles for ninety minutes and generates megawatt charm and more than a smile or two to your face.,"}, {"response": 675, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (17:40)", "body": ""}, {"response": 676, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (17:42)", "body": "(Evelyn) Rotten Tomatoes has all the reviews and others that have not been posted. Not all. Some of those I posted (along with others that have been posted here) are there; however, I found a couple it didn't have."}, {"response": 677, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (17:42)", "body": "Has this already been posted? Seems familiar somehow. If so, sorry!"}, {"response": 678, "author": "joyce", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (17:45)", "body": "(Rika)The reason to go see this film is Colin Firth. He is the anchor of the movie and gives a reliable portrayal of a man torn between the love of a daughter and his ambition for a high-ranking political career. Firth shows a mildly wild side, driving off on a motorbike in the middle of a Royal Regatta Party, and his best moments are when he becomes the anxious father awaiting his daughter's return from a date. As it is, the moments of the film that do work are the tender, thoughtful, confrontational encounters between Daphne and her dad, Henry. He\ufffds played, also with charm, dignity, wit and sensitivity (excluding a silly scene in which he gyrates in tight leather pants) by Colin Firth, able, remarkably, to put across another interesting take on the constipated romantic Brit, who\ufffds actually much more complex and intriguing than the posh twit he initially appears. It\ufffds the sort of role that Firth has mastered many times before, notably as Mr. Darcy in a television production of \ufffdPride and Prejudice,\ufffd ad as the ultimate right guy, also a Mr. Darcy, in \ufffdBridget Jones\ufffd Diary.\ufffd It\ufffds interesting to see him work the same skills in a paternal role and he finds an excellent match in Bynes. \"What a Girl Wants\" also has the one thing \"The Princess Diaries\" desperately needed: hubba, hubba Colin Firth (\"Bridget Jones's Diary\"). And then, of course, there's gorgeous Firth. It'll be worth the price of the DVD just to watch him shimmy in those leather pants. And she's lucky to be working with an actor of Firth's caliber. He does the tongue-tied, befuddled aristocrat with the soul of a hippie quite well. Rika, thanks for mining out all of these excellent compliments. (I pulled out the best parts so I can read them again. Bad girl.) :)Really like the Boxoffice magazine one. Annette, Love this poster. Full on dimples! I feel like a deer in headlights. Help. Stun gun could not have much more an effect. ;)Good find. What would my DH say? Where would I put it?"}, {"response": 679, "author": "joyce", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (18:21)", "body": "Sorry for double post. Annette, I've copied the HS poster photo, enlarged it 300% and cropped out Heather and Minnie (sorry girls). Highly recommended. Just his big face. : )Was having such a hard time choosing wallpaper between the white shirt Instyle and Vermeer photos from day to day. Fear for my health if this pic comes up in the morning.;)"}, {"response": 680, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (19:02)", "body": "And then, of course, there's gorgeous Firth. It'll be worth the price of the DVD just to watch him shimmy in those leather pants. ....but if you like watching Firth dance around in tight black leather pants Think this may overshadow that wet shirt? Nahhhh...but still, it's too fun! Cannot wait for the DVD. My player will blow a fuse....have to make sure the remote is in good working order! In the hands of a lesser and less charming and attractive actor, the man would have been little more than a plot device, but Firth provides the heart of the movie and makes his character someone you grow to like and really care about - and maybe fantasize about, too - as a father or a husband, depending on your demographic................. Well said! Thank you Bethan and Rika for the reviews! Lovely! And thank you Annette for that amazing piece of eye candy!!! I have a slight weakness for those particular dimples!!"}, {"response": 681, "author": "Jodi", "date": "Sun, Apr  6, 2003 (19:50)", "body": "Mmmmm Annette, thank you for that link!"}, {"response": 682, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (05:17)", "body": "from www.westminster.gov.uk (my employer!) 28 Apr - Premiere of 'Hope Springs' - Odeon West End, Leicester Square"}, {"response": 683, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (05:32)", "body": "I just realised that is probably good news for appearances as the 28th is when the English PEN thing was first advertised, but was changed to the 24th. I might be spoiled this time. But will not get my hopes up =)."}, {"response": 684, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (06:52)", "body": "(Emma)But will not get my hopes up =) But you must get your hopes up, this sounds v. good. Good luck, Emma."}, {"response": 685, "author": "BarbaraT", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (06:53)", "body": "From the gossip column in today's Daily Express: He dons a paint-spattered smock to play the 17th-century Dutch painter Vermeer but Colin Firth is no artist. \"I used to paint a bit when I was younger but you could give me a lifetime of lessons and I'd still never be able to produce a Vermeer,\" he admitted at the opening night of The Three Sisters - starring his English Patient co-star Kristin Scott Thomas - the other night. \"Luckily, I just have to look like I can hold a brush and that's about it.\" However, in preparation, Colin, 42, fondly remembered as wet-shirted Mr Darcy in P & P, has been travelling the globe to familiarise himself with Vermeer's work. \"His paintings are all over the world. Hitler even had one. It's in Vienna and it's still got the Nazi swastika stamped on the back. Chilling.\" ... The above text is accompanied by a smallish picture of Colin and KST together at the opening night. (Sorry, Karen, I haven't got access to a scanner, but if you'd like the pic, please e-mail me with your address and I'll post it to you.) Secondly, The Times includes a pretty disparaging mention of WAGW in its weekly round up of the new films at the US box office (the writer calls it a feeble cash-in on The Princess Diaries.) The item doesn't mention Amanda B at all, which probably reflects how well-known she is here in the the UK (amongst adults anyway.) I did quite like this bit, though: \"As with every cross-Atlantic comedy under the sun, the British male is a stiff and the American female is a force of liberation, and emotional growth means learning to express your feelings. Oh for the reverse invasion where Hugh G goes to New York and spreads the joys of repression and denial.\" (The writer is a British male living in the US.)"}, {"response": 686, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (07:49)", "body": "I think the #2 opening for WAGW is great, especially when you consider that kids 12 and under pay half price. If they counted number of admissions, WAGW would probably be on top. Anyway, here's how audiences rated the top 2, from CinemaScore, which conducts theater exit polling: Phone Booth (R) Male Female Under 21 B+ B 21 To 34 C+ C 35 and Up C+ C- What A Girl Wants (PG) Male Female Under 21 A- A+ 21 To 34 A- A 35 and Up A- A"}, {"response": 687, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (07:51)", "body": "From empireonline: Hugh Grant Cheers Up Is there anything worse than a multi-millionaire actor whinging on about how he's tired of being cast in roles for which, in return for a few week's work, he gets paid more than the whole Empire Online team makes in a decade? (Bitter \ufffd us? Not a bit of it!) Well Hugh Grant is at it again in the latest issue of Vanity Fair, where he moans on about acting, not having a woman and being too successful in his career at the expense of his home life. Thankfully, when Grant wasn't sniffing on about the tough life of a rich actor, he gave the reporter some news nuggets about his role in Richard Curtis's directorial debut, Love, Actually. Grant, who plays the newly-elected British Prime Minister , 'not based on anyone, I hasten to add,' in one of a series of overlapping stories will deliver the film's keynote voice-over as he explains. 'The camera is on the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport, and people are coming through and greeting friends, relations, mothers \ufffd kissing, hugging, all the stuff you actually see in airports. 'And the voice-over is saying, \"Everyone says the world is going down the tubes, and full of hatred and misery. But that's not the way I see it. You know, when the planes hit the Twin Towers, the last messages from those planes and buildings weren't ones of hatred and revenge; they were ones of love. So I think that blah, blah, blah, blah....Love, actually, is all around as they say in the song.\"' It sounds very happy-clappy, but Grant is keen to explain that he won't be his usual fluffy self in the role, 'I said to Richard [Curtis], \"I don't know that I really can go back to being that nice person\"...But he kind of adjusted things and we put a little more steel in the character.'"}, {"response": 688, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (09:29)", "body": "(KateF) I bet keping the pregnancy quiet was why Livia didn't go to the play. I wonder if a reluctance to travel will cause her to have to \"suffer in English\" this time? First off, I think it's a shame CF & LD have been outed on the pregnancy. He hadn't said anything about it, so I assume they wanted to keep it to themselves. As for why LD wasn't at the premiere, I just assumed she's already in Italy for her 3rd trimester & the delivery. You're not supposed to fly during the last trimester, right? With the war it would make sense to get her settled a bit early. With all that said, (CF) \"I play a man who wakes up from a coma to find his wife has died. It's wonderful, just what I wanted. \" You might want to re-word that, luv :)"}, {"response": 689, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (09:39)", "body": "Thanks Annette for the HS poster link, Emma for the premiere news and Barbara for Express article. What fun! Lots to read...and here's another. From a Hong Kong lurker (who I'll get active soon), she's typed out an item from Premiere about GWAPE. There's a smallish pic of the director talking with the actors around a dining table, where Colin is not clearly visible, but he's there. Will try to get. GIRL WITH A PERAL EARRING Starring Scarlett Johansson, Colin Firth, Essie Davis, and Tom Wilkinson; Directed by Peter Webber (Lions Gate) Dressed in a turquoise corduroy suit and sporting a shoulder-length mop of hair, the great Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer (Firth) is in the midst of a turbulent domestic scene with his wife (Davis), who has discovered that the servant girl, Griet (Johansson), has modeled for him - wearing her earrings. Quite a scandal, if you live in 17th-century Delft. \"It's a film about painting,\" first-time director Webber says on the Luxemborg set of Girl With a Pearl Earring, an adaptation of Tracy Chevalier's 1999 best-selling historical novel that imagines a liaison between the artist and the subject of the eponymous painting. (Kate Hudson and Ralph Fiennes were originally set ot star until early financing fell through.) \"But it's also about money and sex and obession and power and repression - watching people who want to shag each other's brains out and not being able to. That's much more interesting than seeing people do it.\" Little is known about the Dutch master, who when he died at 43 left behind a wife, 11 children, and 35 paintings, but virtually no record of himself. Firth's suit and coiffure are the filmmaker's improvisations. Is the hair real? \"No,\" says the self-deprecating Firth (Bridget Jones's Diary), fondly twisting a strand. \"I think this is probably no longer possible.\" The actor, who says he fell in love with the painter's work when he saw Young Woman With a Water Jug at the Met several years ago, admits that he has become a bit of Vermeer nerd. But gathering trivia hasn't helped him to demystify the artist. \"I would love to know what Vermeer looked like, and what he had for breakfast, and what he sounded like when he spoke,\" says Firth. \"I'm dying of curiosity. But it wouldn't help me get any closer to his pictures.\" Johansson (Ghost World), on the other hand, in dyed-blond eyebrows and period clothes looks uncannily like the subject of the famous painting. She also adopted a British accent. \"I'm just trying to avoid sounding like a complete asshole,\" she says. The young actress is relieved to be shooting this understated love story in Europe, and that it's not a typical American production. \"It would be completely hellish to have the pressure of putting on a Hollywood ending, or putting in a scene where Vermeer sees Griet washing her breasts.\" - Kirsten Hohenadel [Set Fact: \"I have a mullet,\" Scarlett Johansson says of her new hairstyle, which works well under the headscarf that her character Griet wears throughout the film. \"So it's not exactly a period cut.\"]"}, {"response": 690, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (09:55)", "body": "(CF) \"But it's also about money and sex and obession and power and repression - watching people who want to shag each other's brains out and not being able to. I think that tells us how they've interpreted it. ...That's much more interesting than seeing people do it.\" For some people, perhaps. ;-)"}, {"response": 691, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (10:09)", "body": "Annette, thanks for the link. I like his smile very much. Thanks everybody for infos and reviews, so I can at least read about WAGW if I can't go and see it."}, {"response": 692, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (10:11)", "body": "'And the voice-over is saying....... You know, when the planes hit the Twin Towers, the last messages from those planes and buildings weren't ones of hatred and revenge; they were ones of love Are you kidding me?!! (note there is no freakin winkie) Dressed in a turquoise corduroy suit Ewwww! \"But it's also about money and sex and obession and power and repression - watching people who want to shag each other's brains out and not being able to. That's much more interesting than seeing people do it.\" Like I said, I can NOT wait to see this. ;-) Is the hair real? \"No,\" says the self-deprecating Firth (Bridget Jones's Diary), fondly twisting a strand. \"I think this is probably no longer possible.\" LOL! \"I'm just trying to avoid sounding like a complete asshole,\" she says. The young actress is relieved to be shooting this understated love story in Europe, and that it's not a typical American production. \"It would be completely hellish to have the pressure of putting on a Hollywood ending, or putting in a scene where Vermeer sees Griet washing her breasts.\" LOL, I've been such a fan of hers for a while now."}, {"response": 693, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (10:13)", "body": "(CF) \"I play a man who wakes up from a coma to find his wife has died. It's wonderful, just what I wanted. \" (Emma) You might want to re-word that, luv :) LOL! Good catch. Got to be careful with those indefinite antecedents. ;-)"}, {"response": 694, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (10:40)", "body": "I'm just trying to avoid sounding like a complete asshole,\"........ not a typical American production. \"It would be completely hellish to have the pressure of putting on a Hollywood ending, or putting in a scene where Vermeer sees Griet washing her breasts.\" LOL, I've been such a fan of hers for a while now. Same here! Can see how she won his admiration."}, {"response": 695, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (12:11)", "body": "(Karen) LOL! Good catch. Got to be careful with those indefinite antecedents. ;- Er, that was me, not Emma! Too many WAGW screenings? :) (SJ) I'm just trying to avoid sounding like a complete asshole,\"........ not a typical American production. \"It would be completely hellish to have the pressure of putting on a Hollywood ending, or putting in a scene where Vermeer sees Griet washing her breasts.\" LOL! I like her v. much already!"}, {"response": 696, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (12:24)", "body": "Dressed in a turquoise corduroy suit (Dorine) Ewwww! LOL....my thoughts exactly! Where are all those lovely earthtones and muted jewel tones? Hope Griet isn't wearing fuchsia....;-) But, like you, Dorine...I await this one quite anxiously! Can't wait to see all that repressed shagging (or...is that not see it?)! Either way! To quote Linda from Spoilers...bring it on! ;-)"}, {"response": 697, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (12:27)", "body": "About Scarlet Johansson: I'm ready to join the chorus; I like her very much, just as she is! Okay, another of my \"silly minor finds\". Someone mentioned something about giving the hairdresser from WAGW a price. Well, the makeupartist for GWAPE also did makeup on AMITC (am I the only one, who really didn't like his hair in that movie?) I much prefer the one picture released from GWAPE. One more, who gets better with age (the makeup artist, that is);-) http://www.mckinneymacartney.com/jenny_shircore.html"}, {"response": 698, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (13:23)", "body": "Had to post this bit from the NJ Star-Ledger's review (Linda, you may want to write this guy who has no clue): Still, this mild time-waster is worth one asterisk in the history books: It's the first movie I've seen that begins with a studio warning to audiences not to record it off the screen. There's also a plea to informers to call ushers if they see other people taping. Warners -- which has reportedly sent employees with night-vision goggles to screenings of other films, to search for bootleggers -- needn't be so concerned. I can't imagine anyone taping \"What A Girl Wants\" off the screen. Unless it's to prove to the stay-at-home parent that yes, they really did accompany their dear little daughter to see it. Rating note: The film contains one silly rake, and two very mild oaths. http://www.nj.com/entertainment/ledger/index.ssf?/base/entertainment-0/1049443999198290.xml"}, {"response": 699, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (14:23)", "body": "GWAPE Director:\" \"But it's also about money and sex and obession and power and repression - watching people who want to shag each other's brains out and not being able to. That's much more interesting than seeing people do it.\" \"Oh yeah..speak for yourself, Peter.A little rumpy-pumpy on screen ain't so bad.\" Does sound like an R rated/adult movie though. Or maybe it's my wishful-thinking."}, {"response": 700, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (14:31)", "body": "(Karen)Had to post this bit from the NJ Star-Ledger's review (Linda, you may want to write this guy who has no clue): Boss, I'm going to get on this right away. When I've finished with him, he'll definitely have a clue. I'll clue you in on the results."}, {"response": 701, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (14:49)", "body": "From Moviecom.com (always thought she had pretty good taste ;-) http://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hv&cf=parentsguide&id=1808415451 ...\"adorable\" AB and \"adorable\" CF..."}, {"response": 702, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (14:58)", "body": "(Moviecom.com review) The love interest, played by Ian Williams, should be high on the Teen Beat hearthrob list. Oops."}, {"response": 703, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (15:00)", "body": "Let's try that again without hitting the submit button too early.... (Moviecom.com review) The love interest, played by Ian Williams, should be high on the Teen Beat hearthrob list. Oops. A little difficulty differentiating fantasy and reality it seems. ;-)"}, {"response": 704, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (15:19)", "body": "Thanks for all the interesting reading today, Ladies. Dressed in a turquoise corduroy suit Maybe it's a tasteful teal? :-) fondly twisting a strand. \"I think this is probably no longer possible.\" Hee hee. Since we're talking heair, I am a BIG fan of his side-parted look in certain WAGW scenes. The fashion show is one of them. Anybody else? \"I'm just trying to avoid sounding like a complete asshole LOL! Good thing Milos Forman isn't directing.;-) (Evleyn)\"Oh yeah..speak for yourself, Peter.A little rumpy-pumpy on screen ain't so bad.\" Sing it, sistah! Psst, Scarlett, there's a reason those Hollywood films make so much money.;-) *Give the people what they want.* Thanks, Annette, for the poster link. I think he looked better in the poster shown at Bradofrd, though. Maria, have you called the theater to find out when it opens? Thanks, Barbara, for the backstage quotes. (Dorine)Are you kidding me?!! (note there is no freakin winkie) I had the same reaction."}, {"response": 705, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (15:41)", "body": "(Mari)I think he looked better in the poster shown at Bradford, though. But when it is right in front of you at eye level it is astonishing!!! My heart flew into my mouth and my pulse sped up and I completely flushed (scary if this is the reaction to a poster! If I were to ever meet the real McCoy...) (Mari)Maria, have you called the theater to find out when it opens? I would, but the phone number is so shrouded in secrecy I may have to wait until I go back on Saturday...:-( Wonder what happens if you forget something in the theatre? Grrrr..)"}, {"response": 706, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (15:58)", "body": "(Mari) I am a BIG fan of his side-parted look in certain WAGW scenes. The fashion show is one of them. Anybody else? *waving hand* Me! Me! Also at the playground, my absolute favorite. The breakfast table is a very close second, though I don't think the hair was quite the same. But love the whole look when he eats the Cocoa Pops out of the bowl with his fingers. Oh to be a Cocoa Pop at that moment. ;-) (Evleyn)\"Oh yeah..speak for yourself, Peter.A little rumpy-pumpy on screen ain't so bad.\" (Mari) Sing it, sistah! Psst, Scarlett, there's a reason those Hollywood films make so much money.;-) *Give the people what they want.* While I do agree with you, for some reason I guess I'm feeling a bit masochistic here. I guess I find the thought of seeing the situation going right to the edge of something happening, then pulling back, *extremely* erotic. At least with him it should be....I hope. ;-) There's something to be said for being teased."}, {"response": 707, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (16:57)", "body": "(Dorine)There's something to be said for being teased. I guess. But sometimes you want the full axminster, too:-) (Mari) I am a BIG fan of his side-parted look in certain WAGW scenes. The fashion show is one of them. Anybody else? Yes, Yes, Yes!"}, {"response": 708, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (16:59)", "body": "I know it's tough tearing your eyes away from the pic on the new HS poster, but this one also has a different tagline from the Bradford one: The problem every man dreams of...a choice (obviously aimed at the male audience) and then at the bottom: She loves me, she loves me not. (finally an explanation for that idiotic flower) But I still want to see/own The Graduate one. ;-)"}, {"response": 709, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (17:14)", "body": "(Dorine)There's something to be said for being teased. (Linda) I guess. But sometimes you want the full axminster, too:-) For me, GWAPE is all about the tease...I don't think I want to see Griet and Vermeer doing the wild thing. The book made it a bit ambiguous (for me)...I was never quite sure if it was all in the imagination of a fanciful girl, or Vermeer really did want to take her into the back room and show her how to grind. ;-) (Mari) I am a BIG fan of his side-parted look in certain WAGW scenes. The fashion show is one of them. Anybody else? I'm just a fan of his hair in this movie, period (his real hair, not the wig). He looked amazing!"}, {"response": 710, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (18:39)", "body": "(Tress)For me, GWAPE is all about the tease...I don't think I want to see Griet and Vermeer doing the wild thing I think this too, although I have always wondered about Tracy Chevalier's comment that she liked the changes to the storyline made in the script. - I have a feeling that Griet's child may have the same colour hair as Vermeer!"}, {"response": 711, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (19:07)", "body": "Something that struck me from Dorine's class notes: she said, \ufffdYou\ufffdre writing this for Colin Firth aren\ufffdt you?\ufffd But WB wanted Pierce Brosnan...He couldn\ufffdt do it since Bond was overschedule, so they wanted Hugh Grant next....I\ufffdve forgotten who the next studio choice was at the moment. But she said it really was a short list of acceptable choices......Jude Law too young, for example. She mentioned Jeremy Northam and didn\ufffdt really seem to discount him, but obviously not who she wanted. So as we know, she jetted off to England to beg CF so it could be greenlit. Given the names and sticker prices for such people as Huge (got $8 mil for BJD), Pierce Brosnan (big bucks), Jude Law (fairly big bucks), WB was willing to write a big check for this part. Colin had to have pulled down a fairly large amount to make this movie. He can afford to work for the \"art\" for awhile now. ;-)"}, {"response": 712, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (19:11)", "body": "(Karen)He can afford to work for the \"art\" for awhile now. ;-) We can only Hope! *Wife, baby, coma, breakdown - that'll do me......*"}, {"response": 713, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (19:26)", "body": "(Janet) - I have a feeling that Griet's child may have the same colour hair as Vermeer! LOL...so you think the little one may be in a little turquoise corduroy jumper with matching booties? ;-)"}, {"response": 714, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (23:03)", "body": "Some international box office data: Meanwhile another \ufffdchick flick\ufffd, What A Girl Wants, grossed a solid $598,700 on 170 screens in Australia, roughly 76% of the opening gross for 2001\ufffds The Princess Diaries. The picture is expected to play well through the school holidays, which begin later this week in Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia. What A Girl Wants took $76,800 on 30 screens in New Zealand, which was 25% better than The Princess Diaries. It is due to open in the Philippines on Apr 19."}, {"response": 715, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (23:34)", "body": "From megastar.co.uk I think they are a bit confused....or maybe it's us. ;-) Farrell's booth hit Jecinta Noble It's good to talk Father-to-be Colin Farrell dominated the US box office with his delayed film Phone Booth over the weekend..... Runner-up to Joel Schumacher's thriller was Colin Firth\ufffds drama What A Girl Wants, which took $11.2m. The film sees Firth play a repressed Englishman who has to learn to cope when his American daughter comes to London to find him. Could Hugh Grant\ufffds role as the bumbling British fool be in jeopardy?"}, {"response": 716, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Apr  7, 2003 (23:37)", "body": "And just realized CF and the \"anti-CF\" have something in common. Could it be a sign (cue Omen music). ;-) Father-to-be Colin Farrell dominated the US box office with his delayed film Phone Booth over the weekend."}, {"response": 717, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (08:46)", "body": "Further to Mari's post of yesterday from Cinemascore - Warner Bros. Pictures' \"What a Girl Wants\" arrived in the second spot, taking in $11.4 million on its opening weekend. The PG-rated film, starring Amanda Bynes and Colin Firth, generated the highest satisfaction among moviegoers of the session's three new wide releases as a stellar 96% gave the film a favorable score, according to CinemaScore.com. It was an overwhelmingly female audience as a huge 82% comprised that group, and young as a solid 53% were under 18 years of age. Dennie Gordon directed the comedy, about a girl who is looking for her long lost British father in London. A relatively slim 29% were 35 and older. The film's subject matter was the biggest draw, as cited by 41% of those polled. http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=filmNews&storyID=2525786"}, {"response": 718, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (09:03)", "body": "I don;t remember seeing this one posted, pardon if it has been but it bears repeating...;-)) THE EFC REVIEW: In a lousy week filled with war and destruction, an annoying head cold, college rejections, car dent repair, hot, muggy weather, and an unexpected tax bill running to 5 digits (!), escapism was definitely something the doctor ordered. And that is just what What a Girl Wants provides, critics be damned. Yes it's predictable and corny, yes it's derivative and heavily influenced by The Princess Diaries, yes it strains credibility, yes its production values are suspect, and yes it must have have run out of money when it came to creating its opening titles, BUT sometimes charm is enough to carry the day, and charm it has up to its American and English ears. The lead actress Amanda Bynes plays cute and perky so effortlessly and naturally, you can't help but like and root for her, regardless of the lame things she might have to do and say. And there are not one but TWO Prince Charmings - newcomer heartthrob Oliver James as her boyfriend and the thinking woman's heartthrob Colin Firth as her long-lost dad. Oliver is just as appealing as Bynes and as nice and sensible as a cool guy can be, and he can actually sing, too. If this role is a good indication of his charm and appeal, he has a pretty bright future ahead of him. Colin Firth plays his role with the depth, sincerity and integrity you've come to expect from all his performances. He actually succeeds in making you believe he could be a man who finds the love child - of his one true love - that he never knew he had, and that he could change his life for them. In the hands of a lesser and less charming and attractive actor, the man would have been little more than a corny plot device. But Firth provides the heart and heft of the movie and makes his character someone you grow to like and really care about (and maybe fantasize about, too - as the fantasy father or husband, depending on your demographic). As the title makes clear, this is a film for girls, so chick-flick haters and cynics STAY AWAY (unless you have an Amanda fixation). But it's also for girls of riper vintage - note the TWO Prince Charmings - who should be more than willing to succumb to their princely charms. Don't go to this movie expecting the wit of Clueless or the intelligence of Ever After. It's a lightweight modern-day fairy tale which sometimes misses its mark. But it provides a diverting ninety minutes of escapism, megawatt charm from its stars, and smiles, laughs, and awws aplenty for its targeted audience."}, {"response": 719, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (09:07)", "body": "This site has a picture from Hope Springs that I haven't seen before. Nice links too (worlds most sexiest men) http://www.femail.co.uk/pages/standard/article.html?in_article_id=175758&in_page_id=119"}, {"response": 720, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (09:10)", "body": "Sorry, forgot to post a warning: BARE FEET!!!!! And thank you for the articles and reviews, all. (MariaT)but it bears repeating...;-)) Brint it on ;-)"}, {"response": 721, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (09:18)", "body": "re: Annette's article link Yes, this is the silly Colin Ware that is doing yoga with Mandy, either before or after he falls over doing it in those leggings."}, {"response": 722, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (09:20)", "body": "Question to Maria... What is : THE EFC REVIEW: Online somebody?"}, {"response": 723, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (09:23)", "body": "(Evelyn)Question to Maria... What is : THE EFC REVIEW: The E Film Critic?? http://www.efilmcritic.com/review.php?movie=7393 Thanks for the new pic Annette!"}, {"response": 724, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (10:32)", "body": "Thank you, Maria and Annette for the links, and reviews. Loved those pictures, even though I've seen them before."}, {"response": 725, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (10:47)", "body": "Thanks Maria for the articles. And thanks Annette for the link. Love the look on his face doing the yoga. And his picture in the sexiest men in the world gallery is one I hadn't seen. But good Lord is it a good one. Love the intent gaze and hint of a smile/smirk. Whew!"}, {"response": 726, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (10:47)", "body": "Thanks for the article and the new pic, Annette. I found this bit enormously funny and such creative spin: Hope Springs, a romantic comedy tipped to be one of the summer's big box-office hits. I've put up the Premiere pic and closeup of Colin as Vermeer at the dining table, which was scanned by Josie, in the gallery: http://www.firth.com/gwape_gal1.html Much better wig (from what I can see) than as young Henry. Looks pretty damned good."}, {"response": 727, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (10:52)", "body": "(Dorine) And his picture in the sexiest men in the world gallery is one I hadn't seen. That was from the Berlinale press conference for Shakespeare in Love. He was the only one of the cast to attend, with John Madden (director) and all the producers. There was a video clip online for quite some time, but I doubt it is now. But, as I recall, the German voiceover pretty much drowned out the people answering questions."}, {"response": 728, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (11:07)", "body": "Thanks, Karen! I could tell it was from a little while ago, but it's now of my favorites. Shame about the video. Just looking is ok, too. :-)"}, {"response": 729, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (12:03)", "body": "There was a videoclip working here not too long ago. I can't tell if it still works, as I have no player of any kind installed at the moment http://www.filmscouts.com/scripts/person.cfm?Person=1710"}, {"response": 730, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (12:13)", "body": "From Variety: These are the five most requested films from activity on Moviefone.com and the Moviefone phone service. 1. What A Girl Wants 4. Phone Booth 2. Head of State 3. Bringing Down the House 5. Basic"}, {"response": 731, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (12:18)", "body": "(Annette) Sorry, forgot to post a warning: BARE FEET!!!!! Jeez! 'Bout had a heart attack...I saw your warning after I clicked on the picture! Those are some mighty fine BARE FEET! Thank you Annette, Maria and Karen for all the goodies. Love the new GWAPE picture...it is going to be an agonizingly long summer and fall waiting to see this film...wig doesn't look half bad from a distance."}, {"response": 732, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (12:22)", "body": "(Tress) wig doesn't look half bad from a distance. Sigh.... I suppose. Oh, well, a wig was inevitable and at least it's not red."}, {"response": 733, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (12:44)", "body": "Thank you Annette for the link to the SIL clip. I enjoyed that. Is anyone else having trouble with the GWAPE gallery? I can't see the new picture. Thanks for that great picture from the SIL press conference, Karen. Great to see WAGW #1 on Moviefone, thanks Mary."}, {"response": 734, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (12:57)", "body": "(Rika) Sigh.... I suppose. Oh, well, a wig was inevitable and at least it's not red. I would have loved to have seen ODB with real (his) long hair, but I don't think he had any time to grow it....and extensions are a dangerous proposition since they tend to tug on the existing hair (and for those of you who love the hair ODB still has...well...a wig is good! And like Rika said...at least it isn't red... I love red hair BTW, just cannot see ODB as a redhead !) ;-)"}, {"response": 735, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (13:03)", "body": "Try again now, Linda. I reuploaded it. ???? Trauma News They start filming on 28 April and the only other \"confirmed\" cast member is Mena Suvari (rose petal girl from American Beauty)"}, {"response": 736, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (13:25)", "body": "Thanks everyone for all the links, reviews and news re WAGW. Much appreciated on our side of the pond. However things may be hotting up here too, I got this from a very amusing source ( sadly not from ODB's local Islington branch tho';-) The sainsbury's magazine says \"Watch out for.....Hope Springs 3/5* Hugh Grant has been busy starring in two films for release this year(Two weeks, Love Actually), so Colin Firth owner of another of Britain's best pairs of stiff upper lips, has had the chance to show he can be just as funny and romantic as Hugh. Firth makes the best of his role as Colin , blah blah plot synopsis.......This is warm and cute and pleasant enough thanks to three nice lead performances(Driver's bitchy turn is a treat) and a terrific supporting cast.\" Hey go back to selling Chardonnay and Jamie Oliver guys ;-)) Still it was nice uncovering a pic of him with the tins and bottles in the shopping trolley!"}, {"response": 737, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (13:26)", "body": "From Antonella, this theater is in York: City Screen are delighted to invite you to a special charity screening of Mark Herman's charming and hilarious new romantic comedy HOPE SPRINGS, starring Colin Firth, in aid of Marie Curie cancer care. Writer and director Mark Herman will be present at the screening. Be one of the first to see this wonderful new film before its release in May. Enjoy a wine and canap\ufffd reception in our riverside cafe-Bar before the screening. Tickets cost \ufffd15 each with all proceeds going to Marie Curie cancer care Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment Thursday 10th April 6.15pm - Wine and canap\ufffd reception in the riverside Cafe-Bar 7.00pm - Screening"}, {"response": 738, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (13:32)", "body": "Double drat! Still hopefully someone can get there. Thanks for posting Boss. We live in hope that ODB will repeat his Survival screening sometime soon."}, {"response": 739, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (13:46)", "body": "Annette, thanks for the link. ODB looks very much like he's doing yoga for the first time in his life ;-). Karen, that sexiest men picture is simply gorgeous. Thank you so much."}, {"response": 740, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (14:22)", "body": "Thanks Annette for the link. He looked like he was struggling to appear interested and that interviewer was quite dull. I know it gets old because they do that stuff all day long, but that interviewer couldn't have helped the situation at all. ;-) Thanks again Karen for putting that pic up here. I bookmarked and downloaded it too. I had trouble seeing the new pics at first Linda, but went in through IE rather than AOL and saw them. That style of wig isn't what I expected though am aware of hair styles of that time. He kinda looks like Rembrandt. Still, I agree, at least it isn't red. Not my cup of tea. Thanks Josie for the pics and article. Welcome!"}, {"response": 741, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (15:02)", "body": "BarbaraT: Pls let me know if you got my email (at your aol address)"}, {"response": 742, "author": "joyce", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (15:03)", "body": "What a bountiful day for photos ladies! Thank you. I'm going to have to give a thumbs up to the Vermeer look reminds me of Courtois. Quite yummy. I am all anticipation. Dark hair, clothing, sets, all that below the surface bubbling between Vermeer,Griet and his wife. Perfect for a November opening. Can't imagine any of the women having their eyes closed during that yoga session in HS. A few are peeking I noticed. :) Liked that interview pic too Karen. Will keep it in reserve for when I retire HS poster photo. No estimated time of departure yet. ;) Bummer. Can't make that HS New York showing. Wish I had known. :( Please take good notes, ask lots of questions ladies. So many interesting reports and tidbits. Thanks everyone."}, {"response": 743, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (15:08)", "body": "Trauma News They start filming on 28 April and the only other \"confirmed\" cast member is Mena Suvari (rose petal girl from American Beauty) Thanks Karen! Sounds like very promising casting - definitely lifts \"Trauma\" out of little Brit flick category. Will she be playing the wife (in flashbacks)?"}, {"response": 744, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (15:21)", "body": "(Bethan) Will she be playing the wife (in flashbacks)? I was wondering if anybody was going to ask. I don't know, but I hope not. :-( It would be worse (cringeworthy) IMO than the Kevin Spacey relationship in AB, though IRL Mena Suvari is married to an older guy. She's mainly been doing indie films, with the exception of American Pie2."}, {"response": 745, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (15:22)", "body": "Can't make that HS New York showing That's York, as in England, hon. ;-)"}, {"response": 746, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (15:27)", "body": "Some WAGW trivia regarding the dog, skeet shooting, the cat and the camel... I was kind of worried about that cat... http://www.ahafilm.info/movies/moviereviews.phtml?fid=7501"}, {"response": 747, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (15:37)", "body": "(AHA site)A man sits in a wheelchair and ambitiously shoots at the discs that are released, but he seems to hit everything around him but his target! Well, that's close. Not. (Maria) I was kind of worried about that cat... I know! Though the second time I saw WAGW, it was clear the cat departed the branch well before it broke. (Joyce) Will keep it in reserve for when I retire HS poster photo. No estimated time of departure yet. ;) And if you're like me, it's likely to be staying around for quite a while. Mmmmm mmmmm."}, {"response": 748, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (15:48)", "body": "(Bethan) Will she be playing the wife (in flashbacks)? (Karen) I was wondering if anybody was going to ask That was my first thought, too. The second one was \"Ewwww!\" But will reserve judgement as much as I can. ;-)"}, {"response": 749, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (15:49)", "body": "The trainer helped the couple to mount the camel and then took the rope and began to walk. The camel preferred to just stay where he was\ufffdand he did. LOL...smart camel! He knew that there were several ladies who needed him to stay put so they could study that kiss...and that outfit! (Annette...were you feeding him treats?). ;-) Thanks Maria!"}, {"response": 750, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (15:49)", "body": "With all the reviews/comments about WAGW, I can't believe I missed Hollywood flack hack's column in THR, which is an interview with Denise Di Novi about WAGW. A lot of regurgitated stuff, Hollywood insider production stuff, and long, so you can read it here: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hollywoodreporter/columnists/grove/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1858123 Though I did find this remark interesting: Di Novi's also very enthusiastic about working again with Warners and Gaylord. \"We had a lot of success (last year) with 'A Walk to Remember,' my last movie,\" she said. \"Dawn Taubin (domestic marketing president for Warner Bros. Pictures) has done a really good job in targeting the female audience, which is somewhat new for Warner Bros."}, {"response": 751, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (16:04)", "body": "(THR) While Di Novi isn't saying precisely what those advantages and tax breaks added up to or what the picture wound up costing, she does note, \"I would say it's a medium budget movie. It's not low budget. It's not big. It's in the mid-range.\" I read it was around $20 million. Thanks, Karen. V. interesting."}, {"response": 752, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (16:13)", "body": "(Tress)were you feeding him treats?). ;-) LOL. Actually my mind was engaged at something else than \"pulling the camel\". I'm afraid he sensed, that he didn't have my full attention;-)"}, {"response": 753, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (16:57)", "body": "A few more pictures from the play with Kristin Scott Thomas here: http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=SRH&logsrch=1 (if the link doesn't work, just search from the main page)"}, {"response": 754, "author": "joyce", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (17:19)", "body": "(Karen) Can't make that HS New York showing That's York, as in England, hon. ;-) Snort! Can't make either one. Of course! The ticket price is in pounds! (Maria) Some WAGW trivia regarding the dog, skeet shooting, the cat and the camel... Wouldn't it be nice to get this much behind the scenes detail on all CF films?"}, {"response": 755, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (17:22)", "body": "(joyce)Wouldn't it be nice to get this much behind the scenes detail on all CF films? Speaking of behind the scenes, most of you probably have seen this before. But I think he looks so good, that it is okay to see it again (from TIOBE): http://www.celebrity-exchange.com/celebs/photos34/colin-firth.jpg"}, {"response": 756, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (17:54)", "body": "Thanks, Annette, for finding more of them. I've put up larger versions of the better shots here: www.firth.com/p_eye6.html"}, {"response": 757, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (18:01)", "body": "Thanks, ladies for all the great pictures, today. Talk about pleasing to the eye. Karen, I'm now able to see the GWAPE gallery, thank you. Interesting Hollywood Reporter article as well. Thanks. The trainer helped the couple to mount the camel and then took the rope and began to walk. The camel preferred to just stay where he was Oh so would I,;-)"}, {"response": 758, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (18:34)", "body": "Annette, thanks for today's windfall! Hey, don't you ever sleep?"}, {"response": 759, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (19:01)", "body": "Wow, another Firthful day here, with new pics, articles, reviews, news, etc. Thanks to everyone--Karen, Annette, Maria, Lizza--hope I haven't forgotten anyone! Great finds, Annette, especially the pic of Yoga Bear.;-) Not crazy about the GWAPE wig, but will reserve judgement. I think Scarlett got the better end of the deal, with her mullett and do-rag.;-) Couldn't they have let him wear that WAGW side part I like so much? Nobody knows what Vermeer looked like anyway.;-) Re: Mena Suvari in Trauma--that's so funny, I saw her on a talk show a few weeks back and she mentioned heading off to England to do a film. Little did I know . . . I hope she's not playing his daughter.;-)"}, {"response": 760, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (19:48)", "body": "Thanks for all the pictures and links everyone. Take a closer look at Karen's www.firth.com/p_eye6.html. You don't suppose that's his vehicle behind him with the license plate showing, do you? I kind of doubt it, but I'll jot it down just in case ;-)"}, {"response": 761, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (21:28)", "body": "UK tax fund First Choice backs 30% of Myriad duo, Purifiers Adam Minns in London 09 April 2003 04:00 First Choice, the innovative UK tax fund launched by financier Grosvenor Park, is pumping approximately 30% of the budgets into two high-profile titles on Myriad Pictures' international sales slate - Istvan Szabo's Being Julia and Trauma, director Marc Evan's follow-up to UK horror hit My Little Eye. Being Julia is being produced through Robert Lantos' Serendipity Point Films as a Canada-UK-Hungary co-production. Annette Bening and Jeremy Irons will star in the project, billed as a Dangerous Liaisons set in the glittering London theatre world. Written by Ronald Harwood, an Academy Award winner for The Pianist, the production starts principal photography in June, re-uniting Lantos and Szabo after 1999's Sunshine. Trauma marks the debut production from Ministry of Fear, the genre label formed by UK producer Little Bird. The psychological chiller will star Colin Firth and Mena Suvari and is produced by Nicky Kentish Barnes and Jonathan Cavendish. Written by Richard Smith, the keenly-anticipated project will start principal photography later this month on location in London and the Isle of Man. BBC Films, Warner Bros and the Isle of Man Film Commission are co-financing, with Myriad once again handling international sales. First Choice, a tax-based equity fund launched in January, is also backing The Purifiers, a gang movie set against a martial arts backdrop in a Britain of the near future. Written and directed by Richard Jobson, who recently made his feature debut with Sixteen Years of Alcohol, the film stars Kevin McKidd and is produced by Jobson and Chris Atkins of Vestry Films and Bill Kenwright. The film is co-financed by Bill Kenwright Films, Scottish Screen and Jim Howell's sales agent Park Entertainment. Principal photography is set for May. The projects mark the first titles backed through First Choice, a production partnership of investors for which Grosvenor Park is management adviser. Headed by chairman Donald Starr and managing director Daniel Taylor, Grosvenor Park has backed recent productions including Spider, Count Of Monte Cristo, The Importance Of Being Earnest, Reign Of Fire and Gosford Park through other tax mechanisms. \"This is an exciting new project providing equity to assorted films and we are pleased to have attracted three diverse and highly attractive feature films to our First Choice Films production partnership,\" said Starr. \"Each film has unique international selling points and in particular a quality and calibre of talent which we believe will be attractive to distributors and audiences around the world.\""}, {"response": 762, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (21:35)", "body": "Thanks everyone for the photos and articles. After a long drought there is so much happening right now - Hurrah! Is it just me or does anyone else worry about ODB when his cheeks are so ruddy? I'd like to think it's a \"grape\" reaction but I keep thinking high blood pressure. (insert lewd comment re blood pressure)"}, {"response": 763, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (21:41)", "body": "Review from Premiere magazine: Relax, people. This film has nothing to do with that Christina Aguilera song. It does, however, have everything to do with a plucky American teenager named Daphne (Bynes, of the WB's What I Like About You). Raised by her free-spirited Manhattan mother (Preston) with lots of love, Daphne has never met her British father (Colin Firth), and he doesn't even know that she exists. Daphne decides it's time to hop across the pond to London to meet her dad, who turns out to be a rather formal nobleman (a far cry from the bohemian soul he was when he met Daphne's mom in the '70s). What ensues is of course a typical fish-out-of-water story as the vibrant, zany girl makes a splash in the stiff world her father shares with his bitchy socialite fianc\ufffde (Chancellor) and her mean teenage daughter. Bynes achieves something quite rare for a squeaky-clean teenage actress: She isn't irritating. Not in the slightest. In fact, she's charming and quirky and a pleasure to watch. You can understand why she wins over her father, and how her joie de vivre changes his outlook on life. As for Firth, he picks up where his splendid portrayal in Bridget Jones's Diary left off. Once again, he expertly presents a dry exterior that hides a tender, searching heart. Watch for a great montage of the city set to the defiant strains of the Clash's \"London Calling.\" Here, you'll view London as it's seen through the eyes of an inspired teenager: alive with the crisp red of double-decker buses and the electricity of those gray skies. Just don't listen too hard to the song lyrics, though. \ufffdSusannah Gora"}, {"response": 764, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (21:50)", "body": "Thanks Mari. Writer and director both come from TV...hmmmmm. Back to MLSF stamping ground in Isle of Man. (Sandy)After a long drought there is so much happening right now - Hurrah! Agree.Virtual bundle of riches. 3 maybe 4 films this year; I can remember when we went six months w/o a word. Got tired of re-hashing those old films."}, {"response": 765, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (22:24)", "body": "(Mari) I hope she's not playing his daughter.;-) For you \"believers,\" time to light the candles again. I'm going to dig the chicken bones out of the garbage. Going back to the Isle of Man again. I can just feel all those tax breaks... Let's see, didn't I have a contact there???? (Evelyn) Back to MLSF stamping ground in Isle of Man. How soon they forget where gay Peter lived. ;-) (Premiere) Just don't listen too hard to the song lyrics, though. No kidding. Great song, but the lyrics don't compliment the story."}, {"response": 766, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (22:25)", "body": "(Mari) I think Scarlett got the better end of the deal, with her mullet She looked really cute and hip at the IFC Spirit Awards with her short cut. (Beedee) Annette, thanks for today's windfall! Hey, don't you ever sleep? ROTFL! Yes, thanks Annette......and? ;-)"}, {"response": 767, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (22:33)", "body": "(Karen)How soon they forget where gay Peter lived. ;-) Was Peter gay? ;-) For you \"believers,\" time to light the candles again. I'm going to dig the chicken bones out of the garbage. Hey, I'm hanging onto the fact that Warner Brothers is putting up some of the money, and therefore might distribute it."}, {"response": 768, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (22:42)", "body": "Review from Us Magazine: WHAT A GIRL WANTS All-American teen Amanda Bynes has everything she needs--except her long-lost London dad. The stars: Amanda Bynes, Colin Firth, Kelly Preston The story: On a quest for her biological father, 17-year-old Daphne (Bynes) ditches Manhattan for London, where she reaches out to Lord Dashwood (Firth), the aristocrat her hippie mother (Preston) loved and left before Daphne's birth. The teen imperils the buttoned-down political aspirant with her wild Yankee ways and--faster than he can don leather pants and play air guitar--transforms him from dullard to doll, while charming London society in the process. What's Good: Bynes (Nickelodeon's The Amanda Show) wears her role like skin-tight hip-huggers; Firth plays a sexy, stuffy Brit to rival lovable dunderhead Hugh Grant, in a sweet-natured comedy that recalls The Princess Diaries. What's Bad: 100% chick flick--and there's not a plot twist in this happy tale you don't see coming. Final Say: * * * A heart-warmimg and adorable daughter-knows-best comedy."}, {"response": 769, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (22:50)", "body": "Firth plays a sexy, stuffy Brit to rival lovable dunderhead Hugh Grant Am I the only one who didn't think once of HG when watching Colin's performance? It seems all the critics were in-tune to that."}, {"response": 770, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (23:22)", "body": "(Dorine)Am I the only one who didn't think once of HG when watching Colin's performance? No, you aren't. It never crossed my mind that HG might have played Henry. I think some of those critics saw the Daniel/Mark rivalry and decided it must carry over into real life. Maybe they believed the fight scene was real? ;-) I'm tired of these references to HG. Some of them make it sound as if Colin is picking up the crumbs that Hugh doesn't want to take. And while I'm complaining, if one more critic uses the word constipated in a review (mostly it's applied to Colin, but I've also seen it used in about Pryce and Atkins, too), I'm gonna buy a case of Ex-Lax and start mailing it to their newspapers/magazines! (Maria T)I was kind of worried about that cat... Thanks for posting the link. I was worried about the cat, too. After all, Jocelyn only showed affection for dogs and horses, not cats and pigeons."}, {"response": 771, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Apr  8, 2003 (23:24)", "body": "I'm tired of comparisons. Hola said both were swell and I buy it! I didn't think of HG and I wish those numb n*2ts critics would stop it. I'm ready to enjoy both without dissing either ..........or either."}, {"response": 772, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (00:18)", "body": "(Kate) if one more critic uses the word constipated in a review (mostly it's applied to Colin, but I've also seen it used in about Pryce and Atkins, too), I'm gonna buy a case of Ex-Lax and start mailing it to their newspapers/magazines! ROTFL! Oh do! Sign it from them. ;-) Some of them make it sound as if Colin is picking up the crumbs that Hugh doesn't want to take. Well, actually....according to DG, in a way he is....and not just HG's. :-( But that doesn't mean the others were good choices for this."}, {"response": 773, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (02:19)", "body": "Fear grips Firth, Suvari for 'Trauma' Pic to begin shooting at the end of April By ADAM DAWTREY Variety LONDON -- Colin Firth and Mena Suvari have signed to star in \"Trauma,\" a psychological chiller directed by Marc Evans, which will be the first pic made under the Ministry of Fear banner at Little Bird Films. The pic starts shooting at the end of April in London and the Isle of Man. Myriad Pictures is handling worldwide sales, with Warner Bros. taking U.K. theatrical and video rights. Pic is being co-financed by BBC Films, the Isle of Man Film Commission and First Choice, the new tax fund from Grosvenor Park. The original screenplay by first-time Scottish writer Richard Smith is about a man who wakes from a coma after a car crash to find that his wife apparently died in the same accident. As he tries to rebuild his life, he is haunted by images of his dead wife and his grip on reality starts to loosen. Firth plays the bereaved man, with Suvari as his new-age neighbor who encourages him to contact his wife through a medium, with shocking consequences. Director Evans previously had a modest hit with another horror movie, \"My Little Eye.\" \"Trauma\" is being produced by Nicky Kentish-Barnes, whose credits include \"About a Boy\" and \"An Ideal Husband,\" and Little Bird's Jonathan Cavendish. Anglo-Irish production outfit Little Bird set up its Ministry of Fear label 18 months ago, under former Edinburgh Film Festival director Lizzie Franke, to develop horror movies with a psychological twist. The label has development funding from the Film Council."}, {"response": 774, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (07:46)", "body": "With shocking consequences??? oooooowwwww! Wife has morphed into HG. ;-) I had a feeling that Mena Suvari played someone who would be helping him. Thanks, Mari. ~~~~~~ This week's Hello (on newsstands in England yesterday) has an article about Kelly Preston and there's a pic of she and Colin dancing. If anyone wants to scan it, please send to my office."}, {"response": 775, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (07:59)", "body": "A preliminary Trauma page can be found here: http://www.firth.com/trauma.html"}, {"response": 776, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (08:28)", "body": "(Karen)A preliminary Trauma page can be found here: And when do *you* sleep? Oooo, creepy page. Good job!"}, {"response": 777, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (08:35)", "body": "Oh, I love the page design!! Well done, Karen! (Karen)I had a feeling that Mena Suvari played someone who would be helping him. Maybe there is some hidden secret about car accident and Colin's wife's death, and even that may put Mena Suvari into some kind of danger? Hmm, that will be more intriguing."}, {"response": 778, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (09:01)", "body": "(Mari) Hey, I'm hanging onto the fact that Warner Brothers is putting up some of the money, and therefore might distribute it. Yessssss!!! I'm excited by this one....but keep thinking it will be 5-6 years before I get to see it. If WB puts in some money...maybe it will only be 2-3 years!! ;-) (Dorine) Am I the only one who didn't think once of HG when watching Colin's performance? It seems all the critics were in-tune to that. I never thought about it....couldn't see it. I was concentrating so hard on ODB there wasn't any room for any other thoughts... ;-) It seems that every role ODB takes at least one critic (usually several) say that they could see HG in the part (though I don't recall hearing that about P&P, thank goodness)! Seems when you lack something clever to say, you can just put in the 'HG line'. (Mari) I hope she's not playing his daughter.;-) (Karen) For you \"believers,\" time to light the candles again. I'm going to dig the chicken bones out of the garbage. Firth plays the bereaved man, with Suvari as his new-age neighbor who encourages him to contact his wife through a medium, with shocking consequences. Gah! You guys work fast!"}, {"response": 779, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (09:12)", "body": "(Tress)It seems that every role ODB takes at least one critic (usually several) say that they could see HG in the part (though I don't recall hearing that about P&P, thank goodness)! LOL, They don't dare! Recently saw S&S again and HG is so dorky in it. Oops, and I just promised not to diss. But given it's the same *gender*...."}, {"response": 780, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (09:42)", "body": "\"Anglo-Irish production outfit Little Bird set up its Ministry of Fear label 18 months ago\" Gaagh, couldn't they find a better name for that label? (Mari)Hey, I'm hanging onto the fact that Warner Brothers is putting up some of the money, and therefore might distribute it They should. After his efforts on WAGW which carried the movie through, he should be their poster boy. For the record I agree with Lola, there is a place for HG and CF in the industry. I like HG. He works hard and unfailingly supports the cast and crew of his films by doing the publicity. Actually, IMO that's the hard part."}, {"response": 781, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (09:54)", "body": "(Evelyn) there is a place for HG and CF in the industry. I like HG. I completely agree and I do, too, esp his \"new\" persona. I just found odd the preponderance of HG references in the WAGW reviews. While HG is not the only (Brit) actor who stumbles and bumbles in movies, I guess he has just cornered the market in it. *ducking thrown tomatoes and assorted veggies* ;-)"}, {"response": 782, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (10:28)", "body": "(Dorine)I just found odd the preponderance of HG references in the WAGW reviews I agree. I don't have any problem with HG. I happen to love him in 4WaaF, and I did enjoy him in AAB (even though I could see Colin in that role as well). However, at no time did HG ever enter my mind as HD in WAGW. I also try to think of the chemistry that was pretty evident between CF and AB. I just can't picture it between HG and AB. IMHO, of course. Thanks Karen for the Trauma page, excellent!...sounds delicious and suspicious. Thanks Mari and all for the continued reviews, articles, and news."}, {"response": 783, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (10:34)", "body": "No HS at Tribeca FF. :-( :-("}, {"response": 784, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (10:43)", "body": "(Dorine) Am I the only one who didn't think once of HG when watching Colin's performance? (Kate F) No, you aren't. It never crossed my mind that HG might have played Henry. I'm tired of these references to HG. Some of them make it sound as if Colin is picking up the crumbs that Hugh doesn't want to take. (Tress) It seems that every role ODB takes at least one critic (usually several) say that they could see HG in the part HG is a good actor, and one I enjoy watching. Not 1/3 as much as I enjoy watching CF, but that's another story. ;-) Apparently many critics now consider HG to be the British actor of choice for certain types of roles, thus revealing their tunnel vision and/or total lack of understanding of the appeal and talent of ODB. As for WAGW, CF was letter perfect as Henry. IMO HG wouldn't have fit the part at all."}, {"response": 785, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (11:18)", "body": "(KathyF) Apparently many critics now consider HG to be the British actor of choice for certain types of roles This isn't anything new. From an American standpoint, the first man of British comedy (esp romantic comedy) is Hugh, while the preeminent British dramatic actor is Ralph Fiennes. As far as I'm concerned Hugh and Colin are not interchangeable, or fungible for that matter."}, {"response": 786, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (11:44)", "body": "Great work everyone on Trauma, Mari and karen you sleepless duo;-) thanks for the reviews on WAGW etc am off to check out Hello. Nearly did earlier today but there's a big \"Julia marriage\" cover so I couldn't face it, should've guessed there would be hidden treasure."}, {"response": 787, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (14:38)", "body": "(Evelyn)Back to MLSF stamping ground in Isle of Man. Wasn't it RV that was filmed there? I'm sure MLSF was filmed in Scotland. - It certainly looked like the scenery around Strachur and Loch Fyne."}, {"response": 788, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (15:05)", "body": "Wasn't it RV that was filmed there? Right again. Our dear Peter. I like that little film that went no where:-("}, {"response": 789, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (15:32)", "body": "(Karen) As far as I'm concerned Hugh and Colin are not interchangeable, or fungible for that matter. Exactly. I can't recall seeing a single film done by ODB that I thought HG could have done better...they are very different to me. I like HG, thought he was v. v. good in AAB, but he's no Hunk Daddy! And I'll confess that initially I wanted to see CF in the AAB role, but HG did such a great job that there is no way I could find fault with him in that part (but secretly wish that we could 'stumble into a parellel universe' and see a CF version of that film)! If that makes any sense whatsoever...I have been known not to be very coherent when it comes to ODB..."}, {"response": 790, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (15:38)", "body": ""}, {"response": 791, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (15:38)", "body": "closing"}, {"response": 792, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (16:04)", "body": ""}, {"response": 793, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (16:49)", "body": "Thanks for all the pics and news ladies. Great Trauma page Karen and Mari."}, {"response": 794, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (16:51)", "body": "(Evelyn)I like that little film Me too. (Tress-MariaT) Perfectly coherent! I'll meet you at the wormhole and we can er...hyperspace..or whatever to catch that other viewing... Please, can I come too? (you know, I'd beg, steal or borrow dadada) ooops, just gave away my age once more ;-) Karen, the new Trauma-site is really good. Thank you for the news and articles."}, {"response": 795, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (16:55)", "body": "A few new pictures at out soon - only HG and MD ;( http://www.bvimovies.co.uk/"}, {"response": 796, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (18:18)", "body": "Karen - More for your Trauma page: UK tax fund First Choice backs 30% of Myriad duo, Purifiers Adam Minns in London 09 April 2003 04:00 First Choice, the innovative UK tax fund launched by financier Grosvenor Park, is pumping approximately 30% of the budgets into two high-profile titles on Myriad Pictures' international sales slate - Istvan Szabo's Being Julia and Trauma, director Marc Evan's next picture after UK horror hit My Little Eye. Being Julia is being produced through Robert Lantos' Serendipity Point Films as a Canada-UK-Hungary co-production. Annette Bening and Jeremy Irons will star in the project, billed as a Dangerous Liaisons set in the glittering London theatre world. Written by Ronald Harwood, an Academy Award winner for The Pianist, the production starts principal photography in June, re-uniting Lantos and Szabo after 1999's Sunshine. Trauma marks the debut production from Ministry of Fear, the genre label formed by UK producer Little Bird. The psychological chiller will star Colin Firth and Mena Suvari and is produced by Nicky Kentish Barnes and Jonathan Cavendish. Written by Richard Smith, the keenly-anticipated project will start principal photography later this month on location in London and the Isle of Man. BBC Films, Warner Bros and the Isle of Man Film Commission are co-financing, with Myriad once again handling international sales. First Choice, a tax-based equity fund launched in January, is also backing The Purifiers, a gang movie set against a martial arts backdrop in a Britain of the near future. Written and directed by Richard Jobson, who recently made his feature debut with Sixteen Years of Alcohol, the film stars Kevin McKidd and is produced by Jobson and Chris Atkins of Vestry Films and Bill Kenwright. The film is co-financed by Bill Kenwright Films, Scottish Screen and Jim Howell's Park Entertainment, which is handling international sales. Principal photography is set for May. The projects mark the first titles backed through First Choice, a production partnership of investors for which Grosvenor Park is management adviser. Headed by chairman Donald Starr and managing director Daniel Taylor, Grosvenor Park has backed recent productions including Spider, Count Of Monte Cristo, The Importance Of Being Earnest, Reign Of Fire and Gosford Park through other tax mechanisms. \"This is an exciting new project providing equity to assorted films and we are pleased to have attracted three diverse and highly attractive feature films to our First Choice Films production partnership,\" said Starr. \"Each film has unique international selling points and in particular a quality and calibre of talent which we believe will be attractive to distributors and audiences around the world.\" http://www.screendaily.com/story.asp?storyid=11923&st=%22Ministry+of+Fear%22&s=1"}, {"response": 797, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (18:36)", "body": "Murph, thanks but that info was posted last night. Please, everyone, try to read what has already been posted. I've noticed some repitition. It isn't like this is an email list where you don't know if a question has already been answered. The proof is in black and white above. Now unto more interesting things: Thanks Annette, for the heads up on new pics, but the BVI website has an offer for special advance screenings, if you register at the site: To celebrate the forthcoming release of Hope Springs on May 9th we are offering you the chance to see an exclusive preview screening on April 23rd or 24th. [yadda yadda plot] How do I register? Simply select a venue from the list below. If you are successful your tickets will be posted to you in time for the screening. The Brighton screening will be 23rd April. All other screenings are on 24th April. All entries must be received by midnight on 16th April 2003. Then there's a place to pick out your cinema and submit: Whiteleys - UCI Manchester - Filmworks Clydebank - UCI [for you, Janet??] Solihull - UCI Gateshead - UCI Edinburgh - UCI Brighton - UGC Leeds - Warner Sheffield - Warner Shepherds Bush - Warner You will have to register first to get to this page: http://www.thefilmfactory.co.uk/members.html"}, {"response": 798, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (18:40)", "body": "And from a lurker, the trailer for Hope Springs is available for viewing online. The links, for the 4 connection types, are on the Hope Springs page. http://www.firth.com/hope.html Great line by Minnie, \"I can feel your resolve stiffening.\" LOL! Naturally, it shows Heather's skin and a lot about Colin not wearing underwear. Everybody comments on it. Then you actually see him pantless."}, {"response": 799, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (19:06)", "body": "Thanks sooooo much Karen and lurker!! ROTF at his expression when Mandy takes a swig. Gotta say it looks cute. And I see how the poster like The Graduate would be set up. I want one. :-D Thank goodness the tassle bit is there. Not sure how I'd react in the theater. And for the record, I like the way he looks in this even more so than WAGW. Maybe it's the longer hair, more relaxed look, occasional lack of pants... ;-)"}, {"response": 800, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (19:17)", "body": "From Anne, another one of my correspondents, the pic from Hello:"}, {"response": 801, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (19:19)", "body": "Why oh why can't I find the trailer. I went on to the link but no luck. Please, please, please help."}, {"response": 802, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (19:34)", "body": "You couldn't find the trailer links on the Hope Springs page? They are to the right of the new poster, under Release Dates."}, {"response": 803, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (19:35)", "body": ""}, {"response": 804, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (19:53)", "body": "Found it now. Thanks Karen"}, {"response": 805, "author": "joyce", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (20:41)", "body": "Thanks Karen and lurker! All I can hear out there are a lot of Mmmms and Yumms going on. Okay, How many times have you watched the HS trailer already? I'm up to about 20 and I can't see it very well w/Realplayer. Heaven help me if I can clear it up. Back to work."}, {"response": 806, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (20:46)", "body": "HOLLYWOOD (Zap2it.com) \ufffd British actor Colin Firth and Mena Suvari will be starring in \"Trauma,\" a psychological thriller directed by Marc Evans (\"My Little Eye\"). Produced by Little Bird Films\ufffd Ministry of Fear unit, the film centers a man (Firth) who wakes from a coma after a car crash to find that his wife apparently died in the same accident. As he tries to rebuild his life, he is haunted by images of his dead wife and his grip on reality starts to loosen. The story is based on a screenplay by first-time Scottish writer Richard Smith, according to Variety. Suvari will play Firth\ufffds new-age neighbor who encourages him to contact his wife through a medium, with shocking consequences. http://www.zap2it.com/movies/news/story/0,1259,---16405,00.html"}, {"response": 807, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (20:48)", "body": "SCOT STRIKES GOLD WITH MOVIE DEAL Apr 10 2003 A SCOTS writer's first screenplay is to be made into a movie blockbuster starring Pride and Prejudice hunk Colin Firth. Richard Smith hit gold with Trauma, a psychological chiller about a man who awakes from a coma to find his wife dead and his life in ruins. The 25-year-old's writing career started at university when he co-wrote and starred in a comedy show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1999. He has also written for TV and won a Scottish Bafta for his short film Leonard. Richard, of Dumbarton, said: \"It's a bit like a dream.\" Filming starts at the end of this month. American Pie star Mena Suvari will star alongside Firth. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/page.cfm?objectid=12829139&method=full&siteid=89488"}, {"response": 808, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (21:15)", "body": "Thank you Karen and Lurker...I had a bit of a panic attack at work because I couldn't get the trailer to load. Am home now and have watched it six times already....love the 'stressed' look when he puts his hands to his head. I can't wait to see this! Minnie has a rock body! ODB looks positively yummy....and it looks like he is struggling a bit while carrying Mandy (or is that with an 'i' with a little circle above it??) ;-) Like the 'resolve stiffing' line and the line about the 'biggest bang of the year...well, not your year'"}, {"response": 809, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (22:43)", "body": "I think our lurker will make it here shortly; seems she's been very shy. *hee hee* So, you looking for news for us, Terry? Nice piece on the writer. You can see his connection to this film group without the need for glasses. But the Daily Record could use some help with its writing. Trauma, a movie blockbuster? ;-)"}, {"response": 810, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (23:28)", "body": "Tried to dig up some dirt but failed, so I made up for it with some regular news."}, {"response": 811, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr  9, 2003 (23:29)", "body": "Oooh, I like the looks of the trailer! In case your image is a bit small, you can right click over it and choose \"double\" size or better yet, \"full screen!\" Many thanks to Karen and lurker--yoo hoo, come out, come out, wherever you are!:-) Can't believe they're not using \"The Graduate\" shot for the poster--is perfect. And thanks to Anne for the Hello pic. Hello there, Henry, you Hunk Daddy you!:-)"}, {"response": 812, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (07:02)", "body": "It's nice to come back and find the HS trailer, now if we only had a release date! Thanks, Karen and lurker! I can see Mena's people will do the proper job of spreading the Tauma news, she has ambition. ;-) Have yet to see WAGW, have the reviews been good? I can tell you that in LA and SF there are billboards and posters everywhere. Unfortunately, the publicity is all about AB."}, {"response": 813, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (08:11)", "body": "(Karen)The links, for the 4 connection types, are on the Hope Springs page. I'm getting desperate. I can only use Windows Mediaplayer, and it won't work with the trailer. Any ideas?"}, {"response": 814, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (09:29)", "body": "I'm *so* sorry. In my eager to see the trailer (no luck yet!) I just complained and forgot to thank both Karen and lurker. Pray forgive me!!"}, {"response": 815, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (09:52)", "body": "Promising start with all the press this is getting... Suvari's screen Trauma Phil Kemp American Beauty and Pie cutie Mena Suvari is to star alongside housewives' dreamboat Colin Firth in a new psychological thriller. Trauma promises to be a gripping Anglo-Irish Ministry Of Fear production, which sees Firth seriously spooked when he gets in touch with his late wife through a medium. Suvari plays his weirdy hippy neighbour who encourages the grieving geezer to reach out for the dark side. Ministry Of Fear is a new production company whose remit is to produce quality horror movies. Trauma will start shooting in London and the Isle Of Man at the end of April. The screenplay has been written by 25-year-old Scot, Richard Smith - his first attempt at writing for the big screen."}, {"response": 816, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (09:53)", "body": "closing Geezer?!?"}, {"response": 817, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (10:17)", "body": "Thanks for the trailer, Ms. Lurker and Karen! This looks like a sweetheart of a movie. Minnie is especially funny. HG is the weak link here, but I don't plan on looking at her much anyhow. Love the dropping of the pants. Geezer? Do we have to call him ODG now? ;-)"}, {"response": 818, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (10:39)", "body": "grieving geezer to reach out for the dark side Anyone else notice the difference in tone in many (not all) of male vs. female reviewers/writers? Cutie Mena vs. geezer.... Thanks for the trailer Karen and Ms Luker. Alas, must wait to see at home since we are currently banned from \"streaming\" here. It's driving me a little crazy so had to come to my peer support group!"}, {"response": 819, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (10:48)", "body": "The screenplay has been written by 25-year-old Scot, Richard Smith - his first attempt at writing for the big screen. Or second attempt. Some more about Richard Smith. \"Trauma\" could be more Donovan Quick than shock horror. NEW YORK, NY, October 31, 2002\ufffdKinetic Arts, a New York-based film production company, is pleased to announce it has entered into a deal to produce the feature film remake of Leonard, an award-winning Scottish short about a lonely middle-aged man with severe Obsessive Compulsive Disorder who re-discovers his long-lost son. Leonard the short film has screened at some of the most prestigious film festivals in the world, including the pre-eminent festival for short films, Clermont-Ferrand, where it won the 2002 Special Audience Award for best film. Leonard is the story of a man with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder who meets the son he has never known\ufffdan encounter that changes his orderly life forever. The short film stars acclaimed Scottish actor Denis Lawson, who has appeared in such films as Star Wars and Local Hero. \ufffdAfter seeing the short earlier this year at Clermont, we came away feeling this film had strong potential as a feature,\ufffd said Alex Twersky, a managing member of Kinetic Arts. \ufffdRichard Smith\ufffds script is gripping; it never lets go of you, and very naturally moves the audience to extremes of sadness and then ultimate joy. We\ufffdre working very closely with Richard to expand the story\ufffds powerful themes and craft a feature in the tradition of Rain Man and As Good As It Gets\ufffd said Twersky. Twersky added that \ufffdDennis Lawson\ufffds performance as the title character is spot on and quite moving. It would be wonderful for him to reprise the role in the feature.\ufffd"}, {"response": 820, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (11:16)", "body": "housewives' dreamboat I didn't think this was terribly flattering either. Thanks, Bethan, for the info on Richard Smith. His work sounds very promising, especially for someone so young and to have impressed the lady from the Edinburgh Fringe Fest, who is now heading up this new venture."}, {"response": 821, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (11:35)", "body": "That HS trailer doesn't seem to leave much of the movie out of it! *finally* got my actual tickets for the English PEN thing today. Was getting paranoid that I wasn't going to receive them. Would go to the film factory preview screening but they are the same night. And in person is somehow a priority =)."}, {"response": 822, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (11:36)", "body": "(Brenda) Geezer? Do we have to call him ODG now? ;-) LOL! I don't think he is nearly ready for geezer status...but: What\ufffds in a name? that which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet (Beedee) Anyone else notice the difference in tone in many (not all) of male vs. female reviewers/writers? Cutie Mena vs. geezer.... I have noticed that some male reviewers do not understand the attraction that many women have for ODG ;-)....but, it is the geezer that I'll go see, not cutie Mena."}, {"response": 823, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (11:46)", "body": "But the horror film audience is primarily pimply faced boys and, to them, not only is Mena a cutie, but Colin is an old geezer that their mom's drool over. ;-D"}, {"response": 824, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (12:29)", "body": "But the horror film audience is primarily pimply faced boys OMG, you're right! And I was worried about sitting in a theater full of tittering tween girls."}, {"response": 825, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (12:42)", "body": "(Emma) *finally* got my actual tickets for the English PEN thing today. Was getting paranoid that I wasn't going to receive them. Yeah!!! I'm so excited for you....cannot wait to hear all the details (and I'm keeping my fingers crossed, candles lit...) (Karen) But the horror film audience is primarily pimply faced boys and, to them, not only is Mena a cutie, but Colin is an old geezer that their mom's drool over. Now I'm confused...I was envisioning \"The Others\", \"Sixth Sense\" type of stuff...is this more in line with \"Friday the 13th\" and \"Nightmare on Elm Street\"?? Oh well...I pushed past pre-teen girls to get a good seat at WAGW...I can push pimply faced boys outta my way to see the geezer. ;-) Cutie Mena obviously doesn't need to be seen at the perfect angle...besides, my back is going and my eyesight is getting bad...need the good seats...it's hell getting old! ;-)"}, {"response": 826, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (12:48)", "body": "(Tress) Cutie Mena obviously doesn't need to be seen at the perfect angle...besides, my back is going and my eyesight is getting bad...need the good seats...it's hell getting old! ;-) Oh! That explains it! On next viewing, I'm sure young Henry won't look quite so worn around the edges if I take my glasses off and sit back further. They *do* know their demographic!"}, {"response": 827, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (12:51)", "body": ""}, {"response": 828, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (12:52)", "body": "Sorry, How could I forget...Emma, you go girl. Best of luck."}, {"response": 829, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (12:52)", "body": "closing tags"}, {"response": 830, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (12:59)", "body": "(Barb) On next viewing, I'm sure young Henry won't look quite so worn around the edges if I take my glasses off and sit back further. LOL...I have put serious thought into losing the glasses for the first few minutes of the film! But am so blind without them, that I would miss the lovely expressions....and that flowy Moroccan wedding outfit (that I'm somewhat attached to). 8-)"}, {"response": 831, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (13:08)", "body": "(Tress) Cutie Mena obviously doesn't need to be seen at the perfect angle...besides, my back is going and my eyesight is getting bad...need the good seats...it's hell getting old! ;-) (BarbS)Oh! That explains it! On next viewing, I'm sure young Henry won't look quite so worn around the edges if I take my glasses off and sit back further. They *do* know their demographic! Well, this \"geezerette\" will have her gurney wheeled in and will squint at the screen with lascivious thoughts reigning!Wheeeeeeeeeee!!!!"}, {"response": 832, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (15:17)", "body": "Thanks Karen and lurker, who I hope we get to meet soon, for the HS trailer! Was that Colin making a really funny face on the bus? Will look again... Thanks for all the Trauma news, everyone. I'm a little confused, though. From one of the articles, are they saying that Trauma is a rewritted feature length film of the short called Leonard? I wasn't sure. Or is it a totally new film. They don't really sound like they are about the same subject."}, {"response": 833, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (15:23)", "body": "Geezer? Hmph! 42 is NOT geezer territory! (Maria)Well, this \"geezerette\" will have her gurney wheeled in and will squint at the screen with lascivious thoughts reigning!Wheeeeeeeeeee!!!! you bet! Maybe the movies will start selling popcorn-flavored jello for those of us whose teeth no longer can deal with hard foods. Here's an idea for viewing the young-Henry scenes--I know that actresses are sometimes filmed through a \"gauze filter\" (e.g. Sybil in \"Moonlighting). So, can you watch through thin gauzy fabric and get the same softening effect? Taking off glasses won't work for me, I'm farsighted. (presbyopia, now THAT's geezer territory)"}, {"response": 834, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (15:36)", "body": "are they saying that Trauma is a rewritted Nonsense again...should be rewritten I've just checked and that is CF with the funny face. I've never seen one like that before from him. I'd say this film \"could go either way,\" thumbs up or thumbs down, that is. ;-) Cringed a little when he opened the door. Would have liked to see him in the towel only ."}, {"response": 835, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (16:04)", "body": "(Lora) Cringed a little when he opened the door. Would have liked to see him in the towel only. I didn't cringe at all...thought the face he was making was very funny. Did think the towel should be lower and it would be nicer without the scarf (for mo better viewing, of course). ;-)"}, {"response": 836, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (16:27)", "body": "Trauma is an original screenplay, not a rewritten version of anything else."}, {"response": 837, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (16:33)", "body": "In the Piss and Moan Dept: HS trailer doesn't resemble the book. With all the skin, think it's gonna be PG-13???"}, {"response": 838, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (16:40)", "body": "So far, my absolute favorite line readings in HS are... When Vera says she wept solidly for 10 mins and he says \"10, I'm touched.\" And when he asks the woman in the shop, \"Tell me, you wouldn't happen to know what color underwear I have on today, would you?\" Love his voice and inflections in those two lines. Seems very Mark Darcy-ish. And Oliver Platt looks to be a total riot. That line about the biggest bang gets me every time. Not sure about the criticism of MD needing to stay away from the gym. Hard to tell on here, she may be a tad thin, but is really in shape, solid. I need to get the name of her trainer, mine's not cuttin' it. ;-)"}, {"response": 839, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (16:42)", "body": "(Evelyn) HS trailer doesn't resemble the book. In what ways? Have to admit, I read through, but absorbed little of the book and will need to read again before it comes out."}, {"response": 840, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (16:55)", "body": "(Dorine) So far, my absolute favorite line readings in HS are... I like the ones you listed and the bit with HG offering Colin the brandy \"Would you like some?\" (her face is priceless) and ODB responding \"Not this morning, thanks.\" And I think Minnie looks good...I wish I could look like that (I've got a ways to go)...the clip is short though, so may have a different opinion when (if!) I see HS. (Evelyn) HS trailer doesn't resemble the book. I was so inspired by the trailer last night that I started re-reading the book...boy, it sure is slow going...a tough read! ;-D There are some funny bits that I hope made the movie...(Colin's explanation to Mandy about how he ended up in Cardiff/Hope)."}, {"response": 841, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (18:44)", "body": "(Lora) Cringed a little when he opened the door. Would have liked to see him in the towel only. He does lose the scarf, PDQ. And he looks AFG! Thanks to Karen and Ms Lurker for the trailer. It does give away some of the good lines, though. It's always the case with trailers, I suppose. BTW, 'Leonard' was shown on Scottish TV some months ago, and I really enjoyed it. Denis Lawson (Ewan's uncle) was terrific in the title role. - I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Trauma is of the same standard."}, {"response": 842, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (18:45)", "body": "Closing tags"}, {"response": 843, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (19:24)", "body": "I saw Colin interviewed on BBC America's Talking Movies show tonight. There's about a 5-minute segment on What A Girl Wants, mostly the trailer and some behind the scenes shots taken while they were filming, interspersed with AB and CF interview bits. Amanda's part of the interview was done during the junket; his part has a different background and I assume was done locally. He looked . . . amazing.:-) This is the show hosted by Tom Brook and I'm sure it's on the BBC as well, so you may want to tune in!"}, {"response": 844, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (19:47)", "body": "Thanks, Mari for the BBC America info. It looks like it will be rebroadcast on Saturday 6:30 am before the show changes. All the weekday morning shows have been pre-empted due to war coverage. Do they still have it online to watch? I checked the website, but it doesn't look like they have that feature anymore."}, {"response": 845, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (20:21)", "body": "The NY Times recommendation on taking children to WAGW: \"For Which Children? UNDER AGE 6 Nothing untoward, but there could be comprehension problems. AGES 6-10 A bubbleheaded fairy tale poses no real hazard, but children might be reminded that life doesn't work this way. AGES 11 AND UP Ms. Bynes is fun. The trick is to avoid sugar shock.\" ROTF ~~~~~~~ Dorine I felt that NC was more subtle/dry in the humor.HS trailer seems more explicit;-)"}, {"response": 846, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Apr 10, 2003 (20:29)", "body": "(Evelyn) I felt that NC was more subtle/dry in the humor.HS trailer seems more explicit;-) I'm going back into the book to search for the lines from the trailer. I don't seem to remember them. The whole time I read that very dry dialogue, I could just picture Colin delivering the lines, I hope they haven't done away with all of that. He could pull that off beautifully. I agree, lots of skin. More than I anticipated. I was glad to see the Queen Vera scenes made it in. I loved the part where Colin is trying to tell Vera that it was all a joke and she doesn't believe him. A trailer question, when CW is on the balcony and Mandy is in the car...what is the gesture...is he waving to her, or throwing something down...keys, maybe?"}, {"response": 847, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (08:21)", "body": "Thanks, Mari. Seems like we have one more chance to possibly view it. Too bad the website no longer has the video online. :-( Even though the program seems geared toward US releases, better keep on eye out for another segment on Hope Springs. BTW, does everyone know about the guy who is selling copies of Colin's satellite press conference? If not, I'll post it here."}, {"response": 848, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (08:54)", "body": "Here's another: WAGW is featured in E! Behind The Scenes; is on again this afternoon. First half is WAGW, second half is Anger Management: Premieres: Thurs., Apr. 10, 6:30 p.m. Encores: Apr. 11, 2:30 p.m.; Apr. 12, 7 a.m.; Apr. 13, 3 a.m., 7:30 a.m."}, {"response": 849, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (09:04)", "body": "If anyone is having trouble viewing the HS trailer in Real Player, it's also now available in Windows Media Player from the coming soon site: http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/h/hopesprings.php"}, {"response": 850, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (09:16)", "body": "Great, now if someone would only put it up in Quicktime, I could do caps..."}, {"response": 851, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (10:00)", "body": "Thanks for the E info Mari. Will tape today. Thanks for all the news ladies."}, {"response": 852, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (10:28)", "body": "From Antonella: New film gets York premiere by Evening Press reporter YORK film director Mark Herman has premiered his new romantic comedy, Hope Springs, in a charity preview at City Screen, York, in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care. \"How excited I am to be able to preview one of my films in my home town - and for the first time I have turned down travel expenses!\" he said, introducing last night's \ufffd15-a-ticket gala and reception. \"It's nice for York to be able to see this film before it opens... and before the poor people of London village. If you enjoy it, tell your friends; if you don't, you've only got a month to keep quiet!\" For Hope Springs, the York writer-director of Brassed Off, Little Voice and Purely Belter has adapted the novel New Cardiff by Charles Webb, writer of The Graduate. In this American comedy about letting go of the past and embracing the future, British artist Colin Ware (played by Colin Firth) discovers that fianc\ufffde Vera (Minnie Driver) is to marry another man. So he escapes to the tiny New England village of Hope where he tries to forget his troubles by drawing the faces of the town's many eccentrics. Still distraught, he finds more than a shoulder to cry on when his innkeepers introduce him to Mandy (Heather Graham), a beautiful nurse. However, no sooner has Colin all but consigned his old flame to history than Vera shows up. Hope Springs (certificate 12A) opens nationwide on May 9."}, {"response": 853, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (11:17)", "body": "A while back, I had an email from a woman, asking if Colin had had a bit part in the film Turtle Diary, a 1985 film starring Ben Kingsley and Glenda Jackson. There is a scene in the last third of the movie, where the two are having lunch at the zoo before they pick up the turtles they are going to release into the ocean. She said that the waiter looked like Colin, moved like Colin and sounded like Colin (although he only spoke a word or two), but there isn't a close-up of him, nor is he credited at the end. I had put this away, but the film is being shown on the Love channel (which I don't get) this month. If anyone wants to do some investigative work, here are the times (Eastern) Thu 17 8:00 AM Turtle Diary LOVE Mon 21 3:00 PM Turtle Diary LOVE Mon 21 11:30 PM Turtle Diary LOVE I doubt it would be him in such a role by this time."}, {"response": 854, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (11:34)", "body": "Thanks Mari, Karen and Antonella. I will tape E this afternoon, and I already have VCR set to tape BBC America in the morning. (Karen)I doubt it would be him in such a role by this time. Could it be Jonathan Firth?? I don't get Love channel, either...drat! Can anyone tell me if it is possible to wear out a trailer?? Between my anticipation of seeing WAGW this evening and watching the trailer of HS for Gawd knows how many times... I'm in a perpetual puddle of drool. Have been this whole week;-) Could you imagine if they had kept the release date of HS the same as WAGW??? I'd be doomed."}, {"response": 855, "author": "BarbaraT", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (13:39)", "body": "Thanks for the info re Talking Movies, Mari. According to the Radio Times website the edition featuring WAGW will be shown here in the UK on BBC2 tomorrow (12th April) at 2.05pm. The programme is also meant to be broadcast on BBC News 24 at 5.30am, 3.30pm and 10.30pm and again on Sunday at 3.30am, but I'm not sure it actually will be shown at all or any of those times as I think it's often dropped to make way for coverage of the war in Iraq. The BBC2 showing is the safest bet."}, {"response": 856, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (13:48)", "body": "Oh my Mari, thanks for the E! Behind the Scenes heads up! Luckily I remembered 2:30 CDT is 1:30 WIT (Wierd Indiana Time.) I got there just in time. And didn't he look AFG?! Thank you!"}, {"response": 857, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (13:58)", "body": "Gaaaah! So much info has been posted of late, it would take an entire paragraph to thank everyone. Instead, let me just say that I'm thrilled there is so much news afoot, as I can remember the leaner days, when no news surfaced for months. Thank you, all. Still haven't been able to see WAGW, and home hoping to so v.soon. Until then, I will watch the E! BTS show...thanks, Mari. Karen, I remember that movie, Turtle Diary. V. sweet as I recall. How interesting that Colin may be in it. Hope someone will confirm this. If so, I bet Netflix will receive a surge in demand for it. ;-)"}, {"response": 858, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (14:11)", "body": "Thanks, Mari for the heads up on the shows. Just finished watching/taping E! Behind the Scenes. Did anyone notice ODB chewing gum at the top of the stairs before the scene started and didn't stop after DG called Action! until he started down the stairs, LOL. It was nice there was quite a bit with him in the first half. Funny when AB was saying why it was so great to work with ODB, she looked like she kept wanting to say \"because he's a hot guy\" or something, but kept coming up with other stuff, such as \"good actor, really funny\", blah, blah, blah. LOL. Guess that would be a little weird coming from her. Re:DG, funny she said the kissing scene in the boat was done on the grass, but obviously it wasn't. Maybe it was right next to the grass, close enough for her to consider it on the grass. She said on show 500 kids were seen....when I was typing notes, I couldn't remember if she said 300 or 500, so I put 300. What's a couple of hundred kids more at that point. They must all look the same after a while. She also told that story of calling Burbank at 3am. LOL and what was the deal with DG and that other crew person wearing tiaras?"}, {"response": 859, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (14:32)", "body": "(Dorine) Did anyone notice ODB chewing gum at the top of the stairs before the scene started and didn't stop after DG called Action! until he started down the stairs Yup, first thing I noticed. Most of things people said we've heard before. KP said the same thing as she did on Letterman's show, and AB's soundbytes are the same. Yeah, that tiara thing. Lordy! :-("}, {"response": 860, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (14:34)", "body": "FYI, the scene they show being filmed in GWAPE in the Vermeer documentary doesn't exist in the book. A newborn scene, as BJ would say. ;-) I did keep pausing and scrutinizing the corners for our painter friend, but there's no reason for him to be there. Oh well."}, {"response": 861, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (14:49)", "body": "Is Colin interviewed on the E! show? Am sitting here at work, hoping my son got it taped ok. Barbara, glad you'll be able to see the Talking Movies piece."}, {"response": 862, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (15:02)", "body": "(Mari) Is Colin interviewed on the E! show? A couple of short bits."}, {"response": 863, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (15:58)", "body": "Did anyone notice ODB chewing gum at the top of the stairs before the scene started and didn't stop after DG called Action! He also looked bored. (Mari) Is Colin interviewed on the E! show? Wearing what looked to be the suit and white shirt he wore at the last scene."}, {"response": 864, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (16:16)", "body": "(Evelyn) He also looked bored. Yeah, I noticed that, too."}, {"response": 865, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (18:10)", "body": ""}, {"response": 866, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (18:36)", "body": "(Karen) Says there are pics of him in a cowboy hat. [Ed note: wonder if he's wearing chaps without pants] lovely thought indeed.... what i wouldnt give to see that! ;-)"}, {"response": 867, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (18:38)", "body": "Thanks for the preview Karen! I'm very excited...have a copy of this coming and cannot wait to see it! He talks about how he had to spend a long time in makeup trying to become 20 again, whereas Kelly Preston only had go in for a few minutes. LOL...and it still didn't make him look 20! Not that I mind...I like ODB, just as he is...but he did not look 20. He said he visited the western part of the state when he was 12, thought the scenery was beautiful, incredible [Ed note: huh?] and that it snowed. Would this be Colorado again? I moved there that year (1971) and remember snow in spring/summer that year..."}, {"response": 868, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (20:13)", "body": "(me) Would this be Colorado again? I moved there that year (1971) and remember snow in spring/summer that year... D'oh! I just realized ODB was talking about TX (was too distraught over the JLo Casablanca news to think straight)...I do wonder where in west Texas he went?"}, {"response": 869, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (20:50)", "body": "(CF)..\"what an asshole.\" LOL. He and I share my favorite word. \"He said he visited the western part of the state when he was 12, thought the scenery was beautiful, incredible [Ed note: huh?] and that it snowed. \" [Waddaya mean\"huh\"!! Put 'em up;-)] I've read that one before. Dad took the family on a car trip the summer they lived in St. Louis. He's talking about the scenery at the Grand Canyon. \"Talked about why he took the role a lot, and explained how Dennie Gordon came over and made her case. \"It's very nice to be wanted.\" God love 'im...such few directors do:-(( It must have been enormously flattering to have a director come all the way from Hollywood. \"There was an awful lot of my own life to draw on there and that probably, those few seconds of the film, probably closer to the real me than anything you've ever seen,\" Mari , you were right on the money on this one. Probably a lot of the film was drawn from his own life. Thanks boss, A goodie...*kiss, kiss*."}, {"response": 870, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (21:55)", "body": "(Ev) He's talking about the scenery at the Grand Canyon. He said west Texas, maybe even Lubbock. What kind of breathtaking scenery we talking about? Tops of oil wells? ;-) Probably a lot of the film was drawn from his own life. He admitted to this for being able to call upon his feelings as a parent and use them."}, {"response": 871, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (22:46)", "body": "Thanks so much Karen for the transcription. This is great. He seems to be very relaxed. Thank you Mari for the E news. Saw it and thought it very good. He is amazing. Will check out Turtle Diary Thursday and see if its him. Thanks again everyone for such great news."}, {"response": 872, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (22:54)", "body": "Thank you Karen for the satellite interview. It's great to know how he behaved in an interview not from the view of the reporters. Is there any possibility that we may see the transcript in more details some day? :)"}, {"response": 873, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (23:40)", "body": "New information about Colin's time in American, from a Dallas-based reporter. He said he visited the western part of the state when he was 12, thought the scenery was beautiful, incredible [Ed note: huh?] and that it snowed. The reporter seems to ask if he would ever consider doing a western, and Colin says he wouldn't hestitate to do one. [Ed note: must be the irresistable location] Says there are pics of him in a cowboy hat. [Ed note: wonder if he's wearing chaps without pants] (Ev) He's talking about the scenery at the Grand Canyon. (Karen) He said west Texas, maybe even Lubbock. What kind of breathtaking scenery we talking about? Tops of oil wells? ;-) The term \"West Texas\" encompasses a huge area, and could include Lubbock or Amarillo in the Panhandle, or it might mean El Paso, or Big Bend. Texas isn't all flat plains and oil wells, any more than it is huge cities, pine forests or sandy beaches. It is also rolling hills, mesas, deserts, and canyons. There is some astoundingly beautiful scenery in Texas, as there is all over the United States. Thanks for the vision of ODB in chaps without pants!"}, {"response": 874, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 11, 2003 (23:53)", "body": "Sorry I bothered"}, {"response": 875, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Apr 12, 2003 (01:43)", "body": "(Josie) Is there any possibility that we may see the transcript in more details some day? :) I doubt it, the transcript of less details seem to be missing. (Karen) He said west Texas, maybe even Lubbock. What kind of breathtaking scenery we talking about? Tops of oil wells? ;-) (KathyF) The term \"West Texas\" encompasses a huge area.... Kathy, I think you missed Karen's winkie. ;-) He talks about how he had to spend a long time in makeup trying to become 20 again (Tress) LOL...and it still didn't make him look 20! Not that I mind...I like ODB, just as he is...but he did not look 20. Unfortunately, it didn't make him look 30 either. :-( (Evelyn) It must have been enormously flattering to have a director come all the way from Hollywood. Wonder if her head turned when he entered the room. ;-) Well was going to say thanks Karen for the transcript bits, but not really a need now. :-("}, {"response": 876, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Apr 12, 2003 (06:50)", "body": "Thanks, Karen for the transcript. I'm hoping my copy will come soon. OH...now the chaps vision...It's too early in the day for this. I did catch the BBC America Talking Movies this morning. LOL, maybe AB lurks here. I loved her comment about the older male critics that have been a bit harsh...they're not the ones we want in there anyway. Colin looked wonderful, just a brief interview clip with him."}, {"response": 877, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Apr 12, 2003 (10:20)", "body": "He said west Texas, maybe even Lubbock. What kind of breathtaking scenery we talking about? Tops of oil wells? ;-) [I shall ignore your snide remark...with or w/o the winikie;-)] OK, dad is driving from St. Louis to the Grand Canyon on Hwy #40. He has to go through Amarillo [nothing there...not even the maligned oil wells], but west of Amarillo there are some exquiste canyons, mesas and buttes. Foreign tourists are always amazed at the vastness and unique vistas of this part of the US where you can actually see a sunrise and sunset. Somehow they expect only crowded urban streets or at best suburbs with manicured lawns."}, {"response": 878, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Apr 12, 2003 (11:44)", "body": "(Evelyn) He has to go through Amarillo [nothing there...not even the maligned oil wells], but west of Amarillo there are some exquiste canyons, mesas and buttes. But wait! Just east of Amarillo is the Largest Cross in the Western Hemisphere. A lot prettier than an oil well. Gotta say a lot stranger, too. I drove cross country several years ago from South Florida to (near) Seattle, WA (and back). Drove a great distance on I-40 on the way. While there is a stretch along there in TX that is quite, um...challenging, scenery wise, it is amazing how the terrain can change so suddenly. There maybe nothing, then go over a small hill, and as Evelyn says, a vista of canyons. Happened all the time other places in the west esp Idaho, Colorado into Utah, Oregon. It is truly wonderous. Never knew how beautiful this country could be. (Linda) BBC America Talking Movies this morning. LOL, maybe AB lurks here. I loved her comment about the older male critics that have been a bit harsh...they're not the ones we want in there anyway. Colin looked wonderful, just a brief interview clip with him. Oooh, hope my VCR worked. Thanks."}, {"response": 879, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Apr 12, 2003 (13:20)", "body": "(Linda) LOL, maybe AB lurks here. I loved her comment about the older male critics that have been a bit harsh...they're not the ones we want in there anyway. LOL! Loved how she told them to \"Back off!\" She's a cute kid. Hate to admit I could listen to Oliver James talk all day. He's very articulate."}, {"response": 880, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Apr 12, 2003 (13:23)", "body": "(Me) It is truly wonderous. Never knew how beautiful this country could be. Not only is this country wonderous, it's wondrous as well. ;-)"}, {"response": 881, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Apr 12, 2003 (13:39)", "body": "(CF)..\"what an asshole.\" Gasp! You mean . . he's not Fitz Darcy after all??!!;-) ;-) ;-) LOL, AB should have consulted him when searching for a word to desribe the older male critics on the E! show. Agree, Dorine, she's a nice kid. Can't wait to get my tape. Thanks for the preview goodies, Karen! probably, those few seconds of the film, probably closer to the real me than anything you've ever seen,\" He's talking HD in leather here, right? Just the segueway I needed--raise the roof, ya'll: http://demand1.stream.aol.com/ramgen/aol/us/moviefone/movies/2003/whatagirlwants_013736/whatagirlwants_fl_bb8.rm"}, {"response": 882, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sat, Apr 12, 2003 (13:50)", "body": "Yummy! Just what I needed on a non-WAGW day. Thanks, Mari!"}, {"response": 883, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Apr 12, 2003 (14:19)", "body": "(Dorine) It is truly wonderous. Never knew how beautiful this country could be. Not only is this country wonderous, it's wondrous as well. ;-) I often wonder why I leave to visit another country; I've only seen half of my own:-((("}, {"response": 884, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Apr 12, 2003 (14:46)", "body": "Total Film (UK Film mag) has a review of HS. It's a mag which probably has a dominant young male readership (ie not CF's likely fan base!) Male reviewer gives HS 3 stars and a good review. \"warm..likeable rom com, good looking cast, diverting date movie which will fill the gap until Love Actually opens.\""}, {"response": 885, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Apr 12, 2003 (15:56)", "body": "Here's one in the Style section of the NY Times....Accompanied by pic of Colin and Amanda B.Hitting the buzz about teenage relationship with parents. NY Times: Teenagers and Parents: a Love Story By GINIA BELLAFANTE In the new box office hit \"What a Girl Wants,\" Amanda Bynes plays Daphne Reynolds, a 17-year-old who leaves the New York loft she shares with her wedding-singer mother to go to London and meet a guy. The guy is Henry, and not long afterward, they are buying records together, going on motorbike rides and removing their shoes in public places. With her, Henry, a man who surely went barefoot only in the company of his podiatrist, opens up and becomes his best self. With Henry, Daphne gets the brass ring: a man who completes her. But unlike most coming-of-age stories, where the male lead serves as a bridge between the confines of a girl's family and the free republic of grown-up love, Henry happens to be the long-lost father she has cIrossed the ocean to meet. \"What a Girl Wants\" typifies a new wave in popular entertainment aimed at young people ? one that elevates the bond between parents and their teenagers above all other attachments. According to its creators, the movie is intended not only for teenage and preteen girls, but also for adult women. Middle-aged mothers and their young daughters have been flocking to it, one age group drawn because the story follows the formula of romantic comedy (Henry is played by Mr. Bridget Jones, Colin Firth) and the other because it features the 17-year-old Ms. Bynes, a star of Nickelodeon television. As a father-daughter love story, though, one is left wondering: Whose fantasy is this? From the emergence of teenage movies in the 1950's ? followed by teen-centric television shows ? the genre has traditionally portrayed parents and children in separate, opposing orbits. Teenagers in movies like \"Pretty in Pink\" and \"Say Anything,\" which were released in the 1980's, and even in the more recent \"10 Things I Hate About You,\" would never be seen trading record albums, sandals or intimacies with their parents. Instead mothers and father were presented as cold, absent, constraining or incompetent ? forces to be overcome and left behind in the child's transition to romantic alignments. Such fare was not designed to please multigenerational audiences; it spoke instead to the universally recognized anxieties of its specific 12-to-18-year-old viewers. \"In all those movies, traditionally, parents were idiots,\" said Dr. Michael Brody, a child psychiatrist and chairman of the television and media committee of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Meanwhile, in the real world of the past decade or so, young parents have been doing everything they can to avoid being diagnosed as the idiots their parents were. As baby boomers sanctified child-rearing, the idea that a parent would remain emotionally distant has come to seem not only anathema but dopily camp. The result, pop-culturally speaking, is now manifesting itself in movies and television in which parents not only understand their children, but serve as their co-conspirators and strongest allies against the perils of adolescence. In the WB series \"The Gilmore Girls,\" Lorelai Gilmore [Blah, blah about Gilmore Girls] On the screen, meanwhile,\"What a Girl Wants\" takes the rather unseemly idea of father-as-ideal partner to greater extremes. At the film's end, Henry, a member of Parliament, has relinquished his political career to spend more time with his family. (Through Daphne, Henry is reunited with her mother.) Whole article goes on about what psychologists say about the new vision of parents and teenagers. http://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/13/fashion/13CULT.html?pagewanted=2&ei=5062&en=22d98f8642ddddce&ex=1050811200&partner ="}, {"response": 886, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Apr 12, 2003 (16:14)", "body": "Title/screens/Fri estimate/%change 1 ANGER MANAGEMENT/ 3,551/ $15,400,000 2 PHONE BOOTH/ 2,489/ $2,410,000/ 161.3% 3 WHAT A GIRL WANTS/ 2,964/ $1,900,000/ 243.3% Weekend projections Title/wknd gross/% change/screens/total gross/budget & mktg cost/wks out 1. Anger Management/ $43,500,000/- /3,551/ $43,500,000/ $56 - $35/ 1 2. Phone Booth/$7,700,000/ -48.7%/ 2,489 +8/ $26,800,000/ $13 - $25/ 2 3. What a Girl Wants/$7,000,000/ -38.8%/ 2,964/ $20,700,000/ $25 - $22/ 2"}, {"response": 887, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Apr 12, 2003 (16:43)", "body": "Thank you for all the news and articles. I don't like to single anyone out, but Mari, you made my day with the AOL-link. Even though I still can't see the pictures (mostly blur, like modern paintings) the voices are very clear. The reruns of Talking Movies have all been cancelled here due to the war. No HD in this part of the world. So for now it's switching between the aol-link and the Hope Springs trailer. You see, we rise above it ;-) btw, has the scene with the scarf-towel-opening-door been cut from the trailer since yester, or is it just my player playing tricks on me? Would love to have seen the transcripts from the promotionvideo, but alas and alack - it was not to be (or I just can't find them)"}, {"response": 888, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Apr 12, 2003 (17:05)", "body": "By GINIA BELLAFANTE She used to write for TIME and six years ago wrote the definitive review of P&P for Time.Now at the NY Times she is still a CF fan. In the new box office hit \"What a Girl Wants, Take that, London Times, Telegraph, Guardian and anybody else who is sharpening their knives waiting to carve up this film."}, {"response": 889, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Apr 12, 2003 (18:22)", "body": "Mari! Thank you for the 'snippet'! Now I can rock out in the privacy of my own home with ODB! People were beginning to complain when I did it in the theater! ;-) Annette...I'm still seeing the towel-scarf-twirl scene...(BTW, am very happy that you are able to see these....you must have something to hold you over until the release of WAGW!)."}, {"response": 890, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Apr 12, 2003 (18:51)", "body": "I did some blurry snaps of the HS trailer: Thanks, Mari, for the versions to choose from. http://www.murphsplace.com/firth/hope.html"}, {"response": 891, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Apr 12, 2003 (19:10)", "body": "Murph! Thank you! You got one of my favorites....Colin sketching! Oh...to be a brush in the mouth of ODB (it's the little fantasies that keep me happy.....a few weeks ago I wanted to be a tennis ball). ;-)"}, {"response": 892, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Apr 12, 2003 (20:12)", "body": ""}, {"response": 893, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Apr 12, 2003 (20:21)", "body": "Checked with my theatre about the Coming Soon Hope Springs poster...Waited about 10 minutes for these \"ladies\" to check email...As far as they could tell (not very far) there was no scheduled showing through the end of June...No press kits available either. \"Customer service lady\" \"These art house films just sometimes get plugged in at the last minute\" Very helpful.. Did I mention I hate living here???"}, {"response": 894, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Apr 12, 2003 (20:29)", "body": "(CF)..\"what an asshole.\" (Mari)Gasp! You mean . . he's not Fitz Darcy after all??!!;-) ;-) ;-) *Snort* LOL, Mari, I was thinking it sounds like something one of us would say.;-) Can't wait to get my copy, either."}, {"response": 895, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Apr 12, 2003 (21:21)", "body": "OMG, Tell me, what could be the only redeeming factor for sitting through AM tonight? Watching a 7-8 minute music video created for the new film, LA. I don't know if this will be the official trailer. It was part of the \"20\"...the twenty minutes of different things before the previews start. My usual multiplex doesn't have this feature. No I wasn't being a traitor, but I had to give in and vary the films. What a sick film AM is. DH even said, we should have gone to see WAGW....I did say, \"I told you so\" But the LA video was excellent and worth it. I did stop in the WAGW theater to see the numbers, it was full. Now for the details on LA... No talking, just All You Need is Love playing throughout. CF in tons of scenes. V. surprising given the large cast. HG and LN in a few quick scenes. But plenty of snogging on Colin's part. From what I could gather, the man that kisses him looks like the father or older relative of the non-english speaking lover (sorry, but I don't know her name)Colin seems stunned/surprised by the kiss, but I don't think it was sexual...at least it didn't seem that way. ODB looks AFG, oh so AFG. The \"walk\" is there also. Not the stiffened version from WAGW, but the regular BJD walk in the snow one. Looks like he's writing a manuscript of some sort, because in one of the scenes he and the lover are sitting outside and the wind just blows all of the sheets of paper into the air...they laugh and kiss about it:-) The only words spoken are by HG at the very end. He's caught kissing MMc in a crowded room and she says something like \"what do we do now?\" and HG answers, \"just smile\" Thanks for the box office numbers, glad to see WAGW remain in the top 5. The sad part is that AM is going to end up in first place. I never saw so many people leave a film before it was over. Nothing worth laughing over either. Just a sick, sick film. I'm a JN fan, but this was bad."}, {"response": 896, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Apr 13, 2003 (00:31)", "body": "(Linda) Watching a 7-8 minute music video created for the new film, LA. OMG! I now have to see if it is playing here....DH wanted to see AM tonight and we decided to spend evening with urban family instead. Will now suggest this for tomorrows viewing since forecast calls for rain, rain, rain! Hope it's there! Thanks so much for the heads up Linda (BTW...is AM that bad? Will I suffer?)"}, {"response": 897, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Apr 13, 2003 (02:22)", "body": "(Linda) Watching a 7-8 minute music video created for the new film, LA. No talking, just All You Need is Love playing throughout. CF in tons of scenes. Sounds like it might have been the bit they showed at the SHOWEST convention. I never saw so many people leave a film before it was over. Guess you didn't see Solaris. ;-) I liked it though. Mari, will await your view of AM on O&E. (Maria) Did I mention I hate living here??? I know *exactly* how you feel. I hated it, too. ;-)"}, {"response": 898, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Apr 13, 2003 (07:39)", "body": "Just to clarify...The LA music video was not part of the trailer package for AM. Rather, it was part of a special feature called The 20 which I have only seen in this particular theater. It is a 20-minute commercial/featurette that has several parts, this one included a piece on Alfred Hitchcock and classic films."}, {"response": 899, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Apr 13, 2003 (10:24)", "body": "Thank you Mari for the trailer, made my day and Murph for the great pics. And thanks Evelyn for the reviews and Linda for the LA clip. Starting all ready. This is good news. Thanks everyone."}, {"response": 900, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Apr 13, 2003 (14:51)", "body": "At the risk of being known as \"The Copycat\", I'll just second what FanPam postet. Does anyone, who subscribes to Variety.com, know what this is: Entertainment takes \"Potato Men\" Adam Dawtrey: London Eye Posted 4/13/03 6:00am (appears when searching for CF)"}, {"response": 901, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Apr 13, 2003 (14:58)", "body": "I don't know this magazine, but the covers surely look very \"horror-like\". Can't determine if it's good or bad for Trauma to be mentioned here: http://www.fangoria.com/news_article.php?id=967"}, {"response": 902, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Apr 13, 2003 (15:24)", "body": "Forgot to write on the last entry (fangoria) that the article is the one from Variety (nothing new). I suppose this is just \"qualified guessing\" or what: the inspector a family gathering turns into a nightmare when a gruesome suicide is revealed. [colin firth, mena suvari, noah wyle, ryan phillippe] I don't know the site, looks like some sort of \"group\". http://springv0.tripod.com/insp.htm"}, {"response": 903, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Apr 13, 2003 (15:26)", "body": "Karen: I have the NY Times article Evelyn mentioned here with the picture: http://www.murphsplace.com/firth/NYTimes.html Feel free to download it if you want. I am not doing much with my site any more -- too many other great ones out there."}, {"response": 904, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Apr 13, 2003 (16:49)", "body": "[colin firth, mena suvari, noah wyle, ryan phillippe] Colin is in with the young and happening kids. This is bizarre. Reese and Livia can keep each other company at the lamasse class. Or is that pre-natal yoga? ;-) Thanks for all the links, trailers, etc. I am looking for the satellite interview, where can I read it?"}, {"response": 905, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Apr 13, 2003 (16:52)", "body": "(Moon) I am looking for the satellite interview, where can I read it? Me too, me too!"}, {"response": 906, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Apr 13, 2003 (17:01)", "body": "Wow Karen, you did it again! Great trailer captures on your Hope Springs page! So much clearer than I get when I play the trailer here. Love when he says \"I believe it can go either way\", then the pants drop. Loved that exchange in the book."}, {"response": 907, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Apr 13, 2003 (17:02)", "body": "Colin is in with the young and happening kids. This is bizarre. Reese and Livia can keep each other company at the lamasse class. Or is that pre-natal yoga? ;-) LOL - you've obviously also seen the latest HS-picture. But as I tried to say, very unarticularly (sp?), the source of this information I just can't figure out. The satellite interview dissapeared overnight, I guess. Didn't see it either -("}, {"response": 908, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Apr 13, 2003 (17:09)", "body": "Sorry, forgot both the referencename (Moon) and the italics. I'll blame it on the boogie;-) Karen, thank you for the captures from the Hope Springs trailer. My first good viewing from this one. Also nice to read, that Conspiracy won!"}, {"response": 909, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Apr 13, 2003 (17:15)", "body": "Just saw the HS captures! Thank you Karen! These are GREAT!! Love the one of ODB where he has his hands to his face....and the one above it were he is sketching and looking up....oh....gawd....they're just all good! Thanks....(and thanks Sophie for helping). The kiss looks a bit chaste...;-("}, {"response": 910, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Apr 13, 2003 (17:19)", "body": "(Moon) I am looking for the satellite interview, where can I read it? (BeeDee) Me too, me too! Maybe they will turn up in their entirety sometime. She did infer it would be quite an undertaking."}, {"response": 911, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr 13, 2003 (17:28)", "body": "From CNN according to data collected Sunday by the AP: Top 10 North American box office this weekend. 1. 'Anger Management,' $44.5 million 2. 'Phone Booth,' $7.5 million 3. 'What a Girl Wants,' $6.7 million 4. 'Bringing Down the House,' $4.6 million 5. 'A Man Apart,' $4.5 million 6. 'Head of State,' $4 million 7. 'House of 1000 Corpses,' $3.4 million 8. 'Chicago,' $3.3 million 9. 'The Core,' $3.2 million 10. 'Basic,' $2.2 million http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/Movies/04/13/box.office.ap/"}, {"response": 912, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr 13, 2003 (17:39)", "body": "Reuters: Total to date: What A Girl Wants .............. $ 20.4 million I think they increased the theatres this week to : 2964"}, {"response": 913, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr 13, 2003 (17:58)", "body": "*Clap, clap* Boss. Terrific captures of HS. Esp. on IE. I love the one where he is carrying HG down the road. LOL. Wearing his custom-made truss no doubt.[*my* keepsake!). Glad it didn't end up on the cutting room floor as he feared. (Took six days to shoot that scene, didn't he say that?) Kudos to Sophie ...and Josie for the GWAPE shot. Mobetta than my hard copy from Premiere winging its way to you."}, {"response": 914, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Apr 13, 2003 (20:24)", "body": "I saw one review of WAGW today that I thought was worth sharing (or, at least, part of it). One thing that makes it interesting is that it's from Florida State University's independent newspaper (i.e., not the target market for this film, but the reviewer has the good sense to recognize this). But the part that made me want to post it was what is said about ODB: That does not mean, however, that the film cannot be exposed. As a matter of fact, it does it to itself, in the casting of Colin Firth as the free spirit in a tightly wound body. Among his long list of accomplishments is the role of Darcy in the BBC's masterful epic miniseries \"Pride and Prejudice,\" as well as playing a variation on Darcy in a role opposite Renee Zellweger in Oscar-nominated \"Bridget Jones's Diary.\" What should come now in the review is the phrase \"he is all wrong for this movie.\" So ... Firth is wrong for this movie, and by that, it is meant that he is too good, too sincere and completely runs away with the film for anyone old enough to realize it. Especially toward the beginning, in the scenes in which he gets to know his daughter for the first time, he is absolutely wonderful. Firth is an incredibly accomplished actor, and walking through a role is never an option. This is clearly not the case for Jonathan Pryce, whose villainous political adviser is as congested as Americans think Brits really are. There is no one else in the film who matches Firth. He makes his material work, and consequently almost dupes the material into a well-executed family drama. URL for complete review: http://www.fsunews.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2003/04/10/3e947b333848b"}, {"response": 915, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Sun, Apr 13, 2003 (20:25)", "body": "Karen, fab HS trailer shots! I love the dreamy kiss. Mmmmm. Annette, great find! Sydney Pollack is the director? This is a very good sign. I don't know who Mitch Ryan is but Christine Baranski is good. I'll have to learn to like Ryan P. but that's workable."}, {"response": 916, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Apr 13, 2003 (20:31)", "body": "Karen, thanks for the yummy HS pictures and the new ones in the GWAPE gallery as well. Thanks, Rika for a great review. Firth is wrong for this movie, and by that, it is meant that he is too good, too sincere and completely runs away with the film for anyone old enough to realize it. He is simply \"too\" everything."}, {"response": 917, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Apr 13, 2003 (22:05)", "body": "Karen, waddaya think about this \"The Inpector\" thing? Can is be real? Same lead actress as Trauma makes it suspect. Sounds interesting if it is real but haven't we seen this kind of teaser before? You are the Queen of the real poop! I'll wait for your ok before I start to salivate. Go to it Dr. Pavlov."}, {"response": 918, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Apr 13, 2003 (22:08)", "body": "That's not to say that I don't appreciate Annette's \"early warning\" in the morning googling! Thanks again Annette. Can't wait to catch you in the morning!!"}, {"response": 919, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Apr 14, 2003 (03:29)", "body": ""}, {"response": 920, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Apr 14, 2003 (03:55)", "body": "Murph, your site is just as great. Thanks Rika for the really good review. Annette thank you for the links. Never heard anything about the Inspector. Thanks for the good box office reports Evelyn. Thanks for all the news everyone. Karen, Tremendous HS Gallery. Thank you so much. Sorry for previous glitch."}, {"response": 921, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Mon, Apr 14, 2003 (07:13)", "body": "Conspiracy won a BAFTA last night, best single drama (as in, not a serial)."}, {"response": 922, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr 14, 2003 (07:35)", "body": "Did he attend the BAFTAS? Karen, cf.com just gets better and better! Thank you!"}, {"response": 923, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Apr 14, 2003 (08:09)", "body": "(Moon Dreams)Did he attend the BAFTAS? Given this sites keen interest in Colin Firth, I don't think he attended. There is no mentioning of him at all (but - what do I know, just guessing). http://www.femail.co.uk/pages/standard/article.html?in_article_id=176635&in_page_id=119"}, {"response": 924, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr 14, 2003 (15:51)", "body": "Awfully quiet in here today. Is everyone watching her interview tape--the one that everyone seemed to know about, but only Karen mentioned its existence?;-) (NY Times) the genre has traditionally portrayed parents and children in separate, opposing orbits. . . .mothers and father were presented as cold, absent, constraining or incompetent . . . . \"In all those movies, traditionally, parents were idiots,\" Bingo! She hit the nail on the head. I wrote something very similar on the Spoilers board. People are sick of seeing smart-mouthed brats and clueless parents. WAGW, in spite of its fantasy elements, offers a much more realistic view of parent-child relationships today."}, {"response": 925, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Apr 14, 2003 (16:14)", "body": "British magazine \"Company\" gives HS a favourable review and 3 stars. Brief item on CF as romantic lead (P&P, BJD)....says that HS proves he he has still got it."}, {"response": 926, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Apr 14, 2003 (18:28)", "body": "Thanks, Bethan for the little review blurbs of late. :-)"}, {"response": 927, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Apr 14, 2003 (20:39)", "body": "(bethan)says that HS proves he has still got it. Oh does he ever."}, {"response": 928, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Mon, Apr 14, 2003 (21:14)", "body": "I know nothing about TV programming in the US, nor am I sure whether anyone of you has already known about this. Anyway, I just found this on the web, and here's for your reference: Camille 120 minutes- USA, 1984, Video Directed by Desmond Davis and starring Greta Scacchi, Colin Firth, John Gielgud Billie Whitelaw, Ben Kingsley, Denholm Elliott A prominent 19th-century Frenchman exacts a fateful promise from the courtesan with whom his son is in love. Tue Apr 29 04:00P RC- Women's Entertainment-WE"}, {"response": 929, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Apr 14, 2003 (21:40)", "body": "Thanks, Josie! I didn't know it was going to be on and have now marked it on my calendar. It's actually on a channel I have! :-)"}, {"response": 930, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Mon, Apr 14, 2003 (22:08)", "body": "It's great! So, can u tell me: what is these RC and WE stand for? (sorry, I'm off-topic. I'm just too curious.) ;-)"}, {"response": 931, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Apr 14, 2003 (22:26)", "body": "Hi Josie! \"WE\" means Womens Entertainment. It's a way it can be found in the printed tv directories. Different tv services have different numbers so you can find it in the various television guides by the letters. In my area I have a Directv dish and the number for the WE station is 260 but on my Mom's tv it's a different number so she can find it by the letters if she wants to. To tell you the truth, I don't know what the RC stands for. Perhaps someone else can help with this. What type of system do you have..........to find current CF stuff on TV (did this to keep on topic;-))"}, {"response": 932, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Mon, Apr 14, 2003 (23:12)", "body": "Thanks, Beedee. I can't see any programs shown in US TV channels. Maybe I ask my bro and see if he can record it for me."}, {"response": 933, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (01:34)", "body": "I just got word from Disney, that Hope Springs won't be getting a theatrical release in Denmark -( He said however it would get here as video. The US is still TBD. No website (yet?)."}, {"response": 934, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (01:43)", "body": "Wow this board has been busy, and there has been so much to comment on. I have wondered, if (when) WAGW opens in South Africa, do I do a back to back screening on the first day, or would I need a day to absorb everything that has been noticed? (you may have to consider that the first viewing will be a blank wide eyed stare at the screen)"}, {"response": 935, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (05:55)", "body": "From Empire about Trauma, nothing really new but check out the directors picture! He really looks like a cross between David Crosby and Liam Neeson.....;-)) http://www.empireonline.co.uk/news/news.asp?4679"}, {"response": 936, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (06:34)", "body": "Welcome, Josie! Thanks again for the GWAPE pic from Premiere. RC = Romance Channel. Bummer about HS, Annette.:-( Maria, too funny, the Trauma director is a stoner.;-) Here's an article from today's Los Angeles Times, about how the portrayal of children born out of wedlock has changed over the years; numerous quotes about WAGW: http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/cl-et-king15apr15,0,1764589.story?coll=cl-home-more-channels"}, {"response": 937, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (06:58)", "body": "\"In the recently released comedy \"What a Girl Wants,\" geared toward preteen girls, the film's 17-year-old heroine is born out of wedlock.\" Wrong! It was never established that those Bedouin drums were just banging for a mating ritual!!;-))"}, {"response": 938, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (07:44)", "body": "(Maria), He really looks like a cross between David Crosby and Liam Neeson.....;-)) Plus, an ex-Hells Angels. LOL! Thanks, Maria! Sorry to hear about HS and Denmark, Annette. I love the Danish Film Manifesto directors, BTW. Thanks for the Camille info, Josie. BTW, I saw a brilliant pianist who is a CF look-a-like. He is David Rees-Williams, lives in Canterbury, does session work in London and unfortunately, I can't find one picture of him on the web. There is only one from the back, but if any of you in the UK see his name go see him play. He is truly brilliant. And, bring your camera."}, {"response": 939, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (08:54)", "body": "Marc Evans looks like \"Butcher Bill's \"brother. Don't miss Camille...Armand is a cutie:-D (Mari) Here's an article from today's Los Angeles Times, about how the portrayal of children born out of wedlock has changed over the years; numerous quotes about WAGW: Thanks Mari. Just think if Christabel La Motte had been allowed to keep Maia, then AS Byatt wouldn't have had a novel:-("}, {"response": 940, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (09:03)", "body": "(Leah) I have wondered, if (when) WAGW opens in South Africa, do I do a back to back screening on the first day, or would I need a day to absorb everything that has been noticed? (you may have to consider that the first viewing will be a blank wide eyed stare at the screen) Back to back, definitely!!! That would be delightful! (MariaT) He really looks like a cross between David Crosby and Liam Neeson.....;-)) ROTF! But you're absolutely right, he does! Thanks Mari. Just think if Christabel La Motte had been allowed to keep Maia, then AS Byatt wouldn't have had a novel:-( It seemed strange to me that they used 1963's Tom Jones as the beginning of the shift in portraying illegitimacy. If Tom hadn't been illegitimate, Henry Fielding could probably have skipped about 300 pages of his book. ;-)"}, {"response": 941, "author": "BarbaraT", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (09:57)", "body": "I'm not 100% certain about this as I've no idea what Marc Evans looks like, but I don't think the man in the photo on the Empire site is him. I think it's actually Kim Newman, who writes for Empire and is mentioned further down in the piece. I've seen a small photo of him in the magazine in the past and seem to remember he had glasses and gothic-looking facial hair - I doubt there could be two separate people who look quite like that!"}, {"response": 942, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (10:04)", "body": "(Annette) He said however it would get here as video. The US is still TBD. Annette! Sorry to hear about HS in Denmark! And thank you for checking up for us in the US! Much appreciated.... (MariaT) Wrong! It was never established that those Bedouin drums were just banging for a mating ritual!!;-)) This is true! And I like to think HD and Libby were married the whole time! If he had married Glynnis, he would have been a bigamist (when thinking about it, he really was like a true politician)! ;-D (MariaT) He really looks like a cross between David Crosby and Liam Neeson.....;-)) (KathyF) ROTF! But you're absolutely right, he does! Uncle Steve! I was wondering where he was!! ;-)"}, {"response": 943, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (10:25)", "body": "(Maria)Wrong! It was never established that those Bedouin drums were just banging for a mating ritual!!;-)) Hee hee. I keep thinking about Daphne's voiceover to the desert scene at the end: \"My mom and dad got married again! Legally, this time. (pause) I think.\";-) (Barbara)I doubt there could be two separate people who look quite like that! Well, we've already identified David Crosby and Tress's Uncle Steve.;-)"}, {"response": 944, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (11:23)", "body": ""}, {"response": 945, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (11:38)", "body": ""}, {"response": 946, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (12:44)", "body": ""}, {"response": 947, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (12:51)", "body": ""}, {"response": 948, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (12:52)", "body": ""}, {"response": 949, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (12:54)", "body": ""}, {"response": 950, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (13:00)", "body": ""}, {"response": 951, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (13:18)", "body": "Let me remind everyone that this topic is Colin Firth news and no topic on Drool is a chatroom. A while back I provided a link to a chatroom facility that Terry set up, but no one used it. Please do not use Drool for such things instead. Not only do you use up the finite messages within a topic, but they are stored on our server, which takes up space and causes Terry to buy more space."}, {"response": 952, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (13:26)", "body": ""}, {"response": 953, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (14:55)", "body": "Thanks for the reminder, boss. We all slip occasionally."}, {"response": 954, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (17:15)", "body": ""}, {"response": 955, "author": "airstream", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (22:35)", "body": ""}, {"response": 956, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (22:41)", "body": "I'm not sure why this is such a difficult concept. The topic is Colin Firth news here. Please email your Off Topic info to whomever. Thank you."}, {"response": 957, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Apr 15, 2003 (22:52)", "body": "(Mari) I keep thinking about Daphne's voiceover to the desert scene at the end: \"My mom and dad got married again! Legally, this time. (pause) I think.\" You mean there was speaking during this part? I must have been a tad distracted. As I don't have a working email for you Amy, just a quick message...... Ouch!"}, {"response": 958, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 16, 2003 (13:12)", "body": "This is from Screen Daily Intl. UK's prestigious film mag. If it has been posted before I apologize. But it has today's date in the by-line. What A Girl Wants Mike Goodridge in Los Angeles 16 April 2003 Although the trailers made it look like another trashy teen flick, What A Girl Wants surprisingly possesses a degree of class. The fairy-tale story of a Brooklyn teenager who runs away to England to discover her aristocratic dad recalls Disney smash The Princess Diaries with its genuinely disarming characters and the sweet message at its heart. A starring vehicle for talented teen Amanda Bynes, a US TV star from Nickelodeon shows All That and The Amanda Show, What A Girl Wants opened with an OK $11.4m at the domestic box office and, trusting that word-of-mouth is strong, could stay afloat in the marketplace for a few weeks yet. At least in the domestic market, movies aimed at young girls such as The Princess Diaries, A Walk To Remember and Legally Blonde have been proving enormously profitable for their respective distributors, and the relatively inexpensive What A Girl Wants should follow that trend. In the international markets, where there are likewise millions of under-served young girls who want their own movies, its Cinderella set-up and feelgood factor will also serve it well - especially in the current gloom of global affairs. Most welcome surprise of all is Bynes, whose perky cuteness beside two Horse Guards on the poster appears like a nauseating indication of further cloying fish-out-of-water horrors in the film. Fortunately she is more palatable than she appears on paper, giving a well-realised performance as a confident but slightly damaged teen. Nor is England portrayed in the ultra-cliched way one would expect from the poster. While the palatial mansion and estate in which she lands seem to be positioned rather incongruously in central London, the English characters are generally sharp-tongued and droll - more Four Weddings than Mary Poppins. Loosely based on the 1958 movie The Reluctant Debutante starring Sandra Dee and Rex Harrison, the film starts with a prologue in which the young Englishman Henry Dashwood (Firth) falls for bohemian American Libby (Kelly Preston) on a Moroccan holiday and the two marry. However, when he takes her home to his family seat in England, his father dies and he must immediately assume the mantle of Lord Dashwood. Libby is told by his ruthless advisor Alastair Payne (Pryce) to give him his freedom and she abandons the marriage and flees to New York. But unbeknownst to Henry, Libby was pregnant and 17 years later, her daughter Daphne (Bynes) has a yearning to meet her father not least because she never gets to have the father-daughter dance at weddings or parties. Impulsively, she gets on a plane to London where she seeks out Lord Dashwood and breaks the news to him. He meanwhile is standing for election to parliament and is on the brink of marrying the pushy Glynnis (nicely malevolent Chancellor) and assuming her daughter (Christina Cole) as his own. Stunned that he has a daughter and still smarting that Libby left him, Henry warms to Daphne but after she displays her unconventional style at a few stuffy social functions, he determines to ensure that she acquires a degree of good English breeding. She meanwhile has embarked on a romance with a young musician (James) and is faced with the quandary of changing who she is or losing her father. It?s a fun film principally for pre-teens and teens which has a few incidental pleasures for grown-ups including some nice one-liners from Brit stalwarts like Eileen Atkins (\"No hugging, my dear. We British only show affection to dogs and horses.\").\" ~~~~~~~~~~` V. encouraging review. Perhaps the broadsheets won't pummel it after all."}, {"response": 959, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Wed, Apr 16, 2003 (13:54)", "body": "Hi Everyone, Wanted to pop in for a second while I have one, to tell you some news about Love Actually and Edge of Reason. There will be a U.S. preview of LA on July 1. And as for the Edge of Reason, it is still on track, the only pending key issue is Renee's deal. :) We are expecting a revised draft of the script from Adam Brooks tomorrow. I promise to pop in when I can and have more I can release for either project. It's been rough lately with my schedule and my husband's as he's been pushing his new film. Take care everyone! PS, if Colin's wife has a baby girl then it's all over for sure. :)"}, {"response": 960, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr 16, 2003 (14:14)", "body": "Hola, Lola! Thanks for the info, but why a preview of LA that's 4 months in advance of the release? Are they moving up the release date? Or maybe I'm not sure what you mean by preview. (Evelyn)Perhaps the broadsheets won't pummel it after all. Am going to remind you that you wrote that.;-) Odd they barely mentioned Colin."}, {"response": 961, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Apr 16, 2003 (14:24)", "body": "(Hola Lola)There will be a U.S. preview of LA on July 1. Thank you for the news. Perhaps this will be the one to \"cross both ponds\". (July 1. is a special day for me, must be a good sign). Nice to hear, that EOR is still on (Please sign the dotted line, Renee!!)"}, {"response": 962, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 16, 2003 (14:25)", "body": "(Lola), And as for the Edge of Reason, it is still on track, the only pending key issue is Renee's deal. :) We are expecting a revised draft of the script from Adam Brooks tomorrow. So you are on record as saying that all the other players have signed on the dotted line? Please give us the full cast, who will play Natasha? And, do tell us if we will get the towel scene. Thanking you in advance, Lola. :-D"}, {"response": 963, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Apr 16, 2003 (14:32)", "body": "(Lola) And as for the Edge of Reason, it is still on track, the only pending key issue is Renee's deal. :) We are expecting a revised draft of the script from Adam Brooks tomorrow. Ohhh....goodie! Is Renee waiting on this revision? Do you need assistance with any 'proofing' or anything? I'm more than willing to help!! ;-) (Lola) PS, if Colin's wife has a baby girl then it's all over for sure. :) I hope they have a girl...but I'm sure they'll be happy as long as the little one is healthy. But imagine! Daddy's little girl! And if she's half as cute as Luca...you're right Lola....it's all over! Always glad when you 'drop by'...thanks for the news!"}, {"response": 964, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Apr 16, 2003 (16:12)", "body": "Thanks Lola for taking time to give us such good news. Hope they have a girl, too."}, {"response": 965, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Apr 16, 2003 (21:50)", "body": "Hi Lola, thanks for the news on LA and TEoR. Bring it on, Renee. (Moon)So you are on record as saying that all the other players have signed on the dotted line? Please give us the full cast, who will play Natasha? And, do tell us if we will get the towel scene. Thanking you in advance, Lola. :-) And the kitchen scene, and the second towel scene. Sorry, Lola we're jus a bit anxious. Moon, did you mean Natasha or Rebecca? (Lola)PS, if Colin's wife has a baby girl then it's all over for sure. :) ...and he does father to a daughter so well. *sigh* Evelyn, thanks for that encouraging review from the UK. Now, a few good ones for HS and maybe we'll get a US release date that sticks."}, {"response": 966, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Apr 17, 2003 (00:02)", "body": "Still haven't been able to see WAGW, but the interview tape arrived today. My favorite part is when he says: \"Lisa, Lisa, can you here me? Lisa?\" I can't remember how mant times he said it, but to hear him say my name was unbelievable. :-) When he says \"What an ***hole,\" it sounded to me as if he was mimicking someone who had said it over the audio feed, as I swear CF said it with an American accent. Hola Lola, as always, thanks for the update on LA and TEOR. Because of your updates, I've stopped worrying about the latter film. It will happen..."}, {"response": 967, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Thu, Apr 17, 2003 (07:17)", "body": "(LisaJH) ...the interview tape arrived today Okay, I'm going to come out and say I'm lost. I've heard vague references of this tape before, and I've looked through the postings for the past week to no avail. Was this talked about on a now-deleted post?"}, {"response": 968, "author": "joyce", "date": "Thu, Apr 17, 2003 (08:10)", "body": "(Lisa JH)Still haven't been able to see WAGW, but the interview tape arrived today. My favorite part is when he says: \"Lisa, Lisa, can you here me? Lisa?\" I can't remember how mant times he said it, but to hear him say my name was unbelievable. LOL I heard him say \"Janice\" first and thought that everyone out there with that name would faint and then when he started in on Lisa, over and over, I thought he might be hitting pretty close to home. ; ) There are so many good bits about this tape that I think it deserves an in-depth analysis. E-mail me if you care to participate. joyce3@att.net"}, {"response": 969, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 17, 2003 (08:23)", "body": "My favorite part is when he says: \"Lisa, Lisa, LOL. I thought of you too, Lisa. This tape is a riot. For what goes on off screen more than on. No transcript can do it justice. Those grimaces and noises. I have never seen anyone so bored ...but he can sure turn on the juice when he has to. LMAO."}, {"response": 970, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 17, 2003 (08:36)", "body": "(Lisa) \"What an ***hole,\" it sounded to me as if he was mimicking someone who had said it over the audio feed, as I swear CF said it with an American accent. Yes, he sure is, doing it with an American accent. (Meredith) I've heard vague references of this tape before, and I've looked through the postings for the past week to no avail. Was this talked about on a now-deleted post? No, it is still up there at #847, posted on April 11, a mere six days ago. You probably didn't notice it because of all the off topic messages."}, {"response": 971, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 17, 2003 (08:42)", "body": "Tried to find this online yesterday and failed, but Jennie has kindly provided this article which appeared in the Isle of Man Examiner: Top Hollywood star comes to Island ONE of Hollywood's hottest young actresses is teaming up with one of Britain's favourite actors for a film to be shot in the Island at the end of the month. Mena Suvari, star of the Oscar-winning American Beauty, will be here filming the psychological drama, Trauma, alongside Colin Firth. The news comes three weeks after the Examiner revealed Scream star Neve Campbell will be starring in wartime spoof Churchill: The Hollywood Years, with Christian Slater in the title role. Churchill arrives on April 22, while Trauma reaches Manx shores six days later, joining the seventh series of ITV's Trial and Retribution which started filming on April 5 in making it an important month for the Isle of Man Film Commission. Suvari, 24, shot to fame in 1999 when she followed up hit comedy American Pie with her role as the teenage temptress opposite Kevin Spacey in American Beauty. Firth is hot off Bridget Jones' Diary and it will be his second visit to the Island after he appeared in Relative Values opposite Julie Andrews. He's also starred in hits like Shakespeare in Love, Fever Pitch and The English Patient. Trauma will be the 48th project shot in the Island since the Brylcreem Boys started the ball rolling in 1995. It's being made by Little Bird, one of the production companies behind both Bridget Jones and Churchill. Trauma, which will shoot at the new film studio in Lezayre, will be directed by Marc Evans (Resurrection Man) from a script by Richard Smith."}, {"response": 972, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Apr 17, 2003 (09:24)", "body": "It's being made by Little Bird, one of the production companies behind both Bridget Jones and Churchill. ? I don't think so."}, {"response": 973, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 17, 2003 (09:31)", "body": "Yes, it is. Jonathan Cavendish, one of the producers, is a principal in Little Bird."}, {"response": 974, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Apr 17, 2003 (10:00)", "body": "(Meredith) I've heard vague references of this tape before, and I've looked through the postings for the past week to no avail. Was this talked about on a now-deleted post? (Karen) No, it is still up there at #847, posted on April 11, a mere six days ago. But it was just a one-line reference in a post that also talked about other things, so I think Meredith's mention of a \"vague reference\" is pretty accurate. Someone videotaped part of the satellite feed when CF was made available to talk to the press via satellite about WAGW. The tape is like 90 minutes of \"CF-Cam\". The camera stays on him, and he's got an earpiece through which he hears the journalists' questions. So you don't hear the questions, only the answers, and you also see/hear him between interviews sometimes. The original tape was auctioned on eBay, but when the guy started getting other requests (he says he had no idea how popular CF was), he made additional copies available. I don't know if Karen would consider it appropriate to post his e-mail address or the pricing information here or not, so I'll leave that decision to her."}, {"response": 975, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Apr 17, 2003 (10:38)", "body": "(Lisa)My favorite part is when he says: \"Lisa, Lisa, (Evelyn)LOL. I thought of you too, Lisa. I did too, and kept hoping that one of the interviewers would be named Linda...so I could hear him say my name. ***SIGH*** As Karen said awhile back...it is worth its weight in gold:-) Thank you, Karen for the Trauma news."}, {"response": 976, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 17, 2003 (10:52)", "body": "(Karen)Yes, he sure is, doing it with an American accent. Also mimicked someone on the other end who said:\"He's an idiot\";-) Always strikes me funny when he does an American interview, he goes into American lingo; in British press he goes into Brit terms. He seems enormously pleased that the film is getting such a good reception. Wasn't so vague to me, I saw the announcement of the tape and inquired."}, {"response": 977, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Apr 17, 2003 (11:24)", "body": "Did anybody else feel kind of voyeuristic watching it? Not that it stopped me, mind you. ;-) (Evelyn) Always strikes me funny when he does an American interview, he goes into American lingo; in British press he goes into Brit terms. I thought he sounded more American than usual, but I thought maybe it was just my fevered imagination! (Evelyn) Wasn't so vague to me, I saw the announcement of the tape and inquired. Which is the same thing Meredith was doing. The difference is, people apparently have been inquiring via e-mail, so ordering information never made it onto this board."}, {"response": 978, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 17, 2003 (11:26)", "body": "I hardly think this is vague: BTW, does everyone know about the guy who is selling copies of Colin's satellite press conference? If not, I'll post it here. No one responded on the board; therefore, I didn't post it since either people (a) had already ordered it but had not shared the information with this board or (b) were not interested. Perhaps now people will understand why this board is for News. If anyone is confused or vague about things, please contact me at my office email address."}, {"response": 979, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Apr 17, 2003 (12:45)", "body": ""}, {"response": 980, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Apr 17, 2003 (12:56)", "body": "(Karen) No one responded on the board; therefore, I didn't post it since either people (a) had already ordered it but had not shared the information with this board or (b) were not interested. I can only speak for my own reasons for not sharing the information publicly. I was informed of it via e-mail by a friend, with information she copied from another CF board. Since there has been rather strenuous objection posted here (with which I do not disagree) to the practice of people lifting information from Drool and posting it elsewhere without attribution, I didn't think it right to commit the same crime in reverse, and I didn't have the information I would have needed to attribute properly. Further, it wasn't clear to me that you would approve of the posting of what amounted to a commercial advertisement, particularly when it was difficult to verify whether or not the whole thing was legitimate until people started receiving tapes. I didn't receive my tape until a couple of days after you had gotten yours and posted your mini-transcript."}, {"response": 981, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 17, 2003 (13:03)", "body": "As I was one of the original bidders for the tape and didn't need anybody's permission to post the details, all it would've required was someone to say they were interested in the purchase info. (Rika) I can only speak for my own reasons Are you sure you aren't speaking for Meredith again? ;-)"}, {"response": 982, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Apr 17, 2003 (13:10)", "body": "If I may make a suggestion: When in doubt, always send Karen the information via e-mail. That's what I've always done. That way I leave it to her to post it here whichever way she finds it, relevant or not. I was away when the tape info was posted and was curious about it so I e-mailed Karen and as always, she was kind enough to give me the information I needed to order the tape which I plan to do today. :-D"}, {"response": 983, "author": "joyce", "date": "Thu, Apr 17, 2003 (13:37)", "body": "Oh for cryin' out loud. The guy with the tape is at: kjunman1@hotmail.com Mine is fine. If anyone wants to get together and discuss it contact me at joyce3@att.net. No purchase necessary. I'm not sure what all the mystery is about either."}, {"response": 984, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr 17, 2003 (15:16)", "body": "Um, I vote for discussing it right here, as we have been doing. (Evelyn) Also mimicked someone on the other end who said:\"He's an idiot\";-) I think it was \"are you retarded?\" (Rika, the fevered) I thought he sounded more American than usual, but I thought maybe it was just my fevered imagination! I don't think his accent is different, but Colin's voice changes when he's being Colin, as opposed to when he's acting. His real voice sounds less patrician, less formal, more like an everyday person. Also, you hear him using more colloquialisms than his characters generally call for.;-) I like his real life voice better, frankly. I started yelling at the sceen when he launched into the old \"it's usually someone's aunt/granny/mother/neighbor\" when someone apparently mentioned his hottie status. Somebody needs to tell him to cut that sh*t out.:-) Maybe I just did.;-) The reporters were apparently very complimentary to him, judging by the number of times he very sweetly offered his thanks in response to a comment."}, {"response": 985, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 17, 2003 (15:33)", "body": "(Mari) I like his real life voice better, frankly. And his real laugh too. He did one of those deep chuckles to himself, when he knows he's been funny, just like on the Jon Stewart show with the autoeroticism line. As I was rereading New Cardiff (you know, just in case, it should show up), I was reminded of an example Colin could've have given to the same word/different meaning situation that wasn't as, ahem, \"filthy\" as the one he ultimately used. He could have talked about rubbers. ;-))))))"}, {"response": 986, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Apr 17, 2003 (16:15)", "body": "(Karen) He could have talked about rubbers. ;-)))))) LOL, I'm in the middle of Katie McCallister's Improper Englih that someone on this topic recommended because of the Colin references.(Sorry, I can't remember who) In this book, the reference is to ahem, \"raincoats\" Everytime they call them raincoats, I get visions of yellow slickers with hoods...yikes. BTW, this reads like a cross between BJD/TEoR and New Cardiff. (which I just reread too, and find it funnier each time.)"}, {"response": 987, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Apr 17, 2003 (16:19)", "body": "That's Improper English."}, {"response": 988, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 17, 2003 (16:20)", "body": "Must be v. improper because rubbers (Br) are erasers (Am). Colin Ware asks for India rubbers at the art store. But I like the raincoat one as well. ;-)"}, {"response": 989, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Apr 17, 2003 (19:06)", "body": "The guy selling the tape on Ebay must think he's struck gold! I wonder how many copies he's made to date? - I've just ordered mine. (Lindak)BTW, this reads like a cross between BJD/TEoR and New Cardiff. (which I just reread too, and find it funnier each time.) I've just finished reading it, and I agree that ODB would be perfect as Alex Black."}, {"response": 990, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Apr 17, 2003 (19:35)", "body": "(Karen), Must be v. improper because rubbers (Br) are erasers (Am). Colin Ware asks for India rubbers at the art store. But I like the raincoat one as well. ;-) ROTF! I have news! Just saw WAGW at another theatre and what stared right at me? The HS poster! It is up as in coming soon. I went right to the manager to ask how soon and was told that they don't have a date set. I told them it's supposed to be in the Fall and asked if it was normal to have a poster up now for it (it's not like it has famous actors), and the theatre does not have many glass enclosed poster spots. Was told it was a teaser - if only they knew how right they are. ;-) And, no they did not have an extra poster. He looks great in that poster."}, {"response": 991, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Apr 17, 2003 (20:32)", "body": "(Karen)Must be v. improper because rubbers (Br) are erasers (Am). Colin Ware asks for India rubbers at the art store. But I like the raincoat one as well. ;-) Did you mean *Durex*Indian rubbers (BR)? Got a flyer at work the other day offering Durex in bulk to service agencies at deep discount! Guess who I thought of?"}, {"response": 992, "author": "Odile", "date": "Thu, Apr 17, 2003 (23:15)", "body": "I guess Colin has finally fulfilled his teenager dreams of becoming a rock star since now we can find \"bootlegs\" of his. :) Re: rubbers/raincoats,... In France they're called preservatifs, which accounted for puzzled looks on my face when I first read some food ingredients list in the US: no preservatives (I sure hope not!)."}, {"response": 993, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Apr 18, 2003 (06:05)", "body": "I'm a happy bunny this morning (appropriate since it's Easter!) - I've just received my free tickets to the HS preview on Thursday! Thanks Karen, for posting the link to The Film Factory Website, and enabling me to get the tickets. I hope you ladies across the pond get a chance to see it very soon. - Keeping my fingers crossed that 'Coming Soon' really means that!"}, {"response": 994, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Apr 18, 2003 (09:56)", "body": "Ooooooo! Cute Bunny......watcher! Thanks Karen."}, {"response": 995, "author": "sandym", "date": "Fri, Apr 18, 2003 (12:48)", "body": "It appears that MD has been \"stirred\" as well. Lovely pic!"}, {"response": 996, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 19, 2003 (09:10)", "body": "According to Antonella, Minnie Driver was on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross on BBC1. \"They showed a short clip of Hope Springs with her and Colin in the hotel room. Although she seemed to be more interested in promoting her future comedy with Matthew Perry at the London West End.\""}, {"response": 997, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Apr 19, 2003 (09:42)", "body": "Although she seemed to be more interested in promoting her future comedy with Matthew Perry at the London West End.\" And who can blame her? HS has had too many delays and although the posters may be in theatres in Southern Florida, there is that question of the release date. ;-) Grazie Antonella and Karen!"}, {"response": 998, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 19, 2003 (09:55)", "body": "Review of Hope Springs from Rich Cline (Shadows on the Wall & BBC Radio 5); gave it only 1-1/2 stars out of 5: The latest lively comedy from Herman (Brassed Off, Little Voice) is this American-style romantic comedy set in New England ... and it's a bit of a mess. Colin (Firth) is a British portrait artist who travels to Hope, Vermont, to get away from his miserable life in England, where his fiancee Vera (Driver) has just told him she's marrying another man. As he settles in Hope, he finds support from the local innkeepers (Steenburgen and Collison), the egotistical mayor (Platt) and, most importantly, a spicy occupational therapist named Mandy (Graham). But just when he starts falling for Mandy, Vera shows up in town. Everything about this film is too much. The story is fractionally too silly, crossing the line and leaving believability in the dust. The set design and decoration is too picture perfect. The jokes take things one step too far. And the characters are too broad to be very believable. It starts off well, with a lively sense of energy and charm, but as Mandy starts behaving like a misfit from a Farrelly Brothers film, we stop believing that Colin could ever fall for this alcoholic stripper with a butterfly fetish. Every event in the film only happens because rom-com conventions say it has to. There's no character logic at all. Falling in love is handled in a trite musical montage that tries desperately to paper over the gaps, and by the time the far worse Vera shows up, we have really lost all interest. This isn't to say the actors are bad; they aren't (in fact, they're the only thing that's remotely watchable about the film!). It's the script, direction and editing that are to blame for this badly derailed fi m. There's enough talent in this film to make a very good romantic comedy. This is not it."}, {"response": 999, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Apr 19, 2003 (10:16)", "body": "we stop believing that Colin could ever fall for this alcoholic stripper with a butterfly fetish. LOL! I had this problem when I read the book. And I have always questioned CF's love of this book This review stings. Will any one that has seen it come to its rescue?"}, {"response": 1000, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Apr 19, 2003 (10:23)", "body": "I for one loved the book. And am reading it again.I found it endearingly charming.Difficult to externalize, yes. But as I said before, a more experienced director could have pulled it off. \"It's the script, direction and editing that are to blame for this badly derailed film.\" This says it all. Still, I'm looking forward to it. Hey, it's the first film in a long time that he's not carryng the water for someone else."}, {"response": 1001, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Apr 19, 2003 (13:33)", "body": "http://www.boxofficemojo.com/daily/ WAGW as of 4/17 #3 at $22,717,000 Phone Booth #4 at $29,406,000 Not bad considering WAGW not selling as many adult fare evening tickets."}, {"response": 1002, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 19, 2003 (14:51)", "body": "Those look like cumulative two week grosses. Actually, I think the box office results have been pretty disappointing for a film like this. If it doesn't haul it in now, the kids will be at that Lizzie Maguire movie soon."}, {"response": 1003, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Apr 19, 2003 (15:33)", "body": "(Karen)Those look like cumulative two week grosses I should have noted that they are the cumulative (4/18) grosses. I was just glad to see Phone Booth slipping behind;-)"}, {"response": 1004, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Apr 19, 2003 (15:56)", "body": "If it doesn't haul it in now, the kids will be at that Lizzie Maguire movie soon. I agree! I've seen the LM trailer and it will drag them in. I find Colin utterly adorable in WAGW, I've seen it 4 times now, that is quite a novelty for me. I have also come to like that very perky AB."}, {"response": 1005, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Apr 19, 2003 (16:39)", "body": "(Moon Dreams)And who can blame her? HS has had too many delays and although the posters may be in theatres in Southern Florida, there is that question of the release date. ;-) But this was an appearance on a fairly major UK chat show, just a few weeks before the movie's release in the UK. I felt she seemed a bit negative about it, I have to say."}, {"response": 1006, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Apr 19, 2003 (16:47)", "body": "I felt she seemed a bit negative about it, I have to say. So Janet, would you say that hse has seen HS and is not happy with it? That she might fear the critics reaction? That she would want to bury it as quickly as possible? MD is usually very good with doing the neccessary promotions, her reaction surprises me. :-("}, {"response": 1007, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Apr 19, 2003 (17:04)", "body": "Moon Dreams)MD is usually very good with doing the neccessary promotions, her reaction surprises me. :-( She certainly concentrated on the upcoming play in the West End with Matthew Perry. It wasn't so much what she said, she just didn't seem overly enthusiastic. (Didn't her last couple of movies bomb though, so maybe she's just being cautious.)"}, {"response": 1008, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Apr 19, 2003 (17:15)", "body": "(Karen)Those look like cumulative two week grosses. Actually, I think the box office results have been pretty disappointing for a film like this. You said what I've been thinking:-(( TIOBE which wasn't released in as many theatres & received v. little publicity cashed in at $16.M. WB really went to the mat for this film. Can't understand it. Princess Diaries (aside from Julie Andrews) didn't have a lead with as much star-power as AB and it hauled in $23. the first week. Better movie & reviews, huh;-) I agree Moon...I just came back from seeing Henry again on the big screen before he disapears. Henry is quite fetching. I far prefer him to Jack/Earnest.In fact I even like the whole film better. Take that, Oliver Parker!"}, {"response": 1009, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Apr 19, 2003 (18:24)", "body": "WAGW is projected to be at over $27 million by tomorrow. That's more than it cost to make. Plus they'll make a bundle in video/DVD. Nobody's going to lose money on this one. (Evelyn)WB really went to the mat for this film. I disagree. The TV advertising completely disappeared once it opened. And where were the ads saying \"the #1 comedy in Ametica,\" which it was after the first week? And they should have been advertising twice a week on American Idol which is the top rated show, especially among the teens. Their marketing stank, IMO, and they're lucky to be getting what they are. I think they blew their budget on all those billboards.;-) (Janet)It wasn't so much what she said, she just didn't seem overly enthusiastic Colin should be out there doing all the chat shows for this one, and maybe he will. It's *his* movie."}, {"response": 1010, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Apr 19, 2003 (18:27)", "body": "Umm, that's America with an \"r\", of course.;-) Must proof before hitting send in future."}, {"response": 1011, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Apr 19, 2003 (19:22)", "body": "(Mari)I disagree. The TV advertising completely disappeared once it opened. And where were the ads saying \"the #1 comedy in Ametica,\" Well around here the big complaint about TIOBE was that there was no TV advertising...which costs millions. And all the kids look at TV and seldom;-) read the newspapers.They hit MTV and the teen stations. Did they hit the Amanda's station? I haven't watched it recently. Do 12 yr old watch American Idol? I dunno. My newspaper has carried a v. credible ad; each week different with quotes. And it played in every rural movie house in the state. This is the last week, though:-(("}, {"response": 1012, "author": "sandym", "date": "Sat, Apr 19, 2003 (20:18)", "body": "[i] (Evelyn) Did they hit the Amanda's station? I haven't watched it recently.[/i] Yes. I saw one about three days ago. [i] (Evelyn) Do 12 yr old watch American Idol? I dunno.[/i] Can't speak for 12 year olds but I know that my 10 year old daughter and my 15 year old daughter are both avid fans. BTW, they also really enjoyed WAGW both times we went to see it together. Interesting to note that before both of our screenings of WAGW, we saw the Lizzie McG movie trailer and not a one of us wants to see it."}, {"response": 1013, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Apr 19, 2003 (20:18)", "body": "(Evelyn)Do 12 yr old watch American Idol? I think it's pretty much top rated among all age groups. Might have brought in more \"full fare paying\" adults, as would in-person promo from Colin. I think most ticket buyers don't have access to the Colin Unplugged interview tape.;-) I do realize that network advertising on highly rated shows is very expensive. Still, I think it's doing ok, and should be around a while longer, don't you think? (Evelyn)Henry is quite fetching. I far prefer him to Jack/Earnest.In fact I even like the whole film better. Same here! This is one I could watch over and over again. Henry is a sweetheart, and Colin is really very, very good in it. And having always been a daddy's girl myself, I love the father-daughter scenes. A sweet, touching little film."}, {"response": 1014, "author": "sandym", "date": "Sat, Apr 19, 2003 (20:19)", "body": "Yikes. Didn't do my italics properly. Sorry. :-("}, {"response": 1015, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 20, 2003 (10:02)", "body": "(Janet) Didn't her last couple of movies bomb though, so maybe she's just being cautious. That still shouldn't have come through while she was doing publicity. She should be enthusiastic and make people want to see it. I expect TV and print publicity to start up toward the end of the week, especially as the premiere is in eight days, and Heather and Minnie will be making the rounds for sure. It will be interesting to see how much (if any) Colin does on the TV side. He's always participated fully with the print journalists there. You'll have lots of articles in all the newspapers, color supplements, etc. Get your camping gear ready for staking out the newsagents. ;-) (Mari) The TV advertising completely disappeared once it opened. And where were the ads saying \"the #1 comedy in Ametica,\" which it was after the first week? And is not able to say anymore. A lost opportunity to sustain momentum IMO."}, {"response": 1016, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Apr 20, 2003 (16:32)", "body": "(Mari)I disagree. The TV advertising completely disappeared once it opened. And where were the ads saying \"the #1 comedy in Ametica,\" which it was after the first week? I agree, Mari. I did see a few ads on WB and Nick, but nothing major. I thought it fell off drastically after it opened. Surprising since they stared back in Nov. with the HP trailer. (Mari)Still, I think it's doing ok, and should be around a while longer, don't you think? Agree, again. Also, other than AM it seems that the numbers were down for everything that opened these last few weeks. (Mari)Same here! This is one I could watch over and over again. Henry is a sweetheart, and Colin is really very, very good in it. And having always been a daddy's girl myself, I love the father-daughter scenes. A sweet, touching little film. Once more, Mari...See! Can you blame me for seeing it over and over. Colin was excellent in this. I just can't get enough."}, {"response": 1017, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr 20, 2003 (16:58)", "body": "This weekend figures up til Sunday AM: WAGW # 6 Grossed $4.8 Cume: $27.5 ( Doesn't include me this aft;-) Finals Monday . It will be around for a long time. And videos sometimes bring in half as much."}, {"response": 1018, "author": "dalec", "date": "Sun, Apr 20, 2003 (19:43)", "body": "(Mari)Same here! This is one I could watch over and over again. Henry is a sweetheart, and Colin is really very, very good in it. And having always been a daddy's girl myself, I love the father-daughter scenes. A sweet, touching little film. Indeed. I went to see it again with a friend, it was her first viewing. Afterwards she said she didn't expect it, but she got teary eyed during one of the father-daughter scenes."}, {"response": 1019, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr 21, 2003 (09:17)", "body": "(Linda), Can you blame me for seeing it over and over. Colin was excellent in this. I just can't get enough. Colin is pure joy to watch. He is really acting, his character has depth. I will certainly see it again."}, {"response": 1020, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 21, 2003 (09:21)", "body": "(Evelyn) It will be around for a long time. And videos sometimes bring in half as much. Whether it makes back its costs, which it will easily, is not the point. It isn't doing well at the box office, and the box office matters ( = bankability). You can't hang it on low attendance, when AM continues to rack up such big numbers, despite being panned by critics and audiences alike. It fell to #6 this weekend. (BTW, the highest per screen average went to A Mighty Wind. Huge thumbs up, a riot.)"}, {"response": 1021, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 21, 2003 (09:44)", "body": "The family flick \"Holes,\" based on Louis Sachar's book about the adventures of juvenile delinquents forced to dig holes in a dry lake bed, debuted a strong second with $17.1 million, according to studio estimates Sunday. \"Holes,\" whose cast includes Sigourney Weaver, Jon Voight and Patricia Arquette, had the strongest average among the top 10 films, at $7,336 in 2,331 theaters. Box-office analysts were surprised by \"Holes,\" whose returns exceeded even distributor Disney's expectations by a few million dollars. \"'Holes' was sort of off the radar,\" said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations. \"But kids know this book, and there's really no movies out there for kids right now. Almost every time when there's a void in the marketplace for family films, all of a sudden one pops up, and families rush out.\""}, {"response": 1022, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 21, 2003 (10:37)", "body": "\"\"Holes,\" whose returns exceeded even distributor Disney's expectations by a few million dollars. \" Disney is in the business of family movies. When parents see \"Disney\" they know it's a family event. Watch Lizzie Murphy:\"brought to you by the peole who made Princess diaries\". BTW Holes got good reviews: 76%. I realize I set my sight too high for the BO receipts of WAGW. Somehow when that vile Kangaroo Jack brings in $65.M I felt sure we could do better . What is lacking is the teen repeaters. I wondered when the first viewers on this board reported that Colin had as much screen time as AB.Good for us, but not for the target audience. Perhaps they tried too hard to go for a wide audience."}, {"response": 1023, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 21, 2003 (10:51)", "body": "LOL. I mean't \"Lizzie McGuire\""}, {"response": 1024, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr 21, 2003 (16:54)", "body": "Not sure if this link has been posted. Go to trailers and clips, then Henry meets Libby; there's a prezzie there for those of us who like Henry in a tux and tails.:-) http://movies.go.com/movies/W/whatagirlwants_2003/index.html #"}, {"response": 1025, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Apr 21, 2003 (17:37)", "body": "Mari! Thank you....another lovely distraction...."}, {"response": 1026, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Tue, Apr 22, 2003 (01:56)", "body": "I found a very small pic from the set of LA in a Tube magazine at my local station. It's from when he was filming at Canary Wharf. Am running around with friends in from Canada so can't scan it now, but will, unless someone else picks it up and gets it. Will be out of town until Thursday. Which is, of course, the PEN/ICI event..."}, {"response": 1027, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Apr 22, 2003 (10:40)", "body": "I received \"The Lisa Tape\" yesterday and just have to say a couple of things....did anyone else notice ODB's habit of lip chewing? I wonder if he had something going on and was trying to get at it or...if this is a regular habit of his. Found it most interesting. Also....love the bit were he gave the Phoenix affiliate a London 'tour' pointing out Parliment and Big Ben....I'm only about a half hour into the tape right now but his is great stuff. Voyeurism at its best (if there is such a thing)."}, {"response": 1028, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 22, 2003 (10:47)", "body": "(Tress) or...if this is a regular habit of his. Better than his old habit of picking at his nose/face. ;-)"}, {"response": 1029, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 22, 2003 (10:50)", "body": "I don't remember lip-schewing being a big number on his list of habits, but I can tell you pulling on his nose is. He almost wore it out in the first interview he ever gave on A&E for SIL. He's come a loooong way since then. I like the inflection he gives to \"*ab*-so-lu-tely\" talking about the scenery out west. Wouldn't you love to see that pic of him at 12 with the cowboy hat at Big Bend. BTW David really must have taken a wrong turn if he went to the Grand Canyon by way of San Antonio and El Paso."}, {"response": 1030, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Tue, Apr 22, 2003 (10:57)", "body": "Hi everyone Don't know if you already know this or not but WAGW will be released in Video and DVD on July 15th. Saw this info this morning across my desk. Take care!"}, {"response": 1031, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Apr 22, 2003 (11:29)", "body": "(Karen) Better than his old habit of picking at his nose/face. ;-) LOL...He did the nose tug a couple of times...(and I've only seen 30 minutes) (Evelyn) I don't remember lip-schewing being a big number on his list of habits... Watch his mouth on the tape...he's going to town on the inside bottom right lip. I find myself just staring at it (and I don't know why..hmmmm). ;-) (Lola) Don't know if you already know this or not but WAGW will be released in Video and DVD on July 15th. Saw this info this morning across my desk. This is good news!! I thought I'd have to go through Hunk Daddy withdrawal. I can last a couple of months...an amazing calmness has come over me. ;-)"}, {"response": 1032, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Apr 22, 2003 (13:16)", "body": "ROTFLMAO! Jethro Tull indeed!! Love the \"current\" Page photo composition."}, {"response": 1033, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr 22, 2003 (15:40)", "body": "The mind boggles over the DVD captures that Rika will bring us. When the time comes, we should have a funny photo caption contest. Anyway, I went for viewing # 4 yesterday (I'll never catch up to some of you ladies) and the theater was packed. Lots of kids in my area are on spring break this week. It occurred to me that although the weekend box office has been just ok, WAGW is quietly earning anywhere from a half million to a million every day. Yesterday's (Monday's) figures: $828,411, cumulative total is at $28,056,635. Happy to see \"Holes\" doing well; this is based on a wonderful Caldecot Medal-winning book of the same name. This is quality children's literature and I'm glad to see families coming out for it in such big numbers. Expose 'em to decent stuff now and maybe in five years they won't be in line for Malibu's Most Wanted.;-)"}, {"response": 1034, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Apr 22, 2003 (17:20)", "body": "(Tress)This is good news!! I thought I'd have to go through Hunk Daddy withdrawal. I can last a couple of months...an amazing calmness has come over me. ;-) LOL, I wonder if Lola is a mind reader. I'm calm, too, now. Thank you Lola, for that DVD news, That's my anniversary...I can't think of a better gift. Mari, thanks for the box office numbers. Not exceptional, but holding its own."}, {"response": 1035, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Apr 22, 2003 (17:28)", "body": "(HolaLola)Don't know if you already know this or not but WAGW will be released in Video and DVD on July 15th Great news Lola, and it means I'll hopefully have a copy of the Region 1 DVD before it's cinema release in the UK in August!"}, {"response": 1036, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Apr 22, 2003 (17:40)", "body": "Re UK Premiere of HS on 28 April in London. I initially thought the date of the Italian Institute reading had been changed to accommodate his appearance. But filming of Trauma commences in the Isle of Man on the same date. So just where will he be? - (I'm keeping my fingers crossed for EmmaB!)"}, {"response": 1037, "author": "Odile", "date": "Tue, Apr 22, 2003 (18:03)", "body": "Anyway, I went for viewing # 4 yesterday (I'll never catch up to some of you ladies) and the theater was packed. I had quite the opposite experience. It was #6 for me and #2 for my friend and we were the only 2 in the room. Needless to say we sat where there is \"dancing room\" in front of us and had an absolute ball getting up to \"release the pressure\"! Of course this was because it was the 10:30pm show. My experience has been that weekend matinees have been going strong (a ratio of 70/30 kids vs. more mature audience) whereas in the evening, my friend and I are doing our part by vowing to go once a week until it disappears -- that is aside from other friends I drag there (so far all liked it)."}, {"response": 1038, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 22, 2003 (19:43)", "body": "I had quite the opposite experience. It was #6 for me and #2 for my friend and we were the only 2 in the room. Sunday matinee for me.. 4 in the theatre total. It's a cute movie and like we said, it will do fine."}, {"response": 1039, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 23, 2003 (08:53)", "body": "(Janet) But filming of Trauma commences in the Isle of Man on the same date. So just where will he be? Hopefully, he will be at the ICI. Just because filming starts on a given date doesn't necessarily mean he has to be there. I'm sure there are many other things on the production schedule."}, {"response": 1040, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr 23, 2003 (09:21)", "body": "I thought the HS premiere was the 28th, and thre ICI thing tomorrow? Anyway, I can't imagine he'll miss the premiere--it's his movie--and surely they can work around him for a couple of days. Also, I'm guessing that a flight to the Isle of Man is very brief? Maybe a half hour or so?"}, {"response": 1041, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 23, 2003 (09:28)", "body": "(mari) Also, I'm guessing that a flight to the Isle of Man is very brief? Maybe a half hour or so? And BV might even send a plane for him ;-)"}, {"response": 1042, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 23, 2003 (09:34)", "body": "(Mari) I thought the HS premiere was the 28th, and thre ICI thing tomorrow? Quite right; the ICI reading was changed to accommodate the premiere. Not paying attention. He'll be at both. I expect the premiere was bumped up to accommodate him, since the film isn't being released until the 9th, when he'll be coming apart and see apparitions."}, {"response": 1043, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 23, 2003 (12:48)", "body": "(Karen), since the film isn't being released until the 9th, when he'll be coming apart and see apparitions. ROTF! And let's not forget how hard he's work to get to fall apart. ;-) Can't wait to see his \"look\" for that one. This board will be very busy this next week. :-D"}, {"response": 1044, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Apr 23, 2003 (14:28)", "body": "(Odile)my friend and I are doing our part by vowing to go once a week until it disappears -- that is aside from other friends I drag there (so far all liked it). Excellent! I dragged my aunt there last night...she loved it. #11 for me:-) I've had different experiences at different times. Usually the weekend shows are packed...the earlier ones, that is. The week day shows in the evenings have been quiet. Last night there were 12 of us, my daughter being the youngest in the theater. I did manage to see the LA video again, too. That is like the icing on the cake. I did pay special attention to the kiss. Moon, I definitely saw what looked to me like tongue action on his part. You can't see the tongue, but his facial muscles certainly looked as though they were working at more than just lip service:-) BTW, I need to go to the AM theater to see this, as I mentioned before. In this theater there were No people for the 8:00 show. As far as I could see, WAGW had the most at 12. (Moon)Can't wait to see his \"look\" for that one Anything resembling HD or the InStyle pictures will do me."}, {"response": 1045, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Apr 23, 2003 (15:55)", "body": "(Linda)#11 for me:-) LOL, I think you win the price for multipal (sp?) viewings! You have my vote! I hope the \"early\" attention for LA is good news in this part of the world. Perhaps this could be the next theatrical release here, first one since BJD :-( Thank you for all the articles and news. And - Karen, as much as I love the HD LP dance, I'm not sure the reflection (sp?) in the mirror is the one Rika hoped to see, when she claimed it as a keepsake ;-) Nevertheless, I like it (HD that is)."}, {"response": 1046, "author": "airstream", "date": "Wed, Apr 23, 2003 (20:53)", "body": "*note* New issue of InStyle has a CF pic in the letters section (RZ on the cover)."}, {"response": 1047, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Wed, Apr 23, 2003 (21:16)", "body": "(Amy)*note* New issue of InStyle has a CF pic in the letters section (RZ on the cover). And a V. fine CF pic it is! Must be from the same photo shoot as the March In Style article. Mmmm,Yummy!"}, {"response": 1048, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Apr 23, 2003 (22:46)", "body": "There was some talk about lack of TV ads regarding WAGW. They are showing them on MTV (I won't mention what I've been watching). Have seen it twice tonight. Testimonials from the young ones about how great the film is, with clips....one woman saying how she 'loved the father/daughter relationship'. A \"Now Playing\" tagged on the end."}, {"response": 1049, "author": "Leah", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (02:14)", "body": "The release date for WAGW in South Africa has been confirmed by Numetro as 25 July. Now the waiting begins."}, {"response": 1050, "author": "Leah", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (03:21)", "body": "The release date for Love Actually in South Africa has been confirmed by Numetro as 28 November. I sent an email for each of the upcomming films, and by the 3rd email, the reply was - As a dedicated Colin Firth fan, I will hold thumbs with you! I can't wait, and I am glad to see that there is at least one other CF fan in SA."}, {"response": 1051, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (07:44)", "body": "Re: those questions of WAGW's budget, from yesterday's Martin Grove column in THR, an article about comedies: 4. \"What A Girl Wants\" from Warner Bros. and Gaylord Films. A family comedy appealing mostly to teenage girls, it's directed by Dennie Gordon and stars Amanda Bynes, Colin Firth, Kelly Preston, Eileen Atkins, Anna Chancellor and Jonathan Pryce. \"Girl,\" which only cost about $20 million to make, took in $4.5 million last weekend and was down only 28 percent. With its three week cume at $27.2 million, it could end up with around $50 million domestically. \"Amanda's last film 'Big Fat Liar' did $48 million and opened up to less than this ($11.6 million in February 2002),\" Warners' Fellman said opening weekend. \"Based on the way 'Cody Banks' has been holding (this should do nicely). She's got an audience of from 7 to 17 and we're also getting moms and families.\" http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hollywoodreporter/columnists/grove/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1871456"}, {"response": 1052, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (08:49)", "body": "(Martin Grove article) With its three week cume at $27.2 million, it could end up with around $50 million domestically. Good news! And it still has its 'international tour' (glad you got a date for South Africa Leah)! After DVD sales (I predict a few in this crowd alone), it should do quite well! Thanks for the article Karen!"}, {"response": 1053, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (09:00)", "body": "and we're also getting moms and families. Moms are a separate category. LOL! If it took 20 million to make how much did Colin get paid?"}, {"response": 1054, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (09:09)", "body": "(Moon Dreams) If it took 20 million to make how much did Colin get paid? Whatever it was, it was'nt enough!! ;-))(come on, you knew someone had to say it!)"}, {"response": 1055, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (09:36)", "body": "(TRess)Testimonials from the young ones about how great the film is, with clips....one woman saying how she 'loved the father/daughter relationship'. LOL.WB heard you Mari. $50 M.ain't bad. Princess Diaries made $24.M on the VHS rentals*. *\"The Total VHS Rentals figure at the top of the page is the cumulative figure before it drops off the top 10 rentals chart. A video, on average, will make about 60% more after dropping off the top 10 rentals chart. \" At this rate not even TIOBE was a loser."}, {"response": 1056, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (10:35)", "body": "Eoww! I didn't think the numbers were all that good myself, especially when you look at what some of the others will be pulling in (How to Lose a Guy, et al.). Then when you couple it with how quickly the DVD/video is coming out tells me they don't think the film has much of a shelf life. Sorry, but I don't find it all that encouraging. *looking at my half empty glass*"}, {"response": 1057, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (11:00)", "body": "(Miss Cranky Pants)especially when you look at what some of the others will be pulling in (How to Lose a Guy, et al.) \"Ah feel yo'pain\" But listen, WAGW can't be compared to \"Lose a Guy\" or the other rom-coms. For starters it is age (9-13)and gender specific.Right there you cut out a chunk of the paying audience, and your repeaters. My sights were set too high too re:$$$ I look at it this way: It's better than the book. On the bright side, I just recieved my WAGW soundtrack. Oliver James is there, but no Kelly Preston.What a gyp! Three pics of Colin in backside of cover. The \"20yr old\" coming to meet the parents, the playground scene (they cut his bum, but I've decided the bulge is where he parked his chewing gum!), and going to the office in the Rolls wearing \"my blue suit\". Inside has the air-guitar scene."}, {"response": 1058, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (11:28)", "body": "(Evelyn) LOL.WB heard you Mari. Am glad somebody listens to me.;-) I think $50 million is fantastic. I figured $40 million would be a stretch. And the reason they're rushing the video/DVD out there in July is to catch the kids while they still have a month of summer break left. Has nothing to do with how long it will be in theaters. (Evelyn) WAGW can't be compared to \"Lose a Guy\" or the other rom-coms. For starters it is age (9-13)and gender specific. Right there you cut out a chunk of the paying audience, and your repeaters. Exactly. Plus \"Lose A Guy\" has \"date movie\" appeal--which gives it a big leg up right off the bat. WAGW's audience needs somebody to drive them to the theater.;-) Take another look at that half-filled glass, Miss Cranky P.;-) ;-) Also, as a comparison, take a look at the big name films released at about the same time (Gwynnie's View From the Top, Cuba Gooding's Boat Trip). Dead in the water."}, {"response": 1059, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (11:35)", "body": "Just running for shower, ironing skirt, dreading how terrible I am going to look next to Italian fashion-istas...but also very excited! Will report in tonight. Digital photos (if available - remembering he can still easily cancel) won't be ready till Sunday or Monday since I can only get them downloaded at DBf's house."}, {"response": 1060, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (11:43)", "body": "Oh!! Emma good luck! I can't wait to hear about your adventures! I'm keeping my fingers crossed.... Since we were talking about movie grosses, I have found an interesting site so that you can see how WAGW is doing compared to other films....I predict it will do better than 'Dreamcatcher'....but never see the numbers of 'Bringing Down the House' ;-) (Karen if this is the wrong place for this I apologize): http://www.the-movie-times.com/thrsdir/moviesofyear.mv?moviesof2003"}, {"response": 1061, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (11:48)", "body": "Emma I'm lighting candles for you. He will be there!!"}, {"response": 1062, "author": "Odile", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (11:51)", "body": "(Linda)#11 for me:-) Wasn't that your magic number for TIOBE? I see HD is probably going to leave Jack/Ernest in the dust... LOL! I am glad to see that there is at least one other CF fan in SA. Yes! and a fan ready to acknowledge herself as such. I'm sometimes tempted to just go and introduce myself to other \"mature\", by-themselves ladies at WAGW... I mean they can't all be there for AB! :) Of course, that might prove a bit embarassing... maybe not as much as some friends of mine talking to each other saying :\"oh yeah, last week I went to this movie with Odile called WAGW\" \"What? You too? How many times has she seen it?\" -- Of course that is an answer I own up only on Drool. :) Good luck EmmaB! Can't wait to see your report!"}, {"response": 1063, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (12:09)", "body": "Good Luck Emma, off course he will be there. Have faith! Just got a mail from filmfactory confirming no release in Denmark :-( They suggested I might catch it in Sweden, where it is released June 25th. Perhaps I should plan to cross our little pond? As always, thank you for the articles, links and news. signed TCDWAHFG (The Crazy Dane With A Half Full Glass)"}, {"response": 1064, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (12:48)", "body": "(Mari) Take another look at that half-filled glass, Miss Cranky P.;-) LOL! I spent years writing rationalizations for operational results, but could keep my fact and fiction separate. ;-) Good luck, Emma! Hoping to see your report soon."}, {"response": 1065, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (12:57)", "body": "(Odile)Wasn't that your magic number for TIOBE? I see HD is probably going to leave Jack/Ernest in the dust... LOL! LOL, glad to see you remembered. Yes, it is a hard one to call. As much as I love Jack/Earnest...HD has, alas, won my heart. Hoping I don't kick up too uch dust, but #12 is tomorrw. I think it was the looking at the tatto on Daphne's neck while she was asleep that did it, or was it the BLP, or waiting for Daphne on the stairs before the Royal Dress Show???...I'm still trying to decide. Good luck Emma, he is going to be there, and you are going to see him. Looking forward to your post. I've been thinking of you all day. What kind of glass should we use in thinking about the HS date here in the US? Thanks for the box office observations, Miss Cranky Pants, sheesh;-)"}, {"response": 1066, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (12:58)", "body": "Sorry for the missing letters up above, it's the blasted keyboard."}, {"response": 1067, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (13:54)", "body": "(For starters it is age (9-13)and gender specific.Right there you cut out a chunk of the paying audience. I wonder, since those young ones do pay a lower price for admittance, how much money it would make if everyone paid the same? I discovered one thing about pre-teen girls, is that once they really like something, they will try to buy everything associated with that thing. My neighbor's daughter has seen the movie 3 times (more than me!),is going to see it again this weekend, bought the book 2 wks ago, is getting the CD for her birthday next week and is intent on buying the DVD when it comes out in July. If you go by her, I think WB will make out pretty well."}, {"response": 1068, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (14:05)", "body": "(Ada) I discovered one thing about pre-teen girls...once they really like something, they will try to buy everything associated with that thing. My neighbor's daughter has seen the movie 3 times (more than me!),is going to see it again this weekend, bought the book 2 wks ago, is getting the CD ...is intent on buying the DVD ... ROFLOL! And that differs from most of us how? LOL I guess you truly never really grow up. (Gotta go check my email for my ebay Colin Firth search update....would not want to miss anything!)"}, {"response": 1069, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (14:15)", "body": "Emma can't wait to hear your report! That tape is so very enjoyable! Joyce, we can discuss it here."}, {"response": 1070, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (14:28)", "body": "(Moon Dreams) That tape is so very enjoyable! Joyce, we can discuss it here. Here? Or 166? My tail has'nt stopped wagging since watching it!:-}"}, {"response": 1071, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (15:22)", "body": "(Maria)Here? Or 166? My tail has'nt stopped wagging since watching it!:-} ROTFLOL, what an ab ...solutely appropiate way to put it. Yes, I'd love to discuss it, too. (saying \"absolutely\" in CF mode)"}, {"response": 1072, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (15:52)", "body": "For starters it is age (9-13)and gender specific. Plus \"Lose A Guy\" has \"date movie\" appeal Miss Cranky Pants suggests you add the following v. plausible reasons to your list: - The moon was in the second house - Jupiter was aligned with Mars ;-))))))) Shocker! Saw a WAGW commercial this afternoon on network TV. Was not a HD one, and I think they changed the message, saying it was the \"top teen comedy.\" I suppose they had to give it one more shot before the big Cancun movie opens. ;-) (Linda) Yes, I'd love to discuss it, too. Waddaya waiting for, Linda Richman to say, \"talk amongst yourselves\"? OK, your topic today is: Would closed-captioning have helped you to understand the questions better on the 'Lisa are you there' tape? Talk amongst yourselves..."}, {"response": 1073, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (16:16)", "body": "The moon was in the second house And what was Moon doing there? ;-) Just remember, peace doesn't guide the planet. ;-) daya waiting for, Linda Richman to say, \"talk amongst yourselves\"? Excuse my ignorance, but I have no idea who Linda R is? I'm waiting for Ms. Cranky Pant's permission. ;-) So here goes: Isn't wonderful to have him just staring at us? That Lisa bit killed me. I called my friend Lisa on her birthday and left a message on her machine. Is she sad to have missed the call? ;-) He fidgets quite a bit, slurps often when he drinks water and says \"You know\" repeatedly."}, {"response": 1074, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (16:45)", "body": "(Moon) Isn't wonderful to have him just staring at us? Yes it is!! And my favorite bit is when he does the 'two handed cover up'. First covering the thin spot with one hand then running the other hand through his hair. Also love the lip pinching...which he does several times...."}, {"response": 1075, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (16:56)", "body": "I don't even know what to say! I just had the most incredible night. And I am very intoxicated on white wine (also what he was drinking!!) courtesy of the ICI. I am so glad that I brought a friend with guts with me - who took the chicken, me that is, and said \"can I get a picture of you and my friend?\" to Colin who not only remembered this during his own picture-taking obligations for PEN, but also pointed out that the string of the camera was in the way of the view finder. IT WAS AMAZING! Livia is incredibly beautiful - which a lot of you already know. She is very pregnant right now, which you also know, but she looked amazing. Feel free to ask anything you want. I am on cloud 9. The alcohol helps =). If you want to do justice to a book, get him to read out a section or three of it. His voice - well, you all know how good it is! But to hear that in person is just surreal. The whole night has been completely surreal. Took lots of digital photos with a mini camera so I hope some turn out that I can share. The important one of me and him (so embarrassed that Kristen even harrassed him for it) is on my normal camera. I can't even believe that I was in the same room as him. With very few people. And, like, he moved in when the photo was taken. And I managed to say thank you. And he said you're welcome. I'm very sorry - I will be more sober tomorrow =)."}, {"response": 1076, "author": "Odile", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (17:10)", "body": "I'm so happy for you EmmaB! Enjoy the wine but don't forget everything before tomorrow. Ok I'll start the questions... What was he wearing?"}, {"response": 1077, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (17:11)", "body": "(Emma) I don't even know what to say! I just had the most incredible night. OMG!! Emma!!! I am so, so happy for you! After several near misses, it was your time. Sounds like you got more than one picture. Did you get a picture of Livia and Colin together? Does Livia look 'almost done'? What sections of the book did he read aloud (can you remember)? You said there were very few people. How many (do you guess)? And you said ODB 'moved in when the photo was taken'...how 'in' is 'in'? ;-) Did you get an autograph (did you bring your copy of The Leopard)? I'll stop now! I'm thrilled for you!!"}, {"response": 1078, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (17:13)", "body": "Emma...sounds as if you had a 'transcendental experience'. So happy for you."}, {"response": 1079, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (17:14)", "body": "Congratulations, Emma on a wonderful evening. So happy for you to have actually met him, talked with him, having your photo taken with him, breathed the same air.... I have to stop, I'm on my way to your cloud 9 as it is:-) Thank you so much for sharing. Will look forward to the pictures. You see, all the good vibrations, candles, optimistic thoughts and whathaveyou really paid off;-)"}, {"response": 1080, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (17:17)", "body": "Congrats, Emma! I told you alcohol is the key!! ;-)"}, {"response": 1081, "author": "joyce", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (17:18)", "body": "EmmaB Congratulations! Very happy for you and very clever to bring a friend with guts. Looking forward to hearing more. As if that isn't enough! (Karen)Waddaya waiting for, Linda Richman to say, \"talk amongst yourselves\"? Re: Lisa Tape. I'm working on a transcription of it(unless someone else already did it). Hope to have it done by the weekend and will post it somewhere here (where appropriate) for people who don't have access to it. Some of us may try to discuss it live but that is not to take the place of usual discussion here. It would be extracurricular. : )"}, {"response": 1082, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (17:22)", "body": "Okay, Kristen is now telling me to get off the computer, but I will try to answer some questions. He was wearing a navy blue collared shirt (untucked) with light brown suede blazer (which she can confirm is real suede as she grabbed his arm to get his attention) with grey/light green khakis. And boots? Dark brown or black. Very prominent part in his hair. Kristen says it was frizzy and balding. =) But looked exactly like he does on camera. Unbelievable really. Brushed by both of us. How juenvile I feel that that is so exciting! Funny Annette, I said - I am breathing the same air as him! That was really enough. But I am thankful that someone had more guts than me or I would have left and not taken the fantastic opportunity. I think maybe there was a 100 people there, maybe a few more. Some literary, some interested in Sicily/Italy, and some there for my same motivations =). I will look at the book again and remember the passages that he read. The first and last were the most vivid - the passage in which the garden and the death of the soldier were recounted. And then the Prince's death."}, {"response": 1083, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (17:36)", "body": "(EmmaB)I think maybe there was a 100 people there, maybe a few more I just checked the English Pen site (via Karens link at The Bucket), and it states that the event was sold out. So it seems they wantet it rather intimate and small. Lucky for you, Emma :-) Thank you for your quick response, Good Night, and sweet dreams!"}, {"response": 1084, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (17:38)", "body": "Emma, I'm thrilled for you! Good things come to those who wait and breathe the same air as YKW! Relax, relive it, and try to remember every detail slowly but surely! Thanks for your report. Love the sound of what he was wearing, but wonder if the 'boots' were the funny ones he wore for the interview with Harry Smith?"}, {"response": 1085, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (17:47)", "body": "Emma...thanks so much for sharing! Living half way around the world from ODB, I have to live vicariously through others. Thanks for all the tidbits you could throw our way!! And remember, if you think of anything else, we are here...waiting...like puppies by the back gate. Have pleasant dreams!"}, {"response": 1086, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (18:08)", "body": "(Emma)And he said you're welcome. He said that? \"You're welcome?\" Whattaguy! ;-) Very happy for you, Emma. You're on a roll--are you going to try again at the HS premiere? navy blue collared shirt (untucked) with light brown suede blazer . . . with grey/light green khakis. Sounds . . . lovely . . .;-) Very prominent part in his hair. Side part? Or flopping in the middle part? I love the side part look from WAGW. Kristen says it was frizzy and balding. =) We need to all chip in, get the hair and makeup lady from WAGW, and put her on retainer.:-) Were there any other readings, or just Colin's?"}, {"response": 1087, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (18:30)", "body": "Yahoo, Emma. Way to go. I'm so thrilled for you. Can you breathe into an envelope and send me some air?? I'll pay the postage. Did you stay till the end? How long did he and Livia stay. Who left first? The Firth's or you. Oh Gawd, I'm on cloud 9 right along with you. Now you must go to HS premiere. Now for Miss Cranky Pants... Who is Linda Richman?? Have I missed something:-) (MCP)Would closed-captioning have helped you to understand the questions better on the 'Lisa are you there' tape? Talk amongst yourselves... No, but sitting on his lap and sharing his earpiece would have been a great help. Ok, don't ff through the test patterns, you can't see him, but the sound is still on. I'm changing my name to Lisa I loved the look he was getting by the end of the tape...like if one more person asks if the scenery behind me is real, I'm going to blow a gasket. That's it for the moment, want to get my questions posted for Emma... Linda Richman...*scratching head* Now where do I know her from??? (Karen)Shocker! Saw a WAGW commercial this afternoon on network TV. Double Shocker--Watching a NY affiliate just now, have seen a WAGW commercial at each commercial break for the last hour."}, {"response": 1088, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (18:33)", "body": "(Cranky Pants)spent years writing rationalizations for operational results, but could keep my fact and fiction separate. ;-) Poor CP. Made cynical by years of cookin' the books for the accounting firm of Dewy, Cheatham & Howe. ;-) (Moon)Excuse my ignorance, but I have no idea who Linda R is? Hysterically funny Jewish mother character performed by Mike Myers on Saturday Night Live. LR is a radio phone-in talk show hostess. \"Her\" show is called \"Coffee Talk\" which she of course pronounces \"Cawfee Tawk.\" Classic comedy. Karen has done some very funny takes on it for our Odds & Ends birthday parties--has her down to a tee. Joyce, thanks for taking on the job of transcribing Colin Unplugged! Will be much easier to discuss that way. For now, we could do it Jeopardy style, as we know his answers, but have to come up with the questions.;-) \"Alex, I'll take fidgeting and lip biting for $200 . . .\";-)"}, {"response": 1089, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (19:01)", "body": "(Emma) Took lots of digital photos with a mini camera so I hope some turn out that I can share. The important one of me and him (so embarrassed that Kristen even harrassed him for it) is on my normal camera. Wonderful news, Emma! I'm so happy for you! Can't wait to see the pictures. I don't know if you can do it over there, but here you can have film from regular cameras processed as prints and saved to a photo CD, so you have both. You might check into it. If I had a picture of me and ODB, I'd want it saved every possible way. (Odile) Yes! and a fan ready to acknowledge herself as such. I'm sometimes tempted to just go and introduce myself to other \"mature\", by-themselves ladies at WAGW... I mean they can't all be there for AB! :) At my #5 there was a suspicious-looking woman of a certain age in the audience, sitting way up close. Afterwards I saw her in the ladies' and asked her how she'd liked the movie, commented on CF, etc. She thought WAGW was cute and said \"he\" was good, but it didn't seem she was a particular fan. Later I saw her in the parking lot, putting flyers on the windshields of cars. I guess she spent her break in the movie."}, {"response": 1090, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (19:32)", "body": "Congrats, Emma!! And did you take a deep breath as you posed so you could remember how he smells? Suede-ish? ;-) navy blue collared shirt (untucked) with light brown suede blazer Is this the same as the Lisa Tape clothes? AKA Colin Unplugged (LOL, Mari. At first I thought you were referring to the hair, or lack thereof.) (Mari)For now, we could do it Jeopardy style, as we know his answers, but have to come up with the questions What do you suppose was asked when he said, \"What's not to like?\" I hope he was responding to a compliment. And what was he talking about when he mentioned how he had fantasized about it for years? Joyce, thanks for the future transcription. Listen for his quiet F-word near the end around the \"what an asshole\" comment. My very dear, and alert, fellow fan friend caught that one, much to our delight."}, {"response": 1091, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (19:39)", "body": "My favorite is the \"Elder Statesment\" segment. He puffs up waits for the young'uns to come to him for words of wisdom and it nevah 'appens. Poor baby:-(("}, {"response": 1092, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (19:40)", "body": "Thank you for not keeping us in suspense! How ab-solutely wonderful! Just remember, no detail is too small for us to be interested in so please try and recall every molecule that occupied the room! Sweet Dreams Emma! (EmmaB)I will be more sober tomorrow =). I have a suspicion you won't be \"sober\" for a long time! ;-))"}, {"response": 1093, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (19:49)", "body": "(Brenda) \"What's not to like?\" Not all the way through yet so I'm not sure and memory might be faulty, but does this not immediately preceed the bit about never seeing evidence (of adoration) but only hearing about it...the infamous \"somebody's mother, sister, aunt...\" bit? I was thinking the question to probably be something like \"How do you feel about being considered sex-on-a-stick and the hottest thing in tails by fantasy-fixated, frothing women everywhere?\" (OK, maybe it wasn't quite like that but I bet I'm close.)"}, {"response": 1094, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (20:41)", "body": "Congratulations Emma, you lucky, lucky girl!! I hope you felt us there with you in spirit, because we were all cheering you on! I think you would have been intoxicated even if you had skipped the wine. Cloud nine is getting rather crowded, isn't it? Sweet dreams. (Barb)does this not immediately preceed the bit about never seeing evidence (of adoration) but only hearing about it...the infamous \"somebody's mother, sister, aunt...\" bit? You are absolutely right! Just watched that part while trying to find the bit where he says my name (Hello, Lisa, can you hear me Lisa?) OMG! This tape is a must have for Droolers everywhere!"}, {"response": 1095, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (21:54)", "body": "(Hen Lisa) Just watched that part while trying to find the bit where he says my name (Hello, Lisa, can you hear me Lisa?) Too many Lisa's having too much fun with the name thing around here. I must have my share! (Oooh, I feel better already!)"}, {"response": 1096, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (22:22)", "body": "OMG! I'm in firthette hell! Emma's great news and tidbits, the Lisa tape discussions starting, and whatever will come this coming week and I'm leaving town and my two computers tomorrow at 6:00 am! Whatever will I do? I've become addicted to this board but I shall conquer this, I shall! Nahhhhhh. I'll catch up. Great news Emma and thanks soooo much for sharing and the opportunity for vicarious drooling. I'll even take him frizzy and balding. Now back to the Lisa tape before I sleep."}, {"response": 1097, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (22:52)", "body": "Congratulations Emma!!! All your efforts have paid off in the best way possible. So very very happy for you. Can only imagine how you are feeling. I know how I would be, if it happend to me. Thank you so much for sharing, can't wait to hear more and see the pics. How wonderful!!!"}, {"response": 1098, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (23:11)", "body": "Emma, I am so happy for you! Sounds like a fantastic night; thanks for sharing all the news. I hope you can share the pictures too."}, {"response": 1099, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 24, 2003 (23:36)", "body": "Great reportage, Emma!! Sounds like a night you will always remember. Now, where were his hands and where were yours? Were you bold enough to put them around him? If not, then you didn't have enough to drink. Colin who not only remembered this during his own picture-taking obligations for PEN, but also pointed out that the string of the camera was in the way of the view finder. Tell us about his picture-taking obligations for PEN. Do they have a monthly magazine?? newsletter??? Hmmm Very prominent part in his hair. Kristen says it was frizzy and balding. =) We talking part on side or the one in the back we all saw as he pointed out the sights of London? ;-) Colin is a real pro when it comes to taking pics like this. Remember him asking which camera and where should I look, plus the infamous, \"should I lose some height?\" (Brenda) At first I thought you were referring to the hair, or lack thereof.) *snort* Finally, our two Maple Leafs in London came through on the same day with the Tube magazine pic from Love Actually. It is rather small and I've enlarged it a bit. Thanks to both Emma and Leona. Colin is wearing headphones. I'd say, \"quick, somebody claim them,\" but we can't be sure that is in the movie or a behind the scenes shot and Colin is listening to playback. The caption: Next autumn's box-office hopeful from the makers of Notting Hill and Four Weddings and a Funeral is a series of ten intertwined love stories with a star-studded cast including Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson and Colin Firth - playing a man who discovers his girlfriend's affair - recently shot a scene at Canary Wharf station. Looking forward to your transcription, Joyce."}, {"response": 1100, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Fri, Apr 25, 2003 (03:51)", "body": "Up early for more sightseeing and feeling a bit rough...but bloody good =). It would have been really easy for me to have run out of there last night just content with seeing him in person, but I did feel like I would be letting the team down if I didn't do *something*. So spent half the night trying to find something intelligent to say, which wasn't happening. Thankfully I had outside intervention that worked out well! Okay, let me see what I can tackle here... Colin and Livia - did not get a pic of them together. They weren't standing together that much. A few times they walked over to say something to each other, and when they were leaving (which is just when he remembered he still had a picture taking obligation with me!), but other than that it seemed like she was busy talking to people she knew, and he was a little busy with various women around him =). Livia is very pregnant, I don't know how much since I don't have a lot of knowledge about pregnancy, but 7 or 8 months? She just looked stunning - not that her clothes were anything outside the ordinary, but physically. I didn't get a hug - a bit of a 'lean in' for the photo is all. It's true Karen I just hadn't had quite enough wine at that point! No autograph either. I didn't think last night was the time for that as it was supposed to be about the book and author. But then I was kicking myself as someone had their copy of Speaking with the Angel. I heard from someone that he is maybe not going on Monday to the HS premiere (they asked). Doesn't make a lot of sense since it's all about him, but we'll see (am going after work). The good omen on the way last night, the reason why I really knew he would be there, was the sudden appearance of giant HS posters in the tube tunnels. Nice to see his face in giant proportions on the way home too =). He was completely charming and nice to everyone. He looked a bit bored during the bits of the presentation not involving him. But smiled at the funny parts. Held his hand to his mouth in that way that he does. I couldn't get photos in that bit since it was very dark and I was standing at the back - I actually turned up late, so awful! The evening went like this - presentation was David Gilmour speaking, Colin reading, woman that I don't know her name right now speaking, Colin reading, audience comments and questions, Colin reading. Never heard what happened to Mr Blahnik! I haven't seen the interview so I don't know about the boots or clothes. Don't mind my friends perception of his hair - he looked great! It was a middle-ish part. As the picture I have was taken on their way out the door, the Firths left just before 9pm I think. We were ready to go but we waited (didn't want to seem creepy). Plus that way I could freak out and not worry about him seeing =). Gotta go to Westminster Abbey, but I will check in later... Thanks for wonderful encouragement and good thoughts everyone!"}, {"response": 1101, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Apr 25, 2003 (05:55)", "body": "Oh Emma, you lucky girl. I'll be gone all day today, but I'll check in-in case you post again. I thought about you all last night, and I couldn't sleep. I wondered if you were able to. (Emma)he was a little busy with various women around him I just can't imagine why:-)"}, {"response": 1102, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Apr 25, 2003 (06:21)", "body": "(Emma)I heard from someone that he is maybe not going on Monday to the HS premiere (they asked). I wondered about that. Since the first day filming of Trauma on the Isle of Man is on the same date. Any Manx CF fans out there? It is a very small island. Anybody planning an early holiday this year? - my sister says it's a very beautiful island!"}, {"response": 1103, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Apr 25, 2003 (07:17)", "body": "Emma, how great for you! Can't wait to see the picutures. presentation was David Gilmour speaking, Colin reading, woman that I don't know her name right now speaking, Colin reading, audience comments and questions, Colin reading. Never heard what happened to Mr Blahnik! As in Manolo Blahnik? ;-) And is this David Gilmour Pink Floyd's guitarist? I'm betting he will be at the HS premiere. Lucky girl!"}, {"response": 1104, "author": "Jodi", "date": "Fri, Apr 25, 2003 (07:24)", "body": "Emma, thanks so much for the great report! I can't wait to see some pictures too. I'm wondering about your friend Kristen though. I think you should make her watch P & P while she is visiting:)"}, {"response": 1105, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Fri, Apr 25, 2003 (07:54)", "body": "Emma, it sounds like you had a wonderful night; thanks for the report! I think it'll be a while before you come down from cloud 9 ;) Good luck at the HS premiere!! (Emma) Plus that way I could freak out and not worry about him seeing =). LOL! I would need a considerable amount of freak-out time, myself :P"}, {"response": 1106, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 25, 2003 (08:38)", "body": "(Emma) I didn't get a hug - a bit of a 'lean in' for the photo is all. It's true Karen I just hadn't had quite enough wine at that point! Awww :( Must've been because the wifey was around. I remember some ladies had the nerve to put their arms around Colin while posing. I suppose I should just be grateful that he had his hands on me. *snicker* I heard from someone that he is maybe not going on Monday to the HS premiere (they asked). That's insane! I'd like to think that he was just being evasive, but I don't. :( (Moon) As in Manolo Blahnik? ;-) Yes, he was supposed to be there."}, {"response": 1107, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Apr 25, 2003 (09:01)", "body": "(Emma) I didn't get a hug - a bit of a 'lean in' for the photo is all. Ohhh.....don't sweat the hug! You shared his 'space'!!!! Lucky girl! And despite the fact that some were saying he may not show at the HS premiere, I am going to cross my fingers and light the necessary candles and think good thoughts and hope he comes your way again!!! I'm still so happy for you Emma! (Emma) The good omen on the way last night, the reason why I really knew he would be there, was the sudden appearance of giant HS posters in the tube tunnels. Nice to see his face in giant proportions on the way home too =). Bet you saw him in your dreams last night in giant proportions as well! Well done Emma!"}, {"response": 1108, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Fri, Apr 25, 2003 (09:34)", "body": "(Emma) Thank you so much for your wonderfull reports! I am very happy for you and can imagine how you feel. I'm surprised you can remember so many details about him (when I met him I was so overwhwlmed I couldn't take in anything). I hope you'll have a chance to ask for an autograph at the HS premiere. Maybe he'll even remember you."}, {"response": 1109, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Apr 25, 2003 (09:57)", "body": "(Moon) As in Manolo Blahnik? ;-) (Cranky P.)Yes, he was supposed to be there. And he didn't show? The heel. ;-) Emma, from your description of how Livia looks, it sounds like her facial appearance has not changed, which generally signals a boy baby. How was she carrying: mostly in front, or was she sort of round all the way?"}, {"response": 1110, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Apr 25, 2003 (10:01)", "body": "(Emma) feeling a bit rough...but bloody good =). I *completely* empathize with you here. ;-);-) when they were leaving (which is just when he remembered he still had a picture taking obligation with me!) How exciting! He remembered! When he was leaving, too. Did you notice if she look perturbed that he went back, or no big deal? They weren't standing together that much. A few times they walked over to say something to each other.......but other than that it seemed like she was busy talking to people she knew, and he was a little busy with various women around him =). Sounds exactly like the party. Guess she gives him leeway for the adoring masses of Drooleurs and droolers to have their chance near him. ;-) presentation was David Gilmour speaking (Moon) And is this David Gilmour Pink Floyd's guitarist? When this was announced I wondered about this and thought it was an odd choice. Just said to someone the other day, it's a shame he hasn't toured here in a long time (solo or with PF). He puts on an awesome show. Forgot he was supposed to be there....wonder why? Is he married to an Italian, too? Does your jaw hurt from constant grinning? Do you realize you break out spontaneously into a huge grin and maybe laugh, say in the middle of Westminster Abbey, for seemingly no reason that other people could fathom? ;-) Well done, Emma and Kristen."}, {"response": 1111, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Fri, Apr 25, 2003 (10:28)", "body": "(Mari) it sounds like her facial appearance has not changed, which generally signals a boy baby. Oh, but I thought it's the other round. If a woman is pregnant with a baby boy, her facial appearance will change because of the hormone."}, {"response": 1112, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Apr 25, 2003 (10:32)", "body": "(Mari), Emma, from your description of how Livia looks, it sounds like her facial appearance has not changed, which generally signals a boy baby. How was she carrying: mostly in front, or was she sort of round all the way? I'm taking bets it's a boy. We must have more little male Firths on this Earth. ;-) And he didn't show? The heel. ;-) LOL, you couldn't resist."}, {"response": 1113, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Fri, Apr 25, 2003 (10:34)", "body": "Oops, it should be \"the other way round\". sorry. BTW, thank you so much for your report, Emma."}, {"response": 1114, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Fri, Apr 25, 2003 (12:38)", "body": "Oh Karen I forgot to say - I didn't know what exactly the pictures were for that they took of the group of speakers at the ICI that Colin was asked to stand for, but it was a few group shots. Maybe their own, maybe a media outlet. I couldn't tell Livia was pregnant until I saw the bump - as in, her face is very well defined still, great bone structure! David Gilmour, seems like an academic. All I know about him is he wrote the introduction to one of the published versions of The Leopard. I must say I have been spontaneously grinning all day, Dorine! Particularly when I run into HS posters. Kristen and I have been saying hello =). If you want to get a feel for the party/drinks reception bit, think Kafka's Motorbike (it was a bit spooky). Kristen was threatening to ask where the toilets were if she ran into Salman. Of course I would have been mortified! Livia did not seem perturbed in any way that he was doing his obliged bit with anyway. She's gotta be used to it. And she is secure, I am sure!"}, {"response": 1115, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Apr 25, 2003 (15:13)", "body": "An online HS review, a bit more upbeatthan the last one..;-) http://www.movie-gazette.com/cinereviews/hope-springs.asp?bhcp=1"}, {"response": 1116, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Apr 25, 2003 (16:31)", "body": "Thanks for your reports Emma. I don't think I'd remember much of anything! When he 'leaned in', could you tell which cologne/aftershave he was wearing?"}, {"response": 1117, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Apr 25, 2003 (16:37)", "body": "Thanks again, Emma. One more question: where either Colin or Livia smoking? I hope not, but I seem to remember reports of Livia smoking during the Donmar perhaps?"}, {"response": 1118, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Fri, Apr 25, 2003 (21:13)", "body": "Colin's Films TV Schedule (till May 31) http://www.tv-now.com/stars/firth.html"}, {"response": 1119, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Apr 25, 2003 (21:13)", "body": "Thank you Emma for more news. Another question in addition to the aftershave one...What was Livia wearing? I know you said she looked beautiful, but can you remember exactly what she had on and what colors? Just trying to coordinate what ODB was wearing in my head with LD's outfit. Nice review of HS, Maria. I'm looking all over for posters but I haven't seen any yet. The manager of our multiplex checked the summer calendar and it isn't listed for that theater anyway. Entertainment Weekly had the summer movie guide for June, July, and August. I went over it several times...no mention of it:-("}, {"response": 1120, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Apr 25, 2003 (21:17)", "body": "Thank you so much for such a great report of your exciting evening Emma. Great job. I'm sure it'll be a while before your feet touch ground, and deservedly so. Thank you for Tube pic Leona. Thank your Maria for HS review. It is much better. I agree with Emma, hopefully he will attend premiere the movie is all about him, wouldn't make sense if he wasn't there. Fingers crossed."}, {"response": 1121, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Apr 25, 2003 (22:40)", "body": "Thanks again, Emma, for being such a great reporter! We'll all be lighting candles in hopes that you'll see him again at the HS premiere."}, {"response": 1122, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Apr 26, 2003 (01:10)", "body": "(Emma) He was wearing a....collared shirt (untucked) with....blazer with ....And boots Sounds like he and I consulted the same stylist that night for our nights out. ;-) Kristen was threatening to ask where the toilets were if she ran into Salman. ROTFL! Just got my tape. It is *utterly, utterly* fascinating! What a sexy little laugh he has...or partially stifled laugh. :-D"}, {"response": 1123, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Apr 26, 2003 (08:24)", "body": "(Dorine) What a sexy little laugh he has...or partially stifled laugh. :-D Pretty amazing isn't it? Like the Valmont laugh but softer...makes my tummy feel all funny when I hear it!! ;-D"}, {"response": 1124, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 26, 2003 (09:06)", "body": "Thanks for the HS review, Maria. There is one in Sight and Sound (May issue) which hasn't hit our shores yet and is not online. So if anyone in the UK wants to check it out... (Linda) I'm looking all over for posters but I haven't seen any yet. I have two in a mailing tube. Does that count? ;-) (Dorine) What a sexy little laugh he has...or partially stifled laugh. (Tress) Like the Valmont laugh That's his \"I've said/thought something naughty\" laugh, same as on Jon Stewart's show when he made the autoeroticism comment. No need to worry. From all I've heard, Colin will be at the premiere and the only other one listed as a for sure is Minnie. Hope to have a line on the party afterward as well."}, {"response": 1125, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Sat, Apr 26, 2003 (09:17)", "body": "Sight and Sound's available here. Let me check this out tomorrow. But I doubt that they'd like this film."}, {"response": 1126, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Apr 26, 2003 (09:22)", "body": "(Karen), From all I've heard, Colin will be at the premiere and the only other one listed as a for sure is Minnie. Hope to have a line on the party afterward as well. We need you Emma and our other UK based Firthettes. Very interested in that line to the party. We need details, ladies! Best of luck!"}, {"response": 1127, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Apr 26, 2003 (10:07)", "body": "(Dorine) What a sexy little laugh he has...or partially stifled laugh. (Tress) Like the Valmont laugh Guess I'm not that into Valmont. He didn't enter my mind at all. (Karen) That's his \"I've said/thought something naughty\" laugh, same as on Jon Stewart's show when he made the autoeroticism comment. Hmmm, will have to go back to watch that. I remember that, but didn't think anything remarkable about the laugh. Maybe I couldn't hear it as well with audience laughter, too. I think that's why it's so appealing....kind of childlike almost. Hard to describe, but I *loved* it."}, {"response": 1128, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Apr 26, 2003 (10:36)", "body": "(Tress)Like the Valmont laugh but softer Yes, I was thinking the same thing--the scene in which V is soaking wet and AB's character is asking him to seduce Cecile. CF also mutters fuck under his breath at some point during the interview. If you're interested in the company that produced the satellite interviews, go here--this is a big business, apparently: http://www.onthescene.com Satellite Media Tours (SMT) This format puts your spokesperson or newsmaker in a studio or on location being interviewed one-on-one with reporters via satellite. On The Scene\ufffds media specialists pre-book the stations in consecutive segments, going to as many as 7 cities per hour."}, {"response": 1129, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Apr 26, 2003 (10:45)", "body": "(Mari) CF also mutters fuck under his breath at some point during the interview. LOL, I caught that. That big sigh he made looking like Louis Armstrong was a riot, too."}, {"response": 1130, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Apr 26, 2003 (11:07)", "body": "(Mari) CF also mutters fuck under his breath at some point during the interview. LOL.Doing interviews is not exactly his favorite passtime. Gives new meaning to \"bored to death\"."}, {"response": 1131, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Apr 26, 2003 (11:23)", "body": "(Mari) Yes, I was thinking the same thing--the scene in which V is soaking wet and AB's character is asking him to seduce Cecile. Yup! That laugh! I haven't heard it in any of his other films (anyone?)....but heard it during the interviews several times. (Mari) CF also mutters fuck under his breath at some point during the interview. Heard that! Thought...\"a man after my own heart\"! (Dorine) That big sigh he made looking like Louis Armstrong was a riot, too. Loved that! Made me laugh, he expelled a some air and his eyes got a bit buggy! Also, did you catch the humming thing he did? It was during a 'test pattern' \"mmmmm........mmmmm......mmmmm\"....v.v. funny!"}, {"response": 1132, "author": "aishling", "date": "Sat, Apr 26, 2003 (12:38)", "body": "Hope Springs Review from Sight and Sound. (May 2003) Demetrios Matheou One picture of Minnie Driver. When Colin Ware, an English artist, finds out that his fianc\ufffde Vera is to be married to another man, he is so grief-stricken that he escapes to the New England town of Hope to recuperate. He checks into the Battlefield Inn, with the intention of distracting himself by preparing an exhibition of portraits of the townsfolk. The Inn\ufffds manageress, Joanie, decides to match-make Colin with Mandy, a young woman who works in a rest home. The pair fall in love. Vera arrives in Hope, declaring that her marriage was a sham, designed to galvanise Colin himself onwards the altar. She wants him back. A battle of wits follows between the three lovers, at the height of which Vera invites Colin to her hotel, disrobes and tries to seduce him. Colin resists, but when Vera\ufffds cigarette sets off the hotel fire alarm and they flee the building, the passing Mandy sees her half-naked rival and assumes the worst. She rejects Colin. In return for a portrait, Colin persuades the mayor to convince Vera that she is descended from the town\ufffds founder \ufffd inviting her to be its Queen of Hope in the forthcoming Cannon Ball. When Colin reveals to her that she\ufffds been conned, Vera finally accepts that she has lost him. Nevertheless, as the festivities begin she takes her place alongside the mayor, who has become attracted to her. Mandy is tricked into meeting Colin. He proposes marriage and she accepts. For the first 15 minutes Mark Herman\ufffds film promises to be a romantic comedy with a refreshingly bitter bent. As the opening credit rolls, Colin Firth\ufffds devastated artist flies, then buses from abandonment by his fianc\ufffde in London to seemingly futile emotional escape in New England. On arrival, his heartbreak is compounded by extreme jet lag and cultural displacement, largely the result of the disconcerting eccentricity of Hope\ufffds inhabitants: the untrusting owners of the general store, with whom Firth\ufffds character Colin Ware shares an amusingly arch conversation about stationery (\ufffdrubber\ufffd meaning something altogether different to Americans), and Joanie, the mini-skirted owner of the Battlefield Inn, who takes a worryingly personal interest in her new guest. Throughout these scenes Firth is at his pinched-mouthed, distracted best. The actor is a specialist in aloof misery, of course, not least with his pair of Darcys (from Pride and Prejudice and Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary); but here he really seems to be on the edge of a precipice, his palpable gloom suggesting a bona fide account of everyday, but not insignificant, sorrow over being jilted. Unfortunately, no sooner has the man slept off his jet lag than Hope Springs performs a disappointing volte-face. Heather Graham\ufffds instant disrobement (Boogie Nights seems to have condemned her to nonchalant nakedness) may provide one of the more enjoyably oddball courtship scenes of recent years, but it has too immediate an effect on both Ware and the film. Ware casts off his despair \ufffd and his detachment \ufffd as he launches himself into a new romance. By the time his ex Vera has arrived, dressed in high heels and a wickedly barbed London urbanity, pathos has given way to lightweight comedy. The potential for exploiting the effect of culture clash on a grieving mind is squandered: decent lines such as \ufffdMaybe in England people live in the past, but here that ain\ufffdt done much\ufffd are replaced by bedroom farce and a running joke about Vera\ufffds smoking in the nicotine-free zone that is present-day America. Hope Springs might seem like a good marriage of film-maker and original writer. Writer-director Mark Herman\ufffds work is characterised by a well-balanced sense of tragi-comedy; Brassed Office, whose unemployed miners find solace in a brass band; Little Voice, in which Jane Horrock\ufffds very large voice offers escape from a hideously humdrum life; the underrated Purely Belter, a Loachian paean to childish optimism turned sour amid northern deprivation. Charles Webb, whose novel New Cardiff Herman adapts, was responsible for The Graduate, which Mike Nichols turned into one of the most cynical of romantic comedies. But on this occasion, both novel and film opt for pleasure rather than pain, sparkling dialogue rather than insight. The results make for a film with little consistency or conviction \ufffd one whose very title suggests the rote vacuity so favoured by Hollywood at the moment."}, {"response": 1133, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Apr 26, 2003 (13:42)", "body": "(Mari) CF also mutters fuck under his breath at some point during the interview. (Tress)Heard that! Thought...\"a man after my own heart\"! LOL, At least we know what his favorite curse word will be if he ever appears on The Actor's Studio. I thought he might be a \"bollocks\" man, myself:-)He said it so beautifully in FP. Another laugh of his that I adore...he does it at the end of TIOBE when Algy is explaining to Lady Bracknell that Bumbry exploded, and he does it several times during the interview. He just kind of smiles and blows air through his nostrils, lips pursed, dimples showing (we all know he has the pursed lips down pat) but that sound of air just makes me nuts. (Karen)I have two in a mailing tube. Does that count? ;-) If we don't get a release date for this poxy film that may have to suffice. Thank you aishling for the review of HS. Lucky, lucky gehls."}, {"response": 1134, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Apr 26, 2003 (14:55)", "body": "(Tress)Yup! That laugh! I haven't heard it in any of his other films (anyone?)....but heard it during the interviews several times. RV Interesting that this reviewer read the book. \"The potential for exploiting the effect of culture clash on a grieving mind is squandered: decent lines such as ?Maybe in England people live in the past, but here that ain?t done much? are replaced by bedroom farce and a running joke about Vera?s smoking in the nicotine-free zone that is present-day America. (Sight and Sound)\"But on this occasion, both novel and film opt for pleasure rather than pain, sparkling dialogue rather than insight\". \"The Graduate\" was then and this is *now*. \"Pleasure\".. and \"sparkling dialogue\" is OK by me. Thanks Aishling for taking the time to type this up.."}, {"response": 1135, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 26, 2003 (16:11)", "body": "Thanks Aishling for running out and getting the mag, then typing it all up. I had forgotten S&S's reviews are always so full of spoilers, but they're meaty and incisive. I don't dismiss intelligent film criticism. [FYI, S&S is the magazine of the British Film Institute and not some rag aimed at pimply-faced Trekkies.] From the SPOILERS, there are lots of bizarre changes from the book, but as John Malkovich said the other night (whilst laughing), it should change. This is a good comment about Colin: Throughout these scenes Firth is at his pinched-mouthed, distracted best. The actor is a specialist in aloof misery...but here he really seems to be on the edge of a precipice, his palpable gloom suggesting a bona fide account of everyday, but not insignificant, sorrow over being jilted Well, at least it has \"sparkling dialogue.\""}, {"response": 1136, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 26, 2003 (17:53)", "body": "New page for Hope Springs: http://www.firth.com/hs_notes.html A preview of all the material you'll soon be reading in articles and interviews. ;-)"}, {"response": 1137, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Apr 26, 2003 (18:23)", "body": "Great page, Karen. I just lost \ufffd hour of well deserved sleep, because I simply had to read it all. But, I hope it provides sweet dreams. A thought, in the beginning, they talk a lot about the british/american angle. Makes me think of WAGW. But, that also seems to be the only thing, the two movies has in common. If only the reviewers could see, what the writers of the productionnotes saw, I guess it would get a great start at the cinema;-) Thank you Aisling for the S&S review. And thank you all for the articles and links."}, {"response": 1138, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Apr 26, 2003 (19:25)", "body": "(Karen) From the SPOILERS, there are lots of bizarre changes from the book, but as John Malkovich said the other night (whilst laughing), it should change. I'm a tad confused how John Malkovich fits in here. Did *HS* come up in conversation? Was he referring to his own film? Can't remember if The Dancer Upstairs is an adaptation....and too lazy to look before I send this. ;-) The one thing that strikes me about many of the HS reviews so far that are more critical is that the focus of much of the criticism is on the story itself. I don't see how that can be a valid criticism of the film itself unless it's a drastic change from the book. The story in the book is what it was and ironically all the criticisms they made about the characters and the story were my complaints about the book. And lastly...I was thinking earlier after watching the satellite tape and seeing as much as the \"real\" Colin as we can, that while he may be somewhat of a pain in the ass at home (as many, if not, most men are ;-))..... I *really* hope she appreciates him."}, {"response": 1139, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Apr 26, 2003 (19:31)", "body": "Or maybe I should say, she'd better. :-/"}, {"response": 1140, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Apr 26, 2003 (20:17)", "body": "(Dorine)that while he may be somewhat of a pain in the ass at home (as many, if not, most men are ;-))....., Not ODB, he's not most men:-))I simply refuse to believe he's a pain in the ass at home.**huge heavy sigh** (Evelyn)Pleasure\".. and \"sparkling dialogue\" is OK by me. . Me too. I loved this book and the \"sparkling\" dialogue...I never got the impression that the author wanted me to take away too much pain. I didn't think that Colin Ware was to be too tragic a figure either. A bit confused and in pain initially, but very quickly comes to the realization that (what he probably knew all along)Vera should have been out of his life a long time ago). I thought the humor and dialogue were \"sparkling\" and it is what I would expect from the film as well. IMHO, of course."}, {"response": 1141, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Apr 26, 2003 (21:44)", "body": "Thanks for typing out the S&S review, Aishling! This critic's main beef seems to be that HS is not The Graduate--but really, how often does one of those come along? Except for one or two, the reviews seem ok to me so far. Pics and write-up from the PEN event at link below. Livia looks very pretty--IMO, she's definitely carrying a boy! And Mr. Y Chromosome next to her looks good too.:-) http://www.englishpen.org/events/recentevents/atributetotheleopard/"}, {"response": 1142, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Apr 26, 2003 (22:17)", "body": "Thanks, Mari! First time I see Livia without any makeup. It looks like a boy to me too. :-D Thanks Aishling for and getting the mag, then typing it all up. (Linda), I never got the impression that the author wanted me to take away too much pain. I didn't think that Colin Ware was to be too tragic a figure either. I believe that the critic was referring to The Graduate when he spoke about pain."}, {"response": 1143, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Apr 26, 2003 (22:25)", "body": "Thank you for the link, Mari! That looks suspiciously like the satellite tape jacket, doesn't it? Might be the same shirt too. I keep encountering interesting reviews of WAGW in college newspapers. I'm surprise it's getting any coverage there since they're hardly the target demographic; however, it appears to be due to CF, who evidently has some fans on college campuses. Here are some excerpts from a review in the Johns Hopkins News-Letter: I don't mean to totally trash this movie, because it has a bright, spunky energy that redeems it, and after all, Colin Firth is a dish. Actually, What a Girl Wants is pretty clever in spots, especially when it plays on the Austen-ology that Firth fans will pick up in a heartbeat. For all you people who somehow managed to miss out on the A&E version of Pride and Prejudice (big mistake, BIG mistake) where Firth played Mr. Darcy and won his tight following, you're not going to \"get\" the ancestor named Lord \"Bingley\" Dashwood, the clever choice of having Anna Chancellor play the gold digger fiance, or other wink-wink moments. All the rest of you, keep your eyelids pricked. What rescues What a Girl Wants from being bubblegum froth after all is the daddy-little girl chemistry between Firth and Bynes.... Firth rises to form as the new dad who's discovering all the worrying that comes with having a teenage daughter on the loose. There's a particularly sweet moment where he calls up his ex-lover and asks plaintively, \"Is it always like this?\" Aww. And while he overdoes the awkward, starched, British act in the beginning, the scenes where he loosens up under his daughter's influence, and rediscovers the man he used to be, are executed with true Firthian grace. In fact, he pushes the envelope; it's a tad alarming to see him go loose like this. While Pride and Prejudice's Darcy loosens his cravat or undoes the top few buttons from his shirt, you'll see Firth as Dashwood go nuts in tight black glam leather. ..... Now, if you want a serious art movie, this ain't in your lane. But if you want an hour or so of no-brainer relaxation (not to mention Firth drooling), then this movie is just your cup of tea. Link to full article: http://www.jhunewsletter.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2003/04/18/3e9f1f51ae60b"}, {"response": 1144, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Apr 26, 2003 (22:47)", "body": "(Mari) Livia looks very pretty--IMO, she's definitely carrying a boy! And Mr. Y Chromosome next to her looks good too.:-) (Moon) First time I see Livia without any makeup. Thanks, Mari. Talk about livin' right....if you just look at her face, you'd never know she was having a baby let alone that far along. Even at first glance to me, at that angle and in all black, she barely looks pregnant. And he was definitely lookin' quite nice. :-) That's really cute, Rika. Thanks. Nice to see such intelligent, discerning kids in college these days. (Can't believe I refer to full grown people as kids. It can't be time, yet, LOL) And thanks Aishling for typing up that review."}, {"response": 1145, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Apr 26, 2003 (22:56)", "body": "And ROTFL, Karen! Just looked at the new HS page. That capture of him watching her take a swig might is my favorite look in the trailer so far. You caught it at a great place. Thanks, LOL!"}, {"response": 1146, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Apr 26, 2003 (22:57)", "body": "Karen, wonderful HS page! That picture with all the trees in full autumn foliage is such a tease. ;-) I wonder how many shots of someone else's hand we will get when Colin Ware draws? ;-) BTW, Lora asked at one of our local AMC theatres which has the poster up about the release date for HS in Miami and she was told July 9th. This guy seem to know all about it. It makes sense to me since it's opening in the UK in two weeks and they probably found a spot in July. Is opening in July the dearth of movies? I'm always away at that time."}, {"response": 1147, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (00:45)", "body": "Great job on the HS page, Karen. Has anyone ever heard of this phrase from the notes: \"weather forced 'French hours.'\" Rika, I agree, that looks like the Colin Unplugged jacket to me in the PEN pics. Emma, are any of those ladies you?:-) Thanks for the Johns Hopkins U review; no surprise at the Firth fandom, as you have to be pretty brilliant to get into J-H. (Moon)Is opening in July the dearth of movies? In the U.S., it's a very popular time of year to open films--the big action flicks, mostly, but no reason a comedy couldn't do ok then. Again, that's the U.S.--I have no idea about Miami.;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 1148, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (02:02)", "body": "(Johns Hopkins sistas) ...Colin Firth is a dish...true Firthian grace....Pride and Prejudice's Darcy loosens his cravat or undoes the top few buttons from his shirt, you'll see Firth as Dashwood go nuts in tight black glam leather. Glad to see our institutions of higher learning continue to raise the bar and aim for appreciation of art in all its higher forms. ;-) Me thinks a JH Firthette might need to delurk!"}, {"response": 1149, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (02:16)", "body": "(Me) .....watching her take a swig might is my favorite (Mari) you have to be pretty brilliant to get into J-H. Now you see why they let me in the library only. ;-)"}, {"response": 1150, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (07:35)", "body": "Hope this is not old. Karen, if it is, please delete (And use as you want):"}, {"response": 1151, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (07:35)", "body": "Very long interview/article on CF in Sunday Telegraph supplement. Photo on front cover which I didn't like, but very good photo accompanying article. Interviewer is smitten with CF but not Hope Springs...\"fluff\", although she praises the excellence of the acting by CF and MD. She prepared for the interview by watching Tumbedown, TEP, DQ and Conspiracy...doesn't like CF in lightweight roles. Nothing really new in the article. CF is in v.serious introspective Eeyore mode! Only new \"fact\" is about his family and university. Dad went to Cambridge, mother to Nottingham, grandfather to Oxford, cousins are high academic achievers. Also talks about Fair Trade and Oxfam. The premiere for HS is on behalf of Oxfam, at his instigation."}, {"response": 1152, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (07:54)", "body": "Also talks about conflict between ideals and reality, and how life has to be a \"bloody compromise\"."}, {"response": 1153, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (08:57)", "body": "Thanks, Murph. I think. That's quite possibly the least flattering photo of him I've ever seen. And coupled with that headline . . . what were they thinking? Anyway, I liked the \"Free Seeds Inside\" part--they've correctly identified him as Mr. Y Chromosome.;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 1154, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (09:02)", "body": "Thank god they put good photos up on English PEN since I just got mine onto the computer and they are really crap! Hopefully the one important one is a little better. Although I must say I don't really care that much, who needs photographic evidence really?! It happened, that's enough. =) Alas no I am not one of the admirers there. I wasn't really hanging off his arm, I could barely deal with it all =). Okay - well I was going to say what Livia was wearing but you can see. She was just in plain black trousers and flat comfortable looking shoes (possibly boots too). Her hair was fabulous. I didn't really inhale enough to check cologne situation. In fact I was probably holding my breath. Neither were smoking. Just he had the white wine. Someone else has said that he seemed to be in a bad mood that night. I don't think so - not that I know him enough to read him. But he was putting up with a lot. Kristen apologised for bothering him and he really was completely charming. And he said 'you're welcome' like he REALLY meant it, looking right into me! I am going to carry that one away for a long time =). Off to buy Sunday Telegraph. =)"}, {"response": 1155, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (09:03)", "body": "I really need to stop grinning so much. =)"}, {"response": 1156, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (10:06)", "body": "Didn't I call it?! The publicity started this weekend... Thanks, Murph, for the cover pic. I have several other unflattering pics of him that are similar to this one. Wonder, are they all from the Telegraph? ;-) (Bethan) Interviewer is smitten with CF but not Hope Springs...\"fluff\", although she praises the excellence of the acting by CF and MD. She prepared for the interview by watching Tumbedown, TEP, DQ and Conspiracy...doesn't like CF in lightweight roles. OK, I've been busted. Will have to come up with new nom de plume. ;-) (Mari) Anyway, I liked the \"Free Seeds Inside\" part--they've correctly identified him as Mr. Y Chromosome.;-) ;-) LOL!"}, {"response": 1157, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (10:29)", "body": "Not a winner, that's for sure. I am getting more later today. Will see if any of the others are not quite so \"hair deprived\" and gloomy."}, {"response": 1158, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (10:41)", "body": "Here's the second new one from The Sunday Telegraph, courtesy of Aishling:"}, {"response": 1159, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (11:11)", "body": "They should definitely get a better hairdresser for him. :) Maybe that's why he looked so upset. :("}, {"response": 1160, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (11:56)", "body": "OMG....hate me if you will, but I kinda like the Sunday Telegraph photo! The mussed up hair does something for me! And love the jacket!!! (Mari) I liked the \"Free Seeds Inside\" part--they've correctly identified him as Mr. Y Chromosome.;-) ;-) ROTF....I saw that at the bottom of the picture and though....OMG what kind of seeds did they include? ;-) The second picture.....I fell on the floor. Perfection!"}, {"response": 1161, "author": "odessa", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (12:31)", "body": "I too like the photos...quite darcyish somehow"}, {"response": 1162, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (12:47)", "body": "Emma, a belated hurrah for your ODB encounter; thanks ever so much for sharing it with us! Mari) I liked the \"Free Seeds Inside\" part--they've correctly identified him as Mr. Y Chromosome.;-) ;-) LOL, Mari, my thoughts were somewhat along those lines, too. ;-) Ack, at his hair, Louisa, his hair in the pic. Reminds me of how Bridget describes her hair--all peaks and weird shapes. Maybe it's the lighting or lack of makeup, but his face looks a little blotchy, too. We know he's photogenic, so why did they use such a lousy photo? Grrrr...."}, {"response": 1163, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (12:57)", "body": "Thanks, Murph, Aishling, Karen. That cover picture has to go. Didn't he look in the mirror before they took it? The second one is better but sad. Does it have a caption? Is that at his house? Does he ride a bike in London? (Bethan), Also talks about conflict between ideals and reality, and how life has to be a \"bloody compromise\". As in what? Did he give personal examples? Is the article on-line? I have a hard time getting in to the T site."}, {"response": 1164, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (12:58)", "body": "A couple of extracts from the article... For Evelyn.. The reporter raises (again!) the subject of his \"miserable\" schooldays(!) \"Oh God\" he says\" that has been a self-perpetuating thing, which I daresay I was responsible for, my first ever interview as a disgruntled, well not even disgruntled, just taking my first opportuunity to make my first gesture. I only didn't like school on the level of your average schoolboy not liking school\" The reporter seems to have conflicting views about HS....she likes the performances but not the film. She hates the (saccharine kooky sweet)scene where HG strips naked and \"attempts to convince Colin Firth that she has taken her clothes off in order to feel free and innocent, and asks him to do the same.\" She says that many people , particularly CF fans, will wish to leave the cinema at this point... \"but if they stay they will be rewarded by some excellent performances - particularly excellent given the general awfulness of the film - by not just CF, but by Mary Steenburgen and Minnie Driver..\" Make of that what you will!"}, {"response": 1165, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (13:57)", "body": "Hey Ladies, it's all happening here! First of all a belated WOW to you Emma, thanks for sharing your wonderful evening last Thursday in every thrilling and glorious detail, how fabulous for you. And as a note of caution..... when I got that close to him, you won't come down to earth for AGES:-)) Enjoy! Thanks Aishling for typing up the article and to Karen for the great HS page. And to everyone else for providing me such a droolful hour of \"catch- up.\""}, {"response": 1166, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (14:06)", "body": "Had to send my DB out for the Telegraph (well it's raining) and he came back with the Sunday Mirror \"just in case.\" The following snippet was on the William Hickey page. \"Colin Firth's sex- symbol genes seem to have appeared belatedly in his two year old son Luca. \"At about one or two months old he looked like a turnip but he has got over it.\" said Colin on Thursday at the Italian Cultural Institute's celebration of the author Tomasi di Lampedusa in London's Belgrave Square. \"Thankfully he no longer resembles a root vegetable.\" Firth, married to Livia Giuggioli, was joined in readings from Lampedusa's cult novel by the Irish author Edna O Brien who was in more serious mode ( boring quote from her ;-)) Emma, thank goodness we had YOUR version, way to go girl!"}, {"response": 1167, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (14:09)", "body": "BTW the snippet is accompanied by a small b/w pic of him at some prem, we have seen it before (head only) but still miles sexier than anything the Telegraph's cover photographer could come up with. Noticed that they also said Colin was still living with Meg in 1996, whoops!"}, {"response": 1168, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (14:11)", "body": "Oops! Got so excited by the pics that I forgot to say a big thanks!!! To Murph, Bethan, Aishling and Karen!! Thank you for all the news and wonderful photos. (Emma) I really need to stop grinning so much. =) No you don't!!! If I were you....I'd have perma-grin for the rest of my natural life! (Emma) I didn't really inhale enough to check cologne situation. In fact I was probably holding my breath. LOL....I'm proud of you for not reaching over and just sniffing him! Amazing control! ;-) Thank you Emma for answering all our questions! Hope you don't come down off of Cloud 9 for some time!"}, {"response": 1169, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (14:21)", "body": "(Mari)That's quite possibly the least flattering photo of him I've ever seen. And coupled with that headline . . . what were they thinking? I liked the \"Free Seeds Inside\" part--they've correctly identified him as Mr. Y Chromosome.;-) ;-) ROTFL, Mari....Free Seeds indeed! I'm definitely right there with ya about the picture! I don't even know how to type the sound I made when I saw that. Ewwww, for starters. And I like the second pic better, at least the composition...I find the suggestion of it alluring somehow to think he rides a bike? (ok call me crazy ;-)), but as LisaJH said, something is up with his face in both I think. (Emma) I really need to stop grinning so much. =) You're too cute, Emma! ;-) (Tress) OMG....hate me if you will, but I kinda like the Sunday Telegraph photo! Ok, I will! I thought we had a twin thing goin' on, but obviously I've been *soooo* laboring under a misapprehension. ;-D (Bethan re article) She says that many people , particularly CF fans, will wish to leave the cinema at this point... Huh? Thanks Karen, Murph, and Bethan."}, {"response": 1170, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (14:27)", "body": "(Dorine) Ok, I will! I thought we had a twin thing goin' on, but obviously I've been *soooo* laboring under a misapprehension. ;-D Oh, now, see I'll have to explain myself a bit better! I like the hair thing....it kinda makes me think that this is what he may look like when he wakes up. Sooooooo.....for some oddball reason, I find this incredible sexy. I will never get to see him 'first thing' so, this is as close as I will get (don't tell me that ya'll think he looks like Lord Dashwood in the morning!)....So, I like it, but for completely pervy reasons (and with the seed comment below the picture....well.....I won't go there)! ;-D"}, {"response": 1171, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (14:29)", "body": "(Dorine) particularly CF fans , will wish to leave the cinema at this point... Huh? Absolutely! (oops too much interview viewing ;-) )I mean we didn't exactly get up in droves in the \"ever ready Eddie\" scene in SLOW now did we?"}, {"response": 1172, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (15:26)", "body": "Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at North American theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc. Final figures will be released Monday. 1. \"Identity,\" $17 million. 2. \"Anger Management,\" $16 million. 3. \"Holes,\" $13 million. 4. \"Malibu's Most Wanted,\" $7.7 million. 5. \"Confidence,\" $4.75 million. 6. \"Bulletproof Monk,\" \"$4.65 million. 7. \"What a Girl Wants,\" $3.35 million. 8. \"Phone Booth,\" $3.1 million. 9. \"It Runs in the Family,\" $3 million. 10. \"The Real Cancun,\" $2.3 million. I'm glad that WAGW is estimated to do better than \"The Real Cancun\"! ;-)"}, {"response": 1173, "author": "Odile", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (16:20)", "body": "(Tress)I'm glad that WAGW is estimated to do better than \"The Real Cancun\"! ;-) I don't know if it will though... My theater has pulled off all the evening shows for WAGW. It's only playing now at 1pm and 3:30pm (BTW I'm going at 3:30 :) ). Thanks all for the news and photos... The free seeds definitely reminded me of another nickname ODB used to be coined: IBM (Ideal Breeding Material)."}, {"response": 1174, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (17:15)", "body": "(Tress)I like the hair thing....it kinda makes me think that this is what he may look like when he wakes up. Sooooooo.....for some oddball reason, I find this incredible sexy. I will never get to see him 'first thing' so, this is as close as I will get (don't tell me that ya'll think he looks like Lord Dashwood in the morning!)....So, I like it, but for completely pervy reasons (and with the seed comment below the picture....well.....I won't go there)! ;-D Tress, I could be your twin anytime. I'm with you all the way;-) Thank you all for the links, photos and articles (I'm so afraid to leave a name unmentioned, that I choose \"all\")."}, {"response": 1175, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (17:27)", "body": "In case people are wondering, I went through my misc. CF pic file and looked at all those labeled from The Telegraph, and let me tell you, they have a history of printing some very bad pics of Colin: Several from this shoot:"}, {"response": 1176, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (17:33)", "body": "I LOVE the bottom one! You don't like that? Does he have something on the bridge of his nose or is that in the scan?"}, {"response": 1177, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (17:40)", "body": "(Tress)Does he have something on the bridge of his nose or is that in the scan? This was taken, when he had a, oh I don't remember, some music-device falling onto his nose. The article said something about CF being reluctant to having his photo taken looking like that, but that he changed his mind. Something about not wanting to look \"precious\". Sorry, very babbling, but my memory is rotten!"}, {"response": 1178, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (17:41)", "body": "look precious as not on the photo, but the idea of not wanting anybody to photograph him with a \"bumped nose\"."}, {"response": 1179, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (17:54)", "body": "(Annette) This was taken, when he had a, oh I don't remember, some music-device falling onto his nose. Ohhhh! I had heard about that....didn't know this was the picture (evidence). It doesn't look that bad. When I heard he had bumped his nose I was picturing black and blue and a huge scab. Thanks Annette."}, {"response": 1180, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (18:20)", "body": "(Mari) I liked the \"Free Seeds Inside\" part--they've correctly identified him as Mr. Y Chromosome.;-) ;-) Oh do I have a garden for those seeds:-)Stop! Y'all know what I'm talking about...Honestly, I don't know where your minds are these days. Sheesh.:-) I love that bottom picture, Karen--bump on the nose and all. (Annette)Tress, I could be your twin anytime. I'm with you all the way;-) I guess that makes us triplets?;-) Thanks, Karen for the great HS page and the \"bad\" pictures above. Thanks to Aishling, Rika, Bethan, Tress, And, of course, to the girl with the perpetual grin. (Dorine) particularly CF fans , will wish to leave the cinema at this point... Huh? I don't think so."}, {"response": 1181, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (18:45)", "body": "(Bethan) For Evelyn.. The reporter raises (again!) the subject of his \"miserable\" schooldays(!) \"Oh God\" he says\" that has been a self-perpetuating thing, which I daresay I was responsible for,... LOL. Thanks Bethan. I think he's over that stage.But it did go on for several years, didn't it! My observation is that he is less of a whiner now that he used to be. I 'm impressed that he actually lobbied for the role of Colin Ware. But does anyone else get the drift that he's not so impressed with the final porduct?"}, {"response": 1182, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (18:54)", "body": "(Bethan), Also talks about conflict between ideals and reality, and how life has to be a \"bloody compromise\". I hate to see him growing up;-( Glad to see he selected Oxfam for the premiere. Proud of him."}, {"response": 1183, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (18:59)", "body": "Karen thanks for a really great HS page and pics. Aishling, Bethan, Murph, Emma, Mari thanks so much for the information and pics, great job everyone."}, {"response": 1184, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (19:10)", "body": "Have been typing for ages the article and will get it up as soon as possible. Need to correct all the typos and format."}, {"response": 1185, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (19:27)", "body": "Thanks, Karen, for the great new HS page. Can't wait to hear about the premiere and party afterwards. Thanks to Aishling, Emma, Bethan, Murph and Mari for all the great news and pics. You ladies are wonderful for sharing so quickly with us. Lots going on right now and the party's hopping!"}, {"response": 1186, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (19:48)", "body": "(Moon) Lora asked at one of our local AMC theatres which has the poster up about the release date for HS in Miami and she was told July 9th. Odd - that's a Wednesday."}, {"response": 1187, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (20:07)", "body": "Here's the article: http://www.firth.com/articles/03telegraph_427.html Believe it or not, the photographer Julian Broad is the same one from InStyle's bed pics. ;-) Enjoy!"}, {"response": 1188, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (22:19)", "body": "Thank you Karen, Aishling and Antonella! Interesting article.....and I'll say thanks to Julian Broad too (since I fancy the pics). ;-D"}, {"response": 1189, "author": "Odile", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (23:41)", "body": "Thank you Karen, Aishling and Antonella! Interesting article..... Ditto. But now a little help for British-lingo-challenged people. Who are Mills & Boon? And what are plus-fours?"}, {"response": 1190, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 27, 2003 (23:45)", "body": "Mills & Boon is a publisher of romance novels; in the US, the equivalent would be Harlequin Romances or similar. Plus-fours are baggy knickers, like they wear for golfing."}, {"response": 1191, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (03:15)", "body": "Saw HS commercial on channel 4 last night -- billed as Romantic Comedy of the Year! (based on a 5 star Cosmo review) It's wet and windy today in London; however, will persevere and get pneumonia for sake of another encounter =)."}, {"response": 1192, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (04:07)", "body": "Good luck, Emma. Perhaps you'll try to grab his arm this time? ;-)"}, {"response": 1193, "author": "BarbaraT", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (07:17)", "body": "From today's Daily Express: New birth for Firth Colin Firth has been keeping news of his next production close to his chest. He and his Italian wife Livia are expecting their second child in August. \"We don't know the sex yet,\" says Colin, who has a two-year son Luca with Livia and a 12-year old boy Will with actress Meg Tilly. Heavily pregnant Livia escorted Colin to London's ICI the other night for a tribute to GT di Lampedusa's book The Leopard. \"I'm fascinated by all things Italian,\" admitted the BJD star who, although based in England, spends much of his time in Rome. So does the brooding actor, currently adding the finishing touches(?) to the film Trauma, have any plans to put pen to paper himself? \"The thought of writing a book always nags me at the back of my head,\" he said. \"I wrote a short story a while ago for a book Nick Hornby edited, called Speaking With The Angel, to raise money for The TreeHouse Trust for autistic children. I got a lot of offers after that but I haven't got the time or the discipline at the moment.\" (Text accompanied by a good-sized colour copy of the photo of C and L from the PEN website.)"}, {"response": 1194, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (07:23)", "body": "Thanks Karen for that article. That was very interesting indeed.And thanks for the explanations, sometimes for me it's quite difficult to understand what you all are writing about. Emma, I cross fingers for you and whish you good luck!"}, {"response": 1195, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (07:33)", "body": "Thank you Karen, Aishling and Antonella! It is an odd article, strange way to promote a film. Done in a basement room of the Portobello Hotel? LOL! We now know that: 1. It was some other friend and NH that brought the book to his attention. 2. Will still lives in LA and not Vancouver. 3. He has sold his soul by compromising the pounds for his beliefs. 4. He gets away with 'case-specific' when he doesn't want to answer a question. 5. Cursing comes very naturally to him. 'What appealed to me was the lightness of it - it juxtaposed with a wry cleverness that belied its slightness. It is difficult to explain. Wit is what is going to sell this film, and that is easily obscured in the apparent fluffiness.. ' Huh? Seems a rather confused way of promoting the film. If I see a man in tweeds and plus-fours and he is driving an old Jupiter, I'll think, \"You didn't go to Eton. You didn't\". Another bizarre quotation. I didn't think Colin gave a flying .... or thoughts about men that went to Eton. He is like the impressionist who feels obliged to tell you when he has stopped performing - 'And now this is me' as Mike Yarwood used to say. This is a new insight to Colin. No one has ever commented this before. I liked the way he brought everything back to Another Country and by association with \"heavies\" such as Branaugh, Day-Lewis... Good luck today, Emma! I would love to read that 5 Star Cosmo review. Is it out yet?"}, {"response": 1196, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (07:37)", "body": "Thanks, Barbara! He and his Italian wife Livia are expecting their second child in August. If this is true that would make her 3 months pregnant and by the photo and the comments she is much further along. I'd say June looks more likely."}, {"response": 1197, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (08:14)", "body": "Thanks for typing up the article, Karen. Very interesting, although I've never associated P&P with the words \"romantic comedy\". For some reason, my little brain can't quite wrap itself around that :) (Tress) I'll say thanks to Julian Broad too (since I fancy the pics) I'll thank Julian Broad, too, but for the InStyle pics :P In the Telegraph pics CF looks.....miserable, like he needs a hug :( (Moon) Lora asked at one of our local AMC theatres which has the poster up about the release date for HS in Miami and she was told July 9th. Entertainment Weekly didn't have it listed in it's summer preview issue, and I just checked Premiere magazine's website and couldn't find it there either. Very strange...is Miramax doing the marketing for this film? ;) Good luck Emma!!!"}, {"response": 1198, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (08:23)", "body": "(Moon Dreams)If this is true that would make her 3 months pregnant and by the photo and the comments she is much further along. I'd say June looks more likely. Wouldn't she be nearer 6 months' pregnant? - And he may be telling a fib about the date to keep the press at bay."}, {"response": 1199, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (08:34)", "body": "Thank you for the article, Karen. Very interesting reading, me think! Good luck Emma!"}, {"response": 1200, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (08:58)", "body": "TV ALERT for the UK fans: Colin will be on \"This Morning\" tomorrow (Tuesday)."}, {"response": 1201, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (08:59)", "body": "(Moon) 3. He has sold his soul by compromising the pounds for his beliefs. Aw...I didn't get that at all from the interview. \"Compromise\" is not selling out. Most of us do it . But I think he's being too hard on himself. Are you reading this Colin??? You have given exposure [read $$$]to many causes that might otherwise have gone unnoticed [by me esp]: Survival Appeal Tree House Trust Fund [\"Speak with the Angels\"] The Chicken House Theatre (SIL Charity Preem) Free Trade Coffee [ I now feel v. virtuous when I pay an exhorbitant amount for a cup of Starbucks;-)] Oxfam [I know I have missed others...can anybody add to them.] He has taken the notoriety of his career and taken it to a higher level. Not many people, even with higher ed degrees, can say that. \"I salute you\" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thank you boss for devoting your Sunday to typing it up.And to the team in the UK (Aishling, Bethan, you know who you are ). Imagine getting it up on the day it was published. I feel like such a lump! It was a good interview. At least he didn't diss Tony Blair or Prince Charles;-)"}, {"response": 1202, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (09:05)", "body": "He and his Italian wife Livia are expecting their second child in August. She's close to 6 months along. Thanks for that, Barbara. Re: The Telegraph photos--that can't be his house. He'd never let himself be photographed in a way that would make his home identifiable, IMO."}, {"response": 1203, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (09:07)", "body": "(Mari)TV ALERT for the UK fans: Colin will be on \"This Morning\" tomorrow (Tuesday). OMG!! If this comes off, it'll be a first!! Casual interviewing style(very chatty), with male and female co-hosts. Not in the same league a Parky, but better than nothing. Hope this is only the first of many UK TV appearances (lighting candles) Set your VCRs ladies!"}, {"response": 1204, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (09:17)", "body": "Is this a BBC show? I wonder if we get it on BBC/Am? (Mari), She's close to 6 months along. Thanks for that, Barbara. True. But she must be more. I wouldn't call someone very pregnant at 6 months. Re: The Telegraph photos--that can't be his house. He'd never let himself be photographed in a way that would make his home identifiable, IMO. That looked to me more like the back of the house that might go into a small garden."}, {"response": 1205, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (09:22)", "body": "(Moon Dreams) Is this a BBC show? I wonder if we get it on BBC/Am? I checked the BBC /Am website and this show is not listed..:-(("}, {"response": 1206, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (09:56)", "body": "(Moon Dreams) 5. Cursing comes very naturally to him. He is'nt the only one..(but I don't imagine he would ever do this on a tv appearance!) Just found this on the BBC website regarding Anna Chancellor...Shocking!!;-)) Anna once famously shocked the Richard, Judy, the TV audience and the ITV network bosses, when she uttered the 'f' word the live This Morning show whilst being interviewed."}, {"response": 1207, "author": "Odile", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (10:10)", "body": "Thanks Karen for the explanations... I guess not knowing much about clothes, I thought the tweeds were knicker pants made of tweed... Time for a dictionary or he's talking about people wearing two pairs of pants. :) Evelyn. I agree he does a lot for worthy causes. I mean I \"know\" French actors who outside of their craft are only known for supporting a certain soccer team or for owning a winery. But I think the compromise comes from being aware of the misery in the world and not invest your whole self in it (especially when your family comprises many missionaries). Shades of Cause Celeb in a way. Good luck EmmaB! I'm eagerly waiting for your report. You are so good to us stranded in no-Firth land!"}, {"response": 1208, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (10:14)", "body": "(Tyrrel) This results in him dropping his trousers, slapstick-style, and many people, particularly Colin Firth fans, may, at this point, wish to leave the cinema. Now, what about this scene would be so awful as to make her want to walk out? What does Colin do? I know it isn't the quasi-pasty twirl bit. Or is it just HG here who is impossible to take? I do like that Tyrrel has pretty good taste and can recognize good performances from Colin and says that most of the others in HS *do* give excellent performances (that is, with the exception of our naked sprite). But we can forgive him for that, and if the casting agents don\ufffdt seem to see him as he sees himself, then perhaps it is because he is something of a blank canvas. He is like the impressionist who feels obligated to tell you when he has stopped performing\ufffd\ufffdand now this is me,\ufffd as Mike Yarwood used to say. I agrre, Moon, this is a bizarre thing to say. (CF) For me and Ken [Branagh] it was our first job ever out of drama school. Actually, that's not true for Branagh. But I think life has treated me very, very well, and I have got away with murder, really.\ufffd He's not complaining, knows he's done well for himself and shouldn't complain. (Evelyn) But does anyone else get the drift that he's not so impressed with the final porduct? His enthusiasm is rather, ahem, understated. ;-) (Moon) We now know that: 5. Cursing comes very naturally to him. And this is a new revelation to you? ;-) (Janet) If this comes off, it'll be a first!! A second, actually. He did appear on Parkinson many years ago to promote TD, with Robt Lawrence. I believe \"This Morning\" is an ITV program, which means it would not be on BBC America. Thanks Barbara for the news snippet from the Daily Express."}, {"response": 1209, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (10:15)", "body": "Good luck at the premiere, Emma! A few commments on the article (a big thanks to Karen, Aishling and Antonella): I wish the author hadn't taken this opportunity to slam the movie. Here he is doing press to promote it, and she goes out of her way to negate it. I also think she could have done a better job in explaining free trade and why he links it to coffee--if I hadn't already known the issue, I wouldn't have understood it from this. The \"we're drinking shit coffee\" comment comes out of left field because she hasn't given it context. I think his comments on speaking out as a public figure are interesting--he's right, there's a real there. The media only listens because you're famous (and they want their sound bite), but the public doesn't particularly want to hear it from you. I do think there are ways of doing it, however. Adrien Brody is a good example of someone who speaks out in an eloquent, constructive manner, and I think Colin would do it that way too. The public doesn't resent the voicing of opinions--what they resent is the stridency and disrespect that sometimes accompanies it."}, {"response": 1210, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (10:30)", "body": "(Karen)Now, what about this scene would be so awful as to make her want to walk out? It certainly didn't make me want to walk out, but I have to say, his legs do look a little spindly. BTW, I don't think he was wearing underpants in that scene but don't get too excited, it was a 'rear' view as he jumped into bed! - definitely played for laughs, not sex appeal. BTW, did anyone make it to the previews last Thursday? I don't think any comments have been posted yet. I enjoyed it second time around - and I didn't find MS as irritating as first time. It will never be major hit, but it is an enjoyable little movie, with good performances all round (well, maybe excepting HG)."}, {"response": 1211, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (11:05)", "body": "(Moon) We now know that: 5. Cursing comes very naturally to him. (Karen), And this is a new revelation to you? ;-) LOL, no, but he could omit them for interviews once in a while. ;-) Am I the only one that is disappointed in this Telegraph interview? Getting the cover story is a big deal."}, {"response": 1212, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (11:08)", "body": "The telegraph interview is conducted in the basement of the Portobello hotel in Notting Hill. I assumed the photo of him with the bike and patterned rug (back right of pic) was taken around Notting Hill on property of the hotel possibly."}, {"response": 1213, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (11:13)", "body": "Good luck Emma, we eagerly anticipate your report. I find it hard to believe that ODB's first appearance on a UK chat show since Tumbledown is to be This Morning, from upmarket to downmarket in a day ;-) The TV listings I checked had Jerome Flynn listed for tomorrow discussing his role as Tommy Cooper on London stage, maybe they will both be on!"}, {"response": 1214, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (11:15)", "body": "Karen thanks for the terrific HS page and pics. Thanks also for the Telegraph article, explanations, and pics (has his scalp turned purple? Can just hear Jim Broadbent saying it now;-)). Thanks to Aishling for the HS review article with juicy spoilers, and to Antonella, Bethan, Murph, Emma, Mari for all the information and pics. (Moon)Lora asked at one of our local AMC theatres which has the poster up about the release date for HS in Miami and she was told July 9th. This guy seem to know all about it. He told me he thought it was coming in July, but he didn't give me an exact date. Maybe he was more specific with you. Did he tell you it was the 9th? He did say I was the second person who asked about the poster ;-). Emma, good luck tonight. Hope he remembers you and asks, \"So how did our picture together turn out?\" ;-) Ask him how Trauma is going or if he's started on it yet. Btw, I love the way he says 'drama' and 'Trauma' in the Colin Unplugged video. It's sort of like, 'drawma' and 'Trawma.\" So maybe, Emma, you'll get to hear him 'say those words' if you ask him about the movie. ;-) (You don't have to ask...it's just a small suggestion, since I know from experience how hard it is to think of a question when you're breathing the same air!) We're thinking of you and sending good vibrations your way!"}, {"response": 1215, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (11:37)", "body": "Forgot to say thanks to everyone for the wonderful articles, pics, etc. posted over the past few days. Strange, that although he is generally very photogenic, there are some stinkers out there! -And Emma, you know we are all wishing you the very best for tonight."}, {"response": 1216, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (11:51)", "body": "(Moon) We now know that: 5. Cursing comes very naturally to him. (Karen) And this is a new revelation to you? ;-) (Moon) LOL, no, but he could omit them for interviews once in a while. ;-) Maybe ODB is seeing how well it seems to work for the 'other' CF....he has a lot of catching up to do if that is the case...;-) (Janet) BTW, I don't think he was wearing underpants in that scene but don't get too excited, it was a 'rear' view as he jumped into bed! - definitely played for laughs, not sex appeal. Oh my! Does this mean what I think it means? We get cheeks? Please confirm! ;-D Good luck Emma!! I'm hopeful that you will see ODB again!!"}, {"response": 1217, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (12:22)", "body": "(Janet) BTW, I don't think he was wearing underpants in that scene but don't get too excited, it was a 'rear' view as he jumped into bed! - definitely played for laughs, not sex appeal. (Tress), Oh my! Does this mean what I think it means? We get cheeks? Please confirm! ;-D See that's what I mean. Couldn't she have asked him about this? This line of conversation sells tickets and he was promoting HS."}, {"response": 1218, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (12:28)", "body": "First off, Good luck Emma. Lightening can strike twice. Please breathe a bit of air for all of us, here.:-)Oh Gawd,I can't even begin to think about seeing him twice in 4 days. Colin Firth is a crumpet for an older woman someone in her thirties to fifties, an age group that doesn't traditionally put posters up... Except when they bully their daughters into putting up certain movie posters in their room:-)(even put nails in the wall) I've never imagined CF as a crumpet before. Hmmmm...delicious. (Lora)I love the way he says 'drama' and 'Trauma' in the Colin Unplugged video. It's sort of like, 'drawma' and 'Trawma.\" LOL, besides the way he says \"debutante\" in WAGW, his version of 'trawma' (he says it very drawn out)is fast becoming another favorite of mine. Thanks so very much, Karen, for the Telegraph article, and many thanks to Aishling, Bethan, Mari, and all. Oh, Emma you are probably on your way. Praying hard."}, {"response": 1219, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (12:49)", "body": "(Tress)Oh my! Does this mean what I think it means? We get cheeks? Please confirm! ;-D Very fleeting, partial view, I'm sorry to say!"}, {"response": 1220, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (12:52)", "body": "Beggars can't be choosers."}, {"response": 1221, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (13:32)", "body": "On BBC 3 Liquid News : CF interviewed at premiere. He has several days' growth facial hair, and hair looked a little straggly. I assume for Trauma. Interviewer asked some rather mundane questions, CF seemed rather embarrassed. I am totally delighted for Emma. Lighning does strike twice!"}, {"response": 1222, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (13:45)", "body": "(Janet) Very fleeting, partial view, I'm sorry to say! Oh....don't be sorry! LOL! This just means that the slo-mo button on the DVD player will get some use! Unless a stunt butt was used...;-) And thanks for all the info Janet. Yippee for Emma!! Twice in one week!"}, {"response": 1223, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (14:00)", "body": "Hey Janet thanks for the news re premiere, great to know Emma will have a second helping. (Janet) several days growth facial hair Hey good news, a traumatised Lord Wessex then;-))"}, {"response": 1224, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (14:07)", "body": "(Moon) See that's what I mean. Couldn't she have asked him about this? This line of conversation sells tickets and he was promoting HS. Moon, I know that you know more than most people that what is asked and discussed doesn't always end up in the finished article. :-( (Moon) We now know that: 5. Cursing comes very naturally to him. (Karen) And this is a new revelation to you? ;-) (Moon) LOL, no, but he could omit them for interviews once in a while. ;-) (Tress) Maybe ODB is seeing how well it seems to work for the 'other' CF....he has a lot of catching up to do if that is the case...;-) ROTF Tress! Colin, \"beware of the dark side! If once you start down the dark path, forever it will dominate your destiny\" (at least according to Yoda) ;-) Actually, I don't recall that he curses all *that* much in interviews, though I could be having an early senior moment. :-P (Linda) besides the way he says \"debutante\" in WAGW, his version of 'trawma' (he says it very drawn out)is fast becoming another favorite of mine. Oh, me too!!! I'd love to see him do So Graham Norton, too. Hell, if Donny Osmond can go on there.....I thought that was one of the best shows, too. (Evelyn) You have given exposure [read $$$]to many causes that might otherwise have gone unnoticed Maybe that's why he skipped the WAGW premiere in NYC....the rainforest is too well known of a cause. ;-) (Mari) Re: The Telegraph photos--that can't be his house. He'd never let himself be photographed in a way that would make his home identifiable, IMO. That was my first thought,too, but if it was the back how many people would know except the neighbors? Thanks Karen, Aishling, Antonella, and Barbara."}, {"response": 1225, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (14:11)", "body": "(Janet) several days growth facial hair Mmmm, Mmmm, Mmmm! Just the way I like him.....unless it's not well shaped...and growing all the way down his neck like some do..... Yuck, I've blown away my own fantasy. ;-) Hope things went well Emma! How exciting!"}, {"response": 1226, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (14:21)", "body": "(Janet) several days growth facial hair (Dorine) Mmmmm, Mmmmm, Mmmmm! Just the way I like him.....unless it's not well shaped Not holding out much hope for \"well-shaped\", I bet \"Trauma\"-tized will mean it is more scraggly. Tapping foot, checking watch, calculating time...Oh Emma? Anybody home yet? (Oooh, maybe it's a good sign and she's standing in a potted palm somewhere!)"}, {"response": 1227, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (14:50)", "body": "(Dorine)Mmmm, Mmmm, Mmmm! Just the way I like him.....unless it's not well shaped... A la InStyle??? Whew! (Barb)Tapping foot, checking watch, calculating time...Oh Emma? Anybody home yet? Give her time, just give her time...it's only 8:50 in the UK:-)"}, {"response": 1228, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (15:18)", "body": "It's early here still but remember the golden rule of Colin encounters........ takes twice as long to get home when you are on cloud nine (again:-) ) Lucky Emma. and we still have the Boss's party link too. can't wait to see more facial hair, hope it makes tomorrow's papers;-)"}, {"response": 1229, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (15:20)", "body": "(Barb)Tapping foot, checking watch, calculating time...Oh Emma? Anybody home yet? Here, while you are waiting, read another review from someone in the \"sisterhood\"..;-) http://www.filmmonthly.com/Video/Articles/WhatAGirlWants/WhatAGirlWants.html"}, {"response": 1230, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (15:39)", "body": "You go to ogle Colin Firth and wish they'd hurry up with that Bridget Jones sequel already. Ok, fess up, who here goes by the name Coco Delgado? And hey. Colin Firth in leather pants dancing in front of a mirror? Worth the price of admission. Just saying. Hey, Coco, come count my ticket stubbs. Thanks, Maria. Fun article while we wait for Emma."}, {"response": 1231, "author": "joyce", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (15:43)", "body": "Thanks for all the news, articles and tidbits everyone. Re:Sunday Telegraph Cover. Welcome bad boy. He looks like a street punk. Hallelujah. I love the new look on CF. It's very edgy and it throws a big cream pie in the face of Mr. Darcy. He looks very comfortable in his own skin. Dare I hope I hear a mold being broken as we speak? If only! Cuss on tomorrow bad boy - make people drop their morning sausages!(Not that I don't like the other photo too-this has been an Equal Opportunity message) Emma! Emma! Emma!"}, {"response": 1232, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (15:48)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1233, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (15:50)", "body": "OK, Matthew Perry was there, so may we'll have some press coverage over here as well. Sorry, but no time to fix them up right now."}, {"response": 1234, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (15:51)", "body": "Does Minnie look disinterested in that last one or what??"}, {"response": 1235, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (15:51)", "body": "He wuz there!! Pics of the HS premiere are up on Wire Image: http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=gls====26391"}, {"response": 1236, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (16:00)", "body": "Way to go karen! brilliant He's looking so wonderful as indeed is Livia, exactly as Emma said. But Minnie... honestly. She looked more animated dragging on her fag and slurping starbucks in BC! Obviously unable to cope with her such a classy guy up close and personal. Take a leaf out of Renee's book honey:-)) Thanks for the link Evie, Bellini's up!"}, {"response": 1237, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (16:02)", "body": "Thanks boss...\"Olivia\" Firth...looks gorgeous as always. What style. Shows up the rest of the folks. Minnie Driver's dress...ug . I've seen better on the sale rack of M&S. Look at that mob ...anybody find Emma;-)))"}, {"response": 1238, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (16:04)", "body": "He wuz there!! Pics of the HS premiere are up on Wire Image: http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=gls====26391"}, {"response": 1239, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (16:07)", "body": "Thanks Karen and Evelyn! I thought Minnie looked preggers too in that first pic with Mr. Perry! And I love 'Olivia's' Laugh-In dress! It's very cute on her. Is her hair short(er) now or is that just the picture? Like ODB's scruff..."}, {"response": 1240, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (16:07)", "body": "Thanks, for these boss. He looks AFG. I don't know wot's wrong with Minnie."}, {"response": 1241, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (16:07)", "body": "Agreed that \"Olivia\" looks really classy ( as ever) and nice to see Kristen Scott Thomas returning the favour and turning up at his premiere too. (Evelyn) anybody find Emma isn't she the one floating nine feet above the crowd ? ;-))"}, {"response": 1242, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (16:10)", "body": "Boy does he look fantastic. I love that scruffiness. And very open collar! ;-D \"Olivia\" Firth...looks gorgeous as always. What style. It seems she's cut her hair. Smart. Who wants to deal with all that hair with two little ones? Seems they've both transformed themselves a bit in the last few days. (Lizza) But Minnie... honestly. She looked more animated dragging on her fag and slurping starbucks in BC! LOL!!! Thanks, Karen and Evelyn!"}, {"response": 1243, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (16:11)", "body": "I'm getting the Wire Image big ones ready. So much for cleaning up the front yard. :-( Olivia's Pucci dress is sooooo Minnie looks better in the others; can't say the same for her dress either. She's never dressed well IMO."}, {"response": 1244, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (16:12)", "body": "BTW we really do have to hope he's on \"This Morning\" tomorrow looking like that! (Rupe was on it I recall to promote TIOBE and said the F*&* word, and after the satellite tape who knows what ODB could do :-))"}, {"response": 1245, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (16:16)", "body": "(Karen) I'm getting the Wire Image big ones ready. So much for cleaning up the front yard. :-( Priorities woman! (I'll be right up to do it for you!) What I *can* see looks AFG!"}, {"response": 1246, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (16:21)", "body": "I'm not sure that dress is the most flattering one for Livia at this particular time. It does look better on the one Karen posted vs. the Wireimage one, though."}, {"response": 1247, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (16:48)", "body": "Something quick, until I can sort through and pick out the best, clean up others, etc. Enjoy! http://www.firth.com/hs_gal5.html"}, {"response": 1248, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (16:50)", "body": "Thank you, Karen! And Evelyn! Waiting for the big images. I agree on the dresses. Notice how tiny Mena Suvari is. I wonder if Mathew Perry or Hank Azaria are also in Trauma? Emma must be floating home. ;-)"}, {"response": 1249, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (16:57)", "body": "Thank you again Karen! The bigger pics look awesome! ODB looks AMAZING! And if Livia is only 6 months along...she's huge (her belly...the rest of her is tiny. She looks great). Like her hair...and agree with Dorine...best to keep it short when you are running after two little ones."}, {"response": 1250, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (16:59)", "body": "Aaaaahhhh, thank you Karen and Evelyn! I swear, there is not a man alive who does for an opened-neck shirt what that man does. I'm sure there will be even more splendor!"}, {"response": 1251, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (17:02)", "body": "Fantastic job Karen1 lovely selection, just noticed Livia's shoes, gorgeous, lime green and bejewelled (I think) look really fab. Need a closer view, bet they are italian;-0 Anyone else detect a reddish hue in ODB's hair, or is it just the light? like that colour on him...... lighting candles for \"This Morning\" aaahhhh1 Nevah thought I'd say that;-)"}, {"response": 1252, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (17:11)", "body": "Fabulous finds! Thanks so much for the quick work! (Moon)I wonder if Mathew Perry or Hank Azaria are also in Trauma? I know MP is doing a play with MD, and I think HA might be in it as well. Livia looks great. She really has the nicest smile. I'm glad she's not hiding. And I'm thinking that dress is going to give her some attention in the mags. I couldn't wear it (aside from my not being extremely preggers) but good for her. Halloooo, Emma! Can't wait for your report."}, {"response": 1253, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (17:13)", "body": "Just added some more, where Livia looks bigger than a house. ;-)"}, {"response": 1254, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (17:17)", "body": "(Karen) Just added some more, where Livia looks bigger than a house. ;-) And they are saying baby due in August? Twins? She is big...but didn't Colin say in an interview that she was absolutely huge with Luca? I think she looks amazing...beautiful, but she does look very pregnant."}, {"response": 1255, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (17:22)", "body": "She could not possibly be due in Aug. I like that Trauma look. You're right about that dress, Brenda. It will get attention, maybe even Hello Mag. It's not Pucci. Looks like it could be some young designer's boutique in Soho."}, {"response": 1256, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (17:26)", "body": "Above and beyond the call of duty: My DH is in London on business. He went along to Odeon Leicester Square around 9.00pm. The crowds has apparantly dispersed a little, and he was able to ask ODB for his autograph (for me, of course) as he was leaving, and he filmed it too. He was laughing while telling me this, 'cos CF gave him a strange look as he walked away - probably thought he was some sort of crazed male fan!! I think I can download some stills, so if they're OK, I'll do it later this week when my DH returns home."}, {"response": 1257, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (17:34)", "body": "Ohhh!! Congrats on the autograph coup Janet! And pics as well...your DH is the man!"}, {"response": 1258, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (17:35)", "body": "(Janet) 'cos CF gave him a strange look as he walked away Oh, no! I think Colin's seen it all. How about the husband who yelled out, 'there goes your man' to his wife? ;-) Looking forward to seeing any pics, Janet. Let me know if you need any help. Glad you got an autograph too. (Moon) It will get attention, maybe even Hello Mag. It did get attention. Even WireImage singled (Olivia) out, obviously thinking she was \"someone.\""}, {"response": 1259, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (17:54)", "body": "I'm catching up with everything from the past two days. Thanks everybody for everything! Thanks especially to Karen for putting the premiere pics up so quickly. OMG does he look gorgeous!!! So does Livia. What was MD thinking? In the photo taken from behind, where she's wearing a coat, her dress looks like a bedraggled slip showing."}, {"response": 1260, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (18:03)", "body": "(BarbS) Priorities woman! (I'll be right up to do it for you!) LOL! You know I'm *not* that far away, and I have your address. Be ready at 9 am. Glad I blew off my dentist appt to do the yardwork. ;-)"}, {"response": 1261, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (18:09)", "body": "Karen, thanks for all the great pics from premiere. Boy, you're fast! Whew! Amazing! Livia's dress is adorable. Bet she's due at the end of July and that's why they're saying August. You always show sooner and bigger with the second, they say. I wonder if her hair is pulled back except for the front. In the PEN pics (yesterday) it looked like she still had long hair, but that she had it shorter in the front (like tonight). Janet, congrats on the autograph - what a DDH you have! I bet you can't wait to see what he captured on video - it's like a private 'unplugged' video with YKW just looking at you! ;-) Emma, Emmabean, pray tell us what tonight you've seen!?? ;-) Thanks, Maria, for the cute article. And thanks, Barbara, for the article/info you provided."}, {"response": 1262, "author": "joyce", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (18:09)", "body": "Karen, Really great photos. Thank you. CF looks fantastic. Love Livia's dress and shoes. Very Italian inspired at least. I think the big print and the style of the dress detract from the pregnancy more than the dress she wore to The Leopard reading. Altogether lovely. Catherine Zeta-Jones set a standard at the Oscars. Glad to see it. What about that CF hug from behind with Minnie? Livia would need a crowbar to get me out of that one. Would love to know Minnie's secret for remaining upright after that."}, {"response": 1263, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (18:30)", "body": "Thanks, Karen, for the fantastic premiere pics. He looks wonderful! Livia is lovely as usual, and unless she is having twins there is no way she will last until August. Janet, your DH deserves a special award. He is definitely a keeper. Emma, we can't wait for your special on the scene report. You may never come down to earth now. Enjoy!"}, {"response": 1264, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (18:57)", "body": "Karen, you are the best. Very quick work. Heck, if I could fly out tomorrow I'd help out in the yard. Thanks a million. (Joyce)Would love to know Minnie's secret for remaining upright after that LOL, I don't know, but could you just imagine? Congratulations on your autograph, Janet. Great DH you have there. (Karen)Olivia's Pucci dress is sooooo Busy? She's glowing, though. Her hair does look long again in the picture where she is alone. (Tress)but didn't Colin say in an interview that she was absolutely huge with Luca Actually, he said that thankfully Luca came three weeks early because she was enormous. Not one of his more, eh, tactful answers. Check out his body on that picture to the left of the one where he's holding Minnie around the waist. Wow!!! AFG, I have to say it again, AFG. I'm beginning to think that since we haven't heard from Emma that maybe she left with the Firth's and is stuck somewhere in an elevator with them. Either that or cloud 9 took a wrong turn:-)Or, dare we hope she got into the party???"}, {"response": 1265, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (19:03)", "body": "(Janet) 'cos CF gave him a strange look as he walked away (karen)Oh, no! I think Colin's seen it all. How about the husband who yelled out, 'there goes your man' to his wife? ;-) Capital!Capital! LOL. Karen is right. He's not only used to husbands..also fathers, boyfriends, sons, fiancees. All in a day's work. MD is a mess; that long unkept mane. I love \"Olivia's\" dress. Hey when she's finished with it maybe she'll let Laura have it;-)I think the reason \"O\" looks so big is because she is so v. thin normally.Just because she's preggars doesn't mean she has to dress like a nun. Fantastic job , boss. Now, roll on the reviews."}, {"response": 1266, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (19:07)", "body": "Hey, wait a minute... I just looked at the pics again... I think he's wearing *my* navy blue suit. Woo hoo!!"}, {"response": 1267, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (19:07)", "body": "(Karen)Olivia's Pucci dress is sooooo (Linda) Busy? Or sooo like some things that used to hang in my mother's closet. ;-) Wonder why we didn't treated to the lovely Heather? She never misses an event where she can display her boobs. ;-0"}, {"response": 1268, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (19:08)", "body": "(Evelyn) I think he's wearing *my* navy blue suit. No doubt. He only has the one."}, {"response": 1269, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (19:19)", "body": "(Tress) And if Livia is only 6 months along...she's huge (Moon) She could not possibly be due in Aug. You all are going to laugh at me, but you remember the park pictures? Now magazine, late October -- and obviously taken before that but probably not too much before? She was wearing glasses. I had a friend who wore contacts but who, while pregnant, could not wear them. By her third pregnancy, if I saw her in glasses, I knew what that meant before she even told me. First thing I thought of when I saw Livia in glasses (who may well wear them fairly frequently, I'd just never seen a picture.) If she's truly looking at late July or Aug, obviously it meant nothing, but if she goes significantly earlier...I'll jump up and down and say \"I knew it!\" ...And you can still laugh at me...;-)"}, {"response": 1270, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (19:23)", "body": "There's a slew of new pics of CF and Olivia at: http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=gls====26392"}, {"response": 1271, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (19:26)", "body": "I can't take my eyes off the photo above (#1253). That shirt is better than Darcy's wet one! Broad chest, slim waist, smoldery look. I'm feeling faint. (lindak)I'm beginning to think that since we haven't heard from Emma that maybe she left with the Firth's and is stuck somewhere in an elevator with them. Good thing Livia is due in August (wink, wink). Emma might have to help deliver :-)"}, {"response": 1272, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (19:30)", "body": "There is also a slew there (wireimage) of Colin and Minnie. Oh to have been Minnie tonight...but I definitely would have worn a different dress:-) No meow intended."}, {"response": 1273, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (19:32)", "body": "Maybe Emma is driving them to the hospital as we speak.;-) Karen, great job in getting the premiere page together so quickly! I love premiere days around here . . . we need to have them more often.;-) Olivia's dress is very shagadelic, baby!;-) Oh, behave! Janet, we used to get BBC Liquid News here, but not sure if we still do. Will check. Story about your DH's close encounter at the premiere is too funny! Good for him. Looks like Mena Suvari, John Madden and KST were also there."}, {"response": 1274, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (19:32)", "body": "(lindak)I'm beginning to think that since we haven't heard from Emma that maybe she left with the Firth's With any luck at all, Emma was still around while the crowds were dispersed and Janet's DH was getting the autograph. Maybe she got up close and Firthful!"}, {"response": 1275, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (19:37)", "body": "Check the wireimage photo #82. Is that woman's breast out of her dress? That'll be the photo printed in the mags. How dare she upstage Livia? Who is she anyway?"}, {"response": 1276, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (19:45)", "body": "Some video footage of CF at the premiere. Go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/default.stm Go to \"programmes\" and click on \"video-Entertainment Summary.\""}, {"response": 1277, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (20:10)", "body": "(Mari)Some video footage of CF at the premiere. Thanks, Mari. Colin doesn't sound \"delighted\" to be compared to The Gnat ;-) Does the announcer actually say \"Darcy-tastic!\"? Great word!"}, {"response": 1278, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (21:18)", "body": "Oooh, thanks Karen for the HS premiere pics and typing up the article, and thanks to everyone else for all the lovely info these past few days. I agree that ODB and Livia look amazing. (Mari) Olivia's dress is very shagadelic, baby!;-) Oh, behave! LOL! Hey, it may be busy, but when you get to be that size, it's not like a black dress is going to hide much, either.;-) Why not have fun and be colorful? What's up with the mighty Minnie? I thought she was a clothes-horse a few years ago. She shoulda worn the red Halston. ;-) (Brenda)I can't take my eyes off the photo above (#1253). That shirt is better than Darcy's wet one! Broad chest, slim waist, smoldery look. I'm feeling faint. I'm with you, Brenda. He's one tall drink of water. Mmmmmmmmmmm. Emma are you still levitating after your second encounter? ;-) Hope to hear from you soon!"}, {"response": 1279, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (21:33)", "body": "Thank you all for such wonderful pics and news. Took me a long time to finish (and drool) and it definitely made my day. \"Olivia\" looks gorgeous as ever!"}, {"response": 1280, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (21:46)", "body": "(Brenda)Is that woman's breast out of her dress? . . . Who is she anyway? As our dear Moon would say: \"Whore!\" LOL! Colin doesn't sound \"delighted\" to be compared to The Gnat ;-) No he doesn't, and neither would I.;-) (Lisa)Why not have fun and be colorful? Agreed! To all those who tried to tell me that the Firths hide their pregnancies . . . toldya, toldya, nyeh, nyeh, nyeh!;-) I like her shorter hair bob, too."}, {"response": 1281, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (22:22)", "body": "(Karen) Wonder why we didn't treated to the lovely Heather? She never misses an event where she can display her boobs. ;-0 (Brenda) Check the wireimage photo #82. Is that woman's breast out of her dress? That'll be the photo printed in the mags. How dare she upstage Livia? Who is she anyway? I have a theory...I think Alison David (wireimage photo #82) probably has on the dress that Heather planned to wear....Heather didn't want to show up in the same frock...soooo....;-D And I think AD is a singer...but not sure."}, {"response": 1282, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (22:29)", "body": "(Evelyn) Just because she's preggars doesn't mean she has to dress like a nun. Definitely not. That dress is a lot fun. Great choice for the dreary weather anyway. Just that one Wireimage photo of her alone could have been more flattering from another angle. (Karen) Wonder why we didn't treated to the lovely Heather? She never misses an event where she can display her boobs. ;-0 LOL! She didn't want to be upstaged by the other woman hanging out. ;-) (Brenda) I can't take my eyes off the photo above (#1253)...smoldery look That's funny, I thought his look said \"Oh s*&t, there's more of those photographers in here, too.\" ;-) Great premiere page, Karen. Janet, that's too cool about your husband. Hope he got that look from Colin on camera as he walked away. (Barb) You all are going to laugh at me, but you remember the park pictures? Now magazine, late October -- and obviously taken before that but probably not too much before? A couple of other people thought the same thing at that time, but because of the clothes. Emma *must* have been partying. *fingers crossed* (Joyce) What about that CF hug from behind with Minnie? Livia would need a crowbar to get me out of that one. You said it! And he really had a grip on her. I can't fathom her apparent lack of excitement. ;-)"}, {"response": 1283, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (22:42)", "body": "(Brenda) Check the wireimage photo #82. Is that woman's breast out of her dress? Very good eyes. It's half out. Mark, would you like a close-up? ;-) Thanks for the video, Mari. Audio fell apart; will have to try again later."}, {"response": 1284, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (22:45)", "body": "I have a short report from Antonella, who was down in London for work, and didn't expect to see anything by the time she got over there: \"Anyway I didn't see much. I worked all day as a slave...and I managed to get to Leicester Square by quarter to 8 when all the action was finished. I saw Colin going in and Minnie Driver being interviewed by a reporter and that's it. People were already going away with an exception of an American lady who was taking pictures for someone in the US. Was she maybe one of your \"delegates\"? I got a billboard but it was too big for me to transport on the bus/tube and then on the train/then taxi....so i \"kindly\" gave to a screeming teenager who thanked me millions of times. I waited 15 minutes in the cold wind, saw Mark Harman coming out to smoke a sigarette (at least I managed to say hallo to him! Like the man, really very Yorkshire, but nice) and Paul Ross (Jonathan Ross' brother, awful who was signing authographs on the HS billboard even though he doesn't have anything to do with the film) then I went to the station to take my train home. \"Apparently Colin behaved very kindly to everybody, signing autograph all around the place, talking on people mobiles and posing for photographs (reminding a bit of Tom Cruise's behaviour at premieres)\""}, {"response": 1285, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Apr 28, 2003 (23:28)", "body": "(Brenda)Is that woman's breast out of her dress? . . . She needs to borrow J Lo's two-sided, double-stick tape, or Mari's duct tape, at the very least. ;-)"}, {"response": 1286, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (00:40)", "body": "Hey janet lovely story that your DH got the autograph for you, you must be so thrilled. ODB talking on mobiles...... there's a new challenge ladies, Emma wonder if you tried that?:-)) Mari thanks for all the links, a wonderful \"slew|\""}, {"response": 1287, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (00:41)", "body": "(Brenda)I can't take my eyes off the photo above (#1253). That shirt is better than Darcy's wet one! Broad chest, slim waist, smoldery look. I'm feeling faint. My thoughts exactly. Some might have been drawn to Livia's figure of ODB'S dimples, but for me, it's \"bring on that bod\"!"}, {"response": 1288, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (00:45)", "body": "Agreed Sandy, great suit!"}, {"response": 1289, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (01:39)", "body": "Wow, this has been a busy day! I hate being offline when there's lots of excitement. Thanks to everybody for the various links and information, and especially to Karen for getting the pictures posted so quickly. And speaking of the pictures, I'd say that we haven't heard from Emma because she hasn't regained consciousness yet. Wow, did he ever look fantastic."}, {"response": 1290, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (02:59)", "body": "Karen: Mark, would you like a close-up? ;-) Hey! I resemble that remark... Will trade any one Alison David (neverheardofher) for any two archived HGs. Incidentally, Colin & Minnie on front of Metro (free London paper) this morning."}, {"response": 1291, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (03:20)", "body": "It was driving me mental - I had no network connection last night at DBf's house to report to you all! but the good thing is that I got pics ready -- however again, I am glad there are others as my digital sucks really. And I keep cutting people's heads off (oh, like COLIN's). Yes lightening does strike twice - so clearly I have been very very good, or I got something REAL bad coming my way to deserve this! I now have my own signed copy of Speaking with the Angel. I felt like I would have had the nerve to talk to him if he wasn't rushing along, but obviously it was way less intimate that Thursday. He was GREAT with the crowd, went around the whole thing, must have signed his name a hundred times, took photos, talked to people on mobiles (including a 'Hello Mum' beside us - can you imagine getting that phonecall?!) Livia looked so fab in that Pucci print. Kristen Scott Thomas was there, ran in really fast. Have pics of Mena Suvari (who is the size of a 12 year old in my mind!), Matthew Perry, Hank Azaria maybe got in one. Everyone reading the Metro on the train this morning as I came in to work -it was great to see him so many times over! I didn't go back and try to find the party, I just came for the entrance and then left. He looked GREAT in that suit, and the hair growth was v. v. good. Although I think I prefer Mr Casual from last week myself."}, {"response": 1292, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (03:21)", "body": "Janet I really hope your VCR is set up since I completely forgot to do it for This Morning! And Paul Ross was there interviewing everyone around me as well (thank god he didn't ask me)."}, {"response": 1293, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (03:32)", "body": "Just catching up on the photos and discussion...The press right beside us had no idea who half the people showing up were. The Alison David woman (just learning her name now) came back out after going in very early just so they could take more photos of the dress. She came with Naomi Harris, who I recognised from the version they did of White Teeth on tv in the fall here. There was an American reporter from People mag beside us too, and some photographers were trying to get her photos, but she wasn't sure if she wanted them or not. Seemed to just be interested in Matthew Perry's attendance. Him and Hank Azaria are in a new play with Minnie opening soon, Sexual Peversity or something like that."}, {"response": 1294, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (03:51)", "body": "Congrats, Emma! I'm so, so happy for you. including a 'Hello Mum' beside us - can you imagine getting that phonecall?!) OMG!! i wonder if the 'mom' at the other end might have fainted. I would if I were, even though I'm not a mom myself. Anything he says will pass me out. :)"}, {"response": 1295, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (04:35)", "body": "Way to go, Emma. Your own autographed Speaking With the Angles...Lucky girl. I have other questions, but need my coffee just now. Glad you made it. How exciting. You are on a roll. :-)"}, {"response": 1296, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (05:04)", "body": "I sent all my photos to Karen (sorry I probably just filled your inbox forever!) but they aren't really good enough to put up on here, so I quickly put some up on my site: http://emmainlondon.tripod.com/colin.html"}, {"response": 1297, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (07:07)", "body": "Good Lord, what a festa!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!! He looks great, she looks great, congrats again Emma! Unable to pull up your site, will try and be patient...Arrggghhh!! From Empire this morning.. http://www.empireonline.co.uk/news/news.asp?4706"}, {"response": 1298, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (07:27)", "body": "(Emma)they aren't really good enough I think they are wonderful, and you got a good close up of his hand and dimples. Now I need to know what you are up to next, because all good things happen in Three's..."}, {"response": 1299, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (07:43)", "body": "Wow, crazy couple of days! Thanks everyone for the reports, pics, etc! (Emma) including a 'Hello Mum' beside us - can you imagine getting that phonecall?! I wouldn't have believed it was really him!! I'd probably humiliate myself by going \"yeah, yeah, SURE your Colin Firth, riiiight\" and then later have to kill myself when I found out it really was him, LOL! Although I'm not too crazy about the dress, Livia looks positively radiant. CF--AFG City! Mmmmm.....Now, what on earth is wrong with MD? She is wrapped up in CF's arms, and she looks......bored??? WTF???????? (Joyce) Livia would need a crowbar to get me out of that one. Ditto that!!"}, {"response": 1300, "author": "Jodi", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (07:52)", "body": "Emma, you are my idol. Not only do you live in my absolute favorite city but you got to see the man twice in a matter of days. You lucky lucky girl. Thanks for all the reports and the great pics. I almost like your pics better than the professional ones b/c you can really get the feeling what it would be like to actually be there. Thank you thank you thank you. Thanks to everyone else for all the great articles and pics. Thanks Karen for maintaining this place where we can all be silly giddy drooly girls."}, {"response": 1301, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (08:13)", "body": "LOVE the pics, Emma! The one of you is too cute. Artsy fartsy, really, with the blurred edges. ;-) (Jodi) I almost like your pics better than the professional ones b/c you can really get the feeling what it would be like to actually be there. Yes! Especially the two clearer ones. Wow, he looked ab...so...lute...ly amazing!!! Way to go, Emma! What a great way to start my day. That's nice they let the celebrities walk around greeting fans so much there consistently it seems. Here, it doesn't happen that often I think. The public is corraled way across the street or behind photographers many times. :-( Thanks to all!"}, {"response": 1302, "author": "Snooze", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (08:18)", "body": "Oh, man! You're away from the computer for a couple of days and suddenly there's sooo much to catch up on! Many, many thanks, girls, for the stories and great pictures - especially you, Emma. You have no idea how jealous I am, sitting here so far from the centre of excitement. I was interested to see your photo of CF's dad - quite a lot of hair, really, for a man of his age, and is that a dimple? ;)"}, {"response": 1303, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (08:35)", "body": "OK, looks like Emma's Tripod site has gone into bandwidth overload shut down! Maybe we need a schedule!"}, {"response": 1304, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (08:43)", "body": "Can't wait to see your images, Emma. But your page has exceeded its bandwidth, and is unavailable just now. I'll try again later. My DH comes home late tonight, so I'll see what I can do for tomorrow. I may have to send the pics to you, Karen. I recorded This Morning. Very brief interview with Paul Ross(yuck), with a couple of scenes from the movie. He was wearing quite a bulky ribbed black polo neck sweater with a fairly high neck. Noticed a very chunky silver ring on his right hand. (It may even have been two rings on the one finger.) Several days' growth as before. But AFG!"}, {"response": 1305, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (08:44)", "body": "OMG! The Empire online thing is wonderful!! The pictures are great and Livia looks amazing -- I love her hair! And he looks good enough to eat and like he was having a real fine time! Translation please (from the empire story): It\ufffds official. Colin Firth is one jammy git."}, {"response": 1306, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (08:55)", "body": "(Barb S)Translation please (from the empire story): It\ufffds official. Colin Firth is one jammy git. Extremely lucky guy (with more than a hint of envy)."}, {"response": 1307, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (08:56)", "body": "It\ufffds official. Colin Firth is one jammy git. Translation: I consider CF to be annoyingly lucky."}, {"response": 1308, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (09:06)", "body": "(Mark) Translation: I consider CF to be annoyingly lucky. LOL! Silly boy, you've been surrounded by the lovely ladies of Drool. Thanks, Emma, for sending the pics; hopefully, I received all of them before you nearly maxed out my inbox. ;-) Can't see your own site, as it is in suspended mode. I'll work on getting Emma's up, plus try to make what's there a little more aesthetically palatable."}, {"response": 1309, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (09:11)", "body": "Then Livia is one jammy git as well. ;-) Well at least this sounds positive. When I usually call someone a git, I'm not envious nor calling the person lucky. Maybe I've been using it wrong."}, {"response": 1310, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (09:18)", "body": "Minnie has men flocking by ANDRE PAINE, Evening Standard he says she can't get a date - but with men like Colin Firth and David Ginola around, Minnie Driver was able to make the best of it at the premiere of her latest film. The British actress was seen with both at the party for Hope Springs last night - and she also managed to get Friends star Perry to accompany her up the red carpet, to the delight of hundreds of screaming fans. Driver, 33, also signed autographs for cheering fans outside the premiere last night at Asia de Cuba, at St Martin's Lane Hotel. She played down her recent admission that she felt a \"pariah\" because men in London never asked her out. \"I don't even have time for a date - my dad had to come here tonight just so he could see me,\" she said. Firth stars as Driver's fianc\ufffd in Hope Springs - but in real life he is, of course, taken: he arrived at the party with pregnant wife Livia Guiggioli. Meanwhile Perry is currently rehearsing with Driver for what will be his stage debut, in the David Mamet play Sexual Perversity In Chicago, next week. He said: \"The play is going great and Minnie is terrific - very sweet and funny.\" And former footballer Ginola - who is to start a RADA acting course in London - was one of a number of star guests at the party. Others included American actress Mena Suvari, and musician and actor Roland Gift. Driver, whose love life has included romances with actors Matt Damon, John Cusack, Josh Brolin and Harrison Ford, said: \"I loved the premiere and people seemed to enjoy the film, but I'm back in rehearsals in the morning so I have to get home. \"It is hard work, but I'm loving it and Matthew Perry is fantastic.\""}, {"response": 1311, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (09:20)", "body": "(Dorine) When I usually call someone a git, I'm not envious nor calling the person lucky. Maybe I've been using it wrong. I think you're probably on it after all. Mark and Janet agree on the \"lucky\" part, Mark adds the fine point that he is \"annoying\" about it (male perception thing?! ;-)) That's probably where the \"git-ness\" comes in. (One of my favorite usages of late was for the Gilderoy Lockhart character in HP...now there was a git!) LOL...and agree about the Mrs. Jammy Git thing."}, {"response": 1312, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (09:37)", "body": "I thought GP was the complainer about not getting dates. I wish I had some of their problems that seems to be keeping them getting dates. Unless it's a personality thing. ;-) (BarbS) Mrs. Jammy Git I kinda like that. Mr. and Mrs. JG Mark adds the fine point that he is \"annoying\" about it (male perception thing?! ;-)) Yes, Mark....I was wondering if this was a more personal translation. ;-)"}, {"response": 1313, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (09:38)", "body": "A report from Kelli, who attended the premiere and after party. She had a great time and said he was polite to fans, signing autographs for at least 10 minutes. When he got into the foyer where she was, that's when he signed something for her. \"truly the best moment\" Inside, Colin introduced the film and sat about 3 rows behind her, staying to watch the whole movie. \"This unfortunately ruined the movie for me as I just felt sick through the whole thing!!!!!! Kept looking behind me.\" She said he left with everyone for the party and was again very nice to fans and sat down at a table. She spent the next hour walking past him, and is beating herself up [Ed note: been there, done that] about not getting many pics. Evidently, her friend only took a couple of decent ones, despite their being next to him for ages and everyone else was doing it. When she sends me the pics, I'll get them up here."}, {"response": 1314, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (09:38)", "body": "(Me) I wish I had some of their problems that seems to be keeping them getting dates. That's keeping them *from* getting dates. :-)"}, {"response": 1315, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (09:39)", "body": "closing tag"}, {"response": 1316, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (09:40)", "body": "bugger! time to leave now :-("}, {"response": 1317, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (09:55)", "body": "Party was at the Asia Club at St Martins Lane Hotel. More pics from there at Wire Image, including table shots of Colin with \"Livia\" (now) and his parents. http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=gls====26419 Off to get..."}, {"response": 1318, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (10:01)", "body": "Wow! Thanks Karen!! I now see the wisdom in wearing sleeveless/backless wear in whatever weather!..More opportunity for possible skin on skin action during photo ops!!Phwoaaaa..."}, {"response": 1319, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (10:23)", "body": "Emma! I love your pictures! Especially from the premiere! Feels frantic, almost like it must have been to be there...thank you!"}, {"response": 1320, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (10:28)", "body": "I just took down my site, but saved the code, so maybe I will put it up again at a different address tomorrow but just send it to people who ask for it. I didn't expect the madness of having me not even be able to access it! (Karen, your email was absolutely correct, I didn't forsee the problem though!) Barb, it was frantic! These people move fast! =)"}, {"response": 1321, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (10:45)", "body": "Thanks for all the news and pictures and persoanl encounters! Wonderful to see him front and center. I'm not supposed to put any Wire Images on a web site (I have a subscription for viewing only), but, Shhhh, I can't resist sharing this one from the after party: And isn't it nice that he and Kristen-Scott as such friends? I have never in all my years of Firth Fandom seen Colin's Dad. Both boys look a bit like him."}, {"response": 1322, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (10:46)", "body": "(Emma) He was GREAT with the crowd, went around the whole thing, must have signed his name a hundred times, took photos, talked to people on mobiles (including a 'Hello Mum' beside us - can you imagine getting that phonecall?!) Oh! Emma! I am so happy for you....twice in one week! I'd explode with happiness! I didn't see your pics :-( but will take everyone's word for it that they are wonderful....if you are mailing them out later, put me on your list! Again, so thrilled for you. And glad he was so good with the crowd and so many of his fans got to see him!! Maria!! Thanks for the Empire article/pictures. He looks amazing! And the pics come up so HUGE on my computer! Livia looks stunning....I know I wouldn't look like that pregnant! And thanks Karen for the party pictures....can't tell if Daddy Firth has dimples or not...but were did ODB get the tall genes?"}, {"response": 1323, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (11:18)", "body": "(Murph) Both boys look a bit like him. Sort of, but when I look at the smile, I see his mom:"}, {"response": 1324, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (11:24)", "body": "I've added a few of Emma's to the \"In the Public Eye\" page for the PEN event http://www.firth.com/p_eye7.html and am going to start sorting and redoing the prem stuff."}, {"response": 1325, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (11:39)", "body": "(Karen)I'll work on getting Emma's up, plus try to make what's there a little more aesthetically palatable, What exciting times...Thanks Karen for all the hard work this past week. It made Emma's adventures and the premiere very special around here. I've been in such a state all week almost as if I were there myself...thanks to you and everyone else who contributed news, articles, reviews and picture. Thanks Emma, and I'll say you are one jammy git as well. Whatever the translation:-) (Mark)Translation: I consider CF to be annoyingly lucky. Oh Mark, you know we all love you, too. Thanks Murph and Karen for the news. Yep, your're right, Murph...he does have his mum's smile."}, {"response": 1326, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (11:47)", "body": "Sorry to double post, but I expect I'll be here a few more times today. I posted before I went to wireimage...Just wanted to say that His mum looks so very proud."}, {"response": 1327, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (11:56)", "body": "I wish I could see his parents better. Great report, Emma, thanks! Janet, was the bit on This Morning live in the studio or pre-recorded? I saw a Reuters pic in which boob lady's right one is completely out of the dress. And does anyone agree that Matt Perry and Hank Azaria make a cute couple? Nice that Chandler and Apu could make it.;-) Who is Naomi Harris? I wonder if she's in Tramua--she's in several pics with Mena and Colin at wireimage."}, {"response": 1328, "author": "joyce", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (11:59)", "body": "Thanks to all our British-side friends for the coverage. Emma, Antonella, Kelli, Janet and for the Empire link Maria. Hope I didn't forget anyone. Excellent job Karen. I'm sure Hello! has nothing better. Thanks."}, {"response": 1329, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (12:03)", "body": "I have more from our party attendee, but I am trying to get her on this board herself. Hopefully, it will be soon."}, {"response": 1330, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (12:07)", "body": "Thanks again and again...Karen and Emma for the pics \"In the Public Eye\"! And thanks to all who have given us such great news over the past few days...been very exciting around here!"}, {"response": 1331, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (12:35)", "body": "3 more photos, looove the first one... http://newsroom.corbis.com/scripts/foxisapi.dll/wmsql.wm.request?FQUERY&mode=grid"}, {"response": 1332, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (12:44)", "body": "(Maria) 3 more photos, looove the first one... Love the first one...but also love the third (from behind)...ODB is one long, tall drink of water!!! Yum!"}, {"response": 1333, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (13:00)", "body": "I had to do a search on \"Colin Firth\" when I got to your link, Maria, but I do agree about that photo! Also, thanks for the Empire Online link - yummy stuff there! And thanks, Karen, for all the work to get the pics up for all of us. We should probably chip in to have some food delivered to your house, because I suspect you've been chained to your computer for the past 24 hours or so without stopping.... So why does he look so gorgeous in stubble, when it just makes most men I know look like they were too lazy to shave????"}, {"response": 1334, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (13:04)", "body": "And sorry to follow up my post (see, Linda, you're not the only one), but I forgot to say: Go, Emma!!!!! I'm so happy for you, getting two close encounters in one week! Thanks for sharing the news with us!"}, {"response": 1335, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (13:06)", "body": "Love that last one too, from behind. Thanks, Maria. It took them awhile to get those in; had checked last night. My own personal professional photographer has come through and the pics are coming in now. Phwoar!!!! Major stubble closeup. I expect Joyce to melt into her chair. ;-D OK, can somebody just lend me a backhoe or similar, so I can deal with my yardwork quickly and effectively. Am giving up for this season. :-("}, {"response": 1336, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (13:13)", "body": "Thanks Karen, Emma, Mary, MariaT, and anyone I've forgotten for all the information, photos, links, etc. I'm going into major stubble overload! :-P Emma, didn't get to see your pictures but congratulations on your close encounters! I'm green with envy but very happy for you."}, {"response": 1337, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (13:24)", "body": "Of all days to be in meetings!!! Thank you ladies for the links and articles. I'm unable to see Emma's pictures even on your page, Karen, maybe it's an Aol thing and I will have to wait. :-( Asia de Cuba seems to still be a very happening place. (Keli), Colin introduced the film Do tell us more, Kelli! What did he say? Did anyone get a chance to talk to Livia or his parents? Janet, please post wht Colin said on the interview and congratulate your DH, mine would never have done it. Looking forward to seeing all the pictures and reading all the gossip. Murph, thanks for that sneak peak. I'd like to see the one where they are seated at the table with KST too. ;-)"}, {"response": 1338, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (13:29)", "body": "(Mari), I saw a Reuters pic in which boob lady's right one is completely out of the dress. Whore! LOL! And does anyone agree that Matt Perry and Hank Azaria make a cute couple? You know something we don't know? ;-) Who is Naomi Harris? I wonder if she's in Tramua--she's in several pics with Mena and Colin at wireimage. Maybe she plays his murdered wife? We're going to need a cast list."}, {"response": 1339, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (13:45)", "body": "Kelli will be on shortly. She did clarify to me that Colin didn't really introduce the film, but he stood behind the producers when they did. Emma's premiere pics are not up on firth.com yet, only her ones from the PEN reading. I am buried with pics right now and trying to figure out which will go up on the pages and how. *sending out for food is not the problem; those pesky bathroom breaks are. ;-)"}, {"response": 1340, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (13:47)", "body": "(Karen) OK, can somebody just lend me a backhoe or similar, so I can deal with my yardwork quickly and effectively. Am giving up for this season. :-( I think we need to chip in and hire a hunky gardener for you. ;-) Thanks for all your efforts, Karen."}, {"response": 1341, "author": "joyce", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (13:48)", "body": "(Karen)Phwoar!!!! Major stubble closeup. I expect Joyce to melt into her chair. ;-D (LOL)And here I thought I was keeping my \"little problem\" under wraps. Asbestos pants in place. Lay it on me. Thanks Maria for that stubble pic to tide me over. (Karen) OK, can somebody just lend me a backhoe or similar, so I can deal with my yardwork quickly and effectively. Am giving up for this season. :-( Have you ever considered a yard boy with, dare I say it? S..s..stubble?"}, {"response": 1342, "author": "kelbrom1", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (13:53)", "body": "Hi I am new on here, how you all doing?"}, {"response": 1343, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (13:54)", "body": "Oh man, the rest of their pics came in. Now, if only I could multi-task... answering emails, requests to join Drool.... I may set a record this time, sitting at the computer. BTW all, I have Joyce's transcription of the Lisa tape but it's going to have to get in queue. Good thing my foreign Firthette meeting today was changed to tomorrow. ;-0"}, {"response": 1344, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (14:03)", "body": "(Karen) Kelli will be on shortly. She did clarify to me that Colin didn't really introduce the film, but he stood behind the producers when they did. (Kelli) Hi I am new on here, how you all doing? I'm great but if you're the aforementioned Kelli, I bet I'm not doing as good as you! Welcome!"}, {"response": 1345, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (14:04)", "body": "I'm with you Joyce, 100%. Always loved men in stubble. Thanks for the Corbis pics, Maria. I suspect the first is my favorite as it's the only one I audibly gasped at when I saw it. ;-) Helloooooooo, Kelliiiiiii!!! Where arrrre yooooouuuuu? :-) and bugger, figures I have to leave just as she's to arrive) I wondered who Naomi Harris was, too. Also another thing I can't fathom....why do none of these women he's hugging look just over the moon? I guess Mena doesn't want to look to excited in case her husband sees the pics, if he's not there. ;-) I think in one pic of Colin with his parents where neither he nor his father have a full on smile, that he looks very much like his dad. The same face shape, same nose, same expression. They look v. v. nice."}, {"response": 1346, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (14:15)", "body": "And remember Kelli, no detail is too small or insignificant. ;-)"}, {"response": 1347, "author": "kelbrom1", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (14:18)", "body": "well, a great night. we thought they said \"helen\" was arriving but actually the p[ress guy said \"colin\" This is where I have a panic. What the hell do I say?"}, {"response": 1348, "author": "kelbrom1", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (14:23)", "body": "Firstly, you are taken back by the fact that he is tall and soooooooooooo handsome. His wife got out the car and while he spent at least 10 minutes signing autographs he did look out for her a few times."}, {"response": 1349, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (14:27)", "body": "(Kelli)well, a great night. we thought they said \"helen\" was arriving but actually the p[ress guy said \"colin\" This is where I have a panic. What the hell do I say? Hi Kelli, welcome!! Thanks for coming in and sharing. Now, don't let us scare you off, but we are ravenous for details. What did you say? How close were you? How did Livia react to the crowds? Any and all tidbits are appreciated!"}, {"response": 1350, "author": "kelbrom1", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (14:30)", "body": "Hi there, well as we were lucky to have tix, we were within the barriers so he got out the car right by us and walked immediately over to the crowds. Someone shouted to him that they are at the same college as he went to and he said \"bad luck\". made everyone laugh. after he finished signing I had already positioned myself so he HAD to walk by me to get in. I said, excuse me would u mind signing this ticket? he said no and signed it. Once he had done it I just said thanks and he gave me a smile. Then they took him in so we followed."}, {"response": 1351, "author": "kelbrom1", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (14:32)", "body": "His wife was having her picture taken by the press and she seemed completely at ease. Very pregnant indeed but looking great. They rushed her in way before him."}, {"response": 1352, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (14:43)", "body": "Thank you Kelli for all the wonderful details (and a big welcome as well)! (Kelli) Once he had done it I just said thanks and he gave me a smile. OMG! I bet that is burned on your brain! Lucky girl!! Good for you getting his autograph! (Kelli) His wife got out the car and while he spent at least 10 minutes signing autographs he did look out for her a few times. Glad he was able to spend so much time 'working the crowd'. And good to see that he was taking care of the missus! She needs tending...gotta take care of that baby Firth! Thanks Kelli!"}, {"response": 1353, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (14:44)", "body": "Kelli, how did you get so lucky to have a ticket? Were some tix open to the public vs. invitation only? Or do you work with or know someone who's connected to it?"}, {"response": 1354, "author": "kelbrom1", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (14:50)", "body": "got the tickets via my work. Long story but we got them for a client who couldn't attend. (idiot!) The best thing was that we were seated in the front row and while he was waiting to be introduced he and Minnie were having a shared joke. Then as he walked on stage he was right in front of us. Then he actually sat about 4-5 rows behind us to watch the whole movie. I just couldn't concentrate and kept turning round. He was intently watching until the very end."}, {"response": 1355, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (15:12)", "body": "(Karen)*sending out for food is not the problem; those pesky bathroom breaks are. ;-) Wot, you never heard of a catheter? Sheesh.;-) As they say in the Dilbert cartoons, \"You in the cubicle--work harder!\" ;-) WELCOME KELLI (Kelli)we got them for a client who couldn't attend. (idiot!) Some people just can't get their priorities straight! Nice to have you here."}, {"response": 1356, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (15:16)", "body": "Click on the pictures for a full size look. Check out Ms. Nipple at lower left. Argh! http://www.femail.co.uk/pages/standard/article.html?in_article_id=178742&in_page_id=119"}, {"response": 1357, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (15:19)", "body": "Cute article and profile pic in this one. http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/news/entertainment/030429_hopesprings.shtml"}, {"response": 1358, "author": "kelbrom1", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (15:20)", "body": "When we left the theatre, I started up the stairs to get to the seats where he was sitting and he had just got up and started walking ahead of me. I did try and catch up but ended up insulting Minnie Driver while not realising I was alongside Matt Perry. Not a great move. We then saw him in the foyer talking to Livia about getting in the car or something and then we made our way to the party. Great fun, loads of ops to see him and walk by his table. (while he ate a smoked salmon canape!)"}, {"response": 1359, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (15:27)", "body": "HEY Emma ! Twice in one week and you are still standing!! Thanks for all your on the spot news, wonderful, plus that you got SWTA signed too. Congratulations! Looking forward to yours pics so much. Thanks to everyone who has put up links and added news and to our never tiring Boss ! Welcome kelli thanks for sharing, it's great to have you here! I confess to being very disappointed by the This Morning interview. Colin could've looked really great instead of just great if the collar of his chunky sweater hadn't obscured his stubble and jawline! (take a leaf out of \"Olivia's \" book:-)) Paul Ross ( untalented older brother of jonathan) did a really naff interview, poor Colin having to put up with him. the best bit was a clip from the foyer last night when he peeled away from MD and walked away, someone called out to him and he swung round with that wonderful ease and came towards them with that amazing way of moving he has (gets me every time!) main clip from HS was of him with his trousers down."}, {"response": 1360, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (15:30)", "body": "(Karen)*sending out for food is not the problem; those pesky bathroom breaks are. ;-) (Mari) Wot, you never heard of a catheter? Sheesh.;-) Methinks if she'd stop one, the other would not be a problem. :-x (Kelli) I started up the stairs to get to the seats where he was sitting and he had just got up and started walking ahead of me I'm trying to wrap my brain around this one...you *actually* followed the Stairmaster going up stairs? All I have to say is if Minnie got in your way, she got what she deserved. (Meltdown averted...due to crowd, could not have been long, loping, multi-stepped ascent...temperature returning to safer zone)"}, {"response": 1361, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (15:35)", "body": "main clip from HS was of him with his trousers down. Well it seems to me that if this the clip they'll be using, someone better ask him about it. ;-) Welcome Kelli! I did try and catch up but ended up insulting Minnie Driver You insulted MD? Did you take any pictures when he was standing in front of you? What did MH say when he introduced the film? No detail is too small or banal here, Kelli. ;-D"}, {"response": 1362, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (15:35)", "body": "OMG what an exciting 24 hours. Immediate premiere pics thanks to Karen. A real treat. Emma, Antonella, Kelli and Janet. So good and so on target. The next best thing to being there. Thank you all so much. You must be in heaven. Thank you for all the news items, articles and links. Even Miss Boob. How embarrassing is that! Livia looked adorable. Just my opinion, could it be possible she's due before August and that's just the date given to the public so they can have some privacy. She looks quite far along. He is beyond words. Just such a vision to behold. At this point I can't do any more than repeat everyone else. He is amazing. Thank you everyone so very much for such an exciting day. The"}, {"response": 1363, "author": "kelbrom1", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (15:36)", "body": "yes, we walked right behind him but he was quick. nipped ahead of us. We saw him a few moments later in the foyer and just stood gawping at him while he spoke to various people/the wife etc."}, {"response": 1364, "author": "kelbrom1", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (15:40)", "body": "Moon. Got a great pic of him signing a bit of paper I gave him. Waiting for my friend to send it to me. I am also in it looking slightly in awe. Also my friend walked along to get one of him and MD talking on stage."}, {"response": 1365, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (15:44)", "body": "(Mari) Cute article and profile pic in this one. Ohhhh.....you weren't kidding about the profile pic! Good one! Thanks Mari!"}, {"response": 1366, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (15:54)", "body": "Put up the flame-retardant shield, Joyce. This is first-class stubble. Having been around Miss Minnie herself a couple of years ago, for five weeks straight, I wouldn't worry about insulting her. She could use a few..."}, {"response": 1367, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (16:01)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1368, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (16:07)", "body": "First-class stubble indeed. Do members of the stubble club carry a card or can I just have an additional endorsement put on my boot club card? I've never cared for stubblers, ala Cruise the Shmooze...but wrapped around those lips, that's truly fine. (Do we ever get to see the rest of the photo?)"}, {"response": 1369, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (16:09)", "body": "Here are some of Kelli's answers to questions I had emailed her earlier. She said I could repost them here. The questions aren't there, but you should all be fairly adroit now at figuring them out (Lisa, can you hear me???) ;-))))) --We really liked the film but not one of his best. I found it difficult to accept the whole \"Minnie Driver\" thing as I am not too keen on her. She was sitting behind us with Matthew Perry which was another big deal to us and actually was quite funny --He is constantly in and out of bed with Heather Graham and I was just so embarrassed that he was actually watching himself on the screen. Bizarre. The audience gave it a great response and it was really funny in parts. He looked great and must have worked out!! --You are right, he didn't actually speak, just stood behind the director and producer. --At the party he was sitting with his wife at a table just chatting and eating canap\ufffds. Then he got up and just wandered round talking to people and having his picture taken with people. At this point I had lost my nerve completely and was just having a few drinks. --She is really stunning and seems very nice. She seems to have people interested in her separately from him. The girl that is in Trauma with him was there (mena survari? Can't spell it!) he was with her most of the time as well as other \"studio types\" . he talks to people in a very animated way. His wife does take a back seat but has her own things to say to people. She doesn't just sit there. --I also saw him with Kristen Scott Thomas who was there. I think they are friends aren't they? --All in all it was a real eye opener to see these people as just people which is what they are. very \"normal\", having a drink or two and a bite to eat. etc etc."}, {"response": 1370, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (16:34)", "body": "Welcome, Kelli, and thanks so much for your wonderful report! (Karen) This is first-class stubble. Thud! (me passing out and hitting floor)"}, {"response": 1371, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (16:46)", "body": "(Karen) This is first-class stubble. With a bit of greys, aaww. Thank, Karen. Can't wait for the rest. ;-) Looking forward to seeing your picures, kelli! Did he laugh at the screening? Did you overhear any of Colin or Livia's conversations? Or Colin with Mena? Did they serve a killer Mojito? ;-) What time did they leave?"}, {"response": 1372, "author": "kelbrom1", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (17:01)", "body": "yep, he was laughing at Minnie because they presented her with flowers and he pretended that he thought they were for her. She playfully \"swats\" him and everyone laughs. Didn't see him laugh at the actual film, and only heard him and his wife talking about getting into their car on the way out. Him and Mena were furher away once I saw them together but they were talking with a few other people and the press took a photo of him with his arm round her and another lady who I didn't recognise. We left around 12.30 and they were still there. I think it was supposed to finish at 2am. He was just constantly being introduced to different people all the time. His wife wasnt really by his side at the party. She was sitting down and he was walking around."}, {"response": 1373, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (18:00)", "body": "WELCOME KELLI What a grand way to make an entrance to Drool. Happy to have you. (Kelli)I found it difficult to accept the whole \"Minnie Driver\" thing as I am not too keen on her. Ditto. Why all the pics of him hugging her, fergodsake:-(( I'm already sick of her and haven't even seen the movie. Livia is a gracious doll to share him with the enthralled female population. Thanks again Boss. You always come through. And to the supporting team *clap, clap*."}, {"response": 1374, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (18:32)", "body": "Boy, is this site busy these days! Thanks to everyone for all their hard work. My DH has just returned from London with the precious tape and autograph! I think he should be able to get a few pretty good images. CF is signing autographs at the other side from where my DH was standing, but several fans shouted to him and instead of walking to the car, he turned and walked along the barrier towards my DH. At one point all you can see is his chin, he is so close! Brilliant stubble shot! And great view of 'the walk' as he returns to the car. Is my DH great, or what!"}, {"response": 1375, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (18:45)", "body": "(Janet)Is my DH great, or what Hey, he deserves a website on his own!!A prince!!"}, {"response": 1376, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (18:48)", "body": "(Mari)\"You in the cubicle--work harder!\" ;-) ROTFL. Hey, sorry boss. I didn't say it. Mari did. WELCOME KELLI We are hanging on your every word. Thanks so much for sharing with us. So glad you decided to post. Have your feet touched the ground yet?? Mine haven't and I'm in the US. My question to you Kelli is this--You know how men are always touching their stubble when they are growing a beard? Did he seem to do that at all? I guess that's been on my mind because I have had this urge to rub my hand over his face all day, then of course rub my face...Oh Gawd. I just can't take it. I'm dying. Mari and Maria thanks for the extra pictures. He does seem to be very touchy with MD. I could slap her, not because of that, but could she adjust her attitude when he's hugging her?? sheesh! I noticed he gave great hugs to KST at her play premiere as well. (Karen) This is first-class stubble. First class and world class. I'm in the stubble heaven forever. Actually I've been there since the InStyle pics. Ok, just an observation. Has anyone else experienced looking at Mena Suvari's picture and think it's Heather Graham? Just for a moment that is. (Kelli via Karen)He looked great and must have worked out!! Looking at those premiere pictures, I'd say his body looks AB...solutely FG. I wonder if that means we're going to have a bit of skin in Trauuuuuuuuuuuuuma I know I've said it several times, Thank You!!!"}, {"response": 1377, "author": "joyce", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (19:14)", "body": "(Karen)Put up the flame-retardant shield, Joyce. This is first-class stubble. (Barb)First-class stubble indeed. Do members of the stubble club carry a card or can I just have an additional endorsement put on my boot club card? I've never cared for stubblers, ala Cruise the Shmooze...but wrapped around those lips, that's truly fine. (Do we ever get to see the rest of the photo?) (KathyF) Thud! (me passing out and hitting floor) With a bit of greys, aaww. Thank, Karen. Can't wait for the rest. (lindak)First class and world class. I'm in the stubble heaven forever. That wooshing sound you just heard from the East was my wallpaper being changed (300% enlargement is just right)! Whoa Karen, you were spot on with the warning.Thank you. Doing a Heather Graham/ Mandy happy dance hear. Since there doesn't appear to be a paucity of stubble lovers, I've written a poem for the occasion and the Stubble Club. Ode to Stubble by Joyce I think his scrumptious stubble, deserves a naughty rhyme. A manly five o'clock shadow, that's working overtime. I love each tiny bristly hair, I'd hate to see him sheared. It's much sexier than a clean shave, much hotter than a beard. He wears it with such elegance, he bears it with such grace. That prickly, brown and tickly brush, at the bottom of his face."}, {"response": 1378, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (19:21)", "body": "Joyce!!!! Well done! Nothing like a prickly ODB! AFG!!!"}, {"response": 1379, "author": "joyce", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (19:22)", "body": "Welcome Kelli. Thank you.Excellent report! Now back to the studio! lindak My question to you Kelli is this--You know how men are always touching their stubble when they are growing a beard? Did he seem to do that at all? I guess that's been on my mind because I have had this urge to rub my hand over his face all day, then of course rub my face...Oh Gawd. I just can't take it. I'm dying. Linda, there was a little naughtier version of my poem which I see you may have appreciated. ; )"}, {"response": 1380, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (19:29)", "body": "(Joyce) Linda, there was a little naughtier version of my poem which I see you may have appreciated ROFLOL!! Oh Joyce, that's too good! But if there's another version, I sure hope you'll share!"}, {"response": 1381, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (19:30)", "body": "(KathyF) Thud! (me passing out and hitting floor) I see that thud and raise you a SPLAT! Whoa. Joyce, LOL! Welcome, Kelli! And thanks so much for the details! Janet, your DH deserves a medal! Can't wait to see the pictures."}, {"response": 1382, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (19:34)", "body": "Linda, there was a little naughtier version of my poem which I see you may have appreciated. ; ) LOL, well??? OF course I could have been naughtier about feeling that stubble, but I am really trying to contain myself, or I'll explode. Love the poem Joyce. Glad to know we're on the same page. (Tress)Nothing like a prickly ODB! AFG!!! ... at the bottom of his face I love prickly."}, {"response": 1383, "author": "MonicaM", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (19:34)", "body": "Hello, All! I'm new here as well, but unlike Kelli I don't have anything nearly as exciting to contribute... just my undying adoration of ODB :-) I've really enjoyed reading everyone's posts the last few days. All the pictures and first hand accounts have been great! Can't wait to see the pictures from Emma and others as they come in. Joyce, loved your ode to stubble! Too funny! I've been a huge fan of the stubble, myself, ever since the InStyle pics. Mmmmm....."}, {"response": 1384, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (19:53)", "body": "(Linda)...but I am really trying to contain myself, or I'll explode. See...it is the containing of yourself that will make you explode...let it out girl!! ;-) (Linda) ...at the bottom of his face I love prickly. LOL...of course on the bottom of his face! What were you thinking?? Naughty, naughty! I hear ya! ;-D Welcome Monica! You've joined us at a great time!"}, {"response": 1385, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (20:05)", "body": "Welcome Monica! You've got great timing! I've been considering the topic of stubble: inferring that the stubble relates to Trauma, think on the fact that eventually we will have a whole movie of stubble! Will it require it's own billing? Will Rika be able to handle the DVD captures? Will the combination of yummy stubble and crumbling Colin be too much to handle? (I confess, I have running through my mind a movie with the theme of Ghost where the male lead is a combination of Tom Birkin, Donovan Quick and Joe Prince....and he's stubbled! Yow!)"}, {"response": 1386, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (21:37)", "body": "Karen, you are amazing! Thanks so much for rushing to get the news, pics, and first hand reports to us so quickly. I'm for taking up a collection to totally replace your landscaping. Welcome Kelli and Monica. What a great time to join the fun! I'd like to sign up as a charter member of the Stubble club. It never did anything for me until I saw ODB in that white shirt in the In Style pic. He looks unbelievably gorgeous in the premiere pics. I'm ready to book my flight and pay a little visit to our woman on the scene - Emma. You have got it going on, girl!"}, {"response": 1387, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (23:08)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1388, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (23:08)", "body": "Here's one new page of exclusive pics for us: http://www.firth.com/hs_gal6.html Am still whittling down the bounty and refining..."}, {"response": 1389, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (23:33)", "body": "(BarbS) think on the fact that eventually we will have a whole movie of stubble! Will it require it's own billing? Will Rika be able to handle the DVD captures? Only if somebody volunteers to come to my house and revive me as I periodically pass out. ;-) Hi, Monica! Welcome! By the way, Monica and Kelly, I usually post a capture from a CF movie as a welcome, but right this minute they would pale in comparison to the photos we're getting of The Man Himself."}, {"response": 1390, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (23:39)", "body": "Holy *freakin* cow!!! Can he get *any* sexier?!! (KathyF) Thud! (me passing out and hitting floor) (Rika) I see that thud and raise you a SPLAT! Whoa. Kathy and Rika , get off of me! Didn't you see me down here on the floor already? ;-)))) (Karen) This is first-class stubble. I do love those little grays. Oh, hell....I love it all! (Kelli) ended up insulting Minnie Driver while not realising I was alongside Matt Perry. Did she give you a \"look\"? What did she do or say that gave you that impression? (Evelyn) I found it difficult to accept the whole \"Minnie Driver\" thing as I am not too keen on her. Ditto. Why all the pics of him hugging her, fergodsake:-(( Ditto, ditto. (Linda) Has anyone else experienced looking at Mena Suvari's picture and think it's Heather Graham? Just for a moment that is. No, not. ;-) Bravo, Joyce!!! (Joyce) Linda, there was a little naughtier version of my poem which I see you may have appreciated. ; ) Well? She wouldn't be the only appreciative one. ;-)) Janet, I'm so psyched for you. What a doll you have there! :-D Thanks for your report, Kelli and ...... Welcome, Monica! Don't run away you two!"}, {"response": 1391, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (23:40)", "body": "I'm doing it again, following myself up. Just got back from the latest gallery page. I'm feeling a little faint.... thank you, Karen! It's hard to pick faves, but I suppose the second one, for the stubble close-up, and the last one, for that wonderful grin. Strange thing in the one where he's looking at Livia - his hair is mostly brushed off his forehead."}, {"response": 1392, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (23:52)", "body": "Ladies, ladies you are too much! I'm exhausted with excitement. Emma and Kelli, you are truly jammy gits. Thanks so much for sharing. Karen, ab-so-lutely fabulous work with the pics. And, everyone who has contributed so much to our collective enjoyment, particularly over the last few days - Bravo."}, {"response": 1393, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Apr 29, 2003 (23:52)", "body": "(Rika) It's hard to pick faves, but I suppose the second one, for the stubble close-up, and the last one, for that wonderful grin I'm totally right there with ya!"}, {"response": 1394, "author": "Leah", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (01:20)", "body": "(Tress)#1322 but were did ODB get the tall genes? Just a piece of scientifically proven fact - a son will always be taller than his mother. Thanks to everyone for the pics, reports etc. I am trying to work!!! (v important) What must I do??? Luckily I am sitting at the computer, because my knees have given in. He just keeps getting better and better. Back to work now..."}, {"response": 1395, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (01:55)", "body": "There are now three pages of premiere pics, starting with: http://www.firth.com/hs_gal5.html and continuing through gal7 I haven't made to Emma's premiere pics yet but am getting rather slap happy and, who knows, there could be one devoted to Hank Azaria if I keep on. ;-)"}, {"response": 1396, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (02:18)", "body": "Welcome, Monica! Undying adoration is the only requirement! Joyce, marvelous job on Ode to Stubble! You are a poet without peer. It's much sexier than a clean shave, much hotter than a beard. LOL and Amen!!!! (Rika) Only if somebody volunteers to come to my house and revive me as I periodically pass out. ;-) I immediately envisioned a room full of passed-out Drooleurs surrounding your computer monitor. (Dorine) Holy *freakin* cow!!! Can he get *any* sexier?!! Just when I think it's impossible (like when watching WAGW), he somehow manages to improve upon perfection! I do love those little grays. Oh, hell....I love it all! Me, too! I wouldn't change a hair on his head... or neck! Karen, the gallery is unbelievable! I'm mesmerized and hypnotized! Thank you, thank you, thank you! My favorite part is the little bit of stubble just below his lower lip. *swoon* Can't help but notice that Matthew Perry's stubble just doesn't have the same effect. ;-) Something about HS premiere on Hello site. Why is MD so obvious about staring at the camera? http://www.hellomagazine.com/2003/04/29/colinfirth/"}, {"response": 1397, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (02:36)", "body": "If he looks like this in Trauma, I think the think the throwaway rule must be expanded to include at least the first 2, maybe even 3 viewings. Plot, schmott....who needs one? ;-))"}, {"response": 1398, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (02:42)", "body": "Thanks a million to you, Karen!! The photos - actually, Mr and Mrs JG - are absolutely wonderful! (Rika) Only if somebody volunteers to come to my house and revive me as I periodically pass out. ;-) Sorry, Rika, I wish I could help but I guess all the droolers here must have fainted already! :)"}, {"response": 1399, "author": "MonicaM", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (03:59)", "body": "Thanks for the welcomes! Karen, you are awesome! The pictures are incredible and you've clearly slaved away on this stuff all day. LOL, Kathy! I thought the exact same thing about Matthew Perry's stubble not having nearly the same effect. Notice that he's also wearing a slight variation on the same outfit as ODB, but again, without the same effect. CF is SO working that suit! The full length pictures are literally beyond words. The most articulate thing that comes to mind is \"yummy.\" :-)"}, {"response": 1400, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (04:01)", "body": "Thank you all for everything. I haven't had time to read anything yet, just wantet to give you this link from my mailbox: http://www.hellomagazine.com/"}, {"response": 1401, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (04:07)", "body": "After all the premier hysteria here, I think I have to go to one (if there ever is one in Germany). I guess it would be in Berlin if there would be one. The only thing I need is an excuse for driving to Berlin (or wherever) :o) Maybe something like business. Damned it, I am a student. There is no business to do for me beside to study. Maybe I could say, I have to go to Berlin (or wherever) to \u2026\ufffdh\u2026because\u2026.\ufffdh\u2026.. I have no idea. Oh wait, I got one. I want to see Berlin. \u2026.oh no\u2026.I already have. Oh\u2026..I got one \u2026..I just need to find a boyfriend in Berlin. I think I can not be honest and tell the truth if I don\u2019t want my parents and friends to admit me for losing my mind. Damned it, who cares. Can I be blamed for wanting to meet Colin Firth? No, nobody could condemn me for wanting to meet this man. Anyway I got the feeling I meet Colin one time. Maybe I should change my study subject from economy to journalism. That would raise my chance. Dreams are allowed here, aren\u2019t they :o) Sorry for writing complete non-sense but it was fun. :o) I\u2019ll be better next time. Bye Petra P.S. Thanks Karen for the premiere pictures. I love them."}, {"response": 1402, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (06:32)", "body": "LOL!! I think you must have heard about the Berlin Film Festival. So, who knows, ODB may go to one of those premieres there one day!"}, {"response": 1403, "author": "joyce", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (07:02)", "body": "(Barb)Not holding out much hope for \"well-shaped\", I bet \"Trauma\"-tized will mean it is more scraggly. (Josie)Sorry, Rika, I wish I could help but I guess all the droolers here must have fainted already! (Dorine)If he looks like this in Trauma, I think the think the throwaway rule must be expanded to include at least the first 2, maybe even 3 viewings. Plot, schmott....who needs one? ;-)) LOL I'd say we've all been Traumatized before the movie ever started filming! (KathyF)My favorite part is the little bit of stubble just below his lower lip. *swoon* Okay brief history lesson. Not that I've done any research on it. That little tuft of hair below the bottom lip is called a soul patch. A soul patch says things like \"I'm cool\", \"I'm a little rebellious\", \"I'm sensitive\" or \"I can grow hair on that spot right below my lip and my friends can't.\" William Shakespeare and 15th Century ruler Vlad the Impaler sported a soul patch. Dizzy Gillespie sported a soul patch which then in the '50's was known as a \"jazz dab\", it has also been known as a \"flavor saver\" and a \"cookie duster.\" I'm just quoting history here folks. Gallery looks incredible Karen. Thank you. I especially like the full length view from behind. Pesky photographers, they're always trying to photograph people's faces!"}, {"response": 1404, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (07:09)", "body": "Karen It is just all so great! Thanks for slaving away for us. I'm delirious and seriously depleted of drool and loving it! Thanks for the poem Joyce! Where's the racy version? Come on, out with it! I'll take a rash from that stubble anyday! And I'm jumping on the ditto bandwagon re MD's ability to irritate, she looks so \"affected\"... Small interview with ODB on HS and 2 HS pics I had'nt seen before... http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2003/02/27/hope_springs_2003_review.shtml"}, {"response": 1405, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (07:19)", "body": "Well, I was starting to come down off that cloud - except that I just picked up my developed photos from the shop. OH MY GOD!! The one of me and him - HE LOOKS SO GOOD! I got the best smile! Major dimples. Of course I look like a maniac (my eyes are basically screaming: holy effing crap I am standing next to Colin Firth, you know, as they should be!) but he looks so good! I am in shock all over again. It's almost a full body shot too. Kristen did so well. I wish she hadn't gone back to Canada so I could kiss her feet! Will scan tomorrow at home for interested parties. =) Thanks everyone for major support and encouragement during this most excellent time =)."}, {"response": 1406, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (07:38)", "body": "(MariaT) Small interview with ODB on HS and 2 HS pics I had'nt seen before... Oh, that brush! I want (to be) that brush! :D Emma, I couldn't thank you enough for bringing us so many exciting news and pics. I do wanna see your photos, please add me in the list."}, {"response": 1407, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (07:38)", "body": "Welcome Monica and Petra! Thanks, Maria! From the BBC interview it appealed to me partly because it felt close to me in some ways - it's about a confused middle-class man adrift in smalltown America, and that has definitely been me! Great job, Karen! And an exclusive too! I like the small one on the third premiere page, the small close-up of Colin's face on Minnie. Thanks, Kathy and Annette for Hello."}, {"response": 1408, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (07:40)", "body": "A thousend thanks to Emma and Kelly for your first hand reports and to Karen for putting all these wonderful pictures up so fast. It's really overwhelming what you do for us. Welcome Monica, have fun!"}, {"response": 1409, "author": "Leah", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (08:00)", "body": "(MariaT)Small interview with ODB on HS. It was basically hours of lessons to look like someone who wouldn't drop his paintbrush. I read this and thought that maybe he's a slow learner, but then thought... if I were the teacher it would have taken days, weeks even..."}, {"response": 1410, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (08:02)", "body": "(Joyce) Okay brief history lesson. Not that I've done any research on it. That little tuft of hair below the bottom lip is called a soul patch. A soul patch says things like \"I'm cool\", \"I'm a little rebellious\", \"I'm sensitive\" or \"I can grow hair on that spot right below my lip and my friends can't.\" William Shakespeare and 15th Century ruler Vlad the Impaler sported a soul patch. Dizzy Gillespie sported a soul patch which then in the '50's was known as a \"jazz dab\", it has also been known as a \"flavor saver\" and a \"cookie duster.\" I'm just quoting history here folks. I absolutely, positively refuse to think of ODB's cute little spot as a soul patch, a fashion trend I sincerely hope has run its course (this time around). IMO it's only a soul patch when a guy shaves the rest of his beard (though he might keep the moustache) and lets the little thing grow (and grow and grow). Soul patches always remind me of the piece of fur stuck to the movable part of a cheap made-in-Taiwan nutcracker. I love CF's cute little patch of hair just as it is, and if he keeps growing this facial hair, I'll love it when it makes its journey down his cleft to join his beard. (Emma) Well, I was starting to come down off that cloud - except that I just picked up my developed photos from the shop. OH MY GOD!! The one of me and him - HE LOOKS SO GOOD! I got the best smile! Major dimples. Of course I look like a maniac (my eyes are basically screaming: holy effing crap I am standing next to Colin Firth, you know, as they should be!) but he looks so good! I am in shock all over again. It's almost a full body shot too. LOL! But at least you were still standing! If it had been me, I surely would have been passed out on the concrete. I hope we'll all be able to see your photos, somehow! Thanks, Maria, for the link to the interview. Very interesting."}, {"response": 1411, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (08:35)", "body": "(Joyce)it has also been known as a \"flavor saver\" and a \"cookie duster.\" I'm just quoting history here folks. How about a tongue tickler? Works for me. Nothing wrong with creating our own bits of history. (Dorine)If he looks like this in Trauma, I think the think the throwaway rule must be expanded to include at least the first 2, maybe even 3 viewings. Oh Gawd...how many throwaways will that be for me? Heating up just thinking about it. I want to be the pencil from the HS picture, you know which one:-) If this week doesn't end soon I'll be totally useless. It's the stubble, I think that is probably the single most thing that has had me in fits for the past 48 hours. Of course the adventures of Emma and Kelli haven't helped the situation:-) Karen, I thank you a million bits of stubble. Thanks also to Maria, Emma, Kelli Welcome Petra and Monica Lovely, lovely, lovely!"}, {"response": 1412, "author": "soph", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (09:27)", "body": "(karen)Now, if only I could multi-task... answering emails, requests to join Drool.... I may set a record this time, sitting at the computer. heeeeemmmmm... guess some of this was meant for me... sorry sorry... i really picked the worst time to delurk ! (off to 174 i go) karen, emma, kelli, now about all the great pix and great reports : thank you, thank you, thank you, this is all fine, but *can't you people realize that some of us have work to do???* now look at me, glued to the stupid screen, going ohhh and ahhh every two seconds. not much work done today, no sirs... (not to mention major damage done to computers due to drooling on the board, etc.)"}, {"response": 1413, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (09:55)", "body": "OMG!! I'm away for a few days and I miss everything!! I am in awe, thunderstruck, weak at the knees, and totally dazed trying to catch up. I have so much to do at home and I'm sitting here mesmerized at my computer. Thank you, thank you, thank you Karen, Emma, Kelli, Annette, Maria,everyone for all your hard work. My birthday is in a couple of days and no one could have given me a better present than this! (sorry Rika, but you've got to admit, it's true;-)!) Welcome Kelli, Petra and Monica. I must say you ladies came at the right time! (Dorine) Holy *freakin* cow!!! Can he get *any* sexier?!! I do love those little grays. Oh, hell....I love it all! You've said it so well that all I can do is say Ditto Ditto Ditto! ;-) Joyce, wonderful poem, but I really need to see the slightly naughty one. As your first one brought all kinds of things to mind, I'd like to see how great minds think alike ;-)! (Josie)Oh, that brush! I want (to be) that brush! :D (LindaK)I want to be the pencil from the HS picture, you know which one:-) If ya want it, ya gotta ask the keepsakes mistress:-P! Ladies, thank you again. I do love coming here!"}, {"response": 1414, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (09:57)", "body": "(jocye) ....A soul patch says things like \"I'm cool\", \"I'm a little rebellious\", \"I'm sensitive\" or \"I can grow hair on that spot right below my lip and my friends can't.\" William Shakespeare... I loved this \ufffdhistory lesson\ufffd Did I tell you about the proud of my small Colin Collection ? It\ufffds the Soundrack of TEOBE. Colin and Rupert singing is just great. I\ufffdm pitiable that I have to mention this as the proud of my collection but anyway happy to have it :o) .Oh and I got his autograph (the official card). By the way, what does ODB means ? You English people seem to use to many abbreviations. I which we would have that in Germany :o) but for some reason we don\ufffdt have. So please help me out sometimes. Oh how I wish I could contribute more to his board such as pictures or stories like you do :o( Maybe when WAGW is in cinema in Germany, there will be some small articles. I\ufffdll translate them to you, promise (if they are not all about Amanda Byrnes or Kelly Preston) :o) . Bye Petra"}, {"response": 1415, "author": "MonicaM", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (10:09)", "body": "Petra-- ODB stands for \"Our Dear Boy\" (i.e., Colin). I'm not sure who coined it or how it got started, though. I love the Colin/Rupert song from TIOBE, also. My favorite part is the little bit of dialogue in the middle where CF tells RE to \"go have a lie down.\" Cracks me up every time :-) Emma, I'm dying to see your picture! Is it the closed-mouth dimple smile, or the big toothy grin (my personal fave)? Does he have his arm around you?? Must have details!! By the way, how do you use italics/bold type in these posts? I'm not usually that dense about computers, but I can't seem to figure it out. Thanks!"}, {"response": 1416, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (10:12)", "body": "\"it appealed to me partly because it felt close to me in some ways - it's about a confused middle-class man adrift in smalltown America, and that has definitely been me!\" Uh oh...I feel this will start to replace the bad school experiences. Thanks Maria. Sharjo is my hero for those exclusive pics, boss. But can't you find a way to cut out Minnie Driver .Enough already. OK gang remember how hard Karen has worked on these and how much you have enjoyed the exclusive to Drool pics when fund raising time comes around next fall. Start cutting those coupons now....let's have 100% Drool Darlings . How about it???"}, {"response": 1417, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (10:17)", "body": "(Monica) By the way, how do you use italics/bold type in these posts? Anette's once mentioned this website in #174, which I can find it useful: http://austen.com/tutorial/index.html (Evelyn) OK gang remember how hard Karen has worked on these and how much you have enjoyed the exclusive to Drool pics when fund raising time comes around next fall. Oh yes, guess it's time for us to contribute! ;-)"}, {"response": 1418, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (11:38)", "body": "OMG...bad thunderstorm cut me off from my drool world last night and I wake up to find....the most amazing photos of ODB! How are we to wait patiently for Trauma to come out when he goes around looking this *flippin'* good!!?! It's just not right! Already I have had two (yes TWO) engineers stop by my cube and ask if I was okay. Seems my face is red...even the DH asked if I was feeling well....NO! I'm overheating. Someone help!!! Thank you Karen! Bravo!!"}, {"response": 1419, "author": "joyce", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (11:52)", "body": "(Barb) But if there's another version, I sure hope you'll share. (lindak) LOL, well??? (Dorine) Well? She wouldn't be the only appreciative one. (Maria) Where's the racy version? Come on, out with it! I'll take a rash from that stubble anyday. (Ada)Joyce wonderful poem, but I really need to see the slightly naughty one. As your first one brought all kinds of things to mind, I'd like to see how great minds think alike! Yes, Maria and Ada I think you were going right along with me on this one. If my Mom calls, I didn't write this. Ode to Stubble (Revised) by Joyce I think that scrumptious stubble deserves a naughty rhyme. A manly five o'clock shadow that's been working overtime. I love each tiny bristle, I'd hate to see it sheared. It's much sexier than a clean shave, much hotter than a beard. He wears it with such elegance, comports it with such grace. That prickly, brown and tickly brush at the bottom of his face. If I\ufffdd the chance to rub a dub, I'm sure I'd loose my diction. But promptly sacrifice my skin, to his beard growth and its friction. Be still my heart and body parts! Calm down! Don't hit the roof-ah! You\ufffdll never get the luck to use his stubble as a loofah!"}, {"response": 1420, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (12:03)", "body": "roof-ah! OMG! ROFL! (closing door to office!!!) Too good!! I'm copying this out, fully credited of course, for a keeper."}, {"response": 1421, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (12:04)", "body": "If I\ufffdd the chance to rub a dub, I'm sure I'd loose my diction. . Oh baby, I can think of a few other things I might loose besides my diction. (Joyce)You\ufffdll never get the luck to use his stubble as a loofah! Wah-wah, *huge crying sounds* Talk about shatterng fantasies:-) Thank you, Joyce, yes I think we were on the same page:-) I wish I could find a naughty winkie icon...with stubble, of course."}, {"response": 1422, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (12:13)", "body": "You\ufffdll never get the luck to use his stubble as a loofah! LOL!!! Joyce, you are a regular Shakespeare!! Thanks for reviving me from the stupor I've been in while gazing at the Stubbled One. My God, these photos are amazingly gorgeous. Thanks to Karen for all the hard work (how she remains conscience is beyond me!) and thanks to everyone for all the goodies. Welcome to everyone new!!"}, {"response": 1423, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (12:17)", "body": "ROTFLMAO, Joyce! You have inspired me: Stubble: A Haiku Like small grains of sand Gently rubbing my hot flesh Abrasive? Schmasive!"}, {"response": 1424, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (12:21)", "body": "Karen, THANKS for the superb job on the HS premiere coverage! I love it all, especially those exclusive pics from sharjo! I know yolu put a lot of hard work into brining this to us--and it's much appreciated! WELCOME Petra, Monica and Sophie--glad you've joined us. We've all lost our minds--and don't particularly care about finding them either.;-)"}, {"response": 1425, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (13:32)", "body": "(Mari), Stubble: A Haiku Like small grains of sand For a minute there, I thought you were going with... and so are the days of our lives. LOL! (Joyce), his stubble as a loofah! Mmmm. Thanks for that. ;-D WELCOME Petra, Monica and Sophie"}, {"response": 1426, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (13:35)", "body": "(AdaVW) My birthday is in a couple of days and no one could have given me a better present than this! (sorry Rika, but you've got to admit, it's true;-)!) Oh, I absolutely admit it! Incidentally, what day is your birthday, so we can launch the celebration on O&E at the right time? Welcome, Sophie! Emma - hooray about the picture! Want to see it!!! And to our poets - Joyce and Mari - let me just say I nearly spit Fresca all over my monitor just now. LOL!"}, {"response": 1427, "author": "dalec", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (13:37)", "body": "A big thank you to all for sharing pics and experiences and Karen for getting everything up so quickly. Colin looks grrrreat! Really love the look of him with stubble."}, {"response": 1428, "author": "meg", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (14:41)", "body": "EmmaB \ufffd I'd love to see your pictures also! I imagine there's not a soul reading this board that wouldn't! Just out of curiousity, how long does it take to \"come down\" from meeting ODB? Or don't you know yet?"}, {"response": 1429, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (14:47)", "body": "Joyce!!! ROTFLMAO!! *standing ovation* Abrasive? Schmasive! LOL, Mari! A Hebrew Haiku? Be still my heart and body parts! Calm down! Don't hit the roof-ah! You\ufffdll never get the luck to use his stubble as a loofah! (Linda) Wah-wah, *huge crying sounds* Talk about shatterng fantasies:-) Move over and quit hogging the Kleenex box! ;-) Can I reiterate....Livia is one *jammy* git. (Evelyn) Sharjo is my hero for those exclusive pics, boss. Absolutely ditto! Welcome Petra and Sophie!"}, {"response": 1430, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (15:08)", "body": "Thanks everyone, what a marvellous frenzy of exciting posts to come back too at the end of the day. Welcome to Petra and Monica, great to have you along;-)) Joyce, love your work too ! Kelli, it's been wonderful to hear about the party and how the Firths operate in between canapes. Livia is very much her own woman, hence a happy and successful partnership,.Thanks for sharing. Janet, your DH needs to be an honourary \"droolie\", what a slick job he did. Emma, loving hearing that you are still on cloud nine, din't come down yet:-)) And Karen, I have no superlatives left for you ( used 'em all up on the stubble;-)). Am off to inspect your magnificent handiwork Boss. Hope you managed to get some sleep!"}, {"response": 1431, "author": "aishling", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (15:10)", "body": "Thanks to everyone for all the wonderful reports and pics and a huge thank you to Karen for all her hard work. Disappointing interview on Good Morning by Paul Ross as Lizza and Janet2 have already mentioned but here goes: PR: Now Colin, at the start of the film, your character is perfectly miserable with a capital M. CF: Yes, he\ufffds been made miserable by the brutal rejection of his fianc\ufffde. What we come to discover is that she\ufffds sent him an invitation one morning to her wedding to some-one else. PR: Which is always a bit of a shocker. CF: It\ufffds not a good thing when it happens. No. PR: So, you are in a film with Minnie Driver and Heather Graham fighting over your character. CF: Mmmmmm PR: That must have been a nightmare. CF: You know what, it\ufffds nice to have it turned that way round actually because if you remember in Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary, I had to fight very, very, very hard, and not that I experienced any bruises or anything, because he was a bit of a girl really. PR: Were they like their characters at all? Is Heather as sweet and ditsy as she seems in the film? CF: She\ufffds not as ditsy but she\ufffds as sweet, yeah. Minnie is not as bitchy as she was in the film either. One of the film clips shown was when Vera tells Colin that the wedding invitation was a joke. \ufffdEnter Paul Ashworth!\ufffd"}, {"response": 1432, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (15:13)", "body": "From Today's Daily Mail: Small diary snippet with small pic \"Colin \"Mr Darcy\" Firth (hate it when they do that!) says there is one aspect of fame he does not enjoy - shopping. \"When I am in the supermarket queue I hear people laughing at me and then I hear them on their mobile phones saying things like \"Yes and he's even got toilet rolls in his basket.\" I had to remember it from the paper in the coffee shop, hopefully it's not exact but near enough. It's obvious that the \"bog roll\" obsession reported at the height of P&P has not been flushed into oblivion after all:-)) welcome Sophie too."}, {"response": 1433, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (15:17)", "body": "Oh Aishling thanks for the transcript, you were kind enough to leave out the bit with Paul waddling off into the sunset with two ladies from the audience supposedly mirroring Colin's love triangle Ughhhhhhhhh! what's your verdict on the roll neck sweater?"}, {"response": 1434, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (15:18)", "body": "Thanks, Aishling! I'll admit I was waiting for that interview and it truly is just as you've all said. :-( Is there a decent interview show in Britain now? I don't like that flamming grovey, vulgar bloke, Gram Norton that we get via BBC/Am. And of course, Mr. Parker is so dry."}, {"response": 1435, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (15:20)", "body": "Yes and he's even got toilet rolls in his basket Wait! I need help here....Mr. Darcy needs toilet rolls? I'm all astonishment! ;-D If I were in that line, I'd be asking him to sign mine!!!"}, {"response": 1436, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (15:25)", "body": "(Tress0 I'd be asking him to sign mine!!! And then some Tress LOL!"}, {"response": 1437, "author": "aishling", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (15:35)", "body": "LOL Lizza. Your report from the Daily Mail is as near as dammit. You should have turned another couple of pages. \"If anyone finds Colin Firth's sense of perspective, would they please return it to him. The star of such delights as Bridget Jones's Diary and Fever Pitch told me at a film premiere on Monday night that romantic comedy 'is not really my genre' before admitting \"I have been in quite a few of them.\" The premiere, by the way, was for Hope Springs, a new romantic comedy starring, er, Colin Firth. From 'Wicked Whispers' column."}, {"response": 1438, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (15:44)", "body": "Damn, I knew I should have ordered that second americano ;-) thanks Aishling ( his roll neck Louisa, rollneck!)"}, {"response": 1439, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (15:49)", "body": "If anyone finds Colin Firth's sense of perspective, would they please return it to him.\" LOL! Maybe it'll turn up on the Isle of Man. ;-)"}, {"response": 1440, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (16:25)", "body": "I cannot find the words to express my gratitude to all of you. I'm afraid to forget some of you by mentioning any names, but have to single out Karen. For you, First Lady of the Firthhood: Emma, Janet, Kelli so nice of you to share your news. Kelli and Monica, welcome from a fellow-fan. Please stay on and join the fun. One more thing, all of your wonderful comments, poems, haikus and what have you really worked wonders. Thank you!"}, {"response": 1441, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (16:26)", "body": "Thanks to Lizza and Aishling for the UK media news. What an interview....whoa. The guy on BBC America did better than that for WAGW.. Pssst, Colin, \"If not being able to shop, is the worse thing that fame brings to you, you're lucky.\""}, {"response": 1442, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (16:39)", "body": "A few pictures, I don't think I've seen before. If they have been postet, I hope you will enjoy a second viewing ;-) http://www.rexfeatures.co.uk/cgi-bin/r2show0?k=colin+firth&f=Newest"}, {"response": 1443, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (17:19)", "body": "Sorry to post twice, but I seem to be alone in here right now. In case there are any Danish lurkers: What a Girl Wants is sceduled to theatrical release August 8th (this year!) but - these things has been known to change before, so perhaps you shouldn't get your hopes to high-("}, {"response": 1444, "author": "MonicaM", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (17:27)", "body": "Joyce, you've outdone yourself! I still haven't recovered from my fit of the giggles brought on by your naughty ode to stubble. It was stubble-rific! CF: She\ufffds not as ditsy but she\ufffds as sweet, yeah. Minnie is not as bitchy as she was in the film either. Notice how he doesn't say she's not bitchy, just that she's not \"as\" bitchy! Hmmm...is he trying to tell us something?"}, {"response": 1445, "author": "MonicaM", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (17:30)", "body": "Oops, double posting! I just realized he also doesn't say Heather Graham's not ditsy, just that she's not \"as\" ditsy, as well. That one flew right past me. Probably because I'm still a little put out with MD's lack of gratitude or appreciation of all the good Firth-lovin' she was getting the other day."}, {"response": 1446, "author": "joyce", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (17:44)", "body": "Thanks everyone and I really must send many, many kudos to sharjo and Karen - the source of much inspiration for me,Mari, the Haiku Schmaiku Kid and everyone else. Welcome newbies Petra, Monica and Sophie and thanks for the link Annette. And finally. (aishling)CF: You know what, it\ufffds nice to have it turned that way round actually because if you remember in Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary, I had to fight very, very, very hard, and not that I experienced any bruises or anything, because he was a bit of a girl really. That was two years ago. Wish he'd stop talking about it and Huge. Didn't HG say he even want to quit acting to Vanity Fair (again?). If there's no one sitting on throne, sit down for goodness sakes."}, {"response": 1447, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (17:58)", "body": "Brief hiatus over... If I\ufffdd the chance to rub a dub, I'm sure I'd loose my diction. ROTF, Joyce! You sure 'diction' is spelled properly? ;-) Loved both versions and I may investigate putting a little box next to the stubble pic for your ode. Thanks for all the updates today, ladies, and the news items. Not such a long bit on the chat show but it must have been better than nothing, considering the drought you've experienced since TD. CF: She\ufffds not as ditsy but she\ufffds as sweet, yeah. Minnie is not as bitchy as she was in the film either. Those are carefully chosen \"ases.\" Like I said, HG didn't have to do any acting for this part, and evidently it shows. (Lizza) It's obvious that the \"bog roll\" obsession reported at the height of P&P has not been flushed into oblivion after all:-)) And he's the one who is obsessed! He brought it up. Wonder what a psychologist would say about it? Potty training problems?? *snicker* FYI, Janet's pics are fabulous. Her husband was so close. There's even a ... You'll see. ;-) I'm going to put together a page of our Drooleurs bounty to include Emma's and Kelli's as well."}, {"response": 1448, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (17:58)", "body": "(joyce)If there's no one sitting on throne, sit down for goodness sakes. . LOL. So well put. Thanks, Annette. Some of those are new. More Minnie and Colin hug-fest.Sheesh. Thanks Aishling and Lizza."}, {"response": 1449, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (18:08)", "body": "I've just created a background for my desktop of his 'look' into my DH's camcorder. I just noticed that he seemed to make eye contact with everyone he signed an autograph for, so I think he deliberately looked towards the camera, because my DH had asked him to sign to 'To Janet'. Well, I'll choose to believe that anyway!!"}, {"response": 1450, "author": "neshacat", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (18:08)", "body": "More Minnie and Colin hug-fest. You gotta give the woman credit for recognizing a good thing and making the most of it. Just want to add my thanks for all of your efforts. Karen-great job as always!"}, {"response": 1451, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (18:13)", "body": "Joyce: That little tuft of hair below the bottom lip is called a soul patch. A soul patch says things like \"I'm cool\", \"I'm a little rebellious\", \"I'm sensitive\" or \"I can grow hair on that spot right below my lip and my friends can't.\" And it goes perfectly with the suprasternal notch right below. Thanks, all, for news, pictures - Karen, you have outdone yourself! Welcome New folk! Joyce, I used to be called the \"Royal Bard\" in the long ago Castle of Firth, but you have definitely taken over that position. Great stuff!"}, {"response": 1452, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (18:20)", "body": "(Joyce)the Haiku Schmaiku Kid Does this mean I have to give up my WAGW-induced title of Colonial Strumpet? Oh well, am willing to suffer for my art.;-) The latest news : ET: \"Star Sightings\" Matt Perry; no Stubbled One;-( Stupid, soul-less schmucks"}, {"response": 1453, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (18:27)", "body": "Thanks for the Rex Features link, Annette. Great pics--even Charlie the Weirdo Webb was there. I didn't think they'd let him out of the home.;-) Colin really does resemble his mother (as someone--Karen, I think?;-) said the other day. The other two siblings look more like dad, who in turn resembles his brother, the lovely Uncle Firth.:-)"}, {"response": 1454, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (18:43)", "body": "Interview with Mark Herman, at same link as the one Maria posted with CF earlier. Interesting comments on filming the nekkid scene. http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2003/04/29/mark_herman_hope_springs_interview.shtml"}, {"response": 1455, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (18:57)", "body": "(Mark Herman Interview) The last two or three films that she [HG] had done had had no problems with that part of the contract, but on this one it was a problem. Wonder why the modesty now? The DH will be sorely disappointed! ;-) Interesting article Mari! Thanks. Also, as an added bonus, it you click on the second picture of MH, you can see a new pic (at least it was to me) of ODB!"}, {"response": 1456, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (20:39)", "body": "(Mark Herman) How did that gag go down in America? It's interesting, the laughs it gets in different places. The smoking thing, they just don't understand - why would it even be a joke? How large of a sample population has seen HS here to generalize this?"}, {"response": 1457, "author": "kasey", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (22:10)", "body": "Three nights in a row (can't access computer for personal use while at work) I've been mesmerized, overwhelmed and VERY grateful for all the information and photos everyone has shared. Finally, tonight I'm taking the time to say THANK YOU to everyone, welcome to all the new de-lurkers, and special thanks to Karen for all her hard work. As mentioned earlier, come pledge time we should all remember the work that goes into keeping this THE pre-eminent place for all things Firth!!"}, {"response": 1458, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (22:38)", "body": "(Tress) wonder why the modesty now? That is odd, but it sounds more like a logistical problem than \"true\" modesty. MH talks about how she moved around. It probably specifies in her contract that some particular part of her body cannot be shown and that it was difficult to accommodate that contractual obligation given her movements in a scene. Do you recall Julia Roberts in Notting Hill explaining about how specifically it can be worded in contracts, \"top part of cheeks but not hint of ....\" Pure speculation on my part. (MH) The smoking thing, they just don't understand - why would it even be a joke? (Dorine) How large of a sample population has seen HS here to generalize this? He's comparing it to a foreign viewpoint. Nonsmoking and restrictions are far more accepted here, part of the landscape."}, {"response": 1459, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (22:56)", "body": "He's comparing it to a foreign viewpoint. Nonsmoking and restrictions are far more accepted here, part of the landscape. Sorry, I was too vague with my question. I completely got *why* he said it. My comment was a vague reference to the fact that virtually no one has seen it here (to my knowledge) and we're waiting for it with great anticipation."}, {"response": 1460, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr 30, 2003 (23:00)", "body": "a vague reference to the fact that virtually no one has seen it here Dorine, my guess is that he didn't necessarily want to highlight the fact that it's not been released here."}, {"response": 1461, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (00:21)", "body": "I'd say the film has been tested extensively, with poor responses. Continued reedited hadn't improved the situation. I had even heard not too long ago from the acting community up in Vancouver that rumors were rife that they were headed back to reshoot, which never happened. OK, new gallery of pics from our ladies (and their representatives) at the premiere: http://www.firth.com/hs_gal8.html Thank you Emma, Kelli and Janet. :)"}, {"response": 1462, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (01:11)", "body": "Here's *lookin* at you, kid! Whoa! Janet, give that DH a kiss for me for a job more than well done! ;-)"}, {"response": 1463, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (01:56)", "body": "Janet your DH is a real treasure! Give him the warmest thanks from me for these yummy pictures."}, {"response": 1464, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (02:36)", "body": "An article from a Norwegian website: http://www.tv2.no/underholdning/bok/article.jhtml?articleID=111348 A few snippets from the article The girl with the million dollar smile: All of the story is viewed through the eyes of Griet. \ufffdI didn\ufffdt want to make the story to obvious. Particularly not Vermeer. We know some of him through his paintings, and we know he had 11 children and a mother in law, who ran a business, but we don\ufffdt know what he was like as a person. I wantet him to be a bit irreproachable. He is not the main character in the story\ufffd, she says. TC did not expect the enormous interest in the book. Or that it were to sell more than 1,6 mio on the english marked only. She wrote the book in 8 months because she found out, she was pregnant. And therefor consciously chose storytelling and what she calls a simple structur. Now the movie based on the book is due to be finished this Christmas. Unlike other writers Chevalier is pleased with the process. Her greatest fear was that the movie would be to obvious, as for example the relationship between the books main character and Vermeer. \ufffdAll I asked was, that there were to be no sexscenes\ufffd she laughs. \ufffdBut the scriptwriter has don a beautiful script. Off course she has clarifyed a few situations, but it works. I am so happy. And Colin Firth has been intensly conserned to preserve the mystery of Vermeer. I think it will be really great\ufffd."}, {"response": 1465, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (05:36)", "body": "Hallo everybody As I got a day off today (public holyday in Germany) I want to use this to they that I love Emmas, Kellis and Janets premier pictures. They are unbeliveable great. And again I have to say, that I have to go to one once. By the way it seems like I spend my summer holyday in scottland and London Could ODB be around there in august ? Who knows. But anyway I know my chances are low. Did you know that BJD is called BJ-chocolade for breakfast i Germany. I don\ufffdt know why but I like it. I can\ufffdt wait to see WAGW. Unfortunaly I have an important test on 1st of august. So I can not go and see WAGW on 31st July but on 1st august. One day more to wait :o( Bye Petra"}, {"response": 1466, "author": "odessa", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (05:48)", "body": "All I asked was, that there were to be no sexscenes Why, oh why?!"}, {"response": 1467, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (06:01)", "body": "Hey, boss, for the sake of our health, would you please put up some warning sign next time? I opened the HS gallery, saw the photos, experienced this major electric shock, fell solidly onto the floor, and merely managed to crawl back in the front of the monitor and type this up - Janet, your DH is ABSOLUTELY adorable! Please give him a big kiss and tell him i love him...(sorry, I am still short-circuit...)"}, {"response": 1468, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (07:09)", "body": "Eyes bugged.. Throat Dry ODB... So AFG... My my my my my Tanks..cough..Thanks Emma, Kelli, and Janet (&Tommy!) And Karen, of course.. My composure must be hanging out with his perspective..;-)"}, {"response": 1469, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (07:45)", "body": "Janet, it looked as if that man leaning against the car was holding the door open for Colin, but Colin didn't look like he was headed there. Did he go to another car instead? Or the front seat of that one, maybe, which would seem a bit odd? XOXO to Tommy!"}, {"response": 1470, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (07:52)", "body": "(MariaT) My composure must be hanging out with his perspective..;-) Oh, to hang out with his perspective :)))) (Dorine) If he looks like this in Trauma, I think the throwaway rule must be expanded to include at least the first 2, maybe even 3 viewings. *Only* three? If this is his Trauma look, I'm thinking double digits, easy ;)"}, {"response": 1471, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (08:20)", "body": "Glad you liked the pics, ladies! (Dorine)Janet, it looked as if that man leaning against the car was holding the door open for Colin, but Colin didn't look like he was headed there. Did he go to another car instead? Or the front seat of that one, maybe, which would seem a bit odd? He walked back to the car on the right. He had signed autographs on the other side to my DH, and was walking to that car. Then some fans called to him, and he turned and walked back. Very nice of him, don't you think?"}, {"response": 1472, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (08:26)", "body": "(Maria) ODB... So AFG... My my my my my What she said! But, add a *boom* (butt hitting floor) and then a *thud* (the rest of me). ;-D Thank you Karen, Janet, Emma, Kelli......and a very special thanks to DH Tommy!!!! (Petra) By the way it seems like I spend my summer holyday in scottland and London Could ODB be around there in august ? Baby Firth is supposed to be due in August....I think the little one will be earlier than that....but if they decide to have it in the UK, I would bet they would be around....otherwise, maybe you should vacation in Rome this year?! ;-D I was personally hoping that TEOR would begin filming in the summer, but it seems no one has signed yet. :-( (MariaT) My composure must be hanging out with his perspective..;-) (MeredithA) Oh, to hang out with his perspective :)))) LOL....is his perspective hanging out again??! Someone please tell him! (article) All I asked was, that there were to be no sexscenes (Odessa) Why, oh why?! I understand no Griet action....but we could have had some marital bliss! Eleven kids and no sex!? Bummer. Still, looking forward to this one v. v. much!!"}, {"response": 1473, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (08:29)", "body": "And Annette! Thanks so much for translating that bit from the article. I went in to look at it and then decided....well.....I realized I couldn't read it! Thanks again!"}, {"response": 1474, "author": "dalec", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (08:33)", "body": "The premiere pics are amazing! Thanks so much Emma, Kelli, Janet, Tommy and Karen. And those close ups WOW! Janet, were you and Tommy right up front? How'd you manange to get so close, must of gotten there really early huh?"}, {"response": 1475, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (08:48)", "body": "Yow! Special pics are fan-freaking-tastic! Thank you all and special thanks to Tommy (and indeed, all indulgent DH's everywhere!) And to Karen, the author of our feast, more special-er thanks! The picture I stared at hardest was the one where he's walking away to the open car door (the one Dorine reposted above.) Never have expressed sufficient appreciation for his shoulders, they fill out that suit mighty fine. And you just know he's got the walk going. Too good. (Oh, and before I forget, I love this place!)"}, {"response": 1476, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (08:48)", "body": "(dalec)Janet, were you and Tommy right up front? How'd you manange to get so close, must of gotten there really early huh? I wasn't there! My DH was in London on business, and he did it as a present to me! His flight was delayed 3 hours, but he went along anyway around 9.00pm. There were only a couple of other people there at that time, so he hung around just in case they came back out thru the front. And,boy, did it pay off!!!"}, {"response": 1477, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (08:49)", "body": "a little poem about, well you know about who Everytime I hear your voice everytime I feel like this It tells me heaven must be missing an angel Everytime I see your face I\ufffdm thinking you must be a vision Heaven must be missing an angel Hope you like it. Lyrics are from a song by german pop group Bro\ufffdsis and partly changed by me :o) by Petra"}, {"response": 1478, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (09:07)", "body": "(Tress) I was personally hoping that TEOR would begin filming in the summer, but it seems no one has signed yet. :-( But remember Lola said filming dates still firm and Renee is the holdout, er up. ;-) (Janet re CF) he turned and walked back. Very nice of him, don't you think? I wish ODB would be a real a**hole for once so I wouldn't like him so damn much. ;-) To reiterate my winkie, I'm kidding :-) (Tress) Baby Firth is supposed to be due in August. Yeah, and I'm supposed to be independently wealthy so I can travel the world, but I don't see that happening either. ;-) (MariaT) My composure must be hanging out with his perspective..;-) (MeredithA) Oh, to hang out with his perspective :)))) (Tress) LOL....is his perspective hanging out again??! Someone please tell him! ROTF! (BarbS) (Oh, and before I forget, I love this place!) Ditto. And it loves you, too! *hugs* ;-) (Petra) Heaven must be missing an angel I prefer to think of him as a devil. ;-) Thanks, Petra! And Annette, too!"}, {"response": 1479, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (09:10)", "body": "Janet, I love your husband! Give him a big smacking kiss for me, please! Karen, Kelli, Emma, I'd kiss you all too but I wouldn't want the rumors to start flying again ;-)! Rika, my b-day is actually tomorrow but I'm not sure I can handle any more, my heart may give out (39 is not a good age to start having heart attacks).....ACK! what am I saying...no no I can handle it, I can ;-)!"}, {"response": 1480, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (09:17)", "body": "What wonderful photos! Thanks to Emma, Kelli, Janet and her talented Tommy, and especially Karen for putting it all together. Welcome Petra and Sophie! Better late than never. To our talented poets: Joyce, loved the Ode to Stubble (Revised). Mari, your Stubble? A Haiku was LOL-funny! Thanks to everyone for the links and quotes."}, {"response": 1481, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (09:19)", "body": "(Tress) Baby Firth is supposed to be due in August. (Dorine)Yeah, and I'm supposed to be independently wealthy so I can travel the world, but I don't see that happening either. ;-) LOL Wot?! You think they'd be deliberately misleading?"}, {"response": 1482, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (09:20)", "body": "(Karen) I'd say the film has been tested extensively, with poor responses Ouch! :-( I knew it was tested, but not extensively. Do they test films in the UK or anywhere else, too? One would think, but I never really thought about it til now. Continued reedited hadn't improved the situation Well, you can't get good acting out of a (blonde) stone. (Dorine) If he looks like this in Trauma, I think the throwaway rule must be expanded to include at least the first 2, maybe even 3 viewings. (Meredith) *Only* three? If this is his Trauma look, I'm thinking double digits, easy ;) As I said....plot,schmott! ;-)"}, {"response": 1483, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (09:32)", "body": "Nice Premiere Page courtesy of UK Drool Ladies [ & \"Sir Tommy\"] I'm a bit late this time...but in the future, boss..do you think perhaps \"Drool Darlings\" could have a sneak preview of such a page.Before it goes on firth.com. Remember just because you register doesn't make you a \"Drool Darling.\" Nice perk for donors. [Hey, beats a mug]. We could send the URL via email. (I'll be glad to be the \"we\".) Other perks: occasionally members have extra tapes they offer to send to fellow DD. \"Ole -Money -Bag- E.\""}, {"response": 1484, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (09:46)", "body": "It gets better and better, Karen, thank you! Thanks, Janet! Well done Tommy! I also like the twinkle of the lights, it's quite an effect. ;-) It's interesting, the laughs it gets in different places. The smoking thing, they just don't understand - why would it even be a joke? I liked it, it was clever, but no funny. I've only seen the tiny clip on-line. Any news on the rest of the Trauma cast?"}, {"response": 1485, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (09:52)", "body": "Oooh, thanks, Emma, Kelli, Janet, Tommy, and Karen! I had a near-tragedy with my laptop last night - was hurrying to sit down and see what was new on Drool, and I spilled some water on the keyboard. It froze up and I thought I had killed it, but I left it to dry out overnight and it was working this morning so I could see the latest wonderful pictures! That would be a better story if I'd actually caused the problem by drooling on the keyboard, wouldn'it it? With everything we've had lately, that would be a distinct possibility. Thanks for the translation, too, Annette!"}, {"response": 1486, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (10:05)", "body": "(Evelyn) I'm a bit late this time...but in the future, boss..do you think perhaps \"Drool Darlings\" could have a sneak preview of such a page. Before it goes on firth.com. Remember just because you register doesn't make you a \"Drool Darling.\" Nice perk for donors. Can I heartily second that?!"}, {"response": 1487, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (10:15)", "body": "(TC) \ufffdAll I asked was, that there were to be no sexscenes\ufffd she laughs. Harumph! Now, we know *who* to blame. Off to paste her picture on my handy voodoo doll. ;-) Thanks for the article, Annette."}, {"response": 1488, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (10:23)", "body": "Fiennes favourite to be next 007 Published: 30-Apr-03; 14:33 By: ITN Actor Ralph Fiennes has been voted by film fans as their favourite to be the next James Bond. The brooding star of The English Patient and Schindler's List beat the likes of Colin Firth and Robbie Williams as the best man to play 007. Almost a quarter of people surveyed - 24 per cent - thought Fiennes would make the perfect replacement for current Bond Pierce Brosnan. The 40-year-old actor recently showed off his romantic leading man credentials opposite Jennifer Lopez in Maid In Manhattan. Movie heartthrob George Clooney came second in the poll by amazon.co.uk, with 15 per cent of film fans believing the role should go to the US star. Colin Firth, who got pulses racing as Mr Darcy in the TV adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, tied with fellow British actor Clive Owen for third place with 12 per cent. And 11 per cent chose chart star Robbie Williams despite his lack of acting credentials. Hollywood heavyweights Leonardo DiCaprio, Ben Affleck and Russell Crowe got only 10 per cent of the vote between them. Hugh Grant, Jude Law and Ewan McGregor were all missing from the list. The survey of 1,000 people was conducted by Amazon to celebrate the forthcoming DVD and video release of the latest Bond blockbuster Die Another Day. Unsurprisingly, women favoured Clooney, with 20 per cent voting for him, compared to 19 per cent for Fiennes."}, {"response": 1489, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (10:39)", "body": "James Bond must be dark haired and he must do a british accent. Not RF, please! Clive Owen is not handsome enough. Jeremy Northam would be great. Glad to see Tom Cruise is not included. Thanks, Murph."}, {"response": 1490, "author": "joyce", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (10:42)", "body": "Emma, Kelli, Janet and Tommy- Thank you so much for sharing your evening(s) with CF w/us. Great photos and job Karen! (Rika) Strange thing in the one where he's looking at Livia - his hair is mostly brushed off his forehead. Thought I missed this didn't you Rika? Are you volunteering for duty? (Petra) Hope you like it. Lyrics are from a song by german pop group Bro\ufffdsis and partly changed by me Petra hon, you've got it bad. You've come to the right place! Thanks for the poem. (Karen)Do you recall Julia Roberts in Notting Hill explaining about how specifically it can be worded in contracts, \"top part of cheeks but not hint of .... Wonder if this could work in reverse where we could write the contract for CF? ; ) (Annette)\ufffdAll I asked was, that there were to be no sexscenes\ufffd she laughs. Now let me get this straight. You write a book and you get CF to star in the film version, and you specifically ask that there be no sex scenes? Can we bring back the pillory? She needs to do some time in it to think about what she's done. :)"}, {"response": 1491, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (11:37)", "body": "Many thanks to everyone for the roller coaster of reports and superb photos! Why on earth didn't the Sunday Telegraph use a better photo for its cover story? I wonder, has this HS review (Rotten Tomatoes Forum) been posted? \"Film review: A little gem of a film I saw this film recently and should like to add my comments and would recommend anybody to go and see it if they have the opportunity. It's one of the funniest films of its genre I've seen in a long time. There isn't a poor performance in the film. Colin Firth and Minnie Driver spar wonderfully and certainly in as far as comedic roles go, this is Colin Firth as I've never seen him before. It's certainly a triumph for him - and a further honing of his already considerably well-honed talents (in more ways than one: he looks DELECTABLE in this one, ladies). To be honest, I didn't know much about Heather Graham before seeing this but she certainly acquits herself well and I personally would take the time to watch her other work on the strength of her performance here. This is not to detract from the performances of the rest of the cast, most notably, Frank Collison and Mary Steenburgen as the owners of the motel where the Colin Ware character stays, and Oliver Platt as the OTT mayor of Hope Springs who Colin enlists as an ally in his fight to rid himself of the tenacious and wonderfully bitchy Vera, with hilarious consequences. This is the fourth Mark Herman film I've seen (Brassed Off, Little Voice, Purely Belter being the previous three) and it certainly holds its own in such good company. I think he is a remarkable talent and look forward to his next project. Always assuming it is both well distributed and well advertised switch off the television and go out and see this - you won't be disappointed!\" ..... Well advertised - so far, I'd say \"no\". The Telegraph article was more likely to discourage than attract. Are there any posters up?"}, {"response": 1492, "author": "joyce", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (12:00)", "body": "Isle of Mann Traffic Reports - Hat trick Emma? Looks like someone started filming on the 28th The Department gives notice that it intends to make an Order the effect of which will be to temporarily suspend parking on that section of the landward side of The Quay, Castletown outside the Castle walls between a point north of the Castle Arms Public House northwards to the entrance to the Castle Gardens. The Order comes into force at 8.00am on Wednesday 7 May 2003 and continues in force until 8.00pm on Wednesday 7 May 2003 or until the filming work has been completed whichever is the earlier. The Department gives notice that it intends to make an Order the effect of which will be to prohibit the use to vehicular traffic of that section of the A26 Glen Vine to St Marks Road between but not including its junction with the B37 Clannagh Road and a point north of its junction with the B35 Garth Road at St Marks. The Order will come into effect from 6.30pm on Monday 5 May 2003 until 6.30am on Tuesday 6 May 2003, from 6.30pm on Tuesday 6 May 2003 until 6.30am on Wednesday 7 May 2003 and from 6.30pm on Wednesday 7 May 2003 until 6.30am on Thursday 8 May 2003. The Department gives notice that it intends to make an Order the effect of which will be to temporarily suspend parking on that section of the south side of King Williams Way fronting the British Legion Hall and that section of the east side of James Road adjacent to the British Legion Hall in the town of Castletown. The Order comes into operation from 8.00am on Thursday 8 May 2003 and continues in force until 8.00pm on Thursday 8 May 2003 or until the filming work is completed whichever is the earlier. RCO 6305"}, {"response": 1493, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (12:08)", "body": "(Tress) LOL....is his perspective hanging out again??! . But the question is... from what direction is the perspective hanging? Thanks, Bethan...a very positive review. (Barb)Wot?! You think they'd be deliberately misleading? Not Mr. and Mrs. JG:-) (Barb)Special pics are fan-freaking-tastic! (sounds a bit like Darcy-tastic) O-M-G, I can really appreciate how close you guys really were. Oh I can't take anymore. Emma, Kelli, Janet and her fantastic DH...Thank you thank you thank you. Once again, hats off to the boss of this place. ***wildly clapping and cheering her on*** BTW, Karen...I know the transcript of the Lisa files is still in queue, thank Gawd, but can you give us a bit of a heads up before so we can have some pre-review time. I've been a bit stubble-drunk just now. Thanks Annette."}, {"response": 1494, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (12:12)", "body": "Traffic reports?! V. impressive reconnaissance, Joyce! (Bethan) Always assuming it is both well distributed and well advertised **snort** An assumption not to make when talking about ODB's films :( Welcome aboard all recent de-lurkers!"}, {"response": 1495, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (12:22)", "body": "(Meredith) Traffic reports?! V. impressive reconnaissance, Joyce! Sulking now, was feeling v. clever and going to be v. important when Isle of Mann Online Updates came across with news... (I don't see any weekend chances for Emma to go but there's some night stuff scheduled...)"}, {"response": 1496, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (13:49)", "body": "Especially for purists, I've added four new pics to the sharjo gallery, which is #7 I think. Only one has been polluted by MD. ;-)"}, {"response": 1497, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (14:08)", "body": "I'm going to have to pass on the Isle of Mann. It is possible to have too much of a good thing, you know. =) (feeling the collective kick in pants from all who wish there were here this week) Actually, it's more like, I don't want to be the next woman in the red suit!"}, {"response": 1498, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (14:18)", "body": "(Karen) Especially for purists, I've added four new pics to the sharjo gallery... Loverly! His hair is all pushed back and he looks 'warm' in those last two! Nice red cheeks (wine from the party perhaps or was this pre-fiesta?). Thank you Karen and Sharjo!"}, {"response": 1499, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (14:31)", "body": "The Galleries are so fantastic, thanks a million Karen;-)) Emma, Kelli and that dynamic duo Janet and Tommy , your efforts are fantastic. In fact I'm all stubbled out, need to recharge! This has been a perfect few days , all the press coverage of ODB plus those extra delicious \"insider\" bits that we thrive on too! let's hope the British press are gearing up for lots more coverage. I want posters on the buses, on the tubes, adverts on tv, Colin on Parkinson, and at least one truly sexy cover picture plus some copies of HS in the bookshops (didn't the boss say they are doing a special tie in??)............;-))) (Mari) Uncle Firth You eavesdropper of old you1 propping up bars does have its compensations:-))"}, {"response": 1500, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (14:32)", "body": "(Karen) Polluted by MD ROTFL! What a kind adjective!"}, {"response": 1501, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (14:45)", "body": "Feel like an idjit..how do I get to Gallery 7?"}, {"response": 1502, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (14:55)", "body": "Ooops, actually the sharjo pics are on #6: http://www.firth.com/hs_gal6.html"}, {"response": 1503, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (15:37)", "body": "Thanks Karen.. The hyperbole which normally comes so naturally to me has picked up its skirts and fled, there really are no more words... That boy is a maaan..."}, {"response": 1504, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (16:00)", "body": "(Karen)Especially for purists, I've added four new pics to the sharjo gallery, which is #7 I think. Only one has been polluted by MD. ;-) I guess I'm a purist Stubble-lover, then. Those are ab-solutely the best yet, IMO. Especially 3rd row down on the left and the last two. Thanks Karen and Sharjo! Love the poetic offerings, ladies. LOL!"}, {"response": 1505, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (16:38)", "body": "(Mari)Colin really does resemble his mother (as someone--Karen, I think?;-) said the other day. The other two siblings look more like dad, who in turn resembles his brother, the lovely Uncle Firth.:- (Lizza)You eavesdropper of old you1 propping up bars does have its compensations:-)) I don't think I've read about an uncle before. Is he an older version of his nephew?"}, {"response": 1506, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (17:02)", "body": "(Janet) I don't think I've read about an uncle I don't think Mari did either!! we could get your DH on the case:-)) Tho' he's probably done more than any mortal could in the pursuit of ODB!"}, {"response": 1507, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (17:41)", "body": "(Janet) I don't think I've read about an uncle But I seem to recall hearing about an aunt:-) Karen, the gallery gets better and better. It's amazing how we haven't caused brown-outs or rolling black outs this week:-) Yes, I'll admit it, I am a purist...that's not to say I haven't drooled over every single picture...with or without the MD. Sharjo you are Firthtastic. I'm on my way to see HD. I just have to have fix. Now, the stubble in the last scene will have v. special significance."}, {"response": 1508, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (17:42)", "body": "Oh no, how do you close a bold tag...Sorry boss."}, {"response": 1509, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (18:17)", "body": "(Bethan)I wonder, has this HS review (Rotten Tomatoes Forum) been posted? Bethan I put little trust in those Forum reviews. Hey, I know people who posted glowing reviews without even seeing the film;-) As we say any pimple-y kid can be an online reviewer.Let's go for the print stuff. (Janet) I never read of an uncle Not all the info comes from articles. Lots from encounters ...with uncles at the Donmar bar;-)) And not all articles were even posted. Not all the early web hosts were an conscientious as the boss."}, {"response": 1510, "author": "joyce", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (18:45)", "body": "Sharjo your photos at Gallery 6 are really some of the best I've ever seen of CF. Fantastic expressions. I'd love to know if they were all spontaneous (or not). Thanks Karen! Sophie loved your Colin animatron over at Introductions."}, {"response": 1511, "author": "Odile", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (19:00)", "body": "Thanks so much Karen and to all who reported on the premiere! That picture of ODB pointing directly at the camera has to be a good one for the next spring pledge drive. (lindak)I'm on my way to see HD. Enjoy! Sadly, this is the last day for WAGW at my local theater so my counter will stay at 8. Karen was right: the Lizzie McGuire movie is pushing HD off the big screen :( If it wasn't for all these wonderful pictures it would be a sad day... :)"}, {"response": 1512, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (20:06)", "body": "(Emma) I'm going to have to pass on the Isle of Mann... I don't want to be the next woman in the red suit! *heading back to the mall to return special red suit purchased just for you* ;-P (feeling the collective kick in pants from all who wish there were here this week) You could feel that all the way from CA??? Thanks SO MUCH for your great reporting Emma -and others! What a great week this has been!! Karen, do you ever sleep?? Thanks for all your hard work, what would we do without you? (Be Firth-deprived, and thoroughly depressed. Think of all the money you've saved us in shrink fees! ;-) We should take up a collection and hire you a gardener girl!!) :-D"}, {"response": 1513, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (20:45)", "body": "(Tress) Baby Firth is supposed to be due in August....I think the little one will be earlier than that.... I agree. Wasn't there an interview with the director of WAGW in March. She was explaining that CF didn't want to do stateside PR because he would have to leave his wife who was six-months pregnant. If this is true, the baby is due around June. This seems to fit her size. I thought about interview when I was looking at the premiere pics. Karen, words can't describe the wonderful job you did with the gallery. Fantastic comes to mind but isn't enough. Thank you so very much. Emma, Janet and her DH, Kelli, Sharjo, can't thank you enough for sharing. Annette outstanding reporting and wonderful links. Everything is just so exciting and fun. Joyce your poetry brings tears to the eyes. I even have whiskerburn. If only it was real and from him. Thank you, all you marvelous ladies so very very much."}, {"response": 1514, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (20:52)", "body": "May Day! May Day! Stubble overload! Heart palpitations. Mind has been blown (Danger, danger, Will Robinson!). Holy moly, the pics! I agree that Sharjo the Pro, Emma, Kelli, and Janet's Tommy really came through. Thanks to all! And Karen, an extra BIG thanks for turning everything around so quickly. You have a real flair for layout and design--Firth.com is as classy as ODB himself. Kelli, thanks for your scoop on the premiere. Thank God for idiots who don't know what they missed! ;-) Joyce and Mari, loved the poetry. ODB sparks the muse in so many here! ;-) I am a stubble convert, that's for sure."}, {"response": 1515, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, May  1, 2003 (21:52)", "body": "(Linda) I'm on my way to see HD. I just have to have fix. Now, the stubble in the last scene will have v. special significance. I had viewing #8 this afternoon, and I have never attended so closely to his stubble at the end as I did today. I also thought I spotted a little bit of it in the late-night scene with Jocelyn in his office."}, {"response": 1516, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (03:09)", "body": "(FanPam) ...PR because he would have to leave his wife who was six-months pregnant. If this is true, the baby is due around June... I would prefer the 9th of July as Baby Firthes brithday because it\ufffds mine as well.:o))) (sorry for fooling around) (Linda) I'm on my way to see HD. I just have to have fix. Now, the stubble in the last scene will have v. special significance. Again I have an aabrivation problem. What does HD mean or who is it ?"}, {"response": 1517, "author": "Leah", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (03:20)", "body": "(Petra) What does HD mean or who is it ? HD is the 'Hunk Daddy' in WAGW."}, {"response": 1518, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (04:24)", "body": "(Leah)HD is the 'Hunk Daddy' in WAGW. . AKA (also known as)Henry Dashwood:-) Mari, our Colonial Strumpet in residence, coined that one I believe:-)"}, {"response": 1519, "author": "Leah", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (04:55)", "body": "(Linda)AKA (also known as)Henry Dashwood:-) I completely forgot about Henry Dashwood - where was my mind??"}, {"response": 1520, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (04:57)", "body": "A new print of the film of The Leopard is getting lots of press - and is out in about 5 cinemas in London this week. Everyone saying how good it is. I'm going to have to go now that I actually did read the book, and I even paid attention to those other people talking about it, instead of just the reader =)."}, {"response": 1521, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (07:21)", "body": "(Rika).....I had viewing #8 this afternoon,..... Viewing #8 of WAGW ? Ahhhhh . And I have to wait until 31th of July.Ahhhhhh. I can\ufffdt take it anymore. Is anybody here who hasn\ufffdt seen WAGW yet or am I the only one. Now you see how important the HS premiere pictures are. What would I do without them. bye Petra"}, {"response": 1522, "author": "odessa", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (07:47)", "body": "I haven`t seen WAGW, it opens here (Finland) in August and then I have to convince my little sister that she want`s to see it. I haven`t seen any of ODB\ufffds newer films since BJD."}, {"response": 1523, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (08:07)", "body": "(odessa) It\ufffds a pitty is\ufffdt it . But lets endure it with countenance.(Can I say it like this ? I don\ufffdt know if this is correct english. Correct me if not :o) I hope you get what I mean) Bye Petra"}, {"response": 1524, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (08:32)", "body": "See what happens when I get on early...just read on Comingsoon.net that GWAPE has been pushed back a month to Dec 12 for NY and LA. Ugh, not a good way to start the day, sorry:-(."}, {"response": 1525, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (08:35)", "body": "Free seats at our exclusive screenings of Hope Springs The Times's Film First season of exclusive previews continues this week with your invitation to Hope Springs starring Colin Firth Film First picks the best future releases and offers you and a friend the chance to see films free* and first. See The Times this Saturday, May 3, to find out more. To see Hope Springs free, all you have to do is phone the reservations line that will be printed in the Play section of The Times tomorrow and request seats for a screening at one of 20 cinemas nationwide. You will be given a unique reference number to write on the Film First coupon you will find beside the telephone number. Once you have booked, take your coupon to the cinema and take your seats."}, {"response": 1526, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (08:53)", "body": "(Ada) GWAPE has been pushed back a month to Dec 12 for NY and LA. Ugh, not a good way to start the day, sorry:-(. My interpretation of that is it may actually be a good thing. I don't know what the release schedule for Dec is (except Cold Mountain with RZ and NK is Dec 25), but there is quite a log jam of *big movies* coming out in the 1st couple of weeks of Nov. LA, Matrix, Master and Commander (Russell Crowe). Anyway, I think they're moving it out of the way so it doesn't get lost in the shuffle. Though The Last Samarai and LOTR will be out the first and 3rd week of Dec. Though GWAPE will be counter programming for LOTR. I think they must have a great deal of confidence in this movie for awards. IMVHO, of course. ;-) I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong ;-)"}, {"response": 1527, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (08:54)", "body": "(Karen) The Times's Film First season of exclusive previews Where?"}, {"response": 1528, "author": "MonicaM", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (09:01)", "body": "(Karen) To see Hope Springs free, all you have to do is phone the reservations line that will be printed in the Play section of The Times tomorrow and request seats for a screening at one of 20 cinemas nationwide. Is this in the US or the UK? (Ada) GWAPE has been pushed back a month to Dec 12 for NY and LA (Dorine) My interpretation of that is it may actually be a good thing. I think it could be a good thing, too. Wasn't there an article a while back that said Lion's Gate (right studio? can't remember) is really pushing this film as one of their Oscar hopefuls? It always seems to me like the movies released at the very end of the year have a better shot at being remembered by Oscar voters. So maybe that's the strategy. I hope so because I'm really hoping this will be \"the one\" for ODB."}, {"response": 1529, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (09:20)", "body": "The Times = London The NY Times = NY I didn't think I needed to explain it, as the film is only opening in one country thus far. GWAPE has been pushed back a month to Dec 12 Nothing wrong with that; it is still in \"Oscar hopeful\" season, the time when \"serious\" movies get released for Oscar consideration. The only problem will be that further expansion will be delayed into the next year. However, with the shortened Oscar season, hopefully, they won't put it off too long in order for the film to gain more critical and public buzz."}, {"response": 1530, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (09:31)", "body": "(Karen) I didn't think I needed to explain it, as the film is only opening in one country thus far. True; however, I suppose hope springs eternal, so to speak..."}, {"response": 1531, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (10:03)", "body": "(Karen) The only problem will be that further expansion will be delayed into the next year. That's the reason why I went ugh. I wasn't thinking box office or the oscar race, I was just concerned with when would I get to see it:-)!"}, {"response": 1532, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (10:28)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1533, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (10:38)", "body": "Looks like the guessing was right, Naomie Harris is in Trauma with Colin. Here's the latest info: \"TRAUMA\" STARTS SHOOTING 2 May '03\ufffd Little Bird is delighted to announce that psychological chiller \"TRAUMA\" has started shooting this week. Directed by Marc Evans, from an original script by talented newcomer Richard Smith, \"TRAUMA\" stars Colin Firth and Mena Suvari. Awaking from a coma to discover his wife has been killed in a car accident, Ben's (Colin Firth) world may as well have come to an end. A few weeks later, Ben's out of hospital and, attempting to start a new life, he moves home and is befriended by a beautiful young neighbour Charlotte (Mena Suvari). His life may be turning around but all is not what it seems and, haunted by visions of his dead wife, Ben starts to lose his grip on reality\ufffd Colin Firth enchanted female audiences worldwide as Mark Darcy, object of the fictional Bridget Jones's obsession, in the massive hit \"Bridget Jones's Diary\". Upcoming feature films include the romantic comedy \"Hope Springs\", the modern-day fairy tale, \"What A Girl Wants\", Richard Curtis' directorial debut \"Love Actually\", and \"Girl with a Pearl Earring\", an adaptation of Tracy Chevalier's 1999 best-selling historical novel. Previous notable credits include starring roles in \"The Importance of Being Earnest\", \"Shakespeare in Love\" and \"The English Patient\" - both which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. Colin was recently nominated for an Emmy award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in \"Conspiracy\". Mena Suvari is one of Hollywood's most sought after young actresses following her critically acclaimed performance in \"American Beauty\", for which she received a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actress, Her recent feature film credits include \"Spun\", \"Sonny\", \"The Musketeer\", \"American Pie 2\", \"Sugar & Spice\", and \"Loser\". Her breakout role came as the choirgirl in the outrageous teen comedy hit \"American Pie\". This year, Mena becomes the new worldwide advertising face of the famed Paris cosmetic company Lancome. \"TRAUMA\" also stars Tommy Flanagan (\"Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle\", \"Gladiator\", \"Braveheart\") and Naomie Harris (\"28 Days Later\"). Director Marc Evans' most recent film, \"My Little Eye\", is currently on international release garnering excellent reviews and strong box office. Previous credits include the controversial thriller \"Resurrection Man\" and his debut feature \"House of America\". \"TRAUMA\" is a Little Bird production from its new \"Ministry of Fear\" label for First Choice Films. The producers are Nicky Kentish Barnes (\"About A Boy\") and Jonathan Cavendish (\"Bridget Jones's Diary\"). The director of photography is Academy-Award\ufffd nominee John Mathieson (\"Gladiator\"), the production designer is Crispian Sallis (\"My Little Eye\"), the costume designer is Ffion Elinor (\"Lucky Break\"), the make-up and hair designer is Pamela Haddock (\"The Life And Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby\"). The executive producers are James Mitchell and Lizzie Francke. Francke is the head of Ministry of Fear, which plans to shoot two further horror projects in the UK later this year - \"You Can't Come In\" from an original screenplay by Muriel Gray, and \"An English Ghost Story\" by Kim Newman. \"TRAUMA\", co-financed by BBC Films, Warner Bros Pictures, and Isle of Man Film Commission, will shoot for eight weeks in the Isle of Man and on location in London. Warner Bros Pictures will distribute in the UK and Myriad Pictures will handle international sales."}, {"response": 1534, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (11:26)", "body": "Karen: Do you have a link for this Trauma news? I'd like to put it on my Crowe site since I see Tommy Flanagan (Cicero in Gladiator) is in it too. Thanks."}, {"response": 1535, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (11:50)", "body": "No link...yet, as it was sent to me personally. I will, however, the info up on firth.com shortly."}, {"response": 1536, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (12:28)", "body": "(AdaVW) That's the reason why I went ugh. I wasn't thinking box office or the oscar race, I was just concerned with when would I get to see it:-)! LOL...we think alike! Oscar Shmascar! I just want to see it (can you hear my whining)!!! ;-) And I'm the type of girl that it if ODB is ever nominated for an Oscar....I'll just be excited to see him in a tux (he does make them look oh-so-good)! Thanks for the Trauma news Karen...is Naomie Harris playing the wife (does anyone know yet)?"}, {"response": 1537, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (12:32)", "body": "Thanks for the Trauma and GWAPE news, ladies. Thank goodness we have a bit of down time before the next three premieres. It gives me time to have a pace maker installed. (gives the boss time to do the yard work as well) (Tress)I just want to see it (can you hear my whining)!!! ;-) . Well actually, yes I can. I'm right there with you. After a week like this you'd think we'd be satisfied...NEVAH!"}, {"response": 1538, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (12:36)", "body": "the make-up and hair designer is Pamela Haddock Now, this is what I worry about. ;-o"}, {"response": 1539, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (12:45)", "body": "(Karen)the make-up and hair designer is Pamela Haddock Now, this is what I worry about. ;-o She specializes in gore it would seem... http://www.pamelahaddock.com/"}, {"response": 1540, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (12:57)", "body": "Naw, she's well rounded. They tend to put examples of their most intricate work up for display. But she looks like someone Lizza could drop in on after filming is done. *hint hint*"}, {"response": 1541, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (13:13)", "body": "I was looking at the previous release dates for GWAPE and it was always down for 12/25/03 in the top 20 cities. So, even if it had opened in NY/LA in November, it wouldn't have been to most of you until late December. Wonder if the UK date (7 Nov) will stay the same? It doesn't have to change."}, {"response": 1542, "author": "MonicaM", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (13:43)", "body": "(Karen)I was looking at the previous release dates for GWAPE and it was always down for 12/25/03 in the top 20 cities. This is why I wasn't too disappointed about it getting pushed back. I wasn't going to get to see it until around then anyway! :-( Plus, we'll have Love Actually to tide us over until then! What I'd like to know is what are the top 20 cities? I may or may not live in one (Indianapolis). (Karen) I didn't think I needed to explain it, as the film is only opening in one country thus far. Hey, a girl can dream, can't she? ;-)"}, {"response": 1543, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (13:49)", "body": "(Monica) What I'd like to know is what are the top 20 cities? I may or may not live in one (Indianapolis). I think you'll luck out! Indianapolis is 12. My city is 27th to 30th depending on the site. I found this: http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0763098.html No GWAPE for me on Christmas! ;-("}, {"response": 1544, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (13:56)", "body": "'fraid it doesn't quite work that way. :-( Besides, Toronto and Montreal will be part of the top group as films are released there as well. Not strictly population, but box office factors. For example, Washington,DC (and environs) are way down on the list, but will be part of the Top 10 cities. You have to go by your usual track record for art house releases. When do they reach you, if at all?"}, {"response": 1545, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (14:30)", "body": "(Karen) 'fraid it doesn't quite work that way. :-( Could be good news for me! Might mean that I will have a Happy New Year! Waiting for GWAPE is going to be slow torture for me...I'll try not to drive everyone else insane along the way...;-)"}, {"response": 1546, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (15:06)", "body": "Or you can always fly somewhere else to see it. Which is what I plan to do. A film about the life of an artist is never gonna come my way during the heavy holiday season when venues are at a premium. Nevah! Dallas here I come."}, {"response": 1547, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (15:13)", "body": "(Monica) I may or may not live in one (Indianapolis). Perking up...huh?! Indianapolis? Me too, we'll have to talk! (Karen) You have to go by your usual track record for art house releases. When do they reach you, if at all? Hard to say, we were not part of the top 12 for TIOBE, even top 20 could be close, TIOBE was on only one screen after all and opened with the nationwide release in the second week. Of course I posted for the first time during that time, don't have other frames of reference. Going back to remind myself of dates, saw this, was thinking of Hope Springs... Topic 162 of 175 [drool]: Colin Firth - Part 12 Response 16 of 1999: Karen (KarenR) * Thu, May 9, 2002 (15:15) * 4 lines (Mari)When will they have confirmed dates? Am checking Farmers Almanac for date hell freezes over. Is that before or after I can safely do my planting? ;-D (I feel like I've entered the twilight zone or a Star Trek loop story)"}, {"response": 1548, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (15:16)", "body": "(Karen) For example, Washington,DC (and environs) are way down on the list, but will be part of the Top 10 cities. Finally, something good about living here! (Monica) Plus, we'll have Love Actually to tide us over until then! That's my theory. Lately it's been feast or famine in Firthette land! Back around Christmas we had pretty much nothing going on, and now all of a sudden there's a film in theaters (for those of us in the US and the UK, anyhow), the satellite tape, and stubble!"}, {"response": 1549, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (15:39)", "body": "(Maria) She specialises in gore (Karen) Someone Lizza could drop in on after filming No gory journey is too difficult or arduous to be undertaken in pursuit of intimate stubble details :-))"}, {"response": 1550, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (16:04)", "body": "(Mari)When will they have confirmed dates? Am checking Farmers Almanac for date hell freezes over. Is that before or after I can safely do my planting? ;-D LOL, I remember that. Looks something always gets in the way of that gardening:-) Hopefully if GWAPE goes the way of TIOBE, Princeton could have it by the second week. Praying that it stays as long, too. We had TIOBE in my favorite little art house theater from May till first week in Aug."}, {"response": 1551, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (16:12)", "body": "No gory journey is too difficult or arduous to be undertaken in pursuit of intimate stubble details :-)) We are counting on you, Lizza! GWAPE has been pushed back a month to Dec 12 Colin can actually get in some promotion for it when he does the LA junkett. ;-D I am willing to bet that GWAPE will open small but not the Art House circuit."}, {"response": 1552, "author": "MonicaM", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (17:47)", "body": "(BarbS) Perking up...huh?! Indianapolis? Me too, we'll have to talk! Hey, a fellow Hoosier Firthette! :-) (BarbS)Hard to say, we were not part of the top 12 for TIOBE, even top 20 could be close, TIOBE was on only one screen after all and opened with the nationwide release in the second week. Do you remember where TIOBE played in Indy? I was thinking if we actually got GWAPE in the limited release stage, it might play at Castleton Arts. I was actually thinking of emailing Bonnie Britton, the Star film critic, to see if she had any inside scoop. Does anyone know if the satellite tape is still available? I held out for a while because I've spent so much money on CF stuff lately (I had a little Amazon.com fest a few weeks ago!) but I think my resistence is slowly fading. Oh, who am I kidding? I have no resistence where ODB is concerned!!"}, {"response": 1553, "author": "joyce", "date": "Fri, May  2, 2003 (23:11)", "body": "(Monica)Does anyone know if the satellite tape is still available? I don't know if it's still available but we wanted to try to discuss it starting Monday. Notice is posted over at 166 Intro to Firth."}, {"response": 1554, "author": "kelbrom1", "date": "Sat, May  3, 2003 (04:51)", "body": "hey there, can anyone tell me if Tommy Flanagan is the guy with a large scar on his face who was in Gladiator? We saw him at the premiere so it looks like the whole cast of Trauma was there. Also, for anyone in the UK Colin is being interviewed on a show called RI:SE on Channel four. Supposed to be this week but it wasn't shown. He isn't live in the studio it is pre-recorded. I am recording it all this week as I have no idea which day."}, {"response": 1555, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sat, May  3, 2003 (04:53)", "body": "A huge thanks to Karen for alerting us to the free ticket preview for HS featured in today's Times (that's London;-)) ). I have my tickets but here are the venues for anyone else in UK for Wednesday night at 6.30pm Birmingham, Bristol, Carlisle, Croydon, leeds, Leicester, Manchester, Newcastle, Basingstoke, York, reading, Cheshire oaks, Preston, Sheffield, plus some London cinemas including Islington and Shepherds Bush. You will need to turn to the back page of \"PLAY\" the listings magazine to find the offer, nice head shot of ODB!"}, {"response": 1556, "author": "kelbrom1", "date": "Sat, May  3, 2003 (04:54)", "body": "can anyone let me know what ODB is? Cheers"}, {"response": 1557, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sat, May  3, 2003 (04:55)", "body": "Kelli thanks for the news about \"RISE\" wonder if it will be part of the UK \"junket2 and he will appear in thet jumper again. RE HS ticket offer, I should have mentioned that all the venues look to be part of the \"Warner Village\" chain."}, {"response": 1558, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sat, May  3, 2003 (04:57)", "body": "Kelli, it stands for \"Our Dear Boy\" :-))"}, {"response": 1559, "author": "kelbrom1", "date": "Sat, May  3, 2003 (05:09)", "body": "thanks! ODB, I like it!!! BTW I think the RI:SE interview was part of the junket for HS as she clearly interviewed him on the day of the premiere."}, {"response": 1560, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sat, May  3, 2003 (05:12)", "body": "OK so it's obscured stubble and jawline for sure then!"}, {"response": 1561, "author": "aishling", "date": "Sat, May  3, 2003 (10:09)", "body": "(Kelli)I think the RI:SE interview was part of the junket for HS as she clearly interviewed him on the day of the premiere. I'm sure that interview was shown last Tuesday morning. I was channel hopping for news of the premiere and just caught the last 30 seconds. It was about 7.30am"}, {"response": 1562, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May  3, 2003 (10:23)", "body": "From Antonella, the headshot that was in the Times ad: Definitely need to go after the big one of this. *stretching my tentacles* (Kelli) can anyone tell me if Tommy Flanagan is the guy with a large scar on his face who was in Gladiator? He was in Gladiator and you can see some pics of him in that here: http://knoceans.com/flanagan/pics.html and lots here: http://www.geocities.com/tommygrrls/glad.html I'm using his headshot from PFD on Trauma's page: (Kelli) We saw him at the premiere so it looks like the whole cast of Trauma was there. Wish they had all posed, like Colin did with Mena and Naomie. I don't recall seeing any pics of him from the premiere, but I'd bet the photographers didn't know who he was."}, {"response": 1563, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, May  3, 2003 (10:59)", "body": "Another degree of separation from CF: Tommy Flanagan comes from a working class family in the north of Glasgow, and his niece until recently attended the school where I work. The family, needless to say, are very proud of his achievements, since he comes from a pretty deprived background."}, {"response": 1564, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Sat, May  3, 2003 (11:12)", "body": "Does anybody kwnoe if there will be or have already been any reports about WAGW or HS on BBC world\ufffds \"talking movies\" ?"}, {"response": 1565, "author": "kelbrom1", "date": "Sat, May  3, 2003 (11:19)", "body": "Regarding RI:SE, he was on early Tuesday morning at the premiere talking to a couple of their reporters but back in the studio, Kate Lawler said, \"I interviewed him today and we will be showing it later on this week\" I then spent all week taping the show and watching it back but ... no colin? I guess it will be this week."}, {"response": 1566, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, May  3, 2003 (11:37)", "body": "(Karen) I don't recall seeing any pics of him from the premiere, but I'd bet the photographers didn't know who he was. I recall seeing several pictures of a man who had 'guest' listed under his name at a couple of sites. Is this him (4th row, 2nd column) or is TF older?: http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=GLS====26392&str=&styp=&sfld=&PageNum=2&sortval=3a"}, {"response": 1567, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May  3, 2003 (11:38)", "body": "(Petra) have already been any reports about WAGW or HS on BBC world\ufffds \"talking movies\"? Colin was shown on Talking Movies for WAGW already, but there should be another soon for HS. Wouldn't you think?"}, {"response": 1568, "author": "kelbrom1", "date": "Sat, May  3, 2003 (11:47)", "body": "we definately saw TF at Asia de cuba with Mena Su....vari? (can't get that one right) My friend said she thought he was from Gladiator and remembers the scar. I have lloked at the pictures of him on the site you listed and it was him. Not sure if he actually went in to the movie screening."}, {"response": 1569, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May  3, 2003 (11:54)", "body": "\"Guest\" or \"Olivia\" would be good guesses. ;-) However, that's not him. He's older than that. There are pics of him here: http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=SRH&logsrch=1 but not from the premiere"}, {"response": 1570, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, May  3, 2003 (12:49)", "body": "Thanks for the news on Trauma and GWAPE ladies. Great Trauma page Karen. Thanks."}, {"response": 1571, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May  3, 2003 (14:30)", "body": "From Thursday's Telegraph, the London Spy column, another 'liar liar pants on fire' item: You talking to me - not Brooding Bridget Jones star Colin Firth \ufffd whether on screen or out on the town \ufffd is hardly noted for his hearty garrulity. Not that he's got an awful lot more to say for himself at home, either \ufffd at least when it comes to chatting with the family of his Italian wife, Livy Giuggioli. [Ed note: named after Roman historian now] At the London premiere of his new film, Hope Springs, on Monday, Firth told Spy he's developed a mental block when it comes to speaking his missus' mother tongue. \"I studied Italian properly for a year or so, but I've reached a plateau. If I was awarding myself grades, it would be a B-plus for effort and a C-minus for achievement. I do practise on my in-laws fairly regularly, but they've just come to understand that I'm simply no good at conversation - Italian conversation, that is.\""}, {"response": 1572, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, May  3, 2003 (16:00)", "body": "(Karen)Nothing wrong with that; it is still in \"Oscar hopeful\" season, the time when \"serious\" movies get released for Oscar consideration Read in Movie News today on Sky that the timetable for next years' Oscars has been announced and the 'cut-off' date is now 1 December. That would scupper GWAPE's hopes. They're trying to tighten up the process and nominations will be announced around 9 February, and the awards will be on 29th."}, {"response": 1573, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, May  3, 2003 (16:05)", "body": "Re Oscars: Oops! Nominees Lunch is on 9 February - nominations will be announced 27 January. Sorry boss."}, {"response": 1574, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, May  3, 2003 (18:09)", "body": "Tommy Flanagan was Cicero in Gladiator, and you can see him tonight on USA TV on ABC. From the IMdb: He was born July 3, 1965 in Glasgow Scotland. He was the middle of 5 children and at the tender age of 6, his father abandoned his mother. He grew up in a very rough part and admits into getting into some trouble, but that his mother Betty always kept him in line. He worked as a Painter, Decorator and Disc Jockey. One night, as he left a pub he was working at, people told him to give them his coat and records and when he refused, a guy jumped on his back, stabbed him, and scarred his face. He nearly died. When he saw his face after his intensive recovery, he cried thinking that he could not return to his old life again. His close friends Robert Carlyle and his wife Caroline suggested acting for him. He said it wasn't for him but then on a second thought, he decided to give it a go. He worked in the Rain Dog theatre for 3 years before Mel Gibson gave him his first big break in Braveheart (1995). Gibson, seeing what a wonderful actor he was, gave him a even bigger role."}, {"response": 1575, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, May  4, 2003 (11:21)", "body": "the timetable for next years' Oscars has been announced and the 'cut-off' date is now 1 December. That would scupper GWAPE's hopes. Thanks, Janet! I wonder if the date will change? I thought this was New Line's big Oscar hope? This needs to be confirmed."}, {"response": 1576, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May  4, 2003 (11:48)", "body": "(Janet) Read in Movie News today on Sky that the timetable for next years' Oscars has been announced and the 'cut-off' date is now 1 December. That would scupper GWAPE's hopes. Not at all. Here is the official schedule released by AMPAS: http://www.oscars.org/press/pressreleases/2003/03.04.28.b.html All it says for December 1 is: December 1, 2003: Deadline for receipt of official screen credit forms to qualify feature films for award consideration. But that: December 31, 2003: Awards year ends at midnight. We are still operating on a calendar-year basis. They only have to submit forms by 12/1. The film still must play in a certain number of theaters for x number of days before year-end to qualify. GWAPE is fine."}, {"response": 1577, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, May  4, 2003 (14:03)", "body": "(Karen)We are still operating on a calendar-year basis. Sorry about causing confusion folks! There's a small article in the Scottish Sunday Mail about HS. Mark Herman says that HG came over all coy and appeared on set with tape over her nipples for the undressing scene! However, the scene still didn't satisfy censors (I assume they were going for a PG13/12A rating) and had to be reshot using a body double. I'm off out now. I'll type up the whole article later, although some of the quotes have featured elsewhere."}, {"response": 1578, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, May  4, 2003 (15:01)", "body": "However, the scene still didn't satisfy censors (I assume they were going for a PG13/12A rating) and had to be reshot using a body double. I wonder if he was in the reshoot or it was just of her? I hope some reporter gets to interview HG about HS. She has been most silent. Thanks, Janet!"}, {"response": 1579, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, May  4, 2003 (18:12)", "body": "I aim to please, Moon: http://news.scotsman.com/features.cfm?id=501622003"}, {"response": 1580, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, May  4, 2003 (18:27)", "body": "Still trying to catch up here . . . Janet,Kelli, and Emma thanks for sharing your pics with us. Karen, the sharjo connection comes through again--lovely, lovely! Janet, I met Colin's father's brother and his wife (got that?;-) at the Donmar, and was just commenting that CF's dad and uncle resemble each other, whereas Colin looks more like his mother. Re: GWAPE date postponement--wasn't there an article here quoting the Lion's Gate head that this year it was very important to get the Oscar contenders out there early?? Oh well, maybe they need an extra month to complete the special effects.;-)"}, {"response": 1581, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, May  4, 2003 (22:07)", "body": "(Janet) Read in Movie News today on Sky that the timetable for next years' Oscars has been announced and the 'cut-off' date is now 1 December. That would scupper GWAPE's hopes. (Karen) December 1, 2003: Deadline for receipt of official screen credit forms to qualify feature films for award consideration. But that: December 31, 2003: Awards year ends at midnight. (Mari) Re: GWAPE date postponement--wasn't there an article here quoting the Lion's Gate head that this year it was very important to get the Oscar contenders out there early?? Oh well, maybe they need an extra month to complete the special effects.;-) To my understanding, the early general release sometimes isn't that important except to make the Dec 31 deadline. Depends if they may plan to use expected box office momentum and buzz to sway voters. If they're that confident in it, and want to spend the money, they'll do many industry screenings,too, and send out screeners. Chicago wasn't released to the first markets until Dec 17, with wider release later in January, but there were frequent screenings earlier from at least the beginning of December for the the various groups/guilds like BAFTA, AMPAS, SAG, Directors Guild, etc. LOL, Mari...special effects."}, {"response": 1582, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (07:19)", "body": "Thanks, Mari! It\ufffds very romantic, the way he coaxes her into their whole romance. It\ufffds really sexy.\" jump into bed with Firth\ufffds fumbling Brit, while uttering the immortal line: \"What, you don\ufffdt have sex on first dates?\" So he coaxes her into their romance after having sex on the first date? Duh! LOL! I'm sure Heather and Minnie compared notes on men. ;-)"}, {"response": 1583, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (08:26)", "body": "\"But Graham is not leaving her future entirely up to fate. She has set up Beech Tree, her own film production company, in order to hunt down some interesting roles.\" Smart girl. Hope some of her ambition rubbed off on her co-star;-) Thanks Mari."}, {"response": 1584, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (08:41)", "body": "(AdaVW) GWAPE has been pushed back a month to Dec 12 For once I see this as a good thing, since studios push their Oscar contenders in December releases. It looks like the top 20 release date hasn't changed though, if it's still Christmas. Looking at the bright side, at least I can use the post-holiday sales as an excuse to go to Louisville or Nashville so I'll be able to see it :) (Petra) Viewing #8 of WAGW ? Ahhhhh . And I have to wait until 31th of July.Ahhhhhh. I can\ufffdt take it anymore. I've *heard* that there is a downloadable copy of WAGW on the internet, somewhere. It wouldn't take the place of the big screen experience (not by a loooong shot), but if you could find it, it might take the edge off :)"}, {"response": 1585, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (09:50)", "body": "(Meredith) but if you could find it, it might take the edge off :) I'm now up to 14, and it seems that nothing will take the edge off. (Moon)I'm sure Heather and Minnie compared notes on men. ;-) Oh, to have been a fly on that wall:-)"}, {"response": 1586, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (10:34)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1587, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (10:35)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1588, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (10:38)", "body": "MWAH!"}, {"response": 1589, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (10:39)", "body": "You talkin' to me?"}, {"response": 1590, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (10:42)", "body": "Wot do you mean, they pushed the GWAPE date back?\""}, {"response": 1591, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (10:44)", "body": "You say this 'yoga\" has medicinal properties?"}, {"response": 1592, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (11:05)", "body": "Hmmmm, that yoga class looks like it has lots of potential. And where does HG have her hands in that third pic? Thanks, Mari. Love them!"}, {"response": 1593, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (11:18)", "body": "(Karen)And where does HG have her hands in that third pic? LOL. And where does Colin Ware have his left hand in the fifth pic? Cute movie ...& captions too, Mari."}, {"response": 1594, "author": "MonicaM", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (11:19)", "body": "Thanks, Mari!! Great pics...wherever did you find them? And more importantly, where do I sign up for that yoga class? ;-)"}, {"response": 1595, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (11:21)", "body": "Then, again, check out where her hands are anchored in the flying yoga pic. I'd pay cash money to do same."}, {"response": 1596, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (11:22)", "body": "Seems like Ronan Keating is making up a little bit of his leeway on hello magazine\ufffds vote for \"most attractive man\"(monthly vote).Don\ufffdt forget to vote :o) . One time every day is allowed. Thanks for the HS pictures. This man is definitely my addiction. I love the 5th one. OMG, can\ufffdt wait to see HS."}, {"response": 1597, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (11:52)", "body": "(Karen)Then, again, check out where her hands are anchored in the flying yoga pic. I'd pay cash money to do same. Good Lord and her nose in his hair!! Oops, I slipped, ooh I'm sorry Colin...Mrraowwwrrr. Some people have all the luck. Thanks Mari!!"}, {"response": 1598, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (12:33)", "body": "(Linda) and it seems that nothing will take the edge off. Sounds like there's a serious addiction going on here. Maybe it's a good thing HS didn't come out at the same time;-)! (Karen)check out where her hands are anchored in the flying yoga pic. I'd pay cash money to do same. Ooooh...so would I! (in total fantasy mode here)I wonder, if we sent the money to Oxfam, do you think he'd consider it :-))))? Thanks for the pics, Mari, you've made my day!"}, {"response": 1599, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (12:38)", "body": "Oh Mari thanks so much for such a delicious selection from HS. You've really got me counting the hours until I can see them for myself (47 hours and 50 mins to be precise:-)) ) Ready to score that kissing Ladies1"}, {"response": 1600, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (12:50)", "body": "(Karen) Then, again, check out where her hands are anchored in the flying yoga pic. I'd pay cash money to do same. OMG...OMG...OMG...she has a full body lean going on there...and hair in her face and her hands...her hands! And toes...someone get my smelling salts! ;-D And she got a paycheck to do this...it's just not right! My job isn't nearly as exciting. Though if I were in HS instead of HG, I would have been fired on the day of filming that scene. Don't know if I could do that to ODB and 'follow the script'...I'm sure I'm thinking things that they are not...;-)"}, {"response": 1601, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (12:52)", "body": "And thank you Mari! Very much!!"}, {"response": 1602, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (13:50)", "body": "Thanks, Mari! Great pictures! (Karen) Then, again, check out where her hands are anchored in the flying yoga pic. I'd pay cash money to do same. I suspect there'd be quite a line of us waving our cash."}, {"response": 1603, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (13:59)", "body": "Thanks, Mari, for the great HS pics. Where do you guys find these new things? (Maria)and her nose in his hair!! Looks more like chin in his MPB ;-)...butI'd take either. Both are v.v. fine ;-);-). Can't wait till HS comes to US!!!"}, {"response": 1604, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (15:19)", "body": "Thank you, Mari, for adding to my difficulties...But I love them. Can't you guys just wait until I come down from Heaven...I'm still in HD and stubble mode. Sheesh. (Evelyn)And where does Colin Ware have his left hand in the fifth pic? Exactly where we're all paying extra for him to have it:-)"}, {"response": 1605, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, May  5, 2003 (17:25)", "body": "Wonderful pictures, Mari. Thank you so much. Seems we are all on the same pace (understandable?) as to where we would like to replace HG with each and every one of us (sound of running feet coming from me, hurrying to stand in line. No elbows allowed among firthettes, mind you ;-)) Love your comments, ladies;-)"}, {"response": 1606, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (07:17)", "body": "ROTF, Mari! These are such teasers. Can't wait to see it."}, {"response": 1607, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (08:18)", "body": "Ananova: Hope Springs (12A, 92mins) Romantic comedy. What the critics say: Neil Smith, BBC: The love triangle throws up some amusing situations that compensate for the numerous lapses in logic and pacing. FilmFour: There are no revelations here, and the tone of the film sits uncomfortably between stock US romantic comedy and the more wry UK equivalent, but it's passably endearing and generally gentle. Starring:Colin Firth, Heather Graham, Minnie Driver, Oliver Platt, Mary Steenburgen, Frank Collison, Chad Faust. Director: Mark Herman. Released: May 9. Affable British portrait artist Colin Ware (Colin Firth) is unable to contain his shock when he receives an invitation from his fiancee Vera (Minnie Driver) to celebrate her marriage to another man. He boards a plane bound for America and heads for the small Vermont town of Hope, silently praying he might find a sense of hope among the close-knit community. Colin takes up lodgings at the Battlefield Inn, where match-making Joanie (Mary Steenburgen) attempts to lift his gloom by setting him up with eccentric nurse Mandy (Heather Graham). Just as he is falling in love, Vera breezes into town to tell Colin that the wedding invite was a joke, meant to spur him into popping the question, and she wants him back. Despite a cast doing their best to turn on the charm, this is romantic comedy by numbers and there's never any doubt how the story will end. Swearing: Yes Sex: Yes Violence: No"}, {"response": 1608, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (08:29)", "body": "\"Sex: Yes\" Yesssss! (Yahoo)\" Despite a cast doing their best to turn on the charm, this is romantic comedy by numbers and there's never any doubt how the story will end. \" \"It's a fairy tale, stupid.\""}, {"response": 1609, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (09:03)", "body": "LOL, Evelyn! PG-13 Sex. ;-) I'm very curious as to the HS reviews that will be coming shortly."}, {"response": 1610, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (09:38)", "body": "\"It's a fairy tale, stupid.\" No, that was WAGW. You have to vary the answers. From Jennie, there are two small items in British magazines so far this week, originating from the premiere. Hello (13.05.03) Hello has a small picture of Colin with the following: Colin Firth - Expecting a new addition to the family. British born actor Colin Firth and his Italian wife Livia are expecting their second child in August. The couple have a son, two year old Luca and Colin has a 12 yera old son from his previous relationship with actress Meg Tilly. The 42 year old star of Bridget Jones's Diary is soon to start work on its sequel, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. Hello also has a nice picture of Colin with MD at the premiere of HS. [the \"interview\" below appears to have been lifted from other material] Bella (13.05.03) Showbiz News - The One Minute Interview You play a lot of romantic roles. Are you romantic yourself? I don't think I'm an excessively romantic guy. Romantic cliches don't appeal to me particularly. I'm not a fan of Valentine's Day for instance, because I don't like an appointed day for roses and all that. I think it's important to be imaginative and to act on impulse. Is it true you nearly turned down the part of Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice? I turned it down several times. And then a friend said I had to do it because no one else was capable of being as unpleasant and unsympathetic as I was. That was the hook for me. He was emotionally impeded and that's what I was going for with that performance. Are you anything like Mr Darcy? Of course I'm not. If people expect that when they meet me they'll be disappointed. Do you enjoy being a sex symbol? It's utterly bizarre to hear people discussing me in sexual terms. I'm glad I didn't achieve hunk status until I was 35. It would have been difficult to deal with if it had happened early in my career. You have two sons, William, 12, by American actress Meg Tilly, and Luca, two, by your Italian wife Livia. Do you enjoy fatherhood? Absolutely. My boys are the best thing and the main thing. My life revolves around them. What's this about a feud between you and Rupert Everett? Personally, I've never been able to stand Rupert but on set we managed to get on really very well. Rupert and I hate each other because we are very different. I find him a frightfully sophisticated person. He thought I was too serious, without a sense of humour, which is the opposite of him. We didn't take to each other, but this is a story I would never have revealed to the public if he hadn't done so during the promotion of our film The Importance of Being Earnest in the USA. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Also from Gail, a lurker, a new \"bio-ish\" thing in The Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4661872,00.html"}, {"response": 1611, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (11:05)", "body": "(CF)Absolutely. My boys are the best thing and the main thing. There's that word, again. Can't you just hear him say it. Sorry, just drooling over everything these days. It's utterly bizarre to hear people discussing me in sexual terms He should have been here last week...(stubble winkie) Thank you Karen, Gail, and Mari . Swearing: Yes Sex: Yes I love when he swears...the sex...I'll believe it when I see it. ...And For the Weekend of May 4-6 WAGW managed to stay in the top 20 coming in at #12 Weekend Gross 1.2 million, Cumulative Gross 34.5 million I'm surprised at the low weekend gross only because when I saw it Saturday night the theater was sold out. I figured it was due to the overflow of LMG. I wondered if that would hold true for the rest of the theaters. Apparently, not. The 42 year old star of Bridget Jones's Diary is soon to start work on its sequel, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. ...At the risk of not varying the answers...I'll believe it when I see it:-)"}, {"response": 1612, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (11:34)", "body": "(Me)\"It's a fairy tale, stupid.\" (Karen)No, that was WAGW. You have to vary the answers. No I don't. This is a fairy tale for grown -up women. Esp. if you are a caretaker in a nursing home;-)"}, {"response": 1613, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (11:49)", "body": "I've been told that Colin appeared on Channel 4 breakfast show today. Am not sure of any details, as none were provided. I expect it was a taped bit from before the premiere."}, {"response": 1614, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (12:05)", "body": "(ODB re: Darcy) I turned it down several times. And then a friend said I had to do it because no one else was capable of being as unpleasant and unsympathetic as I was. LOL...is this one of those self-depreciating remarks that I am now beginning to recognize? Our Oxfam boy unsympathetic? Hmmmm....still...v. v. funny! (Moon) LOL, Evelyn! PG-13 Sex. ;-) I don't know about Evelyn...but I'll take PG-13 Sex! He was pretty hot as HD in a PG film....I may not survive PG-13! (Linda on TEOR) ...At the risk of not varying the answers...I'll believe it when I see it:-) I'm with you sistah! I'm stressed about this one. All the actors are being very wishy-washy. Where's Lola to ease my tension??"}, {"response": 1615, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (12:33)", "body": "Thank you Gail for the Guardian bio! I don't claim to understand the English school system very well, but found it interesting that ODB's O Levels were in English and Religious Studies (makes sense, with his mum teaching RS). I had never heard that before. Discerning observers spotted his talent way back in Another Country long before he hooked the sighing masses by ruining a perfectly good shirt in Pride and Prejudice. Now, now! I wouldn't call it ruining the shirt! That shirt was given a new life...there have been poems and fanfic written about that great moment! \"He always had a very natural stage presence and a great control through his vocal range.\" Hmmmm....he does seem to control something in me with his vocal range! ;-) \"He could be very lively and very laid back, a bit of a lad, and great fun to teach. He was popular with the girls.\" I thought I heard ODB say he went to an all boys school? Or is this in drama school (must be...)?"}, {"response": 1616, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (13:25)", "body": "OA-level in drama. I know of the A levels but what is an OA-level? Thanks, Karen and Mari."}, {"response": 1617, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (14:48)", "body": "Hola everyone, Quick comments before I have to run again... Don't worry about the Bridget Jones' sequel. I've been saying this for the last year but no one seems to believe me. :) The Renee deal is still being worked on. But don't worry about it. Mari, in answer to your question, the July preview date for Love Actually is an internal preview at the studio after the directors cut is made. It's not a public preview. They are now planning to preview it in June in the UK. Karen, I have lost your email address and need to discuss something with you regarding Love Actually that was brought to my attention at a morning meeting. So could you please email me at the Yahoo address? Thanks! I'm very glad to hear some of you ladies got the pleasure of meeting CF. You can now see what I've said all along that he is truly one of the nicest most down to earth actors out there. Another one like that is Hugh Jackman. Congratulations to you. Take care!"}, {"response": 1618, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (15:17)", "body": "From Sue, who saw a snippet of Colin this a.m. on the Channel 4 breakfast show, another item from Channel 4. Most of it looks like material from the presskit: HOPE WAS NUDE NIGHTMARE FOR FIRTH It's been tipped as one of this year's sweetest rom coms, but Hope Springs turned into a nightmare for director Mark Herman and star Colin Firth. The shoot was dogged by protests from residents of the chosen location, a Vancouver town called Fort Langley, doubling as the fictional town Hope. Cast and crew also had to deal with abominable weather conditions and studio demands for re-shoots. \"Stories about objections to filming have been blown out of proportion\" says director Mark Herman. \"Some people didn't want a bunch of actors and crew there because of past experiences\". Eventually shooting went ahead, albeit for a shorter time than planned. \"We shot for 45 days, of which for four days there wasn't rain. We created it for continuity. It's soul destroying.\" Heather Graham's nude scene in HS threw up its own problems. \"HG appeared on set with plaster on her nipples\" says director Mark Herman. \"After appearing naked in her past two or three films\". The camera had to dodge the plasters. \"The scene had no sexual activity\" he says \"It was cleaner than a Kylie Minogue promo\". But the studios demanded a re-shoot. \"Colin spent an afternoon with a naked body double on his lap\". In HS, Colin Firth's lovelorn Colin is set up with the local beauty by bored hotel manager Mandy. Bridget Jones Diary star Firth is no stranger to the ways of matchmaking himself. \"There was a heartbroken friend and a girl I introduced who I thought would get on very well\" he admits. It worked and they fell in love. But it turned out to be the most disastrous relationship. It taught me a lesson\". Colin Firth seemed destined to play the dejected artist in HS. \"I was recommended the book by a couple of friends. And the coincidence was, that, while I was thinking 'I must find out who owns the rights to this', I happened to be working with the very person who did - Barnaby Thompson\". \"I was in a good position to lobby for the job, but I was kept dangling with the idea there was a long list of names - of which I was 125th\". Colin dismisses the accusation that he always plays the same role. \"Most actors are pretty same-ish in what they do, be it representing a particular class, whatever\" he says. \"HS is about a confused, bewildered, middle class Englishman and I've certainly been that. The most amusing comment I've had from a journalist recently was 'You're always playing the men who are attracted to women'\". [Ed note: Durr!]"}, {"response": 1619, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (15:30)", "body": "Thanks Karen for all the articles today...and thank you Mari! \"Colin spent an afternoon with a naked body double on his lap\". LOL...ODB suffers so for his art! And thank you Lola for the TEOR reassurance! I'm so needy, I know! But after ODBs remarks on the Blockbuster UK site, I panicked!"}, {"response": 1620, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (15:31)", "body": "(CF) The most amusing comment I've had from a journalist recently was 'You're always playing the men who are attracted to women'\". Wow. That's right up there with the EOR interview questions, LOL! (Karen) [Ed note: Durr!] Durr, indeed! :)"}, {"response": 1621, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (15:38)", "body": "\"Colin spent an afternoon with a naked body double on his lap\". I have written and rewritten a response to this about 5 times now and find I am powerless over the perviness so I will just quietly fold my hands in my lap and say thanks Karen..."}, {"response": 1622, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (16:13)", "body": "(Maria) I have written and rewritten a response to this 5 times LOL Maria, just 5 times? And some! I too have given up and join the \"Meekly folded hands, tape my mouth\" brigade in saluting you Boss. See I'm going to be enjoying all that sex, naked body doubles and yoga to morrow so much that I might forget to leave the cinema! Thanks Sue for the article and Lola for your calming news . (Tress) I'm so needy it's a big club ;-))"}, {"response": 1623, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (17:13)", "body": "(Maria) I have written and rewritten a response to this 5 times As Lizza wrote, just 5 times? I would rather do as HG and tape my nipples and keep my mouth free for ...... and who's lap did you say to fold your hands into?;-) Oops, get back on track, girl. Thank you for the articles and the reassuring news. (Tress) I'm so needy (Lizza) it's a big club ;-)) Room for one more?"}, {"response": 1624, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (18:07)", "body": "(HS Press kit via channel 4) \"Heather Graham's nude scene in HS threw up its own problems. \"HG appeared on set with plaster on her nipples\" says director Mark Herman. \"After appearing naked in her past two or three films\". This pisses me off. What did she think they hired her for....her thespian talents, fergodsake? I saw \"From Hell\" *thumbs down smilie*"}, {"response": 1625, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (18:50)", "body": "\"Colin spent an afternoon with a naked body double on his lap\". Oh Gawd! That did it, the moment I knew was going to happen since the PEN reading. Have lost all marbles and ability to speak... Well maybe, not. OOOOOOOOOk! Just how does one become a naked body double that sits in Colin's lap all afternoon? Just wondering, pondering, calling personal trainer, ordering work out equiptment, yoga mat. HG appeared on set with plaster on her nipples Oh how clever. Well as Colin said, she wasn't as ditzy as she seemes:-) But, on the other hand, it would seem to me that she would have used plaster in other places as well. Like...oh never mind. Thank you, LOLA. Making mental notes not to worry about TEoR anymore. Um, thank you Karen for that v. engaging article. I think."}, {"response": 1626, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (19:31)", "body": "(Linda) Oh how clever. Well as Colin said, she wasn't as ditzy as she seemes:-) But, on the other hand, it would seem to me that she would have used plaster in other places as well. Like...oh never mind. ROTFL....oh Linda! Ditch the plaster! I can't write anymore otherwise I'll get in trouble...but ditch the plaster!"}, {"response": 1627, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (19:59)", "body": "\"Colin spent an afternoon with a naked body double on his lap\". (Linda) OOOOOOOOOk! Just how does one become a naked body double that sits in Colin's lap all afternoon? Just wondering, pondering, calling personal trainer, ordering work out equiptment, yoga mat. That's exactly what I was thinking, except I was forced to add \"have liposuction, magically lose 30 years...\""}, {"response": 1628, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (22:43)", "body": "Just read this somewhere.... Colin is in Red magazine (UK) this month and in the interview he states that the baby will be born in July and it is to be a boy. He says boys run in the family I'm on a rebellious streak tonight...not going to bother mentioning where I found it. Maybe I'll get in trouble for this,too."}, {"response": 1629, "author": "joyce", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (22:48)", "body": "On The Press Junket for Hope Springs with ODB Katie Couric: mmm..Good Morning, Colin. Welcome back to the Today Show...mmm CF: Thank you. It's good to be back. Oh, pardon me! We tend to get our feet tangled up don't we? Katie: I read here in the press kit that you spent an afternoon with a naked body double on your lap. CF: Well, um, yes but the name of the film it's, it's, it's Hope Springs. Katie: But getting back to the afternoon that you spent with the naked body double on your lap- CF: Well yes but more importantly I'd like to say that I star in the film with Heather Graham and Minnie Driver both very surefooted actresses and - Katie:(humming and singing) Thinking of you's working up my appetite, looking forward to a little afternoon delight, rubbing sticks and stones together makes the sparks ignite humm,humm,humm. CF: Yes well,um,you know, the source material was very,very,very well written by Charles Webb of Graduate fame. Katie: Was the body double sitting western or english? CF: Don't you want to ask me when we start filming TEOR or call me Mr. Darcy? Katie: (humming and singing) Hmm...hmm..Skyrockets in flight...afternoon delight. Do you mind if we do an actual re-creation for our viewers this morning? CF: Matt! Al! Somebody! Help me!"}, {"response": 1630, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (22:59)", "body": "Katie: (humming and singing) Hmm...hmm..Skyrockets in flight...afternoon delight. Do you mind if we do an actual re-creation for our viewers this morning? CF: Matt! Al! Somebody! Help me! ROTHLMAO when I should be getting some shut eye! Catching up here after a 10 day absence has been a killer! But I must go back to a way long ago issue and have my part in the discussion and say that I agree with Joyce about that \"bad boy\" pic on the cover of that Sunday paper that I'm too tired to go back to find the name of. I think he looks great and dangerous! Yummy! No *just a pretty boy in a starched stuffed shirt* there! Hubba hubba."}, {"response": 1631, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (23:25)", "body": "(Linda) it would seem to me that she would have used plaster in other places as well. Just making sure you know that a plaster is a Band-aid. OK? The idea of putting them in other places... eowwww! :-( Katie: Was the body double sitting western or english? LOL! Discussing plasters in other places resurfaces... v.g. Joyce"}, {"response": 1632, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, May  6, 2003 (23:48)", "body": "Joyce, you're cracking me up!!!!"}, {"response": 1633, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (02:48)", "body": "Thanks Hola Lola for the reassurance about TEOR. It taught me to hope!"}, {"response": 1634, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (06:18)", "body": "Matt ! Al! Somebody ! Help me ! Why calling after Matt and AL (who ever they are) while a bunch of drool ladies wouldn\ufffdt hesitate.On the other side his desperation is just too cute to help him :o)"}, {"response": 1635, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (06:29)", "body": "Lots of mistakes by someone that gets to interview him..my new mantra - not fair... http://www.guardian.co.uk/parents/story/0,3605,950590,00.html"}, {"response": 1636, "author": "Leah", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (06:51)", "body": "(Maria) Lots of mistakes by someone that gets to interview him.. I often wonder how much research is done by the interviewer. Colin Firth, oh yes, Mr Darcy. P&P was made in the 1990's and BJD in the next centuary, so let's just say 10 years... what an idiot."}, {"response": 1637, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (07:36)", "body": "\"The scene had no sexual activity\" he says \"It was cleaner than a Kylie Minogue promo\". Sad. Had they made an effort to make an R-rated film, it might have been different with HG. Katie: Was the body double sitting western or english? CF: Don't you want to ask me when we start filming TEOR or call me Mr. Darcy? LOL, Joyce! And he does sit so well a saddle too. ;-) Thanks for the articles, ladies."}, {"response": 1638, "author": "joyce", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (08:10)", "body": "(Dorine)Colin is in Red magazine (UK) this month and in the interview he states that the baby will be born in July and it is to be a boy. He says boys run in the family (Mari) Mr. Y chromosome. From the Burpee Seed Company for Immediate Press Release The Burpee Seed Company proudly announced today that it would be introducing a new line of Spring 2003 baby seeds in honor of actor Colin Firth. The seeds will be known as AllwhysNoexes and will be distributed with Sunday Supplement magazines. The seeds are guaranteed to produce a male child who looks very much like a turnip, rutabaga or parsnip for the first year(your choice). When notified of this honor Mr. Firth said,\" With stubble like this did you think I'd be making girls?\""}, {"response": 1639, "author": "Leah", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (08:39)", "body": "(Joyce)Burpee Seed Company for Immediate Press Release LOL! \"With stubble like this did you think I'd be making girls?\" With stubble like what you've got, do you think I'd care?"}, {"response": 1640, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (09:04)", "body": "(Joyce)Was the body double sitting western or english ROTFL...I always get the two confused:-)Joyce, that interview was priceless. Thank you. looking forward to a little afternoon delight, rubbing sticks and stones together makes the sparks ignite humm,humm,humm. Ohhhh that conjurs up all kinds of delicious images. (Karen)Just making sure you know that a plaster is a Band-aid. OK? The idea of putting them in other places... eowwww! :-( LOL, I did. There is another example of those words that take on a different meaning depending on which side of the pond one resides...reminds me of \"fanny packs\" but at least we can say plaster in British society."}, {"response": 1641, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (09:06)", "body": "EMPIRE on Line give HS 2 out of 5 * This is one of those films where you?re mentally recasting throughout - Hugh Grant, obviously, then perhaps Cameron Diaz, and Catherine Zeta-Jones... but the actors shouldn?t shoulder the whole blame for this rather mediocre effort. Early scenes with Firth as a deadpan depressive arriving in a small town, Hope Springs, are full of comic promise. It?s with the appearance of Graham that things start to get shakier. Despite the potential humour in certain scenarios - like her naturist turn in the repressed Englishman?s hotel - both her character and the love match fail to ring true. Bring in Minnie Driver as a manipulative, chain-smoking embodiment of materialism, and the supposed plot tension crumbles. It?s perfectly clear that Colin shouldn?t be with Vera, but this point seems to have eluded the writers as they struggle to convince us that there?s a crucial competition for his affections at play. Any Good? Early laughs give way to bland romance and an uninvolving love triangle plot device. As Mandy says to Colin at one point, ?It was funny at first, now it?s just irritating.? http://www.empireonline.co.uk/reviews/review.asp?8899"}, {"response": 1642, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (09:23)", "body": "Have we seen that review before? Some of the verbage rang a bell. (Joyce) \"With stubble like this did you think I'd be making girls?\" You're crackin' me up, Joyce! But I bet he'd be adorable with a baby daughter."}, {"response": 1643, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (10:21)", "body": "The seeds will be known as AllwhysNoexes and will be distributed with Sunday Supplement magazines. Too bad they've only mass-produced them now. I know some people who would've loved them. When notified of this honor Mr. Firth said,\" With stubble like this did you think I'd be making girls?\" Adorable, Joyce. Thanks (Guardian) That's wonderful,\" he said. \"Most people who meet me tell me it's their mums who fancy me.\" Lucky we kept quiet about the magnetic image of Firth as Darcy that adorns the fridge of my producer's 80-year-old mother. ROTF! Magnetic image? So producer's mother shops on eBay. ;-) Thanks, Maria, for posting. v. cute."}, {"response": 1644, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (11:29)", "body": "New Cardiff has been published in paperback in the UK, retailing at \ufffd6.99, with the Hope Springs Movie Poster on the front cover.(No other stills from the movie are featured). - Waterstones are doing a buy 2 get 1 free deal, just in case you want to buy a copy for your friends!"}, {"response": 1645, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (12:26)", "body": "(Dorine)...in the interview he states that the baby will be born in July and it is to be a boy. He says boys run in the family.... Hopefully they'll walk too! Gotta have that Firth stride passed down...;-) This may mean they'll try again (for a girl)...I'm all for filling this world with beautiful Firths. Katie: Was the body double sitting western or english? ROTF...Joyce you cracked me up this morning. Thank you! And wot? Katie didn't think to ask about riding sidesaddle? ;-) (Burpee Seed Company) The seeds will be known as AllwhysNoexes and will be distributed with Sunday Supplement magazines. (Karen) Too bad they've only mass-produced them now. I know some people who would've loved them. From my understanding of things, the seeds are massed produced anyway. This just appears to be a means of distribution. ;-D"}, {"response": 1646, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (13:35)", "body": "From EMPIRE A min-interview with Colin and director of HS http://www.empireonline.co.uk/features/interviews/hopesprings/ (I don't *think* this has been posted before...if so AAA)"}, {"response": 1647, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (13:40)", "body": "Have just listened to a review of HS on Front Row on Radio 4 and it was bad :-( They seemed agreed that CF was making a career for himself as a second string HG in US films and the critic of the Telegraph who was on the show said she wished he didn't look so miserable about it: \"you don't have to be a film star, Colin\" :-(( They really tore into Minnie Driver, said she looked like an alien. Thought the whole premise was ridiculous and also mentioned that it was really CF's project. Oh dear... Mind you they are often v critical but in the UK I think people take more notice of the critics. Over the age of 20 we do not automatically go to the movies each week. Most people only go if something attracts their attention so I am not hopeful. Thank goodness he has other things in the can."}, {"response": 1648, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (14:35)", "body": "I was wearing appliances by the time we wrapped. Appliances? I hate it when he isn't specific. Well at least we know he can still reproduce:-) Thank you Evelyn."}, {"response": 1649, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (14:53)", "body": "I think the writer may be a bit constipated as well...Raer! It achieves the charm wobblingly aimed at by Hope Springs, based on a novel by Charles Webb, author of The Graduate, but British, despite its American setting and Canadian locations. An enterprise dear to the heart of its leading actor, it gives a glowering Colin Firth the chance to exercise his glum-to-the-point-of-tears appeal, a reticent, throwaway but somehow leaden performance best described as \"Hugh Grant constipated\". He plays a jilted English artist who flees his \"London land\", to quote the strangely EFL publicity material, to nurse his grief in a small New England town. Here he falls for a \"beautiful caregiver\", though their idyll is threatened when his fickle fianc\ufffde tracks him down from London land. Minnie Driver has the best lines, a running gag about smoking in America, and, in place of former hamster-cheeks, a square jawline ideal for burgeoning hard-boiled, wise-cracking talent. Heather Graham's caregiver is on autopilot, rather like the rest of the film, leaving me a negative damngiver. http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1051389829560"}, {"response": 1650, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (14:55)", "body": "Thanks, Allison, for the preview of what will likely be the prevailing tone come Friday... Dire news indeed. :-( Have had confirmation that Naomie Harris does play Ben's wife in Trauma."}, {"response": 1651, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (14:57)", "body": "(FT) leaving me a negative damngiver. Oooow! Good one. Let's see, if Mari can be the Colonial Strumpet, then I can be the Negative Damngiver. Seems appropriate. ;-)"}, {"response": 1652, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (15:00)", "body": "Oops..Remiss in gratitude.. Joyce , hilarious! OMG! Western or English..too funny and now I'm heading back down the dusty highway to pervyland... Thanks for the interview Evelyn, like the gerbil line... (Tress) This may mean they'll try again (for a girl)...I'm all for filling this world with beautiful Firths. I hope they don't stop until they get a girl..."}, {"response": 1653, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (15:13)", "body": "(Karen)... Dire news indeed. :-( And you know, Karen how I avoid watching embarrassing CF films ;-)"}, {"response": 1654, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (15:16)", "body": "(Allison) And you know, Karen how I avoid watching embarrassing CF films ;-) Yes, you might not even cross the street if it were playing that near. ;-)"}, {"response": 1655, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (15:35)", "body": "Renee's leading men By James Langton, Evening Standard 7 May 2003 Along with a little black dress, a goodlooking British co-star is this year's essential accessory if you are a Hollywood actress. For Oscar nominee Renee Zellweger, the choice was Ewan McGregor at the world premiere of their new romantic comedy Down With Love last night in New York. Trainspotting star McGregor drops his Glaswegian brogue (my note: no he doesn't) to play dashing reporter and confirmed bachelor Catcher Block in the new film, which is a tribute to the classic Rock Hudson-Doris Day comedies. He and Zellweger are following Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes in Maid in Manhattan and Hugh Grant, who paired up with Sandra Bullock in Two Weeks Notice, in the new Hollywood passion for Anglo-American screen partnerships. Even Colin Firth, who won Zellweger's heart in Bridget Jones's Diary, is replaying the role of a well-bred heart-throb. In the new hit comedy What A Girl Wants, which opened in the US two weeks ago, he plays a wealthy English aristocrat who discovers he has an American teenage daughter from an earlier affair. Not since the days of Cary Grant and David Niven have so many cut-glass British accents dominated the US film industry at once. Even Sean Connery, who as James Bond set the standard for sophisticated, tuxedo-clad Brits, will be back in the act later this summer. He plays Allan Quartermain as the leader of a group of literary superheroes that includes Tom Sawyer and Dorian Gray in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Sadly for Zellweger, whose new film opened at the second Tribeca Film Festival in New York, the romance is only in front of the cameras. The Chicago star is said to have burst into tears recently at a dinner party in Los Angeles saying she was \"desperate for love''. Texan Zellweger, 34, who split with Jim Carrey three years ago, is said to have complained that she could not find a boyfriend, adding: \"I feel like I'm going to grow old alone.\" Fellow guest Demi Moore is reported to have consoled her, promising to take her out on the town to look for a man."}, {"response": 1656, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (15:37)", "body": "(Radio 4)\"Thought the whole premise was ridiculous and also mentioned that it was really CF's project.\" Thanks Allison. Am cringing. If you go to see this one, Allison, once again you might be the only one in the theatre;-("}, {"response": 1657, "author": "joyce", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (15:41)", "body": "Thanks for the reviews Maria, Evelyn and Allison. I don't understand the attitude toward CF. What is the attitude and why? Not to mention the Guardian interviewer being so lame in general. No wonder he doesn't like to do press there. By the way I don't think that the CF offspring look like turnips. CF said that. : )"}, {"response": 1658, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (15:47)", "body": "These critics can all go pound sand. :-( Are you anything like Mr Darcy? Sorry, didn't catch the name of this publication--was it Frontal Lobotomy Monthly ? HOPE WAS NUDE NIGHTMARE FOR FIRTH I must have missed the part where it explains how this was a nightmare for him.;-) HG appeared on set with plaster on her nipples\" says director Mark Herman. \"After appearing naked in her past two or three films\". He's full of crap. What shows and how much of it shows and when a body double is to be used are all spelled out in the actress's contract; there'd be no surprises on filming day. (Joyce)CF: Don't you want to ask me when we start filming TEOR or call me Mr. Darcy? LOL! See, Colin, it could always be worse! Funny stuff, Joyce--enjoyed this and the AllwhysNoexes Burpee seeds!:-)"}, {"response": 1659, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (15:58)", "body": "Review from the Scottish Herald: Hope Springs (12A) Dir: Mark Herman With: Colin Firth, Minnie Driver, Heather Graham, Oliver Platt, Mary Steenburgen Look, just because Richard Curtis can make British box office history by mismatching a bumbling American hero with an adorably free-sprited American sex object doesn't mean everyone can get away with it. Colin Firth has no trouble at all making the protagonist suitably woolly and charming - the character is even called Colin, to clear up any potential confusion. However, his love triangle with girlish Mandy (Heather Graham) and vampy Vera (Minnie Driver) never convinces, largely because there's no real question regarding which way he should jump. Colin has fled to Hope, Vermont, to get over his girlfriend Vera's impromptu marriage to another man. Blonde, kittenish Mandy makes him very welcome indeed, but Vera's on his trail: cigarettes, stilettoes, bad attitude and all. Neither Graham nor Driver is accomplished enough to build a good performance on bad lines; and while Firth gets better treatment from the script, a romcom hero needs more conflict than this scenario provides. Vera is just an annoying obstacle to a not particularly engaging romance; and efforts to buoy the plot with wacky minor characters fall flat, despite the efforts of Oliver Platt and Mary Steenburgen."}, {"response": 1660, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (15:59)", "body": "(Joyce) By the way I don't think that the CF offspring look like turnips. CF said that. : ) Of course you didn't. He said it on the Rosie show. A few more magazine reviews from Jennie: Now There are lots of lovely little touches, many supplied by the eccentric antics of the locals who add colour and comedy to the film. Firth has a permanent look of panic on his face, but he doesn't glower and smoulder here like he did as Mr. Darcy. His character is too wet for that. It's Graham, playing a dippy hippy, who doesn't work - she simply comes over as annoying. She's totally upstaged by Minnie Driver, who appears on the scene like a rocket just when the plot begins to wear thin and delivers a deliciously catty performance. Driver's always in control, even in her underwear (a scene that will make male members of the audience get all hot under the collar). Also worth the entrance price is Oliver Platt as the pompous Mayor of Hope, who wants Colin to paint his portrait. The film is another light romantic comedy of the kind we've had plenty of this year. But, in the light of world events, why not lose yourself in something warm and cuddly? Now rating *** A soft warm wisp of romantic whimsy Also a comment on Colin and yoga: We've seen him as the dashing Mr Darcy and watched him woo Bridget Jones, but in Hope Springs we see Colin Firth, 42, as we've never seen him before - getting to grips with yoga. No doubt his lotus position will earn him even more swooning female fans. \"You can be quietly smug about it,\" says Colin, who was voted one of People magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People, \"but I've never really thought I was particularly good looking.\" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ New: Miscast and misguided with a few laughs here and there (given two points) Heat: We know director Mark Brassed Off Herman can do better than this - but even a great cast couldn't help him pull this off (they give it two stars)"}, {"response": 1661, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (16:14)", "body": "http://www.moviemarket.co.uk/empire/501478.html Nice Memento: And Evelyn, I was just going to post that Empire interview. Here is a cute picture that went with it. Sorry if old stuff."}, {"response": 1662, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (16:25)", "body": "Although the initial signs were good, I think :-( that HS and CF are going to be put through the mincer by the UK critics. Par for the course for most Brit films (killed stone dead before they even reach the Box Office!) Rom coms always get a drubbing. Roll on GWAPE and Trauma!"}, {"response": 1663, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (17:01)", "body": "OK Ladies, I'm fresh from a preview viewing of HS ( the film that affects you so much you can't actually find your car in the parking lot to drive home;-0) Sorry British press ...... but I loved it! It has it's faults and MD is a massive one but as my companion, who has seen me thro' many of his film said, \"you must have been so thrilled that his face got so much screen time!\" and there is more than his face too;-)) (No Spoilers, I promise) Also loved the setting, wouldn't have appealed to me so if set in UK. great stubble shot too and I can't recall anything where there appear to be so many close ups of his face! Good response from audience, lots of laughs thro'out, very mixed audience too. Was a novelty to have so many men in the audience at a CF showing, quite a few positive comments on the way out."}, {"response": 1664, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (17:05)", "body": "Thanks Lizza for the encouraging news. Too bad you don't work for a newspaper. Me thinks I should get on a plane to go see HS on a big screen;-("}, {"response": 1665, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (17:20)", "body": "OOOHHH Yes! But come while it's showing , think it might not be around for long. Guardian will slate it on Friday I expect but who cares;-)) So much fun hearing him called Colin on screen too. And he does one or two expressions that will melt your heart (not that any of us need encouraging) but not , I fear, the heart of a hardened critic:-("}, {"response": 1666, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (17:29)", "body": "(Lizza)...the film that affects you so much you can't actually find your car in the parking lot to drive home;-0 Oh! I have that trouble when seeing ODB films. Sometimes I just take the train, so I don't have to worry about finding the car! ;-) I'm glad to hear that you liked it! Also good to hear that there are plenty of yummy close-ups (and stubble too)! I wonder if the bad reviews in the UK will effect a US showing? I do want to see this one (I want to see all of ODB's stuff, but I'm one of the ones who actually laughed at the book)!!"}, {"response": 1667, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (17:30)", "body": "(Evelyn)Thanks Lizza for the encouraging news. Too bad you don't work for a newspaper. You took the post right off the tips of my finges. Thank you, Lizza. I'm thrilled that you liked it. Sounds like the audience liked it as well. How full was the theater? I always find it strange that the critics never hear the laughs/reaction from the audience. Are they in the theater at all? (Lizza) the film that affects you so much you can't actually find your car in the parking lot to drive home;-0) Oh no, this one is going to kill me. Better plan to paint my car a nice neon color before it opens here:-)"}, {"response": 1668, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (17:40)", "body": "(Lindak) How full was the theater? It was a \"free\" preview, for Times readers and was about 85/90% full. lots of couples, mixed groups of friends/families. I only spotted two ladies together (apart from us!) who might be classed as typical audience. naturally 12A certificate because of all that sex, but there are some good lines which got great laughs. You must remember that it's at least a year since TIOBE here and the last time I went to see that there were 8 in the audience, so I'm probably on a bit of a high due to combination of stubble, yoga moves plus actually getting to share it with an audience who aren't CF diehards, but still enjoyed it!"}, {"response": 1669, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (17:41)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1670, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (17:46)", "body": "(Tress) Sometimes I just take the train LOL! very wise, to let the train take the strain. Haven't admitted to wrong turn taking on return journey either! Inspired of course by Colin's driving skills in HS."}, {"response": 1671, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (17:48)", "body": "(Lizza)naturally 12A certificate because of all that sex, Oh holy J---s! This gets better and better. I cannot wait."}, {"response": 1672, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (17:56)", "body": "(Linda) I always find it strange that the critics never hear the laughs/reaction from the audience. Are they in the theater at all? The critics I have known have private screenings prior to the opening date. They usually sit in an empty theater or with one or two other critics...so...they really don't hear an audiences' reaction. (Lizza) naturally 12A certificate because of all that sex... (Linda) Oh holy J---s! This gets better and better. I cannot wait. My! Oh my!"}, {"response": 1673, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (18:16)", "body": "Thanks for your reivew, Lizza! It gave me a boost. (Tress)I wonder if the bad reviews in the UK will effect a US showing? Sure, especially if bad box office follows. (Evelyn)Me thinks I should get on a plane to go see HS on a big screen;-( Hey, wait for me! Here's The Times review: By Barbara Ellen Hope Springs 12A, 92 mins WATCHING Mark Herman\ufffds Hope Springs, it comes as something of a shock to realise that this is an adaptation of New Cardiff, the long-awaited novel by Charles Webb, who gave the world The Graduate. It\ufffds a curiously stifled affair, ostensibly a gentle romantic comedy of the Anglo-American persuasion, but everyone appears to be acting with socks stuffed in their mouths in case any real emotion or humour tries to seep out. In particular, Colin Firth, the leading man, spends the entire movie looking paralysed, as if he\ufffds just been fatally bitten by the Bad Script spider, which requires him to make dry clipped remarks in an English \ufffdstill cheaper than Hugh Grant\ufffd kind of way, occasionally look gooey-eyed, and very little else. As Hope Springs also requires that Firth pretend to be some kind of tortured artist he often spends scenes thoughtfully hugging a huge pad of sketch paper and a couple of charcoal pencils. Sometimes presumably because the role demands it, other times, one suspects, for comfort. Firth plays Colin, an English artist who has been dumped by his fianc\ufffde, Vera (Minnie Driver), and so runs away to America to start a new life in the New England town of Hope. Naturally there are a lot of mild puns regarding the name of the town Colin has chosen (the road signs bear the legend: \ufffd18,459 people live in Hope\ufffd). When he arrives, he is both jet-lagged and devastated, and his improbably kind landlady (Mary Steenburgen, done up like a Hallowe\ufffden fancy-dress take on Cher meets Erin Brockovich) asks her friend, Mandy (Heather Graham), a carer for the elderly, to come around and try to heal him. Mandy does this by downing a bottle of whisky in one, babbling incoherently, stripping off her clothes, pulling Colin into bed and generally behaving like the kind of wild and crazy chick you get only in movies or mental institutions. The badly matched pair fall in love within about 20 seconds and Colin decides to stay on in Hope, doodling drawings of local townsfolk for some exhibition or other (Colin being one of those movie characters who never seem to need to earn any money). Then Vera appears, full of remorse, apologies and Brit bossiness and determined to get back her man. What is Herman (Brassed Off, Little Voice) doing making this tripe? If it was the lure of working with material from the author of The Graduate it doesn\ufffdt get him very far (unless you count the feeble little homage featuring Graham\ufffds bent leg when she is attempting to seduce Colin). Hope Springs is a slight tale with a weak script, a formulaic dead-cat bounce and an ending that could make gorgonzola smell like roses. The love triangle doesn\ufffdt work very well (chemistry-wise, Firth and Graham seem allergic to each other, while Driver looks as if she\ufffds more interested in her fags, and who can blame her?). What humour there is seems to come from the insinuation that Colin does not wear underwear, and Vera\ufffds foiled attempts to light up (producing the one funny line: \ufffdYou can\ufffdt smoke in this area.\ufffd \ufffdWhat, America?\ufffd). If kooky American townsfolk happen to be a weakness of yours, then there are plenty of those around too. Other than that, this is a horribly stiff, underwhelming effort that staggers from beginning to end with as much expectation of entertaining an audience as a tap dancer with his throat cut."}, {"response": 1674, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (19:20)", "body": "The Scotsman: Movie Review: Hope Springs ALISTAIR HARKNESS Hope Springs ** Director: Mark Herman Starring: Minnie Driver, Colin Firth, Heather Graham, Mary Steenburgen, Oliver Platt DOES Heather Graham have nudity clauses written into her contracts? Within ten minutes of appearing in this British-American romcom she disrobes for a befuddled Colin Firth for no other reason than her character - a professional carer for the elderly - likes to get naked whenever she\ufffds happy. Women needn\ufffdt groan though: Firth soon drops his drawers, too. He plays a British artist called Colin who\ufffds escaped to the small Vermont town of Hope to get over the humiliation of being dumped by his fianc\ufffde Vera (Minnie Driver). There he ingratiates himself with the locals by drawing their portraits, while the kooky (and naked) charms of Mandy (Graham) help him overcome his heartache. But when Vera turns up seeking reconciliation, her presence threatens Colin\ufffds new-found happiness. Especially when she refuses to leave. After the abysmal Purely Belter and Brassed Off, director Mark Herman goes the Richard Curtis route with this fluffy little effort (there\ufffds nothing remotely resembling social realism here) and proves that romantic comedies are more difficult to pull off than they look. His pacing is the main problem. By allowing the relationship between Firth and Graham to develop too quickly, the rest of the movie is left in a strange kind of limbo, and once Driver arrives on the scene she finds herself with little else to do except smoke and be annoying. Luckily, Firth is appealing as a romantic lead and the film demonstrates that there\ufffds still plenty of mileage left in his Mr Darcy/ repressed-but-smouldering Englishman routine. A couple of excellent supporting turns from seasoned pros Mary Steenburgen (as a garish motel owner) and Oliver Platt (as the egotistical town mayor) also inject proceedings with some much-needed belly laughs. Yet, overall, this movie is a pretty disappointing effort. Driver and Graham are seriously miscast and, coupled with a weak script, this means there\ufffds very little, beyond their obvious physical attributes, to suggest why Firth\ufffds character would be interested in either of them. The film also conforms to the predictable tropes of the genre, which on the whole is fine (critiquing a romcom for being formulaic is like complaining about the violence in a John Woo movie), but there are huge sections of the plot that make absolutely no sense. And with a film like this, the last thing you should be forced to do is question its logic."}, {"response": 1675, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (20:09)", "body": "(Scotsman).. a weak script (Times)... Hope Springs is a slight tale with a weak script The book wasn't. Mark Herman should be humg upside down, and Colin should have walked off the set. I wonder if he took this one without reading the script like he took WAGW."}, {"response": 1676, "author": "joyce", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (20:48)", "body": "(Lizza)and there is more than his face too;-)) (No Spoilers, I promise) Lizza, Quite the contrary. I'm sure Spoilers would be greatly appreciated ; )"}, {"response": 1677, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (23:06)", "body": "Great to hear you liked it, Lizza, and it left you as ditzy as Mandy. Fess up about that flask of peach brandy you took along? ;-) Another lovely review from the ever-lovely Barbara Ellen of The Times, who cannot be budged from her Huge fancy. Thank goodness Colin has finally left the comedy/rom-com arena. All those comparisons to Huge make me ill. He shouldn't be considered another HG or HG-lite. He should project his own image and be known for that...or at a minimum the great Shakespearean actor he's been billed as. *snicker*"}, {"response": 1678, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (00:43)", "body": "Good ole Barbie (\"Hugh's my man\") Ellen! Ironic that this is the paper offering free previews and 12 hours after the showing she comes up with that! (Karen) That flask of peach brandy you took along Hey when you don't pay admission there's money left over for a bottle;-)) Actually HG does a great job knocking back the booze. (Karen) Left you ditzy as Mandy better than being as bitchy as \"alien\" Minnie or should that be Barbara :-)) Mari, thanks for reviews."}, {"response": 1679, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (02:18)", "body": "I thought Barbie Allen would go for the jugular and she has...a b-a-a-d review, but I expected something like this. Thank goodness Colin has finally left the comedy/rom-com arena. All those comparisons to Huge make me ill For UK film critics, Huge is the rom com/leading man king. CF is either \"Mr Darcy\" or support actor cuckold. After the abysmal Purely Belter and Brassed Off Was Brassed Off abysmal? Purely Belter wasn't great, but was a definite \"okay\"."}, {"response": 1680, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (03:55)", "body": "Thank you so much everyone for all the most interesting articles and reviews. Great work and great reading."}, {"response": 1681, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (07:31)", "body": "(The Scotsman), Women needn\ufffdt groan though: Firth soon drops his drawers, too. (Lizza)naturally 12A certificate because of all that sex, and there is more than his face too;-)) (No Spoilers, I promise) Please Spoilers, Lizza! That would never spoil our viewing. :-) Glad you liked it. Hell, we've seen WAGW many times and that was not such a great film either. he often spends scenes thoughtfully hugging a huge pad of sketch paper Yeah! And I claimed it first! ;-) (Scotsman).. a weak script (Times)... Hope Springs is a slight tale with a weak script (Evelyn),The book wasn't. I beg to differ, Evelyn, the book was weak too. (Evelyn)Me thinks I should get on a plane to go see HS on a big screen;-( (Mari), Hey, wait for me! Just think, all those close-ups, some nudity, and we may never get it on the big screen here. :-( (The Times), Other than that, this is a horribly stiff, underwhelming effort that staggers from beginning to end with as much expectation of entertaining an audience as a tap dancer with his throat cut. Wow. This sounds more like a review from Mr. Cranky. :-( (The Scotsman), but there are huge sections of the plot that make absolutely no sense. And with a film like this, the last thing you should be forced to do is question its logic. LOL! This is the reason for the delay and why it might not come to the US. :-( (Evelyn), I wonder if he took this one without reading the script like he took WAGW. This was \"his\" project, remember? The one he believed in, the one he wanted, the one he wenrt after, the one his friends said he should do. The one that left me asking why? Thanks, Mari for the reviews. I feared this."}, {"response": 1682, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (07:33)", "body": "Bethan and Allison, I am waiting to hear what you think of HS. You do plan to see it?"}, {"response": 1683, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (08:12)", "body": "As expected, there *will* be special effects in Trauma by Yves Debono, who also was in charge of the UK f/x unit for Pearl Harbor."}, {"response": 1684, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (08:19)", "body": "I went to one of the Times' screenings of HS last night (thanks Karen for the tip) and here's the all important review: the boyfriend who only likes James Bond movies. He liked it. He thought the acting was good, except that Oliver Platt was over the top. He laughed a lot. The audience laughed a lot, although I felt they were slow to start. Mostly CF's wittiest lines got the laughs, and MD's. Me, I liked it even less the second time. Heather is just really bad. It's such a shame that it turned out that way really. He's just acting his ass off while the rest of it is a bit too weak. I had wanted tickets for Finchley Road but they were gone Saturday night. We ended up at Shepherd's Bush where it was about 75% full."}, {"response": 1685, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (08:37)", "body": "At first, all that bad press about HS made me really sad but Lizzas comment gave hope. I think that britsh press is well known for excoriating sometimes and as bethan says, rom coms always get a drubbing (I don\u00b4t know why, I love rom coms).In the end, the viewers make movies blockbusters or not. On the other side, comments like chemistry-wise, Firth and Graham seem allergic to each other, while Driver looks as if she\ufffds more interested in her fags, and who can blame her?). agitate me because this is more significant than something like ...the movie is not funny..or..it make no sence.. But can a movie Colin was so interesed in and wich was realtively important to him end in such a disaster ? But no matter what I want to see the movie and form my own oppinion."}, {"response": 1686, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (09:00)", "body": "A little reminder, topic 126 should be used for discussions of the movie itself. What you liked, what you didn't like, who sucked, who didn't, witty bits of dialogue, inane dialogue, shapeliness of a certain person's calves, etc. OK? :)"}, {"response": 1687, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (09:22)", "body": "Ireland Online has a review of HS. You can go there if you want. Not worth it, IMO. http://breakingnews.iol.ie/entertainment/story.asp?j=29670594&p=z967x896"}, {"response": 1688, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (09:22)", "body": "A little reminder, topic 126 should be used for discussions of the movie itself umm *Absolutely* clear...pulling lip, scratching hair."}, {"response": 1689, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (09:33)", "body": "There's also a review with this, but you have to pay for it and I won't.;-) Does anyone here subscribe? Or can get hold of the paper? Don't call me Hugh By Genevieve Fox, Evening Standard 8 May 2003 Mention Colin Firth and most women will swoon, blush and think back fondly to that wet-shirt moment in Pride and Prejudice. Firth would rather they didn't. That was eight years ago. They will also think of Hugh Grant, since the two are constantly compared. Firth would rather they didn't do that either because, as the 42-year-old pin-up is anxious to point out, he is not simply a laugh-a-minute box-office wonder boy. He can do \"serious\", too. He reminds me during our interview at the Dorchester Hotel, that's all he did between leaving drama school in 1983 and playing Mr Darcy 12 years later. It is time, he feels, to get serious again. Colin Firth with Heather Graham in Hope Springs Other stories: Stars flock to the Matrix Don't call me Hugh Knights in amour All talk, no action One bad tooth fairy A dollop of Europudding Low jinx in high school There's no hope of that with his new movie, the romantic comedy Hope Springs. Blue-eyed, tousle-haired Firth plays yet another hopeless heart-throb, the sketch artist Colin Ware, who has just been jilted by his fianc\ufffde Vera (Minnie Driver) and is seduced by local nurse Mandy (Heather Graham). Firth reflects on Ware's preposterous behaviour, with absurdity underlining the character's emotional vulnerability. \"I find it irresistible that someone who is emotionally at rock bottom is able to be wry about themselves and maintain his sense of the absurd,\" he says in his quiet, clipped voice honed by a Hampshire childhood. Although he feels it's time to move on and do serious roles again, Firth is anxious not to be seen as a soul-searching luvvie. \"I tend to be earnest in interviews,\" says the son of lecturer parents, \"because we go down a certain route, but I think humour and flippancy are important.\" He can do more than that, though. His non-comic roles have included Falklands War survivor Robert Lawrence in Tumbledown, a pilot in The English Patient and a Nazi in the BBC's Conspiracy. Soon we'll see him play the painter Johannes Vermeer in the forthcoming film of Tracy Chevalier's novel, Girl With a Pearl Earring - \"not,\" as he puts it, \"a barrel of laughs.\" The trouble is, it is the comic blockbusters, such as Bridget Jones's Diary, that we remember him for, hence his unshakeable reputation as a poor man's Hugh Grant. Firth insists they are not in competition. \"I can't touch his territory, really,\" he says. \"I know that the part I am playing would stand on its own, but because Hugh exists everything is compared to him. \"I remember thinking when I first saw Four Weddings, that might have been my territory and I am sure Hugh has written his name on it forever now. He does it with such flair - there's nobody who touches him. I find him good fun to be around. I don't think we could ever be in serious competition.\" The two are together in Love Actually, Richard Curtis's comedy which opens later this year. \"When we met up on set we went through a recap on how our year had been. I asked him about his latest film and he said something like, 'The good news for you was that it went down badly with the test audience.' It's all handled in good spirit.\" Hugh Grant is hearty in real life and as funny as his on-screen characters. Firth, whether he likes it or not, goes a bit deeper. He's spokesperson for Oxfam and is an advocate of Fair Trade. People listen to celebrities, he says about his role; they do not listen to disadvantaged coffee traders in the Third World. He is also a self-confessed member of the \"work just pays the bills\" club. Firth has two sons, Will, 12, by his first wife, actress Meg Tilly, and Luca, two, by his second wife, Livia Giuggioli, an Italian film producer whom he met on the set of Nostromo in 1995 and married two years later. \"There's a way in which children take the pressure off the work,\" says Firth. \"Suddenly it's not that important.\" As for how he meets those family commitments, \"it's been a juggle, ever since children came into it\", he says. \"I would choose not to take the job that means eight months in Honduras if I can do a job which is here.\" Livia, he says, \"is a complete example of patience\". Firth was sent a copy of New Cardiff, the novel by Charles Webb (author of The Graduate) on which Hope Springs is based, by his friend Nick Hornby. \"The dialogue,\" he enthuses, \"is written with such \ufffdlan,\" adding that he writes fiction himself when he can. But he's not giving up the day job yet. \"It's all rather convenient to have other strings to your bow. I would love to write stories and I do have a go, but then a job comes up. It's something I enjoy, but things remain in drawers. It's a fantasy, not an ambition.\" Female fans with their own fantasies to take care of will breathe a sigh of relief. As for Colin, he may be a funny man trying to break free, but his pu"}, {"response": 1690, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (09:44)", "body": "This one is v. kind : from Yahoo: Thursday May 8, 03:04 PM Hope Springs By by Karen Hyland Colin Firth in an aesthetically delightful love triangle with Minnie Driver and Heather Graham. Artist Colin Ware (Firth) wakes one morning to discover an invitation to his girlfriend's wedding on the neighbouring pillow. Distraught, he flees to a sleepy town called Hope, in New England, USA. There he makes plans to etch portraits of the town's eccentrics to take his mind off lost love Vera (Minnie Driver). But he is soon paired off with the over-zealous town kooky beauty (Graham). Life is peachy until Colin's ex arrives ? and explains that there never was a marriage to another man. It was merely a ruse to prompt her lover into proposal (\"Marry me, or I'm leaving you,\" might ultimately have been less drastic). What ensues is a bittersweet tale of chasing lost love and discovering new joy after heartbreak. Based on the novel by Charles Webb, author of The Graduate, and written by Mark Hermann, of Brassed Off and Little Voice, Hope Springs has a strong pedigree. Firth is charming as the broken-hearted protagonist, happily betraying the stiff upper lip characters he normally portrays, while Minne Driver is delightful as the spiky, upper-crust, long-term girlfriend. The fatal flaw is the mismatched characters. It is impossible to believe that the forthright Driver would stoop to such depths to get her man to propose, not least travel across the Atlantic grovelling for his return. And sweet-natured as is, it is no more plausible that Colin could find long-term happiness with the one-tiered beauty. Also lacking is any real character exploration. We've scarcely caught her name before Heather Graham's bored care assistant has stripped off and jumped around on the bed, and the script is achingly predictable. Is there really any question of which girl Colin will choose: snooty Brit chick, or all-American golden girl? That said, Firth and Driver carry the film with (surprisingly) gifted comedy timing and endearing banter, the direction is gentle yet heavily considered, and the settings are undeniably glorious, with burnt-orange leaves and blue skies. An honourable mention for Mary Steenburgen's cameo role as Joanie, the matchmaking hotel owner. Hope Springs provides an enjoyable enough way of passing 90 minutes, if not a memorable one.\" http://uk.movies.yahoo.com/030508/128/dzjdy.html"}, {"response": 1691, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (09:52)", "body": "his unshakeable reputation as a poor man's Hugh Grant. Firth insists they are not in competition. \"I can't touch his territory, really,\" he says. \"I know that the part I am playing would stand on its own, but because Hugh exists everything is compared to him. Then stop doing rom-coms. Is v. simple. He is also a self-confessed member of the \"work just pays the bills\" club.... \"I would choose not to take the job that means eight months in Honduras if I can do a job which is here.\" Livia, he says, \"is a complete example of patience\". Yeah, I can see how she's probably made lots of sacrifices. *snort* Thanks, Mari, for posting. Someone really should pick up the actual Evening Standard because this article might have other pics in it. Is anyone scanning the new pic from the magazine Red? The issue will eventually make it here."}, {"response": 1692, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (09:59)", "body": "I wonder how many sites HS is opening in UK. The good news is that there aren't any big block busters competing. From Screen Daily on Friday's releases: \"BVI?s Hope Springs and Columbia?s horror Darkness Falls as well as a 76-location release for Momentum Pictures? I Capture The Castle, \" The bad news : X2:X Men opened last weekend to 7M UKP ($11.5M) in 449 sites:-(( But maybe the gals will bolt for HS:-))"}, {"response": 1693, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (10:18)", "body": "Blue-eyed, tousle-haired Firth plays... Hunh? Blue-eyed?"}, {"response": 1694, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (10:19)", "body": "(Ada) Hunh? Blue-eyed? Yeah, the same eyes that Daphne had. ;-)"}, {"response": 1695, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (10:27)", "body": "(Evelyn)Me thinks I should get on a plane to go see HS on a big screen I swear I didn't plan things to work out this way but I'm going to London in 2 days and have been doing my happy dance all morning!! HS will be playing 2 blocks from my hotel, and I Capture the Castle is out, too. I'm in absolute heaven :-) (Now if only the Isle of Man were closer.) Female fans with their own fantasies to take care of will breathe a sigh of relief. Is that legal in public in England? I'll let you know ;-) because Hugh exists everything is compared to him This sounds like \"It'a a Wonderful Life\", where Colin wakes up in a world where Hugh doesn't exist. Imagine the possiblities and career opportunities. Except I bet Hugh would kill to be offered things like GWAPE & Trauma. I can't see that happening anytime soon. That's probably why HG is often whining about how he hates acting. Word of the Day: \ufffdlan Sorry to go off topic for a sec, but does anyone know if the Minnie Driver play is having previews yet? Would love to see that as well."}, {"response": 1696, "author": "Andie", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (10:28)", "body": "Hello! Haven't posted for a long time. Thanks for all the wonderful features, articles and pictures. Just happened to see at amazon.com (when searching for any info on release date of WAGW DVD), that GWAPE is opening on 14 Nov (limited release), and 25 Dec (national release). I suppose that's for the US. I remember reading here that it will be released in Dec. Hope the earlier release is true...lucky ladies"}, {"response": 1697, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (10:59)", "body": "Sorry, I meant \"It's a Wonderful Life\". I can't get my hands to stop shaking! (Mari's Times review)a formulaic dead-cat bounce Could someone translate that? The Barbara Ellen review is trying too hard to be clever, but she just comes across as a bitter shrew. Why is the landlady \"improbably kind\"? I imagine Babs doesn't inspire much kindness in her own life ;-) (Alistair Harkness)critiquing a romcom for being formulaic is like complaining about the violence in a John Woo movie Now that makes more sense. It doesn't always make for good movies but we want the big kiss at the end just like we want the action hero to save the world. I'm just happy HS didn't do the whole 'going-back-to-England' ending. (BE)as much expectation of entertaining an audience as a tap dancer with his throat cut. Ouch! Way too harsh! Thanks, all, for posting the reviews, etc."}, {"response": 1698, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (11:06)", "body": "From google, Coventry News : Hope Springs (12A) By Mike Davies, What's On Starring Colin Firth, Minnie Driver, Heather Graham. Dir: Mark Herman The Story: Arriving in the quaintly eccentric hamlet of Hope Springs, New England, in a state of heartbroken shock after learning his fianc\ufffde Vera (Minnie Driver) is marrying someone else, English portrait artist Colin (Colin Firth) takes a room at the local motel where matchmaking landlady Joanie (Mary Steenburgen) sets him up with \"trained care-giver\" Mandy (Heather Graham) and before you can say booze and nudity, they're a romantic item. Then along comes snooty Vera, announcing her supposed wedding was just an attempt to nudge Colin into making the commitment and refusing to leave unless he goes with her. The Verdict: Any good? Depends how demanding you are on your romcoms. With Colin having no interest in getting back with Vera, the film's drained of all dramatic impetus and you're left with a love triangle with just two sides that runs out of ideas mid-way. Oliver Platt chews the scenery hilariously as the egotistical, money-grabbing mayor (though the bottled water sub-plot is barely a sketch) while Driver is on splendid quintessentially bitchy English comic form as ciggie addict Vera, milking the no-smoking running joke for all it's worth. However, Graham's got little to do but be cute while Firth seems to have wandered into a leftover Hugh Grant role by mistake, right down to the Notting Hill style postscript montage. Adapted from a novel by Charles Webb who wrote The Graduate and directed by the guy who made Brassed Off, this slight affair falls well short of those golden moments and desperately tries to end. Sweet enough, but that's it. Released: Friday 9 May 2003"}, {"response": 1699, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (11:13)", "body": "(Ada) Hunh? Blue-eyed? (Karen), Yeah, the same eyes that Daphne had. ;-) LOL! What were they drinking at the Portobello Hotel? Colin Firth in an aesthetically delightful love triangle with Minnie Driver and Heather Graham. Was she referring to the aesthetically pleasing orange colours? LOL! Thank you ladies for the reviews. At this point, the new pictures would be a treat. Will someone please scan them?"}, {"response": 1700, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (12:25)", "body": "Belfast Telegraph HOPE SPRINGS (12A, 92mins) Colin Firth, Heather Graham, Minnie Driver, Oliver Platt, Mary Steenburgen, Frank Collison HOPE certainly doesn't always spring eternal when you're talking about the British film industry but this offering from Brassed Off director Mark Herman ranks among the better efforts - though that may not be saying much. It's a romantic comedy starring Colin Firth as English illustrator Colin Ware whose fiancee Vera (Driver) gives him the boot. Devastated, he retreats to America to start anew and ends up in the small town of Hope in New England. There his matchmaking landlady (Steenburgen) sets him up with local nurse Mandy (Graham), who is soon providing him with some tender loving care. But just when Colin is beginning to cheer up, Vera turns up on his doorstep looking to give it another whirl. Hope Springs is a light, undemanding concoction, that provides a moderate amount of amusement. Yorkgate, UGC, Warner Village, Belfast Strand, Derry Strand"}, {"response": 1701, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (12:27)", "body": "(CF) \"I chased after that job and loved it.\" That wouldn't have had anything to do with a certain nekky stand-in on his lap for a day would it? ;) (Ada) Hunh? Blue-eyed? I didn't know CF's brother was in this film :P"}, {"response": 1702, "author": "kelbrom1", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (12:44)", "body": "hey there. Anyone know which issue of RED magazine he is in? I just checked out May and no sign. I guess I must have missed it."}, {"response": 1703, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (13:02)", "body": "I heard it was the June issue, Kelli."}, {"response": 1704, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (13:11)", "body": "(Ada) Hunh? Blue-eyed? (Karen), Yeah, the same eyes that Daphne had. ;-) (Moon) LOL! What were they drinking at the Portobello Hotel? It wasn't just the blue eyed bit that confused me.... Blue-eyed, tousle-haired Firth plays yet another hopeless heart-throb I think I've missed a film (or two)...when was he 'tousle-haired' and 'hopeless'? Mark Darcy could be called hopeless...but not tousle haired. Me thinks they are talking about Hugh. It sounds like someone took HGs name out and added ODB's name. And in that mode, I really don't understand the comparisons. They are totally different IMO. I find reviewers who do this to be lacking some sense (all in MO of course). Their looks, acting styles....not even close. Imagine HG in P&P. Or Tumbledown. Or Conspiracy. Or LE. Or...."}, {"response": 1705, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (13:42)", "body": "Their looks, acting styles....not even close. Imagine HG in P&P. Or Tumbledown. Or Conspiracy. Or LE. Or.... Remember HG in S&S. Not very memorable:-)"}, {"response": 1706, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (14:31)", "body": "Thank for all the articles and reviews all, damnable work getting in the way of my drooling (and searching for kinder reviews!) ;-)) Looks like Colin will be interviewed tomorrow morning by Kate Garraway, hopefully someone can catch him... http://www.gmtv.co.uk/index.cfm?articleid=37"}, {"response": 1707, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (14:54)", "body": "Thank you ladies for all the reviews of HS, the good and not so good as well. I'm still hopeful that we'll have a US release. Why didn't they release it here first? Sheesh. I really want to see this. (Beedee)Remember HG in S&S. Not very memorable:-) ...no, and HG can't even begin to hold a candle to CF in breeches. I thought he looked as though the period dress just swallowed him up. He looked half his size. IMO, of course:-)"}, {"response": 1708, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (15:16)", "body": "(Tress) I think I've missed a film (or two)...when was he 'tousle-haired' and 'hopeless'? I think Paul in FP is the epitome of 'tousle-haired' and 'hopeless'. I suppose the same could apply in DQ and MOTM, too. (Belfast Telegraph) There his matchmaking landlady (Steenburgen) sets him up with local nurse Mandy (Graham), who is soon providing him with some tender loving care. (Coventry News) where matchmaking landlady Joanie (Mary Steenburgen) sets him up with \"trained care-giver\" Mandy (Heather Graham) and before you can say booze and nudity, they're a romantic item. (The Times) his improbably kind landlady (Mary Steenburgen, asks her friend, Mandy (Heather Graham), a carer for the elderly, to come around and try to heal him. Mandy does this by downing a bottle of whisky in one, babbling incoherently, stripping off her clothes, pulling Colin into bed The more reviews I read, the more it sounds like Joanie is the town pimp farming out Mandy to wayward (and depressed) travelers."}, {"response": 1709, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (15:21)", "body": "(Dorine) The more reviews I read, the more it sounds like Joanie is the town pimp farming out Mandy to wayward (and depressed) travelers. LOL Dorine! But if the wayward and depressed travelers look and sound like him, I would gladly let the pimp farm me out in his direction! ;-)"}, {"response": 1710, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (15:26)", "body": "(Dorine) I think Paul in FP is the epitome of 'tousle-haired' and 'hopeless'. I suppose the same could apply in DQ and MOTM, too. You are right! Paul could be seen as hopeless. I just always thought Sarah was the 'hopeless' one in FP. Paul knew what he was and seemed quite comfortable in his 'hopelessness'. Definitely tousle haired though! (Dorine) The more reviews I read, the more it sounds like Joanie is the town pimp farming out Mandy to wayward (and depressed) travelers. Hey! How'se a girl supposed to get a date? ;-D"}, {"response": 1711, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (16:52)", "body": "June issue of Red (Tress) It sounds like someone took HGs name out and added ODB's name. And in that mode, I really don't understand the comparisons...Imagine HG in P&P. Or Tumbledown. Or Conspiracy. Or LE. Or... It's a one-way comparison because Colin's most recent work appears to be following in Hugh's footsteps. You do rom-com, after comedy, after rom-com and are British and you *must* be a HG wannabee. It's an easy conclusion and fairly valid IMO. Colin hasn't done enough on the other side (drama, theater, etc.) to show he's an all-around talented actor, not like Hugh who can only do comedies. (Maria) Looks like Colin will be interviewed tomorrow morning by Kate Garraway Nope, I was fooled initially but that section is entitled \"this week.\" Those are the highlights for the week, and Colin appeared on Tuesday."}, {"response": 1712, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (16:53)", "body": "My local paper has made my day! The Glasgow Evening Times has a 3 Page Spread on CF and HS in its Times Out Entertainment Guide. It includes a full page(tabloid size)head and shoulders pic of him, which looks to have been taken on the set, but I don't think is a still from the movie. - He looks simply wonderful! Pretty long article, with some comments by him I haven't read before. Followed by a small article on HG on the last page, accompanied by a 'Yoga Pic'."}, {"response": 1713, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (17:01)", "body": "(Janet) The Glasgow Evening Times has a 3 Page Spread on CF and HS in its Times Out Entertainment Guide. And it's available online. Fun for when I get home. If the link doesn't work, google on Glasgow Evening Times. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/lo/extra/7007147.html"}, {"response": 1714, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (17:36)", "body": "Colin Firth in an aesthetically delightful love triangle with Minnie Driver and Heather Graham. (Moon) Was she referring to the aesthetically pleasing orange colours? LOL! Well, I thought the film poster was pretty aesthetically pleasing. ;-) (Beedee) Remember HG in S&S. Not very memorable:-) Good point. Actually, though, that's an example of a role CF couldn't have played. Marianne never would have even noticed Willoughby - she just would have knocked Elinor to the ground in the mad scramble to nab Edward."}, {"response": 1715, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (17:52)", "body": "Thanks, Janet. What a thrill to open up your newspaper and see a huge Colin staring back at you. (ain't going to happen here unless Katie Couric leans on someone else) \"I actually don't see it like that, although I have made attempts at transformation - quite wild attempts sometimes,\" he adds with a smile, \"with greater or lesser success. I do find it quite a fun exercise, but it's not the principally interesting thing for me.\" No, it's been the paycheck. :-( \"Actually,\" he says of his trans-Atlantic crossings, \"I was nicknamed 'The Yank' for years when I first came back from America and then into my teens.\" The nickname came from the American accent and mannerisms he had acquired - \"I was very feeble minded that way\". Feeble minded????? And what happened to the accent? With Hope Springs still to be released *snort* ...springng eternal..Don't think this one is going to make a dent in his anonymity armor. ;-)"}, {"response": 1716, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (18:12)", "body": "Telegraph review: Hope springs infernal when it comes to films starring Minnie Driver. All too often she comes across like a spoiled child bawling her eyes out because she's just dropped a lollipop on the floor, a flouncy prima donna kicking up a fuss upon learning that she can't have the restaurant table she wants. How odd, then, that her latest role is in a romantic comedy, a piece of miscasting on a par with asking Daniella Westbrook to play Celia Johnson's part in a remake of Brief Encounter. Hope Springs, directed by Marc Herman, is based on a novel by Charles Webb, writer of The Graduate, and stars Colin Firth as Colin Ware, an artist who flees England to go to Hope, Vermont, after he learns that his fiancee, Vera (Driver), is going to marry someone else. O lucky man, one might think, but he takes it all very badly and finds solace in drawing pictures of the local townsfolk. Their eccentricity extends to their high regard for his sketches, which, like all sketches in the movies, are comically poor. Ware, though emotionally constipated, finds that he is doted upon by Mandy, a \"trained care-giver\" played by Heather Graham. She likes her whisky, drives pell-mell through the local streets, and drops her clothes off within a day of meeting him. Not surprisingly, he begins to feel better. Then Vera rolls into town, turning her nose up at everybody and everything. Ware is meant to be torn between the two women, but Driver pouts and preens so melodramatically, it's hard to see why he was so upset at losing her in the first place. It's not much of a plot, and in many ways this is not much of a film. The characterisation is as skimpy as Vera's dresses, and the clunky soundtrack features a shockingly bad cover version of 10cc's I'm Not in Love. Some of the early scenes, especially those showing Ware freshly arrived in New England, may remind us of Brassed Off, Herman's superb film about ex-miners in the throes of social and mental breakdown. Such darkness is fleeting. And yet, despite everything, the film flickers by painlessly enough. Perhaps it's Ashley Rowe's russet photography; perhaps it's Colin Firth's pleasing drollery; maybe it's just the lovely summershine we've been enjoying these last few weeks - but Hope Springs is by no means as unwatchable as you might expect."}, {"response": 1717, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (18:18)", "body": "Not surprisingly, he begins to feel better. LOL This may be one of the best lines yet."}, {"response": 1718, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (18:43)", "body": "Thank you, Janet. A very nice interview by Mr. Dougan. (CF)\"I was very feeble minded that way\". What on earth does he mean by that? After seeking solace in the arms of local ditz Heather Graham ... Or naked body double. Telegraph review, Thanks Mari but Hope Springs is by no means as unwatchable as you might expect. Lukewarm at least...better than some of the ice cold ones we read yesterday."}, {"response": 1719, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (19:12)", "body": "(lindak)Thank you, Janet. A very nice interview by Mr. Dougan. I liked it, too. - But where the hell did he get Gus Darcy from?"}, {"response": 1720, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (19:36)", "body": "(Linda)What on earth does he mean by that? Relax, he's saying he was malleable. You need to read it in context as he talks about how his accent changed everywhere he moved. Blame it on poor paragraph breaks. Good article, Janet, one of the most informative ones from recent days. Barb, thanks for the link. He's savvy about the business, I'll give him that. He's absolutely right when he says of P&P: \"It did well in the States,\" he agrees. \"It broke records for that particular television company, but that doesn't get it on the map the way it did here. I don't think it became the talking point, there are so many options on television in America GD=Gloomy Gus Darcy Very tough to become a big fish in such a big pond. And he knows exactly how many weeks WAGW has been in the top 10.:-)"}, {"response": 1721, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (19:39)", "body": "but it's not the principally interesting thing for me.\" (Karen)No, it's been the paycheck. :-( Hey, he's got 3 kids, and 3 houses in 3 countries, on 2 continents. You want \"art\"? :-("}, {"response": 1722, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (19:40)", "body": "closing tag"}, {"response": 1723, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (19:41)", "body": "should be closed now!"}, {"response": 1724, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (19:41)", "body": "(CF) \"I was very feeble minded that way\". (Linda) What on earth does he mean by that? LOL...I don't know, but I think I have something in common with ODB...I just can't quite figure out what it is! ;-) Thanks for all the reviews and links Mari, Evelyn, Janet, Barb and Maria! Hope I didn't miss anyone...my apologies if I did...just a bit feeble minded."}, {"response": 1725, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (19:43)", "body": "(CF)\"I was very feeble minded that way\". (Lindak)What on earth does he mean by that? When I was a kid growing up in California, I would visit my relatives in Boston for the summer( I thought it was an extension of Italy) It gave me great pleasure to be the outsider with an \"accent\" while I was there, and then when I would go home, I would affect the Boston accent(yes, yes, I know, years of therapy are in order..) so maybe he pretended to be more \"Yank\" then he possibly could be when he got back to England?? Maybe that is what he meant??Maybe I should go back in the corner and pretend my left hand is a purple muppet and is my very good friend??"}, {"response": 1726, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (19:48)", "body": "Or maybe you should read my explanation.;-) These just get worse. The Independent's review: Mark Herman, a specialist in underdog comedy (Brassed Off, Little Voice, Purely Belter), now tries his hand at romantic comedy in Hope Springs, which from its title onwards inclines you to fear the worst. Colin Firth plays an uptight portrait artist who arrives in the New England town of Hope with a bad dose of jetlag and a bruised heart: his fianc\ufffde Vera has just decided to get married to someone else. I wonder if it has ever been any other jilted lover's experience to book into a roadside hotel where the manageress (Mary Steenburgen) immediately decides to matchmake you with a sexy blonde \"careworker\" (Heather Graham) who within 15 minutes of arriving has shed her clothes and done a little dance for Colin? The film has been adapted from a novel by Charles Webb (who wrote The Graduate), and I can only assume that this seduction scene worked better on the page than it does on screen. With a sinking heart one realises that Herman has simply transplanted the shortcomings of Britcom \ufffd feeble writing, a reliance on farce, an air of desperate contrivance \ufffd into an American setting. Did he imagine that his script would undergo some wondrous alchemy in the process? I'm afraid the introduction of Minnie Driver as Colin's fianc\ufffde doesn't improve things. She arrives in a cloud of cigarette smoke to try and drag him back to Blighty (her marriage announcement was only a stratagem to \"jolt him into action\") but her breezy metropolitan hauteur and that curious peanut-shaped face just don't cut it with Colin any more. I found myself feeling sorry for Driver, who by degrees has become one of the least popular actresses in the world. Taking on jobs like this won't help. As for Firth, his film career has never come close to matching his small-screen success, and that includes the pale reprise of his immortal Darcy for Bridget Jones's Diary. His natural mode is a certain lugubrious distraction, and his stiff-lipped wariness simply has no place in light comedy. Give the man his breeches and frock coat back \ufffd he's not just in the wrong country, he's in the wrong century"}, {"response": 1727, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (20:01)", "body": "Sorry, Maria, didn't mean to be flippant. Clearly, I've read too many of these reviews. Was just thinking that the last time a CF big screen film got good reviews across the board was BJD--two years ago.:-( Wait 'til these critics see WAGW; can be thankful they never got to see L'Dumb."}, {"response": 1728, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (20:05)", "body": "Omigod. Hope Springs Peter Bradshaw Friday May 9, 2003 The Guardian A strange emotion creeps over the critic's heart on witnessing the worst film of the year. Watching this unspeakable romcom made me want to tumble off the red plush seats, curl up into a foetal ball and mew like a maltreated kitten. Colin Firth, in dishy/unsmiling mode, plays a British artist trying to forget an unhappy love affair with Vera (Minnie Driver), so he ups and travels to a small American town, a place he's picked out because of its name: Hope. The keynote of unbelievability and twee silliness is established right there. He begins an affair with Heather Graham who, with her gorgeous blonde loveliness is a care worker at an old folks' home. Yeah, right. Director Mark Herman is unsure whether Heather should be a dangerous wild child - so he has her chug half a bottle of brandy at the wheel of her beat-up car without ever doing anything similar ever again - or an adorably innocent child of nature, like Phoebe from Friends. She is supposed to have a touchy-feely therapeutic skill and at one stage takes all her clothes off for the pure, non-sexual joy of living, which segues into some romantic action. It is one of the most embarrassing, unconvincing scenes ever committed to celluloid. This film is very similar to the toe-curling Nine Months with Hugh Grant and Julianne Moore, in that you can see a flash of panic behind the actors' eyes at how misjudged and plain wrong it all is. Herman, who gave us decent films like Brassed Off, Purely Belter and Little Voice, has made one that sinks like a stone."}, {"response": 1729, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (20:06)", "body": "(Mari) Or maybe you should read my explanation.;-) LOL...but your quick like a ninja today (all those posts and articles)...and I am slow and feeble...didn't see that post until after I had submitted my comments. ;-) Give the man his breeches and frock coat back \ufffd he's not just in the wrong country, he's in the wrong century. Ouch! The Independent is a big deal, isn't it? Not good. Still, I will see ODB in his stiff-lipped wariness and love him all the same (as long as Mr. Binder isn't involved or something equally horrid, I'm good to go)."}, {"response": 1730, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (20:29)", "body": "I'm starting to wish BVI had left HS on some dusty shelf. In any case I shall have Episode 6 ready to pop in when I return from seeing it. If it ever crosses the pond. The Independent always goes for the jugular. Depressing...but you must admit, not as bad as SLOW. \"As for Firth, his film career has never come close to matching his small-screen success,..\" Have to agree with this one. (mari) Wait 'til these critics see WAGW; I hope he's out of the country."}, {"response": 1731, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (21:23)", "body": "Give the man his breeches and frock coat back \ufffd This would set me up quite nicely. I may be alone, but I agree. he's not just in the wrong country, he's in the wrong century LOL! Me too! Thanks you for the reviews, ladies. Now I'm off to read the interview."}, {"response": 1732, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (22:37)", "body": "Oh my! What I've missed! A gold mine or stinking mackerel in the moonlight? :-( The Telegraph's only nice words included Colin: Perhaps it's Ashley Rowe's russet photography; perhaps it's Colin Firth's pleasing drollery; maybe it's just the lovely summershine we've been enjoying these last few weeks - but Hope Springs is by no means as unwatchable as you might expect. They hated MD, HG, the plot, and the director, but liked Colin. (must hang on to crumbs) (Independent) With a sinking heart one realises that Herman has simply transplanted the shortcomings of Britcom - feeble writing, a reliance on farce, an air of desperate contrivance - into an American setting. Did he imagine that his script would undergo some wondrous alchemy in the process? Very pointed and shows Herman didn't understand why The Graduate worked. (Mari) He's absolutely right when he says of P&P And about 24. ;-) [the fourth to the last episode is unbelievable!] I'm sure I'll sleep like a baby tonight. :-("}, {"response": 1733, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, May  8, 2003 (23:55)", "body": "(Karen) shows Herman didn't understand why The Graduate worked. Perhaps because The Graduate was a better story, too? ;-) Thanks, Mari and Janet and Barb for all the articles. Despite the negative, and at times nasty reviews, I've actually found a great deal amusing in them, too. For example: I found myself feeling sorry for Driver, who by degrees has become one of the least popular actresses in the world. Hope springs infernal when it comes to films starring Minnie Driver. the leading man, spends the entire movie looking paralysed, as if he\ufffds just been fatally bitten by the Bad Script spider (Evelyn) The bad news : X2:X Men opened last weekend to 7M UKP ($11.5M) in 449 sites:-(( But maybe the gals will bolt for HS:-)) That would be a hard one to call for me actually. (Tress) Paul could be seen as hopeless. I just always thought Sarah was the 'hopeless' one in FP Oh gawd! They both were. And desperate. That's why I am not overly enamored of them (especially her) or the movie. (Dorine) The more reviews I read, the more it sounds like Joanie is the town pimp farming out Mandy to wayward (and depressed) travelers. (Tress) Hey! How'se a girl supposed to get a date? ;-D Maybe RZ should look into this then. ;-D"}, {"response": 1734, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (05:10)", "body": "Thank you for all the interviews and articles. I know, I haven't been able to contribute anything, so I found this little review. I don't remember seeing it postet. If so, I apologize: http://news.scotsman.com/archive.cfm?id=523802003 I think much of it sounds familiar, so it has probably been postet before."}, {"response": 1735, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (06:55)", "body": "The Mirror's review: HOPE SPRINGS May 9 2003 Cert: 12A, 92 mins I'VE hated Colin Firth for many years. My last three girlfriends - and now my wife - have all been totally in love with him. And, frankly, I'm so sick of it that I've decided I want to be him. But not the Colin Firth who appears in Hope Springs, a romantic comedy that is neither romantic nor funny. Those clever people at Touchstone Pictures were quite right to spot Mr Firth's potential as a heartthrob male lead. Trust me, I know from painful personal experience that women fancy this guy far more than they do Hugh Grant. Apart from Colin's unreasonable good looks, it's the voice that kills 'em. Deep, resonant and impeccable... but also devoid of all pomposity. As his legendary turn as Darcy in TV's classic Pride And Prejudice series amply demonstrated, Firth has the added advantage of being a superb actor. Mark my words, given the right film this British superstar-in-the-making is going to take Hollywood by storm. Unfortunately, Hope Springs - as dire as it is derivative - is not going to do it for him. No cliche is knowingly avoided in this abysmal attempt to cash in on a genre that, when undertaken with panache, brings in box-office money like you wouldn't believe. Here's the \"story\", such as it is. English artist Colin Ware (Firth) is so distraught that his fiancee has decided to marry another man that he hops on a plane and makes his way to the town of Hope in the American state of Vermont. He likes the name, you see. Despite his amorous misfortunes, perhaps there is still hope. And where better to find that than, er, Hope! Who wouldn't do the same thing? If anyone involved in this nonsensical dustbin of a movie is reading this review, why didn't it occur to you that the central proposition here is absurd. Within hours of arriving in Hope - which naturally turns out to be so charming that Norman Rockwell would have struggled to do it justice - the visiting Brit has persuaded the entire population to pose for his rather mundane-looking charcoal sketches. And, what a stroke of luck, the best looking girl in town, Mandy (Heather Graham) turns up in Colin's hotel room ready to heal his emotional wounds. Then she strips naked. Because, in the most innocent of ways, she loves the naturalness of shedding her clothes. Undaunted by Mandy's somewhat naive manner, Colin screws her. About 10 minutes later, this newly acquainted couple agree that they are wonderfully in love. But then disaster strikes in the shapely form of Colin's two-timing ex Vera (Minnie Driver) who, having tracked him down, arrives in Hope to destroy everyone's happiness. The whole \"other man\" thing was a story she'd invented to make Col jealous. Now she wants him back, so let the tug of love begin. God, give me strength. Anyway, the trouble with Vera is that she is a sophisticated Londoner who works for one of those snobbish society magazines. She also smokes like a chimney and clearly looks down on the hard-working, decent, simple Americans among whom she finds herself. Therefore we hate her. And we just love lovely Mandy - an honest little Vermont girl who has a really wonderful relationship with all the eccentric but likeable geriatrics she looks after at the local old people's home. By the time this cinematic dirge limps to its entirely predictable conclusion, poor Ms Graham is drowning in the oceans of cuteness that the producers mistakenly decided she needed. There are a couple of OK jokes. Most of the allegedly comic moments revolve around the cultural chasm between us and our allies across the Atlantic. As scheming, self-obsessed Mayor Reed, Oliver Platt provides an oasis of humour in an otherwise laugh-free wasteland. Firth does his level best with a script that should have been put to death before the ink dried. And waddling around on five-inch stilettos while trying to prove that posh Brits are horrible, Ms Driver delivers a performance which fails to mask her understandable embarrassment. Hope may well spring eternal. But this hopeless exercise came close to robbing me of the will to live."}, {"response": 1736, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (07:27)", "body": "( Karen) shows Herman didn't understand why The Graduate worked. (Dorine), Perhaps because The Graduate was a better story, too? ;-) A much better story. HS has no tension, it's filled with clich\ufffds and a very predictable ending. :-( If anyone involved in this nonsensical dustbin of a movie is reading this review, why didn't it occur to you that the central proposition here is absurd. Firth does his level best with a script that should have been put to death before the ink dried. Ding dong! Poor Colin this is his baby. And I'm not holding my breath for Trauma, either. Give the man his breeches and frock coat back! ;-) Undaunted by Mandy's somewhat naive manner, Colin screws her. About 10 minutes later, this newly acquainted couple agree that they are wonderfully in love. ROTFLOL! Thanks, Mari! Now, I'm beginning to wonder at Colin's comment about Scarlet J.'s future as a director. Did she save the day for GWAPE with her suggestions?"}, {"response": 1737, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (08:14)", "body": "OK. So it seems like very few of the UK film critics like HS. Big deal! I thought it was an enjoyable, quirky little romantic comedy, with good performances all round (well, with one exception) and CF looks AFG. Wait and judge for yourselves. I think it will do OK at the box office. I'm off for my third viewing tonight!"}, {"response": 1738, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (08:16)", "body": "(The Mirror)Apart from Colin's unreasonable good looks, it's the voice that kills 'em. Deep, resonant and impeccable... but also devoid of all pomposity. As his legendary turn as Darcy in TV's classic Pride And Prejudice series amply demonstrated, Firth has the added advantage of being a superb actor. I couldn't aggree more. Allthough the review isn't good (to say the least) I like the \"tone\" of the article. He surely has been forced to see BJD with some of his \"women\":-) Thank you, Mari!"}, {"response": 1739, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (08:17)", "body": "(Janet)I'm off for my third viewing tonight! You go girl!"}, {"response": 1740, "author": "soph", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (08:22)", "body": "(from the mirror, via mari)\"Undaunted by Mandy's somewhat naive manner, Colin screws her.\" yar yar yar laughed so loud at that one i almost fell off my chair and woke up the neigbors... this is by far my favorite line so far. BTW have you noticed that one tends to get beyond the 'ouch' stage after a couple of bad ones and start to actually enjoy them ? thanks to all of you for posting the reviews, it was... interesting, not to mention hugely entertaining (how many different ways can you say 'turkey' ?) yar yar yar"}, {"response": 1741, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (08:27)", "body": "I'm waiting to see the millions of CF fans in the UK flocking to see this film. Unlike their support of FP,SLOW ,RV, MLSF,... Did I miss any?"}, {"response": 1742, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (09:14)", "body": "(Karen) shows Herman didn't understand why The Graduate worked. (Dorine) Perhaps because The Graduate was a better story, too? ;-) I rewatched The Graduate a couple of weeks ago, given that I hadn't seen it in jillions of years. I wanted to be able to spot any of the homage bits Herman mentioned. Anyway, I think you need to reserve judgment because the plot of The Graduate is similarly slight, fairly similar and disbelievable from a plot standpoint: Benjamin takes Elaine out once, is barred from dating her, she is whisked away, he follows, she's going to marry someone else and he loves her so much that he follows her and steals her away from the church. I think what you have here is a case of more talented screenwriters and a director who took a slight bit of fiction and turned it into a social commentary. The Graduate isn't known as a love story, and I'd bet the novella is pretty lightweight like NC. Maybe I'll go looking for it. (Sophie) BTW have you noticed that one tends to get beyond the 'ouch' stage after a couple of bad ones and start to actually enjoy them? Knew you had the right stuff. ;-) ...but there's a nagging pain underlying the amusement when you realize he dumped Hamlet to do this movie. There are gems in this Mirror review, which any halfwit studio could use to sell this film: \"women fancy this guy far more than they do Hugh Grant...superb actor...British superstar-in-the-making...going to take Hollywood by storm\" (The Mirror)"}, {"response": 1743, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (09:52)", "body": "(Evelyn) I'm waiting to see the millions of CF fans in the UK flocking to see this film. Unlike their support of FP,SLOW ,RV, MLSF,... Did I miss any? Ouch! ;-) (Karen) The Graduate isn't known as a love story, and I'd bet the novella is pretty lightweight like NC. Maybe I'll go looking for it. You and me both. My curiosity is piqued. I \"liked\" this Mirror review as well. Trust me, I know from painful personal experience that women fancy this guy far more than they do Hugh Grant Unfortunately, that sentiment isn't bringing in Hugh's box office. :-( Better projects would help. Anyone wanting a Colin sighting might find him at his local pub this weekend slinging back a line of pints if people listen to the critics. :-( I'd be first in line to console him, as I am indeed, a trained caregiver. ;-)"}, {"response": 1744, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (09:55)", "body": "The Sun's review: WHEN British artist Colin Ware (Colin Firth) gets an invitation to the wedding of his lover Vera (Minnie Driver), he is consumed by grief and jets off to a remote town in Vermont called Hope. Arriving suffering from lack of sleep, he checks into the Battefield Inn whose owner Joanie (the excellent Mary Steenburgen) looks after him and puts him in touch with local \ufffdcare-giver\ufffd Mandy (Heather Graham). The two soon fall in love, Colin builds up a portfolio of local people for an exhibition back in London and, frankly, his whole future is looking very rosy. Rosy, that is, until the arrival of the glacial Vera, who tells him the wedding invitation was a stunt to get him back because she wants him to propose. Cue loads of to-ing and fro-ing, misunderstandings, proclamations of love, then separation and the inevitable marriage proposal. There are a couple of funny moments and it\ufffds not irritating, but for romantic comedies like this to grab you, the makers have got to get the audience rooting for the hero to overcome all obstacles and sweep his true love off her feet. The more we care, the better the rom-com ... but this never really gets you rooting for Colin."}, {"response": 1745, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (10:01)", "body": "(Sun) The more we care, the better the rom-com ... but this never really gets you rooting for Colin. We're here, always rooting for him!! And this one says it is'nt unwatchable but is irritating...ah well... Two out of Five stars Running time: 92 mins Not exactly unwatchable but an irritating romantic comedy, largely due to the character played by Heather Graham. Hope Springs looks nice, but its plot is confused and it\ufffds often infuriating where it ought to be funny. It also makes the mistake of casting Heather Graham. Colin Firth plays Colin (presumably so Heather Graham didn't have to learn two names), a depressed British artist who decamps to the town of Hope (Smalltown USA) in the hopes of forgetting about his ex-fiance\ufffd Vera (Minnie Driver), who has subtly dumped him by sending him an invite to her wedding. To someone else. Colin Flees To America He holes up in Mary Steenburgen's motel-lodge thing and she feels his pain and sends over her 'care worker' friend Mandy (Heather Graham), who offers to show him around. But, when she drives him to a local beauty spot, she suddenly necks half a bottle of Schnapps, gets instantly drunk and starts flirting, throwing things and generally behaving like some sort of dangerous freak. And does she act this way again throughout the entire movie? No, she doesn't. Although, she also takes all her clothes off and dances around his motel room \"because she's a free spirit\". Anyway, Colin decides he's going to do charcoal portraits of the weird-looking townsfolk and one shiny, happy montage later, he falls in love with Mandy and they\ufffdre going at it like rabbits. At which point, Vera turns up and tells him that the invitation was just \"a joke\", meant to spur him into setting a date for their wedding. D'oh! Triumph Through Pain\ufffdSort Of Sadly, the movie doesn't want Colin to end up with Minnie and that's its main problem. It would have been much better if he'd had to find some way of dumping Psycho Heather and winning back Minnie, but no. So it turns into one of those awful movies where someone has to get hurt in order for the two leads to get together. In order to do that, they try and make Minnie\ufffds character as horrible as possible but it fails dismally. Firth can do uptight Brits in his sleep and he does his best here. Unfortunately, you just can\ufffdt see him falling for Heather Graham, who is, frankly, awful. Driver, however, is excellent and is probably the best thing about the film. About the only other thing it's got going for it is Frank Collison, as Fisher, Steenburgen\ufffds unusual-looking husband. And Oliver Platt, who steals all his scenes, though he isn't in it enough \ufffd there also seems to be a scene missing, since we\ufffdre later asked to believe that he falls for Vera. In short, Hope Springs starts well and looks good, but quickly becomes very annoying. It\ufffds not unwatchable, but if you\ufffdre after a half-decent romcom, you\ufffdre better off with How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days. http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/review_1581.html"}, {"response": 1746, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (10:06)", "body": "The Guardian translates each review into a comparable ratings system: The Telegraph: 4/10 Independent: 2/10 Guardian: 2/10 The Times: 2/10 The Express: 4/10 The Mirror: 3/10 The Sun: 5/10 (the above was given a 2-1/2 paw rating by the writer) Nothing in yet from The Daily Mail."}, {"response": 1747, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (10:13)", "body": "Thanks, Maria. There's a link at the bottom to that site's \"interview\" with Colin. All the same questions we've read before (definitely a group session and not one-on-one) with a few added comments to flesh out the answers: http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/home_feat_int_colinfirth.asp"}, {"response": 1748, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (10:22)", "body": "Couple of new images too:"}, {"response": 1749, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (10:42)", "body": "Awwwww, Mandy want a flower? (Karen), I think what you have here is a case of more talented screenwriters and a director who took a slight bit of fiction and turned it into a social commentary. The Graduate isn't known as a love story, and I'd bet the novella is pretty lightweight like NC. There are several scenes in the Graduate which are not slight or light, as seems to be the case with HS. The View London reviewer had a point when he states: It would have been much better if he'd had to find some way of dumping Psycho Heather and winning back Minnie, but no. (Karen), There are gems in this Mirror review, which any halfwit studio could use to sell this film: \"women fancy this guy far more than they do Hugh Grant...superb actor...British superstar-in-the-making...going to take Hollywood by storm\" (The Mirror) Does this mean you will slepp better tonight? ;-) Thanks, Karen and Maria!"}, {"response": 1750, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (10:50)", "body": "On my search for positive reviews, I found these. Only thing wrong, I couldn't find any positive ones, so you'll have to settle with these \"bad\": http://www.movie-gazette.com/cinereviews/review.asp?id=36 http://online.entertainmentireland.ie/online/cinema/review.asp?numero=2681&dontgo=0 http://www.teletext.com/entertainment/generic.asp?slot=61&updated=2003-05-09%2012:45:37 http://www.campus.ie/user?cmd=item-detail&itemid=9266"}, {"response": 1751, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (11:04)", "body": "I came across this, and I just had to post it (I hope, you read this, Karen ;-)) HOPE SPRINGS WRITER: Mark Herman DIRECTOR: Mark Herman CAST: Colin Firth, Minnie Driver If a film pairing John Corbett and Nia Vardalos can be the highest grossing romantic comedy of all time, I guess there's hope for the pairing of Colin Firth and Minnie Driver. Director Herman also made Blame it on the Bellboy and Little Voice, so it's about time for him to make a good film. http://www.filmscoremonthly.com/articles/2003/06_Feb---This_Years_Movies_Part_Two.asp"}, {"response": 1752, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (11:12)", "body": "Thank you so much everyone for all the hard work. Reviews, good and not so good. General concensus IMO seems to be the ladies don't step up to the mark, but as usual Colin shines through doing the best with what he has to work with. Still hoping we get to see it here. Fingers crossed. Thanks again everyone."}, {"response": 1753, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (11:20)", "body": "Thanks, Annette, for the links. Movie Gazette's isn't that bad (6/10): \"Hope Springs is a charming film which mixes English and American humour neatly together in a town where everybody knows everyone else's business. The ending is very satisfactory, but extremely predictable, and leaves no character that unhappy at the film's close.\" \"Pure escapism and joy for it's audience, and makes the world seem a better place!\" Teletext gave it 3 stars and had many nice things to say about Colin. I suppose if some people would like to cling to some hopeful thoughts, remember there's a long list of films that have bombed or went nowhere in the UK and were subsequently huge hits in the US. Definitely a hope springs eternal kind of thing... ;-)"}, {"response": 1754, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (11:30)", "body": "(viewlondon review) Colin Firth plays Colin (presumably so Heather Graham didn't have to learn two names) LOL This quote may put me over and I may become inspired to begin the Dorothy Parker Memorial Collection of the Best of Colin's Worst. I wonder, is there possibly more of a tendency to a critical review because it is so much more fun to write?"}, {"response": 1755, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (11:44)", "body": "So much to comment on and so little time! thanks everyone for posting the \"Direfest\" on HS. (Janet) ...an enjoyable quirky little romantic comedy with good performances all round (well with one exception). CF looks AFG \" Yup Janet, think you're onto the truth now :-)) I'd also throw in my vote for the gorgeousness of the scenery. Give me AFG against a backdrop of (wet) sugar maples anytime! Mmmmmm. Enjoy that third viewing."}, {"response": 1756, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (12:02)", "body": "(Karen)I suppose if some people would like to cling to some hopeful thoughts As the eternal optimist, I'll cling :-) A little article, rather inaccurate data, but nevertheless: http://www.guardian.co.uk/parents/story/0,3605,950590,00.html (Barb S)I wonder, is there possibly more of a tendency to a critical review because it is so much more fun to write? I think, you may have hit upon something there ;-)"}, {"response": 1757, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (12:12)", "body": "You know the activity on this board has been overwhelming when articles have been reposted. :-( I like the more complete version of the Q&A session at the Dorchester from the View London site you found, Maria. I'm going to dump Empire's abbreviated version for this one, which includes: Can I ask you about the undressing scenes? I thought the bouncing on the bed dance sequence was very discreetly filmed and I wondered whether that was in order to get a specific rating or whether it was at the actress's request? Mark: The latter. In (Heather Graham)'s last two or three films she didn't seem to have any problems with that part of the contract but suddenly on ours she did. It actually caused a nightmare to shoot and she turned up on set with nipple plasters and so on. But at the end of the day, if she had taken everything off, we still would have had to cut it out - it just meant that the filming of the scene took much longer. Colin: You know, you do find though that actresses spend half their lives with people lobbying to take their clothes off and then they finally do it and they get crap for it for years. I mean people still hit Glenda Jackson with it now, still. I do think that if you do it once, no-one lets you forget it. Mark: One of the ironies of the whole thing was that because of the way we had to shoot it, it meant that we had to do a re-shoot over here with a stand-in actress who basically had to sit in Colin's lap with her clothes off the entire afternoon. Colin: I'm over it now. Well, the reason we had to re-shoot that scene was because the studio thought it was too naughty. This is a scene where we'd managed to get absolutely no nudity and no sexual activity whatsoever and the studio came through and said 'No, this is too dirty - you're going to have to make a less dirty moment there'."}, {"response": 1758, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (12:16)", "body": "I'm sorry to have made a mess again :-( I thought I had checked for previous postings, but apparently I hadn't been thorough enough. In order to make a little use of this posting, having taken up one, I'll just repeat my thanks to all of you, who managed to find \"the good stuff\"."}, {"response": 1759, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (12:35)", "body": "No need to apologize, please! You find so much other great material."}, {"response": 1760, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (12:36)", "body": "(Barb), I may become inspired to begin the Dorothy Parker Memorial Collection of the Best of Colin's Worst. I'm cheering you on as you do have lots of material to work with. ;-D (Karen), I suppose if some people would like to cling to some hopeful thoughts, remember there's a long list of films that have bombed or went nowhere in the UK and were subsequently huge hits in the US. So maybe it will come to the States? :-) (Colin),This is a scene where we'd managed to get absolutely no nudity and no sexual activity whatsoever and the studio came through and said 'No, this is too dirty - you're going to have to make a less dirty moment there'. It sounds as if he was with this project all the way. I wonder if he went to the studio to lobby for it first? What is View London exactly? A weekly? Is it well read? Thank you again ladies for your articles."}, {"response": 1761, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (12:38)", "body": "(Janet)Wait and judge for yourselves. I think it will do OK at the box office. I'm off for my third viewing tonight! I'm counting on you, Janet, to hold up the box office numbers until I can do my part(please Gawd) here in the states:-) Glad you are enjoying it. Thanks to everyone for the articles, reviews and interviews. As far as the really bad reviews... I do think people like to jump in the fray and continue to pile it on. However, I really wish someone other than HG had played Mandy...may have make a bit of difference. But the critics who liked it seemed to have put it in rom-com perspective. Yeah, it could have been better, but a sweet film, whimsical. Makes me laugh, and cringe as well to hear that LMG movie is the best family film of the year??? Excuse, me? By the same critics who didn't like WAGW...Go figure?"}, {"response": 1762, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (12:56)", "body": "(Moondreams)Awwwww, Mandy want a flower? **Spoiler ahead for those of you who haven't read the book. It's a ring."}, {"response": 1763, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (13:20)", "body": "Apart from Colin's unreasonable good looks, it's the voice that kills 'em. It causes vibrations . ;-) Mark my words, given the right film this British superstar-in-the-making is going to take Hollywood by storm. Superstar-in-the-making...we have heard this for a very long time. I don't know if ODB wants to 'take Hollywood by storm', but it would be really nice to see him in a film that the critics didn't just blast from the moment it left the gate. Undaunted by Mandy's somewhat naive manner, Colin screws her. LOL...I love it when they get right to the point. Colin Firth plays Colin (presumably so Heather Graham didn't have to learn two names) ROTFLMAO! This is great stuff. I tend to agree. I think critics like writing bad reviews more than good ones. And rom-coms tend to give them so much fodder! Okay, so if not Heather, who would have been the natural choice for the role of Mandy? Does anyone have someone they would have liked to have seen in the role? ...and one shiny, happy montage later, he falls in love with Mandy and they\ufffdre going at it like rabbits. Happy thought indeed! (Barb) This quote may put me over and I may become inspired to begin the Dorothy Parker Memorial Collection of the Best of Colin's Worst. LOL! Good idea! I'm a big fan of DP and it seems that many of the UK critics are as well! Thank you Annette, Mari, Maria and Karen for all the articles and reviews. I refuse to be depressed by the negativity. I still want to see this one."}, {"response": 1764, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (13:31)", "body": "Daily Mail Verdict: The heart sinks. Rating 0/5 Here is yet another romantic comedy that celebrates Britain\ufffds special relationship with America. And here\ufffds Colin Firth as a charmingly floppy Englishman on the rebound from a supercilious bitch of an English girlfriend (Minnie Driver). The jilted man rebuilds his injured psyche in a little town called Hope in New England, where he falls for a simple American girl (Heather Graham) who cares for aging people so obligingly that she falls into bed with him on their first date. Whereupon, naturally, his ex-fianc\ufffde comes to town and stops at nothing to win him back. I usually have high hopes of writer-director Mark Herman, who made the watchable Brassed Off and Little Voice; but this is a throwback to his highly contrived first effort, Blame It On The Bellboy. If it contains a single truthful, realistic or moving moment, I missed it. Colin Firth seems distraught at his own ineptitude when playing physical slapstick, then appears in a state of deep dejection about the script, and ends up giving a bad imitation of Hugh Grant flailing about in his own stateside turkey, Nine Months. An even sadder performance is given by Minnie Driver, a lovely, talented and intelligent actress whose career choices are starting to look desperate. It\ufffds time to be brutally frank: excessive dieting now means that her head looks too big for her body. She allows herself to go way over the top in pursuit of laughs that never come. But she\ufffds not alone. Even normally reliable performers such as Oliver Platt (as the local mayor) and Mary Steenburgen (as a motel proprietor) resort to mugging. Heather Graham attempts to be interestingly vivacious, but comes across instead as tediously vacuous. When the plot requires her abruptly to change character and act jealous, as though in some play by Strindberg, she is simply embarrassing. \ufffd18,459 people live in Hope\ufffd says a placard towards the start of this film. By the end of this movie I was existing in a state of acute boredom and exasperation. Crawl through a cage of rats with waffles on your head rather than see this."}, {"response": 1765, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (13:32)", "body": "TV Times: Rating 2/5 Although an attractive trio of stars in Heather Graham, Colin Firth and Minnie Driver all have their moments, none succeeds in breathing life into this sticky, soppy and soon-enough-deadly romantic comedy. Firth\ufffds an artist who flies to America, devastated that his long-time fianc\ufffde (Driver) is marrying another. But he soon forgets her when he meets up with the free spirit Graham, an old people\ufffds carer in Hope, Vermont, where Firth has ended up. Like Firth\ufffds charcoal portraits, supporting characters are drawn along the broadest of lines. Harmless, but very forgettable, this one just doesn\ufffdt have the necessary spark."}, {"response": 1766, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (13:38)", "body": "(CF)\"I'll do Bridget Jones 2 if it's a good script.\" Now really who is he kidding. After the last two lame scripts he's just done? Puhleeze.If they pay him, he's there.It's Renee and Hugh who can be choosey. I think we can all safely say: (In a chorus now) 1. We are all rooting for Colin. 2. Regardless of the bad reviews, we shall all go see HS a jillion times,discuss it ,buy the soundtrack and the DVD. If there is anyone who disagrees with the above, let's hear it now. If not......."}, {"response": 1767, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (13:41)", "body": "(Daily Mail) It\ufffds time to be brutally frank: excessive dieting now means that her head looks too big for her body. They think she has become one of the lollipop people (stick body with big, round head a la Calista)! Crawl through a cage of rats with waffles on your head rather than see this. It think I just saw someone do that on Fear Factor... Thanks Aishling...I think! ;-D"}, {"response": 1768, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (13:48)", "body": "(Barb)LOL This quote may put me over and I may become inspired to begin the Dorothy Parker Memorial Collection of the Best of Colin's Worst. I wonder, is there possibly more of a tendency to a critical review because it is so much more fun to write? What Fresh Hell is This?...........;-)"}, {"response": 1769, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (13:55)", "body": "Thanks for typing those out, Aishling. Isn't the Daily Mail the paper that everyone reads? hooboy . Right on, Evelyn. I think he needs a manager--someone to guide his career, as opposed to just an agent, who merely cuts the deal. His current calamitous coterie of career cognoscenti--comprising his wife and Nick Hornby--just ain't cuttin' it. (The Colonial Strumpet is feeling alliterative today.;-) If the reviews here would be as bad as these, it would be better for Colin if it wasn't released stateside."}, {"response": 1770, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (14:09)", "body": "Mri, such words of wisdom. :-( (D Mail),If it contains a single truthful, realistic or moving moment, I missed it. This is actually a very positive IMO. I am fed-up with those British trailer trash \"realistic\" films. (Linda),Okay, so if not Heather, who would have been the natural choice for the role of Mandy? Does anyone have someone they would have liked to have seen in the role? I thought HG would be perfect. She fits the description in the book very well. I blame the director, starting from his script for the HS mess. (Evelyn), buy the soundtrack Not unless I like it. I did not buy the one from WAGW. Thanks, Aishling!"}, {"response": 1771, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (14:29)", "body": "(Barb), I may become inspired to begin the Dorothy Parker Memorial Collection of the Best of Colin's Worst. ROTF, Barb! I'll book us a table (round) at the Algonquin.:-) Colin: You know, you do find though that actresses spend half their lives with people lobbying to take their clothes off and then they finally do it and they get crap for it for years. I mean people still hit Glenda Jackson with it now, still. I do think that if you do it once, no-one lets you forget it. Thanks for this interview, Maria. I have to give Colin major props here--he is *always* a gentleman. IMO, it was very indiscreet and disrespectful for the director to whine about HG not wanting to go completely topless. CF is saying, wait a minute, I can see her point of view and understand why she wants to not keep doing that. How many male actors show us their privates?? Except for Rafe and a couple of others (God love 'em!), very very few. Can you imagine a female director complaining to the press, \"yeah, well, he's shown his cock before but suddenly for us he wouldn't do it and it, so he wore a sock on it, and it made it hard to film.\" Would never happen! The pig."}, {"response": 1772, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (14:45)", "body": "This has to be quick as my son is hogging the computer. The reviews are dreadful. But I actually did something today that I've never done before. I saw the Daily Mail review (could it be worse?) and to put an end to the suspense/misery, I actually went alone to a 4.00 pm screening, and I have to report that I enjoyed it! The critics are way out of line on this, and quite unnecessarily are destroying a pleasant whimsical slightly understated movie which looks good, and with the exception of HG, is well acted. I'm fairly critical...the last movie I saw, I walked out after 10 minutes. HS *is* okay, ...the early critics...BBC, Film 4 were more accurate. Can't understand this massacre...unless they don't appreciate its slightly offkey, slow-ish quality (as in the book..it's not really real) HS should have been promoted on the strength of early reviews, and the Brassed Off/Little Voice/Graduate connection. But there have been no ads in the papers, and today's reviews, well, what can you say ..I think the critics must enjoy giving bad reviews! :-("}, {"response": 1773, "author": "joyce", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (16:04)", "body": "(Tress)Crawl through a cage of rats with waffles on your head rather than see this. It think I just saw someone do that on Fear Factor... LOL Tress! Yum waffles. Strawberries are coming into season you know. A bit hungry just now.(Can you tell?) I think I might start practicing balancing one on my head on the way to the multiplex this weekend. It would have to be a belgian those little toaster popups wouldn't do. And a dab of whipped cream. And WAGW is still here... but I digress. (Bethan)I think the critics must enjoy giving bad reviews! (LOL) To quote HD. I don't think they give a flying f**t in space about romcoms."}, {"response": 1774, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (16:13)", "body": "Ok my contribution to the \"Direfest\" from a local listings Arts magazine. (and to think i could be watching it again instead of tying this up:-)) \"Hopeless Culture Clash Rom com\" Hope sunk. Spirit sapped. Will to live exhausted. Just ten minutes into Brtplodder Mark Herman's insultingly calculated transatlanticromcom, this reviewer was alreadyprepared to forgive the perpetrators of \"How to lose a guy....\". Yes it's that awful. The UK production credit hides the fact that HS appears to have beenwritten by disney owned BUena Vista marketing department in an evil alliance with their audience research hellspawn. Such is the pall of underachievement hanging this pitiful project, that you can almost hear its producer bellow \"WHaddya meanthe guy with the stutter and the floppy hair is unavilable?\" \"Well get me the other Limey toff from \"BJD\". You know the one who always looks slighty cross.He's probably cheaper and he can do anal and repressed just as well. The geeks in demographics say the chicks love him too...\" Colin Firth, for it is indeed he, does the time honoured \"Uptight Brit abroad2 routine with no evident enthusiasm. (Plot synopsis etc etc ) The golden rule of rubbish romcoms is that the supporting cast is made up of excellent characters whom you yearn to see more of than bland leads. So it proves here with Oliver Platt's venal mayor getting the most laughs and the fewest scenes.Unwilling partners who doze thro'the light culture clash japes and inevitable montage of the mismatched couple romping around to a rubbish pop song should be reassured that they won't miss anythoing they haven't endured a thousand times before.\" 1 out of 5 God these guys must spend hours piecing little bits together from all the reviews instead of going to see it themselves! well it wasn't written by a woman! (Barbara from hell's twin brother?;_))"}, {"response": 1775, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (16:22)", "body": "Bingo Bethan:-) Glad you enjoyed it, ravishing foliage and all. I don't understand the massacre either, but what the hell, it's playing here 10.20am Saturday and Sunday, time to give my favourite \"Limey Toff\" another whirl.... and now I know when MD is on I can pop to the loo instead;-0 BTW Lovely b/w ad of the movie poster in the Guardian. ODB's smile is to die for. Anyone spotted one elsewhere yet?"}, {"response": 1776, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (16:46)", "body": "(Lizza) God these guys must spend hours piecing little bits together from all the reviews instead of going to see it themselves! Well it wasn't written by a woman! (Barbara from hell's twin brother?;_)) You can almost hear their egoistic delight in their own \"witty\" expressions that they use to trash yet another flick. You get tired of reading these so-called criticisms which are only celebrations of how clever the \"critic\" is in developing negative, down-and-dirty phraseology. It only amounts to a contest with himself [and other critics] to see how much further can he get downer and dirtier than last time (sort of like a f**ting contest among the good ol' boys). How sad that true wit has long since been abandoned. When Dorothy Parker used to express her mis approbation, it would come out something like: .\"This wasn't just plain terrible, this was fancy terrible. This was terrible with raisins in it.\" Dorothy Parker ...now *that's* witty!"}, {"response": 1777, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (16:48)", "body": "Just when we thought it couldn't get any worse.... Yes it's that awful. The UK production credit hides the fact that HS appears to have beenwritten by disney owned BUena Vista marketing department in an evil alliance with their audience research hellspawn. ROTF! I'm sorry Colin. I truly don't think any of this is funny. But you know how people laugh at funerals or at times of extreme emotional distress as a manifestation of the underlying pain? The saddest thing is, while people seem to be enjoying it, as I suspect I will, I suspect the critics aren't too far off the mark on many points. Would I enjoy it as much on it's own without Colin? Who knows? At the rate it's going, I may be too old and blind to see it by the time it gets here. I was amused by the trailer though, so there's Hope! It seems the degree of my laughter has become directly proportional to the increasing vitriol in each successive review. :-("}, {"response": 1778, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (17:18)", "body": "(Moon) I did not buy the one from WAGW. I did & am enjoying it except that the slugs didn?t include ?Get Offa...? The DVD....hmmmm. will have to think about it. Might be a renter when we discuss it;-) (Barb), I may become inspired to begin the Dorothy Parker Memorial Collection of the Best of Colin's Worst. And I might be inspired to give HS the Second Pennis Award. Will have to wait to see it. Sounds like a viable candidate. Daily Mail 0/5 ...ouch. (Mari)it was very indiscreet and disrespectful for the director to whine about HG not wanting to go completely topless. That?s all this director does...whine...the weather was rainy, the lead actress wouldn?t cooperate, the town was inhospitable.....Sounds defensive to me for putting out a shoddy product. (Bethan) I'm fairly critical...the last movie I saw, I walked out after 10 minutes. Sure, Right.Aw c'mon Bethan...which Colin movie was that? LOL.I bet it was a RF movie;-) (Bethan)HS should have been promoted on the strength of early reviews, Actually THR review was OK. Was that posted? http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hollywoodreporter/reviews/article_display.jsp?vnu_co ntent_id=1857735 Screened at the Bradford FF. ?LONDON -- All of the elements are in place for the romantic comedy \"Hope Springs\":an attractive and talented cast, witty script, nice direction and glorious locations. But somehow t can't make the leap from an enjoyable light film to a movie to remember. Box office looks to be moderate, but expect a longer life in the DVD/video marketplace. The film premiered at England's Bradford Film Festival and gets a U.K. release in early May.? ..?Colin Ware (played with real charm by Colin Firth)? Calls it a light endearing film In the light of the British press, this one is stellar. I too feel sorry for Colin. He missed again. .....99% of reviewers can't be wrong, folks. We're a wee bit biased, you know. Would I go to see it if Colin wasn't in it. Hell no."}, {"response": 1779, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (17:21)", "body": "(Apologize for the odd punctuation. Yapp hates Works.) This is the correct URL for The Hollywood Reporter review. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hollywoodreporter/reviews/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1857735"}, {"response": 1780, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (17:40)", "body": ".....99% of reviewers can't be wrong, folks. We're a wee bit biased, you know. I think they can...there's a fair bit of bias in the British press! The BBC review was the first HS review that I read. Apologies, Karen, for repeating (some of) it, but I think it's much fairer than the Daily Mail review which gave HS a \"turkey\" rating (no stars). \"Hope Springs\" (3 stars) tells of an English illustrator called Colin (Colin Firth) who - heartbroken at being dumped by his fianc\ufffde Vera (Minnie Driver) - heads to America to start again. Colin's matchmaking landlady Joanie (Mary Steenburgen) ..... Vera arrives requesting a reconciliation, he is forced to make a difficult decision. It's a dilemma most warm-blooded men would kill to face - horny Heather or Minnie the Minx? - and the love triangle throws up some amusing situations that compensate for the numerous lapses in logic and pacing. Firth's character may be something of a pill to begin with, but once he lightens up, he emerges as a deft and affable leading man. It's also good to see supporting roles filled by such reliable talents as Steenburgen and Oliver Platt, a hoot as Hope's venal mayor. All in all, a date movie that's well worth making a date with."}, {"response": 1781, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (18:09)", "body": "I've just returned from my 3rd viewing of HS-still couldn't take my eyes off CF! And I still like it. But HG's performance is definitely not on par with the rest of the cast. Audience reaction was pretty good (and Glaswegian audences are notoriously difficult to please), although downside was cinema only 1/3 full. Soundtrack doesn't appear to have been released yet. Noticed Garbage and Zero 7 on music credits. I'll be back for no 4."}, {"response": 1782, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (18:25)", "body": "(Bethan) The BBC review was the first HS review that I read...but I think it's much fairer Let me check the credits to see if BBC put up any of the money... ;-) Thanks for typing up the Daily Mail's, Aishling. Is the reviewer still Christopher Tookey or has he gone back to his personal circle of Hell? ;-) (Dorine) It seems the degree of my laughter has become directly proportional to the increasing vitriol in each successive review. :-( That is the only sane way to deal with them. Many of us have years of experience and you don't get much scar tissue this way. Ladies! There's a reason *why* this film hasn't been released up to now and then only in the UK. Do you think films improve sitting on the shelf? Not all these critics are bona fide scholarly film critics, but you can't blame the messenger or totally attribute it to some kind of game they play. As fans, we are automatically biased to like anything that Colin appears in. Most of his fans ignore the actual movie itself and only focus on how he looks, what facial expressions he's making, do his dimples show, etc. Film critics look beyond that; that's what they're paid to do. They look at plot, overall acting, direction, to name but a few things. How many of you have said you'd pay to see or hear Colin reading a phone directory? I think that should pretty well sum up the built-in bias. If all this is true, I am hoping this film doesn't get released in the US. With the well-known cast of MD and HG, I see a potential Razzie candidate that could unseat J Lo's Maid in Manhattan. For the glass half full side of the house, if it doesn't get a theatrical release here, it'll be out on video faster than you can \"crawl through a cage of rats with waffles on your head.\" ;-) Won't you be happier with that?"}, {"response": 1783, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (18:27)", "body": "Herman's hometown won't give him a break either. From the Yorkshire Evening Press: With solid work like Brassed Off, Little Voice and even Purely Belter behind him, writer-director Mark Herman would appear to be a safe pair of hands in which to entrust your cinema admission fee. But, be warned, despite the obvious cross-gender temptations of a cast headed by Colin Firth, Heather Graham and Minnie Driver - and the promised uplift of its storyline - Hope Springs is boring, predictable and terminally bland. It opens well enough with sad-faced British artist Colin (Firth) arriving in New England to forget an old flame on an open-ended holiday in a town he picked purely because of its name. The brief encounter with the local art store proprietors suggests plenty of (unrealised) potential, as does his initial meeting with motel manager Joanie (Mary Steenburgen) and her husband Fisher (Frank Collison). The focus starts to blur however when Joanie introduces Colin to fun-loving care-giver Mandy (Graham) who spouts New Age mumbo-jumbo, empties bottles of spirits and takes her clothes off to celebrate feeling happy. Mmm, promising, but then she inexplicably turns into the doting, simplistic, small town gal she so patently should not be. The degree of separation between Colin as heartbroken flake and Colin as reawakened free spirit is so minute we hardly notice and suddenly we're watching a half-hearted spin on the Cinderella story. By the time Vera (Driver), Colin's materialistic ex-, turns up the whole thing is a total shambles. Her arrival is supposed to complete a classically competitive love triangle, but any tension left in the story evaporates as the unbelievable transparency of Vera's manipulation is matched only by the spinelessness of Colin's responses. Not even a trademark cheery buffoon cameo from Oliver Platt can save the day as Hope Springs completes its journey to Lost Cause."}, {"response": 1784, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (19:33)", "body": "Moving along to happier days...here's a clipping on Trauma from Screen Daily: Myriad beefs up London operation with double hire Jeremy Kay in Los Angeles 09 May 2003 Bolstering its London operation, production and distribution company Myriad Pictures has hired former Winchester executive Christine Howard as head of international business affairs and Alice Weston, formerly at Universal, as sales executive. Both appointments come as the London office expands its role as a stand-alone production and acquisitions entity led by Marion Pilowsky, head of international production, and a sales and distribution operation headed by Samantha Horley, senior vice-president of international distribution. Myriad president Kirk D'Amico said in a statement: \"Part of our overall business plan is to generate at least half of our slate through UK-driven productions and co-productions.\" \"Our goal is to develop, produce, co-produce or acquire projects, working with both UK and international companies and we are on track to meet these objectives.\" In her new role Howard will manage the business affairs and legal departments, where her duties will include providing legal analysis as well as advising on production, acquisition, and distribution agreements on a worldwide basis. She will report to Pilowsky for production-related activity and to Horley for distribution matters. Howard arrives from Winchester Entertainment, where she was vice president of business and legal affairs for two years. Prior to this, she served as head of business and legal affairs at Scala Productions and also worked at Quinta Communications, based in Paris. Weston will be involved in driving theatrical and TV sales in a number of territories including Eastern Europe, South East Asia and the Middle East. She will report directly to Horley and joins Myriad after a four-year tenure at Universal Pictures International, where she was executive of international sales and development. Weston has also held sales posts at PolyGram Television International and UIP Pay Television. Myriad recently concluded production on the UK Spanish co-production Imagining Argentina starring Antonio Banderas and Emma Thompson and has finalised contracts on the UK, Canadian and Hungarian co production Being Julia starring Annette Bening, from Robert Lantos' Serendipity Point Films. In addition the psychological chiller Trauma, from Little Bird's new Ministry of Fear label and BBC Films, is currently shooting on the Isle of Man. It stars Colin Firth and Mena Suvari. Both Being Julia and Trauma are also being made in conjunction with Grosvenor Park's new First Choice Films. Other current Myriad London projects include the Scottish comedy One Last Chance (formerly known as The Bums' Rush) and the Australian comedy thriller You Can't Stop The Murders. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ If they're bankrolling Antonio Banderas, Emma Thompson,& Annette Benniing they sound as if they are discriminating. I dunno about the last two with no names ;-)"}, {"response": 1785, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (19:59)", "body": "(Karen) For the glass half full side of the house, if it doesn't get a theatrical release here, it'll be out on video faster than you can \"crawl through a cage of rats with waffles on your head.\" ;-) Won't you be happier with that? My sentiments exactly. Given the delays and the reviews, I'd be really surprised to see it released here, and it seems like it's just as well for ODB if it isn't. So I'm just looking forward to the DVD, and at least we know it'll be available soon. It'll be disappointing not to get to see it in theaters, but maybe that'll be a reason to finally buy a bigger TV...."}, {"response": 1786, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (21:11)", "body": "(Rika) I'd be really surprised to see it released here, and it seems like it's just as well for ODB if it isn't. So I'm just looking forward to the DVD, and at least we know it'll be available soon. Can we be sure though? SLOW was never released here on DVD or VHS....how do we know this will be available? I'll die if I don't get to see it one way or another... And though I'll fess up to being in the glass half full crowd, I'll also say I'm not normally a romcom girl (actually seeing one in a theater is a big deal for me....BJD was seen in a theater and it changed my life! ;-D). I'm all torn up inside! I just love ODB and will see him in anything. I admittedly have a huge bias were he is concerned. I'm overly critical with other films, but if ODB is in it, I get all light headed and blurry!"}, {"response": 1787, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (22:09)", "body": "I just love ODB and will see him in anything. I admittedly have a huge bias were he is concerned. I'm overly critical with other films, but if ODB is in it, I get all light headed and blurry! I'm with you kid! I'm not normally a romcom fan either normally. One of my kids complains that my library is too serious! The other gets me firthfilms for mother's day!"}, {"response": 1788, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (23:06)", "body": "(Tress) SLOW was never released here on DVD or VHS....how do we know this will be available? SLOW was a completely different situation, involving a bankruptcy, although its reviews in England were nearly as dire. To face facts, it was a bad film that no one wanted to buy for distribution. Are you predisposed to adore Firth films? 1. Would you consider a front-row seat watching Colin reading a telephone directory dying and going to heaven? 2. Do you know the location of all of Colin's moles? (Add 20 points if you daydream about connecting the dots.) 3. Does the sight of a navy blue suit worn by a tall man trigger the production of drool? 4. How much time do you spend on the internet on September 10 each year? \ufffd 1-5 hours \ufffd 5-10 hours \ufffd 30+ hours to accommodate time difference between self and England 5. Is your Firth film video/DVD collection not only organized by day of week but under lock and key? 6. Is there a brass plaque on your seat at the theater showing WAGW? 7. Are your neighbors shunning you because they don't want to see WAGW again? 8. Have you mutilated and/or destroyed every copy of Dangerous Liaisons in your city? 9. Is there a \"The Edge of Reason or Bust\" banner hung on your home? 10. Are you already preparing the GWAPE gift boxes for Academy voters Y/N?"}, {"response": 1789, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (23:09)", "body": "(Tress) Can we be sure though? SLOW was never released here on DVD or VHS No, good point, but this has MD and HG which at least are \"big\" or at least known, names in the US. No one in SLOW would really produce more than a passing flicker of recognition here (sorry, at the time, even Colin I think). Maybe Nia Long, but only really with soap watchers from many moons ago. That's where I knew her from. (Dorine) It seems the degree of my laughter has become directly proportional to the increasing vitriol in each successive review. :-( (Karen) That is the only sane way to deal with them. Many of us have years of experience and you don't get much scar tissue this way. I hope it works this way for Colin, too. :-/ If all this is true, I am hoping this film doesn't get released in the US. With the well-known cast of MD and HG, I see a potential Razzie candidate that could unseat J Lo's Maid in Manhattan. I've been see-sawing on this. Saw on the Guardian site a quiz in which one question was something like, What do these 4 films have in common: Hope Springs, Even Cowboys Get the Blues,...I forget the others. And one of the answers was, \"Nominated for a Razzie Award\". There's a reason *why* this film hasn't been released up to now and then only in the UK. Do you think films improve sitting on the shelf? But sometimes good films sit on the shelf, too. They could be sitting there for a few reasons. The Quiet American was a very good film (I liked it anyway) that sat on the shelf for over a year til Michael Caine threatened not to work for Miramax again unless it was released. And he got an Oscar nom for it. And I realize it's a different caliber of work all around. And it had it's weak links, too. Thought Brendan Fraser wasn't bad, but still a bit miscast, IMO."}, {"response": 1790, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (23:23)", "body": "ROTFL Karen!"}, {"response": 1791, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (23:28)", "body": "(Dorine) The Quiet American was a very good film (I liked it anyway) that sat on the shelf for over a year That was a film that would've been held until awards season anyway and I don't believe it was 'on the shelf' for a year, following completion. Harvey's reasons were far different than for SLOW or for HS. Why is \"bad\" not an acceptable option? :-("}, {"response": 1792, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, May  9, 2003 (23:34)", "body": "OMG Karen, all of the above! Busted again on Drool! You've got our number! Glad to be in such good company."}, {"response": 1793, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (02:20)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1794, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (02:42)", "body": "I can't believe nobody's said it, so I will. The reason HG showed up with 'nipple plasters' must have been so that everyone couldn't see her 'ENs' - c'mon, you know that your N s would be E if you were sitting nakey on Colin's lap all day!! };-) (wicked grin)"}, {"response": 1795, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (04:02)", "body": "The Times (Saturday) in Play magazine gives HS 2 stars \"Firth is agreeably maudlin as Colin, a British illustrator who leaves the country after being dumped by his fiance Vera to live in a run-down hotel in Hope, a samll town in Vermont. He slowly begins to rebuild his life and artracts the attentions of the lusty nurse Mandy. Then out of the blue Vera turns up. The first segmnt of the film is engagingly downbeat, but midway it becmes more of a standard romantic comedy.\" I stress again, this is not a bad film. But there are no special effects and it's a rom com with a predictable ending, which more or less guarantees a rough ride from the critics."}, {"response": 1796, "author": "soph", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (04:49)", "body": "(from ) \"(...) a stand-in actress who basically had to sit in Colin's lap with her clothes off the entire afternoon. Colin: I'm over it now.\" yeah, well i bet *she* isn't. (btw, would'nt it be nice to put this on your resume?) (cf again) \"Well, the reason we had to re-shoot that scene was because the studio thought it was too naughty. This is a scene where we'd managed to get absolutely no nudity (...)\" errrrr, thought she was sitting on your lap with her clothes off ? time to get your very own pair of glasses colin ? i am definitely confused here... oh, no, wait ! maybe nudity means only \"with bits and pieces showing\" ? note to lurking and non lurking historians : it seems to me that disney is reviving the hays code here... let pr. sophie remind you of the 'motion picture production code of 1930': article II, sex (am skipping the foreword, eventhough it is hilarious) (...)2. scenes of passion : a. they should not be introduced when not essential to the plot [ed note: well, i can think of hundreds of... oh, never mind] b. excessive and lustful kissing, lustful embraces, suggestive postures and gestures, are not to be shown [ed note: kissing lessons might not be needed after all...] c. in general, passion should so be treated that these scenes do not stimulate the lower and baser element [ed note: duh?] (am skipping the segregationist bits, i guess you get the picture... sigh) (...) article IV, costume 1. complete nudity is never permitted. this includes nudity in fact or in silhouette, or any lecherous or licentious notice thereof by other caracters in the picture [ed note: would that include underwear references ?] 2. undressing scenes should be avoided, and never used save where essential to the plot. [ed note: no comment] (...) 4. dancing costumes intended to permit undue exposure or indecent movements in the dance are forbidden [ed note: enter, the plasters] thank you for your attention. (mari)\"(...) so he wore a sock on it (...)\" hahaha ! ! ! suddenly had this vision of the chilly peppers doing their hilarious beatles/abbey road impersonation ! ! ! thanks mari, you've made my day, awa karen, with her great list !"}, {"response": 1797, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (05:07)", "body": "I think the assumption about EN\ufffds is definitely right. I wonder why nobody else mentioned it before. Directors should be warned about that and more understanding for his film-partners."}, {"response": 1798, "author": "soph", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (05:17)", "body": "(sorry i totally forgot in my last post who posted mark herman's and cf's Q&A. sincere apologies) a day in the life of the stunt hg: - honey, i'm home ! - dinner's ready. btw, how was your day at the office ? - oh well, the usual you know, taking off my clothes, sitting naked all afternoon in cf's lap... - poor baby, well at least it pays the rent - yeah, well, you know, it's a dirty job, but somebody's got to do it."}, {"response": 1799, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (07:03)", "body": "From Canoe Jam in Canada: \"...Zellweger will be seen later this year starring opposite Kidman and Jude Law in the Civil War drama Cold Mountain. She is waiting to see the a new screenplay for Bridget Jones 2 before she accepts one of several films she has been offered, including the Ron Howard boxing drama Cinderella Man, which would pair her with Russell Crowe. \"I would definitely be Bridget Jones again with all that entails,\" says Zellweger, referring to the 25 lbs she gained for the role. \"No one wants to do the sequel unless the screenplay is as good as the first one. We don't want to do a sequel just because the first one made a lot of money. We owe it to the fans of the characters to make as good, if not better, a film the second time around.\" http://www.canoe.ca/JamMovies/may10_renee-sun.html"}, {"response": 1800, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (07:09)", "body": "And a Colin mention in this from the Daily Telegraph: Why modern romance is rubbish http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2003/05/10/bfrom10.xml"}, {"response": 1801, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (07:42)", "body": "(Sophie)errrrr, thought she was sitting on your lap with her clothes off ? time to get your very own pair of glasses colin ? i am definitely confused here... oh, no, wait ! maybe nudity means only \"with bits and pieces showing\" ? I paid particular attention to this scene last night, and noticed that the camera is focussed on CF, slightly to the left, and only the body double's left arm and part of her back are seen, slightly out of focus. My memory may be playing tricks with me, but I was sure HG was clearly visible at the premiere in Bradford in March. - Could it have been re-edited since then?"}, {"response": 1802, "author": "joyce", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (08:32)", "body": "Are you predisposed to adore Firth films? No way, un-uh, nope. 1. Would you consider a front-row seat watching Colin reading a telephone directory dying and going to heaven? Let's just say I'm prepared with an answer for the pearly gates question if I'm ever a guest on Inside the Actor's Studio. 2. Do you know the location of all of Colin's moles? (Add 20 points if you daydream about connecting the dots.) It's important to watch these things according to the American Cancer Society. 3. Does the sight of a navy blue suit worn by a tall man trigger the production of drool? Evelyn's drooling most of the time anyway. ; ) 4. How much time do you spend on the internet on September 10 each year? \ufffd 1-5 hours \ufffd 5-10 hours \ufffd 30+ hours to accommodate time difference between self and England September 10th happens to be Test Your Bladder Endurance Day in my town. 5. Is your Firth film video/DVD collection not only organized by day of week but under lock and key? My OCD medication could kick in any day now. 6. Is there a brass plaque on your seat at the theater showing WAGW? No smarty pants, the seat's been taken away because it wore out. They don't make 'em like they used to. 7. Are your neighbors shunning you because they don't want to see WAGW again? No they shun me in general. 8. Have you mutilated and/or destroyed every copy of Dangerous Liaisons in your city? It was an accident...3000 times. 9. Is there a \"The Edge of Reason or Bust\" banner hung on your home? That's not a banner it's a chubby RZ voodoo doll. 10. Are you already preparing the GWAPE gift boxes for Academy voters Y/N? No way, I'm keeping them all for myself! Okay Karen, busted bigtime."}, {"response": 1803, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (08:35)", "body": "(Karen)...if it doesn't get a theatrical release here, it'll be out on video faster than you can \"crawl through a cage of rats with waffles on your head.\" ;-) Won't you be happier with that? (Rika) I'd be really surprised to see it released here, and it seems like it's just as well for ODB if it isn't. So I'm just looking forward to the DVD, and at least we know it'll be available soon. Crikey! I think you are right Rika....we may not see a theatrical release (and I hadn't even gotten the waffles made!). You can sign up to be notified when the DVD is released (and it has the line about \"you are also voting for the release. We will let the studio know how many customers are waiting for this title\". So...I put my 'vote' in (don't know if they really contact the studio, but it can't hurt). http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/notification-item-request-done/104-6233084-9575925 (Karen) 1. Would you consider a front-row seat watching Colin reading a telephone directory dying and going to heaven? ROTL....You have no idea how much I would pay to see this! Would pay extra if he were barefoot! ;-) The list was hilarious.... (JaneS) The reason HG showed up with 'nipple plasters' must have been so that everyone couldn't see her 'ENs' - c'mon, you know that your Ns would be E if you were sitting nakey on Colin's lap all day!! In my house we call it 'peanut smuggling'. ;-) Though....nekky you wouldn't be smuggling...only when the plasters went on would that phrase really work. Sorry if that was 'off sides'!"}, {"response": 1804, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (08:43)", "body": "The above link may not work (sorry)....try this one: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005JMGR/ref=ase_imdb-adbox/102-7133720-7496931"}, {"response": 1805, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (09:32)", "body": "(Mari)\"yeah, well, he's shown his cock before but suddenly for us he wouldn't do it and it, so he wore a sock on it, and it made it hard to film Colonial Strumpet, you rock! LOL. Lost my coffee on that one:-) (Evelyn)If there is anyone who disagrees with the above, let's hear it now . I'm with you all the way, soundtrack and all. Just one more word from me on the bad reviews... I know I'm still fairly new here, but I never paid much attention to any reviews before. Now, of course I do, and not for just CF films. However, I just feel that the punishment doesn't fit the crime. HS seemed to have some really decent reviews after the Bradford. Not totally rave reviews, but certainly more befitting a rom-com. The critics here, seemed to have gone over the top. What did they think they were reviewing? It was never touted or marketed to be \"the film of the year\" for gawd's sake. I have no problem with criticisim aimed at acting, directing, or anything else for that matter. That's their job, but I really find it a bit disturbing. (Lizza)God these guys must spend hours piecing little bits together from all the reviews instead of going to see it themselves Exactly, just listen to the review by Ebert and Roper from WAGW, I taped it. I really don't think these guys got within five feet of the film. Their remarks about the Chinese waiters and a few other statements about the film made me scratch the grey hairs right out of my head. Nothing they said would convince me that they saw this film. Anyway, I'd still like to see it and and make up my very own biased mind:-) (Karen)Are you predisposed to adore Firth films?, ROTFL...It's funny you should mention... 6. Is there a brass plaque on your seat at the theater showing WAGW When I was at the theater this week, the manager asked if I would let him know on Saturday (today) where I want it placed:-) Yes to all questions. Yes, Yes, Yes. and proud of it. Karen, do you think if it's not released here we'll get the DVD?"}, {"response": 1806, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (10:05)", "body": "Small article from Evening Standard magazine last night (which also included premiere photos): \"The end of the affair\" Hugh Grant can rest easy. Colin Firth tells me he is tired of appearing in romantic comedies. 'I never watch that type of film myself and I don't really like the genre,' says the man who became famous as Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. 'But I am afraid I can't see myself getting a role as a really juicy baddie, despite the fact that all American directors love to get English actors to play nasty pieces of work. I'm not ugly enough.' IMHO I think the HS reviews are pretty accurate. From the first showing it just left me with a bad taste in my mouth! Janet's dead on, he looks AFG but as I've said, the rest of it is just weak and I would be confused if I hadn't read the book I think. I don't think it had to turn out that way."}, {"response": 1807, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (10:11)", "body": "I'm moving the discussion of the Quiet American over to 168. Also, could further discussion of HS, the film itself, by people who have seen it, be taken over to 126. If there is any news, it will get buried. Thanks. :)"}, {"response": 1808, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (10:26)", "body": "(Karen)3. Does the sight of a navy blue suit worn by a tall man trigger the production of drool? (Joyce)Evelyn's drooling most of the time anyway. ; ) ROTF. How true. Trust me, no one wears 'em better.*sigh* (CF)...\"'But I am afraid I can't see myself getting a role as a really juicy baddie, despite the fact that all American directors love to get English actors to play nasty pieces of work. I'm not ugly enough.'\" Whine, whine, whine...Not true. JN and RF don't play baddies. The real problem is that there are too many bankable American actors who are competing for such roles.Why should they pick a British actor whose films tank and can't do an American accent to save him. C'mon. Thanks Emma.Actually, the film sounds coarse enough to appeal to American audiences.The book wasn't. I wouldn't be surprised."}, {"response": 1809, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (10:32)", "body": "(Evelyn) Not true. JN and RF don't play baddies. They have and do."}, {"response": 1810, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (10:33)", "body": "I don\ufffdt know if it was already mentioned here but release dates for Hope Springs (beside UK) are Sweden 25th June Norway 4th July Australia 24th July Argentina 21th August"}, {"response": 1811, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (10:40)", "body": "(Evelyn) Not true. JN and RF don't play baddies. (Karen)They have and do. We-el, theyre not ugly.... always look so devastingly handsome;-))"}, {"response": 1812, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (10:42)", "body": "I was told by a very reliable source at AMC Theatres that HS was on the list to start in the US next week. That was recently changed and now they have no date for it. :-( The posters are still up everwhere. Cute list, Karen. I would add: 11. Hooked on FF because you can't get enough of FD. ;-)"}, {"response": 1813, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (10:47)", "body": "Neither the Swedish or Norwegian Buena Vista sites shows HS, and there are films going into 2004."}, {"response": 1814, "author": "neshacat", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (11:08)", "body": "\"I feel much better now that I know there is no hope.\" Seen on a t-shirt at breakfast this morning. Kind of sums up the way I feel about the reviews. At least he got paid for it and maybe that's all he wanted. I'd still like to see it and form my own opinion though. DVD would do. WAGW is down to one showing at my local theater. This will probably be the last weekend."}, {"response": 1815, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (11:34)", "body": "Great quiz, Karen! When I think of my answers, I'm somewhat alarmed. (CF)...\"'But I am afraid I can't see myself getting a role as a really juicy baddie, despite the fact that all American directors love to get English actors to play nasty pieces of work. I'm not ugly enough.'\" (Evelyn) Whine, whine, whine...Not true. JN and RF don't play baddies. But he didn't say English actors only play baddies in American films. Sounds to me like he's saying, 'I'd like to play a juicy baddie role, but I'm not gonna get the chance.' And in that case, that JN and RF don't play 'em might even strengthen his argument."}, {"response": 1816, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (11:56)", "body": "(Mary) At least he got paid for it and maybe that's all he wanted. No,unfortunately, he wanted more with this one. This was his baby."}, {"response": 1817, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (13:02)", "body": "Karen, your \"predisposed\" list is hilarious! I only have a moment, but a nice friend pointed me to this site--6 clips from HS, plus the trailer, plus the press conference. You might have to register, but it's quick and free. Enjoy! http://www.mymovies.net/trailers/trailer_play.asp?TRID=2604|995"}, {"response": 1818, "author": "odessa", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (13:30)", "body": "release dates for Hope Springs (beside UK) are No Finland? Not a big surprise:("}, {"response": 1819, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (14:12)", "body": "Thanks Mari, I enjoyed that. If we piece together all the clips and the trailers...I have this terrible feeling that this is as close as we may get;-( (Moon)I was told by a very reliable source at AMC Theatres that HS was on the list to start in the US next week I asked weeks ago at our AMC...wasn't on the summer schedule at all, but the manager said it changes from week to week...things are added all the time. Uh, I guess that means they can be dropped as well. double s--t."}, {"response": 1820, "author": "soph", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (15:23)", "body": "(what a roller coaster this board is : one day everyone is down with stubble fever, the next one seems like a huge slap in the face with all these bad reviews. well, at least, it's not boring) alllllright, sorry if this is off topic, but following joyce's lead, i thought i'd have a bit of fun answering karen's test... feel a bit like an imposter considering my newbie status though... 1. Would you consider a front-row seat watching Colin reading a telephone directory dying and going to heaven? funny that you mention this, i was just about to found the stage production of 'paris a-to-z' starring you-know-who... (and due to the excellent results of advance booking there might be a sequel, 'volume two, the suburbs') 2. Do you know the location of all of Colin's moles? (Add 20 points if you daydream about connecting the dots.) hmmmm, connecting the dots, you mean, with your tongue ? 3. Does the sight of a navy blue suit worn by a tall man trigger the production of drool? don't mention it ! and burberry ties, and pinkie rings, and... damn! oh, noooo that's another keyboard ruined !!! 4. How much time do you spend on the internet on September 10 each year? hmmmm, can't say : the modem was smoking so much, the computer blew up before i could count out the time 5. Is your Firth film video/DVD collection not only organized by day of week but under lock and key? don't know: the dvd carousel player is constantly playing them 6. Is there a brass plaque on your seat at the theater showing WAGW? yeeeessss, and i'm extremely proud of it considering the film's not even out yet out here (btw, brass is way too common, i asked for silver myself) 7. Are your neighbors shunning you because they don't want to see WAGW again? neighbors, friends, relatives, lovers, cleaning lady, collegues, butcher, baker, pets & even ennemies. 8. Have you mutilated and/or destroyed every copy of Dangerous Liaisons in your city? country would be more accurate 9. Is there a \"The Edge of Reason or Bust\" banner hung on your home? *that* is not an ordinary banner, just an undersized white bath towel, karen 10. Are you already preparing the GWAPE gift boxes for Academy voters Y/N? cetainly not : am claiming every single item in it back on 113... although i'll leave them the voodoo dolls and votive candles maybe"}, {"response": 1821, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (16:32)", "body": "Good answers, everyone. Most are funnier than the actual quiz. ;-D Thanks, Mari, for the link. Will check that out. Feel as though I've already been to the press conference but a front row seat would be better. I've put up a couple of articles, one is based on same press conference, but there are some new and interesting comments by Mark Herman, plus a behind the scenes pic of Colin, Minnie and Mark from the golf course scene with umbrellas. This article is from his hometown paper again and thanks to Antonella. http://www.firth.com/articles/03yorkevpress_509.html I've also put up the Red interview, which has another shot from the Rainbow ones commissioned by The Times. I can see why this one wasn't selected. His arms look really distorted (won't even say how as it would predate so many of you), but his smile is lovely. The Red article is courtesy of AnneP. http://www.firth.com/articles/03_red_06.html"}, {"response": 1822, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (18:17)", "body": "Ladies, I think we have our answer to the hot question of the moment, \"Why do the critics keep skewering this movie?\" \ufffdIt\ufffds been a strange job writing the adaptation because the book itself feels like a screenplay: heavy on dialogue. I thought my job would have been very easy but it was more difficult than I expected. \ufffdEven before the first day\ufffds shoot I was still writing, because Colin Firth was so keen to get on with making the film, so a major part of the writing was done while I was holed up in a hotel room in Vancouver. \ufffdAs it turned out, it was useful to have the cast there to talk through the script in the two weeks leading up to the shoot, in particular about bits that weren\ufffdt working, especially with Colin, who had a real grasp of the book.\ufffd Before the book was published, Webb had sent Mark three or four potential endings for the story because he couldn\ufffdt make up his mind. I was still writing, because Colin Firth was so keen to get on with making the film, so a major part of the writing was done while I was holed up in a hotel room in Vancouver. Even more whining, but sounds like he's blaming Colin this time."}, {"response": 1823, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (19:30)", "body": "....so we ended in the only place in Canada that was supposed to have good weather at that time of year, on the West Coast. LOL...didn't Colin know better? He lived there...I live just 'down the road'. It rains eight to nine months of the year here. Let\ufffds get one thing straight: Colin Firth is not Mr Darcy. Women, he insists, have never fainted at his feet... That's cuz he hasn't met me yet. ;-) Where Darcy sulked, Firth is easy company, funny, with a startlingly goofy laugh. Ohhhh...I love the goofy laugh. The Valmont/interview laugh. Makes me weak in the knees. \ufffdOut of anywhere I\ufffdve ever been, Italy is probably the place I get noticed least. It\ufffds fantastic. I go there and assume that I\ufffdll be able to, you know, pick my nose, or scratch myself, and not have any witnesses.' LOL...If only he knew how many witnesses he has had lately...and by scratch himself...does he mean..??? He's such a 'guy'....but if he starts hawking loogies....I'm outta here! ;-) Thanks AnneP, Antonella and Karen!!! Both articles were very good. Liked the Red photo (distorted arms and all)!"}, {"response": 1824, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (20:02)", "body": "a startlingly goofy laugh. That really got me on the interview tape. *sigh* (Tress) Thanks AnneP, Antonella and Karen!!! Both articles were very good. Liked the Red photo (distorted arms and all)! Ditto! He really seemed to be having fun during that shoot. Smiles don't seem forced or fake."}, {"response": 1825, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (20:21)", "body": "(Tress)Ohhhh...I love the goofy laugh. The Valmont/interview laugh. Makes me weak in the knees., ...makes me weak, too, everywhere. he fails to remember a time, since Pride and Prejudice, that anyone as even come on to him. Oh, what a waste! Thank you Karen and Antonella, and Anne. I enjoyed both articles as well. (Karen)His arms look really distorted (won't even say how as it would predate so many of you) Ah, come on, boss. I hate it when you do that...please?"}, {"response": 1826, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (20:41)", "body": "he fails to remember a time, since Pride and Prejudice, that anyone as even come on to him I thought we told him to cut that extreme modesty s**t out. ;-)"}, {"response": 1827, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (21:35)", "body": "And the last of the major newspapers, Philip French for The Observer: Hope Springs and Darkness Falls are named after the towns in which they are set, and Heart Sinks is the condition they left me in. Though based on a novel by Charles Webb, the author of The Graduate, Hope Springs is a British romantic comedy, shot in Vancouver but set in Vermont. Frazzled English portrait painter (Colin Firth impersonating Hugh Grant) seeks refuge in a small, gossipy New England town one golden-leafed autumn. He's in flight from his brittle, chain-smoking English fianc\ufffde (Minnie Driver), and on his first day in Hope he's seduced by, then falls in love with a nurse and part-time healer (Heather Graham). Mark Herman, the writer-director of this mirthless romp, gives his actors little worth saying and little direction as they say it."}, {"response": 1828, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (22:45)", "body": "Thanks to all for the HS reviews (I think ;-)) and articles. Add my name to the list of Firthettes who found NC light on plot and character development. But then again, I find a lot of modern fiction v. disappointing. How sad that HS is another clinker, but I agree that I'd rather it go straight to DVD here than to open and bomb big time. BTW, The Graduate is on Bravo tomorrow afternoon, around 4:30 pm EST. Eeeeeeelaine! Off to light more candles for better roles..."}, {"response": 1829, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, May 10, 2003 (23:08)", "body": "(Karen)2. Do you know the location of all of Colin's moles? (Add 20 points if you daydream about connecting the dots.) (Sophie)hmmmm, connecting the dots, you mean, with your tongue ? I know that's what I'm thinking about! Mr Darcy would never have approved of the casual black ribbed polo neck sweater or the two-day growth of stubble. Stubble? Did someone say 'stubble'????? Oh, sorry. Just went weak in the knees for a moment. ('Red' author) Maybe it will, but I find him a less comfortable screen presence in comedy, as slapstick as this. Firth disagrees. After watching the clips on the site for which Mari posted the link, I agree with the author. I'm fine with WAGW - including the leather pants - but a couple of the clips for HS had me wincing."}, {"response": 1830, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (01:16)", "body": "Thank you all for links, interviews and all. And the quiz, Karen. Loved the questions and recognized most of the answers;-)"}, {"response": 1831, "author": "aishling", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (08:11)", "body": "Mail on Sunday \ufffd Matthew Bond Rating 2/5 Charles Webb, who wrote The Graduate in 1962, penned a few others and then produced nothing for 25 years. He eventually broke his silence with a novel called New Cardiff about an English illustrator nursing a newly broken heart in a New England town called New Cardiff. That name was either considered too Welsh or otherwise lacking in emotional resonance, so in the movie the town has been renamed Hope which, when a local water garden is taken into account, allows the film to be called Hope Springs. This might just seem a touch contrived were it not for the fact that Sandra Bullock made similarly structured romance called Hope Floats barely five years ago. That makes it look plain lazy. You\ufffdll have to be a pretty big Colin Firth fan to find much merit in this production, which has been adapted and directed by Mark Herman, who may have given us Brassed Off and Little Voice but doesn\ufffdt seem to have thought this one through. This is supposed to be a romantic comedy but having Colin Ware (Firth) discover that the cure for a broken heart is a beautiful blonde who is a good ten years his junior and takes all her clothes off on their first date isn\ufffdt romance, it\ufffds wishful male thinking. I kept thinking how much more interesting it would be if Ware found love in the arms of the lovely Mary Steenburgen, but then I suppose Webb could fairly claim to have got older women out of his system with The Graduate. So, alas, there is no \ufffdAre you trying to sedoos me, Mrs Fisher?\ufffd moment here, condemning Steenburgen to a life behind the reception desk of the Battlefield Hotel, where she endeavours to advance the romantic cause of the sweet and eager Mandy (Heather Graham) while repelling the calculating charms of Vera (Minnie Driver), the former fianc\ufffde who arrives from England to reclaim her man. As for the comedy, it\ufffds a far-from-subtle, occasional-hit-but-mostly-miss affair which leaves only Oliver Platt, as Hope\ufffds pushy mayor, able to walk away with any credit."}, {"response": 1832, "author": "aishling", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (08:15)", "body": "Now Magazine \ufffd 14 May Rating 3/5. A soft, warm wisp of romantic comedy. The Englishman as a fish out of water is always worth a punt at the movies and that\ufffds exactly what we get here, as the Englishman in question jumps out of his own pond and straight into the fire. When bemused artist Colin (Firth) discovers his fianc\ufffde Vera (Driver) is about to marry someone else, he suffers a mini breakdown and heads for the sleepy Vermont town of Hope. Here he finds himself surrounded by eccentric characters, such as the innkeeper Fisher (Collison) and his wife (Steenburgen). These are good people with good hearts and, as Colin settles down to some self-applied therapy sketching the local townsfolk, he finds a certain amount of emotional peace. But his life takes a decidedly racy turn when he meets young care worker Mandy (Graham), who decides to administer her own form of therapy \ufffd in Colin\ufffds bed. Things become even more complicated when Vera, in full bitch mode, arrives on the scene and Colin has to make a decision about where his heart really lies. There are lots of lovely little touches, many supplied by the eccentric antics of the locals who add colour and comedy to the film. Firth has a permanent look of panic on his face, but he doesn\ufffdt glower and smoulder here like he did as Mr Darcy. His character is too wet for that. It\ufffds Graham, playing a dippy hippy, who doesn\ufffdt work \ufffd she simply comes over as annoying. She\ufffds totally upstaged by Minnie Driver, who appears on the scene like a rocket just when the plot begins to wear thin and delivers a deliciously catty performance. Driver\ufffds always in control, even in her underwear (a scene that will make male members of the audience get all hot under the collar). Also worth the entrance price is Oliver Platt as the pompous Mayor of Hope, who wants Colin to paint his portrait. The film is another light romantic comedy of the kind we\ufffdve had plenty of this year. But, in the light of world events, why not lose yourself in something warm and cuddly? At the foot of the page Now has 'For more information, visit www.firth.com"}, {"response": 1833, "author": "joyce", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (08:40)", "body": "Thanks for all the reviews everyone. I still wouldn't mind seeing it on the big screen. If it doesn't make it in the States maybe we can arrange a special screening somewhere especially since firth.com is being referenced as the definitive source on the film. (Aishling)At the foot of the page Now has 'For more information, visit www.firth.com Quite a compliment Karen."}, {"response": 1834, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (09:01)", "body": "Mail on Sunday ? Matthew Bond Rating 2/5 Hey, beats 0/5 which ***hole Christopher Tookey gave it on Friday. (Joyce)If it doesn't make it in the States maybe we can arrange a special screening somewhere especially since firth.com is being referenced as the definitive source on the film. LOL. I missed the *winkie* on that one, Joyce. Can you imagine what a special screening would cost in the US?....gag. I predict it will come here and have a moderate success. Disney has circulated worse ones than this. Lizzie McGuire will make up the difference;-)"}, {"response": 1835, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (10:17)", "body": "(Aishling) At the foot of the page Now has 'For more information, visit www.firth.com Oh dear! Maybe I need to do some \"creative excerpting\" from the reviews, like I did with WAGW. But then I could hardly be considered the \"definitive\" source. ;-) Perhaps I could put the bad parts in teensy tiny font... (Mail) so in the movie the town has been renamed Hope which, when a local water garden is taken into account, allows the film to be called Hope Springs. This might just seem a touch contrived were it not for the fact that Sandra Bullock made similarly structured romance called Hope Floats barely five years ago. That makes it look plain lazy. This, plus the invitation to ridicule (hope springs eternal), were all mentioned here as soon as the title surfaced. Imbeciles! Do the studio execs not appreciate \"free\" focus group feedback when they see it??? (Mail) discover that the cure for a broken heart is a beautiful blonde who is a good ten years his junior and takes all her clothes off on their first date isn\ufffdt romance, it\ufffds wishful male thinking. So? 10 yrs is nothing compared to what we regularly see in films, and most films *are* exercises in male wish fulfillment. (Evelyn) Disney has circulated worse ones than this. Lizzie McGuire will make up the difference;-) What kind of Commie accounting did you study? ;-) Thanks for typing up all the reviews, Aishling. The Now review has pics and I'll post them shortly. There's a big one of Colin carrying Heather. Am going to see if I can spot the appliances he's wearing. *snort*"}, {"response": 1836, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (10:26)", "body": "(Aishling)At the foot of the page Now has 'For more information, visit www.firth.com Congrats, Karen! You are the source. :-D Thanks, Aishling!"}, {"response": 1837, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (10:30)", "body": "(Karen), Oh dear! Maybe I need to do some \"creative excerpting\" from the reviews, like I did with WAGW. But then I could hardly be considered the \"definitive\" source. ;-) Perhaps I could put the bad parts in teensy tiny font... LOL! Or maybe you can give it a \"spaghetti\" twist and put them under, \"The Good, The Bad and The Ugly\". ;-)"}, {"response": 1838, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (10:48)", "body": "(Evelyn) Disney has circulated worse ones than this. Lizzie McGuire will make up the difference;-) (Karen) What kind of Commie accounting did you study? ;-) Same kind the studio uses to say they never made a profit on a film that grossed it's cost 6 times over. ;-) Thanks, Aishling."}, {"response": 1839, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (10:51)", "body": "(Dorine) Same kind the studio uses to say they never made a profit on a film that grossed it's cost 6 times over. ;-) No, that's voodoo accounting because it's still project-based. ;-)"}, {"response": 1840, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (11:54)", "body": "(Now article) At the foot of the page Now has 'For more information, visit www.firth.com (Joyce) Quite a compliment Karen. It is. But how sad that the studio didn't bother to create an official site, so they have to reference a fan site (albeit a really good one!)."}, {"response": 1841, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (12:19)", "body": "(Evelyn) Disney has circulated worse ones than this. Lizzie McGuire will make up the difference;-) (Karen) What kind of Commie accounting did you study? ;-) Hey, You....Miss Cranky Pants... ....what I mean't was Lizzie McGuire profits could make up for HS losses.Duh;-) I didn't study no accountin';-)"}, {"response": 1842, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (12:27)", "body": "(Evelyn) ....what I mean't was Lizzie McGuire profits could make up for HS losses.Duh;-) I know what you mean, but it doesn't work that way, except on as bottom-line basis to Disney. However much money LMcG racks up will have nothing to do with the release of HS. Not only are these different projects, but they're from different operating divisions within Disney: Disney (family label) vs. Touchstone. Each division has separte accounting and its profitability is judged that way internally. Then the results are consolidated for reporting purposes only. Should I send you my last annual report from Disney or maybe you can get it from your grandchildren, who you gifted your stock to? ;-)"}, {"response": 1843, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (12:47)", "body": "(Bond Review) You\ufffdll have to be a pretty big Colin Firth fan to find much merit in this production. Bring it on! (Now Magazine) Firth has a permanent look of panic on his face, but he doesn\ufffdt glower and smoulder here like he did as Mr Darcy. His character is too wet for that. You can still glower and smoulder while wet (see Rika's captures over on Firthology...) ;-) At the foot of the page Now has 'For more information, visit www.firth.com Wow! Karen, this is impressive. Will try to watch my language and clean my room now that company is coming! ;-D Aishling, thanks so much for the articles!"}, {"response": 1844, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (13:00)", "body": "Aishling, thanks for the reviews. At the foot of the page Now has 'For more information, visit www.firth.com' Whooo-hoooo, you've hit the big time again, Karen. (Evelyn) Disney has circulated worse ones than this. Lizzie McGuire will make up the difference;-) (Karen) What kind of Commie accounting did you study? ;-) Hey, maybe we could ask the Enron guys for some pointers. ;-) I bet they could make HS solvent on paper.... BTW, I forgot to mention how much I enjoyed Karen's quiz and the responses. Joyce, you're really on a roll!"}, {"response": 1845, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (13:33)", "body": "(review)takes all her clothes off on their first date isn\ufffdt romance, it\ufffds wishful male thinking. I think I know of \"a few\" who would gladly do likewise if the guy in question was ODB. In our book it would be wishful firthette thinking ;-) Thank you, Aisling and my compliments to you, Karen, for the \"source-titel\". (Tress)You can still glower and smoulder while wet (see Rika's captures over on Firthology...) ;-) LOL, you are *so* right!"}, {"response": 1846, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (14:01)", "body": "Sorry, this is only of interest to those, who hasn't seen WAGW yet: The Amanda Bynes fansite has a few behind the scenes pictures from WAGW, which include CF in a tux (a bit blurry but very yummy in my book ;-)) http://www.amandabynesnow.com/whatagirlwants/gallery/bts/bts.htm"}, {"response": 1847, "author": "BarbaraT", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (14:02)", "body": "Review from the Daily Express by Allan Hunter. 2 stars Laughs? Some hope ... Some films could turn anyone into a grumpy old Victor Meldrew. This misbegotten romantic comedy, full of irritating acts and annoying characters, leaves you longing to quit the cinema with a hearty cry of \"I don't believe it!\". Considering the pedigree of those involved, it should have been so much better. It is based on a novel by the legendary author of The Graduate. It is directed by the man who gave us Brassed Off. It even stars Mr sodden britches himself, Colin Firth. By the way, that is s.o.d.d.e.n. britches - I'm not that irate. Hope Springs is still a crushing disappointment and fuelled by the kind of idiotic behaviour that only ever happens in the movies. It is a great shame as events start promisingly enough. Firth, reeling from the break up of his relationship with Welsh fiancee Minnie Driver, lands up in the picturesque Vermont town of Hope Springs. Bitter and unforgiving, he only discovered that he was surplus to requirements when an invitation arrived announcing Driver's wedding to another man. It doesn't take him long to move on, especially when he finds a soulmate in local nurse Heather Graham. Then, Driver turns up, determined to win back her man. What follows is a pretty tiresome tug of love in which the outcome hardly qualifies as a big surprise. Part of the problem with Hope Springs is Driver's character. She is such a Welsh dragon lady it is impossible to see what the attraction was in the first place. Bitchy and terminally disagreeable, she's the kind of woman you would be glad to leave behind. Graham's character is at least sweet-natured, although she is hardly much of an improvement. A free spirit prone to unpredictable bursts of spontaneous behaviour, she likes to celebrate the sheer joy of living by stripping off and prancing around naked. Happens all the time. What do you mean, not in your neck of the woods? The film desperately tries to capture a flavour of the old-style Hollywood comedies that might have starred Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn but the supposedly witty banter barely raises a smile, the twists in the plot are wearily contrived and the initial strong impression soon fizzles away. This is a picture in which hope doesn't spring, it sinks. Colin Firth fares best as the bumbling, emotionally repressed Englishman abroad. He has a deft comic timing and a dog-eared charm but there seems a real danger that he has become the actor people hire when they can't afford or obtain Hugh Grant. Driver is too strident for comfort and Graham confirms her reputation for rushing lemming-like to the poorest projects around. The real comic juice in the film is provided by the hard-working supporting cast, especially old pros Oliver Platt as the incorrigible mayor of Hope Springs and a delightful Mary Steenburgen as giddy hotel owner Joanie. It is hard to believe that 25 years have passed since Steenburgen waltzed off with an Oscar for Melvin and Howard. Time has been kind to her and to her talent and she is just as appealing as ever. If either of the leading ladies had brought as much sparkle to their performances, then we might be discussing a very different film. I also have the review from the Sunday Express which I'll type up later on if people aren't too dispirited at the prospect of yet another poor review (though like this one, it's quite kind to Colin)."}, {"response": 1848, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (14:04)", "body": "(Karen)1. Would you consider a front-row seat watching Colin reading a telephone directory dying and going to heaven? Please add my name to the waiting list for front-row tickets. Price is not an issue! Loved your quiz, Karen, and congrats on being recognized as the definitive source of CF news. Our Miss Cranky Pants rules! Thanks Karen, Evelyn, Mari, Antonella, Aishling and others for posting the painful HS reviews. My favorite is the one from the Mirror, where the guy makes the statement about women fancying Colin more than HG. Pretty perceptive on his part, IMO. With my half full glass, I'm eagerly awaiting LA."}, {"response": 1849, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (15:20)", "body": "(Barbara) I also have the review from the Sunday Express which I'll type up later on if people aren't too dispirited Naw, go right ahead if you'd like. Nothing apparently can get this group down, and the rest of us take it in our stride. Let me remind everyone that the movie critics in the UK are well-known for hating pretty much everything and are meaner than junkyard dogs. Nothing in these reviews is going to mean anything to the powers that be at Touchstone. They are going to look at box office returns for a sign of public acceptance for something they had already decided has no target audience in the US. If it does respectably, they might change their minds or it could go straight to vid. (Allan Hunter) The film desperately tries to capture a flavour of the old-style Hollywood comedies that might have starred Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn Oh, I doubt that. :-( Am trying to wrap my brain about the substitution of Heather Graham for Katherine Hepburn. (Annette) The Amanda Bynes fansite has a few behind the scenes pictures from WAGW, which include CF in a tux Thanks, Annette. I'm going to check my BTS tape to see if there are other Colin-only shots. Robair, the webmaster there, owes me big time. ;-)"}, {"response": 1850, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (16:56)", "body": "Antonella has sent a couple of mentions from today's Sunday Times, which we nonresidents can't get to without paying. They are both horrible, so scroll on through if you don't have a strong stomach... Sunday Times Culture magazine by Cosmo Landesman \"...I would like to be able to say that I can't remember when I last saw a \"romantic comedy\" that was a awful as this one, but I almost can. (It was just a few weeks ago and it was How To Lose A Guy in Ten Days.) But the latest film from the director Mark Herman {...} is even worse. You wait in vain for the laughs to arrive. They never do. Hope Springs leaves you feeling a mix of pity and embarassment for the cast and comtempt for the mediocrities who made it. In the Short Cuts column, Question of the week: Can anyone remember when heart-throb Colin Firth, this week appearing in Hope Springs, last made a good film? Could this get any worse? This is the country which strangle its own \"children\" (cinematic of couse from the cradle onwards) and welcome with open arms everything which comes from the US or even better from France, from which very good films come of course, but also very depressive and awful ones."}, {"response": 1851, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (17:20)", "body": "Colin Firth fares best as the bumbling, emotionally repressed Englishman abroad. See! There are little gems in some of the reviews.....and then the inevitable comparison.... He has a deft comic timing and a dog-eared charm but there seems a real danger that he has become the actor people hire when they can't afford or obtain Hugh Grant. Oh well...you just know it is in all of them (like a creamy center). Can anyone remember when heart-throb Colin Firth, this week appearing in Hope Springs, last made a good film? Could this get any worse? My 'glass half full' response is going to be.....he'll knock 'em dead with LA, GWAPE and Trauma! Thanks Annette (lovely!), Barbara and Karen!"}, {"response": 1852, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (17:28)", "body": "I hope they don't get these newspapers in the Isle of Man. This takes the cake. Worse than the ones they gave Rafe in Maid in Manhattan . And those were bad.But from reading Michael Caine's interview on #168, these guys expect this from the British press.They take it in their stride."}, {"response": 1853, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (17:43)", "body": "I read the Sunday Times over breakfast...not a good start to my day.:-( I have to say (seriously) that I've always really disliked Cosmo Landesman's \"criticism\" and the way he writes. HS is only one of many films to be completely demolished by him. What does he like? contempt for the mediocrities who made it. Too cruel..this goes beyond criticism, and will hurt people. I'll say again...HS *is* okay, and I enjoyed it (glad to see that Aishling did as well!) BTW I spotted the ad in the Guardian (the only one I've seen). Pity there aren't more! And I liked the use of the Cosmopolitan comment..\"A character driven charming take on Anglo-American relationships...a sweet, subtle delight. Romantic comedy of the Year no less!\""}, {"response": 1854, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (17:57)", "body": "These reviews are so hostile. As I told Karen, almost a vendetta. Is it b/c it's an American film co.? Maybe if Fragile Films or Little Bird had made it, they would like it better. Surely the public doesn't take these seriously, do they? As one who watches BBC news on Tv, I can tell you they're a loopy lot."}, {"response": 1855, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (18:11)", "body": "(Evelyn)these guys expect this from the British press.They take it in their stride I sure hope so. Wouldn't want him running off for the next five years or so:-( Aishling)At the foot of the page Now has 'For more information, visit www.firth.com Quite a compliment Karen., Excellent, Karen. So proud to be part of this group. (Tress)My 'glass half full' response is going to be.....he'll knock 'em dead with LA, GWAPE and Trauma! Ab-solutely! As Karen said... Nothing apparently can get this group down, and the rest of us take it in our stride. Yep,that's us--The eternal optomists! Thanks Karen, Barbara, Aishling, Mari...and thanking the commie accountants in advance for anything they can do:-) Can anyone remember when heart-throb Colin Firth, this week appearing in Hope Springs, last made a good film? Yeah, April, 2001. (now, now, I'm not leaving out HD but he hasn't crossed the pond yet)*very large gulp, deep breath, and getting ready to refill that glass*."}, {"response": 1856, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (18:14)", "body": "Sorry to double post. (Evelyn)These reviews are so hostile. As I told Karen, almost a vendetta. I said yesterday that I thought these reviews were over the top. The punishment, it seems, doesn't fit the crime. Like using an Uzzi to kill a house fly."}, {"response": 1857, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (18:17)", "body": "(Karen)Perhaps I could put the bad parts in teensy tiny font... That would rule me out! 10 yrs is nothing compared to what we regularly see in films, and most films *are* exercises in male wish fulfillment. You said it! LOL! I demand equal time! (Tress)you can still glower and smoulder while wet (see Rika's captures over on Firthology...) Lots of wisdom here today. Tress you are too cute!"}, {"response": 1858, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (18:24)", "body": "It even stars Mr sodden britches himself, Colin Firth. By the way, that is s.o.d.d.e.n. britches - I'm not that irate. Glad you held back with the rest of the review, too, Allan. ;-) rushing lemming-like ROTF! That vision is not beyond my imagination after watching that clip of her dancing around and undressing. Considering the pedigree of those involved, it should have been so much better. Those who have seen it, be honest. Is this fairly accurate? (Barbara) ...if people aren't too dispirited I told ya, these just keep getting funnier to me. ;-) Maybe it is because I see a bit of them trying to see how well they can one-up each other with nasty and clever remarks. But again, I don't believe there's not a grain of truth in them either. Strangely enough, I suspect I'm going to end up really liking MD in this. (I don't mean her character)"}, {"response": 1859, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (18:35)", "body": "(Evelyn)As one who watches BBC news on Tv, I can tell you they're a loopy lot. Is this a reference to the British critics?"}, {"response": 1860, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 11, 2003 (18:55)", "body": "(Evelyn) Is it b/c it's an American film co.? Maybe if Fragile Films or Little Bird had made it, they would like it better. It was made by a British company, Fragile Films. But the more important thing to a British critic is that these films are trying to be \"American.\" As the Times' Short Cuts column even admitted, \"This is the country which strangle its own \"children.\" I've always described it as eating their young. British critics set their standard against the films of the '60s, when there was a distinctly British film industry of which they could be proud."}, {"response": 1861, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (00:03)", "body": "(Annette)very yummy in my book ;-)) Thanks for the link, Annette. Very yummy indeed ;-)"}, {"response": 1862, "author": "BarbaraT", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (01:45)", "body": "Sunday Express review by Henry Fitzherbert. 2 stars Wet Colin cursed by unlucky Heather Will somebody please keep Heather Graham away from Britain's film stars? The vapid actress - Hollywood's favoured sex kitten after Boogie Nights and Austin Powers; The Spy Who Shagged Me - has a Sars-like effect on our talents. Hope Springs is her third film in a row alongside one of our leading men and at this rate we won't have any left. In box-office bomb Killing Me Softly she was paired opposite Joseph Fiennes, playing a kinky blonde. Donald Rumsfeld and \"Mrs Anthrax\" would have had better chemistry. Next up was Jimi Mistry in The Guru. The movie sucked and poor old Mistry looked mystified throughout. Now Graham goes for the bigger scalp of Colin Firth in this lame romantic comedy. Once again she plays a voracious blonde and once again a hot British talent goes stone-cold overnight. For goodness sake, keep her away from Hugh Grant. It's no laughing matter for the audience or Firth, who is bidding for solo stardom after co-starring roles in Bridget Jones's Diary and The Importance of Being Earnest. Yet opposite Graham all his virtues are vaporised. Here he is wet instead of smouldering, boyish instead of manly, dull instead of intriguing. Firth plays a heartbroken artist, Colin, who has escaped to the small Vermont town of Hope after fiancee Vera (Minnie Driver) calls off their wedding. Here he meets Mandy (Graham), a nurse with a wild side. Graham presumably gets cast alongside Brits because her sexuality is considered an ideal foil for stuffy Englishmen. This dynamic is played out to excruciating effect. One scene has her strip naked in his hotel room - just for the fun of it because she's, like, really crazy and liberated - while an embarrassed Colin looks on. On another occasion they go for a drive and she pulls out a bottle of liquor, glugs it like lemonade and slams Colin's foot on the accelerator. Those Yanks! Any comedy potential in a nurse with a wild side is squandered by Graham. It is not her raunchy behaviour that is the anomaly but her career in nursing. Above all, her pairing with Firth fails because she is so vacuous. Mr Darcy and a bimbo? Not likely. They are done few favours by the script, which is based on a novel by Charles Webb. I can only assume that in the book the relationship had some depth. Here, director and screenplay author Mark Herman resorts to that laziest of devices, the montage. The couple get it together in a few clips, leaving us none the wiser about what they see in each other. But this is supposed to be a love triangle, so enter Vera to mess things up just when Colin is getting his life back together. The point of a love triangle, however, seems to have passed Herman by. Instead of being plunged into turmoil, Colin simply tells Vera, who wants him back, where to go - but politely, since he's a nice chap. With Colin not interested in a reunion with Vera, the plot lacks tension and has no forward momentum. The characters are in the same place at the end of the movie as they were after 10 minutes. The only difference is that Colin comes over as increasingly wet. Despite not wanting to get back with Vera, he relents everys so often and agrees to hear her out. This means we are subjected to a series of dull, talky scenes. Yet somehow, Firth manages to emerge with his dignity intact and is still a likeable presence. Driver drifts in and out of scenes like a spare part and Graham is simply miscast. What may have seemed a dream line-up on paper has soured. Incidentally, I saw a brief interview with MD on an entertainment programme yesterday. The female interviewer asked her what Colin was like, saying he seemed quite shy. Minnie replied that he's not shy at all, has a great sense of humour, is lovely, kind etc and has a filthy mind, with the emphasis on the filthy mind - I think she used the word filthy 3 times. Sounds as if they're good friends."}, {"response": 1863, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (02:19)", "body": "I hope I'm in the right forum - there's an article in smh.com.au today about P&P being picked the \"top book by a female author\" in Britain - due in no small part to Colin, I'm betting. Small pic of Colin as Darcy combined with D Radcliffe as H Potter (title says \"Jane Austen tops H Potter\" s/b \"CF tops H Potter\") story here: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/05/12/1052591718611.html"}, {"response": 1864, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (02:39)", "body": "One of the not so bad reviews http://www.iofilm.co.uk/fm/h/hope_springs_2003.shtml According to Jane's article (thank you), Colin is in three of the top-fifties books (in films, that is off course ;-)) That phrase and Barbaras mentioning of Mr Titspervert, no sorry Fitzherbert makes me long even more for TEOR (with or without the boxers from Ms Jones' party ;-))"}, {"response": 1865, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (07:26)", "body": "They are done few favours by the script, which is based on a novel by Charles Webb. I can only assume that in the book the relationship had some depth. This was a problem in the book too. It's no laughing matter for the audience or Firth, who is bidding for solo stardom after co-starring roles in Bridget Jones's Diary and The Importance of Being Earnest. I questioned Colin's choice after reading the book. This is his baby. :-( Thanks for typing the articles, Barb. Thanks Annette."}, {"response": 1866, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (07:48)", "body": "Sunday Express review by Henry Fitzherbert.... Minnie replied that he's not shy at all, has a great sense of humour, is lovely, kind etc and has a filthy mind, with the emphasis on the filthy mind LOL, that's ODB! So who can blame us?"}, {"response": 1867, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (09:16)", "body": "(Jane) I hope I'm in the right forum When in doubt, use Odds & Ends #168. *hint hint* :) Thanks for typing up Mr Titspervert's review (I immediately thought the same thing, Annette), whose underlying sentiments I can support. He's very pro-Colin and supportive ( to the point of almost being protective) of his career/talent. This man has no axe to grind when it comes to Colin, so I wouldn't be so dismissive of what he has to say. (Fitzherbert) Now Graham goes for the bigger scalp of Colin Firth And we know his scalp must be protected. ;-) for the audience or Firth, who is bidding for solo stardom Up from the ranks of \"supporting\" actor... Graham presumably gets cast alongside Brits because her sexuality is considered an ideal foil for stuffy Englishmen. That and probably two other things. Above all, her pairing with Firth fails because she is so vacuous. Mr Darcy and a bimbo? Didn't I say from the start they needed an \"actress\"? I can only assume that in the book the relationship had some depth...The couple get it together in a few clips, leaving us none the wiser about what they see in each other (Moon) This was a problem in the book too. Taking this point over to #126 so that people who have actually seen the movie can comment."}, {"response": 1868, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (10:05)", "body": "Thanks for typing up Mr Titspervert's review (I immediately thought the same thing, Annette), whose underlying sentiments I can support. He's very pro-Colin and supportive ( to the point of almost being protective) of his career/talent. This man has no axe to grind when it comes to Colin, so I wouldn't be so dismissive of what he has to say. I would agree with you here, Karen. This is good constructive criticism, with sympathy for CF who deserves better (better in the sense of a strong dramatic role with uniformly superior acting) but does very well within the constraints. Any comedy potential in a nurse with a wild side is squandered by Graham. It is not her raunchy behaviour that is the anomaly but her career in nursing. Above all, her pairing with Firth fails because she is so vacuous. Mr Darcy and a bimbo? Not likely. Has probably hit the nail on the head here. I won't say any more as it will belong over at #126, but Mandy is miscast."}, {"response": 1869, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (10:17)", "body": "One scene has her strip naked in his hotel room - just for the fun of it because she's, like, really crazy and liberated - while an embarrassed Colin looks on. On another occasion they go for a drive and she pulls out a bottle of liquor, glugs it like lemonade and slams Colin's foot on the accelerator. But those scenes are right out of the book, as is the fact that Mandy is vacuous (but with a heart of gold). That's the character. Who do you think they'd get to play this--Cate Blanchette? Renee Z.? Reese W.? Nicole K.?C'mon. Those gals are off to the races. To me, the most telling thing was reading that the script wasn't done when they starting filing and that Mark H was writing as they filmed and that CF was in a big hurry. That's a red flag, folks."}, {"response": 1870, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (10:28)", "body": "Actually, what I really wanted to comment on is the personal and hostile nature of many of the reviews. I fully realize that critics aren't paid to be cheerleaders. But many of these go beyond what I'd consider to be professional criticism. Why go out of their way to dub this the worst film of the year? Or to call Colin a poor man's Hugh Grant? Or to say Minnie's head is too big for her body? Or that she's one of the least liked actresses around? Or that Heather is stupid? Does *any* of this have anything to do with the film,? If they want to criticize the script, the direction, the performances, that's valid, but I detect a deliberate meanness here. It's as though they feel they'd lose their street cred if they liked something that was just plain nice, with no dark side, no cynicism and no bleak undercurrent. I want to see this film. Most of you here who've seen it liked it. The early reviews from very reputable sources (the BBC and THR) were good. It cannot possibly be worse than 2 \"comedies\" I saw recently, Anger Management and Maid In Manhattan. But because those had huge names in them, people who are automatic box office draws, they were rushed right out there, despite fair to poor reviews."}, {"response": 1871, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (10:34)", "body": "All talk, no action Reviewed by Alexander Walker, Evening Standard (8 May 2003) If you could not get - or afford - Hugh Grant, you should not make Hope Springs with Colin Firth. He plays Colin Ware, an English illustrator who has been jilted and is trying to mend a broken heart. Colin comes to the New England hamlet of Hope Springs (get it?), where everyone takes pity on him, especially Mandy (Heather Graham). Her occupation is \"caregiver\", but her propensities are those of a maneater. She soon has him standing in nothing but his shirt, though even here Firth looks as if the starch is still in it. But the whole film, written and directed by Mark Herman, feels like watching concrete set. Firth has trouble with the self-deprecating one-liners that Grant could have knocked off with a shake of his forelock. He is not a mobile actor - if anything, he's a stabile. In this film, people use Colin for target practice. When Vera (Minnie Driver), his ex-fianc\ufffde, shows up determined to reclaim her man, she proves a ball-breaker and chainsmoker in one. It is pretty clear who is going to win Colin - not that it's remotely interesting. Certainly not as interesting as how the newly reconfigured Minnie Driver looks. She has dieted away those chipmunk cheeks of hers, but the result gives her the ala mingly unsympathetic features of a flint axe-head. Everyone talks, talks, talks: nobody does anything - or anything much. There are two running jokes: one about Colin not wearing underpants; the other about Vera continually lighting up and getting ordered to \"butt out\". Are these gags intended to be anti-British or anti-American? At the sixth repetition, they are certainly anti-funny. Oliver Platt's bumptious mayor steals any scenes worth stealing - not many."}, {"response": 1872, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (10:45)", "body": "(Mari)Actually, what I really wanted to comment on is the personal and hostile nature of many of the reviews. I fully realize that critics aren't paid to be cheerleaders. But many of these go beyond what I'd consider to be professional criticism. I couldn't agree more! This includes the last one posted by Karen. *Flint axe-head*? Now what's the point of a statement like that? It is the mean-spirited tone of these reviews that has started to bum me out."}, {"response": 1873, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (11:35)", "body": "I've added the two pics from Now, which Aishling kindly scanned, to the Gallery: http://www.firth.com/hs_gal.html Colin and gerbil Colin with his rendition of a flint axe-head"}, {"response": 1874, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (11:41)", "body": "ROTFLMAO and not so bummed anymore!"}, {"response": 1875, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (11:49)", "body": "OMG, Karen, that is too funny! Thanks Aishling. Was this touched up or the real deal?"}, {"response": 1876, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (12:17)", "body": "Thank you so much Karen and everyone for all the articles. The list is hysterical Karen and I answer positively yes to all. Thank you for all the reviews and links. Agree with Evelyn and Karen. Reviewers see movies differently from the paying customer, and we must admit we are definitely biased IMO. I know I am. Will be thankful for the DVD if that is the only option. But tend to put myself in category with those of you fortunate to have seen it. I don't believe it is as bad as they are saying and know I for one, would really enjoy it, tuning out Heather, that is. Thanks again everyone."}, {"response": 1877, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (12:31)", "body": "Very funny, Karen! Thanks, Aishling! (Mari), To me, the most telling thing was reading that the script wasn't done when they starting filing and that Mark H was writing as they filmed and that CF was in a big hurry. That's a red flag, folks. This really bothered me too. The fact that Colin was so gone-ho in the priject that he was in a big hurry to do it. There must have been a script that all the actors read before they signed to do it. MH made it sound as if it was all Colin's fault because he wanted to start it. (?) I think those journalists that do these interviews are idiots. They never follow up on their answers. If you could not get - or afford - Hugh Grant, you should not make Hope Springs with Colin Firth. This must hurt Colin's feelings as it seems to be repeated by the critics. :-("}, {"response": 1878, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (12:47)", "body": "(Moon)If you could not get - or afford - Hugh Grant, you should not make Hope Springs with Colin Firth. This must hurt Colin's feelings as it seems to be repeated by the critics. :-( I agree. I think the HG stuff in these reviews was a bit unnecessary--even though I know it is almost impossible, I guess, for the UK critics not to compare the two. I still can't totally swallow the level of vengence...amazing."}, {"response": 1879, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (12:58)", "body": "Someone sent me this from the Bristol Evening Post. It is accompanied by a lovely half page spread of Colin and Mandy. Sorry no scanner (Yoo hoo Aishling!) so you can't drool with me. The review is 2/5 stars hope Springs has all the ingredients of a sparky and energetic romantic comedy. Firth is dashing and quintessentially English,Graham is ditzy and vivacious Driver exudes a cool sexiness.Supporting characters are sweetly demented and the locations glow with autumnal oranges and browns. yet there is no dramatic tension and the characters feel rather two dimensional. Driver's urbane sexy socialite is a weak third point of the central triangle; spiteful, snide and aloof. She is so weak in fact, the entire structure collapses leaving the linear journey from A to B via the familiar haunts of Comic Misunderstanding , tearful separation and sugary reconciliation. Surely we should feel some sympathy for the breakdown in Colin and Vera's relationship and understand why they have been together so long? There is never any doubt who will emerge victorious from the love tug of war, the only surprise is how long it takes Hope Springs to get there. I'm glad this reviewer and I agree on MD ;-)) Thanks everyone for all the other reviews, links and pics."}, {"response": 1880, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (13:10)", "body": "Karen, et al, thanks so much for all the pics, articles, reviews (and Colin's arms the size of Brazil ;)). So what's worse than a few smug hugegrantie reviewers? Lots of smug hugegrantie reviewers ;-(. Sorry, am in v. hopeful TEoR mood after all the mean spirited reviews. Would love to hear that TEoR's next after (all this) 'Trauma.' ;-) And, Karen, LOL at your questionaire. Hope no one out there comes across it and thinks it's a mission statement *as I fall into each of those categories at one time or another [and still do] but with a very cynical eye now that I have been here for a while*;-)."}, {"response": 1881, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (14:45)", "body": "(Bee Dee)*Flint axe-head*? Now what's the point of a statement like that? See? That's exactly what I was saying. It's personally derogatory. We may make remarks here about various people or not like their performance, but we're not writing for publication or in a professional critic's capacity. And they do it especially to women. I think Alexander Walker's ass must be too tight for his head and that's why it keeps getting stuck there. How would he like that?;-) LOVE the pictures from NOW. Thanks Aishling and Karen!"}, {"response": 1882, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (14:55)", "body": "With a huge thanks to Helen, who typed up this very long article and who kindly gave permission for posting here, article in yesterday's Irish Times magazine: Part 1 of 2 There are a number of drawbacks to interviewing Colin Firth. The first is that he is said to be rather touchy about the role that made him a household name; that of Mr. Darcy in the 1995 BBC series of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. You can see his point- more than twenty roles and eight years later, he is still best known for striding out of a fish pond in a wet shirt. Yet if my assorted female friends and relatives are anything to go by (\"Ooooo, you're interviewing Mr. Darcy), it is as Mr. Darcy that Colin Firth is most clearly remembered, not least because he practically reprised the role, as lawyer Mark Darcy in the film version of Helen Fielding's novel, Bridget Jones's Diary. Clearly, the role that dare not speak it's name will have to be mentioned, and yet there is something rather forbidding about Colin Firth. Even in films as light and silly as his latest.Hope Springs, he is terrifyingly aloof. What if I mention the Darcy thing and he turns that smouldering, surly glare on me? Even worse what if he doesn't? Swoon. As it urns out, Colin Firth is not nearly as thunderous in real life as he is on Television or Big Screen. Serious; Yes. Darkly good looking; damn yes, but on the whole, he is more polite and wry rather than glowering. Of his Mr. Darcy alter ego he simply says: \"Apart from the problem of trying to think of anything clever to say about it it doesn't really affect me at all... The phrase has simply lost its meaning. Alot has been made of this idea that i shun it, or object to it and that's not in the least bit true. I thought it was fantastic, but when a word get's repeated often enough, you can't think of a way to respond any more.\" Not only was the D-word thrown at him by every interviewer(this one included) for the past eight years, but the role has meant he was neatly pigeon-holed as a brooding period drama hero. Richard Burton in a frock coat. There is an element of truth to the swash-buckling stereotype, because despite a few low profile exceptions (such as roles as a bus driver and Nazi official) Firth has spent more time than most in a pair of Britches. So much so, that seeing him lounging on a sofa in the Dorchester Hotel in black turtleneck, sweater, jeans and chelsea boots with an ornate turquoise ring on his finger, looks as wrong as a digital watch in Ben Hur. Since his first professional role, taking over from Rupert Everett in a west end production of Another Country in 1984, he has donned period costume in Shakespeare in Love, The English Patient and Relative Values. Evan when he get's to wear jeans or a nice crisp suit, as lawyer Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones's Diary or in the film adaptation of Nick Hornby's Fever Pitch, he retains the aura of Period Drama or perhaps more correctly, a very traditional air of Britishness. His latest film, Hope Springs, a rather contrived romantic Comedy fron Mark Herman shows Firth at his most typical, playing Colin Ware, a reticent but loveable English Artist, torn between Heather Graham's kooky easy going American and Minnie Driver's uptight, brittle English Bitch. Cue plenty of smouldering glances and clipped vowels, although as the film is set in contempory America, there is little in the way of swahes to be buckled."}, {"response": 1883, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (15:01)", "body": "Part 2 of 2 from The Irish Times, courtesy of Helen: Nick James, Editor of Sight and sound the British film industry mag, points out: \"Americans have an appetite for this kind of Englishman- Hugh Grant, only not as witty and with hidden depths- and Colin Firth does it extremely well\". Firth himself says \"There is a particular kind of Britishness that Americans tend to recognise. If they don't know, they tend to think everyone is like Prince Charles.\" Yet, with the irony of Firth being so firmly associated with the best of British is that his own identity is rather fluid. Three out of four grand-parents were methodist missionaries and his parents, both academics, brought up their son in Nigeria for the first five years of his life. By the time he was a teenager, Firth's nick-name was The Yank, courtesy of an American accent and mannerisms gleaned from a year spent in St. Louis, Missouri. It was at least the third accent Firth had acquired and discarded, having moved schools throughout his childhood, adopting whichever voice made his life easiest. At the age of 42, it has finally settled into the kind of \"BBC received pronunciation\" he says his parents use. Following his first marriage, to Canadian actress Meg Tilly whom he met on the set of the film Valmont in 1988, he spent five years in a log cabin in British Columbia. In fact Firth acknowledges a tendency to retreat from Civilisation and claims he immediately identified with the part of Colin Ware, \"a confused, bewildered middle-class englishman adrift in North America, which has definitely been me.\" He and Tilly subsequently split and Firth now regularly spends chunks of time in the United States with their twelve year old son Will. Six years ago, he married Italian documentary maker Livia Giuggiolo in Rome, and the pair now have a son Luca, now two. With such a United Nations of homes and heritage behind him, it's little wonder that Firth has ambiguous feelings about his own nationality. He says he feels \"partly American\" (his mother was brought up there), and got himself into trouble, telling a New York radio journalist that England is a \"nation of illiterate philistines\" of which football hooligans are \"very, very representative\". He and his wife have spent time living in Rome, but are currently living in London, in between Firth's work commitments: \"I think I probably will bring my kids up here, although I've got questions over whether it will be better for them. It might be better because I don't know if i'm going to earn a living for anybody if I move to Italy, but as far as how I want them to grow up goes- I'm very attracted to Italy from that point of view.\" It's no surprise that Firth acknowledges England's importance for him professionally, as he has worked almost constantly here since leaving Drama School nearly twenty years ago. In his profession, this is as rare as Mr. Darcy's smile, but he is at a loss to explain why this is. \"I just don't know. It's been like that since the beginning\"... Firth breaks off to knock on wood.. \"It hasn't always been the best of work, but I have always earned a living.\" From those early days on the West End stage, he moved into Television, mainly because his dedication to his role of transatlantic dad made it impossible for him to take on long-term commitments. More tellingly, he has made a transition most actors find almost impossible: from Television to film. Although he doesn't yet have anything like the status of his uber-Brit counterpart, Hugh Grant, he is beginning to be recognised by Hollywood, and Hope Springs is a clear attempt to bridge both the English and US markets. Pushed to analyse just what it is about Colin Firth Inc which makes him so eminently employable, he turns rather pensive and philosophical: \"I find it very hard to step outside myself and see that perception of me, because it's set up from such a distance. Sure, you can try to step outside of yourself as a human being, and look at what you're doing with your life, your friendships, your marriage. But to be quite honest, the way you might get written about, or perceived by strangers around the country- I don't see how I could reach their vantage point to look at me.\" This is a little disingenuous, as Firth is doubtless aware of what makes a classic Colin Firth role - two friends rang him before the book on which Hope Springs is based was even published to tell him the character of Colin Ware was made for him - but it is cleary Firth's way of ignoring the \"Firth the heart-throb\" branding and staying sane. At the time of his marriage to Giuggiolo, he was hounded by the paparazzi and he admits to feeling \"homicidal\" when the tabloids printed unauthorised pictures of him and his son. \"I found it very frightening, and people didn't get why. In fact, I wouldn't have understood why it was so frightening until it happened, but you are being stalked, and they do think you're fair game. I don't know where it's written that because you tella story "}, {"response": 1884, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (15:24)", "body": "he was hounded by the paparazzi and he admits to feeling \"homicidal\" when the tabloids printed unauthorised pictures of him and his son. \"I found it very frightening, and people didn't get why...\" I was wondering if he was ever going to reference those photos. It made me sad at the time because I suspected he would be angry. Understandably so...but I will admit I looked at them. And loved seeing him in 'daddy mode'. Feeling very guilty right now... \"I don't find it very easy to understand my motives. It's a long time ago that it started since and i'm inclined to think I might have made a different choice now, if I could go back and re-route it\" Uh-oh. He isn't having one of those crisis things is he? Please, please, please don't retreat into the wilds again or stop dressing up in funny frocks! Thanks Barbara, Annette, Aishling (for the lovely photos...love the bottom one...dimples), Karen (for posting those lovely photos), Lizza and Mari!! And any and all others...I apologize if I missed anyone!"}, {"response": 1885, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (15:39)", "body": "Thanks, Mari and Helen! Hope Springs is a clear attempt to bridge both the English and US markets. If we even get it. :-( At this point, it might be WAGW that gets him future roles in the US. ornate turquoise ring Didn't think he was the type. ;-)"}, {"response": 1886, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (15:51)", "body": "Go here to see ornate turquoise ring: http://store3.yimg.com/I/lvmullay_1732_9977745"}, {"response": 1887, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (15:51)", "body": "Thanks Mari and Helen for this article.It\ufffds really a good one. I realized : Again another (in fact two) Hugh Grant comparison(s) (Seems like they just can\ufffdt let it be). and again a journalist metioning what he wears (I somehow like when they do it) I also didn\ufffdt think he is a \"ornate turquoise ring\" type."}, {"response": 1888, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (15:58)", "body": "ornate turquoise ring (Moon) Didn't think he was the type. ;-) (Petra) I also didn\ufffdt think he is a \"ornate turquoise ring\" type. I third that! Cannot imagine it...but LOL at the pic Moon. ODB is just one surprise after another! But maybe after wearing that turquoise outfit as Vermeer he realized that it was a color that suited him. ;-)"}, {"response": 1889, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (16:18)", "body": "\"It might be better because I don't know if i'm going to earn a living for anybody if I move to Italy,...\" Pssst...\"Don't even think about the shoe-cobbler bit...DDL couldn't make it\". Thanks Helen and Mari."}, {"response": 1890, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (16:30)", "body": "Hope Springs is a clear attempt to bridge both the English and US markets. (Moon) If we even get it. :-( It is *incredibly* ironic, isn't it? Thanks so much, Mari and Helen! Funny about the ring, I've never seen another ring on him in any other pictures. Did notice the pale band around his wrist in the new rainbow picture, though, where I presume he wears his watch. Seems he must have a bit of a tan. (Tress) And loved seeing him in 'daddy mode'. Feeling very guilty right now I felt guilty a bit, too, but thought he was pretty sexy in \"daddy mode\" anyway. ;-) (Lora) So what's worse than a few smug hugegrantie reviewers? Lots of smug hugegrantie reviewers ;-(. LOL!!!"}, {"response": 1891, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (18:55)", "body": "Thanks so much Mari and Helen. (Moon)At this point, it might be WAGW that gets him future roles in the US Exactly:-( At least the critics here didn't seem as though they had a personal vendetta to settle with WAGW. sheesh. Also, very little mention/comparasion to HG in the reviews, either. As far as I can remember."}, {"response": 1892, "author": "LizJP", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (19:06)", "body": "\"Yet for all his near-constant film and television roles, his evident self-assurance as an actor, and his admirable lack of ego, near the end of our interview Firth says something odd. Asked why he thinks he is an actor, Firth pauses and then says suddenly: 'I don't find it very easy to understand my motives. It's a long time ago that it started since and i'm inclined to think I might have made a different choice now, if I could go back and re-route it'\" I hope he isn't questioning his career choice because he's been reading the HS reviews! They would depress anyone. I'm counting on GWAPE to make up for them. Returning to lurkdom . . . Liz"}, {"response": 1893, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, May 12, 2003 (21:35)", "body": "(Mari) personally derogatory. We may make remarks here about various people ...but we're not writing for publication or in a professional critic's capacity...they do it especially to women. I think Alexander Walker's ass must be too tight for his head and that's why it keeps getting stuck there. How would he like that?;-) LOL, I've been waiting...on the Dorothy Parker scale of 0-4 martinis, I give that 3--with a twist--ow!!! (Somehow I knew the first would go to one of you!)"}, {"response": 1894, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (08:26)", "body": "(Mari)I think Alexander Walker's ass must be too tight for his head and that's why it keeps getting stuck there. Well, I just lost my coffee. LOL, Mari."}, {"response": 1895, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (09:46)", "body": "(Mari)I think Alexander Walker's ass must be too tight for his head .. If I were Colin I would have a List of ***hole reporters and never give them access to an interview again. What's the sense of being so nice to these leech-heads if they only seem to be in the business of trashing him and his films.No one says they have to gloat over mediocre material. But their style of journalism is barbaric. I shudder to think what they will do with WAGW."}, {"response": 1896, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (10:08)", "body": "(Evelyn) I would have a List of ***hole reporters and never give them access to an interview again. I've only seen these guys (major ones from major newspapers) do movie reviews, no cross-overs between feature articles and that. Alexander Walker's a major crusader for what's *wrong* with Britsh film. Are any of these guys respected in the way we've set up certain US critics as being important or influential?"}, {"response": 1897, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (11:09)", "body": "Weekend box office data for the UK (I'm sure this won't line up) This wk/last wk/picture/b.o. this week/# of screens/per screen avg/wks in release/b.o. total 1 - X2 $4,958,775 454 $10,922 1 $21,754,004 2 - Johnny English $1,148,287 415 $2,767 4 $27,352,486 3 - Old School $1,024,776 316 $3,243 -- $1,195,389 4 - Darkness Falls $778,819 295 $2,640 -- $778,819 5 - How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days $764,733 334 $2,290 2 $8,915,189 6 - Phone Booth $748,138 273 $2,740 2 $8,815,778 7 - Hope Springs $590,876 303 $1,950 -- $590,876 8 - The Jungle Book 2 $415,437 429 $968 4 $11,840,237 9 - Welcome to Collinwood $208,200 183 $1,138 2 $2,624,808 10 - Dreamcatcher ] $207,070 211 $981 2 $2,821,479"}, {"response": 1898, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (11:10)", "body": "knew it wouldn't :("}, {"response": 1899, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (11:11)", "body": "That's okay. Could still read it. Thanks. Do we know which of those were new releases that weekend?"}, {"response": 1900, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (11:23)", "body": "I believe Old School and Darkness Falls were also new."}, {"response": 1901, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (11:24)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1902, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (11:25)", "body": "The number before the last dollar figure is the \"weeks in release.\""}, {"response": 1903, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (11:29)", "body": "Karen: Are any of these guys respected in the way we've set up certain US critics as being important or influential? Largely the answer is no. The only influential critic in that sense was Barry Norman on BBC's film review programme Film 98 (or 99 or whatever the year was). Jonathan Ross has taken over the role, and probably still carries some of the influence, but the print critics do not carry individual weight in my opinion. The only possible exception, and I hate to say this, is Alexander Walker, who, through sheer longevity at the Standard, commands some respect. Readers of other papers may disagree. The situation is very different with both TV and theatre criticism, in which certain print critics do carry that kind of Ebert-like influence. My suspicion, contrary to what has been said before, is that UK box office numbers are more influenced by widescale hype (obviously) but in the sense that if a movie keeps getting mentioned for whatever reason, it scores. Good signs: C4's breakfast show RI:SE trailed their Minnie Driver interview every few minutes for nearly an hour last Wednesday (before I gave up and went to work) - I think CF had been on the day before, no? Bad signs: no TV adverts, limited Tube and print ads etc. Maybe I'm wrong, but I think the newspaper reviews only affect the more discriminating, rarer filmgoers who probably don't determine the hits and misses."}, {"response": 1904, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (11:37)", "body": "Thanks Helen and Mari for the interview. Re figures about films Karen, I am surprised to see \"I capture the Castle\" not up there! Barbara \"Hugh baby you're mine all mine\" Ellen, used it as the benchmark aginst which to measure HS and it was part of why she thought it had failed so badly. If it's so great why isn't it up there...... maybe more limited release. With takings like that we should get to see it for another week at least:-)"}, {"response": 1905, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (11:46)", "body": "HS looks to be going the Ldum way. :-( Thanks for the insights, Mark. I await your verdict on HS. ;-D"}, {"response": 1906, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (12:02)", "body": "Thanks for the explanation, Mark. Picked up the May Film Comment yesterday at my European bookstore. I'm pretty sure this review hasn't been posted because I don't think it's at their website (last time I checked) Film Comment (**) by James Cameron-Wilson HS Englishman hides from mad girlfriend in USA! The best thing about Hope Springs is that Colin Firth isn't the villain. He may play someone rather wet, smug and ridiculous, but he's not seeking world domination. The villain of the piece, though, is English, being one Minnie Driver, who saunters into the small town of Hope, Vermont, with Machiavellian intentions. Still, it's good to see a film set in America where the British aren't all bad and this one is well cast. A sort of flip side to Hugh Grant, Firth is perfect at portraying the ordinary, decent, vaguely misplaced Englishman with a back pocket full of irony. Here, he's Colin Ware, an artist who has run off to the US to escape a traumatic break-up with his long-standing girlfriend. Shell-shocked and rudderless, he alights on the backwater of Hope in the vain optimism that it will live up to its name. After ordering some rubbers from a shop (his first faux pas, he should've asked for erasers), he stumbles into The Battlefield Inn where he succumbs to the onslaught of depression and jet lag. Immediately uneasy in his new surroundings, Colin just wants to pass into a state of oblivion but becomes hostage to the good intentions of the natives. The Inn's owner (a wonderful Mary Steenburger) sets him up with the local beauty, Mandy (Graham), a carer who will do anything to relieve her oppressive boredom. Colin's inexperience with women sets him at a disadvantage. Surprised by his reticence, Mandy enquires, \"You don't have sex on first dates?\" Colin replies, \"I don't have first dates.\" Of course, Mandy's winsome physical attributes would be hard to resist by any man and no sooner has Colin fallen for her, than the ex (Driver) turns up to re-claim him. Hope Springs, adapted from the novel New Cardiff by Charles Webb, is mildly endearing but it fails to find a footing in reality. While watching Colin Firth in just about anything can be entertainment enough, he loses his way in a plot that feels markedly contrived. Continuity is not the film's strong point, either, and many of its details let it down. There is some fun to be found here, but the laughs are definitely on the muted side."}, {"response": 1907, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (12:11)", "body": "Mark thank you for your insights, It makes me feel a bit better. Karen, thanks for the Film Comment. It certainly isn't sparkling, but at least it is upbeat with a sincere tone to it. While watching Colin Firth in just about anything can be entertainment enough At least he got that bit right;-)"}, {"response": 1908, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (12:19)", "body": "My wit being about as sharp as a shoelace these days I can come up with nothing to say about this contest question, but you ladies (and Mark)in the UK are at least shoe-ins to qualify... http://www.bbc.co.uk/tyne/competitions/groovymovie_competition.shtml"}, {"response": 1909, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (12:29)", "body": "Excerpts of the UK box office analysis from Screendaily: Despite four new entries hitting the UK top ten this week none were able to come close to 20th Century Fox\ufffds X-Men sequel, X2. With a vast lead the comic-book title took $4.9m (\ufffd3.1m) in its second weekend, a 48% drop from its opening. Leading the opposition and taking up second position was UIP\ufffds comedy Old School. Directed by Todd Phillips (Road Trip) the film took $1.2m (\ufffd742,478) from 316 sites \ufffd including $169,825 (\ufffd105,971) of previews from 270 sites. Columbia TriStar launched horror title Darkness Falls into fourth place with $775,223 (\ufffd483,739) from 295 for an average of $2,628 per location. UIP\ufffds Working Title hit Johnny English took up third position with a fifth weekend gross of $1.1m (\ufffd713,222) from 415 sites. The Rowan Atkinson vehicle has grossed $27.2m (\ufffd17m) \ufffd over a quarter of its current international cumulative gross \ufffd in the UK and Ireland. Also doing well in the territory for UIP is romantic comedy How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days. Playing in fifth this week the Kate Hudson-Matthew McConaughey film has taken $8.9m (\ufffd5.5m) to date. Buena Vista International\ufffds Hope Springs opened seventh on $588,147 (\ufffd367,004) at 303 sites for an uninspiring average of $1,941. The romantic comedy, which stars Colin Firth, Heather Graham and Minnie Driver, played well in London\ufffds West End however where it was placed second with a resounding $80,713 (\ufffd50,365) from 12 sites \ufffd an average of $6,726. Similarly Momentum Pictures\ufffd I Capture The Castle did solid business at 76 locations around the country to take ninth place with $221,381 (\ufffd138,142) and an average of $2,913 per venue. The film, which stars Bill Nighy, Tara Fitzgerald and rising talent Romola Garai, also played particularly well on 14 sites in the West End taking $73,237 (\ufffd45,700) for an average of $5,231."}, {"response": 1910, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 13, 2003 (13:30)", "body": "(Linda) Mark thank you for your insights, It makes me feel a bit better. Well I can tell you ,it doesn't make me feel better. Mark and I have known each other many years...it he knows it isn't personal. (THR)7 - Hope Springs $590,876 303 $1,950 -- $590,876 Disgraceful.Worse than I thuoght it would be. Here goes: For the umptieth time : Where are all the millions of fans in the UK. You know, the place where he's the \"household word.\" Did \"How to Lose a Guy\" get hype from Kate Hudson and Matthew McCanoughy. I tell you, they still look upon Colin as a TV star and not a big screen draw. This happens to him in his home country with every damn movie that he has made. Except for Bridget. And that was not *his* movie. Gaaah. He even did some TV promos and went to the premiere(!), fergodsake. For him, that's a lot ;-) Of course, you know I don't mean our UK friends on this board who soldier on valiantly."}, {"response": 1911, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, May 14, 2003 (10:52)", "body": "You know, the place where he's the \"household word That is true but he is very much a middle class pinup...He is liked by the sort of person who only goes to the movies in this country if the critics are good and/or it has been heavily advertised. I went this afternoon. To the only performance I could get to this week (it has been a busy time) at 1.30pm. I have to say that I do not understand the savagery of some of the criticisms. It is nothing like as dire as SLOW or as muddled as MLSF. There was a point when HG arrives on the scene when I thought I might have to run out of the cinema, but the moment passed and the time passed agreeably enough. I laughed out loud several times, there were some genuinely funny lines. HG is the weak point. Her character is vacuous rather than sweet which may just be a reflection of HG's lack of skill as an actress. I thought MD was good. I like her. She adds a bit of bite to the action. I felt that in the right hands they could have made a cohesive comedy out of it but there was this basic problem that we were given no clue as to why Colin ever liked Vera. We have a man who is devastated, who jumps in to bed with a dumbo and immediately forgets his previous love. I am sure in better hands they could have made something of it. The other characters were fun and quirky and I felt it could have been so much better. However CF is ABFG in this, never better. And he has obviously been working out. Breathtaking. Maybe that is why the male critics were so harsh. Pure male envy ;-)"}, {"response": 1912, "author": "susanne", "date": "Wed, May 14, 2003 (11:01)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1913, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 14, 2003 (11:27)", "body": "We don't do the \"degrees of\" bit here, as the topic would be full of such items. I've moved Sue's news over to 168, where we've talked about this one before."}, {"response": 1914, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 14, 2003 (13:26)", "body": "Noble of you to go Allison:-)) The Drool crowd is always loyal...even with the \"forgetable\"ones. Can I ask you how many others were in attendance...or did you have a private viewing? I still think it would do OK in the US. WAGW is eyecandy too. It seems \"we're \"into those these days. Although , by his own admission, heads don't turn when he enters the room.;-D"}, {"response": 1915, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, May 14, 2003 (13:29)", "body": "Since I probably will never get a chance to see HS, how does it compare to....that most feeble, IMO, of Colin's fims....to...Londinium???? It HAS to be better than that one. http://www.sunlightproductions.com/Londinium/home.html"}, {"response": 1916, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, May 14, 2003 (14:08)", "body": "how does it compare to....that most feeble, IMO, of Colin's fims....to...Londinium???? Cannot help you there. There are depths below which I am not prepared to go ;-) There were 4 of us there. A middle aged man and three women. But it was 1.30pm. Nobody was waiting for the other blockbusters either at that time."}, {"response": 1917, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, May 14, 2003 (15:41)", "body": "(Murph) Since I probably will never get a chance to see HS, how does it compare to....that most feeble, IMO, of Colin's fims....to...Londinium? Thank you for answering that Murph. It's actually been a burning question of mine this week that I was distracted from asking. And thanks Allison for your impressions. (Allison) And he has obviously been working out Or he *was* working out. They shot this almost a year and half ago, right? Still would be nice to see on a big screen though. (Evelyn) Although , by his own admission, heads don't turn when he enters the room.;-D LOL! Still one of my favorite ironic statements of his."}, {"response": 1918, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, May 14, 2003 (15:42)", "body": "Sorry, obviously I don't proof myself well enough... Thank you for answering that Murph. I meant thanks for asking, of course. ;-)"}, {"response": 1919, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, May 14, 2003 (16:06)", "body": "Thank you, Allison. Your review seems to echo the early reviews after the Bradford. I guess that's why it continues to make no sense to me why the critics totally trashed it. Sad.:-( Still hopeful in NJ..."}, {"response": 1920, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May 14, 2003 (16:20)", "body": "(Linda)Still hopeful in NJ... What's the expresssion . . . hope springs something. . .;-) (Murph)It HAS to be better than that one. Murph, have you seen SLOW? Much worse than L'Dum, IMO. Though it's a very hard one to call. Amanda Bynes will be on Jay Leno's show tomorrow (Thursday). I can only wonder why the braintrust at Warner's didn't have her on there 6 weeks ago when WAGW came out."}, {"response": 1921, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, May 14, 2003 (20:35)", "body": "(Mari) Murph, have you seen SLOW? Much worse than L'Dum, IMO. Though it's a very hard one to call. It is a hard one to call, but IMO, I have to give it to L'dum. At least Colin looked AFG in SLOW (oh yes, I *am* that shallow ;-)). But I still find SLOW much more amusing (intentional or not). Actually I found quite a few things I liked about SLOW over repeated viewings. I barely made it through a second viewing of L'dum. *That* one was indeed cringeworthy for me. Did like Stephen Fry though :-("}, {"response": 1922, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, May 14, 2003 (22:24)", "body": "Moving my response to Firthology......."}, {"response": 1923, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, May 14, 2003 (22:33)", "body": "(Dorine)it is a hard one to call, but IMO, I have to give it to L'dum. At least Colin looked AFG in SLOW ). My sentiments exactly,Dorine. (oh yes, I *am* that shallow ;-) It didn't even occur to me that this is shallow behavior. ;-) Uh-oh. But I still find SLOW much more amusing (intentional or not). Actually I found quite a few things I liked about SLOW over repeated viewings. Agreed. I barely made it through a second viewing of L'dum. I barely made it through the first viewing, as I was that embarrassed for ODB and even the rest of the cast. I taped over it ASAP. I used to think Playmaker was the worst, but after I saw Lon-dumb (as Evelyn calls it), there was no contest for me. Allison, thanks for your feedback on HS. Glad to hear you liked it and that he was one buff bloke,;-) It does seem a pity that the reviewers are so nasty. I ended up liking WAGW so much more than I thought I would, and am hoping I'll feel the same way about HS."}, {"response": 1924, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (08:22)", "body": "Here's a good review from Sky Movies: Hope Springs Brassed Off director Mark Herman has a pretty successful crack at a trans-Atlantic romance thanks to winning performances from Colin Firth and Heather Graham. Stars: Colin Firth, Minnie Driver, Heather Graham, Mary Steenburgen, Oliver Platt There must be high hopes this comedy based on a novel by Charles Webb will be as successful as a previous book - The Graduate. A dynamic as winning as the older woman seducing the younger man may be absent but strong turns and a wry humour make it worth a look. British artist Colin Ware (Firth) winds up in a New England town lovesick and jetlagged when he finds his fiancee is marrying someone he's never heard of. However, he soon discovers his business appears to be everyone else's in the tight-knit community of Hope, Vermont. At the Battlefield Inn, landlady Joanie Fisher (Steenburgen) dismisses his self-pity and hooks him up with Mandy (Graham). She's a \"caregiver\" out of her mind with boredom at the Shining Shores resthome, who thinks nothing of slugging back half a bottle to see her through the day. Ripping away layers of Colin's English reserve, she seduces him and he finds his resistance melting away along with memories of ex-fiancee Vera (Driver). The just as things appear to be taking off, Vera lands in America and heads straight for Hope to reclaim her man. Like Hugh Grant, Firth runs the risk of being cast as the romantic Brit, but his nicely underplayed performance is a highlight. Graham plays it kooky, yet with a light touch miles away from the contrived wackiness of Sandra Bullock. Only Driver finds little to work with as the hard-headed chain-smoking fashionista of cliche and it's very difficult to see her attraction to arty Colin in the first place. Nevertheless, there are some sweet moments, especially those featuring Oliver Platt's marketing-obsessed mayor. Tim Evans"}, {"response": 1925, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (09:09)", "body": "Oh joy! Mari, you made my day. I know my euphoria may be short lived, but at least Mr. Evans seems to have reviewed HS from a balanced, (I'm reviewing a rom-com) perspective. winning performances from Colin Firth and Heather Graham. ...must be a HG fan, but what the heck, we'll take it. ...Thank you."}, {"response": 1926, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (10:46)", "body": "Here's another good one, from Red Magazine (thanks to Pam). HOPE SPRINGS By Caroline Hire Artist Colin Ware (Colin Firth) flees England when he receives a wedding invitation from former love of his life Vera (Minnie Driver). Arriving in the remote town of Hope, he encounters beautiful careworker Mandy(Heather Graham) and it is not long before his broken heart begins to mend. But just when things are starting to look up for Colin, Vera appears on the scene using all her seductive wiles to get him back. She is sophisticated, witty and glamorous; poles apart from naive and down to earth Mandy. Now Colin has to make a choice. From the start, it is clear who we are supposed to side with in the battle for Colin's heart but this does not destroy any of the film's charm. Director Mark Herman has succeeded in adapting the central themes of the book, lost love, healing and people's inate tendency to hang onto the past, with empathy and wit. Colin Firth is brilliant as the bewildered target of two women's affections. Minnie Driver's hard-nosed urbanite will resonate with many a city dweller and while your \"booing\" at her, you'll be cheering the charming Heather Graham as the perfect 'butter wouldn't melt' all-American girl. Verdict: Sweet but not saccharin. Entertained you will be, but don't expect to be challenged."}, {"response": 1927, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (10:48)", "body": "Interview from Red Magazine (again, all thanks to Pam). Seems as though he did one group interview/press conference so we've read most of this before, but some slight additions here and there. by Caroline Hire Ever since he emerged from that lake, sodden shirt clinging to his manly frame, in Pride and Prejudice, Colin Firth has been the epitome of the thinking woman's crumpet. I met up with him at London's Dorchester Hotel where he was promoting his latest film, romantic comedy Hope Springs, which also stars Minnie Driver and Heather Graham. Did the real Colin live up to his smouldering on-screen persona? Read on... Colin sits there in jeans and a black polo neck. His furrowed brow and fixed gaze are so Darcy-esque I think I may faint. But as the frown turns into an encouraging smile, I remember I'm here to interview the man not fall in love with him. Red 0nline: How did you discover Hope Springs? Colin Firth: The book (New Cardiff by Charles Webb, on which the film is based) came recommended. I was having dinner with a friend who\ufffdd seen a preview of it and he gave me a nod and said 'This has got your name on it, literally'. And by a strange coincidence, the rights to the novel belonged to the producer I was working with, so I was in a very strong position of being able to make a pest of myself and lobby for the job. RO: Is there a 'Colin Firth' type of role? CF: Well, I think it\ufffds far more easily identified by others than by me. I usually find when I get asked questions that it\ufffds some assumption about the type I\ufffdm playing. I got a new one recently, someone said: 'You're always playing someone who's attracted to a woman'! It used to be that I was always paranoid or a loser or something so there's usually something that you seem to associate yourself with at one time or another. RO: Is that an actor thing, because all parts are essentially autobiographical? CF: I think so, I mean essentially you are drawing on aspects of yourself. I find it interesting taking whatever it is that I might bring to a situation and applying it to the problems presented by a story. How do I deal with this? How can I make it truthful? In this case it appealed to me partly because it felt close to me in some ways. This is about a confused, bewildered, middle-class Englishman adrift in smalltown America and that has definitely been me. RO: What\ufffds been your own experience of America? CF: I have a very long relationship with America. My mother grew up there and I felt to some extent that I partly belong there. I was schooled there briefly, for about a year. We\ufffdve always been involved with America \ufffd I have a son who lives there and it\ufffds a big part of my life. I was nicknamed 'The Yank' for years when I came back, throughout my teens. America\ufffds a gigantic place culturally as well as everything else and there isn\ufffdt any one perception that you\ufffdll encounter, but I would say it\ufffds favourable if you\ufffdre English over there. But most Americans don\ufffdt know who I am, so I can walk down the street and so on. RO: Were you called 'The Yank' because you\ufffdd acquired an American accent and mannerisms? CF: Yes, I had. I was very feeble-minded in that way, I just used to drift, according to whatever would make my life easiest. I\ufffdd been going from school to school and it had been astonishing to me in my first ever school that these kids didn\ufffdt talk the way my parents did \ufffd I mean my parents had this sort of BBC \ufffdRP\ufffd sound and I was at a state school in Essex, so that was a culture shock I had to deal with. So, just when I thought I\ufffdd mastered the Essex Billericay tones, I was in a Hampshire school and then America. So, er...strangely enough I became an actor. R0: This is the second time you\ufffdve played an artist. Do you have any artistic talent? CF: None whatsoever. I have the level of talent where if I had a lifetime of lessons, I would never aspire to the kind of drawings you see in this film, and I\ufffdve actually just played Vermeer (the Dutch Renaissance artist), so you can imagine how far I was from that. Basically hours of lessons just so I can look like someone who wouldn\ufffdt drop his paintbrush. RO: There's a scene where Heather has to dance around you totally naked - it's very tastefully shot. Was it difficult to film? CF: I\ufffdm over it now. We had to reshoot that scene because the studio thought it was too naughty. This is a scene where we\ufffdd managed to get absolutely no nudity and no sexual activity whatsoever and the studio came through and said: \ufffdNo, this is too dirty \ufffd you\ufffdre going to have to make a less dirty moment there.' RO: How about the scene where you had to carry Heather Graham? What was that like? CF: Well, it was funny for other people. I was wearing appliances by the time we finished that. I mean, that\ufffds no slight on Heather. I could have been carrying a gerbil, the amount Mark Herman (director) put me through, and I\ufffdd have needed an osteopath. About six or seven weeks\ufffd worth of carrying, basically. Every time we finished early, we\ufffdd do extra "}, {"response": 1928, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (10:56)", "body": "Minnie interview in the same issue: http://www.reddirect.co.uk/minniedriver1.asp"}, {"response": 1929, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (11:49)", "body": "Thanks Mari! R0: Is he as dry in reality as the characters he plays? M: Yeah, he is, actually. He\ufffds bright but he\ufffds very humble and he\ufffds terribly filthy and dry! (what a champ, quite well-rounded!) R0: Filthy? Did he demonstrate some filthiness on the set? M: He was ALWAYS demonstrating filthiness; when does he not? (Oh god, oh god!!) He\ufffds got a filthy mind and he\ufffds clever, very witty. He's really fun to spar with. (Examples would be nice!!) Gah! You have no idea what this is doing to me(actually, you probably do..)...I have been suffering for a few days with a case of the \"got it worse than ever blues\"...deep exaggerated sigh..."}, {"response": 1930, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (11:49)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1931, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (12:06)", "body": "Red interview..... His furrowed brow and fixed gaze are so Darcy-esque I think I may faint. But as the frown turns into an encouraging smile, I remember I'm here to interview the man not fall in love with him. LOL! See Dorene and Co, even the pros become flustered!"}, {"response": 1932, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (12:25)", "body": "Back to Lon-dum for a second -- Meluchie says it is on Cinemax today in the USA. Rush to your VCRs!!!! I did not like SLOW either, but at least he changed his outfit a couple of times. I think in Lon-dum he wore the same suit throughout."}, {"response": 1933, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (12:34)", "body": "(Maria)I have been suffering for a few days with a case of the \"got it worse than ever blues\"...deep exaggerated sigh... ...*double sigh* Thanks Mari, your two for two today...on the HS review coaster:-)"}, {"response": 1934, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (12:35)", "body": "blast! closing them I hope"}, {"response": 1935, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (12:43)", "body": "Thanks, Mari and Pam for the reviews and interviews. Glad to see someone putting a positive spin on HS. Hmmmm, RE referred to Colin as \"frothy\" and now MD calls him \"filthy.\" What's next? Fizzy? Feisty? Firthalicious? ;-)"}, {"response": 1936, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (12:44)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1937, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (13:01)", "body": "I know they are small, I know we have seen most all of them already, I know my eyes are bloodshot and ready to plop out from staring hard, but I think there are a couple of different shots, like #2324,2322, 2176 maybe others...Plus the added bonus of it knowing somewhere on the page (I think!) is the cool looking cyrillic spelling of his name...(hopeless, completely and utterly...) http://www.fotobank.com/photo/image.html?KEYWORD=colin+firth&REPORTNEWS=ON&REPORTARCHIVE=ON&TYPE=REPORTNEWS"}, {"response": 1938, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (13:04)", "body": "R0: Did Heather Graham keep up with the dry filthiness? M: I don\ufffdt think it\ufffds really her thing. I think Americans really think that dry filthiness IS dry and filthy. I think she had a really good time but it was probably a bit overwhelming because we were such a British posse. I did feel sorry for her but we were like: \"Come on in! Come on in and get drunk!\" I don\ufffdt think she was up for it in quite the same way. Oh! I like this bit! I should apply the 'Thumper Rule' (If you can't say something nice, then don't say nothin' at all) but I can't....I suppose it may have been the 'wittiness' and not the 'filthiness' that HG had trouble keeping up with! And I'm with you Maria! I want examples of clever, witty, dry filthiness!! LOL! Thank you Mari...this helps make it better!"}, {"response": 1939, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (14:26)", "body": "I know these are older reviews from WAGW, and not necessarily glowing about the film itself, except when it comes to ODB (Wot? Postive remarks from WAGW?), but after Mari's postive review I was hungry for more happy thoughts about ODB... http://home.earthlink.net/~kinnopio/reviews/2003/whatagirl.htm http://www.filmfodder.com/movies/reviews/what_a_girl_wants/"}, {"response": 1940, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (14:38)", "body": "Thanks Mari and Pam for the interview and reviews and Maria for the pics. There were a couple I hadn't seen before. Thanks again ladies."}, {"response": 1941, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (14:48)", "body": "Sorry, oops. Thanks Helen for typing and giving permission for the article. Much appreciated."}, {"response": 1942, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (16:52)", "body": "(filmfodderreview)Firth is actually quite good here Sorry to be negative, but this sounds to me as the reviewer was surprised! Anyway, let's hurry back to the half-full glasses and toast for some good reviews. Thank you Mari, Pam and Maria for articles, interviews and pics (I don't remember seing the very first one. Would love to see it a bit larger (anyone with clever skilss in this direction get the hint?;-))"}, {"response": 1943, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (17:49)", "body": "R0: Did Heather Graham keep up with the dry filthiness? M: I don?t think it?s really her thing. I think Americans really think that dry filthiness IS dry and filthy. .. we were such a British posse... I did feel sorry for her but we were like: \"Come on in! Come on in and get drunk!\" I don?t think she was up for it in quite the same way. I detect a twinge of envy from MD , *supporting actress*, for HG,*the leading actress.* Almost as bad as Judi Dench criticizing Gwynnie in SIL. Abominable manners when the other is not there to defend herself, IMO."}, {"response": 1944, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (19:10)", "body": "(Evelyn) I detect a twinge of envy from MD , *supporting actress*, for HG,*the leading actress.* Maybe I'm naive or cynical or whatever, but from the little bit I've read about or heard from HG, I don't necessarily see any reason why MD would feel envious of HG. Certainly not of her \"talent\" or status in the movie, IMO. She's not been overly well regarded in the past or in the current reviews for the most part (cruel as some of them were) . Now why HG may not have chosen to be more a part of the \"Brit posse\", we can guess, but who knows. Doesn't mean MD's statement doesn't have a basis in fact. Oh my, can't believe I'm more or less defending MD."}, {"response": 1945, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, May 15, 2003 (22:17)", "body": "Oh my, can't believe I'm more or less defending MD. Yeah, but if you've got a point there you've got a point there. We are nothing if not fair here, no?;-) No biasesss that I can see. Well, perhaps one......."}, {"response": 1946, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, May 16, 2003 (04:33)", "body": "There's an excellent review for HS in today's Yorkshire Post, very thoughtful and perceptive, making points that other reviewers (Tookey/Landesman) seem to have missed. High praise for CF. I don't think it's available online, so will try to type it out later over the weekend. The Yorkshire Post is a quality broadsheet with a wide readership."}, {"response": 1947, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, May 16, 2003 (04:40)", "body": "(Bethan)The Yorkshire Post is a quality broadsheet with a wide readership. Excellent! Bring it on. Thanks Bethan."}, {"response": 1948, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 16, 2003 (07:37)", "body": "Quality is vg, will look for it Bethan, thank you! Thanks, Mari and Pam for the reviews and interviews. Glad to see someone putting a positive spin on HS. Indeed!"}, {"response": 1949, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May 16, 2003 (08:30)", "body": "Glad to see someone putting a positive spin on HS. Hope it translates to the box office."}, {"response": 1950, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, May 16, 2003 (11:38)", "body": "Thanks, Bethan, for more good news on HS. Dare I say that we seem to be on an upswing again? ;-)"}, {"response": 1951, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, May 17, 2003 (04:50)", "body": "New Cardiff, by Charles Webb (Abacus, \ufffd6.99) The film version of this novel has now been released under the title Hope Springs. As the author of The Graduate, Charles Webb is no stranger to the page-to-screen transfer, and this latest offering seems to have been written with cinema in mind: it is virtually all dialogue, with plenty of one-liners (\"But I'm not a vengeful person . . . I wish I was. I must have a character flaw\"). A classic love triangle, it incorporates plenty of quirkily romantic situations, such as the protagonist carting his hyperventilating fianc\ufffde along the sidewalk: \"I'm experiencing an atavistic urge to carry you . . . My manhood's crying out to meet its supreme challenge. I'm sorry if it seems primitive.\" Imagine Colin Firth speaking these lines, and you have the perfect chick flick - mildly entertaining, gently humorous, with no sharp edges and a happy ending perpetually beckoning from the horizon. As a novel, however, it is fluffy nonsense. (I'm imagining, I'm imagining! Just hope that's not all I ever get to do!)"}, {"response": 1952, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, May 17, 2003 (05:43)", "body": "(Maria)(I'm imagining, I'm imagining! Just hope that's not all I ever get to do!) Keep dreaming, girl;-) I *do* hope, you get beyond that in the future!! (LisaJH)Dare I say that we seem to be on an upswing again? ;-) It sure looks that way;-) or maybe we just don't post the bad reviews any more One thing though: Most of them seem very positive towards CF even if they don't like the film (apart from those ghastly HG-fan:-()"}, {"response": 1953, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sat, May 17, 2003 (06:33)", "body": "Maria thanks for posting book review, I am here with the Guardian in front of me ready to type it ! The cover has the three faces in colour with the smile to die for, it's part of Waterstone's \"3 for 2\" if anyone is interested, it's part of the poster that the Guardian ran last week. HS continues here but some multiplexes are only showing it evenings from this week, others continue all day showings. So glad that you liked it Allison Allison, ABFG Completely agree! Murph ... How does it compare to L'dum the endorsements from the UK contingent (Aishling, Janet, Emma, Bethan, Allison and myself and anyone I left out!) surely go to prove that L'dum is unspeakable compared to this. I think we have all had something favourable to say and been encouraging;-)) The weather here in the UK is so awful and unseasonal that it may conspire to add to box office totals this weekend!"}, {"response": 1954, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, May 17, 2003 (08:04)", "body": "(Lizza)The weather here in the UK is so awful and unseasonal that it may conspire to add to box office totals this weekend! Please, please, please, keep up those box office numbers! *using megaphone*:-) The weather here in the US is most unseasonal as well. Too bad we don't have HS to brighten up the day. Enjoy. Thanks, Maria."}, {"response": 1955, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, May 17, 2003 (18:24)", "body": "Reviewer pits 'What a Girl Wants' against 'Lizzie McGuire' By Barbara Vancheri, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Staff Writer \"What a Girl Wants\" and \"The Lizzie McGuire Movie\" aren't exactly crosstown (or cross-cinema) rivals. While young filmgoers may prefer Amanda Bynes to Hilary Duff, or vice versa, they can easily see both comedies, which have much in common: teen stars emerging from popular TV shows, European backdrops and moments cute and klutzy. Released a month apart, just how do they stack up? THE PLOT \"What a Girl Wants\": Daphne Reynolds is a 17-year-old who graduates from high school and sneaks away to London to meet the father who doesn't know she exists. Dad is Lord Dashwood, an uppercrust British politician with a conniving fiancee. \"The Lizzie McGuire Movie\": Lizzie McGuire is a 15-year-old who graduates from junior high and takes off for Rome on a class trip. She is mistaken for a dark-haired pop star named Isabella and falls for her doppelganger's singing partner, Paolo. Edge goes to: \"What a Girl Wants.\" GEE, SHE LOOKS FAMILIAR \"What a Girl Wants\": Nickelodeon viewers know Amanda Bynes, who recently turned 17, from \"All That\" (which earned her a CableAce Award nomination) and \"The Amanda Show.\" She stars on The WB's \"What I Like About You\" and has appeared on \"Figure It Out\" and \"Rug- rats,\" as the voice of Taffy. Bynes also played opposite Frankie Muniz in \"Big Fat Liar.\" \"The Lizzie McGuire Movie\": Disney Channel viewers know Hilary Duff, who will be 16 in September, from \"Lizzie McGuire.\" Last year, she starred in \"Cadet Kelly,\" Disney Channel's highest-rated original movie. She also played opposite Frankie Muniz in \"Agent Cody Banks.\" Edge goes to: It's a draw. Bynes is the better actress, but Duff's got the movie momentum, which could include a \"Lizzie\" movie sequel. BOY ON THE BIKE \"What a Girl Wants\": Oliver James makes his movie debut as aspiring musician and hotel desk clerk Ian, who falls for Daphne. He's handsome, talented, tools around on a motorcycle and is smart enough to ask the American, \"Why fit in when you were born to stand out?\" He also has a couple of tunes on the soundtrack. \"The Lizzie McGuire Movie\": Yani Gellman (Disney Channel's \"Tru Confessions,\" \"The Matthew Shepard Story,\" \"Jason X\") plays pop star and Italian lothario Paolo. He's handsome, talented, tools around town on a motorcycle, but may really be spoiled and shrewd. Edge goes to: James from \"What a Girl Wants.\" THE ADULTS \"What a Girl Wants\": Daphne's parents, a bohemian New York City singer and high-profile British politician, are played by Kelly Preston and Colin Firth. Supporting cast includes Jonathan Pryce as a duplicitous political adviser. \"The Lizzie McGuire Movie\": Robert Carradine is Lizzie's hapless dad -- shown working on a garden gnome -- and Hallie Todd is her overprotective mother. Adult with the most screen time is Alex Borstein as Miss Ungermeyer, class chaperone. Edge goes to: \"What a Girl Wants.\" It's Colin Firth, for heaven's sake, and it's easier (for adults) to watch than the labored \"Lizzie.\" FLASHBACK \"What a Girl Wants\": This was loosely inspired by the 1958 romantic comedy \"The Reluctant Debutante\" starring Sandra Dee. Also calls to mind \"Cinderella.\" \"The Lizzie McGuire Movie\": Hallie Todd hits the nail on the head: \"This movie reminds me of a 'Gidget' movie -- a sweet, young girl gets mixed up in crazy situations that always have a happy ending.\" In fact, there was a 1963 \"Gidget Goes to Rome\" movie starring Cindy Carol, James Darren and Cesare Danova as an Italian charmer also named Paolo. Edge goes to: Since so few people remember \"The Reluctant Debutante,\" edge goes to \"Lizzie,\" especially since perky predecessor Gidget is in reruns on TV Land. FASHION SHOWS \"What a Girl Wants\": When Daphne accidentally finds herself on a fashion-show runway, she does the catwalk strut -- until she trips and tumbles. Later, in a bit of fashion sabotage, Daphne is given an unflattering, fussy dress to wear to a formal party, but she transforms the icy blue gown into a one-shoulder dazzler. She also gets a ball gown for her coming-out party and models kicky outfits while shopping with her dad. \"The Lizzie McGuire Movie\": Masquerading as Isabella, Lizzie shops for a designer dress. She goes to a diva specializing in outrageous outfits, including a hat fashioned out of a magazine, a dress accessorized with an illuminated rope and a Marie Antoinette-style wig. Edge goes to: \"What a Girl Wants.\" SOUNDTRACK SIZZLE \"What a Girl Wants\": Edgier, with songs by The Clash (\"London Calling\") and The Donnas (\"Who Invited You\") plus the fun oldie \"Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo\" and a couple of songs from male romantic lead Oliver James. \"The Lizzie McGuire Movie\": Dean Martin's song \"On an Evening in Rome\" is trotted out, but this soundtrack skews young, with Hilary Duff contributing \"Why Not\" and Vitamin C giving \"Volare\" an updated spin. Edge goes to: \"What a Girl Wants.\" MIRROR IMAGES \"What a Girl Wants\": Lookalike"}, {"response": 1956, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, May 17, 2003 (19:14)", "body": "Edge goes to: \"What a Girl Wants.\" It's Colin Firth, for heaven's sake.... LOL....Thanks Mari! Won't be seeing Lizzie McGuire since I don' t have kids...but if WAGW were still in theaters, I'd be there right now! ;-)"}, {"response": 1957, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sat, May 17, 2003 (20:56)", "body": "It's Colin Firth, for heaven's sake.... Sounds like a rallying cry to me...oh for the day when they can build an advertising campaign around it. (Had to double check the source...hmmm, U.S. after all.)"}, {"response": 1958, "author": "odessa", "date": "Sun, May 18, 2003 (03:46)", "body": "I noticed from my tv magazine that RV is shown (on a channel that I can`t see), but it got 4 stars, and especially CF was mentioned, with a picture of him:)"}, {"response": 1959, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, May 18, 2003 (07:41)", "body": "Thanks,Mari... What we've been thinking all along. CF, or no CF, it was a much better film, better plot, and much better parent watchability. IMHO,of course. I'm disappointed that I couldn't make sweet sixteen. It's gone, pulled out right from under me. ...what exactly was the reason for AB on Leno this week when it left most theaters???"}, {"response": 1960, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, May 18, 2003 (15:00)", "body": "(Linda) ...what exactly was the reason for AB on Leno this week when it left most theaters??? Did she plug her TV show? Maybe it's season finale is this week or something? I've noticed that the WB is plugging her show more since WAGW. The timing does seem weird."}, {"response": 1961, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sun, May 18, 2003 (15:05)", "body": "It's Colin Firth, for heaven's sake 'nuff said! Edge goes to: \"What a Girl Wants.\" Edge goes to: \"What a Girl Wants.\" Edge goes to: \"What a Girl Wants.\" Great! Then we get to the box office... WHY? WHY? WHY? Been swamped with work for a few weeks, and now am catching up on reviews for HS. This is making me worry. If reviews and box office are too tepid, would that affect how it's marketed in US?"}, {"response": 1962, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, May 18, 2003 (15:47)", "body": "Mari, thanks for that but;-(( still have to wait until Aug. 8th for heavens sake ! So glad WAGW has the edge."}, {"response": 1963, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, May 18, 2003 (17:31)", "body": "(Rika)Did she plug her TV show? Not really, it was definitely for WAGW...JL introduced her as blah, blah, blah, star of her own show, and now in WAGW that can be seen in a theater near you. JC was fooling around the whole time, JL never discussed the film with her, and when it was over he said AB...and mentioned WAGW again. That was it no clip, no discussion of plot, or co-stars."}, {"response": 1964, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, May 19, 2003 (01:50)", "body": "Found this site for Trauma (Myriad Pictures): http://www.myriadpictures.com/staging_area/trauma.html (I like the look of the \"poster\", but haven't read enough to know if it is an official site or just a \"commercial\")."}, {"response": 1965, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, May 19, 2003 (03:08)", "body": "Having read a bit more, it looks to be one of the financing or whatever companies, linked to the movie. So - perhaps a site to bookmark for news?"}, {"response": 1966, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 19, 2003 (07:29)", "body": "Thanks, Annette! I like the poster too!"}, {"response": 1967, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 19, 2003 (08:45)", "body": "Thanks, Annette. Great find. Myriad is indeed one of the financers of the film. While it wouldn't be an \"official site,\" if you check some of its library films (completed and/or released) there is a bit more info (sometimes pics and links to such sites, if they exist)"}, {"response": 1968, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 19, 2003 (11:21)", "body": "A thought about the poster (teaser poster, not for theatrical release necessarily). Doesn't the shot of Colin look like one from the Evening Standard photoshoot, where he has his head down? The Jason Bell ones: http://www.spring.net/karenr/articles/es060900.html (Gaah! I really need to replace that one with a much better quality one.)"}, {"response": 1969, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May 19, 2003 (11:29)", "body": "On my screen the poster pic is a left profile. Evening Standard's is frontal. Though the poster pic does look familiar."}, {"response": 1970, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 19, 2003 (11:39)", "body": "The head down one: plus there are others from this session which have surfaced at other publications."}, {"response": 1971, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, May 19, 2003 (11:40)", "body": "Extracts from the Yorkshire Post HS review. \"....saw in Hope Springs a film that bucked the trend for so-called romantic comedies by cooking a snook at what worldwide audiences have come to expect (and rely on) from Hollywood movies. This wasn't a cosy little affair that relied on familaiar faces to buoy up lacklustre writing and plot. Instead it dwelt with painful honesty on the subject of love, betrayal, sadness and the overwhelming feeling of hurt whenever someone is dumped. And it did it without the glossy saccharine coating that generally smothers movies (of this genre) As Herman's first US film, Hope Springs is to be applauded....the quality of the writing and the depth of the characterisation - particularly in Firth's weary, confused and put-upon hero - remains a costant. Those mistakenly expecting something akin to Pretty Woman, Maid in Manhattan or Two Weeks Notice should dig out their copies of Brassed Off and Little Voice, and watch them anew. That's Herman's forte: eccentricity, beautifully delivered oneliners, verbal barbs and intricately drawn characcers that boast strength and reality in their construction\" Too late to save the movie after the critical mauling. Hope it gets a US opening!"}, {"response": 1972, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, May 19, 2003 (11:42)", "body": "\"remains a constant\" - sorry for typos."}, {"response": 1973, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, May 19, 2003 (11:54)", "body": "(Karen)plus there are others from this session which have surfaced at other publications. I think you're right that it might be from the same photo session. Notice the same little wisp of hair that's comes down farther than the rest right before his ear and above his sideburn (sideburn in each pic does appear to be same length as well). Plus there's none of the stubble (or stubble beginnings) which was recently observed at UK HS opening."}, {"response": 1974, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, May 19, 2003 (11:57)", "body": "Thanks, Annette, for the link. I marvel at your finds. (Karen) Doesn't the shot of Colin look like one from the Evening Standard photoshoot, where he has his head down? I immediately thought of that photo, too, as it is one of my favorites. So vulnerable. Mmmmmm. Bethan, thanks for another positive review. As the saying goes, better late than never. I hope he was too busy with filming Trauma to read the scathing reviews."}, {"response": 1975, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Mon, May 19, 2003 (12:14)", "body": "Eeee by gum Bethan! Excellent that you found something so positive, very much glass half full. Hats off to the North!;-)"}, {"response": 1976, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, May 19, 2003 (12:17)", "body": "Thanks, Annette, for the link. I marvel at your finds. Yes, an excellent link! Trauma sounds very promising. I hope he was too busy with filming Trauma to read the scathing reviews. Ditto. )-: But the only way forward/to be taken seriously is through serious dramatic roles....no more rom com (exept TEOR!) Is there any chance that Trauma will get a US/international release...it seems to have global backing."}, {"response": 1977, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, May 19, 2003 (13:08)", "body": "(Karen) Doesn't the shot of Colin look like one from the Evening Standard photoshoot, where he has his head down? The Jason Bell ones: Yes, it occurred to me, too, but not right away for some reason.....while I was out driving around. Always debate with myself if it's Jason or Colin Bell. Think it was the head position and sideburns that made me think of it. The one you posted above is one of my top 3 pics for him. Thanks so much, Annette! Neat poster."}, {"response": 1978, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, May 19, 2003 (13:34)", "body": "Thanks, Annette. Great find. I knew I'd seen that picture before, one of my favorites. Thanks, Karen for re-posting it as well. I also followed the link and realized I had never read that article before. Thanks Bethan for that v. positive review. ...and thanks to you, too, Lora for providing the investigative commentary on the picture... (Lora)Notice the same little wisp of hair that comes down farther than the rest right before his ear and above his sideburn (sideburn in each pic does appear to be same length as well). Plus there's none of the stubble (or stubble beginnings) which was recently observed at UK HS opening."}, {"response": 1979, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, May 19, 2003 (13:53)", "body": "(Dorine) The one you posted above is one of my top 3 pics for him. I would put that pic way up there too (its the sideburns that get me...I'm reduced to drooly mess whenever I see them)! Thanks Annette! Great find...and it came with a bit more info on the film (as well as the yummy poster)."}, {"response": 1980, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 19, 2003 (13:54)", "body": "Thanks for typing that up, Bethan. It is odd that this review said the opposite of the others. He is obviously a great fan of the director. ;-) I too love those pictures of Colin. Vvg hair day and he looks great with long sideburns and the darker hair colour. Mmmmm. Any news on the box office returns this weekend?"}, {"response": 1981, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, May 19, 2003 (14:18)", "body": "(Moon)Any news on the box office returns this weekend? I've been checking all day, all the sites still have last week's figures up;-("}, {"response": 1982, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, May 19, 2003 (16:34)", "body": "Thanks for posting that review, Bethan. And thank you, Yorkshire Post! Sounds like that reviewer is not a fan of rom-coms. The only downside to this review is that the movies the reviewer contrasted wtih HS all made lots of money."}, {"response": 1983, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May 19, 2003 (17:36)", "body": "(Moon)It is odd that this review said the opposite of the others. He is obviously a great fan of the director. ;-) Probably next door neighbor; doesn't Marc Herman hail from that neck of the woods? I don't want to hurt Myriad Films' feelings, but I think your poster is better looking , boss ,except for the pic. They shudda hired Emma."}, {"response": 1984, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May 19, 2003 (18:12)", "body": "Thanks, Annette, for the great find of the poster and plot description. Colin looks like he has spotlights coming out of his head.;-) Reading the summary, the plot sounds somewhat familiar, only it was called Vertigo when I saw it, and Jimmy Stewart had the Colin Firth part.;-). One can only hope that Marc Evans is a budding Hitch. Then Brian DePalma made a similar one called Obsession--Cliff Robertson and Genevieve Bujold (I think). Trauma continues in the single-word title vein. Is there any chance that Trauma will get a US/international release...it seems to have global backing. I think Warner's is one of the backers, but it seemed to me that they only took the UK rights. The rumor dujour dans la Firthmonde is that HS is going straight to video in NA.:-( Merde."}, {"response": 1985, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 19, 2003 (19:03)", "body": "(Mari), The rumor dujour dans la Firthmonde is that HS is going straight to video in NA.:-( Merde. Double merde! This will be a huge blow for ODB. Il l'a suivi! Il l'a voulu!"}, {"response": 1986, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, May 19, 2003 (19:16)", "body": "Google News from Daily Record THE SCOT WHO MAKES STARS' SKIN CRAWL May 20 2003 Andrew's home is a haven for crocs and grisly creatures destined for the movies Cath Bennett MEET the man who has a licence to hurl creepy crawlies at Colin Firth and Mena Suvari. Andrew Stephenson is an animal wrangler, who hunts down exotic and often grisly creatures for film crews. His latest project is in the Isle of Man on the set of Trauma, where he has the unique job of spraying the former Mr D'Arcy and the American Beauty actress with ants. Andrew, who keeps crocodiles at his home in Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire, said: \"Colin Firth had to have about 50 ants on his arms, chest and legs for around two hours while they filmed. \"He was amazingly stoical about it, especially as the ants kept running off him, so we had to keep rounding them up and putting them back.\" Bugs?! Nobody said nuttin' bout no bugs! I just hope the rom-com whiplash effect doesn't give me nightmares! But, to be an ant and crawl on those arms, legs and chest.... (The link posted wierd, hope it works but if not, the above is the main relevant part.) http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/page.cfm?objectid=12974640&method=full&siteid=89488&headline=THE%20SCOT%20WHO%20MAKES%20STARS'%20SKIN%20CRAWL"}, {"response": 1987, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, May 19, 2003 (19:48)", "body": "\"Colin Firth had to have about 50 ants on his arms, chest and legs for around two hours while they filmed. Subtext (according to my pervy mind)...We get skin! Chest! Legs!!! \"He was amazingly stoical about it, especially as the ants kept running off him, so we had to keep rounding them up and putting them back.\" Obviously boy ants...girl ants would never crawl off ODB! ;-) Thanks Barb...I'm with you! Oh, to only be an ant and crawl on those amazing body parts! My life would be short, but I would have lived !"}, {"response": 1988, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May 19, 2003 (19:58)", "body": "(Mari), The rumor dujour dans la Firthmonde is that HS is going straight to video in NA.:-( Merde. (Moon)Double merde! This will be a huge blow for ODB. ... And after that stellar premiere. Why, oh why, didn't they release it here first.I think it would have gotten a better reception. From critics and audeinces. These distribs know better than that, after how many of his films have tanked in UK ? Grrrrrr"}, {"response": 1989, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, May 19, 2003 (20:45)", "body": "(Tress) We get skin! ... Oh, to only be an ant and crawl on those amazing body parts! My life would be short, but I would have lived! I'm LOLing so hard I'm crying! We get skin! How remiss of me! And you've given me the answer...when I'm watching those larger-than-life onscreen ants and feeling crawly, I'll LOL again and just think \"damn lucky ants!\""}, {"response": 1990, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, May 19, 2003 (21:00)", "body": "Just read this on ComingSoon.com. Variety reports that Colin Firth is set to star in The Dead Wait, a South Africa-set saga that spans the 20 years since the bloody Angolan war of 1983. Firth will play a tough commanding officer in the South African army. Casting is under way for the co-lead roles of a young recruit and a black character. Scripted by Paul Herzberg and helmed by Jens Meurer (Public Enemy), the film is due to roll in early 2004."}, {"response": 1991, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, May 19, 2003 (21:22)", "body": "Variety reports that Colin Firth is set to star in The Dead Wait, a South Africa-set saga that spans the 20 years since the bloody Angolan war of 1983. Yippeee!!!! Another drama...ODB is on a roll! This is the one that Karen heard about, in October, I believe....and then all was silent for a while (and I assumed it wasn't going to happen....must learn to keep the faith). I tried to access the Variety article but you have to be a subscriber. The article is titled \"Firth sets forth on 'Dead Wait'\" Thanks for the good news Ada!"}, {"response": 1992, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, May 19, 2003 (21:29)", "body": "Oooh, better and better. Googled on \"The Dead Wait\", http://www.royalexchange.co.uk/mandelas_land/dead_wait_index.htm This is apparently from a play of the same name, reviews included: 'Strikingly modern\ufffdan autopsy on apartheid' The New York Times 'Paul Herzberg's THE DEAD WAIT is quite incredible\ufffd the image of a white soldier carrying a black 'terrorist' on his back towards safety stays in the mind for days\ufffdIntense, intelligent, in your face - don't wait another day to see it!' The Sunday Times (South Africa) 'Powerful, human and emotional, an historic piece which investigates the past with a view to establishing truth and how to effect reconciliation, not only within society, but within the self - a welcome dimension to the South African theatrical landscape.' The Mail & Guardian 'Powerful, compelling and emotional. I have rarely encountered such concentration of energy' The Citizen 'Ex-SA actor and playwright Paul Herzberg has given local theatre a jolt with THE DEAD WAIT and the huge emotional impact it carries. ' Business Day Online Also shows several noms for the Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards 2002: http://www.manchesteronstage.co.uk/menawards2002.htm ...including Best New Play. Potential with a capital P?"}, {"response": 1993, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, May 19, 2003 (21:44)", "body": "Paul Herzberg's THE DEAD WAIT And I'm such a mega dork that I just ordered my copy off of Amazon (UK Amazon has it)."}, {"response": 1994, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, May 19, 2003 (21:57)", "body": "Synopsis from South African Veterans Association webpage: The Dead Wait by Paul Herzberg (1996) - After twenty years in exile, haunted by events in his youth, Josh Gilmore returns to South Africa. His mission: to bring justice to his former platoon commander. As a conscript, in 1976, in Angola, Josh had been forced by his commander to carry a black wounded freedom fighter through the bush on his back. The freedom fighter whispered into Josh's ear as they moved, and in the mayhem, a bond begin to grow. Josh's commander responded to this unlikely friendship, with catastrophic results... But when Josh returns, he finds a different South Africa...and a different platoon commander. (Soon to be a film) (Ada from Variety) Firth will play a tough commanding officer ...Casting is under way for the co-lead roles of a young recruit and a black character. (I won't spoiler \"catastrophic results\" I saw explained elsewhere.) OMG, what a story and what a potential role."}, {"response": 1995, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May 19, 2003 (22:12)", "body": "Thanks, Ada. Definitely a supporting role, but at least it's drama. Screendaily's account: Firth stars in Beyond's Dead Wait --Adam Minns in Cannes 20 May 2003 04:05 Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary star Colin Firth is to star in The Dead Wait for Beyond Films. Scheduled to start production early next year on location in South Africa, the project is to be directed by Russian Ark producer Jens Meurer, who directed 1999 Venice Black Panther documentary Public Enemy. The film will tell the story of a man\ufffds quest for retribution and is set in present day South Africa and against the bloody, clandestine Angolan War of 1983. Sheryl Crown, the Oscar-nominated producer of Solomon & Gaenor, is producing, while the script is by Paul Herzberg. The title is set up as a co-production between Crown\ufffds Rubicon Pictures in the UK, David Wicht of Film Afrika in South Africa and Egoli Tossell Films in Germany. The UK\ufffds Mansfield Associates are executive producing."}, {"response": 1996, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 19, 2003 (22:40)", "body": "Thanks Barb for the creepy crawly news. :-( Damn! I hate having to close my eyes during one of Colin's movies. Excellent Ada! Yes, we had read back in October that Colin was interested in the Dead Wait before. Will have to pull out my \"Rumor/No Go\" file. But this is definitely one to root for! Serious work. Firth will play a tough commanding officer...His mission: to bring justice to his former platoon commander...commander responded to this unlikely friendship, with catastrophic results...a different platoon commander Yippeee!!!!!! A role with depth!!! He'll be a baddie but something more. Got an itchy ordering finger... Can't jinx this. Don't buy it, Evelyn. Don't let it join the nightstand cemetary. ;-) ~~~~~~~~~ OK, the first box office results from the weekend... Dropped from 7th to 9th place, taking in $375,046 from 287 screens (lost some). Cume to date is $1,312,374. Especially for Evelyn, Kangaroo Jack which opened this weekend pulled in $1.2 mill. The Jungle Book, which was 8th last week, held its place. And the ever-popular How to Lose a Guy continues to haul it in..."}, {"response": 1997, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, May 19, 2003 (23:03)", "body": "(Karen) Can't jinx this. Don't buy it, Evelyn. Interesting that one of the reports on this is coming out of Cannes. I hope this is not deja vu all over again, but a quick trip to the archives shows this is the anniversary of another Cannes tip, that one being one that didn't quite make it. (Lighting candles...)"}, {"response": 1998, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 19, 2003 (23:13)", "body": "(Barb) Interesting that one of the reports on this is coming out of Cannes. Not really. Every day there are lots of reports out of Cannes. It is the *big* film market. This film is being pushed at the market. They're trying to get investors and/or distributors and it's being done on Colin's name. (Mari) Definitely a supporting role I'm reserving judgment. Am picturing two male leads of equal importance. Only example that comes readily to mind is The Quiet American. Am also reserving judgment on the people making this film. No track record but if the material's solid, he has to take risks like this. BTW, those ants are definitely going to appeal to the horror websites that have been following this movie. BTW2, which Tube line goes to S. Africa and/or Angola-like terrain? ;-)"}, {"response": 1999, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, May 19, 2003 (23:28)", "body": "Firth will play a tough commanding officer... More than likely with ugly military hair cut. :-( Funny, I was just thinking of this project the other day when I heard there were travel advisories to Kenya (and somewhere else in Africa) and flights from Britain to there were cancelled due to seemingly impending terrorist attacks. I figured this project was dead as we hadn't heard anything in so long and it would be unlikely he'd travel down there for the shoot if it was there. V. v. excited to hear it's a go! Glad that Trauma creatures aren't spiders. Don't care how much skin would be showing and where, if they were spiders, I wouldn't be looking at the screen. Thanks for all the news everyone. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 176, "subject": "Colin Firth - Part 16", "response_count": 1999, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, May 19, 2003 (23:36)", "body": "OMG! Didn't realize I had the last post in 175. All kinds of excting things we leave behind. (me) V. v. excited to hear it's a go! Well a go on his part anyway."}, {"response": 2, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (00:25)", "body": "I wanted to be first.;-) (Karen)Am picturing two male leads of equal importance. There are two male leads, but neither one is Colin. Casting is under way for the co-lead roles of a young recruit and a black character Still, could be a very good, juicy role. And this director, Jens Meurer, produced Russian Ark, which got some great reviews here."}, {"response": 3, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (00:40)", "body": "Scheduled to start production early next year on location in South Africa YESSSSSSS! He's comming to South Africa! I knew all those candles would eventually pay off for something. Now to find out where it will be shooting. I will be there (wots 50 miles of good road anyway?)"}, {"response": 4, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (08:13)", "body": "That picture of Colin in #175 looking down and signing an autograph reminded me of these, taken by Anne R at the NYC premiere of SIL: Good news about the new project!"}, {"response": 5, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (09:04)", "body": "(Karen), Will have to pull out my \"Rumor/No Go\" file. But this is definitely one to root for! Serious work. Even if co-starring. How about Jude Law for the young officer? ;-D I can't believe they are looking for backing on this with only Colin attached to the project. I fear Tumbledown producers only-UK again. :-( But keeping fingers crossed. BTW2, which Tube line goes to S. Africa and/or Angola-like terrain? ;-) He may want a vacation from two tots at home. ;-) Thanks, Barb! BTW, I am creeped out by the ants too."}, {"response": 6, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (09:04)", "body": "..to solve Colin Firth's problem of ants in his pants. I couldt think of more pleasent \ufffdobjects\ufffd to get into his pants ;-P (Tress)Subtext (according to my pervy mind)...We get skin! Chest! Legs!!! Once again: Kindred spirits;-) Thank you BarbS and Ada for articles and news. Sounds very promising! (Dorine)More than likely with ugly military hair cut. :-( Can\ufffdt get any worse than Valmont/AMITC! (LeahP)Now to find out where it will be shooting. I will be there (wots 50 miles of good road anyway?) Go girl! We will be longing to hear every detail, you can dig up;-) Nice pictures, Murph!"}, {"response": 7, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (09:05)", "body": "(Mari) Definitely a supporting role, but at least it's drama He does better in films with a supporting role.Mostly better roles. (Karen)Dropped from 7th to 9th place, taking in $375,046 from 287 screens (lost some). Cume to date is $1,312,374. Have to go take a stomach pill. Hope producers have learned their lesson. If the So African film premieres in UK, it's dead meat. Especially for Evelyn, Kangaroo Jack which opened this weekend pulled in $1.2 mill. Why am I not surprised? Disgusting. (Karen) Got an itchy ordering finger... Can't jinx this. Don't buy it, Evelyn. Don't let it join the nightstand cemetary ROTF. \"Too late\". Only kidding, don't want it to join Maid of Buttermere & Flashman)"}, {"response": 8, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (09:07)", "body": "There are two male leads, but neither one is Colin. That explains the distance, very easy, short time shoot for him. Leah, you're on the scene. Thanks for the very up close and personal, Murph!"}, {"response": 9, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (09:28)", "body": "From one of the book websites: Reviews TDW Synopsis: \"I've been running. All this time. But not from him. I've been running. Now I stop.\" Based on a true story The Dead Wait is an explosive journey through war, death and redemption told by three people caught in the insanity of conflict and haunted by its horrors. Rich in language and visceral in impact, the play follows the journey of Josh Gilmore, a young athlete turned soldier from darkness to light, from the Angolan War of 1980 to the present day and the creation of a new South Africa. Production at the Manchester Royal Exchange opens in October 2002. Contains strong language and scenes of violence.\" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sounds fantastic. He really must be fed up with rom-coms to go on location in SA."}, {"response": 10, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (09:39)", "body": "Hey, Paul Herzberg is not a bad looker either:-)))"}, {"response": 11, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (09:42)", "body": "(Mari) And this director, Jens Meurer, produced Russian Ark, which got some great reviews here. Producing Russian Ark and directing it are two different things. Russian Ark was a technical masterpiece, the credit lies with the cinematographer, director and actors, IMO, in that order. Co-leads with Colin. ;-) (I refuse to believe it's small and a supporting role, I rufuse...) This is a film that will hit for Toronto's buyers, though it seems more suited to Sundance to me."}, {"response": 12, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (09:57)", "body": "\"I've been running. All this time. But not from him. I think we know who \"him\" has to be and the lead actor's closure/resolution with \"him\" would seem to be the gripping story. My ordering finger is getting itchy too because I'm with Karen on the co-leads thing or, such a minimal difference on supporting vs. lead that it does not matter. I'm thinking Duvall in Apocalypse Now or Jack N in A Few Good Men. (Smells like napalm in the morning to me, and if that's not the truth, I don't think I can handle it.)"}, {"response": 13, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (10:11)", "body": "(Karen) Co-leads with Colin. ;-) Bet they're trying for an American actor as the lead. I can see Nic Cage."}, {"response": 14, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (10:18)", "body": "(Barb) I'm thinking Duvall in Apocalypse Now or Jack N in A Few Good Men. Excellent comparisons. The other character (the black freedom fighter Josh carries) will have a pivotal role, but not at a level (or impact) with Colin and whoever plays Josh. My concern is this emphasis on age. Casting for Josh is described as a \"young recruit.\" However, the story takes place in two time periods: during the war and 20 yrs ago. A young recruit could be in his late teens, making his present day in his late 30s, which would only put Colin a few years older, contemporaries, as would be normal. The aging thing...or should I say the youthification process. ;-) Colin in cammies."}, {"response": 15, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (10:38)", "body": "(Mari) Definitely a supporting role, but at least it's drama (Evelyn) He does better in films with a supporting role.Mostly better roles. I agree, this could be a good role. It also sounds like a film he'd work hard to promote. (hint, hint, Colin!) (Dorine)More than likely with ugly military hair cut. :-( You're probably right, but let's hope not. When his hair is longer the stylist has more to work with. A short cut could be too \"revealing.\""}, {"response": 16, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (10:50)", "body": "Thanks Mary for the pictures. I already saw them some time ago on your homepage. The first is one of my favourites. Noticed his tongue on the first picture ? :o) Soo cute (although no stubbles :o) )"}, {"response": 17, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (10:52)", "body": "Thank you, Ada for the wonderful news on TDW. (Karen)It is the *big* film market. This film is being pushed at the market. They're trying to get investors and/or distributors and it's being done on Colin's name...he has to take risks like this Yes, yes, yes! V.positive news, and travel to S.Africa, as well! My, my--dare we be so bold to claim that our birthday theme produced \"vibrations\"?:-) (Tress)...We get skin! Chest! Legs I'm so glad you thought of that angle! I'll never complain about ants in the pants again. Makes one look at those pesty little critters in a whole new light:-) (Dorine)Don't care how much skin would be showing and where, if they were spiders, I wouldn't be looking at the screen. Maybe not on the first viewing...you know, the throwaway:-)"}, {"response": 18, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (11:24)", "body": "Ada, thanks for the scoop that TDW is a go. Whoo-hoo, another drama! Okay, fess up, Linda and Mari, what kind of spell did you ladies concoct this time? ;-) Keep 'em coming, as it worked. Leah, how great for you that TDW is to be filmed on location in SA. Hell will freeze over first before he films in my neck of the woods. ;-( (Dorine) More than likely with ugly military hair cut. :-( But he looked okay in TEP with shorter hair. I'm not that worried, unless they buzz it. (Karen) Got an itchy ordering finger... Can't jinx this. Don't buy it, Evelyn. Don't let it join the nightstand cemetary A lot of us have bits of the cemetery....*looking at Armadillo on my bookshelf* And as for the ants in Trauma crawling over his flesh, would MUCH prefer to see lots of Aunts crawling all over his flesh! Oh my! ;-D"}, {"response": 19, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (11:35)", "body": "(LisaJH) would MUCH prefer to see lots of Aunts crawling all over his flesh! LOL Have this picture now...Aunt Catherine deBourg, Aunt Augusta, Aunt Phillips, did I miss anyone?"}, {"response": 20, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (11:40)", "body": "(Evelyn) Bet they're trying for an American actor as the lead. I can see Nic Cage. Nic's days of being able to do a \"When Peggy Sue Got Married\" type age are long, long past. I think he \"left it in Las Vegas.\" ;-) Sheesh! He has less hair than Colin. ;-) (Lisa) would MUCH prefer to see lots of Aunts crawling all over his flesh! LOL! I qualify."}, {"response": 21, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (11:49)", "body": ""}, {"response": 22, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (11:55)", "body": ""}, {"response": 23, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (11:58)", "body": ""}, {"response": 24, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (12:13)", "body": "Ooops, sorry, Tress, meant to only delete to OT one. *standing in corner* :-("}, {"response": 25, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (12:56)", "body": "(Karen)He has less hair than Colin. ;-) 1-800-WAGW hairdresser;-D"}, {"response": 26, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (13:15)", "body": "(Barb) Aunt Catherine deBourg, Aunt Augusta, Aunt Phillips, did I miss anyone? Well, I was thinking more along the lines of non-incestuous aunties: you, me, all the other Drooleurs....;-) (Evelyn) 1-800-WAGW hairdresser;-D LOL! I love your toll-free directory, Evelyn. It's grown to be quite a resource, no? ;-)"}, {"response": 27, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (13:27)", "body": "(Karen) Ooops, sorry, Tress, meant to only delete to OT one. *standing in corner* :-( OMG! All that hard work putting those thoughts together! LOL...it was just random silliness anyway. Am just very excited by the Dead Wait news. Please don't stand in the corner! ;-) (Barb) Aunt Catherine deBourg, Aunt Augusta, Aunt Phillips, did I miss anyone? (LisaJH) Well, I was thinking more along the lines of non-incestuous aunties: you, me, all the other Drooleurs....;-) And, I imagine, we wouldn't be as difficult to 'wrangle' as the other ants...we would all stay on ODB. Though there might be an issue getting us off of him!"}, {"response": 28, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (14:02)", "body": "Thanks for all the news everyone, the good and the bad. It's been confirmed then that we won't get HS here. Bad day in bedrock. Knew it wouldn't be Oscar caliber but definitely worth viewing. Very disappointed. Thank you Annette for link and Trauma poster. It's a good one. Great news about TDW. I guess \"starring\" doesn't mean lead anymore. Get's confusing, but will be happy to see him in anything. Should be a good one, and definitely lighting candles and mixing brew so we get this one. Everything is crossed ;-)."}, {"response": 29, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (14:40)", "body": "(Linda), My, my--dare we be so bold to claim that our birthday theme produced \"vibrations\"?:-) You know we always try to help. We are such a mercenary group. ;-) I would like the part of the young officer to go to Jude Law. :-) That would get a US distribution. Thanks, Ada for the news."}, {"response": 30, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (15:01)", "body": "Thanks everyone for the ants news and the funniest comments too;-)) You ladies crack me up! (Karen) Nightstand cemetary ROTFLOL! The things we do for OBD, maked ants crawling over your skin seem perfunctory. Great news about DW. The \"sequel\" to Tumbledown we've been waiting for ;-)) Go Colin, You can certainly smell that fairtrade coffee (at last) Thanks everyone"}, {"response": 31, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (15:36)", "body": "And Moon so sayeth to the Drooleurs (and studios/director/casting agents).... I would like the part of the young officer to go to Jude Law. To which they replied....\"Moon's will be done.\" ;-D"}, {"response": 32, "author": "soph", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (18:06)", "body": "(leahp) He's comming to South Africa! I knew all those candles would eventually pay off for something. Now to find out where it will be shooting. I will be there (wots 50 miles of good road anyway?) my guess would be cape town : the city has been developing into a saf version of l.a. recently. started with european car commercials (scenery, beaches, weather, not to mention tax breaks available), the place is turning into a major shooting area. if i can remember well, they were starting the filming of some movie with juliette binoche and morgan freeman this april."}, {"response": 33, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (18:16)", "body": "I don't think we ever saw the Variety review of HS. By DEREK ELLEY Variety Colin Firth plays a Brit artist surprised when his fiancee, Minnie Driver, comes back in 'Hope Springs.' A wannabe romantic comedy that's rather slim on both real romance and real comedy, \"Hope Springs\" is an innocuous time-passer which sees its name cast generating little on-screen chemistry. Based on a recent novel by \"The Graduate\" scribe Charles Webb, the slight story of an English artist who washes up in a small Vermont town to get over being ditched by the love of his life plays surprisingly flatly. Shot through with obvious ironies about Brit-Yank behavioral differences, but never really developing into the movie it would like to be, pic will need heavy marketing and canny placement to make much impact, though Colin Firth's brand of British sexiness should prove a hook for female auds. Preemed at the Bradford fest, northern England, in mid-March, Buena Vista goes out in the U.K. May 9, with a Stateside date still to be set. The 2001 novel by American-born, British-based Webb was the reclusive writer's first major work in a quarter-century. Almost entirely composed of dialogue, with only minimal other detail and no descriptions of the characters themselves, the script-like book would theoretically seem the ideal work to transpose to the screen. However, what plays well on paper as a series of verbal exchanges doesn't necessarily translate to the same effect on the more concrete bigscreen. Helmer-writer Mark Herman has had some success in the past with character-based, British regional comedy (\"Brassed Off,\" \"Little Voice,\" \"Purely Belter\") but here seems unable to make his cross-Atlantic cast mesh in any sparky way. It's notable that the most successful scenes are between Firth and fellow-Brit Minnie Driver, where the two seem more at ease with each other's performing rhythms. Firth plays Colin Ware, who stops off in the small town of Hope (pop. 18,459) and goes straight to the local art-materials store to purchase pencils and sketch pads. Colin's backstory is filled in through blatantly expository dialogue with both the store's leery owners (Ken Kramer, Mary Black) and then with the gum-chewing Joanie Fisher (Mary Steenburgen), who runs the Battlefield Inn, a hostelry decorated with Revolutionary War paraphernalia. Suffering from both jet lag and being dumped by his \"half-Welsh, half-monster\" fiancee, Vera, Colin passes out in his room and wakes to find himself in the tender hands of Mandy (Heather Graham), a flake who works as a \"caregiver\" at the local old people's home, Shining Shores. After another bout of expository dialogue, pic finally looks like it's getting into gear as the bored Mandy sets out to seduce the screwed-up Brit. With a strong assist from a blaring pop-rock soundtrack and a sequence in which Colin careens through town in the drunken Mandy's auto, the film initially aims for a kind of wacky humor that simply seems forced. Pic idles along as another of the burg's outsized characters -- the ambitious local mayor, played at full tilt by Oliver Platt -- is intro'ed, and finally starts to find its feet (and a semblance of a plot) at the 35-minute mark as--who else?--Vera (Driver) turns up in town, determined to get Colin back. Driver's assured, cigarette-puffing Vera, forever making jokes about Americans' demonization of smoking and subtly undercutting (in the nicest way) his growing relationship with the more naive Mandy, is the kind of class act that the picture really needs. There's an immediate chemistry between her and Firth, with each responding to the other's delivery, that's notably absent from Firth's interaction with the Yank cast, especially Graham and Steenburgen. When Driver is off-screen, pic's gears slip back into neutral. Finale set during the town's annual Cannonball Festival springs no surprises and is strikingly light on emotional clout. Film's very tight running time of 90 minutes (including credits) raises suspicions that some drastic editing has taken place, especially in the last act, which scampers through a subplot of Vera being crowned queen of the festival as her ancestors may have been responsible for founding Hope in the first place. (The Welsh angle made more sense in the original novel, entitled \"New Cardiff,\" after the town's name.) After a shaky start with the physical shtick, Firth settles into the character of Colin with the kind of wry disdain he's best at, and his legions of distaff fans should be well satisfied with his acres of screen-time, even though he's hardly pushed at an acting level. Graham is largely bright and open-eyed, and has trouble making much of a character out of Mandy; Steenburgen simply goes for broke as the trashy Joanie but, like Graham, seems to be in a different movie from Firth and Driver. Though the whole picture was shot in B.C., Ashley Rowe's widescreen lensing, suffused with russets, purples and ochres, conjures up a convincingly autumnal New Engl"}, {"response": 34, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (18:19)", "body": "Firth sets forth on 'Dead Wait' 'Public Enemy' helmer Meurer to direct pic By DON GROVES Variety Colin Firth is set to star in \"The Dead Wait,\" a South Africa-set saga that spans the 20 years since the bloody Angolan war of 1983. Scripted by Paul Herzberg and helmed by Jens Meurer (\"Public Enemy\"), pic is due to roll in early 2004, with Sheryl Crown as producer. Project was unveiled here by Beyond Films' head of sales and acquisitions Hilary Davis, who is fielding world rights. It's a co-prod between Crown's U.K.-based Rubicon Pictures, David Wicht of Film Afrika and Meurer's Egoli Tossell Films of Germany. Firth will play a tough commanding officer in the South African army. Crown says casting is under way for the co-lead roles of a young recruit and a black character. London-based Mansfield Associates is exec producing."}, {"response": 35, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (18:36)", "body": "Looks like a \"go\" for TDW. Thanks Mari. I'd like Adrian Lester for they young black. \" ..the script-like book would theoretically seem the ideal work to transpose to the screen. However, what plays well on paper as a series of verbal exchanges doesn't necessarily translate to the same effect on the more concrete bigscreen. Can be done....Sharon Maguire did it with a book in diary form. \"..should be well satisfied with his acres of screen-time, even though he's hardly pushed at an acting level.\" Eye- candy. Sounds like he sleep - walked through this one."}, {"response": 36, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (18:51)", "body": "pic will need heavy marketing and canny placement Well, that's two strikes. Canny placement? What about ANY placement:-( raises suspicions that some drastic editing has taken place, especially in the last act, Too bad, that whole Queen Vera stuff in the book was one of the funniest parts. Why do they do that??? Sounds like they succeeded in making the ending v. disjointed. and his legions of distaff fans should be well satisfied with his acres of screen-time ...acres of screen-time. This is killing me. Thanks, Mari for both Variety articles."}, {"response": 37, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (19:25)", "body": "http://mweb.co.za/litnet/teater/mandela.asp An interview with the director of Dead Wait as it was performed in Manchester. Spoilers Description of Colin's part: \"In a nutshell, the play deals with the journey of its main character, Josh Gilmore, who brings the play into being by telling the Truth and Reconciliation Commission about his experiences in Angola, 20 years after leaving South Africa after a sort of nervous breakdown during an athletics tournament. The 40-year-old Josh tells us of how, while in the SADF Special Forces, his unit captured a high-ranking ANC officer George Josana during a raid. Forced by his Commanding Officer (CO) to carry the wounded man on his back across 60 km of Angolan bush to friendly lines, he undergoes all the horrors of battle. Then, just as the end is in sight, the squad is almost surrounded and the CO orders him to execute his prisoner whom, by this time, he has come to love as a fellow-human being. The first half ends with this terrible execution. The second half returns to the present and deals with Josh\ufffds attempts to find some kind of justice through George\ufffds daughter, and by trying to track down his CO, who by now is a ruined version of his former self. The play ends with an extraordinary scene at the spot where George was shot. I will say no more. You will have to read the play. Or better still, see it! I should also point out that the story of the journey across a battlefield with the wounded ANC man on the soldier\ufffds back is all based on fact. It all actually happened \ufffd down to the summary execution.\" Sounds like a plum part for CF. It's time he did a bad guy."}, {"response": 38, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, May 20, 2003 (21:43)", "body": "Yes, I have the first part now. As the second part will probably focus on the CO and the recruit, I trust the extraordinary scene will continue spoiler-free."}, {"response": 39, "author": "Leah", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (00:19)", "body": "(sophie) my guess would be Cape Town This was my first reaction too, when I saw *South Africa*. So wot is 1500 km's of good road?? My only hope is that there is no place in Cape Town to film an Angolan type bush scene (unless they use a studio). When I read that he would play a CO, I immediately thought of Conspiracy - but where that was all theory(you didn't actually see the results of their planning in the film), this would be *hands on*, doing the dirty work."}, {"response": 40, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (01:06)", "body": "Thanks Mari for the Variety article and review. We had another review from Variety right after Bradford, by Mark Adams, which was about the same in its assessment. his legions of distaff fans should be well satisfied with his acres of screen-time, even though he's hardly pushed at an acting level. He must have been monitoring quiz results. ;-) But it's sad that critics are even noticing that Colin is phoning this in. :-( Thanks Murph for the additional info on TDW. As I suspected the black officer's role would be pivotal but brief, especially if he dies in the first or second act. Will read the rest of the interview later..."}, {"response": 41, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (03:50)", "body": "The Times reported the news of DW today, so it must be true ;-) There's an immediate chemistry between her and Firth, with each responding to the other's delivery, that's notably absent from Firth's interaction with the Yank cast, I think the Variety review makes some good points. I did not understand those reviewers who were so critical of MD. I thought she brought some much needed ooomph to the proceedings. Though not good for Colin's future in Hollywood if he is perceived as lacking the necessary chemistry with \"Yanks\"! Perhaps he had better try south of the Mason-Dixon :-("}, {"response": 42, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (07:41)", "body": "his legions of distaff fans should be well satisfied with his acres of screen-time, even though he's hardly pushed at an acting level. (Karen), He must have been monitoring quiz results. ;-) But it's sad that critics are even noticing that Colin is phoning this in. :-( I refuse to believe that he would \"act\" in WAGW and walk through HS. He was not talked into doing HS, this was his project. Let's just be truthful and say he blew it bigtime. :-("}, {"response": 43, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (10:01)", "body": "(Moon)I refuse to believe that he would \"act\" in WAGW and walk through HS. He was not talked into doing HS, this was his project. Let's just be truthful and say he blew it bigtime. :-( He wouldn't be the first actor who got involved with a project that looked good in theory but didn't turn out well (come to think of it, it isn't the first time he's been on a project that didn't turn out well). Must be hard to fight the temptation to sleepwalk when you know it's all going sour. Maybe his acting was better on WAGW because he was having a better time? Speaking of WAGW, the \"orginal\" (Reluctant Debutante) is on TCM today (6PM eastern)"}, {"response": 44, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (11:23)", "body": "FYI, Colin's character in TDW is Franz 'Papa' Louw. Must be a carryover from his Hunk Daddy days. ;-)"}, {"response": 45, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (11:54)", "body": "If you're going to order the play from the UK, here's a link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1840023422/thespring-21"}, {"response": 46, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (12:52)", "body": "Thanks for the info Mari and Murph. Sounds like TDW is going to be good. Not good that he gives the impression of non-acting in HS but agree with Kate that he could have seen it was not what he had \"Hoped\" for. Just wish we could see it for ourselves and determine our own opinions."}, {"response": 47, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (13:12)", "body": "(Moon) I refuse to believe that he would \"act\" in WAGW and walk through HS. He was not talked into doing HS, this was his project. Let's just be truthful and say he blew it bigtime. :-( (Kate) He wouldn't be the first actor who got involved with a project that looked good in theory but didn't turn out well (come to think of it, it isn't the first time he's been on a project that didn't turn out well). Must be hard to fight the temptation to sleepwalk when you know it's all going sour. This appears to have been a timely question then... What happens when you sign on for a film, get halfway through it, and realize it\ufffds a dog? I\ufffdm very used to making the wrong call on things. I guess my instincts aren\ufffdt that good on that. You can cut eight different movies from what you shoot, and often your vision of a project is not in line with the director\ufffds. I think the reverse is also true; I have seen beauty come from what I thought was rubbish. (Clay Weiner-Gotham Mag)"}, {"response": 48, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (13:12)", "body": "bugger! bugger!"}, {"response": 49, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (13:14)", "body": "Ok, good it worked. Negates the point of using the bold now. :-("}, {"response": 50, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (13:19)", "body": "(Pam) that he could have seen it was not what he had \"Hoped\" for. Too bad.You soldier on... There is such a thing as loyalty to your producers who paid you v. well , to say nothing of loyalty to the rest of the cast and crew. There is never an excuse for petulance, IMO"}, {"response": 51, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (13:31)", "body": "Not good that he gives the impression of non-acting in HS Sorry I don't think this is right. He gave of his best IMHO but the material was poor. He chose badly but he did not sleepwalk. I do not think any other reviewer has accused him of that."}, {"response": 52, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (14:33)", "body": "(Variety review) even though he's hardly pushed at an acting level (Allison) he did not sleepwalk Maybe the reviewer agrees with us and thinks ODB deserves/is capable of handling better material? Thanks for pulling up that quote, Dorine. I sort of had that in mind, but didn't remember where it came from. It must be bad enough to get negative reviews when you think the film you did is OK--you can always tell yourself the reviewer missed the point. But if you think the film turned out badly, it must be hard to promote. Still, promotion IS part of the business, whether you love the film or not."}, {"response": 53, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (15:02)", "body": "(Allison)...but the material was poor. Reminds me of what Rosemary Harris said when she was accepting an award for a role in a play by Edward Albee(!). \"Words is all actors have, without words we cannot do anything\"."}, {"response": 54, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (16:01)", "body": "\"Words is all actors have, without words we cannot do anything\". Thanks for that Evelyn. Perhaps you should send it to ODB ;-)"}, {"response": 55, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (16:08)", "body": "Correction:Sorry... I am sure she said \"Words are ..\""}, {"response": 56, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (16:09)", "body": "(Allison)I do not think any other reviewer has accused him of that., Other than Variety, I don't remember that particular criticisim of him in HS either. I read them all even though I went through several bottles of antacid:-) ...As Karen said, he acted his socks off in WAGW...it will be interesting to see the critics take on that part of it, anyway."}, {"response": 57, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (16:26)", "body": "A site with some setting-images from GWAPE among others. The links work somewhat strange at times. No pictures of actors, only exterior suggestions. http://www.delux.lu/epostproduction.html"}, {"response": 58, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (16:30)", "body": "(Kate) But if you think the film turned out badly, it must be hard to promote. Still, promotion IS part of the business, whether you love the film or not. And they are *actors*. Can't always leave the project at the door when shooting stops. \"Words is all actors have, without words we cannot do anything V. v. important yes, but we know what Colin can do without words, too. With only facial expressions."}, {"response": 59, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (16:48)", "body": "(Annette) A site with some setting-images from GWAPE among others. Thanks Annette! Very interesting 'virtual tour'. Cannot wait to see this on film.... (Dorine) V. v. important yes, but we know what Colin can do without words, too. With only facial expressions. Some of his best work (IMO) is done only with a look..."}, {"response": 60, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (17:03)", "body": "(Evelyn) I am sure she said \"Words are..\" Yes, somehow I couldn't imagine the other version coming out of her mouth! (Linda) Other than Variety, I don't remember that particular criticisim of him in HS either. I didn't take the Variety remark to mean that he was sleepwalking. By \"he's hardly pushed at an acting level,\" I assumed they meant that the role wasn't particularly challenging."}, {"response": 61, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (19:26)", "body": "\"As Griet becomes part of her master's work, their growing intimacy spreads disruption and jealousy within the ordered household and even - as the scandal seeps out - ripples in the world beyond Wow.... scandal ? Looks like the film will be juicer than the book."}, {"response": 62, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, May 22, 2003 (06:34)", "body": "(Dorine) V. v. important yes, but we know what Colin can do without words, too. With only facial expressions. You are so right! (we all remember his own words, when referring to Paul Scofield) Another \"confirmation\" about The Dead Wait (and nice pic from HS-premiere) http://www.channel4.com/film/newsfeatures/news_story.jsp?storyId=505"}, {"response": 63, "author": "Leah", "date": "Thu, May 22, 2003 (06:43)", "body": "(Annette) While COLIN FIRTH has opted against reprising his role in BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY - he's signed up to take on a much tougher challenge as a commanding officer in the South African army. I thought TEOR was Oct - Dec, and TDW will be in the new year. Will just have to wait and see."}, {"response": 64, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 22, 2003 (08:38)", "body": "(Rika & others) By \"he's hardly pushed at an acting level,\" I assumed they meant that the role wasn't particularly challenging. True, but taken to its logical conclusion, he could phone it in. If you're not challenged, it can show. Evelyn) Wow....scandal? Looks like the film will be juicer than the book. Yeah, the fact that VanR wanted her painted was a scandal and that V was going to do it caused scandal. They all talked about it everywhere, including the market. She was ashamed and apprehensive. (Channel 4) While COLIN FIRTH has opted against reprising his role in BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY Don't worry about it. There'd be less unemployment if most of the newspapers, internet news sites, etc., hired fact checkers. Okay, Olivia?? ;-)"}, {"response": 65, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, May 22, 2003 (11:14)", "body": "(Channel 4) While COLIN FIRTH has opted against reprising his role in BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY Don't worry about it. There'd be less unemployment if most of the newspapers, internet news sites, etc., hired fact checkers. Okay, Olivia?? ;-) LOL, Karen!"}, {"response": 66, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May 22, 2003 (11:55)", "body": "Evelyn) Wow....scandal? Looks like the film will be juicer than the book. (Karen), Yeah, the fact that VanR wanted her painted was a scandal and that V was going to do it caused scandal. They all talked about it everywhere, including the market. She was ashamed and apprehensive. Also, his giving the earrings for her to wear for a painting when everyone knew they belonged to his wife would also causae a scandal. I don't think there will be anything juicy in GWAPE. He's doing horror with ants, a mean soldier, but nothing juicy. The closest we will get it HS, if we ever get it. :-( Re: TEOR didn't Renee say it would be for the fall? All we need is for Bridget to end up with Daniel because MD was nowhere to be found. Gone to LA never to return. :-("}, {"response": 67, "author": "socadook", "date": "Thu, May 22, 2003 (12:15)", "body": "( Moon) Re: TEOR didn't Renee say it would be for the fall? All we need is for Bridget to end up with Daniel because MD was nowhere to be found. Gone to LA never to return. :-( Aaaaaaaaahhhhhh:( Am I in a parallell universe?"}, {"response": 68, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, May 22, 2003 (12:47)", "body": "(Moon) All we need is for Bridget to end up with Daniel because MD was nowhere to be found. Gone to LA never to return. :-( Oh no, and the towel and kitchen scenes go to HG. Oh Gawd. Where are my antacids? Now that would be the twilight zone. ...but the boss said not to worry, and I'm not, *chewing tums, lighting candles, casting the evil eye on those internet sites who don't have fact checkers*"}, {"response": 69, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 22, 2003 (14:42)", "body": "Getting back to TDW, I like the fact that Paul Herzberg played Colin's role on stage. Actor/writers usually write themselves good parts and not \"supporting\" roles (e.g., Woody Allen, Mel Brooks...)"}, {"response": 70, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 22, 2003 (15:40)", "body": "Evelyn) Wow....scandal? Looks like the film will be juicer than the book. (Karen)Yeah, the fact that VanR wanted her painted was a scandal and that V was going to do it caused scandal. They all talked about it everywhere, including the market. *Yawn*. That's not what I call a \"scandal\". A teaser;-(("}, {"response": 71, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, May 22, 2003 (16:44)", "body": "(Evelyn) *Yawn*. That's not what I call a \"scandal\". A teaser;-(( LOL...Well, when you put it like that , it sounds about as exciting as five girls trying to find rich husbands...or a bunch of angry men sitting around a table talking. *insert winkie with tongue firmly planted in cheek here*"}, {"response": 72, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (01:03)", "body": "A very nice lurker e-mailed me a link to some additional photos of the PEN event on an Italian Firth fan site. If you click on the photos, you get close-ups - some of them close enough to see individual whiskers and eyelashes. There are also some shots that appear to be from the reading itself. Here's the link: http://digilander.libero.it/firthissimo/pen.htm"}, {"response": 73, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (06:53)", "body": "Great link!! Some of the best pics of ODB I've seen in a long, long time. Can't quite decide which is my favourite, but I think the second from last wins by a whisker!"}, {"response": 74, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (07:46)", "body": "Looks like the stubble started from then. Very short, but it was much more noticiable just days later at the premiere. For the eyelash aficianados...check out 4&5 in the top row. Thanks, Rika."}, {"response": 75, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (08:16)", "body": "seems you\ufffdre right linda with your stubble assumption. Very good pics, thank you rika. Favourite one definitely second one last row."}, {"response": 76, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (08:37)", "body": "Thank you, Rika, for the wonderful Sunday morning surprise. I think that second to last picture ranks right up there in my top five all-time favorites. And the first one on the top row is not bad either. We were just discussing ODB's great natural smile on the Spoilers topic, and how we don't see it often enough. The eyelash shots are great, too."}, {"response": 77, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (09:31)", "body": "Thanks so much, Rika and lurker. I agree the second one on bottom is a really great one for the smile. The difference in his tooth color is a bit more evident in that one...caps on the front I presume. Think it's been mentioned or alluded to before. On the top row, the second and last ones are the money shots for the hair for me. I just want to play with the hair on the side by his ears and on the nape of his neck, then run my hands through. Pleasant thought for the start of the day. :-)"}, {"response": 78, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (09:35)", "body": "Thanks for the great pics Rika and Lurker. Great closeups."}, {"response": 79, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (10:18)", "body": "I want to add my thanks for the great pics Rika and Lurker. I always love those \"looking down\" shots and #5 where he's looking down and smiling is especially lovely. Lashes and stubble, ummm."}, {"response": 80, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (10:20)", "body": "Thanks Rika (and whoever) for posting the link. Love the pics of him at the podium, doing his reading. Almost like being there. *almost* All the others remind me of Donmar lobby shots, so is a little like deja vu."}, {"response": 81, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (10:48)", "body": "Thanks, Rika, lovely! And grazie to the lurker."}, {"response": 82, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (12:38)", "body": "(Rika)....some of them close enough to see individual whiskers and eyelashes. Augggghhhh! My computer won't load the pics (will try to remain calm and check back later)!!! I saw the stubble/eyelash comment and nearly fell off my chair before clicking on the link...and then....nada, nichts.....;-( But thank you Rika and Lurker!! I shall conquer this! I shall!"}, {"response": 83, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (12:45)", "body": "Rika and lurker: Thank you so much! I can't decide on one particular favourite - in one it is his eyes, another his lips, his hair .............. Tress, I do hope, you will be able to see the pictures. Have faith!"}, {"response": 84, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (13:05)", "body": "(Dorine) The difference in his tooth color is a bit more evident in that one...caps on the front I presume. Think it's been mentioned or alluded to before. LOL.Ole Eagle-Eye! Too much \"caffee\";-) Jaw-dropping pics. Thanks."}, {"response": 85, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (13:28)", "body": "(Dorine) The difference in his tooth color is a bit more evident in that one...caps on the front I presume. Think it's been mentioned or alluded to before. Sorry to disagree but it is quite natural, that the \"corner\" teeth are a bit more \"yellow\" than the ones in front. It is supposedly because the cornerteeth are thicker than the others. (Mine look the same and I guarantee you; no caps at all or coffee for that matter ;-)) Off to drool over pictures again :-)"}, {"response": 86, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (13:32)", "body": "Thanks for the lovely images Rika and lurker! (Karen) Deja vu I know it! Thank god he doesn't change, apart of course from improving with age. (Am saying nothing about hair partings this time ;-) )"}, {"response": 87, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (13:32)", "body": "According to this, Colin has left Isle of Man: http://www.manxradio.com/scripts/public-archivesearch/archiveview.pl?id=6011"}, {"response": 88, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (13:34)", "body": "We would all agree with Marc Evans! *Lighting more candles* Thanks Annette."}, {"response": 89, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (14:03)", "body": "Thank you once again Annette, our honored Google Queen!"}, {"response": 90, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (14:06)", "body": "OK, y'all need to go back up to that link to the PEN pics and press the link at the bottom of the page -- Torna all'album Don't have to have much Italian to know there's more...and such a bunch of more there is...I've only begun to look, but I post the link below as living proof it only almost put me into cardiac arrest. (Hope the link works, if not, I'll tell you where to dig for the buried treasure.) Thanks to Rika and lurker! http://digilander.libero.it/firthissimo/img/BJD13.jpg"}, {"response": 91, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (14:24)", "body": "Oh my! The fan site has a range of photos from Playmaker. There's a great shot of the \"other dimples\"!!!"}, {"response": 92, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (14:34)", "body": "Thu 22nd May 2003: Its the last day of shooting for the film \"Trauma\" on the Island which means heart-throb Colin Firth will be packing his bags and leaving. That was short! According to the initial press release, filming began the week of 28 April and was to last 8 weeks there. They must have really scheduled his work perfectly to get out of town in 4 weeks! But there still could be work for him on location in London. Thanks Annette!"}, {"response": 93, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (15:08)", "body": "(Dorine) The difference in his tooth color is a bit more evident in that one...caps on the front I presume. Think it's been mentioned or alluded to before. I think he has had caps and bonding....can't be sure (should ask my dentist friend who can spot it at 50 paces). His teeth are very different in older films than they are now...they seem to change gradually...so think it is a 'work in process'. (Evelyn) LOL.Ole Eagle-Eye! Too much \"caffee\";-) LOL....and too many smokes! Still have not seen the pics ....but will be patient....I assume the site is getting lots of hits right now...."}, {"response": 94, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (15:31)", "body": "Rika and lurking Firthette, thanks ever so much for the pics. They are amazing. (Tress) Still have not seen the pics....but will be patient....I assume the site is getting lots of hits right now.... I couldn't view the pics in Netscape (my browser of preference) for some reason, but when I switched to Explorer, I was able to view them."}, {"response": 95, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (16:55)", "body": "Barb, thank you for the \"translation\" - perhaps the siteowner is some distant cousine to Rika ;-) I'm not good at explaining which number in which row is my favourite, so I just linked a few http://digilander.libero.it/firthissimo/img2/Tiobe34.jpg http://digilander.libero.it/firthissimo/img/mlsf32.jpg http://digilander.libero.it/firthissimo/img/tep5.jpg I had to bookmark the page - Too much viewing would require someone to come along and still my beating heart :-) (Karen)But there still could be work for him on location in London. That was my thoughts too. Didn't they say they had to shoot both places? Makes sence to finish one location first. Last remark on the teethbusiness: I'm no expert on the subject, just wantet to say that the coulordifference alone isn't evidence of caps. But - even so I really don't care. I like his smile - just as it is :-)"}, {"response": 96, "author": "neshacat", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (17:56)", "body": "Annete, Barb and Rika - Thanks for the links to the pics. Could someone please post links to the eyelash and stubble ones from the reading? I can get to the ones that are directly linked, but get an error message each time I try to get to the index page. Thanks bunches of Colin smiles!"}, {"response": 97, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (18:08)", "body": "(Annette) I'm no expert on the subject, just wantet to say that the coulor difference alone isn't evidence of caps. But - even so I really don't care. I like his smile - just as it is :-) Oh...don't get me wrong! I love his smile as well (and think ODB's dimples improve with age)! But I do think he has had some work done and actually it wasn't the color of the teeth that clued me in, there seemed to be a slight space in between two of his front front teeth in his earlier films. IMO, he even sounds a bit different in his older films (could be maturity, could have been the role he was playing or could be some dental work he has had done). And thanks for the links Annette and Barb. I am able to see those! (not working for me in Exploder or Netscape!! But thanks for the suggestion LisaJH...It may have something to do with the fact that I exist in 'Mac'land)."}, {"response": 98, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (18:17)", "body": "(MaryH) Could someone please post links to the eyelash and stubble ones from the reading? By your command...follow me to Firthology at 166, me thinks this begins to border on indepth study of drool rather than news (even if old news...)"}, {"response": 99, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (18:19)", "body": "Of course, he's had dental work since his early films. Valmont (pre) and later..."}, {"response": 100, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (20:16)", "body": "Barb, thank you for spotting the rest of those photos on the PEN page. Love the picure and smile from last summer's Cartier Polo event. We've seen some of these before, but the smile is really great in this one."}, {"response": 101, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, May 27, 2003 (10:28)", "body": "I went back on the thread and did not see this. If it is old news, excuse! From the BBC: Renee Zellweger has reportedly agreed to put on weight again to reprise her role as Bridget Jones. Zellweger, who starred as the eponymous heroine in the 2001 film, will put on at least 20lbs in order to reprise the role, reports said. Filming is expected to start in July. Hugh Grant and Colin Firth are also expected to reprise their roles in the film. The sequel will be called The Edge of Reason."}, {"response": 102, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 27, 2003 (10:32)", "body": "Murph, we post this kind of info on #149, which is for Bridget Jones."}, {"response": 103, "author": "soph", "date": "Tue, May 27, 2003 (10:42)", "body": "wow, catching up on old posts : have i stumbled upon dentistry 101 all of a sudden ??? this is amazing, i don't even understand half the things you are talking about (should i mention that i don't even brush my teeth ? hahaha - rebellion !!!)... the thing is, i'm experiencing a nasty relapse of stubble fever (and yes, you know exactly why, karen) and i was just thinking about something yesterday night re: trauma. (hope it's ok to post this on 176)... ok, so the guy is supposed to wake up, he was in a coma, blablabla... now the million dollar question : do they shave people who are in a coma in e.r.s ? and no, i'm not taking a crash course in nursing either, it's just because you know, if they *don't*, there might be a slight chance of getting an opening scene combining stubble w. awakening ? do i sound like i am begging ? well, in fact i am."}, {"response": 104, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, May 27, 2003 (12:28)", "body": "Sorry. Will you move it or delete, Karen? Thanks."}, {"response": 105, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Tue, May 27, 2003 (13:40)", "body": "now the million dollar question : do they shave people who are in a coma in e.r.s LOL I'm no nurse but as far as I know they do shave them ;-("}, {"response": 106, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 27, 2003 (14:08)", "body": "Rent Talk to Her (Habla Con Ella)"}, {"response": 107, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, May 27, 2003 (16:52)", "body": "(NitaE)now the million dollar question : do they shave people who are in a coma in e.r.s I guess it depends on how long he's in this coma. Judging by the look of CF's stubble a weeek before filming began...the nurses opted for the sexy-don't shave-look. Bravo!"}, {"response": 108, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May 27, 2003 (20:41)", "body": "YooHoo! Hola Lola! Since I'm not sure if you ever check out the BJD board, and since the latest Edge of Reason news has been reported by the BBC (as noted by Murph above), I suppose you can now confirm what this venerable institution is reporting?"}, {"response": 109, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 27, 2003 (21:02)", "body": "It's not long for this world :-( UK box office report: HS in 14th place, making only $96,094 (down -74%) for a three-week cume of $1,567,189. Only in 113 theaters, down 174 from the prev week for a $858 average (-35%). I won't even bother saying what did better. It's demoralizing. http://www.boxofficemojo.com/intl/uk/2003/21.htm"}, {"response": 110, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, May 27, 2003 (21:52)", "body": "(Karen) HS in 14th place, making only $96,094 (down -74%) for a three-week cume of $1,567,189. I won't even bother saying what did better. It's demoralizing. *thud* That was the sound of my heart sinking all the way to the floor. :-( :-("}, {"response": 111, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, May 28, 2003 (09:03)", "body": "(Karen) I won't even bother saying what did better. It's demoralizing. Ouch! I think I just got a chest pain! (Dorine) That was the sound of my heart sinking all the way to the floor. :-( :-( Your heart just joined my entire body....I'm totally deflated....:-("}, {"response": 112, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, May 28, 2003 (11:15)", "body": "(Tress) Your heart just joined my entire body....I'm totally deflated....:-( HELP!! I'm on the floor and I can't get up!!!"}, {"response": 113, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, May 28, 2003 (11:26)", "body": "(Karen) It's not long for this world :-( It will live forever on VHS and DVD. Something to look forward to:-/"}, {"response": 114, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May 28, 2003 (12:23)", "body": "Hope Springs (12A) By BBC Radio Times Little Voice director Mark Herman takes a stab at a \"traditional\" relationship movie - and fails miserably - with this lazy and spark-free romantic comedy. A by-the-numbers exercise that falls flat from the beginning, it's the sort of foppish romp normally associated with Hugh Grant. Here the fumbling Brit is Colin Firth, playing a sensitive English artist who heads to the small US town of Hope to mend his broken heart after he is betrayed by brittle fiance Minnie Driver. There he finds more than a shoulder to cry on in the shape of free-spirited nurse Heather Graham - a coupling that feels weak and contrived, despite Graham's endearingly perky performance. Firth lacks conviction, trotting out his lines on autopilot, while there's no chemistry between the leads, even during the most intimate sequences. The film simply shambles along, hampered by limp direction."}, {"response": 115, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, May 28, 2003 (13:18)", "body": "...despite Graham's endearingly perky performance. Firth lacks conviction, trotting out his lines on autopilot... This is the opposite of most of the reviews....I guess there has to be a few HG fans out there. The film simply shambles along, hampered by limp direction. Makes it sound as if Mr. Herman lacked a stiffening resolve when making this film! ;-) Thanks Mari! (I think) ;-)"}, {"response": 116, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, May 28, 2003 (13:26)", "body": "http://mweb.co.za/litnet/teater/mandela.asp I don't know if this link has been posted....there's info on \"Dead Wait\" (the original play). Hopefully this film won't/can't be such an easy target for the critics as HS."}, {"response": 117, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, May 28, 2003 (16:41)", "body": "Thanks, Bethan! I'm quite intrigued. Very interesting evolution, would like to know the differences specifically. The second half returns to the present and deals with Josh\ufffds attempts to find some kind of justice through George\ufffds daughter, and by trying to track down his CO, who by now is a ruined version of his former self. The play ends with an extraordinary scene at the spot where George was shot. Ooooh! Angst and drama for ODB! Yeah!"}, {"response": 118, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, May 28, 2003 (16:48)", "body": "Since I haven't seen this information posted, I thought I'd mention that HS is available for download on WinMX. In the part I've seen so far, the picture is dark and partly cut off at times, but the sound is fairly good. I'm finding that it takes quite a bit of persistence to locate it - and then even more persistence to actually obtain it - but it's likely to be the best chance for those of us who aren't in the UK to see it any time soon."}, {"response": 119, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 28, 2003 (16:51)", "body": "despite Graham's endearingly perky performance. Firth lacks conviction, trotting out his lines on autopilot, If Milan had not just won the Champions league cup. I'd be upset about this. Colin has just proven to the UK and maybe the reat of the world(except us of course), that he ain't got the pull to carry a film as the male lead. :-( Lola where are you?"}, {"response": 120, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, May 28, 2003 (17:03)", "body": "(Moon)Colin has just proven to the UK and maybe the reat of the world(except us of course), that he ain't got the pull to carry a film as the male lead. :-( I'll reserve judgment on that after GWAPE, Trauma, and TDW. Want to give him the benefit of the doubt and wait for a good script, direction, and decent co-stars."}, {"response": 121, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May 28, 2003 (17:42)", "body": "Rika, how about a search term?"}, {"response": 122, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, May 28, 2003 (17:45)", "body": "(Moon)Colin has just proven to the UK and maybe the reat of the world(except us of course), that he ain't got the pull to carry a film as the male lead. :-( He may not be a big rom-com box office draw yet but give him time, just give him time :-) Besides, the general consensus from reviewers seems to be poor writing and directing (imo). If anything, MH has shown the UK and possibly the rest of the world that he's no RC. Did anyone (present company included) really expect HS to be another BJD, NH or Big Fat Greek Wedding? I think not:-( (Linda) I'll reserve judgment on that after GWAPE, Trauma, and TDW. Want to give him the benefit of the doubt and wait for a good script, direction, and decent co-stars. Ditto."}, {"response": 123, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May 28, 2003 (17:50)", "body": "Thanks to Diana of the Den:-) BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 28, 2003-- The $36-Million Box Office Hit, Featuring an All-Star Cast of Amanda Bynes, Colin Firth and Kelly Preston, is Loaded with DVD Special Features On August 5, Warner Home Video (WHV) invites you to experience the coming-of-age story of all-American teenager Daphne Reynolds (Nickelodeon Kid Choice Award(R)-winner Amanda Bynes) as she jets to London in the teen sensation What A Girl Wants. Filled with glamorous trips to the London shops, the tireless pursuit of a cute English boy and endless mischief, the DVD features additional scenes, a making-of documentary, interactive challenges and more! What A Girl Wants is available for $27.95 SRP on both widescreen and fullscreen DVD editions and for $19.96 SRP on VHS. Fashionable DVD special features(a) include the following: -- Seven Minutes of Additional Scenes. -- Fashion Etiquette 101 -- a look at what it takes to be the belle of the ball. -- What's a Girl To Wear? Mix-'N'-Match Interactive Challenge -- consumers are challenged to match the outfit to the correct occasion. Those with fashion sense will be treated to an exclusive look at Amanda Bynes on the set. -- Commentary by writers Jenny Bicks and Elizabeth Chandler. -- Easter Eggs -- special hidden content. -- Theatrical Trailer and more! As an incentive for teens, consumers who purchase What A Girl Wants on VHS will have the opportunity to get six months of Teen People free. Synopsis Amanda Bynes (The Amanda Show, What I Like About You) stars as Daphne, an irrepressible American teen who impulsively hops a flight to meet the aristocratic father (Colin Firth of Bridget Jones's Diary) she never knew. Determined to fit into dad's world, Daphne stifles her vibrant personality to be the perfect debutante while plunging into a whirl of garden parties, fashion shows and more. With the help of Ian (Oliver James), Daphne discovers it's not worth being her father's daughter if that means abandoning who she really is. She's going to remain true to herself and do it with the smarts and courage every girl wants to see. For more information on this and other titles distributed by Warner Home Video, visit www.whvdirect.com. (a) DVD special features are subject to change. Note: A photo is available at URL: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/photo.cgi?pw.052803/bb13"}, {"response": 124, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, May 28, 2003 (17:56)", "body": "wait for a good script, direction, and decent co-stars. Definitely the key words. I have been expecting (and hoping) that his performance in Trauma will blow me away as it did in Apt. Zero since they are both psychological dramas, but then I think, what if the stars don't really mesh and the writing (first screenplay) and directing doesn't work well as seems to have happened with HS. Yes, I can sound pessimistic....keeps the level of disappointment to a minimum and increases the level of happiness when things work out well. How's *that* for a coping strategy? ;-)"}, {"response": 125, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, May 28, 2003 (18:08)", "body": "(Dorine) How's *that* for a coping strategy? ;-) Good one. Mine is to anticipate the great film discussions we can get out of HS and other fiascos:-) As I catch up on the many conferences here, I must say the ladies and gents of the Spring are some of the best writers and critics it's been my pleasure to read. Who needs crunches when my abs and a*s get a workout as I'm ROTFLMAO? Can't hardly wait:-)"}, {"response": 126, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, May 28, 2003 (18:46)", "body": "I think this should be here, but please move it if need be, Karen E!News Live just reported that RZ has agreed to do TEoR for 20 million and no word or her co-stars yet. With that they showed a pic of HG. I know this will be repeated tomorrow morning. I'll watch again, as I was just walking into the room and I want to make sure I heard correctly"}, {"response": 127, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, May 28, 2003 (19:50)", "body": "Jumping up and down!!!! Fashionable DVD special features(a) include the following: -- Seven Minutes of Additional Scenes !!! -- Fashion Etiquette 101 --...what it takes to be the belle of the ball !!! -- What's a Girl To Wear? Mix-'N'-Match Interactive Challenge --...the outfit to the correct occasion. ...an exclusive look at Amanda Bynes on the set !!! Oh my gawd! I can hardly wait!"}, {"response": 128, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, May 28, 2003 (19:58)", "body": "Good news on the WAGW DVD, but where are all the interactive Colin/Hunk Daddy goodies? That's what THIS girl wants!"}, {"response": 129, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, May 28, 2003 (20:04)", "body": "It seems Barb's priorities may be a *little* different than we thought. ;-) Fashion Etiquette 101 --...what it takes to be the belle of the ball!!! Maybe he will turn up as the must-have accessory.....an AFG man. ;-)"}, {"response": 130, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, May 28, 2003 (20:35)", "body": "(Mari) Rika, how about a search term? I found it under \"hope springs\" - sometimes it shows up, sometimes it doesn't. It's in two parts."}, {"response": 131, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, May 28, 2003 (20:43)", "body": "(Me) Oh my gawd! I can hardly wait! (Dorine) It seems Barb's priorities may be a *little* different than we thought. ;-) Seems I owe you all a real big winkie for the end of most post above...my inner 12-yr old forgot to insert it! (I personally have always believed there is nothing wrong with the worst fashion that some scissors and creativity would not fix!)"}, {"response": 132, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, May 28, 2003 (21:58)", "body": "(Linda) I'll reserve judgment on that after GWAPE, Trauma, and TDW. Want to give him the benefit of the doubt and wait for a good script, direction, and decent co-stars. Ditto. Ditto too....or two. (Me-Barb) Oh my gawd! I can hardly wait! (Dorine) It seems Barb's priorities may be a *little* different than we thought. ;-) Mine must be too since I also have the \"novel..ette\". I'll have a complete set and here's my;-)"}, {"response": 133, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, May 28, 2003 (21:58)", "body": "my worst nightmare"}, {"response": 134, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, May 28, 2003 (21:59)", "body": "now?"}, {"response": 135, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 28, 2003 (23:34)", "body": "My friend, the extra from Conspiracy and TIOBE, has just been filming with Colin again today and will be tomorrow as well. They're doing a scene involving the reconstruction of a pop star's murder. Colin's character gets caught up in it. So they're in London now."}, {"response": 136, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 29, 2003 (06:47)", "body": "Karen, that's exciting--am all ears for anything your friend can share! Mix-'N'-Match Interactive Challenge --...the outfit to the correct occasion I'd have thought you ladies would be thrilled at the prospect of a virtual Hunk Daddy paper doll: put on his leather pants, them swap them out for the khakis, insert the cell phone, observe how it changes the fit . . .;-)"}, {"response": 137, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May 29, 2003 (07:48)", "body": "(Karen), They're doing a scene involving the reconstruction of a pop star's murder. Colin's character gets caught up in it. Shades of Armadillo! LOL! (Sonia), Besides, the general consensus from reviewers seems to be poor writing and directing (imo). If anything, MH has shown the UK and possibly the rest of the world that he's no RC. Did anyone (present company included) really expect HS to be another BJD, NH or Big Fat Greek Wedding? I think not:-( Although not a great book, I gave HS the benefit of the doubt, but I never thought that it might not make to the US. The big problem is that he believed in this project enough to go after it. What makes us think he is capable of picking great scripts? Especially when working with relatively novice directors as he is in Trauma and GWAPE? (Dorine), I have been expecting (and hoping) that his performance in Trauma will blow me away as it did in Apt. Zero since they are both psychological dramas, AZ is one of my favourites, it will be hard to compare."}, {"response": 138, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 29, 2003 (08:44)", "body": "Hope Springs (Mark Herman, UK, 2003) A heartbroken English artist (Colin Firth) goes to America to forget about his ex-girlfriend (Minnie Driver) and immediately meets and falls in love with someone else (Heather Graham). The ex-girlfriend then turns up - alive, unfortunately. This is no detective thriller; it's a romantic comedy. Hope Springs is a film with no characters in it. There are some bemused actors wandering around reciting their lines, the only occasional flash of emotion appearing when they inadvertently think of their agents and what they are going to do to them next time they see them. Apart from that it is a matter of grimacing their way through scenes - some supposedly funny, others presumably serious; no one seems to know. Heather Graham tries very hard, but has so little to do that she does too much, and ends up pulling goofy faces of the \"Look! I'm reacting!\" kind. Colin Firth and Minnie Driver are both on auto-pilot, though while Firth seems to be hating every minute of it, Driver looks mildly amused by the whole shoddy proceedings. Which is more than I can say for anyone in the audience. Watching Hope Springs brought on an unexpected feeling of nostalgia, which I had trouble explaining until I realised it was reminding me of \"Neighbours\". As with that much-loved serial drama from the land of the Christmas Day sunburn, plasterboard people are required to revel, rant and weep at the whim of a demented writer. Actions have no motivation in character but are plainly driven by plot (ho-ho! he's saying she's in England - something tells me he\ufffdll regret that later on!) and the overwhelming sense of emotional unreality means there is nothing to make the viewer in any way sympathetic towards anyone. On top of this, there are some bizarre blunders. Heather Graham's character (I use the term loosely) at one point drinks four mouthfuls of unidentified booze and is immediately pissed. There is only one kind of alcohol that produces this effect - non-existent alcohol. Then she decides she wants to jump around and take her clothes off. You'd think this was an excuse to show Heather Graham bouncing up and down naked, but you don't even get to see that. So what's the point of the scene? Then there's the innkeeper couple we're supposed to like, played by Mary Steenburgen and Frank Collison, who exhibit the strange habit of having sex every time Colin Firth has sex. Why are we having sex, dear? Because Colin Firth is having sex, of course. Whoever thought this was endearing needs to be fired. Out of a cannon. And the plot supposedly centres upon a real dilemma. The man thinks he has been rejected but it turns out his ex wants him back. So what will he do about his new girlfriend? The tiniest potential for drama exists here, but fear not \ufffd the writers have made sure to stamp it out. Heather Graham and Minnie Driver are so crudely delineated as goodie and baddie, it's glaringly obvious who he's going to go for. And we don't care anyway. Hope Springs is based on the novel \"New Cardiff\" by Charles Webb, who also wrote The Graduate. I presume that director Mark Herman was uncomfortably aware of lurking in the shadow of Mike Nichols's 1967 classic and decided to confront the issue head-on, opening his feeble effort with Graduate-like scenes of a depressed man standing, as opposed to walking, on an airport travelator. The impersonation doesn't come off. Firth is no Hoffman, Herman no Nichols, and whoever did the opening track is neither a Simon and nor a Garfunkel. \"Hope,\" wrote Alexander Pope, \"springs eternal in the human breast\". He also wrote that \"Heaven from all creatures hides the book of fate\". If this were not the case and the poet had known that he was fated to provide the title for this film, he would have stabbed himself in the eye with his quill. Review by Christy Ward highangle.co.uk"}, {"response": 139, "author": "Leah", "date": "Thu, May 29, 2003 (08:51)", "body": "only one kind of alcohol that produces this effect - non-existent alcohol There is a legal drink in South Afric called 'wit blitz' (tranlation = white lightening). One mouthfull would do it."}, {"response": 140, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 29, 2003 (08:58)", "body": "So much for that opening \"homage\" to The Graduate. :-( Every time I read a reviews criticizing some aspect of the plot/dialogue, I keep noticing that none of them were in the book. A brilliant adaptation. Meritorious mediocrity."}, {"response": 141, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 29, 2003 (09:01)", "body": "Here's another. I generally don't post online reviews, but only did so above because it was the only one that compared it to The Graduate and a recent discussion here. http://www.tiscali.co.uk/entertainment/film/reviews/hope_springs.html"}, {"response": 142, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 29, 2003 (09:38)", "body": "One of the news articles about The Dead Wait had this pic, which appears to be from WAGW because it is credited to Warner Bros, though I can't really place it. Does the Queen of Cinema Viewing recall this one? It's a keeper regardless. ;-)"}, {"response": 143, "author": "socadook", "date": "Thu, May 29, 2003 (09:39)", "body": "(Review) Firth is no Hoffman. Thanks for the review Mari. By the time (if ever) this movie makes it to the US, I'll have myself convinced it's a gem, just to be contrary. :-) Ok, it's not the Graduate, big deal. It's still watchable, isn't it? And as wonderful an actor as DH is, he was in Ishtar (which isn't watchable) *shudder x 3* ;-) (Moon) The big problem is that he believed in this project enough to go after it. What makes us think he is capable of picking great scripts? He prefers scripts in progress or maybe, deep down, he wants to do improv. ;-) Glad to know the man cares enough about his career to go after a project once in awhile. Why Colin, it's not just a job? ;-) (Moon)Especially when working with relatively novice directors as he is in Trauma and GWAPE? I hope he will always give novices a chance. Shouldn't all actors, even the seasoned professionals? Even experienced directors make stinkers. Looking at CF's career, I love that he takes chances (consciously or not) and doesn't always go for the obvious, the sure thing. Makes for lively, interesting conversations. ;-) (Karen) Every time I read a reviews criticizing some aspect of the plot/dialogue, I keep noticing that none of them were in the book. A movie should stand on its own. The book it's based on shouldn't be required reading except for the one who writes the screenplay. ;-) (Karen) Meritorious mediocrity. LOL, indeed!"}, {"response": 144, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 29, 2003 (09:52)", "body": "(Sonia) A movie should stand on its own. If you'd read any of our older discussions, you would know I firmly believe this as well. My point is that Mark Herman's additions appear to be what everyone is criticizing. The reviewers may not be aware of that fact (because most haven't read the book), but that isn't the salient point for them. Colin pursued this project based on the book and from Mark Herman's own mouth, we've heard that they started shooting the film without a finished script. That doesn't say much to me about how Colin picks his work."}, {"response": 145, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 29, 2003 (09:57)", "body": "(Sonia) And as wonderful an actor as DH is, he was in Ishtar (which isn't watchable) *shudder x 3* ;-) And when Colin has as many Oscars and AA nominations, then you can drag out Ishtar. (Colin has plenty of his own Ishtars...)"}, {"response": 146, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, May 29, 2003 (10:41)", "body": "I wouldn't agonise too much about the reviews. Most British films get bad to v.v. bad reviews from the critics, which is why Kangaroo Jack rules and Brit films disappear into a black hole. I can think of a couple of British movies (at least)in the last few weeks which have had far worse reviews than HS! And HS is really quite okay...will probably do well in video rentals and sales. And would get a very good audience if shown on TV. The movie multiplexes are dominated by 16-25 year olds and any film which does not automatically appeal to this age group needs to have exemplary 5 star plus reviews to make any impact. Has anyone seen both HS and WAGW? I did see a comment at another site (apologies if I'm breaking net etiquette here) from someone who had seen both, and preferred HS."}, {"response": 147, "author": "socadook", "date": "Thu, May 29, 2003 (10:42)", "body": "(Karen) And when Colin has as many Oscars and AA nominations, then you can drag out Ishtar. Just my point. Actors, even award winning ones, don't always pick great scripts. What was that formula for a making blockbuster again? Maybe there should be a check list to go with all scripts (tongue firmly in cheek) ;-) (Colin has plenty of his own Ishtars...) Plenty enough to make me reach for that bottle of non-existent alcohol ;-)"}, {"response": 148, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, May 29, 2003 (11:03)", "body": "(bethan)Has anyone seen both HS and WAGW? I've seen both, and I do prefer HS, despite it faults. (Please don't compare it to L'dum, which I've finally seen (thanks Yura) - it's Oscar material compared to that!). But that may be because WAGW taps into all the cliched ideas about the Brits, that I find a bit boring. - We're not all plonkers, and not all Americans are cool! That said, I did enjoy WAGW what what it was: a bit of fluff (albeit with an AFG male lead!)."}, {"response": 149, "author": "Odile", "date": "Thu, May 29, 2003 (11:07)", "body": "Karen, the AFG picture is from meeting Ian in the entranceway I think. (I guess I got to this before lindak :) ) Two people already preferring HS over WAGW... This doesn't bode well for how British critics will review WAGW... :("}, {"response": 150, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, May 29, 2003 (11:38)", "body": "(Odile)Karen, the AFG picture is from meeting Ian in the entranceway I think. (I guess I got to this before lindak :) ) Just barely, Odile...;-)but I'll put my two cents in...that AFG pic is definitely from the meeting with Ian, just before they leave for their 5 hour joy ride. I've seen both HS and WAGW. I prefer WAGW, by far. However, that said, I liked HS and definitely think the UK critics were a bit over the top. It has its weak points, but there was a lot to laugh at as well. I will confess, that I loved the book. But I don't know if I'd make the trip 15 times to see it. The transfer from book to screen didn't hit the mark as I hoped it would."}, {"response": 151, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, May 29, 2003 (12:09)", "body": "(Lindak)I've seen both HS and WAGW. I prefer WAGW, by far. Ditto. The comparison may not be entirely fair, though, since I saw WAGW in the theater and a grainy, dark image of HS on my laptop. I'd talk about my reasons for feeling that way, but that should probably be on Spoilers, not here."}, {"response": 152, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 29, 2003 (12:37)", "body": "(Sonia)Actors, even award winning ones, don't always pick great scripts Sure, anyone can pick a loser once in a while. But the body of an actor's work is, I think, what we're talking about here, and by anyone's measure, Hoffman has had an incredible career. The Ishtars on his resume are the rare exception, not the rule. Rika and Linda--you minxes!;-) May I ask how long it took to, um, obtain HS? I tried to \"obtain\" it, but after about 7 hours of downloading, it quit, leaving me with bubkes. And that was just part 1.:-( Sounds like the preference, understandably, is for whichever one was seen in a theater under ideal conditions."}, {"response": 153, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May 29, 2003 (12:49)", "body": "(Bethan), I can think of a couple of British movies (at least)in the last few weeks which have had far worse reviews than HS! Tur, but did they have an international cast? Those American actors are well known in the US, and so is Minnie. Colin a bit less. That's what makes it so sad if it goes stright to video. the AFG picture is from meeting Ian in the entranceway I think. I agree! A lovely moment it was. ;-)"}, {"response": 154, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, May 29, 2003 (14:06)", "body": "(Mari) Rika and Linda--you minxes!;-) May I ask how long it took to, um, obtain HS? I tried to \"obtain\" it, but after about 7 hours of downloading, it quit, leaving me with bubkes. And that was just part 1.:-( Persistence paid off eventually but it took a few days. I was in the queue for 15 hours once and ended up with that same bubkes."}, {"response": 155, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 29, 2003 (16:05)", "body": "(Mari) Sure, anyone can pick a loser once in a while. But the body of an actor's work is, I think, what we're talking about here, and by anyone's measure, Hoffman has had an incredible career. The Ishtars on his resume are the rare exception, not the rule. Precisely. Thanks Odile and Linda for confirmation. I figured it *had* to be that scene (striped shirt and dark suit) but I couldn't quite remember him looking like that. *hmmmm* it's been awhile"}, {"response": 156, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May 30, 2003 (08:04)", "body": "Colin Firth filming in Lower Marsh London SE1 website team :: 30 May 2003 Colin Firth has been filming in Lower Marsh with market traders hired as extras. The star has been making Trauma, a Warner film due for release late next year, which tells the story of a man who struggles to overcome the death of his partner. The Waterloo market was transformed for the three days of filming with extra stalls on both sides of the street and shops restocked for filming. The film company has paid \ufffd4000 to the traders to fund promoting the market which has recently suffered a loss in customer numbers following further office closures. Lower Marsh has also been promised a mention in the credits."}, {"response": 157, "author": "BarbaraT", "date": "Fri, May 30, 2003 (08:53)", "body": "Today's Daily Express has a picture of CF on the set of Trauma looking very, very rough indeed - as I assume he's meant to. It's from the market scenes Mari's just mentioned. He's scruffily dressed, unshaven and looks as if he hasn't slept for a week. I'm afraid I'm unable to scan it, but if no-one else in the UK can do so I'll send it to Karen by post. Secondly, there's an interview with Colin in this week's issue of Now (dated 4th June). It doesn't really have any new info - he talks about whether or not he'll do BJD2, but if recent reports are reliable what he says has been overtaken by events - but it does have new quotes. None of the pics are new. I'd volunteer to type it out, but an eye problem means I can only use the computer of a few minutes at a time, so I'm afraid it's not really possible at the moment."}, {"response": 158, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, May 30, 2003 (11:17)", "body": "Thanks, Mari, for the Trauma news. Here is a page about the history of Lower Marsh. Everything in the UK is steeped in old history -- I love that. http://www.lower-marsh.co.uk/about.html"}, {"response": 159, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, May 30, 2003 (12:25)", "body": "Today's Daily Express has a picture of CF on the set of Trauma looking very, very rough indeed - as I assume he's meant to I saw the photo as well, Barbara, and agree with you - he looks at the end of his tether! I hope someone somewhere can scan this as you've only got to look at it to realise that Trauma will be a strong dramatic role."}, {"response": 160, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 30, 2003 (13:48)", "body": "a Warner film See Mari! Glad I didn't go the feeble-minded route. ;-) due for release late next year Late next year?? Interesting. Thanks for the article sightings, ladies (and, Barbara, I've emailed you!) My extra pal is working on Monday too. I've asked him for the location so that maybe we can send a Drool reporter. ;-)"}, {"response": 161, "author": "odessa", "date": "Fri, May 30, 2003 (14:10)", "body": "looking very, very rough but still very handsome and sexy and...?somebody, please find a scanner!"}, {"response": 162, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, May 30, 2003 (14:45)", "body": "but still very handsome and sexy? Yes!"}, {"response": 163, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 31, 2003 (09:24)", "body": "Now, this is fairly haggard and yummily so: Thanks to Antonella"}, {"response": 164, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, May 31, 2003 (09:35)", "body": "Thanks for all the news and great picture Antonella and Karen."}, {"response": 165, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sat, May 31, 2003 (10:07)", "body": "Must say I am v. intrigued by all the reports on Trauma. And the new photo shows that no one will be able to falsely accuse him of being a second string HG. Thanks Antonella and Karen for sharing the great photo."}, {"response": 166, "author": "joyce", "date": "Sat, May 31, 2003 (10:53)", "body": "Thanks for the pic Antonella and Karen. Can see he hasn't been to wardrobe yet. ;)"}, {"response": 167, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, May 31, 2003 (11:50)", "body": "Hell-oooo! What a lovely image to see in the morning. Looking angst ridden and scruffy! Thank you Antonella and Karen. Quite lovely. I want to see what is hanging around his neck... (Hen) And the new photo shows that no one will be able to falsely accuse him of being a second string HG. Here's hoping that the reviews for Trauma will be HG reference free!"}, {"response": 168, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, May 31, 2003 (12:05)", "body": "Grazie for the pic Antonella and Karen. (Joyce), Can see he hasn't been to wardrobe yet. LOL! That looks like an outfit he might have worn from home. Will have to check out the shoes. ;-)"}, {"response": 169, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 31, 2003 (13:57)", "body": "Taken May 29 and on the Russian fotobank site:"}, {"response": 170, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, May 31, 2003 (14:07)", "body": "Thanks Karen! Cannot wait to see this movie! Like the third shot in...mid-stride! Gasp! His sideburns look nice and long too.....and it appears like they spent loads on the wardrobe! ;-)"}, {"response": 171, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, May 31, 2003 (14:08)", "body": "Wot? Lord Dashwood on the skids? ;-) Guess he won't be getting a henna tattoo in this film."}, {"response": 172, "author": "socadook", "date": "Sat, May 31, 2003 (14:23)", "body": "(Karen) Thanks for the article sightings, ladies Ditto. (Karen) this is fairly haggard and yummily so Antonella and Karen, thanks for the pictures. I love to see ODB haggard, rough and suffering. What can I say, call me twisted ;-) (Tress) Cannot wait to see this movie! Like the third shot in...mid-stride! Long legged mid-stride... Yum!"}, {"response": 173, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, May 31, 2003 (15:14)", "body": "Thank you Karen and Antonella. Ohhh! Putting the stubble to good use, I see. (Joyce)Can see he hasn't been to wardrobe yet. ;) I'm glad you remembered your winkie. Wondering if wardrobe is a la FP?. I want the job of the lady with the arm reaching in to fix his makeup, or is she wiping his brow...I don't care, I want the job. (Sonia)I love to see ODB haggard, rough and suffering I love him rough, too!!:-)"}, {"response": 174, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Sat, May 31, 2003 (15:21)", "body": "Thanks for the photos and info. Wasn't there an interview a few years back where ODB says when he looks in the mirror in the morning he's no heartthrob? Well, he's wrong! Scruffy can be very nice :-)"}, {"response": 175, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 31, 2003 (15:33)", "body": "Getting them a little bigger but marked...Karen Karenina will continue to pursue, though her Cyrillic is very rusty ;-)"}, {"response": 176, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, May 31, 2003 (16:19)", "body": "Spaceeba, Karenina! (Is phonetic spelling;-) Have you ever noticed that when movie stars are haggard, they look artfully haggard?;-) I mean, if I were to lose 3 nights sleep, not wash or comb my hair, and wear Salvation Army rejects, I'd scare small children. But not these people. Sigh . . . they truly are different from the rest of us. ;-)"}, {"response": 177, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, May 31, 2003 (16:41)", "body": "Thanks, Karen--now don't throw yourself in a front of a train while foraging for these goodies.;-) Wonder what the Russian word for \"yummy\" is? ;-) (Mari) Have you ever noticed that when movie stars are haggard, they look artfully haggard?;-) LOL, Mari! Indeed. Sometimes I look at myself after I've applied undereye concealer, etc., and I STILL have a scary, haggard look. *sigh*"}, {"response": 178, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, May 31, 2003 (17:32)", "body": "Hot damn! There must be some law that states it is illegal to cover up such beauty with funky 'watermarks'.... (LisaJH) Wonder what the Russian word for \"yummy\" is? My keyboard won't type Cyrillic...but I will appoximate: BKYCHbIN (really...I just looked it up!) ;-) Thanks again Karen....love how the jacket sleeves are too long (not that I don't want to see his hands, just that I find the Salvation Army look intriguing on ODB)."}, {"response": 179, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 31, 2003 (23:14)", "body": "(Tress) BKYCHbIN I think that's pronounced \"boychik\" ;-)"}, {"response": 180, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jun  1, 2003 (10:35)", "body": "There's a very good review of \"Love Actually\" over at yahoo.com Movies Message board by someone who has seen the completed film at a preview. Sounds as though Richard Curtis wil have another Notting Hill/BJD type success."}, {"response": 181, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Jun  1, 2003 (11:45)", "body": "(Karen) I think that's pronounced \"boychik\" ;-) ROTF...well, then...I think ODB is very 'boychik'! In a scruffy, haven't shaved, haven't slept, just woke up from a coma, been ravaged by ants, lost my wife sort of way....;-)"}, {"response": 182, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Jun  1, 2003 (12:22)", "body": "Mmmmmm, a nice Sunday treat. Thanks, Karenina. (Tress) I think ODB is very 'boychik'! In a scruffy, haven't shaved, haven't slept, just woke up from a coma, been ravaged by ants, lost my wife sort of way....;-) Which of course just means that he needs someone to give him some major TLC. Line forms to the rear. ;-)"}, {"response": 183, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  1, 2003 (13:14)", "body": "I hope to get a better one of this sometime this week. From Trauma: (Tress) I think ODB is very 'boychik'! Is a 'boychik' (noun form of yummy boy) ;-D"}, {"response": 184, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jun  1, 2003 (13:23)", "body": "(Tress) I think ODB is very 'boychik'! Yes he is...with or without the ants. Look at his eyes in that picture...dark and haunted. OHHHHH. Thanks, Karen."}, {"response": 185, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  1, 2003 (14:23)", "body": "New gallery of *select* caps from HS, courtesy of one of our Drool Darling Lurkers :) http://www.firth.com/hs_gal10.html"}, {"response": 186, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Jun  1, 2003 (14:59)", "body": "(Karen) Is a 'boychik' (noun form of yummy boy) ;-D OMG....he is the 'boychik'! And the HS captures! Did I say I may like the trunks? I like the trunks!!! But I'll have to go back and look again to make sure....;-D The legs over the head thing is odd....but I must say I'm pleased that he can do this so well. Gives one all sorts of things to think about on a Sunday afternoon.... Thanks Karen and Kathy."}, {"response": 187, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  1, 2003 (15:35)", "body": "Sorry, ladies, I took down the new gallery as Kathy went nuts and there are many more pics...so will take awhile (read: much later) to reorganize, etc."}, {"response": 188, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Jun  1, 2003 (15:48)", "body": "(Rika) Line forms to the rear. ;-) LOL...whose rear??? ;-D I've already got my number and will wait patiently....for that and for the HS PICS (see....I see how it is....the boss claims the trunks on keepsakes and then pulls the pics so she can stare at them all day and not share! (Karen, you do know I am kidding....will be patient and wait for next trunk viewing in manner of cool, aloof, ice queen....er, princess....make that serving wench)."}, {"response": 189, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jun  1, 2003 (18:01)", "body": "Oh blast, I came in too late to see the pictues. Will wait patiently..."}, {"response": 190, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sun, Jun  1, 2003 (18:03)", "body": "(Tress) love how the jacket sleeves are too long (not that I don't want to see his hands, just that I find the Salvation Army look intriguing on ODB). Wouldn't that be the Oxfam look?;-) Whatever it is, I hate to think we have to wait till late next year for this one. Thanks Karen K. for the wonderful glimpse of ODB in the white towel. And the trunks, how could I forget the trunks?"}, {"response": 191, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Jun  1, 2003 (20:06)", "body": "Thank you so much for the wonderful pictures, Karen and Kathy. Hard to do and what a find. Words can't express. Time to invent new vocabulary for him. He just gets better and better. Unbelievable."}, {"response": 192, "author": "Snooze", "date": "Mon, Jun  2, 2003 (07:49)", "body": "This was posted on the \"Rotten Tomatoes\" website by someone who had been to a preview. \"I was invited to a preview of 'Love Actually' last week (May 03). Apologies for spoilers, I'll try to keep them to a minimum.. Before going, I was concerned that the whole 4 weddings/ Notting Hill/Hugh Grant theme was perhaps getting tired, so didn't expect too much. On the Contrary! I found this to be surprisingly funny, very fresh, and strangely thought provoking over the few days after, and I think that's the real strength of this film. Silly moments are provided courtesy of the young man who is off to the US in the belief that an english lad is bound to get laid there.. (He plays the eldest teenager in 'My Family' and its the same character - very funny!) Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson carried off a really superb troubled marriage, very well done indeed, and the emotion is is strong, but not at all overdone - if anything that adds power to it, because it's more believable.. Martine McCutcheon was excellent, big surprise! Playing a girl in a slightly unbelievable job for someone who can't keep her mouth shut, she carries it well, looks great, and deserves praise for willingness to be in a film where the size of her arse & thighs are frequently mocked! Liam Neeson, very good.. possibly overshadowed by the lad playing his son.. never work with kids, eh! Hugh Grant manages a creditable performance, restricted only by the role being played - High point is his standing up to the sleazy US president (Billy Bob Thornton, excellent) in a press conference - very well done, universally approved of by those watching! (Are you reading this, Tony Blair??) Colin Firth - (mercifully not made up as Mr Darcy for once) I think has the weakest character, but that's by design and he plays it well. The ladies will still approve.. Bill Nighy is sleazy, revolting and wonderful, some truly big laughs, and his manager (Rab C Nesbitt!) His song (OMG!) has to be heard to be beleived and I have a truly horrible suspicion about the No1 song this coming xmas in the UK.. Kiera Knightley, beautiful beautiful beautiful (I'm not biased, honest!) Most of the stories come to their conclusions at xmas, and not always predictably. There are some great twists through the film, well set up and I'm not going to spoil them! On leaving the film, one of the storylines had seemed to not be concluded.. but since it's a story about a Love that can't happen, the ending is totally appropriate, true to life and well handled. Like I say, surprisingly thought provoking for a comedy! Overall, I think its going to be a big big hit. Blokes who resist Hugh Grant romantic comedies and are dragged along by their girlfriends are going to love it, laugh their socks off, enjoy the adult humour and occasional bouncing boobs and unashamedly confess to enjoying it after! The ladies will absolutely love it anyway, and at the preview at least, the whole audience was cheering and clapping their appreciation. I look forward to taking the Mrs to see it in November! But.. if you are engaged.. don't take your fiancee.. she will gain some VERY expensive ideas on how the wedding reception should be! pretty cool though... Enjoy..\" 'weakest character' sigh!"}, {"response": 193, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  2, 2003 (10:04)", "body": "Thanks Sue. Reads liked a planted review to me. This person knows far too many details, far too many for an \"ordinary\" person selected off the street to attend a preview and usually can't even recall who is in a film, let alone when the actual release date will be. ;-)"}, {"response": 194, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  2, 2003 (16:13)", "body": "Two page article about Colin in Now magazine: http://www.firth.com/articles/03now_604.html None of the pics are new, though I really should rescan the People white pj pic as this one is bigger than the other and the color is better. Lots of new quotes though."}, {"response": 195, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Jun  2, 2003 (16:44)", "body": "thanks Karen!"}, {"response": 196, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun  2, 2003 (17:19)", "body": "Thank you, Karen. it's not attractive, it's not healthy and, it's not sexy ... Thank you, Colin;-)I'll remember that next time I'm on a diet."}, {"response": 197, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Jun  2, 2003 (17:53)", "body": "\ufffdRen\ufffde didn\ufffdt look fat to me as Bridget\ufffdnot at all. It didn\ufffdt even occur to me that she was in any way overweight,\ufffd he insists. \ufffdAnd I don\ufffdt think Bridget Jones is supposed to be fat. How many women have you met who don\ufffdt think they\ufffdre fat? Most seem to think their bums are too big or whatever. They\ufffdre very harsh on themselves and usually make a judgment about their bodies that\ufffds certainly lost on me. There\ufffds all this self-torture going on when it\ufffds not necessary.\ufffd Oh...bless him! Like that ODB sees nothing wrong with the Bridgetesque body type. Hey, someone please pass the Guinness (I need it to wash down the cake)! ;-) Thanks Karen."}, {"response": 198, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Jun  2, 2003 (18:00)", "body": "(article)the pitch I\ufffdm getting on the new one so far is very encouraging.\ufffd Sounds very promising :-) it's not attractive, it's not healthy and, it's not sexy... As Linda said; Thank you, Colin Can I join you for cake and Guinness, Tress? Thank you for the article, Karen (People pic still very yummy in my book)"}, {"response": 199, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Jun  2, 2003 (18:53)", "body": "it's not attractive, it's not healthy and, it's not sexy... Isn't he just too lovely for words? I think he has a pretty healthy attitude towards life in general, and he is a lot more in touch with reality than many of his peers. A thoroughly nice man, IMHO!!"}, {"response": 200, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Mon, Jun  2, 2003 (20:57)", "body": "(Janet)A thoroughly nice man, IMHO!! Hear, hear! Thank you Karen for the new article and the yummy \"man in white\" photo. I've always loved that one! Has anyone ever heard him refer to himself as a nerd before? Does it have the same connotation in the UK as in the US?"}, {"response": 201, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun  2, 2003 (21:08)", "body": "I would believe his philosophical views on women's bodies, if I hadn't seen his DW. Trust me, not an inch of fat there."}, {"response": 202, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Jun  2, 2003 (22:16)", "body": "(Linda) Oh blast, I came in too late to see the pictues. Will wait patiently... Me too :-| Still, thank you Karen, Sue and anyone else for all the goodies. (Evelyn) I would believe his philosophical views on women's bodies, if I hadn't seen his DW. ... and his two known exes. Lovely thought though (now where did I put those chips, never mind I've found the ice cream :-)) Hey Colin, next time just say size doesn't matter ;-)"}, {"response": 203, "author": "LizBeth", "date": "Mon, Jun  2, 2003 (22:28)", "body": "OK, this is my annual post. Make NO mistake, I LOVE CF, but he referred to RZ as a \"well-fed\" British actress before he realized she was American. I think waffle man strikes again IMHO."}, {"response": 204, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Mon, Jun  2, 2003 (22:51)", "body": "Hi Everyone, Just wanted to pop in for a quicky to say I TOLD YOU SO! regarding The Edge of Reason! :) As I had stated earlier the only hold up was Renee's deal and that's now been resolved. Everyone is happy that it's a go and it will follow as BJD did that Miramax will handle the US/Canada distribution and Universal will handle the rest of the world. I've also heard that there is a possible new project with Colin for Focus/Universal and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a greenlight on that one. I'm in NY on a junket at the moment but will be back in LA this week so I'll try to come in again with a bit more info on The Edge of Reason. Take care everyone!!"}, {"response": 205, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  2, 2003 (23:37)", "body": "(Hola) a possible new project with Colin for Focus/Universal An arty film. Hmmm, I'm going to have to cull through my memory of news items to see what they've got in the pipeline. Of course, a few hints would help narrow it down a tad. ;-0 Thanks, hon, for the tastefully subtle \"I told you so.\" (What you couldn't do bold and a red font??) But it was never a doubt in my mind."}, {"response": 206, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (00:18)", "body": "(Hola Lola) I'm in NY on a junket at the moment...... Anything that a local Drool reporter might be needed for? I'm just a short E/F subway or LIRR ride away. ;-) Thanks for the info. I wasn't worried re: TEOR. It happens when it happens. Thanks everyone for all the interesting news and pics. Something fun and interesting to come back home to."}, {"response": 207, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (02:53)", "body": "Thank you for the info, Lola and others. As Dorine posted; no worries - it happens when it happens. Rex has the on location pictures on their UK site. I don't think I've seen all of them previously http://www.rexfeatures.co.uk/cgi-bin/r2show0?k=colin+firth&f=Newest"}, {"response": 208, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (07:39)", "body": "From the BBC.. Mr Darcy voted dream date Mr Darcy, as recently played by Colin Firth, beat James Bond and Superman Mr Darcy, the dashing hero of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, has topped a survey of fictional characters women would most like to go on a date with. Austen's creation beat other fictional heroes, such as James Bond and Superman, in the poll of more than 1900 women. The character - played by Colin Firth in a hit BBC adaptation - appealed most to women in their 20s and 50s, said the survey by Book Marketing Limited. Top 10 dinner party dates 1 Mr Darcy 2 James Bond 3 Superman 4 Hercule Poirot 5 Inspector Morse 6 Heathcliff 7 Sherlock Holmes 8 Rhett Butler 9 Prince Charming 10 Sharpe Source: Books Marketing Limited Another survey found Mr Darcy was top of a guest list for a fictional dinner party. Pride and Prejudice was also chosen as the top book by a woman for women readers over 40, in a poll ahead of the Orange Prize for Fiction 2003 Bridget Jones Diary was the favourite book of women under 40."}, {"response": 209, "author": "joyce", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (08:11)", "body": "(CF)If you went to a party and met a guy who was like Darcy, you\ufffdd think he was really ridiculous,\ufffd he says. (bethan,BBC)Top 10 dinner party dates 1 Mr Darcy Another survey found Mr Darcy was top of a guest list for a fictional dinner party. He's said this before but good timing CF! ; ) We'd all think he was ridiculous? Not! I'm thinking tabletop naughty things."}, {"response": 210, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (09:27)", "body": "--------------------------- (Tress) BKYCHbIN I think that's pronounced \"boychik\" ;-) Or \"bitchin!\" which I'm told is a very good thing.;-) (Evelyn) I would believe his philosophical views on women's bodies, if I hadn't seen his DW. (Sonia)... and his two known exes. You ladies took the words out of my mouth. Talk is cheap. Plus, Colin is as thin as almost any of the H'Wood actresses. Lola, is TEOR filming starting in July or Septemeber? The tabs have reported both dates. Also that there's a conflict on the choice of director. Anything on that? One more: is George C. in or out?"}, {"response": 211, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (09:35)", "body": "(Evelyn) I would believe his philosophical views on women's bodies, if I hadn't seen his DW. (Sonia)... and his two known exes. I always thought that JE was beautifully \"voluptuous\" . Lovely, but by no means a stick insect;-) Did she not say that they had to let out some of her dresses during the filming of P&P?"}, {"response": 212, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (10:14)", "body": "I know we have probably seen all the reviews of HS we want to see, but somehow this one, although not really favorable, was more enjoyable... http://www.wessexscene.co.uk/article.php?sid=579"}, {"response": 213, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (10:20)", "body": "(Bee )Did she not say that they had to let out some of her dresses during the filming of P&P? LOL, never read that one. But I've seen her in person too ,pretty sexy bod;-) \"Rubenesque\" as one writer described her."}, {"response": 214, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (11:06)", "body": "Thanks, Annette, for the Rex heads up. Am off to get the larger ones from them... ;-)"}, {"response": 215, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (11:59)", "body": "Look how thin he is...those thighs are like toothpicks, but it does look like he might have maintained his body tone:"}, {"response": 216, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (12:14)", "body": "(Karen) Look how thin he is... You're right about that. Nice pic of nice pecs though. Thanks Karen."}, {"response": 217, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (12:14)", "body": "(karen)Look how thin he is...those thighs are like toothpicks, but it does look like he might have maintained his body tone: Oolala! Thanks Karen! Is that shirt wet or just clinging? Just wanna hug him and make it better;-)"}, {"response": 218, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (12:30)", "body": "Talking about toothpicks. Yesterday at a Women In Film event: Hola: Thanks for the news. I echo Mari's question about the filming date. Would love to know if Renee will then go into The Cinderella Man at the end of the year. I almost wonder if Colin got himself a new publicist. I can't remember when there has been so much press...a good thing!"}, {"response": 219, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (12:36)", "body": "(Lola) I've also heard that there is a possible new project with Colin for Focus/Universal and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a greenlight on that one. I don't even know what the project is and I'm crossing my fingers! Thanks Lola! YOU TOLD US SO! ;-D (Beedee) I always thought that JE was beautifully \"voluptuous\" . Lovely, but by no means a stick insect;-) Did she not say that they had to let out some of her dresses during the filming of P&P? She is chesty, but has very trim waist and thin legs...didn't realize how thin until I saw \"Last Year's Love\" (BTW, if you ever get a chance to see that one, is worth it just to see JE's hair! It's fantastic! She also sports a nose ring...quite a different look than Lizzy). OMG on the pic!!!! And Chuck Taylors to tie the outfit all together! Love it! And I'm a big fan of his long, lean form (toothpick thighs)...he looks GREAT!"}, {"response": 220, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (12:40)", "body": "Thank you, Lola...how could we ever have doubted you??? I have a question too, if you can get all of Mari's answered...:-) Do you have any info about what they mean by the \"tough new story line\" Does this mean they are really going to deviate from the book, or just that Bridget is going to be tougher on Mark than in the book? Thank you, Annette for the pics, and Maria for the review (LizBeth)I LOVE CF, but he referred to RZ as a \"well-fed\" British actress before he realized she was American I thought he said,(knowing that she was American),that she reminded him of a \"well-bred\" British actress. Karen, thank you for the larger picture...You know how size matters around here:-)CF looks wonderful. The thighs may be thin, but the chest looks AFG. (JoyceI'm thinking tabletop naughty things. I like the way you think. You could always work that angle into one of your stories, no?"}, {"response": 221, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (12:44)", "body": "(Karen) Look how thin he is... That's funny, in the close-up of his face you posted above, I almost made the comment that it looks like he had gained weight. His face looked a little puffy. He does look drug out in this movie. Death warmed over. Can't wait to see this."}, {"response": 222, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (12:48)", "body": "LOL...I just read the review....thanks Maria! It's also the kind of film where you can discuss the chest hair of Colin Firth without too much complaint from the rest of the audience, because they're probably noticing the same thing. And if you are a Drooler, you are discussing whether they used deepest black or chocolate brown mascara to make that chest hair visible (and claiming keepsakes along the way)! ;-)"}, {"response": 223, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (12:50)", "body": "Sorry to double post, but Lola's mention of a new project, I thought of another... Just read another article on the Hollywood remake of Brideshead Revisited with Andrew Davies doing the script...But this is a Warner, not Universal as Lola alluded to, maybe two new projects???...I loved BR and don't know if I want to see a remake, but...with AD and..."}, {"response": 224, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (13:09)", "body": "(Mari), Lola, is TEOR filming starting in July or Septemeber? The tabs have reported both dates. Also that there's a conflict on the choice of director. Anything on that? One more: is George C. in or out? Yes, and how about a heads-up on Rebecca. Is she in or out and who are they casting? How big is Colin's role vs Hugh's? Thanks, Karen! Yep, the shoes, the jeans, it looks like his wardrobe (and a semi-tight Armani top). ;-) Very funny, Maria!"}, {"response": 225, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (13:46)", "body": "(Tress) And Chuck Taylors to tie the outfit all together! How on earth can you tell without seeing the ankle emblem? And I'm a big fan of his long, lean form Moi too. (LizBeth)I LOVE CF, but he referred to RZ as a \"well-fed\" British actress before he realized she was American (Linda) I thought he said,(knowing that she was American),that she reminded him of a \"well-bred\" British actress. I'm pretty sure it was \"well-fed.\" Should be in one of the transcriptions... (Moon) and a semi-tight Armani top Yes, bettah and bettah! *yum* Love this one of him getting ready for a scene: Am getting rid of those pesky watermarks, though Sophie's going to have to deal with one of them."}, {"response": 226, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (13:57)", "body": "(me) And Chuck Taylors to tie the outfit all together! (Karen) How on earth can you tell without seeing the ankle emblem? OMG! Are you saying you think ODB would wear knock-off CTs?! He really has hit the skids.... ;-D (Moon) and a semi-tight Armani top (Karen) Yes, bettah and bettah! *yum* Okay...LOL...how can you tell it's Armani??? Fake Chucks and a real Armani! ;-) Ohhhh...like the picture...although....it does look to me like he may be ready to spit or is having L'dum flashbacks! ;-)"}, {"response": 227, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (14:05)", "body": "(Tress)OMG! Are you saying you think ODB would wear knock-off CTs?! He really has hit the skids.... ;-D LOL!!! Time to dust off my CT's (sorry Moon Dreams!) (Tress)Ohhhh...like the picture...although....it does look to me like he may be ready to spit or is having L'dum flashbacks! ;-) You are fast, I hate the term, but it does look like he is about to hock a loogie...mmf wowow, look at the neck muscles..."}, {"response": 228, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (14:22)", "body": "(Maria), Time to dust off my CT's (sorry Moon Dreams!) LOL! I accept your apologies. ;-) (Karen), I'm pretty sure it was \"well-fed.\" Should be in one of the transcriptions... He did say well-fed. Which brings us back to the main point. If he considered Renee as well-fed and she was thin, we can assume he goes for the very thin ones, as his DW."}, {"response": 229, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (14:39)", "body": "(Tress) how can you tell it's Armani??? Fake Chucks and a real Armani! ;-) Armani-style or cut, OK? ;-D (I can't read the inside label either) We'll have to ask Mark if Converse is sold there."}, {"response": 230, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (15:04)", "body": "I'll answer - yes you can buy Converse here! Are they still filming in London? I was just in the wilds of Scotland for a week and missed the Waterloo stuff."}, {"response": 231, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (15:06)", "body": "(Karen)Armani-style or cut, OK? ;-D (I can't read the inside label either) LOL...okay...but I do think I see a hint of a 'label' on the shoe. Foot closest to us. The white just below his jeans. Could be a label for anything though...so like you, I'll say \"Chuck Taylor style\" shoes! ;-) But didn't he wear Converse in Tumbledown (sorry if I'm off topic)? I remember thinking they made his feet look HUGE (when he was wheeling out of the hospital...). But the shoes from todays pic don't seem to make his feet look that big. Think the Tumbledown shoes were white...these are darker and we all know that darker can make things harder to distinguish! ;-)"}, {"response": 232, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (15:15)", "body": "FYI, the weekend box office reports are up, and HS doesn't even show up in the top 15. http://www.boxofficemojo.com/intl/uk/2003/22.htm"}, {"response": 233, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (15:33)", "body": "I'm looking at the box office and several of those films that made more money received worse reviews than HS.(Kangaroo Jack, Bringing Down the House and How to Lose a Guy which is still at #7 with a gross of over $15.M in the UK, fergodsake!) You know, we really can't blame the reviews for the HS disaster. Not many rom -coms in the UK get a fair break.Period. IMO UK audiences just don't support their home-grown leading men. This happens consistently with RF. Disgusting."}, {"response": 234, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (17:28)", "body": "Thanks for the pics from the set of Trauma, ladies. - Is that Kenneth Cranham walking through the market with ODB? (He's a well-respected England-based Scottish actor with many TV and film credits)."}, {"response": 235, "author": "joyce", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (19:22)", "body": "Hope Springs is the kind of film where people around you are irritatingly munching away at their popcorn/slurping their Cokes,discussing the chest hair of Colin Firth. Hey I didn't see Hope springs yet. That theory about everyone having a twin in the Universe must be true. Mine's in England! Thanks Maria. Thanks for the photos Annette and Karen. Trauma - looks like he might be letting rip in this one. Great emotion on his face. Don't think he or his thighs look thinner. He's always had skinny thighs(Damn men!).But maybe the jeans are a little tighter than he usually wears? Doesn't he favor baggier? Thanks for the new teaser Lola. We need to redirect all that TEOR project angst somewhere. ; ) LOL"}, {"response": 236, "author": "joyce", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (19:22)", "body": "oops"}, {"response": 237, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (19:55)", "body": "Lola, thanks! You can say whatever you want, as long as we get our Bridget movie. ;-) Karen, you are such a tease--first you put up a link to some HS pics, claim a keepsake, and then you take the pics down. ;-) (I missed them, too, Linda.) Oh well, at least you gave us a new article to read, and I thank you. (Evelyn) I would believe his philosophical views on women's bodies, if I hadn't seen his DW. Trust me, not an inch of fat there. These days I take eveything he says cum grano salis. Annette, thanks for the link to the Trauma pics. Looks promising."}, {"response": 238, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jun  3, 2003 (20:02)", "body": "(LisaJH) Karen, you are such a tease--first you put up a link to some HS pics, claim a keepsake, and then you take the pics down. ;-) Psst...Lisa...check out the last post on keepsakes! The boss left a lovley pic of ODB's belly and his...trunks...over there! I've been quite content all day! ;-D"}, {"response": 239, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (02:15)", "body": "Oh, wait till you see the rest of the pictures that probably go with it. Mmmmmm."}, {"response": 240, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (09:00)", "body": "(Emma) Are they still filming in London? Yep. My boy was with the second unit on Monday, so no Colin. But what was that website that info on permits, etc., that would give clues as to where the action is? (Janet) Is that Kenneth Cranham walking through the market with ODB? Yes. Others that you might know are: Martin Hancock, Ken Cranham, Bill Maloney, Alison David, and Nina Hossein (from what I can tell, she's a TV newsperson). (Rika) wait till you see the rest of the pictures that probably go with it Very true, as you are probably capturing them yourself. Kathy went beyond the definitions of marginally insane (*hee hee*) and pretty much captured every single frame in the film with Colin and sent them to me. There's lots to do."}, {"response": 241, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (09:20)", "body": "(Karen)There's lots to do OK,OK I'll come and do the gardening forgawd's sake:-)"}, {"response": 242, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (09:31)", "body": "(Karen)But what was that website that info on permits, etc., that would give clues as to where the action is? http://www.london-film.co.uk/"}, {"response": 243, "author": "soph", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (09:56)", "body": "sorry if this is a bit old, was lost somewhere and just read the chuck taylor conversation. having a soft spot for chucks myself (and woohooed when i saw the pic), i simply had to post a comment : i'd say these are simply the low cut ones, *not* clones. the low cuts don't have the star label on the ankle. only, what bothers me here is how clean and new they look. thought they were going for the salvation army look, the shoes look like they just calme out of the box, and you know it's a definite no-no as far as chucks are concerned. mine would look the part better, there just might be a slight size problem..."}, {"response": 244, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (11:58)", "body": "(Karen) Very true, as you are probably capturing them yourself. Kathy went beyond the definitions of marginally insane (*hee hee*) and pretty much captured every single frame in the film with Colin and sent them to me. There's lots to do. No, I had been thinking of capturing a few key moments (swim trunks, towels, etc.), but when I heard you had another source, I decided to wait and enjoy along with everyone else! I'm still exhausted from doing the WAGW captures."}, {"response": 245, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (12:10)", "body": "The behind the scenes pics are up: http://www.firth.com/trauma_gal1.html Sophie tossed her *Chucks* aside and fixed up the headshot one brilliantly, as I'm stubble-phobic. ;-) I only included one of Mena, as all the rest were of her drinking something at the snack table."}, {"response": 246, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (12:25)", "body": "Thanks Sophie and Karen. I can tell this is one where he won't be wearing a navy suit;-) I can't see anything I want to claim. What kind of a stall is he shopping at this flea market? I see a red feather boa in the back."}, {"response": 247, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (12:28)", "body": "There's a big scar above his right eye too, which Sophie noticed."}, {"response": 248, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (12:28)", "body": "GAH! Beautiful! Is that something over his left eye? He looks perfectly miserable....just want to make it all better for him! Those long lovely limbs! And the stubble! And (as ususal)...I like his hair! Thanks so much Karen and Sophie. You've made my day...I just keep going back and 'clicking for a larger image'! Sophie, I hope you rescued your *Chucks*! I wore mine out ages ago!"}, {"response": 249, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (12:30)", "body": "(Karen) There's a big scar above his right eye too, which Sophie noticed. Ah! I thought that's what it might be (though it's his left...isn't it? I may be all messed up)....must be from the 'car accident'."}, {"response": 250, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (12:33)", "body": "(Karen)There's a big scar above his right eye too, which Sophie noticed. And the left eye? Lat pic before Mena looks like a scar...hate(and love)to see that face looking so miserable..."}, {"response": 251, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (12:38)", "body": "This article is from Jenny: http://www.firth.com/articles/03westernmail_509.html It is one that was written off the material from the press conference, but it has a few new quotes we haven't seen...plus I prefer the expression 'ladies who lunch' to 'ladies of a certain age.' ;-0"}, {"response": 252, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (12:48)", "body": "Quite right, the scar is above *his* left eye. Alas and alack, I know this will be ripped off and appear elsewhere... but a treat for Drooleurs:"}, {"response": 253, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (13:06)", "body": "For the boss: I was just telling Maria that I love (if there were a stronger word I would use it) his 'boy band' hair! *THUD*"}, {"response": 254, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (13:12)", "body": "Oh my! Thanks for pics, Karen, especially the last one with the scar. Doesn't the pic make you want to kiss him and make it \"all better\"? ;-) And thanks, Jenny and Karen, for the article. \ufffdI turned up with plasters on my nipples too,\ufffd says the deadpan Firth. \ufffdI\ufffdm not showing them for anybody. It is quite sore when you take them off.\ufffd *Snort* LOL, I can see him saying this, too. He must be a stitch in real life."}, {"response": 255, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (13:21)", "body": "Thanks Jenny and Karen! \ufffdI turned up with plasters on my nipples too,\ufffd says the deadpan Firth. \ufffdI\ufffdm not showing them for anybody. It is quite sore when you take them off.\ufffd (LisaJH) *Snort* LOL, I can see him saying this, too. He must be a stitch in real life. ROTF...joke or no joke, I would pay good money to see him with plasters on his nipples! ;-) He should have borrowed LD's 'thingies' from the TIOBE premiere!"}, {"response": 256, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (13:22)", "body": "And, if you'll recall the last quiz posted, there's a mole or two clearly visible above. ;-)"}, {"response": 257, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (13:26)", "body": "(Karen)Others that you might know are: Martin Hancock, Ken Cranham, Bill Maloney, Alison David, and Nina Hossein (from what I can tell, she's a TV newsperson) Isn't AD the Booby Girl from the HS prem? One suspects they don't have to spend hours on the set persuading her to remove her top;-) Thanks for the photos!"}, {"response": 258, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (13:45)", "body": "\"These are the reasons he remains the ultimate British heart-throb to thousands, indeed probably millions, of women of a certain age.\" Who don't go to his movies."}, {"response": 259, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (13:48)", "body": "He's the sort of not-too posh, almost-ordinary bloke who could drip on about cricket with his mates in the pub Cricket? Somehow, I can't quite picture that. Or walking out of a lake, dripping in white flannels His shirt was flannel? ;-) This is kind of a variation on a mixed metaphor, though no metaphors were involved. The original title can be explained by the story's sub-plot, about the village of Hope having been originally founded by a Welsh immigrant by the name of Godwyn Edwards (referred to by the major, played by Oliver Platt, as \"some Welsh dick who founded this place.\" Did you feel that explained the title? *guffaw* Yeah, I can hear him say he wore nipple plasters as well. Good one! (Brenda) Isn't AD the Booby Girl from the HS prem? Oh, you're right! I wonder why Colin didn't pose with her. Strike that, I think I *know* why. ;-D"}, {"response": 260, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (15:37)", "body": "Thanks for all the news ladies, and thanks for the great Trauma pics Karen."}, {"response": 261, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (16:16)", "body": "(FanPam) Thanks for all the news ladies, and thanks for the great Trauma pics Karen. (Karen) Cricket? Somehow, I can't quite picture that. Did you feel that explained the title? *guffaw* Ditto. Reading some of these articles is like stepping into a parallel universe;- D \ufffdI turned up with plasters on my nipples too(...)It is quite sore when you take them off.\ufffd Hence the scarf dance. Poor dears needed to recover. ;-D in a Benny Hill kind of way . A peek at the village pervert in our ODB! ;-]"}, {"response": 262, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (16:20)", "body": "Oh, that scar, that stubble, those moles, that hair... I'm in Truuuuuuuuma heaven. No, Evelyn, no blue suit, here. I also think he's going to have the stubble throughout the film as well:-)) Thanks, Karen for the enlarged pics, and the one with the scar. Would love to claim his nipple plasters for keepsakes, but... ...and thanks Jenny for the article."}, {"response": 263, "author": "joyce", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (16:52)", "body": "(Rob what his name from jenny's article) But that, I\ufffdm sure, is exactly why ladies who lunch love Firth, because he is Darcy. He\ufffds the type of man\ufffdin character at least\ufffdwho allows them to do all the flirting while he gives off this strangely seductive air of not-really-trying insecurity, of bemused bashfulness I love it when writers grapple with \"the exactly why\" of CF. Hee.Hee. ; ) Thanks, Jenny. Great photos Karen and Sophie. Like the one in the lower left corner. Great pensive expression. Linda Would love to claim his nipple plasters for keepsakes, but... How about scars?"}, {"response": 264, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (16:53)", "body": "Thank you Karen, for the pictures from Trauma (and the article on JL Carr) and thank you Jenny/Karen for the article. I too think he is extreemly, well - stubbled, devastatet, scarred and lets not forget; as allways incredably sexy. But - I have entered the parallel universe of Lord Dashwood and I'm not sure I'll be able to find room for anyone else the next few days. Linda, I would have accompanied you each and everytime you went. He looks absolutely gorgeous. I like the movie, I think it delivers just what it was \"sold\" as - a sweet fairytale with the focus on Father/Daughter. If I didn't feel so strongly for CF (and were a tiny bit younger) I could most certainly \"take a liking\" to Oliver James. He is so cute, and sings v.g. In fact, I liked all of the cast (especially the \"butler\" when he \"accidently\" spills the coffee and looks at Daphne. One last comment: Favourite look (for now, that is) is when he drags Daphne away from the lp's and headbanging. Just the way I like it. (I may have to look into Rikas captures to search for it ;-)) I know most of you have probably allready gotten beyond this stage, but for me right now, I'll never be beyond Lord Dashwood :-) Oops, just have to mention, that I liked the LP dance scene. I think it served an important purpose (or two ... ;-))"}, {"response": 265, "author": "soph", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (16:54)", "body": "daaaaamn ! now that i can see the full set of trauma pics, i also can see i was a little shy (and short) on the sideburns fixing side... oh well... i'll make it up to sideburns lovers some other time. great page karen, thanx, & thanx to jenny for the article."}, {"response": 266, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (17:09)", "body": "Annette)I know most of you have probably allready gotten beyond this stage, but for me right now, I'll never be beyond Lord Dashwood :-) Beyond that stage? Who us? Nevah! Gush all you want, I'm enjoying it."}, {"response": 267, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (17:27)", "body": "(Annette) I know most of you have probably allready gotten beyond this stage *Snort* I don't think so ;-] So happy for you, Annette. You're finally acquainted with HD. Hope the two of you get to visit often at Spoilers 177. I think that's the right place. (I'm learning Karen. :-] )"}, {"response": 268, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (17:35)", "body": "Annette!! Do you have WAGW now? I did not think it was until later! If so, I'm so happy for you! Please feel free to share! I have entered the parallel universe of Lord Dashwood and I'm not sure I'll be able to find room for anyone else the next few days. Don't be alarmed, that is a special, hybrid reaction to CF, rom-com style. Say what you want about Drama (deliberate capital D) versus rom-com, but one invokes silly, loopy grins and languid daydreams, and well, the other doesn't."}, {"response": 269, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (19:22)", "body": "(Annette)I know most of you have probably allready gotten beyond this stage, but for me right now, I'll never be beyond Lord Dashwood :-) There are at least a few of us who are still mad for his Lordship and would be happy to continue this discussion over at 177. Glad to know you finally got to see it, Annette. Thanks Karen and Sophie for the wonderful Trauma pics. And thanks Jenny for the new article. That closeup with the woman sraightening his hair is to die for!"}, {"response": 270, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (21:22)", "body": "Thanks Karen and Sophie for the Trauma pics of ODB (Ostentatiously Dishevelled Boychick;-). Do you think the cameras were rolling when these were taken, or were they shot between takes? He looks awfully . . . sober. And *very* thin. Wonder if he thinks it's not attractive, not healthy, and not sexy ? ;-) BTW, I've met Jennifer Ehle, twice. She is very shapely, but much thinner than RZ as BJ."}, {"response": 271, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jun  4, 2003 (21:35)", "body": "(Mari) Do you think the cameras were rolling when these were taken, or were they shot between takes? Some of both I thought. Did anyone notice in the shots with Kenneth Cranham, it seems they did the shot 2 different ways? One without a jacket and the other with. Both shots taken at approximately the same place. Maybe the one without was a rehearsal, as all the others he had his jacket. Am I just stating the obvious? :-p ODB (Ostentatiously Dishevelled Boychick ;-). LOL, I like this alternate version. I've met Jennifer Ehle, twice. She is very shapely, but much thinner than RZ as BJ. Holy cow, then she must be close, but not quite, to RZ's regular thinness. Because I think 20# on Renee would appear less daunting in person than onscreen as we know the camera adds \"weight\". RZ is close to a stick in person, though she is petite, too."}, {"response": 272, "author": "soph", "date": "Thu, Jun  5, 2003 (07:01)", "body": "just realized that the stall where the last rex pix were taken looks like 'glitter drag fever central' ! check it out again : mirror balls, golden mannequins, furry boas and... various assorted sets of bitchin' platform shoes (no chucks here no sirs)... well, well, looking for a new premiere outfit, mister f. ??? getting tired of the all-occasion-blue- suit ??? (sorry about this, i know *some* of you love the suit, but the thought of cf doing a beef impersonation -that's for all of us fans of 'phantom of the paradise'- had me grinning all morning)"}, {"response": 273, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  5, 2003 (08:57)", "body": "(Mari) Do you think the cameras were rolling when these were taken, or were they shot between takes? Given my experience watching films being made, they would have to have been taken between takes or rehearsals or shot setups. When they yell, \"Quiet,\" they don't even want to hear a shutter clicking. A guy with a professional camera is going to be noticed, and the unit publicist is going to keep his/her eye on the photographer. When I hauled my long lens out for Mel Gibson, they came up to me. (Dorine) Did anyone notice in the shots with Kenneth Cranham, it seems they did the shot 2 different ways? One without a jacket and the other with. Looks to me like Colin had the jacket on for the most part. The shots without it might be explained by The Express article Barbara sent me (arrived yesterday) which said: \"Finally, down on London's South Bank, Pride And Prejudice heart-throb Colin Firth was at a market to film scenes for the dramatic Trauma. His co-star is Mena Suvari, the blond actress who shot to fame in American Beauty. In yesterday's mini-heatwave, she might have felt more comfortable shooting her most famous scene from that film--in which she appeared naked except for roses. Instead, she wore a mac. You shouldn't believe everything you hear about British weather, Mena. So it was hot!"}, {"response": 274, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jun  5, 2003 (10:08)", "body": "(Sophie) just realized that the stall where the last rex pix were taken looks like 'glitter drag fever central' ! check it out again : mirror balls, golden mannequins, furry boas and... various assorted sets of bitchin' platform shoes (no chucks here no sirs)... LOL...Sophie I was noticing this as well! I thought initially that there was a C3P0 head in the background and then realized it was just a gold mannequin! Also noted a stars and stripes candlestick phone....and in one pic ODB is reading/looking at a magazine from that stall....wonder what it could possbily be?? ;-) (Karen) So it was hot! I could have told you that! I've been fanning myself ever since I viewed the pics....OH! You meant the weather! Silly me! ;-D"}, {"response": 275, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  5, 2003 (10:11)", "body": "( Tress) OH! You meant the weather! *hee hee* Which explains the difficulty I was having fixing up the shirt's variations in color. Is sweat. ;-)"}, {"response": 276, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun  5, 2003 (10:34)", "body": "But what is he wearing under that ragged sweaty;-) tee shirt...looks like a chain on my screen."}, {"response": 277, "author": "socadook", "date": "Thu, Jun  5, 2003 (10:36)", "body": "(Dorine) ODB (Ostentatiously Dishevelled Boychick ;-). LOL. A mouthful to describe an eyeful. ;-) (Sophie) mirror balls, golden mannequins, furry boas and... various assorted sets of bitchin' platform shoes ... maybe Ben's planning an escape like in La Cage aux Folles ;-) (Karen) So it was hot! ( Tress) OH! You meant the weather! LOL. Thanks for the industry insight, Karen."}, {"response": 278, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Jun  5, 2003 (10:46)", "body": "(Evelyn)But what is he wearing under that ragged sweaty;-) tee shirt...looks like a chain on my screen I thought it was beads, maybe beads his bohemian neighbor gave him?"}, {"response": 279, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  5, 2003 (11:25)", "body": "It's a chain (thought it might be a leather cord myself). You can see it on the Express photo:"}, {"response": 280, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Jun  5, 2003 (11:39)", "body": "Thanks, Karen! Nice side benefit of your visual aid is the stubbly chin!"}, {"response": 281, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jun  5, 2003 (11:54)", "body": "Regarding the neck pic....I haven't had my coffee yet...I can't take it! Thank you Karen...can you do that with all his body parts??? ;-) BTW, I thought it was leather too but it does appear to be a chain, possibly with a tag on it that says \"Hello, my name is Ben, if lost please call Tress at 1-800-XXX-XXXX\" ;-)"}, {"response": 282, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Jun  5, 2003 (12:22)", "body": "(Tress)BTW, I thought it was leather too but it does appear to be a chain, possibly with a tag on it that says \"Hello, my name is Ben, if lost please call Tress at 1-800-XXX-XXXX\" ;-) ROTFLOL! Thank you Karen and Sophie, which I forgot previously, sorry."}, {"response": 283, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun  5, 2003 (15:46)", "body": "(Mari)BTW, I've met Jennifer Ehle, twice. .. Three times...you forgot the Albery in London;-)"}, {"response": 284, "author": "soph", "date": "Thu, Jun  5, 2003 (15:55)", "body": "was about to go to bed, so i'll try to cram it all i one post... (Karen)There's a big scar above his right eye too, which Sophie noticed. (MariaT) And the left eye? yes, ladies & gentlement,we are witnessing the return of the left/right debate. (Tress)BTW, I thought it was leather too but it does appear to be a chain, possibly with a tag on it that says \"Hello, my name is Ben, if lost please call Tress at 1-800-XXX-XXXX\" ;-) (Annette) ROTFLOL! i know the feeling annette. laughed so hard on that one i might add SHIDML to your ROTFLOL, (so hard it disconnected my laptop). bad, bad tress... btw, i thought it was leather myself, you sure of the chain factor karen ? after all, i spent some time smoothing the guy's neck, errr, photoshop-ing it anyway..."}, {"response": 285, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Thu, Jun  5, 2003 (16:48)", "body": "Just caught up with all the great Trauma shots Karen. Thanks to you and everyone for news, pics etc"}, {"response": 286, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jun  5, 2003 (17:48)", "body": "Thanks for the news everyone."}, {"response": 287, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jun  5, 2003 (18:34)", "body": "(Tress)\"Hello, my name is Ben, if lost please call Tress at 1-800-XXX-XXXX\" ;-) ...and on the backside it says...if she doesn't answer, call Linda at... LOL, you crazy girl. If ODB's neck, skin, and stubble would just go away, I might be able to figure out exactly what it is around his neck... Thank you Karen."}, {"response": 288, "author": "joyce", "date": "Thu, Jun  5, 2003 (18:34)", "body": "(Tress)\"Hello, my name is Ben, if lost please call Tress at 1-800-XXX-XXXX\" ;-) Snort! Tress, Did you change your number? I thought you were 1-900-XXX-XXXX. ; ) Congrats on the viewing Annette. Welcome to the HD club. Mari BTW, I've met Jennifer Ehle, twice. She is very shapely, but much thinner than RZ as BJ. She had a brief nude scene in Sunshine w/Ralph Fiennes(a very difficult movie to watch) and she looked very hourglassy but petite."}, {"response": 289, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jun  5, 2003 (18:59)", "body": "(Joyce) Snort! Tress, Did you change your number? I thought you were 1-900-XXX-XXXX. ; ) ROTF.... Shhhhhh! Don't want anyone to know about my moonlighting! (Linda) ...and on the backside it says...if she doesn't answer, call Linda at... LOL...the buddy system! We can't leave ODB stranded (so important to have an emergency contact in case of head injury)!"}, {"response": 290, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (12:54)", "body": "I've added several more pics from the location shooting for Trauma that came from the Globe Pictures site. Unfortunately, I haven't the means to con the Acctg lady who guards registration. :-( http://www.firth.com/trauma_gal1.html There are more of Mena in her white raincoat if you want to check them out: http://www.globephotos.com/scripts/kws30pre.exe?search=K30919&type=GfxOnly&maxhits=12&mode=&site=GLOBEPH&picktype=GfxOnly&Firsthit=1&SORT=&NoScan=on&hmessage=COLIN+FIRTH+AND+MENA+SUVARI+FILMING+TRAUMA+IN+LONDON++05%2F29%2F2003&ShowTotal=on&Next+Page.x=5&Next+Page.y=9"}, {"response": 291, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (15:21)", "body": "Thanks Karen for the new pics. Too bad they can't be enlarged. I love ODB's physique in the first one. Sigh...."}, {"response": 292, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (15:25)", "body": "The two pics on the far right are my favs! Those looooooong legs (and does he have pecs?? My goodness....better and better)!! Thanks Karen."}, {"response": 293, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (15:50)", "body": "From Dark Horizons, from someone who saw the film: Love Actually: Writer Richard Curtis is responsible for some of the best comedy writing ever in both the film and television formats including \"Notting Hill\", \"Four Weddings and a Funeral\" and TV's \"Blackadder\". Now he's taken on the job of director and 'The Third Musketeer' got a sneak peek at fifteen minutes of footage from the project which sounds damn good: \"The film features a incredible cast - Hugh Grant as the British PM, Billy Bob Thornton as the U.S. President, Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson play a husband and wife with marital troubles, Liam Neeson plays a struggling step dad trying to reach his new son, Colin Firth as a writer dealing with a love interest who can't speak English, Bill Nighy stars as an ageing rock star trying to make a comeback, and Rowan Atkinson turns in another extended cameo which will no doubt provide many highlights. Keira Knightley, Denise Richards and 24's Elisha Cuthbert also star. The footage opened with Hugh Grant voiceover which tells us that 'love' is all arou d us and it connects us all. Fittingly this cues an irritating version of ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE, and we are introduced to the whole cast. We see Hugh's PM introduced to a new member of his staff (English soap star Martine McCutcheon). She is obviously attracted to him immediately, and she accidentally swears and fumbles through a greeting. Hugh is charming as ever, and when he leaves her and get's inside his office, he closes the door and says (I'm paraphrasing) \"Bugger. This isn't good\" as he's smitten with his new employee. One of the funniest storylines seems to be that of a twentysomething Brit, who decides that English women are too stuck up so he decides to get himself to the U.S. and pick up the fun American girls. He sets off by himself (with a huge backpack filled to the brim with condoms) and lands in the land of his dreams - Wisconsin. He meets up with Elisha Cuthbert and three of her gorgeous friends - I hope the storyline goes where it's headed by the footage I saw. This film looks amazing, thin NOTTING HILL meets MAGNOLIA\"."}, {"response": 294, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (16:41)", "body": "Thank you for the LA informations, Murph. This is copied from ebay: Secondly there is a round ticket to the premiere party, it has info on the back about the party i.e code of dress - 'Spring Fever' I guess this explains Livias dress to the premiere ;-)"}, {"response": 295, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (13:09)", "body": "Thanks to a heads-up from Julia: WAGW can now be preordered from amazon for delivery on Aug 5 Here's the link to the Region 1 DVD: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00009XITP/spring-20 And here is for the NTSC tape: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00009XITR/spring-20"}, {"response": 296, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (10:52)", "body": "Thanks for the LA review Murph and thanks for the WAGW ordering info Karen."}, {"response": 297, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (14:37)", "body": "This comes from yesterday's Daily Mail and features a prem pic of ODB from HS CONNECTED...... Colin Firth who features in BJD can soon be seen in WAGW along with Kelly Preston whose For the Love of the Game co-star Kevin Costner was in Field of Dreams with Ray Liotta an overworked doctor in Article 99 as was Forest Whitaker who took on the Body Snatchers along with Meg Tilly who once dated and has a son with her Valmont co-star Colin Firth"}, {"response": 298, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (22:27)", "body": "Oooh, me likey!!! I'm glad our friends across the pond figured out a way to get the great looking dad and daughter on there without it being \"icky.\";-)"}, {"response": 299, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (22:37)", "body": "Ick!!! *sticking finger down throat* Just kidding. ;-) Now, that's a better poster. Of course, one with the two bobbies, the un-PC peace symbol, etc., wouldn't have flown over there anyway. Thanks Mari"}, {"response": 300, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (23:19)", "body": "(Karen) one with the two bobbies Aren't they actually Scots Guards? Maybe they'd be offended being called bobbies. ;-)"}, {"response": 301, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (02:07)", "body": "Ooh, very nice. Thanks, Mari! Can't see why that poster wouldn't have worked here too."}, {"response": 302, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (08:46)", "body": "(Rika)Ooh, very nice. Thanks, Mari! Can't see why that poster wouldn't have worked here too. I copy the thank you, Mari. That poster would have worked very well, here. I would order that one if it's available. (Mari)I'm glad our friends across the pond figured out a way to get the great looking dad and daughter on there without it being \"icky.\";-) I also hope they are trying to figure out a way to \"be nice\" with some decent reviews after the HS disaster...wishful thinking, I know."}, {"response": 303, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (09:39)", "body": "(Dorine) Aren't they actually Scots Guards? Maybe they'd be offended being called bobbies. ;-) I was thinking about this last night, but didn't feel like going back on to correct."}, {"response": 304, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (09:48)", "body": "Well the headline caught my attention, but unless you can make out our charming scruffy stubble anguished boy amongst the crowd, these are just a couple of behind the scenes shots... http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view.php?ArtID=550"}, {"response": 305, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (10:24)", "body": "(Rika) Can't see why that poster wouldn't have worked here too. Probably because WB didn't think of it until it was too late!;-)! Thanks Mari, I do like it much better than the other one."}, {"response": 306, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (10:38)", "body": "(Mari)I'm glad our friends across the pond figured out a way to get the great looking dad and daughter on there without it being \"icky.\";-) Thanks Mari! Looks like HD borrowed the CT's from Daphne for Trauma...Is it just me, or does his hand on the chair look broken at the wrist?"}, {"response": 307, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (11:02)", "body": "Thanks for the poster, Mari! A great improvement although I wish they'd get everyone in the same room when they take a photograph. And I suspect the arm on the chair with the broken wrist isn't his arm. Just seems a bit off to me. Maybe we'll get a close-up and will be able to examine fingernails more closely ;-) Thanks for the Trauma link, MariaT. Any coverage is good coverage, even without a clear shot of ODB. And if Trauma is getting this attention, what will TEOR get?!"}, {"response": 308, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (11:08)", "body": "Isn't that the same article Mari had posted?"}, {"response": 309, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (11:26)", "body": "Thanks for the poster, Mari. Too bad the creative minds didn't cross the pond. (Maria) Is it just me, or does his hand on the chair look broken at the wrist? LOL. Looks that way to me too. Btw, thanks for the where's Waldo behind-the-scenes."}, {"response": 310, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (11:56)", "body": "(Maria)Is it just me, or does his hand on the chair look broken at the wrist? Yes, I noticed that, too. I think it's caused partly by the way the back of the chair obscures most of his sleeve/arm. There's always something a bit odd about these \"assembled\" pictures. Great poster, even with the broken wrist. It's what the girl wants--hunk dad, cute boyfriend, hunk dad, gorgeous mansion... (did I mention hunk dad?) I like the fairy-tale style font they used for the title, too. And the throne-like chair. I wonder if they'll change the trailer for UK, add AB's line about Cinderella? Just back from a trip out of town and so much to catch up on. Trauma looks promising! Thanks to all who found photos and articles. BTW (sorry, Karen, if this is the wrong board), I read the in-flight mag on Continental and discovered that they're showing BJD this month, part of \"latest blockbusters as well as films from the last decade.\" Unfortunately, my puddle-jumper flight didn't have movies (anyhow, BJD is on flights to Guam or Lisbon). But the interesting thing was that the mag listed only RZ and CF as stars. And the photo was the familiar (to us) shot of the two of them outside her apt near the end."}, {"response": 311, "author": "soph", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (12:00)", "body": "(about mari's post for the poster) *lalala, low-cut chuck taylors, lalala...*"}, {"response": 312, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (14:42)", "body": "Hey Mari , great poster. Now am lighting candles and chanting so will poster on side of buses, on the tube.....;-)) Seriously it would be great to lifesize Colin in a suit everywhere!"}, {"response": 313, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (14:44)", "body": "Whoops that's to see Colin in a suit! Still new vocab is always welcome here (eh Boss? ;-0 ) so that's \"I'd really like to lifesize that guy sometime.\" ;-))"}, {"response": 314, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (19:48)", "body": "I don't thin his wrist looks broken, looks almost like a stunt hand. Just kind of flopping there over the back of the chair...looks like it doesn't belong to ODB's arm. Heck, it's still better than the US poster."}, {"response": 315, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (21:27)", "body": "Thanks for the poster peek Mari! I'm wondering were they are...I mean, Daphne is sitting down and making herself at home....but home is across the way! Are they at the neighbor's house? ;-) I do like this one better than the US version...but like others have said, ODB's arm and hand appear to have had all the bones removed....(but the 'hand in pocket/blue suit 'hunk daddy' look' makes up for the weirdness). Has anyone received their copy of 'The Dead Wait' yet? I just got mine in the mail today and remember Evelyn mentioning a graveyard of projects....do I need to light candles or something? Should I hide it under my bed until ODB's ink has dried on the contract? Should I not make eye contact with it? What are the rules? I don't want to be the jinxer (or is it too late cuz the book has crossed the threshold?)."}, {"response": 316, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (22:40)", "body": "What are the rules? I don't want to be the jinxer (or is it too late cuz the book has crossed the threshold?). Am also waiting for the answer on this before I order a copy...... I'm still waiting for the Maid of What'sername too!"}, {"response": 317, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (01:57)", "body": "(Tress)do I need to light candles or something? I'll do whatever can secure the project. But - I dreamt last night that I was meeting ODB after a readingsession followed by a few minutes of \"fondling\" with his guitar. In this dream I asked for new project, and said I knew about Trauma and The Dead Wait, and he answered, that other than those two he knew of one more to follow later, but could not reviel anything yet. Later on he played barefoot on our beach with a couple of friends ;-) The reason for telling this is, I've heard that you have to tell someone of your dream for it to come true - so it had to be here ;-) And - thank you Mari for the poster. I like it too! I don't see any problems with any parts of HD's body ;-) Maria, thank you for the article. As someone said: any mentioning of ODB even without pictures is better than total silence."}, {"response": 318, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (08:26)", "body": "(Tress) I'm wondering were they are...I mean, Daphne is sitting down and making herself at home....but home is across the way! I hope everyone realizes that posters are not photographs from the film. In some cases, they've been known to cut and paste the actors' heads on others' bodies (Pretty Woman poster and probably the FP poster too!). Think Playmaker, The Advocate, and Femme Fatale. Who were those people on the posters/covers? or is it too late cuz the book has crossed the threshold? It's too late. It's crossed the threshold. Well, at least we'll know who to blame this time. ;-)"}, {"response": 319, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (08:35)", "body": "(Karen)It's too late. It's crossed the threshold. Well, at least we'll know who to blame this time. ;-) I'll help shoulder the blame, too...if we have to shoulder it...My copy should arrive today. Of course, I could always refuse delivery;-)"}, {"response": 320, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (09:05)", "body": "or is it too late cuz the book has crossed the threshold? It's too late. It's crossed the threshold. Well, at least we'll know who to blame this time. ;-) But, but...I held off! This must count for something as I am not known for self contol in this area, or too many others."}, {"response": 321, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (09:47)", "body": "(Annette) - I dreamt last night that I was meeting ODB after a readingsession followed by a few minutes of \"fondling\" with his guitar (...) I've heard that you have to tell someone of your dream for it to come true Crikey! If you need a companion to any and all reading sessions, I'm your girl. And while you \"fondle\" with his guitar, I'll \"tickle\" his ivories ;-p"}, {"response": 322, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (10:02)", "body": "http://icthewharf.icnetwork.co.uk/thisweek/news/page.cfm?objectid=13031907&method=full He's not 43 yet! (Although charming, no doubt!)"}, {"response": 323, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (10:08)", "body": "Thanks Maria. IT WAS LOVE AT FIRTH SIGHT Jun 5 2003 Heart-throb Colin Firth visits the Wharf during filming FILM STAR Colin Firth took time out of his busy schedule to charm Wharfers. The 43-year-old heart-throb joked with Wharf commuters and London Underground staff while visiting the estate for his latest film role. LU's filming boss, Kate Blow, said: \"He loved watching the people come and go through the station. He thought it was really fascinating.\" A new TV drama - Love Actually - uses the Jubilee Line Extension for a number of key sequences and pitches the star against his old Bridget Jones's Diary love rival Hugh Grant. The drama, which will be shown later this year, follows 10 separate but intertwined love stories in the capital, leading up to a huge Christmas Eve climax. ~~~~~~ The Wharf Tube station is that itsy bitsy pic that we saw from Tube magazine. What is the \"estate\"?"}, {"response": 324, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (10:15)", "body": "(Karen) I hope everyone realizes that posters are not photographs from the film. LOL...I was teasing....I know the cut and paste routine (and remember the big James Bond \"For Your Eyes Only\" leg debate over. One girls legs, another girls hands...)....but I thought it was funny that their house would be in the background. I mean....how American of her to go to someone else's home and plop down, hang all over a chair and use their phone! ;-D (Karen) It's too late. It's crossed the threshold. Well, at least we'll know who to blame this time. ;-) Well....good to know! If everyone has to start throwing things, face west! ;-D (Beedee) But, but...I held off! This must count for something as I am not known for self contol in this area, or too many others. You obviously have way more than me!! (BTW, I'm nearly done and this is gonna be a doozie! SEE! No self control....I didn't even wait for an answer....tore right into it and started reading. If ODB doesn't do this project...I'll be incredibly sad....and in big trouble!!!) ;-)"}, {"response": 325, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (10:17)", "body": "(LU's filming boss, Kate Blow) \"He loved watching the people come and go through the station. He thought it was really fascinating.\" LOL. I too enjoy people watching but ODB needs to get out more. ;-) Thanks for the article, Maria."}, {"response": 326, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (10:40)", "body": "while visiting the estate for his latest film role. Are they talking about Trauma? Or Love Actually? LU's filming boss What's LU?"}, {"response": 327, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (10:49)", "body": "What's LU? Same I expect as \"A new TV drama - Love Actually,\" one of many mistakes. ;-)"}, {"response": 328, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (10:59)", "body": "Oh right, Love Uctually.;-) Can't believe I didn't put that one together.;-) He loved watching the people come and go through the station. He thought it was really fascinating.\" Yeah, it's fascinating unless you're a working stiff who has to do it every day.;-) (Tress)I thought it was funny that their house would be in the background. I mean....how American of her to go to someone else's home and plop down, hang all over a chair and use their phone! ;-D LOL! Is part of our charm.;-) Maybe there's an entire sub-division of these homes, and she was visiting her new neighbors;-) \"Dashwood Estates, an exciting new community of mansions situated on 20 acre lots in the middle of London. Priced from the low 40 millions . . . move-in condition . . . Mrs. Clean lives here . . . so just bring your toothbrush. If you have to ask if it's convenient to public transportation, you don't belong.\""}, {"response": 329, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (11:11)", "body": "Pic must have been taken before the high wall was constructed."}, {"response": 330, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (11:26)", "body": "LU's filming boss LU = London Underground? Presumably they have film units there often enough to pay someone to sit with luvvies while they watch real people go to and from work ;-)"}, {"response": 331, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (11:35)", "body": "Thanks, Mari for the poster. (Karen) I hope everyone realizes that posters are not photographs from the film. Wot? I thought that was the Colorforms edition of WAGW. ;-) Let's see, I think I'll take Hunk Daddy's hand and put it on Libby's... ;-) Gee, where's Libby? LU's filming boss, Kate Blow, said: \"He loved watching the people come and go through the station. He thought it was really fascinating.\" As does every three year old...er, I mean almost 43 year old... What's LU? Same I expect as \"A new TV drama - Love Actually,\" Yeah, and its sequel will be called \"Typos and Fact Checking Actually.\" ;-) Loved your dream, Annette. I've never experienced an ODB dream, but God knows I spend enough of my waking hours obsessing about him!"}, {"response": 332, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (11:58)", "body": "I enjoyed your dream too Annette and am choosing to believe that it is a good omen that will dispell the evil eye cast upon us from those early *amazonian* orders!;-) .......lighting candles just in case."}, {"response": 333, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (12:24)", "body": "(Allison) LU = London Underground? Give this woman a prize...but there are other errors. ;-) So what is the estate? FYI, I've put up the first of who-know-how-many pages of HS screen captures done by KathyC. http://www.firth.com/hs_sc_gal4.html"}, {"response": 334, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (12:44)", "body": "Lovely, Karen! Vg quality too! Thanks you! The link to the next page did not work for me."}, {"response": 335, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (12:56)", "body": "Thank you, Karen. I've waited oh so patiently for these since I missed them last week. Thanks to KathyC., too. Love that torso, ribs,and chest hair too, in the second picture, I would just love to pull at the string of his trunks...so inviting, just there waiting to be untied...ok, I'll stop."}, {"response": 336, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (13:03)", "body": "Wonderful Karen and KathyC, thanks! The picture right in the middle is striking with that absolute straight line of shadow and light bisecting his beautiful face.. (LindaK)I would just love to pull at the string of his trunks...so inviting, just there waiting to be untied...ok, I'll stop. Pshawww on the stopping...the string is history and the trunks are flying..."}, {"response": 337, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (13:31)", "body": "(Maria) The picture right in the middle is striking with that absolute straight line of shadow and light bisecting his beautiful face.. That was the pic that I kept going back to (well...not the only pic I kept going back to, but you know what I mean)! Lovely!!! (LindaK)I would just love to pull at the string of his trunks...so inviting, just there waiting to be untied...ok, I'll stop. (Maria) Pshawww on the stopping...the string is history and the trunks are flying... LOL...Quick! Snatch the melon (it belongs to Rika) and fold the trunks (those are Karen's)....now....what to do the the boy?? ;-) Thanks so much for the pics Karen and KathyC! Love the bus pics...and the trunk pics are...well....too good for words!"}, {"response": 338, "author": "soph", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (13:44)", "body": "sing along with me : a shrine, a shrine, a shrine for kathyC yaaaah, and stubble as well, hats off to you & karen. but how frustrating that the next gallery sent me to nowhereland. you weasel-teases you..."}, {"response": 339, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (13:44)", "body": "Thanks Kathy C and Karen for the HS screen captures! I find that if I click on them really quickly and in rapid succession, I can simulate a moving picture, which is probably the closest I'll come to seeing HS in that form for who knows how long.:-("}, {"response": 340, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (14:00)", "body": "A wonderful day for passing my way. Knock and my door and even the score With your eyes. Lovely to see you again my friend. Walk along with me to the next bend. (Thanks, Karen and Kathy C. Loved this picture which reminded me of the MB song. ;-))"}, {"response": 341, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (14:36)", "body": "(Maria)He's not 43 yet! Maybe the scar makes him look older? (Mari)\"Dashwood Estates, an exciting new community of mansions situated on 20 acre lots in the middle of London. LOL! I was ready to buy until I saw the price! Karen and Kathy, thanks for the pix. HS is looking more and more like something to buy for the sake of freeze-frame. Love the photo on the bus. It must be his inner child making an appearance--similar to fascination with people on the Tube. (Karen)So what is the estate? Not sure, is the Wharf area industrial? Offices? What we would call an \"office park\" or \"industrial complex\" in the US is sometimes called an \"estate\" in England, so it might be that. The first time my Yorkshire cousins mentioned a restaurant being \"near the estates,\" I expected a posh neighborhood (see Mari's Dashwood description above), but it turned out to be a bunch of old factory buildings turned into office and warehouse space and studios for Yorkshire TV."}, {"response": 342, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (16:43)", "body": "Great HS pix, Karen & Kathy! I love the sandy ones especially. And \"busyoga\"!!!! LOL! The photo I've been waiting for. If you showed it to someone who knew nothing of HS, what would they think it was? ;-)"}, {"response": 343, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (16:52)", "body": "(Maria) The picture right in the middle is striking with that absolute straight line of shadow and light bisecting his beautiful face.. There are a number of these from various scenes. Very striking IMO also. (Moon) The link to the next page did not work for me. It won't, until the next page goes up. Saves me some time. These galleries have not been announced on firth.com yet and won't until completed. You all (and the lurking public) are getting a preview. (Linda) Love that torso, ribs,and chest hair too The towel ones should be studied by the people (especially the director) at Working Title. ;-)"}, {"response": 344, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (17:07)", "body": "(Karen)So what is the estate? (Kate)Not sure, is the Wharf area industrial? Offices? What we would call an \"office park\" or \"industrial complex\" in the US is sometimes called an \"estate\" in England, so it might be that. I think you are right, Kate. I found this digging google, which sounds very much like what you suggested: The recent extension to the Jubilee Line is crucial to this fast-growing area of London \ufffd more than 40,000 people now work on the Canary Wharf Estate with another 13,000 predicted to move in by the end of this year. from this site: http://www.thetube.com/content/pressreleases/0204/11.asp (Karen)The towel ones should be studied by the people (especially the director) at Working Title. ;-) Oh Karen, I think you may have hit upon something there ;-) (Linda) Love that torso, ribs,and chest hair too What is there not to love? Me too ;-) Thank you for the captures, Kathy and Karen. My favourite would be the very last one. What a face !!!"}, {"response": 345, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (18:14)", "body": "(Karen)The towel ones should be studied by the people (especially the director) at Working Title. ;-) The towel ones??? Wot towel ones??? Oh, I get it, the ones I missed last week that aren't up yet. Sorry, boss. You know how I get when one mentions towels and towel scenes:-) Take your time, I know you're busy, so when can we expect them??? Tonight, tomorrow... Thanks for the preview...quite lovely. Working Title, and Beeban Kidron are you lurking?"}, {"response": 346, "author": "WinniePeg", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (21:07)", "body": "As a member of the lurking public, just want to say thanks to Karen & KathyC for the HS sneak peek. Great pics! (Waiting for towel scenes.)"}, {"response": 347, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (21:40)", "body": "(Karen) These galleries have not been announced on firth.com yet and won't until completed. You all (and the lurking public) are getting a preview Thank you Karen and KathyC. Please don't feel pressured. There's a lot of time and effort that goes into this site. To all who make it happen: you rock! (Leona) Great pics! (Waiting for towel scenes.) Never thought I'd ever be this interested in linens."}, {"response": 348, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (22:44)", "body": "(Linda) Take your time, I know you're busy, so when can we expect them??? Tonight, tomorrow... How can I resist such understanding and compassion. OK, here's the towel that was briefly posted last week. Many more to come from the seventh-floor Bed and Bath Department."}, {"response": 349, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (23:43)", "body": "OMG'd! Now that't an image to go to sleep with! Gotta use this one again!"}, {"response": 350, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (00:19)", "body": "THUD! Karen, you got many more like that towel picture? Heheheh...'cause you know, if that pesky old garden is giving you trouble, I could come help out, you know, anything to help the cause! (I'm thinking whatever HS is missing in the way of script or direction, lighting was not a problem...)"}, {"response": 351, "author": "soph", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (05:26)", "body": "i'll second-thud you on that one barb. i truly believe the wdisneyco should have used this pic for the poster. would have definitely boosted the admission figures, at least for the ladies-who-lunch marketing segment. oh, wait, they would have had to skip the billboard marketing plans though, for fear of road accidents due to excessive fainting and drooling..."}, {"response": 352, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (07:09)", "body": "Anyone care to join me for a trip to the home store for some towels?"}, {"response": 353, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (07:30)", "body": "I'd like to join, Shoshana, but I'm afraid my knees are too weak and can't climb those floors to the bed and bath dept!"}, {"response": 354, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (07:52)", "body": "*hee hee hee* I tend to think the towel scene will have its own gallery."}, {"response": 355, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (08:44)", "body": "(LU's filming boss, Kate Blow, said: \"He loved watching the people come and go through the station. He thought it was really fascinating.\") I love that they make him sound like he's so amazed by the masses of common folk using the Underground. I heard at the IOBE premiere that he had gone to the SIL premiere by tube. Donovan's not so quickly forgotten how public transport works, surely?! Strange how they release this now when the filming happened so long ago."}, {"response": 356, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (09:04)", "body": "(BarbS)(I'm thinking whatever HS is missing in the way of script or direction, lighting was not a problem...) LOL! And so much mileage from a film we *Ami's* have no promise of seeing any time soon! Has he ever had a geater bod? In any case I've not seen a lovelier Snappy. Thanks for putting us in and out of our misery Karen!"}, {"response": 357, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (09:05)", "body": "closing tags"}, {"response": 358, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (09:30)", "body": "(Karen)*hee hee hee* I tend to think the towel scene will have its own gallery. Thanks, OGO (Oh Great One). You have relieved my suffering. That body is at its AFG best... AFGAFGAFGAFGAFG...and so on."}, {"response": 359, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (09:50)", "body": "Ouch! My jaw hurts. What a sight to wake-up to!! Karen, you need to come up with a warning system. Maybe if I stare long enough, I'll get immune. That's it, I'll just keep staring. By the by, that man is AFG and I mean AFG. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Definitely worth the wait."}, {"response": 360, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (10:13)", "body": "How can I possibly be expected to know if this movie sucks or not? They throw those images at me and I can't tell (and don't even care)! Thank you Karen!! (Karen) *hee hee hee* I tend to think the towel scene will have its own gallery. You're such a tease!! ;-) BTW, love the tummy dent thing....he's thin and he has that valley going doing his stomach....GAH! Leading right to the bellybutton....I'm feeling faint...need a lie down! (LU's filming boss, Kate Blow, said: \"He loved watching the people come and go through the station. He thought it was really fascinating.\") (Emma) I love that they make him sound like he's so amazed by the masses of common folk using the Underground. I heard at the IOBE premiere that he had gone to the SIL premiere by tube. I was thinking about this....I think maybe ODB's fascination was a bit like the one I have.....me thinks ODB and I share the same hobby. People watching. Train/underground/el/subway....those are the best people viewing spots ever invented. And thanks Emma, for the tidbit about the SIL premiere. I had not heard that! Glad to hear ODB still takes public transport (and if I were on the tube with him, I'm sure I would be fascinated)! ;-) I can't even imagine....looking up and seeing 'all that'! Hmmmmm......"}, {"response": 361, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (10:31)", "body": "Sorry to burst anyone's proletarian bubble, but CF and the Mrs. did NOT take the Tube/walk/crawl/run to the SIL premiere. We had Firth fan spotters at all the SIL premieres--London, New York, Los Angeles--and it was first class travel, limos all the way, baby! And that's as it should be. Who the hell would schlep to a premiere on the subway in heels and evening attire? Yuck!"}, {"response": 362, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (10:38)", "body": "(Tress)How can I possibly be expected to know if this movie sucks or not? They throw those images at me and I can't tell (and don't even care)! LOL. Yes, it's a very hard one to call.;-) Not only has he been working out, but, compared to earlier films, he's miraculously grown a fair amount of chest hair. A patron of the Chest Hair Club For Men, maybe?;-) I wonder if they glue on tufts of what they need for the shot. Also, I wonder how they got the chest hair so nice and dark, again comparing to previous films. They may have had the make-up people mascara the hair (as was done for ATA), or possibly they just dyed it. Or, perhaps the Lee Press-On Tufts were dark to begin with.;-) Am starting to sound like BJ in TEOR, i.e., did they have to wet the shirt again . . .;-)"}, {"response": 363, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (10:54)", "body": "Karen, omigod! Someone send that pic to WT ASAP. And who says women aren't visual? ;-) At this point I don't care if the film's a semi-dog (since we already know it sorta is), as there's always the mute button on the remote. ;-) ( Although, I don't want to deprive myself of hearing that voice, either.) (Karen) *hee hee hee* I tend to think the towel scene will have its own gallery. And would that be the Towel Hall of Fame? ;-)"}, {"response": 364, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (12:03)", "body": "(Mari)but CF and the Mrs. did NOT take the Tube/walk/crawl/run to the SIL premiere. We had Firth fan spotters at all the SIL premieres--London, New York, Los Angeles--and it was first class travel, limos all the way In NY and LA they were Lincoln Town Cars. And when we saw him coming to the Donmar it was in a taxi. Maybe they were talking about Jon who does take the tube;-)"}, {"response": 365, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (12:04)", "body": "(Karen)Many more to come from the seventh-floor Bed and Bath Department. Find I am unable to comment on picture without resorting to lust crazed spluttering...Will be checking myself in later to Miss CP's Home for Wayward Women in a bit(after I drool over it a bit more...) (lisaJH)At this point I don't care if the film's a semi-dog Hmm, a semi-dog for a demigod? Is it right, I ask you?"}, {"response": 366, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (14:11)", "body": "(Maria)Find I am unable to comment on picture without resorting to lust crazed spluttering...Will be checking myself in later to Miss CP's Home for Wayward Women in a bit(after I drool over it a bit more...) LOL Maria. Would that home be located in Chicago? I may join you and volunteer for gardening detail so Miss CP has plenty of time to work on the towel scene gallery. That towel is definitely below the waist on one side. I'm feeling quite weak in the knees at the moment. Thank you, thank you, thank you Karen!"}, {"response": 367, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (14:17)", "body": "(Mari) Sorry to burst anyone's proletarian bubble, but CF and the Mrs. did NOT take the Tube/walk/crawl/run to the SIL premiere......Who the hell would schlep to a premiere on the subway in heels and evening attire? Yuck! Well...there goes that little fantasy! But LD wasn't in it...and it didn't involve evening attire! ;-D (Mari) Not only has he been working out, but, compared to earlier films, he's miraculously grown a fair amount of chest hair. LOL....maybe they used 'Velvet Black Ultra Lash' mascara this time! Or...like some men, as he has aged, the hair has thinned up top and retreated to other regions! Maybe in a few more years he will get eyebrows (don't get me wrong...I love ODB's hairlessness....he's slick...like a baby seal...and he is capable of growing the most amazing stubble...and I am humbled by the stubble) ;-)"}, {"response": 368, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (14:17)", "body": "(Emma) I love that they make him sound like he's so amazed by the masses of common folk using the Underground I know and feel the same way. He was a Tube rider in his pre-P&P days, but certainly not for a premiere. When the studio sends the car, he gets in. When they send the private jet, he takes it. (Mari) he's miraculously grown a fair amount of chest hair. Haven't you noticed that as men age, certain ones lose it on top and then more comes in elsewhere. Somehow I can't imagine them adding (Lee Press-on) though dying is a good bet. I would have to get up real close to a screen to check for mascara, hopefully the nonclumping type. The job combing the mascara'd hair might be interesting. ;-)"}, {"response": 369, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (14:26)", "body": "(Karen) Haven't you noticed that as men age, certain ones lose it on top and then more comes in elsewhere. (Me) like some men, as he has aged, the hair has thinned up top and retreated to other regions! Wow....JINX! Okay, I can unjinx you...don't want anything to stand in the way of HS pics or gardening! (Karen) When the studio sends the car, he gets in. When they send the private jet, he takes it. As he should (and I would)! Why pass that up? ODB deserves the best and if they send him cars, limos, jets, free Chuck Taylors and Armani shirts, tickets to Portland...he should take them! ;-)"}, {"response": 370, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (14:28)", "body": "(Tress)I love ODB's hairlessness....he's slick...like a baby seal... Find I am unable to comment on your comment without resorting to lust crazed spluttering...yada yada (Tress)and he is capable of growing the most amazing stubble...and I am humbled by the stubble) ;-) LOL! Yes, humbled and grateful!"}, {"response": 371, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (16:45)", "body": "(Maria)Find I am unable to comment on your comment without resorting to lust crazed spluttering...yada yada Allow me to copy that, Maria. In such cases as these (towel-stubble-chesthair...) - words fail me ;-) Thank you, Karen. (LisaJH)A Towel Hall of Fame That'll do me just fine!!!! (Mari)Am starting to sound like BJ in TEOR, i.e., did they have to wet the shirt again . . .;-) LOL, don't we all sometimes? :-)"}, {"response": 372, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (17:24)", "body": "Ohhhhhhhhhh, Karen. Thank you for that wonderful picture. I missed that brief appearance/disappearance of photos that people have mentioned. Are there MORE of these towel pix? I'm thinking endosements for Fieldcrest, I'm thinking commercials in which he models towels in a variety of colors, I'm thinking personal appearancs at Bed, Bath, and Beyond. (suddenly the name of a store I've known for years has a whole new meaning) Speaking of towels, I need to mop up puddle of drool on my keyboard. Hey, Colin, could I borrow your towel?"}, {"response": 373, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (17:25)", "body": "Judging from everyone's reactions to the towel pic, I think you may now better understand why I prefer HS to WAGW! - He has never looked better. And up there on the big screen - simply breathtaking!!"}, {"response": 374, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (17:57)", "body": "(Hen)LOL Maria. Would that home be located in Chicago? I may join you and volunteer for gardening detail so Miss CP has plenty of time to work on the towel scene gallery. HRWT!(Have Rake Will Travel!) (Tress)like some men, as he has aged, the hair has thinned up top and retreated to other regions! Oooo, lets be careful with future close ups on the ears:-( (Janet)And up there on the big screen - simply breathtaking!! Arg! You are breaking my heart! Will we ever, ever, ever get the big screen treatment?"}, {"response": 375, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (18:06)", "body": "(Beedee) Oooo, lets be careful with future close ups on the ears:-( LOL...ODB's ears looking amazingly yummy and not scary...very bitable (going off of HS premiere pics and The Leopard reading pics here)...am hoping scary hair skips migrating to eyebrows, ears and nose and just goes to chest and treasure trail! ;-)"}, {"response": 376, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (21:41)", "body": "(Karen) *hee hee hee* I tend to think the towel scene will have its own gallery. Oh honey, it had better! And not that I'm complaining or anything but do you think that you could maybe make the pictures just a tad larger, like maybe 15x15? Janet, no wonder you wanted that towel for a keepsake...woof;-)!!"}, {"response": 377, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (21:52)", "body": "(Beedee)Will we ever, ever, ever get the big screen treatment? THIS could send me out shopping for a big-screen TV! (Tress)treasure trail! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 378, "author": "kelbrom1", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (02:24)", "body": ""}, {"response": 379, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (13:35)", "body": "(Tress)I love ODB's hairlessness....he's slick...like a baby seal... Good thing I was away, yesterday. That scrambled all of my senses, especially the slick part. Oh, my, Gawd! (Karen)The job combing the mascara'd hair might be interesting. ;-) I believe several of us wanted that one last summer. (Janet)And up there on the big screen - simply breathtaking!! ...Ouch;-)"}, {"response": 380, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (15:23)", "body": "Picking self up off floor and wiping puddle of drool, thank you so much for the wonderful pics Kathy C and Karen. He is amazing. Thank you for the articles ladies."}, {"response": 381, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (23:51)", "body": "Posted on Dark Horizons, from another who attended a UK test screening, this time likely a real person (no mention of Bill Nighy!): Love Actually: Its got a geat cast and one of the best British comedy writers out there penning and helming it, but does that mean it will translate across the Atlantic? Here's 'Dobbin the Wonder Horse' with one hell of a juicy rumour: \"The filmed was screen in it's entirety at our local cinema a couple of weeks ago, I'm not sure how complete it was but looked complete (it was shown on Betacam tape via a digital projector). Richard Curtis was apparently in attendance along with Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner of Working title (although I didn't see them). It was a typical test screening although no questions were asked of the audience and no questionaires were filled out, I imagine the idea was to gauge opinion from the response in the auditorium. Unfortunately the audience reaction was muted to say the least from my perspective. Several people I talked to mentioned that it was corny and cliched with very few flashes of Curtis brilliance...and it was generally muddled with several strands of the story disappeari g and others being heavy handed\"."}, {"response": 382, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (09:07)", "body": "No big deal as far as I'm concerned. Anyway, I've said before that Richard Curtis writes some of the most cliched and corny stuff (cringeworthy dialogue) myself. Besides, this is early and this guy probably doesn't like this kind of movie anyway."}, {"response": 383, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (09:08)", "body": "Oops....Forgot my winkie;-))))"}, {"response": 384, "author": "socadook", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (09:21)", "body": "Unfortunately the audience reaction was muted (...)it was corny and cliched with very few flashes of Curtis brilliance...and it was generally muddled with several strands of the story disappearing and others being heavy handed. Here we go again ;-) Can't wait to read what the pros think. Hee hee hee ;-D (Evelyn) Curtis writes some of the most cliched and corny stuff I agree yet it hasn't made the movies unwatchable or unlikable. I find it interesting that with all the known actors appearing in LA, not one was mentioned. Hmmmmm!"}, {"response": 385, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (09:24)", "body": "(Evelyn) Forgot my winkie;-)))) And your quotation marks! ;-D"}, {"response": 386, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (09:27)", "body": "(Evelyn) Besides, this is early and this guy probably doesn't like this kind of movie anyway. Ohhh....now, what's not to like! It has Shannon Elizabeth and Denise Richards....! ;-) Regardless of what anyone says.....I think this will be a successful movie. Has a great cast (okay....see above....there are a few week links in the chain) and it is coming out at a good time. Written and directed by the guy who worked on the BJD script and wrote Notting Hill. I know I'll see it a half dozen times (at least) in the theater. This is one I can probably get the DH to see (if he sees just two people on a movie poster, he begins to panic....if he sees a bunch of people on a poster, he doesn't even realized he's going to see a rom-com....until it's too late.....*insert wicked laugh*.....although anytime he hears HG's name associated with a project he immediately becomes suspicious) ;-)"}, {"response": 387, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (09:29)", "body": "(Karen)from another who attended a UK test screening, this time likely a real person (no mention of Bill Nighy!) ROTF! Especially with 2 typos and a grammatical error within the first 6 words (which, I believe, breaks my old record;-) 10 story lines is a lot to juggle, but Curtis never puts out a dog, so I'm sure they'll fix whatever needs fixing."}, {"response": 388, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (10:43)", "body": "Here's a another review from somebody at that test screening, on AICN. Once again, CF's performance is not singled out as the other actors are; I have to think his role in this is very small.:-( Last night I was roped into attending a test screening for the new Hugh Grant, Colin Firth film \"Love, Actually\", and having nothing better to do, decided to give it a go. It was made clear that the copy shown was a \"work-in-progress\" and that the film/sound quality and music choices may be vastly altered when the film goes on general release. Coming in at the 2 and a quarter hour mark, there are bound to be some cuts too. \"Love, Actually\" follows the interlinking relationships of 10 or so couples (though some of the storylines may be cut to speed the film along), primarily based in London, in the month leading up to Christmas. The ensemble of characters includes the aging rockstar making a comeback (with a truly cringe-making song) and his manager (Gregor Fisher), the newly-wedded couple (Keira Knightley), the prime-minister (Hugh Grant), the novelist (Colin Firth), the boss of Fairtrade Coffee (Alan Rickman) and his wife (Emma Thompson), the cater-waiter (Kris Marshall from My Family), the artist (Andrew Lincoln), member of the prime-minister's staff (Martine McCutcheon), the American President (Billy Bob Thornton), a newly widowed Liam Neeson and stepson, and a rather interesting couple, one half of which UK viewers will recognise from The Office (Martin Freeman). There are also guest appearances by Ant and Dec, Denise Richards and Rowan Atkinson. The storylines are somewhat predictable and as a romantic comedy it's not hard to spot which couples are going to end up together, though there are some serious issues tackled as well (though these may end up on the cutting room floor). The film marks Richard Curtis' directorial debut and it's a feel-good romp around London in the style we've come to expect from Richard. If you were a fan of Notting Hill, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Sliding Doors, there's a good chance you'll like this film. Despite the predictable plot lines, this is an enjoyable film, with surprisingly good performances from Martine McCutcheon (better known as Tiffany in UK soap opera Eastenders) and Liam Neeson. The script is well written and delivered well. An overly slushy beginning may put off some viewers with it's reference to September 11th (a cheap point), and some people may be shocked at the level of nudity (though this will most likely be toned down in the final version). All in all it is a nice little, non-taxing comedy that will probably do well in the UK (though the lack of big US stars may make it difficult to sell in the States). Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson are, of course, outstanding and Hugh Grant not too annoying. Suspension of belief is only required in a couple of places (the British Prime Minister speaking out against the President at a press conference is a bit far-fetched, and you're left waiting for a punchline that never comes when Kris Marshall lands in Wisconsin looking for fine American booty), but, all-in-all, not bad. It should be interesting to see how the film is marketed and when it is released. With it's Christmas countdown storyline it's probably looking at a November/December release which will put it up against the Matrix Revolutions and Return of The King, so may turn out to be the girlie antidote to an action-packed couple of months (but don't rule out blubbing in ROTK)."}, {"response": 389, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (11:02)", "body": "Hmmm, a good smattering of details and idiotic conclusions. I vote: Real ;-D the novelist (Colin Firth), the boss of Fairtrade Coffee (Alan Rickman) Wonder if those are reversed. ;-D An overly slushy beginning may put off some viewers with it's reference to September 11th (a cheap point) Suspension of belief is only required in a couple of places (the British Prime Minister speaking out against the President at a press conference is a bit far-fetched v. Richard Curtis. and some people may be shocked at the level of nudity (though this will most likely be toned down in the final version). Especially for us prudish Americans. :-( Unless it's by Rowan Atkinson or Denise Richards, cut away. Thanks Mari!"}, {"response": 390, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (12:03)", "body": "More, specifically about Colin, from the guy who saw LA: All of the storylines get about the same screentime (which led to the long running of the film as it was). His storyline concerns finding his girlfriend/wife/lover being unfaithful with a friend of his, which prompts him to decamp to the south of France. Colin's character in a crime novelist, and he takes the opportunity to bash out another novel in his holiday villa. His next door neighbour finds him a cleaning lady, and whilst Colin can speak no French, this isn't a problem as she can't speak it either (she's Portuguese). Colin doesn't get any nudity - so don't worry about any of him getting cut out because of that. The story progresses as Colin works on his book and his new cleaner cleans around him, bringing him cups of tea and so forth. One day he is sitting outside by the lake when as the cleaner (Aurelia, I believe the character is called) replaces one cup of tea for another, a stack of papers blows off into the lake. Aurelia strips off and dives in after them, as does Colin. There is a brief exchange (subtitled) in Portuguese and English where they say pretty much the same thing, and afterwards they try to talk a little about the book. Eventually Colin returns to England for Christmas and we see shots of him learning Portuguese in language class and practising whilst doing his Christmas shopping. He arrives at his relatives house but stays about 2 seconds before getting on a plane back to France to ask Aurelia's father for his daughter's hand in marriage. He proposes in Portuguese (bad, subtitled Portuguese) and she responds in equally bad English."}, {"response": 391, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (13:29)", "body": "which prompts him to decamp to the south of France. Colin's character in a crime novelist, and he takes the opportunity to bash out another novel in his holiday villa. His next door neighbour finds him a cleaning lady, and whilst Colin can speak no French, this isn't a problem as she can't speak it either (she's Portuguese). I wonder if he had a Saracen communicator to help out with that language barrier. ;-) Colin doesn't get any nudity - so don't worry about any of him getting cut out because of that. That seems to be the one thing we may never have to worry about anymore. ;-( The story progresses as Colin works on his book and his new cleaner [landscape architect ;-)] cleans [plants things] around him Did I miss the part where his name is Matthew? ;-)"}, {"response": 392, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (13:30)", "body": "GDI! there"}, {"response": 393, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (13:48)", "body": "His storyline concerns finding his girlfriend/wife/lover being unfaithful with a friend of his We know he will be good in this film will because... he's a cornuto again!!!;-) Obrigado muito muito, Karen!"}, {"response": 394, "author": "socadook", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (13:49)", "body": "Colin doesn't get any nudity. Aurelia strips off and dives in after them, as does Colin. Did I miss something? Or will the lake scene mirror Darcy's pond scene? he takes the opportunity to bash out another novel in his holiday villa. (Dorine) Did I miss the part where his name is Matthew? ;-) LOL. It's Matthew in a parallel universe! Thanks for the test screening reviews and spoilers, Karen. This is going to be one fun year. ;-)"}, {"response": 395, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (13:55)", "body": "practising whilst doing his Christmas shopping. He arrives at his relatives house Wearing a reindeer jumper?;-) Great minds, K, I wrote to him too, but you got an answer.;-) (Moon)he's a cornuto again!!!;-) PFFT! His plotline seems a bit thin, i.e., mais que nada And I won't even mention Brazil 66 by name because the same people who didn't know Jethro Tull wouldn't know Sergio Mendes and then I'd have to get upset and depressed again.;-) ;-) (Dorine)The story progresses as Colin works on his book and his new cleaner [landscape architect ;-)] cleans [plants things] around him Did I miss the part where his name is Matthew? ;-) LOL, Dorine, and godferbid! If his cleaning lady turns out to have a colorfully-dressed family who interact with each other like the people on Jerry Springer . . . I'm outta here.;-)"}, {"response": 396, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (14:23)", "body": "(Mari) mais que nada And I won't even mention Brazil 66 Am humming here. One of my favs. Am going back to ask about Colin's performance, what he thought of it, etc. Anything else?? LOL, I immediately thought of Matthew too, but we know they didn't film in Grasse, so it won't be the same house. ;-D I had hopes with the dives in the lake bit, but he already says Colin doesn't take it off. :-("}, {"response": 397, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (14:40)", "body": "Nevah mind. I've emailed him again to ask about Colin's performance, since he singled out a couple of others, and who plays his wife/girlfriend (is it Laura Linney?) and who does she cheat on him with?"}, {"response": 398, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (14:48)", "body": "(Dorine) I wonder if he had a Saracen communicator to help out with that language barrier. ;-) And what are we interpreting as a 'Saracen communicator' today? ;-D (Mari) PFFT! His plotline seems a bit thin, i.e., mais que nada And I won't even mention Brazil 66 by name because the same people who didn't know Jethro Tull wouldn't know Sergio Mendes and then I'd have to get upset and depressed again.;-) ;-) Hey now!! I know Sergio...I'm slow...but I do know some things! Just a bit rusty on the older, cooler stuff (you don't wanna know what my parents listen to...though I do know the words to \"Folsom Prison Blues\"....the entire album...) ;-D (Mari) LOL, Dorine, and godferbid! If his cleaning lady turns out to have a colorfully-dressed family who interact with each other like the people on Jerry Springer . . . I'm outta here.;-) Didn't we get word that her father kisses ODB on the lips? They sound colorful...but I think in a whole different way..."}, {"response": 399, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (14:52)", "body": "(Mari)I have to think his role in this is very small.:-( Glad to hear since your post that the screen times seem to be equal. I was surprised, given the other big names in the cast, that the music video I saw of it was mostly Colin. Just a quick shot of HG, no Liam. Most of the scenes Karen mentioned...the papers flying, the lake scene, arriving at relative's house were all in the video. Also in the video, was the kissing scene...sounds like it must be the girlfriend's father. Looked very much like a European type of family kiss. Probably after he asks for her hand in marriage. Colin did not jump in the lake but watches the girl strip off, very nice look on his face, and she dives in. Another scene had his \"walk\" he looked angry and walks away from someone, but we don't see who it is. Thanks for the LA inside info, Karen."}, {"response": 400, "author": "socadook", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (16:04)", "body": "(Linda) the music video I saw of it was mostly Colin Video? Video??!! What are you talking of? What are you telling the Ladies Who Lunch? I must have my share in the conversation. :-) Another scene had his \"walk\" he looked angry and walks away from someone, but we don't see who it is. Wait. I've seen this film. They end up shagging on the carpet. ;-) Or was it the carriage? The cottage maybe. The shower? No, I'm pretty sure there was a carpet. It's just that, this reminds me of someone. I'll find it. I'll find it...;-)"}, {"response": 401, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (17:46)", "body": "(viewer at screening)though there are some serious issues tackled as well Fair trade coffee, perhaps? some people may be shocked at the level of nudity This gave me hope until I read Karen's subsequent post. :-( Hugh Grant not too annoying LOL Coming in at the 2 and a quarter hour mark, there are bound to be some cuts too. Nooo, please no. Cut Hugh, Cut Alan, but don't cut scenes with Colin! (Tress)Didn't we get word that her father kisses ODB on the lips? What? There's a scene at the Tonys?"}, {"response": 402, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (19:00)", "body": "(Sonia)Video? Video??!! What are you talking of? During WAGW, and other films out in April, a particular theater had a twenty minute news/TV/film feature. There was a LA music video/preview. No words, just several scenes from the film set to All You Need is Love. Colin's scenes seemed to be the frontrunners of the video more so than any others appearing in the film. BTW, he looked AFG...not in a Vermeer sort of way, but in a Colin AFG way."}, {"response": 403, "author": "socadook", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (19:21)", "body": "(Linda) BTW, he looked AFG...not in a Vermeer sort of way, but in a Colin AFG way. Yes, yes, yes! Colin's scenes seemed to be the frontrunners of the video more so than any others appearing in the film. Works for me!"}, {"response": 404, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (00:41)", "body": "(Mari) PFFT! His plotline seems a bit thin, i.e., mais que nada And I won't even mention Brazil 66 by name because the same people who didn't know Jethro Tull wouldn't know Sergio Mendes and then I'd have to get upset and depressed again.;-) ;-) (Tress) Hey now!! I know Sergio...I'm slow...but I do know some things! Just a bit rusty on the older, cooler stuff (you don't wanna know what my parents listen to...though I do know the words to \"Folsom Prison Blues\"....the entire album...) ;-D Hey, I know Sergio Mendes, too...Even though my parents don't have any clue of who he is, I know! But don't ask me to give you any name of his songs...;-P"}, {"response": 405, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (08:34)", "body": "This just posted on my Australian Firth newsgroup: The Melbourne Herald Sun, Thursday June 12 reported .... Hunks here, by George The dashing leading men of the movies are headed Down Under to promote thie new releases (first they talk about George Cloony then) ... As if that wasn't enough Mr Darcy himself, Colin Firth is a hot tip for a Christmas visit to flog his new film Love Actually. The directorial debut from Richard (Four Weddings and a Funeral) Curtis is an ensemble comedy about a bunch of intertwining love stories in London ... Am going off to light candles... if you don't hear from me within a week, please notify the local fire brigade..."}, {"response": 406, "author": "socadook", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (17:14)", "body": "Since shooting for TDW is said to start early 2004 in the southern hemisphere, maybe there's something to that \"hot tip\". I'll cross fingers and toes for you, Jane."}, {"response": 407, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (09:39)", "body": "A little bit of follow-up from the test screening: \"Colin was good, as ever, but not spectacular in my opinion (he was much better in Bridget Jones). I'm afraid I don't know who played Colin's wife/girlfriend, I'm guessing it's who he's pictured with in the wedding photos on your site, but we don't actually see her on screen for long enough to make the connection, sorry.\" [Ed note: Since the one in the picture is Laura Linney, then I doubt she's the wife/girlfriend as she's should have a more substantial part.]"}, {"response": 408, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (11:01)", "body": "Colin Firth is a hot tip for a Christmas visit to flog his new film Love Actually. Not that I *want* to rain on your parade, Jane, but Colin had better be putting his face before the US media/Hollywood establishment at that time of year, promoting GWAPE. With them, it's out of sight, out of mind. If he disappears into the Southern Hemisphere while \"best of\" lists are being cranked out by the critics and names are being penciled in for award balloting, then, then, well, I don't know or care to say. :-("}, {"response": 409, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (11:31)", "body": "From MaryA, you will find a link on this interview with Colin to the audio file. Quite good and more complete than the partial transcript. Seems the \"ocean liner\" has turned into a \"juggernaut.\" ;-D http://www.reddragonfm.co.uk/webClient?guid=54772 Thanks also to JennieT"}, {"response": 410, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (18:02)", "body": "This morning's Sydney Morning Herald online has a small article about RZ (mostly promoting DWL) - but apparently she was asked who, of her recent co-stars, was the best kisser... and she picked EM :-/ (though, to be fair, it seemed as though she was doing so in an attempt to promote the film...) http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/06/16/1055615728771.html"}, {"response": 411, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (18:32)", "body": "Big thanks to MaryA, JennieT and Karen for the audio link. Glad to hear the interview. Interesting to see what gets left off the page. Love that voice. (Interviewer) \"You seem to do a lot of roles where you're attracted to women\" ?!? LOL. Was the interviewer BJ? I think I missed that passage in TEOR. ;-) Btw, I must live on Cloud Cuckooland, is HG really considered a big name actress? (RZ) \"I have to say Ewan because he's in this new film and I remember him best. But they're all good kissers. You can't compare.\" Very pc, Renee. Please remember CF when promoting TEOR.:-) Thanks for the article, Jane."}, {"response": 412, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (18:57)", "body": "Arghh!! Having problems with the link to the audio file. Keep getting message 'Page cannot be displayed'. Help!!"}, {"response": 413, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (22:53)", "body": "(Karen)Seems the \"ocean liner\" has turned into a \"juggernaut.\" ;-D Did I actually hear him say he has to do more drama? *Cautiously extinguishing a few candles*;-) Thanks, Jennie, Mary and Karen. \"You seem to do a lot of roles where you're attracted to women\" ?!? Didn't he jokingly refer back to this question at a subsequent interview? In the new issue of Premiere mag, there's a funny riff on WAGW and Lizzie McGuire by the one and only Libby Gelman-Waxner who, if you're not familiar, is really a man whose name escapes me at the moment and who writes satires on Hollywood films. Here's a sample; \"Libby\" is chatting about the 2 movies with her tween daughter, \"Jennifer\": Libby: \"But what's the difference between watching these girls on their TV shows and seeing them in a movie\" I asked. Do they take on greater acting challenges and play fuller, richer, more conflicted characters?\" Jennifer: \"Well, of course, I mean, it's a movie, so the characters have at least 15 or more outfits, including purses, so it's only like a totally different medium. And like in What A Girl Wants, Amanda Bynes goes to England to find her cute dad, and then she tries on some cute '60s mini-outfits and teaches all these stuffy English people how to dance and then the whole country falls in love with her, including this cute English guy, so it's like I don't think that would happen if Meryl Streep tried on all different pairs of cute sunglasses. And in Lizzie Maguire, Hilary Duff goes to Rome where this ultra-cute Italian pop star falls in love with her, and she's also the exact look-alike of the pop star's ex-singing partner, and then the whole country falls in love with her, and it's not like a TV show because TV shows never have whole countries. I mean, don't you know anything? Libby: \"So what you're saying is, we could have avoided a lot of bloodshed if America had just sent Amanda and Hilary to Iraq?\" Jennifer: \"Totally. Because everyone in Iraq would have fallen in love with them and said, 'Okay, here are all of our chemical weapons.'\""}, {"response": 414, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (23:15)", "body": "(Mari) Jennifer: \"Totally. Because everyone in Iraq would have fallen in love with them and said, 'Okay, here are all of our chemical weapons.'\" ROFLOL Out of the mouth of babes (and I don't mean the diaper-clad type!)"}, {"response": 415, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (05:42)", "body": "(Mari)Did I actually hear him say he has to do more drama Yep, I heard it too. Don't extinguish too many candles...he may just be varying the answers:-) Love the remark about HG...she's not as off the wall as the character she played. LOL Loved the way he said \"mafioso\" sounded like the way he said \"pasta\" in DQ. Thank you Karen, Maria, and Jennie."}, {"response": 416, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (09:28)", "body": "Why are all those UK interviewers hung up on the \"Hollywood \" deal? Just so they can diss him if he did come over and hit it big? Interesting LA storyline revolving around 9/11...an exploration of different kinds of love. Sounds like Richard Curtis is getting pretty philosophical. Comedy? OK, if you say so. He sorta lost me there, though. Thanks Jennie & Mary for finding this interview and sharing it with us."}, {"response": 417, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (09:44)", "body": "(Evelyn)Why are all those UK interviewers hung up on the \"Hollywood \" deal? Just so they can diss him if he did come over and hit it big? You said it! Have we seen any WAGW reviews from there yet? Will they beat themselves up to beat the axe handle (or whatever)remarks? In the words of Paul the younger...\"Pathetic!\" Interesting LA storyline revolving around 9/11...an exploration of different kinds of love. Sounds like Richard Curtis is getting pretty philosophical. Comedy? OK, if you say so. He sorta lost me there, though. Ok, here I am being defensive again but, I think he was saying that it was in fact very \"simple\" and that folks just thought about who they loved in the end. That's the only connection that came to their minds and I'm sap enough to be touched by this and find it affirming and of course, love can be funny."}, {"response": 418, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (10:06)", "body": "(Mari) Did I actually hear him say he has to do more drama? *Cautiously extinguishing a few candles*;-) (CF) I really needed to get into drama. Methinks, he's sick of the abuse we give him or Shirley's listening to us and passing it on. ;-D (Beedee) Have we seen any WAGW reviews from there yet? Essentially too early, though there will be some in the \"August\" magazines, which come out in July. I found it interesting that he referred to WAGW and LA (though not by name) as his foray into more commercial work."}, {"response": 419, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (12:24)", "body": "(Linda)Don't extinguish too many candles...he may just be varying the answers:-) Honey, it's an eternal flame, believe me.;-) (BeeDee)I think he was saying that it was in fact very \"simple\" and that folks just thought about who they loved in the end. Yes, that is the point he's making, but honestly, it seems like such a restatement of the obvious, no? That people would think of loved ones as they face death. Of course. Anyway, here's another LA test audience reviewer: I was lucky enough to see this as a work in progress recently, and I have to say that although romantic comedies aren't generally my type of film, I very much enjoyed what I saw. As far as I can remember, the film follows nine different storylines which interleave with one another starting from about a month before Christmas (I have a feeling there's a tenth plot I've forgotten): 1) Hugh Grant as the British PM 2) A newlywedded couple (Keira Knightly) and the groom's best friend 3) A married couple with children (Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman) 4) A jilted writer (Colin Firth) 5) A step-father trying to help his lovesick son (Liam Neeson) 6) Two body doubles 'working' together on a film set (Martin Freeman) 7) An over-the-hill rock star desparately trying to promote his cover of \"Love is all around\" for the UK Christmas number 1 slot with the help of his manager (Bill Nighy) 8) A sexually starved twenty-something travelling to Wisconsin in the hope of some loving from American girls (Kris Marshall) 9) Two co-workers and the problems they face to establish a relationship Richard Curtis has done very well with the script; he's managed to equal, and in some cases, better the comedy of his earlier films (the initial scene between Hugh Grant and Martine McCutcheon has echoes of the intro of Four Weddings), and at the same time create quite involving storylines. Any one of those strands could in theory have been made into a film within its own right, and I was afraid that the sheer number of storylines might detract from the overall quality, but all in all they work wery well together. The cast is also quite special, all the main actors and the cameo appearances (Rowan Atkinson, Elisha Cuthbert, a certain famous supermodel, and a brilliant Ant and Dec [British TV presensters] scene spring to mind) do their job very well, I can think of few films with quite so many familiar faces, fewer still where there are virtually no weak spots in terms of acting. My personal favourite performances were those of Liam Neeson as the recently bereaved stepfather, Emma Thompson, Bill Nighy, and Kris Marshall (who recently won a BAFTA Comedy award for his role in the British sitcom \"My Family\" if I'm not mistaken) There's still presumably a bit of editing to do; I wasn't a big fan of the body doubles plot, as it felt the least connected to the rest of the story; and I have a feeling that one of Hugh Grant's speeches made to the US president (Billy Bob Thornton) will be cut short, for fear of offending US audiences, but we shall see. But overall this was a most enjoyable film, up there with the very best of the modern romantic comedies. At the moment \"Love Actually\" is scheduled for release in November, putting it up against the third LOTR and Matrix films. Provided no major changes are made between now and the final release, anyone who feels like a break from the action provided by those two films would be well advised to give this a go - highly recommended."}, {"response": 420, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (12:41)", "body": "\"...US president (Billy Bob Thornton)\" ROTF....Cool. Thanks Mari. All ten vignettes in 90 minutes? Blink and he'll be gone."}, {"response": 421, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (15:50)", "body": "Thanks Mary, Jennie and Karen for the great interview. Just love listening to his voice. Thanks again."}, {"response": 422, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (17:07)", "body": "Thanks for the link ladies. And thanks, too, to Karen and Linda for their help. Very informal interview; sometimes I struggled to catch what he was saying - perhaps I'm just too used to his 'acting' voice!"}, {"response": 423, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (17:48)", "body": "(Janet)Very informal interview; sometimes I struggled to catch what he was saying - perhaps I'm just too used to his 'acting' voice! I found it a bit hard too, but thought it was due to bad quality of the \"recording\" and the fact, that I couldn't crank up the volume if I didn't want to get \"caught in the act\" (this obsession is still a big secret, you know ;-)). Thank you Mary, Jennie and Karen!"}, {"response": 424, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (18:19)", "body": "I love Colin's real life, conversational voice--better than his onscreen one, frankly, which sometimes sounds a bit too theatrical, IMO. Anyway, here's the first UK review for WAGW, from Shadows On The Wall, and it's not bad! What a Girl Wants R E V I E W B Y R I C H C L I N E There's a hint of serious subtext running beneath the surface that just about makes this ludicrous comedy bearable. Otherwise, it's contrived and over-sweetened but still adequately entertaining. Daphne (Bynes) is a sparky 17-year-old New Yorker who has never met her English father, the legendary Lord Dashwood (Firth). Her mother (Preston) has been her whole family, and she finally decides it's time to meet Dad. So off to England she runs, where she turns her father's well-ordered life upside down, threatening his devious fiancee (Chancellor), whose own father (Pryce) is a political manipulator with big plans for Dashwood. There are other wrinkles involving Dashwood's knowing-but-eccentric mum (Atkins), the spiteful potential stepsister (Cole) and a cute-but-scruffy musician (James). The entire plot is apparent within about five minutes of the opening credits, so the only fun to have is in the way they get there. Alas, the plot itself isn't remotely original, relying on terribly British cliches (London Calling on the soundtrack, again?) and corny situations where even a tiny bit of creativity and intelligence would have made it so much better. Fortunately, the performances are good, and Firth is especially solid as a man confronted with his past in a rather shocking way. His scenes with Bynes are excellent, and give the film a real heart, as do Bynes' scenes with Preston, who adds some weight to the normally throwaway wacky-mom role. But essentially what we have here is another cute romantic fantasy aimed at 13-year-old girls and no one else (see also the much-worse The Princess Diaries). And on that level it's a triumph."}, {"response": 425, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (19:27)", "body": "(see also the much-worse The Princess Diaries). And on that level it's a triumph. WOW! much worse Princess Diaries??? There is hope for WAGW, then, in the UK. Holding my breath, though. The reviews just after the Bradford were hopeful, as well. Thanks, Mari. At least we start off on a semi-positive note."}, {"response": 426, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (19:37)", "body": "Hi everyone sorry not to be around so much but work has been very crazy and more hectic than ever so it's not easy to find a spare moment. As it is I writing this standing up, getting ready to run out to a function. Anyway, here goes..The Edge of Reason will not start filming in July as has been reported. Right now it's shoot schedule is TBD. Anything else you read is hearsay at the moment. The studio will not allow me to release final cast information as the script is still in revision. LA... a couple of weeks ago when some folks from Working Title were here I got to screen a rough cut and let me tell you...I really really liked this film a lot. You will love Colin in this. Right now they are working on some music clearances. The main criteria in determining marketing dollars is whether the film falls into one of two perceived categories...Box Office hit or Oscar consideration. The studio is giving it a moderate promotional budget and it should do well. Of course the main focus will be Hugh Grant but we're putting together a PR wishlist for Colin so I am hoping he'll go for it. Take care"}, {"response": 427, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (21:35)", "body": "(Linda)WOW! much worse Princess Diaries??? There is hope for WAGW, then, in the UK. Holding my breath, though. The reviews just after the Bradford were hopeful, as well. I think there might have been a collective breath holding thing going on there! A bit less carbon dioxide in the air for the time it took us to read that! Thanks Mari, I go with that since there wasn't a hatchet in sight. \"His scenes with Bynes are excellent, and give the film a real heart\" is as good as he got, here so this is a good start and I'll go with that and gird my loins, so to speak, for the rest. (Hola)but we're putting together a PR wishlist for Colin so I am hoping he'll go for it. Thanks so much for this info l o l a Lola! You are always a balm for our tortured souls! We'll light candles so he'll go for it too. Why wouldn't he go for it? It must not be 8 hour balm;-)"}, {"response": 428, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (23:14)", "body": "(Lola) The Edge of Reason will not start filming in July as has been reported. Right now it's shoot schedule is TBD. Anything else you read is hearsay at the moment. Ah! So Renee may have a bit more time to pack on the pounds and ODB will be a daddy again before the cameras roll! (Lola) but we're putting together a PR wishlist for Colin so I am hoping he'll go for it. I hope that there is a Portland stop on the PR wishlist? Surely! We are such a huge metropolis and ODB needs to come push his product here!! ;-) Thanks for the update Lola! Always good to hear from you!!"}, {"response": 429, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (06:36)", "body": "Lola, the imdb is reporting a February start for TEOR--fact or fiction? Of course, they're also reporting the 20 donuts a day crap, so . . ."}, {"response": 430, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (06:45)", "body": "(Mari)Lola, the imdb is reporting a February start for TEOR--fact or fiction? I'm hoping fiction as TDW info said early 2004...Here we go. Hello Magazine also had an article on the 20 donuts...didn't see any reason to post it. Thank you, Lola...New Jersey...that'll do him. New Jersey longs to be on a wish list."}, {"response": 431, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (09:02)", "body": "(Sonia)Big thanks to MaryA, JennieT and Karen for the audio link. Glad to hear the interview. Interesting to see what gets left off the page. Love that voice. I suppose that bit of news has already been talked about and I am horribly belated in my comments, but I just wanted to add my thanks! It's great-- very amusing and informative. \"You seem to do a lot of roles where you're attracted to women\" ?!? LOL!!!"}, {"response": 432, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (09:39)", "body": "(Mari) here's the first UK review for WAGW, from Shadows On The Wall, and it's not bad! Thanks! Essentially, he and I are in agreement in its praiseworthy aspects and its shortcomings. No mention of the leather pants though. ;-D (Hola) The studio will not allow me to release final cast information as the script is still in revision. And this is a deterrant, how??? ;-D The studio is giving it a moderate promotional budget So does that mean it is neither a \"box office hit\" or viable as \"Oscar consideration\"? Thanks, Hola, for the updates on all the projects. (Mari) the imdb is reporting a February start for TEOR--fact or fiction? Shouldn't he be down in South Africa then?? (Tress) I hope that there is a Portland stop on the PR wishlist? (Linda) New Jersey longs to be on a wish list. I think you all know she's really referring to broadcast appearances and print media, don't you?"}, {"response": 433, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (09:44)", "body": "(Tress) I hope that there is a Portland stop on the PR wishlist? (Linda) New Jersey longs to be on a wish list. (Karen)I think you all know she's really referring to broadcast appearances and print media, don't you? Shhhh! Karen, work with us here..some of us need these little fantasies to get through the day! I for one fully expect to see him in my podunk neck of the woods to promote this!! ;-))"}, {"response": 434, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (10:00)", "body": "VARIETY (Los Angeles) June 18, 2053 The long, long long awaited sequel to hit comedy Bridget Jones's Diary will finally go before the cameras in February, sources close to the production said today. The new film, entitled \"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Renal Failure\" (TEORF) will reunite the trio of Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth, and Hugh Grant, and will pick up where the original left off some 50 years ago. Ms. Zellweger will get in shape for the role by downing 20 stool softeners per day. \"She'll be all ready to go,\" the source said. After years of yo-yo dieting due to repeated false starts while producers worked to finalize the script (including a period in the 2020s when she literally disappeared altogether), Ms. Z's bulimia-ravaged esophagus is prepared to once again face down the tabloid press and re-learn the British accent. Using recent advances in voice-box technology, she will be programmed to sound like Princess Margaret. Mr. Grant, having lived a Divine life of excess and dissipation, nevertheless redeemed himself somewhat when he recently posed for a series of public service announcements touting safe sex: \"This is your wedding tackle. Now, this is your wedding tackle with gonorrhea.\" Mr. Firth, reached by phone for comment at his Umbrian retreat, said, \"Huh? HUH? SPEAK UP!\" Family spokesperson Luca Firth added, \"Papa has his good days and his bad. He enjoys sitting in the lemon groves; sometimes, he'll peel one and put the rind over his dentures and chase the grandkids around.\" Luca adds that his father still doubts his appeal to women. \"He feels his fan base is mostly grannies and maiden aunts--you know, the younger set.\" Mr. Firth put his promising career on hold years ago to accommodate possible TEORF shooting schedules. He was, however, able to find a niche in the Wooly Mammoth series of films when it was noticed that the hair on his head kept mysteriously migrating to other parts of his body. When asked how he'd prepare for TEORF, he exclaimed, \"Huh? Wot the fu . .?! Umm . . . I like you. Just as you were!\""}, {"response": 435, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (10:00)", "body": "(Karen)I think you all know she's really referring to broadcast appearances and print media, don't you? LOL....I'll do broadcast! \"Tress....Tress....can you hear me? Tress are you there?\" ;-D (Maria) Shhhh! Karen, work with us here..some of us need these little fantasies to get through the day! Damn! And I really thought he'd come here for the crab cakes! Need to get back to work and stop dreaming about giving Mr. Firth extensive Portland tour!! ;-)"}, {"response": 436, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (10:08)", "body": "Mari!!!OMG!! LMAO!!! I can only hope you are not psychic in this matter!!"}, {"response": 437, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (10:13)", "body": "VARIETY (Los Angeles) June 18, 2053 ROTFLMAO! Too funny Mari!!! Luca adds that his father still doubts his appeal to women. \"He feels his fan base is mostly grannies and maiden aunts--you know, the younger set.\" Oh! Look! We're still around in 2053 (Karen is probably saying \"heaven help me\" right now)! Thanks Mari....v. v. funny!!"}, {"response": 438, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (10:19)", "body": "(Ms Variety), The new film, entitled \"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Renal Failure\" (TEORF) will reunite the trio of Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth, and Hugh Grant, and will pick up where the original left off some 50 years ago. ROTFLOL!!! Mari you get a big kiss from me. You should really send it to Variety, it is briliant! And a keeper. (Hola) The studio will not allow me to release final cast information as the script is still in revision. (Karen), And this is a deterrant, how??? ;-D Go ahead and tease us all you want Lola. But can't you just tell us if the Rebecca plot line is in? Grazie!"}, {"response": 439, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (10:21)", "body": "ROTFLMAO!! Mari, that was brilliant, a real hoot! Mr. Firth, reached by phone for comment at his Umbrian retreat, said, \"Huh? HUH? SPEAK UP!\" Shouldn't he have said, \"Wot? Wot?\" or has his memory gone too? ;-D \"He feels his fan base is mostly grannies and maiden aunts--you know, the younger set.\" Some things never change, though his original fans are now six feet under. Divine, divine! ;-D"}, {"response": 440, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (10:22)", "body": "Hmmm, maybe I should post it on firth.com's page. Wonder how many emails that would generate. ;-D"}, {"response": 441, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (10:22)", "body": "Luca adds that his father still doubts his appeal to women. \"He feels his fan base is mostly grannies and maiden aunts--you know, the younger set.\" Ding Dong!"}, {"response": 442, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (10:25)", "body": "Mr. Firth, reached by phone for comment at his Umbrian retreat, said, \"Huh? HUH? SPEAK UP!\" (Karen), Shouldn't he have said, \"Wot? Wot?\" or has his memory gone too? ;-D But Mari would think Wot too theatrical. ;-) Do put in cf.com Karen."}, {"response": 443, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (10:30)", "body": "(Maria)I for one fully expect to see him in my podunk neck of the woods to promote this!! ;-)) (Mari) The new film, entitled \"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Renal Failure\" (TEORF) LOLOLOL......Ouch! Oh bugger, fell off my chair again!! This is too much, I'm moving this computer to my yoga mat on the floor:-)))"}, {"response": 444, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (10:32)", "body": "(Karen)Hmmm, maybe I should post it on firth.com's page. Wonder how many emails that would generate. ;-D Oh do!! I'll want to read it again!"}, {"response": 445, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (10:55)", "body": "Mari: One of your best! Here I am searching in the \"article\" for news of what Renee might do after this, and I get to the \"stool softener!!!!\" A hoot!"}, {"response": 446, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (12:16)", "body": "Mari, ROTFLMAO! That was so funny I can hardly type! Thanks for making my day. I agree, Karen, please put it up at Firth.com. Thanks, Lola, for your updates."}, {"response": 447, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (12:23)", "body": "(HolaLola) The Edge of Reason will not start filming in July as has been reported. Right now it's shoot schedule is TBD. I heard/read somewhere RZ starts shooting a Ron Howard movie this November. TDW should start early 2004. Don't know what HG and the rest are up to. It'll be interesting to see when TEOR will fit in. Will patiently wait to hear from you Lola. The studio will not allow me to release final cast information as the script is still in revision. Hope Mum, Dad and the urban family make the cut and that the script improves the Gary the builder plot. (Mari) TEORF ROTFLMAO! Absolutely brilliant article. Bravo! (HolaLola) LA(...)I got to screen a rough cut and let me tell you...I really really liked this film a lot. You will love Colin in this. Yes, yes, yes! Hope we won't be the only ones, and it will open more doors for him. Thanks for all the info, Lola."}, {"response": 448, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (12:35)", "body": "Oooh oooh oooh, I'll surely get fired for this but I just heard that the decision for Miramax to handle domestic distribution and Universal to handle worldwide is NOT final. I'm talking about The Edge of Reason. Seems the legal eagles are still hammering this out. This could make things very interesting. Will keep you posted! Take care"}, {"response": 449, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (12:47)", "body": "(Lola) I'll surely get fired for this..... OOOOhhhhhhh don't you dare get fired! You're our 'woman on the inside'. But we appreciate the tidbits. Interesting news! Thanks Lola!!"}, {"response": 450, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (13:42)", "body": "(Karen)Wonder how many emails that would generate. ;-D As if you need more Firth fan mail, Boss! Sure, you people don't care if I get sued for libel . . .;-) (Sonia)I heard/read somewhere RZ starts shooting a Ron Howard movie this November AHA! Was it Cinderella Man with Russell Crowe (to your question, Murph)? Maybe the TEORF script will be finalized at about the same time RZ's November film wraps.;-) Lola, don't worry, honey, I know a top barrister who might be coaxed out of retirement to defend you (assuming employment law doesn't change in the coming 50 years.;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 451, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (13:44)", "body": "(Los Angeles) June 18, 2053 The long, long long awaited sequel to hit comedy Bridget Jones's Diary will finally go before the cameras in February, sources close to the production said today. I found myself doing the math and wondering if I could hold on until the release date, since I would be 106 at the very least. Ms. Zellweger will get in shape for the role by downing 20 stool softeners per day. \"She'll be all ready to go,\" the source said. \"This is your wedding tackle. Now, this is your wedding tackle with gonorrhea.\" Excellently done, Mari! LOL from start to finish! Bravo!"}, {"response": 452, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (14:03)", "body": "Mari, I don't know why you didn't post the picture of Renee that accompanied the article:"}, {"response": 453, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (14:13)", "body": "LOL, Karen! Lola), Oooh oooh oooh, I'll surely get fired for this but I just heard that the decision for Miramax to handle domestic distribution and Universal to handle worldwide is NOT final. I'm talking about The Edge of Reason. Believe it or not Lola, the distribution deal is the last thing we care about. Next time give us something really worth getting fired for, like is the Rebecca plot line included and some of the \"rumored\" cast. ;-D"}, {"response": 454, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (14:19)", "body": "(Sonia)that the script improves the Gary the builder plot. I could do without any of the Gary the builder plot and more of the towel in the kitchen plot! (Karen)Mari, I don't know why you didn't post the picture of Renee that accompanied the article: LOL Karen, this goes up on f.com too?"}, {"response": 455, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (14:26)", "body": "Scary, what you can find on the web...Sorry, er, lemons out of season..."}, {"response": 456, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (14:28)", "body": "(Moon) Do put in cf.com Karen. Ditto, boss. The responses would be worth it. (Moon)Next time give us something really worth getting fired for, like is the Rebecca plot line included and some of the \"rumored\" cast. ;-D *That's* something worth getting fired up about? but I just heard that the decision for Miramax to handle domestic distribution and Universal to handle worldwide is NOT final. LOL...maybe Harve is just as tired of the yo-yo routine as I am. You are noble, Lola to keep inquiring. This is almost as bad as all the months/yrs we were kept in suspense to see if Colin was going to play Mark....remember?? We lobbied HF and Nick."}, {"response": 457, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (14:42)", "body": "OMG Mari, that was too funny! I wish you could have seen my double-take once I got to the revised name. I like you. Just as you were!\" Perfect! And then Lola's news...maybe Maria's right and you ARE psychic! Thanks for the laugh!"}, {"response": 458, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (14:53)", "body": "(Moon) the distribution deal is the last thing we care about. Next time give us something really worth getting fired for Yes, Lola, like have they decided to go with the bath towel, hand towel or tea towel, or will his and hers plasters be part of the wardrobe. ;-)"}, {"response": 459, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (15:23)", "body": "First, thank you Lola for the news. Please, don't get fired, we need you!! (Los Angeles) June 18, 2053 FOMCLOL, Mari. Really v.v.g. I agree with the others, Karen. Do put it on Firth.com along with the lovely photos. (Sonia)that the script improves the Gary the builder plot. (Beedee)I could do without any of the Gary the builder plot and more of the towel in the kitchen plot! I have to agree with you, Beedee. Towel over Gary any day ;-) Wonderful comments, ladies. Thank you!"}, {"response": 460, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (15:36)", "body": "(Maria)One of your best! Here I am searching in the \"article\" for news of what Renee might do after this, and I get to the \"stool softener!!!!\" A hoot LOL, Mari. I did the same thing. I was thinking finally, a Variety report...then I saw stool softner, as well. My brain went in all sorts of directions, then I went back and read the date. You bugger, you. Priceless!! (Karen)I think you all know she's really referring to broadcast appearances and print media, don't you? Yeah, yeah...I was actually dreaming about my wish list for Colin. Lola, thanks, again. No, no, no don't get fired. (Mari)Sure, you people don't care if I get sued for libel . . .;-) Don't worry, Mari...we'll all chip in and help both you and Lola."}, {"response": 461, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (15:54)", "body": "(Moon) we care about Remember, Moon, there is no we here. ;-D Great pic, Maria! It is amazing what you can find. Pic kind of reminds me of Colin's GQ shoot in Umbria."}, {"response": 462, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (16:37)", "body": "I heard/read somewhere RZ starts shooting a Ron Howard movie this November. TDW should start early 2004. Don't know what HG and the rest are up to. It'll be interesting to see when TEOR will fit in. Will patiently wait to hear from you Lola. *************** The Ron Howard film is Cinderella Man (The story of Jim Braddock, heavyweight champ in the 30s), and it starts filming in January/February 2004 in Toronto. There is pre-production work starting in November. There has been no confirmation, only rumors, that Renee is in Cinderella Man with Russell."}, {"response": 463, "author": "CeeJ", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (17:10)", "body": "(Moon) Do put in cf.com Karen. (Evelyn) Ditto, boss. The responses would be worth it. So so funny! And it looks so \"official\" next to the other news on the BJD page! Will we here if you receive any responses Karen?"}, {"response": 464, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (17:19)", "body": "\"He enjoys sitting in the lemon groves; sometimes, he'll peel one and put the rind over his dentures and chase the grandkids around.\" What a guy!!! (CeeJ)And it looks so \"official\" next to the other news on the BJD page! You're famous, Mari....your v. own fan fic;-)))"}, {"response": 465, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (18:18)", "body": "(Karen)I don't know why you didn't post the picture of Renee that accompanied the article: (Maria)Scary, what you can find on the web...Sorry, er, lemons out of season... LMAO, ladies! *Perfect* Was searching without success for the Vito Corleone in the orange grove with the grandkid pic from Godfather, but yours comes awfully close, Maria!:-) Glad to see he's donned a sun hat; those liver spots are murder.;-) Now we need to find the third member of the trio . . . (Evelyn)You are noble, Lola to keep inquiring. Yes, she is. I'll bet lots of films have the same type of stops and starts, but we're just so sware of this one. Hang tough on those distribution rights, Lola--you guys are so much better at it than M."}, {"response": 466, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (18:52)", "body": "(Karen), Remember, Moon, there is no we here. ;-D That's right it's only me, moi, io, yo. Oui, oui! ;-)"}, {"response": 467, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (19:05)", "body": "Karen), Remember, Moon, there is no we here. ;-D (Moon Dream)That's right it's only me, moi, io, yo. Oui, oui! ;-) Ah, another ex(or current) choral member Or ODB bay bee bo boo! Sorry, the vino speaks!"}, {"response": 468, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (19:31)", "body": "(Beedee)I could do without any of the Gary the builder plot. Was trying to be diplomatic. Gary plot rates as high (or low) as Julio's time share scheme. :-|"}, {"response": 469, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (19:41)", "body": "(Beedee)I could do without any of the Gary the builder plot. (Sonia) Was trying to be diplomatic. Gary plot rates as high (or low) as Julio's time share scheme. :-| Good point! (huge sigh of relief--forgot precedence for discarding inconvenient parts of the book) All that is really required is one rescue per plot. We can have the bullet rescue or the Thai rescue (which is not to discount totally unconnected, yet-to-be-determined ultimate rescue!)"}, {"response": 470, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (19:57)", "body": "(Barb) which is not to discount totally unconnected, yet-to-be-determined ultimate rescue!) Are we talking Agani-Heeney type rescue, or searching through the seedy streets of London rescue or fighting off Canadian drug smugglers rescue? ;-)"}, {"response": 471, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (20:05)", "body": "(Barb)All that is really required is one rescue per plot. We can have the bullet rescue or the Thai rescue (which is not to discount totally unconnected, yet-to-be-determined ultimate rescue!) I opt for the bullet rescue because that utimately led to the kitchen scene, but I also liked the scene where Mark copied the IF poem just before Bridget left for Thailand. It's a hard one to call."}, {"response": 472, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (21:28)", "body": "(Linda)but I also liked the scene where Mark copied the IF poem just before Bridget left for Thailand. It's a hard one to call. Oh yes, the Persuasion clandistine note...love that. (Sonia)Are we talking Agani-Heeney type rescue.. LOL, and what a rescue it was!"}, {"response": 473, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (22:28)", "body": "(Sonia) Agani-Heeney type rescue Ah, as created rescues went, that was a good one. MD in pin-stripes and our girl looking competent for world-at-large, what more could you want?"}, {"response": 474, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (22:49)", "body": "(Beedee) what a rescue it was! (Barb) MD in pin-stripes and our girl looking competent for world-at-large \"Look. I have a plan.\" The look, the delivery, the sexy on camera voice and the lip thing. Yep, as created rescues went, that was a good one"}, {"response": 475, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (05:02)", "body": "This site owns the \"world representation\" of The Dead Wait. Perhaps worth bookmarking for future news. http://www.beyond.com.au/news/141.html"}, {"response": 476, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (09:33)", "body": "Thanks, Annette, it looks like this company is in charge of sales."}, {"response": 477, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (11:17)", "body": "Announcement to the trades today: Tommy Flanagan (\"Gladiator\") has joined the cast of the U.K. production \"Trauma\" for director Marc Evans. Flanagan will play the owner of a painting business that Colin Firth's character comes to work for. The actor, repped by Untitled Entertainment, next appears in Columbia Pictures' \"Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle.\""}, {"response": 478, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (12:51)", "body": "Flanagan will play the owner of a painting business that Colin Firth's character comes to work for. As in house painting? Or gallery paintings? Thank you, Annette you are finding treasures lately."}, {"response": 479, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (15:31)", "body": "Mari and Karen, LOL so very funny but unfortunately too true. If they don't get this filmed soon, IMO they all will look too old and instead of being funny, it'll be pathetic. Thanks for the news Lola. As usual most welcome and reassuring. Thanks for all the news ladies."}, {"response": 480, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (17:07)", "body": "(Moon) As in house painting? Or gallery paintings? LOL...based on the outfit I have seen, my guess is house painting! Unless, of course, he is unpacking stuff in the back room of a gallery. ;-)"}, {"response": 481, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (17:44)", "body": "The latest on TEOR from Variety (courtesy of comingsoon.net): Bridget Jones 2 Gets Director - http://comingsoon.net/news.php?id=327 On another colin-related topic, I have been trying (unsuccessfully) to start up a colin firth meetup group on meetup.com - would appreciate it if any and all interested parties could go here and request a \"firth.meetup.com\" url so that fans can form local groups worldwide. I think this site could really help stir interest in Colin and give his career a boost... (just mho, of course). It would also make it easier to arrange local group events without cluttering up Karen's lovely threads with items which are of interest only to a local few... :-)"}, {"response": 482, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (18:08)", "body": "(TressLOL...based on the outfit I have seen, my guess is house painting! ...another artist? GWAPE, HS, T? Wonder if he needs any colors mixed, ground, etc."}, {"response": 483, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (18:18)", "body": "(Linda) ...another artist? GWAPE, HS, T? Wonder if he needs any colors mixed, ground, etc. LOL...And I've got a canvas he can work on....it's nice and pale...er...I mean white...with very little in the way of previous markings! ;-)"}, {"response": 484, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (22:41)", "body": "A mention of Trauma in Screendaily's write-up about My Little Eye: My Little Eye opens in crowded markets Robert Mitchell in London 19 June 2003 UIP launched horror title My Little Eye into four European territories last weekend to varying success amongst crowded markets. The Spanish launch saw $250,843 (Euros 212,715) for sixth position from 140 screens \ufffd an average of just $1,792. The release put Marc Evans\ufffd film up against bigger budget Hollywood releases including Filmax\ufffds Bulletproof Monk, Columbia\ufffds I Spy and UIP stablemate How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days. The film suffered similar problems in Denmark where it opened ninth with $18,756 (DKR 118,032) from 12 screens. The Netherlands performed better taking $75,350 from just 25 screens for sixth position and an average of $3,014, while Belgium landed $36,833 from 17 screens. Italy \ufffd where the horror genre frequently performs well \ufffd has proven the most lucrative market for UIP which opened the film to $421,627 from 114 screens on May 9 where it has grossed $975,652 to date. Other key territories include Mexico ($380,254) and Brazil ($158,121) which opened My Little Eye on May 30. UIP has recorded $2.1m from the title in 11 territories so far with Greece receiving the film this Friday (June 20) and upcoming major territories including Korea (Aug 15) and Australia (Sept 4). My Little Eye proved a big hit last year in the UK where it opened with $1.4m (\ufffd840,633) from 255 sites on Oct 4 for Momentum Pictures before going on to take $4.5m (\ufffd2.7m). Its home entertainment release is also going strong with 44,000 units sold since April 21. The two-disc special edition DVD (r.r.p. \ufffd19.99) accounts for 79% of sales, leaving video (r.r.p.. \ufffd9.99) with 21%. Evans is currently in London completely principal photography on his latest horror title, Trauma, starring Colin Firth and Mena Suvari. Myriad Pictures is handling sales and has pre-sold several, as yet unnamed, territories."}, {"response": 485, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (06:18)", "body": "Variety 6/20: After years of film companies competing to get a Janis Joplin bio to the bigscreen, Paramount Pictures and Lakeshore are aiming an early 2004 start for \"Piece of My Heart,\" with Renee Zellweger to star.... (You need a subscription to read more)"}, {"response": 486, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (08:18)", "body": "(Mary Murphy)Paramount Pictures and Lakeshore are aiming an early 2004 start for \"Piece of My Heart,\" with Renee Zellweger to star.... (You need a subscription to read more) If this goes ahead, she'll not be shedding the pounds after BJD, as previously reported. I don't remember JJ being very slim. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------"}, {"response": 487, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (08:20)", "body": "Sorry, Karen, we're posting in wrong topic."}, {"response": 488, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (09:09)", "body": "we're posting in wrong topic. Give the lady a gold star. ;-D"}, {"response": 489, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Jun 21, 2003 (18:46)", "body": "Ouch!!"}, {"response": 490, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 22, 2003 (13:35)", "body": "FYI, in the US, a gold star is v.g. Equivalent to getting an A on an exam. Receiving one shouldn't hurt. :)"}, {"response": 491, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jun 22, 2003 (21:21)", "body": "JULY 27, 2003--Event: The London premiere of \"What a Girl Wants\". Amanda Bynes returns to London to attend the British premiere of the film. (Thanks to Robert at the AB fansite.) Looks like WAGW has finally left the theaters here; three months in release, a little over $36 million in box office, putting it #28 on the top 150 list for 2003 so far. Pretty good, I think. Also, having now seen Hope Springs, I must say that WAGW is the better film, IMO."}, {"response": 492, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Jun 22, 2003 (22:34)", "body": "Thanks Mari. Did we read somewhere that he was not planning on any appearances for this? Also, having now seen Hope Springs, I must say that WAGW is the better film, IMO. Was it the full size or the small?"}, {"response": 493, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (09:24)", "body": "(Mari)Looks like WAGW has finally left the theaters here; \"Not in my backyard\";-)...still playing in two cinemas here:-))) (Mari) Also, having now seen Hope Springs, I must say that WAGW is the better film, IMO. Ditto. So take that Mark Herman!"}, {"response": 494, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (11:11)", "body": "Will have to keep this in mind when watching to see if he registers all these emotions on his face: \"Ben stares at it and at her, bewildered, appalled, lost.\" But I feel a big EOWW coming on for this: \"Ben becomes aware of an ant on his cheek. He flicks it quickly away, he hopes unnoticed.\""}, {"response": 495, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (11:28)", "body": "(Mari)Looks like WAGW has finally left the theaters here; (Evelyn)\"Not in my backyard\";-)...still playing in two cinemas here:-))) It's still playing at 2 theatres in VA Beach too. Probably because it's been raining here practically every weekend since April and those poor tourists don't know what else to do ;-). (BeeDee)Was it the full size or the small? *snort*... had to go back and read this a leeeettle slower;-)"}, {"response": 496, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (11:39)", "body": "(Karen) Will have to keep this in mind when watching to see if he registers all these emotions on his face Which will require multiple viewing until the DVD becomes available. Oh the trauma of it all! ;-) \"Ben becomes aware of an ant on his cheek.\" Don't look now Ben. Previous reports indicate there are more to come. If they get in your pants and you wanna dance, do WAGW and get up off that thang..."}, {"response": 497, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (12:17)", "body": "(Bee Dee)Was it the full size or the small? Are you asking how big my monitor is?;-) Not one of CF's best efforts, IMO, but it still didn't deserve the critical drubbing it received. Better than a number of \"comedies\" out there. Will put any spoilers on the spoilers topic (if anyone is still interested in discussing). (Evelyn)\"Not in my backyard\";-)...still playing in two cinemas here:-))) (Ada)It's still playing at 2 theatres in VA Beach too. Sorry, sorry, I should know better than to speak for the entire land mass. Reports of its demise have apparently been greatly exaggerated.;-) (Karen)\"Ben becomes aware of an ant on his cheek. He flicks it quickly away, he hopes unnoticed.\" Ooooh, we have a script, do we?? Let me guess the next line of dialogue: Ben: \"Pardon my schmutz.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 498, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (12:21)", "body": "(Mari)Are you asking how big my monitor is?;-) Yes, and we all know that size does matter;-)"}, {"response": 499, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (13:00)", "body": "(Mari) Sorry, sorry, I should know better than to speak for the entire land mass. Reports of its demise have apparently been greatly exaggerated.;-) Yes, they have! Still in one theater in the greater Washington, DC, area too (I say \"greater\" because it's really closer to Annapolis) - in fact, I just went to see it again last Thursday."}, {"response": 500, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (14:59)", "body": "(Mari)Not one of CF's best efforts, IMO, but it still didn't deserve the critical drubbing it received I agree, it had its moments and lots of them were enjoyable. Towel scenes were fantastic. I know the critics weren't interested in that part, but what the heck."}, {"response": 501, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (15:27)", "body": "(Rika)in fact, I just went to see it again last Thursday. Ok! Lemme see, how many does that make? MVP award may have to change hands;-) Do I hear Linda packing bags to take a room in Annapolis?"}, {"response": 502, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (16:41)", "body": "No, that's just 13 for me. Linda is still the WAGW Queen, as far as I know anyway, with 15."}, {"response": 503, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (07:17)", "body": "Canvas to page to film A celebrated painting so moved Tracy Chevalier that she wrote a novel about its subject By GAYLE MacDONALD From Wednesday's Globe and Mail Before she put pen to paper, author Tracy Chevalier sat quietly with the Girl with a Pearl Earring -- often called the Dutch Mona Lisa -- in the Mauritshuis section of The Hague. ''It's in a small room, and is hung looking across at View of Delft,\" remembers the 40-year-old writer. \"My eyes were like ping-pong balls, darting frantically back and forth from painting to painting. I found it very hard to leave the room.\" Chevalier -- whose eponymous novel was inspired by Girl with a Pearl Earring by the Flemish painter Johannes Vermeer -- recalls sitting for hours in the museum, assessing the portrait of the 17th-Century unknown girl/woman. Years before, Chevalier had bought a poster of the famed art work. And for the better part of a decade the author says she was bemused and bewildered by Vermeer's enigmatic subject. Was she 12? Or 22? Where did she come from? What would she do with her life? Why was the girl, turned three-quarters around, looking at the painter in that way, tempting on one hand, but also timid. It was these questions that motivated Chevalier to write Girl with a Pearl Earring. A book that Chevalier says she knew was \"half-decent\" when she was finished writing the final chapter in the fall of 1998. But never dreamed would take off, largely through word-of-mouth, to sell more than 2-million copies. In November, Chevalier's novel becomes a film, starring the British actor Colin Firth (Bridget Jones Diary, Shakespeare in Love) as Vermeer and Hollywood newcomer Scarlett Johansson (The Horse Whisperer, An American Rhapsody) as the mysterious \"girl,\" whom Chevalier named Griet, and fictionalized as a maid who worked for the painter, and eventually became his muse. \"Even after all that time in the museum, I felt I didn't get enough of her. I couldn't get her,\" says Chevalier, who was recently at the Banff Television Festival to talk about her experience transitioning a novel into a screenplay. 'I couldn't get her. It's like an itch that can't be scratched. The expression on the girl's face is a very ambiguous one. It's impossible to pin down what she's thinking. I couldn't get the thought out of my head that she had a lot of growing up to do. So as much as anything else, I guess my book -- and the upcoming film -- is a coming-of-age story.\" It's a brilliant morning in a coffee shop on the main street of Banff, and Chevalier, a little bleary-eyed, admits it's now more than five years since she wrote Griet's story, but she still does not tire of speaking about her. She and her husband, a BBC veteran for 20 years, had arrived in the Rockies from London the night before. Their four-year-old son, still on British time, had risen at 4:30 a.m. \"So we went for a walk, looking for bears and elk,\" says the author, somewhat ruefully. \"We didn't find any.\" Her husband, now a television consultant, comes to the Banff TV fest each year. Chevalier tagged along because she was invited to host a master class along with Olivia Hetreed, the woman who wrote the script for the film, produced by Archer Street Productions, and to be distributed by Vancouver's Lions Gate Films. Chevalier, dressed in a wrinkled white t-shirt and tweedy jacket, readily admits she was nervous about letting her book go into the hands of a screenwriter. (This is Hetreed's first feature film, after years of writing television scripts such as the 1997 British telefilm, The Canterville Ghost). But she finally settled on Hertreed and the Archer Street folks because they were un-Hollywood and promised to stick to the \"emotional truth\" of the novel. \"Every writer dreams about their book being made into a film. I had hopes for this because it's a very visual story, but I was also very nervous and somewhat ambivalent because so many books that become movies fall flat,\" adds Chevalier. Shot last November in Luxembourg, the film was originally to star Ralph Fiennes and Kate Hudson. Kirsten Dunst was also reportedly interested in the role, but all fell through because of a lack of financing. As the book took off, the money for the film eventually firmed up. Chevalier says she's ecstatic with the actors who are playing the leading roles, adding that Griet is a tough character to play since her role actually has very little dialogue. \"It's a very visual book, and a very visual film,\" the writer says. \"Griet does a lot of watching, and very little talking. Scarlett plays it perfectly.\" At the Banff session, Hetreed described the film as a domestic thriller. The first-time director Peter Webber calls it a movie about painting. But with a twist. \"It's also about money and sex and obsession and power and repression watching people who want to shag each other's brains out and not being able to,\" he said recently. \"That's much more interesting than seeing people do it.\" Chevalier agrees, adding that it "}, {"response": 504, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (08:17)", "body": "\"It's also about money and sex and obsession and power and repression watching people who want to shag each other's brains out and not being able to,\" LOL, there's the attraction for ODB! Sounds like P&P2. Can't wait to see all this frustration on screen. ;-)"}, {"response": 505, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (09:06)", "body": "Oops, got so caught up in all that \" repression watching people who want to shag each other's brains out and not being able to \", I forgot the rest of my post. Chevalier says she's ecstatic with the actors who are playing the leading roles (...) Griet does a lot of watching, and very little talking. Scarlett plays it perfectly (...) It may have been said before so please forgive the repeat. Casting for the leads is on the money. SJ did a great job in An American Rhapsody and the Horse Whisperer. She'll be wonderful as Griet and will hold her own next to ODB and TW. Thanks for the insightful article, Mari."}, {"response": 506, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (09:13)", "body": "(Sonia)Thanks for the insightful article, Mari. I agree... great article. This makes me even more hopeful about GWAPE."}, {"response": 507, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (09:41)", "body": "\"He travelled all over Europe to see Vermeer's paintings. He took painting lessons and learned how to make his own brushes and grind his own paint. He was very engaged in the script.\" Doing the Rafe bit....at last a meaty subject. \"Dump the fluff, Colin.\""}, {"response": 508, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (09:42)", "body": "adding that Griet is a tough character to play since her role actually has very little dialogue. Wot?! And Vermeer is a chatterbox? Didn't someone here count how many words he said in the book? *snort* The first-time director Peter Webber calls it a movie about painting. But with a twist. \"It's also about money and sex and obsession and power and repression watching people who want to shag each other's brains out and not being able to,\" he said recently. \"That's much more interesting than seeing people do it.\" I can see where Colin and Webber would get on famously. ;-D Thanks Mari."}, {"response": 509, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (10:37)", "body": "Thanks Mari! Great article. \"Griet does a lot of watching, and very little talking. Scarlett plays it perfectly.\" I thought she did great non-verbal acting in Horse Whisperer. Chevalier says Firth, 42, read everything he could lay his hands on about the artist. \"And I thought, yes!\" Because he became obsessive in a way that I believe Vermeer would have been obsessive about his paintings. Oooo, good sign I think. She seemed reticent in a past post. .... he became obsessive ....... Us too!"}, {"response": 510, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (11:25)", "body": "\"It's also about money and sex and obsession and power and repression watching people who want to shag each other's brains out and not being able to,\" he said recently. \"That's much more interesting than seeing people do it.\" (Karen), I can see where Colin and Webber would get on famously. ;-D ROTF, Karen! Now we know what Colin did on his summer vacation. ;-) Colin and Scarlett are very different from each other in how they approached their roles. Hmmm. Thanks, Mari!"}, {"response": 511, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (13:02)", "body": "\"Griet does a lot of watching, and very little talking. Scarlett plays it perfectly.\" (Beedee) I thought she did great non-verbal acting in Horse Whisperer. I never saw The Horse Whisperer, but thought SJ was outstanding in 'Ghost World' and 'The Man Who Wasn't There'. She is a very 'still' actress in those two films. Something I saw in Griet when I read the book. When I heard she was cast, I thought it was a perfect choice (cannot imagine Kate Hudson or Kirsten Dunst in the part, though I think they are both fine actresses). Was intruged by this mullet talk....found a pic. Actually not as scary as I imagined...LOL....wow....I just said that about a mullet . But to be fair, it is more Mrs. Brady shag than John Taylor mullet.....I guess that is just as bad.....;-) Thanks for the article Mari!"}, {"response": 512, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (13:39)", "body": "Mari, thanks for the article. How encouraging to read that the author is pleased with the film and with the actors and script in particular. Ooof, more of that 6'1\" of repressed sexuality. Bring it on! ;-) Colin became a complete Vermeer egghead. He travelled all over Europe to see Vermeer's paintings. He took painting lessons and learned how to make his own brushes and grind his own paint. He was very engaged in the script.\" Firth, 42, read everything he could lay his hands on about the artist. \"And I thought, yes!\" Because he became obsessive in a way that I believe Vermeer would have been obsessive about his paintings. Hurrah for obsessive eggheads! LOL, I guess we can all relate to his obsessive qualities. I prefer to think of it as \"passion\", as it sounds less like a disorder. ;-)"}, {"response": 513, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (14:20)", "body": "Lisa) I prefer to think of it as \"passion\", as it sounds less like a disorder. ;-) Oh my, but I do love that *disordered* feeling........"}, {"response": 514, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (15:51)", "body": "(Lisa)Hurrah for obsessive eggheads! CF did say he was a nerd... Makes me want to get out my MIT \"Nerd Pride\" badge. Such illustrious company! (Beedee)Oh my, but I do love that *disordered* feeling........ Well of course you would! ;-) We are in the asylum anyway."}, {"response": 515, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (15:59)", "body": "( newbie Shoshana)Well of course you would! ;-) We are in the asylum anyway. Ok! Where's that winkie?;-) My meds for an ODB disorder is a glass or two of a lovely chilled chardonnay and a visit to the Drool doctors;-)"}, {"response": 516, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (16:23)", "body": "(Beedee)My meds for an ODB disorder is a glass or two of a lovely chilled chardonnay and a visit to the Drool doctors;-) Don't forget to take a 6-hour dose of Darcy along with your chardonnay for best possible results. It always works for me;-)"}, {"response": 517, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (17:11)", "body": "(Shoshana)CF did say he was a nerd... Makes me want to get out my MIT \"Nerd Pride\" badge. Such illustrious company! Can't understand why he says this. I've known a few nerds in my time, and CF doesn't remotely resemble any of them. He must know how attractive he is to women. He'd have to be crazy not to!!"}, {"response": 518, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (17:28)", "body": "Mari, thank you for the article. Very informative. I can only second (or third or whatever) has been said by the lovely ladies from the Asylum, and those \"keeping up appereances\" outsite ;-))"}, {"response": 519, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (19:49)", "body": "Thanks Mari for the really great article. He does frustration so well. This should be great. I read before where he really researches his parts and GWAPE is obviously no exception."}, {"response": 520, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (20:57)", "body": "Hen)Don't forget to take a 6-hour dose of Darcy along with your chardonnay for best possible results. It always works for me;-) LOL, see my post on Darcy Drool;-) (Janet)Can't understand why he says this. I've known a few nerds in my time, and CF doesn't remotely resemble any of them. He must know how attractive he is to women. He'd have to be crazy not to!! Funny you should mention this but I read the nerd post earlier today and while making dinner my mind drifted back to it and I was ruminating on and was amused at how much that term has altered in meaning since my high school days! And ever such a long time ago that was:-0 Today (perhaps only in the US?) being a computer nerd for instance is a point of pride. The term has come up in the world as someone knowledgable and not an AV guy with baggy high water pants and white socks! Hey, that's fashionable now too! So's my curly hair.....you just have to live long enough!"}, {"response": 521, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (06:53)", "body": "Mari, great article, thanks so much. \"It's a very visual book, and a very visual film,\" the writer says. \"Griet does a lot of watching, and very little talking. Scarlett plays it perfectly.\" I hope someone talks...butI love \"visual.\" I know where my vision will be focused for the first 5 viewings, at least!!!"}, {"response": 522, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (10:51)", "body": "(linda), I hope someone talks...butI love \"visual.\" I can watch him nuzzle on BJ's neck over & over. ;-) And then there's \"Colin Unplugged.\""}, {"response": 523, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (03:46)", "body": "Baz Bamigboye \ufffdDaily Mail, 27 June 03 Mr Darcy lets us see his dark side Colin Firth leads me through the basement room. \ufffdThe blood on there looks real, doesn\ufffdt it?\ufffd he says, pointing to the doors of what appears to be a body freezer in a morgue. \ufffdWe\ufffdre in a morgue?\ufffd I ask. \ufffdIt\ufffds a morgue\ufffdbut it\ufffds not really\ufffd. In fact it\ufffds a carefully cobwebbed, bloodsplattered set for his new film \ufffd a very different affair from his romantic lead role as Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary. He stars with Mena Suvari (American Beauty and American Pie 2) in Trauma, a psychological chiller, which Marc Evans is directing for the aptly named Ministry of Fear film company. On this day, however, they\ufffdre shooting in the bowels of the old Midland Hotel by St Pancras station, London. Some of the cast and crew believe it\ufffds haunted. The wife of Colin\ufffds character, Ben, has been killed in a car crash: \ufffdMy apartment is an old ward in an old hospital and this is supposed to be the morgue.\ufffd Although I know it\ufffds only a movie, the place gives me the creeps. Colin tells me I should have been around the previous day when he had to handle a live tarantula \ufffd\ufffdnot something you do every day at the office\ufffd. As Colin puts it, his character \ufffdis deeply traumatised and he has a problem recalling what his reality was before the car accident, so we see the world through his very confused eyes. \ufffdHe lives alone in this flat and his world is very unsettling.\ufffd Colin thinks a little bit of fear is good for us. \ufffdIf you spend your life wanting to keep everything light, you might end of a little bit twisted. I\ufffdd be suspicious of someone who is only ever laughing.\ufffd Mena (pictured here with Colin) plays a neighbour, who tries to help him. After all this darkness, Colin gets a bit of light relief with Renee Zellweger on the Bridget Jones sequel. Later in the year his films Girl With a Pearl Earring and Love Actually go on release. (Nice pic of a traumatised looking Ben, which I will scan later if nobody else can)"}, {"response": 524, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (07:07)", "body": "Thanks for the ineresting articles, Aishling and Mari. Colin tells me I should have been around the previous day when he had to handle a live tarantula The more I read about Trauma the less I believe I will like it ;-)"}, {"response": 525, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (07:31)", "body": "Thanks for the article, aishling. With the blood & spiders & weirdness, I don't think I'll have too much trouble getting the dh to go to this movie with me :) +++Colin tells me I should have been around the previous day when he had to handle a live tarantula+++ **giggle** Everytime I see a spider up on screen, I think of John Goodman busting in with spider poison! Colin's character is an arachnophobe!!!"}, {"response": 526, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (07:42)", "body": "(aishling)Colin tells me I should have been around the previous day when he had to handle a live tarantula Oh my, I do have a problem. I have always had a spider phobia, and although with treatment, it is manageable, I still don't think I could watch a film where ODB has to handle one. Let's hope it doesn't make the final edit, although I imagine that's unlikely!"}, {"response": 527, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (09:29)", "body": "Thanks, Aishling. Nice to see Baz covering Colin's work. I expect they should be wrapping up fairly soon, the eight weeks being over. Not too crazy about all the insects in this film either, but it is aimed at a whole different audience than his usual. If you can scan the pic, Aishling, send it to me at my \"office.\" ;-D"}, {"response": 528, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (09:53)", "body": "Colin tells me I should have been around the previous day when he had to handle a live tarantula Taratulas, why'd it have to be tarantulas! (My ode to Indiana Jones) Thanks for the heads up. I can now plan for a strategic bathroom break."}, {"response": 529, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (09:55)", "body": "(Karen) I expect they should be wrapping up fairly soon, the eight weeks being over. Somewhere in my readings, I thought I saw it wrapped last week."}, {"response": 530, "author": "socadook", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (10:02)", "body": "Thanks for the article Aisling. The whole morgue thing brought to mind Edgar Allan Poe for some reason. (Nitae) The more I read about Trauma the less I believe I will like it The more I read about Trauma the more I believe I will like it: an unsettling, dark, twisted tale with bloody walls and creepy crawlers (enter Vincent Price: \"for no mere mortal can resist the evil of the thriller, ha ha ha ha ha ha ha\") A scary/scared Colin. Can hardly wait, he suffers so well! ;-D (Baz) Colin tells me I should have been around the previous day when he had to handle a live tarantula Can't you just see the little boy delight ODB had sharing this? :-)"}, {"response": 531, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (10:15)", "body": "Thanks, Aishling, for the latest on Trauma! I hope you all take this the right way, but it sounds as though Colin is finally doing a \"guy appeal movie.\" Which, let's face it, usually has a better shot at getting distribution and decent box office. I see that 2 of his co-stars, Naomie Harris (Trauma) and Cillian Murphy (GWAPE) are in 28 Days Later, which opens here today and is getting some great reviews. Off to read *your* latest Hope Springs reviews on 177. Ouch!;-)"}, {"response": 532, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (10:40)", "body": "Thanks, Aishling for the informative article. Trauma looks like my kind of film...No bathroom breaks for me (sorry Dorine);-) Right up my vicolo."}, {"response": 533, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (11:18)", "body": "Here's the Daily Mail pic, scanned by JennieT: Since Mena is wearing the raincoat again, I'm wondering if that day in the Waterloo Market was an \"official\" press day. Very possible."}, {"response": 534, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (11:44)", "body": "I like the pic. Good ole Baz. Thanks to Jennie and Aishling. No navy blue suit in this one."}, {"response": 535, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (11:49)", "body": "Thank you, Aishling! And Karen! (Colin),I know it\ufffds only a movie, Oh to have this on a loup! LOL! Is all this pre-publicity good for the movie?"}, {"response": 536, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (12:02)", "body": "Aishling has sent me another scan of the pic, which I've put on the Trauma page: http://www.firth.com/trauma.html I probably should put up the *big* one too. ;-D"}, {"response": 537, "author": "socadook", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (12:33)", "body": "Aisling, JennieT, Karen, great job! Absolutely love the picture (sans Mena ;-)) Mr. Darcy lets us see his dark side LOL. \"Come to the Dark Side, Darcy. We can rule the universe as father and son. NO OO OO oo oo . Ben why didn't you tell me *sob*\" ;-)"}, {"response": 538, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (12:39)", "body": "Because size does matter, from Aishling:"}, {"response": 539, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (13:53)", "body": "OMG, don't we need a Stubble Alert for this one? Thank you Karen, Aishling, and Jennie for this fabulous pic. More on this later, right now I'm too Traumatised."}, {"response": 540, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (13:58)", "body": "Naomie Harris is the cover story on this week's Time Out NY magazine. The story is for the PR for 28 Days Later, but one little bit about Trauma.... Next up is a lead in another thriller, Trauma , which Harris calls an \"ironic\" choice. (\"I don't like movies like that -- I get terrified,\" she says. This time she costars with Colin Firth and Mena Suvari. She's shooting the film in London, concurrently with a small role in The Thunderbirds , based on England's cult '60s TV show (the film, starring Bill Paxton, is set for a 2004 release). All the action has left Harris with few moments to ponder the prospect of stardom. \"I had lunch with Mena Suvari the other day,\" Harris says. \"She was saying how she's realized that no matter where she goes, she'll always be recognized.[Ed.--stifling the urge to make a snide remark]. I haven't thought about that. All I've thought about is, I love acting ---this is what I want to do. The thing is not to take it too seriously.\" Then she adds, \"Of course, that's easy for me to say. It hasn't yet happened to me.\""}, {"response": 541, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (14:32)", "body": "Good G*d! I love that photo in both sizes......but size does count! Thanks to all who made it possible!"}, {"response": 542, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (14:51)", "body": "\"I had lunch with Mena Suvari the other day,\" Harris says. \"She was saying how she's realized that no matter where she goes, she'll always be recognized.[Ed.--stifling the urge to make a snide remark]. I went to the premiere of her movie \"Spun\" in LA. And I was standing right next to her and did not recognize her. LOL! She looks different on person."}, {"response": 543, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (15:52)", "body": "I wouldn't know Mena Suvari if she was on my windshield."}, {"response": 544, "author": "socadook", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (16:28)", "body": "(Dorine) [Ed.--stifling the urge to make a snide remark]. (Moon) And I was standing right next to her and did not recognize her. (Evelyn) I wouldn't know Mena Suvari if she was on my windshield. ROTFL. I love this place. :-)"}, {"response": 545, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (16:45)", "body": "Thanks for the stubble fest. Size always counts around here!"}, {"response": 546, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (18:48)", "body": "(Evelyn)I wouldn't know Mena Suvari if she was on my windshield. Cause then she'd be dead?;-) Ok, ok I'm gonna stop with that now......"}, {"response": 547, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Jun 28, 2003 (00:06)", "body": "Colin tells me I should have been around the previous day when he had to handle a live tarantula \ufffd ODB and I have something in common! I, too, am a tarantula handler. It was years ago.....but I have held two in my lifetime. You have to be very careful with them....they look incredibly scary, but if you drop them...their teensy little legs call fall off! (Mari) I see that 2 of his co-stars, Naomie Harris (Trauma) and Cillian Murphy (GWAPE) are in 28 Days Later, which opens here today and is getting some great reviews. Same director (Danny Boyle) as Trainspotting/Shallow Grave. I'm actually going to go see this....who can pass up a zombie movie? ;-D And Tommy Flannagan is in Charlie's Angels Full Throttle..... (Dorine and Time Out Magazine) I had lunch with Mena Suvari the other day,\" Harris says. \"She was saying how she's realized that no matter where she goes, she'll always be recognized. [Ed.--stifling the urge to make a snide remark]. Ohhh....don't stifle! I did a full belly laugh! Thanks Aishling for the article and for providing the pic....and thanks Karen for making ODB bigger....OMG! I cannot wait to see this! I'm not a horror film person (the zombie movie is a one off), but I did like The Sixth Sense and The Others....if it falls into that line....who am I kidding?? even if it doesn't.....I'll be a happy, traumatized camper. ODB looks amazing (I'm a stubble convert)!"}, {"response": 548, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Sat, Jun 28, 2003 (11:14)", "body": "Here 2 german reviews about WAGW ...Only the chemestry between Colin Firth , who plays the refined father of the cheeky brat, and Bynes keep the viewer still in the chair. Until the drippy Happy-End befalls the by all the prediction tired out audiance, only the charme of the two actores wake the unfulfilled hope of a bit more creativity and romantic surprise. With his patchwork of stolen ideas and tired gags he (the director) was able to catch brit-beau Colin Firth but keeps wearing the grey dress of an idealess cinema newcomer. With Kelly Preston, Jonathan Pryce, Colin Firth and Newcomer Amanda Bynes likeable casted , is director Donnie Gordons harmless version of the never disused Cinderella theme a fairytale, warm-hearted, of course predictable Teen-comedy like \ufffdthe princess diaries\ufffd ,what Teenagers, also in this case, without a doubt will enjoy. Not very encouraging, I know, but I still think the movie can make it here. Anyway I hope my transaltion is correct."}, {"response": 549, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 28, 2003 (11:25)", "body": "but keeps wearing the grey dress of an idealess cinema newcomer. Is this a common expression in Germany? Thanks, Petra! I'm glad you git to see it. I wonder when it will playing in Italy? He always seems to do a press junket there. ;-) Does anyone have any information about the new Firth baby?"}, {"response": 550, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Sat, Jun 28, 2003 (13:05)", "body": "Maybe not a common expression, but known. I don\ufffdt know if there is an \"english version\" of it so I translated it word for word.I hope it is clear what they wanted to say (simply that the story is not new and without creativity)."}, {"response": 551, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 28, 2003 (13:34)", "body": "(Petra)I hope it is clear what they wanted to say (simply that the story is not new and without creativity). Thanks Petra; I got the drift. And I concur, but it is still a charmer. The reviewer obviously didn't see \"Joe Dirt\" , the director's previous project or they would have applauded WAGW."}, {"response": 552, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 28, 2003 (15:43)", "body": "You did very well, Petra. Thanks for translating. It seems the critic has picked up on what works best in this film: the relationship between the two leads."}, {"response": 553, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Jun 28, 2003 (21:01)", "body": "Petra, vielen dank for the translation! but keeps wearing the grey dress of an idealess cinema newcomer. I like this expression! And although it is a grey dress of a movie, the Cinderalla story has always worked for me! I loved WAGW....though it was a bit predictable, ODB did a great job as a man trying to figure out what it really means to be a dad. Thanks again Petra!!"}, {"response": 554, "author": "socadook", "date": "Sun, Jun 29, 2003 (14:33)", "body": "Thanks for the translation, Petra. Not always easy to do. Hope you enjoy the movie. Crossing fingers the grey dress of an idealess cinema newcomer won't deter the German public from seeing this movie and enjoying the chemestry between Colin Firth , who plays the refined father of the cheeky brat, and Bynes (Karen) ...what works best in this film: the relationship between the two leads. Without question. It certainly wasn't the HD/Libby thing. Or the Cinderella/evil stepmother/sister thing. Or the evil politician thing. Or..."}, {"response": 555, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Jun 29, 2003 (23:05)", "body": "Oh my, loved the Trauma pics and article. Thanks Aishling and Jennie for sharing them with us, and Karen, for posting them ASAP. I'm not a horror film buff, but I'll happily make an exception, and cover my eyes when necessary.;-) I'm wondering if all of these creepy crawlies are supposed to be manifestations of his mind? Blech! Tress, just how do you know their little legs break off? Dorine, LOL, at the MS comment!"}, {"response": 556, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (09:11)", "body": "Thanks Karen, Aishling, and Jennie!! Always nice when one has to be without Drool for a few days to come back to a nice new stubblicious pic like that! Don;t think I've seen this interview before from the TIOBE junket. (But I can't turn up the volume here at work either! Grr!!) Reminds me of the \"Lisa\" tape in that he just seems to be talking (and looking very handsome in black..)11 minutes long and he is on for the first 6 and then it is OP... http://www.comingsoon.it/cs/interviste.asp Then search for his name"}, {"response": 557, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (10:03)", "body": "Maria, you come up with the best finds. I don't remember seeing this but if I did, it was great to see it again. As always, AFG. Thank you"}, {"response": 558, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (13:11)", "body": "(LisaJH) I'm wondering if all of these creepy crawlies are supposed to be manifestations of his mind? Blech! I was just thinking about this! I don't think tarantulas are native to England...my guess is that he's got something going on mentally....as I don't think you would just run into one in London. (LisaJH) Tress, just how do you know their little legs break off? Sad story involving a 'pet' and my father dropping her...from about 3 feet. Tarantulas have an exoskeleton...as well as very sensitive abdomens. Wasn't pretty. My guess is that ODB doesn't have particular allergies either as the hairs on their bellys can cause you irritation (it is a defense mechanism). ODB could have broken out in a rash if he handled her too long (or maybe they had something on his skin...)."}, {"response": 559, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (16:20)", "body": "New shoot date for TEOR is September. Will update more later."}, {"response": 560, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (16:58)", "body": "(Tress)ODB could have broken out in a rash if he handled her too long (or maybe they had something on his skin...). Oooo, here I come with my Love Potion #9! Thanks Lola! Now what this we're hearing about John Travolta?;-) ducking"}, {"response": 561, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (18:04)", "body": "Thank you, Lola. September sounds great to me."}, {"response": 562, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (18:58)", "body": "September filming of TEoR should leave ODB time to vacation in Italy after the new arrival, do publicity for GWAPE and LA, and leave him free for early 2004 for TDW. Capital, Capital."}, {"response": 563, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (19:24)", "body": "News on HS!!! The release date is for the end of this year or the beginning of next year. The movie posters had been taken down and I asked for it only to be told that they are keeping it for when the movie is released."}, {"response": 564, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (19:48)", "body": "(Lola) New shoot date for TEOR is September. (Moon) News on HS!!! The release date is for the end of this year or the beginning of next year. Now you're talking! Thank you both for the wonderful news."}, {"response": 565, "author": "KathyLC", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (19:49)", "body": "With just those two options, I'm certainly hoping they choose next year. How sad if they bring it out with the holiday releases. It wouldn't stand a chance. Of course if you ask Karen, it doesn't stand a chance no matter when it's released! ;-D I guess I've officially delurked."}, {"response": 566, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (21:51)", "body": "See Kathy, it wasn't as scary as you thought it would be. Welcome from another newbie to the Class of 2003. Glad you are here."}, {"response": 567, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (22:24)", "body": "So Kathy, come on in. No need to enter through the back door."}, {"response": 568, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (23:03)", "body": "(Moon) The release date is for the end of this year or the beginning of next year. I wonder if they are hoping to ride in on some of the GWAPE/LA publicity? If HS is as bad as some say...I almost wish it would come out on DVD (now) than wait until early next year for a theater release. Heresy....I know!!! Would like to see ODB concentrate on GWAPE promo stuff. I would just rather see it now (haven't had the ability to download it)...than wait until GWAPE gets released and have ODB deal with the bad/mediocre reviews for HS overshadowing the good (I am optimistic) reviews for GWAPE and LA. I'm ready to dodge the tomatoes! I suppose I'll go see it if it comes to the theater! ;-D And KathyLC!!"}, {"response": 569, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (23:12)", "body": "(Moon) only to be told that they are keeping it for when the movie is released. I'm not sure how authoritative the kid behind the concession stand is. *starting baseless rumors again* ;-D Remember, that end-of-year date was slapped on when they opted out of April. Meaningless. (Sonia) Of course if you ask Karen, it doesn't stand a chance no matter when it's released! ;-D And fortunately for you, no one asks me. ;-)"}, {"response": 570, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Jul  1, 2003 (00:13)", "body": "(Hola Lola)New shoot date for TEOR is September. Will update more later. This sounds great, and good timing too, what with his family committments."}, {"response": 571, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jul  1, 2003 (11:02)", "body": "(Moon) only to be told that they are keeping it for when the movie is released. (Karen), I'm not sure how authoritative the kid behind the concession stand is. *starting baseless rumors again* ;-D Knowing me Karen, do you really think I'd take a kid's word? I went to the manager in his office and he looked it up. At this point I don't really give a d... if HS opens here or not. It is that bad. He looks great in the poster, though, and that was my aim. Chuck it up to rumour if you wish. ;-)"}, {"response": 572, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  1, 2003 (11:26)", "body": "I'd chalk it up to the mgr being issued out-of-date release."}, {"response": 573, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Jul  1, 2003 (14:52)", "body": "(Moon)He looks great in the poster, though, and that was my aim. What a sad comment on the movie when the poster is the best part! Try asking the manager if you can put your name on the back of the poster so that you can have it after the movie has been and gone, assuming it gets a release. (I don't know if a movie theater would bother, but we used to have a nice little independent video store nearby that would let customers pre-claim posters and stuff.) (Hola Lola)New shoot date for TEOR is September. Will update more later. Thanks for the info. Am now off to light candles in hopes that he'll be filming in London while I'm there this fall. Welcome, Kathy LC!"}, {"response": 574, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Jul  1, 2003 (15:57)", "body": "Just got my DVD of the Advocate this afternoon. Interesting that the blurb on the back has been updated to show more recent credits for the stars: \"Screen favorites Colin Firth ( What a Girl Wants, Bridget Jones's Diary ) and Ian Holm ( The Lord of the Rings trilogy, From Hell ) star in The Advocate ... \" I think the rest of the blurb is the same. Makes me wonder if this would have gone to DVD if its stars hadn't been in recent high-profile movies? (Karen, if I've posted this on the wrong board, please move it)"}, {"response": 575, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jul  1, 2003 (17:00)", "body": "Kate, thanks for the DVD report! I assume it's really \"The Advocate\" and not HoTP? Sigh."}, {"response": 576, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jul  2, 2003 (07:30)", "body": "Kate)Just got my DVD of the Advocate this afternoon.. Rika)Kate, thanks for the DVD report! I assume it's really \"The Advocate\" and not HoTP? *I beg you to relieve my suffering* and tell me which version (or a new one) is in the very slow mail..."}, {"response": 577, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Jul  2, 2003 (08:35)", "body": "I hesitated to even post that I got the DVD because I couldn't watch it yesterday. It was my anniversary, and it seemed a little too pervy to watch Colin when I was supposed to be celebrating with my DH. It's the Advocate (same cover photo as on the VHS), not HoTP. It runs 102 min, so I don't think any scenes were added. I think the only extra is a Spanish language track. I might get a little time to have a sneak peak later this am. Will post an update if I do."}, {"response": 578, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Jul  2, 2003 (08:55)", "body": "I see detention in his future... http://www.exchange-tower.com/newsletter/2002_12.pdf"}, {"response": 579, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul  2, 2003 (09:05)", "body": "LOL! Too bad you can't get a decently sized image. Wonder what he's doing sitting in a classroom. Isn't his character supposed to be a writer? Good find, Maria!"}, {"response": 580, "author": "Leah", "date": "Wed, Jul  2, 2003 (09:11)", "body": "(Karen)what he's doing sitting in a classroom? I suppose he had to learn somewhere. But he does look bored."}, {"response": 581, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jul  2, 2003 (09:20)", "body": "I see detention in his future... Cute photo Maria! I'd love to keep him after school;-) (Karen)what he's doing sitting in a classroom? Must be remedial..... How to spot a good script 101?;-)"}, {"response": 582, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul  2, 2003 (09:28)", "body": "(Beedee) Must be remedial..... How to spot a good script 101?;-) *snort* Yeah, we know he failed first time around. Now, I remember, didn't the guy who saw a test screening say that Colin took Portuguese lessons?? I'm pretty sure that's what it is."}, {"response": 583, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Jul  2, 2003 (11:24)", "body": "It's hard to tell because the picture is small, but doesn't he look really, really young? Or maybe it's just because he's sitting in a classroom. Anyway, thanks, Maria, for another great find!"}, {"response": 584, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jul  2, 2003 (11:53)", "body": "(Maria) I see detention in his future... Ohhhh!!! I'd put him in detention....or if he needs a little extra help, study hall (okay, so I don't speak Portuguese, but we can work around that...maybe he could tutor me...)."}, {"response": 585, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jul  2, 2003 (14:05)", "body": "(Tress)okay, so I don't speak Portuguese, Neither does he. LOL. I'll give him some private tutoring...however, come to think of it, I don't speak Portuguese, either;-)"}, {"response": 586, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jul  2, 2003 (14:07)", "body": "Sorry to double...but it looks like everyone had tape recorders on their desks, as well. Probably was a language course."}, {"response": 587, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Jul  2, 2003 (14:17)", "body": "(lindak)but it looks like everyone had tape recorders on their desks, as well. Probably was a language course. Yeah, at least thats what the women told the prop people it was for... ;-))"}, {"response": 588, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jul  2, 2003 (14:21)", "body": "(Linda) I'll give him some private tutoring...however, come to think of it, I don't speak Portuguese, either;-) Forget the school work (seeing that we are all struggling with Portuguese)....maybe we can just get him to ditch class and meet us under the bleachers!! ;-D (Linda) but it looks like everyone had tape recorders on their desks, as well. Probably was a language course. I was wondering what that was! It looked like a hat to me (but I couldn't imagine...). My 'copy' is very pixelated. And what is around ODB's neck (or is that a shirt with a sweater over it)?....I'm telling ya...I can't see it that well!"}, {"response": 589, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Jul  2, 2003 (14:29)", "body": "Maria, I love it! (Beedee) Must be remedial..... How to spot a good script 101?;-) (Karen) *snort* Yeah, we know he failed first time around. Isn't that the truth. *sigh and no winkie* Geez, where were all the hunky guys when I took years of language courses, hmmmmmmm? ;-) (Most of them were geek city.)"}, {"response": 590, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Jul  2, 2003 (14:48)", "body": "(Beedee) Must be remedial..... How to spot a good script 101?;-) (Karen)*snort* Yeah, we know he failed first time around. Let's hope he paid attention and did all the assignments! And what is wrong with the women in this class? They're all looking off to one side or another, not at Colin. BTW, I did find time to check the two most important sequences of the Advocate. Nothing added. But there is the joy of slo-mo and freeze-frame. And the only extras on the DVD are trailers for TIOBE, TEP, and a movie with Sam Neill. I was really hoping for an outtakes extra. I had dreams of the director's commentary, \"We couldn't use use that take in the theaters. Colin didn't have the timing right, he was supposed to pick up the sheet a little sooner before rolling over.\""}, {"response": 591, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Jul  2, 2003 (17:04)", "body": "Kate, thanks for the info in the Advocate DVD. Nothing added. A shame. I suppose that I'll just have to be happy with my VHS of HotP without all the luxuries of DVD. But then again, there's not too much to be unhappy with in HotP (IMHO)! ;-)"}, {"response": 592, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul  2, 2003 (18:21)", "body": "According to Robair of the Amanda Bynes Now website, the London premiere of WAGW is Sunday, Aug 3rd, and not July 27th."}, {"response": 593, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jul  2, 2003 (21:08)", "body": "So, I am *currently* in posession of the newly released TA DVD. As already stated, it's not HOTPig but it does look gorgeous! Lovely Color, stubble, dimples (front and back), high boots and *repeat*! I can live with it;-)"}, {"response": 594, "author": "Odile", "date": "Wed, Jul  2, 2003 (23:39)", "body": "French poster; the text: \"she doesn't have their manners, but she rocks\" The title translates as: What girls dream of. Another image... ignore if you've seen it before WAGW release in French theaters: July 23rd. No critics yet to be found when surfing, but production notes and trailer in French (forgive the dubbed voice; CF's is bad but AB's is worse IMHO) at the site where I found these pictures: http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=51288.html"}, {"response": 595, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (07:35)", "body": "CF TV Schedule for the holiday weekend (all times are EST): Hostages will be on ThrillerMax (TMAXE) on July 5th at 4:45 am TIOBE will be on Starz 2 (STAR2) the whole weekend: July 4th at 10:05 pm; July 5th at 6:05 am, 2:05 pm and 10:05 pm; July 6th at 6:05 am, 2:05 pm and 10:05 pm Happy viewing!!"}, {"response": 596, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (07:37)", "body": "Great stuff Odile! Nice poster IMO. See, you can put them together without being pervy! Cute license plate. Love the hands in the second photo."}, {"response": 597, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (08:22)", "body": "Thanks Odile! He looks as young as Oliver in the first one! and I'm with you Beedee, the hands in that grip...gah!!"}, {"response": 598, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (08:37)", "body": "Thank you Odile (and thanks for the translation)! I'm glad they have decided to change the poster for everyone! The US version wasn't very good (IMO).....much better to have Hunk Daddy visible. Also love the pic. That grip...those hands.....that 'power tie'! Yum! (Maria) He looks as young as Oliver in the first one! I agree! Good thing they kept him in the suit...if they had used the leather pants, then the pic may have been a bit too pervy! And again....my mum would have smacked my butt off the Rolls....\"cars are for riding in, not for sitting on!\""}, {"response": 599, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (08:41)", "body": "Thanks Odile.... LOL. I see they denuded the poster from any flags. Smart thinking;-))) We're into 'globalization' here. But ....my navy blue suit made it ! Woo Hoo! Hey...not many of you can boast that your keepsake made a wide-release poster!"}, {"response": 600, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (08:59)", "body": "(Tress)I agree! Good thing they kept him in the suit...if they had used the leather pants, then the pic may have been a bit too pervy! LOL! Hey, the last time we saw AB in that pose, wasn't she sitting on a gilded chair? Her picture gets around more than she does. I'm glad HD is on the poster, but this looks too much like a collage."}, {"response": 601, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (08:59)", "body": "(Maria) He looks as young as Oliver in the first one! LOL! He sure does. Too bad whoever made up this poster wasn't around when they filmed in Morocco. ;-D Thanks Odile for the great find! I liked the French title for Dennie Gordon's other claim to fame: Joe Le Crasse. *snort*"}, {"response": 602, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (09:28)", "body": "Okay....must get back to work....I have just watched the WAGW trailer three times...in French (and my French is as good as my Portuguese)....just so I could hear the announcer say \"Colin Firth\". Don't think ODB's dubber sounds at all like him, but it is fun to hear (and see...of course) Hunk Daddy parle in another language. Also noticed that they are using different music. Didn't recognize the song they played toward the end. Thanks again Odile! That was fun!!"}, {"response": 603, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (09:54)", "body": "Merci, Odile! Nice to know the translation to \"she rocks\". I like the title too. I wonder what it will be in Italian? Unfortunately, it will be dubbed there too."}, {"response": 604, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (12:03)", "body": "(Odile) French poster; the text: \"she doesn't have their manners Pfft! Shouldn't this be \"manors?\" ;-) *That* is what she doesn't have. Great find, Odile, and fun to hear Henry en francais. I don't think the dubbed voices are too bad. (Evelyn)I see they denuded the poster from any flags. Smart thinking;-))) Yep, they want the French to actually go to see the movie.;-) Aww, they should just tell 'em that Jerry Lewis is in it.;-) (Maria) He looks as young as Oliver in the first one! LOL! He sure does. Too bad whoever made up this poster wasn't around when they filmed in Morocco. ;-D What, you didn't go for that Methusaleh Does Casablanca look?;-) (Tress)if they had used the leather pants, then the pic may have been a bit too pervy! I'm thinking that the \"grip\" pic is bordering on pervy; he's so damn good-looking. Woo Hoo!! WHO'S YOUR DADDY??!!"}, {"response": 605, "author": "odessa", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (12:09)", "body": "I just noticed that in Finland WAGW has been pushed back, it won`t be here in August but in October. Hunk Daddy, will I ever see you?"}, {"response": 606, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (12:23)", "body": "(Mari) I don't think the dubbed voices are too bad. I'm not a dub fan (you miss out on the director's intent and the actor's inflection)...but knew that this film would be dubbed since it is considered a kid flick. I just love the way the announcer says \"Firth\". I just can't imagine watching all of WAGW (or should I say...CDRLF) without hearing ODB's dulcet tones! Still....what a lovely eye-full! (Mari) I'm thinking that the \"grip\" pic is bordering on pervy; he's so damn good-looking. Woo Hoo!! WHO'S YOUR DADDY??!! Sorry...has to be done: Daddy never looked so good!"}, {"response": 607, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (13:05)", "body": "What fun, Odile. Thanks! Thank God they did clean up the obnoxious poster. (Mari) I'm thinking that the \"grip\" pic is bordering on pervy; he's so damn good-looking. Woo Hoo!! WHO'S YOUR DADDY??!! LOL, Mari! (It's scary how many of us think alike. ;-)) The graphic is perfect, Tress. ;-)"}, {"response": 608, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (16:14)", "body": "(LisaJH)LOL, Mari! (It's scary how many of us think alike. ;-)) Count me in...He looks too, AFG to be a HD. Oh gawd, those hands, the fingers, the...the ears. thanks, Odile. ...what's your name...who's your daddy...is he rich like me. Thanks, Mari, that song will be running through my head all weekend."}, {"response": 609, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (16:17)", "body": "(Mari)Yep, they want the French to actually go to see the movie.;-) Aww, they should just tell 'em that Jerry Lewis is in it.;-) LOL! If they want the French to go to the movie, maybe they need some ads wtih AB saying \"The English call them chips, but I call them FRENCH fries.\" (Mari)Pfft! Shouldn't this be \"manors?\" ;-) Maybe the translator doesn't get puns? Maybe they're playing on the jokes about the English being stuffy? (Do the French think the English are stuffy?) Don't apologize, Tress, it's a great graphic. Take another look at the \"grip\" picture. Is her hand turning blue?"}, {"response": 610, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (17:31)", "body": "(Tress)Sorry...has to be done Yes it did, Tress, and I thank you for that!:-) (Linda)He looks too, AFG to be a HD. En francais, \"il Papa de hunk.\" ;-) ;-) (Kate)\"The English call them chips, but I call them FRENCH fries.\" Good one, Kate. Now is not the time to be talking \"freedom fries.\" ;-) Ok, we now also have from Deutschland \"Was Madchen Wollen\" (literal, but who's Madchen?) and from Italia, \"Una ragazza e il suo sogno.\" (a girl and her dream?) Go to the warners site at http://www.warnerbrothers.com and hit the drop down box for the different countries. Looks like France is the only one using a different poster. I'm not saying anything.;-)"}, {"response": 611, "author": "socadook", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (18:18)", "body": "(Mari) Looks like France is the only one using a different poster. Vive la difference! Thaik you all for the sites, sounds and pics."}, {"response": 612, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (19:04)", "body": "\"A girl and her dream\" starts in selected cities Aug. 4th. Thanks, Mari!"}, {"response": 613, "author": "Odile", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (22:43)", "body": "(Mari)Looks like France is the only one using a different poster. I'm not saying anything.;-) What a wonderful restraint you're showing... No Bingley sisters pointing out the \"abominable sort of conceited independence\" :)"}, {"response": 614, "author": "soph", "date": "Fri, Jul  4, 2003 (08:11)", "body": "(Mari) Was Madchen Wollen\" (literal, but who's Madchen?) \"M\ufffddchen\" = \"girls\" in german... yoohooo, petra ??? (Mari again) Aww, they should just tell 'em that Jerry Lewis is in it.;-) jerry who ? about the dubbing : we usually get both dubbed & subtitled copies, even for that kind of movie. subtitles versions are screened in the evening. i'm not too crazy about what i heard, esp. amanda bynes : she sounds kind of obnoxious in french. as for le papa-canon, ermmm... rather flat sounding, as well as too high pitched (but then, i'm not used to hearing him in french, that's very very weird, as if my native tongue sounded like a foreign language). anyway, i'm rather surprised this movie gets distribution in france : i have absolutely no idea who's going to be interested here in such a cast... well, yours truly excluded... saw a rather bad review this afternoon, didn't even mention ykw. one last word about fries : we french people believe they come from belgium anyway. jolie trouvaille odile, et finement jou\ufffd sur la trad' du titre, je serais all\ufffde carr\ufffdment plus loin, du genre, \"she kicks ass\"... hum ! mon anglais est presqu'aussi ch\ufffdti\ufffd que mon fran\ufffdais..."}, {"response": 615, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul  4, 2003 (09:08)", "body": "(Sophie) jolie trouvaille odile, et finement jou\ufffd sur la trad' du titre, je serais all\ufffde carr\ufffdment plus loin, du genre, \"she kicks ass\"... hum ! mon anglais est presqu'aussi ch\ufffdti\ufffd que mon fran\ufffdais... For those of us who speak spanish;-), would you pl do us the honors. I don't expect a big surge in BO receipts from France; but glad you will be able to see it on the big screen. Re: dubbing and sub-titles. Do they do a literal translation or do they re-write the script. Could you pl. translate the dialogue in the trailer for us? How about the Italian, Moon. Petra for the German? Good idea to compare translations here."}, {"response": 616, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jul  4, 2003 (10:48)", "body": "(Sophie) jolie trouvaille odile, et finement jou\ufffd sur la trad' du titre, je serais all\ufffde carr\ufffdment plus loin, du genre, \"she kicks ass\"... hum ! mon anglais est presqu'aussi ch\ufffdti\ufffd que mon fran\ufffdais... For those of us who speak spanish;-), would you pl do us the honors. I speak Spanish and here goes: Great find, Odile and well done on the translation of the title. I would have gone further on \"she rocks\" to \"she kicks ass\". My English is almost as crappie as my French. How about the Italian, Moon. I haven't had the time yet to listen."}, {"response": 617, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jul  4, 2003 (11:01)", "body": "Just checked the Italian WB site but there is no trailer in Italian. They just have the poster."}, {"response": 618, "author": "socadook", "date": "Fri, Jul  4, 2003 (12:23)", "body": "(Evelyn) Could you pl. translate the dialogue in the trailer for us? I'm not up to date on the current French expressions so please be gentle ;-) When possible I indicated in parentheses the US dialogue I remembered. The voice overs (VO)are Daphne's except for the title and actors info. Here goes: VO: So, I\ufffdll explain. Here, I\ufffdm stuck in NY dreaming about a father I\ufffdve never known. What I really need (more than anything in the world) is to find my father. And now here I am in London. Mind boggling, no? I feel there\ufffds no better moment to land. Clarissa: Did you see that an enormous bird-like creature just fell off the wall(an impossibly large bird fell off that wall) VO: Make a little surprise visit, no? Daphne: It\ufffds you. My name is Daphne Reynolds and according to this document I\ufffdm your daughter. Glynnis: Henry you\ufffdre not going to believe her HD: She has a birth certificate, my picture (she has my photograph and) She has my eyes VO: And apparently my father is some sort of royalty. Suits me fine Libby: She\ufffds arrived, is she alright. HD: Why didn\ufffdt you tell me I have a child (I fathered a child)? Adviser: All we know about her is that she\ufffds an American adolescent (teenager). HD: My (sense of her upon) first impression is that she\ufffds quite mature for her age. Well behaved. Soft spoken. Reserved (self-contained) Lady Dashwood: Many people will go all out to have you fail (people will root for you to fail) Clarissa: This girl is positively barbaric Daphne: Get your feet back on the ground (get over yourself), I have no intentions of leaving (I\ufffdm not going anywhere). HD: You, as my daughter, must respect certain codes of conduct (behaviour) Daphne: Alright, I\ufffdll change Daphne: From now on I\ufffdm going to behave Ian: Behave like what exactly Daphne: Like a well brought up young lady VO: Warner Bros Pictures Presents Ian: Why do you want to be like her when you\ufffdre born to be different (why are you trying so hard to fit in when you\ufffdre born to stand out) VO: Amanda Bynes Daphne: Do you know what I miss now? To be able to be myself VO: Colin Firth HD: I don\ufffdt want to change one thing, I don\ufffdt want you to change a single hair Daphne: Thank you London VO: What Girls Dream Of (WAGW) Butler: Mr. Wallace asks to see you Daphne: Don\ufffdt let him in I don\ufffdt have my look (I\ufffdm not cute yet)"}, {"response": 619, "author": "soph", "date": "Fri, Jul  4, 2003 (17:12)", "body": "(moon) I speak Spanish and here goes: damn ! i'm so busted ! next time i'll write it in \"verlan\" (retro-french, kind of tricky)... (evelyn) I'm not up to date on the current French expressions so please be gentle ;-) you did fine, don't worry ! what i would like to know though, and it's always interesting in that case, is how they translated your typical teenager phrases. from what i heard in the trailer, it's pretty standard fare so far, even a bit old fashioned. re: translations : usually, they stick to the original script (albeit minor alterations related to specific phrases). not the same with subtitles, where efficiency and speed rule : sometimes hilarious underplayed (or overplayed) translations occur ! i just love it when the subtitles and the original dialogues are really miles apart (ok, you can call me a dialogue perv)..."}, {"response": 620, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Jul  5, 2003 (00:31)", "body": "(Sophie)damn ! i'm so busted ! next time i'll write it in \"verlan\" (retro-french, kind of tricky)... Good grief Sophie! You've got my brain working overtime. But it's so much fun to see the better Droolish brains come out of the woodwork;-) Thanks for throwing down the guantlet........."}, {"response": 621, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jul  5, 2003 (10:02)", "body": "(sophie), not the same with subtitles, where efficiency and speed rule : sometimes hilarious underplayed (or overplayed) translations occur ! i just love it when the subtitles and the original dialogues are really miles apart (ok, you can call me a dialogue perv)... You and me both! Sometimes the errors are so blatant! next time i'll write it in \"verlan\" (retro-french, kind of tricky)... Always up for learning. ;-D"}, {"response": 622, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jul  5, 2003 (12:41)", "body": "Thanks for the translations, ladies."}, {"response": 623, "author": "BarbaraT", "date": "Sun, Jul  6, 2003 (09:07)", "body": "BBC1 is showing a repeat of one of Angus Deayton's Before They Were Famous programmes tonight at 9.30. I think it might be the one which has a clip of Colin's early appearance in Crown Court."}, {"response": 624, "author": "KathyLC", "date": "Sun, Jul  6, 2003 (13:39)", "body": "The new HS Gallery looks great, Karen! All that hard work really paid off!"}, {"response": 625, "author": "soph", "date": "Sun, Jul  6, 2003 (17:04)", "body": "i've done this before, but really, this is too much. sing along with me : *a shrine, a shrine, a shrine to karen & kathy c* this hs gallery is bordering on insane... but it gives me plenty of material for new animatronicolins, nyarhnyarhnyarh (mad hyena mode)... thank you thank you thank you !"}, {"response": 626, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul  6, 2003 (19:55)", "body": "LOL! If you need more scarf twirlers, let me know. I couldn't put them all up, but Kathy got every frame of it. ;-D That one might need music...\"Let me entertain you, let me make you smile.\""}, {"response": 627, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul  6, 2003 (21:04)", "body": "(Karen) LOL! If you need more scarf twirlers, let me know. *In Mr. Bennett mode* \"Pl. Ms Karen, no more twirlers...we've had quite enough\". A low point in that movie, IMO.I keep telling you, the high point is the ending!"}, {"response": 628, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Jul  6, 2003 (21:48)", "body": "Karen) LOL! If you need more scarf twirlers, let me know........ (Evelyn)A low point in that movie, IMO.I keep telling you, the high point is the ending! That may be so, but as I've said before, I'm getting so much pleasure from the captures/photos in the gallery! Again, great job to all involved. Now that was the cooler part of your day Karen?;-) What you suffer for us....."}, {"response": 629, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Jul  6, 2003 (22:41)", "body": "Great pics, Karen, thank you! They were worth the wait--especially all of those lovely pics of his bare, muscular chest. Yowsa! ;-) And thanks to Sophie for wielding your magic. Karen, I, too love the pic of him with KST. *sigh*"}, {"response": 630, "author": "Leah", "date": "Mon, Jul  7, 2003 (07:30)", "body": "Karen, adding my thanks for the great work with the pictures. Looking at them reminds me that the new F must make an appearance soon. (for LD's sake I hope it's very soon) I saw WAGW for the first time on Sunday night, and am on a high. It only opens officially in SA on 25 July, so I have a long wait before I can see it again. I sat the entire show staring at the screen, mouth open and drooling! (I missed lots of the dialogue - my brain can only take so much) He looks AFG!!"}, {"response": 631, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Jul  7, 2003 (08:54)", "body": "(LeahP)(I missed lots of the dialogue - my brain can only take so much) Yes, repeated viewings really are required. Glad you finally got to see it!"}, {"response": 632, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jul  7, 2003 (10:02)", "body": "Happy for you Leah! WAGW is definitely worth seeing again and again... That's what makes HS so hard to take. He blew that one big time. I get more out of the HS gallery at cf.com than watching the movie. Thank you, Karen and Kathy! (Evelyn), *In Mr. Bennett mode* \"Pl. Ms Karen, no more twirlers...we've had quite enough\". LOL! A sad point."}, {"response": 633, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jul  7, 2003 (13:30)", "body": "Great news, Leah. Hearing that you are only at the preview stage makes me very melancholy. I miss HD and WAGW v.v. much. Enjoy it while it lasts. At least we are less than a month away from the DVD. (Leah)I sat the entire show staring at the screen, mouth open and drooling! (I missed lots of the dialogue - my brain can only take so much) He looks AFG!! I sat like that for at least 10 viewings;-)"}, {"response": 634, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Mon, Jul  7, 2003 (15:48)", "body": "(Linda)I sat like that for at least 10 viewings;-) Was I supposed to reach a point where I watched it without drooling? Maybe if I had made it for the 13th viewing;-) I'm glad you finally got to see it, Leah. Isn't Henry to die for?"}, {"response": 635, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul  7, 2003 (16:20)", "body": "As WAGW rolls out into other countries, please remember to use our \"Spoilers\" topic to talk about it. If you want to post local articles/reviews (i.e., news), they belong here. Discussion is at the Spoilers topic."}, {"response": 636, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (11:05)", "body": "Article about a 13-year-old cousin of HG's who is in Love Actually: On the back of that part, Thomas - whose father is starring in The Lion King in Hamburg and whose mother is also an actress - has landed a further rolein one of the most anticipated movies of the year, romantic comedy Love Actually. Cousin Hugh also has a part in it, albeit a more modest one. Thomas stars as a boy with a troubled relationship with his stepfather, played by Liam Neeson. Uncle Hugh has a smaller role in the film, playing a Prime Minister who falls in love with a maid, played by Martine McCutcheon. The film also stars Billy Bob Thornton-Emma Thompson and Colin Firth. Unkind observers might say that Hugh's relationship with Thomas has given him a leg-up with his acting career, but that is far from the case. A friend of Hugh's said: \"Thomas has talent far in advance of his years. He has managed to land some fantastic parts on the back of the few roles he has performed to date - and those parts appear to be getting more and more substantial. \"For example, Hugh's part in Love Actually is in fact a lot smaller that Thomas's. \"I suppose the inference would be that Hugh gave Thomas some kind help with his career - but that's far from the case. The interesting thing is that no one on the set of Love Actually even knew that Thomas and Hugh were even related. \"I just spoke to Duncan Kenworthy, who is the producer, and Richard Curtis, the director, who said it was news to them.\" http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/entertainment/films/articles/5634980?source=Evening%20Standard"}, {"response": 637, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (15:59)", "body": "Looks like WAGW opened at #3 in Germany and Austria. Sehr gut. Glad you enjoyed the preview, Leah; tell us your fave scenes on the Spoilers board. I miss my HD. :-( A huge belated thanks to Kathy and Karen for the Hope Springs captures! (Too bad we couldn't have watched L'Dumb this way;-) And where, oh where, is Eileen Green when we need her? She'd have a field day with HS;-)"}, {"response": 638, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Jul  9, 2003 (08:18)", "body": "Renee's Back, and Colin and Russell's got her! From Variety: Zellweger shoe-in for 'Cinderella' Thesp to see $21 mil for pic, 'Bridget' sequel By MICHAEL FLEMING Renee Zellweger is set to star with Russell Crowe in the Ron Howard-directed \"Cinderella Man,\" a Miramax and Universal co-production that begins production in spring. Imagine's Brian Grazer is producing. Zellweger's engaged in a package deal with Universal and Miramax that will pay her $21 million to do both \"Cinderella Man\" and the sequel to \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" which begins lensing in October. On both films, U has domestic and Miramax has foreign territories. In \"Cinderella Man,\" Crowe will play Jim Braddock, a Depression-era boxer who became a folk hero by winning a brutal 15-round match with heavyweight champion Max Baer in 1935. Zellweger will play his wife. Akiva Goldsman was brought on to do to a rewrite of a script originated by Cliff Hollingsworth and previously rewritten by Charlie Mitchell. Goldsman came aboard after Howard committed, making it a reunion for \"A Beautiful Mind\" alums Crowe, Goldsman, Howard and Grazer. Zellweger has been interested in the role since Crowe first pondered pairing with director Lasse Hallstrom. Since then, the actress turned in a Golden Globe-winning performance for Miramax in \"Chicago.\" She recently agreed to play Janis Joplin in a biopic for Paramount and Lakeshore and will next be seen starring with Jude Law and Nicole Kidman in the Anthony Minghella-directed adaptation of \"Cold Mountain\" for Miramax. \"Cinderella Man\" will be overseen by U's Scott Stuber and Miramax's Meryl Poster and Bob Osher. CAA and John Carrabino rep Zellweger."}, {"response": 639, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jul  9, 2003 (11:00)", "body": "Thanks, Murph! Not interested in Cinderella Man. U has domestic and Miramax has foreign territories. Hear that Lola? But you already knew, I'm sure. How about confirming the actors. Who will play Rebecca?"}, {"response": 640, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Jul  9, 2003 (13:15)", "body": "Thought the starting date for \"Edge\" might be of interest, though I guess that is known already. Sorry."}, {"response": 641, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jul  9, 2003 (16:18)", "body": "Don't be sorry, Murph. It not only gives us a new start date, but a new distributor--Universal--here in North America. That's good news for the fans as Uni is so vastly superior from a marketing standpoint to that M company.;-) I have to wonder, though, how M got its grubby hands on the rights for the entire world except for here. That's the most lucrative part of the deal, the part that Uni held last time. CM sounds like it will be great--The Beautiful Mind team of Howard, Crowe, Goldsman, and Grazer is a winner. Am guessing that RZ's wife role will be as meaty as Jennifer Connelly's in ABM, or she wouldn't have done it."}, {"response": 642, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 10, 2003 (10:47)", "body": "Thanks, Murph. I'd place far more credence in Michael Fleming than so many of the other yahoos. ;-D"}, {"response": 643, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jul 11, 2003 (16:36)", "body": "I got this from Warner Brothers today, promoting the WAGW DVD (empahasis mine): Special Features: Additional Scenes Fashion Etiquette 101 What's A Girl To Wear? Commentary by Writers Hidden Bonus Features (casting sessions and on-set gags) Theatrical Trailer Somehow I can't picture Colin as a gag-meister, goosing the gaffers, but you never know.;-)"}, {"response": 644, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 11, 2003 (16:49)", "body": "casting sessions and on-set gags Hmmm, the casting sessions will probably be all the guys who tried out for Oliver James' part... On-set gags? Isn't that what AB's TV program is all about? :-("}, {"response": 645, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Jul 11, 2003 (18:50)", "body": "Somehow I can't picture Colin as a gag-meister, goosing the gaffers, but you never know.;-) Didn't he say (maybe in the context of TIOBE) that he tends more to be the butt of jokes than the originator? Commentary by Writers Well, there's some hope here. I really think it was written by at least one Firthette."}, {"response": 646, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jul 11, 2003 (19:04)", "body": "Bring it on."}, {"response": 647, "author": "Odile", "date": "Sat, Jul 12, 2003 (01:01)", "body": "Googling about Love Actually sent me to this article about Shannon Elizabeth (mindless stuff about upcoming projects), but where it mentions her as part of the cast of Love Actually: The actress, who most recently co-starred in the CBS telefilm \"Crooked E: The Unshredded Truth About Enron,\" will next be seen in the features \"Love Actually,\" \"Johnson Family Vacation\" and Wes Craven's \"Cursed.\" I don't recall seeing her name associated with it before (IMDB does not have it) so I thought I'd mention this... Full article: http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=televisionNews&storyID=3066229"}, {"response": 648, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (17:53)", "body": "I don't know which topic to use for this, so I hope it's okay here: Last night one of our tv-channels had a documentary on Mick Jagger. Today my son said to me: Did you see your guy on tv last night? No, I said (too busy reading drool, but couldn't tell him that). Well, he continues, he was in the documentary (just briefly) with a woman, a drink and perhaps Elton John at some sort of party. I hope you taped it, I almost yelled. No, he said - had a few friends over and didn't think of it. Now I wish I hadn't mentioned anything to you at all! So - what I would like to know: has any of you seen the documentary and if you have, is he really in it? I would like some sort of confirmation, before I start phoning the tv-channel to persuade them to rerun the documentary ;-)"}, {"response": 649, "author": "KathyLC", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (19:42)", "body": "I'm afraid I don't know which country you're in, Annette, but in the U.S. the Biography channel is featuring Mick Jagger this month. The next one airs on 7/21 at 11 pm ET."}, {"response": 650, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (20:20)", "body": "Elton John recently had a Aids benefit auction where Hugh Grant bid a large amount on one of the items. The article was posted on O&E. Could have been there. Annette ask your son if the woman he was with was pregnant and what she looked liked. Livia could have had the baby by now."}, {"response": 651, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 14, 2003 (09:25)", "body": "For those looking for a bit of a mention of WAGW's opening in the UK, there's a bit here: http://film.guardian.co.uk/features/featurepages/0,4120,996994,00.html"}, {"response": 652, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Jul 14, 2003 (09:59)", "body": "I wish the quality were better! Is he making animal shadows or what? http://books.ladybird.co.uk:8000/static/packages/uk/booksellers/catalogues/general/general_mj_06_12_03.pdf I'm on the Penguin UK site now but the dang ISBN number does not compute!"}, {"response": 653, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Jul 14, 2003 (10:00)", "body": "Link brings you to page one, go to page 10!"}, {"response": 654, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 14, 2003 (10:15)", "body": "Not a clue, but animal shadows seems as good as any guess. ;-D Fantastic find, Maria. We'll have a script to this one with color pics. Reminds me of the Notting Hill book and how we didn't get anything for BJD."}, {"response": 655, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Jul 14, 2003 (11:02)", "body": "(Moon Dreams)Elton John recently had a Aids benefit auction... I just asked him. He said it was Elton John hosting a \"Venice\" (as the town in Italy, don't know if the spelling is right)-party in his garden. Among the guests were Colin. When I asked about what the girl accompaning him looked like, he couldn't remember. In fact - he said it in manner of Mr Bennett: No lace, Mrs Bennett ;-) Maria, I'm sure it's a great find, but I can't make the link work. Am I the only one having trouble getting through?"}, {"response": 656, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 14, 2003 (11:05)", "body": "(Annette) but I can't make the link work. It is an Adobe Acrobat file (.pdf); I have put the relevant info up on the Love Actually page (including pic) and here are urls to preorder the book from amazon (US) and amazon (UK) to benefit Spring: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0312318499/spring-20 http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0718146433/thespring-21"}, {"response": 657, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Jul 14, 2003 (11:14)", "body": "Thank you so much, both Karen and Maria. Looks very promising indeed. I managed to contain myself from ordering WAGW, the book ( ;-) ) but this one seems to be a \"definetly must have\"."}, {"response": 658, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 14, 2003 (11:20)", "body": "Here is the text and the pic:"}, {"response": 659, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Jul 14, 2003 (12:40)", "body": "Thanks Maria and Karen. Wot is LL doing with Colin Ware's \"scarf?\" :-) Could the poses (save for LN and small child) be any dorkier?"}, {"response": 660, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Jul 14, 2003 (12:58)", "body": "Thanks Maria and Karen! (Maria) I wish the quality were better! Is he making animal shadows or what? ROTFL...animal shadows...or he's throwing gang signs. He's got that trench coat thing going on...I do so love it when he wears those...that walk combined with the coat is enough to keep a girl happy for quite some time."}, {"response": 661, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Jul 14, 2003 (13:04)", "body": "(LisaJH) Could the poses (save for LN and small child) be any dorkier? Maybe it is just their taken-out-of-contextness that makes it seem so?? let's hope so! (Tress)or he's throwing gang signs. ROTF!!! Don't tell me we are to have another trite Portuguese gangsta rap scene! Everyone is doing that these days! ;-))"}, {"response": 662, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 14, 2003 (13:07)", "body": "(LisaJH) Could the poses (save for LN and small child) be any dorkier? (Maria) Maybe it is just their taken-out-of-contextness that makes it seem so?? Dorkier? Doubt it, we're talking Richard Curtis here. Dorky is his middle name. Sorry, Whoopsy daisies. ;-)"}, {"response": 663, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jul 14, 2003 (13:18)", "body": "(Maria)Link brings you to page one, go to page 10! Thanks Maria! Page 13 is a book called How To Feel Wonderful, Just As You Are..;-)"}, {"response": 664, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Jul 14, 2003 (18:20)", "body": "Maria, how do you find these things? You're amazing! (Maria)Don't tell me we are to have another trite Portuguese gangsta rap scene! Everyone is doing that these days! Or maybe it's a pose from a special sign language they have in the movie since they don't speak the same language? Can't wait to find out. Thanks, Maria."}, {"response": 665, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Jul 14, 2003 (18:21)", "body": "thought I checked, sorry"}, {"response": 666, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 14, 2003 (23:08)", "body": "Tag is closed."}, {"response": 667, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Jul 15, 2003 (18:14)", "body": "Is this new? Two reviews for Love Actually at AICN: http://aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=15668 From review # 2: 5. Hopeless crime writer Jamie (Colin Firth), who discovers his wife has been cheating on him with his best friend, and heads off to his holiday home in France, where romance blossoms with his Portuguese cleaning lady Aurelia. The majority of this plotline consists of poor language-barrier semi-gags, but there is a fabulous scene towards the end as Jamie treks through town alongside Aurelia's dad, fat sister and a few hundred others in search of Aurelia. As ever though, this thread is also as predictable as a prune-eaters bowels."}, {"response": 668, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jul 15, 2003 (19:41)", "body": "Thank you Murph....both reviews sound positive! This is good news! As ever though, this thread is also as predictable as a prune-eaters bowels... I'm no expert, but I imagine that a prune eaters bowels could be highly volatile!"}, {"response": 669, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jul 15, 2003 (21:38)", "body": "(Murph)Is this new? Two reviews for Love Actually at AICN It is to me1 Thanks Murph. I'm no expert, but I imagine that a prune eaters bowels could be highly volatile! LOL! Tress, you are fast becoming one of my favorite wry optimist!"}, {"response": 670, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jul 15, 2003 (22:51)", "body": "I know these pictures from GWAPE have been making the rounds in e-mail and on other sites, but I don't think I've seen anything posted about them here, so I thought I would post a link. Heaven knows you don't want to miss 'em! These are from that Italian site that we were looking at a while back. Click on the small images to see the bigger ones. Thanks to a lurker for supplying the URL. GWAPE pictures"}, {"response": 671, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jul 15, 2003 (23:10)", "body": "(Rika) These are from that Italian site that we were looking at a while back. Evil iMac!!!! GAH! I shall conquer this...I shall! (Beedee) LOL! Tress, you are fast becoming one of my favorite wry optimist! LOL....I aim to please....and much nicer than what my mum used to say....that I was just 'full of p*ss and vinegar!' I just see everything as going 'up' from L'dum! Surely ODB can't sink to those depths again....and if I can survive that viewing...well, then, bring it on! I can handle anything!! ;-)"}, {"response": 672, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (00:20)", "body": "(Tress) I just see everything as going 'up' from L'dum! His ascendancy from that seems to have leveled off a bit and even a tad in danger of sliding back with HS."}, {"response": 673, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (08:39)", "body": "(Dorine) His ascendancy from that seems to have leveled off a bit and even a tad in danger of sliding back with HS. Haven't seen HS yet (still living on WAGW residuals)....but I'm looking ahead now....Trauma, LA, GWAPE, TDW....and TEOR. The stuff he has going now doesn't make me hold my breath (which I did when I heard about WAGW, but was most pleasantly surprised). I'm looking forward to all the drama that is back in ODB's life (with a splash of Bridget, for good measure)! Maybe in the future we can refer to this period (bump) in ODB's CV as his Hope Springs L'dum years! Those bleak days before the golden era (not too bleak as Rika has a DVD copy of TA, which makes things a bit better....cuz we all know what that means)! ;-)"}, {"response": 674, "author": "soph", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (09:06)", "body": "you are right tress... it's another **mac users alert** : the links to the gwape pix don't work again. hey rika, you tease, this is not fair, i repeat, not fair... i want wigs, puffy sleeves, furrowed brows and stained fingers as much as any PCed drooler does. can you type here a direct link to one of the pictures (they should be organized as a numbered series i guess), *not* as a link, but as plain text, so we can work out different possibilities ??? thanx a lot dvd queen. re: \"(...) this thread is also as predictable as a prune-eaters bowels\" : i have to say this is one of the weirdest metaphors i have ever seen (or is it a symbol ? who knows, and frankly, who cares)... don't get me started on the interpretation of this, ah !"}, {"response": 675, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (09:23)", "body": "Thanks Rika for that to die for pic! Also for the link, this us one I really can't wait for!"}, {"response": 676, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (09:41)", "body": "Rika, thank you. Very promising indeed ;-) Sophie, this worked for me at help (but Rikas link also worked) - well, worth a try. We can't have you not being able to have your share of the pictures ;-) http://digilander.libero.it/firthissimo/gwape.htm"}, {"response": 677, "author": "soph", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (09:55)", "body": "well annette, the thing is : i can access this index page alright, but my various browsers cannot recognize the sub-links to the pix themselves : this is why i was begging for direct links to the pictures. pretty please ?"}, {"response": 678, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (09:59)", "body": "Thanks for posting the LA test screening comments, Murph: and music figures prominently in some great moments of classically stodgy actors letting loose with some impromptu dancing and karaoke. Have my candles lit already. Noooooooooooooooooo! I'm sure the execs are worried that American audiences are too dumb to keep up with so many people and the way they're related to each other. What an imbecile. Guess he's not aware of the American filmmaker who started all this (Altman) and his many imitators. For the GWAPE pics, try this: http://cfirth.topcities.com/gwape.html I've found that the Italian site is incompatible with too many browsers at very release levels."}, {"response": 679, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (10:17)", "body": "Thank you Karen and Kristi for the beautiful pictures. Some have the feel of painted portraits. I have a feeling this film will be visually stunning."}, {"response": 680, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (10:21)", "body": "Ooops. Sorry Rika. Thank you for the great find."}, {"response": 681, "author": "soph", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (10:32)", "body": "(karen)(...) try this aha! now *that* works : thank you karen. i believe i can see square hats, wooden hands, as well as some index finger jewelry. this is getting promising, i only hope it won't just be visually stunning sonia... you know, the old 'more historical than you' curse... avoiding slow tomatoes, as weel as turnips and other assorted vegetables (karen again) What an imbecile. maybe he was only referring to studio execs' belief that american audiences cannot follow multiple thread stories... we all know where postmodernist moviemaking comes from, don't worry."}, {"response": 682, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (10:52)", "body": "Okay, so I take it the Mac users are all squared away now? If not, I can still post direct links to the photos."}, {"response": 683, "author": "soph", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (10:58)", "body": "(rika) Okay, so I take it the Mac users are all squared away now? yep ! we're all set (well, i hope so for tress) ! thanks for raising the issue rika, i hadn't seen all of these pictures. a press release for cannes 2003, huh ? they probably sold it at the 'march\ufffd du film' section, but i thonk you guys already talked about this, right ?"}, {"response": 684, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (11:01)", "body": "The pics would've been from the sales material from Pathe, provided at the 'march\ufffd du film' section. It isn't a presskit as some seem to believe."}, {"response": 685, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (12:07)", "body": "Soph and I have been talking about the Love Actually book pic. While I love the shadow animal idea, how about pantomime (charades) for communication? eh, there? Two words, first word is two syllables...well, not exactly, but... ;-D"}, {"response": 686, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (12:31)", "body": "(Karen) While I love the shadow animal idea, how about pantomime (charades) for communication? Ahem.....as I mentioned before..... sign language ! You all (well Karen did anyway ;-)) scoffed, but see how close I may have been?! ;-D"}, {"response": 687, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (13:05)", "body": "I didn't remember yours, Dorine, and I surely didn't scoff. I only commented on the shadow animal comment."}, {"response": 688, "author": "soph", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (14:11)", "body": "the july drool betting party for your enjoyment today, the image we are about to study is this one : now, place your bets, ladies & gentlemens what do you think this is ? a/ shadow animals : \"lookee, i can do a rabbit ! and wait till you see what i can do without my hands !\" b/ sign language : \"help... me.... essss-cape... this dread... dreadful... PR.... job\" c/ i really don't know, you see, being a member of the golden droolers club * , my eyes sort of betray me on that one, and anyway, they haven't been that good since the end of the war.... d/ a card saying, \"pleese, i am not criminal, i haff wife and children to support, can you spare a dime / go see dis movie pleese * ?\" e/ ooooh, what do we care ??? bring on more pictures of towel scenes ! footnotes: * everyone familiar with european public transportation of some sort will recognize this. ** the 'golden droolers club' was founded ages ago by those of us who do not even need a picture of cf to drool"}, {"response": 689, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (14:48)", "body": "(Karen) I didn't remember yours, Dorine, and I surely didn't scoff. I believe there was some scoffing in jest during Colin's last birthday party when I gave him a sign language book for his birthday.....to learn for the Oscar-winning role he'd get as a mute. ;-)"}, {"response": 690, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (14:52)", "body": "(Sophie) what do you think this is ? Actually, in all honesty, it does look like he's holding his hand in the ASL sign for \"I love you.\" Except his hand isn't upright, palm facing us. It's like they caught him in the middle of putting his hand up or down. Or he was trying to do the hip-hop version like you see rappers do sometimes."}, {"response": 691, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (14:55)", "body": "Took another look....it's hard to tell where his thumb is though. It should be out, but looks like could be making a circle with his thumb and middle or ring finger,too. It's a hard one to call."}, {"response": 692, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (15:04)", "body": "(Sophie) what do you think this is ? His version of CCR's I Put a Spell on You ( so you'll go see LA in spite of HS ) ;-)"}, {"response": 693, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (16:41)", "body": "(Sophie)d/a card saying, \"pleese, i am not criminal, i haff wife and children to support, can you spare a dime / go see dis movie pleese* ?\" LOL! Original thought.... (Sonia)His version of CCR's I Put a Spell on You ( so you'll go see LA in spite of HS) ;-) Because your miiiiinnnne........ More accurate vote! He certaily has put a spell on me!"}, {"response": 694, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (18:26)", "body": "Where is Mari when we need her? Looks to me like the Italian gesture we use when \"putting the horns\" on someone to ward off jealousy or evil.;-)"}, {"response": 695, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (18:31)", "body": "http://www.luckymojo.com/manocornuto.html You could be on to something."}, {"response": 696, "author": "soph", "date": "Thu, Jul 17, 2003 (04:29)", "body": "mmmmh, i don't know about the evil sign, i think you usually do it with the horns extended upward, right ? to be serious (it must be a first), it looks a bit like the gesture you'd have while balancing a roman scale on your index finger (or gesturing someone to come over) : palm upward, thumb extended, three last fingers folded and the index finger slightly crooked (this is a hard job to describe this in english: i need to improve my anatomy vocabulary). in fact, due to the perspective, you can actually see the thumb (top thing). browninsh area is the palm, and brownish spot totally on the left side is the index finger, distorded because of the perspective again. it could also be the way you use your hand to hold something flat/thin/fragile to show around (card for instance)."}, {"response": 697, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jul 17, 2003 (08:21)", "body": "(Sophie) it could also be the way you use your hand to hold something flat/thin/fragile to show around (card for instance). Hmmm......now that you say that.....maybe he's doing magic tricks!! The old 'slight of hand' thing. Why, Mr. Firth....what is that you have up your sleeve??! (I won't even *snicker* after that....okay...I just did)! ;-) (Rika) Okay, so I take it the Mac users are all squared away now? Mac user reporting in....all is fine! VERY fine!!! Thanks Rika and Karen.....must remember to keep paper bags near computer in case I start to hyperventilate...."}, {"response": 698, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jul 17, 2003 (08:41)", "body": "Maybe he's demonstrating the hand and wrist movement Spiderman uses to throw a web, that Will showed him after being in the movie. ;-D"}, {"response": 699, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jul 17, 2003 (08:47)", "body": "(Sophie) palm upward, thumb extended, three last fingers folded and the index finger slightly crooked .....in fact, due to the perspective, you can actually see the thumb (top thing) That's funny how it looks so different to so many people. To me it looks like his palm is down and the top thing, if I am looking at what you are, looks like the index finger to me, with the fingers curled under. Where's the photographer when you need him/her? Well the speculating is fun, anyway."}, {"response": 700, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Jul 17, 2003 (09:20)", "body": "Help needed! There's a chance I may be able to travel to London for the Premiere of WAGW on 3 August (I think that's the correct date). But does anyone know where it's being shown, and at what time? It's not the Odeon Leicester Square, BTW, according to their info line."}, {"response": 701, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jul 17, 2003 (12:19)", "body": "For UK-ers.... advert from today's Times 2 \"This Saturday in Play you can win a swanky London weekend at the Savoy and one of ten DVDs of Oscar Wilde's classic The Importance of Being Earnest starring Judi Dench and Colin Firth\""}, {"response": 702, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Jul 17, 2003 (12:23)", "body": "I've just realised that WAGW will almost certainly premiere at the Warner Village West End. But can't reach the cinema by phone to confirm - all I can get is one of those blasted automated helplines. Have sent email and am awaiting reply."}, {"response": 703, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jul 17, 2003 (13:34)", "body": "Excellent, Janet...Our UK ladies have had such great luck lately."}, {"response": 704, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jul 17, 2003 (17:13)", "body": "(Linda)Looks to me like the Italian gesture we use when \"putting the horns\" on someone to ward off jealousy or evil.;-) Ah, the mal'occia! It *is* close, but after careful study, there is no doubt in my mind that he is imitating `. . . Senor Wences and his hand puppet, Johnny! (Wot, you girls never watched Ed Sullivan in the '60s?;-) Slap a wig on that hand, and you've got Johnny. \"Deefeecult for you, easy for me.\" \"Awright?\" \"S'awright!\" Great find, Maria!"}, {"response": 705, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jul 17, 2003 (19:59)", "body": "(Mari) . Senor Wences and his hand puppet, Johnny! (Wot, you girls never watched Ed Sullivan in the '60s?;-) LOL!! I'm changing my vote! Senor Wences it is!"}, {"response": 706, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (00:02)", "body": "Soright!!"}, {"response": 707, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (00:22)", "body": "According to Coming Soon, the US release date for Love Actually has been pushed back two weeks, to Novemeber 21. Also, they have it listed for release in the \"top 25 markets.\" Lola, whassup wit dat? And in other release date news, Dogville has been pushed back to next year. Which I hope means that Lion's Gate can now put all their end-of-year/awards season $$$ into GWAPE.:-)"}, {"response": 708, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (11:08)", "body": "Not sure if it's significant, but the little blurb from Variety said UIP. Doesn't that usually indicate outside the US? Regardless, the two week pushback doesn't bother me, especially as it will be closer to the big holiday fanfare, though the top 25 markets business does."}, {"response": 709, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (14:15)", "body": "(Janet2) I've just realised that WAGW will almost certainly premiere at the Warner Village West End It would seem the obvious choice but I rang them three weeks ago and they said they were not holding the premiere. They didn't have any information at all on where it would be held:-("}, {"response": 710, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (14:18)", "body": "A very recent posting at the Message Board for GWAPE at Yahoo movies \"I happen(ed) to watch the film yesterday, cause i'll be doing some work on it , and i have to say that it's a great film , with an amazing cast. can't wait to see it again on the big screen. \""}, {"response": 711, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (14:35)", "body": "(aishling)It would seem the obvious choice but I rang them three weeks ago and they said they were not holding the premiere. They didn't have any information at all on where it would be held:-( I've still not been able to find out either, and I need to book my airline ticket soon, while there are seats available. Any info or advice on who to contact would be greatly appreciated. I've tried emailing WB but only had an acknowledgement so far."}, {"response": 712, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (14:58)", "body": "Janet, I contacted what looked to be the WAGW UK website - http://www.pf757.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/ab/wagwindex.html He just responded - \"Hi Maria, I'm afraid the details are still to be confirmed, as are the attendees. I'll have the details up as soon as I know. I have tried to contact Warner's but they don't seem to have a contact address on the Internet.\" Regards, Paul Fisher I'll keep in touch with him but it doesn't sound like he knows much more than us...:-("}, {"response": 713, "author": "socadook", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (18:00)", "body": "(Bethan) A very recent posting at the Message Board for GWAPE at Yahoo movies (...) i have to say that it's a great film Very good news indeed. Lets hope it reflects the critical and popular opinions. Could this be the film to get things going for ODB? Followed by Trauma and TDW, the powers that be may just take notice of him (I hope)"}, {"response": 714, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (22:06)", "body": "A site for the City of Westminister seems to confirm some sort of special showing: http://www.westminster.gov.uk/leisure/events/forthcoming.cfm 03 Aug - Celebrity Screening of 'What a Girl Wants' - Warner West End, Leicester Square Don't know how authoritative they are, but looks promising..."}, {"response": 715, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Jul 19, 2003 (04:12)", "body": "Thanks for the info re WAGW Premiere. I'm determined to be there. But I'm surprised nothing seems to have been confirmed yet. Just my luck!!!"}, {"response": 716, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Jul 19, 2003 (18:33)", "body": "ITV Poll on the next Bond: Ralph Fiennes wins with 24%. Colin Firth, who got pulses racing as Mr Darcy in the TV adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, tied with fellow British actor Clive Owen for third place with 12 per cent. http://www.itv.com/news/1565176.html"}, {"response": 717, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Tue, Jul 22, 2003 (05:06)", "body": "from www.westminster.gov.uk 03 Aug - Celebrity Screening of 'What a Girl Wants' - Warner West End, Leicester Square Oddly worded as they usually call it a premiere."}, {"response": 718, "author": "soph", "date": "Tue, Jul 22, 2003 (05:53)", "body": "re: mary's post: \"wot? 12% only ?\" ahhhhh, james bond.... sorry, i was just daydreaming there...."}, {"response": 719, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Tue, Jul 22, 2003 (06:39)", "body": "I \ufffdd love to be at the WAGW premiere but unfortunaly (more than unfortunaly) I come to London on the 4th of august not on the 3th. I\ufffdm counting on you (whoever will be there) to report."}, {"response": 720, "author": "houstonandy", "date": "Tue, Jul 22, 2003 (11:26)", "body": "Oh, Sophie, thanks for the gorgeous picture!!! Perked my Tuesday up. Wonder what ODB would do with Bond, considering his agility (!?) in BJD's fight scene, and various L'dium pub \"steam-offs\". LOL! But if Bond = cool, suave, handsome, intelligent..he'd beat RF anyday in my book. Dry martini, anyone?"}, {"response": 721, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Tue, Jul 22, 2003 (12:52)", "body": "Hi All They are planning a two day press junket in London on Oct 10-12 for Love Actually. this will accommodate Colin's shoot schedule for The Edge of Reason which will end early January. I apologize if I miss any questions that you may have posted here but I rarely see them due to time constraints. So if you have any questions please direct them to Karen and she can forward them to my email. I just received a promotion which means that my time will be even more scarce to come in and post. But if there is anything I feel is super important I will do my best to drop by. Also, recently an employee based out of London had her work email posted on a public forum for Colin and needless to say it's been hell for her ever since. So I really appreciate the professional attitude and respect of this forum. Trust me the difference is night and day. Karen expect a press kit for LA soon. Take care everyone!"}, {"response": 722, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jul 22, 2003 (12:56)", "body": "Oooo, good news! Thank you, thank you!"}, {"response": 723, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, Jul 22, 2003 (13:39)", "body": "Congrats on you promotion Lola. Thanks for keeping us abreast of the happenings for LA and TEOR."}, {"response": 724, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Jul 22, 2003 (14:03)", "body": "(Andrea) Oh, Sophie, thanks for the gorgeous picture!!! Perked my Tuesday up. Wonder what ODB would do with Bond, considering his agility (!?) in BJD's fight scene, and various L'dium pub \"steam-offs\". LOL! But if Bond = cool, suave, handsome, intelligent..he'd beat RF anyday in my book. Dry martini, anyone? The martini must be shaken, not stirred. I often dreamed of Colin as JB. RF I can't see as him at all. But I'm afraid, and ducking tomatoes, that after seeing the last PB effort we'd definitely have to get him into severe physical training as well as lessons in the boudoir.;-) I volunteer for those. But would love to see him in a good mystery as a detective. Think he would be very good in something of that nature. Congratulations on your promotion Lola. Good news and thank you for all the news you give us."}, {"response": 725, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jul 22, 2003 (15:38)", "body": "(Hola Lola) They are planning a two day press junket in London on Oct 10-12 for Love Actually. this will accommodate Colin's shoot schedule for The Edge of Reason which will end early January. Wonder how much time off, if any, he'll get to squeeze in PR for GWAPE. :-( (And yes, I know GWAPE PR would be for another company/studio. I'm sure time off could or would need to be arranged in his contract for TEOR to enable that to happen ;-)) Time will tell. So TEOR will target 2004 end of year holidays for release, then? That would be a mighty nice Xmas (and bday, for me) present. ;-) GWAPE(s) this year and hopefully towels the next! ;-D Also, recently an employee based out of London had her work email posted on a public forum for Colin and needless to say it's been hell for her ever since. Poor thing, what a pain in the...... :-( Thanks so much, Lola! Congrats on your promotion!! :-D Shame you'll have less time to drop by (even to lurk for a laugh ;-)). (Pam) But would love to see him in a good mystery as a detective I don't think I'd actually mind that either."}, {"response": 726, "author": "houstonandy", "date": "Tue, Jul 22, 2003 (16:09)", "body": "(Pam)....we'd definitely have to get him into severe physical training as well as lessons in the boudoir.;-) Couldn't agree more. Somehow, he'd have to beef up a bit. Couldn't be hanging from helicopters or airplane wings without the muscles. Just wouldn't play well. Also, he definitely needs to learn the \"bed ballet.\" Can we share on the boudoir lessons? Perhaps we can hope TEOR has some shagging scenes. Great screen practice for a JB role and great fantasy fodder for us!! Congrats to Lola."}, {"response": 727, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 22, 2003 (16:43)", "body": "(Lola)So I really appreciate the professional attitude and respect of this forum. Trust me the difference is night and day. Thank you for the compliment, Lola. However, the credit goes to the Karen who consistently has a high standard in running this place and makes us look good."}, {"response": 728, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jul 22, 2003 (18:14)", "body": "Thank you Lola, and congratulations on your promotion. Don't work too hard... (Dorine)GWAPE(s) this year and hopefully towels the next! Yes, towels...small ones. V. small one;-)"}, {"response": 729, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Jul 22, 2003 (18:26)", "body": "(EmmaB)from www.westminster.gov.uk 03 Aug - Celebrity Screening of 'What a Girl Wants' - Warner West End, Leicester Square Oddly worded as they usually call it a premiere. Contacted Westminster Council by phone. They confirmed it was not Premiere but Celebrity Screening, ie stars of movie may not make an appearance, but do other publicity instead. Tickets by invite only. Time will be either 2.00pm or 7.00pm.(Yet to be confirmed). - Don't know whether to laugh or cry. This is probably my only chance to be in London for a Premiere!"}, {"response": 730, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jul 22, 2003 (19:45)", "body": "(Janet) Contacted Westminster Council by phone. They confirmed it was not Premiere but Celebrity Screening, ie stars of movie may not make an appearance, but do other publicity instead. Seems odd to put the information on the web site if they don't want or expect the public to show up. When I spoke to someone at the Rainforest Alliance before the WAGW premiere here, they couldn't (or wouldn't) tell me who was showing up. And it was *their* benefit. But, more than likely, someone else was making the event arrangements. Gotta say one of the most interesting things I learned volunteering for the Tribeca FF was who puts together award shows and events that require celebrities, how much goes wrong right up to the last minute, and how they pull them off."}, {"response": 731, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Wed, Jul 23, 2003 (06:13)", "body": "If you think that Livia is probably off suffering in Italian again, then that would be probably one reason they've called it a Celebrity Screening I suppose. Does anyone really think he will go? I probably won't go if it is in the afternoon as I have a previous committment that involves watching home made flying machines crash into the Serpentine. And Janet, save your air miles for LA, GWAPE, TEOR, etc.!! Might be a better chance."}, {"response": 732, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jul 23, 2003 (08:18)", "body": ")Maria from Firthology)And how about those hand movements, huh? Pretty impressive! Molto bello! Just *had* to comment here since there's no room at 166.:-( Thank you Maria! I just got a chance to listen To the Maestro! I have no Italian but I loved it and the hands Louisa, the hands! I'll probably get a nastygram from the I.T. police here at work for streaming but it was worth it!"}, {"response": 733, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jul 23, 2003 (09:01)", "body": "I'm moving Maria's post here: Maybe I'm wierd, (ok, not maybe..) but it has long been a desire of mine to hear him speak Italian...I fear I shall listen to this over and over!! (and hurrah, my heart leaps again after the crash and burn of HS...;-)) Too bad it isn't more clear! http://www.rainews24.rai.it/ran24/rubriche/cinema/videointerviste/interviste.htm And how about those hand movements, huh? Pretty impressive! Molto bello!"}, {"response": 734, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jul 23, 2003 (09:02)", "body": "Great find, Maria! I must say he makes an effort. You can almost see him thinking. It is a heavy accent but his voice still sounds the same. His American accent is worse, with it, he even loses the identity of his voice. But when he spaks Italian the voice remains natural. Che bravo! I'm impressed."}, {"response": 735, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Jul 23, 2003 (09:22)", "body": "From me too - great find, Maria! I still don't like the dubbing of the movie at all. I'm in no place to say it's good or bad, but that face and another voice = very strange."}, {"response": 736, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Jul 23, 2003 (12:11)", "body": "(Moon) It is a heavy accent but his voice still sounds the same Does that mean that his Italian has a heavy english accent or that he speaks with a strong italian accent? He has been very modest in his assessment of his linguistic accomplishments would be interesting to have another person's view."}, {"response": 737, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Jul 23, 2003 (13:11)", "body": "Grazie Maria. What a treat. (Annette) I still don't like the dubbing of the movie at all Ditto."}, {"response": 738, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jul 23, 2003 (16:24)", "body": "(Allison), Does that mean that his Italian has a heavy english accent or that he speaks with a strong italian accent? I await the day to hear Colin speak with a strong \"Romano\" accent. ;-D He speaks Italian with a heavy English accent but the pronounciation is correct. He is understood. Now if he could only dub his own voice in Italy. ;-)"}, {"response": 739, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jul 23, 2003 (18:16)", "body": "(Allison)He has been very modest in his assessment of his linguistic accomplishments would be interesting to have another person's view. I'm not very fluent in Italian, but I can understand most of what is being said in conversation. As I mentioned yesterday on 166, I was v. surprised at the level of fluency and his obvious comfort with the language. I didn't think, because of his assessment, that he spoke the language so well. Thanks, again, Maria. A very rare find and excellent treat. Mille grazie!"}, {"response": 740, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jul 23, 2003 (18:58)", "body": "Thanks Maria! What a treat! Was listening at work and, of course, speak not a lick of Italian. A co-worker does and heard it from afar...he stated \"that's an odd accent...oh! He's English\". Came over and watched the segment with me and said that ODB spoke Italian very well...I was just enjoying all the hand gestures and realized that it doesn't matter what ODB is saying...I'll listen! ;-)"}, {"response": 741, "author": "Odile", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (01:53)", "body": "Anybody up at this time of night for a sneak peek at the Love Actually trailer. Warning: it is fairly pixelated, but I'm on my way to Keepsakes... Acknowledgement for this (i.e. not my find): Linn via Amelie from the French CF circle. Merci Linn et Amelie! Enjoy! And let's talk outfits! :) http://www.kinepolis.be/index.cfm?PageID=143&coufID=11718"}, {"response": 742, "author": "Odile", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (01:56)", "body": "It's me again... I forgot to precise that you need to click on B.A. -- for bande-annonce, i.e. movie trailer in French. It's in flash something for loading it, and it takes a while, but it's worth the wait; there is quite a bit of ODB... *sigh*"}, {"response": 743, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (05:08)", "body": "Odile, Great find! And it does seems promising, although typical RC Rom-Com. - But what was AR all about in those horn-rimmed glasses?"}, {"response": 744, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (05:24)", "body": "Ooh that was nice. Bad picture, no sound at work, but Janet you are right, it seems VERY promising. The kissing was funny! (funny as in humourous scene, not judging quality!)"}, {"response": 745, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (09:54)", "body": "I remember bits of the article but not the pic, forgive if a repeat... Hello cute scarf man! Hello little smile! Hello cute hand on shoulder! Article - http://tube.tfl.gov.uk/content/metro/03/0305/30/ # Interesting..it links back to the bucket!!"}, {"response": 746, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (09:58)", "body": "Maria, thank you! I remember the article being postet or a link but never saw this picture (or at least not clearly enough to remember ;-))"}, {"response": 747, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (11:04)", "body": "Thanks for the LA update, Hola, and congrats about the promotion. I'll forward any questions on to you and look forward to receiving a package in the near future! (Hola) Also, recently an employee based out of London had her work email posted on a public forum for Colin and needless to say it's been hell for her ever since. Yes, and to make it worse, people started emailing Bevan and Fellner, forwarding insipid petitions, etc. A sad state of affairs. (Hola) So I really appreciate the professional attitude and respect of this forum. Trust me the difference is night and day. So glad you can tell the difference. :) (BTW, Colin as James Bond is NOT news, but fantasy on some people's parts) (Dorine) Wonder how much time off, if any, he'll get to squeeze in PR for GWAPE. :-( He'll have whatever the studio (Lions Gate) feels is necessary, as I'm sure it is in his contract. Working Title has to work around his prior commitments. Aren't you watching Project Greenlight? ;-D Thanks, ladies, for the links to the RAI Italian interview, the Love Actually trailer (you can watch it in English too) and the Tube pose."}, {"response": 748, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (11:08)", "body": "(Maria)Hello cute scarf man! Hello little smile! Hello cute hand on shoulder! Too cute! Thanks again oh Google Queen..... I've not seen it either and he's lovely. I'll tack that onto the my minds images from the LA trailer! Thanks for that Odile!"}, {"response": 749, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (12:00)", "body": "The Palm Beach Post: Greatest Sports Movies of all time: 43. Fever Pitch (1997) - Colin Firth, Ken Stott http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/content/sports/movie_list.html"}, {"response": 750, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (12:27)", "body": "(Murph)43. Fever Pitch (1997) - Colin Firth, Ken Stott Thanks Murph, that was fun. \"Oh, only #43\" I thought and then checked out the list and found it very good indeed, given what followed."}, {"response": 751, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (13:50)", "body": "Thanks for the LA trailer, Odile. Can't do French, but it was v. good en espa\ufffdol. Lots of smooches...\"All You Need is Love\"..perfect holiday movie."}, {"response": 752, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (16:38)", "body": "Thanks, Maria! Lovely picture!"}, {"response": 753, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (17:02)", "body": "(Murph) The Palm Beach Post: Greatest Sports Movies of all time: 43. Fever Pitch (1997) - Colin Firth, Ken Stott Always knew my hometown paper was worth reading. ;-) Thanks, Murph."}, {"response": 754, "author": "soph", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (17:29)", "body": "tah-doo-daaah ! tons of news & goodies ! thanks lola for the news & congratulations on your promotion (don't work too hard though, hehe), thanks odile for the trailer (snorted at the triple kiss scene), thanks maria for the pic (bet the scarf will very soon resurface at keepsakes)."}, {"response": 755, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (19:37)", "body": "Empire On Line competition. Prize is 2 tickets to WAGW Premiere and after show party on 3 August. Will contact Warner to confirm."}, {"response": 756, "author": "LizJP", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (20:04)", "body": "(Murph) The Palm Beach Post: Greatest Sports Movies of all time: 43. Fever Pitch (1997) - Colin Firth, Ken Stott I'm surprised (and pleased!) that FP made it onto a US list -- I don't think the movie's very well known here, is it? And much as I liked FP, I was even more surprised to see that it ranked ahead of Pat and Mike. I wonder if the voting was before or after Katharine Hepburn died? Thanks for the article! I got a kick out of it -- reminded me of some movies I haven't thought about in awhile."}, {"response": 757, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Jul 25, 2003 (01:07)", "body": "(Evelyn) Thanks for the LA trailer, Odile. Can't do French, but it was v. good en espa\ufffdol. Evelyn, use this to get into the page for trailer for the English version ... http://www.kinepolis.be/TrailerPopup/TrailerPopup.cfm?movieName=Love%20Actually&ident_site_Id=290&country_ID=B&language_Code=ENG&trailerID=2723%3c/A"}, {"response": 758, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jul 25, 2003 (13:06)", "body": "I seem to be running a day late...at least...this week. Thank you Odile and KJArt for posting that trailer link! I am now completely useless at work and can't seem to get that tune outta my head! The automation department rues the day they gave me that sound card!!! ;-) ODB looks fantatic....nice close-up (and I have inspected at least a dozen times to make sure). Thanks to Murph for the article. Am impressed that 'Fever Pitch' was #43! As 'The Endless Summer' was only #63! And the tube pic! Thank you Maria! From the looks of the others in the photo, it doesn't really appear to be a day for such a heavy scarf! ODB must be v. v. warm! Oh....wait....that's me....*fanning self*...sorry! ;-)"}, {"response": 759, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jul 25, 2003 (19:19)", "body": "(Liz)I'm surprised (and pleased!) that FP made it onto a US list Me, too. FP is one of my favorites. (Tress)it doesn't really appear to be a day for such a heavy scarf! ODB must be v. v. warm Scarves/towels...They're becoming his trademark;-)"}, {"response": 760, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Jul 25, 2003 (19:29)", "body": "(Tress)and can't seem to get that tune outta my head It's been driving me nuts all day trying to place the voice - any ideas?"}, {"response": 761, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jul 25, 2003 (22:49)", "body": "(Tress)and can't seem to get that tune outta my head (Janet) It's been driving me nuts all day trying to place the voice - any ideas? Singing All You Need Is Love? It's the guy they show singing in the church at the wedding at the beginning, isn't it? Is he somebody? Or are you talking about something else? :-P"}, {"response": 762, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Jul 26, 2003 (11:59)", "body": "(Tress) and can't seem to get that tune outta my head (Janet) It's been driving me nuts all day trying to place the voice - any ideas? (Dorine) Singing All You Need Is Love? It's the guy they show singing in the church at the wedding at the beginning, isn't it? Is he somebody? Or are you talking about something else? :-P I wasn't assuming it was the guy in the church (you know...the whole Audrey Hepburn...'My Fair Lady' thing...with Marni Nixon doing the singing for Audrey), so I looked yesterday on the internet....and I looked....and I looked....(not that I recognize the actor/possible singer...from the church, so it could very likely be him doing the vocals). And now that I'm typing this and thinking of it....the blasted tune is back!!!! GAH! Must find another Beatles tune to replace it with before I go mad! ;-)"}, {"response": 763, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Jul 26, 2003 (13:00)", "body": "(Janet) It's been driving me nuts all day trying to place the voice - any ideas? I'm sure he was a singer in a British band from a while back (60s/70s). His vocal style is just so familiar - it'll come to me eventually!! And I think it is him singing in church, BTW. He's around the correct age, anyway."}, {"response": 764, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Jul 26, 2003 (16:30)", "body": "(TressGAH! Must find another Beatles tune to replace it with before I go mad! ;-) Try Rocky Racoon! You'll get frustrated trying to remember the lyrics and put it out of your mind;-) It always works for me."}, {"response": 765, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jul 27, 2003 (15:18)", "body": "(Janet) It's been driving me nuts all day trying to place the voice - any ideas? It sounds like that black singer with a big scar on his face. He has a wonderful voice. I can't remember his name! Emma and Janet and whoever else attempts the WAGW London premiere, best of luck! I look forwrd to the DETAILED reports. ;-D Plus pictures, of course! I am off on an exotic adventure tomorrow. Take care and enjoy the summer. Cherio!"}, {"response": 766, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Jul 27, 2003 (17:01)", "body": "(Moon)It sounds like that black singer with a big scar on his face. He has a wonderful voice. I can't remember his name! Moon, you mean Seal. I agree with you, he's got a great singing voice, but I don't think he's the one in the trailer. I looked, but I couldn't tell for sure (trailer was very blurry for me). Emma and Janet and whoever else attempts the WAGW London premiere... I'll second that. Have fun tomorrow...wish I was there with you:-)! Moon, hope you have a great trip. Hasta!"}, {"response": 767, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, Jul 27, 2003 (18:38)", "body": "(AdaVW)I looked, but I couldn't tell for sure (trailer was very blurry for me). I'm sure the guy singing is meant to be the father of the groom, which would make him at least 50, by my reckoning - I still think he's a singer from a British band from a while back. (AdaVW)Emma and Janet and whoever else attempts the WAGW London premiere... I still can't get confirmation of venue, etc. Warner Village West End deny it is being held there, yet Westminster Council say it definitely is. Very badly handled!"}, {"response": 768, "author": "socadook", "date": "Sun, Jul 27, 2003 (19:17)", "body": "The trailer's a real treat. Mille mercis. While some of you are going nuts wondering who the singer is, I'll concentrate on the scene where ODB walks away then glances back. ;-p (Moon) Emma and Janet and whoever else attempts the WAGW London premiere, best of luck! Ditto"}, {"response": 769, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jul 27, 2003 (19:43)", "body": "Best of luck, UK ladies. Moon...happy exotic adventures"}, {"response": 770, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Jul 27, 2003 (21:46)", "body": "(Sonia)While some of you are going nuts wondering who the singer is, I'll concentrate on the scene where ODB walks away then glances back. ;-p Sounds like a great plan! I've no idea either and I do love the trailer. Have been hitting that pause button and relishing the results. The *look* at the pond has been having *pride of place* as well."}, {"response": 771, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jul 27, 2003 (22:28)", "body": "(Moon) I am off on an exotic adventure tomorrow. Take care and enjoy the summer. Cherio! Moon! Hadn't seen ya for a while, so I thought you left town already. Have a great time and safe journey! Say Hi to George for me. ;-) (Ada) Moon, you mean Seal. I agree with you, he's got a great singing voice, but I don't think he's the one in the trailer. He was my initial thought as well, but you can tell the difference. Good luck UK brigade! We'll be waiting! *toe tapping* ;-)"}, {"response": 772, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jul 27, 2003 (22:46)", "body": "I know I've been away, but I thought the WAGW premiere was August 3. Warner Brothers UK site is running a competition for premiere and after-party tickets. Anyway, I guess it's time to don the flack jackets. Empire's review: Following up such a well-received debut as Director Gordon may know what some, if not all, girls want \ufffd a rich daddy, parties galore and a boyfriend who looks like a member of Blue \ufffd but the clumsiness with which this fantasy is played out makes The Princess Diaries look subtle. In a remake of The Reluctant Debutante (1958), American teen Daphne (Amanda Bynes) is delighted to find her father is a British lord (Colin Firth). Her unannounced arrival, however, displeases daddy\ufffds poisonous fianc\ufffde (Anna Chancellor), as does her reluctance to behave like the ancient stereotypes populating this film (\ufffdI\ufffdm British: we only show affection to dogs and horses,\ufffd spouts Eileen Atkins\ufffd Lady Dashwood). Firth\ufffds comic abilities are given slightly more room to breathe, but with its clumsy plotting and sickly sentiment, this feels like a lazy attempt to cash in on an outdated American dream. ANNA SMITH Issue 171 September 2003"}, {"response": 773, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jul 27, 2003 (22:50)", "body": "BBC review: Cinderella has been done so many times she can no longer wear white to her wedding. Not that Amanda Bynes would ever dream of doing anything so conventional in \"What a Girl Wants\". You see, she's American, and therefore fun and funky, where we Brits are staid and stuffy. What-ho! I say, spiffing cucumber sandwiches, etc. One gets the idea. In fact, if you thought \"The Princess Diaries\" was a mite hackneyed, there are even fewer surprises in this effort - \"inspired\" by 50s pic \"The Reluctant Debutante\" - by director Dennie Gordon. Hip chick Daphne Reynolds (\"Big Fat Liar star Bynes) jets from New York to London to make the acquaintance of the father she's never known. He just happens to be Lord Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth), very debonair but so uptight he could crack a nut when he walks. And that's nothing compared to Dashwood's fianc\ufffde (Anna Chancellor) and prospective stepdaughter (Christina Cole) - a frosty double act to rival the Polar ice caps. Inevitably Daphne causes quite the ballyhoo, threatening Dashwood's impending marriage, and his political ambitions, with her infernal jollity. She even goes so far as to give HRH The Prince of Wales an impromptu lap dance in one of few mildly amusing moments. Her inclination towards open displays of affection also jars with The Dashwood Way. Moving to give her grandmother a hug, she's waved away with the advice: \"I'm British. We only show affection to dogs and horses.\" Director Gordon rolls out one clich\ufffd after another at a wearing pace. Ironically though, it's Colin Firth's square-shaped performance that proves to be the high note in the movie; Amanda Bynes' monotone exuberance feeling strained by comparison. Admittedly prepubescent girlie-girls might be won over by Miss Bynes' chickadee antics, but supervising guardians should be warned: it'll take a lot more than a stiff upper lip to swallow this bag of old chestnuts. \"What a Girl Wants\" is released in UK cinemas on Friday 8th August 2003."}, {"response": 774, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jul 27, 2003 (22:51)", "body": "Shadows On The Wall: There's a hint of serious subtext running beneath the surface that just about makes this ludicrous comedy bearable. Otherwise, it's contrived and over-sweetened but still adequately entertaining. Daphne (Bynes) is a sparky 17-year-old New Yorker who has never met her English father, the legendary Lord Dashwood (Firth). Her mother (Preston) has been her whole family, and she finally decides it's time to meet Dad. So off to England she runs, where she turns her father's well-ordered life upside down, threatening his devious fiancee (Chancellor), whose own father (Pryce) is a political manipulator with big plans for Dashwood. There are other wrinkles involving Dashwood's knowing-but-eccentric mum (Atkins), the spiteful potential stepsister (Cole) and a cute-but-scruffy musician (James). The entire plot is apparent within about five minutes of the opening credits, so the only fun to have is in the way they get there. Alas, the plot itself isn't remotely original, relying on terribly British cliches (London Calling on the soundtrack, again?) and corny situations where even a tiny bit of creativity and intelligence would have made it so much better. Fortunately, the performances are good, and Firth is especially solid as a man confronted with his past in a rather shocking way. His scenes with Bynes are excellent, and give the film a real heart, as do Bynes' scenes with Preston, who adds some weight to the normally throwaway wacky-mom role. But essentially what we have here is another cute romantic fantasy aimed at 13-year-old girls and no one else (see also the much-worse The Princess Diaries). And on that level it's a triumph."}, {"response": 775, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Jul 27, 2003 (23:06)", "body": "(Mari)(BBC review) Ironically though, it's Colin Firth's square-shaped performance that proves to be the high note in the movie; Shadows On The Wall: Firth is especially solid as a man confronted with his past in a rather shocking way. His scenes with Bynes are excellent, and give the film a real heart, Thanks Mari! Pretty much that same as in the US. A relief so far."}, {"response": 776, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Jul 27, 2003 (23:08)", "body": "He just happens to be Lord Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth), very debonair but so uptight he could crack a nut when he walks. Ohhhh....I hope he doesn't crack a nut! LOL.... But this is good: Fortunately, the performances are good, and Firth is especially solid as a man confronted with his past in a rather shocking way. His scenes with Bynes are excellent, and give the film a real heart, as do Bynes' scenes with Preston, who adds some weight to the normally throwaway wacky-mom role. Glad to see a somewhat decent review. I was a bit worried that the UK reviewers would all dislike this one....and I don't want Hunk Daddy trashed! I do so love him a million green M&Ms..... Thanks Mari!"}, {"response": 777, "author": "socadook", "date": "Sun, Jul 27, 2003 (23:25)", "body": "ANNA SMITH Issue 171 September 2003 What Anna Nicole did on her summer vacation ;-) (BBC Review) Cinderella has been done so many times she can no longer wear white to her wedding. Alas, the plot itself isn't remotely original, relying on terribly British cliches (...)Firth is especially solid as a man confronted with his past in a rather shocking way. His scenes with Bynes are excellent, and give the film a real heart Congrats to the casting director. And when will writers/directors learn that clich\ufffds do not a film make? Mari, thanks for the laughs, uh reviews ;-)"}, {"response": 778, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jul 27, 2003 (23:32)", "body": "(Mari) I know I've been away, but I thought the WAGW premiere was August 3. And I've been here, obviously not really paying attention to when it is and following the \"herd's\" well wishes. Oops. ;-) Following up such a well-received debut as Director Gordon *Please* tell me they aren't referring to Joe Dirt. Lord Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth), very debonair but so uptight he could crack a nut when he walks. ROTF!! Thanks, Mari. They were better than I expected and not really off the mark. And as always, the British reviews are *very* humorous. Sometimes more than the actual movie. (Tress) I do so love him a million green M&Ms..... Oh my....I think I must disown you as my twin. ;-D"}, {"response": 779, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 28, 2003 (09:29)", "body": "Getting better reviews than HS , which we didn't think it would.... Er...that is until we saw HS. Thanks Mari. Wonder what Osama bin Tookey of the DM will say."}, {"response": 780, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Jul 28, 2003 (09:38)", "body": "Osama bin Tookey of the DM LOL Evelyn! Sadly (though not for ODB)Alexander Walker of the ES will not be able to get his claws into this one :-("}, {"response": 781, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Jul 28, 2003 (13:33)", "body": "My world clock says it is 7:30 p.m. in London....what time does the premiere start?! Good luck to any and all UK ladies attending! Am waiting for reports!! (me) I do so love him a million green M&Ms..... (Dorine) Oh my....I think I must disown you as my twin. ;-D LOL....You keep forgetting that I was the one that was dropped on my head! And that you have the advantage of being the older (by two weeks) and wiser (infinitely) twin!! ;-)"}, {"response": 782, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Mon, Jul 28, 2003 (13:59)", "body": "from IMDB, an interview w/ Keira Knightley - a couple of questions about \"Love Actually\" http://us.imdb.com/NewsFeatures/keiraknightley.html What about working with Hugh Grant? Our paths cross in the film, but we sadly don't have a proper scene together. I met him a few times, and I also did a few days with Colin Firth who I absolutely love! He's fantastic and really cool, and we had a real giggle."}, {"response": 783, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jul 28, 2003 (15:08)", "body": "Thanks, Mari. Reviews really do sound better than what I was expecting...we'll see. Exactly when is this premiere? I thought it was the 3rd as well. (Tress)Ohhhh....I hope he doesn't crack a nut! LOL.... LOL, you beat me to it."}, {"response": 784, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Jul 28, 2003 (15:17)", "body": "(Mari) I know I've been away, but I thought the WAGW premiere was August 3. (Dorine)And I've been here, obviously not really paying attention to when it is and following the \"herd's\" well wishes. Oops. ;-) So wait, does this make me the herd? ;-) Ahhh well, please forgive the booboo. My only excuse is..uhm..(thinking fast)..how about...my eyes got crossed!"}, {"response": 785, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Jul 28, 2003 (15:58)", "body": "(Mari) I know I've been away, but I thought the WAGW premiere was August 3. (Dorine)And I've been here, obviously not really paying attention to when it is and following the \"herd's\" well wishes. Oops. ;-) (AdaVW) So wait, does this make me the herd? ;-) OMG...I'm in the herd too Ada, even after being given the August 3rd date today...last week I was a few days behind and now....I'm days ahead...I'll go hide until I figure out what decade I'm in! (AdwVW) My only excuse is..uhm..(thinking fast)..how about...my eyes got crossed! Psssst....just say that you were looking at stubble pictures....it a legitimate excuse and I know that I become a bit disoriented afterwards..."}, {"response": 786, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Jul 28, 2003 (17:38)", "body": "(Mari) I know I've been away, but I thought the WAGW premiere was August 3. I've been phoning everybody, and Warner Publicity have finally confirmed it is being held in the Warner Village West End on Sunday 3 August. They couldn't confirm the time but said 'early afternoon'. Not open to the public. No details on who will attend - don't know whether I should make the journey."}, {"response": 787, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Jul 28, 2003 (22:54)", "body": "ancient stereotypes populating this film (\ufffdI\ufffdm British: we only show affection to dogs and horses,\ufffd spouts Eileen Atkins\ufffd Lady Dashwood). Oh, man, this one is bound to show up in most of the reviews. But essentially what we have here is another cute romantic fantasy aimed at 13-year-old girls and no one else (see also the much-worse The Princess Diaries). Well, the 13-year-olds (and those of us with inner 13-year-olds) need entertainment too. Looking forward to better things this fall..."}, {"response": 788, "author": "kelbrom1", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (03:39)", "body": "Hey all, I don't usually post but always enjoy dropping in on drool to see what is news. Wanted to go to try and get to Premiere of WAGW and called Warner Bros who confirmed it is not open to the public and also Colin is not attending due to the fact his wife has just had a baby. Hope this helps."}, {"response": 789, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (05:13)", "body": "(Kelli/Warner Bros)Colin is not attending due to the fact his wife has just had a baby. Thank you for the information, Kelli. Isn't this the first \"confirmation\" that their baby is born?"}, {"response": 790, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (05:24)", "body": "Go here if you would like to win tickets for the UK premiere on August 3rd. http://www.warnerbros.co.uk/movies click What a girl wants, and the competition pop-up pops up ;-)"}, {"response": 791, "author": "kelbrom1", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (07:40)", "body": "Annette, yes this is the first I have heard"}, {"response": 792, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (07:45)", "body": "(Kelli)Colin is not attending due to the fact his wife has just had a baby Thanks for the info Kelli. However,he attended the Premiere of BJD in London 3 weeks after the birth of Luca. (I think they flew him in from Italy by private jet). Perhaps this isn't *big* enough justify that. - Ah well, looks like I won't be going after all!!"}, {"response": 793, "author": "kelbrom1", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (08:20)", "body": "Maybe he will change his mind which would be cool.... perhaps I better go up there JUST IN CASE!"}, {"response": 794, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (08:36)", "body": "I'm not going on Sunday...unless of course I win those tickets. Got other plans. Will wait for the big stuff coming up this fall... Not news as such but...I did get to see those Vermeers in the Hague this weekend and it was pretty to cool see Griet in person. Okay, yes it's fiction! But although I am not normally interested in that kind of painting, it's very compelling to look at. Small. Just stared at it for a while."}, {"response": 795, "author": "LizJP", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (08:58)", "body": "Has anyone else seen CF on a Best Western commercial? I thought I was imagining things, but I saw the commercial twice between 9:30 and 10 a.m. Eastern time (US) just now. It shows people sleeping in various places, and there's a brief scene of CF and HG that appears to be from Hope Springs. Might be the closest we'll get to seeing the movie in the US!"}, {"response": 796, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (09:16)", "body": "Thanks for the news, Kelli. Since AB couldn't attend, it would appear WB won't be trying to compensate with an all-glitter, all-British cast premiere...and Colin could beg off. ;-D BTW, the Love Actually trailer has been taken down from the Kinepolis site; they informed me of it. I'd bet they jumped the gun and it wasn't supposed to be up."}, {"response": 797, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (09:31)", "body": "FYI, for all those who took umbrage over the savaging of HS, just wait for this Friday, when they let loose on Gigli. The buzz is so bad already. Rom-coms are a difficult genre to do well because of their predictability and the need for chemistry between the leads. Without a fresh and believable approach and solid dialogue, they're destined for major criticism."}, {"response": 798, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (10:07)", "body": "(Karen)...all those who took umbrage over the savaging of HS, just wait for this Friday, when they let loose on Gigli Yeah sure, but that's probably not gonna stop them at the BO is it?"}, {"response": 799, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (10:26)", "body": "(Beedee) Yeah sure, but that's probably not gonna stop them at the BO is it? I don't know. However, it does make the point that Colin's name isn't enough to attract an audience, i.e., he isn't \"bankable.\" Sorry, but that's the reality."}, {"response": 800, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (10:49)", "body": "Thanks Maria, what a great pic. Thanks Mari for the reviews. Kind for the British, better than I thought. Love \"crack a nut\". Thanks Murph for the sports movie article. Glad to see it on there. I thought it was great, but honestly didn't hear about it until I learned about it from all of you. So am surprised it beat out some American favorites."}, {"response": 801, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (11:54)", "body": "(Janet)he attended the Premiere of BJD in London 3 weeks after the birth of Luca. It was three days ! The difference: he wanted to be associated with BJD, but not with WAGW. He's stiffed the latter every step of the way, IMO.:-( (Kate)Oh, man, this one is bound to show up in most of the reviews The irony is that Eileen Atkins ad-libbed that line. I think the newspaper reviews will be savage. See my comment above.:-( (Karen)Rom-coms are a difficult genre to do well because of their predictability and the need for chemistry between the leads. And poor word-of-mouth puts the nails in the coffin. Lots of comedies this summer have tanked, despite the presence of big names--Down With Love (RZ and Ewan McG), Alex and Emma (Kate Hudson--who had a big hit with How to Lose a Guy), Hollywood Homicide (Harrison Ford)."}, {"response": 802, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (12:59)", "body": "From the BBC website, interviews with Amanda, Dennie, and Oliver. No Colin, but lovely things said about him. Stiffed! Amanda Bynes is the latest tween idol to make the transition from small to big screen. Star of All That and The Amanda Show, her first foray into film came with the 2002 hit \"Big Fat Liar\". Now she's aiming to discover \"What a Girl Wants\". The movie tries to highlight the differences between Americans and Brits and make that a source of the comedy. How do you feel about Britain after spending time there making the film? Well, I learned that it's not as different as we portray it in the film. We try to magnify the difference between Americans and the English. In real life it's really much more similar than how we show it. Everyone was so nice and it was an entirely British crew except for Kelly Preston, Dennie Gordon and I. And what about working with Colin Firth? How was that? It was really special. He's an amazing guy and a wonderful actor, and to work alongside him was an honour. He's down to earth and has such a good sense of humour and he's so charming. He's such a lovely guy. Why did you think this film would be a good vehicle for you? I like the message in the movie, and I think it's a good story. I just thought this would be a good message to give to girls. I've grown up with kids watching me on TV and as they're growing up, I'm growing up, and hopefully they can get a good message from it. What is that message? I think that the most important lesson you can learn is just to be yourself and not to change yourself for anyone else. Not for your boyfriend, not for your parents. That's a strong message in this film. \"What a Girl Wants\" opens in UK cinemas on Friday 8th August 2003."}, {"response": 803, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (13:29)", "body": "Here's DG's interview, also from the BBC site: Dennie Gordon has honed his directorial skills on the small screen, working on series as diverse as Ally McBeal, Dawson's Creek and Sports Night. His first movie was the David Spade vehicle \"Joe Dirt\". His sophomore effort is tweenie Amanda Bynes vehicle \"What a Girl Wants\". How much fun is it doing a film where you put free-spirited Americans alongside the stuffy English? We had so much fun with that, having fun with the stuffy Brits! But let me tell you, they had fun with us too! We took it in turns to take potshots at each other and some of the really fun lines came out of our experience together. When the character played by Dame Eileen Atkins says \"We don't hug, dear, we're British, we only show affection to dogs and horses\", that was improvised because we Americans were hugging everybody. How did you persuade Colin Firth to play the father of a teenager? Colin was really game to play the part. He's a parent himself. He has children and I think the father-daughter relationship appealed to him. I think he was just ready to show the world his comedy chops, and I think he's hilarious in the movie. How was it shooting in London? I had to shoot in London because London is like a character in the movie. I had to have Big Ben and I had to have the Thames. It was really very simple to shoot there. They were very welcoming to us and I had killer locations, like St James' Palace and the Millennium Bridge. In fact, the City of London shut down the Millennium Bridge so I could get my shot. They were friendly to us and it only rained a little bit! Why does the movie work, in your opinion? I took this movie because I really love what it says. It says that life is full of second chances if you're not afraid to take them. And if you follow your dream, happiness and love can be yours. That's a fairytale for all ages."}, {"response": 804, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (13:31)", "body": "(Liz)Has anyone else seen CF on a Best Western commercial? What network and show was it, Liz? I wonder if Disney owns Best Western."}, {"response": 805, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (13:47)", "body": "(BBC) Dennie Gordon has honed his directorial skills Doesn't look like they had a press conference. ;-D (Mari) I wonder if Disney owns Best Western. Nope. Nothing/no relationship mentioned in last annual report. Besides, all of Disney's hotel/accommodations are all so branded."}, {"response": 806, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (15:07)", "body": "(Liz)Has anyone else seen CF on a Best Western commercial? No! I wonder if the clip was used by permission of the studio (as opposed to the actors)? And, um, is HS the image Best Western wants? Does anyone have confirmation on the bambino/bambina? (BBC) Dennie Gordon has honed his directorial skills (Karen) Doesn't look like they had a press conference. ;-D No photos in the press kit? And, if it was an interview, how could the writer get it wrong? Unless it was done via email????"}, {"response": 807, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (15:29)", "body": "\" How did you persuade Colin Firth to play the father of a teenager?\" $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$"}, {"response": 808, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (15:44)", "body": "(Ev)$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Pfft! But promotional services will cost you extra. ;-)"}, {"response": 809, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (18:51)", "body": "(Mari)Pfft! But promotional services will cost you extra. ;-) Yeah, and it looks like WB isn't biting...no private plane for this one;-)"}, {"response": 810, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (19:12)", "body": "Could be that was part of his contract.\"No promos!!\" He certainly has been MIA on this one, except for \"Colin Unplugged\", and we saw how enthusiastic he was about that one. Only SLOW & L'dum were worse."}, {"response": 811, "author": "LizJP", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (20:34)", "body": "About the HS clip in the Best Western commercial: I saw it on CNN headline news (US). The clip was very short (a few seconds) and not attributed to the movie, nor were the actors named -- I just recognized CF and HG and didn't think they'd appeared together in anything else."}, {"response": 812, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (22:05)", "body": "(Beedee) Yeah sure, but that's probably not gonna stop them at the BO is it? (Karen)I don't know. However, it does make the point that Colin's name isn't enough to attract an audience, i.e., he isn't \"bankable.\" Sorry, but that's the reality. You know, sometimes reality sucks ;-)!"}, {"response": 813, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jul 31, 2003 (16:20)", "body": "(Mari) It was three days! The difference: he wanted to be associated with BJD, but not with WAGW. He's stiffed the latter every step of the way, IMO.:-( I agree. Other than the conference he hasn't done anything for this movie. Personal choice, could have been in the contract and agree WB wouldn't foot the bill for a plane on this one. But leaves hope for alot of press with EOR. Yeah."}, {"response": 814, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Jul 31, 2003 (20:08)", "body": "(Kelli)Colin is not attending due to the fact his wife has just had a baby. Haven't read anything in the press about the birth. He's certainly succeeded in keeping it under wraps. Maybe confirmation will come during the press coverage of the Premiere on Sunday, explaining his non-appearance."}, {"response": 815, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug  1, 2003 (08:55)", "body": "My n'spaper says WAGW DVD to be released this coming Tuesday."}, {"response": 816, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Aug  1, 2003 (09:25)", "body": "(Pam)agree WB wouldn't foot the bill for a plane on this one. But they'd still pay for a commercial flight, 1st class. Standard practice. It occurs to me that maybe he's feeling so burned by the HS reviews that he doesn't feel like facing it down again, though WAGW is a better film and he is *much* better in it than he was in HS and therefore may not be as decimated in the reviews. Maybe he'll surprise us all and show up anyway."}, {"response": 817, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Aug  1, 2003 (13:18)", "body": "WAGW review from View London: OPENS FRIDAY AUGUST 8th Three out of Five stars Running time: 105 mins Fluffy, silly and packed with the usual London clich\ufffds, this is still surprisingly good fun, thanks to a sparkling performance by Amanda Bynes. Child star Amanda Bynes is much better known in the States than she is here, thanks to her success on shows such as All That and Nickleodeon\ufffds The Amanda Show. She\ufffds best known to UK audiences as Frankie Muniz\ufffds delightful co-star in Big Fat Liar, but here she gets her own vehicle, which opens just three weeks ahead of her TV \ufffdrival\ufffd Hilary Duff\ufffds The Lizzie Maguire Movie (due August 29th). Impulsive Child Seeks Father Bynes plays Daphne Reynolds, a seventeen year old girl who lives with her single mother (Kelly Preston) in New York and daydreams about the father she never knew. Impulsively, she hops on a plane to London, intending to track him down, whereupon she discovers that he is, in fact, Lord Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth: Stuffy Upper-Class Brits a Speciality), who has just renounced his peerage in order to stand for Parliament. Though initially taken aback by the daughter he never knew he had, Dashwood quickly accepts her into his home and attempts to get to know her. However, his slimy political advisor (Jonathan Pryce) and his conniving fiance\ufffd (Anna Chancellor) have other ideas and they scheme to get Daphne sent back to the States. All the usual London clich\ufffds are present and correct, the most laughable being that Dashwood supposedly lives in a vast country mansion that is handily situated in central London, a mere stone\ufffds throw from Buckingham Palace. In fact, the film is slightly obsessed with the Royal family, as the Queen and Princes Charles, Harry and William (or rather, their lookalikes) all make appearances for Comedy Purposes (Bynes falls off a catwalk into Charles\ufffd lap, etc). Teenage Target Audience Based on the 1958 Rex Harrison / Sandra Dee movie The Reluctant Debutante, What A Girl Wants is very much in the mould of other fairytale movies such as The Princess Diaries. The target audience, then, is very much 8-15 year old girls, and maybe teenage boys with crushes on Bynes. With that in mind, it\ufffds still an enjoyable piece of fluff, largely thanks to Bynes herself, who gives a spirited, funny performance and should be a big star in the future. (The camera certainly loves her, judging by the unusually high number of close-ups in the movie). The supporting cast are equally good \ufffd Firth can do this sort of thing in his sleep, but he genuinely puts the effort in and clearly enjoys the scenes where he gets to loosen up a bit. There\ufffds also good support from newcomer Oliver James, who plays Daphne\ufffds love interest. In short, as fluffy fairytale movies go, What A Girl Wants is undoubtedly cheesy but still pretty enjoyable and should be a decent hit with its target audience. Reviewed by - Matthew Turner"}, {"response": 818, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Aug  1, 2003 (13:34)", "body": "(Mari)It occurs to me that maybe he's feeling so burned by the HS reviews that he doesn't feel like facing it down again, though WAGW is a better film and he is *much* better in it than he was in HS The US reviews of WAGW were kind to him, even the ones that dismissed the movie as fluff, so he shouldn't be afraid to show up for WAGW. Thanks for posting the review, Mari. It's pretty good. At least it says nice things about Colin (loved the comment about his \"specialty\"), and it doesn't complain about the cliches. The reviewer certainly liked AB."}, {"response": 819, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Aug  1, 2003 (14:17)", "body": "(Mari's)In short, as fluffy fairytale movies go, What A Girl Wants is undoubtedly cheesy but still pretty enjoyable and should be a decent hit with its target audience. Pretty much on targer notable only for the *Drooler* attraction factor;-) (Kate)The US reviews of WAGW were kind to him, even the ones that dismissed the movie as fluff, so he shouldn't be afraid to show up for WAGW. The HS reviews were especially venomous and personal so could he expect better with WAGW? If that is in fact why he's absent."}, {"response": 820, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  1, 2003 (14:21)", "body": "Firth can do this sort of thing in his sleep, but he genuinely puts the effort in and clearly enjoys the scenes where he gets to loosen up a bit. *shaking head* This reviewer really missed the boat. :-("}, {"response": 821, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Aug  1, 2003 (14:40)", "body": "Thanks, Mari. Glad they liked Oliver James, too. I'm really enjoying the TV commercials for the WAGW DVD. (I'm so deep in HD withdrawl...the commercials help) I've seen/heard it upwards of 8 times today, and at least 3 different versions. HD is back!!!"}, {"response": 822, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Aug  1, 2003 (15:01)", "body": "(Linda) HD is back!!! Ohhhh....lucky girl! I haven't seen the commercials yet! But I'm seriously debating taking the day off work so that I can watch HDTV all day! They can't expect me to concentrate on my job when there is a DVD waiting for me to slo-mo a particular scene (you know the one I'm talkin' about) over and over and over again...;-D"}, {"response": 823, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Aug  1, 2003 (15:46)", "body": "(Tress) HDTV LMAO! Good one, Tress. I actually do have a high definition set, so I guess I'll be watching HDHDTV.;-) Mmmm, 65 HD inches of HD . . . hurry, Tuesday! I haven't seen the WAGW commercials, but I did catch the one Liz mentioned for Best Western. I know it's highly unlikely, but if that isn't Colin, then he has a double in this world. Omigod, 2 of them walking around . . .:-) There's also a different version, without him/his twin."}, {"response": 824, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Aug  1, 2003 (15:49)", "body": "(Evelyn) My n'spaper says WAGW DVD to be released this coming Tuesday. Saw an ad on TV for DVD last night, available Tuesday and saying starring AB and CF."}, {"response": 825, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Aug  1, 2003 (16:08)", "body": "Haven't seen either of these ads. :-( Guess I watch too much cable and not enough commercial TV."}, {"response": 826, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  1, 2003 (16:28)", "body": "I've scanned in and added the actual pictures from the Glasgow newspaper supplement that Janet kindly sent me to this article: http://www.firth.com/articles/03eveningtimes_508.html Very lovely, if I do say so myself. ;-D"}, {"response": 827, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Aug  1, 2003 (18:43)", "body": "Thanks, Janet and Karen. (Dorine)Guess I watch too much cable and not enough commercial TV. Where else can you get BJD every night for the past week;-)"}, {"response": 828, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Aug  2, 2003 (18:19)", "body": "The French actress Marie Trintignant, who played Bianca in Wings of Fame, was found badly beaten in a hotel room. She died a few days later. Her boyfriend has been arrested."}, {"response": 829, "author": "socadook", "date": "Sat, Aug  2, 2003 (18:26)", "body": "(Linda)Thanks, Janet and Karen. (Dorine)Guess I watch too much cable and not enough commercial TV. Ditto."}, {"response": 830, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug  2, 2003 (23:05)", "body": "A report from Zreview about Trauma filming that took place about two months ago: The following info on the Trauma filming has just been sent in \"The scene (filmed on a sunny weekend, indoors, at Spearmint Rhino lapdancing club in Colnbrook, just slightly to the North of...Terminal 4, Heathrow Airport!) about two months ago, I thought that it would not be fresh. Also, the scene's words are absolutely X-rated. Colin Firth was sitting in the nightclub/lapdancing club. We extras are punters. The four actors surrounding Firth have taken him there to bring him out of the introspective shell he's been in, since avoiding death in a car crash which claimed the life of his wife. He is brooding and pensive, as the loud, beery circle of friends (one of which is played by an actor with a very big scar on his face, Scottish, about 30, think he was in Braveheart. That scar is NOT the work of the makeup department.) discusses homosexual sex in graphic street terms, and whether they would be 'takers' or 'receivers' in such sex acts. All this while the dancers/strippers are dancing on the small stage. Firth, eyes to the stage, is goaded by one of his friends that he may be a closet gay. He asks if he'd ever been tempted to engage in gay acts, Firth says \"dunno, you any good?\" The group of extras numbered about 40, additional to the dancers. The dancers were attired as a Kylie (white chiffon/hood), Tina Turner, Geri Halliwell, and a Britney Spears. The dancers come down off the stage and pair off with extras, and one of the principals, and lead them into the back of the club, ersatz, for individual lap-dancing session. Judging from the way the actors were directed, it seems obvious that the producers don't care about the US market for this film. So dense were the accents, Scottish and East End, that I could barely make out a word that they were saying, even with the music partially muted so that the mics could pick it all up. Even English audiences will need subtitles for some of this. The DP is John Mathieson BSC, who did Gladiator. He mused at how different it was to be doing a smaller project after the scale of Gladiator. But his enthusiasm for this project was no less, for that. But the dedication of all the technical crew in a very tight workspace was full-on. In another scene, extras are arrayed around a smaller podium stage looking at a pneumatically endowed dancer, topless, whom I think was called Ashley, but I am not sure. Between takes, she covered up, and some of the extras (middle-aged men) had a great interest in talking to her. Behind the extras, Colin Firth is determinedly exiting the club, to the protestations of his friends. On the second day (the Sunday) one of the extras actually fainted/passed out during the take. I don't know what brought this on, because it was a lot cooler in the dark club than outside where the weather was glorious, and some of the extras were lying out on the lawn watching planes drift down onto the runway, about 200 metres away.\" Thanks to Anon!"}, {"response": 831, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Aug  2, 2003 (23:05)", "body": "The Scotsman review (read at your own risk;-) Is this what girls want? WHAT A GIRL WANTS (PG) Director: Dennie Gordon Starring: Amanda Bynes Running time: 107 minutes REMEMBER those horrid Friends episodes when the gang flew to Cool Britannia for one of Ross\ufffds many weddings? How could you forget? The writers dealt in the crassest of cultural stereotypes, depicting a neverland of double-decker buses, Beefeaters on every corner and Richard Branson flogging souvenirs on the Thames. All that was lacking was Dick Van Dyke having a knees up with some sooty urchins and pearly queens twirling in the background. Now, imagine that guiding philosophy applied to an entire feature film and you will know exactly what to expect from the toe-curling embarrassment that is What A Girl Wants. A very loose remake of the 1958 Rex Harrison comedy The Reluctant Debutante, What A Girl Wants unfolds in time warp notions of a Britain populated by snooty aristocrats and chinless wonders and defined by emotions that are as cold as the weather. \"No hugs,\" warns the redoubtable Eileen Atkins. \"I\ufffdm British - we only show affection to dogs and horses.\" The clash of cultures can provide some of the most fertile material for screen comedy but this is lazily conceived and sloppily executed. Even by fairytale standards everything is unconvincing and entirely formulaic. Seemingly stuck in the kind of roles that Hugh Grant must reject by the dozen, Colin Firth is once again cast as a repressed, cold fish Englishman. His Lord Henry Dashwood is a pillar of the British establishment but he is also an independent spirit intent on renouncing his peerage to stand for the Commons. We could be looking at a future Prime Minister here. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, teenage Daphne (Amanda Bynes) lives with her wild child wedding singer mother Libby (Kelly Preston) in the heart of New York\ufffds Chinatown. She is Dashwood\ufffds daughter, the result of a reckless youth in which he almost defied convention to begin a different life with Libby. Scheming adviser Jonathan Pryce managed to send the mother packing and Dashwood doesn\ufffdt even know that Daphne exists. Wasted in a supporting role, Pryce appears to have become a weary disciple of the Roger Moore school of acting in which his performance consists entirely of raising, lowering and occasional arching an eyebrow. You may already be ahead of the plot by now as the 17-year-old Daphne heads to London in search of the father she has always wanted to know. The Clash are heard on the soundtrack, those double-decker buses drive into camera shot, the rain pours and soon Daphne is struggling to comprehend rhyming slang. Fortunately, Daphne\ufffds arrival in London comes just in the nick of time. The 17-year gap was apparently an emotional void for everyone concerned but now Dashwood is about to make the mistake of marrying bossy, ambitious Glynnis (Anna Chancellor) who has a daughter from hell. Set during the society season and filled with dubious Royal Family lookalikes, the story follows Daphne\ufffds impact on the stuffy Dashwood family and her desire to try to change her personality to suit their more traditional ways. Obviously, the target audience for What A Girl Wants is tweenie girls but surely even they won\ufffdt swallow the kind of bilge that has Daphne falling into Prince Charles\ufffd lap, effortlessly entrancing minor royalty and enlivening a coming out ball by getting the audience to shake their tiaras and boogie on down to the sounds of James Brown\ufffds \ufffdGet Up Offa That Thing\ufffd. Probably happens all the time. Bynes apparently has a huge following in the States thanks to her television series The Amanda Show. She is personable and vivacious but bears a disconcerting resemblance to Linda Blair from The Exorcist and sports a distractingly large nose. Everyone from Jonathan Pryce to dear old Sylvia Syms were presumably just grateful for the work but Colin Firth really needs to find some fresh challenges. The one person who almost makes the whole thing work is Eileen Atkins as Dashwood\ufffds formidable mother. Serving tea and sympathy or blasting away at the ancestral pile with her shotgun, she provides some of the few bright moments along the way. Leaving the cinema at the end of What A Girl Wants, I discovered that my foot had fallen asleep - a mercy unfortunately denied to the rest of my body."}, {"response": 832, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Aug  2, 2003 (23:36)", "body": "Colin Firth really needs to find some fresh challenges. Ask and ye shall receive. (re: Amanda) and sports a distractingly large nose. I find this unnecessary. There seems to be quite an odd array of happenings in Trauma. The outcome could go both ways in that it all gels together in a very intriguing and suspenseful way, or it could seem like a bunch of mish mash. Suppose time will tell. Thanks Karen and Mari."}, {"response": 833, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug  2, 2003 (23:40)", "body": "From Premiere Mag's Fall Preview, typed up by Evelyn: GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING Starring Colin Firth, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Wilkinson and Essie Davis, directed by Peter Webber (Lions Gate, Dec 12) Based on the best-selling 1999 novel by Tracy Chevalier, this fictional story about the relationship between the 17th-century Dutch master Johannes Vermeer (Firth) and the servant muse in his famous painting (Johansson) is the kind of clothes-on love story audiences rarely see these days. \"You want them to be together,\" Johansson says of the unspoken adoration her shy character feels for her married master. First-time director Webber realized he wanted to make the film when he read the script's sexiest scene, in which Vermeer pierces the young girl's ear. \"I just thought, 'Oh my God, this is something I haven't seen before,'\" he says. Firth (What a Girl Wants) admits he was worried about how to portray the mysterious artist-who left behind a few dozen masterpieces, but no real self-portrait-but he'd come to terms with his own artistic limitations: \"I could do all the research in the world and never do an average portrait.\" CANVASSING THE MASSES: Webber would rather please fans of the book than art historians. \"It's no surprise to me that there's an awful lot of middle-aged women who loved this novel to death, \" he says. \"It's a romantic drama. We can't go too highfalutin about it.\" ------------------------ Here's the US poster: Names are CF, SJ and TW, in that order ------------------------ And Premiere's preview of Love Actually: LOVE ACTUALLY Starring Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Alan Rickman, Laura Linney, and Keira Knightley; Directed by Richard Curtis (Universal, Nov 7.) Curtis, who wrote \"Four Weddings and a Funeral\" and \"Notting Hill,\" steps into the director's chair for this compendium of ten stories of love-romantic, platonic, sibling, unrequited, etc.-that interweave during Christmastime in London. \"Some of the stories are sad and rather hopeless, some are rather sweet and tender and romantic, and others are complicated,\" says Firth, whose novelist character heads to France after catching his girlfriend in bed with his brother-only to fall for a Portuguese maid. Grant plays the very single new British Prime Minister who's smitten by a staffer on his first day on the job, while his sister (Thompson) suspects her husband (Rickman) of having an affair and struggles to \"get on with the fact of living together and bringing up children,\" she says. Neeson plays a father who fantasizes about Claudia Schiffer; she appears as herself in a role once slated for Nicole Kidman, who was tied up shooting \"Cold Mountain.\" Inevitably, a wedding and a funeral are involved, plus sever l cameos, including Billy Bob Thornton as the U.S. President. PLAY IT AGAIN: In the film, a fading rocker (Bill Nighy) attempts to revive his career by releasing a version of \"Love is All Around\"-the hit song from \"Four Weddings.\""}, {"response": 834, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Aug  2, 2003 (23:58)", "body": "it seems obvious that the producers don't care about the US market for this film. So dense were the accents, Scottish and East End, that I could barely make out a word that they were saying . . . Even English audiences will need subtitles for some of this. Oh swell. If the locals can't even understand the dialogue, may I ask who this film was made for??? :-( On the other hand . . . I am loving the GWAPE poster, yes I am! Thanks so much, Evelyn and Karen. I needed that, after the Traumatic report of what sounds like an unreleasable film."}, {"response": 835, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Aug  3, 2003 (01:14)", "body": "the script's sexiest scene, in which Vermeer pierces the young girl's ear Absolutely it is! Webber would rather please fans of the book than art historians. \"It's no surprise to me that there's an awful lot of middle-aged women who loved this novel to death, \" he says. \"It's a romantic drama. We can't go too highfalutin about it.\" That's right, don't go messin' with it. ;-D Firth, whose novelist character heads to France after catching his girlfriend in bed with his brother His *brother*, eh? So dense were the accents, Scottish and East End, that I could barely make out a word that they were saying . . . Even English audiences will need subtitles for some of this. Hmmmm, sounds like Sweet Sixteen, a recent Scottish(?) film with all subtitles (including the multitude of F-words, LOL). Not sure how well that did here, but I know it was well reviewed here. It was a very good film. Well, no matter how Trama turns out, I do give him props for trying something that seems radically different for him. Interesting on the GWAPE poster (which is *quite* yummy!), that his wonderful stubble has disappeared. Just the moustache is noticeable. Also, it looks like he might be wearing that funny hat like the one sitting on the bedpost in that one picture of him standing, as opposed to it being his hair. Though it's hard to tell in a small picture like that. Thanks Evelyn for the Premiere tidbits. And thanks Karen for the GWAPE poster. ;-) If the movie is even close to being as awesome as I think it might be, I think I'll be breaking down to buy a Colin poster. :-)"}, {"response": 836, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, Aug  3, 2003 (08:52)", "body": "Thanks ladies for the articles and film reviews. Trauma looks to be a definite 18 (NC17) rating. Although the States will probably get a 'diluted' version. Regarding accents. In Britain, some people are just a little lazy when it comes to understanding regional accents, IMHO. I can understand accents from anywhere in the UK - I pay attention! However, I understand the difficulties for non-British english speakers. Isn't the GWAPE poster wonderful? I have high hopes for this one. Can't wait!"}, {"response": 837, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug  3, 2003 (09:13)", "body": "\"So dense were the accents, Scottish and East End, that I could barely make out a word that they were saying . .\" And I had trouble with Clive:-((( Don't go away, Janet...Promise? Trauma sounds very art house. But I was pleased to find GWAPE among the \"fall aces\" in Premiere Mag. Hey, this is the first time I've seen one of his starring films (his name first) even mentioned in a US movie mag. Classy poster."}, {"response": 838, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Aug  3, 2003 (09:33)", "body": "(Mari/Scotsman)Colin Firth really needs to find some fresh challenges. The one person who almost makes the whole thing work LOL! I love the way this is wrapped by the Trauma and GWAPE posts! Thanks everyone. ((Karen)A report from Zreview about Trauma filming that took place about two months ago: Very interesting. Thanks Karen. It may be a work to understand the language but I'm not at all put off thus far. DQ was worth the work IMO and I can't p & moan about his selling out anymore;-) TDW looks to be another limited interest film. More power to him. These look like *fresh challenges* indeed.;-) No HG fare here either. ((Karen/Evelyn/Premiere)\"It's no surprise to me that there's an awful lot of middle-aged women who loved this novel to death, \" he says. \"It's a romantic drama. We can't go too highfalutin about it.\" Hey! They made this one for me (being MAged)! I was a fan of the book before ODB and love the photos, love the poster and can't wait either! Thanks for posting/typing it Karen and Evelyn. A great balm for the review. (Dorine)Well, no matter how Trama turns out, I do give him props for trying something that seems radically different for him. A big Ditto from me!"}, {"response": 839, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Aug  3, 2003 (09:37)", "body": "(Janet)I can understand accents from anywhere in the UK - I pay attention! However, I understand the difficulties for non-British english speakers. (Evelyn)And I had trouble with Clive:-((( Don't go away, Janet...Promise? Sorry to double post but like Evelyn I hope that Janet will help, not only with the words, but also the colloquialisms!:-))"}, {"response": 840, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  3, 2003 (09:40)", "body": "Judging from the way the actors were directed, it seems obvious that the producers don't care about the US market for this film. So dense were the accents, Scottish and East End, that I could barely make out a word that they were saying, even with the music partially muted so that the mics could pick it all up. Even English audiences will need subtitles for some of this. This is a bit worrisome IMO because it won't be the mainstream horror/thriller piece I had imagined Warners usually distributes, aimed at the pimply crowd. With the accents and language, it'll go more along the lines of what Dorine mentioned (Sweet Sixteen) and even 28 Days Later, as a specialty art house. But that lapdancing club scene sounds like it has potential. (Premiere/Webber) when he read the script's sexiest scene, in which Vermeer pierces the young girl's ear. Yes, yes, yes. Totally! But didn't Griet pierce her own ears? She only did one at first, but he wanted her to wear both earrings, so she had to do the second on the spot. He pretty much ordered her to take care of it right then and there. Webber would rather please fans of the book than art historians. How lovely to be considered for once. ;-D (Dorine) Interesting on the GWAPE poster...that his wonderful stubble has disappeared. Probably airbrushed out by the same guy who did Angelina's nipples. ;-D (Janet) Although the States will probably get a 'diluted' version. If it's released as an art house film, then it wouldn't be any different. What's usually diluted from our versions is sex scenes and, well, we know Colin isn't doing any these days. *sigh*"}, {"response": 841, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug  3, 2003 (09:42)", "body": "I wouldn't worry too much about the Financial Times reveiw of WAGW. No one who reads the FN would be caught dead seeing a piece of fluff like this ...even if it got good reveiws. They go to art house cinemas that show only foreign films.... without the subtitles;-)"}, {"response": 842, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Aug  3, 2003 (09:58)", "body": "No one who reads the FN would be caught dead seeing a piece of fluff like this As I said before I hope none of you is expecting anyone in the UK to actually go and see this? As far as I can see it has nothing that would appeal to anyone here except the obvious of course... I hope I am wrong but releasing it when half the country is on holiday is an indication of what the marketing people think. CF was wise to stay away from the premiere IMNSHO ;-)"}, {"response": 843, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  3, 2003 (10:16)", "body": "(Allison) As far as I can see it has nothing that would appeal to anyone here except the obvious of course... Which is why you should've seen it in a more receptive setting. ;-D (Scotsman) bilge that has Daphne falling into Prince Charles\ufffd lap, effortlessly entrancing minor royalty and enlivening a coming out ball by getting the audience to shake their tiaras and boogie on down to the sounds of James Brown\ufffds \ufffdGet Up Offa That Thing\ufffd. All of those scenes struck me as ones that wouldn't go over very well. Interestingly, the boogying on down scene reminded me of the finale of Dirty Dancing, yet that wasn't as condescending as this one was. :-("}, {"response": 844, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Aug  3, 2003 (10:25)", "body": "Which is why you should've seen it in a more receptive setting. Okay. I know but I did not like to inflict yet another viewing on you :-)"}, {"response": 845, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug  3, 2003 (11:53)", "body": "LOL. A hardship! Actually Allison I had the same opinion (FN:\"pure bilge\") before I saw the film;but was pleasantly surprised. Not as offensive as some of his previous ones and definitely better than HS."}, {"response": 846, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Aug  3, 2003 (12:45)", "body": "Re the Z review thing. The guy with the big scar would be Tommy Flanagan. Thanks for that. Enjoyed it. And thanks, Ev, for your typing."}, {"response": 847, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Aug  3, 2003 (12:51)", "body": "(Evelyn)And I had trouble with Clive:-((( Don't go away, Janet...Promise? LOL, Clive was the first thing that popped into my head when I read this. (Karen)But that lapdancing club scene sounds like it has potential. Lots of potential. Can't get thoughts of it out of my head. (Allison)As I said before I hope none of you is expecting anyone in the UK to actually go and see this? Well, actually, I hope they do so they can be most pleasantly surprised, as well.;-) Thanks ladies for the poster, news, and reviews...good and not so good;-)"}, {"response": 848, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Aug  3, 2003 (12:58)", "body": "Probably belongs in Odds and Ends, but there is a mention of WAGW: The LA Times: Little miss moviegoer The 8-to-18 female audience not only reads a lot of books but also flocks to movies based on those books, as Hollywood is discovering. By Andre Chautard August 3, 2003 Not all moviegoers who powered \"The Princess Diaries\" to $108 million at the U.S. box office may know that the film was based on a young adult novel by Meg Cabot. But many of the teen- and tween-age girls who made up the surprise hit's core audience certainly do. They probably have the book (or one of its three sequels) on their shelves alongside titles by other favorite bestselling authors like Ann Brashares, Gail Carson Levine and Louise Rennison. Girls are reading a lot, and they're looking beyond \"Harry Potter\" and \"Holes.\" Girls see a lot of movies, too, so it's no wonder that Hollywood is taking notice. Now, some of the hottest girl-centric titles \ufffd a mix of Cinderella stories, coming-of-age tales and sassy comic novels \ufffd are coming to the screen with a number of on-the-rise teen stars in tow. \"Ella Enchanted,\" based on the popular fantasy tale by Levine, will be released by Miramax next spring with Anne Hathaway of \"The Princess Diaries\" in the title role, and Lindsay Lohan, who stars in the current remake of \"Freaky Friday\" (originally a young adult novel by Mary Rodgers), is filming an adaptation of Dyan Sheldon's \"Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen\" for Disney. The studio has also signed Raven, star of the hit Disney Channel series \"That's So Raven,\" for a big-screen version of Cabot's book \"All-American Girl.\" Brashares' publishing sensation \"Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants\" is in development at Warner Bros. and scheduled to shoot next year with director Ken Kwapis, while Paramount and Nickelodeon are working on an adaptation of Rennison's \"Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging,\" which has been described as a \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" for the younger set. And a sequel to \"The Princess Diaries\" is set to shoot in November, with Hathaway, Julie Andrews and director Garry Marshall all retur ing. This increased interest from studios in young adult fiction aimed at girls is a marked change from past years, says \"Ella Enchanted\" producer Jane Startz, who has worked on adaptations of young adult and children's books for over two decades. \"When I first started out, I was doing after-school specials based on young adult books and that was really the only venue for those stories,\" she says. \"Nobody considered the audience economically viable to do a project for that audience on a feature level.\" But unexpectedly muscular grosses from films like \"The Princess Diaries,\" \"Legally Blonde\" ($96 million) and \"Save the Last Dance\" ($91 million), for which girls made up a large part of the audience, changed that perception. Studios since have rushed to fill out their slates with girl-oriented movies like spring's \"What a Girl Wants\" ($36 million) and \"The Lizzie McGuire Movie\" ($42 million), which can be made on modest budgets and tap into a devoted audience that will often see a film more than once. \"The time I was growing up in this industry, the conventional wisdom was girls will watch something that has a boy [as the lead character], but the boys won't watch something that has a girl,\" Startz says. \"That may or may not be true But I think what people are realizing is it really doesn't matter that much if the boys are going to come or not because there is such a faithful following for some of these girl projects.\" Fueling this box-office boom is the growing population of teens and tweens in this country: 45 million youths between ages 8 and 18 with more than $90 billion to spend each year, according to market research firm Packaged Facts. That means more young girls are buying books, and Hollywood, looking for ways to reach that audience, is discovering a trove of source material in the young adult section of bookstores. \"I think right now the genre is really in the best place it's been,\" says author Sarah Dessen, whose novels \"That Summer\" and \"Someone Like You\" formed the basis for the recent Mandy Moore vehicle \"How to Deal.\" \"It's really evolving, and I think that a lot of these books being made into movies is bringing them to a wider audience.\" Although the overall book market is soft, \"the fiction category in publishing is very strong right now in the middle grade and young adult areas,\" says Shannon Maughan, a contributing editor at Publishers Weekly who writes about children's books. \"There are a lot of girls that are reading all of these books,\" says Debra Martin Chase, who produced \"The Princess Diaries\" and is now shepherding \"Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants\" and \"All-American Girl\" to the screen. \"You can talk to [many] 12- to 16-year-old girls and they've read all four of the 'Princess Diaries' books, they've read 'Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants' and bought the sequel as soon as it was available. They're devouring them.\" Th"}, {"response": 849, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  3, 2003 (13:07)", "body": "Your first inclination was correct, Murph, I'd say this belongs on O&E, if anyone wants to comment on it. Also, the \"first degree\" type postings also belong there too. :)"}, {"response": 850, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, Aug  3, 2003 (13:28)", "body": "(KarenR) But didn't Griet pierce her own ears? She only did one at first, but he wanted her to wear both earrings, so she had to do the second on the spot. He pretty much ordered her to take care of it right then and there. I seem to remember that during an interview, TC mentioned a scene, not in her book, which she was very pleased with. Maybe this is what she was referring to. Very erotic!"}, {"response": 851, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Aug  3, 2003 (14:05)", "body": "That first pic from the Glasgow article has had me swooning for a day or two now...but add all the other goodies.... Firth, eyes to the stage, is goaded by one of his friends that he may be a closet gay. He asks if he'd ever been tempted to engage in gay acts, Firth says \"dunno, you any good?\" ROTFL....good one! Judging from the way the actors were directed, it seems obvious that the producers don't care about the US market for this film. So dense were the accents, Scottish and East End, that I could barely make out a word that they were saying... Say it ain't so! My biggest fear is that there are ODB movies out there that I won't be able to see! Most accents I'm okay with (okay...I did turn on the subtitles for Snatch, but only for Brad Pitt) so bring it on...I'll go art house (I like art house)!!! (Karen) If it's released as an art house film, then it wouldn't be any different. What's usually diluted from our versions is sex scenes and, well, we know Colin isn't doing any these days. *sigh* *double sigh* At least if scenes are 'cut' then, we can assume they won't be scenes with ODB! And I don't know if I want him having sex in Trauma anyway....his wife is dead....could take this film to a whole nother level... ;-) (Dorine) Well, no matter how Trama turns out, I do give him props for trying something that seems radically different for him. I'll second....or third that, after Beedee! I enjoyed '28 Days Later' and had my doubts going into that one. Hope this one can be as interesting....the reports so far give me hope. First-time director Webber realized he wanted to make the film when he read the script's sexiest scene, in which Vermeer pierces the young girl's ear. \"I just thought, 'Oh my God, this is something I haven't seen before,'\" he says. OMG is right....just the thought makes me weak in the knees....(amazing, wonderful, beautiful poster BTW). (Karen) Yes, yes, yes. Totally! But didn't Griet pierce her own ears? She only did one at first, but he wanted her to wear both earrings, so she had to do the second on the spot. He pretty much ordered her to take care of it right then and there. She pierces one herself before the sitting, but when she goes to pose with it, she asks Vermeer to put it in for her...that's when we get that bit where he runs his hands on her jawline and neck....she begins to cry and he wipes tears away and brushes her bottom lip with his thumb....I am not going to be make it through this film. I'll be unconscious before he even begins to walk toward her...such a pity too...I was looking forward to seeing that bit! ;-D He does tell her to pierce the other ear right then....and although she stuggled with the first one for days, she just slams that second one in....symbolic or somethin'? I dunno! ...whose novelist character heads to France after catching his girlfriend in bed with his brother-only to fall for a Portuguese maid. Well...didn't she call 'Jamie' pencil dick? Took a chance going after the brother then, didn't she? ;-) Thanks Karen for the articles and Evelyn for typing up the GWAPE bit...much appreciated! And thanks for Mari and Murph for WAGW review and article."}, {"response": 852, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Aug  3, 2003 (14:13)", "body": "(Karen) With the accents and language, it'll go more along the lines of ....even 28 Days Later, as a specialty art house. I don't find that such a bad prospect. 28 Days Later (with Naomi Harris ironically) has more than exceeded expectations here, if I'm not mistaken. *And* was well reviewed. But that lapdancing club scene sounds like it has potential *crossing fingers* ;-) (Evelyn) But I was pleased to find GWAPE among the \"fall aces\" in Premiere Mag I, too, was surprised to see GWAPE mentioned again in Premiere of all places since that first bit with the pictures a while back. Doubt it would get a cover article nearer to the release time as Tommy C. and The Last Samurai and Cold Mountain people will be the cover darlings I'm sure, but maybe a decent feature article will be in the offing since it's already been mentioned twice."}, {"response": 853, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Sun, Aug  3, 2003 (15:11)", "body": "Have been watching the WAGW dvd this weekend and there's really not much to the extras section (I've been spoiled by the Lord of the Rings SE/EE dvds). Things I would have liked to have seen: cast interviews, more deleted scenes, Oliver James singing (DG kept saying that he could sing and surprised the cast & crew with his talent). I'd give it a B+. There are 2 commentaries: AB, and DG (constantly thanking everyone and mentioning other movies that used the same locations, but she did say again that CF was her 1st & only choice to play Henry) w/ the writers. I didn't much care for the \"What's a Girl to Wear\" section, had the hardest time getting out of there :( There were 3 deleted scenes: CF & KP in Morocco (no dialogue), AC & CC at the breakfast table, and CF giving a speech and his voice trailing off as he watches a father & daughter coming in. Fashion 101/Etiquette 101 (apparently I've been buttering my toast wrong all these years!!!) was pretty good. The costume designer talks about meeting up w/ CF at Savile Row. He had a lot of input, wanted vintage leather pants, and the traditional Moroccan groom's outfit left him speechless. This segment ended with a couple practical joke reels between CF & JP :)"}, {"response": 854, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Aug  3, 2003 (17:25)", "body": "Thanks for all the articles ladies. As for not being able to understand the accents in Trauma just think of the fun when the DVD comes out and we just have to watch the scene over and over and over again until we get it;-)"}, {"response": 855, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  3, 2003 (17:31)", "body": "(Tress) Well...didn't she call 'Jamie' pencil dick? Took a chance going after the brother then, didn't she? ;-) Are you speaking from experience? ;-D (moi) With the accents and language, it'll go more along the lines of....even 28 Days Later, as a specialty art house. (Dorine) I don't find that such a bad prospect. 28 Days Later (with Naomi Harris ironically) has more than exceeded expectations here, if I'm not mistaken. *And* was well reviewed. Was I critical? It merely surprised me, as I thought it would be more pimply faced, mainstream fare, which WB usually pumps out. (moi) But that lapdancing club scene sounds like it has potential (Dorine) *crossing fingers* ;-) Yeah, I want to hear his answer to the taker/receiver question. *guffaw* Thanks for the report on the WAGW DVD extras, Marianne. *counting days on fingers and wondering* Obviously, Linda's record-setting attendance didn't influence their plans for the DVD. Imbeciles!"}, {"response": 856, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Aug  3, 2003 (17:42)", "body": "(moi) With the accents and language, it'll go more along the lines of....even 28 Days Later, as a specialty art house. (Dorine) I don't find that such a bad prospect. 28 Days Later (with Naomi Harris ironically) has more than exceeded expectations here, if I'm not mistaken. *And* was well reviewed. (Karen) Was I critical? No and I didn't take it as such. But you did express concern.... This is a bit worrisome .....and I was simply expressing my opinion why there may not be a need to worry per se. That's all. :-)"}, {"response": 857, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Aug  3, 2003 (17:51)", "body": "(Karen)But didn't Griet pierce her own ears? She only did one at first, but he wanted her to wear both earrings, so she had to do the second on the spot. He pretty much ordered her to take care of it right then and there On the second piercing: \"But-my other ear is not pierced.\" I faltered. \"Then you must tend to it\". He continued to hold it out. I reached over and took it. I did it for him. I got out my needle and clove and pierced my other ear. Inspiration for the poster, perhaps: Vermeer: \"Show me your ear\". I did not want to. I had no choice. I felt under the cap to make sure no hair was loose, tucking a few strands behind my ear. Then I pulled it back to reveal the lower part of my ear. The look on his face was like a sigh, though he did not make a sound. Looks like JV has a thing for ear lobes. Can't you just imagine Colin having a look on his face that is like a sigh? ***Triple Sigh*** On my way to reread this book, tonight! Now back to reality. Seemingly stuck in the kind of roles that Hugh Grant must reject by the dozen Honestly, do these critics ever strive for creativity? How many times will they repeat what someone else has said, and think it's clever?"}, {"response": 858, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  3, 2003 (17:58)", "body": "Seemingly stuck in the kind of roles that Hugh Grant must reject by the dozen (Linda) Honestly, do these critics ever strive for creativity? How many times will they repeat what someone else has said, and think it's clever? I fear (this does worry me, Dorine, too! *winkie winkie*) that we're going to be faced with one more round of HG-lite comments, with Love Actually. Then hopefully it will stop."}, {"response": 859, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Aug  3, 2003 (19:16)", "body": "(Karen) I fear ...that we're going to be faced with one more round of HG-lite comments, with Love Actually. Then hopefully it will stop. Why would they do it with Love Actually? Not only is Hugh Grant already in it also, Colin apparently barely, if at all, speaks. He couldn't do the \"HG stammer\" then."}, {"response": 860, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, Aug  3, 2003 (19:26)", "body": "(Linda, quoting) Vermeer: \"Show me your ear\". Griet: I did not want to. I had no choice... The look on his face was like a sigh, though he did not make a sound. Anyone wanna guess what an Andrew Davies stage direction to CF would be like at this point? (This movie cannot come a moment too soon!)"}, {"response": 861, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Aug  3, 2003 (23:00)", "body": "(Tress) HDTV (Mari) LMAO! Good one, Tress. I actually do have a high definition set, so I guess I'll be watching HDHDTV.;-) Mmmm, 65 HD inches of HD . . . hurry, Tuesday! So does that mean we all have HDDD (Hunk Daddy Deficit Disorder) until Tuesday? ;-) \"So dense were the accents, Scottish and East End, that I could barely make out a word that they were saying . .\" (Evelyn) And I had trouble with Clive:-((( Me,too. :-( Thanks to all for the reviews, pics, and articles. Thank God the memory of HS is fading fast.... So, where are our reports from London? Yoo-hoo, Ladies. :-)"}, {"response": 862, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Aug  4, 2003 (06:49)", "body": "From Ain't It Cool News : I\ufffdve been saying this for a while, but I\ufffdm going to go officially on the record right now: LOVE, ACTUALLY is going to turn out to be one of this year\ufffds biggest hits. Richard Curtis is one of those guys you just don\ufffdt bet against, and this buzz on this one is building steadily as we get closer to release. At the beginning of the year, it would have seemed like total madness to go head-to-head with the final MATRIX film, but after the extremely mixed responses to RELOADED, it looks like Universal may have some very good news this November... What is it about good writing that is so impressive? I mean, hundreds of movies are released every year (this year, what 400+?). So why is it at the end of the year I can always pick out on one hand the films that actually made an impression writing-wise? Using that math, there are roughly 2.5 films per one hundred released that are memorable. Depressing? Partly. Mostly it just makes me grateful for those 10 or so films every year that are added to the ever-growing DVD collection. So in a year such as this, where the best films I\ufffdve seen most likely won\ufffdt get a wide release (Sundance faves \ufffdDie Mommy Die\ufffd and \ufffdThe Station Agent\ufffd and by all means, if you get the chance, please go see both), and there is no release from Wes Anderson or Scott Frank, it\ufffds a real joy to have seen Richard Curtis\ufffd \ufffdLove Actually.\ufffd You all are smart enough to go to IMDB to figure out who\ufffds in the cast, but just know it\ufffds everyone who\ufffds anyone in Britain. Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, Hugh Grant... wait, I said I wasn\ufffdt going to name them all. But you get the point. Good cast. Oh... I\ufffdll say this: Keira Knightly. Future Mrs. Keira Dough. Yikes... she\ufffds something. Okay, so plot? Similar in structure to Altman\ufffds \ufffdShort Cuts,\ufffd Curtis uses intertwining characters and plot points to tell the story of the love in 10 or so people\ufffds lives. Neeson plays a widower with an 11 year old son (who steals the film) both dealing with the loss of love and attempting to find new love; Grant (so good in Curtis\ufffd \ufffdNotting Hill\ufffd) plays the newly elected Prime Minister, who finds it a bit difficult to concentrate around his tea-server (Martine McCutcheon); Firth is a man who, after being dumped, heads to a cottage in France to write his novel, but finds that love isn\ufffdt necessarily the international language (that would be Portuguese); Knightly is a new bride trying to deal with her husband\ufffds jealous best friend; Emma Thompson & Alan Rickman (I told you everyone was in it) play a married couple with children, testing the limits of their love for each other; as well as several other characters all dealing with love in some form. That\ufffds quite a run-on sentence. Forgive me. I don\ufffdt want to get too much into specifics, but there are a few things I feel I must talk about, as they were too good to not start buzzing about now. First off, the casting of the 11 year old son of Neeson. The girls I was with all \ufffdawwwed\ufffd when he first showed up, but it was his acting that got me. The kid\ufffds real. Doesn\ufffdt exude any of that \ufffdI\ufffdm a child actor and look at me, I\ufffdm precocious!\ufffd crap. He\ufffds just real. And funny, to boot. Then there\ufffds Bill Nighy. See below. The guy\ufffds incredible. Every scene he\ufffds in had the audience laughing. Then there\ufffds the Colin sub-plot. My note: Huh? Maybe Colin is the character's name.) Colin\ufffds a guy who\ufffds had a brilliant plan to come to America and seduce our women. Damn him. Damn him straight to H-E-double hockey sticks. Harry... let me say this. You\ufffdre gonna freak out. Best use of a \ufffd24\ufffd star yet, plus the scene (and you\ufffdll know it when you see it... it involves \ufffdMilwaukee\ufffd) has January Jones. Fantastic stuff. You know those reviewer-friendly quotes like \ufffdA rollicking good time!!\ufffd and \ufffdI laughed non-stop!!\ufffd? Well, they actually fit here. I can\ufffdt really say enough about what a blast this movie was. The great part is, too, that every of the above-mentioned actors gets a real moment to shine. And I\ufffdll say this: Bill Nighy had better get nominated for his work in this film. It\ufffds Kevin-Kline-FISH-CALLED-WANDA good. I\ufffdm not even going to say what his deal is, other than to say that along with Johnny Depp\ufffds \ufffdCap\ufffdn Jack Sparrow,\ufffd the Stones are proving fertile ground for creating characters. The only problems I had with the film, and this is all put down on those handy-dandy survey sheets, is that the resolution of the film is a bit... lacking in some areas. The challenge of creating a piece like this is getting the audience to care for all of these characters, and Curtis succeeds 100%. But that actually ends up being his biggest problem: we care so much about each of the characters, that to not be given a proper resolution for each of them seems... wrong. Technically speaking, the film was a bit rough, but the release date is months away, so I\ufffdm sure it\ufffdll all get worked out. Granted, I was sitting in the front row (I mention that because it\ufffds entirely possible that the \ufffdroughness\ufffd I saw was due to the "}, {"response": 863, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Aug  4, 2003 (07:05)", "body": "Thanks for posting the review of LA, Mari. But is this reviewer for real? Can the film really be this good? - I hope so! I keep returning to the poster of GWAPE. Isn't he is AFG, airbrushed or not? Can anybody make out(or speculate on)what the 3 words are underneath his delectable chin?"}, {"response": 864, "author": "Leah", "date": "Mon, Aug  4, 2003 (07:41)", "body": "Thanks for the reviews, article and poster - can't make out much of the words (Sorry Janet) , but I wasn't really looking at it to read.:) (Janet)is this reviewer for real? Almost seems dreamlike. Dreamlike is good."}, {"response": 865, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  4, 2003 (09:27)", "body": "(Mari's note: Then there\ufffds the Colin sub-plot. My note: Huh? Maybe Colin is the character's name.) That's the storyline about the guy, played by Kris Marshall, who goes to Wisconsin and meets up with Elisha Cuthbert. Bill Nighy is certainly making a huge impression on everyone this year, especially if you've seen I Capture the Castle too. He reminds me a great deal of Peter O'Toole in appearance and style. The review sounds a tad to enthusiastic to be real, especially for anyone at AICN about a rom-com. ;-D"}, {"response": 866, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  4, 2003 (10:04)", "body": "The only cast members I've seen pics of attending the celebrity screening were: Oliver James, Cassie and Connie Powney (Peach and Pear), Christina Cole, and Natalie Bromley. AB was at the Teen Choice Awards and KellyP had a Scientology thing."}, {"response": 867, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  4, 2003 (10:34)", "body": "No idea what the words are, yet, but a close-up:"}, {"response": 868, "author": "aishling", "date": "Mon, Aug  4, 2003 (10:49)", "body": "Thanks everyone for all the news on GWAPE, Trauma and LA. Have just returned from London and Colin didn\ufffdt show. There was a screening at 10.00am for press etc. and another at 3.00pm. We only saw Sylvia Sims and Oliver James from the film. Those of us waiting and melting in 91 degrees recognised hardly anybody. We asked press photographers whether they knew if Colin was attending and one said \ufffdafter watching the film this morning, I shouldn\ufffdt think he would dare\ufffd, or something similar. Very low key. No carpet, guests entered by a side door. We didn\ufffdt see any posters at all advertising the film apart from one on the side wall of WB cinema. There was an article in yesterday\ufffds \ufffdNews of the World\ufffd which had a lot of re-hashed material re BJD. Of WAGW: Colin is back on the silver screen this Friday playing a high-flying English Politian in the family comedy, What A Girl Wants. He is traced by his secret daughter Daphne (Amanda Bynes), the result of a whirlwind romance 17 years earlier with American Libby (Kelly Preston). Being a politician, having an illegitimate daughter could ruin his chances of winning an upcoming election. So should he sacrifice his daughter for a second time to pursue his ambition? \ufffdThis is something completely different for me,\ufffd says Colin. \ufffdI have played French, American and Scottish roles on screen and I always like to keep on moving around, trying new things.\ufffd He\ufffds banking on the film making a bigger impact than his recent romantic comedy, Hope Springs. Despite co-starring Minnie Driver and Heather Graham, it sadly failed to impress the critics. \ufffdYou know that quote about never being out of fashion because you have never been in fashion? That applies to me perfectly,\ufffd laughs Colin. \ufffdI have rarely been in pole position or flavour of the month.\ufffd"}, {"response": 869, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug  4, 2003 (11:03)", "body": "Thanks Aishling for being such a trooper esp since no one thought he would be there. (CF)?I have rarely been in pole position or flavour of the month.? \" Explain \"pole position\" ...have to do with rafting? Anyway, I get the drift and I'm glad he's taking it in good humor ."}, {"response": 870, "author": "Odile", "date": "Mon, Aug  4, 2003 (11:16)", "body": "(Evelyn)Explain \"pole position\" ...have to do with rafting? Didn't see a winkie, so here it goes: pole position: first to go in a car race (Formula One) Thanks all for articles, pictures... Yummy week! (Colin)\ufffdI have played French, American and Scottish roles on screen and I always like to keep on moving around, trying new things.\ufffd So referring to Valmont, Jess (or Ross) and Edward... Umm, fun to see what's on his mind. Although \"trying new things\" \"This is something completely different for me\" when referring to WAGW, had me in stitches (picturing Mark Darcy's twinkle when introducing Bridget to Natasha):)"}, {"response": 871, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Aug  4, 2003 (13:15)", "body": "The great part is, too, that every of the above-mentioned actors gets a real moment to shine That's encouraging. Thanks, Mari. I hope LA is as good as it sounds. The article was so upbeat I felt like breaking out the old cheerleader shakers;-) (Odile)(picturing Mark Darcy's twinkle when introducing Bridget to Natasha) I love that twinkle...shows he isn't as stiffupperlipped as he seems. Please, boss, post a warning each time you enlarge that GWAPE poster. I can't take it. Beginning to save my money...it's going to be a very expensive fall. I'll be bankrupt by the new year;-) Thanks Karen, Aishling, and Mari"}, {"response": 872, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Aug  4, 2003 (14:00)", "body": "Thanks for the report, Aishling. Good for you for trying! Nothing ventured . . . A video store nearby has signage advertising the WAGW DVD/tape for tomorrow \"with a free soundtrack while supplies last.\" So, look out for those two-fers! Thanks for the heads-up on the extras, Marianne. I honestly wasn't expecting much, so at least he's in some of them. Was looking at the GWAPE book cover next to the poster and it's astonishing how much Scarlett has been made to look like the painting. Love how they've capitalized on that resemblance while nicely working in a very seductive-looking CF. Whoever is doing their promo is off to a good start."}, {"response": 873, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Aug  4, 2003 (14:04)", "body": "From a site called This Is Local London: What a Girl Wants (PG) IF IT is double cheesy mush with a cherry on top you want, then What A Girl Wants is the film for you. I wanted to hate this, and it was cringeworthy on several occasions, but let\ufffds not detract from what it is \ufffd an old-fashioned, feel-good romantic comedy. Amanda Bynes, little known in this country but famous in America for Nickelodeon\ufffds All That, is like a breath of fresh air and fits perfectly into the role of the feisty teenager. She\ufffds confident, pretty, and reveals all of the innocence and naivety of a youngster finding her way in the world. Colin Firth (or is it always Mr Darcy to his legions of female fans?) is also good as the stuffy and reserved aristocratic father/Lord/MP, although you do wonder why an actor of his stature isn\ufffdt challenging his talents with something a bit grittier. The same could be said of Jonathan Pryce, who plays the evil political manipulator \ufffd with some aplomb may I add. Nevertheless, you still wonder why his talents are wasted in a film which is basically a coming-of-age flick. The rest of the cast just play their one-dimensional stereotypes in unremarkable style. In essence, the movie is a fairy story with Cinderella, a wicked stepmother, an ugly sister and a Prince Charming. The Cinderella character is Daphne Reynolds (Amanda Bynes), a precocious 17-year-old who was the result of a whirlwind romance between her mother and an aristocratic Englishman. Although the spirited teenager has an unconventional but loving relationship with her bohemian mother, Libby (Kelly Preston), she feels the need to find out who her father is. Prince Charming is Daphne\ufffds father (Colin Firth), Lord Henry Dashwood, a high-profile politician who is unaware he has a daughter. Henry believed his former lover Libby had left him because she did not love him. Libby mistakenly thought her beloved Henry had abandoned her when he found out she was pregnant. The truth was they were both the victims of a conspiracy concocted by Dashwood\ufffds advisors who thought she was unsuitable to be the wife of a would-be Prime Minister. Daphne arrives, much to the chagrin of Henry\ufffds conniving fianc\ufffde (Anna Chancellor), the wicked stepmother, and her jealous daughter (Christina Cole), the ugly sister, who are hell-bent on ruining the popular teenager at every turn. And they do a pretty good job, setting her up to Daphne breaks every social convention associated with the stiff-upper lipped aristocratic life. Not wanting to jeopardise her father\ufffds campaign for an upcoming election, Daphne stifles her naturally vibrant personality, refashions herself as a proper debutante and plunges into a whirlwind of stuffy British social events. But she soon realises she doesn\ufffdt like the person she\ufffds becoming in the process. As much as she wants to be her father\ufffds daughter, it\ufffds not worth it if she can\ufffdt be herself. After all, as Ian (Oliver James), a charming and society-savvy local musician, asks her, why fit in when you were born to stand out? Will it all end in tears or will there be a fairytale ending where everybody lives happily ever after? You will have to go and find out."}, {"response": 874, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Aug  4, 2003 (15:19)", "body": "From The Usher filmsite. I've deleted the plot summary. The American dream of finding out that you have a rich, unknown relative that will make all of your dreams come true, is bought to the screen again in an extremely sickly sweet and sentimental way. A remake of the 1958 movie \"The Reluctant Debutant\" starring Rex Hamilton and Sandra Lee, this is just The Princess Diaries all over again. Girl discovers she is related to a rich aristocrat, in this case a Lord not a King, but her American upbringing, while adding street smarts and the joy of all things modern, makes it difficult for her to become accustomed to the pomp and circumstance associated with more civilised society. You get the picture and you know she is going to change him and they'll live happily ever after. It does have its good points. Amanda Bynes, from TVs The Amanda Show and Big Fat Liar, shows that she is an upcoming teenage actress that has enough personally to make a good screen lead. She is charming, personable and nice meaning that you can't help liking her endearing qualities. Colin Firth is nicely cast as her reluctant father, as he bungles his way through parenting for the first time. Anna Chancellor is also good as the prospective wicked stepmother. What lets the movie down is the sugar coated, overly sentimental ending that you could see coming from a mile away. While the movie was always destined to end this way, it would have been nice for some inkling of originality to have crept in their. Also, the supporting cast is very underdeveloped. Jonathan Pryce's Alistair Payne is extremely underwritten and a waste of a talented actor. Kelly Preston is only in the movie for about ten minutes and Oliver James looks like a reject from a boy band which a really posh accent. What a Girl Wants is as sugar coated a teenage 'chick-flick' as you could get. While the performances from Amanda Bynes and Colin Firth are good, you just end up wishing that they could have chosen a better film to star together in as this is decidingly average."}, {"response": 875, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Aug  4, 2003 (16:24)", "body": "Thank you, ladies for the all the news and reviews. (Mari)Was looking at the GWAPE book cover next to the poster and it's astonishing how much Scarlett has been made to look like the painting. Love how they've capitalized on that resemblance while nicely working in a very seductive-looking CF. Whoever is doing their promo is off to a good start. I did just the same, and totally agree. About LA, as Janet said I hope this isn't too good to be true. Saw Mena Suvari on tv tonight and started thinking about Trauma and lapdancing - really like the gay-sentence: dunno - are you any good? ;-) All in all, I think the winter is going to be a very good one ODB-wise :-)"}, {"response": 876, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Aug  4, 2003 (16:47)", "body": "(Annette) Thank you, ladies for the all the news and reviews. How wonderful of you to profess opinions which are my own. :-)"}, {"response": 877, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Aug  4, 2003 (17:53)", "body": "(Karen) The review sounds a tad to enthusiastic to be real, especially for anyone at AICN about a rom-com. ;-D My first thought, as well. Second thought is to go to the AICN Talkback section below that report and see if others concurred. Thanks everyone for all the news and reviews. Aishling, what a trooper in that heat! Boy, that poster really is something. \"I'm mellllting!\" ;-)"}, {"response": 878, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Aug  4, 2003 (18:45)", "body": "Thanks, Aisling, for making the effort, just in case. I'm just so glad I didn't waste my airmiles! -I'm saving them for November. I think the Premiere of GWAPE will be around my birthday, so I've got a good excuse for a trip to the capital!"}, {"response": 879, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Aug  4, 2003 (21:20)", "body": "From the British Films in Progress website click on page 2. DEAD WAIT, THE (UK/SA/GER) Director: Jens Meurer Producer: Sheryl Crown, Blue Orange Films Cast: Colin Firth Sales agent: Beyond Films Status: pre-production http://www.britfilms.com/britishfilms/inprogress/?&skip=30"}, {"response": 880, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Aug  4, 2003 (21:31)", "body": "Quite possibly one of the most condescending articles in recent memory. From the Telegraph, the slugs :-( 'I don't want to be a celebrity' (Filed: 05/08/2003) She's America's sweetest, perkiest and most popular teenage star. But is Amanda Bynes old before her time, asks Michael Shelden Teen stars with baby faces and big contracts are becoming the hottest commodity in Hollywood, where the common wisdom seems to hold that old age now begins at 30. In an effort to tap into the lucrative pre-teen market - in which 15-year-old Californian twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have built a multi-million dollar fashion and media empire - the big studios are putting their marketing muscle behind a new pack of \"tween queens\". The leader of the gang is Amanda Bynes - a showbiz veteran at the tender age of 17 - who makes Britney Spears look like a late bloomer. She was auditioning for television adverts at seven, doing stand-up comedy at 10, starring in her own series at 13 (The Amanda Show on Nickelodeon) and is now featured in a new film with a supporting cast that includes such oldies as Colin Firth and Jonathan Pryce. So, are you excited about your first British premiere, Amanda? \"I don't know when it comes out over there,\" she tells me, as we sit and chat at the Hollywood headquarters of Warner Brothers. She waves her hand vaguely, as though Britain and all those other strange places outside sunny California are somewhere in the general direction of the Pacific Ocean. No plans to go to London, then? \"No,\" she says, curtly. Jolly Olde England seems to have lost its charm for the young star, who spent three months in and around London last summer making her new film, What a Girl Wants - a princess fantasy in which American teen Amanda enjoys playing aristocratic dress-up as the long-lost daughter of Lord Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth) and, in the process, shows a lot of stuffy Brits how to have fun. She insists that she had a good time working on the film, but admits that she would have enjoyed her visit more if the stay in England had been shorter. Three months was an eternity to a Californian girl who had never been abroad before. \"A month would have been better,\" she says with a weary look, then quickly adds, in a sudden show of perkiness. \"But I really enjoyed London. Everybody was so friendly.\" It isn't easy being a teen sensation when you have to remember to say nice things about places that are, you know, so far away and, like, so different. But the studio has trained Amanda well. She is polite, amazingly mature (\"Yes, I am mature,\" she says with disarming bluntness) and so squeaky clean that no dirt will stick to her. Even her boyfriend is a steady young fellow she's known for years. Not for her the fast life of drugs, sex, booze, tattoos and silicone enhancement. Her job is to entertain the crucial demographic of pre-pubescent girls by being incredibly cute and innocent while surviving close encounters with the adult world. Accordingly, her principal companion during her stay in London was not some fellow teen heartthrob but her Canadian grandmother. \"Innocent is who I am,\" she says, earnestly. \"I don't need to watch my image.\" Such pronouncements fall from her lips with ease, and without any trace of irony. She is a marketing dream come true - the good teen who loves her corporate Big Brother and will do nothing to embarrass the brand. Before I meet her, her publicist warns me not to be late, saying: \"Amanda is very prompt.\" When I arrive early, the corporate machine is already in high gear and the meeting has been moved forward at the last minute so that the busy star can make another appointment - so I'm late anyway and the super-teen is patiently waiting for me in a room overstocked with icy drinks and decorated in the equally icy style of big media management. I feel like a schoolboy interviewing a jaded old pro who might look 17 but speaks with an air of solemn calculation worthy of a 40-year-old banker. She says things that ordinary 17-year-olds rarely say, telling me: \"People are very judgmental and don't have empathy.\" The last word is pronounced with such careful precision that you can almost imagine her holding up the flashcard from her latest tutoring session on \"big words\". But the careful fa\ufffdade of grown-up sophistication soon cracks and the little girl emerges. As she goes over the details of her career with robotic speed, she suddenly pauses to lick not only the bottle cap of her sugary fruit drink, but also the heel of her palm. In a flash, she goes from stage-managed adult to the child she really is. It is sad to see a child forced to grow old before her time, but she insists that her corporate persona is her own creation and seems unaware that her strings are being pulled by anyone above her. Though her father - a dentist - took her to her first audition 10 years ago, she steadfastly holds that every step in her career has been voluntary. \"I love acting. It's fun, and my parents have never push"}, {"response": 881, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Aug  4, 2003 (22:21)", "body": "(Linda) http://www.britfilms.com/britishfilms/inprogress/?&skip=30 LOL! When you scroll down a little there's the blip about the movie Cloud Cuckoo Land! Can't wait to read more about that one;-) (Mari's post)where the common wisdom seems to hold that old age now begins at 30. Hey! What's the big deal. Used to think this in the 60's! What a stupid and gratuatously mean spirited piece...... Yuk. Makes me want to write her (Amanda) a fan letter."}, {"response": 882, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Aug  5, 2003 (06:05)", "body": "My DVD of WAGW arrived this morning. - It doesn't even open in the cinema until this Friday. -Don't know if I'll be able to persuade my DH to go with me, but I must see him on the big screen!!"}, {"response": 883, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Aug  5, 2003 (06:49)", "body": "(Janet)DVD of WAGW arrived this morning. - It doesn't even open in the cinema until this Friday How did this happen. Am I living in a parallel universe? I must see him on the big screen!! This is a definite MUST. Just a pity that you can't get close enough to the screen to touch."}, {"response": 884, "author": "birdy", "date": "Tue, Aug  5, 2003 (07:47)", "body": "Quite possibly one of the most condescending articles in recent memory. From the Telegraph, the slugs :-( \"She rarely cracks a smile during our interview.\" Can't imagine why. I guess she was \"mature\" enough to recognize a jerk when she saw one."}, {"response": 885, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug  5, 2003 (08:37)", "body": "http://www.britfilms.com/britishfilms/inprogress/?&skip=30 \"Cold Mountain\" is a British film? Puh-leeze. (Telegraph)But the careful fa\ufffdade of grown-up sophistication soon cracks and the little girl emerges. Psst...most 17yr old react that way.It's normal and part of their charm. This writer doesn't even know a teenager. Why does the Telegraph, a respectable newspaper even file an article like that."}, {"response": 886, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Aug  5, 2003 (08:46)", "body": "Aishling, thank you so much for making the effort? I know you must be disappointed. Did you get to see the movie, and if so what did you think? Thanks for all the reviews everyone. Let's hope LA is as good as this reviewer thinks. Remarkable cast and so many well known here, I think it should be very well received, and timing is just right for the kick off of the holiday season."}, {"response": 887, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  5, 2003 (09:04)", "body": "Thanks for the article, Mari. Yeah, it's mean and seemingly predisposed to dislike and all the other tween queens; however, there were a few very similar observations I had myself, when I saw her on the Craig Kilbourn show. The problem now is that she has imitated adults for so long that she can't seem to figure out whether she's 17 or 37. And the humour that she displays on screen is strangely lacking in person. She rarely cracks a smile during our interview. When she would laugh, it looked so phony. Not for her the fast life of drugs, sex, booze, tattoos and silicone enhancement. I wouldn't bet on that last one. Was probably done for her 16th birthday. ;-D"}, {"response": 888, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Aug  5, 2003 (12:05)", "body": "(AICN) Okay, so plot? Similar in structure to Altman\ufffds \ufffdShort Cuts,\ufffd Curtis uses intertwining characters and plot points to tell the story... Really liked SC....the reviewer said something about the only problem he had with the film were the resolutions to some of the stories. That some lacked a 'proper' ending. But that is what SC did....and why I enjoyed it so much. I enjoy films that aren't neatly wrapped up at the end. Leave you thinking a bit about the possibilities. If this is what Curtis is doing, I like that idea and hope that they don't go in, edit it and give each story a fairy tale ending. Thanks Karen for the 'enlarged' version of the GWAPE poster....definitely swoon-worthy for me. (The Telegraph) She is a bright young woman, and I suspect that one day she will look back on her career as a teen idol and find that much of it had an unreal - if not fake - quality to it. Fake? Like the interviewer's face! GAH! Horrible....why the anger in this one? I'm sure that when Amanda was interviewed, she had no idea that the interviewer would turn around and write such a hateful piece...or maybe she did and that explained her lack of enthusiasm. Thanks ladies for all the articles!"}, {"response": 889, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Aug  5, 2003 (13:18)", "body": "Thanks, Mari. I was a bit surprised by the article. I found AB delightful and sweet in the interviews I watched. She was particularly funny and very gushy about Colin and her stay in London last summer during the Wayne Brady interview. Oh well, just one of those intervies that somehow gets twisted before it goes to print;-( My Henry is back...arrived just a few moments, ago...and off I go to recover him."}, {"response": 890, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  5, 2003 (13:23)", "body": "Here are links to deleted scenes found on the DVD. There is only one clip, but there are a jillion formats to chose from (Real Player, Quick Time, WM, etc.) plus transmission speeds. Whatever works for you, you should find amongst these links: http://raincloud.warnerbros.com/wbol/us/whv/med/what_a_girl_wants/addl_scenes_100.asx http://raincloud.warnerbros.com/wbol/us/whv/med/what_a_girl_wants/addl_scenes_100.ram http://raincloud.warnerbros.com/wbol/us/whv/med/what_a_girl_wants/addl_scenes_100.rpm http://raincloud.warnerbros.com/wbol/us/whv/med/what_a_girl_wants/addl_scenes_300.asx http://raincloud.warnerbros.com/wbol/us/whv/med/what_a_girl_wants/addl_scenes_300.ram http://raincloud.warnerbros.com/wbol/us/whv/med/what_a_girl_wants/addl_scenes_300.rpm http://raincloud.warnerbros.com/wbol/us/whv/med/what_a_girl_wants/addl_scenes_56.asx http://raincloud.warnerbros.com/wbol/us/whv/med/what_a_girl_wants/addl_scenes_56.ram http://raincloud.warnerbros.com/wbol/us/whv/med/what_a_girl_wants/addl_scenes_56.rpm http://raincloud.warnerbros.com/wbol/us/whv/med/what_a_girl_wants/addl_scenes_qt_100.mov http://raincloud.warnerbros.com/wbol/us/whv/med/what_a_girl_wants/addl_scenes_qt_100.smil http://raincloud.warnerbros.com/wbol/us/whv/med/what_a_girl_wants/addl_scenes_qt_300.mov http://raincloud.warnerbros.com/wbol/us/whv/med/what_a_girl_wants/addl_scenes_qt_300.smil http://raincloud.warnerbros.com/wbol/us/whv/med/what_a_girl_wants/addl_scenes_qt_56.mov http://raincloud.warnerbros.com/wbol/us/whv/med/what_a_girl_wants/addl_scenes_qt_56.smil"}, {"response": 891, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  5, 2003 (13:26)", "body": "The second scene on the clip is HD giving an assnumblingly boring speech. A real dynamo. ;-D"}, {"response": 892, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Aug  5, 2003 (14:26)", "body": "(Karen) HD giving an assnumblingly boring speech. BWAH! In it he says he comes from Wickham! Wonder how many little in jokes they'll throw into EOR. Doesn't appear the biggest one will be making it in. Thanks for the links, Karen. No time to pick up HD today or to watch it tonight anyway."}, {"response": 893, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Aug  5, 2003 (15:07)", "body": "(Janet)DVD of WAGW arrived this morning. - It doesn't even open in the cinema until this Friday (LeahP)How did this happen. Am I living in a parallel universe? I bought a Region free DVD Player last year. Best purchase I've made in a long time!! - And WAGW isn't released in the UK until this Friday, so I get the best of both worlds!!"}, {"response": 894, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Aug  5, 2003 (19:02)", "body": "I've just finished watching my DVD of WAGW. And I can't believe how unbelievably gorgeous he is in this film! Friday can't come soon enough for me!"}, {"response": 895, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Aug  5, 2003 (20:12)", "body": "(Janet)And I can't believe how unbelievably gorgeous he is in this film And the DVD is just the tip of the iceberg...wait till you see him on the big screen. Lucky girl! I just checked into multi region DVD players, yesterday...after the Trauuuuuuuuuma report I figure it's time to invest. I wish they had included more outtakes. The few after the fashion and etiquette segment were funny and left me wanting more. Blast! But, I'm not complaining...Henry is home."}, {"response": 896, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Aug  5, 2003 (21:05)", "body": "(Linda) Henry is home. No time, nuff said."}, {"response": 897, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Aug  5, 2003 (22:33)", "body": "(Linda) Henry is home. For any of you with Sam's Club memberships, I would suggest looking there for WAGW - the DVD was a few bucks cheaper. Anyway, I have my DVD! So excited as I actually have not seen the movie yet. Got a great question today... over dinner, my mother very seriously asked, \"So what is it with Colin Firth? How long has this been going on?\""}, {"response": 898, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Aug  5, 2003 (23:47)", "body": "(Linda) Henry is home. LOL....he is indeed! Think I'll go curl up on the couch with him right now! Sweet dreams, Droolers!!"}, {"response": 899, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (08:04)", "body": "(Shoshana)Got a great question today... over dinner, my mother very seriously asked, \"So what is it with Colin Firth? How long has this been going on?\" LOL! You are so busted! This is a question that I fear from the DH.;-)"}, {"response": 900, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (09:25)", "body": "From an article in THR about up and coming new directors: That sort of unearned self-assurance \ufffd a willingness to leap blindly into the unknown \ufffd is common to all novice filmmakers, who often don't have the good sense to recognize that they're in over their heads. Independent films make for a cruel apprenticeship because there's no margin for error, no room in the minuscule budget and harried shooting schedule for the occasional rookie mistake. These conditions would rattle even the most-seasoned veteran, but a promising new crop of directors is hoping to survive its trial by fire unscathed. [...] In \"Station Agent,\" the trains represent a neat metaphor for themes of connection and disconnection, but they also evoke an era that has long-since passed with antiquated values that share little relation to the present. It's this same nostalgic spirit that led Peter Webber, a veteran of British TV dramas and documentaries, to make his feature debut with Lions Gate's \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" the long-awaited adaptation of Tracy Chevalier's best-selling novel. Based on the Johannes Vermeer painting of the same name, the project came to Webber after a previous incarnation \ufffd with director Mike Newell and stars Ralph Fiennes and Kate Hudson attached \ufffd slipped through the cracks. Likening the transition from television to film to \"slipping into a comfortable pair of shoes,\" Webber cast Colin Firth as Vermeer and an uncanny Scarlett Johansson as the peasant maid who inspired his famous painting. \"It's really a story about repression,\" says Webber, who mimicked the painter's elegant simplicity in depicting 17th-century Dutch culture. \"We live in a world where very little is repressed, where sexuality is worn on people's sleeves, where every other film people are jumping into bed. I relished the idea of making a film where people can't do what they want and have a passion that's denied somehow. \"Maybe it's because I'm a Brit,\" Webber jokes. \"We're supposed to be repressed, aren't we?\""}, {"response": 901, "author": "birdy", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (09:58)", "body": "(Karen) \"with director Mike Newell and stars Ralph Fiennes and Kate Hudson attached\" 'scuse me while I bang my head against the wall. There, I feel better."}, {"response": 902, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (10:06)", "body": "Why a headbang? This project scored a perfect 10 on my Rafe-o-meter, which I use to measure all of CF's potential projects."}, {"response": 903, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (10:24)", "body": "(THR article))Maybe it's because I'm a Brit,\" Webber jokes. \"We're supposed to be repressed, aren't we?\" LOL! I can see em' already, Colin Firth, once again playing the part of a *repressed*.......(Dutch)artist. Who cares! Bring it on, I'm ready for the smoulderama!"}, {"response": 904, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (10:44)", "body": "Regarding the anonymous set report from Trauma, I've been assured that there won't be a need for subtitling in this film. There's only one Scottish accent and one Cockney. As far as raunchy content goes, this one scene isn't representative of the whole film."}, {"response": 905, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (11:19)", "body": "I assume my WAGW DVD will be on the doorstep this afternoon. The \"official\" web site mentions Easter Eggs. Has anyone identified these yet? Being a middle-aged, NPR listening woman, I have no inclination to fiddle with the DVD player to find them. ;-) ;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 906, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (11:52)", "body": "(Karen) As far as raunchy content goes, this one scene isn't representative of the whole film. Ohhhh....blast! And I was so hoping it would be! ;-D (Meredith) The \"official\" web site mentions Easter Eggs. Has anyone identified these yet? I found a listing for only one so far (there should be more). Here's a link to finding Peach & Pear's audition: http://www.dvdeastereggs.com/showEgg.php?eggid=1207&grabEggs=w I haven't had time to check that one out...hope it works. Off to look for more!"}, {"response": 907, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (12:18)", "body": "There's a *very* brief Colin interview in the section where you mix Daphne's clothing to match the ensembles worn in the film. I don't want to tell you how many attempts it took me before the DVD apparently got disgusted and gave me the answers.;-) Anyway, when you make it though all 4 outfits, there are brief interviews with AB, CF, and OJ. (Janet)I can't believe how unbelievably gorgeous he is in this film! I know, IMO, he looks even better in this than in BJD! If anyone wants to join me in a good old-fashioned drool session, BYOB (Bring Your Own Bucket) and let's do it! Great (and very welcome) update on Trauma, Karen!"}, {"response": 908, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (12:21)", "body": "This seems very silly to me, but every time I look at the cover to WAGW, I imagine RL from Tumbledown in his big silly hat. I just am waiting to hear a string of soldier profanities or him asking if anoyone would like to see the pictures of his brain. Does anyone else get that mental image or have I just been watching Tumbledowm too recently?"}, {"response": 909, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (13:20)", "body": "I've added the picture accompanying the Premiere write-up to the GWAPE gallery http://www.firth.com/gwape_gal1.html"}, {"response": 910, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (13:35)", "body": "(Karen)I've added the picture accompanying the Premiere write-up to the GWAPE gallery Those hands, that concentrated gaze. SWOON!"}, {"response": 911, "author": "soph", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (13:46)", "body": "cool pic karen, thanks. i strongly suspect they used it for the poster (after a couple of retouching moves, ie stubble clearing and skin smoothing).... i actually like the close-up poster better than the first one you posted, esp. the cracked painting feel they gave it. ok, i know, no hands on the second one, but i really like the retouching work they did with it. thanks for all the goodies everyone (and the bunburying jokes re: trauma, ha!)"}, {"response": 912, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (14:03)", "body": "OMG, that photo! I think I'm going to need CPR to stay conscious during GWAPE, as I feel light headed just looking at that image. Thanks, Karen, for uploading it. Gee, are we all going to buy the poster for the film? ;-) (Mari) I know, IMO, he looks even better in this than in BJD! I was thinking the same thing, Mari. I've never before voiced this to anyone, but I always thought Mark Darcy's hair looked odd from the beginning of film (reindeer jumper scene) to the Smug Married dinner party scenes. Hi hair was kind of poufy and odd-shaped in the front. To redeem myself (and his hair;-)), I thought that his hair looked much better from the ciggie shop scene till the end of the film. I will save my Henry-specific drooling for another time. ;-) (Karen) This project scored a perfect 10 on my Rafe-o-meter, which I use to measure all of CF's potential projects. Excellent concept, IMO. Oh, God, not Easter eggs. *groan* I never could make the \"bagpipe\" easter egg on Moulin Rouge work. I just hope they aren't too tricky."}, {"response": 913, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (14:29)", "body": "OMG! My face is numb....I have lost all feeling in my limbs.... That stubble...that hair...that dead sexy shirt...that intense look. I'm done for...a goner. Gotta make a physical appointment to see if the old ticker can take a jolt. Who am I kidding, even if they told me to stay away, I couldn't... Nice piercer! Wonder if he's available for...nevermind...I'll just go sit in front of the fan and cool off for a minute. Thank you Karen!!!!"}, {"response": 914, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (14:49)", "body": "Woke up and peeled face of of computer screen to thank Karen. ;-)"}, {"response": 915, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (14:52)", "body": "Thanks Karen...now let's hope Rafe bows out of more films like this one;-)"}, {"response": 916, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (15:12)", "body": "Thanks for the new capture, Karen. Better and better! - I'm off to look for more Easter eggs. (I did stumble upon Pear and Peach's audition last night.) - Just a fluke!"}, {"response": 917, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (15:32)", "body": "Karen, that picture has sent me over the moon. I've been in trouble since yesterday afternoon with HD now JV. Many thanks... Wonder what kind of piercer he is? (Janet)I'm off to look for more Easter eggs. Don't miss the outtakes after the etiquette section (does that count as an easter egg) (Mari)I don't want to tell you how many attempts it took me before the DVD apparently got disgusted and gave me the answers.;-) LOL, my daughter and I were rolling on the floor trying to get them right. We had just watched the film, too. My DVD froze at one point during this. I thought I would die. Thought I broke Henry. (Mari)I know, IMO, he looks even better in this than in BJD! If anyone wants to join me in a good old-fashioned drool session, BYOB (Bring Your Own Bucket) and let's do it! I agree that HD looks better than MD. I thought MD had so many different looks in BJD...of course most were AFG, but HD looks so AFG throughout the film...eh after Morocco, of course. I'll gladly bring my own bucket, I think I need two..I'm already in Vermeer drool mode. (Karen)I've been assured that there won't be a need for subtitling in this film. Ok, multi-region DVD player now on hold..."}, {"response": 918, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (16:03)", "body": "Ew. Am not as enamoured of the Colin Kevorkian do-it-yourself piercing pic as you ladies. Am getting a Sweeney Todd flashback here.;-)"}, {"response": 919, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (16:29)", "body": "(Mari) Ew. Am not as enamoured of the Colin Kevorkian do-it-yourself piercing pic as you ladies. Am getting a Sweeney Todd flashback here.;-) Whew! Got almost down to the end of the postings and thought I'd be the first one to be a bit less than enamored of it. For me, it borders on sadistic looking. He looks a little too determined vs. full of sensuality and she pains me to watch her waiting for the pain. Though am impressed at Scarlet for making that come through so well. It's just a snapshot, so it might register different with me when I see the whole scene."}, {"response": 920, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (16:51)", "body": ". He looks a little too determined vs. full of sensuality He's an artist, a perfectionist...not a masochistic predator. Why else make her pierce both ears. I think he's playing it right."}, {"response": 921, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (17:00)", "body": "(Evelyn) Why else make her pierce both ears. I always thought it was for several reasons. That he wanted to see her in the earrings, that he knew it was probably her one time to ever wear anything like that...so let her wear both of them, even if it was for only a couple of hours and then because he was an artist and the aesthetic of the whole thing (balance and beauty and such...). But I really think it had more to do with seeing her in both earrings...a bit pervy really, but I like!"}, {"response": 922, "author": "birdy", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (17:44)", "body": "(Karen)Why a headbang? This project scored a perfect 10 on my Rafe-o-meter, which I use to measure all of CF's potential projects. The head bang was rid my head of the picture of Kate Hudson sporting the Pearl Earring. (Evelyn) He's an artist, a perfectionist...not a masochistic predator. Why else make her pierce both ears. I think he's playing it right. I agree. That picture makes me even more antsier for this film. And that's good Trauma news from Karen. Maybe in the dicier bits they'll have subtitles ala Trainspotting."}, {"response": 923, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (18:41)", "body": "I decided to take my 2 sons to the Burrell Collection (an art gallery and museum in Glasgow) today, partly to escape my obsession with all things CF. There was a special exhibition of works normally housed in the National Gallery for Scotland. I was admiring a beautiful painting called 'Christ at the House of Martha and Mary'. The Artist? - Jan Vermeer (an early work) I give up!"}, {"response": 924, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (18:59)", "body": "(Dorine) He looks a little too determined vs. full of sensuality (Evelyn) He's an artist, a perfectionist...not a masochistic predator. Why else make her pierce both ears. I think he's playing it right. I didn't mean my remark as a commentary on how I think he played it. As I said, I can't make a good judgement on it til I see the whole scene. A snapshot of one point in time can be misleading and certainly look very different than reality."}, {"response": 925, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (19:07)", "body": "I guess, in other words, I'd rather look at the poster or the other pics that are out. :-)"}, {"response": 926, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (01:05)", "body": "Hi Karen, By the time you read this you will probably already have discovered that firth.com is being diverted by zoneedit.com. :-(("}, {"response": 927, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (02:39)", "body": "From the Times: COLIN FIRTH does not have the face of a happy man. It settles naturally into an expression of vague discomfort as if it has just noticed something with the potential to ruin his day. And he looks more uncomfortable than ever in What a Girl Wants, a sticky-sweet Cinderella story that requires him to don leather trousers and play air guitar. I imagine it\ufffds a scene that will come back to haunt him in years to come when he\ufffds picking up an Olivier award. Loosely inspired by William Douglas-Home\ufffds 1956 West End hit The Reluctant Debutante (filmed two years later with Rex Harrison and Sandra Dee), this is a star vehicle for Amanda Bynes, whose Tigger-like perkiness on the Nickelodeon children\ufffds channel has made her a star among American pre-and-barely-teens. Bynes plays 17-year-old New Yorker Daphne, who heads for a fantasy London and the country manor of her long estranged aristocratic father, Henry Dashwood (Firth), who never knew she existed. It\ufffds all culture-clash goofiness from there on. When not trying to fit in or loosening up her dad (cue that air guitar moment) and the toffs-and-tiaras set (\ufffdNo hugs,\ufffd bristles Eileen Atkins as Henry\ufffds reformed-snob mother, \ufffdwe\ufffdre British. We only show affection to dogs and horses\ufffd), she\ufffds outsmarting the wicked step-relatives (Anna Chancellor and Jonathan Pryce, no doubt thinking of their pay cheques) and gawking at touristy London with her instant, cute boyfriend, complete with let\ufffds-go-shopping montages. OK, the film is for Bynes\ufffds teen fans but even they might squirm at the overwrought \ufffdyou\ufffdve gotta be yourself\ufffd message. It\ufffds so predictable \ufffd guess if Daphne will reunite her parents and whether Henry will choose political office or being a dad? \ufffd that all that\ufffds left to watch is Firth\ufffds innate earnestness sitting uneasily in formulaic fluff and Bynes acting madcap; she\ufffds not as adorable as the movie thinks she is."}, {"response": 928, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (03:38)", "body": "(Evelyn)He's an artist, a perfectionist...not a masochistic predator. Why else make her pierce both ears. I think he's playing it right. I think your argumentation is right and agree, but as Dorine said, hard to judge from a still shot. (Dorine)I guess, in other words, I'd rather look at the poster or the other pics that are out. :-) The poster is all I need right now - just beautiful :-) (Janet)I give up! Please don't ever get pass this stage - it's too rewarding in the drooldepartment. Timeconsuming, yes - but worth every minute ;-) Thank you for the Trauma informations and GWAPE picture, Karen. And thank you all for the articles, news etc !"}, {"response": 929, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (05:27)", "body": "From free paper, Metro, this morning; an excerpt from www.metro.co.uk... 60 SECONDS EXTRA!: Actress Kelly Preston lived with George Clooney and then Charlie Sheen before marrying John Travolta in a Scientology service in 1991. She starred as Tom Cruise's sex-obsessed girlfriend in Jerry Maguire and with Travolta in Battlefield Earth, but took time off to have children. She returns to the screen this week in What A Girl Wants. What's the new film about? I play Libby Reynolds, an American woman who had a relationship with an English guy, Henry Dashwood [Colin Firth]. After we broke up, I found out I was pregnant, but I was so devastated I never told him. Now that my daughter, Daphne [Amanda Bynes], is a teenager, she wants to meet her father so she takes off to England to find him. I love this movie. It had such a great script and I think it has a great message. I'm a single mother in it and it says there are lots of different kinds of families out there. It's a family film but also a romantic comedy. Did you get on with Colin? I loved him. He's so English but also very mischievous and funny. There's a scene in the film where he's rocking out and playing air guitar in front of a mirror and it's hilarious. Does your husband mind you kissing your co-stars? Well, John doesn't like it. It's his least favourite thing. You have to put it into perspective though, and remember it's just work."}, {"response": 930, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (07:18)", "body": "From the Evening Standard: Rated x (poor). DG's comedy stars a fun-size Jennifer Aniston Clone named AB who lives with her boho mother (KP) in NY's Chinatown. The two are given to trading declarations such as \"I love you a million Swedish fish\" and \"I love you a million M&M's\". But that doesn't stop the girl disappearing across the Atlantic in search of her biological father , HD - an aristocrat, played by a stuttering CF, who has renounced his title to run for parliament but is hanging on to his country estate, mysteriously located in central London. The England that Daphne explores is a divided place. On the streets everyone is either a hippie or a punk or a Rasta. Everyone in the interior scenes - all filmed in stately homes - is either a member ofthe Royal Family impersonated by a lookee-likee, a surly posh chap fixated on racial purity, or a well-known Equity face, indulging in that genteel whoring for which respected British actors assume they will be forgiven. JP, one of the chief offenders, makes it through to the end by delivering his lines in a quivery breathless voice that suggests that he is being gently fondled by someone just out of earshot. EA, conversely, gives it all she can muster. \"I am British!\" she booms. \"We only show affection to dogs and horses\". The film is firmly alllied to the former species, but it doesn't deserve a pat on the head from anyone."}, {"response": 931, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (07:54)", "body": "Thanks for the reviews. I'm not in the least surprised by them! However, my daughter(16), her friend and my niece(13) all loved it. And they all fell for Oliver James. (I'm going to have to hide my DVD, lest it gets damaged!) So it definitely works for the audience that it is, after all, aimed at. The bonus is, that those of us to are mums or aunts, have a legitimate excuse for repeated viewing!"}, {"response": 932, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (09:08)", "body": "(Evening Standard)\" a well-known Equity face, indulging in that genteel whoring for which respected British actors assume they will be forgiven. JP, one of the chief offenders, makes it through to the end by delivering his lines in a quivery breathless voice that suggests that he is being gently fondled by someone just out of earshot.\" ROTF. Funniest lines I've read yet.I must admit the former has always been my contention too. Thanks Allison. At least no one has said it's the worst movie they've seen this year."}, {"response": 933, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (09:15)", "body": "(Times) I imagine it\ufffds a scene that will come back to haunt him in years to come when he\ufffds picking up an Olivier award. Wishful thinking if the reviewer thinks Colin's going to go back on stage. ;-D"}, {"response": 934, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (09:47)", "body": "From the Financial Times by Nigel Andrews The sense of two continents separated by a common malfunctioning of the brain is evident is What a Girl Wants. I never heard such giggling at a press show. But how else to respond to the tale of a dippily anodyne American teenager (Amanda Bynes) discovering that her father is an English peer (Colin Firth) about to shrug off his title to fight for a Commons seat? She vaults the Atlantic to meet daddy, encounters the national froideur (\"No hugs, dear, I'm British,\" says dowager aunt Eileen Atkins), falls for a penniless guitarist (Oliver James) who seems to get gigs at every royal garden party, and falls over Prince Charles and HM the Queen, played by spitting lookalikes. Very scary."}, {"response": 935, "author": "aishling", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (10:56)", "body": "TV Times 9-15 August Rating: 2/5 Chirpy teenage TV star Amanda Bynes plays the daughter of a wedding singer (Kelly Preston) from a 17-years-ago \ufffdmarriage\ufffd to an English nobleman (Colin Firth) whose adviser (Jonathan Pryce) soon saw the \ufffdunsuitable\ufffd American off. Now Bynes is in England to hunt down Firth. There are a few good lines amid a mass of offensive (and outdated) English stereotypes and, fortunately, Eileen Atkins as Firth\ufffds mother has them all. \ufffdNo hugs,\ufffd she says. \ufffdI\ufffdm British. We only show affection to dogs and horses.\ufffd"}, {"response": 936, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (11:00)", "body": "(Times) I imagine it\ufffds a scene that will come back to haunt him in years to come when he\ufffds picking up an Olivier award. (Karen) Wishful thinking if the reviewer thinks Colin's going to go back on stage. ;-D I'm still wishing... (wonder where my Hamlet tix are?) (Evelyn)At least no one has said it's the worst movie they've seen this year. No, that honor seems to be going elsewhere this year..."}, {"response": 937, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (14:03)", "body": "The Herald review: With: Amanda Bynes, Colin Firth, Anna Chancellor, Jonathan Pryce, Eileen Atkins WHAT A Girl Wants takes its title from a song by Christina Aguilera, which probably counts as a kitsch retro reference as far as its target audience is concerned. Next to the film's ultra-perky teen star Amanda Bynes, Aguilera is a wrinkly old showbiz survivor whose advanced age can be calculated by the rings in her bellybutton. Bynes is a product of the voracious US \"tween\" culture, a movement born of the realisation that you're never too young to contribute to the swollen bank balances of squeaky-clean, manufactured role models. What A Girl Wants capitalises on the klutzy, cutesy persona Bynes has honed over almost a decade of small-screen celebrity. She plays Daphne, a kooky (ie flamboyantly annoying) 17-year-old who yearns to find her real father. In a flagrant sop to dreamy American teens that just won't work on this side of the pond, he turns out to be an aristocratic English MP (played by a suitably embarrassed-looking Colin Firth). Off she goes to the funny old UK to kick him into touch with, like, what a girl wants. Which is to cause chaos in his household, behave inappropriately at posh functions, and show everyone her midriff, shortly before calming down enough to join in the reinforcement of all his conservative (and, implicitly, Conservative) values. Oh, and to get off with an appalling, soppy English boy, whose apparent function is to remind audiences that not everyone in Britain has a title. \"My parents are as poor as church mice, and they're the happiest people I know,\" he smugly notes, before the film returns to its feverish fetishisation of privilege and elitism. Throw in dumb tourist shots of London edited together with blithe disregard for geography, and stereotypes about the Brit mentality that would have seemed narrow and archaic in 1952, and one wonders why this is even being released over here."}, {"response": 938, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (14:46)", "body": "This may not be the prevailing English view of WAGW, but I thought some of this writer's comments were interesting. Posted at the imdb: A Brit's view of Hollywood's view of England Perhaps I've just bought myself a one-way ticket to the Tower of London by admitting this but in fact I really loved this film. In fact, it was one of the most entertaining I've seen in months (and believe me, I see a lot of films). Okay, so some of the standard ingredients in a Hollywood view of England are present and correct. There is the obligatory tour of London taking in all the traditional sights. Then there's the use of cockney rhyming slang (apples and pears = stairs, frog and toad = road, etc, you get the picture) by the locals to establish that we are in England. Perhaps it's just me but I've never heard anyone speak like this (perhaps I should get out from the palace more). Mercifully at least in this case, having quickly established that we are in England (by the sightseeing tour and the cockneys speaking cockney), the locals then start talking normally - well at least what passes for normal in England. Most of the Brits are portrayed as being eccentric upper class and repressed or crashing patronising snobs. And yes, all the characters are portrayed in the broadest of strokes with the bad characters being irredeemably bad with no saving graces whatsoever. Poor Anna Chancellor draws the shortest of short straws as the evil stepmother-to-be (is there ever any other kind? If any oppressed minority gets a worse press than the English, it's stepmothers and stepdaughters - they're always evil). The problem here of course is that having become engaged to marry such an awful character whose appallingly bad character traits must be obvious to everyone shows exceedingly poor judgment on the part of Colin Firth's character, Henry. However, on the other hand, it does get some things right. (1) A Lord cannot be elected to the House of Commons without renouncing his title (a surprisingly small detail for a Hollywood film to get right) (2) Henry rails against the gutter press, name checking several actual British tabloid newspapers `The Sun' and `The Daily Star' (3) Jonathan Pryce's treacherous political spin doctor is named Alistair (well it made me laugh, especially as Tony B. Liar's own press secretary Alistair Campbell is big news in England at the moment for spinning stories even more fantastical and unlikely than this one) (4) Clarissa advises Daphne not to be a `plonker' (possibly the first time I've heard this word used in an American film - do Americans know what this means?) (5) Daphne's love interest is Ian Wallace (Oliver James), a young Englishman who is neither too upper crust or repressed or a forelock tugging cockney geezer. In short, a relatively normal person (also a first for a Hollywood film - Harry Potter excepted, o course). However, the one important thing which this film manages to get right is the one that many others fail at, namely, it manages to make you care about the characters. From the moment you see Daphne looking longingly at the fathers and daughters dancing together on the dance floor at the wedding at the film's beginning, you want her to find her father and after listening to her mother's story of how her romance with Henry was so cruelly ended, you want her mother, who still clearly loves Henry after all these years, get back together with him. Okay, so this is a fairy story and the ending is never really in any doubt with both the good and bad characters getting what they deserve. But then this is not a film where you want to be surprised by the way it ends. You want it to end the way you expect and you'd be disappointed with anything less than a happy ending. And while most of the characters are stereotypes, at least they are affectionately meant in the most part. Plus, and this is important, this is a supposed to be a comedy. It's okay to poke fun at national stereotypes in a comedy. It's much more unforgivable in a film purporting to be a realistic serious drama, such as the vicious church burning back stabbing baby eating one-dimensional sadists in English uniforms in `The Patriot' or the omission of any British contribution whatsoever in Spielberg's otherwise excellent `Saving Private Ryan' (shame on Robert Rodat who wrote both). Amanda Bynes, who I've only seen previously in `Big Fat Liar', is a talented actress and on the strength of this, her first lead role, she should go far and it's great to see Kelly Preston playing a goodie for once after years of playing her own share of evil bitches. Eileen Atkins, as Henry's mother, Jocelyn, is an inveterate scene stealer and gets the best line in the film `No hugs, dear. I'm English. We only show affection to dogs and horses'. But the real star here is dear old Colin Firth, an actor that I've not liked an awful lot up until now, saddled with playing a succession of unsympathetic characters - even as Mr Darcy, dare I say it - with only the ot"}, {"response": 939, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (16:31)", "body": "I think that was written by his Dad ;-)"}, {"response": 940, "author": "socadook", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (17:30)", "body": "(Allison) I think that was written by his Dad ;-) Too obvious. Must be UK drooler ;-) (A Brit's view of Hollywood's view of England) Plus, and this is important, this is a supposed to be a comedy. It's okay to poke fun at national stereotypes in a comedy. It's much more unforgivable in a film purporting to be a realistic serious drama, such as the vicious church burning back stabbing baby eating one-dimensional sadists in English uniforms in `The Patriot' or the omission of any British contribution whatsoever in Spielberg's otherwise excellent `Saving Private Ryan' (shame on Robert Rodat who wrote both). How right you are, brother. MG and SS should've known better too. Don't worry, I know, in my best Jessica Rabbit voice, Brits aren't bad, they're just cast that way ;-)"}, {"response": 941, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (17:40)", "body": "I think that was written by his Dad ;-) LOL, I suspected as much. Re: Saving Private Ryan--sorry, but it's perfectly understandable to me that Steven S. focused on an American unit. Would another country's unit be out looking for an American boy to return him home? No. And the movie never implied that Americans were alone in the fight. Furthermore, do other countries make movies about American army units? No, but they might make them about their own, which again is perfectly understandable to me. Here's some nice news : The 28th annual Toronto International Film Festival has announced five more Special Presentations today, and leading the list is the latest from the man behind Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill. Director/Screenwriter Richard Curtis helms an all-star cast including Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Laura Linney, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Bill Nighy, Keira Knightley, Martine McCutcheon and Rowan Atkinson in the Special Presentation of a work-in-progress, LOVE ACTUALLY \ufffd the ultimate romantic comedy that weaves together a spectacular number of love affairs into one amazing story. The film is produced by Duncan Kenworthy and Working Title's Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner."}, {"response": 942, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (18:42)", "body": ""}, {"response": 943, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (19:26)", "body": "The Telegraph's review: What a Girl Wants PG cert, 105 mins All elements of this umpteenth teenybop Cinderella are laughably terrible: Yank princess-in-waiting Amanda Bynes, whose winsome mugging is just irritating, and, as her long-lost British dad, Colin Firth, who miraculously fails to be bad. Typecast as stiff politician Lord Henry Dashwood, Firth turns a valiantly blind eye to the double-deckers endlessly circling his massive estate, conveniently situated as it is for easy central London tourist access. (Actually, it's West Wycombe Park.) A lot more watchable than The Princess Diaries, for which the puppyishly effortful script deserves chief praise."}, {"response": 944, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (19:35)", "body": "The Sun's review: What an audience detests WHAT A GIRL WANTS Cert PG, 105min NOW I\ufffdve seen some real shockers while I\ufffdve been doing this job \ufffd but I don\ufffdt think anything comes close, or will come close, to What A Girl Wants (mind you, I\ufffdve yet to see J-Lo and Ben Affleck in Gigli). From its appalling script to its ridiculous attempts to pander to all the preconceptions the Americans have about the English (double-decker buses driving past a stately home, in the middle of London?) this is a movie that stinks. Daphne Reynolds (Amanda Bynes) lives with her Bohemian mum Libby (Kelly Preston) in New York. All her life she\ufffds wanted to meet her estranged dad, Lord Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth) and so one day decides to head over to England to look him up. She finds him running for political office and engaged to the dodgy Glynnis (Anna Chancellor). Needless to say, her arrival changes his outlook on things and he soon reverts to his true, hedonistic self, clad in leather trousers and playing air guitar in front of his gilt-edged, full-length mirror. This does not even come into the \ufffdso bad it\ufffds good\ufffd category. Avoid at all costs."}, {"response": 945, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (19:45)", "body": "Hey, daddy Firth or not, they got it right... However, the one important thing which this film manages to get right is the one that many others fail at, namely, it manages to make you care about the characters. A lot more watchable than The Princess Diaries, for which the puppyishly effortful script deserves chief praise. His best moments in the film, however, those where he says nothing at all, letting his face speak for him. And it speaks volumes. I don't know about his dad, but whoever wrote this must lurk here...I think all of us at one time or another said this about Colin in this film...and others of course;-) My cup is half-full...and that's OK. Thanks Mari, Allison, and Emma."}, {"response": 946, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (19:45)", "body": "What a Girl Wants (PG) By BBC Radio Times Based on a play by William Douglas Home and previously filmed as The Reluctant Debutante with Sandra Dee and Rex Harrison in 1958, this lightweight rom-com is as hidebound as an old corset but will no doubt delight the pre-teen market for which it was designed. This modern-day Cinderella tale begins with 17-year-old Daphne Reynolds (Amanda Bynes), the love child of an American mother (Kelly Preston) and titled Brit Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth), leaving her home in New York's Chinatown to go in search of her long-lost father. Of course, our uptight lord is ensconced within the British establishment, though he's about to give up his title to stand for the House of Commons - despite the opposition of devious adviser Jonathan Pryce. Into this stiff-upper-lipped arena comes our teenage heroine and after the usual fish-out-of-water calamities, Dashwood and Daphne learn to like as well as love each other, as in all the best father-and-daughter fantasies. Director Dennie Gordon's film has the odd moment of wit and Colin Firth brings some class to the proceedings, but otherwise this is the British portayed in a condescending American way - cute, lovable or odd."}, {"response": 947, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (22:20)", "body": "Peter Bradshaw from The Guardian (1/5 stars) Those coprophiliacs and masochists among us - counting the days until they can see Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck in Gigli - will have to content themselves in the meanwhile with this. What can I say? It sucks; it blows; it bites; it swallows; it chokes and it dies. It's an icky daddy-daughter comedy about a bizarrely imagined tourist England that can only exist in the minds of Hollywood executives, featuring British character actors abasing themselves horribly for the money. Colin Firth plays \"Lord Henry Dashwood\", the son of an earl or duke presumably, at any rate a gen-yoo-wine English toff who, like Tony Benn, has renounced his hereditary peerage to stand as an MP, though for what party we are not told. [Ed note: Is this relevant?] The teen star is moon-faced muppet Amanda Bynes: a way-cool American girl who plays his secret daughter, the product of a long-lost love affair; she lives with her mom in New York and comes over to thaw his uptight Britishness with her vibrant American-ness, resulting in a creepy and unwholesome love story."}, {"response": 948, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (22:31)", "body": "From the Evening New by Angus Wolfe Murray: SHE wants daddy. It's official. Based on the movie adaptation of William Douglas Home's theatrical hit The Reluctant Debutante - which looked out of date even before Vincente Minnelli went to shoot it in Paris in 1958, with Rex Harrison and Sandra Dee - Dennie Gordon's 2003 version resurrects the worst aspects of English class snobbery in a film that makes you squirm with embarrassment. Daphne Reynolds (Amanda Bynes, an American star of TV kids shows) has been brought up in New York by her hippy, folk-singing mom (Kelly Preston), who has never looked at another man since being dumped by her \"husband\" before he realised she was pregnant. His name is Lord Henry Dashwood (an uncomfortable looking Colin Firth). One day, on the spur of the moment, Daphne flies to London to check him out. He lives in a stately home with a butler, servants, a mother (Eileen Atkins) who wears gardening clothes, his bossy fiancee (Anna Chancellor) and her spoilt teenage daughter (Christine Cole). He's a politician, being groomed as the next PM by a Machiavellian agent (Jonathan Pryce), who happens to be his fiancee's father. To call him wet would underestimate his inability to make decisions. He is, in the true sense of the word, a dummy. Daphne livens things up - not difficult in the circumstances - and discovers that the upper-classes are narrow-minded, opinionated and stupid. Dad's okay, because he tries to protect her from the worst excesses of fuddyism, but goes along with the idea of presenting her to society. The film is a throwback to those dusty days when Kenneth More and Sylvia Syms - she's here, playing a Royal - were in everything. All in all, this is warmed-up Fifties tosh."}, {"response": 949, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (22:50)", "body": "coprophiliacs I'm sorry, this is too big a word for a tween movie review. ;-)"}, {"response": 950, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (23:16)", "body": "That's not that half of it. ;-D"}, {"response": 951, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (04:24)", "body": "Thank you all for the reviews and news. Someone mentioned figuring out, what Lady Dashwood said to Daphne as they walked to the stairs at her first party. A friend suggests it to be the latin phrase \"Qui patitur vincit.\" Perhaps it translates into something like \"(He) Who suffers (or endures) conquers (or succeeds). Anyone remember their latinlessons? ;-) coprophiliacs (Dorine) I'm sorry, this is too big a word for a tween movie review. ;-) LOL (Evelyn)At least no one has said it's the worst movie they've seen this year. You knew, it had to come - didn't you? ;-) : (The Suns reviewer) NOW I\ufffdve seen some real shockers while I\ufffdve been doing this job \ufffd but I don\ufffdt think anything comes close, or will come close, to What A Girl Wants (mind you, I\ufffdve yet to see J-Lo and Ben Affleck in Gigli)."}, {"response": 952, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (07:49)", "body": "mind you, I?ve yet to see J-Lo and Ben Affleck in Gigli). He'll have an anxiety attack. These reviewers take things sooooo seriously."}, {"response": 953, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (07:54)", "body": "Ev, you spoke too soon; here's the Mirror's review: WHAT A GIRL WANTS Aug 8 2003 THE John Leslie saga, a government in crisis over the death of Dr David Kelly, Beckham's transfer to Real Madrid, Robbie Williams' concerts at Knebworth and record heatwaves. Just some of the things for which the eventful summer of 2003 will be remembered. But for me, there will always be another very special golden memory. How could I ever forget that this was when I saw the worst film ever made. Congratulations to director Dennie Gordon for delivering a \"comedy\" which had me in stitches for all the wrong reasons. This scarcely believable catastrophe is so relentlessly bad that it left me helpless with laughter over the sheer, stunning depth of its ineptitude. Most of the feeble action unfolds in \"swinging\" London, with every single street scene featuring at least two double-decker buses, a black cab, a minimum of three good old British bobbies, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and Tower Bridge. They failed to include any bowler hats or Beefeaters but I'm sure this was just an honest mistake. One assumes that eminent British thespians Colin Firth, Jonathan Pryce, Anna Chancellor and Eileen Aitkens developed a strong sense of post-industrial irony to justify their participation in an asinine movie which reduces the entire United Kingdom to nothing more than a cliched theme park. As we endure a moron's eye view of a l'il ol' England exclusively populated by pompous Lord Snooty types and Royal Family \"look-alikes\" who look nothing like the Royal family, the relentless stereotyping borders on racism. Based on William Douglas Home's play The Reluctant Debutante, the story revolves around unpleasantly hyperactive American barbarian Daphne Reynolds (Amanda Bynes) and her quest to be reunited with her long-lost father, Lord Henry Dashwood. I shook my head in dismay at poor Mr Firth who, after his starring role in the hopelessly unromantic non-comedy Hope Springs, has chalked up his second massive turkey of the summer"}, {"response": 954, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (08:04)", "body": "(Evelyn)These reviewers take things sooooo seriously. Having just read some of the reviews including the Mirrors, I can only agree."}, {"response": 955, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (08:08)", "body": "I'm not going to let it get to me, I'm not. Just one comment along the lines of my post a few days ago regarding lack of creativity among the critics. How many of these reviews included the phrase \"an uncomfortable looking Colin Firth\"? Say what they may about the film...I don't think he looked uncomfortable at all in this role. In fact, I thought he played this part very, very well, indeed. Do these people all get together and decide beforehand what will be the catch phrase of the reviews?... My cup is still half-full...so there;-) Thanks, Mari and Karen...I think;-) (Annette's translation)\"(He) Who suffers (or endures) conquers (or succeeds). ...GWAPE and LA can't come soon enough!"}, {"response": 956, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (09:05)", "body": "(Mirror) I shook my head in dismay at poor Mr Firth who, after his starring role in the hopelessly unromantic non-comedy Hope Springs, has chalked up his second massive turkey of the summer I was more afraid someone was goingt to write this. (since I knew Gigli hadn't opened there yet)"}, {"response": 957, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (09:14)", "body": "From the Independent (Charlotte O'Sullivan), one out of five stars: In What A Girl Wants , feisty US teen Daphne (Amanda Bynes) arrives in London, determined to get to know her father, Lord Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth). Thanks to his Machiavellian advisers, he and Daphne's mother (Kelly Preston) split up years before. Dashwood doesn't even know he has a child; is on the verge of seeking election as a Tory MP; oh yes, and is about to marry a bitch of a woman (Anna Chancellor), with a vicious daughter of her own. Cue hilarious results, as this pair try to get Daphne in trouble, the advisers try to decide if an illegitimate daughter is a curse or a blessing, and our heroine tries to decide who she, like, really is. Bynes has the sort of eyes that make you think of marbles colliding with a cold \"chink\". As for London, it's never looked more cut-and-paste. The only respite: a half-light shot of Bynes's hairy back - the one reality they couldn't tweak."}, {"response": 958, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (10:06)", "body": "More From Screen Daily on Mari's news above (Colin the forgotten man): Love Actually gets world premiere at Toronto Jeremy Kay in Los Angeles 08 August 2003 04:00 The world premiere of Richard Curtis\ufffd romantic comedy Love Actually and North American premieres of Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu\ufffds 21 Grams, Jim Jarmusch\ufffds Coffee And Cigarettes and Philip Saville\ufffds The Gospel Of John will screen as special presentations at the Toronto Film Festival. Also included is Lost In Translation, Sofia Coppola\ufffds follow-up to the acclaimed The Virgin Suicides. The festival runs from Sept 4-13. Curtis\ufffd romantic comedy Love Actually will be presented as a work in progress and is the first directorial outing for the screenwriter of Notting Hill and Four Weddings And A Funeral. Fusing 10 love stories mostly set in London, the film features an all-star ensemble including Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley, Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman and Laura Linney. Duncan Kenworthy and Working Title\ufffds Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner produced. The drama 21 Grams is the follow-up to Inarritu\ufffds acclaimed Amores Perros and features a red-hot cast of Naomi Watts, Sean Penn and Benicio Del Toro as damaged strangers drawn together after a freak accident. The film is due to have its world premiere in Venice later this month. Jarmusch\ufffds Coffee And Cigarettes is the feature film installment in a series of shorts begun in 1986. Cate Blanchett, Roberto Benigni, Steve Buscemi, Tom Waits and Iggy Pop play characters who reflect on mundane details of life in a series of 11 vignettes. Saville\ufffds Gospel Of John is a three-hour contemporary version of the Biblical story narrated by Christopher Plummer and starring Henry Ian Cusick as Jesus. Saville filmed the 1997 comedy-drama Metroland in 1987. Lost In Translation, Sofia Coppola's second film after The Virgin Suicides, stars Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson as an actor and photographer\ufffds wife respectively who befriend each other during a magical night-time encounter in Tokyo."}, {"response": 959, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (10:59)", "body": ""}, {"response": 960, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (11:00)", "body": "Whoops, hit the submit button too soon. Oliver James was interviewed on Channel 4\ufffds RI:SE this morning. The interviewer\ufffds name is Iain. I\ufffdm only reporting on the part referring to YKW. Iain: Now, Colin Firth co-starred in the film. Was it daunting with him? How did you break the ice? OJ: We watched the World Cup together actually, because when we were filing, it was the World Cup last year. He\ufffds a nice guy. Iain: Is he all right? OH: Yes. He\ufffds too charming really. I was learning to play the guitar because, of course, my character is a musician and he just picked it up and he could do these amazing jazz riffs (???) or he would sit down at the piano and play a concerto and have all these, like, funny quips."}, {"response": 961, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (11:02)", "body": "Christopher Tookey, Daily Mail Verdict: I think they owe us rather a large apology Rating: One turkey \ufffdHow to succeed in society by being really trying\ufffd Once or twice a year there comes along a movie that\ufffds so atrocious it\ufffds a hoot. What a Girl Wants, an inept rip-off of The Princess Diaries puts the \ufffdDuh! back in Cinderella. It\ufffds a hilariously stupid American tourist\ufffds eye view of modern Britain. The teen heroine is a sparky, relentlessly cheerful New Yorker called Daphne (Amanda Bynes) who falls over a lot, bangs her head and generally behaves in a way that is mean to indicate to us that she\ufffds either a lovable free spirit or incurably brain-damaged. Like any good American teenager of the Bush era, she dreams of meeting her Tony Blair, I mean Prince Charming \ufffd that\ufffds Lord Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth), a dashing British peer who doesn\ufffdt know he\ufffds Daphne\ufffds dad. This is because his evil spin-doctor (Jonathan Pryce, slumming again) broke up Lord Henry\ufffds marriage to Daphne\ufffds mother, Libby (Kelly Preston), by telling her that Henry suddenly didn\ufffdt want her and she must leave the country, then assuring Henry that Libby had done a runner and wouldn\ufffdt see him any more. I know, I know. You\ufffdre wondering why (a) neither Lord Henry nor Libby checked the veracity of the spin-doctor, and (b) why Libby, who\ufffds so hard up that now she\ufffds a wedding singer, didn\ufffdt sue Lord Henry for millions of pounds in alimony and child support. All I can say is: hey, I\ufffdm reporting this stuff, not writing it. Poor deserted Daphne has no designs on Lord Henry\ufffds fortune. It\ufffds more of a spiritual need to meet her dad. \ufffdI feel like half of me is missing,\ufffd she complains, and she doesn\ufffdt mean her brain-cells. So Daphne flies off to London, but her timing is unfortunate. Lord Henry has just given up his seat in the Lords to pursue a supposedly glittering career in the Commons as Tory candidate. He\ufffds stinking rich with a country estate slap in he heart of London \ufffd and, get this, he has the Metropolitan police guarding his front gate. Mind you, Daphne outwits the police easily by scaling a wall \ufffd one of the few concessions to realism in the entire movie. Lord Henry also has a scheming fianc\ufffde (Anna Chancellor, reprising her Duckface from Four Weddings, but mixing in a little Wicked Witch of the West). Lord Henry\ufffds initial reaction to the revelation that he has a daughter is to look severely constipated. Then he worries about the impact on his political reputation. Daphne makes her way in top English society, and even charms the Royal Family \ufffd of which she is apparently an instant member (39th in succession to the throne, no less). She scandalises the British by wearing jeans (apparently we haven\ufffdt seen these garments before). She pushes a Hooray Henry into the water at the Henley Regatta (serves him right for calling the lower orders peasants). She even does the unimaginably un-British thing of dancing to loud rock music which \ufffd horror! \ufffd causes a chandelier to break. According to the movie, this ranks as front-page headline news in the Daily Telegraph, much to the spluttering amusement of its critic, sitting immediately behind me. Daphne tries heroically to conform to the English way of doing things in, say, the Fifties (and I mean of course the 1850s), and predictably starts losing her identity as an utterly conventional modern teenager. With each new social gaffe by his daughter, Lord Henry\ufffds ratings in the opinion polls plummet \ufffd how nice to see an American movie with so keen an insight into the judgmental ultra-conservatism of the British electorate. But don\ufffdt worry \ufffd it all turns out well in the end, as long as you don\ufffdt expect the teenagers to grow up. What happens instead is that the adults become more juvenile to make the teenagers feel at ease. In a scene of excruciating embarrassment, Colin Firth even squeezes himself into tight leather trousers and plays air guitar. It\ufffds as cringeworthy as Tony Blair trying to et matey with schoolchildren around the time of a General Election. This moronic piece of hokum, distantly related to a creaky old play by William Douglas Home (filmed in 1958 as The Reluctant Debutante), may conceivably appeal to extremely na\ufffdve young girls in the Midwest of America, with a desire to be princesses in the British Royal Family, as long as it doesn\ufffdt involve marrying Prince Charles. It\ufffds ideally suited to the sort of young women who talk to their friends on cellphones during the boring bits of other movies. For anyone more sensitive or sophisticated, it\ufffds an exasperating insight into the way the British are seen in America. Hot on the trail of the appalling Hope Springs, this is the second stinker in a row by Colin Firth, who eventually repents of his character\ufffds exaggerated Englishness and tells Daphne\ufffds mum: \ufffdI think I owe you rather a large apology.\ufffd Not half as large an apology as you owe us, Colin."}, {"response": 962, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (11:24)", "body": "I think I owe you rather a large apology.\ufffd Not half as large an apology as you owe us, Colin. And you thought he should have shown up at the premiere? ;-) I just hope he earned a very large amount for this"}, {"response": 963, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (11:28)", "body": "(Tookey) According to the movie, this ranks as front-page headline news in the Daily Telegraph, much to the spluttering amusement of its critic, sitting immediately behind me. LOL! This is good. Hot on the trail of the appalling Hope Springs, this is the second stinker in a row by Colin Firth, who eventually repents of his character\ufffds exaggerated Englishness and tells Daphne\ufffds mum: \ufffdI think I owe you rather a large apology.\ufffd Not half as large an apology as you owe us, Colin. This is bad. :-("}, {"response": 964, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (11:55)", "body": "(Tookey) According to the movie, this ranks as front-page headline news in the Daily Telegraph, much to the spluttering amusement of its critic, sitting immediately behind me. (Karen)LOL! This is good. Hot on the trail of the appalling Hope Springs, this is the second stinker in a row by Colin Firth, who eventually repents of his character\ufffds exaggerated Englishness and tells Daphne\ufffds mum: \ufffdI think I owe you rather a large apology.\ufffd Not half as large an apology as you owe us, Colin. (Karen)This is bad. :-( I thought just the same reading the review. It's a comfort though to have GWAPE and LA to look forward to. If they are half as good as we hope them to be - it could perhaps be the \"apology\" the critics ask for. Fortunately some people like the movies, well - WAGW anyway ;-) I think the critics focus a lot on the British/American angle. Being neither, I do not have a problem with this at all. I still think the movie delivers, what Colin called it to be: A fairytale! Some like fairytales (including me) and some don't - end of story :-)"}, {"response": 965, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (14:07)", "body": "(Mari) I know, IMO, he looks even better in this than in BJD! If anyone wants to join me in a good old-fashioned drool session, BYOB (Bring Your Own Bucket) and let's do it! I agree with you Mari. IMO he looks even better than Mark. I can't take my eyes off him. I thoroughly enjoy this film. My cup is full, regardless of what the critics say. I am sensitive and sophisticated and this movie made me happy. That's what counts to me. I thought Colin was great, I'm sure no challenge for him, but he produced. As of this morning my Blocbuster was completely out of WAGW for rental had only a handful of DVD's left and two videos left, one of which I purchased in addition to my DVD earlier in the week for bedroom use as I have no DVD player there. Henry rocks my world. The store clerk commented on how popular this movie was. I told him I was in it for the Dad. He's so hot. The clerk laughed and said I was not alone as so many \"older\" women had bought this movie. So I told him now he knew why. I really hope he's in for a percentage of the video take. He may be very much surprised. Talk about the American perspective of the Bitish, that critic has obviously never interviewe an American mid-west teen. Talk about pre-conceived notions. I can see where CF may not feel it worthy as far as dramatic skills, but for what it was meant to be it was perfect and so was he. Henry rocks."}, {"response": 966, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (15:12)", "body": "Fairy tales do not equal concessions to realism . (Annette) I still think the movie delivers, what Colin called it to be: A fairytale! Did they trash The Princess Diaries, too? Because you know, teenagers finding out they're princesses of tiny countries is right up there on the \"Happens every day\" meter. ;-) And need I mention James Bond. Not half as large an apology as you owe us, Colin. (Karen)This is bad. :-( Yeah, ouch! (Oliver James) he would sit down at the piano and play a concerto Colin plays the piano? I knew the guitar. You learn something new everyday."}, {"response": 967, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (16:11)", "body": "A&E is re-airing P&P once again, on August 15 and 16. Looks like two 3-hour chunks. Aishling, I was wondering when you'd post that Mail review from Evelyn's favorite critic.;-) (Tookey)it\ufffds an exasperating insight into the way the British are seen in America. No, just a very narrow slice of it. Does *every* movie have to represent a full cross-section of the society in which it takes place? Or is it ever ok to set a film within a narrow segment? I bet these critics just loved Dirty Pretty Things, in which immigrants and asylum seekers sell body organs to survive in London. That is no more \"representative\" than WAGW, yet it's apparently ok because that's \"edgy\" and therefore somehow desirable because it shows a very ugly side of life which is what the critics seem to like, to the exclusion of all else. Re: fairty tales, which this is most definitely intended to be. Ever notice how boys' fairy tales (as seen in the comic book adaptations such as Spider Man, The Hulk, X-Men, and even LOTR) are acceptable no matter how outlandish, but girls' fairly tales (finding your dad, getting your parents back together, finding a cute boyfriend, etc.) are trivialized and ridiculed?"}, {"response": 968, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (16:58)", "body": "(Mari) Ever notice how boys' fairy tales (as seen in the comic book adaptations...) are acceptable no matter how outlandish, but girls' fairly tales (finding your dad, getting your parents back together, finding a cute boyfriend, etc.) are trivialized and ridiculed? Hon, that's one of my all-time fav rant topics. Am considering a book on the subject. ;-D I too love happily-ever-after and romantic comedies...if they're done well."}, {"response": 969, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (17:10)", "body": "(Mari)Re: fairty tales, which this is most definitely intended to be. Ever notice how boys' fairy tales (as seen in the comic book adaptations such as Spider Man, The Hulk, X-Men, and even LOTR) are acceptable no matter how outlandish, but girls' fairly tales (finding your dad, getting your parents back together, finding a cute boyfriend, etc.) are trivialized and ridiculed? So very true! And ties in with: (Dorine)And need I mention James Bond. This also seems to be the case with women writers of all sorts and has po'd me off for a very long time. Alice Walker *and* Toni Morrison have gotten the same poop for their *slices* and have been criticized for their negative portrayals of African American men. Women of all races and stripes are consigned to genres (or genders as Bridget would say;-)) Men simply get to be directors, writers, producers etc. Ok, that's my rant. I still think WAGW is a cute film for what it is and I heard parents and kids say that they enjoyed it each time I went to see it."}, {"response": 970, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (19:04)", "body": "Our paper had a blurb about WAGW on its release to DVD. Not exactly glowing, but it seemed a smidge more positive and cheered me up a bit after reading the slamming in the British press. I love what they choose to focus on in the very short synopsis. ;-) \"WHAT A GIRL WANTS\" (PG)/ Grade=C A watery Cinderella tale that never fails to live down your expectations. When someone needs a new dress, you know there's going to be one of those let's-go-shopping montages. What you don't expect to see is Colin Firth wearing leather pants and a muscle shirt. Then again, you don't expect to see the reliably charming Firth slumming in a \"Princess Diaries\" knockoff starring Nickelodeon poster girl Amanda Bynes. The DVD includes a commentary track, deleted scenes and fashion information."}, {"response": 971, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (19:25)", "body": "With each new social gaffe by his daughter, Lord Henry\ufffds ratings in the opinion polls plummet how nice to see an American movie with so keen an insight into the judgmental ultra-conservatism of the British electorate. . Oh, I guess the British electorate is immune to scandal hurting ratings in the opinion polls. Guess that just happens in middle America...Give Me A Break! Again, what do these people think they are reviewing? This is a family film fergodsake. It's a wonder with reviews like these that anyone in the UK ever goes to the movies...IMO...they're over the top."}, {"response": 972, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (20:23)", "body": "OK, only time for a very small rant. How can a remake of a movie which was made originally in 1958 be described as \"an inept ripoff of 'The Princess Diaries'\" and \"a 'Princess Diaries' knockoff\" if 'The Princess Diaries' was made only two years ago ??? This sort of inept ripoff of a critique really torques my jaw. Perhaps these critics are like chickens, and wake up in a new world every day, with nothing older than a couple of years able to be retained in memory... 'nuff said."}, {"response": 973, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (20:24)", "body": "A watery Cinderella tale that never fails to live down your expectations. When someone needs a new dress, you know there's going to be one of those let's-go-shopping montages. What you don't expect to see is Colin Firth wearing leather pants and a muscle shirt. Then again, you don't expect to see the reliably charming Firth slumming in a \"Princess Diaries\" knockoff starring Nickelodeon poster girl Amanda Bynes. This sounds vaguely familiar, as if they took it from a previous review (and more than likely did) and just added a blurb about the DVD."}, {"response": 974, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (21:03)", "body": "Here's the DVD review from Thursday's Philadelphia Inquirer. I see it's gone out on the wires which means other smaller papers will pick it up for use. 'What a Girl Wants' Starring: Amanda Bynes, Colin Firth, Kelly Preston, Oliver James Former Nickelodeon star Bynes stars in a remake of \"The Reluctant Debutante\" as an American love child in search of her British aristocrat father. Though it's ostensibly designed for young girls and teens, it's more likely to please their mothers as Firth, the thinking man's Hugh Grant, steals the picture as Lord Dashwood. Jonathan Pryce and Eileen Atkins co-star. Bynes provides audio commentary, and the DVD offers features on the movie's fashion sense."}, {"response": 975, "author": "Odile", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (21:25)", "body": "(Philadelphia Enq.) Firth, the thinking man's Hugh Grant Wan't it the thinking woman 's Hugh Grant in the original review though? :)"}, {"response": 976, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug  9, 2003 (10:21)", "body": "Normally I don't do this, but here's someone who's excited to see WAGW in England: ;-D my name is __________ and i am 15 years old (16 in a month!) yippee!. i checked out your website, because i am 100% in love with colin firth, from the age of six, when i first saw him in pride and prejudice. p and p is my favorite video, espcially the bit where colin jumps in the water. he's really cool as well in bridget jones diary, and so fitt! i cant wait til next friday when me and my boyfriend ____ go to see his new film, what a girl wants, i reckon that is going to be such a cool film. anyway i'm from birmigham, and live with my mom, dad, and two dumb no brains older brothers _____ and _____. just to say what a fab, wikid website you have and thanks for the cute pictures of colin firth. love from ________"}, {"response": 977, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Aug  9, 2003 (11:24)", "body": "I bet these critics just loved Dirty Pretty Things, in which immigrants and asylum seekers sell body organs to survive in London. That is no more \"representative\" than WAGW, yet it's apparently ok because that's \"edgy\" and therefore somehow desirable because it shows a very ugly side of life which is what the critics seem to like, to the exclusion of all else. (Mari) Re: fairty tales, which this is most definitely intended to be. Ever notice how boys' fairy tales (as seen in the comic book adaptations such as Spider Man, The Hulk, X-Men, and even LOTR) are acceptable no matter how outlandish, but girls' fairly tales (finding your dad, getting your parents back together, finding a cute boyfriend, etc.) are trivialized and ridiculed (Mari) You've put into words exactly what I was thinking! Two excellent points, Mari. I've stopped reading film reviews by British critics."}, {"response": 978, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug  9, 2003 (13:34)", "body": "Anybody know about a two-page article, with photos, in today's Daily Express?"}, {"response": 979, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug  9, 2003 (17:13)", "body": "Oliver James' interview on TV via Aishling)... Iain: Is he[CF] all right? OH: Yes. He?s too charming really. I was learning to play the guitar because, of course, my character is a musician and he just picked it up and he could do these amazing jazz riffs (???) or he would sit down at the piano and play a concerto and have all these, like, funny quips. Knew he played the guitar, but didn't know he played the piano. I think DM journalist-slug wrote that review *before* he saw the movie."}, {"response": 980, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Aug  9, 2003 (18:14)", "body": "(Mari) Re: fairty tales, which this is most definitely intended to be. Ever notice how boys' fairy tales (as seen in the comic book adaptations such as Spider Man, The Hulk, X-Men, and even LOTR) are acceptable no matter how outlandish, but girls' fairly tales (finding your dad, getting your parents back together, finding a cute boyfriend, etc.) are trivialized and ridiculed So true, so true Mari. It's still a man's/boy's world no matter how far we've come. I feel as you do. This movie is truly a fairy tale for young girls, and women who want the Dad ;-) never professed to be anything else. So I feel the Colin bashing by the British Press is definitely unfounded. I loved this movie, thought it one of the best of its gendre and he was fantastic. Could it be I am more intelligent than all these esteemed critics? ;-) Would they be bashing him if he was a voice in a cartoon? And so many really big stars are doing them. They don't get bashed or told they're doing something beneath them. IMO this movie is the same thing. Meant for children and me and to be fun, nothing more. They are taking themselves way to seriously and I sincerely hope Colin is laughing at them all the way to the bank."}, {"response": 981, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Aug  9, 2003 (20:56)", "body": "(Pam)They are taking themselves way to seriously and I sincerely hope Colin is laughing at them all the way to the bank. Me too, Being British, I'm sure Colin knows exactly what the critics are like. I don't think he chooses roles based on what he thinks the critics will like. I like the Philadelphia Inquirer review of the DVD, thanks Mari...and thanks Karen for posting that note from our young lady from the UK;-)"}, {"response": 982, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 10, 2003 (00:12)", "body": "And, finally, from Philip French in Sunday's Observer: According to Sigmund Freud, 'the great question that has never been answered' is: 'What does a woman want?' Freud, who turned down a lucrative Hollywood offer from Samuel Goldwyn, would not have been satisfied by What a Girl Wants, a remake of the William Douglas Home play, The Reluctant Debutante, first filmed by Vincente Minnelli in 1958. The 17-year-old Amanda Bynes, leader of America's current posse of 'tween-queens', stars as Daphne Reynolds, who comes to London in search of her father, Lord Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth), future Prime Minister. He doesn't know of her existence. Her mother, the love of his life, was an American hippie (Kelly Preston) with whom he went through a Bedouin form of marriage in Morocco, though she advises her daughter: 'Getting to know someone just because you share the same DNA isn't the answer.' Apart from this popular use of DNA, little effort has gone into updating Home's play and most of the film's notions about English snobbishness and American egalitarianism are identical with those already stale in pre-Swinging London. Daphne disrupts starchy parties, pushes a toff into the Thames during the Henley regatta, falls into Prince Charles's lap at the Royal Fashion Show, and gets a debs' ball rocking with the help of a British singer (Oliver James), who's been refused a place in the upper classes because his mother married beneath her. 'No hugs please, I'm British,' says her aristocratic grandmother (Eileen Atkins ), but concedes that 'You Rock!' One feels sorry for Atkins, Firth, Jonathan Pryce and other British actors having to demean themselves playing second fiddle to the tiresome Amanda Bynes in such trash. Slightly more amusing and less offensive is the animated comedy Rugrats Go Wild, this week's other American film, a product of Nickelodeon, the TV company of which Amanda Bynes is a major star...."}, {"response": 983, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Aug 10, 2003 (04:55)", "body": "Amazingly, the Sunday Telegraph (female reviewer) has a good review, for WAGW. \"If you can cope with all the... (cliches) and with the pronounced incestual undertones - Rex Harrison was in his fifties when he did this sort of thing in The Reluctant Debutante but Firth is still very much a romantic lead - then WAGW is a surprisingly good bet. This girl wants a sequel.\" I'm sure the other reviews (male) will be awful!"}, {"response": 984, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Aug 10, 2003 (06:31)", "body": "Someone in my family has walked off with the Culture Section of the Sunday Times but from memory, after the usual damning review, he writes something along the lines of: \"But this is not a film meant for cynical middle aged film critics such as myself but for preteen American girls who want to marry Prince William\". Perhaps someone else can post the proper version."}, {"response": 985, "author": "soph", "date": "Sun, Aug 10, 2003 (08:18)", "body": "(bethan's reprise of the telegraph) \"(...) pronounced incestual undertones\" ah ! my thoughts exactly (cf. spoilers section)... ddon't have much time right now, but would like to elaborate further on the \"what's a preteen movie\" topic now that we are joined by the uk brigades : maybe @ spoilers ???"}, {"response": 986, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 10, 2003 (10:02)", "body": "Go right ahead @ spoilers"}, {"response": 987, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Aug 10, 2003 (15:34)", "body": "\"If you can cope with all the... (cliches) and with the pronounced incestual undertones You have got to be kidding me. Blast!"}, {"response": 988, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Aug 10, 2003 (21:55)", "body": "Update on LA release date for North America and MPAA rating for US: And in what is possibly the strangest release pattern of the year, Richard Curtis's \"Love Actually\" will sneak in select major markets on November 8, then open on 150-175 screens on November 14, followed by a second round of sneak previews in 800 theatres of November 22 and a wide expansion release into 1800 theatres on November 26. Love Actually (Universal): R for sexuality, nudity and language"}, {"response": 989, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Aug 10, 2003 (23:41)", "body": "Actually that's a pretty interesting and potentially smart idea to platform it (though in an odd way), especially with the Matrix Re-whatever and that Russell Crowe movie coming out within the same couple of weeks, I think. I was concerned about that. LA may be counterprogramming, but it still could get lost in the shuffle. And isn't LOTR - The Quest for an End out around that time, too?"}, {"response": 990, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 11, 2003 (09:39)", "body": "You'd think a review that was kind to Colin would stick out in my mind, ;-D but I can't remember if this has been posted. From zreview: [Plot recap paragraph] The American dream of finding out that you have a rich, unknown relative that will make all of your dreams come true, is bought to the screen again in an extremely sickly sweet and sentimental way. A remake of the 1958 movie \ufffdThe Reluctant Debutant\ufffd starring Rex Hamilton and Sandra Lee, this is just The Princess Diaries all over again. Girl discovers she is related to a rich aristocrat, in this case a Lord not a King, but her American upbringing, while adding street smarts and the joy of all things modern, makes it difficult for her to become accustomed to the pomp and circumstance associated with more civilised society. You get the picture and you know she is going to change him and they\ufffdll live happily ever after. It does have its good points. Amanda Bynes, from TVs The Amanda Show and Big Fat Liar, shows that she is an upcoming teenage actress that has enough personally to make a good screen lead. She is charming, personable and nice meaning that you can\ufffdt help liking her endearing qualities. Colin Firth is nicely cast as her reluctant father, as he bungles his way through parenting for the first time. Anna Chancellor is also good as the prospective wicked stepmother. What lets the movie down is the sugar coated, overly sentimental ending that you could see coming from a mile away. While the movie was always destined to end this way, it would have been nice for some inkling of originality to have crept in their. Also, the supporting cast is very underdeveloped. Jonathan Pryce\ufffds Alistair Payne is extremely underwritten and a waste of a talented actor. Kelly Preston is only in the movie for about ten minutes and Oliver James looks like a reject from a boy band which a really posh accent. What a Girl Wants is as sugar coated a teenage \ufffdchick-flick\ufffd as you could get. While the performances from Amanda Bynes and Colin Firth are good, you just end up wishing that they could have chosen a better film to star together in as this is decidingly average. Star Rating = * * http://www.thezreview.co.uk/reviews/w/whatagirlwants.htm"}, {"response": 991, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Aug 11, 2003 (10:49)", "body": "OH: Yes. He?s too charming really. I was learning to play the guitar because, of course, my character is a musician and he just picked it up and he could do these amazing jazz riffs (???) or he would sit down at the piano and play a concerto and have all these, like, funny quips. (Evelyn) Knew he played the guitar, but didn't know he played the piano. I think I knew that. It came up in an interview at some point. He seemed to be doing his own playing, however briefly, in RV (or was JN's brother doing the playing?) I loved this movie, thought it one of the best of its genre and he was fantastic. Could it be I am more intelligent than all these esteemed critics? ;-) Of course you are. You're here, aren't you? so what if we could all see the ending from a mile off. It's still an enjoyable movie, and HD looks great. (Sunday Telegraph reviewer) This girl wants a sequel.\" I don't think so. There's nowhere to go with that--it would be a feature-lenght sitcom. This girl will be happy to just watch WAGW again. The release pattern for LA is odd. I can understand starting small, waiting for word-of-mouth and then widening. But sneak--sorta wide--sneak again--wider? Who's the US distributor?"}, {"response": 992, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Aug 11, 2003 (12:02)", "body": "(Evelyn) Knew he played the guitar, but didn't know he played the piano. I think I knew that. It came up in an interview at some point. He seemed to be doing his own playing, however briefly, in RV (or was JN's brother doing the playing?) Didn't he play the piano in PM? I know he did something on the Piano....;-)"}, {"response": 993, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Aug 11, 2003 (12:08)", "body": "The LA distributor here is Universal. I think they're being very creative with the release pattern. November/December is such a crowded time of year movie-wise, and it's a marketing challenge to make your film stand out. They're clearly confident that this will get great word-of-mouth and good critical reviews in the major cities. They'll use both to market it when it goes wide at month-end."}, {"response": 994, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Aug 11, 2003 (12:35)", "body": "(Beedee)Didn't he play the piano in PM? I know he did something on the Piano....;-) Naughty, naughty Beedee! ;-) Was that really CF playing the piano? I am impressed (though he does have perfect hands for a musician..."}, {"response": 995, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Aug 11, 2003 (12:49)", "body": "(Beedee)Didn't he play the piano in PM? I know he did something on the Piano....;-) Yes he did play musically, among other things on the piano. And I also recall reading something about him playing in RV, although can't confirm it."}, {"response": 996, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 11, 2003 (13:58)", "body": "Jennifer played the piano in P&P too and she can't strike a note. Don't be misled by musical accomplishments on film. I was impressed that he played off camera; a concerto no less;-) First I heard of it, anyway."}, {"response": 997, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Aug 11, 2003 (14:22)", "body": "Thanks Karen...I do remember reading that bit about Oliver James, but thank goodness for an almost upbeat one;-)"}, {"response": 998, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Aug 11, 2003 (16:42)", "body": "(Evelyn)I was impressed that he played off camera; a concerto no less;-) First I heard of it, anyway. Me too, to both statements, that is ;-) According to the credits, another bloke played the piano in RV. (Beedee)Didn't he play the piano in PM? I know he did something on the Piano....;-) (Shoshana) Naughty, naughty Beedee! ;-) Not to bring a Playmaker discussion back to life, but I think most of us like what little there is to like in this movie, for just this part ;-P (and perhaps ......... ;-)) (LInda)Thanks Karen...I do remember reading that bit about Oliver James, but thank goodness for an almost upbeat one;-) I'll thank you too. I still think Oliver James is rather cute and plays his part very well. Perhaps he has picked something up from \"The Master\" ;-)"}, {"response": 999, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (01:09)", "body": "Box office for the weekend: 6 - What a Girl Wants $352,347 - 250 screens - $1,409/avg -- $352,347 cume"}, {"response": 1000, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (01:16)", "body": "Perhaps some will take solace in this: ;-D Heatwave melts UK box office takings The UK box office was hit over the weekend by a heatwave which saw the country record its hottest ever temperature on Sunday. Many films saw their earnings drop substantially week-on-week, including last week\ufffds leader Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines, which fell 55%. Total box office was notably 13% down week-on-week and 7% down against the same weekend last year. The leader at this weekend\ufffds box office, BVI\ufffds Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl, still took a healthy $6.1m (\ufffd3.8m) from 452 sites, including $891,053 (\ufffd553,344) on Thursday - its official opening day - from 379 sites. While a strong result, the well-reviewed action adventure may well have performed better had the climate been cooler. However, the extreme heat of Sunday may in fact have driven audiences to seek out the air-conditioning of cinemas. Bizarrely, Sunday was the highest earning day of the weekend with $5.2m (\ufffd3.2m) taken across the country compared to Friday\ufffds $4.4m (\ufffd2.7m) and Saturday\ufffds $4.9m (\ufffd3m). Sunday was also Pirates\ufffd highest earning day of the weekend. One explanation of the Sunday rise may have been the addition of UIP\ufffds American Pie: The Wedding which previewed that day only (see separate ScreenDaily.com story) to good numbers - suggesting whatever the weather UIP can expect a hit with the comedy next weekend. Sunday was 17% up on the same day last weekend (Aug 3) and 12% up on the equivalent Sunday last year (Aug 11, 2002)."}, {"response": 1001, "author": "BarbaraT", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (05:29)", "body": "According to the Daily Express gossip column, the new Firth baby was born last week and is a boy called Mateo. I don't know how accurate this is re the date, but I assume they've got the sex and name right."}, {"response": 1002, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (08:37)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1003, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (09:58)", "body": "Thanks, Barbara, and so ends the unfounded rumors from \"people in the know.\" ;-D"}, {"response": 1004, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (10:15)", "body": "http://www.hellomagazine.com/2003/08/12/colinfirth/"}, {"response": 1005, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (11:24)", "body": "Thanks Barbara! Mateo Firth is a lovely name, very multicultural. And I'm sure he'll be has handsome as everyone else in the family. Karen-I can't believe they called Livia \"Olivia\" in the Hello article. How rude."}, {"response": 1006, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (13:01)", "body": "Welcome Mateo. You have joined such a lovely family. Thanks for the article Karen."}, {"response": 1007, "author": "Odile", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (13:22)", "body": "(Shoshana)I can't believe they called Livia \"Olivia\" in the Hello article. How rude. Actually, there was one of each in the article: Livia & Olivia. It's a work in progress for journalists! Glass half-full :)"}, {"response": 1008, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (13:57)", "body": "Thank you, Karen for the UK box office and baby news. Mateo Firth...has a nice ring to it. Congratulations!"}, {"response": 1009, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (14:00)", "body": "When do you think Master Mateo was born? I was not party to all these July rumours so I don't know how reliable they were but the way these 2 articles present it, it seems that the news only came out because Colin was not at the \"celebrity\" screening for WAGW. Last week seems a bit vague. It seems quite possible that the baby was born a while ago and the event was just put forward as the excuse. I do like to know these things ;-)"}, {"response": 1010, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (14:34)", "body": "Thanks for the news, Barbara. I've heard of Matteo, with 2 t's, and the accent on the first syllable, a version of Matthew. Moon, what say you? Do you think the tabs have screwed up the spelling? They can't seem to get his mum's name right even within the same article.;-) (Karen)so ends the unfounded rumors from \"people in the know.\" ;- *snort*"}, {"response": 1011, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (15:09)", "body": "Mateo......a version of Matthew. Hey, perhaps Livia has been following our film discussion? Let's pretend that this is her *winkie* to us, hee hee.;-)"}, {"response": 1012, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (20:37)", "body": "(Pam)Welcome Mateo. You have joined such a lovely family. Thanks for the article Karen. Ditto, Pam. I have a dear friend who's first grandson is named Mateo. Her son married a woman from Peru, so I guess Mateo is Matthew in Spanish as well. Now the Firth's must work on a little Isabella or Adrianna or Maria (for our Maria). I'm so glad that he has been able to keep his family life private. Another thing that sets him apart from the movie stars. Hope Livia and Mateo are doing well."}, {"response": 1013, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (21:44)", "body": "Welcome Baby Mateo! May your days as a turnip be shortlived!! I, too, am hoping that everyone is doing well (and getting some...at least a little....sleep)!! (Hen) Now the Firth's must work on a little Isabella or Adrianna or Maria (for our Maria). YES! More baby Firths! I love ODB in 'daddy mode'. I think it suits him! Also....(selfish reason here) if he continues to reproduce, he will have to work very, very hard to support his growing family. Gotta make at least a couple more films a year! ;-)"}, {"response": 1014, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (22:33)", "body": "Karen, I'll add my thanks for the Firth baby news. It doesn't matter to me when he was born, I just hope he and Livia are healthy. (Tress) Welcome Baby Mateo! May your days as a turnip be shortlived!! LOL! Thank God he wasn't named \"parsnip.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 1015, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, Aug 13, 2003 (04:51)", "body": "Congratulation to the Firths on the arrival of Mateo. I think it's an ideal name, in that the pronunciation in English and Italian is almost the same, making it easily understood in both countries."}, {"response": 1016, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Aug 13, 2003 (07:25)", "body": "(Lisa)LOL! Thank God he wasn't named \"parsnip.\" ;-) ...not pumpkin or gourd, either;-)"}, {"response": 1017, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Aug 13, 2003 (07:52)", "body": "selfish reason here) if he continues to reproduce, he will have to work very, very hard to support his growing family. Gotta make at least a couple more films a year! ;-) Be careful what we ask for.... It's reasons like these that got us PM and perhaps HS.;-)"}, {"response": 1018, "author": "Leah", "date": "Wed, Aug 13, 2003 (08:08)", "body": "selfish reason here) if he continues to reproduce, he will have to work very, very hard to support his growing family. Gotta make at least a couple more films a year! ;-) (Beedee) Be careful what we ask for.... It's reasons like these that got us PM and perhaps HS.;-) I've heard (haven't seen the evidence) that there is another one that tips PM and HS off the scale. L ;--)"}, {"response": 1019, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Aug 13, 2003 (08:52)", "body": "(Beedee) Be careful what we ask for.... It's reasons like these that got us PM and perhaps HS.;-) (LeahP) I've heard (haven't seen the evidence) that there is another one that tips PM and HS off the scale. L ;--) Ewww...I just shuddered....okay...let me rethink this...cuz I don't want any more 'L'dums'! I was trying to be optimistic....when Livia was expecting Luca we had BJD....and Conspiracy? My timetable may be off....and while she was expecting Mateo....ODB was working on LA, GWAPE and Trauma. So.....if we go off of that (instead of movies of mass production), then I still want him to reproduce. Seems his head clears when the wife is pregnant. ;-)"}, {"response": 1020, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 13, 2003 (10:08)", "body": "There's an feature on Cillian Murphy in the current IFC Rant magazine because he's in 28 Days Later, but it also briefly mentions his future roles \"include 'the boring love interest' in the Vermeer biopic [sic] Girl With a Pearl Earring.\" I guess that isn't too bad elevating Vermeer to the central character, instead of Griet. ;-D"}, {"response": 1021, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Aug 13, 2003 (18:04)", "body": "Hi All, Still on vacation but the DH is taking a little afternoon snooze so thought I would pop in...I've been reading Drool but the typing sometimes wakes him (esp. when I get excited typing!)so... Just ran across this, not sure if it has been posted before Karen but in the off chance... http://iccoventry.icnetwork.co.uk/0800whatson/entertainment/content_objectid=13270327_method=full_siteid=50002_headline=-Colin%2Dlet%2Ds%2Drip-name_page.html"}, {"response": 1022, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 13, 2003 (18:27)", "body": "Thanks Maria..I don't remember reading this line: (CF about MD)\" I phoned in an old performance really (laughs) so I was able to concentrate on it a bit, it was a couple of weeks during filming.\" I'm telling ya'...ROTF ,he's reading our [my] posts. (Or someone is telling him ...)"}, {"response": 1023, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Aug 13, 2003 (19:00)", "body": "Thanks Maria! On vacation and she's still a googlin' (you're my hero)! And what kind of wine are you feeding the DH to make him so sleepy (may need that info for a later date)??!! ;-D Yes, all the dancing with leather trousers, I did wonder if there's a good chance it could kill my career,\" he laughs. \"I very rarely get asked to do the self mockery thing on a big scale, I very rarely get asked to do it in front of a mirror! Makes me giggle every time I see it!"}, {"response": 1024, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Aug 13, 2003 (19:51)", "body": "A great article Maria, Thanks! Definitely shows his sense of humor."}, {"response": 1025, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Aug 13, 2003 (22:18)", "body": "(Maria's article)Yes, all the dancing with leather trousers, I did wonder if there's a good chance it could kill my career,\" he laughs. \"I very rarely get asked to do the self mockery thing on a big scale, I very rarely get asked to do it in front of a mirror! And I spent most of my youth doing exactly that, I mean that was me. Thanks Maria. Love it! Fun article. A true proficient to have found it on vacation. Googling is quieter than typing, hmmmmm. Will need to remember this! What a girl learns here.;-)"}, {"response": 1026, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Aug 14, 2003 (03:00)", "body": "(Maria's article)I think I need someone to come along and say 'come on Colin..' Okay, I'll do it! It's a tuff job, but someone has to ;-) Thank you, Maria. Really v.v.g. article!"}, {"response": 1027, "author": "Leah", "date": "Thu, Aug 14, 2003 (05:27)", "body": "(Maria's article) I didn't know her really, but my kids did. - speaking about AB So that would mean Luca is also a fan?"}, {"response": 1028, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Aug 14, 2003 (06:52)", "body": "From THR: Castle Rock's \"What a Girl Wants,\" starring Amanda Bynes, Colin Firth and Kelly Preston, debuted at No. 2 on Video Store's weekly rental chart, earning an estimated $10.27 million in gross rental revenue during its first five days on store shelves. The comedy took the No. 3 spot on VideoScan's First Alert DVD sales chart and the No. 2 slot on VideoScan's First Alert VHS sales chart during the same frame."}, {"response": 1029, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Aug 14, 2003 (07:24)", "body": "(Maria's article) I didn't know her really, but my kids did. - speaking about AB (Leah)So that would mean Luca is also a fan? Oh, I was sure he meant Mateo. One kid, many kids... what's the difference? ;-)"}, {"response": 1030, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Aug 14, 2003 (07:39)", "body": "(Mari's article)Castle Rock's \"What a Girl Wants,\" starring Amanda Bynes, Colin Firth and Kelly Preston, debuted at No. 2 on Video Store's weekly rental chart, earning an estimated $10.27 million in gross rental revenue during its first five days on store shelves. Great! I would have loved more but I think that someone did keep an eye out for our grown-up pleasure on the DVD. I just love the outtake of ODB talking on the phone with JP and the cute Travolta clip. I run that every night.;-) I also am very fond of the Moroccon marketplace extra scene.:-)"}, {"response": 1031, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Thu, Aug 14, 2003 (07:43)", "body": "New pictures from Love Actually: http://www.empireonline.co.uk/news/news.asp?story=4959 http://www.comingsoon.net/cgi-bin/imageFolio.cgi?direct=Comedy/Love_Actually&img = But the one with Colin is not new."}, {"response": 1032, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 14, 2003 (09:40)", "body": "Thanks, Maria, for the article. Good one. I particularly like the Nonanswer Master at work here: ;-D Q And you would be happy to do it if the script was right? Yes. But I sort of contradict myself on this. [Ed note: Durr] If you say to me would you rather do a sequel of something I did or something completely different if I can find something completely different I would go for that (laughs). Although not necessarily, I suppose in the abstract, I would say give me some variety. On the other hand, I'm not concerned enough with varying the act to go for a lesser project just because it feels different. It's an instinctive thing, if something just grabs you there can be a load of reasons why. (CF about MD) \"I phoned in an old performance really (laughs) so I was able to concentrate on it a bit, it was a couple of weeks during filming.\" In Oliver Platt-Doug Reed voice: Naughty actor, naughty, naughty actor. ;-D I think I need someone to come along and say 'come on Colin..' Be careful what you wish for, although it's been said quite frequently here in no-so-subtle, big bold letters. Thanks, Josie, for the heads up on the new Love Actually."}, {"response": 1033, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Aug 14, 2003 (09:45)", "body": "Thanks, Josie and Maria... Love the bit about the leather pants scene. Leather may kill the career, but towels definitely won't;-) I particularly like the Nonanswer Master at work here: His answers always make me a bit fuzzy."}, {"response": 1034, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 14, 2003 (09:51)", "body": "(THR via Mari)Castle Rock's \"What a Girl Wants,\" starring Amanda Bynes, Colin Firth and Kelly Preston, debuted at No. 2 on Video Store's weekly rental chart, earning an estimated $10.27 million in gross rental revenue during its first five days on store shelves. $10. Mil is v. good for a rental-starter. Plus the purchases at Walmart, Best Buy etc Send that to the critic-slugs in the UK."}, {"response": 1035, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Aug 14, 2003 (11:39)", "body": "(Maria's article) I didn't know her really, but my kids did. - speaking about AB (Leah)So that would mean Luca is also a fan? (Soshana) Oh, I was sure he meant Mateo. One kid, many kids... what's the difference? ;-) LOL, maybe not Luca and Mateo, but I'm quite sure Will knows who she is. Wasn't he there during filming and also at the Cartier Polo function, which AB also attended? My guess is he was following the \"older woman\" around like a little puppy. LOL. Thanks for the great article Maria, hope you're enjoying your vacation. Miss you. I wonder when this interview actually took place as I found it odd he didn't mention GWAPE or Trauma, though they could have edited that info for some reason. You'd think he'd want to mention other projects to try to kind of down-play HS. You're so right Linda, his answers leave me fuzzy too. He's got the art of \"double-talk\" down to a science. However will not be discouraged by his non-committal attitude towards the EOR. Lola assures us it's a go, he even said filming in September, and Renee is packing it on. So, know in my heart its a go. Just hope his denial (?) isn't because of contract disputes. Or is this a type of publicity manuever to keep interest in the film going? Thanks for the LA pics, Josie. I really can't wait to see this one."}, {"response": 1036, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 14, 2003 (11:40)", "body": "This was published in the TV supplement to the Toronto Star: TWEEN POWER by Norm Wilner I admit it: Until last year, I couldn't tell Hilary Duff and Amanda Bynes apart if my life depended on it. (And it might, someday; my niece turns two next month, which means she'll be in their prime demographic before too long.) But 2003 was the year of the tween-girl breakthrough, and both actresses found themselves becoming A-list stars. Duff co-starred with Malcolm In The Middle's Frankie Muniz in the spy-kid comedy Agent Cody Banks before breaking out on her own with The Lizzie McGuire Movie, a fish-out-of-water story that transplanted Duff's TV character to Italy on a Roman vacation. Meanwhile, Bynes - a TV comic who'd starred opposite Muniz last spring in Big Fat Liar - got her very own fish-out-of-water movie, What A Girl Wants, playing a wacky Manhattan girl who discovers that the father she never knew is English royalty, and jets off to London to find him. And in an amazing twist of fate, he looks just like that repressed guy from Bridget Jones's Diary! The Lizzie McGuire Movie won't be on video for another week, but we might as well examine the whole tween thing now. After all, it's not like Agent Cody Banks is aimed exclusively at boys. Tweens - which is to say, kids between the ages of about nine and thirteen - are a desirable target market with a great deal of disposable income that marketing teams have, apparently, discovered only recently. And now that Britney's, like, so last weekend, Bynes and Duff have stepped in as the faces of tween culture. How prominent are they? Duff's decision earlier this summer to abandon the Lizzie McGuire franchise actually made the daily papers, rather than just the entertainment weeklies. (This, by the way, is why Duff gets equal billing and representation on the Agent Cody Banks video release, despite it actually being Frankie Muniz' movie.) Bynes' What A Girl Wants, unfortunately, can't cloak its marketing department's aspirations in, you know, a movie. The credited source material is a 1958 Sandra Dee movie, The Reluctant Debutante, but it' s essentially a remake of The Princess Diaries with Bynes either dressing up or falling down, as the situation demands, while trying to fit in with Colin Firth's stuffy family and thwarting the machinations of scheming adviser Jonathan Pryce. And without someone like Julie Andrews to balance out the music-video interludes, there's only Bynes, bouncing around one palace after another, until an appropriate running time is reached. On the other hand, if tween girls discover Colin Firth early enough, it could lead them to discover Bridget Jones's Diary - and its attendant self-esteem message - before they become slaves to the teen market. And that, in its way, could be a very good thing for the future. I'll just remember to skip over the Hugh Grant bits, should I happen to watch it with my niece. - StarWeek magazine, August 2, 2003"}, {"response": 1037, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Aug 14, 2003 (12:15)", "body": "(Karen's Article)On the other hand, if tween girls discover Colin Firth early enough,........ I'll just remember to skip over the Hugh Grant bits, should I happen to watch it with my niece. Now how cute is that?;-)"}, {"response": 1038, "author": "cyndy", "date": "Thu, Aug 14, 2003 (12:22)", "body": "Karen's Article)On the other hand, if tween girls discover Colin Firth early enough,........ I'll just remember to skip over the Hugh Grant bits, should I happen to watch it with my niece. Hmm, makes you wonder at that comment. Doesn't like HG, or is it about the behavior of DC? I know it wouldn't be difficult for me to skip over either one."}, {"response": 1039, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 14, 2003 (13:25)", "body": "Lions Gate announced quarterly results in a press release, which included the following statement on future operating highlights: The fall slate also features the topical `Shattered Glass', produced by Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner and starring Hayden Christensen; the critically acclaimed `The Cooler', which has already generated great buzz at the Sundance and Los Angeles Film Festivals and stars William H. Macy, Maria Bello and Alec Baldwin; and `Girl With A Pearl Earring', an epic period piece starring the prestigious cast of Colin Firth, Tom Wilkinson and Scarlett Johannson, opening for award season consideration. Nice to see it in black and white from the company. ;-D"}, {"response": 1040, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 14, 2003 (13:35)", "body": "(Wilner) On the other hand, if tween girls discover Colin Firth early enough,........ I'll just remember to skip over the Hugh Grant bits, should I happen to watch it with my niece. (Cyndy) Hmm, makes you wonder at that comment. Doesn't like HG, or is it about the behavior of DC? I know it wouldn't be difficult for me to skip over either one. The latter, i.e., shielding young niece from knowledge of such slimey characters. I've confirmed with him. In his own words, \"It's more of the last thing, yeah ... I'd just as soon she go directly to a Mr. Darcy type, you know?\""}, {"response": 1041, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Aug 14, 2003 (14:47)", "body": "prestigious cast of Colin Firth, Tom Wilkinson and Scarlett Johannson... Oooo, I like the words prestigious and Colin Firth in the same sentence. :-) I'm looking forward to The Cooler, too. Thanks Karen for the article tidbits and press releases. (Maria's article) I didn't know her really, but my kids did. - speaking about AB (Leah)So that would mean Luca is also a fan? (Soshana) Oh, I was sure he meant Mateo. One kid, many kids... what's the difference? ;-) My first thought was to wonder if he has other kids we aren't aware of. And he really did WAGW because Will begged him to, so he could meet AB, not because Dennie flattered him so. ;-D"}, {"response": 1042, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Aug 14, 2003 (15:22)", "body": "Great article, Maria--thanks! (Colin)And I spent most of my youth doing exactly that, I mean that was me. That was far more me than the guy in the suit that I'm sort of known for playing. Exactly, but some critics want to pigeonhole him as Mr. Proper Darcy--yet they'll turn around and bitch about stereotyping.:-( I liked on the DVD commentary where Dennie G. says they really hadn't worked out what he'd do in that scene other than showing him trying on the pants, but that she \"dropped the needle\" on the song and let him go at it! it owns up to being a fairytale. It's not a fairytale disguised as a heart rending drama at all, it practically starts with Once Upon A Time... I guess the critics missed that. :-( she reminded me of Tracy Ullman, she has this multi talent for different characters and different voices, amazing sort of expansiveness High praise indeed. BTW, catch Tracy's new special on HBO, \"Trailer Tales.\" Hysterical! I did a couple of articles a few years ago for Harpers I believe I remeber reading one of these articles, on AMITC I think, but can't recall a second. Anyone? Bridget gave me plenty of time, it wasn't a very difficult part to play. Well, he's honest anyway."}, {"response": 1043, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 14, 2003 (15:44)", "body": "(CF) I did a couple of articles a few years ago for Harpers (Mari) I believe I remeber reading one of these articles, on AMITC I think, but can't recall a second. Anyone? Might be staff reporter has tends to pluralize everything, as in \"my kids.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 1044, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Thu, Aug 14, 2003 (20:34)", "body": "(CF) I did a couple of articles a few years ago for Harpers There was this article on Valmont. http://www.geocities.com/kgjart/HandQValmArtclCF90.html (Maria's article) I didn't know her really, but my kids did. - speaking about AB (Leah)So that would mean Luca is also a fan? (Soshana) Oh, I was sure he meant Mateo. One kid, many kids... what's the difference? ;-) It's a bit of stretch but I think back to when he and Meg were living together. She had children from a previous marriage/relationship that I imagine he became close to during the years they were together."}, {"response": 1045, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Aug 14, 2003 (23:30)", "body": "Thank you Sandy, much appreciated (article is made more special by the close up pic of ODB as Valmont!!)!! (ODB) Forman's conviction and control, by virtue of his very powerful personality, made spontaneity difficult unless the actor was able to absorb his vision and appropriate it as his own. The approach could be heavy handed and yet the product was incredibly delicate. Very nice way to say the guy was a control freak! I imagine that it would be very hard to work in that environment as an actor...when your every gesture was under such scrutiny...still, I liked the end product....so..... All the various courtly arts had to be mastered by the actors: riding, fencing, dancing, calligraphy and music. For my part, the hours spent on a highly-strung horse developed into a kind of metaphor for my relationship with the director. Is this ODB's first stint on horseback? He makes it sound as if he had to spend some time working on that....(if it is, I thank Mr. Forman for his attention to detail ( control freakishness ), because it has paid off....I love nothing better than to see ODB in the saddle!) The most frequent criticism was levelled at a lack of danger or nastiness in the film and its characters (chiefly mine). And why I love this film so much. DL wore its nastiness on its sleeve (don't get me wrong, I loved DL, I just like Valmont much more). I couldn't understand why anyone (let alone a woman) would be drawn to Malkovich's Valmont (again, love JM, just this role was a bit over the top)....while ODB's version seemed tame on the outside, I thought he was the more devious. You can see Malkovich coming a mile away...ODB kinda snuck up on you. I could see how someone would be drawn to him...."}, {"response": 1046, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (02:19)", "body": "What an interesting article. I thought I had read everything by now. Thank you Sandy! I wonder what Fabia Drake really thought of him? Perhaps she was watching his relationship with Meg. Fuel for thought ;-)"}, {"response": 1047, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (06:02)", "body": "starring the prestigious cast of Colin Firth, Tom Wilkinson and Scarlett Johannson Oh, I love the sound of that. Prestigious sounds so much better than repressed and I especially like the last part... opening for award season consideration. Thank you Sandy, Maria, and Karen Oh, one more thing, I only bought two copies of WAGW one for me, and one for my closet firthette...so I can't take any credit for the excellent DVD/Video sales reports;-)"}, {"response": 1048, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (08:50)", "body": "(Mari )I liked on the DVD commentary where Dennie G. says they really hadn't worked out what he'd do in that scene other than showing him trying on the pants, but that she \"dropped the needle\" on the song and let him go at it! Answers my question :Why isn't the choreographer listed\". If he ever loses his day job.... \"my children...\" Must be Meg's Zinnemann kids."}, {"response": 1049, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (08:56)", "body": "Gossip column today in Metro newspaper, The Green Room by Neil Sean: Colin 'Mr Darcy' Firth is in great demand - the star of Bridget Jones's Diary has been asked to star in Will & Grace."}, {"response": 1050, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (09:14)", "body": "Colin 'Mr Darcy' Firth is in great demand - the star of Bridget Jones's Diary has been asked to star in Will & Grace. Madge must have dropped a hint. ;-D"}, {"response": 1051, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (09:17)", "body": "(Emma/Neil Sean) Colin 'Mr Darcy' Firth is in great demand - the star of Bridget Jones's Diary has been asked to star in Will & Grace. Wait...not Hugh Grant? Not Ralph Fiennes? Not.....? ODB? Really!? \"Jack\" must be watching P&P! ;-) Thanks Emma!!"}, {"response": 1052, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (10:05)", "body": "(Mari), I've heard of Matteo, with 2 t's, and the accent on the first syllable, a version of Matthew. Moon, what say you? Do you think the tabs have screwed up the spelling? It's Matteo. You'd think a magazine as large as Hello would check these things. With Luca and Matteo, are they going for a biblical thing? ;-D (Emma/Neil Sean) Colin 'Mr Darcy' Firth is in great demand - the star of Bridget Jones's Diary has been asked to star in Will & Grace. Have a missed something here? Isn't that a TV show? Or is it about Princess Grace and Prince Wilhelm of Bavaria? Nice to be back."}, {"response": 1053, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (10:19)", "body": "(Moon) Have a missed something here? Isn't that a TV show? Yes, but it is big on having celebs appear on episodes: Madonna, Demi Moore, Kevin Bacon, Matt Damon, Gregory Hines, Natasha Lyonne, Michael Douglas, Cher, Minnie Driver (a recurring part, hey, maybe that's the connection!), Rosie O'Donnell, Molly Shannon, Debbie Reynolds, Blythe Danner, Harry Connick Jr (recurring part), Sydney Pollack, Lesley Ann Warren...."}, {"response": 1054, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (10:27)", "body": "(Moon)With Luca and Matteo, are they going for a biblical thing? ;-D LOL, look out, here come Marco and Giovanni!;-) Welcome back, dearest Moon, I missed you. Thanks for the confirmation on the spelling and pronunciation. (Emma/Neil Sean) Colin 'Mr Darcy' Firth is in great demand - the star of Bridget Jones's Diary has been asked to star in Will & Grace. Oh, I'd love to see him do a guest shot on this. Will could use a gorgeous love interest! (Moon, does that answer your question about the show's plot?;-)"}, {"response": 1055, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (10:32)", "body": "Sandy, thanks for the Harper's Valmont article! (Tress)Very nice way to say the guy was a control freak! Agreed! And because of it, his film suffered by getting there a year too late. He had a 2-year jump start on DL, and should have been out first. If you snooze, you lose. As Colin once said about this, it was like walking into a room and telling a joke that everyone had already heard."}, {"response": 1056, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (10:33)", "body": "(Mari) Oh, I'd love to see him do a guest shot on this. Will could use a gorgeous love interest! (Moon, does that answer your question about the show's plot?;-) Pfft! The fleet must be in. ;-D"}, {"response": 1057, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (10:35)", "body": "Hi everyone If anyone will be in the Toronto area, we will be premiering LOVE ACTUALLY at the Toronto Film Festival on Sept. 7th. I apologize for the length of time it takes me to post but I have been out of the country at least 3 times in the last few months on junkets and have not had much time to do anything but work. Karen I am going to respond to your questions as soon as I can. Take care guys!"}, {"response": 1058, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (13:28)", "body": "Thanks Lola! Any chance of Colin attending the FF? Mari), LOL, look out, here come Marco and Giovanni!;-) My thoughts exactly! ;-) Oh, I'd love to see him do a guest shot on this. Will could use a gorgeous love interest! (Moon, does that answer your question about the show's plot?;-) Yuk! Sheesh, when they said star in I got scared. Guest star is le mot juste. Now why can't he be asked to guest on Angel as another vampire, that I would like much better.;-D"}, {"response": 1059, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (13:52)", "body": "Thank you, Lola...Welcome back, Moon. (Mari)Agreed! And because of it, his film suffered by getting there a year too late. He had a 2-year jump start on DL, and should have been out first. I would love to know how V would have done if it had gotten out of the starting gate first. ...I'd still love to see ODB on So Graham Norton."}, {"response": 1060, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (14:58)", "body": "(Mari) Oh, I'd love to see him do a guest shot on this. Will could use a gorgeous love interest!... I'd love to see him in it too. Some heavy hitters guest star as Karen's list shows. It's well written and very funny. He might just enjoy it. Perhaps they won't have him for Will, how hysterical would it be if Karen fell for him? I can see the quizzical expressions he would make and I'm certain there would be alot of \"wots\". I hope he does it. Would be great to see him in something this good on tv. Hey, better than being on his friend Mike's Married Man Show. The prestiegous Colin Firth, how great and well deserved is that. Kudos to them. Thanks Lola for LA premiere info. I wonder if he'll go, but if it comes to a choice would rather have him on the set of EOR so we can see MD as soon as possible. Thanks for all the interesting news and articles ladies."}, {"response": 1061, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (16:25)", "body": "(Mari) Oh, I'd love to see him do a guest shot on this. Will could use a gorgeous love interest!... Maybe they both fall for him! I'd love to see him on Parkinson. I think this is the year it could happen."}, {"response": 1062, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 18, 2003 (10:18)", "body": "News for Downunder Droolers I've been told that L-dum is available on VHS and DVD in your video rental shops (and perhaps for sale as well) under the title Fourplay. The cover art is the pic of the four four of them, walking along the Thames. Thankfully, it is not the same cover as the German release, which had two women and guy in bed, none of them being the actors."}, {"response": 1063, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Aug 18, 2003 (10:48)", "body": "Entertainment Weakly has its Fall Movie Preview issue out. Love Actually gets a full-page. Just a brief mention of CF in cast list. Mostly Huge Gnat spinning tales that I'm sure will be regurgitated ad nauseam on the talk show circuit, blah blah I made Richard make my character not so nice, blah blah, blah, I pulled tricks on Billy Bob, blah blah. Pic of Liam Neeson and child. GWAPE gets a paragraph, plus a pic that includes Scarlett J, Tom W., and 2 women whom I assume are Catherina and Maria. Issue also includes the column below: Oscar Watch The fall films that might grab Oscar's attention -- From the final installment of ''Lord of the Rings'' to flicks starring Nicole and Julia, here are the movies that might vie for Academy Awards by Dave Karger It's a good thing the Academy Awards aren't next week, because the Kodak Theatre would be nearly empty. With only ''Finding Nemo'' and ''Seabiscuit'' attracting any Oscar talk, fall movies will have to fill the ballots (and quickly, since next year's ceremony takes place a month earlier, on Feb. 29). Here's the early line on who could be contenders: September ''The Human Stain'' features Oscar winners Anthony Hopkins and Nicole Kidman, and is directed by three-time winner Robert Benton, while past critics-award winners Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson try for their first nominations with ''Lost in Translation.'' (Johansson also has the December drama ''Girl With a Pearl Earring.'') October The Clint Eastwood-directed ''Mystic River'' began earning momentum at Cannes as a potential Best Picture and for Sean Penn's lead performance. Quentin Tarantino is back in action with ''Kill Bill.'' And Gwyneth Paltrow could find herself in the race for the first time since her ''Shakespeare in Love'' win thanks to her Sylvia Plath biopic ''Sylvia.'' November A puppet show starring Russell Crowe would make anyone's Oscar shortlist, so imagine what Academy voters might think about his period epic ''Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.'' Other nominees could emerge from the smaller-scale pool, namely Tim Burton's ''Big Fish'' (starring Albert Finney and Ewan McGregor), Jim Sheridan's ''In America,'' the grim drama ''21 Grams'' (Sean Penn again), the ensemble romantic comedy ''Love Actually'' (Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, and Laura Linney), and ''House of Sand and Fog,'' featuring Academy faves Jennifer Connelly and Ben Kingsley. December What a shocker -- Christmastime will be stuffed with Oscar bait. ''The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'' will hope the third time is the charm, but it will have stiff competition from three other lavish productions -- ''Cold Mountain,'' ''The Alamo,'' and ''The Last Samurai.'' ''The Missing'' and ''Veronica Guerin'' star Cate Blanchett will have to compete against herself. And never count out the ''Mona Lisa Smile'' of Julia Roberts. (Posted:08/15/03)"}, {"response": 1064, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Mon, Aug 18, 2003 (12:46)", "body": "Hi guys. Ok real quick, here's some more dates for Love Actually. As I mentioned before we will have the world premire at the Toronto Film Festival Sept. 7th There will be a press junket October 10-12 in London with the cast. The movie will have it's New York premiere on November 6th The movie will have it's general release in the US on November 21st and there will be a press junket from November 21 through November 23rd. We are flushing out everyone's itinerary so I'll come back soon with more. Take care!"}, {"response": 1065, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 18, 2003 (13:03)", "body": "Thanks for the update, Hola! NYC premiere should attract some Drooleur presence, I expect. ;-D Thanks for the update on our films' hype, Mari. ;-D"}, {"response": 1066, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Aug 18, 2003 (13:26)", "body": "(Karen)NYC premiere should attract some Drooleur presence, I expect. ;-D That would be wonderful to put together a Drool field trip and cheering section, as it were."}, {"response": 1067, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Aug 18, 2003 (13:30)", "body": "Colin 'Mr Darcy' Firth is in great demand - the star of Bridget Jones's Diary has been asked to star in Will & Grace. This I would like to see. Just hope one of our channels will start showing Will and Grace again before he \"appears\". Still just rumours, but one can allways hope. (Janet)Maybe they both fall for him! LOL, could be interesting ;-) Sandy and Mari, thanks for the articles! Thank you Hola, for the update!"}, {"response": 1068, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Aug 18, 2003 (13:57)", "body": "Thanks for the update, Lola, we appreciate whatever you can share. US press junket after the film opens? *Crossing fingers that Colin will be doing the talk shows*"}, {"response": 1069, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Aug 18, 2003 (16:05)", "body": "Thanks Mari, Sandy, and Lola for all the news and articles."}, {"response": 1070, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Aug 18, 2003 (17:05)", "body": "(Karen)I've been told that L-dum is available on VHS and DVD in your video rental shops (and perhaps for sale as well) under the title Fourplay Apparently it is also possible to rent it in Norway under the title \"Life after sex\" (available from July 9th 2003) See the cover here: http://www.snurrfilm.no/movie.asp?fkMID=4104"}, {"response": 1071, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Aug 18, 2003 (17:37)", "body": "(Karen)The cover art is the pic of the four four of them, walking along the Thames. Thankfully, it is not the same cover as the German release, which had two women and guy in bed, none of them being the actors. (Annette)under the title \"Life after sex\" (available from July 9th 2003). See the cover here: http://www.snurrfilm.no/movie.asp?fkMID=4104 Oooh, can we play a new game? What do you think the worst CF video/DVD case/cover is? I'd have to vote for the US version of FP with the strange woman wearing soccer cleats as a \"bra.\" Whenever I want to show the film to other people (who of course really enjoy the movie itself), I feel embarrassed associating it with that rather questionable picture. What are your opinions, ladies? Conversely, what are your favorite covers (besides the lovely, lovely smouldering P&P image)?"}, {"response": 1072, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 18, 2003 (17:54)", "body": "(Shoshana) Oooh, can we play a new game? What do you think the worst CF video/DVD case/cover is? Cute idea for Firthology (#181)"}, {"response": 1073, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (09:40)", "body": "Here's the link to the EW preview on Love Actually that I mentioned yesterday: http://www.ew.com/ew/preview/movie/0,6115,474761%7E1%7E0%7Eloveactually,00.html"}, {"response": 1074, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (09:47)", "body": "That link is only good for magazine subscribers or AOL members. :-("}, {"response": 1075, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (09:58)", "body": "Vice chairman Michael Burns told investors in a conference call that the next five movie releases, which also include the Tom Cruise-produced \"Shattered Glass,\" \"The Cooler\" and \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" would likely earn a combined $30 million at the boxoffice. I'm guessing that Burns hasn't been told about our Box Office Bastion Linda... ;-D"}, {"response": 1076, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (10:03)", "body": "Oh yeah, WAGW didn't crack the top 10 in the UK for the week ending 17 August. I haven't found the figures yet, but it would be less than the $173,000 pulled in by Veronica Guerin (in 10th)."}, {"response": 1077, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (10:20)", "body": "(Karen)\" ..five movie releases, which also include the Tom Cruise-produced \"Shattered Glass,\" \"The Cooler\" and \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" would likely earn a combined $30 million at the boxoffice. \"5 films combined $30 M\" V. V. limited release, I'd say:-((("}, {"response": 1078, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (10:25)", "body": "(Karen), That link is only good for magazine subscribers or AOL members. :-( But it doesn't mention Colin. On an aside, if you go to their CF info page, they list New Cardiff 2002 as one of his films. ;-) I bought the WAGW DVD yesterday for $14.99, is that a good price?"}, {"response": 1079, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (10:32)", "body": "Here it is, sans pic and cast list. Love Actually What's at stake With a cast this charming -- and challenging -- Curtis' directing will need to be as strong as his writing. Richard Curtis has penned modern romantic-comedy classics such as ''Four Weddings and a Funeral'' and ''Notting Hill,'' so for his directing debut, he naturally returned to a favorite theme. ''Love that's wanted, love that's not wanted, love that's fulfilling, love that's a burden, love that's mischievous -- every variation,'' says Laura Linney, who plays a woman suffering a serious office crush. There's enough love, actually, for 10 overlapping story lines (showcasing at least 12 key star players), from a widowed stepfather (Liam Neeson) who frets over his now-motherless stepson (Thomas Sangster) to a wife (Emma Thompson) whose husband (Alan Rickman) is cheating on her. The ensemble structure meant no actor had to work more than 10 days -- a big selling point for stay-at-home mom Thompson. ''She's had a quiet few years, so that was a particular joy and pleasure,'' says Curtis. Hugh Grant, meanwhile, agreed to play Britain's prime minister -- but only after he forced Curtis to give the PM a bit more tooth. ''I saw this ideal, wonderful, compassionate, lovable character, and I explained to Richard that I thought at this point in my career, that train had sailed, really,'' says Grant. Curtis says the resulting push and pull made for a nicely layered head of state. ''It was a very good balance, him always trying to make sure he behaved like a man who'd won an election would behave, and me trying to push him back into being more of a kitten.'' In addition to toying with his character, Grant enjoyed tormenting Billy Bob Thornton, who plays the U.S. President. ''He's fabulously eccentric,'' Grant says admiringly. ''You read stuff about how he can't [stand] antique furniture, anything old. He's particularly terrified of Benjamin Disraeli, and seeing as they were shooting in a 10 Downing Street set, it was very easy for me to find pictures of Disraeli. And just before they shouted action, I'd flip one in front of his face. To watch him freak.'' The Killer Moment ''The Office'''s Martin Freeman reluctantly serves as a stand-in for a hardcore sex scene."}, {"response": 1080, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (13:53)", "body": "\"5 films combined $30 M\" Wot kind of box office is that? Five films...an average of 6 million each? (Karen)I'm guessing that Burns hasn't been told about our Box Office Bastion Linda... ;-D Imagine how it would boost the numbers;-)"}, {"response": 1081, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (14:36)", "body": "I've put up the article from the Daily Express' Saturday magazine that Aishling so kindly sent me: http://www.firth.com/articles/03dailyexpresssat_809.html"}, {"response": 1082, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (14:43)", "body": "\"I think people\ufffds imaginations must be very strong!\ufffd He has NO idea! LOL! Thanks Aishling and Karen for the great article!"}, {"response": 1083, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (15:13)", "body": "Toronto film fest promises excellent program, unveils lineup Updated at 15:04 on August 19, 2003, EST. TORONTO (CP) - Barring a rain of frogs or a plague of locusts, the 28th annual Toronto International Film Festival is \"good to go,\" Michelle Maheu, managing director of the Festival Group, declared Tuesday. Organizers admit there were some doubts in recent months as to what kind a festival it was going to be, in the wake of the SARS outbreak and then last week's major power outage. But in unveiling the final program lineup for Sept. 4-13, director Piers Handling was optimistic that it was going to be a festival to be proud of. Handling said health workers in Canada had done an incredible job on the SARS front, and he didn't think there was going to be any problem with power for the projectors when the festival itself begins. \"We've been through some pretty major crises over the last little while,\" he told a news conference. \"Air strikes and postal strikes, projectionists' strikes, we went through 9/11 in the middle of our festival. I think we'll roll with the punches.\" The festival will present 336 films from 55 countries, including 252 features, most of them either world or North American premieres. The closing night gala - usually lighter fare to send patrons home on a happy note - will be Danny Deckchair, an Australian film and the directorial debut of Jeff Balsmeyer. It's the story of a downtrodden Sydney cement truck driver named Danny (Rhys Ifans) who tries to escape his suburban life by launching into the skies on a garden chair tied to helium balloons and landing in another town where he feels he can change his life. Other gala presentations announced Tuesday include: Girl With a Pearl Earring: Peter Webber's directorial debut starring Colin Firth and Tom Wilkinson. Supposedly the story behind one of Dutch painter Vermeer's most famous and enigmatic works. World premiere. The School of Rock: The irrepressible Jack Black stars as a hell-raising guitarist put in charge of the music class of a group of private-school fifth-grade prodigies and who decides to turn them into a high-voltage rock band. Also stars Joan Cusack. The Boys From County Clare: Director John Irvin's heartwarming tale of two estranged brothers competing at a traditional all-Irish band-music competition. Stars Colm Meaney and Bernard Hill. Nathalie: Anne Fontaine's story of a wife of 25 years shocked at learning of her husband's infidelity and who hires a prostitute to find out what he's really like. Stars Fanny Ardant, Emmanuelle Beart and Gerard Depardieu. World premiere. Bon Voyage: Oscar-nominated director Jean Paul Rappeneau's sophisticated farce about a young man who must choose between a famous actress and an impassioned student during the German occupation of Paris in 1940. Stars Isabelle Adjani, Gerard Depardieu and Peter Coyote. North American premiere. Good Morning, Night: Writer-director-producer Marco Bellocchio takes an impassioned and sensitive look at the 1978 kidnapping and killing of Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro by Red Brigades terrorists. North American premiere. \"I think Bellocchio has made a masterful film about a very controversial issue,\" said Handling. The news conference also included the traditional test of Handling's breath control as he listed all the celebrities who plan to attend. They include: Denys Arcand, Francis Ford Coppola, Nicolas Cage, Joel Schumacher, Jonathan Demme, Neil Young, Robert Altman, Robert Lepage, Gary Sinise, Jack Black, Jennifer Jason-Leigh, Oliver Platt, Deepa Mehta, Edward Fox, Darryl Hannah, Marcia Gay Hardin, Sarah Polley, Gong Li, Val Kilmer, Dan Aykroyd, Katie Holmes, Scott Speedman, Charles Martin Smith, Emmanuelle Beart, Toni Collette, Jerry Bruckheimer, Chloe Sevigny, Colm Meaney, Dylan McDermott, Mario and Melvin van Peebles, Ridley Scott, Anthony Hopkins, Woody Harrelson, Kate Beckinsale, Miranda Richardson, Guy Maddin, Tilda Swinton, Meg Ryan, Benicio del Toro, Robert Downey Jr., Sean Penn, Omar Sharif, Kate Blanchett, Parker Posey, Tim Robbins, Rita Moreno, Colin Firth, Denzel Washington and Nicole Kidman. \"We talked about not doing this list this year,\" said Handling, concerned that the focus would be on the stars and not the films. \"But clearly it's been such a different year for Toronto and for the film festival, we just thought we'd put the list out there. \"Just the support that we're getting from the international film industry around the world, I think, speaks volumes about this city and the festival.\" Handling, meanwhile, refused to be drawn into a feud with his Montreal counterpart, Serge Losique, who said recently that the overlapping dates for the two cities' festivals were Toronto's fault. The Montreal fest runs from Aug. 27 to Sept. 7 and Losique said Toronto has been pushing up its calendar and that it should move to the spring instead. \"We've been on the first Thursday after Labour Day since 1979,\" Handling said bluntly. \"And we have not shared dates "}, {"response": 1084, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (15:39)", "body": "I hope I'm picking the right topic - this is news of a sort, so I thought it should go here, but if it doesn't Karen, please accept my apologies in advance. There is a new topic at meetup.com for Colin Firth fans, so if you're interested in meeting CF fans in your area, you can go sign up at: http://firth.meetup.com - it's free, and it's pretty cool. They'll probably have a link back to drool on there, Karen. :-)"}, {"response": 1085, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (16:13)", "body": "...and someone used my name and email address at that site, suggesting the creation of that group. What gall! and why would they have a link back to Drool? Thanks for posting the Toronto news, Mari!! Yippeee!!"}, {"response": 1086, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (16:21)", "body": "Thanks, Mari. Was bummed it wasn't up when I looked earlier. Wish they had the screening schedule, but I think that's not up til the 26th. Quite a list of stars attending. That John Cusack movie sounds cute."}, {"response": 1087, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (16:28)", "body": "Girl With a Pearl Earring: Peter Webber's directorial debut starring Colin Firth and Tom Wilkinson. Supposedly the story behind one of Dutch painter Vermeer's most famous and enigmatic works. World premiere. Had to check this out...seems it will play at Roy Thomson Hall. A Gala Presentation. RT Hall will not have their schedule posted until August 28th. Here is the link for the festival and you can see schedules/ticketing info here as well (e-mail and phone numbers for some contacts at the bottom if you have questions): http://www.e.bell.ca/filmfest/2003/mediacentre/release.asp?id=172 I have already looked at ticket prices...don't know how I would tell the DH that I want to spend roughly $600.00 - 700.00 to see one showing of an ODB film. Hmmmm...must think about how to approach this....."}, {"response": 1088, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (16:32)", "body": "Meetup sounds like a cute website....pictures,agendas... I got my CF tee shirt ready;-) Roll on Toronto FF! Who knows, if Toronto & Colin push GWAPE enough it might make more than the $6. M forecast."}, {"response": 1089, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (16:33)", "body": "Thanks for all the articles and news ladies. Is he really going to be on this side of the pond in two weeks or so? Can't believe it. Perhaps he'll tie in a visit with Will as well. But then he'll have to hurry back to start work on EOR, or atleast I hope so. Thanks again for the good news."}, {"response": 1090, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (16:59)", "body": "(Tress) spend roughly $600.00 - 700.00 to see one showing of an ODB film. Where did you see that price? All the Gala Passes (good for eight) are sold out, as well as all the Festival Pass/Coupon book categories. Toronto is a very tough FF to get in to see anything worthwhile. Even the critics complain because they can't get into screenings. According to the website: Gala single tickets are available to VISA cardholders in person starting Saturday, August 23, 2003 - 11 days before they are available to the general public (subject to availability). Advance tickets for Viacom Gala screenings at Roy Thomson Hall are $26.00; all other screening tickets are just $14.50. You do not require a Pass or Coupon Book to purchase single tickets."}, {"response": 1091, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (17:04)", "body": "(Karen) Where did you see that price? Round-trip airline ticket from Portland to Toronto: $398.00 Hotel and food: $250.00 Tickets to premiere showing: Approx $14.50 - 26.00 To be the first kid on the block to see GWAPE: priceless! ;-)"}, {"response": 1092, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (17:08)", "body": "ROTF, Tress! Bravo!"}, {"response": 1093, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (17:11)", "body": "(Tress) To be the first kid on the block to see GWAPE: priceless! ;-) ROTF! You are priceless!"}, {"response": 1094, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (17:14)", "body": "(Tress)To be the first kid on the block to see GWAPE: priceless! ;-) You Rock girl!"}, {"response": 1095, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (17:26)", "body": "Ahhh, the new math. Got it. ;-D"}, {"response": 1096, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (17:34)", "body": "Just to clarify, Karen. Although I did give meetup.com your email address as one of the people who should be notified if firth.meetup.com was created, and told them that you run firth.com, I did not, in any way, suggest that *I* was *you*. I gave them email addresses of \"interested parties\", so that they could notifiy them once firth.meetup.com was created, and they do have strict standards about not selling those email addresses."}, {"response": 1097, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (19:28)", "body": "Thanks Mari for the info on the Toronto FF. Let's hope this is the beginning of better things to come. Tress, LOL, at you MasterCard commercial. ;-) Too funny. Moon, I know this is belated, but welcome back. Any Georgie sightings? ;-)"}, {"response": 1098, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (19:45)", "body": "GWAPE screens on Sunday, September 7, 9:30 PM. As Lola noted, same day as Love Actually, which is down for 6:45 PM--and presumably not at the same theater. Lola, are you going to clone him?;-)"}, {"response": 1099, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (19:48)", "body": "Moon, I know this is belated, but welcome back. Any Georgie sightings? ;-) Terrible heat this summer in EU. 3000 dead in France! Skipped the lake completely. I will be in Italy in Nov. maybe then. ;-D (Tress)To be the first kid on the block to see GWAPE: priceless! ;-) LOL! clap, clap! Thanks for the TFF article, Mari. Not a word on LA or any of actors besides Colin. Didn't Lola say it would be the world premiere? Colin is here for GWAPE. Happy to see Colin out there."}, {"response": 1100, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (19:51)", "body": "(Mari), GWAPE screens on Sunday, September 7, 9:30 PM. As Lola noted, same day as Love Actually, which is down for 6:45 PM--and presumably not at the same theater. Lola, are you going to clone him?;-) LOL! It's never easy for Colin is it? Maybe that should be the theme for his birthday party. ;-D I can hear Jethro Tull playing \"Nothing is Easy\"."}, {"response": 1101, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (20:20)", "body": "(Mari)Lola, are you going to clone him?;-) Yum. Wouldn't the world be a better place if everyone could have her own Colin clone, or would the magic disappear? Will go and think about the philosophical and social consequences of such an event while watching Darcy smoulder in P&P. ;-)"}, {"response": 1102, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (22:17)", "body": "(Moon) Not a word on LA or any of actors besides Colin. I believe they mentioned LA in a previous press release, though nothing about the actors as I recall."}, {"response": 1103, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (23:14)", "body": "(Mari) GWAPE screens on Sunday, September 7, 9:30 PM. As Lola noted, same day as Love Actually, which is down for 6:45 PM--and presumably not at the same theater. Lola, are you going to clone him?;-) Why is this considered a problem? He'll only have to come in for 1-2 days; they'll do press during the day, and he'll be around for the intros at the screening(s). Seems like perfect scheduling from his vantagepoint. (Moon) Not a word on LA This press release was solely about Gala Presentations. LA's \"Special Presentation\" was already announced via another press release days ago. BTW, I prefer correspondence via email than using this or any board here for personal messages."}, {"response": 1104, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (23:40)", "body": "For the seventh consecutive year, European Film Promotion will present panels devoted to its cause. The European Directors Panel, entitled Cinema in the \ufffdNew\ufffd Europe: Does European Filmmaking Have a Renewed Creative Edge and Sense of Purpose?, will feature panelists France\ufffds Solveig Anspach, whose Iceland/France/Belgium coproduction Stormy Weather screens in Contemporary World Cinema, Spain\ufffds Cesc Gay, whose In The City makes it world premiere, Austria\ufffds Ruth Mader, whose Struggle also features in CWC, along with Girl With The Pearl Earring director Webber. Simon Field, co-director of the Rotterdam International Film Festival will moderate the panel."}, {"response": 1105, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Wed, Aug 20, 2003 (03:36)", "body": "So just when I thought London was the better strategic location (really the ultimate strategic location), I would be better off right now back in Toronto. DAMN!"}, {"response": 1106, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Aug 20, 2003 (06:12)", "body": "Thank you, Karen, Aishling, and Mari for FF news and the article. Oh to be in Toronto. Going for one viewing will positively break the bank for multiple viewings of GWAPE and LA in Nov/Dec. However a possible CF in the flesh sighting is tempting, v. tempting. (Emma)So just when I thought London was the better strategic location I bet it will be for the premieres;-) You will be three for three, I just know it."}, {"response": 1107, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Aug 20, 2003 (07:00)", "body": "There is something comforting about his attendance being confirmed! http://www.canada.com/ottawa/news/story.asp?id=F771FEBC-B724-4649-8CE0-38BD954C3E60"}, {"response": 1108, "author": "myou", "date": "Wed, Aug 20, 2003 (08:24)", "body": "The Toronto Star also confirmed this morning that he will be here in Toronto. Can't quite believe it - both films and the man! Now I've got to find a way to get those tickets. You're right, Karen - trying to get tickets to any of the films is brutal. They reported on the news that the line ups were very long yesterday as the film schedule was released. Thanks for the VISA tip, Karen!"}, {"response": 1109, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 20, 2003 (08:49)", "body": "\" Other galas include the world premieres of Peter Webber's Girl With a Pearl Earring (starring Colin Firth), \" I, for one, am glad these premieres are taking place away from England... *We* don't do so well over there. Let the critics on this side of the pond get the first crack. Wonder if GWAPE's premiere will cancel any LA or NY events."}, {"response": 1110, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Aug 20, 2003 (08:52)", "body": "Thank you all for the articles and lessons in New math, LOL!"}, {"response": 1111, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 20, 2003 (08:55)", "body": "(Evelyn) I, for one, am glad these premieres are taking place away from England... Let the critics on this side of the pond get the first crack. They are premieres only in a technical sense. You will not see a big red carpet-y, glitzy thing at all. Most critics will hold their reviews until the films open in their respective markets. The trades' reviews may be published during/after the fest. Wonder if GWAPE's premiere will cancel any LA or NY events. No. (Maria) There is something comforting about his attendance being confirmed! (Myou) The Toronto Star also confirmed this morning that he will be here in Toronto. Ladies, they are not confirming; they are reprinting the TIFF press release. That is the source doc for these reports."}, {"response": 1112, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 20, 2003 (09:17)", "body": "(Karen)The trades' reviews may be published during/after the fest. That's still a 'vahst' improvement over The Guardian."}, {"response": 1113, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 20, 2003 (10:20)", "body": "Courtesy of Jennie (A Big Thank You), an article in the The Big Issue (28th July-3rd August 2003) by Melissa Thompson, who cut and pasted everything from existing articles. ;-D The accompanying pic is a headshot we've seen before too. THE BIG NAME Colin Firth The ghost of Mr Darcy will never die. The moment in Pride and Prejudice when he emerges fully clothed from a pond has haunted Colin Firth ever since, producing more wet T shirt jibes than a Miss World contest. As an actor who just wants to be taken seriously, it must be hard to be constantly reminded of a scene that equates to less than one per cent of your acting career. Still, it helped get him act as another desirable Darcy in 2001's successful film adaptation of Bridge Jones's Diary, so he's probably over it enough to sleep at night. At 14, Firth realised that his academic ability would not lead to a fruitful career (a realisation compounded by a three percent mark in a chemistry test--two marks were for spelling his name right) so he swapped school for drama school as soon as he could. His final year portrayal of Hamlet cemented his rite of passage to the West End, where he made his 1983 stage debut in Another Country as Tommy Judd, a role he reprised alongside Rupert Everett in the 1984 film. Surprisingly, considering the roles he gets, Firth wasn't born into the English aristocratic elite. But his teacher parents' travels to Africa and the USA gave Firth a taste of life far from his Hampshire birthplace. He has described his mother and father as \"flamboyant\" but with a \"classically English reserve\"--a little hint perhaps of the influences that have formed his somewhat elusive personality. The 42 year old has graced our screens in over 30 films (including Shakespeare in Love, The Importance of Being Earnest and The English Patient), made numerous TV and theatre appearances, done the odd radio play and acted as ambassador for Oxfam's fair trade campaign. Although Firth has yet to play the role he desires most--the 'village pervert'--he has been a first world war survivor (A Month in the Country), a Falklands hero (Tumbledown) and lost two on-screen wives to the Fiennes brothers, Ralph and Joseph. He has also led last year's campaign, staged by 19 British arts figures, to save the job of the Italian culture representative in the UK, who believed he was to be sacked for being openly gay. Firth has played down hopes of becoming the next James Bond when he heard Russell Crowe fancied it too, fearing the rugged Antipodean would win the ladies hearts over him. However, if the legions of 'Afirthionado's (even his fans make themselves sound like luvvies) don't reassure him, beating off competition from Crowe to win Hello Magazine's Most Attractive Star of 2002 surely must. Firth's next on-screen venture is as Henry Dashwood in What a Girl Wants. An English lord is reunited with the American daughter he never knew existed and attempts to forge a relationship without her illegitimacy ruining his election campaign. The film is sure to stereotype stuffy British high society in comparison to our 'carefree' cross Atlantic neighbours and Colin Firth dons his suit once more to play the quintessential aristocratic Brit. No change there then."}, {"response": 1114, "author": "aishling", "date": "Wed, Aug 20, 2003 (12:19)", "body": "Film Review \ufffd September 2003 Alan Jones Firth returns to his roots Bridget Jones star is looking for chills Colin Firth has been wandering around London looking dazed, confused and dishevelled. The reason? The Bridget Jones\ufffd Diary star has gone back to his roots, before playing Darcy in Pride and Prejudice turned him into a global sex symbol and recast his screen persona as a romantic lead. The forthright Firth plays the psychologically distraught Ben in Marc (My Little Eye) Evans\ufffd horror thriller Trauma, the first in a series from Little Bird\ufffds \ufffdMinistry of Fear\ufffd genre label. Ben awakens from a coma to discover his wife has been killed in a car accident and, after being haunted by ghostly visions, loses his tenuous grip on reality to enter a vortex of hallucinatory confusion. Can his enigmatic neighbour (American Beauty\ufffds Mena Suvari) help separate fact from fiction in his tortured mind? Firth revealed, \ufffdTrauma may seem a departure from what I\ufffdm now known for but I was appearing in quirky features like Tumbledown about the horrors of war, and Apartment Zero about the human psyche\ufffds dark side way before I took on Darcy. Ben is the sort of role that was my territory in the early days. Marc and I worked together on the (1994) Ruth Rendell TV movie Master of the Moor and I thought he was brilliant. So I wanted to join him again but our numerous attempts never quite panned out. Then Trauma came out of leftfield and intrigued me enough to sign on to what was clearly going to be an interesting journey. My main motivation for doing anything these days is to work with people I hav always wanted to collaborate with and this seemed the perfect opportunity for us. It\ufffds a hard film to discuss because not only is the entire film told from a subjective point of view, meaning I\ufffdm in every scene except for the final shock revelation, we must also strike a balance between being overly obtuse and cryptic to being boringly prosaic and explanatory. We don\ufffdt want to frustrate the audience by being too baffling about what\ufffds really going on but we still have to retain the necessary air of mystery. Marc is not shy of the generic aspects of Trauma and his main inspirations come from Krzysztof Kieslowski\ufffds The Colours: Red, White and Blue, Nic Roeg\ufffds Don\ufffdt Look Now and Roman Polanski\ufffds Repulsion and The Tenant. That gives you a rough idea of the twisted psychological zone we\ufffdre in. Trauma\ufffds horror is organic and even scarier than usual because it\ufffds based around the door to the subconscious mind that should be shut but has suddenly become slightly ajar with terrifying ramifications.\ufffd Firth will be back on screen soon in Peter Webber\ufffds Girl with a Pearl Earring as 17th Century Dutch painter Vermeer in the suspenseful story behind one of the master\ufffds greatest and most enigmatic portraits. As Trauma wrapped, he was readying himself for the Bridget Jones\ufffd Diary sequel, The Edge of Reason. \ufffdYes, I\ufffdm in the sequel and I don\ufffdt mind at all because the original was an enjoyable experience. It was a blessed relief to be in Trauma because it couldn\ufffdt be further away from that type of romantic comedy. I don\ufffdt want to stay out of that popular genre forever, but it\ufffds gratifying to know some people realise my range is still broad. Ben wasn\ufffdt familiar to any character I\ufffdve done before. People won\ufffdt be expecting this grief stricken strange person from me and that\ufffds why I simply had to do it. Trauma will be released early next year."}, {"response": 1115, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 20, 2003 (12:32)", "body": "Thanks for typing that up, Aishling. Great information!! the entire film told from a subjective point of view, meaning I\ufffdm in every scene Thumbs way up!! It was a blessed relief to be in Trauma because it couldn\ufffdt be further away from that type of romantic comedy. I don\ufffdt want to stay out of that popular genre forever, but it\ufffds gratifying to know some people realise my range is still broad. Ben wasn\ufffdt familiar to any character I\ufffdve done before. People won\ufffdt be expecting this grief stricken strange person from me and that\ufffds why I simply had to do it. Hallelujah and amen. I've put up the article, with the only image they've released thus far (courtesy of Jennie), from the magazine here: http://www.firth.com/articles/03_filmreview_sept.html"}, {"response": 1116, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Aug 20, 2003 (13:08)", "body": "Thank you, Aishling! his main inspirations come from Krzysztof Kieslowski\ufffds The Colours: Red, White and Blue, Nic Roeg\ufffds Don\ufffdt Look Now and Roman Polanski\ufffds Repulsion and The Tenant. These are some of my all time favourite films. These are big shoes to fit, we shall see. (Karen), This press release was solely about Gala Presentations. LA's \"Special Presentation\" was already announced via another press release days ago. True, but no one from LA besides Colin seems to going to Toronto. That I find strange."}, {"response": 1117, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Aug 20, 2003 (13:08)", "body": "Thanks for the film review article Aishling and Karen. I love the triple image photo attached to it. Am v. gratified by his comments."}, {"response": 1118, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Aug 20, 2003 (13:18)", "body": "(CF) but it\ufffds gratifying to know some people realise my range is still broad. *We* did, even if some people may not have. People won\ufffdt be expecting this grief stricken strange person from me and that\ufffds why I simply had to do it. Not only do we expect it, we demanded it (and lit candles). ;-)"}, {"response": 1119, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Aug 20, 2003 (13:28)", "body": "I dropped hints last night...okay, not hints exactly...the DH told me to 'go, go, go!' to TIFF if I wanted to...and I would, if I knew I could get tickets (the elusive, sought after tickets!!). The hubby has turned into Mr. Bennet, \"I shall have no peace at Portland if Tress does not go to Toronto. Let her go then...and she is luckily too poor to be an object of prey to any body.\" ....and his main inspirations come from Krzysztof Kieslowski\ufffds The Colours: Red, White and Blue Ohhh....love those films... but the proper order is Blue, White, Red ! ...meaning I\ufffdm in every scene except for the final shock revelation Every scene?? YESSSSSSSSS!!! Like the last bit too...leads me to speculate all manner of things. Cannot wait to see this movie. Thank you Aishling and Jennie!"}, {"response": 1120, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Aug 20, 2003 (13:37)", "body": "the entire film told from a subjective point of view, meaning I\ufffdm in every scene (...) I don\ufffdt want to stay out of that popular genre forever, but it\ufffds gratifying to know some people realise my range is still broad Thanks for the articles ladies. Good things to look forward to."}, {"response": 1121, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 20, 2003 (14:25)", "body": "\"My main motivation for doing anything these days is to work with people I have always wanted to collaborate with ...\" Psst....ditch MB. Pretty heavy inspiration for Trauma. V. impressive. You're a doll, Aishling.You too, Jenn. *kiss* *kiss*"}, {"response": 1122, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Aug 20, 2003 (15:29)", "body": "Thanks for the great articles Aishling and Jennie. This is such good news. Great press for both GWAPE and Trauma. Really can't wait to see them now especially with him in every scene but one in Trauma. Am looking forward to a marvellous performance. Can't help thinking of his brilliant performance in Apartment Zero. I consider it one of his best. Brilliant. ... As Trauma wrapped, he was readying himself for the Bridget Jones' Diary sequel, The Edge of Reason. \"Yes, I'm in the sequel and I don't mind at all because the original was an enjoyable experience... There it is girls finally, or so I hope we can believe, confirmation from him. What a great day this is!!!!!"}, {"response": 1123, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Aug 20, 2003 (16:02)", "body": "Dave Poland at MCN lists the Toronto line-up in his order of preference. Both of Colin's films are already sure of American Distribution. \"Love Actually\" is 2nd and \"GWAPE\" is 9th (before Veronica Guerin) http://www.moviecitynews.com/festivals/toronto_2003/030820_preview_list.html"}, {"response": 1124, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Aug 20, 2003 (16:12)", "body": "(Tress) I dropped hints last night...okay, not hints exactly...the DH told me to 'go, go, go!' to TIFF if I wanted to...and I would, if I knew I could get tickets (the elusive, sought after tickets!!). The hubby has turned into Mr. Bennet, \"I shall have no peace at Portland if Tress does not go to Toronto. Let her go then...and she is luckily too poor to be an object of prey to any body.\" I'll go if you go. ;-)"}, {"response": 1125, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Aug 20, 2003 (16:47)", "body": "(Dorine) I'll go if you go. ;-) Yea..but, but...but...tickets Louisa (BTW just noticed that the schedules are up...may be slow, didn't see these yesterday)! And do we know if they have potted palms at the Visa Screening Room (LA) and/or Roy Thomson Hall (GWAPE)? I tried to find map to see potential 'dash' from theater to theater...And who will mix our drinks?! I'll carry umbrella (cuz if I don't it will rain and if I do..it won't). But wait....do we even need tickets? You are queen of the crash...hmmmmm..... ;-D"}, {"response": 1126, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Aug 20, 2003 (17:46)", "body": "LOL, Tress! I'll carry umbrella (cuz if I don't it will rain and if I do..it won't). Bring it....it never fails to rain when I'm at a premiere-type event. ;-) But wait....do we even need tickets? You are queen of the crash...hmmmmm..... ;-D Hmmmm, sometimes I don't have to go so far as to crash. I've been quite lucky with people with extra tix at events, too. Lucked out in June in Vegas for sold-out Celine Dion show. Saw man trying to get rid of 2 tix 20 mins before the show and strangely no one in the standby line would take them. Go figure. And at one of the first Lilith Fair concerts July 4th weekend 1997 in Washington State (Gorge Ampitheater). Was camping at Mt. Ranier, drove 3 hours to get to theater - no ticket....sat near the gate with a cardboard sign saying \"Need one ticket\". A girl sold me one....at face value, no less. Excellent show. Made the worst sunburn I'd ever had (hiking up the mtn in the snow with no sunscreen) a bit more bearable (and I've had bad ones being kinda fair skinned). And who will mix our drinks?! Champagne and Chardonnay, baby! No mixing. ;-) No need to bounce between venues. I'd only have one target."}, {"response": 1127, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Aug 20, 2003 (19:59)", "body": "(Tress)And who will mix our drinks?! Champagne and Chardonnay, baby! No mixing. ;-) (Dorine)No need to bounce between venues. I'd only have one target. Oh I'm so jealous! Only 5 hours away and I must be out of town.:-("}, {"response": 1128, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (09:09)", "body": "Here are the box office stats for WAGW in the UK last weekend: Fell from 6th to 11th place Grossed $172,955 (-51%) On 248 screens (loss of only 2) Per screen average $697 (-50%) Cumulative gross $983,503 for 2 weeks"}, {"response": 1129, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (10:47)", "body": "It\ufffds a hard film to discuss because not only is the entire film told from a subjective point of view, meaning I\ufffdm in every scene except for the final shock revelation Oh v.v. promising, indeed. Does anyone have info on this being released in the US? I simply had to do it. Makes last year's birthday celebration so very worthwhile;-) Thanks so much Aishling, Karen, and Jennie. Dorine and Tress...you go girls!!! I need to save my nerves for NY sightings. Toronto FF is out of the question for me;-( (Prior school commitments)Blast! (Dorine)Hmmmm, sometimes I don't have to go so far as to crash. Yeah, but it's more fun that way. You know like Monday, May 13, 2002;-)"}, {"response": 1130, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (11:18)", "body": "(WAGW stats)\"Per screen average $697 (-50%)\" Not even his friends and relatives went to see it. Disgusting. I wish they would just take it off."}, {"response": 1131, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (11:25)", "body": "They will. :-("}, {"response": 1132, "author": "socadook", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (13:04)", "body": "(Evelyn) Not even his friends and relatives went to see it. LOL, don't you mean only his friends and relatives went to see it ;-)"}, {"response": 1133, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (15:41)", "body": "No."}, {"response": 1134, "author": "socadook", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (16:19)", "body": "(Evelyn) No. Straight and to the point. I like that :-)"}, {"response": 1135, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Aug 22, 2003 (10:46)", "body": "(Film Review) meaning I\ufffdm in every scene Already, this meets my criteria for a good Colin movie.;-) except for the final shock revelation, Uh oh, I hope we're not entering \"Bobby Ewing in the shower it was all a dream\" territory here.;-) Many thanks, Aishling and Jennie, for the new articles and pics!:-) BTW, GWAPE will be in competition at the San Sebastian (Spain) Film Festival later in September. And according to the NY Post, Huge will *not* be in Toronto for Love Actually, which means someone else may actually get a word in edgewise.;-)"}, {"response": 1136, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Aug 22, 2003 (13:08)", "body": "(Mari) Uh oh, I hope we're not entering \"Bobby Ewing in the shower it was all a dream\" territory here.;-) My thoughts ran more in the \"Jacob's Ladder\" direction...don't know how many people saw that one, but it was pretty grim. Can't wait to see though...I'm really looking forward to it...ants, tarantulas and all!!"}, {"response": 1137, "author": "socadook", "date": "Fri, Aug 22, 2003 (15:00)", "body": "(Mari) Uh oh, I hope we're not entering \"Bobby Ewing in the shower it was all a dream\" territory here.;-) (Tress) My thoughts ran more in the \"Jacob's Ladder\" direction... LOL Mari. I was thinking \"Sixth Sense\". (Tress) I'm really looking forward to it...ants, tarantulas and all!! Ditto."}, {"response": 1138, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Aug 22, 2003 (16:34)", "body": "(Sonia)LOL Mari. I was thinking \"Sixth Sense\". I'm hoping for a \"Sixth Sense\" type of film...big bucks...;-)"}, {"response": 1139, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Aug 23, 2003 (11:20)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1140, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Aug 23, 2003 (11:29)", "body": "Not sure why that happened, but let's try again:"}, {"response": 1141, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 23, 2003 (11:32)", "body": "It might go away, plus there's a second one:"}, {"response": 1142, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Aug 23, 2003 (12:03)", "body": "Third billing actually!:-)"}, {"response": 1143, "author": "kolin", "date": "Sat, Aug 23, 2003 (14:46)", "body": "I got my ticket for GWAPE at the Toronto festival this morning. Is anybody else from this group going?"}, {"response": 1144, "author": "myou", "date": "Sat, Aug 23, 2003 (15:39)", "body": "I got my tickets as well, Vera. It was a shame that they weren't selling the LA tickets, though - not until the 3rd."}, {"response": 1145, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Aug 23, 2003 (15:42)", "body": "Great! So glad to hear that you will cover it for us, ladies! Remember, ask questions and take plenty of pictures, and take detail notes of course! :-D"}, {"response": 1146, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Aug 23, 2003 (15:47)", "body": "Vera, I'm so pleased you've managed to get a ticket. Well done!! -And I hope anyone else who's planning to go is successful too. I'm sure he's attending the FF for GWAPE rather than LA. And he's certain to attend both the US and UK Premieres too. I think this is a film he'll happily promote. (I'm still lighting candles for Parkinson)."}, {"response": 1147, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 23, 2003 (16:14)", "body": "Guard it with your life, Vera. If I knew where you lived , I'd bust in and steal it;-)"}, {"response": 1148, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Aug 23, 2003 (16:57)", "body": "Good for you, girls (and us, I hope)! (Janet)And he's certain to attend both the US and UK Premieres too. I think this is a film he'll happily promote Oh I hope you are right. I'll light candles for both this and Parkinson ;-)"}, {"response": 1149, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Aug 23, 2003 (19:35)", "body": "Great news, Vera and Myou. Good luck!!! Thanks, Mari and Karen for the LA poster. From Entertainment Weekly Fall Movie Preview: (not online, yet, so I'll just type the interesting bits.) (LA of course got it's own page...no mention of Colin in the article except in the cast/credits box. Huge quote from Huge) ...The ensemble structure meant no actor had to work more than 10 days-a big selling point for stay-at-home mom Thompson. (ed note...and YKW, as well) ...Grant meanwhile, agreed to play Britain's prime minister-but only after he forced Curtis to give the PM a bit more tooth. \"I saw this ideal, wonderful, compassionate, lovable character, and I explained to Richard that I thought at this point in my career, that train had sailed really\", says Grant (ed note. Huh?)Curtis says the resulting push and pull made for a nicely layered head of state. \"It was a very good balance, him always trying to make sure he behaved like a man who'd won an election would behave, and me trying to push him back into being more of a kttten.\" Then on GWAPE...for December LA got it's own page for November films, while GWAPE was listed in a column in the \"Also in December\" page. GWAPE. Director Peter Webber's feature-film debut-culled from the Tracy Chevalier best selling novel-tells the tale behind the Vermeer painting, with Colin Firth as the 17th century Dutch artist and Scarlett Johansson as his maid and muse. (Dec.12) (no picture accompanied the article.)"}, {"response": 1150, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 23, 2003 (19:47)", "body": "The pic is on page 104 ;-D"}, {"response": 1151, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 23, 2003 (19:50)", "body": "Obviously not the right end of the table... Thanks for typing that up, Linda."}, {"response": 1152, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Aug 23, 2003 (20:48)", "body": "(Karen)The pic is on page 104 ;-D LOL, guess you know by now I only have eyes for ODB."}, {"response": 1153, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Sun, Aug 24, 2003 (04:32)", "body": "Lucky you, Vera and Myou, I'm already looking forward to your detailed reports."}, {"response": 1154, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Aug 24, 2003 (07:44)", "body": "I got my ticket for GWAPE at the Toronto festival this morning. Vera and Myou you lucky, lucky girls. Can't wait for your reports. Enjoy yourselves and just know in my heart you will get to see him. Have fun. Thanks Mari and Karen for the LA poster. Not surprising this one is getting all the press. They've put alot of money into it, in cast alone. Want to make sure they get it all back. ;-)Would love to see him here for premiere but only if Mark's made an honest woman out of Bridget by then. LOL. Get going Mark!!"}, {"response": 1155, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 24, 2003 (09:29)", "body": "Evidently the gala is sponsored by Premiere Magazine, which may account for all the advance publicity! This is the description of GWAPE that appears in the TIFF flyer. Every frame of Peter Webber's \"Girl with a Pearl Earring\" is a triumph of composition and light inspired by Dutch master Johannes Vermeer's work. Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson play the painter and his sixteen-year-old maidservant: when the artist asks the young Griet to pose for one of his paintings, it arouses the jealousy and ire of his family. Full of soft, delicate light, this intimate drama of creation and desire glows with Johansson's subtle, mesmerizing performance and Firth's beautiful restraint."}, {"response": 1156, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Aug 24, 2003 (12:19)", "body": "(flyer)Full of soft, delicate light, this intimate drama of creation and desire glows with Johansson's subtle, mesmerizing performance and Firth's beautiful restraint. Oh - it's sounds just better and better. Thank you Mari and Karen for the LA posters and informations :-)"}, {"response": 1157, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug 24, 2003 (12:23)", "body": "(Karen) Evidently the gala is sponsored by Premiere Magazine,.. Grrreat. Means the next issue will have lots of pics. They always create a large spread for their galas. Big coup for WB and ODB. The film must have good advance buzz. Premiere wouldn't be backing a dog."}, {"response": 1158, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Aug 24, 2003 (13:46)", "body": "(flyer)Full of soft, delicate light, this intimate drama of creation and desire glows with Johansson's subtle, mesmerizing performance and Firth's beautiful restraint. Colin does restraint very well. I'd say he's turned it into an art form. Getting nominated for restraint? How does that sound? ;-) Every frame of Peter Webber's \"Girl with a Pearl Earring\" is a triumph of composition and light That picture above at the dinner table seems overlite to me."}, {"response": 1159, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Aug 24, 2003 (14:32)", "body": "Thanks for the Premiere info, Karen. I can't wait for this one. (Moon)Getting nominated for restraint? How does that sound? ;-) Excellent, because he wont' be nominated for repressed;-)"}, {"response": 1160, "author": "soph", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (05:44)", "body": "the san sebastian FFest has a high def & bistre rendition of the first picture of gwape karen posted a long time ago (nicknamed the 'sideways look' ?), but the trimming is different (a wider view) : the original is rather big (20X40cm), a 150 ko, available @ sanse film festival site old stuff i know, but i am sure some of you need a new desktop pic, hmm?"}, {"response": 1161, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (07:18)", "body": "Thanks, Sophie. I really like the posters for the Official Section (though not exactly sure why beyond it being B/W) and especially the one for the Thematic Retrospective - Amongst Friends and Neighbours....it will go well with the new color I paint in my new foyer. :-) I'd *love* to have that GWAPE pic above as a poster, too, in addition to, or instead of the official one we have so far."}, {"response": 1162, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (09:00)", "body": "Thanks, Soph, for posting the film fest info and links. I have that pic in really hi res (1.1KB) ;-D"}, {"response": 1163, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (09:25)", "body": "Thank you Sophie for the ff news and link to the picture in hi res. Wow, it almost took up the whole space on my monitor. I don't know if I could deal with this as wallpaper. I'd spend entire days in visual intoxification;-)"}, {"response": 1164, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (09:45)", "body": "Thanks to everyone for the info re the FFs. And thanks also to Sophie. That pic makes a wonderful desktop!"}, {"response": 1165, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (12:31)", "body": "Thanks Sophie! I won't get any work done (now that this is my new desktop), but I appreciate the find! So lovely....matter of fact, think I'll go now and look at it again!!! ;-) Thank you...."}, {"response": 1166, "author": "airstream", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (18:00)", "body": "From this month's INStyle magazine (p.340 if you're playing at home): Interview with Scarlett Johansson... my favorite co-star--\"Colin Firth. He's sensitive and adorable, and an incredible actor. It was just a total pleasure to work with him.\""}, {"response": 1167, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (18:59)", "body": "Attention US contigent, just spoted HS commercial during ending of NBC's Access Hollywood. Was surfing channels and there he was, ODB! Sorry, was too stunned to pay attention to release date. Must go back to surfing."}, {"response": 1168, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (19:07)", "body": "I've been seeing the HS commercials all day. Opening Sept,5"}, {"response": 1169, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (19:16)", "body": "Sonia and Lucie, on what networks have you seen the commercials? Wonder if it's nationwide--you two don't live in the same area, do you? Anyway, you can knock me over with a feather.;-) Interview with Scarlett Johansson... my favorite co-star--\"Colin Firth. Thanks, Amy. I don't think I've ever heard anything but raves about Colin from his co-stars; looks like another one is smitten.;-) BTW, Scarlett is getting great reviews for Lost In Translation, the film she did with Bill Murray for Sofia Coppola. Might help further increase media interest in GWAPE."}, {"response": 1170, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (20:11)", "body": "(Mari) on what networks have you seen the commercials? NBC Florida, so far... (Lucie) Opening Sept,5 Thank you Ma'am. And to everyone else for news and photos."}, {"response": 1171, "author": "kasey", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (21:30)", "body": "Opening September 5th? Oh, no...I'm leaving for a cruise the following morning...flying to Fort Lauderdale the evening of the 5th right after work. Don't return until the following Saturday. Given the reviews...it'll already be gone from the theaters by then! And I did want to see for myself how bad it really was. No, Kathy, tell the truth...I wanted the eye candy!"}, {"response": 1172, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (21:37)", "body": "(Kathy) flying to Fort Lauderdale the evening of the 5th right after work. Sounds like the perfect day to play hooky but you didn't hear from me for I would never condone such a thing ;-)"}, {"response": 1173, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 26, 2003 (00:08)", "body": "*falling off chair*"}, {"response": 1174, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 26, 2003 (00:25)", "body": "(Mari) you two don't live in the same area, do you? Same state. That \"Florida release\" seems like it might actually be happening. So bizarre. BTW, nothing at the Disney/Buena Vista site for the Sept 5th openings."}, {"response": 1175, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Aug 26, 2003 (01:49)", "body": "I haven't been \"home\" in a long time. Time for a visit, perhaps? ;-) Think I'd rather save the $ and travel time for a movie I like and/or really want to see."}, {"response": 1176, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Aug 26, 2003 (07:41)", "body": "(Karen), Same state. That \"Florida release\" seems like it might actually be happening. So bizarre. That's why they wouldn't give me the poster! I kept telling you they had a release date here. The range is broad. ;-) Will have to go with Lora. How did this happen in FL?"}, {"response": 1177, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 26, 2003 (07:43)", "body": "They figure you guys have a deep-seeded need to see leaves changing colors? ;-D"}, {"response": 1178, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Aug 26, 2003 (07:47)", "body": "Glad it looks as though you will finally get to see HS and make up your own minds about it! I read somewhere(sorry, can't remember where) that it is being released on VHS in the UK in December.(I imagine if this is accurate, it will also be available on DVD, for those of you with multi-region players)."}, {"response": 1179, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Aug 26, 2003 (08:00)", "body": "Now here's a thought. (Sorry for the double posting,BTW) If he's going to be in Toronto on September 7, would he also attend the premiere(supposing there is one) of HS?"}, {"response": 1180, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Aug 26, 2003 (08:02)", "body": "HS in FL? I'll go to see it on the big screen and to enjoy the turbo air conditioning... Love Actually is a romantic maze By Richard Simpson, Evening Standard 26 August 2003 A maze of love matches make up a movie that is set to be this year's smash hit. But the plot of romantic comedy Love Actually is not going to be the easiest to follow. Hugh Grant leads a cast that also includes Martine McCutcheon, Alan Rickman, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth and Keira Knightley. And what a tangled web they weave - not surprising, when the film comes from the same team that produced Notting Hill, Bridget Jones's Diary and Four Weddings And A Funeral. Love Actually is a romantic maze Grant plays a young, single prime minister. His love interest comes in the somewhat unlikely form of his tea lady, played by former EastEnders and My Fair Lady star McCutcheon (love match one). The prime minister has a sister, Karen - played by Emma Thompson - and she is married to Alan Rickman's character Harry to provide love match two. Harry is relentlessly pursued by an office temptress played by German beauty Heike Makatsch, which makes love match three. Firth plays a writer jilted by his love who moves to the south of France to start anew, only to land in the arms of his Portuguese housekeeper, played by Lucia Moniz (love match four). Liam Neeson's love - not the romantic variety this time - is for his stepson, played by rising star Thomas Sangster, who in real life is Hugh Grant's cousin. Confused? We're only halfway there. In the film, even young Sangster has a crush on the prettiest girl in the school. Neeson, by the way, also has a crush on Claudia Schiffer. One love match - or mismatch in this case - involves Keira Knightley's character Juliet, who marries Peter (Chiwetel Ejiofor). Their wedding proves that the power of love can be as wild as a tornado. If Love Actually - directed by Richard Curtis and out in November - sounds like Notting Hill, Four Weddings, Sliding Doors and Bridget Jones all rolled into one, that's because it probably will be. But, if a formula works, why not stick with it?"}, {"response": 1181, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Aug 26, 2003 (09:41)", "body": "(Moon)How did this happen in FL? Maybe Mark Herman's parents are retired there.;-) I wonder if they'll ask the audience to fill out feedback forms . . . Studio Flunky: Sorry, ma'am, but you were supposed to only check one answer. Yes or No. You either liked it or you didn't. I'm afraid I'll have to discard your ballot. Audience Member: But what if I liked some parts and not others? This ballot is confusing! It discriminates against the undecided! You know, my son is a big shot lawyer in Boca . . . SF: Er . . . why don't you just tell me what you thought of the movie and I'll write it down? AM: That's better. See? Was that so hard? Ok, so Colin Firth is very good looking, but honestly, a good meal would kill him. Heather Graham . . . her, I could do without. Always shaking her boobies around. What must her parents think? I tell you, she breaks her mother's heart. Now, Minnie had the right idea. Make him sh*t or get off the pot. But it was too little, too late. That's the trouble with these girls today, they give it away and then the man doesn't want to buy the cow. And another thing . . . Studio Flunky's Boss: How's it going? SF: Not good. We'll have to toss some ballots and re-count the others. STB: But then the wrong movie will win . . . AM: . . . and that Mary Steenburgen! What's with that voice? I lived in New York for 43 years before my Irv retired and nobody talks like that. Nobody. And could Colin's character get a real job, fergodsake? I mean, who's going to buy those little drawings? You can't support a family on that . . . ;-)"}, {"response": 1182, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 26, 2003 (10:04)", "body": "ROTFLOL! Better you than me reading those comments. ;-D"}, {"response": 1183, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Aug 26, 2003 (13:00)", "body": "LOL! Is this a FL only showing? Maybe Colin will stop in Miami on his way to Toronto. ;-) SF: Not good. We'll have to toss some ballots and re-count the others. STB: But then the wrong movie will win . . . SF: There's a woman who wants to know how soon she can have the poster?"}, {"response": 1184, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 26, 2003 (15:20)", "body": "Got me wondering if people are mistaking the HS commercial with an expanded version of the Best Western one? ;-D"}, {"response": 1185, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 26, 2003 (17:01)", "body": "ROTF, Mari. (Moon)How did this happen in FL? They had to release it somewhere to be eligible for the GG or Oscars;-)"}, {"response": 1186, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Aug 26, 2003 (17:31)", "body": "(Karen), Got me wondering if people are mistaking the HS commercial with an expanded version of the Best Western one? ;-D LOL! Heehaw! ;-)"}, {"response": 1187, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Aug 26, 2003 (19:20)", "body": "Thanks for the HS info...I think. I can't believe it. (Janet)If he's going to be in Toronto on September 7, would he also attend the premiere(supposing there is one) of HS? Something tells me, not;-( Mari, LOL."}, {"response": 1188, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (04:57)", "body": "Mari, v.v.f. indeed, LOL! Just got this in the mail: Schedules for GWAPE and LA at TFF: http://www.e.bell.ca/filmfest/2003/filmsandprogrammes/searchforafilm.asp"}, {"response": 1189, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (08:54)", "body": "New LA trailer picked up by another list. More shots of Colin. (Anything to do with that Hola? ;-)) I found the medium resolution with Quicktime to be clearer than the Windows Media medium res on my system. I find *this* trailer funnier and much more interesting than the last one. Makes me more interested in it now. Not that I wasn't before, just jazzed about other things more. Thought HG's little dance was cute. And Colin just looks to-die-for in the shot of the back of him in that thick sweater and shirttail sticking out (while he's watching her undress at the edge of the water)."}, {"response": 1190, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (08:55)", "body": "Love, love, love... Love, love, love.... *humming away* From KathyC, the good trailers are up (Quicktime and Windows Media in two speeds each): http://www.uip.co.uk/films/love_actually/index.html Enjoy, you saucy minxes. ;-D"}, {"response": 1191, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (08:57)", "body": "Ooops, don't know what happened to the link. Oh wait, yes I do. Oh dopey me. *sheepish grin* http://www.uip.co.uk/films/love_actually/index.html"}, {"response": 1192, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (09:12)", "body": "The TIFF listings for both GWAPE and LA show two screenings each. Granted the other is not a gala or special presentation and YKW wouldn't necessarily be there, but it's always a possibility. Good summaries of the movies here, plus it's nice that Colin's pic is on each: http://www.e.bell.ca/filmfest/2003/filmsandprogrammes/description.asp?pageID=film&id=271 http://www.e.bell.ca/filmfest/2003/filmsandprogrammes/description.asp?pageID=film&id=124"}, {"response": 1193, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (09:14)", "body": "Gaaah, the second screening of each film is at the same time, noon the next day."}, {"response": 1194, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (09:23)", "body": "Love Bill Nighy's line about sleeping with Britney Spears and she's rubbish. He may definitely steal this movie."}, {"response": 1195, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (09:34)", "body": "Thank you, thank you Karen and Dorine for the trailer and the links! I can't wait to home to the trailer again and again and..... It's too damn light in my office!"}, {"response": 1196, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (09:39)", "body": "(Me)can't wait to home to the trailer again and again and..... It's too damn light in my office! Ha! It turned me into a blithering idiot! I can't wait to *get* home to *watch* the trailer..... The glare on this screen is tough today. (Karen)Love Bill Nighy's line about sleeping with Britney Spears and she's rubbish. He may definitely steal this movie. I LOL'd at that one too! She is rubbish, imo. Was too stupid at Sundance this year."}, {"response": 1197, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (09:45)", "body": "Obrigado Dorine and Karen! I can't listen to it here but the quality is so much better and I agree Dorine this version sems more interesting! He is looking as beautiful as ever! Back to watching it Buster Keaton style..."}, {"response": 1198, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (10:55)", "body": "Thank you ladies! Funny how both films are screening at 12 noon on 9/8."}, {"response": 1199, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (12:02)", "body": "I'll chime in; Love love love ... love love love, this was all I needed today, thank you very much, ladies ;-) Lots of lovely shots of ODB. He actually keeps getting better and better looking IMHO :-)"}, {"response": 1200, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (12:08)", "body": "Thanks for the trailer info. Huge gets all the best lines, but that's to be expected. I do like it, but one thing strikes me as very implausible in Colin's part: no one today would risk losing \"half the book\" by typing it on a manual typewriter instead of a laptop computer. They've thrown in this completely contrived scenario just to give the maid a reason to take her clothes off and jump into the water. I'm sure many people involved have viewed this film already, and I'm surprised this type of boneheaded thing remains in it."}, {"response": 1201, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (12:26)", "body": "Here are some caps: http://www.firth.com/love_gal_tcaps1.html I hate to admit it but Huge can carry off a ass-wiggling dance and not look silly."}, {"response": 1202, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (12:28)", "body": "I thought of that too, but decided to give the writers the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps it's just an outburst as to what is printed out and she finds out she took off her clothes for nothing ( well - you can't exactly say ODB is nothing but... ;-P ) or perhaps he fled the house in a hurry without his labtop (sp?) and had to use handwriting. Anyway - I'll look forward to seeing this even so :-)"}, {"response": 1203, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (12:29)", "body": "Boy, are you quick, Karen :-) Lovely captures, thank you very much."}, {"response": 1204, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (12:36)", "body": "Great LA page, boss and caps. I have to agree that Huge is pretty good. Terrific trailer...RC never misses, does he. Didn't know he hailed from NZ....a Kiwi. This will be *The* holiday movie, for sure.Has all the ingredients for a \"feel good\" film."}, {"response": 1205, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (13:25)", "body": "(Mari),They've thrown in this completely contrived scenario just to give the maid a reason to take her clothes off and jump into the water. This is a step up. They usually don't even make up the scenario. I hate to admit it but Huge can carry off a ass-wiggling dance and not look silly. So true! Didn't it look a bit like what Tom Cruise did? Great job Karen!"}, {"response": 1206, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (13:30)", "body": "(Mari) Huge gets all the best lines Actually the Britney line from Bill Nighy is the best in the trailer for me. Unfortuately she'll get miles of free PR out of it, too. :-(***) Looks like that chick who played Missy, MB's assistant in MOTM is in the part with the young guy (??) and the 2 young girls on his right. (Mari) no one today would risk losing \"half the book\" by typing it on a manual typewriter instead of a laptop computer. He's a technophobe? *shrugs* Surely they must explain it at some point...one hopes. Seems to me I've read some professional writers still do some writing in longhand or on conventional typewriters. Nice caps Karen. Nice grin as he's looking up at the housekeeper (must learn her character name...must be shorter than \"the housekeeper\"). Love that little dance LL does on the other side of the wall from that guy. Speaking of whom, who is that honey she's with? And I found Denise Richards virtually urecognizable. Not sure if it's the brighter hair or the collagenized lips. ;-)"}, {"response": 1207, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (13:43)", "body": "(Dorine) Speaking of whom, who is that honey she's with? That's the Brazilian guy she was drooling over in a previous article. Name is Rodrigo Santoro. Evidently he was also in the latest Charlie's Angels too. http://us.imdb.com/PGallery?Santoro,%20Rodrigo&source=ss"}, {"response": 1208, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (13:46)", "body": "(Huge gets all the best lines, but that's to be expected........ They've thrown in this completely contrived scenario just to give the maid a reason to take her clothes off and jump into the water... Ah yes, Huge, the master of the quips, * but the master of the *look* gets the *look* and that very same master of the dimples gets the dimples! Some great smilses in there! This is the kind of typecasting that I can live with -especially during the sentimental holidays."}, {"response": 1209, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (13:53)", "body": "Great caps, Karen, thanks! (Annette)Perhaps it's just an outburst as to what is printed out and she finds out she took off her clothes for nothing ( well - you can't exactly say ODB is nothing but... ;-P ) LOL, I like your explanation, Annette. (Dorine) Seems to me I've read some professional writers still do some writing in longhand or on conventional typewriters. Sure, a few do, but they'd never risk losing months of work by leaving the only copy flutterimg in the breeze. I'll go with Annette's scenario.;-) Am probably thinking about it too much, but as a writer myself, I find the situation inconceivable. Then again, so is falling in love with someone who doesn't know a word in your language so I'll just shut up about it. (Karen)I hate to admit it but Huge can carry off a ass-wiggling dance and not look silly. Absolutely. He can carry off any comic device. He's very good at what he does, there's no taking it away from him."}, {"response": 1210, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (13:54)", "body": "(Moon) Didn't it look a bit like what Tom Cruise did? Oh, yes, and I have no doubt that will form a part of HG's prepared talk show lines. He'll be challenging TC to a dance-off or similar. ;-D I can all but read what the UK critics will say about this bit, a prime minister dancing around 10 Downing Street?? Something for the American audience. :-("}, {"response": 1211, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (14:06)", "body": "Was looking at those film description links Karen posted from the TFF, and I see that GWAPE is only 95 minutes long. That's surprising. Love Actually is currently 129 minutes, and it describes \"eight\" stories, instead of the 10 mentioned in previous descriptons, so they may have already trimmed a couple of the nore expendable storylines."}, {"response": 1212, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (14:10)", "body": "Whoops, typo city from me today, sorry. (Karen)Something for the American audience. :-( LOL, plus anything in it that's sentimental will be there for our benefit only.;-)"}, {"response": 1213, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (14:10)", "body": "(Mari) GWAPE is only 95 minutes long Even at that, it will set new Guinness World Record for smouldering on screen. ;-D"}, {"response": 1214, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (15:09)", "body": "(Mari) I see that GWAPE is only 95 minutes long. I honed in on that, too. I always wondered after reading the book, how they'd stretch it out to a full length movie, esp with little dialogue between Griet and Vermeer. Though the amount of dialogue doesn't always mean a shorter or less compelling movie, a la La Femme Nikita, IMO. I'm always sucked into that movie and there's very little dialogue for an action/thriller."}, {"response": 1215, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (17:43)", "body": "(Karen)He'll be challenging TC to a dance-off or similar. LOL, knowing Huge, I was thinking Tony Blair. (Annette)or perhaps he fled the house in a hurry without his labtop (sp?) and had to use handwriting. Good point. Or maybe he just likes to write outside...then he'd have to worry about installing the wireless connection?;-) In any event, he looks so totally AGF. Wish he'd strip down and dive in after her. Oh what a great day. Thanks Karen, Dorine, and Kathy. The trailer and caps are to die for. Thanks for the TFF news as well. The site reports that there will be daily reports and pictures beginning on the 4th."}, {"response": 1216, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (18:00)", "body": "A lot of the same stuff rehashed here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2003/08/27/nhugh27.xml&sSheet=/news/2003/08/27/ixhome.html"}, {"response": 1217, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (19:36)", "body": "(Lindak) In any event, he looks so totally AGF. Uh, you mean, AFG? No? No matter, Im sure it works and is true either way..;-)"}, {"response": 1218, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (19:59)", "body": "(Maria)No matter, Im sure it works and is true either way..;-) I'm sure. LOL. Whew!"}, {"response": 1219, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (21:54)", "body": "Thank you Dorine, Karen and KathyC!!!! Love ODB's 'freak out' at the station! Very funny and he can jump pretty d*mned high (or rather that knees up to the chest action was pretty interesting....)! Impressive! (Dorine) And I found Denise Richards virtually urecognizable. I missed her completely until about my fourth viewing (granted, she wasn't the person I was concentrating on...still! What happened to her??). (Karen)I hate to admit it but Huge can carry off a ass-wiggling dance and not look silly. (Mari) Absolutely. He can carry off any comic device. He's very good at what he does, there's no taking it away from him. I found that bit very funny! But then again, I'm the American audience that it was put there for! LOL!! Still....he does a great job (but I thought the bit with Bill Nighy was even funnier). (Mari) GWAPE is only 95 minutes long (Karen) Even at that, it will set new Guinness World Record for smouldering on screen. ;-D Was really surprised at the length of this one (I think I could sit through about 4-5 hours with that look)! But, like you say, with all the smouldering maybe they had to observe fire code (not sure if the film would combust....or the audience)! ;-D (Lindak) In any event, he looks so totally AGF. (Maria) Uh, you mean, AFG? No? No matter, Im sure it works and is true either way..;-) TO-MA-TO....TO-MAH-TOE.....he's AFG, AGF (he is that too...if you think about it.....watch FF or LE or.... ohhhh.....nevermind!!!) ;-D"}, {"response": 1220, "author": "soph", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (04:48)", "body": "(karen) I hate to admit it but Huge can carry off a ass-wiggling dance and not look silly. (moon) So true! (mari) Absolutely. wowowohoho... now, wait a minute there... aren't you getting a little carried away ? i think you need a bit of a historical reminder for now better ? now, repeat after me : \"who's the wiggle king ?\" (must be all that leather) thanks for the treat, karen & kathyc !"}, {"response": 1221, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (06:51)", "body": "(Dorine) And I found Denise Richards virtually urecognizable. (Tress) I missed her completely until about my fourth viewing I did as well and would have contiued to miss her if someone else hadn't mentioned her being there. Then I still really had to look."}, {"response": 1222, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (07:54)", "body": "(sophie), now, repeat after me : \"who's the wiggle king ?\" If you put it that way. :-) Can't imagine Hugh doing it quite like that."}, {"response": 1223, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (08:07)", "body": "Tress(I think I could sit through about 4-5 hours with that look)! LOL! And eventually we will! At least!;-) TO-MA-TO....TO-MAH-TOE..... he's AFG, AGF (he is that too...if you think about it.....watch FF or LE or.... ohhhh.....nevermind!!!) ;-D ROTF! A Freudian slip if ever I read one! He does look AGF and don't we love his JFL? (Just f***d look) (Sophie)\"who's the wiggle king ?\" Sophie's Hunk Daddy, Sohpie's Hunk Daddy! You are a blast Sophie!"}, {"response": 1224, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (09:00)", "body": "From Reuters, guess who isn't mentioned. A taste of what's to come. Hugh Grant to Return as British Premier LONDON (Reuters) - British actor Hugh Grant will play a charismatic, bachelor prime minister who falls in love with a tea-lady in a romantic comedy due for Christmas release, its makers said on Wednesday. \"Love Actually\" reunites the team behind box office hits \"Notting Hill\" and \"Four Weddings and a Funeral\" and is the biggest Brit-flick hope in years. Grant stars with Martine McCutcheon, little known outside Britain where she is famous for appearing in the top-rated soap EastEnders. She is joined by Hollywood names such as Alan Rickman, Liam Neeson and Emma Thompson. Comic actor Rowan Atkinson, who plays the bungling Mr. Bean, makes a cameo appearance. Set in wintry London around Christmas, the film intertwines the premier's unlikely love for the woman who makes the tea with nine other love stories. Grant's character has been compared to Tony Blair, the youngest premier since 1812, although its makers deny any deliberate comparison. It was made by Working Title films and United International Pictures and is due for release on both sides of the Atlantic on November 21. Newspapers are predicting it will be one of the biggest British hits in years, but it faces tough opposition at the box office from the latest Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings installments."}, {"response": 1225, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (10:29)", "body": "\"but it faces tough opposition at the box office from the latest Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings installments.\" Maybe in UK, but not from me; don't want to see either one. LA different kind of audience, I would imagine."}, {"response": 1226, "author": "socadook", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (10:42)", "body": "(Evelyn) LA different kind of audience, I would imagine. Agree. No kids, no teens in the audience. No shoot'em up, blow'em up, slice'em up and other special effects. Just people and their stories. It'll do fine. News, pics, trailers and HD in leather! Thank you Maria, Annette, Dorine, Karen and Sophie. Rock on!"}, {"response": 1227, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (13:16)", "body": "(Reuters)it faces tough opposition at the box office from the latest Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings installments. Wrong. The next HP won't be out until next summer. Again I ask, how do these \"reporters\" (and their fact-checkers and their editors) keep their jobs? who's the wiggle king? LOL, Sophie."}, {"response": 1228, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (14:11)", "body": "Thanks to all for the trailer, captures, news, and dancing HD! Just was ble to get back on Drool after phone line dying and was more than pleasantly suprised with what awaited me! THANKS! THANKS!! THANKS!!! (Lindak) In any event, he looks so totally AGF. (Maria) Uh, you mean, AFG? No? No matter, Im sure it works and is true either way..;-) (Tress)TO-MA-TO....TO-MAH-TOE.....he's AFG, AGF (he is that too...if you think about it.....watch FF or LE or.... ohhhh.....nevermind!!!) ;-D (Beedee)ROTF! A Freudian slip if ever I read one! He does look AGF and don't we love his JFL? (Just f***d look) No matter the letters or their order, he is gorgeous! LOL!"}, {"response": 1229, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (15:44)", "body": "Tress(I think I could sit through about 4-5 hours with that look)! ...that's just a tad over seven viewings. I think more will be needed;-)"}, {"response": 1230, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (17:17)", "body": "Thanks everyone, for the trailer, captures, reports etc. Sadly, I'm having problems watching the trailer. It eventually will play, but it takes an age! Patience, patience!"}, {"response": 1231, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 29, 2003 (00:22)", "body": "GWAPE is screening at the Telluride Film Festival this weekend. The three-day schedule is never announced in advance."}, {"response": 1232, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Aug 29, 2003 (07:58)", "body": "Good news on all the screenings :-) For UK-droolers, a chance to win tickets to Love Actually http://www.femail.co.uk/pages/standard/article.html?in_article_id=194034&in_page_id=1202"}, {"response": 1233, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Aug 29, 2003 (12:50)", "body": "Good news on Telluride, Karen. That's a prestigous fest. I wonder if Colin plans to come over here for it. I see the Rocky Mountain News has singled GWAPE out as one of its two must-sees, the other being Scarlett's other film, Lost In Translation."}, {"response": 1234, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Aug 29, 2003 (13:14)", "body": "From IndieWire: Telluride Film Festival: August 29-September 1 Is it any surprise that the fall fest that many in the film biz consider their best kept secret, should keep its own lineup under wraps until the opening day of the event? Co-directors Tom Luddy and Bill Pence welcome a select group of films, filmmakers, industry folks, and aficionados to the mountains of Colorado every Labor Day weekend. People who go year after year swear it is the best fest in the world. This one is more a fest for vets and those who can afford the pricey accommodations and passes, but as a venue for launching a new film in an intimate environment of movers and shakers, its can't be overlooked and to be invited to participate is an honor, especially in this 30th anniversary year."}, {"response": 1235, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 29, 2003 (13:54)", "body": "(Mari). I wonder if Colin plans to come over here for it. In an ideal world.... It would behoove him to give this film his all. Best shot he's had in a 'starring' movie since Valmont. Thanks Mari. Looks like Lions Gate is really taking the ball."}, {"response": 1236, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Aug 29, 2003 (14:12)", "body": "(Mari). I wonder if Colin plans to come over here for it. Perhaps he's already over. Back to back festivals would be v. practical."}, {"response": 1237, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Aug 29, 2003 (14:25)", "body": "The author like it! DECEMBER Girl With a Pearl Earring GRIET EXPECTATIONS Johansson is an unlikely muse for Johannes Vermeer. Based on Tracy Chevalier's book, starring Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth, written by Olivia Hetreed, directed by Peter Webber. Plot A maid in the home of painter Johannes Vermeer becomes his muse. Chevalier on how the movie is better than her book \"When I read the screenplay I was bowled over by some of the visual elements. I was even a little jealous of them. There is one moment when the main character, Griet, sits out in a little courtyard and plays with a bowl, reflecting the light off it so that the children around her run and try to catch it. I read that and thought, 'Why didn't I think of that?'\" How Chevalier feels about cuts made to her book \"I suppose I'm dismayed by how much has to be cut. So many of the subplots have had to be sacrificed in service to the greater good of the main story. That's a shame but it's also understandable.\" Why Webber thinks the novel works on screen \"Tracy's book is actually perfect for adaptation because it's fairly classic\ufffda simple story, and I mean that in the bes possible sense. I think movies have to be simple.\" Why we'll see it Because everyone else in our book club is going. http://www.bookmagazine.com/issue30/movies.shtml"}, {"response": 1238, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Aug 29, 2003 (16:27)", "body": "Thanks, Mari for the great ff and positive news for GWAPE. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this is the one. WAGW is #6 this week on the Top 10 Tape Rentals List-from Entertainment Weekly Last week it was #3. Total Video Gross to date-4.0 million, two weeks on the chart."}, {"response": 1239, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Aug 29, 2003 (16:39)", "body": "How Chevalier feels about cuts made to her book \"I suppose I'm dismayed by how much has to be cut. So many of the subplots have had to be sacrificed in service to the greater good of the main story. That's a shame but it's also understandable.\" Good, then probably the stuff about the brother was cut. That brought the book to a halt for me, but then it got back on track. Maybe the stuff at the beginning with/about her father was cut, too. This will be interesting to see. Thanks Karen, Maria, and Mari."}, {"response": 1240, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Aug 29, 2003 (17:39)", "body": "(Annette)For UK-droolers, a chance to win tickets to Love Actually Gaaaa!! Registered and entered the competition, only to find that all the venues are in England! Some 'national' newspaper!"}, {"response": 1241, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 29, 2003 (21:33)", "body": "(Janet) only to find that all the venues are in England! What's 50 miles of good road? ;-D (TC) \"I suppose I'm dismayed by how much has to be cut. So many of the subplots have had to be sacrificed in service to the greater good of the main story. That's a shame but it's also understandable.\" Yeah, I too am crying about the much-ado-about-nothing brother subplot. (TC) \"When I read the screenplay I was bowled over by some of the visual elements. I was even a little jealous of them....I read that and thought, 'Why didn't I think of that?'\" Because you were holding cinnamon in your mouth. *snort*"}, {"response": 1242, "author": "caribou", "date": "Fri, Aug 29, 2003 (23:44)", "body": "Thanks, Mari for the news about the Telluride FF. Can't help but think of that old John Denver song: \"Guess I'd rather be in Colorado...\":-)"}, {"response": 1243, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 2003 (05:20)", "body": "(KarenR)What's 50 miles of good road? Unfortunately, it's nearer 200 miles! I don't think that even my very accommodating DH would make the journey with me, since it opens a few days later in Scotland!"}, {"response": 1244, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 2003 (09:13)", "body": "The Telluride program is up at their website and there's a new pic of CF and SJ from the film. Go to http://www.telluridefilmfestival.com and click on festival news. A pop up window will direct you to a pdf of the program. Pic and a nice description of the film are on page 5 of 25."}, {"response": 1245, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 2003 (09:47)", "body": "For those who may not have Adobe Acrobat, here is the pic and the description: Through the eyes of the lowly kitchen maid Griet (Scarlett Johansson), we observe the world of the great 16th-century Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth). As he struggles obsessively to perfect his craft, Vermeer also must balance the interests of his miserly mother-in-law, his corruptly sensual patron (Tom Wilkinson), and his beautiful but unhappy wife. The illiterate Griet--unworldly and a world apart from Vermeer in social standing--nonetheless assists and even enables the painter in unexpected ways. Peter Webber's debut feature film, adapted by Olivia Hetreed from Tracy Chevalier's beloved novel, is astonishly accomplished, created with the restraint and rich detail of a Vermeer painting. All of the performances are superb, but the film's heart and soul is found in Johansson's translucent face and presence--more evidence that she's become one of our most important actors. -LG (U.K., 2003, 95m) In person: Peter Webber"}, {"response": 1246, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 2003 (10:00)", "body": "I love him with long hair! Thank you, Mari and Karen! but the film's heart and soul is found in Johansson's translucent face and presence--more evidence that she's become one of our most important actors Couldn't spare a word for Colin? Sheesh! I hope critics are not going to start comparing the two with Scarlet always landing on top."}, {"response": 1247, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 2003 (10:06)", "body": "Thanks, Karen, I couldn't figure out how to post directly form the pdf. Moon, I've always said it's Griet's movie all the way. Remember the book: aside from an early scene, Vermeer doesn't come back into the story until about the half way point. I am just happy to see Colin associated with quality filmmaking in a good dramatic part."}, {"response": 1248, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 2003 (10:12)", "body": "True, Mari. But their characters play off each other on equal footing. I just hope that she will not be the only one constantly signaled out. That, IMO, would reflect poorly on him."}, {"response": 1249, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 2003 (10:39)", "body": "Hmmm! Telluride. Think there might be a meaning in that name?;-) I can't download the Telluride FF schedule just yet. Can someone post the info if there is going to be a GWAPE showing after 5pm Sat and tell me what to ask Peter Webber, the director, if I get a chance?"}, {"response": 1250, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 2003 (10:47)", "body": "For those of us sans Adobe;-)...thank you Karen. I'm just glad they didn't cast Jodhi May."}, {"response": 1251, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 2003 (11:09)", "body": "So thrilled to hear that you're making the journey, Caribou!! GWAPE will show at three times on Sunday, Aug 31, at 2:00, 5:30 and 9:00pm Let's see, what to ask Peter Webber... (1) How/why did you choose Colin Firth to play Vermeer? What key characteristic of his acting did you feel essential for the role? (2) How did Colin prepare for the role? From my observation of Q&A sessions, most people who ask start out with glowing compliments on the film (it blew me away, so artistic like the world of art it portrayed, yadda yadda, cinematography, blah blah) because they really just like to hear themselves speak. Then make your question(s) multi-part. Ask them all."}, {"response": 1252, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 2003 (11:17)", "body": "Caribou you'll be the first to see it here! Can't wait to hear your report."}, {"response": 1253, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 2003 (11:20)", "body": "Yeah!!!! Sunday at 2 is a lot easier than today! Okay, okay, v.g. tips--will try to remember. I've always hoped to be Drool Rocky Mt. correspondant; I just wish they had given me a little more notice. I have those three written down. Will try to check back before or during trip. So if you can think of any more. Have to go see if we can book a room or maybe repair the tent.;-)"}, {"response": 1254, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 2003 (11:37)", "body": "Go Caribou.. Just in case the non-US and easterners ;-) don't know where Telluride is... It's in the southern Rockies....100 miles from Four Corners....of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah."}, {"response": 1255, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 2003 (12:13)", "body": "Another essential question: (3) Why didn't you bring along Colin Firth? ;-D (audience will get a kick out of this one)"}, {"response": 1256, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 2003 (12:26)", "body": "Only 26 hours and 37 mins. to go and I still don't have a room. It's the end of the season and those hotel service people are getting touchy! Especially with us city folk. Wish me luck and keep the questions coming."}, {"response": 1257, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 2003 (13:10)", "body": "\"Ain't No Mountain High Enough\""}, {"response": 1258, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 2003 (13:11)", "body": "And don't forget to thank Weber for making Vermeer so very handsome. ;-) 4) What prompted him to take a chance on a relative unknown cast? 5) Did he go after Colin for the role or had Colin solicited the role?"}, {"response": 1259, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 2003 (13:18)", "body": "(Moon)What prompted him to take a chance on a relative unknown cast? Unknown cast? Peter Webber isn't exactly A-list himself. All he's ever done is TV. Caribou....pssst...just don't mention Rafe"}, {"response": 1260, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 2003 (13:29)", "body": "(4) Do you have an extra screener tape along? ;-D"}, {"response": 1261, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 2003 (13:32)", "body": "Seriously, though, you might want to preface your question by commenting that you really liked this film about art and an artist, which had no pretensions of being a glossy biopic. This one is pure fantasy and you like that. Then go in for the kill, with Colin questions."}, {"response": 1262, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 2003 (13:50)", "body": "(Caribou) Only 26 hours and 37 mins. to go and I still don't have a room. check your email"}, {"response": 1263, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 2003 (15:09)", "body": "The Washington Times: http://washingtontimes.com/arts/20030829-092111-9675r.htm We remain right on the timeline with Cate Blanchett as the crusading, martyred Irish reporter Veronica Guerin in a biopic of the same name; with Gwyneth Paltrow as poet Sylvia Plath in \"Sylvia\"; and with Colin Firth as the great Dutch artist Jan Vermeer in \"Girl With a Pearl Earring.\" Mr. Firth is also a part of the most illustrious romantic comedy cast of the season, recruited by British screenwriter Richard Curtis (\"The Tall Guy,\" \"Four Weddings and a Funeral,\" \"Notting Hill\") for his directing debut in \"Love Actually.\" Mr. Curtis aspires to juggle about 10 subplots involving love in contrasting manifestations. The cast also includes Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Alan Rickman, Laura Linney, Hugh Grant and Billy Bob Thornton. The last two will portray the prime minister of England and the president of the United States."}, {"response": 1264, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 2003 (15:21)", "body": "(Moon)Caribou you'll be the first to see it here! Can't wait to hear your report. LOL! The last shall be first? That would be a miracle indeed. Tommorrow is Sunday, we shall see. I'll try to report back as soon as I can. (Evelyn)\"Ain't No Mountain High Enough\" LOL! My new theme song. :-) And those are big mountains, too. I think Telluride is at 11,000+ ft. When, I talked to one hotel person she said, \"When you drop down off the mountain, hopefully still in your car, make a right at the third street.\":-) (Karen)(4) Do you have an extra screener tape along? ;-D Yes. See, I hadn't thought of that, keep all the tips coming. I wrote everything down and will practice on the way up. That's a lot of big words but I'll do my best. Good thing Colin isn't expected to attend. I'd be hopeless."}, {"response": 1265, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 2003 (15:42)", "body": "Caribou, I'm so pleased that you're going. Won't you be the first drooler anywhere to see it? Do you have your ticket yet? He may turn up, your never know!!"}, {"response": 1266, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 2003 (15:48)", "body": "\"When you drop down off the mountain, hopefully still in your car, make a right at the third street.\":-) Good one!! And after driving for 7 hrs or so the nearly 300 miles, make sure you drinks lots of coffee to make sure you don't nod off during the film. Only half the distance seems to be on one major road. I don't envy you this drive on all those little mountain roads."}, {"response": 1267, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 2003 (16:09)", "body": "For Caribou's DH who is doing the driving."}, {"response": 1268, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 2003 (16:09)", "body": "OK, here's a rather pretentious one (and non-CF, so you might as well discard): (5) With this being your first feature film and most of your experience coming from television, what challenges did you have in making this period piece to ensure that your 16th century characters did not have the 21st century attitudes and values that many adaptors of literture seem to think necessary for today's audience? [or similar]"}, {"response": 1269, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 2003 (16:33)", "body": "Caribou, I am so thrilled for you. I don't have a question but you might want to take some oxygen. I know I'd be breathless at the first sight of a long haired, stubbly-faced Vermeer;-)! checked the forecast for Telluride... Sunday: Abundant sunshine. High 67F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Sunday night: Clear skies. Low near 45F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. ...maybe you'd better take some gloves too;-)"}, {"response": 1270, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 2003 (17:10)", "body": "Mari and Karen, thank you for the lovely new picture and description. Most of the \"written pieces\" we've seen mentions both Colin and Scarlett, so I hold my hopes up high, that he get's the credit he deserves for this one. Caribou, have a safe trip and enjoy the movie. Karen's allready provided you with lots of clever questions, so just go for it :-) Evelyn, love the \"chanting\"-melody. Will humm it over the next day to support Caribou :-)"}, {"response": 1271, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 2003 (17:15)", "body": "Caribou, you rock. Safe trip and enjoy. Can't wait to hear your report. I hope you get to ask the questions, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that maybe YKW will show. Heck, Telluride, Vancover(visit Will before school begins), Toronto...what's wrong with that?"}, {"response": 1272, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 2003 (18:03)", "body": "Have a wonderful trip, Caribou! May your journey be safe and easy! Wow! (Annette)Evelyn, love the \"chanting\"-melody. Will humm it over the next day to support Caribou :-) Indeed, Diana is playing loud on my computer right now and I think the the lyrics are very apt to this particular situation. \"...No matter where you are, no matter how far, just call my name, I'll be there in a hurry, on that you can depend and never worry...\" ;-)"}, {"response": 1273, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 2003 (23:14)", "body": "WOOHOO CARIBOU!! I cannot wait to hear your impressions of the film. I think you're covered for questions, but here's a variation on one of them: \"Colin has said that he was blown away by the beauty of the Colorado Rockies the first time he saw them. So where the hell is he?\" ;-) \"When you drop down off the mountain, hopefully still in your car, make a right at the third street.\":-) I love it, and ditto the Gary Larson poster. The bohemian vibe of this fest is so much more his style than any other . . . it would be a shame if, um, circumstances limit his time away from home and he were unable to attend . . . but you never know. Have a great trip, and give our regards to Mr. Caribou too!:-) P.S. Can you buy screening tickets at the door?"}, {"response": 1274, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 2003 (23:43)", "body": "(Mari)\"Colin has said that he was blown away by the beauty of the Colorado Rockies...So where the hell is he?\" ;-) LOL Mari. You're gone, or soon will be Caribou, but know you will be in our thoughts, have fun, here's hoping you can scope a little Colin (or whatever) but at all costs, have fun, knowing you go where no one has gone before! (and come home with a review for us!)"}, {"response": 1275, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 31, 2003 (09:03)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1276, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 31, 2003 (09:21)", "body": "(Mari) and give our regards to Mr. Caribou too!:-) LOL! That's Bull Caribou to you. ;-D We should consider this their annual migration: Large herds often migrate long distances (up to 400 miles/640 km) between summer and winter ranges. And they're on the road now!"}, {"response": 1277, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sun, Aug 31, 2003 (11:20)", "body": "(Karen)We should consider this their annual migration: Large herds often migrate long distances (up to 400 miles/640 km) between summer and winter ranges. And they're on the road now! Very amusing, Karen! ;-)"}, {"response": 1278, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug 31, 2003 (12:13)", "body": "\"Mr Caribou\" joins the Drool DH Hall of Fame ; along with, in recent times, Janet and Lora's DHs."}, {"response": 1279, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug 31, 2003 (15:00)", "body": "Cleared for Liftoff Sunday August 31st T.O. the starting line for Oscar race By BRUCE KIRKLAND -- Toronto Sun ...... \"In the Aug. 22-29 Entertainment Weekly, the Toronto flicks getting an Oscar shot include The Human Stain, starring past winners Anthony Hopkins and Nicole Kidman and directed by three-time Oscar winner Robert Benton. Others include both Lost In Translation, starring Bill Murray and rising star Scarlett Johansson, and Girl With A Pearl Earring, because it also stars Johansson. \" Whole article: http://www.canoe.ca/FilmFestToronto03/aug31_kirkland-sun.html"}, {"response": 1280, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sun, Aug 31, 2003 (18:25)", "body": "Caribou said to tell everyone hi and that she is currently attempting to get tickets. She plans to post a review tomorrow if all goes well. I would expect her post about noon Mountain Daylight Time."}, {"response": 1281, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Aug 31, 2003 (20:35)", "body": "Yay, Caribou!! And thanks Mr. Caribou! I just know you got in with all our good vibes heading your way. Can't wait to hear all about it. Remember....Details, Details, down to the most minute details. ;-)"}, {"response": 1282, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Aug 31, 2003 (21:45)", "body": "Caribou, I'm thrilled for you that you made the trip! Can't wait to hear your report. Big Daddy Caribou deserves a gold star, too. ;-) (I agree, Dorine about the good vibes part. ;-)) Am thrilled that we have one contingent in Telluride, and at least one lined up for Toronto. Ooooh, I love it when really good movies are afoot. And Karen, thanks for uploading the latest GWAPE pic. I don't think he's ever looked sexier."}, {"response": 1283, "author": "Leah", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (07:42)", "body": "(lisajh)And Karen, thanks for uploading the latest GWAPE pic. I don't think he's ever looked sexier. Just adding my thanks. I love all and any new pics. ([mr] Caribou)...attempting to get tickets... plans to post a review tomorrow if all goes well. Oh please let it have gone well. After all this effort, tickets should not be a/the problem."}, {"response": 1284, "author": "caribou", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (18:10)", "body": "Hey, I'm back!! Thanks so much for all your support and good wishes. When push came to shove the only reason I finally went is because I hated to disappoint you guys. As I drove by the quacking aspen groves lining the high mountain road in places, the trees seemed to be clapping. I smiled and thought of each of you in your own homes applauding, cheering and ushering me along. I didn't feel alone! I typed this up last night but couldn't connect. It's rough but I want to get it posted. It was a miracle day! Miracle that I could get lodging (Thanks Evelyn), car and even arrive safely. And they just kept coming. I arrived in town at 5pm and went to the stand by line to see if I could buy a ticket. 140 people were ahead of me and the assistant came out and said, \ufffdForget it folks. It\ufffds not going to happen but that\ufffds good really. It\ufffds full now so it will probably be shown again on Monday in one of the To Be Announced slots. I wasn\ufffdt as easily swayed as others so joined those hoping against hope and we were all let in!!!!!!!!! \ufffdGo now directly to the front row.\ufffd Practically threw my $20 to the ticket agent and got a seat over to the far right\ufffdwasn\ufffdt quite the neck strain as the very front but everyone\ufffds face and every scene was distorted. There were only two empty seats in the auditorium and a whole row along a bench in the back. I have never viewed a Firth film with so many people\ufffd700 then I think. Peter Webber spoke briefly to introduce the film. He introduced his wife, Pip, who worked on Catarina\ufffds hair\ufffdI think he said she designed the things in her hair. the film\ufffds producer\ufffdAndy Patterson, and gave thanks to the Director of Photography and the Dutch Set Designer. (Hope I got that right.) He asked for a show of hands to see how many had read the book. He said, This is my (emphasis on my) version.\ufffd I think he hoped we liked it. It was only the second time shown anywhere and he was surprised there were so many of us. Then, he delighted the audience by asking if he could take our picture. I think he took two while the house lights came up and everyone hammed it up. Arms in the air, etc. I think he said, \ufffdEnjoy.\ufffd And that was it. He left the stage with everyone happy, laughing and applauding. Then the rich, warm colors began to flow past me and haunting melody began to flow into me. In a word, it\ufffds perfect! Absolutely perfect. A dream come true for those of you hoping for starring role in a drama. Everyone involved nailed it!! The screenplay is very tight. The visual continuity is there throughout and the film appropriately came full circle. The lighting is exquisite, the photography is crisp and detailed. It\ufffds has a warm, gentle humor in places. It\ufffds gripping. It caused the audience to gasp, literally gasp, in places. A delight from beginning to end. This could really go all the way. I can\ufffdt even begin to guess how many Oscar nominations it will receive. It\ufffds got Oscar written all over it. Now, from a Firth fan perspective. We don\ufffdt really get to see him soon enough for my taste. He doesn\ufffdt go to the house to choose her so we are introduced to everyone else before he makes his grand entrance. And grand it is but not quite as handsome as I would wish but look out for the second appearance. Your hearts may not be able to bear it. And, for you, hand affectionados, look out!!!! They are very dominant, often taking up the entire scene\ufffdwhich on the big screen is what, the size of a pickup truck? I\ufffdll try to give more details over on Spoilers. I\ufffdm not sure how much to say here. And, then the miracles continued. I always watch the credits\ufffdhad lots of company this time. And, thought maybe the director, et. al. might too. Decided to hang back instead of rushing to where he was seated. Looked carefully for an open blue shirt over tee shirt and jeans but couldn\ufffdt find them. When I walked out of the building, the sun was setting and filling the entire valley with a golden light just as if the movie were continuing. Then it cast a maroon glow over the bald tops of the mountains that edged the eastern end of the valley. Just at that magical time of day, I turned and saw the director, PW, talking to a group of 20ish guys and girls. I went over and joined the small circle. I couldn\ufffdt hear very well and can just barely remember anything said but I will try. PW asked what they thought of Scarlett. Ohhs, ahhs, nods, and words of praise all around. I heard a bit that made me think they were saying nobody plays a better dirty, old man than Tom W. Laughs and then my opportunity. I took your advice, Karen, and thanked him for the film. I think I used words like great, perfect, beautiful, and incredible but who knows? I tried to be a little wordy because he had been trying to get to a cigarette for some time and I really wanted him to accomplish that so he would stay longer. After HS, I\ufffdm excessively sensitive to Brits anxious for a smoke in America. I think it was the producer who came over and got a light, too. Peter asked if I had read "}, {"response": 1285, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (18:55)", "body": "Caribou, I'm so happy for you! Two viewings in one evening! Can't wait to read your postings at Spoilers, and in particular, more about the scenes involving his wonderful hands! This film sounds so promising!! But PW says Livia had a girl? Could he be mistaken?"}, {"response": 1286, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (18:59)", "body": "Congratulations, and what a trip. Twice in one day!! (Caribou)I had to go uphill three very long blocks. In the dark. Without a flashlight. The guy at the wrong theater had radioed ahead and so all the workers I passed were saying, \ufffdGo on, hurry.\ufffd OMG, Caribou. Thank you for being there for all of us. What an adventure. You actually got to ask questions as well. Oscar written all over it. Wonderful. How about Colin's role...how much screen time does he have? His wife just had a baby girl (ed note:!!!!) LOL. But great to know he'll be in Toronto. (PW)So, you\ufffdre a CF fan, then, are you? Understatement of the year;-) I think we should probably move over to Spoilers."}, {"response": 1287, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (19:08)", "body": "Caribou, you are my hero! What a wonderful on the scene report! Not one but two viewings! I am so happy for you, and for us as well. What delights we have to look forward to! Thank you, thank you, thank you, and thanks to Mr. Caribou for getting you there! LOL about the FF workers who cheered you on to get to the second showing. What a fantastic experience. I'm off to Spoilers cause I can't wait to hear details about JV."}, {"response": 1288, "author": "caribou", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (19:13)", "body": "(Janet)But PW says Livia had a girl? Could he be mistaken? He wasn't really prepared for that question and seemed to be thinking on his feet but we may yet have a surprise in store for us yet. (LindaK)How about Colin's role...how much screen time does he have? I was saving that disappointment for later but you have cut to the chase. I'm fairly certain he doesn't show up for at least 30 minutes. So, cut that smoulder time by a third right off the bat. Then, it's a long time before we are drawn into his world--as the movie puts it. They needed Andrew Davies on board to increase the Vermeer factor."}, {"response": 1289, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (19:24)", "body": "Well done, dear Caribou. Great report....I could just see everyone cheering you on to The Galaxy. Was the audience as enthusiastic/mesmerized as you? Demographics of audience? (Caribou)The screenplay is very tight. Does he have a lot of dialogue? Screentime? Or just smoldering and hands? Is it *really* Griet's movie? You are the First Firth Fan to see this, you know. Glad it all worked out, with such short notice. Waddaya say gang...\"Dame Caribou\"!!"}, {"response": 1290, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (19:31)", "body": "CARIBOU!!! You rock!! I'm sooooooo proud of you!! Way to go taking advantage of even the smallest excuse or opportunity to be near the right person at the right time and hanging in there! And no alcohol to goad you on? I'm doubly impressed! ;-D Wow, it sounds so exciting!! I'm bursting with anticipation to see this! Can't wait for more details on Spoilers. Thanks so much for sharing your sense of adventure. :-D That is odd about the baby news. Could Hello have been given disinformation? Used a bad source? (PW) and they are with his wife\ufffds family in Rome So, then she suffered in Italian again? ;-)"}, {"response": 1291, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (20:30)", "body": "(Janet)But PW says Livia had a girl? A girl named \"Matteo\"?....It gets worse."}, {"response": 1292, "author": "caribou", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (20:33)", "body": "--I keep trying to remember the five words that PW used to describe that CF thing: they might have been: quiet, brooding, sensitive, mysterious, sexy. The most important part of our conversation and I can't remember. But, then again I was lucky to be able to remain standing, let alone, speak and forget remembering.:-) (Evelyn)Was the audience as enthusiastic/mesmerized as you? I just had to look around a lot. That many people. Every introduction mentioned it--packed house. Yes, I think they were. There are very poignant moments of silence from the film and the audience followed suit and you could hear the air conditioner hum. When Griet turned and literally, became the one pictured, a lady sitting down from me couldn't contain it and said, \"That is incredible.\" It is very griping. 500 or 700 people collectively gasping is awesome. (Evelyn)Demographics of audience? No kids but a mix of everything else. Old men, old hippies, middle-aged women in shorts, teens or young adults with their moms and dad, groups of older women, backpacker types, young couples who live nearby, all the workers in town, 30ish hunks. I overheard that the demographic for the film fest was getting younger and the person thought that would be good for GWAPE. This honestly seemed to be one that everyone was going to go see. I heard comments like: \"This is the best one I've seen so far.\" \"I didn't feel like I was watching a movie, it seemed like...\" I think the fill in the blank is: seeing moving masterpieces instead of just plain moving pictures. \"I thought Colin Firth was good.\" \"Colin who? Firth or Farrell?:-( He can't escape him, the other Colin had a movie there too! I said no kids but that was in the audience. Right after I got in line, the grub wagon came by--it was a little radio flyer-type wagon filled with sandwiches, chips, etc and pulled by a little boy. The local Montessori school sells food to people in line to raise funds. :-) (Evelyn)Does he have a lot of dialogue? No one has much. This could never be accused of being a talking heads movie. TW has some of the best lines both for their humor, innuendo, and villiany. I think you can notice the lack of dialogue but the actors have so thorougly meshed together that not much is required. Very poignant. But, do not despair--just remember how much Mark Darcy communicated with that one \"yes\" in the boat with Natasha. (Evelyn)Is it *really* Griet's movie? Jack Worthing mode: I could deny it, if I liked. I could deny anything, if I liked but I must admit yes, it is indeed Griet's movie. From the things I overheard, PW was really striving for this to be a star vehicle for Scarlett and he seems to accomplish that for which he strives."}, {"response": 1293, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (21:23)", "body": "This time I headed to the left so if the view were skewed, it would be the other way LOL! How great, Caribou! You've seen it twice! And you even got a private interview. He's obviously been warned about the faithful Firth fans.;-) Now, from a Firth fan perspective. We don\ufffdt really get to see him soon enough for my taste. He doesn\ufffdt go to the house to choose her That is my favourite scene in the book, when they get to play with the fruit and veggies. What a pity! Off to read the spoilers."}, {"response": 1294, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (21:28)", "body": "(Moon)That is my favourite scene in the book, when they get to play with the fruit and veggies. What a pity! One of mine, too. Isn't that the first moment when he knows that she sees things from an artist's perspective? Oh well...as PW said this is my version"}, {"response": 1295, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (21:45)", "body": ")linda), Isn't that the first moment when he knows that she sees things from an artist's perspective? Exactly! Very important, IMO. The ladies that are going to Vancouver, if you get a chance please ask Weber why he omitted it?"}, {"response": 1296, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (21:50)", "body": "(Caribou) I didn't feel alone! You weren't. Have been thinking of you for two days! (Caribou) It was a miracle day!...And they just kept coming. Grinning bigger than ...whatever...I'm so happy for you! (Caribou-Hemingway)Then the rich, warm colors began to flow past me and haunting melody began to flow into me. OMG! I'm dying here! Dec? Too long! I cannot wait that long! It caused the audience to gasp, literally gasp, in places. So did your report! And, for you, hand affectionados, look out!!!! They are very dominant I am now dead. My heart cannot take more. Hands too? omg Enough. I am jealous beyond belief and appreciative beyond measure. Thank you thank you!"}, {"response": 1297, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (22:05)", "body": "(linda) Isn't that the first moment when he knows that she sees things from an artist's perspective? (Moon) if you get a chance please ask Weber why he omitted it? Yes, excellent question."}, {"response": 1298, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (22:15)", "body": "(Caribou)--I keep trying to remember the five words that PW used to describe that CF thing: they might have been: quiet, brooding, sensitive, mysterious, sexy. The most important part of our conversation and I can't remember. But, then again I was lucky to be able to remain standing, let alone, speak and forget remembering.:-) Good grief! You have had me on a Rocky Mountain High! After a long weekend trip to family duties this is what I've come home to. What a trip! You have given me such a rush of excited anticipation. Thank you, thank you! I'm going to stop now with the exclaimations. But thank you!"}, {"response": 1299, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (22:18)", "body": "Caribou, you are my heroine! From this day forward, you are Her Rocky Mountain Highness! :-) So very happy that it worked out for you and you got two showings! Now, from a Firth fan perspective. We don\ufffdt really get to see him soon enough for my taste. I think I complained when I read the book that he goes away for the length of a Bible.;-) I must admit yes, it is indeed Griet's movie Again, I've said this from the start. No surprise to me. After Griet, does Vermeer have the largest part? Or is it pretty well divided among all the supporting characters?"}, {"response": 1300, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (22:28)", "body": "Oh great antlered one!! I can't believe that you managed to ask all those questions, including the one about the screener (didn't I put a winkie next to that??? maybe not) Did you have them written on the palm of your hand? ;-D In a word, it\ufffds perfect! Absolutely perfect. A dream come true for those of you hoping for starring role in a drama. Shows what a gross of candles will do on a monthly basis. It caused the audience to gasp, literally gasp, in places. A delight from beginning to end. This could really go all the way. I can\ufffdt even begin to guess how many Oscar nominations it will receive. It\ufffds got Oscar written all over it. Am sniffling here. Never thought I'd live to see the day... No escaping that one. I had been found out Been there too. Why, oh why??? ;-D (PW) Oh, you know, the whole CF thing. You know, quiet, intense, serious, brooding?(not sure about that one.) Sexy..or quiet, brooding, sensitive, mysterious, sexy. whichever In a Brazil nutshell. ;-D but I must admit yes, it is indeed Griet's movie. From the things I overheard, PW was really striving for this to be a star vehicle for Scarlett and he seems to accomplish that for which he strives. Not pleased, but not surprised. Perhaps Best Supporting Actor would be the category?? Brilliant report, Caribou! Thank you so much for sharing all the details. We were there in spirit, cheering you on and wishing we could be sitting next to you at the Galaxy."}, {"response": 1301, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (22:58)", "body": "(Caribou)but I must admit yes, it is indeed Griet's movie. It was Griet's story afterall, but is no story without Vermeer. He is an enigmatic presence in the book and in the film, or so it seems. I'll take it! It sounds lovely from the *early report from the field* and I'm so very grateful!"}, {"response": 1302, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (00:16)", "body": "Dame Caribou you do indeed Rock. What a great and interesting report. Can't wait to see this, even though its Griet's story. I'd tell a story too if I was painted by CF oh excuse me, Vermeer. Great job, very enjoyable, and thanks too to your husband. He's very special. Oscar. That would do it."}, {"response": 1303, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (00:29)", "body": "From Variety's report on Telluride: As far as fresh revelations were concerned, certainly nothing could match the stunning emergence of 18-year-old Scarlett Johansson as a major actress in two of the best new pictures world premiered here, Sofia Coppola's \"Lost In Translation\" and Peter Webber's \"Girl With a Pearl Earring.\" Luminous, bracingly self-possessed and with either an intuitive or a very mature understanding of the less-is-more nature of screen acting, Johansson now seems poised for a major career, although the hope among her ardent new admirers here is that she won't now succumb to the big buck offers that will inevitably come her way and start making silly movies."}, {"response": 1304, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (00:34)", "body": "A rave review for the film and SJ from Variety! But not much on CF . . . By TODD MCCARTHY \"Girl With A Pearl Earring\" is an intelligent, visually ravishing adaptation of Tracy Chevalier's best-selling novel about the Dutch master Vermeer and the model for one of his most famous paintings. With concision and well-chosen detail, Peter Webber's exceedingly accomplished first feature beautifully evokes the world the artist inhabited 340 years ago while deftly and discreetly delineating the personal intrigue within his teeming household. With its literary pedigree, artsy period backdrop, refined Euro air and wondrous central performance by emerging star Scarlett Johansson, who is receiving concurrent raves for her work in \"Lost in Translation,\" pic has all the ingredients to become an international specialized circuit hit. Little is known about Johannes Vermeer, who lived his entire life (1632-75) in the city of Delft, and certainly nothing of the young woman who modeled for the celebrated portrait he created in about 1665. This gave U.S.-born, British-based novelist Chevalier considerable latitude in fashioning her fictional story of a teenager whose destitute Calvinist parents place her as a maid in the home of the Catholic Vermeer, a meticulous, slow-working artist who also works as an art dealer and whose home overflows with innumerable children, an overwrought wife and a queen bee-like mother-in-law. Even before Griet (Johansson) arrives to take up her duties, one is struck by the unusual nature of the girl. Porcelain-skinned, with largish nose and lips and wide-set eyes, she seems keenly observant and self-possessed, with an intelligence and integrity that trump her illiteracy and low station. The prevailing hallmark of Johansson's superb performance, which could be considered worthy of great silent film acting, is that her Griet is always holding something in reserve, an innate intelligence and sense of mystery that eventually intrigue Vermeer and severely threaten the latter's wife. Courtesy of Ben van Os' vibrant production design, which is intersected by canals and is populated as much with livestock as it is with humanity, the thriving mercantilist Holland of the time jumps to life as Griet arrives for work. Under the thumb of fleshy housekeeper Tanneke (Joanna Scanlan) and watched with close suspicion by Vermeer's neurotic wife Catharina (Essie Davis) and the latter's stern mother Maria Thins (Judy Parfitt), Griet develops a fascination with the one room in the cramped house that is off-limits to the family in general, Vermeer's spare, light-drenched studio. While fulfilling active public and family roles, Vermeer (Colin Firth) puts his art first, often seeming remote and insisting upon privacy to work at his own deliberate pace despite domestic demands and pressure from his wealthy patron, Van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson). Soon, however, he notices a nascent sensitivity in Griet to such matters as light, paint materials and composition, which earns her access to the privileged studio; before long, the artist shows her his new acquisition, a camera obscura, which he admits helps him with his work, and invites her to help him grind and mix his paints. In such a tight household, Griet's activities do not go unnoticed, and her position there is soon tenuous. The object of mean pranks by one of the painter's daughters, Griet is politely courted by the nearby butcher's son (the impossibly handsome Cillian Murphy, who looks like he just stepped out of a Zeffirelli film), just as she is lusted after by the boorish Van Ruijven, who makes a secret deal with Vermeer that looks to bode ill for Griet. Amidst all these swirling emotions and intrigues, a highly delicate central drama emerges: While producing a group picture for Van Ruijven, Vermeer embarks upon the secret, simultaneous project, a portrait of Griet. Posing for him in a manner that almost seems illicit, the film builds to sensual highlights that consist of a resistant Griet finally consenting to removing her white cap to reveal her resplendent hair, and Vermeer piercing her ear so she can wear the earring he insists is necessary to complete the painting. When Catharina discovers that the servant girl has been wearing her earrings and demands to see the picture, she hysterically calls it obscene and tries to rip it to shreds. Griet's fate hangs in the balance, but her capacity for survival proves resilient in a mixed-mood conclusion that is in proportion to the careful balance achieved throughout the picture. Script by Olivia Hetreed jettisons the book's first-person p.o.v., probably wisely in that the approach preserves Griet's mysteriousness, but is quite faithful in tone and spirit. A former editor and documaker, Webber maintains an admirably restrained hold on the material while still keeping the action lively and intriguing. Drama tips into too-overt melodrama on a couple of occasions, however, notably in Van Ruijven's one-dimensional lechery and Cat"}, {"response": 1305, "author": "caribou", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (01:02)", "body": "(Moon)The ladies that are going to Vancouver, if you get a chance please ask Weber why he omitted it? Oh, don't be too hard on him. He said they were worried about the response to the omissions. Watch it first and see if in the end you are still disappointed. Besides, don't lose sight of the fact: Toronto is the chance to question Colin. Must keep priorities in mind! (BarbS)(Caribou-Hemingway)Then the rich, warm colors began to flow past me and haunting melody began to flow into me. LOL! Thanks for all the kind words. (BeeDee)You have had me on a Rocky Mountain High! Me too! It's not going to be a pretty sight when I finally come down. I am so thankful to be able to share and express all this. It's all in there and this is really helping to work it out of my system so I can go back to eating and sleeping. (Mari)From this day forward, you are Her Rocky Mountain Highness! :-) LOL! I've learned from WAGW that if I get my wish and we all get to attend a film fest in NM, your invitation must read: HRMH Caribou invites you....:-) After Griet, does Vermeer have the largest part? Weeeellll, that depends on what your definition of largest is.;-) Most words, no. Most time on screen, no. Most vital to the story, definitely. His performance is to critical to the story to be overlooked. Or is it pretty well divided among all the supporting characters? I shudder to lump him into the supporting category--that belongs soundly to TW. If he's not the leading man, who is? (Karen)I can't believe that you managed to ask all those questions, including the one about the screener (didn't I put a winkie next to that??? maybe not) Did you have them written on the palm of your hand? ;-D Me either!!! I would have slept a lot easier at night if you pros had been on the job. Didn't think of the palm of my hand, but everywhere else. I studied hard --this exam was a one shot deal, pass or fail!:-) They did look at me awful funny when I asked about the screener tape: \"the what?\"--wish I'd seen the winkie.:-) (Me)It caused the audience to gasp, literally gasp, in places. A delight from beginning to end. This could really go all the way. I can\ufffdt even begin to guess how many Oscar nominations it will receive. It\ufffds got Oscar written all over it. (Karen)Am sniffling here. Never thought I'd live to see the day... I'm like PW, I've seen one I like I just have to get everyone else to agree with me. I really think it's on a par with TEP and SIL and that if it doesn't win it will be money or politics, not merit. (Karen)Perhaps Best Supporting Actor would be the category?? Shhh! Don't even say it. Not the buzz we are going for now. He's the leading man all the way and the best one there will be this year. (BeeDee)It was Griet's story afterall, but is no story without Vermeer. He is an enigmatic presence in the book and in the film Right! I only heard Scarlett's name when PW and crew mentioned it but I heard Colin's several times--not counting how often I mentioned it.:-) And now, alas and alack, it's off to bed, perchance to sleep, perchance to dream."}, {"response": 1306, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (01:40)", "body": "Sweet dreams, Caribou - thats all it takes. Thanks for the reports and comments. Will take a while for 'normal' life to return, and that's just for me reading your adventure.:)"}, {"response": 1307, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (03:55)", "body": "Caribou - very cool that you got to see it twice, thanks so much for the detailed reports!"}, {"response": 1308, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (05:30)", "body": "Caribou, what a wonderful report and so vivid! When you wrote of the cheering people on your run to the theater, I had Bridget and the old man in front of the appartment on my mind (though I'm sure you knew how to dress to the occassion ;-)) I can only second all the comments from fellow droolers. Can't wait to see this one. Thank you so much for sharing."}, {"response": 1309, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (07:32)", "body": "(Caribou), don't lose sight of the fact: Toronto is the chance to question Colin. Must keep priorities in mind! True. I have one for Colin: You have stated in an interview that you thought Scarlett J would end up becoming a director, why? (Variety), While physically and dramatically credible, Firth is reserved as the guarded artist. Why reserved? Do you agree, Caribou? Thanks, for the review, Mari. Happy days are here again! Looks like Oscar and definitely Golden Globe. Just think of all the interviews and photo shots. :-D"}, {"response": 1310, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (09:18)", "body": "Thanks for the review, Mari. True, not much about Colin but a rave for the film. For Caribou: Do you remember how the opening credits ran? Colin and Scarlett's name up at the same time? One first? Before the Title???"}, {"response": 1311, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (09:24)", "body": "(Karen)Perhaps Best Supporting Actor would be the category?? Those are always his best roles. Am enormously proud of him too...he doesn't hog the screen from the other actors, but supports their efforts. No wonder directors and actors admire him; he's a team player. I wouldn't ask the veggie question in Toronto either...it's PW's version of the book, as he said; why go into the 'piss and m.' mode. This is his first film and apparently hit pay dirt. Love the reviews, Mari. Am thrilled that Colin is in a quality film that is getting such reviews. Must be every actor's dream."}, {"response": 1312, "author": "caribou", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (09:38)", "body": "Sorry about missing that closing italics. It looks like I went to bed 16 lines too late. (Annette)When you wrote of the cheering people on your run to the theater, I had Bridget and the old man in front of the appartment on my mind (though I'm sure you knew how to dress to the occassion ;-)) hee hee Good luck you crazy girl! And that wasn't my only Bridget moment. I kept thinking Bridget goes to Telluride.:-) Am hard-hitting journalist on assignment ruthlessly pursuing truth, justice and the British way!:-) (Variety), While physically and dramatically credible, Firth is reserved as the guarded artist. (Moon)Why reserved? Do you agree, Caribou? I don't quite understand what Todd McCarthy means by that. Vermeer is definitely reserved, a little shy and uncertain when the painting has to actually be seen by others (so cute and endearing and portrayed with the slightest movement of face or stance as only Colin can do to perfection). But, that was Vermeer not Colin. His acting was superb, perfectly nuanced and complimentary to SJ. He begs with his eyes: Please, oh please, understand and see what I see. Tell me I'm not alone in the world."}, {"response": 1313, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (10:10)", "body": "Please, oh please, understand and see what I see. Tell me I'm not alone in the world. OK, I'm melting."}, {"response": 1314, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (10:16)", "body": "From THR about Telluride (only parts with GWAPE): Telluride fest at turning point By Chris Gardner This year, however, marked a \"passing of the torch,\" organizers said. An unprecedented number of films were the work of first-time helmers. Of the 20 premiering works, 10 came from debut directors, a sign that the older-skewing festival may be welcoming a new generation of filmmakers and film fans. [...] Wherever its future leads, a number of fledgling filmmakers appreciated the welcome they got at Telluride 2003. \"There are periods in filmmaking when people may think it's all over or that it's a dying art,\" said Peter Webber, director of Lions Gate Films' \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" starring Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth. \"Then you realize there are new voices coming out, and it feels like that is being celebrated here and it's very nice.\" Webber was part of a strong presence at Telluride from indie outfit Lions Gate. The company was represented by two world premieres: Webber's \"Pearl Earring\" and Billy Ray's \"Shattered Glass,\" starring Hayden Christensen and Peter Sarsgaard. It also screened Lars von Trier's \"Dogville,\" starring Nicole Kidman, which it acquired at Cannes. [...] \"We're thrilled with the receptions to our films,\" Lions Gates' Tom Ortenberg said. \"For our world premieres, I could not have dreamed of a better reaction to those two movies.\""}, {"response": 1315, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (10:17)", "body": "After that Variety report, I'm sure the \"must see\" film at The Toronto FF will be GWAPE. It will be such a happening! If I were single I would get my little a.. of to Toronto. Hint Hint!! Repeat the mantra: Toronto, Toronto, Toronto!!!"}, {"response": 1316, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (10:32)", "body": "Caribou: May I add my thanks for your vivid report on the festival and the film. I could see those Aspens twinkling in the wind! Looks like a winner for all concerned. Visually it must be something to see. This is going to be some Oscar season!"}, {"response": 1317, "author": "caribou", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (10:35)", "body": "(Karen)Do you remember how the opening credits ran? Colin and Scarlett's name up at the same time? One first? Before the Title??? Ah ha! A surprise question! I didn't know this would be on the quiz. Colin's name was first and alone. They ran most if not all of the major names before the title and then it took up the entire screen as the opening movie came to a cresendo. So cool! So cool! (Evelyn)I wouldn't ask the veggie question in Toronto either...it's PW's version of the book, as he said; why go into the 'piss and m.' mode. This is his first film and apparently hit pay dirt. Peter Webber and Andy Patterson, the producer, are at the top of their game. They both seem to be young, bright, talented, capable, and handsome, too! Which a young man ought to be if at all possible.:-) They have come to America and scored! It is a great day for British cinema. They are playing to packed houses when the others were not. They have sweated over this, groaned, howled and tossed in their sleep and have given the world a new masterpiece. At the end of the day, Peter Webber was the man of the hour, hot, hot, hot! This is the time to offer congratulations and enter into the celebration. I really, really look forward to seeing them both in their tuxes receiving all the well-earned awards and remembering the day they walked down that footpath wearing blue jeans in the cool Colorado twilight and laughing together like mates."}, {"response": 1318, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (10:38)", "body": "Colin's name was first and alone. Yippee!! (though it could've been alphabetical). How about at the end or was it 'in order of appearance'? This is for extra credit."}, {"response": 1319, "author": "caribou", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (10:48)", "body": "(THR)welcoming a new generation of filmmakers and film fans. [...] (PW)\"Then you realize there are new voices coming out, and it feels like that is being celebrated here and it's very nice.\" (Tom Ortenberg)\"For our world premieres, I could not have dreamed of a better reaction to those two movies.\" YES! YES! YES!"}, {"response": 1320, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (12:23)", "body": "Caribou, you are the best!! Thank you so much for your report. I can hardly believe you actually saw it twice. You are such a lucky girl."}, {"response": 1321, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (12:26)", "body": "\"We're thrilled with the receptions to our films,\" Lions Gates' Tom Ortenberg said Oh so are we, so are we. I'm so thrilled for Colin, SJ and PW. How can we wait until December? I'm anticipating Colin doing a whole lot of publicity for this one. Thank you Karen and Mari for the excellent reviews. Oh this feels so good especially coming off the dismal ones we've endured this spring and summer. Again, Caribou...Thank you."}, {"response": 1322, "author": "caribou", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (12:29)", "body": "How about at the end or was it 'in order of appearance'? This is for extra credit. Something I saw said: Lions Gate Films Presents GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING A Film by Peter Webber STARRING Colin Firth Scarlett Johansson Tom Wilkinson Judy Parfitt Cillian Murphy Essie Davis I believe the end credits probably read: Vermeer.........................Colin Firth Griet....................Scarlett Johansson Van Ruijven...................Tom Wilkinson Maria Thins....................Judy Parfitt Pieter.......................Cillian Murphy Catarina........................Essie Davis Tanneke......................Joanna Scanlan Cornelia.......................Alakina Mann Griet's Father...............Chris McHallem Griet's Mother..............Gabrielle Reidy Maertge.....................Anna Popplewell You know, just off the top of my head, it I remember correctly.:-) :-) :-)"}, {"response": 1323, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (14:48)", "body": "Lovely, lovely, lovely!! He did get top billing after all. To me, that really shows how much they wanted him for the film so that he precedes the main character. Here are some bits from IndieWire about Telluride: A few like George Mansour, a film buyer from Boston, have attended nearly all of the festivals -- one of only two he commits to each year. \"Getting to Telluride is like getting to Russia,\" he quips. Even with a decent connection into Denver, the venue still requires another seven hours by car -- or a brief flight on one of the numerous puddle jumpers that gets you close to Telluride but still requires an hour shuttle ride \"up the mountain.\" [Bravo Caribou!!] Sofia Coppola's \"Lost in Translation,\" scheduled this year as an invitation-only, pre-festival screening for patrons, failed to live up to the \"favored son\" status bestowed on it by this slot....A quiet look at the many faces isolation can wear, the film ultimately failed to engage many of the Telluride viewers, who pronounced it \"worth seeing, but....\" Unfortunately, that was the case for several of the movies that showed initial promise. While in-line reviews of \"Dogville,\" the new Lars Von Trier film starring Nicole Kidman, received enthusiastic praise from some festival goers, most were more tepid in their response. The film didn't score enough buzz to be slotted as a TBA on Monday, which is not a good sign. \"Girl with a Pearl Earring\" and \"Shattered Glass\" proved to be two of the more accessible films premiering over the weekend. \"Girl\" is an adaptation of Tracy Chevalier's much-acclaimed novel that depicts the social mores of 16th century Dutch society through the eyes of a young serving girl who works in the household of master painter, Johannes Vermeer. The film, like Vermeer's painting, is richly colored and deeply textured."}, {"response": 1324, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (15:27)", "body": "Sofia Coppola's \"Lost in Translation,\"..... the film ultimately failed to engage many of the Telluride viewers, who pronounced it \"worth seeing, but....\" Wow, I find that interesting. While in-line reviews of \"Dogville,\" the new Lars Von Trier film starring Nicole Kidman, received enthusiastic praise from some festival goers, most were more tepid in their response. The film didn't score enough buzz to be slotted as a TBA on Monday, which is not a good sign. This doesn't surprise me at all. I do hope to see it though to judge for myself. And I second that BRAVO! to Caribou!!"}, {"response": 1325, "author": "caribou", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (15:31)", "body": "(George)\"Getting to Telluride is like getting to Russia,\" he quips. ROTFLOL! It's not quite as traumatic when you already live in Outer Slobovia instead of LA or NY. We've actually gone to other parts of CO just for the fun of it. Saturday AM, I thought it would be an hour further than a nice, pleasant drive to Durango. Bbbuuuuttt, I forgot a very important lesson in reading maps of mountainous areas--what looks like a very short distance may only be accessible to goats and llamas. By Saturday PM, I realized it would be comparable to a drive to Crested Butte which really requires a week's stay just to recover enough to face the journey home. (Lost in Translation) didn't score enough buzz to be slotted as a TBA on Monday, which is not a good sign. And GWAPE did!!!! Which is a very good sign. PW extended his stay. Probably to be there to introduce the 2:30PM showing that day which wouldn't have been a requirement. I think it shows just how much the entire team is putting into this. I feel like they are doing their best for it. And, it's a Firth film, WOO HOO!!!"}, {"response": 1326, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (15:55)", "body": "Gaaah! We didn't know this...from Ananova: British star Keira Knightley is also in Venice to promote Love Actually - also being screened out of competition. How many hours is it from Rome? :-("}, {"response": 1327, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (16:12)", "body": "Caribou, your report back to us was a wonderful combination of pluck, grace, and beautiful imagery. For that thorough and vivid account, I thank you! Dame Caribou, indeed. I am excited for you, not to mention PW and ODB. It sounds like this movie may be the one."}, {"response": 1328, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (16:39)", "body": "WOW! I'm adding my thanks, praise and awe to all that have already been expressed. Well done Caribou! Well done Mr. Caribou!"}, {"response": 1329, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (16:53)", "body": "Thank you, thank you Caribou!!! Have been reading about all of your adventures and I'm excited beyond belief to be seeing this film! What a trooper you are for getting to Telluride (and your sweet DH for cheering you on and then posting to let us know that you had made it there!)!! I would have commented earlier but had no computer for part of the weekend (Oh you don't know how I suffered, I knew you were going to be posting and I was a wreck knowing I couldn't 'see' what was happening to you!!!). Am now catching up on everything!!"}, {"response": 1330, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (17:01)", "body": "Sofia Coppola's \"Lost in Translation,\"..... the film ultimately failed to engage many of the Telluride viewers, who pronounced it \"worth seeing, but....\" (Dorine), Wow, I find that interesting. Me too! They loved it in Venice. Sofia and Bill M are there. While in-line reviews of \"Dogville,\" the new Lars Von Trier film I love his films and am looking forward to this one. Not everyone gets it. (Karen), How many hours is it from Rome? :-( Not even 2."}, {"response": 1331, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (17:33)", "body": "Sofia Coppola's \"Lost in Translation,\"..... the film ultimately failed to engage many of the Telluride viewers, who pronounced it \"worth seeing, but....\" (Moon) Me too! They loved it in Venice. Sofia and Bill M are there. Scarlett is too."}, {"response": 1332, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (18:50)", "body": "British star Keira Knightley is also in Venice to promote Love Actually - also being screened out of competition. I've been checking this site all week and didn't realize LA was being screened in Venice. It isn't on the Out of Competition List, either. I really thought GWAPE would screen here. Who or what determines which films will screen at a festival? Access Hollywood and E!News Live both had footage from Venice. Access Hollywood is doing another spot tomorrow night. No mention of LA. Both did spots on Kate Hudson and Le Divorce Venezia 59. Out Of Competition 11'09\"01, September 11 B comme B\ufffdjart Between Strangers Blood Work La boite magique El caballero Don Quijote Clown in' Kabul Dancer Upstairs Johan Padan - A la descoverta de le Americhe K-19: The Widowmaker Naqoyqatsi Ripley's Game Rosa Funzeca My name is Tanino Ten Minutes Older: The Cello http://194.185.28.38/it/cinema/59mostra/scheda_press.cfm?ID=1573"}, {"response": 1333, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (19:38)", "body": "(Moon) Me too! They loved it in Venice. Sofia and Bill M are there. (Dorine), Scarlett is too. That outfit! Scarlett needs the fashion patrol. I see what Colin means about her being a future director (no offense to Sofia who looks nice, although could use some jewelry), but Scarlett could be Penny Marshall in the future. ;-) El caballero Don Quijote Lora and I saw that one at the Miami FF."}, {"response": 1334, "author": "caribou", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (20:02)", "body": "Many, many thanks to each and every one of you for your kind words and expressions of thanks. Everyone who was at Telluride and can put thoughts into words is writing about it today but I feel like I have the best, most enthusiastic readers in the world. What an experience! I really wouldn't have done any of it if you had not been waiting. Mr. Caribou says that why support groups work, they make you do something bigger than yourself. So, I really appreciate all of you."}, {"response": 1335, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (23:22)", "body": "(Moon) That outfit! Scarlett needs the fashion patroll....but Scarlett could be Penny Marshall in the future. ;-) Either that or she took a page out of the Cybill Shepherd stylebook.;-) Yikes."}, {"response": 1336, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 2003 (08:06)", "body": "(Dame Caribou) Mr. Caribou says that why support groups work, they make you do something bigger than yourself. Nice compliment for Drool. Through the years I have seen that happen . We learn a lot at Drool...ODB is a good catalyst;-)"}, {"response": 1337, "author": "sandym", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 2003 (08:16)", "body": "Chiming in to add a heartfelt thank-you to Caribou. Your beautiful descriptions of GWAPE made my week (and made me weak!). ;-)"}, {"response": 1338, "author": "aishling", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 2003 (10:08)", "body": "GWAPE will be screening at the London Film Festival on 30 October. I have just received an e-mail from Tracy Chevalier: It will be showing at the LFF on 30 October. It's a gala thing, so I don't know if it's open to the public. It should be! I've seen the film too and it's wonderful... Cheers, Tracy"}, {"response": 1339, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 2003 (10:25)", "body": "(Linda) I've been checking this site all week and didn't realize LA was being screened in Venice. Well, can't say I've been checking constantly, but I did check the lineups and, when I didn't see it, I ignored the fest coverage. Silly me. ;-D (Lisa) Either that or she took a page out of the Cybill Shepherd stylebook.;-) *snort* I remember that one. Excellent memory! A Big Thank You Caribou from your fellow sufferers for sharing your wonderful Rocky Mountain high with us! With the next two movies coming up, I'm getting ready to remove the bag:"}, {"response": 1340, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 2003 (10:32)", "body": "Excellent news, Aishling!! You should be able to buy tickets to the gala, but no details at the fest site yet. The Times is now the sponsor, so there should be details at its site and in the newspaper."}, {"response": 1341, "author": "caribou", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 2003 (13:03)", "body": "Congratulations, Aishling!!! Please pass along my thanks to Tracy for writing such a powerful book that got this ball rolling. And, that I am especially thankful for how the characters maintain their integrity throughout! Cheers, Tracy and all involved, indeed!!!!"}, {"response": 1342, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 2003 (13:42)", "body": "Caribou, what an adventure you had! I've been out of the loop these last few weeks but, thanks to Maria, am catching up with your literal \"Aint No Mountain High Enough\" experience. You gave such wonderful details and such breathtaking imagery of your Rockie Mountain high. You did a fantastic job relating your Telluride journey! Thank you, thank you for sharing your story, and thank your DH for all his support too. The movie sounds like a real winner. And isn't it just like ODB to be the supportive, subtle, and integral influence to this film. Caribou, thanks for bringing GWAPE's many assets to us so early on. As everyone has said, You Rock in the Rockies! Love your Aspen tree imagery too! Glad you're a \"Caribou\" so you knew what to do in that mountainous/momentous environment ;-)."}, {"response": 1343, "author": "caribou", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 2003 (13:52)", "body": "Oh, Lora, thank you! I was really missing your imput. I love how you turn a phrase to everyone's delight. (Lora)And isn't it just like ODB to be the supportive I am still really having a hard time with his role being called supportive. Were Fitzwilliam Darcy, Mark Darcy and Henry Dashwood support roles? What do you think Aishling? Can we just lump everybody except Griet into support?"}, {"response": 1344, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 2003 (15:04)", "body": "(Karen),Excellent news, Aishling!! You should be able to buy tickets to the gala, Fantastic news! You must go to the gala. First choice of course. Keep us posted. On the Florida front, the HS poster is still up at the movie theaters. I'm just waiting to see when it will open. First reported on the 5th now it looks like it's the 15th. Lora and I plan to go."}, {"response": 1345, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 2003 (15:12)", "body": "(Moon Dreams)On the Florida front, the HS poster is still up at the movie theaters. I'm just waiting to see when it will open. First reported on the 5th now it looks like it's the 15th. Lora and I plan to go. Fandango has showtimes listed for Friday in both of our zip codes..."}, {"response": 1346, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 2003 (16:03)", "body": "Anyone from N.H? http://www.themusichall.org/schedule/detail.cfm?EventID=1397"}, {"response": 1347, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 2003 (16:14)", "body": "(Caribou)Were Fitzwilliam Darcy, Mark Darcy and Henry Dashwood support roles? Well, er, yes, .. one might say semi-supporting...\"he drove the bus\";-) IMO there are different types of supporting roles. Like Laura said, in GWAPE like in P&P he was definitely integral. Aishling...you sly fox;-)if you've seen GWAPE ...how about a review on #177."}, {"response": 1348, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 2003 (16:47)", "body": "Aishling posted a note from Tracy Chevalier, who said she'd seen the film. Not Aishling...yet. Right now, it's too soon to tell about nominations and in what categories, if at all. Remember, frequently a studio opts for a category where it thinks it can win, rather than based on the size/significance of the role. Thanks for the link, Maria. The group that organizes Telluride is based in New Hampshire, so they've culled out the best to show locally. How nice! But they don't say what day? 7 pm on Sat or Sun (Sept 20th or 21st)"}, {"response": 1349, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 2003 (16:50)", "body": "Sorry, didn't keep reading. It is the Saturday night show, Sept 20, at 7 pm"}, {"response": 1350, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 2003 (16:53)", "body": "(Karen)With the next two movies coming up, I'm getting ready to remove the bag: Whew, time to breath, I'm sure of it;-) Good luck, Aishling. Hope you are able to get tickets. Moon and Lora best of luck to the two of you for HS. Why can't I live in Toronto, Telluride, or NH??? Why?*whining big time*"}, {"response": 1351, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 2003 (17:06)", "body": "(Karen)Aishling posted a note from Tracy Chevalier, who said she'd seen the film. Not Aishling...yet. Oops,sorry Aishling...AAA. I take back what I said about you:-((( Knew you wouldn't back out on us:-))) New Hampshire, huh? Susan* might live close. Do I dare ask her??? *Susan drove a van in the dead of night, through unkown territory to give us a report on MLSF screening at the Rhode Island FF in 1999. What a gang!"}, {"response": 1352, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 2003 (17:55)", "body": "A little tidbit from Peter Webber from our cloven-hoofed one: \"We were lucky enough to get great actors,\" Webber said. \"But even with great actors, you never can tell whether the sparks will fly, so you have to use your intuition. Sometimes it's right and sometimes it's wrong, and in this case it was definitely right. The performances are what make the movie tick. For me, the painting and everything else is background. The most important thing is a middle-aged man's obsession with a younger girl, a younger girl falling in love with an impressive older man, and the jealousy around the house. It's a story about power, money and sex.\""}, {"response": 1353, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 2003 (18:58)", "body": "It's a story about power, money and sex.\" I don't think any reviewer will write this. I think he was smoking something. \"But even with great actors, you never can tell whether the sparks will fly, so you have to use your intuition. Sometimes it's right and sometimes it's wrong, and in this case it was definitely right. It's his first feature film. He's only done TV. (?)"}, {"response": 1354, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (01:04)", "body": "Moved all this over here... http://www.interviewmagazine.com/images/sjohanssonp1.pdf GF: Girl With A Pearl Earring derives its power from its restraint: Griet, your character, and Vermeer, simply can\ufffdt act upon their feelings. SJ: It would have tainted the relationship between Vermeer and Griet if someone on the film had suggested there should be a scene of Vermeer standing by a window watching Griet wash her breasts in a basin. Not that it\ufffds not sexual between them, but there\ufffds a time and place for everything, especially regarding that kind of sexiness. If I was doing a sexy project, I would never give everything because that\ufffds not interesting to watch. It\ufffds more interesting to wonder what you\ufffdre not getting. GF: Did seeing Vermeer\ufffds painting in The Hague give you fresh insights? SJ: Not really. It was funny because there was so much pressure around me seeing it that when I did, I was like, \ufffdOkay, there it is.\ufffd Some guy was giving me this Big Whatever about what\ufffds special about it. I hate that. Part of the reason I love going to the museum with my dad is because we look at the paintings and then look at each other and go, \ufffdHmmm, this is nice, isn\ufffdt it?\ufffd GF: Do you think Griet loses her virginity when her ear is pierced by Vermeer or when she actually has sex with the butcher\ufffds boy? SJ: A-ha! [laughs] I think she\ufffds taken with the piercing. Totally taken. Symbolically, I mean. There was no turning back after that point really, was there? One tear just came out beautifully and everybody always asks, \ufffdWas that teardrop real?\ufffd Everything was magical in that moment. GF: Did you draw on your own thoughts about love? SJ: Absolutely. Though it\ufffds never specific. I\ufffdm not a method actor, but I think I subconsciously draw on my own experience and my own feelings, because otherwise, it\ufffds just stale and doesn\ufffdt work. I fell completely in love with the idea of the Vermeer character. There\ufffds one scene where Griet sees Vermeer stroking and kissing his wife. I was a basket case because, for whatever reason, it wounded me. It\ufffds a strange job to be an actor because you\ufffdre emotionally vulnerable all the time when you\ufffdre working, and it can be dangerous if you\ufffdre not grounded and don\ufffdt have people around you who are separate from your work."}, {"response": 1355, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (01:41)", "body": "(SJ)There\ufffds one scene where Griet sees Vermeer stroking and kissing his wife. I was a basket case I'm about to turn one, only by reading this interview. I think you are right about Scarlett, Dorine: and old soul and very insightfull. Thank you so much for typing it. Very good interview."}, {"response": 1356, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (06:52)", "body": "There are several more questions, but they didn't directly pertain to GWAPE."}, {"response": 1357, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (09:29)", "body": "Thanks, Dorine. I think Caribou needs to expound on the \"stroking\" scene on Spoilers. ;-D"}, {"response": 1358, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (09:56)", "body": "Dave Poland's Hot Button Column on Toronto: \"...Tomorrow, I plan on seeing, amongst other things, Bon Voyage by Jean-Paul Rappeneau, who makes infrequent, but gorgeous films, like the Depardieu Cyrano d Bergerac. Then it\ufffds The Girl With The Pearl Earring aka The Coronation of Scarlett Johansson. Then it is off to see Neil Young\ufffds live performance of Greendale, which should get some serious heat building up around the film of the same name, directed by Young, that\ufffds here at the festival. Who is the man behind the concert opportunity? The Dude, of course. (That\ufffds Jeff Dowd to\ufffd well, his mom, I guess.)\" http://www.thehotbutton.com/today/hot.button/2003_thb/030904_thu.html"}, {"response": 1359, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (10:00)", "body": "Thanks, Murph! As i've said, GWAPE is the happening film to see at Toronto. (Karen), Thanks, Dorine. I think Caribou needs to expound on the \"stroking\" scene on Spoilers. ;-D I quite agree!"}, {"response": 1360, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (10:02)", "body": "Forget to say that the HS preview was on at 9pm last night just before the Latin Grammies. That's prime time. I almost fell of the chair. I'm not used to hearing CF's name on TV. Opens on Friday here."}, {"response": 1361, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (11:28)", "body": "Two page spread on GWAPE in Telluride special FF supplement, courtesy of Caribou. Mainly quotes from Webber, but I thought the fictionalized version of the project being spread here quite amusing. ;-D http://www.firth.com/gwape_art1.html One new pic of Johannes and Catharina"}, {"response": 1362, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (12:03)", "body": "That's the one where Vermeer is caressing Catherina. Thanks, Caribou and Karen!"}, {"response": 1363, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (12:18)", "body": "production designer Ben van Os, best known for his work with Peter Greenaway. Ohhhhh....better and better! Peter Greenaway's films have a fantastic 'look' (IMO), very surreal....loaded with lots of detail. Am excited beyond belief to see this movie!!!!"}, {"response": 1364, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (12:25)", "body": "What great news everyone. I think the British critics will need to \"apologize\" to Colin when they review this film. I'm on cloud nine for him. This is great. Thanks again Caribou for such a great and exciting report, and thanks everyone for all the reviews and interviews."}, {"response": 1365, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (12:41)", "body": "Love Actually (p.45) in the NY Post Fall Preview special section today (9/4): http://specialsections.nypost.com/news/nypost/fallentpreview/20030904/p45.asp"}, {"response": 1366, "author": "caribou", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (13:07)", "body": "very surreal....loaded with lots of detail. Am excited beyond belief to see this movie!!! Ben van Os has done an excellent job. This one isn't surreal. I think because it is set during the time of the Dutch masters and they are more about how real paintings can be made--how soft the satin of that looks, how the wine sparkles in the glass. So, consequently, his sets are like that. Loaded with lots of detail Lots and lots and lots. In everything the camera looks at. Whether its a long shot of the studio or a close up of someone with only a wall behind them, there is more than I could precieve after two viewings. It reminds me of Shakespeare--when I go to a play I'm not familiar with, I just let the rich, vibrant words flood over me because they are too hard to dissect and process. That is how GWAPE is visually-not with language. I just had to let the warm colors and compositions flow because it was too much for the eye to dissect at first. But, it will be lots of fun to use the pause button when the video comes out. What treasures await us then, hey girls?"}, {"response": 1367, "author": "caribou", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (13:08)", "body": "Sorry, those quotes were from Tress."}, {"response": 1368, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (13:44)", "body": "(SJ)There\ufffds one scene where Griet sees Vermeer stroking and kissing his wife. I was a basket case because, for whatever reason, it wounded me. . I thought that was an interesting comment. I'm wondering why, too. I would love to hear Colin's side of things. Hope he does an interview such as this. Thanks Dorine, Kare, and Murph for the articles. \ufffdYou can do all of the technical stuff, but unless it is sparking between your two central characters, you may as well pack up and go home,\ufffd Webber said I think he may have gotten fireworks."}, {"response": 1369, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (13:49)", "body": "production designer Ben van Os, best known for his work with Peter Greenaway. (Tress) Peter Greenaway's films have a fantastic 'look' (IMO), very surreal....loaded with lots of detail. (Caribou) This one isn't surreal. I think because it is set during the time of the Dutch masters and they are more about how real paintings can be made And the article talked about how Webber had directed both van Os and Serra to look at the paintings of other Dutch painters of the period for details. I expect it look more like a Wings of the Dove, also shot by Eduardo Serra, than anything by Greenway (no split screens). ;-D"}, {"response": 1370, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (06:24)", "body": "From Yahoo Movies Message Board.... More praise for GWAPE! \"Friends who saw the film this weekend say it was wonderful..glorious photography, tight script, perfectly nuanced acting, marvelous cast. Can't wait to see it!\""}, {"response": 1371, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (07:08)", "body": "Did you see this one, Bethan? A backhanded compliment for Colin. There was a question at the end wondering if the girl was real or historically documented somewhere. Hi guys - was lucky enough to see Girl With the Pearl Earring at a press screening last night. Really enjoyed it - subtly erotic and it looks absolutely awesome. Every frame looks like Vermeer had painted it. Best thing by far was Scarlett Johansson. I'd tip her for an Oscar for sure. Pefectly cast lips apart from anything else. Colin Firth a bit silly - I'm a hetero bloke so what do I know but I've always found him a bit of a weird choice for sex symbol. Good performance here, though. Anyway... I haven't read the book but suspect they've taken too much out. It was only 90 minutes long. Too pared down which is unusual in these days of overblown Hollywood epics..."}, {"response": 1372, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (07:22)", "body": "From USA Today, an article on upcoming film adaptations of books: \"You sign a contract with the studio that says you're not allowed to give the film any bad publicity,\" says Tracy Chevalier, author of the best seller Girl With a Pearl Earring, coming to theaters Dec. 12. \"When I saw it in the film contract, I asked them to take it out. But it's standard. And it makes sense: You don't want the author to be undermining the film.\" Fortunately, Chevalier loves the movie. \"It was so beautifully done, I burst into tears,\" she says. \"It had been my baby. Now she's grown up and gotten married and had her own life, and she's a beautiful bride. They captured something that I was looking for when I wrote the book.\""}, {"response": 1373, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (07:34)", "body": "What it says isn't news, but it's news that he's in the gossip column again for the second time in a couple of weeks... from The Green Room by Neil Sean, Metro newspaper Pride and Prejudice star Colin Firth hoped his days as a sex symbol were behind him. But the actor, who shot to fame as Mr Darcy, is still the object of many women's desires. 'He gets thousands of letters from teenage girls declaring their love,' an insider tells me."}, {"response": 1374, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (07:54)", "body": "Fortunately, Chevalier loves the movie. \"It was so beautifully done, I burst into tears,\" I'm not saying I don't believe her, but in light of the article, what else is she going to say? I remember the hubbub over Anne Rice publicly dissing Tom Cruise for Interview With a Vampire, then did quite an about-face and proclaimed her love of him and the movie. I completely agreed with her first assessment. I thought he was the wrong choice, but felt he was more or less ok in the part. Thanks Emma and Mari."}, {"response": 1375, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (09:06)", "body": "In my capacity as official Wet Blanket, this is from David Poland's Hot Button (and you'll recall this guy had GWAPE on his must-see list of big time possibles): What I rushed out for was a screening of Girl With The Pearl Earring, highly touted as a Scarlett Johansson Oscar vehicle. Nope. Love Scarlett, love Colin Firth, love Judy Parfitt and thrilled by finding Essie Davis, which I don\ufffdt recall seeing every before. I even love Vermeer. Well, I like his stuff a lot. But I found Girl With The Pearl Earring to be nearly the height of boredom. I didn\ufffdt like it the first time around when Tom Wilkinson (whose work I also love and who co-stars in this film) and Minnie Driver did it in The Governess. But at least I was kept awake by the opportunity to see Minnie expose her bosom\ufffd and even better, I saw it in a theater with Winona Ryder, who was dating Minnie\ufffds ex at the time, there checking out the competition. I love a good class struggle love story. But being a story of manners is not enough. The emotional theme, that the power of Vermeer\ufffds art drew some women into his vortex and made them his willing victims, did not play out in the story. I\ufffdm pretty comfortable with subtle, but dear lord, there needs to be at least a light pulse beating. If you like Scarlett Johansson, go see Lost In Translation. If you like Colin Firth, rent What A Girl Wants. If you like Judy Parfitt, rent the vastly underrated Delores Clairborne. And if you like films about great artists, it\ufffds back to Adaptation for you! ~~~~~~~~~~ Gaah, am horrified this guy even brought up The Governess...but I have something far more positive from another pro in a bit who has seen it."}, {"response": 1376, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (09:07)", "body": "\"You sign a contract with the studio that says you're not allowed to give the film any bad publicity,...standard\" Jane Smiley did for ATA. But do you blame her? Those reviews on the IMDb and Yahoo board, I view with suspicion. I've know people who posted glowing reviews on CF films who never had seen them yet. That and industry types."}, {"response": 1377, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (09:23)", "body": "(Karen) In my capacity as official Wet Blanket...(quoting) nearly the height of boredom. LOL First of all, this kind of review had to be coming. A film about an artist where everything is implied and the height of eroticism is piercing her ear and seeing her hair? You either get it or you don't. Got my own list of award winning films I don't get (not, of course, that awards for GWAPE are a foregone conclusion.) As for 'official Wet Blanket', I always thought it was more a senior Jedi Master kind of thing, wise in the ways of the force with no illusions about the dark side. It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it. ;-)"}, {"response": 1378, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (09:32)", "body": "Now, the brighter news, from a film magazine writer, based in London, who attended a screening (and this is not his usual genre): \"I loved the movie. Entrancing and beautifully shot. Colin gives one of his enigmatic less-is-more performances but he's so good in it. Everyone is going to be talking about Scarlet though, it's a career-making turn from her. You are really going to enjoy it, I know. And it features one of the most erotic scenes I can recall - even though it's just Vermeer piercing Greit's ear so she can wear the pearl. The film opens in the UK in January now because the rave Variety review from the Telluride Festival has made Pathe rethink their campaign. They believe they have a major art house hit on their hands, and I think they are right.\""}, {"response": 1379, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (09:48)", "body": "(Dorine)in light of the article, what else is she going to say? She could easily have declined to comment, so I think she's being sincere in her praise. (Karen)Gaah, am horrified this guy even brought up The Governess... Quite possibly one of the worst movies of all time. the rave Variety review from the Telluride Festival has made Pathe rethink their campaign. Shows you how much clout Variety has. If I had to pick one, I'd rather have a rave from Variety than a rave from Dave Poland, any day. At least he liked the actors. As Barb said, this won't be everyone's cuppa, and that's fine."}, {"response": 1380, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (09:59)", "body": "But at least I was kept awake by the opportunity to see Minnie expose her bosom\ufffd and even better, I saw it in a theater with Winona Ryder, who was dating Minnie\ufffds ex at the time, there checking out the competition. LOL! I'm not worried about Dave Poland's review...we are obviously looking at different things when we go to a film. Now the other review....... And it features one of the most erotic scenes I can recall - How am I to survive this ??? OH! I'm a mess as it is! They believe they have a major art house hit on their hands, and I think they are right. Yea! That's what I like to hear! I'm sure there will be mediocre and bad reviews, like Mari says... this won't be everyone's cuppa , but I think it may be a winner for ODB!"}, {"response": 1381, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (10:50)", "body": "A preview hard copy thanks to an anonymous fan of Russell Crowe's -- The NY Times, Sunday, Spetember 7: Crib Sheet: What to Read at the Movies by Polly Shulman: Girl With A Pearl Earring Although Tracy Chevalier\ufffds \ufffdGirl With A Pearl Earring\ufffd spent most of 2001 on the New York Times list of best-selling paperbacks, it has all the hallmarks of a successful young-adult novel: a teenage heroine, an educational setting, a painful run-in with love a a tug of war between family responsibilities and the allure of art. Greit, the 16 year old daughter of a 17th century Delft tile painter, finds her social status taking a precipitous drop after her father loses his sight in a kiln explosion. To help feed the family, she goes to work as a maidservant for the painter Johannes Vermeer. She minds the children, washes the linen and keeps the house spotless. But when Vermeer asks her to clean his studio, which is off limits to the rest of the household, her new responsibility rouses the jealousy of both her fellow maid and Vermeer\ufffds wife. As Greit\ufffds master comes to rely on her for her steady hands and her artist\ufffds eye, she finds herself succumbing to dangerous new emotions. (In the film version of this Cinderella-meets-Jane-Eyre story, she is played by Scarlett Johansson. Colin Firth \ufffd cast as Vermeer \ufffd will have to transform his customary Darcy into something closer to Mr. Rochester.) Ms. Chevalier uses the right tools for the job. How better to tell the story of a master painter of interiors than through the eyes of the person who keeps them in order? Ms. Chevalier does a fine job moving from the visual medium of painting to the verbal one of fiction: her writing is meticulous, luminous and introspective, as befits her subject. The book is a natural for the visual language of film; expect gently gleaming brass, rich carpets, long views down hallways and pale light flooding in from high windows on the left. (Dec.12) And the image with the blurb (sorry for the poor scan):"}, {"response": 1382, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (10:56)", "body": "Forgot to add that there is whole article on Scarlett Johansson: Scarlett Johansson, Indie Ingenue and Expert Lolita - \"She's making a specialty of teen-age muses. Next to receive the treatment: Bill Murray and Colin Firth\""}, {"response": 1383, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (10:57)", "body": "Possible heads up on special screenings by Bafta (and who will lead the charge on LA): Hugh Grant will follow in the footsteps of Sir Michael Caine and George Lucas when he receives the Stanley Kubrick Britannia Award for Excellence in Film later this year. The star of Four Weddings and a Funeral, About a Boy and the US hit Two Weeks Notice will collect his honour from BAFTA/LA at a Los Angeles ceremony in November. His next release is the ensemble comedy-romance Love Actually, which is due to open here on November 21."}, {"response": 1384, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (11:00)", "body": "Thanks for the new pic from your friend, Murph! v. interesting shot. You think those are his hands? *snort*"}, {"response": 1385, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (11:08)", "body": "I double those thanks Murph! Yeah, his hands are dipping in and giving me the vapors and I don't think she is faking her reaction either! ( I know I wouldn't be! )"}, {"response": 1386, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (11:21)", "body": "(Maria)I double those thanks Murph! Yeah, his hands are dipping in and giving me the vapors and I don't think she is faking her reaction either! ( I know I wouldn't be!) You said it all, I have nothing more to add about that picture. Except Oh Holy S--t! and thank you, Murph. I'm now a total mess for the weekend;-) They believe they have a major art house hit on their hands, and I think they are right. Oh the joy of positive reviews. David who?"}, {"response": 1387, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (11:43)", "body": "From a review of Toronto FF pics on Eye Weekly: GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING Dir Peter Webber w/ Scarlett Johansson, Colin Firth. 95 min. Gala. Sep 7, 9:30pm, Roy Thomson Hall; Sep 8 noon, Uptown. As muted and still as a Vermeer painting, Girl With a Pearl Earring has atmosphere to burn and a near-total action vacuum. Scarlett Johansson is Griet, a servant sent to the house of artist Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth), a brooding type who quickly sizes her up for his next masterpiece; Johansson's milk-white skin and bruised-looking lips make her a dead ringer for the painting of the film's title. Much of the film dwells on the life of a 17th-century kitchen drudge in the form of Griet's endless chopping, stirring, washing and fetching. When Vermeer initiates her into the life of an artist, it's just more housework for the girl: more fetching and dusting, and now mixing and pounding to make paint. The conflicts in the film are so deeply sublimated, they're almost non-existent. CT"}, {"response": 1388, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (12:36)", "body": "(Maria) I double those thanks Murph! Yeah, his hands are dipping in and giving me the vapors and I don't think she is faking her reaction either! ( I know I wouldn't be!) OMG......that's all.......... oh...and 'thank you Murph'!!"}, {"response": 1389, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (12:52)", "body": "Thank you, Murph! Caribou when does that scene take place, at the piano? Is he thinking of Griet? The conflicts in the film are so deeply sublimated, they're almost non-existent. Something to think about. Now to HS. Yes it is at all the major important theaters near me. I have quite a choice of places to see it. There is no review in the Miami Herald. Only a huge half page add in the weekend magazine with a quotation from Cosmopolitan which gives it 4 stars and says: A Sweet Subtle Delight. Lora is out of town till next week so I might have to drag DH to see it. Oh Dear! Does anyone know if it's going to play anywhere else in the US? Good luck to our Toronto FF representsatives!!! We await your full report."}, {"response": 1390, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (13:04)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1391, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (13:12)", "body": "Thanks for the pic, Murph! Boy, those 17th century people sure were filthy. My kingdom for a Jacuzzi!;-) Sounds like that's the scene where Scarlett said she felt wounded, watching him stroke and kiss his wife. (Moon)I might have to drag DH to see it. Oh Dear! Why put the 2 of you through that?;-) Just go see it yourself. I sometimes go to the movies by myself, and have noticed many lone women in theaters. If the men don't want to go, screw 'em, I say. Let 'em sit home. Is the pic in the ad the same as the poster? They obviously didn't preview it for critcs, and that's why there are no reviews."}, {"response": 1392, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (13:25)", "body": "OMG Karen, if those pictures are what Caribou was talking about on Spoilers when she said ...it doesn't sound all that impressive to say he comes over, opens the lid, and later points out how it works I get the point. Wherever did you get those pictures? And if things like this are going to be coming out piecemeal til the film is released, I don't know if my heart can stand it!"}, {"response": 1393, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (13:47)", "body": "Grrrrr, I've lightened my screen as much as I can, and I can just *barely* make out your pic, Karen. If it's what I think it is....mmmmmmmm. (Mari) Just go see it yourself. I sometimes go to the movies by myself, and have noticed many lone women in theaters. If the men don't want to go, screw 'em, I say. Let 'em sit home. LOL! I second that! I know it's better to go with someone in order to share the experience, but if I hadn't gone by myself to WAGW, I wouldn't have gone at all, denying myself the big screen HD experience. I don't think I'm going to get the opportunity to see HS, even alone; I checked all over Kentucky and northern Tennessee, and nada :( Many thanks to all for the fantastic GWAPE news reports..."}, {"response": 1394, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (13:51)", "body": "That noise you hear is the sound of buzz fizzling.:-( From Jeff Wells's column. Great for Colin, though: There was some pre-festival heat about Peter Webber's GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING, mainly due to excitement over LOST IN TRANSLATION's Scarlett Johansson playing the lead. I caught it last night at a 6 pm screening, and I can't say I was thrilled. It's handsomely shot and produced -- the Dutch period dressings are a trip in themselves, and the soft-lit photography by Eduardo Serra (UNBREAKABLE) has a lustrous painterly aura, but dramatically the film is just okay. And Johansson, who's innately talented but is only 18, is nowhere near as intriguing or captivating in this as she is in the Sofia Coppola film. A period drama set in 17th Century Holland and based on Tracy Chevalier's novel, it's about how a well-known Johannes Vermeer painting came to be. Johansson plays Griet, a peasant girl who lands a job as a maid in the home of Vermeer, played by Colin Firth. She eventually becomes the model for Vermeer's portrait, but not without cost. Vermeer quietly develops the hots for her, and his wife and family eventually take notice (especially his wife), recriminations result, and Griet gets shafted. And Vermeer, entirely responsible for her misfortune, doesn't lift a finger. Firth's Vermeer is the strongest performance by far. I believed in him every step of the way -- the burning intensity, conjugal weaknesses, repressed longings and hints of lechery. IN THE BEDROOM's Tom Wilkinson is also quite good as Van Ruijven,Vermeer's financial backer. Johansson's performance was okay, but I began to be bothered after a while that her mouth was always open. Whatever the scene, whatever the moment (with the exception of her romantic scenes with 28 DAYS LATER's Cillian Murphy), she responds with her lips slightly parted -- a look of fear, docility, intimidation. There's not enough range. GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING is kind of a companion piece to LOST IN TRANSLATION, in a way -- older accomplished guy falls for much younger woman, a marriage contract and other constraints prevent the relationship from going anywhere, but a touching residue endures in the aftermath. I wasn't angered or turned off, but I wasn't floored either. It'll be an okay attraction for older audiences who go for this kind of thing."}, {"response": 1395, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (14:16)", "body": "I've been ecstatic for the past few days, what with Caribou's wonderful reports and the screen captures posted. I was counting the weeks until November. But now, because it's expected to do so well, it's release in the UK is being delayed?! And I was so looking forward to a very special birthday treat."}, {"response": 1396, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (14:22)", "body": "Yes, they'd want it closer to your Baftas as well for more impact."}, {"response": 1397, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (15:18)", "body": "the burning intensity, conjugal weaknesses, repressed longings and hints of lechery Ooooh! Me likee!! Thanks all."}, {"response": 1398, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (15:23)", "body": "There are more pics here, all made possible by our go-getter Caribou: http://www.firth.com/gwape_gal_cap1.html"}, {"response": 1399, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (15:26)", "body": "I saw the hands...how could I miss them??? Decided to see if Karen had posted new pics to the GWAPE gallery...run...don't walk! THANK YOU Caribou and Karen!!!!!"}, {"response": 1400, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (15:49)", "body": "Fantastic GWAPE page, Karen. Thanks, Caribou! It'll be an okay attraction for older audiences who go for this kind of thing. I am still part of the younger audience, TYVM! We will see this typte of prejudice from reviewers that don't care for period pieces, but feel that they can't put the film down. And Johansson, who's innately talented but is only 18, is nowhere near as intriguing or captivating in this as she is in the Sofia Coppola film. It was the opposite reaction at Telluride. Just go see it yourself. I sometimes go to the movies by myself, and have noticed many lone women in theaters. If the men don't want to go, screw 'em, I say. I'd go alone too, I saw BJD in London by myself. Somehow, I just can't believe that HS will be around for more than 3 days. I have this feeling that if I don't see it now. It'll be gone. Silly huh? ;-)"}, {"response": 1401, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (16:10)", "body": "Fantastic page of captures, boss.Gotta put in the pic at the pianoforte, whoa! Steamy. Thanks Caribou..first time we've had captures before the trailer has even been shown! I don't like the long mangy hair though...Hands are better. \"but I began to be bothered after a while that her mouth was always open. \" Ohgod...think Jodhi May coached her? Methinks I'll quit reading the negative reviews."}, {"response": 1402, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (16:10)", "body": "closed"}, {"response": 1403, "author": "caribou", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (16:36)", "body": "You're welcomes all around. I've been so excited to share this. (Moon)Caribou when does that scene take place, at the piano? Is he thinking of Griet? (Mari)Sounds like that's the scene where Scarlett said she felt wounded, watching him stroke and kiss his wife. This is a pic of the gold/persuasion/key scene. He's talking about having Griet sleep in the attic and Catharina lock her in herself but Griet and Vermeer aren't very close at that point so, I didn't get the impression he was thinking of her as much as the work she could do for him. I think SJ was referring to the red/caress/pianoforte scene. That's the one where Griet stops what she's doing and watches from the shadows. I haven't seen any stills of that one yet. But, it is so beautiful!"}, {"response": 1404, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (16:48)", "body": "Thank you so much, Caribou and Karen. The hands alone are enough to make me completely smitten by this production, so who knows what the movie will do to me. Whatever - bring it on, nomatter the reviews. About the delaying in the UK; if it will help him win a BAFTA, you'll have to try to cope, Janet, though I know it must be hard. About HS, I got a mail from a UK site today, saying it will be released on dvd (R2) this November. So - only 2 months till I can judge for myself how god/bad it actually is."}, {"response": 1405, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (18:43)", "body": "Whew! I wish it were still cold and rainy, here. I'm so nuts. Those hands, those pictures. Karen and Caribou what can I say? Thank you just doesn't seem to do it. But, thank you. Moon, I had to see WAGW and TIOBE alone, many times. As soon as I'd say, \"Anyone up for a movie\" the whole neighborhood would clear out. Always reminded me of the wild west when everyone took cover before a gun fight. Sheesh."}, {"response": 1406, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (18:52)", "body": "Great! Great!! Great!!! What can I say that hasn't been said much better than I can muster up? I see the hands, and the dimples through the stubble and the eyes....... Great gallery Karen and Caribou! I'm guessing that the photos by the window is the scene where he asks her what colors she sees in the clouds. Don't answer... this isn't spoilers, I'm just gushing. I'm one of the fans of this book before ODB was in the picture and think he's perfect for this role. It sounds as though this is one of those quiet films that you have to *lean into*. I love it! Always so much more engaging IMNSHO and I love leaning into ODB. I'm tired of being clobbered at the *movies* and am sure I will watch this countless times."}, {"response": 1407, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (19:45)", "body": "(Moon) Good luck to our Toronto FF representsatives!!! We await your full report. Okay...I'm beginning to freak out a bit (beginning is stretching it...I've been in overload for a few days now, but tried to remain calm here because I didn't want to clutter things up here with my incessant babble...). I may not get on the board again before I leave, but will try to get to a PC as soon as I can after the Gala. I want to do Caribou proud...she did such an amazing reporting job. There a a few droolers that have my cell number and I will have it on as soon as I can...if they are awake, they are welcome to call and report any news back. I'll try to fill in the blanks a bit later...hope I am conscious and can remember everything! DH was very sweet and bought me a new camera yesterday. Holds 600 pics...I told him I didn't think I would be getting that many, but I can try...LOL!! Have a great weekend ladies! Hope to have a few pictures and stories worthy of sharing!"}, {"response": 1408, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (20:50)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1409, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (20:52)", "body": "OMG, OMG, OMG! Thanks Caribou and Karen for the gallery."}, {"response": 1410, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (22:42)", "body": "Oooooh my! Thank you Karen and Caribou for those lovely pictures! Tress, I hope you have a wonderful time! Can't wait to hear all the news. I'll keep my fingers crossed that you don't pass out at ODB's feet;-)!"}, {"response": 1411, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (23:36)", "body": "Caribou and Karen, thanks for sharing those pics. The one of him smiling is a heart stopper. Tress, best of luck to you and have fun at the Gala. Can't wait to hear back from you! How nice your DH bought you a camera. What a guy."}, {"response": 1412, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (23:52)", "body": "Tress! OMG! I just hope the best for you (knowing you already have the best at home...whatta DH!) 600 or bust! Go for it!"}, {"response": 1413, "author": "caribou", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (23:56)", "body": "Okay, one little, last, loose end about Telluride and then on to Toronto and London!! Shoshana posted the TFF poster in post 1272. Did everyone except me realize it asks and answers the question: \"Why did the chicken cross the road? To go to the Show!\" DH understood the very first time he looked at it. I had to read the article telling me it was a chicken. I thought it was a duck and was thinking \"Why is there a duck in Colorado?\" DH said, \"She has a very hard time with The Far Side.\" I guess so!!! Now, onward and upward to Toronto! Tress, I hope you have a wonderful, safe time. Hope you think it was worth your while! We all do eagerly await your report."}, {"response": 1414, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (02:03)", "body": "Tress, have a great time. So good of your DH to provide you with a camera. Remember to enjoy every minute. You never know if/when you'll get a chance like this. Go girl, go :-) Caribou, thanks for explaining about the poster. I hadn't found neither questions nor answers in the poster, but am afraid I'm a bit \"onetracked\" at the moment. I have my head full of CF pictures and not much else :-)"}, {"response": 1415, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (04:00)", "body": "RE GWAPE release date. (Quote from BAFTA Site): Films are eligible if released within the awards year 1 january - 31 december 2003 or 'qualified' by being screened to academy film voting members by monday december 19th 2003 and then opened to a public paying audience for no fewer than 7 consecutive days by friday 16th january 2004. So at least I know the release date won't be any later than the first week in January. Small consolation!"}, {"response": 1416, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (04:02)", "body": "Sorry for the double posting. For all of you lucky people going to Toronto, have a wonderful time, and take lots of pics!"}, {"response": 1417, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (06:16)", "body": "Thank you Caribou and Karen for the wonderful pics. Brings it to life. Doreen and Caribou thank your so much for your personal observations. Great stuff. Mari and Murph thank you for all the articles and reviews, and Murph that pic is outstanding. I agree that this film is not going to be everyone's cuppa, some people just don't like this kind of film. IMO liking or disliking a film is a very personal thing. I think viewers are all going to like it for their own personal reasons, some for the book, some for the cast, and some just for Colin. But for whatever reason this seems to be a winner and I can't wait to see it. Good luck Tress. Have a blast."}, {"response": 1418, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (06:26)", "body": "Wqw, those pics are great! Thanks a lot Caribou and Karen for sharing them. Tress, have a wonderful time in Toronto and good luck."}, {"response": 1419, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (08:39)", "body": "Thanks Caribou and Karen for the wonderful caps. I was blown away by the one with him smiling at Griet after reading all the comments about JV being so reserved and repressed. And the one with his hands on Catharina's neck and *neckline* just about made me pass out;-) Thanks Dorine for sharing the SJ interview. I'm intrigued by her comment on how she felt so jealous when she saw JV caress his wife. This film set must have been v. intense for everyone concerned. Tress, take every opportunity of enjoying yourself and don't forget to check out his cologne when he leans in for the photo;-) We are with you in spirit and can't wait to hear your reports!"}, {"response": 1420, "author": "birdy", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (08:57)", "body": "Thanks to Caribou and Karen I have reached an almost fevered anticipation of this film - I may have to protrate myself upon my fainting couch with a cold rag on my forehead until this thing reaches Austin:-D Me thinks this fervor stems from us being teased by WAGW and HS, knowing what volcanic dramatic and erotic potential can be just around the corner. Please, please, please - may this one be it! (Mari) Just go see it yourself. I sometimes go to the movies by myself, and have noticed many lone women in theaters. One of them just might have been me. You may be self-conscious the first time -but once you do it, it gets easier and easier (kinda like loosing your virginity...)"}, {"response": 1421, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (09:18)", "body": "These bits are in the NY Times (9/7) interview with Johannson: \"...Of Mr. Firth, she laughed, \"Colin was just so amusing.\"... \"In Girl With A Pearl Earring,\" Johannes Vermeer (Mr. Firth) ensures the eternal youth of Ms Johannson's Griet, his maid, by painting her portrait. The picture scandalizes the household, but restores Vermeer's foundering reputation. With her eyebrows bleached to white, and her lips perpetually sealed in deference, Ms. Johannson makes a spectacle of disappearing. Moreover, her own luminosity seems to justify her special intimacy with light, as when she semi-cleans the windows of Vermeer's studio so as to illuminate his still-lifes without eclipsing them.\""}, {"response": 1422, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (09:48)", "body": "Good luck, Tress!! Looking forward to your report. I'm sure it will be extra special. (Hen) I was blown away by the one with him smiling at Griet after reading all the comments about JV being so reserved and repressed. He broke into a smile a few times (one big toothy Valmont type); whenever she \"got it.\" (and the one by the window is the \"color of clouds\" scene)"}, {"response": 1423, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (11:05)", "body": "Canadian TV alert!! There will be a televised interview with Colin on CBC sometime next week. No details yet."}, {"response": 1424, "author": "socadook", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (11:43)", "body": "(Louise) but once you do it, it gets easier and easier (kinda like loosing your virginity...) How many times can you lose it? ;-) Don't mind me, I finally saw HS last night. Thanks to all for the great GWAPE extravaganza. It's doing wonders for my recovery from HS-itis."}, {"response": 1425, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (11:52)", "body": "(Sonia) It's doing wonders for my recovery from HS-itis. To paraphrase Glinda, is this a good disease or a bad disease? Let us know on Spoilers. ;-D"}, {"response": 1426, "author": "socadook", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (11:56)", "body": "(Karen) To paraphrase Glinda, is this a good disease or a bad disease? Let us know on Spoilers. ;-D Since I need to recover from it, you decide ;-) Details on Spoilers later tonight. For now, gotta run."}, {"response": 1427, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (12:00)", "body": "Well, many people have *never* recovered from P&P, so it could go either way... I know people who adore L-dum. Anything is possible and that's why Baskin Robins makes 31 flavors. ;-D"}, {"response": 1428, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (12:55)", "body": "Off you go, Tress. Good wishes and vibes are coming your way. Remember, if fainting occurs...fall forward. More from the NY Times article in this mornings Arts and Leisure section: I loved the title and the bit in bold print: Scarlett Johansson, Indie Ingenue and Expert Lolita. ...She's making a specialty of teenage muses. Next to receive the treatment: Bill Murray and Colin firth ...She believes men over 40 need women like her. \"Men have no aid to tell them that they're getting older,\" she said. \"They just see their bodies decaying. A young, fertile, fruitful woman can help you across that bridge.\" This season alone, Ms. Johansson becomes two more young, fertile, fruitful women, crossing mortal bridges with middle-aged characters played by Bill Murray and , Colin Firth in high-minded and subdued movies. ...Of Hollywood, Ms. Johannson proclaimed, \"When vanity's all around you, you can feel filthy.\" Of social life, she sighed, \"Opium's big right now.\" Of Mr. Firth, she laughed, \"Colin was just so amusing.\""}, {"response": 1429, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (13:12)", "body": "My best wishes for your success, Tress! If only there were a song for Tress as there was for Caribou, so for right now I'll hum \"O Canada\" and think good thoughts. ;-)"}, {"response": 1430, "author": "birdy", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (13:28)", "body": "(Louise) but once you do it, it gets easier and easier (kinda like loosing your virginity...) (Sonia) How many times can you lose it? ;-) I'll be more vigilant in supplying double winkies in the future."}, {"response": 1431, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (13:31)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1432, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (13:32)", "body": "(SJ) \"They just see their bodies decaying.\" Eowww!! :-("}, {"response": 1433, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (14:58)", "body": "(SJ)They just see their bodies decaying. Not a good mental image, lol. Tress, best of luck on your trip! (Shoshana) If only there were a song for Tress as there was for Caribou \"Blame Canada\" ;)"}, {"response": 1434, "author": "birdy", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (16:08)", "body": "SJ interview...She believes men over 40 need women like her. \"Men have no aid to tell them that they're getting older,\" she said. \"They just see their bodies decaying. can help you across that bridge.\" Grimace. I thought \"young fertile, fruitful woman\" was what keeps the myth of their youth going and a swift kick in the butt was what helps them cross that bridge;-D"}, {"response": 1435, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (17:40)", "body": "Tress...don't forget to take..."}, {"response": 1436, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (09:10)", "body": "On line version of the NY Times section mentioned the other date. (Free registration of USA residents required) Crib Sheet: What To Read At The Movies"}, {"response": 1437, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (09:36)", "body": "Here's the final poster for Love Actually, courtesy of Sue (an AR fan):"}, {"response": 1438, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (09:55)", "body": "I like that Colin's \"above the bow\" ;-D"}, {"response": 1439, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (11:19)", "body": "Thanks for the poster Karen its, great, and I love the 31 flavors. So true. Ms J is quite open in her comments. Thanks everyone for the news."}, {"response": 1440, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (12:02)", "body": "(Karen)I like that Colin's \"above the bow\" ;-D Hee hee, me too. Thanks, K. Again, many many thanks to Caribou for those wonderful captures from GWAPE, and for the lovely way you've described the film. Your reports have been a joy to read! Please do consider posting a review on Ain't It Cool News and Dark Horizons. Was just pondering the fact that Lion's Gate only has a single web page for this one so far, whereas Karen has an entire site built already!:-) Here's more GWAPE-related stuff from the NY Times article on SJ: In \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" Johannes Vermeer (Mr. Firth) ensures the eternal youth of Ms. Johansson's Griet, his maid, by painting her portrait. The picture scandalizes the household but restores Vermeer's foundering reputation. With her eyebrows bleached to white, and her lips perpetually sealed in deference, Ms. Johansson makes a spectacle of disappearing. Moreover, her own luminosity seems to justify her special intimacy with light, as when she semi-cleans the windows of Vermeer's studio so as to illuminate his still-lifes without eclipsing them. Reflecting on the pretty movie, Ms. Johansson credited the film's director of photography, Eduardo Serra, with achieving a balance of light and shadow that could stand alongside Vermeer's. \"Our D.P. was incredible,\" she said. \"He knew immediately how to light me.\" (Ms. Johansson, who plans to direct someday, attends closely to all details of film production.) One of Mr. Serra's techniques, however, unnerved her. \"I always had a fill below me,\" she said. \"It's that thing that a lot of older actresses have to get rid of their imperfections.\" One evening, a camera assistant explained it to her: \"You have this little bit of\" \ufffd she squeezed some flesh around her lips \ufffd \"that's raised.\" Ms. Johansson gasped, in earnest, at the memory. She pouted. Even contemplating her shortcomings, Ms. Johansson's self-assurance was breathtaking. And no flaw was apparent."}, {"response": 1441, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (13:38)", "body": "(Ms. Johansson, who plans to direct someday, attends closely to all details of film production.) That's the answer to my question. Thanks, Mari!"}, {"response": 1442, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (15:17)", "body": "Thanks, Karen for the LA poster. I keep forgetting about this one with all the GWAPE news."}, {"response": 1443, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (15:37)", "body": "(Karen)I like that Colin's \"above the bow\" ;-D Karen, thanks for the great poster. I love when he does that secretive little almost-a-grin. Also, was very pleased with the new films in the NYT. Thanks for the heads up. The pic of Vermeer and Catharina under my fingers... wow!"}, {"response": 1444, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (15:48)", "body": "Wire Image is starting to put up the GWAPE publicity pics, just taken. Looking as devastating as ever (from what I can see). I'm sure the Boss can figure out a way to see them larger.:-) http://www.wireimage.com"}, {"response": 1445, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (15:49)", "body": "The idiots have the name of the movie wrong.:-("}, {"response": 1446, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (17:25)", "body": "Thank you Mari, (Mari)devastating as ever (from what I can see). I'll say. Wow. The second picture is v.devastating. If he looks this good two hours from now, we may never hear from Tress, again. She will have drowned herself in that bucket Evelyn posted yesterday. (Mari)The idiots have the name of the movie wrong.:-( Sheesh! I just e-mailed the idiots and let them know!;-("}, {"response": 1447, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (18:28)", "body": "I've got an account at Wire Image - Not supposed to copy, but just this once...."}, {"response": 1448, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (18:41)", "body": "Mary, Thank you. You're a star!! BTW, what's happened to his curls?"}, {"response": 1449, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (18:44)", "body": "Thanks, Murph. I have an account, too, but didn't think I could crop all the disclaimers around it. ;-)"}, {"response": 1450, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (18:52)", "body": "Thank you Mari and Murphy! (LindaK)Sheesh! I just e-mailed the idiots and let them know!;-( All is right now. Thanks! So is Tress in the midst of Firthful rapture now? I find I can think of little else than wanting to be in Toronto too."}, {"response": 1451, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (19:10)", "body": "I've put all four pics up here...hopefully we'll get more from the screenings http://www.firth.com/p_eye8.html"}, {"response": 1452, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (19:12)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1453, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (19:13)", "body": "Oh YUMMY! He's got 2 parties to straddle tonigt! Lucky lucky Laura. Thaks Murph and Karen for the othewrs. http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20030908/capt.1062979397.canada_film_festival_cpth109 ."}, {"response": 1454, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (19:14)", "body": "Grr, let's see if this works: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/030908/168/57d32.html&e=3&ncid=707"}, {"response": 1455, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (19:20)", "body": "Thanks all...lotsa teeth...lookin' happy. Has two winners;-))))"}, {"response": 1456, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (19:21)", "body": "Okay, have added the Laura Linney one to http://www.firth.com/p_eye8.html"}, {"response": 1457, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (19:24)", "body": "(Karen) I've put all four pics up here...hopefully we'll get more from the screenings That open neck and untucked shirt is killing me. *sigh* If he'd had stubble, too......just say \"Goodnight, Gracie.\" ;-D"}, {"response": 1458, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (19:42)", "body": "(Evelyn) Thanks all...lotsa teeth...lookin' happy. Has two winners;-)))) .....night on the town.....stag! ;-D"}, {"response": 1459, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (19:44)", "body": "(Janet)BTW, what's happened to his curls? Looks like he's getting ready for Mark Darcy mode?;-) OMG Tress should be in his presence right about NOW! Thank you, Karen and everyone for the pictures and links."}, {"response": 1460, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (20:13)", "body": "Thanks Murph, Karen and Mari for the fantastic photos. Evelyn, he's wearing your suit to the LA premiere! We should have warned Tress to take some smelling salts;-) (Dorine)That open neck and untucked shirt is killing me. *sigh* If he'd had stubble, too......just say \"Goodnight, Gracie.\" ;-D I say Amen to that!"}, {"response": 1461, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (21:29)", "body": "New one from the GWAPE premiere:"}, {"response": 1462, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (21:29)", "body": "Don't know I can be doing this..but here it goes"}, {"response": 1463, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (21:31)", "body": "Ahhh, Karen you beat me to it..good thing yours worked and mine didn't;-)."}, {"response": 1464, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (22:26)", "body": "He looks AF fantastic."}, {"response": 1465, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (23:08)", "body": "Wireimage pics are up. Not many of Colin. :( Maybe more later?"}, {"response": 1466, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (23:12)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1467, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (23:32)", "body": "I've added two of them. Can't crop the other two long shots because of Colin's height. You can see the others here: http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=GLS====35193&str=&styp=&sfld=&PageNum=1&lg=Y There might be more eventually. Wonder why there aren't more from the Love Actually special screening."}, {"response": 1468, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (00:56)", "body": "Just got off the phone with Tress....for the *3rd* time tonight \ufffd cell phone problems on her end. (big winkie for Tress). She wanted me to pass a few things on. Will rattle off a few notes and she can fill in the more colorful details when she gets back and is available to post (probably not until Wed, possibly very late Tues). These notes are in no particular order or importance. **The movie was beautiful. More interesting descriptions on the way. **No confirmation on baby info when asked by someone....just smiled. **Not overly gabby to fans. Scarlett whisked right through, no autographs. He looked like he would do same, but hesitated, then signed some. They were positioned right where he got out of the limo. She got there 4 hours early. **She got 11 pics, about half are stunning (or some adjective like that), she said. **He was signing some then turned to leave, she whined his name, and he came back to sign hers. **She was pierced by Colin....yep that\ufffds right! When he handed the book and Sharpie back to her, he handed back point first and it stabbed her. **Sat one balcony above him with excellent sight line to him. **Called on stage at beginning, but he (nor SJ) didn\ufffdt speak. **After the movie, was able to stand near him approx 10 feet away for \"extended\" period of time with perfect sightline of him standing there, hands clasped in front, smiling closed mouth, dimply smile. Then walked right past her 5 feet away. **Dennie Gordon there. **Was, in fact, wearing *brown* shoes. :-("}, {"response": 1469, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (01:04)", "body": "(Dorine) **She was pierced by Colin.... Hee hee hee, that's wonderful! Couldn't wait for Tress's \"juicy\" report!"}, {"response": 1470, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (01:33)", "body": "Oooh! Can't wait to hear Tress fill in all the details and see those \"stunning\" pics. *salivating profusely* Premiere magazine, which sponsored the gala held a party tonight. So far, no pics of Colin, though Scarlett was there, as well as Mary Steenburgen and Jennifer Tilly. Not like he didn't know anyone else going."}, {"response": 1471, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (02:46)", "body": "For those of us in the US...he's on our our continent tonight!!!"}, {"response": 1472, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (03:38)", "body": "BBeautiful pics! Thanks Karen, Mary, Mari, Dorine! Can't wait to hear all the details from Tress! Good news for LA... http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/entertainment/films/articles/6583875?source=Evening%20Standard"}, {"response": 1473, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (04:37)", "body": "Great pictures and reports. Thank you very much Thanks for the link, Maria (btw - are you a nightowl too? :-)) http://www.shadowsonthewall.co.uk/03/girlwith.htm I hope, this hasn't been posted before. Okay review af GWAPE"}, {"response": 1474, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (04:57)", "body": "(Karen)Wonder why there aren't more from the Love Actually special screening Was wondering that myself as LA was earlier in the day. Thank you, Dorine, for the Tress report. Autograph, pictures, piercing. She did fantastic. I can't wait for her to post. Brown shoes, huh? What else is new;-) ... thanks Maria and Annette. Karen, great job on the pictures, thanks very much."}, {"response": 1475, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (05:10)", "body": "Sorry, but I forgot this According to the link below. Scarlet Johansson will be on The Today Show on Wednesday...of course to talk about her \"other\" film, but maybe she'll spill the beans to Katie. Thought will all the anticipation of publicity this site may help. http://talkshows.about.com/bldailysched.htm"}, {"response": 1476, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (05:14)", "body": "Way to go, Tress! Can't wait to see those pictures and hear more of your encounter with ODB. Thanks Dorine for reporting on Tress's success. Thanks Karen for getting those pics up so quickly. And thanks to Maria and Annette, as always, for your great finds. This place is going to rock this week! Bring it on!!!"}, {"response": 1477, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (05:59)", "body": "A not-so-in-favour review about GWAPE: The movie earned strong notices at its world premiere last week at the Telluride Film Festival, and Lions Gate plans to release it for prime Oscar consideration in early December. But beyond the dark-hued, Vermeer-inspired color palette, there's not much of interest here -- certainly not the overwrought central drama about Vermeer's wife (Essie Davis) and her jealous rage toward the maid. It's a literal and figurative case of watching paint dry. http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/living/6707639.htm"}, {"response": 1478, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (06:53)", "body": "Enjoying the perks of 'Mr. Darcy' British actor Colin Firth finds lots of benefits to being typecast in the Pride and Prejudice role Jay Stone The Ottawa Citizen Monday, September 08, 2003 ADVERTISEMENT Colin Firth wants you to know that he is not Mark Darcy. His children do not call him Mr. Darcy. His private life is not lived in drawing rooms. He does not want to be buried in a Victorian smoking jacket, the way Bela Lugosi insisted on being dressed in his Dracula cape in the grave. Still, the British actor with the charming voice and impeccable manners is forever associated with Mr. Darcy, the love interest in the BBC adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and the rival for Ren\ufffde Zellweger's hand in Bridget Jones's Diary, not to mention the upcoming sequel. It's a burden he is happy to bear. \"I would say the perks are stronger than the adverse effects,\" Firth said yesterday during a round of Toronto film festival interviews to promote his latest movie, Girl With A Pearl Earring. In that film, he plays Johannes Vermeer, the 17th-century Dutch painter. The movie is historical fiction and speculates on how Vermeer came to create the famous painting of the title, the portrait of a young girl turning to look provocatively at the viewer. The answer has something to do with rising star Scarlett Johansson, who plays an alluringly innocent maid in the Vermeer household. Firth's role is almost silent; his Vermeer has long hair and a week-old beard, and he works quiet hours in his studio obsessing over colours. He is not Mark Darcy, but neither, says Firth, is the role a real departure for him. \"I don't think it's enough of a departure to call it a departure,\" he enunciates in a voice that was trained for the British stage before it found its place in a series of romantic films. \"I've played a fairly taciturn character in period drama before. But not quite like this.\" Because not much is known about Vermeer, Firth had to invent him from looking at his paintings -- which are so scattered around the world that the prospect of \"visiting all the Vermeers in the world\" is used as a synonym for wide travel in the film Hannibal -- and reading about his life. \"The tacit nature of the character has been drawn somewhat on the tacit nature of the paintings. You have this sense of quiet in the work within what must have necessarily been a chaotic household. There's no question about it, with 11 children running around. It was an active world. He grew up in a pub. The beer consumption was enormous. This was a world that wasn't as calm and tranquil as the paintings might lead you to believe.\" Firth said he found both the paintings and the character elusive, which was what drew him to a role in a movie that he thinks is a risk: will people want to watch a slow-moving story, designed as beautifully as a Dutch masterpiece, about how a famous painting was created? It's the kind of risk that Firth's success has allowed him to take. And the success is mostly due to the non-elusive Mr. Darcy. \"He's certainly taken over my public life, and interviews. And he helps me get a table in a restaurant. ... I doubt if I would be doing Girl With A Pearl Earring right now if it wasn't for Mark Darcy.\" The actor -- who co-stars in the upcoming Love, Actually with Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson and Liam Neeson, which had a work-in-progress screening at the festival last night -- says there's no concern about being typecast in the Darcy role. \"It's bigger than me anyway. It's fine. As long as it's not stopping me doing other things, which it clearly isn't at the moment. My own experience has felt very varied through it all. I would say it's very much an asset that's enabled me to be employed. It gives me a living. And it gives me a little bit of choice. It means I'm a little more feasible.\" The Austen role has turned Firth into something of an unlikely sex symbol: Mr. Darcy's charm and commitment to love, as well as Firth's wavy-haired good looks, have engaged thousands of female fans. Firth says he has heard this mentioned before, but he still has the grace to blush. \"People have told me that sort of thing. Anybody would be flattered. I have pretty well the same reaction as any guy. Where do you meet these people?\" His mysterious Vermeer may not provoke the same reactions -- the long hair, the subject matter, the non-romantic tone make it unlikely -- although he plays the role with the same undercurrent of decency familiar in all his performances. He says that he looks for that in all his characters because it's an actor's responsibility to humanize the people he inhabits. Firth, who lives in London with his wife, grew up in a crowd of art students, but he says he was the only one who didn't really understand visual art. He didn't know what he was supposed to look at in a painting. \"I panicked a little,\" he says. \"It didn't move, it didn't speak, it didn't sing, it had no narrative, and so I used to wonder where this impact was supposed to come "}, {"response": 1479, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (07:00)", "body": "Reviews of GWAPE and LA from Moviehole's Paul Fischer. So now it begins, the busiest North American film festival on the planet. The first weekend is where it all happens: the biggest stars, the biggest films and the studios run overtime with press junkets, screenings and interviews. Day One was more tiring than usual since I chose to get an all-night red eye from Los Angeles, arriving in sunny Toronto at 6 am. No sleep, just enough time to check in, and begin with my first screening here of Girl with a Pearl Earring, a speculative account of the life of Griet, a 16-year-old girl who appears in Johannes Vermeer's painting of the same title. Set in 17th century Holland, Griet (Scarlett Johansson) is employed by Vermeer (Colin Firth) as a housemaid to care for his six children, his jealous pregnant wife and his uncommunicative mother-in-law. Tensions arise when Vermeer's wife suspects intimacy between her husband and the girl, and climax when she discovers that Griet borrowed her precious pearl earrings to sit for the now famous portrait. Perhaps not the ideal film to sit through having had less than two hours sleep, Girl is a leisurely paced but seductive period piece, glorious on the eye, and a dazzling in its subtle tone. It\ufffds quite the year for the beautiful Johansson, whose performance here is graced with intricacy and maturity. She emits much with little dialogue, encapsulating a portrait of repression desperate for her own inner freedom, and the actress communicates those feelings with skill and depth. She is a major star-on-the-rise. Firth is equally magnificent as the tortured painter. Breathtaking to look at, Girl with Pearl Earring is a fascinating and remarkable tale, beautifully crafted by first-timer Peter Webber. Saving the best to last and the perfect way to end the day, is Love Actually, marking the directorial debut of the ingenious Richard Curtis. Toronto screened the film as a work-in-progress, and aren\ufffdt we glad they did! This ensemble comedy tells ten separate (but intertwining) stories of love in London (with a small portion set in France), leading up to a big climax on Christmas Eve. One of the threads follows the brand new (unmarried) Prime Minister (Hugh Grant) of the United Kingdom, who on his first day in 10 Downing Street falls in love with the girl (Martine McCutcheon) who brings him his tea (Emma Thompson plays his sister; Alan Rickman plays her husband who falls for his secretary). Another story follows the relationship between a widowed stepfather (Liam Neeson) and his young stepson, who ends up giving the youngster love advice. Then there\ufffds the writer [Colin Firth] who falls in love with his Italian housekeeper. We live in cynical times, and so a film such as Love Actually, a grown up film for adults, is a rarity and a welcome surprise. Curtis has written a perfect screenplay, one that combines the comic irreverence we know so well, with finely etched characters who possess a flawed humanity. As deliriously funny this film is at times, it remains a moving and even heartbreaking tale of the pangs of love, loss, requited and unrequited love, and deep friendships. We see here the genuine love between men and women, fathers and sons, close friends, lusty betrayals, and in fact a microcosm of human relationships, with all their idiosyncrasies. We are human, and maestro Curtis has crafted the most perfect human comedy in years, with performances to match, from Hugh Grant\ufffds delightful Prime Minister, to a perfectly controlled and magnificent performance by Emma Thompson. Multi-textured with a variety of tones that encapsulate human behaviour in all its diversity, Love Actually is a wonderful, comic and poetic work, stylis ly crafted, and a joy to watch and listen to. This Christmas, Love Actually is the perfect end-of-year film, and the most exquisite romantic comedy seen in a decade. And on that note, it\ufffds good night till another bracing day of Festival madness. - PAUL FISCHER Friday Sep 05 Campion In the Cut-ting room Wasn't he going to stay away from action? McYeah whatever...\"Super\" who? Angel's on the Outfield First Sign of the \"Apocalypse\" Universal aboard Whedon's wonky ship Clints Bits - 5/9 Thursday Sep 04 Interview : Eli Roth \"Man Thing\" picks playmates and pad Lucas in the \"Bat\" mix too? It's all about Anderson? Not as 'Fantastic' as what we thought she was up for What Cinemas will be showing in 2020 What's with Edgerton and Swords? He had \"A Beautiful Mind\" too? Clints Bits - 4/9 Wednesday Sep 03 Interview : John Singleton - Boyz N the Hood DVD Star-studded \"Oceans\" flow into France You'd think his Timeline was running out? Karvan her up another piece of Lucas Angel seems to be back in the 'Buff"}, {"response": 1480, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (07:01)", "body": "Whoops, sorry for not cutting out the extraneous stuff. Dorine, thanks for Tress's early report."}, {"response": 1481, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (07:44)", "body": "Thank you ladies for then reviews and pictures. Tress sounds like she's had a blast. Can't wait to read all about it and see the divine pictures."}, {"response": 1482, "author": "Leah", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (07:54)", "body": "(Moon Dreams)Thank you ladies for the reviews and pictures. I also need to add my thanks. I have enjoyed drooling through the weekend's posts."}, {"response": 1483, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (08:56)", "body": "From Dave Poland's Hot Button column; interesting . . . THE NEXT SMALL STEP towards the negative is for Love Actually: The Work In Progress, which screened here Sunday night for an enthusiastic and appreciative audience. The film, whether they change a single frame (or byte, since we saw the film projected digitally) or not, is going to be a success. There is no question. Richard Curtis is the current master of this form of film comedy - as a writer. Four Weddings & A Funeral, the adaptation of Bridget Jones's Diary, The Tall Guy, Notting Hill and now, Love Actually. A great run of films. And all the charm of those pictures is on display here. However, he is also a first-time director here and it does show. There are not a whole lot of overt problems in his direction, but there are a number of occasions where his work as a writer is less successful than it deserves to be because his director just doesn't have the tools he will, I'm sure, some day have. But the bigger problem is the room that one tends to get as a writer-director. Watching Love Actually, one gets the feeling that Curtis heard a lot of \"yes\" and not nearly enough \"no.\" There are eight concurrent stories in \". That makes it by far Curtis' most ambitious piece of writing. And I can well understand why he would be so ambitious. After all, every one of these stories is smart, clever and full of promise. He could have done any one, two, three or four of them in his sleep. And that would probably have been a much better idea for someone attempting to direct a film for the first time. Because one of the things that happens in a good writer/director relationship is the creative tension between the person of words and the person of the bigger visual and written picture. Yes, as a writer, you have a visual sense of your script. But there is something to filmic language that demands a different set of tools. People are touting Sofia Coppola's screenplay for Lost in Translation for awards, but as good as the words are, I can't really consider separating them from her visuals. I'm not going to get into too many details about Love Actually. You don't need to know and I don't need to tell you. But the trouble telling eight concurrent stories is that while they can all have great beats and special moments, any traditional screenwriter - which Curtis certainly is - eventually looks to create a second and third act for each storyline. Second acts are often the hardest, since you have neither the freshness of the new nor the thrill of the completion of the journey to work with. And having 8 second acts is a pretty tall order for one movie - especially when half the stories are really not three act stories, but rather just elongated punchlines extended into \"complete\" stories. The problem is, all eight stories are treated in the same way. To be a little clearer, the Keira Knightly, the Liam Neeson and the Kris Marshall sequences are really set-up, punch-line, sweet conclusion pieces. There is nothing inherently wrong with them. I quite like them all. But they don't have the depth, in particular, of three of the other segments and there is no signal of that to the audience. In the middle is the Colin Firth sequence, which has more build that those three, but is still a bit of set-up, punchline, resolution. Finally, the Hugh Grant, the Emma Thompson/Alan Rickman and Laura Linney sequences are built to carry a complexity and richness that the others are not. The problem there is that none of them have enough time to really develop fully. And, in fact, both the Rickman/Thompson and Linney storylines are left hanging just as they get to the emotional vein that screams for significant additional screen time. I mean, they literately stop dead in their tracks. There may well have been more to them, but I would not be surprised if extended sequences amaged the pace of the film and the decision was made to stick with the happiness. The one sequence I haven't mentioned, which is one of my favorites, is the Bill Nighy stuff. It is really funny and really smart and deeply honest. But it is also feels like the rubber cement of the piece, flowing all over the movie, but concentrated only in a few special spots. But again, it isn't used that way now. The effect of all of this is the difference between a good movie and a truly great, perhaps legendary, romantic comedy. Every story works, but they are stuck together the way a nine-year-old does a woodshop project. The sharp edges of nails and the unbalanced angles and splinters hang out all over the place. But you forgive it all because you like these people so much. If I were in Working Title's shoes, I would reexamine the cut. I would unbalance the various storylines. I would open with the wedding and the chorus singing \"All You Need Is Love\" and let that play on through credits, somewhat like The Big Chill. I would consider dumping a few of the music cue gags, which are a Curtis signature, but displayed here to excess. I would"}, {"response": 1484, "author": "myou", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (09:03)", "body": "Back to work in Toronto the morning after the night before! Yesterday's experiences were quite something! The first amazing thing that happened when my friend and I arrived at the Festival was that we met Tress and Vera! The very first people we talked to at the barricades outside of Roy Thomson Hall! It was great to meet all of you and it made the experience that much more fun. Tress and Vera were in great positions on the barricade when Colin pulled up, and I had just left the line up to sneak in behind them. Their pictures will be amazing! But Tress and Vera will give you all the minute-by-minute details as they were on that barricade for over 4 hours! Not to mention their Denzel encounters (who also looked extremely good!)! I ran over to see the \"Love Actually\" arrivals - tickets were next to impossible to get for the show. There were dozens of Colin fans in the \"Rush Seats\" line, begging the TTF line coordinator to let them in on a small number of rush seats. They even posed for pictures with the coordinator, saying that he was the next best thing to Colin - what women will do to get tickets! Colin pulled up to the screening a half hour before the film started, taking us all by surprise. Security and access to Colin was much tighter at the Elgin Theatre because it is situated on the city's busiest street and the sidewalk is regular width. We stood across the street and had a perfect view of him. A group of Firth fans from out of town were beside me, screaming for him to turn around. He was all smilles at this premiere, shaking hands, talking to the very few fans who were squeezed in amongst journalists. The red carpet at the Elgin was very short, so Colin was inside with most of the journalists within a few minutes. Laura Linney came in almost at the same time. There were rumours that Liam Neeson was to show, but he didn't. It really is quite a surreal experience to see him in the flesh. A woman who was standing beside me said she had come to the Festival just to see if Colin was \"real\" and not just a figment of her imagination! I could perfectly relate to her feelings! At the GWAPE premiere, you had much better access to a much longer red carpet. Scarlet came in first, looking very much the \"STAH\". She went right to the press. Must say though, the screams went up when Colin appeared. But to Tress's comment, he wasn't all smiles. He signed a lot of autographs - our lucky ladies included - but he didn't appear to be enjoying it. The trials of being a star? Jet lag? Two premieres in one night? Maybe he was saving his energy for the journalists? He was all smiles when Peter Webber introduced him on stage inside. He got the loudest applause, by far. But yes, there were those nasty brown shoes! I probably wouldn't have noticed had I not been a Drool-er (my girlfriend wondered why I was laughing). My friend commented that Colin did have the Mark Darcy look going on, and I believe he is ready for the sequel. He was somewhat tanned and just all around gorgeous - it was amazing being on a few feet away from him. He looks better in person, gals! The movie is very lush, very beautifully shot. Caribou, you described it perfectly! It got a very long round of applause at the end. As my friend (a GWAPE book fan) said, it will not appeal to everyone and Webber takes some liberties with the plotline. It was introduced as a film with profound \"silences\" and this is quite true, but I do miss the Griet narration from the book. Webber uses lots of tableaux and it works wonderfully. Colin is superb as Vermeer! Absolutely perfect! He knows how to do the \"longing gazes\" better than anyone - he has perfected it in this movie! All in all, it was a great deal of fun! I am astounded at the number of Colin fans in attendance - they were everywhere. I met many great people and told some Colin fans about everyone here at Spring, so we may grow our community! Again, Vera and Tress, great to meet you!"}, {"response": 1485, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (09:27)", "body": "Breathless reports...thanks all. (Evening Standard)\" Richard Curtis, screenwriter of Four Weddings And A Funeral and Notting Hill, has made a triumphant directing debut at the Toronto Film Festival with Love Actually.\" First from British press....I like:-)))"}, {"response": 1486, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (09:33)", "body": "Ladies, thanks for all the great reports. Myou, I'm thrilled the Toronto trip has worked out for so many fans. (Go, Tress, Go!!) I haven't posted here in ages but finally have something a little bit noteworthy: I just saw a few seconds of Colin's CBC interview. It was a short segment on the festival. The reporter talked about the stars (Nicole, Anthony Hopkins) and then noted that the festival is about the movies. \"A picture made of light\" she called Vermeer. Tiny bit of Vermeer laughing while talking to Griet. He looks very manly and modern. The reporter said: \"...more movie stars happy to discuss the projects.\" Shows Colin seated and talking, \"I did fall in love with Vermeer's paintings about 3 or 4 years before this film.\" Reporter called GWAPE \"beautiful, lush\". There were also tiny clips of Tom Wilkinson eating and Peter standing outside looking so beautiful. Gorgeous skin. He doesn't look real. There must be more of this interview so I'll keep checking CBC. And other channels. I get so excited by such little clips! I can't imagine how the Toronto gals are handling this."}, {"response": 1487, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (09:38)", "body": "Thanks Maria, Mari and Annette for the news. In the Shadows on the Wall sidebar, it said the UK release is 16 January 2004. Not too long a delay. That's about when it will have expanded to more markets (hopefully) in the US. Note: The Evening Standard article also talked about only 8 stories in LA, as Mari noted before. No worries though about Colin's storyline. We know it didn't hit the cutting room floor. More from Canada: Easy to see why ladies dig Firth Memo from our reporter in T.O. reveals Colin is sexy and cool Glen Schaefer The Province Memo to: Carey Gillette, assistant entertainment editor From: Movie guy in Toronto Now, I know you were kind of mopey when I told you I'd be interviewing Colin Firth but, trust me, I did you a favour. If you were in that hotel room, you'd have died of a heart attack when he walked in with those faded jeans, the baggy blue shirt untucked and the top two buttons open -- even I could tell what this guy does to women like yourself, what Firth calls \"this other thing.\" Here's him telling it: \"Funnily enough, before all that exploded, I felt I was doing really well. I didn't think I was a star but I was fairly well up there, playing lead roles in interesting stuff, and getting about as much employment and recognition as I ever felt I had the right to expect. \"So I was rather surprised when this other thing, starting with Pride and Prejudice, started up.\" That would be when he came out of that lake all wet. Ring any bells? \"A lot of people felt I'd only just started right then and I'd been going along for 10 years. In some ways it was very weird to feel that my previous career had almost been cancelled.\" I'm hear to talk to him about his new movie, Girl With a Pearl Earring, about the Dutch painter Jan Vermeer. He's also got the big-budget ensemble romance Love Actually at the festival but the smaller movie is clearly a labour of love. \"Oh, absolutely. It wasn't a payday, it was something I wanted to do, I never hesitated.\" The movie tells the fictionalized story behind one of the 17th-century artist's most famous paintings, suggesting that the girl in the painting was a maid (Scarlett Johansson) and that his wife and family were scandalized that he would use the maid as a muse. There's a suggestion that the girl is tormented by a forbidden obsession with the painter, and that Vermeer in turn found her a kindred spirit in creating his art. \"In the end, he sacrifices a lot of people,\" Firth says. \"On the other hand, he's in the grip of his own need to do what he does. I can understand very well what motivates him. He wasn't some indulgent bohemian.\" Firth, who has a child with former girlfriend Meg Tilly and two children with his current wife, Livia, says the notion of sacrificing relationships to art is something he identifies with. \"I think I've made quite a mess of things through life in that respect. I'm settled now, not how I was before. Doing anything creative can be quite difficult for those around you. I don't think you have to be a genius on the magnitude of Vermeer for that to be the case.\" Getting back to the movie, \"On the surface, he doesn't betray his wife but he enters into a very dangerous territory, as does this young girl.\" You hear that, Carey? Dangerous territory. Good thing you're in Vancouver. \"This relationship engulfs him in the end, even though it's not consummated. Something inside him dies.\" I said to him that romance in fiction is best when it's not consummated and he agrees. \"In terms of romantic drama, I think it's got to be like that. In fact, you can't really tell a great romantic love story about a happily married couple. Domestic bliss is the stuff of sitcom. \"Great love has to have an element of the impossible. Whether Romeo and Juliet, or Tristan and Isolde, they're kept apart. Even in Jane Austen, they only finish with the coming together, you don't even get to a kiss in the books.\" I know, you're wondering if Firth thinks he's a romantic. \"Obviously from a large part of what I do, I'm interested in emotion, its complications. I'm not necessarily an optimist in terms of romantic love. I'm not the type of romantic who enjoys the weepy movie and then sighs sweetly about it. \"I am more interested in the obstacles and the impossible than I am in resolution and happiness. It's the thing we're all trying to get to grips with, that's what storytellers are doing. Trying to make sense of seemingly insoluble things.\" You see, Carey? You're better off back home, thinking about the obstacles between you and Colin. Look at the bright side. There's always the Fiennes brothers. Cheers, -- Schaef"}, {"response": 1488, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (09:48)", "body": "(Myou), All in all, it was a great deal of fun! I am astounded at the number of Colin fans in attendance - they were everywhere. And Colin always wonder where they are! ;-) Hope he drops that line soon. Myou, you sly thing! So glad you had a great time. Did you take any pictures? If I were in Working Title's shoes, I would reexamine the cut. I would unbalance the various storylines. I would Typical British overbearing journalist. I would, I would, I would... Jealously will get you nowhere."}, {"response": 1489, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (09:55)", "body": "More from Toronto: I just spoke to Tress. She's in line for LA. She said she is fourth and is pretty sure to get in. She is still very high from her experience last night. She told me to go ahead and post these few tidbits in case she forgets. As Dorine mentioned she gets home v. late tomorrow evening. As Myou and Dorine reported, Terry was in a great position as he got out of the limo. she has great pictures of that which she said should be fantastic as they were unobstructed. Again, she mentioned that they tried to get him in the theater as soon as he arrived, but luckily he did stop to sign some autographs. She had two Bridget moments. After the film she went down the escalator, because she knew he was just one floor below. She then saw Colin point straight ahead and thought he was pointing at her. (a la Bridget/Daniel moment in the office)she then realized he was pointing and talking to Scarlet. The second moment came when she realized she was standing in front of the men's room and he was on his way there. She had to kind of dance out of his way. She wanted to leave then, but found herself still there when he came out. Tress said he just stood there for a moment then looked over and smiled, and shook his head. The group left the theater soon after. Of course she mentioned over and over how gorgeous he looked. She also mentioned that he has the Mark Darcy sideburns and his hair was dark. She also couldn't believe that, as he sat watching the film, he had his hand over his mouth in Mr. Darcy fashion. Lastly, she mentioned that Colin has been on the morning shows being interviewd for LA. She sends her best wishes to everyone, and will try to remember and fill us in on everything else. Thank Myou, Dorine, and Karen for the personal reports and articles."}, {"response": 1490, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (10:04)", "body": "Just a thought for the US people--be sure to catch E! News Live today, also ET, Extra, and Access Hollywood--sounds like there were lots of broadcast journalists around the Love Actually premiere. One of them might have snagged him. Alas, I won't be home tonight so I leave it in your capable hands . . .;-) Wonderful report, Myou! (Myou)He signed a lot of autographs - our lucky ladies included - but he didn't appear to be enjoying it. The trials of being a star? Jet lag? Two premieres in one night? Could be he was pooped by that time. Two films in one day potentially means two photocalls, two news conferences and two premieres. When that schedule came out, I said he'd be overbooked. But I was pooh-pooh'ed.;-)"}, {"response": 1491, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (10:22)", "body": "(Karen's article) Easy to see why ladies dig Firth Memo from our reporter in T.O. reveals Colin is sexy and cool If you were in that hotel room, you'd have died of a heart attack when he walked in with those faded jeans, the baggy blue shirt untucked and the top two buttons open -- even I could tell what this guy does to women like yourself, what Firth calls \"this other thing.\" Give this guy a medal for \"getting it\" !Heart attack still very much an option what with the pics, interviews and Drooler reports!"}, {"response": 1492, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (10:49)", "body": "Wow, when it rains drool it pours! ;-D Thanks to all for the articles about the two films and the festival and to Myou for your report. And thanks to Dorine and Linda for their reports from Tress. Can't wait to hear back from her and see the pics. Guess she won't need a plane in order to fly home.;-) Am keeping my fingers crossed about her getting in to see LA."}, {"response": 1493, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (10:57)", "body": "Gaaah! Am having impossible time keeping. Can't read and update at same time. Need to clone self. ;-D Excellent and highly encouraging reports on GWAPE and LA by Paul Fischer, a grown up. ;-D (Poland) The film, whether they change a single frame (or byte, since we saw the film projected digitally) or not, is going to be a success. After what he said about GWAPE, I fear this guy is sooooo out of it to be utterly ridiculous now that he considers himself a director. Pathetic Excellent reporter-on-the-scene report Myou!! You've captured so much of the details of being in the crowd and awaiting the man himself, who obviously didn't disappoint in person or on the screen. What fun!! (Tress via Linda) She then saw Colin point straight ahead and thought he was pointing at her...she then realized he was pointing and talking to Scarlet. Scarlett who??? No, dear girl, he saw you and singled you out. You should stick to that story. ;-D The second moment came when she realized she was standing in front of the men's room and he was on his way there. She had to kind of dance out of his way. She wanted to leave then, but found herself still there when he came out. Tress said he just stood there for a moment then looked over and smiled, and shook his head. Oh dear!! At least you didn't follow him in."}, {"response": 1494, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (11:20)", "body": "From an email to me: I saw Colin yesterday at Torotno Film festival on GWAPE premiere. He was very nice and friendly with fans. I told him that I am originally from Ukraine and that he is very popular there. He seemed to be excited. The film is rather slow but visually rich and the performaces (especially, those of Scarlett Johansson and Colin) are great. Scarlett's performance is amazing. She has a great talent. We should watch for that actress."}, {"response": 1495, "author": "myou", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (11:25)", "body": "Moon, I didn't bring the camera knowing others would capture it much better than I - I am horrible with a camera! Feeling very jealous of Tress today - if she's 4th in the rush line, she will definitely get in! Karen, such a great interview - Glen Schaefer has some skill! The newspapers today were still in the Nicole Kidman afterglow, so no Colin. There will lots of remote controls in overdrive tonight, looking for Colin clips!"}, {"response": 1496, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (11:25)", "body": "(Tress' encounter via Linda) The second moment came when she realized she was standing in front of the men's room and he was on his way there. She had to kind of dance out of his way. She wanted to leave then, but found herself still there when he came out. Tress said he just stood there for a moment then looked over and smiled, and shook his head. (Karen) Oh dear!! At least you didn't follow him in. Am reminded of Bridget on the set of Fever Pitch: Suddenly realized we had stopped outside a door. Looked at door. Was toilet. Realized was on verge of following Mr. Darcy into toilet in manner of mad stalker. He sweetly excused himself and that was it. Was in mad self loathing love blur all through match and on way to opera..... Wonder if could e-mail Mr. Darcy in guise of lithe Italian cool enough to distinguish between stroll to next location and visit to toilet?"}, {"response": 1497, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (11:36)", "body": "I should clarify about the men's room scene. Tress had gone down the escalator while the rest of her group used the toilets on the floor above. They and another crowd arrived down there while Colin was in the men's room. So a large crowd had gathered while he was in there not knowing he was in there. So I think his shake of the head and smile was a result of seeing everyone gathered there since it had not been crowded just a few moments before."}, {"response": 1498, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (12:15)", "body": "(Linda's clarification) So I think his shake of the head and smile was a result of seeing everyone gathered there since it had not been crowded just a few moments before. Oooh, but didn't Tress say it was one of her BJ moments that Lisa has described? But that is better. I don't know if you want to see all these, but here's another email: Yesterday I had the possibilty to see the Love Actually premiere in the Elgin theatre in Toronto!! And, Colin Firth was there!! Can you believe it? I did not even have tickets and was waiting in the rush line, but then someone came up and gave free tickets away. :-)) The movie did not have its final cut, but I just hope that they don't make it too short. Not a single minute of it was boring. It's really worth to see and very funny and very british too, concerning the humour. Even in romantic scenes something weird and unexpected happens. It's so hilarious!! And when Colin firth steps up the stage it's even better!! I thought you might be interested in my experience..;-)"}, {"response": 1499, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (12:18)", "body": "(Karen)I don't know if you want to see all these, but here's another email I can only speak for myself: Bring it on!!"}, {"response": 1500, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (12:19)", "body": "Keep the emails comin',Boss, and invite them to the B'day Bash. These are heady days."}, {"response": 1501, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (12:19)", "body": "Okie doke. Who knows what lurks in my inbox. ;-D Where is Vera's report? And I'm sure she must have pics to share as well."}, {"response": 1502, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (12:22)", "body": "Karen, don't hold back. Keep them coming. Also, I'm taping E!News live tonight, but I'm also going to watch and tape Access Hollywood. Last week they did several spots from the Venice FF and I'm hoping they do the same for Toronto."}, {"response": 1503, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (12:24)", "body": "Aaagh! Too much excitement for words... and I'm practically living at the computer. Thank you all for pictures, reviews, emails, and all the other juicy tidbits!"}, {"response": 1504, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (12:25)", "body": "(Annette) I can only speak for myself: Bring it on!! (Evelyn) These are heady days. Annette can speak for me anytime. As for the heady days, when it rains, it pours. RL could not be more frantic right now and all I can think of is I wish I was in Toronto."}, {"response": 1505, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (12:32)", "body": "Sorry to post again, but... GWAPE after party pictures are up at wireimage. http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=SRH&logsrch=1&sfld=A"}, {"response": 1506, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (12:39)", "body": "(lindak) She also couldn't believe that, as he sat watching the film, he had his hand over his mouth in Mr. Darcy fashion. I'm surprised she watched the movie at all, since she had him live and in person! It also makes me wonder if this is the first time he's seen the film in its completed form. (Karen) Gaaah! Am having impossible time keeping. Can't read and update at same time. Need to clone self. ;-D You're doing great, Karen, as are all of our intrepid reporters! Thanks to everyone for all their hard work!!"}, {"response": 1507, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (12:50)", "body": "Thanks Linda for continually checking the site. Have now updated Public Eye page with three new pics of Colin socializing, white wine in hand. ;-D http://www.firth.com/p_eye8.html"}, {"response": 1508, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (13:21)", "body": "My eyes are starting to blur but I think this photo is new: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20030905.ffred0905/BNStory/SpecialEvents3/ Go to the photo gallery."}, {"response": 1509, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (13:31)", "body": "Here you go: http://images.theglobeandmail.com/PhotoGallery/Archive/images/ff0906/colin_done.jpg\" >"}, {"response": 1510, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (13:34)", "body": "Harumph! I'll do it this way..."}, {"response": 1511, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (13:35)", "body": "No idea if this link will work, but there are sxeveral more from the GWAPE premiere. http://newsandsport.gettyimages.com/source/CFW/searchResults.aspx?ss=2412718&as=0&pp=16&df=0&be=0&lv=1&bt=0&si=0&osi=0&opp=16&by=2&sub=-1&src=-1&da=0&db=&de=&ph=&cns=&sts=&cts=&pes=&lr=500"}, {"response": 1512, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (13:37)", "body": "Love this one!"}, {"response": 1513, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (13:53)", "body": "You beat me to these; am on the phone with them to see why I can't log in anymore. :-("}, {"response": 1514, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (14:27)", "body": "Boy, everyone loves to touch and hug Scarlett. ;-) (Meredith) It also makes me wonder if this is the first time he's seen the film in its completed form That was my thought, too. Apparently Mr. Delaney forgot what Colin looked like when he misidentified PW as Colin in one of them. Thanks everyone!"}, {"response": 1515, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (14:47)", "body": "Have got them all, nice and big, but expect to see lots more grey in hair. *am exhausted*"}, {"response": 1516, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (14:53)", "body": "The director and cast (L-R), Richard Curtis, Colin Firth (news), Laura Linney (news) and Duncan Kenworthy, pose at the after party for their film 'Love Actually' after a screening of the film as a work in progress at Toronto Film Festival September 7, 2003. PHOTO TAKEN SEPTEMBER 7 NO SALES MANDATORY CREDIT REUTERS/Sam Barnes/Universal Studios"}, {"response": 1517, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (14:56)", "body": "Actors Laura Linney (news) and Colin Firth (news) (R) pose at a party for their film 'Love Actually' after a screening of the film as a work in progress at the Toronto Film Festival September 7, 2003. PHOTO TAKEN SEPTEMBER 7 NO SALES MANDATORY CREDIT REUTERS/Sam Barnes/Universal Studios/Handout"}, {"response": 1518, "author": "katty", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (14:57)", "body": "Here's another very nice picture of Colin from another source: http://www.digitalhit.com/fest/tiff/2003/4/photos/60"}, {"response": 1519, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (15:08)", "body": "Thanks for all the pics. Several from GWAPE before Colin's if you click on \"Previous\". Not into Scarlett's lipstick and love the strategically placed pearls. ;-D Also, she might have thought of going to one of those instant tanning spas to get rid of her tan lines for that dress. ;-)"}, {"response": 1520, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (15:14)", "body": "(Karen)Have got them all, nice and big, but expect to see lots more grey in hair. *am exhausted* And though I cannot speak for the others, I for one thank you for your effort, Boss! Now why don't you go have a lie down? Don't want you to be so tired you can't enjoy the big b-day party coming up. ;-)"}, {"response": 1521, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (15:15)", "body": "Thanks Linda, Mari, Karen,Marianne and Katty for the latest *slurp* pics...the one from post 1517 had me on a nipple hunt and wishing he had just come in from a very cold rain...(think I need to go splash my own face now..)"}, {"response": 1522, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (15:19)", "body": "ODB's good fortune that HG or Liam Neeson didn't show...he had the spotlight. I think SJ is stunning; dressed for the occasion.Lipstick matches the rose on the pony tail;-)"}, {"response": 1523, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (15:19)", "body": "Am going for a liedown (figuratively) shortly...as am expecting someone here shortly. Myou emailed me with the link katty supplied, so that (lightened and made more aesthetically pleasing) and several of the Gettys have been added: http://www.firth.com/p_eye8.html"}, {"response": 1524, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (15:22)", "body": "From DigitalHit.com"}, {"response": 1525, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (15:24)", "body": "gah! From DigitalHit.com"}, {"response": 1526, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (15:26)", "body": "Marianne, the one I posted above is from digitalhit. Thanks for the new ones from the LA bash."}, {"response": 1527, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (15:29)", "body": "(Evelyn) I think SJ is stunning; dressed for the occasion. Absolutely agree. Lipstick matches the rose on the pony tail;-) Saw that. Like it in the hair, not on the face. Just my preference. Would've liked something a shade, or 2 or 3, darker. Or maybe even a bit lighter, a tad subtler. Maybe it's the size of her lips combined with the distortion of pictures, but it borders on looking like a kid playing with mom's lipstick. Or a clown. Just my particular perception, not right or wrong. ;-)"}, {"response": 1528, "author": "houstonandy", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (15:43)", "body": "Thanks to everyone for all the terrific stuff. I've been lurking around for the last few weeks, but here's info from the E!News website for tonite. Wishin' and hopin' that ODB is among the \"other stars\"!!! Although, truth be told, not sure I can stand much more!! Have to rest up for the 10th!!! From E!News.... We're on the party circuit, hitting the red carpet in NYC for the premiere of Once Upon a Time in Mexico, with Antonio Banderas, Melanie Griffith, Salma Hayek, Enrique Iglesias and others; plus, we're at the Toronto film fest with Nicole Kidman, Nicolas Cage and other stars"}, {"response": 1529, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (16:29)", "body": "A report on seeing GWAPE from Teg, which can be read at austen.com's Tea Room, here: http://TheDWG.com/babble/bindex.cgi?read=84939 plus her comments on Colin a couple of messages below http://TheDWG.com/babble/bindex.cgi?read=84940"}, {"response": 1530, "author": "katty", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (18:13)", "body": "Here;s another review - not postive. Same criticism about it being TOO subtle with no action: http://www.eye.net/eye/issue/issue_09.04.03/film/tiff.html As muted and still as a Vermeer painting, Girl With a Pearl Earring has atmosphere to burn and a near-total action vacuum. Scarlett Johansson is Griet, a servant sent to the house of artist Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth), a brooding type who quickly sizes her up for his next masterpiece; Johansson's milk-white skin and bruised-looking lips make her a dead ringer for the painting of the film's title. Much of the film dwells on the life of a 17th-century kitchen drudge in the form of Griet's endless chopping, stirring, washing and fetching. When Vermeer initiates her into the life of an artist, it's just more housework for the girl: more fetching and dusting, and now mixing and pounding to make paint. The conflicts in the film are so deeply sublimated, they're almost non-existent. CT"}, {"response": 1531, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (18:40)", "body": "The Telegraph: I thought: 'Who's playing a prank?' A haunting novel about Vermeer's maid has been so successful that its author, Tracy Chevalier, is still reeling. Cassandra Jardine meets her As you enter Tracy Chevalier's north London home, the silent gaze of a young woman catches your eye. It comes, not from Tracy herself, who is an open and voluble character, but from a poster hung on the wall of the room off the half-landing. It shows a girl wearing an elaborate headdress and a single pearl earring. \"My sister had the picture on her wall for years,\" says Chevalier, \"and, one day, I found myself thinking about what Vermeer had to do with that look on her face.\" From that seed of an idea grew one of publishing's most encouraging successes. When Girl with A Pearl Earring was first published in August 1999, it received a few good reviews but little attention. Chevalier's first novel, The Virgin Blue, had not even been, as she puts it, \"a modest success\". She was just another youngish female novelist, born in America and living in London with her British husband. When her second book sold 5,000 copies in hardback, she was delighted. \"The first inkling I had that it might be big was when I came back from a walk, just after Christmas, to find a message on my answerphone from the picture desk at Time magazine,\" she says, still laughing at the memory. \"They wanted a picture of me. 'Who's playing a prank?' I thought. But when I found it was for real, I put the phone down and thought: 'Oh my God'.\" Once the book was published in America, sales started to soar. She and her husband, Jonathan Drori, who runs the Government's Culture on Line website, opened champagne when sales hit 100,000, but that was only the beginning. Word of mouth began to get around; the novel became a favourite with book clubs. It began appearing on student syllabuses. Readers were riveted by her extraordinarily detailed evocation of the life of a girl in 17th-century Holland and the working methods of Vermeer, a painter whose life is shrouded in mystery. To date, Girl with the Pearl Earring has sold more than two million copies worldwide and has been translated into 21 languages. Sales will take off again, now that the book has been turned into a film, starring Colin Firth as Vermeer and Scarlett Johansson as Griet, the maid who poses for him. It was made on a set in Luxembourg, built as Venice, which was swiftly converted into 17th-century Delft using, she says, \"sticking plaster and knicker elastic\". The film of Louis de Bernieres's Captain Corelli's Mandolin, another great word of mouth success, was a souped-up disaster on film. \"What will I say if I don't like it?\" Chevalier wondered, as she went to her first screening. To her great relief, she loved it: \"I found I could watch it like any other film. Occasionally, I would think: 'What happened to that line?' but then I would dive in again.\" Even more encouragingly, the film has received a rave review in Variety, the in-house journal of the movie business, which says it has \"all the ingredients\" of a hit. If she makes light of her success, it is because she still can't quite believe it. \"What will prove it to you?\" she says that her agent asked, in exasperation, when Chevalier replaced her old car with another second-hand vehicle. She doesn't wear designer clothes and her house, though meticulously neat, is not grand. Nor does she regret having sold the film rights for less than \ufffd10,000 before the book was published, to find that afterwards, Miramax and others were seriously excited by it. \"At least this way it got made,\" she says. \"Hollywood has a habit of putting books on the shelf - and I'm sure they would have changed the ending. This director [Peter Webber, who, until now, has made only television programmes, including The Stretford Wives] understood the point of restraint.\" The excitement of casting merely struck her as fun. She was taken by the idea of Ralph Fiennes as Vermeer though, in the end, he had to go off and make Maid in Manhattan. \"Smart move, Ralph,\" she says. As for the thought of Reese Witherspoon playing Griet, she gagged. \"I mean, it's quite a big leap for her, isn't it?\" Since the book came out, she has had other, more important, matters to worry about, chiefly how to follow up on her success while being a mother. After Pearl Earring, she was careful to steer clear of art for her next book. Falling Angels is set in Highgate cemetery in the early 20th century, but she did stick to the lesson she learnt from studying Vermeer: \"The power of understatement,\" she says, \"is the power of finding a whole world in the corner of a room.\" For her latest book, The Lady and the Unicorn, she has returned to art. Again, she has chosen a well-known but little documented masterpiece - the 15th-century tapestries that hang in the Mus\ufffde Cluny in Paris - and imagined where, when and why they were made. And, once again, it is as if long-dead women are speaking about their lives. It doesn"}, {"response": 1532, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (20:03)", "body": "There's a tiny clip (are there any other kind?) on a Canadian entertainment show called etalk daily, in the first 10 minutes. The host is a cutie girl named Tanya Kim. They show Colin on the red carpet signing autographs. Then Tanya says to him, \"You look very handsome tonight.\" He laughs the way he laughs and says, \"Thanks. So do you.\" She laughs. A few minutes after that clip they show another quick look on the red carpet."}, {"response": 1533, "author": "kolin", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (20:08)", "body": "We had two amazing days. Yesterday I got home at 1 a.m and was off to the LA rush line by 9.00 a.m. I am happy to report that we all got in to see LA. Tress phone report covered most of the ground. GWAPE :Our long wait paid off as we were standing right at the barrier and all of us got autographs. Scarlett arrived first and went straight to the press and ignored the fans, which was not such a great loss as most of the people there were there for Colin. Peter Webber was there before Colin as well. He was very friendly and chatty he came over and was thrilled when asked for an autograph and claimed it was his first autograph. He told us Colin was on his way from LA. When Colin's limo arrived and he got out there was great excitement and everyone was yelling Colin, Colin. He was very serious and businesslike and in a great hurry as opposed to Denzel Washington who was there for the previous movie and took his time with the fans Only time we saw him smile when someone congratulated him on the baby, someone also called out boy or girl but naturally he ignored that question. Tress got some fabulous pictures. After Colin passed by us we ran to the line for the ticket holders. We were afraid that we might be locked out and they would start selling rush tickets but we fortunately got in and had great seats on the second balcony just opposite where Colin and the rest of the crew were sitting. Peter Webber and the rest of the cast were introduced and Peter Webber spoke briefly. He thanked his crew and the screenwriter and he said that he was thankful that his screenwriter was as good with silences as with words and this was very true because in GWAPE there are almost as many silences as there are words. The cast was introduced and Colin got the best and strongest applause. Scarlett stood right beside him and he put his arm around her (just as he did in the pictures many of us have we him) When the lights went out he and the rest of the crew sat right on the opposite side so we could see them quite well. After the movie there was a standing ovation and then we saw him make his way up the stairs talking to and hugging people among them Dennie Gordon, director of WAGW. Tress already reported on her almost close encounter when Colin got out of the washroom. The best part of the day beside seeing Colin and the movie was meeting so many other Colin fans, I never realized that there were so many of us (besides the internet groups). Two girls reported that they saw him the previous night in front of the Four Seasons hote and they called out to him and he seemed surprised that anyone recognized him. We were hanging out around that hotel as well but at the wrong time and we missed him. This is all for now."}, {"response": 1534, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (20:14)", "body": "(Tracy Chevalier)She was taken by the idea of Ralph Fiennes as Vermeer though, in the end, he had to go off and make Maid in Manhattan. \"Smart move, Ralph,\" she says. \" Wrong. He had already finished MIM. The change in GWAPE directors, and time suspension, presented a conflict with a stage committment at the National. Otherwise, interesting article, thanks, Murph."}, {"response": 1535, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (20:22)", "body": "Thanks, Vera! So happy for you. Was PW the only one who spoke? No open Q&As with the audience? Also thank you ladies for the great pictures! Karen great job grabbing them. Can't wait to see what you do with them all, including Tress'."}, {"response": 1536, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (20:24)", "body": "Thanks Vera and Myou for the brilliant first-hand reports. I am thrilled for all of you! Thanks Karen, Mari, Marianne, Katty and Maria for the gorgeous photos. Love the Mark Darcy thing he's working on. Saw just a hint of stubble in the LA pics. BTW, what's with the black cord or chain around his neck (barely peeking from under his shirt.) Leave it to us to study every little detail when ODB is the subject of the photo;-) Of course those brown shoes do kind of jump out at you;-) Karen, thanks for working so hard to get news and photos posted quickly. And I love the emails you get from non-Droolers."}, {"response": 1537, "author": "kolin", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (20:26)", "body": "PW was the only one who spoke. There was no Q&A for GWAPE but there was one for LA which we saw today,"}, {"response": 1538, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (22:52)", "body": "A Big Thanks to each and every one for the reviews, photographs,interviews first hand reports and input....next best thing to being in Toronto. Special kudos to Karen!!!!"}, {"response": 1539, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (22:59)", "body": "Thanks for the report, Vera. Love how the crowd was mainly there for Colin and giving him all the adulation, instead of SJ. (Vera) hugging people among them Dennie Gordon, director of WAGW. Didn't anybody seek her out? I know if Linda had been there, she would've been genuflecting at this woman's feet. ;-D (Vera) and he seemed surprised that anyone recognized him. Maybe they should've had T-shirts that said \"we are those people you've never met.\" *snicker* (Evelyn) Wrong. He had already finished MIM. The change in GWAPE directors, and time suspension, presented a conflict with a stage committment at the National. Exactly, but there's a huge fairytale of a production story that's being disseminated by the makers of this film and I guess some people are going to play ball. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I have lots more pics taken by several lovely ladies, which I'll put up at another Fan Gallery tomorrow. *yawn* There are some absolutely incredible shots. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Evidently, Disney isn't submitting $$$$ for Hope Springs' weekend box office. This listing has 134 films, some of which are only playing on 1 lousy screen and we know HS is on quite a few more. Oh well....everything about this release continues to remain a mystery."}, {"response": 1540, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (23:00)", "body": "Ooo[s, forgot the url: http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2003&wknd=36&p=.htm"}, {"response": 1541, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (23:56)", "body": "Think HS will be the first? ;-D http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=599&ncid=802&e=2&u=/nm/20030908/media_nm/leisure_disney_dc"}, {"response": 1542, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (00:16)", "body": "*snort* I'd only get it if it self-destructed before the opening credits. But the answer is: No. Here are the first eight titles: http://video.movies.go.com/ez-d/ Not losers."}, {"response": 1543, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (04:06)", "body": "Saw giant headline on someone's Telegraph this morning on the tube about how fabulous LA is, so got the story... Actually, it's great fun (Filed: 09/09/2003) David Gritten on Richard Curtis's directing debut, premiered at the Toronto Film Festival Why is Richard Curtis Britain's most successful screenwriter by a mile? Partly it's because audiences happily turn up to his romantic comedies with a fair idea of what to expect. Anyone familiar with his hits - Bridget Jones's Diary, Notting Hill, Four Weddings and a Funeral - could tick off a list of elements one might reasonably expect from a Curtis film. These include a funeral, a wedding, Hugh Grant in a leading role, a character swearing intemperately, endearingly bad pop music, social gaffes, grief and pain juxtaposed with comedy, London looking ravishing, a specific kind of Englishness, and an optimistic world view. All the above are to be found in Love Actually, enthusiastically received at its first public screening on Sunday at the Toronto Film Festival. For the first time, Curtis has directed a film as well as writing its screenplay, and his stamp is unmistakable; Love Actually feels like a greatest-hits compendium. This is not to detract from the consummate writing skill underpinning it. Love Actually is what used to be called a portmanteau film, with Curtis dexterously cutting back and forth between nine sets of loosely linked characters and storylines. Appropriately for a film that opens on November 21, all the action occurs in the weeks leading up to Christmas. A newly elected bachelor prime minister (Grant) falls headlong for the woman who brings him his tea at Number 10 (Martine McCutcheon). His sister (Emma Thompson) is crushed to learn that her husband (Alan Rickman) is planning a fling with his secretary. One of his employees (Laura Linney) finally seduces a colleague she has long fancied, but the romance is halted by her need to stay in phone contact with her mentally disturbed brother. Liam Neeson is a grieving widower who must now tend to his 11-year-old stepson, himself a bit lovelorn. Colin Firth plays a writer, cuckolded by his own brother, who flees with his typewriter to a refuge in the south of France - and falls in love across language barriers with a Portuguese cleaning woman (Lucia Moniz.) New bride Keira Knightley is the object of unspoken love from best man Andrew Lincoln. And Bill Nighy shines as Billy Mack, a burned-out rocker (think Keith Richards meets Ozzy Osbourne) with a surprise Christmas Number One contender on his hands: a re-make of Love Is All Around, already familiar to Curtis fans. But that title summarises the film's theme: that love actually is all around. Curtis highlights people's essential goodness at crucial moments - weddings and funerals, of course, and also airports. In Curtis's world, Heathrow is ideal for observing people affectionately greeting each other, and for staging a dramatic dash to intercept a departing loved one. His world is also becoming gradually more inclusive: no Asian characters are seen, but three black Britons have (admittedly minor) speaking roles. The old pros in a strong cast acquit themselves splendidly. Nighy, looking hilariously wasted, almost steals the film, but Emma Thompson's beautifully nuanced performance is its emotional core. In the film's most affecting scene, she stands beside her marriage bed, tearfully breaks down, then pulls herself together; no words, just body language. Much rubbish has been written about her career being damaged by the hostile reception to her film Imagining Argentina; here is an eloquent response. Inevitably, some stories work better than others; Thompson's and Linney's are the simplest and most effective. Grant's much-vaunted turn as the PM never quite ignites, largely because his romance with McCutcheon (who seems flat and overawed in this starry company) never rings true. But the ever-watchable Grant has an amusing scene, boogeying around Number 10 unobserved (or so he thinks). He also gets the best speech - a stirring, patriotic moment when he lists Britain's virtues and berates an overbearing US president (Billy Bob Thornton) for bullying us. Cue cheers and applause in hundreds of Odeons. Still, Curtis is the real star: a master of the feelgood movie, a man not ashamed to be corny or sentimental, and happily asserting reasons to be cheerful. Love Actually re-affirms his stature as a great populist entertainer. Move over Calendar Girls, here comes the year's big British movie hit. ______________ Sorry Karen, I didn't get your message until this morning about the Evening Standard, missed it."}, {"response": 1544, "author": "kolin", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (04:52)", "body": "Our Toronto group got to see LA as well. We got to the box office at 9.00 a.m. hoping for the same day tickets but they were all sold out so we had to line up at the rush line. It was a 3 hour wait but we all got in. What a contrast to GWAPE! GWAPE is a beautifully shot art film, almost as series of paintings unveiled before our eyes moving at a regal pace. Everything is very subtle, a look, touch, facial expression convey a lot. I can't see this as a box office hit. It will certainly appeal to sophisticated movie buffs who can appreciate the beautiful cinematography. On the other hand I can see LA filling those seats very well. It is funny, it is sad, it is poignant and it moves at a fast clip The stories are imaginative although some are unresolved at the end. There was a Q&A with the producer and he was asked about the unresolved stories and apparently that was Richard Curtis's purpose, love is like that not everything gets resolved. Colin had more time than I expected, he was the first one we see when the film starts. He did a lot of physical comedy playing a very clumsy guy. At the end we hear him speaking quite a bit in Portuguese. He should do more physical comedy he is very good at it. He looks terrific ( I must say I prefer this look over Vermeer). Some other questions asked at Q&A Question about casting: Richard Curtis had Emma Thomson and Hugh Grant in mind from the very beginning and the other actors were more than willing to work with him. Question about what was cut out They cut quite a bit, mostly small subplots, one about Emma Thompson's character's problems with her son. They also cut some scenes for every major character as well. The film we saw was digital they transfering it to 35mm and grading it ( I don't know what exactly it means, seems adjusting the colours). They will not be cutting anymore of the content though so we saw the finished product. Question about the airport scenes They filmed the arrivals at the airport and when they got a good shot, they rushed to ask people for release The audience loved it, laughed at all the right places and it got a huge applause at the end (but no standing ovation). We had incredible two days, seeing Colin, two new movies, meeting so many Firth fans and soaking up the festival atmosphere."}, {"response": 1545, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (07:23)", "body": "From this morning's Times 9/9/03 Liz Smith's column Has your tongue been hanging out waiting for the next romantic comedy from the team who gave us \"four Weddings and a Funeral,\" \"Notting Hill\" and \"Bridget Jones's Diary\"? The new one is \"Love Actually,\" starring, again, Hugh Grant. He plays a single prime minister who arrives for his first day at 10 Downing Street, and promptly falls in love with the tea lady, played by Martine McCutcheon. There are big stars in this romp-Emma Thompson, Colin Firth , Liam Neeson, Alan Rickman. Hugh's cousin, Thomas Sangster, has a role. And Billy Bob Thornton does cameo duty as the president of the United States. \"Love Actually\" features innumerable interwoven plots and is directed by first-timer Richard Curtis, who also wrote the screenplay. Thansks, Emma, Karen, Vera and all for these great days of news, articles, and pictures. (Karen)I know if Linda had been there, she would've been genuflecting at this woman's feet. ...am I that transparent? LOL, I would have kissed them, as well."}, {"response": 1546, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (07:43)", "body": "A billion dollars is good....;-)) Most recent in memory, and therefore more likely to reflect reality, was Sunday night's \"work-in-progress\" screening of Love Actually, the directorial debut of British writer Richard Curtis. The name may not be familiar to everyone, but his scripts for Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and Bridget Jones's Diary are the international gold standard in mainstream adult comedy. It was no surprise, then, that a mob scene descended on the historic Elgin Theatre on Yonge St., creating block-long lineups and bringing out Toronto's finest to keep the peace. It also encouraged Los Angeles's unfinest to push their industrial weight around in the protection of their corporate bosses, whose stretch limos took up an entire block off Yonge, engines idling in defiance of local environmental ordinance to keep their occupants chilled. Curtis introduced his film with the same elegant self-deprecation he brings to his work. He then brought on members from the production, including Colin Firth and Laura Linney, before taking a seat for the first public screening of a film that is expected to put healthy bonuses under Working Title/Universal Pictures's Christmas tree when it is released \"in cinemas - on November 21, actually,\" to quote from a print press campaign already in full swing. The studios are flinging the PR money about because Curtis is the closest thing to a sure thing in the movies these days, and because he has assembled a British supergroup to act in a shamelessly manipulative and therefore appallingly appealing romantic comedy I like to call Four Weddings and a Funeral for Bridget Jones's Diary About a Boy in Notting Hill. Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Alan Rickman, Keira Knightley, Bill Nighy, Rowan Atkinson, Firth and Linney star in a frantic, multiplotted story about the universality of love that alternatingly clogs the veins, quickens the pulse, fills the eyes and hammers the funny bone. It is, in other words, pure Curtis - boldly stolen from his own work and that of Nick Hornby, and set during the five weeks before Christmas (note release date) among the smart set in London, with side trips to Portugal and Wisconsin. A final split-screen montage of normal people hugging each other to the strains of Brian Wilson's incomparable God Only Knows sent a crowd that had been with Curtis since hello into a frenzy. Love Actually will make a billion dollars this winter. http://www.canada.com/montreal/aroundtown/story.asp?id=05189129-92C7-4799-BE3B-4EEF103F6A7D"}, {"response": 1547, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (07:50)", "body": "Favorable but forgetting someone very important... Girl With A Pearl Earring Allan Hunter in Toronto 09 September 2003 Dir: Peter Webber. UK/Luxembourg. 2003. 95 mins Crafted with all the delicate judgement and fine brushstrokes of an Old Master, Girl With A Pearl Earring is an exquisitely understated period drama rich in atmosphere and emotion. A faithful adaptation of the Tracey Chevalier best-seller, this marks an auspicious feature debut from director Peter Webber that should find favour with discerning, upscale audiences all around the world. The strength of critical support and the extent of interest in the spellbinding central performance of rising star Scarlet Johansson will determine exactly how far the film can travel. Set in the Delft of 17th century Holland, Girl With A Pearl Earring tells of a young servant girl Griet (Johansson) who is sent to work in the household of the painter Johannes Vermeer (Firth). It is a household dominated by the influence of Vermeer's imperious, penny pinching mother Maria (Parfitt) and his jealous wife Catharina (Davis). The artist's studio is hallowed ground in which only the few can tread. Griet is ordered to clean it. Her sensitivity to his work wins his trust and eventually inspires a bond between them that transcends all the barriers of class and circumstance that might otherwise have separated them. Unfolding with an economy and subtlety that is hard to fault, Girl With A Pearl Earring looks an absolute treat. Vermeer's paintings come to life in the dappled light of wintry landscapes and the dusty darkness of candle lit interiors. Frozen clothes on a washing line, gleaming, polished cutlery at a dinner table and the dedicated preparation of vegetables and fowl for a special meal are just some of the detail that combine to create a glowing, utterly convincing picture of a long ago world. The film's strength lies in a mesmerising recreation of the period that is allied to emotions that are timeless. An artist torn between his dutiful wife and a servant girl with a much more profound understanding of his art, Vermeer becomes an entirely human figure even as we also learn of his painstaking technique and a life spent at the constant mercy of a rich patron. Griet may be a servant girl with a handsome offer of marriage from butcher's son Peter (Murphy) but it is entirely understandable that she should feel the frustration of wanting more once Vermeer allows her to see the colours of the world through his eyes. Distinguished by glorious cinematography and production design, this is a film that deals in the implicit rather than the explicit. Meaning is found in lingering glances and painful intimacy rather than bold statements or flamboyant drama. In this respect, Scarlet Johansson's central performance is a revelation. As luminous as pale moonlight, she has the ability to let her features become a map of her character's emotions, registering wide-eyed wonder, shame, enchantment or scalding injustice with little more than a hint of a smile or a modest look. The performance marks her out as a young actress with the promise of greatness in her future and is sure to win the film the attention it deserves. http://www.screendaily.com/story.asp?storyid=13940&r=true"}, {"response": 1548, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (08:38)", "body": "Thanks, Vera! Spoke to Tress again last night with the news of LA, but too worn out to post by the time I could get to it last night. ;-( Some bits about Colin's part.... He apparently speaks French, mix of Italian/Spanish, and Portuguese a bit badly purposefully, but comically. They cut out the \"pencil dick\" remark. Whatever the girlfriend says about him when Colin gets home and catches his brother there with her is said off-camera and must have been changed during dubbing. Re: the manual typewriter, she said it didn't seem to be addressed directly, but it's possible he left the laptop while being frazzled and in a hurry to leave town. Also, as the town he went to was fairly quaint, there wasn't much technology readily available. Electricity yes, but seems not a lot of modern conveniences beyond basics. Maybe I make it sound too primitive. He's wearing several layers under that nice cozy sweater. Almost has a \"wet shirt\" scene, but not quite so revealing with those layers. She also described what sounds like a very funny part when he goes to retrieve the book. I'll just say, it involved discomfort to a very, *ahem*, sensitive area. ;-) The housekeeper's dialogue was dubbed. She said it was funny how they would be speaking of similar things with opposite attitudes about it, such as... when the book flies away he says something like, \"Don't bother chasing it, my grandmother could write better.\" At the same time she's stripping and going in the water to get it, she says, \"I hope this book is worth it.\" Something like that. I'm sure you get the idea. That's all of Colin's I can remember at this moment. The rest....(this is even fuzzier)... She very much liked Liam Neeson and his part. Said interesting language thrown around with/by the kid. ;-) One long shot with Emma Thompson reacting to something was excellent. Singled out Rowan Atkinson (short part, as usual), HG, and Bill Nighy as being very funny. She didn't stay for the whole Q&A. She didn't hear the producer's name, but when I mentioned Tim Bevan from Working Title, she thought that might be it. Was she right, Vera? He said RC couldn't be there as he was with the press. Vera covered most of the other stuff Tress mentioned. Oh, the producer said while it was pretty much the final cut, the music may be tweaked/changed a bit."}, {"response": 1549, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (08:58)", "body": "(Dorine) I'll just say, it involved discomfort to a very, *ahem*, sensitive area. ;-) I'm trying to think of something constructive to say about this, but all I can think about is : wait for the DVD ! ;-)"}, {"response": 1550, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (09:47)", "body": "Thanks for the articles/reviews, Maria. Screendaily's is actually a rave, despite not a word of mention for YKW. Re Love Actually premiere, I was told that a \"Spanish\" guy was also there. I expect it was the Brazilian actor that Laura Linney drooled over. (Tress's hotline) The housekeeper's dialogue was dubbed. Huh? You're kidding? Surely, they could get someone to speak her lines whilst lining up the lips. Or did the producer say they had to dub her because her English was unintelligible? Or am I not understanding???"}, {"response": 1551, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (10:30)", "body": "Oh my, am laughing myself silly. Went to Screendaily's main page, where there's the sidebar for the review of GWAPE and lo and behold, they're using a pic of Colin from The Advocate (with big floppy hat). You'd think a trade publication, based in London, would get the right artwork. ;-D Have put up three sets of pics taken outside the GWAPE screening by Heather, Ildiko and Ann: http://www.firth.com/gwape_premgal1.html"}, {"response": 1552, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (10:34)", "body": "Sorry, not dubbed, subtitled."}, {"response": 1553, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (10:45)", "body": "Thanks for the pics everyone! I actually like best, the one with the head almost in the way. Like the wide open eyes. Some animation in his face compared to most others."}, {"response": 1554, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (10:48)", "body": "Sorry Karen, I didn't get your message until this morning about the Evening Standard, missed it. But I did not! If you mean yesterday's ES with a big picture of CF and LL on the front page and another on Page 7! They were giving away a chocolate bar with each copy so I was obliged to eat it in spite of my diet. What I suffer in pursuit of CF ;-) There was no mention of GWAPE, only LA."}, {"response": 1555, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (10:53)", "body": "So? (we won't ask you to share the chocolate bar) If you can scan, pls send to my yahoo acct."}, {"response": 1556, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (11:00)", "body": "Karen - the picture # 4 that Iidiko took --- Here he is in almost the same pose a few years ago at the SIL opening, thanks to Anne: The hair is a lot better now."}, {"response": 1557, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (11:08)", "body": "Nice photo. The article's been posted before: http://www.canada.com/edmonton/edmontonjournal/story.asp?id=44CC4A84-1865-415A-9ADE-8BE525EDE1CB"}, {"response": 1558, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (11:08)", "body": "I know, Murph, I had the same sense of deja vu about that one in particular. ;-D"}, {"response": 1559, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (11:13)", "body": "from the film fest site.."}, {"response": 1560, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (11:14)", "body": "Thanks, Vera, Dorine, Emma, Maria and Karen! cut out the \"pencil dick\" remark. Whatever the girlfriend says about him when Colin gets home and catches his brother there with her LOL! It's a good thing, my DH would never let that one rest. ;-) Who plays his girlfriend and his brother? (Karen), Maybe they should've had T-shirts that said \"we are those people you've never met.\" *snicker* The T-shirts will be in the party bag at the birthday party tomorrow. ;-) (Evelyn) Wrong. He had already finished MIM. The change in GWAPE directors, and time suspension, presented a conflict with a stage committment at the National. (Karen), Exactly, but there's a huge fairytale of a production story that's being disseminated by the makers of this film and I guess some people are going to play ball. I was surprised that Tracy didn't say that it didn't matter because Colin had done such a wonderful job. Why would she even bother talking about RF? (Karen), Oh well....everything about this release continues to remain a mystery. I shall conquer this, I shall! ;-) (Karen),Re Love Actually premiere, I was told that a \"Spanish\" guy was also there. I expect it was the Brazilian actor that Laura Linney drooled over. Check the wireimages. He's there."}, {"response": 1561, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (11:22)", "body": "Karen, \"From the Ladies of Drool\" was too funny. Any stranger would be wondering where are these ladies and how can I meet them? ;-) He's wearing a black cord type chain. Is there a locket with the baby's picture at the end? ;-D Thanks, Maria!"}, {"response": 1562, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (12:36)", "body": "(Karen)I know, Murph, I had the same sense of deja vu about that one in particular It's the eyelashes. Very visible in the SIL one and here, too. Karen, thanks for posting the photos taken by the Toronto contingent. My favorite is the first one. Thank you so much Vera, Dorine, Emma, Maria and Karen! Heather, Ildiko and Ann you guys took really great pictures. Thank you!!"}, {"response": 1563, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (12:39)", "body": "(Moon)He's wearing a black cord type chain. Is there a locket with the baby's picture at the end? ;-D My thoughts as well. Actually, I was imagining a picture of Livia and the baby.... Awwww! ;-)"}, {"response": 1564, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (12:54)", "body": "Moon)He's wearing a black cord type chain. Is there a locket with the baby's picture at the end? ;-D I was thinking more along the lines of a chastity chain, it's looks long... (still in the blueprints stage...)Don't worry, I'm shaking my own head..."}, {"response": 1565, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (12:57)", "body": "(Maria) I was thinking more along the lines of a chastity chain... OK, since you went there first, I'll submit what I just erased and admit I was thinking more along the lines of a leash. (Shaking my head with you and slapping hands for typing such a thing!)"}, {"response": 1566, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (13:45)", "body": "(Maria) I was thinking more along the lines of a chastity chain... (BarbS)I was thinking more along the lines of a leash. LOL! I was thinking one of those electric shocker collars you put on dogs so they won't stray ;-)"}, {"response": 1567, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (13:49)", "body": "Shame on you girls. ;-D"}, {"response": 1568, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (14:06)", "body": "Maybe it has a GPS or LoJack transmitter in it. ;-)"}, {"response": 1569, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (14:12)", "body": "(Dorine) Maybe it has a GPS or LoJack transmitter in it. ;-) She had better put a club on him, I hear those are hard to break into and some of those ladies faces in the background have that certain glazed look about them...;-D"}, {"response": 1570, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (14:20)", "body": "Has anyone noticed a subtle change in ODB? Methinks he is beginning to believe that maybe he is a bit of a sex symbol. Previously all his pictures showed him with just one button open decorously at the neck. Now we have a 2 button exposure with just a flash of chest hair (and a leash)."}, {"response": 1571, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (14:35)", "body": "I think the 2 button exposure is pretty consistent. If you flip back and forth between events: http://www.firth.com/p_eye_index.html (especially those with same shirt), most have the same. Perhaps he pulled it apart further at Toronto because it was so warm. Starting with the GQ awards in 2001: Progressing to the TIOBE premiere in NYC last year: Then to the more recent Hope Springs premiere... And now..."}, {"response": 1572, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (14:40)", "body": "Hehe, Karen. Was just doing research on the subject as well, but of course you are on top of everything so quickly. ;-) Hard work, that research. ;-D"}, {"response": 1573, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (14:47)", "body": "It must be something about the white shirt..."}, {"response": 1574, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (14:55)", "body": "(Karen) If you flip back and forth between events: Hooah! Blood pressure edging toward danger zone! How quickly you pulled that together! You are too good to us! (If I scroll down the page really fast, wonder if it will be like those flip page things?) Thanks for the in-depth study Karen!"}, {"response": 1575, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (15:02)", "body": "ROTF at the same outfit in all the pictures. Maybe along with varying the answers, he might try varying the clothes as well. ;-) But I do like the Toronto pic with the collar *wide* open. The GQ look still way on top for me. Though hard to tell a difference with the picture above. There's another from there that gets me...where he has the obvious tan."}, {"response": 1576, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (15:28)", "body": "Film Stew: Johansson Plays Toronto\ufffds \ufffdIt Girl\ufffd (With the Wireimage pic of Webber, Johansson and Firth) A far more realized work could be found on Sunday, September 7th during the gala presentation of Girl with a Pearl Earring, longtime TV director Peter Webber's debut feature film. Scarlet Johansson, undoubtedly this year's festival's \ufffdIt Girl\ufffd by dint of her roles in this and Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation, stars as Griet, a maid in painter Johannes Vermeer's (Colin Firth) household. Assigned to clean the artist's studio, she develops an interest in the artistic masterpieces she discovers as she discharges her duties, a fascination that does not go unnoticed by her employer. Stressed by constant money troubles and lost in a sea of women that include his petulant, perpetually pregnant wife, Catharina (Essie Davis), Vermeer retreats to his studio where he begins cultivating the one female interested in his art, Griet. Girl with a Pearl Earring is a love story after a fashion, though the sensuality of Griet and Vermeer's relationship finds its greatest expression in the titular painting. Johansson, so very modern as Giovanni Ribisi's neglected wife in Lost in Translation, is pitch-perfect as the 17th-century servant and touching in her evident confusion over her feelings for her employer. The look of the film, shot in warm tones by cinematographer Eduardo Serra and carefully composed, adds to the richness of the drama as director Webber strives for and achieves the filmic equivalent of a Vermeer painting. This is one of those rare films about an artist that truly captures the glory of his work. What is a pity about Girl with a Pearl Earring is that both its gala TIFF screening and Monday, September 8th, matinee performance precede the screenings of Wonderland. After experiencing John Holmes' decadence, a visit to Vermeer's world could provide some badly needed uplift. Alas, it is not to be. Not at this year\ufffds festival, anyway. http://www.filmstew.com/Content/DailyNews/Details.asp?ContentID=6700&Pg=2 (Scroll)"}, {"response": 1577, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (15:38)", "body": "petulant, perpetually pregnant I love alliteration. :-) Think I'd want LA rather than GWAPE after Wonderland. Much peppier I'm sure. Thanks, Murph."}, {"response": 1578, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (16:08)", "body": "Looks like the US release isn't all that different from the UK one. While it will open on Dec 12 in NY and LA, it won't go onto to \"select\" cities until Jan 9th. :-( (knew it, knew it, knew it!!"}, {"response": 1579, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (16:20)", "body": "and I've uploaded portions of the production notes to GWAPE here for your late night reading enjoyment. I'll add more pics when I...whatever... http://www.firth.com/gwape_notes.html"}, {"response": 1580, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (16:23)", "body": "Have you seen the list of Dec. releases? I was wondering where GWAPE would fit in. How amy movies are called Wonderland? I've seen a few. BTW, He only has one buttom open in all the pictures, the top one would be for the collar."}, {"response": 1581, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (16:55)", "body": "Here is the account of my adventure at the GWAPE screening in Toronto. To write about my thoughts on the movie I'll go to Spoilers soon. My hubby and I arrived to the Roy Thomson Hall 1.5 hours before the gala. The plan was that he stands in line to try to get tickets, while I line up at the barricaded area to get a good spot for taking photos. I had absolutely no faith in getting tix, since they were said to have been all sold out, but wanted to try anyway. But when we got there a filmfest volunteer approached us and we were told that tickets were available at the box office for cash. You can imagine that I practically squealed with delight when I heard that. So we got the tickets, and hubby lined up to get in, and I got myself a good spot for taking pics. The red carpet was rolled out, lights, photographers standby, so it seemed an all out red carpet event. I was surrounded by plenty of women and I heard Colin's name casually mentioned about 200 thousand times. :-) Then trouble came, because they started letting the people in, and the actors were nowhere to be seen yet. I was in panic, because we had to go inside to get our seats, but I didn't want to be left out of the Colin experience. So we went inside but didn't go upstairs yet (we had seats on the balcony), hubby wanted, but I simply refused to move from where I was told the actors would come inside. So I stood there, hubby a few meters behind me, keeping our eyes peeled. I felt quite uncomfortable, because I didn't expect to be able to get in, so I was dressed comfortably for a few hours of waiting outside. People were dressed nicely all around, and I stood there wearing my jeans, running shoes, two cameras hanging from my belt, and my red sweater tied around my waist. I looked like a lost tourist for Pete's sake. I got some curious glances, but did my darnedest to ignore them all, and just concentrate on the task at hand. Which was Colin watching. It was absolutely nerve wrecking. It was 9:30 already, people went inside the theatre to take their seats, and my hubby kept nudging me to go, but I thought I'll be damned if I miss this opportunity, so we remained out in the hall with a bunch of others, hoping we'd still have seats when we are finished taking pics. Then finally they arrived, and spent an agonizing 10 minutes outside giving interviews, signing autographs, then Scarlett came in first, then 5 mins later Colin. Women all over started calling out to him, and the poor guy went around a bit, a minute or two, and signed a few, and I finally had a chance to take a pic or two. Unfortunately he was blocked most of the time, so I'm glad I was able to take the handful I did, but most of them turned out useless. At one point Colin was right in front of me, his face less than 3 feet from mine, but the security guard was right between us. I still managed to \"hit\" him, flashed into his face a few times, oh poor baby, while he quickly - and I'm sad to say, without uttering one word - signed a few things, then he was gone. I was so busy taking pics I never even thought of saying anything to him, let alone ask him to sign, but I didn't even want to. I was just out of my mind that he was standing right in front of me, looking so gorgeous that I just wanted to freeze time, take his face in my hands and just look at him for an hour. His face looked freshly shaved, his skin so whitish pink (must have been the lighting), his hands soft and artistlike, his hair brown and those sideburns.. sigh... they were there, and so were those lovely dimples when he smiled. In his dark suit and white shirt open waaaay down (or was it just my imagination?)he looked absolutely devastating. And I mean DEVASTATING. When he was still outside giving interviews he turned his back at us at one point, and I could clearly see that his hair was thinning big time on the top. I wonder how he is going to remedy that as it'll get worse. :-) Then he was gone, and we took our seats on the balcony. Before the screening they all came out to the stage and were introduced by Peter Webber. When Colin was called in the whole auditorium erupted whith applause and female \"Whooo!\"s. Maybe some of the husbands were screaming too, but not with pleasure I think.. :-) Then the movie started, and Colin and company took seats on the first level in the middle. I felt weird being in the same \"room\" with him, especially knowing he was watching himself. That must be a weird thing to do, but he is quite used to it I guess. After the movie was over they were all \"lit\" sitting there, and everybody applaused, then it was over. Needless to say I was on cloud 9, and was grinning all the way home. I think I'm going to be smiling all week long. :-)"}, {"response": 1582, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (17:22)", "body": "(Ildi)Needless to say I was on cloud 9, and was grinning all the way home. I think I'm going to be smiling all week long. :-) And you have good reason... were I to ever see TMH in person, and as DEVASTATING as you describe him and the pictures show him, I don't know if would ever stop smiling! Yipee for you and a pat on the back for the DH for helping in your adventure. ;-)"}, {"response": 1583, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (18:42)", "body": "(Ildi)I just wanted to freeze time, take his face in my hands and just look at him for an hour. Amen! Thank you, Ildi, for that wonderful report. You did everything right. I like a woman who stands her ground;-) (Maria)She had better put a club on him, I hear those are hard to break into and some of those ladies faces in the background have that certain glazed look about them...;-D ...hey, I can crack a safe in 10 seconds flat especially if I'm crazed, eh glazed;-)"}, {"response": 1584, "author": "Heather97", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (20:04)", "body": "OK, throwing my hat into the ring... Here's the account of my Colin encounter. (Settle in, this is going to be long!)My best friend and I decided to venture up to Toronto kind of at the last minute, so we weren't able to get advance tickets for either GWAPE or LA. When we got there, we realized that we would have to choose between standing in the rush line to try to get tickets, or just giving up on the movie altogether and standing amongst the fans so that we could be sure to see Colin. (The way the rush line was positioned--far from the red carpet--it was not possible to do both). Not a hard choice--the movie will be out eventually and we can see it then, but when would we ever have the chance to see Colin in person again? So we staked out a position very early in the afternoon (3:30) right in front of where the limos pulled up to the red carpet, literally two or three feet from where the stars were getting out of their cars. We killed the long hours waiting by talking to some other Firth fans (including Tress) and meeting Denzel Washington nd getting his autograph. When GWAPE time finally rolled around, Scarlett arrived first and breezed right past us. Then Peter Webber came over and talked to a few fans, but I wasn't able to hear much of the conversation. THEN, Colin's car pulled up. It was a towncar (I think) rather than a limo with tinted windows, so we were able to see inside. When he got out, he posed for a few press pictures on the red carpet with his back to us, then proceeded up to the press area. Some of the fans started calling his name and he came back and signed a few autographs. He stopped, though, when he got about three or four people down from me and it seemed like he wasn't going to make it down to our end (and we had thought we were in pole position!!). So people down on my end started calling his name, which didn't seem to be having much effect until my friend, with a note of utter desparation in her voice, called out \"Colin, PLEASE!!\" He turned around and looked right at her (GAH!!) and then headed our way. (As a side note she fully acknowledges that that was one of the single most pathetic moments of her life...but totally worth it!) ;-) So he heads my way and I hand him my GWAPE book, turned to the title page I wanted him to sign, but I have NO pen! (Instead of \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" I'm \"Girl Without a Pen\"!) So he just stands there holding the book for a minute and gives me this look like \"OK, so am I supposed to sign this in my own blood, or what?\" So I snatch a pen out of someone else's hand and he signed my book. He hasn't said anything this whole time, but before he signed my book, my friend asked if she could take his picture while he signed it (we were REALLY close to him--as you can tell from my pictures--and the flash would have been right in his face) and he kind of nodded his head shyly and said \"Yes.\" He signed a few more autographs in our area and then headed back up to the press line. And that was about the extent of our encounter. Unfortunately, due to our school and work schedules we weren't able to tay long enough on Monday to try to catch the 12:00 screenings of either GWAPE or LA. But we did see \"The Human Stain\" (which was excellent) and got to check out the gala premieres on Saturday night, too, so we still felt like we had gotten to do the whole film fest thing. Now, onto more important matters...he looked AMAZING! I will second Ildi's \"devastating\" and throw in a \"drop dead gorgeous\" just for good measure ;-) I was really hoping he would wear that exact outfit (although not realizing until I saw Karen's post that I probably needn't have been concerned, since it seems to be his favorite outfit!). He did not dissapoint in the height department...nice and tall, lean with those broad shoulders. As to the collar issue, I can tell you for certain that it didn't start out that wide open. We saw him as soon as he got out of the car, and as you can tell from my pictures, it wasn't open quite that much (no black cord visible in any of my pictures). So I don't know what the deal was there. His hair looked great (love the Mark Darcy sideburns) and he was clean shaven. I can't say I noticed the brown shoes...such a fashion no-no, but he looked so good otherwise that I can forgive it. I think that's about it, but I'm still on such a natural Colin high that I may have left out s me details in my stupor ;-) If so, I'll post them as they come to me!"}, {"response": 1585, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (21:03)", "body": "(Dorine) ROTF at the same outfit in all the pictures. Maybe along with varying the answers, he might try varying the clothes as well. ;-) Hey, women have their little black dress; Colin has his little black suit ;) (Heather) We killed the long hours waiting by...meeting Denzel Washington LOL! Where else will I read such a blase' account of meeting DW?? Nowhere!! (Heather) gives me this look like \"OK, so am I supposed to sign this in my own blood, or what?\" *evil laugh* \"Any body fluid will do, Colin\" (sorry, couldn't resist; it was *screaming* to be said, lol) ;) Thanks, everyone for all the reports!! Sounds like a grand time was had by all..."}, {"response": 1586, "author": "hershey", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (21:17)", "body": "Argh argh argh. Never have I been more bitterly resentful of being A) a poor grad student with no travel $$ and B) living in IOWA, land of Nowhere Near Anything Fun and Interesting. These stories are making me laugh with happiness for those who were there and cry for my own lack of being there. Thanks to you all for at least providing vicarious lives for me!!"}, {"response": 1587, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (21:49)", "body": "(Allison) Now we have a 2 button exposure with just a flash of chest hair (and a leash). You don't think that's de rigueur in Winchester;-) Ildi what a nice gifts you come bearing...thanks for the pics and \"on the scene \" reports."}, {"response": 1588, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (22:12)", "body": "Ladies, thank you all for your wonderful reports of your Colin sightings (and sighings). How I wish I could have joined you. Did any of you just happen to catch his cologne? I have visions of a Bridget moment during research though!"}, {"response": 1589, "author": "katty", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (22:15)", "body": "I am getting a vicarious thrill out of reading all the Toronto attendees' comments. Thanks to all! I was telling my hubby that we should try to go to some film festival that we know Colin will be at so I can get a glimpse of him, too, as well as enjoy the festivities. He said Sure, as long as his wife is there. You see, he has as high an opinion of her beauty as I do of ODB's! I'd say we both have great taste."}, {"response": 1590, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (22:40)", "body": "(Ildi) Here is the account of my adventure at the GWAPE screening in Toronto. To write about my thoughts on the movie I'll go to Spoilers soon. Thud! OMG, not only pictures and stories, but she's a Drool organizational savant. ;-) *I'm a little light-headed* (Ildi) When he was still outside giving interviews he turned his back at us at one point, and I could clearly see that his hair was thinning big time on the top. I wonder how he is going to remedy that as it'll get worse. :-) Ah yes, it's been that way for a number of years and those hair and makeup people on his films deserve major recognition. (Ildi) Needless to say I was on cloud 9, and was grinning all the way home. I think I'm going to be smiling all week long. :-) No doubt for at least that long. (Heather) (As a side note she fully acknowledges that that was one of the single most pathetic moments of her life...but totally worth it!) ;-) ROTFLOL! Ashamed, never. She should be proud of herself. (Heather) So he just stands there holding the book for a minute and gives me this look like \"OK, so am I supposed to sign this in my own blood, or what?\" So I snatch a pen out of someone else's hand and he signed my book. At least it wasn't like at the LA SIL premiere, where he had to canvass the crowd looking for a pen that worked. Both Ildi and Heather's stories were enormously entertaining and so full of details I could pretend that I was right there too. Thank you so much for sharing with us."}, {"response": 1591, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (22:53)", "body": "Cute quote by Richard Curtis: \"We hope you enjoy the film -- it was absolute hell to make,\" joked Curtis, who addressed the crowd Curtis also described both Firth and Santoro \"as annoyingly handsome,\" and \"the two men my wife says she would consider leaving me for.\" http://www.canoe.ca/FilmFestToronto03/sep9_shorts2-sun.html"}, {"response": 1592, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (22:56)", "body": "Thanks Ildi and Heather! Great stories. Props to you, Ildi, for holding your ground waiting for Colin rather than following your DH to get seated. And props to your DH for being so patient and waiting with you. :-D Can't wait til Tress gets back on tomorrow to relate her experiences first hand."}, {"response": 1593, "author": "katty", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (23:02)", "body": "Here's another bit from Colin: http://www.canoe.ca/FilmFestToronto03/sep8_shorts-sun.html BEING RIGHT MATTERS: Colin Firth, who spoke to reporters about his distrust of British Prime Minister Blair at a time when Blair was hugely popular, feels vindicated because of what's now happening with the Iraq war scandal in England. \"Of course, now I'm having a sort of 'I told you so' feeling of almost erotic proportions,\" he says. Firth is here to promote Girl With A Pearl Earring, the luminous film about Vermeer in which he co-stars with Scarlett Johansson."}, {"response": 1594, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (23:22)", "body": "Another review... Film review: 'Girl With a Pearl Earring' By Kirk Honeycutt TORONTO (Hollywood Reporter) - \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" is a fictional exploration of the world of Dutch master Johannes Vermeer and the painting of his most enigmatic and beloved portrait, \"Girl With a Pearl Earring.\" The movie takes us deep into the intimate realms of artistic inspiration. Based on Tracy Chevalier's best-selling novel, Olivia Hetreed's screenplay has imaginative fun, speculating on who that girl in the painting is and why she looks both amused and sad. The film, the directorial debut by television director Peter Webber, also offers lively lessons in the techniques and methodology of 17th century painting. This is an art film in spades. Boasting inspired performances by Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson -- the queen so far of this year's Toronto film festival, based on her work in \"Lost in Translation\" and this film -- \"Girl\" is not likely to move beyond the art house, but the film does succeed where few others have in penetrating the life of a painter and the source of his art. Cinematographer Eduardo Serra and designer Ben van Os make every frame of this picture a living tribute to Vermeer, utilizing his composition and lighting to capture the look of 1665 Holland. They use the famed \"northern lighting\" that catches faces and objects in a warm half-light that opens up common domestic scenes to the beauties of color and form. The film bathes its actors, furniture and open spaces in a glorious incandescence. Griet (Johansson), still a teenager, must leave her Protestant home to enter Vermeer's tumultuous, Catholic household in Delft when her father, a tile painter, becomes blind. The place is run by stern women. Vermeer's penny-pinching mother-in-law, Maria (Judy Parfitt), keeps a close eye on her emotional daughter Catharina (Essie Davis) -- perennially pregnant with another child to feed -- her mischievous granddaughter and a pair of gossipy female servants. On the floor above, in his studio, Vermeer (Firth) labors painstakingly but in peace on his paintings. He is not prolific, taking months to complete a commission, thus straining the household's finances. In the new maid, the daughter of an artist, Vermeer senses an appreciation of his work no one else in the family shows. He teaches her to buy and mix his paints. He notices her response to his experiments with light and space. And as her husband's interest in this fresh-faced lass grows, so does his wife's jealousy. The young beauty attracts the attention of two other men: the wealthy Master van Ruijven (Tom Wilkerson), Vermeer's lustful patron, and Pieter (Cillian Murphy), a butcher's son who shyly courts her. Sensing the tensions within Vermeer's household and desiring Griet himself, the cunning van Ruijven dangles a tempting commission before Vermeer. He asks the artist to paint Griet alone, behind his wife's back. Money-hungry Maria allows the commission -- and Vermeer's relationship with Griet -- to proceed. The film keenly observes the psychological warfare within the household even as it takes measure of the teeming township outside its door, where animals roam the streets and garbage lies in the canals. All this, the movie seems to say, goes into the painting of one masterpiece, all these tensions, hardships and schemes as well as the life of the times. Johansson's brave and intelligent innocence is nicely balanced by Firth's worldly, compassionate admiration of his painting's subject. In another time and place, these two would be lovers. But here, distinctions in class, religion and education make this impossible; here, their passion remains cerebral and platonic, though sexual tensions abound. High marks belong to the film's entire crew, including Alexandre Desplat's elegant score and Dien van Straalen's costumes modeled after Vermeer's work. Lions Gate Films"}, {"response": 1595, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (23:29)", "body": "(CF) now I'm having a sort of 'I told you so' feeling of almost erotic proportions You can say \"I told you so\" to me as many times as you want to maintain that feeling. ;-D"}, {"response": 1596, "author": "birdy", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (06:53)", "body": "ldi) When he was still outside giving interviews he turned his back at us at one point, and I could clearly see that his hair was thinning big time on the top. I wonder how he is going to remedy that as it'll get worse. :-) (Karen)Ah yes, it's been that way for a number of years and those hair and makeup people on his films deserve major recognition. Maybe they use that little can of spray paint ala The Fabulous Baker Boys ;-D What ever they do is subtle, because especially in outdoor light, it is quite discernible (but not off-putting to me:))) The second best thing to being at TFF is hearing all the the first-hand accounts! I'm lovin' it along with everyone else. Thanks so much for sharing, Iadies!!!! laies!!!!"}, {"response": 1597, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (07:19)", "body": "I just spent almost an hour reading all the reports and skimming the reviews, looking at photos, etc., and I'm in awe of everybody's experiences. Excellent work, everyone! All this, plus a crazed phone call from Tress on Monday, makes me almost feel I was there... almost, but not quite. Dena, Texas is even further from anything interesting than Iowa. Luckily, we have Drool to keep us informed. Thanks, everybody, for all the hard work (and the not-so-hard work of watching Colin)."}, {"response": 1598, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (09:56)", "body": "I enjoy reading about all your encounters, and the positive reviews! Thank you ladies!Thank now to Heather. \"OK, so am I supposed to sign this in my own blood, or what?\" So I snatch a pen out of someone else's hand and he signed my book. LOL! Thanks, Heather, you chose well."}, {"response": 1599, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (11:04)", "body": "Thank you, Heather. I loved your encounter with Colin. Lucky, lucky lady! (Heather)He hasn't said anything this whole time, but before he signed my book, my friend asked if she could take his picture while he signed it (we were REALLY close to him--as you can tell from my pictures--and the flash would have been right in his face) and he kind of nodded his head shyly and said \"Yes.\" Recurring impressions from most of our on-the-scene-ladies... Wonder why he seemed so subdued? Maybe it was just fatigue. Quite different from his \"working the crowd\" at the HS premiere in May. (CF) now I'm having a sort of 'I told you so' feeling of almost erotic proportions . Pregnancy, childbirth, and now politics...He's just an erotic kind of guy;-)"}, {"response": 1600, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (11:09)", "body": "(Linda) Pregnancy, childbirth, and now politics...He's just an erotic kind of guy;-) ROTF, Linda.Great insight;-)"}, {"response": 1601, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (12:48)", "body": "I apologize if we saw this before, but a great review and excellent words for CF. The 2003 Toronto Film Fest by Paul Fischer So now it begins, the busiest North American film festival on the planet. The first weekend is where it all happens: the biggest stars, the biggest films and the studios run overtime with press junkets, screenings and interviews. Day One was more tiring than usual since I chose to get an all-night red eye from Los Angeles, arriving in sunny Toronto at 6 am. No sleep, just enough time to check in, and begin with my first screening here of Girl with a Pearl Earring, a speculative account of the life of Griet, a 16-year-old girl who appears in Johannes Vermeer's painting of the same title. Set in 17th century Holland, Griet (Scarlett Johansson) is employed by Vermeer (Colin Firth) as a housemaid to care for his six children, his jealous pregnant wife and his uncommunicative mother-in-law. Tensions arise when Vermeer's wife suspects intimacy between her husband and the girl, and climax when she discovers that Griet borrowed her precious pearl earrings to sit for the now famous portrait. Perhaps not the ideal fi m to sit through having had less than two hours sleep, Girl is a leisurely paced but seductive period piece, glorious on the eye, and a dazzling in its subtle tone. It's quite the year for the beautiful Johansson, whose performance here is graced with intricacy and maturity. She emits much with little dialogue, encapsulating a portrait of repression desperate for her own inner freedom, and the actress communicates those feelings with skill and depth. She is a major star-on-the-rise. Firth is equally magnificent as the tortured painter. Breathtaking to look at, Girl with Pearl Earrings is a fascinating and remarkable tale, beautifully crafted by first-timer Peter Webber. http://www.filmmonthly.com/Behind/Articles/Toronto2003/Toronto2003.html"}, {"response": 1602, "author": "katty", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (13:37)", "body": "User comments are starting to show up on IMDB: http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0335119/usercomments \"...The ladies will love Colin Firth as the moody artist. No one does grumpy quite as sexily as him... \" All 4 so far have been enthusiastic, but I'm not sure how authentic the comments are. All of the writers seem to have no history in IMDB, sometimes a sign that they are plants. Let's hope that they are indicative of future responses."}, {"response": 1603, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (13:46)", "body": "None of the AICNers seems to have gone to see GWAPE -- shocker, huh? ;-) -- or reported on same, but there is a brief one paragraph about Love Actually: You always know what you're going to get in a Richard Curtis penned movie (\"Four Weddings and a Funeral\", \"Notting Hill\", Bridget Jones' Diary\", not to mention the \"Blackadder\" TV series):great dialogue, funny uses of curse words, some sappy romance, pop music references & recitations, Hugh Grant, and a stand up and cheer ending. In \"Love Actually\", his first directing effort, the formula stands, and that's a good thing. A large ensemble cast tells the stories of many characters, some of whom know each other. You get Chiwetel Ejiofor and Keira Knightly, Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson and Claudia Schiffer (in his dreams), Colin Firth, Bill Nighy very funny as a rock star gone to seed, Laura Linney, of course a terrific cameo by Rowan Atkinson, and a bunch of others whose names I do not know. The only one that was tough to buy was Grant as the Prime Minister, though Billy Bob Thornton as a randy American president was believable. This was billed as a work in progress, so it may be edited down fro its' 2h9m. It's fun as it is. http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com/display.cgi?id=16036"}, {"response": 1604, "author": "hershey", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (13:58)", "body": "I agree about the user comments on imdb.com about GWAPE. They seem a little too generic and \"press release-y\" or like something you'd see in those summary booklets they hand out at the theaters that try to convince you to see EVERY movie they are showing. None of them would convince me to see it. That's why we need our fabulous reviewers from here to post over there. They could do a million times better job!"}, {"response": 1605, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (14:07)", "body": "And \"Love Actually,\" the directing debut of British romantic-comedy king Richard Curtis (he wrote \"Four Weddings and a Funeral,\" \"Notting Hill\" and \"Bridget Jones's Diary\"), is such a shameless crowd-pleaser that it even features Hugh Grant dancing to a Pointer Sisters tune. It's thoroughly pleasant and quickly forgettable, despite a cast of British all-stars (how lovely, especially, to see Emma Thompson again). In Britspeak, one might call the film a bit dodgy \ufffd too many characters, too many loose ends \ufffd but it screened as a work in progress and perhaps will be tightened up a bit before its November release. (Hugh's solo boogie, however, couldn't be improved upon.) The reporter also mentions her run in with YKW... http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/artsentertainment/2001721447_torontodiary10.html"}, {"response": 1606, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (14:08)", "body": "Hi everyone Hope everyone is doing great. Just a quick note to say that Toronto was fantastic and we're very happy with all the positive buzz Love Actually has been getting. I have said all along that this is a wonderfully funny film and and I\"m excited. (but of course I am biased!) I'll be in London Oct 10 through the 12th for a press junket for LA and will be in NYC November 6th for the premiere. It will be held at the Ziegfield Theater and I hope to see many of you there :) I'm working on something now regarding Colin that if he agrees to will be a very pleasant surprise for some of you. But I won't say anymore. :) BTW, was one of you ladies from this forum at the LA screening wearing black slacks, a blue top and reddish hair? Someone made a comment to Colin about this lady at one of the parties that I found amusing. But not as amusing as his response. :) I'll leave it there for now. Take care!"}, {"response": 1607, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (14:17)", "body": "Thanks Hola for dropping by with such *interesting* and cryptic news on his birthday! *jotting down info in date book and every calendar in the house* :-D"}, {"response": 1608, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (14:26)", "body": "Thanks Hola for piquing our interest like that. if he agrees to will be a very pleasant surprise for some of you. Wot? Will he draw names from a hat and make personal visits to some of us? Right! ;-D Anyone know the woman's identity? Of course, I'd love to hear Colin's comment, nice sweet boy that he is. *snicker*"}, {"response": 1609, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (14:43)", "body": "Woah! Lola, Sorry, still in broad range mode from the party. What a cliffhanger of a post. Looking forward to your news."}, {"response": 1610, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (15:07)", "body": "(Karen), Anyone know the woman's identity? Of course, I'd love to hear Colin's comment, nice sweet boy that he is. *snicker* We'd all like to hear it."}, {"response": 1611, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (15:35)", "body": "(Lola)will be in NYC November 6th for the premiere. It will be held at the Ziegfield Theater and I hope to see many of you there :) But will Colin be there? Not that I wouldn't be pleased to see you also, Lola, but you know how it is . . .;-) (L)I'm working on something now regarding Colin that if he agrees to will be a very pleasant surprise for some of you I got it, I got it! Colin will be on a special celebrity episode of Queer Eye For the Straight Guy . . . Carson: \"Brown shoes with a black suit?! Where are you from--Trajique-istan?? Wait a minute, what's this black leather thing hung around your neck? And if I ask real nice, would you tie me up with it and have your way with me? You're so much cuter than the schlemiels from Long Island that they usually give us to work with . . .\" ;-)"}, {"response": 1612, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (15:40)", "body": "Not if your're the lady wearing black slacks, a blue top and reddish hair"}, {"response": 1613, "author": "Heather97", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (16:09)", "body": "(Linda) Wonder why he seemed so subdued? Maybe it was just fatigue. Quite different from his \"working the crowd\" at the HS premiere in May. I've been thinking about that too, and I'm just chalking it up to fatigue. Possibly a case of jet lag and I'm guessing that this is the first time he's really been away from home since the new baby was born. If you contrast it with the HS premiere, held in London on his own turf and with Livia at his side, it makes sense that he would be a little more comfortable there. BTW, Tress just sent me her pictures and they are amazing! You're all in for quite a treat!"}, {"response": 1614, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (16:14)", "body": "Hi Mari He'll be there. Trust me I know no one would go just to see me. LOL Take care"}, {"response": 1615, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (16:23)", "body": "This was also in the Film Monthly story that Linda posted: \"On my next to last day in Toronto [yes, cutting the trip short this year], mostly interviews and the world premiere of the controversial In the Cut. Spoke to a bunch of celebs today, beginning with the engaging Colin Firth, who spoke enthusiastically about the two films he had in Toronto, Girl with a Pearl Earring and the wonderful Love Actually. Colin said that playing a sometimes-bumbling romantic in the latter wasn't a far stretch. A fun interview and a charming Brit, the results of which will be posted in November. Then it was a mad dash to the Four Seasons and an engaging chat with Aussie Cate Blanchett, who also raved about The Missing and talked extensively about her upcoming role as Kate Hepburn in The Aviator. Those in Sydney can see her on stage next year in Hedda Gabler. That interview will run shortly to coincide with the US release of Veronica Guerrin.\" Hola -- If I could still travel easily, I'd be outside that NYC premiere in a heartbeat. This picture sounds so good and so much fun."}, {"response": 1616, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (16:27)", "body": "(Lola)I'm working on something now regarding Colin that if he agrees to will be a very pleasant surprise for some of you. But I won't say anymore. :) How intruiging! Oh please, say more! (Mari)Carson: \"Brown shoes with a black suit?! Where are you from--Trajique-istan?? Wait a minute, what's this black leather thing hung around your neck? And if I ask real nice, would you tie me up with it and have your way with me? You're so much cuter than the schlemiels from Long Island that they usually give us to work with . . .\" ROTFL! Yes, yes, brown shoes and a navy suit are a sad combo, but I have very few other complaints about ODB's appearance. ;-) Well, maybe this too:"}, {"response": 1617, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (17:20)", "body": "Hi, Lola, you definitely have us very curious indeed. So had to start a Top 10 of what Lola would be getting Colin to do that would be a very pleasant surprise for us: 10. Allow us to mascara his chest hairs. 9. Allow us to pick out a new outfit (including shoes) to wear to his next premiere. 8. Give us a private screening for Firth Fans only with TMH as the only guest. 7. Lola would show Colin how to log on and show him how to post on drool. Feel free to add others...can't wait to hear what it really is!"}, {"response": 1618, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (17:55)", "body": "Hmm, Lora... how about? 6. Ear piercing by Colin - I have, um, virgin, as it were, ears, and have always been afraid of the concept, but TMH could pierce my ears any time ;-)"}, {"response": 1619, "author": "birdy", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (17:59)", "body": "(Lola)I'm working on something now regarding Colin that if he agrees to will be a very pleasant surprise for some of you. But I won't say anymore. :) Or. Maybe its the Will & Grace thing."}, {"response": 1620, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (18:31)", "body": "Whatever it is...It's killing me! 5. Colin sends us all invitations to the LA premiere in NY with a pass to the After Party so no one has to crash? (Lola)He'll be there. Alrighty, then. *gulping* (thank you, Lola) I think I heard correctly that there will be a spot on Entertainment Tonight-tomorrow for LA. Looks like the focus is HG."}, {"response": 1621, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (19:48)", "body": "(Mari), Carson: \"Brown shoes with a black suit?! Where are you from--Trajique-istan?? Wait a minute, what's this black leather thing hung around your neck? Go Carson! LOL! So who's going to the LA NY premiere? 4. Colin finally answers our interview questions. ;-D"}, {"response": 1622, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (19:52)", "body": "3. Web chat with fans 2. Letterman 1. Guest host of Saturday Night Live!"}, {"response": 1623, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (19:58)", "body": "(Mari) 3. Web chat with fans 2. Letterman 1. Guest host of Saturday Night Live! I like the way you think. Feeling v. weak in the knees just thinking about the possibilities. I hope it's #3."}, {"response": 1624, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (20:43)", "body": "(Mari) 1. Guest host of Saturday Night Live! Bite your tongue. (Moon) 4. Colin finally answers our interview questions. ;-D LOL! Been so long, I forgot what they were. ;-)"}, {"response": 1625, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (20:53)", "body": "(Hola) Trust me I know no one would go just to see me. LOL Well, I might try to say a friendly hello and thanks, though there's just one problem....I wouldn't know if I saw you or not, as I've never actually seen you. ;-D Excellent news, though. Thanks, Mrs. H.L."}, {"response": 1626, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (21:42)", "body": "Carson: \"Brown shoes with a black suit?! Where are you from--Trajique-istan?? LOL! Are you writing dialogue for him now? ;-D (Lora) 10. Allow us to mascara his chest hairs. Didn't someone here have dibs on just that job? 9. Allow us to pick out a new outfit (including shoes) to wear to his next premiere. But you have a picture of yourself with Colin in his premiere uniform. Trying to make it unique and exclusive now? Sly girl. Mari)3. Web chat with fans 2. Letterman 1. Guest host of Saturday Night Live! Here's someone else on drugs. ;-D"}, {"response": 1627, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (21:46)", "body": "Lola, thanks for keeping us up-to-date and for inspiring a wishin' 'n hopin' top 10. Hola Lola) Trust me I know no one would go just to see me. I would love to try to make the NY Nov. 6th premiere (if I can work it out) and all of us, I'm sure, would love to meet you. You have been so generous and a most important contributor to our discussions. Plus we definitely would be a lot less nervous meeting you than YKW ;-)."}, {"response": 1628, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (21:57)", "body": "(Karen)Trying to make it unique and exclusive now? Sly girl. Hey, just trying for a \"broad range\" of pictures with him. But that means I might need a new outfit too. (Mari)3. Web chat with fans (Karen)Here's someone else on drugs. ;-D How about just a post or two?"}, {"response": 1629, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (00:39)", "body": "(me through my medium, Dorine) They cut out the \"pencil dick\" remark. Whatever the girlfriend says about him when Colin gets home and catches his brother there with her is said off-camera and must have been changed during dubbing. (Karen) Huh? You're kidding? Surely, they could get someone to speak her lines whilst lining up the lips. Or did the producer say they had to dub her because her English was unintelligible? Or am I not understanding??? The line is said off camera.....ODB is in front room with his brother. We hear his girlfriend yell from the bedroom....no 'pencil dick', now just 'loser boyfriend'! (Moon)He's wearing a black cord type chain. Is there a locket with the baby's picture at the end? ;-D (Shoshana) My thoughts as well. Actually, I was imagining a picture of Livia and the baby.... Awwww! ;-) I actually heard the cord was a panic button.....in case I got too close! (and NO, I did not go to screening wearing black slacks, blue top.....and my hair is brown!!!) Seriously, I heard it was a security thing of some sort....but cannot find confirmation anywhere (one of a few rumors on the streets)."}, {"response": 1630, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (00:43)", "body": "(Karen) Karen) Huh? You're kidding? Surely, they could get someone to speak her lines whilst lining up the lips. Or did the producer say they had to dub her because her English was unintelligible? Or am I not understanding??? This comment was in reference to the Portuguese housemaid, I believe."}, {"response": 1631, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (00:52)", "body": "Shannon Gee reports on the imdb: Today is Colin Firth\ufffds birthday, and I hope that he\ufffds having a better time here than he does playing Johannes Vermeer in Girl with a Pearl Earring. No one broods like Firth, and there is a lot of arduous longing (along with beautiful compositions) in this film about the muse-like relationship between the Dutch painter and his house servant Griet (Scarlett Johansson). The film is a veritable textbook for film composition and lighting, if not a bit flat on the plot side. Still, Firth and Johansson, who is giving Toronto a full court press (like Nicole Kidman and Patricia Clarkson) by having no less than two films in the festival, perform an impressive level of near silent film acting as they build the tension between master and maid. In person, however, Firth will give you a cheery, quite verbal \ufffdhello\ufffd as he passes you in the hallway."}, {"response": 1632, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (01:10)", "body": "Okay...finally my long winded VERY late Toronto report: Saturday night I got in late and we went to Yorkville. THE place for the celebs to be out and about....we saw Dylan McDermott hanging out on the street (he is very handsome but MUCH shorter than I imagined. Maybe 5'8 tops?). We took a turn about the Four Seasons (Rumor has it that that is the hotel that Colin was staying in and there was a report that he was on the street in front late that evening, after we left (which was....about midnight, 1 a.m.)). Next day was Sunday and we were a mess! We got ready and went downtown early. Scoped out Roy Thompson Hall. There were two girls already there at 3 in the afternoon (hello Heather and 'friend')! They came from Indiana and had driven 10 hours to see Colin! We had been told that the ticket line would also be the line the celebs 'walked' before going in!! WRONG! There was a separate section for people to see the red carpet and then waaaaay over on the other side were the ticket lines. We were told that day that we needed to be inside, in our seats at 9:15 otherwise they would sell the seats to people in the rush lines.....so.....we decided to hang out in the greeting 'pen' and hope to see ODB then jet over across the street and around (since the street was partially blocked to peds. We took a chance that he would show prior to 9:15 (which added to our anxiety that day as we didn't want to miss GWAPE!)). I talked to two security people. Robert became a good buddy and a source of great amusement! I asked him to be kind to us when ODB arrived as he didn't give me a good angle when he opened Denzel Washington's door and I got crap pictures (as in NONE!) and only mediocre pics of Dean Cain. I coached him on where to tell the driver to pull up and how to stand back from the door so we could get good pics!! I then asked him if he liked his 'gig'....he said he was having a blast except that he was 'ruined' after meeting 'the alabaster one' the day before (Nicole Kidman). He apologized but stated that Colin just wasn't going to excite him after that (and claimed not to know who ODB was! REALLY! LOL!)! I thought Peter Webber arrived first (about 9) but Heather thinks SJ was there first (my mind was going all over the place and she is probably right). Anyway, he was very funny and engaged a lot with the 'pen' people. He introduced the producer (cannot remember his name...Dorine? Do you know?) and the producer said something to the effect that \"You will love this film! It is luminous and beautiful....well not as beautiful as Colin Firth as you ladies know!\" When Scarlet arrived her car did not pull forward to the carpet and she was taken immediately to the press tent (no autographs, no greetings), this made me panic a bit as I thought that maybe they would do the same to ODB!!! But then the signal from Robert....car pulled right to the red carpet and I could see ODB through the glass. Started snapping and didn't stop! Initially ODB was being lead by his 'handler' right to the press tent! But he paused when everyone started calling out to him (at this point he was well beyond us). Honestly, he look d 'out of sorts'. He was smiling and began signing, but you could tell that he was pretty tired of the whole thing. He had been at LA earlier and I am guessing this was a very long day for him! He was very kind to his fans though! Someone yelled \"dimples\" and he smiled (closed mouth). Some other ladies asked \"boy or girl?\" to which he said nothing....he did not really communicate with the fans. Just signed. The girls in front of me (Heather and 'friend'!) yelled for him and Colin came back to sign (someone handed him something sans pen, and he said the only words I would hear him clearly say that evening.....\ufffda pen?\ufffd....LOL, Heather, was that you???)...I was still snapping pics as he was signing, I was completely not thinking of an autograph, just getting pictures to share!! I kept apologizing with every flash! \"Sorry\", \"sorry again\", \"sorry\"! I think on my second or third \"sorry\", he chuckled and shook his head. He then moved down and signed my buddy\ufffds pic and I realized I had nothing signed!!! GAHAAAAA!!! I yelled (as he was about five feet down the line AGAIN) \"COLLLLLLLLL-IIIIIIIIIIN!\" ODB backed up to me! Sweet guy! Considering I had blinded him numerous times.....I was so nervous! I handed him my book with Sharpie uncapped and stuck in the page I wanted him to sign (or so I thought!). He turned to the page and saw that I had put the pen in the first page (the one with all the 'reviews'). I saw my error and said.....'sign anywhere, I don't care!\" He kind of smiled/chuckled again, turned the page and signed were I wanted him to! AGAIN...very nice, I thought, as he was in a huge hurry and had a hand on his arm trying to pull him away. He handed book and Sharpie back to me with Sharpie over the edge of book and I reached out and got poked (I am sure this will be the only poking given to me by ODB, and I must say I enjoyed i"}, {"response": 1633, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (01:50)", "body": "Tress, thank you so much for your wonderful report. I'm sure this encounter will last in your heart for the rest of your life :-)"}, {"response": 1634, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (03:17)", "body": "(Tress)So...sorry to bore you to bits, Boring? Nevahh!! Thank you for your fabulous report. I'm sure I would be exactly like you when confronted by the man himself. I'm amazed you were able to speak at all. Well done, Tress."}, {"response": 1635, "author": "kolin", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (05:13)", "body": "Globe and mail article Mr. Darcy's artistic licence After Pride and Prejudice, he became the thinking woman's sex symbol, but Colin Firth sees himself merely as a 'jobbing actor,' he tells GAYLE MacDONALD By GAYLE MacDONALD Thursday, September 11, 2003 - Page R1 To prepare for his role in Peter Webber's film Girl With a Pearl Earring, Colin Firth became a Vermeer egghead. He obsessed over the Dutch painter, who died at 43, bankrupt and leaving behind a wife, 11 kids and 35 paintings. Firth studied his works in the Hague and at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. He read every piece of research he could find. He even learned how to properly hold a brush and grind his own paints. Not normally such a compulsive, Firth says the research was exhausting but essential to play a character who was, on one hand, a most enigmatic and elusive man, and, on the other, an intensely eloquent and expressive person -- at least his magically lit art suggests as much. \"I became consumed with Vermeer, yes,\" says the 42-year-old British actor, best known as Mr. Darcy, first in the TV miniseries Pride and Prejudice and, later, in the movie version of Bridget Jones's Diary. \"It was sort of like chasing shadows, really. I felt I had to get to know him, but still maintain his air of mystery. It was very helpful to look at history. But in some ways I don't know how healthy it was to look at the paintings. They can drive you mad with frustration because you can't get a handle on them. They seem to have some sort of secret they won't reveal. \"It's a mystery to me whether it's helpful to the acting or not, to do this [amount of research],\" the actor goes on. \"But it was fascinating to me. It was a diversion and a source of interest and a great kind of perk of the job that I could throw myself at it to such an extent. In the end, it was useless, however, to speculate too broadly on what kind of guy he was because we don't know. He might have been someone who never stopped talking. We didn't see him like that. In the end, I just had to put the pieces together, and place myself in the middle of it.\" Firth is seated at a table in an outdoor courtyard at Toronto's Intercontinental Hotel, looking nothing like the long-haired, conflicted soul he portrays in Webber's film, which will hit screens in early December. For one, he's got short hair. In the movie, he sports a shoulder-length wig that constantly needs a good brushing. He's friendly, warm and engaging. Firth is a serious actor, but one who likes to jump between different film genres, frothy comedy to dark drama. The variety, he explains, keeps him from getting stale. Before arriving in Luxembourg to shoot Girl with a Pearl Earring, he'd done a spate of light-hearted romantic comedies (What a Girl Wants, Love Actually and Hope Springs). This project put him back in breeches and a few hundred years in the past. Firth thinks it's good for an actor to be displaced, from time to time. It gives you new perspective, he grins. \"A different head space.\" In Girl with a Pearl Earring, which also stars Scarlett Johansson as Griet, a maid in the Vermeer household who becomes the painter's muse and the subject of one of his most beautiful works. In Tracy Chevalier's best-selling book that inspired the movie, dialogue was kept to an absolute minimum Webber's film stays true to the silence, which meant Firth and Johansson had the added challenge of conveying their growing affection through actions and a large number of penetrating looks. \"In this case, so much of the dialogue is interior,\" says Firth. \"And it almost puts you in the position of the writer of that dialogue, an improviser of it. That makes what is said terribly important. And it makes the nuance incredibly important.\" Dressed in a sweater, faded jeans and boots, Firth is the picture of easy grace. He's serious but not stuffy, tall and slim. There is no artifice or ego about this man. He's well aware that his turn, eight years ago, as Mr. Darcy emerging from the fish pond in his drenched shirt, helped make him a sex symbol with scores of women. That image, though, just makes him laugh. \"It's simply not something I ever think about,\" says the actor, married to the Italian documentary maker Livia Giuggioli, whom he met in 1995 in Columbia while making Nostromo. Giuggioli gave birth to the couple's second son last month. Another long-term relationship with Meg Tilly produced son Will, now 12, whom he visits frequently in Los Angeles. \"Hey, I have a great life. I've got a nice home great kids and a wife I love. So I feel blessed. But I consider myself a jobbing actor. I have to pay the bills. So I choose roles that interest me and allow me to get on with it.\" After he finished Girl with a Pearl Earring, Firth picked another meaty, dramatic role -- this time, in a film called Trauma by Marc Evans (whose previous work includes My Little Eye). It's a dark story about a \"guy who starts off in a very, very, very bad place, and it just goes down from ther"}, {"response": 1636, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (07:13)", "body": "Tress, thank you so much for your great report! It seems you had the time of your life."}, {"response": 1637, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (07:56)", "body": "(Tress) So...sorry to bore you to bits Tress, your report was anything *but* boring! What a trip!! (T) I couldn't move as long as he was going to look at me and give me that wonderful closed mouth smile!!! LOL, he really oughta watch were he points that thing ;)"}, {"response": 1638, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (08:20)", "body": "Tress! Thanks for letting us live it (esp. the frozen bits) through your words! BTW, I think disguising yourself as a 300 year old redwood was brilliant! And he dimples on demand?! You should have invited DG out for a drink, sounds like she is one of us! Vera thanks for the great article!"}, {"response": 1639, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (08:30)", "body": "LA article... http://www.portal.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml;$sessionid$EI5BE5C3XQYPTQFIQMGSFGGAVCBQWIV0?xml=/arts/2003/09/09/bfgrit09.xml"}, {"response": 1640, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (09:52)", "body": "I do want to say one more thing about TIFF and then I'll shut-up! I met some wonderful women there! Have never had the opportunity to Drool with others, but was so much fun to meet people who shared my love of ODB! Met Myou (who was amazing and kept us updated....giving us the first fashion report from LA as we waited in the GWAPE 'pen'....)....Vera was there and was our tour guide throughout our stay in Toronto....I met Heather and her friend. And many more lovely ladies! I think half the fun was sitting around and talking to everyone.... OH! And there are GWAPE posters now! They are amazing! The pic we expected (the one that will be on the tie-in book as well). A couple of the women in our group went to find an internet cafe while some of us stood in the LA rush line on Monday....they cracked us up by coming back with their arms LOADED with posters! They had found a poster shop and nearly cleaned the man out! Up close the picture looks 'painted' and the 'mystery words' (maybe some know this already, sorry if I repeat myself) by ODB's chin say \"Beauty Inspires Obsession\". Thanks Maria for the LA article! I completely agree with the assessment of Emma Thompson's performance and the bit in the article that was mentioned really moved me....she did a fantastic job (considering each story has about 10 or 15 minutes tops, it is very impressive that ET was able to make you feel so much for her character). I think that bit was the best (non-ODB) part of the entire film. I'll take my GWAPE and LA talk to Spoilers now....."}, {"response": 1641, "author": "houstonandy", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (10:20)", "body": "I do want to say one more thing about TIFF and then I'll shut-up! Tress, if you've got more to tell, spill it, girl!! Not sure we would ever be tired of the subject or the experience. And thanks so much to everyone for the great reporting. Makes me definitely want to join in on the next opportunity."}, {"response": 1642, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (10:37)", "body": "I could be girl with a hurl feeling...I lived 15 minutes from here and now I'm stuck in the swamps...:-( http://www.cafilm.org/mvfffilms/36.html"}, {"response": 1643, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (10:38)", "body": "(Karen) Karen) Huh? You're kidding? Surely, they could get someone to speak her lines whilst lining up the lips. Or did the producer say they had to dub her because her English was unintelligible? Or am I not understanding??? (Dorine) This comment was in reference to the Portuguese housemaid, I believe. And you meant \"subtitled\" not dubbed, right? LOVED your long-winded report from Toronto, Tress. Thanks very much for sharing it all with us. (Tress) and only mediocre pics of Dean Cain. \\ Then they would be without tights, huh? ;-D He apologized but stated that Colin just wasn't going to excite him after that (and claimed not to know who ODB was! REALLY! LOL!)! Hey, I'm more amazed when some DOES know who he is. ;-D He introduced the producer (cannot remember his name... Probably Andy Paterson. Someone yelled \"dimples\" and he smiled (closed mouth). Contrary devil, isn't he? ;-) Was he calling security (using rumored 'panic button' hanging about his neck)??? Where do people come up with this stuff? Geez Louise! :-( (article) In the movie, he sports a shoulder-length wig that constantly needs a good brushing. *snort* (article) The variety, he explains, keeps him from getting stale. Have childish rhyme playing over and over in head. Thanks Vera for posting the article. Anxious to see the accompanying pic. :)"}, {"response": 1644, "author": "caribou", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (11:11)", "body": "Thanks to all of you for sharing your TIFF experiences. It is actually better for me than being there. I was so high from my experience that I don't think I would have lived through seeing ODB especially up close and personal. So, kudos for all have lived to tell the tale! I can't find the exact posts but wanted to comment on a couple of things from the past few days. In some photos, they labeled Peter as CF. That would be an easy mistake to make. I almost told him he looked like CF when I was talking to him but thought it might be to over the top, so refrained. You can't really tell from the pictures (he doesn't seem to be as photogenic as ODB). He is shorter than CF but he has the same light brown, wavy hair and good features and, of course, posh voice. In the first picture, I was also happy to see PW's blue shirt and jeans that he wore in Telluride. I particularly appreciated the transition shown in the pix from western casual to city casual for the gala. Peter said it was his first autograph to sign. It's all my fault. Another thing I thought to do but didn't.:-) (Tress)He introduced the producer and the producer said something to the effect that \"You will love this film! It is luminous and beautiful....well not as beautiful as Colin Firth as you ladies know!\" Andy Patterson was the producer. He was a physicist before deciding to produce TV and films. Based on my very limited exposure in Telluride, Andy was being quite wordy to say that much to you. I think they are learning as they go. Quick studies! They have already learned their most ardent admirers of the film will be CF's fans.:-) (Tress)the writer of the adaptation (Olivia something), Olivia Hetreed is the screenwriter. If you will be at an upcoming film fest, be careful what you say and to whom. Olivia is married to the producer, Andy Patterson but I don't think she was in Telluride with them. It wasn't hard to be careful, though, because the script is really, really good. Also, Peter's wife, Pip, is credited as a milliner. I think he said she did Catharina's hair ornaments which are very nice."}, {"response": 1645, "author": "caribou", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (11:21)", "body": "Oh, sorry forgot. One more thing about Olivia which can be a conversation point if needed. She worked on Privileged which was Huge Gnat's first film but the connection appropriate for us is Peter Schwabach also worked on that and then later directed CF in SLOW."}, {"response": 1646, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (11:30)", "body": "ATTN: Canadians I've been informed by Ann that there is a show on tonight (Thursday) at 11 pm (in Toronto) that may have the CBC interview with Colin. It's on CBC Newsworld and it's called \"Play\"."}, {"response": 1647, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (11:33)", "body": "Tress, our new BJ! Well done, well deserved, I'm very happy for you! I actually heard the cord was a panic button... Seriously, I heard it was a security thing of some sort....but cannot find confirmation anywhere (one of a few rumors on the streets). Strange. You'd think Nicole Kidman would need it more than him. If he did have it, it must be some fear of some fan that keeps showing up everywhere he does. Maybe he even encountered her at his hotel. It's weird. Thanks, Vera and Maria for thenarticles."}, {"response": 1648, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (11:46)", "body": "While my computer won't fully cooperate, some of you may be able to see film clips and interviews with SJ and Colin here: http://reuters.feedroom.com/index.jsp?auto_band=x&rf=sv&fr_story=fabfeaa901805d6af9c4a5120d722786ad76e273 Will check this out on another computer later."}, {"response": 1649, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (12:01)", "body": "OMG!!! Thanks Karen!!Beautiful,just beautiful..Can't wait to be able to turn up the volume and actually hear what is being said!"}, {"response": 1650, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (12:14)", "body": "I heard it, I saw it. There's even a small interview! Thank you, Karen!"}, {"response": 1651, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (12:37)", "body": "I just ran over to grab a Globe & Mail and the photo in the paper is different than the website. It's a fantastic, arty, shadowy shot, 6\"X9\". Darkish blue pullover shirt (knit?) down to his waist, against a red brick wall, a few leaves making shadows around him as he looks over into the light. Gah!! Maybe some fellow Canadian can scan this? It's just lovely. He even got a front page mention: The Actor Consumed by Vermeer Gayle MacDonald meets the thinking man's sex symbol. I'll be checking out \"Play\" tonight but not holding my breath. So far, Woody Harrelson has been taking the spotlight away from others. Colin should've joined him for his outdoor yoga session, a la Hope Springs. Also, Canadians, check out Inside Entertainment (Global)and Movietelevision (Bravo--Friday) this weekend. Thanks for the clip link, Karen. I have to go check it out now!"}, {"response": 1652, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (12:58)", "body": "Wow, Thank you, Karen. Almost like a mini trailer. Excellent. Also noticed the black scapula/security cord/homeing device. Looks like it didn't leave his person the whole time. LOL...I wouldn't either! Thanks Tress, you lucky girl. Very much enjoyed the report from your point of view. Loved your Bridget moments and v.v. good directing Robert about where ODB's car should be at crucial moment. Thanks Vera and Maria."}, {"response": 1653, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (13:04)", "body": "Thanks for the great news Lola. Very exciting. Wonder what the surprise could be He's going to do an on-phone interview to be taped with his number one fans of the Drool. Wouldn't that be nice. Karen thanks for the great pics on public eye and to all the contributors. Great job. Thanks for article Vera. Tress, what is there left to say. You are amazing and thanks so much for sharing."}, {"response": 1654, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (13:44)", "body": "Tress, thanks for such a detailed, thorough, and humorous report. Loved all your BJ moments. Your pictures have to be as terrific as your report and experience. Karen, thanks for the Reuters video clips and interviews. They are unbelieveable! It's amazing how SJ looks so much like the painting in the film."}, {"response": 1655, "author": "soph", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (14:48)", "body": "(mr. f. for the globe & mail or whatever) \"A different head space.\" ahaha ! someone's had one too many martinis at the tiki bar yesterday, obviously (or maybe it was those exotic cigarettes). hey tress, i thought the thing hanging around the neck was ben's nametag reading \"if lost call tress, etc.\" ??? plot consistency ! plot consistency ! i haven't had much time to thank everybody for all the news reports adventures and field trips. so, thank you everybody. shame shame, but hope i am forgiven."}, {"response": 1656, "author": "myou", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (15:52)", "body": "Thanks for the Reuters site, Karen! Wow, such long clips, especially the window washing scene. I remember that this scene produced a small laugh from the Toronto audience, as she kicked the rag under the table, trying to keep her pose. And thanks for possible CBC siting tonight!"}, {"response": 1657, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (16:52)", "body": "Oh my, oh my...the Globe & Mail pic is, well, words...fail me http://www.firth.com/articles/03globemail_911.html Thanks to Jennifer for sending it my way, but I'm going to have to have this one."}, {"response": 1658, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (17:06)", "body": "Amazing report,Tress. ...amazing gal. *clap*, *clap* I actually heard the cord was a panic button.... The burning question: \"Why, why ?\""}, {"response": 1659, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (18:21)", "body": "ET just had a piece on LA, introduced as Hugh's movie and then explaining that movie is made up of different stories, while quick clips are running it goes on to list Liam, Emma, Laura, Bill,Alan, Martine... yup that's it I guess... Oh wait, I think there was a subliminal frame left in where he is watching her run down the pier but it went so fast I can't be sure..."}, {"response": 1660, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (18:35)", "body": "Hope this has not been posted. At least he doesn't mention Colin! Jeffrey Wells at Movie Poop Shoot: Love Hurts Let's say you're an unmarried British Prime Minister who looks like Hugh Grant, and you've got a thing for a slightly chubby office assistant you've just met. Then the randy U.S. President who looks a lot like Billy Bob Thornton pays a visit and puts the moves on her when you're out of the room. You catch a glimpse of him kissing her cheek when you return, and you become angry. Your response, naturally, is to take revenge on the U.S. President at a joint press conference and start a major diplomatic rift between England and the U.S., and then to have your office assistant canned out of spite. Of course, anyone with a hamster-level IQ and a semblance of life experience might consider the fact that (a) the U.S. President is a total hound and hounds never back off, and (b) that the office assistant was probably too initimidated to resist the leader of the free world, which would lead to a show of sympathy for her rather than one of vengeance. But of course, this doesn't occur to you. It goes without saying any world leader would never consider creating a major rift in U.S.-British relations over a private indiscretion like this -- but you just can't help yourself, darn it. You may be a 40ish politician with a knack for crisis-managing and artfully tip-toeing through minefields (which is how you got to be Prime Minister, after all), but at heart you're an impulsive 15 year-old. And besides, what is a stable productive alliance between great nations compared to Prime Minister Grant's acute sense of romantic disappointment? If you can buy all this, you'll have a wonderful time with LOVE ACTUALLY. It's retarded, simplistic, overwrought, coy, cutesy-poo and full of elements that will turn your heart into custard. If you're an idiot, that is. It's an ensemble comedy with too many love stories (i.e., eight), and not enough time to flesh them out, and writing that's nowhere artful or deft enough to make it all fuse together. But none of this matters. That's because those who've decided it's a \"good movie\" (a quote from David Poland's Hot Button column) despite its ocasional lumpiness have also decided the faults aren't so much with the movie as with the people who can't stomach it. The problem isn't Richard Curtis and his contemptibly blithe and thoughtless approach to story-telling, see, but foul-mannered journalists who refuse to turn off their minds and get with the program. One guy wrote me, 'Did you hear that crowd last Sunday night? They were delirious with laughter.\" He's right about that. This movie, God help us all, is probably fated to be a hit. I'm sure the impressionable will be attracted to the visual look of the thing. Everyone and everything in LOVE ACTUALLY sparkles and glows and soothes in a Bloomingdale's window-display way. It tries to seduce you with sticky sentiment like an obnoxious womanizer with halitosis might try and seduce a woman at a party by feeling her up. There's a wedding scene in which a team of singers and musicans suddenly launch into a sappy rendition of \"All You Need is Love.\" Keira Knightley plays the bride in this scene, and whatever good will she may have gotten from her acting in BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM and PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN has been totally erased because of this. She will pay and pay and pay. I found myself wishing that Geoffrey Rush's ghost killers would come crashing through the doors and lop off a few heads, starting with those loathsome trombone players. Like I said in Monday's column, I loved Hugh Grant's '70s dance number inside 10 Downing Street -- that was perfect. Rowan Atkinson has a good scene, there's a good line toward the end about Elton John and meatballs, and Emma Thompson gives a touching performance as a wife who believes she's being cheated on. But to mention this film in the same breath as NOTTING HILL and FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL would be totally libelous if the same people weren't involved. (Curtis wrote 'em all, and Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner produced.) I happen to feel LOVE ACTUALLY is a callous and rather short-sighted thing. It's not so much about love but the thrill of discovering someone new you'd like to go to bed with and maybe develop some real feelings for down the road...who knows? It should really be called HORMONES ACTUALLY. With two or three of the episodes, it could be called CHEATING ACTUALLY. (Hey, that's not a bad idea for a film.) For a movie that equates salami-stuffing with love, it's a bit odd to hear Grant's narration declare at the very beginning that one indication that love is all around us is the fact that all those doomed people on those hijacked jets on 9.11.01 got out their cell phones and called their spouses and family members. I'm not sure this illustrates Grant's point all that well. It certainly doesn't illustrate the movie's interest, which is primarily about the seemingly profound pixie-dust feeling "}, {"response": 1661, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (18:43)", "body": "Companion shot to the Globe and Mail one Karen has posted - Against another wall:"}, {"response": 1662, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (19:15)", "body": "(Maria)ET just had a piece on LA, introduced as Hugh's movie . . . it goes on to list Liam, Emma, Laura, Bill,Alan, Martine... yup that's it I guess... If you think that's bad, look at the new trailer. http://www.themoviebox.net/trailers/moviebox_trailers/lovea_tr_page.htm"}, {"response": 1663, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (19:23)", "body": "A prescription for Mr.Wells at the Movie Poop Shoot... Take 2 Paxil Place this over your nose and mouth (making sure to secure your own before securing others around you... And I've brought you this lovely jacket, let me help you with it... Sorry, I've had a bad day, see how contagious his bitterness was? Not good for anyone, wish I could see LA right now to escape a bit...;-)"}, {"response": 1664, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (19:24)", "body": "Oh well, insert muzzle and straitjacket, respectively..."}, {"response": 1665, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (19:30)", "body": "I like to thank everyone for their wonderful reports, pics, articles and info posted over the past few days. Things have certainly been hot here lately! I'm delighted for those of you who managed to visit Toronto and see him in the flesh. I hope my time will come soon! And Lola, I'm intrigued! Just what is in the pipeline? I hope his comment at the party wasn't too cruel - I've heard he has a rather wicked sense of humour!"}, {"response": 1666, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (19:54)", "body": "Hugh on the cover of Premiere mag (US) with long hilarious interview. LA touted as definitely *his* new movie. At least Bob Altman had the decency to say Gosford Park was an ensemble cast."}, {"response": 1667, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (21:23)", "body": "it's a bit odd to hear Grant's narration declare at the very beginning that one indication that love is all around us is the fact that all those doomed people on those hijacked jets on 9.11.01 got out their cell phones and called their spouses and family members. I'm not sure this illustrates Grant's point all that well. I'm still agog they didn't re-dub this v.o. He just can't resist doing that cute guy thing, can he? I thought he had turned a corner with ABOUT A BOY and had decided to play weighter, more substantial roles, but here he is back doing the same old \"oh, my...yes...I did say that, didn't I?\" routine in LOVE ACTUALLY. He'd better watch it. He's painting himself into a corner. Did he ever claim ambitions otherwise? Does he care? I bet not. With all the money and women he has, why would he? ok, no more HG ;-))"}, {"response": 1668, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (21:44)", "body": "(Tress) ...it gave me an excellent view of the top of his head! WHICH (I thought, contrary to Ildi) HAD TONS OF HAIR! LOL! Tress, my hubby saw it too, so I guess it's all about what angle you view it from. Thanks for your account, Tress, loved your Bridget moments. Thanks also to Heather, Vera, Myou, and all who were there, I loved reading your adventures, it was so exciting I felt I was there. Wait...., I WAS there. :-) I wish I could've met you and said hello to you guys. Since my hubby is not a fan (\"Come on, he is not even good looking...\") I would've loved to have some other smitten ones to drool with. I knew you were there, but of course I had no idea what you guys looked like, and since I didn't \"come out\" yet at the time I was too chicken to ask around for any Droolers. My loss. I hope I can do better next time. :-)"}, {"response": 1669, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (21:51)", "body": "Well at least they remembered that Colin was in BJD;-)Saw a few shots of him in between the PM. Wow, the pictures. The hair...looks so full. Thank you Karen and Mari. Tress, how would you compare the amount of screen time? I assume you were watching this one;-) No YKW a few feet in front of you to drive you to distraction."}, {"response": 1670, "author": "sandym", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (22:10)", "body": "A big THANK YOU to all those who have filed their reports on the TIFF! For those of us who couldn't attend, it's the next best thing to being there. Bravo!"}, {"response": 1671, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (03:22)", "body": "As part of Etalk Daily's TIFF coverage, there was a 10 second clip of a studio interview with Colin today - part of a survey on Canadian stereotypes. Typically, he was non-commital and referred to his having spent a great deal of time in Canada and his eldest son being a Canadian citizen. Hopefully, more of this interview will appear on future shows."}, {"response": 1672, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (06:10)", "body": "Thanks to everyone for the incredible reports from the Festivals. Very much looking forward to seeing GWAPE. From Baz Bamigboye, Daily Mail , 12 September 2003 at the Toronto Film Festival. Colin Firth flew into Toronto on Sunday night and went directly to the gala for Richard Curtis\ufffds heart-warming romantic comedy Love Actually, in which he plays a bumbling writer who is awkward with women. While that film was running, he skipped across town and down another red carpet \ufffd this time with the luminous Scarlett Johansson, his co-star in Girl With A Pearl Earring. As Firth observed, both stories are about people who fall in love but can\ufffdt talk about their feelings. Love Actually opens in November after a bit of tidying and trimming, and will be an enormous success with its multiple love stories and stars such as Hugh Grant, Bill Nighy, Keira Knightly and Emma Thompson. Next month, Firth joins Renee Zellweger and Hugh Grant on the Bridget Jones sequel The Edge of Reason. \ufffdI\ufffdm now happy with the script, which has been through various drafts, the latest of which was by Richard Curtis\ufffd, he told me. (New pic of Colin and Scarlett which I will scan to the office later)"}, {"response": 1673, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (07:06)", "body": "I've trimmed this Variety article to the salient points: Toronto fest feasts on arty fare Niche pix top 2003 event By DAVID ROONEY TORONTO -- If fest purists were worried that the advancement of Oscar dates would result in Hollywood annexing the Toronto Film Festival, this year's edition may have set their minds at rest. While studio fare stacked with star pedigree was by no means absent, it took a back seat to more specialized discoveries in the foreign-language, documentary or niche arenas that represent the traditional domain of film fests. Entries from the majors -- including Warner's \"Matchstick Men,\" helmed by Ridley Scott, and MGM's \"Out of Time\" from director Carl Franklin -- were met with decent enough reactions but created nothing approaching excitement. Richard Linklater's \"School of Rock\" from Paramount drew a warmer response and a stamp of commercial promise. But festgoers searching for this year's breakout buzz title like \"American Beauty\" or \"8 Mile\" are still looking as the event moves into its closing weekend. Mixed receptions Eagerly awaited pics like Jane Campion's erotic thriller \"In the Cut,\" Robert Altman's ballet ensembler \"The Company\" and James Cox's porn-industry drama \"Wonderland\" -- all of which have distribution in place -- were met with severely divided if not lukewarm critical reactions. Likewise Robert Benton's \"The Human Stain,\" with Anthony Hopkins and Nicole Kidman, perhaps the nearest thing on paper to a standard Oscar-caliber movie. Films that came closer to meeting their objectives in Toronto, garnering more generally favorable audience response and possible early awards momentum, included Lions Gate's \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" by Peter Webber, as well as Sofia Coppola's \"Lost in Translation\" and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's \"21 Grams,\" the latter two from Focus Features. Work-in-progress slot While the feeling from recent editions that Toronto has been increasingly colonized by Hollywood has somewhat receded this year, the fest clearly still serves a purpose for studio product. This is most apparent in an emerging new slot that seems destined to endure. Pioneered by Universal, the \"unfinished\" berth, which housed \"8 Mile\" last year and Midas-touch screenwriter Richard Curtis' directing debut \"Love, Actually\" this year, seems designed to test-drive ostensibly uncompleted, high-expectation commercial releases while giving the studio the option of further changes. Response to the star-laden Curtis comedy indicates some possible resistance from highbrow critics, and a general consensus emerged that the film could benefit from minor trimming. Still, the movie was warmly embraced by the mainstream press and the public here, so much so that Universal will likely have a holiday hit on its hands."}, {"response": 1674, "author": "kolin", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (07:07)", "body": "Aishling :\"Colin Firth flew into Toronto on Sunday night and went directly to the gala for Richard Curtis\ufffds heart-warming romantic comedy Love Actually, in which he plays a bumbling writer who is awkward with women\". This is interesting, we heard from some girls who were waiting with us at the gala for GWAPE that they saw him in front Four Seasons hotel on Saturday night."}, {"response": 1675, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (07:46)", "body": "Closing tag Dressed in a sweater, faded jeans and boots Poor guy! There was a terrible heat wave. One must wear what's in the suitcase. ;-) LA:It's retarded, simplistic, overwrought, coy, cutesy-poo and full of elements that will turn your heart into custard. If you're an idiot, that is. It's an ensemble comedy with too many love stories (i.e., eight), and not enough time to flesh them out, and writing that's nowhere artful or deft enough to make it all fuse together. LOL! This will probably be said by my DH. This is interesting, we heard from some girls who were waiting with us at the gala for GWAPE that they saw him in front Four Seasons hotel on Saturday night. He flew in from LA. Baz doesn't know everything. ;-)"}, {"response": 1676, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (07:47)", "body": "And, thank you for the articles, ladies."}, {"response": 1677, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (08:39)", "body": "(INterview on TV)..referred to his having spent a great deal of time in Canada and his eldest son being a Canadian citizen. I love the way he adapts his rhetoric to where he's being interviewed. LOL. In the US he goes on 'n on about his son being an American citizen, \"mum was born in Iowa, and I went to school in St. Louis.\""}, {"response": 1678, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (09:15)", "body": "(Dorine) I'm still agog they didn't re-dub this v.o. It is odd, but it was not nearly as bad as I anticipated. I wish I could remember how it was worded (I'll try on Spoilers but will probably mess it all up)! I found the sterotyping of the Americans in the film a bit more hard to swallow! We were represented by a lecherous president and trampy girls with bad southern accents (who hail from Wisconsin). But I'll talk about that on Spoilers as well.... (Ildi) LOL! Tress, my hubby saw it too, so I guess it's all about what angle you view it from. I'm a shorty (5'4, so seeing the tops of heads is not an option usually) and my own hubby is 6'1 with NO hair (shaved head)....ODB looks like he has tons compared to him! And I couldn't see the top of ODB's head until he got on stage. From my angle (third balcony on the right looking down...) he looked great! It seemed as if he had more than I've seen in the past (you know how sometimes it appears flat in the back a bit? It was all nice and 'poofy'! So maybe that hairdresser does need a shrine!). Anyway, it was a bit overwhelming seeing the 3-D version and I thought I would see less hair than I did, so was pleasantly surprised when he seemed to dash those expectations! BTW Ildi...wish we could have met!!! It is all still so odd to me. ODB is so incredibly handsome in pictures, but when you see the live version....he's even better looking (if you can believe that!). His skin is amazing....(did someone say that they thought that the stars wore make-up to these fests? I saw no evidence, but he looked all nice and 'smooth'). And although you hear how thin and tall he is, it is something else to see it. I noticed to when he was talking to Scarlet at one point (when he was pointing at me....er....the loo), he stooped down to speak to her and listen. Found that sweet. Sorry....I'm still gushing....it all seems very surreal to me now, like a really pleasant, odd dream!!! (Linda) Tress, how would you compare the amount of screen time? I assume you were watching this one;-) I was watching this one!!! But sitting next to this woman I had never met before (not a Firth fan, just there taking notes....I didn't as why. She kept quizzing me about who was related to who and \"what has he been in before?\" and when I would tell her, she would jot it down....I was thinking it would be fun to fib, but decided to be nice! ;-D). I found myself holding my breath when ODB was on screen (oxygen deprivation is not the best way to view a film)! I would say approx 15 minutes? The scenes are short, but they pack a lot of info into them. Two story lines I didn't care for at all (and could have been lost all together to give the other stories more 'play time' IMO). Colin Firth flew into Toronto on Sunday night and went directly to the gala for Richard Curtis\ufffds heart-warming romantic comedy Love Actually.....while that film was running, he skipped across town and down another red carpet \ufffd this time with the luminous Scarlett Johansson But...but....when where the photos taken of PW, SJ and ODB? They appeared before the galas (didn't they??? I had no internet access for several days)....if this timeline is true...no wonder ODB seemed out of sorts when he got to GWAPE. I'm cranky after a 10 minute car ride...LOL! He flew in from LA (Moon, where did you hear that? Was it for press conferences? Still a looooong flight, I know, cuz I did it from Portland) and immediately attended a gala!! Love Actually opens in November after a bit of tidying and trimming... According to the producer, the only tidying and trimming to be done is on the music. The cut we saw is a final one (though we saw a digital copy and not a 35mm print). Thank you Vera, Aishling, Mari, Maria for the articles!!!! I've been negligent in my thanks cuz I'm still trying to catch up! Sorry if I missed anyone!"}, {"response": 1679, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (09:35)", "body": "Sorry to drag us back to Colin past from the pretty wonderful Colin present but just came across this interview from WAGW... and it's still pretty wonderful :-) http://www.cinemas-online.co.uk/interviews/colinfirth/page1.html"}, {"response": 1680, "author": "birdy", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (09:39)", "body": "(Jeffrey Wells)One guy wrote me, 'Did you hear that crowd last Sunday night? They were delirious with laughter.\" ...But to mention this film in the same breath as NOTTING HILL and FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL would be totally libelous if the same people weren't involved. David Rooney)Response to the star-laden Curtis comedy indicates some possible resistance from highbrow critics... HOW DARE PEOLPLE LIKE SOMETHING NOT CUTTING EDGE!;) Like most, I haven't had the chance to see LA, but it's thoroughly predictable that a so-called \"high-brow\" would dis a crowd pleasing rom-com. Its gonna happen. As to where on the horizon David Wells' brow is, I don't know the guy. However, if he includes Notting Hill as what all rom-coms should aspire to - IMO he's completely has lost all credibility on the other front as well. Karen? You're bound to know of him... Don't tell me their gonna start a two-pronged backlash. I'm thinkin' that if those involved in this film rather than the press are describing it(whether it is or not) as \"heartwarming,\" they may be just asking for trouble. I like \"Four Weddings\" as much as anybody, but \"heart-warming\" ain't gonna put this tushy in a theater seat. \"Sophisticated comedy,\" yeah."}, {"response": 1681, "author": "birdy", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (09:43)", "body": "'er, Jeffrey Wells and his brow is... damn."}, {"response": 1682, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (09:56)", "body": "(Tress) And I couldn't see the top of ODB's head until he got on stage. From my angle (third balcony on the right looking down...) he looked great! Now, this clarification is rather necessary, as if you're close, you'll see scalp and plenty of it. (Tress) His skin is amazing....(did someone say that they thought that the stars wore make-up to these fests? I saw no evidence No, he wouldn't wear makeup. \"Stars\" are both men and women, you know. ;-D (Tress) I noticed to when he was talking to Scarlet at one point (when he was pointing at me....er....the loo), he stooped down to speak to her and listen. Found that sweet. It is; I know from personal experience in the Donmar lobby. \"Should I lose a little height?\" (Tress) But sitting next to this woman...She kept quizzing me about who was related to who and \"what has he been in before?\" and when I would tell her, she would jot it down... Was this during the movie? How incredibly rude!!! I would've smacked her for talking and disturbing me. (Tress) According to the producer, the only tidying and trimming to be done is on the music. The cut we saw is a final one (though we saw a digital copy and not a 35mm print). They will make changes to it up until the day it gets released if the studio wants them. Thanks for all the reports and articles, Murph (I thought the same with the red turtleneck pic too!), Mari and Aishling."}, {"response": 1683, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (10:20)", "body": "If you go to this section of the IMDB, there are pics from Toronto (all WireImage that we've seen): http://us.imdb.com/Special/Toronto/2003/Photos/ There are 2 of Colin in the Sept 7th portraits and 3 in the GWAPE premiere sections."}, {"response": 1684, "author": "houstonandy", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (10:21)", "body": "By the way, that man in the red turtleneck is gorgeous . WOW! , and I thought blue was his color....."}, {"response": 1685, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (10:31)", "body": "(Karen) Now, this clarification is rather necessary, as if you're close, you'll see scalp and plenty of it. Hmmm...I did get close, but just not 'top of his head' close. I'm too short to see that. When I was that close, I was looking up...so the only top angle I got was when he was on stage (but see pics I just sent you, from press tent....some nice back of head shots (yes...I kept all the pics, even the odd ones)...I thought his hair looked great)! A co-worker (non CF fan) even mentioned how nice his hair was in the pics I showed her.....with no coaching from me (I swear!!). (Karen) Was this during the movie? How incredibly rude!!! Yes! She was odd. Came late...cell phone in hand, notebook, pen....then proceeded to ask questions about what she had missed. Acted as if we were long lost buddies instead of total strangers."}, {"response": 1686, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (10:56)", "body": "(Karen) Karen) Now, this clarification is rather necessary, as if you're close, you'll see scalp and plenty of it. (Tress) I did get close, but just not 'top of his head' close. I'm too short to see that. Karen's right. Standing at \"potted palm\" level and closer than you were, one can see it. Matter of fact, I think it was brought up when we were discussing the TIOBE premiere. Someone made a comment about the hair and I said it was obvious when he turned to go in the door. (Tress) ODB is so incredibly handsome in pictures, but when you see the live version....he's even better looking (if you can believe that!). Is there a single person here who has seen him in person, including myself, that hasn't said that? \"The pictures don't do him justice, etc. It is to be believed! ;-)"}, {"response": 1687, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (10:57)", "body": "*lighting candles at shrine of his hairdressers from the last 1 1/2 years.* ;-)"}, {"response": 1688, "author": "myou", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (11:36)", "body": "(Tress) ODB is so incredibly handsome in pictures, but when you see the live version....he's even better looking (if you can believe that!). (Dorine) Is there a single person here who has seen him in person, including myself, that hasn't said that? \"The pictures don't do him justice, etc. It is to be believed! ;-) This is absolutely true! And he looks younger, too! And definitely more slim. Tress, I couldn't get over the skin, too, and the hair, and the (insert any other part here)... If he was tired at the GWAPE premiere, it sure didn't show on his face. That's why I wondered why he wasn't talkative with fans and seemed almost distracted - nothing about his appearance said that fatigue was sinking in. Wish I was so blessed!"}, {"response": 1689, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (12:05)", "body": "Though I don't get the impression that Colin is necessarily that vain, some stars will go to spas to get facials, peels, the tanning method du jour, etc. before big appearances. Maybe he had a facial for relaxation. ;-) They always make your face look and feel like a million bucks."}, {"response": 1690, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (12:12)", "body": "Tracy Chevalier: World of interiors 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' triggered a renewed interest in historical fiction. Jane Jakeman talked to Tracy Chevalier about sex, lies and tapestries http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/books/interviews/story.jsp?story=442715"}, {"response": 1691, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (12:33)", "body": "Sorry if this has already been posted. http://www.hellomagazine.com/2003/09/12/colinfirth/ \"You can't really tell a great romantic love story about a happily married couple,\" the father-of-three told a Canadian newspaper. \"Domestic bliss is the stuff of sitcom. Great love has to have an element of the impossible. Whether Romeo and Juliet, or Tristan and Isolde, they're kept apart. Even in Jane Austen, they only finish with the coming together, you don't even get to a kiss in the books.\" \"I'm interested in emotion, its complications,\" he says. \"I'm not necessarily an optimist in terms of romantic love. I'm not the type of romantic who enjoys the weepy movie and then sighs sweetly about it. I'm more interested in the obstacles and the impossible than I am in resolution and happiness.\""}, {"response": 1692, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (12:44)", "body": "More from the TFF, from one of the film critcs there: The mood: Actor Colin Firth summed it up perfectly: \"Most of what gets written about a film in a film festival is by an extremely strung-out journalist and an extremely strung-out actor, for five minutes, and about a movie the writer probably saw at the wrong time of day.\""}, {"response": 1693, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (12:53)", "body": "told a Canadian newspaper. And which one might this be????? :-( Actor Colin Firth summed it up perfectly: \"Most of what gets written about a film in a film festival is by an extremely strung-out journalist and an extremely strung-out actor, for five minutes, and about a movie the writer probably saw at the wrong time of day.\" LOL! v.g. summation on his part."}, {"response": 1694, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (12:55)", "body": "There's the beginnings of a website for LA at http://www.loveactually.com Also, apparently the US release has been moved up a week, as follows: November 7th, 2003 (150-175 theaters) November 26th, 2003 (1,800 theaters)"}, {"response": 1695, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (13:12)", "body": "Maria, I loved that article. Some of it wasn't new, but most of it I hadn't seen before. Thank you. (CF)So instead of an unlikely couple finding each other, it'll be about their difficult relationship which goes under and then they have to rediscover each other. concerning TEOR. YES! I hope they stick to the book most of the way...except for the long Thai jail stuff. Actor Colin Firth summed it up perfectly: \"Most of what gets written about a film in a film festival is by an extremely strung-out journalist and an extremely strung-out actor, for five minutes, and about a movie the writer probably saw at the wrong time of day.\" Jeffrey Wells and his high brow, maybe? Thanks, Tress and Myou for more insights about your encounters. But, Please, Please, Please stop saying he's more handsome in person. I can't, in my wildest dreams, even imagine that;-) (that goes for you, too, Dorine) (CF)It was my first time on a serious bike, and if you put a man my age on one, you're asking for a lot of trouble, because mid-life crisis beckons. In fact, I had serious, serious thoughts about getting bikes, and by the time we finished I was seriously thinking about buying not just one but a whole garageful of them. But the various disasters I had on the bike taught me that as the father of a young child, it'd be pretty irresponsible of me. LOL, that's why I bought a saddle, stick to horses. OOHHH, I love a man in mid life crisis;-) (Karen)Was this during the movie? How incredibly rude!!! I would've smacked her for talking and disturbing me. I think Tress would have if this had happened during the GWAPE screening. *smack* (Please don\"t disturb me while I count the hairs on CF's head):-) BTW, I know the interview was done in Toronto, but that blurb that Marianne posted from Hello Magazine...is entitled: Colin Firth Talks Romance in Toronto. I thought it a bit strange to post CF's views about romantic love and marriage with that picture;-) IMO, of course."}, {"response": 1696, "author": "katty", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (13:55)", "body": "From Maria's article about WAGW, Colin says about skinny girls: \"...it cannot be a good thing. It's not attractive, it's not healthy, and it's not sexy.\" Well, maybe, but have you seen how very slender (non-pregant) Livia is, especially for an Italian? Even pregnant, she was slender everywhere else but her tummy. She certainly doesn't fit the image of the ample, full-figured Italian woman. I'm sure Colin would say she's the most \"attractive\" and \"sexy\" woman he knows. p.s. where do I find out how to attach photos to messages?"}, {"response": 1697, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (14:18)", "body": "Katty: where do I find out how to attach photos to messages? http://www.austen.com/tutorial/index.html#smiley Karen gave me this useful tip. \"Use this template for posting images: Just cut and paste the real url in between the quotation marks. Not all sites allow it, but most do.\" I'm still in the process of learning, and practice on some of the little used boards"}, {"response": 1698, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (14:23)", "body": "Gah! I give up, going back to lurkdom."}, {"response": 1699, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (14:31)", "body": "(Tress) She was odd. Came late...cell phone in hand, notebook, pen....then proceeded to ask questions about what she had missed. Acted as if we were long lost buddies instead of total strangers. No, she's probably a journalist/film critic (if she didn't know the actors, then just a journalist) covering the fest. They're incredibly rude and think the screenings are just for them or like private local ones where they do talk amongst themselves. I would've said: Do I *know* you? or Do you think I work for you? Please be quiet, I paid to see this movie and you're disturbing me. Go watch movies in your living room if you're going to talk. [I hate talkers at movies!!] I've updated a few pages: Many of Tress's wonderful pics have been added to the fan premiere gallery: http://www.firth.com/gwape_premgal1.html And a few screen caps of Colin being interviewed on Canadian TV, done by Ann, are on the main GWAPE page: http://www.firth.com/gwape.html I'm going to have to ask her what he said. It was from Etalk."}, {"response": 1700, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (14:32)", "body": "(Katty), but have you seen how very slender (non-pregant) Livia is, especially for an Italian? You have Fellini in mind. Italian women are very thin. And to clear one more thing up, Spaghetti and meatballs is an American invention, it does not exist in Italy. (Karen)Was this during the movie? How incredibly rude!!! I would've smacked her for talking and disturbing me. Tress, you should have asked her if she was reviewing it. (Tress), He flew in from LA (Moon, where did you hear that? One of the interviews. He probably met with his agent and publicist, saw Will. Keep the articles coming ladies, thank you!"}, {"response": 1701, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (14:44)", "body": "(Karen) No, she's probably a journalist/film critic (if she didn't know the actors, then just a journalist) covering the fest. I thought so....another lady sitting behind me was definitely either critic/journalist. I made a remark about being so close to the screen (rush line causality) and she said \"you get used to it\" and sat with her notebook, pen and cell phone...taking notes the entire time. The girl next to me seemed a bit clueless. She had the same 'props' but didn't have any idea what the film was about or who was in it. I thought they gave critics press kits too? We used to when we did screenings. That would have answered a lot of her questions. (Moon) Tress, you should have asked her if she was reviewing it. LOL...I should have...but then I would be sick if she said 'yes'....clueless thing has my dream job...**sigh**"}, {"response": 1702, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (14:44)", "body": "Lovely pictures, Tress! You were so close! Well done, Ann! Thank you! And Karen!"}, {"response": 1703, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (14:47)", "body": "(Moon) Lovely pictures, Tress! You were so close! Thanks..I think!! I am living in a parallel universe...I don't see them!"}, {"response": 1704, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (14:53)", "body": "(Tress) I thought they gave critics press kits too?... That would have answered a lot of her questions. They don't have time to even read them, they're seeing so many films, and running from place to place. That's why the real reviews are not published during this time. Not enough time to sort through and the films aren't opening in their respective areas for quite awhile if at all. Try again with the pics; Katty - use Topic 61 for tech questions about here."}, {"response": 1705, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (15:28)", "body": "LOVE ACTUALLY: With its Christmas theme, big lovable cast and a heart the size of Greater London, this sloppy wet kiss of a movie is bound to be the holiday season's great date flick. Reveling in silliness and sentiment, writer-director Richard Curtis' ensemble romance is a wonderful salve for cynical times. His terrific cast of Londoners longing for love includes Hugh Grant (news), Emma Thompson (news), Colin Firth (news), Liam Neeson (news) and Laura Linney (news). By DAVID GERMAIN, AP Movie Writer"}, {"response": 1706, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (15:30)", "body": "(Moon) Spaghetti and meatballs is an American invention, it does not exist in Italy. Then my friend and I met 2 very \"nice\" Italian men in Florence,who must have thought they were being quite accomodating in preparing just this very meal for us. Maybe they thought we'd feel at home? ;-) Nice gallery, Karen. Thanks for all the contributions."}, {"response": 1707, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (15:40)", "body": "(ODB): Women shout at me on the street, and while I have no objection to it and it's not bizarre in a bad way, it is very peculiar. Hmmmm...can't think of who he could mean by that...would never do such a thing myself...;-D (ODB) In fact, I had serious, serious thoughts about getting bikes, and by the time we finished I was seriously thinking about buying not just one but a whole garageful of them. ODB seems like any other boy...LOL...I live with one like this... (ODB) This is the first film I've done where I could get on a motorbike and like every teenage boy, I had a fantasy of playing in a rock 'n' roll band, so it didn't take much to bring all that back. I spent ten years of my youth like that. I love the image of ODB as a 'youth' playing air guitar and wanting to be a rock star (after hearing him sing in TIOBE, I think acting was the better choice)! ;-) Thanks for that Maria! Was a great interview!"}, {"response": 1708, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (15:48)", "body": "You're going to get a kick out of this one. Very man/woman on the street, aimed at the mass entertainment market. Oh yeah, not a HIGH BROW critic by any stretch of the imagination. Sent to me by Joann: Reviewed by Rachel A few years ago I read a New Yorker article decrying the rampant misuse of the word \"actually.\" Now, of course, I can\ufffdt remember what the grammatical logic was, but the memory of that essay makes me hyperaware of the word to this day. This is especially bothersome when watching British television or film, because the British are HUGE fans of \"actually.\" They use it all the time! They butter their bread with it. They salt their salad with it. It knows no rest or peace. But try not to think about that when you go see Love Actually, and ohhhhh yeeesssss, you will go see Love Actually. As will everyone in Christendom, I predict. And now I should state for the record that this film is not yet released. The general public won\ufffdt have the pleasure until late November 2003. So keep your pants on. Love Actually opens with Hugh Grant providing a contemplative voice over, pondering the power of love and concluding that it is, actually, all around. We then delve into ten charming love stories played out by a dozen sort-of-related characters\ufffdall culminating on Christmas Eve. The love stories portrayed are not confined to the standard boy-meets-girl fairy tale. They cover platonic, married, unrequited, childhood, and sibling varieties as well. In the end, Hugh will convince even your own cold, dead heart that love is all around. Grant plays a young and newly elected Prime Minister who falls head over teakettle for his tea lady, who may have a mild case of Tourette's Syndrome. Emma Thompson is Grant\ufffds sister, who consoles recent widower Liam Neeson while dealing with a husband (Alan Rickman) who\ufffds flirting with disaster. Watch out for Neeson\ufffds tiny stepson (played by Hugh Grant\ufffds real-life cousin, Thomas Sangster). Your eyes will bug out like Volkswagens when he first opens his mouth to speak. But this is merely a whiff of the whole picture. The characters are too numerous to name and explain and there are many comic gems to discover. Unlike the troubled Le Divorce, Love Actually uses all the actors to their full potential. It is, actually, funny. You\ufffdll laugh, you\ufffdll cry, you\ufffdll swear it was better than CATS. Love Actually is a succinct, well-executed success. It was kind of amazing to watch so many stories be told so fluidly and so well\ufffdwith none left dangling. Equal time is given to each plot thread in soap-opera fashion. Though here, each vignette is either touching or hilarious, often both. I could not spot any boring or unnecessary scenes. The connection between the characters is there, but is not the main point. Don\ufffdt look for karma-like significance in their relationships. They are just people who are tightly or loosely related through friendships, jobs, and family. Although sometimes a little over the romantic top, this film does its job and does it well. I\ufffdm giving Love Actually a full pie if only because it was top-rate entertainment. The writing, the humor, and the excellent use of surprise cameos make it a real crowd pleaser. Not the most significant work of art or anything... not going to change the face of filmmaking, etc.... but a good reason to go to the movies and that\ufffds what it\ufffds all about. P.S. My husband was dragged to this film sulking and groaning. He ended up liking it a lot and he wants you all to know that there were some naked boobs. P.P.S. I love Colin Firth. I love Colin Firth. Love the Firth. Gotta have the Firth. http://www.moviepie.com/filmfests/love_actually.htm P.S. We may need to invite Rachel here. ;-D"}, {"response": 1709, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (16:09)", "body": "(Tress) I am living in a parallel universe...I don't see them! Neither do I. I followed the link, and didn't see Tress's pics there. Should I get a new pair of glasses? :-)"}, {"response": 1710, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (16:10)", "body": "(Rachel) he wants you all to know that there were some naked boobs. LOL! A carrot to get those Y chromosomes to consent to see this film :) (Rachel) P.P.S. I love Colin Firth. I love Colin Firth. Love the Firth. Gotta have the Firth. (Karen) P.S. We may need to invite Rachel here. ;-D I think she needs an outlet for her drooling, lol."}, {"response": 1711, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (16:15)", "body": "(Rachel's review) I could not spot any boring or unnecessary scenes. Hmmmm....not even condom boy who treks to Wisconsin to have sex with multiple partners (a little lesson about how really amazing super model types can be found in seedy Madison Wisconsin bars and will hook up with you, even if you are a dork, as long as you have a British accent)? Found this one lacking...and one other thread...the rest, as she says, are very enjoyable and I think it will be a holiday hit. P.P.S. I love Colin Firth. I love Colin Firth. Love the Firth. Gotta have the Firth. Okay...all is forgiven...she is one of us! ;-D"}, {"response": 1712, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (16:17)", "body": "indieWire: \"Pearls\" of Wisdom \"I only had 10 days between the wrap of 'Lost in Translation' and shooting 'Girl with a Pearl Earring.' There wasn't much time to prepare,\" she explained. \"I had jetlag, I had bad skin. I felt very unprepared when I got there [to Luxembourg for the \"Girl\" shoot.] After a week of rehearsals, Johansson said, she found her groove. The switch from American glamour girl to 17th-century Dutch housemaid meant a few adjustments. She wore very little makeup in the second film, which features lots of close-ups of her unadorned face wearing a servant's white cap. \"My skin looked good, thank God, because that cap was pretty unforgiving,\" Johansson said with a laugh. Actor Colin Firth, who plays Vermeer, said that all the 17th-century sets and bottled-up emotions in the film were evident during the shoot. \"It was surprisingly intense, it was an emotional pressure cooker in a way,\" he told indieWIRE. \"We were all in a closed area under the spell of this thing.\" Firth said his understanding of Vermeer's work was helped by taking a trip with director Peter Webber and producer Andy Paterson to see the actual painting \"Girl with a Pearl Earring\" at The Hague. \"Something hits you when you see the real thing on the wall,\" Firth said."}, {"response": 1713, "author": "kolin", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (16:23)", "body": "The mood: Actor Colin Firth summed it up perfectly: \"Most of what gets written about a film in a film festival is by an extremely strung-out journalist and an extremely strung-out actor, for five minutes, and about a movie the writer probably saw at the wrong time of day.\" I found this quote in today's Globe and mail. It is from Gayle MacDonald who interviewed Colin for yesterday's article. The critics were asked 3 questions : Favourite film, Favourite moment and The mood."}, {"response": 1714, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (16:31)", "body": "(Tress) I am living in a parallel universe...I don't see them! (Ildi) Neither do I. I followed the link, and didn't see Tress's pics there. Should I get a new pair of glasses? :-) Is retribution for being amongst the select few to see CF in the flesh. ;-D Hit Refresh/Reload maybe. They're there. I swear it. Here is the picture, accompanying Baz's column today, in Daily Mail, scanned by Aishling:"}, {"response": 1715, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (16:36)", "body": "I've been remiss in thanking our friends here for their wonderful reports from the TFF. Vera, Myou, Ildi, Tress, and Heather, I've loved every word you've shared with us! Thanks too for sharing your terrific pics, and Ann yours as well. Excellent job, ladies!"}, {"response": 1716, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (16:38)", "body": "(I see that HS is still playing at nearly 30 theaters in Miami and outlying areas.)"}, {"response": 1717, "author": "katty", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (16:51)", "body": "\"You have Fellini in mind. Italian women are very thin.\" I stand corrected. When I was in Italy long ago, I gained about 5 pounds in just 1 week from the great food, plus I have the lush images of Sophia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida, Laura Antonelli and of course Fellini, but that view must be a very narrow one."}, {"response": 1718, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (17:00)", "body": "(Katty) but that view must be a very narrow one. Pun intended? No, that view is from when women in film had figures and were not meant to be little boy substitutes. ;-)"}, {"response": 1719, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (17:01)", "body": "Unlike the troubled Le Divorce, Love Actually uses all the actors to their full potential. Not a huge acheivement. Wouldn't take much using Le Divorce as a benchmark. It is, actually, funny. You\ufffdll laugh, you\ufffdll cry, you\ufffdll swear it was better than CATS. ROTF! I fell asleep in the middle of CATS...... Was visiting with my high school theater class, very exhausting days. ;-) Go, Rachel! She's cute. Firth said his understanding of Vermeer's work was helped by taking a trip with director Peter Webber and producer Andy Paterson to see the actual painting \"Girl with a Pearl Earring\" at The Hague. \"Something hits you when you see the real thing on the wall,\" Firth said. That's funny that SJ said she had the opposite reaction, basically \"ok, yeah, there it is, whatever\". If I understood her comments correctly."}, {"response": 1720, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (17:10)", "body": "Just wanted to add my thanks to all of you for your links, interviews, trailers and comments. It's been a real treat to read :-)"}, {"response": 1721, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (18:09)", "body": "Just wanted to thank Vera, Myou, Ildi, Tress, and Heather, for all your wonderful reports from Toronto FF! Thanks for every detail. It sounds like incredible fun. And your pictures were wondeful, too, and Ann thanks for yours as well. Ildi, don't worry about not being able to meet up with other Firth fans. That happened to me and Dorine in NYC during the TIOBE premiere. The whole experience is such a whirlwind and usually a last minute decision to go as it is. If I get to NYC for LA, I hope we get another chance, Dorine! (Karen)(I see that HS is still playing at nearly 30 theaters in Miami and outlying areas.) Moon and I saw HS today, and even though it was better on the big screen (an seeing it with a fellow drooleur), it's still the same Hope-less drag. I don't even want to go over to the spoiler topic and \"spoil\" all the beautiful, breathtaking comments from Caribou, Tress, Heather, Ildi, Myou, and Vera about GWAPE with useless comments about HS :-\\!"}, {"response": 1722, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (18:20)", "body": "(Karen)I'm going to have to ask her what he said. It was from Etalk. Oh please, do. Whatever he said, it must have been devilish because he has that gleam in his eye and she's lovin it. (Rachel) P.P.S. I love Colin Firth. I love Colin Firth. Love the Firth. Gotta have the Firth. We belong together, Rachel. You, Drool, cute little review;-)Welcome, Rachel! (Rachel's review) I could not spot any boring or unnecessary scenes. . Of course not, she was too busy writing, P.P.S. I love Colin Firth. I love Colin Firth. Love the Firth. Gotta have the Firth. Thanks, Karen, Joan, Mari, Tress and everyone"}, {"response": 1723, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (18:27)", "body": "Sorry, to be back so soon. I have refreshed, rebooted, re-everything and I still can't see Tress's lovely pictures;-("}, {"response": 1724, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (18:39)", "body": "In the etalk photos, that's Tanya Kim talking to Colin. She said \"You look very handsome tonight.\" He said, \"So do you.\" Or \"You do too.\" I don't know if he spoke before thinking or if he meant to be funny."}, {"response": 1725, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (20:35)", "body": "(Lindak) I have refreshed, rebooted, re-everything and I still can't see Tress's lovely pictures;-( I could finally see them! I just kept going on the page, and after about the 6th attempt they were miracously there. Tress, they are incredible! Thank you so much!"}, {"response": 1726, "author": "Heather97", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (22:40)", "body": "(Tress) Colin came back to sign (someone handed him something sans pen, and he said the only words I would hear him clearly say that evening.....\ufffda pen?\ufffd....LOL, Heather, was that you???) GAH!! He spoke to me??!! How did I miss that?! Must have been my Firth-induced stupor. Either that, or I spoke over him and didn't hear it, because I'm pretty sure I was saying, \"Oh! Oh! I need a pen!\" (or similar words to that effect). Thanks for remembering that, Tress! :-) (Tress) ODB is so incredibly handsome in pictures, but when you see the live version....he's even better looking (if you can believe that!). (Dorine)Is there a single person here who has seen him in person, including myself, that hasn't said that? \"The pictures don't do him justice, etc. It is to be believed! ;-) Couldn't agree more! I didn't think it was possible for him to be that much better looking in person (as he's already so good looking on-screen and in pictures), but he is indeed! Also agree that he looks younger, too. (BTW, the hair looked good to me...no complaints here!) (Karen) Hey, I'm more amazed when some DOES know who he is. Funny story: When I picked up the reprints of my photos (must have spare emergency set!) the guy at the Wal-Mart photo center (and older man) wanted to know \"Who's the guy in the pictures?\" When I told him it was CF, he said, \"Oh, yeah...the Bridget Jones guy. I thought he looked familiar!\" Great report, Tress! And, as I said before, your pictures are fantastic! Thanks for sharing!!"}, {"response": 1727, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (22:41)", "body": "Just for the next 24 hrs, I've uploaded the same page with a new name that might fool your computer's cache: http://www.firth.com/gwape_tryagain.html See if that's any better."}, {"response": 1728, "author": "caribou", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (23:36)", "body": "Thanks for the lovely pictures! They are all amazing--they compare quite nicely to the professional ones we've seen. Great coverage, ladies! Does anyone remember anything else Peter Webber said in Toronto. What did he say when he came out to talk to CF's fans? In the intro, did he ask if people had read the book? Did he address the issue of a book adaptation or the fact that it's a film about art? Did he take a photo of the audience? Has anyone recovered enough to remember such non-CF things?;-)"}, {"response": 1729, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Sep 13, 2003 (09:23)", "body": "(Katty) but that view must be a very narrow one. (Karen) Pun intended? No, that view is from when women in film had figures and were not meant to be little boy substitutes. ;-) Great comments ladies. Winkie aside, they do look like little boy subs. Not enough to them to withstand a good boning ;-) Sophia, Bridget B, Marilyn, they were and are the real deal. What a wonderful and exciting week. Thank you so much everyone for all the amazing reports and wonderful pics. The articles, the comments, the birthday. Just a great great time. Thank you all. Can't wait to hear that the cameras are rolling on EOR."}, {"response": 1730, "author": "BarbaraT", "date": "Sat, Sep 13, 2003 (10:19)", "body": "I've just seen this week's edition of Talking Movies on BBC News 24. It was a special on the TIFF and provided quite a lot of glimpses of Colin. He was shown posing for photos and signing autographs at the GWAPE showing and in a couple of clips from both GWAPE and LA. The programme also included a short bit about SJ which ended with Colin giving her some very funny career advice (not to her face). If anyone in the UK missed it, it's repeated on News 24 at 10.30 tonight and 3.30 tomorrow morning."}, {"response": 1731, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep 13, 2003 (10:48)", "body": "(Karen)(I see that HS is still playing at nearly 30 theaters in Miami and outlying areas.) (Lora), Moon and I saw HS today, and even though it was better on the big screen (an seeing it with a fellow drooleur), it's still the same Hope-less drag. I don't even want to go over to the spoiler topic and \"spoil\" all the beautiful, breathtaking comments from Caribou, Tress, Heather, Ildi, Myou, and Vera about GWAPE with useless comments about HS :-\\! My thoughts exactly! Must add that there were only 3 other women there. I saw the LA poster last night. It is up at my local cineplex already. Can't miss that red bow. :-)"}, {"response": 1732, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 13, 2003 (13:18)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1733, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 13, 2003 (13:20)", "body": "..dragging over my wet blanket ;-D This has been bugging me for several days: (globeandmail) It also meant working with Evans, whom he describes as \"one of the great unsung directors, who hasn't really had the audience in America that he should have. I've known him for many years and been dying to work with the guy. And I will do, over and over again, if I possibly can.\" There was another mention in a previous interview that was similar, but now reading it again makes it seem so very defensive on Colin's part about the director(s) he's chosen to work with. Getting a bit criticism lately about his choices? It definitely precedes the UK reviews of WAGW, but maybe not HS. It also begs the question of why isn't Colin dying to work with directors like Steven Soderbergh, Stephen Daldry, Robt Altman, Ron Howard, Sam Mendes, PT Anderson, etc. You know, directors whose films get nominated for Oscars? Or younger directors whose talent is just being noticed? I'm sure Marc Evans is a good guy, competent, etc., but maybe that's enough for a \"jobbing\" actor? :-("}, {"response": 1734, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Sep 13, 2003 (14:26)", "body": "Karen, Maybe Marc and Lydia are planning to work together again so he is pushing his own interests? Or maybe he is just putting in a plug for a friend because he could within the context of the question?"}, {"response": 1735, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Sep 13, 2003 (14:37)", "body": "Both movies get good writeups.. Festival offers glimpses of greatness - http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/entertainment/movies/6756597.htm"}, {"response": 1736, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Sep 13, 2003 (15:59)", "body": "Barbara, thanks for the info re BBCNews24. Off to set my VCR! And I would again like to thank all you wonderful ladies who've had such amazing experiences at Telluride and Toronto. Your great reports have made my week. Let's hope we in the UK can return the favour come November/January."}, {"response": 1737, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Sep 13, 2003 (16:07)", "body": "If you get BBC America, in the USA you can see the Talking Movies show Barbara talked about above: http://www.bbcamerica.com/genre/movies_specials/talking_movies/tm_weekly.jsp"}, {"response": 1738, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Sep 13, 2003 (16:09)", "body": "Just checked BBC America site for Talking Movies. TFF will be reviewed this week as well. This week on Talking Movies\ufffd Week of September 13th - 18th This week on Talking Movies\ufffdHighlights from the 28th Annual Toronto International Film Festival \ufffd Tom Brook and Laura Metzger bring you all the glitz, glamour, big name stars, directors and stunning new cinema. NICOLAS CAGE (MATCHSTICK MEN), KATE BECKINSALE (UNDERWORLD), DENZEL WASHINGTON (OUT OF TIME), NICOLE KIDMAN and Sir ANTHONY HOPKINS (THE HUMAN STAIN) were just some of the celebrities out this year at the nightly red carpet galas to promote their latest movies. Tom Brook takes a look at the festival\ufffds high profile films and speaks in depth with HOPKINS and WASHINGTON about their roles. British talent was out in force and the new romantic comedy LOVE ACTUALLY from writer/director RICHARD CURTIS starring LIAM NEESON, COLIN FIRTH, HUGH GRANT, EMMA THOMPSON generated some buzz after it screened as a work-in-progress. Laura Metzger spotlights two other British films that made an impact at this year\ufffds festival: STEPHEN FRY\ufffds directorial debut BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS and Oscar winning documentary filmmaker KEVIN MACDONALD\ufffds new docu-drama TOUCHING THE VOID. Directors JANE CAMPION (THE PIANO) and ROBERT ALTMAN (GOSFORD PARK) tell Tom Brook about their latest endeavors. Campion\ufffds erotic mystery IN THE CUT starring MEG RYAN and Altman\ufffds look at the world of ballet in THE COMPANY were two of the 60 world premieres at this year\ufffds festival. And Laura Metzger takes a closer look at this year\ufffds festival \ufffdIt-Girl\ufffd actress SCARLETT JOHANSSON. With starring roles in two of the festival\ufffds more talked about films: writer/director SOFIA COPPOLA\ufffds LOST IN TRANSLATION and GIRL WITH THE PEARL EARRING, a cinema adaptation of the popular novel starring COLIN FIRTH, Johansson has become one to watch. Schedule for this week: Talking Movies airs Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 am, 7:30 am, and 8:30 am and 6:30 pm/et, and on Saturdays at 6:30 am/et. Finally, Tress's pictures decided to show up on my computer;-) Wow! to be so close. *sigh* Thanks, again everyone. I've enjoyed this week v.v. much!"}, {"response": 1739, "author": "katty", "date": "Sat, Sep 13, 2003 (16:22)", "body": "\"It also begs the question of why isn't Colin dying to work with directors like Steven Soderbergh, Stephen Daldry, Robt Altman, Ron Howard, Sam Mendes, PT Anderson, etc. You know, directors whose films get nominated for Oscars? Or younger directors whose talent is just being noticed? I'm sure Marc Evans is a good guy, competent, etc., but maybe that's enough for a \"jobbing\" actor?\" I'm sure Colin would love to work with directors like that, but he's just not getting those offers. I remember reading that after Pride and Prejudice he did get called for an interview with Steven Spielberg which reportedly was for that Sam Neill role in Jurassic Park. I don't know how accurate this was, but in any case, he didn't get it or any other high profile role in American movies. (That turned out not to be much or a role anyway.) I don't know what good it'd do for Colin to broadcast how he'd like to work with those guys. Doesn't EVERY actor want to? I wish he'd have more of the clout that Jeremy Irons, Daniel Day-Lewis, Anthony Hopkins, and Ralph Fiennes - all multiple Oscar winners or nominees - have or have had. I would compare him more to those guys than to Hugh Grant. They got their higher profile through one or two breakthrough roles, and Colin just needs to get that one to get on the radar screen."}, {"response": 1740, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Sep 13, 2003 (19:48)", "body": "(Katty) I don't know what good it'd do for Colin to broadcast how he'd like to work with those guys. Doesn't EVERY actor want to? Maybe everyone does, but his name is not going to be at the forefront of these director's minds and I would think it can't hurt for him to get the word out in an interview that some or all of those people may read and get them thinking about him. While it seems Scarlett has been getting virtually all of the attention for GWAPE, I would think quite a few industry people will see the movie and him in this and hopefully give them food for thought. Depends on the type of project they're working on, too. They may not be doing things that appeals to him or that would suit his talents. But they can do lunch. ;-) In typing this, it occurred to me I might like to see him in a Coen brothers movie. Offbeat stories by talented people."}, {"response": 1741, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Sep 13, 2003 (20:07)", "body": "(Dorine) it occurred to me I might like to see him in a Coen brothers movie. Would love to see him in a Coen brothers movie....those 'offbeat' stories are some of my favs....Jim Jarmisch, Coen bros, Spike Jonze...."}, {"response": 1742, "author": "katty", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (05:16)", "body": "Here's a short review of GWAPE from: http://www.filmcritic.com/misc/emporium.nsf/0/02114e7f3068e01b88256d9b0066f56b?OpenDocumenthttp://www.filmcritic.com/m Girl with a Pearl Earring (Lions Gate Films) Based on Tracy Chevalier\ufffds best-selling novel, Girl with a Pearl Earring is a captivating chronicle of how 17th century Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer came to paint one of his masterworks. At once artful and authentic, the film \ufffd directed by Peter Webber \ufffd has the resplendent look of a moving Vermeer painting. Veteran British actor Colin Firth gives a strong performance as Vermeer, and rising star Scarlett Johansson has the proper innocent mien as the quiet but strong young woman who serves as the artist\ufffds muse. (3 1/2 stars out of 4)"}, {"response": 1743, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (10:02)", "body": "Lovely GWAPE page, boss. Thanks Tress and others for \"on the scene\" pics. Colin looks ab-so -lutely gorgeous, as usual...but also....bored."}, {"response": 1744, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (10:31)", "body": "(Evelyn) Colin looks ab-so -lutely gorgeous, as usual...but also....bored. Yes. He looked fantastic.....and he did seem a bit tired of it all. But he was lively enough in other places (with Scarlet, PW and Dennie Gordon he was very talkative and seemed relaxed)! I do want to say, he was nothing but kind to his fans. They really did try to push him toward the press tent, but he stopped and began to sign. One of my pics (by the press tent) he has a complete look of boredom on his face...he's standing in front of the professional autograph people right there....not a nice lot. They were very pushy....I think he knew because they were a bigger group of men, standing away from us bit....."}, {"response": 1745, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (11:36)", "body": "(Katty) I don't know what good it'd do for Colin to broadcast how he'd like to work with those guys. Doesn't EVERY actor want to? (Dorine) Maybe everyone does, but his name is not going to be at the forefront of these director's minds and I would think it can't hurt for him to get the word out in an interview that some or all of those people may read and get them thinking about him. Exactly, many actors go after roles they've heard about. They don't sit back and hope that someone knocks on their door. They actively pursue what they'd like to play. (Dorine) I might like to see him in a Coen brothers movie. Offbeat stories by talented people. Those were the types I meant to include in my previous comment. But Colin's remarks are so defensive. If asked what's your next project, why would anyone talk about a no-name director and make it sound like you've discovered the cure for [insert disease of choice]? Any other actor would talk about the story and the great script by a really talented newcomer and the challenge it represents - not that some old friend of his, whose directorial skills are probably competent, is the director. Doesn't make sense. *shaking head*"}, {"response": 1746, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (12:01)", "body": "(Tress)But he was lively enough in other places... Dennie Gordon he was very talkative and seemed relaxed)! Which reminds me. Did she have another reason to be at TIFF? Did she have a film there? If not, it seems another Firthette made the trek. Would love to know. (Karen)Exactly, many actors go after roles they've heard about. They actively pursue what they'd like to play. Maybe it's better if he doesn't. Look what happened with HS. (Karen)They don't sit back and hope that someone knocks on their door. I am constantly amazed with how many lead roles and how much success he has had with this approach. (Karen)But Colin's remarks are so defensive. If asked what's your next project, why would anyone talk about a no-name director and make it sound like you've discovered the cure for [insert disease of choice]? Perhaps disquise of every sort is his abhorrence.;-) Seems to be an honest answer from him. Must be the first time he was asked. Now, we can keep looking for that question and answer and see if it changes after he reads your helpful hints.;-)"}, {"response": 1747, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (12:29)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1748, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (12:59)", "body": "(Caribou) I am constantly amazed with how many lead roles and how much success he has had with this approach. Which lead roles? His most successful roles (in critically acclaimed films) were as supporting cast. (Caribou) Seems to be an honest answer from him. If I were a lawyer, I'd have my hand over his mouth and screaming just answer the question asked. Don't say anymore. He's providing way too much, all of which is fodder IMO. ;-)"}, {"response": 1749, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (13:27)", "body": "(Dorine) his name is not going to be at the forefront of these director's minds and I would think it can't hurt for him to get the word out in an interview that some or all of those people may read (Karen)Exactly, many actors go after roles they've heard about. They don't sit back and hope that someone knocks on their door. They actively pursue what they'd like to play. I agree completely. After BJD (huge commercial and critical success) and Conspiracy (critical plaudits, Emmy nomination), the next 3 films were TIOBE WAGW and HS. He didn't capitalize on the momentum! He said in an interview \"well, yes, I suppose I could have gone to LA and done the town after that.\" Yes, you should have! You would undoubtedly have come up with three better offers than those. Since he was eviscerated by the hometown critics for those, (especially the latter 2), hopefully he will do things differently now that he has some momentum back again with LA and GWAPE. If you have to work anyway, why not try to work with the people who are doing the good stuff??? A comment form the interview Maria just posted got me thinking that he's intimidated: I wish we'd had more scenes together because she was so much fun to be around. I'm always a little cautious when I have to work with a Hollywood actor because from where I stand, Hollywood always seems like Mt. Olympus, Why should it??? They put their pants on one leg at a time, Colin, just like you do."}, {"response": 1750, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (16:18)", "body": "From Felicity, in today's Telegraph magazine, there's an interview with David Morrissey: \"another disappointment has come with the film Girl With a Pearl Earring. \"I'm not in that now. They've re-edited and cut me out...every scene I was in with Colin Firth, all audience test-cards were like 'which guy are you supposed to fancy?' David Morrissey said this matter-of-factly and without bitterness...he's planning to direct The Wild from a book by Esther Freud (his wife).\" And there's a pic of DM and CF from 3DOR."}, {"response": 1751, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (16:58)", "body": "(Tress)But he was lively enough in other places... Dennie Gordon he was very talkative and seemed relaxed)! (Caribou), Which reminds me. Did she have another reason to be at TIFF? Did she have a film there? If not, it seems another Firthette made the trek. Would love to know. Dennie is in Toronto filming with the Olsen twins and Jack Osbourne. They've re-edited and cut me out...every scene I was in with Colin Firth I hope they're added to the DVD. (Karen)Exactly, many actors go after roles they've heard about. They actively pursue what they'd like to play. (Caribou),Maybe it's better if he doesn't. Look what happened with HS. I agree with Caribou. He really can not pick them. If only the good directors came calling. I would love to see him in a Coen Bros. too. (Mari), I agree completely. After BJD (huge commercial and critical success) and Conspiracy (critical plaudits, Emmy nomination), the next 3 films were TIOBE WAGW and HS. He didn't capitalize on the momentum! He said in an interview \"well, yes, I suppose I could have gone to LA and done the town after that.\" Yes, you should have! You would undoubtedly have come up with three better offers than those. I too was expecting Colin to capitalize on the momentum."}, {"response": 1752, "author": "birdy", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (17:21)", "body": "(Mari)I agree completely. After BJD (huge commercial and critical success) and Conspiracy (critical plaudits, Emmy nomination), the next 3 films were TIOBE WAGW and HS. He didn't capitalize on the momentum... We, of course, are doing a bit of Sunday morning quarterbacking in regards to these film choices. TIOBE, WAGW and HS were probably done deals before BJD hit it big. Okay, I admit to be Apologist Supreme when it comes to CF and his seemingly nonsensical choice of projects - so here goes again: No, doubt TIOBE was thought to be another Ideal Husband . (WAGW and HS take a little more work...) But as it has been pointed out before, logistics, time-line and stuff that sounds way better on paper than end up on film are all part of the mix. At least he's on a roll now. Let's pray he keeps it up!"}, {"response": 1753, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (17:39)", "body": "(Louise) TIOBE, WAGW and HS were probably done deals before BJD hit it big. Uh, hate to burst your bubble, but not so. :-( (Louise) No, doubt TIOBE was thought to be another Ideal Husband. And that was a plus? ;-D An Ideal Husband was not a critical rave, nor did it make a bundle. IMO, Oliver Parker is another no-talent director, with nary a good review to his name. :-("}, {"response": 1754, "author": "birdy", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (18:20)", "body": "(Louise) TIOBE, WAGW and HS were probably done deals before BJD hit it big. (Karen)Uh, hate to burst your bubble, but not so. :-( (no you don't-triple winkies) Who am I to argue your timetables, but as notoriously sluggish as turn-around times are - its as good excuse as any other - that's my story and I'm stickin' to it... (Louise) No, doubt TIOBE was thought to be another Ideal Husband. (Karen)And that was a plus? ;-D An Ideal Husband was not a critical rave, nor did it make a bundle. I think so. \"Rave,\" maybe not, but it got generally good reviews and for the genre, it didn't seem to do badly. (I liked it:D) I still say (told ya I'm his formost apologist) we don't know what else CF was getting offered."}, {"response": 1755, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (18:36)", "body": "This isn't about *what* Colin was offered, which no one here would know. This is about the statement he just made, which strikes me as (1) terribly defensive, (2) unnecessary (given the line of questioning) and (3) raises some question in my mind as to why he isn't \"dying\" to work with acknowledged talented directors. That's all. Caribou has said the statement sounded \"honest\" to her, but that doesn't go to my observation, unless it is a roundabout way of saying she disagrees, which is fine by me. ;-)"}, {"response": 1756, "author": "birdy", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (19:54)", "body": "(Karen)This isn't about *what* Colin was offered, which no one here would know. This is about the statement he just made, which strikes me as (1) terribly defensive, (2) unnecessary (given the line of questioning) and (3) raises some question in my mind as to why he isn't \"dying\" to work with acknowledged talented directors. That's all. Not only do we not know *what* he was offered, IMO (I may have less faith in \"journalists\" than others), we are also laboring under the disadvantage of deciphering quotes that may or may not be in context, complete, tongue in cheek or even factual:( Now that it has been suggested, I can't quite rid myself of just what we could look forward to if CF did team up with a couple of my favorites. O' brothers Coen, where art thou when we need you?"}, {"response": 1757, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (20:20)", "body": "I may be in the minority here with my thoughts on this, but the way I feel is that no matter what Colin says to the press, these days he seems to be doing movies that keep him close to his home and his family. I really wonder if he cares at all who the director is, as long as he doesn't have to travel far. I think that his days of spending months shooting a movie at a faraway location are over, and praising \"nameless\" directors he has the \"great fortune to work with\" is nothing more than trying to justify his choice to the press. I might be absolutely wrong about this, this is nothing but a gut feeling, but if this is the case I'm not surprised. He has a family now, his priorities changed, and he is just trying to pay the bills. And trying to keep himself out of too much limelight maybe."}, {"response": 1758, "author": "kolin", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (20:32)", "body": "I think Ildiko has a point. As Colin himself said in the Globe and mail interview: \"Hey, I have a great life. I've got a nice home, great kids and a wife I love. So I feel blessed. But I consider myself a jobbing actor. I have to pay the bills. So I choose roles that interest me and allow me to get on with it.\""}, {"response": 1759, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (22:48)", "body": "Well, then he can't complain if those choices bomb. (Ildiko)I think that his days of spending months shooting a movie at a faraway location are over,... He better be off to So Africa in Feb. for TDW."}, {"response": 1760, "author": "katty", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (23:04)", "body": "In regards to the statements made in the Globe and Mail I think Colin merely said 1)he has admired Marc Evans for a long time, 2) he enjoyed working with him (he did so twice in Master of the Moor and Trauma), and 3)he would like to work with him again. It shows nothing more than his high opinion of the man - NOT to the exclusion of other directors - and points to his confidence in the final product. Obviously, he must have been discussing his latest work, and he steered the conversation to his admiration of this director, which I think is admirable, especially for an actor in a profession known for its self-centeredness. Of course, Colin could be more \"out there\" and in your face and aggressive (isn't that the role of agents?), but being self-effacing, and doing the very best he can with whatever roles come his way seems to be his way of doing things. Obviously, we would like to see more of him in big high-profile successes so we can enjoy more of him, and sure, he has made quite a few mistakes in judgment (eg Hope Springs), but somehow, his lack of hunger for Hollywood-style fame makes him all the more special and is another example of his basic integrity."}, {"response": 1761, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (23:07)", "body": "his lack of hunger for Hollywood-style fame makes him all the more special and is another example of his basic integrity. Why?"}, {"response": 1762, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (23:52)", "body": "(Katty) his lack of hunger for Hollywood-style fame makes him all the more special and is another example of his basic integrity. But hungering for good, high profile projects from Hollywood and Hollywood-style fame are 2 different things IMO. I'll use Tom Hanks as an example. He appears to (now) be a good family man (granted, looks can be deceiving), who for the most part, stays out of the limelight, except for PR work. While he came from career-humble beginnings and has had a few missteps along the way, he is consistently now in high profile Hollywood projects, but does not display Hollywood-style fame of say J Lo, Ben Affleck, George Clooney, etc. I'm sure it's a lot easier to get into projects like that if you live out there, but not a neccessity. But at the same time, ODB needs to \"work the system\" from wherever he is based. If that's not his ambition to \"work the system,\" and he's happy with the work he's getting, then fine. Who am I to argue with that? Whatever floats your boat. If he wants these bigger projects (and bigger isn't frequently better in La La Land) and he laments not getting higher profile projects/directors, then there's obviously some issues he needs to deal with. My .02."}, {"response": 1763, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (23:54)", "body": "(Louise) (I may have less faith in \"journalists\" than others), we are also laboring under the disadvantage of deciphering quotes that may or may not be in context, complete, tongue in cheek or even factual:( LOL! After I got off the computer, I considered coming back to give you the other well-known rationales for the Apologists' School, but I see you've come up with them yourself. ;-D (Ildi) and praising \"nameless\" directors he has the \"great fortune to work with\" is nothing more than trying to justify his choice to the press. Is this not what I said from the \"jobbing\" actor? Funnily enough, I just watched a repeat of Saturday night's Topic A on CNBC, where Tina Brown was interviewing George Clooney, primarily because of the new program on HBO that he's exec producing. She asked him what directors would he like to work with since he's worked with such good ones, like the Coen Bros. He answered (without obfuscation): Alexander Payne, who never misses, and Guy Ritchie, and that he has met and talked with them. Then he said it is all about getting the best material and working with the best people."}, {"response": 1764, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (23:59)", "body": "(Me) he is consistently now in high profile Hollywood projects, but does not display Hollywood-style fame of say J Lo, Ben Affleck, George Clooney, etc. Sorry, forgot to finish my thought.... I consider Hollywood-style fame to be a negative, less related to the actual projects sometimes...constantly being hounded by press, sometimes displaying diva behavior, etc. Also, I wouldn't have considered TIOBE a bad choice if I were him. It's a witty Oscar Wilde play (one of my favorites in lit). Shoulda been a slam dunk. HS was another matter. That had mistake written all over it to me, but then again I was biased against it and Mark Herman didn't help it."}, {"response": 1765, "author": "katty", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (03:43)", "body": "\"his lack of hunger for Hollywood-style fame makes him all the more special and is another example of his basic integrity.\" Why? By integrity, I mean that he puts his personal happiness ahead of Hollywood-style success. To illustrate what I mean I'll use a personal example. My husband is an art professor here in Hawaii, and he loves his work, but he'll never be a world-renowned artist living in the middle of the Pacific. But he has never considered moving to New York to make it big because he is happy doing his own thing, doesn't care about fame, he loves living here, and maybe he just doesn't have that burning hunger either. I think Colin is similar. He would pretty much have to be near Hollywood to attain the Tom Hanks level of success, and he would really have to want it, too. But he doesn't need to be the Next Big Thing, he loves his England-based life, he loves his family and his friends, he loves his work, and even his occasional failures are worthwhile experiences. I don't get the impression that he's defensive or apologetic or unhappy with the path he's chosen. Quite the opposite. In one of his interviews during TIOBE he said that there isn't one dream role that he wants, that he likes not knowing what's around the corner, and each role is a challenge that he relishes. Of course there are roles like in About a Boy and End of the Affair that he would have liked to have had the opportunity to try. But overall he seems content with the direction of his career, and grateful to be a \"jobbing\" actor with a life that suits him outside of acting. p.s. It's true that Tom Hanks seems to have it all - happy family, long-term Hollywood success and respect, but being an American makes a big difference in their comparative situations."}, {"response": 1766, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (07:19)", "body": "(Katty).. he loves his England-based life, he loves his family and his friends, he loves his work That's pretty much the impression, I get from his interviews. But - who knows. As long as we don't hear his \"version\" directly from the horses mouth, it can be hard to tell. Rex-features has 3 new pictures. http://www.rexfeatures.co.uk/cgi-bin/r2show0?k=colin+firth&f=Newest"}, {"response": 1767, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (07:38)", "body": "Thanks, Annette! Of course, Colin could be more \"out there\" and in your face and aggressive (isn't that the role of agents?), This brings up another topic, his agent! He does a very poor job. (G Clooney) Then he said it is all about getting the best material and working with the best people. Getting your agent to set up meetings."}, {"response": 1768, "author": "birdy", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (08:10)", "body": "(Louise) (I may have less faith in \"journalists\" than others), we are also laboring under the disadvantage of deciphering quotes that may or may not be in context, complete, tongue in cheek or even factual:( (Karen)LOL! After I got off the computer, I considered coming back to give you the other well-known rationales for the Apologists' School, but I see you've come up with them yourself. ;-D I can't imagine a seasoned media watcher as yourself not allowing this as more \"bitter truth\" than \"rationale\";), SHA(Supreme High Apologist) BTW all, as not only an apologist but giant mental deficient, just what does LOL mean. I thought it was \"lots of luck,\" but I'm thinkin' ...nah."}, {"response": 1769, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (08:38)", "body": "LOL is Laughing out loud, which is very good to know :-) Then there are lot's of varietes, such as ROTFLMAO: Rolling on the floor, laughing my a** off. Just use your imagination, you'll soon get the hang of it :-)"}, {"response": 1770, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (09:15)", "body": "(Katty)But overall he seems content with the direction of his career, and grateful to be a \"jobbing\" actor. Here's my take: I can't even imagine how humiliating it was for him to read the HS and WAGW reviews. If you think that's satisfying to him, then we'll have to agree to disagree. but being an American makes a big difference in their comparative situations Don't tell that to Michael Caine, or Russell Crowe, or Daniel Day Lewis, or Nicole Kidman, or Jude Law, or Ewan McGregor, or Hugh Jackman, or Sean Connery, or Kate Winslet, or Hugh Grant, etc., etc. . . ."}, {"response": 1771, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (09:17)", "body": "(Evelyn) Well, then he can't complain if those choices bomb. Only scratching the surface. (katty) I don't get the impression that he's defensive or apologetic or unhappy with the path he's chosen. Quite the opposite. If this is acceptable to you and others, then no one should complain when: (1) Colin's films aren't released, sit on the shelf for decades, or go straight to video, if at all. (2) people like Huge get \"Lifetime Achievement awards. (3) people like Huge get all the mentions in articles or reviews about upcoming films or \"steal\" all the publicity, make all the appearances, etc. (4) you have to travel by plane to see one of Colin's films because the \"limited release\" would never reach your small town (5) critics use the phrase \"worst film of the year\" in a review of one of Colin's films ...I think you get the idea."}, {"response": 1772, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (09:50)", "body": "(Mari)I can't even imagine how humiliating it was for him to read the HS and WAGW reviews. Esp since it's his 38th and 39th film! He wouldn't have gotten GWAPE if Rafe hadn't bowed out to do theatre ...The Talking Cure . Anyway, I've been hearing this apologist chant now for almost seven years. *yawn*"}, {"response": 1773, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (09:54)", "body": "I was checking out some stuff I missed recently on O&E and ran across this tidbit in an MSNBC.com article Maria posted the link to. In light of our recent conversation, thought it was very apropos. Actors are taught early on to praise their director in interviews , but Scarlett Johansson, star of Sofia Coppola\ufffds quietly enchanted comedy \ufffdLost in Translation,\ufffd must\ufffdve skipped that lesson. ASKED WHAT SHE THOUGHT of Coppola\ufffds first film, \ufffdThe Virgin Suicides,\ufffd the 18-year-old Johansson pauses. \ufffdUm.\ufffd Another pause. \ufffdWell, it\ufffds hard to do an adaptation of a book, especially that one. I wasn\ufffdt crazy about \ufffdVirgin Suicides.\ufffd I think \ufffdLost in Translation\ufffd is a much more mature film for Sofia.\ufffd Finally, an actress who saves her acting for the movies. (Mari) Don't tell that to Michael Caine, or Russell Crowe, etc..... Exactly, this was my next post."}, {"response": 1774, "author": "caribou", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (09:55)", "body": "(Louise)just what does LOL mean. I thought it was \"lots of luck,\" LOL! I thought \"land o' lakes\" and that someone must be from Minnesota when I first started reading here!:-) or when --we desparately need each other because he isn't mentioned in our newspapers --absence makes the heart grow fonder But, honestly, sometimes I do wish I could care about someone like Tom Hanks or George Clooney. Sometimes Paul Ashworth and I are just plain ready to switch teams!---just not right now with this great movie coming out!;-)"}, {"response": 1775, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (10:11)", "body": "Sometimes Paul Ashworth and I are just plain ready to switch teams! Did I say anything about 'switching teams'? Add this to the list: his name is regularly omitted from cast lists. I expect to read this one day in an interview with another actor or director: \"It also meant working Firth, whom he/she describes as 'one of the great unsung actors, who hasn't really had the audience in America that he should have. I've known him for many years and been dying to work with the guy.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 1776, "author": "caribou", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (10:37)", "body": "(me)Sometimes Paul Ashworth and I are just plain ready to switch teams! (Karen)Did I say anything about 'switching teams'? No, that's just me when I'm ready to support someone who wins. Other times I feel like I'm in on the best kept secret of Britian's number one export--actors. However, the last three people to whom I mentioned GWAPE, said, #1(librarian): Oh, Colin Firth, he's the only one of these I recognize. #2(librarian): Oh, I was just watching P&P for the 800th time yesterday. #3(Girl Scout Leader): Oh, Colin Firth. I like him. (Must admit I'm suspicious about this one, she might be thinking the other CF:-( Must investigate further.)"}, {"response": 1777, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (10:49)", "body": "Great comments ladies and IMO the answer to they whys of what he chooses we'll never be privy too. Certainly so talented and qualified to work with the best directors, but they're not going to come to him. He has to make the effort. And apparently its just not something he's willing to do. IMO a terrible shame. Obvious personal life takes prominence and I respect his choice, but he must know this is going to limit exposure. He seems content, atleast says so, and as Dorine says, its his boat to float."}, {"response": 1778, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (11:06)", "body": "Karen: Add this to the list: his name is regularly omitted from cast lists For years my husband has called him the forgotten man. SIL and TEP were examples of his not getting the mention he should have gotten. IMO, in 1995, he should have built on the success and popularity of Pride and Prejudice, hired a GOOD agent and publicity person, and sought out major films that would spotlight his charisma and charm. He was hot in the market for good reason. (Though we should remember that P&P was a cable production, and not seen by that many people in the USA) English Patient, The (1996) (Supporting) \"Nostromo\" (1996) (mini) Fever Pitch (1997) Thousand Acres, A (1997) Secret Laughter of Women, The (1999) Shakespeare in Love (1998) (Supporting) My Life So Far (1999) He did make TEP right after P&P, but that was a supporting role. The choice of Nostromo, a TV mini series on cable, was not the brightest (IMO -though he did meet Livia!)) and, while I liked Fever Pitch, it has remained a small British film. A Thousand Acres may have been the one he thought would make him in the USA, but we all know what a disaster that film was. And on and on... I have no idea why he makes/made the choices he did. We can hope that GWAPE will turn things around, but once again, I am afraid he will be seen as supporting Johansson. With BJD he became much more widely known (but the spotlight was on Zellweger and Grant). The tide may turn in Edge of Reason, though I am not familiar with the work of the director, Beeban Kidron. Some other non-USA actors were mentioned in this discussion. I have a pretty good knowledge of Russell Crowe's career path. He made a few bad films in the USA before and after LA Confidential, but that film opened a lot of doors for him and he was able to make careful choices about what he would do next. (And with directors he respected) I don't think The Insider or Gladiator would have come along if he hadn't made LAC for Curtis Hanson. He also has said quite often that he wants to be involved in every film he makes. That can be a pain in the neck for some directors, but in the long run, it makes the movie better. I don't think Colin takes that kind of active role, but I may be way off base. One actor not mentioned, whose career path has mirrored Colin's in a way, is Clive Owen. King Arthur may turn out to be a Bruckheimer over-blown horror, but it will get the publicity Owen needs to take his next step up. His next director is Mike Nichols - for Closer. We will have to wait and see if he goes from \"Who's that?\" to \"Ah, I saw him in...\" There is nothing wrong in going the Hollywood route if you have ambition. I'm not sure if CF ever had that burning in the loins for a block-buster career. He seems satisfied with his -- if we, his fans, aren't."}, {"response": 1779, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (11:40)", "body": "(Karen) It also begs the question of why isn't Colin dying to work with directors like Steven Soderbergh, Stephen Daldry, Robt Altman, Ron Howard, Sam Mendes, PT Anderson, etc. You know, directors whose films get nominated for Oscars? Or younger directors whose talent is just being noticed? I'm sure Marc Evans is a good guy, competent, etc., but maybe that's enough for a \"jobbing\" actor? :-( (Mari) Don't tell that to Michael Caine, or Russell Crowe, or Daniel Day Lewis, or Nicole Kidman, or Jude Law, or Ewan McGregor, or Hugh Jackman, or Sean Connery, or Kate Winslet, or Hugh Grant, etc., etc. . . . HG: hitched his waggon to RC and Working Title. Still waiting for Spielberg, Soderbergh, Mendes, Howard, Altman et al to cast him in Oscar winning role. Btw, don't you think he would like some of the roles ODB has been fortunate to have and/or been offered? KW: Not all her movies are winners but her performances never disappoint. Hmmm, just like YKW. SC: why is he in this category? I thought we were talking about talented actors ;-) Anyway, hitched his waggon to Hitchcock, De Palma, Spielberg, Lumet. Earned an (undeserved) Oscar after 30 years in the business (hang in there Colin). Btw, turned down the role of Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings series because he didn't want to film down in New Zealand for 18 months. HJ: relocated family to pursue career in Hollywood and on Broadway (more power to him), shamelessly plugged his work at the Tonys (tacky). EM: tired of the indie only scene so willing to go Hollywood, relocates family to film locations. JL: mirrorring EM's career, not as lucky on personal front. NK: hitched her waggon to a top gun and went Hollywood, has Oscar to keep her warm at night (cold comfort). DDL: I just hope DDL is as happy with his life as ODB seems to be with his. RC: see Murph. MC: I see a lot of similarities between his career and ODB's. And MC won his first Oscar 30 years into his career (hang in there Colin, your turn will come) (Evelyn) He wouldn't have gotten GWAPE if Rafe hadn't bowed out to do theatre... And getting a choice role because the first choice bowed out is the nature of the business (and not just show business either). (Evelyn) Anyway, I've been hearing this apologist chant now for almost seven years. *yawn* Is that how long the other chant has been going on? ;-) (FanPam)as Dorine says, its his boat to float. Indeed."}, {"response": 1780, "author": "houstonandy", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (11:45)", "body": "Mary: There is nothing wrong in going the Hollywood route if you have ambition. I'm not sure if CF ever had that burning in the loins for a block-buster career. He seems satisfied with his -- if we, his fans, aren't. I agree. As much as we'd like to see him have the roles and exposure, folks generally do what they want to do, and live the life they want to live. For reasons known only to him, he's chosen how he's chosen. He's a pretty smart guy, and his self-effacing posture notwithstanding, he has to know that he's got those key ingredients of talent and looks to \"make it\" really big in a Hollywood way if he wanted to, in the past and now. But let the evidence tell the story...he left for the woods after his first big \"no show\" film. Could he have had more persistence for the career? He admits not using \"advisors\", he just asks his wife. Ok. He must be in LA sufficient time while visiting his son to \"meet and greet\". And, as others here have pointed out, he admits to having a \"great life\". He's a self-described \"jobber\" and someone who says he sees himself as a character actor. So, maybe we should applaud him for the balance that he's struck, enjoy what's out there, and allow him some credit for his prioritie ."}, {"response": 1781, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (12:32)", "body": "(Karen)..dragging over my wet blanket ;-D After the (mostly) good reviews for GWAPE & LA, it's a cold wet blanket indeed. Is this the return of Miss Cranky Pants? ;) But seriously, I just took his remarks to mean that here was a director he wanted to work with, and it was a great experience. Has he ever been asked what directors he'd like to work with? *I* don't recall any, but my memory's pretty faulty these days, lol. (Caribou)However, the last three people to whom I mentioned GWAPE, said, #1(librarian): Oh, Colin Firth, he's the only one of these I recognize. #2(librarian): Oh, I was just watching P&P for the 800th time yesterday. #3(Girl Scout Leader): Oh, Colin Firth. I like him. I wandered into a romance novels discussion board about a month ago, and one thing they were discussing was CF, lol. You just never know where his name will pop up... BTW, a couple of CF's movies will be on TV in the next couple of days: TIOBE will be on STARZ, Wednesday the 17th at 6 am & 1:20 pm EST L'ium will be on HBO3, Thursday the 18th at 12:50 am EST"}, {"response": 1782, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (12:41)", "body": "(Evelyn) Anyway, I've been hearing this apologist chant now for almost seven years. *yawn* (Sonia)Is that how long the other chant has been going on? ;-) ROTF, I can write the script on both sides. Trust me it's repetition...only with different names;-) Thanks Murph. You bring a \"historical perspective\"."}, {"response": 1783, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (12:49)", "body": "(MeredithA) Is this the return of Miss Cranky Pants? ;) No, you're just interpreting my observation that way. Fine, fine, but I want to see lots of cheering and pleased comments when Colin is ignored in the upcoming publicity for GWAPE and LA because he's happy and getting exactly what he wants. ;-)"}, {"response": 1784, "author": "meg", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (13:25)", "body": "Okay, I almost never post, and probably will get a reaction to this just hostile enough to keep me from ever posting again, but... Is it possible that we care more about whether he gets an Oscar than he does? Which is not to say that he DOESN'T want one, but maybe he just doesn't want one as much as we want him to have one? (Please forgive the \"we\". I don't mean to speak for others.) And why do we want that so much? (Yes, I'd kind of like to see it too...) And am I the only one to think that if he becomes as main stream/famous as HG, he won't have time or energy to sign autographs and flash dimples? Right now his fans are still a kick for him, but if there are too many, perhaps he'll get sick of us? Or less amused when he spots us behind potted palms and lurking near men's rooms? Maybe he's at just the right level of famous right now? He's not unknown, but in the right neighborhood can still walk down the street unnoticed. (Or at least unrecognized. Can't imagine anyone not noticing him.) He gets a good amount of work. Making more money than most of us. And seems happy. As long as he keeps doing things like GWAPE, and (I'm hoping) Trauma, and other arty types of films so we can keep going to marvel at his skill and stunning good looks, does it really matter? Just a few thoughts worth the price of the paper they're printed on. There. Burning the soap box and stepping quietly back into the shadows... Be gentle."}, {"response": 1785, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (13:26)", "body": "(Sonia)don't you think he would like some of the roles ODB has been fortunate to have and/or been offered? Nope. I can't think of a single one. Huge knows what he's best at, and he sticks to it (with occasional variations). Though he may annoy me on his talk show appearances (very the answers, already!;-), I think he's a brilliant comic actor. And he has worked with directors such as Ang Lee and Woody Allen. No chopped liver there. And MC won his first Oscar 30 years into his career (hang in there Colin, your turn will come) Yeah but MC has been doing high profile work on and off since CF was in nappies. BTW, Jude Law is starring in the Alfie remake. (Murph)He also has said quite often that he wants to be involved in every film he makes. That can be a pain in the neck for some directors, but in the long run, it makes the movie better. Murph, there's a show on I believe the Times channel which is running behind the scenes shows on Hollywood filmmaking--from conception through scripting, testing, marketing, etc. The script doctor on Gladiator talks at length about how much input RC had into that, and how the original script had a lot of holes--he credits RC for digging in his heels and refusing to go ahead with a mediocre script. (Andrea)He's a self-described \"jobber\" and someone who says he sees himself as a character actor. Nothing wrong with character actors--William H. Macy, Jeff Bridges, Chris Cooper, Ed Harris--I love those guys, they're all brilliant, and they all work on stellar projects with the best in the business. That's the difference."}, {"response": 1786, "author": "katty", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (14:24)", "body": "Sonia - great assessment of the list of British/Australian actors. Now why is it that these people have reached the level of fame that Colin never has? Is it because they put themselves more \"out there\" in Hollywood? Is it because they had that one breakout role that made them more commercially bankable? Is it a better agent? Better taste in choosing roles? Better roles to choose from? Is it timing, luck, talent, ambition, or what? Maybe casting directors just don't consider Colin as more than a handsome but reserved Englishman, great at playing repression, but not as good a comedian as Hugh, or a disappear-into-his-character dramatist like DDL, and certainly not a box office draw. Whether Colin should broadcast his wish to work with the A-list directors, whether he should be more aggressive in seeking roles, I just don't know. Obviously, Colin has made quite a few bad career choices - the scathing reviews of Hope Springs must have hurt - but he seems mature enough to take the bad with the good (he's had enough practice). Even though the end product apparently stank, he seemed to have enjoyed the experience of the HS shoot immensely. I would love to see Colin in higher-profile productions with great critical and commercial success. I would love to see him and Livia walking down the red carpet at the Oscars. But what most appeals to me about Colin is not his success as an actor, but his success as a human being - his personal life, his intelligence, his writing, his social conscience, his integrity, his charisma, his niceness. As he says, \"\"Hey, I have a great life. I've got a nice home, great kids and a wife I love. So I feel blessed. But I consider myself a jobbing actor. I have to pay the bills. So I choose roles that interest me and allow me to get on with it.\" Who are we to say he's wrong in his choices?"}, {"response": 1787, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (14:29)", "body": "I don't think, I've seen this before: Productionnotes for GWAPE, scroll down until GWAPE and hit prod.notes http://www.lionsgateinfo.com/InfoSite/epk/toronto_film_festival_2003/index.html"}, {"response": 1788, "author": "katty", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (14:36)", "body": "Sonia - great assessment of the list of British/Australian actors. Now why is it that these people have reached the level of fame that Colin never has? Is it because they put themselves more \"out there\" in Hollywood? Is it because they had that one breakout role that made them more commercially bankable? Is it a better agent? Better taste in choosing roles? Better roles to choose from? Is it timing, luck, talent, ambition, or what? Maybe casting directors just don't consider Colin as more than a handsome but reserved Englishman, great at playing repression, but not as good a comedian as Hugh, or a disappear-into-his-character dramatist like DDL, and certainly not a box office draw. Whether Colin should broadcast his wish to work with the A-list directors, whether he should be more aggressive in seeking roles, I just don't know. Obviously, Colin has made quite a few bad career choices - the scathing reviews of Hope Springs must have hurt - but he seems mature enough to take the bad with the good (he's had enough practice). Even though the end product apparently stank, he seemed to have enjoyed the experience of the HS shoot immensely. I would love to see Colin in higher-profile productions with great critical and commercial success. I would love to see him and Livia walking down the red carpet at the Oscars. But what most appeals to me about Colin is not his success as an actor, but his success as a human being - his personal life, his intelligence, his writing, his social conscience, his integrity, his charisma, his niceness. As he says, \"\"Hey, I have a great life. I've got a nice home, great kids and a wife I love. So I feel blessed. But I consider myself a jobbing actor. I have to pay the bills. So I choose roles that interest me and allow me to get on with it.\" Who are we to say he's wrong in his choices?"}, {"response": 1789, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (14:36)", "body": "Annette!!! Thank you! Very nice!"}, {"response": 1790, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (14:37)", "body": "(Karen) Fine, fine, but I want to see lots of cheering and pleased comments when Colin is ignored in the upcoming publicity for GWAPE and LA because he's happy and getting exactly what he wants. ;-) I'm not getting my hopes up on him doing much publicity in America. Won't he be shooting TEOR at that time, or is my timetable screwed up? (Meg)He gets a good amount of work. Making more money than most of us. And seems happy. As long as he keeps doing things like GWAPE, and (I'm hoping) Trauma, and other arty types of films so we can keep going to marvel at his skill and stunning good looks, does it really matter? It's a little frustrating that he doesn't get the plum roles and the recognition that *I* think he deserves, but then I have absolutely zilch to do with his career choices, lol. *shrugs* I really can't control where this ship is going, so I'm just going to enjoy the ride..."}, {"response": 1791, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (14:50)", "body": "(Sonia), Btw, don't you think he would like some of the roles ODB has been fortunate to have and/or been offered? (Mari), And he has worked with directors such as Ang Lee and Woody Allen. I was going to say that! JL: mirrorring EM's career, JL has surpassed EM. (Karen) Fine, fine, but I want to see lots of cheering and pleased comments when Colin is ignored in the upcoming publicity for GWAPE and LA because he's happy and getting exactly what he wants. ;-) LOL! Don't rub it in. ;-)"}, {"response": 1792, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (15:46)", "body": "(Meredith)*shrugs* I really can't control where this ship is going, so I'm just going to enjoy the ride... *snort*I'm with you kid. If *he* doesn't care about his career choices as long as he gets paid...why should I? Let the other British actors who work harder get the plum starring roles. They deserve it. Great find Annette."}, {"response": 1793, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (16:00)", "body": "(Annette) Productionnotes for GWAPE, scroll down until GWAPE and hit prod.notes (Evelyn) Great find Annette. They've been up at firth.com since 9/9/03. :-( Why do I even bother??"}, {"response": 1794, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (16:05)", "body": "(Mari) Nope. I can't think of a single one. Huge knows what he's best at, and he sticks to it Wow! And he wouldn't want to try something new? Well, whatever works for him. Even Cary Grant (whom the critics like to compare him to) chose to change the pace every now and then. (Mari), And he has worked with directors such as Ang Lee and Woody Allen. (Moon) I was going to say that! Oh that's right. And he won the Oscar right? Or was he just nominated? My memory is failing me, I can't remember if it was for his role in Small Town Crooks or Sense and Sensibility. Or was it for his turn in the Harry Potter movies, surely Chris Columbus didn't forget him? ;-) (Me)JL: mirrorring EM's career, (Moon)JL has surpassed EM. Please explain. I didn't mean that JL was trying to be the next EM. I think both actors have and will continue to do very well. I know Oscar is the industry standard for achieving movie-making greatness. Personally, it isn't mine (and I'm sure someone in Hollywood cares ;-)) I gave up on Oscar as a kid when for some unkown reason the performances I considered best didn't win or weren't even nominated. It didn't stop actors from having wonderful careers. And it didn't stop Academy Award Winners from disappearing from the screens. (Mari) Nothing wrong with character actors--William H. Macy, Jeff Bridges, Chris Cooper, Ed Harris--I love those guys, they're all brilliant, and they all work on stellar projects with the best in the business. That's the difference. I agree. Out of curiosity why didn't you mention the Brits like Jim Broadbent or Tom Wilkinson? And if that's what Colin is looking for surely by now he knows some people who can point him in the right direction or tell him how they did it. (Karen) Why do I even bother?? Why? Because we love you, m-o-u-s-e ;-)"}, {"response": 1795, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (16:19)", "body": "(Karen)They've been up at firth.com since 9/9/03. :-( Why do I even bother?? I'm sorry for not checking firth.com before posting. I have to admit, I have gotten used to materials being posted or announced at Drool and since I hadn't seen them here or heard references (except perhaps from you) I didn't realise they were available. Please do not let my misstep get to you. It was only meant for the best."}, {"response": 1796, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (16:44)", "body": "(Karen)They've been up at firth.com since 9/9/03. (Annette) I didn't realise they were available Oops, I didn't know they were there either. :-} Thanks for bringing it to my attention, though.....both of you."}, {"response": 1797, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (16:49)", "body": "I don't like to see emotions run this high and people thinking that contrary opinions are hostile or personal attacks. Nor do I think picking apart other people's examples is all that productive. Obviously not everyone here agrees. Each of us likes Colin for our own reasons, and that's a good thing. I like Colin as an actor and believe he has talent. His personal life and happiness are irrelevant to me. It's nice that he's happy, content, yadda yadda, but have no bearing on why I waste so much time maintaining a website, hosting this forum, etc. So let's dial back the rancor and get those nerve endings way back under our skins. It's really not worth it. Naturally, I reserve the right to needle anyone who carps about a print or broadcast oversight of Colin and has stated such things are OK by them because it's OK by Colin. ;-) BTW, who is volunteering to handle the emails I get that gripe about Colin not getting the recognition he deserves or why don't more people know about him? Hands??? ;-)"}, {"response": 1798, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (17:49)", "body": "(Katty)but being self-effacing, and doing the very best he can with whatever roles come his way seems to be his way of doing things, To me, that's the material point. He does do his best, he is a wonderfully talented actor, but imagine the possibilities if he would get out there, and for once, not wait for someone or some role to come to him. (I should say twice...he did go after HS);-( He doesn't have to \"do\" Hollywood, either. With the opportunities available, now, for solid, well-made independent films-the possibilities are endless. I'm sure there are plenty of roles that would appeal to him if he would just stay off the beat and path and get his AFG face and talent out there. (Murph)I'm not sure if CF ever had that burning in the loins for a block-buster career I can't imagine an actor with his level of talent not wanting that, even if they say they don't want it, or it isn't important. But I think he is satisfied, at least at this juncture, with what he has achieved. However, I think he has said it so often it's like a self-fulfilling prophecy. I have a problem with the \"satisfied\" part. If that's the case, then, sadly, at some point the career dead ends (IMO). You can lead a horse to water... I've enjoyed this discussion sorry to have come late, and just had to add MHO."}, {"response": 1799, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (19:17)", "body": "(Sonia), on Oscar as a kid when for some unkown reason the performances I considered best didn't win or weren't even nominated. I watch to see what the actresses wear. If you go back to any year in the '70s and see the nominated films, any one of them is better than the ones they make and nominate now. Small Town Crooks was a hoot! HG was great in it. This may surprise some but I liked him in \"About a Boy\" I am not convinced that Colin would have done any better. why didn't you mention the Brits like Jim Broadbent or Tom Wilkinson? And if that's what Colin is looking for surely by now he knows some people who can point him in the right direction or tell him how they did it. If Colin is looking to be like JB or TW. I'm on the next train. I think he wants more. He just wants these great parts to fall on his lap, these great directors to come calling. And who woulldn't? But that's not reality. You've got to get out there and win them."}, {"response": 1800, "author": "katty", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (19:39)", "body": "(Karen)They've been up at firth.com since 9/9/03. Why do I even bother?? (Annette) I didn't realise they were available I read the notes on Firth.com and still I didn't realize the Production Notes were the same thing.. The Production Notes are in an entirely format and contained much more material about the movie. Though parts of the Production Notes sounded familiar, I thought that was because they were contained in many of the articles I'd read about the movie. I therefore did not realize they were the original source until Karen pointed it out. We all greatly appreciate Karen's hard work. I can't even begin to guess how many hours she puts into the site every day. Just because we miss some connections here and there and we may not always have the same viewpoint (for myself, Firth's character is as much an attraction as his professional stature), I'm sure we all can agree that she is the MVP of Firth fans."}, {"response": 1801, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (19:40)", "body": "Would really help to have a PR person behind him, too, not just having an agent going to bat for him (or not). He/she would help to get his name out there into magazines, mentioned on Access Hollywood,ET and E!, the cover of People's Sexiest Men cover! ;-D Hell, *Katie Couric* was the one who even got him in at all that one year. You think some of these people are on that cover because they are really sexier than Colin, or most people? Ok, a few of them are more than most. But still, they have people (not necessarily agents) wheeling and dealing to get these people covers and the like."}, {"response": 1802, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (20:55)", "body": "(Sonia)I know Oscar is the industry standard for achieving movie-making greatness. Personally, it isn't mine Nor mine, and in this entire discussion, I never mentioned wanting awards for him as a priority. Although, as CF says, it's nice to be appreciated.;-) Out of curiosity why didn't you mention the Brits like Jim Broadbent or Tom Wilkinson? And if that's what Colin is looking for Because I like Harris, Macy, Bridges, and Cooper best--is that ok? I actually do like Broadbent and Wilkinson, Tom especially. Loved him in In The Bedroom. Do you know how many films Tom Wilkinson has made since GWAPE? 7. Broadbent has 9 credits listed for the last 2 years. These guys are among the hardest working in the business. So to answer your question, no, I do not think that's what Colin is looking for.;-) BTW, Tom is up for an Emmy this Sunday for the HBO film Normal in which he was superb. Few can play Midwestern middle-American decency better than Tom Wilkinson. Definitely a \"broad range.;-) He's running against Macy in the TV-film Door to Door in which he also was superb. Decisions, decisions . . ."}, {"response": 1803, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (21:07)", "body": "(GWAPE production notes) His emergence, from a lake in the BBC's \ufffdPride and Prejudice\ufffd was recently voted the second greatest television moment of the twentieth century behind the Apollo 11 moon landing. Voted by whom? That is just sad. I'd be embarrassed to have that in the notes--wonder if he approved them? Would be an eye-opening hoot if he did! Step aside, Neal and Buzz . . . :-( (Meg)And am I the only one to think that if he becomes as main stream/famous as HG, he won't have time or energy to sign autographs and flash dimples? I think it depends on the person. Tom Cruise does those one-hour walkabouts before Leicester Square premieres. Nic Cage dove right into the Venice Film Fest crowd and signed and shook hands and took photos, etc. Seems like Denzel did the same at Toronto. I think a lot of big stars value their fans and do take the time to show them that they are appreciated."}, {"response": 1804, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (21:25)", "body": "Onward and upward! People magazine singled out LA as one of 5 \"buzz\" films coming out of the Toronto FF: Love Actually Get ready for fun. Writer-director Richard Curtis (Notting Hill) delivers a witty, heartwarming ensemble comedy about romance. The large cast includes Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Laura Linney, Colin Firth, and Hugh Grant in a hilarious turn as England's prime minister."}, {"response": 1805, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (23:32)", "body": "(GWAPE production notes) His emergence, from a lake in the BBC's \ufffdPride and Prejudice\ufffd was recently voted the second greatest television moment of the twentieth century behind the Apollo 11 moon landing. (mari) Voted by whom? That is just sad. I'd be embarrassed to have that in the notes--wonder if he approved them? Would be an eye-opening hoot if he did! Step aside, Neal and Buzz . . . :-( Just out of curiosity, why would you be embarrassed? Which other \"tv moments\" would you think should be \"up there\" in the top 10? I'm just curious, because I can't really think of many \"monumental tv moments\" to put on the list... could be because I don't watch all that much tv, but I'm kinda hard pressed to come up with a \"top ten tv moments\". Anyway, he didn't rate higher than the moon landing... he rated just after it. On another note, I'm fervently hoping to hear back from Hola Lola that ODB is heading Down Under for a PR tour!! That would make my year... :-D Still unable to find any further info about that anywhere... *sigh* And lastly, thanks to all the wonderful correspondents from the two film festivals, and of course, thanks so much to you, Karen, without whom some of us would be totally \"Colinless\" in the Antipodes... ;-) No release date for GWAPE here, as far as I can see. LA is opening Dec 26th here, I believe..."}, {"response": 1806, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 2003 (07:08)", "body": "Jane says: Just out of curiosity, why would you be embarrassed? Which other \"tv moments\" would you think should be \"up there\" in the top 10? I'm just curious, because I can't really think of many \"monumental tv moments\" to put on the list... could be because I don't watch all that much tv, but I'm kinda hard pressed to come up with a \"top ten tv moments\". Anyway, he didn't rate higher than the moon landing... he rated just after it. I think, but I am not speaking for her - would never do that - that Mari meant having a scene where no talent is required would not be one of the top moments he would want to have listed. Walking along in a wet shirt was delicious to see, but hardly great acting. There were other TV moments he can be proud of - his cowardly moments in Conspiracy, seeing his mother in MOTM, the first proposal scene in P&P. Anyone else think of any others?"}, {"response": 1807, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 2003 (08:40)", "body": "(Murphy)There were other TV moments he can be proud of - his cowardly moments in Conspiracy, seeing his mother in MOTM, the first proposal scene in P&P. Anyone else think of any others? Just about any scene with him in Conspiracy (but especially the soliloquy about the need for logical rationale behind Nazi attrocities), much of Tumbledown (especially the rehabilitation scenes), and several scenes in DQ (meeting with the Windmill Buses official, his discussion of love with Sandy,...). Not to say that I don't adore the lake scene!"}, {"response": 1808, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 2003 (09:22)", "body": "This sounds like Scarlett's tandem remark to Colin's \"It was surprisingly intense, it was an emotional pressure cooker in a way....We were all in a closed area under the spell of this thing.\" \"When I read Girl With a Pearl Earring, it was a beautiful, beautiful script, and then we started making it, and I realized that my character was so desperately in love with this [Dutch painter Johannes] Vermeer character, which comes across, but it wasn't as apparent as when we were shooting it. Things like that happen all the time. That's what makes great movies, I guess, or great moments, anyway.\" http://199.249.170.185/backstage/features/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1979661"}, {"response": 1809, "author": "houstonandy", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 2003 (09:40)", "body": "Barbara I've just seen this week's edition of Talking Movies on BBC News 24. It was a special on the TIFF and provided quite a lot of glimpses of Colin. He was shown posing for photos and signing autographs at the GWAPE showing and in a couple of clips from both GWAPE and LA. The programme also included a short bit about SJ which ended with Colin giving her some very funny career advice (not to her face). If anyone in the UK missed it, it's repeated on News 24 at 10.30 tonight and 3.30 tomorrow morning. Just finished watching a recorded version of Talking Movies on BBCAmerica by way of Dish Satellite. In the central time zone, it plays daily at 5:30am, 6:30am, 7:30am and 5:30PM . Today's show was on the TFF as Barbara mentioned above. So, some of you may be able to catch it later today. It was pretty satisfying to see and hear Colin, and, in light of our recent discussion, have someone paying attention to him! Check it out!!"}, {"response": 1810, "author": "birdy", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 2003 (09:47)", "body": "(GWAPE production notes) His emergence, from a lake in the BBC's \ufffdPride and Prejudice\ufffd was recently voted the second greatest television moment of the twentieth century behind the Apollo 11 moon landing. Those who responded to this purported survey were clearly thinking of it as not the best moment on TV but the most \"memorable\" (and possibly were a bunch of randy females). Hate to disparage the average Josephine (I'm not saying I'm much better), but most people couldn't even think of ten newsworthy events on TV:( Kinda like when people are asked to come up with their most admired woman/man and whatever movie star has the lastest big movie tops the list. 'Sides, it was a cute quip for the notes. However unlikely, it would be funny if CF actually did approve of putting this tidbit in the notes :D"}, {"response": 1811, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 2003 (10:11)", "body": "(Jane)Which other \"tv moments\" would you think should be \"up there\" in the top 10? Nothing so easy. \"Who Shot J.R.?\" of course! ;-) ;-) But seriously folks, I wasn't thinking in terms of entertainment or pop culture at all. I was thinking more about things that were inspirational or that meant a lot to the global community. Begin and Sadat signing the Camp David Accords, the Berlin Wall falling after massive public demonstrations, the 2000 millennium celebrations, etc. We can put them on Odds & Ends if anyone is interested. Also caught the Talking Movies bits this morning. Thanks, Babara for the heads up on that. Colin looked fantastic. Enjoyed Scarlett's comment that \"Colin isn't intimidating . . . he's just a charmer.\" Very cheeky, she is, and I think CF enjoys working with people like that."}, {"response": 1812, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 2003 (10:47)", "body": "(Murph) There were other TV moments he can be proud of... Any scene in Tumbledown (my absolute, favorite). But not to go up with Moon Landing. *scratch head*. Wonder who they polled for that one? More Onward and Upward... I too just caught Talking Movies on BBC America with Tom Brooks which featured the Toronto FF. Several shots [blink and he's gone]of Colin making an entrance & signing. Two sentences by Colin \"on the carpet\" extolling SJ acting talent. Interviewer to SJ: \"Were you intimidated working with a veteran actor like Colin Firth\" SJ :\"Colin intimidating?...no, he's a charmer\" She's got lots of poise. Has to drop some of the \"you-knows\" though. Perhaps some of the fans on the sidelines are our gals. Looked like a v. festive atmosphere."}, {"response": 1813, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 2003 (11:19)", "body": "Very nice that the indieWire staff is including GWAPE in its '10 to Watch' from Toronto: (they're listed in alpha order) As we conclude our coverage of the 2003 Toronto International Film Festival we offer a list of ten new films worth seeing from this year's lineup. The list is a collection of films that were our favorites and those that were the hottest buzz titles at the festival. \"Girl with a Pearl Earring\" -- Peter Webber offers a traditional but very well done biopic about the 17th century Dutch artist Vermeer. Scarlett Johansson's performance as Vermeer's inspiring housemaid is quiet but powerful, and the film's art direction and cinematography are simply stunning, like a painting brought to life. Lions Gate will release the movie later this year. http://www.indiewire.com/movies/movies_030916ten.html"}, {"response": 1814, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 2003 (11:58)", "body": "I'm sure this is meaningless tripe, but from a press release today: The Hollywood Film Festival's Board of Advisors is proud to announce that along with honoring producer Sydney Pollack and Sony topper Amy Pascal, this year's festival will honor Oscar\ufffd-winning director RON HOWARD with its \"Hollywood Outstanding Achievement in Directing Award,\" Academy Award-winning actor ANTHONY HOPKINS with its \"Hollywood Outstanding Achievement in Acting Award - Male Performer,\" and Oscar\ufffd-winning actress GOLDIE HAWN with the \"Hollywood Outstanding Achievement in Acting Award - Female Performer\" at the Hollywood Film Awards Gala Ceremony. The festival will also present its \"Hollywood Breakthrough Award - Male Performer\" to ORLANDO BLOOM and its \"Hollywood Breakthrough Award - Female Performer\" to SCARLETT JOHANSSON. SCARLETT JOHANSSON attained worldwide recognition for her performance as Grace MacLean, the teen traumatized by a riding accident in Robert Redford's \"The Horse Whisperer.\" She will soon be seen starring opposite Bill Murray in \"Lost in Translation,\" Sofia Coppola's follow-up to \"The Virgin Suicides,\" and starring opposite Colin Firth and Tom Wilkinson in Peter Webber's \"Girl with a Pearl Earring.\" In January she will star opposite Erika Christensen in Brian Robbins's \"The Perfect Score.\" Ms. Johansson recently wrapped production opposite John Travolta in \"A Love Song for Bobby Long,\" and is set to star in \"A Good Woman,\" opposite Helen Hunt. She recently starred in Eva Gardos's \"An American Rhapsody\" and Terry Zwigoff's \"Ghost World,\" opposite Thora Birch and Steve Buscemi. Her other film credits include \"The Man Who Wasn't There,\" \"Eight Legged Freaks,\" \"Manny & Lo,\" \"Home Alone 3,\" \"If Lucy Fell,\" \"Just Cause,\" and \"North.\""}, {"response": 1815, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 2003 (12:51)", "body": "(Murphy)There were other TV moments he can be proud of - his cowardly moments in Conspiracy, seeing his mother in MOTM, the first proposal scene in P&P. Anyone else think of any others? . I thought he was excellent in Hostages, as well. However, I'm not sure if that was a made-for-TV? I should know, but I don't;-) Your choices, Murph are among some of my favorites. (I also like the cave scene in N, but for other reasons than his talents as an actor;-) Some great moments in LE, too."}, {"response": 1816, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 2003 (13:02)", "body": "I know, I know, and sorry to double post. This is bordering on #102;-)"}, {"response": 1817, "author": "katty", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 2003 (13:45)", "body": "I highly doubt that Colin had any approval of the GWAPE production notes since one of the movies listed under his credits is the one he'd most like to have destroyed (for good reason) - Playmaker."}, {"response": 1818, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 2003 (15:03)", "body": "v.g. observation, Katty. The only thing I know the actors have some approval on are the publicity pics."}, {"response": 1819, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 2003 (18:54)", "body": "I agree with Mari's picks for top tv moments - all of those would rate higher than the \"lake scene\" imho. Thanks, mari. And just to prove that the actors have no say in the pr blurbs or production notes, I just have to pipe up and say that \"If Lucy Fell\" is quite possibly the worst film I have ever, ever seen, (and that's including L'dumb). Even now, seven years after seeing this film, I am still angry at the studio/producers and want that hour and 20 minutes of my life back (walked out before the end), not to mention the admission price. I truly, truly loathed this movie. I'm sure SJ wouldn't include it in the pr blurb if she had her choice."}, {"response": 1820, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Sep 17, 2003 (06:32)", "body": "Booking info for GWAPE at the London Film Fest: http://www.lff.org.uk/films_details.php?FilmID=99"}, {"response": 1821, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Sep 17, 2003 (09:36)", "body": "(LFF info)Colin Firth is the suitably brooding artistic genius I haven't quite figured out whether this is a positive critique or not..."}, {"response": 1822, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 17, 2003 (12:13)", "body": "Screen captures by Ann from the Talking Movies program; more to come http://www.firth.com/gwape_premgal3.html Also, two more premiere pics added to the first gallery: http://www.firth.com/gwape_premgal1.html"}, {"response": 1823, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Sep 17, 2003 (13:45)", "body": "Ohhh! Thanks Karen! Love the new premiere pics...the one with his mouth open (laughing) with Scarlet is great and so is the close up of them together! And thank you Ann (and Karen) for the Talking Movies captures! Love the pic of him smiling (last one)! Very nice! The lady wearing the gray suit behind him (blonde hair) was in the car with him and stayed with him through all the interviews....his publicist maybe?"}, {"response": 1824, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, Sep 17, 2003 (14:06)", "body": "Thanks for the info re the screenings of GWAPE at the LFF. I was ecstatic when I read it was showing on the 31st, but deflated when I read further and saw it was showing at 1.00pm, and I can't make it to London before early evening! Woe is me!!"}, {"response": 1825, "author": "Heather97", "date": "Wed, Sep 17, 2003 (14:35)", "body": "Thanks for the new pics, Karen! (Tress) The lady wearing the gray suit behind him (blonde hair) was in the car with him and stayed with him through all the interviews....his publicist maybe? I'm curious to know who she was, too. I was also assuming publicist. In one of my pictures (it's posted in the premiere gallery: full-body shot from behind of CF doing interviews, hands in his pockets, with his head turned to the side) that woman is shooting me--or someone in my general direction--a positively lethal glare! She must've read my mind and knew I was thinking about jumping the barricade and running over there! ;-)"}, {"response": 1826, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 17, 2003 (14:52)", "body": "Lovely, thank you Ann and Karen! I wonder if Colin is thinking, Scarlett might just get an Oscar this year. \"She should join a convent.\" ;-) Saw Talking Movies. I agree with Evelyn. Too many \"you know\" when she speaks. Has she even graduated from highschool? She's only 18."}, {"response": 1827, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Sep 17, 2003 (16:45)", "body": "(Moon) This may surprise some but I liked him in \"About a Boy\" I am not convinced that Colin would have done any better. I'm not surprised. IMO certain films are meant for certain people and \"About A Boy\" fit HG to a tee. I'm not so convinced he was acting. It seemed to be him in real life. LOL. I honestly don't think Colin could have done the roll better either. (Mari) Because I like Harris, Macy, Bridges, and Cooper best--is that ok? I actually do like Broadbent and Wilkinson, Tom especially. I love these actors too, especially Harris. And Macy, no matter what the roll, never misses. These actors are brilliant. I agree, very tough choice between Macy and Wilkinson. Both were extrordinary. Glad I don't have to choose but can just enjoy the fruits of their efforts as I always do. IMO Colin is just as talented as these gentlemen and it is so very frustrating that he doesn't put himself out there as these actors have done to get the rolls. Thanks Ann and Karen for the great pics."}, {"response": 1828, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 17, 2003 (16:52)", "body": "(Pam) \"About A Boy\" fit HG to a tee. I'm not so convinced he was acting. It seemed to be him in real life. Am curious, how long have you known HG personally IRL? Fess up."}, {"response": 1829, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, Sep 17, 2003 (17:34)", "body": "(FanPam)IMO Colin is just as talented as these gentlemen and it is so very frustrating that he doesn't put himself out there as these actors have done to get the rolls. I think he just doesn't want to be a big movie star. He enjoys his life, and earns more than enough money to maintain his family and lifestyle. And he seems to like plenty of time off in between! - And being relatively anonymous. Frankly I can't blame him. And he is not alone in his bad choices. Some of the biggest stars have done the same. Have you seen Michael Caine's resume? I do wish he'd do more theatre, though."}, {"response": 1830, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 17, 2003 (17:42)", "body": "(Janet) Have you seen Michael Caine's resume? You mean the one with 4 Oscar nominations for Best Actor in a Lead Role, 2 Oscar wins for Best Supporting Actor? And then the Bafta noms and wins...I'd list them all but they're too numerous. ;-) Take a look here: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000323/awards though I know none of this means anything to Sonia. ;-)"}, {"response": 1831, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 17, 2003 (17:50)", "body": "*sorry, am in feisty mood today* ;-)))))))0"}, {"response": 1832, "author": "birdy", "date": "Wed, Sep 17, 2003 (19:01)", "body": "(Karen)*sorry, am in feisty mood today* ;-)))))))0 As you are in a \"feisty\" mood, I will refrain from saying that I understood Janet's point about Michael Caine as a stinker to quality ratio. His resume (which began the decade before CF was born) does include THE SWARM and JAWS,THE REVENGE;) He's prolific and one of my favorites, but is not \"a man without fault\" despite all the kudos. I find it interesting how in interviews MC suggests that he considers himself just a \"jobbing\" actor too. Not a bad \"role\" model for CF IMO:) But if I'm gonna start something all over again - never mind;)))"}, {"response": 1833, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Sep 17, 2003 (19:37)", "body": "Everytime I try to get out, they pull me back in ;-) (Karen) though I know none of this means anything to Sonia. ;-) LOL! You know me so well :-D (Mari) Because I like Harris, Macy, Bridges, and Cooper best--is that ok? I actually do like Broadbent and Wilkinson, Tom especially. I like them too (especially Harris, yum!) I was just curious because Harris, Macy, Bridges and Cooper are American. The commute to Hollywood is easier than from across the Pond. (Karen)*sorry, am in feisty mood today* ;-)))))))0 Bring it on! You're amongst friends."}, {"response": 1834, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Sep 17, 2003 (20:18)", "body": "(Sonia) Bring it on! Will never hear that again without thinking of Daphne/Amanda!"}, {"response": 1835, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Sep 17, 2003 (20:39)", "body": "Ah yes, HD's little dividend. April and August seem so long ago."}, {"response": 1836, "author": "hershey", "date": "Wed, Sep 17, 2003 (20:59)", "body": "Don't know what this is worth, but I was thinking of all of you and this discussion of CF's choices and what not. In Entertainment Weekly this week, there is a cover story on Johnny Depp and his 20-year career. He's been famous, somewhat well respected, etc etc for awhile, but until Pirates of the Carribean came out, he had been hitless. People in \"the business\" referred to him as \"box office poison.\" (Forgive the excessive use of quotes!). So, I guess what I'm saying is that it's not always just box office success or critical acclaim that makes people famous or respected? Or maybe just to take comfort in the fact that other actors, even people as Hollywood-famous as Johnny Depp, don't always pick the best movies but still get work and respect? I don't know. Maybe I'm comparing apples and oranges. I just thought it seemed kind of appropriate to mention. I'll shut up now..."}, {"response": 1837, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Sep 17, 2003 (21:17)", "body": "I must have my say of the \"feisty\" conversation. ;-) (Janet) .... Michael Caine as a stinker to quality ratio. His resume (which began the decade before CF was born) does include THE SWARM and JAWS,THE REVENGE And he's the first to admit he took Jaws, The Revenge solely for the $$$$. And yes, I heard him say it personally. ;-D He said he's taken many movies just for the dough (no surprise there), so he can now afford to do the smaller projects that interest him. Said he doesn't have to work at all if he didn't want to."}, {"response": 1838, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Sep 17, 2003 (23:21)", "body": "Holy Moly! I take off a week and it takes me almost that long to catch up at Drool! What a bonanza of information and a very lively career discussion indeed!! It was too exciting to skim all of the topics so I had to read every last word and follow every link, Drool over every photo and I'm almost as exausted as Karen must have been during the TIFF days. I know it's late to join in but *I must have my say* regarding the all of the insightful career comments... In my heart of hearts I love ODB for many reasons but feel that he has been somewhat hobbled by the heartbreak (and he has admitted as much) of the failure of Valmont. It put him in a reclusive frame of mind at the time afterall and must have taken some headwork to get out of it. I think that he has tempered his *Great Expectations* based on this disappointment and it may have coloured (;-)) his approach to his career. He has stated that he feels this disappointment early in his career put things in a reasonable perspective but it just might also have limited his expectations as well. Put him in a defensive mode thereafter? I think he's better than many of his projects will allow - as many of the discussions here (for 7 or how many years Evelyn?) also state. But the talent and the heart are there and that's why I'm here. I'm taking him just the way he is but that doesn't mean that I can't hope that systems will be put in place that will put his talent and lovely puss (with that lovely skin) in the most adventageous light! Whew! It's been hard to keep my trap shut till I got to the end of everyone's posts...... It's great to be back!!"}, {"response": 1839, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (05:56)", "body": "Thank you thank you Mari for the LFF info. Posting cheque immediately..."}, {"response": 1840, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (06:55)", "body": "Reviewer on BBC London radio talking about the LFF with Robert Elms just called Vermerr Colin's best role yet."}, {"response": 1841, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (08:27)", "body": "(Emma) Reviewer on BBC London radio talking about the LFF with Robert Elms just called Vermeer Colin's best role yet. I think I would put it up there too...."}, {"response": 1842, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (08:46)", "body": "Three times in one day. Jeez. And spelling Vermeer wrong. Look what I missed this week, all on Working Title, anyone else catch it? Janet, it sucks that we have to go to work and can't see these things! http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/breakfast/3100430.stm"}, {"response": 1843, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (09:34)", "body": "His latest film, Love Actually, starring Colin Firth, Rowan Atkinson, Martine McCutcheon and many others, is due for release this November, in time for the Christmas market. Ohhhh! ODB listed first??? And no mention of HG? Emma Thompson? Liam Neeson, Alan Rickman? Is this a first?? Are we to assume that HG has become \"many others\" ??? It can't be! Must be some sort of mistake.....must....have....a lie down......;-) Thanks Emma!!"}, {"response": 1844, "author": "BarbaraT", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (10:54)", "body": "Emma, thanks very much for the link to the BBC Breakfast Show site. I saw this morning's programme, but not the ones earlier in the week, so it was nice to see the video clips of the interviews with RC and MM. Today's programme included a brief interview with the young man who sings All You Need is Love at the wedding - I think his name was Lynden David Hall, but I'm not sure if I've remembered that properly - and a piece showing someone adding the sound effects to the scene where the manuscript of Colin's character's novel blows away, which you can see if you click on the video link entitled Behind the Scenes: the Foley artist."}, {"response": 1845, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (12:05)", "body": "Thanks, Emma, for the links to the Breakfast Show. iliked the Foley Artist's bit also. Wonder who's on tomorrow? Too bad they already gave away tickets to the LA premiere on Tuesday."}, {"response": 1846, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (12:53)", "body": "(Dena), Or maybe just to take comfort in the fact that other actors, even people as Hollywood-famous as Johnny Depp, don't always pick the best movies but still get work and respect? I've liked all of his films. They have been good choices, IMO. (Emma) Reviewer on BBC London radio talking about the LFF with Robert Elms just called Vermeer Colin's best role yet. And the screen time would be? I don't think this is a compliment. Good luck getting in to LA, Emma! Whoe else plans to go? Welcome back Beedee!"}, {"response": 1847, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (13:03)", "body": "Drool is kicking off its Annual Fund-Raising Drive Spring needs money in order to operate and we appreciate whatever people can send to help keep this place online every single day of the week. For this year's campaign, I'm hoping that the contributions will cover our operating expenses for at least a year. As Terry has explained in the past, it costs approximately $300 a month to run Spring, which includes the conferences, www.firth.com and austen.com, home to the Derbyshire Writers' Guild. Also, when we exceed our contractual allowance for bandwidth, there are variable charges for the excess. From our usage statistics, we all know Drool is very popular but is financially supported by a small fraction of those who visit. Whether you have registered or read the boards in a public mode, it costs Spring money. We prefer to keep Drool open to the public and can only do so through your generosity and giving whatever you can to keep this wonderful place open. Our Drool boards are a source of enjoyment for many people, participants and lurkers alike. So if you'd like to make a contribution, please contact me at nomdedrool@yahoo.com for information, as no addresses will be posted on this board. Be a Drool Darling and We'll Love You For It"}, {"response": 1848, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (13:05)", "body": "Thank you, Emma. I enjoyed RC's interview, going back to watch MMc. (Tress)Ohhhh! ODB listed first??? And no mention of HG Oh, I think RC and the interviewer mentioned HG enough;-)But excellent that CF was listed first. Interviewer: \"what is your secret formula? RC: HG is the secret formula. Interviewer: Just put him in every movie RC: We actually started to do that.(laughing, of course) Interviewer: People love you for all those hits,... Blackadder-oh there's one without HG."}, {"response": 1849, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (13:08)", "body": "(Moon) And the screen time would be? I don't think this is a compliment. I'd say a bit less an hour (and I do see it as a compliment)! He drives the film.....it may be SJ they talk about, but he is the catalyst for everything she is reacting to....besides, it took Dame Judi only eight minutes to win an Oscar. I don't think the length of time he is on screen should be held against him in this one. He acts his (funky brown) socks off!"}, {"response": 1850, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (13:48)", "body": "(Tress) it took Dame Judi only eight minutes to win an Oscar Good point, but she is Dame Judi. Though I was sorry to see she got it. Didn't think she deserved it really."}, {"response": 1851, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (13:58)", "body": "There are several more captures added, which might interest a couple of you: http://www.firth.comm/gwape_premgal3.html Ildi's friend contributed two lovely ones as well."}, {"response": 1852, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (14:18)", "body": "I couldn't get the link to work...got there 'the old fashioned way' through the Bucket main page. At least I can tell the DH that when I made it onto the internet I had my clothes on **swish** (but wait...Colin's in the frame....am torn....LOL)!! ;-) Thanks Karen and Ann! Maria and I were just talking about the pic from BBC World where ODB's back is slightly to the camera (but you still get an amazing expression). Look at the girl holding the mic! A bit smitten, perhaps??"}, {"response": 1853, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (14:28)", "body": "Argh! Maybe that's because there's an extra m in .com??? How did that happen??? This will work, I think: http://www.firth.com/gwape_premgal3.html Speaking of mics, in the capture, there's one from the IFC. Anybody catch any Toronto news reports on that channel?"}, {"response": 1854, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (14:36)", "body": "(Karen) Speaking of mics, in the capture, there's one from the IFC. That's the 'smitten girl' (maybe she is not, but she appears to be hanging on ODB's every word). Look at her face! Love it!"}, {"response": 1855, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (15:34)", "body": "GWAPE will be a featured film at the London Film Festival: http://www.lff.org.uk/films.php?StrandID=4"}, {"response": 1856, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (15:35)", "body": "Hope the above is not old news!"}, {"response": 1857, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (16:50)", "body": "(Tress), it took Dame Judi only eight minutes to win an Oscar. I don't think the length of time he is on screen should be held against him in this one. You mistake my meaning. I was refering to the comment of GWAPE being CF best role to date. It's a vg one but his best? BTW, the Dame won for supporting. ;-)"}, {"response": 1858, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (16:56)", "body": "(Tress)He acts his (funky brown) socks off! And I bet they're short too;-))) Thanks Emma for the Breakfast Show link interview with RC. Good to hear that it took him three years to write LA. Impressive. None of this night before thingy...."}, {"response": 1859, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (17:30)", "body": "(Moon) BTW, the Dame won for supporting. ;-) LOL...I know (nothin' wrong with supporting is there?)! The Golden Guy looks the same no matter what is printed on it! ;-) BTW, which role do you consider ODB's best? Just curious. I just think this film may get some attention (maybe I should say it deserves some attention). I don't know if it will be Oscar material, but I think it will do well. It is incredibly beautiful...and well acted (but by no means a 'blockbuster')."}, {"response": 1860, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (17:44)", "body": "(Evelyn) And I bet they're short too;-))) LOL! I just saw that! That's funny! ;-) But really! Think 'glass half full'!! He is v. v. good in this! I think you guys will like it! This isn't one of my \"HS Moments\"! Really!! ;-)"}, {"response": 1861, "author": "hershey", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (18:03)", "body": "(Dena), Or maybe just to take comfort in the fact that other actors, even people as Hollywood-famous as Johnny Depp, don't always pick the best movies but still get work and respect? I've liked all of his films. They have been good choices, IMO. Well, maybe that's an even better point then. His movies haven't been \"the best choices\" in the box office sense (which is what I meant but didn't phrase very well), but they had a different kind of appeal or value. Hollywood may just not appreciate the same things as actors or fans. But again, I don't really know."}, {"response": 1862, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (18:14)", "body": "(Tress) I don't know if it will be Oscar material, but I think it will do well. It is incredibly beautiful...and well acted (but by no means a blockbuster'). Remember, dears, blockbusters do not get the acting nominations or the writing ones for that matter. Best Actors/Actresses more often come from the small films. When I talk about recognition, I'm not referring to big box office movies. I'm talking about recognition for one's acting, which comes from one's peers and the industry)."}, {"response": 1863, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (18:27)", "body": "(Karen)And I bet they're short too;-))) And I was hoping they were tights;-) (Tress)I don't know if it will be Oscar material, but I think it will do well. It is incredibly beautiful . And from what I hear from you lucky girls, the music was excellent as well. Maybe some multiple noms for Cinematography and musical score? Time for the candles, perhaps?"}, {"response": 1864, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (19:06)", "body": "(Linda) Maybe some multiple noms for Cinematography and musical score? Very good choices, but don't forget \"Writing - Adapted Screenplay\" (though, I'll make my prediction now...\"and the award goes to 'Cold Mountain'\"), or \"Costume\", or \"Best Supporting Actor\" ;-)"}, {"response": 1865, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (22:54)", "body": "From James Berardinelli's Reel Views: The British film is Girl with a Pearl Earring, and it ranks as my second or third favorite film of the festival. Not coincidentally, both this and my top pick, Lost in Translation, both feature Scarlett Johansson, who has proven herself to be the breakthrough talent of 2003. At age 18, Johansson has a bright future ahead. An Oscar nomination for one of the films is within the realm of possibility, although there is a chance that Johansson's work in Lost in Translation will be overshadowed by the more visible performance of Bill Murray. Both deserve nominations, but Murray is closer to a lock. Girl with a Pearl Earring is the first feature for director Peter Webber, and what a debut it is! Most freshman filmmakers don't come close to Webber's level of accomplishment, and (not to take anything away from Webber) some of the credit must certainly be parceled out to the cast and the cinematographer, Eduardo Serra. Girl with a Pearl Earring offers sumptous visuals and compelling drama effectively intermingled in a pleasing, satisfying production. The director has crafted the film with great care, composing each frame like a painting with respenct to color, light, camera placement, and texture. Girl with a Pearl Earring could be silent and it would still be an amazing achievement. Indeed, the dialogue is sparse, which forces the performers to do most of their acting with expressions and body language - something Johansson excels at. By reading her eyes and face, we understand her thoughts. The movie purports to tell the story behind the creation of Vermeer's 1665 painting, \"Girl with a Pearl Earring.\" Since historical records are sketchy at best, most of the screenplay (based on Tracy Chevalier's book) is conjecture. The film does not carry a \"based on real events\" label. Nevertheless, the postulated tale is both credible and dramatically solid, thus forming the spine of a sensitive, intelligent motion picture. Griet (Johansson) goes to work in the household of Johannes Vermeer when she's a teenager. Forced into service because her parents can no longer support her, she must endure difficult conditions in order to remain employed. The Vermeers are not easy to work for. The head of the household (Colin Firth) is a moody individual, and spends long hours locked away in his vast studio. His perpetually pregnant wife, Catharina (Essie Davis), is resentful and jealous of Griet's youth and beauty. His mother-in-law, Maria (Judy Parfitt), is a strict disiplinarian. His children don't like her and his patron, van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson), likes her too much. Eventually, van Ruijven's attraction for Griet leads him to commission a painting of her. Maid posing for master leads to a variety of tension, both domestic and erotic. The result of this, however, is \"Girl with a Pearl Earring.\" Most recent movies about painters have done a poor job of conveying the delicacy and complexity of the artistic process. Not so in this case. Webber's approach gives us excellent insight into Vermeer's creative process. The scenes in his studio, especially those with Griet working as his assistant/apprentice, are among the best the movie has to offer. The relatively straightforward melodrama of the tension between Griet and the rest of the household is more than balanced by the better, more complex material. The sexual chemistry between Griet and Vermeer is wonderfully understated, but unmistakble. The most erotic moment of the film comes when Vermeer steals a glance at Griet with her hair unbound. It's every bit as sensual as if he had seen her naked. Johansson's sublime performance is ably supported by her better-known co-stars. Colin Firth gives us a brooding, dour Vermeer who only shows passion while painting (imagine Mr. Darcy with long hair). Judy Parfitt is her usual excellent, acid-tongued self. Tom Wilkinson gives himself to debauched abandon. And Essie Davis plays her part as a grown-up spoiled brat to the hilt. We have come to anticipate top-notch acting in British productions, and our expectations are not disappointed here. Girl with the Pearl Earring is one of those films that does many things right, and that places it among the year's best period pieces. It's more than a cut above the usual BBC costume drama."}, {"response": 1866, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 2003 (07:35)", "body": "Empireonline: 18/09/2003 As the publicity machine for Love, Actually cranks into action, director Richard Curtis appeared yesterday on the BBC to talk about the production. Asked how he managed to deal with so many egos on one film, Curtis agrees that, 'Every attractive person in the country we've tried to drag in front of the camera,' but admits that things were made easier by the fact that the huge cast of stars only appear together once. 'They were very rarely together. And then all we had to do was give them biscuits. On the whole they're in pairs, so mainly I just had to deal with two a day. Given the huge success of songs used in his previous hits, Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill, the BBC were keen to find out what music will feature in this movie. As Curtis himself explains, 'Music is a really important linking device to keep the emotion going as you cut from tale to tale and show what unites the characters rather than what divides them.... I'm very lucky in that movies are the second most interesting thing to me \ufffd I'm much more interested in pop music.' Of the film soundtrack itself he says; ''It's a very good soundtrack with some good old songs and some good new songs \ufffd there's a very good song by the Sugababes, it's called Too Lost in You \ufffd it's serious!' Admitting that there's a lot of pressure on him to succeed as a first-time feature film director, 'It would make some people very happy if the film was a failure!' Curtis dodged questions about future projects \ufffd and when asked whether his favourite star Hugh Grant might follow him back to a TV production, he laughed; 'he won't do telly \ufffd he's too grand! Although he has done degrading stuff on comic relief from time to time.'"}, {"response": 1867, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 2003 (07:46)", "body": "Thanks, Mari! (Tress), BTW, which role do you consider ODB's best? Just curious. AZ, Tumbledown, Valmont, P&P. For supporting TEP. I'm sure I'm going to love \"Mr. Darcy with long hair\" too. And, The Advocate was fun too. ;-)"}, {"response": 1868, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 2003 (07:51)", "body": "The best role discussion has been moved to Firthology."}, {"response": 1869, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 2003 (08:14)", "body": "Studios Hold Their Fire Despite Early Oscar Date Meanwhile, the more established indie players are also circling potential prizes. Sony Pictures Classics is fielding a strong documentary contender in Errol Morris' \"Fog of War,\" another Cannes/Toronto applause-getter, as well as Robert Altman's ballet turn in \"The Company,\" while Lions Gate earned some good notices in Toronto with Peter Webber's \"Girl With a Pearl Earring.\" http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=3471560"}, {"response": 1870, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 2003 (12:16)", "body": "Toronto wrap-up from Dave Poland's Hot Button column, which he's divided into films he liked, films he had reservations about, and films in which he was very disappointed: THE MOVIES THAT I HAVE RESERVATIONS ABOUT Love Actually The film needs some restructuring and pruning, but regardless, many will fall in love with this one. As I wrote before, the difference is between success and the next level\ufffd $140 million versus $190 million\ufffd Oscar nominations vs. a big February video release\ufffd THE MOVIES I FOUND VERY DISAPPOINTING Girl With The Pearl Earring Love the cast, like Vermeer, if I had been able to allow myself to sleep, it might have been the most comforting lullaby of the year. As a movie, it was much like watching paint dry\ufffd or not. The reason that Shakespeare is Shakespeare and \"Friends\" is \"Friends\" is that some things are iconic and last forever and some things are not. A period movie that does not reach beyond the moral issues of its time is a movie that will not find a modern audience. Making beautiful images is not enough\ufffd not even for those of us who embrace the artistry of film."}, {"response": 1871, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 2003 (12:32)", "body": "Several new LA pics: http://filmforce.ign.com/articles/450/450254p1.html?fromint=1"}, {"response": 1872, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 2003 (12:36)", "body": "Thanks Mari...they have pictures of the two storylines I disliked, and left out ODB!!! Sad!"}, {"response": 1873, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 2003 (12:39)", "body": "Thanks Mari for the reviews and pics. (Poland) A period movie that does not reach beyond the moral issues of its time is a movie that will not find a modern audience. Making beautiful images is not enough\ufffd not even for those of us who embrace the artistry of film. I don't buy this for a minute."}, {"response": 1874, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 2003 (12:43)", "body": "Thanks Mari... There just keeping us enticed is all...Showing us the yada-badada pics and the later...closer to release, Blammo! Hit us with a killer ODB pic....(Yes thanks, the weather here in Private Idaho is quite nice) Colin Firth (Girl With a Pearl Earring): \"It was in Venice about four years ago, I met Rod Steiger in the lobby of the hotel. That was a huge moment for me, and I did what I would almost never do. I went up to Steiger and I had to tell him I thought he was one of our greatest actors. He went 'Eh?' Which immediately put me on the back foot, made it harder to repeat. Then he went: \"Oh, thanks, sonny. Tell that to Ant'ny Hopkins,\" which was a delightful response. Of course we've lost him now. I must tell that to Anthony Hopkins, actually. Also, like, Scarlett's story of like, her meeting someone she like, loves... http://www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/story.asp?id=89BE4867-2F55-4D46-B750-3DD763E17F73"}, {"response": 1875, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 2003 (12:54)", "body": "Damn, if we only had a crystal ball...And I am glad Miss River's was not in his company! ;-) 4. Queen Cate Blanchett did salmon at Bay Street's Pangea on Sunday, while Mr. Darcy, the royal Colin Firth, was high in the sky at the Harbour Castle Westin's Toula. Meanwhile, pauper-by-comparison Melissa Rivers, in town shooting her new show Inside E, is a Bloor Street Diner girl. http://www.nationalpost.com/artslife/story.html?id=098A7042-C617-4BDF-B7DE-07070CF13415 http://www.toronto.com/infosite/146651/6.2.shtml"}, {"response": 1876, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 2003 (13:12)", "body": "Thanks, Mari for the LA pictures. (Poland)A period movie that does not reach beyond the moral issues of its time is a movie that will not find a modern audience I don't think Emma Thompson would agree. She won an oscar for her adapted screenplay for S&S and the film grossed over 40 million in the US, alone. I don't think it was a film that was made to particularly \"reach beyond moral issues\". IMO"}, {"response": 1877, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 2003 (14:42)", "body": "Girl With a Pearl Earring R E V I E W B Y R I C H C L I N E http://www.shadowsonthewall.co.uk/03/girlwith.htm Based on Tracy Chevalier's novel, which imagined an entire story behind the eponymous Vermeer painting, this film is beautifully made right down to the tiniest details ... but it's still just a 17th century chick flick! We're in 1665 Delft, where everyone speaks perfect English: When her father is injured in an accident, Griet (Johansson) is forced to go to work as a maid in the home of the Vermeer family. While Johannes (Firth) stays in his studio creating his next painting, the house bustles with life under the watchful, controlling eye of his mother-in-law (Parfitt). As Griet begins a tentative romance with a local butcher (Murphy), Vermeer notices that she has an eye for light and colour, and soon lures her into his studio to assist him. Then his patron Van Ruijven (Wilkinson) shockingly commissions a portrait of Griet and scandal threatens to engulf them all. The plot is fairly contrived and melodramatic, like a pulp romance novel with lots of heaving bosoms and barely repressed desires--handsome poor boys, scary rich men, sexy untouchables, controlling old bags and cruelly jealous girls. Every element is here, and yet the story keeps us gripped due to its refusal to give into standard Hollywood plot structures. Meanwhile, the acting is far above average, with Johansson delivering yet another strikingly solid performance as a young girl waking up to the world around her, and making difficult decisions about her future. Firth, Wilkinson and Murphy add life to their rather underwritten roles, while the rest of the women are efficient stereotypes swirling around Griet. The production design is absolutely beautiful--each frame looks like a 17th century Dutch masterpiece! And Webber's direction is artfully light-handed; several scenes take our breath away with their raw beauty, often combined with a strong emotional resonance. So it's a bit frustrating that the film is so portentous; it takes itself so seriously that it's hard for us to really believe it. But in Johansson's remarkably expressive eyes, it still has the power to move us."}, {"response": 1878, "author": "katty", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 2003 (15:19)", "body": "On the same Shadows on the Wall site in the message above there is a comment by a reader who MUST be another rabid Firth fan: \"I attended the gala of the movie at the 28th Toronto International Film Festival. My impressions of Girl With a Pearl Earring, from start to finish: it's as though you were watching a painting come alive. It pulls you into the life of the people in this painting and you feel for the two main characters. The colours, the cinematography, the fact that there was little dialogue especially; all of it was pure magic. Peter Webber and his crew deserve acclaim and the amazing Colin Firth was the one and only Vermeer. I really can't say enough about it. What a wonderful experience. Can't wait for it to come out in general release. Two very big thumbs up.\" --VermeerSA, Montreal 13.Sep.03"}, {"response": 1879, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 2003 (16:57)", "body": "Thank you M & M & Katty for the pictures, links and articles. I always enjoy tales by star struck celebs. Poland)A period movie that does not reach beyond the moral issues of its time is a movie that will not find a modern audience I don't buy it either! I could start to rattle off some more examples but will spare you.;-) IMO he might just be lazy."}, {"response": 1880, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 2003 (18:00)", "body": "Good stuff from Entertainment Weekly's Toronto FF highlights: By Owen Gleiberman Movies about classical painters seldom work, but Girl With A Pearl Earring is a rare exception. It stars Colin Firth, sexy and forceful, as Johannes Vermeer, the 17th century poet of light, and Scarlett Johansson as the maid who becomes his Beatrice. The drama of household eroticism and jealousy is conventional enough, but the film does a captivating job of showing how the entire story gets enfolded into a single painted image: Johansson, with the skin of a Renaissance angel, staring out at us as if through the centuries. By Lisa Schwarzbaum Among current British masters of charming nothingness, meanwhile, no one beats Richard Curtis, the blockbuster writer of Four Weddings and A Funeral, who makes his directorial debut with Love Actually. an official review must wait, since the crowd-pleasing sprig of Christmas mistletoe was shown as a \"work in progress.\" But even in flux, the compendium of eight little love stories--including that of a prime minister, played by Hugh Grant, and his secretary--oozes cheery sentimentality de-sapped by Curtis' unmatchable sense of comic timing. The even posher smart-set cast also includes Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Laura Linney, and Rowan Atkinson."}, {"response": 1881, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 2003 (19:12)", "body": "Oh, Mari, Thanks! I like the sound of Colin Firth, sexy and forceful ! Certainly better than Dave Poland. ;-)"}, {"response": 1882, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 2003 (19:26)", "body": "More tidbits from EW on the Fest: With co-star Bill Murray marooned in Rome on a set--\"I handed him over to Wes Anderson,\" (Sofia) Coppola lamented--Scarlett Johansson had to face the press without her comic partner. \"I'm a bit Lost in Translation-ed out,\" admitted the actress, eager for an attention shift to her work in Girl With A Pearl Earring. \"Oh, yes, please, more about your movie!\" joked 'Girl' co-star Colin Firth. Firth was doing double duty as well, with a sweet turn in Richard Curtis' directorial debut, Love Actually. And bleary-eyed moviegoers ate up the romantic sundae. \"The first time we screen a film, we always go through the not-a-total-turkey phase,\" said Curtis the morning after its premiere. \"We probably won't get as good an audience again.\""}, {"response": 1883, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 2003 (22:24)", "body": "I saw the LA trailer at the movies tonight. Went to see Lost in Translation. The LA trailer is all about HG. We see lots of the actors not all of them and we only get to see flash with Colin kissing the man, later with the papers flyings, but they are on for a split second. Blink and you miss it. Other actors get to speak. Yet he is third billing when the names are announced. (?)"}, {"response": 1884, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Sep 20, 2003 (09:04)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1885, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 20, 2003 (09:59)", "body": "Thanks, Maria, for all the links. the royal Colin Firth, was high in the sky at the Harbour Castle Westin's Toula That's where the GWAPE after party was. Hardly a scoop. ;-)"}, {"response": 1886, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Sep 20, 2003 (10:02)", "body": "I don't think I've seen this here yet: People Mag. Sept. 22 Spotlight on Toronto Film Festival Love Actually Get ready for fun. Writer-director Richard Curtis (Notting Hill) delivers a witty, heartwarming ensemble comedy about romance. The large cast includes Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth and Hugh Grant in a hilarious turn as England's prime minister. (Ed. no comment on GWAPE)"}, {"response": 1887, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Sep 20, 2003 (13:06)", "body": "(Shoshana)I like the sound of Colin Firth, sexy and forceful! I liked that too! Especialy coming from EW, which doesn't throw too many bouquets. From filmcritic.com's wrap-up of films at Telluride FF: Girl with a Pearl Earring (Lions Gate Films) Based on Tracy Chevalier\ufffds best-selling novel, Girl with a Pearl Earring is a captivating chronicle of how 17th century Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer came to paint one of his masterworks. At once artful and authentic, the film \ufffd directed by Peter Webber \ufffd has the resplendent look of a moving Vermeer painting. Veteran British actor Colin Firth gives a strong performance as Vermeer, and rising star Scarlett Johansson has the proper innocent mien as the quiet but strong young woman who serves as the artist\ufffds muse."}, {"response": 1888, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (06:47)", "body": "The London Sunday Times 9/21: Film: Something's got a hold of our hearts His tales of middle-class, middle-youth romance have all made box-office hits. Now Richard Curtis has directed his first film. He talks to Jeff Dawson about love and realism Canadian audiences are subtly different from their American counterparts. More polite, for one. Also, thanks to historic ties - and a diet of the BBC - they are quite discerning when it comes to British comedy. Benny Hill? Not around these parts, friend. When Richard Curtis is dragged onstage at the Victorian Elgin Theatre in downtown Toronto and introduced, among other things, as the writer of Blackadder, it meets with thunderous approval. On the other side of Niagara Falls, it would prompt only blank stares. Curtis has never been the most comfortable of public performers. But with the world premiere of his film Love Actually, the hot ticket at the Toronto International Film Festival, there come ceremonial obligations. Some of the actors - Colin Firth, Laura Linney and Rodrigo Santoro - walk on for moral support. But, mercifully, the crowd is putty. The only other time Curtis was at a film festival was in Utah, where Four Weddings and a Funeral previewed before a room full of Mormons; they all stormed out during the opening F-word salvo, he says. If anyone here stays longer than five minutes, he will consider it a triumph. Two hours later, the standing ovation suggests a capacity for monumental understatement. It is probably a good job he previewed the movie in Canada, though. Two-thirds of the way in, an extraordinary thing happens: the British prime minister (Hugh Grant) makes a rousing speech condemning America as a playground bully and imploring us plucky little islanders (and, one assumes, our Commonwealth chums) to stand up against ghastly Uncle Sam and that reprobate redneck president. Onscreen, in Blighty, the streets are thrown into a euphoria of Mafeking-relief proportions. In the audience, the liberal old Canadians can barely contain their glee. Below the 49th parallel, Lord knows how this will play. With his grey hair, glasses and genuinely amiable demeanour, it is hard to imagine Curtis upsetting anybody. \"No, it's pro-American,\" he smirks the next day, citing other, less contentious moments. For a man whose previous work has been marketed so adroitly for the USA, the scene still seems out of character. In his hotel room, high above the festival throng, international incidents seem remote. \"Look, fundamentally, it's not a political point, it' s a comic point.\" Six months ago, pre-Iraq, Grant's speech seemed rather clumsy, he says. And in two months' time, it may appear awkward again. Billy Bob Thornton gets to play the good ole boy in the White House. \"I did think of making him French at one point,\" laughs Curtis, \"but then I thought there wasn't so much at stake.\" Curtis is probably right, for if anyone knows an audience, it is he. The films he has written - Four Weddings, Notting Hill, Bridget Jones's Diary (not forgetting Bean or The Tall Guy) - have grossed more than $1 billion worldwide. Love Actually marks the first time he has stepped behind the camera to direct. \"It was reaching a point where I'd stolen enough hints from other people,\" he says. \"In particular, I got very involved in the edits. I now had strong opinions about where the camera should be, how the actors should act. I just think it was time I dared.\" It is a case of going in at the deep end. A tapestry of interweaving stories - of an ageing rocker (Bill Nighy), a fractious marriage (Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman), a widowed father (Liam Neeson), a lovelorn writer (Firth) , newlyweds (Chiwetel Ejiofor and Keira Knightley) and an office romance (Linney and Santoro), not to mention the travails of the prime minister - Love Actually is more beddings (but no funeral). \"It was quite complicated, but I always knew that I was going to do the next film, and this turned out to be the next film, \" he says. He concedes a certain degree of technical assistance. \"I never learnt the difference between a rake and a dolly, and I still don't know.\" But the large cast, he adds (20 lead parts, with even Rowan Atkinson and Gregor Fisher popping up), was actually an advantage, given that the principals came in for just two weeks each, maintaining a perpetual honeymoon period. Where else but a Curtis film would you find your cast in constant rapture? It is all Edward Heath's fault. Were it not for our bachelor premier of the early 1970s, Curtis's appetite would not have been whetted for romance in the corridors of power. \"I've always had that vague thought in my mind about how brilliant it would be to have someone with a real personality going out with someone in Downing Street.\" The resulting story, of a prime minister (Grant) copping off with his tea lady (Martine McCutcheon), was intended to be a film in its own right - as was, separately, the episode featuring Firth (a novelist toiling in Provence "}, {"response": 1889, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (09:13)", "body": "(London Times)\"Canadian audiences are subtly different from their American counterparts.More polite, for one. Huh ? Pssst..hey, buddie...there were lots of Americans in that \"Canadian\"audience just in case you didn't notice. (London Times)\"I know the Republicans in the area I live in will have a problem with it,\" one woman tells him. They might be picketing theatres in Texas yet. Curtis as cinema radical? Now that would be an interesting development.\" Have no fear, most Republicans don't take their ideology from Richard Curtis...besides...most of them will go just to see Colin Firth anyway;-))))"}, {"response": 1890, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (12:23)", "body": "(Evelyn), Have no fear, most Republicans don't take their ideology from Richard Curtis...besides...most of them will go just to see Colin Firth anyway;-)))) Republicans for CF? A happy thought indeed. ;-) Thanks, Mari! Well I finally got that sought after HS poster from my local theatre. :-)"}, {"response": 1891, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (12:25)", "body": "(London Times) \"Canadian audiences are subtly different from their American counterparts.More polite, for one. Evelyn, I'm saying \"Huh?\" right with you. For one, there were so many people from somewhere else in town (so I wouldn't call the audience 'Canadian'....though I suppose there were more Canadians there than anyone else). Standing around, I realized that many of the people I met were from somewhere else (not Toronto, or even Canada). Also, I think just being a film fest audience is different. People are there to see loads of films and are very open to it (not being dragged by a spouse of signigicant other on a Friday night to see something they feel lukewarm about....). The speech HG gives....along with the 9/11 reference, will be picked up by critics. I'm incredibly curious to see how it plays here! Hope it doesn't overshadow the film, which I thought was really well done and incredibly funny! Those 2 hours 20 minutes just flew by!"}, {"response": 1892, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (13:27)", "body": "Oh no - I just checked that BBC Breakfast link again to watch all the clips and the last prize was a chance to be an extra on EOR. =( Well at least it got won by Colin (Osbourn) from London (south)."}, {"response": 1893, "author": "socadook", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (15:06)", "body": "(Moon) Well I finally got that sought after HS poster from my local theatre. :-) Well done, Moon! Something good had to come out of having to sit through the movie."}, {"response": 1894, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (17:22)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1895, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (17:23)", "body": "Did anyone go to Portsmouth, NH (Telluride by the Sea) to see GWAPE yesterday?"}, {"response": 1896, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (17:33)", "body": "from his continuing rewrite of Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. Continuing? I thought it was finished. Thanks, Murph for the article. (Emma)a chance to be an extra on EOR Oh, I'd really pay extra for this;-)"}, {"response": 1897, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (18:29)", "body": "(lindak)Continuing? I thought it was finished I think script changes are often made until filming starts, and beyond in many cases.(Hope Springs!) Any confirmation yet of the exact date filming commences? (I'm planning a visit to London)."}, {"response": 1898, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (19:18)", "body": "(Times)When a film kicks off with a voice-over about September 11, musing on the \"I love you\" phone calls of those trapped inside the Twin Towers Every time I read about this intro, I have a \"no shit, Sherlock!\" moment of erotic proportions.:-( It's not offensive, it's worse: it's trite. Incredible tragedy pressed into the service of the incredibly banal. Maybe I'll feel differently once I see it. The only other time Curtis was at a film festival was in Utah, where Four Weddings and a Funeral previewed before a room full of Mormons; they all stormed out during the opening F-word salvo, he says. Don't believe it. The only FF of note in Utah is Sundance--and there's no way it was a) attended primarily by Mormons or b) greeted with that response. If he tells that story to the journalists here, he'll get laughed at. Glad you got your poster, Moon. Has HS's run ended?"}, {"response": 1899, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (19:59)", "body": "(Janet)I think script changes are often made until filming starts, and beyond in many cases.(Hope Springs!) Exactly, that's what worries me. However, I know that this crew is years beyond the HS experience."}, {"response": 1900, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (22:29)", "body": "GWAPE's MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for some sexual content) (Where???;-)"}, {"response": 1901, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (22:34)", "body": "(Mari) It's not offensive, it's worse: it's trite. To which, Richard Curtis would respond, \"Whoopsie daisies.\" ;-) Don't believe it....If he tells that story to the journalists here, he'll get laughed at. This quip will be his standard for press conferences, interviews, etc., and we'll get as tired of it as Huge's SAS training. ;-)"}, {"response": 1902, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (23:18)", "body": "(Karen) This quip will be his standard for press conferences, interviews,.. Followed closely by the comment from the journalist from Texas on HG's speech. Ya' know...I find the latter hard to believe.I think he's getting back at the US for the depiction of the British in WAGW;-)"}, {"response": 1903, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (23:26)", "body": "(Evelyn) I think he's getting back at the US for the depiction of the British in WAGW;-) *snort* Oh, you think he saw it?"}, {"response": 1904, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (07:31)", "body": "(Times)When a film kicks off with a voice-over about September 11, musing on the \"I love you\" phone calls of those trapped inside the Twin Towers (Mari),Every time I read about this intro, I have a \"no shit, Sherlock!\" moment of erotic proportions.:-( It's not offensive, it's worse: it's trite. Incredible tragedy pressed into the service of the incredibly banal. Maybe I'll feel differently once I see it. This has bothered me too. Glad you got your poster, Moon. Has HS's run ended? Yes, alas, it has ended. It was doing only one time slot only in the theatres near me last week. Expect it to go to video. (Tress), The speech HG gives....along with the 9/11 reference, will be picked up by critics. Richard Curtis is part of the luvvie crowd. Also known as \"radical chic\". They hate the us, but they love the US $$$."}, {"response": 1905, "author": "Leah", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (07:47)", "body": "I have only now caught up reading all the posts about the GWAPE and LA adventures/reviews/articles/comments etc, and am going to wait 'patiently' for both to be released where I will be able to see them."}, {"response": 1906, "author": "Leah", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (08:12)", "body": "What I forgot to say was, Thank you for all the reports."}, {"response": 1907, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (13:21)", "body": "(Times)When a film kicks off with a voice-over about September 11, musing on the \"I love you\" phone calls of those trapped inside the Twin Towers Does anyone know, do they actually play the tapes? Hope not, as IMO I think this is a very personal matter for the families, and not something to be used in a movie, no matter what intent they have for doing so. I don't know how to explain it but I think mentioning those poor people who died so tragically is just in poor taste and shouldn't be done. I'm sure there's other things they could mention about those brave people, other than their last words to their loved ones. Just don't think its respectful. Hope they change their minds. The best to know how people will be affected are those who have seen it. Tress are the statements made disresptecful? I'd hate to see this movie lose money because viewers are offended and pass the word on. Saving Grace, however IMO, is that its HG who says it and not Colin. That's a plus. LOL. Thanks for the interviews Mari, Murph and Beedee. Glad you got your poster Moon. Perhaps the Manager decided you really deserved it. LOL."}, {"response": 1908, "author": "kolin", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (13:35)", "body": "(Fan Pam\"Does anyone know, do they actually play the tapes? \") No the tapes are not played, we just hear HG's voice saying it and it does not sound disrespectful"}, {"response": 1909, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (14:31)", "body": "(Pam) Tress are the statements made disresptecful? I didn't think so...I mean, people (IRL) talk about 9/11 and to me, the voice over/monologue sounded as if he (HG) was just talking to a buddy. It didn't sound rehearsed (though it was), and I think, it was made with good intentions...I didn't think it was disrespectful at all (IMO, of course). Wish I could have it written down as spoken. I was prepared for it, and it was not what I thought it would be...but I think people should talk about it. Maybe some don't approve of the medium, but a lot of people will see this, and I don't think it was done badly...and it may start positive discussion about how we feel over two years later (it did here!!). Was more surprised at how Americans were 'represented' in the film..."}, {"response": 1910, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (14:59)", "body": "So share your \"surprise\" with us, Tress."}, {"response": 1911, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (15:52)", "body": "Never mind, Tress, I see your comments on the Spoilers topic."}, {"response": 1912, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (19:54)", "body": "(Mari) GWAPE's MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for some sexual content) (Where???;-) Mari, I think the reason for the PG-13 rating is the one scene where Van Ruijven grabs Griet while she is hanging the clothes to dry. I'll go to Spoilers with this, if anyone is interested."}, {"response": 1913, "author": "odessa", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 2003 (06:49)", "body": "I`ve been away too long. 1240 new posts! I try to read every one of them some day, but now I just need to know: is there a new baby Firth already. A girl or a boy?"}, {"response": 1914, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 2003 (07:30)", "body": "Hi Odessa. It's his third boy, Matteo."}, {"response": 1915, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 2003 (10:55)", "body": "You can rent and download WAGW from Movielink. High speed connection probably needed. It says if you rent there are extras to see: Rent What A Girl Wants"}, {"response": 1916, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 2003 (13:42)", "body": "Hi all! I just wanted to know who is/might be planning to be in NYC for the premiere on 11/6. I know this isn't the place to discuss detailed arrangements, but as I have sat at the computer and almost bought plane tickets already three times, I hoped to know with whom to discuss this exciting upcoming event. ;-)"}, {"response": 1917, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 2003 (14:10)", "body": "I'm going Shoshana!!!I think we may be well represented there!"}, {"response": 1918, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 2003 (14:20)", "body": "If there are people who would like to share their plans for NY, email me at the \"office\" (nomdedrool) and I'll give you a location for discussing this."}, {"response": 1919, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (12:53)", "body": "GWAPE will be screened at the Hamptons International Film Festival (East Hampton, NY). Fest runs October 22--26."}, {"response": 1920, "author": "katty", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (19:52)", "body": "From the Irish Examiner, a short article on Cillian Murphy, of GWAPE: http://www.examiner.ie/breaking/2003/09/24/story114725.html Pearls before flying Stunning Irish actor Cillian Murphy has lost out to Christian Bale in the battle to be the next Batman. But fear not, for the Cork native\ufffds next big screen adventure Girl With A Pearl Earring looks set to strike box office gold. The period drama, also starring Colin Firth, has already received plaudits across the pond with Variety calling it \"intelligent\" and \"visually ravishing\" and another reviewer confessing it \"took my breath away\". Sounds like a match made in cinema heaven!"}, {"response": 1921, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Sep 25, 2003 (10:36)", "body": "Thanks Katty, this is great news."}, {"response": 1922, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Sep 25, 2003 (10:46)", "body": "From Dave Poland's Hot Button column, entitled \"23 weeks until Oscar\": No Virginia, there is no Toronto wave\ufffd Twelve of the films in Toronto this year were arriving with some real Oscar race aspirations this year. The words \"American Beauty\" were passed about in hushed tones. But what we learned about these films was that pretty much every one was D.Q.ed in the first round. The class of the lot - 21 Grams, Lost In Translation, Matchstick Men and Veronica Guerin - were well received and warmly reviewed. But each faced limitations. 21 Grams is a strong picture, but is very, very harsh and will clearly have trouble with the somewhat squeamish Academy membership. Lost In Translation was practically deified, but seems to be a bit too intimate to break through the pack in a year heavily dominated by studio supported titles. Matchstick Men has turned into a box office success ($25 million so far), but may be too early and again, too intimate, to get a lot of Oscar attention. And Veronica Guerin is well made and well acted, but the only person with a shot at Oscar traction is Cate Blanchett. Faring significantly worse after some festive festival exposure were Girl With The Pearl Earring, The Human Stain, In The Cut and Wonderland. As a rule, reactions ranged from middling to negative on these pictures. Of course, each of them has its supporters. Girl With The Pearl Earring, in particular, won the \"It looks good\" award in the potential category, out \"attractived\" only by Spring, Summer, Winter, Fall \ufffd & Spring. But any hope that these titles had to find their way to bigger and better things were dashed. Somewhere in the middle were four films - Dogville, Love Actually, Shattered Glass, The Station Agent - that got a nice reaction, but simply don't have the right stuff for Oscar."}, {"response": 1923, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 25, 2003 (11:47)", "body": "Thanks, Mari. I'd like to know if anything from the festival had the right stuff for Oscar? I bet GWAPE gets a nom for cinematography and musical score. It might even get some Foreign Press award noms too. So all that talk of Scarlett was just empty hype?"}, {"response": 1924, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 25, 2003 (11:56)", "body": "(Moon) empty hype? Isn't all hype empty? ;-) Nothing wrong with being classified in the \"looks good\" category IMO. People are more apt to watch it (vs an ugly film), admire it, and vote for it. Plus you get the cinematographer vote too. The \"artistic\" stamp is rather important and separates the wheat (good reviewers) from the chaff (Dave Poland)."}, {"response": 1925, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Sep 25, 2003 (12:33)", "body": "(Karen)The \"artistic\" stamp is rather important and separates the wheat (good reviewers) from the chaff (Dave Poland). Thanks Karen. I was wondering who the hell Dave Poland was. So he's not *cream of the crop* to borrow from rottentomatos."}, {"response": 1926, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 25, 2003 (12:36)", "body": "Yes, Mom, the fund raiser is still under way. After one week, we've raised about 20 percent of our goal and there are a number of pledges outstanding. Many fans tell me that Drool is an important part of their day. They enjoy getting the up-to-date news and sharing in the lively and unique banter found on our boards. In order to ensure Drool's continuation, I hope to hear from more of you soon. Drool has always been a very international community; its membership is not limited to a single country. To help facilitate contributions in the UK, Lizza has again volunteered to collect cheques in the UK if you prefer not to use a credit card or similar-type arrangement. If you're outside the US and want to make a contribution, please email me at nomdedrool@yahoo.com to discuss your options and to get addresses. I want to remind all that every little bit helps insure that Terry (shown below) will not have to make his monthly appeals. ;-) Note: If I have not personally thanked you by email, then I haven't received your donation or notification of it from Terry. I want to thank the first batch of 2003 Drool Darlings:"}, {"response": 1927, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 25, 2003 (13:10)", "body": "You should be receiving my check too. It's been posted. And thank you Karen for being our drool darling #1 hostess. ;-D"}, {"response": 1928, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 25, 2003 (14:13)", "body": "Looks like it was only Peter Webber at San Sebastian yesterday, giving a press conference. Yesterday was GWAPE's intitial screening and there are more today and tomorrow."}, {"response": 1929, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (09:04)", "body": "From the SS film fest as translated by Babelfish.. As beautiful surprise the British film can be described ' the young person of perl\ufffd, adaptation to the cinema of best to seller of the same title, that competed yesterday in the Official Section of the festival of San Sebasti\ufffdn, next to the French tape ' Twilight roj\ufffd, carried out by Marisa Walls. ' Twilight roj\ufffd, that bases its plot on the history of three personages, received one cold welcome on the part of the critic. ' the preciosistas young person of perl\ufffd transfers to the screen similar illustrations to the pictures of Vermeer, Dutch painter who in 1665 painted the picture ' the young person of perl\ufffd inspirador of the novel. ' the young person of perl\ufffd supposes the debut in the direction of Peter Webber, a tanned British film director in telefilmes for television, that has been surrounded by impressive an equipment, formed by the photography director Eduardo Serra, candidate to the Oscar by ' the wings of palom\ufffd, the production designer Horseradish tree Goes You, that worked in ' Orland\ufffd and the haird essing salon and maquillaje of Jenny Shircore, winner of the Oscar by ' Elisabeth'. Of this form, the transfering to the screen of the novel of Tracy Chevalier - published in 1999 and of that they were sold more than two million unit give like result a series of images that are preciosistas similar illustrations to the pictures of Vermeer, the Dutch painter who in 1665 painted the picture ' the young person of perl\ufffd inspirador of the novel. In the novel, the author collects the few data that there are on the life of Vermeer to create the personage of the mysterious woman who inspired the picture. One is Griet, a young person which after an accident that leaves its blind father, she must put itself to work like servant in house of the famous painter, incarnated by Colin Firth. Gradually, Griet attracts the attention of Vermeer then, in spite of its difference of social class and education, the great teacher discovers in the young servant a talent intuitive to understand the color and the light, so that it is surrounding to the young person in the mysterious world of his paintings. Vermeer was a careful painter who took several months in giving by finished a picture, reason why it was difficult to maintain the rich standard of life to him to that her family is customary, for that reason is their mother-in-law the one that, intuiting the attraction arisen between the painter and the servant, proposes that he paints it solo, attracting with it the jealousy of the wife of the artist and desires of the Machiavellian pattern of the artist. The film meticulously recreates the scenes of the Dutch painting of century XVII, whereas the history of love between the artist and his model is presented/displayed of a subtle way, fleeing from the topics."}, {"response": 1930, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (09:04)", "body": "Sorry, heer is the link.. http://www.estrelladigital.es/articulo.asp?sec=cul&fech=26/09/03&name=sanse"}, {"response": 1931, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (09:11)", "body": "From The (Australian) The Sunday Telegraph, September 21, 2003, this scene may seem familiar to some: SCARLETT'S A RED-HOT ITEM AT FILM GALA Teenage actress Scarlett Johansson was the toast of the Toronto Film Festival last week and succeeded in wrapping countless men around her finger. Now it seems even \"Mr Darcy\" has been caught in her web. Fellow actors, producers, directors and a host of male admirers, continuously fawned over the 18-year-old during the 10-day festival, as she won lavish praise for her starring roles in Lost In Translation and Girl With A Pearl Earring. British actor Colin Firth, who co-stars with her in the latter, was forced to wait a full 10 minutes for Johansson when she needed a toilet break at the film's premiere at Toronto's Roy Thomson Hall. Firth, well-known as \"Mr Darcy\" for his roles in Pride and Prejudice and Bridget Jones's Diary, accompanied Johansson to the public rest rooms immediately after the film. Firth, waiting for Johansson to come out, looked increasingly embarrassed as he hovered outside the women's room while bewildered fans looked on. After poling his head in on a few occasions, Johansson, wearing a stunning black dress, high heels and pearl necklace, finally emerged with an entourage of six women. \"Sorry, Colin,\" she said with an embarrassed smile. \"I got stuck gossiping.\""}, {"response": 1932, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (09:18)", "body": "Release strategies...an excerpt Nikki Rocco, Universal's president of distribution, released \"Seabiscuit\" in 1,987 theaters on July 25, then expanded it to 2,419 theaters the following week. Amid a slew of high-profile, theoretically pre-sold titles like \"Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life\" and \"Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over,\" Universal's strategy offered some strategic counterprograming for adult audiences that had been left out of much of the summer film frenzy. For \"Seabiscuit,\" the slow path to profitability seemed to pay off: The film is still playing and has grossed $116 million after eight weeks. \"We knew this wasn't a front-loaded film,\" said Rocco. \"We were cautious to make sure to open it with enough room to have the word of mouth get around. It was a great strategy and we'll do it again.\" In fact, Rocco will take a similar route with the romantic comedy \"Love Actually,\" which will bow Nov. 7 in 500-600 theaters. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20030926/film_nm/film_tuscan_dc_1"}, {"response": 1933, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (09:47)", "body": "(Karen's article) Firth, waiting for Johansson to come out, looked increasingly embarrassed as he hovered outside the women's room while bewildered fans looked on. I think we need to get Tress a framed version of this article! :-))"}, {"response": 1934, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (09:49)", "body": "(Karen's Artical)Firth, well-known as \"Mr Darcy\" for his roles in Pride and Prejudice and Bridget Jones's Diary, accompanied Johansson to the public rest rooms immediately after the film. Firth, waiting for Johansson to come out, looked increasingly embarrassed as he hovered outside the women's room while bewildered fans looked on. After poling his head in on a few occasions, Johansson, wearing a stunning black dress, high heels and pearl necklace, finally emerged with an entourage of six women. ROTFL! Tress already told us about his *potty vigil* and now we know the conclusion!"}, {"response": 1935, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (10:08)", "body": "I taped Coming Attractions on E! last night on the off chance they had a clip of Love Actually. They did! It airs again today at 1p est and on Sunday at 330p est..after that I don't know. It's the clip that doesn't show that much of CF, although when Coming Attractions showed the release dates on screen his name was third behind HG and ET."}, {"response": 1936, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (11:21)", "body": "One man's opinion! Movie Poop Shoot - Jeffrey Wells: \"Talk about Richard Curtis' LOVE ACTUALLY (Universal, Nov. 7th) being a Best Picture contender is some kind of sick joke. It's being shown at the Showest exhibitors convention in Orlando, Florida (Sept. 29 to October 2) and there's no question that squares and go-alongers will love it.\" http://moviepoopshoot.com/elsewhere/index.html"}, {"response": 1937, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (12:07)", "body": "looked increasingly embarrassed as he hovered outside the women's room while bewildered fans looked on LOL, Tress you've made the papers. (PW)and there's no question that squares and go-alongers will love it. Hmmm. Am I a square or a go-alonger?? I'll spend the weekend deciding. Thanks Karen, Murph and Maria."}, {"response": 1938, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (12:18)", "body": "...looked increasingly embarrassed as he hovered outside the women's room while bewildered fans looked on. Okay...first I thought this was a joke by the boss (is it?). But now I am relieved to know I have been deemed \"bewildered\" and not \"crazy\"! LOL! So ODD! There were maybe 25 people there...and we (bewildered fans) numbered about eight. I want to know who saw this that reported it to the Australian?? Anyway, I told a co-worker about how I was rooted to the spot, frozen, while ODB looked at us. I said it was like looking at a deer in the woods. You didn't want to make any sudden movements because you didn't want to frighten...yet you wanted to look, so you remained v. v. still."}, {"response": 1939, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (12:26)", "body": "(PW)and there's no question that squares and go-alongers will love it. (Linda)Hmmm. Am I a square or a go-alonger?? I'll spend the weekend deciding. I'll just be a square going along happily to a well regarded film featuring Our One and Only Dear Boy!"}, {"response": 1940, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (12:27)", "body": "(article)Colin Firth, who co-stars with her in the latter, was forced to wait a full 10 minutes for Johansson when she needed a toilet break at the film's premiere at Toronto's Roy Thomson Hall. LOL! And Tress you were right there! What a coincidence, guess you can say Ur-ine Town at the exact same time as they are ;-)!"}, {"response": 1941, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (12:47)", "body": "was forced to wait a full 10 minutes for Johansson when she needed a toilet break I just have one question, here. Why?"}, {"response": 1942, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (13:14)", "body": "was forced to wait a full 10 minutes for Johansson when she needed a toilet break (Linda)I just have one question, here. ...Why? I'll bet da wife will want to know this too.;-)"}, {"response": 1943, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (13:19)", "body": "...was forced to wait a full 10 minutes for Johansson when she needed a toilet break (Linda) I just have one question, here. Why he waited or why it took her 10 minutes? Both are a mystery (she claims she was gossiping, which if I had been in the restroom and come out and seen her, I may have had a few questions to ask ;-D)!! ODB probably thought it was safer to wait in the hall by the loo (for the ten minutes) than out where there were eight women staring him down! (Maria) I think we need to get Tress a framed version of this article! :-)) I was thinking the same thing! I'd frame it next to my 'special Sharpie'! ;-) I'll have to go on a search downtown.... (Bee) ROTFL! Tress already told us about his *potty vigil* and now we know the conclusion! Here I thought I was reporting nonsense and that no one else would care/notice this moment (and that it would be out of ODB's head as soon as we were out of sight). Now there is written evidence....hopefully ODB doesn't read the Sunday Telegraph. Embarrassing! (Lora) LOL! And Tress you were right there! What a coincidence, guess you can say Ur-ine Town at the exact same time as they are ;-)! ROTFL.... I still think he dashed to the loo to avoid his 'bewildered fans'!"}, {"response": 1944, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (15:00)", "body": "I can't help but think how valuable would be a photo of all the women standing and watching Colin outside of the ladies toilet. What a missed opportunity. The type that would win a photojournalistic prize. ;-)"}, {"response": 1945, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (15:05)", "body": "(Karen) What a missed opportunity. GAH! Tell me about it! Would love to have a pic of all of us (including ODB) with the \"Washroom\" sign above all our heads! BUT, I was told, by my security friends (cuz I did ask), that I was welcome to stay as long as I put the camera away !! The last thing I wanted was to have an 'escort' on the way to the exit!"}, {"response": 1946, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (16:45)", "body": "\"Talk about Richard Curtis' LOVE ACTUALLY (Universal, Nov. 7th) being a Best Picture contender is some kind of sick joke. It's being shown at the Showest exhibitors convention in Orlando, Florida (Sept. 29 to October 2) Sonia? This is your chance!!! Thanks, Murph!"}, {"response": 1947, "author": "socadook", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (18:28)", "body": "It's being shown at the Showest exhibitors convention in Orlando, Florida (Sept. 29 to October 2) and there's no question that squares and go-alongers will love it.\" (Moon) Sonia? This is your chance!!! And I'll need help to take it! The website for ShoWest says it's for showbiz industry people only, the site for ShowEast which is holding the convention in Orlando wasn't so specific. So I'm turning to the panel herewith for best advice for crashing, uh make that attending, this shinding. Screening for LA is tentatively scheculed for October 2 from 3p to 5p."}, {"response": 1948, "author": "mjmorris", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (22:01)", "body": "I took the dive today and am no longer a Colin DVD virgin. I ordered my *first* ODB movie. I spent a lot of time trying to figure out which one to order for my birthday and ended up with P&P since that movie got me started on this journey. Up until now, I've been renting. I also ordered the books, Under the Tuscan Sun and GWAPE. Now we'll just have to see how long it takes for the valuables to arrive. My afternoons won't be the same since I'll have the DVD I can put in anytime I like. What to order next.... Michelle"}, {"response": 1949, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (23:04)", "body": "(Michelle)Now we'll just have to see how long it takes for the valuables to arrive. My afternoons won't be the same since I'll have the DVD I can put in anytime I like. Great and dangerous choice Michelle. I got (and still get) a lot of mileage from P&P. No, I got obsessed with P&P. I can't wait for you to get it either! Let us know when it arrives."}, {"response": 1950, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Sep 27, 2003 (08:26)", "body": "Recipes from your favorite films (BJD included): http://www.mangiarebene.net/cinema/index.html"}, {"response": 1951, "author": "mjmorris", "date": "Sat, Sep 27, 2003 (08:54)", "body": "I was on IMDB this morning and saw this comment on GWAPE. Not sure if this is the right thread to put this on, but here goes: .....\"The ladies will love Colin Firth as the moody artist. No one does grumpy quite as sexily as him.\" - IMDB comment I have to agree. I've never seen anyone smolder better either. Michelle"}, {"response": 1952, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Sep 27, 2003 (11:34)", "body": "Studio Anti-Piracy Drive Could Alter Oscar Race By ANNE THOMPSON New York Times HOLLYWOOD, Sept. 26 \ufffd The race for this year's Academy Awards has been thrown off stride by a move by the major Hollywood studios to curb movie piracy. The studios hope to halt the distribution of thousands of DVD and VHS copies of Oscar-contending films to those whose votes decide the winners. Such a move may hurt the Oscar chances of smaller, independent studios, which have come to rely on the videos as a means of getting their films seen by Academy Award voters. The effort is being led by the Warner Brothers chairman, Barry Meyer, and Jack Valenti, head of the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences. The video versions of the films, known as Oscar screeners, have frequently been found for sale on Internet sites like eBay, Mr. Valenti said. \"Anything across the board that will reduce piracy by one-half of 1 percent I am anxious to do,\" he said. \"Anything that gets movies in the hands of people before they go to home video is an invitation to piracy. I'm trying to close every loophole I can, and this is one of them.\" Mr. Valenti said he expected to have a signed agreement from the Academy's seven member studios by early next week. By late today, Mr. Valenti had also signed up two nonmember studios \ufffd DreamWorks and New Line Cinema, a Warner Brothers executive said. \"We're almost there,\" Mr. Valenti said. \"I have to get everybody on board.\" The major studios are united in their determination to fight the proliferation of illegal copies of their movies over the Internet and overseas. Mr. Meyer has been pushing hard behind the scenes to stop the mailing of Oscar screeners to the roughly 6,000 members of the Academy as well as to the members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which sponsors the Golden Globe Awards; the Screen Actors Guild, which presents the SAG Awards; and the 28,000-member British Academy, which awards the Baftas. These award shows, all of them televised, have enormous impact on Academy voters. Because the studios are so concerned about lost revenues through piracy, it was not hard for Mr. Meyer and Mr. Valenti to convince the studios to sign on, several executives said. Besides, the major studios can afford to spend freely to advertise and screen their few Oscar contenders in theaters. But Mr. Meyer and Mr. Valenti have had a more difficult time convincing the studios' Oscar-minded independent subsidiaries to stop mailing the videos. These distributors have come to dominate Oscar races in the last decade and attribute part of their success to the wide exposure that the video copies have given their films, many of them not widely seen in theaters. These films include \"The Pianist,\" \"In the Bedroom,\" \"The English Patient,\" \"Shakespeare in Love\" and \"Fargo.\" \"It will take the indies out of the race,\" said one Hollywood publicist who spoke on condition of anonymity. By Friday some independent subsidiaries, including Sony Pictures Classics and United Artists, had not signed on to the academy's anti-piracy effort. These are companies that live and die by their Oscar campaigns and their ability to attract Oscar-hungry filmmakers. They focus their attention squarely on the 6,000 Oscar voters and often do not put their films into wide release until after their movies have won nominations. An example was \"Monster's Ball,\" a Lions Gate film. It earned most of its $30 million gross after Halle Berry won a best actress nomination. She went on to win the award in 2002. But independents that are not Academy members, like Lions Gate, ThinkFilm, Newmarket Films and IFC Films, do not have to follow the Academy's lead. They can do whatever they want to get Academy voters to view, say, \"The Girl with the Pearl Earring\" or \"Whale Rider.\" \"Being able to send out screeners on DVD and VHS is an equalizing factor for the independent studios in getting our films in front of members' eyes,\" says Tom Ortenberg, president of Lions Gate. \"The studios may react by setting more screenings and taking more and bigger ads. We can't throw money at any release. We are not prepared to give that up.\" Several Oscar campaigners complained that the Academy's effort should have come six months ago, not after their Oscar plans are already in full swing. \"It's obscene,\" says Mark Urman of ThinkFilm, who still plans to send out cassettes of \"The Event,\" which opens next week and features a supporting performance by Olympia Dukakis. \"We can't get more screening runs now, or make adjustments. We can't count on enough people seeing that film in limited release. I don't understand how indie films can compete if we're not allowed to send out cassettes and DVD's. It's so not the 11th hour, it's after midnight for this year.\""}, {"response": 1953, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 27, 2003 (11:49)", "body": "Bet they don't get Harvey to sign either. Thanks Mari."}, {"response": 1954, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Sep 27, 2003 (16:52)", "body": "There's an article in the new issue of People magazine on Scarlett Johansson. \"Don't even dream of patronizing her because of her age,\" says Colin Firth, 43, who stars with the \"fun\" but \"bossy\" Johansson in the drama Girl With A Pearl Earring, due in December. \"She will voice her opinion in no uncertain terms.\""}, {"response": 1955, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Sep 27, 2003 (18:22)", "body": "SAN SEBASTIAN, Spain Portugal's Eduardo Serra won the Jury Prize for Best Photography for Peter Webber's \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" based on Tracy Chevalier's best-selling novel about a maid turned model for the Dutch master Vermeer. The announcement drew warm applause http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/entertainment/6877369.htm"}, {"response": 1956, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Sep 27, 2003 (22:54)", "body": "If anybody has TiVo and would like to see the LA trailer in a larger, clearer format than the online copy, select the menu option that's up at the moment to take \"A special look at Intolerable Cruelty,\" and then select \"Love, Love, Love\" from the sub-menu. Incidentally, the written blurb with the trailer says \"in theaters November 7,\" which I think doesn't quite match what we've heard."}, {"response": 1957, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (08:51)", "body": "Thanks, Rika, but it hardly has any Colin at all! I'll be in Italy in Nov. Portugal's Eduardo Serra won the Jury Prize for Best Photography for Peter Webber's \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" based on Tracy Chevalier's best-selling novel about a maid turned model for the Dutch master Vermeer. I have a feeling this is the way it will go in the US as well. I LOVED what he did in \"Orlando,\" he deserves the praise."}, {"response": 1958, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (09:11)", "body": "(Moon) Thanks, Rika, but it hardly has any Colin at all! I know (sigh). But at least it offered an opportunity to inspect the kiss on a larger screen (the one with her, not with the man). Doesn't look half bad."}, {"response": 1959, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (10:03)", "body": "They finally got some clips of GWAPE up from San Sebastian. Quality is pretty bad but... http://www.plus.es/codigo/video/videopopup.asp?strCodWeb=CINE&id=299777&lngCodContenido=299774&strPath=%2Fcodigo%2Fcine%2Fsan_sebastian_51%2Fvideos.asp&ver=Ver%3A + Click on the little TV screen. No Colin though: http://www.sansebastianfestival.ya.com/2003/es/index_secciones.htm Thanks for the heads up, Ada, re: Coming Attractions. Peter Pan looked pretty good too...though I can already hear the crying about a Brit (Jasons Issacs) playing a baddie! ;-)"}, {"response": 1960, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (11:49)", "body": "(Evelyn) Bet they don't get Harvey to sign either. I hope not, that's where most of mine came from. Dreamworks, too, though seems they're onboard. Unfortunately, since I'm not a voting member, not all studios send out to all members, just the voters. :-( (Moon) I LOVED what he did in \"Orlando,\" he deserves the praise Didn't realize he did that one. I loved that movie, esp the look of it."}, {"response": 1961, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (15:17)", "body": "LA article that covers all the different stories, a pic (yeah!), a small scene of dialogue of each character and Colin's take on the 9/11 reference...Too bad the pictures cover the copy though... http://www.thisisoxfordshire.co.uk/oxfordshire/whats_on/preview_actually1.html"}, {"response": 1962, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (18:22)", "body": "I saw the trailer of LA today when I went to see Under the Tuscan Sun. Also a movie about love....without a hidden agenda or exploiting an event;-)"}, {"response": 1963, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (08:33)", "body": "Maria, thanks for the LA article. I found this on the same site. I know it's a bit of old news, now, but the date of the article isn't. A nice review from the UK for WAGW. Date published: Friday 05 September 2003 Review: What a Girl Wants (PG) Not that it tries to disguise the fact, but Hollywood loves a fairy tale ending... and by virtue of that, so do we -- apparently. That being the case, be prepared to fall hook, line and sinker for the slender dream-come-true finale of What a Girl Wants. Based on William Douglas Hume's 1958 stageplay, The Reluctant Debutante, Amanda Bynes stars as Daphne Reynolds, a 17-year-old New Yorker who goes in search of her English aristocrat father, Lord Dashwood (Colin Firth, of course) who doesn't know she even exists having lost touch with her mother Libby (Kelly Preston) years earlier. On finding her quarry, Daphne dabbles in English high society where the real upper classes are surprisingly accepting of the \"vulgar Yankee\", leaving the snooty snobbery to the social-climbing middle classes on the make. By their stifling standards, Daphne is gauche, gaudy and grating. To the real gentry she is a breath of fresh air. Naturally, Dashwood overcomes what's expected of him and defies his sense of duty to pursue the calling of his heart... and they all live happily ever after. What a Girl Wants is a safe, predictable fantasy. It's reasonably well made, shows a neat turn of pace and keeps well within the limitations of its cast. It could have been a cheap, easy exercise for the Yanks to poke fun at the Brits, but by keeping to the script, it actually takes a far more subtle view of the class war than is immediately apparent - accidents of birth are no indication of worth. And, for all its obvious emotional manipulation, it's nigh on impossible to completely dislike. Nick Churchill http://www.thisisoxfordshire.co.uk/oxfordshire/whats_on/MOVIE6.html"}, {"response": 1964, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (08:40)", "body": "OK, now, I am spitting nails!!! Check out October 12: http://www.austinfilmfestival.com/filmschedule.php"}, {"response": 1965, "author": "Leah", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (08:56)", "body": "Maybe something was lost in the / a translation? ;-)"}, {"response": 1966, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (09:28)", "body": "Hooray for Austin FF...Unlike our neighbors to the north....we westerners have good taste in the films we select;-)))) Who's goin from Texas? The gang who went to New Hampshire must have gotten lost...."}, {"response": 1967, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (09:43)", "body": "(Evelyn)Hooray for Austin FF...Unlike our neighbors to the north Am feeling like a stepchild here. We are not amused.;-) Where are our Los Angelenos? BAFTA LA is having a screening: Oct 14th Girl with a Pearl Earring Further details to follow Venue: Pacific Design Center Subject to change. This is an anticipated screening. Do not call the office or RSVP for this screening yet."}, {"response": 1968, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (10:11)", "body": "I think this is new. Tracy Chevalier has a page about the film, up on her website: http://www.tchevalier.com/filmnews.html"}, {"response": 1969, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (10:33)", "body": "She sounds v. sincere in her assessment of the film; not perfunctory . Getting an author's thumbs-up is the highest form of admiration IMO."}, {"response": 1970, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (11:37)", "body": "(Karen), OK, now, I am spitting nails!!! Check out October 12: LOL! It's over my head. What did they do apply to every FF they could? whore ;-)"}, {"response": 1971, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (13:18)", "body": "Thanks for all the articles, reviews and links girls. Good stuff."}, {"response": 1972, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (15:06)", "body": "(Moon) What did they do apply to every FF they could? whore ;-) They didn't apply to mine, the oldest juried film fest in North America, which starts in a few days!!! *gnashing teeth*"}, {"response": 1973, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (15:26)", "body": "(Moon) What did they do apply to every FF they could? whore ;-) (Karen) They didn't apply to mine, the oldest juried film fest in North America, which starts in a few days!!! *gnashing teeth* The *whore* skipped Vancouver as well! Was actually very surprised about that one! Thought it would definitely be at that FF. And just 313 miles! But, really, what's 313 miles of good road? A very easy distance..."}, {"response": 1974, "author": "birdy", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (15:56)", "body": "Hahahahahahahahah....yeeeeeeeeee Sorry. I'll get a grip. Will wonders never cease! October 12th in Austin Huh!?! I just paid the Drool piper, so I guess this is payback bigtime;D Thanks for the alert, Karen."}, {"response": 1975, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (16:42)", "body": "(Karen),They didn't apply to mine, the oldest juried film fest in North America, which starts in a few days!!! *gnashing teeth* That is a failing indeed! As far as I'm concerned the CFF is one to try for. To your expert knowledge, do many of the same films come to Chicago after Toronto? I wonder if there's a tacit understanding for it not to happen since they are so close?"}, {"response": 1976, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (17:13)", "body": "Some do, many do not, but not because of any \"understanding.\" Chicago's criteria is different than Toronto's. Toronto is an industry launching pad; there's no jury, maybe only an audience award. I thought GWAPE might come here because there's a \"First Time Director\" category too, and that FIPRESCI stuff. Gaaah!!! A pox on the current mayor's deceased father (the old Hizzoner, the Mayor), who didn't want the Hollywood people here and let Toronto take it all. :-( We have lots and lots of Iranian films this year and Chinese. There's a Balkan films sidebar too. Hmmm, have been pouring over my schedule, figuring out what to see."}, {"response": 1977, "author": "kolin", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (18:34)", "body": "One of the people who came to Toronto for the TIFF met Peter Webber at the airport on the way home in a bookstore. She gave me permission to share her encounter here: I had gone back to buy the Hope Springs tie in book. Webber was alone, unshaven, buying Variety & a few papers and seemed relaxed. After, he paid for them. I said to him \"I really enjoyed your film. It was gorgeous and effective. Thanks for making it!\" Just as he did when you guys asked for his autograph, he smiled and said \"How on earth do you know who I am?\" I told him I had been at the gala on Sunday and then we had a great little chat. He is interested in getting GWAPE signed into as many geographically dispersed Film festivals as possible to help get the word out. He is meeting shortly with his distributors and hopes to get them to proceed agressively. He wanted to know where I lived and what I thought chances were of it playing in my city. (I was honest. I told him that I thought unlikely that it would play in xxx that was why it had been so important to me to come to Toronto. Better that it would play in cities the size of Dallas and Houston. He knew his geography & asked where was a film festival closest to Northern Nevada that he could enter. ...I mentioned that anyone who had liked the novel would want to see the film & we talked about that. He also asked us to talk to friends about the film as much as possible. He thanked me for stopping him and said that talking to people was the most valuable part of these trips for him..."}, {"response": 1978, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (18:46)", "body": "(Karen)A pox on the current mayor's deceased father Eh, maybe I'm just being dense, but does a pox work on dead people? I just did a search for NJFF, we do have them...ok no laughing because they are screening films that were in the theaters all summer. But look what I found at the Red Bank site. No, not the fact that the URL has the exit #. sheesh! Little Feat with Chuck Lambert Band Wednesday, 11/05/03 at 8:00 PM I wonder if HD will attend??? http://www.exit109.com/~redbank/"}, {"response": 1979, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (22:48)", "body": "Vera, nice story of your friend's encounter with Mr. Webber. Thanks for sharing it. He's really doing the leg work to promote this film. His hard work is very admirable, and I hope it pays off for him. But will he get YKW to attend a GWAPE premiere in NYC or LA? Will there be one anywhere in Dec. (or is it Jan.?) before it goes to the theaters?"}, {"response": 1980, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (23:30)", "body": "Thanks, Vera, for the story. The directors and producers of many small, indie films take them all over the country/world to fests. Unfortunately, I called our FF office and they told me that GWAPE wasn't even submitted."}, {"response": 1981, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (23:31)", "body": "(Lora) But will he get YKW to attend a GWAPE premiere in NYC or LA? Of course, he'll be there. I wouldn't even question it."}, {"response": 1982, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Sep 30, 2003 (06:29)", "body": "http://www.femail.co.uk/pages/standard/article.html?in_article_id=194034&in_page_id=1202 femail.co.uk - 30th September 2003 Femail.co.uk has teamed up with DYMO LabelWriter, the world's leading label printer, to offer one reader a \ufffd1,000 cash windfall. And for runners up, we've got hundreds of pairs of tickets to see special DYMO LabelWriter screenings of Love Actually, a great new film directed by Richard Curtis and starring Hugh Grant, Colin Firth and a host of other British stars. The screenings take place in November at six different venues across the country and DYMO LabelWriter is inviting secretaries, PAs and office workers to apply for tickets. But over 200 pairs will be given away to Femail readers who enter our competition....."}, {"response": 1983, "author": "birdy", "date": "Tue, Sep 30, 2003 (06:53)", "body": "Lora) But will he get YKW to attend a GWAPE premiere in NYC or LA? (Karen)Of course, he'll be there. I wouldn't even question it. Oh, Gawd! I am trying to still my heart over the news that GWAPE would play at the Austin FF when the possibility (however remote) that CF might actually tuck his long legs under a table at the our Four Seasons' Shoreline Grill sent me plumb aflutter again! Yeah, its unlikely to impossible. But this is the best chance we've got going - as many films as are shot around here, I don't foresee any of his projects requiring a central Texas backdrop:( As for the screening, it looks like its first come first serve unless you buy a pass for all the events. That's probably typcial. Any of you vets have advice for the novice on tactics? Ever grateful..."}, {"response": 1984, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Tue, Sep 30, 2003 (06:59)", "body": "I still can't figure out YKW????"}, {"response": 1985, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Sep 30, 2003 (07:40)", "body": "Exclusive Interview : Colin Firth Colin Firth had good reason to be confused when we met in a smoky Toronto hotel bar. He was at the Toronto Film Festival with not one, but two films. \ufffdIt is a very odd experience hopping from one screening to another,\ufffd the low key British actor muses. The two films in question go from one cinematic extreme to the other. There is \"The Girl with a Pearl Earring\", based on the best-selling novel, a sombre mood piece in which Firth plays enigmatic painter Johannes Vermeer in this dark period piece. Then Firth reverts to romantic comedy with the far more commercial \"Love Actually\", from British scribe Richard Curtis, who makes his directorial debut with this gargantuan of ensemble comedies \ufffdI do like to mix and match\ufffd, which is why Firth jumped at the chance to play Vermeer. \ufffdI was sitting at home one day and a script arrives with an offer \ufffdDo you want to do it?\ufffd I go in and met them and said yes,\ufffd \ufffd, Firth explains, with his typical quiet reserve. \ufffdI was just really ready to do a bit of drama, since there had been quite a string of romantic comedies and light stuff, which is nice.\ufffd Films such as Bridget Jones\ufffd Diary, Importance of Being Earnest, and the very slight Hollywood comedy What a Girl Wants and Hope Springs, for instance. \ufffdI had been looking for years looking to do something like Pearl Earrings. In fact it was really odd, because in the first week of Pearl Earrings, I just thought \ufffdam I really doing something here where you don\ufffdt have to be tongue in cheek\ufffd?\ufffd It\ufffds no surprise of course that Firth is often sent \ufffdthe light stuff\ufffd as he puts it, because for the classically trained actor, stardom occurred through the pages of Jane Austin and one Mr Darcy, who was the beginning of that phase in his career. \ufffdI think romance and comedy has obviously found a way to go hand in hand in popular culture and I think if you get successful in one thing, it makes you employable enough.\ufffd Which is why Hollywood was quick to cast him in the light teen comedy What a Girl Wants, yet Firth denies that he opted to do that film \ufffd or any film for that matter \ufffd to raise his American profile. \ufffdit wasn\ufffdt that conscious. I think a lot of what we do is very random and on the outside, it is often assumed that everybody has some sort of strategy. I often read an analysis of an actor\ufffds career and they talk about choices, in that they made bad choices for a while then good ones as if they were in a world of perfect choice. In fact, it is very odd, just looking back over the last few things, that I have done, I cannot see any pattern. Some of them worked out very badly and some of them worked out well, but there is no exact science.\ufffd Firth didn\ufffdt need too much persuading to join first-time director Richard Curtis\ufffd ensemble romantic comedy Love Actually, which contains several disparate comedic tales of love and friendship. Firth had worked with Curtis as a writer when he adapted Bridget Jones\ufffd Diary and understands his unique sense of humour. \ufffdHe really does have this fantastically intelligent and self-deprecating wit that you associate with the films that he writes,\ufffd Firth observes. \ufffdHe is doing something, which however mainstream it is, is quite different from what other people do and I think that it is actually only mainstream because he single-handedly made it so. It is quite hard to write about middle-class professional people, which is usually the stuff of sitcoms, but he actually manages to get some drama out of it.\ufffd Firth says that is especially evident in Love Actually, which is not all chuckles and guffaws. \ufffdGreat drama comprises both comedy and tragedy, and I think Richard has been able to enmesh both and bring a genuine humanity to his work.\ufffd Much of Firth\ufffds sequences were shot early in the production schedule on location in the South of France, and says there were no major dramas working on what seemed like such complex undertaking. \ufffdFor me it was a simple pleasure from beginning to end. I think it was easy to say that because in some ways I could just jump right in and feel so little pressure as I\ufffdm not carrying the film. My whole story line could have been a total catastrophe and it wouldn\ufffdt be the end of the world. I decided to see what would happen if I just allowed myself to be carried by someone who hasn\ufffdt proved himself to be a master of this form. Also when my stuff was confined to the South of France, the schedule started with my scenes so it felt like it was my little movie for a while. Thus it was just easy to have a good time and get things right in 3 weeks.\ufffd Firth says he found it difficult to relate to the bumbling romantic he plays, mainly, he insists, \ufffdbecause I don\ufffdt feel like him at all or think I\ufffdm as nice as that guy. I wouldn\ufffdt be as patient and self-deprecating.\ufffd Nor as romantic, as he sees himself as \ufffdsporadically romantic which means that I don\ufffdt have a permanent romantic view of life,\ufffd says the cynical Firth. \"I'm interested in emotion, its complications,\" he adds. "}, {"response": 1986, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Sep 30, 2003 (08:24)", "body": "(Mary)- And for runners up, we've got hundreds of pairs of tickets to see ... screenings of Love Actually, ...staring Colin Firth ... I can just imagine the winner : No, really, I would prefer the runner up prize, thats why I entered the competition ;-) Mari, thanks for the article. (Colin)In fact, it is very odd, just looking back over the last few things, that I have done, I cannot see any pattern. Some of them worked out very badly and some of them worked out well, but there is no exact science. He must have read one or two HS reviews ;("}, {"response": 1987, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 30, 2003 (09:05)", "body": "he smiled and said \"How on earth do you know who I am?\" I wouldn't know you had it not been to CF. (heehee) Thanks, Vera. \ufffdI was sitting at home one day and a script arrives with an offer \ufffdDo you want to do it?\ufffd I go in and met them and said yes,\ufffd I think a lot of what we do is very random and on the outside, it is often assumed that everybody has some sort of strategy. LOL! Karen's been saying this for years. It's official! \ufffdFor me it was a simple pleasure from beginning to end. I think it was easy to say that because in some ways I could just jump right in and feel so little pressure as I\ufffdm not carrying the film. My whole story line could have been a total catastrophe and it wouldn\ufffdt be the end of the world. I decided to see what would happen if I just allowed myself to be carried by someone who hasn\ufffdt proved himself to be a master of this form. Also when my stuff was confined to the South of France, the schedule started with my scenes so it felt like it was my little movie for a while. Thus it was just easy to have a good time and get things right in 3 weeks.\ufffd Please read carefully, he totally contradicts himself. :-( I'm not the type of romantic who enjoys the weepy movie and then sighs sweetly about it. I don't know any guys who do. Does anyone here? Thanks, Mari!"}, {"response": 1988, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 30, 2003 (09:06)", "body": "(Louise) I am trying to still my heart over the news that GWAPE would play at the Austin FF when the possibility (however remote) that CF might actually tuck his long legs under a table at the our Four Seasons' Shoreline Grill sent me plumb aflutter again! Yeah, its unlikely to impossible. Colin wouldn't be at the Austin FF, only the director would be doing his dog & pony show around the country. With much smaller films, especially those where the actors are friends with the directors, have put a financial stake in the film or are real newbies, then I've seen the actors put in an appearance at a FF. (This wet blanket of mine is getting a lot of use here) YKW= You know who Thanks for the interview, Mari. \"...In fact, it is very odd, just looking back over the last few things, that I have done, I cannot see any pattern. Some of them worked out very badly and some of them worked out well, but there is no exact science.\ufffd He can't see a pattern. I see lab experiments blowing up. ;-)"}, {"response": 1989, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 30, 2003 (09:38)", "body": "LOL, Karen! Maybe we found the theme for next year's birthday bash? ;-)"}, {"response": 1990, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Sep 30, 2003 (10:31)", "body": "(Colin)on the outside, it is often assumed that everybody has some sort of strategy. Trust me, sweetie, I *never* thought you had a strategy. ;-) (Moon)Please read carefully, he totally contradicts himself. :-( I think what he's saying is very telling; he enjoyed the attention of being the star (if only for that segment)--without the risk of failure that carrying a movie entails. I guess we all like to have our cake and eat it too."}, {"response": 1991, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Sep 30, 2003 (11:09)", "body": "(Mari)I think what he's saying is very telling; he enjoyed the attention of being the star (if only for that segment)--without the risk of failure that carrying a movie entails. I guess we all like to have our cake and eat it too. Thanks for the article! Mari, I read it that way too..... he was of two minds on the matter.;-)"}, {"response": 1992, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Sep 30, 2003 (11:20)", "body": "Karen, hide your eyes--GWAPE will be screened at the Mill Valley FF, sponsored by the California Film Institute, on October 4 and 9. Any Bay Area folks here? http://www.cafilm.org/mvfffilms/36.html Check out their description of Colin's performance; somebody had a sense of humor!:-)"}, {"response": 1993, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Sep 30, 2003 (11:26)", "body": "Reading Mari's interview made me think of a quotes page I had on my old site in past years. I have uploaded it again for a stroll down Firth memory lane: http://www.murphsplace.com/firth/cfquotes.html"}, {"response": 1994, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Sep 30, 2003 (12:14)", "body": "Perhaps for that reason he allowed himself to play the predominantly silent, internal and not particularly sexy Vermeer... Not particularly sexy? Hmmmmm.....I beg to differ! Thanks Mari for the article! I was at the airport with Vera's friend. Told her that they had copies of HS with ODB on the cover at the newsstand and she should go back to get one....I watched her bag and she took ages to come back. When she got to me, I asked what had taken so long, and she calmly stated....\"Oh! I was talking to Peter Webber!\" Good thing she spoke to him and not me! I would have just babbled incoherently at him for way too long, I'm sure. LOL at Colin's piercing performance in GWAPE! Thanks again Mari!! Murph! LOL...at some of these (I haven't heard many of them): \"P&P is about the sexuality of repression. When you read the book, you know that everybody is horny, all the flirtation and dancing and conversation, but nobody gets laid.\" \"Clearly I should have worn sideburns and a big hat.\" On the roles he wants: \"It's a pretty secret list. While they're a fantasy, it's silly to talk about them. Nothing's crossed off yet.\" And in another interview he says that there is nothing he is itching to do! Clearly he likes to vary the answers..."}, {"response": 1995, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Sep 30, 2003 (12:51)", "body": "Thank you, Mari. Maria, thank you for the stroll. I loved rereading some of those quotes. Vera, thanks for sharing your friend's PW story."}, {"response": 1996, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 30, 2003 (14:00)", "body": "(CF)\"...In fact, it is very odd, just looking back over the last few things, that I have done, I cannot see any pattern. Some of them worked out very badly and some of them worked out well, but there is no exact science.? (Karen)He can't see a pattern. I see lab experiments blowing up. ;-) I see dead actors."}, {"response": 1997, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 30, 2003 (14:02)", "body": "(Mari) Karen, hide your eyes--GWAPE will be screened at the Mill Valley FF Yes, I know. Why do you think I've been kvetching like I have? Mill #$$#%^ing Valley?? For cry I!! What do you have to do, meditate and chant to see this movie??? Anyway, one of our Drool lurkers, a lady from Nawlins, is going up there expressly to see the film and will pretend to visit with her daughter while in neighborhood. ;-) *waving at you, Gail* The man at the ticket office couldn't believe she was coming from so far and wondered how she knew about it, so she told firth.com!"}, {"response": 1998, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 30, 2003 (14:34)", "body": "(Colin) But I consider myself a jobbing actor. I have to pay the bills. So I choose roles that interest me and allow me to get on with it.\" Do you think he goes down to the union hall and waits for jobs, like a plumber or an electrician? ;-)"}, {"response": 1999, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Sep 30, 2003 (14:43)", "body": "Thanks for the quotes Murph! I sneaked peeks all afternoon. It's fun to see them in a row like that. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 177, "subject": "SPOILERS to Current Firth Productions (part 2)", "response_count": 828, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (09:28)", "body": "(Tress on the last topic) In the book, I sort of understood the attraction between first Colin and Vera and then Colin and Mandy. I was wondering if it was 'glossed over' in the film and that is why there are so many negative comments about the relationships? Yes I think this is the major problem. Since they don't talk about him and Vera's history, other than alluding to it via Colin saying 'I don't have first dates' and how he says to Mandy that he can't really think of a happy place without her since she was always there, we are left wondering why there's a choice. No fetus story. No sex at the grandparents house story. Nothing about their families being inter-twined. Just this British stick insect who works for a fashion mag shows up and demands that they get back together. And Mandy? It doesn't make sense why she's drinking. Her issues are not explained. I mean, it's a bit funny in the book too, but it comes off as quirky there. Really, what's the choice?! They are both unworthy!! =) I'm trying to figure out, now that I've seen WAGW as well finally (thanks to Brenda for sending a copy so I don't have to wait till August!), which one I like better... I actually don't know. The cheese factor in WAGW is a little high for me but at least it sort of makes sense. He obviously shines above the crap in both =)."}, {"response": 2, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (09:44)", "body": "Since I see the last spoiler topic somehow began with my only other review, it seems only right to post this: I found HS very disappointing. I'm not sure how much I was primed by the bad reviews to be unimpressed, but there was very little to interest even a fan of the rom-com genre like me. HG was indeed pretty feeble, but I felt a lot of sympathy given the ridiculous character allotted to her. The other person I felt a bit sorry for was Vera (the character this time), who aside from the stupid thing she had done to begin everything, came across somewhat sympathetically to me - possibly against the writers' wishes. Particular nonsenses included: - Colin suffering unbelievable physical pain ... from jet-lag (hey, go to bed!) - the getting-naked scene: pathetic implausible male-fantasy tripe - the golf-course - WHY were they there? (yes I heard the reason given, and it's senseless) - the carrying-the-woman business - the puns on the town's name: they don't seem that clever when it's been made up for the purpose The most mind-boggling thing is that the original book (which can hardly have been much different, I imagine) was by a writer with a good reputation. Unless there was a total change of focus in the movie, the book must have been rubbish - therefore the stories about it being recommended by NH etc are bizarre. I also saw what the critics were saying about this being a Hugh-Grant-role; there was a lot of repressed-Englishman-gently-mocked-by-upfront-Americans stuff. The only upsides were: Some good stuff from CF and MD - expressions of anguish and bewilderment; I didn't find Mary Steenburgen and Oliver Platt all that funny, but was quite touched by Frank Collison as Fisher. a very nice feel to the small town; you could sense how it might be possible to kick-start a new life somewhere more close-knit. But overall, a very disappointing film."}, {"response": 3, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (10:10)", "body": ""}, {"response": 4, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (10:12)", "body": "(Mark) The other person I felt a bit sorry for was Vera (the character this time) In the book, you wouldn't have felt any sympathy for her. Particular nonsenses included: - the carrying-the-woman business Why? It worked in Officer and a Gentleman; however, if they left out the whole library scene, where Mandy was hyperventillating and everyone was tending to her, then I imagine there might not seem to be a reason for it. - the puns on the town's name: they don't seem that clever when it's been made up for the purpose While there actually was a Hope, BC, where they filmed, I haven't liked the name change business myself; completely trite and destined for universal ridicule. the book must have been rubbish - therefore the stories about it being recommended by NH etc are bizarre. NH reviewed the book for The Times. There is/was a link to his review on the HS page, but you can't get to Times archival material anymore for free. Here's a blurb by him (will look for the rest): \"If, however, you are of the sound persuasion that there is really no higher calling than the crafting of jokes then you will appreciate this novel for what it is: a delicate, rare and exquisitely planed oddity.\""}, {"response": 5, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (10:13)", "body": "Rika, could you move this to Firthology please."}, {"response": 6, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (10:20)", "body": "Don't know if this counts as a \"spoiler\" but if you've never seen Reluctant Debutante it's on TCM today at 6 pm (eastern). Am now stuck with mental image of Rex H doing air guitar..."}, {"response": 7, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (10:20)", "body": ""}, {"response": 8, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (10:36)", "body": "(Emma) He obviously shines above the crap in both =). You nailed it , Emma. If we think the HS reviews in UK were bad, wait til WAGW is released. Thanks for your objective critque of the film, Mark. Most of the good ones here focused on the Drool factor;-) I think you would have enjoyed the book; I found the dialogue witty . Bet you'll find it in the sale bin soon."}, {"response": 9, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (10:41)", "body": "And NH was the one who told a number of us at his book-signing for How to Be Good about Colin doing ths role. So if you want to blame anybody..."}, {"response": 10, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (11:07)", "body": "(Mark) the puns on the town's name: they don't seem that clever when it's been made up for the purpose Maybe they changed the name of the town when the original Cardiff threatened to sue to keep from being associated with the movie? Am thinking of reviews like, \"If the NEW Cardiff is this bad, imagine what the old one was like!\" (Evelyn) If we think the HS reviews in UK were bad, wait til WAGW is released. Ouch! You're right, they'll probably be cruel. And the box office won't be great--do Brit teens/tweens know who AB is? And will ODB's demographic in UK go to see a movie featuring an unkown [to them] teenager? (Or will they wait until it's shown on video nite at the nursing home?) (Evelyn) Bet you'll find it in the sale bin soon. Or on ebay? Selling your copy, Ev? ;-) Maybe the publishers of the book will get rid of excess copies by working out a deal with the video distributors--HS sold shrink-wrapped with the book in a package set? There could even be a deluxe set that comes with art supplies, including, em, erasers..."}, {"response": 11, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (11:07)", "body": "(Karen), And NH was the one who told a number of us at his book-signing for How to Be Good about Colin doing ths role. So if you want to blame anybody... Oh, please! You forgot your winkee. (Mark), The most mind-boggling thing is that the original book (which can hardly have been much different, I imagine) was by a writer with a good reputation. This writer had not written in a very long time, correct me if I'm wrong, but it was his book after the 30 years+ since The Graduate. I know some did like it, but I was disappointed. I don't think you would like it, Mark."}, {"response": 12, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (11:35)", "body": "I agree with Moon. I recently bought the book and was disappointed. It has potential but something's missing. A few chuckles here and there but it's not a book I'd read again (my opinion, for what it's worth.) That being said, I can see why someone would want to make a movie out of it. From all accounts, even the positive reviews, sounds like it was the wrong someone."}, {"response": 13, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (11:39)", "body": "(sonia)From all accounts, even the positive reviews, sounds like it was the wrong someone. Wrong screenwriter and director."}, {"response": 14, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (11:56)", "body": "And lest we forget, wrong actress (I use the term loosely) for Mandy."}, {"response": 15, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (11:57)", "body": "(Variety) However, what plays well on paper as a series of verbal exchanges doesn't necessarily translate to the same effect on the more concrete bigscreen. I liked the book, but I think this is the key. It was a very odd story, but in my imagination I could accept the oddities as whimsical. But when codified on the screen it might not work as well."}, {"response": 16, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (12:34)", "body": "I liked the book, as well. When I read it a second time, I enjoyed the dialogue much more. I think, perhaps it was because I could hear Colin delivering those lines. Sorry that it didn't translate to the screen in a better light:-( The falling into bed after just meeting Mandy didn't bother me...I just chalked it up to rebounding. I'm also sorry that they left out the background info on Colin and Vera. I can see why it sounds disappointing. (I want to see it anyway)"}, {"response": 17, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (15:36)", "body": "(Linda)I think, perhaps it was because I could hear Colin delivering those lines I first read the book, when I knew Colin had been filming it. So I pretty much felt like Linda described. That my reading took place on evening strolls along the beach also worked to give me a good feeling about the book. It seems however, that Emma is right in her analasys (sp?) of what went wrong -( I'm also one of those, who will blame it if not on the boogie, then the director/screenwriter and perhaps HG. I refuse to believe, Colin didn't do his best."}, {"response": 18, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (15:49)", "body": "(Annette) blame it if not on the boogie.... LOL!!!!"}, {"response": 19, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (17:53)", "body": "(Karen), And lest we forget, wrong actress (I use the term loosely) for Mandy. Who would you have cast? I always thought HG would be a good Mandy, she's ditsy enough. Let's not forget that part of the magic of The Graduate was the soundtrack. Simon & Garfunkle at their very best. The director should have taken this into consideration too."}, {"response": 20, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (19:12)", "body": "(Moon) Let's not forget that part of the magic of The Graduate was the soundtrack. ... The director should have taken this into consideration too. ROTF. Mark Herman ain't Mike Nichols."}, {"response": 21, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (20:24)", "body": "(Moon) Who would you have cast? Christina Applegate, Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, Calista Flockhart, Kate Hudson, Lisa Kudrow, Debra Messing, Penelope Ann Miller, Elisabeth Shue, Marisa Tomei..."}, {"response": 22, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (21:36)", "body": "(Sonia) Christina Applegate -- interesting choice, she isn't a great actress either, but would probably fit. Drew Barrymore -- I don't think she could pull it off. Though liked her ditziness in Never Been Kissed. I really can't decide on her. Debra Messing, Penelope Ann Miller, Elisabeth Shue -- too old (sorry) Kate Hudson -- could see this Cameron Diaz -- I could see this, too, but been there, done that too many times. Calista Flockhart -- I was thinking too old, but she could pull it off. Colin would crush and dwarf her though. ;-) Lisa Kudrow -- Ugh. Would like to see her as an intelligent person again. Marisa Tomei -- I could see this. Wow Sophie, interesting list. I don't have anyone that pops immediately to mind except actually Juliet Lewis, but she played a ditz in Gaudi Afternoon. It was out a couple of months ago. I'm sure no one saw it. Uma Thurman comes to mind too, but I think she's too old, also."}, {"response": 23, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (21:37)", "body": "I went over this twice *heavy sigh*"}, {"response": 24, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (22:23)", "body": "(Sophie and Dorine) Kate Hudson -- could see this Marisa Tomei -- I could see this. Like both of these choices.....and could see Drew Barrymore (Dorine seemed a bit on the fence about her). (Dorine) I don't have anyone that pops immediately to mind except actually Juliet Lewis... Oh! I like this one too! (Dorine) Uma Thurman comes to mind too, but I think she's too old, also. She plays 'Mandy' parts well....(I thought her Cecile was too coltish (but no young virgin IMO)....all elbows and legs). She also has the hugest hands (and I can't help but stare at them every time I watch her). I was thinking Leelee Sobieski (but think she may be too young at 21...how old is Mandy again?) or Christina Ricci (again...maybe too young at 23)...but Kate Hudson is 24. Winona Ryder may be too old (but could surely use the work), Lili Taylor....Liv Tyler, Jennifer Jason Leigh (again....too old). Okay, I'll stop....some very wacky choices, I know...."}, {"response": 25, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (22:26)", "body": "Gah! Sorry! That should be Sonia and not Sophie! My apolgies!!"}, {"response": 26, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (23:01)", "body": "(Tress) Gah! Sorry! That should be Sonia and not Sophie! My apolgies!! Sonia, *my* apologies..... as opposed to Tress's apolgies. ;-) Sorry 'bout that. Got my appointment with the eye doctor to tomorrow. :-) how old is Mandy again?) Wasn't she in her mid-20's? Lili Taylor Love her, but couldn't pull off being a ditz, IMO."}, {"response": 27, "author": "kathness", "date": "Wed, May 21, 2003 (23:22)", "body": "(Moon) This writer had not written in a very long time, correct me if I'm wrong, but it was his book after the 30 years+ since The Graduate. I know some did like it, but I was disappointed. I don't think you would like it, Mark. I completely agree! I was absolutely obsessed with The Graduate when it came out (saw it 13 times in the theater). However, the book did absolutely nothing for me. IMO it was much improved-upon as a film. Too bad the same apparently can't be said for New Cardiff. (Moon) Let's not forget that part of the magic of The Graduate was the soundtrack. Simon & Garfunkle at their very best. The director should have taken this into consideration too. And that soundtrack was rather a stroke of luck. Paul Simon was supposed to produce all new songs. However, he's a notoriously slow writer and only produced one, \"Mrs. Robinson,\" IMO the second-weakest song on the soundtrack (the weakest being \"Big Bright Green Pleasure Machine\")."}, {"response": 28, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, May 22, 2003 (07:39)", "body": "Marisa Tomei I've loved her ever since My Cousin Vinney. She could definitely play the ditz, but you know there is a brain underneath it all."}, {"response": 29, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 22, 2003 (08:53)", "body": ""}, {"response": 30, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 22, 2003 (08:54)", "body": "(Moon) Who would you have cast? Same one I said when the project first came out: Jane Adams. (Moon) Let's not forget that part of the magic of The Graduate was the soundtrack. Interesting that you mention this because a number of the reviews have mentioned how the music doesn't work in HS: (Telegraph) the clunky soundtrack features a shockingly bad cover version of 10cc's I'm Not in Love. (Variety) With a strong assist from a blaring pop-rock soundtrack and a sequence in which Colin careensthrough town in the drunken Mandy's auto, the film initially aims for a kind of wacky humor that simply seems forced. (Other Variety) though the soundtrack's habit of slipping into deafening songs is both unsuitable to the low-key comedy and smacks of some desperation in putting some heft into the movie. Seems like they were trying to cover things up, make it more palatable to the audience, when the result only turns into an expanded music video. How did anyone who saw it feel about the soundtrack?"}, {"response": 31, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, May 22, 2003 (09:21)", "body": "(Dorine) Calista Flockhart -- I was thinking too old, but she could pull it off. Colin would crush and dwarf her though. ;-) Yes, but if Calista had been Mandy, Colin would not have needed an \"appliance\" after carrying her around all day."}, {"response": 32, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, May 22, 2003 (09:31)", "body": "(Moon) Who would you have cast? (Karen) Same one I said when the project first came out: Jane Adams. Mel, Niles' wife from Frasier? I remember you saying her before. Isn't she a bit too old for the part, though? I mean, no offense to her, of course (esp as we are the same age)."}, {"response": 33, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, May 22, 2003 (09:33)", "body": "(KateDF)Yes, but if Calista had been Mandy, Colin would not have needed an \"appliance\" after carrying her around all day. Yes, but as \"elder statesman\" and quite probable good egg, he can now bequeath the appliance to the young recruit that will need to carry the prisoner acroos Angola on his back in TDW!"}, {"response": 34, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, May 22, 2003 (09:51)", "body": "(Maria) Yes, but as \"elder statesman\" and quite probable good egg, he can now bequeath the appliance to the young recruit that will need to carry the prisoner acroos Angola on his back in TDW! ROTFL....good thinking Maria! Maybe ODB can suggest to the director to start slowly (with a gerbil) or maybe even suggest a larger version of a Baby Bjorn to help the 'youngsters' out.... What about Mira Sorvino or Laura Dern (too old?)....."}, {"response": 35, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, May 22, 2003 (10:02)", "body": "(Moon) Let's not forget that part of the magic of The Graduate was the soundtrack. (Karen)Interesting that you mention this because a number of the reviews have mentioned how the music doesn't work in HS: I forget, which Van Morrison track was used in this film?"}, {"response": 36, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, May 22, 2003 (11:02)", "body": "(Mark) The most mind-boggling thing is that the original book (which can hardly have been much different, I imagine) was by a writer with a good reputation. Unless there was a total change of focus in the movie, the book must have been rubbish - therefore the stories about it being recommended by NH etc are bizarre. I was v. disappointed with the book. I've never read The Graduate, but liked the movie, so I had high expectations for NC. IMO, NC was light on plot and character development, so there really wasn't much material to work with. (Karen) And NH was the one who told a number of us at his book-signing for How to Be Good about Colin doing the role. So if you want to blame anybody... I keep thinking about the NH connection. Maybe NH felt he had to find something for ODB, since AAB role went to Huge. As for the Mandy casting, I, too, thought of Kate Hudson. (Moon) Let's not forget that part of the magic of The Graduate was the soundtrack. Simon & Garfunkle at their very best. The director should have taken this into consideration too. Yes, the soundtrack really gave The Graduate a modern and hip feel, and one theme of the film was the clash of two generations. Karen's snippet from a review: (Telegraph) the clunky soundtrack features a shockingly bad cover version of 10cc's I'm Not in Love. Geez, the original wasn't exactly great, either. :-)"}, {"response": 37, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May 22, 2003 (11:45)", "body": "I liked 10cc and I like that song too. I'm not big on cover versions. (Sophie and Dorine) Kate Hudson -- could see this KH was my first choice too. Some of the other ones mentioned are too old. Heather Graham was actually a good casting call. (Karen), Seems like they were trying to cover things up, make it more palatable to the audience, when the result only turns into an expanded music video. They should have gotten only one band to do the soundtrack. One of the best soundtracks around is for About A Boy. I highly recommend it."}, {"response": 38, "author": "socadook", "date": "Thu, May 22, 2003 (11:47)", "body": "(Telegraph) the clunky soundtrack features a shockingly bad cover version of 10cc's I'm Not in Love. (LisaJH) Geez, the original wasn't exactly great, either. :-) I second that Lisa. (LisaJH) Maybe NH felt he had to find something for ODB, since AAB role went to Huge. Can't say HG will be remembered for AAB. Can't say many will remember the movie though it was pleasant enough:)"}, {"response": 39, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 23, 2003 (09:36)", "body": "For those who have seen the movie, is there a scene where Colin is sketching a girl while in a paddle boat? I've just heard from the actress and she fears it might have wound up on the cutting room floor."}, {"response": 40, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, May 23, 2003 (10:07)", "body": "There is a montage of Colin sketching various people around the town - this includes several clips on the paddle-boat (including the \"King of the World\" nod to Titanic . He sketches at least two people while on the paddle-boat (albeit briefly) and I am convinced one of them is a girl (yay for extras!) This is the same montage (less than two minutes' worth) that represents the period where he gets to know Mandy (easy to imagine it came across more fully in the book), and to which the fairly bad cover version of I'm Not In Love plays."}, {"response": 41, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, May 23, 2003 (10:18)", "body": "(Mark)yay for extras! Speaking of extras, you are going to get a bit in EOR, I hope. We need our insider info, you know!"}, {"response": 42, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May 23, 2003 (10:25)", "body": "(Mark)yay for extras! (Kate)Speaking of extras, you are going to get a bit in EOR, I hope. We need our insider info, you know! Take care of the Burberry suit, Mark.Or nice excuse to buy a new one:-))) Other question : I hear the \"tie scene\" is v. short in the film. A whole chapter in the book, and my favorite part."}, {"response": 43, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 23, 2003 (10:36)", "body": "Thanks, Mark, I'll let her know."}, {"response": 44, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Sat, May 24, 2003 (14:55)", "body": "I'm back from my vacation to London. I had a wonderful time but only scratched the surface of all there is to do and see. Now I have a bad case of the jet lag and have only been able to skim all the Drool I've missed, but I want to add my HS comments while they're still fresh. Not that I can judge the movie objectively. I'm one of those who'd settle for ODB reading the phone book ;-) I apologize ahead of time for repeating other comments. I see no reason why HS can't be released in North America. It's no Lond'm, or PM. I've only been able to stomach Lond'm once, but happily saw HS 4 times. Hey, I needed to sit and rest somewhere!! I do wonder what I would've thought of the plot if I hadn't read the book. Mandy wasn't given any motivation except a few mentions of previous bad experiences with love. HG did have a few convincing moments. I liked when she got teary when Colin said he wanted her to come to England with him. MD was very good. She had her own musical theme (reminded me of the Peter Gunn theme) when she'd appear. And she had some funny lines, like when the lady on the golf course says, \"Excuse me. What is that?\" and Vera says, \"It's a cigarette. It makes your clothes smell and you die.\" (BTW, none of my quotes will be accurate, but you get the drift.) Colin looked wonderful. He must have been doing sit-ups to get his stomach to look so fit. And his chest has broadened nicely. The swooniest moment for me was when he climbs into bed with M, pants off/shirt on. She undoes his shirt as he lays on his back, and she starts to rub his chest in a figure-eight pattern as they talk. My ears start to buzz and she sits on him. He says, \"It's starting to click into place now.\" but then he sees the drawing of V that he's put on his mirror and he loses the 'mood'. M lays back down and starts to rub his earlobe. He says how he doesn't have first dates, and I try not to pass out. Another yummy moment is when M gets C into the church to talk. She tells him it's the only place she could think of where they could talk without having sex. C just looks at her and then looks around, thinking. He starts to grin more and more. Very devilish and sweet. But they break up and he looks so sad, he's gasping for air almost. Then his expression becomes angry and you know he's going to get even with V. When V is telling him about her ancestors, he says \"Wow!\" and \"Good heavens!\" in a not-convincing way. Cute. M and C have some cute banter that plays naturally as if not scripted. He says he'll go out with her and she says \"Cool.\" so he imitates her by saying \"Cool\". She mentions a time to pick him up and he says \"Splendid\" so she mimics his \"Splendid\". When they go to the Hope Springs Gardens, M says she used to come there all the time and C says, \"For non-botanical things\". She mimics again and adds \"What Ho, Jeeves\". C smiles genuinely, which is something he should really do more often. It's so rare to see an actual smile. I liked Oliver Platt a lot. Mary S was horrid!! Fraser was fun but more of a caricature than the others. I liked the music. Roland Gift did the title song and Fun Lovin' Criminals did \"I'm Not in Love\" which I enjoyed (sorry Mark!), despite it being a rather long montage sequence of C and M getting to know each other. I loved the sets. I was being a cranky Canadian, looking for clues that the movie was made in BC but the only things I noticed was a \"No Cheques Cashed\" sign outside the art store, and a \"In Flanders Field\" stained glass window in the church. (Would those be in Vermont?). The sets were very detailed. The mayor's office was filled with little things, and even had a photo of George W. on the wall. Lots of little US flags scattered around. The weather did look very cold. Frosty breath. My least fave moments: -M drinking all that liquor and not being sick. I couldn't stop wondering how she could stand up, and if she did this often. -when C was on the bus in the opening credits, trying to find a comfortable position to sit in. First, his stubble changed length a couple of times. Then he sat with his back to the window and his feet up over his head. It's the strangest image and I still wonder if I saw that right. -C avoiding touching his hair. He worked very hard to not put his fingers in his hair which made me think \"wig\" or \"weave\"! Lovely hair though. -M's roots changing from blonde to dark occasionally. -V standing outside in her underwear for ages because her smoke alarm has gone off. No one gives her a jacket. She knows she's the one who set off the alarm by smoking so why is she rushing outside as if there's a real fire? Sure the sprinklers are on but stop and get a blanket! Ask away if I've left out details you'd like to know. PS: I happened to be in Islington just walking around, visiting various Starbucks, and a bus went by with \"Just Drool\" written on the side! It was an ad for Special K bars, I think. Made me LOL! And then I found my favourite chocolate bar (Caramac) in Sainsbury's. Hurrah! "}, {"response": 45, "author": "socadook", "date": "Sat, May 24, 2003 (16:04)", "body": "(Brenda) Thank You London!! LOL. Fall on any royal laps? C avoiding touching his hair. He worked very hard to not put his fingers in his hair which made me think \"wig\" or \"weave\"! Lovely hair though. ROTFL. I see no reason why HS can't be released in North America. From your mouth (uh fingers) to His ears (uh eyes)."}, {"response": 46, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 24, 2003 (16:23)", "body": "Brenda! Incredible amount of detail here! Feel like I might've had the seat next to you on one of those rest stops of yours. ;-) [MD] had her own musical theme (reminded me of the Peter Gunn theme) when she'd appear. Real subtle, huh? Wonder why they didn't use the Jaws theme? ;-D The swooniest moment for me was when he climbs into bed with M, pants off/shirt on....My ears start to buzz and she sits on him. LOL! Another yummy moment is when M gets C into the church to talk. She tells him it's the only place she could think of where they could talk without having sex. C just looks at her and then looks around, thinking. He starts to grin more and more. Very devilish and sweet. I'm pretty sure one of the reviews mentioned this. Sounds like a real highlight, in the smirky BeeGees way. a \"No Cheques Cashed\" sign outside the art store Pretty shoddy work here, especially when you remember the book's dialogue about not taking any money with QE2 on it. First, his stubble changed length a couple of times. How close to the screen were you?? Do you normally carry a ruler/tape measure in your travel bag? and a bus went by with \"Just Drool\" written on the side! I think we should sue. ;-)"}, {"response": 47, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, May 24, 2003 (17:17)", "body": "Welcome Back, Brenda!! (Brenda)I see no reason why HS can't be released in North America. Hear, hear.But the BO in UK was dismal. What was the count when you saw it It's no Lond'm, or PM. Close to SLOW:-((( Ask away if I've left out details you'd like to know Fantastic job. Were there any parts in the book that Idiot Director couldn't figure out how to transpose to the screen?"}, {"response": 48, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Sat, May 24, 2003 (17:26)", "body": "I should add that inside the art store a sign said \"No checks cashed\" so they had all their bases covered. (Karen)How close to the screen were you?? Do you normally carry a ruler/tape measure in your travel bag? Sad to say there weren't a lot of other people in the theatre that I had to compete with so I had a good choice of seats. And I happen to be a stubble connoisseur, thank you very much ;-) BTW, the Catherine Zeta Jones joke always got the biggest laugh. And I forgot to say how great C's golf course speech/rant is as he stands screaming how his ex-fiancee and him are trying to work out their deep-seated problems. Would love to all the takes of that scene."}, {"response": 49, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Sat, May 24, 2003 (17:40)", "body": "(Evelyn)Close to SLOW:-((( HS is much better than SLOW. Better than a J-Lo movie, too. And in HS's defense, the other movies I saw had small audiences. Don't expect I Capture the Castle to come over here. And Johnny English won't do big business. I saw plenty of ads for movies there that I've never heard of here. Helena Bonham-Carter and Paul Bettany, a Michael Caine movie, a Rupert Everett period movie. If a movie isn't a blockbuster, what chance does it have anymore? I'm going to have to skim the book again to see what was left out. They never mentioned that Rob was M's brother. Or any of the art store owners' story. No wedding at the motel. Another funny line: V is at Shining Shores, where M works, and she reads the sign. \"Whining Whores\". Ooooh, I forgot the bit where M is getting C to imagine the perfect place and he pictures himself lying on a beach in his trunks in golden sunlight, one hand playing with the sand, lovely profile as the camera climbs his body. Then a hand feeds him a slice of melon."}, {"response": 50, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sat, May 24, 2003 (18:37)", "body": "THANK YOU, BRENDA! Great descriptions. LOL at the comment about not touching his hair. Ooooh, I forgot the bit where M is getting C to imagine the perfect place and he pictures himself lying on a beach in his trunks in golden sunlight, one hand playing with the sand, lovely profile as the camera climbs his body. Then a hand feeds him a slice of melon. You must be jet-lagged to forget a moment like that! Oh, to have the job of feeding him the melon! (Brenda again)C smiles genuinely, which is something he should really do more often. It's so rare to see an actual smile. I know! He has such a great smile. That's my only complaint about him doing dramas. Sometimes he goes through a whole movie with nary a hint of those dimples. Um, sorry to pick at a detail, Boss, but royalty get roman numerals (QEII). I saw your comment about QE2 and I kept thinking, huh? what does the ship have to do with HS?"}, {"response": 51, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, May 24, 2003 (18:48)", "body": "Brenda, thank you so much for all the details. Makes me want to :-(( Sounds as though it is v. watchable and CF is his usual AFG self. (Karen)Sounds like a real highlight, in the smirky BeeGees way. ...I noticed that smirk the very first time I saw the trailer, back in Novemeber If that is the \"look\"...Oh GAWD. OK, thoroughly convinced I need to see this. I'll take the DVD, I'll take anything at this point."}, {"response": 52, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sat, May 24, 2003 (19:01)", "body": "Brenda, thanks so much for sharing all the great details on HS! I just can't believe that it would do as poorly here as it has in the UK. I guess we won't ever find out now. (Brenda) C just looks at her and then looks around, thinking. He starts to grin more and more. Very devilish and sweet. Another appearance by Naughty Colin? Love it when he shows his wicked side. C smiles genuinely, which is something he should really do more often. It's so rare to see an actual smile. Saw a couple of those in WAGW and I agree, they are swoonworthy. lying on a beach in his trunks in golden sunlight, one hand playing with the sand, lovely profile as the camera climbs his body. Then a hand feeds him a slice of melon. Talk about fantasies...."}, {"response": 53, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sat, May 24, 2003 (20:30)", "body": "(Brenda) Ooooh, I forgot the bit where M is getting C to imagine the perfect place and he pictures himself lying on a beach in his trunks in golden sunlight, one hand playing with the sand, lovely profile as the camera climbs his body. Then a hand feeds him a slice of melon. How could you forget that?!? ;-) Thank you Brenda for all the HS info. Definitely going to have to sneak that DVD into the house :-)."}, {"response": 54, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, May 24, 2003 (22:46)", "body": "(Brenda)Colin looked wonderful. He must have been doing sit-ups to get his stomach to look so fit. And his chest has broadened nicely. (Brenda) Ooooh, I forgot the bit where M is getting C to imagine the perfect place and he pictures himself lying on a beach in his trunks in golden sunlight, one hand playing with the sand, lovely profile as the camera climbs his body. Then a hand feeds him a slice of melon. . OMG! Brenda, you're killing me! Thanks so much for the juicy descriptions but this is downright painful. I hope we can see for ourselves sometime soon. Hmmm, there will be trunks up for \"grabs\"......."}, {"response": 55, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (00:06)", "body": "thanks, Mark and Brenda, for your very different reviews of HS. I'm one who liked the book--however I always felt that it was merely a *framework* for a screenplay, and assumed the characters would have been fleshed out, given a back-story, the plot expanded, motivations added, the actors provided with some meat to work with, etc. Seems that didn't happen. (Mark)Particular nonsenses included: - the carrying-the-woman business (Karen)Why? It worked in Officer and a Gentleman Yeah, but a good movie preceded it.;-) I *still* want to see it, of course . . ."}, {"response": 56, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (01:11)", "body": "Also from me, copying Mari: thanks, Mark and Brenda, for your very different reviews of HS. To many things to paste and comment and would only end up copying most of your remarks, so I'll leave it out :-) Glad to know, that at least the dvd is reaching my country (eventually)."}, {"response": 57, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (01:14)", "body": "Excellent details Brenda! Thanks so so much! (Brenda) [MD] had her own musical theme (reminded me of the Peter Gunn theme) when she'd appear. (Karen) Wonder why they didn't use the Jaws theme? ;-D Or Wizard of Oz Wicked Witch music? (Kate) Oh, to have the job of feeding him the melon! Oh to *be* that melon. ;-) (Brenda)I see no reason why HS can't be released in North America. (Evelyn) Hear, hear.But the BO in UK was dismal. Think it will still be out in Sept when I plan to go? ;-) (Mari) I always felt that it was merely a *framework* for a screenplay, and assumed the characters would have been fleshed out, given a back-story, the plot expanded, motivations added, the actors provided with some meat to work with, etc. My thoughts as well when I read it."}, {"response": 58, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (09:48)", "body": "Thanks Brenda for sharing your experiences and the review. Thanks also Mark. Just wish we would have the opportunity. Thanks again."}, {"response": 59, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (10:41)", "body": "Brenda, thank you so much for all the excellent details! forgot the bit where M is getting C to imagine the perfect place and he pictures himself lying on a beach in his trunks in golden sunlight, one hand playing with the sand, lovely profile as the camera climbs his body. Then a hand feeds him a slice of melon. Wait. Do we actually get a shot of him in his trunks at the beach? This needs repeating. ;-) It's interesting that you did not care for MS and the actor who played her husband when most of the British critics loved them. Keep *spoiling* us please. :-D"}, {"response": 60, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (11:54)", "body": "(Mari) I'm one who liked the book--however I always felt that it was merely a *framework* for a screenplay, and assumed the characters would have been fleshed out, given a back-story, the plot expanded, motivations added, the actors provided with some meat to work with, etc. Seems that didn't happen. Interesting that you bring this up. I'm about 70% through The Graduate and I'm amazed at how \"faithful\" they were to the book (all dialogue too, reading like New Cardiff). Yes, they've trimmed things down, deleted dialogue and a few scenes, to tightened things up, but what amazes me is that they haven't done a wholesale rewrite as Mark Herman seems to have felt was necessary. So far the only noticeable differences are the bit about \"plastics\" and adding the Mr Gladstone check-in to the first meeting scene (when he goes back to the hotel with Elaine, everyone calls him Mr Gladstone, but you never see him establishing the false identity intitially, so that's an improvement IMO). As I've said before, the relationship between Ben and Elaine is just as improbable in the book/movie as the one between Colin and Mandy. Ben takes her out once, is barred from seeing her, and then decides to marry her. Right, realistic. Will finish it later. But I'm convinced Mark Herman hadn't a clue of what to do with the material and wasn't smart enough to leave well enough alone. :-("}, {"response": 61, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (12:25)", "body": "(Brenda) He must have been doing sit-ups to get his stomach to look so fit. And his chest has broadened nicely. Thank you for that Brenda! (Brenda) The swooniest moment for me was when he climbs into bed with M, pants off/shirt on. She undoes his shirt as he lays on his back, and she starts to rub his chest in a figure-eight pattern as they talk. My ears start to buzz and she sits on him. So glad you kept your continence and did not pass out during this scene so that you could report back to us all the juicy details! ;-) (Brenda) ....Then he sat with his back to the window and his feet up over his head. It's the strangest image and I still wonder if I saw that right. I can't even visualize this....LOL! I think my one year old nephew did this yesterday...;-) Thanks so much for your comments Brenda. Still want to see this....badly!"}, {"response": 62, "author": "socadook", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (14:49)", "body": "(Brenda) ....Then he sat with his back to the window and his feet up over his head. It's the strangest image and I still wonder if I saw that right. LOL. Those yoga lessons paid off."}, {"response": 63, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (17:25)", "body": "(Moon Dreams)Wait. Do we actually get a shot of him in his trunks at the beach? This needs repeating. ;-) I forgot to mention this scene, too!! He's wearing longish beach shorts, fairly loose fitting, but the camera pans up from around mid-thigh to his face, the sun glinting off his body. - Wonderful!!!"}, {"response": 64, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (19:57)", "body": "(Brenda)I forgot the bit where M is getting C to imagine the perfect place (Janet)I forgot to mention this scene, too!! LOL, something tells me these two ladies were obviously quite lost in this scene. Glad that you both had memory restoration:-) Another question... What type of expression did he have on his face during this melon eating scene?"}, {"response": 65, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (20:04)", "body": "(Janet)He's wearing longish beach shorts, fairly loose fitting, but the camera pans up from around mid-thigh to his face, the sun glinting off his body. It just occurred to me he could've worn a speedo in this scene. I wouldn't have survived that! His expression in the melon scene was blissful. I think his eyes were closed at first. The melon slice was very thin and came down straight to his mouth. But I especially loved the hand playing in the sand. I thought of another line I liked. When V shows up for the first time and C is in his towel with the scarf still on his chest (I think), he's angry and says, \"How was the fucking wedding?\" Very angry. Made me shiver."}, {"response": 66, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (20:24)", "body": "(Karen) But I'm convinced Mark Herman hadn't a clue of what to do with the material and wasn't smart enough to leave well enough alone. :-( And Calder Willingham and Buck Henry better writers as well, perhaps. (Brenda) It just occurred to me he could've worn a speedo in this scene I'm sorry, but I do have to say......Ewwww. I don't have an affection for Speedos on anyone."}, {"response": 67, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (20:58)", "body": "(Dorine)I'm sorry, but I do have to say......Ewwww. I don't have an affection for Speedos on anyone How do you feel about thongs? :-D"}, {"response": 68, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (22:13)", "body": "(Dorine)I'm sorry, but I do have to say......Ewwww. I don't have an affection for Speedos on anyone (Brenda)How do you feel about thongs? :-D Several years ago I went on vacation to Turkey....lots of men in thongs there. Haven't been able to think of thongs without wanting to throw up ever since ;-)!"}, {"response": 69, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (22:25)", "body": "Sorry for the double post but I forgot to thank Brenda, Janet and Mark for all the delicious details."}, {"response": 70, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 25, 2003 (22:47)", "body": "(Dorine) And Calder Willingham and Buck Henry better writers as well, perhaps. Absolutely, but all they had to do was trim this slim book down and focus in on the funniest things. The movie of The Graduate is taken directly from the book The Graduate. Hate to say it, but Hope Springs sounds like it was \"inspired\" by the book New Cardiff. :-( (Dorine)I'm sorry, but I do have to say......Ewwww. I don't have an affection for Speedos on anyone OK, maybe not Colin, but are your eyes not glued to the TV during Olympic swimming? ;-))))))))))"}, {"response": 71, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, May 26, 2003 (10:37)", "body": "(Karen)OK, maybe not Colin, but are your eyes not glued to the TV during Olympic swimming? ;-)))))))))) Mine are!! It is a rare bod that they look good on (imho) but those sleek swimmers, and might I add divers, often got em."}, {"response": 72, "author": "joyce", "date": "Mon, May 26, 2003 (11:33)", "body": "(Brenda)It just occurred to me he could've worn a speedo in this scene. I wouldn't have survived that! (Dorine)I'm sorry, but I do have to say......Ewwww. I don't have an affection for Speedos on anyone. (Karen)OK, maybe not Colin, but are your eyes not glued to the TV during Olympic swimming? ;-)))))))))) (Beedee)Mine are!! It is a rare bod that they look good on (imho) but those sleek swimmers, and might I add divers, often got em Have I just entered a parallel universe? Since when don't Drool ladies want to see CF in speedos? I'm having my own Memorial Day film festival double feature of Tumbledown and Part Three of Lost Empires. Just so happens Robert of TD pops out of bed with Sophie and jumps into a pair of tiny black briefs (read speedos). For some reason I was not saying Ewww! And would have not averted my eyes in disgust if he turned around. Saw a guy who looked like him in speedos on the beach one day and DH almost had to tie me to my beach chair. There are so only so many reasons you can find to stroll non-chalantly by without becoming conspicuous.; )"}, {"response": 73, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 26, 2003 (11:46)", "body": "Right, I stand corrected the black briefs started up the saliva (actually that happened a couple of seconds before they appeared); however, to go totally off topic, Tineke created a pic of Mr Darcy on the USA swim team a few years back for my birthday prezzie. OK, back to our regularly scheduled topic of Hope Springs..."}, {"response": 74, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, May 26, 2003 (12:16)", "body": "Am going to respond to Joyce (et. al.) on Firthology about the speedos, since I think I have hit general drool...."}, {"response": 75, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, May 26, 2003 (14:33)", "body": "Welcome back, Brenda. Lovely spoilers. Mmmmmm. Almost think we could compare your and Mark's viewpoints of HS ala A Tale of Two Cities: \"It was a drool-worthy movie; it was a lame movie,\" etc. ;-) (Brenda )Then he sat with his back to the window and his feet up over his head. It's the strangest image and I still wonder if I saw that right. Sounds like he could have taught the yoga class. ;-)"}, {"response": 76, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, May 27, 2003 (09:53)", "body": "Almost think we could compare your and Mark's viewpoints of HS ala A Tale of Two Cities: \"It was a drool-worthy movie; it was a lame movie,\" etc. ;-) ...It was a long montage ... it was a short montage ... etc ;-) Having cornered the Curmudgeon Award, I am reminded to say that there were some very funny moments: I did enjoy the \"Whining Whores\" line, and a lot of Vera's other dialogue was really sharp - though somehow I managed to miss the \"rubbers\" gag in the art shop(?) And there were some cute moments - and overall the film just about held together, but it certainly didn't come across as innovative and brilliant in any way. One bit I enjoyed that Brenda didn't was the opening montage of Colin on the bus trying to settle in various positions - and ending up looking utterly traumatised with grief; this was actually very powerful, and I was hoping for a really good film at that point. But as you know, I never got the movie I was hoping for..."}, {"response": 77, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 27, 2003 (10:35)", "body": "\"It was a drool-worthy movie; it was a lame movie,\" etc. ;-) I will point out that they are not necessarily antithetical. ;-)"}, {"response": 78, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, May 27, 2003 (11:53)", "body": "\"It was a drool-worthy movie; it was a lame movie,\" etc. ;-) (Karen) I will point out that they are not necessarily antithetical. ;-) And, in fact, that may, in the final analysis, turn out to be a very succinct summation of HS."}, {"response": 79, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, May 27, 2003 (12:02)", "body": "(Lisa) \"It was a drool-worthy movie; it was a lame movie,\" etc. ;-) (Mark) I was hoping for a really good film at that point. But as you know, I never got the movie I was hoping for... (Karen) I will point out that they are not necessarily antithetical. ;-) (Rika) And, in fact, that may, in the final analysis, turn out to be a very succinct summation of HS. And TEP, and SLOW, and FF, and PM, and Camille, and ..."}, {"response": 80, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, May 27, 2003 (12:07)", "body": "(Karen)I will point out that they are not necessarily antithetical. ;-) As we have daily proof! (Drooling over PM, FF, SLOW.......;-p)"}, {"response": 81, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, May 27, 2003 (12:08)", "body": "LOL! Sonia, you beat me to it!"}, {"response": 82, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, May 27, 2003 (12:18)", "body": "(Lisa) \"It was a drool-worthy movie; it was a lame movie,\" etc. ;-) (Sonia) And TEP, and SLOW, and FF, and PM, and Camille, and ... Sonia, you thought TEP was drool-worthy and lame?"}, {"response": 83, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, May 27, 2003 (12:25)", "body": "(Dorine) Sonia, you thought TEP was drool-worthy and lame? In the words of FD, it was tolerable I suppose but not handsome enough to tempt me."}, {"response": 84, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, May 27, 2003 (13:00)", "body": "(Lisa) \"It was a drool-worthy movie; it was a lame movie,\" etc. ;-) (Mark) I was hoping for a really good film at that point. But as you know, I never got the movie I was hoping for... (Karen) I will point out that they are not necessarily antithetical. ;-) (Rika) And, in fact, that may, in the final analysis, turn out to be a very succinct summation of HS. Oh, dear, sounds like a just might be a good one for video. Then I can fast-forward over any non-ODB moments. Ah well, must set aside money that would have been used for frequent viewings of HS and use it to finance extra viewings of GWAPE. (Dorine) Sonia, you thought TEP was drool-worthy and lame? (Sonia) In the words of FD, it was tolerable I suppose but not handsome enough to tempt me. I have conflicting feelings about TEP. I liked it when I first saw it. I would say that it's definitely \"handsome,\" but perhaps too slow. It was one one cable channel or another recently, and I found that I was impatient (ouch, no pun intended) waiting between Colin's scenes. And after he crashed, I stopped watching. I think it's one of those films that you really have to see on the big screen."}, {"response": 85, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May 27, 2003 (13:42)", "body": "Too late, Mark, you're already on record with the truth.;-)"}, {"response": 86, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Tue, May 27, 2003 (13:54)", "body": "(MarkG)And there were some cute moments - and overall the film just about held together, but it certainly didn't come across as innovative and brilliant in any way. Well put, Mark. I could watch it many times over, even so. The opening montage made it's point well enough. I can't wait to see a screen capture of the feet over the head shot. That'll go on my desktop. If I look at it long enough, maybe I'll understand it one day ;-) As for the long, I'm Not in Love montage, I think it's a sneaky way to tell a story without developing your characters through dialogue. But I liked the scenes, and am thankful there was no voice-overs, at least. It's rare that I like a voice-over."}, {"response": 87, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, May 27, 2003 (16:59)", "body": "(MarkG)And there were some cute moments - and overall the film just about held together, but it certainly didn't come across as innovative and brilliant in any way. Maybe another viewing is needed, Mark. I think WAGW grew on some after multiple viewings...that is if HS made it through another week on your side of the pond:-)"}, {"response": 88, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, May 27, 2003 (23:50)", "body": "(Kate F)Oh, dear, sounds like a just might be a good one for video. Then I can fast-forward over any non-ODB moments. From the sound of things, there aren't too many of those. That's one good thing, anyway."}, {"response": 89, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, May 29, 2003 (14:40)", "body": "I wanted to comment on my thoughts on HS. As I've said elsewhere, I've only seen a dark, small, grainy version of it, which certainly is having an impact. But that being said, I was disappointed. First off, this is a romantic comedy, right? And the romance would be... where? Mark Herman seems to have the same problem that I've seen in the past with some other male directors, which is their apparent belief that romance = sex. So, for example, the \"I'm Not in Love\" montage builds (sort of) to the scenes at the dance where our couple finally kisses, and immediately it gets heated and they're speeding down the road to the motel and racing upstairs to Colin's room to have sex. Okay, fine, but I'd like the sense that there's genuine warmth between them, not just hormones. Second, about that racing-upstairs-to-have-sex business. This is a PG-13 movie so they can't get too explicit, but we could at least rejoin them afterwards for a cuddle or something, anything that shows some genuine affection. But what does Herman do instead? He stays outside the room and \"entertains\" us with Joanie and Fisher (motel owners) being inspired by Colin and Mandy's mad dash upstairs to do likewise. In other words, he's more interested in running gags than in developing some real sense of a relationship between Colin and Mandy that would help us to root for them. I also agree with what MarkG said about the start of the movie feeling like it was going to be a totally different film from the one we actually got. I was really drawn into the first 15 minutes or so. I think I started getting unhappy with the movie around the time Mandy started chugging the peach brandy for reasons that were never made clear, and then they had the pointless high-speed car ride. I think this story would have made a better \"dramedy\" - mostly drama, with some quirky characters and clever dialogue. And as I think of it, that's exactly the way the book played in my mind. Having said that, there were some nice moments here and there. There's a sweet little scene where Colin and Mandy discuss, in indirect terms, that he'd like her to go back to England with him. Despite the fact that I didn't like HG overall, Mandy's reactions touched me in that scene. Just for a moment, you get the sense that something really is going on between these two. And the early stuff that I think Brenda mentioned, where Colin and Mandy make fun of one another (\"Cool.\" \"Cool.\" \"Splendid.\" \"Splendid.\") was cute, and could have been developed as a continued form of gentle teasing between them that would have given us a sense that there was an actual relationship going on. I thought ODB was hilarious in the scene where Vera is telling Colin about the Queen of Hope business, and Colin works very hard to sound surprised (plus, he has the Catherine Zeta-Jones joke in that scene, which really is funny). I thought MD was a hoot, and her scenes with CF were IMHO the best ones in the movie. They really felt to me like a bickering old married couple. Even though we're not given enough of their backstory, I believed that they'd been together forever. And I have to echo the opinions that he's been working out. No complaints whatsoever in that department! There's a rather interesting camera angle when he's imagining himself lying on the beach being fed the melon - I suppose you'd call it Torso-Cam. I kept imagining it on a big screen instead of a dark little square on my laptop monitor. WAGW worked so much better for me, despite the many plot holes, because I was completely drawn into the development of the Henry/Daphne relationship. No matter what else was going on, that was at the core of the movie, and it's why I really loved that silly little piece of fluff."}, {"response": 90, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, May 29, 2003 (15:51)", "body": "(Rika)WAGW worked so much better for me, despite the many plot holes, because I was completely drawn into the development of the Henry/Daphne relationship. No matter what else was going on, that was at the core of the movie, and it's why I really loved that silly little piece of fluff. . I read a review posted here during WAGW publicity that said the film was just a series of pointless disconnected scenes. (not the exact words). I disagree very strongly with that. I agree with Rika, the chemistry between HD and Daphne, was very well done, and developed thoughout the stoy. It had continuity. I can't say the same about HS. I did feel that there was a lack of continuity. No charcter/relationship development. At least not on a level that made you care. If they put music to it, the whole film could have been one big montage. I loved the book...and I do agree that it should have been used as a framework for the film to be built on. It wasn't. Now for the positive...I will watch it again because I think you need to in order to catch and digest the dialogue, and to view that totally AFG body. (It's a CF film for Gawd sakes) I think that downloaded computer viewing is not the best way to go on this, but it serves it's purpose (saving the world from our non-stop drooling) until we get the real thing. I found myself laughing out loud several times. Colin is his usual AFG adorable self. I found HG to be weak, but I thought she had some good moments...I won't repeat as Rika has already pointed them out. The scenes, with MD, I also agree were some of the best in the film. I really found MS and her husband v.v. annoying. And I'll say it again...I don't think it deserved the level of criticism aimed at it. It was watchable and, for the most part, enjoyable."}, {"response": 91, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, May 29, 2003 (16:08)", "body": "Rika - sorry to hear you were disappointed, but thanks so much for the run-down. Sounds like writing the script in a hotel room is not conducive to good character/relastionship development. (Rika) In other words, he's more interested in running gags than in developing some real sense of a relationship between Colin and Mandy that would help us to root for them. Too bad...and from what Emma said, MH didn't go into Vera and Colin's past relationship either. IMO, that was very important in understanding why they were acting as they did. And Linda...thanks for your comments! (Linda) Now for the positive...I will watch it again because I think you need to in order to catch and digest the dialogue, and to view that totally AFG body. (It's a CF film for Gawd sakes) Droolworthy films have their place (and that would be in my DVD collection)! So, although the film is not his best, at least we can say he 'looked mah-velous!\" ;-) Thank you ladies!!"}, {"response": 92, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 29, 2003 (16:11)", "body": "Thanks ladies for the comments. I'd have to conclude (sight unseen) that the movie suffered from Mark Herman-itis. His take on the material (lack of vision) and need to bolster it up resulted in a film without any substance, which was then edited and reedited and super-reedited to try to put it into some releaseable version. Films like that are DOA."}, {"response": 93, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, May 29, 2003 (17:14)", "body": "I'm curious what comments were elicited in the test screenings and how they were dealt with in the final cut, assuming some changes were made afterward."}, {"response": 94, "author": "soph", "date": "Fri, May 30, 2003 (08:13)", "body": "(dorine) \"I'm curious what comments were elicited in the test screenings and how they were dealt with in the final cut, assuming some changes were made afterward\" yeah, i'm fairly curious too : considering the time it took disney to release this movie, i guess it underwent a loooot of changes... i had a problem for all those who have seen the movie re: character depiction : it seems, from what i've read about the movie so far, that they suffer from poor development, but when i read the book, i sort of had the very same feeling. in a way, it felt very close to tiobe : characters who are merely masks upon which the writer can indulge in pasting one-liners... (needless to say i didn't like this book very much). would you say it is more obvious when transfered to film, or is it a flaw arising from poor direction, or what ? also am curious about the general rhythm of this movie : how could they make a 90 minute film with such little material ? some scenes in the book are just stretched to yogi limits, really. thanks for the info everyone. hey, rika where did you get your grainy version ?"}, {"response": 95, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, May 30, 2003 (11:43)", "body": "(Sophie) thanks for the info everyone. hey, rika where did you get your grainy version ? I had mentioned over on CF news that the WinMX file sharing system has it floating around. But it takes some persistence to get it! but when i read the book, i sort of had the very same feeling. in a way, it felt very close to tiobe : characters who are merely masks upon which the writer can indulge in pasting one-liners... (needless to say i didn't like this book very much). would you say it is more obvious when transfered to film, or is it a flaw arising from poor direction, or what ? Good point. I'd say some of both. There's at least some character development in the book that has been removed or cut back here, but you're right, the original material required the reader to fill in a lot of holes. how could they make a 90 minute film with such little material ? some scenes in the book are just stretched to yogi limits, really. I think many of the scenes in the book have been cut shorter in the movie, too. I'll be curious to see what others who've seen it can recall - what scenes in the movie are totally new? There were some bits in the montage (Colin doing yoga, Colin and Mandy at a dance and then dashing back to the motel), and there are some scenes where Colin goes to Vera's hotel room and Vera strips down to her underwear to try to entice him (which I suppose was so Mark Herman had an excuse to get both of his leading ladies in their underwear at some point). Aside from that, most of what I can recall had at least some basis in the book, but I may be forgetting some things."}, {"response": 96, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, May 30, 2003 (12:32)", "body": "Thank you all for the informations and details. I thought some of you might find it interesting to read Mark Hermans version of Making Movies: http://www.channel4.com/film/reviews/feature.jsp?id=113260 I just saw the interview-tape promoting WAGW and found it interesting that he mentions both GWAPE and TRAUMA but not a word on Hope Springs. Then again, some of the interviewers (yes, that would be you Kevin) found it more interesting to talk than to listen. Colin seemed to be \"cut off\" several times :-( (wrong topic - I know, just didn't want to use an entry to complain)"}, {"response": 97, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, May 30, 2003 (23:15)", "body": "(Annette) I just saw the interview-tape promoting WAGW and found it interesting that he mentions both GWAPE and TRAUMA but not a word on Hope Springs. ...And I am wondering why not one word on Love, Actually? It is supposedly a potential blockbuster, but not a whisper from anyone... Anything gone astray?"}, {"response": 98, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 30, 2003 (23:24)", "body": "Because he was there to answer questions about What a Girl Wants. That satellite time was paid for by Warners Bros. He wasn't there to promote his other films. Naturally, when a reporter says, \"what have you just completed?\" or \"what are you doing next?\" he's going to answer. But he's not going to talk about other studios' films. Why is everyone reading so much into it?"}, {"response": 99, "author": "joyce", "date": "Sat, May 31, 2003 (10:50)", "body": "(Annette)found it interesting that he mentions both GWAPE and TRAUMA but not a word on Hope Springs. I'm with you on this one Annette. Very odd w/the release of HS so close at hand. Atleast one word. May have had an inkling it was a clunker and might not be released in the States, so why confuse the US reporters? His best foot forward was GWAPE and an unknown commodity (Trauma). May have been overstepping to mention LA (not his movie really - big cast). Possiblity of a Touchstone/Warner clash but I doubt he'd be reprimanded for one mention."}, {"response": 100, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, May 31, 2003 (11:08)", "body": "From the context of the conversation, clearly he was asked about doing a long string of comedies. He mentioned GWAPE and Trauma to illustrate that he is now doing dramatic work. That's it, nothing more to it. Rika and LInda, thanks for the thoughtful comments on HS."}, {"response": 101, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, May 31, 2003 (12:21)", "body": "He talked about Trauma in some other contexts too - for example, the issue of restraint vs. letting loose in acting. But that seemed totally reasonable to me. It's his new project, so of course it was at the forefront of his mind."}, {"response": 102, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (09:23)", "body": "Not sure if this is new, or it's been talked about and I missed it, or what, but since it's about HS I'll put it here. When I bought The Times to get my free preview passes those weeks ago before it opened, they included a DVD of previews to like 20 movies. I assumed it was all trailers and never got around to watching it. Imagine my surprise last night when I turn it on, select HS, and find a little featurette on it! They interviewed Barnaby Thompson, Mark Herman, Colin, Minnie, Heather and Mary Steenburgen briefly on set. It was like a DVD extra almost. The interesting bits were that Mark Herman said he needed Mandy's actress to be 'fluff with depth' and how Heather is such a good comedic actress. Uh huh. Colin said that Heather/Mandy brought out more humour and mischief in his character than he imagined. Minnie had the capacity to bring Colin Ware easily to the brink of hysteria. And (again) that it didn't hurt to have 2 beautiful women after him. He also said how nice it was to be in an American environment [hello you are in CANADA - sorry, I digress :) ]. Heather made me laugh when she said the appeal of the script was 'how people can be really devastated and next thing you know something really good can happen'. Oh Heather. You are so vacant."}, {"response": 103, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (12:12)", "body": "Thanks, Emma! Is there any way to download it somewhere so that we may all share?"}, {"response": 104, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (12:13)", "body": "Thank you for the \"extra-part\" Emma. Now - back to WAGW (I haven't left the parallel universe yet). I might make comments that has been made before, but pray forgive me - I'm just trying to get my share of the conversation ;-) From the top of my head: There has been these talks about using of doubles, and I think someone mentioned that the flipping through the photoalbum was done by a double. I think not. If you look at his hands with the album and compare them to his hands holding Libbys head (big sigh !!) near the end, you'll find them very much alike. I think Anna Chancellor (sp?) does a great job as Glynnis. Yes, her hair, Louisa, looks terrible at Daphnes coming out party, but I found it very much correct for the occassion. About the party, is it common to have the key to every room sitting in the keyhole, or do you think she planned to \"lock\" Daphne away ?? I've looked and looked and then again to actually see \"my\" spoon touch his mouth, but either I've gone periodically blind or they don't show it ? I didn't think I would be interested in the soundtrack, but I may have changed my mind on that subject. I think there are some very good songs in the movie and I really do like the way Oliver James sings - voice of an angel, as someone mentioned (since this is a topic for ODB I won't comment on OJ anymore ;-)) About the missing shoes and jacket - in most of the motorbikes, I've seen, there is plenty of room under the seat to put things like that. And the \"thing\" in his back pocket - my guess would be a cell-phone. Finally the blp-scene. I didn't find it cringe-worthy at all. I found it to be very appropriate to show how Daphne had made Henry loosen up and try to remember, who he used to be. And the fondling with the zipper - didn't mind that at all ;-) Now I'll put a sock in it and go back to my sofa to nurse my cold. Only good thing about that is the excuse to lay around the house, close to the tv ...."}, {"response": 105, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (12:16)", "body": "Thanks for clip synopsis Emma. What a nice surprise for you. Great observations Annette. So glad you're enjoying it so much."}, {"response": 106, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (12:35)", "body": "(Annette)I think someone mentioned that the flipping through the photoalbum was done by a double. I think not. I agree. As I recall, his hands do look very much the same as he captures Libby's face in them...oh gawd, that makes me drool...just thinking about it. The soundtrack is lots of fun...and many favorites from the film...Half Life and The Greatest Story, and The Ride of your Life. I'm just sorry they didn't include the James Brown song and Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?"}, {"response": 107, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (12:36)", "body": "(Emma) Heather made me laugh when she said the appeal of the script was 'how people can be really devastated and next thing you know something really good can happen'. Oh Heather. You are so vacant. Yeah, like, wow, it's so, like, cool when that happens, isn't it? I mean, totally. :-/ Thanks for the description, Emma!"}, {"response": 108, "author": "socadook", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (12:53)", "body": "Oh Emma, you lucky, lucky girl. Thank you so much for sharing, especially since Hope doesn't spring around here. Ok, ok, bad pun :-( (Emma) It was like a DVD extra almost. Crossing fingers it will be one of many DVD extras. ...an American environment [hello you are in CANADA - sorry, I digress :) ]. Me thinks Colin\ufffds been in the peach brandy ;-) Oh Heather. You are so vacant. (Rika) Yeah, like, wow, it's so, like, cool when that happens, isn't it? I mean, totally. Ha x 5, hee x 5, ho x 5. Like, totally ROTFLMAO! :-D"}, {"response": 109, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (12:59)", "body": "(Sonia) especially since Hope doesn't spring around here Supposedly it did, somewhere in your vicinity. Crossing fingers it will be one of many DVD extras. Extras? You're expecting extras on a nontheatrical release? Pffft!"}, {"response": 110, "author": "soph", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (16:56)", "body": "(Emma) He also said how nice it was to be in an American environment [hello you are in CANADA - sorry, I digress :) ]. could have been meant as america, the continent ? (Rika)Yeah, like, wow, it's so, like, cool when that happens, isn't it? I mean, totally. *heehee* valley girl, she's a valley girl, ok, fine, fu' shore fu' shore, etc."}, {"response": 111, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (00:19)", "body": "(Emma) [hello you are in CANADA - sorry, I digress :) ]. Oh Heather. You are so vacant. ROTFL! (Annette) There has been these talks about using of doubles, and I think someone mentioned that the flipping through the photoalbum was done by a double. I think not. If you look at his hands with the album and compare them to his hands holding Libbys head (big sigh !!) near the end, you'll find them very much alike. In my class, Dennie Gordon specifically said they were hand doubles. Also said shots with AB from the back and side were her double's as well, since AB had a reduced schedule due to child labor laws. Feel better."}, {"response": 112, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (00:22)", "body": "And for further clarification, that's AB's side shots with her face obscured."}, {"response": 113, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (01:46)", "body": "(Dorine)In my class, Dennie Gordon specifically said they were hand doubles. Okay - fine by me. Glad they picked a pair of hands, that \"worked\". I find the \"head-holding-kissing-scene\" most droolworthy, so I'll just hang onto that one ;-) Thank you for sharing your inside-informations, Dorine :-)"}, {"response": 114, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (11:48)", "body": "(Annette) I find the \"head-holding-kissing-scene\" most droolworthy, so I'll just hang onto that one ;-) I don't think you have to let go of that one..I believe those are ODB's hands. The album hands are not his though....next time you go Annette, look at the thumb nail. The nail is long (never seen this on ODB) and the nail base is much bigger (ODB has the most *adorable* thumb nail...and his double....well....does not! ;-) ). The doubles hands looked tanner to me as well. If you compare the \"Libby, how could you not tell me I had a child?\" hands (ODB's) to the album page turning hands (could be the lighting that make the hands appear darker as well)....I'll stop now....I'm moving into 'hyper obsessive land'! ;-D"}, {"response": 115, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (12:58)", "body": "(Tress)I'll stop now....I'm moving into 'hyper obsessive land'! ;-D LOL, I'll join you shortly. I've allways been told to get my homework done, so there's no excuse - I'll have to study hands very thorougly (sp?). I believe those are ODB's hands They better be - they are attached to his arms (full shot of both face and hands). Lovely! (in the voice of Moxy) ;-) A little question, now that I'm posting. The picture of ODB in bed, Karen postet for Lizza - is that from Hope Springs? (looks very promising to me ;-))"}, {"response": 116, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (13:03)", "body": "Yes, it is from Hope Springs."}, {"response": 117, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (14:30)", "body": "Judging from the pictures from Hope Springs, I'm gonna like it solely on the eyecandy factor ;-) A WAGW-question: The weddingscene in the end with Glynnis and Lord Orword (sp?). Is that taken at the same stairs as Lord Wessex and Lady Viola? It sure looks like that, but I don't have the movie to compare. Just wantet to say, that multiple viewings doesn't hurt the film, IMO."}, {"response": 118, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (18:21)", "body": "(Annette)Just wantet to say, that multiple viewings doesn't hurt the film, IMO. ...not at all. I could watch again, and again. Don't know about the stairs, though...Maybe I should watch SIL tonight...that'll do me."}, {"response": 119, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (11:12)", "body": "The release date for \"what a girl wants\" in Germany is now 26th June (says official WB homepage so I guess it\ufffds sure).The movie was planed to be released on 31th July (If I\ufffdm not mistaken).A good sign isn\ufffdt it. Can\ufffdt wait to see the movie and read the german reviews."}, {"response": 120, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (11:51)", "body": "Thanks for the good news, Petra. Am very much looking forward to seeing it at last."}, {"response": 121, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (13:31)", "body": "Hope Springs"}, {"response": 122, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (13:34)", "body": "Karen, does this mean, what I think it means? :-("}, {"response": 123, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (13:56)", "body": "GAH! What is the meaning of this!?? If I get out a defibrillator and yell \"Clear!\" can I fix it? Can it be brought back? Does this mean no DVD!???? HELP!?"}, {"response": 124, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (13:58)", "body": "I keep my hopes high. My guess is, it means no theatrical release in the US. But - I seem to remember someone saying something about no trouble in the DVD/VHS department. Something to do with the financing of it being in place. Let's keep hoping, shall we?"}, {"response": 125, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (14:03)", "body": "Remember, this is the Spoilers topic, not CF News. The above depicts my view of the film. Utterly lifeless, among other things."}, {"response": 126, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (14:11)", "body": "Thank you Karen - You nearly gave us a heartattack ;-) Anyway, it seems you agree with most of the critics. Lifeless seems to be a very used word when it comes to this movie. However - as a drooler, I'm sure it has it's moments ;-) btw - off course the topic should have made me realise, it was no \"official\" death-sentence. Will have to pay more attention in the future."}, {"response": 127, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (14:50)", "body": "(Annette)However - as a drooler, I'm sure it has it's moments ;-) Far and few between. I liked the ending.....principally because it was over ;-)"}, {"response": 128, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (15:07)", "body": "I must agree! It is a very disappointing film. I was bored. I don't think this has a chance in the US. Who is the target audience? It's not even a rom com, IMO. It gets filed under the SLOW, Ldum failures. Both HG and MD steal the scenes they are in with him. Huge failure on Colin side. He gets an F and has to go sit in the back of the class. Colin slept walked through this one and that says it all considering that this was his baby. Mary Steenburgen(sp?) is awful. I did like HG. Her role was the most difficult to play and she did just fine. The golf course scene was ridiculous and I really hated the beginning. It all seems so fake, such a put on for him to be almost fainting and then banging his head on the glass? The funny scenes are so few and the music was totally wrong and too loud. Overall, this film failed the book and that was nothing much. Colin showed very poor judgement going after this one. Not even the towel scene saves this one. :-( Let's see what happens with the \"silent\" GWAPE and the \"horror\" Trauma. Will the females best him once more?"}, {"response": 129, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (15:07)", "body": "(Evelyn) I liked the ending.....principally because it was over;-) LOL! (Annette) However - as a drooler, I'm sure it has it's moments ;-) Only if you turn the sound off. :-( Watching this reminded me of a scene in The Way We Were, toward the end, where they're all in a screening room, trying to say something good about the film they just saw. \"How unusual, where it's slow, it seems necessarily so.\""}, {"response": 130, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (16:05)", "body": "(Moon)Colin showed very poor judgement going after this one. I normally don't do the apologist bit, but here I don't think he was misled by his friends. I liked the book and the material was there ....the &*(%*^ director screwed things up royally. No creativity, no vision, no imagination. The jet- lag antics was not in the book and did not enhance the story or performance. The supporting actors with the exception of the mayor were caricatures. Agree that no amount of publicity could sell this film , sad to say. But it's not the worst movie of the year as The Guardian reported: \"Kangaroo Jack\" still holds that distinction. I liked the soundtrack"}, {"response": 131, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (16:53)", "body": "(Karen), What was it Mark Herman said?? Something about how Colin wanted to get this started real fast before there was a finished script. As I've said numerous times before, Mark Herman ain't no Roman Polanski, but Colin wanted to do this film badly, so badly that he canceled our little Hamlet hopes. You wonder why he rushed the production, especially as those following months were open. Exactly! What was the rush? But it's not the worst movie of the year as The Guardian reported: \"Kangaroo Jack\" still holds that distinction. I don't think the Guardian considers KJ a movie and neither should you. ;-) HS is a very bad movie. Doesn't even qusalify as a \"film\" in my book. Film \">\" Movie."}, {"response": 132, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (17:39)", "body": ""}, {"response": 133, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (19:09)", "body": "Hey boss...I think the above response belongs on #149; the Bridget topic. Not on Spoilers;-)"}, {"response": 134, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (19:43)", "body": "(Evelyn)Hey boss...I think the above response belongs on #149; the Bridget topic. Not on Spoilers;-) Wow, I was really confused for a moment there. LOL. Now I know how the boss feels when we're OT.;-) On HS...after watching this, if it came to the US, I'd go a time or two for the eye candy...Definitely not one I'd see often, and you all know I try very hard to support the box office numbers. Yes, he looks incredible, but the film is not enought to tempt me. I too, find myself bored and had difficutly sitting through it a second time. However, it does not qualify for worst film of the year. IMHO,that distinction must go to From Justin to Kelly. Possibly the worst film of the era."}, {"response": 135, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (21:28)", "body": "Gaah, how did that happen? Am blanking out, feel woozy, now. Think I'll have myself a little lie-down. ;-D"}, {"response": 136, "author": "WinniePeg", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (23:03)", "body": "I didn't think HS was THAT bad! Agree Linda, about From Justin to Kelly! A complete stinker! (At least I didn't pay to get in!)."}, {"response": 137, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (09:49)", "body": "(Moon) It is a very disappointing film. I was bored........ Huge failure on Colin side. He gets an F and has to go sit in the back of the class. Colin slept walked through this one and that says it all considering that this was his baby Please, Moon, don't hold back! Tell us how you really feel! ;-) (Evelyn) I liked the soundtrack Really? The songs by themselves, or as they fit into the movie? I haven't even watched it the whole way through yet. I was so bored I had to skip through stuff and only watch his parts, and even then couldn't finish it in one sitting (also ran out of time that day). Loved him with MD though. Thought she was right-on-the-money as Vera."}, {"response": 138, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (10:47)", "body": "(Dorine), Please, Moon, don't hold back! Tell us how you really feel! ;-) LOL! I can be his number one admirer but when criticism is needed I will not hold back. I think that's rather objective on my part. :-D What makes HS a double bomb is that he went after this... on peut dire garbage."}, {"response": 139, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (10:48)", "body": "Just goes to show that a towel scene (however satisfying) cannot save a film. :-("}, {"response": 140, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (12:05)", "body": "Yesterday, finally, I saw WAGW. I must say, I love the movie. Yes,it\ufffds a fairy tale, but a good one. Colin plays convincing as always and Amada is better than I expected. My favourite scenes are the kitchen scene and of course the dance in front of the mirror (can\ufffdt get enough of it). The soundtrack fits very good. They do a lot of promotion (trailer etc.) for the movie here in Germany, even with a raffle in cooperation with H&M. I haven\ufffdt read any german reviews yet, but if I read something interesing I\ufffdll tell you."}, {"response": 141, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (12:16)", "body": "Thanks, Petra. Nice to hear reports from other countries and that WAGW is getting some good publicity."}, {"response": 142, "author": "socadook", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (12:17)", "body": "(Evelyn) I liked the ending.....principally because it was over;-) (Moon) It is a very disappointing film. I was bored. (Linda) I too, find myself bored and had difficutly sitting through it a second time. (Karen) Utterly lifeless, among other things. (Dorine) I was so bored I had to skip through stuff and only watch his parts, and even then couldn't finish it in one sitting. A report of an alarming nature has reached me today. Two women fighting over Colin, a towel scene and there's boredom to be had. How can this be? This cannot be so. Oh at once to insist upon having such a report universally contradicted. HS is a bore. Is it certain, absolutely certain? What can be done? I know very well that nothing can be done? There's even a nod to P&P2: the engagement between colin and Vera is of a peculiar kind. From their infancy, they have been intended for each other. It was the favorite wish of his mother as well as hers. While they were in the womb their mothers planned the union, and now to be prevented by the upstart pretensions of a young woman without family connections or fortune. Is this to be endured, it shall not be! It seems high praise for this movie would be insincere, I'm glad to not find you so. PM, L\ufffddumb, what CF fan has not been in the habit of brooking disappointment? And now HS, oh is such a movie to be another stinker? Are the shades of ODB's cv to be thus polluted? Yet I wish to see this movie and not rely so much on opinions which in fact are not my own. Do I not deserve such attention? Until then I will be most seriously displeased."}, {"response": 143, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (12:46)", "body": "LOL at the heart monitor, Karen. Wasn't there a movie called Flatliners with Julia Roberts and Kiefer Sutherland? Too bad the title was already taken when they switched from New Cardiff.;-) (Evelyn)I liked the ending.....principally because it was over;-) Pfft! is that anything like \"I'm banging my head agasint the wall because it feel so good when I stop?\" ;-) (Moon)Both HG and MD steal the scenes they are in with him. . . I did like HG. Her role was the most difficult to play and she did just fine. I agree, I thought the jumping around nude scene was especially difficult to pull off, but Heather made it work. I also liked her in the drunken bit--very convincing. Minnie was good too, IMO, very sharp. Also, I thought HG's Mandy was less flighty and MD's Vera a bit more sympathetic than in the book, which I think is a credit to them both as their characters came off as less caricaturish. The ladies *almost* save the film. Mary S's accent was weird--Vermont by way of Brooklyn. This is where Mark Herman could have used a colonial strummpet on staff to tell him to tell Mary to cut that sh*t out. I watched her in Time After Time again yesterday--adorable movie, where she met and married Malcolm McDowell (er, in real life, not in the movie). But I digress. . . I do agree with Brenda, the movie is not *that* bad IMO, and I still say it's funnier than some of the recent rom-coms (though I realize that's damning with faint praise). IMO, it's better than SLOW and Londinium, that's for sure."}, {"response": 144, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (12:53)", "body": "(Mari)IMO, it's better than SLOW and Londinium, that's for sure. LOL. Even Joe Dirt was. But still , it made me run to Episode 6!"}, {"response": 145, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (13:22)", "body": "(Sonia) Are the shades of ODB's cv to be thus polluted? LOL Sonia, nicely turned!"}, {"response": 146, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (13:42)", "body": "(Petra) Yesterday, finally, I saw WAGW. I must say, I love the movie. Yes,it\ufffds a fairy tale, but a good one. Colin plays convincing as always and Amada is better than I expected. My favourite scenes are the kitchen scene and of course the dance in front of the mirror (can\ufffdt get enough of it). Now you know why many of us have seen it multiple times. And would see it a few more, if possible. (Sonia) Yet I wish to see this movie and not rely so much on opinions which in fact are not my own. Do I not deserve such attention? Until then I will be most seriously displeased. ROTF Sonia! Most excellently done!"}, {"response": 147, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (16:26)", "body": "(Sonia) Yet I wish to see this movie and not rely so much on opinions which in fact are not my own. Do I not deserve such attention? Until then I will be most seriously displeased. Beautifully done, Sonia! ... and I also heartily agree with the sentiments expressed therein! There's still nobody like JA to express sentiments so adroitly. ;-)"}, {"response": 148, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (16:52)", "body": "(Sonia) Yet I wish to see this movie and not rely so much on opinions which in fact are not my own. Do I not deserve such attention? Until then I will be most seriously displeased. Oh so beautifully expressed, Sonia. It is worth seeing, boring, but ODB is his AFG self, and therefore not to be missed. However to tell you otherwise that the film is one of his best, I cannot. Disguise of any sort is my abhorrence."}, {"response": 149, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Sat, Jun 28, 2003 (14:46)", "body": "I read this preview on the teletext of a german tv chanel: A nineteen years old moves with her mum from England to the big wide world - namely new york, where she is searching her british dad. At the same time, she hopes that finally her dream - a musical carriere at the legendary broadway- will be fullfilled. Anybody ever read a preview with more mistakes ? I can tell you I nearly was giving this people from that channel a call telling them how rediculous they are but as they gave a 2+ (while 1 is the best mark) I could resist :o)"}, {"response": 150, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Jun 28, 2003 (21:05)", "body": "A nineteen years old moves with her mum from England to the big wide world - namely new york, where she is searching her british dad. At the same time, she hopes that finally her dream - a musical carriere at the legendary broadway- will be fullfilled. LOL...wow! Some people may be very confused when the go see the movie and think they have walked into the wrong picture. They only correct part is the bit about searching for her British dad......wonder where they got the bit about the musical career? Maybe when Libby says to Glynnis \"if you don't get your hands off my daughter, you won't get a scene, you'll get a Broadway musical\" Thanks again for translating, Petra!"}, {"response": 151, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Sun, Jun 29, 2003 (01:41)", "body": "LOL. I was also wondering about where they got the musical idea from. Your speculation seems very obvious.Very good :o))))"}, {"response": 152, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jun 29, 2003 (06:17)", "body": "(Tress)LOL. I was also wondering about where they got the musical idea from. Certainly not from wearing the grey dress of an idealess cinema newcomer;-) Thank you Petra, it is going to be interesting to see how the film will be received in Europe."}, {"response": 153, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (12:22)", "body": "How's this for the blurbs on the HS ads: \"everything about it seemed lacking...dismally unfunny...forced...\""}, {"response": 154, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (18:02)", "body": "(Karen)How's this for the blurbs on the HS ads: Dismal;-("}, {"response": 155, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (19:55)", "body": ""}, {"response": 156, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (20:00)", "body": "(Mari) And where, oh where, is Eileen Green when we need her? She'd have a field day with HS;-) Yes, I imagine we would have a whole new medical lexicon, including: Hermanononucleosis - an infection caused by the Thompson-Fruchtmann virus, which produces loss of appetite, listlessness and utter boredom. Considered by some to be highly contagious, there are no risks to teenagers who avoid contact with anything touched by T-F. Some ancillary damage can be caused to one's funny bone through the continued leeching of vital calcium. Indicated countermeasures: No nekkid dances of joy."}, {"response": 157, "author": "Leah", "date": "Wed, Jul  9, 2003 (00:44)", "body": "(Mari)Leah; tell us your fave scenes on the Spoilers board. I miss my HD. :-( Fave scenes, fave scenes, this is sooo difficult, as I said, I was staring at the screen with what must have been a blank look on my face. One of the scenes that made me laugh, was when 'Caroline' ( I can't remember her name), says to Henry when he is looking for a speech in his left jacket pocket, \"right pocket\" - and I thought, okay so she's helped him dress.::)):) Another favorite scene was the picnic table at the end, although, who was the extra chair for? Me?? In this scene he looked like a real family man and the stuffiness was gone!"}, {"response": 158, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Wed, Jul  9, 2003 (09:27)", "body": "I have seen WAGW for the first time two days ago and am still recovering from the experience ;-) Another favorite scene was the picnic table at the end, although, who was the extra chair for? Me?? In this scene he looked like a real family man and the stuffiness was gone! I thought the butler was going to sit with them. tell us your fave scenes on the Spoilers board. I miss my HD. :-( One of my faves was when he was on the phone with Libby, worrying about Daphne. And then the one when he gets the album with Daphnes pictures. I don't know how to describe his expression in that scene, but I love it."}, {"response": 159, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Jul  9, 2003 (10:29)", "body": "(Leah) I thought, okay so she's helped him dress.::)):) LOL, I like the way you think. It didn't occur to me once. \"I want my Henry back!\" really means \"I wanted to put those BLP on you!\" ;-) (Nitae) I don't know how to describe his expression in that scene, but I love it. And both times when he walks in Daphne's room. First as she sleeps (before he sees the tattoo) and later when she's gone. *sigh*"}, {"response": 160, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jul  9, 2003 (10:58)", "body": "(Karen) Hermanononucleosis - an infection caused by the Thompson-Fruchtmann virus, which produces loss of appetite, listlessness and utter boredom LMAO, Karen! A worthy successor to Dr. Green's work. I read in JAMA this morning about a related illness called . . . Markolepsy - sleep disorder in which viewers of MH's work suddenly fall asleep for precisely 92 minutes."}, {"response": 161, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jul  9, 2003 (11:02)", "body": "(Mari), Markolepsy - sleep disorder in which viewers of MH's work suddenly fall asleep for precisely 92 minutes. ROTF, Mari! It got me. ;-)"}, {"response": 162, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul  9, 2003 (11:03)", "body": ""}, {"response": 163, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul  9, 2003 (11:06)", "body": "Did you catch the article on Steenbursitis? A painful inflammation of the elbow caused by the excessive need to cover one's ears."}, {"response": 164, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul  9, 2003 (11:26)", "body": "(Karen) Steenbursitis? A painful inflammation of the elbow caused by the excessive need to cover one's ears. ..and eyes. ROTF...a hoot, you two."}, {"response": 165, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul  9, 2003 (11:32)", "body": "In order for Dr Green to diagnose, she'd have to see the patient. I don't think she ever recovered from L'dum."}, {"response": 166, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Jul  9, 2003 (12:10)", "body": "LOL, Mari and Karen. In order for Dr Green to diagnose, she'd have to see the patient. I don't think she ever recovered from L'dum. Good ole EileenG. ;-) I miss her. The only way to recover from L'dumb is to tape over it. It worked for me! ;-)"}, {"response": 167, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jul  9, 2003 (14:11)", "body": "(Leah) I thought, okay so she's helped him dress.::)):) My take on it was...she was checking his pockets;-)"}, {"response": 168, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jul  9, 2003 (14:20)", "body": "Linda)My take on it was...she was checking his pockets;-) For what? His rod and tackle? Oh no, that was MLSF...."}, {"response": 169, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jul  9, 2003 (15:19)", "body": "(Beedee)For what? His rod and tackle? LOL, I don't think even HD could mange to have his rod and tackle in his right jacket pocket;-)"}, {"response": 170, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 10, 2003 (13:31)", "body": "A ha! Another homage to The Graduate. One the phone, Doug is complaining about the lack of merchandise for the Festival and suggests, in exasperation, musical toilet seat covers that play \"Bridge Over Troubled Waters.\" Such cleverness. Such wit."}, {"response": 171, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jul 10, 2003 (17:00)", "body": "HA! Must be one of the parts I missed when skimming through or quit watching it and haven't gone back to. ;-) Watched The Graduate the other night...awesome! (Yes it's Valley Girl day here ;-))"}, {"response": 172, "author": "soph", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (10:12)", "body": "i am rather confused : should this one go to firthology, news or spoilers??? anyway, i don't know if you've seen that one before, but the dvd info on the wagw website has a picture of dashwood i had never seen before : rather on the pained look side really. sorry again if this is old news. anyway will keep you informed about the local release next week..."}, {"response": 173, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (10:45)", "body": "Lord Dashwood will never be old news Sophie! I don't remember the picture but I do appreciate it! I'll never tire of those big brown eyes..Thanks!"}, {"response": 174, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (10:49)", "body": "Thanks for the picture Sophie. I don't remember seeing it before either. My first thought was it was the tail end of his surprised look when he knew details of the James Brown song. Could be wrong though. Haven't seen HD for some time. Just a few more weeks and he'll be mine ;-)"}, {"response": 175, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (10:50)", "body": "That's from breakfast the morning after the Orwood's ball. I believe that might be his look right before he says, \"I have no idea where that came from,\" about the James Brown song."}, {"response": 176, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (14:56)", "body": "Thank Sophie... Of all the good looking pics in that film, they had to pick this one... blue suit or not."}, {"response": 177, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (18:28)", "body": "I want my Henry back. Oh, I do miss HD big time. Thank you, Sophie. He's so lovely."}, {"response": 178, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jul 17, 2003 (22:18)", "body": "I have finally been able to see Hope Springs and now must put in my I will declare it is a dear, sweet film, despite it's unfortunate plot.... ;-) Okay....it is not ODB's best....but nor is it his worst. The plot was thin and contrived in spots, but there are 'other things' that can keep a girl (like me) happy! The relationships seemed a bit forced.....Mandy and Colin didn't have much, other than sex, in common and Minnie and Colin never explained why they were together in the first place...so you couldn't understand why they would want to stay together..... MS was awful (all this IMO of course). She was supposed to be 'colorful' and eccentric, she came across as a caricature. She had an accent that grated (and that I have never heard before) and a wardrobe....wellllll....I guess that was the 'colorful' part. I laughed when MS was giving Colin 'something to help him sleep'. He states that he doesn't take prescription drugs, then she shoves a pill in his mouth, puts the glass up and pours....the look on ODB's face as he stands there with his mouth full was funny...like a five year old....MS even says \"swallow\"...and he does. 'Mandy's' brandy chug was not believable....she chugs about 30 oz. and then acts immediately drunk....er....annoying.....I can't even down water that quickly. She asks Colin if he can drive....she should have asked him if he knew where the hospital was, because I imagine she would need her stomach pumped after that much liquor. And now I'll say that I have a new fixation. After Mandy's dance of joy...when she gets ODB into bed....she helps him pull his shirt off. There is a bit where she runs her hands over his chest (a bit too quickly, I might add.....they really needed a drooler on the set as advisor....I don't think any of us would have done the job in such a lazy, bored manner...)...anyway, after the chest rub, she begins to talk and as she does this, she pulls on ODB's earlobes and runs her finger around the inside of his ear....I nearly passed out! GAHHHH (sorry Evelyn...put me down for toes, hands and now inner ears)!!!! Another part that made me chuckle...and it was very brief, but funny....ODB is at a park and sees children jumping in one of those bouncy castles....he looks at Mandy and the next thing you see is them dumping (really!) the kids out so that they can jump. This appealed to my sadistic side and I laughed. A part that bothered me was near the end. ODB is carrying Mandy and as they pass the celebration Mandy turns and, with a huge grin, waves at Vera. You aren't sympathetic to V, but I still cannot imagine doing that to someone.....it was as if Mandy were rubbing her nose in it a bit.... It may sound like there was a lot to dislike, but there were many good spots for me. The skin! And there was some....was GREAT. ODB looked really good. Nice legs, nice chest....lovely! It will be like SLOW for me (which, IMO, also had a weak plot....and ODB lookin' mighty fine). So you see Droolers, I am not afraid of you!! ;-D"}, {"response": 179, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (00:07)", "body": "(Tress) Mandy's' brandy chug was not believable....she chugs about 30 oz. and then acts immediately drunk....er....annoying And then isn't as drunk as she should be (i.e., passed out) when she gets back to the motel room. (Not used to seeing peach brandy in the large, economy size.)"}, {"response": 180, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (02:02)", "body": "(Tress)..they really needed a drooler on the set as advisor.... You are probably just right. Anyway, thank you for the \"review\" from a genuin (sp?) droolers point of view. You know where to focus. Even with a weak storyline/plot I'll look forward to seeing this one. Another part that made me chuckle...and it was very brief, but funny....ODB is at a park and sees children jumping in one of those bouncy castles....he looks at Mandy and the next thing you see is them dumping (really!) the kids out so that they can jump. This appealed to my sadistic side and I laughed. I saw the captures and wondered, what it was all about. I'll line up beside you and laugh. I've been wanting to do the same sometimes ;-) The earlobe thing - I daren't go there. It's morning and I really need to get some serious work done around the house, other than remove my own drool from allover ;-)"}, {"response": 181, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (09:44)", "body": "(Annette) thank you for the \"review\" from a genuin (sp?) droolers point of view I beg your pardon?"}, {"response": 182, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (14:42)", "body": "(Karen) And then isn't as drunk as she should be (i.e., passed out) when she gets back to the motel room. (Not used to seeing peach brandy in the large, economy size.) I was thinking that instead of performing the 'dance of joy' for Colin, more realistically the next scene should have shown him holding her hair back while she spoke to the porcelain god... LOL at the economy sized brandy! I think that is on the shelf next to the Night Train and Thunderbird...;-) (Annette) The earlobe thing - I daren't go there. LOL...ohhh...Dare! It's a wonderful 3-4 seconds! (Annette) thank you for the \"review\" from a genuin (sp?) droolers point of view... (Karen) I beg your pardon? LOL...I think Annette may be referring to my ability to block out all that is 'bad' and focus on all that is 'pervy and good' when it comes to viewing ODB films. I do have this tendency...my first few viewings are throw aways on any of his films. I seem to be overwhelmed by just his presence on the screen. The 'real reviews' should not be taken from me! Plot, acting...I leave that to the experts on Drool. HS is not a great film...ODB was fine, but gave a better performance in WAGW, IMO. He seemed 'distracted' at times in HS. HG and MS were tough for me to watch, especially MS. I did enjoy MD as Vera. Though she was perfectly difficult, but I guess I'm too practical because I couldn't understand why she would give up her job as a fashion editor (is that what she was?) to become Queen of Hope. I enjoyed this movie (and I did enjoy it) on a purely visceral level..."}, {"response": 183, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (15:00)", "body": "(Tress) I did enjoy MD as Vera. Though she was perfectly difficult, but I guess I'm too practical because I couldn't understand why she would give up her job as a fashion editor (is that what she was?) to become Queen of Hope. I know. I enjoyed MD very much. But the idea that someone like her would be interested in being the \"Queen\" of a festival in a piddly little town.... That was a big problem with the whole movie. Basically, nothing made any sense, aside from a few of the Colin/Vera scenes. Pretty much every single thing that happened seemed contrived and forced. I agree about the visceral appeal, though. I've thought about watching it with the sound turned off to see if I'd like it better."}, {"response": 184, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (15:22)", "body": "(Rika) I agree about the visceral appeal, though. I've thought about watching it with the sound turned off to see if I'd like it better. Mystery Science Theater time? ;-)"}, {"response": 185, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (15:43)", "body": "(Tress) I think Annette may be referring to my ability to block out all that is 'bad' and focus on all that is 'pervy and good' when it comes to viewing ODB films I have a hard time with that being the definition of a genuine Drooler or even a fan. As I've said in the past, I don't leave my brain cells at the door when I go to see his films, nor do I consider criticism of his acting and/or movies an indication that I may be less of a fan or not a \"genuine\" and I take great offense at attitudes such as that. (Tress) HS is not a great film...ODB was fine, but gave a better performance in WAGW, IMO. From my perspective your scale is skewed. HS was definitely not a great film; it wasn't even a good film. It was a crappy film. Colin's performance was not good; he was OTT throughout. On the other hand, you are understating his performance in WAGW by comparison. Better? It was wonderful; he made that film. I haven't seen him that effective in ages."}, {"response": 186, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (16:47)", "body": "(Tress) I think Annette may be referring to my ability to block out all that is 'bad' and focus on all that is 'pervy and good' when it comes to viewing ODB films I have a hard time with that being the definition of a genuine Drooler or even a fan. As I've said in the past, I don't leave my brain cells at the door when I go to see his films, nor do I consider criticism of his acting and/or movies an indication that I may be less of a fan or not a \"genuine\" and I take great offense at attitudes such as that. I seem to cause offense when I try to be funny. I deeply apologize and do not by any means try or want to make any a more genuine fan/drooler than any of you. I wish I could put this down to language-difficulties. It is most certainly not written to put anyone down. I consider myself a humble fan. I like some of his movies and I don't like others. Some I watch because of the movie as a \"whole\" and some I choose from my current mood or other factors. I'm not sure though, what will put a smile on my face after this. My apologies to all of you!"}, {"response": 187, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (17:38)", "body": "(Annette)I'm not sure though, what will put a smile on my face after this. My apologies to all of you! Don't apologize to me!! My Mom and many other family members have lived and spoken in this country for 50 years and still make errors in language and meanings. LOL, you all should hear her when she comes back from a trip to Germany and can't speak either language properly! I am very used to figuring out the meanings of those who come with a different language and hope that I get lots of slack when I speak my version of German. To hear that would put a smirk if not a smile on your face;-)"}, {"response": 188, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (17:49)", "body": "I understand what you meant, Annette, but just like I counsel people to stay away from statements about \"we,\" it is best to speak as yourself and not on behalf of others or to characterize what a \"fan\" is. Can't get into trouble that way. ;-D There are many varieties of fans, not a one-size-fits-all situation at all."}, {"response": 189, "author": "socadook", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (17:52)", "body": "(Tress) more realistically the next scene should have shown him holding her hair back while she spoke to the porcelain god... ROTF! His facial expressions alone would've been worth it ;-) (Tress) I couldn't understand why she would give up her job as a fashion editor (is that what she was?) to become Queen of Hope. (Rika)I know. (...)the idea that someone like her would be interested in being the \"Queen\" of a festival in a piddly little town.... Another missed opportunity to improve on the book. :-( (Karen) HS was definitely not a great film; it wasn't even a good film. It was a crappy film. LOL. But tell us how you really feel, Karen ;-) The good news is, should I ever get to see this film uh movie I won't be disappointed, my expectations being so low ;-) Thanks for your review, Tress. No worries Annette, I for one have thick skin and still make mistakes in my mother tongue and any other I dare speak."}, {"response": 190, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (18:05)", "body": "I want to apologize as well...It was never my intent to imply that someone was more/less of a fan than someone else. I love this place and would hate to think any of you were mad at me. I'm sorry."}, {"response": 191, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (18:59)", "body": "No one is mad at anyone, and I'm sorry you got caught in the crossfire."}, {"response": 192, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (19:34)", "body": "(Sonia)The good news is, should I ever get to see this film uh movie I won't be disappointed, my expectations being so low ;-) V. good strategy, Sonia. I well remember the high expectations around here for ATA. Pulitzer prize book,stellar cast with Oscar noms...\"a woman director\". Were we let down! I learned that if I'm not overly optimistic, I'm invariably not disappointed (WAGW):-(("}, {"response": 193, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (22:24)", "body": "Well, I will look on the positive side...how much do I save? aprox 10-15 theater viewings, times two tickets each time...popcorn, drinks, candy. Wow, look at how many more times I can see LA and GWAPE. Pretty much every single thing that happened seemed contrived and forced. Colin's acting seemed forced as well. Other than L, I don't think I can say that about any of his films. I don't totally agree with the critics who said he phoned it in...but he looked uncomfortable, and IMO had no chemistry with HG. I find it strange since this was his project. Wot happened?"}, {"response": 194, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (22:37)", "body": "(Linda)aprox 10-15 theater viewings, times two tickets each time...popcorn, drinks, candy. Starting to sound like a calculating young Paul A there;-)"}, {"response": 195, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (23:16)", "body": "(Annette) thank you for the \"review\" from a genuin (sp?) droolers point of view... drooler--someone who lets saliva escape from one's mouth while overawed at the sight or presence of someone or something especially admired. We joke and exaggerate about it all the time on this board, as it is meant to express the degree of hero-worship some of us feel about ODB. It also often denotes an absence of thought when confronted with said object of worship. This happens to some -- not all -- of us, and can be a natural reaction to powerful feelings. Some people can really enjoy even a bad movie if it has a potential to feed such feelings, and there's nothing wrong with that either.;-) To genuin*ly drool as a result of these reactions doesn't suddenly disqualify anyone from being a fan (and where did the definition of a \"fan\" enter into those responses, anyway?) A genuin* drooler, drools. I have no idea what a genuine D rooler does, but this was not addressed in these replies. *I* think that the level of offense felt at these perfectly innocence humorous remarks is a bit of an overreaction ... IMHO.. and apologies on the part of the responders are neither needed nor called for. Again, MHO. Despise me if you dare... ;-) Do not apologize to me, ladies. All remarks were perfectly acceptable and some of them even funny. Thank you for your input. :-D"}, {"response": 196, "author": "joyce", "date": "Sat, Jul 19, 2003 (00:11)", "body": "Young Lady: Oh! I didn't expect the Spanish Inquisition. (Jarring chord The door flies open and Ximinez, Biggles and Fang enter.) Ximinez: Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition! (Cut to film: moving over Brengel drawing of tortures; epic film music.) Voice Over: (and caption on screen) 'IN THE EARLY YEARS OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY, TO COMBAT THE RISING TIDE OF RELIGIOUS UNORTHODOXY, THE POPE GAVE CARDINAL XIMINEZ OF SPAIN LEAVE TO MOVE WITHOUT LET OR HINDRANCE THROUGHOUT THE LAND, IN A REIGN OF VIOLENCE, TERROR AND TORTURE THAT MAKES A SMASHING FILM. THIS WAS THE SPANISH INQUISITION . . .' (Torchlit dungeon. We hear clanging footsteps. Shadows on the Grille. The footsteps stop and keys jangle. The great door creaks open and Ximinez walks in and looks round approvingly. Fang and Biggles enter behind pushing in the dear old lady. They chain her to the wall.) Ximinez: Now, old woman! You are accused of heresy on three counts. Heresy by thought, heresy by word, heresy by deed, and heresy by action. Four counts. Do you confess? Old Lady: I don't understand what I'm accused of. Ximinez: Ha! Then we'll make you understand! Biggles! Fetch...THE CUSHIONS! (JARRING CHORD - Biggles holds out two ordinary modern household cushions) Biggles: Here they are, lord. Ximinez: Now, old lady -- you have one last chance. Confess the heinous sin of heresy, reject the works of the ungodly -- *two* last chances. And you shall be free -- *three* last chances. You have three last chances, the nature of which I have divulged in my previous utterance. Old Lady: I don't know what you're talking about. Ximinez: Right! If that's the way you want it -- Cardinal! Poke her with the soft cushions! (Biggles carries out this rather pathetic torture) Ximinez: Confess! Confess! Confess! Biggles: It doesn't seem to be hurting her, lord. Ximinez: Have you got all the stuffing up one end? Biggles: Yes, lord. Ximinez: (angrily hurling away the cushions) Hm! She is made of harder stuff! Cardinal Fang! Fetch...THE COMFY CHAIR! (JARRING CHORD - Zoom into Fang's horrified face) Fang: (terrified) The...Comfy Chair? (Biggles pushes in a comfy chair -- a really plush one) Ximinez: So you think you are strong because you can survive the soft cushions. Well, we shall see. Biggles! Put her in the Comfy Chair! (They roughly push her into the Comfy Chair) Ximinez: (with a cruel leer) Now -- you will stay in the Comfy Chair until lunch time, with only a cup of coffee at eleven. (aside, to Biggles) Is that really all it is? Biggles: Yes, lord. Ximinez: I see. I suppose we make it worse by shouting a lot, do we? Confess, woman. Confess! Confess! Confess! Confess! Biggles: I confess! Ximinez: Not you!"}, {"response": 197, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Jul 19, 2003 (00:36)", "body": "(Joyce) ...the Spanish Inquisition LOL, I believe I get the point ;-) This is the place to be, let's enjoy it and the company of so many wonderful, talented droolers :-)"}, {"response": 198, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 19, 2003 (09:38)", "body": "Some people can really enjoy even a bad movie if it has a potential to feed such feelings, and there's nothing wrong with that either.;-) No one takes issue with enjoying a bad movie; I enjoy Playmaker. As I said before, move on..."}, {"response": 199, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 19, 2003 (10:47)", "body": "(KJ) To genuin*ly drool as a result of these reactions doesn't suddenly disqualify anyone from being a fan (and where did the definition of a \"fan\" enter into those responses, anyway?) A genuin* drooler, drools. I have no idea what a genuine Drooler does, but this was not addressed in these replies. *I* think that the level of offense felt at these perfectly innocence humorous remarks is a bit of an overreaction ... IMHO.. and apologies on the part of the responders are neither needed nor called for. Again, MHO. Despise me if you dare... ;-) *in Lizzie mode* \"Thank you, Mary\" ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ"}, {"response": 200, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jul 19, 2003 (11:41)", "body": "(Karen) I enjoy Playmaker *GASP* You do? Holy cow! It's the 8th wonder of the world! Can you give me *your* definition of enjoy ? ;-) And SLOW is looooowwww on your list, to say the least, if I'm not mistaken? Will wonders never cease! ;-) ROTFLMAO, Joyce! My favorite of the Spanish Inquisition sketches. But.......\"our chief vepens are fear, surprise, ruthless efficiency, and an almost fanatical devotion to\"........Colin Firth. ;-D"}, {"response": 201, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 19, 2003 (12:09)", "body": "Psst, Dorine,I take P. over SLOW too. Hey...it's got a story. Albeit, a lame one;-) The house is better in SLOW , though;-D Better landscaping;-) On the other hand, those rocks in P. But I'm digressing....."}, {"response": 202, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jul 19, 2003 (12:40)", "body": "ROTF, Evelyn! Hey...it's got a story. Albeit, a lame one;-) I think \"It's a hard one to call\" is apropos here, LOL. ;-)"}, {"response": 203, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Jul 19, 2003 (13:43)", "body": "\"Thank you, Mary\" ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ Thank you , Lydia. ;-) (Dorine) I think \"It's a hard one to call\" is apropos here, LOL. ;-) Hey, the Celebrity Roast of Matthew Field wasn't supposed to start till Monday! Poor Matthew just don't get no respect..... Are you talkin' to ME? Say my name, I dare you."}, {"response": 204, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jul 19, 2003 (15:17)", "body": "MATTHEW, MATTHEW, MATTHEW I always love a dare. (Karen)No one takes issue with enjoying a bad movie; I enjoy Playmaker. HMMM...so do I come to think of it. (Evelyn)On the other hand, those rocks in P. Hot rocks, I call 'em. Makes me digress every time.(even though they look like fake boulders to me);-)"}, {"response": 205, "author": "soph", "date": "Sun, Jul 20, 2003 (06:32)", "body": "aaaaallright ! as dashwood fever is hitting the european continent, new pictures/stills are now available, for your pleasure : lord grumpy here seems torn between love and duty : \"are you gonna go my way ?\" and then, the worst haircut in the history of the cf universe, but thank god he ditched the embarrassing sunglasses. but then of course, you can't go all wrong with a type-e jag (*and* chuck taylors, ehehe !!!!)."}, {"response": 206, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Jul 20, 2003 (09:29)", "body": "Rika)Hey, the Celebrity Roast of Matthew Field wasn't supposed to start till Monday! Poor Matthew just don't get no respect..... Are you talkin' to ME? Say my name, I dare you. Thank *you*........! What a lovely mug! Matthew, Matthew...:-)"}, {"response": 207, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Jul 20, 2003 (09:32)", "body": "(Sophie)and then, the worst haircut in the history of the cf universe, but thank god he ditched the embarrassing sunglasses. but then of course, you can't go all wrong with a type-e jag (*and* chuck taylors, ehehe !!!!). Thank you too Sophie, but being a woman of a certain age I can look at that photo from the mid section of my verilux lenses and he and his hair *does* look good to me;-)"}, {"response": 208, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jul 20, 2003 (17:55)", "body": "I wanted to expand a hair about the blurb I wrote about HS last month. Maybe my opinion will be altered when I see it all. He does look AFG! (The only real saving grace). BUT......I found it unforgiveably dull (but not assnumbingly dull). It did have it's moments, but that's about it...moments. Matter of fact, I didn't finish it because I needed to do some other things and didn't feel compelled by HS enough to put them off. I still haven't finished it. It's certainly above L'dum somewhat, but, by NO means a favorite, AFG or not. That being said..... I VERY much liked he and MD together. I thought they crackled as a bickering couple and she was dead on as Vera, IMO. I thought HGrm was OK, pretty much like Mandy should be, so I can't really fault her for that for the most part. OP was cute, but not in it much. I thought MS was surprisingly awful...including that accent. My main problem with it is the story. I'm in the \"don't like the book\" camp. It doesn't stand to reason with me that if I like the book, I'll like the movie and vice versa. In fact, I saw BJD the movie first and then read the book, but thought the movie storylines were much better. I was hoping something in the HS movie would transcend or expand on the book, but in fact, some things appear to have just been taken out or added unnecessarily, IMO. I couldn't figure out how they were going to make a movie out of such a slight book anyway. One of the things I didn't like about the book was the way the dialogue was constructed. Very Aaron Sorkin, West Wing/Sports Night repetition. Whether or not it was accurate speech patterns, I didn't find it compelling....though I do like those shows I mentioned with slight annoyances. I remember Karen mentioning that The Graduate seemed to be written in a similar manner. For one thing the movie was adapted by a more talented writer and filmed by a better director (Mike Nichols), perhaps. Turns out The Graduate happened to be on recently. I noticed the dialogue was similar...sparse, but it's a GREAT movie, to me. All the main actors were excellent. It actually had a very deliberate pacing and tone that was odd, but I liked and didn't get bored. I found the story more compelling, too. It made me realize that Evelyn may have been right in some respects, that the director was the problem. That's an even greater likelihood, as he also did the adaptation. In HS, I didn't like or buy that he fell for Mandy (and such a total ditz) just like that. I am well aware of rebound relationships, but he seemed too intelligent even for that to continue. A sap yes, but too intelligent for that. Maybe that's my own spin, too. All I can say is good looks don't make for an interesting story/film, esp with ODB. As evidence, I present...PM, L'dum, (and maybe SLOW, though I love that one anyway despite it's story flaws)."}, {"response": 209, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 20, 2003 (19:26)", "body": "(Dorine) All I can say is good looks don't make for an interesting story/film, esp with ODB. As evidence, I present...PM, L'dum, (and maybe SLOW,.... Goodie, Goodie... She didn't mention Camille;-)))"}, {"response": 210, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Jul 20, 2003 (19:31)", "body": "Hi Dorine, I've seen HS twice, and pretty much agree with everything you said. I was not a fan of the book, either, and frankly, didn't see what the fuss (i.e., Nick Hornby's) was about. But I must also confess to being very picky when it comes to modern fiction--IMO, a lot of it is pure dross. I thought HG was fine in the role of Mandy, given the material (or lack thereof) she had to work with. I agree with what others (Karen and Rika, I believe) said about the whole booze chugging scene being ill-conceived and unrealistic--they needed some frat house consultants, or something. ;-) The only thing I've ever liked MD in was CoF, but I must say she also nailed Vera. IMO MS was doing an impersonation of a 1930s B-movie Brooklyn floozy, which ended up sounding like an odd combination of Jennifer Tilly (sorry Meg and Will) and Bugs Bunny. Last but not least is YKW. This one was neither for the dough or the show. :-( IMO, only Lon-dumb is worse. At least he's not pudgy and bearded in HS, but that's a very small consolation. How sad.:-( I won't be watching this one much. (I taped over Lon-dumb after one viewing.) I just don't care about the characters, and it is almost painful to see ODB in such a poorly crafted film. I guess I'll try it without the sound, too. ;-)"}, {"response": 211, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jul 20, 2003 (21:44)", "body": "(LisaJH) The only thing I've ever liked MD in was CoF, Me, too. ended up sounding like an odd combination of Jennifer Tilly and Bugs Bunny LOL, an excellent description. I agree with what others (Karen and Rika, I believe) said about the whole booze chugging scene being ill-conceived and unrealistic I agree, too, but I do let my overall opinion slide at the part of the scene where he watches her chugging.....his expression just gets me. I find it oddly appealing and amusing. (One of my few shallow concessions in this movie). But that concession ends immediately as he starts driving. it is almost painful to see ODB in such a poorly crafted film It's actually mind boggling at this stage in his career, but as I told someone else, many higher profile and just as talented actors have had involvement in their own less-than-stellar projects and gone on to bigger and better things. It happens. IMO, probably the best thing for him was to have Disney hold off releasing it here. Those who aren't as familiar with him, but who may have seen him in HS, might have been less inclined to see him in something else, such as GWAPE, if they got the idea from HS that he's not very good. (Me) I couldn't figure out how they were going to make a movie out of such a slight book anyway. To be honest, I have had the same concerns with GWAPE,too. The difference being, I was riveted by GWAPE, with the exception of any parts having to do with her brother. Last note, it was quite obvious the level of effort (and maybe direction given)between WAGW and HS."}, {"response": 212, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jul 20, 2003 (22:27)", "body": "(Rika)Basically, nothing made any sense, aside from a few of the Colin/Vera scenes. Pretty much every single thing that happened seemed contrived and forced. Agreed. I recall one HS review that I thought had it nailed. The critic wrote something like, things only happen in this movie because rom-com conventions say they should--not because they make any sense or are in any way true to the characters. Re: Playmaker vs. SLOW. I'll take Playmaker any day. The key difference in my rating is that P never tries to be anything other than what it was intended: a \"B\" movie. SLOW, on the other hand, purports to be a bona fide film, but IMO it is so poorly written, chaotically directed, and inconsistently acted that I scratch my head in wonder that CF ever thought he was making something other than pure crap. At least with P, he said he badly needed the job and the money, and I can respect that. I cannot respect a choice such as SLOW."}, {"response": 213, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jul 20, 2003 (22:53)", "body": "(Mari) At least with P, he said he badly needed the job and the money, and I can respect that. I respect that, as well, and by no means could hold that against him. P was a different time in his career, certainly, but it doesn't make me like it any better, or be inclined to watch it more frequently, if at all. SLOW is just a guilty pleasure, for me, like Camille for Evelyn (Hey! mind if I speak for you, LOL), I imagine. I know I never said SLOW was a quality film to any degree. And certainly a curious choice for him at that point in time. I cannot respect a choice such as SLOW. IMO it is so poorly written, chaotically directed, and inconsistently acted that I scratch my head in wonder that CF ever thought he was making something other than pure crap. Certainly many parallels to HS."}, {"response": 214, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Jul 21, 2003 (06:54)", "body": "O.K....I've gone and done it now... I've seen HS... My feelings? The first 15 minutes I was worried, REALLY worried. Like, what on earth was the whole legs over the head bit about? And I think Tress mentioned another, the whole banging the head against the glass door scene? Utterly bizarre and out of place and out of character???. And MS? You have all done a great job already mentioning how terrible the accent (and the hooker fashion sense!) but it just left me squirming with discomfort. A task I believe I was joined in by ODB, who absolutely looked completely uncomfortable (Yes, yes, still gorgeous) throughout, like maybe he was anesthetized. There were a few \"moments\" and I will watch it again to make sure it wasn't just my frame of mind on that day but I was hugely disappointed even though I had been warned to not expect too much. Someone had said he had phoned this one in, I say he sent a postcard and shorted the postage for delayed delivery. You have no idea how much it hurts me to even write this...Such a complete waste of his considerable talent! Dorine is right, it is good they delayed releasing it here, it just does not allow him to utilize his skills at all! I have mentioned before I feel myself to be ODB's Labrador, bounding, happy and tailwagging. Happy to see the master and be in his presence but this, this made me want to sleep in the doghouse (for one night anyway...) Again,"}, {"response": 215, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jul 21, 2003 (07:21)", "body": "(Maria) this made me want to sleep in the doghouse (for one night anyway...) Maybe it's he, who should be in said doghouse. :-("}, {"response": 216, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 21, 2003 (08:30)", "body": "Warning : For:HS, SLOW viewing....have Episode 6 close at hand. And just for the record: I liked New Cardiff more than GWAPE. (Dorine)be inclined to watch it more frequently, if at all. SLOW is just a guilty pleasure, for me, like Camille for Evelyn (Hey! mind if I speak for you, LOL), Dorine, dear, you can speak for me anytime...you are far more eloquent;-D"}, {"response": 217, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jul 21, 2003 (09:04)", "body": "(Me) many higher profile and just as talented actors have had involvement in their own less-than-stellar projects and gone on to bigger and better things. It happens. I wanted to clarify my previous statement above. I left out (and just didn't bother to go back to clarify right after I posted), what may or may not be an important phrase regarding what I was trying to say. ...... many higher profile and just as talented actors have had involvement in their own less-than-stellar projects at similar stages of their careers and gone on to bigger and better things. It happens. Not sure if this really made any difference, but I felt the meaning could be taken a bit differently without that phrase. And as a P.S. to that statement, some of those people have, in fact, gone on to win Oscars, etc. (Evelyn) you are far more eloquent LOL, that's debatable, but thank you. :-) (Sorry Karen, no more personal notes. ;-))"}, {"response": 218, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jul 21, 2003 (09:54)", "body": "(Maria), O.K....I've gone and done it now... I've seen HS... What makes it hard for me to take and I've said it many times, he went after this! It was his baby from the start. I can't excuse him. Both MD and HG do better than him. How on Earth did that happen? The HS poster is still up still up at the movie theatre."}, {"response": 219, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Jul 21, 2003 (10:19)", "body": "(Moon Dreams) What makes it hard for me to take and I've said it many times, he went after this! It was his baby from the start. I can't excuse him. Both MD and HG do better than him. How on Earth did that happen? Something had to have happened after his commitment to the project was in place.... Or, maybe someone out there has some \"goods\" on him, and thus we have L'dum (in which I actually thought he did a better job then here, argh!!) and HS. Yes, yes, thats it, blackmail pure and simple. And he was trying to send a rescue message out to the world by his performance knowing that it would seem completely out of place and totally bereft of his usual abilities and and or maybe Nick Hornby, like Mike Bender are just jealous jerks, out to discredit ODB by putting him in the worst possible projects and light...yo no se.."}, {"response": 220, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jul 21, 2003 (10:30)", "body": "Que bien, Maria! LOL!"}, {"response": 221, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Jul 21, 2003 (11:20)", "body": "(Maria) And he was trying to send a rescue message out to the world by his performance knowing that it would seem completely out of place and totally bereft of his usual abilities LOL Maria. Or he was telling any future blackmailers, \"this is the last time. I will no longer submit to blackmail\""}, {"response": 222, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jul 21, 2003 (13:35)", "body": "(Moon)The HS poster is still up still up at the movie theatre. Take it down, please. I've watched HS twice, now. Sadly, I couldn't get through it either time without getting up and doing other things before finishing it. That says a lot from someone who can watch ODB in most anything until I'm senseless. I just sat through BJD, again, last night (when I should have been watching SLOW)...and I didn't move. I didn't want to miss a thing. HS does nothing for me. Yes, he's AFG, but that is beside the point. Very rarely is he not AFG. I think HG is fine as Mandy I don't really think she was miscast at all. MD was excellent IMO. MS annoyed the hell out of me. What were they thinking in having her play the part as a displaced NY hooker? No offense to NY hookers, but,Gawd, she was awful (No offense to any of our NY ladies, either)I'm just commenting on the NY accent...a bad one at that. As far as Colin, no, I don't think he phoned it in...he just seemed very uncomfortable. This was a disappointment to me as I thought he would have nailed it. I didn't read book until after I knew Colin had done the film. Maybe that's why I heard his voice delivering those lines so perfectly in my head... I did enjoy the book. The goods were there to work with, they blew it. IMHO."}, {"response": 223, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jul 21, 2003 (15:04)", "body": "(Linda)No offense to any of our NY ladies, either)I'm just commenting on the NY accent Getouddaheah, we ain't dat touchy!"}, {"response": 224, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Jul 21, 2003 (15:30)", "body": "It is indeed a dark day. I haven't had the opportunity to see this masterpiece (?) and perhaps am lucky, though I still would like to give it the benefit of the doubt. But if Linda and Dorine can't sit through it, then agree there has to be something dreadfully wrong. And Maria, it should be him in the doghouse. Something surely got screwed up somewhere and it seems as if all parties are to blame. Disney was indeed on the mark, and if they want to continue to contract him, keep HS out of the theaters and only market his better vehicles."}, {"response": 225, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jul 21, 2003 (16:20)", "body": "(Moon Dreams) What makes it hard for me to take and I've said it many times, he went after this! It was his baby from the start. I can't excuse him. Both MD and HG do better than him. How on Earth did that happen? LOL, I'm right there with ya! ;-)"}, {"response": 226, "author": "soph", "date": "Wed, Jul 23, 2003 (16:29)", "body": "ok, this is old news for you all, but i finally got to see WAGW today (opening day in paris). well, i'll skip the 3-4 reviews i read in the press today, since they generally skip ykw (this is a lame revenge, i know), unless when they exceptionally point out \"one wonders what very good actors such as colin firth & eileen atkins are doing in this sugary & inane movie\" ( le canard encha\ufffdn\ufffd , btw i strongly suspect their -male- reviewer is a major closeted cf fan, but that's another story, i'll explain some other day). i also strongly suspect the brit reviews will be just about as bad (how many different ways can you say 'sugary' in english ?)... what to say that has not previously been written here ? let me check : a/ building a shrine to the hairdresser : i totally agree. by contract, this guy/girl should automatically be employed when mr f. signs for a new project. b/ the general afg-ness of the man himself here : ooops, are we playing the old domino theory here ? oooh, lookee ! hunk daddy just made it into the top three ! c/ we get running, stairs, tails, running-up-the-stairs-in-tails, etc. what a girl wants indeed... ok, ok, i agree, he's just gorgeous, from head to (visible, yet sandy) toe, and fantastically dressed as well, in clothes that *really fit him* (call me picky, but i wasn't always happy with the supposed perfection of the clothes in IOBE). alright, to be serious (let me grab my tomato-repellent-shield here) : i would rate his looks around 9.9999 (low estimate), but i am not always convinced by his acting. i am getting a little annoyed with his bewildered/stuttering routine (f'r chrissake, who does he think he is, hugh grant ?) , but hopefully: a/ he doesn't blink that much when he stutters b/ i was surprisingly pleased with the way he delivers one-liners (esp. the ones w. mild profanities in them) c/ i just love the wicked look on his face when he pulls down the helmet visor (i definitely wouldn't mind to see him do more naughty bits, there lies the great success of his ernest in my opinion since he seemed paradoxically soooo much more dangerous than algy, but that's another story as well) d/ i also believe the kitchen scene to be an absolutely brilliant piece of acting (and pretty well written as well), and e/ i definitely got to appreciate his comic timing (the \"no-yes/staying for the summer\" routine w. jonathan pryce comes to mind). other than that... i don't know... i am sort of ashamed i paid 7.5 euros for this (you should have seen me buy my ticket, ah!), but in a way, it's better than what i expected ( i found amanda bynes very good, when i was dreading another american wonder brat, no offense to awbs, but... you know...). i tend to believe the movie truly ends when mother & daughter go back to the US, and the rest is just plain fantasy (just like when children from divorced parents fantasize about their getting back together). i just don't really buy henry's drastic changing as well, you know, his going back to his roots (ie leather pants) and all that... but then i am not sure the general timing of a comedy can easily and deeply accomodate the scope of such a topic. leather pants was rather cool, esp. the encore bit (the only moment when the audience unanimously laughed out loud), but i suffered a major cringe factor attack during the pretty woman routine. was also seeing double a couple of times: echoes of BJD (the return in the end, for instance), been there done that. also, i found the oedipian (oops, should that one be antigone ?) motif mildly disturbing (the two daughters fighting for daddy's attention, etc), and had this pervy idea all along that the movie was about to shift to a modern rendition of \"peau-d'\ufffdne\" (particularly obvious when dad is \"explaining\" what a coming out party is). but i don\"t know if it's actually good or really bad... about the audience: a half-full small theater, no-one under 25, mostly brits and americans (they usually laughed before the subtitles flashed onscreen, not that hey lauhged much, mind you), lots of middle aged women on their own (no, no, i am not joking), the occasional 30-something guy... poor screening conditions (a very bad copy, lava-lamp style at times, *and* a theater just above the metro line, thank you for drowning out the dialogue)... this one won't last long out here. bring on puffy sleeves, wigs & stained fingers, bring on GWAPE (it certainly has more future here with path\ufffd backing it) ! oooof, enough... sorry about this long post, but you know, i was itching to put this down on (virtual) paper."}, {"response": 227, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 23, 2003 (19:18)", "body": "Thanks Sophie for the \"French Connection\"...half-full theatre not bad..at matinee? That was the usual in the US too. (Sophie) but i am not always convinced by his acting. i am getting a little annoyed with his bewildered/stuttering routine (f'r chrissake, who does he think he is, hugh grant ?), Wait til you see HS. LOL. That seems to be his MO for comedy . The alternative is worse: remember in TIOBE: \"He's my brother\".*cringe*."}, {"response": 228, "author": "birdy", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (08:54)", "body": "Sophie:\"...pervy idea all along that the movie was about to shift to a modern rendition of \"peau-d'\ufffdne\" (particularly obvious when dad is \"explaining\" what a coming out party is).but i don\"t know if it's actually good or really bad...\" Okay Sophie, time to unveil the depths of my ignorance... but what's the skinny on the term peau-d'\ufffdne? I haven't heard it before. My translation says \"skinned one's donkey.\" How is it used, particularly as you have used it? BTW, I enjoyed your all your input:)"}, {"response": 229, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (11:14)", "body": "(Sophie) i was surprisingly pleased with the way he delivers one-liners (esp. the ones w. mild profanities in them) You are excluding the \"flying fart in space\" one, aren't you? ;-D (Sophie) i definitely wouldn't mind to see him do more naughty bits, there lies the great success of his ernest in my opinion since he seemed paradoxically soooo much more dangerous than algy Absolutely and I think he plays (Jack) it that way: the double life. Even Algie is impressed that he's taken Bunburying to new levels."}, {"response": 230, "author": "soph", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (17:20)", "body": "(Evelyn) The alternative is worse: remember in TIOBE: \"He's my brother\".*cringe*. ooooh poor evelyn, you suffered a cringe factor attack on that one ? i thought it was just plain silly. but then, we might not have the same definition for cringe factor, ah ! the concepts escape us again ! master of the board, shall we open a \"gentel(wo)men, let's set our concepts\" related topic (aka deconstruction 101) ? (Louise) but what's the skinny on the term peau-d'\ufffdne? ooops, sorry, that might have been a bit of an obscure ref... nothing special about the phrase per se , i was only referring to the fairy (??? hmmm... maybe not !) tale, made into a film by jacques demy. it's hard to sum it up, and it is also a monument as far as 60ies (kinda kitsch) french musicals are concerned (yeeessss, there is such a thing as french musicals, this guy -demy- filmed them all !). love it, love it, love it. the tale goes something like this: once upon a time, in the wealthy blue kingdom, there was a king whose queen died, he is inconsolable. but, but, but their daughter grows into a beautiful young woman who reminds the king soooo much of his beloved wife, heck! he figures he will simply marry her ! (lots of cunning plans and adventures happen later on). that's the pervy/antigone factor i was referring to. (Karen) You are excluding the \"flying fart in space\" one, aren't you? rhaahhaahawawa! nice try, nice try ! i was mostly focussing on assnumbingly boring one, something i think i could use daily as a matter of fact... btw, the subtitles translation for the flying whatever one was ab-so-lu-tely brilliant... i'll tell you some other day (sort of a pun i had never heard before, hard to translate back into english and all that)... (Karen again) (...) he's taken Bunburying to new levels or should we say to new... ermmmm.... depths ? uhoh, let's hope i won't get banned for that one but i definitely agree. next step can only be jekyll & hyde aaaalllright, enough already, first james bond, then jekyll & hyde, karen's not going to like this..."}, {"response": 231, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (17:35)", "body": "Banned, by moi? For bad casting suggestions? Naw, then I'd have to ban everybody. ;-D I look at what I do as \"educational,\" am pushing you all to think outside the box. *gagging*"}, {"response": 232, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (17:39)", "body": "(Sophie) yeeessss, there is such a thing as french musicals Please, I'm trying to erase the memory of Eight Women."}, {"response": 233, "author": "soph", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (18:22)", "body": "(karen) Banned, by moi? For bad casting suggestions? Naw, then I'd have to ban everybody. true, true, then we'll have to transfer our wish lists to firthology. but actually, i was referring to the first leg of the sentence : i was afraid of getting banned for my lame bunburying-related joke... amusing tidbit: flying fart translation : \"je m'en bats les kiwis\". wahahahaa !"}, {"response": 234, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (18:27)", "body": "(Louise) but what's the skinny on the term peau-d'\ufffdne? ooops, sorry, that might have been a bit of an obscure ref... nothing special about the phrase per se, i was only referring to the fairy (??? hmmm... maybe not !) tale, made into a film by jacques demy. it's hard to sum it up, Welcome Dennis Miller! Didn't know you were a CF fan. ;-D"}, {"response": 235, "author": "Leah", "date": "Wed, Jul 30, 2003 (08:56)", "body": "I have managed to see WAGW 3 times since it opened on 25 July, and thoroughly enjoyed each time. All three times the cinema was full - of teenage girls! I did notice that when Daphne gives HD the album, he has a newspaper on his lap, and when 'he' looks at it, the newspaper is gone, when he puts the album on his desk, there the newpaper is in his lap again. You may wonder why I was looking so intently at his lap... Also, the scene in which Libby left, two cars were used, the numberplates were different. On another track... My TIOBE DVD arrived, and I am looking forward to looking at the Dashwood residence, knowing that one day I will be seeing Lord Dashwood walking in the gardens, and not just Mr Worthing."}, {"response": 236, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jul 30, 2003 (15:18)", "body": "(Leah) You may wonder why I was looking so intently at his lap... Certainly not! ;-)"}, {"response": 237, "author": "soph", "date": "Thu, Jul 31, 2003 (04:11)", "body": "(dorine) Welcome Dennis Miller! Didn't know you were a CF fan. ;-D hey dorine, i might be dennis miller (in drag ?), but then, is it good or bad ? you have to explain the joke : coming out of the woodworks, i have absolutely no idea who dennis miller is... how worse can it get when you have the jokes explained to you?"}, {"response": 238, "author": "Leah", "date": "Fri, Aug  1, 2003 (02:32)", "body": "I managed to get another viewing of WAGW, last night (very unexpectedly). Enjoyed it very much as the crowd was an older group and it was a late night showing - the theatre was full and everyone enjoyed the comedy moments. There is one scene which bothers me each time I've seen WAGW, and that's when the doggy snaps at Henry. I can't make out whether the dog is snapping at Glynnis and Henry is just in the way or what. Other than that, I am enjoying WAGW."}, {"response": 239, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Aug  1, 2003 (16:49)", "body": "(Sophie) hey dorine, i might be dennis miller (in drag ?), but then, is it good or bad ? you have to explain the joke : coming out of the woodworks, i have absolutely no idea who dennis miller is... Dennis Miller is a comedian here who used to be on Saturday Night Live for years and then had his own talk show on HBO. He was a host on Monday Night Football for a couple of years, too (why?!). He is known for erudite monologues with rants about the topics du jour and using obscure references as/in his jokes. I've found him very funny most of the time and generally had very similar opinions on things until G.W. Bush took office."}, {"response": 240, "author": "socadook", "date": "Sat, Aug  2, 2003 (18:21)", "body": "(Leah) There is one scene which bothers me each time I've seen WAGW, and that's when the doggy snaps at Henry. I can't make out whether the dog is snapping at Glynnis and Henry is just in the way or what. I think dog would snap at anyone except Daphne but I'd have to see it again. And luckily, I can in just a few days. :-) Keep enjoying HD on the big screen."}, {"response": 241, "author": "kkenkel513", "date": "Sat, Aug  2, 2003 (20:31)", "body": "DH confirmed today that WAGW is sitting in stock room of local Wal-mart. He touched the box for me! I will get to touch on Tuesday!"}, {"response": 242, "author": "Leah", "date": "Mon, Aug  4, 2003 (07:26)", "body": "(KathyK)WAGW is sitting in stock room of local Wal-mart. He touched the box for me! I will get to touch on Tuesday! You are sooo lucky. HD is still only (this is good enough for now) available on the Big Screen to me, and I can't get close enough to 'touch'."}, {"response": 243, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Aug  4, 2003 (13:22)", "body": "Leah)HD is still only (this is good enough for now) available on the Big Screen to me, Oh Gawd, HD still on the big screen...DVD tomorrow, and that's as good as it's going to get for me;-) Not complaining, just missing big screen HD;-) I'll touch for you, Leah;-)"}, {"response": 244, "author": "soph", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (13:49)", "body": "Dennis Miller is a comedian... a late thank you to you dorine for the explanation re: dennis miller. i have learned something today."}, {"response": 245, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (22:31)", "body": "I watched WAGW with the director's commentary. Dennie Gordon was alright and entertaining, but one of the writers had some of the most condescending comments I have ever heard. If any of the British writers was given a DVD to preview, it would account for any bad reviews."}, {"response": 246, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (03:02)", "body": "but one of the writers had some of the most condescending comments I have ever heard. Please share? We are strong enough for it I am sure."}, {"response": 247, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (08:59)", "body": "I don't have WAGW DVD (still saving for LE). Question: Someone commented on the audtion of Peach and Pear ; can you pl. elaborate? They must be twins. Did only twins audtion?"}, {"response": 248, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (09:31)", "body": "I'd be too embarrassed to write them here. :-( [A lot of people over there actually \"do\" this/that sort of thing.] Peach & Pear's audition was no big deal. Twins sitting there doing some of the lines, looked to be improving a few of them (e.g., brother's name is Pineapple). Yes, I expect they only auditioned twins, though they only showed this pair."}, {"response": 249, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (14:12)", "body": "(Karen) I'd be too embarrassed to write them here. :-( Why? We're not embarrassed to post the reviews and interviews, which are even more condescending.;-) [A lot of people over there actually \"do\" this/that sort of thing.] Her mistake was failing to say that it represents a very small segment of society which does this sort of thing. Colin said the same thing after going to that Cartier polo match: \"I didn't think people like this existed anymore but they do.\" The film never purports to be showing a microcosm of English society. Everything is exaggerated for effect. For example, they show an alleged New York taxi--and the driver speaks English! C'mon, that is the most unrealistic thing in the entire film! But it didn't offend me. ;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 250, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (15:11)", "body": "(Mari)Everything is exaggerated for effect. The one that got me was Libby drinking orange juice out of the container....what an American thing to do;-D"}, {"response": 251, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (09:03)", "body": "Finally! Henry's in the house.....:-)))) But hep me, hep me... What was it that Jonathan Price says in that cute *out take* at the end of etiquitte 101? Something about Libby already being married to who? I loved seeing him laugh there. I'm taking a stand here and you can throw some of those tomatos from the film discussion at me and I will wallow in them gladly..... But, perhaps because it was a smaller screne, I thought young hippie Henry was adorable, though not so much in the *letter sceen*. I loved him in the market sceen with Libby and what is it she mouths after taking his picture? Looks like *AFG* to me.;-) So go ahead and *Fire*!"}, {"response": 252, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (09:11)", "body": "(Mari) Why? We're not embarrassed to post the reviews and interviews, which are even more condescending.;-) Because I hate stupidity. ;-D (Beedee) I'm taking a stand here and you can throw some of those tomatos from the film discussion at me One thing I hope people notice is that, at Drool, you don't need to apologize for holding a personal opinion. No one throws tomatoes and there's no need for you to duck anything. Interesting tidbit from the Director's Commentary though was that in one version Henry *knew* about Daphne."}, {"response": 253, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (10:14)", "body": "(Karen)No one throws tomatoes and there's no need for you to duck anything. Oh pooh! I was planning on making some gazpacho and thought Matthew's fruit would be especially sweet! Forgot my winkie in the last post.;-) Can't believe I misspelled scene twice..... This late night Drooling is making me dopey!"}, {"response": 254, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (10:26)", "body": "Still haven't seen a tomato yet here that worth making gazpacho... ;-)"}, {"response": 255, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (11:07)", "body": "(Karen)Still haven't seen a tomato yet here that worth making gazpacho... ;-) Ok, but do you know what Jonathan Price says to ODB as young Henry (in the out take)that has him laughing so cutely?"}, {"response": 256, "author": "kkenkel513", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (11:18)", "body": "Beedee -- What was it that Jonathan Price says in that cute *out take* at the end of etiquitte 101? Something about Libby already being married to who? I loved seeing him laugh there. \"She's not who you think she is. She's married to John Travolta. He's not one of us, Henry.\""}, {"response": 257, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (11:22)", "body": "He says, \"Henry, she's not who you think she is. She's married . . .to John Travolta.\" I thought it was pretty funny too. (Karen)Because I hate stupidity. ;-D Then you must have hated Dennie referring to the early wedding scene as a New Jersey Sopranos type affair with Italian extras. ??!!? Shall I call the Italian-American anti-defamation league? Picket Warner Brothers? Write to The Guardian and ask them to take up my cause in their next rant on cultural stereotyping? Nah, I just laughed my ass off at her momentary brain fart in the knowledge that no malice was intended."}, {"response": 258, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (11:33)", "body": "(Mari) Then you must have hated Dennie referring to the early wedding scene as a New Jersey Sopranos type affair with Italian extras. ??!!? Nope. Remember, I didn't say Dennie Gordon made those kind of deprecating remarks. Merely saying it was NJ/Soprano-like isn't condescending. Had the writer gone on to point out some particular behavioral aspect (like, making this up, can you believe these people eat with their toes), then maybe a call would be in order. BTW, I didn't imply any malice, just stupidity."}, {"response": 259, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (13:29)", "body": "(Mari)He says, \"Henry, she's not who you think she is. She's married . . .to John Travolta.\" I thought it was pretty funny too. Thanks Mari! It is pretty funny and OBD is so cute. A giggle moment.:-)"}, {"response": 260, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (16:04)", "body": "Mari, Kathy-- thanks for translating those last two words lost in JP's growly voice."}, {"response": 261, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (18:21)", "body": "Did anyone find any more Easter Eggs? All I could find: Pear and Peach's Audition Brief interviews at end of Clothes Quiz Two outtakes (CF with JP)"}, {"response": 262, "author": "aishling", "date": "Sat, Aug  9, 2003 (04:34)", "body": "(Mari)I was wondering when you'd post that Mail review from Evelyn's favorite critic.;-) LOL. Had to go view WAGW for myself. It was better than I expected although a bit too cheesy for me. But it was a farytale and all the little girls in the cinema loved it. Have to agree with others that Colin looked great."}, {"response": 263, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Aug  9, 2003 (09:06)", "body": "Last night I watched half of WAGW with Amanda's commentary (a girl's gotta sleep sometime;-). What a hoot. I was totally charmed by, what I heard to be, a sweet teenager gushing about a special experience. I thought she was *real*, generous and fun. I loved the *inside* info like where it was looped, when it was not her - hair, arm, person etc., and the cute pieces of information like Kelly Preston wanting the VW bus. Am looking forward to the other half tonight."}, {"response": 264, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug 10, 2003 (12:28)", "body": "(Bethan)Amazingly, the Sunday Telegraph (female reviewer) has a good review, for WAGW. \"If you can cope with all the... (cliches) and with the pronounced incestual undertones - Rex Harrison was in his fifties when he did this sort of thing in The Reluctant Debutante but Firth is still very much a romantic lead - then WAGW is a surprisingly good bet. This girl wants a sequel.\" Ewwww where did she get the incest stuff. Not in the film *I* saw; Europe must have gotten a different version. In fact I think he looked v. paternal towards Daphne. You think that was a good review, Bethan? Hate to think what the reviewer is gonna say about the next one...you know, the one with the ole geezer with 5 kids and a pregnant wife who is lusting after the maid;-)"}, {"response": 265, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Aug 10, 2003 (15:39)", "body": "(Evelyn)Hate to think what the reviewer is gonna say about the next one...you know, the one with the ole geezer with 5 kids and a pregnant wife who is lusting after the maid;-) ...pronounced sexual perversity?;-)"}, {"response": 266, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, Aug 10, 2003 (18:19)", "body": "(Evelyn)Ewwww where did she get the incest stuff. Not in the film *I* saw; Europe must have gotten a different version. In fact I think he looked v. paternal towards Daphne. I agree. Incestual, my foot!! I thought the strength of the film was the growing relationship between father and daughter, beautifully played by CF in particular. -I can't believe anyone would see anything else. BTW, he looks even better on the big screen!"}, {"response": 267, "author": "Leah", "date": "Mon, Aug 11, 2003 (03:58)", "body": "(Evelyn)the one with the ole geezer with 5 kids and a pregnant wife who is lusting after the maid;-) *giggling* can't wait. I didn't pick up on any incest stuff , but what bothered me was that on the phone, you could see that Henry was in love with Libby, but when she arrived for the ball, he all but ignored her until Daphne forces them together. (Janet)BTW, he looks even better on the big screen! Does he ever!"}, {"response": 268, "author": "Leah", "date": "Mon, Aug 11, 2003 (08:39)", "body": "(Leah)he all but ignored her Double post, yes I know. I'm going to have to re-look at this, because I have been advised (by a lurker) that here is a 'Darcy-like' smoulder, and that only because of the circumstances, (the formal ball) could HD not go to her."}, {"response": 269, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Aug 11, 2003 (10:33)", "body": "(Leah)he all but ignored her There's a certain safety in talking to someone on the phone, especially someone you haven't seen or spoken to in 17 years. I put his reaction down to shock. He wasn't expecting her or maybe he was just thinking about her since it was their daughter's big night then, as if he wished it, woop there she is. :-) Regarding the incest stuff , movies tend to pair older actors with the sweet young thing du jour as their love interest so often that seeing them as father and daughter rings alarm bells in some viewers. There is good chemistry between AB and ODB which makes their relationship and the movie work. I didn't detect any chemistry between KP and ODB so maybe that was the case with the reviewer and she got confused. Could be she was identifying with AB while lusting after ODB ;-) Who knows what these reviewers are thinking. (Leah)I'm going to have to re-look at this, because I have been advised (by a lurker) that here is a 'Darcy-like' smoulder, and that only because of the circumstances, (the formal ball) could HD not go to her. Excuses, excuses ;-)"}, {"response": 270, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 11, 2003 (10:41)", "body": "(Leah) I didn't pick up on any incest stuff Nor did I, but funnily enough the studio seemed concerned enough about it to leave Colin off the US poster for just that reason. They couldn't figure out how to portray the two of them without that implication. Maybe I should interpret the UK and European posters as a menage \ufffd trois. ;-D (Leah)I'm going to have to re-look at this, because I have been advised (by a lurker) that here is a 'Darcy-like' smoulder, and that only because of the circumstances, (the formal ball) could HD not go to her. (Sonia) Excuses, excuses ;-) If that's a smoulder, then he turned the dial to low. I don't see much of anything with that expression."}, {"response": 271, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Mon, Aug 11, 2003 (10:49)", "body": "Finally! I can share all the excitement and \"drooling moments\" with you gals - I mean I got my WAGW DVD this afternoon, and watched it right after I was back home. You see, I'm still having big *sighs* now every time I remember ODB/HD in the film - he looks really really gorgeous...I'm getting speechless now...well, I don't need any excuse and will see the film over and over again. ;-)"}, {"response": 272, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 11, 2003 (11:31)", "body": "(Sonia)I didn't detect any chemistry between KP and ODB so maybe that was the case with the reviewer and she got confused.....Who knows what these reviewers are thinking. I have a theory: It's the heat wave in UK...they're hallucinating."}, {"response": 273, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Aug 11, 2003 (11:58)", "body": "(Josie)You see, I'm still having big *sighs* now every time I remember ODB/HD in the film - he looks really really gorgeous...I'm getting speechless now...well, I don't need any excuse and will see the film over and over again. ;-) Wonderful Josie!! Great to finally be sharing *sighs* over HD with you! He does just keep getting better and better looking does he not? (Sonia)I didn't detect any chemistry between KP and ODB so maybe that was the case with the reviewer and she got confused.....Who knows what these reviewers are thinking. (EvelynI have a theory: It's the heat wave in UK...they're hallucinating. LOL! You hit it on the head Ev! They do appear to have a sweet rapor and perhaps some *gerkin assed* reviewers just couldn't figure it out. I thought that kid (AD)was cute before but she just stole my heart by gushing over HD during her commentary. How cute is that?"}, {"response": 274, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Aug 11, 2003 (13:14)", "body": "(Leah) I didn't pick up on any incest stuff, but what bothered me was that on the phone, you could see that Henry was in love with Libby, but when she arrived for the ball, he all but ignored her until Daphne forces them together. The problem is he's just too damn good looking. How many dad's look that good, lets face it. But think not putting him on poster was not necessary. For that matter they could have put Libby on one side, Daphne in the middle and Henry on the other side. Nothing wrong with that. As soon as anyone saw the movie they would know there was nothing incestuous about it at all. Although ducking tomatoes, the first time I saw the scene where he's telling her as a Dashwood she has to conform to a certain mode of behavior their were a couple of his famous eye drops.;-) Upon subsequent viewings I realized she's a long drink of water, atleast appears so in movie and he was probably looking at her face. After listening to the directors voiceover she may well not have been there at all as her time was limited and he was just making the speech on his own. No matter. They did have great chemistry which a father/daughter movie does need, IMO. I think honestly he was still angry with Libby for not telling him about Daphne which might account for part of his reaction to her at the ball. And he was in an awkward situation with his fiancee, step-daughter to be, and all his costituaents there, so he really couldn't make a fuss. Kudos to him for dancing with her under those circumstances although I think he did it to please Daphne more than anything else. Loved the Moroco bit on the camel. They were both showing alot of leg and he had his hand in one of his favorite positions under her arm and breast. Glad to see he doesn't change his style. Thought kiss and \"necking\" was better than most of late too. Just loved the whole thing. Thought it great, and would have been so disappointed if he didn't come after them. That's what the whole thing was about."}, {"response": 275, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Aug 11, 2003 (14:11)", "body": "(Pam)Just loved the whole thing. Thought it great, and would have been so disappointed if he didn't come after them. That's what the whole thing was about. Absolutely agree...and totally agree with Evelyn about the heat wave. As far as the poster I liked the UK version with Ian and Colin, and if Kelly had been in it no problems at all. I think the powers that be need to consult this board, we'll show them the way;-)"}, {"response": 276, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Aug 11, 2003 (15:02)", "body": "Overall, I must admit that I was quite embarrassed to be purchasing WAGW, but nave since fallen in love with HD. Yes it is a silly movie, but hardly worht the appellation of appealing to coprophiliacs and sadomasochists (I certainly don't think I fit in either of those groups, and would hazard a presumtion that neither do any of the other Drooleurs). *winkie* (Pam)Loved the Moroco bit on the camel. They were both showing alot of leg and he had his hand in one of his favorite positions under her arm and breast. Glad to see he doesn't change his style. Thought kiss and \"necking\" was better than most of late too. I nearly swooned at the circa 1985 (and present) scenes in Morocco. I thought he looked delicious in that tunic and vest and liked the messy hair. The commentary on clothing where the costumer described the process of turning CF into a Bedouin groom was wonderful. When Daphne kissed the photo Libby had given her of HD, I was so jealous. Oh, to have that photo... I think the part of the movie that probably makes me laugh the most is the discussion of \"coming out.\" The psych study I'm working on right now is on depression in gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgendered individuals, so whenever I hear that phrase in the movie, it just makes me giggle."}, {"response": 277, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (13:08)", "body": "(Soshana) When Daphne kissed the photo Libby had given her of HD, I was so jealous. Oh, to have that photo... Oh to have that man, would give anything to be Libby, I'd even be happy being Daphne, although I might have to be incensuous ;-) LOL"}, {"response": 278, "author": "Leah", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (03:53)", "body": "Could someone please explain who \"OB1\" is ? (Boat scene: WAGW). Thanks"}, {"response": 279, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (05:56)", "body": "I suppose OB1 is Obi-Wan Kenobi from Starwars (played by Ewan McGregor) :-)"}, {"response": 280, "author": "Leah", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (05:59)", "body": "Thanks. On my multiple viewings at the cinema, this got laughs, but went right over my head - I'm not a 'trekkie', I don't get the connection."}, {"response": 281, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (11:02)", "body": "(Annette)I suppose OB1 is Obi-Wan Kenobi from Starwars Yes, and according to my sources...nieces and nephew...he taught Luke Skywalker several skills...Ian teaching Daphne how to walk with grace."}, {"response": 282, "author": "socadook", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (11:51)", "body": "(Leah) I'm not a 'trekkie', I don't get the connection. (Linda) he taught Luke Skywalker several skills...Ian teaching Daphne how to walk with grace. Careful, \"trekkie\" applies to Star Trek fans not Star Wars fans ;-) Anyway, Obi-Wan Kenobi was THE Jedi master from the first Star Wars trilogy and taught Luke Skywalker everything he needed to know to be a Jedi. Plenty enough to cross lightsabers with Darth Vader prompting the dark lord to say \"Obi-Wan has taught you well\". I still use that line whenever applicable. Love that scene because it shows a common denominator between the American teen and her British boyfriend. Different continent, same pop culture."}, {"response": 283, "author": "socadook", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (12:56)", "body": "Following up on a WAGW review Maria posted at 181: She also has a smile such that when she delivers the puppy face to her boyfriend saying, \ufffdPleeeease\ufffd, you know he doesn\ufffdt stand a chance. Love that whole scene between Daphne and Ian at P&P's debutante ball. She's looking for the restrooms out on the patio (yeah right) and he lets her know she doens't fool him for a minute. She asks him to do something she knows he's game to try. He knows she's putting him on with the \"puppy face\" and he's ok with it. Daphne and Ian actually have the makings of a good, solid relationship. They appreciate the uniqueness in each other, they share the same sense of humor, a love for music and view and appreciate people for who they are not what they are. They're honest with and about eachother and don't shy away from confronting eachother if need be. Would Ian or Daphne have waited 17 years to make up after a falling out? I don't think so. Besides neither is willing to be bullied by others. Maybe HD and Libby could learn something from these two. Oh wait, they did ;-)"}, {"response": 284, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (14:25)", "body": "(Sonia) Daphne and Ian actually have the makings of a good, solid relationship. They appreciate the uniqueness in each other... One of my favorite Ian/Daphne 'bits' in the film is at the beginning. They are walking over the Millinium Bridge and she says something about not seeing her dad because he has a life already established. Ian doesn't offer any advice...or try to 'fix it' for her. He just says \"yeah right\" and keeps walking. He's letting Daphne work it out for herself...smart boy."}, {"response": 285, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (15:23)", "body": "(Linda) Yes, and according to my sources...nieces and nephew...he taught Luke Skywalker several skills...Ian teaching Daphne how to walk with grace. In a boat?;-) (Tress) They are walking over the Millinium Bridge and she says something about not seeing her dad because he has a life already established. Ian doesn't offer any advice...or try to 'fix it' for her. He just says \"yeah right\" and keeps walking. He's letting Daphne work it out for herself...smart boy. But he does say to her that she's traveled half the world to see him. Enforcing his opinion a bit. I also think they have a chance for a strong relationship, but I think he could have been a little more understanding when she was trying to please her father. He knew that's why she was effecting the change. Also he was IMO prejudiced against the heirarchy. He told her so in the boat, explaining his life choices, but they were his. Henry was under scrutiny 24-7 so proper demeanor was essential and Ian must have understood that, unless he was moronic and I didn't get that from him, just the opposite. So I think he could have been a bit more understanding of her. And Henry was respectful of him which I liked, especially at the regatta when he openly spoke to him and smiled. Ian knew both his parents, she didn't. She was trying to get close to her father. For a 17 year-old girl she was under pressure from all sides, including him. Then when he wouldn't speak to her at her own ball I thought that was terrible. Wondered what he meant to happen because of that. Like it or not, he also had to accept the fact that Daphne was a memeber of a titled family. Just a different way of seeing some of his actions."}, {"response": 286, "author": "socadook", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (16:27)", "body": "(FanPam) He knew that's why she was effecting the change Problem here is that Daphne felt she needed to make 180 degree change. She asked Ian for help to become a proper young lady but she took it to the extreme, totally obliterating who she is. Proper and well mannered doesn't have to mean dull. I mean really, did she have to go as far as ignore the dog? I thought the Queen liked dogs? Is it a royal affront to pet one in her presence? Wouldn't the Queen appreciate the \"good dog\" quality of the notorious little beast? I'm not familiar with royal protocol so any insight would be appreciated. Also, Daphne didn't crack a smile on any of the press pictures taken of her. Was there no enjoyment to be had hanging out with HD? Then when he wouldn't speak to her at her own ball I thought that was terrible. Terrible, immature yet understandable. Though it wasn't said, I understood that Daphne was so engrossed in becoming a Dashwood, she didn't stay in touch with Ian and eventually forgot their date. Does anyone like being stood up? Ian felt the girl he liked was buried away and if Daphne wouldn't bring her back, he had nothing to say to her. A man of his word. If there's one thing teens dislike it's people who are fake (at least that was true when I was a teen.) Like it or not, he also had to accept the fact that Daphne was a memeber of a titled family. Agreed. Argh, growing pains ;-)"}, {"response": 287, "author": "caribou", "date": "Tue, Aug 26, 2003 (11:53)", "body": "Thanks to a dear friend, the ever-late Caribou has finally been able to see HS. I went back to read all the comments. So true! So true! :-( (Karen) Seems like they were trying to cover things up, make it more palatable to the audience, when the result only turns into an expanded music video. I actually thought this was the best part of the movie. Once, I was tempted to just go from opening music video, to driving video, to \"I don't love you\" video, to the carry me video and be happy. I guess that would kinda make it like the 20 min. LA preview and would really improve the experience. I found myself annoyed anytime anyone opened their mouths except OP and the little bit of Darcy-ism when it's CF's voice-over while Vera leans out the window and reads the letter. That bit was worthy of him. (MarkG) One bit I enjoyed that Brenda didn't was the opening montage of Colin on the bus trying to settle in various positions - and ending up looking utterly traumatised with grief; this was actually very powerful, That's the updated version to the opening of the Graduate and was very well done. Mark H. has his faults but he got that one edited to perfection. He must have had the song in mind when he filmed because the two are blended perfectly. When the song says: \"it's hard to keep your head up when it's spinning round and round\" Colin tries to lay his head down for the first time \"when your world is upside down\" Colin has his feet over his head the last\"look for home\" Colin looks through the window at Peterson's (Rika) First off, this is a romantic comedy, right? And the romance would be... where? That is exactly the problem. Charles W. has proven to me that he has ab-solutely no understanding of women and their interactions with men. Mark H. could have helped but didn't. We see our couple in bed together and the very next thing we hear \"I'm not in love\". That was as wrong as wrong can be. The romance should have been at the very end (at the very least). (LindaK) . I did feel that there was a lack of continuity. MH's fault. He missed the visual continuity boat with every scene. The most notable one was the end of OP's rant about the picture he has to look at. The scene ends with \"I have to look at that jacka**.\" and the very next thing we see is Vera's foot. I can imagine MH wanted to make a point with those pointed toes but with the previous scene ending like that we needed to see a different body part.;-) (Sonia)HS is a bore. Is it certain, absolutely certain? What can be done? Change the ending. Leave out the bit about \"hope your back holds out\", let it end with them at the theshold to room 11 and Frasier saying,\"...symbolic of their long life ahead.\" Cut to them coming through the door and fade to a drawing of the couple with a veil and tux added last. We need to know that Colin is going to make an honest woman of Mandy and not keep her hanging on like he did Vera. And then, give us the exhibition of drawings as the credits roll. The drawings are a great part of the movie and they just faded from view. It requires giving up the last three gags but it is totally wrong for Frasier's face to be the last thing we see. Just a couple more things: I have a soft spot for the pool scene. The light reflecting off the water and over Colin was perfect. It's fun to think of while I swim laps. Colin shows what a great actor he is when OP says, \"I thought I was going to sit for a real portrait.\" With a sweep of his hand and a glance, he conveys: \"As you see before you. That IS what I am doing.\" Well done. He's still got it but he needs to choose better writers and directors in the future."}, {"response": 288, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 26, 2003 (17:07)", "body": "Thanks Caribou.... Sonia)HS is a bore. Is it certain, absolutely certain? What can be done? (Caribou)Change the ending.... But, but.... That's my favorite part.....:-(((( I fast forward all the way to the end!"}, {"response": 289, "author": "caribou", "date": "Tue, Aug 26, 2003 (18:06)", "body": "(Evelyn)I fast forward all the way to the end! I thought that was just so it would be over sooner.:-) I don't mind the gags--I really like to see Colin do \"ol, my aching back\". They just aren't appropriate for the end if you want the audience to go away feeling warm and fuzzy. I suppose changing it from premiere in London to big screen in FL is too much for which to hope. But, I do."}, {"response": 290, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 2003 (18:42)", "body": "Have a great time, Caribou. I would not be surprised if he showed up for Telluride, so don't forget your camera. And Ada's right, you may need oxygen. The air's pretty thin there already, and seeing the stubbly one on screen or in person may do you in. We will all be with you in spirit. Can't wait to hear your report."}, {"response": 291, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 2003 (18:43)", "body": "Oops. Somehow I posted on the wrong topic. Back to school for me."}, {"response": 292, "author": "caribou", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (19:23)", "body": "(Hen)seeing the stubbly one on screen or in person may do you in. He wasn't there and I am so glad. I was full of fear and trepidation--I had tremblings, and flutterings and pains in my head and I know not what! If he had been planning to come, I wouldn't have survived. Now, about the stubbly one on screen! Woo! Hoo! I had braced for stubble put didn't account for the affect of stubble over moving dimples, stubble over a wide smile, stubble while he (like Edward Pettigrew) asked with his eyes do you see, do you understand. There's one scene where that little bit right under is lip is moving at the very edge of the screen. Ahhhhhhh!"}, {"response": 293, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (19:50)", "body": "(Caribou)I had braced for stubble put didn't account for the affect of stubble over moving dimples, stubble over a wide smile, stubble while he (like Edward Pettigrew) asked with his eyes do you see, do you understand. There's one scene where that little bit right under is lip is moving at the very edge of the screen. Ahhhhhhh! Stubble over moving dimples, stubble over a wide smile, hands - I will absolutely die when I see this! OMG, which Edward Pettigrew look are you referring to? Is it the one where he's telling her that he's sorry and that he's been a child? I was full of fear and trepidation--I had tremblings, and flutterings and pains in my head and I know not what! And altitude had nothing to do with this;-) Thanks for your beautiful description of your entire experience, Caribou!"}, {"response": 294, "author": "caribou", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (19:53)", "body": "I scribbled notes when I couldn't go to sleep last night and again on the plane. I hope it will be alright to just put them down in no particular order. I will start at the beginning and then anything goes. --The photography is so crisp, you can see the layers and veins in the onion Griet cuts for soup. --Her father looked very crippled but wasn't gross. The meat market on the other hand was graphic. --When Vermeer and Griet first touch hands, it is powerful like Darcy and Lizzy. --I laugh the most in retrospect at his \"kick butt\" scene. Like in The Advocate, he looks like he is going to kill someone. Then, all the women of the house try to stop him and he looks like he would if he was trying to get away from all of us!:-) --Only saw one hat which was tasteful. Black, wide brim--very appropriate for Colorado but very brief. The rest of the time it's just that light brown mane. --The slanting picture is the two of them under his cloak looking through the camera obscura. --Solitary women is as important to the movie as to Vermeer himself. Everyone gets to be the only one on screen at some point. Then, to fill the wide screen, there is often a geometric or color display behind or around them. One scene has two colorful palettes on the wall behind CF and leaded windows on the other. --I loved his costumes. That blue one, a brown tunic tied together at the shoulders, the long tan cloak, cute little \"pilgrim\" shoes when he comes through the trap door into the attic (like MLSF), and his white shirt with those little spaghetti-strap ties instead of buttons and with that crisp photography. Wow! --First time I remember CF rolling dice--unless he does in 1000 Acres. --His first words are a voice over fight with Catarina: It will be finished soon. (Didn't really like how that was all too true of my adventure.) --First glimpse -- he pulls back an ornate curtain and viola! --Second glimpse-- can't wait to see this as a still--puffy white shirt, leaning on wall near bed after birth of baby, and glances over his right shoulder. --Griet doesn't end up pregnant but one time they spanned past her belly which looked larger but then decided not to make it definitive. Can you think of anything else? If you ask, it might jog a memory."}, {"response": 295, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (20:02)", "body": "How was the scene when Griet's ears are pierced? I just bought an Interview Magazine with an interview with Scarlett and she mentions what a powerful scene it was. I'll try to type it up later if it's not online. Was too tired last night. And how's the kid who plays that bratty kid? (can't believe I've had a brain freeze on her character name). And TW? And....oh hell, how were all the main actors? Perfectly cast?"}, {"response": 296, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (20:05)", "body": "What about the piercing? Are his hands the focus of this scene? I know you are still on cloud nine and will be for a few days. I am so proud of you for asking all those questions. Yay Caribou!"}, {"response": 297, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (21:00)", "body": "(Caribou)--When Vermeer and Griet first touch hands, it is powerful like Darcy and Lizzy. . I've come undone. The handing of Lizzy in the carriage scene, and when he takes her hand for the dance at Netherfield still make me tingle no matter how many times I watch them. I can't imagine what this will do to me. Are there any scenes where the two of them come together? I know it's all done without sex, but are there any scenes between the two of them that will make us crazy? Thanks again, Caribou, for your wonderful report."}, {"response": 298, "author": "caribou", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (21:03)", "body": "(Hen)Pettigrew look are you referring to? Is it the one where he's telling her that he's sorry and that he's been a child? Sorry. Unfortunately, it was the one when he unveils his square phonograph. A mixture of pride and uncertainy. (Dorine)How was the scene when Griet's ears are pierced? Everything it was meant to be. If that wasn't really Scarlett's ear, I want to know how they did it. She gasps and the blood flows and he puts pressure on it with a piece of gauze and then puts his right arm around her and gives just the tiniest little squeeze. Then the tear trickles down and he wipes it with his thumb and wipes over just the smallest part of her lower lip. And, then suddenly makes his move -- away. Powerful! I think we gasped but I'm not sure. (Dorine)And how's the kid who plays that bratty kid? (can't believe I've had a brain freeze on her character name). Me, too but someone needs to look it up because that's the only word he says during that 5 minutes. I'd say she interesting. She's very beautiful, plump with lots of brown curls but somehow that just adds to her mischief. Will have to think about that more. (Dorine)And TW? My dear Dr. Chausable!!!!! Shocking! (Dorine)And....oh hell, how were all the main actors? Perfectly cast? I'd say. Tanneke was more chummy than I expected. Cillian Murphy (Pieter) will make all the teenage girls swoon. Old mistress was a blend of likeable and not. Catarina was a blend of beautiful and not. (Hen)Are his hands the focus of this scene? A lot is done at the distance you see from the photo but I think they get a little closer when he wipes her tear but her face is still in that shot."}, {"response": 299, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (21:21)", "body": "(Dorine)I've had a brain freeze on her character name) The bratty child was called Cornelia. (Caribou)She gasps and the blood flows and he puts pressure on it with a piece of gauze and then puts his right arm around her and gives just the tiniest little squeeze. Then the tear trickles down and he wipes it with his thumb and wipes over just the smallest part of her lower lip. And, then suddenly makes his move -- away. OMG. I can't wait to see this. Does Vermeer appear in the film to really fall for Griet, or did you get the impression that he keeps his distance? If so, does he make it seem that this is a difficult thing for him to do?"}, {"response": 300, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (21:40)", "body": "--First glimpse -- he pulls back an ornate curtain and viola! OMG! --When Vermeer and Griet first touch hands, it is powerful like Darcy and Lizzy.. Finally! She gasps and the blood flows and he puts pressure on it with a piece of gauze and then puts his right arm around her and gives just the tiniest little squeeze. Does Griet pierce one ear herself as in the book? Or is it made to look as if he only does it? Describe the scene when all hell breaks loose because of the earrings, when Griet loses her job. It sounds like this is the film that will break him for other important roles."}, {"response": 301, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (22:02)", "body": "Dorine)How was the scene when Griet's ears are pierced? (Caribou) Everything it was meant to be....Then the tear trickles down and he wipes it with his thumb and wipes over just the smallest part of her lower lip. OMG! Is it as erotic as it is in the book? I can only imagine more so to actually see him do it. *really big sigh* Thanks so much for all the info, Caribou! You know it's more than appreciated. :-D"}, {"response": 302, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (22:06)", "body": "Caribou, were there any other glaring omissions (not counting the brother stuff) that have come to mind?"}, {"response": 303, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (22:12)", "body": "Are there other set-ups that match his paintings? Do we get to see him paint other scenes? Do we get the POV from the camera obscura at any time?"}, {"response": 304, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (22:39)", "body": "Actually, that would've been a good question to ask PW. Why he changed the ear-piercing scene because Griet did it herself in the book? Not that I'm complaining, mind you. ;-D (Am looking forward to that electrifying touch) Griet doesn't end up pregnant but one time they spanned past her belly which looked larger but then decided not to make it definitive. Was this in the book? Must reread the ending, after Vermeer's death. Cillian Murphy (Pieter) will make all the teenage girls swoon LOL! During the end credits of 28 Days Later (in which he stars), there was a thank you to Cornell Chin, who was probably hired to buff up Cillian's bod, just like Colin's for BJD. ;-D It gave me a little sense of deja vu. --Second glimpse-- can't wait to see this as a still--puffy white shirt, leaning on wall near bed after birth of baby, and glances over his right shoulder. Speaking of which, was he wearing a paternity cap after that? If so, what did it look like? Always wanted to know. Love the details and want to see this movie tomorrow!!!!"}, {"response": 305, "author": "caribou", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (23:35)", "body": "(LindaK)Are there any scenes where the two of them come together? I know it's all done without sex, but are there any scenes between the two of them that will make us crazy? I think I missed this one because you posted as I composed the other answers. If I miss any, just draw my attention to it. Okay, answer. The slanting heads picture and scene, the first hand touch and then the piercing are the most notable. But if you liked Matthew, Nimi and the oil pastels you will have a treat with Johann, Catarina and the pianoforte. And, then the very persuasive Johann as he gives the studio key to Catarina that will lock Griet in the attic so she can covertly do more work for him. (LindaK)Does Vermeer appear in the film to really fall for Griet, or did you get the impression that he keeps his distance? If so, does he make it seem that this is a difficult thing for him to do? Just my opinion but to me, what he finds in Griet is his soul mate, someone who really, truly gets it, long suspected but ultimately confirmed with the cloud scene. Without barriers it would need to result in a physical union as an expression of their non-physical union. But, this is brilliant because of barriers, constraint, and repression. Desparately wanting to and not. (Moon)Does Griet pierce one ear herself as in the book? Or is it made to look as if he only does it? They totally dropped the whole issue of the other ear which would have cluttered the flow. I didn't mind it at all. The scene is set: the man, the woman, the needle. She gives the needle to him and says, \"You do it.\" The only words spoken in the entire five minutes. As PW said, it worked for me!:-) (Moon)Describe the scene when all hell breaks loose because of the earrings, when Griet loses her job. You can hear Hurricane Catarina building to a fury in the hall and she bursts through the door with weeping and wailing and accusations all around. \"How could you?\", she says to him. When she finally sees it she declares it obscene. All attempts to calm her fail and it culminates in him forcibly keeping her from destroying GWAPE with the pallet knife. More hands,ladies! (Dorine)Is it as erotic as it is in the book? Definitely! I can only imagine more so to actually see him do it. *really big sigh* Exactly! (Dorine)Caribou, were there any other glaring omissions (not counting the brother stuff) that have come to mind? There is no quarantine or deadly disease. No rude comments from the barge men, that I heard. Pieter proposes but we don't actually see a wedding or her new life with Pieter. No brother and I don't remember a sister either and certainly not the death of one. Only one brief Sunday visit and that at church, not home. I'm sure lots of dialogue changed but don't know what. What was there satisfied me so, it's hard to remember what wasn't there. (Moon)Are there other set-ups that match his paintings? I think they are all over the place and I don't know enough to find them, yet. Maybe that pianoforte one. But, we are going to have a blast when we can go scene by scene with the DVD. PW seemed to really appreciate art and I think I read that he also encouraged the set designer to look at other paintings of Dutch masters so the whole thing wouldn't be just like one Vermeer after another. Do we get to see him paint other scenes? Not sure I can do a complete list but, I'll try. There's the one he finishes, which is Mr. Van's wife wearing Catarina's yellow with ermine(?) jacket. Then the one he starts after seeing Griet washing the windows. That one has the lady behind the chair and for the first time ever Griet moves an object and then he agrees and does it that way. Then he simultaneously paints a group one for Mr. Van and GWAPE. But I don't remember seeing the group one at all. There are lots of paintings on the walls. I remember one of Christ and a landscape. The one with a lady holding a wine glass and wearing red satin--the disgraced maid was posing--was at Mr. Van's house and the room seemed full of them. Do we get the POV from the camera obscura at any time? We do! Right after the slanted picture and right before she jumps out of her skin when she realizes he is under there with her!"}, {"response": 306, "author": "caribou", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (23:56)", "body": "Actually, that would've been a good question to ask PW. Why he changed the ear-piercing scene because Griet did it herself in the book? ) I think in the book she does one ear and he insists the other be done even though we cant see it. Then, he pierces that one. Way to complicated to explain with only three words. \"You do it.\" I wouldn't have had the heart to mention any change from book to film to PW. He even said they were worried about that and mentioning it at the intros seemed to be doing damage control before it had begun. (Karen)Not that I'm complaining, mind you. ;-D (Am looking forward to that electrifying touch) See, that's where I am. I liked what was there that I didn't mind what wasn't with exception being I can always stand more ODB. Griet doesn't end up pregnant but one time they panned past her belly which looked larger but then decided not to make it definitive. Was this in the book? Must reread the ending, after Vermeer's death. I don't think so but there was some speculation here a long time ago that the baby would look like Vermeer. Sorry, shouldn't have mentioned that one until asked. (Karen)Speaking of which, was he wearing a paternity cap after that? If so, what did it look like? Always wanted to know. Thankfully, no. I really liked seeing those locks as much as possible. They opted for tall, lean and manly instead of risking silly and that's a good thing. Must be another change from the book. (Karen)Love the details and want to see this movie tomorrow!!!! I feel like I am thoroughly spoiling all the best surprises but, if you still want to see it, we haven't gone too far yet."}, {"response": 307, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (01:42)", "body": "(Caribou)I feel like I am thoroughly spoiling all the best surprises but, if you still want to see it, we haven't gone too far yet. Spoil away, I have to live on these details for a while yet until it is released."}, {"response": 308, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (07:47)", "body": "(Leah), Spoil away, I have to live on these details for a while yet until it is released. Please do. We come at our own risk. ;-) I don't think so but there was some speculation here a long time ago that the baby would look like Vermeer. Sorry, shouldn't have mentioned that one until asked. This one needs explaining. ;-) Do we get to see him peeking at her very long hair? That was very sexy in the book. I'm sure lots of dialogue changed but don't know what. What was there satisfied me so, it's hard to remember what wasn't there. That is the best compliment that can be paid to a book adaptation. (Karen)Love the details and want to see this movie tomorrow!!!! Toronto, Toronto, Toronto!!! ;-D"}, {"response": 309, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (09:36)", "body": "(LindaK)Does Vermeer appear in the film to really fall for Griet,... (Dame Caribou)Just my opinion but to me, what he finds in Griet is his soul mate, ...Without barriers it would need to result in a physical union as an expression of their non-physical union. But, this is brilliant because of barriers, constraint, and repression. Desperately wanting to and not. In the book, I always felt that he fell in love with the GWAPE on the cavas and Griet was his muse for it. Rather than Griet as the maid. In other words, if she hadn't been his inspiration, would he still have had those feelings for her. Does that come across in the film at all? Ultimately, to me, a film stands on its own merits ...not how closely it follows the book. Different mediums...unless you're into Harry Potter."}, {"response": 310, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (09:53)", "body": "(Variety review) the film builds to sensual highlights that consist of a resistant Griet finally consenting to removing her white cap to reveal her resplendent hair (Moon) Do we get to see him peeking at her very long hair? That was very sexy in the book Yes! Can't believe I forgot to ask about the other very erotic part of the book for me 'til I read the review and Moon's question. How did that come off, Dame Caribou? My guess is quite well as Todd McCarthy points it out. But, I like hearing your descriptions as a Firth fan. :-)"}, {"response": 311, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (10:07)", "body": "Having seen most of his films, how would you rank this one, Caribou. ...to me sounds like it's his best. Showcasing his outstanding acting skills."}, {"response": 312, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (10:14)", "body": "And he looks so damn good with long hair! Moon (the one that prefers period pieces) Toronto, Toronto, Toronto!!!"}, {"response": 313, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (10:17)", "body": "Oh, and Caribou, another question..... The picture on the poster.....did that shot actually happen in the movie, or just done that way for the poster? Thanks so much for all your answers! :-D"}, {"response": 314, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (10:21)", "body": "Didn't she already answer that one? Something to do with the camera obscura? What about the actors' names in the opening credits?"}, {"response": 315, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (10:31)", "body": "(Karen) Didn't she already answer that one? Something to do with the camera obscura? I think she was referring to the very first picture that was out...the side shot. She has two different headdresses on, I believe."}, {"response": 316, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (10:34)", "body": "I think she was referring to this one, not the poster...."}, {"response": 317, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (10:36)", "body": "Oh, you're talking about one, where he's touching her shoulder and she's wearing the earring. Gotcha!"}, {"response": 318, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (10:42)", "body": "(Caribou) She gives the needle to him and says, \"You do it.\" The only words spoken in the entire five minutes. As PW said, it worked for me!:-) Works for me too! If it's half as erotic on screen as it sounds, I'll have to remind myself to breathe during those five minutes, lol. (Caribou)I feel like I am thoroughly spoiling all the best surprises No, no, don't feel guilty! This *is* the spoiler board, after all! (Caribou) but, if you still want to see it It's gonna take an act of God to keep me away from this film, lol. I'm just hoping it'll stick around for a while. I only got one shot at SIL & TIOBE :("}, {"response": 319, "author": "caribou", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (11:56)", "body": "I'm soooo confused! I tried to follow and quote that picture discussion but I'm all turned around like I was after getting gas in Durango yesterday. The one above, the slanted picture: They are under his cloak right when she is stunned by the image and he is turning to see if she understands. Then, she comes out of her trance and flees the inappropriate situation as soon as she realizes he is there. The other one, the poster on firth.com: I think that's a publicity shot. That is a cropped version of her looking just like the painting and I don't think he touched her at that point. To me, the poster adds the creator to his creation and shows how much in love he is. No! Wait! maybe he does lean his head on hers right after inserting the earring but I don't think she had turned to look like that yet. Toronto ladies, take careful notes, so you can clear up all these points of doctrinal import!:-) (Moon)Do we get to see him peeking at her very long hair? (Dorine)How did that come off? He is a man who won't take no for an answer when it comes to his art. He casually tells her to take off her headdress because it interferes with his being able to see her face. She is shocked and absolutely refuses. He dismisses it as an unimportant issue and seems disinterested and tells her she must (remember he is very persuasive). She won't budge. Trying to act like he doesn't care and isn't giving in, he tells her there are some scarves in the storeroom. Then, little Mr. Disinterested makes a well-timed appearance at the storeroom. She looks beautiful, radiant, bathed in a golden light and like he has just walked on her right before she steps into the bath. It is as intimate as young Richard Herncastle walking through the door and seeing Julie like a porcelain statue. And, IMO, just as effective and more in keeping with the spirit of the piece. Nothing blatant, nothing glaring, all understood!!!! (Evelyn)Having seen most of his films, how would you rank this one? I'll have to get back to you on that one."}, {"response": 320, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (12:08)", "body": "( Moon)Do we get to see him peeking at her very long hair? (Dorine)How did that come off? (Caribou)He is a man who won't take no for an answer when it comes to his art. He casually tells her to take off her headdress because it interferes with his being able to see her face. She is shocked and absolutely refuses. He dismisses it as an unimportant issue and seems disinterested and tells her she must (remember he is very persuasive). She won't budge. Trying to act like he doesn't care and isn't giving in, he tells her there are some scarves in the storeroom. Then, little Mr. Disinterested makes a well-timed appearance at the storeroom. She looks beautiful, radiant, bathed in a golden light and like he has just walked on her right before she steps into the bath. It is as intimate as young Richard Herncastle walking through the door and seeing Julie like a porcelain statue. And, IMO, just as effective and more in keeping with the spirit of the piece. Nothing blatant, nothing glaring, all understood!!!! Caribou, the front part of my head is buzzing and tingling, my stomach thinks it is on Mr Toad's wild ride and I've got nonstop chills that start in my diaphragm, race up my back and down my neck! Please never stop writing about your GWAPE experiences. I am moved and affected! What I mean is, thanks!"}, {"response": 321, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (12:40)", "body": "Yes. Big thanks, Caribou! That Cillian sure is a cutie too!"}, {"response": 322, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (12:44)", "body": "(Caribou)We do! Right after the slanted picture and right before she jumps out of her skin when she realizes he is under there with her! Better and better. (Caribou)Then, little Mr. Disinterested makes a well-timed appearance at the storeroom. She looks beautiful, radiant, bathed in a golden light and like he has just walked on her right before she steps into the bath. It was at this point in the book (on my first read) that I thought something physical would happen between them. I held my breath as I read it, and just now realized I was holding it, again, reading your description of this scene (Karen)Love the details and want to see this movie tomorrow!!!! Forget tomorrow, I want to see it now! Moon, if you say Toronto one more time...Gawd, I want to go. (Karen)Was this in the book? Must reread the ending, after Vermeer's death. Kind of like the ending in V. except we come away knowing Cecil is pregnant. Keep the spoils coming, Caribou. As you can tell we love being spoiled;-)"}, {"response": 323, "author": "caribou", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (13:14)", "body": "(LindaK)Forget tomorrow, I want to see it now! Moon, if you say Toronto one more time...Gawd, I want to go. Better watch out! Check the fares now, get a room while you can, get all the laundry done! That's more than I felt Friday night, Saturday night, or Sunday morning. Friday, I posted, guess I'd rather be in Colorado. Let it go and slept like a baby without a second thought. Saturday AM, I thought CO is so nice this time of year. Just exactly where is Telluride? But, GWAPE has probably already come and gone. By, Saturday PM, I had come full circle and after trying to make it happen all day had decided 15 hours out of 48 in a car was the deal breaker. Got a peaceful night's sleep. Sunday AM, I woke up and started composing my apology to post. Ain't No Mountain High Enough had come to a screeching halt. DH was going to have to turn in his crown. I felt like that caribou on the road that Karen posted looked. It was bleak. But, DH was dearer than dear and kept gently pushing and nudging and encouraging and coaching. I said, \"You just don't want to hand that crown back in.\" He said, \"Do you blame me?\" He put me on a plane to Durango and I rented a car and drove 2 and 1/2 hours up to Telluride. Just goes to show you, you never know."}, {"response": 324, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (13:27)", "body": "(Caribou)But, DH was dearer than dear and kept gently pushing and nudging and encouraging and coaching. I think that crown needs some jewels. Wonderful DH, Caribou."}, {"response": 325, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (13:47)", "body": "Gaagh.. Caribou , the Telluride Saga gets more intriguing by the minute. Plane and rental car!! Question: Was it dearer than dear Mr. Caribou who thoughtfully posted on Sunday telling us you were there & you had gone to get the tickets? We were grateful, but....confused. evelyn *who spent the whole Labor Day weekend not two feet from this computer*"}, {"response": 326, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (15:04)", "body": "(Caribou) It is as intimate as young Richard Herncastle walking through the door and seeing Julie like a porcelain statue. And, IMO, just as effective and more in keeping with the spirit of the piece. Nothing blatant, nothing glaring, all understood!!!! Absolutely! One of the best scenes in the book. *shivering* What a story, Caribou! I had no idea you flew, then drove and that it was almost a cancellation. For pushing you onto the plane, Mr Caribou has been short-listed for the Drool Hall of Fame in his first year of elegibility. It's like Cooperstown, you know. ;-D"}, {"response": 327, "author": "caribou", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (15:09)", "body": "I think that crown needs some jewels. Wonderful DH, Caribou. I agree. He's the make-it-happen guy in this story. I told him I owe him 20 years of indentured servitude. He said he'd be happy with cookies, when I get the time.:-) Question: Was it dearer than dear Mr. Caribou who thoughtfully posted on Sunday telling us you were there & you had gone to get the tickets? Yes, he was hesitant to do anything but I really wanted you all to know I had at least gotten that far. I talked to him as I hoofed it from the distant parking lot to the mid-school. Then, we only had a brief conversation between the two shows (right before talking to PW) and at that point we both thought I would be able to log on within minutes or only a couple of hours. However, my ISP wouldn't let me on. And, by that time, it was after midnight--couldn't think of anything else to do but wait. Then, I only got to speak to him right before departing and wanted to tell you myself with what I had written between midnight and 3am the night before. I'm really sorry about the confusion and delay. It was all so exciting and happening so quickly. evelyn *who spent the whole Labor Day weekend not two feet from this computer* Next time I go on remote assignment: phone numbers, carrier pigeon, message owls. We'll cover all our bases!:-) (Evelyn)the Telluride Saga gets more intriguing by the minute Well, since you think so, I'll get brave here and tell you about my plane ride. On the way home, I leaned my head against the edge of the window in delirious exhaustion. It was like the flight scenes in The English Patient. I was in a twin-engine propeller plane so we were lower and slower than a jet. With the hum of the engines and the bright sun, it was easy to be lulled by desert floor slowing rolling past. Our high desert has more water courses, and green dots (trees), small, volcanic eruptions from years past and geometric patterns--the work of man--but there were times when I could see the exact same colors of sand as the desert Geoffrey loved. At last--because this was a weekend of miracles--the plane turned and I was able to see the shadow of the plane go up and down and up and down tracking over the mesas and gullies. In my mind, I looked down and waved to Geoffrey flying in his Rupert Bear."}, {"response": 328, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (15:25)", "body": "LOL! You are too much, Caribou!!! Not only does your DH push you to go, you have visions of ODB in other wonderful roles. All I can say is: I'll have what she's having. ;-)"}, {"response": 329, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (15:29)", "body": "(Caribou) He said he'd be happy with cookies, when I get the time.:-) ROTFL!! He's too cute. :-)"}, {"response": 330, "author": "caribou", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (15:34)", "body": "(Moon)visions of ODB LOL! Not visions--just thoughts."}, {"response": 331, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (15:36)", "body": "(Caribou) Everything she has written Just beautiful! Thank you again for all of your thoughts, impressions and words about your adventure and the movie. The images you have created are like a wonderful Caribou's GWAPE in Telluride trailer I have been enjoying all day!"}, {"response": 332, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (15:48)", "body": "Dame Caribou, HRMH Caribou, I am awed by your service to Drooldom! To me you are at least a demigoddess! Your spoilers have made my month. (And your DH is certainly a emperor himself! Thank you Mr. Caribou!) WOW!!!!!!! How is a mortal like me possibly going to survive until the movie comes out in unimportant places like Atlanta? (MariaT)Just beautiful! Thank you again for all of your thoughts, impressions and words about your adventure and the movie. The images you have created are like a wonderful Caribou's GWAPE in Telluride trailer I have been enjoying all day! I could not best those words, and I won't try. Thank you so much! Must go and read all again."}, {"response": 333, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (18:24)", "body": "(Evelyn)*who spent the whole Labor Day weekend not two feet from this computer* LOL, me too. I just kept it signed on. Walked in and out of the room every two minutes until *the post*"}, {"response": 334, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (18:55)", "body": "Caribou, thank you so much for making this journey, having the stamina and energy to get tickets, the pluck to question PW, and giving us a glimpse of the movie itself through your incredible reporting. You are my hero!"}, {"response": 335, "author": "caribou", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (20:00)", "body": "Many, many thanks to each and every one of you for your kind words and expressions of thanks. Everyone who was at Telluride and can put thoughts into words is writing about it today but I feel like I have the best, most enthusiastic readers in the world. What an experience! I really wouldn't have done any of it if you had not been waiting. Mr. Caribou says that why support groups work, they make you do something bigger than yourself. So, I really appreciate all of you."}, {"response": 336, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (21:17)", "body": "Just wanted to add my thanks to Caribou and her wonderful DH. What a fantastic experience it must have been. Love your descriptions of Tellluride, one of the most beautiful spots in the US. I'm overjoyed at the response to GWAPE and can't wait to hear how it is received in Toronto. Happy days are here again, and just in time for the birthday celebration!"}, {"response": 337, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 2003 (09:34)", "body": "If anyone gets Interview Magazine, Scarlett Johansson is interviewed in the September issue...Here is the link to the first part of it and grrr, don't you know, as soon as it seems they might veer (or Vermeer?) into GWAPE territory they tell you to go buy it! The very nerve! http://www.interviewmagazine.com/images/sjohanssonp1.pdf"}, {"response": 338, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 2003 (15:10)", "body": "Thanks, Maria! A funny comment about her being a loud obnoxious sh.. on the set. Dorine, since you have the Interview Mag. Tell us if there's much on GWAPE too."}, {"response": 339, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 2003 (17:22)", "body": "Hmmm, I could actually make the Telluride by the Sea, stay with a friend in Boston. Just v.v. bad weekend...would need to completely rearrange schedule and travel plans. Need to be in Philly on Tues morning for the week. Hmmmm. I'll see if I can type it up when I get back late tonight. I loved the interview. I find her to be an old soul and rather insightful. Something about her really struck me in Ghost World."}, {"response": 340, "author": "Leah", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (01:57)", "body": "(Dorine)I loved the interview So did I, and I'm going to love the film. - Interview - (SJ)There\ufffds one scene where Griet sees Vermeer stroking and kissing his wife. So if this is what Griet sees, what do we see? Hmmmm"}, {"response": 341, "author": "caribou", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (06:08)", "body": "We see it through her eyes. This is the one that is so similiar to Matthew and Nimi. It will make a beautiful DVD capture. Have the bucket ready when you hear the pianoforte start!!!!"}, {"response": 342, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (11:46)", "body": "OK, we have an attendee at the Telluride by the Sea screening in Portsmouth, who wants to thank you, Maria, for that find. Hopefully, she'll delurk and tell us all about it herself after she recovers. ;-)"}, {"response": 343, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (12:02)", "body": "(Karen) Hopefully, she'll delurk and tell us all about it herself after she recovers. ;-) I certainly hope she delurks! The excitement of the first-person report is half the fun! Good luck lurker!"}, {"response": 344, "author": "sandym", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (12:05)", "body": "(Karen) Hopefully, she'll delurk and tell us all about it herself after she recovers. ;-) (Barb S)I certainly hope she delurks! The excitement of the first-person report is half the fun! Good luck lurker! She must! She must! We must have our share!! ;-D"}, {"response": 345, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (12:44)", "body": "(Karen) Hopefully, she'll delurk and tell us all about it herself after she recovers. ;-) Good luck Lurker! Please let us know how great you think it is."}, {"response": 346, "author": "caribou", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (13:26)", "body": "(Karen)One new pic of Johannes and Catharina (Moon)That's the one where Vermeer is caressing Catharina. That's one of the ones, there are at least two. The golden one is the supplement is when he trying to convince her to let Tanneke sleep in the cellar so she can get away from the crying baby and let Griet sleep in the attic so she can secretly do more work for him. He is very persuasive!!!! Griet's and Tanneke's reactions to this got a laugh from the audience both times. The other caress scene where he is stroking Catharina is when it is only the two of them with Griet watching from the shadows as she goes about her work. Catharina is playing the pianoforte and Vermeer is standing behind her caressing her red satin gown and kissing her neck. (Those 12 children were not immaculately conceived!) Once again, nothing blatant; nothing glaring; all understood."}, {"response": 347, "author": "caribou", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (13:28)", "body": "Closing tags. Hope you have a great time. The best advice I got is \"Have fun!\""}, {"response": 348, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (13:31)", "body": ""}, {"response": 349, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (13:32)", "body": "(Caribou) and kissing her neck Why doesn't this surprise me? ;-D"}, {"response": 350, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (14:24)", "body": "Caribou, I have two questions. First, in the Telluride piece that Karen posted today (thanks to you and Karen, by the way!), it mentions that in the film Griet's father is dead. I thought this was odd, for I really liked the scenes in the book where Griet is explaining the paintings to him, becoming her blind father's eyes, so to speak. It also served to emphasize that Griet has the visual orientation of an artist. Second, how is \"Vermeer\" pronounced in GWAPE? Is it \"fur-mare\", or \"ver-mir\"?"}, {"response": 351, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (14:38)", "body": "Having just read response #89(Rika) and #90 (lindak) I agree with you ladies. I have only recently joined in, and have only been perusing site topics for about three weeks. So it will take me awhile to read and respond to earlier opinions. I just viewed HS two weeks ago via VHS,and although, I too, would like to see this on the BIG screen, the relationship factor so sorely neglected in the movie renders much of it unbelievable.Ditto the remarks on having thought the book would provide a framework for a decent script....but CF is still a joy to watch!!!!Ditto WAGW re:relationship with Daphne. Hope to master the guidelines about italics before long...and am eager to learn about pasting the clip art, too. Should visit #61 and study that......"}, {"response": 352, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (15:05)", "body": "(Lisa) it mentions that in the film Griet's father is dead The official material from the studio is faithful to the book. It states: \"After her father, a tile painter, is blinded in a kiln explosion...\" I'd chalk it up to another case of poor journalistic fact checking as usual."}, {"response": 353, "author": "caribou", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (15:20)", "body": "(LisaJH)it mentions that in the film Griet's father is dead. I think it is just a clerical error. I'm sure he wrote the article before seeing the film because it was already published by the time the movie was shown. It definitely wasn't written after seeing the movie. It should read: \"forced to support her family after the severe disability of her father\". He is still there. If you read the book, you know he used to be a tile painter but the movie never gets wordy enough to explain what happened and what it means. During the opening sequence, Griet goes upstairs to see her father before leaving for Vermeer's house, he is blind and his right hand has been maimed. He hands her the tile and all he says is, \"Do you remember when you helped me paint it?\" Touching! (LisaJH)I really liked the scenes in the book where Griet is explaining the paintings to him, becoming her blind father's eyes, so to speak. I really liked those too. Had to keep going from book to picture of painting to see if I agreed. They did leave those describing scenes out, however. IMO, they would have disrupted the flow and wordlessness of the piece. They made every time she was home on the weekend be a time for her to see Pieter and for their love relationship to grow. Even though they were a couple, she wouldn't ever answer questions about her hair or let Pieter see a wisp of it, for example, so we can better understand just what Vermeer was asking her to do by asking her to remove her scarf. Very nice set up and follow through. It also served to emphasize that Griet has the visual orientation of an artist. I agree. But, they decided to let Vermeer be the one to discover that and let us discover it with him. I highly approve!!!! Those are the scenes where he has the most desperate looks on his face. \"Do you see? Do you understand? Oh, please, oh, please say you do?\" Remember, never in words just with his wonderful face that communicates to us best of all. Those are also the scenes that give us the dimples, grins and smiles under stubble. So, it was hard for me to miss seeing her with her father. (LisaJH)Second, how is \"Vermeer\" pronounced in GWAPE? Is it \"fur-mare\", or \"ver-mir\"? You know, I had never thought of it, but I don't think anyone ever says his last name. He is usually referred to as \"he\" but Catharina does say, \"Johannas\" one time. I was caught off guard by that one and can't even begin to attempt to say or explain how she did it. That's another one for the next viewer to make note."}, {"response": 354, "author": "caribou", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (15:22)", "body": "Ohh, I am sorry. I don't know what is wrong with me today. Twice in one day! Naughty! Caribou, Naughty! Naughty!"}, {"response": 355, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (15:41)", "body": "Caribou, does the film show Vermeer on his deathbed?"}, {"response": 356, "author": "caribou", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (16:39)", "body": "No, it doesn't. I wouldn't really need to see that so, maybe it's one of the advantages of having it be about GWAPE instead of POGWAPE (Painter of...). I really like the ending because it complements the opening so well and brings the movie full circle. I am anxious to get to the DVD so, I can test my theory. I think that the opening sequence and the ending after the climax is probably the same length of time giving the movie it's incredible since of balance. To me, it feels like if you held the opening sequence in one hand and the ending in the other that the balance of the movie would hang and sway gently like a silk cord between them. Once again, so happy with what's there that I can't miss what isn't."}, {"response": 357, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (16:42)", "body": "(Caribou) it feels like if you held the opening sequence in one hand and the ending in the other that the balance of the movie would hang and sway gently like a silk cord between them. Wow, Caribou, that's a beautiful way to say that. You have a very colorful way of describing this movie. Are you a writer?"}, {"response": 358, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (19:44)", "body": "(Dorine), Caribou, that's a beautiful way to say that. You have a very colorful way of describing this movie. Hear, hear. And am I glad I'm not in line to report on the next one!"}, {"response": 359, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (20:26)", "body": "(Dorine)Caribou, that's a beautiful way to say that. You have a very colorful way of describing this movie. You blew me away with that comment, Caribou, as you have with all your comments concerning GWAPE. I couldn't wait to see this, and after your posts this week- I'm out of my mind."}, {"response": 360, "author": "caribou", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (21:13)", "body": "LOL! Thank you so much dear ladies. (Dorine)Are you a writer? Yes, I must admit I do write and I love writing but my audiences are usually very small and my work has never resulted in cash. I did, however, write a thank you note once and the lady who received it liked it so much she went out and bought me another gift and sent it, too. So, I guess, if you count that I have had a lucrative writing career! :-)"}, {"response": 361, "author": "Leah", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (01:58)", "body": "Would like to add my thanks for your great reporting. A question I have which has come out of 'keepsakes',(and what a good poem that was too!) was there a 'stand-in' or could you be sure the hands belonged to \"Vermeer\"?"}, {"response": 362, "author": "caribou", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (07:48)", "body": "Xavier Bouvy was the stand in for Colin Firth so, I can't be absolutely certain whose hands I was looking at and when but some of the most notable hand scenes are when you can tell they are attached to his body.!;-) For example, Griet is dusting the camera obscura and he says, \"Would you like to look into it?\" It doesn't sound all that impressive to say he comes over, opens the lid, and later points out how it works but Colin is able to do all in the most dramatic way. He holds and moves his hands ever so slightly different than most of us would and that makes it very effective. In another scene, he is just taking a break and talking and he rubs his hands together, massaging them while he does. It's a perfect touch to show the family is worried about money, not keeping the house very warm in his removed studio and he's been working for a while and feels the strain in his hands. That's ODB--such a little thing to do but it speaks volumes!"}, {"response": 363, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (08:21)", "body": "Caribou, thank you so much for all your details. You describe it so vivid and delightful. As for me to express my gratitude I'll just have to stick to my motto: Words fail me. so - simply: Thank you very much :-) This goes for the articles and comments as well. So good of you to keep us posted."}, {"response": 364, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (11:28)", "body": "Interestingly, the new picture Murph posted is from the same scene/shot as I put up yesterday from the Telluride paper. Catharina is wearing the ermine-trimmed mantel and JV is standing behind her with his hands on her neck. However, the other picture showed the entire household (kids included) right there. So does he do his fondling in front of everyone like that?"}, {"response": 365, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (11:29)", "body": ""}, {"response": 366, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (11:35)", "body": "(Karen)So does he do his fondling in front of everyone like that? So it would seem! :-) Anyway based only from what I've read here, I'll agree with the reporter, who called the most erotic movie. The first shot alone has me go totally week at the knees and I can't seem to still my beating heart. Thank you all for the pictures and reviews."}, {"response": 367, "author": "caribou", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (16:48)", "body": "(Karen)So does he do his fondling in front of everyone like that? This one is in front of everyone and just touching not stroking. These are gold/persuasion/key pics. You can tell from the long shot that Griet can't see too much of what's going on here. BTW, I don't think the tall pic made the final cut in the movie--that right hand looks further south than I recall. The stroking is the red/caress/pianoforte scene of which I haven't seen any stills yet. It gets confusing doesn't it? When you see the caress one you will know because of his standing side view and it's red, red, red. Great job on the gallery, Karen."}, {"response": 368, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (18:52)", "body": "The look on his face is interesting in the tall shot. Almost like he's in deep thought about something else rather than where his hands seem to be moving. I know you posted on the other topic, Caribou, that at this point he and Griet aren't very close, but what impression did you get with that far away look on his face? Love the gallery, Karen."}, {"response": 369, "author": "caribou", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (23:32)", "body": "(LindaK)but what impression did you get with that far away look on his face? I just remembered. She is sitting at her dressing table when he is trying to talk her into Griet sleeping in the attic. So, the only thing I got from that expression is he is looking at the two of them in the mirror. Sometimes the stills are taken out of perspective and give a whole different feel. I don't think I mentioned I liked the shot of Griet sleeping in the attic. It has the same look and feel of Tom Birkin's bell tower--just no ropes running throught the floor.:-) Oh, and there was a Mark Darcy moment in the attic. He walks over, takes off his coat, and rolls up his sleeves. The linseed oil was another special Colin touch, like the camera obscura on 176."}, {"response": 370, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (06:26)", "body": "Great stuff ladies, thanks. I thought you were a writer too Caribou. Your words flow so well and are so descriptive. Very talented."}, {"response": 371, "author": "hershey", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (11:31)", "body": "Hi. I'm new to the conference, but have been reading up on all these discussions for the past while. I think everyone has praised Caribou for her writing skills about her experiences in Colorado, so I'll just add in an \"I agree\" on that front. I did want to suggest to you (and the others now going to Toronto) to post something about the movie on www.imdb.com. That site has a place for viewers to make comments about anything they've seen, and I think it would be really cool to have something so intelligently written show up so soon on GWAPE. Just a chance for building early buzz even among those crazy people who are not obsessed with Colin (inexplicable behavior on their part). I know I read the viewer reviews on that site a lot as do many of my friends. Just a suggestion. Thanks for all your postings/pictures/raves about the movie. It's a blast reading all about your opinions, experiences etc (that goes for everyone, not just the GWAPE viewers!)."}, {"response": 372, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (14:08)", "body": "That's a great idea, Dena. Caribou should write something up not only for imdb, but maybe Dark Horizons and AICN. Far better to read her review than those from the XBox types."}, {"response": 373, "author": "socadook", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (21:40)", "body": "(Dena) I did want to suggest to you (and the others now going to Toronto) to post something about the movie on www.imdb.com. (Karen) Caribou should write something up not only for imdb, but maybe Dark Horizons and AICN. I second! Or is it third? Since I'm to relive my HS-itis, I'll do so in stages and start with the audience pov. I took my low expectations to the 7:30 showing at the local multiplex. The theater was a few heads shy of half full. Couples, small groups and a sprinkling of singles made up the audience. Women outnumbered men 3 to 2. Definitely an adult crowd. Don't remember seing anyone under 20 (and I'm being kind.) Average age was closer to 40 than 30. There were laughs from the audience but not much for a rom-com. The laughs: CW responds to Mandy's happy dance with \"It's clicked into place. No, really it's cristal clear\" or something like that, and is willing to have sex \"the innocent kind\". The yoga scene. The scarf dance. Vera's family tree includes CZJ. The chuckles: The scenes with the shopkeepers. CW passes out after swallowing the sleeping pill. CW's reaction to Mandy massaging his head and talking about spiritual journey. CW and Vera on the golf course. CW and Mandy do it so Fisher and wife do it. Vera and CW in her room and the sprinkler goes off. The line about talking in the church so as not to have sex. OP as the mayor also received occasional chuckles. The snorts: CW asks if they're about to have the \"not innocent\" sex. Vera arrives at the inn looking for CW. The whining whores comment from Vera. Please don't think I remember all of this. The movie was such that I could take notes and not miss much. The good news : no one walked out during the showing. The bad news : I didn't get the sense anyone would come back for repeat viewing or would recommend the movie. I'll be surpised if it's still playing as much (or at all) next week. As for my reaction, I'll take two doses of GWAPE and tell you more in the morning ;-)"}, {"response": 374, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (11:12)", "body": "Thanks for taking notes, Sonia. ;-D Let us know if any local critics followed up and went to see the film since they were so obviously not provided with a preview."}, {"response": 375, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (15:34)", "body": "(Sonia)The laughs: The yoga scene. They were really cute but it got even funnier to me when I realized the class was doing Warrior Pose I or Warrior Pose II. And, Colin was doing this very serious kung-fu, karate type \"warrior\" stuff. That looked like very good improv to me.:-)"}, {"response": 376, "author": "socadook", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (19:19)", "body": "(Caribou) Colin was doing this very serious kung-fu, karate type \"warrior\" stuff That's the bit that got the laughs. Mild chuckles when he fell over, probably because you could see it coming. (Karen) Let us know if any local critics followed up and went to see the film since they were so obviously not provided with a preview. Don't recall seeing any review in the paper. Other movies were deemed more interesting I guess. Will keep checking."}, {"response": 377, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (10:00)", "body": "(Karen) Let us know if any local critics followed up and went to see the film since they were so obviously not provided with a preview. So much for wide release...:-(( Posted on Mon, Sep. 08, 2003 MOVIE REVIEW Despite talented cast, 'Hope Springs' is hopeless BY CARY DARLING cdarling@herald.com What in the world were they thinking? It's hard to believe that the talented likes of Colin Firth, Heather Graham, Minnie Driver, Oliver Platt and Mary Steenburgen were so bereft of big-screen options that they had to settle for the dismal Hope Springs. This spectacularly unromantic, unfunny English/American romantic comedy slunk into Florida theaters Friday with no press screenings, perhaps as a test for a broader release. Maybe it sounded better on paper. Based on the novel New Cardiff by Charles Webb, Hope Springs has an engaging enough premise: Colin Ware (Firth), a straitlaced British artist who believes his fianc\ufffde, Vera (Driver), is marrying another man, is fleeing to small-town New England to purge himself of his troubles. Of course, he meets and falls for Mandy (Heather Graham), who, naturally, has a wild side (watch out, don't let her step on that accelerator!) and a sexy side (happy time means it's strippin' time!). But Colin's new, improved Yankee life of potential speeding tickets and casual sex is interrupted by a visit from Vera, who wants her old guy back. This crisis is supposed to kick-start the laughter, but as these thinly drawn characters lurch from scene to scene, stone-faced silence as deep and abiding as the heads of Easter Island is more likely. The always likable Firth and the affable Graham fare the best in a bad situation, but Driver as the obnoxious girlfriend, Platt as the town's overbearing mayor, and Steenburgen as the wacky hotel manager are painful to watch. Filmmaker/screenwriter Mark Herman directs it all with TV-sitcom competence. And, even though the makers affixed American flags to the license plates, it's still very apparent that this was shot in British Columbia, not New England. Hope may indeed spring eternal, but as this movie shows, 90 minutes of its opposite, despair, can feel like an eternity, too. * \ufffd"}, {"response": 378, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (11:02)", "body": "It ain't gonna get a wider release with this kind of reception. Those Brit critics were not an anomaly in this film's case. Thanks, Maria. Did the film make it to you? I checked yahoo movies and didn't see it playing in your neck of the woods."}, {"response": 379, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (11:46)", "body": "(Karen)Thanks, Maria. Did the film make it to you? I checked yahoo movies and didn't see it playing in your neck of the woods. It is playing here and of course I went... I have to say I liked it a good deal more on the big screen than I did when I saw it initially...That being said it is still a \"plonker\", more like something that would be made for LMN than for the big screen. Colin's fans would of course still want to see it and I myself will probably go back to see it in the theatre as the light was actually quite nice in some of the scenes (come to think of it, they were mainly the bare chest scenes! Yumm!)Obviously the movie has it's visual treats!and somehow it moved along better on the big screen. I enjoyed it (kind of like enjoying expensive flat champagne, it IS still champagne after all!) and so did the 10 other people in the theatre. :-(( It has some cute and humorous moments and ODB does look fine but non Colin fans would probably rather just enjoy their CO2 injected Cold Duck..;-)"}, {"response": 380, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (12:12)", "body": "(Maria)(kind of like enjoying expensive flat champagne, it IS still champagne after all!) ROTF..I like your review best of all, Maria!! Looks like HS is destined for the Blockbuster shelves...and shortly after the sale bin."}, {"response": 381, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (22:29)", "body": "Here are some of my thoughts about GWAPE. I'm looking forward to reading the other lucky droolers' opinion, it would be nice to compare notes. I found GWAPE absolutely breathtaking to look at. I don't think I've ever seen a movie that looked like a painting itself. When I heard the critics describe it this way I wondered what they meant, after all, how can a movie look like a painting? I understand now. It's the colours. The colours, the slow moving of the frames, the haunting melody that you can't get out of your head even days after you've seen it. I admit, I was so wound up with excitement and nervousness, hyped up about having just seen Colin in the flesh, I felt way too light headed, and that's not a good condition to be in when one wants to pay close attention to a movie and remember as much as possible later. So I'm afraid my review might not be as objective as I would've liked it to be, so this is just a first impression clouded with too much excitement kind of thing. But no matter how \"tainted\" my thoughts are I can still hear the music, and it makes me shiver. Few weeks ago I was at the Met in NYC, looking at the 5 Vermeer paintings displayed there. Before I only saw them online, or in my Vermeer book, and I found myself marvelling at how different the colours of the paintings were in reality. I was reminded of those very feelings while watching the movie, and now knew why the colours looked so real. I don't know how they did it, but they got just the right shades, the right amount of light, the right hue, and put all of us viewers into a Vermeer painting for 95 minutes. I was awed as I was transported into that time period, and didn't want to leave when the film was over. It was a remarkable experience, and I have to take my hat off to the cinematographer who made this possible. I suppose every single person who read Tracy Chevalier's novel has their own ideas about what the characters in the story would look and feel like, based on the author's description. To me Colin was the true embodiment of Vermeer. In my mind he looked like him and felt like him, his portrayal gave me a beautiful visualisation of what I had imagined in my mind's eye all these months. Now the man had a face for me, a voice, a presence. And never mind the stunning figure, the sexy stubble, or the voice that would melt butter, he just felt so right . I just sat there watching his face filling the entire screen and held my breath. This was perfection. Scarlett Johansson. I spent some time looking at this actress's photos on the Net, and could not see her as Griet until I saw the first photos posted from the film, and I found myself amazed at her transformation, and how easy it was for me then to accept her in the role. Now I only wondered what she sounded like, and whether her voice would work with what I had in mind. It sure did. I loved her portrayal very much, she certainly looked the part, and had good chemistry with Colin, which I truly appreciated. This story's very soul is the attraction, the heat, the quietly simmering sexuality between those two, and the lack of chemistry would've killed it instantly. I was delighted to see Tanneke on the screen. I found myself grinning from ear to ear the moment she appeared, looking as if she'd just stepped out of Vermeer's The Milkmaid. Where did they find this actress I know not, but I bless them for it, for she was perfect. Never mind she looked a few pounds heavier than the real thing, she was still \"it\". Or her to be more precise. Give the casting agent a cigar! :-) Tom Wilkinson was great as Van Ruijven, deliciously nasty, and I wanted to strangle him when he attacked Griet. Another perfect casting. My two not quite pleasant surprises were Judy Parfitt and Essie Davis. I always pictured Maria Thins as a strict but fairly relaxed woman who ran a tight ship, and observed Griet with quiet amusement. I was surprised to see her looking so..... I don't know, she seemed way to strict, wearing an incredibly severe look and clothing. With that thing on her head she looked like the evil lady from Sleeping Beauty, and I had some trouble identifying her with the character. Essie Davis didn't feel right for the part for me. I had a problem with both her looks and her performance. Her face looked so tight, her eyes so... shiny, for lack of a better word, she reminded me of - please don't laugh - the borg queen in Star Trek. I found her performance sort of stagey (is there such a word?), and her voice more whiny than anguished or angry. Once again let me say that I was not in the proper mindset when I watched the movie, I was way too light headed and distracted, especially when I kept glancing at Colin and his costars sitting down below. I wish I could see the film now, with a clear head, but I guess that will have to wait until December. One interesting problem I had was that I had trouble understanding the dialogue in some places. I thought after seeing P&P and BJD a million times understa"}, {"response": 382, "author": "myou", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (06:51)", "body": "Ildi, I echo a lot of your observations and feelings about GWAPE. I remember Caribou saying people were gasping at the beauty of some scenes and it also happened in Toronto. The scene where all the women are head down preparing dinner in the kitchen was spectacularly beautiful - there must be a Vermeer like it (time for an Internet search) because several people stirred/gasped/whispered at that scene. Like you, I was overcome with how beautiful it was to look at. Lucky you to see his paintings as a primer to the movie! I also believe that people who don't know the book will struggle with the storyline. I missed Griet's internal narration. Throughout the book I was constantly on edge that she would be tossed from the household, as the book vividly portrayed the unfortunate role of women in this society. I didn't have that tension throughout the movie. The awakening to her personal power and unique talent was also missing in great part for me. After I finished the book, I felt it was less about a \"crush\" on her boss and more about getting a crush on herself - the movie went the sexual route and simplified her intentions. There was no agonizing over Peter's advances and her possible life as a butcher's wife and not an artist's apprentice (or perhaps an artist herself). The \"giving in to Peter\" sequence seemed almost out of place. The set up for the scene wasn't strong enough. I assume that her lip/tear encounter with Vermeer is supposed to make her so aroused that she runs to find Peter to release her sexual yearnings - didn't work for me. In the book, she placates Peter with sexual acts for not telling people about the Van Ruijven painting(again another vivid example of how trapped women were). The modesty of keeping one's hair tied up was not played up enough, so the long eye-lock scene of Vermeer seeing Griet's golden hair will seem a little too dramatic to the GWAPE uninitiated. I now understand Webber's comments at Telluride about making \"his version\" of the story. For me, it lost most of the female awakening journey and went for the easy romance route. He may have been going for stark simplicity with the limited dialogue and reliance on visuals, and perhaps needed a more simplified story. But it looks like an art film anyway, why not make it richer and perhaps more complex by bumping up the journey story! With all that said, I like a good romantic, erotic story, too - especially the ones where none of it is consummated. And especially if Colin is the object of desire. However, when reading the book, the closeness derived from their mutual understanding of art's power and craft made me weak in the knees (you mean men and women can be drawn together by something more than pheromones and biology!). What were your favourite GWAPE moments? Mine - the aforementioned women around the table tableau was stunning; when Griet asks Vermeer to help her during the missing comb scene; the colour of the clouds scene; the \"lick your lips\" scene (ok, had to have one cross-your-legs moment!). The Darcy in a Daze Moment goes to Vermeer watching Griet set the table. That's more than enough space for me! I sign off on this holiest of days - ODB's birthday!"}, {"response": 383, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (10:10)", "body": "Tremendous insight Myou.Thank you. I will enjoy the film more after reading these comments."}, {"response": 384, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (10:14)", "body": "(Ildi), I would've loved to see the sorting the vegetables by colour scene between Griet and Vermeer. I felt that it was an important part of the story, one that established very early on Griet's affinity for colour and detail. It would've shown the viewer that she was a bit \"odd\", after all a girl in that time period had no business thinking about such things, and it did make her different from the others, and that's exactly what attracted Vermeer to her in the first place, isn't it? I agree. Thank you for such a wonderful review! (Myou), I now understand Webber's comments at Telluride about making \"his version\" of the story. For me, it lost most of the female awakening journey and went for the easy romance route. That's a revelation. The book was Griet's POV."}, {"response": 385, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (10:15)", "body": "Myou, I also liked the \"lick your lips\" scene, especially because he asked her 3 times to do it. I had a good chuckle at that, and thought, stop it you little pervert, and found it absolutely endearing how she did it. I thought she'd run her tongue along her lips quickly, but she'd done it so virginlike, so innocently, it was beautiful. I could imagine his blood quietly boiling at the sight. I also loved the authentic look all around, it really drew the viewers into the film's atmosphere, I was thoroughly enchanted, and blessed both the cinematographer and the composer for the effect. They've clearly outdone themselves. I thought about your comments regarding the loss of \"female awakening\" and how the GWAPE uninitiated would see it all, and agree with your thoughts, but I decided to be careful about how I look at the whole thing. There is no question, the movie could've been better if it conveyed more of what we got out of the book, if we could've been shown the gradual awakening in both Griet and Vermeer, if we would've been given all the little details that gave the book its very soul , but I question whether that was possible. In my opinion not really, not in 95 minutes anyway. Upon closer reflection I can't help but think about P&P2. I always thought the Colin version was favoured by most people because it was long enough to explore and show everything . (And of course because of CF, LOL!) There wasn't much left out of the novel, the 300 minutes running time gave the creators of the miniseries the opportunity to give us all the details that made P&P2 so incredibly rich. If you gave that 300 minutes to GWAPE you could satisfy everyone, and believe me, the thought of a GWAPE miniseries with Colin gives me heart palpitations. So the thing is, as much as I would've loved to see more, and feel more, and be assured that those who didn't read the book saw it the way it was meant to be seen, I have to realize that it may not have been possible. Not in the alotted time anyway. So I'm trying to look at the movie keeping all that in mind, and see all that they've accomplished, rather than what was left out. Which was a lot, but I'm not sure it could've been helped."}, {"response": 386, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (10:26)", "body": "(Ildi)I would've loved to see more, and feel more, and be assured that those who didn't read the book saw it the way it was meant to be seen, I have to realize that it may not have been possible. Not in the alotted time anyway. So I'm trying to look at the movie keeping all that in mind, and see all that they've accomplished, rather than what was left out... Great comment; which goes for all books that are adapted to film."}, {"response": 387, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (11:28)", "body": "Thanks, Myou and Ildi. I can't wait to see this film. (Ildi)all the little details that gave the book its very soul, but I question whether that was possible. Probably not, but I think your comment is correct about not dwelling on what was left out. For me, some of my favorite parts of the book are Griet's inner thoughts and almost spiritual ability to feel his presence. My back was to the door, but I knew suddenly that he was standing there. Van Ruijven's eyes followed me everywhere. So did my master's. At the top I looked around and saw the closed door. Behind it was a silence that I knew was him. Did any of you that saw the film get the impressions, from the screen, that lines like these were meant to convey in the book?"}, {"response": 388, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (12:25)", "body": "(LindaK) Did any of you that saw the film get the impressions, from the screen, that lines like these were meant to convey in the book? Linda, reading your 3rd quote from the book I remember one particular scene that was actually not in the book, it was added, but what a great one it was, it had me all choked up. After the painting was discovered and she was ordered out of the house Griet walked to the studio door one last time. The door was slightly ajar, and she just stood there with a look of longing on her face, knowing He was in there, while Vermeer was sitting at his easel with a miserable look on his face, knowing very well that she was out there. Oh, I wanted to cry. When He saw her hair I didn't get the feeling she knew he was standing there, she looked surprised to me, but let me say it again that I was in a delirious haze while watching the movie, so I certainly missed many things. Hopefully the others remember more, like Caribou, who saw it twice. She possibly remembers more than the rest of us. She is twice lucky. :-)"}, {"response": 389, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (14:41)", "body": "Ildi and Myou I can't thank you enough for such beautiful reports. I can picture everything in my mind. That's a wonderful thing. IMO this pic is a winner and at the very least will merit technical awards. Can't wait to see it. Thank you again."}, {"response": 390, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (12:14)", "body": "(Karen) Huh? You're kidding? Surely, they could get someone to speak her lines whilst lining up the lips. Or did the producer say they had to dub her because her English was unintelligible? Or am I not understanding??? (Dorine) This comment was in reference to the Portuguese housemaid, I believe. (Karen) And you meant \"subtitled\" not dubbed, right? This is all my fault for being so blasted confusing (poor Dorine was on the phone with me about half a dozen times....my cell phone was overheating and I was blabbing away at her at 100 mph)! LOL! This is at the beginning of the film, with the cheating English girlfriend. ODB is off to a wedding (Keira K's wedding) and his girlfriend is feeling ill. As he leaves, he tells her that she looks \"like crap, but I still love you\". They kiss and he is off (then we see wedding a bit later). Jamie then comes home between the wedding and reception to see if she is feeling better and finds his brother in the house. His bro states (nervously) that he had just come over to borrow some CDs and that the ODB's girlfriend had let him in. ODB holds up a CD (didn't make out what it was) and says \"this is quite good\" and then \"listen, mom's birthday is coming up and I think we should take her out to dinner or something...we haven't been very good sons this year\". Right about this time (off camera) you hear the irlfriend yell from the direction of the bedroom \"*fill brother's name in here*, come back here, I've found the condoms and we have to hurry before my loser boyfriend comes back!\" Close up of ODB and brother looking at one another. The next time you see ODB, he is opening up the house in S. France. Anyway...when I talked to Dorine I said that I thought they had dubbed that line in later (changing the 'pencil dick' to 'loser boyfriend') since she couldn't be seen, they could have her say anything when they did the sound tracks. Sorry....I confused both of you! LOL! I'll write more about ODB's bits...I think I have most written down...a bit later. Am at work and need to act busy and important for a while! ;-D"}, {"response": 391, "author": "myou", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (16:44)", "body": "(LindaK) Did any of you that saw the film get the impressions, from the screen, that lines like these were meant to convey in the book? Linda, I also really loved that sympatico-sense in the book and in the book, there were many instances of her \"sensing\" him. In the movie, it wasn't so much about \"sensing\" as it was about \"seeing\". The story almost moves forwards by the characters' LOOKING at each other - in fear, in lust, in resentment, in awe, in secret. It's a really fascinating choice, especially when adapting a 1st person narrative novel. It is all in the visual. Must say that one of the most powerful moments (and a sympatico one) in the film comes when Catharina's comb is missing and Griet is confronted in the studio by Catharina, Cordelia and Maria Thins (I think) about taking the comb. Vermeer is standing behind Griet and without turning around, Griet pleads \"help me, help me\" to him. He dashes off through the house in a mad fury, upending furniture and emptying drawers looking for the comb. It's one of the best examples of that \"bond\" that exists between them without one look between them. Loved this moment! From the book, \"At the top I looked around and saw the closed door. Behind it was a silence that I knew was him\" - this is very well established. There are two times (if I remember)that we see this image, Griet outside the studio door."}, {"response": 392, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (17:05)", "body": "(Myou) He dashes off through the house in a mad fury, upending furniture and emptying drawers looking for the comb. It's one of the best examples of that \"bond\" that exists between them without one look between them. Loved this moment! LOVE the mad dash scene as well! His hair is flying and in his face and mouth. He's having a regular fit and it shows how volatile he can be...but you'll laugh because as he was upending everything, all I could think of was how Griet was going to have to go after him and clean that mess up! ;-) I also think that there is some resentment built up there....remember Catarina watching as Cornelia gets whipped? That Vermeer would go to Cornelia's room to discover her hiding place for the comb (that he would rather whip his own child than let the maid take the fall). There is another scene toward the end where Vermeer really puts Griet in a bad position. At one point (and Myou, Caribou and anyone else...you may have to help me here as I don't recall the dialogue), Vermeer is in the studio with Griet and Catarina is at the door. Catarina makes a statement and Vermeer defers to Griet! Poor girl is put on the spot and you can just feel the hatred coming from Catarina."}, {"response": 393, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (17:21)", "body": "(Tress) LOVE the mad dash scene as well! His hair is flying and in his face and mouth. He's having a regular fit and it shows how volatile he can be.. Does it bear any resemblence to the golf course scene in HS?"}, {"response": 394, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (17:29)", "body": "(Evelyn) Does it bear any resemblence to the golf course scene in HS? LOL...not even close! This is a great scene...and not a word is spoken (if I am remembering correctly). He just goes through the house tearing it apart. Doesn't say anything even when he finds the comb, just all those looks! You know he's ticked..."}, {"response": 395, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (22:07)", "body": "(Myou)Loved this moment! (Tress)He just goes through the house tearing it apart. Doesn't say anything even when he finds the comb, just all those looks! You know he's ticked... I can't wait to see this scene. I already love this moment. ...thank you"}, {"response": 396, "author": "caribou", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (23:56)", "body": "(lindak)Van Ruijven's eyes followed me everywhere. So did my master's. There's a scene where Van Ruijven and Vermeer meet Griet outside the door of the house. They have obviously just come out of negotiations about Van Ruijven's request to have Griet in a portrait with him. Van Ruijven talks to Griet and cackles over the agreement they have just reached. Vermeer stands silent but desperate to know what Griet is feeling, desperate to explain and anxious to comfort her. His eyes seemed to follow every nuance of emotion that swept over her face. (Evelyn)Does it bear any resemblence to the golf course scene in HS? I didn't care for that scene in HS. It wasn't effective to have him stomp away. This one reminded me of the scene in The Advocate where he comes to the castle to confront the guy about his son. Long hair, trim physique coming right at you, looking like he's about to kill somebody."}, {"response": 397, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (08:29)", "body": "(Caribou) Vermeer stands silent but desperate to know what Griet is feeling, desperate to explain and anxious to comfort her. His eyes seemed to follow every nuance of emotion that swept over her face. Loved this moment as well...I had a list of my favorite 'bits' that I hopefully can post today (still catching up at work), but that was one of them. There is a look of distaste/resentment when he looks at Van Ruijven as VR speaks to Griet, but when Vermeer turns his gaze toward her, you can see a tenderness and a hurt on his face. He seems to know she will be uncomfortable and upset (and as Caibou states, he follows her every emotion)....his eyes seem to be searching her face and it appears as if he is incredibly sad at that moment. He needs the money and has reached this agreement and it does not please him. It was a very intense moment and really well done!"}, {"response": 398, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (08:44)", "body": "(Tress)This is at the beginning of the film, with the cheating English girlfriend. ODB is off to a wedding (Keira K's wedding) and his girlfriend is feeling ill. I guess this means that the Laura Linney character is not his girlfriend, which I was sure I'd read some months ago. (And would explain her scene in the bedroom with the Brazilian hunk). Who plays his(ex)girlfriend and his brother?"}, {"response": 399, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (08:45)", "body": "Do any of you remember Van leeuwenhoek ? It must be a v. small part. Wasn't he Vermeer's broker? It's played by David Morrissey whom we saw a lot of at the Donmar. He was Ned's friend/partner."}, {"response": 400, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (09:30)", "body": "(Janet) Who plays his(ex)girlfriend and his brother? Oooohhh....I knew I was gonna get that question! LOL! I don't know !!! And I was such a dork that I was talking to the girl sitting next to me (the one taking notes and quizzing me through the movie) while the credits were rolling. I should have had pen and paper ready. I didn't recognize either of them. So....also didn't see who sang that blasted song!!!! And the singer is younger....mid 30s maybe....one lady in my group said they figured out who it was but they couldn't remember his name! (Janet) I guess this means that the Laura Linney character is not his girlfriend... No! AND, they are at the wedding together (sitting side by side) but their relationship is never explained...or if it was, I missed it. I got the impression they were friends. I really need to see it again. I think LL works at a publishing house (with Alan Rickman), so if Jamie is a writer....."}, {"response": 401, "author": "birdy", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (09:55)", "body": "(Tress)LA -girlfriend yell from the direction of the bedroom \"*fill brother's name in here*, come back here, I've found the condoms and we have to hurry before my loser boyfriend comes back!\" I see why they changed the line - so the us dim-witted audience members would know who \"pencil dick\" was for certain or, secondly, would any actor - ODB, included - want to be known as PD for eternity? - think not! Regardless, surely with all that talent they couldn have come up with something less obviously expository? Thats a big clinker IMO."}, {"response": 402, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (12:56)", "body": "(Louise) Regardless, surely with all that talent they couldn have come up with something less obviously expository? Thats a big clinker IMO. I thought it odd that she would call him \"loser boyfriend\" when it was the brother she was speaking to...why not say \"your brother\" or just \"Jamie\"? It was an awkward thing to say...."}, {"response": 403, "author": "caribou", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (14:48)", "body": "(Evelyn)Do any of you remember Van leeuwenhoek ? It must be a v. small part. Wasn't he Vermeer's broker? It's played by David Morrissey whom we saw a lot of at the Donmar. Sorry for not answering this sooner. I didn't remember seeing anyone who looked like him in the film and he or Van Leeuwenhoek aren't on the cast listing. I can't remember that part of the book so, I don't have any idea what happened. I was surprised to find that Vermeer was also an art dealer so when they built and dressed the set, they hung lots of paintings of others on the walls of his house."}, {"response": 404, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (15:40)", "body": "(Ildi) the haunting melody that you can't get out of your head even days after you've seen it...But no matter how \"tainted\" my thoughts are I can still hear the music, and it makes me shiver. Now, this (!) I can appreciate and am pretty particular about my film scores... which is probably why I get violent about another one (Ildi) In my mind he looked like him and felt like him, his portrayal gave me a beautiful visualisation of what I had imagined in my mind's eye all these months. Now the man had a face for me, a voice, a presence. And never mind the stunning figure, the sexy stubble, or the voice that would melt butter, he just felt so right. I just sat there watching his face filling the entire screen and held my breath. This was perfection. What a fantastic description. Any actor would kill for that kind of comment. (Ildi) Essie Davis...her voice more whiny than anguished or angry. It seems many critics didn't care for her whiny role either. BTW, she has been primarily a stage actress and won some London theatre award for... it escapes me now. (Ildi) I always pictured Maria Thins as a strict but fairly relaxed woman who ran a tight ship, and observed Griet with quiet amusement. I was surprised to see her looking so..... I don't know, she seemed way to strict, wearing an incredibly severe look and clothing. With that thing on her head she looked like the evillady from Sleeping Beauty LOL! I had a picture in my head of Mammy Yokum (Lil Abner) because she smoked a pipe. ;-D (Myou) The \"giving in to Peter\" sequence seemed almost out of place. The set up for the scene wasn't strong enough. I assume that her lip/tear encounter with Vermeer is supposed to make her so aroused that she runs to find Peter to release her sexual yearnings - didn't work for me. In the book, she placates Peter with sexual acts for not telling people about the Van Ruijven painting(again another vivid example of how trapped women were). But it is both, and the first reason even more so, from my reading of the book. Built up sexual tension. The modesty of keeping one's hair tied up was not played up enough, so the long eye-lock scene of Vermeer seeing Griet's golden hair will seem a little too dramatic to the GWAPE uninitiated. That's too bad. As symbolism, most will not get it. (Evelyn) Does it bear any resemblence to the golf course scene in HS? (Tress) LOL...not even close Thank goodness. Phew!! *wiping brow* (Tress) I thought it odd that she would call him \"loser boyfriend\" when it was the brother she was speaking to...why not say \"your brother\" or just \"Jamie\"? It was an awkward thing to say.... I agree. Not realistic dialogue IMO. Thanks for the clarification on the dubbing bit. (BTW, that would be \"dubbing\" not subtitling--obviously--and is done post production and known as ADR, Dorine. ;-) ) Thanks, ladies, for all the wonderful descriptions and analyses."}, {"response": 405, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (16:52)", "body": "BTW, that would be \"dubbing\" not subtitling--obviously--and is done post production and known as ADR, Dorine. ;-) ) Um, yes, well aware of that. ;-)"}, {"response": 406, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Sep 13, 2003 (01:09)", "body": "(Ildi) the haunting melody that you can't get out of your head even days after you've seen it...But no matter how \"tainted\" my thoughts are I can still hear the music, and it makes me shiver. (Karen)Now, this (!) I can appreciate and am pretty particular about my film scores...which is probably why I get violent about another one Hope that other one isn't HoTPIG. I looked up Alexandre Desplat on the imdb expecting to see Harry Potter to his credit and instead saw he composed the music for Colin's other movie from that time period!!!! Can't remember the music from HoTPIG so, hope this isn't bad news. :-)"}, {"response": 407, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Sep 13, 2003 (03:22)", "body": "(Karen) London theatre award for... it escapes me now Not sure what she go the award for but she was in Street Car Named Desire at the National and is currently there as Dorothy in Jumpers opposite Simon Russell Beal."}, {"response": 408, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Sat, Sep 13, 2003 (20:30)", "body": "(Karen) Now, this (!) I can appreciate and am pretty particular about my film scores... So am I, Karen, always have been. To me the music that accompanies a film is as important as the story and the acting. A bad musical score can ruin the greatest movie, and I was particularly anxious about this one because I love the book so much. In the last months I spent a lot of time searching the Net for the name of the composer of GWAPE, but there was no info on it anywhere. It was quite frustrating, and unnerving. So you can imagine the relieved sigh that left my lips when I watched the movie and found myself absolutely overtaken by the beautiful music. Sometimes I'd watch a movie and coming out of the theatre I'd not remember there was music in it at all. And sometimes a certain melody would haunt me even days after seeing a film, and that's exactly what happened after GWAPE. I'll be running to buy the soundtrack for this one as soon as it comes out, methinks... :-) (Caribou) I looked up Alexandre Desplat on the imdb expecting to see Harry Potter to his credit ... LOL! It WAS kind of a HP type of melody, wasn't it? It was only in my wildest fantasies that John Williams would do the GWAPE score, but he has so many Oscars already, let's allow someone else to have some glory too, shall we? :-)"}, {"response": 409, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (20:40)", "body": "Okay\ufffdit has been a week since I\ufffdve seen GWAPE and I thought I should write down a few things that struck me\ufffd.LOVED this film. Is just beautiful to look at\ufffd.each frame could have been a painting. Okay, I\ufffdm probably going to say some odd things, but I\ufffdll try to give my reasons for them\ufffd. I did not miss the \ufffdvegetable scene\ufffd. I thought the opening was well done. Liked how they showed Griet cutting the veggies so precisely and then when she had them on the platter, how she adjusted an onion so that it would be in the right place. When her mother calls her, she puts down the knife and we get a second of that on the screen (a reminder to me of how Catarina had knocked it off the table in the book) Now, if you had not read the book, you may not realize that she has a certain way of seeing things, but I think that later scenes make up for that (the scene with the camera obscura (and JUST YOU WAIT until you hear how ODB says those words!!), the cloud scene and the scene with Griet using a silver bowl to cast a reflection on the wall\ufffd). There is another scene\ufffd.Vermeer asks Griet \ufffdwhy did you move the chair\ufffd (I think he is sitting at his easel, not looking up but cleaning a brush or something) and Griet responds \ufffdshe looked trapped\ufffd. He understood, and I think the audience begins to (whether y u have read the book or not) that she sees things that even Vermeer cannot at times. The \ufffdturquoise\ufffd suit is actually a v. v. dark teal and looks AMAZING. The hat\ufffdI thought looked like a pilgrim\ufffds hat and didn\ufffdt! But it is only about at three second scene so no matter! Scene from the book that I DID miss in the movie (since I didn\ufffdt mind the veggie scene): The scene where Vermeer talks of converting to Catholicism to Griet. Not for the religious content, but because it showed two things (1) his growing intimacy with Griet, to tell her such a thing and (2) that it showed what he would do for Catarina (and I thought showed how he loved his wife). Which leads to showing how conflicted he was\ufffd.loved his wife, lusting after the maid. Now I\ufffdll just do short snippets of scenes I loved (and there are many, so I apologize): The second shot we see of Vermeer after his child is born. He looks happy and relaxed and just gorgeous (he looks that way throughout the film, but this one was a \ufffdcatch your breath\ufffd moment for me). The pause that Griet does at the studio door her first \ufffdtour about the house\ufffd. She is intensely curious about the master already\ufffd.she pauses and gives an amazing \ufffdlook\ufffd. The scene were Vermeer gets Catarina to let Griet live in the attic. He is quite manipulative and sexy all at once. I believe he is quite used to getting his way and this scene shows that Catarina will do pretty much anything he asks. The pianoforte scene (or harpsicord?). I think Caribou filled you in on that\ufffd..spectacular. And the look on Griet\ufffds face as she witnesses this moment is quite well done on her part. The scene where Griet is accused of taking the comb. After Catarina screams at G, she runs off fuming\ufffd.you see Vermeer facing the camera and G behind him. She says, very quietly \ufffdHelp me\ufffd and then he just freaks out and tears the house apart! Hair flying in his face and mouth\ufffdfinds the comb\ufffdsays \ufffdCornelia\ufffd and then the next scene you see Catarina reacting to her child getting whipped. Scene were V teaches G to grind using a pestle. She is grinding and he covers her hands with his and begins to show her. She pulls back very suddenly and the looks on both their faces is pretty amazing. You can practically feel the sparks! The \ufffdlick your lips\ufffd scene! Crikey! She does it in such a way that she pulls her lip into her mouth to wet her lips (instead of running her tongue over them). Is quite well done and you should SEE ODB\ufffds face when he sees her do this! There is a scene\ufffd.that is so beautifully shot, that it nearly takes your breath away (okay, there are a couple, but you can guess one of them and I\ufffdll write about that in a sec). This scene, you think you are looking at a painting (Young Woman with a Water Jug). But the camera begins to move\ufffdand you realize you are looking at the \ufffdset up\ufffd for that painting in Vermeer\ufffds studio!!!!! AMAZING! So disorienting for a few seconds and so beautiful\ufffd. Love the camera obscura and the \ufffdcloud\ufffd scene\ufffd.. Another grinding scene. V and G are sitting side by side. Both stop grinding for a moment and their hands are by one another. You see V\ufffds hand move\ufffd.it is so slight, yet you know exactly what is going on\ufffd.well done on both their parts. It is a completely \ufffdstill\ufffd moment, without being still, if that can possibly make any sense. Scene with G setting the table. Vermeer is sitting by the fire, Catarina is sitting at a table doing something and Griet is busy in the background. C is speaking to Vermeer\ufffd.he is looking at G and is so absorbed she has to call to him a couple of times. You can see how C becomes aware of what is going on and you can see the discomfort on Griet\ufffds face as she realizes that she is being observed b"}, {"response": 410, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (21:12)", "body": "Great job, Tress. You remembered several things that I had forgotten. And, now it's even worse; it's been two weeks and I can feel it beginning to fade.:-( Now, January feels like a looooonnnggg way off. (Tress)The pianoforte scene (or harpsicord?). I think Caribou filled you in on that\ufffd..spectacular. I think it might be a harpsicord but don't know my musical instruments and history well enough. I kept thinking it might be something else but think of the name. Whatever it is, the inside of it's lid is painted with a landscape. I've been trying to do a little research to keep the fade to a minimum and it is like the instrument in Vermeer's painting The Concert. (Tress)ODB is doing what he does best. Conveying a hundred things with one look\ufffd! That's the perfect way to describe it and he does it so often!"}, {"response": 411, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (21:50)", "body": "(Caribou) I think it might be a harpsicord but don't know my musical instruments and history well enough. I just looked at some pics of Vermeer's paintings....it's a virginal (does that sound right?). BTW, Caribou...a couple of the ladies I saw it with were stunned when they saw the painting of Van R with the woman in red drinking wine. Vermeer only painted himself a couple of times, but in this painting, it looks as if Vermeer is in it. The man sitting to the back....if you didn't know his paintings, you might think it was V looking on that scene. Which would give it tons of meaning I suppose...that he witnessed this girl's 'downfall' so to speak. Did you notice that too?"}, {"response": 412, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (21:53)", "body": "(Tress) Vermeer asks Griet \ufffdwhy did you move the chair\ufffd ..... and Griet responds \ufffdshe looked trapped\ufffd. Tress, thank you for that! This was one sentence I missed, I simply didn't hear it clearly, and was dying because I thought I missed something important. Indeed. Thank you also for the details. There was so much to see even within a frame, it's impossible to remember all. (Caribou) And, now it's even worse; it's been two weeks and I can feel it beginning to fade.:-( My thoughts exactly. The beauty of the film has been warming me all this time, and now I'm beginning to feel like I'm losing it. I'm trying to cling to the memory as long as I can, and reading these lovely posts help me hang on to it a little longer. Keep it coming, ladies, I beg you..."}, {"response": 413, "author": "caribou", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (10:17)", "body": "(Tress)but in this painting, it looks as if Vermeer is in it. The man sitting to the back....if you didn't know his paintings, you might think it was V looking on that scene. Which would give it tons of meaning I suppose...that he witnessed this girl's 'downfall' so to speak. Did you notice that too? Karen might be able to help us out with a visual aid.**hint, hint** All I could think was how it looked like CF would in a pub but you are right. It does say Vermeer is a witness to this tragedy but I think if you look closely, you can see his hand up to his face and his eyes are diverted. That makes it even worse--he's choosing \"to look the other way\"."}, {"response": 414, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (11:48)", "body": "Again, Tress, Caribou and Ildiko, can't thank you enough for such wonderful reports. I was planning to see GWAPE just for him, but after your excellent reports am looking forward to seeing a really marvelous picture on all accounts. Thank you."}, {"response": 415, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (14:07)", "body": "(FanPam)Again, Tress, Caribou and Ildiko, can't thank you enough for such wonderful reports. I was planning to see GWAPE just for him, but after your excellent reports am looking forward to seeing a really marvelous picture on all accounts. Thank you. I second that emotion :-D I love these reviews, ladies. It's obvious you appreciate the movie for more than just ODB. I can almost hear the music just reading your accounts. But how will I wait until January? *sob*"}, {"response": 416, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (15:43)", "body": "I just remembered two additional scenes I enjoyed. One because it demonstrated Griet's 'eye' and the other for just amusing eye-candy.... At one point, Griet goes in to ask Catarina if she should clean the studio windows. Catarina snaps back \"why would you ask me such a question?\" and Griet responds, \"It may change the light\". You can see the look on Catarina's face as this registers. The maid understands more about her husband's work than she does! And then Catarina retorts back \"clean them!\". She is both annoyed and unnerved. Well done! I do think that Essie Davis is very beautiful, but in an odd way...she has amazing bone structure (those cheek bones), but she had this one eyebrow, that was 'shot up' the entire film. She looked as if she may, at any moment, snap! She seemed to be a woman at the end of her teether.... The other scene I enjoyed (eye-candy, well, in my eyes anyway) was when Vermeer goes up into the attic. We get to see ODB ascending those stairs and we get a lovely shot of his skinny ankles in those brown tights (with brown (pilgrim) shoes...to match the hat, I suppose!...but does the man ever escape the brown shoes??). Anyway, just loved watching him walk up those stairs and then seeing the bottom of the outfit that we get to see the top of so much!"}, {"response": 417, "author": "caribou", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (17:23)", "body": "(Tress)Anyway, just loved watching him walk up those stairs and then seeing the bottom of the outfit that we get to see the top of so much! I enjoyed that, too! I thought of Mark and Bridget when he walks over to their \"kitchen\", takes off his jacket and starts rolling up his sleeves.:-)"}, {"response": 418, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (18:12)", "body": "Tress, stop! No, don't stop. I'm really dying, here;-) Really! The \ufffdlick your lips\ufffd scene! Crikey! She does it in such a way that she pulls her lip into her mouth to wet her lips (instead of running her tongue over them). Is quite well done and you should SEE ODB\ufffds face when he sees her do this! Oh, I want to see, I want to see. Caribou, Tress, and Ildi, you all have mentioned so many scenes, and with such detail that I truly cannot wait until it opens. My imagination is running wild. Thanks so very, very much!"}, {"response": 419, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (23:39)", "body": "Okay...I'm going to talk a bit about LA now (and it is a true spoiler cuz I spell the Jamie plot completely out). Of the ten or so story lines, I liked all but two...which is pretty good, I think....(BTW, I will save the best for last ;-D). Opening -- wasn't as bad as I thought...The 9/11 reference didn\ufffdt upset me the way I thought it would. It was odd, but not disrespectful or in bad taste (this is all IMO of course). HG was saying that to really see love, go to an airport arrival terminal. You can see people greeting each other and it gives you hope\ufffd.and how people long to love, it is just what they want to do, they don\ufffdt want to hate. And then he makes the remark that the cell calls from the towers that day were not messages of anger or hate, but messages of love. A total paraphrase and I can\ufffdt do it justice, but not as horrible as it could have been (still, I suppose that some critics will mention it, it\ufffds a good bit to latch onto)\ufffd.. Hugh Grant and Martine McCutcheon's story was good. HG got a lot of laughs. He was his usual self, you have seen the dancing bit which was funny (but seemed a bit choreographed, unlike ODB's mirror dance in WAGW). I thought the funniest moment for him was when he was first introduced to MM's character. Hilarious! There is also a bit were he is looking for MM in her neighborhood and he has to sing carols for some youngsters which is pretty funny as well. There is one scene that he may get some flack from the US critics (or Richard Curtis may get criticized, I should say)....there is a speech he gives were he puts the American president (Billy Bob Thorton) and the US 'in their place'. And although everything he says is true and it is probably very nice to hear if you live in the UK, the US press may not find it as amusing. Also, I did get tired of people making fun of MM\ufffds weight. Another Bridget type\ufffdshe is not heavy, but those around her think she is enormous\ufffd.Hugh is related to Emma Thompson (her brother).... Love the Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman storyline. And I believe that ET gives the best performance in the film. She has a scene were she is reacting to some news that she has discovered (that her hubby, AR, may be having an affair with his tarty, flirty assistant). He does not know she knows this....and it makes the scene incredibly powerful....she is 'trying to keep it together' for Christmas. GREAT acting. Alan Rickman is Laura Linney's boss....Laura has a thing for a co-worker. She has been secretly lusting after this guy for two years and everyone knows (even the co-worker) but she has been dealing with some personal issues that no on is really aware of....she has a brother who suffers from mental illness and is in a home. She carries her cell phone around and constantly gets interrupted at very inopportune times with calls from him about his fears/anxieties. This interferes with her first date with the hunky co-worker.... Emma Thompson is a friend of (ex of?) Liam Neeson, who is coping with the death of his wife. She left behind a son (his stepson) and they are trying to put their lives back together. LOVE these two together!! Liam and \"Samuel\" really work well together. Liam is never condescending and \"Samuel\" is not an annoying \ufffdlook at me I\ufffdm just too cute\ufffd type of kid. They got some big laughs as well.....some of their conversations are just too funny. Samuel is in love and Liam is helping him by telling him how to impress his 'girl'. Bill Nighy is trying to make a come back with a Christmas single based on his earlier hit \ufffdLove Is All Around\ufffd. He is a SCREAM. Everything he says and does is too funny. He really steals every scene he is in\ufffdHe bashes boy bands, rips on Britney a bit\ufffdI think everyone will get a kick you of him. Rowan Atkinson has a very small part, but he is the same as Bill Nighy. Just steals the scene. He plays an overly helpful sales assistant helping Alan Rickman purchase a piece of jewelry for his assistant\ufffd while AR\ufffds his wife (ET) shops in the store\ufffd.He also is in a later scene\ufffdstealing away! I liked the Keira Knightley story line more than I thought I would. Is very bittersweet. We see her get married at the beginning of the film and watch her husband\ufffds best friend (Andrew Lincoln) taping the wedding. AL arranges a serenade (if you have seen the trailer, you know the song) at the wedding. Her pictures don\ufffdt turn out well and she asks AL form his tape so that she can get a decent pic\ufffd..when she finally sees the film, she realizes that he has only shot footage of her (and not just at her wedding)! Very sweet scene\ufffd.later he tells her how he really feels with cards at her door (see the studio pics), and I cannot do the scene justice, so won\ufffdt try\ufffd.just thought it was well done and very touching. Next are the two story lines I did not care for\ufffd..Condom Boy Colin. Young waiter, with no manners and no clue, decides to head for America because all American women love English accents and he is sure to get laid (hope that is okay to say). He ge"}, {"response": 420, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 2003 (02:33)", "body": "Tress, as said before, please go on. You put up enough warnings for anybody, who doesn't want spoilers to stop reading. I for one can't get enough. Bring it on - please :-)"}, {"response": 421, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 2003 (08:27)", "body": "Tress, thank you! If I didn't want spoilers, I wouldn't be reading SPOILERS. ;-)"}, {"response": 422, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 2003 (12:57)", "body": "(Shoshana)Tress, thank you! If I didn't want spoilers, I wouldn't be reading SPOILERS. ;-) Good point! Thank you, Tress. If you (or anyone) has mentioned it before, I apologize-just reading posts very quickly. Do we know who plays Jamie's cheating girlfriend?"}, {"response": 423, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 2003 (19:51)", "body": "Tress, loved your spoiler, thank you so much! I'm really looking forward to see this one. I'm a bit worried though, for I get breathless every time I hear Colin speak english, so I suspect that hearing his french, spanish and italian will put me right through the roof. Heaven help me, there is only so much my smitten little heart can take..."}, {"response": 424, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 2003 (20:25)", "body": "(Ildi) I suspect that hearing his french, spanish and italian will put me right through the roof. It nearly did me! And don't forget really bad Portuguese!"}, {"response": 425, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 2003 (22:17)", "body": "(Tress) but does the man ever escape the brown shoes?? LOL! Apparently not... HG was saying that to really see love, go to an airport arrival terminal. You can see people greeting each other and it gives you hope\ufffd Why am I having a flashback to the airport scene in the beginning of Dogma? The two angels have this *exact* conversation! In a Wisconsin airport, no less! HOLD ONTO YOUR SOCKS\ufffdhe speaks French, Spanish and Italian in this scene! The vibrations have begun ;) So, now I have ruined it all for you!...Sorry to go on and on (again) !! No, no, this is why I'm here! Thank you so much for your spoilers!!!"}, {"response": 426, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Sep 17, 2003 (09:25)", "body": "Oh! There was some talk about the typewriter in LA. Jamie uses one for some reason...his house in France doesn't look to be 'internet ready' or to have too many conveniences like that (he does have a phone line, that is what they are looking for in the trailer (on the desk)...they hear a phone ring, pick up the land line and realize it is the cell, so start hunting under papers for it). But there is a remark by Arielle. She makes fun of him (of course he cannot understand) about \"why would anyone do it this way?\" and then when the papers go flying \"who doesn't make copies of their work?\" . I got the impression, when she runs off to rescue his 'manuscript' that he didn't care about it at all. I think it was more therapy for him to write at that time than anything else. He kept telling her it was \"Awful\" and \"Please don't do that!!\" Of course, when she started to strip, he stopped yelling those things! LOL! She later makes fun of how he types (one finger at a time...and I think he actually laughs be ause she acts it out)."}, {"response": 427, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Sep 17, 2003 (14:01)", "body": "He kept telling her it was \"Awful\" and \"Please don't do that!!\" In the LA trailer, (the second one)when the papers start to fly, you can hear CF's voice say \"oh God, that's half the book\" Do you hear that or remember hearing that?"}, {"response": 428, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Sep 17, 2003 (14:11)", "body": "(Linda) \"oh God, that's half the book\" Do you hear that or remember hearing that? I don't recall hearing that at all (but he probably did say it)! She starts chasing papers right away and he does say a lot of things, but the things I remember are him talking about how bad it is...and that it wasn't worth it for her to chase after it (while she makes fun of him for not making copies and \"this better be good and not some tripe my grandmother could write\"...something like that). It is his own criticism that made me think that he was writing just to take his mind off of what happened 'back home'."}, {"response": 429, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (21:30)", "body": "Interesting interview with Scarlett Johannson. \"When people say, \"It must have been really challenging for you to play in Lost in Translation and Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" I think, \"Are you kidding? They were a breath of fresh air. They were all you could wish for.\" It?s difficult when you?re trying to make something work that?s stupid or unrealistic and sappy. It?s terrible to have to do that kind of work. And it?s a shame because there are so many great actors who don?t really have any other option. I like to think that everybody wants to play the parts that I get to play. But it?s not like I don?t see my share of the worst material. In every script I get, it seems my character is a detective or something. It?s like, \"Oh, come on!\" whole article:The Orange County Weekly http://www.ocweekly.com/ink/04/03/film-morales.php Hope she can keep her high standards"}, {"response": 430, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 2003 (17:35)", "body": "Did anybody post a report on the Portsmouth, NH screening of GWAPE? I remember several lurkers planned to attend."}, {"response": 431, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 2003 (17:48)", "body": "It's this weekend."}, {"response": 432, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (20:16)", "body": "(Mari) GWAPE's MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for some sexual content) (Where???;-) The scene where Van Ruijven grabs Griet while she is hanging the clothes to dry is actually a lot more violent/frightening in the movie than in the book. The old hog was all over her in 2 seconds, and if he had a little more time he would've done the unthinkable. I was all tensed up while watching this, and kept thinking For god's sake Johannes, where the heck are you?\" I knew he wouldn't show up, but badly wanted him to. And I won't tell you what I wanted to do with Cornelia for watching all this and doing nothing. There was something that bothered me about this part though, I wonder if anybody else wondered about this: after the almost - rape scene we see Griet's neck in a close up a couple of times with the bruises caused by Van Ruijven's fingers. Since it was shown so clearly and several times I thought it would have some significance, meaning someone was supposed to notice it (either Vermeer or one of the Mistresses), but no one even looked at it. Seemed like a loose end to me, as if they had something filmed after that but edited it out for some reason. This was another part where I felt something was missing, left out. Anybody else noticed this? Or did I miss something else that was actually there, I just didn't see it?"}, {"response": 433, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (21:04)", "body": "(Ildiko) There was something that bothered me about this part though, I wonder if anybody else wondered about this: after the almost - rape scene we see Griet's neck in a close up a couple of times with the bruises caused by Van Ruijven's fingers. Since it was shown so clearly and several times I thought it would have some significance, meaning someone was supposed to notice it (either Vermeer or one of the Mistresses), but no one even looked at it. Seemed like a loose end to me, as if they had something filmed after that but edited it out for some reason. In keeping with the social structure of the time, no one would notice or care about the bruises on a maid unless they stopped her from doing her work. Maybe the significance of those scenes is just that point: her bruises are ignored because in that household she's nothing, a maid, no one to worry about. Or maybe something was left on the cutting room floor. Just mho, not having seen the movie. Please keep those spoilers coming, can hardly wait to see this gem."}, {"response": 434, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (21:40)", "body": "(Ildi) ...but no one even looked at it. Seemed like a loose end to me, as if they had something filmed after that but edited it out for some reason. This was another part where I felt something was missing, left out. Anybody else noticed this? Or did I miss something else that was actually there, I just didn't see it? I noticed and thought that no one saying anything was a bit odd. I would have thought at least Pieter (as I'm sure he saw her several times a week) would have said something. But I think Sonia has a good point. She was just a maid....and I think that everyone in the house knew who caused the bruises. No need to bring it up, though I suppose Vermeer would be furious, they didn't show his reaction at all.....he was really in a bad place. He needed Van R's patronage for his family, so even if he had seen them, what could he do? Though I suppose at least he could console Griet and try to protect her, he seemed a bit distant from domestic issues....only involving himself when Griet finally asked him to (the comb bit) or when it involved him directly (when Catarina tried to destroy the GWAPE pic or when he was trying to manipulate C into letting G into the attic....). Sorry I ramble. Seems like I went to \"Faulker's School of Writing\" ....."}, {"response": 435, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (22:24)", "body": "A question to those of you lucky enough to have seen the film. In the book, MT tries to protect G from Van R by sending her on errands and such. Was that relationship preserved on screen?"}, {"response": 436, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (22:30)", "body": "(Tress) But I think Sonia has a good point. She was just a maid....and I think that everyone in the house knew who caused the bruises. As far as I remember no one in the house saw those bruises. And that's what bothered me. We were never shown anybody noticing them at all, and that's why I don't think it was about \"who cares, she is just a maid\". Although you guys DO make a good point with that, I agree that that had to be the attitude back then. But in the movie there was no sign of anyone seeing the bruises, we never saw anyone noticing them and looking away with disinterest. That's why I didn't understand why they made such a point of it. I wish Vermeer noticed it, I would've loved to see his reaction. The quiet fury simmering in his eyes, lips pressed tightly together, his breathing barely controlled... but MUST be controlled...., sigh! Keep rambling Tress, and good thoughts Sonia!"}, {"response": 437, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (23:17)", "body": "(Ildiko) The quiet fury simmering in his eyes, lips pressed tightly together, his breathing barely controlled... but MUST be controlled...., sigh! Long hair flying, white puffy sleeves billowing, booted legs purposefully strutting, sword in hand avenging his family... Uh, sorry, got caught up in that musketeer fantasy again, will go cool off now."}, {"response": 438, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (23:27)", "body": "(Ildi) As far as I remember no one in the house saw those bruises. True....wasn't she in the kitchen at one point and she put her hand to her neck (as if it bothered her) and wasn't Tanneke there? Still....even she (T) did not say anything! LOL Sonia!"}, {"response": 439, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 2003 (08:17)", "body": "(Tress)Seems like I went to \"Faulker's School of Writing\" ..... (Ildi)The quiet fury simmering in his eyes, lips pressed tightly together, his breathing barely controlled... but MUST be controlled...., sigh! (Sonia)Long hair flying, white puffy sleeves billowing, booted legs purposefully strutting, sword in hand avenging his family... Uh, sorry, got caught up in that musketeer fantasy again, will go cool off now. I love Faulkner! Don't stop your ramblin' now! I'm not sure whether this spoiler lurking is leading me to a stronger place or turning me into jelly in anticipation of this film. In any case, I can't seem to get enough! Keep it coming girls....."}, {"response": 440, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 2003 (18:15)", "body": "(Tress)he seemed a bit distant from domestic issues Are you referring to the film? I know it is mentioned several times in the book."}, {"response": 441, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 2003 (20:14)", "body": "(Linda) Are you referring to the film? I know it is mentioned several times in the book. Yes. I felt it in the film as well. It didn't appear he was going to do anything when Catarina started accusing Griet about the comb...she had to ask for his help. He seemed very wrapped up in things going on in his studio. He yelled at Cornelia when Griet was outdoors making the silver bowl reflect off the brick wall. The children were yelling and playing and trying to 'catch the light'. Vermeer (I'm pretty sure it was V that yelled and not Catarina...anyone?) was the one who yelled down for them to keep it quiet (making Cornelia mad and she sought revenge by staining the wash Griet had just finished). He just seemed like he was separate from domestic issues...from the kids and things occurring in the 'kitchen'."}, {"response": 442, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 2003 (20:43)", "body": "(Tress)It didn't appear he was going to do anything when Catarina started accusing Griet about the comb... He yelled at Cornelia when Griet was outdoors .... ..... Vermeer (I'm pretty sure it was V that yelled and not Catarina...anyone?) ...... He just seemed like he was separate from domestic issues... Somehow this guy isn't turning into my hero."}, {"response": 443, "author": "caribou", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 2003 (21:08)", "body": "(Mari) GWAPE's MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for some sexual content) (Where???;-) (Ildi)The scene where Van Ruijven grabs Griet while she is hanging the clothes to dry is actually a lot more violent/frightening in the movie than in the book. I agree this is part of the PG-13 rating because of how scary it is. I also think this is one of the two scenes that have received the criticism of being melodramatic. Which it possibly deserves. It will never be anyone's favorite scene, for sure. However, the way they used it and placed it in the movie, it becomes a very important part. She survives the piercing. Then, she survives the very traumatic assault. Then, next scene she is entering the tavern to look for Pieter. By the time she went to find Pieter, I had great sympathy for her and thought, \"Poor girl, she has been through so much !\" So, I think the order is: piercing, Van R and then Pieter. Boom, boom, boom. (Maybe if anyone saw it in NH this past weekend, they can correct that. It's really getting fuzzy.) It's the scene with Pieter that really puts it into PG-13, I think. They were faithful to the book in that regard. The first time I saw it, I thought it was iffy . I even overheard a couple of women discussing, \"Did they or didn't they?\" But, on second viewing, it was easier to tell, \"They did.\" (Ildi) we see Griet's neck in a close up a couple of times with the bruises caused by Van Ruijven's fingers. Since it was shown so clearly and several times I thought it would have some significance Sad to say, I think the significance is that Vermeer no longer cares. The painting was finished except for the pearl earring by the time Van R makes his move. I think they show a very quick reaction shot of indifference and he gets busy painting. (Tress)I'm pretty sure it was V that yelled and not Catarina...anyone?) was the one who yelled down for them to keep it quiet He was. There is a very brief shot of him closing the window. This is one of the reasons I am very anxious to see the captures. It went by very quickly in the film but will probably be one of my favorite captures--like the waving good-bye scene in TIOBE."}, {"response": 444, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 2003 (21:40)", "body": "(Evelyn) Somehow this guy isn't turning into my hero. LOL! I hear you. But you'll love him anyway. He looks absolutely delicious. Mmmm... (Caribou) I think they show a very quick reaction shot of indifference and he gets busy painting. See, I missed that. Thanks Caribou! I wish I had the DVD already. I'm dying to see all the details I missed. Yes, I know, I'm shutting up now. I know I have no right to complain, but .... can't help it. I want more. I need more."}, {"response": 445, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 2003 (22:29)", "body": "(Ev.)Somehow this guy isn't turning into my hero. But he's an *arteeest!*. Never our heros perhaps, but they are the stuff that fantasies are made of.... IMHO. And are the folks that we are still interested in all those many years after they are *Dead People*.;-) (Caribou)It's really getting fuzzy.) Oh my no, make it up if you need to. Some of us (me for sure) will have to wait till next year and need your fuzzy recolections to tide us over till then. (Ildi)Yes, I know, I'm shutting up now. I know I have no right to complain, but .... can't help it. I want more. I need more. And this is the key! To have seen it and to be lusting......(or is this just me?), for more! I have been slipping to the Reuters site for the itty bitty poor clip and loving it so I'm sure I'll love seeing the whole thing. You lucky ducks who have seen it already have been lovely to share."}, {"response": 446, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (09:00)", "body": "Great insights ladies. Can't wait to see it. I have the impression V is very manipulative of women and uses them for what he wants at the moment. Great part for Colin."}, {"response": 447, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (09:11)", "body": "(FanPam) I have the impression V is very manipulative of women and uses them for what he wants at the moment. Interesting. My feeling is that the *arteeest!* is clueless about women and that they more easily manipulate him."}, {"response": 448, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (09:44)", "body": "FanPam) I have the impression V is very manipulative of women and uses them for what he wants at the moment.Great part for Colin. ROTF...is the inference here that Colin is also manipulative;-))) (Sonia)Interesting. My feeling is that the *arteeest!* is clueless about women and that they more easily manipulate him. Hmmmm. My take ,from reading the book , is that he was not in love with Griet,the maid, but in love with the girl as depicted in the painting. Once the painting was finished...... See Ildi's comment below. (Ildi) Sad to say, I think the significance is that Vermeer no longer cares. The painting was finished except for the pearl earring by the time Van R makes his move. I think they show a very quick reaction shot of indifference and he gets busy painting. Which doesn't make him manipulative. He was an artist in love with his subject on the canvas"}, {"response": 449, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (10:34)", "body": "(Ev.)Hmmmm. My take ,from reading the book , is that he was not in love with Griet,the maid, but in love with the girl as depicted in the painting. Once the painting was finished...... Well there must be something *big* left or why the bequest of the earrings?"}, {"response": 450, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (10:43)", "body": "(Evelyn) My take ,from reading the book , is that he was not in love with Griet,the maid, but in love with the girl as depicted in the painting. Which was Griet's ultimate conclusion as well. (Beedee) why the bequest of the earrings? This is the reason why I concluded that he's clueless about women."}, {"response": 451, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (12:37)", "body": "(Evelyn) ROTF...is the inference here that Colin is also manipulative;-))) ROFL Evie, I didn't even think of it that way. What I meant was that the character was a good roll for Colin. Wonder if he is? You know, all the mystery, changing of opinions, sometimes very outgoing, other times more reclusive. IMO I think when he's in the public eye he is playing a roll of his choosing at the time. After all he is an exceptional actor. IMO actors are acting before the public. The real person only the inner circle knows. Is he manipulative? LD would be the one to ask. LOL. (Evelyn) My take ,from reading the book , is that he was not in love with Griet,the maid, but in love with the girl as depicted in the painting. I agree, his interest in Griet was to get her on the canvas, once that was done, she was no longer of use. Any plattitudes towards her would have been with that design in mind, which gave me the impression of him being manipulative."}, {"response": 452, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (13:04)", "body": "(Ildi)The scene where Van Ruijven grabs Griet while she is hanging the clothes to dry is actually a lot more violent/frightening in the movie than in the book. (Caribou)It's the scene with Pieter that really puts it into PG-13, I think. Thanks, ladies. with my concentration focused on Vermeer, clearly I'm forgetting that there are other people in the movie."}, {"response": 453, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (13:13)", "body": "(Sonia) My feeling is that the *arteeest!* is clueless about women and that they more easily manipulate him. I don't know...I think he is quite aware of how to use the women of the house to his own ends. You'll love the scene were he gets Catarina to let Griet stay in the attic and Tanneke go back to the basement. There is a look on Tanneke's face....as is she is perfectly aware of what he is doing (I believe that T and Griet exchange glances during this scene). Catarina is putty....she'll do as he says. I don't think he was clueless at all, he just couldn't be bothered. He wanted what he wanted...nothing more. If things got complicated or difficult, I don't think he wanted to be involved (he did for Griet with the comb, but he had to be asked. If she hadn't said anything, I think he would have let that all play out). (Evelyn) My take, from reading the book , is that he was not in love with Griet, the maid, but in love with the girl as depicted in the painting. (Sonia) Which was Griet's ultimate conclusion as well. I think he loved Griet, just not like we expect. He enjoyed that she saw things the way he did...that she had an interest in what he did (fed that ego). Then, in the book (as I didn't get this in the film too much) I think his fascination was fed by Van R. as well. The earrings as a bequest...I'm not sure. I thought that they were given to help her remember (not that she would forget). I thought that it was V's way of saying that he had not forgotten what she had done for him and that he saw her as something more than a maid (IMO of course). It was her only chance to wear something like that and I think they both knew that when it was happening."}, {"response": 454, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (13:58)", "body": "(Tress)I think he loved Griet, just not like we expect. He enjoyed that she saw things the way he did...that she had an interest in what he did (fed that ego). Then, in the book (as I didn't get this in the film too much) I think his fascination was fed by Van R. as well. This was what *I* got from the book (so far) as well. Her sense of color was the first thing that got his attention and then was Tress mentions seemed to follow eventually. The earrings as a bequest...I'm not sure. I thought that they were given to help her remember (not that she would forget). I thought that it was V's way of saying that he had not forgotten what she had done for him and that he saw her as something more than a maid (IMO of course). It was her only chance to wear something like that and I think they both knew that when it was happening. I'll go with the above too with the addition that it might be as payment of sorts for the piercing and other hazards of posing. That perhaps he was aware of and sorry for the position he put her in."}, {"response": 455, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (14:10)", "body": "(Beedee)That perhaps he was aware of and sorry for the position he put her in. I felt in the book it was out of guilt, but I had hoped it was from unrequited love, as well. (Beedee)It was her only chance to wear something like that and I think they both knew that when it was happening. True, but then there is the very sensual scene of the piercing in the book and from the film. There had to be something more going on there for him, but it was impossible, due to the circumstances, to act on his feelings."}, {"response": 456, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (15:52)", "body": "(FanPam) I have the impression V is very manipulative of women and uses them for what he wants at the moment. (Sonia)Interesting. My feeling is that the *arteeest!* is clueless about women and that they more easily manipulate him. Not having read the book or seen the movie :(, I can't comment on V as manipulator or manipulatee. But the discussion reminded me of this comment from the article CF wrote on Valmont: One autumn day, I sat having lunch with the now late and much lamented veteran actress Fabia Drake. We were about five weeks into a six month shoot of Valmont (an adaptation of Laclos' Les Liaisons Dangereuses, , by Milos Forman, in which I was playing the title role). I had been the object of Fabia's studious gaze for some moments when she suddenly blurted out: 'You are Valmont, aren't you! Milos is very clever at casting; he can see right into a person's heart. ' For anyone familiar with this character such a charge is difficult to ignore. I cannot remember whether or not I denied it at the time, but at some point I was struck by the realisation that I had never given the matter much thought. Valmont is known as one of the most cynical and destructive sexual manipulators in fiction. I, on the other hand, have always preferred to think of myself as a fairly decent sort of fellow. I had of course wondered why I had been given such a role, but had laid the issue to rest with the reassuring notion that I had been cast against type. To have it suggested by a perceptive elderly lady that I was a highly appropriate choice gave me pause for thought to say the least: do I really manipulate people? It was because of my inability to answer these questions that I began to get a better insight into what Forman was trying to achieve. http://www.geocities.com/kgjart/HandQValmArtclCF90.html"}, {"response": 457, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (17:10)", "body": "Thanks for the Valmont article Sandy. I enjoy reading that one and wonder about it often. I also enjoy his writing."}, {"response": 458, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (18:21)", "body": "(BeeDee)Well there must be something *big* left or why the bequest of the earrings? Gratitude for being the subject of his beloved painting? Remorse for the anguish he cause her? I'm only talking about the book, since I haven't seen the film. And we all know this is \"Peter Weber's adaptation of the book\". Anyway, I like the ambiguous feeling that the ending seems to generate."}, {"response": 459, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (19:04)", "body": "(Evelyn) Anyway, I like the ambiguous feeling that the ending seems to generate. It's even more ambiguous in the film. We don't even know how much time has passed, if she married Pieter, or where she even is (a room with chickens running about, dirt on the floor. Cannot remember if it is wood with dirt over it or just dirt)....we see Tanneke come in and hand her a folded up piece of cloth. I believe Tanneke has her hand to her mouth (trying to suppress a sob?) and then she leaves and it shows Griet, sitting down, opening up the cloth and we see the earrings. That's it...fin."}, {"response": 460, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (20:32)", "body": "(Tress) ...and it shows Griet, sitting down, opening up the cloth and we see the earrings. That's it...fin. Tress, did the ending seem a bit abrupt to you? Or anyone else?"}, {"response": 461, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (23:18)", "body": "(Ildi) Tress, did the ending seem a bit abrupt to you? Or anyone else? It did, but I liked it. I think I liked it better than the book because you didn't know. You just know she recieved the earrings and there wasn't that scene with Catarina telling her she (C) could never wear them again.....and you weren't even sure if Vermeer was alive or dead (though you got that feeling from Tanneke's reaction). I liked how she saw the earrings and then it went to the painting (didn't it? or did it go to Van R in that room looking at the painting? GAH...it's getting fuzzy!) right before the credits began to roll."}, {"response": 462, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Sep 25, 2003 (08:20)", "body": "A lurker (who might also have been a co-star..or perhaps that was just a whimsical email name;-))sent this to me and thought I might want to post it here. I do. See: http://www.tchevalier.com/guides/gwape.html 11. St. Francis De Sales, a 16th-century mystic, famously wrote that \"the first part of the body that a man wants, and which a woman must loyally protect, is the ear.\" With this in mind, discuss the rich symbolism and implicit eroticism behind Vermeer's mandate that Griet pierce her ear. And what are the implications of Vermeer later demanding that Griet pierce her other ear as well, even though it is completely hidden in the painting?"}, {"response": 463, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 25, 2003 (10:34)", "body": "Total domination? Sheesh! What a typical male! Thanks, Beedee."}, {"response": 464, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Sep 25, 2003 (13:11)", "body": "(Moon)Total domination? I guess. He could have taken her virginity, but chose not to. So then, according to St.FDeS, he did the next best thing. And what are the implications of Vermeer later demanding that Griet pierce her other ear as well, even though it is completely hidden in the painting? By piercing the other ear, even though it remains hidden, she consents. It's their secret? The attraction and lust must remain hidden?"}, {"response": 465, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Sep 25, 2003 (13:12)", "body": "Sorry, got carried away with piercing symbolism. Closing tags"}, {"response": 466, "author": "mjmorris", "date": "Thu, Sep 25, 2003 (18:00)", "body": "Thoughts on ear piercing as raised by St. De Sales. I hadn't ever really considered the ear as something coveted by a man, so I did a little research this afternoon. According to some the piercing of the ears beautifies the human body and is also protects the wearer from evil. One historian attributes piercing the ear as a punishiments for overhearing things that one shouldn't and that as consolation the person receives earrings. The more expensive the jewelry, the worse the pain and suffering the person had endured. Another study said that the ear was the microcosm of the body. Piercing has been used by many cultures as a rite of initiation into adulthood. The ear in some cultures was the repository of knowlege and the ear/hearing was closely related to social behaviour, morality, knowledge and understanding. To understand was to be raised able the ignorant, lower classes. In India and elsewhere I'm sure, the ear was an erogenous zone and the ear lobe was linked to sexual reflexes. Evidence exists that the ears have been sacrificed along with other sexual organs to dieties in Europe/Egypt and elsewhere. I don't have time to write my personal thoughts relating directly to the movie now. I must leave for an appoitment, but I want to see what you all that have more experience with the movie think about the information above. Please excuse typos, I don't have time to proofread. Michelle"}, {"response": 467, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 25, 2003 (18:31)", "body": "Sheesh...I say rubbish: Most of those historians are probably males looking for symbollism why women get ( or should get ) their ears pierced. In latin countries baby girls get their ears pierced as infants. Pure adornments. I had my ears pierced because I didn't want to lose good earrings, and because the prettiest earrings are for pierced ears. Period."}, {"response": 468, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Sep 25, 2003 (22:08)", "body": "What a job MJ! No wonder we see so many neck around the ear nuzzles from ODB. I haven't seen the film but this is a scene that has excited my anticipatiion. (MJ)Piercing has been used by many cultures as a rite of initiation into adulthood. This was certainly the case for me. Thanks for doing the interesting research. Lots of food for thought here."}, {"response": 469, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Sep 27, 2003 (16:12)", "body": "(BeeDee)I have been slipping to the Reuters site for the itty bitty poor clip and loving it so... It's a good one, isn't it? It actually shows quite a bit about the movie. I think you can tell a lot from it. If you compare it to the same scene in the book, you can tell how they've changed things a bit. In the book, she continues cleaning and says a whole lot more. Here the film clearly shows the visual tie between seeing Griet clean the windows and the next painting he does. This is the first implication of her being his muse. It is right after this scene that he starts working again after finishing Van R's wife several months hence. He starts painting \"Young Woman with an Ewer (Water Pitcher)\". This is the most dominant painting in the movie, except for GWAPE. It is the one she sees through the camera obscura. It causes him to explain his painting process by having her look at the color of the clouds. It's the one where she moves the chair from the scene while cleaning and he then paints it out. You can get a feel for the quietness of the movie--how much time lapses and the amount of dialogue in that amount of time. It shows how much acting was required of the players. You can get a feel for the gentle humor that has been added to the film. SJ does a great job of looking very embarrassed and confused about what to do when she realizes she is holding a very ugly, dirty, dripping wet rag in what would otherwise be a beautiful scene. I love it when he says, \"Drop it.\" Very commanding! You can also tell about the lighting and how like a Vermeer painting the movie seems. I've been looking up as many Vermeers as I can find and so many have the light coming from the left like that and several have that beautiful window in them. From both Vermeer's POV and Griet's POV, you can tell how the set designer fills up the wide space on either side of the people. Looking at Vermeer, you can see the angle of his easel as he approaches Griet. Looking at Griet, you can see the bucket and the table beside of her. I'm sorry I can't remember who, but someone posted this link when we first got the news of GWAPE. I bookmarked it. You can look at some of Vermeer's painting there. Young Woman with an Ewer is there so you can compare it to the clip. http://instruct.westvalley.edu/grisham/1b_dutbar.html"}, {"response": 470, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Sep 27, 2003 (22:52)", "body": "Caribou, you are driving me a little bit crazy......... but don't stop! *Still crazy after all those*.......spoilers!;-)"}, {"response": 471, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (13:16)", "body": "Thank you *mjmorris* for that research on ear piercing. My mother had my ears pierced @ two days old by the doctor before I left the hospital. I'm the second daughter, and remember my elder sister always being jealous that hers had not been pierced-she later had it done at around 32 y.o.. Although my junior sister now has pierced ears,I don't remember if that was done at birth..have to ask her......."}, {"response": 472, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (15:17)", "body": "I saw GWAPE last night with another Drooler and a friend of hers as the kick-off film in a European Union Film Festival being held at a local art house-ish theater. The theater (a reasonably large one) was over half full, mostly middle-aged people and up, more women than men but there were still plenty of men. I thought it was a marvelous film, a class act all around. The visual beauty of it has already been well described by Caribou, Terry, and others, and it really is uncanny the degree to which the photography makes the whole thing look like a Vermeer painting. I thought all the performances were good, and SJ and CF were excellent. It's SJ's film - later I could only recall one scene in which she didn't appear (and it's a very short one late in the film). I think if CF's role had been equal in size to hers, he'd get equal attention for the quality of his work, but as it is she's bound to be the center of attention. His role is still fairly large, and even before we see him his presence kind of hovers over the film, just as it did in the book, but she's the protagonist so she's the central, unifying presence in the story. As the others have already said, there are many scenes in which the sexual tension is riveting. During the ear-piercing scene, I didn't hear a sound from anyone in the theater. I don't think any of us even moved, and I know I barely breathed. There's another scene where they are sitting side by side, mixing paints, and their hands ALMOST touch. I've never seen so much tension come from the question of whether or not two people's hands are going to touch. There's another scene where Vermeer and Catharina are just sitting around while Griet sets the table. There's almost no dialogue, but by the end of it the tension that's been built during all that silence is remarkable. Vermeer and Griet are almost painfully aware of one another, yet they try to hide it, because it's all too clear to Catharina what's going on. In another scene near the end, after Catharina has fired Griet, she's standing outside Vermeer's studio, considering going in to see him before she leaves. He knows she's out there... she knows he's in there. The scene cuts back and forth between the two of them, and even though she walks away without going into the room, it almost feels as though they had a conversation by the time the scene comes to an end. The movie is simply full of scenes like that - it's all about nuance and subtlety and nonverbal communication. Another interesting thing is that Vermeer sometimes seemed to use seductive behavior to attempt to manipulate Catharina. This was something I don't recall from the book. What's interesting is that later in the movie you see her attempt to do the same thing in reverse, but it fails utterly because by then he's obsessed with Griet and barely notices that Catharina exists. In my opinion, he vanished into his role in a way that he hasn't in quite a while. Maybe it was because he was in long hair and different clothes, so he didn't look like the guy in all the recent magazine articles (and hasn't THAT been fun???), but I think it might be more the case that he simply became Vermeer. I still thought he was AFG, but it was Vermeer who was AFG, not CF, if you see what I mean. Lots of stubble, lots of smouldering, and lots of close-ups. His detractors will probably say, in their oh-so-witty reviews, that he's just playing another in his long string of characters who repress their smouldering passions. And that is in fact what the role requires of him, but this was an entirely new performance, in my opinion. He wasn't just rehashing one of his Darcys, or any other character he's played. I started trying to think about what was different, and I decided that with Vermeer, there was something about him that seemed almost dangerous, perhaps closer to the edge of losing control, which I found very provocative. And I may have figured out why. Darcy's repression (in P&P and BJD) comes mostly from his own personality, from within. Vermeer is a quiet man, but he is not without emotions, and he doesn't necessarily hide them unless he has to. He is forced into repressing his feelings for Griet by his circumstances, not by his nature. And given that, it's to be expected that the feelings will be more raw, closer to the surface, and far more dangerous. It's showing again on Saturday night (anybody in the Washington, DC, area - it's at the AFI Silver Screen Theater in Silver Spring at 8:15 pm), and right now I'm trying to decide between seeing it or trying to locate a LA sneak preview. I must say, this is the sort of problem I wish I had more often!"}, {"response": 473, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (15:33)", "body": "(Rika) And that is in fact what the role requires of him, but this was an entirely new performance, in my opinion. He wasn't just rehashing one of his Darcys, or any other character he's played. Agree with you Rika! This is new stuff...and I think you explained it very well right here: He is forced into repressing his feelings for Griet by his circumstances, not by his nature. And given that, it's to be expected that the feelings will be more raw, closer to the surface, and far more dangerous."}, {"response": 474, "author": "caribou", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (00:09)", "body": "Thanks for sharing your thoughts Rika. It was fun to try to relive it through your recent observations. (Rika)I think if CF's role had been equal in size to hers, he'd get equal attention for the quality of his work, but as it is she's bound to be the center of attention. Still, I'm over the moon about the ad: For your consideration: Colin Firth-Best Actor. I just keep repeating it because it feels so good. Colin Firth-Best Actor. Colin Firth-Best Actor. At the end of the day, Lions Gate did right by him. Now, I'm hoping lots of Academy members get a good dose of Firth Fever and I hear Colin Firth-Best Actor as the camera focuses on him in his tux turning to give Livia a kiss before climbing those stairs to make his speech. (Rika)Lots of stubble, lots of smouldering, and lots of close-ups. There was one particular close up of him where his face filled that huge screen and the little triangular bit of stubble centered right below his lower lip was just above the bottom of the screen. Ahhh! Sigh!!! It's going to be so much fun when you get that DVD, Rika!;-)"}, {"response": 475, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (00:50)", "body": "(Caribou)There was one particular close up of him where his face filled that huge screen and the little triangular bit of stubble centered right below his lower lip was just above the bottom of the screen. Ahhh! Sigh!!! Ooh - something to look for when I see it again on Wednesday...."}, {"response": 476, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (01:19)", "body": "(Rika)..so he didn't look like the guy in all the recent magazine articles (and hasn't THAT been fun???), but I think it might be more the case that he simply became Vermeer. I still thought he was AFG, but it was Vermeer who was AFG, not CF, if you see what I mean. Oh yes, Rika. I see exactly what you mean :-) The fact, that you simply saw Vermeer instead of CF is IMHO one of the greatest compliments, you can pay an actor. Thank you so much for you thoughts and observations. You made my day :-)"}, {"response": 477, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (21:12)", "body": "Rika, I'm so glad you finally saw it too. You sound as bewitched as the rest of us. Happy second viewing! I'm counting the days till January..."}, {"response": 478, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (14:41)", "body": "Short GWAPE review: I didn't like the book but I like the movie. Agree with previous comments, the cinematography is gorgeous, it was compelling viewing. Colin and Scarlett fantastic. I felt there would have been some confusing parts, like the beginning, if I had not read the book, but overall really well done."}, {"response": 479, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (16:09)", "body": "Thank you so much for your review, Katty! Can't wait til Wed. As usual, I had read way too much about the film and knew almost all that was going to happen, so I think a better appreciation of the overall film will have to wait for my second viewing when I can evaluate it more objectively. The first viewing of Colin's movies are always the throwaways anyway. ;-)"}, {"response": 480, "author": "katty", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (16:50)", "body": "Here's my take on the movie that I initially posted on the wrong thread (184), plus another thought: Got to see GWAPE at the Hawaii International Film Festival, and it was well worth the long wait in line. The one and only showing was sold out and the audience was enthusiastic. As usual, I had read way too much about the film and knew almost all that was going to happen, so I think a better appreciation of the overall film will have to wait for my second viewing when I can evaluate it more objectively. But as far as Colin, goes, he was everything I'd expected of him, and more. Very virile and forceful, sexy and smouldering, but different from Darcyesque characters. This Vermeer is a more self-centered and manipulative - an artist for whom his art comes first. His palpable attraction to Griet fulfilled him more as an impetus for his art than for his libido. In his own way, I think he used her almost as much as Van Ruijven tried to. I think he sacrificed Griet not because of convention, but because of his art. The chemistry between the two is amazing. The sexiest scene by far is when he sees Griet with her long hair. (As one critic wrote, she will never look as beautiful again.) His look was hot enough to burn holes in plaster. Their lip-wetting scene may cause a spike in collagen lip implants. Although his presence drives the film, Colin is clearly a supporting actor to Scarlett, and I think she deserves at least an Oscar nomination. Having to operate on the suppressed level required of a maid in a subservient position, she managed to convey such an astonishing range of emotions with no big tantrums or \"money\" scenes. She was believable and touching and sympathetic throughout, and very beautiful in a nontraditional way. This is clearly an art movie, both literally and figuratively, and thus does not have any chance of being a blockbuster. It is very slow-paced and character-, not action-driven. (It's way better than that the over-rated The Hours, which won Nicole Kidman an oscar last year.) But if marketed properly and if blessed with Oscar nods (actress and cinematography especially), it has a good chance of being a respectable prestige success. My thoughts on Tracy Chevalier not thinking Colin an ideal choice for Vermeer: Maybe she found him too Hollywood handsome (and there are some shots of him that simply take your breath away) and distracted from the \"meeting of minds\" between the two. With Colin in the role he could have just sat there painting stick figures and still inspire lust in her. Alan Rickman on the other hand... Another thought on the movie (warning - more of a Spoiler): Pieter and Vermeer never meet in the movie, so there was no jealousy shown by Vermeer toward Pieter. I missed this aspect of the book in the movie because it illustrated more graphically how possessive Vermeer was of Griet. The book also more effectively contrasted the two men and their very different worlds - eg bloody hands of Pieter vs the artistic hands of Vermeer, working class vs high class, young vs middle age, equal vs master."}, {"response": 481, "author": "socadook", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (21:19)", "body": "Oh Rika, Katty, thanks for being chatty. Looking forward to seeing GWAPE and will satisfy myself with your spoilers 'til then. Keep sharing. Just returned from the LA sneak preview. Sorry to say I didn't feel much love, actually :-("}, {"response": 482, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (21:33)", "body": "(Sonia)Just returned from the LA sneak preview. Sorry to say I didn't feel much love, actually :-( I didn't hate the movie and I didn't love it either. I don't know if I would have bothered to see it if it weren't for ODB. It was cute, though, and I'm sure lots of people will go see it (the theater I was in was almost full). It was mostly cute, fun fluff, but hey, marshmallows have their place in the world too. Of course, I will go see it again and buy the DVD and such. It was actually the first time I had seen ODB on the big screen (except for SIL, which I saw before I even knew who Colin Firth was) and that alone was lovely. I'll have to watch a few more times before I make a final analysis. ;-)"}, {"response": 483, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (21:44)", "body": "(Sonia)Just returned from the LA sneak preview. Sorry to say I didn't feel much love, actually :-( (Shoshana) I didn't hate the movie and I didn't love it either. Ok, I feel better. I'm just back too. Glad to see you two post the way you did, wondered where my wiring was loose. Trying to figure out if waiting and waiting for something that was supposed to be so wonderful just could not have lived up to its billing. Right now, I mainly think I feel like Karl and Sarah must have felt. Will try to be more thorough later."}, {"response": 484, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (22:01)", "body": "I just returned from LA and loved it. I haven't been to a film in a long time where I laughed from beginning to end. Yes, it had fluff and sentimentality, but I must say that Colin, Hugh, Liam, Bill, Laura, and Emma were fantastic. As for Colin's part...I need to go back several times. I got so caught up with watching him, (nah) that I didn't have time to look at the subtitles. (I had my throwaway) Judging from the audience reaction and what little I caught, it was pretty funny. The best was in the lake with the eels, and at the end when he is proposing and the verb tenses are all wrong. Again, this part got the best laughs as far as Colin's storyline. Bill Nighy was hilarious, and, yes he does say f--k a lot;-)Stole the show, IMO. I could have done with out the porn star scenes. It was funny, but that time could have been put to better use by using what I'm sure is a lot of good stuff on the cutting room floor. Loved Emma Thompson's and Laura Linneys' storylines. I do enjoy a feel good movie every now and then. I don't think I could take a season of Sylvia's, In the Cut, Veronica Guerin, etc. without a bit of feel good in between. Good films, but if you need a good laugh and few tears this is the one that has it all. Not to mention one very AFG man."}, {"response": 485, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (22:18)", "body": "I liked it. I would have cut the \"all I want for Christmas\" production number--that was a bit too cutesy. Biggest laugh of the night was in the discussion about the nativity pageant, when Emma T said to her daughter \"I didn't know there were lobsters at the birth of Christ.\" and the kid said, \"Well, duh.\" Lots of laughs for Colin's crowd-gathering walk through town and then the proposal. (Right near the end of that part, he turns to the crowd, and that's when I could see some scalp.) I like Jamie's early scenes with Aurelia, especially the scene after the lake when they get up from the table, and try to avoid bumping into each other. Very sweet, very restrained, especially as she's wrapped in a blanket at that point (it looked scratchy.) When Aurelia took off her clothes to jump in the water after the manuscript, I had hopes, but then he went and tripped before he could remove anything but the heavy sweater. Darn! At times I had too much of a BJD deja-vu thing--cruel ex-girlfriend, him at the airport (tantrum over the taxi was a bit too silly), him rushing to find her now that he's realized he loves her. The wide-eyed look when Aurelia's sister kissed him was funny. I didn't think his typing was as bad as Aurelia described it. His hands are too large for that keyboard, though. He appeared to be typing with all fingers, not hunt-and-peck, but was one row too high (seemed to have the qwerty row as the home keys, not the asdaf row). The end was a clever idea--bring it all back to the airport thing. But that was too forced. And there were sudden unexplained relationships. How did Jamie know the artist and the newlyweds? Why were they meeting him at the airport? And there was another group at the airport (can't remember who now) who hadn't been connected earlier. And why were they ALL traveling at the same time? And on the subject of unexplained connections, why were the two actors' stand-ins going to the Christmas pageant? They seemed to just bump into people who knew them, so who invited them there? They didn't have kids... Bill Nighy was hysterical. I can see why Colin wanted to do his part--an extension of his budding musical career from air-guitarist to using a real guitar. I'm not a prude about language--nobody said any words that I don't use often enough--but did it strike anyone that Liam's conversations with his stepson were a bit too adult? How old was the kid? Most parents are still trying to watch their language in front of kids that young. And telling the kid that he'd be having sex all over the house--the joke seemed inappropriate to the kid's age."}, {"response": 486, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (22:39)", "body": "(Kate)How did Jamie know the artist and the newlyweds Just friends, he went to their wedding. They were picking up Jamie and Auerila at the airport. (Kate)And there was another group at the airport (can't remember who now) who hadn't been connected earlier. The other group was LN and ET/AR...they were together at the school Christmas pagent and I assumed they knew each other as parents sending their kids to the same school. They acknowledged each other at the play as well. I also think Colin's kiss at the end was not bad bordering on v. good. Obviously the director didn't shout, \"I want to see tongues\", but he was on the verge. Lips were definitely parted. All this aside, will I see it 15 times, no. Will I see it 10, no. But 3-5 is a definite. I felt I missed a lot. The scenes were quick almost too quick. Colin's I felt were a bit choppier than most. I don't think that because I was too busy watching him, I got that impression as I was watching the film."}, {"response": 487, "author": "socadook", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (22:46)", "body": "(Shoshana) I don't know if I would have bothered to see it if it weren't for ODB Even without ODB, the rest of cast would've got me to the theater. Yet even with ODB, unless the box office suffers, there won't be any repeat viewing for me. I'll save them for GWAPE and Trauma. The actors were fine, the storylines were good, actually and there were some laughs. It's just that the movie felt like one looooooong sitcom that's found the right jokes and gags and milks them for all they're worth, interrupted time and again by the same, lame beer commercial. (Kate) Biggest laugh of the night was in the discussion about the nativity pageant, when Emma T said to her daughter \"I didn't know there were lobsters at the birth of Christ.\" and the kid said, \"Well, duh.\" From \"my\" audience too. When Aurelia took off her clothes to jump in the water after the manuscript, I had hopes, but then he went and tripped before he could remove anything but the heavy sweater. Darn! Can you tell a man made this movie ;-) How did Jamie know the artist and the newlyweds? He was at their wedding. Why were they meeting him at the airport? One of life's mysteries. And there was another group at the airport (can't remember who now) who hadn't been connected earlier. Do you mean the Brit and his American beauties meeting up with his buddy who worked in the movies? And why were they ALL traveling at the same time? That's why they call it peak season ;-) And telling the kid that he'd be having sex all over the house--the joke seemed inappropriate to the kid's age. From an adult point of view I agree. However, kids today talk and kid about sex much more that I ever did as a kid, or even a teen for that matter. One thing I've learned though is that a lot of kids (hopefully... please) don't have the adult understanding of what sex really is, and the adult connotation goes right over their heads (again, hopefully)."}, {"response": 488, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (22:47)", "body": "...One more tidbit then I'm outta here for the night. Keep forgetting to ask this. At the beginning of the film when all the people are meeting and greeting (not the cast) just ordinary people, did anyone else see Richard Curtis?"}, {"response": 489, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (22:55)", "body": "OK, this is all early impression stuff, but want to get it down. Emma Thompson is flat out, hands down, the most wonderful actress I think I have had the pleasure of seeing. Her distraught wife scene, trying to keep it all together in the face of utter desolation, was fabulous. And that I make this comment about a performance in a romantic comedy is telling. They aren't kidding about ambiguity. I had to make out a score card. Of the stories that have what would be normally considered \"happy endings\", I can only count the following: Jamie and Aurelia: Wish I could buy into it but suspension of belief (even for ODB) does not allow for \"I wish to marriage you\" to a woman you have never really spoken to. Looks like you were delusional in your first relationship, how about doing it all again? The storyline was cute, ODB was cute, the kiss sucked -- no wait, it didn't, that was the problem-- and I think this storyline more than maybe any other, suffered from the lack of time that went to other, less worthy stories. Hugh and Martine: Cute but... HG dancing was funny but was he supposed to look so ill put together throughout? The catalyst Christmas card...more suspension of belief. And does she not even wonder why she has been \"redistributed' or whatever the word was? And he is the Prime Minister, surely he could have gotten her address...going door-to-door...OK, just call me Scrooge. Liam and stepson: Maybe the one true love relationship I really could see and I'm not sure many would have this one on their scorecards. The only other \"wins\" here were condom-boy and the porno stand-ins. OH, except for Bill Nighy. Loved him, loved his story, scene stealer is right. Other thoughts: The other story line that suffered from lack of development was the PM and the Pres. The PM looked good putting it to him and it was almost cheerworthy 'cause you knew the Pres was a slime-ball, but for the early move of the new PM to be to totally estrange the Pres after their first face-to-face, it felt like swatting a fly with a .357. One true thing: The Keira Knightley storyline. When Andrew Lincoln walks away and says \"enough\", that felt right. But not a happy ending. Emma and Alan: write your own ending. Have to see it again. Does he ask her at the end, at the airport, how she is? If he cares, and since she is there to meet him, one can only hope mature love will eventually win the day? Saw the movie with my dh...hope he did not get a whiplash when the secretary leaned back in her chair and spread her knees. Oh, and Emma is the sister of the PM. I know that does not mean wealth by association, but her home felt claustrophobic. Sarah and Karl: Rodrigo Santoro should be illegal. What a bod. Painful storyline...selfless love=lack of self love. No win there. Great music, scenery. Several more viewings to come. But a feel good movie? I can't see it."}, {"response": 490, "author": "socadook", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (22:56)", "body": "(Linda) did anyone else see Richard Curtis? Yes, thought that was him. Speaking of the beginning, I'll be daring and bring it up. I understand that at the time the movie came about 9/11 was at the forefront for everyone. Even though it wasn't said distastefully, it felt a bit exploitative, imo. The message that love is all around was working fine without the 9/11 reference. Bringing it up, I'm wondering what RC was really trying to say."}, {"response": 491, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (23:01)", "body": "I did not notice Curtis. (Sonia)Just returned from the LA sneak preview. Sorry to say I didn't feel much love, actually :-( (Shoshana) I didn't hate the movie and I didn't love it either. (Barbara)Ok, I feel better. That's 4 of us. I was set to really like and enjoy this film. I was let down. But I am not the average film watcher. I'm sure that Curtis and luvvie gang will end up making the millions their hyping for."}, {"response": 492, "author": "socadook", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (23:30)", "body": "(Moon) Hugh was terrible. Seems he was doing the HG thing only not as well as before. Also, his PM acts as if he got to nbr 10 by mistake. You know \"it was a joke, I didn't think I would get elected. What am I supposed to do now? How should I talk to the pres? Should I be a yes man or back up my team.\" Hard to buy Colin's storyline as well as others. Real life will surprise you (it does me). That's part of its charm. Guess Rc was trying to convey that on screen. The ending was more pat than a classic \"happy\" one. Hence no feel-good feeling. Christmas was used as the backdrop yet it didn't enhance the storylines. Missed opportunity for the first time director. That's 4 of us. Is this a regional thing? Anyone in areas other than the South share our opinions? (Barb) Rodrigo Santoro should be illegal. What a bod. What a face. What a mouth. Oooooooh yeah. Yum! :-d Her distraught wife scene, trying to keep it all together in the face of utter desolation, was fabulous. Ab-solutely. And her joy at finding the necklace in his pocket. Her eagerness to open her present \"like a kid on Christmas morning\". And the utter disappointment when she sees her gift. Gutting. Bravo, ET."}, {"response": 493, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (23:36)", "body": "(Sonia) Is this a regional thing? Anyone in areas other than the South share our opinions? Not \"south\" here (Indiana), but since we all (in Indiana) come from down thattaway anyway (cannot believe I just said that) who can tell?"}, {"response": 494, "author": "socadook", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (23:38)", "body": "(Barb) Not \"south\" here (Indiana) Eh, wado I know? I'm a transplanted nuyoka."}, {"response": 495, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (23:42)", "body": "(Barb) Rodrigo Santoro should be illegal. What a bod. He looked gay to me. (I lived in West Hollywood and you would not believe the waste of beautiful men) ;-) Her distraught wife scene, trying to keep it all together in the face of utter desolation, was fabulous. Agreed. (Moon), Hard to buy Colin's storyline as well as others. (Sonia), Real life will surprise you (it does me). That's part of its charm. Guess Rc was trying to convey that on screen. It was not developed. Not enough tension, rather superficial. I didn't buy it. Seems he was doing the HG thing only not as well as before. Exactly. Old and trite and seen."}, {"response": 496, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (23:56)", "body": "(Sonia) Is this a regional thing? Nope. Checking in here from the northeast, I was disappointed in the film. Too many story lines, not enough time to develop any of them. What you're left with is a series of punchlines instead of a movie. Very lazy filmmaking, IMO. And talk abut requiring suspension of belief! --Liam Neeson's wife died within the past month--and he (and his stepson, whose mother it is that died!!) are already on the lookout for someone else for him? I don't think so. --Colin is proposing to Lucia after having shared no real conversations and one kiss? --The PM tells off the President--at a public news conference? --The kid can get through airport security because the security people are distracted by . . . a TV show? That's just for starters. Anyway, there were a some good laughs to be had, it's a cute movie, Colin is adorable, Emma Thompson is a treasure. But of all of Curtis's films, this is my least favorite."}, {"response": 497, "author": "kkenkel513", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (23:58)", "body": "Just got home from Omaha (closest preview to me). The show was sold out and most everyone showed (even though it was misting and it was predicted to freeze). I loved the movie, but I love rom-com's. Thought Colin looked AFG. Loved the crowd as they gathered behind him (lots of laughs). Loved the badly conjugated verbs (again laughs from audience). I didn't see the proposal as a leap. I felt that the time they spent together, language barrier aside, gave them to opportunity to know each other. Loved the relationship between Liam and son. I, however, plan not to have those kinds of conversations with my children even when they are 40. I did feel that they had a real love for each other. Emma Thompson's performance killed me. I cried along with her as she tried to compose herself. The ladies next to me commented that they wanted to know, in the end, if the affair ended or if Emma was just being brave for the kids. Rowan Atkinson's two scenes were absolutely priceless. He made Alan Rickman's character squirm so well. Was there anything else he could do to that stupid present??? Then to show up so Sam could sneak through was fabulous. The wink!!! I loved the look on Keira Knightly's face as she watched the video. Hugh's dance was funny. It got lots of laughs from the audience. I thought he looked horrible throughout, though. Very pale and washed out. He really isn't very believable as PM. As everyone has said, Bill Nighy steals every scene he's in. I could have done without the \"stand-ins\" or the Wisconsin girls. Overall, I'll probably see this 2 or 3 more times in the theater."}, {"response": 498, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (23:59)", "body": "Thank you, everyone. Interesting to read all the differing opinions. Am surprised at the wide range of differences, actually. Can't wait until Tues to see what camp I fall into."}, {"response": 499, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (00:05)", "body": "(Sonia) Is this a regional thing? Anyone in areas other than the South share our opinions? Well, Virginia is more or less the south (depends on which part and who you ask)... and I liked it. First, an audience story. There were four women down the row from us, and before the movie, I heard one of them mention CF's name. DH was talking to me, and I shushed him so I could eavesdrop. She was explaining that he was in BJD, and promised to nudge them when CF came onscreen so they'd know who he was. She apparently did as promised, because I heard some whispering and a quiet, \"Oh!\" when he appeared. (BarbS) Emma Thompson is flat out, hands down, the most wonderful actress I think I have had the pleasure of seeing. Absolutely. I can see why some critics have singled her out for her performance here. Sarah and Karl: Rodrigo Santoro should be illegal. What a bod. Painful storyline...selfless love=lack of self love. No win there. I've never seen him before, but... WOW. Actually I thought he was too pretty to be paired with her. She's attractive, but he made her look kind of bland and worn out. Very sad situation. (Linda)I could have done with out the porn star scenes. It was funny, but that time could have been put to better use by using what I'm sure is a lot of good stuff on the cutting room floor. Agreed. That one, and Wisconsin Boy, could have been left out, and the time devoted elsewhere, with no loss whatsoever. When they appeared on her doorstep after their date, DH turned to me and said, \"Who the heck are they?\" He didn't recognize them with their clothes on. I really disliked the Wisconsin stuff, and the audience in general didn't seem to care for it much. But I suppose it was there for the \"dumb guy\" demographic. Moon) Hugh was terrible. I thought he was okay, but it was a rehash of the usual HG performance. Our audience didn't seem to enjoy him much. About the only really big laugh HG got was for his dance. I didn't like Billy Bob or that subplot. ODB's storyline seemed to be one of the audience's favorites. I loved him - big surprise there! He was positively charming - the role exploited the sweet, gentle quality he brings to a lot of his roles. It was also nice for a change to see him in a part that allowed him to smile. Not all the endings were happy, but if anything, I thought that counterbalanced the \"sitcomish\" feeling, and made things not entirely predictable, so I liked it."}, {"response": 500, "author": "socadook", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (00:17)", "body": "(Rika) and I liked it. On your WAGW-o-meter-repeat-viewings scale of 1 to 13, how would you rate LA?"}, {"response": 501, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (01:08)", "body": "I'd have to give it a an OK-ish rating, but it certainly didn't strike me as being as good as Notting Hill, 4 Weddings or BJD, films which I can watch over and over again (despite trademark cheesy Curtisisms). I found the underdeveloped storylines and characters very problematic. How can anyone accept the endings under those circumstances? (Barb) Rodrigo Santoro should be illegal. What a bod. (Moon) He looked gay to me. LOL! This guy's Brazilian. Perhaps will Google to see if his sexual preferences have been noted. But he *is* something. yum yum Am going to have to defend Huge here. His comedic skills/timing are perfect. True, you may not believe him to be a prime minister, but the man can not elicit laughter with a look or line, but there was some excellent acting as I said in the moments leading up to his rah-rah England speech. Would a PM do this at a joint press conference? No. But neither would some many other scenes occur in real life. Loved the new rendition of Both Sides Now by Joni Mitchell BTW and how much it added to the poignancy of the Emma Thompson storyline. (Kate) Biggest laugh of the night was in the discussion about the nativity pageant, when Emma T said to her daughter \"I didn't know there were lobsters at the birth of Christ.\" and the kid said, \"Well, duh.\" Here too. I forgot. (Linda) At the beginning of the film when all the people are meeting and greeting (not the cast) just ordinary people, did anyone else see Richard Curtis? I thought I saw him in the final airport scene, standing behind some of the stars. Emma Thompson IMO was fabulous. Her light comedy and heart-breaking dramatic segments cannot be beat by anybody else in this cast. She was one of the few characters who seemed real and, therefore, somebody you could care about. I'm going to have to go back to the LA website and study that diagram because I can't figure out Liam Neeson's connection to the other characters. Initially, it seemed like only Colin had the most tangential relationship (friend of the groom) to the others, but did Liam's seemed the most unconnected to me. He knew Emma Thompson, but was that it?"}, {"response": 502, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (01:25)", "body": "(Barb) Saw the movie with my dh...hope he did not get a whiplash when the secretary leaned back in her chair and spread her knees. I noticed a similar reaction among the men sitting around me. ;-)"}, {"response": 503, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (01:39)", "body": "Thanks Karen and Mari for your thoughts. Opinions seem to be pretty even between positive, negative, and middle of the road. Mari, would you email me at home if you can get mail back, or check your other email if you can, if you haven't already. Thanks."}, {"response": 504, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (06:45)", "body": "(Karen)I can't figure out Liam Neeson's connection to the other characters. I just figured it was a connection through parents with children attending the same school. Now I'm all confused, too. Must go back and figure it out. But didn't Emma and Liam have a conversation about his wife, and the problems with the step-son? Thinking they are neighbors, close friends. As I said last night I missed so many of Colin's subtitles. They moved so quickly and some of the dialogue was lost because people were LOL. But the subtitles I did catch (because I didn't have to look at his AFG face) were the ones from Auerila's father and sister. \"Papa is going to sell Auerila to an Englishman...he's going to kill Auerila.\" Then the father's \"Ms. Dunkin Donuts Queen of 2002\"...not exact but from what I remember. Also liked when Jamie shows up with the Christmas presents then decides he has to leave \"to do what a man has to do\" and the kids who were just so excited to see him with all the gifts start saying, I hate Uncle Jamie. Also liked Jamie's first scene at the typewriter when he says, \"Alone, again, naturally\". Of course that song is now in my head since last night I thought the film did what it set out to do. Agree with Karen that it is a weaker RC film than his others, but I didn't expect to see 10 super developed storylines. That was a given knowing beforehand what the film was about. Yes, they could have done without two of the stories, and developed the others more. I did like HG in this. So did the audience (demographically speaking, from Central NJ);-) He seems to always deliver what is expected, and from the POV of my audience, he did it again. For me, I did expect to laugh a lot. I did."}, {"response": 505, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (09:03)", "body": "(Karen)I can't figure out Liam Neeson's connection to the other characters. And why would Curtis explain that one, since he really did not explain so many of the others? Definitely my least favourite of his films. BTW, I liked Hugh in BJD. In LA he doesn't put much of an effort."}, {"response": 506, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (09:06)", "body": "Burning Question: How does LA compare with Gosford Park. Does Robert Altman have to worry;-)"}, {"response": 507, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (10:04)", "body": "(moi)I can't figure out Liam Neeson's connection to the other characters. (Linda) I just figured it was a connection through parents with children attending the same school....But didn't Emma and Liam have a conversation about his wife, and the problems with the step-son? Thinking they are neighbors, close friends. I couldn't find that diagram at the site. Anybody remember where it was? As I recall, there were generally, at least, three lines from each character's name going to other characters, representing connections at some level. Liam knowing Emma from school (perhaps she was good friends with the mother) would be one, but what were the others? FYI, Colin seemed the most precariously connected character, as he seemed to only know the groom, and therefore could've been lopped out of the movie. (Linda) Then the father's \"Ms. Dunkin Donuts Queen of 2002\"...not exact but from what I remember. Do you think Dunkin Donuts is big in Portugal? I found that one rather strange. But it reminds me of the one part of this film that I disliked the most--Richard Curtis's fat comments--first about Martine (could you possibly believe that the PM's chief of staff/asst would refer to the Tea Lady that way?) and then about Aurelia's sister. Tasteless IMO, but so very Richard. (Linda) Also liked when Jamie shows up with the Christmas presents then decides he has to leave \"to do what a man has to do\" and the kids who were just so excited to see him with all the gifts start saying, I hate Uncle Jamie. But he left the presents for them, so there would be no reason to hate Uncle Jamie. Unrealistic IMO. I suppose Jamie would've brought his own car over to France, right? That would explain a car with a steering wheel on the right side, huh? (Linda Also liked Jamie's first scene at the typewriter when he says, \"Alone, again, naturally\" That was good. I did enjoy the Jamie-Aurelia scenes a lot. His trying to communicate initially in his hodgepodge of languages reminded me of a similar experience I've had, where a waiter finally told this person that he didn't understand Spanish and could she speak in English. I laughed at that then and I laughed at this now, especially the older woman who arranged for Aurelia to clean his house. I loved her comments about Jamie's language skills. (Evelyn) Burning Question: How does LA compare with Gosford Park. Does Robert Altman have to worry;-) LOL!"}, {"response": 508, "author": "neshacat", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (10:35)", "body": "The sneak preview of Love Actually showed with Intolerable Cruelty - both for $9. Cincinnati does have its moments. Ages in the audience varied from little old ladies to groups of twenty somethings. Love Actually was a big hit here. The contrast with Intolerable Cruelty was stark - people left before it finished. I thought Curtis accomlished what he wanted to with the film. It may be simplistic and overly sentimental, but I enjoyed it. Sometimes I need to be reminded that \"love is all around\". The Christmas scene between the brother and sister was very poignant. Love of one kind giving way to love of another kind. Did anyone else notice that love and sex were separated? I wonder it that's the point of the porn star story line. I liked Colin's performance. It struck me as more well rounded and showed a broader range of his acting skill than many of his other perfomances. His story got lots of audience response ranging from the gasp when he hears his wife talking to his brother to lots of laughter at all the right places. This audience was definitely rooting for a happy ending for Jamie. I'll see it a few more times. Thanks to all of you who post so regularly and contribute all of the pictures and links. It's very much appreciated!"}, {"response": 509, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (10:35)", "body": "(Karen)But he left the presents for them, so there would be no reason to hate Uncle Jamie. Unrealistic IMO. But did he leave them? I remember him backing out of the door, and I thought he still had the bags in his hands, thus the kids being mad at him?? Just another one of those reasons to go back and see."}, {"response": 510, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (10:44)", "body": "(Karen)the one part of this film that I disliked the most--Richard Curtis's fat comments--first about Martine (could you possibly believe that the PM's chief of staff/asst would refer to the Tea Lady that way?) and then about Aurelia's sister. Tasteless IMO The fat comments really got in the way of my enjoying the movie and I think were one of the major reasons I couldn't love it. Natalie wasn't fat. She wasn't even approaching fat. She was a lovely normal size. That aside, I like the movie a bit more now that I've thought about it. I did appreciate that (for a RC movie) it was ethnically diverse. There were actually black/non-white characters with some significance to the story. I could have done without the Wisconsin story line, though I did appreciate \"Colin, god of sex\" (refering to someone elso of that name, of course!). ET was wonderful. AR and LN put in nice parts too. I thought HG was so-so, but he did a good job playing a HG role. Oh, and about the precarious connections between the various characters/storylines, maybe the kids at the Nativity Pageant should have been singing \"It's a Small World After All.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 511, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (10:47)", "body": "(Mary) Did anyone else notice that love and sex were separated? I wonder it that's the point of the porn star story line. I don't want to single you out--because several people have referred to it as a \"porn\" movie, but it is not. The pair are merely \"stand-ins\" for actors in a movie. I'm sure RC used nude scenes to illustrate the ridiculousness of two people in that position who are getting to know each other at a more meaningful level than skin level. ;-) (Linda) But did he leave them? I thought the woman at the door had bags in her hand as he left. Think I'd better add some of the other comments from the Production Notes to the website on the other storylines..."}, {"response": 512, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (10:59)", "body": "(Karen) I'm going to have to go back to the LA website and study that diagram because I can't figure out Liam Neeson's connection to the other characters. That was confusing. The only hint we get was in LN's phone call to her at the start of the movie, where he says something along the lines of how he hates to be tiresome about it, but she's one of the only people he can call and talk to. When he made the call, my gut reaction was, \"He's calling his ex-wife,\" though I'm not sure I can defend that impression. (Sonia) On your WAGW-o-meter-repeat-viewings scale of 1 to 13, how would you rate LA? Nowhere near the high end of the scale, for starters just because ODB's part isn't big enough to justify that level of viewing. GWAPE, OTOH...."}, {"response": 513, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (11:07)", "body": "Curtis closes, \"I'm very haunted by what constitutes being 'realistic'--if I had to say, to me The Sound of Music seems to be quite a realistic piece of work. That film, which is accused of being totally saccharine, says two things: that good people hated the Nazis, which they did; and that lots of people fall in love and love their children, which they do. So there seems to me to be more truth to that than something that's called a searingly realistic drama, because all over the world, every minute of every day, people are falling in love. I say that no matter how dark the world gets, the actual texture has a lot to do with love.\" It's obvious that the man's perspective is very different. He is microfocusing and I've been generalizing."}, {"response": 514, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (12:48)", "body": "(Rika) When he made the call, my gut reaction was, \"He's calling his ex-wife,\" though I'm not sure I can defend that impression. I got that impression too and I have no idea where it came from....just thought it was his ex, at the very least, they are obviously friends. (Karen) But he left the presents for them, so there would be no reason to hate Uncle Jamie. Unrealistic IMO. Maybe Uncle Jamie is a hoot. Maybe they hate him (leaving) cuz he's the only adult that will hang them upside down (a dangler) or give them chocolate before dinner..... (Karen) FYI, Colin seemed the most precariously connected character, as he seemed to only know the groom, and therefore could've been lopped out of the movie. He knew Laura Linnney too. What did AR and LL do? Was that a publishing house? Jamie would have possible work connections there.... BTW, I love the end where Aurelia meets KK and AL (it was AL right?) at the airport and makes the remark about how she may have made a mistake with Englishman. Something about so many good looking friends....ha! Like we'd believe he was the plain one! (Karen) I suppose Jamie would've brought his own car over to France, right? That would explain a car with a steering wheel on the right side, huh? LOL...I forgot about that bit! Maybe he was upset...took his own car on the ferry and then \"drove all night\". But then he probably could have packed more stuff.....like his laptop...."}, {"response": 515, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (12:48)", "body": "A glass half-full observation from MCP's alter ego: There's no way Colin will be accused of being \"HG-lite\" in this film. I saw nothing remotely HGish about the character or the way he was played by Colin. Hey, even Huge IMO didn't play the PM in his older, stereotypical way, i.e., no eyelash fluttering, stuttering, floppy haired, etc., that I noticed. Guess he decided a PM wouldn't do those things. ;-) Colin can hold his head high here. Nothing embarrassing about being in this movie and an equal with the actors in this cast. Thankful for small favors."}, {"response": 516, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (12:55)", "body": "(Tress) He knew Laura Linnney too. Just because he was sitting next to her at the wedding??? Dunno 'bout that. I love the end where Aurelia meets KK and AL (it was AL right?) KK is married to Chiwetel Ejiofor); AL played Mark, the best friend, who was also at the airport."}, {"response": 517, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (13:11)", "body": "Have found the diagram. Liam Neesen's lines are only drawn to ET and the kid, who is connected to BN's character because they are \"musicians\" and to Joanna, his \"love.\""}, {"response": 518, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (13:35)", "body": "(Karen), several people have referred to it as a \"porn\" movie, but it is not. The pair are merely \"stand-ins\" for actors in a movie. I'm sure RC used nude scenes to illustrate the ridiculousness of two people in that position who are getting to know each other at a more meaningful level than skin level. ;-) And that was again, ridiculous! Those two stand-ins were pretty porny, but everyone knows that a porno film is shot and that's it. No wasting time setting up the shots. What kind of a movie would it have been? Kubricks \"Eyes Wide Shut\"? ;-) That was a preposterous story line. Jamie did leave the presents. (Karen), Colin can hold his head high here. Nothing embarrassing about being in this movie and an equal with the actors in this cast. Very true. His performance was vintage Colin."}, {"response": 519, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (14:02)", "body": "(Karen)Colin can hold his head high here. Nothing embarrassing about being in this movie and an equal with the actors in this cast. Thankful for small favors. Amen!! (Tress)BTW, I love the end where Aurelia meets KK and AL (it was AL right?) at the airport and makes the remark about how she may have made a mistake with Englishman. Something about so many good looking friends Yes, yes. I loved Jamie's remark as well...something like don't listen to her she can't speak English very well. Thought that was funny since her English, at that point, was more fluent than his Portuguese"}, {"response": 520, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (15:22)", "body": "Gotta say I really liked the whole \"manuscript in the pond\" scene. Thinking of Colin thrashing about with eels still makes me snicker (down here in Florida you'd get much worse than eels) and the remarks made by both were really good. Did anyone else think the woman who played Mia (secretary to AR's character) was \"not terribly\" attractive?"}, {"response": 521, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (15:52)", "body": "(Karen) There's no way Colin will be accused of being \"HG-lite\" in this film. I saw nothing remotely HGish about the character or the way he was played by Colin. True. CF has a gentle, sincere quality in some of his roles that is his own, not HG-ish at all, and the role of Jamie exploited it very effectively. Huge IMO didn't play the PM in his older, stereotypical way, i.e., no eyelash fluttering, stuttering, floppy haired, etc., that I noticed. I saw the eyelashes going a mile a minute in an early scene. It's possible that I gave up on him right then and didn't give him a chance, but to me he wasn't even remotely Prime Ministerial."}, {"response": 522, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (17:23)", "body": "(Evelyn)Burning Question: How does LA compare with Gosford Park. Altman won't lose any sleep.;-) I'm actually not a fan of Gosford zzzzzzzzzz, but at least Altman meshes his characters and storylines seamlessly. There's lotsa seams in Love A. (Shoshana)The fat comments really got in the way of my enjoying the movie I didn't like it either. A cheap laugh. Like I said before, lazy filmmaking. Meanwhile, there's no joke about Keira Knightley who looks like she's about to die from consumption. I didn't care for her (she doesn't act, she poses) or her storyline, and it should have been cut, if not for the wedding scene which is a big set piece, and presumably uncutable because it probably cost a lot to stage.;-) I can't believe no one else commented on Neeson and the kid talking about finding another woman for LN 5 weeks after the mother's death. And I did not buy the kid being wrapped up in his puppy love at such a time of grief. Bye, mum, see ya, wouldn't wannna be ya! :-( Crass. Ditto on ET's line to him about not being able to find someone else to shag if he's crying. It's as though Curtis is unable to just go with the moment; he has to leaven it with stupidity. (Sonia)The message that love is all around was working fine without the 9/11 reference. Agreed. And I didn't care at all for the bookending shots of \"real\" people. What was the point. (Moon)everyone knows that a porno film is shot and that's it. No wasting time setting up the shots. Exactly. And why were they shown fauz-shagging fully clothed? *That* required practice?? LOL! Entire storyline should have been cut. I really liked Laura Linney in this. Her story was very poignant and well-acted. Rodrigo Santoro is hot! But I couldn't believe she bared her boobs for *this.* I'm not against nudity but it wasn't needed here. RC sold her a bill of goods.:-( The irony of LL's story was that--of all the characters--she had the best basis for a true love, there was a real foundation there and she liked this guy for 2 years (as opposed to the other characters who magically fall in love immediately). But she couldn't follow thorugh. I'd have used that Christmas gift scarf to strangle that brother.;-)"}, {"response": 523, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (17:29)", "body": "(Moon---moved from 184 for follow-up) The \"official\" hype for LA is making me sick. While various thoughts from LA percolated today, one that bubbled to the top was similarities between the hype around Bill Nighy's song and LA's hype: is life imitating art?"}, {"response": 524, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (17:52)", "body": "(Moon) but everyone knows that a porno film is shot and that's it. No wasting time setting up the shots. Exactly. (Mari) I can't believe no one else commented on Neeson and the kid talking about finding another woman for LN 5 weeks after the mother's death. Wot? You didn't think it was realistic? *snicker* But you've got to hand it to Liam, only Claudia Schieffer could take the place of his dead wife. He set the bar awfully high. ;-) (Mari) The irony of LL's story was that--of all the characters--she had the best basis for a true love...But she couldn't follow thorugh. I'd have used that Christmas gift scarf to strangle that brother.;-) Using the brother in that way turned me off to the story and it was unrealistic too that he could just call her constantly. Give me a break!!! Find him a better care facility and take away his mobile."}, {"response": 525, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (17:57)", "body": "Going back to the KK storyline, at the wedding, didn't someone ask AL if he was still in love with the groom, his best friend?"}, {"response": 526, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (19:46)", "body": ")Karen)AL if he was still in love with the groom, his best friend? Yes, and it confused the hell out of me."}, {"response": 527, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (09:30)", "body": "(Karen)AL if he was still in love with the groom, his best friend? (Linda)Yes, and it confused the hell out of me. I thought she (LL) saw his pining looks and, since he doesn't talk to the bride, assumed it was unrequited gay love. He answers LL in a way that I thought was meant to say \"no, I'm not gay\" (Karen)Have found the diagram. Liam Neesen's lines are only drawn to ET and the kid, who is connected to BN's character because they are \"musicians\" and to Joanna, his \"love.\" Interesting. He and ET seemed to be too close to have such a slight connection. My assumption was that the connection was through the dead wife--I thought Joanna and ET had been close friends. ET (DO we have to call her that? I keep seeing this weird character on a bicycle) had one of the best parts--more of a range of emotions than the others had. And she did it brilliantly. It made sense for someone like her to be comforting LN--she's warm and supporting with her kids, she encourages LL at the Christmas party (practically grabs the drink out of LL's hand so that LL can go dance). She's a character who takes care of people. (Linda) Also liked when Jamie shows up with the Christmas presents then decides he has to leave \"to do what a man has to do\" and the kids who were just so excited to see him with all the gifts start saying, I hate Uncle Jamie. (Karen)But he left the presents for them, so there would be no reason to hate Uncle Jamie. Unrealistic IMO. I think the joke here is that the kid's love for Uncle Jamie is dependent on presents and attention--children can be rather shallow. Reminded me of Gwynnie's \"I love John! I hate John!\" scene in Emma. (Karen)I suppose Jamie would've brought his own car over to France, right? That would explain a car with a steering wheel on the right side, huh? I know. DH kept whispering \"the car is wrong.\" It took me a minute to figure out what was \"wrong\" with it. Yes, too many fat jokes. And I thought the dunkin donuts comment was stupid. Even if there are DD's in Portugal and France (are there? I'm still waiting to find one in LONDON!), it's unlikely that the father would have used that as a reference point--more likely a favorite Portuguese pastry, but then we wouldn't \"get\" the joke. Does the version released in England have the donut line? (Evelyn)Does Robert Altman have to worry;-) (Mari) Altman meshes his characters and storylines seamlessly NO to Evelyn's question, and YES to Mari's comment. The storylines didn't have meaningful connections, probably because there were so many of them and there wasn't time to make connections. I would like to see each storyline patched together without interruptions, just to show how little one storyline touches the others. The splicing of the storylines reminded me of the way a soap opera is edited--the movie just jumps from one story to another with no connection. Of course, Curtis didn't have the convenience of everyone staying together in one big house... (Shoshana)Oh, and about the precarious connections between the various characters/storylines, maybe the kids at the Nativity Pageant should have been singing \"It's a Small World After All.\" ;-) Euwwwwww! must go and take some insulin."}, {"response": 528, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (09:55)", "body": "On the fat jokes, wasn't there even one omitted that showed up in some previews? I could swear that in an older version, Andrew Lincoln's placards delivered the message, \"Merry Christmas, fatso\" to KK. Since she's very clearly not one, I assume that must have been related to a deleted scene. Speaking of things that were deleted, when filming of LA started, wasn't there a bunch of stuff about some filming of African masks? I guess that got deleted too, unless I'm just not remembering it."}, {"response": 529, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (10:09)", "body": "(Rika) wasn't there a bunch of stuff about some filming of African masks? Completely forgot about that: Here's what had been written: \"but the very first shot of the movie actually went into the can last week. Curtis, Kenworthy and a cameraman flew out to Kenya July 24 to shoot the opening image-\ufffda picture on a wall of a group of Africans, who come to life and start speaking Swahili to each other. What significance this has within the movie, nobody is divulging.\" Good question for someone to ask Curtis if they're attending a Q&A session."}, {"response": 530, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (10:17)", "body": "What significance this has within the movie, nobody is divulging Looks like there was nothing to divulge;-) Guess they decided to replace the masks with all of those live pictures of real people."}, {"response": 531, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (22:30)", "body": "(Karen)But you've got to hand it to Liam, only Claudia Schieffer could take the place of his dead wife. He set the bar awfully high. ;-) Ahh, but at that point, it's 9 whole weeks since the wife died, so mourning is over.;-) And, I always say if you're trying to get over a wife's death while her body is still warm, do it with a supermodel. :-( There's lots of male menopause fantasy stuff going on in this movie; too much for my taste."}, {"response": 532, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, Nov  4, 2003 (10:42)", "body": "(Mari) There's lots of male menopause fantasy stuff going on in this movie You summed it up nicely. Wasn't surprise to hear HG say on Oprah that from what he's witnessed so far more guys than women liked the movie."}, {"response": 533, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov  9, 2003 (13:34)", "body": "(Mari) There's lots of male menopause fantasy stuff going on in this movie; too much for my taste. You've hit the nail on the head, and I was pretty shocked at a woman sitting next to me who really LOL to the PM's asst's cracks about Natalie's weight. (Linda) Guess they decided to replace the masks with all of those live pictures of real people. Given the US critics' response to the opening voiceover, methinks they should've gone with the African tribal stuff than the WTC tragedy."}, {"response": 534, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov  9, 2003 (18:47)", "body": "Finally got to see LA...nice too with fellow Drooleurs. It was a silly fantasy,with lots of disjointed stories...some better than others. But I found it entertaining. Not on a short list for any awards, but not as bad as the NY Times review; hey, even \"Kangaroo Jack\" fared better . Loved Colin's segment . He really got into the Portuguese language barrier thingie.Very real and sweet. I suppose he could draw on his experiences with RL in-laws. I was not offended by the anti-American comments simply because I found them a pathetic, third-rate attempt at satire. Working Title should have hired Saturday Night Live writers for that segment. They do that stuff better. Richard Curtis isn't in their league."}, {"response": 535, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov  9, 2003 (18:51)", "body": "(Linda) Guess they decided to replace the masks with all of those live pictures of real people. But the latter has more schmaltz. IMO the beginning ...and ending collage was stupid. Voice-over narrative, v. pedestrian."}, {"response": 536, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Nov  9, 2003 (22:11)", "body": "(Rica)True. CF has a gentle, sincere quality in some of his roles that is his own, not HG-ish at all, and the role of Jamie exploited it very effectively. (Ev..can I call you this now?)Loved Colin's segment . He really got into the Portuguese language barrier thingie.Very real and sweet. I suppose he could draw on his experiences with RL in-laws. *Weighing in*...I agree with the cons to a degree but I gotta say that it was worth the price of admission to me and that I'll see it again and again but I told my sister *during* the movie that I couldn't wait for the DVD! The fat jokes were offensive but I found enough good stuff in this grab bag of stories to feel satisfied (Emms's piece especially)and entertained by the stuff that ODB wasn't in and totally beguiled by the stuff he was in. I loved his sweet little story and more to the point, him in it! Vintage Colin is right!! And AFG! What a delight to me. Can't wait to se him do it again."}, {"response": 537, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov  9, 2003 (23:30)", "body": "I've already seen the @#$% movie three times...Don't you really wonder why Mia had to get down to her red bra and panties? Context???"}, {"response": 538, "author": "caribou", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (01:05)", "body": "Equal opportunity exploitation! If the other girls had to do it for all those men behind and around the camera, she did, too. Even poor Emma had to--while hubby sat on the bed fully clothed!!!! I think Jon Stewart has said the most telling thing about this film when CF was on. Not an exact quote but basically--I'm watching this movie about a historical-fiction writer writing his next great work and then all of a sudden I'm watching soft-core porn. What is up with that? Jon hit the nail on the head. I won't buy the DVD for that very reason and when I get my tape, I'll copy fuzz over those parts. Colin was great. His story was sweet. But, overall, the movie was a let down."}, {"response": 539, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (07:36)", "body": "(Caribou) Equal opportunity exploitation! If the other girls had to do it for all those men behind and around the camera, she did, too. Ah good one! But not Martine. Must be because she's so \"fat\" and that might make the audience vomit. ;-)"}, {"response": 540, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (12:48)", "body": "That has bothered me too, though I must say that the sight of Rodrigo Santoro in his black briefs was somewhat of a compensation. ;-)"}, {"response": 541, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (13:00)", "body": "For a movie that people are calling female-oriented (because it's a romance), a great deal of the visual aspects and the jokes seem very oriented toward male interests."}, {"response": 542, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (09:50)", "body": "This is mere silliness (you can't expect much more from me) but I thought I would mention it. Saw LA this weekend and I noticed a change that I thought should be made (yeah! That never happens!!). When I saw LA in Toronto we were told nothing would change except possibly the music (but were told it was a 'work in progress' and actually watched a digital copy of the film on the big screen. And Karen did say that they would could make changes up to the last minute). Anyway, the line that Jamie's girlfriend gives at the beginning bothered me. She said something like \"come back here and let's do it again before my loser boyfriend comes home\" (this was after the rumored \"pencil dick\" remark had been taken out I or never used). I thought it so odd that she would refer to Jamie as \"loser boyfriend\" to the brother (since we just found out they are related through the conversation that they were having about their mum's birthday) and I thought it should be either \"brother\" or \"Jamie\". Well! it's \"Jamie\" now and sounds much better! Also, I saw a version with Andrew L. holding a card that said \"Fatso\" after the \"Merry Christmas\" bit. Not in the released version, but Dorine noticed something else about that scene that none of us caught, so I will let her tell the tale!"}, {"response": 543, "author": "Darla", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (14:56)", "body": "you were able to see him walk away with the fatso sign on top of the stack as he leaves. I saw it in the previews and was kind of surprised that it wasn't in the film. I might go to see it again this weekend."}, {"response": 544, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (15:08)", "body": "Hmmm, will have to look for it next time. Remember we were talking about Jamie \"taking\" Aurelia home and some saw ferries in the background? Given the geography, it's doubtful one could take a ferry from Marseilles to Portugal, unless it went all the way around Spain. ;-) And we know that they're still in France because the signs are in French. So it must be another ex-pat community in the south of France but this time Portuguese and not Nigerian. Pretty confusing for Americans who are pretty geography-challenged. ;-)"}, {"response": 545, "author": "Darla", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (15:15)", "body": "I didn't even notice the ferries. I really need to see it again. :)"}, {"response": 546, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (15:31)", "body": "Someone else had mentioned ferries, but there were boats in the background when he drops her off for the last time. Makes sense, Marseilles is a huge port...but is she going to walk to Portugal? LOL!"}, {"response": 547, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (17:06)", "body": "It's tea time somewhere in the South of France: Click here for some tea by the lake"}, {"response": 548, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (20:39)", "body": "Have to say, the more I see GWAPE (up to 3, so far), the more I love it. Have the bathroom breaks picked out now, too. ;-)"}, {"response": 549, "author": "caribou", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (22:34)", "body": "Way to go, Dorine!!! You hold the record!:-) Hope to go for the 3rd time Dec. 5th in Santa Fe. It will probably be like an almost first viewing because of time lapse. I'm really, really glad to hear you like it more and more. Keep dreading evidence of being delusional at Telluride. Whew!"}, {"response": 550, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (22:38)", "body": "#4 on Dec 10. :-)"}, {"response": 551, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (00:30)", "body": "#3 for me will be Dec. 2, at the Smithsonian. I'm looking forward to it - a curator from the National Gallery is going to talk briefly about Vermeer's work first. I was lucky to get tickets - they sold out by about noon the first day the general public could buy tickets."}, {"response": 552, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (06:27)", "body": "I have only seen LA once, but, in FP, when Paul is driving, he is aware of a car behind him. (He looks at it every now and then). In LA while he is driving, there is a car driving behind him, again. I haven\ufffdt noticed if he glances to see where it is, but is it possible a car drives behind him to \ufffdclear the road\ufffd? At my next viewing I\ufffdll be checking his face, not the headlights of other cars etc, but for a minute I thought I was at home watching FP ;-)"}, {"response": 553, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (08:57)", "body": "(BBC)Love Actually is not a very good film - it's lots of bits of good films with some duff films thrown in too. Can't argue with that."}, {"response": 554, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (00:08)", "body": "Finally saw LA tonight! I thought it was cute. I think even my hubby could take it, so I'm taking him with me next time. I enjoyed most of the stories, found nothing offensive, absolutely loved Hugh's dance (I actually wished Colin were doing that), and Colin looked..., well, AFG. What else is new? :-) I had a good time. Looking forward to the second viewing."}, {"response": 555, "author": "katty", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (00:35)", "body": "On the Rotten Tomatoes site GWAPE has now gone up as an officially rated movie - starting with a 100% rating: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/click/movie-10002174/reviews.php?critic=columns&sortby=default&page=1&rid=1219199 It obviously won't stay that way, but it's a great way to start!"}, {"response": 556, "author": "katty", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (00:36)", "body": "Oops, that last url was for just one review. Here's the more general GWAPE site: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/GirlwithaPearlEarring-10002174/reviews.php"}, {"response": 557, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (09:19)", "body": "(Katty)It obviously won't stay that way, but it's a great way to start.. Thanks Katty. Great news, great start no matter how time limited."}, {"response": 558, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (09:23)", "body": "LA has 70% on Rotten Tomatoes.Not bad. Is that what a B- movie would be;-)"}, {"response": 559, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (09:50)", "body": "It's way too early to assess anything for GWAPE since the movie will not be released for quite sometime. Only one \"major\" reviewer from the Cream of the Crop grouping (Hollywood Reporter) has posted anything, and the rest are nobodies. BTW, reviews are not \"spoilers\" but \"news\" ;-) (Evelyn) LA has 70% on Rotten Tomatoes. Not bad. Only if you count the reviews from the great unwashed, i.e., internet people who consider themselves critics and have a website. ;-) The Cream of the Crop reviews (i.e., from real media outlets) have only given it a 58% rating thus far. Overall, it say the movie has 6.9/10. That's 69% and, in my day, you didn't get a B- for that (80%+). That's about C- or worse."}, {"response": 560, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (10:06)", "body": "Maybe they're grading it on a curve?!?!?"}, {"response": 561, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 2003 (15:49)", "body": "Love Actually: I was going to say - from Bambi - \"If you can't say anything nice...\" But I do have a few redeeming bits and pieces I liked: Rowan Aktinson's scene. He made an artwork out of wrapping an Xmas gift. The cinnamon stick was a real topper. The saddest story? Laura Linney, whose scenes with her brother were heart-tugging. Liked Bill Nighy's agent's face. Thought the Nighy thread was pretty silly over all. Best acting? Emma Thompson hands down. Thought Alan Rickman was very affected here, and I like him, usually. Daniel Craig (in RL) has got himself some companion in sexy secretary Ms Makatsch The sweetest? Lima Neeson and his step-son; Colin proposing (loved the translation). Jamie in general. Cuckolded again! The silliest stories? The kid who went to Wisconsin, the whole Hugh Grant as a Prime Minister thing. Husband couldn't believe that Denise Richards, a fav of his, suddenly appeared at the end for one brief moment. And was Keira in love with the poor friend, or just being kind? I hope it was only our theater's copy, but the color was awful - changed from scene to scene. All in all - Thumbs down from the Murphy\ufffds"}, {"response": 562, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 2003 (16:32)", "body": "(Murph) And was Keira in love with the poor friend, or just being kind? I had that \"Oops -I -picked -the- wrong- guy\"feeling about it too, Murph. Especially when she asked him \"But you never said anything....\" Which was dumb. How could he move in on his best friend."}, {"response": 563, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (00:49)", "body": "(Murph)I was going to say - from Bambi - \"If you can't say anything nice...\" LOL! That applies to me so often! (Murph) And was Keira in love with the poor friend, or just being kind? (Evelyn)I had that \"Oops -I -picked -the- wrong- guy\"feeling about it too, Murph. Especially when she asked him \"But you never said anything....\" Which was dumb. How could he move in on his best friend. Better to move before the wedding than after. Like Lancelot and Guinivere in Camelot--there is no going back after love is spoken. Her husband will be doing a \"Jamie\" by next Christmas?;-)"}, {"response": 564, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (09:09)", "body": "(Caribou) Her husband will be doing a \"Jamie\" by next Christmas?;-) ROTF. Don't give Richard Curtis any ideas."}, {"response": 565, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (12:09)", "body": "(Murph)I was going to say - from Bambi - \"If you can't say anything nice...\" LOL...in my house, that is known as the \"Thumper Rule\" (really!). I apply it often! ;-) DH had his first viewing of LA last night. His three favorite bits (in order). (1) Anything to do with Billy Mack. Really laughed at his parts. Liked the bit when he was on television bashing Blue and using his pen that writes on glass (\"Kids, listen to your Uncle Bill. Don't buy drugs. Become a rock star and they give them to you for free!\"). (2) ODB's stint as Jamie! He liked it. Unbelievable! He did comment \"I just don't get it\" in regards to my 'feelings' for ODB, but the DH did say he thought his bit was pretty funny (liked the pond scene...don't know if it was for the content, or that he got to see LM dive into the water). And now sadly....(3) He liked the Condom Colin bit. DH was born and raised in Wisconsin, so that is my only guess as to why he found this so amusing. I'm all astonishment (but he did very well with LA considering nothing blows up! Off to see Master and Commander tonight, so he is happy)."}, {"response": 566, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (12:29)", "body": "(Murph) And was Keira in love with the poor friend, or just being kind? (Evelyn)I had that \"Oops -I -picked -the- wrong- guy\"feeling about it too, Murph. I thought so too, especially when she kissed him on the mouth after his showed his placards at the door."}, {"response": 567, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (12:41)", "body": "(Bonnie)I thought so too, especially when she kissed him on the mouth after his showed his placards at the door. I got the \"I'm sending mixed messages\" feeling."}, {"response": 568, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (13:07)", "body": "(Murph) And was Keira in love with the poor friend, or just being kind? Kind. What else is she going to do? She married Peter and is, presumably, in love with him. Just because Mark (his best friend) is in love with her, doesn't mean her feelings would change to anything more than pity or feeling sorry for him. She understood what he'd been through and was being kind. He's also told her (via the cards) that he's not about to act on his feelings; they're his to bear."}, {"response": 569, "author": "Gail", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (13:49)", "body": "(Murph) And was Keira in love with the poor friend, or just being kind? I would say just being kind. I thought in some ways the placard scene was just to clear the air between her and Mark. She had seen his wedding video earlier and was aware of how much he felt. IMO he came by to put her mind to rest & let her know he was not going to get in the way of her marriage. By doing it with the placards and the music there was a bit of bittersweet humor."}, {"response": 570, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (16:05)", "body": "Murph) And was Keira in love with the poor friend, or just being kind? I agree with Karen and Gail. She was being kind. All this time she thought he couldn't stand her then she realizes he feels the opposite. Did anyone else feel the wedding video was a bit creepy? Maybe I need to stop watching Law & Order ;-)"}, {"response": 571, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (16:32)", "body": "It would appear creepy for anybody else to watch, but it wasn't intended for anyone else but him. So that has to be kept in mind. It wasn't like a stalker videotaping someone without their knowledge. She knew she was being taped, but didn't understand the context."}, {"response": 572, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (21:56)", "body": "(Tress)DH had his first viewing of LA last night... I'm all astonishment (but he did very well with LA considering nothing blows up! I talked to my DBF this evening, and while I had a cold this weekend, he went to see LA of his own volition. (I may have suggested or talked about it once or twice as something he might deign to go watch with me.) He \"really liked\" it, despite it being \"fluff.\" His comments were that, overall, it was well acted and enjoyable (he seemed rather surprised). He enjoyed the Jamie storyline, and thought CF spoke his Portuguese very well. I have to assume that was DBFs attempt to assuage my silliness. ;-) He thought that the WTC reference in the opening monologue was poignant. He was impressed by the depth ET brought to her role, but thought AR could have put a bit more into his portrayal. He thought MM was incredibly hot and a lovely size with her tree trunk thighs, but that KK was frighteningly skinny and that Mia was just scary (but in a sexy way that would make a man obey... I'm not sure what to think about that comment of his). He did think the nudity/level of undress was gratuitous, but enjoy ble. He liked the Condom Colin story line and found it very amusing, but didn't care much for the stand-ins (he found their positions unlikely). He would have preferred more Rowan Atkinson. He decided that he thought Sam looked like a young Kenneth Branagh who hadn't quite grown into his head yet. He also had his own explanation for the LL storyline (that Sarah's brother might actually have been her husband who she institutionalized but still loves). Sorry that I rambled on, but it found his take on the movie entertaining. ;-)"}, {"response": 573, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 2003 (00:05)", "body": "I think your BF's analytical approach: Mia was just scary (but in a sexy way that would make a man obey... He did think the nudity/level of undress was gratuitous, but enjoyable... but didn't care much for the stand-ins (he found their positions unlikely). was very interesting and funny."}, {"response": 574, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 2003 (11:53)", "body": "LOL! Thanks Karen. But he is very excited to see GWAPE, which I consider a point in his favor. ;-)"}, {"response": 575, "author": "Leah", "date": "Wed, Nov 26, 2003 (01:59)", "body": "Last night I took the DH to see LA. What a hoot! When CF \ufffd Colin Frissel \ufffd stands at the airport and shouts his name, the DH looked at me and said, Ooh, a new CF to Drool over. I almost smacked him! He did however redeem himself, by asking when the DVD will be available for sale ;-) The theatre was full, and heard lots of good comments as we were leaving - the little Spiderman in the Nativity play got lots of laughs. CF (Jamie) is a good story line here, as in a country with 11 official languages, everyone could relate to being misunderstood. Lots of laughs during their scenes."}, {"response": 576, "author": "katty", "date": "Wed, Nov 26, 2003 (14:50)", "body": "Why do you think Richard Curtis named that horny character Colin Frissel. He doesn't seem at all like ODB, but the name is so similar. Couldn't just be a coincidence, couldn it..."}, {"response": 577, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 26, 2003 (14:55)", "body": "I would think closer to that other CF."}, {"response": 578, "author": "caribou", "date": "Wed, Nov 26, 2003 (20:42)", "body": "Ah, so glad you thought of that, Dorine. Same number of letters and similiar arrangement as Farrell. I can stop being paranoid now. However.......doesn't that one scene in the bar remind anyone of the View?"}, {"response": 579, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 26, 2003 (22:47)", "body": "(CF from Interview) I had to take a breath after the scene where I pierce Griet'\ufffd ear and walk away from her. Without needing to go into the symbolism of what the piercing means, it\ufffds clear he\ufffds finally got what he wants. She\ufffds made a sacrifice, he\ufffds drawn blood, she\ufffds become the painting he wants\ufffd-and she\ufffds gone through God knows how many barriers to achieve that for him\ufffd-and he\ufffds given her nothing. Maybe she should be sleeping in the Crucifixation Room."}, {"response": 580, "author": "katty", "date": "Thu, Nov 27, 2003 (03:50)", "body": "Yes, Frissel is awfully close to Farrell, so that must be the the real \"coincidence.\" (Although I must admit that the Irish Colin F does have a certain appeal on an entirely different level from ODB. I can understand why he's so popular, though not so much to me. To each his or her own.)"}, {"response": 581, "author": "Leah", "date": "Fri, Nov 28, 2003 (03:00)", "body": "Does anyone else feel that the following two lines in LA were \ufffdout of place\ufffd? Forced? The audiences I have watched the film with, all laughed at the lines, and so did I, (the first time), but after that, I dunno, just didn\ufffdt seem right. ;-( 1. Where the f*** is my f****** coat? 2. I\ufffdm very busy and very important!"}, {"response": 582, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Fri, Nov 28, 2003 (08:09)", "body": "( Karen ) and she\ufffds gone through God knows how many barriers to achieve that for him\ufffd-and he\ufffds given her nothing. Maybe she should be sleeping in the Crucifixation Room. PRECISELY!"}, {"response": 583, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Fri, Nov 28, 2003 (08:11)", "body": "( LeahP ) 2. I\ufffdm very busy and very important! Bridget says that line in answering an email to DC in BJD the movie. I can't remember if that was in the novel"}, {"response": 584, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Nov 28, 2003 (19:21)", "body": "(Bonnie)Bridget says that line in answering an email to DC in BJD the movie I don't know if I found them forced, but they will only ring bells with BJD fans. Both came out of BJD. Where the f--k is the f---ing tuna."}, {"response": 585, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Sat, Nov 29, 2003 (14:25)", "body": "(linda) Where the f--k is the f---ing tuna. How did I miss that?"}, {"response": 586, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (20:48)", "body": "I attended a screening of GWAPE at the Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta on Friday, Dec. 5. I found the film completely mesmerizing throughout. It is very easy to get drawn into Vermeer's world. CF looked different in the film from what I expected after seeing the still photos. I saw no resemblance to Fabio in the smouldering looks;-) And although he does smoulder a lot there is no resemblance to Darcy, either. He looks gorgeous in the period clothes. His hands are v. noticeable throughout the film. Even when he is not on screen you are v. aware of his presence. The close-ups where his face covers the entire screen are absolutely breathtaking, or at least they were for me. The audience was extremely quiet throughout but applauded enthusiastically at the end. The audience was a mixture of all ages and seemed to be pretty equally balanced as far as gender is concerned. I heard lots of raves as we were exiting the theater. I think this one will get excellent word of mouth promotion. If it gets some Oscar nominations maybe it will get a wider release at a later date. If not I'll probably have to drive to Atlanta again to see it in January. It was great fun meeting Shoshana and Darla!"}, {"response": 587, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (22:08)", "body": "(Lisa) If it gets some Oscar nominations maybe it will get a wider release at a later date. If not I'll probably have to drive to Atlanta again to see it in January. The nominations aren't announced until Jan 27. You don't think it would open closer to you when it goes wider on Jan 14 (or whenever it is)? Glad to hear you liked it and got to meet fellow Droolers."}, {"response": 588, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (22:47)", "body": "(Lisa Hen)It was great fun meeting Shoshana and Darla! (Dorine)Glad to hear you liked it and got to meet fellow Droolers. Meeting fellow Droolers is great! Everyone should try it!"}, {"response": 589, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (11:48)", "body": "A question for anyone who has seen this week's installment of Talking Movies. I could be wrong since I haven't seen GWAPE in over a month, but the clip they showed of Griet washing the window and Vermeer asking her to stay just as she was...Vermeer, in the film, I thought just continues to watch her and then leaves the room. This morning while watching that same clip I thought I saw another little piece in there. He seems very excited by the image of her and gives a huge smile. I don't remember that."}, {"response": 590, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (09:48)", "body": "I'll check on the smile tonight, but he doesn't leave. He has her pose, dripping rag in hand (which then drops) and is inspired to do another of his paintings. Wasn't it Maria Thins who comments that he's so quickly back at work, which isn't the norm. Will check for smile, but I think he might as he's inspired."}, {"response": 591, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (10:28)", "body": "(Karen)I'll check on the smile tonight, but he doesn't leave.. Soooo, did you see it? And.........??"}, {"response": 592, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (10:49)", "body": "Uh oh. The Boss is uncharacteristically silent. Sort of like the movie?;-)"}, {"response": 593, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (13:28)", "body": "Not enough time."}, {"response": 594, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (22:55)", "body": "There is no huge smile in that scene, Linda. He looks pleased a bit, obviously because he has the idea for his next painting, but no huge grin. OK, just a little bit. Colin's role is definitely NOT a supporting actor's, despite the fact that he has so few lines. His presence is way too integral, even when he's now shown. I'd have to attribute that to Colin's performance, that it transcends having to be physically present to make an impact. He's so good in quiet mode. I do like the scene where Catharina is playing solitaire and Maria Thins is watching her son-in-law, watching Griet. I also liked most of the supporting players, especially Essie Davis as Catherina. You could practically hear her purring when Vermeer had his hands on her and, oh, did she like it. So, when he isn't interested in caressing her neck (scene above), that has to nail for Griet. She's being deprived. I wasn't too crazy about Tom Wilkinson though. A bit caricaturish for my tastes. The film looks lovely and the music is beautifully integrated. They didn't overdo the \"picture in picture\" thing. Not every shot looked like a painting, but when it did, it was amazing to look at. I especially liked the ones toward the end, when Griet is leaving and you see Tanneke cleaning in that backroom and then later Griet at her new home and the ducks are around. Oh, yes, when Griet stands in front of the View of Delft painting in Van R's house. Whoa! It's like seeing my title image at the website. ;-) Possibly though a little too much has been left out, which would develop the relationships and characters. Behind me, one woman was answering questions for her friends about the ending (when it took place, why Griet got the earrings) based on the book. I went into this viewing with a certain mission. Did that one critic have a valid complaint about Vermeer asking Griet to mix his paints based on what they showed. Initially, I thought they hadn't established enough about her artistic sense and how Vermeer would know about it (not having him witness her chopping the vegetables at the beginning). Yeah, she thought the camera obscura was a neato, keeno thing. Wow! But was that enough? On my second viewing, I think enough was provided to justify him doing so. OK, have other things to do and will comment more later."}, {"response": 595, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (01:32)", "body": "(Karen) OK, just a little bit. Colin's role is definitely NOT a supporting actor's, despite the fact that he has so few lines. His presence is way too integral, even when he's now shown. Wholeheartedly agree. He is what drives this film...once Griet enters the house, it seems that everything that goes on somehow connected to Vermeer. Even when Colin is not on the screen, his presence is 'felt'. He is definitely the 'master'. ;-) Thanks Karen! Keep it coming.....love to hear what you have to say!"}, {"response": 596, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (10:44)", "body": "But it isn't enough to warrant any kind of Best Actor nom IMO."}, {"response": 597, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (12:08)", "body": "(Karen) But it isn't enough to warrant any kind of Best Actor nom IMO. That is the odd thing about this film (for me). His role is more than a 'supporting' one (all IMO of course...and my reasoning being that everything in the house appears to revolve around Vermeer whether he is in the scene or not. He is such a 'presence' and it drives the film), but it isn't a leading one either...(if that makes any sense, it's a miracle). But I think that Scarlett will be getting all the attention, so we don't have to worry about it one way or another (even though I would love to see him get something for this part...I think he did an amazing job)."}, {"response": 598, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (12:34)", "body": "He is the lead (or a co-lead), but the part isn't on par with the type of roles that do get Best Actor noms. Tom Wilkinson's was truly of the supporting type. Colin's was a lead role."}, {"response": 599, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (13:11)", "body": "(Karen)There is no huge smile in that scene, Linda. He looks pleased a bit, obviously because he has the idea for his next painting, but no huge grin. Thanks, Karen. But I went back to look at the clip in Talking Movies, again. I was wrong about the scene. I didn't mean a big smile when she is at the window--just after that. I thought in the film after he's finished watching her he leaves the room, quietly. In the clip he seems to come forward and speak to her after he says, \"Stay as you are\". (Karen)On my second viewing, I think enough was provided to justify him doing so. What astounds me about GWAPE is that for such a quiet film so much goes on in each scene. I found that on my second viewing, I had missed so much in the first."}, {"response": 600, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (13:18)", "body": "Saw GWAPE last night w/ Risa . . .so some random initial thoughts . .will see film again, of course and take some more notes ! Thought the film was a nice adaptation of the book . .and stood on its own well. Was hoping for the initial mtg btwn Vermeer & Griet in the kitchen when I saw the opening shots of her cutting vegtables for the stew . .but thought for means of moving the story along it was best cut out . . . One of my many favorite shots . . .was during the beginning credits as Griet makes her way to the Vermeer house. . as it tracked along, then moved to the overhead aerial shot of her stopping on the star in the town square . . .kind of brought the book/film together for me there . . . Ear piercing scene: ODB & SJ in that scene both took my breath away. I liked the fact that Vermeer did the piercing and that Griet asked him to do it.(as opposed to the book's version) I know I mentioned this before . .but now that I saw the scene . . the allusion/paralleling of the ear piercing to a young woman's first sexual encounter was a wonderful choice. In Scarlett, I thought she embodied the fear, the dread of the act to come, yet at the same time, the wanting & yearning for it . . . the anticipation of the pain .the brief sadness of when it is all over. In Colin . .I saw him as the tender lover . .not wanting to hurt her, yet knowing he had to.(esp when he held her ear, gently wiped the blood away) And when he noticed her crying, that was wonderful . .how he barely grazed her face with his fingers to wipe away that tear and touch her lips . .ahh, took my breath away . . .Brava Colin and Scarlett! Comb Searching scene: this was also one of my favorite ones. Griet's plea to Vermeer for help . . . then the cut to his frantically searching the house for the missing comb. There was something about the desperation in Colin's eyes during it . .knowing that he could lose this girl, this artistic inspiration/equal. . .I don't know . .struck a chord there . . Liked the use of light/shadow in the film . .that scene where Pieter andGriet are walking by the river in the bright, bright sun . . .just beautiful. Casting was well done. . I certainly wanted to slap Cornelia quite a few times . .Am still making my mind up on whether or not I liked ED as Catherina . .there were moments that were particularly wonderful .like when she was playing the pianoforte and Vermeer had his hands on her . .she certainly was purring, Karen . . . hmm maybe the fact that in part of my gut I don't like her . .is just a testament to how well she played an unlikeable character . .Something about her in the final confrontation scene in the studio rubbed me wrong and I can't place a finger on it . .will have to look at the film again . . .TW as Van Ruijven was as written: a lecherous, rich old man, who thinks he can get whatever he wants, nothing more or less. (He reminded me of a alley cat in heat stalking his prey when he was going through the hanging laundry for Griet) JP was as I thought Maria Thins should be . . . Can't wait for my second viewing of the film so I can study it some more . ."}, {"response": 601, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (13:34)", "body": "(Linda) But I went back to look at the clip in Talking Movies, again. I was wrong about the scene. I didn't mean a big smile when she is at the window--just after that. I thought in the film after he's finished watching her he leaves the room, quietly. In the clip he seems to come forward and speak to her after he says, \"Stay as you are\". He does stay in the room, poses her, etc., and then leaves. At no time does he smile broadly while in the studio. Are you talking about a scene after that? If so, I'll check. (Kimberly) Was hoping for the initial mtg btwn Vermeer & Griet in the kitchen when I saw the opening shots of her cutting vegtables for the stew...but thought for means of moving the story along it was best cut out I was talking to the lady next to me about this scene since they did keep it in the movie. Watching her arrange the vegetables on the platter was Vermeer's first indication that this girl had an eye for composition, something that would help you believe he'd found his soul-mate, one who he would allow to mix his paints, to explain about art and the technical end. But I'd say they changed it so that Vermeer wouldn't appear right away. Keep him away to increase the suspense about this individual. Just like when Griet is being shown the studio and is in the hallway. He's in the studio painting, but we and Griet are not allowed to see him. You hear his voice too (talking or arguing with Catharina) but aren't allowed to see him. This builds an audience's anticipation."}, {"response": 602, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (13:43)", "body": "(Karen) This builds an audience's anticipation. I actually like that it was done this way...you can feel Griet's anxiety/anticipation. And we get to hear his cinnamon filled mouth off screen before we get to see him. And doesn't he also just walk right past her the first time they encounter each other (sorry, it's been three months since my viewing)? It was as if she expected 'more' and she got the brush off. It wasn't until a bit later that things started to click between them."}, {"response": 603, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (14:17)", "body": "(Karen)But I'd say they changed it so that Vermeer wouldn't appear right away. Keep him away to increase the suspense about this individual. Durr . .That's true . . should have been obvious to me. I guess I didn't think about including that with the other suspense building scenes you mentioned. . (Tress)And we get to hear his cinnamon filled mouth off screen before we get to see him. Mmmmmm . . . Tress, wonderful description . . .as to their first encounter I believe it may have been as you described it . .dang, what I wouldn't do for a screener and a rewind button right now."}, {"response": 604, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (15:12)", "body": "Question to you girls: re the ending . . . How long after Griet left the Vermeer household do you think he sent the earrings over to her? (b/c of course in the book it was years after and he was dead at the time she recieved them)A few months . .right away?"}, {"response": 605, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (15:14)", "body": "Unfortunately, that was left too vague in the movie. Most people wouldn't have understood that he had died and left them to her. Not a good call on their part."}, {"response": 606, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (15:15)", "body": "Hmmm, perhaps, instead of all those chickens or ducks at her feet, there should be babies? Subtle but more effective for showing the passage of time."}, {"response": 607, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (15:38)", "body": "(Kimberly) How long after Griet left the Vermeer household do you think he sent the earrings over to her? (b/c of course in the book it was years after and he was dead at the time she recieved them)A few months . .right away? (Karen) Unfortunately, that was left too vague in the movie. Most people wouldn't have understood that he had died and left them to her. Not a good call on their part. I didn't like it either much, as I'm sure PW guessed by my trying-to-be-subtle question, but he was quite adamant about wanting it left so ambiguous. I suspect it was clearer in the original script (and what I wouldn't give for a copy of that ;-)), since he said it was different in the script before he changed it. On the other hand, a viewer is free to make his/her own interpretation of it, which is apparently what he wanted.....for whatever reason. To stimulate discussion?"}, {"response": 608, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (15:39)", "body": "(Karen)Unfortunately, that was left too vague in the movie. Most people wouldn't have understood that he had died and left them to her. Not a good call on their part. Yes .I was wondering if they were trying to stick to same ending as the book (ie the post-Vermeer death/pearls willed to Griet), and just failed at it or if they were trying to make it seem that Vermeer sent them himself, perhaps as a sign that he still thought of her and missed her. (Karen)Hmmm, perhaps, instead of all those chickens or ducks at her feet, there should be babies? Subtle but more effective for showing the passage of time. Something like that would have been nice, b/c they didn't choose to age Griet anyway physically . . . I forget, in the film was it clear that she was living with Pieter and started a life with him? . I mean that hallway she was sitting in when Tanneke came could have been her parent's home . . . I need to see it again . .I also wanted to take a better look at Tanneke, at her experession when Griet left the house . .and the time she came to deliver the pearls . . . I couldn't get a clear reading . was she smug,angry, did she pity Griet . . .or show indifference to the whole situation?"}, {"response": 609, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (15:44)", "body": "Oops, forgot to add above . .re: the ending . .the romantic in me likes to think of the ending as Vermeer is still alive and sent the earrings to Griet as a keepsake . . ."}, {"response": 610, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (15:54)", "body": "(Dorine)I suspect it was clearer in the original script (and what I wouldn't give for a copy of that ;-)) I'm sure you already know about these sites, but in case you didn't . . . I usually look here for various screenplays. No GWAPE yet . .but just give it a bit of time, I'm sure it will come up. The first site listed was recommended to me highly from the Drama Book Shop here in NYC. http://www.scriptcity.com/ http://www.scriptfly.com/screenplays/ http://sfy.iv.ru/ http://www.script-o-rama.com/"}, {"response": 611, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (16:51)", "body": "(Kimberly) the romantic in me likes to think of the ending as Vermeer is still alive and sent the earrings to Griet as a keepsake Since Griet only *mattered* to him while he was painting her and he didn't stand up to Catharina once it was done, do you really think he would send Catharina's earrings while he was still alive? *cluck cluck cluck*"}, {"response": 612, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (16:53)", "body": "(Karen)Since Griet only *mattered* to him while he was painting her and he didn't stand up to Catharina once it was done, do you really think he would send Catharina's earrings while he was still alive? *cluck cluck cluck* bwaaahahaha . .suddenly having images of ODB doing the chicken dance wearing the Vermeer wig . ."}, {"response": 613, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (17:07)", "body": "(karen) Since Griet only *mattered* to him while he was painting her I haven't seen the film, but that's what I got from the book: Location Romance."}, {"response": 614, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (17:25)", "body": "(karen) Since Griet only *mattered* to him while he was painting her I felt that way too, until the ending of the book. I get the feeling that he did pine away for her to some extent, because it's mentioned that he asked to see the painting while on his death bed, and because he leaves her the earrings. Of course it could have been guilt, too. I do think the ending was too vague for anyone not having read the book."}, {"response": 615, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (17:42)", "body": "I'm sure there was regret (and some feelings toward her) and certainly guilt but no way would he cause more problems with wifey, daughter of the woman who is keeping a roof over his head."}, {"response": 616, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec 13, 2003 (18:05)", "body": "Saw GWAPE today and loved it. I would see this film even if ODB wasn't in it. A v. sensual film without being overtly sexual. The music was perfectly nuanced to the emotions. This is *her* film ab-so-lutely; she is in practically every frame. I was not impressed with her performance in Lost in Translation, but in this one, she left me with my mouth open;-). She gives such a natural performance.Whoa! ( Kate Hudson, uh, uh.) I was prepared for Colin's small role, so I was not disappointed. I applaud him for not hogging the scenes. He lets them flow. Not any eye-candy in this one, IMO. In fact I put it on a par with The Widowing of Mrs Holroyd. The ending was a disappointment. I do think the ending was too vague for anyone not having read the book. Colin and PW called it \"ambiguous\", I call it bizarre. Don't think it has any tie -in with the book at'all. It almost looks as if he sends Tanneke with a \"payola\". Or maybe, Catarina does;-) How did the focus groups let this one slip by. My thanks again to Caribou's reports which enhanced this film for me."}, {"response": 617, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec 13, 2003 (18:07)", "body": "PS I found several Darcy moments in GWAPE. Anyone else?"}, {"response": 618, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Dec 13, 2003 (20:48)", "body": "Glad to see you loved it Evelyn. :-D I have several times tried to imagine KH doing it and couldn't. Was easier to imagine RF in it, though. (Evelyn) Not any eye-candy in this one, IMO Ooo, there was for me. Different than in some other films, but some nonetheless. I think those moments had more to do with his expressions in a certain scene rather than strictly just to look at him...like in the camera obscura scene and standing at the window looking at the colors in the clouds. Those little smiles he gives when she gets what he's talking about....*sigh*. And I was mesmorized by him when he storms through the house looking for the comb. That attitude of power and control is extremely appealing. I am dying to see him in a role that he can demonstrate that kind of power and confidence, good or bad guy, preferably in a more modern setting. I guess this isn't strictly eye candy, but enhanced by the mood. The wig didn't bother me either. I do think the ending was too vague for anyone not having read the book. I thought this about the beginning too, to a lesser extent. The person I was talking to the last time I went to see it, said he thought the two main characters and their relationship were great, but the supporting characters, esp Maria Thins, Catharina, and Van R were too two dimensional. His wife read the book and loved it, but was unable to get her opinion after as she rushed out during the credits. I thought Van R was appropriately smarmy without being a caricature, though Catharina and Maria Thins could have toppled in that direction a little easier to me. Sometimes I thought C seemed like a drugged out mental patient. Another person I spoke with had seen the workprint without music and was amazed at the difference and how much the music enhanced it. Said Scarlett hadn't been happy with the ending at that time. Tried to get more specifics if it pertained to the actual story ending or something else, but couldn't get that clarified completely."}, {"response": 619, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Dec 13, 2003 (23:42)", "body": "So glad you got to see GWAPE Karen and Evelyn. I feel this inexplicable sense of contentment as DD's are added one by one to the list of those who have seen it. It's like my joy with the movie becomes more and more complete. (Karen)Colin's role is definitely NOT a supporting actor's, despite the fact that he has so few lines. His presence is way too integral, even when he's now shown. I was SO relieved! I was so anxious in Sept. when I didn't think it was but did have to concede it was SJ's film. Reminds me of the Darcys. (Karen)when Griet stands in front of the View of Delft painting in Van R's house. Whoa! It's like seeing my title image at the website. ;-) When you're good, you're good! And, you had the long-haired Advocate up before we even got a peek at Vermeer. Good job! (Evelyn)This is *her* film ab-so-lutely; she is in practically every frame. I do wish they would have run the script by Andrew Davies because he could have upped the Vermeer factor and put him on the screen every five minutes or so. Improve it's FF-o-meter rating---how much film you FF through to get to the good parts. I give this one a 66% because you can safely FF through the first 33%.:-) (Evelyn)Not any eye-candy in this one, IMO. In fact I put it on a par with The Widowing of Mrs Holroyd. Even after seeing the still on Craig Kilborn? Almost had me believing the wig wasn't so scraggley. And..and, he was golden and that light hitting just the left side of his face like a Vermeer painting and that contented look on his face and those deep brown eyes. (Evelyn)My thanks again to Caribou's reports which enhanced this film for me. Thanks, Evelyn. I'm so glad.:-) It is just so nice to have a great film to round out the otherwise dubious year."}, {"response": 620, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Sun, Dec 14, 2003 (11:23)", "body": "(Linda) I do think the ending was too vague for anyone not having read the book. (Dorine) I thought this about the beginning too, to a lesser extent. That's what I thought as well. I regret the missing of the Griet-Vermeer-veggie talk scene, and not knowing what the heck was going on at the end. It was left way too vague, and could only imagine those who didn't read the book scratching their heads... Thank you for your opinions everyone! I'm glad so many of you had the chance to see GWAPE already, and since it's been ages since I've seen it I appreciate the reminder of the little details that I either forgot or missed. It's also nice to know that most of us had similar \"problems\" with it. (Evelyn) Not any eye-candy in this one, IMO. He was for me, although it surprised me. I've never been a fan of guys with long hair, but Colin looked fabulous to me. Nice to look at anyway, because I can't really imagine running my fingers through that hair. I'm too heterosexual maybe? ;-) It would feel like caressing a girl... Watched the mymovies trailer several times, and can't get enough of the closeup of Colin after he says \"Lick your lips.\" Not because he looks so yummy (okay, that is a reason as well), but because to me that look says it all: That's it, that's what I want. The expression looks nothing short of smug to me. He got what he wanted and that's not the girl. It's the perfect pose for his painting. This man can express anything with his eyes. Mind you, we might read it a bit differently, but his eyes certainly talk to us."}, {"response": 621, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Dec 14, 2003 (13:25)", "body": "Evelyn - I'm glad you liked GWAPE. (Evelyn)I would see this film even if ODB wasn't in it. I agree. My DH says I'm full of crap. But this was just such a beautiful film to watch - Colin is just an added plus, I say;) (Evelyn) She (SJ) gives such a natural performance.Whoa! I say that ear piercing scene is one of the best - That single tear that falls down her cheek . .it's hard to explain . . . just beautiful and heartbreaking. (Evelyn)I do think the ending was too vague for anyone not having read the book.It almost looks as if he sends Tanneke with a \"payola\". Intersting, never thought of that . .was trying to read Tanneke at the end of the film . . .perhaps Maria Thins sent the earrings? . . since she was the business end of Vermeer's carrer (arranging/negotiating pictures to be painted?) (Dorine)And I was mesmorized by him when he storms through the house looking for the comb. That attitude of power and control is extremely appealing. I am dying to see him in a role that he can demonstrate that kind of power and confidence, good or bad guy, preferably in a more modern setting. I guess this isn't strictly eye candy, but enhanced by the mood. The wig didn't bother me either. I agree with you with the comb scene . . a forceful scene . .his passionate search . .makes you wish he'd drop everything and tuen a house upside down just for you;). I hope the roles that Hola Lola mentioned are those that will allow him to showcase more this side of him ( and in a modern setting!). P.S. the wig did not seem all that bad to me . .again, had minor flashbacks of The Advocate/HOTP but it did not ruin anything for me;) (Ildiko)This man can express anything with his eyes. Mind you, we might read it a bit differently, but his eyes certainly talk to us. I think one of his greatest assets for his film career is his expressive eyes. The camera misses nothing, and to be able as he does, to express a volume of emotions in a single look, done in simplicity is astounding. I admire this ability and wish more film actors had this talent (as opposed to trying to overcompensate by mugging or overacting ). .keep it simple, keep it real and you can get your idea across without trying to hard."}, {"response": 622, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Dec 14, 2003 (19:35)", "body": "(Ildiko)This man can express anything with his eyes. Mind you, we might read it a bit differently, but his eyes certainly talk to us. They do, and from what I've read and heard so far lots of others are taking notice, too. I found several Darcy moments in GWAPE. Anyone else? I remember the second time I saw GWAPE (BAFTA Q&A) that I had a Darcy moment, but I can't remember what it was. Of course knowing ODB was out in the lobby and coming into the theater at any moment had me quite distracted. I can't wait to see this again. I was distracted both times (pleasurably)and I know I missed so much. Eye candy-several for me. (But not my favorite CF eye candy) The ear piercing scene-my number one. The shot of his think legs going up to the attic. The hands grinding the paints. The smug look from \"Lick your lips\" Evelyn and Karen so glad you got to see it."}, {"response": 623, "author": "Jodi", "date": "Tue, Dec 16, 2003 (14:02)", "body": "I just got to see GWAPE and it was such a beautiful film! I feel that I need to see it again though because there is so much to take in visually I think you end up missing things. Of course I am always distracted when ODB is in a movie. I love to watch him brood. Loved Tom Wilkinson too!"}, {"response": 624, "author": "houstonandy", "date": "Tue, Dec 16, 2003 (15:09)", "body": "Had an opportunity to see GWAPE last week with fellow drooler, Kathy F. We had a great time at the Houston Museum of Fine Arts benefit premiere last Thursday evening. The theater in the museum held close to 200 people, and there was standing room only at screening time. Folks were even sitting on the steps in the aisles. I swear no one coughed, whispered, or seemed to breathe during the film...or maybe that was just me, mesmerized and \"in the Colin zone.\" Loved this film. And as for Colin, wonderful acting and wonderful larger-than-life close-ups...now that's a face that can fill a screen!! Come bellissimo!! Perhaps most surprised at the lovely music, and how fitting it was. Somewhat disappointed that the ending was not more faithful to the book. So, now I'm counting down to the general release....can't wait to see this one again."}, {"response": 625, "author": "odessa", "date": "Sat, Dec 20, 2003 (14:35)", "body": "I finally had time to go and see LA, and just wanted to say how much I liked it. ODB really got people to laugh, that was great. And he looked so cuddly."}, {"response": 626, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 24, 2003 (15:36)", "body": "From Am Cinematographer: Serra's approach to lighting Vermeer undergoes a similar evolution. The artist is first shown in shadow, but then Griet spots him watching her from the darkness of his studio and gradually brings him into the light. \"Originally, we were supposed to see Vermeer fully earlier in the film,\" reveals Serra. \"But the decision to keep him in shadow and reveal him so slowly--we only see him clearly at that dinner party--was not only a photographic decision, but also a directorial and editorial decision. I didn't use a very complicated lighting scheme for Vermeer; it flowed from the story and the situation. He's always sidelit in the studio, with his profile to the light, so he's much more contrasty than Griet. Letting the light drop off from the windows in that big room made the rest of the house feel heavy with deep shadows. So, it could be they did shoot that initial scene from the book, where Mr and Mrs Vermeer come to Griet's house to check her out, he sees her arranging the veggies, etc."}, {"response": 627, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (13:28)", "body": "Thanks Karen! I never minded the 'missing' veggie scene. I think there is more suspense built up (I'm practically screaming at the screen...\"where is he!!! Let me see him!!\" by the time he does make an appearance). Like how Serra talks about the studio v. the rest of the house in that last line.....interesting. It worked!"}, {"response": 628, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (14:17)", "body": "(Tress) I never minded the 'missing' veggie scene. Wasn't she chopping away in the first scene...not like the book, but one gets the idea of her artistic flair. Welcome back:-)"}, {"response": 629, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (15:29)", "body": "(Evelyn) Wasn't she chopping away in the first scene...not like the book, but one gets the idea of her artistic flair. Exactly! It is just not as obvious because you don't have Vermeer there pointing it out....you see her 'eye', it's subtle, but Webber lets you see it other ways later in the film. I like the 'wait' for Johannes to show. And I like that the first time we see him he isn't with Catarina and he's in a mood....then the second scene we see him in, he is at the birth of his child and he's smiling and happy (and Griet still hasn't really spoken to him, whereas in the book, they have that conversation right away (where he speaks as if he has cinnamon in his mouth)...in the film, we get grunts and dimples first)."}, {"response": 630, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (17:21)", "body": "(Tress) ...in the film, we get grunts and dimples first Actually, you hear him first. Aren't they arguing off-camera? Maybe they should've have the bed creak too. Something else Griet could've listened to. ;-)"}, {"response": 631, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Jan  7, 2004 (11:47)", "body": "Saw GWAPE for the 2nd time yesterday . . . (PS: leslie - have no fear, it was a spur of the moment thing b/c I had 3 hours of a break between blocking and dress rehearsal/taping for OLTL yesterday . .and it was playing just down the street. Will still see GWAPE with you again in Pleasantville at any time.) Gets better and better each time I see it . . . Still was strying to read Tanneke at the end . .I think she felt a bit sorry for Griet . .that edit at the end didn't give me a chance to really get a good look at her face when she presented the pearls . . . Slight observation: Did any one catch it, or just me . . . When Griet unwraps the pearls at the ned . .not only is it wrapped in canvas and sealed with wax . .but also the pearls are wrapped in two bits of the pale blue and yellow cloth from her turban she wore during the sitting . . . Nice touch (even though I still did not like the fact that the ending was a bit vague, as mentioned in posts before)"}, {"response": 632, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jan  7, 2004 (12:03)", "body": "(Kimberly) . .but also the pearls are wrapped in two bits of the pale blue and yellow cloth from her turban she wore during the sitting . . . Oh! I did notice that (the first time)...the second time, I had too many martinis prior and was just in low gear and drooling!"}, {"response": 633, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan  7, 2004 (14:10)", "body": "(Kim) also the pearls are wrapped in two bits of the pale blue and yellow cloth from her turban she wore during the sitting . I thought it was a nice touch too...but an august member of this board disagreed with me;-) I've only seen it once...and what do I know."}, {"response": 634, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jan  7, 2004 (15:17)", "body": "Kim) also the pearls are wrapped in two bits of the pale blue and yellow cloth from her turban she wore during the sitting . (Evelyn) I thought it was a nice touch too...but an august member of this board disagreed with me;-) Really! Now who could that be? :-O I noticed it the second time (up to 5, I think) and I liked it ok, though an oddly obvious touch within the extremely ambiguous ending. (Tress) the second time, I had too many martinis prior and was just in low gear and drooling! LOL, and you didn't even finish the last one. I think I may have....\"missed\" a few seconds here and there that time. ;-)"}, {"response": 635, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  7, 2004 (15:29)", "body": ""}, {"response": 636, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  7, 2004 (15:40)", "body": "(Evelyn) but an august member of this board disagreed with me;-) Sheesh!! So I wasn't paying attention to cloth. Big deal! Shall I tell them how many times I have to ....? I'll leave that blank for now but consider the threat like a sword of Damocles. ;-)"}, {"response": 637, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jan  7, 2004 (15:52)", "body": "(Tress) the second time, I had too many martinis prior and was just in low gear and drooling! The first time I had too much Chardonney and missed it. The second time I was stone-cold sober and missed it, but at that point I was waiting for ODB to enter the theater for the Q&A so I think I was a bit preoccupied. (Kimberly)Still was strying to read Tanneke at the end I think Tanneke was portrayed much gentler in the film than the book."}, {"response": 638, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Jan  7, 2004 (17:40)", "body": "Lindak...The second time I was stone-cold sober and missed it, but at that point I was waiting for ODB to enter the theater for the Q&A so I think I was a bit preoccupied. I'm surprised you digested any of the film knowing that ODB himself was in the wings waiting to come out. (Still beating myself up for not being clued into that event...very,very jealous) (Kim) also the pearls are wrapped in two bits of the pale blue and yellow cloth.. Yes, I picked up on this. As much as it was a nice touch I do think it was a let down. Much preferred the book's ending. Agree with Dorine that it was left far too ambiguous."}, {"response": 639, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jan  7, 2004 (19:24)", "body": "(Leslie) I'm surprised you digested any of the film knowing that ODB himself was in the wings waiting to come out. (Still beating myself up for not being clued into that event...very,very jealous) That is a bummer, but now that you're here, you'll be up to date on Colin happenings. :-) BTW, the Q&A Linda was actually refering to was the one for BAFTA in the city, not the Burns Ctr one."}, {"response": 640, "author": "Gail", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 2004 (17:53)", "body": "Just got back from seeing GWAPE this afternoon. Have to say I was a little concerned that after having read so much about the movie and looked at so many stills from the movie that maybe it wouldn't live up to all I anticipated, but it DID. Everything that you all have said about it concerning the lighting, soundtrack, mood, etc was right on the money. It is an extraordinary visual delight. Just a few observations. The scene under the robe looking at the camera obscura I don't know what I missed there but I didn't pick up on any special tension or sparks. I know she was a little flustered afterwards but couldn't that have been due to talking to someone who is your master? I did enjoy the exchange right after that when he is explaining the camera obscura to her and she asks, \"Is it real\"? Just loved his burst of laughter. I think at that point and up until he asks her what color the clouds are he is looking at her as someone who is curious and is hungry to learn. When he looked at her during the earl part of the film I thought his eyes had a soft look. IMO they first time he looks at her in a more intense way was when he asked her to pick something up for him. By the way did anyone else love the way they did his eyes with that little smudgelook underneath the bottom lashes? I agree with what has been said here about the ending being ambiguous, but I did like that touch of the pearls being wrapped in the blue and yellow cloth. Since we don't know (in the movie) what happends to Vermeer I think this makes sure the viewer knows the earrrings were sent to her because he wanted her to have them. But as to being able to tell where she went or what became of her that is titally up in the air. Sorry for being so long winded, but it was such a beautiful movie."}, {"response": 641, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (11:40)", "body": "About that ending...from Olivia Hetreed: What was the motivation behind changing the ending ever so slightly? The end of the book is a 'ten years later' jump. You can do that in a book because you can go back and you can reflect. But in a film you are strictly in the linear experience. Having a 'ten years later' at the end of this very intense story between two people would ostensibly let the tension out. And there was also a practical consideration, which is that you've got a 17 year-old girl and you're gonna suddenly make her look 30. It's a bit creaky. So I had both an aesthetic and a very practical consideration in mind. I wanted to convey the sense of openness and possibility about the ending. I think what the book does, and what I didn't wan t the film to do, is to tie everything up completely so that you know what's happened and where everybody's gone. I liked the fact that this was the beginning of Griet's life and that she had potential to do things with it."}, {"response": 642, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (12:57)", "body": "I can almost accept OH's explanation of the ambigious ending a bit better than PW's, but I still think they went a little too far."}, {"response": 643, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (16:09)", "body": "And PW said it was different in the script than the way he wanted it and filmed it. Do you remember that Linda? Or were you paying more attention to trying to play footsies with ODB? ;-)"}, {"response": 644, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (17:56)", "body": "(Dorine)Do you remember that Linda? Or were you paying more attention to trying to play footsies with ODB? ;-) . I remember nothing from the time the screening ended until we were on the escalator-I just sat and drank in every possible minute that I could, and tried to play footsie, of course. Actually, I do remember PW saying something along those lines, but my post came more from what I've read his comments to be. (sorry, Peter)"}, {"response": 645, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (17:58)", "body": "(Olivia)\"Having a 'ten years later' at the end of this very intense story between two people would ostensibly let the tension out. I didn't even get \"the 10 years later\"idea...all I saw was Griet with a bunch of chickens running about in a kitchen. To me she looked as if she went 'home'."}, {"response": 646, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (07:57)", "body": "(Olivia)\"Having a 'ten years later' at the end of this very intense story between two people would ostensibly let the tension out. I fully agree. However, the ending came out really confusing this way. I have no clue how I would've done it though, this seems sort of a no win situation no matter what."}, {"response": 647, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (13:56)", "body": "(Olivia)\"Having a 'ten years later' at the end of this very intense story between two people would ostensibly let the tension out. (Evelyn)I didn't even get \"the 10 years later\"idea...all I saw was Griet with a bunch of chickens running about in a kitchen. To me she looked as if she went 'home'. I thought Olivia was trying to say that she wanted to avoid the \"ten years later\" like how the novel ended . .there by giving the screenplay an open ambigous ending . . . unless I'm reading it wrong . . . It did look like she went back home though . .think it was almost an exact shot through the doorway as in the beginning when we saw her chopping vegtables . . . will try to notice it again next time I see the film Am curious to get a copy of the screenplay to read it as well . . ."}, {"response": 648, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 2004 (21:37)", "body": "Saw GWAPE for the 3rd time today (I know I probably have to catch up with some of the Metro Gals ;-) ). The film just gets better every time I see it. I heard a couple behind me praising the film. They were talking about how GWAPE had really been an emotional experience and how anything else (i.e., the \"missing\" drama and action) was unnescessary/that it was complete as it was."}, {"response": 649, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 2004 (23:44)", "body": "Well well, I am back at home already and in my jammies. I am sure Dorine and Tress are still partying!! I do have to work in the morning, but will see them and the movie again tomorrow night...... I do not know where to begin.... \"Master of the Moor\" only better..... a very different role than we have ever seen before. Many things are not what they seem in this movie. Colin looked so lost and troubled, I wanted to help! It was really nice seeing so many other gals wondering if Colin was going to show, as my sisters were with me and now know I am not alone in my madness! I think I am going to leave more of the details of the movie for Dorine and Tress tommorrow, and add a few bits to their remarks. The movie did make you think a lot, and Colin was very good in his portrayal of someone who is \"tramatized\" by a horrific car accident, but you find out that is the tip of the iceberg later on. enough for now... I look forward to seeing it again. Sandi"}, {"response": 650, "author": "caribou", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 2004 (23:56)", "body": "Oh, Sandi, you lucky girl! Thanks so much for sharing. I'm taking full advantage of being in the same time zone and get my two cents worth of thanks in before the flood in a few hours. I'm so happy for all of you that your wait in the cold was rewarded with tickets. (Sandi)Colin looked so lost and troubled, I wanted to help! I love it when Colin looks like he needs help. So, it \"worked\" for you then, did it?"}, {"response": 651, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (00:02)", "body": "Yes, And I will have to get a better look tommorrow night in the village, the venue there has 150 seats as opposed to the 1250+ tonight, but he kisses Mena and totally sucks her lip and I think he bit it and held it for awhile. And it looked like there was tongue and saliva exchanged. I was very surprised and did not mention this to my sisters, as they would not have realized this is out of the norm for him. I found it odd that I knew Mena was in the audience and seeing her doing that, and knowing she is there watching it also. Sandi"}, {"response": 652, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (01:17)", "body": "(Sandi) \"Master of the Moor\" only better..... Ooooh! Plus he's not wearing that baggy anorak. he kisses Mena and totally sucks her lip and I think he bit it and held it for awhile. And it looked like there was tongue and saliva exchanged. Now how am I going to go to sleep?! ;-) I was very surprised and did not mention this to my sisters, as they would not have realized this is out of the norm for him. And that it has become a part of the core curriculum here. LOL! Thanks so much Sandi for getting online right away. Looking forward to hearing more from Drool's Park City Partygirls. ;-) (Caribou) I'm taking full advantage of being in the same time zone *waving from one time zone over* and it's late here. ;-)"}, {"response": 653, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (04:35)", "body": "http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/sundance/sundance_diary_3.shtml Report on \"Trauma\""}, {"response": 654, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (04:49)", "body": "Thanks, Sandi, for the late night Trauma report! I have been so curious about this film and how it would be received. Love that it reminded you of Master of the Moor. I have a soft spot for poor Stephen Whalby. Looking forward to hearing more today from you, Dorine and Tress."}, {"response": 655, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (06:56)", "body": "OMG Linda! You are famous! A big mention on the BBC site! What did you ask? Did she respond yet? Now we just need wireimage pics of Tress and Dorine partying it up with Marc Evans and I can get on with a happy morning!"}, {"response": 656, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (09:20)", "body": "Sandi, thanks so much for your post. I couldn't wait to get to the point where I could sit down with my tea and read the breaking news from Sundance. Your tidbits are a lovely holdover until the other reports from Tress and Dorine come in. Where are they, by the way?? It's got to be at least 8 am there by now and I'm sure they know many of us waiting with baited breath.. Guess it must have been a late party - wish I was there. ...but he kisses Mena and totally sucks her lip and I think he bit it and held it for awhile. Oh, how long I have waited to see him truly go at it..."}, {"response": 657, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (09:38)", "body": "...And it looked like there was tongue and saliva exchanged. OMG...We have waited years for this. He listened to Moon. The Tongue Brigade is proud of him. WooHoo!"}, {"response": 658, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (10:12)", "body": "(Sandi)but he kisses Mena and totally sucks her lip and I think he bit it and held it for awhile. And it looked like there was tongue and saliva exchanged OMG, OMG. I know I'm shouting boss, but if this isn't a reason to shout. I am so, oh, I don't know what I am. (Sandi) \"Master of the Moor\" only better..... I love MOTM. Love these kinds of shows. I can't wait to hear more. (Maria)OMG Linda! You are famous! A big mention on the BBC site! LOL, Maria please send me the link. I don't remember what I asked. I've been all over the place, lately. Are you sure it's me?"}, {"response": 659, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (10:46)", "body": "You weren't alone, Linda. I asked her to ask Dark Marc when Trauma would open in UK. http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/sundance/sundance_diary_3.shtml"}, {"response": 660, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (11:21)", "body": "(Sandi)but he kisses Mena and totally sucks her lip and I think he bit it Oooh just maybe he got braver after sucking lip with Mena and is now walking around nekkid with Renee;-)! (a girl can dream can't she?)"}, {"response": 661, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (12:03)", "body": "(Sandi) And it looked like there was tongue and saliva exchanged. Oh no. I hoped I'd never see that. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you saw that wrong. *whimper*"}, {"response": 662, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (12:49)", "body": "BIG SPOILER AHEAD: I spoke to Tress and Dorine today, and they are out and about in Park City, but they will get to the Marriot in a couple hours to do a write up. I will do a preliminary post in the meantime, and imagine there are some things out of sequence. We will see it again tonight: Trauma \ufffd The movie starts with Ben in the hospital, with quick flashbacks of a horrific car accident in the rain. He has been in a coma for the past 2 weeks. He needs to be held down as he is reliving the whole experience in his mind. Trees coming through the windshield, blood everywhere. He finally is able get up and walk around, but is dazed and confused. News reports are everywhere about the murder of the famous singer \ufffdLauren Parris\ufffd, and I imagine the news coverage is similar to when the Princess was killed. He looks suspiciously at everyone, as they don\ufffdt get the fact that his own wife is dead. He watches this coverage with a blank expression. Lots and lots of close-ups of him, they follow him as he moves into a new flat, and visits his Psychiatrist. You only hear his voice in the background ask Ben \ufffdHow did that make you feel?\ufffd with Ben filling in most of the dialogue. His parents were killed when he was a child, and he has seen this therapist before. He was unable to go to his wife\ufffds funeral since he was in a coma for 2 weeks, but his sister in-law videotaped it for him, and he watches it regularly along with the news reports of the famous Lauren, which are on all the time. She disappeared a few weeks previous, and her body was found in a canal 2 weeks later. They have no leads in the case. He starts to see his wife behind his back, walking down the street, and tries to catch her but it is always someone else. He runs into his friend Tommy, who offers him work repainting and restoring frescos in a nearby office building. Tommy asks, \ufffdWhere have you been?\ufffd Ben tells him that Alisa is dead, he missed the funeral, Alisa\ufffds family will not speak to him, they never liked him and this is even more reason, and is emotionally devastated. Close to tears several times. Tommy is a true friend and offers emotional support. Ben spends his free time wandering the streets, and has visions and flashbacks all the time. He manages to get unpacked in his new apartment, and the first time bugs appear, he is cutting crickets apart with a knife on a plate. I truly thought he was going to eat one, as he is looking so ragged around the edges! But no, they are for his pet ants he keeps in a big glass aquarium. A big ant farm, close-ups and such throughout the movie. They seem to have a talent for getting out and crawling around where they shouldn\ufffdt be also. Just a couple at first\ufffd.. Mena\ufffds Character Charlotte finally appears. She is a neighbor across the hall, and is the landlady. She leaves a cup of sugar cubes in a coffee cup, and as they see each other, she explains that she looks out after the place for her Dad, how is into apartment conversions. They speak and he lightens up a bit. Ben stumbles through the days trying to work, talking to his Shrink, and wandering about all the while having flashbacks about everything, and still seeing the 24/7 news coverage about the death of Lauren Parris. It seems she was last seen in his new neighborhood. Police are re-staging the last location spot she was seen, hoping it will uncover some clues. It is a busy street market area, and Ben walks right into the middle of it as everyone is frozen and waiting for \ufffdaction\ufffd to be called by a director. Does not help him one bit I must say. These are the scene stills we have seen previously. He looks like that pretty much the whole way through the movie. He also sees Charlotte around; she is at a nursing home in the neighborhood working with the elderly. She seems to be massaging their shoulders from the back and you begin to think she knows more about him than she lets on. More flashbacks are revealed, and you begin to realize that He and Alisa were arguing right before the accident. They Police are now starting to follow him as well. A detective shows up at his apartment, and Ben must quickly hide the photo album he has now started keeping about Lauren and her death. Not a good idea to start that right now, I think. It seems he is starting to blur Alisa\ufffds death with hers now. He gets a note at his door again from Charlotte to meet her, and he goes and finds he is in a Psychic reading, with a woman talking for others on the other side. He does not get anything from it, and on the way home he walks with Charlotte and she explains that \ufffdit seems to help some people\ufffd and she knows he has suffered a loss. \ufffdI read it on your rental application\ufffd , she states. She appears normal, and he takes to a museum where he used to work, and shows her animals and of course, bugs. She is \ufffdallergic\ufffd to spiders, at which point he laughs and gets her to hold a rubber one in her hand. \ufffdPhase one\ufffd he tells her. They leave and go home. He tries to see Alisa\ufffds sister, but she runs "}, {"response": 663, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (14:00)", "body": "*bows to Sandi*) . .ahh one of the three Park City Goddesses . .thanks so much for the info . .the BIG spoiler . .I am so ready to see this film! Hmmm . .Colin's changing his on-screen kissing style (perhaps for good,?:) . .no more uncomfortable kisses in the future). .lovely lovely visions dancing in my head (separated from the blood and insects of course)"}, {"response": 664, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (14:32)", "body": "Yes, would love to hear more, Sandi! Great, detailed summary. Thanks!"}, {"response": 665, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (14:46)", "body": "...And it looked like there was tongue and saliva exchanged. (Evelyn), OMG...We have waited years for this. He listened to Moon. Yippeee!!! Seeing is believing and I can't wait to see it! Thank you Colin! Of course, it has to do with the fact that a feisty young Scot wrote it into the screen play and a fiery young Scot director insisted. ;-D More please Sandi! And thanks! (Sandi), It seems he is starting to blur Alisa\ufffds death with hers now. I thought they might be the same person. Why is Ben fasianted with Lauren? Is his wife really dead? I was wondering what you thought of the screen play. Is it as good as it'supposed to be? What part does Brenda Flicker play? Why do you think it hasa not picked up a US distribution deal?"}, {"response": 666, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (14:48)", "body": "Ok here goes: CAUTION BIG SPOILER!! Fragmented things start falling into place. He visits Alisa\ufffds sister again, and you get the impression she is keeping something from Ben. Not surprising, since he is a LUNATIC, and we begin to suspect he was one before. She tells him \ufffdyou were so obsessed with her\ufffd when he asks why the police are following him. You begin to think he was obsessed with Lauren the singer at this point. Not many questions answered, but many more opened up. You also know that his therapist tapes the sessions with him, placing a watch on top of the recorder each time he comes. You find that Ben and Alisa had a horrific fight that night, more and more clips appear, as does the spiraling madness. More ants have escaped, and he has put masking tape all along the top of the aquarium in an attempt to keep them in. Also, it is an attempt at keeping the madness from escaping full force. He runs from Tommy in the street and is absolutely paranoid, the Detective shows up again, and everything starts escalating. His wife shows up! You think she is not real, but she is!!! He 1st thinks it is Charlotte outside the door, calls her name, and tells her they shouldn\ufffdt see each other again. Opening the door, he sees Alisa and grabs her. He can\ufffdt believe he was able to catch her finally. He wants her back, begs and begs her. But you find out that the argument they had was about her leaving, that she couldn\ufffdt take him anymore, he was so obsessed. She apologized for telling him she was dead, but thought that was the only way she would be able to be free from him. He asked about the funeral tape, how did she make it, and she makes him watch it again, and you realize that it is the funeral for Lauren Parris; it says so in the window of the hearse. You begin to realize just how sick he is, he had viewed that same scene and never seen the name before. You find that their lives are entwined with Lauren Parris in some way, I think Alisa is dating one of her publicists, or there is some other connection. You also now wonder if he is the killer, and he begins to think he is as well. Alisa asks about Charlotte, and he says \ufffdI will get rid of her\ufffd but it is no use, Alisa won\ufffdt stay and he is crushed. The photo album is now very large and scary. It is the work of someone who is truly mad. He can\ufffdt distinguish between what/ who is real anymore, and neither can we. You begin to try and find the solution yourself. Charlotte shows up again, and you are not sure if she is real at all, or someone else. She asks, \ufffdHave you forgotten about phase 2?\ufffd But Ben has not forgotten. \ufffdI think this is a mistake\ufffd she says (that\ufffds for sure, this line got laughs from the audience) and she follows him to the basement/morgue. We were also told before that the old medical examiners used to write the names of the deceased on the wall, and Charlottes name now appears there as she descends the stairs. She finds him by a wall with doors, which used to hold the remains of the deceased (like a coroners office) and Ben is there, waiting. He sees a large spider in a cobweb and gingerly picks it up. He then backs Charlotte against a wall and strangles her, but not before slowly putting the huge spider in her mouth. He holds it in her mouth as he crushes her head to the wall. He returns upstairs, where he is found bleeding. He has smashed the Ant farm to bits and they are everywhere. Madness has taken over. You also realize that he has been taping his own therapy sessions, and there is no psychiatrist. Charlotte is found in the basement, very real, and very dead. The final scene is a \ufffdpsycho\ufffd type scene, where he is in a hospital, again watching the news. They have found Lauren Parris\ufffd killer, and he has been arrested. They show his picture, and it is NOT Ben, but someone else. The detective is there, and Ben says, \ufffd It wasn\ufffdt me\ufffd. The detective never thought it was Ben, but couldn\ufffdt figure out why he was so obsessed. Closing shot are his eyes. I was left with the thought that some people and things were only real to Ben, and it is open to interpretation. Ben was always Crazy."}, {"response": 667, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (14:54)", "body": "Brenda Flicker plays the \"John Edwards\" crossing over medium. I find her funny cause I remember her playing Mike Myers Mom in \"So I married an axe murderer\". I was expecting her to break out into that hysterical character, but she was really good at portraying the Medium."}, {"response": 668, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (14:57)", "body": "Sandi, All I can say is WOW . . . Thank you thank you thank you for this sum-up/spoiler. . .This sounds like a wonderful film . .I am hoping (with fingers and toes crossed) that it gets a US distributor quickly so I can see it! . .this sounds like a great meaty role for ODB . .I want to see him in it . . .am getting goosebumps thinking about ODB . . deranged look in his eye . .ooh and the whole \"phase 2\" spider thing is giving me the willys . . ."}, {"response": 669, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (14:58)", "body": "Sounds like a script with many open-ended situations. You never quite get a grasp on what's going on. Evelyn won't like it.;-) Thanks, Sandi! Did you like it?"}, {"response": 670, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (15:09)", "body": "I did, but I also felt like I wanted my Mr Darcy back!! I wanted to scream it in the movie, but I thought that would be too disrespectful to others around me. Everyone was totally silent and watched it intensly. It was not the type of movie I go after to see normally, and the only reason I went was to see Colin in it. I had heard somewhere before that MS was not real, so I went into the movie with the opinion that nothing was what it seems, and it was not. First you felt so sorry for him, but then you started to get creeped out, and think \"get a grip!\" but then slowly you realize he is truely insane. I am not sure Alisa was even in the car with him, I think he imagined her in the car, but only the accident was real. You never heard anyone tell him his wife was dead. When she came to see him they argued again, and she said \"you left me in the pouring rain without my shoes!\" and you saw a clip of him driving off. It will be interesting to see it again tonight"}, {"response": 671, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (15:12)", "body": "Hey Evelyn, this one makes Vanilla Sky sound simple.;-) Sandi, your memory of the film is truly remarkable, after only one viewing. Did you like it? Also, one early report from the set (from a crew member) indicated that the Scottish accents were impenetrable; I think he was referring to a nightclub scene where Ben is with his mates. What did you think? (Moon)Why do you think it has not picked up a US distribution deal? Well, it's early yet and this is the first time any studio would have seen it. But I can understand why a studio would not have greenlit it in advance. Can you imagine that pitch meeting? \"It's about a guy who's crazy. Or maybe he's just injured. His wife died in the accident. Or maybe there was no accident. Maybe there's no wife. There's a neighbor. We think. Anyhow, there's plenty of ants . . . .;-)"}, {"response": 672, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (15:14)", "body": "Sounds like a film you'd have to see many, many times before it makes sense. I guess I'll just have to *force* myself... Thank you so much for all the info Sandi...and thanks to your able fingers as well....they must be exhausted."}, {"response": 673, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (15:24)", "body": "I did find Tommy's accent hard to follow at times, and would imagine others could have more difficulty even if they are used to watching a lot of UK shows and movies, like me. I did not remember his accent like that in Gladiator at all, was it? I also had to watch Donavan Quick twice in a row to get the dialogue."}, {"response": 674, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (15:38)", "body": "(Sandi)He also sees Charlotte around; she is at a nursing home in the neighborhood working with the elderly Another nursing home attendant! Does he carry her down the street;-) (Mari)) Hey Evelyn, this one makes Vanilla Sky sound simple.;-) (Leslie) Sounds like a film you'd have to see many, many times before it makes sense. Sounds to me like you better have Episode 6 close by. *Clap, clap* Sandi. What a memory. You're right up there with Caribou!"}, {"response": 675, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (15:42)", "body": "(Sandi) I also had to watch Donavan Quick twice in a row to get the dialogue. Hey, I never did get what Clive said. Maybe sub-titles would help in the distribution. Does Colin speak in a Scottish accent too?"}, {"response": 676, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (15:47)", "body": "No he does not, the only one I had a hard time hearing was Tommy. (Evelyn)\"Another nursing home attendant! Does he carry her down the street;-) \" And another no, he does not carry her down the street, just kills her by smashing her head into a wall. Maybe he should have tried that in Hope springs?"}, {"response": 677, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (15:54)", "body": "(Karen) Ooooh! Plus he's not wearing that baggy anorak. Ummmmm.....saw anorak....sorry Karen! :-( Seems Sandi has us covered...we have limited time on internet here so have not had time to read everyone's posts (sorry), but wanted to say that Do and I got an \"exclusive\"!!!! Will go to CF Topic and tell more!"}, {"response": 678, "author": "Gail", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (16:39)", "body": "Sandi, thanks for the great report. I think I read it all without breathing."}, {"response": 679, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (18:08)", "body": "(Evelyn), Another nursing home attendant! Does he carry her down the street;-) No but he gets to bang her too. Her head that is. ;-) But what did you Sandi and also Tress and Dorine, think of the script? Remember they were raving about his script and his talent. Does it live up to expectation?"}, {"response": 680, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (19:10)", "body": "Thank you, Sandi. Wow, what detail. What was the audience reaction at the end. Do you think it was well received? Was there a nightclub scene? He then backs Charlotte against a wall and strangles her, but not before slowly putting the huge spider in her mouth. He holds it in her mouth as he crushes her head to the wall. Yikes, I can't imagine this. Can't wait to see it. This is a huge departure for ODB in a long, long time. (Lesliep)Sounds like a film you'd have to see many, many times before it makes sense Maybe T will evolve into a 'Sixth Sense' type of film where people went back several times after they knew the ending to see the clues they missed along the way. (Gail)Sandi, thanks for the great report. I think I read it all without breathing. LOL, me too."}, {"response": 681, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (21:16)", "body": "(Lesliep)Sounds like a film you'd have to see many, many times before it makes sense (Linda) Maybe T will evolve into a 'Sixth Sense' type of film where people went back several times 'Fraid not for me...oh yes, I'll eventually own it (DVD?) if for no other reason than to support jobbing actors in London, but with spiders? Will require full daylight viewings with *ample* hours before lights out. (The things I do, no one knows what I sacrifice...)"}, {"response": 682, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (22:16)", "body": "First of all, thank you Sandi for reporting that ODB has finally gotten over his case of lockjaw!!! V. important news! Lovely detailed review! Make me even more eager to see T, especially since it now sounds less conventional horror and more a picture of psychopathology (a favorite subect of mine!). I can imagine various Tumbledown and DQ aspects to the performance as well as the already mentioned AZ and MOTM moments. Colin does such a good job at emotional disturbance; he would make the editors of the DSM-IV proud. ;-) (Moon)But what did you Sandi and also Tress and Dorine, think of the script? Remember they were raving about his script and his talent. Does it live up to expectation? (Linda)Do you think it was well received? Does this seem a film with potential to really show off Colin's range (not that I don't adore wet shirts and brooding and Darcys) to the public, in your opinion?"}, {"response": 683, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (07:36)", "body": "Love comments, Dorine and Tress! If you see ME again, do ask him about the kissing scene with MS and why he kills her at the end?"}, {"response": 684, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (08:47)", "body": "Sandi, thanks for your spoiler, wow! It seems that people who wanted to see Colin do something other that smoulder on screen got what they wanted. I'm not interested in these types of movies, but the idea of seeing a non smouldering, miserable, really f***ed up Colin is hard to resist, so I'll definately go see this one. (Sandi) I found it odd that I knew Mena was in the audience and seeing her doing that, and knowing she is there watching it also. I cannot imagine her experience. To sit there, watching the movie you are in, hoping it looks great..., what an incredible risk it is. You do your job, do your best, and then it's totally out of your hands, all you can do is hope for the best. Must be nerve wrecking."}, {"response": 685, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (09:44)", "body": "HI all, I think Dorine and Tress are now on their way to the airport. We were fortunate to see it again last night in a smaller venue, about 160 seats in the Sundance Screening room. Unfortunately there was no Q&A, as no one from the movie was there. I thought that was too bad, they had 2 shows, 7/10pm in the same place. I also thought the movie flowed much better the second time through. Maybe it was all the staring at ODB the first time! Real tunnel vision I must say that first time around. It also felt much longer the first time as well, it seemed longer than the 93 minutes, but on second viewing it went much faster and you always notice more things which fill in the story more. I will say that I also liked it very much, It is a much darker film than I am used to, and I do not think I would have seen it otherwise. My appeal for the movie is really him and his performance. Couple of funny things while hanging around. Of course, I am with my sisters who tease me mercilessly about my obsession. First screening, 2 girls in their 20's walk up to the line and say \"Colin Firth is SO HOT!\" at which point we hit it off right away! My sisters thought it was funny that it was not just the more mature \"intelligent\" women who lust after him! We had a lively converstaton about all things Colin, of which I was the resident expert. We then go inside and are waiting again, and I am going to leave my sisters to go to the press area, and there is a woman standing right next to us who is \"having her share of our conversation\", and I finally look at her and she says \"Do you think Colin will be here?\". We were pretty sure at that point he was not, and my sister told her \"not likely, and if he was, you would have to get past HER (pointing to ME) first, which ain't gonna happen\". Oh, the special bonds of sisterhood. Yesterday I am in a client's office to take my other \"Obsessed\" friend who works there to the movie. She tells me that an associate asked her \"who\" is in the \"Sundance Movie\" we are off too, and when she tells him, he says \"OMG you have to go tell Travis, his wife is TOTALLY in love with him\", at which point we do! Travis is behind his desk, and he has found out already through the office buzz, and is shaking his head at us when we enter. We ask if we might invite his wife to go, at which point he says \"NO WAY\" and we mention that we have his home phone number and wouldn't he feel bad if she found out etc. The funniest thing, he says \"I don't think he's that special at all, but my wife says he is the sexiest thing alive when he comes out of that pond and the water is dripping from his hair (all the while he is carressing his head and shoulders) I just don't get it\". It was hilarious to see a grown man do this. Mind you, he is a church going Mormon and you don't see this type of behavior every day. My friend and I discussed the film at length on the way home, I did not tell her about the ants and spiders, and she thanked me for that. It is one you need to watch again. I also saw a lot more of ODB's expressions the second time around. During the scene where Alisa comes to his apartment, He is full on crying and begging, and has to pull back out of it to show her he can keep it together. His performance is amazing, he has the real flushed face from real crying and almost hyperventilates at one point, then tears fall again and he wipes them off and makes them stop, straightens up and calms himself down. I did not see the depth of it the first time. He had other moments like that as well, but that one stood out for me. more later Sandi"}, {"response": 686, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (09:58)", "body": "Sandi- RE: ODB's amazing performance I've always thought that the root of his great sex appeal is based in his talent as a gifted actor. I cannot wait to see his performance in this film! The best part of T (IMHO) is that the bigger world might finally clue into his talents and realize there's a lot more going on than a great pair of breeches. But then again, the breeches are always very nice... Sandi, put your feet up. You deserve a long rest after a job well done. (And your fab sisters too!)"}, {"response": 687, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (10:09)", "body": "Great news on Colin's performance. Thank you, Sandi. I have another question. There have been a few comments and posts about the ending being too open ended. What do you think about that? I'd like to know if you think it's open ended in a good way...a way that makes you think about it all the way home and then some. Does it leave you with a feeling like I need to see it again, or this is just too obscure to give it any more thought? The woman from the BBC that I e-mailed said it was a good film but it left her feeling like Chinese take-away--a bit unsatisfied. I can take that in one of two ways...unsatisfied as in hungry for more, or unsatisfied as in unfulfilled. Which do you think?"}, {"response": 688, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (10:28)", "body": "(Sandi)the real flushed face from real crying and almost hyperventilates at one point, then tears fall again and he wipes them off and makes them stop, straightens up and calms himself down. He hyperventilates v. well. We saw that in 3 DOR. Can't wait to hear more."}, {"response": 689, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (10:52)", "body": "I fear that my opinion is biased by the enjoyment of watchng ODB in anything! I do not think it is a movie I would search out and go to otherwise. If any other Big star was in it instead, I might be drawn to it also depending on who is was. I did like it the first time, but I enjoyed it much more the second time. I think her mentioning the unsatisified ending is a little over the top. This is a movie that makes you think, like Psyhco or the sixth sense. I also think with independant films you get a lot more to think about. I would imagine if they tied up the loose ends, then someone would argue that it shouldn't have ended that way. The ending of the movie really left you thinking about what was the real part and what was not. the only thing it left me with was wanting to see it again, to look more deeply into the scenes. It was interesting, we had a discussion in the lobby with a few ladies last night, 2 were quite young, and they actually stopped us in conversation and wanted to listen. They did not pickup on as much as we did, I am not sure they knew what to look for. We discussed the ants, and the fact that they seemed to represent the insanity in his life, and that throughout the movie as more escaped, you could see his insanity escalating. One lady even said \"I didn't even see that\" which surprised us, as I picked up on that right away. It might be because she hadn't read anything about the movie. My friend also focused on an other point which I totally missed, and that is the association with Charlotte's web. I have never read the book, but it was one of her favorites, and she saw the whole perspective of Charlotte being his Aunt as a child, and also MS's character, that only he could only talk to them, like in the book. We also discussed whether or not she was real, and decided that she was, because she was found dead by another person (if he was real) but also by the detective at the end of the movie (but what if he wasn't real?) Ben had a Monologue at the end, were he goes to his therapist and is discovered by Tommy. He watches from a distance while Ben is talking to no-one. Ben states \"he just decided what had to be done, he made a decision to end it\" or something to that affect. Maybe he had to end the \"talking\" to \"Charlotte\" that no one could see. Ben was clearly insane before the accident, and you get a little insight as to what that is like, unsatisfied unfullfilled, real and unreal. It's interesting, I have never been to Sundance before, and will be back next year definitely to see what is out there."}, {"response": 690, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (11:39)", "body": "(Sandi)The ending of the movie really left you thinking about what was the real part and what was not. Sounds a lot like David Cronenberg's \"Spider\", last year's movie with RF. 91% rating from Rotten Tomatoes main critics. V. limited release. Dorine, Karen , Me and probably 10 other people in the US saw it;-) Only took in $1.2+ at the BO. Worth checking out.Tremendous performances. My favorite film last year. LOL. Ya' see Moon...sometimes I do like films that are obscure. Colin alluded to Spider in one of his early interviews about Trauma."}, {"response": 691, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (13:54)", "body": "Just as a GWAPE aside . . . Evelyn - When I went for my 3rd viewing with Leslie on Monday . .was determined to try to figure out a clue to where Griet was at the end (damned vague ending) I believe she was at home . .I noticed (anal that I was) the glass window panes on the side of the doorway in Griet's house in the opening shots of the film (veggie cutting scene). (The glass was conformed in iron circles, slightly pale colors arranged in a vertical pattern). Noticed the same glass pattern beside the doorway at tne ending shot . .with Griet sitting in the chair with those chickens running about. Granted, they could have wanted it to be a different place (Pieter's home, etc) but just used the same set piece . . .but I did notice that;) 3rd time viewing was lovely . .am thinking a 4th may come my way . .(have to catch up with Dorine's 6 viewings!)"}, {"response": 692, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (16:24)", "body": "Glad to know that someone else noticed the identical windows, Kimberly! I've spent far too much time and mental effort trying to get some meaning out of the final scene. I also believe that it is at Griet's house. Additionally, there is a new set of clothes hanging up as she can be seen. I've assumed that to mean that she was indeed getting married to/had married Pieter. It's reading a whole lot out of very little, but a wedding would be one of the only reasons why someone of Griet's SES would have new clothes, particularly those as fine as the ones on the wall seem. I can then draw all sorts of semi-meaningful relationships between the clothes and van Ruijven and the maid in the red dress and the ownership/taking/purchase of Griet, but I won't to save evryone a headache. ;-) Must arrange viewing #4 to do more field work!"}, {"response": 693, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (16:39)", "body": "I know . .perhaps I'm thinking too much too about that ending . .but, well, . .since I saw it (Shoshana)Additionally, there is a new set of clothes hanging up as she can be seen. Yes! . .I saw the new clothing too . .the pretty, rather fancy yellow dress hanging against the left wall . .kind of out of place in a farmhouse . . . would the wedding clothing be as fancy as that? . . .trying to think of how the plainer, somber Protestant vs. more opulant Catholic lifestyle was portrtayed in the book and film . .would even for such an occasion would a wedding dress for her be like that? . .May have to visit my costumer site again . .or perhaps Michelle (who is also a costumer, can enlighten us . .) (Shoshanna)I can then draw all sorts of semi-meaningful relationships between the clothes and van Ruijven and the maid in the red dress and the ownership/taking/purchase of Griet, but I won't to save evryone a headache. ;-) Ooh I'm interested in your take . .you can email me off line, if you'd like;)"}, {"response": 694, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (17:10)", "body": "(Kimberley) Ooh I'm interested in your take . .you can email me off line, if you'd like;) No. I wanna hear it too. Hey, I was the one who thought Griet had gone home. So now....maybe the earrings are a wedding gift;-) LOL. Why not. Peter Weber took all kinds of liberties."}, {"response": 695, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (17:49)", "body": "OK, Kimberley. Now I'm interested as well - a lot of this passed right over my head on Monday. Woe is me...guess that means I'm off to the theater again..."}, {"response": 696, "author": "katty", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (18:01)", "body": "In regards to the ending of GWAPE, we just have to view it without thinking about the book at all. As Peter Webber says, he filmed his version, not the book's. The scene is apparently at her home, not long after Griet was dismissed. Any ideas about her being married or pregnant or anything else like that has no evidence in the movie. The confusion generated by this comes from confusing the book with the film. What we are left with in the film is wondering WHY the earrings were sent to her. Was it from Vermeer, and if so, why? That leaves us with the enigma of just what Vermeer really felt about her - affectionately as a lover that never was, or as a muse selfishly used by an artist for whom his art came first. I think there's a mixture of both interpretations, but with Vermeer the artist superceding Vermeer the man."}, {"response": 697, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (19:08)", "body": "Thanks for your take, Katty. FYI I'm not even taking the book into consideration. And I'm glad you have it all figured out;-)"}, {"response": 698, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (19:42)", "body": "...And it looked like there was tongue and saliva exchanged. (Evelyn), OMG...We have waited years for this. He listened to Moon. (Moon) Yippeee!!! Seeing is believing and I can't wait to see it! Um, hate to disappoint....while it was better than it's been, it's not quite as great as you imagine. Was just talking to Sandi on the phone about it, and with Tress last night. Kiss was not as good as HOTP by far (which I don't think Sandi has seen, if I'm not mistaken), but not stiff-lipped either. We realized the second time around that while there was some slightly open mouths, we seem to have seen more of a \"Madonna-Britney\" kiss.....open mouth, no tongue. What we thought was tongue, may have just been a shot of the inside of one of their mouths. He did bite and pull on her bottom lip, though. Forgive me if I repeat something, have not read Sandi's reports yet, and little of anything else. This subject just caught my eye as I skimmed. There were 2 kissing scenes. In the first one, it was too difficult to truly discern the type of kiss well, because of the shooting angle and way it was lit (BTW, the lighting is fantastic!). Lots of shadows on their faces. The lighting was a factor the second time too, though angle was better as they were more stationary. First time they moved around a lot. One thing Tress and I discussed about those scenes, especially the first one, is how unromantic and unerotic (is that a word?) those scenes are really. It's more about him making a human connection with someone, anyone...vs a real connection between those two. One thing Sandi and I discussed tonight was the fact that we were glad they didn't actually sleep together. I remember at the point just before they were going to kiss for the first time, I internally cringed because I didn't want them to go there. It didn't seem it would fit the tone of the film at that point. So, I was actually glad they didn't go there."}, {"response": 699, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (19:48)", "body": "(Linda) Maybe T will evolve into a 'Sixth Sense' type of film where people went back several times after they knew the ending to see the clues they missed along the way. Exactly!! Perfectly put!!"}, {"response": 700, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (20:46)", "body": "(Dorine) We realized the second time around that while there was some slightly open mouths, we seem to have seen more of a \"Madonna-Britney\" kiss.....open mouth, no tongue. Whew!!! *Fanning self* That was close. One life down, eight to go. Thank you Dorine! :-)"}, {"response": 701, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (21:12)", "body": "(Linda) (Linda) Maybe T will evolve into a 'Sixth Sense' type of film where people went back several times after they knew the ending to see the clues they missed along the way. Though if they read Spoilers, they won't have missed too much."}, {"response": 702, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (22:45)", "body": "Hi all, Just returned from my 3rd viewing, and Dorine is correct about the kissing, not as I had first thought. trying to absorb everything the first time, I even remembered it to be all one scene, and there are two. I also noticed more references to Charlotte's Web this time. Better and Better I must say."}, {"response": 703, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (07:46)", "body": "(Sandi), I also noticed more references to Charlotte's Web this time. And Mena's character is named Charlotte. And he kills her in the end because Charlotte the spider was supposed to die. He feels he's trapped, he's in her trap and after he finds out that his wife is alive and things are not what they seem anymore, he kills her. Almost to ground himself, to get back to reality, his own horrible reality. Am I close? ...And it looked like there was tongue and saliva exchanged. (Evelyn), OMG...We have waited years for this. He listened to Moon. (Moon) Yippeee!!! Seeing is believing and I can't wait to see it! (Dorine), Um, hate to disappoint....while it was better than it's been, it's not quite as great as you imagine. LOL! After all this time, I can see why this would catch your eye first. So much for fiery and feisty Scots. ;-)"}, {"response": 704, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (08:56)", "body": "(Dorine), Um, hate to disappoint....while it was better than it's been, it's not quite as great as you imagine. Bummer, (Dorine).. we were glad they didn't actually sleep together...It didn't seem it would fit the tone of the film at that point. So, I was actually glad they didn't go there. Getouttahere...what kind of a Droolie are you;-)) Who cares about the f*&(^ film;-) Thanks Dorine, Tress and Sandi....glad you had such blast. Park City will never be the same again."}, {"response": 705, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (09:13)", "body": "(Evelyn) Getouttahere...what kind of a Droolie are you;-)) *hanging head in shame*"}, {"response": 706, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (11:30)", "body": "I have a question for the Sundance ladies...did any of you see the leash? Or did it signify in the movie at all?"}, {"response": 707, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (12:38)", "body": "(Ada) I have a question for the Sundance ladies...did any of you see the leash? Or did it signify in the movie at all? It's not the same leash. It appears to be a brown leather strap that has long-ish (about an inch) wooden beads (I know that makes little sense, but you can see the segments of it). You get a good view of it when he's bare chested (belly button shot nearly fills screen at one point!). (Evelyn) Getouttahere...what kind of a Droolie are you;-)) (Dorine) *hanging head in shame* I'm with Dorine on this one...if Ben had slept with anyone, he would have been making a connection that his character just didn't have (but he seemed to crave). The kisses weren't about sex, the first seemed to be a need to connect and the second had a whole different thing going on..... I still haven't read all of spoilers so I'm sorry if I repeated anything. Want to sit down for a few hours and go through it before I start going too nuts on the comments.... BTW, it was fantastic meeting Sandi and others CF fans! Had a blast!!!"}, {"response": 708, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (12:43)", "body": "(Ada)...did any of you see the leash? Or did it signify in the movie at all? Great, Ada. I meant to ask that too. I remember seeing it in the still shots from filming. Tress? Dorine? Sandi? (Evelyn)Who cares about the f*&(^ film;-) LOL, I'm with you. Well said!;-)"}, {"response": 709, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (12:54)", "body": "(Evelyn) Getouttahere...what kind of a Droolie are you;-)) (Dorine) *hanging head in shame* (Tress)I'm with Dorine on this one...if Ben had slept with anyone, he would have been making a connection *whistling* ...Hey, Tress....didn't ya see my ;-)))))))"}, {"response": 710, "author": "kelbrom1", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (13:20)", "body": "please excuse my ignorance but can someone let me know which movie is HOTP?? thanks"}, {"response": 711, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (13:25)", "body": "Hour of the Pig, aka The Advocate."}, {"response": 712, "author": "kelbrom1", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 2004 (02:14)", "body": "thanks very much"}, {"response": 713, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jan 24, 2004 (08:34)", "body": "Another question for our Sundancers: I know y'all paid close attention to the details and Ben, of course, but do you remember anything about the music? Did it fit the film? Do you think it was enhancing, or hopefully not, distracting?"}, {"response": 714, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Jan 24, 2004 (10:31)", "body": "I liked the music.....mainly instrumental stuff and some songs (\"Lauren Parris\" songs and a couple of others). I was actually just thinking of all the things I didn't get to ask Marc Evans and that was one of them. Dorine came very close to getting a press packet, but we couldn't find the guy after the premiere....would have helped and we could maybe have given you titles and such...... Music wasn't at all distracting to me. Creepy when it needed to be....there were a couple of times when it ended abruptly (to add to the 'creep' factor) and it was startling....once when Ben is downstairs in the old morgue and a door moves and he sees his own reflection (abrupt end to music made you kinda sit back) and then when he comes out of his 'hospital halucination' scene and slams a door behind him....those are the only two times I really noticed the background music as it was a bit of the focus at that point (if that makes sense??)."}, {"response": 715, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 24, 2004 (10:57)", "body": "Tress, when did you and Sandi connect \"Trauma\" with \"Charlotte's Web.\" Was it mentioned in the film? I'm reading it now."}, {"response": 716, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Sat, Jan 24, 2004 (11:46)", "body": "Hi, I never read the book, so it was my friend who mentioned it after. Upon the 3rd viewing, I noticed the scene at the end where Charlotte finds him in the cellar, he is standing next to the self and running his fingers in the cobwebs, and says \"if you look close enough, do you think you can see letters?\" or something like that. Charlotte says \"I don't know, maybe\". My Sister noticed that because she had read the book. I think it also explains why he \"killed\" them both together, to get rid of them, since Charlotte the spider dies at the end of the book, correct?"}, {"response": 717, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Jan 24, 2004 (13:27)", "body": "(Evelyn) Tress, when did you and Sandi connect \"Trauma\" with \"Charlotte's Web.\" Was it mentioned in the film? I noticed the first viewing (I'm a big fan of Wilbur)....Ben's 'Aunt Charlotte' took care of him as a child and his favorite book was CW. I connected that he became an entomologist (spiders) and he was an artist (as was the spider Charlotte). Dorine and I didn't speak to ME about the CW connection as it was the more obvious one to me, but it was a really interesting way to connect everything. Charlotte (the spider) tells Wilber (the pig) after about a year \"I have to leave you\" and this is what Ben says his Aunt Charlotte said/did to him as a child.....but Elissa says to Ben \"you start to tell yourself something and you begin to believe it\" so I'm not sure how much of the Aunt Charlotte tale is muddled with Charolotte's Web....is any of this making sense? I love the line at the end about \"if you look close enough, do you think you'll see letters?\" Ben's such a mess at that point, I'm surprised he had to ask....I was sure he was seeing them! CW was one of my favorite books as a kid....are you enjoying it Evelyn??"}, {"response": 718, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 24, 2004 (13:53)", "body": "It's a darling book...written on many levels, like Alice in Wonderland. Didn't know EB White had also written Stuart Little. Bwaaaah.... I wanna see this film. I haven't lost hope. The American Film Market (AFM) which is a trade group representing indie producers draws 7,000 industry execs from more than 70 countries to see some 400 films screened takes place 23 Feb-5 March in Santa Monica. Lots of films don't make it at Sundance and get picked up somewhere else. Keep Hope Alive!!"}, {"response": 719, "author": "mjmorris", "date": "Sun, Jan 25, 2004 (13:50)", "body": "Well, I'm not a virgin anymore. That is a Colin Firth big screen virgin. Dh and I saw GWAPE yesterday at the Tivoli here in Kansas City. OMG. I was whisked away for the entire film. I wish the film had come to one of the new stadium-seating theatres, but I'm not arguing too much because it did come within 15 miles of my home. I did notice that she does go back home at the end. The windows are the same and so is the staircase. I think the camera is in the kitchen looking into a room next to it. I spent a lot of time looking at the costuming, sets, props and looking for wig lace. The techie in me did sneak out. :) Question: I've seen stills of Vermeer looking down from a second story window onto the street. Did I miss it in the movie? I don't remember seeing that scene. DH and I had a spirited conversation about whether Vermeer used Griet for the painting or felt he had found someone who understands his passion and was a coward to stand up to his MIL and wife. Dh asked me for the book and said he has to read it now. I also found that for me having read the book I was able to put a lot more things together that the movie didn't explore. I understood more why the Vermeers took Griet in as a maid, Pieter's relationship with her, the ending of the movie and missed the whole story with her family. The breaking of the tile didn't move me onscreen like it did in the book. I realize that changes have to be made with screenplays, but ended up explaining things to the couple in front of us, Dh and another interested lady. I talked about our little world here and I think one of the ladies I talked with yesterday may come check it out. She said she had just printed off a list of all of ODB's movies and was working her way through them. I was so thrilled to be let out of my cage and the day was made all the better because I got to see ODB on the big screen. I won't be able to go see Trauma if it comes out, and can't wait for TEOR. Michelle"}, {"response": 720, "author": "Gail", "date": "Sun, Jan 25, 2004 (16:23)", "body": "Michelle - I also found that for me having read the book I was able to put a lot more things together that the movie didn't explore. You are so right. The scene when she found the broken tile in the book broke my heart, because it was such a treasured possession, but you didn't get much feeling from the movie. I can't remember, was there a scene of Griet's father giving her the tile? (I've only seen it once so far, I know I need to go back & do my duty for the box office numbers.) Another scene that got lost in translation, for me, was when Vermeer asks Griet to buy the colors. That was a big deal in the book, but could be dismissed in the movie."}, {"response": 721, "author": "mjmorris", "date": "Sun, Jan 25, 2004 (17:50)", "body": "Gail - Another scene that got lost in translation, for me, was when Vermeer asks Griet to buy the colors. That was a big deal in the book, but could be dismissed in the movie. Yes! I agree too. I was waiting for someone to say something. It seemed just like a secretive deal. That was one of the things DH and I talked about on the way home. There was a scene where she's given the tile by her father. But they don't even mention that she has a brother. I believe we only see him once, and that's at church and he doesn't say a word. Michelle"}, {"response": 722, "author": "katty", "date": "Sun, Jan 25, 2004 (19:48)", "body": "Question: I've seen stills of Vermeer looking down from a second story window onto the street. Did I miss it in the movie? I don't remember seeing that scene. That scene must have been cut from the movie. I read that the version before the final cut was 3 and a half hours long. I remember also reading Colin saying that a lot of scenes which flesh out more of Vermeer was eliminated, probably to increase the enigma of the character. I bet Colin would have liked more screen time. A clip I saw a while back showed even more of that particular window scene and revealed that he was jealously watching Griet with Pieter down below by the front door. That jealousy aspect was definitely stressed more in the book. I wonder why they cut it. I sure wish the DVD version would show those cut scenes. I bet a whole lot of it would be of Colin."}, {"response": 723, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Jan 25, 2004 (21:56)", "body": "(leslie)Woe is me...guess that means I'm off to the theater again... if you want someone to join ya, feel free to give me a call;) Katty- love your interpretation of the ending of GWAPE Tress - Am facninated with the CW correlation in Trauma (was one of my fav books as a kid, along w/ Stuart Little!) Let us know more . .you're making perfect sense to me!"}, {"response": 724, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (09:08)", "body": "After reading CW and Sandi's report I can see a definite relationship there. But will have to see the film before I make a complete fool of myself."}, {"response": 725, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (12:52)", "body": "(Mari's Question from CF) Tress and Dorine, just curious: what were the elements of Trauma that you perceived but which Marc Evans said were unintentional? I still have not caught up on Spoilers, so sorry if I'm redundant. Wanted to answer Mari's question. Dorine asked about the shoes (don't know how much everyone knows about this?). In the car, Ben and Elissa are driving. Then there is an argument. Elissa has one shoe off and is rubbing her foot, but when they begin to fight, the car is pulled over and they get out. Ben leaves Elissa stranded by the side of the road (only one shoe on) and when he gets back in the car and the accident occurs, you see Elissa's shoe in his line of sight (which may cause the confusion in his head about her being dead/alive). At the end of the film, when Ben is in the morgue, one of the 'morgue shelves' (don't know what you call them) is filled with shoes. He is pulling them all out and is v. v. disturbed at this point. Later we see the shoes strewn all over the floor of the morgue...down a long hallway. Dorine then asked Marc \"what's with the shoes??\" and Marc's answer was basically that he hadn't intentionally meant anything with it. That it was like the ants and used as a device to show his mind just coming apart. He id note that all the shoes were singles (no pairs). Am still wondering how/why it wasn't intentionally?! I thought Ben was looking for Elissa's other shoe at that point. He was so incredibly messed up by then that you are just mesmerized that he is falling so completely apart in front of you (this was great acting by ODB). Dorine can probably add a bit more to this bit when she has a second. My question was about Mena's necklaces. Toward the beginning of their aquaintance, Ben notices, as Mena bends over, that she has several necklaces. He asks her \"so what's all this about?\" and points to them. She then says...\"oh, this one, protects the throat.\" and he responds with \"how is that?\" and she says \"It's the color blue. People have been doing it for hundreds of years.\" to which he replies \"So, you find that works for you then?\" and sort of smiles. Then at the end of the film, I told Marc I found it ironic that Ben basically crushes Charlotte's throat. That her \"blue stone\" didn't work that well for her in the end. He seemed pretty surprised by this as he hadn't intended for the necklace to mean anything, one of those things that just 'worked out in the end', I guess. I found it amusing and ironic, he just found it fascinating that I found a connection. So, you see, no biggies, just things we had questions on and Marc helped, kinda, clear up...NOT! ;-) Hope this all makes sense. It is a very hard film to describe. It is nothing like I thought it would be....and hard to try to explain due to all the visuals used... Loved that he used loads of mirrors and reflections to show Ben's 'fragmented' mind. He also used snapshots a lot. Either by having Ben 'see' things like snapshots (like the reconstruction scene in the market. This was incredibly well done IMO) and in the scenes were he shows Charlotte his photo album. There is a lot of mirroring in that scene and it was very interesting and added to \"Ben's confusion\". You don't know if the mirroring is in his head or not...so well done."}, {"response": 726, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (13:47)", "body": "I think we better have a screening of Trauma helmed by Tress , Dorine & Sandi . I like their insights. Never mind ME;-)"}, {"response": 727, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (13:48)", "body": "Sorry about the bolds... Never mind ME"}, {"response": 728, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (14:59)", "body": "Tress . .facinating fact about Charlotte's necklace . . . The color blue is often associated with the throat chakra . . If you are interested in chakras, a nice introductory from Carolin Myss (click on the diagram of the body and it explains it in full;): http://beliefnet.com/index/index_457.html Wonder if you recall what stone it looked like . .turquoise or whatever . .in certain stone therapies specific stones are placed on the chakras for healing . . You can see here on this site (scroll down to the fifth chakra) Crystals and the Chakras: http://www.rainbowcrystal.com/crystal/chakra.html Blue, symbolic of water, is often seen as symbolic of clarity, healing, soothing, creativity (ie ie the \"water of life from a woman's womb), fertility, communication . . . Ben's crushing of her throat . .perhaps couldn't deal with the clarity she was trying to provide into his tortured psyche?"}, {"response": 729, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (15:22)", "body": "(Kimberly) Ben's crushing of her throat . .perhaps couldn't deal with the clarity she was trying to provide into his tortured psyche? LOL...I was going there, but Marc was all astonishment! He in no way had that in mind when filming. I believe the necklace bit was a bit of 'character development' (so Charlotte could be set up as the 'new ager'. During Q&A, after premiere, he said he chose an American actress because he thought it could be pulled off better that way than with an English actress). He didn't even realize the throat connection until I mentioned it to him. Of course, screenwriter wasn't there so we couldn't ask him about it...."}, {"response": 730, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (16:28)", "body": "Oh...another thing that I liked. A 'mirroring' effect again (and sorry if Sandi already mentioned it). The first thing we see of Ben is his eye (in the hospital). A close up of just his left (I believe it is his left) eye. The film ends the same way. A close up of his eye. Sort of 'rounds out' the film (it did for me anyway). Dorine and I both noted how great the lighting (as well as editing and cinematography) is in this film. There are scenes that are shot with Ben and his 'psychiatrist' where you get close ups. Ben is seen in the light and ODB's eyes appear very light except for the outer ring that appears very dark. He looks GREAT! Another scene I liked is hard to explain. Ben is watching the telly. Lauren Parris' (pop singer that was found dead) manager is on telling the 'killer' that \"you cannot hide\". As he says this, Ben goes from leaning forward watching the program to leaning back and moving into the shadows. At that point there is a knock on the door and the 'managers' eyes move toward Ben's door (v. v. cool the way this is done). Ben's reflection is seen in the telly as he gets up to answer the door and when he does, it's the manager! It all makes sense as the film moves along, and I know this sounds muddled, but it is done v. well. And there is a reason the manager is there....but not the one you initially think....confused? ;-)"}, {"response": 731, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (17:52)", "body": "(Tress) The first thing we see of Ben is his eye (in the hospital). A close up of just his left (I believe it is his left) eye. The film ends the same way. I was going to ask about this. There was an hour long recap of Sundance ff on Sunday just before the awards. They showed a montage of the films screened and one quick shot of an eye, and I wondered if it was Colin's, then a quick shot of a body covered with ants-which I'm sure was from Trauma. Another question: at any time was there a scene with a bug coming out of his mouth? I couldn't figure out if it was him--went by too fast."}, {"response": 732, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (18:03)", "body": "(Linda) ...one quick shot of an eye, and I wondered if it was Colin's Sounds as if it could be...we get lovely eye shots in Trauma! (Linda) Another question: at any time was there a scene with a bug coming out of his mouth? I haven't seen the coverage you saw, but there was a spider coming out of Charlotte's mouth (so am guessing that is what you saw). Big \"professional\" spider. Mena said she didn't have to have it in her mouth though. Only it's legs touched her lips. She said it was 'very interesting'. They must have used a 'stunt mouth' for the actual 'exiting' of hairy spider (cuz you do see it in the film...at least I did. I think Dorine had her eyes squeezed tight ;-D)."}, {"response": 733, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (23:06)", "body": "(Tress) As he says this, Ben goes from leaning forward watching the program to leaning back and moving into the shadows. I just LOVED this! V. cool shot."}, {"response": 734, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (23:08)", "body": "I think Dorine had her eyes squeezed tight ;-D). No, just looked down at my lap. :-)"}, {"response": 735, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jan 28, 2004 (12:28)", "body": "(Tress)It is a very hard film to describe. It is nothing like I thought it would be....and hard to try to explain due to all the visuals used... I can imagine, but you've done a great job of it. Thanks for answering my questions, Tress. Would not be surprised to hear the Sundance Kids' insights show up in Marc Evans's next interview.;-)"}, {"response": 736, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (18:37)", "body": "Well, I've finally had the opportunity to view GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING. I haven't read the spoilers contained herein , yet, so these are purely FIRST IMPRESSIONS. I was surprised the scene concerning the birth feast featured more emphasis on revealing the newly finished commission than on the birth itself. I understand the desire to impress Maria Thins' frugality, and the wont to economize screen time,however, I thought V. strutting around the festivities in his paternity hat with ribbons flowing (in the novel) was an insight into his character, also. Interesting that Hatreed chose to substitute C. breaking the lens of the camera obscura (in the novel) for her having a tantrum over some of her jewelry having to be sold to keep them afloat and trying to slash a painting...hence explaining why she wasn't welcome in the studio. First notice of V. becoming cognizant of his attraction to Griet when he hands her the pot of lead white asking her to replenish the supply. Maria Thins stating to Griet that not only she, but the entire family, was caught in van Ruijven's web....the head of a household would never divulge such a truth to a servant.(Although, I understand the viewing audience requires clarification). When C. told Griet to leave her house, Griet's look (of plea) to V. and his subconsequent deference to C.. Now she sees the situation as it really is. Griet leaving the V. house amidst the grey buildings and sky along the brown canal and a few men dressed in black with white collars. Griet's white cap was the focal point and its' luminance was reminiscent of the pearl's reflection of light."}, {"response": 737, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 31, 2004 (10:14)", "body": "(Bonnie)I thought V. strutting around the festivities in his paternity hat with ribbons flowing (in the novel) was an insight into his character, also. No one in the film seemed to care about his character. It's Griet's movie. Saw GWAPE yesterday and am still confused about the f%$^& ending. And that wig....\"which sits precipitously on his head\".Gag."}, {"response": 738, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Jan 31, 2004 (12:16)", "body": "(Evelyn) And that wig....\"which sits precipitously on his head\".Gag. Oooohhhh......love the wig....I know, something must be wrong with me, cuz I liked the long hair in Valmont too....and love his bed head in Trauma....DH doesn't have hair, maybe that's why I'm so fascinated!"}, {"response": 739, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Jan 31, 2004 (16:12)", "body": "(Evelyn)Saw GWAPE yesterday and am still confused about the f%$^& ending. I just read a review last night in which the reviewer thinks that V sent the pearls to show that he was still interested in Griet and their relationship. When I saw it, I thought someone, either C or V, sent them to her shortly after she went home because they didn't want the reminder around and that any hope of relationship was over. When, as Bonnie pointed out, he defers to Catarina after the painting is finished."}, {"response": 740, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sat, Jan 31, 2004 (17:44)", "body": "Had 4th viewing of GWAPE just a little while ago with Leslie (gets better each time) Evelyn - What exactly about the ending? . .It's a defininte she went back home. Noticed not only similar glass windows in veggie cutting scene and ending receiving pearls scene. Also noticed copper pan with floral punch hole design hangs in upper right hand of screen during both those scenes as well. Shosh - you had mentioned above b/4 Sundance about some ideas you had as well . .regarding the ending re: post 692: I can then draw all sorts of semi-meaningful relationships between the clothes and van Ruijven and the maid in the red dress and the ownership/taking/purchase of Griet, but I won't to save everyone a headache. ;-) Do tell . .am curious to hear about insight still meant to do that research on the clothing of the time . .must get to it . . (Bonnie)When C. told Griet to leave her house, Griet's look (of plea) to V. and his subconsequent deference to C.. Now she sees the situation as it really is. Leslie and I were talking about this moment too . .Leslie caught more of a look direct to Vermeer . .I thought the look was more toward Catharina . .kind of a defiance as she left . . .gone was the timidity of previously in the film . .her eyes had been opened . .she realized what had happened. . .what she really was in the scheme of things . . Also this time around . .am loving the way the DOP set up these shots . .one of my favs (besides the aerial of Griet stopping on the star in the center of the square in the beginning and end) . .is when Catharina demands to see the painting of Griet. Vermeer takes the current canvas off the easel . .and there for a moment, you see Griet framed, seemingly trapped there in the easel itself . .trapped as she was by this whole situation in the painting."}, {"response": 741, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sun, Feb  1, 2004 (08:03)", "body": "We didn't talk about it yesterday, Kimberley, but I too have been moved each time I've seen the movie by Griet's stance in the cobblestone star when she's en route to, and then leaving Vermeer's household. Thought it was a beautiful statement about her choosing the direction in her life. In the opening scene she stands in the circle for almost an uncomfortable period of time..seems very uncertain of where to go. At the end, she stops for just a brief moment and walks confidenty toward her home...seems more sure of herself as a person. IMO, it follows suit with that last, 'screw you' look she throws to Vermeer and Catharina as she is banished from their house. Those were the only two moments in the film where I thought we got a glimpse of Griet's personal growth. And remember, Griet's self evolution was really what the book was all about. I wish the film could have been a bit clearer on that point. I also had some more thoughts about the scene where vanRuijven is sitting in his study staring at the finished painting. The camera slowly pans the room for a very long time. VanRuijven is staring solidly at the painting...there is absolutely no movement. Kim and I attributed its significance to some sort of lecherous, perhaps masturbatory moment. I've been thnking though, maybe there was a hint of remorse in his contemplation? Could he have been experiencing a tinge of regret for the near destruction of the Vermeer household as well as Griet's life caused by his orchestrations? Or do we all agree that he was far too narcissistic for such consideration?"}, {"response": 742, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Sun, Feb  1, 2004 (17:45)", "body": "( Leslie) Could he have been experiencing a tinge of regret for the near destruction of the Vermeer household as well as Griet's life caused by his orchestrations? Or do we all agree that he was far too narcissistic for such consideration? I vote for the latter-the mischief he created was an amusement for himself. I plan to see it again either tomorrow or Tuesday...gotta' catch it as many times as I can (as quickly as possible.....) I suspect it may not last long around this neck of the swamp with so many Oscar nominated films being revisited. Although, there were about 50-60 people at the first screening."}, {"response": 743, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Feb  1, 2004 (17:58)", "body": "(Caribou)I just read a review last night in which the reviewer thinks that V sent the pearls to show that he was still interested in Griet and their relationship I saw GWAPE last evening with the DH and today with my Mom and Aunt. None of them had read the book. I asked each of them after the film what they think happened. First off, I gave a bit of background and little tidbits I thought they would need to help them understand what was going on (not about the ending though, I wanted to see what they thought). All three said if I had not filled in the blanks they would have been lost-at least on the first viewing. Now for their thoughts on the ending. All of them thought the earrings were sent by Catharina. They had not picked up on the fact that the earrings were wrapped in the blue cloth, nor the fact that the outer cloth was sealed with a glob of paint. I don't think Catharina would have sent the earrings wrapped in that manner. The problem is the time frame-would he have sent them in such an obviously short period of time (according to the film)? I also wondered about the Catharina/Vermeer marriage. I paid close attention to the conversation between Tanneke and Griet after she first arrives. When they see the furniture of the bankrupt neighbors being taken Tanneke passes a remark that I couldn't understand, but today I realized that it must be along the lines that Catharina would blow this out of proportion with Vermeer. Later that evening when T and G are having dinner you can hear the argument off camera between Vermeer and Catharina. She is arguing with him that she goes around in rags and there isn't enough money to...and so on. Tanneke gives Griet the 'I told you so' look. Tanneke then explains that a year ago things got so bad that Vermeer sold some of Catharina's jewels, and she was so angry that she tried to ruin a painting with a knife. She hadn't stepped foot in the studio from that day. Then Tanneke remarks that they both have a temper. I'm wondering now if that's why Vermeer seems so unmoved when Griet is hesitating about wearing the earrings. Could it be that he was quite used to his wife's outbursts? If she had almost ruined a painting the year before and never set foot in the studio since then maybe he thought that she would get over this too if she found out. I kind of got the impression, today that was the way of their marriage; sudden violent outbursts then calm, then another child. I just reread the last chapter of GWAPE to my three fellow movie goers. Gawd, I wish they had left the ending as it was in the book. I would have loved to see Catharina have to hand over those earrings because of the letter Vermeer wrote ten days before his death. Also would have loved to see Maria Thins explaining the scenario of Vermeer requesting the painting be brought back in the house while he was dying. I also liked Griets inner thoughts about Vermeeer in that last chapter-of how her heart would freeze when she would notice him at a distance during those ten years. Lastly, I hadn't noticed before today that you can hear Griet crying outside the door of Vermeer's studio while the camera focuses on him-and he turns his head so you know he hears it as well. Sold out last night and this afternoon."}, {"response": 744, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sun, Feb  1, 2004 (19:00)", "body": "(lindak)...the outer cloth was sealed with a glob of paint. I thought the cloth was sealed with wax, the same way letters were sealed during that period. When they see the furniture of the bankrupt neighbors being taken Tanneke passes a remark that I couldn't understand.... Can't remember her exact words but I remember Tanneke as warning Griet that any reference to, or example of money troubles was bound to put'young mistress' in a foul mood and was evidenced by the argument about money (or the lack thereof) between C. and Vermeer later that evening. Then we got the 'I told you so look' as Tanneke and Griet were eating dinner with the children. Could it be that he was quite used to his wife's outbursts? I also thought the relationship between Vermeer and C. was a complex one. Even though she couldn't understand his art, Vermeer seemed to display a genuine attraction (perhaps only sexual) towards his wife. There were a few instances of true physical heat between the two of them which lead me to believe that all those children were not borne solely out of a religious obligation to procreate."}, {"response": 745, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Feb  1, 2004 (19:18)", "body": "(Linda) I hadn't noticed before today that you can hear Griet crying outside the door of Vermeer's studio while the camera focuses on him-and he turns his head so you know he hears it as well. I didn't hear it, but if that is so, per my recollection of the scene, the sound may not be matching the scene. At most I think she may have had a tear fall while standing there, though I didn't notice something like that either. My point is (and surprisingly there is one ;-P)... that I noticed one or 2 instances where the sound did not really match the \"action\" in the scene. It's been a month since I saw it last, but I believe one of the times I can think of offhand is when Griet takes in a breath when she discovers the tile broken...or when she takes in a breath in surprise at some point, her body language and expression are too subtle for the sound that was made. It seemed looped in. It has bothered me everytime (despite being sketchy at the moment about exactly where it is). Linda, did you give them the fill-in tidbits before or after they saw it? If they didn't know before, did they enjoy the movie anyway? I ask as Mari asked me right after I'd seen it at the first pre-release screenings whether someone who wasn't a Colin fan or an art afficionado (I think that was the choices) would like it. I said I thought many would be confused by the first 10-15 mins with the intro scenes as it seemed to zoom through the setup and background with Griet's family and intro to Vermeer's household. I thought the slow, deliberate pacing may be a bit much for some, too."}, {"response": 746, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Feb  1, 2004 (19:22)", "body": "(Linda) I'm wondering now if that's why Vermeer seems so unmoved when Griet is hesitating about wearing the earrings. Could it be that he was quite used to his wife's outbursts? If she had almost ruined a painting the year before and never set foot in the studio since then maybe he thought that she would get over this too if she found out. I thought Vermeer was concerned solely about getting his composition perfect in his eyes and had no concern for his wife in that scenario."}, {"response": 747, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sun, Feb  1, 2004 (19:34)", "body": "(Dorine)...whether someone who wasn't a Colin fan or an art afficionado..would like it. Kimberly and I have had similar discussions. I am very curious as to how this film is playing with the general audiences. It seems my inherent bias as a CF fan, combined with the insights I gain here on the discussion boards, makes it very difficult for me to judge clearly. Is anyone out there even seeing the film aside from the fans and art afficionados? There have been good crowds in the theaters when I've gone, but then again, I'm in a fairly large metropolitan area populated by an abundance of 'art film types'. Unfortunately I'm not a good enough interpreter of the quoted income stats either as a means of getting a feel for this."}, {"response": 748, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Feb  1, 2004 (19:42)", "body": "(Dorine)I didn't hear it, but if that is so, per my recollection of the scene, I thought I heard the soft crying last night. I really listened today, and because the theater was so quiet-(no one made a move the entire film) I definitely heard it and, then, at the same time you see Vermeer turn his head toward the door-as if he heard it too. (Dorine)I thought Vermeer was concerned solely about getting his composition perfect in his eyes and had no concern for his wife in that scenario. Exactly-he had no concern for his wife in this scenario, but I got the impression, after today, that he had been through this with her at one time or another in the past. (Dorine)Linda, did you give them the fill-in tidbits before or after they saw it? If they didn't know before, did they enjoy the movie anyway? The fill in tidbits were before they saw it--I did not fill in the book ending until afterward. I only wanted to give them a heads up of who VanR was and for them to look for certain things. I think my Mom and Aunt would have enjoyed it anyway...DH was lukewarm. He liked the book ending better after I explained it...still thinks TIOBE is Colin's best film;-)so how much stock you want to put into his assessment...I'll leave that up to you;-) But all three did say they would have been confused-not just about the ending-if I hadn't given them a mini-lesson on the way to the theater. I did notice the film not matching the sound during the broken tile scene."}, {"response": 749, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Feb  1, 2004 (21:36)", "body": "(Dorine)...whether someone who wasn't a Colin fan or an art afficionado..would like it I saw it with the DH tonight! Will have to call theater tomorrow as it was fuzzy in spots but loved the supersized Vermeer v.v. much! Back to point, DH liked it. I asked about the ending and he said he was not confused. Thought that it could have been a short time since her leaving or a long time. Was not bothered about vagueness. (Linda)I definitely heard it and, then, at the same time you see Vermeer turn his head toward the door-as if he heard it too. Noticed this myself. V. touching scene. (Linda)Exactly-he had no concern for his wife in this scenario, but I got the impression, after today, that he had been through this with her at one time or another in the past. Re: It happened before. I felt this way too as he said that it would make her sick to see it as though this may have happend before. BTW, I thought he was AFG! Loved the costuming and thought the hair was v. appropriate for the period. Paid too much attention at first due to criticism but forgot about it very soon. Will love this DVD."}, {"response": 750, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (02:44)", "body": "My DH is an academic type with a reasonable appreciation of art etc but he found it too slow. I really think the slow pacing is something you really need to be prepared for."}, {"response": 751, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (08:24)", "body": "(Allison)but he found it too slow My DH used the exact phrase...too slow. Getting back to the last chapter in the book. Another reason that I dislike the vague ending. I had forgotten that Griet mentions in that chapter that Catharina gives birth on the floor of the studio that very day, and the child dies just after the christening. Not that we needed to see this, but there was so much more to tell that was left out."}, {"response": 752, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (09:46)", "body": "(leslie)I've been thnking though, maybe there was a hint of remorse in his contemplation? Could he have been experiencing a tinge of regret . . I don't think VanRuijven was resmorseful in anyway. The character was, as you mentioned, very narcissistic . .he cared nothing for the welfare of the Vermeer family . . . If there was any remorse I think it might have been more for what he didn't get . .he had Griet's picture . .but unlike the maid in the red dress . .he never got to posess her physically. . .Perhaps regret that he did not get her when he had the chance? Leslie - I talked to my other friend, who saw GWAPE the evening before about her thoughts on the ending. She and her friend both thought She was at home, not too long after she left the Vermeer household . .perhaps only a few days. They believed the earrings were sent by Vermeer as a sort of acknowledgement of her importance/effect on him . .though maybe not neccisarily love . .my friend pointed out, Vermeer could not look at Griet as she left the studio, nor did he go to the studio door when he heard her crying outside it . .trapped by conventions. obligations . .who knows what, but he could not acknowledge her then . .but after she was gone, felt sent the earrings to do that. Dorine - re sound syncs/other observations I noticed that tile sync was a bit off, but I think Griet's heavy breathing was quite evident throughout the film, so I didn't think anything of it . . SJ had a cold perhaps during looping/filming? I heard her crying at the door of the studio and it also seemed to me that Vermeer turned a head b/c he heard it . . . . there was also that odd cap continuity thing in one scene(shows I've watched the film quite a bit) . . . . .when Griet goes to the meat market after the rumor starts she'll be in a painting . . . going to the market, she's got the cap with the square sides, inside talking to Pieter's father, the one with the pointy ends, then when she's w/ Peter right after back to the square one . .but that's neither here or there, just an observation;) (linda)I'm wondering now if that's why Vermeer seems so unmoved when Griet is hesitating about wearing the earrings. Well, many of Catharina's things were used in Vermeer's paintings and worn by the models . .(remember the yellow stole with the fur trim that was on the maniquin at the beginning of the film . .you see Catharina wearing it later on when she calls VanRuijven out from the courtyard (the near rape scene with Griet) . .even Catharina mentions that her jewels are always in the studio for him to paint . . .Vermeer doesn't think twice about it, I figure the models do and wear what he wants them to for the paintings . . he was the artist . .if you are to told wear the yellow stole or a pair of earrings, why should it matter . .it makes the picture complete and you are there to be silnet and sit. . .and I suspect probably no one (the models I mean)ever questioned him before."}, {"response": 753, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (10:07)", "body": "(Kimberly) If there was any remorse I think it might have been more for what he didn't get . . Ah yes...I like your take. Makes more sense for him to be festering over not having had her in the flesh (as when they were interrupted in the courtyard). Also seems to tie in with the painting that was in the background on the wall - a very large image of a man kneeling at a woman's naked breast (I know this is a classic painting but cannot remember the citation - any art history majors out there??)."}, {"response": 754, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (17:17)", "body": "(Caribou)When I saw it, I thought someone, either C or V, sent them to her shortly aftershe went home because they didn't want the reminder around and that any hope of relationship was over. (Linda) All of them thought the earrings were sent by Catharina. Over C. dead body would she give those pearl earrings to Griet. She?d rather grind them. I would. (leslie) Is anyone out there even seeing the film aside from the fans and art afficionados That was a v. popular book with book discussion groups across the country . I asked when it played at my local museum and there obviously were 5 women who knew each other. So, you see, the film had a built-in audience before it opened. Lucky Lions Gate."}, {"response": 755, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (21:33)", "body": "Saw it again this afternoon.... When G. is about to leave the house, she walks into the short hallway leading to the studio door. They cut to him at the easel and turning his head at that point,indicating he hears her footsteps coming to the door. He knows she's there before she cries.He continues to look at the door as she stands there and places her hand upon the door,as if she is about to push it further open. Then she sobs and a cut back to him still watching the door. Then the footsteps fade as she walks away with him still watching. The next cut is her turning her head over her shoulder to glance at the door once more, before entering the well-lit adjacent passageway."}, {"response": 756, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (21:49)", "body": "I have to say I'm extremely perplexed and amazed that I saw this 6 times and caught everything in that scene except hearing and seeing her cry. I figured he turned toward the door as he intuitively knew she was out there or heard the floor creak as she walked by, then stopped."}, {"response": 757, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (23:50)", "body": "(Screendaily) an enigmatic neighbour (Suvari), a psychoanalyst, a clairvoyant (Fricker), even his collection of ants. (Me) I don't understand why the reviews seem to think MS plays a psychoanalyst of some sort. Whoops, I just realized they were referring to a separate psychoanalyst, not MS as one. I think one other review did, though, as well as referring to her as some sort of caretaker, which I didn't get unless I missed something."}, {"response": 758, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (23:57)", "body": "Suvari was described as the enigmatic neighbor...then there was a comma....psychoanalyst. And well....that does need to be discussed in spoilers! ;-D As I was posting my note about this 4 seconds before you, I'd have to say \"Great minds.....!\" (at the same time) ;-D"}, {"response": 759, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (07:44)", "body": "(Ev)Over C. dead body would she give those pearl earrings to Griet. She?d rather grind them. I would. That's my thinking. And she would never have wrapped them in the turbine fabric. DH thought they were from him which I mention here only because he has not read book so had no preconceptions and has saturated himself here in the Spoiler's topic;-) BTW, he didn't think it was too slow. He loved the developing details of the setting. Once again, mentioning this opinion from someone seeing this film as an entity standing alone."}, {"response": 760, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (07:51)", "body": "(me)and has saturated himself here in the Spoiler's topic;-) LOL!! He has not saturated himself because I would never let him into Drool! It's mine, all mine......"}, {"response": 761, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (07:52)", "body": "oops, got too bold here;-)"}, {"response": 762, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (11:51)", "body": "(Dorine) I think one other review did, though, as well as referring to her as some sort of caretaker, which I didn't get unless I missed something. Oh! I remember (vaguely) that review. The only thing I can think of is that at one time Ben sees Mena 'laying hands' on that older gentleman (and maybe the reviewer made an assumption that she was a caretaker a la Mandy...but NOT!). I couldn't figure out where she was when Ben saw her (and he waved to her and she waved back and then put her hands on the older gentleman's shoulders again). It looked to be a university, but could have been a hospital. Do you remember that Dorine? First shot showed Ben walking across a lawn in front of a large building...."}, {"response": 763, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (18:18)", "body": "Yes, that's what I was thinking of. Thought it was a park. Didn't notice any building types. Were those columms or trees he sees her through? If columns, where would they be? Weren't they walking through a park with a field and/or ballpark at some point after? By that fence?"}, {"response": 764, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (18:28)", "body": "(Dorine) If columns, where would they be? Weren't they walking through a park with a field and/or ballpark at some point after? By that fence? Ben walked across a lawn (behind him was a large building). When he crosses that, he sees Charlotte (between trees/bushes) and he waves to her. I originally thought the building behind Ben might be a university...but could be just a park with a large residence on it.... The other park was near the church where they went to see the clairvoyant....looked like a soccer pitch, but it was dark so hard to tell."}, {"response": 765, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (18:43)", "body": "(Tress) I originally thought the building behind Ben might be a university...but could be just a park with a large residence on it.... Or a monument building of some sort. Would think there would have been more student types around. And right, remember the park being after the first church visit. On a general note, this must be confusing to have 2 films discussed at once, esp if people want to read about GWAPE, but not Trauma."}, {"response": 766, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (19:00)", "body": "(Dorine)On a general note, this must be confusing to have 2 films discussed at once, esp if people want to read about GWAPE, but not Trauma Please don't stop discussing T. I have no problem juggling Ben and Vermeer. LOL, conjures up all sorts of things."}, {"response": 767, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (20:09)", "body": "I won't, just noting it may be a bit challenging to weed out for those who want to read about GWAPE only."}, {"response": 768, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (21:03)", "body": "(Tress)Ben sees Mena 'laying hands' on that older gentleman Interesting . .wonder if Mena's character is also a Reiki practitioner . .it would fall into the new-agey character she seems to be;) (Speak from experience . .am a Level III Usui Reiki practioner myself. . . .and often describe it to people as a type of \"laying on of hands\")"}, {"response": 769, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (21:57)", "body": "(Kimberly) (Speak from experience . .am a Level III Usui Reiki practioner myself. . . .and often describe it to people as a type of \"laying on of hands\") Charlotte does the same thing later in the film to Ben. He's having one of his breakdowns and is crying...it is a very nicely shot scene. She is behind him and they're both facing the camera (but a bit off to the side and at an angle). She's laying hands on him. First his head, then she moves to his shoulders.....then (and I'm guessing this might be where your practice differs from hers), she moves in front of him (he's crying). She goes on her knees between his legs and lays her hands on his thighs. Then she moves them to his knees. This is the scene were he grabs at her hands....not a sudden grab, but desperate and he entwines his fingers with hers and pulls her toward him (still upset and crying) and then she hugs him. V. v. sad. Not erotic at all, but he's so desperate for a connection (IMO). He begins to kiss her and she responds....and it gets a bit frantic at that point. They end up on the floor kissing with her on top of him. He then freaks out, pulls away and moves his fists to his fore ead....she hovers over him for a second and then goes down to his chest and hugs him (laying on top of him)...not squishing him as she is soooooo wee! Tiny thing that she is! Liked this scene.....you kind of cringe at first, hoping it isn't going to 'go there' as it would be a bad bad thing for Ben (and Charlotte). But she ends up comforting him (in a way...)."}, {"response": 770, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (22:32)", "body": "(Dorine)On a general note, this must be confusing to have 2 films discussed at once, esp if people want to read about GWAPE, but not Trauma (Linda)Please don't stop discussing T. I have no problem juggling Ben and Vermeer. LOL, conjures up all sorts of things. I agree! Please don't stop. We're.......um, I'm smart enough and love a challenge. It's fun to go to spoilers and name that film in a few words;-)) We *hinterland* people need the excitement."}, {"response": 771, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (09:50)", "body": "I won't, just noting it may be a bit challenging to weed out for those who want to read about GWAPE only. That's their problem. I'm always more interested in the film I haven't seen yet.... anyway. Keep going...."}, {"response": 772, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (13:50)", "body": "(Kimberly) (Speak from experience . .am a Level III Usui Reiki practioner myself. . . .and often describe it to people as a type of \"laying on of hands\") (Tress)Charlotte does the same thing later in the film to Ben. From your description I'd say yep . .sounds like a Reiki practitioner to me . . . fabulous!!! I'm assuming Ben is sitting in a chair . .I mostly like for people to lie down so they can be truly relaxed . .Reiki can be given any way . .. .start at the head and move down . .kind of hitting all of the chakras . .there are various hand positions around the head and shoulders. .am curious to see what she does;) . . . Reiki also has been known to not only phyically relax, but is also attributed to emotion healing as well . . .I've heard stories of clients opening up emotionally during sessions, much like Ben's reaction in the film Awww lovely spoiler Tress . . . makes me want to hug him and make him feel all better!"}, {"response": 773, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (14:04)", "body": "(Kimberly) I'm assuming Ben is sitting in a chair . . Yes. Sitting down (so was the older gentleman) (Kimberly) . . .there are various hand positions around the head and shoulders. .am curious to see what she does;) . . . Forgot the bit about her putting her hands on his chest after his shoulders...I just figured she wanted to have a good feel! ;-D (Kimberly) I've heard stories of clients opening up emotionally during sessions, much like Ben's reaction in the film He was blabbing away at that point (talking and crying...a good cry too). I think he was talking about his wife, but he may have been upset about the investigation into the pop stars death...could have been a combo of the two...he had many 'breakdowns' in this film of various degrees, but at that point he seemed especially vulnerable. (Kimberly) Awww lovely spoiler Tress . . . makes me want to hug him and make him feel all better! Or better yet, \"lay your hands\" on him! ;-D"}, {"response": 774, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (14:42)", "body": "(Tress)Or better yet, \"lay your hands\" on him! ;-D From your lips to . . .well . . .his ears:)"}, {"response": 775, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (14:53)", "body": "(Tress)...I just figured she wanted to have a good feel! Well, hell, yeah! (Tress)He begins to kiss her and she responds....and it gets a bit frantic at that point. They end up on the floor kissing with her on top of him. Crikey! I don't have time to go back and read the early posts on T. but were you holdin out us? I need to see this, Now!"}, {"response": 776, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (15:28)", "body": "You can relax. It's not as exciting or erotic as you think. He's in a v. fragile state of mind and is just trying to connect with anyone."}, {"response": 777, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (19:22)", "body": "(Dorine) It's not as exciting or erotic as you think. He's in a v. fragile state of mind and is just trying to connect with anyone. Heh, heh, heh,.... It might as well be Linda;-)"}, {"response": 778, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (21:57)", "body": "I just realized the pic from Trauma that Tress posted on the news topic is from the scene where he starts going through a picture album with Charlotte. The way they're sitting, tilting heads, and her draping her arm around him mirrors the pictures in the album of he and Elisa. The picture looks so dark, but the actual scene was lit rather brightly. He also was sitting on the floor in an adorable manner before moving to the couch next to Charlotte. I have a picture from the Burns Q&A where he sits a little similar."}, {"response": 779, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (15:04)", "body": "(Evelyn)It might as well be Linda;-) You took the words right out of my mouth. Thanks for helping me dream. (Dorine)It's not as exciting or erotic as you think Yeah, but I'm doing the thinking;-)"}, {"response": 780, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (09:55)", "body": "I saw GWAPE for the second time last night. How different was this viewing from the first one! There were no distractions, meaning no Colin sitting at a distance to disturb my concentration like last time. The distraction of a large crowd would've been welcome though, unfortunately only 6 of us were sitting in the theatre. Oh well, it was the latest showing, an arthouse movie, what did I expect? People fighting for seats? :-) Fat chance. I started tingling all over the moment I heard the very first notes of that lovely music again, and kept tingling the whole time, especially when YKW was on the screen. Long hair or not, he was AFG in this one. Loved the hair, the stubbles, the eyes, oh those deep, penetrating eyes, and every time his hands made an appearance I forgot about everything else. At this second viewing I realised how very different the movie from the book is. It didn't seem that much so the first time, since I had my head in the clouds at the time, but now it struck me that so many things were changed. Little changes, most of them, but they tansform the feel of the story entirely. So it's almost like a different story with almost the same characters, but not quite. I liked this version of the book, for the look of it, the feel of it, but still grieved over the missing of the veggie scene at the beginning, and agonized over the weird ending. I never noticed before the look Griet gives to Vermeer (or the Vermeers?) as she is ordered out of the house. Is it a look of How-could-you? or Go-to-hell, or both? That look of absolute disappointment on her face in my opinion made the ending practically meaningless. I felt that whatever she felt for him was erased with his betrayal - for lack of a better word. Yes, the way he just stood there as she was ordered out felt like he abandoned her, just left her to her fate knowing very well that she had absolutely no control over what was done by using her. She was but a pawn in this 'game', she was used and then discarded like an unwanted piece of .... anything, so what would the pair of earrings that brought her nothing that humiliation mean to her? Why did he send it? It made perfect sense for me in the book, but not in the movie. The thing I liked in this one though that Pieter got a bit better treatment here than in the book. She seemed to genuinely care for him as the story progressed, judging by the tender kiss and nose rubbing she bestowed upon him, and she seemed to enjoy losing her virginity with him more than what I got out of the book. Tanneke was a strange one in the book, quite moody, but I liked that she was nice to Griet in the movie. I loved this actress the moment I saw her. I thought she looked like Tanneke so much, it made me grin. I still disliked Maria Thins, although I realised that since they made Tanneke nice somebody had to give Griet a hard time aside from Catharina. So I liked Thins in the book and not Tanneke, and in the movie it was the other way around. Something for something I guess. Catharina I hated at firt viewing, funny how comfortable I felt with her this time. After looking at pics from the movie I got used to her strange face maybe... I thought Colin and Scarlett had great chemistry. I found myself holding my breath every time they were together. Their almost-but-not-quite touching made me want to scream with frustration, and I didn't get that from the book. Not quite anyway. That was a different feeling and I like that too. The one thing that really got to me in the movie, that special moment that really grabbed at my heart (or was it other part of my body?) was when he asked her to lick her lips. He said it twice sounding like the painter, but the third time was for him, and it sounded (to me) almost like a plea. He hesitated before he said \"again\", and his voice changed a bit, not to mention his face. For the first time I cursed the cameraman for the close up of his face, it was so big on the screen that my eyes couldn't grab his whole expression all at once, they darted from his pleading eyes to his lips, then again to his smug eyes as she obliged him. Oh what a moment! I can't wait to see it on the DVD. At which point I will probably curse the cameraman again for cutting the top of Colin's head and lovely chin off. :-) One question I have for the art lovers here: Does anyone know whose work is the painting behind Van Ruijven as he is sitting in his private cabin at the end, looking at Griet's painting? It's the \"naughty\" one where a half naked man seems to lean over a woman's exposed breast. It was rather blurred in the movie, but I thought that's what I saw. Anybody knows?"}, {"response": 781, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (21:15)", "body": "(Ildi) She seemed to genuinely care for him as the story progressed, judging by the tender kiss and nose rubbing she bestowed upon him, and she seemed to enjoy losing her virginity with him more than what I got out of the book. Had my third viewing today....(was noticing more this time around too....first time, ODB was there for distraction (kept peeking over at him to see him react to scenes) and second time Dorine fed me too many martinis ;-D). Anyhoo....did you notice that after she lost her virginity to Pieter, she rubs her thumb across his bottom lip before she leaves him? Just as Vermeer had done to her earlier after he had pierced her ear....nice touch! Also noticed this time that when Catarina has her freak out when she sees the painting, there is that moment when she asks Vermeer....\"why don't you paint me??\" and he responds \"because you don't understand\" and then she comes back with \"and she does??!\" ...Vermeer looks up at her with this look and there is a slight acknowledgement. A very small nod or head movement and then Catarine becomes hysterical again....well done on all their parts right there. Heard the crying through the door at the studio as Griet leaves. Believe he heard it too, his head turns in that direction and you see a look on his face.....like he wants to go to her but knows he can't. Pitiful (but again...so well done!). Love this film....and it is playing a mile from my house (just opened there on Friday after playing for a week at the art house downtown...still on two screens there). I have a big ol' Johannes carrot to contend with for the next few weeks. We'll see how many times I get \"caught his his web!\" (Ildi) He said it twice sounding like the painter, but the third time was for him, and it sounded (to me) almost like a plea. He hesitated before he said \"again\", and his voice changed a bit, not to mention his face. YES! That third time was a bit pervy, really! Liked it. He sounded a bit 'strained'? Desperate? Something. Her face changed too! Did you notice that? The first couple of times, she looked embarrassed or frustrated. As if she didn't want to do it. The third time, her expression relaxed and she seemed to know what it was he needed (as if she came to terms with it....). Was interesting."}, {"response": 782, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (12:11)", "body": "Great observations Tress! It's just like me that I didn't notice those reactions about Griet, it was 2nd viewing, and still I had no eyes for other than Master Vermeer. :-) Thank you for pointing them out, I'll pay more attention to her next time. One more thing that struck me as I was watching, and I wonder if others had this experience. I haven't seen most of Colin's older movies, and the thing is that he doesn't laugh much in the new ones. In almost everything I saw him he is always either serious or just smiles. It's not often that he shows his 'pearly whites'. And whenever he does it's a bit of a shock to me, because his face changes so much at those times. It's almost like the man has two faces. The difference between his serious and toothy face is absolutely startling, and it throws me every time. I was watching GWAPE, and he sold me the character right away. I was perfectly comfortable with his face, voice, etc. Not for a moment I doubted him, thought he was wearing a wig and walking around in a costume. He seemed perfectly natural to me in that setting. And you know how it is, when you are watching a movie you find yourself in that time period, you feel its atmosphere, it's quite a magical feeling. And I was totally absorbed in it as I was watching. Then the scene with the camera obscura came, and Griet asked how the painting got into the box, and he laughed. His eyes lit up, dimples appeared and his teeth made an appearance, and I suddenly felt I've been thrown out of my cosy feeling, the 17th century disappeared, and I suddenly found myself watching Colin in a wig. Then he went back to just smiling and brooding, and within a few seconds I was back again, feeling cosy and comfy. This happened to me before, watching WAGW, he flashed his teeth for a few secs as Daphne was modelling an outfit, but that didn't unsettle me as much as the one in GWAPE. Then there was the toothy grin in P&P, and I took a double take - along with everybody else (including most characters in the movie :-) I think) -, but that was different. It was just 'out of character' for him to laugh. But it wasn't so for Vermeer. Maybe it's because I see him laugh so rarely that I have this reaction. I've gotta find a movie of his with lots of laughs, so I can 'train' my eyes to see his 'second' face the same way they do his 'first' one. Love both of then though. :-)"}, {"response": 783, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (15:25)", "body": "(Ildi)I've gotta find a movie of his with lots of laughs, To keep his smile from *spoiling* ..(used that to keep me in this topic when I should be in Firthology)* your viewing pleasure I would watch Valmont or Relative Values which are easy to get if you don't have em already."}, {"response": 784, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (19:21)", "body": "(Tress)YES! That third time was a bit pervy, really! Liked it. He sounded a bit 'strained'? Almost like the words have died in his throat-or the voice of someone who has just walked a lifetime through the desert with no water. I think the desperation in his voice is a mirror of what his life had been to that point. I often think of Vermeer as being initiated into feelings of passion just as much as Griet. I know she is the muse, but I'm not so sure that just because they have several children that there is much passion in the Vermeer household. We do get the impression that he discards Griet after the paining is finished, but what choice did he have-he had to let her go, but I do believe that Griet ignites in him feelings that are much deeper than what he has ever shared with Catharina. Think of what life in that household must have been like for him all those years before Griet. No wonder he painted so slowly-where was the motivation? Catharina? Maria Thins? Sneaky Cornelia?"}, {"response": 785, "author": "Gails", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (08:51)", "body": "Loved reading your thoughts and feelings after additional viewings of GWAPE. One of the scenes that made Griet's feelings crystal clear for me was when she was hanging the laundry and Tanneke is also outside and (if I remember correctly) there is a commotion in the house and Tanneke tells Griet that Catharina is pregnant. Griet response is something like \"What again, so soon\". But it was the look on her face that really told the truth. You almost got the feeling that she was thinking \"he cheated on me\" or \"how could he still have feelings for her\". Griet looked like she really had the wind knocked out of her then."}, {"response": 786, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (14:04)", "body": "(Gail) You almost got the feeling that she was thinking \"he cheated on me\" or \"how could he still have feelings for her\". Griet looked like she really had the wind knocked out of her then. Love that scene....so many emotions play on her face! And then Tanneke starts to pick her ears with a piece of straw or something....and watches and watches and....you can see she is searching Griet's face for her reaction. Then she says something like \"Men. What are you going to do?\" While still looking intently at Griet. I know I was just talking about GWAPE, but look what I just found...the cutest little Trauma spider!"}, {"response": 787, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (08:39)", "body": "(Tress) And then Tanneke starts to pick her ears with a piece of straw or something.... Yeah, first she cleaned under her nails with the straw, then stuck it in her ear. Lovely! LOL! And the way she said \"Men. What are you going to do?\" you'd think it's all men's fault that women get pregnant. I hate spiders, Tress, but that's a cute one indeed. :-) (Gail) Griet response is something like \"What again, so soon\". But it was the look on her face that really told the truth. You almost got the feeling that she was thinking \"he cheated on me\" or \"how could he still have feelings for her\". I felt so sorry for her. What a disappointment that must have been for her, and many more were coming. So young, naive, infatuated. I don't cry watching movies often, but this one got to me."}, {"response": 788, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (11:00)", "body": "(Ildi) I felt so sorry for her. What a disappointment that must have been for her, and many more were coming. So young, naive, infatuated. Yeah...and Johannes didn't help matters much. She was just a child, he was a grown (married) man and knew better. He manipulated many situations to serve his own needs. Still am confused why the hired a wet nurse. It cost them more in food and her wage.....and if Catarina had nursed the baby herself, it may have kept her from getting pregnant again so soon. I'm guessing it was a status thing and they did it to keep up appearances....."}, {"response": 789, "author": "Gails", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (14:35)", "body": "(Ildi) I felt so sorry for her. What a disappointment that must have been for her, and many more were coming. So young, naive, infatuated. (Tress)Yeah...and Johannes didn't help matters much. She was just a child, he was a grown (married) man and knew better. He manipulated many situations to serve his own needs. I guess it is further proof that no matter how much things change they remain the same. People get their hearts broken, people manipulate each other, and sometimes even the stongest attraction is impossible. Ahhhh, this was a very good movie."}, {"response": 790, "author": "katty", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (14:50)", "body": "Still am confused why the hired a wet nurse. If I'm not mistaken, I believe that in the book it was explained that Catherine WANTED to get pregnant so often, and deliberately used a wet nurse so that breast-feeding wouldn't hinder her fertility. She saw her pregnancies as being a positive, not a negative, possibly reasoning that each pregnancy bonded Vermeer ever more closely to her."}, {"response": 791, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (23:58)", "body": "On the topic of wet nurses, if I'm not mistaken, it was also a status thing (to be able to afford someone to nurse your baby) and Catherina seemed to me (in the book, not seen the film yet :-( ) to aspire to higher status than the family could afford. I also suspect that she enjoyed being the center of attention and playing the suffering martyr while she was pregnant. Just my opinion, of course ;-)"}, {"response": 792, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 2004 (12:44)", "body": "(Ethine)I also suspect that she enjoyed being the center of attention and playing the suffering martyr while she was pregnant. Just my opinion, of course ;-) I think you hit the nail right on the head on both counts. Lack of finances were a sore spot with her. Just another random thought about the manipulation of Griet by Vermeer. I now look back at the scene where he is fondling Cathrina while Griet looks on, and realize he was doing it double barrel. He had to keep Catharina happy in more ways than one so as to stop her sniffing around, and by making Griet a bit jealous she was even more vulnerable. In that scene, the look on his face is very smug. He knows exactly what he's doing to the two of them at the same time."}, {"response": 793, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (11:07)", "body": "(Linda) the look on his face is very smug. He knows exactly what he's doing to the two of them at the same time. I always felt that way, too- I thought there was actually an instant where the camera caught him looking sideways at Griet passing through the room while he was fondling Catharina."}, {"response": 794, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (11:18)", "body": "(Bonnie) I thought there was actually an instant where the camera caught him looking sideways at Griet passing through the room while he was fondling Catharina. And did you notice how he was doing it? Getting a quick feel. I didn't notice the exact placement of his hands until the second viewing (then confirmed in the third ;-)). He's got his hands right on her...well...and he's doing a little rubbing thing.....no wonder Griet had that look. I'd be pretty surprised to witness that in someone I didn't like....let alone someone that I was having some feelings for....."}, {"response": 795, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (11:28)", "body": "(Tress)no wonder Griet had that look. I'd be pretty surprised to witness that in someone I didn't like....let alone someone that I was having some feelings for..... Didn't she say that she had to deal with her own jealous feelings...because she was so immersed in the role, yeah, righ;-)"}, {"response": 796, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (12:32)", "body": "No, no, no, those feelings were directed at Colin *as the *Vermeer* character*. Try to keep that straight, would ya? ;-D"}, {"response": 797, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (11:21)", "body": "Had my fourth GWAPE viewing yesterday. Was noticing little things (and please excuse if they have been mentioned before\ufffd) Still love the scene where Griet comes in and asks Catarina if it is okay to clean the windows. Right before Griet comes in, you see Maria Thins fussing with Catarina\ufffds hair and C slaps MT\ufffds hands out of the way. Temper, temper\ufffd.anyway, when Griet asks the question, I was watching MT this time. She seems stunned and then\ufffdalmost pleased. It is odd. She seems to recognize what this means and then glances at Catarina for her response. Of course C is irked. As she realizes that it never occurred to her to even think about the light. The scene were Johannes asks Catarina to wear her pearls has made me giggle the last two times. He says \ufffdWear these\ufffd and walks toward Catarina sitting on the bed. He hands her first one pearl earring and then, when he hands her the second one, he does this \ufffdCarson\ufffd thing (from Queer Eye). He hands it to her with pinkie up and then does this little hand stroke/wave as he sets it down. Very funny. Then he sits and watches her put the first earring in. Catarina is giving him a very flirty look and shakes her head (looking very coy). He is looking at her with what I think she perceives as \ufffdlove\ufffd when he is actually using his painter\ufffds eye. He almost immediately (after she shakes her head) says \ufffdGriet, look here, notice how the earring draws your eye to the curve of the neck\ufffd and then Catarina freaks out (when does she not?). \ufffdJAN!\ufffd and Griet looks to floor, curtseys and runs out of the room. MT sitting there watching all this go down\ufffd.love that scene. Where\ufffds the missing scene??? Okay\ufffd.have been wanting to know what Van R and Johannes were saying to one another. When Griet first learns that she is to be painted, Van R makes all sorts of rude remarks (and Johannes just glares at him several times\ufffd.). The remark about \ufffdI hear you are of use to your master\ufffd.all that grinding and stirring. An old tale, isn\ufffdt it, the one of master and maid?\ufffd and then Vermeer just glares at him. Wot did he say to Van R when they were alone? \ufffdCan\ufffdt have her, I want her?\ufffd Because later, when Van R meets up with Griet by the wash, he says something like \ufffdstill ripe as a plumb, what\ufffds he playing at?\ufffd It is as if there was an understanding between Vermeer and Van R. That Van R couldn\ufffdt have her because Vermeer was interested???? And then Van R thought he could have her \ufffdafterwards\ufffd (the remark about \ufffddon\ufffdt tell him about this or he won\ufffdt be interested any longer\ufffd or some such thing he said after he tore Griets dress???)\ufffd.am most interested in what was being said between hose two men. I would have thought that Vermeer would not have given Van R the info about the paint grinding (seems a bit too \ufffdpersonal\ufffd ;-)). The \ufffdlick your lips\ufffd scene. This time I noticed that prior to the third request, you can hear some of the children running down the hallway and yelling (playing some game). You see Griet\ufffds eyes go toward the door and then she looks back at Vermeer. He looks \ufffdresigned\ufffd for a second??? Then asks her to lick her lips for the final time (in that strained, begging sort of way) and she does so with a look of understanding. Then\ufffd.there is an ever so slight smile given by both Vermeer and Griet (like this is their little secret). So well done. Okay\ufffdand the final scene. Someone said that they thought it was Griet\ufffds parents home. I don\ufffdt know if it is. Same windows (could be a window maker in town) but different floors. Griet\ufffds parents have plank flooring\ufffdthe home at the end has concrete or something\ufffd.Also\ufffdwhite dress is hanging up. I take that to mean it is a wedding gown (either to be worn or already worn). All this my interpretation as I liked Pieter and still want the two of them together at the end. I cannot imagine someone of Griet\ufffds position having a white dress for any reason other than a wedding\ufffdit wouldn\ufffdt make much sense. Would get filthy. Am done\ufffdhave gone on too long again\ufffd.sorry."}, {"response": 798, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (12:35)", "body": "(Tress) ...have gone on too long again... There's no such thing Tress, I enjoyed reading all of it. I dunno when I can see it again, have to aim for next weekend ...maybe. Until then, I get my fix from these posts. So please keep it coming! Joanna Scanlon wrote in her funny piece that she giggled at the \"things that slipped through the net\". I wonder what those things were, so next time I'll try to pay more attention to her scenes to see what shouldn't have been there."}, {"response": 799, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (12:51)", "body": "Apparently when I went to see it my companion noted that the Camera Obscura had a crosshead screw in it! Very Dutch of that period! ;-) They thought it a very poor oversight. Personally I haven't got past Vermeer in that scene. Enjoying your posts ladies and trying frantically to catch up."}, {"response": 800, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (13:56)", "body": "(Tress)I would have thought that Vermeer would not have given Van R the info about the paint grinding Glad you brought that up. That scene always puzzles me. I find it hard to believe that Vermeer would confide in VanR concerning Griet. I could never figure out why VanR brings up the \"ripe as a plumb\" remark when he's attacking Griet. Or the line... \"Not a word, or he'll never look at you, again\". It really does seem as thought something was edited between Vermeer and VanR. (Tress)He almost immediately (after she shakes her head) says \ufffdGriet, look here, notice how the earring draws your eye to the curve of the neck\ufffd Yes, if the cat was ever let out of the bag it was there. He reminds me of a teacher using a visual aid with a student. LOL, except the visual was an already jealous and suspicious wife."}, {"response": 801, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (14:11)", "body": "(Tress)I would have thought that Vermeer would not have given Van R the info about the paint grinding I wonder if Van R doesn't try to convince Vermeer to let him have Griet as a servent in his house. (At dinner, Van R asks \"Can I haver her?\") Vermeer probably has explained to him how invaluable she is to his work."}, {"response": 802, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (14:38)", "body": "I think that comment means \"have\" in a sexual sense, he intends to use Griet as the previous servant that became pregnant by him. He and Vermeer are bargaining, in a sense Vermeer has no choice, without coming to some agreement he will lose Van R's patronage."}, {"response": 803, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (16:23)", "body": "2/15/04 - Just saw GWAPE. My eyes and mind are still swirling with the images and sounds of Delft in the 1600s. What a beautiful film, and how well it imagined life in that place and time. The tension in the household - mostly sensual, was as palpable as the dishes on the table and the meat in the market. And that face of Greit's. So young, the pouting lips and the upward glances, the bright, unspoiled child - no wonder Vermeer was besotted with her. No one else in the household, from matriarch mother in law to seething wife, to jealous child, was free of anger and unhappiness. I thought the lines (Cillian Murphy?) about not getting caught in his web told so much about Vermeer and how he affected everyone around him. He was a bit of a monster himself, and in the end, only interested in what he could get from Greit. I thought Essie Davis was excellent. She had a real old-fashioned Dutch face. It is a shame her husband never painted her. Judy Parfit and Tom Wilkinson also stood out among the cast. Colin got to once again play \"the watcher\" in a film. He observed and recorded.You saw Greit through his eyes, and that made her a memorable and mesmerizing object to paint. She was finally only that - an object to get on canvas - while her youth and beauty still remained. I thought the final scene of her unwrapping the pearls was full of irony and sadness. She had been paid off and could now be forgotten - except for the gift Vermeer had already given her - her image on canvas for the world to see."}, {"response": 804, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (17:39)", "body": "(Lizza)I think that comment means \"have\" in a sexual sense, he intends to use Griet as the previous servant that became pregnant by him. He and Vermeer are bargaining, in a sense Vermeer has no choice, without coming to some agreement I think that is a great observation, and in thinking of it in this way I think I finally get it. Maybe Vermeer does confide in VanR that he has feelings for Griet so that VanR will keep his hands off her, (so that she doesn't end up pregnant like the last one) but VanR, in attacking Griet, may have realized that too...\"what's he playing at\"? Or, could be that Vermeer does have feelings for her beyond the muse aspect and he can't bear to think that someone else would have her so VanR keeping his hands off her may have been part of the agreement. In the book isn't there mention by Griet that Vermeer seems angry with her after Peter has come to the house?"}, {"response": 805, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 2004 (09:32)", "body": "(Tress) ...have gone on too long again... Nevah! (Ildi)I wonder what those things were, One thing that gets on my nerves is that after VanR grabs her at the banquet table and she drops the plates she picks up broken pieces which are whole at end of scene. (Tress)He almost immediately (after she shakes her head) says \ufffdGriet, look here, notice how the earring draws your eye to the curve of the neck\ufffd (Linda)Yes, if the cat was ever let out of the bag it was there. He reminds me of a teacher using a visual aid with a student. LOL, except the visual was an already jealous and suspicious wife. I thought that this scene shows perfectly how totally absorbed he is in his *art*, to the exclusion of judgement and anyone else, that he could slip in this huge way."}, {"response": 806, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 2004 (19:22)", "body": "Just got back from my first wonderful GWAPE viewing. Had it been playing again after I would have sat through a few more times. So many impressions...When Griet first goes to VanR's and he is talking about the red dress in the picture and could she imagine herself in that finery, the very next scene has Tanneke buttering chickens... (Tress)He is looking at her with what I think she perceives as \ufffdlove\ufffd when he is actually using his painter\ufffds eye. He almost immediately (after she shakes her head) says \ufffdGriet, look here, notice how the earring draws your eye to the curve of the neck\ufffd and then Catarina freaks out (when does she not?). \ufffdJAN!\ufffd and Griet looks to floor, curtseys and runs out of the room. MT sitting there watching all this go down My first thought was of him saying, \"Oops! Did I say that out loud?\" :-) I think Griet and I attended the same (now defunct) School for Daydreamy Housekeepers/Maids...Man, she couldn't keep her eye on the task at hand for one minute, no wonder she could describe the color of the clouds so well, her head was right up in them..A girl after my own heart (and in this movie, pretty literally as far as JV went!)"}, {"response": 807, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 2004 (23:58)", "body": "(BeeDee) One thing that gets on my nerves is that after VanR grabs her at the banquet table and she drops the plates she picks up broken pieces which are whole at end of scene. That's a good one, I never noticed. I seem to have eyes only for Master Vermeer, I'm afraid. :-) You could post that on IMDb among the GWAPE goofs, if you are interested in doing that sort of thing. I love reading those. I'm always amazed at the things people pick up in movies. (Mary) I thought Essie Davis was excellent. She had a real old-fashioned Dutch face. It is a shame her husband never painted her. I don't know if Mrs. Vermeer looked anything like ED, but maybe he did paint her. This is one of my fave Vermeers. Look at her hairstyle, I believe ED's was done the same way in one of the scenes. I loved that."}, {"response": 808, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (14:02)", "body": "(Dorine) While I found MS ok for her role as a calm, spiritual person, she's not the most exciting. I found Marc Evan's remark about MS very interesting. When she said \"she's quite angelic, don't you think?\". I actually had thought at one point that this film would be like Jacob's Ladder. Where the main character is already dead and is being lead through a series of tests....so I thought, for a while, that MS would be an angel. She was so often in the light colors (the scene at the reenactment were Ben saw her from a distance was really interesting). So I think she was supposed to be a bit ethereal...maybe to make viewers wonder?? Had I been on the ball a bit more when we talked to ME, I would have asked him about that.... (Dorine) They had a growing friendship of sorts, that Ben acted on physically to some degree as a way to connect to another human being, not to further a romance in the classic sense. Definitely. And she seemed willing to comfort him and I don't think she was looking for a romantic connection either. She seemed to sense that he needed that from her. About the loud noises...the ones I noticed were both 'musical' moments. The time when he was downstairs (in the morgue) and he spots himself in the mirror. The music got really loud and then stopped abruptly...also the scene right after his 'hospital hallucination'. As he as he slams the door behind him and we see him standing in his room...music/slam is v. loud and again, ends suddenly. I think both moments where meant to make you 'jump in your seat', but it was more jarring than scary. Sorry if I'm not making sense, I know I often don't, but I have cold medication helping out today...."}, {"response": 809, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (14:14)", "body": "also the scene right after his 'hospital hallucination'. As he as he slams the door behind him and we see him standing in his room...music/slam is v. loud and again, ends suddenly Yes! That whole bit was increasingly loud. The time when he was downstairs (in the morgue) and he spots himself in the mirror. That one didn't particularly strike me like the other. When she said noises, I was thinking crashes or screams, or something else. And there really wasn't any of that (except for that scream at the end of the hospital bit). (Tress) When she said \"she's quite angelic, don't you think?\". Actually she means he said, Marc Evans about MS, during our \"interview.\" Not she said, as in the author. Get that or did I make it worse. ;-) Just in case anyone would wonder."}, {"response": 810, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (14:16)", "body": "(Tress) She was so often in the light colors (the scene at the reenactment were Ben saw her from a distance was really interesting). Yes, in the white coat with the umbrella. Pictures of her in that outfit are out there somewhere."}, {"response": 811, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Feb 22, 2004 (13:54)", "body": "Thanks Tress and Dorine, I love hearing about Trauma-I long for it. Now for a last bit on GWAPE. I saw it for the 7th time on Friday and just wanted to add a few more thoughts. I'm hoping to see it once more before it leaves--just for pure enjoyment. Just a few thoughts on the look of bewilderment that Vermeer has in the \"you looked inside, me\" scene. He gets that same slight-what the hell are you thinking-look when Griet brushes her fingers to his when he hands her the pot to be filled with lead white. Makes you wonder if he was wondering what she was playing at, or was it a shock wave of sexual pleasure that went through him? He gets the same confused look when she pulls away from him when he's showing her how to use the mullet. Looks like he's confused as to why she would act that way (if of course you come from the point of view that she was simply the muse of the moment) More incredulous looks: Great one from Catharina when Vermeer discusses the sleeping arrangements that bring Griet to the attic. Catharina has this startled look--like whenever did he involve himself in the workings of household. I really paid attention to that scene this time. I like the way he tosses the key to the studio on the table in front of her as bait.(She hadn't been allowed in there for over a year prior to that)Let Griet sleep in the attic, and you now hold the key. He gets the same look in his eyes when he's fondling her at the piano--to bait Griet. Also, after the ear piercing scene, notice how when he sits at the easel he has a content look about him as he tells Griet to turn her head and look at him. (almost contrite)His earlier frustration is gone-no more banging the brushes about like when he wanted her to uncover her head. Now his demeanor is content almost like sexual frustration is replaced with sexual satisfaction. As if the ear piercing was a sexual encounter for him as well as for Griet-except he had the afterglow and she needed release. Lastly, Griet's defiant look as she is told to leave the house, I think is first directed to Vermeer and not Catharina-at least not until she begins to walk out of the room. You can see her eyes shift from far right (where Vermeer is standing) to upward toward Catharina as she begins to move out of the room. As you can see I can't make up my mind as to what Vermeer was thinking. I go back and forth constantly as to what was really going on. Listening to Colin's interview in Italian makes me realize that he truly succeeded in making a mystery out of Vermeer's character."}, {"response": 812, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (00:37)", "body": "(Linda) Just a few thoughts on the look of bewilderment that Vermeer has in the \"you looked inside, me\" scene. He gets that same slight-what the hell are you thinking-look when Griet brushes her fingers to his when he hands her the pot to be filled with lead white. Makes you wonder if he was wondering what she was playing at, or was it a shock wave of sexual pleasure that went through him? To me it seemed that as their fingers brushed, the bewilderment on his face was because he felt an electric jolt just like Griet did, and he couldn't believe it. When Griet said \"you looked inside me\" I thought a similar look was there because of what she said, it seemed sort of hit him. (Linda) As you can see I can't make up my mind as to what Vermeer was thinking. I go back and forth constantly as to what was really going on. I have made up my mind, he wanted her, and he wanted to make the painting perfect, for he had to paint her. He didn't have a choice. I didn't feel he was playing her for a moment. I felt he wanted her, and he himself was bewildered by his own feelings. And he had feelings for her, that cannot be denied. The way he turned the house upside down to find the comb, the way he abruptly stood up at the dinner table when VR 'suggested' that he paints her, the way she held her for a moment after the piercing... He wanted her, and he was fighting it, but couldn't help himself at certain times. He seemed taken aback by his own feelings, and knew he could do nothing. I could see the feeling of powerlessness, the frustration on his face and in his movements, the way he sort of pushed Catharina away after he took the knife from her. That was an incredibly strong scene, I felt for him, and for Griet as she walked out after giving him the 'how could you' look. \"In his eyes I thought I could see regret.\" (Tracy C.) Yes, that's exactly what I saw on his face as he sat at the easel at the end, knowing Griet was out there. He wanted her, and used her, and he knew it. I thought he sent her the earrings as a way of letting her know that she did indeed meant something to him. That's why her eyes filled up as she stood there with the earrings in the bundle. Yes I know, this is not what I posted last time, but my feelings changed with this viewing. I wonder if the next one would make me rethink my position once again. As Linda said, Colin did succeed in making a mystery out of Vermeer's character. And so did Tracy C. I read the book several times before I made up my mind about my feelings. Few more observations. Tress and Gail 'talked' about the scene where Tanneke tells Griet that mistress is pregnant, and watches her reaction. I saw what brought that on. In a previous scene where it was decided that Tanneke is allowed to sleep in the cellar and Griet will be moved up to the attic we see Tanneke's relieved look, and the relief turning into bewilderment as she sees Griet's face. The girl was putting folded clothes away, and when she heard the decision that was made she started moving about fast with a happy smile on her face. That was when Tanneke started to get suspicious, and Griet's reaction to the pregnancy news confirmed her feelings. The music. Oh the wonderful music that I can't get out of my head! The more I see/hear it the more I feel that it is an absolute injustice that it was not nominated for an Oscar. If there was ever a score that could enhance a movie that really didn't need any enhancing, turning it from beautiful into absolutely breathtaking, this is it! I swear it has a life of its own. It's perfect. However, I wondered at one point in the movie if they forgot to put music there, and it was an important part for me: when Griet sees her painting and says \"You looked inside me\". He takes off the covering, Griet moves close to see it and....., this part screamed for music IMO. I wanted to hear it so badly, but there wasn't even a single note there. I wonder about that. Anybody else felt that way?"}, {"response": 813, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (12:09)", "body": "(Ildi) the way he sort of pushed Catharina away after he took the knife from her. In that scene, I noticed that after he pushed the knife out of Catarina's hand, he seemed ready to comfort her...*almost*....then, she screamed \"get out!\" and his hands went from holding her to 'stiff'....and then he pushed her away as she went on to attack Griet."}, {"response": 814, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 2004 (17:54)", "body": "(Ildi) the way he sort of pushed Catharina away after he took the knife from her. (Tress)In that scene, I noticed that after he pushed the knife out of Catarina's hand, he seemed ready to comfort her...*almost*....then, she screamed \"get out!\" and his hands went from holding her to 'stiff'....and then he pushed her away as she went on to attack Griet. It seemed to me . .at least the look on his face, and the way he let go of her . .he was just fed up with her, the tantrum and all. .it seemed to be like a . .\"whatever . .just get it out of your system, I don't want to be bothered with you anymore\". .type of a response"}, {"response": 815, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 2004 (19:49)", "body": "(Tress)and his hands went from holding her to 'stiff'....and then he pushed her away as she went on to attack Griet. (Kimberly)I don't want to be bothered with you anymore If you remember, he also used the same stiff hand response when Catharina is trying to stop him while he's in a rage over the comb incident."}, {"response": 816, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 2004 (21:56)", "body": "(Tress) ...have been wanting to know what Van R and Johannes were saying to one another. When Griet first learns that she is to be painted, Van R makes all sorts of rude remarks (and Johannes just glares at him several times\ufffd.). The remark about \ufffdI hear you are of use to your master\ufffd.all that grinding and stirring. An old tale, isn\ufffdt it, the one of master and maid?\ufffd and then Vermeer just glares at him. Wot did he say to Van R when they were alone? \ufffdCan\ufffdt have her, I want her?\ufffd Because later, when Van R meets up with Griet by the wash, he says something like \ufffdstill ripe as a plumb, what\ufffds he playing at?\ufffd It is as if there was an understanding between Vermeer and Van R. Maybe there was. What if Vermeer wanted to protect Griet from the old hog by telling him that she was for him, so back off please? As someone who had that sort of thing with maids all his life (I'd imagine) VR would've understood that. So he'd say \"okay, you can have her, but you've gotta paint her for me, so I can at least look at her\". Maybe they had an agreement like that, so when VR talked about \"all that grinding\" etc, he was teasing them. And when he tried to 'sample' Griet in the courtyard he saw that she was still a virgin (how the heck could he tell?), and that's why he asked \"What is he playing at?\" He was surprised that Vermeer still didn't \"pluck\" her. Is that plausible? I'm just hypothesizing here..."}, {"response": 817, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 2004 (22:19)", "body": "(Ildi)He was surprised that Vermeer still didn't \"pluck\" her. Is that plausible? I'm just hypothesizing here... That was my take and I hope that this will be one of those oft touted *extras* in the DVD that I can't wait for."}, {"response": 818, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (23:15)", "body": "Fourth viewing - probably the last...*sob,sob*. Caught a biggie goof this time: Vermeer began to paint 'Woman with a water pitcher' when the camera obscura scene took place, but when we move into the room we see the box on the left side of the screen, and the setup of the previous painting, 'Woman with a pearl necklace'. We can see the mannekin wearing the yellow mantle standing at the table. But when Griet looks into the c.o. she sees the woman with the water pitcher. Another thing I didn't notice before: when they bring the camera obscura into the house Vermeer can be seen on the right side of the screen looking down, watching Griet. And one more thing: In the scene after Griet comes back from the apothecary and gives Vermeer the paint things he asked for, a bird can be heard twittering while they talk. I thought that was strange since I don't remember the Vermeers having a bird other than the parrot, and it was the coldest winter day, so how did the bird sound get there? Or did they have a birdie somewhere in the house?"}, {"response": 819, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 2004 (19:04)", "body": "Saw for 3rd and (guessing) final time today. Something has bothered me since first time: when Mrs. V \"explodes\" near the end of the film, and orders Griet out, Griet goes straight out of the studio. She does not go up to the attic to get her meager \"stuff\". Next scene, she is shown leaving with her stuff. Guess we didn't see everyone leave the studio, Griet go back in, up to the attic, retrieve belongings, then leave to go out ;-) DH saw this a week or so ago, and we laughed about chick-flick \"no explosions\" criteria. I think Mrs. V qualifies-actually she blew up several times off screen too."}, {"response": 820, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (15:22)", "body": "Just saw GWAPE again this week at a small art house cinema. As the certificate came up on the screen, the cinema was filled with ODB's track from LA! I couldn't believe it. As the person with me was well trained, they said \"Oooh Colin's music\" Guess whoever runs the place must be a fan.(Probably lurks here too) OOps on with the discussion or the Boss will be after me..... ;-))"}, {"response": 821, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, May  5, 2004 (11:32)", "body": "Way behind times here I know, but I finally got to see GWAPE on the deficient DVD. A question or observation about the \"ripe as a plum\" scene... As Van R is tackling her, there is a lot of frantic struggling going on and you ever only really see his right hand. They both briefly look down, there may be some tense hesitation and it seems to me it's with a sense of discovery he says the \"ripe as a plum\" line. Has he perhaps \"probed\" her and found her intact? Would this have contributed to PG13 rating? I can't tell for sure, probably wrong...slow motion forward from there does not seem to reveal skirt in disarray, but I just thought I saw some \"reaction\" and then the delivery of the line, almost with a sense of wonder."}, {"response": 822, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, May  5, 2004 (15:24)", "body": "Barb, I haven't seen any sign of \"probing\", I just assumed that Van Ruijven had so much experience with maids that he could tell the difference between the virgins and the ones that had been taken already. I dunno how he knew though. Mind you, in Shakespear In Love the queen knew it just by looking at Gwynnie. \"It takes a woman to notice\" or something like that she said to Lord Wessex. I suppose VR had that sort of talent too. LOL! I will look closely at that scene though, now you piqued my curiosity."}, {"response": 823, "author": "odessa", "date": "Thu, May 13, 2004 (09:42)", "body": "I went to see GWAPE yesterday for the first time. Just wanted to say, that I loved the movie, IMO it`s ODB`s best. I liked everything in this movie. I\ufffdm an art student, so it was lovely to see him painting and mixing colours.Even the wig wasn`t that bad. I went to an afternoon show, so there were mostly older women in the audience. Afterwards people were telling that they had loved it and wanted to see it again :-) The music was great too, is there a soundtrack?"}, {"response": 824, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, May 13, 2004 (09:59)", "body": "You can order the soundtrack through a link on the boutique. http://www.firth.com/boutiq.html"}, {"response": 825, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 2004 (20:46)", "body": "This will be waaaaaaaaaaay too much information and I apologize (you asked for it Linda.... ;-D)! (Linda) Oh, then maybe back to spoilers? I'd like to hear about those stalking habits. Ohhh....been a while (and I can't remember all that I posted before, so excuse the redundancy if it occurs). And Dorine, please feel free to correct or clean up if you remember differently! Ben stalked, but initially the audience (and even Ben) is a bit confused over who he is stalking. At the beginning of the film you see Ben and Elisa arguing in a car. Ben driving. And you don't see the full extent of what occurred, you get that in flashback throughout the film (like everything that Ben begins to remember, you get pieces at a time). Later, after the crash, he believes that Elisa is dead. When he wakes he hears things like \"she's dead\" and he's given a tape of a funeral that occurred while he was in the coma. Over the course of the film, you realize that the funeral he was given a tape of was that of a popstar (you later see her name on the side of the casket in flowers). He is questioned about the death and he begins to think he may have done it that night that he and Elisa fought (and maybe why they were fighting)...confused? ;-) He obsessively collects magazine pictures, glossies and such of this popstar. And in one lovely scene he is shot from above cutting and pasting in his scr pbooks. You get a bit of plumber's crack (**big sigh**) and possible \"I see London, I see France\" action, I was never sure if I was seeing boxers or jeans (a moment for DVD slo mo). Anyway, he begins to think he sees Elisa in various places...he tries to talk to her sister but she refuses to speak to him. It eventually comes out that he has been stalking, but it was Elisa he was following. Now you ask...why then did he keep momentos of a dead popstar? Turns out that Elisa was the personal assistant of the star. She was always at this woman's side and when photos were taken, she was often in them. Ben stalked Elisa, but it could easily look to outsiders like he was stalking the singer (and then you get shown many of the photos of the popstar again and you realize that Elisa and Ben are in many of them...Elisa with the singer and Ben eyeballing Elisa). Ben (and the audience) is now beyond confused. The detective questioning him knew that he was following Elisa and when he is questioned about the death of the singer, the detective mentions his 'history' of stalking (meaning his wife). Elisa was trying to leave Ben (they were fighting because she was telling him to leave her alone..that she was outta there...I believe at that point the popstar had just been killed but they did not know that yet). Elisa was leaving with someone (wasn't she seeing someone else Dorine?). Ben stopped the car, she refused to get back in, he left her in the middle of the road in a rainstorm and then proceeded to crash his car. In his muddled state, he believed that Elisa was in the car with him still (she had her shoes off while the were going down the road and when Ben pulled over to continue their fight, she only had time to put on one shoe. When he crashes the car, he sees the one show left behind and thinks that she is still in the car... what really happened only gets pieced together as the movie progresses and as his memory begins to click...These memories are triggered when he begins to see (or thinks he sees) Elisa round town). Now Elisa is a piece of work because although she knows Ben is mentally unstable she thinks, \"well, since he thinks I'm dead, let him think it\" instead of getting him committed somewhere. She doesn't tell him she is alive, she just disappears and after Ben has completely fallen apart (thinking he killed his wife and then may have offed the popstar) she shows up at his door to explain herself. She claims she was worried for her life and that is why she let him believe in the total fantasy of her death. Not a wise move IMO to do to a man who has trouble seperating reality from fiction. She says something about him not knowing what is real and how he made things up all the time...he tells her he can tell the difference and that he will prove it to her by 'getting rid of the fantasies'. All I can say now is...poor Charlotte"}, {"response": 826, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 2004 (18:34)", "body": "I'm amazed that you remember that in such detail. Thank you, Tress. LOL, I was really getting into your explanation and then I read \"a bit of a plunber's crack\" and I'm in seventh heaven;-)"}, {"response": 827, "author": "kolin", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 2004 (15:14)", "body": "Someone who saw the sneak preview of TEOR told me that Rebecca has a crush on Bridget and not on Marc."}, {"response": 828, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 2004 (15:37)", "body": "LOL, Vera! I believe that Jacinda has let that cat out of the bag herself. ;-) drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 178, "subject": "Odds & Ends - Part 7", "response_count": 1142, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (13:15)", "body": "I'm first!:-) King Arthur is shaping up as a Yum-Fest! Wish Colin would get himself into one of these big spectacle mass-appeal type projects for a change. Variety reports the following: Ioan Gruffudd has been set to play Lancelot in \"King Arthur.\" Gruffudd, best known for playing the title role in the TV series \"Horatio Hornblower,\" will star alongside Clive Owen, who plays King Arthur, and Keira Knightley (\"Bend it Like Beckham\"), who plays Guinevere. Stephan Dillane also stars. Antoine Fuqua is directing and Jerry Bruckheimer is producing. Scripted by David Franzoni and John Lee Hancock, \"Arthur\" eliminates the fantasy from the well-known tale and instead concentrates on the history and politics in the reign of the king after the Roman empire collapsed and power skirmishes broke out in 450 A.D."}, {"response": 2, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (13:28)", "body": "June is a busy birthday month indeed! Here are the ones for the first half of June: Lizza - June 7 (that's tomorrow, BTW) KJArt - June 8 Moon - June 14"}, {"response": 3, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (14:54)", "body": "(Mari)Wish Colin would get himself into one of these big spectacle mass-appeal type projects for a change. ....Jerry Bruckheimer is producing. Who also produced \"Kangaroo Jack\"...(pass the barf -bag);-)"}, {"response": 4, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (15:37)", "body": "Here is more of the cast. It may turn out to be a lot of bombast. Jerry Bruckheimer is no Saul Zaentz, I agree! I didn't see Training Day, so I don't know a lot about Fuqua, but what a great cast this is. They have started building some massive sets outside Dublin. The film is set to open Christmas Day 2004. I am, to say the least, excited... And if Jerry B does a full color newspaper foldout like he did for Pirates of the Caribbean, that would an extra treat. I scanned Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom if anyone want to see them. Arthur - Clive Owen Stephen Dillane - Merlin Keira Knightley - Guinevere Ioan Gruffudd - Lancelot Stellan Skarsgard - Cedric Ray Winstone - Bors Hugh Dancy - Galahad Charlie Creed-Miles - Ganis Til Schweiger - Cyrnic Mads Mikkelsen - Tristram Joel Edgerton - Gawain Ken Stott - Marius Honorius Ray Stevenson - Dagonet Sean Gilder -Jols Pat Kinevane -Horton Valeria Cavalli -Fulcinia"}, {"response": 5, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (16:30)", "body": "(Arthur cast):Mads Mikkelsen - Tristram Me think, he is getting along in the big world ;-) Mads is one of the hottest Danish actors. He was in the Danish movie \"Wilbur commits suicide\" with Shirley Henderson. This might not me very interesting to anyone but me, but it's nice to see some of our \"home-actors\" in some of the interesting foreighn movies. Thank you for the informations, Murph :-)"}, {"response": 6, "author": "socadook", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (21:01)", "body": "(Mari) Wish Colin would get himself into one of these Me too but with reservations. Too big a cast and he could get lost in the lot. Antoine Fuqua is directing Looked up his bio on hollywood.com. His latest movie is Tears of the Sun w/Bruce Willis and Monica Belluci. I haven't seen any of his movies (not my scene) but probably saw some of his ads and music videos without realizing it. \"Arthur\" eliminates the fantasy from the well-known tale and instead concentrates on the history and politics Yes! Just hope it will be well done. Stellan Skarsgard Just saw his \"Insomnia\" the other day. Hope to see it again so I can concentrate less on the subtitles. Love this actor. First noticed him in Hunt for Red October. (Annette) This might not me very interesting to anyone but me You have company. I love \"home grown talent\" wherever home is. A good actor is a good actor. The nationality doesn't matter."}, {"response": 7, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (23:34)", "body": "(Mari) I'm first!:-) You wouldn't have been if Karen had the new topic up at 1am last night. ;-) Tried to post without realizing it was the end of the last topic. (Murph) I didn't see Training Day (Sophie) I haven't seen any of his movies I liked Training Day very much, especially Denzel's performance. Liked The Replacement Killers, too, but not as much. Neither are everyone's cup of tea I'm sure."}, {"response": 8, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (23:37)", "body": "Sorry, Sonia. I need to look more carefully when commenting on posts from you and Sophie to give correct credit."}, {"response": 9, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (23:47)", "body": ""}, {"response": 10, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (23:56)", "body": "Lizza!!!!!!!! And let the good times roll!!!"}, {"response": 11, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Jun  6, 2003 (23:59)", "body": "(Psst! Lizza, I posted this now so that you would find it bright and early.) Lizza, as you are The Lady of the Whisks, I searched for the perfect cooking accessory to add to your collection. Somehow, these don\ufffdt quite have the right amount of gravitas, if you know what I mean. Undaunted, I shall continue my quest for the proper tool. This model to your right, I fear, is far too flat, and will never get the job done. Accordingly, my pilgrimage for the perfect culinary aid continues\ufffd. This is more along the lines of what I had in mind: a nice large balloon whisk. Now that I\ufffdve seen it, however, I must include a complementary gift I couldn\ufffdt resist: Ah, much better. The perfect addition to any kitchen (or dining room, or\ufffd)\ufffdjust as he is! Why, I even think Mark\ufffds proposing a toast\ufffd Happy Birthday, Lizza!"}, {"response": 12, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (02:04)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Lizza Lisa's mentioning of whisk gave me quite a different image. I'm a big fan of Sound of Music, so here's a little \"kitten with whiskers\" to great you: Your birthdayrose is chosen by the name alone (Lady Mary Fitzwilliam )"}, {"response": 13, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (07:11)", "body": "A very Happy Birthday, Lizza Have a great day !"}, {"response": 14, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (07:38)", "body": "Watch out, Lizza is using her whisk again! I hope you find this present just as enjoyable. ;-) So here's a toast to you, Lizza. Happy Birthday, Lizza!"}, {"response": 15, "author": "aishling", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (07:53)", "body": ""}, {"response": 16, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (08:43)", "body": "Uncentering"}, {"response": 17, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (08:45)", "body": "Response 15 of 16: aishling (aishling) * Sat, Jun 7, 2003 (07:53) Happy Birthday Lizza Have a great day"}, {"response": 18, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (08:54)", "body": "Happy Birthday ,Lizza, ole buddie..."}, {"response": 19, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (09:11)", "body": "A deja vu B'day celebration.... To the Gal who caters the best brunch in NY for Colin viewing..... Mimosas:"}, {"response": 20, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (10:01)", "body": "Birthday greetings to you from Devon Avenue Your dear friend Hema has been working her fingers to the bone for you, preparing one of her specialities: \"I have prepared a very special dish of the spiciest bones and gristle to be found this side of the Vindhya Range.\" \"What, your friend don't like? How you think I keep my prices so cheap? You smarten up and eat vegetarian like most of my customers.\" \"Now, don't you go bothering your waitress. She very busy ignoring you. You just sit there and wait. You get drink when she decide you get drink. And don't you come back here to my kitchen. I too busy for you. You come back here, I give you evil eye.\""}, {"response": 21, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (10:27)", "body": ""}, {"response": 22, "author": "Odile", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (10:29)", "body": "Happy birthday Lizza! After Evelyn and Karen's feasts, I suggest a little sunbathing for today, it might set you up for ever! :) Seriously, kick your feet back and enjoy your special day!"}, {"response": 23, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (10:40)", "body": "For your birthday, I'm having a case of these Texas beauties sent to you, along with my detailed, step-by-step instructions for how to nuke oatmeal. ;-) Then I saw this and thought of us. We could show them how it is done. Remember, there's always plenty of room in the trunk! *guffaw*"}, {"response": 24, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (11:11)", "body": "I'm searching for that special birthday gift for Lizza. No expense spared."}, {"response": 25, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (11:15)", "body": "Psssst, Colin Next booth over. The feather boa. That's more Lizza!"}, {"response": 26, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (11:19)", "body": "Just to demonstrate that agile wrists have many uses"}, {"response": 27, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (11:21)", "body": "Oh, alright, it's beyond the paycheck I'm getting for this film, but if Lizza wants a boa, Lizza gets a boa! Feathers for my Lady In Red . . ."}, {"response": 28, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (11:21)", "body": "Whisk Man, coming through with birthday wishes for Lizza: And now, to demonstrate my impressive skills:"}, {"response": 29, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (12:27)", "body": "(Karen)Remember, there's always plenty of room in the trunk! *guffaw* Oh, Yeah....I draw the line. Next time, *I* drive...."}, {"response": 30, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (12:28)", "body": "Lizza....for your birthday some and I wanted to get something for your \"whisker\" too.....but I'm afraid you'll have to entertain him on your own (although it is your birthday, you still have to do some of the work....think you can keep him busy??) ;-) Have a Happy Birthday!!!!!"}, {"response": 31, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (12:36)", "body": ""}, {"response": 32, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (12:38)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Lizza. Sorry I couldn't join you for the preem at but... ....told me you looked fantastic...;-)"}, {"response": 33, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (12:38)", "body": "Lizza dear, it\ufffds me, Peter. I\ufffdm afraid my wrists are rather limp for whisk-wielding\ufffd Here\ufffds looking at you, kid!"}, {"response": 34, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (13:09)", "body": "Ladies, I am overwhelmed ! Thank you for such a wonderful array of delectable goodies..... ooh and the food's nice too:-))! I would have been with you earlier but some rogue mice put out my schedule. (You don't want to know) Now being whisked;-) out to dinner but back to thank the ladies of drool very soon. Meanwhile eat, drink and be merry and enjoy the droolfest"}, {"response": 35, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (13:59)", "body": "Lizza, darling, why settle for whisks when you can have whiskers ? You really know how to bring out the tiger in me, birthday girl!"}, {"response": 36, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (14:31)", "body": "Happy Birthday, dear Lizza Don't ever forget me... These other blokes that followed might be able to ride a motorcycle , whisk an omelet or paint a stupid picture of a girl with an earring....but I am your first and true love!"}, {"response": 37, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (14:45)", "body": "Hi Lizza, I wanted to send something special but my lack of skill only left me feeling like this....."}, {"response": 38, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (15:13)", "body": "OK! Thanks to Karen I can now send you a Happy Birthday toast! Wouldn't want a \"Dry\" celebration.... (img src=\" http://pages.prodigy.net/bestsmileys1/emoticons3/hapbirt.gif\" ) I shall conquer this! I shall!"}, {"response": 39, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (15:14)", "body": "eventually..."}, {"response": 40, "author": "socadook", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (16:31)", "body": "Peeked through the window and saw a party going on. Couldn't stop and join you, so now wearing a frown. The wishes are a plenty. The lady special must be. So my wish to you Lizza, Happy Birthday indeed!"}, {"response": 41, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (16:56)", "body": "Lizza, next time you sail to these shores . . . . . . for some premiere glamour and fun . . .please give us at least nine months notice so that certain people . . . . . . can be outfitted properly in advance."}, {"response": 42, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (17:45)", "body": "Ladies, thank you for such a wonderful party! I have been out enjoying a gorgeous \"creme brulee\", wouldn't dare choose anything else, served with English summer fruits. Lisa you truly are Lady of the order of the whisk You cracked me up, thank you, LOL ;-)) Annette your kitten's whiskers and beautiful rose are perfect. Nita, thanks for your delicious birthday cake, yummy. Moon, you know my favourite \"post whisking\" look. Had to pick myself up off the floor! Aishling, \"Cheers\" and thank you. Evelyn Ole buddie how lovley that you recreated that brunch to die for. Food always tastes better in the presence of ODB and Mr. Howard Johnson :-)) karen Spiciest bone and gristle ROTFLOL!! Where's my birthday doggy bag Hema? :-)) pROBABLY COULDN'T FIND ANYWHERE TO PARK lol ;-)) Odile , thanks to you."}, {"response": 43, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (18:11)", "body": "Karen , I'd like to witness ODB handling a case of Texas beauties ! Mari, LOL! It's Colin with that \"Donmar/Oxfam fusion look \" we know and love. Glad he hasn't changed! Karen, Omigod, Twirling tassles to die for. \"Agile wrists\" nevah ever had it so good:-)) Mari, is that feather boa FAIRTRADE? Can only wear if from Costa Rica and reassuringly expensive and promoted by a man with unflattering expression;-)) Rika, \"such impressive\" close ups leave me giddy and unable to eat even a morsel of that omlette, thank you! Evelyn Next time *I* drive Only if you're going to New Mexico:-)) Otherwise next stop Islington."}, {"response": 44, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (18:28)", "body": "Tress Think you can keep him busy? Honey, rest assured, I can whisk up a storm ;-))But only after your fab cake and champagne. Karen, Post 31 is the perfect gift ( ditch the matching parka!) Lisa JH, A birthday is never complete without a \"Peter moment\" so \"Have a pinch\" yourself kid :-)) And why settle for whisks when you can have \"whiskers\", exactly, rough stubble is a birthday given! Grrr to you too. Evelyn, How kind of you to ask Fitzwilliam to join our party. Remind him NOT to remove his greatcoat... or else. Beedee You conquered this in style, so no more head butting! Thanks for your wishes. Sonia , Loved your verse You have a way, To perfectly enhance my day:-))"}, {"response": 45, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (18:31)", "body": "(Mari) please give us at least nine months notice so that certain people . . .. . . can be outfitted properly in advance. ROTFLOL! Am Global Prioritying your doggie bag of doggie food. Ask and ye shall receive. ;-)"}, {"response": 46, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (18:32)", "body": "And Mari, a visit to your shores, always enhances pleasure! Like to keep you guessing tho' as to when I'm next in town. I mean how much notice do agile wrists need fergodsake?;-))"}, {"response": 47, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (18:34)", "body": "Karen Ask and you shall receive I daren't Boss:-))"}, {"response": 48, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (19:15)", "body": ""}, {"response": 49, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (19:59)", "body": "Goodnight ....\"Sweet Dreams, Lizza\"...."}, {"response": 50, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (20:24)", "body": "Happy Birthday Lizza! I ran across this nude birthday fairy in the enchanted wood (she recently spent an afternoon sitting on a very handsome gentleman's lap) and she gleaned from this \"session\" with him his very particular wish to send xxx and ooo's to you to you on your special day to celebrate! (with homage to Cinema Paradiso) If this post is crazy Karen, please forgive and delete, my home computer is a nightmare..."}, {"response": 51, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (20:38)", "body": "(Lizza) Post 31 is the perfect gift A real jaw-dropper, isn't it? ;-) *he he he* Matthew Field can go pound."}, {"response": 52, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (21:14)", "body": "Just a quick birthday wish, Lizza. I suppose better late than never to the party, though I come without bearing gifts. :-( Would've sent you a personal email tomorrow as per instructions, but alas, your email link is incomplete. Hope you had a wonderful birthday!"}, {"response": 53, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (21:43)", "body": "Have a great day Lizza!"}, {"response": 54, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Jun  7, 2003 (22:59)", "body": "(Lizza) Post 31 is the perfect gift (Karen)A real jaw-dropper, isn't it? ;-) *he he he* Matthew Field can go pound. LOL Karen! Well he can \"pound on me\" as Janice J used to sing or is that.......? Never mind:-)!"}, {"response": 55, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (00:38)", "body": "(Well, KJ, it's past midnight where I live, soooo:) KJ, I would like to turn the tables and capture your lovely likeness for a change. I\ufffdm struggling a bit, as I can\ufffdt decide which medium to employ: charcoal, pastels or watercolors? You\ufffdre the expert. What would you recommend? You\ufffdre such a beautiful woman, KJ dear, that if it weren\ufffdt for my ability to concentrate, I\ufffdd certainly be quite distracted by the fact that you haven\ufffdt got a stitch on \ufffd. What\ufffds that you say? It's your birthday? And you're impressed that I can speak whilst holding a paintbrush or pencil in my mouth? How about if we share a few tricks of the trade once I'm finished fleshing you out? KJ, it\ufffds time to stop sketching and start celebrating your birthday! God, you\ufffdre ab-solutely gorgeous! Since you\ufffdre already in your birthday suit, KJ, do you mind if I \ufffdget into\ufffd mine as well? Brilliant. Would you like to see my etchings, too? ;-) Happy Birthday, Karen! (Sorry, KJ, guess I\ufffdm in a frisky mood tonight;-)\ufffd.Lisa)"}, {"response": 56, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (01:57)", "body": "Wouw, Lisa. Your greeting-skills are hard to follow, but I'll risk it anyway ;-) Happy Birthday, KJ! I\ufffdm bringing you a birthday toast from a person, who also prefers a half-full glass ;-) He brought this rose, named after another artist, who shares your first name, it seems: Have a great day!"}, {"response": 57, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (02:02)", "body": "Sorry the image-posting didn't work. If I can't make it work this time, try following the link instead http://www.spring.net/~rika/BJD/bjd002.jpg Capture courtesy of Rika."}, {"response": 58, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (02:50)", "body": "A very Happy Birthday to Karen, whom we all love, just as she is ! (See picture above)"}, {"response": 59, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (09:14)", "body": "Have a Great Day KJ"}, {"response": 60, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (09:17)", "body": ""}, {"response": 61, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (09:23)", "body": "KJ, since it looks like you will be spending a lot of time painting with Colin, I wanted to make sure you had extra paint. These are the newest colours, BTW. And to make it easier to follow Colin on set your own personal: So relax and have a wonderful Birthday. And... we insist on seeing the paintings, if you manage to get them done. ;-D Happy Birthday, KJ!"}, {"response": 62, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (10:23)", "body": "A very Happy Birthday, KJ Enjoy your \"sit\" for Colin Ware, the artist. Hope you'll share the results:-)"}, {"response": 63, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (10:27)", "body": "OH, I'll try that again,"}, {"response": 64, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (11:05)", "body": "HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY KJ AND MANY MORE."}, {"response": 65, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (11:10)", "body": "KJ, Henry Dashwood here. Thought I\ufffdd ring you up and wish you the Happiest of Birthdays. Who\ufffds that I hear laughing in the background? Is it that pathetic Ware chap again? ;-)"}, {"response": 66, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (11:14)", "body": "Here's looking at you Kid! Happy Birthday KJ!"}, {"response": 67, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (13:42)", "body": "KJ!! and many more"}, {"response": 68, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (14:27)", "body": "For KJ, our Donmar artist extradinaire HAVE A WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY CELEBRATE IN STYLE!"}, {"response": 69, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (14:29)", "body": "KJ and Lindak , thank you for such great pictorial birthday wishes and Maria, you conjured up a wonderful set of birthday images too. Dorine, thanks for your wishes."}, {"response": 70, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (15:20)", "body": "KJ, since Moon has given you new paint, and Lisa has sent you Colin Ware, I thought you and Colin would like to try some of these, and use your bodies as the canvas.... Finger Paints for Lovers - A sensual and colorful collection for the creative lovers. Turn your lover into a work of art"}, {"response": 71, "author": "soph", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (15:27)", "body": "awwwright, i know what you birthday girls are wondering : where did the party boy go ? oh my, i think he's waiting for you girls at the bar, and wants to share a drinkie with you as a birthday treat : animatronicolin 1.4, party boy mode (a rather lighter than usual file)"}, {"response": 72, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (15:30)", "body": "Sorry to interrupt your party KJ, but I couldn't pass this up. From People online: Heather Going Off Broadway STEPHEN M. SILVERMAN and CANDIE JONES CAST: \"Austin Powers\" star and former main squeeze of Edward Burns, actress Heather Graham, 33, will make her New York stage debut this September in the Off-Broadway play \"Recent Tragic Events,\" by Craig Wright, about a blind date on Sept. 12, 2001, reports The New York Times. \"It might sound stupid,\" she says about taking on the role (and the New York critics), \"but I think this is so well written, I don't think I can mess it up.\" I don't think I can mess it up.\" Betcha you can."}, {"response": 73, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (16:10)", "body": "....about a blind date on Sept. 12,\" I pity the co-star.Yikes...they didn't mention him?????? Cute beer greeting, Sophie. But the dreadful K-Mart shirt. Ewwwwww"}, {"response": 74, "author": "soph", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (16:24)", "body": "(evelyn) But the dreadful K-Mart shirt. Ewwwwww i take it that you don't like it, then ! well, to tell you the truth, i really-really like it, in a 50ies revisited kind of way, and i believe it's actually knit (can't believe i'm discussing clothes...) at the railway station today : was browsing through the international section of my favorite newsstand, saw a blurb about hg in the brit version of elle or something (something to do with 'how i got to understand men' or whatever). didn't even take a look at it (elle and its clones are not my scene), wonder if there was anything interesting now, though..."}, {"response": 75, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (16:31)", "body": "KJ, here is one of my favorite Vincent van Gogh paintings. Sorry, I can\ufffdt give you the real deal, as I believe it\ufffds at MOMA. Hope it\ufffds been a great day so far, KJ! (P.S. Click on the link for a RealPlayer clip of the song, Vincent.)"}, {"response": 76, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (16:40)", "body": "Hey Sophie, the animation was great, though I don't like that shirt, either. (Knit, huh? Hmmmmm.....;-)) Linda, I can't believe HG would even attempt such material. Good grief!"}, {"response": 77, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (17:14)", "body": "(Lisa)here is one of my favorite Vincent van Gogh paintings. Sorry, I can?t give you the real deal, as I believe it?s at MOMA. Ah yes...\"Starry Night\". (Lisa are you my long lost....;-) My fave of all time. It does live at MOMA (currently in Queens while MOMA gets a face lift & addition etc). A \"must \" when in NY. It never travels, but in the interim will be on view in Houston MFA Sept.21-Jan 4. Only US showing. From there goes to Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin, its only other stop. If anyone wants further info on tickets etc. email me. I already have mine for end of Oct!"}, {"response": 78, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (17:18)", "body": "Woo woo!! Party Boy! Can you have the beer come through our monitor, Soph? BTW, that shirt has a name, though I don't know who coined it (Mari or Murph would know). It's known as the \"fugly\" shirt. I think you can figure out what it means, even if you don't read Elle. ;-) (HG) I don't think I can mess it up.\" (Linda) Betcha you can. [Warning: ECC ahead] Is the guy she's currently sleeping with producing or directing this show?"}, {"response": 79, "author": "socadook", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (17:51)", "body": "My talents and skills are limited, A techno guru I'm not. So a rhyme as a gift here is printed, A little more than just a thought. And so this day you are feted, With gifts we can all enjoy. Happy birthday to you KJ, Glad to have met you through ODB."}, {"response": 80, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (18:01)", "body": "I don't know who coined it . . . It's known as the \"fugly\" shirt Hee hee. Three guesses, first syllable is \"me.\" ;-) Love it, Sophie, too funny. Happy Birthday, KJ!"}, {"response": 81, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (18:28)", "body": "KJ!!!! I would have brought Vermeer with me, but he says he is busy grinding paints at the moment (what I'm trying to say, very inarticulately, is that I am unable to post pics....but would if I could!) Have a great day!!!! (Evelyn) Cute beer greeting, Sophie. But the dreadful K-Mart shirt. Ewwwwww (Sophie) well, to tell you the truth, i really-really like it, in a 50ies revisited kind of way, and i believe it's actually knit (can't believe i'm discussing clothes...) Sophie...I'm with you on this one...I rather like the retro, rock-a-billy, fugly shirt....combined with the wild hair and scruff...that'll do me just fine!! Thanks for the party boy!!!"}, {"response": 82, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (19:42)", "body": "Heather Graham, 33, will make her New York stage debut this September in the Off-Broadway play \"Recent Tragic Events,\" by Craig Wright, about a blind date on Sept. 12, 2001, reports The New York Times. ..... \"but I think this is so well written, I don't think I can mess it up.\" Is this set in NY? If so, that's already messed up to me, no matter who's in it. A fairy tale no doubt."}, {"response": 83, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (20:04)", "body": "(evelyn) But the dreadful K-Mart shirt. Ewwwwww (Sophie) i take it that you don't like it, then ! well, to tell you the truth, i really-really like it, in a 50ies revisited kind of way, and i believe it's actually knit Gawd, knit makes it worse. ;-) (Tress) I would have brought Vermeer with me... I tried to get you a Vermeer, KJ, but it seems the National Gallery of Art has closed it's Dutch Galleries for an installation and didn't have the good sense to leave the 4 Vermeers out. It even surprises the information lady who said I was the 4th person today to ask for the Vermeers. She was unaware of the film GWAPE and had the book for 2 years, but just finished it. Happy Birthday, KJ! I think this is one of the best Tony awards I've ever seen. These people are so bold tonight. Love it! Michelle Pawk summed it up nicely. I love how everyone keeps talking through the orchestra, too."}, {"response": 84, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (21:06)", "body": "Lizza, as usual I'm late with the birthday greeting and your present has been waiting somewhat impatiently for me to send him off to you! Happy belated birthday! (keeping fingers crossed this works!)"}, {"response": 85, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (21:18)", "body": "From Mistress of the Keeps to the birthday girl...just what you wanted! HAPPY BIRTHDAY KJ!"}, {"response": 86, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (22:18)", "body": "Oh my, the Faygellahs were something else tonight, though I didn't watch them totally. What was with Sarah Jessica Parker's outfit? Looked like one of Cher's hand-me-downs. Hideous! And somebody should slap Joe Mantello, ignoring Christopher Reeves like that. Was MEM there for window dressing during the number? Sorry, but Bernadette Peters was the worst Mama Rose I've ever heard. Damn, why didn't I go see 'Moving Out' when it was here during previews last summer? Buzz was bad, but still Twyla Tharp....nothing better than her choreography."}, {"response": 87, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (22:33)", "body": "(HG)\"but I think this is so well written, I don't think I can mess it up.\" ROTFL. That must be one hell of a script! (Dorine)I think this is one of the best Tony awards I've ever seen. These people are so bold tonight. Love it! Michelle Pawk summed it up nicely. I love how everyone keeps talking through the orchestra, too. Me too, on all points! Guess I'm not the only person who loves \"Hawvey\". He brought down the house. Loved when he said that he was glad that it wasn't a beauty contest. And that Hugh Jackman! Love that hair, flaxen, waxen, shiney Hair!"}, {"response": 88, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (22:36)", "body": "(Chicago...?)Oh my, the Faygellahs were something else tonight, LOL! Oy vey......are you sure you're not a new yawka?"}, {"response": 89, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (23:01)", "body": "(Karen) What was with Sarah Jessica Parker's outfit? Looked like one of Cher's hand-me-downs. Hideous! Holy cow! Almost fell out of my chair. You know who wears the pants in that family. No self respecting man (I hope) would let his wife out in that ugly getup....and then stand right next to her to boot......in front of millions of people no less. Sorry, but Bernadette Peters was the worst Mama Rose I've ever heard She didn't sound as bad the night I saw her as she did tonight and that was the best number she had I thought....the showstopper right at the end of the first act. You know she has been missing a bunch of performances with a \"respiratory infection\" or whatever. ;-) And somebody should slap Joe Mantello, ignoring Christopher Reeves like that. Apparently I tuned out somewhere in this after he announced the winner. Missed that part. but still Twyla Tharp....nothing better than her choreography. Agreed, and for a split second seriously thought of calling for tix after seeing that bit tonight, then decided against anyway. Too many other things I want to see. (Beedee) And that Hugh Jackman! Oooh baby! While I like long hair in general and it on him, have to say I wish they'd cut a few inches off and put something in it to give it a little body. It's bordering on looking unwashed, but that's how straight it is. In fact, I may actually like him with \"short\" hair. (Karen) Oh my, the Faygellahs were something else tonight, though I didn't watch them totally. They're even more excitable tonight I'm sure. It is their weekend for celebrations."}, {"response": 90, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (23:04)", "body": "I realize I should have warned y'all yesterday that I can only get online rather late and this on the West Coast, so sorry I am so late enjoying all the wonderful gifts and wishes. Nita, much gratitude for the cake and the wishes, and also for the lovely Birthday Greetings from Evelyn, FanPam, BeeDee (and Mark D.). Karen Thank you for the good wishes, also to Lizza (awww ... couldn't I share your belated pursed lips present from Ada too ? Just once for old times sake...) Lisa, having seen an example of Colin Ware's attempt at the portrait of Mandy, I'm not so sure I am looking forward to the finished product.. especially since I'm wearing my Birthday suit for it. But on the other hand, it is nice to know that I'll have him around for a nice long time, as \"fleshing me out\" is quite a heavy-duty project. **Hee hee** Having Henry call while I was still posing was wonderful, though, and I didn't let on about the suit. No point in creating dissention.. Annette, thank you for the beautiful rose; I love white -- so pristine... How did you know I was running short on paints, Moon? (we say \"pigments\" in the trade...) -- and *so* relieved that I don't have to fall back on grinding my own. Thank you so much!!. Ummm ... Lindak, are those body paints regular or flavored?? (which would add to the fun ;-D ) Sophie, What a wonderful and lively visit from the beloved fugly sweater. And watch what you say about the famous fugly sweater, Evelyn, that thing was actually being modelled for Vogue.. !! (wasn't it by Matsuma or something??) Lisa again. Starry starry night is one of my favorites, thank you for your exquisite taste (in both art and music) Sonia, I was so pleased with your verse. It is so rare having such things attempted, let alone with meter and rhyme (loved the last line that had to be \"translated\" to accomplish the rhyme. ) Very thoughtful and clever! Tress , thanks for inviting Vermeer to come, but to a dedicated artist like him, making pigments cannot be put off, so I understand. Your brilliant display made up for any disappointment. and Dorine, I don't want you to get into trouble trying to borrow the real thing, even if only for a day. I understand those National Gallery people don't have a very good sense of humor over such things. But as I said, it's the thought that counts.. Ada, for a minute there I was brokenhearted that Mark had preserved his pucker for Lizza, but the corresponding Henry in leather prancing will make up for that. How did you know that that was my most Earnest (Sorry, Ernest...) Birthday wish?! Thank you all for a wonderful celebration! I hope I can do as well for others. Now everybody clean up the champagne and cake leftovers before turning out the light..."}, {"response": 91, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (23:25)", "body": "Belated happy birthdays to Lizza and K.J. I nearly fell off my chair laughing at SJP's outfit. I thought she had more class than that but I was wrong."}, {"response": 92, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Jun  8, 2003 (23:48)", "body": "Oops! left out Mari in thanking the throng. Mea Culpa... I'm so ashamed... Anyway, thank you for your lovely thoughts on my natal day."}, {"response": 93, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (09:06)", "body": "I din't see the Tonys last night, but I did tune in at the right moment, when they announced the name of my other DB, David: The director of \"9\""}, {"response": 94, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (09:10)", "body": "is that a maternity dress on Livvy??? because I want it! (LOVED it, and I can't find anything remotely nice:() I want to dress with the stars. I watched a bit of the Tonys; thought Hairspray would take it; and they just about did. Harvey F. is a fave of mine. and how the heck does he dance in that dress and heels! (starting to feel very pregnant, Laura)"}, {"response": 95, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (09:15)", "body": "(Dorine)I wish they'd cut a few inches off and put something in it to give it a little body Those are hair extensions, for Van Helsing. He talks about it in People mag. I was surprised at Hugh, frankly. He seemed to do very little in the way of hosting and his sole reason for being there seemed to be to plug his upcoming play. Tacky, IMO. As for Sarah's dress, hey, there were men full-mouth kissing each other and declaring their undying love while complaining that they couldn't legally marry in the US. Her dress was way tame in comparison.;-) (Karen)And somebody should slap Joe Mantello, ignoring Christopher Reeves like that. A disgrace. He should have greeted him, grasped his hand or somehow indicated that he was glad Chris was there. LOL when Chris said he wasn't that good with opening envelopes; what a classy guy. (Karen)Was MEM there for window dressing during the number? LOL, was that ridiculous or what? As my dad used to say \"useless as tits on a bull.\" ;-) But I did enjoy the show very much. Loved Billy Joel's opening number on the grand piano in the middle of Times Sqaure. Every time he sings New York State of Mind, I cry. Enjoyed Antonio Banderas, too!"}, {"response": 96, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (10:00)", "body": "(Moon)I din't see the Tonys last night, but I did tune in at the right moment, when they announced the name of my other DB, David Poor David...second time his play has won (other was TRT) and he hasn't. Thought of you Moon. He will be directing Tom Stoppard's \"Jumpers\" for the National in London starring...(drum roll) Simon Russell Beale (take it way , Lizza)and Essie Davis ..doesn't she play Vermeer's DW? Wow to be in London this summer.KB, RF and now Tom Stoppard. I liked Hugh Jackman at the Tony's. Hey, better than potty-mouth Rosie O'Donnell. Agree that Joe Mantello should be slapped.What an ego. So how about Richard Greenberg winning his first Tony!!Didn't know \"Take Me Out\" had been short-listed for the Pulitzer.I should have seen it instead of Helen Hunt in Life X 3. Hate to admit it, but the critics were right. Yeay...think Richard Greenberg will now be inspired to bring 3 DOR to B'way? Hairspray and Harvey deserved to win. I saw it 10 days ago and it's a hoot. All the gowns were ugly....sorry fugly .Looked like they came from the sale rack at Loehmann's."}, {"response": 97, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (10:05)", "body": "she play Vermeer's DW? ] That's sarcastic, right??? ;)"}, {"response": 98, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (10:06)", "body": "I liked the bit on the Tony's with McColl and whatsisname... from KB's play."}, {"response": 99, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (10:14)", "body": ""}, {"response": 100, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (10:16)", "body": "Crowds flock to cinema, but not to British films Picturegoing hits a 30-year high but UK productions are losing out on the box office bonanza, with not a single one in the top 20 Maev Kennedy, arts and heritage correspondent Friday June 6, 2003 The Guardian British films are in danger of missing the tidal wave of popularity which has swept both cinema attendance and box office receipts to record levels. The most comprehensive survey of cinemagoing in Britain, released yesterday by the Film Council, reveals that although younger people are flocking to the cinema in ever increasing numbers they are overwhelmingly watching films made by the big US studios. No solely British film reached the list of top 20 films released last year, nor the top 20 list for the past 10 years. Among the chart busters are legions of British stars, British writers, British crews and British locations - but virtually all the biggest box office hits were made by American studios, with British interests limited at best to co-production. John Woodward, the Film Council's chief executive, said Britain was already seen internationally as one of the best places in the world to make a film. \"The challenge now is to ensure that more quality UK-made films are seen on both large and small screens in the UK and abroad.\" He described the overall picture - 176m visits to the cinema, the highest for 30 years, more than one in four people in the UK going at least once a week and spending a total of \ufffd755m, a 13% increase on the previous year - as encouraging. \"Film is an intensely competitive global industry, as well as a cultural activity, which when we get it right promotes the UK all over the world while making a significant contribution to the British economy,\" he said. Even among the top titles billed as \"UK films\", which together took \ufffd187m on home ground, co-productions dominate. Only Ali G Indahouse, which made it to sixth place, and Anita & Me, and Long Time Dead, at 17th and 18th place, were exclusively British, but they did not get within popcorn chucking distance of the list of the overall top 20. There has been bitter criticism in the past of the quality of lottery-backed films, but several did remarkably well. Two very different and comparatively cheap films were among the year's surprise hits. Bend it Like Beckham, which cost a paltry \ufffd2.7m and has so far taken \ufffd12.5m in UK box office alone, made it to No 5 on the top UK list, and 18 on the overall list. The film was an UK-German co-production. An even more complicated co-production, the UK-US-German-Italian Gosford Park, which appears in fourth place on the UK list and 17th on the overall list, also had lottery cash towards its \ufffd15m cost, which is seen as cheap, since big budget American films routinely cost $100m (\ufffd60m). The American domination is even starker on the overall top 20 list, which contains 13 US productions and a further five US co-productions. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, a US-New Zealand co-production, was the top grossing film, taking \ufffd56.7m at 501 cinemas. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - UK-US co-produced, but made entirely in Britain - took slightly less, \ufffd54.65m, but scooped the record for the biggest ever opening weekend receipts, \ufffd18.9m. More than a third of all the films released were in foreign languages, dominated by Hindi films, but together the top 20 foreign language titles only took \ufffd11.4m. The report is stuffed with intriguing facts. Men preferred action, science fiction and horror films, while women voted for relationship dramas, romantic comedies and films with a family appeal. Gosford Park was the only film to bridge the gender gap, being admired equally by men and women. Comedies were the most popular genre, taking 26% of the box office. Fantasy, dominated by The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter, was the second most popular, followed by action movies. The report shows that the average cinemagoer is likely to be young and well off. Cinemagoing is unevenly distributed across age, class and region. Almost 70% of the audience is aged under 35, and Londoners buy a quarter of all cinema tickets. The AB social group accounts for 21% of the population but 28% of ticket sales - and half the audience for Gosford Park, Iris, and The Importance of Being Earnest. But three British films, according to data from the Quarterly Film Monitor commissioned by the Cinema Advertising Association - My Little Eye, Long Time Dead, and Charlotte Gray - got half their audiences from the C1 group, and Dog Soldiers got a particularly successful DE audience share. Figures on the representation of people from ethnic minorities in the film industry are regarded as imprecise, but suggest that the proportion is below the 6.1% level in the national workforce. While 10.9% work in cinema management the largest single group, 22%, is made up of cleaners. None is recorded as working in the rapidly expanding special effects sector. ~~~~~~~~~ Evidently, the entire repor"}, {"response": 101, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (10:25)", "body": "..\"reveals that although younger people are flocking to the cinema in ever increasing numbers they are overwhelmingly watching films made by the big US studios.\" Did they need a report to tell them that? Not looking good for Trauma"}, {"response": 102, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (10:42)", "body": "Me, I want to know what the AB group is. Women over 65? ;-) ~~~~~~~~~~ More excerpts from ScreenDaily: The Film Council was upbeat about the fact that more than one in four people visited the cinema at least once a month in 2002, saying that \"we are a nation of cinema-goers\". However, it pointed to several disproportionate factors: for the top 20 films at the box-office, 69% of audiences were under 35. Of adults aged over 55, 41% never go to the cinema at all. One unifying factor was comedy, including romantic comedy, which took the biggest box-office share of any single genre with 26.5% from 84 releases, representing 22.8% of all releases. Fantasy was the next most popular with 14.2% from only six films, although the report notes that Harry Potter and Lord Of The Rings substantially inflated the category. Action films were next with 12.5% from 30 releases, while 11 sci-fi films accounted for 11.9% and 12 animated films took 9.4%. The least appealing category to the public was drama. With 128 releases, drama was the most represented category of all, but accounted for just 8.7% of the box-office. Horror performed surprisingly badly, with 13 films accounting for just 7% of the box-office. Romance had only a 0.6% box-office share from 16 titles, although romantic comedies were counted as comedies."}, {"response": 103, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (10:47)", "body": "(Beedee) And that Hugh Jackman! (Mari) Those are hair extensions, for Van Helsing. I love long hair on men. I'm thinking Oded Fehr, I'm thinking DDL. But there was something off with Hugh's. Thanks for the explanation Mari. (Karen) What was with Sarah Jessica Parker's outfit? (Dorine)Holy cow! (...)You know who wears the pants in that family. Crikey! I think her dress melted under the stage lights. If she wears the pants in that family, she didn't have them on last night! ;-) I guess it accomplished what she wanted. It was noticed and is/will be talked about. (Karen)And somebody should slap Joe Mantello, ignoring Christopher Reeves like that. So glad I missed that. (Mari) LOL when Chris said he wasn't that good with opening envelopes; what a classy guy. Sorry I missed that. Love the man's wit. (Karen)Sorry, but Bernadette Peters was the worst Mama Rose I've ever heard Not everyone was in fine form last night, like the guy from Movin' Out. :-( (Dorine) I think this is one of the best Tony awards I've ever seen. I agree even with Hugh's self promotion, besides he did an ok job. As he sang in his intro, he's no Billy Crystal. The producers remembered it's about entertainment."}, {"response": 104, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (12:29)", "body": "\"One unifying factor was comedy, including romantic comedy, which took the biggest box-office share of any single genre with 26.5% from 84 releases, representing 22.8% of all releases.\" so what did I tell you. Critic reviews mean nothin'! They flock to How to Lose a Guy, MIM,2 Weeks Notice. All US rom-coms. Only WT has the rom-com formula down. \"The least appealing category to the public was drama....\" \"Horror performed surprisingly badly..\" If they premiere Trauma or GWAPE over there, he's dead."}, {"response": 105, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (13:00)", "body": "(Karen) What was with Sarah Jessica Parker's outfit? Looked like one of Cher's hand-me-downs. Hideous! Hideous certainly is the word for that outfit. Matthew Broderick looked uncomfortable, I wonder if it was the \"geek\" dialogue or his wife's dress? I know she likes to be outre, but that was awful. And none too flattering when viewed from behind. Must disagree about it being a Cher hand-me-down--Bob Mackie would never let a woman go out on stage looking so bad. (Karen)And somebody should slap Joe Mantello, ignoring Christopher Reeves like that. (Mari) A disgrace. He should have greeted him, grasped his hand or somehow indicated that he was glad Chris was there. LOL when Chris said he wasn't that good with opening envelopes; what a classy guy. A VERY awkward moment. The camera \"saved\" Mantello by going to a close-up quickly. It must have been worse to watch in person. I'd like to think it was because Mantello didn't know what to do. People often are uncomfortable around someone who's wheelchair bound. Not to say that it's an excuse, but the director should have talked to all the nominees in that category and let them know Chris would be presenting and give them some pointers on how to greet him. It might have been awkward to pick up Chris's hand, shake it, and replace it on the handrest. But there must have been SOMETHING gracious Mantello could have done--just walk up to him and say thank you would have been better. Chris is a vlass act and deserves better. It was harder to watch that moment than some of the scenes in Joe Egg. Still, I'm happy for Mantello and Greenberg, and also Denis O'Hare, who is my favorite \"Law & Order Irregular.\" I told you ladies that \"Take Me Out\" was worth seeing! (Evelyn) Yeay...think Richard Greenberg will now be inspired to bring 3 DOR to B'way? I hope so! I know it's sacrilege to not want to see ODB reprise his role, but I'd like to see 3 DOR with a different cast so that I'd pay attention to all three characters. I've seen four Greenberg plays and I liked 3 DOR best. Sorry to disagree with the lovers of long locks, but I hated Jackman's hair. Wanted to messsenger over a bottle of shampoo. (Sonia)I agree even with Hugh's self promotion, besides he [Jackman] did an ok job. As he sang in his intro, he's no Billy Crystal. The producers remembered it's about entertainment. I thought Jackman was an odd choice to host the Tony ceremony when he hasn't been on Broadway (I did know about the upcoming role, but he hasn't done it YET). And I thought there was a bit too much promotion. My first thought was, does CBS have some money in the play? Yes, it's about entertainment, but I have a problem with the \"we did these awards earlier\" segment. Alan Cumming was fine presenting this (why didn't they ask him to host?), and I know that most people watching on TV don't care about the lighting and scenery. Fine. But I do think a lifetime achievement award belongs in the televised portion of the program. Cy Feuer is 90-something and he produced and/or directed a lot of plays in his career. If they're going to honor him, it should be in the broadcast part of the show. Heck, they made us sit through Langella's patronizing explanation of the boring stuff that usually sends him to the refrigerator..."}, {"response": 106, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (13:02)", "body": "Just read on CNN that Sam Mendes and Kate Winslet were married last month."}, {"response": 107, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (13:26)", "body": "(Mari), As for Sarah's dress, hey, there were men full-mouth kissing each other and declaring their undying love while complaining that they couldn't legally marry in the US. Her dress was way tame in comparison.;-) Very well said! (Evelyn),Poor David...second time his play has won (other was TRT) and he hasn't. Thought of you Moon. Thanks, Ev! He is the one responsible for the revival, it was his vision, he changed it, he convinced Banderas to do it, etc. etc. Poor David! He will be directing Tom Stoppard's \"Jumpers\" for the National in London starring...(drum roll) Simon Russell Beale (take it way , Lizza)and Essie Davis ..doesn't she play Vermeer's DW? I need to get the dates. Would love to be there for the dress rehearsal. ;-D"}, {"response": 108, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (13:38)", "body": "This refers to FF, please excuse the OT. I hope the archives will be kept. Maybe with a link from the main page? Those stories are lots of fun. Would hate to lose them. I actually came over to drool originally because of FF. So I say sweet dreams and faretheewell. Rika, please send me the updates. Thank you!"}, {"response": 109, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (18:56)", "body": "(Kate) Bob Mackie would never let a woman go out on stage looking so bad. So you don't remember the black see-through thing with the headdress that she wore to the Oscars many years ago. That was my first thought when seeing SJP's outfit. That they shortened Cher's."}, {"response": 110, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (19:58)", "body": "(Evelyn)If they premiere Trauma or GWAPE over there, he's dead. LOL, you have such a way with words:-) ...lets hope they learned a lesson or two from HS..."}, {"response": 111, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jun  9, 2003 (20:55)", "body": "(Mari) As for Sarah's dress, hey, there were men full-mouth kissing each other and declaring their undying love while complaining that they couldn't legally marry in the US. Her dress was way tame in comparison.;-) \"Tame\",yes, but the boys were more interesting and knew how to dress. ;-) Loved Billy Joel's opening number on the grand piano Thought he sounded better than he had in a long time. Like to say rehab must have done him good, but that may not be entirely accurate. the C1 group, and DE audience share. And what are these? (Mari) Those are hair extensions, for Van Helsing. (Sonia) I love long hair on men. I'm thinking Oded Fehr, I'm thinking DDL Thanks, Mari. Don't keep up with People unless I'm kept waiting in one of my office calls. Couldn't they find him some extensions that look washed or moussed? ;-) Excellent choices Sonia! (Kate) And none too flattering when viewed from behind Even worse than the front. And I thought there was a bit too much promotion I didn't mind HJ's plugs at first, but it did get old and almost tacky. (Laura) I liked the bit on the Tony's with McColl and whatsisname... from KB's play. If you see their play don't sit in the front row....you'll end up with a stiff neck from looking almost straight up at the high stage and take an umbrella if you don't want a spit shower. ;-)"}, {"response": 112, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (04:01)", "body": "An interesting article about Anna Chancellor. CF's been mentioned in it: When she told Colin Firth (her co-star in Pride and Prejudice and in the forthcoming comedy film What a Girl Wants) that she and Redha [Note: her lover, an ex-cab driver] were an item, he made a blokeish comment about having to watch out for a whole new set of rivals, including the pizza delivery man. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2003/06/10/banna10.xml&sSheet=/arts/2003/06/10/ixartleft.html"}, {"response": 113, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (08:33)", "body": "Not sure why this was put on O&E... Anyway, thanks, Josie. I think this is good evidence of Colin's wicked sense of humor."}, {"response": 114, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (08:43)", "body": "Ooops, again, my ignorance. I suppose O&E is for non-CF-related news. The article has only a very brief mention of Colin, so I'm not sure if it should be put on #176 either."}, {"response": 115, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (08:43)", "body": "Thanks, Josie...I very much enjoyed that. I've always enjoyed AC's wicked witch performances."}, {"response": 116, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (09:13)", "body": "Thanks Josie. I think that AC is a fun character on film and in her life. I enjoyed reading the article on her someone (sorry)linked here a while back for Tipping the Velvet. I'm often ignorant re: where to post! I'll sit here in front of my screen having silly discussions with myself arguing the pros and cons. I guess even a passing mention of ODB will go to Firthology. We live to learn;-)"}, {"response": 117, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (09:37)", "body": "(Linda) Thanks, Josie...I very much enjoyed that. I've always enjoyed AC's wicked witch performances. (BeeDee) Thanks Josie. I think that AC is a fun character on film and in her life. You both took the words right out of my mouth. AC is PDC, imo. Thanks for the link, Josie."}, {"response": 118, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (09:41)", "body": "(Beedee) I'm often ignorant re: where to post!...I guess even a passing mention of ODB will go to Firthology. No, it would've gone on Colin Firth News. The litmus test: Is this new? Is this about a current project? The article is part of an early publicity campaign for the UK release of WAGW, just as UK reviews of WAGW (*shuddering*) will go up on that topic when it is released there. The way Josie posted it, highlighting the part relating to Colin, with a link to the full article is precisely how it should be done. (gold star for presentation though on wrong topic). I expect someone else, who doesn't read this topic, to post it again on CF."}, {"response": 119, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (09:51)", "body": "It's playing right now at the Steppenwolf and has been extended. I completely forgot about this one: Greenberg's 'Violet Hour' Set for Fall NEW YORK - Playwright Richard Greenberg, whose baseball drama \"Take Me Out\" won the 2003 Tony Award for best play, has a new work set for Broadway in the fall. \"The Violet Hour\" will star Robert Sean Leonard, Jasmine Guy, Mario Cantone, Laura Benanti and Scott Foley, best known for his role on the television series \"Felicity.\" The play, set in 1919, concerns a young publisher and a machine that could change his future. \"The Violet Hour\" will open the Manhattan Theatre Club's Broadway season at the Biltmore Theatre, which the company is in the process of renovating. The play begins preview performances at the Biltmore on Oct. 16 with an opening set for Nov. 6."}, {"response": 120, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (10:30)", "body": "(Beedee-me) I'm often ignorant re: where to post!...I guess even a passing mention of ODB will go to Firthology. (Karen)No, it would've gone on Colin Firth News. The litmus test: Is this new? Is this about a current project? It's off to Drool *Summer School* for me;-)) Ya'll know I would have come for the extra credit anyway!"}, {"response": 121, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (10:36)", "body": "(Beedee) It's off to Drool *Summer School* for me;-)) Ya'll know I would have come for the extra credit anyway! LOL!! Hello my classmate!;-) And Karen, thank you very much for your explanation and continuous patience with me.;-)"}, {"response": 122, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (10:50)", "body": "I wonder how I can continue with what I don't have? ;-)"}, {"response": 123, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (11:00)", "body": "oh no, no, no...you do have, you do. You've always been a good teacher, \"Ms Hughes!\" ;-)"}, {"response": 124, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (13:10)", "body": "(Karen)I wonder how I can continue with what I don't have? ;-) You've put up with me for over a year, now. I call that patience."}, {"response": 125, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (14:49)", "body": "(Kate) Bob Mackie would never let a woman go out on stage looking so bad. (Karen) So you don't remember the black see-through thing with the headdress that she wore to the Oscars many years ago. That was my first thought when seeing SJP's outfit. That they shortened Cher's. I do remember it. Great for the stage, tacky for an awards show. However, Cher's version had sequins and feathers, which make up for a multitude of other sins. :-)) (Karen)\"The Violet Hour\" [by Greenberg] will open the Manhattan Theatre Club's Broadway season at the Biltmore Theatre thanks for posting this, I'll watch for ticket opportunities. MTC has produced a lot of good stuff lately."}, {"response": 126, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 10, 2003 (16:51)", "body": "\"Playwright Richard Greenberg, whose baseball drama \"Take Me Out\" won the 2003 Tony Award for best play\" And you know what else???? We forgot to congratulate the gang at the Donmar one of the producers!! How quickly we forget about The Temple ;-))"}, {"response": 127, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (09:43)", "body": "I thought he did thank the Donmar???"}, {"response": 128, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (17:19)", "body": "Hurry, hurry! Anyone that wants to see Baz Luhrman's La Boheme on B'way better go by June 29th. It's closing."}, {"response": 129, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Jun 11, 2003 (17:51)", "body": "(Dorine)Hurry, hurry! Anyone that wants to see Baz Luhrman's La Boheme on B'way better go by June 29th. It's closing. I wonder if other \"non-winners\" will close now. Everyone wants to see the Tony winner. Gypsy won't close, though. People will buy tickets on the strength of the star. (They should have showcased a different number for the Tonys though) I saw Gypsy last night. When Bernadette made her entrance, the audience went wild, like they were trying to say \"we still love you even if you didn't win the Tony.\" I don't think I've ever seen Gypsy live, and I liked it. Before I saw it, I had wondered if part of the critics' negative comments on Mama were the result of Bernadette being too small for the part. Other Mamas have been tall women who had played a lot of strong parts--Merman, Rosalind Russell (in the movie), Tyne Daly, Angela Lansbury (forget Jessica Fletcher). If you're small and act pushy, you can come off shrewish rather than strong/forceful. But she didn't seem shrewish, so I don't know why some critics said she was wrong for the role. My main complaint was that she didn't relate to the other characters enough. Played to the audience all the time, even in scenes where the story didn't include an audience. This, I think, would be a complaint about the direction, not about Bernadette. It may have been done to emphasize Mama's need for an audience, but it made her distant from the other characters, and when she hugged one of her daughters, that action seemed out of character. But, although she seemed to still be fighting a cold, she sounded great. They kept some of the original Robbins choreography, including \"All I Need Is the Girl.\" This is one of my favorite moments in the story, and I was disappointed because Louise wasn't as wistful as she should be. I didn't think the actress who played Louise really stepped up to the plate emotionally until she was pushed onto the stage at the burlesque house. Then, her evolution from a scared novice to a confident star was impressive. One rather haunting thing about the production is that Tammy Blanchard (Louise) sounded just like Natalie Wood, and I kept thinking of the movie. That was a bit distracting. Has anyone else seen it? I'd be curious to hear other impressions. BTW, If you're planning to go, one bit of advice--spend the money to be near the front, especially in the Mezzanine. The Shubert has low ceilings where one tier overhangs another. We had third row Mezz, and it was fine. One you're back a few rows more, it feels a bit close. And about halfway back in the orchestra (maybe a bit more), you get the low ceiling because of the Mezz over you."}, {"response": 130, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (08:54)", "body": "Cash boost for British films The UK Film Council is launching a \ufffd1 million campaign to help the British movie industry. The aim is to give low budget films a boost by ensuring more copies are available to cinemas. Individual copies can cost up to \ufffd1,000 each, which is often a prohibitive expense for many companies. This can mean some movies only make it to art houses months after the release date. The majority of UK films are released with just 70 copies, whereas blockbusters like the Harry Potter films will number up to 1,000. Companies can now apply for up to \ufffd300,000 from the fund, which will essentially act as a cushion to minimise losses if they invest heavily in marketing and extra prints and the film proves to be a flop. Cash from the UK Film Distribution Programme will depend upon how well a film performs, with support from the fund reducing as UK box office takings rise. Peter Buckingham, the UK Film Council's head of distribution, said: \"This programme will help to showcase the work of new and existing UK filmmakers, and give UK audiences greater choice and more chance to see entertaining, distinctively British films.\""}, {"response": 131, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (09:03)", "body": "\"Cash boost for British films\" TV could use some too. Anybody watching \"Keen Eddie\" on Fox, Tuesday night? Cute series.American detective on loan to Scotland yard.Interestingly, several of us were at the Borough Market (near Bridget's flat & pub ) where we saw the pilot being filmed. Also Mystery Monday on BBC America is excellent."}, {"response": 132, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (09:17)", "body": "(Karen's post)Companies can now apply for up to \ufffd300,000 from the fund, which will essentially act as a cushion to minimise losses if they invest heavily in marketing and extra prints and the film proves to be a flop. Maybe having a few more prints out there could build word-of-mouth for some films--at least those films that will get GOOD word-of-mouth. Yes, Ev, I'm watching Keen Eddie. (Still haven't watched my tape of Tues.) I did recognize the Borough Market area. How much of the filming did you get to see? Did you know in advance that something would be shooting there, or was it just luck? I checked that link you posted last week about filming in London, but I couldn't find anything on who/where/when. Do you have another source of info? I also recognized Leadenhall Market (where he was almost hit by a bus in the first episode). I thought there wasn't any vehicular traffic in Leadenhall, so it seemed weird to see a bus there. But I'm sure it was Leadenhall because I could see the \"carbuncle\" Lloyds builing in one shot."}, {"response": 133, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (09:37)", "body": "I LOVE Keen Eddie; was thrilled that Julian Rhind-Tutt is his partner!"}, {"response": 134, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (10:41)", "body": "(Kate) How much of the filming did you get to see? A few minutes.Filming is sloooow -going. It was only a pilot (spoke to nurse on the set who also had been on the BJD set and gave us the skinny on that ;-), and we never thought we'd see it over here. Did you know in advance that something would be shooting there, or was it just luck? Luck. We went there on a Sunday morn per Mark's instructions for the Bridget Tour. \"The Greek restaurant\" was across the street (now a posh art gallery), and the street of the \"fight\" is around the corner from the pub where Bridge met her friends. I checked that link you posted last week about filming in London, but I couldn't find anything on who/where/when. Do you have another source of info? Hmmmm. They used to post that stuff. Haven't gone there in a while."}, {"response": 135, "author": "socadook", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (10:42)", "body": "Karen, thanks for the informative article. (Karen) The majority of UK films are released with just 70 copies, whereas blockbusters like the Harry Potter films will number up to 1,000. (Kate) Maybe having a few more prints out there could build word-of-mouth for some films And a few more prints would also mean more venues. You tend to think twice about seeing a movie when it takes you as long (or longer) to get to the cinema than to sit and watch the film. (Evelyn) Also Mystery Monday on BBC America is excellent. I've become a fan of a lot of shows on BBC America. Glad it's part of my cable package."}, {"response": 136, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (13:18)", "body": "Just heard that one of my all-time faves, Gregory Peck, has died at age 87. A splendid actor and a true gentleman. So many memorable parts--To Kill A Mockingbird, Gentlemen's Agreement, Twelve O'Clock High, Roman Hioliday . . and so many more. RIP, dear Peck."}, {"response": 137, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (14:52)", "body": "Oh my, he was indeed a splendid actor, gentleman and quite the looker...if I do say so myself."}, {"response": 138, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (14:54)", "body": "(Karen)Oh my, he was indeed a splendid actor, gentleman and quite the looker...if I do say so myself. Exactly!"}, {"response": 139, "author": "socadook", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (15:27)", "body": "(Mari) many memorable parts--To Kill A Mockingbird...RIP, dear Peck. Karen)Oh my, he was indeed a splendid actor, gentleman and quite the looker... He seemed like integrity and dignity personified. What a wonderful actor. Caught the tail end of the AFI Heroes/Villains special where Addicus Finch was chosen as no. 1 hero. Can't imagine anyone better for the part. RIP, indeed."}, {"response": 140, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (15:29)", "body": "(Sonia) Caught the tail end of the AFI Heroes/Villains special where Addicus Finch was chosen as no. 1 hero. Can't imagine anyone better for the part. RIP, indeed. Sad news....To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my all time favorite films. He was a wonderful actor...great voice."}, {"response": 141, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (16:18)", "body": "So sorry to hear about GP. Saw a documentary on him not too long ago. He was still active and lecturing at colleges and universities on the film industry. What an actor and what a looker. He will be missed. Thank you for all the interesting articles ladies."}, {"response": 142, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Jun 12, 2003 (17:13)", "body": "Sorry to hear about Gregory Peck. Great actor. This was listet at TVGuide today (sorry - don't have the link to paste): CLASS ACT: Miramax will unspool a new version of Chicago in theaters next month to hype the musical's August DVD release, Variety reports. The re-release will feature a song-and-dance number cut from the original. We're betting it's \"Class,\" the axed duet between Queen Latifah and Catherine Zeta-Jones."}, {"response": 143, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (10:41)", "body": "I was sad to hear about Gregory Peck. But an obit I read said he died peacefully at home, so at least it wasn't a horrible suffering end. He was a gentleman, class act all the way. I saw the end of the AFI thing, too. Finch is a wonderful character, but I wonder if that would have been the number 1 hero without Peck's performance? Annette)The [Chicago] re-release will feature a song-and-dance number cut from the original. Oh, good! I had hoped to get another chance at seeing this on the big screen. I wouldn't think the added number would be \"Class,\" because it doesn't sound like a dance number. What about \"We Move On\" which was played over the credits and got an oscar nom? (I think it was played over the credits) I play the Chicago CD in my car and now that we get the occasional sunny day when I can put the top down, I skip over \"Class\" because I realize that people can hear what I'm playing. (I also have an unfortunate tendency to sing along with music in the car)"}, {"response": 144, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (13:35)", "body": "(Kate) I wouldn't think the added number would be \"Class,\" because it doesn't sound like a dance number. May not be a dance number, but it had been filmed, then cut before release with the intention of putting it on the DVD."}, {"response": 145, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (17:06)", "body": "(Kate) I wonder if other \"non-winners\" will close now. Frog and Toad (don't remember the whole/correct title) and The Play What I Wrote for starters, that I can think of offhand. Gypsy won't close, though. (They should have showcased a different number for the Tonys though) I thought to show her off it was one of her strongest, if not her strongest song during Gypsy. (I didn't think she sang all that great consistently on the Tonys.) The showstopper for her judging by the audience reaction, when I saw it anyway. Maybe people were sooooo enthusiastic knowing it was being filmed by CBS or PBS, I think. I didn't think the actress who played Louise really stepped up to the plate emotionally until she was pushed onto the stage at the burlesque house. Then, her evolution from a scared novice to a confident star was impressive. I thought the exact same thing and mentioned this to someone, though not quite so articulately. :-) If you're planning to go, one bit of advice--spend the money to be near the front, especially in the Mezzanine. I had 2nd row center Orch. Might actually have preferred a bit further back to have better perspective on the action onstage as a whole. I enjoyed the relative simplicity/flexibility of the sets, though. I enjoyed it, but didn't think it deserved any Tony's for BP or anything/one else. Also, have thought other things I've seen in the last year were more worth the *high* ticket price. Hairspray and Long Day's Journey to start. I was thinking mixed reviews would be appropriate and they were for the most part with more praise for BP than I would think she should have. The woman next to me called someone on her cell as we walked out and said she thought BP was \"spectacularly miscast\". Don't agree with that harsh statement. Was skeptical at first that I was going to enjoy it as I was thoroughly annoyed by that girl who played Baby June. Everything about her was grating. Was disturbed by the strobe effect used in the scene to transition the kids in age. I was disturbed on 2 levels....1, it was uncomfortable personally for me to watch (bothered my eyes), and 2, as a former healthcare worker, I was dismayed at the thought that there were no (as far as I could tell) disclaimers regarding the use of a strobe light, which can induce seizures in epileptics. Maybe they used a different type of light or intensity if that would make a difference."}, {"response": 146, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (17:28)", "body": "Birthday update: As I mentioned in a post about a week ago, Moon's birthday is tomorrow (6/14). Here are the rest of the June birthdays: BeeDee - June 17 Pam - June 19 Leah - June 30"}, {"response": 147, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (17:33)", "body": "(Dorine)I had 2nd row center Orch. Might actually have preferred a bit further back to have better perspective on the action onstage as a whole. I go for Mezz because I hate looking up from so close. I'll bet the strobes really bothered you from there! I closed my eyes and just peeked from time to time. Too bad it was so bright, because the use of that scene to do the transition was clever. (Was supposedly part of the original choreography. bet Jerome Robbins didn't do it with the strobes) I had the same thought about the danger of strobes, but I just assumed I had missed the warning signs on my way in. Odd not to post a warning becuase theaters usually do post signs about strobes and such (also warning about nudity at take me out). Kate) I wouldn't think the added number would be \"Class,\" because it doesn't sound like a dance number. (Dorine) May not be a dance number, but it had been filmed, then cut before release with the intention of putting it on the DVD. I knew that \"class\" had been cut. Assumed the same was true of \"we move on.\" Nothing filmed for \"we move on\" then?"}, {"response": 148, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (20:49)", "body": "Happy Birthday Moon. Gregory Peck was a great person as well as a great actor. One of my favorites was The Scarlet and The Black. A true story about a priest in the vatican who smuggled people out of Italy to save them from Christopher Plummer who was the German General who held Rome in his hands during WW 2."}, {"response": 149, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (23:53)", "body": "Good Morning Moon! I'm going to have a busy Saturday so I'm coming at you early with src=\" http://pages.prodigy.net/indianahawkeye/newpage41/7.gif\" > And with the kind permission of Murph here's a *come on* from the stubble king!: Does it get any better than that? Have a great day!"}, {"response": 150, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jun 13, 2003 (23:54)", "body": "Oops! It was supposed to be..... src=\" http://pages.prodigy.net/indianahawkeye/newpage41/7.gif\" >"}, {"response": 151, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (00:09)", "body": "Time to Parteeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!"}, {"response": 152, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (00:09)", "body": "Hello, Moon. Jeffrey Archer here. Let\ufffds not stand on formality--just call me Milord and I\ufffdm certain we\ufffdll get on infamously\ufffder, I mean famously. Har. Har. Bugger, I thought this was a fancy dress party and came straight from the Chamber. Where are all the other Lords? Wait until I get my hands on Rushdie and Julian Barnes. Have you seen either of them? Moon, what a fabulous party. I see that Jeffrey was already chatting you up. Watch yourself with him. I\ufffdve been trying to work up the nerve to ask you a question: Do you know where the toilets are? You don\ufffdt. Ah, well, in that case\ufffdhave you read any good books lately? Dear Moon, please call me Julian. I\ufffdve been looking forward to our little t\ufffdte-\ufffd-t\ufffdte . As I was saying to F.R. Leavis the other day, the demise of the post-modern novel can be traced to\ufffdSorry? Yes, that\ufffds right, the F.R. Leavis\ufffd. Dead? For how long? Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck! Happy Birthday, Moon, from three of your most ardent admirers who are the intellectual equals of everyone else here."}, {"response": 153, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (00:12)", "body": "Heard you were asking for me, darlin\ufffd, even though I haven\ufffdt got an effin\ufffd clue who you are. But I heard it was your effin\ufffd Birthday and that the bar was open. *belch* What in the eff does a bloke got to do around here to get a effin\ufffd pint? *cough, cough\ufffd.wheeze* Butt out, you dipsomaniac Colin wannabe! Moon\ufffds mine, and she was looking for feral Colin not Colin Farrell. Happy Birthday, my own dear Moon."}, {"response": 154, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (00:39)", "body": "Since I am notoriously late getting online at night, I thought I'd preempt myself... Even though it is somewhat past the season, here is a floral tribute to a Drooler who will always be \"Younger than Springtime\"..."}, {"response": 155, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (01:11)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Moon! I was prepared to drop everything and come to your party . . ."}, {"response": 156, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (01:22)", "body": ". . . and show you what a stand-up guy I am . . . But then I heard you like me best in clothes, period, so I won't. http://www.erasofelegance.com/pppic20.jpg Idiot, that's period clothes!"}, {"response": 157, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (01:31)", "body": "Am prepping for your next visit, mi amore Luna!"}, {"response": 158, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (01:40)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Moon!"}, {"response": 159, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (07:14)", "body": "Glad to see the party has started early! It looks like it's going to be a great one! Another round of champagne everyone. Make it mimosas at this time. :-D I'm off to dance with my sweet Geoffrey. I see Archie and Rushdie have crashed the party with a ghost writer. ;-) And thank you feral Colin for getting rid of that Farrell slob. :-) Now about your stubble carissimo Colin, as great as you look, you know I prefer stubble-free kisses so after Trauma off it goes. ;-) \"But then I heard you like me best in clothes, period, so I won't drop them\". But Darcy dear, it's more fun when you have so much more to take off. It's a great tension builder too. ;-))) So happy that my Italian neighbor George dropped in. Just wait till I catch him at home. Vrrrrooommmm, his bike makes more noise than his boat. ;-) Thank you, Lucie, Beedee, LisaJH, Karen and Mari! KJ, I am tiptoeing through those tulips, thank you! Josie, those happy faces are very cheerful as we are today, thank you! Off to mix more mimosas. :-)"}, {"response": 160, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (08:02)", "body": "I'm sorry, did you say it was Moon's birthday party? Do you think I have time to change? I can't have her see me like this.. Wot? What's the matter with it?...Oh alright, only for my Moon..Maybe that little Italian tailor around the corner could help... Better? No, no, you're right, Moon deserves only the very best... But I must have her promise to help me out of this suit as soon as the party is over! Happy Happy Birthday Moon Dreams!!"}, {"response": 161, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (08:47)", "body": ""}, {"response": 162, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (08:48)", "body": "Moon, I bring you greetings from a woman I know you admire greatly"}, {"response": 163, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (08:50)", "body": ""}, {"response": 164, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (09:38)", "body": "Oh my dear Vermeer, I want you period! LOL! And Marie cherie, think of your lovely necklaces first and never give away my birthday cake. ;-D Thank you, Maria! How can I bare it all? ;-) Beck just popped in to perform for us. Enjoy!"}, {"response": 165, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (09:56)", "body": "Moon!!! I heard that there was a party going on here....and knew that you had started yesterday with Cosmos....well.....I couldn't find all the ingredients for that, but I did whip up some martinis..... Wot? Too early for martinis??! It's time for breakfast?? Damn! I knew I should have picked up those twenty donuts...will this do??? Party On Droolers!!\""}, {"response": 166, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (10:20)", "body": "Wishing to Moon that all her dreams come true on her birthday! HAVE A VERY VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"}, {"response": 167, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (10:25)", "body": "Moon, in honor of your birthday, I thought I\ufffdd bring back a tradition that Marcia used to post for Drool\ufffds birthday gals (I don\ufffdt have any good leis to speak of, however;-)): Your birthday horoscope (from the Washington Post): IF JUNE 14 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY ... you are very much a mental person but can be very emotional too. The full moon at dawn on your birthday promises an unusual and successful year. As for investments and speculation, stay with bricks and mortar. Your success depends on how serious your focus is. You're in a number seven year; seek answers through reading religious or theosophical literature. *********************************************** 14 June Birthdays: 1736 Charles-Augustin de Coulomb physicist (formulated Coulomb's Law) 1811 Harriet Beecher Stowe author (Uncle Tom's Cabin) 1820 John Bartlett US, editor (compiled Familiar Quotations) 1855 Robert Marion La Follette Wisconsin, pres candidate (Progressive) 1856 Andrey Markov Russia, mathematician (Markov Chain) 1864 Alois Alzheimer Germany, psychiatrist/pathologist (Alzheimer Disease) 1868 Karl Landsteiner immunologist/pathologist (Nobel 1930) 1874 Edward Bowes radio host (Major Bowes Amateur Hour) 19-- Andy Christell rocker (Electric Boys-Funk-o-metal Carpet Ride) 19-- Chris DeGarmo rock guitarist (Queensr\ufffdche-The Warning) 19-- Jorge Rivero Mexico, actor (Priest of Love, Last Hard Men) 19-- Kim Lankford Montebello Calif, actress (Gingers-Knots Landing) 19-- Rosa Langschwadt actress (Cecily Davidson-All My Children) 19-- Trish Stewart Hot Springs Ark, actress (Melanmie-Salvage 1) 19-- Yasmine Bleeth actress (Ryan's Hope) 1906 Carl Esmond Wien (Vienna) Austria, actor (Smash-Up) 1906 Gil Lamb Minneapolis, actor (Hit Parade of 1947, Riding High) 1908 John Scott Trotter Charlotte NC, orch leader (George Gobel Show) 1909 Burl Ives Hunt Ill, folk singer/actor (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof) 1910 Rudolf Kempe Niederpoyritz Germany, conductor (Tonhalle Orch 1965-72) 1917 Lash La Rue Gretna La, cowboy actor (Lash of the West, Wyatt Earp) 1918 Dorothy McGuire Omaha Neb, actress (Old Yeller, Summer Magic) 1919 Sam Wanamaker Chic Ill, actor (Holocaust, Competition, Raw Deal) 1921 Gene Barry NYC, actor (Bat Masterson, Name of the Game, Burke's Law) 1925 Pierre Salinger newsman (ABC)/press secretary (John Kennedy) 1928 Ernesto (Che) Guevara Latin American revolutionary 1929 Cy Coleman [Seymour Kaufman], songwriter (Witchcraft, Sweet Charity) 1931 Marla Gibbs Chicago Ill, actress (Florence-Jeffersons, Mary-227) 1933 Jerzy Kosinski novelist (Painted Bird, Being There) 1940 Ben Davidson LA Calif, actor (Rhino-Ball Four, Code R) 1940 Jack Bannon LA Calif, actor (Art-Lou Grant, Trauma Center) 1943 Muff Mervyn Winwood singer (Spencer Davis Group-Gimme Some Lovin) 1946 Donald Trump master builder (Trump Towers/Plaza/Castle) 1946 Ralph McAllister Ingersol II NYC, newspaper publisher 1949 Bob Frankston programmer (VisiCalc) 1949 Rochelle Firestone Kansas City MO, actress (Hellhole) 1952 Eddie Mekka Worcester Mass, actor (Carmine-Laverne & Shirley) 1954 Will Patton Charleston SC, actor (No Way Out, Ballzaire the Cajun) 1958 Carina Persson Stockholm Sweden, playmate (August, 1983) 1958 Eric Heiden Wisc, .5/1/1.5/5/10K speed skater (Olympic-5 golds-1980) 1961 Boy George O'Dowd androgynous rock musician & druggie (Culture Club) 1969 Steffi Graf West Germany, tennis player (Grand Slam 1988) 1970 Simone Fleurice Eden Arcadia Ca, playmate (Feb, 1989) 2160 Montgomery Edward Scott Aberdeen, Scotland (Star Trek) On this day... 1623 1st breach-of-promise lawsuit: Rev Gerville Pooley, Va files against Cicely Jordan. He loses 1642 1st compulsory education law in America passed by Massachusetts 1775 US Army founded 1777 Continental Congress adopts Stars & Stripes replacing Grand Union flag 1834 Hardhat diving suit patented by Leonard Norcross, Dixfield, Maine 1834 Sandpaper patented by Isaac Fischer Jr, Springfield, Vermont 1841 1st Canadian parliament opens in Kingston, Ontario 1846 California (Bear Flag) Republic proclaimed in Sonoma 1847 Bunson invents a gas burner. Lab teachers celebrate worldwide 1850 Fire destroys part of SF 1863 Battle of 2nd Winchester, Virginia 1864 Battle of Pine Mt, Gen Leonidas Polk killed in action 1870 All-pro Cincinnati Red Stockings suffer 1st loss in 130 games 1876 1st player to hit for the cycle (George Hall, Phila Athletics) 1876 California Street Cable Car Railroad Co gets its franchise 1881 Player piano patented by John McTammany, Jr, Cambridge, Mass 1900 Hawaiian Republic becomes the US Territory of Hawaii 1906 J H Metcalf discovers asteroid #600 Musa 1917 Gen Pershing & his HQ staff arrived in Paris during WW I 1919 1st nonstop air crossing of Atlantic (Alcock & Brown) leaves Nfld 1923 Pres Harding is 1st US president to use radio, dedicating the Francis Scott Key memorial in Baltimore 1924 WOKO-AM radio begins transmitting from Albany NY 1928 Republican Natl Convention, met in KC, nominated Herbert Hoover 1931 French \"St Philbert\" overturne"}, {"response": 168, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (10:57)", "body": "Thanks, for those \"Bombay Saphire dry\" martinis, Tress.I've got plenty of olives too. We've moved on to the lunch time. ;-) Ada, thank you! Dear Henry and I have had such lovely times in that Rolls, my keepsake. :-) 1965 Beatles release the album \"Beatles VI\" It just had to be! :-) Thanks fo the list and horoscope, LisaJH! am expecting a big full moon celebration today. How can I forget that cutie Che who shares my birthday?"}, {"response": 169, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (13:09)", "body": "Celebrate the day, Moon -- Murph"}, {"response": 170, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (13:19)", "body": "Okay, I have my period costume on... now must rush over to Moon's party... ...and jump right into the fun! Happy Birthday, Moon!"}, {"response": 171, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (13:36)", "body": "Happy, Happy Birthday to you, Moon! Hopefully by your next birthday I'll have this graphics posting figured out;-). Enjoy the mimosas. I'm toasting you with one now."}, {"response": 172, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (14:03)", "body": "Moon, I know you prefer that Clifford chap. Crikey, (he gives new meaning to The Dead Wait) don't let him entice you with that Mile High Club stuff. We know what happened the last time he tried flying. So,... Hop on, and hold me tight. I've found some great classes for us to attend. Here is our schedule ...And after you've helped me with my homework...we can use up all of these coupons... I'm waiting for you, Moon Dreams...Happy Birthday."}, {"response": 173, "author": "socadook", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (14:03)", "body": "Suffice to say we party today With Cosmos and I know not wot. I must have my say, fun\ufffds here to stay For Moon Dreams we have got. To you dear lady, gifts none too shabby, Pictures of YKW. Vermeer, Darcy, and even HD! Happy Birthday to you, Moon."}, {"response": 174, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (14:43)", "body": "I like it, thank you, Sonia! Oh, thank you, linda, those are actually from my kissing lessons gift to Colin! What memories you bring back. I'm off to see if Henry has learned. ;-) I think Mathew could use a little skinny diping, I'll take care of it, thanks Rika! Thanks, Murph, you know he never misses my celebrations. He's just a little confused because he's not used to all this drinking anymore. Look who's here ladies. For our listening pleasure, here's more music. I present Damien Rice. Go to the site and listen. Enjoy! http://www.damienrice.com/website/sound_library.htm"}, {"response": 175, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (16:42)", "body": "BUON COMPLEANNO..... A tiara for our PRINCIPESSA....."}, {"response": 176, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (16:50)", "body": "From your admirer...Silvio"}, {"response": 177, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (16:57)", "body": "Happy Birthday , dearest Moon... You are my ... MUSE Love Always DAVID"}, {"response": 178, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (17:09)", "body": "From your admirer...Silvio"}, {"response": 179, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (17:09)", "body": "BUON COMPLEANNO..... A tiara for our PRINCIPESSA....."}, {"response": 180, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (17:48)", "body": ""}, {"response": 181, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (17:49)", "body": "Since Moon shares a birthday with Boy George (thank you LisaJH), I knew he'd want to come here personally to celebrate with Moon. Moon, we're going shopping in the morning to return everything we didn't like and buy something smashling, darling."}, {"response": 182, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (17:57)", "body": "And here it is..."}, {"response": 183, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (17:59)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Moon I can see, you have been partying with a beautiful crowd of both men (or should I say man) and women ;-) Enjoy your party! I couldn't find any roses with your name, but found this one, which is nick-named Moonflower, where I come from:"}, {"response": 184, "author": "soph", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (18:04)", "body": "ah, moon, i can see you're more the 'swinging martini & suit' kind of girl... no trauma for you, well, i've got news : dear peter has been expecting you all day. he was a bit gloomy that you didn't call, but i'm sure if you pay him a visit, he'll cheer up eventually... animatronicolin 1.5, as suave as they get a very happy birthday to you ! *warning : 112 ko file*"}, {"response": 185, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (18:04)", "body": "Boy G and moi?! Now here are two people that I guarantee will not have the same taste in fashion, make-up maybe, but not fashion. I scarry thought, Karen, LOL! Evelyn, cosa posso dire? I love the tiara, and the fit is just right, grazie mille dal cuore. :-) Of course, you've made my night by including me as David's muse. This is a job I happily fulfill. And Silvio caro. I hope all is going as planned for tomorrow's Articolo 18 vote. Forza Milan!!!"}, {"response": 186, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (18:04)", "body": ""}, {"response": 187, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (18:12)", "body": "Merci beaucoup, Sophie! I am happy to liven up dear old boy Peter. We'll be dancing soon too. Annette, lovely and delicate flower, thank you! I just put one on my tiara, this might just start a trend. :-) Karen, how many Cosmos have you had? Mmmm, delish."}, {"response": 188, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (18:14)", "body": "ROTF, Karen! I will assume he's referring to George Clooney. ;-)"}, {"response": 189, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (18:14)", "body": "(Moon) Boy G and moi?! Now here are two people that I guarantee will not have the same taste in fashion, make-up maybe, but not fashion. LOL! But I can just see you, Boy G and Rupi doing lunch sometime. ;-)"}, {"response": 190, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (18:16)", "body": "Well lunch anytime. I am not afraid of them. ;-)"}, {"response": 191, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (18:30)", "body": "Even though I promised not to invite Rupe to any more of your parties, he's been very sad and complains that you never write and you never call. But Madge has a special message for you this year: Hon, you can take my place at anytime."}, {"response": 192, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (18:36)", "body": "This event would not be complete without our boy Geoffrey's special, once-a-year-appearance to entertain Moon:"}, {"response": 193, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (18:58)", "body": "I do love that Geoffrey. Thank you, Karen. Now as to taking Madge's place, Rupe, absolutely not! Although, if you do come dress as a swashbuckler, I will go weak in the knees. ;-) Another round of Cosmos, ladies? :-D"}, {"response": 194, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (19:48)", "body": "Oh no......I\ufffdve overslept! I\ufffdm late for Moon\ufffds party."}, {"response": 195, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (20:04)", "body": "Moon, I\ufffdve brought my roommate, Jack, with me. He\ufffds a Gemini, too, although I don\ufffdt think you two have much in common\ufffd.. Birthday Greetings from Apartment Zero. (Love the music, BTW.)"}, {"response": 196, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (20:09)", "body": "Should I look tropical, yet sophisticated?= Or.....is it a beach party where this would be useful. Maybe my Speedos instead? Hmmm....."}, {"response": 197, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (20:11)", "body": "Or this tropical yet sophisticated look...."}, {"response": 198, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (20:38)", "body": "What kind of people will be there and what kind of activities are planned? If it\ufffds a more formal affair..... I have a tux that Ivor Novello lent me in case I\ufffdm called on to entertain Moon with some singing and piano playing. And Mr. Knightly was so kind to lend me a nice period outfit just in case there were some lawn games, though I think I'll wilt in the humidity in this getup."}, {"response": 199, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (20:40)", "body": "Remember, Moon, that LisaJH is just across the river from my hometown, and I\ufffdve promised you both a little tour the next time I\ufffdm in the Greater Cincinnati area for a visit with my parents. Happy Birthday, dear Moon!"}, {"response": 200, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (20:44)", "body": "And I hope you don't mind I brought my friend Emma to help you celebrate. I'm trying to help her meet someone to keep her nose out of everyone else's business, including mine. ;-)"}, {"response": 201, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (20:50)", "body": "But with such intellectual equals as Mr. Rushdie and Lord Archer in attendance, maybe suave and enigmatic is the best way to go."}, {"response": 202, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jun 14, 2003 (21:23)", "body": "But, Moon, ultimately the day, and night, is to celebrate your birthday. So I\ufffdm putting on my dancing shoes, doing my best Saturday Night Fever imitation, and taking you out on the town! With your DH\ufffds permission, of course. Mmmmm, with the whole night ahead of us, just imagine the possibilities. I\ufffdll bet I can make you forget Colin, the Georges (Boy and the other one), and all the others...."}, {"response": 203, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jun 15, 2003 (11:11)", "body": "Thank you, Dorine for bringing Jeremy. He got here just in time, in fact, we've been dancing all night. He even played my favourite, \"Embrace Me\" and you can imagine what happened afterwards. ;-D We are now off to the beach. BTW, Emma went home with Beck. ;-) LisaJH, it will be fun getting that tour of his parents home, once there, I'm sure the two of us we can take him to the Rock'n Roll Museum for some R&R too. :-) And thanks for bringing the guys from AZ. I see where he's getting his Trauma inspiration. ;-) And a good time was had by all! Thank you, ladies!"}, {"response": 204, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jun 15, 2003 (23:41)", "body": "Kate) I wouldn't think the added number would be \"Class,\" because it doesn't sound like a dance number. (Dorine) May not be a dance number, but it had been filmed, then cut before release with the intention of putting it on the DVD. (Kate) I knew that \"class\" had been cut. Assumed the same was true of \"we move on.\" Nothing filmed for \"we move on\" then? Nothing filmed from what I heard. Rob Marshall only spoke of \"Class\" when referring to cut scenes/songs. I believe \"We Move On\" was tacked on at the end only to have something to qualify for the Oscar for Best Song. Unfortunately, when Kander and Ebb came to one of my film classes, I was unable to make it that night due to a work dinner event I couldn't get out of, or go late to, as the boss was in town (Nice guy, bad timing). I think just having the song tacked on at the end was the most I heard about it. That's not saying there's not more info out there I didn't hear or read about it."}, {"response": 205, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (08:35)", "body": ""}, {"response": 206, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (09:15)", "body": ""}, {"response": 207, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (09:35)", "body": "Please take this kind of thing to email."}, {"response": 208, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (11:29)", "body": "You deleted my birthday wish!"}, {"response": 209, "author": "caribou", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (19:55)", "body": "The ever-late Caribou here to wish you a Happy Belated Birthday, Moon! I thought of you today when I found this old article: A Moon by Any Other Name American colonists named each full moon: January: Winter moon February: Trapper's moon March: Fish moon April: Planter's moon May: Milk moon June: Rose moon (Thought you would like that one too, Annette.) July: Summer moon August: Dog Days moon September: Harvest moon October: Hunter's moon (Definitely not a caribou's favorite.) November: Beaver moon December: Christmas moon Drool: Moon Dreams (How very insightful of those colonists!) Hope you have a great year and can use some of this info the next time you lunch! ;-)"}, {"response": 210, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jun 16, 2003 (22:22)", "body": "See? I told you all that things would work out fine.;-) From today's New York Post: GWYNETH HUNGRY FOR NEW HIT GWYNETH Paltrow has good reason to be depressed after playing suicidal poet Sylvia Plath - the movie is said to be less than a masterpiece. Spies with the production of \"Sylvia\" - formerly titled \"The Beekeeper\" and \"Ted & Sylvia\" - say it's a turkey. Paltrow dropped out of \"Happy Endings\" last month right before shooting was to start with Lisa Kudrow and Ray Liotta. \"She just needs some time off,\" her spokesman said then. But our source says, \"Gwyneth is really depressed about her career. She hasn't had a hit in a very long time. This is on top of the depression over her father's death.\" Paltrow's rep, Stephen Huvane, said: \"We are doing an Oscar push for the movie which will be released the first week of October. \"Gwyneth saw the [first draft of] the movie and thinks it's the best thing she has ever done. We have already booked three covers of three major magazines - we are shooting one right now - to help promote the movie.\" A rep for Focus Films, the indie production house that is putting out \"Sylvia,\" said: \"We are releasing 'Sylvia' this fall and are very excited about it.\" Despite Paltrow \"needing some time off,\" the flaxen-haired beauty is heading back to work in September to film a project titled \"Proof.\" Her sci-fi thriller with Jude Law, \"The World of Tomorrow,\" is due for release next year. She plays a reporter investigating the disappearance of scientists at the 1939 World's Fair. Meanwhile, at least Paltrow's love life is going well with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. The British press went frantic when Paltrow's mom, Blythe Danner, recently threw a party at her Los Angeles home - a fete the reporters guessed was an engagement party. Huvane assured us, \"Gwyneth is not engaged. Her mother hosted a party for charity last week in her Los Angeles home, so that's why all the celebrities [including Paltrow's godfather Steven Spielberg] were there.\" But Paltrow looked happy at China Club Thursday night as Coldplay performed. One witness said, \"She watched proudly and jived along with every note.\" After the performance, the 1,000 fans in attendance were invited to do a Q&A with the band, although no questions about Martin and Paltrow were allowed."}, {"response": 211, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (00:25)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Beedee! IF JUNE 17 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY ...your self-reliance and ability to handle responsibility have others leaning on you for support. Whatever you decide, you usually get it done. Personal sacrifice comes easily. Your passion is intense and all the way. This is a year for new beginnings, self-improvement and advancement. Letters H, Q and Z follow you. September brings a move or domestic adjustment; December love and money. ************** Today's Birthdays: 1239 Edward I king of England (1272-1307) 1703 John Wesley cofounded Methodist movement/author 1742 William Hooper signed Decl of Ind 1811 Jon Sigurdsson Iceland, leader/collects Icelandic legends 1818 Charles Gounod Paris, France, opera composer (Faust) 1832 Sir William Crookes chemist/physicist; discovered thallium 1858 Eben Sumner Draper former MA Gov 1867 John Robert Gregg Ireland, inventor (shorthand) 1870 George Cormack created \"Wheaties\" cereal 1871 James Weldon Johnson lawyer, 1st black admitted to Florida Bar 1882 Igor Stravinsky Oranienbaum, Russia, composer (The Rite of Spring) 19-- Irwin \"Sonny\" Fox Bkln NY, TV host (Wonderama, $64,000 Challenge) 19-- Jason Patric actor (Lost Boys, Solar Babies) 19-- Michael Monroe rock vocalist (Hanoi Rocks, Ain't it Fun) 19-- Paul Stevens actor (Young & Restless) 1904 Ralph Bellamy Chicago, actor (Air Mail, Dive Bomber, Trading Places) 1910 Red Foley Blue Lick Ky, country singer (Mr Smith Goes to Washington) 1912 Don Gillis Cameron Missouri, composer (Symphony #5\ufffd) 1914 John Hersey author (Hiroshima, A Bell for Adano) 1915 Stringbean [David Akeman], Ky, banjoist/comedian (Hee Haw) 1919 Kingman Brewster college president (Yale) 1920 Beryl Reid actress (Joseph Andrews, Psycho Mania, Yellowbeard) 1920 Fran\ufffdois Jacob France, biologist/bacteriologist (Nobel 1965) 1922 Jerry Fielding Pitts Pa, orch leader (Lively Ones) 1923 Elroy (Crazylegs) Hirsch AAFC, NFL halfback, end (LA Rams) 1925 Keith Larsen Salt Lake City Utah, actor (The Hunter, Brave Eagle) 1928 James Brown rocker (Hot Pants) 1929 Tigran Petrosyan USSR, world chess champion (1963-69) 1931 Virginia McKenna London, actress (Born Free, Gathering Storm) 1940 Bobby Bell NFL linebacker (KC Chiefs) 1942 Norman Kuhlice England, rocker (Swinging Blue Jeans-You're No Good) 1945 Eddy Merckx Belguim, cyclist (5 time winner of Tour de France) 1946 Barry Manilow NYC, singer (Mandy) 1948 David Concepcion Venezuela, all star shortstop (Cincinatti Reds) 1948 Phylicia Allen Ayers Rashad Houston Tx, actress (Cosby) 1951 Joe Piscopo Passaic NJ, comedian (SNL, Miller Lite commercials) 1954 Mark Linn-Baker St Louis, actor (Larry Appleton-Perfect Strangers) 1958 Dan McVicar Independence Mo, actor (Clarke-Bold & Beautiful) 1964 Michael Gross West Germany, swimmer (Olympic-2 world records-1984) 1965 Kami Cotler Long Beach Calif, actress (Elizabeth-The Waltons) 1969 Kevin Thornton vocalist (Color Me Badd-I Want to Sex You Up) 1975 Frederick Koehler Queens NY, actor (Chip-Kate & Allie) 1977 Jason Miller Silver Springs Md, actor (New Mickey Mouse Club) On this day... 653 St Martin I ends his reign as Catholic Pope 676 Deusdedit III ends his reign as Catholic Pope 1397 Union of Kalmar established between Denmark, Sweden & Norway 1579 Sir Francis Drake lands on the coast of Calif 1745 American colonials capture Louisburg, Cape Breton I from French 1775 Battle of Bunker Hill (actually it was Breed's Hill) 1789 3rd Estate in France declared itself a national assembly 1837 Charles Goodyear obtains his 1st rubber patent 1850 Paddle-wheeler \"G P Griffith\" burns off Mentor Ohio (206 die) 1856 Republican Party opens its 1st national convention in Philadelphia 1863 Battle of Aldie, Confederates fail to drive back the Union in Virginia 1863 Travelers Insurance Co of Hartford chartered (1st accident insurer) 1876 1st to hit 2 HRs; & score 5 runs in 9 inn NL game (George Hall, A's) 1880 John Ward, Providence, pitches perfect game vs Buffalo 1882 Tornado kills 130 in Iowa 1885 Statue of Liberty arrived in NYC aboard French ship `Isere' 1894 1st US poliomyelitis epidemic breaks out, Rutland, Vermont 1895 US Ship Canal (W 225th St) in the Bronx completed; cutting Marble Hill off from Manhattan 1897 William Frank Powell, NJ educator, named minister to Haiti 1909 A Kopff discovers asteroid #682 Hagar 1919 \"Barney Google\" cartoon strip, by Billy De Beck, premiers 1928 Amelia Earhart leaves Nfld to become 1st woman to fly the Atlantic (as a passenger in a plane piloted by Wilmer Stultz) 1930 Chuck Klein sets Phillies hitting streak at 26 straight games 1937 Marx Brothers' \"A Day At The Races\" opens in NY 1940 France asks Germany for terms of surrender in WW II 1942 1st WW II American expeditionary force lands in Africa (Gold Coast) 1944 Republic of Iceland proclaimed at Thingvallir, Iceland 1945 Day of Unity in West Germany (National Day) 1946 SW Bell innaugurates mobile telephone commercial service, St Louis 1947 1st round-the-world civil air service leaves NYC 1948 Joe Cronin pinch"}, {"response": 212, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (03:21)", "body": "BeeDee!"}, {"response": 213, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (03:34)", "body": "Good Morning, Beedee! As you can see, I\ufffdm just getting ready to pop by and serve you a lovely birthday-breakfast. I\ufffdll just need a quick ciggy, before I go \ufffd btw, do you have a packet of Embassy, in case I need one after, hm . uhm \ufffd visiting you? I just called, to say I look gorgeous in a long coat (ed note: couldn\ufffdt help myself, hope you enjoy ;-)) Have a pinch, sorry a sip! Well, Beedee, I hope you\ufffdll have a great day. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! (Caribou)June: Rose moon (Thought you would like that one too, Annette.) Oh yes, I do!"}, {"response": 214, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (03:42)", "body": "Beedee, I'm so sorry :-( I don't know, why this allways happens to me - or maybe I do. Nevertheless, I won't take any more space messing things up, so please just follow the links, in case you would like to see the pictures to follow my greeting. http://www.firth.com/images/tiobe/cfinstyle_35.jpg http://www.firth.com/images/tiobe/trler011.jpg http://www.firth.com/images/tiobe/bts_cfphone.jpg http://www.chintzchina.com/xcoachingb.jpg http://www.koegebib.dk/grafik/Bogvoksen/rose.gif"}, {"response": 215, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (06:03)", "body": "Beedee, Happy birthday. Hope the day is great. I'm challenged in the pics department, and can't afford to mess up the board, so please enjoy the pics others are sending you."}, {"response": 216, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (06:31)", "body": "Look, Beedee, I've just come back from the beach, with some shiny pebbles for you to decorate your water garden. ...maybe not too shiny. Anyway, hope you like it. Happy Birthday!"}, {"response": 217, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (08:05)", "body": "Happy Birthday BeeDee!!! And this rather puffy haired young gentleman wishes to express his best wishes as well!"}, {"response": 218, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (08:22)", "body": "The gang\ufffds all here to laugh and cheer, Beedee, come out and play! It wouln\ufffdt be fair without Colin there To toast you quite this way. I don\ufffdt plan ahead, words flow from my head And make it easy to say, The nicest part comes from the heart, Dear Beedee, Happy Birthday!"}, {"response": 219, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (09:24)", "body": "If you look outside your window, this guy's been waiting for you for hours! Happy Birthday Beedee!!"}, {"response": 220, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (09:59)", "body": "Blast! I forgot the cake... Ahhh, here it is Happy Birthday Beedee"}, {"response": 221, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (10:13)", "body": "(Lisa)IF JUNE 17 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY ...your self-reliance and ability to handle responsibility have others leaning on you for support. Sure.......you can lean on me for peer support on our obsession any time;-) (L) Whatever you decide, you usually get it done. This might have been more accurate before I became a licensed Drooler! Personal sacrifice comes easily. Anything for ODB and my fellow firthettes, at least.... Your passion is intense and all the way. Have they been monitoring my net activities? That Ashcroft work fast! December love and money. Great! I'll be able to afford multiple viewings of GWAPE! 1928 James Brown rocker (Hot Pants) Nuff said;-) Thanks for the fun Lisa Thanks for the greeting KJ, I can read German! Annette, I followed the links, you just did that to make me feel better, no? Thanks for the great wishes from a land for away Leah! My, my - wot a sweet face Maria! I feel quite pervey, actually! Great poem Sonia! My poet daughter will be so impressed! Gah Karen! Of course you got it right! Who I've been waiting for with flowers no less! And you, you sweet Josie! How did you know that was what I was doing last night! Picking rocks on Seneca lake for my Garden! Thanks to all, I'm veklempt and gotta have a *lie down*."}, {"response": 222, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (10:28)", "body": "Even though walking is a fairly utilitarian reason for the work you've had done, think about the side benefits! *snort* Nevah thought I'd get to use this one again!"}, {"response": 223, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (10:49)", "body": "Beedee, here're some beautiful plants for you!"}, {"response": 224, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (11:04)", "body": "Oh, and goldfish too!"}, {"response": 225, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (11:06)", "body": "C'mon then, let's crash BeeDee's birthday party!"}, {"response": 226, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (11:09)", "body": "I'm waiting for BeeDee to join me...."}, {"response": 227, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (11:11)", "body": "Here you are!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BEEDEE"}, {"response": 228, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (11:12)", "body": "I'm waiting for BeeDee to join me...."}, {"response": 229, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (11:14)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Beedee! \"You know I'm going to need a foot massage at every break in my next film, the Bollywood inspired, Kama Sutra Cornuto. So here's your chance to show off your feet too\". :-D Top 21 Reasons To Be A Belly Dancer to be a dancer in my next film! 21. So you can subscribe to magazines with names like \"Wiggle Hips\". 20. It doesn't seem so much like \"exercise\" when you're wearing chiffon. 19. So you can entertain yourself at stoplights by practicing chest isolations. 18. The camel saddle you've had since the 60's now fits with your decor! 17. So you can leave a trail of beads, coins, and sequins wherever you go instead of bread crumbs. 16. You can name your cat Mizmar and lots of people you know will get the joke. 15. So you can fend off indecent advances from club owners at 2:00 in the morning. 14. So your spouse can whine to his friends about being a belly dancing widower. 13. So you can actually do something useful with what you learned in those sewing classes you took as a teen-ager. 12. So you can annoy your non-dancing friends and co-workers by begging them to come watch all your shows. 11. So strangers will tuck money into your clothing or shower it over your head. 10. So strangers will invite you to their parties. 9. So you can have a perfectly good reason to tote around a sword. 8. So you can enjoy the improvement in your sex life. 7. So you can finally learn how to work your CD/tape player. 6. So friends will start buying you little camel statues. 5. So you can have yet another excuse for rummaging through thrift shops in search of bargains. 4. So you can find yourself singing along to lyrics in a foreign language with no idea of what they mean. 3. So you can get a giggle out of watching people's expressions when you tell them what you do for fun. 2. So you can shock your old high school classmates by showing up in costume at the next high school reunion and doing a full show. And the Number 1 reason to be a belly dancer: 1. Costumes! Costumes! Costumes! Costumes! Costumes! Costumes!"}, {"response": 230, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (12:40)", "body": "Thanks for the cake linda but those guys had me spewing it out all over my screen and keyboard! Now I've got to clean it up before the DH comes in! Karen! You are responsible for the first snot and spew! You gotta let me explain and not on emails!! Girls!! I recently had some intense foot surgery! CF is really my only current fetish, I swear it...ROTFLMAO! Thanks for the plants Josie, are they covering Karen's post? Mari and Evelyn! On topic with those great smiles! I'm saving them and hope to have my own specimins for study. And Moon! You are responsible for the second snot and spew. There are too many of those *reasons* to respond to since too many are appropriate. I loved the young Henry in his hippie gear remember? But how could you know that I have more costumes in my possession than street clothes?! I have hats, gloves, purses.........perhaps I do have another fetish. Thanks everyone for a rolicking party. I'd be kicking my legs up with you but I'd fall off my crutch;-)"}, {"response": 231, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (13:04)", "body": "CF is really my only current fetish, I swear it... If that's the case, then I understand why you brought in this pic to give the surgeon a better idea of what you wanted. *snort*"}, {"response": 232, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (13:12)", "body": "Hey Beedee! It's Your Birthday! It's Your Birthday!! okay, that is a bit of a song we sang as kids...forgive... Oh...and sorry to hear about your surgery! Hope you're 'on your feet' again soon! okay, this little guy looks a bit beat up, but I'm assuming it is because he keeps falling off his crutches...when we're not watching....;-)"}, {"response": 233, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (14:19)", "body": "Dearest, loveliest Beedee, Birthday greetings from Rosings Park.. So sorry to hear about your foot. Can't wait until you're back on your dancing feet again. Pray, wot is a belly dancer? (P.S. That Regency tart LisaJH couldn't find the \"On foot\" picture....) Karen and Moon, LMAO!"}, {"response": 234, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (15:31)", "body": "(Regency tart LisaJH) (P.S. That Regency tart LisaJH couldn't find the \"On foot\" picture....) What's all this about feet? Happy Birthday, Beedee!"}, {"response": 235, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (15:37)", "body": "Thanks so much again! In my last post I wrote snot and spew, but I was so stupid I didn't mean what I meant....... Which was *snort* and spew but my keyboard was a mess and my fingers must have slipped off the *r*s. (Karen)If that's the case, then I understand why you brought in this pic to give the surgeon a better idea of what you wanted. *snort* Oh yes! Those are the ones! I would have taken those home instead of the lollypop;-) Then karen's post would have been very appropriate;-O Did I say that? Remember \"moses supposes his toeses are roses....\" They must have been thinking of us! (Tress)okay, this little guy looks a bit beat up, but I'm assuming it is because he keeps falling off his crutches...when we're not watching....;-) LOL Tress! This little guy looks familiar;-) Thanks for the cake since I choked on the last one LMAO! (Lisa) Pray, wot is a belly dancer? LOL, I would love to hear that voice say dearest, loveliest Barbara! In my dreams! And can't you just imagine FD saying \"wot is a belly dancer?\"! You guys are nuts!! I have heard oh so very many foot jokes this past month but this beats em all by a long shot, but so few IFL know the \"target\" as well as you do. My sides are beginning to hurt!"}, {"response": 236, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (15:39)", "body": "(FD)What's all this about feet? Oh, Mr Darcy, is that a shoe horn in your pocket or are you just following direction? Thanks Rika!"}, {"response": 237, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (16:20)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEEDEE. I'm graphics illiterate so can only convey my best wishes in this rather subdued way. Enjoy your special day."}, {"response": 238, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (17:05)", "body": "and while we're at it... Birthday Greeting from Livia"}, {"response": 239, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (17:34)", "body": "Hi Beedee, I was sent to make up for the lousy presentation, Annette caused this morning. I may not be the most popular of rolls, but I do look very handsome, don't you think? Anyway, Annette asked me to make up to you in some way, and since I never got a real crack at Shakespeare (BA doesn't really count), I'll recite this for you: He jests at scars, that never felt a wound. But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun! Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, Who is already sick and pale with grief, That thou her maid art far more fair than she. Be not her maid, since she is envious; Her vestal livery is but sick and green, And none but fools do wear it; cast if off. It is my lady. O, it is my love! O that she knew she were! She speaks, yet she says nothing: what of that? Her eyes discourses; I will answer it. I am too bold, \ufffdtis not to me she speaks: Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven, Having some business, do entreat her eyes To twinkle in their spheres till they return. What if her eyes were there, they in her head? The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars As daylight doth a lamp. Her eyes in heaven Would through the airy region stream so bright That birds would sing and think it were not night. O that I were a glove upon that hand, That I might touch that check. A few comments from me (Annette, that is): You have got some very talented guests, Beedee. Capital, capital ;-) Hope you will soon be on your feet again. I can see by your postings, that you are on your toes, nothing wrong there ;-) About the belly-dancing. There actually is a HS-link here: One of the \"moves\" you have to practice in order to learn to belly-dance is \"the butterfly\" (I'll show you one day, when we are alone). crossing fingers and hoping it will turn out right this time"}, {"response": 240, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (17:41)", "body": "Happy Birthday!!! I wish I could post some delicious, special picture, but as I have none of my own (and don't want to steal), I thought I'd just have you imagine ODB serenading you with \"Happy Birthday\" on his guitar. Yes, I know it's a pretty pathetic way of sending my congratulations. I'm sorry."}, {"response": 241, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (17:42)", "body": "\"A packet of Embassy's please\" \"You're out? Wot do you mean you're out?\" Wishing you a very happy birthday, BeeDee!! (with grateful thanks to Rika)"}, {"response": 242, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (18:43)", "body": "Beedee"}, {"response": 243, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (19:10)", "body": "Your favorite Darcy was going to join me in wishing you a Happy Birthday, but he says I will never post graphics and pics well unless I practice more. However, he sends his best wishes for your health and happiness, and so do I! Happy Birthday, BeeDee!!!"}, {"response": 244, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (22:29)", "body": "(Allen P)I was sent to make up for the lousy presentation, Annette caused this morning. I may not be the most popular of rolls, but I do look very handsome, don't you think? I think you look very handsome! But I can't get past the company you keep! I will, however, keep your \"likeness\" since I might never get another opportunity;-) (WS)But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun! How did you know that this is a favorite of mine? \"You are very good, Annette. Did I remember to thank you for that lovely *old* rose? A beauty! (Annette)One of the \"moves\" you have to practice in order to learn to belly-dance is \"the butterfly\" (I'll show you one day, when we are alone). I have heard and read of this butterfly business and am more than ready to experience it first hand or foot or .......... And I will let you know when I'm alone!!! I'm working on it now! (Shoshanna)I thought I'd just have you imagine ODB serenading you with \"Happy Birthday\" on his guitar. Oooo, I'd love to \"come down\" in an instant if he showed up with his guitar! Thanks for the lovely imagage! I'm very adept at CF fantasies! Thanks for this one. (MD)\"A packet of Embassy's please\" \"You're out? Wot do you mean you're out?\" Someone named Beedee bought them all up. The real and the imaginary ones! And she ended up half way into the dog house as a result! But kind hearted Ada brought out a blanket and some kibble so it wasn't so bad. Wot a beautiful face you have on you! (Hen)but he says I will never post graphics and pics well unless I practice more. But when you do you will be a true proficient! Keep your eyes on the prize! Sept 10! That's when we both got hooked here and when we thought these wonderful women were beyond our abilities! It's the obsession that counts here. Thanks for your wishes. (Pam)HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEEDEE. I'm graphics illiterate so can only convey my best wishes in this rather subdued way. Enjoy your special day. Hey fellow Gemini! Your best wishes are appreciated and you and your fellow droolers made this a very special day! Birthday Greeting from Livia So Karen, you think I got a chance now? I mean when the scars go away? Am heavy on the vitamin E cream..... I don't know if I'll ever wear opened toes shoes again. But, though I have thrown away the crutch and the cane I still have a bit of a gimp. It's still very much like a Robert lawrence gait. An award winning walk! Karen, You have busted my gut today! Not a very lady like comment I know but there it is!"}, {"response": 245, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jun 17, 2003 (22:40)", "body": "(Josie)Oh, and goldfish too! By the way Josie, the fish have aclimatised wonderfully and are swimming along with the rest of my guys! When will you be by to help feed them? I'm closing in on the witching hour and I want to thank one and all for a lovely day and amzing photos,lovely wishes and gut busting belly laughs. Getting older never felt this good! See newbees, there's no reason for a cure;-)"}, {"response": 246, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (17:35)", "body": "It'll be Dame Kristen Scott Thomas...along with honorees Helen Mirren and Geraldine James OBE on the Queen's Birthday Honours list last Saturday. And Simon Russell Beale CBE .(No surprise there, he's a favorite of the West End)"}, {"response": 247, "author": "CeeJ", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (22:52)", "body": "This is my best effort (today, hopefully it will get much better!) to honor the birthdays of Moon, BeeDee and Pam! A neophytes best effort, but I must add that you people, and more particularly, you birthday people, are an inspiration!! Pam, sorry for the belated notice, but I have to assume you were almost born by now! (which pretty much means you reside in a different hemisphere, fingers crossed.) Happy birthday wishes to each of you! Pray, continue with the fete! I myself indulge in celebrations at least a week before and a week after the actual date, and I make most of my friends participate! And p.s., have you each been introduced to the birthday shudder? I have it on good authority that annually at the time of your birth (assuming you have that info, assuming you are actually awake), that if you focus, you WILL experience a palpable \"shudder,\" reminding you of your birth (joy!). This was told to me by a very carefully reared, mystically-raised, Philipina (chinese, spanish woman, that knows about these things! Test it! MD: Look you quite clearly said you'd send her a birthday note from BOTH of us and now it looks to her as though I'M the one that forgot! She'll forgive you anything!! CF: Bollocks. Crikey. CF: I'm telling you it was NOT my fault! I would never never ever forget her nativity!! MD: Uh-huh. Nevah. You must believe him. CF: Shhhhh. I'm not going to expose my flaws and if you know what's good for you, you won't say a word either. MD: I'm really really scared. CF: Wait a minute. Maybe I should expose -- will you allow me, or do I ask too much, to introduce my lesser-clad self to your acquaintance -- as a belated present?! CF: (editor note: paraphrased from Chapter 58, last part) Ladies, you are all most unaffectedly modest. Your diffidence has prevented your depending on your own judgment in so anxious a case as this, but your reliance on me makes everything easy. I am obliged to confess one thing which may offend you, and not unjustly, offend others. I cannot allow myself to conceal that your sisters' birthdays have been known to me for some time -- and I have purposefully kept it to myself since last winter. You are angry, but your anger, I am persuaded, will last no longer than you remain in doubt as to my serious sentiments. You must heartily forgive me now. I hope I do not suffer from a misapprehension. Forgive me.?! Happy Happy (belated) Birthday!!"}, {"response": 248, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (23:02)", "body": "closing font color tag"}, {"response": 249, "author": "CeeJ", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (23:03)", "body": ""}, {"response": 250, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (23:06)", "body": "OMG! I do, I do forgive you!! But only if you come through with that *butterfly* thing! Hey CeeJ! You must have spent all night in study hall! I must have been outside trying to bum one of those Amnesties, or are they embassys.....? Great job!"}, {"response": 251, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (23:06)", "body": "Now close that color tag;-)"}, {"response": 252, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (23:14)", "body": "I've been informed of another June birthday! Shoshana, one of our newest members of the Class of 2003, has her birthday on June 23."}, {"response": 253, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 18, 2003 (23:18)", "body": "Note to all newbies: Do not hit Reload or Refresh to see new messages here, especially if you have posted a message. It will repost your message. Instead, go up to the location bar and hit enter, or go back to the Main Drool page to see if any new messages have been posted. Topics with new messages will be highlighted."}, {"response": 254, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (00:06)", "body": "We have heard the most surprising news! Shazza heard from Tom who heard from his boyfriend that it's Pam's Birthday!!\" Happy Birthday Pam! From your Virtual Family!!!"}, {"response": 255, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (00:08)", "body": "\u201cWot? You didn\u2019t notice me until you saw the other Darcy? For that you deserve a birthday spanking, Pam!\u201d"}, {"response": 256, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (00:34)", "body": "It's 1:15 in the morning and I'm up late because I wanted to be the first to wish Pam a happy birthday but I see that Bridget got there first! Well I brought you some flowers........ And....... Chocolates.... I must have a lie down now so have a great start on your birthday, I'm sure I'll join you later Madame de Pam!"}, {"response": 257, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (01:33)", "body": "Hi Pam! As far as I remember, you have a weak spot for Lost Empires. So \ufffd I thought you should have this as a birthday-song: Down at the old Bull and Bush. Come, come, come and make eyes at me, Down at the old Bull and Bush. (da-da-da-da-da) Come, come, drink some port wine with me, Down at the old Bull and Bush. Hear the little German band. (ta-ra-ra-ra-oompa-pa) Just let me hold your hand dear? Do, do come and have a drink or two, Down at the old Bull and Bush!! (bush, bush) Just close your eyes, imagine you and ODB in period clothes, having a ball ;-) and to match your date, here\ufffds a flower for you: Happy Birthday!"}, {"response": 258, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (02:37)", "body": "Pam Someone's Thinking of You!"}, {"response": 259, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (05:43)", "body": "I'm on my way, Pam...I just need to get rid of this little French tart."}, {"response": 260, "author": "Leah", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (06:00)", "body": "Pam, have a great birthday. (how can you not with the party going on!)"}, {"response": 261, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (07:15)", "body": "A few of your particular favorites have come to wish you a Very Happy Birthday Pam!!! This young and easily seducable young fellow insisted on being first.. Football is just a front Pam, he really just wants to get you alone! This girl had her chance, and then found her thoughts ridiculously consumed by lingerie, Mark Darcy has requested post party time alone with you, don't make the same mistake! Have a great day Pam!!"}, {"response": 262, "author": "socadook", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (09:45)", "body": "A few good men, just for you, Pam, To help you celebrate. Flowers and joy, and ODB A perfect birthday date. Accept this verse, it could be worse As I wish you today, A somewhat funny and even drooly, Lovely and happy birthday."}, {"response": 263, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (09:48)", "body": "YESSSSSSS!!!! I get cake!!!! Happy Birthday, Pam!!"}, {"response": 264, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (10:10)", "body": "This is a pretty lame excuse for a party hat. Thank heavens somebody brought the confetti! Pam"}, {"response": 265, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (10:54)", "body": "Pam!! Have a great day!!"}, {"response": 266, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (11:35)", "body": "Pam, it *Looks* like you are having a wonderful birthday celebration. I would like to add my *esteem and admiration* for you from Pemberly. Oh! And I have brought a cake for you....."}, {"response": 267, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (11:49)", "body": "OH WHAT A LOVELY PARTY THIS IS!!!! I can't thank you all enough, Karen, CeeJ - What fun. I never thought CF and MD would be arguing over my birthday, how thrilling. Tress my favorite girls to party with, I know I'll never be the same after a night with them and Colin can have as much cake as he wants and so much more. Kathy I'll take a spanking from him anytime especially in his wet shirt, but as for his choice of hat, it's what's under it that counts. Anxiously awaiting CF's arrival BeeDee and really appreciate his staying up so late to wish my a HBD, I hope he's really well-rested. He's going to need all his strength ;-) What could be more romantic than a pub with Richard and my beautiful flower Annette. You've brought back fond memories of my time spent in England, and its pubs singing Bull and Bush. Made even better now with Richard. Can't believe he's choosing me over the French Tart, Linda, but am ecstatic and anxiously awaiting him. Maybe I better take a nap ;-) Leah, what a great party were having, I'm so glad you're here. ichard, Paul, Mark OMG Maria it doesn't get any better than that and I know Paul wants me, how could he not? Would never make Bridget's mistake with pants, Mark knows I don't wear any ;-) Sonia, with CF and all my wonderful friends there couldn't be a better party. Thank you so much for the lovely poem. THANK YOU SO MUCH EVERYONE. WHAT A WONDERFUL PARTY AND WONDERFUL DAY."}, {"response": 268, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (11:56)", "body": "A birthday card for Pam? Of course I'll sign it. Pam, have a wonderful birthday! By the way, didn't I last see you stirring a cauldron? Love, Will"}, {"response": 269, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (12:08)", "body": "Celebrate the day, Pam.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY"}, {"response": 270, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (12:25)", "body": "Happy Birthday Pam, from your fellow technically challenged Drooler. The party's hoppin', so I hope you are having a great day. In the words of our dear Peter, Here's looking at you kid!"}, {"response": 271, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (12:34)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Pam! or should I say Buon Compleanno! You touch me with your admiration, thank you! Thanks to Maria for the lovely picture find."}, {"response": 272, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (12:36)", "body": "\u201cForget Ms. Hughes, can\u2019t you see it\u2019s you I love, Pam?\u201d Happy Birthday from Your Darling Paul"}, {"response": 273, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (13:38)", "body": "Happy Birthday,Pam! IF JUNE 19 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY ... you manage to gather your forces and prevail no matter how many setbacks. You're independent, creative and romantic with interests in music and sports. This year brings a new interest in spirituality and great benefits from lessons learned. There's long-distance travel this year connected with honors and rewards. December brings change. A, J and S are companions. *************************************** Today\ufffds Birthdays: 1556 James VI of Scotland (1567-1625)/James I of England (1603-25) 1623 Blaise Pascal mathematician/physicist/religious writer 1764 Jos\ufffd Gervasio Artigas general/father of Uruguay 1764 Sir John Barrow England, founded Royal Geographical Society 1783 Thomas Sully US portrait painter (Queen Victoria) 1856 Elbert Hubbard US, editor/publisher/author (Message to Garcia) 1865 Dame May Whitty Liverpool England, actress (Mrs Minerva) 1877 Charles Coburn Macon Ga, actor (Acad-1943, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes) 1878 James M Kilroe priest of St Mary Star of the Sea, in the Bronx 1889 Enrico Celio pres of Switzerland 1896 Mrs Simpson [Bessie Wallis Warfield), Duchess of Windsor, divorcee 1897 Moe Howard comedian (3 Stooges) 1900 Laura Hobson NYC, TV writer/panelist (I've Got a Secret) 1902 Guy Lombardo London Ontario Canada, orch leader (Auld Lang Syne) 1903 Henry Louis Gehrig 1st baseman (NY Yankees) \"Iron Horse\" 1905 George Voskovec Czech, actor (Fred-Nero Wolfe, Peter-Skag) 1908 Mildred Natwick Balt Md, actress (She Wore a Yellow Ribbon) 1908 Quentin N Burdick (Sen-D-NC) 1909 Osamu Dazai Japan, novelist (Tsugaru, No Longer Human) 1912 Jerry Jerome Bkln NY, saxophonist (Words & Music) 1912 Martin Gabel Phila, TV host (With this Ring) 1914 Alan Cranston (Sen-D-CA) Pres candidate 1914 Harry Lauter White Plains NY, actor (Waterfront) 1914 Lester Flatt Earl Scrugg's partner (Beverly Hillbillies theme) 1918 Evelle Jansen Younger prosecutor of Charles Manson, Sirhan Sirhan 1919 Louis Jourdan Marselles France, actor (Gigi, Can-Can, Madame Bovary) 1919 Pauline Kael movie critic (NY Times) 1921 Howell Heflin (Sen-D-AL) 1922 Aage Neals Bohr Denmark, physicist/study atomic nucleus (Nobel 1975) 1924 Leo Nomellini NFL defensive tackle (SF 49ers) 1928 Nancy Marchand Buffalo NY, actress (Beacon Hill, Margaret-Lou Grant) 1932 Marisa Pavan actress (John Paul Jones, Solomon & Sheba, Rose Tattoo) 1932 Pier Angeli Italy (Sodom & Gomorrah, Vintage, Battle of the Bulge) 1933 Viktor I Patsayev USSR, cosmonaut (Soyuz 11) 1936 Gena Rowlands Cambria Wisc, actress (Gloria, Tempest, Brinks Job) 1938 Charles Gwathmey architect (5 Architects) 1941 Marlene Warfield Queens NY, actress (Victoria-Maude) 1942 Elaine \"Spanky\" McFarlane rocker (Spanky & Our Gang-Lazy Day) 1943 Malcolm McDowell actor (Clockwork Orange, Caligula) 1945 Tim Hovey LA Calif, actor (Queen Bee, Toy Tiger, Man Afraid) 1947 Phylicia Ayers-Allen Rashad Houston, actress (Clair-Bill Cosby) 1947 Salman Rushdie novelist (Midnight's Children, Satanic Verses) 1949 Kathleen Turner Springfield Mo, actress (Peggy Sue Got Married) 1950 Connie Forslund San Diego Calif, actress (Shining Season) 1951 Ann Wilson San Diego, singer (Heart-What About Love) 1959 Mark DeBarge rocker (DeBarge-Who's Johnny) 1962 Paula Julie Abdul Van Nuys Calif, singer/choreographer (Straight Up) 1973 Josie Davis actress (Charles in Charge) 1978 Garfield the Cat animated character \"Big fat hairy deal\" 1984 Emil Coleman orchestra leader (Arthur Murray Party) On this day... 240 -BC- Eratosthenes estimates circumference of Earth 1586 English colonists sailed from Roanoke Island NC 1754 Albany Congress held by 7 British colonies & Iroquois indians 1778 Washington's troops finally leave Valley Forge 1835 New Orleans gives US govt Jackson Square to be used as a mint 1846 1st baseball game (Cartwright Rules)-NY Nines 23, Knickerbockers 1 1861 Anaheim Post Office established 1862 Slavery outlawed in US territories 1864 CSS \"Alabama\" sunk by USS \"Kearsarge\" off Cherbourg, France 1865 All slaves in Texas freed 1867 1st Belmont Stakes, Ruthless wins 1868 Maj Gen E R S Canby removes mayor of Columbia SC 1875 Formal opening of US Marine Hospital at Presidio 1889 Start of Sherlock Holmes adventure \"The Man with the Twisted Lip\" 1910 Father's Day celebrated for 1st time (Spokane, Wash) 1917 After WW I King George V ordered members of British royal family to dispense with German titles & surnames, they take the name Windsor 1930 C Jackson & H E Wood discovers asteroid #1595 Tanga 1931 1st photoelectric cell installed commercially West Haven Ct 1932 1st concert given in SF's Stern Grove 1932 Hailstones kill 200 in Hunan Province, China PR 1934 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) created 1938 \"Olympian Flyer\" express train crashes in Montana, killing 47 1938 Italy beats Hungary 4-1 in soccer's 3rd World Cup at Paris 1940 \"Brenda Starr,\" 1st cartoon strip by a woman, appears in Chicago 1943 NFL's Phila Eagles & Pitts Steelers merge, (disolves on Dec 5) 1946 1st TV spo"}, {"response": 274, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (13:45)", "body": "Pam, you\ufffdve never looked lovelier\ufffdbirthdays seem to agree with you!"}, {"response": 275, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (14:12)", "body": "Happy Birthday Pam! Forget about the French tart and enjoy this fruit tart, fresh from my baking business! That is if these two haven't eaten them all already..."}, {"response": 276, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (14:36)", "body": "Mr. Darcy and Birthday Cake, it doesn't get much better than that Beedee. But William Shakespeare signing my Birthday Card? How priviliged am I? I need a nice glass of Evelyn's champaign after that. Hic now that's better and I can look at his gorgeous smile Moon. Kathy, you've completed my wish list, Paul is leaving Sara for me, I knew if I was patient it would happen ;-) And LisaJ, I am an astrology buff, so am really into all these things, June 19th certainly was a busy day through the ages. I only wish birthdays agreed with me as well as they do you Mark. Mark thinks I'm lovely, he has such a way with words. Shoshana, LOL. Thank you for the French tart. You'd think Colin and Rupie would share with me for my Birthday. Looks like the way things get shared in my house. THANK YOU SO MUCH EVERYONE FOR YOUR KIND THOUGHTS. I AM REALLY ENJOYING THIS PARTY. IT IS WONDERFUL."}, {"response": 277, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (15:08)", "body": "That feels great, Pam, but since it\u2019s your birthday today, shouldn\u2019t I be giving you the massage?"}, {"response": 278, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (15:12)", "body": "Oy! Oy! Excuse me! Mics not working!! I just want to wish Pam a Happy Birthday!!"}, {"response": 279, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (15:25)", "body": "Wot? There's a birthday party for Pam? Give me a second to dump this broad and I'll be there!!! Happy Birthday, Pam! I hope you're having a great day!"}, {"response": 280, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (16:15)", "body": "Closing the font tag As the sargeant used to say on Hills Street Blues, \"Let's be careful out there.\" ;-D"}, {"response": 281, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (19:20)", "body": "THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR SUCH A WONDERFUL PARTY!!! Hen, this party is indeed hoppin. Your good wishes are so much appreciated. Mari that was indeed me at the cauldron Will wrote about, just didn't want to admit my real age. Kathy I would give anything to get a massage from him, but am perfectly happy giving it to him ;-) Tress my girlfriend Bridget can say anything she wants, she usually does. Just love her. Ada am really touched that he's dropping that broad to come to my party. Thank you so much everyone for such a wonderful day."}, {"response": 282, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (19:40)", "body": "I\"m a little late but Happy Birthday to Pam and BeeDee."}, {"response": 283, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (20:01)", "body": "Sheesh, first a French tart, and now two English ones! But Richard will be along soon, I promise! Happy birthday, Pam!"}, {"response": 284, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (21:31)", "body": "My Dearest Pam, I hear that you have been quite naughty at your party! Maybe we should retire to your room and write a letter to clear your reputation! And have a great evening!!"}, {"response": 285, "author": "kathness", "date": "Thu, Jun 19, 2003 (22:57)", "body": "Pam, you wanted a towel scene for your birthday, did you not? Oh, not this towel? And definitely not this bathing suit?! Oh well, Happy Birthday anyway!"}, {"response": 286, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (00:02)", "body": "Dear FanPam ... ...if a bit belatedly..."}, {"response": 287, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (09:04)", "body": "(Mary Murphy)Paramount Pictures and Lakeshore are aiming an early 2004 start for \"Piece of My Heart,\" with Renee Zellweger to star.... (You need a subscription to read more) (Janet)If this goes ahead, she'll not be shedding the pounds after BJD, as previously reported. I don't remember JJ being very slim. Renee' as Pearl? Maybe it's me but this is as hard to swallow as those 20 imaginary doughnuts! To my mind this casting sinks \"like a ball 'n chain\";-) But then RZ has surprised me before, is a Texan...... but the voice?"}, {"response": 288, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (09:13)", "body": ""}, {"response": 289, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (09:16)", "body": "So come on, come on... Yeah, the voice would seem to be somewhat of a stumbling block (but who remembers what her speaking voice was), but this is the kind of role she's jump at, a nonglam one that pushed her acting envelope. As a Texan, she wouldn't need a dialect coach. ;-D"}, {"response": 290, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (09:31)", "body": "Variety, 6/20/03 After years of film companies competing to get a Janis Joplin bio to the bigscreen, Paramount Pictures and Lakeshore are aiming an early 2004 start for \"Piece of My Heart,\" with Renee Zellweger to star. The actress will also produce the film with Lakeshore's Tom Rosenberg and Gary Lucchesi. \"Renee has been obsessed with Janis for years and is totally committed to this,\" said Rosenberg. \"We are looking to quickly bring aboard a writer-director so that this can be the picture she makes after the sequel to 'Bridget Jones's Diary.' \" Lakeshore has been developing its project for seven years, flirting with Brittany Murphy and Melissa Etheridge to play Joplin, who died at the age of 27 in 1970. Numerous drafts have been written, but Rosenberg and Lucchesi indicated that getting Zellweger makes it a whole new ballgame and that the shooting script will be determined by the actress and the writer-director they hire. Paramount Pictures chair Sherry Lansing was equally bullish: \"Janis Joplin's life is a story that needs to be told, and there is no one better to portray her than Renee Zellweger.\" Lucchesi said, \"Aside from Renee's talent, it's a plus that she's from Texas like Janis was because she can appreciate the courage it took to leave there and go to San Francisco and make a career rather than stay behind and conform to the life her parents were hoping for.\" The CAA-repped Zellweger will next be seen in \"Cold Mountain\" for Miramax. The film opens Dec. 25. Date in print: Fri., Jun. 20, 2003, Los Angeles (ed. Note- Janet may be right on about the weight thing\ufffd\ufffda two fer) Ok, Karen....RZ is one determined actress and anyway freedom's just another word for nothin left to loose;-)"}, {"response": 291, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (09:51)", "body": "(Murph)Paramount Pictures and Lakeshore are aiming an early 2004 start for \"Piece of My Heart,\" with Renee Zellweger to star.... I completely disapprove of this casting!!! :-( freedom's just another word for nothin left to loose;-) The losers will be the JJ fans. RZ is getting very greedy."}, {"response": 292, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (09:52)", "body": "*snort* Hey, and it's not like they're talking playing Mama Cass now, is it? ;-D I can picture her as JJ. [BTW, I think we should coordinate our \"14-day free trials\" at Variety to maximize our coverage. ;-D] ~~~~~~~~~~~ [Looks like he may be playing straight...] Everett finds 'Way' to Fellowes pic By Zorianna Kit Rupert Everett will star opposite Tom Wilkinson and Emily Watson in the British feature \"A Way Through the Woods,\" which marks the directorial debut of Oscar-winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes. Paul Smith's Celador Prods. is producing the project, with a September production start planned. \"Way\" is based on Nigel Balchin's novel of the same name, which Fellowes adapted. Wilkinson and Watson play a married couple whose lives are complicated when a third party, played by Everett, enters the picture. Celador's Christian Colson is producing. Everett, repped by ICM, is shooting \"A Different Loyalty\" opposite Sharon Stone."}, {"response": 293, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (09:53)", "body": "Sh...t! Emily Watson would be a much better JJ!"}, {"response": 294, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (09:56)", "body": "Renee will be perfect as JJ! What a role for her. Nothing greedy about going after great roles--and making them happen by taking on the producer's mantle. She is a savvy lady. And Janis was thin. Feelin' good was good enough for me . . ."}, {"response": 295, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (09:59)", "body": "(Moon) The losers will be the JJ fans. RZ is getting very greedy. Who would you like to see cast? Just curious....I remember thinking there was no way Val Kilmer could play Jim Morrison and being pleasantly surprised.... Melissa Etheridge could sound like JJ, but I don't know if she can act....and she's about fifteen years too old for the part. Britney Murphy is the right age, but she has that very distinct voice...would need a dialogue coach (I'm just going off of the ones mentioned in the article)."}, {"response": 296, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (10:05)", "body": "(Mari) And Janis was thin. She was that but was also a bit more zaftig, shall we say."}, {"response": 297, "author": "socadook", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (10:26)", "body": "(Moon) RZ is getting very greedy. To quote Denzel Washington in Philadelphia, \"explain this to me like I'm a six year old.\" :-) The story of a woman who goes against the grain in her small Texas town by being against segregation, discovers her true talent in a non-conventional career path, conquers the world of music yet whose life is cut short by an addiction she can't kick. How does taking on that role, a challenging role of someone v. famous that she admires, a role for which she is sure to be criticized by many even before she even walks on the set (she's been there, done that) make RZ very greedy? Seems more like an actor's dream. Would I love for CF to have a demanding and challenging role that would showcase his talent in a movie with possible wide theatrical release? You bet I would! And he doesn't even have to sing ;-)"}, {"response": 298, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (10:42)", "body": "(From the JJ official web site) She is currently the subject of two hotly contested biographical movie projects. Is this still accurate? (Dueling Janises?)"}, {"response": 299, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (11:07)", "body": "I'M ALL WORN OUT;-) Lucie and KJ thank you so much for your good wishes. Rika so glad you made it missed you. Richard was great;-) and Valmont and I wrote so many letters, there goes clearing my reputation, Tress, and Kathy when he showed up all he wore was the towel, said he lost the suit. What a lovely night. THANK YOU SO MUCH EVERYONE FOR A MOST MEMORIABLE BIRTHDAY. Thanks for the very interesting articles Murph and Karen. I also think Renee will be good in the roll. A challenge, perhaps, but a good showcase for her great skills. Perhaps she feels she's ready for a challenging roll. Good for her."}, {"response": 300, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (11:19)", "body": "(Tress), Who would you like to see cast? Just curious.... Emily Watson would be a much better JJ! (Moon) RZ is getting very greedy. (Sonia),To quote Denzel Washington in Philadelphia, \"explain this to me like I'm a six year old.\" :-) She's going after roles that would be better served by another actress just because she can \"own\" it with money and putting herself down as producer. It is a role for an Oscar nomination if done right and she is blinded by that Oscar. Val Kilmer nailed Jim Morrison. He was outstanding! What if Jim Carry or Tom Cruise that were big at the time, had insisted on the role? Britney Murphy comes off as such a bimbo. I don't like her at all."}, {"response": 301, "author": "socadook", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (12:01)", "body": "(Moon) What if Jim Carry or Tom Cruise that were big at the time, had insisted on the role? Yes, VK nailed it and made it his own. Yet, I'm one of those (in the minority probably) who thinks JC can act (you've read it here first ;-) says she ducking tomatoes and... hey that wasn't a tomato! ) just as I was one (in the minority) who thought Tom Hanks could act (back before anyone thought he'd ever get Oscars and the like). So, I would've kept an open mind had JC or even TC insisted on the role. She's going after roles that would be better served by another actress just because she can \"own\" it with money and putting herself down as producer. It is a role for an Oscar nomination if done right and she is blinded by that Oscar. I don't have the insight into RZ's character you seem to have. She comes across as an actress in control of her career and going after challenging projects, imho. Pretty sad if an actor's sole motivation is Oscar. :-( So many good roles (and actors) were never contenders."}, {"response": 302, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (12:05)", "body": "(From the JJ official web site) She is currently the subject of two hotly contested biographical movie projects. (Barb) Is this still accurate? (Dueling Janises?) Maybe Moon will get Emily Watson! ;-) I like the idea of RZ as JJ....just because every time I think an actor won't work, they usually surprise me (I would never have thought of Will Smith as Ali or Val Kilmer as Jim M or Jim Carrey (who I am not a fan of) as Andy Kaufman or Nicole Kidman as Virginia Wolff or....). If the script is good and she nails it...she'll get her Oscar...and not that I don't think Emily Watson couldn't do it. I think she's a great actress. Would probably make an amazing JJ and looks a bit like her."}, {"response": 303, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (12:24)", "body": "(Karen)[BTW, I think we should coordinate our \"14-day free trials\" at Variety to maximize our coverage. ;-D] You are uncanny! How did you know? I used up my time but signed up at home today;-) (Sonia)\"explain this to me like I'm a six year old.\" :-) LOL Sonia, now don't get me started on Denzel! Another drool muffin for me. How does taking on that role, a challenging role of someone v. famous that she admires, a role for which she is sure to be criticized by many even before she even walks on the set (she's been there, done that) make RZ very greedy? Seems more like an actor's dream. Ok, ok I'm getting over the initial shock. I first thought she was just after getting herself another Mercedes Benz ;-) But seriously folks, could it be worse than The Rose, that overwrought rip off? Could use something good to wipe that out of my mind."}, {"response": 304, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (13:18)", "body": "(Beedee) You are uncanny! How did you know? I used up my time but signed up at home today;-) I didn't know that but someone else here signed up too. RZ as Janis Joplin discussion here We don't need the same comments on two different topics and it is not about BJD anymore, having gotten past the production dates aspect."}, {"response": 305, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (14:37)", "body": "Told friend (who is as obsessed with JJ as I am with CF) about the RZ casting, and he also thinks it's inspired, as JJ was pretty-ish, too. He did say they'll have to add pockmark makeup, but I'd think that's quite easy to accomplish. Mari, he also brought up the Texas connection and that RZ's raspy speaking voice would translate easily to JJ-speak. (Am still waiting for her posthumous Christmas album to be released; her version of Silent Night is not to be missed! ;-))"}, {"response": 306, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (15:46)", "body": "(Tress), Who would you like to see cast? Just curious.... (Moon)Emily Watson would be a much better JJ! Me, I never liked JJ."}, {"response": 307, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (17:11)", "body": "Oh, incidentally ... Minkee! ... and many, many more... !"}, {"response": 308, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (18:18)", "body": "Ladies, since Minkee doesn't come here. Please email her your birthday greetings. Thanks"}, {"response": 309, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (18:22)", "body": "(Evelyn)Me, I never liked JJ. Even before she was dead?;-)"}, {"response": 310, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 20, 2003 (18:39)", "body": "LOL! Break another little bit of my heart, now darling"}, {"response": 311, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Jun 21, 2003 (02:12)", "body": "Who knows? They *might* be out there lurking ... ... for their 6th Big One ..."}, {"response": 312, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Jun 21, 2003 (03:52)", "body": "A very Happy Anniversary to Colin and Livia. And a Happy 21st Birthday to Prince William. -Finally, we do have a handsome prince in the Royal Family!!"}, {"response": 313, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Jun 21, 2003 (05:58)", "body": "Finally, we do have a handsome prince in the Royal Family!! Do you remember or have you ever seen pictures of Prince Andrew at the same age? ;-)"}, {"response": 314, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jun 21, 2003 (08:32)", "body": "Happy Anniversary Colin and Livia"}, {"response": 315, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 21, 2003 (10:35)", "body": "Evelyn)Me, I never liked JJ. (Bee Dee)Even before she was dead?;-) Dead or alive;-) I'm telling ya', these stars have a short shelf-life with me too;-) Happy Birthday Prince Andrew. Who knows maybe he lurks here too."}, {"response": 316, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 21, 2003 (10:36)", "body": "Oh shit..why doesn't someone close those center tags."}, {"response": 317, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jun 21, 2003 (10:55)", "body": "My fireworks have disappeared. Blast! Sorry Colin and Livia. Enjoy the day!"}, {"response": 318, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Jun 21, 2003 (11:50)", "body": "Happy Anniversery Colin and Livia! And many, many more!!! Happy Birthday to Prince William!! I'm getting old....I remember the day he was born....and it wasn't too long ago...now he's 21!! GAH!"}, {"response": 319, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Jun 21, 2003 (12:21)", "body": "I'm late here, (no big surprise, there). I'm sorry for having missed sending birthday felicitations to Pam. Happy (Belated) Birthday, Pam. I'm glad to see that you had a wonderful celebration. Happy Belated Birthday to all of you June birthday people: Moon, Minkee, et al. Hope everyone of you had great birthdays."}, {"response": 320, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (03:21)", "body": "Shoshana ... ...Just don't overdo it! ;-D ..."}, {"response": 321, "author": "Leah", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (05:36)", "body": "Shoshana, hope you have a great day!"}, {"response": 322, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (05:51)", "body": "Hi Shoshana!! I thought I\ufffdd introduce you to Paul. As far as I remember from your list, you haven\ufffdt had the pleasure of meeting him yet. This is how he looks like, having just received an offer which you cannot pass. He has his very own style in underwear Doesn\ufffdt he look great? But \ufffd he isn\ufffdt the best at picking out flowers, so you\ufffdll get one from me instead. Happy Birthday!! If I do not remember correctly about Fever Pitch, I hope you will enjoy a visit from Paul anyway ;-)"}, {"response": 323, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (07:48)", "body": "Nice news for Lola: Movie City News : \"The Hulk has landed a mighty blow, arriving with an estimated opening weekend gross of $63.5 million. For the record books it is the biggest June box office debut and the first time that a studio - in this instance Universal - has had three consecutive $50 million plus bows for new releases. In less than two months, Universal has gone from less than a 1% market share to close to 10% and is in excellent position to command the top position for the summer movie-going period.\""}, {"response": 324, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (08:26)", "body": "Wot?? Another Birthday?!! Libby, make sure you get a large enough cake...those Droolers are a ravenous lot! And don't forget the wine....the last time they threw a party here we ran out after the first hour... Shoshana!!!"}, {"response": 325, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (09:01)", "body": "Shoshana, ready to party? Here's a big birthday cake for you."}, {"response": 326, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (09:04)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Shoshana! IF JUNE 23 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY ... the twinkle in your heart helps others to smile even when life is difficult. You're romantic and intelligent. You're a good communicator who's often motivated by strong emotions. You can be the life of a party but withdraw if challenged. This year should see you escaping into music, art and metaphysics. It will be a year of awakening subtle forces within and without, of laying solid foundations and for getting married (if single). Don't speculate. **************** Today\ufffds Birthdays: 1763 Jos\ufffdphine Martinique, empress of France 1846 George Sax inventor (the saxophone) 1848 Antoine Joseph Sax inventor (the saxophone) 1875 Carl Milles Uppsala Sweden, fountain sculptor (Wedding of Rivers) 1876 Irvin S Cobb Ky, writer/humorist (Old Judge Priest) 1887 John Finley Williamson Canton Ohio, conductor (Westminster Choir) 1894 Alfred Kinsey entomologist/sexologist (Kinsey Report) 1894 Duke of Windsor [King Edward VIII of England] (briefly in 1936) 19-- Chuck Billy rocker (Testament-Souls of Black) 19-- Jim Metzler Newburgh NY, actor (Best Times, North & South) 19-- Joseph Roman South Phila, actor (Sgt Brill-Quincy ME) 19-- Lela Ivey actress (Edge of Night) 19-- Lizzy Borden rocker (Red Rum, Norturios) 1902 Dr Howard T Engstrom Boston, a designer of Univac computer 1904 Dr Carleton Coon prof of anthropology (What in the World) 1910 Jean Anouilh France, dramatist (Thieves' Carnival) 1911 David Ogilvy advertising whiz (Ogilvy & Mathers) 1912 Alan Turing mathematician pioneer in computer theory (Turing Machine) 1913 William P Rogers US secretary of state (1969-73) 1916 Irene Worth Nebraska, actress (Deathtrap, Nicolas & Alexandra) 1922 Francis Thorne Bay Shore NY, composer (Burlesque Overture) 1927 Bob Fosse Chicago Ill, choreographer/director (Cabaret, Damn Yankees) 1929 Dave King Twickenham England, comedian (Kraft Music Hall) 1929 Henri Pousseur Malm\ufffddy Belgium, composer (Homo Habitis) 1929 June Carter Cash Maces Spring Va, country singer (Johnny Cash Show) 1930 Donn F Eisele Columbus Ohio, Col USAF/astronaut (Apollo 7) 1933 Bert Convy game show host (Win, Lose or Draw) 1935 Gy\ufffdrgy K rp ti Hungary, water polo (Olympic-gold-1952, 56, 64) 1940 Adam Faith England, singer (Poor Me, What Do You Want?) 1940 Diana Trask Australia, singer (Sing Along With Mitch) 1940 Wilma Rudolph US, 100m/200m sprinter (Olympic-gold-1960) 1943 James Levine musical conductor (Tosca) 1946 Russ Thacker Wash DC, producer (Golden Seal) 1946 Ted Shackelford Okla City Okla, actor (Dallas, Knots Landing) 1950 Sally Geeson Sussex England, actress (Bless This House) 1953 Filbert Bayi Tanzania, 3,000m runner (Olympic-silver-1980) 1962 Paul LaGreca Bronx NY, actor 1964 Joey Allen Ft Wayne Indiana, rock guitarist (Warrant-Cherry Pie) 1964 Trent Bushey Haverhill Mass, actor (David Rampal-All My Children) 1967 Laurie Wood Orange Calif, playmate (March, 1989) On this day... 1683 William Penn signs friendship treaty with Lenni Lenape indians in Pennsylvania; only treaty \"not sworn to, nor broken\" 1757 Robert Clive defeats Indians at Plassey, wins control of Bengal 1760 Battle of Landshut, Silesia 1775 1st regatta held on Thames, England 1784 1st US balloon flight (13 year old Edward Warren) 1810 John Jacob Astor organizes Pacific Fur Co (Astoria, Oregon) 1848 Bloody insurrection of workers in Paris 1860 Congress establishes the Government Printing Office 1860 US Secret Service created 1865 At Fort Towson, Gen Stand Watie surrenders last sizeable army 1868 Christopher Latham Sholes patents \"Type-writer\" 1903 M Wolf discovers asteroid #512 Taurinensis 1915 Yanks get record 16 walks & 3 wild pitches beat A's Bruno Hass, 15-0 1917 Molla Bjurstedt wins the US Lawn Tennis Assn title Ernie Shore replaces Red Sox pitcher Babe Ruth with a runner on, he throws him out & retires all 26 he faces for a perfect game 1918 Boston Red Sox Dutch Leonard's 2nd no-hitter beats Tigers, 5-0 1924 V Albitzkij discovers asteroid #1022 Olympiada 1925 Landslides create 3-mile long \"Slide Lake\" (Gros Ventre Wyoming) 1927 Lou Gehrig hits 3 HRs in 11-4 victory over Red Sox 1930 Chicago Cubs beat Philadelphia Phillies 21-8 1931 Wiley Post & Harold Catty took off for flight around world 1938 Civil Aeronautics Authority (US) established 1938 Marineland opens in Florida-1st aquarium 1939 France turns over Sanjak of Alexandretta (the Hatay) to Turkey 1944 4 tornadoes strike Appalachia, killing 153 1944 Thomas Mann becomes a US citizen 1947 Truman's veto of Taft-Hartley Act overridden by congress 1949 1st 12 women graduate from Harvard Medical School 1950 Yanks & Tigers hit record 11 HRs, Tigers win 10-9 1951 British diplomats Guy Burgess & Donald Maclean flee to USSR 1951 Most expensive US hailstorm ($1.5M crop damage & $14M property-Kansas) 1954 122\ufffd F (50\ufffd C), Overton, Nevada (state record) 1955 Walt Disney's \"Lady & the Tramp\" released 1956 Gamal Abdel Nasser elected president of Egypt 1957 S B Nicholson discovers asteroid #1647 Menel"}, {"response": 327, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (09:06)", "body": "Is it true Shoshana As you see Pride and Prejudice You\ufffdre always in nirvana Since Firth does Darcy justice The day gets better and better You\ufffdll soon be more diverted With all the fun to come later A happy day to you who\ufffds feted"}, {"response": 328, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (09:07)", "body": "Look, I have a plan... We'll party here with the droolers for a bit and then head to your place... Have a great birthday Shoshana!!!"}, {"response": 329, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (09:14)", "body": "Excellent firepole. Thought I'd pop in (or would that be drop in?) and wish you a happy birthday, Shoshana!"}, {"response": 330, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (09:18)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SHOSHANA Glad you joined us here...."}, {"response": 331, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (09:35)", "body": "Oh Shoshona! I have been \"lurking\" at Drool and feel that you are the only one who can help me! I think I'm going out of my mind and my friend Randle here says you did much for him! Yep Shoshana baby, you've got the keys to the asylum........;-) You go by the \"book\" . Me and Adrianand Beedee (who's just visitin) gotta split now but, and I know it sounds crazy, we got something to say before Nurse Ratched shows up with those meds or worse......."}, {"response": 332, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (10:18)", "body": "Happy Birthday to Shoshana, my fellow Georgia Girl and Drooler!! Hope your first birthday at Drool is ab-solutely fantastic!"}, {"response": 333, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (10:25)", "body": "Happy birthday again Shoshana! My picture has a tencency to disappear. Robbing from Geocities has it price;-) Just go to properties and paste in the address and he shows up. It must be the meds;-) God but I love birthday parties! Those pictures are such a treat for us all! I \"have a plan\" for him too......."}, {"response": 334, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (10:31)", "body": "Oh goodie!! Another Drooleur Birthday!! Stop on by, Shoshana, and we'll have a drink, party, and have some cake. Happy Birthday Shoshana!"}, {"response": 335, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (13:05)", "body": "Am I in time for the party? And perhaps a nice hot cuppa? (I'll break off the handle later) Happy birthday, Shoshana!"}, {"response": 336, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (15:14)", "body": "Just picking up some sunglasses for later. These droolers party hard. Happy Birthday, Shoshana!"}, {"response": 337, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (15:59)", "body": "Thanks Everybody!!! This is wonderful and very special (and loads of fun)! You all (or should I say y'all) have been so frindly and accepting and really great friends on and off the conference. KJ - Could some one overdo Firth? Nevah!! Leah - it has been a great day so far, thank you! Annette - Nice, um,... shorts. I am eagerly awaiting Paul; I think he should be in the mail any day now. Tress - Wot? Not enough cake? There's no need to look so crestfallen. It will be alright! Josie - Great cake... and you got the number of candles just right! ;-) LisaJH - I never knew I shared a birthday with such illustrious characters. And even though I don't generally do horoscopes, that one is so me! 1894 Alfred Kinsey entomologist/sexologist (Kinsey Report) 1894 Duke of Windsor [King Edward VIII of England] (briefly in 1936) Sonia - Lovely poem! Many thanks! Maria - Thanks! Mark and I will be heading off soon... Evelyn - I really like the animation! Beedee - LOL!!! I needed a copy of the DSM-IV! You think if I gave Adrian some benzos he'd lighten up for the party? Hen - Yay for GRITS! This is fantastic! Karen - I knew you would have great pictures, but WOW! I love that first pic!!! Thanks. Rika - Lovely! And let Matthew know that he doesn't have to worry about being late; I'll wait. LindaK - Great glasses! Tres chic! Anyway, so I thought I'd make an extra cake just in case we ran out of Josie's. This is actually an anniversary cake to celebrate Colin's and Livia's on Saturday. Hopefully, there will be enough to go around! Great Party!"}, {"response": 338, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (16:02)", "body": "Oops. Closing tags. Guess I had too much cake."}, {"response": 339, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (16:12)", "body": "*Sigh* Stupid bold."}, {"response": 340, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (16:13)", "body": "Your cake is delish! Here's a little champagne selerction to go with it. Happy Birthday, Shoshana! I too loved that picture Karen brought in. It is worth repeating, I hope you don't mind. :-)"}, {"response": 341, "author": "cyndy", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (16:53)", "body": "Shoshana! Fancy graphics I can't do. Try my best, It's just no use! But for the occasion I must rise to the call Happy Birthday to you Hope you have a ball! Cyndy"}, {"response": 342, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (17:48)", "body": "Mmmmmm, lovely, Shoshana. Ah, the cake looks good, too. ;-) Happy birthday, Shoshana! (This is another of my favorite endorphin-inducing photos.)"}, {"response": 343, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (18:32)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SHOSHANA!!!! And many many more. What a great party! Sorry I can't do any fancy pics or graphics, but I don't mind sharing Paul with you. Thank you Cheryl for the belated wishes. Very much appreciated."}, {"response": 344, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (19:49)", "body": "I\u2019m late? But I galloped the entire way, just to be here for Shoshana\u2019s Birthday Party! And I brought cake!"}, {"response": 345, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (21:33)", "body": "Omigod . . . I almost missed Shoshana's birthday . . . But I've been so confused because I've seen her name linked to . . . . . . this man! Unless that's another Shoshana;-) Have a happy day, dear girl!"}, {"response": 346, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (22:18)", "body": "Let's see how many tags I can close... ;-D (you weren't the culprit, Shoshana) *wagging finger at more experienced persons*"}, {"response": 347, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (22:38)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Shoshana! I am so sorry I'm late but I hope you've had a wonderful day! Hoping I closed tags or else I'm gonna get finger wagging too;-)!"}, {"response": 348, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (22:38)", "body": "Have you checked Firthology Karen? I hope it worked."}, {"response": 349, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Jun 23, 2003 (22:53)", "body": "Here are the upcoming birthdays for the rest of June and for July: Leah 6/30 LisaJH 7/8 Evelyn 7/13 EmmaB 7/18"}, {"response": 350, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 24, 2003 (11:05)", "body": "@#$%*!!!!! From one of our papers yesterday: SEEN ON SCENE: Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes--without new bride Kate Winslet--slipped into town to catch one of the final performances of pal Richard Greenberg's \"The Violet Hour\" at Steppenwolf. The next time the play will be seen will be at the Manhattan Theatre Club in the Big Apple in October, with Scott Foley, Robert Sean Leonard and Jasmine Guy starring in that production. OK, I was at one of the final performaces of The Violet Hour this weekend and no Sam. Hmmm, perhaps if KW had been there I'd have noticed. ;-D Anyway, for those going to or in NYC, you must see The Violet Hour. It was very clever and very funny as you would expect from a Greenberg play. The second lead of Gidger is the scene-stealer. I shouldn't say too much about the play (though it too has to something to do with \"time\") as the fun is in the surprises."}, {"response": 351, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Jun 24, 2003 (12:20)", "body": "Ah... I just wanted to thank Ada (such a lovely toast), Mari (indeed, that is another Shoshana as JS means nothing to me in the way CF does), Kathy (I have some towels if you need to remove that wet shirt), Pam (kind thoughts are even better than pictures), Lisa (yes, endorphins indeed), Cyndy (thanks for the poem), and Moon (oh, that picture is worth repeating)! I apologize for the lateness of my response; Mark Darcy kept me up all night! This was certainly a birthday of many fond memories!"}, {"response": 352, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Jun 24, 2003 (13:12)", "body": ""}, {"response": 353, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (10:30)", "body": "So far, nothing by YKW: Toronto opens with 'Invasions' By Etan Vlessing TORONTO -- Denys Arcand's \"The Barbarian Invasions\" has been set to open the 28th Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 4, it was announced Tuesday at a news conference here. This year's festival will also include the world premieres of Robert Altman's \"The Company\" and John Sayles' \"Casa de Los Babys\" and the North American premiere of Lars von Trier's \"Dogville,\" a parable of small-town prejudice starring Nicole Kidman that Lions Gate Films has picked up for North American distribution. Arcand's latest movie, a sequel to his 1986 feature \"The Decline of the American Empire,\" focuses on a man (Remy Girard) dying of cancer as he comes to terms with his life. It picked up two awards at this year's Festival de Cannes, and Miramax Films will release it domestically Nov. 21. It will open a festival that organizers hope will not be overshadowed by the SARS outbreak still affecting Toronto. Altman's latest film, about an up-and-coming ballet dancer played by Neve Campbell, will be brought to Toronto by Sony Pictures Classics. IFC Films is handling Sayles' feature, which is about a group of women adopting children in South America. Festival director Piers Handling was tight-lipped about other titles bound for Toronto, except to joke that he did not screen Vincent Gallo's controversial \"The Brown Bunny\" in Cannes and that \"no invitation had yet gone out.\" At the same time, Handling and fellow Toronto programmers are taking to the road this week to see if they can snag from rival Venice International Film Festival several movies by top-drawer directors that were not yet ready for Cannes last month. These include Joel Coen's comedy \"Intolerable Cruelty,\" starring George Clooney and Catherine Zeta-Jones; Quentin Tarantino's \"Kill Bill\"; Emir Kusturica's \"Life Is a Miracle\"; Wong Kar-wai's \"2046\"; Jane Campion's \"In the Cut\"; and Bernardo Bertolucci's \"The Dreamers.\" Handling said organizers have drawn up a contingency plan in case a new outbreak of SARS threatens attendance at this year's event. He insisted he has been assured by Hollywood studio heads that, just as they now feel it's safe to shoot movies in Toronto again, they will bring their upcoming fall releases and star contingents to the festival in September. \"It looks like the serious part of the (SARS) disease is well behind us,\" Handling said. \"And I would imagine that, two months from now, you will have a film festival that features the same kinds of films, the same size of films and the same caliber of stars supporting those films.\" Other titles announced Tuesday include 12 movies slated for the Contemporary World Cinema sidebar, among them pictures that bowed at Cannes. These include Siddiq Barmak's \"Osama,\" an Afghan-Japanese co-production about a 12-year-old Afghan girl forced to marry an elderly mullah to avoid execution that earned two awards in Cannes, and French filmmaker Julie Bertucelli's debut movie, \"Depuis Qu'otar est Parti,\" another dual award winner at Cannes. Also set for unspooling in Toronto are Erik Matti's \"Prosti,\" a drama about Filipino prostitutes; Norwegian director Bent Hamer and IFC's \"Kitchen Stories\"; Scottish director David Mackenzie's \"Young Adam,\" a thriller starring Ewan McGregor; and French filmmaker Solveig Anspach's \"Stormy Weather.\" Other titles in the sidebar include North American premieres for Roger Michell and SPC's \"The Mother,\" Naomi Kawase's \"Sharasojyu,\" Penny Woolcock's \"The Principle of Lust,\" John Crowley III and IFC's \"Intermission,\" Dagur Kari and Palm Pictures' \"Noi Albinoi\" and Siegfried's \"Sansa,\" a film about a vagabond artist that originally premiered at Cannes. Another five titles were confirmed for the national cinema spotlight program this year on new Brazilian filmmakers. The sidebar will include the North American premiere of SPC and Hector Babenco's \"Carandiru,\" which competed in Cannes and was a hit at the Brazilian boxoffice; Eliane Caffe's \"The Storytellers\"; Jose Padilha's documentary \"Bus 174\"; Jose Henrique Fonseca's \"The Man of the Year\"; and Renato Falcao's \"Margarette's Feast.\" There are no new sidebars this year. Handling said the festival will \"consolidate\" this year behind the Visions and Wavelengths programs that had been started in recent years. About 250 movies are expected to unspool during the festival's Sept. 4-13 run. Announcements on the rest of the film lineup, including studio pictures, will be made in the coming weeks."}, {"response": 354, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (11:10)", "body": "the North American premiere of Lars von Trier's \"Dogville,\" a parable of small-town prejudice starring Nicole Kidman that Lions Gate Films has picked up for North American distribution. I am a fan of the Dogmar Manifesto and am looking forward to seeing this. It is getting special treatment for Lions Gate. But it is a miss for GWAPE. Then again, do those festival people really care about a period film? Toronto has been more about the nitty-gritty. Thanks, Karen. I like the foreign line-up."}, {"response": 355, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (12:12)", "body": "(Moon)do those festival people really care about a period film? Do *audiences* care about period films? Esp if they don't have special effects or action...let alone not talking. Period films have been relegated to television. Where they are at their best as mini-series."}, {"response": 356, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (12:58)", "body": "(Moon) I am a fan of the Dogmar Manifesto and am looking forward to seeing this. We were just talking about this at work the other day...so odd that it popped up again. I have never seen any of the films, but read the manifesto (and read one director's 'confession' to breaking some of the Vows of Chastity....something about intentially chasing a chicken onto the set to further the plot....). Here is a link in case anyone wants to check it out: http://www.dogme95.dk/menu/menuset.htm (Evelyn) Do *audiences* care about period films? Esp if they don't have special effects or action...let alone not talking. Ohhhh! I do! I do!!! Dangerous Liaisons (and Valmont), Elizabeth, Amadeus, Quills, Sense and Sensibility, Emma, The House of Mirth, Little Women, Age of Innocence, Howard's End....all those movies that make the DH groan and roll his eyes! Love them!"}, {"response": 357, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (13:16)", "body": "(Tress) and read one director's 'confession' to breaking some of the Vows of Chastity I've seen a number of the \"Dogmes\" and not-100%-Dogme films. As I recall, even good old Lars has broken a few of the rules. They're not at all as crude as one might think, but one (can't remember which) had a cute credits sequence, with a hand pushing hand-written cards with the names onto the screen. ;-D"}, {"response": 358, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (13:20)", "body": "(Evelyn) Do *audiences* care about period films? (Tress) Ohhhh! I do! I do!!! Me too, Tress. Audiences care about period films as long as they're well done and entertaining. From Variety 6/23/03: Miramax's dedication to musical remakes is understandable: In addition to winning six Oscars, \"Chicago\" passed the $282 million worldwide gross of \"Shakespeare in Love\" to become the studio's biggest grosser at more than $300 million."}, {"response": 359, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (14:18)", "body": "Aw, c'mon. Do we need 150 postings affirming you like period pieces. Would you be here otherwise? Present company is always excluded. The fact is in the current climate they bomb at the box office.SIL was a fluke. Besides Gwynnie and Ben Affleck worked their tails off to promote it. Without them (and Harvey's muscle)it was have tanked. Did ya' see Keen Eddie last night? He took Fiona's hand, like Mr Darcy...with camera zooming in. *sigh* Things are starting to heat up...."}, {"response": 360, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (15:30)", "body": "(Evelyn) Would you be here otherwise? A given for the older members of Drool. Quite a few of our new slobbering Droolers came onboard as a result of BJD. I'm more of the \"costume-less\" type if you get my drift. ;-D"}, {"response": 361, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (16:24)", "body": "(Karen), I'm more of the \"costume-less\" type if you get my drift. ;-D LOL! Shouldn't this statement come with a picture? ;-)"}, {"response": 362, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Jun 25, 2003 (17:34)", "body": "(Karen), I'm more of the \"costume-less\" type if you get my drift. ;-D (Moon Dreams)LOL! Shouldn't this statement come with a picture? ;-) You took the words right out of my mouth!! LOL (I like this song!) And I think I'm with Karen on the \"type-casting\". Have to say I know a lot of people (not droolers) who also like period-stuff, but I think Evelyn is right: it's more a \"tv-thing\"."}, {"response": 363, "author": "maryw", "date": "Thu, Jun 26, 2003 (16:49)", "body": "A little bird told me that my name had a \"cameo\" appearance on these pages as one of the Gemini birthday celebrants. I just want to thank those who sent - ie KJ - (or were about to send) bday wishes last June 20. You are all very kind. Happy birthday to all the other Geminis too. Sadly, as Karen said, I do not get much chance to give vent to my Firthacoholism these days. I rely totally on those kind souls who remember to drop me a line once in a while for those earth-shaking Colin news. You know who you are - thank you. I see that it is still rockin' and rollin' here. Karen - the colinfirth website looks fantastic. As always, witty contributions continue on these pages. Good on you guys and more power! Would you believe it - the last movie I have seen of ODB was \"Earnest\"!!! Depravity most serious! By the way - had to change email address. If not on spring list - here it is - minkee2spring@hotmail.com. Take care all!"}, {"response": 364, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (02:41)", "body": "Because this was a topic of discussion recently, I thought some might be interested in this article reprinted in today's Vancouver Sun. I just hope taxpayers' money wasn't behind this study. Milk or tea in first? Scientists battle over brewing Study Scientist argues milk goes in first, but others contend water temperature key by Matt Born Daily Telegraph LONDON \ufffd The secret of how to make the perfect cup of tea has finally been discovered by British scientists \ufffd put the milk in first. The finding that a cup of tea tastes better if the tea is poured on to the milk appeared to have settled a debate that has long preoccupied a nation of tea drinkers. However, only hours after the royal Society of Chemistry unveiled its findings amid the sort of secrecy usually reserved for the national budget, a row was brewing within the scientific community. The spat began after Andrew Stapley, a chemical engineer at Loughborough University, revealed what he claimed was the recipe for the perfect cup of tea. Stapley spent two months studying comparing tea from India and China, cups versus mugs, as part of research to mark centenary Wednesday of the birth of George Orwell, the author and celebrated tea drinker. He said the keys to producing the perfect cup were using soft water, warming the pot before filling and allowing the tea to brew for three minutes. It was also essential to use loose-leaf Assam tea rather than tea bags that \ufffdslow down the infusion\ufffd. As to the vexed issue of whether the milk or tea should be poured in first, Stapley said science proved it must be the former. The reason is that when milk is exposed to high temperatures, such as being poured into a cup of piping hot tea, its proteins tend to degrade, producing a slightly stale taste. His conclusions would not have found favour with Orwell, who was adamant that the milk should be added after the tea so that the drinker \ufffdcan exactly regulate\ufffd the final colour. But, as Orwell also pointed out, the art of making tea has \ufffdlong been a subject of violent debate\ufffd. Sure enough, within hours of Stapley announcing his findings to the world, a storm was brewing. Julia King, head of the Institute of Physics, said the secret was to keep the water temperature at 98 C. Putting the milk in first was a cultural quirk, she said. \ufffdIt is a habit we have retained from the times when only the rich could afford porcelain which, because it isn\ufffdt as porous as china, could withstand the hot tea being poured directly. \ufffdThose of us with cheap china had to put the milk in first to cool the tea slightly to prevent our cups cracking.\ufffd"}, {"response": 365, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (10:26)", "body": "Glad science has finally made the call. I can rest easy now. ;-D And now for something completely different: (How much did WAGW make??) 'Beckham' Scores with American Moviegoers Fri Jun 27 By Ian Mohr NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - Indiewood hasn't rolled out any \"Big Fat Greek Weddings\" this year to challenge the likes of such studio standard-bearers as Nemo, Neo or the Hulk, but a soccer chick from left field has been quietly upstaging several other big-budget hopefuls. Fox Searchlight and director Gurinder Chadha's \"Bend It Like Beckham\" -- the story of Jess, whose parents want her to be a nice, conventional 18-year-old Indian girl but who loves playing soccer like her hero David Beckham -- has rolled to more than $23 million since its March opening on six screens. Now in its 16th week, \"Beckham\" has moved to 301 theaters and is still playing five of its original six screens in major markets. Following a template set last year by \"Greek Wedding,\" \"Y Tu Mama Tambien\" and \"Monsoon Wedding,\" \"Beckham\" is an indie hit that has connected with a core ethnic audience and then moved mainstream. Although reviews have been largely positive -- the Web site RottenTomatoes gauges that 88% of critics have lauded the film -- Searchlight says that \"Beckham's\" success is more likely because of the 400 \"word-of-mouth\" screenings the company held nationally for groups like girls' soccer teams and their parents. The movie is playing particularly well in the Washington and Baltimore areas and in such places as Philadelphia, Chicago, Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco. \"The film has exceeded our basic expectations,\" says Searchlight distribution president Steve Gilula, who adds that \"Beckham\" has exceeded such fellow feel-good foreign fare as \"Billy Elliot\" and \"Waking Ned Devine.\" \"(The film's success) has been very unusual for a picture not released in the fall or the Academy Awards season to boost it. And also for a film from an unknown filmmaker -- this isn't Robert Altman coming back with 'Gosford Park.\"' Gilula adds that \"Beckham\" has been boosted lately by American awareness of U.K. soccer star Beckham and the emergence of \"Beckham\" co-star Keira Knightley as the lead in the Walt Disney Co.'s upcoming \"Pirates of the Caribbean.\" In fact, \"Beckham\" has become 2003 parlance in the indie world for \"hit.\" Another film from another unknown female filmmaker about another young girl trying to break from her culture's traditional female roles -- Newmarket Films' New Zealand-set \"Whale Rider\" -- is looking to ride a similar wave. Observes Gilula from his catbird seat: \"I don't know if it's coincidental (that these types of films are becoming hits). 'Whale Rider' is ethnic, and it deals with family relationships. 'Beckham' has been playing best with middle-aged men who are fathers of young women. You very rarely see those relationships, except as caricatures. When you have these kinds of stories, you can reach broader audiences.\" According to RottenTomatoes, \"Whale,\" directed by New Zealander Niki Caro, has a 94% favorable rating with critics, and the film about a young girl who must defy her grandfather to take a leadership position in her Maori community has taken in more than $1 million in three weeks. After screening at fests in Toronto and Sundance, the film has won a handful of regional film festivals, from Seattle to Maui. \"'Whale Rider' is looking to be our big breakthrough film,\" says Newmarket Films chief Bob Berney, who was at IFC Films during the \"Greek Wedding\" ride. Berney is projecting that \"Whale\" will hit \"at least $10 million-$12 million\" or could possibly ride into \"'Beckham' territory.\" \"What we're trying to do is find more challenging art films,\" he says, \"and then find crossover films like 'Whale Rider.\"'"}, {"response": 366, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (10:37)", "body": "A veritable Who's Who type cast: Party of four add names to 'Beauty' show By Ian Mohr NEW YORK -- Artisan Entertainment has added Rupert Everett, Tom Wilkinson, Ben Chaplin and Richard Griffiths to the cast of its U.K.-set period piece \"Compleat Female Stage Beauty.\" Also joining the project -- which stars Billy Crudup and Claire Danes -- are Hugh Bonneville, Edward Fox, Tom Hollander, Clare Higgins, Fenella Woolgar, Alice Eve and Zoe Tapper. Set in 17th century London, \"Beauty\" is the real-life story of cross-dressing actor Edward Kynaston and is being helmed by Richard Eyre from a script by Jeffrey Hatcher, based on his stage play. Currently in production, \"Beauty\" is being co-produced and financed through N1 European Filmproduktions in association with Qwerty Films. Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Hardy Justice are also producing for Tribeca Prods., with Michael Dreyer serving as co-producer. Executive producers are Michael Kuhn, James D. Stern and Eyre. \"Beauty\" will be released domestically by Artisan, which optioned and developed the project with Tribeca."}, {"response": 367, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (14:23)", "body": "\"Whale Rider\" -- is looking to ride a similar wave. \"'Whale Rider' is looking to be our big breakthrough film,\" Berney is projecting that \"Whale\" will hit \"at least $10 million-$12 million\" or could possibly ride into \"'Beckham' territory.\" Go see this movie! It deserves to do very well. Set in 17th century London, \"Beauty\" is the real-life story of cross-dressing actor Edward Kynaston Hmmm. Seems a natural part for Eddie Izzard. But then not much of a challenge. Are you familiar with him? British comedian, transvestite, who has done a few films and just finished a B'dway run (last year West End) in the revival of A Day in the Death of Joe Egg. Had a comedy special on HBO called Dressed to Kill. I'm sure he's not to everyone's taste."}, {"response": 368, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (14:40)", "body": "Hmmm. Seems a natural part for Eddie Izzard. But then not much of a challenge. Are you familiar with him? British comedian, transvestite, who has done a few films and just finished a B'dway run (last year West End) in the revival of A Day in the Death of Joe Egg. Had a comedy special on HBO called Dressed to Kill. I'm sure he's not to everyone's taste. Perhaps not, but I find him very funny and intelligent! Have seen him on the telly a number of times and he always gets a laugh out of me. Most recently saw him on Dinner for Five (IFC)"}, {"response": 369, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (15:00)", "body": "How odd does this sound?...... Report: Sam Mendes to Direct 'Shrek-The Musical' 15 minutes ago -- Yahoo News Andrew Gans Playbill On-Line Another Hollywood film is headed for the stage. The New York Post reports that \"Shrek\" - the DreamWorks film about a green ogre with a heart of gold - is headed to the Great White Way. Sam Mendes (news), who directed this season's hit revival of Gypsy starring Bernadette Peters (news), will helm the musical, which has yet to find a book writer or songwriting team. As previously reported on Playbill On-Line, DreamWorks also hopes to bring a musical version of \"Catch Me If You Can\" - the recent Steven Spielberg (news) film starring Leonardo DiCaprio (news) - to Broadway. That musical will feature songs by the 2003 Tony-winning composing duo, Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman. Sam Mendes founded London's intimate theatre space, the Donmar Warehouse. During his decade at the Donmar, the theatre presented productions of Cabaret, Into the Woods, Orpheus Descending, The Real Thing, Proof, Company and The Blue Room. Several of those productions found their way to Broadway, including the Tony-winning revival of Cabaret, which is still going strong at Studio 54. Mendes has also achieved success on screen, including an Academy Award for \"American Beauty.\" His most recent film outing was \"Road to Perdition\" starring Tom Hanks."}, {"response": 370, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (15:01)", "body": "I plan to see \"Whale Rider\" tonight. Happy to see hat Tribecca films is inteested in producing period films. Thanks for the articles, ladies. BTW, I am with Orwell, the milk goes in after the tea. It's he only way to perfectly regulate the colour. Then again, I mixed my own tea formula. :-D Serious tea drinker here."}, {"response": 371, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (15:46)", "body": "\"bring a musical version of \"Catch Me If You Can\" - the recent Steven Spielberg (news) film starring Leonardo DiCaprio (news) - to Broadway. That musical will feature songs by the 2003 Tony-winning composing duo, Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman.\" This will be a winning-music/story -combo. Wittman/Shaiman did Tony-winner\"Hairspray\" and the movie \"Down with Love\". Thanks Dorine."}, {"response": 372, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (23:30)", "body": "From Screendaily: Calendar Girls set for US Christmas date Nick Hunt in Amsterdam Last month it took the international press at Cannes by storm. This week it was the turn of attendees at Cinema Expo in Amsterdam to fall under the spell of the Calendar Girls. Constant guffaws, frequent applause and stifled bouts of tearful sniffing punctuated the morning screening of the gentle comedy-drama, about a middle-aged group of northern English women who strip for a charity calendar. Introducing the feature, Daniel Battsek, senior vice-president of distribution and managing director of Buena Vista International UK, which developed and backed the Harbour Pictures production, told the audience that many had begun to rename the film as \"the female Full Monty\", adding: \"I believe it has the potential to connect with audiences worldwide.\" Mark Zoradi, president of Buena Vista International, added a North American seal of approval by saying that Calendar Girls will now roll out in the US on Xmas Day. \"If they put it on that day or in that zone then it means they have great faith in it.\" After the screening Battsek told Screen International: \"You never want to pre-judge these things, but you can see from this screening here that it's a British film but that it has got universal themes that people everywhere can relate to.\" A straw poll of industry delegates from distribution, exhibition and institutional firms in Belgium, Poland and Italy after the screening revealed that Calendar Girls' appeal would indeed stretch beyond English-language territories - even if they were unfamiliar with the Women's Institute, the ultra-conservative female organisation central to the story. Produced by Nick Barton and Suzanne Mackie at Harbour, and directed by Nigel Cole (Saving Grace), the film is the third to emerge from BVI's UK office under its comedy label after High Heels, Low Lives and Hope Springs. [Ed note: excellent pedigree, don't you think?] Battsek reserved particular praise for Kristin Jones, the label's head of development for bringing the project to the table. \"She is central to the whole process.\""}, {"response": 373, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jun 27, 2003 (23:42)", "body": "(Dorine) Hmmm. Seems a natural part for Eddie Izzard. But then not much of a challenge. Are you familiar with him? British comedian, transvestite, who has done a few films and just finished a B'dway run.... Love Eddie.....cracks me up. He did a bit (can't remember which show) about the difference between British film and American film. V. v. funny. Moon.....I do it your (and Orwell's) way.....milk after tea. I'm a color regulator and it always depends on the size of the cup (size does matter). My DH (the engineer) was reading the article posted by Sandy over my shoulder and finds the whole issue wildly amusing. Couldn't believe that scientists were working on such a project (I just think he's a bit jealous that people could get paid to do work like that)!"}, {"response": 374, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jun 28, 2003 (10:23)", "body": "directed by Nigel Cole (Saving Grace), I have high-ish hope though, as I loved this little movie. Thanks. (Tress) I do it your (and Orwell's) way.....milk after tea. I'm a color regulator and it always depends on the size of the cup My way, too. Never thought to do it any other way."}, {"response": 375, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 28, 2003 (11:17)", "body": "I highly recommend \"Whale Rider,\" I will get my boys to see it too. Calendar Girls, \"the female Full Monty\". I didn't care for TFM. Only the gnomes saved it."}, {"response": 376, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Jun 29, 2003 (16:20)", "body": "From Dark Horizons, shades of SIL: Compleat Female Stage Beauty: In an official press release today, Artisan revealed that principal photography begins today on this British comedy from Director Richard Eyre (\"Iris\", \"The Crucible\") and which features the likes of Billy Crudup, Claire Danes, Rupert Everett, Tom Wilkinson, Ben Chaplin, Tom Hollander, Richard Griffiths and Edward Fox. Set in the 1660's at a time when in live theatre women's roles were played by men, Edward \ufffdNed\ufffd Kynaston (Crudup) is England\ufffds most celebrated leading lady, using his beauty and skill to make the great female roles his own. But when Charles II is tired of seeing the same old performers, the ruler allows real women to tread the boards and men may no longer play women\ufffds parts. Ned becomes a virtual nobody, virtually overnight and seems headed for suicide till his ex-dresser turned actress Maria (Danes) takes it upon herself to make a man of him again. Shooting takes place at the Royal Naval College at Greenwich, whilst two theatres will be built at Shepperton Studi s where filming continues through till August 22nd. Thanks to 'JM'."}, {"response": 377, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Jun 29, 2003 (18:14)", "body": "Just saw this on AOL... OLD SAYBROOK, Conn. (June 29) - Katharine Hepburn, an icon of feminist strength and spirit who brought a chiseled beauty and patrician bearing to such films as ''The Philadelphia Story'' and ''The African Queen,'' died Sunday, her executor and town authorities said. She was 96. Town authorities and the executor of Hepburn's estate, Cynthia McFadden, said Hepburn died Sunday at 2:50 p.m. at her home in Old Saybrook. She had been in declining health in recent years. During her 60-year career, she won a record four Academy Awards and was nominated 12 times, which stood as a record until Meryl Streep surpassed her nomination total in 2003. Her Oscars were for ''Morning Glory,'' 1933; ''Guess Who's Coming to Dinner,'' 1967; ''A Lion in Winter,'' 1968; and ''On Golden Pond,'' 1981. Despite her success, Hepburn always felt she could have done more. ''I could have accomplished three times what I've accomplished,'' she once said. ''I haven't realized my full potential. It's disgusting.'' But, she said, ''Life's what's important. Walking, houses, family. Birth and pain and joy - and then death. Acting's just waiting for the custard pie. That's all.''"}, {"response": 378, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Jun 29, 2003 (23:36)", "body": "Ada)Just saw this on AOL... OLD SAYBROOK, Conn. (June 29) - Katharine Hepburn, an icon of feminist strength and spirit who brought a chiseled beauty and patrician bearing to such films as ''The Philadelphia Story'' and ''The African Queen,'' died Sunday, her executor and town authorities said. She was 96. Oh yes...... I loved Katharine and her films. I recently saw The Lion in Winter and was still facinated by her and *bought* her portrayal of an aging beauty, strong and more than a match..... I can't remember a film of hers that I didn't enjoy and find her characters as a strong woman worth respecting."}, {"response": 379, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Jun 29, 2003 (23:37)", "body": "Good night Kate........."}, {"response": 380, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (11:22)", "body": "I'll be looking for you, Leah, early next year."}, {"response": 381, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (12:13)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Leah! Perhaps you can provide a little moral support when I arrive...or at least a kissing lesson or two. ;-)"}, {"response": 382, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (12:21)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Leah, once more! IF JUNE 30 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY ... you have a cheerful personality with deep philosophical interests. You're adventurous with an interest in languages and a love of sports, perhaps horse riding. You're serious where love and romance are concerned. Disappointments don't deter you. With responsibility and hard work, you can advance greatly this year and achieve much. November is promising for romance; October for work and money. *********************** Birthdates which occurred on June 30: 1470 Charles VIII king of France (1483-98), invaded Italy 1685 John Gay author (Baggars' Opera) 1768 Elizabeth Kortright Monroe 1st lady 1811 Vissarion Belinsky Sveaborg, Finland, Russian critic, journalist 1819 William A Wheeler (R) 19th VP (1877-81) 1837 Stephen D Ramseur youngest West Pointer to be Maj Gen 1896 Wilfred Pelletier Montreal Canada, conductor (Voice of Firestone) 1898 George Chandler Waukegan Ill, actor (Lassie) 19-- Chris Risola Ct, rocker (Steelheart-She's Gone) 19-- Harvey Vernon Flint Mich, actor (Jasper-Carter Country) 19-- Phil Anselmo rocker (Pantera-Cowboys From Hell) 19-- Terry Funk Hammond Ind, pro wrestler/actor (Paradise Alley) 19-- Yngwie Maimsteen rocker (Eclipse, Oddysey) 1909 Juan Bosch poet/pres of the Dominican Republic (1962-63) 1911 Czeslaw Milosz Polish/American writer (Nobel 1980) 1912 Dan Reeves NFL team owner (Cleveland/LA Rams) 1913 Harry Wismer Port Huron Mich, AFL owner (NY Titans) 1916 David Wayne actor (Adam's Rib, Andromeda Strain, 3 Faces of Eve) 1917 Buddy Rich Bkln NY, drummer/orch leader (Buddy Rich Band-Away We Go) 1917 Lena Horne Bkln NY, singer (Stormy Weather) 1918 Stuart Foster Binghamton NY, singer (Galen Drake Show) 1918 Susan Hayward Flatbush Bkln, actress (I Want to Live, Tulsa) 1920 Zeno Colo Italy, downhill skier (Olympic-gold-1952) 1925 Micheline Lannoy Belgium, figure skating pairs (Olympic-gold-1948) 1930 June Valli Bronx NY, singer (Your Hit Parade) 1934 Harry Blackstone Jr magician (Blackstone Book of Magic & Illusion) 1936 Nancy Dussault Pensacola Fla, actress (Muriel-Too Close for Comfort) 1936 Tony Musante Bridgeport Ct, actor (David Toma-Toma, Nowhere to Hide) 1938 Billy Mills US, 10K runner (Olympic-gold-1964) 1943 Florence Ballard singer (Supremes) 1944 Glenn Shorrock vocalist (Little River Band-Help Is On Its, Way) 1944 Ron Swoboda baseball outfielder (NY Yankees, NY Mets) 1950 Donna Jean Willmott Akron Ohio, FALN member (FBI most wanted) 1951 Stanley Clarke bass (New Barbarians-Find Out Hideaway) 1951 Stephen S Oswald Seattle Washington, astronaut (STS 42) 1958 Esa-Pekka Salonen Helsinki Finland, conductor (Giro) 1962 Julianne Regan rocker (All About Eve-All About Scarlet) 1966 \"Iron\" Mike Tyson heavyweight boxing champ (1986-90) 1967 Tina Bockrath Dayton Oh, playmate (May, 1990) 1970 Brian Bloom actor (As the World Turns) On this day... 296 St Marcellinus begins his reign as Catholic Pope 1294 Jews are expelled from Berne Switzerland 1607 Annales Ecclesiastici (Scientific History of Catholicism) published 1741 Pope Benedict XIV encyclical forbidding traffic in alms 1794 Battle of Fort Recovery, Ohio 1834 Congress creates Indian Territory (now Oklahoma) 1859 Charles Blondin is 1st to cross Niagara Falls on a tightrope 1862 Day 6 of the 7 Days-Battle of White Oak Swamp 1870 Ada Kepley becomes 1st female law college graduate 1871 Guatemala revolts for agarian reforms 1881 Henry Highland Garnet, named minister to Liberia 1893 Excelsior diamond (blue-white 995 carats) discovered 1894 Korea declares independence from China, asks for Japanese aid 1900 4 German liners burn at Hobokon Docks NJ, 326 die 1902 S I Bailey discovers asteroid #504 Cora 1906 John Hope becomes 1st black president of Morehouse College 1906 Pure Food & Drug Act & Meat Inspection Act adopted 1908 Boston's Cy Young's 2nd no-hitter, beats NY Highlanders, 8-0 1908 Giant fireball impacts in Central Siberia (Tunguska Event) 1911 US Assay Office in St Louis, Missouri closes 1913 2nd Balkan War begins 1913 NY Giants score 10 in 10th to beat Phillies 11-1 1914 Mahatma Gandhi's 1st arrest, campaigning for Indian rights in S Africa 1916 Chick Evans Jr wins golf's US Open 1923 New Zealand claims Ross Dependency in Antarctica 1927 Augusto Cesar Sandino issues his Manifesto Politico 1927 US Assay Office in Deadwood, South Dakota closes 1928 Radio Service Bulletin lists radio stations call signs that are to be changed to conform with international standards 1929 Bobby Jones wins golf's US Open 1930 1st round-the-world radio broadcast Schenectady NY 1933 Card's Dizzy Dean strikesout 17 Cubs to win 8-2 1933 US Assay Offices in Helena Mon, Boise Id & Salt Lake City Utah closes 1934 \"Night of the Long Knives,\" Hitler stages bloody purge of Nazi party 1934 French Equitorial Africa constituted a single administrative unit 1934 NFL's Portsmouth Spartans become Detroit Lions 1935 C Jackson discovers asteroid #1784 Benguella 1936 \"Gone With the Wind\" by Margaret Mitchell, publish"}, {"response": 383, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (12:41)", "body": "WOT? Leah's birthday. Excellent. I'll bring the balloons."}, {"response": 384, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (12:43)", "body": "Twice, I'll bring the balloons. HD isn't good when he' in a rush."}, {"response": 385, "author": "soph", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (12:47)", "body": "i have been so busy these past 10 days, i didn't even have time to say happy birthday to all of you, pam, beedee, shoshana... shame shame shame ! hopefully, here comes leah's bday, and the opportunity to make amends. now, maybe you'd forgive me if i told you henry's been waiting for you on the dance floor. of course, we are not talking waltz chacha or paso doble here, just plain wiggling : now, would that be the butterfly, or our good old west african danse du ventilateur ? animatronicolin 1.6, henry on the dancefloor mode *108 ko file, warning* ain't he lekker ? happy belated and not-so-belated birthday to all of you"}, {"response": 386, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (12:57)", "body": "Happy Birthday, dear Leah I baked a 'bahnahnah' cake ...just for you..."}, {"response": 387, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (12:58)", "body": "LOL Sophie! Love the lovely dancing Henry. Talk about a maniac on the floor! Happy Birthday Leah. Your guests so far are ab-so-lute-ly gorgeous!"}, {"response": 388, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (13:01)", "body": "LOL Sophie...ole Swivel -Hips is the best one yet:-))) Hey boss...you should put him on the WAGW title page. Definite ass..et;-)"}, {"response": 389, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (13:16)", "body": "Sophie! I love it. LOL,that animation might land him in the Dirty Dancing sequel! ;-) Er ist sehr lekker. ;-)"}, {"response": 390, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (13:38)", "body": "Leah!!"}, {"response": 391, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (13:55)", "body": "Leah, a birthday toast for you:"}, {"response": 392, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (14:01)", "body": "(Linda) Twice, I'll bring the balloons. *snort* Can't have too many balloons I've always heard. ;-D Best one yet, Soph. A real \"shake, shake, shake\" moment that lasts forever."}, {"response": 393, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (15:24)", "body": "Now is a time for a little rhyme, And there\ufffds inspiration again. ODB is here, that makes it clear It\ufffds time for a birthday refrain. So Leah I\ufffdll say though you\ufffdre far away In cyberspace you\ufffdre near. Happy Birthday to you, with bahnahnah cake too We\ufffdll celebrate you here."}, {"response": 394, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (15:59)", "body": "Leah Have a great one!"}, {"response": 395, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (17:21)", "body": "Oh Leah, We hope you are still awake! Beedee started trying to ship me out to your land far away this morning with me looking clean shaven and in a tux. Now I fear that I am not as presentable as I would wish...but BD says that you'll take me just as I am. So here I am wishing you a very happy birthday. Seeing you makes me feel better already!"}, {"response": 396, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (17:24)", "body": "Wow Sophie! That surely was worth the wait! Hunk Daddy can rock for me anyday!"}, {"response": 397, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (18:00)", "body": "Sophie, that was the best. Oh that bum looks so great. (Evelyn)Hey boss...you should put him on the WAGW title page. Definite ass..et;-) What a brilliant idea! I'll second that ass..et;-)"}, {"response": 398, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (19:17)", "body": "M: I reckon I can screw this up, too, Colin. C: I reckon even you couldn't screw it up, Mark. M: Can too. C: Can not. M: Can too. C: Can not. Look, just read what you wrote at the hotel last night. M: Alright, here goes. Enjoy the anniversary of the day you were born, Leah. C: Chrissakes, all you had to do was write Happy Birthday, Leah! Mark, as they say in Vermont, if it ain't broke, don't fix it."}, {"response": 399, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (19:29)", "body": "ROTF, Mari! Happy Birthday, Leah! Hope to see more of you!"}, {"response": 400, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (19:34)", "body": "Sohie, thanks for the shake-your-bootie-animatronicolin. August 05 doesn't seem too far away. :-) Ada, thanks for the info on Katherine Hepburn. She was a favorite of mine. RIP, Kate."}, {"response": 401, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (19:39)", "body": "Must proofread postings. Should read Sophie, of course, not Sohie. M: I reckon I can screw this up, too, Colin. Where there's a will, there's a way. ;-) LOL Mari. Nice pic too. Don't recall seeing that one before."}, {"response": 402, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (19:43)", "body": "Sophie, c'est magnifique! Karen, what a treat on the WAGW page. You should consider it."}, {"response": 403, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (20:41)", "body": "To Leah-- (Evelyn)LOL Sophie...ole Swivel -Hips is the best one yet:-))) Sophie, that animation is... beyond words! ;-) Thanks!"}, {"response": 404, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (21:52)", "body": "Way to go, Sophie -- the best yet ... And by all means, Leah, have a"}, {"response": 405, "author": "kathness", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (22:02)", "body": "Leah ! Great animatronic CF, Sophie!"}, {"response": 406, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (22:40)", "body": "Love the leather clad animatronic....was looking for the words to 'Shake Your Bootie' (by KC and his band), but found the lyrics to a Geri Halliwell song that cracked me up....so here you go (chorus three of 'Shake Your Bootie Cutie'): Shake your bootie cutie And show me you can dance Come on, sexy belly baby I wanna watch you swing your pants, yeah Shake your bootie cutie You are the dancing king I'm Mr. Big, baby can you dig Everytime you do it You really make my thing sing Thank you Sophie!!!!"}, {"response": 407, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Jun 30, 2003 (22:42)", "body": "Leah,I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday while wearing your favorite pair of jeans;-)!! Oh, I agree, Great animatronic CF, Sophie!"}, {"response": 408, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Jul  1, 2003 (00:04)", "body": "Thank you, thank you, thank you. I have had a great birthday. Karen, I'll be waiting for him LisaJH, Kissing lessons are no problem for me LindaK, I think HD is good, rushing or not Sophi, OH YES ! Evelyn, My favorite singer Hen, Yes, only the best get invites Tress, Love the pic Rika, Love the pic Sonia, Love the poem MariaT, will do Beedee, You're right, I'll take him anyway I can Mari, LOL MoonDreams, You will, you will. Shoshana, Thanks KJArt, Thank you KathyF, Thank you AdaVH, With the jeans, without the jeans, he can wish me any way he wants. Everybody, thank you for a great day. I received tickets to the South African 'premiere' of WAGW from the DH, although I think it's only the 'preview'. But whatever... I'm sure I'll enjoy it!!"}, {"response": 409, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Tue, Jul  1, 2003 (07:43)", "body": "Leah, I realize I'm coming in a day late, but HAPPY B-DAY!!!! Enjoy your preview of WAGW--what a nice present from the DH! Prepare to drool!! :)"}, {"response": 410, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Jul  1, 2003 (07:59)", "body": "(Meredith) Prepare to drool!! :) Thanks, I was prepared to wait until 25 July - official opening in SA, but 6 July is just around the corner, so the excitement is building. (Unfortunately, there will be an almost 3 week delay before I can see HD again)"}, {"response": 411, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul  1, 2003 (08:48)", "body": "(Leah)I received tickets to the South African 'premiere' of WAGW from the DH, although I think it's only the 'preview'. But whatever... I'm sure I'll enjoy it!! What a guy...a keeper! Goes into the Drool DH Hall of Fame;-) Right up there with \"Top Gun\" Lora's DH!"}, {"response": 412, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Tue, Jul  1, 2003 (10:50)", "body": "This really is a bit of fluff, but it gave me a chuckle. In the July issue of Vanity Fair, with Amanda Bynes on the cover(and all the other \"pop teens\"), the reporter talks about WAGW and describes it as exercise in effervescence that raised the disturbing question \"What's Colin Firth doing in this film?\" All I could think to that is, he's being our Hunk Daddy, thank you;-)!"}, {"response": 413, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jul  1, 2003 (12:05)", "body": "\"What's Colin Firth doing in this film?\" ...One hell-of-a damn good job! Again, the comment was made, IMHO, by someone who hasn't seen the film. Just like the(IMO, again) viewless review by Ebert and Roper, whom I give Two Huge Thumbs down. There, I've had my say. Leah, enjoy the preview. You'll be drooling all summer. Lucky girl."}, {"response": 414, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Jul  1, 2003 (14:41)", "body": "\"What's Colin Firth doing in this film?\" Looking AFG! And expanding into a whole new demographic? He needs those tweens to bring down the average age of his fan base. ;-) (Linda)viewless review Good expression! (feeling better now?)"}, {"response": 415, "author": "Leah", "date": "Wed, Jul  2, 2003 (00:17)", "body": "(LindaK)You'll be drooling all summer. Lucky girl. Ahem.. Actually, I'll be drooling all winter - we're freezing our butts off here. (KateF)\"What's Colin Firth doing in this film?\" Looking AFG! Good. Thats all thats required at this stage."}, {"response": 416, "author": "Leah", "date": "Wed, Jul  2, 2003 (00:40)", "body": "(Evelyn)What a guy...a keeper! Goes into the Drool DH Hall of Fame;-) Lets not get carried away. He won't be attending with me.(I'm not sitting through that !) I had to ask a friend (who hasn't a clue who CF is - hasn't even seen BJD). I spent a good few minutes explaning who he was, and was pleasantly surprised when the DH could name at least 10 films CF has starred in."}, {"response": 417, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul  2, 2003 (09:14)", "body": "(KateF)\"What's Colin Firth doing in this film?\" I read that quote in the Vanity Fair article. And in a sad sort of way, I found it a back-handed compliment. Inference: \"He can do better than this\". Here is a writer who views him as a serious, classically trained actor and wonders what he's doing in a teen flick. I must admit, I had the same reaction. Albeit, it's a cute movie and he does look AFG. (Pl. don't bombard me with 100 postings telling me how he has to support a family and all the blah, blah that goes with it.)"}, {"response": 418, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul  2, 2003 (09:31)", "body": "(Evelyn) Here is a writer who views him as a serious, classically trained actor... Did you forget the Shakespearean part? *snicker* No, that's exactly how I would interpret the Vanity Fair comment. No one is criticizing him or his performance. Just, he can do better than that."}, {"response": 419, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Jul  2, 2003 (13:00)", "body": "Evelyn, I came across The Dead People Server today by chance and thought of you, as now you'll never have to watch another movie with dead people in it ever again, as you can first check here on their \"status.\" ;-) Consider it an early birthday present. ;-)"}, {"response": 420, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jul  2, 2003 (13:25)", "body": "Hey Lisa! \"The Dead People Server\" is a great resource! Can I use it too? I especially like the \"Quash those Death Rumors\" feature. Wonder how Evelyn feels about the *merely presumed dead*? Or the most likely dead, or the Grateful Dead?"}, {"response": 421, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Jul  2, 2003 (14:31)", "body": "(Beedee) Hey Lisa! \"The Dead People Server\" is a great resource! Can I use it too? But of course. That's why I posted it. ;-)"}, {"response": 422, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul  2, 2003 (14:36)", "body": "(lisa) Consider it an early birthday present. ;-) Awwww....How thoughtful of you to think of me in such a nice way , Lisa. *snort* You're all heart!! Can see that my party is gonna be v.'out of this world' ;-) That's the third early prezzie I've received today. TDW, Excessively Diverted and yours.... I will say yours was the most unusual;-) Those who have \"Rung Down the Curtain and Joined the Choir Invisible\"... LOL. I've Bookmarked it:-)))"}, {"response": 423, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Jul  2, 2003 (15:03)", "body": "Lisa, I'm not even going to think about where you were headed when you stumbled on that site. But I bookmarked it, too. And isn't it good to know the search index is updated weekly?!?"}, {"response": 424, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jul  2, 2003 (17:43)", "body": "(Kate) And isn't it good to know the search index is updated weekly?!? LOL. Yes, how thrilling;-) (I saved it as well) Thanks, Lisa"}, {"response": 425, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Jul  2, 2003 (18:55)", "body": "Hugh Grant Puts Money Where Mouth Is Wed, Jul 02, 2003, 02:07 PM PT LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - Hugh Grant and an anonymous businessman have paid approximately $800,000 between them to dine with Sir Elton John, his partner, David Furnish and 10 friends. The \"About a Boy\" actor was at an auction during Sir Elton's annual White Tie and Tiara ball, which was held at the singer's mansion last Saturday (June 29), in England, according to the BBC. When Grant and the unnamed businessman got into a bidding war, Grant said that he would up his offer if his rival agreed to match his funds and share the dinner. He gladly acquiesced. Guests including Liz Hurley, Elle Macpherson, Kylie Minogue, Naomi Campbell, David and Victoria Beckham, Judi Dench and Sting danced the night away at the Imperial Russia-themed event. Tickets went for $2,400 and helped raise over $2.4 million for the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year. Grant will reprise his role as cad Daniel Clever in \"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason\" and recently completed \"Love Actually\" to be released later this year."}, {"response": 426, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jul  2, 2003 (21:04)", "body": "And just in case you can't get enough of them or you don't trust em either, you can vouchsafe your research this way: http://www.dead-or-alive.org/dead.nsf http://www.whosaliveandwhosdead.com/ Don't ask.........."}, {"response": 427, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (09:18)", "body": "A Guardian article printed in the Sydney Morning Herald: Southfork's sons saddling up again? Please let it be a dream By Peter Bradshaw July 3 2003 Who cares who shot J.R? Twentieth Century Fox is hoping everyone still does, because it is remaking the classic cheesy '80s soap Dallas into a movie. Yessiree, the hideously rich and appallingly dysfunctional Ewing family are to live again on the big screen, and according to news reports, good ol' boy John Travolta was hoping to lasso the role of that mean critter J.R. Ewing, but Bruce Willis has roped it first. Colin Farrell is lined up to play Bobby Ewing, while Jessica Lange is practising her hard-drinking act for the role of Sue Ellen. But do we really need yet another TV-into-movie adaptation? Don't these producers have any imagination at all? The reason Hollywood likes movie versions of TV shows is that they are easy: everyone can see them in their mind's eye. The thirty and fortysomethings will turn out for nostalgia's sake, and sexy new plots will bring in the kids. So, Dallas for the 21st century. First, the music: everyone can whistle it, so you remix it and generally crank it up for the opening credits. Classic yet modern. Then there's the plot. Maybe the Ewings have an interest in rebuilding Iraq. But, poignantly, maybe one of the Ewing boys was killed in the war. Or maybe in the attacks of September 11. It almost writes itself. But not quite. The matter of J.R.'s assassin is tricky. A different culprit has to be found. A twist must be contrived. Then there is the notorious way Bobby was brought back from the dead and the whole story up to that point explained away as Pam's dream. There are far too many movies at the moment which end with the it-was-all-a-dream-or-fantasy cop-out. (There are even disturbing rumours that this is how the Wachowski brothers intend to close the Matrix trilogy, thus betraying us all.) The ironic thing is that the original TV show Dallas was inspired by a movie. Douglas Sirk's Written on the Wind (1956), starring Rock Hudson, Lauren Bacall, Robert Stack and Dorothy Malone, was all about a screwed-up Texan oil family and is thought to be the template for the Ewings. Larry Hagman is reportedly going to get the statutory tongue-in-cheek cameo in the new film, so how about one for Lauren Bacall as well, for old times' sake?"}, {"response": 428, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (09:35)", "body": "Okay...first I looked at the date to make sure I wasn't dreaming. And that it wasn't April 1st.....realized I wasn't having a nightmare, but that this seems to be really happening..... sexy new plots will bring in the kids Huh? With Bruce Willis and Jessica Lange? That'll surely bring the kids in! Oh? You mean Colin Farrell? Is he really around to stay? Gah! I was hoping he would just go away ! Thanks Karen....I think.....;-)"}, {"response": 429, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (10:03)", "body": "Who cares who shot J.R? Twentieth Century Fox is hoping everyone still does, because it is remaking the classic cheesy '80s soap Dallas into a movie. I was a joking with a friend about all the movies that plan to be Broadway musicals and I said next they'll be redoing Dallas too! LOL! I never watched the series, but of course knew all the characters because my mother-in-law watched it in Italy, where it was a huge success. And didn't lots of women named their daughters Crystal?"}, {"response": 430, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (10:04)", "body": "Dead Alert!! Don't look Evelyn! Another stirring piece from IMDB WENN: Joplin Talks to Zellweger From Beyond the Grave Musical legend Janis Joplin has spoken to actress Renee Zellweger from beyond the grave - to give advice on how to play her correctly. The tragic star, who died in 1970 after a drug overdose, reportedly has such a strong connection with the svelte Bridget Jones star - who has signed to play her in an upcoming biopic - that Renee communicates with her as she sleeps to ensure Janis' story is told properly. A source close to Renee tells British tabloid The Daily Express, \"She says Janis speaks to her in her dreams and tells her the way she wants her story told. \"Just talking to Renee about Janis is enough to freak a person out. It's like Joplin is standing there right beside her. Renee told me that when she sings a Joplin song, its really Joplin's voice she's using, coming right out of her mouth. I've heard her sing two of Joplin's songs and it's quite a chilling experience.\" Boy, she really does Try(Just a Little Bit Harder), even from the *other side*!;-)"}, {"response": 431, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (10:10)", "body": "IMDB)A source close to Renee tells British tabloid The Daily Express, \"She says Janis speaks to her in her dreams and tells her the way she wants her story told. Kinda like Elenore R talked to Hillary in the White House?;-)"}, {"response": 432, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (15:53)", "body": "There's a new film festival starting Aug. 13th. The Copenhagen Int'l FF. I just checked the schedule but there's no GWAPE. Spun is there so maybe Mena will be there."}, {"response": 433, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (16:29)", "body": "Who cares who shot J.R? that about sums it up for me. Our first trip to England was the summer of \"who shot JR?\" and it seemed that everyone we met assumed that, since we're from the US, we'd be a year ahead on the series and would know. People were astonished that we didn't watch such a great show. (Hey, they loved Starsky and Hutch.) Bruce Willis as JR? I can just picture David Addison with a Texas twang. And isn't Jessica Lange just a bit old for Sue Ellen? Renee communicates with her as she sleeps to ensure Janis' story is told properly Huh? I'm trying to picture her on \"Actors Studio\" telling a yarn like this one. Evelyn? I need a ruling. Are movies ABOUT dead people OK?"}, {"response": 434, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (17:35)", "body": "(KateDF)Evelyn? I need a ruling. Are movies ABOUT dead people OK? LOL. Hmmmmm You mean Vermeer;-) IF it's Janis Joplin (RIP) , I didn't even like her in life . Furthermore, me thinks Renee is going off the deep end."}, {"response": 435, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jul  3, 2003 (22:08)", "body": "Evelyn)Furthermore, me thinks Renee is going off the deep end. That's what they said about Elinore and Hillary......."}, {"response": 436, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Jul  4, 2003 (09:17)", "body": "(Evelyn)Furthermore, me thinks Renee is going off the deep end. Me thinks she's od'ing on all those donuts;-)"}, {"response": 437, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Jul  4, 2003 (15:12)", "body": "Thanks for all the very interesting articles, ladies. I wonder who is singing through me ;-) Have a happy and safe Fourth everyone!!!"}, {"response": 438, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Jul  6, 2003 (21:10)", "body": "Just read an interview with Cillian Murphy and Naomi Harris for 28 Days Later. It mentions their upcoming movies and says that NH can next be seen in the psychological thriller \"Troma\" also starring Colin Firth and Mena Suvari. Harris plays a dancer wife to Firth's character in yet another scary movie. . It doesn't mention GWAPE at all. Here's the link if anyone wants to read it: Zap2it.com"}, {"response": 439, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Jul  7, 2003 (11:58)", "body": "Book-Lover Finds Another 1st Edition Austen Novel Mon Jul 7, 7:58 AM ET LONDON (Reuters) - A book expert working in Scotland has found a rare first edition of Jane Austen's best-known book \"Pride And Prejudice,\" his second such find in a year. John Sibbald made the find while sifting through thousands of books inherited by a London-based client. He also found copies of Austen's \"Northanger Abbey,\" second edition copies of \"Sense and Sensibility\" and early William Wordsworth poems. Last year, Sibbald found a \"Pride And Prejudice\" first edition at a car boot sale which later sold for more than $66,000. \"They say lightening doesn't strike twice but it is safe to say I have been burned to a cinder,\" Sibbald, a 58-year-old book specialist working for the auction house Lyon and Turnbull, told Reuters. \"It was an absolute nightmare,\" he added of the three-day trawl of the books, several hundred of which still have to be checked. \"Pride and Prejudice\" is due to be auctioned on July 8 and is expected to fetch up to $20,000. The auction house is also selling an uncorrected proof copy of J.K. Rowling (news - web sites)'s first Harry Potter (news - web sites) book -- \"Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone\" -- which is expected to sell for up to $5,000."}, {"response": 440, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jul  7, 2003 (12:40)", "body": "There's something new on Spring.net and I need your help on it. We have at the top of http://www.spring.net something called Ads by google in a box. google_ad_client = 'pub-8863011327992796'; google_ad_width = 468; google_ad_height = 60; google_ad_format = '468x60_as'; // --> src=\" http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js\" > It's a google text ad program that will benefit the Spring and help pay for hosting, like the Amazon Boutique that Karen so admirably set up does. So, please click on these ads whenever you have a spare moment. And I'll be talking soon to both Karen and Ann about a Third Quarter pledge drive to help with paying our hosting fees."}, {"response": 441, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Jul  7, 2003 (13:17)", "body": "Feeling just terrible that I missed all the June birthdays ;-( Happy b-lated b-day to Lizza, KJ, Moon (got to do lunch :-)!), Beedee, Pam, Minkee, Shoshana, and Leah! Hope I covered all (the) LeJune Filles! (pardon my French). There must be something about being born under the same sign and adoring YKW. Glad I made it back in time to celebrate the droolettes who celebrate in July!"}, {"response": 442, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jul  7, 2003 (16:24)", "body": "Y'all are truly wonderful! So far since I posted that request to click on the ad links, Spring.net has done very well. Keep doing it! Please. Thank you."}, {"response": 443, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (00:04)", "body": "Let me be the first ... LisaJH! ... Don't worry -- you'll never get too old for this place ... !"}, {"response": 444, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (00:12)", "body": "Lisa, Have a great day. This place can really make you feel special on your birthday! Enjoy."}, {"response": 445, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (00:17)", "body": "I've really got to go....I can't be late for Lisa's party!! Besides....I think our time is up. LisaJH!!! Here is hoping you spend many more happy hours with ODB!"}, {"response": 446, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (07:08)", "body": "Happy Birthday Lisa! Mark and Bridget want to wish you a wonderful birthday, too... Just have a few things to finish first! ;-)"}, {"response": 447, "author": "soph", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (08:11)", "body": "(wham bam motel, tress... thank you ma'am ! *heeheehee*) hey, wait a minute, that's not the reason why i logged in : just wanted to tell lisa that henry's been thinking about her on this very special day. check it out for yourself, he's all giddy with exitement : now what this little devil is thinking of, you'll have to figure out yourself, lisa. animatronicolin 1.7 - full dimples ahead mode you have yourself an exxxxccccellent birthday now"}, {"response": 448, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (08:25)", "body": "Lisa!! You light up the room darling!"}, {"response": 449, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (08:36)", "body": "I\ufffdm sure he\ufffdll show up later, I know he\ufffdll come this way. It\ufffds sure to be much better With Colin on your birthday. Should Paul ring for some pizza? Will Mark stir up blue soup? Oh Happy Birthday Lisa, From one among this group."}, {"response": 450, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (09:29)", "body": "So, you say it's Lisa's Birthday Time to nip over to 192 for a little celebration"}, {"response": 451, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (09:32)", "body": "Happy Birthday Lisa!!!"}, {"response": 452, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (09:36)", "body": "Lisa, Lisa.... Are you there Lisa? Hello Lisa?"}, {"response": 453, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (09:37)", "body": "Attention everyone! Today is Lisa's birthday and we are going to celebrate like there's no tomorrow. Lisa darling, I have missed you. You've been neglecting me lately. So sit back and enjoy the ride. And brace yourself for the new ending of TEOR. Hey, you knew I had to have the bigger role. What can I say? I feel betrayed once more. But at least I kept all those toys from that last encounter, swing and all. Remember this one? ;-D I just hope you include me in your next story, Lisa. Lisa can you hear me? Lisa can you hear me? Lisa? Sorry Colin but it's time to sing... Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Lisa.... Happy Birthday to you!!!"}, {"response": 454, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (09:54)", "body": "Lisa, darling, could you take over? My hand is about to fall off and I need a ciggie."}, {"response": 455, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (09:58)", "body": "You guys are the greatest! ;-D KJ, just how old do you think I am? ;-) (I\ufffdm just a teensy bit older than ODB.) Thanks for remembering me. Leah, thank you for your wishes. I agree that Drool birthdays are special. LOL, Tress, did he go to the no-tell hotel to warm himself up for me? ;-) Tell him that he\ufffdd better take me to a first class hotel, and none of this by the hour business. ;-) Mmmm, thanks, Shoshana. As you know, I have a soft spot for Bridge and Mark. Merci, Sophie, for the Collin full dimples animation. Love it! Maria, mmmm. AFG! Love that half-light shot. Reminds me of the \ufffdMeet the Beatles\ufffd album cover. Karen, funny you should mention going out, as that is just what I am going to do--I\ufffdm being whisked off to lunch to the restaurant of my choice. (Sadly, it is too hot to drink champagne or wine.). So, I will be gone for a few hours, but, I\ufffdll be back\ufffd Thanks, Terry, for your wishes. Bedee, LOL! Yes, indeed I am."}, {"response": 456, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (10:08)", "body": "(Lisa) I\ufffdm just a teensy bit older than ODB. Reminds me of the \ufffdMeet the Beatles\ufffd album cover. Does not compute. But we'll keep your secret. ;-D"}, {"response": 457, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (10:19)", "body": ""}, {"response": 458, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (10:25)", "body": "Ohhh sorry Lisa! I got the 'boxes o' death'. It worked in practice. Karen if you need to delete, I understand! Terribly sorry everyone (but my goofs appear to be working as links if you want to look that way)! But Happy Birthday Lisa! ;-)"}, {"response": 459, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (11:33)", "body": "Got here as fast as I could... .........didn't have time to errrr.... .....anyway.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LISA"}, {"response": 460, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (11:53)", "body": "Time to jump for joy . . . . . . 'cause it's Lisa's birthday! Have a great day and a wonderful year, Lisa!"}, {"response": 461, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (12:12)", "body": "Lisa, I thought about wearing a towel to your party, but I thought it might not be the proper attire for a top-notch London barrister, so I changed into a little something my mum gave me... However, this doesn't seem right, either. Wrong season, wrong occasion, embarrassing reindeer jumper... So I think I'll stop worrying about my attire and get on with my reason for being here, which is to say Lisa!"}, {"response": 462, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (12:53)", "body": "Will try one more time...*holding breath* 141 lbs (have just eaten entire cake baked for Lisa's birthday, v. v. bad. Will bake another so that I can share with virtual family), alcohol units 4 (v. bad as is only 8:00 in the morning), cigarettes 0 (v. v. good, but again, only 8:00 in the morning), calories 3,892 (poor....have eaten entire chocolate cake and half of a Dairy Milk), number of illicit thoughts about Mr. Darcy 167 (v. v. good, as is always good to think of Mr. Darcy), phone calls from Mark Darcy 0 (odd, as I am sure he has my number), birthday wishes for Lisa: ohhhhhh thousands!!! (again) Lisa!!!!"}, {"response": 463, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (12:59)", "body": "Tress) got the 'boxes o' death'. It worked in practice. ROTFLWE!(rolling on the floor laughing with empathy!) *boxes o' death*....how appropriate...."}, {"response": 464, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (13:05)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Lisa! Since we share a birthdate, I thought I'd drop by and sing for you. Happy Birthday, Lisa!"}, {"response": 465, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (13:06)", "body": "from Beck. Moon's favourite LA homeboy."}, {"response": 466, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (13:07)", "body": "Lisa, are you there? Hello, Lisa? I know you've gone to lunch, but I just wanted to wish you a very happy birthday and this picture is a lot like the one from the satellite interview when I said your name like that (remember how I was doing that thing with my lips like this?) So I'm sending you a reminder of that special time for your birthday. Happy Birthday, Lisa, Lisa, Lisa! Thanks Karen and KathyC for these great pictures. Especially that last one with great dimples and smile! Happy birthday, Lisa. Have a great day!"}, {"response": 467, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (13:13)", "body": "Lisa, Lisa.... Can you hear me? Are you there Lisa? If you can hear me Say my Name! I want to wish you a Happy Birthday. Hello Lisa?"}, {"response": 468, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (13:26)", "body": "I just know there's something going on today. Something important. What was it? WHAT? It's Lisa's birthday? And I'm missing it whilst rowing on the lake with some stick insect? Well, that's what I heard, at any rate, Arsy Darcy. What did you say, Cleaver? Do I have to take you outside and beat the crap out of you again? I'm on my way, Lisa. I wouldn't miss your party for the world, Lisa. Lisa, Lisa, can you hear me, Lisa? I'm here, Lisa! May I come up and join the party? Happy Birthday, Lisa!"}, {"response": 469, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (13:31)", "body": "A book deal? You want me to discuss a book deal on her birthday? She'll never consent. That scoundrel, Mark Darcy, has beaten us to it. Happy Birthday, Lisa Thanks, ladies, for all the AFG pictures in honor of Lisa's birthday...very enjoyable, indeed."}, {"response": 470, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (14:02)", "body": "Since this is the All Important \"Lisa, Lisa, can you hear me day\" from our studio overlooking the fakey Westminster backdrop, I bring you: and it's time for some liquid celebration: as we're all getting a little parched."}, {"response": 471, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (14:23)", "body": "Whew! That was Troomatic! I almost missed the Lisa's party! Happy Happy Birthday! You've put a smile back on my (beautiful) face Lisa!"}, {"response": 472, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (15:08)", "body": "Hey Lisa....this just came in... HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LISA..... From all the Stiffs at Dead People.com"}, {"response": 473, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (16:14)", "body": "I just read all the BD greetings and am in hysterics! We are having really bad thunderstorms, so I can't stay online, but will return as soon as I can. You've made this day such a fun one--thanks!"}, {"response": 474, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (17:31)", "body": "Lisa, Lisa.... Can you hear me Lisa? I found this book you left behind.... Hello Lisa? What does it mean? What are you studying? Will you have time to meet so we can celebrate your birthday? I've set a lovely table.. ?"}, {"response": 475, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (18:03)", "body": "Happy Birthday to Lisa, who stepped in when HF left us hanging with Bridget and Mark's story. Hope you have a v. v. special day!! We've never had any trouble hearing him, have we?"}, {"response": 476, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (18:32)", "body": "I want to join the party but I can't get out of this bloody boat! That and this sweater itches, can I take it off? Lisa, I hope you're having a wonderful birthday (with or without the thunderstorms!)!"}, {"response": 477, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (18:54)", "body": "Lisa, Professor Leavis is on the line and wants to wish you a very Happy Birthday!"}, {"response": 478, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (18:59)", "body": "Oh, Moon! Wot happened to TEoR script? Not Daniel! Gaaaaaaah! I thought Bridget was supposed to marry John Revolta. ;-) Mark, darling, if you have custody of the toys, I'll be right over! (I knew that story would come back to haunt me. ;-)) Just call me rebound girl! ;-) Colin, hon, with that smoulder, I'll have plenty of inspiration to write a phonebook-sized epic novel. And Bridge, I knew I could count on you to get the karaoke going. Thanks, Moon! Karen, dahlink, please tell Helen I'd be happy to pinch hit for her while she nips out for a fag. (And no, I'm not referring to Tom.;-)) (Karen) Does not compute. But we'll keep your secret. ;-D I meant With the Beatles. (I swear: no alcohol was involved!) Here's the pic of the cover with their faces half-lit: (Tress) I got the 'boxes o' death'. Oh my, I hope it's not contagious. ;-) Evelyn, love ODB's \"foliage.\" I wonder if he plans to do a four seasons set? I'd buy it. ;-) Thanks, Mari for the bounce-a-gram and your kind wishes. Moon, I had no idea I shared Beck's birthday! Here I thought it was just me and Kevin Bacon. ;-) Lora, LOL, at the pic of Colin making a face! But that dimpled one....oh, my! Thanks, ever so much. Matthew, I'll say your name over and over again, you two-timing piece of eye candy. ;-) LOL! Thanks, Beedee. Guess I'm going to have to make tomato sauce, huh? ;-) Mark, darling, of course you may come up and join the party. I sent that Cleaver guy packing. Loved the lovely Darcy captures--thanks, Rika! Linda, you tell \"Liz R\" and Wessex that they're welcome to chat me up about a book deal any time they want. Would that be Tudor Press? ;-) Okay, I'm going to take a break, have a little dinner, and I'll be back. This has to be one of the most enjoyable birthdays I've had in a long time. Thank you all for the lovely ODBfest."}, {"response": 479, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (19:47)", "body": "Lisa, when the party is over...I'm taking you to Pemberley for a mini-break. I have a book deal I want to discuss...after some cake, of course Hope you are enjoying your day, Happy Birthday, Lisa."}, {"response": 480, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (19:49)", "body": "Wait a minute, I've got that album and it's called Meet The Beatles. (Actually, the US version was \"Meet\"; the UK version, which came out the previous year, was With Just a bit of trivia from your resident Beatlemaniac. Not that I'm old enough to remember.;-) Looks like the mop-top boys have stopped by to send their greetings: Happy Birthday, Lisa . . . we love you, yeah, yeah, yeah!"}, {"response": 481, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (21:54)", "body": "Since this is the All Important \"Lisa, Lisa, can you hear me day\" Crikey, Karen, I have my own day, now! And to think, in about 25 years he'll say \"Lisa, can you hear me?\" and I'll say \"What?\" and it will be the old folks version of the Abbott & Costello routine. ;-) Thanks for the wine, too, which I just poured down my throat. Mmmmmm, lovely. ;-) Maria, love the very un-traumatic smile. Mmmm. So glad Ben was able to drop by. He didn't bring any creepy crawlies with him, I hope. Evelyn, dear, how nice that all the stiffs remembered me. ;-) I guess I had that coming, LOL! How many more days until your birthday, hmmmmm? ;-) Hunk Daddy, er, I mean, Henry, how did you know that I've been using a very similar book of late? Well, we all have our guilty pleasures: I steal away and play with HTML code manuals and graphics software, and you dress in your biker leathers and play air guitar in front of a mirror. Ain't middle age fun? ;-) Let us put our little hobbies aside and enjoy that lovely spread. How very nice of Beedee to arrange our meeting. Thanks, Hen, for your birthday wishes. Yes, we can always here him, especially when he says our name over and over again. ;-) Ada, fair mistress of the keeps! You tell Mark that of course he can take off the sweater, as it is my one and only keepsake. Thanks for the lovely pic and wishes and let's get him off that boat with the stick insect! Er, Bridge, the F.R. Leavis? Isn't he one of the stiffs from Deadpeople.com? Or do they have phone service now? ;-) Ask Tress, or better still, Evelyn--I bet she knows. Mr Darcy, I long to go to Pemberley for a mini-break. And a book deal AND cake? Can we take a dip in the pond, too? It is awfully hot outside. Note to self: thank my agent, LindaK, for arranging this! (Mari) Wait a minute, I've got that album and it's called Meet The Beatles Okay, maybe I've got the name of the album mixed up, but didn't the US vinyl LP have the photo with the half-lit faces on it? Or have I entered the Twilight Zone? Just a bit of trivia from your resident Beatlemaniac. *sigh* I was/am a Beatlemaniac too, but I must be slipping. Not that I'm old enough to remember.;-) Of course not. ;-) So glad the lads dropped by! Thanks, Mari! Well, this has been some day! Thank you, one and all!"}, {"response": 482, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (22:08)", "body": "Ohmigod! I left out thanking Kathy and Tress for posts 461 and 462. Kathy, you tell Mark that any ole thing he wears is fine by me, though I prefer the towel to the reindeer jumper. Less is more; or so it would seem. ;-) Thanks! LOL, Tress! I love the diary entry! No 'boxes o' death\" this time, I see. V.v. good!"}, {"response": 483, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (22:12)", "body": "(Lisa) but didn't the US vinyl LP have the photo with the half-lit faces on it? Vinyl??? Vinyl?? It was just an album or an LP. and I watched them on Ed Sullivan and have a tape (audio) we made (with aunt and uncle talking in the background) while it was airing. I think it was the third appearance (Miami???)"}, {"response": 484, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jul  8, 2003 (23:00)", "body": "Lisa, Lisa.... Let me get rid of this kid on this swing and we can get down to business on your swing! now that the kiddies are in bed!"}, {"response": 485, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul  9, 2003 (09:19)", "body": "TV's 'Soundstage' Returns After 18 Years By ADAM JADHAV, Associated Press Writer CHICAGO - Soundstage, the PBS series that put viewers in the front row of concerts by artists ranging from Bob Dylan to the Temptations, is back on television after being muscled out 18 years ago by the music video. Those behind the series hope its raw approach \ufffd no glitz, just music \ufffd appeals to those put off by the record industry's focus on glamour. \"The bet on our part: The fans are intelligent enough to appreciate the art of performance,\" said director Joe Thomas. The new series debuted Thursday with a performance by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Future performers in the 13-part weekly series include country star Trace Adkins, rockers Sonic Youth and pop singer Tori Amos. The hourlong shows are taped in front of a live audience at the WTTW-TV Studios in Chicago. The Public Broadcasting Service affiliate, which also produced the original series, keeps editing to a minimum. Performers are encouraged to talk with the audience, and if artists make mistakes, the cameras capture it all. That formula is similar to what propelled the original series, which ran from 1974 to 1985. It was groundbreaking when the normal way musicians reached television viewers was to lip-synch a hit or two on programs such as The Ed Sullivan Show and The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. By contrast, Soundstage gave fans hourlong concerts from big names \ufffd Aretha Franklin, Benny Goodman and more \ufffd in an intimate studio environment. \"It was a little more off-the-cuff kind of talking and playing,\" said 50-year-old Steven Kay, who owns the Vintage Vinyl record store in Evanston and was a fan of the original Soundstage. \"It was the kind of show where you got to know an artist deeper and more personally than if they just appeared on the Smothers Brothers Show and played a few songs.\" It still is, only this time Soundstage is shot with high-definition cameras and digital surround sound. The producers hope the new technology helps better capture the look and feel of a live show. \"There were cameras all over the place,\" said Lee Loughnane, member of the band Chicago, whose Soundstage performance will air July 26. \"No flash pots, no dancing girls, no background singers. We just did our thing.\" With the first season in the can, WTTW and partner HD Ready, a suburban video company, are planning for a second. Singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow will be taping next week, Thomas said. Randy King, WTTW executive television producer, said the station is working to schedule groups such as Coldplay, A Tribe Called Quest and Radiohead. Not everyone believes such a performance series can last. Audiences used to slick music videos might think concerts fall flat on TV, VH1 executive Bill Flanagan said. \"The single thing that makes a concert most compelling is that you're in the room with the artist,\" Flanagan said. \"When you put that on TV you've almost lost that.\" But singer Michael McDonald, who performed on the old series as frontman for the Doobie Brothers and appears as a solo act on a new show, sees a place for Soundstage. \"So much of what we see today kind of harkens to stage productions of 'Guys and Dolls,'\" McDonald said. \"(Videos) have got all the dancers and all the stuff going on that kinda creates an ambiance that sort of distracts from the music. \"With Soundstage, you get that kind of view into what is the core of the musical performing act.\""}, {"response": 486, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jul  9, 2003 (09:32)", "body": "Thanks Karen, TV's 'Soundstage' Returns After 18 Years The new series debuted Thursday with a performance by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers I saw and enjoyed some of this last weekend. It was followed by a great Austin City Limits concert with Bonnie Raitt. But singer Michael McDonald, who performed on the old series as frontman for the Doobie Brothers and appears as a solo act on a new show, sees a place for Soundstage. Me too, me too! Been missing my favorite Doobie."}, {"response": 487, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Jul  9, 2003 (10:48)", "body": "(Karen) Vinyl??? Vinyl?? It was just an album or an LP. As the cat in the Tidy Cat commercial used to say, \"Whatever!\" ;-) I just threw in the vinyl part as a description, as cds are also now referred to as albums. Another confusing issue regarding the Beatles albums is that when they were re-released as cds, we ended up with the British version of the song lists. I much prefer the older, US version of Rubber Soul (my favorite) that was on the LP. I'm a picky Beatlemaniac. ;-) Oh, Beedee, a kinky Hunk Daddy! Sonia, someone was kind enough to point out to me that I overlookd thanking you for your poem yesterday. Please accept my apologies and know that I really enjoyed it and appreciated the effort. If I left anyone else out, please accept my apologies."}, {"response": 488, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Jul  9, 2003 (12:22)", "body": "You're welcome Lisa. Thanks to the kind soul and to everyone else for that matter. It was your birthday but I too enjoyed your gifts. (Lisa) Oh, Beedee, a kinky Hunk Daddy! First leather then swings, the man is full of surprises."}, {"response": 489, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Jul  9, 2003 (12:28)", "body": "What a great party Lisa. So many guests plus the Beatles. They even knew this was the birthday of a very special person indeed. Happy Birthday Lisa. Great job ladies. Really genius."}, {"response": 490, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul  9, 2003 (12:56)", "body": "(Lisa)Evelyn, dear, how nice that all the stiffs remembered me. ;-) I guess I had that coming, LOL! How many more days until your birthday, hmmmmm? ;-) Uh,oh...I better get the armor suit ready;-)"}, {"response": 491, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Jul 10, 2003 (10:39)", "body": "Alas! Alack! This is totally OT, but my DVD died, and it ate P&P disk 1! Please, will you send get well wishes to the player? Maybe the combined will of many Droolers will help."}, {"response": 492, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jul 10, 2003 (11:45)", "body": "Oooooo, channeling zuba zubas your way! A truely terrible situation..."}, {"response": 493, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Jul 10, 2003 (20:17)", "body": "Well, thank you for your positive thoughts... the DVD player is very dead but P&P has been extracted with only mild (and hopefully not deep) scratches from being rammed into the machinery. Of course, now have no DVD player on which to check out said disc and thus I am going through Darcy withdrawl cravings. :-( Will just have to go watch something on VHS, I suppose. Anyway, thanks for the nice messages and I'll stop taking up valuable space now."}, {"response": 494, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 11, 2003 (11:10)", "body": "London theatre news : Othello will play at Stratford in an RSC production Feb-April. \"The leading South African actor Sello Maake ka Ncube will play the title role of Othello. He is currently appearing as Mufasa in the long running and highly successful musical The Lion King in the West End. This production of Othello celebrates the play's 400th anniversary by casting the first black African actor ever to play the title role in a major production in this country.\" He'd be a terrific \"George\" in TDW if they hurry and shoot in January."}, {"response": 495, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Jul 11, 2003 (11:26)", "body": "Interesting article in BBC News about Gurinder Chadha's Bollywood version of P&P, \"Bride and Prejudice,\" about to start filming: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/3057959.stm I'm puzzled by this: \"His unsavoury friend Mr Bingley is still an Englishman - in this case a barrister - and according to Gillies, who plays him, his character will be 'more despicable'.\""}, {"response": 496, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jul 11, 2003 (11:53)", "body": "I enjoy those recent Bollywood movies, but the P&P one might be hard to take. I rented \"I'm With Lucy\" and most highly recommend it! A very intelligent script, maybe that's why it did not get released in the theatres. It is one of the best rom com I've seen since \"Harry Met Sally\". Has anyone else seen it? Run to your video store and rent this one. You will be surprised on the cast too, known actors you will recognize."}, {"response": 497, "author": "KathyLC", "date": "Fri, Jul 11, 2003 (12:35)", "body": "\"I'm With Lucy\" is on my Netflix list. I'll move it up and let you how I liked it. I don't rent many rom coms, but I'll try anything Harold Ramis is in. It may have been mentioned before, but \"Lost in La Mancha\" is definitely worth a look see."}, {"response": 498, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jul 11, 2003 (12:46)", "body": "(Moon)rented \"I'm With Lucy\" and most highly recommend it! A very intelligent script,..... Thanks Moon, I'm always looking for those undervalued treasures. So much c**p out there these days. OT but my heart leaped a little yesterday at the library, yes the library, while I was looking through the DVD section for weekend fare I saw they had LE! Almost took it instictively then slapped self as have it at home;-)"}, {"response": 499, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 11, 2003 (12:51)", "body": "(Beedee) I saw they had LE! Almost took it instictively then slapped self as have it at home;-) LOL!"}, {"response": 500, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Jul 12, 2003 (06:57)", "body": "From Show Biz Data: Ouch reviews! (What a bad summer so far for the so-called big films:) On ABC's Good Morning America critic Joel Siegel led off his review of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen by remarking on the extraordinary acting talent of one of its stars, Sean Connery. \"I'd pay to watch him read the morning paper and drink a cup of coffee,\" Siegel commented, then added: \"I'd rather do [that] than watch The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen,\" which Siegel described as \"every action movie this summer lumped together in one big ... lump.\" His colleagues in the print media mostly agree. Roger Ebert in the Chicago Sun-Times calls the lump a mixture of \"incomprehensible action, idiotic dialogue, inexplicable motivations, causes without effects, effects without causes, and general lunacy. What a mess.\" Geoff Pevere in the Toronto Star advises: \"Transpose just about any of the reasonable complaints one might have about 90 per cent of the big budget studio releases currently, recently or imminently in release (i.e., that they're underwritten, overblown, forgettable, illogical, irrelevant, int llectually-challenged and yet eager to reproduce) and you've pretty much captured the essence of this joyless, lurching behemoth.\" Megan Lehmann in the New York Post counters the highfalutin title with a highfalutin description: \"unfathomable balderdash.\" Carrie Rickey in the Philadelphia Inquirer describes it as \"the unwatchable in pursuit of the inexplicable.\" Stephen Hunter in the Washington Post even has rancorous words about Connery. \"He confines most of his acting to his left eyebrow and his right fist; they're his only body parts that seem engaged. In all other respects, his performance must be modeled on Darrell Hammond's brilliant impersonations of him on Saturday Night Live as arrogant and stupid but also stubborn and boring,\" Hunter writes. And Manohla Dargis in the Los Angeles Times expresses her exasperation with the recent glut of blockbuster action films by kicking off her review this way: \"It's axiomatic among film critics that the movies have gone to the dogs, or more precisely to teenage b ys. Given the current crop of cheerlessly noisy entertainments, such bitterness is understandable, but then again it's summer. Summer is the critics' season of discontent, the time when movies seem coarser, louder and held hostage by stories simple enough to wrap around a slab of Bazooka bubble gum.\" In fact, the film has a few admirers. Eleanor Ringel Gillespie in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution describes it as \"a lightning-paced period adventure, dotted with some off-hand literary references to coax a smile out of book-loving moviegoers.\" **************************** Manohla Dargis (see in the review above), BTW, has written a very good new book on the film LA Confidential - Lots of insights on the Hollywood of the 50s, Ellroy, Curtis Hansen, and key scenes form the film. I recommend it. Karen, thanks for the Soundstage news. R Crowe and his band will be on on August 14 - with Kris Kristofferson."}, {"response": 501, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Jul 12, 2003 (11:59)", "body": "Sorry I have to jump the gun a bit but . . . EVELYN! , knowing how fond you are of the dearly departed, I thought your birthday tomorrow could bring new meaning to the term The Dead Wait. \"Well, doggies! For your birthday, Evelyn, we're clearin' off the fancy eatin' table and fixin' some birthday vittles! I see dead people. Don't worry, kid, it's just Evelyn's birthday party guests."}, {"response": 502, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Jul 12, 2003 (12:03)", "body": "Grrr . . ."}, {"response": 503, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Jul 12, 2003 (12:15)", "body": "More guests from Philly have arrived . . . K: Evelyn, dahling, for your birthday, live carefree as a madcap heiress . . . hope you don't mind that I brought these two galoots along . . . They do meet the dead requirement."}, {"response": 504, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Jul 12, 2003 (12:33)", "body": "A day early too...because I can't stop by tomorrow: Evelyn: You may not like to look at us anymore, but we sure enjoy watching you. The \"starry\" eyes of heaven are upon you... Happy Birthday!"}, {"response": 505, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Jul 12, 2003 (12:37)", "body": "We're going to have to start checking pulses at the door. These two claim their dead, but they can't seem to show any proof . . . Evelyn, the last stop on my around-the-world flight will be your party.\" They better let me in, I brought a present! Hope you like shoes, Evelyn. You're not allergic to cement, are ya kid?\""}, {"response": 506, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 12, 2003 (13:07)", "body": "Murph & Mari...thanks for stopping by... Pulses Inc.! LOL. Murph, I knew all these guys in their prime. Except maybe Amelia. Kate just about made the 'dead end cut'. \"Sorry ole girl...couldn't you hang in a few more days\" I like Jimmy's thought, Mari...don't think I'll take him up on it though. ROTF girls...it's nice to be remembered by one and all...\"dead or alive\";-)"}, {"response": 507, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Jul 12, 2003 (14:23)", "body": "In the spirit of things, I'm going to jump the gun with this.... Evelyn, in honor of your birthday you are hereby inducted into the Carpe Stiffem, Ev!"}, {"response": 508, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 12, 2003 (15:53)", "body": "Damn! Now, my kickoff image won't packed much punch. Grrrr!"}, {"response": 509, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sat, Jul 12, 2003 (19:43)", "body": "Yeah, don't you hate it when that happens?"}, {"response": 510, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Jul 12, 2003 (23:34)", "body": "HALLO Efyeelin....... HAPPY BIRSSSDAY from zee Undead..... I knowz how much you preferz zee Undead....hee hee You vil un-da-ztant zat I hatt to zent zissss now bekawz zee night time iz zee right time for uzzz to parrrtie! Att our aech zee harsh lightz iz not zo gut! You ztill luk gut to me baby baby..I vant to .......Oh, scuz me, off topik!"}, {"response": 511, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 12, 2003 (23:55)", "body": "LOL! Oh, zhat iz gut ;-))))))"}, {"response": 512, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (00:04)", "body": "Here's someone running to get to your party, Evelyn... Before After"}, {"response": 513, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (00:10)", "body": "Everyone over here is hoping you have a And here's a prezzie ..."}, {"response": 514, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (00:38)", "body": "(Karen)Here's someone running to get to your party, Evelyn... (KJ)Everyone over here is hoping you have a LOL! And so was that! Hey! we're early to Ev's party! Say Good Nght Gracie...Good Night George........"}, {"response": 515, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (02:07)", "body": "Well, for me (Armand) it will not be a good night. I'll just stay here, by the window waiting for the morning to come, so I can go to my one (and only?) fan Evelyn. She deserves my full attention on her birthday. Evelyn, thank you for allways defending me. It has not gone bye unnoticed. Have a wonderful birthday. I'm afraid I won't have you all to myself (am expecting a big show of \"blue suits\" ;-)) And off course you shall have a flower for the occasion:"}, {"response": 516, "author": "socadook", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (02:29)", "body": "Dead actors all be gone She won\ufffdt watch you today. Your life mustn\ufffdt be done It won\ufffdt freak her this way. For her, drama and drool. Wait, Trauma\ufffds on its way. \ufffdTil then there\ufffds Evelyn\ufffds fuel, A Lindemann Chardonnay. Consume with moderation The label it will say. Such sweet anticipation. Much joy and happy birthday!"}, {"response": 517, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (03:27)", "body": "Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to Evelyn!!! Happy Birthday to you!"}, {"response": 518, "author": "soph", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (06:35)", "body": "cool skeleton animation karen, but this is evelyn's birthday f'r chris'sake : i thought we'd get to see a little more flesh (and blue suits) than that ! plus, you know, dead people don't smell too good but look, coming to the rescue to liven up the mood, there's dashing dashwood, aka hunk daddy. he is answering the press right now, but he is definitely on his way to evelyn's party : animatronicolin 2.0, a blue suit for evelyn (... and something else as well ?) happy birthday evelyn ! *** warning! this file is huge (300ko) and i had to open a new site for it (hence version 2.0)***"}, {"response": 519, "author": "aishling", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (06:59)", "body": "Happy Birthday Evelyn Have a wonderful day And to my Number One fan, my best wishes for a very Happy Birthday"}, {"response": 520, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (09:11)", "body": "I see dead people No kidding? So do I A toast to Evelyn...Forget about the dead and undead. Here's wishing you a truly out of this world experience. Happy Birthday"}, {"response": 521, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (09:14)", "body": "Enough with all these dead people! I agree with you, Annette, it's time for some blue suits\ufffd Its Evelyn's birthday, and she's young at heart, So it's time to give her a celebration of a different start! Oh, The Places You'll Go Just to see me on the screen, You'd get on a plane and Fly to Dallas like a teen. Or travel by train or in a car, For that - Happy birthday, I love you just as you are! Yet, I hear you like me in a suit of blue, But, do you like me in this suit, too? (The Cad in the Hat) Or how about with an earring through? (There's a Cod on my Bod or There's a Wocket in My Pocket) You do not like me when I'm \"SLOW,\" But with tennis shoes and tomatoes I don't look so bad, you know. (Fox in Socks) You may not like me in 'Hope Springs,' But maybe you'll like me in scary things? Sometimes you may think I'm just a hobby, But remember you're the first one I gazed at in the Donmar lobby! (pay no attention to KST, Evelyn is sitting next to her and that's who he's looking at!) Have a very happy birthday, Evelyn. Hope you have a fun, wonderful day!"}, {"response": 522, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (09:43)", "body": "No birthday would be complete without a little entertainment, so I've invited some great hoofers to put on a show: What? You don't recognize them? How soon they forget."}, {"response": 523, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (10:09)", "body": "LOL at all the thespian skeletons coming out of the closet! Here's your horror-scope, Evelyn: ;-) IF JULY 13 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: You're resourceful, sometimes surprising even yourself; you can be a fish out of water, different in every way. The full moon today means you are about to harvest the results of your good deeds. Lady Luck is smiling on your endeavors. If you haven't found a mate so far, this should be the year. There's success having to do with art, drama or music. December brings work, money and travel. ********************************* Birthdates which occurred on July 13: 1396 Philip the Good Duke of Burgundy 1527 John Dee London, alchemist/astrologer/mathematician 1793 John Clare Northamptonshire peasant poet (Shepard's Calendar) 1821 Nathan Bedford Forrest Tennessee, brilliant cavalry leader, Lt Gen 1863 Emma Mary Wooley educator (Mary Anna Wells) 1894 Isaak Babel Russian short-story writer/dramatist (Red Calvary) 19-- Danitra Vance comedienne (SNL) 19-- Lois Kibbee actress (Edge of Night) 1901 Mickey \"Toy Bulldog\" Walker welterweight boxing champ (1922-26) 1906 Harry Sosnik Chicago, orch leader (Jack Carter Show, Your Hit Parade) 1913 Carolina Gisolf Holland, high jumper (Olympic-silver-1928) 1913 Dave Garroway Schnectady NY, TV host (Today Show) 1923 Susie Bond Louisville Ky, actress (Flo, Temperature Rising) 1926 Meyer Kupferman NYC, composer (In Fimi Tres) 1928 Bob Crane Waterbury Ct, actor (Hogan's Heroes) 1931 Bill Moor Toledo Oh, actor (Hanky Panky) 1934 Alexei S Yeliseyev cosmonaut (Soyuz 5, 8, 10) 1934 Wole Soyinka Nigeria, dramatist (Road, Kongi's Harvest) 1935 Jack Kemp (Rep-R-NY)/right-wing/US Secretary of Housing (1989- ) 1940 Patrick Stewart actor (Capt Picard-Star Trek Next Generation) 1940 Paul Prudhomme cajun chef 1941 Robert Forster Rochester NY, actor (Lady in Red, Alligator) 1942 Harrison Ford actor (Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Frantic) 1942 Roger McGuinn rocker (Byrds-Turn Turn Turn, Mr Tambourine Man) 1944 Erno Rubik Budapest, inventor (Rubik's cube) 1946 Richard \"Cheech\" Marin comedian (Cheech & Chong-Up in Smoke) 1948 Alf Hansen Norway, double sculls (Olympic-gold-1976) 1948 Daphne Maxwell Reid actress (Frank's Place) 1948 Don Sweet Vancouver, CFL, NFL place kicker (Montr\ufffdal, Green Bay) 1950 George D \"Pinky\" Nelson Iowa, PhD/astro (STS 41C, STS 61-C, STS-26) 1951 Didi Conn Bkln NY, actress (Denise-Benson, Helen-The Practice) 1954 David Thompson NBA guard (Phoenix Suns, Seattle Supersonics) 1954 Louise Mandrell Corpus Christi Tx, country singer (Mandrell Sisters) 1956 Mark \"Animal\" Mendoza rocker (Twisted Sister-We're Not Gonna Take It) 1963 Bobby Rock Houston Tx, rock drummer (Nelson-Love & Affection) 1963 Spud Webb NBA guard (Atlanta Hawks) 1966 Myong Hui Choe North Korea, gymnist (Olympic-1980) 1970 Steven J Brown Hackensack NJ, guitarist (Trixter-Give It To Me Good) And just for you, Evelyn dear, as I normally exclude them: Deaths which occurred on July 13: 1762 James Bradley 3rd Astronomer Royal, dies 1793 Jean Paul Marat French revolutionary, murdered by Charlotte Corday 1890 John C Fremont declared Republic of California, dies at 76 1955 Ruth Ellis hung 1961 Arnold Schoenberg Austrian-US composer (Second Quartet), dies at 86 1973 Lon Chaney Jr actor (Hawkeye, Pistols 'n' Petticoats), dies at 67 1982 John Alexander actor, dies at 85 On this day... 432 -BC- Origin of Metonic Cycle 574 John III ends his reign as Catholic Pope 1568 Dean of St Paul's Cathedral perfects a way to bottle beer 1787 Congress establishes Northwest Territory (excludes slavery) 1787 Ord of 1787-a territory can become 3 to 5 states at 60,000 pop 1793 French rev writer Jean Paul Marat murdered by Charlotte Corday 1832 Source of Mississippi River discovered (Henry R Schoolcraft) 1836 US patent #1 (after 9,957 unnumbered patents), for locomotive wheels 1854 US forces shell & burn San Juan del Norte, Nicaragua 1863 Anti-draft mobs lynch blacks in NYC; about 1,000 die 1865 Horace Greeley advises his readers to \"Go west young man\" 1865 PT Barnum's museum burns down 1868 Oscar J Dunn, former slave, installed as lt governor of Louisiana 1878 Treaty of Berlin amended terms of Treaty of San Stefano 1882 200 die as train derails near Tcherny, Russia 1896 Ed Delahanty, becomes 2nd major leaguer to hit 4 HRs in a game 1898 Guglielmo Marconi patents the radio 1898 SF Ferry Building at foot of Market St opens 1900 Phillies beat Pittsburgh 23-8 1908 4th modern Olympic games opens in London 1917 Vision of Virgin Mary appeared to children of F tima, Portugal 1919 Race riots in Longview & Gregg counties Texas 1930 Sarnoff reports in NY Times \"TV would be a theater in every home\" 1934 Babe Ruth hits HR #700 against Detroit 1936 112\ufffd F (44\ufffd C), Mio, Michigan (state record) 1936 114\ufffd F (46\ufffd C), Wisconsin Dells, Wisc. (state record) 1943 1st All Star night game (AL beats NL 5-4 at Shribe Pk, Phila) 1948 AL beats NL 5-2 in 15th All Star Game (Sportsman Park, St Louis) 1953 J A Bruwer discovers asteroids #1658 Innes & #32"}, {"response": 524, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (10:40)", "body": "I know how much you just want to rub my head"}, {"response": 525, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (12:34)", "body": "Sorry, I'm late....hate Sunday b'days. Too many interruptions and an interminable preacher!! Thank to all the Sooners who remembered me yesterday.. Mari , nice of you to get Jimmy Hoffa's cement shoes for me...I was hoping for a pair of Manolo's like Carrie's..but what the hey;-) Lisa Nice of you to enroll me in the Dead Actor's Society...I only hope it's honorary and not an imminent active membership. Bee Dee What a good looking Frankenstein look-a-like! Can't immitate the accent:! You ztill luk gut to me baby baby.. But I take compliments from anybody nowdays;-) Boss ...Nice of you to invite Gary's \"old 'n new\"...actually what I was hoping was that you'd give me \"Amnesty\" on my birthday... so I could post at will without getting the dreaded \"Deleted\" *Double winkie* KJ ..with the fancy fonts...Thanks to you and Gregory (he shoulda hung on a little longer too!)for the chocs. . Annette Armand [\"left\"] and bringing me a camelia, I look at it this way: at least I don't have to share him with anybody. Sonia Lovely poem...you got the right Chardonnay too :-)Yum Dead actors all be gone She won?t watch you today. Nope...Darcy, all the way:-) Josie Nice to stand out on my birthday...even with rabbit ears;-) Thanks for the greeting. Sophie Thanks for bringing Lord Dashwood all dressed up.(And I get a whole webiste too ,girls!) Linda Give me a man in a tux...(forget the Icy Queen beside him!) Lora This is the day!! \"The Cad in the Hat\",too funny. Poor Matthew in the tennies. More on him later. You got 'em all ...in verse, already. Aishling MIA images!!Couldn't you bring these guys back from the dead...Nice greeting. Lisa , Yes nice to see Harrison Ford up there...gaaagh he's getting old;-))) Karen I knew Ari would come...I know how hard it was for you to ask him, Karen. But this is his swan-song...last day tomorrow. Nice of him to share his last day with me. He's my hero...:-))) What a day! I will quit, for now...You all know how I hate long posts!!"}, {"response": 526, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (12:37)", "body": "I'm so confused right now....I remember that it's Evelyn's birthday and that she wanted me in a blue suit....this is three pieces and it's blue....do you think this is what she had in mind??! Ohhh....look! I think I see my dead wife....gotta dash. Will be back in a bit with cake! Evelyn!!!"}, {"response": 527, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (12:55)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Evelyn!"}, {"response": 528, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (14:25)", "body": "Frankly, my dear, I did give a damn and baked Evelyn a birthday cake"}, {"response": 529, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (14:29)", "body": "GREETINGS FROM ACROSS THE POND SPECIAL BIRTHDAY WISHES FOR THE MIMOSA QUEEN OF DROOL WISHING YOU A WONDERFUL DAY EVELYN Enjoy! PS Rafe wanted to make it too and I've heard Jeremy will be along later. Guess these guys know a true fan when they see one!"}, {"response": 530, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (14:50)", "body": "Happy Birthday Evelyn!"}, {"response": 531, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (14:57)", "body": "Got you something that you've always wanted for your birthday: Colin on Broadway... I know you like musicals, so he's headed for a revival of Chorus Line!! One, singular sensation..."}, {"response": 532, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (15:14)", "body": "Miss Evelyn, enough of these dead people. I am the only one who understands what you mean. I hope you like my present Here's a toast to you Evelyn, may you have a very Happy Birthday!"}, {"response": 533, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (15:21)", "body": "Evelyn, I'm the one who will be going to Broadway soon. Don't wait around for that other one, it won't happen. Cheers! Have a wonderful Birthday!"}, {"response": 534, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (15:22)", "body": "Evelyn, don't let them give you any grief on the dead -- not dead thing. Everybody knows, you wait long enough, they'll be back. In the meantime, have a Happy Birthday! Party like it's 1349! --Oh wait, that wasn't the best time....nevermind! And nevermind Goldie either, she thought she saw someone she used to know, but he's not back yet!"}, {"response": 535, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (15:27)", "body": "Evelyn, I couldn't miss you party! I do hope to see you in London by the 30th. I'm afraid I'm off to do a Neil LaBute film with Sandra Bullock soon and won't be on Broadway for a while. Wish me luck working with both Neil and Sandra. I wish you a very merry and happy Birthday!"}, {"response": 536, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (16:03)", "body": "Hey Tress ....\"Ben, honey, I said navy blue suit...not dirty blue \" But the thought is there:-))) Karen How lovely of Rhett (with the bad breath!)& Scarlett to bake me a cake. Southern hospitality reigns! And \"Colin on Broadway\". LOL. How well you remember. [For all newbies: In 2000 , when Jennifer and Stephen Dillane won a Tony for TRT, \"Colin on B'way\" was my mantra for the rest of the summer!! Now aren't you glad you weren't here?] Cause now that he sings and dances....1-800-Stephen Sondheim Shoshanna Mark Darcy with the brown eyes [Marcia:\"like two pools of melted chocolate\"]...can come to my blue soup birthday part any time. Moon , You and my Mr Darcy know 'class'. I finally go my 'Manolos':-) and some bubbly. (California, I hope;-) Jeremy and Rafe...Hey, I say bring on the live ones. Grazie Principessa! Barbara LOL. I bet Shirley goes in for all that \"back from the dead stuff\". Goldie is saying: \"Don't send them to evelyn...she'll only say, 'Good Riddance'\";-)"}, {"response": 537, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (16:17)", "body": "(Evelyn), and some bubbly. (California, I hope;-) Nevah!!! Dom Perignon, only the very best for you my friend. Hope you are having a great one Evelyn!"}, {"response": 538, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (16:32)", "body": "Lizza [whom I just spoke to....] Thank you for your greetings from 'Ole Blighty'. Mimosas rock! Laura ...a voice from the past. Nice to hear from you."}, {"response": 539, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (16:35)", "body": "Evelyn,Happy Birthday! I am sorry I'm late with this but I've been searching for the perfect keep to celebrate your bithday. I wanted to go with this one first... but it that just didn't seem special enough...so then I went looking for something more... but then I saw that everyone was celebrating \"death day\" and that's when I knew what keep I had to use for your birthday! I hope you're having a great day, Evelyn! (lordy, I hope this works!)"}, {"response": 540, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (17:00)", "body": "Hey ole buddy, only an hour of your birthday left here, wonder how many glasses of your favourite wine (even from Oregon ;-)) we can get thro'? As Peter would say Here's looking at you kid! Cheers Evelyn! Glad Rafe could join the birthday fun. Hopefully Jerry won't be long (hint hint!)"}, {"response": 541, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (17:25)", "body": "Did she say blue soup or blue suit??? Regardless..... We like you Evelyn....just as you are! Have a very Happy Birthday! And now some cake....from the boys in blue...."}, {"response": 542, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (17:59)", "body": "Oh, so you say it's Evelyn's birthday? So sorry to be late. I was a bit tied up with Bianca. But, I don't think she'd want me to wish her a happy birthday considering my condition. Evelyn, is it okay if I wish you a happy birthday since I'm only playing uh...uh...you know...that kind of person?"}, {"response": 543, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (18:08)", "body": "See, I can wear a blue suit as well as the rest of them. Hope you're having a great day!"}, {"response": 544, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (19:20)", "body": ""}, {"response": 545, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (19:22)", "body": "It took a lot of effort to get PBS to release this footage. Apparently, Colin's appearance on Charlie Rose got preempted by something or other, but since I know how much you've wanted to see it, I moved heaven and earth to make sure you got to see it for your birthday. Charlie: We're spending the evening with Colin Firth, the remarkable British actor who moves seamlessly from theater to television to films in many acclaimed productions of the classics and Academy Award-winning Best Films of the Year. He's received several nominations for England's most prestigious acting award as well as an Emmy. You know him from Shakespeare in Love, The English Patient, and Pride and Prejudice, in which he has established himself as the quintessential Mr Darcy, first in the BBC's Pride and Prejudice and then in the mainstream arena of Bridget Jones's Diary. The man, often proclaimed for his chameleon-like abilities and neutral face, now appears in the major motion picture Hope Springs with Heather Graham and Minnie Driver. Charlie: Being Charles Webb's first novel in 30 years after The Graduate, Hope Springs is on everybody's mind. Mike Nichols told me he was anxious to get the rights, but somehow it slipped through his fingers. How did it happen for you? Colin: It just came recommended. I was having dinner with a friend who gave me a nod in that direction, saying this has got your name on it... Charlie: In what way? Colin: The main character is named Colin. Charlie: (nods knowingly) Yes, of course, and then what? Colin: And a couple of days later I got the same message from another friend about the book so I went to find it and, by another coincidence, the guy who had the rights happened to be the producer I was employed by at the time. Charlie: And that was for? Colin: The Importance of Being Earnest. So, I was in a very good position to lobby for the job more than anyone else. Although Barnaby, the producer, kept me dangling with the idea that there was a very long list of names for the part of which I was 125th. Charlie: And how long did it take for Mark Herman to confirm you as his choice? Colin: I remember it being pretty quick like day or two. Charlie: Did you do anything special to get the part? Colin: Yes, I knew I had to be in top physical shape to play the part of Colin Ware... Charlie: Why was that? Colin: Because the character would have to dance around clad only in a towel. Charlie: Was that in the novel or in the script? Colin: Mark didn't have a script until late in the process, but I felt it would be nice addition. Charlie: The dancing or the towel? Colin: The dancing. Charlie: Because... Colin: Frequently, I have been stereotyped for playing brooding or repressed, uptight Englishmen. Charlie: Yes, that would appear to be your forte for at least half of your film career. Is there any downside to it? Colin: The dearth of parts requiring a brooding or repressed and uptight Englishman. Americans make no distinction between English actors; they can't tell the difference between Michael Caine and Prince Charles. We're all Prince Charles to them. Charlie: What makes Colin Ware different from your run-of-the mill repressed Englishman? Colin: In this case, there's an autobiographical element to it, with the jetlagged Englishman cast adrift in America. I felt close to that character, having spent a confused year in America when I was young. Charlie: Here's a clip from that pivotal part of the film... Charlie: From what did you draw to prepare specifically for that scene? Colin: With a lifetime of lessons, I would never aspire to that level of choreography, so I studied with the Royal Ballet for several weeks to establish my technique and then had personal coaching at the Folies Bergere. Charlie: Any trepidation about that aspect of it, or does that make it more challenging and fun? Colin: One always runs the risk of making a fool of one's self, but I feel that we were able to pull it off tastefully and with the proper level of physical humour. It was a fun exercise, transforming myself. Charlie: How do you describe the relationship between Colin Ware and Mandy? Colin: There's a simplicity in their attraction. She gives him very simple, yet highly effective, therapy for the psychological damage inflicted by a person he had known all his life. Charlie: Do you feel the film treats relationships truthfully? Colin: There's truth in everything we do. We did not attempt to merely put a plaster over a gaping wound or an exposed nerve ending. If you look closely, you will see the nuances, which I've found is the best way to convey emotional paradoxes. Charlie: Everyone seems to think you're going to be one of the huge actors of this time or even a matinee idol. Is there a risk in all of that for you? Colin: (laughs) I don't know where people get these things, though we check the gossip pages daily. I may have been flavour of the month, but never a number one star. Since I've never been out of work, I put it down to good fo"}, {"response": 546, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (20:14)", "body": "Colin: In this case, there's an autobiographical element to it, with the jetlagged Englishman cast adrift in America. I felt close to that character, having spent a confused year in America when I was young. ROTFLOL, Karen! Poor dear."}, {"response": 547, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (21:29)", "body": "Ada My keepsakes!! How clever...The tie from BJD and [in keeping with the theme of my party!!] the funereal hat with the cremains vessel. What a way to celebrate! Tress The Boys in Blue...*sigh* Off to dreamland...You really know how to end a perfect day. ROTF Karen Capital. But you forgot to add...\"The critically acclaimed \"Shakespearean actor\". [My dream to see him on CR]. We have a slight hope for Vermeer. Thank you all for a smashy party. You all made it a perfect day ...along with several Chardonnays, Lizza ,I had some Chinese carry-out for supper . Good friends, good food, & ODB..what more can a girl want."}, {"response": 548, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (21:34)", "body": "Arrgh....So sorry, Evelyn, I just noticed that my first pic didn't come thru. Hopefully this time will do it:-)!"}, {"response": 549, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (21:45)", "body": "Evelyn, one of the first things I learned about you as a newbie on Drool was that we shared a certain level of admiration for a rather earnest, naive young gentleman. I'm sorry to be so late to the party, but I was off in the wilderness of Canada finding him so he could join us. Unfortunately, when I first arrived he was somewhat... occupied but later I was able to find him at the grocery store, and he was happy to accompany me here. Happy birthday, Evelyn, from Joe and Rika!"}, {"response": 550, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (22:03)", "body": "Sammy, I just don\ufffdt understand why Evelyn doesn\ufffdt like me (or my story). What does that Armand fellow have that I don\ufffdt? I mean, I look AFG\ufffd..what more could she want? The *whole* blue suit?! The shirt isn\ufffdt enough?! Maybe just a blue towel, perhaps? It is pretty warm here in Southern France this time of year. Ah well.... Well, my (\"newbie\" ;-)) greetings are better late than never I suppose\ufffdso hope you had a HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! If I say I like Armand and *cough cough* Camille now, do I get to graduate immediately to \"vet\" status? ;- D My present to you is a gift certificate from Broadway.com... good for any Broadway theater in the event there might be a hope in hell he\ufffdll be doing a play here. I made sure there was **no** expiration date. ;-)"}, {"response": 551, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (22:37)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Evelyn! We would have been here Sooner ;-) but they made us use a slow mode of transportation, and we had to stop off for a cake. http://pages.prodigy.net/bestsmileys1/emoticons3/holid36.gif\" >"}, {"response": 552, "author": "kathness", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (22:40)", "body": "Sorry! Stupid cake must have fallen off the back of the surrey! You've probably had enough cake already, anyway."}, {"response": 553, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (23:06)", "body": "(Evelyn) But you forgot to add...\"The critically acclaimed \"Shakespearean actor\". Didn't forget it, but intro was getting too long. Sorry, not my best effort. Charlie's interview may resurface at some future date...maybe for YKW's own birthday."}, {"response": 554, "author": "Leah", "date": "Sun, Jul 13, 2003 (23:57)", "body": "Evelyn, rather late than dead, but I see that you've had a great day. Enjoy."}, {"response": 555, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jul 14, 2003 (07:33)", "body": "We did not attempt to merely put a plaster over a gaping wound or an exposed nerve ending. ...LOL, I never heard HG's breasts described in that manner;-)"}, {"response": 556, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Jul 14, 2003 (07:55)", "body": "Happy Belated Birthday Evelyn! Neil raced back from Amsterdam to send his best wishes And Armand certainly seemed excited to be a part when I told him... Hope your day was great!"}, {"response": 557, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jul 14, 2003 (07:56)", "body": "(Karen)Sorry, not my best effort. Charlie's interview may resurface at some future date...maybe for YKW's own birthday. ROTF! I thought it was a p*s*er! I could hear it, see it:-)"}, {"response": 558, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 14, 2003 (09:21)", "body": "PBS' 'Masterpiece Theatre' Seeks Sponsor Sat Jul 12,10:43 PM ET By LYNN ELBER, AP Television Writer LOS ANGELES - PBS is struggling to find funding for its venerable \"Masterpiece Theatre\" but will keep the curtain up as it woos corporate sponsors, PBS executives said Saturday. ExxonMobil Corp. had provided sole funding for the program since its 1971 debut until deciding to drop its support. The series is funded by ExxonMobil through 2004. Jacoba Atlas, PBS senior vice president, told the Television Critics Association that PBS is \"actively seeking funding for 'Masterpiece Theatre,'\" but has no specific deadline. \"We're confident we're going to find that funding,\" PBS senior vice president John F. Wilson told the critics' association \ufffd optimism he and other PBS executives expressed in January to the same group. \"Masterpiece Theatre\" executive producer Rebecca Eaton told The Associated Press that PBS is making some money available to allow for the acquisition of future programming. She declined to specify the amount. \"It's the economy, stupid,\" she said. \"It's a really hard time to find it.\" The series needs $7 million a year to \"keep it on the air as you know it,\" she said. That is the amount needed to buy programs and does not include marketing costs. ExxonMobil had provided about $7 million to $8 million annually, Eaton said. Eaton said she is not worried yet. \"I have a bank account\" from PBS to keep programming in the pipeline, she said. The task of gaining a new corporate sponsor is being conducted by PBS and WGBH Boston, which presents the series. Most public TV stations get only 17 percent to 19 percent of their total guaranteed income from government, and all means of fund-raising are under stress, said PBS president and chief executive officer Pat Mitchell. \"It's tough times,\" she said. While the PBS operation has been forced to make significant cutbacks in its staff and operating budget, it has tried to leave programming untouched, she said. \"We're not there and I'm determined we're not going to get there,\" Mitchell said. But public broadcasting must find \"a more sustainable revenue model\" than the 30-year-old one in use, she said. Half of the revenue for most public broadcasting stations comes from money pledged by viewers, she said. Other funds are provided by Congress and corporate sponsors."}, {"response": 559, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 14, 2003 (09:35)", "body": "Hadn't noticed this one last week, from the NY Post: BEN WANTS 'OUT' July 9, 2003 -- HOLLYWOOD is calling on \"Take Me Out,\" Richard Greenberg's Tony Award-winning Broadway play about a gay baseball player who comes out of the closet. Ben Affleck is first among several Hollywood heavyweights who are said to be pursuing the movie rights. Affleck, a big fan of the play, would like to star in and produce the movie, which Greenberg would write. \"I'm too close to the play to let anybody else adapt it,\" Greenberg said yesterday. \"I want to screw it up myself, at least at the beginning.\" Affleck would not, of course, play any of the gay characters. Hollywood heartthrobs don't take such risks with their careers. He'd play Kippy, the gay baseball player's best (but straight!) friend, who acts as the narrator. The role might have to be beefed up for Affleck, though Greenberg said he considers Kippy one of the play's major characters (the others are the gay superstar, his nerdy gay accountant and the team's homophobic pitcher). \"There are four characters at the center of the play,\" he said. \"I always considered Kippy the lead - he represents the audience's point of view - but an argument can be made for the other three as well.\" On Broadway, meanwhile, \"Take Me Out\" is showing real box-office strength. Ever since it won the Tony in June, weekly grosses have not dipped below $300,000. Before the Tonys, the show seldom grossed more than $250,000 a week, despite strong reviews, media attention and almost total lack of competition from other non-musical plays. Advance ticket sales are nothing to get excited about (to be fair, they're pretty weak all around the street), but walk-up business is strong, which is an encouraging sign since it means that not every tourist wants to see a big dopey musical. Or maybe it's just those sensational shower scenes. Plans are in the works for a national tour of \"Take Me Out\" next year, and you can bet that once the rights become available, every regional theater in the country will want to mount its own production. Add to that the impending movie sale, and \"Take Me Out\" is fast becoming a booming little concern (no thanks to the Pulitzer Prize judges who passed over this fine play in favor of some obscure piece called \"Anna in the Tropics,\" which I hardly think Ben Affleck is ever going to make into a movie). Greenberg is pleased with the fattening of his royalty checks. \"I'm finally digging my way out of poverty,\" he says."}, {"response": 560, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 14, 2003 (11:53)", "body": "\". Or maybe it's just those sensational shower scenes. \" Whoa...I'll pay to see Ben Affleck in the buff;-))) So what about 3 DOR? Greenberg could add a 'sensational scene' here and there.*slurp*"}, {"response": 561, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 14, 2003 (11:58)", "body": "Ada They came, they came...I had missed them..Lizzie and Darcy, now and forever. Rika Joe Prince...you , me and Murph can share him. (Don't like the chick too much , though) Thanks Dorine , unfortunately neither a blue suit or a towel could save Matthew \"Say My Name\"Field. But it was nice of him to come. I think you're safe giving me The Broadway.com gift certificate for a YKW play... Maybe when I'm listed on the deadpeople.com website. Kathy , \"Sooners \" doesn't exactly describe when Colin films get here...But once they come they stay on'n'on. We're the \"graveyard\" for his films. LOL at the MIA cake;-)but it counts Maria you brought all the \"endearing oldies\" to the party. Thank you....I mean, how can you pass up that gorgeous Armand. For Matthew?.. the serial womanizer;-) Leah Thank you for your good wishes. Yeah...we had 20 live ones here for the party and scads of skeletons... It was an unusual party:-))"}, {"response": 562, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jul 14, 2003 (12:00)", "body": "Evelyn, you had a deathday party:)"}, {"response": 563, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Mon, Jul 14, 2003 (12:52)", "body": "Fabulous Colin Ware Interview Boss. ROTFL! And I tell you, that's not easy in this heat:-))"}, {"response": 564, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Jul 14, 2003 (18:54)", "body": "(Colin) Colin: (laughs) I don't know where people get these things, though we check the gossip pages daily. Forget the gossip pages, just come on over and... lurk. :-) Since I've never been out of work, I put it down to good fortune. 20 years in the business and you still don't know you have talent?! ;-) Thanks for interview and articles, Karen. Hope PBS finds the corporate funding. There aren't enough \"viewers like you\" to make up the difference. :-("}, {"response": 565, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 15, 2003 (12:27)", "body": "Emmy nominations to be announced on Thursday: 'The Sopranos' Returns to Crowded Emmy Race By Steve Gorman \"The Sopranos\" are back as favorites to grab a piece of the action in this year's Emmy Awards, muscling in on a crowded field of TV politicians, cops, undertakers and spies vying for nominations for television's highest honors. The critically acclaimed HBO mob drama, which sat out the 2002 Emmys due to a production hiatus but returned to the running with fresh episodes last season, is widely seen as a major contender for best drama and other categories when nominees are announced on Thursday. \"The Sopranos\" has been nominated three times before as best drama, but the big prize has thus far eluded the show. Other front-runners for a bid in the drama contest are NBC's three-time winner \"The West Wing,\" Fox's breakout espionage thriller \"24,\" perennial NBC nominee \"Law & Order\" and the HBO funereal family soap opera \"Six Feet Under,\" which was last year's most nominated show. But any of those series could be bumped out of the competition by the CBS hit \"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,\" television's highest-rated drama, or HBO's gritty freshman series about Baltimore's inner-city drug scene, \"The Wire.\" Two other critically favored newcomers are likewise considered longshots in the drama competition -- the CBS missing-persons tale \"Without a Trace\" and NBC's crime series \"Boomtown. In the race for best comedy, the slate of nominees will probably bear a striking resemblance to 2002's contenders, including last year's winner, the NBC smash hit \"Friends,\" and HBO's \"Sex and the City,\" the 2001 comedy winner poised for its fifth consecutive nomination in that category. 'LAW & ORDER' SET TO BREAK RECORD \"Law & Order\" stands to earn a best-drama bid for a record 12th straight year, surpassing \"M*A*S*H\" and \"Cheers\" for the most consecutive nominations for outstanding series by either a drama or comedy. Those three shows are currently tied at 11 consecutive nods each. Awards pundit Tom O'Neil, host of the showbiz awards Web site GoldDerby.com and author of the book \"The Emmys,\" said \"Law & Order\" has a special advantage by virtue of its longevity. \"I'll bet more than a quarter of the people voting on the Emmys probably have worked on 'Law & Order' in one way or another, and they have a very strong emotional attachment to the show,\" he said. \"Remember, this is the industry voting on itself.\" ABC's spy adventure \"Alias\" and the FX cable channel's cop show \"The Shield,\" which earned its star, Michael Chiklis, an Emmy last year, also are expected to pick up nominations, primarily in the acting, directing, writing and crafts categories, according to GoldDerby predictions. The Fox drama \"24,\" starring Kiefer Sutherland, is tipped by some critics to emerge as this year's Emmy nominations darling, much the way \"Six Feet Under\" was in 2002. In the performance categories, O'Neil said he considered two-time winner Edie Falco a shoo-in for a best actress nod again for her role as a mobster's wife on \"The Sopranos\" (it would be her fourth consecutive nomination). He also said two dark horse candidates were likely to make a splash in this year's acting nominations -- Treat Williams for his role as a widower on the WB's \"Everwood,\" and Tony Shalhoub, for his portrayal of an obsessive-compulsive detective on the USA Network comedy \"Monk.\" The 55th annual Primetime Emmy Awards will be presented Sept. 21 during a Fox telecast from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles."}, {"response": 566, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, Jul 15, 2003 (12:42)", "body": "AAA if this is old news. PBS gives new life to movie milestone By Hal Boedeker | Sentinel Television Critic Posted July 15, 2003 LOS ANGELES -- A new Doctor Zhivago sounds as unnecessary as a Casablanca remake or an updated Gone With the Wind. For many movie fans, the David Lean film endures for its spectacular scenery, memorable music and attractive stars Omar Sharif and Julie Christie. Hans Matheson follows Sharif as the poet-doctor Yury Zhivago. Keira Knightley, the rising star of Pirates of the Caribbean and Bend It Like Beckham, assumes the Christie role as Yury's greatest love, Lara. Television critics meeting to preview the fall lineup were skeptical as well. Yet Andrew Davies, who adapted Zhivago and many literary classics into television favorites, defended the project as fresh and valuable. \"Masterpieces need to be reinterpreted for new generations,\" Davies said. \"We weren't making a remake of the film. We were making an adaptation of the book.\" The new Zhivago comes from Granada Television, which produced Prime Suspect and The Forsyte Saga for PBS. Masterpiece Theatre executive producer Rebecca Eaton announced that a new Prime Suspect, with Dame Helen Mirren, will premiere in April. But Doctor Zhivago is the series' showcase production for the fall and will play during the highly competitive November sweeps. The miniseries, filmed entirely in the Czech Republic on a tight budget and featuring a new musical score, is bound to surprise fans of the Lean version, which emphasized visual spectacle. \"I think ours is visually very strong,\" Davies said. \"There were times when we would have liked 14,000 horsemen instead of 14.\" Davies has a long association with Masterpiece Theatre. He contributed the admired scripts of House of Cards, Middlemarch, Moll Flanders and Othello. He also successfully adapted Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice into an A&E miniseries. He isn't afraid to speak his mind, even if he antagonizes fans of the 1965 Zhivago. \"I think of Omar Sharif as just a pair of lovely, soulful eyes, watching stuff going on,\" he said. \"He's a very passive hero.\" He called Julie Christie \"a lovely, lovely actress,\" but she seemed like \"a nice English girl.\" Davies is now working on a movie version of Evelyn Waugh's Brideshead Revisited, the beloved miniseries that starred Jeremy Irons. \"It's kind of got into me, this thing of annoying people about their old favorites,\" Davies said. \"It's quite an exciting feeling about doing a new version that a lot of those people won't like because they adore what they think of as the original.\" Here's the link for the entire article (it worked in practice, crossing fingers it works now) Dr. Zhivago"}, {"response": 567, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 15, 2003 (13:22)", "body": "Congrats Sonia , I've never been able to figure out the shortened link! Does anybody know when Forstye Saga will be televised. Currently playing in UK....or is it over? I will look forward to the new Brideshead; never did like Jeremy Irons (and he's alive!)in it. Dr. Zhivago, I dunno. That ole cast is pretty riveting. I'm looking for \"Keen Eddie\" (on tonight) to make the Emmy short list in '04."}, {"response": 568, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, Jul 15, 2003 (13:55)", "body": "(Evelyn) Congrats Sonia , I've never been able to figure out the shortened link! Thanks, I owe it all the Tutorial. AD will have a field day with Brideshead. Look forward to seeing it as well. Dr. Z should be interesting."}, {"response": 569, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jul 15, 2003 (14:52)", "body": "Ananova..... Pacino talks about new TV role Al Pacino has been discussing his TV debut playing a man who refuses to accept that he's dying of Aids. He will appear with Meryl Streep and Emma Thompson in Angels In America, based on Tony Kushner's play about the lives of two couples in the 1980s. Pacino says that until now the only parts he's been terested in were in film or on the stage. \"I've never done television. I guess it was natural thing for me to go from movies to the theatre,\" he said. \"You look at the scripts that come to you, the scripts that either you get or a friend of yours or someone tells you about. That's how it is.\" He last considered a TV role in 1981 when he was offered the part of Hitler in the television movie The Bunker. Anthony Hopkins eventually took the role. US network HBO is to make the \ufffd40 million, six-and-a-half-hour series, which is due to be screened this autumn."}, {"response": 570, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jul 15, 2003 (15:18)", "body": "Keira Knightley, the rising star of Pirates of the Caribbean and Bend It Like Beckham, assumes the Christie role as Yury's greatest love, Lara. Huh? Anybody besides me think she's not all that? Sure she's very pretty, (though not particularly in BILB), but I don't think she's all that compelling to be getting all the high profile jobs she has been lately. Might be just me. (Evelyn) I will look forward to the new Brideshead; never did like Jeremy Irons (and he's alive!)in it. I, on the other hand, wish they'd leave it as it was. Must admit always had a thing for JI. And I tell you that man works out! Big plus for me (in my shallow mode)! ;-)"}, {"response": 571, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jul 15, 2003 (15:50)", "body": "(Dorine) Anybody besides me think she's not all that? Ebert! I just read his POTC review which said he didn't understand what the fuss was all about....I also heard she is only eighteen? Very young for the part of Lara. Will admit that I saw POTC this weekend and LOVED it. Hadn't had that much fun since 'Finding Nemo'! Guess I'm regressing...Johnny Depp had the most interesting (I don't know how else to put it) and funny performance! Geoffrey Rush was fantastic as well...and Orlando was just fun to look at! Jonathan Pryce played another 'Alistair Payne' type part. (Dorine) Must admit always had a thing for JI. Need to introduce you to my college ex! Looked just like JI (everyone commented on it)."}, {"response": 572, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jul 15, 2003 (16:07)", "body": "(Tress) Need to introduce you to my college ex! Looked just like JI (everyone commented on it). Thanks for thinking of me, but I'll hold out for the real one, who I just saw in a play. ;-) Though the real one smokes and is said to be a womanizer. Will admit that I saw POTC this weekend and LOVED it. All the reviews I read said it's fun and pick out JD's and GR's, and occasionally OB's performances as quite good. Have to say, if I decide to gear my obsessive affections to the younger set, Orlando Bloom is the TOP person, really.....to me. ;-) I think he's *quite* attractive in an Errol Flynn-Douglas Fairbanks, Jr kinda way. And I love his accent.... and the voice, too, *almost* as much as COlin's, though can't hold a candle to ODB's though."}, {"response": 573, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Jul 15, 2003 (19:00)", "body": "Ev: No Keen Eddie Tonight - The All Star Game pre-empts. I'm trying the one on Bravo at 10 where four gay guys redo a straight guy. Should be fun. Thanks for remembering how I like that sweetheart of a guy - Joe Prince. I'll look for my old poem on him"}, {"response": 574, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Jul 15, 2003 (19:04)", "body": "I found it amongst the 100's of Firth Floppies: Avast, me hearties! Bring the guns out now, A battle's brewing Over Femme Fatale. It wasn't his best, and It didn't always make sense But I'm one of those people Who loved Joe Prince. Loyal and faithful, Sweet as a bun, He loved several women Though they were all really one. We should be so lucky To find someone like Joe. He's kind to moths, And he dances-- sigh -- slow."}, {"response": 575, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 15, 2003 (19:25)", "body": "Thanks Murph... Loyal and faithful, Sweet as a bun, He loved several women Though they were all really one. How can you not love this guy"}, {"response": 576, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jul 15, 2003 (19:37)", "body": "(Evelyn) How can you not love this guy Psst....Evelyn...I love Joe! I have a soft, squishy spot for him (and his toes) . Thank you Murph!"}, {"response": 577, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jul 15, 2003 (21:44)", "body": "Tress)Psst....Evelyn...I love Joe! I have a soft, squishy spot for him (and his toes). Thank you Murph! One hell of a shag scene there too! Who cared if it made sense? Or is that the squishy part you were talking about?;-)"}, {"response": 578, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Jul 15, 2003 (22:47)", "body": "Just a reminder that we have one more July birthday - EmmaB, our intrepid premiere reporter, on July 18."}, {"response": 579, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 15, 2003 (23:30)", "body": "Alexander Walker, one of the UK\ufffds best-known, longest-lasting and most highly-paid and influential film critics, died suddenly yesterday at the London Clinic. He was 73 and had been undergoing tests for cancer. Walker, born in Portadown, Northern Ireland and educated at Queens University, Belfast, was critic of the London Evening Standard for some 43 years. He moved to the Standard from the Birmingham Post in 1960 after a personal letter of recommendation to the editor from Kenneth More, who had been delighted by one of his reviews. As a controversial critic, who could whack a film-maker for a bad movie harder than most, he did not always delight. He was, in fact, cursed as much as praised. His campaigns against some of the policies of BAFTA, the BFI and the Film Council became almost legendary. Whatever you thought of his opinions, he was a first-class writer and his reviews remained as fresh and challenging when he became a veteran at the game as when he first started. Apart from reviewing, he took a great and very knowledgeable interest in the industry both in the UK and in Hollywood and wrote 20 books about it and its stars. His biographies were invariably well researched and his Hollywood, England was one of the best about the post-war industry. He was also one of the few critics whom Stanley Kubrick allowed near him and wrote an appreciation of his films still read today by aspiring directors. Walker, always immaculately turned out and usually extremely polite and friendly, nevertheless had a temper on him that sometimes almost brought the heavens down. He was not a man to cross. But he could also be a very good and helpful friend, even if you smoked, which to him was a cardinal sin. When you rang him and got his answering machine, his message ended: \"And remember, smoking is the slow way to suicide\". He lived alone in a flat at Maida Vale and his main relaxation from films was skiing. Otherwise, he lived almost entirely through his work. He once said that the fact that he was an insomniac enabled him to research and write his books. One of the attributes least known about him was his sense of humour. He was an excellent dinner companion, regaling those at many a table with a great many indiscreet and wonderfully told stories."}, {"response": 580, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (15:39)", "body": "Ya snooze, ya lose!! ;-) Would've liked Kevin Spacey for this,I think, of the ones they offered it to, who passed. Travolta Says Turning Down 'Chicago' Big Mistake 1 hour, 42 minutes ago BERLIN (Reuters) - John Travolta (news), who became an icon for the disco craze with is dancing in \"Saturday Night Fever,\" says he made a big mistake in turning down a starring role in this year's Academy Award winning film \"Chicago.\" \"You're rubbing salt in my wounds,\" Travolta told Germany's Bunte magazine in an excerpt released ahead of publication on Thursday. \"I'm still angry with myself that I turned down the role of the lawyer in Chicago that Richard Gere (news) then got.\" Travolta said Gere did a great job with the dance numbers in Chicago, which dominated the Academy Awards (news - web sites) and won best picture. \"But oh, how I would have loved to have showed them all what I can do one more time,\" said Travolta, 49."}, {"response": 581, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jul 16, 2003 (16:48)", "body": "(Dorine)Ya snooze, ya lose!! ;-) Would've liked Kevin Spacey for this,I think, of the ones they offered it to, who passed. You got that right! I didn't know about KS turning it down but you are so right. Am looking forward to what he does with the Bobby Darin Story."}, {"response": 582, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Jul 17, 2003 (16:10)", "body": "From Ireland Show Biz: It's curtain up for glitzy new Irish Oscars Thursday July 17th 2003 ROLL out the red carpet and shake out your best party dress - the Oscars are coming to town. Details of Ireland's answer to Hollywood's smartest showbiz event were revealed yesterday as it was confirmed that the first Irish Film and Television Awards will take place on November 1. The gala event will include all the trappings and razzmatazz of the annual Academy ceremony, from specially crafted golden figurines to a bevy of glamourous celebrities. The chosen venue, the Burlington Hotel, is to get a face-lift and make-over so it exudes the movie-star magic and opulence of the Kodak Building in Los Angeles. A cavalcade of limousines has been booked to deliver the nominees, in their trademark satin bustiers, diamonds and stilettos, to the banquet for 800 guests. A veil of secrecy has shielded the awards for months while organisers, The Irish Film and Television Network, put the finishing touches in place. The Awards will be officially launched at a reception in ICE bar of the Four Seasons Hotel on July 30. Colin Farrell joins Oscar-nominated film maker Jim Sheridan and acclaimed writer/director Conor McPherson on the Awards advisory committee. Kevin Spacey, Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman and Bob Hoskins are just a few of the international actors who have been invited to Dublin for the ceremony - and some of them are expected to be up on stage to reveal who the winners are. Irish actors who may also be in attendance include Liam Neeson, Gabriel Byrne, Aidan Quinn, Brenda Fricker and James Nesbitt. Grainne Cunningham"}, {"response": 583, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jul 17, 2003 (17:57)", "body": "(Evelyn)nice of you to get Jimmy Hoffa's cement shoes for me...I was hoping for a pair of Manolo's like Carrie's..but what the hey;-) Sorry, Ev, I screwed up big time. I asked for Jimmy Choos . . . and they sent me Jimmy's shoes. Last time I order from Walmart online.;-) And how ironic is it that they're now digging around for Jimmy H's remains? Nothing on this guy for 25+ years, but he shows up at your party, and . . . bada-BING! They're onto him again.;-) They should just let him rest in pieces, er, peace.;-) Colin: I was having dinner with a friend who gave me a nod in that direction, saying this has got your name on it... Charlie: In what way? Colin: The main character is named Colin. Oh too funny, Karen. Hoping that better times (and roles) are ahead, and I'm very optimistic about the chances for a real Charlie Rose interview for GWAPE. Am sure Charlie's granny is a fan.;-) (Tress)Will admit that I saw POTC this weekend and LOVED it. Hadn't had that much fun since 'Finding Nemo'! LOL! I also enjoyed \"Pirates\" though I thought it went on for about a half hour too long. Johnny Depp makes the movie--what an \"out there\", funny performance. He said he had Keith Richards in mind when trying to work out how he was going to play the character, and I can really see that. One critic said he was channeling Dudley Moore as Arthur, and I can see that too. I was also thinking \"slightly tipsy drag queen.\" Whatever, he's perfect. I thought Keira was ok, she has a spunk about her. Orlando Bloom should be renamed OrBlando. Zzzzzzzzzzz . . . Geoffrey Rush chewed the scenery as usual, which for this movie, worked fine."}, {"response": 584, "author": "soph", "date": "Thu, Jul 17, 2003 (19:29)", "body": "ok, technically, here it is already friday the 18th... the clock just about shows 2:30 AM, and i am still up. the reason of course, is to celebrate emma's birthday : but look emma, someone at your door ! could it be...*the* mark darcy himself ? with a nice bottle of wine ? a nice suit ? a wicked smile ? well, i'm not telling you, you'll have to check out for yourself who is freezing his butt on your doormat. animatronicolin 2.1, au naturel ??? extra super mega giga warning this little game of mine is getting totally out of control : this file weighs 737 ko, which means a good four minute loading time for those with a 56 K modem... i definitely have to find a clever way to compress my little boys enjoy, you birthday girl, and bring us more insane reports !"}, {"response": 585, "author": "soph", "date": "Thu, Jul 17, 2003 (19:30)", "body": "ooops! mispelling the url won't get me nowhere... there he is, for your pleasure and enjoyment : animatronicolin 2.1, au naturel ???"}, {"response": 586, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jul 17, 2003 (20:06)", "body": "Oh Sophie! That was sooo worth the wait!"}, {"response": 587, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jul 17, 2003 (21:04)", "body": "LOL, Sophie! Thank God for cable modems, too. :-)"}, {"response": 588, "author": "Leah", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (00:11)", "body": "Emma, looks like the party has started. (Sophie, what a treat!) I hope you have a great birthday. I had another look at your PEN pictures this morning, and thought, What more could a girl want for her birthday, that 'lean-in / hug' thing would have set me up for life!"}, {"response": 589, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (00:11)", "body": "(Mari) Am sure Charlie's granny is a fan.;-) *snort* A Twirlogram!! Brilliantly executed and worth whatever wait. Thanks, Soph!"}, {"response": 590, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (02:21)", "body": "*Beautifully* done, sophie! ... And now to add to the good wishes... Dear EmmaB ... ..Hope you have a high old time ...!"}, {"response": 591, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (03:39)", "body": "Oh my god... I don't always check in here at O&E but Sophie, that is the most brilliant start to my day!! I will no longer wince at the thought of the scarf twirl-- he's not making an ass of himself, he's doing it for me! :) Thanks for well wishes all. Will check in again later. Alas no Pride and Prejudice at Lyme Park for me tonight. Mum is in town from Canada and we are off to Brussels tomorrow. And next weekend I get to see the real GWAPE in person - in the gallery, that is. Can't complain about that."}, {"response": 592, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (08:51)", "body": "Thinking of you, Emma! Happy Birthday!\""}, {"response": 593, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (09:41)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Emma! First, I'd like to share a pic that I've been playing around with: ODB with Fireflies . I know it pulsates a little too much, but I\ufffdm still a neophyte. :-) Now, onto your horoscope: IF JULY 18 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY ... you possess an inquiring mind with a flair for languages and curiosity about foreign lands that make you a good traveler. You like to escape into movies, music and virtual reality. Health and nutrition are important issues. A successful year lies ahead with long-distance travel and renewed curiosity in foreign lands and religions. Love and money in August; travel in December. There's a hidden, shy, dreamy side to your nature. *************** Birthdates which occurred on July 18: 1635 Robert Hooke Isle of Wight, physicist (Micrographia) 1720 Gilbert White \"father of British naturalists\" 1796 Feargus O'Connor County Cork, leader of the English Chartists 1811 William Makepeace Thackeray England, Victorian novelist (Vanity Fair) 1848 William Gilbert Grace Victorian England's greatest cricketer 1853 Hendrik Antoon Lorentz Holland, physicist (Nobel 1902) 1865 Laurence Housman England, author/playwright (Victoria Regina) 1890 Charles Wilson Pres of General Motors (1940-53)/Sec of Def (1953-57) 1891 Gene Lockhart NYC, actor (Going My Way) 1894 Bernard Wagenaar Arnhem Holland, composer (3 Songs for the Chinese) 19-- Art Holiday Hartford Conn, actor (Eddie-The White Shadow) 19-- Danny Vaughn Staten Island NY, rocker (Tyketto-Wings) 19-- Susan Marie Snyder soap actress 1903 Chill Wills Seagoville Texas, actor (Fronteir Circus, Rounders) 1906 Clifford Odets US, dramatist (1961 Award of Merit-Golden Boy) 1906 S.I. Hayakawa (Sen-R-CA) educator (Language in Action) 1909 Andrei Gromyko USSR, diplomat/USSR President (1985-89) [7/5 OS] 1909 Harriet Nelson Des Moines, actress (Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet) 1910 Red Skelton comedian (Clem Kadiddlehopper, Freddie the Freeloader) 1911 Hume Cronyn London Ontario, actor (World According to Garp, Cocoon) 1913 Marvin Miller St Louis Mo, actor (Space Patrol, Millionaire) 1914 Mack Robinson US, 200m dash (Olympic-silver-1932) 1916 Harriet Hilliard Nelson singer/actress (Ozzie & Harriet) 1918 Jane Frazee Duluth Minn, actress/singer (Alice-Beulah) 1918 Nelson Mandela Qunu South Africa, political prisoner (ANC) 1918 Pamela Brown England, actress (Alice in Wonderland, Dracula) 1921 John H Glenn Jr Cambridge Ohio, Col USMC astronaut (Mer 6, Sen-D-Oh) 1924 Howard Roberts Burlington NJ, choral director (Leslie Uggams Show) 1924 Inge S\ufffdrensen Denmark, 200m breaststroke (Olympic-bronze-1936) 1925 Shirley Strickland de la Hunty Austria, 100m dash (Oly-bronze-1948) 1926 Jane Hylton London England, actress (Adv of Sir Lancelot) 1929 \"Screamin Jay\" Hawkins Cleveland, rocker (I Put a Spell on You) 1929 Dick Button commentator/figure skater (Olympic-gold-1948, 1952) 1933 R Murray Schafer Sarnia Ontario, Canada, composer (Patria) 1933 Yevgeny Yevtushenko Russia, poet (Bratsk Station) 1935 Tenley Albright US, doctor/figure skater (Olympic-gold-1956) 1938 Britt Leach Gadsen Ala, actor (Mickey-Spencer's Pilots) 1939 Brian Auger London, fusion keyboardist (Befour, Genesis) 1939 Dion DiMucci Bronx, rocker (Dion & the Belmonts-Teenager in Love) 1939 Hunter S Thompson writer (Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas) 1940 James Brolin LA Calif, actor (Dr Kiley-Marcus Welby, Peter-Hotel) 1940 Joseph Torre outfield/manager (Braves, Mets, 1971 NL MVP) 1941 Lonnie Mack Aurora Indiana, rocker (Baby What's Wrong) 1941 Marcia Jones Smoke Okla, 500m kayak (Olympic-bronze-1964) 1941 Martha Reeves Detroit Mich, singer (& the Vandellas-Dancing in St) 1943 Bobby Sherman Santa Monica Calif, singer (Shindig, Here Comes Brides) 1943 Calvin Peete black PGA golfer 1944 Jonelle Allen NYC, actress (Bessie-Palmerstown USA, Berringers) 1947 Ayn Rumen Bkln NY, actress (Janet-McLean Stevenson Show) 1947 Kurt Mann Roslyn NY, actor 1954 Ricky Skaggs singer (Toy Hearts, 2 Different Worlds) 1955 Teresa Ann Savoy London England, actress (Caligula) 1958 Nigel Twist rocker (The Alarm-In the Summertime) 1959 Audrey Landers Phila, actress (Afton-Dallas, Chorus Line) 1961 Elizabeth McGovern Evanston Ill, actress (Once Upon a Time in Amer) 1970 Patrick Dancy TV rocker (Guys Next Door-I Was Made For You) On this day... 64 Great Fire of Rome begins (Nero didn't fiddle) 390 -BC- Battle of Allia-Gauls inflict heavy casualties on Romans 1536 Pope's authority declared void in England 1716 Jews are expelled from Brussels Belgium 1753 Lemuel Haynes, escapes from slaveholder in Framingham Mass 1814 British capture Prairie du Chien (Wisc) 1853 1st train to cross the US-Canada boundary, Portland, Me.-Montr\ufffdal, PQ 1853 Completion of Grand Trunk Line, Americas 1st intl railroad 1872 Britain introduces secret ballot voting 1904 P Gotz discovers asteroid #538 Friederike 1913 After 68 straight innings Christy Mathewson gives up a walk 1914 US army air service 1st comes into being, in the Signal Corps 1915 Boston Braves start move from "}, {"response": 594, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (10:04)", "body": "Just a minute driver, I am off to get Emma. This is the second premiere she attends and I want her with me. Happy Birthday Emma!"}, {"response": 595, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (10:22)", "body": "Damm yahoo. To see pictures, click with mouse on right, copy properties, place url on address bar and go. The picture will appear. Enjoy your day, Emma!"}, {"response": 596, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (10:51)", "body": "Sorry, folks, but I need to wish Emma a Happy Birthday!!"}, {"response": 597, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (11:14)", "body": "Happy Birthday to Emma, our girl on the scene. May you have many future encounters so we can continue to receive your wonderful up close and personal reports. Hope you have a splendid day!"}, {"response": 598, "author": "socadook", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (11:46)", "body": "The intrepid reporter is live on the scene, Tracking his movements she knows just where he\ufffds been, At PEN, in the tube, as well Wycombe Park Following his footsteps, by day or in the dark. Torrential rains may fall and Hope Springs may stink, Premieres, readings, screenings, she won\ufffdt be there to think. Respectable at work she\ufffds a drooler at heart, Newspapers, internet are research tools to start. She was in his presence and lived to tell the tale With pictures to prove it, she tried and did not fail. From Canada she came, to London she went far A happy birthday, Emma, fab reporter that you are!"}, {"response": 599, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (12:41)", "body": "I'm sitting here thinking of the lovely encounters I've had with Emma and wishing I could see her in person to wish her a"}, {"response": 600, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (12:49)", "body": "Hi Emma! Make a wish..... And blow out the candle.... Did you get your wish?"}, {"response": 601, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (12:49)", "body": "(Emma)And next weekend I get to see the real GWAPE in person - in the gallery, that is. Can't complain about that. What a treat for you! Enjoy your visit there, and have a very happy birthday today!"}, {"response": 602, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (12:53)", "body": "And to Rika!....."}, {"response": 603, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (12:54)", "body": "Emma, I've come to wish you a very happy birthday, and to invite you to the premiere of WAGW in August. You must come...you know what they say, third time is the charm...or something like that. Thank you ladies for making Emma's birthday a very enjoyable occasion for all of us...as usual."}, {"response": 604, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (13:32)", "body": "A Very Happy Birthday Wish to Our Favorite Field Reporter!!! Best Wishes to You Emma!!!"}, {"response": 605, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (13:45)", "body": "(Mari)...Johnny Depp makes the movie--what an \"out there\", funny performance. He said he had Keith Richards in mind when trying to work out how he was going to play the character... In his review of \"Pirates of the Caribbean\", John Leonard described Johnny Depp's performance of Captain Jack Sparrow as \"one third Errol Flynn, one fifth Keith Richards, and 2 pints Truman Capote\"."}, {"response": 606, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (14:31)", "body": "Happy Birthday Emma! Hope it's a good one!"}, {"response": 607, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (15:01)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EMMA Have a wonderful time in Belgium...hope you're going to Brugge..."}, {"response": 608, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (15:28)", "body": "Hope your day is great Emma!!"}, {"response": 609, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Jul 18, 2003 (16:35)", "body": "Dear Emma, In such cases as this, it is, I believe, the established mode to express a sense of creativity in making a birthday greeting. But \ufffd I cannot. I do not seem to be able to find a single creative bone in my entire body. So \ufffd the only \ufffdidea\ufffd I had, was that both our countries have a Queen. Pretty pathetic, don\ufffdt you think? Anyway, this lead me to give you a Daisy, which is our Queens nickname among friends and family (not that I\ufffdm one of them :-) ) And to present it \ufffd properly \ufffd is the man we all know as Mr Firth in his royal outfit: (Lisa - horoscope) you possess an inquiring mind with a flair for languages and curiosity about foreign lands that make you a good traveler. You like to escape into movies, music and .... There's a hidden, shy, dreamy side to your nature. From your excellent reports this seems quite accurate, don't you think? :-)"}, {"response": 610, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Sat, Jul 19, 2003 (03:02)", "body": "Too many to thank, this is very generous! Lisa, the fireflies were quite pretty in an already pretty picture (IMHO). Sophie must be mentioned again (my friends loved it when I sent them that link), Leah, KJ, Rika, Moon, Karen, Hen, Sonia (the poem is so creative! I am touched!), KathyF, Beedee, Lora, Linda, Tress, Barb, Evelyn (no, not Brugges! and I have now heard that is where we should be going a few times!), Maria, Annette - thank you all for your well wishes, and frequent mentions of my intrepid London adventures. Glad I can be of service. Not that it's really hard work! It's been almost a year since I moved here and I have to say all around it was a very good decision, not just because of one fabulous lean in in April either! Although it ranks highly =) Next up, WAGW, right Janet?"}, {"response": 611, "author": "soph", "date": "Sat, Jul 19, 2003 (07:32)", "body": "hey LisaJH: i see you are still favoring the snowglobe technique, this time with fireflies (butterflies, gutterflies, flutterbies...). 1.1 Mo as well, you beat me on that one ! imagine: the two od us could launch armies of virtual colins\ufffd on the internet. oh, the power !"}, {"response": 612, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sat, Jul 19, 2003 (08:17)", "body": "Ack! I am so sorry Emma, I didn't mean to miss your birthday. I've become a brainless twit after herding 13 cub scouts around camp this week. I hope you had a happy day and that this makes up for my brainlessness:-)!"}, {"response": 613, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Jul 19, 2003 (10:43)", "body": "(Sophie) hey LisaJH: i see you are still favoring the snowglobe technique, this time with fireflies (butterflies, gutterflies, flutterbies...). 1.1 Mo as well, you beat me on that one ! LOL, Sophie, I recently bought the software as I am a bit of a snowglobe nut.;-) Just wait until I play with the smoke and fire features...which will be perfect for smouldering Vermeer pics. :-) imagine: the two of us could launch armies of virtual colins\ufffd on the internet. oh, the power ! Ah, but you are the true master (mistress?) of this domain! ;-) I am not worthy. But give me time...give me time. ;-) Love the idea of armies of virtual Colins. Bwwwaaaahaha ;-)"}, {"response": 614, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sat, Jul 19, 2003 (12:06)", "body": "I can't believe I fell asleep and nearly forgot to give you your present. Happy Birthday Emma!"}, {"response": 615, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Jul 20, 2003 (09:38)", "body": "Oh Ada! Thanks for sending Emma *my* favorite:-)"}, {"response": 616, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Jul 20, 2003 (10:33)", "body": ""}, {"response": 617, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Jul 20, 2003 (19:38)", "body": "Karen: Not sure if there is still a Clive Owen thread around here, but I have up to date news on King Arthur (with a forum spot for extras to report in and talk), in case anyone is interested. http://www.murphsplace.com/owen/arthur/arthur.html (You can move if this is in the wrong spot)"}, {"response": 618, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 21, 2003 (08:46)", "body": "A&E Launching British Spy Drama By FRAZIER MOORE, AP Television Writer MI5, or just plain Five, was founded a century ago to protect England's national security from internal threats. This London-based agency, whose staff today totals 1,900, is now the subject of a smart new spy drama, \"MI-5,\" which, complete with supplemental hyphen, has been imported for American viewers by A&E. Undercover work. Slick, high-tech devices. Gritty plot twists. Attractive agents. They're all part of the \"MI-5\" recipe. Plus the difficulties of protecting day-to-day life in Britain while maintaining one's own personal life. (How is senior case officer Tom Quinn supposed to have a relationship with the women he loves when he can't tell her who he really is?) \"MI-5\" premieres Tuesday at 9 p.m. EDT with an episode that centers on the search for an anti-abortion terrorist. A second episode in the series' regular 10 p.m. slot finds Tom and a female colleague posing as a married couple to nail a businessman suspected of planning a race war. Matthew Macfadyen stars as Quinn, with Keeley Hawes, David Oyelowo and Peter Firth (\"Equus\") among the co-stars of this gripping series, originally seen on BBC television."}, {"response": 619, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 21, 2003 (09:04)", "body": "For lovers of period romances... Myles assumes 'Tristan' throne British actress Sophia Myles will star with James Franco in the 20th Century Fox/Franchise Pictures period romance \"Tristan & Isolde,\" which Kevin Reynolds is directing for studio-based Scott Free.... Set in medieval Britain and Ireland, \"Tristan\" is an adaptation of the romantic myth about doomed young lovers. It follows Tristan (Franco), an English knight who attempts to unite England by winning the hand of the Irish king's daughter, Isolde (Myles). The knight falls in love with the future queen, but she is already married to another. Their affair threatens the future of Britain. Dean Georgaris wrote the script for the project, which is being produced by Ridley Scott, Tony Scott, Elie Samaha, Giannina Facio and Moshe Diamant. Myles...Past film credits include \"From Hell\" and \"Mansfield Park.\""}, {"response": 620, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jul 21, 2003 (10:31)", "body": "\"Tristan & Isolde,\" is one of my favourites. They better not mess this up. Thanks, Karen."}, {"response": 621, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 21, 2003 (10:32)", "body": "\"British Spy drama....gripping series, originally seen on BBC television.\" BBC...MI5 Spy Drama...Now *that* will be factual;-D \"Tristan and Islode\"...I would mind the music to go with it. \" Myles...Past film credits include 'From Hell' and 'Mansfield Park.' \" *snort* Both losers."}, {"response": 622, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Jul 21, 2003 (15:36)", "body": "\" Myles...Past film credits include 'From Hell' and 'Mansfield Park.' \" (Evelyn) *snort* Both losers. I agree. Mansfield Park IMO was a big disappointment compared to the other JA screen versions. Just horrible."}, {"response": 623, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jul 21, 2003 (16:23)", "body": "\"British Spy drama....gripping series, originally seen on BBC television.\" (Evelyn) BBC...MI5 Spy Drama...Now *that* will be factual;-D WHy bother, I'll just watch and read the news. It'll take up less time. ;-)"}, {"response": 624, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Jul 23, 2003 (09:54)", "body": "Ev: Keen Eddie has been moved to Thursday at 8. I liked MI-5 very much. Fast moving and characters you want to get to know better."}, {"response": 625, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Jul 23, 2003 (13:34)", "body": "I liked MI-5, too. I think it will be easier to follow after we get to know the characters better. Did they not run any credits? One of the women looked familiar and I wanted to know who she is. And what's the verdict on that guy in the street? Is he part of the bad guys, part of MI-5, or just a dustman making his rounds? Someone told me that \"Eddie\" was cancelled. I hope that was just a misunderstanding due to the change in time."}, {"response": 626, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Jul 23, 2003 (13:45)", "body": "(Kate) One of the women looked familiar Keeley Hawes (Zoe Reynolds) was in Tipping the Velvet. I missed the premiere of MI-5 hope to catch it on the replay Saturday night. Mary, Kate, thanks for the positive review."}, {"response": 627, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 23, 2003 (13:47)", "body": "Thank you Murph for the Keen Eddie heads up....I was devastated!! I like the format of MI5...split screens, action on three screens at times. But Peter Firth leaves me cold. The supporting cast is excellent. I like KE better."}, {"response": 628, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Jul 23, 2003 (13:50)", "body": "Flim Stew: MI-5 By Richard Horgan In keeping with the times, the young undercover agent at the center of MI-5 is nothing like his more famous and exaggerated counterpart at MI-6, James Bond. Played with earnest angst by British actor Matthew Macfadyen, Tom Quinn drives an ordinary car, has only one girlfriend and rather than gleefully revealing his name and identity to anyone who might be willing to mix him a martini, prefers to pass himself off as a nebbish computer systems technician. He also struggles mightily with the way his covert professional life interferes with the flow of the relationship he so desperately covets with Ellie (Esther Hall), a restaurant owner, and her young daughter Maisie (Heather Cave). Since debuting in 2001 under the original title Spooks, the show has been delighting British audiences and it\ufffds easy to see why. Chief among the reasons for MI-5\ufffds success are its realistic villains, a kinetic bag of visual tricks and a solid supporting cast. In the first two episodes, Quinn and his fellow operatives at Section B battle a Florida housewife\ufffds fervent pro-life campaign and a sadistic waste management tycoon\ufffds brazen manipulation of the politics of illegal immigration. Purely by accident, when the episode about immigration first aired in England, the lead story on the BBC newscast immediately following the program was about the very same subject, leading some viewers to thinking it was part of the show. As played by Lisa Eichorn and Kevin McNally, pro-life terrorist Mary Kane and right wing extremist Robert Osborne are villains cut from an entirely different cloth than the impresarios bent on world domination in the Bond films. Torn from today\ufffds news headlines, their terror is more focused and insidious, most notably in next week\ufffds episode when McNally looks on as one of his henchmen uses a fast food fryer as a ghastly torture device. That particular scene, based on an actual IRA technique, had an added impact when it was first shown in England because one of the actresses involved in the grease pit horror was a popular soap opera star (Lisa Faulkner from the series Holby City), whom the local audience in no way expected to see caught up in such gory tactics. For its A&E run, each episode of MI-5 has been trimmed from an original BBC running time of 58 minutes to a more commercial-friendly 44 minutes. It\ufffds something of a reverse compliment to say that the show manages to sustain the loss of 14 minutes of content and still keep viewers glued to the strand of each narrative. But MI-5 owes its visceral power to a lot more than that. Thanks to its extensive use of split screens, slow motion segment intros, jittery camera moves and original music by Jennie Muskett, the show is lean and mean entertainment that feels more akin to HBO shows like The Wire and The Sopranos than any previous A&E British period import. Macfadyen, who bears a striking resemblance to Star Trek: The Next Generation star Brent Spinner, fashions an extremely complex and compelling portrait of the government agent as a tormented young man. While he is definitely the heart and soul of the show, he benefits from a supporting cast that provides an equal mix of youth and experience. Veteran British actors Peter Firth (Pearl Harbor, Amistad) and Jenny Agutter (Logan\ufffds Run, An American Werewolf In London) score points respectively as the well-worn head of operations and no-nonsense section head, providing a center of gravity for newer British faces on this side of the Atlantic such as Keeley Hawes, David Oyelowo and Natasha Little. Ultimately, it\ufffds a thrill to make room this summer for a new TV show that is grounded in a reality that has nothing to do with bachelors, women forced to choose between love and money or a certain slumming American Idol judge. Not to mention one that suggests that not all operatives of national security need to look like Jennifer Garner or Gil Bellows. [MI-5\ufffds premiere episode, \ufffdThou Shall Not Kill\ufffd, debuts July 22nd, 2003 on A&E, with new episodes scheduled to air each week on Tuesdays at 10 pm with a repeat performance on Saturdays at 11 pm. Please check your local listings or go to AETV.com]"}, {"response": 629, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jul 23, 2003 (18:44)", "body": "(Evelyn)Thank you Murph for the Keen Eddie heads up....I was devastated!! I love Keen Eddie. I hope it does better on Thursdays. I read that it was not doing as well as they hoped. Now if KE was going to be the lead in for a decent show at 10, it might have done better. Instead it lead into that poxy, stupid, Paradise Hotel that should have been devastated by a tsunami weeks ago. I taped MI-5 hope to watch it tonight. Anyone watching The Royal on PBS? (Tuesday 10:00) I watched my tape of it this morning...not bad. Thanks, Murph."}, {"response": 630, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Jul 23, 2003 (19:17)", "body": "(Evelyn)I like KE better. So do I. I'm glad they moved Eddie, it saves me messing with the VCR. And if I couldn't tape one and watch the other, I'd go with Eddie, definitely. It cracks me up every time Pippin calls Eddie \"Dude!\" Thanks for posting the review, Murph. A friend of mine identified the woman in MI 5 who looked familiar to me--Jenny Agutter (not sure if that's spelled right) plays Tess, who so far has only had to roll her eyes and look ticked off at her boss. (Linda)that poxy, stupid, Paradise Hotel Sooo, I guess that's a thumbs-down, then?"}, {"response": 631, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (06:56)", "body": "Now I ask you...does this make any sense or did I spend half my life last summer watching someone else cavort around Dashwood Manor in period dress? How can they get it so wrong?? We know Reese didn't say that. sheesh. This is an exerpt from an article regarding the London premiere of Legally Blonde 2 from femail UK. First trip to the UK Witherspoon, who has a three-year-old daughter and is expecting her second child in December, said it was great to be in London for the premiere. \"It's great to be here. I have never been to the UK before. I'm just glad it didn't rain.\" She said she was currently filming a new movie, Vanity Fair, just outside London and would be returning to America once filming had finished. Asked about a third Legally Blonde film, she added: \"I'll have to see if people like the second. I don't really know.\" For the full article: http://www.femail.co.uk/pages/standard/article.html?in_article_id=189762&in_page_id=119&ito=1458&itc=0"}, {"response": 632, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (08:41)", "body": "(Linda)did I spend half my life last summer watching someone else cavort around Dashwood Manor in period dress? No, it was definitely Reese. Maybe they used that \"Gump\" technology to drop her into her scenes?????? At least they didn't quote her as saying \"It has always been a girlish dream of mine to visit London.\""}, {"response": 633, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (12:07)", "body": "From Ireland breaking news : British unknown to star in Alfie remake 24/07/2003 - 10:05:44 A British actress already known to American television viewers is about to make her name in the UK, too. Blonde Sienna Miller has been chosen by Paramount to star opposite Jude Law in its as-yet-untitled remake of Michael Caine's 1996 comedy Alfie, the studio has announced. The 21-year-old Miller has dual citizenship in the United States and Britain, and is starring in the American weekly television drama series Keen Eddie. In Alfie she will play Nikki, pursued by Law\ufffds character as the girl of his dreams. Filming is expected to start in London in September. ************************************ This from Reuters Entertainment - on the show that took KE's place on Tuesday: LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - \"Paradise Hotel\" showed some ratings spunk for Fox television on Tuesday, helping the network tie NBC for a nightly win in the key demographic of viewers 18 to 49, according to preliminary estimates from Nielsen Media Research."}, {"response": 634, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (15:33)", "body": "closing bold, I hope"}, {"response": 635, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jul 25, 2003 (10:45)", "body": "FILM MUSIC AT THE PROMS As part of the 2003 Proms, a concert of Great British Film Music will be presented on Saturday 16th August 2003 at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The BBC Concert Orchestra and BBC Singers will be conducted by Rumon Gamba. The programme is as follows: Rawsthorne The Cruel Sea (1953) (5 mins) Bax Oliver Twist (1948) - Selections from published 'Suite No. 1' (10 mins) Richard Addinsell Warsaw Concerto (8 mins) Sir Malcolm Arnold The Belles of St Trinians (1954) (8 mins) Sir William Walton Richard III (1955) - Prelude (arr. Mathieson) (7 mins) interval Sir Richard Rodney Bennett Murder on the Orient Express (1974) (arr. Lindup) (11 mins) John Barry Lion in Winter - suite (with chorus); Dances with Wolves; James Bond selection (18 mins) Sir Arthur Bliss Things to Come (1936): Prologue - March - Attack - Pestilence - Excavation - The Building of the New World - Machines - Attack on the Moon Gun - Epilogue (20 mins) The concert starts at 7.00pm and ticket prices range from \ufffd6-\ufffd25. The concert will also be broadcast live both on BBC2 and on the internet and will be available for 'on-demand' listening from 17th-23rd August on the web. For more information visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms"}, {"response": 636, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Jul 27, 2003 (20:04)", "body": "Since this is the first time since July 8th that I've had time to come her I send very belated birthday wishes to Lisa, Evelyn and Emma. Between doing some in home care and having 11 guests since June 23 I've been a little busy."}, {"response": 637, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Jul 27, 2003 (22:02)", "body": "For Janice fans in the metro NYC area, there will be a remembrance concert in Central Park in early August. The link is to an NPR piece from Saturday. Janice would have been 60 years old this year. Too bad she isn't here to *take it*.... Nina Simone's daughter will be there to do a version of Janice's version of Summertime which was Janice's version of Nina Simone's Summertime. http://discover.npr.org/rundowns/rundown.jhtml?prgId=7&prgDate=current"}, {"response": 638, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Jul 28, 2003 (09:49)", "body": "Was sad to read Bob Hope died last night, at age 100. A talented gentleman with a great heart. Thanks Bob for the laughs, the entertainment and your generosity."}, {"response": 639, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Jul 28, 2003 (12:42)", "body": "For Mari: The LA Times \"Shooting for Philadelphia\" (BTW, Calendar Live at the LA Times will soon go to a paying site. We are getting more and more of these now) Forget L.A. and N.Y. Movie and TV productions are increasingly finding a home in the city of brotherly love. -- By Lewis Beale July 27 2003 To find the set of Kevin Bacon's latest movie, \"The Woodsman,\" drive past the mothballed World War II naval vessels, turn left on Kitty Hawk Avenue and stop at Building 11. Once inside the abandoned structure, pass through the room with the holding cells, go through the door marked \"Department of Defense Police,\" and there you'll find Bacon, David Alan Grier and the rapper Eve rehearsing a scene for this drama about an ex-con pedophile trying to turn his life around. This is not exactly your typical Hollywood filming experience. \"The Woodsman\" is shooting scenes on the grounds of the now mostly deserted Philadelphia Navy Yard, and Building 11, which once housed Defense Department, FBI and naval police offices, is serving as a set. It isn't an optimal location \ufffd outside, jets landing at Philadelphia International Airport pass just a few hundred feet overhead \ufffd but hey, you make do when you're filming in a city without a conventional sound stage. Besides, the absence of a Los Angeles- or New York-like moviemaking infrastructure hasn't stopped Philly from enjoying a production boom the likes of which it has never seen before. In the past year alone, Philly's streets have played host to the CBS series \"Hack,\" Kevin Smith's \"Jersey Girl,\" \"The Italian Job\" and several indie productions. Lee Daniels, who is producing \"The Woodsman\" and also produced \"Monster's Ball,\" plans to film \"Shadow Boxer,\" starring Anjelica Huston and Wes Bentley, here this summer. The upcoming CBS series \"Cold Case\" will do some shooting in town. And M. Night Shyamalan, a resident who has filmed \"The Sixth Sense,\" \"Unbreakable\" and \"Signs\" in the area, is in pre-production on \"The Woods,\" a thriller starring Adrien Brody and Sigourney Weaver that will be made locally. The city will also be getting some of \"National Treasure,\" a new Nicolas Cage vehicle. \"Philadelphia has a vibe \ufffd it doesn't feel like Boston or New York,\" says Bacon, a Philly native. \"There are a tremendous amount of looks you can get. You have a downtown that feels like an urban center, and you're not gonna find as many diverse working-class neighborhoods\" elsewhere. And the country, he notes, is only 40 minutes away. This is all good news for a city whose cinematic image is still defined by the gritty, working-class feel of \"Rocky\" \ufffd which wasn't even shot here in its entirety. In fact, Jonathan Demme's 1992 \"Philadelphia\" was a studio-film rarity for being completely shot in this city of 1.5 million. Since then, Philly has played host to 50 feature films, 35 made entirely in the region, 20 of them studio productions, including Terry Gilliam's \"Twelve Monkeys\" and Demme's \"Beloved.\" A mid-Atlantic Toronto? That may sound like chump change compared with such big production centers as New York or L.A., but in the world of second-tier locations, Philly is doing just fine. And if Sharon Pinkenson, executive director of the Greater Philadelphia Film Office, has her way, the city will overshadow Toronto as a cheap place to shoot with wildly varying locations, experienced crews and top-of-the-line production facilities. \"All film commissions are responsible for marketing their location, and all of them on some level get involved in the details of coordinating production,\" says Pinkenson, a former costume designer. \"But we're also like having a free producer. Like if you need an apartment for Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick, or crew housing, we have a person in the office dedicated just to housing. But we're also involved in the big picture \ufffd my goal is to turn Philadelphia and Pennsylvania into the next Toronto by creating government incentives that will lure production.\" As with many regional film commissions, Pinkenson's will go the extra yard to attract production. Like the time a producer demanded tee time at an exclusive golf club. Pinkenson arranged it. Or when the 1998 Denzel Washington film \"Fallen\" was looking for a specific location that could not be found in the Philadelphia area but did exist near Atlantic City, N.J. To avoid losing the entire shoot to Chicago, Pinkenson told the producers about it, and most of \"Fallen\" was made in Philly. But it's not just the aggressiveness of the film office that keeps luring production to Philly. Filmmakers unanimously agree that the unions are cooperative, and the city has an unexploited freshness. \"Philly just looks different; it hasn't been overshot,\" says \"Hack\" producer Nan Bernstein. \"There's a history there that's still apparent.\" \"We have neighborhoods where you can turn the camera 360 degrees and get everything from pre-Revolutionary housing to Victorian right up to modern skyscrapers,\" Pinkenson says. Still, Philly has to dea"}, {"response": 640, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Jul 28, 2003 (13:10)", "body": "Miami Herald Posted on Mon, Jul. 28, 2003 French Actress Comatose After Beating Associated Press VILNIUS, Lithuania - French actress Marie Trintignant remained hospitalized in a coma Monday after allegedly being beaten at her hotel over the weekend. Police identified her boyfriend, French rock singer Bertrand Cantat, as a suspect. Trintignant, 41, was brought to the hospital around 8 a.m. local time Sunday from the Vilnius Domina Plaza Hotel where she was staying with her mother and Cantat, Dr. Robertas Kvascevicius, a physician treating her at Vilnius University Hospital, said Monday. Trintignant, a daughter of film star Jean-Louis Trintignant who starred in scores of French and several Hollywood films, had been in a coma for two hours before arriving at the hospital, the doctor said. She underwent surgery Sunday to ease pressure on her brain caused by cerebral hemorrhaging but remained in a coma Monday. \"At this point, I cannot promise anything,\" he said when asked about her prognosis. Kvascevicius told France-Inter radio that Trintignant was being kept alive by artificial respiration. \"In such cases, the chances for survival are minimal,\" he said. \"The rate of mortality is 90 to 95 percent. There is little chance she will pull through it.\" .... Trintignant, born in Paris in 1962, made her first film appearances as a teenager in films produced by her mother, Nadine Trintignant. Though mostly typecast as neurotic, mentally unstable women, she has tried in recent years to do more comic acting. Alain Corneau's \"Serie noire\" launched her career, and at the age of 17 she performed in \"La Terrasse\" alongside her father. ... http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/entertainment/6401939.htm"}, {"response": 641, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Jul 28, 2003 (13:48)", "body": "What a sad day....Bob Hope and now ODB's co-star in WOF: French actress Marie Trintignant remained hospitalized in a coma Monday after allegedly being beaten at her hotel over the weekend. Police identified her boyfriend, French rock singer Bertrand Cantat, as a suspect. Made my stomach turn when I read that....hope they put whoever did this to her away for the remainder of his (I'm assuming here...they did say BC was still only a suspect) life...even if she does survive."}, {"response": 642, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 28, 2003 (14:03)", "body": "On a happier note.... What's with Berger and Carrie. I had a boyfriend like Berger once; he dissected every word I said and turned it into an indictment. Hey, who wants to live with a guy that you have to edit everything before you say it. \"Dump him, Carrie. Be yourself\". I like that Harry and Charlotte are getting together. Bald guys are tender-hearted. They take a lotta crap in life and appreciate a lil'lovin. I predict at the end of the series, Carrie will stay single.Any bets?"}, {"response": 643, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 28, 2003 (16:16)", "body": "Police identified her boyfriend, French rock singer Bertrand Cantat, as a suspect. And I just read other parts of story from AP: She was staying at the Vilnius Domina Plaza Hotel with her mother and Cantat, said hospital doctor Robertas Kvascevicius. Police spokeswoman Ruta Andriuskaite said Cantat is a suspect. She added the lead singer with French band Noir Desir, had been admitted to the same hospital on Sunday after drinking \"dangerously high\" amounts of alcohol. Cantat was not arrested, though police plan to question him at the hotel today, Andriuskaite said. She said it could take days or weeks before authorities decide whether to formally charge him. Police usually bar suspects from leaving the country during investigations. ~~~~~~ Disgusting, maybe by then, they'll have a charge: aggravated assault or merely murder. :-( (Evelyn) What's with Berger and Carrie...\"Dump him, Carrie. Be yourself\". Didn't you read the Post-It? Carrie was dumped already. He's gone. He couldn't handle being with a successful woman when his own career had taken a downturn. An ego thing. Major brusing of his self-image. It's too bad; I think Berger was a cutie. But that paper covers rock was a good one."}, {"response": 644, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jul 28, 2003 (19:24)", "body": "(Karen) I think Berger was a cutie I did, too. I thought he was the only one who really fit in with her friends. He really got into the friends stories of dating or whatever they were talking about, and had something intelligent and useful to offer. He was pretty witty, too. But, aside from the emotional/ego issues, and being witty, he was also borderline dull, too. Not as bad as Aidan, but he could be pretty flat. I liked that his demeanor could be dry, but it was a bit too dry for me, and I think Carrie, too. She was having to drag him a bit through life (ok, it was *her* life...always stuff she wanted to do). That paper covers rock was pretty funny. Thought that was so tacky of him though. Actually felt really bad for her. BTW, who wears a bra to bed under a nightdress? You can't tell me that's a new fad. ;-)"}, {"response": 645, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (11:03)", "body": "Thanks for all the good and not so good news everyone. Will miss Bob Hope dreadfully. One of my life-long favorites. Also think they have yet to top him as Oscar host. Remember watching him on that as a child and laughing so much. Also all the war tours. Just loved him. Thanks for the memories and years of laughter Bob. They will remain forever."}, {"response": 646, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (11:28)", "body": "(Karen)...all those who took umbrage over the savaging of HS, just wait for this Friday, when they let loose on Gigli (Bee Dee)Yeah sure, but that's probably not gonna stop them at the BO is it? . LOL.Won't stop me. I like J. Lo and Ben:-D Anybody see their hour-long interview a few weeks ago ? Cute. She's an interviewer's dream."}, {"response": 647, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (12:20)", "body": "(Evelyn) LOL.Won't stop me. I like J. Lo and Ben:-D Oh Evelyn... please, say it ain't so!!!!! (Las Vegas is already taking odds that the divorce will precede the marriage!)"}, {"response": 648, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (12:21)", "body": ""}, {"response": 649, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (12:33)", "body": "[Shoshana] Are you hitting the \"submit\" button after you read a topic? This is the second nonmessage you've posted?"}, {"response": 650, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (12:42)", "body": "(Laura)(Las Vegas is already taking odds that the divorce will precede the marriage!) Love it! How do I get in on the betting?"}, {"response": 651, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (14:24)", "body": "Great analysis of the latest Project Greenlight, a riveting train wreck: http://www.moviecitynews.com/columnists/dretzka/030729.htm"}, {"response": 652, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (15:32)", "body": "(Laura)Oh Evelyn... please, say it ain't so!!!!! I don't care about private lives. Hey, few of them are up for canonization;-)"}, {"response": 653, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (16:42)", "body": "(Evelyn)I don't care about private lives. Hey, few of them are up for canonization;-) So you're saying you like their acting?:-)"}, {"response": 654, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (16:42)", "body": "(Karen) Great analysis of the latest Project Greenlight, a riveting train wreck: Holy cow, isn't it?!!!! :-P That Efraim (sp?) will never work as a director again I wouldn't think. Who the hell would want to deal with him? Though \"they\" tend to forget that stuff if the movie does well. Thanks for the link. I'll have to check it out in a bit. (Karen) just wait for this Friday, when they let loose on Gigli What horrible buzz for months and months on this. Apparently Jersey Girl isn't spoken of that highly either except for the kid. Shame, I *love* Kevin Smith's stuff. I saw HBO's (or whoever's) behind the scenes show with Gigli, and have to say it wasn't getting me too excited to see it. Maybe one of those I have to see all at once to make a better impression, like Down with Love, which I didn't really want to see just off the ads, but loved as a whole."}, {"response": 655, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (18:58)", "body": "Evelyn)I don't care about private lives. Hey, few of them are up for canonization;-) (Bee Dee)So you're saying you like their acting?:-) Actually, ....yes.They're both good entertainers...or at least eye candy. Like some of YKW 's projects;-))))"}, {"response": 656, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Jul 30, 2003 (07:45)", "body": "I like this! The NY Times: July 30, 2003 Baryshnikov Will Play Heartthrob in 'Sex and the City' By BILL CARTER For better or worse, the tumultuous love life of Carrie Bradshaw, the signature single woman of HBO's hit comedy \"Sex and the City,\" is coming to an end this season. Sarah Jessica Parker, the star who plays Carrie, says the plan has always been to go out with a romance bigger than Big. \"We had to make Big look like a high school sweetheart,\" Ms. Parker said, referring to Mr. Big, the character played by Chris Noth who has been a looming romantic presence in Carrie's life throughout the series, which began in 1998. Whether the choice will ultimately prove to be Carrie's Mr. Right, no one is saying. But his star power is undeniable. After what Ms. Parker called \"a long courtship,\" she was able to persuade Mikhail Baryshnikov, perhaps the most famous dancer in the world, to join the show as the man to lift Carrie off her feet. \"I seem to have a tendency to do things that people think I shouldn't do,\" Mr. Baryshnikov said in a telephone interview after a rehearsal with Ms. Parker. He added, in a reference to the show's celebrated sexual adventurousness, \"I think it's about time to do something my children can't watch.\" The concluding story line calls for Carrie to meet and fall for a man of overpowering presence, an artist of international reputation. \"We thought he might be European,\" Ms. Parker said. Mr. Baryshnikov, who lives in New York, was born in Latvia to Russian parents. \"He has such presence that Carrie gets bigger, too,\" Ms. Parker said. \"The scale changes her.\" She was speaking by telephone from location shooting for \"Sex and the City\" in Manhattan. The show's cast is winding up the 11th and 12th episodes in what is to be a 20-episode final season. Ms. Parker, who is also an executive producer on the series, said she had riffled through the names of various movie stars, trying to cast the part. None really seemed to measure up to the outsize expectations for a character who would, as Ms. Parker put it, \"reveal to Carrie that there's a whole other life out there.\" Then one morning in April, in the shower (\"As a new mother it's the only place it ever really gets quiet in my head,\" she said), an idea flashed: Mikhail Baryshnikov. European. An international artist of enormous reputation. But would he even consider an offer to play a love interest on a television comedy? Weeks later, after several phone calls and a few preliminary meetings, Ms. Parker had her answer. Misha, as she already calls him, was in. Mr. Baryshnikov, who is more than a decade removed from a brief career acting in films, has signed on to play Alexander Petrovsky, an artist \"of extreme importance,\" as Ms. Parker described him, for the final eight episodes of a show that has become a phenomenon, the most popular comedy in the history of cable television. Not with Mr. Baryshnikov, however. When Ms. Parker called, he confessed, he had never seen the show, though of course as a New Yorker he had heard of it. So Ms. Parker sent over a batch of episodes on DVD. He met with Ms. Parker and the show's chief creative talents, Michael Patrick King and John Melfi, also executive producers. Mr. Baryshnikov also spoke several times with Ms. Parker by phone, offering suggestions on what sort of character his artist might be. \"I just tossed a few ideas around, because that's how they usually work, I understand,\" he said. He acknowledged, \"I haven't worked in front of the camera in many years.\" But he was intrigued by the idea. \"It sounded like fun,\" he said. The plan for the final year's production of \"Sex and the City\" has been to divide the season, working first on 12 episodes, to be seen on HBO this summer and early fall, while saving the final 8 for a run that will begin in January. The cast will finish filming the first batch in early August and then take a six-week break before coming back in October to shoot the last episodes. Mr. Baryshnikov's character will be introduced fleetingly in the episodes being finished in the next week or so. \"I'm a little bit of a teaser,\" he said. \"That's a television term. They have codes for all these subcultures.\" Ms. Parker said she could not go too far in describing where the romance with Mr. Barysnikov's character was headed. \"I have to keep the secrets,\" she said. \"But this is a really important story line. This is not a short tenure.\" A romantic connection involving a ballet dancer seems to mirror the life of Candace Bushnell, the real-life model for Carrie Bradshaw. Ms. Bushnell married a ballet dancer, Charles Askegard, last year. Ms. Parker said no such association with that event was intended. \"Besides, Carrie has moved pretty far away from Candace by now,\" she said. And as Mr. Baryshnikov pointed out: \"I'm not playing a dancer. I'm a Russian artist who's big in Europe and also here. We have a culture clash, an experience clash and an age clash.\" He was the only one who mentioned age. Mr. B"}, {"response": 657, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 30, 2003 (08:45)", "body": "So do I."}, {"response": 658, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jul 30, 2003 (08:58)", "body": "A romantic connection involving a ballet dancer seems to mirror the life of Candace Bushnell, the real-life model for Carrie Bradshaw. Ms. Bushnell married a ballet dancer, Charles Askegard, last year. Ms. Parker said no such association with that event was intended. Um, yeah....sure. Even before I got to this part, I got the connection. I love Barishnikov, though. Especially when he was doing his White Oak Dance Project stuff with Mark Morris. Thanks, Murph. Seems they will be going through quite a Roladex of Hollywood/NY star hunks."}, {"response": 659, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 30, 2003 (09:40)", "body": "Good choice. S&TC needs a lift. MI5 is the best thing on right now, IMO. BTW where is Keen Eddie this week?"}, {"response": 660, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 30, 2003 (09:52)", "body": "(Evelyn) BTW where is Keen Eddie this week? MIA? TV Guide had an excerpt of the above, but then this: Baryshnikov points out that he's \"not playing a dancer. I'm a Russian artist who's big in Europe and also here. We have a culture clash, an experience clash and an age clash.\" All of which is followed by some hot, sweaty sex. http://www.tvguide.com/newsgossip/inthenews/"}, {"response": 661, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jul 30, 2003 (10:15)", "body": "(Murph's article)You also get lower production costs in Philadelphia. And the people here aren't jaded; they're not shouting out the windows at you to 'turn off those lights!' \" Right, in Philly, we'd say \"Yo, turn off those effin' lights!\" ;-) Loved this article, Mary. *Everybody* here knows someone who has a cousin whose son's friend's brother-in-law was an extra in \"Signs.\" The son of one of my work colleagues had a walk-on part in Hack last season. And if you saw The Italian Job, the race down Market Street in the Mini-Coopers was filmed right outside my office. And speaking of Bennifer . . .I think I mentioned that they filmed one of the Jersey Girl scenes right down the block from where I work. Ben was here, and was *very* nice to all the fans. Like Evelyn, I also like Ben and Jen. I'm hard-pressed to think of something either of them was bad in."}, {"response": 662, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jul 30, 2003 (10:19)", "body": "Sorry, I don't like the Baryshnikov angle. He's too old for her. Give me the young, virile, guys. If the situation were reversed, they wouldn't be pairing a mid-thirties actor with an actress 20 years his senior. Anybody watch Boy Meets Boy last night? Am loving the summer shows; Queer Eye For The Straight Guy is another goodie--very funny. Also hooked on Keen Eddie, when I can find it.:-( \"So how do you like me now?\""}, {"response": 663, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Jul 30, 2003 (10:31)", "body": "(Mari) Bennifer LOL. (Mari) I'm hard-pressed to think of something either of them was bad in. Maybe not bad but not quite up to par: Dogma, Forces of Nature, Bounce, SIL, the Wedding Planner. They're talented but a bit overrated, imo. (Mari) Anybody watch Boy Meets Boy last night? Am loving the summer shows; Queer Eye For The Straight Guy is another goodie--very funny. Also hooked on Keen Eddie, when I can find it.:-( Missed BMB, love QEFTSG, getting hooked on KE, saw it on Fox last Thursday. \"So how do you like me now?\" Who are you, Toby Keith? ;-)"}, {"response": 664, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jul 30, 2003 (10:42)", "body": "(Mari)Anybody watch Boy Meets Boy last night? Am loving the summer shows; Queer Eye For The Straight Guy is another goodie-- LOL! Saw the 10:00pm Queer Eye after the DH was asleep on the couch;-) what a riot. Saw last part of the 8:00 program and loved the comments the *guys* had about the girlfriend."}, {"response": 665, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 30, 2003 (11:03)", "body": "(Beedee) Saw last part of the 8:00 program and loved the comments the *guys* had about the girlfriend. Sounds like you watched the third episode (blonde, trampy girlfriend) because that was the only good thing about that one IMO. However, last night's (the proposal one) was such a hoot. Catch it on one of Bravo's many replays. Am not watching BMB; am drawing the line there. Not interested. (and Mari knows that's saying a lot for me) ;-))))))"}, {"response": 666, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Jul 30, 2003 (11:18)", "body": "(Beedee) Saw last part of the 8:00 program and loved the comments the *guys* had about the girlfriend. (Karen) Sounds like you watched the third episode (blonde, trampy girlfriend) because that was the only good thing about that one IMO. Loved the Fab5 comments. Like them, I was wondering why he put up with her. I thought maybe he'd change his mind and wouldn't ask her to move in. Love, ain't it grand ;-)"}, {"response": 667, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 30, 2003 (13:08)", "body": "According to the Keen Eddie Forum Fox has cancelled the show for now. The slugs. http://forums.prospero.com/foxkeddie/messages/?msg=540.1"}, {"response": 668, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 30, 2003 (13:15)", "body": "Keep reading...from the next message: Fox hasn't canceled Keen Eddie -- yet. They're just pre-empting it for a few weeks. The next new episode will be on Aug. 28th. Unless you live in Canada and get CHCH from Hamilton in which case the next new episode will be on at 12 am July 31st."}, {"response": 669, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jul 30, 2003 (13:24)", "body": "(Karen)Sounds like you watched the third episode (blonde, trampy girlfriend) because that was the only good thing about that one IMO. However, last night's (the proposal one) was such a hoot. Catch it on one of Bravo's many replays. Yes, that was it! I just saw the last 15 min. or so by chance and had to LOL. It was enough to get me to watch the *proposal* one later and I fell in love with the straight guy. He was so sweet! Loved when he started to mist up at the lovely job the guys had done outside in the *Casbah*."}, {"response": 670, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Jul 30, 2003 (14:09)", "body": "(Karen)Fox hasn't canceled Keen Eddie -- yet. Bite your tongue (fingers?) on that \"yet,\" Karen! I'd love to see this one stay. Multi-week pre-emting is rarely a good sign, though."}, {"response": 671, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jul 30, 2003 (14:18)", "body": "(Mari) Anybody watch Boy Meets Boy last night? Am loving the summer shows; Queer Eye For The Straight Guy is another goodie-- I am hooked on QEFTSG! But seeing them late as I don't have Bravo and am using the brother's TeVo to catch up. Heard that it was going to be showing on NBC after 'Will and Grace'. Carson (the fashion savant) just makes me laugh, he's so freakin' funny! Am also behind on 'Sex and the City' (watch the DVDs so everyone is a season ahead of me...time I entered the modern world and got that digital cable, I guess)."}, {"response": 672, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jul 30, 2003 (15:16)", "body": "I *love* QEFTSG!! My hairdresser the other day told me Kyan (grooming) worked in their salon for a bit. (Karen) the third episode (blonde, trampy girlfriend) because that was the only good thing about that one IMO. (Sonia) Loved the Fab5 comments. Like them, I was wondering why he put up with her. I thought maybe he'd change his mind and wouldn't ask her to move in. He was such a sweet guy. He needed her to lead him by the nose, though. He seems basically kinda clueless about life. I actually was wondering for 2 seconds why she stayed with him, but she liked that control I'm sure. Very funny comments from the guys on her. Thought the first episode was the best. (Tress) Heard that it was going to be showing on NBC after 'Will and Grace' Shame you didn't get to see the hour version of that one. They cut out a lot and it lost a little something like that. Forces of Nature, Bounce, the Wedding Planner They were so-so to dull in these to me. Daredevil, too. Loved him in Dogma and Chasing Amy. And her in Out of Sight and MIM. I like them both anyway, but don't think they warrant such attention. There are *other* more worthy people who deserve more attention....for talent anyway. (Mari) Sorry, I don't like the Baryshnikov angle. He's too old for her You don't like Big, either, I take it. Watching this week, my friend and I wanted to see them together again, though he's really not good for her. Plays with her mind and heart too much."}, {"response": 673, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jul 30, 2003 (15:37)", "body": "Ben Affleck is only good in Kevin Smith movies. Jennifer Lopez is only good in Selena. End of story... most people (i.e., guys just watch her for her @$$ anyway!) they don't care what she has in her brain."}, {"response": 674, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Jul 30, 2003 (15:49)", "body": "(Bee Dee)So you're saying you like their acting?:-) (Evelyn)Actually, ....yes.They're both good entertainers...or at least eye candy. Personally, I'd rather watch some dead people. ;-)"}, {"response": 675, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Jul 30, 2003 (16:04)", "body": "Thanks, Murph, for the interesting article! But Carrie's boyfriends now remind me of drive thru at MacDonalds: Big, Burger, and sexy see-through buns. ;-) I like Aidan the best."}, {"response": 676, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jul 30, 2003 (18:35)", "body": "(Sonia)Who are you, Toby Keith? ;-) Who dat? Is he one of them thar country singer fellers? Anyway, I was going for Keen Eddie's signature line, but I think I screwed it up. \"How do you like me so far?\" Is that it? They're talented but a bit overrated, imo. I *am* annoyed at their overexposure in the media. (Dorine)Loved him in Dogma and Chasing Amy. And her in Out of Sight and MIM. Same here. He was also good in Changing Lanes and in Boiler Room. I liked her in Angel Eyes, too. They are not \"great\" actors by any stretch, but they are entertaining and charismatic. And they have chutzpah--they know their film is gonna get raked over the coals but they're still out there, front and center. No hiding behind, say, a family event.;-);-) I admire their cojones. (Tress)I am hooked on QEFTSG!. . . Carson (the fashion savant) just makes me laugh, he's so freakin' funny! Isn't he a riot? The guy is a one-man quote machine. \"There's so much to do here, I need a Ritalin Smoothie to help me focus.\" LOL! And how about when he used tongs to go through the one guy's closet? But none of it is done out of meanness, and they do a really great job. The makeover on the first guy (Butch the artist) was amazing. I also like the Food & Wine guy, Tom I think, because he has great tips, like keeping only 3 numbers in mind when cooking fish: 10 oz, 6 minutes, 400 degrees. Great stuff! (Dorine)You don't like Big, either, I take it. Actually, I do like Big, but agree with you that he's not for her. Too much water under the bridge there. And a man who cheated on his wife may very likely cheat on you too. And the age gap is much less than with Misha."}, {"response": 677, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Jul 30, 2003 (19:20)", "body": "Anybody watch Boy Meets Boy last night? Am loving the summer shows; Queer Eye For The Straight Guy is another goodie--very funny. ****************** I LOVE this show! (QEFTSG) I think mostly because everyone is really kind to each other. It is a sweet show. Somehow they have managed to find three really nice, kind of innocent, straight guys to work on. And the five do a good job. They also seem genuinely taken with their subjects - unlike the \"What Not To Wear,\" two, which uses tough love to get their point across. (With that really skanky blonde from Florida a few months ago they needed to!) (BTW -- The guy has cut his hair!) Boy Meets Boy I will reserve judgement for a bit - too much like those other \"a bunch of gals and guys in a hot tub\" type of show - except here they are all guys. The hunk has to think up some tougher questions!"}, {"response": 678, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 30, 2003 (19:44)", "body": "(Lora)I like Aidan the best. Ditto. I can hear the 'chorus of dissension' now....but I don't care; a little flab is ok with me;-) (mari)And a man who cheated on his wife may very likely cheat on you too. LOL. That's my prediction about Mr & Mrs. Matthew Field's future in the Garden of Eden;-) Jen and Ben rock!"}, {"response": 679, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Jul 30, 2003 (19:58)", "body": "(Evelyn)but I don't care; a little flab is ok with me;-) I agree. Much more normal, sweet, caring, and helpful in the kitchen (and with fixing things, i.e. uses tools well ;-)). (me)and sexy see-through buns. ;-) The buns refer to many-years-of-ballet Misha. Guess I didn't set my joke up very well ;-/"}, {"response": 680, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jul 30, 2003 (20:14)", "body": "(Lora)I like Aidan the best. (Evelyn) Ditto. I can hear the 'chorus of dissension' now....but I don't care; a little flab is ok with me;-) I didn't mind a little flab, though he looked tres fab when he slimmed down and got some definition. He was such an incredibly sweet guy and very good to her, but dull . I can completely see and am empathetic as to why they didn't work out. Certain aspects of Aidan in that relationship hit a bit close. (Mari) And how about when he used tongs to go through the one guy's closet ROTF! Love Thom, too. He's so low key about his sarcasm in dissing the decor."}, {"response": 681, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jul 30, 2003 (20:15)", "body": "Seems I was a bit more emphatic than I planned. :-)"}, {"response": 682, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jul 30, 2003 (21:23)", "body": "I thought Keen Eddie was moving to Thursdays at 8. Now August 28...bollocks! Definitely not a good sign. (Murph)Somehow they have managed to find three really nice, kind of innocent, straight guys to work on. And the five do a good job. Yes, they have. The guys have really been sweet, but I'm not impressed with any of their girlfriends. None of them have seemed really sincere to me."}, {"response": 683, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jul 30, 2003 (21:24)", "body": "(Lora)The buns refer to many-years-of-ballet Misha. Guess I didn't set my joke up very well ;-/ Oh, I got it! LOL! Love those ballet buns! And thighs and ........ I think he's hot! (mari)And a man who cheated on his wife may very likely cheat on you too. (Evelyn)Jen and Ben rock! Yeah, but for how long? A woman who dumps husbands is likely to dump...."}, {"response": 684, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 31, 2003 (00:01)", "body": "(Lora)The buns refer to many-years-of-ballet Misha. Guess I didn't set my joke up very well ;-/ Strange, in all my years of watching him, buns don't come to mind first. ;-)))) (Mari)And how about when he used tongs to go through the one guy's closet? Good thing he puts on latex gloves when he goes through the dirty undies. Seems to be one of his favorite activities. Now can you say Ralph Lauren properly? Everybody repeat after me. ;-D The only Fab5 guy they should ditch is Jai. What does he do? Absolutely nothing but prance around. In last night's show, his only contribution was how to say 'I love you' in Armenian. Preferred the substitute Culture Guru who bought all the CDs and books."}, {"response": 685, "author": "socadook", "date": "Thu, Jul 31, 2003 (07:55)", "body": "(Karen) Now can you say Ralph Lauren properly? Everybody repeat after me. ;-D Couture du jour ;-)"}, {"response": 686, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jul 31, 2003 (08:18)", "body": "(Karen) The only Fab5 guy they should ditch is Jai. What does he do? Absolutely nothing but prance around. Have to admit I have a soft spot for him. Saw him in an awesome off-Bdwy play a few months ago and he was really fantastic. Then ran into him one night heading for the same subway. He did the help Butch/Brian learn to work the room at the gallery opening. I did like the books/CD's idea from the other guy, too, though. I wonder how much discussion they have with the transformees before they film. Just enough to get a flavor of the person or more specific, like music, decor tastes, etc? Can't be cheap for this changeover, between getting new furniture, paint, etc and putting them up somewhere."}, {"response": 687, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 31, 2003 (10:08)", "body": "(Dorine) He did the help Butch/Brian learn to work the room at the gallery opening. Yeah, that was impressive helping him mingle with his own friends. *snort*"}, {"response": 688, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 31, 2003 (12:51)", "body": "Seems there is significant concern that star power isn't going to negate the bad publicity: http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/cl-et-horn30jul30,0,4578052.story?coll=cl-movies-features *Also a mention of the postponement of Kevin Smith's Jersey Girl and the rationale."}, {"response": 689, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 31, 2003 (15:57)", "body": "\"Despite the bad early buzz, Affleck and Lopez both went to bat for the film, playing off their celebrity sizzle. \"They were out there,\" Revolution partner Tom Sherak says of the two actors. \"They cared. They were involved. They were both busy making other movies, and they still did everything and anything we asked them to do.\" Thanks Karen. You gotta hand it to them, they're out there pitching.Why publicists love them. They care, even if the film is a dog. Not walking away and going off to...Vancouver;-) (Where it was filmed.) Look how much publicity Ben & Gwynnie did for SIL. You think that movie with an all Brit cast about Shakespeare, fergodsake, would have made it without them? You think people went to see Geoffrey Rush?"}, {"response": 690, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Jul 31, 2003 (16:08)", "body": "You think people went to see Geoffrey Rush? I did go to see Geoffrey Rush and that other chap in the fancy breeches. Certainly not Ben Affleck ;-)"}, {"response": 691, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 31, 2003 (16:27)", "body": "LOL. Allison that's a given around here..we all went to see the guy with the goatee;-) But I'm talking about the great unwashed out there who don't know these guys. Hey , I bet some people in the UK even went to see Imelda Staunton and the two minutes of Judi Dench."}, {"response": 692, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jul 31, 2003 (16:43)", "body": "(Mari) Anybody watch Boy Meets Boy last night? Am loving the summer shows; Queer Eye For The Straight Guy is another goodie--very funny. Also hooked on Keen Eddie, when I can find it.:-( \"So how do you like me now?\" Yes, I saw Boy Meets Boy. Haven't come to a conclusion yet as it seems mean that there are straights in the pack. Did anyone see Katy's interview with the lead on Monday or Tuesday this week? He's very intelligent, works in a law office. Said he wouldn't have done the show if he hadn't the support of his boss and coworkers, his family was not as pleased that he chose to do the show. When he found out there were straight guys in it he told producers he was not happy and thought of quitting but they convinced him that the point they wanted to make to the public was positive promoting the fact that people should be respected no matter what their prefrences and to show that people are the same no matter what, so he agreed to continue. Kathy asked him if he thought this show would open doors for him and he said what kind? He couldn't wait to get back to his job, and that was about it. I adore QEFTSG and haven't missed an episode. The Fab 5 are great. Its a good show and they are talented as well as seem to be very nice people, which attracts me. Loved this weeks proposal, but agree, didn't care for the blonde on the live-in episode. IMO he would have been better off if she refused him, but love is blind. She was too nasty and controlling to me. I think he was too passive for her. Love the guys and the comments they make when they watch their \"make-over\" are terrific. Heard NBC did a 30 minute episode of it and plan to do another, but think it should definitely be an hour. If they take it over, I hope they don't ruin it. It's a hit as it is."}, {"response": 693, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Jul 31, 2003 (20:39)", "body": "(Pam)Heard NBC did a 30 minute episode of it and plan to do another, but think it should definitely be an hour. If they take it over, I hope they don't ruin it. It's a hit as it is. My synopsis of a 5 minute piece I heard on NPR last Thursday: NBC is the parent company of Bravo (thus explaining its ability to \"borrow\" such a new show). The NPR critic lauded QEFTSG in its hour form, but thought the half hour version lacked all of the qualities that make the show so endearing, though the airing on a major network certainly help gain more viewers. He also commented, in his position of authority (;-P), that he considered it the best reality show of several seasons running. BTW, does anyone know the background of the name Kyan?"}, {"response": 694, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jul 31, 2003 (21:47)", "body": "(Shoshana)He also commented, in his position of authority (;-P), that he considered it the best reality show of several seasons running. Well it's the only one I can stand to watch. BTW, does anyone know the background of the name Kyan? Sounds like a play on the spice? *Stage(y)* name?;-) http://www.bravotv.com/Queer_Eye_for_the_Straight_Guy/"}, {"response": 695, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jul 31, 2003 (23:04)", "body": "(Shoshana) he considered it the best reality show of several seasons running. (Beedee) Well it's the only one I can stand to watch. While oddly enough I don't watch it regularly, I also really like The Amazing Race. I'd love to do that show....travel the globe, figure out puzzles, not eat nasty stuff or starve (hopefully). I'm a damn good map reader. My friend said she'd do it with me. We'd make a really good team."}, {"response": 696, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Aug  1, 2003 (07:46)", "body": "Sad news... Actress dies after alleged beating Friday, August 1, 2003 Posted: 6:11 AM EDT (1011 GMT) Trintignant was in Lithuania filming -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Story Tools -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PARIS, France (AP) -- French actress Marie Trintignant has died of cerebral edema at the age of 41, according to a physician at the hospital where she died. Trintignant, who had been kept alive for several days on an artificial respirator, died at the Hartmann Clinic in suburban Neuilly at 10:20 a.m., according to neurosurgeon Stephane Delajoux. The actress, who hailed from one of French cinema's best-known film families and enjoyed a successful movie and stage career of her own, was flown to Paris on Thursday from Lithuania, where she had been filming a television movie with her mother, director Nadine Trintignant. Trintignant's boyfriend, French rock singer Bertrand Cantat, is in police custody in Lithuania and is the prime suspect in her death. A Lithuanian judge on Thursday ordered his detention through Aug. 14."}, {"response": 697, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug  1, 2003 (08:52)", "body": "Sorry to hear that. On a lighter note: I watched Queer Eye last night on the re-run. LOL. why didn't you tell me it was a make-over show. (My fault: you know I don't read long posts!) *smacking head*I was waiting for a plot and episodic story line.LOL Cute show esp. the blond guy. Terrific one-liners through-out. But wondered if the gay community would heave an out-cry for the term \"Queer\". Wouldn't they consider it pejorative?"}, {"response": 698, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Aug  1, 2003 (09:21)", "body": "(Evelyn)Wouldn't they consider it pejorative? Nope, they now *own* it! The chant: We're Queer and we're here! The radio program *Queer Nation*, etc."}, {"response": 699, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug  1, 2003 (12:22)", "body": "***************************************************** LONDON THEATRE LIVE UPDATE REPORT ***************************************************** Friday 1 Aug 2003 The Prince's Trust's \"SHAKESPEARE GALA EVENING\" will be at the Globe theatre on 1 Sep 03, in the presence of HRH, The Prince of Wales. The Prince's Trust was founded in 1976 by HRH, The Prince of Wales to help young people fulfil their potential. This special gala evening at the Globe is a celebration of the commitment shared by The Prince's Trust and Shakespeare's Globe to enable more disadvantaged young people to access the arts. Some of the world's finest actors and musicians will perform selected scenes from Shakespeare's plays on the Globe stage. Including JOSEPH FIENNES, GWYNETH PALTROW, DIANA RIGG, JULIAN GLOVER, JANE LAPOTAIRE, PAUL SCHOFIELD, DESMOND BARRIT, SANJEEV BHASKAR, HELEN LEDERER, MICHAEL PENNINGTON. The English Chamber Orchestra will provide the music. A champagne reception will precede and a magnificent banquet will follow, in the UnderGlobe beneath the Theatre. Tickets are priced in UK Pounds as follows: 300 - Full champagne reception, performance and dinner in UnderGlobe 150 - Full champagne reception and performance 50 - Seated ticket for performance only 20 - Standing ticket for performance only Tel: Globe Box Office 020 7401 9199"}, {"response": 700, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug  1, 2003 (12:33)", "body": "I know, I know \"Gigli\" got lousy reviews. LOL Even my n'spaper gave it one star. (\"A mess...\") And they like everything . Here's the NY Times review which is funny. http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/01/movies/01GIGL.html Makes it sound on a par with \"Playmaker\";-)"}, {"response": 701, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Aug  1, 2003 (12:59)", "body": "I wanted to pop in with information on the August birthdays: Maria - 8/15 Murph - 8/28 E-mail me your birthday if you'd like to be added to the list. I have 27 names now. I'll wait a week to add any additional names that come in, and after that the list will be available on request (via e-mail)."}, {"response": 702, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Aug  1, 2003 (14:24)", "body": "Evelyn, the Boston Globe didn't even give it ANY stars. What's worse than bad? Boston Herald is speculating that Bennifer are splitsville..."}, {"response": 703, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Aug  1, 2003 (16:02)", "body": "(Shoshana) NBC is the parent company of Bravo... Well thank you. That explains alot, and also explains why the 4th of July with the Boston Pops was such a train wreck. My family has watched that show for years on Bravo where they air the entire thing. NBC only gave it an hour cutting out some of our favorite parts which occur in the first hour, and were sorely missed. I hope they let it go back to Bravo next year. (Laura) Boston Herald is speculating that Bennifer are splitsville... So do the Las Vegas betters. Apparently they have a wedding date bet going with 50% odds that \"the divorce will come before the wedding.\""}, {"response": 704, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug  1, 2003 (16:14)", "body": "..Apparently they have a wedding date bet going with 50% odds that \"the divorce will come before the wedding.\" Isn't it Mr Bennett who says....\"What do we live for....\";-)."}, {"response": 705, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, Aug  1, 2003 (20:00)", "body": "(Evelyn)I know, I know \"Gigli\" got lousy reviews. LOL Even my n'spaper gave it one star. (\"A mess...\") And they like everything . (Laura)...the Boston Globe didn't even give it ANY stars. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, my local paper, gave the movie a grade of F, which I find rather impressive. You generally only see a few Fs a year. The summary comment was \"So bad it verges on the legendary.\" The review was next to a list of the worst 12 films of the last 25 years (\"Hollywood's House of Poo\")."}, {"response": 706, "author": "socadook", "date": "Sat, Aug  2, 2003 (18:11)", "body": "Sad news... Actress dies after alleged beating Sad indeed. Made me sick to read about her beating. That such things happen at all is revolting. My heart goes out to her family and friends."}, {"response": 707, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Aug  2, 2003 (22:05)", "body": "(Sonia)That such things happen at all is revolting.... Sad indeed."}, {"response": 708, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sun, Aug  3, 2003 (17:31)", "body": "Did anyone see \"Unconditional Love\" on Starz last night? Stars Kathy Bates and RE. No Oscar contender but enjoyable."}, {"response": 709, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug  3, 2003 (17:32)", "body": "Report on \"Gigli\" Pure eyecandy for BA and JL fans. And I found the chemistry pretty good despite what the critics said. As the sayings go: \"It had its moments\" \"Not the worst film I've ever seen.....this year;-D Get the drift? LOL. I stayed for the credits...\"surely MB must have had a finger in this...;-)\""}, {"response": 710, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  3, 2003 (17:59)", "body": "(Pam) No Oscar contender but enjoyable. Another unreleasable film--straight to cable. (Evelyn) Pure eyecandy for BA and JL fans. And I found the chemistry pretty good despite what the critics said. Chemistry between the lesbian character JL plays and Affleck's? Why should there be any?"}, {"response": 711, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug  3, 2003 (19:23)", "body": "And I found the chemistry pretty good despite what the critics said. Chemistry between the lesbian character JL plays and Affleck's? Why should there be any? A girl can change her mind ..can't she? Gigli's mom:\"Life isn't all black and white\". [see what I mean about the dialogue...gag, gag.] A pretty steamy sex scene (wan't R-rated for nothin')... I won't give you the spoiler ending. You'll just have to see for yourself;-D"}, {"response": 712, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Aug  3, 2003 (19:27)", "body": "(Karen) Chemistry between the lesbian character JL plays and Affleck's? Why should there be any? Was it Roeper or Ebert that said that? ;-) Sounds like Roeper. Or was it on that other show \"Hot Ticket\" with those annoying critics that said that. Though the Hot Ticket people liked WAGW. (Pam)... \"Unconditional Love\" No Oscar contender but enjoyable. (Karen) Another unreleasable film--straight to cable. Best thing I can say about it is I thought Rupe looked really v. good. Pre-surgery. Always thought he was v. attractive. Why did he go and screw himself up like that? And quite a cast (of characters and actors). What did they see in that script? Had it's moments though. (Evelyn) I stayed for the credits...\"surely MB must have had a finger in this...;-)\" LOL!"}, {"response": 713, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Aug  3, 2003 (20:48)", "body": "Re: Gigli....from the weekend box office report By ANTHONY BREZNICAN, AP Entertainment Writer \" The Ben Affleck (news)-Jennifer Lopez (news) movie \"Gigli\" debuted dismally following weeks of toxic buzz and near-unanimous critical revulsion. The comedy about a gangster who falls in love with a lesbian rival during a kidnapping earned $3.8 million. \"This is not a shock,\" said Tom Sherak, a partner in Revolution Studios, which produced \"Gigli\" for Sony Pictures Entertainment. He said constant gossip and tabloid and TV coverage of Affleck and Lopez's real-life romance may have created a backlash against the picture. \"I've seen a lot worse movies,\" Sherak said. \"Hey, is it the best movie ever made? Ehh, I don't think so. ... Other movies have gotten ravaged by critics and have opened up at least OK. It was more than that,\" he said. Although Affleck and Lopez already have completed another movie together \ufffd writer-director Kevin Smith (news)'s \"Jersey Girl\" \ufffd the foul reception of \"Gigli\" may end the couple's working relationship. \"They'll continue to be big stars, and chances are they will not work together again \ufffd and they shouldn't, by the way ,\" Sherak said. \"You move on. Look, the picture cost $54 million. So everyone is going to get hurt a bit.\" Oh my, that's pretty harsh when your own studio says that about you *publicly*."}, {"response": 714, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Aug  3, 2003 (22:37)", "body": "Did anyone see 60 Minutes this evening? The piece about how the master painters may have used concave mirrors to create their life-like paintings blew me away. (This segment was first aired in December, so if this was posted before, please accept my aplogies.) Was It Done With Mirrors? August 3, 2003 Did Leonardo Da Vinci use mirrors to paint the Mona Lisa? (Photo: CBS) \ufffdI'm suggesting that artists saw these projections. They're very simple to make, and when you make them, they're very beautiful and exciting.\ufffd artist David Hockney When you consider works of genius - the plays of William Shakespeare, the symphonies of Mozart, the paintings of Leonardo de Vinci - there's always a sense of \"How could an ordinary mortal create something of such incredible beauty and complexity?\" We can't shed any light on how Shakespeare wrote his plays or Mozart composed his music. But, as 60 Minutes first reported last December, there is a new theory that may explain how Leonardo and the other Old Masters created their masterpieces. Did they have help? Yes. Was it magic? No. But it wouldn't be entirely wrong to say they did it with mirrors. Correspondent Lesley Stahl reports. You can't stand in front of the paintings of the \"Old Masters\" and not wonder, \"How did Frans Hals make that lace seem so real? How did van Eyck make his armor so gleamingly metallic? How did Caravaggio make his faces so expressive and lifelike?\" The theory is they had help with lenses or concave mirrors. If someone stands outside bathed in light, an image can be projected inside onto a wall, upside down. That projected image can then be copied. David Hockney, one of our best-known artists, believes that the Old Masters used the early technology of optics and kept it secret. \ufffdI'm suggesting that artists saw these projections,\" he says. \"They're very simple to make, and when you make them, they're very beautiful and exciting.\ufffd When set up carefully in a studio, the projection is bright and clear. To demonstrate how Caravaggio might have painted his picture of Bacchus, Hockney, in a film he made for the BBC, arranged a model and projected his image into a dark room - what artists call a camera obscura. The image was cast directly onto his canvas, and he traced it. It was so much easier than painting from life. Once the artists saw these flattened-out two-dimensional projections, says Hockney, they couldn't resist. \ufffdIt's hard to believe that in the 15th century they would say, 'What an amusing novelty, how interesting ... but let's not use that,\ufffd\ufffd he says. Hockney comes at this with a practiced eye. Over the last four decades, he's established himself as one of the leading contemporary artists with his drawings, his set designs, his photo collages and of course, his paintings. But the man who made icons out of Hollywood swimming pools never imagined that he'd be jumping into his own pool of controversy with his new take on the Old Masters. Once Hockney figured out how the pictures were made, he set out to discover where and when the use of optics began. In his studio in Los Angeles, he built his great wall of hundreds of paintings spanning hundreds of years. \ufffdWe did come to about 1420, and realized something happens,\ufffd he says. What happens is a sudden appearance of realism. Before 1420, faces were idealized; immediately after, they were true to life. Before, garments were flat and formless. After, they were vivid and photographic. Hockney says it started in Bruges, Belgium, one of Europe's great 15th century commercial centers, where that optical look, a photographic look, first appeared in the works of Flemish masters like Jan van Eyck. \ufffd[He was] a painter who knew about optical projections and had looked at them,\ufffd says Hockney. \ufffdOne thing the mirror projections do is project surfaces quite amazingly, especially shiny surfaces. And there's lots of shiny surfaces.\ufffd What's so revolutionary about what he is saying? The history of art - the history of the Renaissance - is the history of optics. Needless to say, Hockney and his book about this, called \"Secret Knowledge,\" have rocked the art world, where most art historians say it's bunk. \ufffdAll these art historians, not one of them ever took the trouble to look through a camera obscura to see what it was like,\ufffd says Hockney. They don't like the idea that, as Hockney suggests, the Old Masters traced their creations. There is an implication of cheating in that. But Hockney says they weren\ufffdt cheaters, but great innovators: \"Not only did they have skills you think you know, they had marvelous skills about optical things as well.\" Hockney points to van Eyck's \"Arnolfini Wedding.\" He used to wonder how did the painter paint the chandelier in the picture: \ufffdThat chandelier is in perfect perspective. So how was it drawn?\ufffd He now believes it was created with a concave mirror, and a pencil. Walter Liedtke, curator of European paintings at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, disagrees with Hockney's contention that the Re"}, {"response": 715, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Aug  3, 2003 (22:42)", "body": "Thanks Lisa. Missed it but you are *very good* to share."}, {"response": 716, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  3, 2003 (22:50)", "body": "It was a fascinating segment. Evelyn called to make sure I watched it, as she saw it on the first run. I found Hockney's theory and its proof highly believable. The chandelier was a particularly excellent example. Also, how Dr. Falco noticed that everyone became left-handed in these paintings can't be explained otherwise or ignored. Wonder how they will show Vermeer working with the camera obscura in GWAPE. Will he trace the projected image? Oh, I doubt it. ;-D"}, {"response": 717, "author": "Leah", "date": "Mon, Aug  4, 2003 (07:33)", "body": "Does anyone know the rules of release dates for DVDs? Some (TIOBE) took 9 months while others (where ever the actor is not CF) are out almost as soon as the film is off the circuit. Doesn't seem fair."}, {"response": 718, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  4, 2003 (09:35)", "body": "Does anyone know the rules of release dates for DVDs? There really aren't any \"rules\" though it seems like it would have to be at least 3 months after theatrical release. Other things might factor in as well."}, {"response": 719, "author": "birdy", "date": "Mon, Aug  4, 2003 (17:36)", "body": "Re: 60 Minutes and David Hockney Camera Obscura \"scandal\" As he himself says \ufffdActually, my respect for them is more,\" he says. \"If you were given a tracing of a Vermeer, 'Here, now you paint the Vermeer.' Absurd to think that 'Ah, well, that's done and now I can do it.' You can't.\ufffd I didn't see this program, I only read about Hockney(New Yorker?), and seeing may be more convincing than reading, but I don't understand all the fuss other than they might have discovered something heretofore unknown. If these masters did use this technique, it is tres fascinating but not much more. Thinking of the progressive techniques available to today's artists and none can begin to compete with what was done four centuries ago. (Karen)Wonder how they will show Vermeer working with the camera obscura in GWAPE. Will he trace the projected image? Oh, I doubt it. ;-D Can you imagine the outrage if they did:D"}, {"response": 720, "author": "birdy", "date": "Mon, Aug  4, 2003 (17:38)", "body": "So if you leave one tag unclosed, they all are? Meaculpa"}, {"response": 721, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  5, 2003 (09:19)", "body": "Leno to Get Makeover from 'Queer Eye' Guys Is a \"Queer Eye\" plus Jay Leno's big chin the right look or good ratings? The NBC television network thinks so. With new reality series \"Queer Eye for the Straight Guy\" having become a breakout summer hit for the Bravo cable TV channel, Bravo parent NBC said on Monday it will bring the show's \"Fab Five\" make-over artists onto \"The Tonight Show with Jay Leno\" for a pair of special appearances next week. The \"Queer Eye\" quintet will make their \"Tonight Show\" debut as guests on Aug. 14, then return the following night to give Leno and his program a special make-over. \"Queer Eye,\" which has become a major ratings winner for Bravo, features five gay men with expertise in good grooming, food, fashion, culture and interior design coming to the aid of a hapless heterosexual slob. The hour-long show has drawn the cable channel's highest audience numbers ever. An initial half-hour repeat of the show on NBC proved to be a solid ratings performer, and \"Queer Eye\" hype has continued to build in U.S. popular culture since that special broadcast. NBC plans to air a second 30-minute prime-time installment on Aug. 14, the same evening as the Fab Five's debut on Leno. While audiences have taken warmly to \"Queer Eye,\" some of the nation's top TV critics have been mixed in their reviews. \"In this long summer of instantly disposable reality TV, cable's Bravo channel manages to break through the pathetic pack by slyly subverting one of the genre's conventions,\" TV Guide critic Matt Roush wrote in this week's issue. \"Yes, the 'Fab Five' can be bitchy, but as they bond with their subject, there's a lot of heart in the way they root for him.\" Washington Post critic Tom Shales took a different tack, though, in his initial review of the show. \"Forced to choose between scorn and condescension, gay people could hardly be blamed for preferring the latter -- and thus might not object to the stereotypes on parade in the series,\" he said last month."}, {"response": 722, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Aug  5, 2003 (11:59)", "body": "LOL! Saw that last night or this morning and was going to post, but got sidetracked. I hope they don't oveexpose them (which of course they will) like the Osbornes. Much as I loved that show, got sick of seeing them everywhere and their show. They're on the cover of Entertainment Weekly, too. Gotta say, I hate the stereotypical pink background on it."}, {"response": 723, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  5, 2003 (12:29)", "body": "Rather watch them then Kobe Koverage. :-("}, {"response": 724, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Aug  5, 2003 (12:38)", "body": "Hugh Jackman opens the box office on Broadway for The Boy From Oz: http://www.broadway.com/template_3.asp?CT=26&CI=30083&AP=7&NA=F"}, {"response": 725, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (06:54)", "body": "Related: (Meg Tilly's husband and Colin's oldest son's step dad) Sony Studio Chief Calley to Retire, Associates Say Move would end the Hollywood legend's executive career. Trio are expected to run unit. By Claudia Eller Times Staff Writer August 6, 2003 John Calley, a Hollywood legend, plans to retire as chairman of Sony Corp.'s film studio this fall, according to associates. The move would close the books on a storied executive career during which Calley, 73, ran three studios, championed pictures that ranged from \"Clockwork Orange\" to \"Spider-Man\" and shocked the movie industry by taking a 13-year hiatus before returning to help salvage faltering United Artists in 1993. People close to Calley said he had told his immediate boss, Sony Corp. of America Chairman Howard Stringer, that he wants to relinquish his duties and focus on producing movies for the company's Sony Pictures Entertainment unit. Calley has headed the Culver City-based studio, which owns Columbia Pictures, for almost seven years. Instead of naming a successor, Stringer intends to put day-to-day control of Sony Pictures in the hands of its three vice chairpersons: Amy Pascal, who is head of Columbia; Jeff Blake, who oversees worldwide marketing and distribution; and Yair Landau, who runs Sony's digital and television operations. Sony executives wouldn't confirm Calley's planned resignation and said neither Stringer nor Calley, who is on vacation, was available for comment Tuesday. But sources indicate that negotiations are underway to settle Calley's contract. The retirement plan ends long-running speculation over Calley's future and appears to formalize a management structure that has been largely in place since last fall. At that point, Pascal, Blake and Landau assumed their current positions in a realignment that followed the departure of Chief Operating Officer Mel Harris. As Calley began spending less time in the office, the three became de facto co-chiefs of the studio, trafficking directly with New York-based Stringer, to whom they will now report. Calley's retirement will further empower Stringer, who is in charge of all Sony operations in America and who is known to be a favorite son of the brass at Sony Corp.'s Tokyo headquarters. This year, Stringer was promoted to corporate vice chairman. In anticipation of Calley's retirement, Stringer several months ago set up a seven-person operating committee, headed by himself, to monitor spending at the film unit. Along with Calley, Pascal, Blake and Landau, the group includes Sony Corp. of America Chief Financial Officer Rob Wiesenthal and Joe Roth, head of Revolution Studios. Sony is an investor in Revolution and distributes its films. Calley is expected to remain on the committee after he leaves his current post. Such group management has become more common in Hollywood, where the rising cost of films has led to shared responsibility and the gradual elimination of old-style studio chieftains. News Corp.'s 20th Century Fox, for instance, is run by co-chiefs, and several studios have seen a proliferation of vice chairmen. Roth, who previously headed the Fox studio and Walt Disney Co.'s Disney Studios, had long been thought of as a successor to Calley; but he will not be stepping into the chairmanship role, sources said. Sources said Stringer's efforts to persuade Calley to ride out his two-year contract had failed. Calley agreed to his current deal in February. Since taking charge of Sony in late 1996, Calley has known the full range of hits and embarrassments that are typical of the volatile film business. In 2002, the company posted its best year at the box office, with $2.8 billion in worldwide ticket sales, thanks to the spectacular success of \"Spider-Man,\" \"Men in Black II,\" \"XXX\" and \"Mr. Deeds,\" among others. Lately, however, Sony has been burned by \"Gigli\" and \"Hollywood Homicide,\" a pair of costly flops from Revolution, and the soft performance of its hugely expensive \"Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle.\" The studio's \"Bad Boys II,\" another costly bet, has taken in about $113 million at the box office but saw business drop dramatically after its strong opening. With a sharp wit and charm that seduced some of the industry's finest filmmakers, Calley was a key player in the careers of directors Stanley Kubrick and Mike Nichols, among many others. Calley was born in New Jersey, graduated from Columbia University and served in the Army. He worked in the television and advertising industries before joining Filmways Inc., a production company that made \"Catch-22,\" directed by Nichols, who would become Calley's best friend and lifelong associate. Joining Warner Bros. in 1969, Calley eventually became the studio's president, a position in which he won his reputation as an urbane and self-assured executive who relied heavily on his own taste in picking films. During 11 years with the Burbank studio, he worked repeatedly with Kubrick, while often scoring with such offbeat bets as \"The Exorcist"}, {"response": 726, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (07:47)", "body": "(re: article)Thanks Murph, sounds like an interesting guy and I wondered how Will got that extra part in Spiderman."}, {"response": 727, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (09:05)", "body": "I thought I read that he and Meg divorced or were divorcing a while back. No matter. I have a question regarding Colin's involvement, or lack thereof, in Le Divorce. How far exactly was he involved? Was he definitely attached at some point then dropped out? Or was he just mentioned in relation to it? And he was supposed to do the role Matthew Modine got (part of the joke of MM getting Colin's parts)? I'll post more later when I get home and hopefully get an answer here."}, {"response": 728, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (09:19)", "body": "(Dorine) I thought I read that he and Meg divorced or were divorcing a while back. Yup. I have a question regarding Colin's involvement, or lack thereof, in Le Divorce. How far exactly was he involved? Was he definitely attached at some point then dropped out? Or was he just mentioned in relation to it? And he was supposed to do the role Matthew Modine got (part of the joke of MM getting Colin's parts)? Can't find any hard copy in my \"Rumor\" file, but he was simply mentioned in relation to it. No mention of which part. We speculated it would be the dead husband (fit the book's description perfectly) though I am happy to see they cast Frenchmen into Frenchmen roles. Who knows, he might have been up for Stephen Fry's role for all we know. .;-) Why they would want him for MM's role (a cuckolded American husband) escapes me."}, {"response": 729, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (09:27)", "body": "Here's a bit more about \"Sylvia\" from that same article: Christine Jeffs, another director-for-hire, was lured off her organic farm in rural New Zealand and given a mere eight weeks to prepare for Focus Features' \"Sylvia,\" a Sylvia Plath biopic that centers on her tragic marriage to poet laureate Ted Hughes. True to one of literature's stormiest relationships, the production ran into some controversy when Frieda Hughes, Plath's surviving daughter and literary executor, refused to take part and angrily denounced the project in verse. (\"Now they want to make a film/For anyone lacking the ability/To imagine the body, head in oven/Orphaning children.\") After original director Paul Pavlikovsky (2001's \"Last Resort\") dropped out over disagreements on the script, Jeffs was the ideal last-minute replacement, a strong visual stylist whose lyrical coming-of-age drama \"Rain\" (2002) impressed \"Sylvia\" star Gwyneth Paltrow, whose long-standing passion kept the project afloat. \"It was like jumping onto a moving train,\" says Jeffs of not being involved with the development process. \"When you come onto something so late, there's a lot that's out of your control. The schedule is set in place, and the budget has already been allocated. There's a lot I would have done differently, but I'm still very happy with what we've accomplished.\" Tight as it seems, Jeffs' eight weeks of prep was a veritable eternity compared to the eight days allotted to writer-director Peter Hedges for his microbudgeted debut feature \"Pieces of April\"..."}, {"response": 730, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (12:08)", "body": "(Dorine)How far exactly was he involved? I recall someone getting in touch with either Merchant-Ivory or the studio and the answer was that there was nothing to the rumor of Colin's involvment. Just as well, the male roles seem like they'll be nothing much in this one."}, {"response": 731, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (14:58)", "body": "(Dorine)How far exactly was he involved? Wanna read it ? It's on my night table ;along with Maid of Butterball,Armadillo, Flashman, Hamlet...blah, blah blah.And remember Sherlock Holmes, back in the days of the FAQ Colin Firth website? Mari , it was a rumor , but it appeared in print in a credible broadsheet as I remember. Not just another stupid internet rumor. Just as well, as you say,...he wouldn't have looked so cute with his dead feet hanging out of a garbage can;-)"}, {"response": 732, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (15:26)", "body": "(LisaJH, from 60 Minutes transcript) \ufffdActually, my respect for them is more,\" he says. \"If you were given a tracing of a Vermeer, 'Here, now you paint the Vermeer.' Absurd to think that 'Ah, well, that's done and now I can do it.' You can't.\ufffd The theory that Jan (or Johannes) Vermeer had an interest in optics and employed a camera obscura has been around since shortly after the artist's \"rediscovery\" by the art world in the nineteenth century. It was suggested by James Pennell, an American etcher and lithographer, in 1891 in an article written for the \"Journal of the Camera Club\". Pennell was struck by the particularly photographic perspective employed in the Vermeer painting entitled \"Soldier and Laughing Girl\". The foreground figure of the soldier is disproportionately large in relation to that of the girl. It has been theorized that although this seems a quite commonplace, and correct, viewpoint for a \"close up\" perspective; it may well have seemed very extreme, or even brutal, to seventeenth century eyes. It has been suggested that some of Vermeer's contemporaries would have made the two figures of more equal a size in this type of composition. The second reason for the camera obscura hypothesis lies with the fact that some of the maps that are shown hanging on the back wall of the room in the painting are real maps that Vermeer owned, which still are extant. In 1975, the art historian James Welu demonstrated just how precisely Vermeer had copied the originals. Also, the camera obscura was used in the 18th and 19th centuries for copying existing pictures and prints. Here's a link to the painting: http://www.abcgallery.com/V/vermeer/vermeer7.html The possibility of Vermeer having used a camera obscura is based on general observations about his paintings. It also should be noted that Vermeer had no students or apprentices, and that he left no records. So we may well know less about his methods of working than we do his life, and very little is known about that. The work by Professor Philip Steadman, of the Open University in England, has also explored this issue. Steadman avers that clues Vermeer has left us in his work offer the suggestion that his paintings can be thought of as photographs as much as paintings. This in no way belittles Vermeer's contribution to the world of art. It is rather a suggestion that, by an almost scientific examination of the world using a lens, Vermeer may well be though of in the same context as scientific geniuses of the 17th century, such as Anton van Leeuwenhoek, who through the microscope lens revealed the miniature world contained in a drop of water, and Galileo, whose telescope explored the heavens. A third piece of evidence for Vermeer's supposedly using the camera obscura hinges on his treatment of highlights on reflective surfaces. It is these \"circles of confusion\", which are created when bright highlights are viewed through a lens which either not quite focused, or not a very hight quality lens. This is particularly notable in Vermeer's \"Girl with a Red Hat\". There is a distinctive soft focus effect on the girl's earring and the brass lion's head. The highlights are expressed as small circles of white or yellow pigment. This indoor scene would have been naturally lit by light filtering through windows, in which case the highlights would have been rectangular. The fact that they are circular supports the theory for use of the camera obscura. Here's a link to the painting: http://www.abcgallery.com/V/vermeer/vermeer31.html Lawrence Gowing in a 1952 monograph about Vermeer, discusses the way in which Vermeer just seems to transcribe the pattern of light and shade, with little of the underlying drawing to build up representation of his subjects. Gowing stated it in this way: \"The description is always exactly adequate, always completely and effortlessly in terms of light. Vermeer seems almost not to care, or even to know, what it is that he is painting. What do men call this wedge of light? A nose? A finger? What do we know of its shape? To Vermeer none of this matters, the conceptual world of names and knowledge is forgotten, nothing concerns him but what is visible, the tone, the wedge of light.\" An observation of one of Vermeer's paintings which had been X-rayed was that there were no lines of a preliminary drawing, but instead, an image of the same picture, only rendered in black and white. Still, there is no actual evidence that Jan Vermeer did use the camera obscura, or any optical device, in the creation of his paintings. However, seventeenth Holland was a center in the manufacturing of high quality optical instruments. So, the theory that Vermeer employed the use of the camera obscura has been around for over one hundred years. It is established that eighteenth century artists such as Canaletto did use the camera obscura, which is a predecessor of the modern photographic camera, only without light-sensitive film or a plate. The noted portraitist Joshua Reynold"}, {"response": 733, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (16:29)", "body": "Great stuff Cheryl! Thanks."}, {"response": 734, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (16:43)", "body": "Whoa, Cheryl.....I *like*. Now how about the Angolan War? I'll need help for TDW."}, {"response": 735, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (18:09)", "body": "(Evelyn)Now how about the Angolan War? I'll need help for TDW. Ask and you shall receive;-) http://aolsearch.aol.com/aol/search?query=angolan+war&page=5 ...and I think we've seen this before concerning TDW. http://www.thezreview.co.uk/comingsoon/d/deadwaitthe.htm Thanks, Cheryl great article...and thanks for the link"}, {"response": 736, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (18:11)", "body": "Sorry, that first link is wrong. Try this. http://www.onwar.com/aced/nation/all/angola/findex.htm"}, {"response": 737, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (21:58)", "body": "Ladies, please pardon the language, but tonight our Spring Server is doing a \"dump\". In other words, we're backing everything up on our main hard drive to our second hard drive. We have four 120 gb hard drives to support all this drooling! Room for lots of drool. Master Koti is doing the good deed and supervising this operation, he's our official \"Dumpmaster\" or \"Master of Dumps\". This means that should something happen to our primary drive we could swap in the secondary and not miss a beat. May not seem so exciting to some, but I will sleep better tonight knowing that our system is safely backed up. So if things seem a bit slow you know why, our old server is having a huge workout! Apologies to those experiencing slow response times. It's all for a good reason."}, {"response": 738, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Aug  6, 2003 (22:01)", "body": "Filesystem 1K-blocks Used Avail Capacity Mounted on /dev/ar0s1a 117713876 24536726 83760040 23% / /dev/ar1s1e 118738616 17092848 92146680 16% /disk2 /dev/ad0s1e 118738616 84081146 25158382 77% /disk3 /dev/ad1s1e 118738616 14437626 94801902 13% /disk4 Our disk stats. I know, boring aren't they?"}, {"response": 739, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (04:47)", "body": "Dump complete. bash-2.05a$ df Filesystem 1K-blocks Used Avail Capacity Mounted on /dev/ar0s1a 117713876 24455550 83841216 23% / /dev/ar1s1e 118738616 24552732 84686796 22% /disk2 /dev/ad0s1e 118738616 84081146 25158382 77% /disk3 /dev/ad1s1e 118738616 14437626 94801902 13% /disk4 procfs 4 4 0 100% /proc Notice that /disk2 now has a full backup of our root server."}, {"response": 740, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (09:11)", "body": "They could be including Trauma in an article like this next year. Who knows? Offbeat UK Film Industry Taking on Hollywood Thu Aug 7, 3:29 AM ET By Pete Harrison LONDON (Reuters) - Edgy and offbeat British films are making a big impact with international audiences, often trouncing the hi-tech, big-budget Hollywood competition, the UK Film Council said on Thursday. Zombie flick \"28 Days Later\" and gritty arthouse production \"Magdalene Sisters\" are helping British films double their share of takings in the U.S. compared to last summer. \"The important thing about them is they're an alternative to the 'Hulk' and the 'Charlie's Angles' type films,\" British Film Council CEO John Woodward told Reuters. The Film Council said Britain's share of this weekend's top 15 at the U.S. box office was 13 percent, about double the average for last summer. \"The films that make a hit tend to be left of field,\" said Woodward. \"They're different, but they're not alien. \"28 Days Later,\" a digitally-shot film about post-apocalyptic Britain that cost about five million pounds ($8 million) to make, has clocked up ticket sales of $40 million in the U.S. and about $65 million worldwide. By contrast, big-budget U.S. films are not guaranteed success even at home. The $54 million-budgeted kidnap drama \"Gigli,\" starring Jennifer Lopez (news) and Ben Affleck (news), one of the biggest American flops of the summer, pulled in just $3.8 million over its debut weekend. Arnold Schwarznegger action movie \"Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines,\" which cost over $100 million to make, has had slightly more success, pulling in $143 million during its five weeks at the box office. British film \"Bend it like Beckham,\" which tells the tale of a girl soccer heroine, is another of Britain's success stories. It has so far taken $28 million during its 21 weeks stateside and has grossed $70 million worldwide. \"The important thing about 'Bend it like Beckham' and '28 Days Later' is that they're both low budget and are part funded by the National Lottery,\" said Woodward. The slightly higher-budget film \"Johnny English\" is now at number 11 in the U.S. film charts, having reached number four in its debut week. The spy comedy about an inept spy played by Mr Bean star Rowan Atkinson (news) has grossed $23 million during its three weeks in the United States, taking its worldwide total to $135 million."}, {"response": 741, "author": "airstream", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (09:48)", "body": "for those concerned -;)- with sex in the city, carrie/mikhail....there are some promising shots here: (sorry about the length of this link!) http://217.158.83.123/scripts/kws30pre.exe?site=LFI&picktype=GfxOnly&type=GfxOnly&maxhits=12&FLFA_FIELD=&SEARCH_FILTERA=&search=LFNY+003841&hmessage=SEX%20AND%20THE%20CITY%20FILM%20SET%20NY&submit=lsearch"}, {"response": 742, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (09:59)", "body": "Aw, aren't they cute? With those heels they're eye to eye. ;-D"}, {"response": 743, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (10:16)", "body": "It's a Hollywood rule: Americans always get to play the heroes - and Brits are invariably the villains. John Patterson Thursday August 7, 2003 The Guardian Every time Tony Blair shows up in Washington to exult in his role as top sprig in the Figleaf of the Willing and to enjoy confabs and photo-ops with Gee Dubya, I have to wonder once again what we, the Brits, actually get out of this long-treasured, murkily defined \"special relationship\" between former imperial oppressor and former colonial upstart. As Tony lurks at Furious George's right hand, calamitously clad in his usual vacationing geography teacher's nerd ensemble, one has to presume he's there simply to make George look good, or just to share the heat. What Blair gains, if anything, is impossible to quantify. Meanwhile, in Hollywood and London, the movie version of the special relationship has long played itself out in like manner. Our cut-price actors come over and do their dirty work, as villains and baddies and psychopaths, even American ones, while the cream of their prohibitively expensive acting talent Concordes it over the pond to steal the lion's share of our heroic roles. Either way, we lose. Pirates of the Caribbean manages to embody this phenomenon from both sides at once. The ghostly pirates of the Black Pearl, commanded by Geoffrey Rush (an Aussie, but never mind, Americans think he's a Brit), all talk with the absurd Jolly Jack Tar accents that one associates with press gangs, poop decks and Plymouth Hoe. The snooty island governor and his worthless son are played by Jonathan Pryce and Jack Davenport, their Englishness a shorthand for all manner of class-based unseemliness and degeneracy. The hero, Jack Swallow, is also a Brit, but he's played by the American Johnny Depp, hidden behind an accent apparently purloined from a comatose Keef Richards. Depp was also the English policeman hero in From Hell, in which he found himself neck-deep in creepy posh Brits and at daggers drawn with Jack the Ripper, who, you'll not be surprised to learn, was not played by an American. Likewise Tomb Raider 2, in which Angelina Jolie stars as English rose Lara Croft, with an accent that sounds like Princess Margaret throwing up, while Ciaran Hinds, the luckless Brit, gets to play a psychopathic bioterrorist. In both movies the true Brits take it in the neck while the fake Brits take it to the bank. So what do they really think of us? What qualifies us to play their baddies? Firstly, there's that all-important umbilical connection between Britain and America, the cord they cut when it suddenly looked as though the 13 colonies might end up as part of a British empire in which slavery was illegal (abolition didn't happen until 1833, but it was certainly a galvanising factor in 1776). In the American folk memory, we are the original oppressors, the imperial bullies who had the nerve to ask a bunch of rich white men to pay their taxes. All those guns that present-day rednecks keep under the bed? They're for when General Cornwallis and his boys come calling at four in the morning. Paul Revere's famous cry, \"The British are coming!\", retained its folkloric potency long after we had kissed and made up, suggesting that Americans are still predisposed by national myth to regard us as an enemy. This was proved by The Patriot three years ago, in which Jason Isaacs played an English colonel as a variation on Adolf Eichmann, merrily burning women and children to death in a church (though no such atrocity - or any remotely like it - ever took place in the revolutionary war). The outlines of that original conflict - starchy, uptight roast-beef John Bulls in easy-to-aim-at red coats, versus plucky little camouflaged guerilla-fighter farmers - can easily be displaced into other scenarios, like the Roman empire, the second world war, and even the contemporary political scene. This early relationship has since become barnacled with more contemporary American cliches about the British. We are effete and overly educated. We're snobs. We like to be tied up and whipped. We all went to boarding school, even our footie hooligans. We think we still run the world or, to borrow Macmillan's phrase, that \"we must be Greece to their Rome\", ameliorating the caveman excesses of an upstart superpower. And we think we're better than the Americans in some mysterious, indefinable way. How dare we! Whether or not any of these accusations has an iota of truth to it doesn't really matter in Hollywood. They certainly provide an excellent basis for a race of baddies: imperial arrogance, natural viciousness, sexual perviness and gay-boy accents. From there it's a simple matter of \"Call Peter Ustinov/Larry Olivier/ Malcolm McDowell! We need a Nero/Crassus/Caligula!\" Jesus is usually an American in biblical epics. Judas, meanwhile, is just as likely to be a Brit. In The Greatest Story Ever Told, Jesus was a Swede (Max von Sydow), but the formula held good for David McCallum's blond betrayer. And if "}, {"response": 744, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (10:44)", "body": "Great article, Murph, thanks for posting it. Kevin Costner as Robin Hood, prince of surfers LOL, dude! Geoffrey Rush (an Aussie, but never mind, Americans think he's a Brit) Hey, some of us know our geography! ;-)"}, {"response": 745, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (10:53)", "body": "Thanks Murphy for the very entertaining and enlightening article. Made me think of all of the Disney movies (101 Dalmations or Lion King, for example) where the good guys sound neutal or American while the bad guys have exaggerated British accents"}, {"response": 746, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (10:54)", "body": "Apparently, some people are getting this message and are unable to access Drool: Lame delegation info for spring.net The zone spring.net is pointing to our DNS servers, even though the owner has not signed up to use our DNS services. Since we cannot prevent this, we simply provide a free parking page with some advertising. The advertising helps compensate us for the bandwidth expenditure on these lame delegated domains. Domain Name: SPRING.NET Registrar: DOTSTER, INC. Whois Server: whois.dotster.com Referral URL: http://www.dotster.com Name Server: NS1.SPRING.NET Name Server: NS2.SPRING.NET Name Server: NS2.DATAPIPE.NET Name Server: NS2.ZONEEDIT.COM Status: ACTIVE Updated Date: 10-nov-2002"}, {"response": 747, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (11:17)", "body": "where the good guys sound neutal or American while the bad guys have exaggerated British accents All of which is because young Americans are brought up to believe we only hug dogs and horses, that we have a rigid class system etc... *grrrr*! And I meet a lot of young Americans and discuss with them their views on the UK so I have some insight into this. It is one of my beefs with the idea of a film like WAGW. Wasn't going to bore you with my views - I could go on for hours - but that article hit a raw nerve. Going back in my kennel now (with my best firend fido:-) )"}, {"response": 748, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (11:47)", "body": "Perpetuated by Eileen Atkins, who is given credit for that line in the film. BTW, I read Patterson's article this a.m., but there have been loads of others on this same subject over the years. Felt like emailing Patterson to tell him that Ciaran Hinds is Irish (not a \"luckless Brit\"), or perhaps they're all the same to him too. ;-D"}, {"response": 749, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (11:54)", "body": "Of course there are many examples that are counter to the points that the Guardian writer set forth, which he has conveniently ignored. Off the top of my head . . . --He complains about Jesus played by Americans (when???) It's generally acknowldedged that the best Jesus was the English Robert Powell, in the US TV film Jesus of Nazareth, which is an Easter time classic here. --Ken Branagh in Conspiracy. But . . . Tucci played Eichmann. --Johnny Depp in Pirates. Sorry, but his performance makes the film and the British critics are rightly acknowledging that. Seems to me they got the best actor for the job--how awful!;-) And what about Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightly? They're good guys in this film, and it's making them household names from which they will get other good roles. --How about Bloom and Ian McKellan in LOTR?? US-financed to the tune of $300 million. --What about practically everybody in Harry Potter? If the situation were reversed, would an English studio finance a story about a noble American boy and his noble American friends and teachers? I think not. --Brits playing good guy Americans: Kate Winslet in Titanic. Tom Wilkinson in In The Bedroom and more recently on HBO in Normal. Dominic West in HBO's The Wire. Joely Richardson in Nip/Tuck. We have a term for these roles: Oscar and Emmy nominees.;-) --Keen Eddie, Fox show full of English good guys and girls played by English actors. --They've never tried to cast an American as James Bond.;-) US-produced and financed and isn't JB the ultimate hero (to some anyway)? I could go on, but the point it, this writer needs to stop trotting out the same old hurts, and take a look at the other side of the coin."}, {"response": 750, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (14:12)", "body": "Our little dump has caused major strain on the server and has forced it to go to backup dns services. Apologies to any of you to whom this may have caused problems accessing spring, austen or firth. We've found a fix to these problems and put it in place. And we are safely backed up now, at least through yesterday and we plan on doing a major backup like this on a weekly basis. But I'll look at our hourly and daily stats and try to pick the least trafficed time of the week to do it. Probably late at night on a weekend. I'll have to ask Koti how long the actual dump took."}, {"response": 751, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (15:04)", "body": "\"It's a Hollywood rule: Americans always get to play the heroes - and Brits are invariably the villains.\" Whine, whine, whine... I'm thinking... ..the forthcoming Cold Mountain with Jude Law playing Inman, from North Carolina fergodsake. Michael Gambon playing Lyndon Baines Johnson in Paths of Glory on TV(throw in James Frain in the same production) Anthony Hopkins playing Richard Nixon And that's just for starters. What rot."}, {"response": 752, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (15:48)", "body": "(Evelyn)I'm thinking... the forthcoming Cold Mountain with Jude Law playing Inman, from North Carolina fergodsake Ah yes, how could I forget that son of the American south, Jude Law.;-) Or his lover, that Dixie daughter from Down Under, Nicole Kidman?;-) Then again, we also had Vivien Leigh as Scarlett--or should Viv have turned down that role of a lifetime because, damn, Scarlett could be construed as a baddie?;-) How about the ultimate good guy, Obi Wan Kenobi of Star Wars, played as English by Alec Guinees and Ewan McGregor? What about Emma Thompson in HBO's Wit, where the role was changed to English, from the originally written American? How About Cary Grant, who spoke in the same accent regardless of what nationality he was supposed to be playing? What about Colin Firth in 3DOR??!;-) The best: Damian Lewis as Joe Average American soldier Dick Winters in Band Of Brothers. And if we extend it to other non-Americans playing American superheroes, how about Hugh Jackman in X-Men? Eric Bana in The Hulk? How about writers like this guy from The Guardian removing the chip off their shoulders and stop being so petty?"}, {"response": 753, "author": "socadook", "date": "Thu, Aug  7, 2003 (17:16)", "body": "John, try TCM or AMC, lots of Brits as heroes in the movies they show. And John, it doesn't matter what nationality the actor is as long as his/her performance is a good one. (Dorine) They could be including Trauma in an article like this next year. Who knows? Please tell me you're psychic and have seen the future ;-)"}, {"response": 754, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (14:22)", "body": "What great articles and info ladies. Thank you so much. All very enlightning."}, {"response": 755, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (18:27)", "body": "Clive Owen at the Pirates of the Caribbean premiere in Dublin on Tuesday.(this IS odds and ends, right?) Thud!"}, {"response": 756, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (18:42)", "body": "But Clive has his own topic here, or at least he did."}, {"response": 757, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (19:42)", "body": "Karen: I don't see it listed at the Drool Conference page. How else do you find it?"}, {"response": 758, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (20:26)", "body": "Thud is right! He let his hair grow out a bit. :-D"}, {"response": 759, "author": "Odile", "date": "Fri, Aug  8, 2003 (21:22)", "body": "Clive Owen, I see it at topic 141..."}, {"response": 760, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Aug  9, 2003 (13:52)", "body": "Thanks, Dorine - #141 here I come."}, {"response": 761, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Aug  9, 2003 (13:52)", "body": "Oops -- I meant Odile."}, {"response": 762, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Aug  9, 2003 (14:06)", "body": "The Best and the Brightest: A Rush to Judgement Leonard Klady Movie City News August 6, 2003 This has probably popped up on at least one previous occasion. Most of my mornings are spent at the Fairfax Farmer's Market (not the one making recent tragic headlines in Santa Monica) with a group of curmudgeons (mostly writers) that work in the film industry. I've been part of the relatively consistent assemblage for close to 20 years and we've popped up on television (Naked Hollywood) and print profiles (Los Angeles Weekly). The morning gab and kvetchfest has spawned countless articles and columns over the years (including this one). The other day, one group member weighed in with his assessment of Seabiscuit. Like so many others, he found the film's first 40 minutes - in which the backstories of the owner, trainer and jockey of the famous mount are detailed - to be cumbersome and overstated. He also felt the pains taken to situate the tale as the quintessence of the great Depression to be inelegant and pointed to a TV documentary on the steed that managed to do all those things in less than five minutes. However, he also said that it was a serious, thoughtful adult film with an emotional pull that overcame most of its flaws. Another table participant piped in and asked: \"So is it going to win the Oscar?\" The response was negative but the film was clearly, seven months into 2003, the current frontrunner. What grabbed my attention in the brief exchange was the inclusion of Oscar. It is the yardstick from which each film's pedigree is measured. No one involved in a discourse of this nature anywhere on earth is going to ask: Will it win the Golden Globe? Will the National Society make it the picture of the year? And that pretty much distills the fact that Oscar is the big kahuna of film awards. That's been further underlined by the upheaval of the upcoming Praiseathon season now that the Academy Awards will take place one month earlier than its decades-long standard late March berth. I've long maintained that talk of Oscar prior to Labor Day ought to be legislated a felony offence. Several years back a colleague pressed me for Oscar predictions at about this point in the calendar and my patience began to rapidly erode. \"People want to know,\" he insisted. I doubted that, especially because those films he was touting were months away from release and yet to receive any sort of marketing push. Finally, I advised him that if he had to write about the upcoming race and battles that he ought to take a less serious tone and made a $5 wager that what he wrote that day would be unrecognizable from his awards coverage in December or January when he'd actually seen all those films that were presently mere speculation. But before I'm carried off to serve my term for violating the code, I'd like to plea bargain down to a misdemeanor. There will be no mention (apart from this reference) of Cold Mountain, Master and Commander or Mystic River in regard to their Oscarability or the hue and cry should they fail to meet the cut. My present thoughts are about the institution, its position within the American and global film industries and how it measures up to the standards established within and outside its ranks. Somewhere in the recesses of my memory bank is an interview with Oscar winner Lee Marvin conducted by Dick Clark on, of all places, American Bandstand. My recollection is that it occurred circa 1970 and Clark asked Marvin whether the award was \"legitimate.\" The canny Marvin leapt in with a sort of endorsement of Price-Waterhouse. He was confident that the person or film that received the majority of Academy member votes indeed took home the statuette. He took a pause for emphasis and continued with: \"If you're asking, Dick, whether sentiment is a factor in voting, I'd have to say that sometimes it is.\" Sentiment, in the mushiest sense of the word, hasn't really been an oppressive element in Oscar history. About a decade back, a senior studio exec told me that people would be tuning in the broadcast that year because they wanted to see a movie star finally get his due. At that moment in time it was Al Pacino and he did collect his trophy for Scent of a Woman. We all know that when Pacino makes his final exit that his obit will lead off with the words \"Oscar winner\" and perhaps some mention of the film for which he received the recognition (there will be no mention of other film awards or they will be buried near the end of the piece). However, the film performance that will be singled out will include The Godfathers, Dog Day Afternoon and possibly Scarface. Who wins the Oscar may not always be just or appropriate but somewhere over the course of time, the Academy does its level best to cite those individuals who have left a footprint in the sands of cinema. There is no such thing as an inarguable winner and, barring a tie, there will be five disappointed people when the envelope is opened and a winner announced. Take the case"}, {"response": 763, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Aug  9, 2003 (22:11)", "body": "I need help picking which colored google ad is the most pleasing. Will you please help me out by visiting this page and clicking on the ad which has the color scheme that you find to be most pleasing? You would make my day and make me very, very happy if you would do this, please. http://www.spring.net/adsense Just click on the ad with the color scheme you find most pleasing and I'll announce the results based on my page stats. Thanks in advance for helping with this!"}, {"response": 764, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Aug 10, 2003 (20:20)", "body": "I just read Gregory Hines passed away. I didn't know he was ill. A damn shame, IMO. He was too young. :-("}, {"response": 765, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Aug 11, 2003 (08:44)", "body": "I added the drool background. Please help me pick the best color scheme to place at the bottom of the drool page. The test page is here: http://spring.net/drool Vote by clicking on the color scheme you like the best and I'll count the clicks and let you know the result!"}, {"response": 766, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 11, 2003 (09:21)", "body": "Calendar Girls packs in Locarno crowd Martin Blaney in Locarno 10 August 2003 Boosted by its prime Saturday evening night slot, the world premiere of Nigel Cole's Calendar Girls has proven to be the biggest draw so far at the Locarno International Film Festival. A staggering 9,500 festival-goers packed into Locarno\ufffds Piazza Grande town square to watch the film, where seating is officially only available for 7,500. Director Nigel Cole was on hand with actor/co-screenwriter Tim Firth and the \"real\" Calendar girls Angela Baker, Tricia Stewart and Christine Clansy to present the film to what turned out to be a highly appreciative audience. German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, who was on holiday at the time, was one of a string of senior politicians to attend the screening. Others included Swiss President Pascal Couchepin, Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey and David Streiff, director of the Federal Office for Culture, as well as Germany's State Minister for Culture Christine Weiss."}, {"response": 767, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Aug 11, 2003 (09:41)", "body": "My mom was upset when she heard about Gregory Hines. They're the same age!"}, {"response": 768, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 11, 2003 (09:55)", "body": "NBC unit sells 'Queer' in U.K., Scandinavia NEW YORK -- NBC Enterprises has licensed the Bravo series \"Queer Eye for the Straight Guy\" to networks in the United Kingdom and Scandinavia. The separate deals, announced Friday, cover the first-season order of 20 episodes as well as format rights to produce European versions of \"Queer,\" which has emerged as a hit for Bravo since premiering last month. NBC ran an abridged episode of the series in primetime and plans to repurpose a full hour Thursday. \"This is a very unique show,\" said Leslie Jones, director of international sales at NBC Enterprises. \"Even before it aired on the NBC network, it's commanding a level of respect and finance internationally that is up there with strong (broadcast) shows.\" U.K. programmer Flextech will air \"Queer\" on its Living TV network, followed by a second run on another of its channels, FTN. Scandinavian programmer ViaSat will air \"Queer\" on TV3 in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Flextech will put its own version of \"Queer\" on the air prior to the U.S. version, while ViaSat will proceed in the opposite order. Starting with a homegrown version of the series might better acclimate Scandinavian viewers to the \"Queer\" concept, which would be a more natural draw for Brits accustomed to gay-themed programming. \"The U.K. audience is more familiar with that type of programming than any other market in the world,\" Jones said. NBC is continuing to shop \"Queer\" around the globe, with Australia likely to be the next country to snap up both U.S. and local versions; other smaller territories have bought only the American version of \"Queer.\" More conservative regions such as select markets in Asia are likely to steer clear of the concept. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed."}, {"response": 769, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Aug 11, 2003 (10:11)", "body": "(Dorine) I just read Gregory Hines passed away. I didn't know he was ill. A damn shame, IMO. He was too young. :-( Another name to add to the list of talented people gone this year. Had no idea he was ill. Shocker."}, {"response": 770, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Aug 11, 2003 (10:34)", "body": "I was surprised to learn about Hines. So much of the TV/print obits focus on his dancing (which was wonderful), but give less attention to his acting, which was also excellent. On a happier note, I saw \"Big River\" recently in NYC. If you don't know about it, this is a revival of a muscial based on Twain's Huck Finn. The music and lyrics are by Roger Miller (King of the Road, Can't Roller Skate in a Buffalo Herd, etc). Miller wrote cute ditties, and admitted he wasn't Jerome Kern (supposedly referred to himself as \"Jerome Corn\"), so the songs aren't exceptional. What makes this performance worth seeing is the staging and unusual cast. If you like theater for it's \"theatricality,\" then you'll like this. The production started on the West Coast, with Deaf West and Guthrie. The cast is a mixture of deaf/nonspeaking actors and hearing/speaking actors. Some parts (Twain, Jim) are played by speaking actors who sign as they speak. Other parts are played by deaf/nonspeaking actors who sign while a speaking actor voices the part. It's hard to describe without making it sound crazy, but it's wonderful. Huck is a deaf/nonspeaking actor. The actor who plays Twain speaks Huck's lines. (Think about it--Huck is the author's \"voice\" in the book, now the \"author\" is the \"character's\" voice) Most of the speakers stand or sit out of the action, but Huck's father is played by a deaf/nonspeaking/signing actor and a speaking actor who shadows him. If you've been wondering about seeing this, but afraid that the signing might be intrusive, don't worry. Fortunately, the plot is simple enough (and familiar enough) that if you do get caught up in watching the signing, you don't get lost. Signing can be very expressive. I used to know a little, but remember none of it. I found it fascinating to watch, as it is very \"interpretive,\" with signs representing concepts more than specific words. I've seen signed performances before, but the signer was always just standing to the side, like a human subtitle. Here, it's incorporated seamlessly, to a hearing person, it's like gestures that emphasize dialogue. It may help that, with amplification (ubiquitous nowadays), all the voices come out of the speakers anyhow. Frankly, the musical itself is not fabulous. As I said, Miller wrote \"ditties,\" cute songs. Sondheim he wasn't. Adding the deaf actors and signing gives this play more substance than it would have had if they'd just done a \"regular\" production. I think there are discount tickets through playbill.com and other such sources. (I went as part of a subscription, so I don't know exactly what my ticket was \"worth\")"}, {"response": 771, "author": "KathyLC", "date": "Mon, Aug 11, 2003 (11:31)", "body": "Here's a great site that Carrie shared with CF-Yahoo after I posted that ridiculously long URL for the LA trailer. Just thought I'd share :) http://tinyurl.com/"}, {"response": 772, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Aug 11, 2003 (13:22)", "body": "Thanks Karen for the news about \"Calendar Girls.\" I saw an interview about it and think this is going to be a good one. Glad to see its beeing well received. Sorry to hear about Gregory Hines. His death is a shocker. A great talent that will be sorely missed."}, {"response": 773, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (10:55)", "body": "Film really has a debt to pay David Liddiment Monday August 11, 2003 The Guardian Summertime, and television ratings have been shrivelling in the heat. Time to reach for that reliable old standby, the Hollywood blockbuster, to revive wilting schedules. Enter Rambo, Bond and Bruce Willis on ITV1, and Schwarzenegger on Channels 4 and 5. Movies may not be the mainstay of mainstream TV they once were but they are still an essential ingredient of all our terrestrial channels. And that's not just for the handful of big premieres each year. In addition, there is a significant back catalogue of mainly action titles that are pretty much guaranteed to attract a good audience whenever they are shown. But they will all be US-made because when it comes to shoring up schedules, it is the Hollywood cavalry you call in, not the local, part-time fire brigade. There are very few British movies on terrestrial TV, something the film lobby here would dearly love to change. Even the ones that look British usually aren't. Harry Potter, James Bond or Virginia Woolf - they are all financed by Hollywood and the profits go back to the US. Meanwhile the \"real\" British film industry lurches from flop to financial crisis, failing to attract proper investment or decent distribution deals, unable to build the critical mass it needs for a steady stream of homegrown international successes. By comparison, UK TV looks positively blooming: well funded and with ready access to the best talent on and off screen. So does film's more successful younger sibling have a cultural duty to come to the rescue with more investment and TV exposure? The communications act now includes \"feature film\" in the long shopping list of public service must-haves that terrestrial broadcasters together must serve up to viewers, though it is as yet unclear whether this implies financial as well as schedule support. I hope it doesn't, because there are good reasons why television shouldn't be used to prop up a faltering domestic film industry. For a start, the success that British film has enjoyed in the past decade owes a lot to the contribution of the BBC and Channel 4. Some of the biggest commercial and critical successes - Four Weddings, Mrs Brown, Billy Elliot - were made in partnership with broadcasters. But film is the riskiest of media businesses and failures cost dear. Last year Charlotte Gray finally did for Channel 4's 20-year adventure in motion pictures. In the mid-90s, ITV made its own disastrous foray into film. Everyone remembers the Oscar-winning My Left Foot, but what about Captain Jack, Night Train, The Misadventures of Margaret, Up on the Roof and Essex Boys? They cost Granada and ITV millions to make but they are still languishing on the shelf, destined for the outer darknesses of the schedule or worse. They aren't commercial enough to go into peak-time and not distinctive enough to get decent distribution and critical attention. An expensive lesson that won't be repeated. There is no reason for the small screen to be ashamed of its own achievements. Who is to say that feature-length TV dramas such as My Beautiful Son, Bloody Sunday or Love Again aren't \"British films\" in their own right, just because they are made for television? Was Ray Winstone's extraordinary performance in Sexy Beast for the cinema really qualitatively different from his extraordinary performances in Tough Love or Lenny Blue on the box? Russell T Davies's The Second Coming could have been a film for the cinema but it was made for ITV1 and as a result many more people saw it. There is cultural elitism at work in any attempt to make television pay for aspiring auteurs: the assumption that, in the grand hierarchy of artistic endeavour, film is more important. Cineastes argue that TV feeds off film, relying on its output to fill schedules and its talent to make its drama, but this is wrong on both counts. The best acting talent moves effortlessly between the two. Successful film-makers like Michael Apted, Chris Menges and Stephen Frears got their start in television. Martin Walsh, Oscar-nominated for editing Chicago, was a film editor in documentaries at Granada TV in Manchester when I first met him. And, as we have seen, films are no longer the year-round mainstay they once were since the advent of pay-film channels and the rise of homemade drama in terrestrial viewers' affections. It is the strength of the UK television production sector that feeds the film industry and helps keep its talent in business, not the other way round. Where there is the promise of mutual advantage - strong TV performance and success in cinemas - it is right that UK broadcasters continue to invest in British film. But it is not their job to prop up a sector of the production industry that wouldn't otherwise wash its face. Sadly, it seems we need Hollywood more than we need Pinewood."}, {"response": 774, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (17:48)", "body": "I happened to catch Ben Affleck being interviewed by Jay Leno last night and I was surprisingly impressed. He's very funny and apparently doesn't take himself too seriously. He read some of the worst reviews of Gigli."}, {"response": 775, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Aug 14, 2003 (11:42)", "body": "I saw bits and pieces of the interview. Smart man, when faced with disaster turn it around by laughing at yourself. Fans will remember his comments longer than this disastrous film."}, {"response": 776, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Aug 14, 2003 (13:04)", "body": "Um, what happened to the book page?"}, {"response": 777, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 14, 2003 (13:06)", "body": "I will resurrect the Book topic when we have a formal discussion of the source material for future CF projects."}, {"response": 778, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Aug 14, 2003 (13:08)", "body": "Oh, I forgot to write down the name of the character CF was supposed to play, and went looking for it, and it was gone! could you repost Evelyn's answer?"}, {"response": 779, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Aug 14, 2003 (13:16)", "body": "In Le Divorce! (sorry)"}, {"response": 780, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 14, 2003 (22:02)", "body": "Nice to see Spring is here, considering the server is in NJ."}, {"response": 781, "author": "Leah", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (06:06)", "body": "Maria I hope you have a great birthday today. I have tried to open the door to let other guests in, but the door is stuck, and I can't budge it."}, {"response": 782, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (06:28)", "body": "Good backup power! We didn't miss a beat. But we had a backup Texas server ready to go online in case the E Coast server failed due to the power outage. If you want the cure for the worm, catch my comments at http://spring.net/blogger"}, {"response": 783, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (07:19)", "body": "I don't know where your server is located in NJ, but most of the state was not affected, just those areas closest to NYC."}, {"response": 784, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (09:16)", "body": "You mean like Hoboken?"}, {"response": 785, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (10:04)", "body": "Yes, Hoboken is just across the river from NYC and was affected."}, {"response": 786, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (10:19)", "body": "Which is why I wondered how Spring was up. ;-D"}, {"response": 787, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (10:33)", "body": "Divine intervention?;-)"}, {"response": 788, "author": "socadook", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (11:50)", "body": "(To the music of Leonard Bernstein\ufffds Maria from West Side Story) These words are here to say Happy Birthday in my own way, Maria Others will provide, Good wishes in good time, Maria, Maria, Maria, Maria Maria, Maria, Maria, I met a girl named Maria It was online at Spring For Firth we share this thing And it\ufffds for real Maria, A fellow drooler, Maria No I didn\ufffdt forget Your birthday is your fete Go on, enjoy! Maria, Is it Robert, HD or Matthew The favorite you\ufffdd like to come home to? Maria, Maria, To whom are you true Oh Maria, Is it Darcy 1 and 2 Will Joe Prince even do For you to see? Maria, Pictures will come soon, Maria, To celebrate this date, Gifts, wishes from your mates Just for you, Maria, Maria, Maria, Maria"}, {"response": 789, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (12:30)", "body": "I'm towing it to wherever you are. Happy Birthday Maria!"}, {"response": 790, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (13:02)", "body": "I read that another boy for the Firths! Mateo! congratulations! Wish I were having a boy:)"}, {"response": 791, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (13:32)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Maria! Lora you and I will have to celebrate when you come down to Miami. Enjoy the rest of your vacation."}, {"response": 792, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (14:00)", "body": "Maria Sorry I can't post a picture of your favorite but being on vacation, too...my resources are more limited than normal. Have a great day!"}, {"response": 793, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (15:06)", "body": "Happy Birthday Maria. Vacation and Birthday, what a great time you must be having."}, {"response": 794, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (15:16)", "body": "Maria, happy birthday to you! Enjoy your vacation and birthday. The South Florida contingent must meet for lunch when you get back so we can celebrate it!"}, {"response": 795, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (15:24)", "body": "Perhaps the South Florida contingent should invite someone else along specifically for your birthday? Or perhaps you want a solo party? Are you a sunrise person or a sunset person? He'll need to know: will it be mimosas or something else? (I vote for something else!) Have a happy birthday!"}, {"response": 796, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (16:05)", "body": "Wot? Still on vacation?!? Well...someone is here to wish you a very special... A toast! To you on your special day!! He looks a bit warm, what was he thinking wearing a reindeer jumper in August? It sure is hot in here...think maybe he needs to cool off a bit! There! Better!! And just as handsome as before, though perhaps a little less formally attired! Happy Birthday Maria!"}, {"response": 797, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (19:56)", "body": "ladies, thnks so mch for b-day wihshes...argggh htel coomputer not(not) working11111 flyinghome tomorowww anndwill respnd betterthen (this ttoook forever toowrite111 GRR"}, {"response": 798, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (20:49)", "body": "Maria, Hope your birthday is just as special as you are! Henry will be waiting for you when you return from your vacation, looking better than ever."}, {"response": 799, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (20:52)", "body": "Oh! Fun in the Sun! I'd better hurry or I'll miss Maria's birthday But I'd better freshen up first That's better, now where is Maria? Wait! I know what the girl wants! Happy Birthday Maria, you sparkle like a fine champagne! And for you......."}, {"response": 800, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (22:21)", "body": "Ah, Maria! Happy birthday! I hear you've been on vacation. I was at Margate, but had to spend all the time on the stage. Perhaps you'd care to join me there for a real holiday, and we can have a portrait session. I'm very handy with a paintbrush."}, {"response": 801, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Aug 16, 2003 (02:44)", "body": "Maria, I rushed to get home in time for your birthdayparty. I hope you are still celebrating ;-) I brought a few friends: This one to say your name and whisper sweet nothings: And this guy to say \"Happy Birthday, Maria\" Thank you Rika, for the images, found at your Valentine-special ! And finally, roses named after you:"}, {"response": 802, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Aug 17, 2003 (09:19)", "body": "I just read that Dennie Gordon is directing the Olsen twins movie. Get this she went after Jack Osbourne, yes, Ozzy's son for a co-starring role. I wonder if she said the same things she said to Colin. This is too funny, or too sad."}, {"response": 803, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Aug 17, 2003 (14:20)", "body": "Just a reminder... Tonight, A&E 8-11 The Mayor of Casterbridge with Ciaran Hinds. After watching the DVD of P&P, and not seeing it on A&E for awhile, the film looked a bit washed out...old, almost but still lovely."}, {"response": 804, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug 17, 2003 (15:35)", "body": "(Linda) After watching the DVD of P&P, and not seeing it on A&E for awhile, the film looked a bit washed out...old, almost but still lovely. Still a winner....hazy or not. I never miss it when our gang is on A&E..seems disloyal not to;-)"}, {"response": 805, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sun, Aug 17, 2003 (19:56)", "body": "(Linda) After watching the DVD of P&P, and not seeing it on A&E for awhile, the film looked a bit washed out...old, almost but still lovely. (Evelyn)Still a winner....hazy or not. I never miss it when our gang is on A&E..seems disloyal not to;-) My brother teased me several times for watching it on the TV with the A&E logo and the \"You are watching Pride and Prejudice) and all of the mood breaking advertising on the same TV with the DVD in still it, yet I felt compelled. ;-) Some addiction there.... But, yeah, it was so, grainy compared to the DVD and I kept on noticing little bits missing."}, {"response": 806, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Aug 17, 2003 (22:37)", "body": "(Ev)I never miss it when our gang is on A&E..seems disloyal not to;-) /i> That's quite a *jones* we've got going there! LOL, I watched some of it too. I kind of liked the *sepia tonishness* of it. I'm not a neilson family but am on a dish and think that someone might be paying attention to what I'm watching so feel like it's a public service I'm doing here.;-) Nah, I love it no matter what! (Linda)Tonight, A&E 8-11 The Mayor of Casterbridge with Ciaran Hinds... I even got the DH to watch it and we both thought it was a wonderful production. He thought CH was great and I started to talk about the great job he did in Hostages. He's interested and I'll pull it out of the closet this week.;-) A prime time freebee! One of these days he's gonna see the common denominator........"}, {"response": 807, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Aug 17, 2003 (22:38)", "body": "Oh pooh! Hope it's fixed."}, {"response": 808, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Aug 18, 2003 (10:31)", "body": "(Moon) I just read that Dennie Gordon is directing the Olsen twins movie. Get this she went after Jack Osbourne, yes, Ozzy's son for a co-starring role. I wonder if she said the same things she said to Colin. This is too funny, or too sad. I vote for too sad. Great weekend with the gang from Merryton. I even watched on the late night replay. Just love all of them. But what was most fun was knowing I was watching it along with all my friends. Was not able to watch Ciaran last night but taped it and will do so today. Can't wait to see it. Got excellent reviews from what I've read so far."}, {"response": 809, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 18, 2003 (11:37)", "body": "There's a discussion already under way on the Mayor of Casterbridge on Topic 5 (Ciaran Hinds): http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/5/new"}, {"response": 810, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (06:23)", "body": "Related -- Scarlett Johansson: Word Is Terrific for Coppola's 'Translation' Mon Aug 18,11:37 PM ET Add Movies - Reuters to My Yahoo! By Martin A. Grove LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - For most of the summer the honest answer to that much asked question was, \"No.\" Then \"Seabiscuit\" arrived and became an instant recommendation. Now there's another terrific movie on the horizon to get excited about in Focus Features' Tokyo-set drama \"Lost in Translation.\" Written and directed by Sofia Coppola (news) (\"The Virgin Suicides\") and starring Bill Murray (news) and Scarlett Johansson (news), \"Translation\" opens Sept. 12 in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C. It expands Sept. 19 to the Top 30 markets and widens Sept. 26 to the Top 100 markets. Murray plays Bob Harris, an American movie star in Tokyo on his own to shoot some television commercials for Suntory Whiskey, for which he's being paid handsomely. Having a lot of time on his hands between filming, Bob starts hanging out in the bar at his high-rise luxury hotel. While having a drink there one night he meets Johansson's character, Charlotte, who's married to a workaholic photographer, played by Giovanni Ribisi (news). Since Ribisi's character is always out taking photos of rock stars, Charlotte also winds up having lots of free time to fill. What happens, however, isn't the kind of movie relationship you might anticipate, but a much more interesting and surprising friendship between these two very different people, both of whom are actually a bit at sea in this very strange environment. They're really two fish out of water. It's an intriguing world that Coppola constructs in \"Translation\" and one that looks so different and foreign and unique compared to what we're accustomed to seeing in the U.S. \"I love that about Tokyo,\" she observed. \"There are so many places you go to and there's still something you can recognize that's familiar. There's elements of Western culture, but it's odd. It's a different version, something very foreign and weird.\" Shooting took place at the Park Hyatt Tokyo over a very quick 27 days, Coppola said, \"and the hotel had time restraints so as not to disturb their guests. So we were like sneaking down the hallways at five in the morning (to get some extra shots in). That was fun.\" As for working with Murray, \"He was great to work with. He worked so hard. He showed up in Tokyo. We didn't have a lot of money and there weren't any trailers or anything. He just made everyone feel (part of the team) and kind of brought everyone together and was really a good sport about it.\" \"There was some very strict lady from the hotel, who was very serious, and her job was to chaperone us and be very strict with us. She wouldn't let us shoot in one area and he like threw her over his shoulder and spun her around. I think she was pretty startled because in Japan there's so much more formality between people working together.\" Reuters/Hollywood Reporter"}, {"response": 811, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (09:45)", "body": "Beatles 'Sullivan' set coming Oct. 28 By Margo Whitmire, Billboard Bulletin A new two-DVD collection, \"The Ed Sullivan Show Featuring the Beatles,\" has been set for an Oct. 28 release. The four-hour Sofa Home Entertainment collection captures 20 live performances by the band spread over four episodes of the TV variety series \"The Ed Sullivan Show.\" It marks the first time the performances have been available in their entirety since the episodes originally aired in 1964-65. Andrew Solt, owner of the \"Ed Sullivan Show\" archives and executive producer of the project, describes the first Sullivan appearance on Feb. 9, 1964, as \"the seminal moment of the rock revolution. Beatlemania was born right there on that stage.\" The broadcast drew an estimated 73 million viewers and remains one of the highest-rated programs in U.S. TV history. Solt negotiated with Apple Corp., which oversees the Beatles' assets, for more than five years to get clearance to release the footage. Besides live performances of such No. 1 Beatles hits as \"I Want To Hold Your Hand,\" \"She Loves You,\" \"I Feel Fine,\" \"Help!\" and \"Yesterday,\" the DVD features appearances by Cab Calloway, Mitzi Gaynor, Soupy Sales and Frank Gorshin. The set will sell for $29.95. As previously reported, the Museum of Television & Radio in New York and Los Angeles will spotlight television's role in the Beatles rise to fame with the exhibit \"Revolution: The Beatles on Television,\" running Feb. 6 through April 30, 2004."}, {"response": 812, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (09:56)", "body": "(Karen's article)Andrew Solt, owner of the \"Ed Sullivan Show\" archives and executive producer of the project, describes the first Sullivan appearance on Feb. 9, 1964, as \"the seminal moment of the rock revolution. Beatlemania was born right there on that stage.\" The broadcast drew an estimated 73 million viewers and remains one of the highest-rated programs in U.S. TV history. Yeah, yeah, yeah..... Good grief! I saw this in real time.:-) Almost fell out of my high chair.;-) think anyone bought that?"}, {"response": 813, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (16:19)", "body": "(and I was a mere fetus in my mother's womb, while she watched Eddie) Anybody watch Searching for Debra Winger on Showtime last night? I only saw the first hour, but plan to watch the rest next week when it is repeated. Excellent documentary about women in Hollywood. Loved when this one actress likened the situation to Revenge of the Nerds, studios controlled by guys who could never get a date in high school but are now living out all their adolescent fantasies. Roger Ebert had it all in a nutshell too."}, {"response": 814, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (16:39)", "body": "Great news about the Beatles DVD. Will look forward to that one. I saw it in real time too. Wouldn't say that was their \"birth\" as they were pretty well known in Europe before that. But its great footage for us Beatlemaniacs."}, {"response": 815, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (19:04)", "body": "Karen: I enjoyed every minute of Searching for Debra Winger. I liked best Jane Fonda's description of the almost out of body feeling when you get a shot exactly right, and how hard that makes giving up acting. Also Winger in almost everything she said - Whoppi, who is just funny. I can sympathize about her ass!! I'm not a fan of Sharon Stone, but I liked her thing about growing to the point where you can see someone else give a great performance and say \"Go girl!\" and really mean it. How come the two actresses (Their names escape me for the minute. One wrote the children's book when she was a youngster -- wait a minute --- Ali Sheedy!) at the Russian Tea Room weren't identified? Lots of other insightful comments."}, {"response": 816, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (23:15)", "body": "I found it difficult to read the font used for the titling."}, {"response": 817, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Wed, Aug 20, 2003 (16:08)", "body": "Go me! I met Jason Isaacs in person, and he really is the sweetest man. I didn't have him sign anything, I just wanted to ask Harry Potter related questions ;) Here are a couple of pictures: http://public.fotki.com/Charuwan/la_premiere_of_pass/mji1_2sm.html http://public.fotki.com/Charuwan/la_premiere_of_pass/mji2_sm.html So, I am ready for whenever CF and/or JN ever get to L.A. for premieres."}, {"response": 818, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 20, 2003 (16:15)", "body": "Nice pics, Marianne. How did you like the film? I saw a test screening of it way over a year ago."}, {"response": 819, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Wed, Aug 20, 2003 (16:31)", "body": "I thought \"Passionada\" was very good. Light, fluffy, a solid old fashioned romance. I have to get the soundtrack, the Fado music was mesmorizing. There is a kissing scene that I found embarassingly funny in that he seems to be sucking her face. One of the ladies I attended with got teased by her boyfriend about how JI doesn't know how to kiss. She replied that he's not used to kissing women in movies, just killing people."}, {"response": 820, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (12:15)", "body": "Nice pics, Marianne. Agree. I thought I recognize someone in the second one. ;-)"}, {"response": 821, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (15:56)", "body": "Moon Dreams: I thought I recognize someone in the second one. ;-) Nope, not me."}, {"response": 822, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (17:59)", "body": "Was thinking of Winter."}, {"response": 823, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (20:00)", "body": "Mayor of Casterbridge is being repeated on A&E on Friday, 22 August at 9 eastern time. next Thursday at 8 PM Eastern time. *Yeay*"}, {"response": 824, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (20:01)", "body": "Oops pic didn't make it...That's Keen Eddie..next Thursday at 8PM eastern"}, {"response": 825, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (20:06)", "body": ""}, {"response": 826, "author": "socadook", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (20:07)", "body": "(Evelyn) That's Keen Eddie..next Thursday at 8PM eastern First Keen Eddie disappeared then Red Cap... was going mad from withdrawal. Thanks for KE update, Evelyun"}, {"response": 827, "author": "socadook", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (20:25)", "body": "Sorry for the typo and thanks for the pic."}, {"response": 828, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Aug 22, 2003 (16:44)", "body": "Thanks, Evelyn. Have waited for the return of Keen Eddie. Nice picture, too, twice;-)"}, {"response": 829, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 22, 2003 (19:30)", "body": "(Linda) Nice picture, too, twice;-) ROTF...the first one didn't show last night..... Scary."}, {"response": 830, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (11:45)", "body": "The final episode of Project Greenlight should be required viewing for all Firthfans because you get the lowdown on Miramax's so-called marketing and distribution for small, niche type films, i.e., ones that are dropped into a couple of theaters in a couple of cities without any publicity and that depend on critics reviews to generate any type of audience. Then you were given Miramax's criteria for further expansion, which was a $20,000 per screen average, laughable to all concerned. Chris Moore, the producer, all but stated that no film can succeed with that type of treatment, and that's pretty much how Miramax distributed MLSF and TIOBE."}, {"response": 831, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (13:19)", "body": "(Karen)Then you were given Miramax's criteria for further expansion, which was a $20,000 per screen average, I liked Effram's(director) remark: \"We won't make that unless everyone in the audience leaves a hundred dollar bill on the seat\". ....Chris Moore, the producer, all but stated that no film can succeed with that type of treatment, and that's pretty much how Miramax distributed MLSF and TIOBE. Yeah, but Chris along with Ben Affleck went to Harvey to bat for the film.[ 10 cities, instead of 2. The latter is next to \"straight to video\"[dumping]. Neither MLSF or TIOBE's producers got off their duff to do that. \"Battle of Shaker Heights\" is a coming of age movie. Doesn't even look as good as MLSF. I wouldn't go see it with a free pass. It was an excellent episode [finale]."}, {"response": 832, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (13:23)", "body": "(Evelyn) Neither MLSF or TIOBE's producers got off their duff to do that. We don't know what any of their producers did or attempted to do. Regardless, MLSF and TIOBE's producers don't have BA's clout with Miramax, and they could count on Ben doing freebie promotion on the talk show circuit."}, {"response": 833, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (14:17)", "body": "I'm putting this here as Colin didn't actually take this. But I can completely understand why he ditched this. I'd turn and run the other way with rockets on my feet. Granted this happens on other movies, some of which make it to post-production and some that never get out of the gate to film. Maybe he had GWAPE and LA on the table and felt they were better bets. Thanks to Janet of Firthlist for passing this on. I'm posting the abridged version. Oddly enough, no mention of ODB or Daniel Craig. http://film.guardian.co.uk/features/featurepages/0,4120,1027004,00.html Who's afraid of Sylvia Plath? The brief was tough: write a romantic Hollywood drama about mental instability and one of the most controversial literary marriages ever. But when John Brownlow's first draft got the green light, his problems were only beginning. Here he tells a true story of crashing egos, crazy deadlines and booze-fuelled, red-eyed nights working out how poets talk Friday August 22, 2003 The Guardian Gwyneth Paltrow as Sylvia Plath It's December 2002. A car picks me up from my hotel and ferries me to Shepperton studios, a place with all the charm of an abandoned mental hospital. Alison Owen, the producer of the film Sylvia, leads me down endless institutional corridors and through a huge sliding door onto the sound stage, where two huge painted cycloramas of north London parenthesise a formless wooden construction in the middle of the hangar-like space. We head up a rickety flight of stairs, pass through a wooden door, and suddenly my jaw drops open. It is as if a giant hand has reached into my brain and pulled out a place I had been imagining for the past 24 months - that I had assumed only existed in my head - and recreated it atom by atom. As we walk through the miraculously detailed set, I suddenly realise I already know what's through the door on my right: it's the kitchen were Sylvia will kill herself. A little shudder goes through me. Later that afternoon, I watch Gwyneth Paltrow, playing Sylvia Plath, sit in an armchair listening to a late Beethoven quartet contemplating the end of her relationship with Ted Hughes and, by extension, her own upcoming demise. The tears roll down her face, real tears, and I suddenly remember a line I've written for Sylvia, talking about the woman she blamed for taking Ted away from her. \"I conjured her up.\" That's exactly how I feel. I have conjured this up. My first real break came from script competitions. I entered the Nicholl Fellowship and made it through to the last round. Without waiting to find out if I'd won (I didn't) I called an attorney in LA. On the basis of my contest result, he agreed to read my spec. He called back a week later to say it was good enough to get me an agent. All your first jobs are rewrites, and very good for you they are too. I got a job rewriting an adaptation of Northanger Abbey for Miramax, my fourth or fifth professional assignment. One day the producer, Alison Owen (who had worked on Elizabeth), mentioned to me that she was interested in making a film about Sylvia Plath. It was a project she had been thinking about for years, but the literary establishment was largely against it and many writers were reluctant to get involved. Moreover, it was a story, as Harvey Weinstein succinctly observed, that ends with a woman's head in an oven. You couldn't write your way out of that one. Then there was the problem of the poetry. The literary estates of Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes were thought to be unlikely to co-operate with a movie, and that meant there was a risk they would not sanction the use of any of the poetry in the script. Finally, the Plathites and the Hughesites were involved in a feud of the order of Godzilla vs Mothra. Hughes was regarded by some as a murderer. Others took the view that Plath was a hysterical self-dramatist, possibly psychopathic, and vastly overrated as a poet. Whatever line it took, the film would almost certainly become the meat in a sexual/ political/ poetical sandwich. For all these reasons, it appealed to me enormously. I told Alison and the head of BBC Films, David Thompson, that I would love to do it, but that I wanted to be sure there was a story there. What I meant was that I wanted to be sure that there was a film here that was not dependent on the audience being interested in Sylvia Plath. What was this story going to be about when it was not about poetry? I re-read all the biographies and felt depressed and confused. They all told a different story, and they all seemed to take a polemical stance, pro-Plath or pro-Hughes. Hughes's own Birthday Letters told a fairly clear story, but it was cerebral, undoubtedly self-serving, and possibly unreliable. In any case, we would not be able to get the rights to it. Plath's poetry and journals told another story, but it wasn't reliable either, and again the rights problem was a brick wall. I find it helpful to have another film in mind when I start writing, even though the finished pro"}, {"response": 834, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (14:49)", "body": "Director Pawel Pawlikowski . . . loved the script. . . and instantly brought a new sensibility to bear on the script. . .we came up with a blueprint for a new draft that involved excising large amounts of narrative. Pawel wanted to concentrate on the high dramatic points and let the audience fill in the gaps for themselves. When the script was delivered, the reaction was negative. It had improved in some areas, but it had become depressing and fragmented, and both Alison and I felt that it was no longer the movie we had set out to make. Thanks, Dorine. When Pawel left, it seems so did Colin. Yet according to this article, it was Pawel's spin on the script that proved problematic (after saying he \"loved\" the original--talk about Hollywood Bullshit indeed!;-). Sounds like they went back to their original vision. We'll see if it works."}, {"response": 835, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (15:07)", "body": "When I read this excerpt last week, I thought I might want to pick up Script magazine for the complete story."}, {"response": 836, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (15:33)", "body": "\"I got a job rewriting an adaptation of Northanger Abbey for Miramax, my fourth or fifth professional assignment. One day the producer, Alison Owen (who had worked on Elizabeth),...\" Right here , she lost me...I hated Northanger Abbey and it was a big $$$ loser for Miramax. Can't understand how these people keep getting jobs; with the same company, mind you. In industry if any one person lost that much money for a company they'd be out on their ass."}, {"response": 837, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (15:41)", "body": "Take it back..it was Mansfield Park I hated. But Northanger Abbey has never been been released. Big problems. Didn't Andrew Davies do the original script. Agree with Bethan, this is one dpressing film. Nice if Colin could have snagged Proof with Gwynnie, though."}, {"response": 838, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (15:44)", "body": "(Evelyn) But Northanger Abbey has never been been released....Didn't Andrew Davies do the original script. It was never even made and, yes, AD did the original script. I have it but haven't read it."}, {"response": 839, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (16:23)", "body": "Thanks Dorine! Very interesting.... Unfortunately, I had no idea how to fix it. Words you probably do not want to hear from your screenwriter. I took one hour to sleep each night and half an hour to go for a walk. I drank copiously and charged it to the financiers. Now I'm really curious to see this film! Maybe he should have called up Mark Herman for some pointers on how to get this done! ;-)"}, {"response": 840, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (18:19)", "body": "Thought this might be of interest. Dyke to open up BBC archive Greg Dyke, director general of the BBC, has announced plans to give the public full access to all the corporation's programme archives. Mr Dyke said on Sunday that everyone would in future be able to download BBC radio and TV programmes from the internet. The service, the BBC Creative Archive, would be free and available to everyone, as long as they were not intending to use the material for commercial purposes, Mr Dyke added. \"The BBC probably has the best television library in the world,\" said Mr Dyke, who was speaking at the Edinburgh TV Festival. \"Up until now this huge resource has remained locked up, inaccessible to the public because there hasn't been an effective mechanism for distribution. \"But the digital revolution and broadband are changing all that. \"For the first time there is an easy and affordable way of making this treasure trove of BBC content available to all.\" He predicted that everyone would benefit from the online archive, from people accessing the internet at home, children and adults using public libraries, to students at school and university. Future focus Mr Dyke appeared at the TV festival to give the Richard Dunn interview, one of the main events of the three-day industry event. He said the new online service was part of the corporation's future, or \"second phase\", strategy for the development of digital technology. Mr Dyke said he believed this second phase would see a shift of emphasis by broadcasters. Their focus would move away from commercial considerations to providing \"public value\", he said. \"I believe that we are about to move into a second phase of the digital revolution, a phase which will be more about public than private value; about free, not pay services; about inclusivity, not exclusion. \"In particular, it will be about how public money can be combined with new digital technologies to transform everyone's lives.\""}, {"response": 841, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (19:50)", "body": "\"Mr Dyke said on Sunday that everyone would in future be able to download BBC radio and TV programmes from the internet.\" Colin's audio dramatizations? Whoa! I'll believe it when I see it.They're pretty tight-fisted"}, {"response": 842, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (21:24)", "body": "Dorine and Murph, thanks for the info. \"Mr Dyke said on Sunday that everyone would in future be able to download BBC radio and TV programmes from the internet.\" (Evelyn) I'll believe it when I see it.They're pretty tight-fisted Reading the article, I wondered at what cost to the consumer. Still, it'd be nice to access the best television library in the world"}, {"response": 843, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (22:40)", "body": "Moon? Where are ya? I posted the Sylvia article with you in mind. ;-) Very cool about the BBC programs. (Sonia) I wondered at what cost to the consumer. I might consider paying a very nominal fee to get stuff if there were very good quality files. I think it would be fair of them to expect some small compensation, and would probably sell more that way than conventional sales of DVD/VHS of the same items. Thanks, Murph. An extended version of this article will appear in the October edition of Script magazine. Sylvia is due to be released in the UK in autumn 2004 Just picked up the July/Aug edition with Seabiscuit on the front on Sat night (before my late showing of Pirates of the Carribbean...which I didn't walk out on, but did doze off on in spots. ;-). Just can't *wait* to delve into the James Ivory/Le Divorce article. ;-D Re: Pirates...will chalk it up to the large glass of wine beforehand and exhaustion from moving for dozing off. It *definitely* was too long, though. I enjoyed the movie overall, especially JD and JR."}, {"response": 844, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (09:12)", "body": "Anybody see the ending of MI-5 last night? Whoa!! That's some show. Second series starts next week one hour earlier. Big spoiler...if you haven't seen it."}, {"response": 845, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (14:37)", "body": "Ev: I am hoping what we saw we didn't really see. But I'm afaid we did.... This show is not afraid to pull its punches. How about the scene with Tessa and Harry? Those two are good experienced actors. The \"Keen guy\" is back tomorrow night? Right?"}, {"response": 846, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (14:43)", "body": "Adding -- If you DON'T like to know anything ahead of time about MI-5 - don't go here!!! It is the site for the Brit original version - Spooks. http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/spooks/index.shtml"}, {"response": 847, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (15:15)", "body": "(Murph)How about the scene with Tessa and Harry? Those two are good experienced actors. Peter Firth and Jenny Agutter. Apparently both appeared in Equus. No wonder. The acting quality in this show is superb. The only weak link is the A&E editing. It had to be edited from the original BBC for commercials. Bummer. Sometimes , the viewer has to fill in the blanks. Thanks for the link, Murph. Next Tuesday it will be shown at 9 PM Eastern. Keen Eddie tomorrow night at 7 Central for me."}, {"response": 848, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (18:39)", "body": "(Murph) How about the scene with Tessa and Harry? (Evelyn) The acting quality in this show is superb. I love this show, but it appears I've missed something. :-( Do they do multiple repeats through the week like with Queer Eye?"}, {"response": 849, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (23:58)", "body": "They will repeat the show on Saturday night/vv late Saturday night: 11pm (your time) and then at 3am. On Tuesdays, the show is broadcast twice; I taped the 1am (my time) airing."}, {"response": 850, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (08:44)", "body": "Sorry guys, bad news regarding Keen Eddie. From Boston.com: Fox was scheduled to burn off the final four episodes of \"Keen Eddie\" on Thursdays, beginning tonight at 8. But, well, there are a few reality-show repeats in urgent need of airtime, and so the network has reneged on its promise for a \"Keen\" miniseason. \"Eddie's\" dead, unless some cable channel picks up the already-filmed hours. (By Matthew Gilbert)"}, {"response": 851, "author": "Leah", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (08:50)", "body": "Laura, would you please email me."}, {"response": 852, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (09:30)", "body": "more from TVGuideonline: Matt Roush Question: I was wondering if Keen Eddie will be coming back on at all or anytime soon. I really enjoyed the show and thought it was doing well. Was there a reason it was pulled? Or will it return in the fall? \ufffd Aimee-Noel C. Matt: I'm sorry to say that it looks as if Fox has reneged on its plan to run several new episodes starting the last week of August. I just got an update indicating that, despite having scheduled some new shows, that Fox instead will be running some more despicable reality junk. I don't know if Fox will ever air the unseen episodes, but I wouldn't count on it. They seem to have given up on Eddie altogether. It wasn't doing well on Tuesdays, but it was probably a mistake to program a show this offbeat in the summer, when it had the appearance of being burned off as so many networks have done with shows in the past. On cable, it might have looked like a hit. On Fox, it was toast. And that's a real shame."}, {"response": 853, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (09:31)", "body": "I can't remember if I closed the tag!"}, {"response": 854, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (10:32)", "body": "...\"and so the network has reneged on its promise for a \"Keen\" miniseason.\" Grrrr...Pox on Fox"}, {"response": 855, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (10:46)", "body": "Sorry Evelyn! I hated breaking the news... Bill and I were awaiting tonight as well:("}, {"response": 856, "author": "socadook", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (11:31)", "body": "(Laura) Sorry guys, bad news regarding Keen Eddie. (Evelyn) Grrrr...Pox on Fox :-( I read or heard about a cable channel that picks up shows canceled by the networks, some that never even aired past the pilot. Maybe KE will reappear there. Will keep eyes and ears open to find out more."}, {"response": 857, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (12:05)", "body": ""}, {"response": 858, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (12:19)", "body": "LONDON (Reuters) - Oscar-winner Gwyneth Paltrow (news) and British actor Joseph Fiennes (news) will recreate the famous Romeo and Juliet balcony scene for Prince Charles at a charity show, organizers said on Thursday. The co-stars of the 1998 film \"Shakespeare in Love\" will play the star-crossed lovers for the heir to the throne at an open-air London theater next Monday. Paltrow won an Oscar for her role as wealthy beauty Viola de Lesseps who steals the heart of Shakespeare, played by Fiennes, and helps him overcome writer's block. Among other actors performing selected Shakespeare scenes will be Paul Scofield, Diana Rigg (news) and Jane Lapotaire. Guests will pay between 20 pounds ($31.36) and 300 pounds to attend the event at Shakespeare's Globe, a replica Elizabethan theater on the south bank of the River Thames. Money raised will go to the Prince's Trust, a charity set up by Prince Charles to help disadvantaged young people."}, {"response": 859, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (13:02)", "body": "One British writer's take on the state of rom/coms http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2003/05/10/bfrom10.xml&sSheet=/arts/2003/05/10/ixtop.html"}, {"response": 860, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (13:26)", "body": "Intersting article, Maria. Thanks."}, {"response": 861, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (15:40)", "body": "No, the problem lies more with male actors. Few seem to want to risk playing romantic leads, No, the problem lies with the critics who trash a film and the actors before it even gets off the ground... We British can boast likely candidates. Colin Firth can play the deadpan straight man brilliantly. AKA the repressed Englishman;-) Thanks, Maria...great article Thanks, Maria great article"}, {"response": 862, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 2003 (08:02)", "body": "A friend sent me this: SHAKESPEARE STILL IN LOVE By Laura Benjamin, DAILY MAIL 2 September 2003 With eager eyes, he closes in upon his prey, as she turns away with a coy smile. In the film he got the girl. But yesterday William Shakespeare still appeared to have his work cut out in wooing Lady Viola. The delightful reprise of their 1998 pairing was given by Joseph Fiennes and Gwyneth Paltrow at the Globe Theatre in London yesterday as the stars of Shakespeare in Love were reunited for an audience in love with Shakespeare. Fiennes and Miss Paltrow, whose on- screen chemistry helped win seven Oscars for the film, were among a string of big names brought together for a charity gala in aid of the Prince's Trust. Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles were guests of honour at the event. Slipping through a side door into the recreated arena, they sat in a specially constructed royal box to watch the allstar cast deliver their favourite lines from the Bard's repertoire. Camilla, dressed in a stylish cream suit, sat one seat away from Charles, with a woman believed to be an official of the Prince's Trust between them. But the high-profile appearance was seen as another step along the road to public acceptance for Camilla. 'She was greeted very warmly by the crowd and both of them appeared to enjoy every minute,' said an observer. While Miss Paltrow, who attended with her rock star boyfriend, Coldplay star Chris Martin, played it for laughs with Fiennes during rehearsals, they took their performance rather more seriously, each delivering a speech from Romeo and Juliet, which featured heavily in the film. Other contributors were Dame Diana Rigg, Paul Scofield, Timothy West and Michael Pennington. Scofield and West presented an excerpt from The Tempest while Dame Diana performed a speech from As You Like It. A source close to the production said: 'Getting a lineup like this on stage together is a real coup. But even with such a cast Gwyneth and Joseph still managed to steal the show.'"}, {"response": 863, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 2003 (10:37)", "body": "They showed Gwynnie and Joe meeting Prince Charles on ET or or one of the shows. The balcony scene being rehearsed in two locations is one of my favorites from the movie, especially with the parts reversed. Somehow the lines are better that way, ok, maybe just one or two. ;-D"}, {"response": 864, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 2003 (14:10)", "body": "The Guardian: http://film.guardian.co.uk/features/featurepages/0,4120,1034244,00.html Nothing to lose but your audience Why is British cinema so consistently obsessed with the subject of social class? Sean Clarke investigates Tuesday September 2, 2003 Georges Polti, following Goethe, maintained there were only 36 dramatic situations, and that all storylines were reworkings of them. It's clear that few people in the British film industry have got very far into Polti's book, because time and time again we find that British films admit of only two plotlines. They are: 1. It's really terrifically brutish being working class 2. It's really terrifically spiffing to be middle class Take the two current British releases. Calendar Girls is the heartwarming tale of how supportive and daring some nice middle class ladies can be (hurrah!), while Blackball relates how a nasty common chap gets too big for his boots (boo!) and gets taught his place (hurrah!). The two films are even written by the same man, Tim Firth. One obvious reason why producers stay faithful to this formula is its success; as a wander through the history of recent British cinema will show. Four Weddings and a Funeral (it's really spiffing down south), Trainspotting (it's really quite grim in Scotland - see also Sweet Sixteen, Young Adam ...), Harry Potter (it's really quite boffo at public school), Notting Hill (it's great being middle class in west London), Pure (but it's not so nice being poor in east London). Admittedly the last one didn't sell so well, but you get a feel for why it got backed at all. Again and again, British audiences lap up these two opposing conceptions of our national life. It's as if we can only conceive of ourselves as posh people - who are generally happy, if a little endearingly confused - or vile, wretched commoners. The worst synthesis of this is perhaps Billy Elliot, about a poor boy's struggle to become middle class, which will make him happy. But even a marvellous film like Bridget Jones's Diary is complicit; posh people can be bounders, but they're terribly attractive, and oh if only Bridget could get to grips with how terribly difficult it is to be properly posh and snare herself a barrister (not an oily foreigner like her mum did), then she too could be happy. There are many honourable exceptions; Secrets and Lies, Dirty Pretty Things, Bend It Like Beckham, Human Traffic; all very different films, but none of them infected with this patronising view that we're all either brutish pond life stabbing each other in the back, or bumbling toffs trying to get on and get married off. But somehow these movies - successful as they may be - rarely get elected as \"event movies\". The worst thing about all this is knowing that it's not going to get any better. The big, big British film of the winter is going to be Love, Actually, a script by Richard Curtis (Four Weddings, Notting Hill ...), starring Hugh Grant (Four Weddings, Notting Hill) as a posh man (Four Weddings, Notting Hill) in a romantic predicament (Four Weddings, Notting Hill). Specifically, Hugh is the prime minister, and he fancies his tea lady. Quite apart from whether or not this makes any sense in modern Britain (surely Downing Street catering services have been outsourced as part of a best value initiative?), is this the best we can do in the 21st century? Prince marries scullery lass? You may say I have a chip on shoulder, that I'm a joyless curmudgeon. You may point to the merrily ringing tills as first Calendar Girls and then Love, Actually are taken to the bosoms of the great British public. And if you're a film producer, you're almost certainly best advised to ignore this rant. But it's a lonely business being right in a world where everyone else is wrong."}, {"response": 865, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 2003 (15:16)", "body": "You may say I have a chip on shoulder, that I'm a joyless curmudgeon. But it's a lonely business being right in a world where everyone else is wrong. *clap clap* I couldn't agree more!"}, {"response": 866, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (09:48)", "body": "Thanks to a freind -- BBC Press Release (Hope this makes it to the USA): Pepys, an intimate portrait of the great diarist, naval strategist and adulterer, starts filming for BBC TWO Steve Coogan plays Samuel Pepys, naval strategist and serial adulterer, in the first major television portrayal of Pepys's life. Film director Oliver Parker and writer Guy Jenkin bring to the screen a darkly comic vision of the genius behind the famous diaries. \"I have a real affection for Pepys,\" says Steve Coogan. \"He was flawed, offensive, funny and principled all at the same time. \"Guy Jenkin's brilliant script really crystallises the character of the time. It feels contemporary and reads unlike a typical costume drama.\" \"We needed a stellar talent to make the role his own, and Steve Coogan is the perfect Pepys,\" says Jane Tranter, Controller of Drama Commissioning. \"He will bring intelligence and charisma to the role and Guy Jenkin's script is clever, and by turns funny and moving. \"It brings out the modernity of Pepys the man and the dilemmas through which he has to navigate if he is to survive and prosper.\" Lou Doillon (a household name in France and sister of Charlotte Gainsbourg) plays Pepys's French wife Elizabeth; Tim Pigott-Smith, his arch-enemy Lord Shaftesbury; Danny Webb plays Pepys's employer Edward Montagu; and Nathaniel Parker is Charles II. Zo\ufffd Tapper, Sally Rogers and Miranda Raison are Pepys's mistresses and Ciaran McMenamin is his manservant, Will. \"Samuel Pepys was a man driven by lust, riven by guilt,\" says producer Ben McPherson. \"Pepys is a portrait of the private man, his relationship with his wife and his many infidelities. \"We have what every production hopes for: a cast that combines established world-class actors with some very exciting new talent, a beautifully-judged script from Guy, and a director of great vision, wit and humanity in Oliver.\" \"Guy's script leapt from the page,\" says director Oliver Parker. \"It bristles with energy and sparkles with variety. It is, all at once visceral and irreverent, tender and excruciatingly funny. \"Steve's work is always mesmerising. He's uncompromising in his pursuit of the darker side of his characters while at the same time forcing us to empathise with them. \"The prospect of his Pepys is exhilarating: Pepys is one of history's great observers, and Steve is one of today's.\" The film is a unique collaboration between the BBC's Drama, Arts and Entertainment departments. Filming begins at the end of August at Dorney Court, Windsor. Pepys is written by Guy Jenkin (Jeffrey Archer: the Truth, Drop the Dead Donkey), produced by Ben McPherson (Omnibus, Meades Eats, Britain's Best Buildings) and directed by Oliver Parker (The Important of Being Earnest, An Ideal Husband, Othello). It is made in Association with Steve Coogan, Henry Normal and their production company Baby Cow. The executive producers for the BBC are Mike Dormer (Drama), David Okuefuna (Arts) and Mark Freeland (Entertainment) and for Baby Cow, Steve Coogan and Henry Normal. Pepys is part of BBC TWO's commitment to the arts and complements two other dramas celebrating the lives of some of Britain's foremost writers: Nick Dear's drama about Byron, starring Jonny Lee Miller in the title role, is to be shown in September and Larkin: Love Again, a film by Richard Cottan about the life of poet Philip Larkin starring Hugh Bonneville was shown in July"}, {"response": 867, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (12:42)", "body": "Okay, this odds & ends thing has been lacking in spark! Anyone think Scarlett Johanssen looks EXACTLY like the Vermeer Girl when she's (Johanssen) is all made up???? Gonna try to see GWAPE in NH..."}, {"response": 868, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (22:36)", "body": "Recommended movie: Under the Tuscan Sun. v.g. Diane Lane is so credible an actress, unlike so many others. BTW, I did peruse the entire article from the screenwriter for the Sylvia Plath movie in Script magazine. Nothing about casting the male lead at all."}, {"response": 869, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (22:52)", "body": "Thanks for posting about the SP movie article. Got it a few days ago and forgot what we were on the lookout for from the discussion about it. Will look out for Under the Tuscan Sun. I recommend Thirteen (glad I'm not a parent) and Matchstick Men. MM is WAGW with a neurotic con artist dad and more worldly daughter. Loved NC and Alison Lohman together. NC was excellent throughout. SR v. good also, but not as much to work with. Next week...Veronica Guerin (intro by Cate Blanchett and Jerry Bruckheimer) and Lost in Translation (possibly short Q&A or intro by Sofia Coppola)."}, {"response": 870, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (07:59)", "body": "I recommend Thirteen (glad I'm not a parent) ] great! (I am a parent of a 13 year old!), it's been recommended that teens see it. What did you think? I skeptical. NBC's Today Show did Fall preview of new movies and Under the Tuscan Sun was highly recommended as was Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation. The reviewer said that Coppola's movie would make her a bona fide tried but true good director."}, {"response": 871, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (08:00)", "body": "I generally speak better English than that. I'm skeptical! :)"}, {"response": 872, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (15:35)", "body": "The LA Bafta thing honoring Huge is Nov 8 at the Century Plaza Hotel. I'd say there would be a screening around then, with Huge and RC and whoever else..."}, {"response": 873, "author": "birdy", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (09:20)", "body": "Am I the only one who did a big \"HUH?\" when this BAFTA \"Lifetime Excellence Achievement Whatever Thingy\" with Huge was announced? Okay, Michael Caine has done some real stinkers in his career, but they are balanced by a number of films such as Cider House Rules and The Quiet American . Granted, HG has a few credible rom-coms under his belt, but even with About a Boy on his creds, that only makes it one in a row."}, {"response": 874, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (09:51)", "body": "...but he's probably the biggest British star there is. Why wouldn't they honor him? This is an industry association, not a critics group. ;-D"}, {"response": 875, "author": "birdy", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (10:20)", "body": "And they televise it. A big audience draw no doubt - I'd watch, Huge is usually a hoot. I always heard the BAFTAs as the British Academy Awards, so this news sent me wunderin' if they are more the English Peoples' Choice Awards. I see it's a case of \"the industry\" wanting to pay back one of their more reliable cash cows."}, {"response": 876, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (10:21)", "body": "(Karen)...but he's probably the biggest British star there is.... \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd"}, {"response": 877, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (10:23)", "body": "Just in case I didn't close it...."}, {"response": 878, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (10:35)", "body": "(Louise) so this news sent me wunderin' if they are more the English Peoples' Choice Awards There is an award like that given at the Baftas, where the people vote, but this event honoring Huge isn't the actual Bafta award ceremony, which will be just prior to the Oscars next year. The Baftas have changed radically IMO over the past several years as they've attempted to become more \"relevant.\" It used to be that the Baftas were held after the Oscars and pretty much only recognized British films and people, fairly unknown to an American audience. Now with their intent clear, they've had to shift gears and pander to the US industry by not only nominating Hollywood actors but also rewarding them for crossing the pond. But Huge's gala event has nothing to do with this."}, {"response": 879, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (09:41)", "body": "From the NYT Crib Sheet of movies to see: \"Under the Tuscan Sun,\" a sort of \"Enchanted April\" without the costumes, by the food writer Frances Mayes, who buys a tumbledown villa and brag-complains about it. (Sept. 26.) LOL! That's exactly how I described it to someone. An Enchanted April with an American. ;-D"}, {"response": 880, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (16:07)", "body": "Here is the trailer for Sylvia -- That awful wig on one of my favs, Daniel Craig! http://www.moviefone.com/multimedia/sneakpeek.adp"}, {"response": 881, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (20:24)", "body": "FYI, Colin's brother is on this week's Inspector Lynley Mystery."}, {"response": 882, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (20:32)", "body": "along with Stringer Bell. ;-D (I had no idea he was British!)"}, {"response": 883, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (20:50)", "body": "(Me) Colin's brother is on this week's Inspector Lynley Mystery Anyone think he's starting to resemble and sound a bit like Robin Gibb? ;-)"}, {"response": 884, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (22:17)", "body": "(Dorine)Anyone think he's starting to resemble and sound a bit like Robin Gibb? ;-) LOL, but his hands-especially the thumbs look exactly like Colin's. IMHO, of course."}, {"response": 885, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (22:25)", "body": "(Linda) ..his hands-especially the thumbs look exactly like Colin's. IMHO, of course. LOL and how warped is it that you even noticed and that we understand?"}, {"response": 886, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (10:39)", "body": "I like the way Jon has grown into his looks. He has a much more interesting face now, and, to me, is more handsome than when younger. I thought he did a good job - as did first degree-er Julian Wadham. (Tim Piggott Smith next week) The actress who played Lynley's Helen, Lesley Vickerage, gave a good performance in Second Sight (The Kingdom of the Blind) as a treacherous detective. Linda - In addition to the thumbs - the walk! Striding, feet out. Just finished Elizabeth George's newest - \"A Place of Hiding.\" No Lynley, but plenty of Simon St. James and his wife (and old Lynley love) Deborah - and the Island of Guernsey. [For another great mystery set in the Guernsey Islands, read \"Lying With The Enemy\" by Tim Binding]"}, {"response": 887, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (11:03)", "body": "(Murph) as did first degree-er Julian Wadham I was going to comment last night, I didn't think he has aged very well. Much better looking in TEP."}, {"response": 888, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (23:05)", "body": "ATTN: The Queer Eye guys are going to be on Oprah tomorrow."}, {"response": 889, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (09:29)", "body": "Sorry, bad info. The show is being taped today, not aired."}, {"response": 890, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (10:44)", "body": "Happy birthday Hugh Grant!"}, {"response": 891, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (12:07)", "body": "Too bad Oprah overlaps with Access Hollywood."}, {"response": 892, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (12:20)", "body": "Let me chime in with Moon and say \"happy Birthday Huge!\" After all, without him, we there would be no fight scene in BJD. ;-) And how could one not like someone with the middle name Mungo ?"}, {"response": 893, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (15:38)", "body": "I am glad for her, I just wish this \"other\" movie didn't have to be released at the same time and garnering more attention...(moping away) http://www.msnbc.com/news/962293.asp?cp1=1"}, {"response": 894, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 2003 (23:10)", "body": "From THR: Miranda Richardson, Minnie Driver, Ciaran Hinds, Simon Callow, James Fleet, Victor McGuire and Jennifer Ellison round out the cast for \"The Phantom of the Opera,\" the film's producers said Tuesday. The movie, directed by Joel Schumacher and based on Andrew Lloyd Webber's worldwide musical hit of the same name, begins shooting Sept. 15 at Pinewood Studios in the U.K. for 16 weeks. The movie stars Gerard Butler, Emmy Rossum and Patrick Wilson. Warner Bros. will distribute the title in North America while Entertainment Films has U.K. rights."}, {"response": 895, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (14:29)", "body": "Thanks for Phantom info Karen. This seems to be a good casting. Will look forward to its release as I love the book and play."}, {"response": 896, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (10:40)", "body": "Monty Python Musical Planned for Broadway NEW YORK - Get ready for a Monty Python musical, directed by Mike Nichols, on Broadway. A stage version of the movie \"Monty Python and the Holy Grail\" will open in New York in the spring of 2005. Its tentative title is \"Spamalot\" but don't hold the troupe to that moniker. \"I like the title `Spamalot,'\" Python member Eric Idle said Thursday in a statement. \"But I was thinking it might be smart to ask audiences on my upcoming U.S. tour if they liked it as much as I do. After all, they are the ones who will be paying Broadway prices to see the show.\" Idle wrote the book for \"Spamalot,\" which is based on material from the film created by Idle, Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones and Michael Palin. The stage version will also have music and lyrics by Idle and John Du Prez. Casting has not been set but the choreography will be by Jerry Mitchell, who created the dances for \"Hairspray\" and the upcoming \"Never Gonna Dance.\" The Python troupe, a group of British performers, starred in the television series \"Monty Python's Flying Circus,\" which ran on the BBC from 1969 through 1974 and also had a long run on American public television."}, {"response": 897, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (12:37)", "body": "A stage version of the movie \"Monty Python and the Holy Grail\" will open in New York in the spring of 2005 I'm SOOOOO there! LOL! Especially if they have the Knights who say \"Ni\"! A couple of film recommendations from me....which, of course, means virtually nothing, LOL. Veronica Guerin (opens in Oct?)....excellent! Very engrossing. Cate Blanchett was v.v. good. Also liked Ciaran Hinds as the charming criminal she uses as a source. A spat of nasty violence at the very beginning. A couple of other brief spots of violence in the middle. One you kinda see coming, the other wholly unexpected (that one made the audience gasp). A bit tearjerking in the end. First time that I can recall no one jumping out of their seats as soon as the screening was over. Credits about halfway through before anyone left. Cate Blanchett and Jerry Bruckheimer introduced. Not sure the point to these. They speak for maybe 1-2 minutes, then they're gone. She has such an....odd beauty. She has a much wider face than I've perceived onscreen. She's got facial skin like porcelain, though. Next up...Lost in Translation (opens today, I think). First let me say, \"Wow\" about Bill Murray. What a fantastically understated performance. But still funny. They were both (he and SJ) understated really, and both excellent. There's a sequence in the middle I would've liked somewhat shorter. I found it necessary, but not quite so drawn out. Sophia Coppola has a very interesting \"eye\". I think I responded to it so much as a couple of themes struck a chord with me personally, and I could relate rather easily to a few things. And the last 5-8 minutes was the payoff for me...ambiguous, bittersweet, a tad heartbreaking, yet kind of happy in a way, too. How you react to the film and the end will depend on your view of certain themes. I think I may need to see it again sometime. I've read a lot about this movie recently and how they say this movie realizes her potential from The Virgin Suicides. Might check that out now, though I had no interest before. Sofia Coppola there for all of 60 secs or so to introduce. She is extremely waiflike, or at least v. thin and exceedingly soft spoken. We weren't in a big room, and her voice was barely carrying to the second row. She still had a hard time projecting after someone asked her to speak up. Anyone read the NY Times Mag article about her a couple of weeks ago? The actors say she can be very quietly forceful about what she wants you to do. Interesting to read in light of her demeanor at the screening."}, {"response": 898, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (13:15)", "body": "Thanks, Dorine, I intend to see both movies, despite the fact that Bill Murray is in the latter. Ever since I saw his face up close and personal I really haven't been able to look at him. Sofia is also profiled in Time Magazine this week. Let me add The Other Side of the Bed to a list of fun movies to see. It's like a French sex farce, but is Spanish and is a musical and the musical numbers really work and are worth seeing. Quite a bit of the choreography reminds me of Jerome Robbins, with its underlying roots in ballet. Initially, I was ticked by the movie's portrayal of women (so obviously written by men) that I nearly got up and left, but it finally won me over. Though many things will be familiar and predictable, it had its fun moments and there were lots of laughs from men."}, {"response": 899, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 2003 (14:16)", "body": "(Karen) Ever since I saw his face up close and personal I really haven't been able to look at him. I kept focusing on how much weight he's apparently lost. First noticed it on pics from one of those festivals...Venice? The one where SJ wore the lovely pink sneakers. He must have lost it a while ago as the movie was filmed a year ago and I haven't seen him recently. And thanks for your recommendation, too."}, {"response": 900, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (12:32)", "body": "The NY Times Op Ed Page - I laughed out loud at this one: September 13, 2003 - Moli\ufffdre, Corneille, Rumsfeld - By DANIEL MENDELSOHN Last week's revelation by a French scholar that all of the masterpieces attributed to the great comic playwright Moli\ufffdre, including classics like \"Tartuffe\" and \"Le Misanthrope,\" were actually written by his rival, Pierre Corneille, has provoked shock and dismay throughout the world of letters. Now, a tortured conscience and a desire to further clear the literary air compel me to reveal that nearly all of my own published writings \ufffd including, but by no means limited to, my 1999 memoir about gay culture and my recent monograph on the role of gender in Euripidean drama \ufffd were, in fact, written by Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld. At first glance, the gap that separates Mr. Rumsfeld and myself seems even vaster than the one that sets the comedian Moli\ufffdre apart from the tragedian Corneille. The secretary, for instance, attended Princeton for a mere four years as an undergraduate, whereas I spent eight years there as a graduate student; and whereas he was a famous wrestler during college, impressing fans with his determination on the mats, my own wrestling matches with Old Nassau's varsity athletes took place under other circumstances. Moreover, I shave my head, whereas Mr. Rumsfeld favors a more natural, softer look. Yet despite differences in temperament and outlook that to some might make the idea of the longtime literary collaboration between Mr. Rumsfeld and myself seem improbable, our respective audiences \ufffd in his case, the millions who read his words as reported in newspapers around the globe; in mine, the regular readers of Die Zeitschrift f\ufffdr Papyrologie und Epigraphik \ufffd are likely to be persuaded by the techniques of literary sleuthing recently used in Paris. Dominique Labb\ufffd, the statistician responsible for this latest tussle over the authorship of canonical works, came to his conclusion after finding that certain works by Moli\ufffdre and Corneille share 75 percent of their vocabulary. Even a cursory comparison of the public utterances of Donald Rumsfeld with those of \"Daniel Mendelsohn\" suggests that the percentage is, if anything, higher in our case. Of particular note is a suspicious shared tendency to use \"with,\" \"the\" and \"my upcoming trip to Israel.\" The implications are plain: the same distinctive intellect is responsible for the rhetoric of both \"Rumsfeld\" and \"Mendelsohn.\" Indeed, both the defense secretary and the classicist-cum-freelance-writer have been heard repeatedly using certain other key words and phrases \ufffd \"American military presence in Iraq,\" \"war of liberation,\" \"Bush\" \ufffd lately, although, with dramatically different tones of authorial voice, depending on whether the secretary is speaking in his public persona or as \"Mendelsohn.\" Why would the secretary want to perpetrate such a hoax, one so easily exposed? The same question has been asked of Corneille \ufffd and the same answer applies. The popular Moli\ufffdre was, we now know, merely a front for the highbrow Corneille, who was hungry for the money generated by the vulgar genre of comedy. Without betraying certain confidences, I can say that Mr. Rumsfeld has long eyed my tax returns \ufffd particularly the fiscal year in which my article about the role of maternal anxiety in the Achilleid of P. Papinius Statius was published. Furthermore, it is known that Moli\ufffdre reveled in \"cuckolded husbands and lascivious priests,\" while Corneille admired \"historical heroes and high-strung sentiment.\" Here, one need only to consult F. Z., a psychotherapist on the Upper West Side, and to attend Mr. Rumsfeld's news conferences, to make the obvious connections. Mr. Labb\ufffd's claims about the authorship of Moli\ufffdre's work has been seen by some as tantamount to debunking national myth: as one American expert pointed out, \"Moli\ufffdre is the so-called greatest author of the French tradition, so there are significant stakes if you undermine that.\" Modesty prevents me from remarking on the obvious similarities between my 17th-century predecessor and myself. Suffice it to say that, however irreparable the damage to my literary reputation, the benefits to my collaborator \ufffd and to my country \ufffd will render the sacrifice I am making today worthwhile. No longer will Donald Rumsfeld have to hide, for reasons of privacy and pecuniary need, in my shadow. ...Daniel Mendelsohn, a lecturer in classics at Princeton, is author of the memoir \"The Elusive Embrace: Desire and the Riddle of Identity.''"}, {"response": 901, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (12:35)", "body": "I saw Emmy Rossum mentioned above in Phantom of the Opera. She was so lovely in Songcatcher in a brief role - has an angel's singing voice - and we will see more of her in Mystic River as Sean Penn's daughter."}, {"response": 902, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (12:46)", "body": "She's also in Passionada."}, {"response": 903, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (15:23)", "body": "(Murph) The NY Times Op Ed Page - I laughed out loud at this one Loved it, Murph. Thanks for the laughs."}, {"response": 904, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (17:42)", "body": "And in the all-important Monday afternoon QBing of last night's SATC, Misha's still got it. :-)"}, {"response": 905, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (18:58)", "body": "Oooh baby, does he ever. :-D Thought he looked better than he has in years, actually."}, {"response": 906, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (20:28)", "body": "Sorry, Misha is old and he's short, two things I cannot abide in a love interest.;-) Loved the Bozo the bush bit, was ROTF. And got rather choked up when Miranda and Steve got back together."}, {"response": 907, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (21:23)", "body": "I don't mind short (how - short - is - he? ;-)), so am I, more or less. :-) If he's at least a bit taller than Michael J. Fox, that's great! Don't mind old either. Love Harrison Ford, Sean Connery. If Colin ages half as well as he has so far, I'll love him, too. ;-D choked up when Miranda and Steve got back together. I could never get attached to Steve as a love interest for her...or anyone else either. Really liked that other guy (Blair Underwood who's character name escapes me). Charlotte's miscarriage broke me up. :-("}, {"response": 908, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (21:23)", "body": "Oh, and Misha's hair looked great! Always a plus in a love interest. ;-)"}, {"response": 909, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (22:48)", "body": "(Mari) Sorry, Misha is old and he's short, two things I cannot abide in a love interest.;-) Hey, I'm shorter than he is, so what do I care. Besides, in his prime, he could've lifted both of us. The man had a bod! Did you see him jump in this one? Not old. Not old at all. (I'd rather watch this short cutie than tall, flabby Aidan any day) Besides, his acting in this episode was better than [cough] some I've seen lately. ;-) Just so natural. Incredible. Bozo the Bush was hysterically funny and Carrie's reaction in the bathroom had me LOL. (Dorine) Charlotte's miscarriage broke me up. :-( But her transformation into Elizabeth Taylor was brilliant and heartwarming."}, {"response": 910, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 2003 (08:19)", "body": "I LOVE Smith! He wouldn't care about a few grey hairs on Samantha anywhere. His comments and the hand-holding bit last week was tops for me. I think making him more than a hunky boy-toy was a great plot idea. Wonder if they will ever utter the dread \"I love you\" words. Thought this week was grand on all counts. Misha old and short is fine with me. It will be interesting to see if they get some depth in Carrie's relationship with him. Steve and Miranda? I expected it, but I wonder how long that will last? He is such a sweet kind of duffus - and she is so smart. Charlotte getting inspiration from Elizabeth Taylor? Priceless."}, {"response": 911, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 2003 (08:28)", "body": "Thought this was worth repeating - From an interview at Ninemsn.au with Germaine Greer. She is always interesting, to say the least: ************************************ JANA WENDT: ..it's a big idea, I have to ask you about another idea, your forthcoming book on boys. I have to ask \ufffd what's the attraction? GERMAINE GREER: You better read the book, girl. You've read this one. JANA WENDT: I'd love to, I'd love to. I haven't seen the book but what is the attraction? GERMAINE GREER: You'll see when you see the book. JANA WENDT: OK... GERMAINE GREER: There's 200 illustrations. It's there for all to see. JANA WENDT: But are we talking post-pubescent boys and admiring their form, is that what we're talking about? GERMAINE GREER: We're talking about the fact that there is a time in a man's life when he is not yet a man and not still a child, where he maybe more likely than any other time at his life, he may be very, very beautiful. If you look at Russell Crowe today, can you remember what he looked like when he was 18? He was gorgeous. JANA WENDT: So you prefer the 18-year-old Russell Crowe? GERMAINE GREER: I think so. And I think any woman of taste would prefer the 18-year-old Russell Crowe. JANA WENDT: But what is the attraction in this for Dr Greer? GERMAINE GREER: Nothing. I mean, nothing more than anything else. Nothing more than the attraction in my rainforest, which is costing me a good deal more blood, sweat and tears than writing the boy book ever did. I mean, you have to be blind not to see that Western art is not predicated on the female nude, it's predicated on the male nude, the nude beardless male. Beardy nude males aren't nearly as cute. JANA WENDT: Is that so? GERMAINE GREER: Definitely. JANA WENDT: When I asked you before what Australians make of you, is this what appears to be wild swinging from a lofty topic like an Aboriginal Republic to boys that sometimes puzzles people? GERMAINE GREER: Well, the boy book is just quite as lofty a topic, really. It's not actually about perving on boys. This is the Australian spin on it. Again, you know, don't present people with an idea in Australia because they'll just stand on it. So if they want to talk about Germaine Greer's collection of boy pictures they can go right ahead. They happen to be in the greatest art galleries in the world. I don't own any of them. JANA WENDT: So this is a study in aesthetics more than eye candy? GERMAINE GREER: What's the difference between aesthetics and eye candy? JANA WENDT: You tell me, is there no difference? GERMAINE GREER: Well, if you talk eye candy, you see, you're not talking about something you're going to debauch or abuse. You're talking about looking at something beautiful and saying how beautiful. I think it's a shame that we don't \ufffd well, D.H. Lawrence said it before me, why do men wear those awful clothes? Why can't they dress as once they did with, you know, one leg red and one leg green and a little nipped in jacket with a little skirt and big broad shoulders and a little hat cocked on the side of their head. Whatever happened to the beautiful page boys that thronged the streets? Where did they go? They're all slouching around in trousers eight sizes too big with baseball caps on backwards because they're so anxious not to be thought of as beautiful but ever mother knows that her son is beautiful. JANA WENDT: So bring back the page boys and... GERMAINE GREER: No, no, I'm not telling people what to do. They can do whatever they like. I'm just pointing out to them something that is already there. I mean, women have \ufffd women are going and watching the Chippendales and sticking $10 bills in their G-strings. All right girls, you've got eyes, Now can we show you something really beautiful? Forget the Chippendales \ufffd vulgar, pumped up and completely commercial \ufffd look at something truly, truly beautiful. Look at the unconscious beauty of a 16-year-old boy. It doesn't mean you're going to rip his pants off or penetrate his bodily orifices. You paint still life without being hungry. JANA WENDT: Germaine Greer, thank you very much. ********************* Wonder if she has Colin at 18 in the book? He was beautiful. http://sunday.ninemsn.com.au/sunday/political_transcripts/article_1374.asp"}, {"response": 912, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 2003 (15:02)", "body": "(Dorine)Really liked that other guy (Blair Underwood who's character name escapes me). The doctor for the basket ball team...yeah, me too. What a smile.I fear we won't see him again. He's gone along with David Duchovny. Old Misha should hang it up.He can dance,[now does choreography] but he can't act. And he's got bigger eye bags than Jim Lehrer. (Karen)But her transformation into Elizabeth Taylor was brilliant and heartwarming. Charlotte was *the* star of this episode. Carrie is starting to get on my nerves."}, {"response": 913, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 2003 (15:36)", "body": "Lion In Winter -- One of my favorite films - and a one degree of Colin - John Castle as Geoffrey: ****************************** Beginning sooner -- Sept. 22, to be exact -- the New York branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences starts its this-I-also-gotta-see series of Monday night retrospective screenings of Oscar-winning and -nominated films, such as \"Carmen Jones,\" \"The Hustler,\" \"On the Waterfront\" and \"Roman Holiday,\" many of which are rarely available for viewing in these parts in their original big-screen supersize dimensions. Up first: 1968's \"The Lion in Winter,\" which earned Katharine Hepburn (news) her third (of an eventual four) Academy Awards (news - web sites) as best actress, along with prizes for James Goldman's screenplay and John Barry's music score. It also garnered nominations for best picture, best actor (Peter O'Toole (news)), best costume design (Margaret Furse) and best director (Anthony Harvey), and it'll be Harvey who'll introduce the film at the Academy's state-of-the-art New York screening room at Lighthouse International (Park Avenue & 59th). On the phone from the Hamptons, Harvey said he was looking forward to seeing \"Lion\" again, \"something I haven't done in the 35 years since we made it.\" He also says it was O'Toole who instigated the whole project. \"It was strictly due to Peter that I became involved. I'd been a film editor (\"Lolita,\" \"Dr. Strangelove\"), but at that point, I'd only directed one film, 'Dutchman.' Peter saw it, liked it and took a print of it to L.A. and showed it to Kate. She looked at it and said, 'I don't know what this has to do with 'The Lion in Winter,' but if you trust him...' At that point, Peter and I hadn't even met.\" (Hepburn later had Harvey direct her in three more projects, the theatrical feature \"The Ultimate Solution of Grace Quigley\" and two television projects, \"The Glass Menagerie\" and \"This Can't Be Love.\") Added Harvey: \"Working with Kate and Peter was like being part of a big, close-knit family. Kate was extremely vulnerable because Spencer Tracy (news) had just died, but she made everyone feel very secure and she was wonderful with the young actors. She and Peter liked to needle each other. She called him 'Pig' and he called her 'Nag,' but it was obvious they were very fond of each other. It was a most rewarding experience for all of us.\" Reuters/Hollywood Reporter"}, {"response": 914, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 2003 (17:25)", "body": "Another one degree of Colin: ~~~~~~~~~` From Playbill: Caldwell, Harris, Parsons and Saint to Be Part of Kennedy Center's Williams Celebration By Andrew Gans 16 Sep 2003 Four leading actresses will help kick off the Kennedy Center's Tennessee Williams' celebration ? Tennessee Williams Explored ? in April. The Washington Post reports that Zoe Caldwell, Rosemary Harris, Estelle Parsons and Eva Marie Saint will take part in a symposium at the Kennedy Center on April 12. Moderated by CBS's Charles Osgood, the evening will allow the actresses to recall their work in Williams' productions as well as their encounters with the playwright himself. .....Rosemary Harris starred as Blanche Du Bois in Lincoln Center's 1973 revival of A Streetcar Named Desire. Harris has been nominated for nine Tonys; she won for her first nomination, 1966's The Lion in Winter. Tickets for Tennessee Williams Explored will go on sale Feb. 7. For more information, visit www.kennedy-center.org.\""}, {"response": 915, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (18:12)", "body": "(Murphy)Wonder if she has Colin at 18 in the book? He was beautiful. Still drooling over that thought... ;-)"}, {"response": 916, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 2003 (09:33)", "body": "LA: The prime minister has a sister, Karen\ufffdplayed by Emma Thompson\ufffdand she is married to Alan Rickman's character Harry to provide love match two. Harry is relentlessly pursued by an office temptress played by German beauty Heike Makatsch, which makes love match three. ******************************** Makatsch is Daniel Craig's long time girl friend. This is her breakthough in English cinema. She is supposedly a star in Germany. Craig is also now filming with another LA person - Bill Nighy - in Ian McEwan's \"Enduring Love,\" co-starring Samantha Morton."}, {"response": 917, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 2003 (10:44)", "body": "Another mention of Sylvia, from the former director: Last Resort's success earned him a much bigger gig, when he was hired as director of the Sylvia Plath biopic. But, as scriptwriter John Brownlow related in the Guardian last month, Pawlikowski left the production after a number of script rewrites and the arrival of Gwyneth Paltrow as its star. Always a diplomat, Pawlikowski's only remark is that he doesn't think he ever used the phrase \"Hollywood bullshit\" that Brownlow ascribed to him. Nevertheless, My Summer of Love appears, then, to be a return to the basics that served Pawlikowski so well for Last Resort. http://film.guardian.co.uk/features/featurepages/0,4120,1044957,00.html"}, {"response": 918, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 2003 (22:35)", "body": "(Moon)Went to see Lost in Translation.. And? I would be v. interested in your opinion given that there has been *bundeling* between it and SJ's portrayal in GWAPE."}, {"response": 919, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 2003 (22:46)", "body": "Yes, I wanted to know what you thought, too."}, {"response": 920, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Sep 20, 2003 (09:27)", "body": "I got more than a chuckle out of this 'Letter to the Editor' from this morning's NY Times Arts section. I posted the original article on Sept. 7th about SJ's remarks concerning older men;-) I'm posting this here, but the original post from the article this woman is referring to was on topic 176 because it was news from TFF. Scarlett Johansson: What Goes Around To the Editor: How fortunate we are to have Scarlett Johannson around to dispense such pearls of wisdom (\"Scarlett Johansson, Indie Ingenue and Expert Lolita\" by Virginia Heffernan, Sept. 7) Not only does Ms. Johansson, at 18, have the experience and sagacity to declare that women die inside when they get to menopause, but she also fully understands older men's psyches and is only to happy to help a few of them over that middle-age bridge. I can only hope some of her hubris will be toned down in 20 years or so. But not to worry: I am sure there will be someone just like her to help her significant other over that bridge, while she is out getting Botox treatments to erase the flaws she so desperately wants to avoid. (ed. note) I don't know whether or not to say Ouch or Meow;-)"}, {"response": 921, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Sep 20, 2003 (10:08)", "body": "Not only does Ms. Johansson, at 18, have the experience and sagacity to declare that women die inside when they get to menopause... LOL!!! Does that child have alot to learn!! Though it was early and due to surgery, I for one really started to live......and vacation with greater ease!! (Linda)(ed. note) I don't know whether or not to say Ouch or Meow;-) I'll just say *right on sister*.;-)"}, {"response": 922, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 20, 2003 (11:04)", "body": "Excellent! I imagine Scarlett thought she knew all about life, older men, etc., 'cause Sofia had to explain the plot and characters to her. ;-)"}, {"response": 923, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep 20, 2003 (11:06)", "body": "***Spoilers*** (Moon)Went to see Lost in Translation.. (Beedee), And? I would be v. interested in your opinion given that there has been *bundeling* between it and SJ's portrayal in GWAPE. I liked it. Bill Murray was so good and so funny. He made the film for me not Scarlett. I don't think her performance is Oscar worthy in this, his yes. I've been thinking about why all the critics are praising this film. It is because they are no longer used to getting films such as \"La Dolce Vita\" which they watch together in the hotel. Nice of Sofia to make a reference there. But that's when you see what a great film is all about. I got the feeling that Sofia Coppola was also after a bit of \"Hiroshima Mon Amour\" and if I were teaching a film criticism class, I would certainly bring this up. Another reason this film has surprised the critics, especially at the Venice FF, where they loved it, was because they are not used to seeing a film in which two people with a mutual attraction, do not consumate the relationship. That must have shocked all the critics. All in all, I would much rather see films like this one than the crap that is usually produced. Dorine, I would be interested in knowing what he whispered in her ear at the end. Did Sofia say anything when she presented it? What do you think? Also, Scarlett was, it seemed jealous when he slept with the singer. Do you think she would have slept with him? Tonight, I'm going to see Woody Allen's movie. \"American Splendor\" I found quite original and that's very rare now."}, {"response": 924, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Sep 20, 2003 (12:01)", "body": "Thanks for the review and especially the insights Moon. These were just the points I was interested in.:-))"}, {"response": 925, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Sep 20, 2003 (17:17)", "body": "SPOILERS...... Moon says: Dorine, I would be interested in knowing what he whispered in her ear at the end. Did Sofia say anything when she presented it? What do you think? Also, Scarlett was, it seemed jealous when he slept with the singer. Do you think she would have slept with him? ************************ Just got back from seeing the film. Bill Murray does give the performance of his life, and I've never liked him that much. The movie is full of close-ups, and they show clearly the weathered map of his face. His expressions, and mostly the eyes, give us glimpses into the inner man. He is so sad, and it takes you awhile to realize why he might be that way - too much success? Too many women? Love lost? Connections missed? He is the original \"It's a Quarter To Three\" guy in the bar. This is my first time seeing young Scarlett, and she too has a most expressive face. The chemistry between the two was very strong, IMO. Thoughts on the film --- Tokoyo was a menacing kind of presence all through. So much noise, so many people, such garish buildings. I think Coppola threw in Charlotte's trip to Kyoto just for relief. I couldn't see any other pressing reason. I wonder what the Japanese will think of the movie? It certainly didn't make me want to visit Tokoyo any time soon. We thought his sleeping with the lounge singer was contrived. Not something he would have done at that stage in the friendship. What did he whisper? Something that gave her heart and hope. She had that little beginning smile as she walked out of the final frame. She at least had a chance with John to make it work, whereas you got the feeling Bob's chances were lost a long time ago. His final scene in the cab, where he is actually short of breath from leaving Charlotte, was so well done. It couldn't have continued, and he knew that more than she did. Ribisi was wasted in his short role -- Anna Faris, who my hubby says was in Scary Movie, was so perfect as a Hollywood starlet. She had even the hand motions done pat. Her press conference was great fun. Liked it a lot - not the best I have seen this year, but it is up there - thanks mostly to Murray."}, {"response": 926, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Sep 20, 2003 (17:53)", "body": "Thanks you too for your review Murph! I'll be looking forward to this."}, {"response": 927, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (12:14)", "body": "(Murph), Liked it a lot - not the best I have seen this year, but it is up there - thanks mostly to Murray. I agree. ***Spoilers*** I would be interested in knowing what both you Murph, and Dorine think. What did he whisper in her ear at the end. Also, Scarlett was, it seemed jealous when he slept with the singer. Do you think she would have slept with him? Dorine, did Sofia say anything when she presented it?"}, {"response": 928, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (17:25)", "body": "**Spoilers*** (in more ways than one, I'm afraid) I saw Lost in Translation last night. Here goes, and all IMHO, of course. The first half of the film, I thought, was better than the second half. I very much enjoyed and truly laughed at the \"lost translation\" scenes when Bill Murray was filming the commercial, and his attempts to sleep, etc. I was not overly impressed with SJ. I left the theater in a so-so mood, because I really got bored with the second part. It was not the best film I've seen, certainly not the worst by any means. I thought Bill Murray was excellent, but I really looked hard to find a reason that his role should have oscar written all over it. I didn't find one. Not because he wasn't up to par, he was subtle, but just a bit too much, the role understated, but again, just too much. I do recommend that you see it. It was an enjoyable way to spend a Saturday evening...nothing more. I'll say one more thing. The clip from Regis and Kelly, last week, was the one with Charlotte showing Bill her hurt toe. Most especially in this scene, and a few others I found the dialogue very inane. And here is where I'll duck out, before I get hammered...I couldn't figure out what was nagging me when I saw the clip. It hit me in the theater. If I close my eyes and just listen at several points I got a Mike, heaven forbid, Binderesque type of feeling. I don't know if it was the dialogue or the way they delivered the lines. But, his voice kept creeping into my thoughts (creepy, huh?)--there you have it.(Sorry) (Murph)His final scene in the cab, where he is actually short of breath from leaving Charlotte, was so well done. I thought it was his best scene in the film. (Murph)Not something he would have done at that stage in the friendship. I agree, and IMO, again I think Charlotte would have slept with him."}, {"response": 929, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (18:25)", "body": "(Linda)I thought Bill Murray was excellent, but I really looked hard to find a reason that his role should have oscar written all over it. I didn't find one. Thanks for the review Linda. That's what many of us thought about About Schmit and look at the fuss that was made. Moon and Murph, did you think it/they were Oscar worthy?"}, {"response": 930, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (18:58)", "body": "(Murph) Anna Faris . . . was so perfect as a Hollywood starlet. She had even the hand motions done pat. Her press conference was great fun. Supposedly, that is a riff on Cameron Diaz, right down to the \"my dad fought in the Bay of Pigs\" story. She must have done something to piss off Sofia! I liked the film, didn't love it. I think the critics are desperate to find award-worthy work after a summer of mostly crap. I enjoyed Murray and Johansson--they're very subtle actors. I liked the contrast in the atmospheres between Tokyo street life vs. the cocoon of the Park Hyatt Hotel. And, like Moon, I liked the fact that they didn't consummate the relationship; people in real life manage to not act on extra-marital attractions, but it seems likein the movies, it never goes that way. I especially enjoyed the scene where Murray is telling SJ about having kids--how your life is *never* the same, but they eventually grow into people you actually want to spend time with. So true. We thought his sleeping with the lounge singer was contrived. Bill Murray had an interesting take on this in Premiere mag. He said had Bob and Charlotte slept together, it would have ruined the rest of their lives, as they wouldn't be able to go back to the way things were prior to meeting. He saw the one-nighter with the lounge singer as a subconscious attempt by Bob to put some distance in between him and Charlotte--to spoil things, in a way, so that they could go back home again. What did he whisper? Something that gave her heart and hope. Maybe \"We'll always have Tokyo.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 931, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (19:44)", "body": "Maybe \"We'll always have Tokyo.\" ;-) ...As the Lounge Singer sings \"As Time Goes By\" in the background? ************************ The NY Times today (Now this scene was funny, though IMO the overall feeling was, as the author says below, elegiac): September 21, 2003 What Else Was Lost In Translation By MOTOKO RICH IT doesn't take much to figure out that \"Lost in Translation,\" the title of Sofia Coppola's elegiac new film about two lonely American souls in Tokyo, means more than one thing. There is the cultural dislocation felt by Bob Harris (Bill Murray), a washed-up movie actor, and Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson), a young wife trying to find herself. They are also lost in their marriages, lost in their lives. Then, of course, there is the simple matter of language. Bob, who is in town to make a whiskey commercial, doesn't speak Japanese. His director (Yutaka Tadokoro), a histrionic Japanese hipster, doesn't speak English. In one scene, Bob goes on the set and tries to understand the director through a demure interpreter (Akiko Takeshita), who is either unable or (more likely) unwilling to translate everything the director is rattling on about. Needless to say, Bob is lost. And without subtitles, so is the audience. Here, translated into English, is what the fulmination is really about. DIRECTOR (in Japanese to the interpreter): The translation is very important, O.K.? The translation. INTERPRETER: Yes, of course. I understand. DIRECTOR: Mr. Bob-san. You are sitting quietly in your study. And then there is a bottle of Suntory whiskey on top of the table. You understand, right? With wholehearted feeling, slowly, look at the camera, tenderly, and as if you are meeting old friends, say the words. As if you are Bogie in \"Casablanca,\" saying, \"Cheers to you guys,\" Suntory time! INTERPRETER: He wants you to turn, look in camera. O.K.? BOB: That's all he said? INTERPRETER: Yes, turn to camera. BOB: Does he want me to, to turn from the right or turn from the left? INTERPRETER (in very formal Japanese to the director): He has prepared and is ready. And he wants to know, when the camera rolls, would you prefer that he turn to the left, or would you prefer that he turn to the right? And that is the kind of thing he would like to know, if you don't mind. DIRECTOR (very brusquely, and in much more colloquial Japanese): Either way is fine. That kind of thing doesn't matter. We don't have time, Bob-san, O.K.? You need to hurry. Raise the tension. Look at the camera. Slowly, with passion. It's passion that we want. Do you understand? INTERPRETER (In English, to Bob): Right side. And, uh, with intensity. BOB: Is that everything? It seemed like he said quite a bit more than that. DIRECTOR: What you are talking about is not just whiskey, you know. Do you understand? It's like you are meeting old friends. Softly, tenderly. Gently. Let your feelings boil up. Tension is important! Don't forget. INTERPRETER (in English, to Bob): Like an old friend, and into the camera. BOB: O.K. DIRECTOR: You understand? You love whiskey. It's Suntory time! O.K.? BOB: O.K. DIRECTOR: O.K.? O.K., let's roll. Start. BOB: For relaxing times, make it Suntory time. DIRECTOR: Cut, cut, cut, cut, cut! (Then in a very male form of Japanese, like a father speaking to a wayward child) Don't try to fool me. Don't pretend you don't understand. Do you even understand what we are trying to do? Suntory is very exclusive. The sound of the words is important. It's an expensive drink. This is No. 1. Now do it again, and you have to feel that this is exclusive. O.K.? This is not an everyday whiskey you know. INTERPRETER: Could you do it slower and \ufffd\ufffd DIRECTOR: With more ecstatic emotion. INTERPRETER: More intensity. DIRECTOR (in English): Suntory time! Roll. BOB: For relaxing times, make it Suntory time. DIRECTOR: Cut, cut, cut, cut, cut! God, I'm begging you. In an interview, Ms. Coppola said she wrote the dialogue for the scene in English, and then it was translated into Japanese for Mr. Tadokoro. The scene, she said, came out of her own experience promoting her first feature film, \"The Virgin Suicides,\" in Japan. Whenever she would say something, she said, the interpreter would seemingly speak for much longer. \"I would think that she was adding to what I was saying and getting carried away, so I wanted to have that in the scene.\" In the scene, Ms. Coppola said, Mr. Murray never did learn what the director was saying. \"I like the fact that the American actors don't really know what's going on, just like the characters,\" she said. Frankly, it's not clear that even if Bob-san had understood what the director said, it would have helped. Ms. Coppola said she purposely gave the director \"lame directions,\" adding, \"He wasn't supposed to be the best director.\""}, {"response": 932, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (19:47)", "body": "I forgot how much I love film discussions! Promise me we will do Mystic River!"}, {"response": 933, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (19:57)", "body": "(Murph)The NY Times today (Now this scene was funny, though IMO the overall feeling was, as the author says below, elegiac) I read this from the NY times this morning and LMAO. My DH wanted to know why it wasn't subtitled in. I figured we, the audience were all supposed to be lost in the translation, as well;-)"}, {"response": 934, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (22:21)", "body": "Yeah, I'm first! ;-) Induct Debra Messing into the Couture Hall of Fame. Worst chandelier earrings: Jane Kazmarek (sp??) If you put those on a stove, you could make pancakes on them. Worst grooming faux pas: Alicia Silverstone, who shouldn't have worn such a plunging neckline if she hadn't gone to a tanning salon or applied body makeup. Best Attitude/Quip: Bill Cosby's evident disgust with that Wanda person and comment that at least they spoke English on his show. Looked like Edie Falco was there with Stanley Tucci."}, {"response": 935, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (22:57)", "body": "BOB: Is that everything? It seemed like he said quite a bit more than that. LOL, thanks Murph. A very funny scene. The reverse actually happened to me this week, when I sent an 8-page brochure that I had done out for Spanish translation. I got back 13 pages. To paraphrase Bill Murray: it seemed like I said quite a bit less than that.;-) When I questioned whether the differential could be so large, the translator replied, \"English is a very economical language.\" Ok.:-) Did Bill's karoake remind anybody of his lounge singer skits from SNL? (Karen)Induct Debra Messing into the Couture Hall of Fame. She looked great as always, the dressed matched her hair. Was glad she won; I think everybody else in that cast had gotten an Emmy except for her. that Wanda person Did you catch what Larry David mumbled? \"If I knew you were going to talk to me, I wouldn't have come.\" Her act did not go down well. Looked like Edie Falco was there with Stanley Tucci. Yep, they've been a couple ever since Frankie & Johnny. She also was very deserving; in the episode where she throws Tony out, she was searing."}, {"response": 936, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (23:03)", "body": "Fairest Arnold and Rummy impersonations that don't come close to his Clinton impersonation: Daryl Hammond Best low profile surfacing: Jon Stewart Best cleavage: about a 12 way tie Most disgusting and not even close to Madonna Britney kiss: the big guy and Garry Shandling (who also wins the puffy red face award). Best kiss: Doris Roberts and Matt Leblanc (too bad Cheryl Hinds got passed by) Best monologue: Jon Stewart, news tune in technique and the hilarious Geraldo paste up. Fashion Award: Alicia Silverstone. No contest. At least those are my picks for the first two hours. I haven't watched the third hour yet."}, {"response": 937, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (23:05)", "body": "Debra Messing gets the most radical plastic surgery award. Unrecogniable."}, {"response": 938, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (23:06)", "body": "(Mari) Did you catch what Larry David mumbled? Yeah, I did catch that. Pretty bad. She also was very deserving; in the episode where she throws Tony out, she was searing. It was her season. The win was a foregone conclusion IMO. Nothing could've topped her season. But did you notice that the award for best dramatic writing went to the Whitecaps episode (second to last), the one with Dean Martin playing from the boat to annoy the neighbor and get out of the sales contract. I was thoroughly amazed (and laughing) at all the jokes about the Fox Network, especially the news clips."}, {"response": 939, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (23:09)", "body": "I thought Daryl Hammond's Rumsfeld bit was fantastic. His content, the message, was biting and I think shocked the audience several times for how blatantly condemning it was. Thumbs up from me."}, {"response": 940, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (23:29)", "body": "How can the Amazing Race outrealityshow Survivor? And how did the Bob Hope tribute get thrown in with the reality show nominees? My House in Umbia. Lost to Door to Door. Well, I didn't see Door to Door but I loved My House in Umbria. Retract Debra Messing comment, the second shot looked like her. The Set from Hell - the 55th Emmy Awards Show Best Acceptance speech - Debra Messing And just who is this?"}, {"response": 941, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 2003 (23:33)", "body": "(Mari)She also was very deserving; in the episode where she throws Tony out, she was searing. I remember we said that was the episode that would get her the Tony. I was sorry The Sopranos didn't win again. Sex and TC major shut-out. Jessica Parker's dress looked like the inside of a coffin.Not as hideous as the blue tulle brides-maidey one though. I liked the memorial to Bob Hope and thought had he been there he would have thanked or greeted the guys overseas. LOL. What an egotistical bunch. Rumsfeld monologue nailed them IMO."}, {"response": 942, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (00:07)", "body": "Wow, Peg Phillips died."}, {"response": 943, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (00:07)", "body": ""}, {"response": 944, "author": "Leah", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (07:37)", "body": "Tress, Happy Birthday ! I hope you have a great day. You received a most excellent present by seeing GWAPE and LA, what more could you wish for ?"}, {"response": 945, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (07:50)", "body": "(Mari), Supposedly, that is a riff on Cameron Diaz, Exactly! Thanks, Mruph! I really laughed at the black-toe scene at the sushi restaurant. Bill Murray should get a nom, IMO. Comedians are always overlooked. Comedy is much harder to do well. I missed the first hour of the Emmys. Debra's dress and Sarah JP dress were lovely. There was another dress by Christina Applegate(I think it's her), the flowing lilac one that was my fav. Never liked that Raymond show. Tress, will be back for your bday celebration. Happy Birthday!!!"}, {"response": 946, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (11:43)", "body": "Hang on, Made the same mistake, myself. Tress's birthday is Jan.8th. On the birthday list there is a Trese for Sept. 22. I, too, assumed it was a misspelling for Tress. Hey, Toronto Tress can have two birthdays if she wants. She can have one every day this year in my book So, Tress as they say in Alice in Wonderland...Happy UnBirthday;-)"}, {"response": 947, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (11:58)", "body": "OK, I don't have any Jan/Febs on my list. (Hmmm, she shares the same date with my sister and Elvis) Happy unBirthday too! Ummm, nevermind. ;-)"}, {"response": 948, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (12:26)", "body": "And David Bowie. :-) ***Spoiler*** What I think he says to her at the end: \"We'll never return to Tokyo and keep this memory forever.\" (They had hinted at this before in the film) What my DH thinks: \"My cell number in LA is ... call me.\" LOL! Typical male. DH also thinks that she would have slept with him."}, {"response": 949, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (13:12)", "body": "(Linda) So, Tress as they say in Alice in Wonderland...Happy UnBirthday;-) Gee! Thanks! Was really confused for a second (had a \"Trauma\" moment, I think!)...Elvis, David and I will wait til January to have the cake! ;-)"}, {"response": 950, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (14:02)", "body": "Holy Shit...you mean it's not Tress's birthday?? and I was just getting the dimples ready... Oh well, ...what the hell... My thanks to Mel at FOF"}, {"response": 951, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (14:03)", "body": "Thanks for the word on Translation ladies. Seems like it will do well. Especially for those fans of Murray. So glad DM won. She looked gorgeous as usual. Also thought Christina Applegate was absolutely beautiful. Didn't recognize her at first, but thought the dress and hair style perfect. Kind of reminded me of a \"Carol Lombard Look\". Wasn't physically here then, but have seen pics LOL. Glad the Soprano duo took it. Far better than competitors IMHO. However thought Soprano's or 24 should have taken the honors. Was delighted that Bill Macy did so well. Saw Door to Door and it really was deserving as was Macy's portrayal, bang on IMO. Also glad to see Jon Stewart get recognition. Also deserving IMO. All in all thought it was a good show and agree with most of the major recipients. However thought format of different comediens was not so good. Thought Wanda should have been gagged after her first plug for her show on Friday night. Some people can get away with insulting others, Rickels, Goldberg, Degeneres, etc. unfortunately for the show, she's not of their ilk."}, {"response": 952, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (14:56)", "body": "Oooh! If this Unbirthday thing includes pictures!! Yippeee!!! That's freakin' fantastic (that was for Linda!!). I have another one in a couple of weeks! ;-D Thanks Evelyn!!"}, {"response": 953, "author": "mjmorris", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (15:55)", "body": "Tress, I can supply you with a real birthday coming up very soon. I'll let you have mine and I can stay 30 for another year. I have to learn how to do these graphics. I'm so impressed. Michelle"}, {"response": 954, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (18:55)", "body": "Happy Happy Birthday Tress! My new favorite protion of the Emmy's is Martin Short jumping up on the piano being played by Paul Schaefer and singing \"Here's to the losers!\" It was great. Then he gave the award for best actor in a comedy series to Tony Shalouf who played \"monk\". Just watched it on tivo again. At least the last portion. Tivo didn't catch the last 10 minutes or so. What happened in the very, very last minutes of the show? The tribute to John Ritter by Henry winklker was timely. But, come on. Who's that in the picture? Is it Firth? How could you miss this?"}, {"response": 955, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 2003 (07:34)", "body": "We didn't miss Firth, Terry, because it's not him. He's probably in pre-production for BJD2, or preparing for his son's Christening in Rome. I think we can all safely say that the man in the picture is not handsome enough to tempt us. ;-D"}, {"response": 956, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 2003 (10:48)", "body": "Who was that mystery man? And woman?"}, {"response": 957, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 2003 (12:52)", "body": "(Terry)Is it Firth? How could you miss this? A bit of a resemblance, but no. I tried very hard to make it so, but I just couldn't;-) Sorry."}, {"response": 958, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 2003 (13:07)", "body": "Stars go out on the British film industry http://www.news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=531832003"}, {"response": 959, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 2003 (13:21)", "body": "Thanks for the article, Maria. It echoes a recent discussion on 176."}, {"response": 960, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 2003 (13:24)", "body": "Good article, with some holes big enough to drive a truck through. But another group missing from the committee's agenda are the fans. IMO, they're most responsible for the dire condition of the British film industry because they don't support home-grown films. It's called putting your money where your mouth is. Ralph Fiennes, whose star debut in The English Patient made him Miramax's darling, is currently playing a US senatorial candidate in Maid in Manhattan. Is that all this guy thinks Rafe has done???? Pick the exception, rather than the rule? It needs more than artistic magnanimity to advise stars to appear in pissy little British films. *snort* Good thing Colin's agent doesn't succumb to this. ;-)"}, {"response": 961, "author": "katty", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 2003 (16:29)", "body": "Does anyone know who Colin's agent is? I read somewhere that the only one he consults on roles is his wife, implying that his agent is not be very important in his career. Colin could certainly use better advice on some of the roles he has chosen, and perhaps better promotion for juicier roles, too. I think he could be a great (and sexy) villain, which seems to be the province of British actors in many American movies."}, {"response": 962, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 2003 (18:49)", "body": "\"Ralph Fiennes, whose star debut in The English Patient made him Miramax?s darling, is currently playing a US senatorial candidate in Maid in Manhattan.\" Poor Rafe...he gets no respect for the Chekovs and Ibsens that he does for little or nothing \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd at Stratford and the National. Just finished Brand at the Haymarket. I tell ya' the British press are a bunch of whiners."}, {"response": 963, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 2003 (19:07)", "body": "I bet Colin does play in Podunk, Mass. I'm sure WAGW, SIL, TEP and BJD played there, my opinion of course. Don't care for the writer's attitude about him."}, {"response": 964, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (07:27)", "body": "Catherine Zeta-Jones it was her appearance in TV\ufffds The Darling Buds of May that made her a household name. That's not the soap she did with Colin, is it? Thanks, Maria!"}, {"response": 965, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (08:38)", "body": "No, it isn't. She was in Out of the Blue with Colin - not a soap."}, {"response": 966, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (16:24)", "body": "Birthday update: First of all, here are the birthdays for the rest of September and the first half of October: Karen - September 28 EsBee - October 5 Second, I have a new birthday list available. E-mail me if you'd like a copy. It removes Trese (who I think lost her Internet access a while ago) and adds Tress (who wasn't on the last list that was published)."}, {"response": 967, "author": "mjmorris", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (17:38)", "body": "*raising a hand from the back of the class* Mine is October 2. Michelle"}, {"response": 968, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (18:16)", "body": "Weighing in on Lost in Translation....I liked it v. much and am not a fan of Bill Murray's."}, {"response": 969, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (18:24)", "body": "So what did you think about Griet in Tokyo..."}, {"response": 970, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 25, 2003 (10:17)", "body": "And what do you think he whispers to her at the end."}, {"response": 971, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 25, 2003 (10:23)", "body": "The same thing Valmont whispered in his aunt's ear. ;-)"}, {"response": 972, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 25, 2003 (10:31)", "body": "You're no fun, Karen. I'll get you back on your birthday. ;-)"}, {"response": 973, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (09:10)", "body": "Rock Singer Robert Palmer Dies at Age 54. I will miss him. :-( I've met him a few times, he was a great guy and had a flair for dressing."}, {"response": 974, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (09:25)", "body": "(Moon)Rock Singer Robert Palmer Dies at Age 54. I will miss him. :-( I've met him a few times, he was a great guy and had a flair for dressing. And those heavy lidded eyes that some of us are attracted to. Thanks for sharing Moon."}, {"response": 975, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (10:19)", "body": "Brit National Theatre in first-look deal with N.Y. producers By AP LONDON -- Britain's National Theatre, one of the most important playhouses in the English-speaking theater, has brokered a deal with two New York producers to transfer their London hits to New York. Nicholas Hytner, the National's artistic director, said this week that he and executive director Nick Starr \"were happy to be more aggressive than maybe this theater has been in the past.\" To that end, he and Starr have brokered a nonexclusive, first-look deal for National shows transferring to New York with American producers Bob Boyett and Bill Haber, the latter by way of his Ostar Productions. The deal gives the National $450,000 a year for three years while giving Boyett and Haber first refusal for the United States on some of the most exciting theater emerging from England. Since Hytner succeeded Trevor Nunn as the National's leader in April, the three-theater complex has had a nearly unbroken string of critical and popular hits. Those include \"Jerry Springer -- The Opera,\" the most talked-about new musical of the season, and Michael Frayn's newly opened \"Democracy,\" which quickly became the season's most talked-about new play. Hytner's regime hasn't yet hosted a dud, mounting obscure David Mamet (\"Edmond,\" in an epic production starring Kenneth Branagh in his National debut) and well-known Chekhov (\"Three Sisters,\" in a production from director Katie Mitchell). The state-funded National mounts between 16 and 20 productions a year. Not all of them, of course, will transfer to New York, but producer Boyett said he and Ostar were pleased to have struck the deal. \"The National didn't have to do much wooing,\" Boyett said. \"I knew Nick (Hytner) and had the highest regard for him; I also have respect for the National based on its many years of incredible product.\" Boyett was one of the producers of last year's musical flop, \"Sweet Smell of Success,\" which Hytner directed. Over the years, the National has been a regular presence on and off-Broadway with such plays and productions as \"Carousel,\" \"Arcadia,\" \"Humble Boy,\" \"Racing Demon\" and \"An Inspector Calls,\" among others. With this deal in place to smooth the way, the National's current revival of Tom Stoppard's \"Jumpers,\" starring Simon Russell Beale, could well be on Broadway before Tony time next June. So could \"Democracy,\" especially since author Frayn's last play, \"Copenhagen,\" won the Tony Award for best play in 2000."}, {"response": 976, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (13:47)", "body": "Advert in the paper today: Jonathan Firth's name v.prominent above the title: LUTHER with Joseph Fiennes who plays the lead. Note to \"The Guardian:\" I always thought Luther was German;-)"}, {"response": 977, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (14:29)", "body": "I've seen the commercials for it and saw Jon's name too. This is getting a really low-profile release here. Need to check into it. Bizarre"}, {"response": 978, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (15:06)", "body": "(Evelyn)always thought Luther was German;-) 'Luther' film paints heroic picture of German church reformer September 22, 2003 - Volume: 03-88 http://www.abpnews.com/abpnews/story.cfm?newsId=3831 Luther Release Date: September 26, 2003 (limited) Studio: R.S. Entertainment Director: Eric Till Screenwriter: Bart Gavigan, Camille Thomasson Starring: Joseph Fiennes, Alfred Molina, Jonathan Firth, Claire Cox, Peter Ustinov, Bruno Ganz, Uwe Ochsenknecht, Mathieu Carri\ufffdre, Marco Hofschneider, Torben Liebrecht, Herb Andress, James Babson, Jeff Caster, Cesare Cremonini, Jens Winter http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/l/luther.php Trailer available on the above link, too."}, {"response": 979, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (15:15)", "body": "I knew it! Linda, your first link is from the Associated Baptist Press. From the way it is being released, I thought it might be one of those films funded by a religious group. I've read about several and there was another that got a DIY kind of release awhile ago. Can't remember which biblical or historical figure it was about though... ;-)"}, {"response": 980, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (16:42)", "body": "I've seen the commercials for it and saw Jon's name too. This is getting a really low-profile release here. I've seen the previews and I didn't see him. I too was surprieded to read his name in the Ad. Off to see the Tuscanu movie tonight. Happy New Year to Karen and Lora!"}, {"response": 981, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (16:42)", "body": "Saw the ad in the local paper today as well. No review (why am I not suprised?) but it will be playing at a number of theaters in Atlanta. The NYT had a decent review though (but a much smaller ad). Martin Luther's Passion, Still Resonating Today By STEPHEN HOLDEN Published: September 26, 2003 Although \"Luther,\" Eric Till's teeming screen biography of Martin Luther doesn't strain to make parallels between the 16th century and the present, the comparisons between then and now are obvious. The handsome, fact-filled historical epic, in which a fiery-eyed Joseph Fiennes portrays the father of the Reformation, depicts the events that gave birth to Protestantism as a life-and-death political struggle between a corrupt, repressive, intransigently conservative establishment (the Roman Catholic Church) and a liberal populist movement that spins out of control and wreaks havoc. With religious fundamentalists of every stripe ferociously resisting globalization and modernity, variations of the same primal struggle are still being acted out all over the world. And you are likely to come away from \"Luther\" with the useful but gloomy realization that the movie's essential conflict is a never-ending ideological rift programmed into the species. The movie makes no bones about which side it's on. For all the slaughter and devastation it precipitated, it insists, the Reformation was a wonderful thing and a major step on the road toward human enlightenment. Throughout the movie, Mr. Fiennes's lean, handsome Luther, whose appearance resembles kitsch illustrations of a dewy-eyed Jesus, emits a palpable glow of sanctity. As \"Luther\" tries to cram a textbook's worth of 16th-century German history into two hours, its reach far exceeds its grasp. As the film veers uncertainly between meticulous historical recapitulation and shameless hokum, it brings enough characters to populate a mini-series. When the historical details become too clogged, the movie shamelessly overcompensates by wallowing in cheap sentimentality. The most irritating recurrent motif is the regular appearance of a poor peasant woman and her crippled child who follow Luther around and gaze at him in mute worship. At a certain point the child is shown walking with crutches. The implication seems to be that Luther's charisma is so powerful it can work Christ-like miracles. The effort to invest Luther with deific healing powers feels like a desperate, cynical ploy for sympathy. Luther's religious faith is kindled by another miracle. In the opening scene he survives a lightning storm and is so grateful to God that he quits law school to join an Augustinian order of monks. At the monastery, his mentor, the Rev. Johann von Staupitz (Bruno Ganz), recognizes Luther's superior intelligence and purity of spirit and invites him to join a group of monks traveling to Rome. Luther is shocked by what he finds. Rome is a Bosch-style sewer of human misery and depravity where the poor clamor to purchase Vatican-approved certificates, called indulgences, that are supposed to save them and loved ones from eternal damnation. At the University in Wittenberg, under the wing of Prince Frederick the Wise (Peter Ustinov), Luther becomes a professor of theology and an anti-establishment firebrand. As his preaching against the sale of indulgences threatens to undermine the plan of the new pope, Leo X, to finance the rebuilding of St. Peter's Basilica through the sale of indulgences, he faces formidable adversaries in Brother Johann Tetzel (Alfred Molina), the pope's chief salesman of indulgences, and Girolamo Aleandro (Jonathan Firth), a cold Vatican emissary . Refusing to recant his writings, Luther posts the 95 Theses on a church door. It is the opening salvo in a battle that eventually tears Germany \ufffd and Christianity \ufffd apart. Mr. Fiennes's performance captures Luther's psychic and spiritual turbulence in scenes where the character writhes and howls in seizures of self-doubt. But for all the emotion on display, the character never quite achieves a full human dimension. His marriage to a runaway nun, Katerina von Borg (Claire Cox), is cursorily handled in the stock manner of a historical soap opera. For all its faults, \"Luther,\" which opens today nationwide, conveys a great deal of historical information, and now and then it has flashes of real passion. Mr. Ustinov is especially memorable as a canny, titled diplomat navigating a treacherous path between bitterly opposing forces. And the film, photographed by Robert Frazier (\"Seven Years in Tibet\") on 100 sets in 20 locations throughout Germany, Italy and the Czech Republic, is ravishingly beautiful. \"Luther\" is rated PG-13 (Parents strongly cautioned). It has scenes of mob violence and human slaughter. LUTHER Directed by Eric Till; written by Camille Thomasson and Bart Gavigan; director of photography, Robert Fraisse; edited by Clive Barrett; music by Richard Harvey; production designer, Rolf Zehetbauer; produced by Brigitte Rochow; released"}, {"response": 982, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (16:48)", "body": "and Girolamo Aleandro (Jonathan Firth), a cold Vatican emissary. I wonder if Jon stayed at Colin's flat in Rome to do Vatican research. ;-)"}, {"response": 983, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (16:50)", "body": "(Karen)This is getting a really low-profile release here. Big release in the Bible Belt here. \"And the film, photographed by Robert Frazier (\"Seven Years in Tibet\") on 100 sets in 20 locations throughout Germany, Italy and the Czech Republic, is ravishingly beautiful. \" Big year for beautiful films;-)"}, {"response": 984, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (17:09)", "body": "It's apples and honey time again.... Happy Holidays to Karen, Lora and all our friends who celebrate this holiday Anybody making apple kudgel? My favorite."}, {"response": 985, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (17:12)", "body": "L'shana Tova Tikva Tanu!"}, {"response": 986, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (17:26)", "body": "Happy Rosh Hashana! So what else were you expecting from your Beesela?;-)"}, {"response": 987, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (17:34)", "body": "I didn't get a chance to finish moving everything over for the GWAPE discussion, so I've frozen the topic until that's done. Shoot, sun is setting.... L'shana Tova to you all too. ;-)"}, {"response": 988, "author": "mjmorris", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (17:46)", "body": "Happy Rosh Hashana! May the New Year bring you many blessings. Michelle"}, {"response": 989, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (18:13)", "body": "Bunch of reviews here for Luther. Some are pretty funny: http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/luther/ Not too many mentions of Jon."}, {"response": 990, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (19:31)", "body": "(Murph) Not too many mentions of Jon. But he came out better than Joe: (Austin Chronicle) \"Joseph Fiennes smolders as young Luther, but it?s a performance that makes you wish instead that his older brother Ralph -? an actor who is one of the greatest at being able to portray inner torture and anguish -? were playing the part.\" We usually see him on television. I think this is Jon's first major big screen movie. Thanks Murph"}, {"response": 991, "author": "socadook", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (21:39)", "body": "(Evelyn) We usually see him on television. Speaking of which, saw him on Inspector Lynley a couple of weeks ago and again tonight on Poirot. Hope lil' bro will have big screen success in Luther."}, {"response": 992, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (21:40)", "body": "A bit of a different view of \"Lost in Translation\" from the oh-so-sophisticated Atlanta Journal Constitution. ;-) AM I RIGHT?: Find a translator to locate the plot in talky Tokyo Jordy 'Ray' Purlky Jr. - Staff Friday, September 26, 2003 Man, I was stoked about \"Lost in Translation,\" because all the critics have gone totally ape-[excrement] over it. Plus it stars my man Bill Murray, and Bill Murray can do no wrong, am I right? Even better, when the flick starts, it has THE BEST opening credits I have seen all year --- the awesome sight of Scarlett Johansson's peachy-creamy backside in see-through panties. What's not to like, right? But then the movie begins. And all I can say is, what the [heck] happened? See, Murray plays this Hollywood action star named Bob Harris who's in Tokyo to pocket $2 million for doing some whiskey ads. (Real movie stars make a fast buck this way all the time --- just check out www.japander.com/japander/list.htm.) Bob's having his midlife-movie-star crisis, because he spends all his downtime at the hotel bar knocking back cocktails. He looks like a sad old bassett hound that's got a bad jones for hooch. Every now and then he drifts past Charlotte (Johansson), who's at the hotel with her [jerk] of a husband John, who's played by the actor that looks like Scott Evil, only it's the other one. [Editor's note: Giovanni Ribisi.] John's a photographer who leaves Charlotte alone all day while he's out shooting a rock band. And you KNOW he's a [jerk] if he spends all his time with a rock band instead of with her peachy-creamy goodness, you know? OK, so Bob and Charlotte keep passing each other in the hallways and elevators for what seems like a couple of hours, until they FINALLY start talking to each other. That's when I figured we were getting around to a PLOT, which is a good thing for a movie to have. Up till then, there's some funny stuff where Bill Murray shoots his whiskey ad and does Rat Pack imitations. He turns on his hotel TV, and they're playing an old movie of his, co-starring a monkey. And he's got this HILARIOUS scene with a Japanese high-class hooker who tells him to \"Lip my stocking.\" (The movie could've used a whole lot more of her, tell you the truth, but she just disappears.) Anyway, Bob and Charlotte start talking, only I don't remember what they talk about because it's a lot of Not Much. She says she studied philosophy, she doesn't know what she wants to do with her life, blahdeeblah. When they're not talking at the bar, Charlotte wanders around Tokyo exploring temples and listening to monks chant. And Bob deals with phone calls from his wife, who sighs a lot and does the whole passive-aggressive \"Your children miss you\" [trash]. So with [a jerk] husband like hers and [an emasculating female dog] of a wife like his, what's to stop Bob and Charlotte from getting together? The movie, that's what. Bob and Charlotte go out on the town. They go to loud bars and run through the streets like the Beatles in \"A Hard Day's Night.\" And they sing karaoke. When Bill grabbed the mike, I got psyched --- I was expecting him to sing the \"Star Wars\" theme like he did on \"SNL,\" but no go. And there's something wrong with a movie that hands Bill Murray a microphone and doesn't make you laugh your [posterior] off. Oh, they go to a strip club, too, where some Asian honeys do some topless gymnastics. But just when things start to get good, Bob and Charlotte LEAVE. Why? So they can spend more time making moony eyes at each other and not doing anything about it. Man, can somebody tell me what this movie is about? Maybe there was something wrong with the print I saw. I went to a sneak-preview screening, and sometimes when that happens, it's what they call a \"work print.\" That means the final FX or musical score isn't finished. With \"Lost in Translation,\" I guess it was the subtitles and the sound mix. And the plot. See, I'm not big on subtitles. But I like to know what people are SAYING. This movie has all these scenes of Japanese people yakking Japanese at Murray, and there aren't any subtitles, so you're just as confused as HE is. That's not the worst thing, though. If you make it all the way to the end, there's a scene where Bob says goodbye to Charlotte. But there's something wrong with the sound recording, because when he whispers in her ear, YOU CAN'T UNDERSTAND A WORD HE'S SAYING! I don't want to sound all totally negative. You have to give writer-director Sofia Coppola some credit for getting into directing, because anybody who saw \"Godfather III\" knows she can't act worth a [darn]. If she sticks with her husband Spike Jonze, who did \"Adaptation,\" maybe she'll learn how to make movies that have a STORY. Personally, I'd've rather watched the flick starring Bill Murray and the monkey. Jordy \"Ray\" Purlky Jr., a native Atlantan, enjoys hot babes, cold beers and movies of any temperature (wink, wink). E-mail your questions or comments to jpurlky@ajc.com. Please include your name and phone num"}, {"response": 993, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Sep 27, 2003 (06:15)", "body": "Happy Holidays to Karen, Lora and all."}, {"response": 994, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Sep 27, 2003 (08:30)", "body": "Happy New Year to Karen and all.... Shoshana - That review is a hoot!"}, {"response": 995, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Sep 27, 2003 (08:43)", "body": "Happy Holiday and best wishes for the New Year."}, {"response": 996, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 27, 2003 (09:25)", "body": "\"Man, can somebody tell me what this movie is about?\" ROTF. \"I feel yo' pain\"....That's what I said about \"Vanilla Sky\"."}, {"response": 997, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Sep 27, 2003 (10:35)", "body": "Fascinating article at Comic Book Resources via AICN: ORSON WELLES AND THE BAT-MAN Welles worked on pre-production for seven months on a proposed Batman movie. http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/index.cgi?column=thecolumn"}, {"response": 998, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Sep 27, 2003 (12:13)", "body": "Happy New Year!!!"}, {"response": 999, "author": "soph", "date": "Sat, Sep 27, 2003 (18:22)", "body": "officially, it's the 28th here (1:16:21 am)... am i the first one ? ok, then, follow the instructions posted here . **some say that size doesn't matter, but beware : this file weighs a mean 426 ko !**"}, {"response": 1000, "author": "soph", "date": "Sat, Sep 27, 2003 (18:25)", "body": "mmmmh, tricky, tricky.... i said, here , i meant here , dammit !"}, {"response": 1001, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Sep 27, 2003 (19:05)", "body": "I'm gonna be early this year and wish Karen a very happy birthday!!!! (and happy Rosh Hashana!)"}, {"response": 1002, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Sep 27, 2003 (19:09)", "body": "Some news about the Oscars is in the movie conference topic on the Oscars. It's topic 29. New host. Or, new old host."}, {"response": 1003, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Sep 27, 2003 (22:40)", "body": "Ssshhhhh . . . For Karen's birthday, I'm going to ask her if she'll accept this rose"}, {"response": 1004, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Sep 27, 2003 (22:48)", "body": "Ooof, help me out of this car, I'm stiff . . . . . . wish I were as young as Karen again!"}, {"response": 1005, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Sep 27, 2003 (23:10)", "body": "Grrrrr! What time is it? What the f*#k time is it? It must be time for Karen's Birthday somewhere on the planet! I just can't wait... Perhaps I'd better have a lie down and wait a bit......."}, {"response": 1006, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Sep 27, 2003 (23:31)", "body": "Karen, Colin wants to know if he can bring a few friends to your birthday party . . . . . . By the way, the man pictured above has been given sanctuary at an undisclosed Drool location . . ."}, {"response": 1007, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (00:14)", "body": "Seems it is time to serenade the boss!!! They say it's your Birthday...duh, duh, duh, duh, dun! It's my Unbirthday too!! And now....how about a stuffed olive? Beetroot cube? Mini gherkin? No? Well then....a prost from our favorite barrister!!! To all the days here and after May they be filled with fond memories, happiness, and laughter. Happy Birthday Karen!!!"}, {"response": 1008, "author": "aishling", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (03:47)", "body": "Have a wonderful day Karen"}, {"response": 1009, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (06:38)", "body": "Hi, It's Us Wot? You were expecting Tom, Shazzar, and Jude? At least this crew came dressed To The Nines Happy Birthday, Karen"}, {"response": 1010, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (08:40)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Karen! I\ufffdve interrupted my workout to tell you how much I love the site you\ufffdve created for me. And, in appreciation of that wonderful birthday bash you recently threw for me, I\ufffdve brought a range of my own as a present. I can see all the wonderful birthday cakes you will pride yourself in making for me. :-D See what springs to mind? ;-) But that\ufffds not all, I also wanted you to have these, Come, Karen, you\ufffdre next. And by the way, Scarlett told me exactly what Bill Murray whispered in her ear, \ufffdI\ufffdm glad this film is finally done, you overbearing, bossy bitch.\ufffd Have a wonderful birthday, Karen, you rock!"}, {"response": 1011, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (09:11)", "body": "Hey you...Birthday Girl.. We know we give you Drool -headaches of \"erotic proportions.\" So here are a few gifts/tips to resolve those moments... For the folks who don't close the tags For the Annual Career Angst (AKA \"Get your a** over to Hollywood instead of hiding out in Umbria\" / \"He's got a family to support\") For when Drool is down and other Terry-induced headaches.."}, {"response": 1012, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (09:22)", "body": "But we love you...Miss Cranky-Pants...just as you are.... For all that you do For all that you are"}, {"response": 1013, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (09:24)", "body": "Happy Birthday Karen!"}, {"response": 1014, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (09:24)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1015, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (09:36)", "body": "\"Karen? Yes, I know her. She's fun but Boss -y\" \"Now, make sure you spell it right. That's j-o-b-b-i-n-g.\""}, {"response": 1016, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (09:42)", "body": "They're celebrating on Clark Street--It's Karen's Bithday AND her Cubs win the National League Central Division--WooHoo!"}, {"response": 1017, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (10:32)", "body": "Glad I took some time out from doing my laundry and checked things out here... ;-) Woo woo Soph!!! At the rate Colin is running, he should be at my door...anytime now but, from what I can see, he hasn't \"dropped everything\" important yet. ;-) Mari: I'm not sure I'd accept a rose from Bob given a few of the dodgy ones he picked out last week. See if Dominic isn't busy; he lives relatively nearby. ;-) And poor Tony! Everyone deserves asylum, don't they??? Nice to know that not only does Colin know me, he \"knows\" me so well. ;-) Tress: So Bridget was karaoking to the Beatles' song all that time and some fool decided to switch it in post? Happy Unbirthday again to you-u! Aishling: Thank you for the lovely fall bouquet. Tis lovely! :) Yo, Linda!! I recognize the lady second from the left, but which one are you? Silly thing, you must be the one with the perfect cleavage. Didn't know they sold stuff like that. Only in Joisy. ;-) Moon, honey, I love the earrings and would gladly let Colin play with my earlobes anytime, using any part of his body he chose: fingers or whatever. ;-) Hmmm, that butterfly birthday cake not only brought one film springing to mind, but another piece of fluff that had a little butterfly zipping across the Brooklyn Bridge and straight into Chinatown. LOL Evelyn!! What *am* I supposed to be cutting up there? Oh, to have a lever like that. *sigh* Thank you Laura and Terry for your wishes. Thank you, Beedee, I too was having a little lie-down, after having had a minor miracle occur yesterday (the Cubbies!!!). A major miracle of Biblical proportions will occur if they manage to actually *play* in the World Series and, if they manage to win, that would be a miracle of even greater, erotic proportions."}, {"response": 1018, "author": "mjmorris", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (10:39)", "body": "Karen, Happy Birthday!!! I hope the next year brings you sunshine, beautiful images and all that you wish for. Have a great day! Michelle"}, {"response": 1019, "author": "mjmorris", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (10:45)", "body": "2nd try... Michelle"}, {"response": 1020, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (10:48)", "body": "Bzzzzzzz, zzzzearching for giftzzz for Karen, Oh thizzzzzzz lookzzz like a lovely treat! Ah yezzzzzzzz, letzzzzzzzz dine alfrezzzzco! Have A HabBee Birthday, Karen!"}, {"response": 1021, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (11:10)", "body": "Karen, what a busy day and weekend you've had! First you celebrated the New Year, then your Cubs win the National League Central Division (but watch out for those FL Marlins ;-)), and then it's time to celebrate your birthday! Hurry up and finish that laundry, because Colin and all of your drool friends have been waiting downstairs to wish you the very best of birthdays! We appreciate all you do for us! So hurry on down, we're still waiting for you - And we really do love you, actually! Happy, happy birthday, Karen!"}, {"response": 1022, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (11:16)", "body": "And thanks for the use of the LA pic for the occasion of your birthday festivities, Karen. Colin looks very appreciative for all your hard work, doesn't he?!! Also thanks everyone for all your Happy New Year wishes!"}, {"response": 1023, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (11:41)", "body": "Michelle: Thank you for the lovely wishes, though right now the sun isn't cooperating. Beedee: You are sending plane tickets so I can dine alfrezzzco...somewhere, huh? Maybe Umb[r]eeeeeeera ;-) Lora: OK, I'm all ready with all my local friends--a rather young and vivacious group of Colin Firth fans too--and we're ready to parteeeee!!"}, {"response": 1024, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (14:26)", "body": "In honor of Karen's birthday, I thought we'd resume our vicarious travels with the Firth family as they make their way actross the American West. Dr. Shirley Firth graciously re-opens the family album for us. I thought you might want to see the vehicle in which we rode, having accepted the exhortation to \"see the USA in your Chevrolet.\""}, {"response": 1025, "author": "soph", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (14:37)", "body": "(mari) \"Karen? Yes, I know her. She's fun but Boss-y\" wahaahaa ! so... karen is sj ? i'm confused... or is it just a brilliant disguise ? (karen) from what I can see, he hasn't \"dropped everything\" important yet. ;-) wahaahaa again ! well, i seem to have misplaced the HS captures you're mentionning... but that's not the reason i was posting again. it seems that an old, and i mean old friend of yours showed up, and no, the old friend is not a member of the 'young and vivacious group of cf fans' mentionned above (btw, looks like you live in 'suffragette city', karen). problem is, this old friend of yours is a little shy, he wants to tell you something, but has trouble expressing himself. definitely not the most articulate gentleman, but hey, no one asked him to give a conference anyway... animatronicolin 2.3, severely agitated version ***warning again : gettin' high, high, high at 520 ko ! ! !***"}, {"response": 1026, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (14:43)", "body": "Our first stop was the Grand Canyon. We then visited a nearby Native American reservation. I think they were quite happy to see us. At this point, I had to punish Colin for showing extreme insensitivity to our hosts by wearing this hat. I told him to accompany his father back to our lodgings to contemplate the sins of the European explorers and the American settlers. Upon my return to our room, however, David was sprawled on the bed snoring, while Colin was taking a keen interest in the television set, tuning into see a scantily clad woman portraying a genie. Good thing we're on the road again tomorrow!"}, {"response": 1027, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (14:54)", "body": "We'll carry on, since I'm having such good luck posting images today.:-( We then headed north, to Las Vegas. One cannot shelter one's chidren forever. It was a wonderful learning experience for us all. The children learned about the worst sort of American vulgarity and excess lurking beneath the shiny facade. And David and I learned that one cannot retrieve one's lost quarters by repeatedly kicking one's slot machine. In fairness, I must say that the constable at the Golden Nugget was very nice, agreeing to waive all charges in return for our promise to quit the premises immediately."}, {"response": 1028, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (15:25)", "body": "Someone must know you're the boss, since your birthday is a major holiday! ;-) You can use any leftover cake for Tashlich this evening, or even better, why not cast crummy movies into the water instead of bread crumbs? You can start here: Cast away those bad movie sins and start afresh, right? And there's even the Thames in which to cast them. *Splosh!*"}, {"response": 1029, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (15:52)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Karen, oh Mistress of Drool! IF SEPT. 28 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: You possess drive and stamina; you're a self-reliant and creative person who is best self-employed or working independently. More often than not, you're ready to take a chance; you're excellent at self-promotion. This year sees you discovering new enjoyments involving water, perhaps a cruise. January and February next year bring rewards that may have to do with children. ********* Birthdates which occurred on your birthday: 551 -BC- Confucius (as celebrated in Taiwan) 106 -BC- Pompey (Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus) Rome, warrior 1573 Caravaggio Italy, painter 1785 David Walker Wilmington NC, a black born free 1824 Francis Turner Palgrave Eng, poet (Golden Treasury)/prof (Oxford) 1839 Frances Willard founded Women's Christian Temperance Union 1841 Georges Clemenceau France, statesman/PM (defended Dreyfuss) 1849 Dudley Allen Sargent US, physician/educator (Harvard U gymnasium) 1852 Henri Moissan France, chemist; isolated fluorine (Nobel 1906) 1856 Edward Thompson US archeologist who explored Mayan ruins 1856 Kate Douglas Wiggins author (Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm) 1870 Florent Schmitt Bl\ufffdmont France, composer (Fr\ufffdd\ufffdgonde) 1880 Ralph Edward Flanders Barnet VT, (Sen-VT) 1882 Jack Fournier 2nd baseman (1917-18 NY Yankees) 1885 Wilbur 'Lefty' Good pitcher (NY Yankees, 1905) 1887 Avery Brundage AAU & International Olympic Committee president 1895 Lawton Whitey Witt outfielder (NY Yankees, 1922-25) 19-- Eloy Phil Casados Long Beach Calif, actor (Young Daniel Boone) 19-- George Lynch rocker (Lynch Mob-Wicked Sensations) 19-- Michael Clayton Staten Island NY, rock drummer (Tyketto-Wings) 19-- Robert Wolders Rotterdam Holland, actor (Erik Hunter-Laredo) 19-- Sam Whipple Venice Calif, actor (Terry-Open All Night) 19-- Susan Walters Georgia, actress (Loving) 1901 William S Paley founder & chairman (CBS) 1902 Ed Sullivan TV variety show host/gossip columnist (Ed Sullivan Show) 1905 Max Schmeling Germany, world heavyweight boxing champ (1930-32) 1905 William Northam Austria, yachtsman (Olympic-gold-1964) 1907 Glen (Turk) Edwards NFL tackle (Boston/Washington Redskins) 1907 Heikki Savolainen Finland, pommel horse gymnast (Olympic-gold-1948) 1909 Al Capp New Haven Ct, cartoonist (Li'l Abner) 1910 Fran Lee NYC, actress (Ms Wong-Major Dell Conway) 1911 Henry Ellsworth Vines Jr tennis (US Open 1931,32)/golf player 1913 Alice Marble tennis player (US Open 1936, 1938-40) 1913 Vivian Fine Chicago Ill, composer (Women in the Garden) 1914 Harold Taylor Canada, educator (Art & the Future) 1916 Peter Finch actor (Network, Windom's Way, Raid on Entebbe) 1917 Michael Somes England, ballet dancer (Royal Ballet in London) 1919 Thomas Harmon football player/sportscaster (Heisman winner) 1922 Joe Silver Chicago Ill, actor (Mr I Magination, Fay) 1923 Fred Robbins Balt Md, DJ (Coke Time with Eddie Fisher, Robbins Nest) 1923 William Windom NYC, actor (Farmer's Daughter, Murder She Wrote) 1924 Marcello Mastroianni actor (8\ufffd, La Dolce Vita) 1925 Arnold Stang Mass, comedian/actor (Broadside, Milton Berle, Top Cat) 1925 Seymour Cray inventor (Cray I computer) 1926 Jerry Clower Amite County Miss, country comedian (Nashville on Road) 1933 Madeleine M Kunin Switzerland (Gov-D-Vt), 1st Jewish gov of Vermont 1934 Brigitte Bardot Paris France, sex kitten (And God Created Women) 1936 Robert Hogan NYC, actor (Peyton Place, Operation Petticoat) 1938 Ben E King NC, singer (Stand by Me) 1940 Alexander S Ivanchenkov cosmonaut (Soyuz 29, T-6) 1941 Charley Taylor NFL wide receiver/running back (Wash Redskin) 1942 Grant Jackson pitcher (1972 NY Yankees) 1943 Gertrud \"Traudl\" Hecher Austria, downhill skier (Olympic-bronze-1960) 1943 Joel Higgins Bloomington Ill, actor (Salvage 1, Silver Spoons) 1946 Fiona Lewis Westcliff England, actress (Stunts, Lisztomania) 1946 Herbert Jefferson Jr Jersey City NJ, actor (Battlestar Galactica) 1946 Larry Breeding Winchester Ill, actor (Who's Watching the Kids?) 1948 Helen Shapiro London England, rocker (Straighten Up) 1948 Marielle Goitschel France, slalom (Olympic-gold-1968) 1948 Phil Hartman comedian (SNL) 1951 Christian Marlowe LA Calif, actor (Bram-Highcliffe Manor) 1951 Dave Rajsich pitcher (NY Yankees) 1952 Sylvia Kristel Holland, actress (Emmanuelle, Priv School for Girls) 1954 Steve Largent wide receiver (Seattle Seahawks) 1958 Lory Del Santo Verona Italy, (Miss Italy-1980) 1961 Anne White Charleston WV, tennis (Wore spandex in '85 Wimbledon) 1962 Luis Enrique spanish singer (Luces del Alma) 1967 Moon Unit Zappa rocker (Valley Girl), Frank's daughter 1968 Carr\ufffd Otis SF Calif, actress (Wild Orchid) ******************************** On this day... 1066 William the Conqueror lands in England 1542 Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo discovers California, at San Diego Bay 1781 Siege of Yorktown begins, last battle of the Revolutionary War 1787 Congress sends Constitution to state legislatures for their approval 1829 Walker's Appeal, racial antislavery pamphlet, publishe"}, {"response": 1030, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (15:54)", "body": "Ooof, since the weather here is rather Halloween-like, I've decided to pretend we're still in summer by enjoying a few cocktails: before I move on to the serious stuff. Oh my, Soph, if you can't get the \"pants\" to drop, then a little *pant pan* and a good *growl* will do very nicely. ;-) while Colin was taking a keen interest in the television set, tuning into see a scantily clad woman portraying a genie. Is that the one? The children learned about the worst sort of American vulgarity and excess lurking beneath the shiny facade. And David and I learned that one cannot retrieve one's lost quarters by repeatedly kicking one's slot machine. In fairness, I must say that the constable at the Golden Nugget was very nice, agreeing to waive all charges in return for our promise to quit the premises immediately. ROTFLOL!! I found this pic hidden under another one of some scenary, which I assume was taken at Lake Mead. Shirley said that Colin proved to be fairly good at waterskiing: but he fell down right after David snapped it. Shoshana: From your mouth to God's ears. Definitely, cast those crummy movies into the Thames or the toilet, a closer body of water. ;-) Western Memories of the Firth Family Continue Hmmm, thought the station wagon had wood sides. (Shirley) to contemplate the sins of the European explorers and the American settlers. *snort* Better they should've been missionaries, right? ;-)"}, {"response": 1031, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (15:56)", "body": "Thanks, Mari, for sharing more of Shirley's holiday memories with us!"}, {"response": 1032, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (15:58)", "body": "And thank, Lisa, I always like the fact that I shared a birthday with Brigitte Bardot. Don't have a clue why though? ;-)"}, {"response": 1033, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (16:02)", "body": "Oh, Karen, I almost forgot this for here."}, {"response": 1034, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (16:22)", "body": "(Shoshana)You can use any leftover cake for Tashlich this evening, or even better, why not cast crummy movies into the water instead of bread crumbs? Very cute, for the movie is sinful. (Happy, healthy New Year to you, Shoshana!) When I see that L'dum picture of the four of them it suddenly remins me of a takeoff on \"Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.\" Only this time it's they who need the help ;-). And, Karen, back to celebrating your birthday...Colin would have come here to wish you Happy Birthday personally, but he's been going over some scripts that you will be very thrilled about. This script is so well written that the action on the pages seem to leap out at you right away, as well as having a light and breezy character about them. Looks like Oscar material ;-)."}, {"response": 1035, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (16:37)", "body": "Karen, what a great party :-) I think I've found just the right present for you. You mentioned a while back, that your height could be a problem, if you were to put your arm around Colin. So - I asked Uncle Nick to make a special pair of stiltboots for you, that you can wear on your next date with ODB. At this moment, I'm trying to locate him for you. You can't wear the stiltboots without a proper dress to \"cover\" for you, so I found this (I know the image is too big, but honestly, I couldn't find anyone small enough (jpg-size-wise, that is :-)) And - off course you shall have a rose, named after another Karen (Blixen): Happy Birthday, Karen :-)"}, {"response": 1036, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (16:42)", "body": "I just located your date for this evening. But - I had some tecnical difficulties bringing him to the party, so - please follow the link, and he's right there waiting for you ;-) http://www.firth.com/articles/020824dailymail.html"}, {"response": 1037, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (16:55)", "body": "(Lora) This script is so well written that the action on the pages seem to leap out at you right away, as well as having a light and breezy character about them. Looks like Oscar material ;-). That looked like Colin's next short story flying off with the breeze. Those Oscar-worthy scripts are penciled in on his datebook. ;-) Annette: Stilts might work since I wouldn't be able to walk more than two inches with very high-heeled shoes anymore (arches have gone with the wind, I think). Thank you for the lovely rose. I visited Karen Blixen's home (\"I had farm in Africa...at the foot of the Ngong Hills...\")."}, {"response": 1038, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (18:50)", "body": "We switched vehicles for a more appropriate conveyance . . . . . . upon reaching our next destination, San Francisco. We visited a lovely neighbourhood called Haight-Ashbury. David and I purchased new garments. While in \"the Haight,\" as the locals called it, we stopped at a charming collective, where one can barter goods. I promptly offered up two jars of marmite, in exchange for what I was told were healthful brownies, laced with all sorts of nutritional elements. As I don't allow the children sweets, David and I ate them all. When I awoke in hospital the next morning, dear Colin (he's becoming quite the grown man) was sorting out our bill, though they were reluctant to accept our NHS card at first. \"Mum,\" he said, \"you and Dad had a bad trip.\" \"No, darling,\" I replied, \"it's been a wonderful trip! We shall begin a a scrapbook . . .\""}, {"response": 1039, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (19:16)", "body": "Being mistress of the keeps (a job I take very seriously;-)!)when it's someone's birthday, I try to find a snap of that person's keep to wish them a happy day. And Karen, honey, you have quite a few keeps, though not as many as some others who shall remain nameless;-)! So, after spending the whole day looking for pics, becoming quite cross-eyed, and hoping I don't get into trouble for borrowing some without permission..here are a few of your keeps for your birthday..enjoy! We start out with one of my faves..a well sniffed pair of leather pants! (please forgive the size)"}, {"response": 1040, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (19:42)", "body": "Karen, someone wishes -- late though it might almost be -- to express his ardent admiration for you and all you do on the occasion of your birthday! Happy Birthday!"}, {"response": 1041, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (19:51)", "body": "Next, your leather jacket from FP. Hmmm..leather pants, leather jacket, anyone else notice a trend? Not gonna ask how well sniffed the jacket is though;-)! and while we're going with outerwear, I might as well put in that long dark coat from BJD that makes CF look so scumptious:-)!"}, {"response": 1042, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (19:54)", "body": "I promptly offered up two jars of marmite, in exchange for what I was told were healthful brownies, Too funny, Mari. Moon...the gift certificate for the ear piercing by V.was the winner."}, {"response": 1043, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (20:02)", "body": "heh..it's late, I'm still cross-eyed and I can't spell worth a dang...I meant scrumptious! Okay...what do we have now? Ahhh yes, that lovely beach fantasy with the bathing trunks from HS. I couldn't decide which pic to use, so I went with all of them!"}, {"response": 1044, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (20:13)", "body": "I knew if you wore that dress we'd have a hard time getting into Karen's party Wait here, I'll see if I can sneak in the back door. (Karen, sorry we're late...Livia shopped all day for just the right thing to wear) Hope you've had an ab-so-lutely wonderful day"}, {"response": 1045, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (20:55)", "body": "(Karen), I always like the fact that I shared a birthday with Brigitte Bardot. Just Bardot? Why there's Caravaggio, Mastroianni, and even Confucious!!! Mari, ROTF! Loved that \"Love mobile\" I can hear The Grateful Dead playing on the radio. Of course, Colin knew they had tripped, Bang a Gong! ;-) (Evelyn), Moon...the gift certificate for the ear piercing by V.was the winner. LOL! Pleasure and pain, that's what it's all about. ;-) Great party, Karen. Great cocktails!"}, {"response": 1046, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (21:10)", "body": "A Tale of Two Teens Amanda: Gee, I wonder if I can keep all of the kewl clothes from WAGW? Scarlett: Hmmm, I wonder if Peter Webber used all of the director's notes that I sent to him? Amanda: It was neat having Colin play my Dad. Scarlett: Oooh, Colin, whose my Daddy? Amanda: I hope I didn't sound too perky as Daphne. Scarlett: I hope I didn't sound like an asshole as Griet. Amanda: I hope it's not too late to wish Karen a Happy Birthday! Scarlett: Finally, something else we have in common (besides acting with YKW)! Happy Birthday, Karen!"}, {"response": 1047, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (21:11)", "body": "Stop the press...Paul Ashworth just sent this ... And just so you don't forget to go \"back to your roots...\" You can wow 'em on Halloween..."}, {"response": 1048, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (21:13)", "body": "Make that \"who's my Daddy?\" Too many cocktails. ;-)"}, {"response": 1049, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (21:30)", "body": "Almost done...wellll until next year anyway. Those dorky striped pajamas (you called them that, not me;-)!) was a tough one to find as was your robe but here they are for your birthday! (again, sorry about the sizes) Just could not find the pic with his toes peeking out:-(. Oooh and before I forget, your limp wrist;-)! (with grateful thanks to firthissimo)"}, {"response": 1050, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (22:11)", "body": "Last ones I promise (hey I can hear that cheering back there;-)!) thank goodness you really didn't have that red ball because I couldn't find that at all! and lastly, because this was one you requested many eons ago for the Lusty Ladies Wish List... Happy Birthday Karen! (whew, I'm done..can I have that drink now?)"}, {"response": 1051, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (22:20)", "body": "(Australian Telegraph referring to SJ)Now it seems even \"Mr Darcy\" has been caught in her web. We all know that our birthday girl beat Miss Scarlett to this by a long shot. She's had him on her \"web\" before Scarlett was even in Middle School ;-). *************************************** (Moon)And by the way, Scarlett told me exactly what Bill Murray whispered in her ear, \ufffdI\ufffdm glad this film is finally done, you overbearing, bossy bitch.\ufffd ROTFLOL! Too funny, Moon!"}, {"response": 1052, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (22:26)", "body": "Karen...In vain I have struggled. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I'd love to wish you a Happy Birthday! Special thanks to Rika for the capture I just stole...er...borrowed! ;-)"}, {"response": 1053, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (22:32)", "body": "The lights went out in Unbria! I took a lie down and when I got up it was dark! Does nothing work in the Country? Now I can't see a *#*%ing thing! But I want to say Happy Bid...bi..birthday (must have a bee in my throat) to Karen yet again. Sweet dreams, Karen......."}, {"response": 1054, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (23:06)", "body": "What do you mean I'm late for Karen's party? I was just taking a quick shower.... Happy birthday, Karen!"}, {"response": 1055, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (00:07)", "body": "I had to crawl my way back to this party... (Mari/Shirley) We visited a lovely neighbourhood called Haight-Ashbury. David and I purchased new garments. ROTF! Loved the pic. It's obvious, they haven't changed one bit. They're trippin'. Peace, man. 'V' Ada: *clap clap clap* You really deserve a big stiff one now (I do mean a drink, and shame on anyone who thought I meant something else) as you did a bang up job finding all my keepsakes. As you can see, there's no method in my madness (not leather and not outerwear). But there is a certain je ne sais quoi about that second bathing trunks pic that draws me in... ;-) (Linda) I knew if you wore that dress we'd have a hard time getting into Karen's party You're damn straight!! Nobody upstages the birthday girl. ;-) (Lisa) Scarlett: Oooh, Colin, who's my Daddy? (corrected version) Pearls of wisdom from preteens. ;-) Oh my, we're going to have to get used to this... :-( Evelyn: Is that a hint? Should I redecorate the spare bedroom? You asked for it, you got it. But I really want to thank you for the Spam costume. I still have my Spam earrings around here and they'll go perfectly. I doubt it will be too too much. (Lora) We all know that our birthday girl beat Miss Scarlett to this by a long shot. She's had him on her \"web\" before Scarlett was even in Middle School ;-). Is this an old lady joke? Hey, I resemble that comment. ;-) Tress and BarbS: Thank you so much for conveying Fitzwilliam's ardent and heartfelt wishes. They're always so appreciated, as he's the guy who brung me to the dance. (Beedee) Does nothing work in the Country? I think Moon can attest to that. But I'm sure Colin will pass his concerns onto to his good buddy Silvio. Rika: Ah, no party is complete is complete without a nekky man in a low slung towel. Thanks! And a big thank you to all. What a great party and what great guests."}, {"response": 1056, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (00:37)", "body": "One last thing, I've had to rely on my... to give me my number one wish for this birthday. I want this gay...I mean guy...and especially his magic paintbrush...to finish my place in one day!!"}, {"response": 1057, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (07:15)", "body": "How could I have missed Karen's Birthday?! Thats it! I'm tattooing it on my a** so I never forget again! Hope you had a great day Karen!"}, {"response": 1058, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (08:17)", "body": "Thanks, Maria."}, {"response": 1059, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (10:34)", "body": "(Karen)You really deserve a big stiff one now (I do mean a drink, and shame on anyone who thought I meant something else) bu..bu..but,Kaaaren, can't I have both? ;-P"}, {"response": 1060, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (10:39)", "body": "Karen -- Click for your special birthday page: http://www.murphsplace.com/karen.html XXXXXxxxxxx"}, {"response": 1061, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (11:00)", "body": "Amanda: I hope I didn't sound too perky as Daphne. Scarlett: I hope I didn't sound like an asshole as Griet. Oh, Lisa, too funny! They certainly are a contrast! Great stuff all the way around, ladies. I love Drool birthdays! P.S. Lora, just stick a dagger through this Phillies fan's heart with yer Marlins' talk.;-)"}, {"response": 1062, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (11:04)", "body": "I didn't forget, jut sorry I\ufffdm late To wish you good things too. And Karen this fancy that you have for Darcy To all of us rings true. When pictures and links, graphics of drinks, And news of YKW Turn us into fools, you bring up the rules And sometimes you drool too. ;-) So here it is Boss, we\ufffdd be at a loss If it weren\ufffdt for you, Thanks for your thing that you do at Spring And Happy Birthday too!"}, {"response": 1063, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (12:20)", "body": "(Karen)Is this an old lady joke? Hey, I resemble that comment. ;-) Oh no, I see your winkie, but I didn't mean it that way at all. It's just that she (SJ) thinks she's so great bossing around Colin like that when she doesn't even know as much about him as the real boss! So she has no respect. She's still green behind the ears in terms of her sophisticated knowledge about him and needs to pay her dues! That's why I have Moon's comment there too! SJ is a little too bossy for her britches!!! (Mari)P.S. Lora, just stick a dagger through this Phillies fan's heart with yer Marlins' talk.;-) Whoops *covering mouth with hand* I forgot about that aspect of the win. Sorry about the Phillies, but it was very close and they can come back next year or so...it's only taken the Marlins 6 years after the powers that be dismantled their winning team :-\\."}, {"response": 1064, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (13:23)", "body": "(Lora)Sorry about the Phillies, but it was very close and they can come back next year or so Mari, I guess we can sit around in the park waiting for next year's fixture list;-("}, {"response": 1065, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (13:56)", "body": "Only the best for the best. Happy Happy Birthday, Karen. Girls you are indeed the best."}, {"response": 1066, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (14:05)", "body": "Anybody see Under the Tuscan Sun? Bew-u-ti-ful movie. Real class. A great advert for Italy and Italian realtors. People are gonna be clamoring for one of those villas;-) Brought back nice memories of the Amalfi Drive and Positano That Diane Lane is gorgeous. Whoever is doing her surgery has to be commended. Don't miss it. Full house for the matinee. They showed trailers of Christmas movies : Veronica Guerin and LA. I know he's in only a portion of that film, but by the trailer this is HG's movie."}, {"response": 1067, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (14:21)", "body": "(Evelyn) I know he's in only a portion of that film, but by the trailer this is HG's movie. LOL...watching it...I thought it was Bill Nighy's movie! I think the trailers will be heavy with HG in the US...his face sells over here. Actually, this is a definite ensemble piece. There are so many good bits all over the place. The focus does seem to be on HG, and he may put butts in seats, but I think there are stronger stories in LA than his..."}, {"response": 1068, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (14:55)", "body": "Last night I saw LOST IN TRANSLATION -a few thoughts...Bill Murray's performance was right on the mark. This ,IMHO, is not surprising since I feel his performance in THE RAZOR'S EDGE was berated in large part to the audiences' inability to accept him in a dramatic role. It is clearly brought forth that his characters' wife of 25 years no longer travels with him when he works and that she would rather stay at home with their apparently young childre. He states that she no longer needs him to be there(home) and his children miss him,yet they don't need him present, either. How Sad!!!!That's his tragedy along with not being a current Man of the Moment in his industry. When he whispers to SJ's Charlotte at the movies end, he leaves her smiling-his objective-he can still act a part. She can move forward with her life. She still has options open to her and she is not so jaded as to be despondent. He then returns to the taxi to his own reality-Lost as to the necessity to even exist. Trailer at the beginning of the show was LA-definitely being touted as HG predominating the script. Also showed a longer trailer of LUTHER."}, {"response": 1069, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (15:11)", "body": "Thank you Murph, Sonia and Pam. Just came back from an intimate luncheon with 2200 of my closest friends. Okay, they weren't celebrating my birthday but I can pretend. ;-)"}, {"response": 1070, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (15:41)", "body": "(Linda)Mari, I guess we can sit around in the park waiting for next year's fixture list;-( 23 years! 23 #%@*(^cking years! I've wanted the Phillies to win a World Series longer than I've wanted anything else.;-) Oh well, new ballpark to look forward to next year. Lora, was just teasing; your guys deserve it. They played better down the stretch and won when they had to. Don't think I'm bitter just because I have the family in South Philly waiting to pay Jeff Conine a call . . . nah, not bitter . . .;-)"}, {"response": 1071, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (16:32)", "body": "Evelyn) I know he's in only a portion of that film, but by the trailer this is HG's movie. (Tress)LOL...watching it...I thought it was Bill Nighy's movie! I think the trailers will be heavy with HG in the US...his face sells over here. (Bonnie)railer at the beginning of the show was LA-definitely being touted as HG predominating the script. Different trailers around it seems. Just had a note from Lizza in UK. She saw the trailer over the weekend and over there Colin opens the trailer... says his face fills up the screen. Hardly any Rowan...the trailer seems to be plugging Colin and Hugh in that order. \"Happy thoughts indeed\":-)))"}, {"response": 1072, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (16:45)", "body": "Evelyn-\"Happy thoughts indeed\":-))) Be still ny heart!"}, {"response": 1073, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (16:55)", "body": "Everyone must rent Russian Ark. Truly beautiful! **Spoilers*** Invisible to everyone around him, a contemporary filmmaker magically finds himself in the Hermitage in St. Petersburg- back in the early 1700\ufffds! He meets a cynical French diplomat from the 19th Century and the men become accomplices in an extraordinary time-traveling journey through Russia\ufffds turbulent past- ending in the present day. Exploring the splendid corridors and salons of the Palace, the Marquis and the filmmaker witness astonishing scenes from the Tsarist Empire: Peter the Great thrashes his general with a whip; during rehearsals of her own play, Catherine the Great rushes around looking for a place to relieve herself; the family of the last Tsar dine together, oblivious to the impending revolution; and hundreds of dancers waltz at the last Great Royal Ball of 1913 with Valery Gergiev conducting. As their time-voyage unfolds in a single, uncut steadicam shot, the two men engage in a passionate and ironic dispute. The Marquis clearly has a Western love-hate relationship with Russia, whereas the modern filmmaker questions his country\ufffds uneasy connection to its past and to Europe today. The two tease each other, and share their amazement at the scenes they encounter. The Hermitage is the Russian Ark, affectionately guarding art and history until the world sees better days. Martin Scorsese: Yet, in the film's grand finale, such doubts are swept aside as the camera waltzes its way through a packed ballroom full of dancers, weaving around them before finally following their departure down the building's majestic central staircase. It is a beautiful and haunting sequence that turns the stupefying into the spectacular. Martin Scorsese once asked why America couldn't make movies like Sokurov's. The answer to that question seems blindingly obvious."}, {"response": 1074, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (17:18)", "body": "(Mari) 23 years! 23 #%@*(^cking years! You mean, with recent memory. Don't play that 23 #%@*(^cking years thing with me. We've got you coming and going. Try a \"this millenium\" argument if you want some sympathy. ;-) (Moon) Everyone must rent Russian Ark. Truly beautiful! Ah, you should've seen it in a theater. Now to decide if I'm going to see Sokurov's latest. The film is more a technical marvel than anything. Did you catch the guy (an orchestra member) in that finale with the modern-day ponytail? ;-) It is a gorgeous ending."}, {"response": 1075, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (18:10)", "body": "(Mari)Don't think I'm bitter just because I have the family in South Philly waiting to pay Jeff Conine a call . . . nah, not bitter . . .;-) Heehee, I understand what you mean. We were very sad to see him go since he was one of the original Marlins at the time and such a great player (and a cutie). Now he's the only one on the present team that was on the WS winning team. Was just watching the Weather Channel because of the rain we've been having here and they had a roving reporter at Soldiers Field in Chicago interviewing a lot of the excited tailgating fans before tonight's game. Looked like a lot of fun. Was looking for you, Karen ;-) Thanks everyone for the reviews and recommendations. Am very much looking forward to seeing LIT and UTTS! Will rent Russian Ark too."}, {"response": 1076, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (18:25)", "body": "(Evelyn)She saw the trailer over the weekend and over there Colin opens the trailer... says his face fills up the screen Now that's a trailer. Excellent news, indeed. Thanks Lizza."}, {"response": 1077, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (20:08)", "body": "(Karen)Don't play that 23 #%@*(^cking years thing with me. We've got you coming and going. Uh huh. You had all those years of NBA championships with the Bulls. I, on the other hand, have bupkis.:-( Nobody knows . . . da trouble ah've seen . . . nobody knows . . ."}, {"response": 1078, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (23:33)", "body": "Then why does \"long-suffering\" always precede Cub fans? ;-)"}, {"response": 1079, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (23:43)", "body": "Anybody watch Coupling, the American one, last week? I didn't think it was funny at all. Then I just noticed that the British version is playing on my PBS station and watched it and thought the same, not funny at all, especially in comparison to Friends, which can make me LOL."}, {"response": 1080, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 30, 2003 (08:39)", "body": "Beware of the Affair! Posted on Tue, Sep. 30, 2003 ITALIAN ROMANCE: CELLPHONES BETRAYING SECRET LOVES In Italy, spouses and lovers are catching cheaters when racy messages and strange numbers pop up on mobile phones. BY TOM RACHMAN (Associated Press) ROME - Italy's love affair with text messaging is having an unexpected consequence: Cellphones have become a leading giveaway of secret affairs. Snooping spouses are finding amorous messages, as well as inexplicable phone numbers, stored in the memory of mobile phones. Divorce lawyers are ecstatic, magazines are warning readers to watch out, and one private investigator has even issued ''Five Golden Rules'' on how to cheat with a cellphone and not get caught. Antonella, a 19-year-old art student who declined to give her last name, recounted an ugly experience involving a boyfriend and a mobile. ''We were looking at the cellphone together because he was expecting a message from a relative,'' she said. ``Instead, it was from a girl saying she'd had a lovely time with him last night and sending him lots of kisses.'' Their breakup came soon after. Private eye Miriam Tomponzi says a study by her firm found cellphones involved in nearly nine of every 10 discovered affairs in Italy. As an antidote, her agency has offered up its five rules to avoid discovery. One trick is to immediately delete call records from phone memory, as well as text messages -- ''even the most beautiful,'' the agency advises wistfully. Another tip, for when a paramour's call comes when a spouse is present, is to fake a normal work conversation. ''Practice this by yourself in a closed room in front of a mirror and in a loud voice,'' the agency exhorts. Tomponzi, speaking in an office stuffed with old-school sleuthing tools like the magnifying glass, explained why text messaging appeals to the unfaithful. ''Say I'm talking to you, I can write a text message to my lover without you realizing,'' she said. 'I send it calmly, it's done. But a phone call I couldn't do, right? `Amore, I love you, I want you' -- written I can do it, verbally I can't. This is the convenience of the short messages.'' Divorce lawyer Cesare Rimini said text messages have taken the place once held by love letters. ''Secret affairs are discovered by what? Through communication,'' he said. ``Communication at one time was letters -- I've joked that it was once even Morse Code. Today, the methods of communication are these.'' That mobiles should intersect with love in Italy is not surprising. Rarely does a crowd of Italians gather without at least one punching out a text message on a cellphone. The telltale beep of an incoming message will send them fumbling excitedly for their phones. It is like passing notes in school, only on a national level. Even the Vatican now sends urgent notes to journalists using phone messaging. Cellphone use is high in much of Europe, and Italy has one of the highest levels of all. In a nation of 58 million people, there are 53 million mobile subscriptions -- a market penetration of 92.4 percent, says the industry review Mobile Communications. The United States has only about 50 percent penetration, editor Shani Raja said. Many people have more than one mobile account. Some use one for work and another for family and friends. Other reasons are less innocent. Mobile operator Vodafone Omnitel has an Alter Ego service that gives subscribers two separate numbers on the same microchip. Vodafone spokeswoman Silvia de Blasio was asked about the cheating possibilities. ''Services that you have on your mobile phone help your mobility and allow you to have a more easy life -- more easy, but not necessarily to betray your wife or husband,'' she said."}, {"response": 1081, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 30, 2003 (08:44)", "body": "(Karen), Anybody watch Coupling, the American one, last week? I didn't think it was funny at all. Then I just noticed that the British version is playing on my PBS station and watched it and thought the same, not funny at all, I've seen the British one. Sometimes it's very funny. I've not followed Friends at all, but it looks goofy with all that overacting. (Moon) Everyone must rent Russian Ark. Truly beautiful! (Karen), Ah, you should've seen it in a theater. Don't rub it in. That was my first thought. Unfortunately, it never made it to my area. (Unlike HS!!!) Now to decide if I'm going to see Sokurov's latest. You read what Scorsese said. ;-) Are there any films at the CFF that were shown at Toronto?"}, {"response": 1082, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 30, 2003 (09:11)", "body": "(Moon) Are there any films at the CFF that were shown at Toronto? Yes, of course, our opening night film is The Human Stain, the Barbarian Invasions is playing as well as The Station Master, My Life Without You...Those come to mind off the top of my head. I'm sure there are many more."}, {"response": 1083, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Sep 30, 2003 (10:10)", "body": "(Karen)Anybody watch Coupling, the American one, last week? I didn't think it was funny at all. Then I just noticed that the British version is playing on my PBS station and watched it and thought the same, not funny at all, Ahh, you just don't get irony.;-) ;-) ;-) Same here, watched both (virtually the same script), and thought it hideous in either accent. Give me Friends, give me Will & Grace . . . speaking of which, Minnie Driver is returning in a semi-regular role as the late Stan's paramour; John Cleese is joining the cast as her father, who will have an affair with Karen (Megan Mullally). Dylan McDermott will appear in at least one episode as a love interest for Will. No sign of Colin yet . . . maybe is not part of his \"strategy.\" ;-) Was LOL at last week's W&G show. Will: \"If something had happened between us, you'd have already left and my wallet would have been gone.\" Now *that's* funny."}, {"response": 1084, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 30, 2003 (10:15)", "body": "Mira Sorvino is on W&G this week, as the only girl Will has ever had sex with. (Hmmm, didn't she win an Oscar too??) ;-) Glad to see that you're of the same mind re: Coupling. *yawn*"}, {"response": 1085, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 30, 2003 (12:49)", "body": "I loved the British coupling series and I was looking forward to the American version. But the Americans have botched this one badly. They have *systematically*, uncannily made every aspect of this worse. Never, has such a show been mangled from one continent to another. Never has such a success been turned in such a dismal failure. Will they learn from the pilot and fix what's broke? I hope so because it's seriously broke in it's present form."}, {"response": 1086, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 30, 2003 (14:04)", "body": "(Moon)I've not followed Friends at all, but it looks goofy with all that overacting. You've seen one episode, you've seen 'em all, IMO."}, {"response": 1087, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 30, 2003 (14:07)", "body": "I didn't watch it at the beginning, but I started a few years ago and think it gets better and better. The writing is very strong IMO. ...whereas Coupling was a total letdown and the original isn't funny or original either."}, {"response": 1088, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Sep 30, 2003 (14:30)", "body": "Here you go, Moon, re: whispering: IMDb: So, that whole scene where Bob gets back out of the cab... Johannson: It was written that he finds her; they embrace. That was it. She says something to the effect of, \"I'll miss you.\" Coppola: I think I told Bill to kiss her without her knowing it. You get such a different reaction when it's unscripted. It's more honest. IMDb: What does he whisper to her at the end? Coppola: There was something specific, there was dialogue, but I liked it better that it was just between the two of them. IMDb: And you're not going to say what it is, are you? She shakes her head in a sweet, almost school-girlish way."}, {"response": 1089, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Sep 30, 2003 (14:46)", "body": "Related -- Film Force: Billy Zane joins Sayles' next pic. http://filmforce.ign.com/articles/452/452016p1.html"}, {"response": 1090, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 30, 2003 (15:34)", "body": "(Karen), Coupling was a total letdown and the original isn't funny or original either. And you've watched a total of one episode? I'm not saying that it's as funny as Keeping Up Appearances, which I really enjoy, but the British Coupling has had very funny moments. Thanks, Mari!"}, {"response": 1091, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Sep 30, 2003 (18:05)", "body": "(Moon)the British Coupling has had very funny moments. I agree, I don't catch it regularly but I have found there to be some v. funny moments. I was totally disappointed with the American version."}, {"response": 1092, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Sep 30, 2003 (19:38)", "body": "I love the British Coupling, though I don't watch on a regular basis. Was turned off the new one watching the commercials and clips. Looks like Dullsville."}, {"response": 1093, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Tue, Sep 30, 2003 (22:24)", "body": "Just saw this on E!... Oscars Screeners Scratched by Bridget Byrne Sep 30, 2003, 5:10 PM PT Apparently Academy Award voters are going to have see movies the old-fashioned way--in movie theaters. The major studios have agreed to go along with the Motion Picture Association of America's proposal to stop the sending out DVD and video screeners to those who vote for the Oscars and other Hollywood awards. In recent years, the proliferation of screeners has allowed voters to watch films in the comfort of their own living rooms. But the MPAA sees the wide availability of award-contending films, many of which are just beginning their theatrical runs, as too tempting for pirates who could put make digitally perfect copies available online and on street corners. And the MPAA and studio bosses don't want to repeat the Napster-fueled downturn of the music biz. The screen ban was announced Tuesday, just in time for MPAA President and CEO Jack Valenti to announce it before a Senate committee in Washington, D.C. He cited the move as \"a determined commitment to combat digital piracy and to save movie jobs in the future.\" Valenti added that \"400,000 to 600,000 films are being illegally abducted every day...and the MPAA intends to deploy every weapon at its command\" to stop this theft. But many indie distributors and specialty divisions within the major studios see the screener ban as a deadly blow to their films' chances of winning major awards. Their movies usually play in limited release and don't have theatrical outreach of the big-budget flicks and they had used screeners to help level the playing field. \"It's a sad day in Mudville,\" one unnamed indie exec tells Daily Variety. Says another, \"This has been a big conspiracy to make sure the specialty companies don't participate in the Academy Awards. There will be no Pedro Almodovar winning Best Screenplay, because he won't have a chance.\" The major studios agreed late Monday to make the home-video mailings taboo, despite the upset it will undoubtedly bring to what is already a shorter season than previous campaigns, with the Oscars being handed out on February 29. Those MPAA signators agreeing to the ban are MGM, Paramount, Sony, 20th Century Fox, Universal, Walt Disney Company and Warner Bros. DreamWorks and the independent New Line, agreed despite not being MPAA signators. No word yet on whether indie houses like Lions Gate, Artisan or IFC will comply. The last major to sign off on the agreement was Howard Stringer, vice chairman of Sony, according to Variety. Miramax chieftain Harvey Weinstein, whose vigorous Oscar campaigning avidly embraced the home screener tactic and whose so-called independent movies like Shakespeare in Love did very well at Oscar time--reportedly only agreed reluctantly. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the organization behind the Oscars, said Tuesday it had nothing to do with the ban. But the Academy did say in a statement, \"We have always urged our members to see the films on big screens the way they were intended to be seen and to base their judgments on the achievements contained in the films on those viewings and not to vote based upon an image seen on the television screen.\" Because of the ease of duplicating screeners, the increased use of broadband and new compression technology (Valenti says a new program developed by Caltech researchers allows a movie file to be downloaded in five seconds), the studios have plenty to lose should their big-bucks event pictures get leaked online and are looking to protect their investments Among the would-be blockbusters coming down the pike in time for Oscar consideration: Warners' The Last Samurai, starring Tom Cruise' Fox's Master and Commander, starring Russell Crowe; Miramax's Cold Mountain, starring Nicole Kidman; New Line's third and final Hobbit tale, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King; and Sony's Big Fish, directed by Tim Burton. (Disney and Universal's key contenders, Finding Nemo and Seabiscuit, respectively, were released earlier in the year and will have commercial DVDs on the market before voting season wraps up.) According to reports, the big fights came between studio bosses, who are scared of piracy, and marketing executives, who look to award ceremonies as a way to boost box office. The screener ban will not only impact Oscar voters, but also those who vote for the Golden Globes and Directors and Screen Actors guild awards, as well as various critics groups. With the voting process kept anonymous, there is no official data on how much home viewing contributes to a film's chances of getting an Oscar nod, and it is not known how many voters, accustomed to what one studio executive termed, \"a lazy way for marketing people to make sure their film is seen [and] a lazy way for voters to see the film,\" will now make the effort to leave home to attend screenings before marking their ballots. The only thing we do is that screening rooms will be fully booked and duplica"}, {"response": 1094, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct  1, 2003 (08:55)", "body": "\"Miramax chieftain Harvey Weinstein, whose vigorous Oscar campaigning avidly embraced the home screener tactic and whose so-called independent movies like Shakespeare in Love did very well at Oscar time--reportedly only agreed reluctantly.\" Piker. \"There will be no Pedro Almodovar winning Best Screenplay, because he won't have a chance.\" That's a positive outcome, for sure. I've had enough of Pedro. Now, Roberrrrrto...is another story;-)"}, {"response": 1095, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Oct  1, 2003 (09:24)", "body": "Remember when we were talking about the series called \"Mind of the Married Man\"? (when they had the conversations about Colin Firth?). Well, one of the players in that series has landed in the dismal American version of Coupling: Sonya Balger. She's a stunning Argentine beauty with exceptional acting and comedic talent. But the directors of the American Coupling have managed to suppress and diminish her exceptional talents in this new version of coupling. I find this alarming. I thought that if they had systematically set out to deliberately make this series worse in every aspect they would have ended up with what they have now. The characters are good. The sets are good. The lines are actually ok and in some cases lifted almost word for word out of the original. But the overall mix falls flat on it's face. It's like they tried to hard to be true to the British original instead of developing something unique in it's own right. It's painful to watch if you've seen the British original."}, {"response": 1096, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Oct  1, 2003 (10:24)", "body": "(Terry)Remember when we were talking about the series called \"Mind of the Married Man\"? (when they had the conversations about Colin Firth?). Yes, and it still gives me the creeps worrying if it was a lead-in to a possible guest appearance;-( (Terry)It's like they tried to hard to be true to the British original instead of developing something unique in it's own right. And they failed miserably."}, {"response": 1097, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Oct  1, 2003 (15:48)", "body": "(Karen) Anybody watch Coupling, the American one, last week? I didn't think it was funny at all. Then I just noticed that the British version is playing on my PBS station and watched it and thought the same, not funny at all, especially in comparison to Friends, which can make me LOL. I agree Karen. Especially about the American version. I had seen the British version but only a couple of times. Not ROTFLO show to me, either version but the British was better, the little that I saw of it. However did realize that the pilot was exactly the same as an episode I had seen and not done nearly as well. You would think they would realize that an exact translation doesn't always work, and in this case it doesn't, at least not with these actors. Something really has to be done Terry, I agree. It's terrible. I do like Friends, have from the beginning. Coupling has a long way to go to equal it IMO."}, {"response": 1098, "author": "Leah", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (02:45)", "body": "Michelle, A quick note to say Happy Birthday, before I have to don my other Darcy persona, as I'm currently on location, working very hard on my third \"Darcy\" role."}, {"response": 1099, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (04:30)", "body": "The UK's number one talk show, Parkinson talks to Hollywood a-lister George Clooney - Saturday, October 11th at 6 pm/et, 3 pm/pt. http://bbcamerica.com/bbcamerica.jsp Michelle"}, {"response": 1100, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (07:24)", "body": "Happy Birhtday Michelle! Have a rocking 'n rolling day!"}, {"response": 1101, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (07:25)", "body": "God's rightful punishment? ;-) NEW YORK (Sept. 30) - A man who was to appear in court Tuesday on charges of having sex with his girlfriend inside St. Patrick's Cathedral as part of a radio show stunt has died at his home in Virginia, his lawyer said. Brian Florence, 38, died last Thursday of a heart attack in Alexandria, said the couple's lawyer, Maranda Fritz. She said the funeral was Monday, and his co-defendant and girlfriend, Loretta Lynn Harper, 36, is \"still in a state of shock.\""}, {"response": 1102, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (08:34)", "body": "That was my thought too, Moon. I was listening to that show that day. They were both gits. And not jammy gits, either. :-("}, {"response": 1103, "author": "mjmorris", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (08:39)", "body": "Question: DH is going to take me to see Under the Tuscan Sun for my birthday today. Good show? Good date movie? Btw, my early birthday present from Amazon - P&P DVD, GWAPE book and UTS book came in! Also got to tape SLW on Lifetime the other night. Plot you could drive a truck through, but I liked seeing the African customs and really enjoyed ODB. Sigh. Would like to see the uncut version now. Thank you for the birthday wishes. I'll make a post toward those later. :) Michelle"}, {"response": 1104, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (10:00)", "body": "I can't tell you anything about UTS, haven't had the opportunity to see it yet. But - I can wish you a Happy Birthday. Sounds like you have allready gotten some very nice presents :-)"}, {"response": 1105, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (10:02)", "body": "HAPPY Day to Michelle.... Thanks to Bea: Sony cracks 'Da Vinci Code' -- Goldsman to adapt novel, Howard to helm By NICOLE LAPORTE Ron Howard, Brian Grazer and Akiva Goldsman -- the Oscar-winning triumvirate from \"A Beautiful Mind\" -- are reteaming to make \"The Da Vinci Code\" for Sony Pictures Entertainment. Pic will likely mark Sony Pictures chairman-CEO John Calley's first producing stint in his post-chieftan life when he gives up his studio duties this fall. Goldsman will adapt the bestselling novel by Dan Brown. Grazer, Howard's Imagine Entertainment partner, will produce alongside Calley. Pic will be Howard's next after the Russell Crowe starrer \"Cinderella Man,\" also produced by Grazer and written by Goldsman. Rights to \"Code\" and other books in Brown's series were bought by Columbia Pictures in June in a deal estimated to be north of $6 million. Tome, which concerns clues embedded in paintings by Leonardo da Vinci that unlock secrets that cut to the core of Christianity, had been much sought after by producers since it became a publishing phenom last spring. It has been on the national bestseller list for 26 weeks, much of that time at No. 1. Howard recently completed directing \"The Missing\" for Sony, Revolution and Imagine; pic will be released Nov. 19. He also has a producer credit on Imagine/Touchstone's upcoming \"The Alamo,\" which bows Christmas day. Goldsman wrote the screenplay for 20th Century Fox's \"I, Robot,\" due for release next summer. Grazer is producing several pics currently in production, including \"The Incredible Shrinking Man\" and \"Fun With Dick and Jane,\" both for Sony and Imagine."}, {"response": 1106, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (11:33)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1107, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (11:33)", "body": "And Under the Tuscan Sun is a lovely film."}, {"response": 1108, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (11:50)", "body": "Saw this short blurb at the Guardian: Harvey Weinstein, co-chairman of Miramax, paid written tribute to the late Evening Standard film critic Alexander Walker at a memorial ceremony yesterday. Weinstein's note, which was read out at the ceremony, revealed his delight at the \"poetry\" with which Walker praised Miramax's Pulp Fiction, but added: \"As many of us know who were on the receiving end of his harsher reviews, he could be cruel, too, but even then his wit frequently shone through. Of my brother Bob's film Dracula 2000 he noted, with reference to some rather obvious product placement: 'It comes, not from the grave, but apparently the Virgin Megastore.'\""}, {"response": 1109, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (12:26)", "body": "UTS is an entertaining chick flick. :-) Wonder if Harvey's already got Plan B in place now that he reluctantly agreed to the screener ban. I'm certain he'll find a way around it. Him play fair? Naaaaah! ;-)"}, {"response": 1110, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (12:29)", "body": "Yeah, godferbid, he should actually put his films into theaters, huh? ;-)"}, {"response": 1111, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (12:57)", "body": "Actually, Harve didn't sign on as originally reported. He was part of a meeting with the other \"specialty\" arms of the major studios to figure out how to fight it. Doesn't affect Lions Gate (GWAPE) at all, as they are not affiliated with a major studio, i.e., signatories to the agreement. Not that it will matter anyway, as I get the feeling that GWAPE's chances may be limited to the minor \"craft\" type categories."}, {"response": 1112, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (12:58)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Michelle! Wishing you a fun and Firth-filled year!:-)"}, {"response": 1113, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (13:05)", "body": "(Karen) Yeah, godferbid, he should actually put his films into theaters, huh? ;-) LOL, well, in all fairness, he actually did have quite a few extra private screenings of Chicago, The Quiet American, etc., and a few theater chains have special arrangements with the guilds for viewings. (Mari) Actually, Harve didn't sign on as originally reported. He was part of a meeting with the other \"specialty\" arms of the major studios to figure out how to fight it. I just read an article about that, but must've missed his name. Why they don't just use the technology 2 of the big studios have looked into to watermark screeners? Probably $$. And Harve sent out VHS screeners for TIOBE last year, though. Think that had a hope-in-hell chance at anything? ;-)"}, {"response": 1114, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (13:22)", "body": "(Dorine)Why they don't just use the technology 2 of the big studios have looked into to watermark screeners? Exactly. Valenti originally tried to say it was prohibitively expensive, then the firm that has the technology came forward and said, uh, no it's not. Now his story is that watermarking only helps after the fact, i.e., tracking down whomever leaked it. I guess he's never heard of a detterant effect.;-) Think that had a hope-in-hell chance at anything? ;-) LOL, they must send out screeners of anything in their inventory, just as they do with the \"for your consideration\" ads. It's \"odd\" that the studios have come out with this plan this year, when most of them just happen to have a bona fide contender. You can almost predict the Best Picture contenders right now, sight unseen: Cold Mountain, Master & Commander, The Last Samurai, LOTR3, and The Alamo or The Missing. Possibly Seabiscuit if one of the above fumbles. All huge films that don't requite screeners in order to get exposure to voters. Case closed."}, {"response": 1115, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (13:26)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Michelle! Enjoy your new CF presents. And one day soon we hope you will get CF's presence as well! :-) Haven't seen UTTS yet, but I've heard it's very good. Sounds like a very nice birthday so far!"}, {"response": 1116, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (13:40)", "body": "MICHELLE!!! Have a great day!!"}, {"response": 1117, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (13:42)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHELLE You'll love Under the Tuscan Sun. Warning: You & DH will want to jump on Air Italia and go off to Italy. Better still, like Colin, you'll wannabe Italians:-))) Great news on the Da Vinci Code. I'm reading it now. A real page- turner."}, {"response": 1118, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (13:42)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHELLE FROM A BUSY BEE!"}, {"response": 1119, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (14:14)", "body": "Michelle!!!! Someone dropped some presents off for you while you were seeing Under the Tuscan Sun.... Don't worry, he'll be back later for cake!"}, {"response": 1120, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (14:39)", "body": "Might be interesting to some...Alan Parker's notes... http://www.amnistia-internacional.pt/conteudos/filme/Life%20of%20David%20Gale%20-%20Production%20Notes.doc"}, {"response": 1121, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (16:38)", "body": "HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHELLE. Have a great evening and enjoy the movie as well as your special gifts. What a lovely day. I've heard the movie is great but not as great as P&P of course. Enjoy."}, {"response": 1122, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (18:15)", "body": "Evelyn-*Great news on the Da Vinci Code. I'm reading it now. A real page- turner. * Just received The Da Vinci Code and it awaits my attention upon completeing a reread of GWAPE. A friend in Colorado said after reading it she would give me a web site to visit that requires you answer questions about the book to provide clues to a quest????? She will not elaborate until I've read it....heard anything about that?"}, {"response": 1123, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (18:35)", "body": "(Karen) Yeah, godferbid, he should actually put his films into theaters, huh? ;-) That's not the problem as Dorine has also pointed out. Will the Academy members want to go out to special screenings and see all the films? What if they have other things to do on those days? I doubt the well known actors, who also vote, would go. They all have those big screening rooms in their mansions. I too enjoyed UTS."}, {"response": 1124, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (19:10)", "body": "(Moon) They all have those big screening rooms in their mansions And you can bet bottom dollar that people like that will be getting screeners anyway. And sometimes the screening times for different films conflict."}, {"response": 1125, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (20:20)", "body": "Where was my head? Can't let Michelle's Birthday pass by without mention! Happy Birthday!"}, {"response": 1126, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (20:24)", "body": "Sorry I'm late, Michelle, but I had to exercise the tree frogs. Oh look! Now I'm blushing... but remember to have a happy birthday!"}, {"response": 1127, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (22:04)", "body": "(Dorine) Why they don't just use the technology 2 of the big studios have looked into to watermark screeners? Probably $$. Strangely enough, I have a TIOBE screener that is watermarked, with the number of the person who received it running across the top of the screen. (Karen) Yeah, godferbid, he should actually put his films into theaters, huh? ;-) (Moon) That's not the problem as Dorine has also pointed out. Sorry, my turnip truck is coming 'round the corner. Puhleez, I think I understand the problem. Maybe you didn't understand my quip??? ;-)"}, {"response": 1128, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (22:32)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Michelle (and belated welcome, too!)! Hope it's been a good one--nice and drooly, of course. :-) IF OCTOBER 2 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY . . . you're diplomatic and an excellent homemaker and would make a first-rate teacher. Your interests are history, religion and archaeology, and you love to travel. Life recently has not been a bed of roses, but if you're ready for responsibility, success is in the making. You need to subsidize your health with vitamins and fitness; avoid refined carbs. There's positive financial news in February. ************* Birthdates which occurred on your SELECTED date of October 02: 1800 Nat Turner Virginia, leader of major slave rebellion 1851 Ferdinand Foch believed to be responsible for Allies winning WW I 1869 Mohandas K Gandhi (Mahatma Gandhi), Porbandar Kathiawad India, pacifist 1871 Cordell Hull US Sec of State (1933-44), lowered tariffs (Nobel 1945) 1879 Wallace Stevens Reading Pa, poet (Ideas of Order) 1885 Ruth Bryan Rohde US, (Rep), minister to Denmark 1890 Julius \"Groucho\" Marx NYC, comedian (Marx Bros, You Bet Your Life) 1891 H V Porter basketball pioneer, created fan shape backboard 1895 Bud Abbott Asbury Pk NJ, comedian (Abbott & Costello) 1899 Nat Turner famous African 19-- Avery Brooks Evansville Ind, actor (Hawk-Spenser for Hire) 19-- Betty Kennedy Roswell NM, actress (Andrea-Ladies' Man) 19-- Chip McAllister St Louis Mo, actor (Luther-Better Days) 19-- Lani O'Grady Walnut Creek Calif, actress (Mary-8 is Enough) 19-- Wesley Thompson Chicago Ill, actor (Wardell-He's the Mayor) 1904 Graham Greene England, prolific novelist (Brighton Rock) 1914 Charles Drake Bayside NYC, actor (Air Force, Glenn Miller Story) 1921 Robert Runcie archbishop of Canterbury 1928 Clay Felker St Louis, journalist (NY Herald Tribune, Esquire) 1928 Spanky McFarland actor (Little Rascals) 1929 Moses Gunn St Louis Mo, actor (Amityville II, Good Times, Shaft) 1932 Maury Wills baseball shortstop (LA Dodgers, NL MVP 1962) 1938 Rex Reed Ft Worth Tx, movie critic/actor (Myra Breckinridge) 1939 Yuri N Glazkov cosmonaut (Soyuz 24) 1945 Don McLean singer/songwriter (American Pie, Vincent) 1945 Neil Frances Tennant rocker (Pet Shop Boy-West End Girl) 1946 Roger Jett Maryland, actor (Smithereens) 1948 Donna Karan Forest Hills NY, fashion designer (Coty Award-1977) 1950 Persis Khambatta Bombay India, actress (Star Trek, Megaforce) 1951 Mike Rutherford rocker (Genesis-Against All Odds, Mike & Mechanics) 1951 Romina Power LA Calif, actress (Justine) 1951 Sting AKA Gordon Sumner, rocker (Police-Roxanne)/actor (Dune) 1952 George Meegen England, walked 19,019 miles from Argentina to Alaska 1954 Lorraine Bracco actress (Someone to Watch Over Me, Dream Team) 1957 Kimberly Herrin Santa Barbara Calif, playmate (March, 1981) 1960 Glenn Anderson Vancouver, NHL (Edmonton Oilers) 1961 Phil Oakey rocker (Human League-Human) 1961 Robbie Nevil rocker (A Place Like This) 1962 Esai Morales actor (Bad Boys, La Bamba) 1964 Sherry Arnett St Louis Mo, playmate (Jan, 1986) 1965 Jill Powell Jacksonville Fla, actress (Marcy-As The World Turns) 1970 Kelly Ripa actress (Hayley Vaughan-All My Children) 1971 \"Tiffany\" Renee Darwich Norwalk Cal, singer (I Think We're Alone Now) 1991 Beau Grayson son of country singer Tanya Tucker ************** On this day... 1187 Sultan Saladin captures Jerusalem from the Crusaders 1535 Jacques Cartie\ufffdr discovers Mount Royal (Monte\ufffdal) 1608 Hans Lippershey offers Dutch gov't a new invention, the telescope 1608 Prototype of modern reflecting telescope completed by Jan Lippershey 1792 Baptist Missionary Society forms in London 1833 NY Anti-Slavery Society organized 1836 Darwin returns to England aboard HMS Beagle 1853 Austrian law forbids Jews from owning land 1870 Italy annexes Rome & Papal States; Rome made Italian capital 1879 Start of the Sherlock Holmes adventure \"The Musgrave Ritual\" (BG) 1889 1st Pan American conference (Washington DC) 1907 Phillies Eddie Grant goes 7 for 7 in a doubleheader 1908 Addie Joss perfect game stops Ed Walsh 1-0 who won 40 in a row 1910 1st 2 aircraft collision (Milan Italy) 1913 Phillies beat NY Giants 2 games out of 3 in a tripleheader 1916 Grover Cleveland Alexander records his 16th shutout of the year 1919 Pres Woodrow Wilson suffers a stroke 1920 Cincinnati Reds beat Pittsburgh Pirates 2 games out of 3 in a tripleheader 1926 Bert Gibb of Hamilton Tigers kicks 9 singles in a game 1931 Pope Pius XI encyclical On the economic crisis 1932 NY Yankees sweep Cubs in 29th World Series 1932 Washington Redskins (as Boston Braves) play 1st NFL game, lose 14-0 1935 Italy invades Abyssinia (Ethiopia) 1935 NY Hayden Planetarium, the 4th in the US, opens 1936 1st alcohol power plant established, Atchison, Kansas 1936 Tony Lazzeri becomes the 1st Yank to hit a world series (World Series #33) grand slam 1937 FDR visits Grand Coulee Dam construction site in Washington State 1938 Cleveland Indians' Bob Feller strikes out 18 Detroit Tigers 1938 Tigers' Chester Laabs struck out 5"}, {"response": 1129, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 2003 (09:03)", "body": "Michelle, I am so sorry I missed your birthday! My excuse is that the boys' school had open house yesterday and I had passed out from shock after their teachers kept telling me I had 2 very good, well-behaved kids;-)! Anyway, since you haven't claimed a keep yet, I'm hoping this will do. Happy Birthday!! (thanks to Rika for letting me \"borrow\" her pic)"}, {"response": 1130, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 2003 (11:52)", "body": "Superlative review of Clint Eastwood's Mystic River in today's NY Times. What a cast--Sean Penn, Kevin Bacon, Laurence Fishburne, Tim Robbins, Laura Linney, Marcia Gay Harden. Some excerpts, in case you can't access the URL: Dark Parable of Violence Avenged By A. O. SCOTT \"Mystic River\" is the rare American movie that aspires to \ufffd and achieves \ufffd the full weight and darkness of tragedy. . . Mr. Eastwood and his screenwriter, Brian Helgeland, have also been faithful to the sense of place that makes Mr. Lehane's book a superior piece of crime fiction. Much of the dialogue has been plucked directly from the pages of the book, and it retains the salty, fatalistic tang of the ungentrified streets of Irish-Catholic Boston. . . . What gives the movie its extraordinary intensity of feeling is the way Mr. Eastwood grounds the conventions of pulp opera in an unvarnished, thickly inhabited reality. There are scenes that swell with almost unbearable feeling, and the director's ambitions are enormous, but the movie almost entirely avoids melodrama or grandiosity. Mr. Eastwood has found actors who can bear the weight and illuminate the abyss their characters inhabit. Mr. Penn, his eyes darting as if in anticipation of another blow, his shoulders tensed to return it, is almost beyond praise. Jimmy Markum is not only one of the best performances of the year, but also one of the definitive pieces of screen acting in the last half-century, the culmination of a realist tradition that began in the old Actor's Studio and begat Brando, Dean, Pacino and De Niro. But Mr. Penn, as gifted and disciplined as any of his precursors, makes them all look like, well, actors. He has purged his work of any trace of theatricality or showmanship while retaining all the directness and force that their applications of the Method brought into American movies. The clearest proof of his achievement may be that, as overpowering as his performance is, it never overshadows the rest of the cast. This tragedy, after all, is not individual but communal, even though each character must bear it alone. Mr. Bacon, even-keeled and self-effacing, is superb, as is Mr. Fishburne, whose humor and skepticism keep the movie from being swallowed up in gloom. . . Mr. Robbins, in some ways, faces the greatest challenge, since he must play a man whose damaged personality is an unstable alloy of vulnerability and violence, na\ufffdvet\ufffd and cunning. You want to feel sorry for him, but he also scares you. Which is the effect he has on Celeste, who provides the film's most haunting image of terror and heartbreak, just as Annabeth, emerging from the shadows near the end, articulates with frightening clarity the ruthlessness that passes, in this fallen world, for justice. http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/03/movies/03MYST.html?th"}, {"response": 1131, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 2003 (12:11)", "body": "You'll recall that this was one I had picked out for YKW. :-("}, {"response": 1132, "author": "mjmorris", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 2003 (12:41)", "body": "Wow! I want to thank all of you for such wonderful birthday greetings! The graphics and pictures are wonderful. I even shared them with my husband late last night. I wasn't around much online yesterday. My 2 3/4 yr old daughter had a playdate in the morning and then I had to leave immediately for my afternoon date with my dh. We did go see UTTS and it was a nice date movie. Loved the scenery and the remodeling on her villa reminded us of the remodeling we've done/doing on our home. Then we had a wonderful dinner at a cozy restaurant. Finished the evening at my parents' house with apple pie made at a local orchard/restaurant (where we had dinner). It was a lovely day. Then to come home to ODB. Brilliant way to end the day. DH has agreed to go see LA and GWAPE with me in the theatres. Yeah! We did see a trailer for LA and as expected it was mostly HG. Did see the kiss scene and CF running toward the lake. I've never seen him on the big scene before. Even those few seconds made me feel warm and fuzzy. Thank you again. I feel most welcome here. :) Michelle"}, {"response": 1133, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 2003 (13:01)", "body": "You're very welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THR weighs on the screener issue, using American Splendor [Ed note: a must see] as its prime example of the adverse impact. New screeners policy shakes up Oscar race By Gregg Kilday If the MPAA ban on screeners holds, will this year's Oscar race be inevitably altered? Until the late '80s, video screeners weren't even part of the Oscar game. One of the first successful screener efforts was for the French film \"Camille Claudel,\" for which Isabel Adjani won a best actress nomination in 1990. \"I remember running into an another actress who told me she had just seen the film on tape and she was blown away by the performance,\" recalls Melody Korenbrot, who oversaw that campaign. But even without resorting to such strategies, indie films still occasionally triumphed. Pundits hailed 1986 as the year of the indies when William Hurt and Geraldine Page won the top acting awards for \"Kiss of the Spider Woman\" and \"The Trip to Bountiful,\" respectively. \"I worked on both campaigns,\" Bruce Feldman remembers. \"We didn't have screeners, and so in the case of 'Bountiful,' which opened Dec. 22, we had to do an incredibly aggressive screening campaign -- screening it anytime, anywhere, morning, noon and night. So it's not impossible to do.\" But it is difficult given the number of films involved and this year's shortened Oscar schedule. By MPAA head Jack Valenti's own count, the studios sent out 68 screeners last year. Given that most of them were issued in December, and with most voters marking ballots by mid-January, diligent Academy members were asked to consider more than one film a day. While Valenti charges that screeners have made Academy voters \"lazy,\" working members of the Academy as well as older retirees are likely to be hard-pressed to see all the titles competing for their attention without the convenience of screeners. Clearly, the number of screeners circulating throughout the industry has gotten out of hand in recent years. And there's no denying that some of them have made their way onto eBay and into the hands of pirates. But in their blunderbuss approach to the problem, the major studios are probably shooting their own specialized film divisions in the foot. In the rush to adopt the new policy, no one seems to have taken a hard-eyed cost-benefit look at the problem. Certainly, a company like New Line Cinema has reason to hold back screeners for a highly anticipated film like its \"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.\" It's already fated to make millions -- Oscar noms will just be added feathers in its crown -- and it's also sure to be high on the pirates' most-wanted list. On the other hand, \"American Splendor,\" from New Line's Fine Line division, stands to gain a lot more than it could potentially lose from a screener-assisted Oscar campaign. Having grossed $5 million since it was released in August, it might enjoy a wider theatrical release and would definitely get a boost in home video revenue if it wins Oscar attention. It's also safe to say that no street hawker in Times Square or Hong Kong is working overtime trying to palm off the hot new flick starring Paul Giamatti. But the MPAA's one-size-fits-all rule doesn't allow its member companies to make individual decisions on a title-by-title basis. Throughout this week's controversy, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has maintained a studied neutrality. It encourages its members to see movies in theaters and hasn't taken a stand on the screener issue. But if the ban sticks and, when nominations are announced Jan. 27, if the number of films nominated appears to have been drawn from a smaller pool than either the Golden Globe nominations to be announced in December or last year's Oscar lineup, it will take some of the sheen off of Oscar's gold. And if that happens -- to steal one of the slogans of the moment -- the pirates will have won."}, {"response": 1134, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 2003 (13:05)", "body": "Aha! The real reason behind the reluctance to \"audition?\" GWYNETH ARRANGES PRIVATE SCREENING OF FILM FOR JEALOUS CHRIS Devoted GWYNETH PALTROW has insisted on a private screening of her new movie SYLVIA for boyfriend CHRIS MARTIN - as he's worried about the explicit sex scenes in the film. The SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE beauty is aiming to pour oil on troubled waters by letting her COLDPLAY beau see the scenes for himself before the film opens in America later this month (OCT03). Paltrow plays tragic poet SYLVIA PLATH in the biopic, and the film depicts her getting steamy with husband TED HUGHES, played by British actor DANIEL CRAIG. And, according to British tabloid THE DAILY STAR, Paltrow wants to appease IN MY PLACE singer Martin, who's concerned about the sexual content. A source says, \"Gwyneth is aware the scenes could be shocking. She's told Chris all about them but she wants him to see the film for himself before anyone else. \"She and Chris are very sensitive about these things. She doesn't want to turn up at the premiere and upset Chris over some silly love scene.\" 01/10/2003 01:52"}, {"response": 1135, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 2003 (13:13)", "body": "LOL! I think you've got it, Mari. No way, Mr-Only-Nuzzles-Necks-on-Screen would do explicit love scenes. Am far more distraught now at what might have been. ;-)"}, {"response": 1136, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 2003 (13:20)", "body": "GWAPE's makers (Pathe) are fighting back: Oct. 04, 2003 Academy screener ban furor grows in the U.K. By Stuart Kemp LONDON -- Several high-profile British-based industry executives are up in arms over the decision by the major studios to ban the use of video and DVD screeners ahead of next year's Academy awards. The group, which includes reps from several top-flight independent distributors, high-profile producers and the chiefs from BBC Films and FilmFour, issued a statement Friday expressing their shock at the MPAA decision. The group is spearheaded by Pathe U.K. managing director Francois Ivernel, who heads up the British-based production, distribution and sales company owned and operated by French-giant Pathe Entertainment. \"The independent film industry in the UK is deeply concerned. It is a unilateral decision that is delivered late in the day for those structuring campaigns to promote awareness of independent films,\" reads the statement. \"It is the quality films that are distributed on limited theatrical release that will be most disadvantaged. This decision is a blow to the diversity and creativity of independent cinema around the world. It is even more unjust to the talents involved, be they producers, directors, actors, or heads of department, all of whom gain recognition from such awards.\" The statement sent out by Ivernel -- one of anger and frustration over the decision -- is backed by a large proportion of the British independent film community. Distribution names on the sheet include current Momentum Pictures managing director David Kosse, UGC Films U.K. co-chief Emma Davie and Optimum Releasing managing director Will Clarke. The film divisions of broadcasters the BBC and FilmFour are repped by BBC Films chief David Thompson and FilmFour head Tessa Rossa. Also signing off on the stance are indie producers Deepak Nayar (\"Bend it like Beckham\"), Graham Broadbent (\"Millions\"), Andy Paterson (\"The Girl with the Pearl Earring\") and Marc Samuelson (\"Good Omens\"). Director Roger Michell (\"Changing Lanes\") has also added his name to the furor. It follows the decision by the major studios to ban screener tapes, a ban that earlier this week was expected to extend to tapes for next year's Orange British Academy Film Awards, organized by the British Academy Of Film and Television Arts. United International Pictures chairman and CEO Stewart Till said Wednesday (Oct. 1) it was \"an inevitable corollary\" that screener tapes would not be sent out by the studios for BAFTA screenings. At the time of the official decision, Ivernel said he didn't think it fair to change the rules right before the campaigns were all due to begin. The British reaction joins a groundswell of opinion from the global independent community that the decision is unfair. The U.K.-based distribution industry, spanning both the overseas outposts of the studio releasing arms and the independents, are planning to get together next week to decide on whether or not the independents will continue to send out tapes to Academy and BAFTA voters."}, {"response": 1137, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 2003 (15:31)", "body": "The British reaction joins a groundswell of opinion from the global independent community that the decision is unfair. So the \"no Global\" is all of a sudden \"Global\"? Back in the 70's when \"studio films\" were more like the \"independent films\" today, this problem did not exist. I say to these very priviledged, largely overpaid industry people to get their deri\ufffdres to the theaters and stop making a fuss. GWAPE will be seen, just get the screenings set. (Karen),LOL! I think you've got it, Mari. No way, Mr-Only-Nuzzles-Necks-on-Screen would do explicit love scenes. Am far more distraught now at what might have been. ;-) ROTF!!!"}, {"response": 1138, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 2003 (15:43)", "body": "I've seen Daniel C. kiss (The Ice House) and he ain't bad!!! I was going to post that Times review for Mystic River, Mari. What praise for Penn! If a mite overboard.... Jimmy Markum is not only one of the best performances of the year, but also one of the definitive pieces of screen acting in the last half-century, the culmination of a realist tradition that began in the old Actor's Studio and begat Brando, Dean, Pacino and De Niro."}, {"response": 1139, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 2003 (15:50)", "body": "So who for The Da Vinci Code Casting? Langdon: The past year had taken a heavy toll on him, but he didn't appreciate seeing proof in the mirror. His usually sharp blue eyes looked hazy and drawn tonight. A dark stubble was shrouding his strong jaw and dimpled chin. Around his temples, the gray highlights were advancing, making their way deeper into his thicket of coarse black hair (not sure about this for Colin).... .....\"Although Professor Langdon might not be considered hunk handsome like some of our younger awardees, this forty-something academic has more than his share of scholarly allure. His captivating presence is punctuated by an unusually low, baritone speaking voice, which his female students describe as 'chocolate for the ears'\" (This, however, works)"}, {"response": 1140, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 2003 (16:27)", "body": "Okay, I'll take the bait! RE: So who for The Da Vinci Code Casting? Colin can die his hair black again. The last time he did the results were superific and it you absolutely insist on blue eyes he can wear colored contacs Chocolate is a very goof thing!"}, {"response": 1141, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 2003 (16:29)", "body": "Obviously meant to type *good*--- Sorry Karen I had to rectify that!"}, {"response": 1142, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 2003 (18:25)", "body": "(Karen)Am far more distraught now at what might have been. ;-) Me too;-( (Mari)Aha! The real reason behind the reluctance to \"audition?\" I missed your ed. note at the top, LOL, that was the first thing I thought of while I read;-) 'chocolate for the ears'\" I think that could go very well with a 'mouth that holds cinnamon' drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 1789, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 179, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 18, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 180, "subject": "Bridget Jones - Nowhere Near the Edge of Reason (Part 5)", "response_count": 1234, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 14, 2003 (15:27)", "body": "(Shazzer)\"So we went and had this incredibly erudite - on his side - conversation about theatre. \" *I * wonder what \"The Erudite One\" had to say about the theatre;-D"}, {"response": 2, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jul 14, 2003 (15:28)", "body": "First!! Oops...a little disoriented. Thought I was on aintitcoolnews.com for a second. ;-D"}, {"response": 3, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jul 14, 2003 (15:29)", "body": "Damn it, Evelyn! ;-)"}, {"response": 4, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 14, 2003 (15:54)", "body": "Girls, girls, let's not fight. ;-D"}, {"response": 5, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Jul 14, 2003 (16:46)", "body": "(Erudite Evelyn) *I * wonder what \"The Erudite One\" had to say about the theatre;-D Maybe he waxed poetic about how he was going to play Hamlet. ;-("}, {"response": 6, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 28, 2003 (10:22)", "body": "It would certainly appear that she's made significant inroads. ;-D Liked the \"Weigh to Go2\" sign. From The Sun: IT looks like RENEE ZELLWEGER\ufffds 20 doughnuts-a-day diet to get porky for the Bridget Jones sequel is finally paying off. The actress is putting away 4,000 calories daily in a bid to gain 2st for the role in Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason \ufffd and her hamster cheeks and little tum in these pictures confirm the pounds are piling on. I caught Renee in New York, taking a break from scoffing sugary snacks to gulp a full-fat latte with cream and chocolate on top. Sounds much more fun than her usual diet of lettuce leaves. The funny thing is, Miss Lollipop Head looks better with some curves. A bit more muffin stuffin\ufffd and she might even grow a tiny spare tyre. Bridget would be impressed... Fun lovin' Connie [and puhleez, no whining about how Bridget isn't supposed to be fat; we know.] ;-)"}, {"response": 7, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Jul 28, 2003 (12:17)", "body": "It's interesting because one of the rumors batted about was that she wouldn't have to gain so much because of the Thai prison scenes. That never made sense, since those scenes are in the middle of the book, not at the beginning, but these pictures seem to suggest that it wasn't true anyway, if she's this far along already and still has two months to go."}, {"response": 8, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 28, 2003 (12:29)", "body": "But, as you probably also know, they don't shoot films in sequence. The only exception that comes to mind is Russian Ark, for obvious reasons. One might guess that they'd shoot the Thai prison stuff (and aftermath) toward the end. They would do all the more filled out scenes first and allow Renee to get back to her exercise regime, slowly losing pounds over the course of the filming. Does anyone remember how Adrian Brody explained how they filmed The Pianist's severe weight loss?"}, {"response": 9, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jul 28, 2003 (12:52)", "body": "(Karen)Does anyone remember how Adrian Brody explained how they filmed The Pianist's severe weight loss? Not off the top of my head but you have my attention now:-)"}, {"response": 10, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 28, 2003 (13:02)", "body": "In one of the articles I found, he said he had to lose 30 pounds in 6 weeks. If TEOR's filming schedule spans the holiday season (which, according to Hola's comment about Colin's commitment continuing into Jan), then there could be a break of maybe 2 weeks for RZ to starve herself and run herself into thinner mode. Possible??"}, {"response": 11, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jul 28, 2003 (13:13)", "body": "(Karen)then there could be a break of maybe 2 weeks for RZ to starve herself and run herself into thinner mode. Possible?? It would be if she gained 20 and only had to lose 10 in Thailand which would perhaps put her at the proper *Janice* weight."}, {"response": 12, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Jul 28, 2003 (19:29)", "body": "(Karen) But, as you probably also know, they don't shoot films in sequence. The only exception that comes to mind is Russian Ark, for obvious reasons. But my point was that the statements made back then seemed to be suggesting that RZ wouldn't have to gain that much weight at all because of the Thai prison scenes. And in that case, their placement in the movie, not the order of filming, is the relevant issue. If they were used to explain why Bridget is thinner throughout the film, they'd pretty much have to be the first thing we saw. Anyway, like I said, it never made sense to me anyway."}, {"response": 13, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (05:10)", "body": "Same story, different magazine. As if the piling on weight wasn't enough, her house might be haunted! http://www.femail.co.uk/pages/standard/article.html?in_article_id=190367&in_page_id=119"}, {"response": 14, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (09:12)", "body": "(Rika) That never made sense, since those scenes are in the middle of the book Somehow I got the impression you had referred to the chronology of the book and her weight loss. Regardless, my guess is that earlier the weight gain was in fact an issue and the possibility that she wouldn't have to gain so much was being used to lure her back. It would seem she's signed onto the full program now."}, {"response": 15, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (10:00)", "body": "(Karen)It would seem she's signed onto the full program now. Quite the trooper, IMO."}, {"response": 16, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (11:11)", "body": "(Karen) But, as you probably also know, they don't shoot films in sequence. The only exception that comes to mind is Russian Ark, for obvious reasons. I believe I heard Ron Howard state in an inteview after his Oscar win that he filmed A Dangerous Mind in sequence. Renee is such a trooper. I hope her co-stars are putting as much effort into their roles. Thanks for the great pics Karen."}, {"response": 17, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (11:16)", "body": "Sorry to double post but must correct error. A Beautiful Mind. Sorry."}, {"response": 18, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (19:07)", "body": "In the Mademoiselle article from last summer, Renee mentioned it took her only three weeks to drop most of the weight using the Atkins diet. I'm sure the switch from carbs to protein won't be a problem;-)"}, {"response": 19, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jul 30, 2003 (07:48)", "body": "Is the Atkins the new rage? ALL of my friends are doing it now. (most of them modified it for themselves, which I don't understand either). I don't see how someone who needs energy could do without carbs!"}, {"response": 20, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jul 30, 2003 (09:05)", "body": "(Laura) Is the Atkins the new rage? Seems that way, especially since a new report of a major study came out right before he died that said it really did work without raising cholesterol (significantly anyway, I think). I have done a modified Adkins...more protein, less carbs, but not so much fat or mostly the good fats like Omega 3 fats in fish. It really did work for me and rather quickly. Worked really well if I was exercising regularly, too. As far as energy, I had more. But I'd save most of my carbs for just before a workout or at breakfast. It didn't work like Renee's, though. And for Renee (or anyone), losing 20 lbs in 3 weeks isn't very healthy."}, {"response": 21, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jul 30, 2003 (10:40)", "body": "I think Renee should be able to put weight on and take it off safely. She needs to be concerned for her overall well being. Not good on the heart (obviously) or any other major organ in her body. Such abuse one takes for a role!"}, {"response": 22, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jul 30, 2003 (20:57)", "body": "(Laura)Such abuse one takes for a role! I'd gain and loose 25 pounds for 20 million any day...not to mention an Oscar nomination;-)But yes, safety is the key."}, {"response": 23, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jul 30, 2003 (21:15)", "body": "(Linda)I'd gain and loose 25 pounds for 20 million any day...not to mention an Oscar nomination;-)But yes, safety is the key. 20 mill nothing, I'd gain and loose 25 pounds to hang out with ODB for a couple of months! In fact, not hanging around where he can see me is the only reason I haven't........lost 25 pounds.;-)"}, {"response": 24, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jul 30, 2003 (21:26)", "body": "(Beedee)20 mill nothing, I'd gain and loose 25 pounds to hang out with ODB for a couple of months! Good point...I'd do it for free, as well;-)"}, {"response": 25, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jul 30, 2003 (21:29)", "body": "(Me)20 mill nothing, I'd gain and loose 25 pounds to hang out with ODB for a couple of months! (Linda)Good point...I'd do it for free, as well;-) Hell, I'd pay extra and that's something for me;-)"}, {"response": 26, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jul 31, 2003 (07:32)", "body": "LOL!!! You guys! I have a feeling that CF would love each and everyone of you regardless of 25 lbs! ;)"}, {"response": 27, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jul 31, 2003 (16:49)", "body": "(Laura) LOL!!! You guys! I have a feeling that CF would love each and everyone of you regardless of 25 lbs! ;) I agree, how could he not love all of the fabulous women here."}, {"response": 28, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jul 31, 2003 (18:15)", "body": "Exactly! How many men have women drooling over him almost 10 years after the one role that propelled him to superstardom!!! And you guys STILL discuss his Darcy role! :) (In two mediums!)"}, {"response": 29, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Aug  9, 2003 (20:50)", "body": "There's a page on RZ in the new issue of People mag. Talks about how she's plumping up 20 pounds for TEOR, accompanied by pic in which her butt and thighs look to be filling out very nicely. She'll be ready.:-)"}, {"response": 30, "author": "dalec", "date": "Sun, Aug 10, 2003 (19:06)", "body": "Hi, I'll be visiting London next month. I would like to check out some of the places that BJD took place, if time permits. I recall there were posts regarding some sort of \"BJD tour\". Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks."}, {"response": 31, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 10, 2003 (19:27)", "body": "Check the older BJD topics for the information. It will be there."}, {"response": 32, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Aug 11, 2003 (08:46)", "body": "...or e-mail me for a copy of the directions for the patented BJD tour ;-)"}, {"response": 33, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Aug 11, 2003 (13:25)", "body": "(Dalec) Hi, I'll be visiting London next month. Have a great time, its a wonderful city. BJ's apartment is also the Youth Hostile of WAGW. You'll have a great time, Mark knows so much about it."}, {"response": 34, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (02:26)", "body": "Pam: BJ's apartment is also the Youth Hostile of WAGW I wonder if Daphne qualifies as a Youth Hostile? ;-)"}, {"response": 35, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (09:59)", "body": "(Mark) I wonder if Daphne qualifies as a Youth Hostile? ;-) To the Jonathan Pryce, Anna Chancellor and Christine Cole's characters absolutely."}, {"response": 36, "author": "dalec", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (10:36)", "body": "(FanPam) Have a great time, its a wonderful city. Thanks, I can't wait. Mark, I sent you an email."}, {"response": 37, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Aug 17, 2003 (12:34)", "body": "Nice incentive and deal for the pound$$$ ;-) Miami Herald, Sun, Aug. 17, 2003 A big, fat $3.2 million bonus Ren\ufffde Zellweger is reportedly being paid a $3.2 million bonus to pack on the pounds for her reprised role as Bridget Jones, reports IMDB.com. The petite Chicago star is already on a high-fat diet in order to achieve the rounder figure needed for the British singleton -- and film producers have guaranteed her $112,000 for every pound out of the 30 she manages to put on. ''Ren\ufffde's getting nearly $15 million for the sequel and the bonus is on top of that,'' says a source. ``She hates gaining weight to play Bridget and knows she's going to have a hard time losing it again.'' The svelte star first played Bridget in the hit 2001 movie Bridget Jones's Diary, but soon lost the weight she gained for the role -- with some believing she'd gotten too thin. But the amazing success of the flick drew Ren\ufffde back to the role for Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. -- Compiled by MICHAEL HAMERSLY from staff and wire reports"}, {"response": 38, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Aug 18, 2003 (10:35)", "body": "And to have Renee play Bridget again they know its worth every penny. Good for her, she deserves to get the most out of this project she can and I'm so glad she is."}, {"response": 39, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 18, 2003 (10:42)", "body": "She's a trooper...even with the extra millions for the lbs./stones,(and who can believe the media), I wouldn't have done it. Renee's the draw in that movie...\"Take me just as I am\";-)"}, {"response": 40, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Aug 18, 2003 (11:07)", "body": "Oh, please, she's getting paid gazillions to play Bridget... she's not a martyr!"}, {"response": 41, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 18, 2003 (12:39)", "body": "(Me), I wouldn't have done it... ...Gained the weight, that is. But that is *her* character and she feels the weight gain in part of the role. She would have gotten 'gazillions' regardless."}, {"response": 42, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Aug 18, 2003 (13:39)", "body": "Yeah, but to give her extra $$$ for the weight is (no pun intended) excessive. Besides, we never really know if Bridge is heavy or just thinks she is. In the books her weight is average. Unless she's 4'5\", she' not heavy. Besides, RZ, looks positively anorexic lately. She needs the extra weight so they shouldn't be paying extra to look normal."}, {"response": 43, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 18, 2003 (13:43)", "body": "*yawn*"}, {"response": 44, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Aug 18, 2003 (14:08)", "body": "I don't believe the story. It first appeared on the imdb and they got it from their usual sources, the tabloids. Also, it makes no logical sense; she is contractually obligated to prepare for the film which carries with it a certain weight gain. The producers would not put themselves in a posiiton where they'd have to pay her a bonus for gaining only, for example, 3 pounds, which from their standpoint would be completly inadequate. Think about it. Plus her full financial deal (for the 2 films, BJD2 and Cinderella Man) was already widely reported."}, {"response": 45, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Aug 18, 2003 (14:08)", "body": "(Karen) *yawn* LOL. I'm with you Karen."}, {"response": 46, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Aug 18, 2003 (14:18)", "body": "It's actors/esses like RZ who give teenagers a complex. She thinks that she's gaining weight to look fat, when in fact, she's gaining weight to look 'healthy'. Too much is made about weight especially when it comes to this character. I would hope that in the year 2003, people would realize that weight shouldn't be an issue. HF should've focused more on Bridge's mental stability than her weight non issue:)"}, {"response": 47, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (17:53)", "body": "I've read in many articles what RZ is being paid to reprise her role, but what about ODB ?"}, {"response": 48, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (07:44)", "body": "Telepgraph's interview of RZ. Have mentioned something TEOR: She will be returning to London again later this year to film the Bridget Jones sequel, The Edge of Reason, and is already immersed in preparation for the role. Bridget Jones's Diary, based on Helen Fielding's novel about the romantic misadventures of a thirtysomething London girl, brought in nearly \ufffd200 million at the box office and Zellweger, who was paid \ufffd1 million for the first film, will get \ufffd10 million for the sequel. Once again, she is consuming milkshakes, pizza, peanut butter sandwiches and doughnuts to gain the 20lb she feels she needs to portray the weight-challenged Bridget. The normally calm and unruffled Zellweger flushes with annoyance when she recalls the erroneous newspaper reports that she was unwilling to do a sequel because she did not want to put on weight again. \"There have been pages and pages written about me saying that I don't want to do it because I don't want to get fat again,\" she says. \"That just makes me angry because that's not how I look at the work I do. That's a dumb and shallow thing to say. If you love a character, then it shouldn't be a big deal to turn yourself into her. In fact, that's part of the joy of it. That's who Bridget is \ufffd she's heavier than me, with a different body, and if I'm going to play that character, I'm going to have that body, or what's the point?\" http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2003/09/06/bfzel06.xml"}, {"response": 49, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (15:30)", "body": "Thanks for the report Josie. Can't wait for this to start filming. From all accounts Colin has Mark sideburns in place so it should be soon."}, {"response": 50, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (07:19)", "body": "From today's News of the World: She's only 18, but it seems world domination can't be far off for the sickeningly beautiful and talented KEIRA KNIGHTLEY. She's in box office hit Pirates of the Carribean and has been signed up for Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park IV. Now I hear the girl who found fame in Bend It Like Beckham has landed a major role in the second Bridget Jones movie The Edge of Reason. It seems the girl can do no wrong. Surely not Rebecca! I agree she is stunningly beautiful, but she's at least ten years too young! Keep in mind that this is the News of the World, though."}, {"response": 51, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (10:09)", "body": "talented KEIRA KNIGHTLEY..... (Janet) Surely not Rebecca! *gasp*!! Talented? My jury's still out on that one."}, {"response": 52, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (10:38)", "body": "(Dorine) My jury's still out on that one. I thought she was better in LA than in BILB or POTC....Her story line (although short) was v. v. good...but it didn't leave a lot of room for error (I didn't mind her though in the other two films). Surely she can't be Rebecca??? She could be playing Daphne's best friend! She's a bit too young. Isn't she only 18 or 19??"}, {"response": 53, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (11:26)", "body": "Interesting and could be true. Who better to make a filled-out, 30ish Bridget feel inferior than a pert-bottomed, thin-as-a-rail 20something with the look of Audrey Hepburn about her? Hmmmm. Since we know nothing about the screenplay and characters, who else would be considered a \"major role\"? No one. However, you always have to take the Brit press' pronouncements about \"major roles\" with a grain of salt. ;-D"}, {"response": 54, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (11:39)", "body": "(Karen)Since we know nothing about the screenplay and characters, who else would be considered a \"major role\"? Didn't ODB make reference to several new characters in the script in a recent interview? Hope we don't lose the country weekend scene with Bridget's and St.John's snog and MD in towel striding around the room in barrister mode;-) Agree KN is entirely too young for Rebecca. Maybe she will be involved with Daniel."}, {"response": 55, "author": "hershey", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (14:21)", "body": "Oh, now that is a good thought, Daniel being involved with someone so young as to be almost illegal. That would explain it all, if that's who KK is going to play. I keep forgetting that they're going to bump up Daniel's role, so they would really need to find a good story for him. A silly but pretty young girl would be perfect. In another chat group, someone mentioned Uma Thurman being approached to play Rebecca. That is utterly and completely unsubstantiated, so I'm not passing this on as reliable info, just more gossip (which seems to be all we have on anything anyway). I don't know what to think about that, so I will make no further comment on it at this time."}, {"response": 56, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (15:25)", "body": "(Lisa), Agree KN is entirely too young for Rebecca. Maybe she will be involved with Daniel. That was my first thought. We know Daniel's part has been expanded. I am expecting a whole new TEOR. We shall be surprised."}, {"response": 57, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (19:02)", "body": "From the article Maria posted on Friday, re:TEOR (CF)There are new characters and new areas to explore, and obviously it'll be based on the book. So instead of an unlikely couple finding each other, it'll be about their difficult relationship which goes under and then they have to rediscover each other. Well I hope they stick to the book, but I agree that KK is way to young to play Rebecca... GAAHAH! Anyway until \"major\" role is defined, I'm not going to get my knickers in a twist;-)"}, {"response": 58, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 2003 (23:57)", "body": "Always a sound position from my standpoint. ;-)"}, {"response": 59, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (11:14)", "body": "\"Breaking\" news from the tabloid newsfeed at the IMDB... Firth finally agrees to star in Brigid Jones sequel Colin Firth has finally agreed to star in the Brigid Jones Diary sequel now that Notting Hill director Richard Curtis has stepped in to re-write the script. The film production has not been running smoothly with stars Renee Zwellweger, Hugh Grant and Firth refusing to commit until they liked the script. The script has been through several hands with novelist Helen Fielding writing the original draft with celebrated script doctor Andrew Davies also working on several drafts but the script still needed work. So Curtis, who just finished directing Grant and Firth in \"Love Actually\" was brought in, and now Firth has given the project his go ahead, according to imdb.com. Firth says, \"I'm now happy with the script, which has been through various drafts, the latest of which was by Richard Curtis.\" ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Now, this (!) suffers from journalistic fact-checking malaise. ;-)"}, {"response": 60, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (12:08)", "body": "(Janet) Now I hear the girl who found fame in Bend It Like Beckham has landed a major role in the second Bridget Jones movie The Edge of Reason. It seems the girl can do no wrong. And there were remarks about Henry and Daphne being incestuous. Imagine what they would do with Mark and an 18 yr old Rebecca LOL. Although IMO Mark would love it.;-) Everyman's dream!!!!"}, {"response": 61, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (13:20)", "body": "Firth finally agrees to star in Brigid Jones sequel Finally? LOL! Remember he almost didn't sign to do the first one but after the fact went on interviews to say that he was in on the joke. NO COMMENT!"}, {"response": 62, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (15:51)", "body": "The movie hasn't even started filming...and I'm sick of it already. (Moon)Remember he almost didn't sign to do the first one... Remember the lobbying campaign we had on with Helen Fielding, Nick Hornby book signings and then we asked him at the Donmar and he was still non-committal. The guy should be a politician."}, {"response": 63, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (17:09)", "body": "(Evelyn)The guy should be a politician. LOL, well his range is rather broad;-)"}, {"response": 64, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 2003 (16:19)", "body": "It appears to be working. Oliver Stone, who shot \"Heaven & Earth\" here in 1992, is scheduled to return later this year or in early 2004 to film scenes for his historical epic \"Alexander\"; Angelina Jolie had great things to say about the location last year after filming part of \"Beyond Borders\" in Thailand's mountainous north, and the sequel to \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" is expected to shoot some scenes in December on Koh Samui, a southern tropical island in the Gulf of Thailand. http://www.backstage.com/backstage/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1980178"}, {"response": 65, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 2003 (16:25)", "body": "Thanks Maria, so - Thai scenes it is (at least for now, who knows)."}, {"response": 66, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 2003 (17:20)", "body": "(backstage.com via Maria)...\"and the sequel to \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" is expected to shoot some scenes in December on Koh Samui, a southern tropical island in the Gulf of Thailand.\" Hey Mark...gonna be in Thailand in December? Get the Burberry suit ready... Ya'never know when they'll need an extra :-))"}, {"response": 67, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 2003 (22:37)", "body": "First thing I thought of when I read that KK was cast in TEoR, is that perhaps she'll play Phrao in the Thai prison scenes--and RZ and KK will sing Madonna songs. Not that I wanted the Thai prison scenes...at all. Oh well. The other stuff--the blurbs, the quotes from YKW--it's d\ufffdj\ufffd vu all over again. ;-) (Evelyn) Hey Mark...gonna be in Thailand in December? Get the Burberry suit ready... Ya'never know when they'll need an extra :-)) LOL, Evelyn. Maybe Mark could play Charlie Palmer-Thompson? ;-)"}, {"response": 68, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 2003 (23:30)", "body": "(Evelyn) Get the Burberry suit ready... Ya'never know when they'll need an extra :-)) Might be a tad overdressed for walking down the beach."}, {"response": 69, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep 17, 2003 (11:15)", "body": "Just a tad overdressed? ;-) (Lisa), Maybe Mark could play Charlie Palmer-Thompson? ;-) LOL! Thanks Maria. In any case MD does not go to Thailand."}, {"response": 70, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Sep 17, 2003 (13:55)", "body": "(Moon)Thanks Maria. In any case MD does not go to Thailand. Was thinking that last night so maybe no Thailand for CF in December. We only know that Mark has gone, but no scenes in the book with him there. ...Mark G. maybe you can upgrade from \"extra\" status and play the cad who put the drugs in Bridget's bag;-)Go for it!"}, {"response": 71, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (13:04)", "body": "Drool is kicking off its Annual Fund-Raising Drive Spring needs money in order to operate and we appreciate whatever people can send to help keep this place online every single day of the week. For this year's campaign, I'm hoping that the contributions will cover our operating expenses for at least a year. As Terry has explained in the past, it costs approximately $300 a month to run Spring, which includes the conferences, www.firth.com and austen.com, home to the Derbyshire Writers' Guild. Also, when we exceed our contractual allowance for bandwidth, there are variable charges for the excess. From our usage statistics, we all know Drool is very popular but is financially supported by a small fraction of those who visit. Whether you have registered or read the boards in a public mode, it costs Spring money. We prefer to keep Drool open to the public and can only do so through your generosity and giving whatever you can to keep this wonderful place open. Our Drool boards are a source of enjoyment for many people, participants and lurkers alike. So if you'd like to make a contribution, please contact me at nomdedrool@yahoo.com for information, as no addresses will be posted on this board. Be a Drool Darling and We'll Love You For It"}, {"response": 72, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (16:40)", "body": "Be a Drool Darling and We'll Love You For It But, but...I thought there were no *we's*;-))) Only kidding, honestly.Check's in the mail."}, {"response": 73, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (18:15)", "body": "We = Terry and I, who pay the bills. OK? Not referring to Firthfans. ;-)"}, {"response": 74, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (07:40)", "body": "Renee's health fears By Mark Reynolds, Daily Mail 24 September 2003 It is a role which demands she pile on four stone - rising from a size six to a 14 - in only three months. Look here too! \ufffd Skinny or Bridget? Try our health calculator \ufffd \ufffd20bn cost of binge drinking As she prepares for the longawaited sequel to Bridget Jones's Diary, Renee Zellweger has turned to dieticians in an attempt to avoid long-term health problems. The actress has been warned that losing weight quickly once filming ends could lead to kidney problems, erratic blood sugar levels and unsightly stretch marks. Who ate all the pies? Renee Zellweger as Bridget Jones Other stories: Hip hip hooray for the good guys! Renee's health fears Miss Zellweger, 34, admits that she has become extremely concerned about the potential damage she is doing to her health with her diet of pizza and pies. 'This time I will be working very closely with a diet doctor to make sure it doesn't affect my energy,' she told Now magazine. 'You have to be careful about dramatic weight changes in short periods of time. 'I did it again because I loved the new script and all the good guys are back. I love Bridget. I feel very close to her. We both have had our ups and downs when it comes to love.' After putting on and subsequently losing a similar amount of weight for the first Bridget Jones film - which was a hit on both sides of the Atlantic - Miss Zellweger said she was left feeling utterly exhausted through lack of exercise. Despite the physical strains of the role, she said she was still relishing a second chance at playing the unlucky-in-love singleton. She said she was less daunted this time about being an American trying to pass herself off as a 'Britain icon'. Miss Zellweger has suffered failed relationships herself with the likes of Jim Carrey and George Clooney. She is currently dating White Stripes singer Jack White but has had to leave him behind in the U.S. while she works on Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/lifeandstyle/health/articles/6856365?source=Daily%20Mail"}, {"response": 75, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (07:41)", "body": "Sorry, should have cleaned that up better..."}, {"response": 76, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (10:23)", "body": "(Lisa), Maybe Mark could play Charlie Palmer-Thompson? ;-) (Linda) ...Mark G. maybe you can upgrade from \"extra\" status and play the cad who put the drugs in Bridget's bag;-)Go for it! LOL at both ideas. Like HG playing DC, I think the cad could be more the inner me rather than the suave extra I have played so far (but sadly Charlie Palmer-Thompson, aka Tim Nice-But-Dim might be closer to the Mark in truth). I fear Koh Samui is out of range though - I shall rely on Karen and her band of trained espionage experts to let me know where the Burberry suit could prove useful..."}, {"response": 77, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Sep 25, 2003 (07:51)", "body": "From IMDB: Actress Renee Zellweger is promising an improved Bridget Jones - because she's now far more confident in the role. The star was nervous about her appearance in the 2001 original Bridget Jones' Diary because she was an American star playing a quintessentially British part. But as she prepares for filming of sequel Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason, the 34-year-old's confidence has been boosted by the warm reaction she received on both sides of the Atlantic playing the British singleton. She says, \"This time I'm a lot more confident. Last time when I went to England they were out with the knives because they were outraged that an American actress was playing this British icon. I could see they wanted a hometown girl in the part because Bridget is the quintessential young, modern English working woman. But by now I hope I have showed them I can do it. I love Bridget. I feel very close to her. We both have had our ups and downs when it comes to love.\""}, {"response": 78, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 25, 2003 (12:37)", "body": "Yes, Mom, the fund raiser is still under way. After one week, we've raised about 20 percent of our goal and there are a number of pledges outstanding. Many fans tell me that Drool is an important part of their day. They enjoy getting the up-to-date news and sharing in the lively and unique banter found on our boards. In order to ensure Drool's continuation, I hope to hear from more of you soon. Drool has always been a very international community; its membership is not limited to a single country. To help facilitate contributions in the UK, Lizza has again volunteered again to collect cheques in the UK if you prefer not to use a credit card or similar-type arrangement. If you're outside the US and want to make a contribution, please email me at nomdedrool@yahoo.com to discuss your options and to get addresses. I want to remind all that every little bit helps insure that Terry (shown below) will not have to make his monthly appeals. ;-) Note: If I have not personally thanked you by email, then I haven't received your donation or notification of it from Terry. I want to thank the first batch of 2003 Drool Darlings:"}, {"response": 79, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 25, 2003 (21:18)", "body": "Yes, thanks! Thanks indeed!"}, {"response": 80, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (16:22)", "body": "Just saw this on Ananova - Baby joy for Bridget Jones' author Helen Fielding, creator of Bridget Jones' Diary, is expecting her first baby, it has emerged. The journalist-turned-novelist who divides her time between London and Los Angeles is due to give birth in February. She and her partner of four years Kevin Curran, an executive producer and writer for The Simpsons, are said to be \"delighted\". The sex of the baby is not yet known, but the writer has been described as \"happy and healthy\". Fielding amassed an army of fans with her two books on the exploits of cigarette-smoking, weight-watching Bridget. In 2001, her heroine reached stella proportions with the phenomenally successful film version of the book, starring Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth and Hugh Grant. Filming for the second novel is currently under way, with Zellweger piling on the pounds for her role. Fielding's latest book, based on a female spy called Olivia Joules, is due to be completed by November."}, {"response": 81, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (17:17)", "body": "(AdaVW)Filming for the second novel is currently under way Has this been confirmed? - There's been nothing in the British Press."}, {"response": 82, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (17:19)", "body": "Thanks for the update. No, I doubt that filming has even begun, but it's nice to know what the next book is about."}, {"response": 83, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (20:05)", "body": "Sky News has Helen's baby news also. I love that the father writes for the Simpsons! \"In the potty, in the potty . . . Mummy will hit!\" LOL!"}, {"response": 84, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Tue, Sep 30, 2003 (08:49)", "body": "(From Mari's article on 176) After all, he is currently shooting the long-awaited sequel to Bridget Jones\ufffd Diaries, The Edge of Reason Again with currently. So maybe they are, Oct does begin tomorrow."}, {"response": 85, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Sep 30, 2003 (18:43)", "body": "Does anyone know how to find out details of filming locations/schedules, etc? (I'll be visiting London in around 4 weeks)."}, {"response": 86, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct  1, 2003 (16:23)", "body": "2003 Fund Raising Status!! Over 75% There!! Before tallying up the results from our regional bake sales and kissing booths, I want to congratulate those Drooleurs who have been baking up luscious goodies and kissing anything with or without lips in the supreme service of Firthettes everywhere. Still, we need everyone of you, both active Drool participants and lurkers, to make this place viable for another fun-filled year. I want to thank all the wonderful people who have come forward, contacted me about making donations, and followed through with checks, money orders or PayPal transfers. What truly amazes me is the wonderful community of lurkers, who tell me how much they love it here at Drool and that it has become a fixture in their day. With the number of hits we get here, I know it is a daily *must visit* for many more who rely on Drool for current information on Colin and for the lively banter amongst die-hard Firthettes, with nothing better to do than eat chocolate truffles and paint their nails. Here's this week's list of Drool Darlings: So, let's keep this fund drive rolling and I hope to hear from more of you soon. If you're in another country and want to make a contribution, please email me at nomdedrool@yahoo.com to discuss your options. And, if I haven't emailed you an acknowledgment, then I haven't received your donation. Remember, as Colin has stated in many of his interviews:"}, {"response": 87, "author": "BarbaraT", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (03:33)", "body": "The BBC Breakfast programme this morning had a report on last night's London premiere of Down With Love which ended by saying that BJD2 starts shooting next week."}, {"response": 88, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (07:27)", "body": "Thanks, Barb! I saw a picture of Renee at the premiere and she's looking like Bridget already."}, {"response": 89, "author": "mjmorris", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (08:35)", "body": "Yeah! Once they've started shooting it's just one more step closer to seeing it completed. I got a chance to read the books a few weeks ago. I can't wait to see how they handle the kitchen/stairway scenes at the end when B&M finally get back together. I can't tell you how many times that vision and dialogue put me to sleep at night. Michelle"}, {"response": 90, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (09:08)", "body": "From People online October 2, 2003 How Renee's Handling New Love Handles STEPHEN M. SILVERMAN and LAURA SCHREFFLER While the Renee Zellweger-Ewan McGregor '60s romantic comedy spoof \"Down with Love\" may have quickly gone down the tubes in America last summer, the British premiere Thursday night kicked off in true London fashion, reports PEOPLE. That is, it rained. But Zellweger wasn't about to let a little moisture, or even her new poundage for her next \"Bridget Jones\" movie, dampen her spirits. (Costar McGregor, 32, however, did not attend the event, due to filming duties for the upcoming \"Star Wars III.\") Looking radiant in a mod, off-the-shoulder and unrevealing black woolen Prada dress and snakeskin stiletto boots, Zellweger, 34, obligingly fielded questions about the movie (\"It was so much fun,\" she drawled) and her weight gain for \"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason.\" Regarding \"Bridget,\" who is notoriously plumper than the slim and trim Roxie Hart of \"Chicago,\" Zellweger, when asked how she was hiding her heft at the \"Love\" premiere, said between peals of laughter: \"I'm hiding it behind my coat!\" She then went on to explain, \"It's really just math. I've been eating lots of really fattening food. I read that I'd been eating doughnuts, but they're not really my thing.\" According to Zellweger, whose work with a nutritionist includes being fed healthy food with hidden fat, her weight gain plan is \"all in the mouth. I'll just be doing something else on the side, reading scripts, in rehearsal, and people put food in front of me - I don't even notice it. It's a job, that's all. Just a job.\" That job, according to British tabloid the Mirror, includes the consumption of pizza and Guinness. It's a dirty job, Renee, but someone's got to do it. http://people.aol.com/people/news/now/0,10958,492026,00.html"}, {"response": 91, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (11:43)", "body": "You can see pictures of Renee from the premiere here: http://search.news.yahoo.com/search/news/?c=news_photos&p=renee+zellweger If you look closely at the full-length shot, second from bottom, her legs seem to still be toothpick-like."}, {"response": 92, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (13:33)", "body": "(Karen) her legs seem to still be toothpick-like. Her legs were thin and shapely in BJD. I noticed that when, in the film, she goes to weigh herself and \"last night's\" knickers are still stuck to her :-)."}, {"response": 93, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (13:49)", "body": "That black coat and boots is what she wore at the Ziegfeld when we saw her at the BJD premiere. Like her hair longer. She's back to our old Bridge."}, {"response": 94, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (15:12)", "body": "I think she looks stunning in the last picture, though v. good in them all. That little bit of extra weight suits her. Makes her look younger, too. Not so drawn."}, {"response": 95, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (18:22)", "body": "Lots of photos from DWL premiere at wireimage, too. Welcome back, Bridget! http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=gls====37724"}, {"response": 96, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (20:08)", "body": "The Brit critics gave Down With Love better reviews than we did. They viewed it as it should have been...a retro on the Doris Day- Rock Hudson stuff, and not in the same vein as the current rom-coms. They\"got it\". I enjoyed it too. Hey, mobetta' than \"Ten Days...\""}, {"response": 97, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 2003 (04:39)", "body": "Same story that's in every paper right now but a little good tidbit at the end... Guardian Unlimited Film Zellweger fattens up for Bridget Jones sequel Staff and agencies Thursday October 2, 2003 Renee Zellweger has confirmed she has begun the process of putting on weight for her role in the new Bridget Jones movie. The 34-year-old actor told reporters at last night's London premiere of Down With Love that she had been working with a nutritionist in a bid to pile on the pounds. She said: \"I've been eating lots of really fattening food. I read that I'd been eating doughnuts, but they're not really my thing. I've been eating healthy food, but with hidden fat.\" Breakfast included four slices of toast and cream cheese. \"That's just the first course,\" she said. \"It's a four-course breakfast. I don't really think about it because I'm usually doing something else.\" The story for the sequel, titled Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, picks up four weeks after the end of the first film. The cuddly singleton paranoiac is becoming increasingly uncomfortable with her relationship with Mark Darcy after discovering he votes Conservative. The film is set to hit cinemas next year and will see Zellweger, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth all reprising their roles. ______________________________________ I can't believe that filming actually starts next week. It just seems surreal that this is getting off the ground! Renee is here! And she is looking like Bridget! One of my main ambitions during my time in the UK when I planned to move here was to be here for the filming of EOR. I am away Oct 11 to 19 so I really hope that I get a chance to stumble upon the set and pull a MarkG sometime... and I thought there was nothing left to get excited about after English PEN/HS!"}, {"response": 98, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 2003 (05:13)", "body": "(RZ)I read that I'd been eating doughnuts, but they're not really my thing. I've been eating healthy food, but with hidden fat.\" Oh thank Gawd, and end to the doughnut stories! (Emma)and I thought there was nothing left to get excited about after English PEN/HS! Silly Emma;-)"}, {"response": 99, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 2003 (07:13)", "body": "The cuddly singleton paranoiac is becoming increasingly uncomfortable with her relationship with Mark Darcy after discovering he votes Conservative. Now that sounds a much more likely storyline. And a real challenge for Colin' acting skills :D"}, {"response": 100, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 2003 (07:46)", "body": "LOL, Allison! It works for Maria and Arnold. ;-)"}, {"response": 101, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 2003 (09:41)", "body": "The cuddly singleton paranoiac is becoming increasingly uncomfortable with her relationship with Mark Darcy after discovering he votes Conservative. (Allison) Now that sounds a much more likely storyline. And a real challenge for Colin' acting skills :D LOL! It does sound like he'll get to do a bit of a stretch! Wonder if this means that they'll drop the 'hygiene' line we had heard about earlier, or if Mark is a dirty Conservative? I do so hope he's a bit dirty....;-)"}, {"response": 102, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 2003 (14:17)", "body": "The cuddly singleton paranoiac is becoming increasingly uncomfortable with her relationship with Mark Darcy after discovering he votes Conservative. Aren't Mark Darcy's political views incongruous with his profession as a human right's barrister? Or maybe he's a compassionate Conservative? ;-) (Allison) Now that sounds a much more likely storyline. And a real challenge for Colin' acting skills :D LOL, how true! :-)"}, {"response": 103, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 2003 (18:01)", "body": "(LisaJH)Aren't Mark Darcy's political views incongruous with his profession as a human right's barrister? Or maybe he's a compassionate Conservative? ;-) I don't think there are too many individual's of MD's background, education and profession who would support Labour. It's a class thing, really."}, {"response": 104, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 2003 (18:44)", "body": "Extra just showed clips from RZ at the London premiere of DWL. They said she's gained 16 pounds on a 4,000 calorie/day diet. (I know you were all waiting for that news with baited breath.;-)"}, {"response": 105, "author": "mjmorris", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 2003 (20:41)", "body": "You know, in Jan when my daughter turned 2, I worked very, very hard for 3 months to lose 20 lbs and then in July when I miscarried and lost my BIL in an accident it took less than 30 days to put the 20 back on. From all accounts I've read she's eating way more than I ever did in those 30 days. To lose the weight I ate about 1300 a day. I was too depressed, angry and hurt to count calories this summer. To have her metabolism.... But, I think she looks so much better with the weight on her. I really disliked how thin and drawn she was during the Chicago time period. She looks healthy as BJ. Michelle"}, {"response": 106, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct  4, 2003 (09:47)", "body": "(Allison) Now that sounds a much more likely storyline. And a real challenge for Colin' acting skills :D *hee hee hee* Now, if I had said that... ;-) (LisaJH)Aren't Mark Darcy's political views incongruous with his profession as a human right's barrister? Or maybe he's a compassionate Conservative? ;-) But this goes right back to the book, the original \"granny pants\" incident, when Bridget attends some big barrister dinner and finds out Mark is a Conservative."}, {"response": 107, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Oct  4, 2003 (12:55)", "body": "(Karen)But this goes right back to the book, the original \"granny pants\" incident, when Bridget attends some big barrister dinner and finds out Mark is a Conservative. I loved that scene with Bridget putting the eye shadow on her cheeks instead of blush. First time I felt the twinges of angst with Mark's voting revelations and the bitchy, but lovely Rebecca. Oh, I loved this book."}, {"response": 108, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Oct  4, 2003 (17:30)", "body": "(Karen) But this goes right back to the book, the original \"granny pants\" incident, when Bridget attends some big barrister dinner and finds out Mark is a Conservative. I know, it's just that I hadn't really thought about what a contradiction he is in this regard before. Makes him more human, I suppose."}, {"response": 109, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sat, Oct  4, 2003 (21:03)", "body": "(LisaJH)I know, it's just that I hadn't really thought about what a contradiction he is in this regard before. Makes him more human, I suppose. How true. He's a multi-dimentional character with an external facade and then a conflicted, softer center. This reminds me of a line from the very beginning of BJD where Bridget's dad says, \"Human rights barrister, pretty nasty beast apparently.\" That line seems so contradictory, but explains Mark (and Mr.) Darcy. Maybe. ;-)"}, {"response": 110, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Sun, Oct  5, 2003 (08:18)", "body": "Yes, but we didn't really see a nasty side to Mark Darcy in BJD. We empathized with him and were won over to him without reservation when we learned we'd held a biased opinion of him unjustly. I don't recall the character behaving in a nasty way in BJTEOR,either.I'd like to see him behave like a real jerk so we can be overwhelmed with tenderness when he and Bridget *rediscover each other* and realize the other doesn't have to be perfection to be adored. Ahhhhhhhhhhh!"}, {"response": 111, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, Oct  5, 2003 (08:45)", "body": "(Bonnie)I don't recall the character behaving in a nasty way in BJTEOR,either.I'd like to see him behave like a real jerk so we can be overwhelmed with tenderness when he and Bridget *rediscover each other* and realize the other doesn't have to be perfection to be adored. Ahhhhhhhhhhh! But in the original diary columns, he does behave like a jerk. After he splits from Bridget, he starts a relationship with Vanessa, but then spends the night with Bridget, if my memory serves me. Wonder if they would use this in the screenplay?"}, {"response": 112, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct  5, 2003 (09:56)", "body": "From my recollection of the columns (Telegraph only) and the book, the breakup was due to misunderstanding and lack of communication. MD was never a jerk. Bridget broke up with him because he was spineless idiot when it came to Rebecca. HF reinforced it with the Persuasion plot and had Shazza and Jude egging her on."}, {"response": 113, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Oct  5, 2003 (12:57)", "body": "(Karen)the breakup was due to misunderstanding and lack of communication. MD was never a jerk Exactly. I think part of the problem was Bridget's misconception of exactly what Mark was really about, and he wasn't the only one who behaved like a spineless idiot. Bridget, IMO, couldn't see the forest for the tress. She was not only egged on by her friends, but I think she fell victim to the 'misery loves company' club. I have always felt that Shazza and Jude were more than a little jealous of her relationship with Mark. (TEOR, Saturday 1 March)"}, {"response": 114, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Oct  5, 2003 (13:21)", "body": "(Linda) Bridget, IMO, couldn't see the forest for the tress. LOL....wait a minute! How'd I get caught up in all this?? ;-) I'm kidding Linda! But this typo made me laugh! (Linda) I have always felt that Shazza and Jude were more than a little jealous of her relationship with Mark. (TEOR, Saturday 1 March) I agree. I felt that they were just a bit concerned that their ubran family was breaking up....they wanted the best for Bridget, but at the same time, they wanted things to remain status quo. Sometimes new boys interfere with that!"}, {"response": 115, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Sun, Oct  5, 2003 (17:39)", "body": "(Janet))But in the original diary columns, hedoes behave like a jerK I've never read the columns,just the two books. (Karen) From my recollection of the columns (Telegraph only) and the book, the breakup was due to misunderstanding and lack of communication. MD was never a jerk. Bridget broke up with him because he was spineless idiot when it came to Rebecca. HF reinforced it with the Persuasion plot and had Shazza and Jude egging her on. BJTEOR makes me want to wring Bridget's neck!!!! The lack of communication and misunderstanding you note, Karen, is rampant . It took it her too long to realize Mark's reaction to the snogging at Rebeccas was due to his history with the ex-wife and Daniel.He'd been burned big time and at the sight of Bridget with the nephew lights and sirens started blaring. Then,she listens to Shazza and Jude and follows the numerous and sordid self-help guidelines. He was already feeling like a lab rat. I mean, really, he called and wanted to talk to her after driving off after the inital weekend at Rebeccas,and she would not return his telephone calls....and it just goes on and on....SILLY BRIDGET. (Linda)Bridget, IMO, couldn't see the forest for the tress. She was not only egged on by her friends, but I think she fell victim to the 'misery loves company' club. I have always felt that Shazza and Jude were more than a little jealous of her relationship with Mark Yes-Bridget is looking at the tip of her nose instead of the big picture. Everything is consequential to her lack of confidence and it's usually easier to be miserable than to act.The friends are jealous...they want Bridget to be happy but not at their expense(losing her time and attention)."}, {"response": 116, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 2003 (10:13)", "body": "If you go back and read the older BJD topics here, you'll see others' views on what was taking place between Bridget and Mark. There were some who did think Mark was a jerk too, now that I think of it. After GWAPE, the Companion Pieces topic can be used for a discussion of TEOR if that's what people want."}, {"response": 117, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 2003 (17:09)", "body": "(KarenR)If you go back and read the older BJD topics here, you'll see others' views on what was taking place between Bridget and Mark. There were some who did think Mark was a jerk too, now that I think of it. I printed off the columns a while ago (unfortunately they're no longer available online).I must dig them out and re-read to confirm this, but I seem to remember, that although the initial breakup wasn't his fault, he did behave badly, in that he was in a relationship with Vanessa (albeit a shaky one), but was still pursuing Bridget, which had her even more insecure than usual, not surprisingly!"}, {"response": 118, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 2003 (17:20)", "body": "Who's Vanessa, Janet? Of course, I meant Rebecca!!"}, {"response": 119, "author": "hershey", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 2003 (21:49)", "body": "(unfortunately they're no longer available online) Oh! I was just thinking this afternoon about looking online for the newspaper articles archive and now you tell me they aren't available online anymore. Defeated! I have only read a few of them here and there, and would love to read the entire collection (even if Mark was a misbehavor). Just when you think the Internet has everything you could ever want..."}, {"response": 120, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 2003 (22:59)", "body": "(Janet) Of course, I meant Rebecca!! I knew that's who you meant. I too printed off the columns, but I don't recall it being too detailed as to Mark and Rebecca's relationship. She dragged him around to functions like a dog on a leash and tried to portray their relationship like a couple's (i.e., planning a holiday???). I'll have to go back and read them over too.... and I swore I'd get them online again at firth.com before the next movie was made. Looks like I have my work cut out for me. :-("}, {"response": 121, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (08:06)", "body": "Oooohhhhhh!!! Goody! Potential opportunity to finally read the columns?"}, {"response": 122, "author": "hershey", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (13:02)", "body": "Well, Karen, I know I for one would be grateful to see them on firth.com. (not-so-subtle hint) But as it's easy for me to request, less easy to actually give you more actual hours to do it, maybe I should sit quietly and leave you alone about it. So I will."}, {"response": 123, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (13:45)", "body": "You gonna type all those columns? Months. Every Friday night we'd wait expectantly at 9 PM for the Telegraph to post them. Afterwards we'd discuss them. One week they didn't appear and there was insurrection. LOL. That was before the book and before the film had even been commissioned. A while back somebody mentioned they had copied them on their hard drive. Who?"}, {"response": 124, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (14:27)", "body": "Yes, that's how I have all them now in a Word doc, but there's formatting, etc., to deal with before I can upload again. No way would I type all those up. I had to do with about 10 column that the Telegraph had lost before and are the only ones available on: http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjdcols.html"}, {"response": 125, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (14:27)", "body": "isn't more like 18 months???"}, {"response": 126, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (15:10)", "body": "(Evelyn) A while back somebody mentioned they had copied them on their hard drive. Who? I did....twice!....til my computer crashed 2 times. They are sitting on my trashed hard drives waiting for me to take them to someone to liberate them. Soooooooo, can I beg for them a third time? I bought a new pack of disks, floppy and CD, that I can store them on *immediately*. *sheepish grin*"}, {"response": 127, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (15:18)", "body": "OK, have changed plans for now and am working on it now. Who knows how far I'll get..."}, {"response": 128, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (15:52)", "body": "Just curious -- do the columns go beyond what was included in the books?"}, {"response": 129, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (17:25)", "body": "They're different, hard to explain as there wasn't really a plot while they were being published. Lots more commenting on current events, various other bits... Ooof! Have run across lovely bit about Mark's insecurity. *sigh* I do hope there are lots of \"oh darlings\" and must have the bit about Bridget lying in bed watching him sleep. Mummy will throw tomatoes at screen!! ;-)"}, {"response": 130, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (19:51)", "body": "*cleaning cobwebs off brain* He definitely gets the fuckwit award on May 22 :-("}, {"response": 131, "author": "hershey", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (20:18)", "body": "Hey, I know html. I'd even be willing to help format if that's what it takes!"}, {"response": 132, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (20:19)", "body": "(Karen)*cleaning cobwebs off brain* He definitely gets the fuckwit award on May 22 :-( LOL You are *such* a tease! (OK, I know Daniel would have been more specific about the type of tease, but I've got my own cobwebs to deal with)"}, {"response": 133, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (20:53)", "body": "Oh this is making my stomach churn...What did poor Mark do on May 22? Do the dates of the columns follow the book at all? Of course the book only goes to May 21;-("}, {"response": 134, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (22:57)", "body": "Finally checking this off my to-do list... OK, it's done, though I don't guarantee that all the links work. Let me know what's messed up. My eyes are rather crossed right now. http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjdcols.html However, it might be a good idea to save discussion of the book/columns until we do it on the Companion Piece topic in a little while. This way you can reread the book and read the columns. Note: TEOR (book) actually starts with plots based on columns in the Independent. There's a gap between where the Independent left off and Telegraph began, which include Thailand and the Rome interview, among other things."}, {"response": 135, "author": "Leah", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (02:29)", "body": "Thank you Karen. All the links work for me. Now to find the time to sit and read ;-)"}, {"response": 136, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (07:27)", "body": "Thank you for working so fast, Karen! We do appreciate it. They will be fun to read again. :-)"}, {"response": 137, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (09:46)", "body": "There's a little news blurb at Working Title's website, dated in September, which said the film goes before the cameras that month for 13 weeks and will shoot in London, Thailand and Austria. So looks like Bridget and Mark go skiing. Am picturing Colin on the slopes in ski gear."}, {"response": 138, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (10:35)", "body": "Yes-Colin in ski gear-all in black,head to toe."}, {"response": 139, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (11:19)", "body": "(Bonnie)Yes-Colin in ski gear-all in black,head to toe LOL! We'll see his face as he puts his helmet mask down, and then it's \"Bring out the Stunt Colin\"! Karen, a thousand thank you's for the columns! I'm still discovering things I lost when my computer crashed last year, and this was one of them. You're fab for doing all that work!"}, {"response": 140, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (11:21)", "body": "Karen, thans so much for the return of the BJ columns! *blowing kisses* Am v. excited about filming, and am puzzled why we still don't know who is playing Rebecca. The skiing scene makes me think of her tinkly and hooting laugh, and that shiny curtain of hair. Ah...the skiing scene is also the first time Mark Darcy tells Bridget that he loves her. *sigh*"}, {"response": 141, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (11:42)", "body": "Karen-just used the link and *THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU*-will be at computer every spare minute to read the Lovely columns!"}, {"response": 142, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (11:51)", "body": "I think it's more fun to discuss the columns in two's and three's instead of the whole book at once."}, {"response": 143, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (11:57)", "body": "THANK YOU KAREN!! so very much for the columns. You are indeed wonderful."}, {"response": 144, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (12:04)", "body": "Hey, You....*Wonderful One*.... when are we gonna get rid of those dogs?"}, {"response": 145, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (12:13)", "body": "Blast! Am I the only one getting the message that the columns are not available? \"Sorry the page you requested is not available\"??? GAH!! Oh! I have October 3 on....but nothing before. Thank you Karen! Seems some have all the links. I'll try again at home and see if they'll work from there!"}, {"response": 146, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (12:29)", "body": "Clean out your memory cache, refresh, etc. Your computer seems to want to retain everything old for way too long!! The Oct-Dec 1998 columns have been up since the beginning because The Telegraph lost them years ago and I had to type them up. (and you wonder why I didn't update earlier) ;-)"}, {"response": 147, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (12:52)", "body": "(Karen) Clean out your memory cache, refresh, etc. Your computer seems to want to retain everything old for way too long!! Hey! How 'bout that! Like magic ;-D!!! Got 'em! Thanks Karen!"}, {"response": 148, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (12:55)", "body": "Karen, remember when we'd go to Library to get columns or I'd call you to read it to you... hard to believe it's been THAT long!"}, {"response": 149, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (13:06)", "body": "(Bonnie)Yes-Colin in ski gear-all in black,head to toe Unless he insists on brown ski boots. There is no guarantee that they will have snow in Austria the way the crazy weather has been. What will they do then? ;-) At least we saw the MD look in Toronto."}, {"response": 150, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (13:18)", "body": "(Tress)Hey! How 'bout that! Like magic ;-D!!! Got 'em! Thanks Karen! Worked for me too. Karen, wonderful job! Thanks for that lightning speed turnaround. Did the 12-3 help power your engines?;-) I love the description of MD in those ski scenes, and the 'I love you' bit. Oh sigh, sigh, sigh. Then sigh, again."}, {"response": 151, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (13:50)", "body": "(Bonnie)Yes-Colin in ski gear-all in black,head to toe (Moon) Unless he insists on brown ski boots. *snort* Thank goodness, he's not in charge of his own wardrobe. Can see ugly dark blue parka with fur trim and baggy cords tramping into ski lodge.... (Laura) remember when ... Indeed I do, as well as going downstairs to Jeff's to use his computer. While going through the printouts, there's one that I should probably put in plastic. Helen signed the one (striding in barrister mode in towel) with a very personalized comment, unlike what she did for others at the signing."}, {"response": 152, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (14:12)", "body": "Not yet! But it could be. This is the final week of our Annual Drool Fundraising Drive. Please contact me to get information on how to make your contribution. If you haven't received an acknowledgment from me, then I haven't received it yet. There are still quite a few people who emailed me, but from whom I haven't received anything yet. So, if it's slipped your mind, now is the time to get that checkbook out. We are very near our goal, having collected approximately 90 percent of the coming year's basic operating expenses. Here is this week's list of Drool Darlings, who have dusted off the old checkbook and helped us get closer to that goal: Thanks again to everyone for their continuing generosity."}, {"response": 153, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (14:58)", "body": "Thanks boss....So nice to have our Mr. Darcy back To all who contributed...90%, fantastic. But we need 100..or those /*&%dogs will be back! Special thanks to the lurker Drool Darlings."}, {"response": 154, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (17:12)", "body": "Thank you, thank you for those of you who helped get rid of those damn dogs! Those shoes were really getting on my nerves!;-) Should have put this on Darcy Drool cause I drooling to need a bib. Great message, what a guy!"}, {"response": 155, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (17:41)", "body": "(Evelyn)or those /*&%dogs will be back! . The dogs I can take, it was the lady in the middle that needed to go.;-)"}, {"response": 156, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (17:57)", "body": "(Bonnie)Yes-Colin in ski gear-all in black,head to toe (Moon) Unless he insists on brown ski boots. Aha! I'm a long time skier, and never ever have I seen brown ski boots anywhere,in any decade!!!!!Thank G-D!!!!!Otherwise, I'd be worried about ODB and his fashion sense-or lack there of?"}, {"response": 157, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (19:23)", "body": "Thank you Karen! You're the best! Wonderful new (to me, at least) columns and Darcy with a great grin for a great cause! (Karen)*cleaning cobwebs off brain* He definitely gets the fuckwit award on May 22 :-( Indeed, a fine example of emotional fuckwittage... though I can't imagine Mark being quite that much of one. Can see ugly dark blue parka with fur trim and baggy cords tramping into ski lodge.... The MOTM look? IMHO, he looked rather yummy then (though the impotent psychopath murdeer aspect of the character does cut down on the sexiness a bit). ;-)"}, {"response": 158, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (19:25)", "body": "Ack! Closing tags! Sorry!"}, {"response": 159, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (19:27)", "body": "Sorry...."}, {"response": 160, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (20:46)", "body": "I'd like to add my thanks to Karen for her efforts in providing us with the Telegraph columns. Right after I read BJD and when I was just getting into my obsession I discovered the columns at the Bucket and loved them so much that I printed out the whole year's worth. This was before I discovered Drool and started lurking here, so I was just bursting with the need to share all this with someone. Why it took me so long to follow that link to Spring I'll never know, but last year's birthday party was my coming out party, so to speak. I've loved every minute of my time here, and seeing these columns posted again reminds me how excited I was about the idea of ODB becoming Mark Darcy on screen. Can't wait until we start getting news from the set of TEOR!"}, {"response": 161, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (21:02)", "body": "Here here Hen! I second that thanks.....at least! My progression as well......... Who knew where that *Spring* link would lead? To a wonderful community IMNSHO!"}, {"response": 162, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (21:26)", "body": "Does the director always select the music on a movie? I hope Richard Curtis gets to add his two cents worth...."}, {"response": 163, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (22:18)", "body": "I wouldn't worry overmuch about the music for TEOR, Working Title knows its music and what sells. Glad everyone can now enjoy the columns. They are marvelous. Such a pity that the ones from the Independent can't be similarly resurrected. :-( (Hen) Why it took me so long to follow that link to Spring It pays to be curious, and in the case of anything the site, to mouseover images. ;-) [especially the ones on the old BJD pages)"}, {"response": 164, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 2003 (06:47)", "body": "shoot in London, Thailand and Austria. Why,oh why can't they shoot the skiing in Switzerland?! For once in my life I wouldn't mind going on ski holidays if only I had a chance of seeing ODB on the slopes;-)"}, {"response": 165, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 2003 (07:38)", "body": "Mark as fuckwit I recall when Karen was indubitably pissed because of the way that HF was writing MD. He was being a knucklehead and we were frustrated for MONTHS!!! Especially when HF would go on her BJD book roadtrips and we'd have no columns for weeks! (then again HF was famous for being continuously late with the columns!)"}, {"response": 166, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 2003 (07:40)", "body": "Apparently today's Daily Mail has the first on set pics of RZ in TEOR."}, {"response": 167, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 2003 (07:54)", "body": "Before I buy it after work (thanks Mari), I found this: http://www.femail.co.uk/pages/standard/article.html?in_article_id=199206&in_page_id=119"}, {"response": 168, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 2003 (08:26)", "body": "Emma!!!! Thank you. It seems very real now! Lovely orange parachute outfit *snicker*!"}, {"response": 169, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 2003 (09:59)", "body": "(Daily Mail) Miss Zellweger went from a size eight to a size 14 for the new film, Bridget Jones Can't remember if we had this discussion here or I had it somewhere else.....are these sizes UK? Are the UK size numbers larger to the corresponding American sizes? Like is an 8 UK a 2 US? Cause I'm telling you, there is NOOOOOO way on God's green earth that she was an 8 US. At least not earlier this year when I saw her."}, {"response": 170, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 2003 (09:59)", "body": "Thanks Mari and Emma, but is there more than one picture in the newspaper? Let's see, the only parachute jumping in the book was by an old pensioner as I recall. Perhaps will be this film's fire pole. ;-) I took a look in my BJD book for HF's inscription and she had written \"I'll be watching you on the net.\" She used to come here to see our reactions to what she had written. What we liked, didn't like, etc., and told the audience at booksignings across the country that there was a place on the internet where her columns were discussed. Imagine her surprise when I told her that I was part of that site."}, {"response": 171, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 2003 (10:39)", "body": "There is NO WAY RZ was a size 8 prior to filming BJ.... Even now pregnant, I'm a size 6 in Maternity clothes! (and I'm 7 mos preggers!) and prior to being pregnant, I weighed more than she did."}, {"response": 172, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 2003 (10:48)", "body": "Those are UK sizes, not American. According to one website: \"U.K. size is 2 more than U.S. Example: UK 8 = US 6 = Euro 36 = Japan 5\" However, even this is doubtful. RZ a 6?? That's like in the Plus Size section in LA. ;-)"}, {"response": 173, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 2003 (10:49)", "body": "Here's another useful site: http://www.onlineconversion.com/womens_clothing.htm"}, {"response": 174, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 2003 (11:01)", "body": "However, even this is doubtful. RZ a 6?? That's like in the Plus Size section in LA. ;-) ] great in LA I'm plus size! (glad I live in MA). (but even a size 8 in UK is pushing her \"lets shop in the same stores my 13 year old shops!\" She's a non size if ever (she's up there with Lara Flynn Boyle!)"}, {"response": 175, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 2003 (11:15)", "body": "She looked no more than a 2.....seriously."}, {"response": 176, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 2003 (14:04)", "body": "Thanks for the pic, Emma. It looks funny; RZ sure is game for anything! (Karen)is there more than one picture in the newspaper? Apparently the second is a facial close-up. She used to come here to see our reactions to what she had written. And probably was LOL. She'd fit right in around here.:-)"}, {"response": 177, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 2003 (15:18)", "body": "Thank you, Emma. Excellent confirmation that filming is underway. Hurrah! (Karen)Let's see, the only parachute jumping in the book was by an old pensioner as I recall. Perhaps will be this film's fire pole. Most likely. Tuesday 28 January from the book. Looks like they'll include some of the silly, embarassing things Richard Finch cooks up for Bridget's job."}, {"response": 178, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (12:03)", "body": "I've been told that the skiing scenes will be shot in Lech, which is on the Arlberg Pass in Austria's Vorarlberg province, and about 120km west of Innsbruck. http://www.lechaustria.com/"}, {"response": 179, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (12:23)", "body": "It says the slopes open at the end of Nov. Last year, I know there was no snow till the end of Dec. I have friends in Sud Tirol. Too bad they decided on Austria instead of Italy. When is TEOR supposed to wrap?"}, {"response": 180, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (13:14)", "body": "(Karen) I've been told that the skiing scenes will be shot in Lech, which is on the Arlberg Pass in Austria's Vorarlberg province, and about 120km west of Innsbruck. OMG! I spent about ten days in Lech (Lech am Arlberg) several years ago....beautiful. We got snowed in. The day we arrived they shut the pass down behind us and we were 'stuck' there for New Year's Eve. Oh....how we suffered! ;-) I'm very excited to see where they will film there, I was all over that place!"}, {"response": 181, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (18:22)", "body": "OMG! I spent about ten days in Lech (Lech am Arlberg) several years ago....beautiful. We got snowed in. The day we arrived they shut the pass down behind us and we were 'stuck' there for New Year's Eve. Oh....how we suffered! ;-) So, Tress, how was the grappa? ;-)"}, {"response": 182, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Oct 12, 2003 (12:33)", "body": "(LisaJH) So, Tress, how was the grappa? ;-) No grappa. Vodka with figs. And King Hussein bought me a drink (probably the most interesting ten minutes of my life)! The place attracts all sorts....it was a favorite of Princess Diana's I hear. If RZ wants to keep her weight up, she won't have any problems there. The food is amazing....we ate somewhere different every night and never had a bad experience......quite the opposite, actually!"}, {"response": 183, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Oct 12, 2003 (16:51)", "body": "blurb in People regarding RZ (got bored waiting in line at Walmart;-)). Said that \"the 5'5\" actress who normally weighs 106lbs is putting away 4000 calories a day in order to expand from her usual size 4 to a size 14\". 5'5\", 106lbs, and she's a size 4? I've got to agree with Dorine, maybe a size 2."}, {"response": 184, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Oct 13, 2003 (06:42)", "body": "Hugh Grant says he may quit films Hugh Grant says he may quit making films, because the thought of acting in any more blockbusters terrifies him. The 43-year-old said he has felt tired over the last year and doesn't feel like making a film which he'd then have to promote around the world. He said: \"The thought of doing big films is too frightening now. I think you have to be a particular sort of personality to enjoy trying to open a film at 2,500 cinemas and have the world looking to see how much money it makes at the box office that weekend.\" Grant stars in Richard Curtis's new comedy Love Actually, in which he plays the Prime Minister who falls in love with a tea lady. He's also about to begin filming the sequel to Bridget Jones's Diary, but said: \"I'm only working on it for about three weeks.\" He added: \"It would be quite a big leap to throw away everything I've done over the last 10 years but it might well be the best thing for me. I don't know what the future holds.\" Grant also said his production company, Simian Films, which he ran with former girlfriend Liz Hurley, was no longer in the film-making business, reports the Daily Mirror. Story filed: 07:57 Monday 13th October 2003 http://www.ananova.com/entertainment/story/sm_828248.html"}, {"response": 185, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Oct 13, 2003 (07:38)", "body": "(MariaT)Hugh Grant says he may quit films He has said this before. Unlikely, IMO. He's also about to begin filming the sequel to Bridget Jones's Diary, but said: \"I'm only working on it for about three weeks.\" Yes!!! Perhaps the film is sticking to the book's storyline!"}, {"response": 186, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 13, 2003 (09:15)", "body": "Thanks, Maria. Huge has been saying this for a while, and he hasn't worked on anything significant since he's made that comment (after wrapping the one with Sandra Bullock). Everything since then has been small (Love Actually and now BJD), and many of the films he was supposed to do (like Wimbledon) are being made with others."}, {"response": 187, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Oct 13, 2003 (09:45)", "body": "And he doesn't seem to need to, especially after spending 20 mil pounds, or whatever it was on an estate. Frankly, I wouldn't either. Who really would if they didn't have to? Especially that circus."}, {"response": 188, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 13, 2003 (10:17)", "body": "(MariaT)Hugh Grant says he may quit films Joins Liam Neeson who \"quit\" five years ago. He can always go over to Fragile Films with Mark Herman directing...."}, {"response": 189, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Oct 13, 2003 (10:24)", "body": "(MariaT)Hugh Grant says he may quit films (Evelyn)Joins Liam Neeson who \"quit\" five years ago. Or he could go thread shoelaces for DDL..."}, {"response": 190, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Oct 13, 2003 (12:12)", "body": "(Lora) If Renee can get comfortable with extra pounds, I don't get the impression she's comfortable with it. Matter of fact, quite the opposite after reading the Premiere interview with her. She says she's sluggish, and seems to be uncomfortable stuffing her face and not being allowed to run. I feel that way after weeklong out-of-town business meetings....sitting all day long, food constantly put out in front of you and you eat 'cause it's something to do. By the end of the week with no exercise you can't do it anymore. But then she's getting a hefty check for all that. I get bupkus, but tighter clothes. ;-)"}, {"response": 191, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Oct 13, 2003 (18:48)", "body": "Not much on this site, yet, but hopefully it will have more as time goes on. Bridget Jones the Edge Of Reason - The Latest On the Film. Filming Begins Week Commencing 6th October 2003 for Summer 2004 release http://www.bridgetjonestheedgeofreason.co.uk/ The more I see of Laura Linney, the more I like her as a possible Rebecca. I think Mari mentioned that several months ago. I still liked Rosamonde Pike, but I think LL might be better. HG only working on TEOR for three weeks! Please let them follow the book, please!"}, {"response": 192, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Oct 13, 2003 (19:49)", "body": "(Dorine)She says she's sluggish, and seems to be uncomfortable stuffing her face and not being allowed to run. I'm sure this is true. She's not used to living this way at all. I just meant she was being given time to gain them and get used to them. Should have said \"get used to\" instead of \"get comfortable.\" It's all part of getting ready to play a character. And thanks for moving the discussion over here! :-)"}, {"response": 193, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 13, 2003 (22:15)", "body": "In tomorrow Daily Record (a Scottish paper): RENEE'S V BAD SKIRT Oct 14 2003 RENEE Zellweger was not exactly dressed to thrill as she shared a clinch with Colin Firth in a love scene for the new Bridget Jones film. She has famously piled on thepounds, up to a dress size 14 for Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason. But she obviously saw the funny side of being made to wear a frilly, floral puffball creation. ~~~~~~~ Wonder if there's a picture in the newspaper...huh, Janet???? http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/news/page.cfm?objectid=13512059&method=full&siteid=89488"}, {"response": 194, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Oct 13, 2003 (22:21)", "body": "But she obviously saw the funny side of being made to wear a frilly, floral puffball creation. Thanks, Karen. Wonder if it's the bridesmaid dress for Jude's wedding with the hole/fertility symbol?"}, {"response": 195, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Mon, Oct 13, 2003 (22:30)", "body": "The Sun has a picture of the dress. http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2003471999,00.html"}, {"response": 196, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 13, 2003 (22:55)", "body": "Fantastic Marianne!! Wot? No glasses?? ;-) (have bandaged fingers together so as not to mention other obvious thing on head)"}, {"response": 197, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 13, 2003 (23:00)", "body": "Now it's Bridget groans Is skirt off sick? ... Renee Picture: BIG STAR Ren\ufffde Zellweger, 34, grimaces as she films new Bridget Jones movie The Edge of Reason, in North London yesterday \ufffd probably because she\ufffds had to dress like Little Miss Muffet. Posh ... Firth as Mark Darcy, with Renee Picture: GOFF PHOTOS Needless to say, her screen romance with Mark Darcy \ufffd actor Colin Firth \ufffd is anything BUT a fairytale."}, {"response": 198, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Oct 13, 2003 (23:07)", "body": "Oooh, doesn't he look purdy? despite the thing not being mentioned ;-)."}, {"response": 199, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (01:02)", "body": "Thanks Marianne! Ren\ufffde looks like she borrowed one of Minnie Pearl's dresses.;-) LOL, Karen and Dorine! Am not going to go there, either.;-)"}, {"response": 200, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (02:52)", "body": "STAR Ren\ufffde Zellweger, 34, grimaces as she films new Bridget Jones movie The Edge of Reason, in North London yesterday Omigod! This place is wall to wall film shoots. How to find which of the trailers contains YKW?"}, {"response": 201, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (05:09)", "body": "Standard flyers yesterday promised \"Bridget Jones 2 - first pictures\" and I'm sure I saw over someone's shoulder a full-page picture of an alfresco kiss between CF and RZ. But when I look at the copy of yesterday's Standard that we have in work it's not there; must have been a later edition(?) Now I'm feeling guilty that I didn't buy one to share (I expected to be able to see the picture here by now!)"}, {"response": 202, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (05:32)", "body": "Aha! It's all in today's Mirror..."}, {"response": 203, "author": "BarbaraT", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (06:17)", "body": "... and today's Daily Mail. There are four different pics on page 3. Sorry, can't scan them."}, {"response": 204, "author": "BarbaraT", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (06:30)", "body": "Sorry to double post, but think I'd better clarify the above post. I meant the pics were different from the one already posted here, not different to the ones in the Mirror which I haven't seen. There's one of Bridget and Mark walking along hand in hand, 2 of them embracing and one where Bridget is sitting leaning against a tree with her arms around the neck of a reclining Mark."}, {"response": 205, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (07:26)", "body": "Thanks Marianne! The blue shirt is back! ;-) I think that might be him with the sand colour pants and white (?!) shoes? Allison you must be come our agent. Don't you have a dog to walk around all those trailers? ;-D Thanks for the heads-up Mark and Barbara. Mark we will expect your walk-on at some point. :-)"}, {"response": 206, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (07:27)", "body": "Grr..Can't find any Daily Mail pictures but here is an additional bit about the filming.. Oooh, kiss Jones Oct 14 2003 DARCY AND BRIDGET'S PARK SNOG By Fiona Cummins Ms Showbiz HOLLYWOOD star Renee Zellweger shares some tender moments with actor Colin Firth while filming the new Bridget Jones movie. Renee plays blundering Bridget who finally seems to have got her ideal man in Mark Darcy (Firth) and is determined to hang on him. Later, lefty Bridget is horrified to discover that barrister Darcy is terribly conservative. Renee, 34, has piled on the pounds and bulked up from a size 8 to a size 14 for her role in Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. But her love handles come in handy for Darcy as he grabs her in a passionate clinch in scenes filmed in a park in Primrose Hill, North West London. The love action sometimes got a bit too much for Renee and Firth, 43, and they just had to laugh it off. Slim Renee has been tucking into high calorie pizza, burgers, cream cheese and four course breakfasts to beef up to 10 stone. But her wallet is bulging even more. She has been paid \ufffd15million to star in the sequel to blockbuster Bridget Jones's Diary. TV presenter Bridget looks set to lose all that weight when she ends up in a Thai jail wrongly accused of drug smuggling when someone tampers with her luggage. The film is due for release next year. msshowbiz@mirror.co.uk"}, {"response": 207, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (08:49)", "body": "(Allison) How to find which of the trailers contains YKW? This had me stumped ! Trailers ? where, on what page, how did they get there so quickly, then I realized, \"not that type of Trailer\" silly me ;-)"}, {"response": 208, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (09:33)", "body": "(Allison) How to find which of the trailers contains YKW? It typically has the character's name on the door, but in his case I would doubt it because of recognition."}, {"response": 209, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (10:20)", "body": "Primrose Hill, North West London Okay the dog and I will try and find time to walk there. Know it well. And my dog is a good sniffer breed :-)"}, {"response": 210, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (10:26)", "body": "And my dog is a good sniffer breed :-) LOL! You have him well trained? ;-) Don't forget the camera!!!"}, {"response": 211, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (11:07)", "body": "This is getting to be a busy place...just wondering, is a name change in order? Bridget Jones - Dangerously Near the Edge of Reason or some such?"}, {"response": 212, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (11:20)", "body": "from Hello magazine - on the set in Regent's Park"}, {"response": 213, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (11:46)", "body": "(Barb) is a name change in order? Bridget Jones - Dangerously Near the Edge of Reason or some such? How 'bout, At the Precipice of Sanity. A little too much of a change, you say? ;-)"}, {"response": 214, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (12:03)", "body": "Okay where are they? Primrose Hill, Regents Park or according to my husband who just phoned me, Hampstead Heath. My dog can probably manage three parks in a day but I do not think I can.."}, {"response": 215, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (12:38)", "body": "The pic in the Daily Record is small, unclear, and shows CF from behind. However, the pics in the Mirror and Daily Mail are pretty good, if a little grainy. And he looks wonderful! Tousled hair, and all. Although RZ looks like someone from a Grease revival!! Not sure about his choice of shoes, though. It looks like he's wearing black and white trainers."}, {"response": 216, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (12:43)", "body": "CF and his choice of shoes may well end up a running joke. ;-) Carry on Allison! Regents Park and Hampstead Heath are big parks, I know. How about a taxi? ;-D Who knows where they'll be tomorrow?"}, {"response": 217, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (13:00)", "body": "Way to go Allison. You must vistit the parks. Your dog will love you for it. Black and white trainers. LOL. Probably only shooting from the waist up...I hope. Well actually, nah. I'm staying good. Not even gonna mention the hair thing. But why in Gawds name... Obviously not the hair people from WAGW;-( (Mark)saw over someone's shoulder a full-page picture of an alfresco kiss OOOHHH. Sounds so good. Thank you Karen, Maria, Marianne"}, {"response": 218, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (14:04)", "body": "I'll be putting up the picnic pictures and the article from the Daily Mail, which Aishling has scanned and sent over."}, {"response": 219, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (14:37)", "body": "Article is on the regular page: http://www.firth.com/teor.html and the location gallery has been updated. Click on Aishling's Daily Mail pics and you'll get bigger ones. http://www.firth.com/teor_locgal1.html"}, {"response": 220, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (14:54)", "body": "Thanks Aishling and Karen! Love the picture of them against the tree. *sigh* Looks like RZ is wearing a faux pony tail, as her hair isn't long enough for that tail."}, {"response": 221, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (15:07)", "body": "Even with the weight she must be tiny as he looks enormous in the last one (good enormous though). Thanks Karen and Aishling!"}, {"response": 222, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (15:15)", "body": "I like the tree one too, Lisa. So is the Big Hug. The kissie one looks as if he's pulling away...\"Loosen up, Colin\" In the Sun pic...Bridget giggling. Whoever picked up the guy on the right with the white trainers as Colin is correct. (DM)\"They gaze into each other?s eyes, hug and kiss before removing their outer clothing\" Whoa!!! Thanks UK gang....(including Allison's dog) Nice scan Aishling:-)) You too boss. Lotta work there.*clap, clap*"}, {"response": 223, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (15:26)", "body": "(DM)\"They gaze into each other?s eyes, hug and kiss before removing their outer clothing\" (Evelyn) Whoa!!! LOL! Don't get tooooooooo excited. I believe the caption under the pic is \"off come the anoraks for a hug\" Walking caption is: Hand and hand, and equipped with picnic basket Lying down: Lying back in the grass, Bridget and Mark are the picture of contentment. No caption on big Scarlett and Rhett-like kiss (after fleeing the burning Atlanta), though he's not even touching her, that I can see. Hmmmm, must be a mini-break, don't you think and Bridget's luggage got left behind on doorstep since our MarkG didn't stow it in boot???"}, {"response": 224, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (15:28)", "body": "Re the tree pic: Shades of P&P. He looks (and dresses somewhat) like FD. And her dress looks rather Regency (well at least the part we can see!!)"}, {"response": 225, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (15:31)", "body": "(Karen) No caption on big Scarlett and Rhett-like kiss (after fleeing the burning Atlanta), though he's not even touching her, that I can see. But that is where his very large looking hand is on her and looks so..so.. large...Almost does look like they are smiling or about to laugh here but I could be imagining things..."}, {"response": 226, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (15:40)", "body": "Was talking about the lips. His hands are around her shoulders. Here's a big one:"}, {"response": 227, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (15:41)", "body": "(Janet) Re the tree pic: Shades of P&P. He looks (and dresses somewhat) like FD. I thought that as well, Janet."}, {"response": 228, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (15:43)", "body": "Thanks so much London Ladies and Mark , and Karen for getting the pics and aritcles posted so quickly. Love the twirling hug and the one where Bridget is leaning against the tree. I can't believe it's finally happening. Makes me want to re-read TEOR, the Telegraph columns and BJD! Can't get enough of Mark Darcy, no matter what his politics ;-)"}, {"response": 229, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (16:06)", "body": "Murph posted this on #178 From the Mirror: \"The love action sometimes got a bit too much for Renee and Firth, 43, and they just had to laugh it off.\" Must be the pic where she is giggling and he's on the right."}, {"response": 230, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (16:19)", "body": "Rumor has it that tomorrow's (Wednesday's) filming will take place in the Borough Market area. Heads up for anyone in the neighborhood.;-) Love the pics--thank you Aishling and Karen! I thought Fitz Darcy as well; the billowing shirt and the cut of the trousers look sort of Regency period. Hmmmm . . ."}, {"response": 231, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (16:49)", "body": "(Hen)Makes me want to re-read TEOR, the Telegraph columns and BJD! Can't get enough of Mark Darcy, no matter what his politics ;-) I'm not quite sure where in the book the frolic in the park in party dress and anoraks (could that be at Rebecca's garden \"cottage?\"), but the pics are great and are a positive portent of things to come. Thanks Karen, Aishling, MarianneC, Maria, and all!"}, {"response": 232, "author": "aishling", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (16:59)", "body": "(Karen)No caption on big Scarlett and Rhett-like kiss Whoops, must have cut that off. Caption reads: A whole-hearted kiss.... but will our heroine love and lose again?"}, {"response": 233, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (18:32)", "body": "Thank you so much boss, for those pictures and articles. Aishling you are wonderful. You, too, Mark. \"The love action sometimes got a bit too much for Renee and Firth, 43, and they just had to laugh it off.\" I hope it gets a bit to much in the kitchen scene...one can only hope. Don't think they could get too steamy on a picnic. I'm dancing around here just knowing this film is finally underway. Yeah!!!"}, {"response": 234, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (18:38)", "body": "I wasn't entirely happy with the work, so I've done over the bigger ones from the Daily Mail today in the Location Gallery."}, {"response": 235, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (18:42)", "body": "(Mari)Rumor has it that tomorrow's (Wednesday's) filming will take place in the Borough Market area. Heads up for anyone in the neighborhood.;-) Good luck to anyone with the time to go along tomorrow, just in case. - And if anyone knows of any location filming the weekend of the 1 and 2 November, please let me know. I'll be in London for the weekend and may be able to persuade my DH to have a look around!!"}, {"response": 236, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (23:32)", "body": "(Linda) I'm dancing around here just knowing this film is finally underway. Yeah!!! It gladdens my sometimes cynical ole heart into a pile of mush knowing that the filming is underway. :-)"}, {"response": 237, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (08:03)", "body": "Report from the set I As predicted (thanks Mari), it's all set up now in Borough Market, and I got to see RZ as if down a long corridor. She was standing talking animatedly on her cellphone whilst seeming to be intently studying a props stall of cabbage or lettuce. The latter more than the former suggests she was acting or rehearsing. Wearing: a light grey jacket and short pleated skirt, opaque black tights and black boots. Seems like they're set up to film only in the fruit'n'veg market today, but production staff suggest that it'll go on late today and that tomorrow they'll be somewhere nearby. Bridget's \"door\" has been reinstated with hanging baskets outside and drapes in the windows alongside, and Kalispera (the Greek restaurant) is back on the other side of the street, as are some of the shop \"names\" from last time. Chairs were set up for Producer Jonathan Cavendish and Director Beeban Kidron and I think I identified Beeban, being the only person who talked to RZ for any length of time, and to whom RZ seemed to be listening intently. Talking to other snoopers, I learned that I had missed CF by 15 or 20 minutes - he had gone round the corner to his trailer. The girl who talked to me said that she had not recognised him (hair \"much curlier in real life\") until he had been stopped by 2 girls requesting a photo with him. No HG expected here, and the production staff reckon they're all off to the country \"soon\". Once RZ had disappeared and then the suspected BK had been driven away, I figured nothing was going to happen for a while and returned to my post here to report. Anyone in London who wants to say Hi,I'll be outside Fish! restaurant by Southwark Cathedral from about 6.30 to 7.30 (unless prevented, or there's anywhere obviously better to watch from), though from experience the best hope for excitement is very late in the day."}, {"response": 238, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (08:20)", "body": "Mark thank you so much for your on site report!! It all seem so alive and real with your descriptions... Keep up the great work!! :-))"}, {"response": 239, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (09:20)", "body": "(Burberry Man)Bridget's \"door\" has been reinstated with hanging baskets outside and drapes in the windows alongside, and Kalispera (the Greek restaurant) is back on the other side of the street, as are some of the shop \"names\" from last time. Hey Mark...did you tell them you're an experienced \"background artist\"(I hear tht's what they call extras now). Nice to hear the ole neighborhood is back in place now. What did they do with the fancy framing shop? BTW Me thinks the picnic scene must be one of Bridget's imaginary scenarios like the 'wedding' with Daniel Cleaver and the wolves. (Someone must have admired Reese and Rupe in the knight scene...ug.)"}, {"response": 240, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (09:31)", "body": "*clap clap clap* Wonderful report! Almost like being there. Mark, is it Beeban Kidron in the picture with RZ here: Did RZ recognize you? ;-) Did you get a sense of how long they'll be filming at the Market? And where exactly is \"nearby\"?"}, {"response": 241, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (10:08)", "body": "Yes, that looks like the Beeban I saw. RZ was always unlikely to spot me behind several other fans (all women) and a railing 100 yards from her! :-( (though of course I'm sure she'd have recognised me - her hair was up by the way - I thought she looked great) Just today at the market. And tomorrow the \"nearby\" seemed like it might be round the corner in Clink Street (i.e. outside Daniel's flat)."}, {"response": 242, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (10:16)", "body": "v.g. Despite requisite baseball cap, she had that look of a director."}, {"response": 243, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (10:29)", "body": "Well done, Mark! Burberry man comes through again! ;-) Are you wearing your lucky suit? ;-)"}, {"response": 244, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (10:37)", "body": "I'm sending you a big kiss, Mark! Wonderful reporting as usual! :-) (Evelyn), The kissie one looks as if he's pulling away...\"Loosen up, Colin\" LOL! Will he ever? He's goofy. In the Sun pic...Bridget giggling. Whoever picked up the guy on the right with the white trainers as Colin is correct. C'est moi! ;-) If it is a dream sequence, you'd think he could have worn shoes? ;-) Thanks Aishling and Karen! As always, this is the place to be. I hope everyone keeps that in mind in the current fundraising effort. If you love it here, please support drool. :-D Contact Karen for information."}, {"response": 245, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (10:38)", "body": "Mark, thank you for your hard work \"snooping\" around set;-)! Maybe this is a stupid question but is it that cold in London right now that RZ is wearing a heavy parka and boots? (Evelyn)Me thinks the picnic scene must be one of Bridget's imaginary scenarios like the 'wedding' with Daniel Cleaver and the wolves. Got to agree, it looks like a \"dream\" sequence...I just hope there's no skipping;-)."}, {"response": 246, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (10:42)", "body": "(Ada) is it that cold in London right now that RZ is wearing a heavy parka and boots? No, dear, that would be her costume for whatever scene was being filmed, regardless of the weather. Just saw a French film, which was sort of behind-the-scenes look at the making of another of the director's films, and they were shooting a beach scene in winter and the actors were huddled under down comforters and then had to pretend to be having a good time frolicking in the sun."}, {"response": 247, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (11:21)", "body": "(Ada) is it that cold in London right now that RZ is wearing a heavy parka and boots? (Karen) No, dear, that would be her costume for whatever scene was being filmed, regardless of the weather. Might be a costume; but it certainly is cold enough here that she might not want to be waiting around in just the summer dress."}, {"response": 248, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (12:19)", "body": "Really? It's cold by you? In the picture where Mark and Bridget are walking, they're wearing jackets. The article in the Daily Mail said, \"They gaze into each other\ufffds eyes, hug and kiss before removing their outer clothing.\" Perhaps that was a rehearsal. ;-)"}, {"response": 249, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (13:38)", "body": "Mark, you are the best. Thank you for bringing filming of TEOR so close to all of us. Am looking forward to your 'reports from the set';-) (Mark)Might be a costume; Costume in a dream, I hope. I really can't imagine Bridget in that dress on a date with Mark."}, {"response": 250, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (13:48)", "body": "Three more pics from yesterday's Daily Mirror from that same location, courtesy of Aishling and her handy scanner: http://www.firth.com/teor_locgal1.html"}, {"response": 251, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (14:22)", "body": "She packed up the pounds/stones alright. Look at her bosom. Still has great legs, though. Cute pics.... You da' woman, Aishling..*blowing air kisses*"}, {"response": 252, "author": "houstonandy", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (15:02)", "body": "Mark, Aishling.. You both are making me want to get on a plane and be there NOW!!! thanks to both of you. I, too, hope that it's a dream sequence. I mean, what's with the dress???!!! ;-) Both are cuter than ever, especially ODB without those glasses."}, {"response": 253, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (15:03)", "body": "Burberry Man is back in business! Thanks, Mark, so glad it worked out. Love reading the you-are-there reports.:-) Thanks, Aishling, for the new pics--they're adorable! It seems as though they are getting Colin's filming in early, so he will have plenty of time to promote GWAPE (from my lips to God's ear.;-)"}, {"response": 254, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (15:03)", "body": "Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!! It's not fair that some people can gain weight on purpose in the right places. Perhaps she's getting a boost from a Wonderbra? I just saw Jerry Maguire on TV, and RZ was definitely lacking in the bosom dept."}, {"response": 255, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (15:17)", "body": "Mark, thank you so much for your wonderful reporting! And thanks to Aishling for providing the newest pics. I agree that the picnic scene will probably be like the BJD wedding scene, but Bridget's fantasies are still a joy to behold! I can't wait to see if they keep the Fitzwilliam Darcy look for Mark throughout. He looks incredibly delectable to me;-)"}, {"response": 256, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (15:18)", "body": "(Evelyn)She packed up the pounds/stones alright. Look at her bosom. Mother nature may have had a little help. I think the 'chicken fillets' and wonderbra may be in evidence again!! Thanks to Mark and Aishling. Oh, to be in London right now! - Allison, are you planning on walking the dog again tonight?"}, {"response": 257, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (15:33)", "body": "Just to whet your appetite ... I shall be reporting tomorrow on a short scene between RZ and CF at the door of Bridget's flat shot this evening. Sadly no opportunity for me to join the extras. Sorry not to report fully yet ... please be patient."}, {"response": 258, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (16:01)", "body": "I just saw Jerry Maguire on TV, and RZ was definitely lacking in the bosom dept. She was 'lacking' last May on Jay Leno too. Let's see...Mark gets to work at 9...so I'll have to set the clock for 3 AM!"}, {"response": 259, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (16:04)", "body": "Mark, you tease! That's OK, I'm a glutton for that kind. Thanks ever so much for the reports. :-D Thanks, Aishling for the pics, too! Hope you, too, had good luck on your scouting expedition."}, {"response": 260, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (16:05)", "body": "Mark, thank you so much for your reports so far, but it's so hard to be patient :-) (selvom t\ufffdlmod er en dyd :-)) (Mark)..RZ and CF at the door of Bridget's flat shot this evening. I hope their weather is just like ours: cold and starry. This is the stuff, dreams are made of :-) Thank you Aishling and Karen for the new pictures. The \"tree-picture\" is so lovely. Sorry if I forgot to mention any af the contributers of news and pictures. I'm truely grateful :-)"}, {"response": 261, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (17:34)", "body": "I've put up a ton of new pictures from today's filming. They're little...for now but maybe we'll catch Burberry Man http://www.firth.com/teor_locgal1.html Only one of them is clickable. ;-)"}, {"response": 262, "author": "Darla", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (17:44)", "body": "Burberry man? (newbie forgive me).. All I really want to know about this flick (ok not really) But WHO is going to be Rebecca? I am dying to find out."}, {"response": 263, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (17:54)", "body": "Burberry Man is our on-the-scene reporter MarkG, who also had a starring cameo role in the first BJD movie. He's the handsome man in the Burberry suit who walk down the sidewalk in front of Bridget's door when she and Daniel are driving off to the country."}, {"response": 264, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (18:11)", "body": "(Karen)It'll be worth clicking on me LOL! Thanks Karen and Mark for all of the lovely pictures and reports! So, is this whole movie just going to be Mark and Bridget kissing and pitching woo? (Not that I'd mind... ;-) )"}, {"response": 265, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (18:36)", "body": "Lovely, Karen! But he looks like he's missing her lips again. :-( I much prefer the one where he's leaning in. hmmmm. I guess that instead of all the shagging that takes place in the book, it's all that kissing. But what will end up on the cutting room floor? ;-) Mark, you sly fox. Can't wait for your report. You deserve one fancy Martini. :-D"}, {"response": 266, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (19:06)", "body": "OOOHH, I found the clickable one on the first try;-) Lots of snogging. I hope there's lots of shagging;-) (Dorine)Mark, you tease! That's OK, I'm a glutton for that kind. Ditto. Will check in early in the am for your report."}, {"response": 267, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (19:29)", "body": "(Moon) You deserve one fancy Martini. :-D Make that Jack Daniels... he's almost one of 'us';-)))) (linda) I hope there's lots of shagging;-) Bet there's not a rumpy-pumpy in the whole film...just lots of lip-locks. Still....they're 'loverly'.*sigh* Thanks boss. Same day photos....not bad:-)))"}, {"response": 268, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (19:35)", "body": "Karen, Wonderful pics! - You must have some amazing contacts."}, {"response": 269, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (19:50)", "body": "Thanks Karen, Mark, and everyone for an exciting day! There's a few photos on Extra today of Colin and RZ filming on the street. About 6 minutes into the show."}, {"response": 270, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (20:18)", "body": "(Karen)They're little...for now Oooooo, I'll take them little for now;-) Thanks for the sweet peek!"}, {"response": 271, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (20:44)", "body": "Thanks, Karen, and all those responsible for getting the pics to her so fast. Can't wait until they start filming the interior shagging scenes. (There will be shagging--there has to be.) MarkG, you really know how to torment a group of women. ;-)"}, {"response": 272, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (01:18)", "body": "I know this is the very definition of overkill, but... http://www.firth.com/teor_locgal1.html"}, {"response": 273, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (03:26)", "body": "Report from the set II Sorry to delay the full report (very full report, I didn\ufffdt take the time to write a shorter one!) \ufffd after two hours in the cold night in pursuit of celluloid history, I have to pay some attention to my DW rather than feverishly typing up reports for you newshounds. Annoyingly forgot to bring in digital camera today, and probably can\ufffdt go this evening, so this may be all you get from me. When I turned up, they were slowly setting up a camera stage outside the door of Bridget\ufffds flat, and a very few onlookers were lined up outside the Greek restaurant. At the end of them, looking like just two more, were Beeban Kidron and a production guy, so I sidled into the top eavesdropping position, a yard behind BK. Infuriatingly, the city noise (trains, traffic, sirens, bell-ringing \ufffd I\ufffdll come back to that) was so loud that I couldn\ufffdt hear a word, though I did catch the information from a girl positioned in the Greek restaurant that they have had to refit that only to preserve continuity, as the new story takes place three months after the old one. Plenty of passers-by stopped to watch; standard question: \ufffdWhat film is it? Who\ufffds in it?\ufffd, and I was amused to hear one woman told (by the mother of a girl extra) that the film was called \ufffdOn The Edge\ufffd \ufffd the same bossy mother had no idea who Helen Fielding was, not surprisingly. When I put the woman straight, she knew the film: \ufffdIs that the one where the girl\ufffds had to put on four stone?\ufffd I began to appreciate now that there were loads of extras waiting in starting positions \ufffd and realised I had missed the boat this time! And just before 7pm, CF was driven in, wearing a tuxedo, bowtie and dark coat. For ten minutes he stood around outside \ufffdBridget\ufffds door\ufffd, occasionally talking to the director, as lighting men, cameramen, props men, extras organisers etc milled around. And then, appropriately, RZ appeared from inside the \ufffdflat\ufffd. They had a chat for a few minutes, in great spirits, which ended with a huge guffaw from RZ, which might have been from something CF said, and he was literally doubled up laughing too. I can\ufffdt tell you how loud she was laughing for me to hear it through all the noise from 20 yards away. RZ was looking lovely in a long gold dress under a black coat with a fur or boa trim; she smiled pretty much all the time. Anyway the scene (57A according to the clapperboard) is this: Mark Darcy presses the door buzzer. Bridget (from inside): Who is it? Mark: It\ufffds me. Bridget: Hang on, I\ufffdm on the phone. (LONG pause) What do you want? Mark: I\ufffdd rather like to come up. Bridget: Why? Mark (only slightly awkwardly): Well, you ARE supposed to be my girlfriend. A few more lines, deliberately more quietly, then as even more outside noise starts up, he has to shout to be heard: Mark: For God\ufffds sake, I said: \ufffdI love you\ufffd! Laughter from group of lads at snack bar a few yards away. Mark looks embarrassed and frustrated at having to conduct his intimate business in public. After a while, the door opens, and Bridget appears to another cheer from the burger boys. Both Mark and Bridget give them a look, and Bridget holds up something to show Mark (a key?). After one or two more lines, they go inside, giggling, Mark half-pursuing Bridget, who is retreating in mock fear. The camera has moved right round Mark to bring into shot the burger boys, as well as the busy street on which he has to operate. The noise during the eight takes I watched was normally very loud, some of it obviously deliberate, though I can\ufffdt believe the crew had organised the bell-ringing marathon in Southwark Cathedral, and take 1 was amusingly interrupted at \ufffdAction Colin!\ufffd when his finger on the buzzer seemed to draw forth an almighty siren \ufffd which was just a coincidence. I\ufffdm assuming that either they can cut out most of the extraneous sound thanks to their booms etc, or that they hoped to get enough footage without too much train noise etc that they can cut the scene together from that. There were only about two takes where it was quiet enough for me to hear many lines at all. Beeban seems a much more hands-on director than Sharon was: during rehearsal and the early takes there was a lot of discussion with the actors, and during waiting around to reset for take 7, she was quite tactile with CF, her hands on his lapels \ufffd he seemed to be very amused by what she was saying. I heard Renee ask \ufffdWas that too flirty?\ufffd during the rehearsal \ufffd though it seemed there was no such thing in this scene! After take six, one of the extras sneered at us onlookers: \ufffdWe\ufffdre getting paid \ufffd400 a day for this!\ufffd And there was me, thinking if I just dared leap the tape, I\ufffdm only eight yards from the shot\ufffd CF looked unsurprisingly tall and dapper, RZ looked \ufffd well \ufffd lovely. This is MarkG, with, frankly, a bit of a crush. Now - back to the studio."}, {"response": 274, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (03:39)", "body": "Oh Mark, I'm all hot, just by reading your report, though my crush hopefully is directed at the tall and dapper guy :-) Thank you so much :-)"}, {"response": 275, "author": "Darla", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (04:16)", "body": "Thanks Mark and Karen I love the reports they make the \"overkill\" even better. (Bring on more overkill :) )"}, {"response": 276, "author": "BarbaraT", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (06:37)", "body": "Mark, thanks very much for your vivid account of yesterday evening's filming. I'm so glad you got to see so much. Thanks also to Karen for all the pics from Borough Market. Today's Daily Express has bigger versions of 2 of them - a good-sized one of the 2nd one along on the 6th row down, and a rather smaller one of the 3rd one along on the 2nd row. Also, the Mail is reporting that Hugh G is to get 12% of the gross profits, which they say is an unheard of figure. Not bad for 3 weeks work."}, {"response": 277, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (07:20)", "body": "Karen thanks so much...keep on killing us :-)) This is getting amazing coverage! Mark, love your behind the tape reporting...psst,hope you dare to leap it next time! ;-)) I love imagining the take 1 doorbell/siren coincidence!! Thanks!!!"}, {"response": 278, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (07:31)", "body": "CF looked unsurprisingly tall and dapper, RZ looked \ufffd well \ufffd lovely. This is MarkG, with, frankly, a bit of a crush. Now - back to the studio. You are good, Mark! We are with you in spirit. And look forward to more. :-D Can't believe you forgot the camera. Karen, we love overkill. ;-)"}, {"response": 279, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (09:05)", "body": "Mark, you are too much!!! What a lovely, detailed report. I wonder if the tuxedo and gown were for the Law Society Dinner? Ohhh MD in tuxedo. I'll just be he looked dapper. Thanks Karen and Mark. (Mark)This is MarkG, with, frankly, a bit of a crush LOL. (Karen)I know this is the very definition of overkill, but... Hey, we're just getting started. IMO, overkill doesn't exist;-)"}, {"response": 280, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (09:09)", "body": "Mark, you're the best! (Mark) After take six, one of the extras sneered at us onlookers: \ufffdWe\ufffdre getting paid \ufffd400 a day for this!\ufffd Ah, now we have Smug Extras, too. This is MarkG, with, frankly, a bit of a crush. Now - back to the studio. In fact, we like you...just as you are. Thanks, Mark. Karen, I agree, with the others...no such thing as overkill when it comes to TEoR pics."}, {"response": 281, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (09:34)", "body": "Mark G . . . already a legend. :-) They had a chat for a few minutes, in great spirits, which ended with a huge guffaw from RZ, which might have been from something CF said, and he was literally doubled up laughing too. Sounds like a very relaxed set. Love the behind-the-scenes tidbits. And you even gave us dialogue! Excellent stuff, Mark, thank you! Love those new thumbnails, Karen, thanks. Wish we could see them full size.;-) Empire has some amateur shots up: http://www.empireonline.co.uk/news/news.asp?story=5093"}, {"response": 282, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (09:44)", "body": "This is MarkG, with, frankly, a bit of a crush. Now - back to the studio. Me too. *sigh* Have you considered auditioning for Sit Up Britain? A great on-the-site report and your script transcription was amazing. My Unsmug Background Artiste went to his costume fitting yesterday and said there will be another fight scene, though he won't be doubled. He's scheduled to work next Wed/Thurs, but doesn't know the location yet. BTW, there are pics at Empire: http://www.empireonline.co.uk/news/news.asp?5093 which I'll be adding shortly to the overkill. Also if anyone could scan the Daily Express ones, that would be appreciated. Wonder why they added a character to Bridget's group... Original team reform with one new addition... Pictures from the filming of the new Bridget Jones film, The Edge Of Reason, have been popping up all over the shop since the shoot began in the UK last week. And when film trucks began arriving at London's Borough market, Empire Online readers were quick to step up and snap some great pictures on the set. Fans of the first film will remember Borough Market as the location of Bridget's flat and the scene of the wonderful, 'It's a real live fight!' between Hugh Grant and Colin Firth's characters. Empire Online reader Paul Scott handily works just round the corner from the action and sent us some great pictures from the shoot. Sharp-eyed viewers will notice that Bridget's coterie has been expanded by Spaced actress Jessica Stevenson!"}, {"response": 283, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (09:56)", "body": "Empire has some amateur shots up Yes, very amatuer, and who's Jessica Stevenson? Mark, thank you so much! Frankly, I have a bit of a crush on you now...don't tell the DW;-). Karen, overkill is good...more than good, I like overkill, keep up with the overkill:-D"}, {"response": 284, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (10:18)", "body": "(Me)Yes, very amatuer... Ack! I accidently erased the next line! I meant to say, very amatuer, but I'll take them any way I can get them!"}, {"response": 285, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (10:41)", "body": "Could she be Rebecca? ;-) Thanks, Karen!"}, {"response": 286, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (11:45)", "body": "(Ada)and who's Jessica Stevenson? http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0828961/ (Karen via Unsmug Background Artiste) and said there will be another fight scene, though he won't be doubled. Oh I hope it's the one where MD punches out a v. drunk Daniel Cleaver then has wild shag with Bridget then he gets out of bed (another towel scene) Oh you can read it yourselves...Friday September 12 Chapter 13;-)"}, {"response": 287, "author": "houstonandy", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (12:15)", "body": "dear Karen...overkill?? puleeeze!! never with ODB. And Mark, I'll continue to say thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm drooling over the photos, and the play-by-play. I am going back to my DVD and BJD immediately to find you !! A bit of a crush?...well, for this drooler, pretty full blown. The pictures are terrific, however large or small. All that snogging...oh, my weak knees! I'm traveling next week,(wish it were London) and away from the PC. How will I stand it?"}, {"response": 288, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (12:16)", "body": "A couple more pics from yesterday's Evening Standard have been added to the Overkill Galleries (now on page 2 of same): http://www.firth.com/teor_locgal2.html and the article: Bridget Jones: a kiss the morning after By Richard Simpson This is the moment to delight Bridget Jones' fans-a morning after kiss from Mark Darcy. These exclusive pictures taken today on the set of the sequel Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, show Colin Firth as Darcy leaving Bridget's flat after they spent the night together. The scene apparently ends speculation as to whether the pair actually get together in the second film based loosely on the book by Helen Fielding. There was a hint of romance earlier this week when the Evening Standard published a kissing scene filmed in a North London park. As cameras rolled today Darcy and Renee Zellweger's Bridget Jones leave her flat above the Globe pub in Borough Market, kiss in a \"morning after\" sort of way then go their separate ways. As Bridget walks away she texts a note to Mark on his mobile, but just as she is writing it, he creeps back up behind her and whispers \"Thanks for last night,\" in her ear. As Mark turns to walk off the cameras pan to Bridget's ear to ear grin."}, {"response": 289, "author": "socadook", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (12:27)", "body": "As Bridget walks away she texts a note to Mark on his mobile, but just as she is writing it, he creeps back up behind her and whispers \"Thanks for last night,\" in her ear. YOW! Delicious frisson down the back, something fluttering in the stomach... seems I'm toppling over the edge of reason with silly smile on face :-) Thanks to all for articles, pictures (yeah!) and MarkG's brilliant report."}, {"response": 290, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (12:31)", "body": "As Bridget walks away she texts a note to Mark on his mobile, but just as she is writing it, he creeps back up behind her and whispers \"Thanks for last night,\" in her ear. (Sonia)YOW! Delicious frisson down the back, something fluttering in the stomach... seems I'm toppling over the edge of reason with silly smile on face :-) I'm with you Sonia! That thought alone will warm many a cold winter night! ;-))"}, {"response": 291, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (12:52)", "body": "I've been swapping out some of the newsprint scans on the gallery page in order to use these from Sky Movies:"}, {"response": 292, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (14:30)", "body": "he creeps back up behind her and whispers \"Thanks for last night,\" in her ear. Oh gawd, and do we get to see what 'last night' was all about??? I'm grinning just thinking about it. Sure looks like RZ and CF are having a blast so far. Thanks for the pictures and articles. This is heaven!"}, {"response": 293, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (14:30)", "body": "Sharp-eyed viewers will notice that Bridget's coterie has been expanded by Spaced actress Jessica Stevenson! Perhaps she's replaced Shirley Henderson as Jude. I really like Jessica Stevenson. She is a gifted comedienne but can do \"serious\" as well."}, {"response": 294, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (14:53)", "body": "No, Shirley Henderson is shown right here:"}, {"response": 295, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (15:05)", "body": "Oooh, that's interesting. So who could she be playing? I suppose she could be Rebecca - I'm sure she could do \"posh and bitchy\" - but she's the wrong physical type, rather homely. But then again, could be an inspired piece of casting!"}, {"response": 296, "author": "mjmorris", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (15:46)", "body": "As Bridget walks away she texts a note to Mark on his mobile, but just as she is writing it, he creeps back up behind her and whispers \"Thanks for last night,\" in her ear. I'm going to have to have a lie die after this morsel. The ear to ear grin on my face and the dreamy look that accompanies it is more than words can say. Thank you all so much for the photos, on-site reporting and everything else. I feel like I'm there instead of the midwest. You all are making my days. Michelle"}, {"response": 297, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (16:11)", "body": "Thank you, thank you, thank you Mark and Karen for the exciting report and pics. Mark, you are too wonderful for words for sharing your up close and personal experience with us! Karen, there is no such thing as MD overkill;-) Bring it on! Oh, to know more about where they are going with this script. I'm ready for Spoilers before the film is even completed;-)"}, {"response": 298, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (16:25)", "body": "\"kiss in a \"morning after\" sort of way \" Never mind the \"morning after\"stuff....I wanna see the \"night before\". Thanks Mark...*grateful wave to DW*:-))))"}, {"response": 299, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (16:27)", "body": "From the current People Mag. Renee's Perfect Fit: Renee Zellweger gets back into the skin of the beloved character Bridget Jones when she films a scene with Colin Firth on the London set of the movie sequel, The Edge of Reason. Much has been written lately of Zellweger's weight gain for the role, but we think she looks absolutely smashing! ( M/H/AAD/STAR MAX)"}, {"response": 300, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (16:39)", "body": "They really do look as though they're enjoying fiming. They always seem to be grinning - doesn't look like work! Great photos and on the spot reports. Thanks! And I agree that Rene looks absolutely smashing - the extra weight suits her."}, {"response": 301, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (17:04)", "body": "After seeing the terrific photos and reports, I really do hope that this time Mark and Bridget will be allowed to hold centre stage, backed up by the friends, Rebecca, Magda and Jeremy, Bridget's mum and dad, Giles and fat Nigel, even Gary the Builder - with Daniel Cleaver relegated to the sidelines! I don't want to see a re-run of BJD1 - Mark and Bridget's developing relationship and misunderstandings are much more interesting. Perhaps HG/Daniel could take on the Jed role, although whether HG would be prepared to extend his bad boy image to drug running is a moot point (maybe for 12 percent of the gross profits?)!"}, {"response": 302, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (17:22)", "body": "Another sighting (from a few days ago) - from the IMDB TEOR message board. They certainly get around! \"Just passed Colin Firth and Renee Zellweger on the way to Safeways. Renee's nice and \"chubby\" again. I live at Bloomsbury in Central London and they're filming in front of the Renoir cinema.\""}, {"response": 303, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (17:22)", "body": "A big thank you to Mark and Karen for the reports and pics. I don't know if I can bear to wait around a year to see this film. The anticipation is just too, too much!"}, {"response": 304, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (17:45)", "body": "(Karen)No, Shirley Henderson is shown right here I'm very glad, all the \"old\" friends are still in the movie and played by the same actors. They were so good, IMHO, I would hate to see them played by somebody else. (Bethan)After seeing the terrific photos and reports, I really do hope that this time Mark and Bridget will be allowed to hold centre stage, backed up by the friends, Rebecca, Magda and Jeremy, Bridget's mum and dad, Giles and fat Nigel I agree :-)"}, {"response": 305, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (18:15)", "body": "Much has been written lately of Zellweger's weight gain for the role, but we think she looks absolutely smashing! I think He is ab'-so-lute-ly smashing!"}, {"response": 306, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (18:15)", "body": "I don't know if I can bear to wait around a year to see this film I wonder if they are filming all the outside location shots first? If so, they've been extraordinarily lucky with the weather. As far as I can remember, we haven't had a bad day for over a fortnight - more like late summer with a nip in the air than mid-October. Will certainly help with the look of the film."}, {"response": 307, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (19:30)", "body": "Oh my goodness! I'm away from Drool for a few days and come back to all this!!! Thanks to all of you who've given us all these gorgeous pics, although have mercy on me, I beg you, I'm not sure my poor heart can take seeing Mark and Fitzwilliam Darcy all in one. I can handle only one at a time. Not to mention all that kissing on the pics..., and does Mark D ever look like the man of every woman's dream? He sure belongs into mine. :-)Oh, my face is hurting from all that grinning... Mark G, you are the best. Thank you so much!"}, {"response": 308, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (21:50)", "body": "Was speaking with someone tonight who had the Italian VF with Colin's interview...(that picture is stunning in magazine size). She said it says the reindeer sweater is to make another appearance.....at least in a drawer at Mark's house where Bridget finds it. That's all she told me. She had only skimmed over the article at that point."}, {"response": 309, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Oct 17, 2003 (04:31)", "body": "They have added a few pics of Bridget and friends... http://www.globephotos.com/scripts/kws30pre.exe?site=GLOBEPH&maxhits=12&picktype=GfxOnly&type=GfxOnly&search=K33505&hmessage=RENEE+ZELLWEGER+AND+SALLY+PHILLIPS+FILMING+BRIDGET+JONES+-THE+EDGE+OF+REASON+IN+BOROUGH+MARKET,+SOUTH+LONDON+10/16/2003&ShowTotal=on&fmaxhits=&submit=lsearch"}, {"response": 310, "author": "Leah", "date": "Fri, Oct 17, 2003 (07:09)", "body": "(Karen) definition of overkill... also known as the tip of the iceberg ;-)"}, {"response": 311, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Oct 17, 2003 (11:34)", "body": "hspace=8 nosave height=200 width=225> My mom was watching QVC today, and called me to her room to see a \"really hideous sweater.\" (her words) Isn't nice to know the Mark Darcy jumper lives? . ;-) BTW....it sold out, LOL!"}, {"response": 312, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Oct 17, 2003 (11:35)", "body": "Sorry, I goofed on the HTML! I was trying to make the image smaller...it's not like you couldn't see the details in the smaller pic! ;-)"}, {"response": 313, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 17, 2003 (11:51)", "body": "Well, that *is* a hideous sweater for a few reasons. Aside from background candycane motif, it's lacking a handsome man underneath. She might have not called it \"hideous\" if the right person were modeling it. ;-)"}, {"response": 314, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 17, 2003 (13:17)", "body": "I'm hoping to get a special dispensation from Amnesty Intl because the massacre continues: http://www.firth.com/teor_locgal2.html (all new ones are clickable)"}, {"response": 315, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 17, 2003 (13:27)", "body": "Another set, dated today (probably from last night) with a taxi?? http://www.globephotos.com/scripts/kws30pre.exe?site=GLOBEPH&maxhits=12&picktype=GfxOnly&type=GfxOnly&search=K33524&hmessage=RENEE+ZELLWEGER+FILMING+BRIDGET+JONES+-THE+EDGE+OF+REASON+IN+BOROUGH+MARKET,+SOUTH+LONDON++10/17/2003&ShowTotal=on&fmaxhits=&submit=lsearch This is identified as RZ but I wonder who the other two are? Is one Magda?"}, {"response": 316, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Oct 17, 2003 (15:28)", "body": "Mark, thanks for all the terrific on-the-spot reporting. You make us long for the film even more (and wish we were there!). (Mari)Mark G . . . already a legend. :-) LOL, you are the Burberry Man, on the scene, and getting the story as it unfolds! Thank you, thank you, thank you. Karen, Aishling thanks for all the pics. And Karen thanks for making them clickable!"}, {"response": 317, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Fri, Oct 17, 2003 (17:38)", "body": "Karen, thanks for all the new pics. This is just wonderful to get a sneak peek at the look of EOR. How are we ever going to make it till the film is ready for distribution? If HG is only filming for three weeks I think we are going to be thrilled with the results."}, {"response": 318, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 17, 2003 (17:58)", "body": "Gnaturally, there was Huge sigh of relief at that news. ;-)"}, {"response": 319, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Oct 17, 2003 (18:01)", "body": "THANK YOU KAREN for the pics!!!! I've been just in heaven since I came back to work (never thought I would say that, but home computer is off sick and I was cut off for a few days of crucial drooling)! Have not completely caught up on this topic yet (over 100 posts!!) but I did hear that no one has discussed Mark Darcy's wing tips! I love wing tips, so this is a treat for me to see ODB in 'swing shoes'! You just get a peek here: but I think they may look like these:"}, {"response": 320, "author": "airstream", "date": "Fri, Oct 17, 2003 (19:00)", "body": "would mark darcy wear doc martins? ;)"}, {"response": 321, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Oct 17, 2003 (19:21)", "body": "(Amy) would mark darcy wear doc martins? ;) LOL...probably not, but I was being v. v. lazy and I knew Doc Martens made the brown/white version. The sole looks darker in one of the other pics so I figured they weren't DMs (but I love the idea of ODB in those chunky soles...making those long legs longer! ;-))."}, {"response": 322, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Oct 17, 2003 (22:01)", "body": "Karen, thanks so much for all the lovely pics. I've had such a grin on my face for days that the boys asked me if I was feeling alright:-D!"}, {"response": 323, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Oct 17, 2003 (23:22)", "body": "Oh Karen, you are killing me softly with those pics... Keep it up! You've got MVP locked up.;-)"}, {"response": 324, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 18, 2003 (09:41)", "body": "The 27 October 2003 issue of Who Magazine [an Australian magazine] has a small article with a couple of on-location pictures on Page 19. The pics are two already up: Mark and Bridget hand-in-hand (showing CF's dodgy footwear) and a smaller twirly-huggy pic. Here's the accompanying text: On Location - Have you met Miss Jones? NORTH LONDON OCT 13 Romantic picnics with Mark Darcy: 1 (feel certain minibreak is imminent). Calories: 660 (only one elegant picnic nibble. V. v. good! Was distracted by Mark Darcy's deep voice). Lovely hugging moments in manner of shampoo advert: 1...Perhaps Darcy put off by ill-advised puffy skirt ensemble with windcheater? Ren\ufffde Zellweger cuddled up to her dashing Mr Darcy, Colin Firth, while filming Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason."}, {"response": 325, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Sat, Oct 18, 2003 (11:25)", "body": "Accolades to all you fine ladies, and Mark,for your time, effort and unwavering dedication to the pursuit of all things Firth. I may not say much..... I am, however, relishing every posting with incumbent photographs, dialogue and link."}, {"response": 326, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 18, 2003 (11:26)", "body": "Hmmmm. Picnic doesn't sound like a fantasy after all."}, {"response": 327, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Oct 18, 2003 (12:19)", "body": "(Evelyn)Hmmmm. Picnic doesn't sound like a fantasy after all. No, it doesn't. Now I'm really confused about that dress. Looks like something from \"Oklahoma\" (the musical;-)) and she's about to do a twirl over MD's back."}, {"response": 328, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 18, 2003 (12:52)", "body": "I wouldn't put much stock in the magazine's captions. They don't have any better information about what's going on in that scene and merely came up with some cute Bridgetesque remarks. (Do you think she's just a girl who can't say 'no' too? ;-)"}, {"response": 329, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sat, Oct 18, 2003 (16:01)", "body": "Go away for a few days and come back to this treasure trove of pictures and news! Have gone through too fast to really enjoy -- will have to go back and linger in some places! Ditto thanks to Karen for all the pictures (when is enough enough? Nevah!) Ditto thanks to Mark for on-the-scene reporting and ditto comments about how in creation can I ever wait for this movie? ( Thanks for last night ....I'm melting!)"}, {"response": 330, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 18, 2003 (18:33)", "body": "(Karen) I wouldn't put much stock in the magazine's captions The *magazine's* captions???Now you tell me. I thought the pic came with publicist stuff. In that case, Linda and I rescind our remarks and we submit our original observation: the picnic *is* a fantasy;-) Right Linda?;-))"}, {"response": 331, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Oct 19, 2003 (11:56)", "body": "(Evelyn)In that case, Linda and I rescind our remarks and we submit our original observation: the picnic *is* a fantasy;-) Right Linda?;-)) . Ab-so-lutely! Thanks for taking care of this for me. But, fantasy or no fantasy...that dress!"}, {"response": 332, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (05:59)", "body": "Okay talk about a BAD time to go on holiday!!! Emma is back in London and ready to pull a sickie at any moment if necessary to get to the set. MarkG, am very envious! Although Greece was fantastic, there are some things that should not be missed and Mark and Bridget in the flesh are one of them! If anyone hears anything let me know."}, {"response": 333, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (08:53)", "body": "Try checking out the Borough Market again. I've been told the trailers were still there, which would mean they aren't finished."}, {"response": 334, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (08:57)", "body": "Just googled this...Warning -- don't read while drinking anything! Bridget Jones sequel puts locals on edge Residents and shopkeepers were angry this week over the disruption to their lives and businesses caused by the filming of the Bridget Jones sequel. Carmen Lichi reports carmen.lichi@hamhigh.co.uk Hugh Grant, Renee Zellweger and Colin Firth team up again for the sequel to the hit 2001 film, Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary, but Primrose Hill residents are not happy about the production.PASSION was in the air for the stars of Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary sequel On The Edge as they filmed a romantic scene on Primrose Hill \ufffd but not everyone was feeling the love. Residents and shopkeepers claim that when the crew and cast \ufffd including Hollywood star Renee Zellweger, and home-grown hunks Colin Firth and Hugh Grant \ufffd pitched up at the Washington pub in England\ufffds Lane for filming on Monday \ufffd they snaffled all the parking bays. Infuriated motorists said at least six huge lorries used by the crew of the eagerly awaited big budget follow-up to Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary were parked at the pay and display bays on either side of the narrow road \ufffd leaving nowhere for residents and shoppers to park. Kanti Jolapara, who runs RKP Hardware opposite the pub, said \ufffdForget Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary \ufffd I\ufffdd like to make a Camden diary! \ufffdAt the very least the council should have informed us by letter that we would be inconvenienced for the day, but it was only when the film crew contacted us a couple of days before that we found out.\ufffd Mr Jolapara, who has complained to the council, said he was told that only one side of the parking bays would be suspended: \ufffdWe were happy with that, but on the actual day of filming, without any warning they used both sides and even took the residents\ufffd bays as soon as they moved their cars! I want an apology from the council \ufffd and ideally some recompense for loss of earnings.\ufffd Another shopkeeper, Ashwin Vyas, of Chequers Drycleaners, next door to the Washington added: \ufffdI had about four or five customers trying to drop off or pick up things and they couldn\ufffdt get a space. One woman was really upset as she couldn\ufffdt pick up her garments \ufffd for all I know I could have lost clients because of this.\ufffd A Camden spokesman said: \ufffdWe have a statutory obligation to notify people when we intend to suspend parking bays. We put up signs on October 7 \ufffd several days before the filming was due to take place. The suspension was granted for a two-day period, but was actually only used for the day. \ufffdIn addition, the film\ufffds location manager contacted residents a couple of days before filming to warn them.\ufffd The crew\ufffds presence also irked dog walkers when they filmed a romantic picnic scene between Ms Zellweger and Mr Firth on Primrose Hill. An eyewitness, who asked not to be named, said: \ufffdThere were trucks all over the place and about 50 crew and actors. They had these huge great big tables to power the lights and the cameras. Rene Zellweger was wearing a pinkish dress and Colin Firth was wearing a Panama hat and a linen suit. \ufffdOne woman, a dog walker, got really shirty about it and started shouting at the security men, telling them they had no right to stop her from using her park. I wouldn\ufffdt be surprised if the actors had heard as she was shouting very loudly!\ufffd He added: \ufffdI felt sorry for the actors though \ufffd there were no toilet facilities on site and I saw Colin Firth nip off to relieve himself in the same bushes used my dog!\ufffd A spokeswoman for TE films Limited said: \ufffdAs far as we are concerned we have had a really successful day\ufffds shoot in the area.\ufffd She added that On the Edge \ufffd directed by award-winning British film maker Beeban Kidron and set to be released next year \ufffd would continue shooting for another 14 weeks in the UK, as well as in Thailand and Austria."}, {"response": 335, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (09:21)", "body": "There were no trailers beside Borough Market on Friday. Is the film definitely called On The Edge now?"}, {"response": 336, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (09:21)", "body": "\"One woman, a dog walker, got really shirty about it and started shouting at the security men, telling them they had no right to stop her from using her park. LOL! They're obviously not used to filming in their neighborhood, though it sounds like all the advance work was done. Infuriated motorists said at least six huge lorries That's all? Sheesh, I've seen where they've taken up 4-5 city blocks of parking, and that's just for the TV show ER. He added: \"I felt sorry for the actors though \ufffd there were no toilet facilities on site and I saw Colin Firth nip off to relieve himself in the same bushes used my dog!\" If this is true, it sounds like he didn't want to walk back to his trailer--too far--or to the \"official\" honeywagon (which is what the trailer containing toilets is called). Thanks Barb for the laugh"}, {"response": 337, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (12:37)", "body": "(Karen) If this is true, it sounds like he didn't want to walk back to his trailer--too far--or to the \"official\" honeywagon (which is what the trailer containing toilets is called). If I were a man...I'd use the bushes. Nicer than the honeywagon (although we call them honeybuckets here...though I suppose the wagon carries several buckets! Ick!). Can't imagine they would have that many people out there and no where to 'go'. Still....like the idea of coming up the path with my corgis in tow and seeing that! I don't think I'd ever recover. Perhaps he was just fearful of lurkers by the facilities? Though I surely don't know anyone who would hang around the toilets to see him. ;-)"}, {"response": 338, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (12:51)", "body": "ROTF, Tress!"}, {"response": 339, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (12:52)", "body": "(Tress)Though I surely don't know anyone who would hang around the toilets to see him. ;-) *That,I'm afraid,is like the kettle calling the frying pan dirty bottom.* LOL"}, {"response": 340, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (12:55)", "body": "This night scene might be kind of familiar to MarkG, a visual to go with the description we've already had. http://www.firth.com/teor_locgal3.html"}, {"response": 341, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (13:03)", "body": "Oooohhhh! Thank you Karen! But talk about interesting ('dodgy') shoes! What's Renee got on?"}, {"response": 342, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (13:04)", "body": "Perhaps he was just fearful of lurkers by the facilities? Though I surely don't know anyone who would hang around the toilets to see him. ;-) ROFLOL Poor man is probably psychologically scarred forever..."}, {"response": 343, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (13:06)", "body": "Karen, the road to Overkill is indeed scenic and beautiful, thanks! Maybe it is in fact the journey and not the destination...I'm loving his hair doing that interpretive dance thing in the last one and would gladly just take a stroll with his shadow in the first if he is otherwise engaged..."}, {"response": 344, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (17:24)", "body": "Finally!! Got some baloney from Bologna. My copy of Italian Vanity Fair arrived and I've run a bit through a translator because the info seemed of doctrinal import. Is the sequel faithful to the book? Not too much (or entirely??). The story begins where the last one ended, with Bridget and Mark as a couple. Her insecurities resurface and she thinks he is cheating on her with his secretary and they separate. Bridget takes a trip to Thailand and winds up in a mess involving drugs, and has to be protected from Daniel. But then I arrive to assure a happy ending. Since you are playing Mark, you can't play yourself in the interview scene? Who will play Colin Firth? Nobody. The scene has been cut. ~~~~~~ So it looks like there won't be a Rebecca. BTW, am in the process of dewatermarking a bunch of pics so that you can click on the unclickables from before. Sorry, but it takes time. You can look at the same ones at the Casa place watermarked in the meantime."}, {"response": 345, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (17:24)", "body": "The Road to Overkill indeed! Bettah than the Road to Perdition. ;-)"}, {"response": 346, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (17:36)", "body": "Karen, keep killing me softly. Can't figure out a better way to go :-)"}, {"response": 347, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (18:03)", "body": "Karen, Love the pics from the evening shoot. And I especially like his overcoat. (My DH has one just like it!) Is that a key Bridget is holding out to him?"}, {"response": 348, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (18:59)", "body": "(Janet)Is that a key Bridget is holding out to him? I sure hope so;-)But the shoes have got to go! MD is looking better and better with each day's overkill. Thanks so much, Karen (Tress)Though I surely don't know anyone who would hang around the toilets to see him. ;-) I wonder if he worries that you'll pop out of the bushes, too? (Karen)So it looks like there won't be a Rebecca. Maybe the character of Rebecca will be the secretary? If not, that leaves out the weekend at Rebecca's. MD's boxers folded on her bed, more misery, and the conversation Bridget overhears behind the bushes;-( I would assume there would be a love interest of some sort for Bridget to be jealous of especially on the ski weekend."}, {"response": 349, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (19:40)", "body": "Plus the episode with Rebecca getting a foot massage from Mark after being an idiot jumping into too shallow water and Giles overdosing to be rescued by Bridget. Too bad that one would be out, since Mark is humiliated by Shazza's remark for him to *Fetch* at Rebecca's beckoning.Also was nice when he praised Bridget for keeping her head during both incidents."}, {"response": 350, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (21:12)", "body": "(Barb)I saw Colin Firth nip off to relieve himself in the same bushes used my dog!\ufffd He was havin' a slash!;-) The new evening wear pics are great, Karen, very much as I imagined the scene from Mark's spot on description! (Karen)Got some baloney from Bologna. My copy of Italian Vanity Fair arrived LOL, and molto bene! Looking forward to seeing the rest."}, {"response": 351, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (21:54)", "body": ""}, {"response": 352, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (21:55)", "body": "http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2003482541,00.html"}, {"response": 353, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (22:42)", "body": "Knock yourselves out... http://www.thezreview.co.uk/news/news2128.htm I don't think I should even bother finishing that dewatermarking nonsense, when there are so many pics out there. Must have been a platoon of photographers on the street that day with Mark."}, {"response": 354, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (22:56)", "body": "Thanks, Karen. A new classic:"}, {"response": 355, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (23:19)", "body": "The hell that must be her job. ;-D"}, {"response": 356, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (00:41)", "body": "Another new classic:"}, {"response": 357, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (02:47)", "body": "(Karen) Knock yourselves out... Oh holy Je**s! By the time this is all over, we will probably be able to do a 3-D version of the film. Seems every photographer in London has taken a pic from every angle! Not complaining....not at all! I'm thrilled, but I'm DYING here! I want to know the plot/dialogue/wardrobe/toilet situation in every single scene! What's with the dirndl? The wing tips? the key? the kiss(es) (RZ's job has just got to be the worst ever....can you imagine)? GAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH! Will surely expire before the film hits theaters! Thank you Karen!!!"}, {"response": 358, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (06:50)", "body": "A liitle bit more to the article that MarianneC posted earlier... http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/showbiz/articles/7272523?source=Daily%20Mail"}, {"response": 359, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (08:00)", "body": "(Karen), A new classic: Now THAT looks like a real kiss!!!! After all the publicuty Renee gave Ewan as a great kisser, I'm glad Colin has come to his senses."}, {"response": 360, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (08:04)", "body": "( Karen), A new classic: (Moon Dream)Now THAT looks like a real kiss!!!! You mean you don't miss the daylight peeking through??;-))"}, {"response": 361, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (09:06)", "body": "(Dorine), You mean you don't miss the daylight peeking through??;-)) Neither that or the obvious \"actor\" kiss. I don't miss it at all! ;-D"}, {"response": 362, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (09:07)", "body": "And, you can't say we haven't made a fuss about it either. It looks like all those hints about kissing lessons paid off. :-)"}, {"response": 363, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (09:43)", "body": "Hoooray!! He gets to wear a tuxedo!!! That Renee....I have a feeling this Bridget will be better than the first. The book was IMO. Can you imagine the publicity this will get in '04, if they're starting now. Lots of newbies comin' our way in '04 gang:-))) Thanks Boss. Your poor fingers must be worn to the bone. We'll have to get another Drool Pledge going for finger reconstruction."}, {"response": 364, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (09:55)", "body": "This night scene might be kind of familiar to MarkG... Indeed, this is the scene I watched - and from the angle I watched it. There were some folk with cameras near me, though I didn't think any were press. Gets me off the hook for not having had a camera with me though. (Also no further photos (as yet) may suggest I didn't miss any more days' filming)"}, {"response": 365, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (11:50)", "body": "OMG, I have flutterings all over me with all these exiting pictures and reports coming;-) Thank you all who keep the information coming."}, {"response": 366, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (12:29)", "body": "(MarkG) Indeed, this is the scene I watched - and from the angle I watched it. Mark, I was computer-less for several days last week and just caught up with your field reports! Thank you so much! And you did it without a fireman's pole! Capital! BTW, was Renee standing on a box for part of this take? Looks like they were helping her out in the height department in some of the pictures...and is she wearing suede boots under her gown? At first I thought they were Birkenstocks, but then saw other pics with short, wool lined boots."}, {"response": 367, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (13:34)", "body": "More images of RZ in Hertfordshire, from Rex Features"}, {"response": 368, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (13:44)", "body": "Thanks MarianneC! Looks like being Bridget isn't all about snogging Mark Darcy! LOL! Was beginning to think that RZ was being paid heaps of money to stand around and kiss ODB all day...was becoming just a wee bit envious of her job! But I see that I'm not too green today! Beautiful horse....from both ends! ;-)"}, {"response": 369, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (13:53)", "body": "(Tress) Beautiful horse....from both ends! ;-) *snort* or should I say neigh?? ;-) RZ looks pretty good up there. It should be a pretty funny segment. Thanks, Marianne!"}, {"response": 370, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (15:22)", "body": "The Sun called her Reneigh Zellweger. LOL. That backwards-on-the-horse set-up is right out of I Love Lucy, the Fox Hunt episode. Season 5, if memory serves.:-)"}, {"response": 371, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (17:56)", "body": "(Moon Dream)Now THAT looks like a real kiss!!!! You approve, then? Capital. That kiss really does look good. I'd like to see one like the first kiss between Daniel and Bridget. (Tress) the key? the kiss(es) (RZ's job has just got to be the worst ever....can you imagine) Yes, and that's just with the snogging..I can't imagine how she'll stand the shag scenes. AND there better be shag scenes;-0 (Mari)RZ looks pretty good up there. It should be a pretty funny segment I thought the scenes from Sit Up Britain were very funny in TEOR. I'm glad to see they are including a few of them. (Evelyn)this Bridget will be better than the first. The book was IMO. Agreed, and no recinding on this point;-) Thanks, Marianne and Karen."}, {"response": 372, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (22:51)", "body": "(Mari) The Sun called her Reneigh Zellweger. LOL. And the dialogue in the scene would go something like this: \"Bridget Jones, wanton equestrian with a very big horse between her thighs.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 373, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (01:05)", "body": "...er, Mum!"}, {"response": 374, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (11:12)", "body": "This looks to be where my friend, the background artiste, was working today: http://www.globephotos.com/scripts/kws30pre.exe?site=GLOBEPH&maxhits=12&picktype=GfxOnly&type=GfxOnly&search=K33633&hmessage=COLIN+FIRTH+AND+HUGH+GRANT+FILMING+BRIDGET+JONES+THE+EDGE+OF+REASON+IN+HYDE+PARK,+LONDON+10/22/200/&ShowTotal=on&fmaxhits=&submit=lsearch He did say it was a fight scene. They will be there again tomorrow!"}, {"response": 375, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (11:38)", "body": "That's at the North end of the Serpentine, near Lancaster Gate tube station. (Pity I can't go tomorrow)."}, {"response": 376, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (12:05)", "body": "Great pictures, Karen. Let's hope Hugh gets the sh** kicked out of him by ODB :-)"}, {"response": 377, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (12:11)", "body": "So glad to see that they're not just remaking the first film, as sequels often are. ;-)"}, {"response": 378, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (12:34)", "body": "(Lisa) \"Bridget Jones, wanton equestrian with a very big horse between her thighs.\" ;-) You managed to politely say what my gutter mind was thinking ;-) (Karen) He did say it was a fight scene. Fight! A real fight! Thanks for the news and pics. Looks like ODB remembered how to throw a punch."}, {"response": 379, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (12:43)", "body": "Ohhh! Thanks for the fight Karen! Where's Emma!? Mark can't go, but can Emma make it?? Still looks like a sissy fight, which cracks me up! Love how Hugh is running away (not that it looks like he should be too scared). ;-) Cannot wait to see this film!"}, {"response": 380, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (13:22)", "body": "(Karen)o glad to see that they're not just remaking the first film, as sequels often are. ;-) *snort* And I for one didn't really enjoy the fight scene in BJD, except for Tom's gleefully erotic reaction to it. Love seeing the pics, of course!"}, {"response": 381, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (13:54)", "body": "Too bad. I was hoping for the rather decisive knock-out Mark Darcy scored in TEOR, complete with the major-league shagging that followed."}, {"response": 382, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (14:18)", "body": "(Rika)Too bad. I was hoping for the rather decisive knock-out Mark Darcy scored in TEOR, complete with the major-league shagging that followed. Exactly, as Mark had a towel wrapped around him as he bounded down the steps after that Cleaver chap. There had better be some towel scenes!"}, {"response": 383, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (16:00)", "body": "Thank you Karen and to your friend. Looks like the last fight scene except no plate glass window. We could get another wet shirt if they end up in the fountain."}, {"response": 384, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (18:33)", "body": "A fight! A fight! I longed for a fight! Followed closely \"It's Raining Men, 2\""}, {"response": 385, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (21:33)", "body": "A couple of small articles to go with Karen's fight pics... http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/content_objectid=13544515_method=full_siteid=89488_headline=-LOVERS%2DBATTLE%2DOVER%2DBRIDGET-name_page.html http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2003491117,,00.html"}, {"response": 386, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (23:18)", "body": "(Linda) We could get another wet shirt if they end up in the fountain. Care for another box of moss products?? ;-) Today, the stuntguys went into the fountain, but I'm told that Colin and Hugh will have get wet tomorrow."}, {"response": 387, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (23:32)", "body": "And the delay in filming was to approve the script? *This* script?! ;-)"}, {"response": 388, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (00:31)", "body": "(Karen) Today, the stuntguys went into the fountain, but I'm told that Colin and Hugh will have get wet tomorrow. Really? They'll have get wet tomorrow? OMG! ;-D Mr. Darcy? Wet? Are we losing a towel scene for a wet shirt? I'm so torn about this...must have a lie down! Maria, thanks for the article. Love the picture. HG has his hand all over ODB's beautiful face, but ODB seems to be ripping out some fur (limiting those 'hair options' I would think)!"}, {"response": 389, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (00:56)", "body": "(Dorine) And the delay in filming was to approve the script? *This* script?! ;-)) Kinda scary, huh? ;-) (Karen) Today, the stuntguys went into the fountain, but I'm told that Colin and Hugh will have get wet tomorrow. Mind the overspray! ;-) Emma, Aishling, Lizza and Allison, this is the scene you don't want to miss!;-)"}, {"response": 390, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (03:33)", "body": "Thank god I checked in here this morning. It's 9:30am and I am just about to leave for a meeting rather conveniently just north of Hyde Park in Bayswater. Will be sure to walk through the park after and see what I can find. Camera is in my handbag. Report in later!"}, {"response": 391, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (05:01)", "body": "\"Good luck, you crazy girl\" :-) I hope you know, how much appreciated your efforts are."}, {"response": 392, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (07:38)", "body": "Oops! See what you can get away with as an actor?? ;-) GRANT AND FIRTH HIT IT OFF BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY hunk COLIN FIRTH took a fight scene for the upcoming sequel a bit too seriously - and ended up hitting co-star HUGH GRANT in the face. The British sex symbols were filming THE EDGE OF REASON in London yesterday (22OCT03) when Firth smashed his fist into Grant's face by mistake. One onlooker says, \"At one stage Colin did actually hit Hugh in the face and they had to stop filming. But they were soon laughing about it.\" The pair were seeing fighting on screen in the original film where their character's MARK DARCY and DANIEL CLEAVER battle over Bridget played by RENEE ZELLWEGER."}, {"response": 393, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (07:44)", "body": "Thank you Maria! (Karen) Today, the stuntguys went into the fountain, but I'm told that Colin and Hugh will have get wet tomorrow. Does this mean they will have to somehow shed their jackets before getting wet? ;-) Go Emma!!! You too Mark, try to get away, they may need another suited guy to help them out of the fountain. ;-D"}, {"response": 394, "author": "Leah", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (07:58)", "body": "Maria(Article)Firth smashed his fist into Grant's face \"\"\"by mistake\"\"\" A fight, a Real fight."}, {"response": 395, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (08:00)", "body": "Another mentioning of the fight: http://www.femail.co.uk/pages/standard/article.html?in_article_id=200514&in_page_id=119 Unfortunately it's not a thumbnailpicture :-("}, {"response": 396, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (08:13)", "body": "\"Firth smashed his fist into Grant's face by mistake.\" \"\"At one stage Colin did actually hit Hugh in the face and they had to stop filming,\" said an insider. I would hope they would stop filming! They needed to check to see if his beautiful hand was ok...:-))"}, {"response": 397, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (08:46)", "body": "http://comingsoon.net/news.php?id=2015 Reports that Jacinda Barret will join the cast as a co-worker of Bridget's. The website includes a pic, is this Rebecca?"}, {"response": 398, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (08:56)", "body": "A co-worker?? What was her name? Patchouli? She looks right."}, {"response": 399, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (09:02)", "body": "Well, it's not every day you get to see himself...in person...in a wet shirt! Wow how much do I love living in this city. So I was about 5 minutes away, got to the set about 11:30 am, and stood with some other on-lookers quite a bit away from the fountain. However I quickly determined that indeed Mark and Daniel were having it out in the water. They did about 2 or 3 takes, with a large crowd of extras gathered around the edge - hence it was rather hard to see but an occaisonal glimpse of a wet Colin with a towel on his head was enough. They also filmed the large group of extras rushing the fountain, I guess to discover what these two men are doing in it. Amusingly I made one woman's day - there was a family beside me with a child that suggested they were watching Blue Peter being filmed. When I corrected her, the mother started freaking out since she has a signed picture of Colin above her bed, and soon she was regretting having that operation as her husband suggested she could go and have his children :). Anyway, back to the scene. Colin and Hugh were covered in towels and giant parkas, had hot water bottles, and both went in to trailers or something at the side. The poor souls - it's 10 degrees and windy and absolutely freezing today, and everyone else was in winter coats while they were getting drenched. Hugh walked right in front of me, but Colin took another path. I thought that possibly it was over, but luckily stuck around after they packed up some stuff. After a few minutes, their stunt doubles came out and did some stuff. By the way, Mark Darcy was in a very dark (I thought black at first but maybe very dark blue) suit, pinstripe when someone walked by with an extra dry one, white shirt and dark maroon tie. Daniel was in his typical blue shirt, khakis and leather jacket. Then Hugh re appeared so I waited for Colin to come back out, which he eventually did. His hair looked dry again. They went back to the fountain and gathered extras around again. What they filmed this time was just Colin soaking wet, it didn't look like Hugh got back in the water. He is pulled out of the water by an onlooker to the fight, then clearly Daniel says something to Mark that he disagrees with, and he turns around, runs back in the water, and gives him another bollocking. They filmed this about 8 or 10 times and then were done. Colin bundled up, walked back to the trailers, and I realised that he was accompanied by Livia, all in black and bundled up as well. I didn't recognise anyone else about. There was an extra dressed as a vicar, so not sure if that is important to the story. They seemed to start packing up at 12:30, and I asked some security type if they were going to be there all day, and he said they were told to expect to have an early day, to be done around 12, so I decided to go. He didn't seem to know anything else about it all. Hugh walked by me as I was leaving and gave the snub to some young American girls who were going mental for him. Didn't see Colin again. I was freezing enough myself so I was a bit happy to get a move on it. Anyway, couldn't hear a lot like MarkG could unfortunately, but still a pretty cool day for me. If you need more detail, just ask! And Karen, if you hear anything else from this lovely friend of yours, let us know! Oh and I have pictures from my mini digital spy camera but I doubt they turned out well since I was pretty far away. Will check when I get home though and send any decent ones on to Karen."}, {"response": 400, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (09:08)", "body": "Awesome, Emma!!! Way to go! Thank goodness for well placed and timed meetings. All kinds of fun stuff this morning :-D Great way to start my day."}, {"response": 401, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (09:22)", "body": "(Emma) Well, it's not every day you get to see himself...in person...in a wet shirt! Wow how much do I love living in this city. ROFLMAO Quite a lot I'd imagine! Thanks for the report!"}, {"response": 402, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (09:36)", "body": "(Emma) she has a signed picture of Colin above her bed, and soon she was regretting having that operation as her husband suggested she could go and have his children :) LOL! Too bad you couldn't steer the husband over to Livia to repeat his comment. ;-) Mark Darcy was in a very dark (I thought black at first but maybe very dark blue) suit, pinstripe And the pinstripes are, thankfully, not of the \"Badabing\" variety this time. Well, it's not every day you get to see himself...in person...in a wet shirt! Wow how much do I love living in this city. And we're glad you're there. *smooches* Ace reportage, Emma!! Don't worry about the dialogue for this bit. Hopefully, my friend has snatched up whatever script pages were being used that day."}, {"response": 403, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (09:50)", "body": "(Emma) Well, it's not every day you get to see himself...in person...in a wet shirt! Wow how much do I love living in this city. Emma! I love that you love living in that city! I'm soooooo glad you got there to see this bit! Wet shirt! Wonderful! You deserve a high paid position as ace reporter for Sit Up Britain! And you saw Livia! The bambinos must have been at 'play group'. ;-)"}, {"response": 404, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (09:54)", "body": "(EmmaB from Sit Up Drool) Well, it's not every day you get to see himself...in person...in a wet shirt! Emma! Excellent coverage of wet shirt scene. How wonderful that you were able to see the filming. And you even got to see him with a towel or two! ;-D"}, {"response": 405, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (10:16)", "body": "(Lisa) (EmmaB from Sit Up Drool)... (LOL...Great one, Lisa!) Congrats ,Emma, after missing Borough Market glad you made this one. Were there many fans around?"}, {"response": 406, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (10:24)", "body": "LOL I really was a reporter this time - two cameras going and taking notes just in case I forgot anything, writing on a bit of scrap paper on bended knee. There were only about 20 of us that were outside the filming area on my side of the fountains, some probably elsewhere that I couldn't see or didn't notice. The biggest group were the American teenagers crazy for Hugh. Even funnier, at one point they were trying to tell one of their own where else she would know Colin from, and they indicated that he was a bit old anyway, and he just played the dad in WAGW. Hello, when is Huge's b'day, kids?! Have you seen the wrinkles on that man's face?? I saw them today!"}, {"response": 407, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (10:33)", "body": "Hello, when is Huge's b'day, kids? True, but he's never played a father to anything other than a newborn (way back when in Nine Months). It's all screen image and, as you might remember, Colin received a special award on his last birthday from: along with the dog and slipper plaque. It's all perception. Movie magic. Movie fantasy. ;-)"}, {"response": 408, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (10:46)", "body": "We-el, Hugh was sort of a dad in \"About a Boy\";-) But wait til Colin is the father of six (nine?) in GWAPE...."}, {"response": 409, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (11:42)", "body": "Oh Emma, what a treat for you and all of us. Thanks so much for being there. (Emma)Well, it's not every day you get to see himself...in person...in a wet shirt! I can't even begin to imagine it. At any point did his jacket come off? (Lisa)Congrats ,Emma, after missing Borough Market glad you made this one Emma, it seems like everytime you miss him something better comes along. Bravo! (Karen)Care for another box of moss products?? ;-) Do they come with a round-trip ticket to London?;-) Guess Liva was there to help him towel off...warm him up. Sheesh!"}, {"response": 410, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (11:43)", "body": "closing tags, sorry. Just a bit fired up, here"}, {"response": 411, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (11:53)", "body": "Nice color pic from the Daily Record:"}, {"response": 412, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (12:17)", "body": "(LisaJH) Emma! Excellent coverage of wet shirt scene. How wonderful that you were able to see the filming. And you even got to see him with a towel or two! ;-D LOL! I didn't even think about that bit! Emma got her very own towel scene! (Linda) Guess Liva was there to help him towel off...warm him up. Sheesh! Get the blood flowing again...a bit pervy really! ;-D (Linda) closing tags, sorry. Just a bit fired up, here ROTFL...a bit! You added a big ol' blank page too....hitting the space bar in anticipation? Excitment? Don't worry, I'm right there with you! ;-) Well done Emma! May your picture be in the paper and may Mark Darcy deliver it himself (the new face of Drool current affairs!!!)!"}, {"response": 413, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (14:00)", "body": "(Tress)ROTFL...a bit! You added a big ol' blank page too....hitting the space bar in anticipation? Excitment? Don't worry, I'm right there with you! ;-) Must you point out my indiscretions in an assembly such as this?;-) (Tress)Emma got her very own towel scene! Even though it was over his head...nah. I'll stop there;-)"}, {"response": 414, "author": "katty", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (14:10)", "body": "It's interesting to note that Hugh Grant is exactly 1 day older than Colin, having been born on September 9, 1960, and Colin the day after."}, {"response": 415, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (14:15)", "body": "(EmmaB from Sit Up Drool) Well, it's not every day you get to see himself...in person...in a wet shirt! Excellent! You did it! 1. The white shirt is very covered by the jacket, or does he lose the jacket? 2. Where did he hold the hot water bottle, his tummy? ;-) 3. When did Livia appear, just at the end? Can't wait for the pictures. Now back to Emma in the studio. :-D"}, {"response": 416, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (14:33)", "body": "I finally have a present of my own to share: BJD sound files . After months of trying to figure out how to make wav files from my DVD drive on my PC, have finally figured out how to do it. (It's all about the right software programs...;-)) Anyway, I created all of them except for the first and last clips. Can you tell I'm fixated on the blue soup scene? ;-) Will now go back and dissect other chapters and will add more BJD clips in the next several days. I hope you enjoy them."}, {"response": 417, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (14:53)", "body": "(Emma) soon she was regretting having that operation as her husband suggested she could go and have his children :) Where's the fun in having his children...it's the trying to have his children part I'd like more;-)! Thank you Emma!"}, {"response": 418, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (15:14)", "body": "My pics are not good, as predicted. Managed to take several of the ground in my haste to get stuff as it likes to turn off if I don't use it for 3 seconds. But that colour one is REALLY good - that is exactly what they were wearing today too. I know it's taking place just after BJD1 but isn't it a bit much that they are wearing the same clothes as in the first movie? Moon, I don't think he fights without the jacket. I did just see him with the dress shirt on but I can't think of when they filmed this. I think I just saw it as they would put a parka on him or whatever. I could be wrong, but I think it's all in jacket. I only saw Hugh holding a hot water bottle to himself, actually. I just saw Colin pass one to someone. Livia was probably around earlier, I just didn't realise it was her until the end. Focused more on him than people around him, funnily enough =)"}, {"response": 419, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (16:19)", "body": "Here's the story to go with the fight pic. From Channel 4 news : GRANT AND FIRTH HIT IT OFF BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY hunk COLIN FIRTH took a fight scene for the upcoming sequel a bit too seriously - and ended up hitting co-star HUGH GRANT in the face. The British sex symbols were filming THE EDGE OF REASON in London yesterday (22OCT03) when Firth smashed his fist into Grant's face by mistake. One onlooker says, \"At one stage Colin did actually hit Hugh in the face and they had to stop filming. But they were soon laughing about it.\" The pair were seeing fighting on screen in the original film where their character's MARK DARCY and DANIEL CLEAVER battle over Bridget played by RENEE ZELLWEGER."}, {"response": 420, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (18:17)", "body": "I checked *www.mirror.co.uk* and searched colin firth-an article written today came up-nothing new but it's still fun....(Sorry I don't know how to put up links)"}, {"response": 421, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (18:34)", "body": "RZ was just on E!News Live at Premiere Magazine awards for women. Not sure of the name of the event. Renee said she was 'jet-lagged retarded'. Host asked her if that could be found in Webster's. They showed a few clips of BJD1. Cute. Renee at play while ODB was freezing in a fountain;-)OK, Hugh was in there freezing, too."}, {"response": 422, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (18:48)", "body": "The wet man himself: http://www.globephotos.com/scripts/kws30pre.exe?site=GLOBEPH&maxhits=12&picktype=GfxOnly&type=GfxOnly&search=K33665&hmessage=COLIN+FIRTH+CLIMBING+OUT+OF+A+FOUNTAIN+ON+THE+BRIDGET+JONES+-+THE+EDGE+OF+REASON+FILMSET+IN+HYDE+PARK,+CENTRAL+LONDON++10/23/2003&ShowTotal=on&fmaxhits=&submit=lsearch"}, {"response": 423, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (19:08)", "body": "(Karen) The wet man himself: Mr. Darcy! Lovely! Even though he is wee (getting v. v. close to computer screen helps, but co-workers are beginning to think I have gone mad...must back off and take in his dampness at a distance!) Thank you Karen!"}, {"response": 424, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (02:31)", "body": "I saw the guy taking those with a mega giant paparazzi zoom lenses. Hmmm, now I know what to ask for for Christmas..."}, {"response": 425, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (07:22)", "body": "She can't be done already?? http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/8964.htm"}, {"response": 426, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (08:01)", "body": "Have you not heard of having a few days off (scheduled, so you could support a cause)? ;-)"}, {"response": 427, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (08:42)", "body": "Snippet in our local paper in the Entertainment News section (normally a compilation from other papers and magazines) \"Bad news for Darcy fans......an aggrieved extra on the set of TEOR reports \"He (CF)is still very much in love with his wife. They were smiling and joking together, and at one point he pulled her towards him and kissed her.\".. The extra added that her own boyfriend was only interested in motorbikes and she was going to dump him!\" LOL!"}, {"response": 428, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (08:45)", "body": "and at one point he pulled her towards him and kissed her... Awww, what a sweet image Bethan. Thanks."}, {"response": 429, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (08:49)", "body": "I wonder if that is my friend referred to as an \"intimate\" moment that someone caught via a camera phone, which resulted in the heightened security around the location shoot."}, {"response": 430, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (09:17)", "body": "I wonder if that is my friend referred to as an \"intimate\" moment that someone caught via a camera phone, which resulted in the heightened security around the location shoot. LOL, Karen! Wot? Livia needs to be protected from all her husband's fans? ;-) Maybe there is truth to that stalker report. ;-)"}, {"response": 431, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (09:28)", "body": "(Bethan) He (CF)is still very much in love with his wife. They were smiling and joking together, and at one point he pulled her towards him and kissed her.\".. That ,gives me the vapors... Clouds do not always mean rain, but smoke is a sure sign of fire. African Proverb ( - ) Far waters cannot quench near fires. Chinese Proverb ( - ) You cannot put a fire out with spit. Armenian Proverb ( - ) Kindle not a fire you cannot put out. Chinese Proverb ( - ) And.. You may poke a man's fire after you've known him for seven years. English Proverb ( - )"}, {"response": 432, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (10:01)", "body": "(Maria)And.. You may poke a man's fire after you've known him for seven years. English Proverb ( - ) Oh could we make hay with these! Thanks much;-)))"}, {"response": 433, "author": "audiogirl", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (10:58)", "body": "Renee is supposed to be cohosting some type of cancer benefit in LA towards the end of this month. That must be her reason for her minibreak."}, {"response": 434, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (11:06)", "body": "She received a \"Women in Hollywood\" award the other night as well. Am sure she's not done filming. These people zip back and forth across the country and the pond like it's a walk around the block. BTW, the link from MCN to the pic and article Maria posted was: \"Somebody has been swallowing her food.\" ;-) Thanks for the on-the-scene reporting, Emma! \"A happy Colin is a working Colin.\" Keep cranking out those movies!:-)"}, {"response": 435, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (11:40)", "body": "\"Bad news for Darcy fans......an aggrieved extra on the set of TEOR reports \"He (CF)is still very much in love with his wife. They were smiling and joking together, and at one point he pulled her towards him and kissed her.\".. I'm sad that they think this is bad news....I think it's great news. Glad he's happy. Like Mari said: \"A happy Colin is a working Colin.\" Keep cranking out those movies!:-) Thanks Bethan (and Maria for all the fire proverbs!!)"}, {"response": 436, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (13:10)", "body": "If people are looking for glossy mag prints of the location pictures, the 25-31 October issue of Heat (on UK newsstands this past Tuesday, but in the US now) and 28 October Hello have big spreads of pics from Primrose Hill. There's a good caption for this pic, which naturally is in the center fold; otherwise, I could make a better scan. It reads: You're not supposed to kiss with your nose and chin. Keep practising\" And this one said: Now Renee had gained weight Colin had something to rest his head on: Heat's article: Bridget's love scene It's the romantic reunion we've all been waiting for...nearly three years since their lips locked on screen. Renee Zellweger and Colin Firth are finally getting united once again for Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason. Hurrah! Renee and Colin--otherwise known as Bridget Jones and her boyfriend, dashing barrister Mark Darcy--filmed their passionate scene on Primrose Hill in London and these pictures show that the old chemistry is back with a bang. We can't wait to see the final result. In the new film--due to be released next year--Bridget begins to have doubts about her relationship with Mark. Anyone who's read the book knows how things turn out, so we won't spoil it for those of you who haven't. One thing's for sure, after splitting from boyfriend Jack White, Renee's on-screen love life looks a tad more eventful than her real life as a singleton. [Ed note: That's pretty mean.]"}, {"response": 437, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (14:27)", "body": "\"You're not supposed to kiss with your nose and chin. Keep practising\" Moon, you wrote that, didn't you. ;-D"}, {"response": 438, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (15:51)", "body": "Methinks Mrs.CF has heard this one: \"Husbands are like fires. They go out if unattended.\" (Zsa Zsa Gabor)"}, {"response": 439, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (17:35)", "body": "Quite a few more of the fountain/wet shots are clickable now: http://www.firth.com/teor_locgal4.html not a happy camper, with a transparent shirt..."}, {"response": 440, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (17:52)", "body": "And the winner of the wet shirt contest! Mr. Darcy!!!! Congratulations!! Crikey! That shirt is sheer....tie and jacket getting in the way a bit though! Thank you Karen!"}, {"response": 441, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (17:53)", "body": "(KarenR)Quite a few more of the fountain/wet shots are clickable now: Now that's what I call a wet shirt. (The original from P&P2 didn't do anything for me - it looked almost dry IMHO)."}, {"response": 442, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (18:52)", "body": "Thank you, Karen. Looks like the hands and hair pulling scenes from BJD1! MD's hands over DC's face reminds me of the scene just before they crash into the restaurant. I can't wait to see larger ones of that last row...Colin coming out of the fountain;-)"}, {"response": 443, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (19:59)", "body": "Try these on for size;-) http://www.thezreview.co.uk/news/news2249.htm"}, {"response": 444, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (20:10)", "body": "This one makes me LOL:"}, {"response": 445, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (22:03)", "body": "when Firth smashed his fist into Grant's face by mistake. Now wouldn't THAT be just the perfect thing to include among the extras on the DVD? (yeah, right) Thanks, Emma (you lucky girl!!!) for the set report, and thanks to everybody who's found pictures. We're going to know 80% of the plot by the time shooting is over, aren't we?"}, {"response": 446, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (22:51)", "body": "(Janet)(The original from P&P2 didn't do anything for me - it looked almost dry IMHO). But, but..... you could see his cute little nips in that shirt! Call me crazy but I liked it very well indeed.:-)))"}, {"response": 447, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (23:51)", "body": "(A Naughty Bee) you could see his cute little nips in that shirt! ROTFL....okay, I was thinking that but didn't say it! But I do think the shirt in TEOR has more potential....if only someone would liberate him of the jacket!"}, {"response": 448, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Oct 25, 2003 (06:23)", "body": "I'd like to thank everyone for their reports, articles and pics posted over the past few weeks. I'm especially happy for Emma - you lucky girl!! London is definitely the place to be right now."}, {"response": 449, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Oct 25, 2003 (08:06)", "body": "The wet shirt from TEOR is IMHO definitely out of this world, with or without the jacket."}, {"response": 450, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Oct 25, 2003 (08:22)", "body": "From the Daily Mirror BRIDGET GROANS DIARY Oct 23 2003 By Fiona Cummins, Ms Showbiz GRUNTING and groaning, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth come to blows as they film a scene from their new movie, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. The pair startled passers-by in London's Hyde Park yesterday as they staged an amazingly realistic fight sequence. One onlooker said: \"They were knocking the hell out of each other. It seemed like they were genuinely going at it.\" In the sequel to Bridget Jones's Diary, Colin, 43, stars as handsome Mark Darcy, the heroine's lawyer boyfriend. Hugh, also 43, reprises his role as caddish Daniel Cleaver, Bridget's one-time boss and ex-lover. It's the second time they have used their fists to settle a row. They famously smashed through a restaurant window during a bust-up in the original film. At the time Colin joked: \"He says I fight like a girl.\" The movie, due out next year, stars Texan Renee Zellweger as Bridget. http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/allnews/page.cfm?objectid=13544920&method=full&siteid=50143"}, {"response": 451, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Oct 25, 2003 (10:41)", "body": "Here's the copy accompanying the Us magazine spread (November 3 issue). Dear Diary: Has Renee Zellweger's character found true love? In this scene for 2004's Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, she and boyfriend Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) walk out of her flat, kiss and part ways for work. But he stops suddenly, thinks a moment and runs back to tell her he loves her! \"It's all very romantic,\" an on-set source tells Us. \"And even when the cameras aren't rolling, Renee and Colin have an excellent rapport.\" \"While she and Colin waited for the director to say 'action,' Renee was whispering in Colin's ear and giggling,\" an on-set source says of the October 15 shoot. \"Renee is newly-single, says a source. \"But she's not acting like a woman with a broken heart. There are 5 pics in all."}, {"response": 452, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct 25, 2003 (11:52)", "body": "Thanks for the articles, ladies! I will have to get that US mag. Tress, I also thought that picture very funny. u're not supposed to kiss with your nose and chin. Keep practising\" (Dorine), Moon you wrote that, didn't you. ;-D LOL! To think that a perfect stranger also zoomed in on it. I wonder if she lurks here. ;-)"}, {"response": 453, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Oct 25, 2003 (11:59)", "body": "\"But she's not acting like a woman with a broken heart. Hmmmmm...... From Jack White to Oooh, yeah. I'd have a tough time forgetting about Jack if I were her. ;-D"}, {"response": 454, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct 25, 2003 (12:22)", "body": "I never could understand the attraction, and I'm a big fan of the White Stripes. It's sad to think that she can't get a date? Or keep a relationship. Jim Carrey seemed to be very taken with her, it's odd how she broke it off."}, {"response": 455, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Oct 25, 2003 (13:58)", "body": "I'm a big fan of the White Stripes. Me, too. Amy turned me on to them. It's sad to think that she can't get a date? Not just her, though. Minnie Driver, GP, and someone else I can't remember said they couldn't get dates. I'm sure it can be intimidating for any guy. I'm not surprised she can't keep a relationship. She's always on the go. And who knows where her head is really at. I know there are couples who do it, but look how many celebrity couples have broken up this year for a variety of reasons, I'm sure. It could have been JC who was the problem. His second wife broke it off with him, too, I believe."}, {"response": 456, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Oct 26, 2003 (07:13)", "body": "Long interview with Helen Fielding in today's Sunday Telegraph supplement, mainly about her new novel (a thriller about a female spy which the interviewer didn't seem to like very much). But, (quote) \"fans will be pleased to hear that Fielding's plans for the future include doing a third Bridget Jones book\""}, {"response": 457, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 26, 2003 (09:33)", "body": "Oh my! I really didn't think she would. Thanks, Bethan."}, {"response": 458, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 26, 2003 (09:51)", "body": "(Bethan)(quote) \"fans will be pleased to hear that Fielding's plans for the future include doing a third Bridget Jones book\" (Karen)Oh my! I really didn't think she would. LOL. Here comes \"Rocky 3\"..$$$$$"}, {"response": 459, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Oct 26, 2003 (10:38)", "body": "(Bethan) \"fans will be pleased to hear that Fielding's plans for the future include doing a third Bridget Jones book\" OMG!! I was just talking about this to a certain fanfic writer of BJD stories! ;-) I said it just begged to be a trilogy! Wow! I think it's great news...as long as she ends it at three (odd numbers just feel 'right'). (Evelyn) LOL. Here comes \"Rocky 3\"..$$$$$ And by the time it is written and 'filmed' (more $$$$), ODB will be sending his youngest to university! ;-) HF better get a move on!"}, {"response": 460, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Oct 26, 2003 (11:07)", "body": "(Tress)And by the time it is written and 'filmed' (more $$$$), ODB will be sending his youngest to university! ;-) HF better get a move on! Yeah, and by the time the three musketeers agree on another script, we'll all be watching from Whining Whores;-) (Evelyn)Here comes \"Rocky 3\"..$$$$$ LOL, it worked for SS."}, {"response": 461, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Oct 26, 2003 (12:13)", "body": "(Bethan)(quote) \"fans will be pleased to hear that Fielding's plans for the future include doing a third Bridget Jones book\" (Karen)Oh my! I really didn't think she would. She didn't exactly get a good review with her \"other\" book. She ain't stupid. ;-) (Tress) HF better get a move on! I have a feeling she wouldn't have announced it unless she's already into it. Which is a vvg thing. The question is, what will she do to break them up again? And, what will Daniel do this time? I think I see George Clooney on the horizon. ;-) Thanks, Betham!"}, {"response": 462, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, Oct 26, 2003 (17:41)", "body": "(Moon Dreams)The question is, what will she do to break them up again? And, what will Daniel do this time? I think I see George Clooney on the horizon. ;-) Maybe they don't break up - they were very much together at the end of TEOR, albeit on the way to Thailand, I think. The story could focus on their post-marriage life together."}, {"response": 463, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Sun, Oct 26, 2003 (23:57)", "body": "(Bethan) ...\"fans will be pleased to hear that Fielding's plans for the future include doing a third Bridget Jones book\" Oh no. I mean..., okay, but would you please not make a movie out of it? Or if you do, could you please give Colin something to do other than look gorgeous and awkward? That's no big stretch for him, and I'd really like to see him do something in a BJ movie. I'm keeping my fingers (and everything else I have) crossed. (Janet) The story could focus on their post-marriage life together. LOL Janet, now that's a scary thought. For me it's the getting there that's interesting. Once they get married...Yawn! Once again, a million thanks for all the pics, articles, and other goodies. I'm feeling quite spoiled. :-)"}, {"response": 464, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (01:06)", "body": "(Ildi) For me it's the getting there that's interesting. Once they get married...Yawn! I so agree and don't really understand the desire to see them move into the normal, everyday lives of average people, better suited for the Lifetime Channel. ;-)"}, {"response": 465, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (07:45)", "body": "Could you imagine, Bridget and Mark expecting a baby? Will Helen really go there? Nah! I see George Clooney. ;-)"}, {"response": 466, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (07:48)", "body": "From Empire.. Jacinda Barrett, talked to us a little about her role in Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason which is currently filming in London. 'I work with Mark Darcy and Bridget becomes obsessed, in the way Bridget does, that we're having an affair and are falling madly in love, and that I'm right for Mark in every way she's not. Then lots of stuff ensues and she goes off to Thailand and they break up. Then you find out there's big twist - but I'm not going to give that away.'"}, {"response": 467, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (08:10)", "body": "Big twist? Let's guess: Jacinda is in love with Daniel and was working for Mark so as to spy on him. ;-)"}, {"response": 468, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (08:55)", "body": "(Ildi)I'd really like to see him do something in a BJ movie. Well, apparently he runs in Hyde Park next...that's doing something;-)! sorry but I couldn't resist"}, {"response": 469, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (08:56)", "body": "So, she's pretty much functioning like Rebecca, without being the jellyfisher."}, {"response": 470, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (09:20)", "body": "But why couldn't they actually have Rebecca, I wonder. What would be a sticking point to that. This scenario is sounding very pedestrian...and rehashed. Didn't one of the recent articles or blurbs say it was his secretary? Didn't RC work on this script, too? Or maybe it just sounds like he did. Shades of AR/ET's story in LA."}, {"response": 471, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (10:40)", "body": "(KarenR)I so agree and don't really understand the desire to see them move into the normal, everyday lives of average people, better suited for the Lifetime Channel. ;-) I didn't mean I desired that. - But life with Bridget would never be normal and everyday, married or not!"}, {"response": 472, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (11:41)", "body": "The British I Love Lucy? But, but... who plays the bongos?"}, {"response": 473, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (12:02)", "body": "(Dorine)But why couldn't they actually have Rebecca Doesn't make sense since Bridget is going to become obsessed anyway. Unless the Rebecca/Secretary role will be almost the same. We never really know exactly what went on with Mark and Rebecca. There were all those bloody hints about it, but did he ever really stick his f---ing tongue down her f---ing throat?;-)"}, {"response": 474, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (02:32)", "body": "LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - At the premiere of \"The Human Stain\" at the London Film Festival this past weekend, Jacinda Barrett discussed her upcoming role in the \"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason.\" \"There's a big twist,\" the Australian actress said, \"but I'm not going to give that away.\" It is unclear whether this twist signals a departure from the novel by Helen Fielding on which \"Edge of Reason\" is based, especially since Fielding also had a hand in the screenplay. Barrett also explained more about her role to British website Empire Online. \"I work with Mark Darcy and Bridget becomes obsessed, in the way Bridget does, that we're having an affair and are falling madly in love,\" she said, \"and that I'm right for Mark in every way she's not.\" The sequel to the 2001 hit \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" will bring back Renee Zellweger as the adorable title character, Colin Firth as Mark Darcy and Hugh Grant as the incorrigible Daniel Cleaver. \"Edge of Reason\" is currently filming in London and is scheduled for release in November 2004. \"The Human Stain,\" which also stars Anthony Hopkins and Nicole Kidman, opens this Friday, Oct. 31. http://www.zap2it.com/movies/news/story/0,1259,---19227,00.html"}, {"response": 475, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (11:54)", "body": "FYI, all the Hyde Park pix are now \"clickable\" http://www.firth.com/teor_locgal4.html"}, {"response": 476, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (14:05)", "body": "Thanks, Karen! Ok, all those who said they weren't affected by the P&P wet shirt scene, but are now with MD, raise your hands. *waving both hands, as was affected by both* ;-) Am surprised he agreed to this....but v. happy! :-D"}, {"response": 477, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (14:21)", "body": "Yes! That's my keepsake. Clinging, baby! ;-) Thank you Karen!"}, {"response": 478, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (15:20)", "body": "(Dorine)*waving both hands, as was affected by both* ;-) I'll wave both for TEOR wet shirt. (Dorine)Am surprised he agreed to this....but v. happy! It surprised me, too. I guess he's over it;-) But since the interview is out I assume the wet shirt will stand in as the Darcy connection (for those in the know, of course)"}, {"response": 479, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (15:21)", "body": "Re: clickable pics...My goodness, he *is* dripping* wet. Poor baby needs someone to wring him out. He looks none-too-happy either and do you suppose the look back over his shoulder was in response to a comment from the peanut gallery? Thanks Karen, I needed a late-afternoon sweet, this just fit the bill."}, {"response": 480, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (15:59)", "body": "(BarbS) Re: clickable pics...My goodness, he *is* dripping* wet. Poor baby needs someone to wring him out. LOL...word on the street is that Livia was there to help wring! ;-) (Dorine) Am surprised he agreed to this....but v. happy! I'm over the moon! But ODB does have some thin...loooooooooooong legs. No complaints, but they are thin...and looooooooooooong (made especially nice due to clinging trousers)! Thank you Karen. Clickable is good...v.v. good!"}, {"response": 481, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (16:10)", "body": "Thanks Karen for the clickables! Do I see white undies peeking out on the 4th pic, or I'm just high on something?"}, {"response": 482, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (16:33)", "body": "(Ildi) Do I see white undies peeking out on the 4th pic, or I'm just high on something? Oh no! No! Not tighty whities! No! ;-) In my vivid imagination ODB wears gray boxers (a la Paul Ashworth) at all times (not the same ones mind you, he changes them in my imagination too)! ;-D I think it is just where the shirt has 'lapped over' making it appear darker there.....don't scare me like that! ;-)"}, {"response": 483, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (17:01)", "body": "(Ildi) Do I see white undies peeking out on the 4th pic, or I'm just high on something? (Tress) Not tighty whities! No! ;-) In my vivid imagination ODB wears gray boxers(a la Paul Ashworth)at all times (not the same ones mind you... High on something? Ildi, maybe, Tress absolutely. (Can't see a thing, calls for closer investigation.)"}, {"response": 484, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (17:01)", "body": "Article in today's Express, with large pic. Jacinda Barrett is Rebecca. - She certainly looks the part. Tall, slim, leggy and very good looking."}, {"response": 485, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (18:22)", "body": "(Barb)(Can't see a thing, calls for closer investigation.) I just did the big clicks, and I can't see any undergarments. Waiting paitently for some big click towel pics. A very \"big\" thank you, boss."}, {"response": 486, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (21:52)", "body": "Dorine)Am surprised he agreed to this....but v. happy! (Linda)It surprised me, too. I guess he's over it;-) $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$"}, {"response": 487, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (22:08)", "body": "(Dorine)Am surprised he agreed to this....but v. happy! (Linda)It surprised me, too. I guess he's over it;-) (Evelyn) $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Just like RZ and the weight. And that's not to say I'm happy they are rehashing the fight, per se. Just at the clingy, wet shirt part. ;-)"}, {"response": 488, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (10:06)", "body": "(Tress) Not tighty whities! No! Oh, Tress! I had the same reaction as you -- but don't you think \"Mark Darcy\" WOULD wear tighty whities? Let's assume CF was just in character, and that he will not be stealing those particular costume items. Makes me feel better!"}, {"response": 489, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (13:04)", "body": "(Deb)but don't you think \"Mark Darcy\" WOULD wear tighty whities? Perish the thought. He did wear the boxers Bridget gave him as a gift...the ones that were folded on Rebecca's bed. MD strikes me as the boxer type. Not just any boxers, mind you. But I can definitely see the PA grey jobbers as well."}, {"response": 490, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (14:49)", "body": "(Linda) MD strikes me as the boxer type. Not just any boxers, mind you. But I can definitely see the PA grey jobbers as well. Not wishing to trod on any sacred grey boxers, but can't get my brain around MD in PA-type grey boxers. Left/right, up/down, black/white (threw that it so you'd all know I'm speaking about opposites here, not anatomy,) Paul Ashworth/Mark Darcy. Maybe *after* Bridget, but not before. (At work so won't google \"silk boxers\" for suitable graphic....besides, that would likely be pushing subject too far.) ;-)"}, {"response": 491, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (15:07)", "body": "(BarbS) (At work so won't google \"silk boxers\" for suitable graphic....besides, that would likely be pushing subject too far.) ;-) Just for you Barb! Silk reindeer boxers! Very MD! ;-)"}, {"response": 492, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (15:12)", "body": "LOL Tress, shoulda known someone would go there....can just seem 'em in drawer next to reindeer sweater. (BTW, you're fast or at least, very efficient!)"}, {"response": 493, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (16:20)", "body": "(Tress)Just for you Barb! Silk reindeer boxers! Very MD! Tress, how long have you been waiting for the perfect opportunity to use that photo, LOL!?! Perfect! Oooo, click to enlarge, indeed ;-)"}, {"response": 494, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (19:58)", "body": "(BrendaL) Tress, how long have you been waiting for the perfect opportunity to use that photo... That was spur of the moment, two seconds of googling....really! Barb mentioned...I found. Was hoping to find one with one giant reindeer (similar to sweater) with opening right where....okay... really shouldn't go there! ;-)"}, {"response": 495, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (06:41)", "body": "From Empire (same pic as last night at GWAPE) Firth's Fightin' Talk Colin updates us on Bridget Jones 2 31/10/2003 Colin Firth has so far been having a bit of a rough time on the set of Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. Recent spy pictures to emerge from the production showed Firth locked in mortal combat with Hugh Grant - a reprisal of the classic brawl that marked the first film's high point - and the epic battle has taken its toll on the actor. \"You may have noticed I've lost my voice,\" Firth told Empire Online. \"It's not puberty, it's actually because I was freezing cold - we end up in the water in that fight. I spent a couple of days in a very, very cold pond with Hugh Grant, which socially was pleasant enough but has left me a little worse for wear.\" Resuming his role as the aloof and stand-offish Mark Darcy, Firth initially had reservations at returning to Bridget's world. \"It's very odd actually, I think most of us were sceptical about whether\ufffd obviously a sequel is fraught with dangers but most of my fears were allayed the minute Renee opened her mouth. I thought, 'there's a lot more life in this now, she's great and we're going to want to see a lot more of this.'\" So all is well, when he's not standing waist-deep in duckweed or getting his head kicked in by his bumbling co-star, who incidentally, Firth insists, would stand no chance in a real life rumble. \"I'd kick his arse any day.\""}, {"response": 496, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (07:37)", "body": "*****Breaking news**** http://news2000.libero.it/primopiano/pp3167.html TEOR to film in Rome. But it will not be Colin or Clooney, it will be... Hugh! They will film around the Vatican and the Spanish steps. My cousin in Milan tells me the news made other papers too. Any guesses as to why he's there?"}, {"response": 497, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (08:31)", "body": "I'm not sure we've seen this pic/article about same ol' same ol' weight gain. http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/8964.htm"}, {"response": 498, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (09:30)", "body": "\"I'd kick his arse any day.\" LOL...place your bets here....I've got 20 quid down on ODB (I'm not that optimistic)!! Thanks Maria! Hope ODB's sore throat doesn't keep him from being social with his fans in NYC! He better be resting up this weekend and remember to pick up the blue suit from the cleaners!"}, {"response": 499, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (13:20)", "body": "(Tress)Hope ODB's sore throat doesn't keep him from being social with his fans in NYC I was just thinking the same thing. (Moon)TEOR to film in Rome. But it will not be Colin or Clooney, it will be... Hugh! . What's up with that?"}, {"response": 500, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (13:42)", "body": "It had to happen... ZELLWEGER OFFERED MILLIONS TO LOSE WEIGHT Actress RENEE ZELLWEGER has been offered a massive GBP2 million to shed the weight she's put on for the BRIDGET JONES sequel, once shooting has wrapped. Diet giants WEIGHTWATCHERS are tempting the OSCAR nominee with a GBP70,000-per-pound sponsorship deal if she manages to lose 30 pounds after the movie, which has already netted the actress a reported GBP15 million. The company want Zellweger to follow SARAH FERGUSON, THE DUCHESS OF YORK's slimming plan and appear with her in adverts when filming finishes on the BRIDGET JONES: THE EDGE OF REASON set at the start of next year (04). An insider says, \"This is the easiest cash she'll ever earn. Being paid to eat more to play Bridget again is great, but getting even more cash just to shift that weight is beyond belief.\" Published: Oct 31, 2003 http://www.channel4.com/film/newsfeatures/news_story.jsp?storyId=2415"}, {"response": 501, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (15:57)", "body": "Any guesses as to why he's there? I wonder if this is the \"clever solution\" to the interview problem that has been hinted at. As far as I could make out, the real obstacle to Bridget interviewing \"Colin Firth\" was not that CF couldn't play two roles (a smart MD and a scruffy bearded Colin) but more because CF as himself, is not famous enough or a big enough movie star. Audiences (allegedly) just wouldn't get it - they would think \"why is the actor who is playing Mark Darcy also playing another role?\". But if Bridget goes to Rome to interview the famous movie star, Hugh Grant, then everyone *will* get it. Huge will be dastardly Daniel and then get the chance of another star turn as he plays the charming Hugh (perhaps different hair, dark glasses). He gets what could be the funniest scene in the film, and, of course, his star status is reinforced. I could be completely wrong about this! You may have noticed I've lost my voice,\" Firth told Empire Online. \"It's not puberty, it's actually because I was freezing cold - we end up in the water in that fight. I spent a couple of days in a very, very cold pond with Hugh Grant, which socially was pleasant enough but has left me a little worse for wear.\" Oh dear, I hope he's dosing himself liberally with lemon and honey. Have to say I wondered about this scene - it really was very cold that day. The water must have been freezing! An insider says, \"This is the easiest cash she'll ever earn. Being paid to eat more to play Bridget again is great, but getting even more cash just to shift that weight is beyond belief.\" Do you think Renee will agree? She looks much more attractive with the extra weight gain (IMHO), and a misguided advertising campaign like this would send out all the wrong signals."}, {"response": 502, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (17:14)", "body": "(Bethan)Do you think Renee will agree? She looks much more attractive with the extra weight gain (IMHO), and a misguided advertising campaign like this would send out all the wrong signals. I find it hard to believe that this offer is real. WW is a program for people who need to work to take weight off. Counting food points and exercising a mere 20 min per day. RZ has to work to put it on and runs regularly and gladly. She would not be a realistic role model for them and this is not a stupid organization. (ed. note.. in the spirit of full disclosure ed. is a WW vet and currently drop-out.:-(()"}, {"response": 503, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (19:23)", "body": "(Bethan)I wonder if this is the \"clever solution\" to the interview problem Was this solution mentioned recently? I thought Colin said several times that the interview scene had been dropped. (Maybe dropped only as far as the CF character is concerned)? We'll see. Or maybe the Rome thing is the 'big twist' that has been mentioned this week? We'll see."}, {"response": 504, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (20:29)", "body": "I can't believe for one second she gained 30 pounds. She was indeed thin, but not *that* thin that *30* pounds looks normal."}, {"response": 505, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (12:46)", "body": "(Linda), Or maybe the Rome thing is the 'big twist' that has been mentioned this week? We'll see. I keep thinking Hannibal at the end of SotL, he's walking alone in the Bahamas. My take, in TEOR, Daniel, was able to escape going to prison in Thailand and is loose in Rome, maybe disguised as a priest. ;-) There's a twist! LOL!"}, {"response": 506, "author": "katty", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (03:24)", "body": "Did anyone see the latest Saturday Night Live? I only caught the tail end of a segment, a spoof on an entertainment news show. But to my surprise, there on the background were two huge posters of Mark Darcy kissing Bridget Jones on the sidewalk. I have no idea what - if anything - was said about the posters, but I sure am curious. I would have watched the episode but the host was Kelly Ripa, a fan of whom I am not."}, {"response": 507, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (08:37)", "body": "I think I had that on at that point, too, but didn't pay attention to it for a couple of reasons... 1. I was talking to someone and only half paying attention, 2. SNL really sucks more often than not, in IMNSHO, and I wouldn't pay attention to it even without a distraction, let alone have it on in the first place. It was only on as it is, as the person was illustrating a point about the TV and that's the channel it ended up on. Guess I'll have to break down and watch the repeat if I remember."}, {"response": 508, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (09:57)", "body": ""}, {"response": 509, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (12:12)", "body": "(Moon)TEOR to film in Rome. But it will not be Colin or Clooney, it will be... Hugh! They will film around the Vatican and the Spanish steps. 17 pics of this here... http://www.lifepress.com/en/index.htm"}, {"response": 510, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (12:44)", "body": "Thanks, Maria, but it sure didn't look like they were filming. I like Moon's idea of the \"twist\" showing Daniel in Rome a la Hannibal Lecter. ;-)"}, {"response": 511, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (19:14)", "body": "(Katty)Did anyone see the latest Saturday Night Live? I only caught the tail end of a segment, a spoof on an entertainment news show. But to my surprise, there on the background were two huge posters of Mark Darcy kissing Bridget Jones on the sidewalk. I had taped SNL just checked it. The segment is about RZ talking about her weight gain for EOR. Her weight coach (that Horatio guy) comes on to tell how he got her to gain. Very stupid but lovely huge posters of that kiss from US mag, one of MD and BJ walking, and BJ on the horse. They even had a mock-up poster of The Edge of Reason with the same kiss photo. It's quite a long skit."}, {"response": 512, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (20:06)", "body": "I'll grab the clip as soon as this program on Jesus, Mary and the rumors I'll grab the clips as soon as this program on Jesus, Mary and the rumors around new evidence of the Holy Grail, Da Vinci etc. stops tivoing. Dot is watching it. Email me for url."}, {"response": 513, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Nov  4, 2003 (17:16)", "body": "Helen Fielding was on UK TV last night, on the Frank Skinner Show. Talking about, among other things, TEOR. Apparently Bridget lands in sewage when she makes her parachute jump -Yuk!!! And she says the film is being released next summer."}, {"response": 514, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Nov  4, 2003 (17:47)", "body": "Thanks to Janet and Bethan for the timely reports from across the pond!"}, {"response": 515, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, Nov  5, 2003 (13:38)", "body": "Free tickets offer for LA preview on 10 November in December's Empire magazine (UK edition). - Take your magazine along to a UGC cinema to claim your tickets."}, {"response": 516, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 2003 (04:01)", "body": "Helen Fielding was on BBC breakfast show this am: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/breakfast/3243801.stm"}, {"response": 517, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 2003 (13:54)", "body": "Several new on-set pics of RZ crossing bridge (I think) over at zreview. Here's the link... http://www.thezreview.co.uk/news.shtm"}, {"response": 518, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Nov  8, 2003 (18:26)", "body": "From Music From The Movies: Gregson-Williams to score 'Bridget Jones' sequel: The sequel to the 2001 hit comedy Bridget Jones's Diary, based on Helen Fielding's novel, will get a score composed by Harry Gregson-Williams. The first film was scored by Patrick Doyle, who is not going to be involved in the sequel. Ren\ufffde Zellweger, however, returns in the film which is directed by Beeban Kidron (To Wong Foo: Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar!). The film is entitled Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason and slated for premiere in November 2004. Gregson-Williams, whose latest scores includes Sinbad: Legend Of The Seven Seas, The Rundown and Veronica Guerin, has also been hired to write the original score for DreamWorks' upcoming animated adventure Madagascar, directed by Eric Darnell (Antz) and Conrad Vernon. The film is coming out in 2005 and will feature the voices of The Rock, Ben Stiller, Jada Pinkett Smith and David Schwimmer."}, {"response": 519, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Sat, Nov  8, 2003 (22:15)", "body": "(Mary) The sequel to the 2001 hit comedy Bridget Jones's Diary, based on Helen Fielding's novel, will get a score composed by Harry Gregson-Williams... ...Who happens to be the brother of Rupert Gregson-Williams, who composed that gorgeous musical score for WAGW. Isn't it interesting? I wish they did another CD with the original score on that one. Good find, Mary! Now we know that at least the music is going to be good. ;-)"}, {"response": 520, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (13:59)", "body": "This is rather bizarre: Also there: Kidman's Human Stain co-star Jacinda Barrett, who'll be seen in 2004's Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason as Renee Zellweger's lesbian love interest. http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2003-11-17-kidman-award_x.htm Now, she was the one who said there was a \"big twist\" and she wasn't going to reveal it. (See message 474 above) All this is so confusing as she's the one who's playing MD's secretary who Bridget thinks is having an affair with Mark. OK, the big twist is that she's a lesbian and couldn't possibly be having an affair with him???? So how does that make her Bridget's lesbian love interest?? Another case of 2 + 2 = 28?"}, {"response": 521, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (14:02)", "body": "Another case of 2 + 2 = 28? Don't go there. Let us wait...."}, {"response": 522, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (14:11)", "body": "(Karen) So how does that make her Bridget's lesbian love interest?? Very interesting! Maybe...maybe she's in love with Bridget and uses Mark to get closer to her! Inviting Mark places knowing that Bridget will come with him...Bridget thinks it's an interest in MD, when really it is an interest in her! It could work...would be v. v. odd, but can see funny moments (especially if Mark knows she's a lesbian). Can't wait for this film...the play by play pics don't even help the anticipation! They just make me wonder more!"}, {"response": 523, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (14:16)", "body": "Good scenario, Tress, especially if Mark knows about her preference."}, {"response": 524, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (17:57)", "body": "as Renee Zellweger's lesbian love interest Agree, could be funny, but in the scheme of things can you imagine the speculation in the press once this makes the media rounds? Hash and rehash like the donut/gaining weight stuff."}, {"response": 525, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (06:50)", "body": "Firth Likes Zellweger 'Squishier' Mon, Nov 17, 2003, 02:11 PM PT By Holly Aguirre LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - Colin Firth has given women across the world yet another reason to adore him. Just like everyone else who has weighed in, Firth has an opinion about Renee Zellweger's size. The two are reprising their roles for the sequel of \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" currently filming in London. The Oscar-nominated actress, normally a waif-thin size four, packed on approximately 30 pounds for \"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason\" by consuming large amounts of fatty foods for three months. Firth cannot understand what the big deal is all about. \"I find it absolutely astounding that a woman puts on half a pound and the world's paparazzi follow her around taking pictures of her bottom,\" he tells Zap2it.com. Now there are rumors that she has been offered a mammoth $3.2 million to shed the weight once shooting has wrapped. Reportedly, WeightWatchers is dangling a $110,000-per-pound sponsorship deal if she manages to lose the weight after shooting commences. Firth, however, likes her just the way is she is. \"I kind of like her a little bit more squishier,\" continues Firth. \"I mean she looks great when she drops the weight, too.\" Firth can currently be seen languishing in the South of France in \"Love Actually.\" Zellweger stars in \"Cold Mountain\" opening on Christmas day."}, {"response": 526, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (07:43)", "body": "Note - Add \"squishier\" to the list of words I would really love to hear him say. Along with \"erotic\", \"paprika\",and \"would you like another glass of wine\" ;-))"}, {"response": 527, "author": "BarbaraT", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (07:54)", "body": "Mention of Jacinda B reminds me that there was a bit about her in Baz's column in the Mail the week before last: \"I'm Colin F's pupil (Ed note: a junior barrister) and Bridget is convinced we're having an affair,\" explained Jacinda. Jacinda was keen for me to know that the Rebecca she plays on screen is very different from the insufferable Rebecca in HF's novel"}, {"response": 528, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (09:06)", "body": "(MariaT) Add \"squishier\" to the list of words I would really love to hear him say. Along with \"erotic\", \"paprika\",and \"would you like another glass of wine\" ;-)) In LA I like to hear him say to the landlady in France:\"Alone, again\""}, {"response": 529, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (09:58)", "body": "So, Jacinda does play a character named Rebecca. How odd that they would name her that if she wasn't to be 'the Rebecca' in the book. Thanks, Barbara."}, {"response": 530, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (11:52)", "body": "(Evelyn) In LA I like to hear him say to the landlady in France: \"Alone, again\" Doesn't he say that when he truly is alone? I thought he says it when he sits down (indoors) at his house in France...\"Alone again....naturally\" (I remember laughing a bit at the cheesy song reference). I could be having a one off though (wouldn't be the first time)...and sorry...off topic! (ODB) \"...a little bit more squishier\" LOL...Does he need the \"more\"? Like \"more better\" (think his mum called him up and said \"Colin. Inproper use of the word squishy\"??). (Maria) Note - Add \"squishier\" to the list of words I would really love to hear him say. Along with \"erotic\", \"paprika\",and \"would you like another glass of wine\" ;-)) LOL...And I want to hear him say...\"Ab-sol-utely squishier!\" (which is a possibility if I'm around)! Along with \"Not atall\" and \"Come over here, I have something I want to show you!\" ;-D"}, {"response": 531, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (12:35)", "body": "(Tress)I thought he says it when he sits down (indoors) at his house in France.. He does, but I think he speaks to the housekeeper about coming to France alone this time which is what, I think, Evelyn referrd to. (Maria) Along with \"erotic\", \"paprika\",and \"would you like another glass of wine\" ;-)) And just once I want to hear him say F--k. Only because he says it so very dearly. If they're going to give us a Rebecca, why can't we have the insufferable one from the book?"}, {"response": 532, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (13:36)", "body": "\"squishier\" My first thought was FF. Has ODB run into Miss Zane lately? (Tress) Along with \"Not atall\" and \"Come over here, I have something I want to show you!\" ;-D ROTF. I'm on my way. Re Rebecca: the great EOR mystery continues..."}, {"response": 533, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (14:42)", "body": "(Maria) Add \"squishier\" to the list of words I would really love to hear him say. Along with \"erotic\", \"paprika\",and \"would you like another glass of wine\" ;-)) (Karen) I want to hear him say...\"Ab-sol-utely squishier!\" (which is a possibility if I'm around)! Along with \"Not atall\" and \"Come over here, I have something I want to show you!\" ;-D (Linda) And just once I want to hear him say F--k. I think what I want to hear him say is unprintable here. ;-D LOL, we sound like those Wisconsin chicks in LA....\"How do you say 'table?'\" ;-) I find the Rebecca stuff odd, but will have to reserve judgement til we know more."}, {"response": 534, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (14:53)", "body": "Hmmm . .I'll take ODB calling me \"squishier\" any day . .as long as he proceeds it with the words \"I like you\" and is saying it directly to me at the time! Look me right in the eyes and hold me in your arms, Colin, and say what you will . . you could read me the telephone directory . .I'll take anything!"}, {"response": 535, "author": "hershey", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (13:29)", "body": "Hey. I don't contribute much, but I thought some of you might get a little laugh out of this. My fabulous, supportive friend, Dan, sent it to me. As I am not savvy enough to post the actual image, I'll just post the link TO the image. http://www.worth1000.com/view.asp?image=51288"}, {"response": 536, "author": "hershey", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (13:31)", "body": "Argh. Apparently I'm crap at posting URLs, as well as actual images. Sorry sorry sorry. I don't know how to fix it though, so it's cut and paste for you, and search the tutorials for me.... My bad."}, {"response": 537, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (13:43)", "body": "Don't despair! The cut & paste works just fine, and the Bridget Jones spoof is a hoot! I love CF as the cute little tag-along boy character, and Hughie as the ditzy girl sidekick. AND you can order the image on all sorts of thingies. v.v.g. Dena!"}, {"response": 538, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (14:29)", "body": "Funny stuff Dena! Thanks for sharing.:-))"}, {"response": 539, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (14:33)", "body": "Dena, that photo is brilliant! Very happy that Huge is the girlie :-D Thanks for this!"}, {"response": 540, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (22:10)", "body": "Cute Dena! . .Perhaps Hugh should think about doing his next role in drag?"}, {"response": 541, "author": "hershey", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (17:57)", "body": "He *does* look pretty with long, blond hair! And it would separate him from that \"good guy\" role he so dislikes. :) I think I'll take Colin sans baseball hat, though. Something fishy about that."}, {"response": 542, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (21:39)", "body": "Is it just me, or Colin in that baseball hat looks like Michael J. Fox? Thanks Dena, good find!"}, {"response": 543, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (07:36)", "body": "Maybe a new line or two... Bridget Jones Returns! by Angel Cohn Bridget Jones The tabloids have been making a big deal about all those extra pounds Ren\ufffde Zellweger packed on for Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, the forthcoming sequel to Bridget Jones's Diary (2001). But Colin Firth, reprising his role as Bridget's dashing beau Mark Darcy, doesn't see what all the fuss is about. \"I've always preferred Ren\ufffde, physically, in Bridget mode,\" he says. \"I think that it's very pleasing. She's a very beautiful girl whatever she does, but I think that [as] Bridget [she] looks gorgeous and I wouldn't see any great need to get on the treadmill afterward.\" The 43-year-old Love Actually star is still a bit befuddled by all of the attention the followup is generating. \"About a month ago, I was told, 'Don't say anything about the film, don't give anything away,'\" he notes. \"Then, every shot that we do is followed, frame by frame, by the world's paparazzi, and it's in the papers the same day that we shot it. I've never worked in those circumstances before. It's like doing live, unrehearsed theater in the center of London.\" One picture that appeared in nearly every newspaper from the U.K. to Uzbekistan was of Firth and Hugh Grant engaged in yet another violent brawl over the British heroine. Interestingly, Firth doesn't mind violating the film's strict code of silence to tell us who won. \"Hugh has always been a miserable fighter,\" he laughs. \"I find that he's physically deteriorated in the last three years. I have to be very careful and gentle with him now. I keep finding myself saying, 'Sorry,' and calling him a nurse and giving him a pill and a blanket.\" http://www.tvguide.com/news/insider/031202c.asp"}, {"response": 544, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (09:15)", "body": "\"I have to be very careful and gentle with him now. I keep finding myself saying, 'Sorry,' and calling him a nurse and giving him a pill and a blanket.\" LOL. In March 01 a few of us met the nurse on the BJD set at the Borough Market. Wonder if it's the same one. \" \"I've always preferred Ren\ufffde, physically, in Bridget mode,\" he says. \"I think that it's very pleasing. She's a very beautiful girl whatever she does, but I think that [as] Bridget [she] looks gorgeous and I wouldn't see any great need to get on the treadmill afterward.\" Yeah, yeah...I hear ya' This coming from a guy who diets and works out. And whose wife normally looks like a stick insect."}, {"response": 545, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (09:20)", "body": "(TV Guide)\"I find that he's physically deteriorated in the last three years. I have to be very careful and gentle with him now. I keep finding myself saying, 'Sorry,' and calling him a nurse and giving him a pill and a blanket.\" Way too funny . .take that Hugh!!!"}, {"response": 546, "author": "BarbaraT", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 2003 (06:47)", "body": "Today's Daily Mail has 3 new photos from the set of TEOR. One is of Bridget's parents dressed in wedding clothes for a ceremony to renew their marriage vows, another is of Bridget attempting to catch her mother's bouquet and the third is of Bridget and Mark together. The photos are credited to Pukkapix."}, {"response": 547, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 2003 (08:38)", "body": "From www.nydailynews.com: Girl-on-girl without end: It's not the Paris Hilton video, but Star magazine reports that Renee Zellwegger and Australian beauty Jacinda Barrett do some seriously sloppy lesbian kissing in the upcoming \"Bridget Jones\" sequel, now filming in London. (Where was the conversation going on about sticking to the book? Gah!)"}, {"response": 548, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 2003 (08:47)", "body": "Thanks, Barbara. Here's text from the Daily Mail: Is it Bridget's wedding? Has Bridget Jones finally got her wish for an idyllic wedding? From the bouquet in her arms and the man of her dreams beside her, it would certainly seem so. But, as with most things Bridget, all is not quite what it seems. Renee Zellweger, as the famous singleton, is actually the bridesmaid to her parents, who decide to renew their marriage vows after a brief separation. But the look of love she gives Colin Firth, who plays Mark Darcy, and her frantic rush to catch her mother's bouquet - it took three attempts - leaves no one in doubt that she's longing for the day when she will walk down the aisle as a bride. The scene is from the eagerly-awaited movie Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. Hopes were raised that Bridget would marry after cast member Celia Imrie hinted there was a wedding in the new film - even though the character does not wed in the book - and then said: \"Oops, I shouldn't have said that.\" A winter wonderland of snow and ice was created for the filming in Shere, Surrey. However, the real British weather interrupted shooting for most of the day as rain repeatedly destroyed the look of the fake snow. \"In the end they had to do the scene in just three takes because rain kept on ruining the snowy effect,\" said an onlooker yesterday. \"The whole cast looked very at ease with each other and they seemed to be having a good time.\" The cast are halfway through filming the sequel to Helen Fielding' s Bridget Jones, which is expected to be complete by January. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ And the Sun also has an article: http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,4-2003560409,00.html with three pics of RZ trying to catch the bouquet. Colin's in a dark grey suit."}, {"response": 549, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 2003 (09:12)", "body": "Adorable pics. Gaah, she has gained weight. Look at those arms; any football player would be proud to have 'em. Hold the *sermons*;-)"}, {"response": 550, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 2003 (09:30)", "body": "Thanks Karen! I like the top pic! ODB's hand on RZ's neck and holding asparagus (I do know that is not what it is, but that is what it kinda looks like!). The other two pictures are v. v. nice too! But they made me laugh. Colin looks fantastic, but his expressions are too funny! (Evelyn) Look at those arms; any football player would be proud to have 'em. My DH likes those versions better than her Chicago arms. He was pretty shocked when he saw her in that.....it was his one running comment. How veiny and ultra-thin her arms looked. If they stop filming in January, I bet by March she'll have her spaghetti arms back! She said on 20/20 that she had gained 28 lbs. It looks to be mostly in her face and arms. And she has a small pooch in the belly area. Still has thin legs (from the pics I've seen). I don't think she looks bad (well, LOL...the dress is pretty bad). Just different."}, {"response": 551, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 2003 (10:27)", "body": "Thanks, Karen Gee I know he's tall,but he looks even taller in these photographs next to RZ."}, {"response": 552, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 2003 (10:43)", "body": "Barbara - Thanks for the heads up & Karen - thanks for the link . . MMMMM . . .love the grey suit;) . .may have to ask for another keepsake . .where's Ada???? . .her lavendar bridesmaids dress is interesting . . .looks like a dead mink died around her shoulders ( after falling into some rit dye) . .was so hoping for Jude's wedding from the book to be in the film . .w/ Bridget cutting out the front of her dress after splashing nail varnish over it;) (Tress)She said on 20/20 that she had gained 28 lbs. It looks to be mostly in her face and arms. Hmm . .RZ seems to gain in her chest . . (not a bad trait my DH thinks;) . .that's what I thought when I caught a bit of the 20/20 thing . .also thought that too when I saw original BJD Last night just watched RZ in One True Thing .couldn't help getting a BJD flashback as her character, Ellen attempted to make a lunch for her mother's friends . .very reminicent of Bridget's birthday dinner fiasco . .half expected her to go around saying . .where the f*** is the f***ing tuna?"}, {"response": 553, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 2003 (12:15)", "body": "Great pictures, Karen, thanks! I too like Renee with the pounds on, too bad she probably won't keep at least some of it. (Evelyn) This coming from a guy who diets and works out. And whose wife normally looks like a stick insect. LOL! Don't hold anything back, Evelyn! Yeah, I know what you mean. Maybe what Colin means is that he likes every woman round and curvy, except the one he is closely related to, or he simply has had the \"misfortune\" of meeting only thin women all his life. ;-)"}, {"response": 554, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 2003 (15:10)", "body": "(Tress)Thanks Karen! I like the top pic! ODB's hand on RZ's neck and holding asparagus (I do know that is not what it is, but that is what it kinda looks like!). LOL, looks like he as a bit of asparagas on his jackt as well. Thanks Karen for the article and pictures. Glad to know they are getting some filming in amid all the publicity for other things;-)"}, {"response": 555, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 2003 (17:28)", "body": "Noticed someone on the train home reading the NY Post with a huge pic of Mark and Bridget different from the Sun's."}, {"response": 556, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 2003 (17:51)", "body": "Here's a boatload of 'em! I have to say how pleased I am by the number of scenes CF is in so far.:-) http://www.thezreview.co.uk/news/news3126.htm"}, {"response": 557, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 2003 (18:10)", "body": "Oh! Mari!! Thanks!!!!!!! LOL...I think this is a new favorite 'look'!: And Bridget seems to have remembered her bunny tail (and tied it around her neck):"}, {"response": 558, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 2003 (18:21)", "body": "Whole boatload is right. By the time they finish filming we'll have all the scens on firth.com. He has to re-think his haircut. But Moon will approve of the shirt collar that fits. (Ildi)Maybe what Colin means is that he likes every woman round and curvy, except the one he is closely related to, or he simply has had the \"misfortune\" of meeting only thin women all his life. ;-) Now, why didn't I think of that;-) Jennifer ain't skinny."}, {"response": 559, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 2003 (21:10)", "body": "(Evelyn) He has to re-think his haircut. You don't like it? . .I think I could have fun running my fingers through it;) Mari - thanks for that link!!! I love this pic: I'd love to work with him . .makes going to work all worth while, huh;)"}, {"response": 560, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 2003 (22:45)", "body": "(Evelyn) But Moon will approve of the shirt collar that fits. LOL! I wasn going to comment on the opposite when the first pics went up this morning...OK, back to work"}, {"response": 561, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (07:13)", "body": "Weel, I know things have been quiet around here for a while, but these pics certainly make up for it. Thanks, Karen. My favourite? Third row down, middle pic - I just love him in profile. And isn't Renee gazing up at him, just like Livia does so often?"}, {"response": 562, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (07:20)", "body": "Sorry for the double post. 'Weel' is the Scottish word for well, but in this case, it was a miss-key! (Evelyn)He has to re-think his haircut. I think it looks much better than it did in the first BJD film, although I would prefer it a little longer. And I do think he suits the slight weight gain very well. He was a shade too thin before."}, {"response": 563, "author": "Leah", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (07:55)", "body": "Thanks for all the pictures, I love them all. He looks gorgeous. (Janet) And isn't Renee gazing up at him, just like Livia does so often? I would also look at him like that if I got the chance !-) On the DVD (extras) of BDJ, a lot of commentary was about how little time they had, to shoot certain scenes etc, and how certain scenes had to be rushed. With all the interruptions (as good as they are!) in the shooting of TEOR, I hope that the commentary isn't going to be: how little time we had and how we rushed the filming of TEOR. :("}, {"response": 564, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (08:48)", "body": "Aishling has scanned yesterday's Daily Mail pics for us:"}, {"response": 565, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (09:36)", "body": "Thank you Aishling and Karen. \"Pam\" looks very Bridgety, as well."}, {"response": 566, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (16:19)", "body": "This Grand Avenue comic was in the paper yesterday."}, {"response": 567, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (17:45)", "body": "LOL! Thanks Brenda!"}, {"response": 568, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (08:49)", "body": "Cameras roll for sequel to Bridget Jones Dec 4 2003 Exclusive By John Williams HOLLYWOOD glamour descended on St James' Church, Shere, for the filming of a major British film. International stars Ren\ufffde Zellweger and Colin Firth, as well as a host of British comic actors, were involved in the filming of the sequel to Bridget Jones's Diary in the village on Monday. Two hundred extras and crew bustled around the normally peaceful streets as a crowd of expectant onlookers jostled to see the celebrities. Tonnes of false snow were sprayed over the church and graveyard and throughout the morning the village experienced an early-winter blizzard. Several police officers attended the site to control the lorries that served the set and to try and contain the paparazzi photographers who were there to snap the stars. The filming saw Bridget, played by Oscar-nominated actress Ren\ufffde Zellweger, as a bridesmaid at the re-marriage of her mother and father, played by Gemma Jones and Jim Broadbent. Onlookers had to stifle their laughter as they saw the actors careering along the path from the church to the Rolls Royce at its gates to the strains of the Monkees' song, I'm a believer. While the film company would not reveal any plot details, the Advertiser understands that the scene is part of a dream sequence for Bridget's mother who envisages her re-marriage to Bridget's father. The church's windows were blacked out, but it was full of helium balloons and coloured lighting according to bystanders who had sneaked a look inside. Raedon Luxon, who works in the White Horse pub opposite the church, said: \"We have been full of workers from the film. They have been here since the early hours of this morning. \"It certainly has been the most exciting thing to happen in the village for some time.\" Crew members had been swarming around the village since 6.30am, apparently going into the convenience store on Middle Street and asking for vast quantities of food, including 88 loaves of bread. Shere residents are becoming accustomed to Hollywood stars in the village as this was the second film this year to use the location. American star Debra Messing, star of the sitcom Will and Grace, enjoyed her time in Shere earlier in the year during the filming of another big budget movie. TE films Ltd, which is producing Bridget Jones, warned residents well in advance of the day's disruption at the church, and made a donation to the parish council funds. The film - full title, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason - has been tentatively scheduled for release in November 2004. It is the sequel to Bridget Jones's Diary, which took a massive \ufffd160m at the worldwide box office. http://icsurreyonline.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0500dorkingleatherhead/content_objectid=13688064_method=full_siteid=50101_headline=-Cameras-roll-for-sequel-to-Bridget-Jones-name_page.html"}, {"response": 569, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (09:29)", "body": "tentatively scheduled for release in November 2004 First mention of a tentative release date that I can recall. It's good that they're not rushing this one to get it out in the spring or summer as might have been the case with other films. Thanks Maria!"}, {"response": 570, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (09:48)", "body": "Actually, the line following the article title pretty much sums up what's been written. This \"jounalist\" has given out the plot of the book vs the film or what she thinks is the film. It's too funny! ;-) BRIDGET JONES' NOT SO SECRET DIARY Dec 5 2003 So there's no need to go see the film By Lindsay Clydesdale SINGLETON heroine Bridget Jones is set to be the smash-hit of the summer when the second movie about her shambolic life is released next June. Starring Renee Zellweger, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason is being filmed in London. But don't worry if you can't wait until 2004 to see the chickflick of the year. There have been so many publicity pictures released from the set that you'll haveseenmost of the movie long before then. These pictures, taken as the cameras rolled, reveal the highs and lows of life that fill the pages of Bridget's diary in book two. Atthe start ofthe film, Bridget has joined the ranks of smug loved-up couples but is still being humiliated by sleazy TV boss, Richard Finch. After mucking up an interview with a crusty Tory and foxhunter, she considers throwing it all in to go freelance. But then her relationship with Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) takes a tumble. He falls for a fellowlawyer, bitchy Rebecca, and soon Bridge is back to her tragic, singleton best. Only a trip to Italy to interview the real Colin Firth for a newspaper stops Bridget collapsing into full-blown misery. Unfortunately the resulting interview, complete with her blatant lust for married Firth, becomes first just another humiliation, then cult reading. A trip to Thailand, arrest as a drug dealer and death threats from a cowboy builder, could only happen to hapless Bridget. Filming has brought central London streets to a halt and ensured a steady supply of publicity shots of the cast. So if you are counting the days inyourowndiaryuntilthemovie hits the cinemas, our condensed version should keep you happy. l.clydesdale@ dailyrecord.co.uk 1 THIS is Bridget Jones, top TV journalist, reporting to you from another humiliating assignment, with my big bum exaggerated by Anneka Rice-style tight clothes 2 YOU want me to do what? On a what? Finch has lost his mind...what was that about not working with children and... 3 THIS is Bridget Jones riding backwards, reporting to camera via my backside, looking down the wrong, smelly end of a horse. 4 AT LEAST I have Mr Darcy, lovely delicious Mark. Mmmmm. Feel all content and warm inside. Can't decide if we should have 15 children or settle for 12. 5 OOOH, Mark's swept me up for a passionate snog. Wonder if this is how Elizabeth Bennett felt when Colin Firth finally gave her what for in Pride and Prejudice? 6 IF JUDE insists on marrying vile Richard surely a pact with the devil -there better be something in it for me. Like a massive diamond engagement ring from Darcy. 7 GASP Darcy, showing me the door and giving me back my apartment key. Back to the wilderness of singledom, while he runs into the skinny arms of Rebecca, that lawyer with legs like a baby giraffes. Aaaargh!' 8 OOH, how exciting. My two a******e exes, Darcy and Daniel, in a full-on fight over me, Bridget Jones! Will happily ignore the fact they scrap like girls. 9 FINALLY, can leave pervert boss and emotional f***wit ex-boyfriend behind and go on holiday with Shazza. She's booked two weeks in Thailand. Hurrah! 10 BANGED UP in a Thai jail after Shazza's holiday romance duped me into carrying cocaine! But, oh joy, prison has given me a skeletal figure Geri Halliwell would love. 11 TSK, paparazzifollowing my every move back in Blighty after the tabloids reported my 'THAI JAIL HELL' ordeal. Am now front-page news. Ooh, wonder if I'll be interviewed on Richard and Judy? 12 SO HOWam I going to repay Mark Darcy for getting me released from that stinking Thai prison? I can think of a few suggestions but seems he has some ideas of his own... Happy Ever After? http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/features/featuresfeed/page.cfm?objectid=13693632&method=full&siteid=89488"}, {"response": 571, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (12:07)", "body": "Re Scottish Daily Record article. My daughter texted me about it,(my family are very supportive!) but I was so disappointed in the inaccuracies, I wasn't going to mention it here! BTW, the pics used are all from previous articles over the past weeks."}, {"response": 572, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (12:30)", "body": "Perhaps you could text the Daily Record with more accurate columns based on more accurate info. That Cunningham person is really a poor excuse for a journalist. I suppose she'll do a review of the film next, without having seen it. ;-)"}, {"response": 573, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (15:35)", "body": "(Karen)I suppose she'll do a review of the film next, without having seen it. ;-) Hopefully she'll find another job by then."}, {"response": 574, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (16:03)", "body": "From IMDB News : Hollywood actress Renee Zellweger is set to shock fans in the Bridget Jones's Diary sequel, after it was revealed her character will indulge in a lesbian fling. Texas native Zellweger, who piled on the pounds for a second time to reprise her role as the unlucky-in-love Brit, has been spotted sharing passionate kisses with an Australian actress on the London set of Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason. The stunning actress lucky enough to share the kiss with Zellweger is former Real World London castmember Jacinda Barrett. The eagerly-anticipated movie, set to hit screens next year , also features British actors Hugh Grant and Colin Firth. Surely not!!"}, {"response": 575, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (16:53)", "body": "Maybe the lesbo love scenes are also a fantasy...maybe Daniel's? He seems like the type who would get into it. As someone else (Mari, I think) once said, this is the script that took so long?"}, {"response": 576, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (19:39)", "body": "(IMDB)her character will indulge in a lesbian fling Well, you know how they say everytime you have sex with a person, it's like you're basically sleeping with all the people your partner had before . . Perhaps in the process of \"getting down and dirty\" with Mark . .Bridge, in her own twisted way, invisions/believes that Mark has in fact cheated on her w/ Jacinda's character . .and well . .you can guess the rest . ."}, {"response": 577, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (21:17)", "body": "(IMDB)her character will indulge in a lesbian fling I'm praying it's a dream sequence (Rebecca's, of course!)"}, {"response": 578, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (21:27)", "body": "Well, you know what they say ..if your'e AC/DC it doubles your chances of a date on Saturday night;-)"}, {"response": 579, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (22:14)", "body": "Well you know what I say, \"Why is anybody paying any credence to this?\""}, {"response": 580, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (22:43)", "body": "Well, you know what they say ..if your'e AC/DC it doubles your chances of a date on Saturday night;-) Well you know what I say, \"Why is anybody paying any credence to this?\" Because we don't have enough to do on Saturday night? Ok, Back to Prisoner of Zenda........ I think Ronald Coleman was hot when he wasn't dead...;-))"}, {"response": 581, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (11:13)", "body": "Next it will be - Aliens wrote script for BJ sequel TEOR and Elvis will have a cameo!... Colin Firth forced to do Bridget Jones sequel Last updated 2 December 2003 Colin Firth reckons he was forced into signing up for the sequel to 'Bridget Jones's Diary'. Colin, who plays Mark Darcy, says the big stars from the first film were simply told they were making 'Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason' and no one was excused. \"It never felt like much of a choice to be honest. I think we all just felt like we'd been drafted. None of us remembered a time when we actually could have said no, so we're just there. I think you're born, you have to do 'Bridget Jones 2' and then you die.\" http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/news/entertainment/031202_bridgetjones2.shtml"}, {"response": 582, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (12:02)", "body": "Gaaagh, he sounds as if it's a sentence."}, {"response": 583, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (13:57)", "body": "(CF)I think you're born, you have to do 'Bridget Jones 2' and then you die.\" LOL, No, then you take a break. The \"then you die\" part of that sentence sounds very similar to one of his voice overs in FP. The one about you grow up, blah blah blah, and then you die. (Must brush up on my FP dialogue;-)"}, {"response": 584, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (10:36)", "body": "Oh my goodness! Check out the very Bridget looking Renee at wireimage at the Cold Mountain premiere yesterday. She reminds me of one of those long dead, luscious Hollywood movie stars. If I were a guy I'd say... Yumm! :-) http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=CAL====44463&str=&styp=&sfld=&sortval=3a&PageNum=3"}, {"response": 585, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (12:10)", "body": "(Ildi) She reminds me of one of those long dead, luscious Hollywood movie stars. If I were a guy I'd say... Yumm! :-) Wow! She certainly is making the most of those pounds. I agree with you Ildi."}, {"response": 586, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (13:22)", "body": "(Ildi) She reminds me of one of those long dead, luscious Hollywood movie stars. If I were a guy I'd say... Yumm! :-) (Beedee)Wow! She certainly is making the most of those pounds. I agree with you Ildi. Well, Colin did say on Regis today that Renee has achieved \"v. pleasing proportions\" and that she \"looks just gorgeous; I don't think se ever got fat.\" Just more squishier, I guess. ;-) A sentiment I appreciate!"}, {"response": 587, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (17:07)", "body": "Boy, did those pounds amass in certain places!"}, {"response": 588, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (18:20)", "body": "(Shoshana Froman)Well, Colin did say on Regis today that Renee has achieved \"v. pleasing proportions\" and that she \"looks just gorgeous; I don't think se ever got fat.\" Just more squishier, I guess. ;-) A sentiment I appreciate! I think she looks fabulous, and believe she looked fatter(and frumpier)in BJD because her wardrobe was chosen in order to accentuate her weight gain."}, {"response": 589, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (18:31)", "body": "Beg to differ...she looks awful. She'd never get another movie job again if she stayed like that. The movie camera adds 10 more pounds . I think I would have worn a muu mu;-)"}, {"response": 590, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (18:41)", "body": "(Evelyn)Beg to differ...she looks awful. She'd never get another movie job again if she stayed like that. The movie camera adds 10 more pounds. I know it makes her virtually unemployable in Hollywood, but I think that is a sad reflection of the film industry (and society's) standards. She looks totally natural and more womanly as she is now. I know my DH much prefers her like this, and he is not into heavy women!"}, {"response": 591, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (19:05)", "body": "(Evelyn)She'd never get another movie job again if she stayed like that. But she'd have a chance modeling wonder bras---wouldn't even need the bra;-)"}, {"response": 592, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (19:26)", "body": "Thank you Ildi! I think Renee looks a bit better with some junk in her trunk (and the boobs Louisa! Where did they come from!? LOL!). But I'm not casting movies and I think many stars are too thin...I applaud her for getting out there in a strapless dress and showing it all off. Good for her!"}, {"response": 593, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (19:55)", "body": "Oscar 2002. A trifle thin, but she doesn't look grotesque."}, {"response": 594, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (20:22)", "body": "I hate how the press makes this big deal about weight . .Renee is beautiful . . no two ways about it . .at any size . . ."}, {"response": 595, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (21:44)", "body": "(Evelyn) A trifle thin, but she doesn't look grotesque. LOL! Oh yes she does. Her head looks huge compared to her tiny body. Look at those arms, like sticks. That pic actually looks like one of those fantasy ones I sometimes make, when I put someone's head on another's body and screw up the proportions. No, I'll take Renee in her luscious form any time. I mean..., er, you know what I mean. :-)"}, {"response": 596, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (04:44)", "body": "I'm with Ildi on this one - that pic you posted looks pretty grotesque to me, Evelyn. Look at how boney and \"pokey-outey\" her shoulders look in that pic - definite sign of anorexia, that. I think she looks absolutely fabulous in the latest wireimage pics! What a bombshell! And with her new-found popularity (post-Chicago), I'd really love to see her take on the Hollywood establishment and prove them wrong on the casting of only stick insects. I'd love to see more fabulously curvaceous women in \"meaty\" roles (please excuse the pun!).... Oh! Almost forgot... new BJD2 pic posted at: http://comingsoon.net/news.php?id=2628"}, {"response": 597, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (07:09)", "body": "Renee likes ice Reports of the death of Renee Zellweger and rocker Jack White's relationship are greatly exaggerated: The couple was spotted ring-shopping Saturday. A loose-lipped Left Coaster tells us they \"spent hours\" at jeweler Neil Lane's exclusive Los Angeles store. So, is there a big announcement on the way? A rep for the newly zaftig Zellweger wasn't returning phone calls yesterday. But we can tell you that the \"Cold Mountain\" actress didn't leave the store with a rock on her finger. However, she did splurge on a vintage scarab - complete with diamond chain - blessed by the Kabbalah Center's Yehuda Berg. Zellweger will miss tonight's New York premiere of \"Cold Mountain,\" because she is flying to Thailand to join the cast of \"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason.\" http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/144073p-127479c.html"}, {"response": 598, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (08:49)", "body": "Excellent, Maria! I have just notified a potential correspondent from Thailand."}, {"response": 599, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (08:52)", "body": "Hmmmm, LA being at stop on the way. V. possible."}, {"response": 600, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (09:03)", "body": "Thats what I was thinking!!"}, {"response": 601, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (09:13)", "body": "Going back, the other way, and then to Thailand. Whoa doggie! I wouldn't even want to think about that kind of jetlag."}, {"response": 602, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (10:57)", "body": "(Karen)Excellent, Maria! I have just notified a potential correspondent from Thailand. That's why I love this place! Karen, you've got the world covered :-D"}, {"response": 603, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (11:38)", "body": "(Brenda)That's why I love this place! Karen, you've got the world covered :-D It's truly a global experience here, actually;-)"}, {"response": 604, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (12:36)", "body": "ODB isn't off to Thailand is he? Poor baby will be exhausted if they wrote him into those scenes! But he'll be set to take off from LA if he is to be there....hmmmm.....I think he needs his rest, freshen up so that after the holidays he can go to Lech! About RZ's body size. The pic Evelyn posted, I think she looks lovely. She is thin, but I have seen her thinner and it is a bit scary (there was a time right after filming Cold Mountain when she looked ill, and I think she told the press she had been sick). I think she looks a bit better slightly heavier...I can't post tripod pics, but hope you can see this link. This is what I mean by 'scary skinny' (the unflattering dress doesn't help): http://renee_zellweger_5.tripod.com/gallery_019/renee_zellweger_512.jpeg"}, {"response": 605, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (12:37)", "body": "Link doesn't work. If you cut and paste it, it will. Sorry."}, {"response": 606, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (12:43)", "body": "WOW! Major boobage variance from recent pix. Must have been before she discovered pushup bras."}, {"response": 607, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (18:08)", "body": "Showed the Premiere pic in today's newspaper to my 19 year old son. He said she was 'looking good'."}, {"response": 608, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (19:04)", "body": "(Tress)Poor baby will be exhausted if they wrote him into those scenes . I wonder if he will go. We know MD goes, but we never find out what he actually does there to free Bridget. Could be interesting if they show it in the film. Actually, I'd like to see that-maybe will cut down on the long scenes from the book concerning the Thai jail stuff. Wish they'd cut out Thailand and left some sort of interview in with some other celebrity, but of course I'm not writing the screenplay;-)..."}, {"response": 609, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (19:19)", "body": "(Linda)We know MD goes, but we never find out what he actually does there to free Bridget. Not to be a nitpicker;-), but actually MD never went to Thailand..he went to Dubai to find Jed."}, {"response": 610, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (19:30)", "body": "(Ada)but actually MD never went to Thailand..he went to Dubai to find Jed. I stand corrected. I should have said, in the book MD physically leaves the UK to rescue Bridget, but we don't know all the particulars as it is all done behind the scenes."}, {"response": 611, "author": "BarbaraT", "date": "Sat, Dec 13, 2003 (11:09)", "body": "I can't remember whether or not we already knew that Daniel C features in the Thailand storyline, but a photo in today's Express showing RZ and HG filming a scene on the beach at Phuket confirms that he does."}, {"response": 612, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, Dec 14, 2003 (15:45)", "body": "(Barbara)I can't remember whether or not we already knew that Daniel C features in the Thailand storyline, but a photo in today's Express showing RZ and HG filming a scene on the beach at Phuket confirms that he does. I wonder if the storyline has been changed to make DC the drug smuggler?"}, {"response": 613, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Dec 14, 2003 (20:22)", "body": "Didn't someone here speculate on that a while ago? Or was it in an article or tidbit somewhere as a speculation?"}, {"response": 614, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (07:36)", "body": "(Dorine) Or was it in an article or tidbit somewhere as a speculation? I remember it being a bit of script info attached to the scenes where CF and HG were fighting around the fountain, or in the fountain; Mark Darcy said something to the effect that DC had left Bridget in Thailand......??????"}, {"response": 615, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (08:56)", "body": "(Barbara) I can't remember whether or not we already knew that Daniel C features in the Thailand storyline We??? ;-) I recall what Colin said in that Vanity Fair article: La storia inizia quando finisce la favola tra Bridget e Mark Darcy, che al termine del primo film si erano fidanzati. Lei si sente di nuovo insicura, crede che lui la tradisca con la segretaria, fino a quando si seprano. Bridget va a fare un viaggio in Thailandia, finiscde in un brutto pasticcio di droga, deve difendersi da quello sciacallo di Daniel. Ma poi arrivo io ad assicurare il lieto fine. It does give you some indication that Daniel appears in Thailand, does it not?"}, {"response": 616, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (10:48)", "body": "beach at Phuket Love the name of the beach ;-). They are sure to highlight the signs in the area with this beach name on it in the film."}, {"response": 617, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (11:04)", "body": "\"Phuket\" -- geez, I've been embarrassed to ask, but since you brought it up -- how would that be pronounced in English? I've been reading it rhyming with Bucket, but thinking it's probably French rhyming with Bouquet. -- Deb, feeling totally depraved"}, {"response": 618, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (11:16)", "body": "Hmmm . . . saw this on this board;) Phuket = Pooket http://thaipro.com/cgi-bin/jump.pl?url=http://britishexpats.com/arch/41/2002/9/99468"}, {"response": 619, "author": "Zing", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (11:21)", "body": "(Deb) \"Phuket\" --... how would that be pronounced in English? The pronunciation used in English-speaking East Asia (Hong Kong, Singapore, etc.) is \"Poo-KETT\". HTH!"}, {"response": 620, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (12:49)", "body": "Is big resort area (deluxe, high end); sister has been there. Don't think she brought back anything for me. :-("}, {"response": 621, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (12:55)", "body": "Not even a T-shirt saying \"My sister vacationed in Thailand, and all I got was this lousy shirt. Phuket!\" ???"}, {"response": 622, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (13:14)", "body": "Is big resort area (deluxe, high end); Depends where you go. Also has usual number of sex tourists on the pull. So best to stay in your up market beach resort hotel :-("}, {"response": 623, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (13:16)", "body": "Really? Ooooh! Doubt they went for that. ;-) But could be where Bridget ends up."}, {"response": 624, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (15:15)", "body": "(Karen)But could be where Bridget ends up, Or Huge, eh, Daniel;-) Good thing you guys jumped on the pronunciation, I was thinking puke-it;-("}, {"response": 625, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 2003 (13:12)", "body": "Sorry UK ladies...a month too late... http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/the_exchange/bridget_jones.shtml"}, {"response": 626, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 20, 2003 (16:17)", "body": "Pic of Bridge and Daniel from People mag, scanned by Ada: One of my location sources said the newspapers have mentioned these two being around, but nothing on Colin yet. If he goes there, it wouldn't be in Phuket, but Bangkok."}, {"response": 627, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Dec 20, 2003 (22:33)", "body": "San Francisco Chronicle: Colin Firth would like to dispel rumors that he's playing himself in the \"Bridget Jones\" sequel shooting in England. As fans of Helen Fielding's novels know, Firth shows up as himself on the pages. But in the sequel, subtitled \"The Edge of Reason,\" he is cast in just one role, as Mark Darcy, last seen riding off into the sunset with Bridget. \"The sequel is about what happens afterward,\" said Firth, whose co-star, Renee Zellweger, once again beefed up to play the beloved British singleton. \"Bridget and Mark break up. Her insecurities make it impossible for them to stay together. She's in a world that's overwhelming and intimidating for her. She doesn't trust him because he is too high-powered, because he is smart, because his friends are smart. His assistant is a gorgeous tall blonde, and Bridget is convinced he is having an affair with her.'' That's how Hugh Grant's character insinuates himself into Bridget's life again. So does Mark win her back again? Firth wouldn't say, but he did allow that the filmmakers might leave the door open for a third \"Bridget Jones\" installment. \"My fear is this could end up like James Bond. That's OK as long as I do other stuff in between. I'll go off and pay the bills with 'Bridget' and I can do whatever the hell I want in between.''"}, {"response": 628, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Dec 20, 2003 (22:34)", "body": "Forgot to mention: Renee is on Letterman this Tuesday."}, {"response": 629, "author": "odessa", "date": "Sun, Dec 21, 2003 (04:42)", "body": "So does Mark win her back again? How can they even think he wouldn`t. That`s like Elizabeth would have married Wickham if Bridget goes with Daniel...TEOR doesn`t sound too good yet, I`m afraid :("}, {"response": 630, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 2003 (07:09)", "body": "Hugh flees from hookers From ANDREW DRUMMOND in Bangkok SHOCKED Hugh Grant fled a Bangkok bar \ufffd chased by dozens of hookers trying to grab his WILLY. The movie heart-throb ventured in for a drink with two minders and ended up scarpering with his hands in front of his crotch. Hugh, 43 \ufffd in Thailand filming the sequel to Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary \ufffd only managed to down one beer before two girls dancing in bikinis recognised him and leapt from the stage. They made a beeline for his flies \ufffd as is the custom among Bangkok tarts. A horde of others taking a break between dances joined them. One of the girls, a 23-year-old beauty called Tippawan, said yesterday: \ufffdThe girls were dancing to One Night In Bangkok. They jumped from the stage and went straight for him together with the others. Hugh clutched himself with his hands.\ufffd Hugh, who was famously arrested in his car with Hollywood hooker Divine Brown, had gone with his bodyguards to a street called Soi Cowboy \ufffd notorious for its go-go bars, naked dancers and \ufffdladyboy\ufffd transvestites. The red-faced actor was in the Tilac bar when he was spotted. Tippawan said sadly: \ufffdHe would have been a good catch. But I guess he did not feel comfortable. He hurried out \ufffd and left the street.\ufffd Earlier the star had suffered more embarrassment while filming a scene with an elephant. The animal turned out to have a weak bladder \ufffd and Hugh wound up having to change his clothes. http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2003590904,00.html"}, {"response": 631, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 2003 (08:03)", "body": "(The Sun)Hugh flees from hookers LMAO Maria! Such an interesting twist on headlines from a few years ago. ;-) Elephants in TEOR, though? Not so wild about that..."}, {"response": 632, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 2003 (08:04)", "body": "Maria - This is priceless . . . poor Hugh . . (Sun)Earlier the star had suffered more embarrassment while filming a scene with an elephant. The animal turned out to have a weak bladder \ufffd and Hugh wound up having to change his clothes. With everyone taking pics of the TEOR filming . .no one caught a pic of this? ;)"}, {"response": 633, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 2003 (09:55)", "body": "Bad ruck in Bangkok, Hugh... beats the Mushimoto party"}, {"response": 634, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 2003 (09:59)", "body": "Hugh flees from hookers Poor guy can't go anywhere. ;-) Divine story, Maria! Thanks. Bet we hear all about the elephant over and over again during Hugh's press for TEOR."}, {"response": 635, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 2003 (13:08)", "body": "LOL, Maria, thanks! I'm beginning to have a crush on Hugh. ;-)"}, {"response": 636, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 2003 (14:00)", "body": "LMAO, tough week, Hugh!"}, {"response": 637, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Dec 24, 2003 (08:29)", "body": "Austin actress Rene Zellwegger appeared on Late Night with David Letterman last night (Dec 23rd) Renee spent a couple of weeks in thailand filming the 2nd Bridget Jones Diary. She talked about the food \"squid tendrils\" \"fried shrimp\" (\"they don't take the head and the tail off, they batter the whole deal\"). And she mentioned the \"late nights out for the boys in the cast\" of BGD which she wouldn't elaborate on. She said she was \"down at the beach having My Tai's and she heard that \"they found Saddam\". She read about Letterman's baby \"in a Thai paper\" and chided Letterman just a tad like Julia Roberts did about getting married after the baby. She Bridget Jones gets in a little trouble and goes to Thailand. She wouldn't tell much more when prodded by Letterman if \"she got in some kind of trouble\". Letterman said \"Why don't we take some time off together\" and she said she'd given up on him. \"I'm not waiting around for you anymore\". She \"went to school to write\" and didn't foresee any of her Hollywood success. They showed a Cold Mountain clip with Nicole Kidman. She'll finish Bridget Jones in Mid February and starts filming Cinderalla Man with Russell Crowe in mid April. Then she said she would take a good bit of time off (sipping Margueritas at Guerros on Austin's S Congress Blvd?) Some pics at http://firth.com/rz"}, {"response": 638, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 24, 2003 (09:30)", "body": "Sorry, Terry, if you want to do an RZ thing, please use a different directory, not firth.com. Also, this topic isn't for general purpose Renee; it is for Bridget Jones's Diary info."}, {"response": 639, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Dec 26, 2003 (12:14)", "body": "Aye aye, cap'n! I'll put rz stuff at spring.net!"}, {"response": 640, "author": "charmedbycolin", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (12:59)", "body": "Question here: Why wasn't Sharon Maguire asked to direct the sequel? I thought she did a fantastic job for a first time film director. I thought also by being the real Shaz she added a inside's perspective as well as a female touch. I love the whole look of BJD (esp. the snow scene at the end. Which wasn't that a Sharon request? A winter wonderland? What is known about Beeban Kidron? Besides To Wong Foo (which to me wasn't that great of a film.) I see Kidron has directed a lot of television. I just wonder what the decision behind the director choice was. Semi off topic: I see on IMDB Renee is going to play Janis Joplin in 2005. Maybe its the Texan thing. Wow that was a surprise."}, {"response": 641, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (14:13)", "body": "(Carolyn)Question here: Why wasn't Sharon Maguire asked to direct the sequel? It has never appeared in print. But if you read the BJD archives you'll catch all the conjectures. Also BK filmography & Renee's future roles. Lots of good stuff back there."}, {"response": 642, "author": "charmedbycolin", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (14:21)", "body": "Thanks Evelyn. I suspected the Sharon directing topic might have been covered. I will check it out. Thanks again."}, {"response": 643, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (17:28)", "body": "Thanks for reminding everyone about the archival nature of the site. Lots of answers to lots of questions are right here and on the previous topics for BJD. (Carolyn) Why wasn't Sharon Maguire asked to direct the sequel? People often *assume* she wasn't asked. I believe MarkG, who has his ear to the BJD ground at all times, posted that he'd read somewhere that Sharon didn't want to devote like a year of her life to another feature film again. Right after BJD came out, SM's name was linked to another project in the US, which hasn't been heard from since. Could be overall disillusionment with the process...the long, arduous process of making big studio films. Who knows, but it's taken three years to get this sequel in front of the camera."}, {"response": 644, "author": "charmedbycolin", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (20:34)", "body": "Yea IMDB doesn't have Sharon listed for anything post BJD. Now just to speculate maybe she didn't want to always be associated with Helen Fielding film projects and wants to make it on her own. But find it a bit odd she isn't doing any projects now. Perhaps a career change, if MarkG read she was disullusioned. It would be interesting to find out why. Maybe when Edge of Reason comes out, we will hear an explanation for cast, crew or Helen."}, {"response": 645, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (07:47)", "body": "As a newbie looking to \"catch up\"... Inspired by all this commentary to pick up a copy of TEOR yesterday. Stayed up 'til alomst 3am to finish it. Note to self..don't do that anymore. Price in am way too high. Thankfully, I'm now in sync with all the great postings here (well, maybe not all ). Particularly fond of the one about loving the spot where all the fur had been rubbed off What a delicious read IMHO! Much enhaced by picturing ODB himself utterring all those great lines and cavorting about in all those nekkid/towel scenes."}, {"response": 646, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (10:08)", "body": "Leslie - Glad you enjoyed the book . . . Would personally love to see the scene from the book . .where Bridget is staying @ Mark's house . .in fear for her life . .and they both scare each other downstairs in mark's kitchen in the middle of the night . .. But I don't know if they are doing the storyline w/ Gary the builder . . ."}, {"response": 647, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (13:34)", "body": "Sorry, Kim, if I\ufffdm delving into archives of old discussions but\ufffd I nearly asphyxiated myself laughing during the CF interview in Rome. Then at the end when he simply looks at Rebecca and says, \ufffdRebecca\ufffd.I need Bridget\ufffd Gaaah! Needless to say \ufffd many pleasant dreams after envisioning CF delivering that line over and over in my head. I\ufffdm sure this story will have its appeal to the general public as light rom-com fare. However, can\ufffdt help but think this might have been written as a personal homage of sorts to ODB. Sort of a send-up of the Darcy he created \ufffd how he deals with it in his own life as well as the effect it\ufffds had on countless scores of women. There\ufffds just too much inside info that those of us \ufffdin the know\ufffd will recognize for me to think she didn\ufffdt include it purposely for us to savor. Has HF ever commented in this regard?"}, {"response": 648, "author": "charmedbycolin", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (17:57)", "body": "It sounds like the Rebecca storyline is getting majorly molded to fit the movie script, and I know they are changing it. I always liked when Rebecca jumped into the shallow pond thinging of the bridge and had the bit of grass and mud sticking to her bottom and wearing a slip, and was like (paraphrasing) \"I am jumping...I'm resolute\" I could always imagine her saying that in a posh voice. And the whole Bridget saving Giles from overdose, and then Bridget and Shaz leaving, and when Rebecca calls Mark to get her cane or stick, and Shaz says \"Fetch\" I thought that was hilarious. I would have loved to see Colin's reaction to that line. Mark and Bridget wise, I like the whole babysitting segment, when she runs into Mark, and she's having little Sound of Music fantasies in her head. And all the parts in the book, where Mark Darcy deal with kids. (I think that is showing B. he would make an excellent father) Like when he took the boys out of the church, or pulled them off Bridget at Constance's party. Why do we think they are filming in Austria? The Mark and Bridget Valentine's Ski Trip?"}, {"response": 649, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (18:05)", "body": "(Carolyn) and when Rebecca calls Mark to get her cane or stick, and Shaz says \"Fetch\" I thought that was hilarious. I would have loved to see Colin's reaction to that line. There was a similar setup in the BJD movie, right after the \"I like you...\" speech, when Natasha is at the top of the stairs and snaps her fingers. Mark follows in manner of puppy dog. Why do we think they are filming in Austria? The Mark and Bridget Valentine's Ski Trip? *We* or I think so because Working Title included that information on its website press release and it will likely be a ski trip."}, {"response": 650, "author": "madsky", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (09:51)", "body": "For lesliep: In interviews and articles from the time of BJD's release (archived here), archives discussions from here, and commentary/featurette on the DVD, there is info on how Helen Fielding came to write the BJ columns, books, and then was instrumental for the film. Yes, CF's portrayal of Mr. Darcy was her inspiration. (Kimberly S)Would personally love to see the scene from the book . .where Bridget is staying @ Mark's house . .in fear for her life . .and they both scare each other downstairs in mark's kitchen in the middle of the night . .. But I don't know if they are doing the storyline w/ Gary the builder . . . I'll bet we'll see a very passionate reuniting scene, but I'm guessing the context will be different. Personally, I thought the Gary the builder storyline was a dud (too ridiculous that she'd let a gaping hole go THAT long --I hope it's not in the movie), though I did like that she had to stay at Mark's house, leading to......... Letting Gary go that long combined with the stupid things Jude and Shazzer convince her of re Mark -- it was too much -- I thought Bridget was dangerously close to being TOO dumb. I'm hoping the film will be better in its contrivances that split up and keep apart (for a while) MD and BJ. I thought the first film improved on the first book, so I'm hopeful. My ideas: Perhaps BJ and MD are staying at someone's home in Thailand after BJ gets out of jail... Perhaps they're at a hotel there, in separate rooms, and when they're meeting in one of their rooms, their discussion turns to them... Or maybe they get back from Thailand and neither of them can go on any longer, having been so near each other, without bringing things up... I'm assuming MD and BJ meet in Thailand because of the various tidbits from interviews. Even if CF did not physically go to Thailand for location filming, it does not mean he's not there in the story. All of his scenes could be interior, so would be shot at the studio in London. (With one interview, it was noted he'd been shooting a scene of MD and Thai police.)"}, {"response": 651, "author": "madsky", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (10:06)", "body": "Re: Mari's post 627 of 12/20 here Does anyone know the citation for that SF Chronicle interview? I've looked at the Chronicle's web site but that article does not pull up. For what's posted here at least, CF talks about TEOR. Thanks for any help with this."}, {"response": 652, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (10:21)", "body": "I've been thinking about Colin's repeated comments in recent interviews that there might be a 3rd BJD. I can't imagine Ren\ufffde gaining the weight once more so... What if they have extended the filming date to mid Feb. because they are also filming the 3rd one? It worked for LOTR. ;-D Mushimoto baby!"}, {"response": 653, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (19:13)", "body": "Interesting thought, Moon (and hurrah!). I have a thing for Mark Darcy, HOWEVER, I have mixed feelings about their doing additional BJD. I'd like to see him in more dramatic (well written) roles to broaden his appeal to some top directors. I don't want to see him pidgeonholed, as PW would say. V.V.Ambiguous"}, {"response": 654, "author": "charmedbycolin", "date": "Tue, Jan  6, 2004 (02:06)", "body": "It seems like the paparrazi is releasing so many photos of this film, yet we know so little about the storyline from the media.(they seem to be speculating themselves based on the pictures) You can find out more on this board, then from any official sources. All we can gather from the photos is Daniel is in Thailand, Daniel and Mark fight in water presumably over Daniel being in Thailand, and Rebecca is going to kiss Bridget (How Britney and Madonna, oh so topical!) To me Bridget being insecure about Rebecca is a major plot in Edge of Reason, and I don't really know how they are going to handle it that all of a sudden Rebecca is going to like Bridget. Seems to take the potency out of the situation and make Bridget seem more silly and paranoid. I thought BDJ struck a good cord about being true to the book, and whatever they did take out, seemed to streamline the story, and the parts they added in were v.good (like Daniel vs. Mark Darcy fight) I was almost disappointed to read they had a fight in Edge of Reason - because it seemed like repeating a really good gag that wouldn't be as funny the 2nd time around. Except when I realized it involved Colin getting a bit wet, I had to soften my line. hee hee. However, what I'm trying to say is I hope they can maintain the balance they had with the first movie of keeping certain dialogue or plot points from the book, and whatever they don't keep and add in - just makes the story line stronger. From what I'm reading, I don't know yet. I hold out hope. About a 3rd movie, I would hope there would be a third Helen Fielding Bridget book that warrants a third movie and makes sense and it doesn't turn into a Rocky or James Bond situation. If its a popular book and it wraps up the Bridget and Mark situation with a satisfying ending it would be probably be worth doing."}, {"response": 655, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan  6, 2004 (10:14)", "body": "(Madelyn)If its a popular book and it wraps up the Bridget and Mark situation with a satisfying ending it would be probably be worth doing. Now why didn't I think of that;-)"}, {"response": 656, "author": "charmedbycolin", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 2004 (01:22)", "body": "It's Carolyn ;) Colin had a quote for us discussion regarding Edge of Reason. \"The only sensible attitude to it was to be cautious. People want the same film and they don't want the same film. You have to really hit the right note with this thing. As long as you can take it forward in some way, it's justified.\" From this article. (Very good article on GWAPE) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/artsentertainment/2001829040_firth04.html"}, {"response": 657, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 2004 (08:11)", "body": "A few new pics of Bridget, the one of Mark and Bridget I think we have seen variations of.. but the color of all of these are great, the vegetable stand and red bell peppers in the backround will make you want to run home and start cooking! http://film.intertain.dk/?news/item&it=76920&ci=183"}, {"response": 658, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 2004 (09:14)", "body": "Pardon the google translation, and apparently there are pics but registration is needed and it's in German and I keep fuddling it. Anyone German speakers here willing to give it a try??... Hollywood star come to lech Second part of the OSCAR-nominated Bridget Jones film is turned at the Arlberg Lech (VN) sensation at the Arlberg. The continuation of the Hollywood Kassenschlagers \"Bridget Jones\" nominated for the OSCAR is turned in lech. Beginning of the new yearly Hollywood star the Renee Zellweger, Hugh grant and Colin Firth at the Arlberg arrives. Gab's in the Laendle never. The sensation is accordingly large. Beginning of the coming yearly will transform lech at the Arlberg to the large Hollywood Mekka. Filming acre the Renee Zellweger, woman Mrs. Hugh grant and Colin Firth will come for the continuation of the cash hit \"Bridget Jones - chocolate to the breakfast\" to lech. The tourism boss of lech/Zuers Urs Kamber on \"VN\" confirms - inquiry. \"we strove for the film and in the last instant a winter place in France expenditure-offered\", are pleased Kamber. Kamber for contractual reasons may not abandon details yet. Fixed it is only that a majority of the film is turned in the middle in a spaciously locked off area in lech in. 20 Mill. Dollar Gage \"a giant production. Not only for lech, but for completely Vorarlberg \", so Kamber further. Because lech is called several times in the strip. The dimension of this Hollywood production becomes clearly recognizable from the Gagen of the leading actors. Thus Renee Zellweger for the second part of the romantic comedy approximately 20 million Doller Gage is received. Woman Mrs. Hugh grant is inferior to this sum hardly. In the summer 2004 the film with the English original title \"The Edge OF Reason\" (at the edge of the reason) is to come world-wide into the cinemas. The strip will adhere like already in the first part to Helen of falling thing Bridget Jones book. Therein those discovers times slim, times chubby Bridget that the life at the side of Marc Darcy (Colin Firth) is not so rosy, as it dreamed of it. The Renee Zellweger nominated as a best hauptdarstellerin for a OSCAR must itself for the strip specially 20 Pound in weight anfuttern. A Hollywood film in lech. A giant production for completely Vorarlberg. URS KAMBER TOURSIMUSCHEF LECH Scene from Bridget Jones. (photo: uip) Hugh grant, Renee Zellweger and Colin Firth come to lech. In lech Renee Zellweger may eat alias Bridget Jones for the second part as much chocolate to the breakfast, as it wil. http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://www.vn.vol.at/2003-11-29/Politik_22.asp&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dbridget%2Bjones%2Baustria%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26oe%3DUTF-8"}, {"response": 659, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 2004 (09:39)", "body": "Great find, Maria, but since that article was from 11/29/03 and the article is about the filming to start in the new year, the pics wouldn't be anything new IMO. Plus they're from UIP (from first BJD movie most likely) and Reuters. But will get someone cracking on infiltrating this site!! OK, have gotten to the German page, but there aren't any pictures, just the credits."}, {"response": 660, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 2004 (09:58)", "body": "I love barely translated articles... Not sure what \"Bridget Jones - chocolate to the breakfast\" has to do with anything, but it sure makes me hungry. Filming acre the Renee Zellweger, woman Mrs. Hugh grant and Colin Firth will come for the continuation of the cash hit ODB seems to be the only one that didn't get a fun little nickname here... So happy the Gagen of the leading actors helps the dimension! Woman Mrs. Hugh grant is inferior to this sum hardly LOL! Thanks to Helen of falling thing for making this all possible!"}, {"response": 661, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 2004 (10:03)", "body": "Great finds, Maria. The Danish site mentions, among other things, Bridget having to struggle with a new boss. Have we heard of this??"}, {"response": 662, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 2004 (10:07)", "body": "(Maria) Not sure what \"Bridget Jones - chocolate to the breakfast\" has to do with anything, but it sure makes me hungry. In Germany the title for BJD is \"Bridget Jones - Schokolade zum Fr\ufffdhst\ufffdck\" (BJD - Chocolate for Breakfast)....don't know why they dropped the diary reference and added chocolate, but I'm all for that!!!"}, {"response": 663, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 2004 (10:10)", "body": "(Tress)don't know why they dropped the diary reference and added chocolate, but I'm all for that!!! Perhaps they lifted all the idea from all of the chocolate croisants and Milk Tray Bridget consumes from out of the book?"}, {"response": 664, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 2004 (10:12)", "body": "Have sent the info to a \"potential\" contact in Austria. Hope I get a bit more than my Thai contact who went on holiday during that two-week period and said Phuket was too far."}, {"response": 665, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 2004 (10:21)", "body": "Hilarious translation, Maria. LOL . Maybe the \"chocolate for breakfast\" is the TEOR \"Blue Soup\" Anyway glad they all got together in lech"}, {"response": 666, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 2004 (13:05)", "body": "(Evelyn)LOL . Maybe the \"chocolate for breakfast\" is the TEOR \"Blue Soup\" Makes me think of chocolate tea biscuits from Sainsbury's...down to the last few;-( The strip will adhere like already in the first part to Helen of falling thing Bridget Jones book. Therein those discovers times Haven't I been saying that all along?;-)"}, {"response": 667, "author": "charmedbycolin", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 2004 (14:52)", "body": "\"Woman Mrs. Hugh grant is inferior to this sum hardly\" That was my favorite part too. Is Daniel getting a sex change this movie?"}, {"response": 668, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 2004 (15:42)", "body": "Kimberly...Perhaps they lifted all the idea from all of the chocolate croisants and Milk Tray Bridget consumes from out of the book? Good catch - makes sense to me."}, {"response": 669, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 2004 (16:00)", "body": "Or perhaps \"Diary\" got misinterpreted as \"Dairy\" and went off on a tangent from there?"}, {"response": 670, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Sat, Jan 10, 2004 (23:09)", "body": "(Carolyn)If its a popular book and it wraps up the Bridget and Mark situation with a satisfying ending it would be probably be worth doing. I thought the first one wrapped up the M&B situation very nicely, and I never wanted to see another BJD movie again, but here it is, and no matter how this one will wrap up their new situation if it makes enough money we will see a third one as well I think. They're gonna milk the cow as long as it has something to give."}, {"response": 671, "author": "charmedbycolin", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 2004 (00:57)", "body": "(Ildiko)I thought the first one wrapped up the M&B situation very nicely, and I never wanted to see another BJD movie again, but here it is, and no matter how this one will wrap up their new situation if it makes enough money we will see a third one as well I think. I've always prefered Edge of Reason book to the original Bridget Jones Diary. Maybe cause it was more focused on the Mark Darcy character (and of course had the Colin interview bit) So I'm looking forward to this movie. To me BJD is a tease, you get Mark Darcy in the beginning, a bit in the middle and the wonderful bit at the end. The rest to me is like waiting for Bridget to wake up to the fact that Daniel is a sleaze and Mark is her soul mate. (and a little Hugh Grant goes along way with me) They seemed to have expanded the Daniel role in Edge of Reason. I'm sure that is a box office draw decision. In the book Edge of Reason, Bridget seems to have come to some realizations about Daniel finally, and to me if the movie Bridget goes back to him (with this Thailand vacation etc...) that weakens the growth she has made from the first book about what makes a \"proper boyfriend\". So I might be corny but I want to see it. I think Bridget is a beloved literary character and it should be good. I'm not too worried about a third one, I think it will take a few years to get Renee, Hugh and Colin's schedules all lined up. To me personally, the fact that Helen Fielding based the character of Mark Darcy on Colin's portrayal of the original Mr. D is just to irrestible to ever be satisfied with one movie. Like a piece of chocolate...(for breakfast anyone?) A third one, might be a bit much. And we will have to see if Helen Fielding even writes a third BJD novel. BUT I have to say I can't wait for Xmas 2004 and this movie. Mark Darcy is one of my favorite Colin characters and I'm by no means tired of it yet. Bring on the sideburns..."}, {"response": 672, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 2004 (09:36)", "body": "(Carolyn) I'm not too worried about a third one, I think it will take a few years to get Renee, Hugh and Colin's schedules all lined up. I wouldn't hold my breath for them getting Renee again period. Besides, if they waited for Helen to write another book, do you think the audience would like Mark and Daniel being played by old age pensioners? ;-)"}, {"response": 673, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 2004 (13:10)", "body": "(Carolyn)I've always prefered Edge of Reason book to the original Bridget Jones Diary. Maybe cause it was more focused on the Mark Darcy character Me, too. I think TEOR is full of ups/downs and angst while still holding on to the lighter, comical side of Bridget. I know they've strayed from the book for the film, but I sure do hope they've kept in most of it. Just a few tidbits...while in London, I had the greatest day walking around the places where they filmed Bridget's flat, (the Globe Pub), the Greek Restaurant, Daniel's flat and Borough Market. I took several pictures and even rang the doorbell--(MD rings it in TEOR.) Karen has several pictures taken from the set up on Drool. It was thrilling just standing outside that door. V. funny going in the Globe Pub and seeing the door from the inside that faces the loos, and my favorite is following the path MD takes in BJD, after the fight scene, where he walks around the corner and it's a dead end. Many thanks to my v.competent guide and gracious host for the afternoon;-)A very memorable few hours, indeed."}, {"response": 674, "author": "charmedbycolin", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 2004 (17:00)", "body": "(Karen) I wouldn't hold my breath for them getting Renee again period. Besides, if they waited for Helen to write another book, do you think the audience would like Mark and Daniel being played by old age pensioners? ;-) Yea or a Mark and Bridget baby movie, \"Bridget Jones, I left the baby at the market.\" (in the manner of \"Look Whose Talking\" or \"Cheaper by the Dozen\") (Linda) your pilgrimage sounds wonderful. I understand wanting to ring the doorbell or walk around the corner. (that's funny it's a dead end)"}, {"response": 675, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 2004 (17:41)", "body": "(lindak)Just a few tidbits...while in London, I had the greatest day walking around the places where they filmed Bridget's flat, (the Globe Pub), the Greek Restaurant, Daniel's flat and Borough Market. I was there last Saturday, too. My DH filmed me outside the Globe, and I walked through Borough Market. Was disappointed I didn't see the Greek restaurant, though. I thought someone may have bought the empty unit, and made it a real restaurant! Anyway, it was great to be there."}, {"response": 676, "author": "madsky", "date": "Mon, Jan 12, 2004 (00:34)", "body": "(Carolyn) expanded the Daniel role....box office draw decision. In the book Edge of Reason, Bridget seems to have come to some realizations about Daniel finally, and to me if the movie Bridget goes back to him (with this Thailand vacation etc...) that weakens the growth she has made Carolyn, I'm just bouncing off your thoughts... IMHO For a good sequel (story-wise, star-wise) to the first *film*, the producers had to get all 3 original stars, which meant Daniel's/HG's role had to be expanded -- not just for box office considerations. In the 2nd book she came very close to getting back together with him, or at least having sex with him. Remember she went out and bought condoms? The growth she made in making a decision about Daniel in the 2nd book is analogous, at least in some ways, to the end of the fight scene in the first film, so the characters have to proceed somewhat differently in the 2nd film than they do in the 2nd book. (Another good example from 2nd book: Mark is almost terrified of his kitchen -- but this couldn't be used \"as is\" in the 2nd film because we already saw him so \"helpful in the kitchen\" in the first film.) Plus, I think that in the 2nd book, when BJ decides not to have sex with Daniel, it's as much about her feelings for Mark, if not more so. That's what makes it so romantic for BJ and MD -- she had a good opportunity for \"just full sex\" with Daniel, but when she keeps writing about being terribly sexually frustrated from no sex for months on end, she's of course yearning for Mark and Mark alone. For me, that really builds the romantic passion that leads to the \"climactic\" all-nighter when they get back together. I'm going to guess that, though some details will be different for this part of the story/film, BJ will come very close to shagging DC but will not because she truly only wants MD (and he her), which will build that romantic passion toward a stunning reunion (akin to the kissing scene that ended the first film -- only this time we get the sex!). Here's hoping! One other thing: in the *film*, at end of fight scene, Daniel is honest with BJ and seems to genuinely want to try again. So I think the film Daniel is different from the book Daniel, which sets up the 2nd film Daniel a bit differently. The fact that it's actually HG in the films, portraying Daniel, is also an important factor shaping the film Daniel..."}, {"response": 677, "author": "charmedbycolin", "date": "Mon, Jan 12, 2004 (03:40)", "body": "(Madelyn) I'm going to guess that, though some details will be different for this part of the story/film, BJ will come very close to shagging DC but will not because she truly only wants MD (and he her), which will build that romantic passion toward a stunning reunion (akin to the kissing scene that ended the first film -- only this time we get the sex!). Here's hoping! I love the light you are shinning on this. That is a really good suggestion of how the story might be going in the film. Yes I agree that the Bridget's feelings about Mark throughout Edge of Reason makes it so romantic and exciting when they finally have their Velveteen Rabbit, Campbell Soup reuninon in the kitchen. When you wrote about the shopping for condoms, all I could think of is when Bridget was reading the diagrams in the condom instruction package and all she could think of was Mark Darcy (instead of Daniel). Gave me a good giggle. I'd put a \"ding dong\" in here but I think its too Freudian."}, {"response": 678, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Jan 12, 2004 (16:38)", "body": "(Deb)Or perhaps \"Diary\" got misinterpreted as \"Dairy\" and went off on a tangent from there? You mean . .Bridget Jones: The Edge of Being Lactose Intolerant?"}, {"response": 679, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (18:02)", "body": "RZ was a guest on BBC Radio's Steve Wright in the Afternoon yesterday. -I missed it, unfortunately. Did anyone listen in?"}, {"response": 680, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 2004 (11:30)", "body": "According to my Austrian contact, she's been told the filming will be next month (February), though film people are already there."}, {"response": 681, "author": "charmedbycolin", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 2004 (13:24)", "body": "I wonder what is going on right now, since they aren't going to film in Austria for a few more weeks. Did anyone notice Hugh Grant was on wireimage promoting Love Actually in Toyoko this week? But no Colin pictures. I wonder if Renee and Colin have this month off, or they are filming in the UK in January?"}, {"response": 682, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 2004 (14:34)", "body": "(Carolyn) I wonder what is going on right now, since they aren't going to film in Austria for a few more weeks. There are many things film people could be doing in Austria before the actors arrive, one of which might be 2nd Unit work, which involves scenery, special sequence work (like with stunt doubles) but not the actors. I wonder if Renee and Colin have this month off, or they are filming in the UK in January? Most likely the latter, in the studio."}, {"response": 683, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 2004 (14:42)", "body": "(Karen)Most likely the latter, in the studio. ...and hopefully doing the towel scenes;-)"}, {"response": 684, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (08:12)", "body": ""}, {"response": 685, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (08:15)", "body": "Alpine update... Vorarlberg will nach Hollywood Zum Casting-Termin f\ufffdr \"On the edge\" (Bridget Jones 2) st\ufffdrmten am Donnerstag mehrere hundert Vorarlberger ins Dornbirner Pfarrheim. F\ufffdr Petra Nussdorfer k\ufffdnnte ein Traum wahr werden. In Lech werden von 26. J\ufffdnner bis 4. Februar Szenen f\ufffdr Teil 2 des erfolgreichen Kinofi lms \"Schokolade zum Fr\ufffdhst\ufffdck/Bridget Jones\" mit Renee Zellweger und Hugh Grant gedreht. Austrocast und Satel-Film suchten am Donnerstag im Dornbirner Pfarrheim Statisten und Doubles. \"Bridget Jones ist einer meiner Lieblingsfilme. Den schau' ich immer beim B\ufffdgeln an\", erz\ufffdhlt Petra Nussdorfer. \"Die Idee mit dem Casting fi nde ich ganz witzig. Wenn ich mich irgendwo mit dem Snowboard im Hintergrund verewigen k\ufffdnnte, w\ufffdre das super.\" Bridget Jones 2 in Lech Von 26. J\ufffdnner bis 4. Februar werden die Drehtage in Lech \ufffdber die B\ufffdhne gehen. Eine Szene wird am Sessellift und auf der Piste spielen, eine andere bei einem Skirennen. \"Wir wollen dabei sein!\" Auch Herbert Hubmann und Hans Mirnig aus H\ufffdchst w\ufffdren gerne mit von der Partie. \"Wir haben aus Neugierde mitgemacht, weil wir wissen wollten, wie es hinter den Filmkulissen zugeht. Au\ufffderdem fahren wir beide gerne Ski. Wir erwarten, dass wir dabei sind!\" Bevor es auf die Piste geht, mussten die Casting-Kandidaten zun\ufffdchst einen Fragebogen ausf\ufffdllen. Neben pers\ufffdnlichen Daten, Kleider-, K\ufffdrper- und Schuhgr\ufffd\ufffde wurde hier auch nach besonderen schauspielerischen F\ufffdhigkeiten gefragt. Hier konnte die 20 j\ufffdhrige Studentin Mailin Wachter punkten. Sie hat bereits bei der Organisation des Kurzfi lms \"Die Froschk\ufffdnigin\" mitgewirkt, stand bei der Bludenzer Einhornb\ufffdhne und den Bregenzer Festspielen auf den Brettern, die die Welt bedeuten. \"Ich bin hier, weil ich mir den Traum vom Schauspielern erf\ufffdllen m\ufffdchte und hier eine einmalige Chance sehe.\" Ganz andere Erwartungen hat der 27-j\ufffdhrige Daniel Meusburger. \"Gro\ufffde Illusionen mache ich mir nicht. Ich arbeite als Gebietsverkaufsleiter bei einer Bausparkasse und will mich beruflich sicher nicht ver\ufffdndern. Aber ich fahre wahnsinnig gerne Ski und ein Drehtag mit Renee Zellweger w\ufffdre sicher ganz lustig.\" Die Frage, ob sie auch Nacktfotos von sich machen lassen w\ufffdrden, haben beide mit \"ja\" beantwortet. \"Hollywood darf mich sehen\", lacht die h\ufffdbsche Mailin. Mit dem ausgef\ufffdllten Fragebogen ging es dann zum Fotoshouting. Einmal kurz l\ufffdcheln und schon war das Casting vorbei. F\ufffdr die vielen hundert Vorarlberger ist nun langes Warten angesagt. Bis n\ufffdchste Woche Freitag wollen sich Austrocast und Satelfi lm \ufffdberlegen, wer mit Renee und Hugh auf die Piste darf. sos Ein Traum im wei\ufffden Lech: Drehtag mit Renee Zellweger und Hugh Grant. etra Nussdorfer (links) hatte ihr Snowboard mit zum Casting gebracht. Herbert Hubmann (53) und Hans Mirnig (54) wollen in Bridget Jones 2 Skifahren. ~~~~~~~~~~ which translates pathetically as: Vorarlberg wants after Hollywood To the Casting date for \"on the edge\" (Bridget Jones 2) stormed on Thursday several hundred Vorarlberger in the Dornbirner parsonage. For Petra Nussdorfer could become true a dream. In lech become from 26 Jaenner until 4 February scenes for part of 2 of the successful Kinofilms \"Bridget Jones\" with Renee Zellweger and Hugh Grant turned. Austrocast and Satel film looked for parsonage statisten and double on Thursday in the Dornbirner. \"Bridget Jones is one of my favourite films. On\", Petra Nussdorfer tells the schau ' I always when ironing. \"the idea with the Casting finde I completely funny. If I could perpetuate myself somewhere with the Snowboard in the background, would be the super.\" Bridget Jones 2 in lech Of 26. Jaenner until 4 February will go the turning days into lech over the stage. A scene will play another at the sessellift and on the runway, with a ski running. \"we want to be thereby!\" Also Herbert stroke man and Hans Mirnig out most would gladly also be from the portion. \"we went through from curiosity, because we wanted to know, how it happens behind the film sceneries. In addition we drive both gladly to ski we expect that we are thereby!\" Before it goes on the runway, the Casting candidates had to fill out first a questionnaire. Beside personal data, dresses -, body and shoe size were asked here also for special schauspielerischen [Ed note: drooling??] abilities. Here the 20 year old student Mailin Wachter could score. It participated already at the organization of the Kurzfi lms \"the frog queen\", stood with the Bludenzer a horn stage and the Bregenzer festivals on the boards, which mean the world. \"I am here, because I would like myself here the dream of actors to fulfill and a unique chance sees.\" The 27-jaehrige Daniel Meusburger has completely different expectations. \"large illusions do not make myself I. I work as an area sales manager at a building society and do not want not to change vocationally reliably. But I drive madly gladly ski and one turning day with Renee Zellweger would be surely completely merry.\" The question, whether they would let naked "}, {"response": 686, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (14:51)", "body": "LOL, Karen! Correct me if I am wrong. In TEOR B goes skiing with Mark, not Daniel, right?"}, {"response": 687, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (18:00)", "body": "There's a clip from the TEOR over at Firthissimo. - I'm having trouble downloading it, but I'll get there!"}, {"response": 688, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (18:27)", "body": "Trying now on the clip but did the web translate thing on the blurb--pending the assistance of those more adept at Italian (from firthissimo) : \"You do not see the hour that decoy the continuation de \"the per diem one of Bridget Jones\"? You have divorato all the possible and imaginable advances on what it will happen in \"Bridget Jones:The Edge of Reason\"? You have made gasping searches on Google in order to find some taken micragnosa photo on the TEOR set (is worth to say \"The Edge of Reason exactly\")? Asked to a pure day yes and the other escogiter\ufffd thing Daniel Cleaver in order to interfere in the relationship between Mark and Bridget? PERFECT! Then you have cliccato on the just page, why you will be able here to find in NATIONAL absolute preview, indeed, that I say national, INTERNATIONAL, indeed more, we exaggerate, PLANETARY a sequence of the film... and is a FIRTHISSIMO EXCLUSIVE RIGHT! The amatoriale filmato one has been turned during the resumptions of a scene in which Bridget it gives to Mark a key... will be that one of its apartment? We have therefore the possibility see again Ren\ufffde Zellweger, but above all Colin who, you cover the cloth of Darcy and fortified of a beautiful blue elegant coat, it exclaims \"Like on!\" with its unmistakable voice. This \"chicca\" us has been kindly supplied from a present videoamatore on the set and that naturally ringraziamo of heart. And hour us does not remain other that to augur GOOD VISION to you!\" I augur GOOD VISION to you too!"}, {"response": 689, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (18:47)", "body": "OK, the Firthissimo file is a zip.file, 1:34 long, street scene outside Bridget's, camera's POV is waaay behind production crew, lights, etc. Film v. bouncy. Only discernible words, MD says (maybe?) \"Come on\". Bridget opens door holding up key and grinning (? -- can't tell if there was a cut there), crowd cheers, BJ turns to go back into apartment, MD follows but even from behind looks like he has an ear-to-ear grin ('cept for the dimples we know are in the way.) And that's it. To get there: http://digilander.libero.it/firthissimo/index.htm Link to Novita, link to TEOR, link to 11/01/04 (1/11/04)"}, {"response": 690, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (19:30)", "body": "(Karen)which translates pathetically as: Thank you, LOL."}, {"response": 691, "author": "charmedbycolin", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (01:47)", "body": "(Barb) Thanks for the video lead. It was worth the wait to see the end part when ODB goes in to B's flat with a huge smile on his face. (Karen) Thanks for the translated article. :)"}, {"response": 692, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 2004 (02:51)", "body": "LOL. Very funny translations. Sounds like the scene at Firthissimo is the scene I watched being filmed. And indeed there was somebody with a video camera standing beside me."}, {"response": 693, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 2004 (11:04)", "body": ""}, {"response": 694, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 2004 (14:40)", "body": "More pics of Renee and Hugh in Thailand - http://www.thezreview.co.uk/news2/news358.htm"}, {"response": 695, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 2004 (18:18)", "body": ""}, {"response": 696, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Jan 24, 2004 (05:34)", "body": "Working Title has an on set diary! http://www.workingtitlefilms.com/nusite.php"}, {"response": 697, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sat, Jan 24, 2004 (08:23)", "body": "Thanks for the Working Title link, Maria. Really enjoyed it."}, {"response": 698, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 24, 2004 (08:47)", "body": "Beat me to it! Someone emailed the info to me last night. Looks like there might me one space left for a pic from Austria, don't you think? ;-)"}, {"response": 699, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 24, 2004 (09:21)", "body": "A couple more articles from Jan 9: Ein Hauch von Hollywood in Lech Rene\ufffde Zellweger dreht am Arlberg Fortsetzung der Hit-Kom\ufffddie Bridget Jones von Harald Frohnwieser In den Wintersportorten Lech und Z\ufffdrs herrscht derzeit gro\ufffde Hektik \ufffd wird doch hier in den n\ufffdchsten Wochen ein wahrer Hauch von Hollywood \ufffdber den Arlberg wehen. Niemand Geringerer als Ren\ufffde Zellweger und Hugh Grant sollen demn\ufffdchst eintrudeln, um hier einen Teil der Fortsetzung der Erfolgskom\ufffddie \ufffdBridget Jones \ufffd Schokolade zum Fr\ufffdhst\ufffdck\ufffd zu drehen. F\ufffdr \ufffdBridget Jones 2\ufffd \ufffd so der vorl\ufffdufige Arbeitstitel \ufffd hat sich jedenfalls ein Teil der Produktionsfirmen bereits niedergelassen, um nach geeigneten Locations Ausschau zu halten. Mehr wollen zurzeit jedoch weder die Produzenten noch der \ufffdrtliche Tourismus-Verband verraten, um nicht allzu viele Paparazzi anzulocken, die die Dreharbeiten und das bisschen Privatleben der Stars st\ufffdren k\ufffdnnten. PUMMELCHEN W\ufffdhrend also in \ufffdsterreich die Vorbereitungen auf Hochtouren laufen und die Nervosit\ufffdt steigt, stehen Zellweger und Grant, der Bridgets Chef Daniel Cleaver gibt, f\ufffdr den Film derzeit noch in England vor der Kamera. Ren\ufffde Zellweger, die in ihrem oscargekr\ufffdnten Musicalerfolg \ufffdChicago\ufffd, der Anfang 2003 in den heimischen Kinos startete, noch rank und schlank zu sehen war, hat mittlerweile freilich einige Kilos zugelegt, um ihrer Filmfigur als \ufffdPummelchen Bridget\ufffd gerecht zu werden. Dazu der Hollywood-Star in einem Interview: \ufffdMein Fr\ufffdhst\ufffdck besteht aus vier Scheiben Toast und Streichk\ufffdse. Das ist aber nur der erste von vier G\ufffdngen.\ufffd Und wie will sie die \ufffdbersch\ufffdssigen Kilos wieder loswerden? Zellweger, kryptisch: \ufffdSchritt f\ufffdr Schritt.\ufffd Damit ihre Gesundheit jedoch nicht allzu sehr angegriffen wird, ist ein Ern\ufffdhrungsberater stets an ihrer Seite. Zum Inhalt: Der zweite Teil von Helen Fieldings Kultroman \ufffd \ufffdBridget Jones: The Edge of Reason\ufffd \ufffd beginnt ungef\ufffdhr ein Monat, nach dem Bridget ihre Beziehung mit Mark Darcy (im Film von Colin Firth gespielt) begonnen hat. Doch die rosaroten Wolken des ersten Liebesrausches lichten sich allm\ufffdhlich: Ihr Angebeteter erweist sich als konservativer als erwartet, und Grund zur Eifersucht gibt es auch. Bridget Jones reist frustriert in der Weltgeschichte herum, landet unter anderem in Thailand, und eben auch in \ufffdsterreich . . . ~~~~~~~~~ which translates as: A breath of Hollywood in lech Renee Zellweger turns continuation of the hit comedy Bridget Jones at the Arlberg of Harald Frohnwieser In the winter sports places to lech and Zuers prevails at present large Hektik \ufffdbecomes in the next weeks a true breath of Hollywood over the Arlberg blows nevertheless here. Anybody smaller ones than Renee Zellweger and Hugh grant, over shortly here a part of the continuation of the success comedy \"Bridget Jones\" is not to in-wobble; Chocolate to the Fruehstueck\u201c to turn. For \"Bridget Jones 2\" -- so the provisional work title -- a part of the production companies already established itself anyhow, in order to hold after suitable locations look out. More want to tell however neither the producers to to time nor the local tourism federation, in order not to attract too many Paparazzi, which could disturb the turning work and the little private life the star. If the preparations on full speed PUMMELCHEN run and nervousness rise during thus in Austria, Zellweger and grant, which give Bridgets boss Daniel Cleaver, for the film are at present still located in England before the camera. Renee Zellweger, those in its OSCAR-CROWNED musical success Chicago, the at the beginning of of 2003 in the domestic cinemas started, nor climb and to see slim was, meanwhile some Kilos added certainly, over their film figure as \"Pummelchen Bridget\" to become fair. In addition the Hollywood star in an interview: \"Mein breakfast consists of four disks toast and caper cheese. That is however only first of four Gaengen.\" And how does it want the surplus Kilos again loose will? Zellweger, kryptisch: \"Schritt for Schritt.\" So that its health is however not too very much attacked, a nourishing advisor always is at its side. To contents: The second part of Helen of falling thing cult novel \ufffdBridget Jones: The Edge OF Reason\" approximately one month begins, after which Bridget began its relationship with Marks of Darcy (played in the film of Colin Firth). But the rose-pink clouds of the first dear intoxication get thinner gradually: Their Angebeteter proves as more conservative than expected, and reason to the jealousy gives it also. Bridget Jones travels frustrated in world history around, lands among other things in Thailand, and evenly also in Austria. . ."}, {"response": 700, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 24, 2004 (09:25)", "body": "And... Bridget Jones 2 kommt im Herbst Die Kom\ufffddie \"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason\" wird nach der gleichnamigen Romanvorlage von Helen Fielding seit Herbst 2003 verfilmt. Gedreht wird in sind London, England, Thailand und in den Orten Lech und Z\ufffdrs am Arlberg. Produziert wird die Fortsetzung der Kom\ufffddie \"Bridget Jones \ufffd Schokolade zum Fr\ufffdhst\ufffdck,\" die im Sommer 2001 bei uns Premiere hatte, von Universal Pictures, Working Title Films und Miramax. Regie f\ufffdhrt nicht wie beim ersten Teil Sharon Maguiere, sondern Beeban Kidron (\"Antonia und Jane\"), die Kamera f\ufffdhrt Adrian Biddle. Die Hauptrollen werden von Ren\ufffde Zellweger (Bridget Jones), Hugh Grant (Daniel Cleaver), Colin Firth (Mark Darcy) und Jacinda Barrett verk\ufffdrpert. Ob jedoch Hugh Grant tats\ufffdchlich am Arlberg filmen wird, ist anzunehmen, steht derzeit aber noch nicht ganz fest. Der Film wird voraussichtlich im Herbst dieses Jahres in die Kinos kommen ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bridget Jones 2 comes in the autumn The comedy \"Bridget Jones: The Edge OF Reason\" after the novel collecting main of the same name by Helen falling thing is filmed since autumn 2003. In is London, England, Thailand is turned and in the places lech and Zuers at the Arlberg. The continuation of the comedy \"Bridget Jones\" is produced; Chocolate to the Fruehstueck\u201c, in the summer the 2001 with us premiere had, from universal Pictures, Working Title of film and Miramax. Direction does not lead as with the first part Sharon Maguiere, but Beeban Kidron (\"Antonia and Jane\"), the camera leads Adrian Biddle. The main roles become of Renee Zellweger (Bridget Jones), Hugh grant (Daniel Cleaver), Colin Firth (Mark of Darcy) and Jacinda bar-saved embodies. [Ed note: LOL!] Whether however Hugh grant will actually film at the Arlberg, is to be accepted, is certain at present however not yet completely. The film will presumably come in the autumn of this yearly into the cinemas."}, {"response": 701, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (14:24)", "body": "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason Scoop! Source: Spiegeltrui Tuesday, January 27, 2004 'Spiegeltrui' wrote in with news from the Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason set in Austria, where the production is filming quite a scene for the sequel, starring Ren\ufffde Zellweger, Colin Firth and Hugh Grant. The scoop includes spoiler material, so if you'd rather not know a thing about the film, then click the back button now! My parents are currently on vacation in Lech am Arlberg, Austria. Famous skiing area where the Dutch royal family also does their skiiing. Anyway, my father just told me they were shooting a scene with Ren\ufffde Zellweger for Bridget Jones 2: The Edge of Reason on the \"Schlegelkopf\" slope (see here). My father only saw a shoot of a woman in a pink suit (Zellweger, or stuntwoman?) going down the slope. However, he was also in a ski-class with someone who was in the same hotel as a cameraman on the set. Now this guy talked to the cameraman about some plot details. Apparantly, Bridget Jones will accidently step into a wrong ski-lift, ending up in a ski-contest. In her clumsiness she accidently takes a shortcut, resulting in her winning the race. But not being able to stop, she keeps going until she skis into a bar, right into the arms of Hugh Grant. Sounds a little corny to me, but hey, it is Bridget Jones 2. http://comingsoon.net/news.php?id=3180"}, {"response": 702, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (14:31)", "body": "In her clumsiness she accidently takes a shortcut, resulting in her winning the race. But not being able to stop, she keeps going until she skis into a bar, right into the arms of Hugh Grant. OMG...this actually happened to me! At that slope! It's easy to do (really!!!). I can't ski and was on the bunny/kiddie hill, but you have to cross the expert hill to get to the bar (v. v. bad placement IMO). I picked up a great deal of speed and hit the bar (a circular, outdoor drinking hole) at full tilt! Bartender saw me coming and when I hit, he just slammed down a vodka shot (with a fig in it) in front of me. Everyone applauded. Just to think...I had my own Bridget moment...waaaaaay before Bridget was around!"}, {"response": 703, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (14:39)", "body": "(Tress) Everyone applauded. Just to think...I had my own Bridget moment...waaaaaay before Bridget was around! LOL!! Tress you're a local legend! Maybe when they were scouting locales they talked to your fig offering bartender and he relayed this tale. Now if the King Hussein bit is in TEOR we'll know for certain your trip there changed the lives of the townspeople! ;-)"}, {"response": 704, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (14:45)", "body": "(Maria) LOL!! Tress you're a local legend! Maybe when they were scouting locales they talked to your fig offering bartender and he relayed this tale. When I said 'waaaaaaaay before' I meant it...this all happened in 1987! That was quite a long time ago. I'm sure they've had other 'Bridgets' sliding into that bar (I'm tellin' ya...v.v. bad place to put the cocktails!!! ;-D). And unfortunately no Daniel Cleavers or Mark Darcys to break my fall! I would have taken either in my early twenties! I'm a bit pickier now! ;-)"}, {"response": 705, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (15:01)", "body": "to be caught thusly after crashing through racks and skis and bars would be worth the indignity! :-)"}, {"response": 706, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (15:07)", "body": "I got all excited and was trying to find a picture of the bar, but I found webcams...keep your eyes out for ODB and RZ filming!! ;-) http://www.arlberg.net/skiarlberg.at/aktuell/d/cam1.html And more cams of Lech/Zurs/Arlberg: http://www.arlberg.net/skiarlberg.at/aktuell/d/livecams_html.html"}, {"response": 707, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (17:45)", "body": "LOL, Tress. I can just picture it-hey better slamming into a bar than going down a fireman's pole...unless of course MD was at the bottom. I don't like the fact that Daniel Cleaver is in the ski scenes. That part of the book was v. romantic for Mark and Bridget;-("}, {"response": 708, "author": "charmedbycolin", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (18:36)", "body": "I'm hoping this person's parents maybe confused Hugh for Colin. (please please powers to be - please don't turn this movie into \"Love Story, Bridget and Daniel)"}, {"response": 709, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (20:30)", "body": "(Linda)I don't like the fact that Daniel Cleaver is in the ski scenes. That part of the book was v. romantic for Mark and Bridget;-( My thoughts exactly!"}, {"response": 710, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (21:01)", "body": "(linda)I don't like the fact that Daniel Cleaver is in the ski scenes. I'm with you . .perhaps Bridget, thinking Mark is fooling around with his secretary or whoever Jacinda is . .gets talked into a whrlwind trip w/ Daniel? . .remember the pic of Bridge and Daniel in Thailand at the beach . . . Or when Bridge is concerned . .could be just one of her fantasies in her head:)"}, {"response": 711, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (21:53)", "body": "Apparantly, Bridget Jones will accidently step into a wrong ski-lift, ending up in a ski-contest. In her clumsiness she accidently takes a shortcut, resulting in her winning the race. Think I saw this on I Love Lucy. But not being able to stop, she keeps going until she skis into a bar, right into the arms of Hugh Grant. Not thrilled with this. Again, it's Bridget and two men. Retread of first movie, instead of making it one man (Mark) and two women (Bridget and Rebecca). IMO, a bad call. A stunt double would be on the slopes, not Renee. Thanks Maria for the tidbit."}, {"response": 712, "author": "Gail", "date": "Wed, Jan 28, 2004 (09:12)", "body": "But not being able to stop, she keeps going until she skis into a bar, right into the arms of Hugh Grant. Maybe in the writing process they combined two scenes here. The scene where Mark sees Rebecca's nephew \"Johnny Boy\" kissing Bridget and the ski trip. I could never really buy into the argument scene MD & BJ had in their bedroom after the \"Johnny Boy\" kiss. But I could believe MD getting insanely jealous if he saw BJ in DC's arms."}, {"response": 713, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Wed, Jan 28, 2004 (09:57)", "body": "Did we hear about this book before and I missed it? I found this in a magazine. There is a 20 year retrospective of Working Title out, called Laundrettes and Lovers: from Storyboard to Billboard. Thought I would put it in this topic since Bridget is on the cover but also includes some LA apparently. Found it here http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0752261924/qid%3D1075305381/026-5529414-9328423 but not on amazon.com Of course change it to benefit spring if you end up buying it! :)"}, {"response": 714, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 28, 2004 (10:19)", "body": "Here's the cover: Thanks, Emma. It looks interesting. This is how the link should be for amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0752261924/thespring-21"}, {"response": 715, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jan 28, 2004 (12:24)", "body": "Apparantly, Bridget Jones will accidently step into a wrong ski-lift, ending up in a ski-contest. In her clumsiness she accidently takes a shortcut, resulting in her winning the race. (Karen)Think I saw this on I Love Lucy You did. Lucy at Sun Valley, circa 1959. Instead of Hugh Grant, she plows into Fernando Lamas. Hey, it was funny 45 years ago, am sure it will still be funny now.;-) That book looks interesting. Is that Ali G I spot on the cover? Looks like him. Gettin' some res-PECK, no doubt.;-) ;-) Does anyone know when the new series of AG shows will be on HBO?"}, {"response": 716, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 28, 2004 (16:22)", "body": "Knew it! Knew I wasn't hallucinating. OK, is \"classic comedy.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 717, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jan 28, 2004 (17:47)", "body": "I think quite a few scenes from BJD and TEOR are reminiscent of the Lucille Ball slapstick type of comedy. The fireman's pole, arriving in the bunny costume, and in TEOR, ending up backwards on the horse."}, {"response": 718, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jan 28, 2004 (20:38)", "body": "I think quite a few scenes from BJD The cooking. Lucy could have made blue soup;-)"}, {"response": 719, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (09:43)", "body": "Dated on Tuesday Arlberg wird zum Hollywood-Mekka Dreharbeiten zu Kinofilm in Lech angelaufen Lech (VN) Hektik am Arlberg. Hollywood ist zu Gast in Lech. Seit gestern wird der zweite Teil des Kino-Hits \"Schokolade zum Fr\ufffdhst\ufffdck\" im Vorarlberger Nobelskiort gedreht. Der Gro\ufffdteil des 150-Personen umfassenden Filmteams ist bereits am Arlberg. Hektik steht derzeit in Lech an der Tagesordnung. T\ufffdglich \ufffdndern sich Abl\ufffdufe f\ufffdr die Filmaufnahmen. Fix ist bisher nur, dass einige Szenen des Hollywood-Films auf der Skipiste und im Dorf gedreht werden. Unter h\ufffdchsten Sicherheitsvorkehrungen. \"Niemand darf auch nur in die N\ufffdhe des Sets\", sagt Claudia Lengenfelder von Lech-Z\ufffdrs-Tourismus. Gestern wurden die ersten Aufnahmen f\ufffdr die Fortsetzung des Kassenschlagers \"Schokolade zum Fr\ufffdhst\ufffdck\" mit Renee Zellweger und Frauenschwarm Hugh Grant am Arlberg gedreht. Mehrere Hotels gebucht In den n\ufffdchsten Tagen werden die Hauptdarsteller Renee Zellweger und Colin Firth in Lech erwartet. \"Die Stars haben in mehreren Tophotels gebucht. Niemand wei\ufffd, wann sie kommen und wo sie absteigen\", sagt Lengenfelder. Hugh Grant kommt \ufffdbrigens nicht nach Vorarlberg. \"Die Szenen werden ohne ihn gedreht.\" Zellweger und Firth bleiben auch nicht lange. Maximal vier Tage. Dann reisen sie zu anderen Drehorten weiter. Skiurlaub in Lech Im Kinofilm wird dann gezeigt, dass Colin Firth alias Marc Darcy seine Freundin Bridget Jones (Renee Zellweger) zu einem Luxusurlaub nach Lech einl\ufffddt. Allerdings verschweigt sie ihm, dass sie eigentlich gar nicht so gut Ski fahren kann. Das sorgt dann f\ufffdr turbulente Szenen im Film. N\ufffdheres wird seitens der Produktionsfirma zeit) noch nicht verraten. (der- Seltenes Foto von den Dreharbeiten - wie hier wird Bridget Jones ihren Freund Marc Darcy auch in Lech k\ufffdssen. (Foto: Universal) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ And for your reading enjoyment, the translation: ;-) Arlberg becomes the Hollywood Mekka Turning work to motion picture film in lech started Lech (VN) Hektik at the Arlberg. Hollywood is to guest in lech. Since yesterday the second part of the cinema hit \"chocolate is turned to the breakfast\" in the Vorarlberger Nobelskiort. The majority of the 150-Personen comprehensive film teams already is at the Arlberg. Hektik is located at present in lech at the agenda. Daily expirations for the photographs change. Fixed it is so far only that some scenes of the Hollywood film on the ski runway and in the village are turned. Under highest safety precautions. \"nobody may also only into the proximity of the set\", says Claudia Lengenfelder of Lech Zuers tourism. Yesterday the first photographs for the continuation of the cash hit \"chocolate to the breakfast\" were turned with Renee Zellweger and woman Mrs. Hugh grant at the Arlberg. Several hotels booked In the next days the leading actors Renee Zellweger and Colin Firth in lech are expected. \"booked star in several Tophotels. Nobody knows, when they come and where they descend, say \"Lengenfelder. Hugh grant does not come by the way to Vorarlberg. \"the scenes are turned without it.\" Zellweger and Firth remain also not for a long time. Maximally four days. Then they continue to travel to other turning places. Ski vacation in lech In the motion picture film it is then shown that Colin Firth in-loads alias Marc Darcy its friend Bridget Jones (Renee Zellweger) to one luxury vacation to lech. However it conceals to it that it cannot actually at all drive so well ski. That provides then for turbulent scenes in the film. Details are not betrayed on the part of the production company time) yet (that Rare photo of the turning work - like here Bridget Jones will kiss its friend Marc Darcy also in lech. (photo: Universal) A part of the film is turned in the middle in the village by lech. (photo: ek)"}, {"response": 720, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (09:45)", "body": "In case any German readers would like to jump in and clarify, please do. Somehow \"Frauenschwarm Hugh Grant\" doesn't seem right translated as \"woman Mrs Hugh Grant.\""}, {"response": 721, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (10:11)", "body": "Hmmm, probably means \"womanizer\"... Anyway, here's another article from Tuesday translated. Much of the same info, with some local interest bits about an extra (look at the pay, Mark!) but it does reiterate that Huge won't be there. Vorarlberger Komparsen with Hollywood Dreharbeiten at the Arlberg In lech at the Arlberg it is called Action on Wednesday again \"!\". For a second Bridget Jones filming with Hugh grant, Renee Zellweger and Colin Firth are used also statisten and Komparsen from Vorarlberg, because according to film script leading actor Mark of Darcy loads its friend Bridget Jones to lech at the Arlberg in. Feldkircherin also thereby Among the statisten is also the 25-year old Katrin from Feldkirch. Which expects it with the turning work on Wednesday, the Hollywood Aspirantin does not know however. She knows only that she will not stand on Skiern. Katrin may not tighten a red jacket Only default, one may carry no red or rose-pink jacket, says Katrin. In addition it may not carry a camera forward. 30 to 40 euro per turning day The large money Katrin however not to make, per turning day earns it 30 to 40 euro. Film crew already arrived A large film crew is - also to the joy of the Lecher point hotel trade - already at the deeply snow-covered Arlberg. Zellweger is expected shortly The freshly Globe gilded superstar Renee Zellweger is expected shortly, in order to let in lech it - according to film script - unsatisfactory skilaeuferisches being able make a blueprint. Hugh grant does not come CO star Hugh grant does not come in the snow scenes forwards and therefore also not to lech. ~~~~~~~ And in Deutsch: Hollywood-Dreharbeiten am Arlberg Vor einiger Zeit wurden Komparsen f\ufffdr eine Hollywood-Filmproduktion am Arlberg gesucht. Nun ist klar, warum die Kleindarsteller im Ski-Outfit zum Casting erscheinen mussten. Dreharbeiten von Renee Zellweger Im Nobelskiort Lech weht zur Zeit ein Hauch von Hollywood, Anlass sind Dreharbeiten von Renee Zellweger und Colin Firth f\ufffdr die Fortsetzung der Erfolgskom\ufffddie \"Bridget Jones- Schokolade zum Fr\ufffdhst\ufffdck\". Eine gro\ufffde Film-Crew ist - auch zur Freude der Lecher Spitzenhotellerie - bereits am tief verschneiten Arlberg. Der frisch Globe-vergoldete Superstar Renee Zellweger wird demn\ufffdchst erwartet, um in Lech ihr - laut Drehbuch - mangelhaftes skil\ufffduferisches K\ufffdnnen ablichten zu lassen. Hugh Grant kommt nicht Co-Star Hugh Grant kommt in den Schnee-Szenen nicht vor und daher auch nicht nach Lech. Das Film-Script sieht vor, dass Marc Dracy (gespielt von Colin Firth) seine Freundin Bridget Jones zu einem Urlaub nach Lech einl\ufffddt. Sie verr\ufffdt ihm allerdings nicht, dass sie gar nicht Skilaufen kann - Anlass genug f\ufffdr komisch-turbulente Szenen im Schnee."}, {"response": 722, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (10:21)", "body": "From the Basel Zeitung: Eine grosse Film-Crew ist bereits eingetroffen. Ren\ufffde Zellweger wird demn\ufffdchst erwartet. Das Film-Script sieht vor, dass Marc Darcy (Colin Firth) seine Freundin Bridget Jones zu Ferien nach Lech einl\ufffddt. Sie verr\ufffdt ihm allerdings nicht, dass sie gar nicht Skifahren kann - Anlass genug f\ufffdr komische Szenen im Schnee. A large film crew already arrived. Ren\ufffde Zellweger is expected shortly. The film Script plans that Marc Darcy (Colin Firth) in-loads its friend Bridget Jones to holidays to lech. She does not tell him however that she at all does not know ski driving - cause to enough for amusing scenes in the snow."}, {"response": 723, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (13:28)", "body": "(Karen's)In the next days the leading actors Renee Zellweger and Colin Firth in lech are expected. Well finally! I can relax a bit now;-)) (Karen's)Somehow \"Frauenschwarm Hugh Grant\" doesn't seem right translated as \"woman Mrs Hugh Grant.\" Not sure but I believe *swarm* (womanswoon?)is faint/weaken/swoon and if so it would be a hearthrob equivalent."}, {"response": 724, "author": "Gail", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (13:33)", "body": "Thanks for the articles Karen. Can rest much easier now knowing that Mark brings Bridget on this holiday."}, {"response": 725, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (13:58)", "body": "(Bilingual Bee) Not sure but I believe *swarm* (womanswoon?)is faint/weaken/swoon and if so it would be a hearthrob equivalent. Gewiss! Frauenschwarm is heartthrob, I believe (like how I say that with such conviction?)...been a loooooooong time and I'm a bit rusty! But we know who the real Frauenschwarm is....those screams weren't for Huge...if they were it was to say \"move outta the way so I can see Colin!!\" ;-)"}, {"response": 726, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (14:30)", "body": "Having more nice images . . . Coin bundled in nice warm sweaters @ ski lodge . .Colin on skis . .Colin in ski pants:) . . . Wonder if they will be keeping the grappa in the film;) . .or is Bridget's skiing blunders soley due to lack of ability for forward propulsion while strapped to 2 bits of wood on frozen ground????"}, {"response": 727, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (16:17)", "body": "Excellent, ladies. Heartthrob (swarm of women) it is, though is terribly inaccurate. ;-) Important points seem to be that (1) Colin will be there and seems to be part of the storyline, (2) they'll only be there for 4 days, and (3) the world will be coming to an end because Huge won't be there. ;-)"}, {"response": 728, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (17:18)", "body": "Somebody associated with the production posted this on Jan 26: \"Well all I can say is that it's bl**dy cold out here, but the scenery is absolutely stunning. We're staying in Zurs, in a splendid 5* hotel and, for my part, will be finishing up this sunday. After that, there is probably less than two weeks to go and we are all finished!\""}, {"response": 729, "author": "charmedbycolin", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (17:19)", "body": "I was thinking if Hugh is in the Austria scenes maybe that is how he is reintroduced into this movie, Bridget accidentally skiing into his arms to Mark's dismay. Esp. since in the book Austria is before Thailand. OR I'm going on the theory still that this eyewitness mixed up Hugh with Colin. Lots of times people just don't know their celebrities, esp. if they are a different generation that just doesn't follow these things."}, {"response": 730, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (17:28)", "body": "Yesterday the first photographs for the continuation of the cash hit \"chocolate to the breakfast\" ...Mark Darcy for breakfast would be a much better translation;-) LOL, I love these translation exercises. Thanks, boss. (Tress)if they were it was to say \"move outta the way so I can see Colin!!\" ;-) Yeah, bloody Colin."}, {"response": 731, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (17:33)", "body": "(Carolyn) OR I'm going on the theory still that this eyewitness mixed up Hugh with Colin. From the...er...translated bits I got the impression that they're going to shoot Hugh's part elsewhere. Could be in the studio for all we know, as she runs into him in a bar, an interior location."}, {"response": 732, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (17:47)", "body": "(Karen) Could be in the studio for all we know, as she runs into him in a bar, an interior location. But she's on skis isn't she? There is a 'somewhat' famous outdoor bar in Lech. Halfway down one of the expert slopes. That's the one I 'ran into' when I was there! Very easy to do...tis a slippery slope and the bar is big and in the way! ;-) We're staying in Zurs, in a splendid 5* hotel... Zurs is where we stayed! Hoorah! It's up the hill a bit from Lech...about a mile...(it is all very confusing as they are all part of one area). Cannot remember the name of the place we stayed at, but it's across the way from the Gasthaus Auerhahn (my drinkin' hole). So odd to think of Bridget and Mark hanging out in a place I've actually been to!"}, {"response": 733, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (17:51)", "body": "(Tress) But she's on skis isn't she? Apparently, so??? It can still be a set. One minute the camera shows the exterior of a building and weeks later shoots the interior. The Thai jail was done in England. You put some slippery stuff on the ground, give Renee a push and she'll shush into the bar."}, {"response": 734, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (03:26)", "body": "30-40 Euro a day seems pitiful for Austrian extras - either that, or I hope the London geezer who gloated about 300 quid a day was lying. Smug git! I liked Karen's 'womanizer' translation best for Frauenschwarm - every time I read the word 'lech' without a capital I think it's referring to Hugh."}, {"response": 735, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (09:17)", "body": "A report on Thursday filming, with 31 pictures of Renee and her stunt double on the slopes: Bridget Jones II Dreharbeiten f\ufffdr den Hollywoodfilm in Lech. F\ufffdr staunende Gesichter sorgten am Donnerstag die Dreharbeiten zum Hollywood-Film \"Bridget Jones 2\" in Lech. Dutzende Schaulustige verfolgten das Spektakel stundenlang. Nachdem bei einem eigens errichteten Zielhang im Skigebiet eine Szene gedreht wurde, verlagerte sich das Filmspektakel am Nachmittag mitten ins Dorf. Bei dem zu einer Apotheke umgebauten Sportgesch\ufffdft Strolz rutschte die vor wenigen Tagen mit einem Golden Globe ausgezeichnete Schauspielerin Renee Zellweger laut Drehbauch samt Ski bis ins Gesch\ufffdft hinein. Dutzende Schaulustige verfolgten das Spektakel trotz Temperaturen von bis zu minus zehn Grad stundenlang. ~~~~~~~ Turning work for the Hollywoodfilm in lech. For being astonished faces on Thursday the turning work provided to the Hollywood film \"Bridget Jones 2\" in lech. Dozens merry pursued the Spektakel for hours. After with a particularly established goal slope in the skiing area a scene was turned, the Filmspektakel shifted in the middle in the afternoon in the village. With the sports shop converted to a pharmacy Strolz slipped few days ago the actress Renee Zellweger excellent with one golden Globe according to turning belly including ski in the business inside. Dozens merry pursued the Spektakel despite temperatures of up to minus ten degrees for hours. ~~~~~~ For pics, go here and click on the camera next to the title: http://www.vienna.at/engine.aspx/page/vienna-article-detail-page/cn/vienna-news-eskoda-20040130-084049/dc/OM:vienna:homepage-softnews"}, {"response": 736, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (09:24)", "body": "Thanks Karen . . . Don't know what's a better pic . .Bridget in the neon-orange parachuters uniform or this pepto bismol ski outfit;)"}, {"response": 737, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (15:25)", "body": "Karen, Thanks for the link. Could that be CF in pic 30 of 31?"}, {"response": 738, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (15:29)", "body": "What eagle eyes you have! Definite posibility, and he's going incognito, wearing his glasses. ;-)"}, {"response": 739, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (15:45)", "body": "In glasses and black thing on head?? Mid picture? This outfit is the best...love the hat! LOL!!"}, {"response": 740, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (15:56)", "body": "In glasses and black thing on head?? Mid picture? Yes, in glasses, but there's nothing on his head. That's hair (I've enlarged it a bit) of the Mark Darcy helmet variety."}, {"response": 741, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (16:06)", "body": "(Tress)In glasses and black thing on head?? Mid picture? I think he could be the hatless man(head only visible),to the left of the black umbrella."}, {"response": 742, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (16:12)", "body": "(Karen) Yes, in glasses, but there's nothing on his head. I just realized I was looking at the wrong guy...I was looking at the guy at the fence...the one with letters on his forehead...(and you are all talking about the guy behind him...the taller gentleman? Better and better....). I, obviously, do not have eagle eyes! LOL!"}, {"response": 743, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (16:14)", "body": "The tall guy:"}, {"response": 744, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (16:26)", "body": "Gotcha! BTW, getting ready for Superbowl Sunday? Loving the pink 'game pen' thing! Almost matches Bridge's suit! ;-) Now...what's the theory of why he'd be wearing glasses there?? Are they the new disguise? Surely a hat would have worked better, glasses in the snow are just a pain (speaking from recent experience)."}, {"response": 745, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (16:28)", "body": "If we're looking at sideburns..the guy in blue in the back (left side)looks like Colin too..."}, {"response": 746, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (16:33)", "body": "(Tress) Loving the pink 'game pen' thing! Almost matches Bridge's suit! ;-) That's what I was going for. Have adjusted the color a bit. This who you mean, Ada?"}, {"response": 747, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (16:34)", "body": "Oh yes, a little broken field running pattern. ;-)"}, {"response": 748, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (16:55)", "body": "They both look like Colin and maybe one in the same-can't see his outfit in Karen's picture to compare. He's in the back row in both pictures. (Tress)what's the theory of why he'd be wearing glasses there Could be sun glasses. I always have to wear them in the snow for the glare-especially with contacs."}, {"response": 749, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (19:32)", "body": "Have been 'out of action' for a few days, but these pictures and the ensuing 'chat' have been great. Many thanks & LOL. Boy, did I miss you guys.."}, {"response": 750, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (20:12)", "body": "You girls have some eyes!! . .I think Janet's call could be a definite Colin sighting . .can't tell too much by the other pic . .it's a possibility . .wonder could we blow them up? Does Colin ski?:) Having nice images of him shoooosshing down the slopes;)"}, {"response": 751, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (07:33)", "body": "There apparently is a CF pic in the Mirror, carrying skis. No slope for Bridget Sid Billington It's not exactly cutting-edge news, but the phenomenon that is Bridget Jones makes the papers today, with actress Renee Zellweger taking to the Austrian slopes. Zellweger is seen in a bright pink ski suit, hilariously falling over in the Austrian resort of Lech in the Tyrol when she accidentally joins a downhill ski race. \"The 34-year-old American, who does her own stunts, took tumble after tumble in the name of her hapless alter-ego - but still emerged with a smile for watching fans,\" reports an excited Daily Mirror. Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason, follows on from where the first hit film left off, with Jones and Mark Darcy, played by Colin Firth pursuing their blossoming relationship while Jones gets into her usual scrapes and has a short spell in a Thai prison. Zellweger, who recently took home a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress in the Civil War epic Cold Mountain, didn't look quite so Hollywood on the European snow-covered mountains. She has reportedly piled on two stone for the role, but considering she was skin and bones before, probably means she's now a 'healthy' weight. \"Producer Jonathan Cavendish revealed the real-life roles were reversed with Renee cutting a much better figure on the slopes than Colin, who cannot ski,\" says the Daily Express. Marvellous. V.sweet story even if it's a bit pointless."}, {"response": 752, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (08:36)", "body": "Thanks, Mari. Renee cutting a much better figure on the slopes than Colin, who cannot ski,\" LOL, but I bet his double can. I'd love to be able to watch the filming of these scenes. Marvellous. V.sweet story even if it's a bit pointless. What? Reviews, already?"}, {"response": 753, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (08:54)", "body": "Colin, who cannot ski,\" Wouldn't you have thought that he would have learned while he was in BC? If only to amuse Meg's children. No wonder he was bored..."}, {"response": 754, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (09:01)", "body": "Colin, who cannot ski Ah well . . . I can sympathize . .I'd rather sit with the rest of the athletically-challenged in the ski lodge with a cuppa hot chocolate and watch others shoosh down the hill;) When asked if I do any sports I usually say . . .Sorry, I'm an actor . .I don't do sports . .I do non-contact theater!:) Hope he didn't take a spill on any snowed-over cobbles while carrying those skis!"}, {"response": 755, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (09:35)", "body": "\"The 34-year-old American, who does her own stunts, took tumble after tumble in the name of her hapless alter-ego - but still emerged with a smile for watching fans,\" reports an excited Daily Mirror. Did her own stunts? Yeah, right. Photos do not lie. This article quotes both the Daily Mirror and the Daily Express. Which one had the picture of Colin? And--more importantly--who's going to run out and get it?"}, {"response": 756, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (09:54)", "body": "okay. I can take a hint though those two newspapers are not in plentiful supply round here. Now if you want the Guardian. ;-)"}, {"response": 757, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (09:55)", "body": "Sorry. Closing tags I hope"}, {"response": 758, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (09:59)", "body": "(I pride myself on my subtlety) From the Sun, with closeup pics of RZ falling down (one is animated so you see her falling down) Snowfake Brrridget IT\ufffdS all chills and spills when hapless singleton Bridget Jones goes skiing, as my pictures show. RENEE ZELLWEGER took to the piste in Austria to film hilarious scenes for The Edge Of Reason, the sequel to the movie Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary. Bridget tries out the snow with boyfriend Mark Darcy, played by COLIN FIRTH. But she doesn\ufffdt tell him that she can\ufffdt ski. Let\ufffds hope he forgives her white lie."}, {"response": 759, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (10:10)", "body": "From what I've heard, the Mirror has a small pic of CF in black snowsuit, carrying skis on shoulder. That's not to say that other publications don't have more.;-)"}, {"response": 760, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (10:35)", "body": ""}, {"response": 761, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (10:36)", "body": "Pretty small and not a particularly good scan, but is newsprint..."}, {"response": 762, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (12:05)", "body": "From the Daily Record: A PINK SLIP Feb 2 2004 BRIDGET Jones has gone all pink and fluffy but she's still about to hit the slippery slope. Renee Zellweger was in Austria at the weekend to film some ski-ing scenes for Edge of Reason, the sequel to the hit movie. As Bridget, she's set to make a mess of getting off the ski lift... and those pink ears on her headgear won't help at all when she hits the piste with a bump. ~~~~~~~~~~ No idea if there are pics (*cough cough* Janet!)"}, {"response": 763, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (16:32)", "body": "More pics: http://www.thezreview.co.uk/news2/news482.htm"}, {"response": 764, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (16:36)", "body": "Karen, will this do?"}, {"response": 765, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (17:17)", "body": "Yes, it will do v.v.well. ;-) Thanks, Ada!"}, {"response": 766, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (17:25)", "body": "Pic on it's way soon, Karen. No Colin though. Like the animated pics, BTW. CF looking good in the background."}, {"response": 767, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (17:56)", "body": "Looks like Colin in the first one with his back to Bridget. Thanks, Ada. No, ODB doesn't have the look of a skier. Looks like someone placed the skis and poles in his hands and told him to stand there;-)"}, {"response": 768, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (18:16)", "body": "Thanks for the pics Ada & Karen! What do you say Bridge, shall we have a go at this skiing thing?"}, {"response": 769, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (18:57)", "body": "(lindak) ODB doesn't have the look of a skier Well he sure as heck isn't wearing the right boots either. Sheesh ...He really does look a bit nerdy doesn't he?"}, {"response": 770, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (19:33)", "body": "(Linda) ODB doesn't have the look of a skier (Leslie) Well he sure as heck isn't wearing the right boots either. Sheesh...He really does look a bit nerdy doesn't he? LOL....that's okay! I don't ski either...and there is a nice little bar that serves vodka shots about mid run he can go to! Love the unkempt boot thing going on.....pants not quite in or out.....he's like Pig Pen on ice!!!"}, {"response": 771, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (20:50)", "body": "Thank you Mari, Karen, Ada, and everyone! (Leslie)Sheesh...He really does look a bit nerdy doesn't he? (Tress)pants not quite in or out.....he's like Pig Pen on ice!!! I can imagine Colin dressing like that, but wouldn't Mark at least have his pant legs even? Mark may not have the best taste in clothes, but he is neat. Right?"}, {"response": 772, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (21:24)", "body": "(Linda) ODB doesn't have the look of a skier Definitely not!!! Hope they had him rehearse walking along in the snow with real ski boots on to make him look authentic when he's moving-gotta' have that innate flex in the knee to cut it. His lower legs are bowed enough distally(the ankle) that he'd be a sight on skis."}, {"response": 773, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (23:40)", "body": "(Shosh) I can imagine Colin dressing like that, but wouldn't Mark at least have his pant legs even? Mark may not have the best taste in clothes, but he is neat. Right? Maybe they won't show his feet. I can see them showing him from the knees up at all times to keep him off the skis! (Bonnie) His lower legs are bowed enough distally(the ankle) that he'd be a sight on skis. Woooohoooo....get that boy a snowboard!! He's got that slacker thing going on with the boots, he was born for one (can say this as I'm married to snowboarder, no offense meant to those who board)!"}, {"response": 774, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (23:54)", "body": "(Linda) Looks like Colin in the first one with his back to Bridget. I don't think so. Sideburns not long enough. But he could've pulled the cap down lower."}, {"response": 775, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (07:28)", "body": "(Linda) Looks like Colin in the first one with his back to Bridget. (Karen) I don't think so. Sideburns not long enough. But he could've pulled the cap down lower. Probably he's Colin's double."}, {"response": 776, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (09:07)", "body": "Whole new slew of pics from Lech (plus one of interest to the NY Love Actually premiere group!); am working on it."}, {"response": 777, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (10:05)", "body": "(Karen) I don't think so. Sideburns not long enough. But he could've pulled the cap down lower. True, I was going by glove color. Could be the double. (Shoshana)I can imagine Colin dressing like that, but wouldn't Mark at least have his pant legs even? Mark may not have the best taste in clothes, but he is neat. LOL, when I read the blurb that Colin can't ski...I thought, but Mark Darcy can...now, I'm not so sure. I just hope they don't make MD a bumbling idiot in TEOR. But, I thought MD looked pretty damn good in BJD (except for bar-b-cue)His grey turtleneck and top coat still make me swoon;-)I know, I know, the reindeer jumper and snowman tie...I always felt this was just his way of being sweet to wear something his mum bought rather than hurt her feelings;-("}, {"response": 778, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (11:20)", "body": "The gallery is up, though I didn't put in anywhere near the number of Renee pics that were taken: http://www.firth.com/teor_locgal5.html (have some errands to run, but will be back with more misc pics)"}, {"response": 779, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (11:30)", "body": "OK, skiing Drooleurs--does he look authentic in Karen's latest pics? Looks somewhat peeved--assume this is Mark Darcy looking peeved ;-)"}, {"response": 780, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (14:12)", "body": "I keep thinking about how much he could have used this outfit (not the skis) when he was handing out prezzies on the Today show! I feel his pain each time I go back to that clip."}, {"response": 781, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (14:15)", "body": "Great pics, thank you , Ada and Karen! Looks like they taught him enough to at least stand up and move a few feet, which really can be accomplished easily in one lesson. Depending upon the person.;-) LOL at her expression and body language in this one:"}, {"response": 782, "author": "Gail", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (14:33)", "body": "(Meredith) OK, skiing Drooleurs--does he look authentic in Karen's latest pics? Looks somewhat peeved--assume this is Mark Darcy looking peeved ;-) Can't attest to how authentic he looks, not being the world's most competent skier, however I suggest the peeved look might be caused by the following thought, \"How the heck do I get off this thing?\" Admit I'm projecting here since I never seemed to achieve the ability to get off ski lifts gracefully."}, {"response": 783, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (14:45)", "body": "Actually, for someone who doesn't ski he's doing a reasonable job of faking it. There are a few exceptions... Someone needs to tell him he's carrying his skis upside down here: And the following caption should accompany this one IMO: \"Would somebody please stop this bloody thing before I break my neck??\" Thanks for the great images, Karen. LOL."}, {"response": 784, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (15:01)", "body": "(Leslie) Someone needs to tell him he's carrying his skis upside down here: He's got them okay...doesn't he? He has to carry them that way. He has the flat sides together, otherwise his bindings would knock together and tangle if he had them both facing up. Have seen skiers do this...."}, {"response": 785, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (15:04)", "body": "Sorry to post twice.... Wanted to say thanks to Karen (for amusing pics) and to say that I think this one is my favorite (I know that it doesn't have ODB in it, but I can relate to this one...it speaks to me):"}, {"response": 786, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (15:12)", "body": "Sorry! Another one....are they 'high fiving' each other here??? Too funny!"}, {"response": 787, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (15:54)", "body": "(Tress) I think this one is my favorite (I know that it doesn't have ODB in it, but I can relate to this one...it speaks to me): LOL! There were lots and lots of RZ ones, but I just adored that one. (Tress) Another one....are they 'high fiving' each other here??? Paternalistically warming her hands. That'll be the official partyline. ;-)"}, {"response": 788, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (18:15)", "body": "Maybe she's teasing him about being scared to death of being on a ski lift.;-) Those mountains aren't short. (Mari) Looks like they taught him enough to at least stand up and move a few feet, which really can be accomplished easily in one lesson. Depending upon the person.;-) Actually I think he looks like he got off that lift with ease. I took to skiing after one morning lesson like a fish to water, but the graceful ski lift exit took a while. ;-P"}, {"response": 789, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (18:37)", "body": "It's been a long time for me, but I don't remember getting off as all that difficult or jarring. Hardest part was at some places, having to make a quick, sharp turn or else you'd be heading down the wrong side of the slope."}, {"response": 790, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (18:50)", "body": "(Karen) Hardest part was at some places, having to make a quick, sharp turn or else you'd be heading down the wrong side of the slope. Having been on, I believe, that exact lift...it is aaaawwww-fulllll! I couldn't ski and actually rode the lift back down (much to the amusement of my fellow skiers). I wouldn't get off when I got up there! Bunny hills for me after that...don't know what they were thinking taking me up there w/o any experience. It is quite the hill. I looked a bit like Bridget in that pic that Mari posted earlier (my suit was dark blue though...only wished I had lovely pink one with yeti vest! ;-D)."}, {"response": 791, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (18:56)", "body": "(lesliep)\"Would somebody please stop this bloody thing before I break my neck??\" . LOL, I think he looks like he's gonna puke;-)Totally AFG, though."}, {"response": 792, "author": "Gail", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (21:15)", "body": "(Karen)It's been a long time for me, but I don't remember getting off as all that difficult or jarring. It probably shouldn't be, but if I go on the lift ten times (I don't ski all that often & I stick to the easier slopes) at least four of those times when I get off the lift I don't get away in time and end up on my stomach doing what looks like a combat soldier crawling through the brush moving my elbows. Not a pretty sight!"}, {"response": 793, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (22:25)", "body": "LOL at the skiing stories. Now, where are the pics of Mark in his apres skiwear? (am trying the \"ask and ye shall receive\" gambit again; worked before)"}, {"response": 794, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (10:57)", "body": "An account from the region about the filming (early days, note date) when everyone thought Hugh Grant was going to be there. Not much of interest, except the location shots and the messages at the end. http://fm4.orf.at/pamela/154284"}, {"response": 795, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (11:06)", "body": "Looks cold. Don't blame Hugh for opting for Thailand...even with the elephant."}, {"response": 796, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (11:09)", "body": "One day away from the PC and look what happens? Terrific pix, Karen and Ada. He looks quite authentic here save the final shot where he would angling his skis to ski-off ( where he would pick up speed for the run). He 's doing a good job-neophytes would \" pie\" to contain any speed...Colin is in a true parallel.Hurrah!!!!!!"}, {"response": 797, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (14:09)", "body": "In that top picture, those people look smaller than ants, but you can still pick Renee out easily in that pink outfit. And might that be Mr. Darcy starting to head down the hill by the top of the lift toward Renee? What do the notes of interest say? (Bonnie) He looks quite authentic here save the final shot where he would angling his skis to ski-off ( where he would pick up speed for the run). There may be a flat part just down from the lift to pause to talk to someone or get situated before going down. Some slopes have that. He wouldn't necessarily need to push off to get there. Tress knows those slopes though."}, {"response": 798, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (14:17)", "body": "(Dorine) Tress knows those slopes though. LOL...no I don't! I never got off the lift! I rode it back down to the half way point and went to the bar. Waited for everyone to 'catch up to me'! Went to the bunny hill later that day and used a tow rope to get up that hill (tow rope being at me knees as I was at least three feet taller than the largest skier there!). If there was a flat spot, I didn't see it...all I saw was hilllllllll....big, long, steep....hillllllll! ;-)"}, {"response": 799, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (16:01)", "body": "Here it is: The Zuers Lech Stanton Connection, Pt. II Thus genuinly. Now in the moment I imagine again times: \"actors I would like to be real none.\" For days it snows here in the arlbergschen world in modification of an English idiom horizontal and vertically dogs and cats. The view from the herzig nostalgically decorated farmer room pension window shows a small cutout of the most enormous snow masses, which I saw and felt in my whole life seen live. On the roof opposite Nobelhotels lie estimated einmeterfuffzig fluffige schneedecke. I could from my window the eastern local entrance of Zuers see theoretical. Theoretically. Only and white ELT snows and fogs it since the early morning already again so much that I can recognize degrees times the red-white-red window shops of the direct neighbourhood obligatory in the hochalpinen area. For alternation times for one moment if Mrs. Sonne would appear, then we in a veritablen winter fairy tale country would be here. I estimate, at it, i.e. on a sugar-sweet Winterwonderlandset also the \"large English film production\" speculated, which removed for lech since a scarce week in four kilometers resided and thus against along-applying window blinds such as Tirol, Italy and Switzerland decided. 150 crew members have themselves under the season-typical winter sports people from Germans, dutchmen, Italians and anglophilen speakers mixed. In the hotels of Zuers and lech the arrival of the film crew with dezent pastellgelben leaflets was announced: CASTING for \"on the edge\" stands on the Kaszettel, which sticks beside ski school indicators and Skiverleih skiverleih-Flyern. \"for this film we seek to take part in still ' extras so mentioned ' (= Komparsen/Statisten) in a large ' Movie ' want.\" And further: \"ski and Snowboardfahrer of all age groups are to be announced invited and casten themselves to leave.\" (sic!) Chocolate to the breakfast Well, sounds relatively unsuspected, if one is here on vacation and and itself interested in film things generally Nuesse does not read newspapers. One could go out of fun to the Freud to the Casting, meet in its reschfeschen sport clothing in an overheated hotelhalle with zig different curious ones and show then bissl, what one has so drauf, if in the dry one functions. Well, one was taken then, to the really very small Tagesgage of 40 euro referred, to Diskretion would be possibly continued, which I know. And then, on the first turning day, which costs like the other turning days a million euro, one would thus be shipped with 399 Komparseriekollegen with minus eleven degrees on a sessellift, which really does not prepare a pleasure which can be copied with these stormy conditions themselves with short stay. And then one would wait only times. Control rooms. Control rooms. As with the film stop is so usual. Perhaps it would have already gotten around itself under the curious statisten, perhaps also not. Perhaps one would be actually rather surprised, for which film one in icy air baumelnd the ass abfriert, because the sessellift is located in all first line times, in order every fifteen minutes for fifteen meters to move here. Those, which squat completely above in the first cabs with the mountain station, those surely already gezueckt their Handys and the best friend called. Because they erspaeht now finally, who the two actors are, who do there in each case for few seconds which and then again escorted knock off. \"that is nevertheless that no, gibt's not\" nevertheless. Hugh grant. Hugh!! Grant!!! And the blond Mrs., that is the Ren\ufffde Zellweger. Sell wae gah!! And the film, for which they turn seven minutes here in the Austrian alps in two weeks Schwerstarbeit, this film is called \"Bridget Jones 2\". Well, there one knows already bissi a beating of the heart wars, if one experiences that Hugh grant resides few minutes far away in the five-star hut to the post office. One can saunter times past, if one has to do times nix, or? Evenly. Perhaps inconspicuously in the lobby vorm open fire-place, dte loungen to drink and Herald Tribune read simulate. And the camera in the handbag hide."}, {"response": 800, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (21:44)", "body": "Perhaps inconspicuously in the lobby vorm open fire-place, dte loungen to drink and Herald Tribune read simulate. And the camera in the handbag hide. Are they talking about Austria or Tress and I in the Park City Marriott at Sundance? ;-) Chocolate to the breakfast Always music to my ears. For days it snows here in the arlbergschen world in modification of an English idiom horizontal and vertically dogs and cats. I'll have to start saying this when it storms. It's raining (or snowing) cats and dogs now sounds too pedestrian. ;-)"}, {"response": 801, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (15:10)", "body": "horizontal and vertically dogs and cats. Sounds like the Kama Sutra for animals:-) that is nevertheless that no, gibt's not\" nevertheless. Hugh grant. Hugh!! Grant!!! And the blond Mrs., that is the Ren\ufffde Zellweger Oh this gets better and better. LOL."}, {"response": 802, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Feb  6, 2004 (04:06)", "body": "Enough chit chat already..where's the pics?? Sez Who 01/31/04 \"They built a hot tub for us under a tent. There are pictures of Hugh and me sipping cups of tea, fully dressed in suits with oxfords on our feet, immersed in water. . . . I'm just grateful he was dressed.\" Colin Firth, 43, actor, on coping with repeating his knock-down, drag-out fight with Hugh Grant in freezing water in a fountain for the upcoming \"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason.\" http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/entertainment/1075545262213370.xml"}, {"response": 803, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Fri, Feb  6, 2004 (05:18)", "body": "Damn! Hot tub was hidden to me."}, {"response": 804, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Feb  6, 2004 (07:57)", "body": "with oxfords on our feet, Am mystified by this quote. Does anyone else in the UK know what \"oxfords\" are? I can guess but I imagine it is a purely US term."}, {"response": 805, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Fri, Feb  6, 2004 (07:58)", "body": "Lace up shoes-business type."}, {"response": 806, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Fri, Feb  6, 2004 (08:01)", "body": "Sorry to use the double post,but look at the photos @ Firth.com under BJ:TEOR shooting pix-when he's dressed up with his briefcase the morning after......"}, {"response": 807, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb  6, 2004 (09:09)", "body": "Old men wear them."}, {"response": 808, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Fri, Feb  6, 2004 (09:22)", "body": "LOL Evelyn - not just old men here, but pretty much everyone who wears a suit, if you look around on the tube (hate the pointy toe, always push for the purchase of something more square!)"}, {"response": 809, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Feb  6, 2004 (10:29)", "body": "But the point is do you think it was actually Colin who used the term? Or was it just the US intern in the PR department?"}, {"response": 810, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Feb  6, 2004 (10:44)", "body": "That oxford quote originated in People magazine here a couple of weeks back. I've seen him use American-ized terms before when speaking to US publications, e.g., \"sweater\" instead of \"jumper,\" or employing charming Americanisms, such as \"It sucked.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 811, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Feb  6, 2004 (11:47)", "body": "\"sweater\" instead of \"jumper Why do Americans always think we do not use sweater. It is used commonly. Also \"it sucked\". But Oxfords. But as you may say he is bilingual so perhaps he was using it for an American audience. Did not know that it originated in a US magazine."}, {"response": 812, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Feb  6, 2004 (11:57)", "body": "Why do Americans always think we do not use sweater. Maybe because we never see it in your publications or hear it on your shows. It is used commonly. Also \"it sucked\". Sorry, Allison, I am drawing the line there. Am certain we originated this one. Allow me a point of pride.;-) ;-) as you may say he is bilingual *snort* Have also heard him say trunk instead of boot, and parking lot instead of car park. Now tell me you're using those too.;-)"}, {"response": 813, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb  6, 2004 (12:43)", "body": "And how many times have we heard him talk about the differences on talk shows (erm, I mean chat shows) between American and English and now Italian? He knows on which side of the Atlantic he can say \"fanny\" in polite company. ;-)"}, {"response": 814, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Feb  6, 2004 (13:05)", "body": "(Mari)employing charming Americanisms, such as \"It sucked.\" ;-) And the always charming *Did you f**k my wife? Did you f**k my wife?.....*;))"}, {"response": 815, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Feb  6, 2004 (13:07)", "body": "(Allison) Why do Americans always think we do not use sweater. LOL...Yeah...but do you use fanny pack the way we do? ;-D I could probably get kicked off a board in the UK for such talk... (Evelyn) Old men wear them. And lots of really good looking NYC boys, I noted! ;-) And just curious, what do they call that type of shoe in the UK?? If they don't call them oxfords? Had a male English friend say to me \"I'll knock you up tomorrow\"...I told him \"not on my watch you won't!\" When I told him what I thought he meant, he was most amused. Also had no idea wot courgettes were...got it now...! Fun site for the confused (like me): http://www.peak.org/~jeremy/dictionary/dictionary/ Have another site that I found a while back that I won't share...cuz then I'd get kicked off this board! ;-) Sorry Karen, know that we are somewhat off topic right now...;-("}, {"response": 816, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb  6, 2004 (13:10)", "body": "Somewhat? You're not even in the carpark. ;-)"}, {"response": 817, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Feb  6, 2004 (19:22)", "body": "More pics in London - no Colin but Jim Broadbent is hanging around:-)... http://www.empireonline.co.uk/site/news/newsstory.asp?news_id=15575"}, {"response": 818, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Feb  6, 2004 (20:21)", "body": "Thanks, Ada Is it the dress, the photo, or one v.large shoulder bone in the last picture?;-)"}, {"response": 819, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Feb  6, 2004 (21:43)", "body": "LOL! I took it to be the dress...partially unzipped maybe?"}, {"response": 820, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb  7, 2004 (09:25)", "body": "Thanks, Ada. Wasn't this plotline in the first book? Looks like Dad has been tossed out or left and is going to stay with Bridget."}, {"response": 821, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Feb  7, 2004 (11:24)", "body": "I'm hoping the ringing dustbin makes it into TEOR, since, although it was filmed for BJD, it wasn't used, and didn't appear in the deleted scenes on the DVD. I put the poor fit of the dress down to Bridget's terrible dress sense, BTW!"}, {"response": 822, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Feb  8, 2004 (09:39)", "body": "(Janet)I put the poor fit of the dress down to Bridget's terrible dress sense, BTW! Hmm yes . .and perhaps in TEOR she'll finally get her colors done, as so often sugested by her mother . .Dear me, can't recall if she was a Winter or a Spring . . :)"}, {"response": 823, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Feb  8, 2004 (13:16)", "body": "(Kimberly)and perhaps in TEOR she'll finally get her colors done, as so often sugested by her mother . .Dear me, can't recall if she was a Winter or a Spring In the book she did, and I think Pam insisted she was a Spring. I liked that scene in the book because Bridget seemed to take on a v. different view of her mother as she tried to cheer her up during her break-up with Mark."}, {"response": 824, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (12:50)", "body": "Does anyone know if the shoot is finished yet? It seems quite long for a rom-com, even allowing for a break over Christmas and the New Year. - Or could this mean that the finished product will be a little longer than the normal 90 odd minutes?"}, {"response": 825, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (13:30)", "body": "A crew member posted on the imdb last Monday that they had two weeks to go. So this week should be it. Here's the story that appeared in People mag a couple of issues back: SOAK STUDS Hugh Grant and Colin Firth got to repeat their knockdown drag-out fight in the upcoming Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason--but this time the brawl made a bigger splash. \"We ended up in freezing water (in a fountain) in London's Kensington Gardens. I think it was 3 degrees,\" says Firth, 43, adding that the film crew found a way to keep the costars from catching pneumonia. \"They built a hot tub for us under a tent. There are pictures of Hugh and me sipping cups of tea, fully dressed in suits with oxfords on our feet, immersed in water.\" So, what's it like hot-tubbing with Grant? Says Firth:\"I'm just grateful he was dressed.\" ********** So, did he mean Centigrade or Farenheit? ;-)"}, {"response": 826, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (14:21)", "body": "Looks like he forget to do his trademark cross-pond conversion. Maybe is bad in math, though is still trilingual. ;-)"}, {"response": 827, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (22:39)", "body": "Admin: Since things are fairly slow, a suggestion was made to do a formal book discussion of TEOR on Topic 183. Any interest?"}, {"response": 828, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (23:12)", "body": "Possibly, I'd have to reread it. I'd enjoy others comments even if I didn't participate."}, {"response": 829, "author": "charmedbycolin", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (04:52)", "body": "I would enjoy that discussion and would participate. I reread TEOR constantly, its by favorite kind of I can pick it up and read just a little bit and it makes me smile. So I'm game."}, {"response": 830, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (08:17)", "body": "TEOR discussion sounds great to me . .!"}, {"response": 831, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (14:42)", "body": "Loved TEOR and just finished my first reading last month. Would love to have an excuse to go back to it and LMAO some more."}, {"response": 832, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (18:43)", "body": "(Janet)Does anyone know if the shoot is finished yet? According to this BBC article, it finished Sunday.. http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/news/entertainment/040210_reneezellweger.shtml"}, {"response": 833, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (18:58)", "body": "There are healthier ways to put on weight without so much cholesterol, I believe. Surely she had a nutritionist. If she didn't, and ate crap to gain, nobody's fault, but..."}, {"response": 834, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (19:00)", "body": "TEOR? a discussion? I love that book, will re-read, will participate. Will put me in Valentine mode for sure;-)"}, {"response": 835, "author": "Gails", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (23:14)", "body": "TEOR discussion would be so fun."}, {"response": 836, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (08:12)", "body": "re: end of filming - there was that filming at Topshop this Friday though, possibly. I will be in the area for a meeting that morning until 12:30, planning to check it out after."}, {"response": 837, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (10:59)", "body": "Am guessing that they're still filming this week. RZ didn't show at the Oscar nominees' lunch yesterday, and I think she would have attended if she was in the country."}, {"response": 838, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (15:58)", "body": "Here's the answer; he was filming today: http://www.globephotos.com/scripts/kws30pre.exe?site=GLOBEPH&maxhits=24&type=GfxOnly&picktype=GfxOnly&fmaxhits=50&efile=pevents.htm"}, {"response": 839, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (16:06)", "body": "(Mari)Here's the answer; he was filming today: Thanks for the link. Mari. I normally love this man in a suit, but, I hate to say it, the trousers remind me of the 'ankle stranglers' favoured in the Sixties!!"}, {"response": 840, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (16:09)", "body": "Thanks Mary! More over at Getty http://editorial.gettyimages.com/source/CFW/imageResults.aspx?s=ImagesSearchState|0|15|0|1|||0|0|0|0|7|colin+firth&p=7"}, {"response": 841, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (16:24)", "body": "Thanks, Ada and Mari. Those Getty Images blow up nicely! Look how long his hair is getting! :-P Yummy! Though a little trim or comb back at the ears wouldn't hurt. And those sideburns, Louisa! Looks like maybe he's signing autographs. Has that *earnest* ;-) look of trying to make sure he hears fans correctly and looks like he looking down to sign in one. Who knows. :-)"}, {"response": 842, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (16:39)", "body": "( Dorine) Though a little trim or comb back at the ears wouldn't hurt. I agree-they should trim him to look Mark Darcy-ish."}, {"response": 843, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (16:41)", "body": "Thanks Ada and Mari. Will be putting the large Gettys (unwatermarked) up shortly. Have they used that outfit before? That magenta tie looks familiar. Off to check other galleries."}, {"response": 844, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (17:19)", "body": "He's sporting nice head of hair too. Gal with black tam looks like a handler."}, {"response": 845, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (17:23)", "body": "Yup! He's wearing the purple tie in the Hyde Park fountain pics but he has a white shirt there, not blue. Have put the new ones up here: http://www.firth.com/teor_locgal6.html (Evelyn) Gal with black tam looks like a handler. Looks like a scene from the movie. His face is too expressive."}, {"response": 846, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (17:38)", "body": "Lots more coming from the site that had the skilift pics, even one of Colin posing with some fans!"}, {"response": 847, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (18:25)", "body": "OK, the rest are up now... http://www.firth.com/teor_locgal6.html"}, {"response": 848, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (19:16)", "body": "Thanks for the new images, Karen. He really is lovely to look at, isn't he?? (Evelyn) He's sporting nice head of hair too. What gives there? Sometimes he looks to have a thick healthy crop of hair and other times, I swear he has a major bald spot??"}, {"response": 849, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (19:26)", "body": "Oh. to be one of these lucky people.... 'T' minus 10 months and counting until TEOR premiere... . 'T' minus 10 months and counting until TEOR premiere..."}, {"response": 850, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (20:59)", "body": "Oooohhh...thank you Mari, Ada and Karen!! A couple of favorites (okay, they're all good and his hair loooooks awesome...the messiness about the ears doesn't bother me....makes me just want to tuck it and that's a good thing....and hope it pops out again....so I can tuck it again....GAH!) Okay this one for the funny face (I enjoy those mid-chew pics): And this one is a favorite for several reasons: (1) because I love his skinny legs, (2) love that moment when he's coming right at ya....and the best reason....(3) a good game of \"lets guess wot's in my pocket\"!!!! Thanks again everyone!"}, {"response": 851, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (21:11)", "body": "February 11, 2004 10:10 PM (Refuse to count lbs and/or calories, as such counting will only make me depressed due to non-stop gorging during the day, alcohol units - 0, cigarrettes - 0, amount of joy due to finding new pics on Drool - infinite) Have just endured a 2 hour long meeting of co-op board. Bottom is slowly getting sensation of feeling back (damn metal folding chairs). Did have odd dance hopping back and forth to try to shake blood circulation back into gear, much to DH's amusement. Have logged onto Drool as always is routine in the evenings to find wonderful pictures of sexy, handsome Mark Darcy awaiting me . . Oh my, oh my, oh my . . .Hair nice, thick, curly, want to run hands through it and . . *sigh* . . .Drooleurs are in fact best people in the world supplying me with non-stop laughter and information on Colin Firth . . will send thanks especially to Mari, Ada and Karen for this evenings supply of eye candy. Mmmmmmm, candy . .must search now for some chocolate . . Like this pic: Perhaps ODB is searching for his Drooler fan base?:)"}, {"response": 852, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (22:16)", "body": "Darcy....Mark Darcy. Barrister, aspiring model. Cell phone in hand, ready at a moment's notice for call to rescue Bridget from her next misadventure. ;-) Oh, please, please! Just let me touch those locks just once! (Tress) a good game of \"lets guess wot's in my pocket\"!!!! LOL!! What is this game rated.....G, PG, PG-13, R, NC-17? All of the above?"}, {"response": 853, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (08:43)", "body": "OMG!! I love his hair that little bit longer! - How great does he look in these pics! Thanks for the links ladies! Cheered up an otherwise horrible day.:-))"}, {"response": 854, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (09:01)", "body": "Oooooh, what a wonderful surprise, thank you Karen! Love those pics, he looks ever so handsome on all of them. I wonder where he got all that hair on the top though. He must have a great stylist once again. (Dorine) Mark Darcy. Barrister, aspiring model. You know, I had the same thought. Can you imagine this man on the catwalk? I can, but not without needing a cold shower. Rodrigo Whatshisname looks hot as a model, but Colin is pure elegance. I can practically see his tall frame dressed in designer clothes, with his trademark stride walking across the stage.... Mmmm. A lovely thought. Do they ever do such celebrity fashion things? I'd go see him if it were the last thing I ever did. :-) I have one thing to whine about though: I wish people would stop snapping photos of someone who's eating. I saw a collection of pics \"celebrities caught chewing\" or something like that once in a magazine, and it was tasteless beyond belief. It would bother me to see ODB in such a collection."}, {"response": 855, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (09:43)", "body": "(Ildi) saw a collection of pics \"celebrities caught chewing\" or something like that once in a magazine, and it was tasteless beyond belief. It would bother me to see ODB in such a collection.) Tastless? Chowing -down one is one of my faves...makes him look so:\"down to earth\";-)"}, {"response": 856, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (09:59)", "body": "OMG, One cannot leave this place even for a few hours. Thank you Karen Mari and Ada. I absolutely love MD, and the hair is to die for. Little longish, little unruly, little wind blown. WOW! (Dorine)Oh, please, please! Just let me touch those locks just once! Once is never enough! LOL, when I read that comment it reminded me of the desperation in JV's voice...(the 3rd. time)...Lick your lips;-) I'm saying this as totally complementary, but is it the photo or my eyes, does MD look just a trifle fuller in the face, here?"}, {"response": 857, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (10:13)", "body": "(Evelyn) Chowing -down one is one of my faves...makes him look so:\"down to earth\";-) Yes it does, but those pic collections are put out there to ridicule them, and that's the part I don't like. He sure looks cute chewing his food, but I always wonder about people who take those kind of shots. Who likes to be photographed while chewing? Linda, I thought Colin looked \"fuller in the face\" on every picture, and I love it. Didn't he say that he didn't diet for this one? Maybe he is fattening himself up to play the jolly father in the Nanny McThing. ;-)"}, {"response": 858, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (10:20)", "body": "(Ildi) I wish people would stop snapping photos of someone who's eating...it was tasteless beyond belief. Tasteless? Grabbing one's crotch in public is tasteless, but then again these are matters of taste. Photos of people eating are usually not flattering, but I'd hardly consider them tasteless. (back to humming Tom Lehrer's song...)"}, {"response": 859, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (10:23)", "body": "(Karen)back to humming Tom Lehrer's song...) Which one!?"}, {"response": 860, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (10:30)", "body": "\"Smut,\" of course. ;-) For filth (I'm glad to say) is in the mind of the beholder. When correctly viewed, Everything is lewd. (I could tell you things about Peter Pan, And the Wizard of Oz, there's a dirty old man!)"}, {"response": 861, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (10:46)", "body": "(Karen) (Ildi) I wish people would stop snapping photos of someone who's eating...it was tasteless beyond belief. That's not what I posted. When you put together parts of sentences like that the whole context of the post changes. I said that the collection of pics showing celebrities chewing their food just to ridicule them was tasteless. Chewing food is a normal thing to do, there is nothing tasteless about it."}, {"response": 862, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (11:13)", "body": "(Dorine) LOL!! What is this game rated.....G, PG, PG-13, R, NC-17? All of the above? Ummmm.....what do you think? ;-D (Dorine) Oh, please, please! Just let me touch those locks just once! That was another favorite pic! That 'loose cannon' curl on his forehead (his right, our left) is just speaking to me! (Ildi) He sure looks cute chewing his food, but I always wonder about people who take those kind of shots. Who likes to be photographed while chewing? LOL....let me ask my husband why it fascinates him so....\"Oh....Hon, I got something to ask you!!!!\" ;-D In the pics the DH has of me, though, I'm usually shooting the bird....at least Colin had the manners not to do such a thing! I like watching ODB do all manner of things.....eating is one. Smoking is another (though I'm glad he gave it up).....just anything that involves him moving his mouth (let the kissing jokes begin....) ;-)"}, {"response": 863, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (11:20)", "body": "Sorry, Ildi, I tried not to distort your message with my edit. You added the part about \"the intent to ridicule\" later. I was responding to your first post. However, the context I believe is the same. You were saying publishings pics (collections or otherwise) of celebs eating is tasteless in your opinion, and then altered it to mean that something published to \"ridicule\" someone is tasteless. Again, \"tastelessness\" is subjective, but that's just my opinion. ;-) The photographer who snapped the pic is only looking to earn a living. BTW, I don't condone paparazzis."}, {"response": 864, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (12:32)", "body": "(Tress)(Dorine) LOL!! What is this game rated.....G, PG, PG-13, R, NC-17? All of the above? LOL, the way it plays out, here-ha! But wot the f*** is that? Same size and shape (object, not body part;-)) as in the barefoot-tennis ball-sitting on a swing scene from WAGW. I like watching ODB do all manner of things.....eating is one. Smoking is another Walking around in towels, can you hear me Beeban, can you hear me now?"}, {"response": 865, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (12:39)", "body": "(Linda) But wot the f*** is that? Same size and shape (object, not body part;-)) I'd put good money on a flip phone....now who volunteers to dig in his pockets and find out? ;-)"}, {"response": 866, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (12:57)", "body": "LOL, the way it plays out, here-ha! But wot the f*** is that? Same size and shape (object, not body part;-)) as in the barefoot-tennis ball-sitting on a swing scene from WAGW. I think that at the end of that particular *is that a phone in your pocket or are you just glad to see me* discussion it was felt that it may have been part of a mic. In that case it was in his cute butt pocket;-) I'd put good money on a flip phone....now who volunteers to dig in his pockets and find out? ;-) I'd put good money to be able to dig in his pockets to find out....or not;-))"}, {"response": 867, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (13:14)", "body": "OOOOhhh! Luvverrly Karen thanks so much. That combination of blue shirt and maroon tie is a sure fire winner. Much as I love the \"chunky knit and swinging greatcoat\" look, this is a great combo. It's been so mild recently that filming must have been easy in just a suit, no thermals for OBD ;-))"}, {"response": 868, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (21:26)", "body": "Comingsoon.com saying that TEOR has been pushed back a month..now opening sometime January 2005."}, {"response": 869, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (21:27)", "body": "sorry to double post..but I'm assuming that's for US release."}, {"response": 870, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (22:15)", "body": "ET had a first behind-the-scenes look at TEOR. It was all filmed when RZ did the parachuting into the pigsty, early in the schedule. A mention of Colin only as it related to the plot, picking up one month after the first movie ended."}, {"response": 871, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 2004 (09:18)", "body": "From the IMDB's tabloid trash recap (WENN): Renee Ponders 'Bridget 3' Actress Renee Zellweger has hinted she may be prepared to pile on the pounds again and play Bridget Jones in a third movie. The star, still busy filming the first sequel, The Edge Of Reason, hasn't ruled out the possibility of starring as the English singleton again - even though author Helen Fielding has yet to pen a third novel. She teases, \"I don't know actually. A month ago, when I was desperately homesick, I would have said no. It's a good question though. When I was thinking about Edge Of Reason, I considered three things: Can it stand on its own as a movie? Is it a story worth telling? Does it need to be made?\" And she has her own ideas about how Fielding could develop the character of Bridget: \"Maybe Bridget could emerge as a character, like Lucille Ball's Lucy. Whether Lucy was living in a high rise in New York or a ranch house, I wanted to see what she was doing. I wanted to watch her and maybe there's some Bridget in there.\""}, {"response": 872, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 2004 (12:01)", "body": "(Karen - IMDB) Renee Ponders 'Bridget 3' Sophie, may I borrow your voodoo doll for a while? I just need a different pin in it... ;-)"}, {"response": 873, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 2004 (12:32)", "body": "Ildi - Ha! . .I know you're no big fan of BJD:) . .but would love if HF would pen another BJ novel . .whether or not it should be made into a movie is a whole different topic . . .;)"}, {"response": 874, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 2004 (12:47)", "body": "I'm a fan of a BJD triptych. Just 'feels' right (the threes). You know...like The Godfather, Star Wars (the first ones, not the new ones, they don't count...ever), Indiana Jones...though, seeing it isn't even written yet, it could be interesting. Maybe like the Harry Potter films, they'll replace all the primaries cuz they've 'all grown up'. ;-)"}, {"response": 875, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 2004 (12:51)", "body": "(Kimberly)but would love if HF would pen another BJ novel . .whether or not it should be made into a movie is a whole different topic . . .;) I agree-just for the pure enjoyment of the read and the on again off again rumors about a trilogy;-) (Ada)Comingsoon.com saying that TEOR has been pushed back a month..now opening sometime January 2005 Now why doesn't that surprise me?"}, {"response": 876, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 2004 (13:02)", "body": "January 2005 doesn't make any sense to me as a release date for a high profile film, so I'm ignoring it. If they don't feel the film will be ready by Nov/Dec, then they'll hold it for another prime holiday weekend, after the 2005 Oscar season."}, {"response": 877, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 2004 (13:33)", "body": "(Karen)If they don't feel the film will be ready by Nov/Dec, then they'll hold it for another prime holiday weekend, after the 2005 Oscar season. Crappy . .hope it's ready by then . .to wait another whole year would be torture. . .**sigh** . . . To console myself from that horrible possibility , took look at lovely TEOR Galleries. .and noticed as you did before . . (Karen)He's wearing the purple tie in the Hyde Park fountain pics but he has a white shirt there, not blue. Hmm . .perhaps purple is his new fav color of choice? (did like him in violet in Jamie Kingham shoot). .also wearing the same tie in the wedding pics of Bridget's parents . . . Hmm . . .am sensing possible keep . .Ada could you post the TEOR current list on the keeps page? (Tress)I'm a fan of a BJD triptych. I think it would be lots of fun . . what would you call the next BJ novel? Sorry if this utterly nonsensical post - am bored to death at work!!!"}, {"response": 878, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 2004 (16:39)", "body": "(Kimberly) to wait another whole year would be torture Wot? You forget about the two other big holiday opening times for \"nonserious, award type\" work? There's Memorial Day and Fourth of July, when all the blockbusters are released. TEOR would be excellent counterscheduling for the f/x and pimply boy movies. The first opened in April. It just has to be after the Oscar season (March onward now)"}, {"response": 879, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 2004 (18:24)", "body": "(Karen)Wot? You forget about the two other big holiday opening times for \"nonserious, award type\" work? There's Memorial Day and Fourth of July, But surely not May and July 2006? In discussing the release date of TEOR, didn't Miramax at one point say it would be on the fast track for a summer 2004 release--or was that before the October filming date had been established? I would assume that this summer is out of the question, no?"}, {"response": 880, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 2004 (18:25)", "body": "Excuse me, that should be May or July 2005. Lost my senses, still lamenting over the no show at the BAFTAs on Sunday;-("}, {"response": 881, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 2004 (19:22)", "body": "You never know...he might surprise us. Last time he brought his mother in law. And this time, they might even shampoo the carpet ahead of time so as not to ruin everybody's Manolo's if it rains. It's great fun and we can all dissect the clothes on Monday."}, {"response": 882, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 2004 (20:34)", "body": "(Karen)TEOR would be excellent counterscheduling for the f/x and pimply boy movies. True . . . and would be a breath of fresh air . .but will still keep fingers crossed for it opening at the end of this year . . . (Evelyn)You never know...he might surprise us. Last time he brought his mother in law. He did? . .how nice . . . Dorine have a good time at the Bafta partay . . .wish I could join you;) Oh Karen . .thank you for the lovely Mark Darcy valentine pic on main page;)"}, {"response": 883, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (09:34)", "body": "(Linda) didn't Miramax at one point say it would be on the fast track for a summer 2004 release LOL! That was many nonstart dates ago. I don't think I would want to see any movie whose principal photography ended in mid-Feb and then hit the theaters in the summer."}, {"response": 884, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (10:00)", "body": "(Karen)I don't think I would want to see any movie whose principal photography ended in mid-Feb and then hit the theaters in the summer. Agreed, but that's why I mentioned the October filming start. I know this summer is out, but I was hoping Miramax would still keep it on fast track for mid/late fall. Thanks for the Valentine, boss; hearts, flowers, and lovely Mark."}, {"response": 885, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (10:50)", "body": "(Linda)Thanks for the Valentine, boss; hearts, flowers, and lovely Mark. Ditto! I was getting tired of that *sinking* feeling;-)"}, {"response": 886, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 2004 (11:15)", "body": "'Bridget Jones' Author Helen Fielding Has Baby 53 minutes ago LONDON (Reuters) - British writer Helen Fielding, author of \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" has given birth to a baby boy, her publicist said Monday. Fielding, 43, gave birth to the 7-pound, 5-ounce baby at Cedars Sinai hospital in Los Angeles Wednesday evening. \"It all went very well and all three of us are overjoyed,\" Fielding and her partner Kevin Curran said. \"The baby currently has 12 names but we are working on narrowing it down a bit.\" Fielding's lovelorn heroine Bridget Jones became famous around the world after actress Renee Zellweger (news) played her in a hit film in 2001. A sequel, \"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason\" is due for release later this year."}, {"response": 887, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 2004 (12:05)", "body": "So happy for Helen! She's a dear. Here's a little bit more from The Telegraph; this child will have an amazing sense of humor.:-) Baby boy for Bridget Jones author Helen Fielding, the Bridget Jones author, has given birth to a baby boy. The 43-year-old writer and her American partner Kevin Curran said they were \"overjoyed\" at the arrival of their first child. The 7lb 5oz baby was born last Wednesday at the Cedars Sinai hospital in Los Angeles, where Fielding has lived for the past four years. The couple said: \"The baby currently has 12 names but we are working on narrowing it down a bit!\" Fielding met Curran when she was in the US promoting her first Bridget Jones book. He is an Emmy-award winning scriptwriter for The Simpsons. The Leeds-born author shot to fame when she created the Chardonnay-swilling, calorie-obsessed singleton. The character first appeared in a newspaper column and went on to become the star of two best-selling novels and a hit film starring Renee Zellweger as the hapless heroine. Zellweger has just finished shooting the sequel, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, due for release later this year."}, {"response": 888, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 2004 (16:32)", "body": "Think I might of missed a post somewhere. Is a topic opening up tomorrow for a TEOR discussion? I remember Karen mentioning it but didn't know if the decision had been made to go forward. Thanks."}, {"response": 889, "author": "LauraS", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 2004 (16:51)", "body": "Think the discussion re TEOR will be on topic 183 - Companion pieces"}, {"response": 890, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 2004 (10:27)", "body": "v.g. Always like to see newbies helping each other out. Please keep in mind that I will usually post a message on the main Drool page when a discussion begins or a new topic is created. The main Drool page is a good navigational tool and can be the most efficient way of knowing what's going on at the site. http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/drool/all/new"}, {"response": 891, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 2004 (11:49)", "body": "Thanks, Karen. Will now put that page on my browser and be sure to check it more often. Will also add skimming through TEOR to today's 'to do' list."}, {"response": 892, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 18, 2004 (11:25)", "body": "Bridget Jones 2 wraps Bridget Jones fans will be pleased to know that the second movie based on Helen Fielding's literary singleton is in the can. And how do we know this? Well 'cos the movie's lead, Renee Zellweger, told us. We chatted to the Bafta-winning star at last night's awards and asked her how work was going on Bridget Jones's Diary: The Edge Of Reason? \"We actually finished filming that this morning,\" the petite Texan revealed. And how does she think things have gone during the shoot? \"I really like it, I think it's going to be great,\" she gushed. Expect the movie to reach our screens later this year."}, {"response": 893, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (13:46)", "body": "From today's Guardian \"No need to stay up for the Oscars on Sunday - Tim Dowling already knows what the superstars will say.\" \"Renee Zellweger, BSA for Cold Mountain \" First of all I'm not usually this fat.I don't know why they scheduled the Oscars so early this year. Normally I can doughnut up all Summer, hit the treadmill just after Christmas and I'm in the black dress by the second week in March. That way I can do one fat film and one skinny film a year, which I think is important because it shows audiences that women come in all shapes and sizes, not just lovely and thin. No one should ever be ashamed of what they look like, particularly when it's just a temporary thing for work. I know it shouldn't be a big deal, I've really earned this Oscar, but it's weird because they've given me the award for my skinny film. I feel lilke I've let you down and it makes me just want to go and sick up that half pound of steak tartare I had for lunch.\" Oh dear, Poor Bridget ;-)) Hee hee, wait til next year when you get one for your \"Fat film\"."}, {"response": 894, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (12:55)", "body": "From Dark Horizons' round-up of news from the post-Oscar Vanity Fair party: RENEE ZELLWEGER Says she'll probably be doing 'Bridget Jones 3' sooner rather than later, as in next year. The sequel will apparently be better than the first - much funnier. Said that 'Cinderella Man' has had a couple of problems - most notably Russell Crowe's injury. I heard from a few folks that they might be re-casting his part."}, {"response": 895, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (00:11)", "body": "They've got to be kidding."}, {"response": 896, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (08:48)", "body": "Says she'll probably be doing 'Bridget Jones 3' sooner rather than later, as in next year. The sequel will apparently be better than the first - much funnier. I thought TEOR was the sequel! ;-) I suspect they filmed more than they planned now, and had the writers on the case on the set. Now if only we could hear from HelenF. So whatever happen to Colin's South African war movie?"}, {"response": 897, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (11:12)", "body": "So whatever happen to Colin's South African war movie? Don't you remember? From the horse's mouth: \"It's very precipitous.\""}, {"response": 898, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (11:25)", "body": "Don't you remember? From the horse's mouth: \"It's very precipitous.\" I must have been away or maybe he told you at the LA premiere? I'm a bit behind. So that's it?"}, {"response": 899, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (11:49)", "body": "When I asked him at the LA premiere if he was still doing The Dead Wait, that's the reply I got (said with a slight shake of his head and a furrowed brow, I might add)."}, {"response": 900, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (13:00)", "body": "Says she'll probably be doing 'Bridget Jones 3' sooner rather than later, as in next year. Heck, they should have pulled a Peter Jackson and just filmed all three at the same time. I wonder what that means in terms of how they end TEOR--it better not be a cliffhanger, and then they fanny about squabbling over the script for three years!!!"}, {"response": 901, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 2004 (16:54)", "body": "(linda) squabbling over the script for three years While Colin ages brilliantly and Huge Gnat doesn't so have to cut in some close ups from first film;-)"}, {"response": 902, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 2004 (15:40)", "body": "Morne Botes, from Namibia, is showing on the cast list on IMDB. I wonder if that means Wellington made it into the film?"}, {"response": 903, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 2004 (09:20)", "body": "(Janet)I wonder if that means Wellington made it into the film? I enjoyed the Wellington scenes in the book-one of my favorites: \"In the darkness the stone becomes the buffalo...in the sunlight all is as it is.\""}, {"response": 904, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 2004 (10:42)", "body": "On Working Title's TEOR diary, they've filled in that last box, but it is not with anything from Lech, just another entry from Thailand. However, it looks like there will be more, as the setup now includes a page option, i.e., still hoping for a page 2 http://www.workingtitlefilms.com/nusite.php"}, {"response": 905, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 2004 (21:03)", "body": "Always wanted to find a relevant site like this that had all those behind the scenes people and crew pics and the stars posing with the crew, etc.etc.. but I selfishly did want it to contain some pics of ODB...Who knows, maybe he will add some video clips down the road... http://www.jpbassin.com/photo.htm"}, {"response": 906, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 2004 (00:01)", "body": "Interesting fine, Maria. On his news page, it says this: It was a very cold few weeks - check out the photos - but it was a pleasure to work with all involved, especially the brave Ms Zellwegger who managed to ski down the slalom course herself! Maybe he'll add a video clip, as he has for The World Is Not Enough, in the future."}, {"response": 907, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 2004 (11:30)", "body": "especially the brave Ms Zellwegger who managed to ski down the slalom course herself! This is open to interpretation. ;-) Was ODB un peu difficil? ;-) Thanks, Maria! Love your finds."}, {"response": 908, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 2004 (21:15)", "body": "Interesting find, Maria, thanks. At ShoWest in Las Vegas (trade show in which the studios try to get the theater owners pumped up about their upcoming films) TEOR was on the menu. Here's what a very well informed (*snort*) fanboy reports. Hint: it's not as well researched as his Spider Man summary;-) 4) Bridget Jones Diary: They showed extended scenes from the new Bridget Jones movie. Same characters. If you liked the first one, you'll like this one. There is another classic fight scene between Hugh Grant and the boyfriend (can't remember the actor's name), looks to be as funny as the last one. In this movie, Bridget and boyfriend have a falling out, she travels with Hugh Grant, trouble ensues, boyfriend bails her out, she is caught between boyfriend and Hugh Grant etc. Hugh Grant does play a self-absorbed prig perfectly."}, {"response": 909, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 2004 (21:51)", "body": "(Mari channeling Maria)...(can't remember the actor's name) Wait! I can name the name .... oh hell.... It's on the tip of my bloody tongue! Oh brilliant. I knew there'd be a quiz. Oh wait...I remember! Dudley Dooright! (What?! Wasn't that right?) (At least the name doesn't easily equate to \"prig\".)"}, {"response": 910, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 2004 (22:25)", "body": "and the boyfriend (can't remember the actor's name) That's the A-list guy who hosted SNL. *snort*"}, {"response": 911, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 2004 (07:55)", "body": "(Karen) and the boyfriend (can't remember the actor's name) LOL, someone helped him out with this in the talkback...a female, of course ;-) Subject: It's Colin Firth...Colin Firth Comment: ...\"can't remember the actor's name\"...t_T tiz colin firth"}, {"response": 912, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 2004 (12:36)", "body": "(Dorine)Subject: It's Colin Firth...Colin Firth Sound familiar? Who's the host?...Colin Firth, who? Colin Firth. Ten minutes later, another asks--who's the host? C-O-L-I-N F-I-R-T-H. Bloody fanboys. Sheesh!"}, {"response": 913, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 2004 (13:42)", "body": "(Linda)Bloody fanboys. Sheesh! Exactly. Who brought these awful children into the world, anyway? Oh wait. *We* did.;-)"}, {"response": 914, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 2004 (16:32)", "body": "(Mari) Who brought these awful children into the world, anyway? Oh wait. *We* did.;-) LOL! Whew! That's one thing I won't get blamed for in this lifetime. Contributing to the hole in the ozone layer is another thing. ;-)"}, {"response": 915, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 2004 (18:05)", "body": "(Mari)Exactly. Who brought these awful children into the world, anyway? Oh wait. *We* did.;-) Ahh so then we must pre-programm future generations, since the current ones are lacking so much in their education . .the day I decide to procreate I shall start some sort of in-utero training . . . (Linda)Sound familiar? LOL . .had that happen to me just yesterday as I was explaining to a consultant how I and my new manger had a wonderful bond due to our love for Colin Firth. \"Who?\" the consultant asked . .I instinctively clutched my heart and gave her the \"What the hell, you don't know who he is?\" look. . . I seem to be getting alot of that and questions as to why I'm wearing a DR.Seuss/Cat in the hat scarf lately (*sigh*)"}, {"response": 916, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 2004 (20:25)", "body": "I seem to be getting alot of that and questions as to why I'm wearing a DR.Seuss/Cat in the hat scarf lately (*sigh*) ROTFL! That's too funny!"}, {"response": 917, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Apr  3, 2004 (14:51)", "body": "An article about Jacinda Barret - She has just returned from blizzard conditions in the Austrian Alps and is recovering from a terrible cold. \"It was actually very funny. Renee (Zellweger) is actually a very good skier, but had to pretend she wasn't. It was one of the funniest things we'd ever shot. \"I'm not so much the love rival, but Bridget thinks I am. I work for Colin Firth's character in the law firm. She becomes obsessed that I'm right for him in every way she's not. I'm the same height and we have the same colour hair and we come from similar great families. There's a twist in the end, but I don't want to give it all away.\" Whole article.. http://www.thesundaymail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,9176172%255E5422,00.html"}, {"response": 918, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Apr  3, 2004 (17:41)", "body": ""}, {"response": 919, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 2004 (10:06)", "body": "Thanks, Maria, for the new article. This Jacinda seems to be the only one who's talking."}, {"response": 920, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 2004 (15:16)", "body": "I don't know if anyone has checked the Working Title website lately, and maybe you have seen this already, but the last bit that they've posted in the diary part is about Thailand and Daniel coercing Bridget to eat a locust??? I apologize if this is old. I did register last time so I don't know if you have to in order to get into that area. I couldn't cut and paste from there so here's the link http://www.workingtitlefilms.com/nusite.php"}, {"response": 921, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 2004 (09:42)", "body": "Thanks for the link, Linda, I don't remember seeing that before. A locust, eh? A lovely, crunchy snack to perk you up in the middle of the day. The things actors do for their craft... I wonder what the fat content of a locust is, hopefully it didn't affect Hugh's diet. ;-) BTW: I love the look of that site, it's darn cool."}, {"response": 922, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 2004 (07:32)", "body": "I know this has been mentioned before, but this rehashed blurb showed up on IMDB. Must have been a slow news day... 'Zellweger: I May Do 'Bridget Jones 3' Hollywood star Renee Zellweger is open to offers for a third Bridget Jones film - even though she's lost the weight she had to gain for the sequel. The 34-year-old has now completed shooting on sequel Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason, but, despite being initially reluctant to reprise the role of the British singleton at all, Zellweger has indicated she would be willing to play Bridget again. She says, \"I hope I've showed I can do it. I live Bridget. I feel close to her. We both had our ups and downs when it comes to love. When I was in England last year, desperately homesick, I would have said no (to a third film), but now it's down to the screenwriters.\" '"}, {"response": 923, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 2004 (10:14)", "body": "I've seen proposed titles for the the third installment. Bridget Jones: Assisted Living It Up"}, {"response": 924, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 2004 (11:58)", "body": "(Karen)I've seen proposed titles for the the third installment. Bridget Jones: Assisted Living It Up ROTF!!! I'm so there;-))"}, {"response": 925, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (12:41)", "body": "An exerpt--the rest is here: http://www.boxofficeprophets.com/tickermaster/listing.cfm?TMID=1018 The Bridget Jones sequel looks to mirror the first movie a great deal more than in the book series. Whereas the Hugh Grant character of the dangerous Mr. Cleaver was almost a non-entity in book two, the producers of the movie series couldn't resist Grant's return. In order to bulk up his part and secure the cooperation of Mr. Darcy himself, Colin Firth, the two men's director in Love Actually, Richard Curtis, was brought in to re-write Helen Fielding's adaptation of her own book. The results were so satisfying that all the parties in question immediately re-upped for the sequel after the Curtis draft."}, {"response": 926, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (12:59)", "body": "Thanks, Linda. I wonder when this was written and what it was based on. Anyway, it also refers to Helen Fielding having written the initial script, when it was my impression that Helen said she would never do it again and that Andrew Davies wrote the first version. Her take on the Rebecca plotline is a little off-the-mark too: One of her co-workers, Rebecca, has been flirting her up non-stop recently, and Bridget always has been curious about what it would be like. Bridget's co-worker? Strange reading of the lesbian relationship news items."}, {"response": 927, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (13:24)", "body": ""}, {"response": 928, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, May  8, 2004 (19:45)", "body": "(Karen) I wonder when this was written and what it was based on I just e-mailed the author of the article and asked him."}, {"response": 929, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 26, 2004 (17:11)", "body": "Working Title has added to the Bridget on-set diary. Unfortunately, the write-up for each pic is under the one to the right. Bizarre situation. They've written up a little blurb about working in Switzerland, accompanied by a pic of crew in the water in Thailand. ;-) http://www.workingtitlefilms.com/nusite.php"}, {"response": 930, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 2004 (16:07)", "body": "From a test screening report: I guess I should be feeling rather pleased with myself for having seen the first test screening of The Edge of Reason but as an avid Bridget Jones/Helen Fielding fan I was left feeling really disappointed. After the 3 year wait for this sequel and much anticipation it did not even compare with the original and excellent writing in the book and depiction of Bridget Jones. It starts well, keeping much to the original storyline and the casting is fantastic but after the Thailand episode the film seems to lose itself and all direction. One of the things I love about the books and the the first film is its realism and the ability such a wide range of people have to relate to at least one of the characters or scenarios, however the screenwriter seems to have concentrated on Bridget's clumsiness and ridiculed her rather than reflecting how she is simply fallible in the novel. The coupling of her with mark in this film also seems wrong somehow, they do not seem comfortable together which was really disappointing considering the conclusion of the first film. There are some touching moments between the two but it is difficult to see that they would have a real future together. Equally though, her relationship with Daniel, although slightly more entertaining, still seems slightly mismatched. I was really disappointed that the screenplay failed to tackle the interview Bridget supposedly conducts with Colin Firth...this could have been a real source of amusement. I wont give too much away as it is possible the editing could realy tidy the film up however if you go into the film expecting it to be like the book then don't, perhaps go with a more open mind than I did. They cut out huge chunks of the book and the Rebecca character is a total dichotomy (perhaps the most disappointing part). Anyway, I'll definitely go back and see it when it is released officially to see what they decide to change. Fingers crossed it's going to be as good as we all hope!!"}, {"response": 931, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 2004 (16:27)", "body": "Thanks Mari! Well, this one doesn't sound too good, but I'm not going to give up hope...there is still a ton of time to edit and make changes. Sounds as if this viewer were disappointed that it was not like the book. Am hoping that maybe that is why it sounds so dismal...but this bit could be serious: however the screenwriter seems to have concentrated on Bridget's clumsiness and ridiculed her rather than reflecting how she is simply fallible in the novel. I want Bridget to be Bridget...not Jerry Lewis... The coupling of her with mark in this film also seems wrong somehow, they do not seem comfortable together which was really disappointing considering the conclusion of the first film. Am suprised to hear this! They looked to be having a blast from just the pictures and didn't look uncomfortable or awkward together at all... Hmmmm....makes me a bit nervous about the change in director. Will think positive thoughts and not resort to eating entire contents of refrigerator. ;-)_"}, {"response": 932, "author": "neshacat", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 2004 (17:01)", "body": "The coupling of her with mark in this film also seems wrong somehow, they do not seem comfortable together Maybe the lack of depth is designed to leave something to build on for the third movie? One can only hope."}, {"response": 933, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 2004 (18:19)", "body": "Neat opportunity Mari! Thanks for the info (even if it's not all great)! But the truly important question: are there any AFG \"Ding Dong\" Mark moments? ;-)"}, {"response": 934, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 2004 (19:08)", "body": "(Shoshana)But the truly important question: are there any AFG \"Ding Dong\" Mark moments? ;-) LOL, I thought the same thing. Towel scenes? Snogging? Shags? C'mon lets get an in-depth report;-) (Tress)Will think positive thoughts and not resort to eating entire contents of refrigerator Exactly, and sounds like this reviewer didn't know beforehand that the interview was cut out. But if your a huge fan of BJD, as claimed, then how could you not read about that at some point? Thanks Mari."}, {"response": 935, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 2004 (21:05)", "body": "(test screening) One of the things I love about the books and the first film is its realism... ROTFL!!! Realism? It was one of the most unbelievable, most over the top stories I've ever read/seen in my life. *shaking head* That's a good one. LOL! I guess this will be a bit like GWAPE, people who read (and loved) the book will be disappointed a bit. When I first saw GWAPE I was both taken and shaken a bit because of the stuff left out. Only when I \"forgot\" about the book while watching I was fully able to enjoy the movie. Which isn't that easy to do when one read the novel enough times to almost know it by heart. Not that I have such a problem with this one. LOL! I did think TEOR was better than BJD though. I wonder (and fervently hope)if I will feel the same way about the movie too. BTW: As far as I remember there were plenty of differences between the book and the movie version of BJD, and yet most fans loved it. Let's just keep our fingers crossed."}, {"response": 936, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 2004 (21:23)", "body": "Thanks, Mari!! (Tress) I want Bridget to be Bridget...not Jerry Lewis... I guess the screenwirter was clueless as to why the legions of fans loved her so well. IMO it was empathizing and laughing 'with her, not at her' that made her so endearing. Sounds like sequel hell to me, Mari. Such a shame. It could have been great. I guess this one's not going to be his 'Alfie' either."}, {"response": 937, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 2004 (21:40)", "body": "Excuse the double post, but... No one should think for a minute that my dissapointment at Mari's report has stopped my counting the days to the November premiere. Already beginning to think about how I'm going to finagle a midweek replacement for 'mommy duty'."}, {"response": 938, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 2004 (08:05)", "body": "Just want to clarify: I didn't see the film. This is the report from the imdb of someone who did. Ready for more? Here's what's she's just added. Hide your eyes.:-( ************ I did my dissertation on Bridget Jones's Diary/The Edge of Reason (from a sort of post feminist angle) so you can see how strongly I feel about what this film portrays. I agree with you somewhat about the Lucille Ball comparison, in this sequel much time is spent focusing on B's blunders, falling over, magic mushroom episode, getting soaked by a passing car etc, and the disfunctional relationship with men, all quite funny but I feel this detracts from B's character and demeens her to be a comedy figure with little depth. (Apologies, I moved from America 17 years ago now, I was only 5 so have limited knowledge of Lucille Ball). There are glimpses of Bridget's innerself, of course the voiceover helps and there is one particular scene which is fantasic but I wont tell you about obviously. I'm not entirely sure that the uncomfortableness is because Mark is damaged, I'm going to get a lot of negative comments about what I'm going to say now, but please remember it's only my opinion...Colin Firth's acting is not really up to scratch and there are many episodes where you are left thinking 'how are these two going to make it in the long term'. Don't get me wrong I think Firth is a sound actor and my mum is probably his biggest fan but it is really difficult to get in touch with him here. However, this may not be entirely Firth's fault, because of the pace of the fim and the insistance upon the comedic element which although vital seemed less important in the second novel than the first, there is little opportunity for his character to concentrate on his insecurities. I don't know it's a tough one and I don't want to give anything away."}, {"response": 939, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 2004 (08:18)", "body": "I suspect the shortage of top-class extras is the subliminal cause of most of this viewer's disappointment."}, {"response": 940, "author": "Gails", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 2004 (09:06)", "body": "Mari, thanks for the reports. I find it interesting that this person brings up the idea of wondering whether Mark & Bridget are going to make it. There were many instances when I was reading the book I felt beccause of the poor communications skills between them that if this was a real life situation it might be doomed, but since it was a fictionalized romance, designed to entertain, I went along for a wonderful ride. Keeping my fingers crossed that this person might have been looking at the movie a little too seriously and since I can switch to fluffamatic movie mode at a moments notice it will still be enjoyable."}, {"response": 941, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 2004 (09:10)", "body": "(Gail) since I can switch to fluffamatic movie mode at a moments notice it will still be enjoyable LOL. I'm right there with you."}, {"response": 942, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 2004 (09:20)", "body": "(Mark) I suspect the shortage of top-class extras is the subliminal cause of most of this viewer's disappointment. That was my initial reaction too. However... the insistance upon the comedic element which although vital seemed less important in the second novel than the first Without having seen it myself, she's confirming what I thought might happen and has been my fear about the film. Persuasion is far more serious than the frothy P&P and I liked TEOR (book) better as a result. Call it \"gravitas.\" By not following the storyline about Mark and Rebecca, they've undermined the misunderstanding and are instead concentrating on the I Love Lucy bits, which have always been there. (Go back several years on this board from when the columns were first published.) Well, no need to throw in the towel yet. This was only a test screening. Many things can happen before the end of the year. I moved from America 17 years ago Thank goodness. Was appalled by this Ph.D.'s spelling. ;-)"}, {"response": 943, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 2004 (09:33)", "body": "(Shosh)are there any AFG \"Ding Dong\" Mark moments? ;-) Didn't Hola Lola post some time back saying she caught a glimpse of TEOR and saw a shirtless Mark?:) (Mark G.)I suspect the shortage of top-class extras is the subliminal cause of most of this viewer's disappointment. As a fellow actor I'm with you on that one;) . .would have tried to get myself as an extra in the Thailand Women's Prison scene if I knew how . .;) Mari thanks for the blurb . .will also keep fingers crossed that creative editing will make this film a keeper . .and still can't wait to meet Droolers for NY TEOR premiere!;)"}, {"response": 944, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 2004 (09:36)", "body": "(Karen: Thank goodness. Was appalled by this Ph.D.'s spelling. ;-) You mean you think her insistance on realy disfunctional spelling demeens her? ;-)"}, {"response": 945, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 2004 (10:13)", "body": "(Mark) I suspect the shortage of top-class extras is the subliminal cause of most of this viewer's disappointment. (Karen), That was my initial reaction too. Hear hear! The coupling of her with mark in this film also seems wrong somehow, they do not seem comfortable together which was really disappointing considering the conclusion of the first film. There are some touching moments between the two but it is difficult to see that they would have a real future together. Equally though, her relationship with Daniel, although slightly more entertaining, still seems slightly mismatched. I always found it difficult to believe that they would have a future together. What worries me, is that it looks like the moments with Daniel will steal the picture. (Karen), Was appalled by this Ph.D.'s spelling. ;-) And her choice of dissertation. ;-) Thanks, Mari. I would love to hear from Lola now."}, {"response": 946, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 2004 (10:42)", "body": "\"I did my dissertation on Bridget Jones's Diary/The Edge of Reason (from a sort of post feminist angle) so you can see how strongly I feel about what this film portrays.\" She has an academic focus here, which most audiences don't have.TG. Bridget was never a model for me; feminist or otherwise. And I don't think being compared to Lucille Ball is all that bad. After the lovely BJD ending, the story really had nowhere to go except antics.IMO It'll be an OK sequel. They seldom win awards."}, {"response": 947, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 2004 (10:48)", "body": "(Tress)Will think positive thoughts and not resort to eating entire contents of refrigerator LOL, Tress, when I first came upon her report, I immediately ran to my friend's office and dove into her stash of Hershey's kisses. It wasn't Milk Tray, but any port in a storm . . . I want Bridget to be Bridget...not Jerry Lewis... Is nefarious plot to gain favor with French audiences.;-) (Leslie)No one should think for a minute that my dissapointment . . . has stopped my counting the days to the November premiere. (Kim)and still can't wait to meet Droolers for NY TEOR premiere!;) That's the spirit, ladies! Even when the films stink, we always have a good time! (Moon)What worries me, is that it looks like the moments with Daniel will steal the picture. By my calculations, it's about, oh, 2 months too soon to start the TMC dirge (Too Much Cleaver), but what the heck, let's get a jump on it: ThemoviewillbeaflopandthecriticswillsingleoutColinasbadandHugeasgoodandnoonewilleverhireColinagain. *Sung to melody of \"Nobody Knows Da Trouble I've Seen.\"*;-) Hey, we always have Nanny McPhee to look forward to. Excuse me while I go shoot myself."}, {"response": 948, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 2004 (11:40)", "body": "(Mari)Excuse me while I go shoot myself. Nono, please don't! I'd miss your posts too much ROTFLOL!"}, {"response": 949, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 2004 (11:49)", "body": "(Mari) Hey, we always have Nanny McPhee to look forward to. Speaking from my perspective, I can only hope that TEOR cures him of any desire to do rom-coms in the future...or at least until he takes that stick out from up his... I'm making lemonade too! ;-)"}, {"response": 950, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 2004 (14:15)", "body": "(Mark) I suspect the shortage of top-class extras is the subliminal cause of most of this viewer's disappointment LOL! That is undoubtedly the case (sure hope I spelled that right!)! Where was the continuity person? Didn't they know you needed to be in this one too?? You obviously live/work in Bridget's neighborhood! ;-) (Evelyn) She has an academic focus here, which most audiences don't have.TG. Cannot believe that one can get a Ph.D in Bridgetness. Must really think about going back to school. But how to explain to future employers what I researched? Would the world understand!? ;-) (Mari) and dove into her stash of Hershey's kisses. It wasn't Milk Tray, but any port in a storm . . . LOL! Hey, an emergency is an emergency! One must take drastic measures at times. Was a real MacGyver move to use the Hershey's in lieu of Milk Tray! Well done! ;-D (Karen) I can only hope that TEOR cures him of any desire to do rom-coms in the future... After doing Bridget and then Nanny (and working with seven children who appear to enjoy using him as a jungle gym), I imagine he may be longing for a more 'precipitous' project! BTW, your glass looks half full to me...it cannot be, can it?? am feeling a bit faint...need a lie down ;-)"}, {"response": 951, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 2004 (14:56)", "body": "(Karen) I can only hope that TEOR cures him of any desire to do rom-coms in the future... (Tress)I imagine he may be longing for a more 'precipitous' project! Am sending iggy waves toward TDW & Toyer . .come on, baby those projects have gotta come through!"}, {"response": 952, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 2004 (16:49)", "body": "(Tress), After doing Bridget and then Nanny (and working with seven children who appear to enjoy using him as a jungle gym), I imagine he may be longing for a more 'precipitous' project! A self-respecting actor would want to go back to the stage. ;-D (Mari)Excuse me while I go shoot myself. ROTFLOL! Now if Lola would give her 2 cents."}, {"response": 953, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 2004 (20:04)", "body": "(Mark)I suspect the shortage of top-class extras is the subliminal cause of most of this viewer's disappointment. You can take that one all the way to the bank;-) LOL, Mark. (Mari)Excuse me while I go shoot myself. No, not until Kim's iggy waves have a chance to work;-)"}, {"response": 954, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 2004 (22:55)", "body": "(Moon)Now if Lola would give her 2 cents. Hola Lola! . .Calling Hola Lola! . .Where are you????? (Moon)A self-respecting actor would want to go back to the stage. ;-D . Hamlet, anyone? Linda - am working on the iggy;) . .keep your fingers crossed, but I have good feelings about them."}, {"response": 955, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 2004 (09:22)", "body": "*Finally* back...for the moment anyway. A few comments. Thanks, Mari for sending on TEOR reports. Glad others commented on the typos. Could barely concentrate on it with that spelling. I take what the reviewer says with a grain of salt at the moment. I can't consider the source, since I don't know her, to tell if she's an accurate judge, especially with the film in a rough cut....though I guess I have an idea of her after she spoke of her *interesting* dissertation. ;-) While I liked the BJD movie better than the book overall, I was dismayed enough at times at how ridiculous Bridget was made to look or sound...esp cringeworthy at the beginning of the Smug Marrieds dinner party. I can only hope TEOR doesn't amp up that scenario too much. Time will tell. (Kimberly) Calling Hola Lola! . .Where are you????? Changing a diaper or being splattered with baby food? ;-) Does she read any of the other topics than the CF news one, I wonder."}, {"response": 956, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 2004 (10:19)", "body": "(Karen) Was appalled by this Ph.D.'s spelling. ;-) Grammar was also lacking....."}, {"response": 957, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 2004 (12:29)", "body": "(Mari) Excuse me while I go shoot myself. Why the gloominess, Mari, you haven't seen the movie yet. That was only one person's opinion. If people had to decide BJD's fate based on my review no one would've gone to see it. Thank goodness there are millions of people whose taste differ from mine, so BJD could become a success. So have a little patience everyone, when TEOR comes out we'll see if it really sucks. If it does, then we can shoot ourselves en masse. ;-) (Mari) Hey, we always have Nanny McPhee to look forward to. LOL! Yes, we do, and who knows, we might get pleasantly surprised. Let me bring up the case of WAGW again that lots of fans were worried about, and it turned out a favourite among many. So let's not bury this one yet either. Wait till you see it. Re: all the posts concerning the reviewer's grammar and typos: I guess that should teach me never to post a review anywhere. LOL you guys! I thought it was great she posted that, I really didn't care for her grammar. Maybe because hers is better than mine... ;-)"}, {"response": 958, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 2004 (12:34)", "body": "Working Title has added four more pics (3 more Thailand, with Daniel and Bridget yaddda yadda) and then one from Lech of Bridget on the set, perhaps Colin off to right in profile, with only a description of the weather and what the caterers did. *yawn* Gaah, a travelogue that lives up to their reputation for boooooooooring! It definitely should've been written in Bridgetspeak. http://www.workingtitlefilms.com/nusite.php"}, {"response": 959, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 2004 (12:38)", "body": "(Ildi) Re: all the posts concerning the reviewer's grammar and typos: I guess that should teach me never to post a review anywhere. Had this woman not brought up her thesis, I certainly wouldn't have commented on the spelling errors, as I don't for anyone's postings here. Rightly or wrongly, I have slightly higher expectations for someone with a Ph.D."}, {"response": 960, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 2004 (13:07)", "body": "(Karen)certainly wouldn't have commented on the spelling errors, as I don't for anyone's postings here. As I have daily proof, LOL! And am so very grateful and not wasting posts to apologize anymore neither;-)) (K) Rightly or wrongly, I have slightly higher expectations for someone with a Ph.D. Don't care that she has one, just that she was waving it around as a point in her piece. I feel that she deserves the skeet shoot as a result...Pull!;-)"}, {"response": 961, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 2004 (13:11)", "body": "(BeeDee) Don't care that she has one, just that she was waving it around as a point in her piece I don't even believe she has one. More like a GED."}, {"response": 962, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 2004 (13:23)", "body": "(Karen) ...and then one from Lech of Bridget on the set, perhaps Colin off to right in profile. Oh! Does look like him! Has the glasses and sideburns. Did his jacket have white on the back like that? I don't think I've seen it from behind...(I'd remember that ;-D). Thanks Karen...and you are right...dullllllllllllllll....who is in charge of that bit? V. v. bad. On set diary needs more talk of stones gained and Austrian stick insects. (Karen) I certainly wouldn't have commented on the spelling errors, as I don't for anyone's postings here. LOL...thank goodness you don't as I'd be prime example number one! I'm terribly lazy and hardly ever look up words. Big fan of phonetic spelling, definitely not etymologist material (possible misspell there))! ;-)"}, {"response": 963, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 2004 (13:32)", "body": "(Ildiko) when TEOR comes out we'll see if it really sucks. If it does, then we can shoot ourselves en masse. ;-) \"Kool Aid\" is cleaner and less painful. ;-) Anyone can misspell a word or 2, by accident or not. I'll be the first to admit I'm a spelling snob...got awards for it in school...my mom used to ask me how to spell words. Ironically, as I've aged, I also get a few wrong periodically. I'm not bothered by those who don't speak/write English as a first language....and in all fairness, the poster said she moved from America at 5, though obviously to where is a mystery. It's a wonder anyone learns English correctly anyway really. ;-)"}, {"response": 964, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 2004 (14:29)", "body": "(Ildi)If people had to decide BJD's fate based on my review no one would've gone to see it. I think the difference is that the person who posted sounds like a real fan of the Bridget Jones world, which I think you're not. Still, it is one person's opinon. (Ildi)So let's not bury this one yet either. Wait till you see it. Sure, McPhooey may turn out fine; in fact, I expect that it will. But no matter how good it is, it will never be the type of work I want to see Colin doing. I'm discouraged because he has nothing dramatic firmed up. (TDW and Toyer are far from sure things.) I see his contemporaries getting raves for lead dramatic roles based on award-winning material with respected directors, and I have to wonder if the parade hasn't already passed him by."}, {"response": 965, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 2004 (15:56)", "body": ""}, {"response": 966, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 2004 (16:01)", "body": "(Dorine the Fair) and in all fairness, the poster said she moved from America at 5, though obviously to where is a mystery. And you think maybe she moved to, say, Swaziland? ;-) Well, I don't think they're test ing the film anywhere outside of the US or England. My guess is that Dr. Dysappointed (LOL) is in the UK, unless her spellings are unique to England, like the extra 'u'. ;-)"}, {"response": 967, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 2004 (16:28)", "body": "I was reading The On Set Diary at Working Title and noticed Paul Nicholls is playing Jed. He played Joe Wicks in Eastenders some years ago, and more recently, the young actor Julie Walters had an affair with in the Canterbury Tale 'The Wife of Bath', which also starred Bill Nighy. -He's gorgeous, and getting better looking all the time!(he's only 25)."}, {"response": 968, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 2004 (16:44)", "body": "Janet, I had to go check out Paul Nicholls. He is adorable! And look at this pic, kinda reminds me of another adorable guy: A better pic of his face: He's not afraid to drop trough either...nice... thanks to Paul Nicholls Online for the pics!"}, {"response": 969, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 2004 (17:02)", "body": "(Karen the Smart Ass) And you think maybe she moved to, say, Swaziland? ;-) Hey, could be! ;-) And then moved back here or to London. ;-) Did I ever mention I have a wild imagination at times? ;-) And refresh my memory, who is Jed? The drug dealer guy, maybe? He is a cutie, but a bit too babyfaced and boyish for me. I'll check him out again in about 10 years when he's starting to age into a man. Like ODB did. :-D I like that first pic of him better, though."}, {"response": 970, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 2004 (17:10)", "body": "He is a cutie, but a bit too babyfaced and boyish for me. I'll check him out again in about 10 years when he's starting to age into a man. Like ODB did. :-D I remember my sister and I discussing him some years ago and we agreed he'd only get better looking as he got older."}, {"response": 971, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 2004 (17:13)", "body": "(Dorine the Fair....or Princess of the Palm) And refresh my memory, who is Jed? The drug dealer guy, maybe? Yup....and didn't Shazzar shag him?? (Her Fairness) I like that first pic of him better, though. You mean the one that looks a bit like this one: Will use any excuse to slip in the Vicomte. I'm shameless...."}, {"response": 972, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 2004 (17:21)", "body": "I agree, he's a little young to be Jed. Not at all what I pictured, but check this out from a 1998 program. *That* could be a Jed: But here's from the Wife of Bath: Definitely maturing nicely."}, {"response": 973, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 2004 (17:27)", "body": "Oooh, very nice! If Colin should hit a wall, I'll be looking this puppy up! ;-P And nice suit. ;-)"}, {"response": 974, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 2004 (17:37)", "body": "And I didn't even make a snide comment about the On Set Diary misspelling Paul Nicholl's name."}, {"response": 975, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 2004 (17:39)", "body": "LOL...that first pic he reminds me of Stephen Baldwin for some reason. The next two pics, well, he's a little hottie...can I get arrested for saying that? ;-D (Dorine) And nice suit. ;-) LOL...I actually like the suit! He can pull it off...might make any other man look like The Joker, but he looks pretty good in it, IMO!"}, {"response": 976, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 2004 (17:53)", "body": "The others from the BBC site:"}, {"response": 977, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 2004 (18:22)", "body": "Dorine the Fair) and in all fairness, the poster said she moved from America at 5, though obviously to where is a mystery. Karen the Smart Ass) And you think maybe she moved to, say, Swaziland? ;-) (Tress)(Her Fairness) I like that first pic of him better, though. ROTFLMAO! You gals are a rip the afternoon! Now I have to clean off my screen. Thanks for the Friday afternoon laffs!;-))"}, {"response": 978, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 2004 (09:55)", "body": "Although that very first capture in Tress's previous post does remind me of ODB on Valmont's case, the profile reminds me more of Martin Downy ,Jr. in Resurrection."}, {"response": 979, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 2004 (13:49)", "body": "NY Times interview with Helen Fielding. Note the new baby's name. Kinda cool; better han Apple.;-) June 6, 2004 Bridget Jones? No, It's Bond. Jane Bond. By HILARY DE VRIES Los Angeles JUST when it seems there cannot, and should not, be room for one more breezy, boss-bashing, boyfriend-stalking chick-lit novel, \"Olivia Joules and the Overactive Imagination\" arrives in bookstores this week. If Ms. Joules's name is unfamiliar, her creator's name is surely not: Helen Fielding, the British novelist who eight years ago unleashed the publishing equivalent of a tsunami with her novel \"Bridget Jones's Diary.\" That slim ode to lovelorn British singletons of the 1990's became the \"Da Vinci Code\" of its day, selling more than 10 million copies in 35 countries. It was made into the hit 2001 film starring Ren\ufffde Zellweger, who will reprise her role as the pudgy, witty English heroine in the film adaptation of the book's best-selling sequel, \"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason,\" this fall. It also transformed its author, then 39, from a little-known freelance journalist into a global publishing franchise and a role model for legions of aspiring young women writers who went on to create the chick-lit genre, examples of which continue to flood bookstores on an almost weekly basis. In fact, in 1997 when the paperback edition of \"Bridget Jones Diary\" had reigned on Britain's best-seller list for more than a year, Ms. Fielding grew so weary of being asked if she was the model for her man-crazy, perpetually dieting, alcohol units consuming cigarette-smoking protagonist that she pondered taking what Bridget would call \"v.\" drastic action. \"At one point I was going to put a sign around my neck that said, `No, I am not Bridget Jones,' just so I could quietly snooze,\" said Ms. Fielding, as she alternately sipped a cappuchino and a strawberry-banana iced drink in the Sunset Strip coffee house that has doubled as her office since she moved to Los Angeles five years ago. \"Bridget wasn't me,\" she added pointedly. \"She was an exaggeration of bits of me.\" Now comes \"Olivia Joules,\" Ms. Fielding's first novel in five years. It is named for a character who, although still loosely modeled on its author, might best be described as the anti-Bridget. Instead of a low-level publicist mooning over boyfriends at boozy London dinner parties, Olivia is a self-made, self-confident, globe-trotting style writer turned international spy, who quaffs martinis while hunting Al Qaeda operatives in Miami, Africa, Los Angeles and the Caribbean. Ms. Fielding readily concedes she has abandoned Jane Austen, whose novel \"Pride and Prejudice\" was famously the model for \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" for Ian Fleming's James Bond. \"The summer after Sept. 11th, I got a DVD package of all the James Bond movies and just watched them,\" said Ms. Fielding, who is known among her friends as an experienced and adventuresome traveler. \"I found myself thinking, `What if?' and `How would I cope?' if I were in a similar situation.\" The result of that marathon viewing session, along with the study of several how-to-write-a-thriller handbooks and dramatic changes in her own personal life, is Ms. Fielding's post-9/11, Jane Bond-like heroine. \"Olivia is what Bridget would be if she made peace with herself,\" she said, \"if she stopped worrying about her weight and what people expected of her, but just made the decision to get on with things.\" Whether the character will strike the zeitgeist with the same knock-out force Bridget Jones did, sending the navel-gazing chick-lit genre in a new direction, remains to be seen. When \"Olivia Joules\" was published in Britain in November, it hit the best-seller list for 10 weeks, but reviews were decidedly mixed. Some critics complained that Olivia and her adventures were too far removed from the kind of closely observed realism and, as one critic it, \"miserable edge\" that helped make Bridget such an appealing character. In Friday's New York Times, Michiko Kakutani called Olivia a \"misplaced character\" who wanders through a hodgepodge of genres. \"Sometimes, Olivia is the ditsy screwball heroine of a light chick-lit comedy, coping with fashion emergiencies and bad hair days,\" she wrote. But other times, \"she sounds like a passionate young woman being interviewed on the local news, talking about her stand against the war in Iraq.\" A few reviews suggested that Ms. Fielding's success and subsequent move to America might be to blame for her difficulty creating another character as compelling as Bridget. Ms. Fielding has certainly undergone a dramatic transformation in the years since she published \"Bridget Jones.\" This Yorkshire-born, Oxford-educated former newspaper columnist now owns a large house with a pool and a view in a chic neighborhood in the Hollywood Hills \ufffd a home she shares with her fianc\ufffd, Kevin Curran, a writer for \"The Simpsons,\" and their 4-month-old son, Dashiell. Her circle of close friends now includes the actress and novelist Carrie Fishe"}, {"response": 980, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 2004 (04:10)", "body": "Packing and getting ready to move home!! :)))))))))))) Hope this isn't old news! Universal Gives Bridget Jones a Nice Bump Source: Variety Wednesday, June 9, 2004 Universal Pictures and Miramax Films have moved up the release date and distributor of Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. Universal will now distribute worldwide and will open the film November 19, according to Variety. Miramax distributed the original Bridget Jones's Diary in 2001 and was expected to perform the same task on the sequel, which has Renee Renee Zellweger, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth and Jim Broadbent reprising their roles. The first film was produced for only $35 million and collected $280 million worldwide. Both studios attributed the distribution shift to Universal having room on its release schedule, while Miramax got full suddenly when it became domestic distributor of the Martin Scorsese-directed Leonardo DiCaprio starrer The Aviator. Miramax, which also is releasing Dimension film The Brothers Grimm along with An Unfinished Life, Proof and Bride and Prejudice between November and December, will get an option to distribute one of a multitude of films co-financed by the two studios."}, {"response": 981, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 2004 (08:18)", "body": "Hooray! Much better for Droolers traveling to NYC! Miramax, which also is releasing .... Bride and Prejudice I can just imagine all the questions he'll get about this in junkets and interviews when the time gets near. :-("}, {"response": 982, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 2004 (09:35)", "body": "What I would give to have Colin in a big Bollywood production. Move over Hugh J! Thanks, Maria! This means TEOR is all Lola's territory."}, {"response": 983, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 2004 (10:12)", "body": "Thanks, Maria! Ladies, get ready for: Fan Base Reunion Tour '04 Bloody Colin. I hope that fucking woman who asked what it was like to work with him isn't there.\""}, {"response": 984, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 2004 (10:30)", "body": "Thanks, Maria (and Mari for the blast from the past). Here's the original story from Variety: U fidgets with 'Bridget' sequel Mon Jun 7, 8:00 PM ET Michael Fleming, STAFF Universal Pictures and Miramax Films, which co-financed the Working Title-produced sequel \"Bridget Jones: Edge of Reason,\" have abruptly changed the release date and distributor of the film. U will now distrib worldwide and will open the film Nov. 19. Miramax distributed the original film in 2001 and was expected to perform the same task on the sequel, which has Renee Zellweger, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth and Jim Broadbent reprising their roles; Working Title partners Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner are back as producers. The original, based on the Helen Fielding novel, grossed $71.5 million domestically. Both studios attributed the distribution shift to U's having room on its dance card, while Miramax's got full suddenly when it became domestic distributor of the Martin Scorsese-directed Leonardo DiCaprio starrer \"The Aviator.\" Warner Bros., which partnered with Miramax on the domestic component of that IEG-financed film, was originally pegged as domestic distrib. Miramax, which also is releasing Dimension pic \"The Brothers Grimm\" along with \"An Unfinished Life,\" \"Proof\" and \"Bride and Prejudice\" between November and December, will get an option to distribute one of a multitude of films co-financed by the two studios. Other co-productions include \"Cinderella Man,\" the Russell Crowe/Zellweger starrer that is being directed by Ron Howard and produced by Brian Grazer, and \"The Six Million Dollar Man,\" a comic redo of the TV series that will be directed by Todd Phillips and star Jim Carrey."}, {"response": 985, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 2004 (11:32)", "body": "(Hugh)Bloody Colin. I hope that fucking woman who asked what it was like to work with him isn't there.\" And I do so hope she is!!! Feet don't fail me now:-)))"}, {"response": 986, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 2004 (12:13)", "body": "(Hugh) Bloody Colin. I hope that fucking woman who asked what it was like to work with him isn't there.\" (Bee) And I do so hope she is!!! Feet don't fail me now:-))) Me too Bee! Mari must be there! She kept Colin in front of us for quite a while with her questions....he seemed quite 'loquacious' that evening. Am v. v. excited! Will be much better (as Dorine said) for those traveling to NYC. Was afraid some wouldn't make it due to holidays...but a November 19th date is perfect time to tell DHs and SOs that it is a must to go! Must get shopping done (that ol' 'window shopping' that is!) ;-)"}, {"response": 987, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 2004 (12:20)", "body": "Well, you know, the premiere could be anywhere from a day or 2 to at least a week before that date. That's just the opening date, so keep the entire middle of Nov on your calendar free. ;-)"}, {"response": 988, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 2004 (12:21)", "body": "Am just catching up with everything . .woooohoo . .11/19 is a Friday . .shall we make a weekend of it girls? Do you think Lola will be here for the NY Premiere? . .She will have a little one by then, right? Am v. excited;)"}, {"response": 989, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 2004 (13:45)", "body": "So *assuming* the 11/19 release date holds, when would we know when the actual premiere would be? (Employers v.v. sensitive about trotting off at a moment's notice, not to mention v. bad vacation policy ;-("}, {"response": 990, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 2004 (16:31)", "body": "(Linda)Am v. excited;) My tee shirt is ready.Yours;-) Shall we tell Starbucks to lay -in an extra shipment of crumb cake?"}, {"response": 991, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 2004 (18:59)", "body": "(Evelyn)My tee shirt is ready.Yours;-) Yes, it's already waiting to be packed! LOL, I hope they have carb-light cc. But if I have to cheat then I have to cheat. Great news about November-much, much better! (Mari)Ladies, get ready for: Fan Base Reunion Tour '04 My engine is started. Hopefully I'll get a matching photo for Tour '04;-) Thanks, Maria. Packing and googling at the same time, amazing!"}, {"response": 992, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 2004 (19:45)", "body": "Am also v.v. excited as I now live close enough to take the train to the city. Will start depositing hours into special leave bank at work. Have already broken news to dh that there is a very important \"seminar\" I must attend in NYC in November. Wondering if I can also get ticket for Boy From Oz (if Jackman's still starring) and make a real celebration of it."}, {"response": 993, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 2004 (20:21)", "body": "My quite the contingent shaping up. Wondering if I can also get ticket for Boy From Oz (if Jackman's still starring) and make a real celebration of it. I think he's contracted only til or through Sept. I'd doubt that he'd stay, but who knows."}, {"response": 994, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 2004 (21:34)", "body": "So when do we start Kimberly on getting \"the iggy\" going for our November outing? What are the chances this would take place on a Friday night? Childcare will be much easier to arrange on a weekend. Or...do you think I might be able to convince the school to declare the premiere a holiday??"}, {"response": 995, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 2004 (21:45)", "body": "(Leslie) What are the chances this would take place on a Friday night? Virtually nil. And obviously not on the day it opens."}, {"response": 996, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 2004 (21:47)", "body": "Sorry, didn't clarify....premieres are generally Sun-Thurs. Nevermind the fact that they'd be nuts to have an event that required so many cars on a Friday night in NYC at rush hour."}, {"response": 997, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 2004 (09:22)", "body": "(Dorine) Sorry, didn't clarify....premieres are generally Sun-Thurs Of course, of course. Will switch to 'Plan B' - convincing DH to take vacation days to cover me at home. Wish me luck. Thinking wine (lots of it), good food, Victoria's Secret catalog...pulling out all the stops. No price too great for such an event."}, {"response": 998, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 2004 (09:47)", "body": "The woman who saw the TEOR test screening has answered some of her critics, regarding her choice of thesis material. There should be no question now that she's in the UK and I wonder whether she received an invitation to see it, rather than it being totally coincidental. Read away: Nice assumption of what all British women are like today and this book does not apply just to British women are you familiar with Sex and The City and the wide readership of this book???!The point behind my dissertation was to challenge the old ideas of literature within my faculty, I was warned about the reaction it may receive from some of the academics but because I wasn't happy to sit back and do 'what was right' and basically what had been covered a hundred times before I carried on and did it, the focus was on, firstly, its marketing...I spoke to Helen Fielding and her publicist Camilla, and secondly on post feminism in the 1990s and its reaction against the first wave of feminism. The marketing aspect was of course intwined with the post feminism of the 1990s because this was the main target group Pan Macmillan headed their marketing towards....post feminists, this is a loose definition so I can undersatnd where you got confused!!As the books have both been bestsellers I think perhaps your assumption that these books have 'anything to do with \"today's British woman\" is just plain daft' is rather unfounded. However as that is your opinion you are quite entitled to it, however I do question a few people on this board who feel the need to criticize other people and their opinions without firstly knowing what it is exactly they are referring to. Hope this helps all the judgemental posters who too are looking for Firsts...I got mine with the help of my little fluffy friend!!"}, {"response": 999, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 2004 (09:54)", "body": "Well, gee, that certainly clears everything up for me. Will we be hearing from her fluffy little friend?"}, {"response": 1000, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 2004 (10:19)", "body": "I never for a moment thought that Bridget typified \"today's British woman\" or any woman. Anymore than Carrie Bradshaw (S&TC) is an American woman. Lord help us. This is a novel....like fiction. Wonder who's giving her the lip."}, {"response": 1001, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 2004 (11:35)", "body": "(Evelyn) I never for a moment thought that Bridget typified \"today's British woman\" or any woman. Neither do I. Recently though I started thinking that I might not be quite fair about this whole issue. I always said that I never knew anybody among my friends who could relate to Bridget in any way, but that only makes sense, because we are all non drinkers, non smokers, and we were all married in our early twenties. So what do I know about the problems of thirtysomething singletons? I belong to the group of \"smug marrieds\" after all.;-) Nevertheless, I tend to agree with your thoughts. I consider Bridget the gross exaggeration of a not really typical woman."}, {"response": 1002, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 2004 (12:37)", "body": "(Karen) The woman who saw the TEOR test screening has answered some of her critics, regarding her choice of thesis material. She used spell check this time too! ;-)"}, {"response": 1003, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 2004 (12:53)", "body": "Yes, but she still never met a run-on sentence she didn't like.;-) Too bad a few people on imdb have criticized her, though. They apparently can't deal with the fact that she didn't like the film or Colin's acting. \"Shoot-the-messenger\" syndrome. The way I look at it, she was good enough to share her views. Attacking her choice of thesis just seems like \"acting out\" to me."}, {"response": 1004, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 2004 (18:40)", "body": "(Evelyn)This is a novel....like fiction You mean the good ended happily, and the bad, unhappily...that is what fiction means;-) (???)The point behind my dissertation was to challenge the old ideas of literature The only problem I have is that her \"thesis\" was based on the novels, and it's a bit confusing to me why she choose to include the rough cut screening of a film?"}, {"response": 1005, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 2004 (19:25)", "body": "If I'm understanding you (and her) correctly Linda, her dissertation was written already. The screening had nothing to do with her thesis. Of course, I haven't bothered to go back and read what she said to reinforce my opinion..... and I read what she wrote with the equivalent of \"in one ear and out the other.\""}, {"response": 1006, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 2004 (23:32)", "body": "and I read what she wrote with the equivalent of \"in one ear and out the other.\" And some apparently read it with the equivalent of \"one eye closed; the other not opened.\" ;-) No, that's right. The thesis had already been written and was unrelated, but as Beedee has mentioned several times, the woman waved her thesis in our faces, like a red cape to a bull."}, {"response": 1007, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 2004 (19:33)", "body": "Ok, how many of you are watching BJD on TBS to see how they'll change the \"inappropriate\" language...among other reasons, of course? ;-)"}, {"response": 1008, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 2004 (21:06)", "body": "Hehe... you caught me! ;-) \"Come the heck on, Bridget\" doesn't work."}, {"response": 1009, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 2004 (22:10)", "body": "Decided to pass on the \"sanitized version. Not my \"cuppa\". I'd rather watch the DVD."}, {"response": 1010, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 2004 (22:10)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1011, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 2004 (22:12)", "body": "Oh, yes, they frickin' (or friggin') do. :-( [wonder if that was more acceptable to all those who hated the original line] But they didn't cut our Mark out, so all's right with the world."}, {"response": 1012, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 2004 (22:39)", "body": "My favorite was the completely dropped lines vs. dubbing from someone who's back was to the camera. Am surprised they left in the line from Tom about the \"well timed blow job.\" (Karen) But they didn't cut our Mark out, so all's right with the world. Mark's nice suit and shiny shoes certainly couldn't be offensive to anyone. :-D (Eithne) Decided to pass on the \"sanitized version. Not my \"cuppa\". I'd rather watch the DVD. Curiosity is a powerful thing with me. ;-)"}, {"response": 1013, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 2004 (22:44)", "body": "(Dorine) Am surprised they left in the line from Tom about the \"well timed blow job.\" Yes, the \"world-class blow job\" was alright, and all the refs to tits, but you can't say the F word."}, {"response": 1014, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 2004 (23:39)", "body": "Or the C word, which had no business being in there anyway."}, {"response": 1015, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 2004 (09:39)", "body": "I enjoyed it so much I stayed on for the replay. This was the airline version. I saw it once in flight . Didn't miss the F word except at the end...Mark's parting line doesn't have the punch without it."}, {"response": 1016, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 2004 (11:11)", "body": "(Dorine)Or the C word, which had no business being in there anyway. Yes, it worked rather well with klutz;-) I'm just not used to seeing BJD with commercials. Did anyone stick around for the instant replay? Since I had a world class tour of the BJD sites in December this viewing was very special as I remember a great afternoon walking the streets around Bridge's flat and Daniel's;-)"}, {"response": 1017, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 2004 (11:12)", "body": "(Me)Did anyone stick around for the instant replay? LOL, sorry Evelyn you did stick around. I agree, the only F word I missed was Mark's."}, {"response": 1018, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 2004 (11:24)", "body": "No, my curiosity was sated with the one viewing, just to see what had been changed. But I did miss Tom's \"come the fuck on, Bridget\" and Shazza's constant \"friggin\" and \"freakin\" sounded ridiculous. Also, missed the diary entries on the screen, the few that had made it to the movie, especially the one after the FR Leavis bit."}, {"response": 1019, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 2004 (15:14)", "body": "(Karen) But I did miss Tom's \"come the fuck on, Bridget\" Me, too!! It's become part of my vocabulary (minus the \"Bridget\") during the extensive driving I do. Can you imagine how many times I say it a day considering the way people drive here? ;-D I agree Shazza did sound ridiculous and I missed the FR Leavis bit, too. Just seemed so empty there."}, {"response": 1020, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (10:23)", "body": "Always the important stuff. From Ananova: Renee 'gets permission to lose weight' Producers of the Bridget Jones sequel have reportedly given Renee Zellweger permission to lose weight. Teen Hollywood claims the actress had to gain 30 lbs for the lead role. She wasn't allowed to lose any weight until producers had decided there was no need to re-shoot any scenes. A friend said: \"Renee is thrilled that she can stop gorging on fatty food. \"She's started eating healthily again and is working with two personal trainers in a bid to lose the excess weight. \"She liked having curves, but she is looking forward to being slim again.\""}, {"response": 1021, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (10:35)", "body": "So slim women can't have curves?"}, {"response": 1022, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (11:15)", "body": "(Moon) So slim women can't have curves? I guess that depends on how slim they go. The last time I saw Renee slim (Chicago) she looked like an ironing board. It's not easy to go slim when one is in her thirties, because the moment you lose weight your boobs go. So as one gets older slim will begin to mean \"flat\" or saggy (and that keeps plastic surgeons very happy). So a bit of baby fat ;-)will keep one looking curvy. I hope Renee will keep a bit of \"padding\" on her body. I like her curvy myself. Look at \"slim\" Nicole Kidman. She is beginning to look scary."}, {"response": 1023, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (11:22)", "body": "(Ildi) Look at \"slim\" Nicole Kidman. She is beginning to look scary. Lara Flynn Boyle too . .skeletal and unhealthy . . IMO not slim or attractive at all . ."}, {"response": 1024, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (12:01)", "body": "(Dorine)Just seemed so empty there I agree. I didn't realize it was going to be a sanatized version until the Fuuuuuuck was missing from the screen;-( (Moon) So slim women can't have curves? Sad, isn't it;-)"}, {"response": 1025, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (15:50)", "body": "Helen Fielding will be on The Today Show on Tuesday, promoting the new book."}, {"response": 1026, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (16:18)", "body": "(Karen) But I did miss Tom's \"come the fuck on, Bridget\" (Dorine) Me, too!! It's become part of my vocabulary (minus the \"Bridget\") during the extensive driving I do. I missed it too (one of my favorite lines and I use it all the time too...with the \"Bridget\"! LOL!). Hadn't realized how much they do swear until I had to hear this cleaned up version. Shazzar just isn't the same! And Mark's line at the end? **whimper**"}, {"response": 1027, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (19:09)", "body": "(Tress)And Mark's line at the end? And **whimper** LOL, could have been. Sounds like someone got grabbed by the bollocks at that very moment. The voice over sounded like a teeage boy's voice cracking at crucial moment."}, {"response": 1028, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (19:15)", "body": "(Linda) The voice over sounded like a teeage boy's voice cracking at crucial moment. LOL...My DH laughed at that point (I came in on the \"So you're not going to America\" bit on the first run). He said \"Why don't you just watch the DVD, that's ridiculous\" when he heard Mark's 'freakin' statement and I said \"Really?\" I got a \"I didn't mean now \" from my beloved, but lo and behold....a second showing after the first and I got to see it in all it's 'friggin' glory!"}, {"response": 1029, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (20:02)", "body": "(Linda)Sounds like someone got grabbed by the bollocks at that very moment. LOL. My thoughts exactly..."}, {"response": 1030, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 2004 (10:58)", "body": "Utterly meaningless mention in Martin Grove's column about movies with end-of-year awards potential. All this studio flack does is print a list of their big $$$ B.O. movies or ones they hope will be. This time around, distributors are putting some of their year-end potential awards contenders in the marketplace before Christmas. Miramax, for instance, has Martin Scorsese's biographical drama \"The Aviator,\" starring Leonardo Di Caprio, Cate Blanchett and Kate Beckinsale, landing in theaters Dec. 17. Warner Bros. has Oliver Stone's historical epic \"Alexander,\" starring Collin Farrell, Anthony Hopkins and Angelina Jolie, opening Nov. 5. Universal and Miramax's comedy sequel \"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason,\" directed by Beeban Kidron and again starring Renee Zellweger, Collin Firth and Hugh Grant, is arriving Nov. 19 via Universal. As other fourth quarter release dates are firmed up, this same pattern of putting films with awards potential into the marketplace earlier than in past years is likely to be seen. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/columns/grove_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000535213"}, {"response": 1031, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 2004 (12:10)", "body": "You will see CF's name on the Front page of imdb.com right now (1pm EDT, 6/18/04) under Truly Trivial ;-) ;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 1032, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Jun 28, 2004 (20:14)", "body": "Hi! Remember me? I\ufffdve been here, reading all of your amusing and informative posts, in lurkerville\ufffda place I tend to go from time to time. But I\ufffdve resolved to return to full-throttle drooling as much as I can, as it\ufffds more fun to participate, and so much is going on! (I\ufffdm loving this SLY project already!) Anyway, I finally have something to share with you: a new Bridget story. I hope you all enjoy it. I will post the final part in the next day or so. Thanks, Karen, for extending the offer of posting the story here. And a big thank you to Tress for beta-ing this one, as well as MarkG, who has generously helped me with every Bridget story I\ufffdve written. P.S. This story is for LB (you know who you are;-))."}, {"response": 1033, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Jun 28, 2004 (20:19)", "body": "Cast Your Pearls Before Wine Part 1 A summer's tale of fun in which sparks fly, wires cross, and Chardonnay's consumed by all but one.... Friday 18 June 9 st 3, alcohol units 6, calories 2,310, no. of Euro football matches on telly this week 642 (more or less), no. of matches self viewed 0 Have not seen Mark for nearly a week due to his nightly Euro football viewing\u2014hideous stream of matches on television that could be played in continuous loop as torture device. Weeklong nightmare of games culminates in final uber-match this evening; thereafter, Mark and rest of straight male population in England will become functioning members of society again. Ooooh, telephone! Was Sharon: \ufffdI got it! I nipped into HMV at lunch and bought their last copy of Girl With a Pearl Earring. Only one prob\u2014my fucking DVD player isn\ufffdt working, so we can\ufffdt watch it at my place as planned. I just spoke to Jude, and we can\ufffdt watch it at her flat, either, as Vile Richard\ufffds watching football again. What about your place? Or is Mark watching the bloody game there as well?\ufffd \ufffdMark\ufffds at home in Holland Park,\ufffd I said, sighing. \ufffdWe both decided it made no sense for him to watch the games at my flat. Tell Jude and Tom they can come here instead. What time did you have in mind, then?\ufffd Would have to pop out to do a bit of shopping, as was out of wine, cheese, pitta bread, etc. Would also have to clean living room, as was in shambles in manner of Saddam Hussein\ufffds spider hole. \ufffdHow about in two hours? And you don\ufffdt have to get anything\u2014I\ufffdll have Tom swing by my flat, and we\ufffdll bring over the food and wine I bought for tonight.\ufffd \ufffdRight. See you soon, Shazz.\ufffd Hung up with Sharon and picked up piles of magazines from floor and placed in bathtub behind shower curtain, then shoved rest of mess under sofa. Proceeded to remove hoover from hall closet, which was hidden behind jumble of brooms and mops, old carrier bags, winter coats, etc. Was about to switch hoover on when telephone rang again Perhaps was Mark calling to say how much he missed me! Fwaaaaw\ufffd. Was Mum on phone, instead: \ufffdHello, Darling,\ufffd Mum trilled. \ufffdGuess what? I\ufffdve decided to trade in the family car for his and hers matching Vespas.\ufffd Surely did not hear Mum right. \ufffdEr, do you mean Volvos? \ufffd No, I mean Vespas. Vrrrrrrroooooommmmm! Have you seen the price of petrol lately? It costs as much as a mortgage payment to fill our Toyota each month, and it seems the sensible thing to do.\ufffd Was trying to picture Mum whizzing around Grafton Underwood like Anita Ekberg in Fellini film. \ufffdBut Mum, how will you do the shopping? And what about in winter?\ufffd \ufffdWhat about it? Drrr, I\ufffdll wear a coat, of course, when the weather grows colder. Just like you. And I\ufffdll fasten a nice basket on the handlebars for my carrier bags.\ufffd \ufffdHas Dad agreed to this?\ufffd Cannot imagine him trailing after Mum, as he can barely manoeuvre a golf cart. \ufffdBridget, you sound just like Una; no need to be so negative, darling. I thought I\ufffdd surprise Daddy for Father\ufffds Day. Got to run, as Penny Husbands-Bosworth and I are off to visit a Vespa dealership near Kettering station before it closes. Byeee!\ufffd Hung up with Mum and finished tidying up flat and self; thereafter, changed into casual floaty dress. Decided to ring Mark before friends arrived. \ufffdYeeeeees?\ufffd Mark said curtly. Could hear crowd cheering noise and announcer\ufffds voice in background. \ufffdIt\ufffds me,\ufffd I said. \ufffdI was just calling to find out if you\ufffdre still coming round later.\ufffd \ufffdYou do know the match between England and Portugal is\u2014Nooooo! Not again! Oh, hell! \ufffd.I can\ufffdt believe it\u2014another bloody foul! Yes, I\ufffdm still coming over later\u2014Jesus Christ! What incompetence! Nooooo!\ufffd. Look, can I call you back after the match?\ufffd Great! Have become football widow, even though am still single. \ufffdForget it\u2014just come over when you can,\ufffd I said. \ufffdTom and the girls are coming round to watch a DVD, anyway.\ufffd Hung up with Mark and door entry buzzer rang. Was Jude, who, after buzzing her in, was quickly at door of self\ufffds flat. \ufffdHi Bridge,\ufffd she said, handing me bottle of Chardonnay as she entered flat and looked around living room. \ufffdHave Sharon and Tom arrived yet?\ufffd \ufffdNo, you\ufffdre the first. Would you like a glass of wine?\ufffd \ufffdNo thanks,\ufffd Jude said. \ufffdI\ufffdm off alcohol today\u2014I\ufffdm not up for it.\ufffd \ufffdSome water, then, or Coke?\ufffd \ufffdWater would be lovely,\ufffd Jude said, walking toward kitchen. \ufffdI\ufffdve got San Pellegrino,\ufffd I said as I placed wine on kitchen counter and removed water bottle from fridge.\ufffd \ufffdLook, there\ufffds something I want to tell you before the others arrive.\ufffd \ufffdOh? What\ufffds that\ufffd\ufffd I said, pouring glass of San Pellegrino for Jude. \ufffdWell, I\ufffdve been feeling a bit off lately, so I went to Tescos and\u2014\ufffd Door entry buzzer rang again. \ufffdHold that thought,\ufffd I said to Jude as I walked over to intercom and picked up receiver. \ufffdHellloooooo?\ufffd I said. \ufffdIt\ufffds us!\ufffd Sharon and Tom trilled in unison. \ufffdThere you go, us,\ufffd I said, pressing door release. I then turned back toward Jude. \ufffdNow, where were we?\ufffd \ufffdNever mind\u2014I\ufffdll have to tell you later,"}, {"response": 1034, "author": "Gails", "date": "Mon, Jun 28, 2004 (20:58)", "body": "Oh Lisa can't wait to read more!! This was such a treat to find this evening. Enjoyed it a great deal. Thanks."}, {"response": 1035, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Jun 28, 2004 (21:26)", "body": "Lisa!!!! Am sooooooo happy you have de-lurked! . .You know I have been waiting w/ bated breath for more of your Bridget stories!!!! If I recall the last time you posted you were also working on a P&P Story??? . .Hope that turned out well also . . This new installment is v. v. good!!! . .have a feeling I know where it may be going;) . .cannot wait to read more!!!"}, {"response": 1036, "author": "Zing", "date": "Mon, Jun 28, 2004 (21:48)", "body": "Lisa, this is fabulous!!! Are you sure you're not AKA Helen Fielding?? ;-)"}, {"response": 1037, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Jun 28, 2004 (23:25)", "body": "Was utterly flabbergasted. \ufffdSo, you\ufffdll be the gay male version of Mary Poppins, then?\ufffd I asked. \ufffdPrecisely\ufffdbut with smarter clothes,\ufffd Tom said with arms folded on chest. Yeeeeaaaaah! Bridget and her urban family are back! The above is one of my favorite bits....along with mum buying the matching Volvos...er....Vespas and Mark lying nekky in the tub like a turtle on his back among the fashion mags! Thanks Lisa! For your story and the chance to beta for you! A treat all around!"}, {"response": 1038, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 2004 (07:26)", "body": "Bravo, Lisa! Such a treat for those of us that can never get enough of Mark Darcy. Can't wait for the next installment."}, {"response": 1039, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 2004 (08:14)", "body": "Welcome Back, Lisa. With or without Bridget,we have missed you."}, {"response": 1040, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 2004 (08:56)", "body": "\ufffdYou forgot? How could you forget something like that?\ufffd Mark asked softly LOL! Great beginning, Lisa. I like where this is going. Nice to have you back."}, {"response": 1041, "author": "LauraS", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 2004 (09:41)", "body": "Lisa! Wonderful beginning to the week - perhaps you and Helen F. should have a chat re consulting on her next Bridget project - hmmmmmm? Can't wait for the next installment - you go girl!!"}, {"response": 1042, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 2004 (09:55)", "body": "\ufffdAnd we don\ufffdt want the director talking over Mr Darcy\ufffds voice,\ufffd I said. \ufffdWe can chat straight through the first 20 minutes, as Vermeer doesn\ufffdt make an appearance until then.\ufffd v. sound game plan, if you ask me. \ufffdOne bloody book isn\ufffdt going to turn you into Mr Spock,\ufffd Sharon warned. A line worthy of Pam. ;-) He looked gorgeous in white cotton oxford shirt with sleeves rolled up to his elbows and a pair of well-worn jeans. His hair was slightly tousled, and curlier than usual due to the summer humidity. Mmmm. You can say that 'Mmmm' again. Lovely visual. The sprawled naked one isn't bad either. ;-) Shortly thereafter, Mark came into bedroom with peculiar look on his face. \ufffdBridget,\ufffd Mark began, as he joined me in bed, \ufffdwhy didn\ufffdt you just tell me?\ufffd \ufffdShhhh, enough talking,\ufffd Mark said as his mouth found mine. He then deftly removed my nightie, and made love to me with a tenderness I\ufffdd never before experienced. Excellent ending for first part. Am loving this, Lizza! Glad to see you back."}, {"response": 1043, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 2004 (10:59)", "body": "Hurrah! the return of Lisa and her fabulous Bridget stories!!! *happy dance* Can't wait for more Lis! :-)"}, {"response": 1044, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 2004 (12:23)", "body": "Thanks for the comments. It\ufffds nice to be back. Kimberly, you have a good memory\u2014yes, I\ufffdm still working on my modern P&P story, but it\ufffds been much harder for me to write than I\ufffdd ever imagined. Lots of false starts, etc. I\ufffdm going to post the final part of my Bridget story now. I don\ufffdt have a new blurb for the graphic in day 2 yet\ufffdmy brain shut down, I guess. ;-) Oh, and I shamelessly stole a joke from the comments posted about the TEOR preview. ;-) I couldn\ufffdt help myself. Okay, I\ufffdm off to read WTTL, so I can join the conversation on the other topic\ufffd."}, {"response": 1045, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 2004 (12:33)", "body": "Cast Your Pearls Before Wine Part 2 A summer's tale of fun in which sparks fly, wires cross, and Chardonnay's consumed by all but one.... Saturday 19 June 9 st 1(shagging seems to be helping), alcohol units 8, calories 3,110, out\u2013of\u2013body experiences 1, shags with Mark 1, shags with sexy stranger 3 Blissful Saturday morning\u2014woke up in Mark\ufffds arms. \ufffdMorning,\ufffd Mark said, smiling, as he reached over to kiss me. \ufffdMorning.\ufffd Mmmm, could not resist urge to run fingers through Mark\ufffds hair, as several curls had strayed to his forehead. \ufffdYour hair\u2014it\ufffds longer than usual,\ufffd I said as I smoothed the locks away from his face. \ufffdMmmm, it makes you look Byronic.\ufffd \ufffdByronic, eh?\ufffd Mark said with smirk on face. \ufffdEnjoy my longer hair while you can, as in a few hours it\ufffds all coming off. Due to the football matches and my work schedule, I\ufffdve put off this haircut far too long.\ufffd \ufffdOh. Must you?\ufffd \ufffdWell, I can\ufffdt stride around my office looking like I\ufffdm about to recite iambic pentameters. What would my clients think?\ufffd \ufffdI see your point,\ufffd I said, giggling, as Mark began to tickle me. \ufffdStop it!\ufffd I squealed. \ufffdTeach me half the gladness that thy brain must know. Such harmonious madness from my lips would flow. The world should listen then, as I am listening\u2014 Ouch!\ufffd I had pinched Mark\ufffds bum. \ufffdThat\ufffds Shelley, not Byron,\ufffd I said, nonetheless touched by Mark\ufffds recitation. \ufffdSame thing,\ufffd Mark said. He then began to kiss me again. Mmmm. Mmmm. Had lovely pre\u2013breakfast shag\ufffd. \ufffdAre you hungry?\ufffd Mark asked as he got out of bed and put on dressing gown. \ufffdYes\ufffd. You?\ufffd I said, still in bed. \ufffdFamished,\ufffd Mark replied. \ufffdWhy don\ufffdt you have a little lie in, and I\ufffdll take care of breakfast this morning. I\ufffdll let you know when it\ufffds ready.\ufffd \ufffdOh,\ufffd I purred, \ufffdthat\ufffdd be lovely.\ufffd Shortly thereafter drifted off to sleep to the sound of Mark whistling in kitchen\ufffd. Woke up about 30 minutes later to wonderful aroma. \ufffdMmmm, what smells so good?\ufffd I said from bedroom whilst putting on silk kimono. \ufffdNothing fancy\u2014just eggs and toast,\ufffd Mark said from kitchen. \ufffdI was just about to wake you, so your timing couldn\ufffdt be better.\ufffd \ufffdWhat can I do?\ufffd I asked as I joined Mark in kitchen. \ufffdNothing,\ufffd he said, giving my shoulders a squeeze. \ufffdJust have a seat.\ufffd \ufffdWhy are you doing this?\ufffd I asked suspiciously. \ufffdYou\ufffdve never made breakfast in my flat before.\ufffd Let\ufffds just call it another of several firsts,\ufffd Mark answered as he set breakfast on table. \ufffdSo, do you have to go round to the office today?\ufffd I said between sips of tea. \ufffdNo, but I have several personal errands to attend to. I\ufffdm making a quick trip to Grafton Underwood, for one.\ufffd \ufffdOh? Would you like some company?\ufffd \ufffdOrdinarily I\ufffdd say yes, but my Mother wishes to speak to me in private about a family matter. Plus, I then have to return to Holland Park and meet Alicia at 3:00.\ufffd \ufffdAlicia? Who\ufffds Alicia?\ufffd \ufffdRelax, Bridget,\ufffd Mark said, laughing. \ufffdAlicia cuts my hair.\ufffd \ufffdAt home?\ufffd \ufffdOccasionally. Usually I go to her establishment, but since I\ufffdve procrastinated, this was the fastest way I could get an appointment. It\ufffds not so unusual\u2014she\ufffds cut my hair for years.\ufffd \ufffdWhy didn\ufffdt I know this?\ufffd I said. \ufffdBecause it isn\ufffdt very interesting?\ufffd \ufffdWell\ufffd.\ufffd Was envisioning tall, stunning brunette clad in black leather cat suit, salaciously shampooing and massaging Mark\ufffds scalp, then running her hands through his hair and seductively working a comb and shears all over his head and \ufffd.Gaaaaah! Think I will go mad if I continue on this thought wave\ufffd. \ufffdBridget, she\ufffdll cut my hair in the kitchen, sweep it up, and leave. That\ufffds it. Speaking of which, I\ufffdve got to get going,\ufffd Mark said, glancing at his watch. \ufffdI\ufffdm going to take a quick shower and be on my way.\ufffd Mark showered and dressed whilst I did the washing up. \ufffdDon\ufffdt forget we\ufffdre having dinner on my terrace tonight\u2014smart attire,\ufffd Mark said, joining me in kitchen again. \ufffdShall I pick you up around 9:00?\ufffd \ufffdEr, no, I\ufffdm meeting Tom and the girls first at 192. Remember? Don\ufffdt worry about me\u2014I\ufffdll take a taxi.\ufffd \ufffdGot it,\ufffd Mark said, giving me peck on cheek. \ufffdSee you tonight, then.\ufffd \ufffdRight. Tonight.\ufffd After Mark left, had leisurely afternoon in flat. Went to take bath and saw that Mark had put rod and shower curtain back up. Hmmm, he must have done so whilst I was napping. Also saw that wet magazines were gone, and the bin had been emptied. Had long, lovely soak in tub. Decided to wear strapless black and white silk noir sheath in manner of Audrey Hepburn, and strappy sandals. Brushed and twisted hair into chignon, and applied new light-diffusing foundation and lipstick. Tucked mobile and wallet into clutch handbag, and placed sheer black evening wrap round my shoulders\ufffd. About 20 minutes later, walked into 192 and saw that Tom and Sharon were already at our table. \ufffdWell, look at you,\ufffd Tom said, jumping up and pulling out my chair. \ufffdWhat\ufffds the occasion?\ufffd \ufffdBridge, you look smashing,\ufffd Shazzer added. \ufffdAre you and Mark off to a party later?\ufffd \ufffdThank you. No party\u2014just dinner at Mark\ufffds. The smart attire was his idea.\ufffd \ufffdA straight man "}, {"response": 1046, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 2004 (12:56)", "body": "Hurrah!!!! Many thanks Lisa for the story . . . wonderful!!! Am v. glad you have come out of lurk mode and look forward to seeing more of you on Drool!"}, {"response": 1047, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 2004 (13:03)", "body": "Hmmm, maybe that light-diffusing makeup really works\ufffd. LOL! Yes, it was brilliant. Loved all the references, Lisa! Merci!"}, {"response": 1048, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 2004 (13:09)", "body": "\ufffdBut he can\ufffdt be Mr Darcy!\ufffd I cried. \ufffdMr Darcy\ufffds Mr Darcy!\ufffd Brilliant! ;-) Thanks Lisa!!!"}, {"response": 1049, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 2004 (13:24)", "body": "Thanks Lisa! btw -would love to read about the vacation in St. Barts!!! *hint, hint hint* ;-)"}, {"response": 1050, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 2004 (15:13)", "body": "\ufffdOh, that\ufffds brilliant, Bridgeline!\ufffd Tom said. \ufffdAnd rife with possibility: A household of female servants vie to grind pigments and pose for the sexy Dutch Master, and the winner gets locked in the attic with Vermeer for a week!\ufffd Lisa, wot a lovely idea! LOL, Loved this story and I hope you'll be taking us to St.Barts v.v. soon. Thank you, and welcome back!"}, {"response": 1051, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 2004 (15:22)", "body": "Great fun Lisa. Loved how you incorporated lots of topical references like the new P&P and GWAPE. Mmmm, he looked amazing\ufffdmy eyes started at Mark\ufffds torso and worked their way up his body\ufffdslim dark trousers, white tapered dress shirt Wow, v. nice image in my head just now."}, {"response": 1052, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 2004 (15:23)", "body": "Wonderful Lisa! So glad you're back! Hmmm, maybe that light-diffusing makeup really works\ufffd. LOL! All of it was wonderful...thank you!"}, {"response": 1053, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 2004 (15:37)", "body": "Glad you enjoyed Bridget's version of Hunsford\u2014except she got to have a wild night of fun after rejecting Mark's proposal, LOL! And Mark Darcy's shorter hair was inpsired by a video clip of an interview I recently saw of ODB while he still had his Trauma hair. Loved that hair!"}, {"response": 1054, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 2004 (15:55)", "body": "Vermeer House reality show! LOL. Now get back to finishing the modern P&P.*drumming fingers*"}, {"response": 1055, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 2004 (16:32)", "body": "(Evelyn) Now get back to finishing the modern P&P.*drumming fingers* Oooh!!! does this mean Karen might re-open the fanfic Topic??? *fingers crossed* modern P&P Evelyn? *falling over in shock* ;-)"}, {"response": 1056, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 2004 (17:04)", "body": "(Esbee)modern P&P Evelyn? *falling over in shock* ;- You know me too well, Esbee;-) I'm selective;-)"}, {"response": 1057, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 2004 (17:52)", "body": "OMG, Lisa! Fabulous story! So glad you've de-lurked!!!! (doin the Happy Dance!!) :-D"}, {"response": 1058, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 30, 2004 (09:20)", "body": "shags with Mark 1, shags with sexy stranger 3 v.g. Love that sexy stranger! \ufffdA straight man who wants to dress on the weekend when he doesn\ufffdt have to?\ufffd Tom said. \ufffdHell truly has frozen over.\ufffd LOL! Adorable, Lizza, and v. funny. Thanks so much for your brilliant Bridget adventures."}, {"response": 1059, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 2004 (12:08)", "body": "Lisa! Apologize for being tardy in saying \"Thank You\" for the newest additions to the Bridget journels. Fun!"}, {"response": 1060, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 2004 (22:14)", "body": "(Lisa)Hi! Remember me? Hi Lisa!!! Great to see you back, and I'm just delighted with the new story! I just feel embarassed that I have been so busy cutting carrots into perfect minescule cubes, and haven't had a minute to read it until now. ;-) But I\ufffdve resolved to return to full-throttle drooling as much as I can, as it\ufffds more fun to participate, and so much is going on! (I\ufffdm loving this SLY project already!) Yay! It will be great to see you around. Now I just have to get my priorities straight and manage to fit drooling into my schedule. I haven't even seen a Colin movie in weeks, MOTM is still waiting to be watched, and I've only gotten a few pages into WTTL (I keep falling asleep out of sheer exaustion, but the pages I have slept on have been very interesting-that Vince is a character!). I think I've been going into ODB withdrawal. I can't even remember all the words to the Huntsford proposal! ;-) Resolve to become active in all the excitement here again, starting tomorrow."}, {"response": 1061, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 2004 (09:05)", "body": "(Shoshana) Resolve to become active in all the excitement here again, starting tomorrow. Great! Been missing you."}, {"response": 1062, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 2004 (15:19)", "body": "TEOR trailer: http://www.uip.co.uk/trailers.asp?ChosenTrailer=bridget_jones _"}, {"response": 1063, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 2004 (15:44)", "body": "oooooOOOOOOooooohhhhhhh! Mari! GAH! He looks freaking fantastic! I wanna play naked in his paddling pool...forthwith. Thank you so much! I'll go ahead and say it, even Hugh looked pretty good... AND...was that ODB or a body double??? Looked fairly hairless...am hoping it is his (I'm going back in to look)!"}, {"response": 1064, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 2004 (15:54)", "body": "Interesting trailer. Like how Colin is the first \"He's Back\" though there was a tad too much emphasis on Huge."}, {"response": 1065, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 2004 (15:59)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1066, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 2004 (16:03)", "body": "I'd vote for body doubles, unless there's a scene in the actual movie that shows heads on those bodies."}, {"response": 1067, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 2004 (16:11)", "body": "Oh yeah, and v. realistic, don't you think? Pffft!! Can you imagine a big shot barrister like Mark Darcy taking a personal call with a roomful of important people, let alone do so on speaker? *eyes rolling around at 78 speed*"}, {"response": 1068, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 2004 (16:13)", "body": "(Karen) I'd vote for body doubles, unless there's a scene in the actual movie that shows heads on those bodies. Oooooo...you mean there may be another virtually hairless man in this world? ;-) BTW, have done the math. At 6 glorious weeks and 70 shags...that comes out to 1.6666666 shags a day. Surely they can do better! ;-D Must now stop watching trailer as I will drive my co-workers mad...oooohhhh...just one more peek....."}, {"response": 1069, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 2004 (16:21)", "body": "(Karen) Oh yeah, and v. realistic, don't you think? Pffft!! Can you imagine a big shot barrister like Mark Darcy taking a personal call with a roomful of important people, let alone do so on speaker? Used to put calls in to my barrister boss all the time when he was with the mayor and such....Though he knew better than to use speaker phone when a call was put through and he wasn't meeting with the Mexican embassador...."}, {"response": 1070, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 2004 (16:34)", "body": "Well, I'm ready to go stand in line for the November opening day. Mark Darcy is to die for (of course!), and I must say that Bridget looks adorable!"}, {"response": 1071, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 2004 (16:47)", "body": "Oooooo....thank you Mari. Can't tell you what a thrill those few short peeks lent to my day. He looks beyond AFG - those trademark looks askance, ever so slight grin, the blue suit, the soft focus shag (who cares if it's a double -it suits my imagination just fine). Gaaah!! Don't think I can hold out until November. There will never be enough Mark Darcy as far as I'm concerned (or Fitzw. Darcy, or Henry Dashwood, or Joe Prince, etc., etc for that matter). Oh man, I need to calm down. Please excuse me as I mop up all this drool. And yes, Huge looked pretty good too but I found myself fast forwarding over his parts. Except, of course, for the comments about the huge panties. I thought those lines were some of the funniest in BJD."}, {"response": 1072, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 2004 (17:00)", "body": "Oh...My...Goodness! Is now definite, MUST arrange for trip to NYC for premier. (sigh) Thank you Mari, you've made my day!"}, {"response": 1073, "author": "Gails", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 2004 (17:14)", "body": "Oh Mari, thank you!! Just seeing them all back made me smile. From the trailer it looks like some rehersals were done on proper kissing techniques;-)"}, {"response": 1074, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 2004 (17:18)", "body": "(Gail)From the trailer it looks like some rehersals were done on proper kissing techniques;-) Agree. Looks like a definite improvement. Not quite at the hungry, full open mouth, tongue thrusting, tonsil sucking stage yet, but I'll take it."}, {"response": 1075, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 2004 (17:23)", "body": "(Leslie) Not quite at the hungry, full open mouth, tongue thrusting, tonsil sucking stage yet Wake me up when that happens. ;-)"}, {"response": 1076, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 2004 (17:32)", "body": "(Leslie) Not quite at the hungry, full open mouth, tongue thrusting, tonsil sucking stage yet (Karen) Wake me up when that happens. ;-) Maybe he's saving all that for SLY... ;-) Must say I'm really fond of the closed mouth grin right after the words \"He's Back\". Have hit pause there several times already....."}, {"response": 1077, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 2004 (17:43)", "body": "(Tress)Have hit pause there several times already..... I'm right there with you, Tress. Oh dear, I have a feeeling this is going to be one of those \"hold on, fasten your seat belts\" kind of nights...."}, {"response": 1078, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 2004 (20:00)", "body": "Thanks Mari, you super sleuth. :-) Leslie) Not quite at the hungry, full open mouth, tongue thrusting, tonsil sucking stage yet (Karen) Wake me up when that happens. ;-) You mean he still hasn't stuck his effing tongue down her effing throat yet? :-)"}, {"response": 1079, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 2004 (20:19)", "body": "(LisaJH) You mean he still hasn't stuck his effing tongue down her effing throat yet? :-) LOL....Yes. He's clearly the most dreadful cold fish (though for some odd reason gives me the warm fuzzies...)."}, {"response": 1080, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 2004 (20:44)", "body": "Thanks, Mari! (Karen) I'd vote for body doubles, unless there's a scene in the actual movie that shows heads on those bodies. (Tress),you mean there may be another virtually hairless man in this world? ;-) ROTF! My thoughts exactly. Am I the only one who thinks the trailer sucks?"}, {"response": 1081, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 2004 (20:46)", "body": "closing tags sorry"}, {"response": 1082, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 2004 (21:03)", "body": "Gahhhhh!!!!! Am v. v. excited with this wonderful new find!!! . .ODB lookin good . .and RZ as always such a doll . . .and well . .I can deal w/ HG . .:) Many many thanks Mari! Am getting v. excited for November!!!!"}, {"response": 1083, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 2004 (21:03)", "body": "Thank youuuuuuu, Mari!!! I can't believe it. I take a couple of kids to Six Flags for the day and, again, all hell breaks loose. Everytime I'm away! (Tress)Must say I'm really fond of the closed mouth grin right after the words \"He's Back\". Have hit pause there several times already..... I've watched seven times, already. I love the grin, too, but I'm also liking the smile that goes with the kiss in the open shirt. I'd rather have open mouth, but maybe that's later--after DC..."}, {"response": 1084, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 2004 (23:13)", "body": "Glad you're enjoying the trailer. I think it's more of a \"teaser\" than a full trailer, so let's hope for more soon. He does look amazing! I do think the speakerphone bit is preposterous. And I can't believe they've resurrected the old \"big panties\" routine with Huge. Stil, it's fun to get a peek. Roll on, November, and roll on, the premiere!:-)"}, {"response": 1085, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 2004 (23:54)", "body": "Oh, my! Mark Darcy...what a cutie!! Hate the trailer music. Quick kiss nothing to write home about, but probably no more intended or needed in that scene. Did I say how good MD looks?! Have to say, I find that bit with Huge very funny. And what is up with the \"Bigger than Ever\" graphics at the end? I found that annoying, a tad offensive (odd given the jokes about her weight in general), and generally unnecessary. And did I remember to mention how good MD looks? ;-) Thanks, Mari!"}, {"response": 1086, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 2004 (08:09)", "body": "I\ufffdve now had a good night\ufffds sleep and am fully recovered from the initial elation of last night\ufffds trailer peek. This morning I fear doom and gloom are setting in\ufffd.. From the on location reports we know that Mark and Daniel go \ufffdat it\ufffd again. We\ufffdve also heard that they\ufffdll be upping the ante on the \ufffdLucille Ball\ufffd angle as it pertains to Bridget\ufffds character. Then last night we see the return of the huge panties and a truly silly scenario where we are to presume that a barrister of Mark\ufffds caliber answers his girlfriend's calls on speakerphone in front of a room full of dignitaries. Is this film going to be just a re-tread of old gags with an emphasis on buffoonery? Personally, I\ufffdll always enjoy more delicious images of MD (this from the woman who still frequently replays that god-awful FF just for the scene up against the refrigerator case). But I fear TEOR might be a terrible disappointment. What a shame that would be. Such a great book. Such great actors. With all the film industry talent that\ufffds out there why is it so difficult to make a successful sequel?"}, {"response": 1087, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 2004 (08:20)", "body": "But I fear TEOR might be a terrible disappointment Don't say that...you never know....it might work out... *psycotic look* (Now look what you've done, my poor nerves will suffer until I get to see the movie)"}, {"response": 1088, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 2004 (08:27)", "body": "grrr . .went to view trailer again this morning . .message saying it is not available at present . .hope they put it back later on today!"}, {"response": 1089, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 2004 (08:35)", "body": "I too felt an odd sense of foreboding when the huge panties resurfaced, pretty much in exactly the same position...horizontal. n.g. IMO"}, {"response": 1090, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 2004 (08:42)", "body": "My sense of foreboding occurred with the speakerphone bit. Reminded me of the stuff I didn't like when I saw BJD for the first time B.E. (Before Epiphany ;-))"}, {"response": 1091, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 2004 (08:45)", "body": "(Kimberly) grrr . .went to view trailer again this morning . .message saying it is not available at present I just tried and no dice. Hola Lola, you guys are going to have to get more powerful servers or something to handle all the traffic when these things go up. ;-)"}, {"response": 1092, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 2004 (08:46)", "body": "LOL! That bit just seemed stupid to me, totally unbelievable. But the huge panties signaled recycled material to me. Am expecting that when Bridget parachutes, they'll be a comment about an \"arse the size of Australia\" this time. [changed bottom to arse for alliteration purposes, as I could not think of another large enough country starting with B]...or it could be a \"can the size of Canada.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 1093, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 2004 (09:04)", "body": "Much faster loading trailer can be found here: http://gm.tv/index.cfm?articleid=11168 And now at Movie City News, but this one is only Quicktime: http://www.moviecitynews.com/arrays/media/2004/bridget_jones.html"}, {"response": 1094, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 2004 (09:12)", "body": "If you can't get through on the others, Empire has an article about the trailer being available and has a link at its site too: New Trailers \ufffd V. good First look at Bridget and Phantom 08 July 2004 After conquering the world first time around, Britain's favourite singleton is back for more calorie-counting, big-pants wearing fun in Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. The first trailer is now online, and all three leads are back for more love-seeking shenanigans. This film picks up where the first film leaves off - Bridget is happily hooked up with the lovely Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), having seen off the dastardly Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant). Sadly, Bridget manages to complicate everything with her usual gift for saying completely the wrong thing at completely the wrong time, and Cleaver is back to continue his heartbreaking ways. Will Bridget choose the right man? Will they have another girly fight for her affections? Will she ever get some normal underwear? Check out the trailer here. http://www.empireonline.co.uk/site/news/NewsStory.asp?news_id=15995 Trailer only: http://www.empireonline.co.uk/site/trailers/trailer.asp?film_id=10038"}, {"response": 1095, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 2004 (09:15)", "body": "Thanks for the trailer links, Karen. The one you provided at http://gm.tv/index.cfm?articleid=11168 allows you to go full screen, albeit poor resolution."}, {"response": 1096, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 2004 (09:28)", "body": "(Mari), I do think the speakerphone bit is preposterous. And I can't believe they've resurrected the old \"big panties\" routine with Huge. And what makes it worse, is that B knows what a jerk/liar/cheat Daniel is but she's right back there with him. More than stupid B. And why would MD want to take her back after that? Is he stupid too? No sign of the friends either. Gives me a pretty good idea of what to expect. :-( I just hope we get to see plenty of MD because as Dorine said, he looks so good."}, {"response": 1097, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 2004 (09:34)", "body": "Those links are much better... Adorable. I don't care if it's a cookie-cutter movie. The audience was left wanting more anyway."}, {"response": 1098, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 2004 (10:35)", "body": "Thank you for the additional links on this trailer...I tried last night with the original and was v.v. frustrated at not being able to connect on any of the three venues. I agree MD is gorgeous;that is the one v.v. good item in the trailer. (Evelyn)Adorable. I don't care if it's a cookie-cutter movie. The audience was left wanting more anyway. I must agree, even if the movie is completely absurd and unbelievable I will see and enjoy it for YKW's presence alone. There! I admit it!!!!!!"}, {"response": 1099, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 2004 (11:29)", "body": "... I will see and enjoy it for YKW's presence alone. That's always a given around here...even for the lousy ones. People mostly don't have high expectations of sequels. Same ole, recycled is OK. But hey, I liked Spidey 2 and they tell me it's better than 1;-)"}, {"response": 1100, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 2004 (15:42)", "body": "(Evelyn)I don't care if it's a cookie-cutter movie. The audience was left wanting more anyway Always, more. But Renee, Colin, and to some extent, Hugh, made such a big thing about it being just right before it was even considered. All those rewrites, final approvals and whathaveyou. It has to be as good as the first--at least- hoping and wishing, anyway. Will be v. interesting to see the difference in style Maguire v. Kidron"}, {"response": 1101, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 2004 (16:15)", "body": "(Linda) Will be v. interesting to see the difference in style Maguire v. Kidron RZ specifically requested the later, did she not?"}, {"response": 1102, "author": "Gails", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 2004 (16:28)", "body": "(Leslie)I\ufffdve now had a good night\ufffds sleep and am fully recovered from the initial elation of last night\ufffds trailer peek. This morning I fear doom and gloom are setting in\ufffd.. I know that feeling. It started after I gave some thought to the trailer and realized I didn't want the entire panty conversation again, nor did I want her to be having that conversation with DC. I'll just have to hold on to my hopes that like in the books Mr. Darcy will get the girl."}, {"response": 1103, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 2004 (18:27)", "body": "Seem to remember in Advocate that when Colin was walking onto the baths he was (at least from the back) pretty hair free. Has some cute dimples there, too. There are some things in the trailer that make me wonder. Phone call??? What executive takes any call while in a meeting? We'll see, I'm just glad to be seeing the whole ensemble again. Can't wait for premier!"}, {"response": 1104, "author": "neshacat", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 2004 (20:09)", "body": "Some thoughts on the trailer. http://maryhahn.org/Images/CF/legs.jpg Can you sort out which legs belong to whom? Fun, isn't it? http://maryhahn.org/Images/CF/Who.jpg is that Mark Darcy or Daniel Cleaver in the foreground? http://maryhahn.org/Images/CF/sCFsmile.jpg http://maryhahn.org/Images/CF/CFsmile2.jpg The smiles that keep me watching . . . and watching . . . and watching . . . http://maryhahn.org/Images/CF/cFhair.jpg and the \"Pat the Bunny\" patch that's no longer fuzzy It looks like a fun movie to me. Mark Darcy seems to have loosened up at least a little."}, {"response": 1105, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 2004 (20:59)", "body": "(Eithne)Seem to remember in Advocate that when Colin was walking onto the baths he was (at least from the back) pretty hair free I think this has been documented in several films. The most immediate that comes to mind is the shag and after-shag in COF. I remember a very clear shot of his legs there and they were pretty clean."}, {"response": 1106, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (01:14)", "body": "(Moon) More than stupid B. And why would MD want to take her back after that? Is he stupid too? Yupp, they are all stupid. :-( Sigh! I have a bad feeling about this, but I've had that ever since I heard about the movie getting made. So I'm used to it by now. (Lindak) But Renee, Colin, and to some extent, Hugh, made such a big thing about it being just right before it was even considered. I die laughing every time I hear them do that. They talk about improvement, character development and such, and then ... I bet Bridget is still an idiot, Daniel is still a rake, and Mark Bloody Darcy still has a giant gherkin (sp?) stuck up his arse. Character development indeed! LOL! Loads of cash, that is one good reason to sign up for this piece of ... er, entertainment. Mari, thank you for the trailer news, Karen for the links. Colin looks AFG - naturally, so I'm going to join those who'll sit through this one just to drool over this gorgeous guy's looks. I've never seen a man who had no hair on his legs, unless he waxed/shaved them. Is that possible? A guy with naturally smooth legs? Naaaah. Cannot be."}, {"response": 1107, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (08:32)", "body": "Thanks, Mary, for the captures. If you don't mind, I'll put them up here for easier viewing and discussion: Yes, the \"fur\" seems to have been restored. ;-)"}, {"response": 1108, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (09:13)", "body": "(Leslie) The most immediate that comes to mind is the shag and after-shag in COF. I remember a very clear shot of his legs there and they were pretty clean. Pre-shag didn't show the legs, but here they are. I've eliminated the glowing firelight from the second. But am worried that enlarging them a tad (50%) increasesd their graininess, which might be mistaken for follicles. ;-)"}, {"response": 1109, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (09:18)", "body": "Aha, Karen, it's good to know my memory is still intact. Thanks for those images."}, {"response": 1110, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (10:19)", "body": "So is it him or a body double? Check out the neck and chin."}, {"response": 1111, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (10:51)", "body": "He was a lot heavier then. Wouldn't look like him now."}, {"response": 1112, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (11:29)", "body": "I just hope there are lots of pre shags and after shags to worry about--I want to see all 70 of them. I wouldn't even mind a bit of towel replaced by bit of sheet--very little bit of sheet. Thanks, Karen. Those legs would be great in a Nair commercial;-) Thank, Mary, for the AFG captures of that AFG Mark Darcy."}, {"response": 1113, "author": "neshacat", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (12:01)", "body": "Not a problem. I appreciate the help. Legs: I think from the top MD, BJ, MD, BJ any one else? Who's in the foreground? Hoping its MD."}, {"response": 1114, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (12:13)", "body": "deslanting"}, {"response": 1115, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (12:21)", "body": "(Karen) deslanting Does that involve botox? ;-) Love the lovely captures of those MD gams. Mmmmmm. Thanks Mary and Karen."}, {"response": 1116, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (12:27)", "body": "Ohhhh! Slick pics! He's wonderfully hairless....thanks Karen! And thank you Mary! The third picture down is the one I'm having a real hard time staying away from... (Moon) So is it him or a body double? Check out the neck and chin. I'm pretty sure it's him...don't they pan up? And the hands Louisa! (something I can't quite describe, but he has a certain 'way' with his hands. See the second pic Karen posted, how he's got his other hand there?? It's him). (MaryH) Legs: I think from the top MD, BJ, MD, BJ any one else? The one dead center is MD (at least I hope that's his knee...if not, then RZ needs to slow down on the running) and the one with the ankle I belive belongs to BJ (a bit dainty for a man...even a hairless one)."}, {"response": 1117, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (12:46)", "body": "(Tress) I'm pretty sure it's him...don't they pan up? Guess it would depend on the context. Those shots could possibly used only for the trailer....or some sequence in the film where the pan up is edited (such as her getting quick shag flashbacks). If it is edited vs a continuous pan, it could easily be doubles until they get to the face shots. If it was to be an edited shot, there'd be no need to tie them up doing that. It could be time consuming. But then again....maybe it is him (them). All the better I say! I was surprised to find out that the back shot of SJ in the opening of LIT was actually her...until I realized they probably didn't have the budget for a double."}, {"response": 1118, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (13:01)", "body": "I only hope that they use what we saw in the trailer, only in the trailer.;-)"}, {"response": 1119, "author": "neshacat", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (13:52)", "body": "A few more captures for everone's enjoyment. A leg sequence . . . And the hand . . . Is it his or not? And finally \"the doorway look\" is back. Just before the kiss."}, {"response": 1120, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (14:01)", "body": "Thank you MaryH! Looks like there may be a sense of 'completion' on the doorway snog...it always left me so frustrated with Bridget ran off to change her knickers...when all she should have been doing is figuring out how to get hers (and his) off!"}, {"response": 1121, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (14:20)", "body": "(Mary)is that Mark Darcy or Daniel Cleaver in the foreground? Looks like Bridget's DC face. Thanks for all the legs--I'm having a field day trying to figure out what belongs to whom."}, {"response": 1122, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (14:27)", "body": "(Linda) Thanks for all the legs--I'm having a field day trying to figure out what belongs to whom. If you like that puzzle, just you wait for the 'advanced version' that will come with WTTL ;-)"}, {"response": 1123, "author": "neshacat", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (14:37)", "body": "(lindak) Looks like Bridget's DC face. But looks like MD's chin."}, {"response": 1124, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (14:54)", "body": "(Mary)But looks like MD's chin. You could be right...but maybe she only wears the bra with Daniel??? Whats up with that again?"}, {"response": 1125, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (15:17)", "body": "but maybe she only wears the bra with Daniel??? Whats up with that again? Are you talking about the scene in BJD when she's with DC? Isn't it the same bra she wears at work....you know \"Ps. Like your tits in that top\""}, {"response": 1126, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (16:14)", "body": "(Linda)Thanks for all the legs--I'm having a field day trying to figure out what belongs to whom. Glad to hear it. Thought it was just my middle aged eyes playing tricks once again. Thanks for all the wonderful captures, Mary."}, {"response": 1127, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 2004 (12:08)", "body": "Hello all from the west coast!!! So much has happened since I left Florida a few weeks ago here in ODBville that I have felt like an out of shape jump roper trying to find an opening in the slapping ropes of a double dutch game but then the trailer caps come along and provide the perfect opening, ODB's non-hairy skinny legs and shiny knee! Perfecto! So good to be back at home and among you great ladies who can spend countless hours pondering such things!! :) Without a shred of objectivity (or shame apparently), I thought every word, look and move he utters or makes in the trailer was perfect and the rest of it was bollocks. But, refilling glass) maybe just the trailer suques?"}, {"response": 1128, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 2004 (12:26)", "body": "Hallllooooo Maria! Glad you are back from your pleasure jaunt...take a look at whose been waiting for you to get settled! ;-)"}, {"response": 1129, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 2004 (13:18)", "body": "Ok. I've just viewed the trailer for the umpteenth time and have a pretty strong inclination that it is *not* a body double in the soft focus scene where they slowly pan up the legs to the torsos. It can be freeze-framed just as the title \"1 Flawless Boyfriend\" comes across the screen. At that point you see what looks very much like RZ's face laying sideways facing the camera. I also noted in the leg images that the shape of the woman's calf is very much like the lower leg we saw when Bridget was in her tub shaving her legs in BJD. (I only know this because for some reason the shape and size of her calf muscles made an impression on me at the time.) Yes, it's all a little blurry but one can hope, no? (Oh Gawd...I've now revealed how altogether too much I've watched these videos. Will be committed soon, I'm sure.)"}, {"response": 1130, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 2004 (13:52)", "body": "Good to see you back online, Maria, our premier Googlier!"}, {"response": 1131, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 2004 (15:17)", "body": "The Googler has landed! So glad that you have come back to us safe and sound and happy! Welcome home Maria!"}, {"response": 1132, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 2004 (15:17)", "body": "our premier Googlier! LOL!! Must've been getting vibes from you, Maria, while I was sitting in Central Park earlier today thinking about when that term was coined.....in between glasses (bottles?) of chardonnay at the Four Seasons at Laura Linney's table! ;-D Glad to see you're back!!"}, {"response": 1133, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 2004 (15:27)", "body": "Maria,am so glad you're back!"}, {"response": 1134, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 2004 (15:35)", "body": "(Dorine)LOL!! Must've been getting vibes from you, Maria, while I was sitting in Central Park earlier today thinking about when that term was coined.....in between glasses (bottles?) of chardonnay at the Four Seasons at Laura Linney's table! ;-D Thats right!!! And don't forget the thrilling process of elimination we had to go through to find out from the server what man LL had been with. \"Was he a tall man? Curly brown hair? Very handsome?\" To which she answered yes to all. I think someone managed to pant out, \"Was it Colin Firth?!?\" And of course the inevitable, \"Who?\" Yada, yada, BJD and finally she remembered him from that and told us LL had been with Rodrigo...What an amazingly good time...."}, {"response": 1135, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 2004 (15:48)", "body": "Welcome back, Maria. Just in time to google us into the exciting days, ahead. (Leslie)Will be committed soon, I'm sure.) Yeah, and make room for me, too;-)"}, {"response": 1136, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 2004 (16:11)", "body": "(Maria) I think someone managed to pant out, \"Was it Colin Firth?!?\" If it involved panting and Colin's name, that had to be Tress!! ;-)))) Just keeeeding!! Yada, yada, BJD and finally she remembered him from that Which always involves saying the inevitable, \"The one who wasn't Hugh Grant.\" :-("}, {"response": 1137, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 2004 (16:17)", "body": "(Leslie) Will be committed soon, I'm sure.) (Linda) Yeah, and make room for me, too;-) As long as I'm located near either Donovan Q or Ben in the ward I'll be perfectly happy! ;-) (Dorine) ..in between glasses (bottles?) of chardonnay at the Four Seasons at Laura Linney's table! ;-D LOL...it was bottles (mind the step!)....and you, if I recall, later saw Rodrigo leaving the loos (toilets are such good hunk magnets). (Maria) \"Was he a tall man? Curly brown hair? Very handsome?\" To which she answered yes to all. I think someone managed to pant out, \"Was it Colin Firth?!?\" LOL..that wasn't me. I was sitting in stunned silence trying to figure out if the heat from my recently occupied chair could possibly be....the heat from ODB lovely bum! ;-) Terrribly off topic, sorry...just happy to have dear Maria back!"}, {"response": 1138, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 2004 (16:27)", "body": "(Dorine) If it involved panting and Colin's name, that had to be Tress!! ;-)))) Just keeeeding!! LOL...I have such a terrible rep! Who am I kidding?? It was probably me....! Okay, before I get sent to the corner again....here's another pic of lovely Mark. Have got MD on the brain since I saw the trailer and this one has taken my fancy. Love the look and the foot off the ground. (Dorine) Which always involves saying the inevitable, \"The one who wasn't Hugh Grant.\" :-( GAH! Hate that...had to use that one with my own mum. Gave her the 411 and now she can spot him at fifty paces."}, {"response": 1139, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 2004 (16:39)", "body": "Reading the book again, havn't read it in about a year or so (laughed my way through large parts of it), it's really a pity if they change too much of it. I am sure I speak for most of us, when I say that people really looked forward to that interview with Colin....For my part I really hope we get to see some of those hilarious christmascards she sends in the end (well...anyway it's one of my favourites)"}, {"response": 1140, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 2004 (16:48)", "body": "(Diana) I am sure I speak for most of us... Really? Always speak in the \"I\" form here."}, {"response": 1141, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 2004 (16:54)", "body": "(Diane) Reading the book again, havn't read it in about a year or so (laughed my way through large parts of it) My favorite part of second book was filmed (or at least scripted in the first film but written in the second book) so probably won't make it to TEOR. The cell phone bit where Mark sees Bridget looking through the dumpster for Tom's phone. For some reason that just killed me...thought it was so funny. I like her Christmas cards too....the messages that were in the book were hilarious. One wonders what the one to \"Colin Firth\" said! My Dearest Mr. Darcy, I feel very very close to you, not just as an actor, but as a man. Would you please put on your wet shirt for me, just once? With Love, Bridget ;-)"}, {"response": 1142, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 2004 (17:03)", "body": "(Karen) Always speak in the \"I\" form here Sorry Karen.... my bad.... (Tress) I like her Christmas cards too....the messages that were in the book were hilarious. One wonders what the one to \"Colin Firth\" said! My Dearest Mr. Darcy, I feel very very close to you, not just as an actor, but as a man. Would you please put on your wet shirt for me, just once? With Love, Bridget ;-) It sure does sound like one of her christmas cards ;) I'm not sure that the CF in the book would find it equally as funny. More like \"Oh God, not again!\""}, {"response": 1143, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 2004 (17:29)", "body": "Thanks to Felicity, from The Sun: Now Jamie sings for Bridget JAZZ prodigy JAMIE CULLUM has been signed up to provide the theme tune for the new Bridget Jones movie. Note to self \ufffd that should guarantee him success in America then. Jamie first met producers for Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason \ufffd starring RENEE ZELLWEGER \ufffd a month ago after they attended one of his gigs. Screenwriter RICHARD CURTIS, who has adapted HELEN FIELDING\ufffds novel, put Jamie\ufffds name forward to do the theme and the producers asked the pint-sized performer to meet them. He took along a few ideas, played the piano and sang for the team who were so impressed they signed him on the spot."}, {"response": 1144, "author": "Gails", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 2004 (19:40)", "body": "(Karen) JAZZ prodigy JAMIE CULLUM has been signed up to provide the theme tune for the new Bridget Jones movie. I saw him, on TV, the morning he played on the Today Show, and I thought he sounded pretty good. I think it was back in May when he was on."}, {"response": 1145, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 2004 (21:49)", "body": "(Karen) Note to self \ufffd that should guarantee him success in America then. Actually he is pretty popular already with at least anyone who likes jazz along the lines of Michael Buble (who did music for Down With Love) and Harry Connick, Jr. I just got a copy after hearing it at my friend's house a month ago. I really like his stuff. One of my local stations plays him quite a bit. I have plans to go to one of his concerts in the Park coming up soon. (Tress) and you, if I recall, later saw Rodrigo leaving the loos I think that was Maria, who realized who it was after we found out he was there. The cell phone bit where Mark sees Bridget looking through the dumpster for Tom's phone. For some reason that just killed me...thought it was so funny. I thought that was extremely funny, too! Beside the interview in the book, the other thing I found hysterical was Tom calling and leaving a message for Bridget as Mr. Darcy needing help with his wet shirt, LOL!"}, {"response": 1146, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 11, 2004 (00:25)", "body": "(Karen) Note to self \ufffd that should guarantee him success in America then. That line was in the article. Not a note from me. I use the [Ed note:] for my commentary. Plus the use of \"America\" should be a tipoff that it is British. ;-)"}, {"response": 1147, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 2004 (09:03)", "body": "\"JAMIE CULLUM has been signed up to provide the theme tune for the new Bridget Jones movie.\" Aw...it'll never be as good as:\"Someone Like You\";-) And in the:\"Fool Me Once...\"column: I'm gonna find out if they have the original artists before I plunk down my $$$$ for the soundtrack."}, {"response": 1148, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 2004 (07:19)", "body": "First poster up!"}, {"response": 1149, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 2004 (07:21)", "body": "rassum-frassum$*%&@!! Trying again;-)"}, {"response": 1150, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 2004 (07:30)", "body": "*sputtering* What's this order????"}, {"response": 1151, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 2004 (08:39)", "body": "I am truly aghast at the third billing. Does anyone have a plausible explanation as to how the studios got away with it? Surely, ODB's industry reputation and visibility factor warrant him receivig credit proportionate to his role in the film, no??"}, {"response": 1152, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 2004 (08:48)", "body": "(Karen)What's this order???? Not for us, but Hg is A-list in the industry and got more $$$$$$$$. Probably insisted in the contract, LOL."}, {"response": 1153, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 2004 (08:55)", "body": "Since this is just a teaser (coming soon) type poster, things might change on the final."}, {"response": 1154, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 2004 (09:37)", "body": "Re: billing. Remember, this poster is from UIP, the company that releases Universal's films in Europe. Colin always had third billing in the European promotional materials in the last film. He only had second biling in North America, and I'd imagine that's how it will stay on this go 'round."}, {"response": 1155, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 2004 (09:38)", "body": "(Leslie) Surely, ODB's industry reputation and visibility factor warrant him receivig credit proportionate to his role in the film, no?? Depends who has the better agent negotiating the contracts. :-) As Evelyn said, HG is A-list. He can still \"open\" a film....even if he's only in something for a limited amount of time. (Karen) Since this is just a teaser (coming soon) type poster, things might change on the final. Pfft! Think HG would let that happen? ;-) Though seems to me there was an instance somewhere, where the names rotated on various posters. Could be my imagination. Thanks, Ada!"}, {"response": 1156, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 2004 (10:40)", "body": "(Dorine) As Evelyn said, HG is A-list. He can still \"open\" a film....even if he's only in something for a limited amount of time Yes, but my sense is that it might be waning a bit. Don't think his last few outings can be classified as major hits. IMO he and Tom Cruise are both of the same ilk - those that can't seem to get beyond their persona regardless of the type of character they play. (Apologies - I know there are at least a few TC fans here.)"}, {"response": 1157, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 2004 (11:07)", "body": "(Leslie)...those that can't seem to get beyond their persona regardless of the type of character they play. Looked at another way, he has found his niche and he sticks with it. By his own admission in the Inside the Actors' Studio interview, he said he leaves drama to others. I'm betting he stays #2. OT: Did you see TC in Magnolia;-)"}, {"response": 1158, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 2004 (11:59)", "body": "Thank you (again) Ada!! (Karen) *sputtering* What's this order???? Oh! A quiz? Reverse alphabetical! ;-) The pic of RZ is funny (and at least the poster is of just her..imagine if it was her and Hugh with no ODB! GAH!). She does look like she needs some lip balm though (don't want any chapped lips kissing Mark Darcy!)...."}, {"response": 1159, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 2004 (17:42)", "body": "(Leslie) those that can't seem to get beyond their persona regardless of the type of character they play. Types of personas and characters are for the most part irrelevant if the actor in question can put butts in the seats, especially opening weekend anymore. It's all about $$$ at that level, for the studio first. Yes, but my sense is that it might be waning a bit. Don't think his last few outings can be classified as major hits. It's doubtful About A Boy would've done what it did if it had a less than an A-list star and/or HG. And actually, the last 2 (before LA), Two Weeks Notice and Notting Hill, did exceptionally well. More overseas vs. domestic, but worldwide did v. v. well. http://www.boxofficemojo.com/people/chart/?view=Actor&id=hughgrant.htm (If you click on the individual movie name, you'll see the breakdowns)."}, {"response": 1160, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (14:56)", "body": "New publicity pic accompanying Premiere's Fall Preview: http://www.firth.com/teor.html Thanks to Theresa!"}, {"response": 1161, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (15:40)", "body": "Ooooohhhhh! Wonderful pic! Thank you Karen and Theresa!!! Looks like he's all decked out in fluffy robe and...is he bare foot? Probably not, Mark seems to be a slipper sort of guy...NICE! And now RZ is saying she won't want to put on pounds for a third installment. Think this could be a way to let them know they will need more $$$ if they want her for one more go around??"}, {"response": 1162, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (16:01)", "body": "Thank you Karen and Theresa. If MD were sitting on my couch, I definitely wouldn't be writing in some poxy diary;-)"}, {"response": 1163, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (17:22)", "body": "TEOR page looks terrific, boss. As does new WTTL page. You and Emma ...quite a team:-)))"}, {"response": 1164, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (21:04)", "body": "Loved the new picture. Thanks Karen and Theresa. Yes, I see slippers and there's a book too. All he needs is a pipe before he starts to resemble Ward Cleaver."}, {"response": 1165, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 2004 (12:16)", "body": "Love those sideburns! Thanks, Karen! Looks lovely."}, {"response": 1166, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 2004 (17:46)", "body": "Thanks for the wonderful pic, Theresa and Karen! I wonder if this scene is Bridget's imagination working overtime, though. -The slippers, robe and (I think) pyjama trousers are a little OTT!!"}, {"response": 1167, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 2004 (18:00)", "body": "You don't think uptight Mark Darcy would wear all that?"}, {"response": 1168, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 2004 (18:14)", "body": "(Dorine)You don't think uptight Mark Darcy would wear all that? I don't think even he would be so 'settled' so early in their relationship! So maybe this is from the end of the film, when they are a couple again? - But I opt for a dream sequence."}, {"response": 1169, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 2004 (19:49)", "body": "(Janet)But I opt for a dream sequence. At this point, A dream sequence with towel scenes--please Gawd. Cause MD, as AFG as he is, is just too 'dressed' for proper shag scene. They look too much like a smug married couple in that picture."}, {"response": 1170, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 2004 (20:56)", "body": "(Dorine) You don't think uptight Mark Darcy would wear all that? I certainly do...even at his birthday paddling pool party at the end of BJD he was wearing his robe...while all the other children were larking about."}, {"response": 1171, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 2004 (21:00)", "body": "(Linda) Cause MD, as AFG as he is, is just too 'dressed' for proper shag scene. Ah! But how much fun would it be to take off all those goodies? Remember 70 shags! All I ask for is one gratuitous...just one...make it a loooooong one....scene of Mark without the robe...and slippers...and..... ;-)"}, {"response": 1172, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 2004 (17:27)", "body": "(Tress)Ah! But how much fun would it be to take off all those goodies?...just one...make it a loooooong one....scene Sounds good to me, but the last one was only 90 minutes. I say, forget the robe-go with the towel. It's much quicker.;-)"}, {"response": 1173, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 2004 (17:48)", "body": "I only see one picture where says click to see pictures. Not seen the robe. :-("}, {"response": 1174, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 2004 (17:51)", "body": "Did you click?"}, {"response": 1175, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 2004 (18:36)", "body": "So it's only the one picture? And he has a black robe de chambre? How very Masonic. Will be looking for the hat next. ;-)"}, {"response": 1176, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 2004 (19:51)", "body": "You know, maybe MD is wearing just the bottom's and maybe they're black silk-now that makes me feel a bit better;-)"}, {"response": 1177, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 2004 (21:09)", "body": "And why, if you have an AFG guy in the chair near you, would you dare to have your back to him? ;-)"}, {"response": 1178, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 2004 (19:07)", "body": "From the Snow Temple (UIP Netherlands):"}, {"response": 1179, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 2004 (19:44)", "body": "Thanks for the new pics, Karen. Perhaps this isn't the best place to mention this, but does anyone else agree that HG is looking pretty good? (ducking)"}, {"response": 1180, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 2004 (19:49)", "body": "Love the pics! . .Adorable MD and Bridge cavorting in the snow"}, {"response": 1181, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 2004 (19:50)", "body": "Ooohhh...I'm not anti-HG. I love his mussy hair. He also has the prettiest blue eyes! Though...even with those goodies...he's not handsome enough to tempt me (and...ODB is aging mo better. Up close you can see it...HGs eyes are a bit droopy and he's got a lot more 'laugh lines')."}, {"response": 1182, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 2004 (15:30)", "body": "(Tress)Up close you can see it Yes and he has a pasty quality to his complexion. His laugh lines look especially sharp when saying, Bloody Colin;- Thank you Karen for Our Dear Snow Bunny;-)"}, {"response": 1183, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 2004 (15:30)", "body": "Don't know how true this is...from Contactmusic.com BRIDGET JONES ON THE BACK BURNER The release of the eagerly awaited BRIDGET JONES sequel has been put back till next year (05), because producers aren't happy with the final cut. THE EDGE OF REASON - which reunites RENEE ZELLWEGER, HUGH GRANT and COLIN FIRTH from the first film - was due to hit cinemas in November (04), but fans won't get to see it until January (05). According to British magazine NOW, producers WORKING TITLE have decided to tamper with the movie after disappointing test screening results in Los Angeles. Viewers reportedly bestowed favourable, but not glowing feedback - complaining the comedy was too slapstick, with Zellweger's character too much like a female MR BEAN."}, {"response": 1184, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 2004 (15:40)", "body": "I asked someone last night who works for the NBCUniversal conglomerate if she'd heard any buzz on it one way or the other and said she heard it was good. She had a somewhat blase approach to conversation in general, so I took her answer with a grain of salt. Didn't question her more for a variety of reasons I won't address here. I'm not suprised actually on a possible tinkering, from reading a couple of those reviews. At least one of the ones at AICN didn't sound real either, so I didn't take that with much more than a grain of salt, too. Guess she's a Mr. Bean who has verbal diarrhea. ;-) Thanks for that tidbit though, Moon."}, {"response": 1185, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 2004 (15:42)", "body": "Oops, sorry, meant thanks, Ada!"}, {"response": 1186, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 2004 (16:11)", "body": "This site shows TEOR in limited release on November 19th with a wide release in January 2005. ??? (Also, shows P&P the Bollywood Musical opening on December 25th) http://www.filmreleases.com/filmreleases/rel2004.htm"}, {"response": 1187, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 2004 (16:48)", "body": "(Tress) limited release on November 19th with a wide release in January 2005. I think that was older news at one point, wasn't it?"}, {"response": 1188, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 2004 (17:19)", "body": "According to British magazine NOW, producers WORKING TITLE have decided to tamper with the movie after disappointing test screening results in Los Angeles. NOW is the source? That's like relying on Hello! or similar. It is possible though, but flies in the face of putting the trailer online. Contradictory moves IMO. (Tress) limited release on November 19th with a wide release in January 2005. (Dorine) I think that was older news at one point, wasn't it? It's a variant on the original, which was Dec 25 in ltd release, with wide in Jan 05. These film release sites may not always be totally up-to-date."}, {"response": 1189, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 2004 (18:03)", "body": "Still, I wasn't happy with the trailer. Where is Lola? She should know about the LA screenings."}, {"response": 1190, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 2004 (20:24)", "body": "complaining the comedy was too slapstick, with Zellweger's character Hope it isn't so, but I remember quite a few comments to Bridget's character being too much like Lucille Ball type comedy in TEOR. Worrisome that is the reason being sighted for the possible delay."}, {"response": 1191, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 2004 (00:33)", "body": "For what it's worth, TEOR gets a 1 1/2 page spread in the Fall Movie Preview issue of Entertainment Weekly, which came out today, with the November 19 date still intact. Big pic of BJ on the phone with her head on an ironing board about to iron her wildly messed up hair. Here's a Kidron quote, italics mine: \"It's a completely comedic exploration of what its like to be in a relationship, and Bridget goes on some wild adventures before she works out that finding the perfect man does not mean you ride into the sunset.\" Stomach sinking . . .:-( Also this: Also returning are Grant and Firth as Bridget's caddish and gentlemanly beaux, respectively. \"Colin is indeed the man that every woman should marry, \"says Kidron. \"And Hugh is like chocolate you shouldn't eat.\""}, {"response": 1192, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 2004 (20:44)", "body": "(BC)\"It's a completely comedic exploration of what its like to be in a relationship, *huge groan* The book wasn't. Damn!"}, {"response": 1193, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Sun, Aug 15, 2004 (10:40)", "body": "(BC)\"It's a completely comedic exploration of what its like to be in a relationship, (Linda) *huge groan* The book wasn't. Damn! Double Groan!!!"}, {"response": 1194, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Aug 15, 2004 (23:42)", "body": "From the Universal site (some possible **SPOILERS**). Hope it has not been posted before?? Working Title Films' Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason stars Oscar\ufffd winner Ren\ufffde Zellweger, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth all reprising the roles they originated in Bridget Jones's Diary. In this follow-up to the worldwide hit, we find Bridget where we left her\ufffdblissful and besotted in the arms of gorgeous lawyer Mark Darcy (Firth). Mark is accomplished, supportive and tolerant of (nearly) all of Bridget's tiny jealousies\ufffdwhy wouldn't every woman in London, including Mark's new long-legged, drop-dead, \"I-always-say-the-right-thing-at-all- times\" intern, want to lure him away from the plumpish, opinionated, sometimes inappropriate Bridget? With the entry of the leggy threat, Bridget's pink clouds begin to turn gray as her attacks of self-doubt sorely test her relationship with Darcy. And just when it seems that the waters couldn't get any more choppy, Bridget's former boss, womanizing heartthrob Daniel Cleaver (Grant), sails into view. Ms. Jones careens from embarrassing situation to romantic misunderstanding, still managing to muddle through in this continuation of the trials and tribulations of the working woman who has become the symbolic heroine of `singletons' everywhere. Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason provides a hilarious and touching look at the answer to the question, \"What happens after the happy ending?\" Based on author Helen Fielding's best-selling novel Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, the film stars Ren\ufffde Zellweger (returning to the role that earned her first Oscar\ufffd nomination), Hugh Grant and Colin Firth all under the direction of Beeban Kidron from a screenplay written by Andrew Davies, Helen Fielding, Richard Curtis and Adam Brooks. It is produced by Working Title's Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, and Jonathan Cavendish; it also stars Jim Broadbent, Gemma Jones, Jacinda Barrett, Shirley Henderson, Sally Phillips, James Callis, Jessica Stephenson, Celia Imrie and Neil Pearson. Debra Hayward and Liza Chasin serve as executive producers. The film was shot on location in London, Thailand and Austria. http://www.universalpictures.com/"}, {"response": 1195, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (09:20)", "body": "Nope, hasn't been. Thanks, Linda. Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason provides a hilarious and touching look at the answer to the question, \"What happens after the happy ending?\" Minus the \"hilarious and touching\" bit, that is pretty much how HF described the period after Bridget and Mark first got together."}, {"response": 1196, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (12:32)", "body": "\" complaining the comedy was too slapstick, with Zellweger's character\" Nothing wrong with that, IMO. I like RZ in anything she does; consummate actress. Anybody think this is going to be better than BJD? I don't. Would be nice. But I won't be disappointed. Film stands on its own.No sense piss/moaning about the book. I just want to see it continued. Same ole is OK with me. Matt Damon (Bourne Supremacy) in one of his interviews said there were only three sequels that were better than the first: 1. New Testament is better than the Old. 2. Huckaberry Finn is better than Tom Sawyer 3. Godfather II is better than I."}, {"response": 1197, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (12:47)", "body": "(Evelyn) Matt Damon (Bourne Supremacy) in one of his interviews said there were only three sequels that were better than the first And this guy is an \"expert\" in what? Lord help us, when Matt Damon is quoted for anything. ;-) (this is from an OT fan, who thinks it didn't need a sequel)"}, {"response": 1198, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (13:08)", "body": "(Matt Damon)2. Huckaberry Finn is better than Tom Sawyer (Evelyn) Matt Damon (Bourne Supremacy) in one of his interviews said there were only three sequels that were better than the first (Karen)And this guy is an \"expert\" in what? Not much. I think that the Old Testament is hot;-) But I do like Huck Finn much better than Tom.. But I'm no expert either;-)"}, {"response": 1199, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (13:13)", "body": "LOL, Karen! I'm with you on the OT. Unlike you Evelyn, I do have a problem with RZ. I'm not a fan and TEOR looks to be all about her. Where will the ever-present friends fit in? I'm sure the guys that go and see it with their dates will have a laugh at all the \"Lucille Ball\" moments. There will be too much Daniel and little friends, we'll just have to wait and see how much MD is in."}, {"response": 1200, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (13:30)", "body": "(Moon) TEOR looks to be all about her Um, hello!!.....It is Bridget Jones' Diary: TEOR..... ;-)"}, {"response": 1201, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (13:30)", "body": "(Evelyn) Matt Damon (Bourne Supremacy) in one of his interviews said there were only three sequels that were better than the first: LOL...Silly Matt! He forgot one...surely he knows that Empire Strikes Back is far better than Star Wars. By missing that obvious one you know he isn't an expert! ;-) (Karen) (this is from an OT fan, who thinks it didn't need a sequel) ROTFL...the OT is like an amazing action film with the best CGI....love the OT."}, {"response": 1202, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (13:33)", "body": "(Moon)I'm not a fan and TEOR looks to be all about her. Where will the ever-present friends fit in? How many Oscars have the friends and the other members of the cast gotten. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$"}, {"response": 1203, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (13:52)", "body": "I'd like to take the credit, but it was Tress that posted from the Universal site;-) I-always-say-the-right-thing-at-all- times\" intern, want to lure him away from the plumpish, opinionated, sometimes inappropriate Bridget? That doesn't sound like the \"twist\" of Rebecca's being a lesbian that was reported. I do hope they keep Rebecca as she was in the book."}, {"response": 1204, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (13:54)", "body": "She can be both, can't she? Seemingly perfect, so that Bridget is envious and feels inferior, yet a lesbian."}, {"response": 1205, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 2004 (07:59)", "body": "(Karen) She can be both, can't she? Yes,IMHO, she can. Is she a lebian in the book? I haven't read it yet. Am (finally)working on P&P at the moment."}, {"response": 1206, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 2004 (08:52)", "body": "No"}, {"response": 1207, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 2004 (14:51)", "body": "All I have to say is 'grrrrrrrrrr' (and that I hope this works)!!"}, {"response": 1208, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 2004 (16:20)", "body": "Oh Yum! thanks Tress! :-)"}, {"response": 1209, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 2004 (16:29)", "body": "He looks like \"Bond, James Bond\";-) Thanks Tress."}, {"response": 1210, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 2004 (16:32)", "body": "(Evelyn) He looks like \"Bond, James Bond\";-) LOL! that's exactly what i thought Evelyn -you're braver than me to even whisper such a thing... ;-)"}, {"response": 1211, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 2004 (20:25)", "body": "Evelyn) He looks like \"Bond, James Bond\";-) I can just hear him say, shaken not stirred, or is it stirred not shaken?;-)That really is a Bond pose. (Evelyn)No sense piss/moaning about the book. LOL, does that include whining, too? (Karen)She can be both, can't she? Seemingly perfect, so that Bridget is envious and feels inferior, yet a lesbian. Ok, but being the purist that I am, I'm having a hard time dealing with it;-)"}, {"response": 1212, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 2004 (20:35)", "body": "(Linda) Ok, but being the purist that I am, I'm having a hard time dealing with it;-) Is that a purist in regard to Rebecca not being a lesbian in the book? Or a purist in that a seemingly perfect person can't also be a lesbian, and vice versa? ;-)"}, {"response": 1213, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 2004 (20:52)", "body": "Wow-Thanks for the pic Tress!!! That is beau-TEE-ful ;o)"}, {"response": 1214, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 2004 (22:17)", "body": "OH MY . .Tress . .what a lovely image to take to bed tonight . . . Will be dreaming fondly of this one:) Vodka martini, anyone?"}, {"response": 1215, "author": "kolin", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 2004 (15:11)", "body": "Someone I know saw a sneak preview here in Toronto a while ago. She did not say anything new except later she told me a spoiler regarding the lesbian angle. I will post it at the spoiler topic 177. This is what she wrote me about the screening: Overall it was a very endearing and funny movie. I read the edge of reason and they totally took out the scene where Bridget interviews the real Colin Firth in Rome. They also gave Hugh Grant's character \"Daniel Cleaver\" a more substantial role in the film than in the book. In general the film felt as though it was only loosely based on the book. There was a reprise of a fight scene between Daniel and Mark which was very funny (Hugh and Colin both get very wet). Personally I thought the first one was funnier and truer to the book. I would definitely see this film again, there were some very memorable scenes and I think it's definitely worth watching"}, {"response": 1216, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 2004 (09:55)", "body": "Another publicity still: Seems Universal still thinks it is in the fall lineup or hasn't changed its package."}, {"response": 1217, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 2004 (09:56)", "body": "Is Ben & Jerry's sold in England? That isn't inside Bridget's flat, nor does it look like Daniel's. So must be Mark's by default."}, {"response": 1218, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 2004 (10:13)", "body": "(Karen) So must be Mark's by default. Well that's a far cry from how it was decribed in the book. Something tells me Mark wouldn't have peeling paint on his shelf. Nor do I think he would have such a cheesy shelf or wallpaper, for that matter."}, {"response": 1219, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 2004 (10:19)", "body": "True, but then whose flat is it?"}, {"response": 1220, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 2004 (10:37)", "body": "Why do I just have a red X in a box and no picture?????"}, {"response": 1221, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 2004 (11:54)", "body": "Isn't it Bridget's flat? I recall the Christmas lights (I think) from BJD. Maybe Bridget moves in and does the decorating...?? ;-)"}, {"response": 1222, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 2004 (12:06)", "body": "Bingo! It is Bridget's flat. The wallpaper looked familiar, though the windows didn't seem right."}, {"response": 1223, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 2004 (12:12)", "body": "Here's the new one, in case anybody else is getting the Death Box:"}, {"response": 1224, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 2004 (12:41)", "body": "Thanks for posting the photo again, Karen. How odd--\"I'm freezing, so ice cream will really hit the spot\". ;-)"}, {"response": 1225, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 2004 (12:57)", "body": "Bingo! It is Bridget's flat. Great reconnaissance work, Karen & Tress! Man, this crew's better than pack of bloodhounds on a scent. Impressive, very fastidious of you."}, {"response": 1226, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 2004 (13:12)", "body": "Oh...and here are the Christmas lights: Thanks to casa-feliz!"}, {"response": 1227, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 2004 (13:13)", "body": "Bloodhounds! Oh dear! I can see that splashed across the front page of The Telegraph next. ;-)"}, {"response": 1228, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 2004 (13:26)", "body": "Thanks to Tress and casa-feliz for the lights. I just love it when MD gives the impression of being helpful in the kitchen ;o)"}, {"response": 1229, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 2004 (23:21)", "body": "Mmmmm . . . looks like Chocolate Fudge Brownie, my favorite B&J flavor!:-) Entertainment Tonight is showing brief snippets of upcoming films in its Fall Preview series. Tonight (Friday), they'll cover TEOR. From the promo, we see BJ in the parachuting scene. Not sure how much more we'll see as most of the clips are *very* brief, but still worth tuning in. I think/hope we can put to rest the tabloid report about the film being pushed back to January. ET, Entertainment Weekly, and Premiere mag wouldn't be covering it as a fall release if it were true. Roll on, November!:-)"}, {"response": 1230, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 2004 (23:34)", "body": "(Dorine)Is that a purist in regard to Rebecca not being a lesbian in the book?Or a purist in that a seemingly perfect person can't also be a lesbian, and vice versa? ;-) Purist according to the book. Oh, Mark looks so long, lean and lovely in the kitchen. Thanks for the pictures and investigative work, ladies Marik thanks for ET news, but I'm afraid I've missed it. Does it repeat?"}, {"response": 1231, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 2004 (23:53)", "body": "Linda, it's on Friday night, so you didn't miss it."}, {"response": 1232, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 2004 (00:12)", "body": "Dorine)Is that a purist in regard to Rebecca not being a lesbian in the book?Or a purist in that a seemingly perfect person can't also be a lesbian, and vice versa? ;-) (Linda) Purist according to the book. I figured. Was being facetious. ;-)"}, {"response": 1233, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 2004 (07:05)", "body": "(Mari)Linda, it's on Friday night, so you didn't miss it. Don't mind me I'm a bit foggy. Thanks, Mari, I'll set up the VCR. I figured. Was being facetious. ;-) Ah, better than being precipitous;-)"}, {"response": 1234, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 2004 (08:29)", "body": "From Gail: http://movies.channel.aol.com/feature/fallmovies.10moviestosee.adp drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 181, "subject": "Introduction to Firthology (102) - a survey course", "response_count": 1187, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (09:26)", "body": "First!! Back to the Italian hands, I'm in love with the Maestro....."}, {"response": 2, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Jul 24, 2003 (15:44)", "body": "Thank you Maria. Didn't understand it, well got some words, but didn't matter. Just enjoyed listening to his voice. Lovely."}, {"response": 3, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Jul 25, 2003 (16:07)", "body": "Forgive me if this has been posted before, but sometimes starting at the bottom of a google search and working your way up finds interesting things. I've not seen this before. There are some very nice pictures, especially some of the ones done specific to a movie. Colin Firth Calendar (I also am testing dressed up links, don't despise me if I wreck it!)"}, {"response": 4, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jul 25, 2003 (19:22)", "body": "Hey thanks Barb, I love our calendar guy for 2002. Yummy!"}, {"response": 5, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Fri, Jul 25, 2003 (20:47)", "body": "Thanks for the link, Barb. All Stubble fans must check out September 2000 and June 2002. As a matter of fact, fans of the soulful look should check those out as well. A few of the pics were new to me. Anyone interested in doing a 2003 or 2004 calendar?"}, {"response": 6, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Jul 26, 2003 (02:07)", "body": "Thank you, Barb. Very beautifully done calenders IMHO. I can't pick one in particular - they all look great (even Allen Portland) ;-)"}, {"response": 7, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 26, 2003 (09:21)", "body": "They are very beautifully done calendars. I have 2 or 3 of them. Jane did a brilliant job, though they were too nice to use. ;-D"}, {"response": 8, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Jul 28, 2003 (08:08)", "body": "Rex Features has put up 46 more pictures of CF http://www.rexfeatures.co.uk/cgi-bin/r2show0?k=colin+firth&f=Newest I haven't checked yet for new ones, but anyway there are some \"stills\" I haven't seen before. Now - could anyone find a way to \"enlarge\" some of them?"}, {"response": 9, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Jul 28, 2003 (08:22)", "body": "A few examples worth looking into: FD and stairs Jess:"}, {"response": 10, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jul 28, 2003 (08:33)", "body": "A few examples worth looking into: Hah! Just the ones I saved before coming back here! Thanks Annette."}, {"response": 11, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 28, 2003 (09:11)", "body": "Thanks, Annette. Obviously, they are all publicity pics from older movies, but a number I haven't seen before in presskits, magazines, or anywhere."}, {"response": 12, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Jul 28, 2003 (09:42)", "body": "Annette, thanks for checking Rex Features and finding new goodies. Good way to start the week."}, {"response": 13, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Jul 28, 2003 (12:24)", "body": "Thanks, Annette!"}, {"response": 14, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Jul 29, 2003 (11:15)", "body": "Thanks Annette and Barb for the great pics and calendars. Lovely way to spend a day."}, {"response": 15, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 11, 2003 (18:32)", "body": "(Annette) According to the credits, another bloke played the piano in RV. Plus I don't recall if you ever even see his hands on the keys in RV. Will have to doublecheck about Playmaker though. I remember liking that tango he (or someone) plays, yet there are no song credits."}, {"response": 16, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Aug 11, 2003 (18:49)", "body": "(Annette)Not to bring a Playmaker discussion back to life, but I think most of us like what little there is to like in this movie, for just this part ;-P (and perhaps ......... ;-)) I suppose I would have been on the wrong topic to do so anyway... but I am hardly disparaging his playing of and on the piano. There wouldn't be a movie except for that piano (and the shower and the rocky outcropping). ;-)"}, {"response": 17, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Aug 11, 2003 (19:09)", "body": "(Shoshana) but I am hardly disparaging his playing of and on the piano. ...and play he did, both on and off the keys;-) (Annette)(and perhaps ......... ;-)) ...perhaps, wot?"}, {"response": 18, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 11, 2003 (19:49)", "body": "Hey boss... where d'you get that pic on the front page of firth.com. C'mon, looks like his High School (A-levels??) graduation picture. Ahhhh, the miracle of air-brushing;-)"}, {"response": 19, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 11, 2003 (19:51)", "body": "closing."}, {"response": 20, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Aug 11, 2003 (20:41)", "body": "(Evelyn)Hey boss... where d'you get that pic on the front page of firth.com. C'mon, looks like his High School (A-levels??) graduation picture. Oooo, I have quite the crush on that picture! And the blue hue gives it a lovely artistic quality.:-) I never see it anywhere else."}, {"response": 21, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (08:38)", "body": "(Bee Dee) Oooo, I have quite the crush on that picture! LOL. Of course we all do. He looks younger than Oliver James;-D"}, {"response": 22, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (10:04)", "body": "(Shoshana) There wouldn't be a movie except for that piano (and the shower and the rocky outcropping). ;-) There are many people who were just too appalled by the rocky outcropping part of the film. (Evelyn) where d'you get that pic on the front page of firth.com. Huh? Have I missed something? Why is this even coming up now? Maybe I have to go back a few posts. That pic is from the Firths in Italy People article, with Frick and Flock."}, {"response": 23, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (11:53)", "body": "(Karen)There are many people who were just too appalled by the rocky outcropping part of the film. the scene, I left out in my posting was the showerscene. The rocky scene didn't do anything to me, anyway - not anything enjoyable, that is. (Karen)That pic is from the Firths in Italy People article, with Frick and Flock. I don't know what started this, but pray tell me: who are Frick and Flock (sounds like dogs, perhaps)?"}, {"response": 24, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (12:19)", "body": "(Annette) I don't know what started this, but pray tell me: who are Frick and Flock (sounds like dogs, perhaps)? I think they are the family dogs that 'live' in Italy...the names are from a Hans Christian Andersen tale called \"Lucky Peer\"."}, {"response": 25, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (12:37)", "body": "(Tress) I think they are the family dogs that 'live' in Italy...the names are from a Hans Christian Andersen tale called \"Lucky Peer\". He gives his dogs English names and his son's Italian names...*scratching head*"}, {"response": 26, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (13:15)", "body": "(Evelyn) He gives his dogs English names and his son's Italian names...*scratching head* There you go ;-) LOL"}, {"response": 27, "author": "Odile", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (13:16)", "body": "(Evelyn)He gives his dogs English names and his son's Italian names...*scratching head* Perhaps because the mommy dog can't talk! ;)"}, {"response": 28, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (14:09)", "body": "(Evelyn)He gives his dogs English names It must be the way it's done in Italy, at least in Abruzzi where my family hails from. When I was there two years ago, my cousin's dogs were called Bill and Al after the President and VP. I understand the new borns are George and Bobby. I'm not sure where the Bobby comes from;-) Thanks, boss, for the lovely Italy picture. Is that in honor of the birth? Or have I missed a post or two?"}, {"response": 29, "author": "cyndy", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (16:12)", "body": "(Lindak) It must be the way it's done in Italy, at least in Abruzzi where my family hails from. When I was there two years ago, my cousin's dogs were called Bill and Al after the President and VP. I understand the new borns are George and Bobby. I'm not sure where the Bobby comes from;-) I have to laugh--we lived in Italy in the mid 1980's. The most popular name for dogs in our neighborhood seemed to be \"Dick\", pronounced \"Deek\"!"}, {"response": 30, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (16:38)", "body": "What picture? I feel like I've just arrived from Planet Zharg. I haven't put up anything new (or have I?) and the blue-tint one on firth.com has been there since the redesign was first uploaded. Think I need a little lie-down with some cucumbers on my eyelids... ;-D"}, {"response": 31, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (17:22)", "body": "(Tress)I think they are the family dogs that 'live' in Italy...the names are from a Hans Christian Andersen tale called \"Lucky Peer\". I just had to check my H C Andersen complete novels and couldn't recognize the title. I will have to check it out, cause I'm courius if there is any \"meaning\" in the Danish names for the dogs. Italian, English/American and Danish - nice combination, don't you think? ;-) (Karen)What picture? I feel like I've just arrived from Planet Zharg. LOL, but remember, many of us have been entering a parallel universe, where Lord Dashwood rules ;-) Takes a while to get grounded after such a trip :-)"}, {"response": 32, "author": "Odile", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (17:56)", "body": "(Annette)remember, many of us have been entering a parallel universe, where Lord Dashwood rules ;-) Takes a while to get grounded after such a trip :-) Yes... Henry just dropped in with the rest of the mail today... Blissssss"}, {"response": 33, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (18:15)", "body": "Since we're all going to the dogs, which probably belong to his in-laws:"}, {"response": 34, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (18:15)", "body": "(Evelyn)He gives his dogs English names and his son's Italian names...*scratching head* (Odile)Perhaps because the mommy dog can't talk! ;) ROTFLMAO, Odile! My thoughts exactly. I favor names that will be comfortable for children to use in the country in which they will spend most of their time. Giving a child a name he or she will have to pronounce and spell out for people for the rest of their lives gets old. Believe me, I know. BTW, I think it's Flick and Flock (with l's) Or is it Frick and Frack?;-)"}, {"response": 35, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (22:26)", "body": "I have no idea what all of you are on...but can I have some? ;-D (Mari) BTW, I think it's Flick and Flock (with l's) Or is it Frick and Frack?;-) Mutt and Jeff, perhaps? ;-)"}, {"response": 36, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (23:13)", "body": "(Evelyn)He gives his dogs English names and his son's Italian names...*scratching head* (Odile)Perhaps because the mommy dog can't talk! ;) ROTFL!!! Just had to second this (a little late as I just got home). (Mari) Giving a child a name he or she will have to pronounce and spell out for people for the rest of their lives gets old. Believe me, I know. You and me both! Not surprising that everyone would want to spell my first name everywhich way but correct, but who knew having a Polish last name with only 6 letters and 2 syllables would stump so many people. My two syllable name becomes a minimum 4- syllable name as many Polish names seem to be."}, {"response": 37, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 12, 2003 (23:41)", "body": "(Mari) BTW, I think it's Flick and Flock OK, I was close but didn't get the cigar."}, {"response": 38, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Aug 13, 2003 (00:20)", "body": "(Mari) I favor names that will be comfortable for children to use in the country in which they will spend most of their time. Then, perhaps his name will fit this criteria at some point in time."}, {"response": 39, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Aug 13, 2003 (07:34)", "body": "(Dorine)Then, perhaps his name will fit this criteria at some point in time. Now, just wot are you suggesting?;-) (Karen)OK, I was close but didn't get the cigar. No, but how about I send you that spaghnum moss set that I won last summer? It's only a little used;-) (Lisa)Mutt and Jeff, perhaps? ;-) Tom and Jerry? Moe, Larry, and Curly? Oh, sorry. That's three, isn't it;-)"}, {"response": 40, "author": "Odile", "date": "Wed, Aug 13, 2003 (09:31)", "body": "(Lisa)Mutt and Jeff, perhaps? ;-) English names we said: how about Mark & Fitwilliam..."}, {"response": 41, "author": "smitten", "date": "Wed, Aug 13, 2003 (11:02)", "body": "Just coming down from a Dashwood all-nighter, and seeing photo of \"the adorable one\" I suspect that we have here Flick, Flock and Fatty. Who is in charge of sending off the slim-fast."}, {"response": 42, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Aug 13, 2003 (13:19)", "body": "Dog Daze...... Taking a page from Annette's enthusiastic book I would like to propose a light discussion or poll perhaps, to perk up my lazy, hazy day.;-) I have been having a discussion of one of my favorite of Colin\ufffds qualities.with a fellow Firthette, his *hugs*! We think that he is a natural *hugger*! IRL and on the screen. Some examples are the great hug he gives Sarah while apartment hunting and of course the one that follows this: Not great I know but all I can do from my desk here right this minute.... Anyone have any better? Wanna play?"}, {"response": 43, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Aug 13, 2003 (13:56)", "body": "(Beedee) Anyone have any better? Wanna play? Wanna play but can't do pictures :-( Glad you provided one :-) Current fave is HD hugging Daphne at the end of WAGW. Funniest hug Ernest and Algie in TIOBE"}, {"response": 44, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Aug 13, 2003 (13:59)", "body": "(Beedee) Some examples are the great hug he gives Sarah while apartment hunting... You mean this one??! Full body contact! How could she refuse him that flat? She would always know where he is....who needs a view??! Seems like she has quite a nice one in the house!"}, {"response": 45, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Aug 13, 2003 (14:09)", "body": "(Tress) How could she refuse him that flat? Iron knickers cutting off blood supply to the brain ;-) Thanks for the pic, Tress."}, {"response": 46, "author": "cyndy", "date": "Wed, Aug 13, 2003 (14:15)", "body": "Ditto Sonia, Wanna play, can't do pictures! (Beedee) I have been having a discussion of one of my favorite of Colin\ufffds qualities.with a fellow Firthette, his *hugs*! We think that he is a natural *hugger*! IRL and on the screen. I think he has talent at those hugs too! ;) Of course, would need to try one myself to know for sure!"}, {"response": 47, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Aug 13, 2003 (14:24)", "body": "That's the one! Thanks Tress. I love it and it's the one that started me going a while ago. The ease and grace when he folds her in his arms looks so natural. I can't believe he's acting here. It just looks like something he does often and without thinking. Can't beat that quality in a man as far as I'm concerned. Yummmm."}, {"response": 48, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Aug 13, 2003 (16:23)", "body": "(Tress) How could she refuse him that flat? (Sonia)Iron knickers cutting off blood supply to the brain ;-) LOL, good one! I'm also a great lover of hugs and he *is* the master! I have a picture of Valmont, unfortunately only in my mind, but since you all have so vivid imaginations and knowledge of his every move in the movies, I'm sure you can picture him hugging/carrying Mdm de Tourveil Really, really love the flat-hug from Fever Pitch. The moment, where we only see them briefly, and he sort of graps her and pulls her down on the bed... Ooops, the hugs seem to lead me a stray......"}, {"response": 49, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Aug 13, 2003 (16:52)", "body": "(Annette) The moment, where we only see them briefly, and he sort of graps her and pulls her down on the bed... I'm finding all sorts of hidden treasures in the film discussion archives! Are you talking about this moment Annette?? (Sonia)Iron knickers cutting off blood supply to the brain ;-) LOL! At least you would think with those kind of knickers she wouldn't be getting her panties in a bunch as often as she did!!! Am convinced that ODB's hugs are so special cuz of those extra long arms (that mighty wing span he seems to possess). He has the ability to just fold people up...he's a full 'wrap around' hugger! Another good one (from the archives again):"}, {"response": 50, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Aug 13, 2003 (16:59)", "body": "Was the Valmont scene something like this?"}, {"response": 51, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Aug 13, 2003 (17:04)", "body": "(Tress)Am convinced that ODB's hugs are so special cuz of those extra long arms (that mighty wing span he seems to possess). He has the ability to just fold people up...he's a full 'wrap around' hugger! with the perfect emoticon illustration. Another favorite, when FD hugs his brokenhearted sister GD. I'd suffer a broken heart for one of those hugs anyday. (Beedee) Yummmm"}, {"response": 52, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Aug 13, 2003 (17:12)", "body": "(Beedee)Are you talking about this moment Annette?? Oh yes! Love his naughty grin, his hair - just yummy ;-) (Beedee)...he's a full 'wrap around' hugger! Indeed he is. LOL at your smiley! I found this, presumably a photo from the presskit: They knew, what we wanted to see, didn't they ? ;-)"}, {"response": 53, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Aug 13, 2003 (18:23)", "body": "(Beedee)...he's a full 'wrap around' hugger! I'll play, but as I'm on vacation and we have a very antiquated system, here I can't post a capture. It would take days... My favorite hug... Having just watched TEP the other night on cable I'd have to say I love when ODB hugs KST when he's in the santa suit...just after she has been with RF. Silly, girl. Can this game be played in real life, too? One of my \"real life\" favorites is his 'arms around the waist bear hug' of Minnie Driver at the HS premiere. You know the one...he's behind her. I have others, too but I'll leave room for others to exhibit;-)"}, {"response": 54, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Wed, Aug 13, 2003 (18:40)", "body": "A non-romantic hug that I really love is Donovan hugging Sandy in DQ. I can't illustrate, but it's when he says Sandy, you're a genius! Evelyn's boy Joe Prince gives a great hug too, and he's so v. sweet. Think some research might be in order here."}, {"response": 55, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Aug 13, 2003 (18:41)", "body": "(Linda) One of my \"real life\" favorites is his 'arms around the waist bear hug' of Minnie Driver at the HS premiere. You know the one...he's behind her. For you Linda!!! Okay, was going to stop but had to add this one...killer smile!!"}, {"response": 56, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Aug 13, 2003 (19:57)", "body": "(Beedee) Anyone have any better? Wanna play? Have been trawling around all evening for illustrative hugging images. Thanks to everyone I've borrowed from. Humorous: Sweet: Sexy: Real (isn't it lovely that he's really a natural hugger?):"}, {"response": 57, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Aug 13, 2003 (20:22)", "body": "(Shoshana) Humorous He cracks me up every time. \"Mother!\" Thanks for all the pics ladies. Very enjoyable."}, {"response": 58, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Aug 13, 2003 (21:03)", "body": "(Tress)Am convinced that ODB's hugs are so special cuz of those extra long arms (that mighty wing span he seems to possess). He has the ability to just fold people up...he's a full 'wrap around' hugger! I'd love to take credit for this but Tress gets the best smileys so I must fess up and such a great match! Beedee)Are you talking about this moment Annette?? (Annette)Oh yes! Love his naughty grin, his hair - just yummy ;-) Thanks for the photo Annette. I had it for a short while but those geocities pics just don't have staying power:-( But you got it! Great work Shoshana! Those were on my list! Beautiful picture of Mamma and Pappa! Thanks to all of the chearleader too!"}, {"response": 59, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Aug 14, 2003 (09:39)", "body": "Thank you, Tress. Yeah that's the one. Oh that MD...what a lucky lady. Thanks all for the hugs. Feeling very warm on this already hot day;-)"}, {"response": 60, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 14, 2003 (10:00)", "body": "....he's a full 'wrap around' hugger! Must be the Italian influence;-) Who's the psychologist here who can tell us about 'body language'."}, {"response": 61, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Aug 14, 2003 (12:12)", "body": "Love his hugs. I agree, I too think he is a natural hugger. Love when he hugs Daphne as most recent hug, like the IRL hugs with MD. Unfortuately they look very good together. OK I'm jealous. I think he's a touchy feely person. He seems to pose with fans male and female putting his arm around them most of the time. He wouldn't do that if he wasn't a touchy feely person, I don't think. Would love to get a hug from him, but could not be responsible for my behavior. LOL"}, {"response": 62, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Aug 14, 2003 (14:35)", "body": "(Evelyn) Who's the psychologist here who can tell us about 'body language'. I had 'Psych 101' in college! Suppose that doesn't count....wait...nevermind...it was 'Soc 101' (been too long)!! LOL! I like that he's not a 'leaner' when he hugs. You know...how some men 'lean in' to hug you cuz their afraid that they'll touch their privates to you or somethin'. Well, ODB just 'gets in there'. He does the \"full body contact - wrap his arms around you\" type of hugs. He seems quite comfortable doing it and it's quite sexy really. Suppose it could be an 'act' but he seems to be very touchy with LD and others IRL too. I guess I'm the only one who would post these as hug examples....so here goes:"}, {"response": 63, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Aug 14, 2003 (14:51)", "body": "You know, reading more into it possibly than is really there, in that second smaller pic of them, neither one of them look all that into what they're doing. Rather mechanical looking, though, as with the GWAPE piercing pic, it is just one snapshot in that scene. (still haven't seen it all yet :-O)"}, {"response": 64, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Aug 14, 2003 (14:56)", "body": "(Dorine) ...in that second smaller pic of them, neither one of them look all that into what they're doing. Rather mechanical looking, though... The kiss seems uncomfortable, I'll agree. He seems like he's pulling back and she's pursuing (it is actually more evident when you see it 'in motion', if you haven't gotten to that part in HS yet)...but the hands on the back Louisa! I like the hands...**sigh** And she seems to be playing a game of 'pocket pool' (sorry!), cuz it looks like she's going after something (though in the film she's actually just pulling his shirt out)."}, {"response": 65, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 14, 2003 (15:05)", "body": "You should stick with the hugging because that kiss is really bad. He's like wiping his cheek across her face in lieu of the real thing. Eowwww!! (and consistent with MO of film) ;-D"}, {"response": 66, "author": "socadook", "date": "Thu, Aug 14, 2003 (15:27)", "body": "(Tress) I guess I'm the only one who would post these as hug examples... More like hugs and kisses. (Karen) He's like wiping his cheek across her face The larger picture looks more like dancing cheek to cheek. Are they at the Fred Astaire Dance Academy? ;-) (Tress) You know...how some men 'lean in' to hug you cuz their afraid that they'll touch their privates to you or somethin'. Like you have some sort of disease, said in my best Mark Strong as Steve imitation ;-)"}, {"response": 67, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Aug 14, 2003 (16:25)", "body": "(Karen) You should stick with the hugging because that kiss is really bad. Maybe ODB subscribes to the \"Pretty Woman School of Thought\" (okay, has been ages since I last saw PW, but I seem to have a vague memory of this...). I remember 'Vivian' said \"no kissing, it's too personal\". So...he'll do the hugging, the bum flashing (but it has been a long time since we've seen a good example of this, waaaaay too long, IMO) and such, but when it comes to kissing, he is reticent. I'll daydream about the hugs for now...he seems to have those down quite well!"}, {"response": 68, "author": "smitten", "date": "Thu, Aug 14, 2003 (16:30)", "body": "that delightful, totally wrap around hug in the train station scene in Londinium is the only reason that film is still in my collection. I ffwrd to the end, and just indulge myself."}, {"response": 69, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Aug 14, 2003 (16:57)", "body": "(marilyn f)...that delightful, totally wrap around hug in the train station scene in Londinium is the only reason that film is still in my collection. OMG...have forgotten about that one (and it is a fuzzy memory). I tend to block all L'dum thoughts. Will have to research (but must wait...best to 'go in' on an empty stomach)! ;-D"}, {"response": 70, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (06:12)", "body": "You know...how some men 'lean in' to hug you cuz their afraid that they'll touch their privates to you or somethin' Or, they're like, hey, I need to protect the family jewels, or you're not worthy to be near them...;-)"}, {"response": 71, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (09:19)", "body": "(Tress)I remember 'Vivian' said \"no kissing, it's too personal\". So...he'll do the hugging, the bum flashing (but it has been a long time since we've seen a good example of this, waaaaay too long, IMO) and such, but when it comes to kissing, he is reticent. I'll daydream about the hugs for now...he seems to have those down quite well! LOL! My thoughts exactly. I remember an interview with Michael Cain. He said that he hated doing love scenes. To paraphrase - *When you play a killer they say \"great acting\" but when you do a love making scene you are suspected.... Gets one into trouble*. I think of this whenever there is an ODB kissing quality discussion. But he shows no reticence when hugging/embracing. I think it's sexy too, very."}, {"response": 72, "author": "smitten", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (09:34)", "body": "(Tress)... OMG...have forgotten about that one (and it is a fuzzy memory). I tend to block all L'dum thoughts. Will have to research (but must wait... best to go in on an empty stomach)! By rewinding to the beginning of that scene you can eliminate nausea, and save scene for those moments when a \"Firthy Fix\" is really needed. Can't you just imagine the utter joy of tucking your face into that marvelous neck and letting the rest of the world revolve around you????? (sorry DH,) just a momentary lapse."}, {"response": 73, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (14:02)", "body": "Can't you just imagine the utter joy of tucking your face into that marvelous neck and letting the rest of the world revolve around you????? Yes, Yes, Yes. I can imagine it. I can also imagine never coming back to earth, as well;-)"}, {"response": 74, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 2003 (15:15)", "body": "(Marilyn) Can't you just imagine the utter joy of tucking your face into that marvelous neck and letting the rest of the world revolve around you?? Yes, I imagine necking with him 24-7. It gets me through the day."}, {"response": 75, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Aug 18, 2003 (18:00)", "body": "(Karen)The cover art is the pic of the four four of them, walking along the Thames. Thankfully, it is not the same cover as the German release, which had two women and guy in bed, none of them being the actors. (Annette)under the title \"Life after sex\" (available from July 9th 2003). See the cover here: http://www.snurrfilm.no/movie.asp?fkMID=4104 Oooh, can we play a new game? What do you think the worst CF video/DVD case/cover is? I'd have to vote for the US version of FP with the strange woman wearing soccer cleats as a \"bra.\" Whenever I want to show the film to other people (who of course really enjoy the movie itself), I feel embarrassed associating it with that rather questionable picture. What are your opinions, ladies? Conversely, what are your favorite covers (besides the lovely, lovely smouldering P&P image)? Moved under the wise suggestion/direction of Karen ;-)"}, {"response": 76, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Aug 18, 2003 (18:38)", "body": "(Shoshana) Oooh, can we play a new game? What do you think the worst CF video/DVD case/cover is? I'll play, with a twist ;-) Worst: FP (US Cover) Most Heat: Valmont Most Disturbing: Apartment Zero Favorite: TIOBE"}, {"response": 77, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Aug 18, 2003 (20:43)", "body": "Fun idea Shoshana. I'll play Sonia's rules...... Favorite: P&P DVD hands down for me Most Heat: I second Valmont Worst: FF Most Disturbing: I agree with AZ"}, {"response": 78, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (08:52)", "body": "I must have my say Favorite: P&P I agree Most heat: ???will answer after Saturday. After vacation when I can go through my collection Worst: FP New catgeory: Biggest Flub: RV...the back cover has Colin's character confused and it says he plays Lord Marshwood. You can imagine how confused I was on first viewing."}, {"response": 79, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (09:31)", "body": "(Shoshana) I feel embarrassed associating it with that rather questionable picture. I remember when the preliminary design for the FP cover art was revealed and how horrified everyone was. These were conveyed to the idiots at Trimark and I recall the woman trying to allay everyone's concerns by saying that the boobs wouldn't be so cartoon roundish. As if that was all that was wrong with it. Fortunately, you could get a nonembarrasing cover by buying the Canadian version, but not with the DVD at that time. Can you imagine the poor little soccer-playing boys who picked up that video and thought they'd see a little skin?"}, {"response": 80, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (10:34)", "body": "(Shoshana) I feel embarrassed associating it with that rather questionable picture. Just so I don't have to look at the the boobs wouldn't be so cartoon roundish !?! I inserted a FP picture on top of the cover. Embarrassment solved. (Karen) Can you imagine the poor little soccer-playing boys who picked up that video and thought they'd see a little skin? Imagine the poor little soccer-playing girls who picked up that video and got to see a little skin on thighs below Arse-nal boxers ;-)"}, {"response": 81, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (10:41)", "body": "How about the \"Where is he?\" covers? The Advocate Hostages (Cathy Bates was in it for what? 5 minutes total? Weirdness factor - FF I am partial to AC and AMITC... cute young thang when hair was not an issue... Not to open old wounds, but this made me chuckle more than the movie...:-(( http://www.highangle.co.uk/reviews/hopesprings.html"}, {"response": 82, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (11:34)", "body": "(Maria T) Not to open old wounds, but this made me chuckle more than the movie...:-(( Thanks Maria, agree. I bet the writer could have done a better job than Mark Herman."}, {"response": 83, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (12:58)", "body": "(Maria) Not to open old wounds, but this made me chuckle more than the movie... No apology needed. I think this is one of my favorites. Thanks, Maria. (Maria) How about the \"Where is he?\" covers? Hostages (Cathy Bates was in it for what? 5 minutes total? Ah, but you have to remember, it was a made-for-cable film (HBO) and she was the big name in it. You think any Americans know Colin or Ciaran? Another embarrassing cover: Porky's Goes to Holland (aka Dutch Girls)"}, {"response": 84, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (13:22)", "body": "Thanks, Maria! V. funny and right on the mark. I agree with Karen about it being a favorite."}, {"response": 85, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (13:46)", "body": "Thanks Maria, don't apologize. The author didn't say anything we haven't heard or thought. She was right on the mark. She wrote in a way that was intelligent and not as nasty as some of the other critics."}, {"response": 86, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (16:48)", "body": "Favorite cover: P&P Worst: American FP FF is pretty bad too. Most Dramatic: Apartment Zero"}, {"response": 87, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (19:08)", "body": "Ohhh....I haven't played yet! Worst: FP (but Dutch Girls (?!!) a very close second) Favorite: BJD Worst cover with floating head: FF (a big \"huh?\" on that one...) Best cover with floating head: WOF Favorite ODB film cover w/o ODB on the cover: TEP Most Dramatic: AZ One that makes me squiggly: Valmont Most anticipated cover: GWAPE"}, {"response": 88, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (19:58)", "body": "Since Sonia (Thank You!!!!) has been kind enough to send me a wonderful FP pic montage which I quickly used to cover cartoon-roundish-boobs woman, I must change my own choices. Worst: DG (I suppose that makes at least 4 CF movie packages with unneccessarily underclothed women the main pictoral subject - really, who is coming up with these?) Favorite 80's: LE (yummy paperboy cap) Favorite 90's: P&P Favorite of this century: TIOBE Most intense with CF: AZ Most intense without CF: Conspiracy"}, {"response": 89, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (20:01)", "body": "Oh and best with an animal dressed as a judge (a very tight category): HOTP"}, {"response": 90, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 2003 (23:55)", "body": "The best slogan on a cover : (WOF) If you think life is strange, wait 'til you see what comes next. (Apart from the AFG Brian, I wouldn't have had a clue as to what was going on.)"}, {"response": 91, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Aug 20, 2003 (08:47)", "body": "Not sure how old this is, but I did like his comment about ODB :-)( would like to know what the \"few details\" were though!) on Page 6 http://www.brunel.ac.uk/faculty/arts/EnterText/davies.pdf"}, {"response": 92, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 20, 2003 (13:07)", "body": "Thanks, Maria, very interesting. I especially liked the bit about Susannah Harker probably outweighing Ian Richardson in House of Cards and no one questioning his FU's ability to toss her off the building. ;-D And his quips about Emma Thompson and S&S. Can you imagine taking a writing course (apparently a good excuse for drinking) with him on a Greek island? LOL! (Maria) would like to know what the \"few details\" were though! With AE, I expect they would have to do with the dearth of sexual activity."}, {"response": 93, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Aug 20, 2003 (13:41)", "body": "...even though I suppose Colin Firth\ufffds performance (and if anybody\ufffds overdue for an Emmy it\ufffds him) - was a consummate delivery of all that I\ufffdd hoped, except in a few details... That blasted walking stick again! ;-) Thanks Maria!"}, {"response": 94, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Aug 20, 2003 (13:55)", "body": "Good stuff Maria, thanks. Interesting observations about the writing process."}, {"response": 95, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Aug 20, 2003 (15:50)", "body": "Thanks for a really interesting article Maria. And I agree tress, the blasted walking stick again. However do agree Colin is so overdue for an Emmy. Should have had it for Conspiracy."}, {"response": 96, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (10:50)", "body": "(Pam)Should have had it for Conspiracy Amen!"}, {"response": 97, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (10:55)", "body": "(Pam) However do agree Colin is so overdue for an Emmy. Should have had it for Conspiracy. Huh? Emmys are for US television and Colin hasn't appeared hardly at all on US television. It's evident that Davies hadn't seen Brian Cox that year, who *did* win. Methinks AD is living in an ivory tower in Warwickshire, without access to satellite transmission of US television."}, {"response": 98, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (10:58)", "body": "Besides, shouldn't Davies be bemoaning the fact that Colin hasn't won a Bafta yet, even though he's been nominated three times. ;-D"}, {"response": 99, "author": "socadook", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (11:39)", "body": "(Karen) shouldn't Davies be bemoaning the fact that Colin hasn't won a Bafta yet, even though he's been nominated three times. ;-D Amen!"}, {"response": 100, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (12:00)", "body": "I know it isn't news, and it is a moot point in any event given the stats posted at 176, but I enjoyed reading this review of WAGW anyway... http://www.dealtime.com/xMPR-~PD-414647489409~PT-xMPR~RI-97019137668"}, {"response": 101, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (12:08)", "body": "You did? *puzzled*"}, {"response": 102, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (12:35)", "body": "(Maria)but I enjoyed reading this review of WAGW anyway... I thought it was an interesting review and touched on some of my misgivings of the film. Considering it as a whole, I found it sweet but at times annoying. Of course ODB is AFG! To be honest, I didn't love *it* at first but Love Henry So Very Dearly now. He may be gorgeous on the big screen but I'm much happier being able to scene select to his stuff on my couch. As far as Amistads go make mine a Maupin.;-)"}, {"response": 103, "author": "socadook", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (12:46)", "body": "(Maria) I enjoyed reading this review of WAGW anyway... I liked it too because the reviewer gets it. This is what a review is supposed to be, balanced with absence of malice. The reviewer wasn't vicious, he found the good, the bad and the funny. After all it's just a movie. ;-) (Reviewer) She\ufffds full of bounce and pep, leading to the only scene of a teenage girl dancing around alone in a room (out of thousands, mind you) that convinced me that maybe someone actually does that. LOL. You mean someone doesn't? Must be the difference between girls and boys ;-)"}, {"response": 104, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (13:06)", "body": "(Maria)but I enjoyed reading this review of WAGW anyway... Thanks, Maria - I enjoyed it because it was written by somebody who was not in the target audience and didn't necessarily seem predisposed to like the movie, but who evaluated it with an open mind and a consideration of the basic paradigms of the genre."}, {"response": 105, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (14:00)", "body": "(Maria)but I enjoyed reading this review of WAGW anyway... Thanks, Maria - I enjoyed it because it was written by somebody who was not in the target audience and didn't necessarily seem predisposed to like the movie, but who evaluated it with an open mind and a consideration of the basic paradigms of the genre. Hear, hear."}, {"response": 106, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (14:35)", "body": "....It is, lest you get the wrong idea, a solid, heart-felt, Jimmy Stewart sort of befuddled. Yeah! At least it isn't a Hugh Grant sort of befuddled! Colin Firth is not only delightful to watch, able to add credibility to something not above realizing that it\ufffds just a little, cornball movie, but he\ufffds also able to project a sort of magnanimous view of the role he plays and the movie itself, and he makes you prone to such a state of mind as well. I can live with that! Thanks Maria. Is nice to read that after some of the others..."}, {"response": 107, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (15:47)", "body": "Thanks Maria. I thought it was interesting. At least he did see it for what it was. And he did think it better than Princess Diaries, which he obviously disliked. I agree, nice to read an opinion from someone who gets it."}, {"response": 108, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (16:03)", "body": "(Maria)but I enjoyed reading this review of WAGW anyway... (Rika)Thanks, Maria - I enjoyed it because it was written by somebody who was not in the target audience and didn't necessarily seem predisposed to like the movie, but who evaluated it with an open mind and a consideration of the basic paradigms of the genre. As Sandy said: Hear hear! Thank you for the link, Maria ! What surprised me most, was to read the reviewer mention his wife at the end of the article. I was so certain, the reviewer was female ;-)"}, {"response": 109, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (17:38)", "body": "Maria, very interesting review and very fair to the film as a whole and part of a genre. Thanks!"}, {"response": 110, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 2003 (18:25)", "body": "Thanks for posting the WAGW review, Maria. It's good to hear a rational person's take on this film. He pointed out it's shortcomings without using the caustic *wit* of some of the other critics. And of course we all love to hear ODB's praises sung. The Jimmy Stewart comparison is thought-provoking as well."}, {"response": 111, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Aug 22, 2003 (16:38)", "body": "(Hen)without using the caustic *wit* of some of the other critics ...and that's putting it midly. Thanks, Maria. A review I can read without loosing my temper;-)"}, {"response": 112, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (10:49)", "body": "The correct responses should have been - (Gah!)\"Oh yes Mr Firth. Deb asked me to discuss this with you\" (OR, and maybe easier, \"This is Deb\") \"Yes,let me just get a permanent marker\" (or better yet a tatto artist) http://www2.britishcouncil.org/nz/nz-arts-culture/nz-arts-and-culture-vanessa-alexander-letter.htm"}, {"response": 113, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (11:24)", "body": "\"Projects here [WT]are developed with an incredible clarity ? clarity of theme, clarity of genre and clarity of how and where they?ll fit into an international market\" Wow...no wonder their films are successful. Bet they passed on HS. Thanks Maria."}, {"response": 114, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (11:34)", "body": "Cute, v. cute, Maria. Too bad Vanessa didn't append the \"Cate, Hugh and Emma\" with another name by the end."}, {"response": 115, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (12:25)", "body": "Thanks Maria!!! Vanessa's job really is horrific...the things she must have to do and put up with! Poor girl! \"Can you repeat that number Mr. Firth (I want to make sure I put it in my Palm correctly)?\" ;-)"}, {"response": 116, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 2003 (17:26)", "body": "Thanks, Maria. At least Vanessa was coherent. I, on the other hand, would have melted. Can I give you my home phone number? Yes, and your address, cell number, license plate, make and model of your car, and any other info I, eh, Deb may need;-)"}, {"response": 117, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 26, 2003 (09:08)", "body": "No pic but he can't seem to shake that woman ;-D http://www.rockboat.co.uk/bpfgreendays.html"}, {"response": 118, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Aug 26, 2003 (11:47)", "body": "LOL, hey, she's his buddy. Better than that other Elizabeth . . . BTW, I've seen EMcG in commercials for a new TV series this fall. Something with New Hampshire in the title."}, {"response": 119, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 26, 2003 (12:08)", "body": "The Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire about cops. From David E. Kelley. Has an interesting cast: Randy Quaid and Mare Winningham; hadn't noticed YKW in the commercials. ;-D Must be a tough commute for her."}, {"response": 120, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Aug 26, 2003 (13:07)", "body": "Maybe Elizabeth's kids participated at the fest? Luca might have some friends amoungst them too."}, {"response": 121, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 26, 2003 (17:13)", "body": "(Moon) Maybe Elizabeth's kids participated at the fest? Exactly, what I thought or else EMcG was on the steering committee and he attended as a payback for her reading at ICI."}, {"response": 122, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (09:48)", "body": "I guess the guy standing there in tan slacks/blue shirt is the stunt double?? Vrooooooooooom! http://www.lifepress.com/archivio/2002/movies%202002/american%20girl/"}, {"response": 123, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (09:59)", "body": "Life Press International \ufffdMAT-exclusive-Colin Firth gets leg over (a motorbike) filming his new film... Great caption! Thanks Maria"}, {"response": 124, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (10:38)", "body": "Sorry, I'm a maniac...Still making up for being gone for 3 weeks..:-) Had not seen this quote before... I love how, well, \"earnest\" he seems and I hope he has some more valuable or positive stories to change the world with coming soon! ;-) \ufffdIt starts to sound pretty airy-fairy when people talk about it, but I think that at its best, it can be a very valuable thing to tell people stories,\ufffd says Firth. \ufffdStephen Fry, at the end of hosting the BAFTAs a couple months ago and being extremely witty in a very flippant way all evening, actually said something that struck me, which was that telling your stories is vital because you never know, it might just be something as apparently trivial as a film that can change the world [through] changing the way people think. I think there is a potential there for the work at its best\ufffdif people are honest and courageous about it\ufffdto have a positive impact.\ufffd http://www.ent-today.com/5-31/earnest-feature.htm"}, {"response": 125, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (11:02)", "body": "Great finds, Maria!"}, {"response": 126, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 2003 (17:52)", "body": "(Maria)I hope he has some more valuable or positive stories to change the world with coming soon! ;-) ...here, here. He's got such a broad range (;-))I can't imagine it would be otherwise. Thanks Maria."}, {"response": 127, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (09:08)", "body": "Some fun WAGW tidbits here.. http://www.pf757.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/ab/wagwprod.html"}, {"response": 128, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (10:22)", "body": "What fun, Maria, thanks. \" 'The book' refers to the accompanying Scholastic publication, written by Marie T Morreale.\" Who should be shot. \" The Chinatown, NYC scenes were filmed on location in Borough Market in the East End of London.\" Those of us who know Chinatown, know that one cannot see the B'klyn bridge from there.(Wasn't it Bleecker St?)"}, {"response": 129, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (15:26)", "body": "Thanks Maria Loved those tidbits...I was surprised to learn that Oliver James had to train to play the guitar. I thought he was a musician."}, {"response": 130, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (15:44)", "body": "A few words about the professionals: The extraordinary planning and thought that went into this inaugural JASNA tour made it a great success. Mary Lou White unobtrusively made certain all went well and solved the few problems and crises that arose in a quiet manner that proved we were in the hands of a thoroughly competent and very nice professional. Elizabeth Proudman, our local guide, was not only a lover of Jane Austen and her family but also knowledgeable about archaeology, gardens, history, architecture, and literature. We also were fortunate in our driver Don Wiltshire, a gentleman who can maneuver his bus around the sharpest corners and forwards and backwards on the narrowest of roads. And in some way, we did find Mr. Darcy, for Elizabeth told us that Colin Firth had been a friend of her daughter when she was in school. She described him around age 17 as \"gormless and spotty, he smoked and spilled his coffee, remaining slightly an outsider, whose thoughts one never knew.\" http://www.jasna.org/tour1997.html See how Drooling helps improve your vocabulary?...After all we don't want to be gormless..LOL! Tress looked it up and it means lacking intelligence, STUPID! We both agree we would have been great friends with the spotty, enigmatic,coffee spilling, smoking (hot) outsider at 17...Though it is a good thing he finally learned how to flex those dimples from time to time! :-)"}, {"response": 131, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (16:51)", "body": "We both agree we would have been great friends with the spotty, enigmatic,coffee spilling, smoking (hot) outsider at 17... LOL...I doubt he would have found me very fascinating...I was eleven. But I can tell you that I would have found him incredibly sophisticated! Gormless and spotty or not! I always liked caffeinated, smoking (hot) boys! ;-)"}, {"response": 132, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (17:14)", "body": "(MariaT)She described him around age 17 as \"gormless and spotty, he smoked and spilled his coffee, remaining slightly an outsider, whose thoughts one never knew.\" In my part of the world, gormless means nerdy or geekish, you know the type! Well, at least we can all agree, he certainly has improved with age!"}, {"response": 133, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (17:36)", "body": "(Maria)Though it is a good thing he finally learned how to flex those dimples from time to time! :-) Having just watched BJD, again, on Tuesday I'm convinced he knows how and when to flash them, too. I noticed in the kitchen scene, just after he's says \"It's string soup,\" he does a little thing with his lips and the dimples appear. Then he does it again, quickly, between lines. I wonder if the direction was to flash and flex them as much as possible. Whatever, it workes for me."}, {"response": 134, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (18:53)", "body": "(Janet) In my part of the world, gormless means nerdy or geekish, you know the type! Ah! So then ODB is aware of his gormlessness! Didn't he say in an interview that he was a nerd? Hardly the type that I know!!! We need more nerds like him!"}, {"response": 135, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 2003 (19:47)", "body": "\"gormless and spotty, he smoked and spilled his coffee, remaining slightly an outsider, whose thoughts one never knew.\" So he may have had some basic personal inspiration for Adrian in AZ? ;-) But, of course, took it way over the top."}, {"response": 136, "author": "Leah", "date": "Fri, Aug 29, 2003 (02:54)", "body": "(Actor Colin Firth had to have motorcycle proficiency lessons for the bike getaway scenes) Good learner. whose thoughts one never knew He has definitly outgrown this one - what with all those 'looks' - I sometimes know exactly what he is thinking ;)"}, {"response": 137, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Aug 29, 2003 (07:53)", "body": "(Linda)Having just watched BJD, again, on Tuesday I'm convinced he knows how and when to flash them, too. I noticed in the kitchen scene, just after he's says \"It's string soup,\" he does a little thing with his lips and the dimples appear. Then he does it again, quickly, between lines. LOL! I believe you are right! I was scene surfing WAGW last night and saw him do this in the kitchen and the library scenes. If this is in his bag of tricks he can dig into his bag anytime as far as I'm concerned.;-) Hey, I'm traveling to my Mom's this weekend and will be meeting a young neice who has been dying to see WAGW. Oh, I sez, I'll bring a copy for you and we can watch it on the couch together! Do a little bonding....;-)* God, I do so love a feebee. I really have no shame where ODB is concerned."}, {"response": 138, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (03:56)", "body": "Going to a wedding near Manchester on Saturday provided the perfect excuse for a little detour down the A6 to Disley on the way home on Sunday...and so a stop in to see Pemberley/Lyme Park!! FINALLY - have been dying to see it! And it was fantastic, never mind the drizzly weather and the fact that Mark refused to jump in the lake for me. One of these days I will find the time again to scan and post more photos on my little website..."}, {"response": 139, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (09:35)", "body": "Going to Pemberley has always been one of my dreams, Emma. Never mind the Taj Mahal. So glad you made it. Nice that you had a companion even if he didn't 'get with the program' ;-)"}, {"response": 140, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (11:21)", "body": "Since we're having a long, rainy weekend, I managed to reformat and upload the old Nostromo discussion: http://www.firth.com/filmdis/nost/nost-part1.html"}, {"response": 141, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (13:06)", "body": "Nice format boss. Thanks. (Me: Nostromo)Favorite Look: He looks the best in black tie.... Some things never change;-) How long ago was that? At least I'm boringly consistent... Where was Moon?"}, {"response": 142, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (13:45)", "body": "Where was Moon? Sometimes, when I have nothing nice to say, I say nothing at all. ;-) maybe I was away? I love what you've done, Karen!"}, {"response": 143, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (14:48)", "body": "Great job, Karen. The Nostomo discussion looks fantastic. Oh, Emma when you have time...would love to see your pictures of Pemberley."}, {"response": 144, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (15:18)", "body": "Oh Emma, you lucky girl! Did you get to see inside the house, or did you have to be content with seeing *his lovely grounds at Pemberley*? Lyme Park is on my must see list for my next trip to the UK. Would love to see your photos. Karen, the Nostromo discussion is exellent. Makes me want to give it another go. Thanks for all the work you put into this and other projects for us."}, {"response": 145, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (16:10)", "body": "(Hen) Makes me want to give it another go. If we're gonna do a six-parter, let's do LE first. I've changed my mind on Nostromo. In the light of the junk he's been doing recently, N. soars. But, who knows, inasmuch as the 'ship has turned around' and 'the range is broad'...;-)... we might be in for an overdue surprise."}, {"response": 146, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (16:12)", "body": "Karen, thanks for the film discussion, as now I am certain I don't want to see Nostromo. ;-D Liked the pics and the erudite discussion, though. The Drool film discussions are always interesting--and shall serve as my Cliff Notes in this case! Emma, glad you were able to visit Pemberley after all. ;-)"}, {"response": 147, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 2003 (19:21)", "body": "(Evelyn)If we're gonna do a six-parter, let's do LE first. I was just referring to watching Nostromo again, Evelyn. The film discussion brought out some things I missed the first time around. I would absolutely adore to see a film discussion about LE. I've been spending a few evenings with RH lately and I've decided LE is one of my top 5 CF films."}, {"response": 148, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (00:38)", "body": "I'm with you ladies. LE would be a great discussion. I love Richard."}, {"response": 149, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 2003 (09:49)", "body": "But I still don't have LE. Bwwwwaaaah. And Drool Pledge time is around the corner. I'd like to wait til next summer."}, {"response": 150, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 2003 (13:32)", "body": "Rex features has added to their list of ODB-pictures. I haven't checked them all yet, but most of it seems to be older publicity-shots http://www.rexfeatures.com/cgi-bin/r2show0?k=%22colin+FIRTH&f=Next+%3E%3E&s=eRH1GTS0IsPLGAIb2Aoxv0qD&u=DEFAULT&p=b19349F2A00000014&t=000000EE&1=%2301137+%281%29"}, {"response": 151, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (03:00)", "body": "Sorry, it seems the only new ones are \"non cf-releated\". But - some of the old ones are worth another viewing :-)"}, {"response": 152, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (10:23)", "body": "O.K. everyone, take a couple of minutes and look at this...I don't know where this came from or who put it together or where all these shots right after the posed shots came from put this is a treasure trove..For instance check out the TIOBE press conference in Rome pics...GAH! Must go back to looking at every category! http://colinfirth.casa-feliz.net/images/"}, {"response": 153, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (10:24)", "body": "Ooh! Or the relaxed pics from SIL LA..."}, {"response": 154, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (10:27)", "body": "Last time I swear! The photo shoot from 1989! Scarf cuteness! Jeez, he looks so, so virile!!"}, {"response": 155, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (10:39)", "body": "(MariaT) take a couple of minutes and look at this... I think it's going to take more than a couple of minutes, lol. 1715 images??!! Will have to consume this in small bites, so as not to be overwhelmed :)"}, {"response": 156, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (10:50)", "body": "I believe she's from Brazil. Most you've seen elsewhere and many agency pics have the watermarking. But these from the TIOBE Rome press conference are new or I've only seen small versions of a couple."}, {"response": 157, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (10:52)", "body": "And the SIL LA premiere ones too are new."}, {"response": 158, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (11:12)", "body": "The TIOBE Bafta/LA screening pics are also new; a couple were in a newspaper but not all 7 shots."}, {"response": 159, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (11:30)", "body": "Oh my Maria! There went my lunch break! And I was going to take a nice brisk walk:-( But the photos were/are great:-)"}, {"response": 160, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (12:43)", "body": "GAAAAHHHHHH!!!! No time to look at all 1700+ images at work! Maria! This is fantastic!!! Thank you! Have bookmarked this one....all those itty bitty images from other sites can be BLOWN UP!!!! Beautiful!"}, {"response": 161, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (13:12)", "body": "What a great find Maria, thanks!! Have bookmarked it too and saw some great P&P I haven't seen before. This is a delight."}, {"response": 162, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (13:28)", "body": "Ok, this is going to take many drooling hours to accomplish. Excellent, Maria. A lot are new to me, and the ones I've seen already still make me nuts again, and again."}, {"response": 163, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (13:35)", "body": "Love the pics, Maria...but I can't find the TIOBE Rome conference. The BAFTA, whoa!....the guy was born to wear a tux! SIL in LA is a hoot with Ben Affleck. The 3 DOR one is new to me. David Morrissey...did you spot him in GWAPE, Caribou? I think he was the broker."}, {"response": 164, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (13:37)", "body": "(Evelyn)but I can't find the TIOBE Rome conference Look under the Events and 2002, right column..."}, {"response": 165, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (13:39)", "body": "Love the pics, Maria...but I can't find the TIOBE Rome conference. The BAFTA, whoa!....the guy was born to wear a tux! SIL in LA is a hoot with Ben Affleck. The 3 DOR one is new to me. David Morrissey...did you spot him in GWAPE, Caribou? I think he was the broker."}, {"response": 166, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (13:40)", "body": "I'm toast..."}, {"response": 167, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (13:57)", "body": "http://colinfirth.casa-feliz.net/images/details.php?image_id=895 Directly linking to the image does not seem to work, let's try the page... can I just say \"Whoa...895\"? This is the time, this is the place, it all started here for me."}, {"response": 168, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (14:18)", "body": "(BarbS) can I just say \"Whoa...895\"? LOL.....You can say it again if you like!!! \"Whoa\" is right! Mr. Darcy!!! And can I and an \"OMG 91\"!?? (this was what did it for me) http://colinfirth.casa-feliz.net/images/details.php?image_id=91 It's so BIG!!!!"}, {"response": 169, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (14:34)", "body": "A Toast! http://colinfirth.casa-feliz.net/images/details.php?image_id=206 Ohhhhhh yum! Might have to cut and paste"}, {"response": 170, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (14:47)", "body": "Maria, thanks so much for the link! Whoa, is right!"}, {"response": 171, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (15:52)", "body": "(MariaT)O.K. everyone, take a couple of minutes and look at this... Wow Maria! Many thanks! GAH! Must go back to looking at every category! In the words of another CF fan, \"Ding dong!\" Last time I swear! The photo shoot from 1989! Scarf cuteness! Jeez, he looks so, so virile!! Oh goodness, must go back to work... I think the wedding cake I'm working on is going to melt with those images on my brain!"}, {"response": 172, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (16:23)", "body": "Maria, what a find! My favourite so far is No.4 from the 2002 Photoshoot. Haven't seen that one before."}, {"response": 173, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 2003 (20:32)", "body": "http://colinfirth.casa-feliz.net/images/details.php?image_id=344ry Every number does it for me, but I've always loved this one. It's the hands, I guess *v.large sigh*"}, {"response": 174, "author": "64BakerSt", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (04:40)", "body": "Wow. Just a question, has anyone registered? What's involved with it, and does it allow you download the pics, etc...? Did I say Wow!? Kelly (cleaning drool off the keyboard) :P"}, {"response": 175, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (08:25)", "body": "Maria, what a wonderful site :-) So many new pictures along with old ones in a much better size. Though many of the oldies are great (the one with Ben Kingsly from Camille springs to mind) he's never been better looking than in the recent photos. What a treat - thank you so much !!!"}, {"response": 176, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (08:25)", "body": "I was going to put a nice pic of Pemberley/Lyme on here but I forgot it's on my tripod site, which won't let me link. So if anyone wants to see any Pemberley or Wycombe pics, send me an email and I'll remind you of the website address if you don't have it, after I finish fixing up my site this weekend. Oh and if you could put Pemberley or something similar in the subject line so I know not to delete it if it comes in as junk mail, that would be wonderful."}, {"response": 177, "author": "cyndy", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (11:57)", "body": "(Kelly) Just a question, has anyone registered? I have registered. I haven't had time to go in and do more than peek yet though. Maybe this weekend. But I'm with you, must keep paper towels handy for messy drools!"}, {"response": 178, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Sep  5, 2003 (12:51)", "body": "Wow, Maria, thanks for the link to the photo gallery! What a find! Cleaning the drool off my keyboard...."}, {"response": 179, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (06:42)", "body": ""}, {"response": 180, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (13:54)", "body": "Hi everybody. I saw \"relative values\" some days ago and realized that I saw ODB smoking (like in RV)a few times in movies. Is he a smoker in real life ?"}, {"response": 181, "author": "moonstar", "date": "Sat, Sep  6, 2003 (14:43)", "body": "I think that he used to smoke, though not anymore."}, {"response": 182, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 2003 (04:32)", "body": "OMG, I just saw and heard the videocilp Maria posted (166 21.July) where Colin speaks Italien about TEOBE. I know I\ufffdm late and many of you have already heard it but for christ sake that sounds really sexy (although I nearly didn\ufffdt understand a word he said). Hugh Grant spoke German once on an award show and I loved it, but to me hearing Colin speaking Italien was even better."}, {"response": 183, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 2003 (15:33)", "body": "He is really sexy, English, Italian, Spanish, Porteguese, French..... Just pure sex and I love it."}, {"response": 184, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 2003 (01:59)", "body": "German, too ? I would agree to teach him German. Not for my joy of course (that would be selfish), but as a cosmopolitan he should speak German as well. ;o)"}, {"response": 185, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (14:53)", "body": "This article/interview had some quotes drom ODB that seemed relevant to the discussion going on at 176... http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Theater/5640/interviews/shakespeare/firth.html"}, {"response": 186, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (15:54)", "body": "The problem with his interviews is that he changes views...by his own admission: \"If you asked me the same question tomorrow, you might get a different answer.\" The next week he'll give an interview about how he wishes he'd get the roles RF gets. Pathetic."}, {"response": 187, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (16:02)", "body": "That interview was done for SIL, when he got passed over for the role of Shakespeare. Remember that? ;-)"}, {"response": 188, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (16:49)", "body": "(Evelyn) The next week he'll give an interview about how he wishes he'd get the roles RF gets. Ha! He did this time. ;-)"}, {"response": 189, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (17:08)", "body": "That is....got a CF role, not say he wished he had."}, {"response": 190, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 2003 (17:09)", "body": "s*&*! RF. You know what I mean, even if I don't seem to. ;-)"}, {"response": 191, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (21:22)", "body": "(Tress) BTW, which role do you consider ODB's best? Just curious. Is that just for Moon? Or general discussion? Like to hear what some newbies think out of what they've seen so far. :-)"}, {"response": 192, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (21:32)", "body": "Tumbledown."}, {"response": 193, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (21:41)", "body": "(Dorine) Is that just for Moon? Or general discussion? Anyone! Everyone! And you didn't say Dorine! I'm sticking with Johannes for now (would love to see the film another 2-3 times though)."}, {"response": 194, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (22:13)", "body": "(Tress)I'm sticking with Johannes for now (would love to see the film another 2-3 times though). Oh, is he your fave now? What an endorsement imo! I'm calling it for the guy that brung me to the dance, that lovely FD, but can't wait to see if JV can turn me..."}, {"response": 195, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (23:10)", "body": "Apt Zero, followed closely by Tumbledown. A couple of things I can't get past in Tumbledown (suppose it's less his acting than the script in certain areas) or it would pretty much be neck and neck."}, {"response": 196, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 2003 (23:55)", "body": "I gather she must have lived in a cave during the airing of P&P... From the Scottish Daily Record, an article about an 'extra' who was in DQ: At 17 she landed work as a market stallholder in the TV film Donovan Quick starring Colin Firth. She said: \"I can't believe he's now thought of as a heart-throb. Back then I looked on him as like someone's dad he didn't seem anything special to me. But he was very down-to-earth and friendly. \"There was a drunk across the road, who kept singing while his dog howled. The filming kept getting cut because he wouldn't shut up so eventually they included him in the scene.\" http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/content_objectid=13423972_method=full_siteid=89488_headline=-SHE-S-EXTRA-BUSY-name_page.html"}, {"response": 197, "author": "birdy", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 2003 (07:51)", "body": "Best role? FD. Best performance? Tumbledown (followed by AZ)."}, {"response": 198, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 2003 (07:52)", "body": "(Tress), BTW, which role do you consider ODB's best? Just curious. AZ, Tumbledown, Valmont, P&P. For supporting TEP. I can't wait to see GWAPE."}, {"response": 199, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 2003 (08:34)", "body": "IMO, best display of talent is AZ ,Tumbledown, and Donovan Quick....best drool worthy naturally is P&P and BJD."}, {"response": 200, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 2003 (08:36)", "body": "I'm calling it for the guy that brung me to the dance, that lovely FD, That's always a given. For supporting TEP and RV!"}, {"response": 201, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 2003 (09:12)", "body": "(Evelyn)I'm calling it for the guy that brung me to the dance, that lovely FD, Ah, FD...For me, P&P is my own personal beakout role...followed by years of living in a vacuum, until BJD. Best performance: Tumbledown, followed by AZ, DQ, and WoF Best supporting role: TEP Best eye candy role: WAGW Best Future role: GWAPE (based on Tress's recommendation)"}, {"response": 202, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 2003 (12:14)", "body": "(Linda)Ah, FD...For me, P&P is my own personal beakout role...followed by years of living in a vacuum, until BJD. Same here! It was the FD role that was so spot on and that I saw him in first, plus there were many nights (now tapes and DVD sections) to watch. Then I lived in ignorance until BJD. Best supporting role, IMO, is Lord Wessex in SIL. But I think GWAPE will be getting him some new exposure, positive attention, and better name recognition."}, {"response": 203, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 2003 (12:37)", "body": "(Linda) Best Future role: GWAPE (based on Tress's recommendation) Keeping in mind that I actually enjoyed moments of HS?? And Mari just posed a review from Dave Poland on the CF Topic that said watching GWAPE was like watching paint dry? LOL....I'll stand by Johannes (with AZ, Tumbledown and Valmont as backups...also liked Hostages and the few minutes I got of ODB in Conspiracy). I'm right with you on eye candy (WAGW)! May have to watch Henry again this weekend.....his 'best' roles are like potato chips, you can't have just one!"}, {"response": 204, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 2003 (13:23)", "body": "Evelyn, I know FD brought you to the dance, but it was Mark Darcy who took me to the prom:-)"}, {"response": 205, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 2003 (16:59)", "body": "but it was Mark Darcy who took me to the prom:-) LOL! So cute. It's a hard one to call.;-)"}, {"response": 206, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 2003 (17:00)", "body": "Oi! I thought it was the book launch cocktail party? ;-)"}, {"response": 207, "author": "LizJP", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 2003 (19:38)", "body": "Best role: I'd have to pick Tom Birkin in A Month in the Country, though the Darcys run a close second. A meaty, complex role that he did a terrific job with in his early career, IMHO. If I could pluck a CF character off the screen and get to know him in real life, though, I'd have to take HD -- I love HD's combination of irreverence and a strong sense of social responsibility, spiced up by the promise of that devilish look he gets as he pulls down the front of his motorcycle helmet and roars off with Daphne. Liz"}, {"response": 208, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Sep 20, 2003 (08:41)", "body": "(Linda) Evelyn, I know FD brought you to the dance, but it was Mark Darcy who took me to the prom:-) Great thought, I agree. But its Henry who's taking me to the moon. AZ and LE best acting rolls IMO. P&P bang on, but we get to see more of him in previous choices. It's tough, I guess these three are my favorite acting rolls, but as for eye candy, Henry's got it hands down. Great fun everyone. Can't wait for GWAPE as I feel my opinion may change."}, {"response": 209, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Sep 20, 2003 (09:33)", "body": "(Pam)Great thought, I agree. But its Henry who's taking me to the moon. And Gawd only knows where JV will take us! To heaven, I think;-)"}, {"response": 210, "author": "Leah", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (08:17)", "body": "I am watching LE, and would have to say that because it is fresh in my mind, Richard is doing it for me, BUT, I will never forget the Darcy's who started my manic obsession ;-)"}, {"response": 211, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (12:07)", "body": "(Leah)Richard is doing it for me LOL, and can you be a bit more specific? What, exactly, is \"it\";-)"}, {"response": 212, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (14:14)", "body": "(Leah) I am watching LE, and would have to say that because it is fresh in my mind, Richard is doing it for me, BUT, I will never forget the Darcy's who started my manic obsession ;-) Don't have to tell me, Richard rocks my world. LE is a personal favorite. Don't worry, you never forget Darcy, IMHO, its just great to know that there are more characters who will do it for you. I have several, therefore assuring constant grin on countenance. Variety is the spice of life so they say, and I thoroughly enjoy the variety this man gives me."}, {"response": 213, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 2003 (14:26)", "body": "(Pam)Don't have to tell me, Richard rocks my world. LE is a personal favorite. Thank you all for remebering Richard. Of course, who could ever forget Richard? ;-) LE is probably at the top of the list of my favorites. Yum! (LindaK)What, exactly, is \"it\";-) Definitely the way Richard wears a tux. And the line, \"I'm amputating my leg at the knee.\" I love that line (though I hate seeing him beaten to a pulp soon afterwards). Oh, I love the men named Darcy and Paul and Ernest and them all, but Richard Hearncastle... sigh. Ok, I'll shut up now."}, {"response": 214, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 2003 (00:37)", "body": "(LindaK)What, exactly, is \"it\";-) He says 'South Africa' ;-) This had me giggling like a schoolgirl with a Major crush. To begin with - before I had seen LE, I didn't like the heavy makeup Richard wears, and I can remember making a rude remark (here at Drool) about the clothing he wears ! But, Richard is in almost every scene and he carries LE in the same way in which Lizzy carried P&P."}, {"response": 215, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 2003 (10:04)", "body": "(Leah) I didn't like the heavy makeup Richard wears Ah yes, the \"scary picture\" I put up on Drool's main page last Halloween. ;-) But, Richard is in almost every scene and he carries LE in the same way in which Lizzy carried P&P. I've found it is nearly impossible to fast forward through LE because, even when you have the music hall numbers (which I'd like to FF), they cut away to Richard for reaction shots constantly. I'm sure, if I practice more, I could do it."}, {"response": 216, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 2003 (12:49)", "body": "(Karen)I've found it is nearly impossible to fast forward through LE Yes, and you miss Richard's voice overs as well. Oh that voice. The dance hall numbers were the only thing that got a bit tedious for me."}, {"response": 217, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 2003 (13:37)", "body": "(Karen)I've found it is nearly impossible to fast forward through LE This is why I don't pop it into the machine! It's like a maze I can't get out of. No 10 minute Richard hits! And by the way, I loved the photo with the make-up. I think it gave him an exotic and once again *enigmatic* quality right until he falls off the bike!:-O)"}, {"response": 218, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 2003 (14:31)", "body": "(Karen) I've found it is nearly impossible to fast forward through LE I can't do it...when I sit down to LE (or P&P for that matter), I'm done for the day. That's it...that's what I'm doing!"}, {"response": 219, "author": "hershey", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 2003 (16:40)", "body": "So where are you guys finding this movie? Is it something even remotely available in the U.S.? I have not heard anything of it till this discussion, but now you have me all intrigued. I must know how to see it!! (Not that I'm demanding or anything.)"}, {"response": 220, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 2003 (16:51)", "body": "Lost Empires used to be very very rare. I remember my first video copies which were hideous quality came via New Zealand! My next set was better, but finally it came out on DVD and video last year. There's a link to purchase from The Boutique: http://www.firth.com/boutiq.html"}, {"response": 221, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 2003 (19:16)", "body": "(Karen) I've found it is nearly impossible to fast forward through LE because, even when you have the music hall numbers (which I'd like to FF), they cut away to Richard for reaction shots constantly. I'm sure, if I practice more, I could do it. Know what you mean but I learned the words and sing along and they go by faster. ;-) (Terry) I can't do it...when I sit down to LE (or P&P for that matter), I'm done for the day. That's it...that's what I'm doing! Me too. That's the plan. A rainy weekend day. Chores done and I'm gone. Never FF just sit through the whole thing, even replaying my favorite parts over and over. Can't get enough of Richard or Darcy. Just love both movies."}, {"response": 222, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (08:11)", "body": "$25.00 for non-members but I bet it is worth every penny! http://www.englishpen.org/events/borrowrecordings/"}, {"response": 223, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (08:43)", "body": "OK, who is going to borrow it and make a copy? All costs will be reimbursed."}, {"response": 224, "author": "aishling", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (09:23)", "body": "I can borrow and copy."}, {"response": 225, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (09:32)", "body": "Lovely! Thank you, Aishling."}, {"response": 226, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (09:49)", "body": "I'll send you a 5\ufffd note;-))"}, {"response": 227, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (10:57)", "body": "Look at what's on the best seller list...... http://www.deepdiscountdvd.com/ I'm looking for a cheap replacement for WAGWs since I left mine with my niece as I couldn't think of a *cool* way to take it back after I viewed it with her publicly.;-)"}, {"response": 228, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (11:44)", "body": "Tress and I were chatting yesterday and I was lamenting that my favorite Ben & Jerry's flavor, From Russia With Buzz, had been sent to the flavor graveyard (Still praying for a reincarnation!) Which of course led to discussion of what a great job it must be to be a B&J flavor developer which in turn led to how wonderful it would be to lick Karamel Sutra off of ODB's (Whoops!) sorry, got carried away...Anyway, we thought how great would it be to come up with an ODB inspired flavor! One that incorporates Fair Trade and supports Oxfam and oh forget the ideals, are just plain silly...Here are a few suggestions for starters but I am sure that there are many more delectable OBD flavas just waiting to be born!! Donovan Chip What a Swirl Wants I Long for a Ball (Chocolate ice cream with Chocolate Malt Balls) Bridget Jones' Dairy Milk (Chocolate Ice Cream with Cadberry Dairy Milk bits in it!Two different kinds of nuts, since both Daniel and Mark were crazy about Bridge. No wait! banana AND hazelnuts AND Dairy Milk) Cookie Crumbdinium ( Anchovy flavored Fortune cookie crumbles in creamy okra ice cream...we never said it was good!) The Wedge of Cheesen (Cheesecake idea) Flavor Niche (Kind of a grab bag) A Thousand Bakers (?, shrug... caramelized brioche toffee with chocolate nut studs?) Circle of Blends (up to 5 different flavors!) ChocolateSoufflemaker ( a stretch, I admit) Swirl with a Pear Creaming (don't ask what PC is...still being worked out) Creme Fatale (a creme brulee-ish thing...)"}, {"response": 229, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (13:10)", "body": "LOL, Maria and Tress (Maria)ChocolateSoufflemaker ( a stretch, I admit) And to go along, I't guess you would like something \"on the rocks\"? :-)"}, {"response": 230, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (13:23)", "body": "ChocolateSoufflemaker, Creme Fatale ..... My mouth is starting to water.;-)"}, {"response": 231, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (13:58)", "body": "Wiggles of Fame...this is a jello treat. Trauma Mamma...banana (bah-nah-na)split with your choice of flavors. Ding Dong Decadent Darcy...a Pride and Prejudice delight (Annette)And to go along, I'd guess you would like something \"on the rocks\"? :-) There is always Rocky Road;-) (Maria)ChocolateSoufflemaker I'm into Bing-Cherrymaker, myself."}, {"response": 232, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (14:04)", "body": "(Linda) I'm into Bing-Cherrymaker, myself. ROTFL...I may get into trouble for this one! Cherry maker ? Shouldn't it be Cherrybreaker? ;-)"}, {"response": 233, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (14:13)", "body": "(Tress)ROTFL...I may get into trouble for this one! Cherrymaker? Shouldn't it be Cherrybreaker? ;-) In this case, I think the cherry was broken long before the rocky road;-) I see you're out of your wimp mode. LOL."}, {"response": 234, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (18:17)", "body": "Swirl with a Pear Creaming (don't ask what PC is...still being worked out) Ummmm, Maria, I think you should run this one by your husband. ;-)"}, {"response": 235, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (19:24)", "body": "(Karen) Ummmm, Maria, I think you should run this one by your husband. ;-) LOL..yeah Maria! Actually that one was mine, but Maria is more than welcome to see what her DH has to say about it, I'm kinda curious now!! ;-D"}, {"response": 236, "author": "mjmorris", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 2003 (19:34)", "body": "Ladies this is simply brilliant. I needed a good laugh after putting up 15lbs of apples this afternoon. I couldn't think of an ice cream flavor, but how about Apple Country Crisp? On the Wiggles of Fame, you don't know how much of a double meaning that has because there is a kids' supergroup called The Wiggles for the youngest set. I bow to your creativity! Michelle"}, {"response": 237, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Sep 25, 2003 (08:00)", "body": "Oh, I had to wait several hours after reading this to return to the topic and post because every time I saw it I burst out laughing for several minutes and could not stop long enough to type. ;-) Thank you so much Maria and Tress for coming up with this very *tasty* game!!! Here are my feeble attempts: Latte Empires (a Fair Trade coffee swirl - could one possibly also add French tarts to ice cream?) Hour of the Praline (pralines, caramel, dark chocolate \"you are dark but comely\") Master of the S'more (chocolate ice cream with graham craker crumbles and marshmellows) or Matcha of the Morello Cherry (green tea ice cream with blood red brandied cherries (I had a combination of these flavors before and it was actually quite tasty))"}, {"response": 238, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep 25, 2003 (10:29)", "body": "LOL, Maria and Tress! Hot Creams (creme de menthe, Irish cream and heavy cream \"need I say more?\""}, {"response": 239, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Sep 25, 2003 (11:03)", "body": "Great flavors ladies. LOL. I love Caramel Lick, with or without whipped cream myself."}, {"response": 240, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Sep 25, 2003 (13:08)", "body": "Aww! But, but, my *cheque* is in the mail..... I miss Colin's birthday photo already!"}, {"response": 241, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 25, 2003 (13:15)", "body": "not that you should consider this extortion... but the sooner we meet our goal, then sooner Colin's pic goes back up. ;-)"}, {"response": 242, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Sep 25, 2003 (13:59)", "body": "(Karen) but the sooner we meet our goal, then sooner Colin's pic goes back up. ;-) The check is in the mail (I swear!!!)...and I'm very fond of the corgis....but I suppose I would like to see ODB back up there ASAP. And Shoshana!!! ROTFL....Latte Empires (the Fair Trade coffee bit was great, but the French tarts sent it over the top!!) and Master of the S'more!!! Brilliant!"}, {"response": 243, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Sep 25, 2003 (14:04)", "body": "Ok, ok, pant, pant, pant..... It's in the bowl, in the bowl!"}, {"response": 244, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (10:51)", "body": "What fun, Maria and Tress, everyone. You start the creative juices flowing ;-) A-frappe-mint Zero (mint chocolate chip frappe, zero calories, yet very frothy on top) Or A-tart-mint Zero (tangy lemon mint sorbet, zero calories, to be eaten by itself without extras ;-\\)"}, {"response": 245, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (13:59)", "body": "Thanks, Bossmeister. I was using a small \"f\", so you were right, as usual.. but don't let that universal truth go to your head. ;) I'm glad to be back, btw. I can send a donation when Daddy gets paid on Tuesday if that's not too late. I love brown-eyed boys as well as most of you, but If I must gaze upon a likeness of one (especially if he's warm, cuddly and prone to jump on me and lick my face) I'd much rather he be of the Colin variety than the Corgi. ;)"}, {"response": 246, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sat, Sep 27, 2003 (00:14)", "body": "Moved from Topic 176 (but not specifically to Darcy Drool... (Michelle) I took the dive today and am no longer a Colin DVD virgin. I ordered my *first* ODB movie...and ended up with P&P since that movie got me started on this journey. Oh Michelle! Good choice! Totally ignoring the fact the man was *made* for period clothes, considering you get @ 6 hours, the return on investment is spectacular! Congratulations and happy viewing! (I think I'll go tune in to a little Stairmaster just to celebrate with you!)"}, {"response": 247, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (13:02)", "body": "Some new pics posted !!! http://colinfirth.casa-feliz.net/images/"}, {"response": 248, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (13:27)", "body": "Thanks Maria!!! Some pretty yummy ones! He sure does make a handsome stable boy! Wonder if he gives riding lessons?! (I tried, I really tried not to go there, but I thought about it for a moment and everyone knows she who hesitates is lost!)"}, {"response": 249, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (13:28)", "body": "Great find Maria. My fave: The Woodchopper;-)"}, {"response": 250, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (14:04)", "body": "(BarbS) He sure does make a handsome stable boy! Wonder if he gives riding lessons?! ROTFL....I'll give him somethin' to ride! And that was waaaaaay over that line I drew that I said I wouldn't cross.... ;-) OMG...the Steven Pyke black and whites.... Thank you Maria! A lovely distraction!"}, {"response": 251, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (14:25)", "body": "Just a quick glance, but I'd say Steven Pyke did the photos for the German Vogue, you know, the one with MEM and her wallpaper samples. ;-) I'll have to go check it out. Thanks, Maria, for keeping tabs on that site. Wonder what the Colin Bell ones are or were for. Doesn't look like any we've seen...except...Wait!!! I think I've got. There's a fairly recent one of Colin sitting on front steps. It's with an article."}, {"response": 252, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (15:22)", "body": "(Tress) I'll give him somethin' to ride! And that was waaaaaay over that line I drew that I said I wouldn't cross....;-) If you hadn't gone there, I would have! ;-D I tell ya, quite a few of my overall favorite pics of ODB's are Colin Bell's. He really knows how to get the most out of a shoot with Colin. He always seems so happy and relaxed in his pics. Love the untucked, rolled sleeves, and *waaaay* open collar in a couple of them. ;-D Like the B/W's, too. Thanks, Maria!!"}, {"response": 253, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (18:31)", "body": "(Tress) I'll give him somethin' to ride! Hang on there Missey!.... I gave him the Tex Tan Tex Flex pleasure saddle:-) (Dorine)If you hadn't gone there, I would have! ;-D I've been there all afternoon;-)"}, {"response": 254, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (18:45)", "body": "Thanks, Maria! It looks like it could be Umbria. But where does the Casa Feliz come from? ;-)"}, {"response": 255, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (19:49)", "body": "(Linda) I've been there all afternoon;-) ROFLOL Well then Missey, it's time to hop on down and give someone else a chance!"}, {"response": 256, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (22:56)", "body": "Maria, thanks so much for the link to the photos. I swear there should be a warning posted at that site--my heart can't take it! ;-) (Dorine) I tell ya, quite a few of my overall favorite pics of ODB's are Colin Bell's. He really knows how to get the most out of a shoot with Colin. Couldn't agree more, Dorine. He always seems so happy and relaxed in his pics. Bell captures a pensive quality of ODB's quite often, too."}, {"response": 257, "author": "Leah", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 2003 (01:36)", "body": "(LisaJH) Maria, thanks so much for the link to the photos. I swear there should be a warning posted at that site--my heart can't take it! ;-) Yes, thank you VERY much. My heart just stopped. That man is gorgeous !!!!!"}, {"response": 258, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 2003 (15:29)", "body": "I just spent a torturous hour covering for someone who's computer was on the fritz...tap tap tap..fidget, squirm, only 58 min 37 seconds to go..tap tap tap,impatiently sigh, peruse the Logistics Today magazine, almost collapse from boredom.. aha! A dictionary! Better self by looking up handsome words...Anyway, what is the ODB point in all this? Just this..If you start in the dictionary at words that start with in and go through to words that start with im , there are an amazing number of words that seem to be from P&P or from other ODB films or that just plain remind you of them, or him, or both... I know, the dictionary is FULL of words that ODB has spoken..;-))But the IN words in particular seem like JA had her dictionary open to those pages when writing.. IM - immaterial,impartial,impecunious,imperious,impertinent,implacable,impolitic, importune,impugn See? IN - inarticulate,incivility, incubus(sounds like..), indecorous,indifferent, inherit, insuperable, insupportable(these last two follow one another...), intellect, intolerable Anyway, sorry to bore the pants off all of you, I am just so glad to be in front of my computer again I could hug it..."}, {"response": 259, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 2003 (17:00)", "body": "(Maria)...aha! A dictionary! Better self by looking up handsome words... LOL! No, you did not bore me as your little diversion combines dictionaries (laudible and enjoyable tomes they are) and ODB, two wonderful things (one perhaps significantly more wonderful than the other...). ;-) insupportable Who other that Colin could make that word so sexy?"}, {"response": 260, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct  4, 2003 (09:48)", "body": "(Maria) incubus(sounds like..) would this be the 'fucking succubus' remark?"}, {"response": 261, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Oct  4, 2003 (14:17)", "body": "Yep! That would be it! succubus -A female demon supposed to descend upon and have sexual intercourse with a man while he sleeps. incubus - An evil spirit supposed to descend upon and have sexual intercourse with women as they sleep. The things we learn here.Yet another reason why drooling is important.(As if we needed another reason..)"}, {"response": 262, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sat, Oct  4, 2003 (16:04)", "body": "(Maria)succubus -A female demon supposed to descend upon and have sexual intercourse with a man while he sleeps. So Colin's line in FF really didn't need the extra \"f\" adjective. But that really makes the line funnier. ;-) You're right, Maria, the things we learn here ;-D. And thanks for finding so many of them!"}, {"response": 263, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Oct  4, 2003 (17:34)", "body": "So \"effing succubous\" is redundant, no? ;-)"}, {"response": 264, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sat, Oct  4, 2003 (20:55)", "body": "(LisaJH)So \"effing succubous\" is redundant, no? ;-) But wasn't he so drunk that Joe actually said, \"She's a succubus, a sucking fuccubus (sp?).\" That would be doubly redundant. ;-)"}, {"response": 265, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct  5, 2003 (12:48)", "body": "How we doin' on the Drool goal, boss. I'm getting kinda'sick of those dogs."}, {"response": 266, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Oct  5, 2003 (18:59)", "body": "Wrong CF but check out the leash."}, {"response": 267, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (08:08)", "body": "Charming all the pretty young things and probably feigning ignorance as to his appeal..;-)) From an IMDB interview with Keira Knightley You're also in Love Actually. It's a big old ensemble piece with entwining love stories. My part's really tiny - just 5 scenes - but really beautiful, and I get married and kiss some gorgeous guy and wear nice clothes with great make up. I marry Chiwetel Ejiofor who's in Stephen Frears' Dirty Pretty Things and Andy Lincoln's the other man, but I can't reveal anymore. What about working with Hugh Grant? Our paths cross in the film, but we sadly don't have a proper scene together. I met him a few times, and I also did a few days with Colin Firth who I absolutely love! He's fantastic and really cool, and we had a real giggle. Here is the link but to me it sounds like Charlie Brown adults after the ODB bit..:-) http://keiraknightley.free.fr/News/STORY9.html"}, {"response": 268, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (10:21)", "body": "Thanks, Maria! So it's CF over HG for Kiera. ;-)"}, {"response": 269, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (12:03)", "body": "(Keira)and I also did a few days with Colin Firth who I absolutely love! He's fantastic and really cool, and we had a real giggle. Maria - thank you! I would adore to have a real giggle with Colin! *Lydia-like sigh.*"}, {"response": 270, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (12:10)", "body": "MCP here....it really is getting to annoy me that Colin's co-stars only comment on \"how funny he is.\" :-("}, {"response": 271, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (12:30)", "body": "He's fantastic and really cool, and we had a real giggle. MCP here....it really is getting to annoy me that Colin's co-stars only comment on \"how funny he is.\" :-( Now Ms. Pants, I beg to differ. The above line had me wondering *fantastic at what?, really cool how? and what the hell were they giggling about?* I found it couched well enough to play with, actually;-)"}, {"response": 272, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (12:52)", "body": "Thanks, Maria. Beedee what a fertile imagination you have;-) (Beedee)Now Ms. Pants, LOL. (MCP)....it really is getting to annoy me that Colin's co-stars only comment on \"how funny he is.\" :-( SJ did say he was a \"charmer\"."}, {"response": 273, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (13:06)", "body": "*ha ha* Would any of the quotaholics remind me of the last time (if ever) a co-star commented on how brilliant an actor Colin was...that kind of thing. And give me a big nudge if you can find a quote about what a great kisser he is. ;-) Ms Pants might lay low for awhile with that kind of motivation."}, {"response": 274, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (13:11)", "body": "Now Ms. Pants....I don't take anything that ODB's twelve year old co-stars have to say too seriously! I bet he is a hoot...and I know he's a great actor. That the youngsters don't gush on that is understandable. They are too busy thinking about what flavored lip gloss to wear! ;-D"}, {"response": 275, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (13:31)", "body": "Scarlett Johansson. In Style September 2003 my favorite co-star--\"Colin Firth. He's sensitive and adorable and an incredible actor. It was just a total pleasure to work with him.\""}, {"response": 276, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (13:40)", "body": "Scarlett Johansson. In Style September 2003 my favorite co-star--\"Colin Firth. He's sensitive and adorable and an incredible actor. It was just a total pleasure to work with him.\" Seems *she* was disposed to be generous in her comments, what a shame there was no kiss..."}, {"response": 277, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (14:33)", "body": "Cut that out, Mari, I know you're making that up. Next you'll post one from Judi Dench about how great a kisser he is. ;-)"}, {"response": 278, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (15:03)", "body": "Nope, that's a real quote from SJ. Am sure I or someone else posted it on the news board."}, {"response": 279, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (20:43)", "body": "(Mari)Nope, that's a real quote from SJ. Am sure I or someone else posted it on the news board. Yep, I think it was from Entertainment Weekly or NY Times. I posted a few of those...just keeping the record straight for MCP."}, {"response": 280, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (21:35)", "body": "(Karen) And give me a big nudge if you can find a quote about what a great kisser he is. ;-) LOL! I hope I'll never find a quote about that. It bothers me a great deal every time I read that kind of c**p. Those kisses are supposed to be fake, right? They just have to look yummy. ;-) Thanks for all the great info that had been posted in the last few days. We've just moved and I've been without internet for a while, so all that new stuff helped a great deal to cure my withdrawal symptoms. It's amazing how addicted one can get, and how wonderful it feels to be able to come back. Whew! Much better... :-)"}, {"response": 281, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (07:25)", "body": "(SJ), \"Colin Firth. He's sensitive and adorable and an incredible actor. It was just a total pleasure to work with him.\" \"And was able to follow my suggestions perfectly, unlike some of the others.\" ;-)))))"}, {"response": 282, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (11:55)", "body": "LOL, Moon. Gwynnie said something similar . Colin and Joe Fiennes taught her how to articulate the Shakespeare dialogue. She thanked him in one of the award acceptances."}, {"response": 283, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (12:04)", "body": "Didn't Renee say he was a tremendous actor and made her feel so comfortable on the set?"}, {"response": 284, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, Oct 12, 2003 (04:53)", "body": "There's a lovely new pic from an Italian magazine posted at CFFW. Very nice!!"}, {"response": 285, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 12, 2003 (08:56)", "body": "Eventually, I'll have it myself...well, as soon as that guy in Italy sends it. :-("}, {"response": 286, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, Oct 12, 2003 (09:59)", "body": "On second viewing of the new pic (who am I kidding?) it looks like he's wearing that cord round his neck, and I think there's some sort of medallion at the end. Can't see it too well, though. Maybe Karen's pic will be clearer."}, {"response": 287, "author": "Leah", "date": "Mon, Oct 13, 2003 (02:27)", "body": "The Rugby World cup started the weekend, and (as with everything), there is a CF connection. The theme song for the world cup is the same tune that Another Country got it's name from (I vow to thee my country)."}, {"response": 288, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Oct 13, 2003 (23:12)", "body": "On second viewing of the new pic (who am I kidding?) it looks like he's wearing that cord round his neck, and I think there's some sort of medallion at the end. Can't see it too well, though. Just came back from my m-in-laws 85th b'day celebration and I seem to have seen similar on many cohorts! It may be an *I've fallen and I can't get up* alarm!! Oh no! It can't be so, ...........;-))) Must have just spent too much time with the old folks back home."}, {"response": 289, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (07:36)", "body": "This was posted today but looks to be almost entirely recycled.. http://www.femail.co.uk/pages/standard/article.html?in_article_id=199574&in_page_id=119"}, {"response": 290, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (08:42)", "body": "(MariaT) This was posted today but looks to be almost entirely recycled.. I've never read anything about nude photos, but it's good to know for the future ;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 291, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (08:46)", "body": "(MariaT) This was posted today but looks to be almost entirely recycled.. (LeahP) I've never read anything about nude photos, but it's good to know for the future ;-) ;-) Yea, that was the bit that made me use the word \"almost\"..;-))"}, {"response": 292, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (09:00)", "body": "It's an excerpt of the W Magazine article that has just come out. Or will be coming out soon in some areas. The one with Jennifer Garner on the cover."}, {"response": 293, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (15:28)", "body": "While searching here, there and everywhere for BJD2 stuff, I ran across this rather interesting pic I'd never seen before: Wonder what it was taken for or if it was ever used."}, {"response": 294, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (17:40)", "body": "Great picture, Karen. I guess the making of Valmont wasn't as serious all the time as some of the article suggested. Perhaps this is the wrong phrase - what I meant is, if I remember correctly, Milos Forman was said to give very specific directions. So - I guess his direction here was: Don't worry - be happy :-)"}, {"response": 295, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (21:17)", "body": "Thanks for the fun picture, Karen! Looks like Colin and Annette B. are trying to start a conga line. ;-) But where are Meg and Fairuza?"}, {"response": 296, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Oct 17, 2003 (06:17)", "body": "Thanks for the smiley Valmont Karen! Posting a link to the HS premiere in April..Humor me, after scrolling through this site for the past hour and a half my hand is cramped and I think I will need to have the mouse surgically removed from my clawlike grasp on it (And I still have to go to work for 10 hours, Oh noooo :-O...) I think there may be a couple of shots I had not seen before, one with David Ginola http://www.globephotos.com/scripts/kws30pre.exe?site=GLOBEPH&maxhits=12&picktype=GfxOnly&type=GfxOnly&search=[K30268GLK+A12963]&hmessage='+HOPE+SPRINGS+'+-UK+PREMIER+++ODEON+WEST+END,+LONDON++04/28/2203&ShowTotal=on&fmaxhits=&submit=lsearch"}, {"response": 297, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Fri, Oct 17, 2003 (23:29)", "body": "I don't know if this has been posted before, there is a new edition of GWAPE at Chapters/Indigo Canada with Colin and Scarlett on the cover. I didn't see it at Amazon or anywhere else. I ran out today and got myself a copy, it is so lovely! I wish I had it with me when I saw Colin at the TIFF, I would've loved him to sign it for me. But it just came out. One day maybe..., but can lightning strike twice on the same spot? We'll see... :-) Take a peek: http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/item.asp?N=35&R=867030&act=A03&Item=978045228493&Section=books&Catalog=Books&Lang=en&mscssid=2Q35628BWR3W9PQ22JB921F1W8T33E11&WSID=2312031424231AB14400B746749888381D371803"}, {"response": 298, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 18, 2003 (11:00)", "body": "Katty sent me a scan of the November 1989 Premiere magazine profile of Colin, which I've put up here: http://www.firth.com/articles/89premiere_nov.html No change (pre/post Valmont) in the \"jobbing\" actor's attitudes. ;-)"}, {"response": 299, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Oct 19, 2003 (01:33)", "body": "Thanks Karen! (Premiere article) \ufffdI\ufffdve never thought of having a \ufffdcareer,\ufffd\ufffd says Firth, all pro forma British effacement. \ufffdFor me it\ufffds just one job and then another job.\ufffd As it is, he expects, \ufffdIn ten years\ufffd time I\ufffdll get over this nonsense\ufffd and leave acting. An idle threat, one hopes. Hmmmmm...you're right about the jobbing actor thing! Glad the ten year deadline came and went. Sssshhhhh........maybe he forgot about it!"}, {"response": 300, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Oct 25, 2003 (08:48)", "body": "So with all of the hoopla of the up-coming series I watched the original Dr. Zivago last night. It was wonderful but I kept thinking of ODB in Omar's performance. It's all in the eyes. I kept thinking of FD. Silly girl, I tell myself. You've really got to get a hold of this obsession as it's getting in the way. But this morning I was watching the *making of* disk and Omar was telling of his frustration because David Lean kept telling him to *do nothing*! I feel vindicated! Dr. Z really is a stunning film. Do I really want to see KN as Lara?"}, {"response": 301, "author": "Leah", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (00:07)", "body": "What with all the kissing going on in TEOR, does anyone know if there is a worse kisser than Jess Clarke? I watched ATA and was shuddering for all the wrong reasons ;-("}, {"response": 302, "author": "meg", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (07:45)", "body": "Okay, a bit from left field here, but is anyone else reminded of Louis Jordan when they watch Valmont? I think the young CF looks a lot like the young LJ. Not so much any more though."}, {"response": 303, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (13:30)", "body": "It just never ends;-) Same old stuff but the rest of the categories and nominations are pretty interesting;-) It's time to turn the lights down low, get comfortable, loosen your clothes and vote for the 100 Greatest Sexy Moments ever seen on screen. Pride And Prejudice (1995) The BBC's lavish adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel launched Colin Firth as the misunderstood Mr Darcy at the heart of Elizabeth's affections. In what has become known as 'the most erotic moment in costume drama' Darcy appears from a lake in a wet shirt to a bewildered Elizabeth who can barely contain her glee. No sex here but the proof is in the frenzy the scene caused nationwide. http://www.channel4.com/film/newsfeatures/microsites/S/sexy/index.html"}, {"response": 304, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (14:12)", "body": "a bewildered Elizabeth who can barely contain her glee. I didn't think she appeared gleeful at all, except the head to toe look, but that wasn't particularly gleeful. And I thought there were other sexier moments in there with the 2 of them. Thanks, Linda."}, {"response": 305, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (13:15)", "body": "I'm putting this here. I know it was discussed on 184 when the fashion faux pas occurred. RE: Brown shoes/blue suit I was watching GMA this morning and Tom Jones was on. He had on a very blue suit with very brown shoes. Now I ask you, could this be a UK-male phenomenon? Or did Mr. Jones forget his 'other' shoes as well?;-) Maybe it's just a UK-male celebrity thing? Mark? UK ladies? Anyone?"}, {"response": 306, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (13:46)", "body": "(Linda)RE: Brown shoes/blue suit I just saw this on QEFTSG! Thought of here! The transit cop....I'm v. behind."}, {"response": 307, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (10:01)", "body": "Here is something not too many will ever hear... My gym instructor, who is about 6'4, muscle-ish and black (reminds me of Michael Clarke Duncan from The Green Mile, bald and all)was talking this morning about recent movies he has been to. He commented on Mystic River, Matrix 2, and then he started talking about this \"sleeper\" that he really enjoyed called HS! I almosted fainted! (Well, I was midway to fainting through that set of situps anyway but I digress...)Another lady asked him about saying she had not heard of it (Wot?!)He jumped into a silly English accent to explain the premise (and did a good job of it actually)and said he really enjoyed it! Took the opportunity though to tell him to go see LA, and he is going today! BTW, he is not gay but did not even mention going for HG! The fact that he was one of the couple hundred or so folks that saw it during it's week long run but that he liked it enough to bring it up 6 weeks after blew me away.. !? A little bit later he was telling us how happy he was that he had convinced one of his clients to quit smoking. She claimed the smoking calmed her nerves. He told her, \"It's not the smoking, it's the ......breathing! Are the vibes I am sending out influencing reality? Or have I actually broken off from reality? And actually, speaking of actually , has anyone else noticed themselves starting and ending sentences with actually? Makes a good pause term too, just ask Daphne, \"Actuallyyyyyyy, no. Thanks\"...See, more slippage into the Parallel ODB universe..."}, {"response": 308, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (11:43)", "body": "(Maria) BTW, he is not gay but did not even mention going for HG! Yeah, right...actually. ;-)"}, {"response": 309, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (13:09)", "body": "(Maria)has anyone else noticed themselves starting and ending sentences with actually? Makes a good pause term too, . It does, actually (Maria)It's not the smoking, it's the ......breathing! Are the vibes I am sending out influencing reality? Actually, it's a hard one to call. Loved your story, Maria. I've been in a parallel universe since last Thursday, actually;-)"}, {"response": 310, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (13:16)", "body": "(Maria)has anyone else noticed themselves starting and ending sentences with actually? Makes a good pause term too,. I hadn't noticed, actually....;-) I've just had this silly little song in my head for days that drowns out everything else (hum a few bars with me....\"I feel in my fingers...\")"}, {"response": 311, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (13:27)", "body": "(Tress)I've just had this silly little song in my head for days that drowns out everything else (hum a few bars with me....\"I feel in my fingers...\") You havn't been alone! I feel it in my Tooooeeesss!!! :-))"}, {"response": 312, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (13:35)", "body": "(Maria)has anyone else noticed themselves starting and ending sentences with actually? Makes a good pause term too,. Actually, I have ab-so-lute'-ly felt like I'm in a parellel universe since last week. And Maria, I actually enjoyed your gym tale.;-)"}, {"response": 313, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (14:36)", "body": "(Tress)I've just had this silly little song in my head for days that drowns out everything else (hum a few bars with me....\"I feel in my fingers...\") (Maria)You havn't been alone! I feel it in my Tooooeeesss!!! :-)) Ahhh . .(***singing along . .) \"Love is all around . . . uh . . Christmas is all around us . .\""}, {"response": 314, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (14:42)", "body": "Hmm . .not sure if this goes under here or Odds and Ends? Wanted to share one of my favorite sites with you all . . . You proabably already know about it, if you enjoy . .well period movies, books, anything!) Eras of Elegance - www.erasofelegancecom It relates to ODB as to one of my favorite parts of the site! - The movie guides are fabulous! Love their pics, behind the scenes commentary their from novel to screenplay sections! See the ones here below for P&P, TIOBE, GWAPE, SIL! http://www.erasofelegance.com/moviepride.html http://www.erasofelegance.com/movieearnest.html http://www.erasofelegance.com/moviepearlearring.html http://www.erasofelegance.com/movieshakespeare.html"}, {"response": 315, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (14:43)", "body": "Hmm . .not sure if this goes under here or Odds and Ends? Wanted to share one of my favorite sites with you all . . . You proabably already know about it, if you enjoy . .well period movies, books, anything!) Eras of Elegance - www.erasofelegance.com It relates to ODB as to one of my favorite parts of the site! - The movie guides are fabulous! Love their pics, behind the scenes commentary their from novel to screenplay sections! See the ones here below for P&P, TIOBE, GWAPE, SIL! http://www.erasofelegance.com/moviepride.html http://www.erasofelegance.com/movieearnest.html http://www.erasofelegance.com/moviepearlearring.html http://www.erasofelegance.com/movieshakespeare.html"}, {"response": 316, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (15:21)", "body": "I posted that last one twice, finger slipped .. .sorry!"}, {"response": 317, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (16:27)", "body": "Maria, actually, I know exactly, what you mean :-) Loved your story. If only we had a gym-teacher available here, who knew anything about English movies, I might consider starting again :-) humming along \"I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes ....\" (well, all over, actually :-))))"}, {"response": 318, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (16:29)", "body": "Interesting site and this *is* where you would post such info. BTW, there's never a need to correct one's spelling or apologize for a posting mistake in another post. Most of us can figure it out, plus our old self-appointed grammar police no longer longer posts here. ;-)"}, {"response": 319, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (17:52)", "body": "(Tress)I've just had this silly little song in my head for days that drowns out everything else (hum a few bars with me....\"I feel in my fingers...\") LOL, me too!!! And after spending 40 minutes admiring (at close range) those hands, and trying to mentally calculate the actual length of those fingers...oh baby, ...\"love is all around me, come on and let it grow\""}, {"response": 320, "author": "socadook", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (19:23)", "body": "(Maria)It's not the smoking, it's the ......breathing! Are the vibes I am sending out influencing reality? LOL. HS, LA... methinks he's ready for FP. My gym instructor, who is about 6'4, muscle-ish and black (reminds me of Michael Clarke Duncan from The Green Mile, bald and all) Might not be a fan (yet) but this does change the demographic a bit, wouldn't you say so Colin? ;-) Hmmm, wonder if MCD lookalike has a DD? Maria, thanks for sharing your story. Kimberly, thanks for the links."}, {"response": 321, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (16:42)", "body": "A little silly observation. You all remember the picture from GWAPE with Griet and Vermeer under the rug/whatever looking into the camera obscura. I thought there were something familiar with that scene, and now I know what: There is a scene in AMITC, where Moon gets on the scaffold and we see him and Birkin from the side, very little light looking at the painting/wall. It's the scene just before he goes to the graveyard and sees Mrs Keach for the first time. As I said at the beginning, very silly - but it put my mind at ease about the de-ja-vue :-)"}, {"response": 322, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (10:21)", "body": "Another little silly observation. I popped in my P&P DVD last night for a few minutes of Darcy Heaven, and noticed something I haven't before. The footman Lizzy sort of bumps into on her way to the billiard room at Netherfield is played by the same actor who was the butler(announcer) in WAGW at the Orwood ball. I couldn't believe it, so I checked IMDb just to make sure I wasn't really insane. It's him all right, I haven't gone completely mad yet. :-)"}, {"response": 323, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (12:18)", "body": "Holy cow! And you noticed this? ;-)"}, {"response": 324, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (12:45)", "body": "There are many who like to collect music, books, etc., associated with Colin's movies. The music from A Month in the Country is contained on this CD by Howard Blake - Violin Concerto \"The Leeds\" for which an online reviewer wrote: In addition, ASV has included Blake's Suite for Strings (1986), called \"A Month In The Country,\" and runs a moody twelve or so minutes. Again, it is music that is both beautiful and accessible (and originally commissioned as a film score). Its five movements, mostly slow, have titles such as \"Idyll\" and \"Elegy.\" It's one of my favorite 20th Century works, although far too short for me. Here is the url and I'll add it to the Boutique page too: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000030V3/spring-20/"}, {"response": 325, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (13:42)", "body": "Karen)Holy cow! And you noticed this? ;-) Imagine that. ;-) Come on, I'm overexcited. Too much Colin stuff gone to my head. I love it. :-)"}, {"response": 326, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (13:40)", "body": "Karen)Holy cow! And you noticed this? ;-) (Ildi) Imagine that. ;-) Wow, I'm impressed. Thought I had P&P faces memorized by now. Guess I need another viewing. You don't know how I suffer ;-)"}, {"response": 327, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (19:24)", "body": "(Tiscali Entertainment CF bio on 184) Budgeted at $35 million, much of the money being spent on sumptuous sets, Valmont was an excellent production Went to an all day filmmaking seminar a in Oct where one of the speakers was a producer of well known movies. He said, \"The last thing I'm going to tell you, is to rent 2 movies, Dangerous Liasons........and Valmont. One will show you how a good movie isn't made, the other one will show you how a good movie is made. \" (Paraphrasing) he said one was a great story of how beautiful Paris and the French countryside is, and the other told a story tightly. For instance, in DL, many shots are confined to corners or in rooms requiring little set up vs. Valmont with sprawling shots of estates, etc. And then he left. I would have chased after him while waiting for the next panel to set up, to see what else he had to say about that, but I incorrectly thought he would be at the reception they were having later."}, {"response": 328, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (09:51)", "body": "So this guy thought DL was the good movie, right?"}, {"response": 329, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 2003 (09:45)", "body": "Some more silly stuff if you can endure it. I watched a bit of WAGW last night, and asked myself for the umpteenth time why it was that in almost every scene the top of Colin's head was cut off. I noticed that also in BJD and Conspiracy. And it doesn't just happen with the closeups, I see it all the time, and it baffles me. If they do a closeup why not include his entire head? Since I haven't seen many of Colin's earlier films I don't know what the situation is with those, but some of the new ones have this particular \"problem\". Anybody knows a reason for this?"}, {"response": 330, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 2003 (09:52)", "body": "Are you watching it on DVD or tape? Is the DVD/tape widescreen (letter boxed) or has it been modified to fill the screen?"}, {"response": 331, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 2003 (10:07)", "body": "I have the widescreen DVDs, but I'm not sure that is the problem, since my TIOBE is widescreen too, and Colin's head is intact in that one. I checked some websites that post snaps from DVDs and saw the same thing there."}, {"response": 332, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 2003 (10:12)", "body": "Ah...well, it's not all that uncommon to frame a shot without showing the top of the head. But then again, I haven't paid much attention to it."}, {"response": 333, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 2003 (10:18)", "body": ""}, {"response": 334, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 2003 (10:25)", "body": "I wouldn't pay much attention to it either if it weren't Colin's head. I like to see as much of it as possible. :-)"}, {"response": 335, "author": "socadook", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (17:37)", "body": "(Ildi) why it was that in almost every scene the top of Colin's head was cut off. I noticed that also in BJD and Conspiracy Funny you should mention that. I noticed it big time in BJD, bothers me still today especially since no one else in the movie suffers such treatment. He's not the tallest actor in the world. Why him?"}, {"response": 336, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (18:09)", "body": "(Ildi) why it was that in almost every scene the top of Colin's head was cut off. I noticed that also in BJD and Conspiracy (Sonia) Funny you should mention that. I noticed it big time in BJD, bothers me still today especially since no one else in the movie suffers such treatment. Perhaps they are trying to 'cover' the bit of his head where the fur has been loved off?? I actually have not noticed, but it may have something to do with shorter co-stars too. If you want things to be framed 'nicely' in a shot...interesting. I'll have to have a 'go look-see'...this type of research is so torturous! ;-)"}, {"response": 337, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (08:51)", "body": "Hope Springs DVD/VHS is available to rent in the UK. ( Ex-rental copies go on sale next week). Rated by Blockbuster customers (UK's biggest Video Rental Store): Brilliant 42.9% Very Good 9.5% Worth a Look 23.8% Disappointing 14.3% Dreadful 9.5%"}, {"response": 338, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (10:12)", "body": "(Tress) \"Perhaps they are trying to 'cover' the bit of his head where the fur has been loved off?? \" SNORT! v.v. funny one, Tress -- thinking of ODB as a big ole teddy bear flopped back against my bed pillows! I also have noticed the head-chopping. Especially bothersome in the \"I love you just the way you are\" scene with the lighted tree branches behind him. Incomprehensible why they couldn't just raise camera a hair's bredth."}, {"response": 339, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (17:17)", "body": "(Tress) Perhaps they are trying to 'cover' the bit of his head where the fur has been loved off?? LOL! Nah, his fur seemed to be in pretty good shape in WAGW (Can you picture ODB in curlers?), so I'm tempted to think that the camera guy (or whatever the proper terminology is) did a lousy job. In the other movies too. Even if he is not alone in the frame they could always zoom back a bit. I simply can't understand why they have to do this. :-("}, {"response": 340, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (17:52)", "body": "(Ildi)(Can you picture ODB in curlers?), Yes, LOL! He had that lovely hairclip in the TIOBE extras."}, {"response": 341, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (05:02)", "body": "Bee - I'm here . .did you want to talk about SLOW? . .What was your fav scene?"}, {"response": 342, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (05:21)", "body": "I am also newish to SLOW, and so the 'carpentry' jokes also went over my head for a while... One of my favorite scenes is the 'icecream eating scene'. I love that casual, leaning, look."}, {"response": 343, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (08:30)", "body": "(Kimberly)What was your fav scene? You mean besides *say my name*?;-) This one is an *eve candy* treat for me. I think he's beautiful in most every shot.... Ok, every shot. If you're interested there was a very interesting Film Discussion at this location: Topic 158 of 184 [drool]: Colin Firth - Film Discussions (part III) Response 1064 of 1367: Karen (KarenR) * Sun, Jul 20, 2003 (22:56) * 18 lines I love reading film discussions when I have the time as it gives me lots of slants and PsOV (points of view)and this is one thoughtful group!"}, {"response": 344, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (08:53)", "body": "Actually the carpentry joke would refer to what he did while living in Canada."}, {"response": 345, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (19:39)", "body": "Okay...I had to move this from CF to Firthology as I was going to go waaaaay off topic: (Silly me) You didn't do the 'universal' your fly is down sign to him? (Linda) LOL, would you? ROTFL...on reflection, I believe that Evelyn and Mari did the absolute right thing by not telling ODB that his fly was down. That theater holds, what? Two hundred? At most? If they had told ODB to pull zipper up, there may have been a scene in the parking lot later! But can you imagine OPDB's (add poor in there) surprise when he went to change into the next costume for Scene Two? When he realized he had just spent ninety minutes in front of two hundred (guessing 150 women), many toting binos, with his fly down? LOL... So now the question....Evelyn, Mari...boxers or briefs? ;-)"}, {"response": 346, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (20:13)", "body": "(Tress)Evelyn, Mari...boxers or briefs? ;-) Ask the boss...she was in the first row;-))) The whole first act of that performance was fraught with calamities. OPDB turned on a faucet and then it wouldn't shut off. More angst:-(((("}, {"response": 347, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (09:29)", "body": "(karen)Actually the carpentry joke would refer to what he did while living in Canada. Ahh . .thought it was all that \"banging and screwing\" Nimi talked about in Matthew's writing .and his later remark, \"See, I'm not just a carpenter . .\" or something like that;) Bee - thanks for the links to the film discussions . .will get to them asap! Will agree with you . .ODB did look very nice in this film. Liked the deep jewel toned colored shirts that wardrobe put him in . .the deep blue, green and red ones (hope he took those off the set!). Fav scenes of mine from SLOW: When he's on the phone with Nimi when she calls to say that Sammy disappears . .love that \"Well, you'll rise above it!\" he spits back at his wife. Also like following scene when he comes to Nimi's house to try to be of some help. But my top favorite was actually the one where he and Sammy are outside talking to each other sitting on the wall . .and when Nimi asks what they are doing Matthew says, \"We are playing men saying bang very loudly\". Then Sammy says \"bang\" and Matthew mock dies and falls backward off the wall . .it's just such a sweet, silly scene . .it just makes me smile when I see it. Ahhh . .to those lucky girls who made it over to see him in TDOR .I envy you . .what a treat to see him act live . . .that's an interesting play too, I read it recently . . . love the opportunity of playing two different characters in a single play . .ahh, Colin . .please do some more theatre soon!"}, {"response": 348, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (13:39)", "body": "Wasn't sure where to put this... November 11, 2003 LA Confidential There are two ways to succeed in Hollywood, and only two ways: a) total blind luck, and b) formula. Since you never ever want to put your life's eggs in the blind luck basket, if you want to succeed in Hollywood, you will devote yourself to the formula. Fortunately for you, I will now present the simplest possible formula that you can follow in order to get your screenplay produced. This formula is the romantic comedy. Pay careful attention, because you are not just going to write this script and pitch it to writing agents, you are ALSO going to write it with very specific actors/actresses in mind, so that you can take it to THEIR agents. Here then, is your recipe for a highly successful hollywood romantic comedy. Lead Actresses (choose one): - Sandra Bullock - Julia Roberts - Renee Zellweger Lead Actors (choose one): - Hugh Grant Choose the role for your male lead from one of the following: - Ruthless Business Tycoon - Ruthless Attorney - Misunderstood and overworked Business Tycoon - Misunderstood and overworked Attorney - Hapless but Charming Dreamer - Ruthless but Misunderstood and Charming Politician Choose your female lead from any of the above roles or the following two additional roles: - Maid - Hooker Ok, we're all set. Let's say we've chosen our male lead, hugh grant, who will be playing a Ruthless Business Tycoon, and our female lead, Julia Roberts, who will be playing a maid. Are we done? no, we are not done, but relax, that was the hard part. We still need a supporting cast, and we can't forget the actual script. For our supporting actor, we can choose from any of the following: - Any male actor on the face of the planet who is not immediately and only associated with \"blowing things up in action movies\". Thus, we only need eliminate Arnold, Vin, The Rock, and unfortunately, Wesley Snipes For our supporting actress, we can choose any two of the following, but one of them must be non-caucasian, the reason for which will become apparent shortly: - Queen Latifah - Emma Thompson - Anybody now or formerly in a prime time network television show Lastly, we need to add Colin Firth to the cast, as it is now a rule that he appear in all romantic comedies. we'll figure out what to do with him soon enough. First, we need roles for our supporting actor/actresses. Choose from one of the following roles for your male supporting actor: - Evil aide to the good male lead - Good aide to the heretofore evil male lead Choose a role for your female supporting actresses from either of the above or the following additional roles: - Maid - Hooker - Female lead's neighbor who brings over pot or booze - Poor person working a demeaning service job who bumps into female or male lead at random but frequent intervals Now, two more things before we write our script: first of all, have colin firth do anything, it doesn't matter, he just needs to be in the damned film. Moving on, we come to our non-caucasian female supporting actress. It is the role of this person to play \"God\" in our film. God is the all-knowing, all-observing, wise counsel to our female or male lead that helps point them in the right direction. it is critical that they play up their non-caucasianess because this is where 93% of the film's laughs come from. If hugh grant's mother tells him to stop being evil and instead focus on his true love and the importance of relationships in his life, we are all headed right for the exits...blagh! nobody wants to hear that garbage! If, however, the female lead goes into a hotel and queen latifah is at the concierge desk and queen latifah gives our female lead sage advice in \"street\" language like \"girl, my man pulls up in a bentley like that, i'm locking myself IN the room, not runnin out for the night!\"...wh tever, the dialogue's not important. what is important is that God be played by a non-white person with plenty of attitude. Also note that the non-causcasian actress must delicately balance her role as \"street God\" against a desire by people viewing Romantic Comedies not to see too much reality. Thus, this actress can't be too real, it has to be very two-dimensional with lots of \"white street\" words, like \"girlfriend\" and \"you go, Girl\" and such. Don't start throwing real hip-hop language around or we'll lose our audience. Now for the dialogue. Relax, i told you the hard part was over! Take a deep breath and go find the scripts for the following movies: Four Weddings and a Funeral Pretty Woman Any other romantic comedy! Now simply cut and paste snippets of dialogue from 6 or more movies, being sure to get at least one fight between male and female lead scene, one fight between male lead and male or female supporting actor scene, one fight between female lead and male or female supporting actor scene, and one sex scene which goes at the end of the movie. You are done! Look at you, you just wrote a successful hollywood romantic comedy. what are you wa"}, {"response": 349, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (13:50)", "body": "Maria - TOO FUNNY!!!!!!!!! Lastly, we need to add Colin Firth to the cast, as it is now a rule that he appear in all romantic comedies. we'll figure out what to do with him soon enough. Now, two more things before we write our script: first of all, have colin firth do anything, it doesn't matter, he just needs to be in the damned film. Well, it sells tickets, doesn't it? . . . Oh, and there must be also something about him having to fall/jump/be pushed into some lake/pond/river/ocean/some odd body of water fully clothed. That'll sell even more tixs."}, {"response": 350, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (15:29)", "body": "...\" it is now a rule that he appear in all romantic comedies.\" :-(((((((((("}, {"response": 351, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (19:04)", "body": "LOL, Maria. Where do you find these things? we'll figure out what to do with him soon enough. I've never had any problem figuring that out;-)"}, {"response": 352, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 2003 (09:48)", "body": "...\" it is now a rule that he appear in all romantic comedies.\" (Evelyn) :-(((((((((( I'll see your 10 left parens and raise you at least 50! Am shuddering at what alternate universe that writer lives in. As he/sh/it says \"are you kidding? do you get out much? wake up and smell the broccoli, sister.\" (yes, I know it is supposed to be funny)"}, {"response": 353, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 2003 (17:10)", "body": "New Year's Resolution: Inasmuch as \"The ship has turned around\"... ..... \"We are smelling the coffee\" ...........and the \"Range is broad\".... I am going to stop discussing stinkers and take positive approach on new era in the horizon. So there;-)"}, {"response": 354, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 2003 (17:15)", "body": "What are you smoking? ;-)"}, {"response": 355, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 2003 (17:23)", "body": "(Evelyn) I am going to stop discussing stinkers Oh, you're no fun. ;-)"}, {"response": 356, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 2003 (17:26)", "body": "LOL. A new me ;-)"}, {"response": 357, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 2003 (17:32)", "body": "(Evelyn)I am going to stop discussing stinkers and take positive approach on new era in the horizon. Great, Evelyn. I'll take a seat at your table any day, knowing something good will turn up :-) I might even watch Camille in a day or two"}, {"response": 358, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 2003 (17:38)", "body": "(Evelyn)I am going to stop discussing stinkers and take positive approach on new era in the horizon. So there;-) (Karen) What are you smoking? ;-) Must be the *nog*, I think it's a lovely sentiment but I'll just bet you won't be able to hold that slur the next time SLOW comes up...;-)))"}, {"response": 359, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 2003 (19:13)", "body": "(Bee Dee)I'll just bet you won't be able to hold that slur the next time SLOW comes up...;-))) LOL.*Rolling eyes* doesn't count;-)"}, {"response": 360, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 2003 (20:39)", "body": "(Ev)LOL.*Rolling eyes* doesn't count;-) Then it's a deal, count me in..;-))"}, {"response": 361, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (11:16)", "body": "Continuing the O&E discussion...as they say \"bottoms up\""}, {"response": 362, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (16:59)", "body": "Someone wanted to see Colin on the stairs in bare feet? I don't remember what mag this is from. I have had it around for years."}, {"response": 363, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (17:14)", "body": "Murph to the rescue!!Thanks ole buddie. Alright so he doesn't have a tux on....I wuz close...he's wearing black 'n white;-) European mag...has to be. Look at that heating radiator. I luv that pic...other good toesies one is Lord Dashwood in the playground with AB. *sigh*"}, {"response": 364, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (17:51)", "body": "Wasn't it in that Swedish or Finnish Anna mag? The one that Elena brought to London?"}, {"response": 365, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (18:19)", "body": "(Karen) Does 181 (Firthology) have cooties or something? All right, that's it. I'm going to ask. Please don't laugh, but what the heck is \"cooties\"? I've heard that word before, applied to girls, but since it sounded something very silly I never dared to ask. Someone please enlighten me! Thanks for the pic Mary, it's a lovely one. After suffering from absolute distraction since I spotted the bathtub pics, it's nice to feel nothing but a quiet simmering looking at this one. Too much is not good even of the best thing, especially if all you can do is look at it. All for the eyes, nothing for the hands. Gotta clean something, gotta clean something...."}, {"response": 366, "author": "katty", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (19:06)", "body": "Sorry, boss. Guess I still have to learn what the topic parameters are. Anyway, my question wasn't very important anyway. \"COOTIES\" are body lice, biting or biting insects often found in the hair."}, {"response": 367, "author": "katty", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (19:07)", "body": "OOPS, pardon my incoherent post. Meant \"body lice - biting or sucking insects often found in the hair.\""}, {"response": 368, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (20:24)", "body": "(Evelyn) Send on to Tress who said : I didn't like feet. Grrrrr;-) LOL...now, now...let me explain myself!! Waaaaaay back (November 16, 2002 ;-)) I went on about ODB's feet a bit too long and this is what I remember: (Evelyn)...remember we can all express our opinions here and I *really* don't give a hoot about the toesies... (me) No more toe talk...I'll put a sock in it!! ;-) I must have misunderstood! ;-) And since the toes are being celebrated today, ODB and the disappearing tennis ball!: BTW, I thought cooties were brightly colored, plastic bugs (if anyone still remembers than game from their childhood)! ;-)"}, {"response": 369, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (20:35)", "body": "That's the pic where it looks as if he has bunions. I must have misunderstood! ;-) The plus side is that I tracked down two toesie pics for the newbies."}, {"response": 370, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (21:07)", "body": "(Tress) I thought cooties were brightly colored, plastic bugs (if anyone still remembers than game from their childhood)! ;-) Like these? ;-) (Katty) Anyway, my question wasn't very important anyway. So ask it anyway. :-) *sigh* The playground scene. One of my favorite pics and scenes. Thank you! (Evelyn) The plus side is that I tracked down two toesie pics for the newbies. Thanks! And thanks Shoshana for the B/W one."}, {"response": 371, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (21:24)", "body": "Oh, Cootie was my fave game! You rolled dice to add legs and tentacles, etc. The pic Murph posted is from \"Anna,\" a Finnish mag. Murph, do you remember Hannele from the old FOF list? She was the original supplier. I think it's circa 1997, and I have a copy around here somewhere. Ah, yes, here it is. There's another very cute closeup of him with that same story. Yummy stuff!"}, {"response": 372, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (21:28)", "body": "(Ev.That's the pic where it looks as if he has bunions. I love the bunion pick but his bunions look so much better than mine!;-))"}, {"response": 373, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (22:06)", "body": "Thanks for the cooties explanation ladies, and the cutie on the swing! Another lovely photo."}, {"response": 374, "author": "katty", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (23:33)", "body": "Anyway, my question wasn't very important anyway. So ask it anyway. :-) I was watching Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and they showed the Guy getting his eyebrows dyed. Colin in his younger days (circa \"A Month in the Country\") had somewhat fair hair and nearly colorless eyebrows. Now he's considered \"tall, dark and handsome.\" To the best of my knowledge, hair doesn't naturally darken with age. I remember an interview where Colin talked about the advantages of having darker coloring as a leading actor, and how you need eyebrows. So my silly question is \"Does Colin dye his hair and eybrows?\""}, {"response": 375, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (23:44)", "body": "(Evelyn) That's the pic where it looks as if he has bunions. I don't see bunions, but I see 'knuckle toes'. ODB has those long toes that appear to have knuckles like fingers....he could probably use chopsticks with those (not that I'm complaining....I love the looooong toes). He's very expressive with them.....I remember being just transfixed during Playmaker (I know, imagine!) when he's sitting at the piano and his toes are wigglin'. He doesn't keep them still when their 'unsheathed'..... Expressive, curly, chopstick using toes thanks to casa-feliz: http://colinfirth.casa-feliz.net/images/details.php?image_id=124 (Dorine's Cootie pic) Like these? ;-) Yes! Except mine had rounder heads...and smiles...I probably had the unstylish ones again!"}, {"response": 376, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (23:55)", "body": "(Katty) So my silly question is \"Does Colin dye his hair and eybrows?\" The eyebrows do seem to come and go (and lately they've been dark). I don't know if he consistently dyes, but in The Making of P&P book (pages 57-58), they mention dying his hair, eyebrows and lashes to give him that darker look (they said his hair was fairish when he first came in)...."}, {"response": 377, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (00:11)", "body": "But \"cooties\" is what little boys and little girls used to say about each other had, meaning they're gross, and should be avoided, don't touch, don't get near. I'm not sure which came first."}, {"response": 378, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (00:14)", "body": "(Dorine's Cootie pic) Like these? ;-) (Tress) Yes! Except mine had rounder heads...and smiles...I probably had the unstylish ones again! Didn't Hasbro or Parker Bros make those? I looked briefly during my search, but didn't find them. I remember being just transfixed during Playmaker (I know, imagine!) LOL, at some things I can. ;-) (Katty) Colin in his younger days (circa \"A Month in the Country\") had somewhat fair hair and nearly colorless eyebrows. \"Does Colin dye his hair and eybrows?\" Maybe the vets have a more definitive answer complete with article and post references, but possibilities could be...... 1. He used to dye his hair lighter or it was dyed lighter for some roles, as well as dyed darker for others (like P&P, right?). 2. It used to be lighter because he was in the sun enough to lighten it. My hair was *much* lighter when I was younger, because I was in the sun *a lot* growing up in the Sunshine State. 3. He dyes it darker now. 4. It's naturally darker now. My hair has gotten darker over the years. Could be due to less of the aforementioned sun. Who knows. Again, just to clarify, I find these all feasible. I'm not saying this in any kind of definitive manner, just an opinion. Take it for what it's worth...nada. ;-)"}, {"response": 379, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (00:17)", "body": "\ufffdYou\ufffdve got cooties!\ufffd This statement reflects a tradition among children across America. Young boys and girls at one time in their life think that members of the opposite sex have some type of germ called cooties, because they are different. Anyone who associates with the opposite sex \ufffdcatches\ufffd cooties, and his/her peers shun him/her. \"Cootie\" is also a kid's game in the U.S. that involves building a model of an imaginary bug. But the cooties referred to in the idea are the infection an elementary school child receives when s/he touches a member of the opposite sex. The case is typically much more severe when the infecting person is reputed to have a romantic affection for or appeal to the infected. And a kiss can result in a nearly fatal dose....But when I was a kid, cooties mostly came from icky girls."}, {"response": 380, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (00:18)", "body": "(Karen) But \"cooties\" is what little boys and little girls used to say about each other had, meaning they're gross, and should be avoided, don't touch, don't get near. I'm not sure which came first. Right, I thought everyone went through that as kids. And even adults who act like kids. ;-)"}, {"response": 381, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (08:55)", "body": "Thanks for the truly scrumptious photos, ladies. The feet definitely do it for me. A toe-rrific ( sorry,couldn't resist ) diversion in my day."}, {"response": 382, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (10:44)", "body": "Goodness . .toes and cooties and Colin, oh my! Firthology certainly spans the gammut when it comes to discussion!;) Thanks for the pic Mary and Tress . .I love the WAGW one too! Hmm my childhood must have been deficient . .never had the \"Cootie\" game . .just vaguely remember playing Hungry Hungry Hippos alot;) . .though on the playground, the boys often ran away from us screaming we had cooties . . ."}, {"response": 383, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (12:17)", "body": "(Karen) But the cooties referred to in the idea are the infection an elementary school child receives when s/he touches a member of the opposite sex. Thanks for the less insect specific definition, that is the one I knew--intangible elements of grossness. As one who expects to have real trouble with Trauma, the less insects the better."}, {"response": 384, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (12:21)", "body": "(Kimberly) Firthology certainly spans the gammut when it comes to discussion!;) Plus there's less chance that I'll scold anyone here, one of those \"priceless\" things that should be added to credit card commercial. ;-)"}, {"response": 385, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (19:00)", "body": "(Dorine)4. It's naturally darker now. My hair has gotten darker over the years. Could be due to less of the aforementioned sun. Who knows. Me too, Dorine. I was a dishwater blond during my teenage years and now my hair is naturally very dark brown. I'm not sure he dies his since we keep hearing little snippets about a touch of gray at the temples. Thanks for the toesie pics, especially darling Henry. He still does it for me!"}, {"response": 386, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (20:56)", "body": "(Katty) So my silly question is \"Does Colin dye his hair and eybrows?\" (Hen)I'm not sure he dyes his since we keep hearing little snippets about a touch of gray at the temples. My two Turkish lira's worth: I tend towards Hen's aforementioned idea. I always assumed natural was a la Paul in FP (not as dark as a Darcy but significantly browner than Judd or Richard). Anyway, it's good to be talking about the really important stuff here, the kind of stuff that keeps me up nights in contemplation. ;-) Hair and toes and butt dimples, oh my!! (Kimberly) Firthology certainly spans the gammut when it comes to discussion!;) Hear hear for spanning the gamut! So, then would this be the topic for asking whether or not ODB has a middle name (besides Dear)? Yet another rumination that keeps me awake and wondering..."}, {"response": 387, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (10:00)", "body": "Man, sorry I missed all the running of the gamut! Always a blast! Which somehow reminded me of - Moses supposes his toeses are roses, But Moses supposes erroneously; For nobody's toeses are posies of roses, As Moses supposes his toeses to be. I'm a big fan of all his digits.. I think some of the newbies had talked about HS recently...This should give them a pretty good idea... http://www.cinescene.com/kristen/hopefalls.htm"}, {"response": 388, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (10:23)", "body": "LOL Maria... Anyway, loads of shit happens,... Yeah, I know...but some of it is funny shit. HS wasn't all *that* bad. Only bad if you view it that it was #38 on his CV after 2 Oscar winning films. Still I found it pretty endearing...esp the ending...*sigh* Now Londinium...pass the barf bag."}, {"response": 389, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (10:32)", "body": "(Maria) This should give them a pretty good idea... LOL! Yes, that is probably one of the best synopses I've ever read of that movie. Only thing missing is a comment on ear-splitting, hideous soundtrack that's bound to turn you off from Frame 1."}, {"response": 390, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (10:53)", "body": "MariaT Thanks for the HS article. Very much appreciate everyone moving us newbies up along the learning curve. With the exception of Heather Graham - (who I've never thought was capable of doing anything much above taking her clothes off) the film has a great cast. Too bad it went so wrong. Must also admit to wincing a bit at the scene in the trailer where ODB opens the door doing something very weird (? supposedly funny) with a towel. Not my idea of a drool moment. And about this Londinium - Was going to take a pass at it, but after having read the enormous amount of commentary, I see I must indulge to learn just how bad ODB can get. Note to self...must find a way to stop logging on every time I walk by. Too many other things that should be getting done. Lack of food and clean laundry will defintiely begin to arouse the family's suspicions ...."}, {"response": 391, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (11:17)", "body": "(Leslie) And about this Londinium - Was going to take a pass at it, but after having read the enormous amount of commentary, I see I must indulge to learn just how bad ODB can get. If you want to laugh yourself silly (trust me, tears *will* be rolling down your cheeks), you have to read the Spoilers discussion of L-dumberthandumb. There is definitely a correlation between Colin's bad films and the humor on this site. I don't have the exact message number but it would be on the previous Spoilers topic. Initially, a few people got to see it in LA at a screening, then several months later it finally got around (first via a tape, then on cable). The second group of comments are the ones that are a must read."}, {"response": 392, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (11:35)", "body": "OK, I had to find it. The first phase of L-dum comments (Oct 2000) starts here: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/126.439 This goes on until message 470. Then we talked about BJD, among other things, and it picks up again in August 2001: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/126.954"}, {"response": 393, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (11:49)", "body": "Karen - Thanks for the Londinium references. Will definitely give them the time they deserve once I get enough done to minimize aforementioned suspicions as to what's really been going on lately."}, {"response": 394, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (12:24)", "body": "Oh, Maria! That was perfect! Too funny!! Some good points: Through it all, Colin Firth tries really hard, and succeeds, at being very tall. He did this brilliantly! ;-) and as we all know: ...Colin Firth is ridiculously attractive... And a couple (ten) other good things about Hope Springs: and (Evelyn) Yeah, I know...but some of it is funny shit. HS wasn't all *that* bad. It's no L'dum, that's for sure!! I didn't think it was *that* bad either...I've seen much, much worse...it's not a glowing spot on ODB's CV (MS and HG were just awful, but ODB had some moments and I thought MD was amusing as the bitchy ex)..."}, {"response": 395, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (14:41)", "body": "I gotta say . .can't wait till HS comes out on video/DVD so I can see what you girls are talking about . . .;) Londoninium . .will admit, did kind of see it twice (well, really in two parts half here and half there cause I caught it on cable) . .didn't do much for me . . . On another note: Last night I finally saw Valmont in it's entirety (was always catching bits an pieces on cable) Did like it . .part of me wanted to murder the costumer . .thought Colin looked like a bad couch/set of draperies at some moments (had flashbacks of the Sound of Music when Maria took the drapes and made play clothes for the children . . .). .wanted MT to take it down a notch at certain points . .loved Colin, as always . .odd to see FB as an innocent ingenue . . . Silly observation . .he fell yet again into a pond fully clothed . .how many of his films does this man get sopping wet? . .Is it in his contract or something?"}, {"response": 396, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (14:53)", "body": "wanted MT to take it down a notch at certain points . Wot? You didn't like her screeching \"Valmon, Valmon\" . (Kimberley)he fell yet again into a pond fully clothed Ran up the stairs too for the umptieth time. Someone had tabbed those stats once."}, {"response": 397, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (14:58)", "body": "(Kimberly) . .part of me wanted to murder the costumer . .thought Colin looked like a bad couch/set of draperies at some moments (had flashbacks of the Sound of Music when Maria took the drapes and made play clothes for the children . . .). . LOL at the SOM reference...hate some of the clothes (that floral print thing they put ODB in! Wot is that??? AND, don't like the cravats...no more lace Mrs Bennet!). Did like the brown outfit (can never tell if is suede or not, but it looks to be, makes me just want to rub up against him). But Valmont is one of my all time favorites as it is the film that 'did it for me'...then I went on a bit of a sabbatical..."}, {"response": 398, "author": "birdy", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (15:03)", "body": "Went back and read some of the L'dum posts - a riot! It reminded me that the one bit of humor I found in the entire excruciating movie was when MH's character was asleep and snoring and CF piled first a pillow and then the telephone on top of her to muffle the noise. Kimberly's question about CF/wet shirts started me to thinkin'about them and (whoosh - sound of everything going right over my head) it just dawned on me the inside joke of HG being drenched in the pond while ol' Darcy watches in misery. Note to Self: Duh-uh."}, {"response": 399, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (15:12)", "body": "(Kimberly) . .part of me wanted to murder the costumer . .thought Colin looked like a bad couch/set of draperies at some moments (had flashbacks of the Sound of Music when Maria took the drapes and made play clothes for the children . . .). . (Tress)Did like the brown outfit (can never tell if is suede or not, but it looks to be, makes me just want to rub up against him) You two are cracking me up! SOM Drape outfits, suede with catnip effect...I am a Valmont lover but those suede pants always remind me of these suedish Culotte-y type pants my my mom insisted I wear even though any self respecting tomboy would never be caught DEAD in them!(Note to self, find childhood pics of self in said brown suede culotte-y things and destroy them!) So whenever I see him standing by the side of the road in them I feel a certain brown suede resentment..."}, {"response": 400, "author": "Gail", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (15:13)", "body": "I'm with you on L-dum Kimberly, it didn't do much for me either. There was just something embarrassing about that movie, I think it was the dialogue;) I don't want to think of Colin being gassy. However, I did like the train station scene. As for HS I'm gonna have to work my courage up to watch that when it comes out on DVD. When I read \"New Cardiff\" I could just about get through it I thought it was boring and dull.(I couldn't believe when I read they were going to make a movie out of it.) Now maybe if the book had nice pictures like the ones Tress posted rather than the sketches I would have had some fun. Oh well."}, {"response": 401, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (16:21)", "body": "(Gail) As for HS I'm gonna have to work my courage up to watch that when it comes out on DVD. Hope this hasn't been posted before (I was away for a couple of weeks and tried to be thorough on my catch up...but....) Quick Gail, they may run out! ;-) You can pre-order at Amazon (taken with chocolate and Chardonnay, you should be fine on your first viewing....hitting mute button when MS or HG are onscreen may be advisable too)! http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00015YVI6/qid=1073340929//ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i0_xgl74/104-4701331-0786312?v=glance&s=dvd&n=507846"}, {"response": 402, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (16:36)", "body": "Re: Costumes in Valmont I guess it really irks me b/c I did some costuming for some period pieces . .and all I wanted to say was WHY???? WHY??? An extremely handsome man . .a laidie's man . .suave, debonair .and all I think is curtains when I see him! Eras of Elegance classified the movie as being in the Baroque period ( http://erasofelegance.com/baroque.html) . .though some of the costumes looked more Georgian in appearance . . . ( minus the far out powedered faces and hair ala Amadeus): http://erasofelegance.com/fashion4.html#5 (Tress)that floral print thing they put ODB in! Wot is that??? Hmm you mean this???? (Thanks to Firthissimo for the pics) or this? Couch . .couch I say!!!!! The cravats I did not mind so much . . . And the brown outfit . . . I can see why you said suede . .I thought a cordouroy, myself . .would have to take another look at it again. . .I mean when I first read about ODB's blue cordouroy suit in GWAPE ( I was ready to fall over and groan, but when I saw it I have to say . .it was much more to period . .(not to mention coloring being more flattering to him as well) This shade of blue . .I did not like on him: Maria - I sooooooo sorry about those culottes . .my mother talked me into some hideous things too when I was younger . . . still am having nightmares about the many home permanents I had growing up . .picture an 12 year old asian girl with an afro . .it was hideous, let me tell you . . ."}, {"response": 403, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (16:56)", "body": "(Kimberly) wanted MT to take it down a notch at certain points . (Evelyn)Wot? You didn't like her screeching \"Valmon, Valmon\" . Her hysterics that she did after telling Valmont to go . .as he was heading into Cecile's room to help her \"write\" the letter . .those grated on my nerves . . . Was surprised . .b/c did like her very much in Agnes of God . . . Kept hearing Rupert Everett saying :\"less is more . . .\""}, {"response": 404, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (18:58)", "body": "(Kimberly) Hmm you mean this???? Uh...yeah! Dreadful (Dangerous Liasons wins, hands down, for costuming this tale)...but look at that boy's face! OMG...the costumes are terrible, but I can't get enough of those looks (he has that 'haughty chin' thing going in all those pictures...you can just tell he's full of piss and vinegar...and I love him so!) Thanks Kimberly (and Firthissimo)! (Kimberly) The cravats I did not mind so much . . . LOL...Okay...you sure? Look at pic number one...the lace! There isn't a grannie alive who has more! And the second one? What's with the cute pin? You'ld think he would get beaten up on the Baroque playground for that one! ;-)"}, {"response": 405, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (19:25)", "body": "Erp . .hate to disappoint ya Tress . .that cravat is kind of historically accurate for the Baroque period . . From: Patterns and Pictures from Maurice Leloir's Histoire du Costume, Volume 10, 1678-1725 (It's a page from my fav site: The Costumers Manifesto - http://www.costumes.org/history/100pages/leloirX1.htm ) Did love those knee high boots he wore . .;) Perhaps I found my next keep?"}, {"response": 406, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (19:37)", "body": "I guess I'm more of a Regency girl...the lace doesn't work for me on a man...the looks work (sent me off daydreaming about the Vicomte with those pics, just gotta get him out of those clothes ;-D), just not the big 'fluffy' cravats (had this problem watching Camille too...spent too much time thinking about how big it was (sometimes bigger is not better IMO)). Looked at DL pics, Malkovich got stuck in the lacy ties too, but for some reason the costumes worked for me more in DL (could be the lack of couch material, no flowers on John...and they tended to stick to dark colors for him and kept him out of baby blues)"}, {"response": 407, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (20:33)", "body": "Yikes! who would ever have thought that \"cooties\" could make this place jump like it has today. Of course it had to be on a day that I'm trying to catch up and do laundry at the same time;-) Thanks Maria, for finding that barefoot on the stair picture. Those feet are just gorgeous. But now that I look at that one foot from the swing picture in WAGW it reminds me of a balloon that has deflated and just the little nib is sticking out. V. cute;-)"}, {"response": 408, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (21:08)", "body": "(Maria) I think some of the newbies had talked about HS recently...This should give them a pretty good idea... http://www.cinescene.com/kristen/hopefalls.htm OMG, ROTF!! This is brilliant and dead on!....... IMNSHO ;-) Though I realize everyone has different tastes. Thanks, Maria!"}, {"response": 409, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Jan  6, 2004 (09:37)", "body": "(Kim...) You're too much. Definitely needed the Windex on those reprints from Valmont. As much as I suffer from my unrequited love for ODB, I thought Valmont was the pits. Must say I thought DL was a much higher rent version of the story. Loved watching ODB though, especially when he's helping Cecile write the letter. (OMIGOD - Hose me down!) But I could have done without the rest of the acting. Thought AB was poorly miscast and as for MT - thought her voice and carriage much better suited to a network sit-com or kid's PBS production. Does anyone remember the name of Casey Kasem's wife?? She was on a sitcom waaay back. Am I the only who's reminded of her when I hear MT recite her lines in Valmont? Dorine Great article on HS. Always good to start the day with a laugh. Thanks. Now I'll be certain to use Tress's Amazon link to get cued up for its video release."}, {"response": 410, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan  6, 2004 (09:46)", "body": "Tress' amazon link failed to have the Spring coding. Try using this one to preorder: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00015YVI6/spring-20"}, {"response": 411, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan  6, 2004 (10:18)", "body": "Good to have you back Linda. Thanks Maria, for finding that barefoot on the stair picture. I think it came from Murph's archives...Old \"Anna \"mag pic..don't think it's online anymore"}, {"response": 412, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jan  6, 2004 (10:26)", "body": "Hmmm...a mentor for a stunt butt? I guess that makes the butt the mentoree? Now that bares some thinking about;-) Thanks, boss!"}, {"response": 413, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Jan  6, 2004 (10:31)", "body": "Karen - Thanks for that lovely pic on the menu page. Guess you knew exactly what I was thinking in my earlier post."}, {"response": 414, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Tue, Jan  6, 2004 (14:35)", "body": "Hey, Boss Lady -- re. your Mentoring picture -- do you suppose that's what George Dubya had in mind with his \"No Child Left Behind\" campaign?"}, {"response": 415, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Tue, Jan  6, 2004 (15:27)", "body": "Karen, you are too good to us."}, {"response": 416, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan  6, 2004 (15:32)", "body": "do you suppose that's what George Dubya had in mind with his \"No Child Left Behind\" campaign? Too funny....brava Deb."}, {"response": 417, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jan  6, 2004 (15:34)", "body": "(Karen) Tress' amazon link failed to have the Spring coding. Sorry! Will try to be better next time! And thank you for the lovely picture of Valmont...I could say loads of things, but I'll just sit here and bask in the glow...of the moon.... ;-)"}, {"response": 418, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Jan  6, 2004 (17:16)", "body": "(Tress)And thank you for the lovely picture of Valmont...I could say loads of things, but I'll just sit here and bask in the glow...of the moon.... ;-) LOL, you are so good at these ....pausing... comments, which allows ones imagination to run wild :-) The HS review was really funny to read too (though I'm one of the minority-group, who am able to watch it without turning off the sound.) Karen, great picture - thanks!!"}, {"response": 419, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Jan  7, 2004 (11:00)", "body": "Karen . .nice nice pic on front page . . .;) Dear me, if I get writers block, do you think Messeur Valmont might come and well, inspire me?;) (leslie)Does anyone remember the name of Casey Kasem's wife?? She was on a sitcom waaay back. Am I the only who's reminded of her when I hear MT recite her lines in Valmont? You mean Jean Kasem . .she played Nick Torelli's 2nd wife on Cheers . .hmmm . .pretty interesting corrrelation . . . I can buy it . . (Tress)bask in the glow...of the moon.... ;-) Wish it was his and not hers . . . Also Tress, will agree wholeheartedly with wardrobe on DL . .definitley well done . .did not pull focus from performances of actors, esp. JM. Did love GC as opposed to AB in Valmont."}, {"response": 420, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jan  7, 2004 (11:11)", "body": "(Kimberly)Wish it was his and not hers . . . When all else fails-there's always PM or HOTP."}, {"response": 421, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jan  7, 2004 (11:39)", "body": "(Kimberly) Wish it was his and not hers . . . Oh, absolutely.....but I'm pretty mesmerized by the facial expression....and the hand Louisa! (Kimberly) Also Tress, will agree wholeheartedly with wardrobe on DL . .definitley well done . .did not pull focus from performances of actors, esp. JM. Did love GC as opposed to AB in Valmont. That was a big part of it...I spent a lot of Valmont wondering \"why? why?\" and in DL, I was just taking in how great the costumes looked. Liked GC, but AB was pretty good for me....the problem I had with DL (besides Keanu \"Dude\" Reeves....as he was also currently in Bill and Ted's) was that everyone was too old. They weren't old, just too old for the parts. I didn't buy Uma as the virginal youngster, and although JM, GC and MP are great actors, I just thought that the way they were acting was to juvenile. One would think that by the time they reached a certain age, all that game playing would have worn out.....just a bit. It is like watching adult actors do Romeo and Juliet. Some of the dialogue and 'emotion' doesn't fit any longer.....with Valmont, everyone (IMO) was of the 'right' age (MT being miscast though....and cannot begin to imagine her as Constance in Amadeus). DL was great too as it had more memorable 'lines'. There were moments that were written so that you could remember them (I don't recall anything similar in Valmont). The bit that GC does about sticking a fork into the back of her hand and the part where the 'old aunt' talks about the difference between how men and women love....those were great moments. Valmont, on the other hand, had ODB....and that smile....and I think that ODB was the better of the two. I just couldn't see any woman falling for JM. Even Tourvel. He was so bitter and spit out his lines (mind you, I love JM....just thought this was too over the top). Even when courting Tourvel, he was cynical and there was nothing 'soft' there for someone to fall in love with.....ODB was the sneaker Vicomte. He was flirty and smiling and yet, he was extremely manipulative. And as Emma would say.....scrummy!"}, {"response": 422, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Jan 12, 2004 (18:57)", "body": "He has been quoted again recently as having had only three(I guess he means serious)girlfriends prior to meeting his wife at 35. -Does anyone know who the third was? Perhaps the one he mentioned who watched TV all day? - Crazy woman!!"}, {"response": 423, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (12:48)", "body": "From Colin's 10 sexiest moments: (thanks boss) I now want to watch all of these today. Making coffee for - and then suddenly kissing - Sarah (and, for a second, not banging on about football), Eh, he didn't make the coffee-Sarah did. He was banging on to better things;-) \"Oh yes they f***ing do\". That probably is my favorite, if not in the top three, but I think the doorway scene, nuzzling Bridget's neck and a few sexy grunts was a tad sexier moment. IMO, of course. I don't know, maybe it was just the open top coat and that grey turtleneck. Author obviously didn't see PM's shower scenes"}, {"response": 424, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (13:09)", "body": ""}, {"response": 425, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (13:53)", "body": "Here's something I just picked up on Hope Springs. This film sounds like it might be too much of a clunker to miss, even if it's just food for the DD's fodder. http://www.oxfordstudent.com/2003-05-15/ox2/1 Film A Hopeless, Romantic... Hope Springs Dir: Mark Herman; Starring: Colin Firth, Minnie Driver, Heather Graham Lauren Curtis You might approach Hope Springs, Mark Herman's new romantic comedy, with reasonably high expectations. The plot is fairly innocuous: moody London artist Colin (Firth) arrives in the backwater American town of Hope in an attempt to forget the shock of his fianc\ufffde Vera's (Driver) announcement of her wedding to another man. He doesn't find it too difficult to forget his past once cute blonde \"care giver\" Mandy (Graham) turns up in his room. That is, until Vera arrives from England, forcing Colin to choose between them. Given the director's reputation for strong British comedy (Brassed Off, Little Voice), and a God-given opportunity to provide panting female fans with 92 minutes of a very stubbly Mr Darcy, it's hard to see where this film could go wrong. But go wrong it does, in a truly spectacular way. The script is wooden, the jokes too reliant on farce to be funny, and the stereotypes sickening: Mandy works in a nursing home (cringingly named Shining Shores), whose residents are all apple-cheeked old women intent upon filling her heart with feminine wisdom. British and American stereotypes are no less painful: fashion editor Vera, wreathed in cigarette smoke and tottering on killer heels, is the archetypal British bitch, and although Minnie Driver's air of hauteur is probably the best thing about the movie, it's difficult to avoid the impression that her boredom is directed at the film itself. Fresh-faced Mandy, on the other hand, is pure Ms Gap, all autumn leaves and wholesome stripy scarves, and, it has to be said, irritating beyond belief. Colin's choice between the opposing lifestyles which these women represent could be touching and funny. Instead, the film is a crude mish-mash of two completely different genres. Vera and Colin belong to the world of stylish 30-something comedy, whereas Mandy seems to have wandered in from another movie, attempting, with scenes of backseat drunkenness and a high-school rock soundtrack, to do what smart films such as Legally Blonde and Ten Things I Hate About You can do far better. If this merely made the film bizarre and a little clumsy, it wouldn't be any great failing. But the depressing thing is that on screen it looks like a desperate and crass attempt to market the movie to as man y different audiences as possible. This is sad, and you can't help feeling that Mr Darcy deserves better."}, {"response": 426, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (14:21)", "body": "Thanks, Karen for CF\ufffds top ten sexy moments. Of course, P&P can\ufffdt be topped IMHO. But I\ufffdm with you,lindak, \ufffdOh yes they f*** do.\ufffd is right up there with the best. Can\ufffdt tell you how many times I rewound and watched that moment again, and again, and...oh hell, makes me fizzy just thinking about it. \ufffdThe Hour of The Pig...Oh, and Colin has lots of sex in it.\ufffd And that he does. He doesn\ufffdt seem to do those scenes anymore, does he? They must be reserved for newer actors just breaking in. Aside from the brief thrill of those glimpses, though, I\ufffdve got to say I prefer when he does most of the romancing with his eyes. Girl With A Pearl Earring... Methinks the ear piercing topped the head bashing on the door frame, no? Definitely a close call, however. Love Actually \ufffdWhat about the scene where he\ufffds marching through the streets of the village in search of his lover? It finally culminates with a beautifully desperate proposal in the restaurant. That scene nearly sent me off the deep end. I thought the lakeside shenanigans preferred by the article\ufffds author were more comical than romantic. Having just seen FP last night, yeah, that was pretty cool too."}, {"response": 427, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (14:42)", "body": "(lesliep)Can\ufffdt tell you how many times I rewound and watched that moment again, and again, and...oh hell, makes me fizzy just thinking about it. I never thought of it in terms of fizzy, but now that you mention it, yeah, that's the feeling I get. The first time I watched this was on VHS and I think I rewound it into the early hours of the morning. I just couldn't get enough from the doorway till the \"yes, they f***ing do. Actually, I'm feeling a bit fizzy just thinking about it. Also, the first time I saw BJD was during a snowstorm, and ever since then snowy days have always been reserved for Bridget and Mr. Darcy..."}, {"response": 428, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (14:52)", "body": "(lindak)...snowy days have always been reserved for Bridget and Mr. Darcy... Couldn't have said it better. Today's a snowy day here in New York and all this talk makes it hard to resist breaking out the DVD... sob ...guess all this paperwork's gonna' have to sit for at least another day."}, {"response": 429, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (16:15)", "body": "My post seemed to have disappeared . .I'll try again . . . (Leslie)Topic 187 of 190 [drool]: Colin Firth - Part 18 Response 792 of 795: lesliep * Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (13:05) * 14 lines Aaaah\ufffdthe wonders of being snowed in at home for a day. Gives one a lot of time to ponder. Not meaning to shift the topic of the current postings but\ufffdI viewed FP last night for the first time. There\ufffds a scene where ODB is talking to himself late one night trying to justify his passion as a football fanatic. It immediately struck me as having an interesting parallel to the life of a drooleur. Thought I might share this idea with all the DD\ufffds. Quoted from CF in FP: \ufffdPerhaps it\ufffds not something you can understand unless you belong. But what about this? Three minutes to go and you\ufffdre 2-1 up in a semi-final. You look around and you see all those thousands of faces contorted with fear, hope, and worry. Everyone lost. Everything else run out of their heads. Then the whistle blows and everyone goes to despair. But just for those few minutes you\ufffdre at the center of the whole world. And the fact that you care so much, that the noise you\ufffdve made has been such a crucial part of it, is what makes it special. Because you\ufffdve been every bit as important as the player and if you hadn\ufffdt been there then who\ufffdd have been bothered about football really? And the great thing is that it comes around again and again. There\ufffds always another season. If you lose a cup final in May, well there\ufffds the third round to look forward to in January. And what\ufffds wrong with that? It\ufffds actually pretty comforting if you think about it.\ufffd Now, translated into \ufffddrool-speak\ufffd it might sound something like this: \"Perhaps it\ufffds not something you can understand unless you belong. But what about this? Oscar nominations are just three weeks away and you\ufffdve got GWAPE being buzzed about by a number of industry insiders. You read the postings every day and sense all those thousands of keyboards atwitter with fear, hope, and worry. Everyone lost. Everything else run out of their heads. But when the list comes out, you know you might all fall into despair. But just for those few weeks you\ufffdre at the center of the whole world. And the fact that you care so much, that the noise you\ufffdve made has been such a crucial part of it, is what makes it special. Because you\ufffdve been every bit as important as ODB and if you hadn\ufffdt been there then who\ufffdd have been bothered about his rise to glory really? And the great thing is that it comes around again and again. There\ufffds always another new release. If GWAPE doesn\ufffdt cement his position as a PMT, there\ufffds always TEOR to look forward to next season. And what\ufffds wrong with that? It\ufffds act ally pretty comforting if you think about it.\" Leslie - Thumbs up for your FP translation into Drooleur-speake;) Just loved it! Did you like the film? Karen thanks for the colin's top ten;) I personally would have added the comb searching scene from GWAPE . .love the passion and force in his eyes as he turns the house upside down. . . and the shagging scene from WOF w/ Bianca ain't bad either;)"}, {"response": 430, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (16:30)", "body": "(Kimberly) I personally would have added the comb searching scene from GWAPE . .love the passion and force in his eyes as he turns the house upside down. Agreed. Love the abrupt change in the tone of the music in that scene, too."}, {"response": 431, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (18:02)", "body": "Karen thanks for the colin's top ten;) The freeezer scene in FF."}, {"response": 432, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (18:06)", "body": "(Kimberly) personally would have added the comb searching scene from GWAPE . .love the passion and force in his eyes as he turns the house upside down. Aaah...forgot about that one..very nice as well"}, {"response": 433, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (18:45)", "body": "(Evelyn) The freeezer scene in FF. Good one! \"You have to marry me!\" And wot about Richard Herncastle? Surely he deserves a moment? The wet shirt is a great scene, but my P&P moments are the first proposal (all that pent up passion, oozing 'ardently' out)! And the pianoforte (with Col. Fitzwilliam) scene. That flirty banter gets to me."}, {"response": 434, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (19:17)", "body": "That flirty banter gets to me. Yes, with the eye rolling! And the \"flirty\" banter at the Ball, too! :-D"}, {"response": 435, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (19:34)", "body": "That flirty banter gets to me. ..and the looks that are exchanged between Elizabeth and Darcy in the drawing room at Pemberly. You know, when the Bingley sisters are gossiping about Wickham in front of Georgiana. And finally, \"the one look\" when Darcy rests back and gazes lovingly at Elizabeth after she has come to Georgiana's aid."}, {"response": 436, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (20:43)", "body": "How about the looks Lizzie and Darcy give one another when he and Bingley at last come calling at Longbourne at the end. Such unspoken longing for one another."}, {"response": 437, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (21:30)", "body": "(Evelyn)And wot about Richard Herncastle? Surely he deserves a moment? Mmmm... yummy little Richard. In the tux at the Scottish ball. Or flirting with Nancy at the gardens. This is a great topic! Thanks Karen and all! But Evelyn, aren't you going to nominate Armand? ;-)"}, {"response": 438, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (00:30)", "body": "Where is that Colin's top 10 sexiest moments bit posted? I can't find it. Could somebody please point me in the right direction? I saw a few \"new\" pics of Colin at casa -feliz that are actually a few years old, but I haven't seen them before. Maybe some of you haven't either..."}, {"response": 439, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (08:20)", "body": "(Evelyn)..How about the looks Lizzie and Darcy give one another when he and Bingley at last come calling at Longbourne at the end? O yeah, another great one which happened to slip my mind...there are just so many it's hard to list them all...P&P really is the CF Super Bowl IMHO."}, {"response": 440, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (08:20)", "body": "(Ildiko)Where is that Colin's top 10 sexiest moments bit posted? http://www.ivillage.co.uk/newspol/celeb/cfeat/articles/0,,528719_613615,00.html"}, {"response": 441, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (08:43)", "body": "Thanks Bonnie, than was great! Too bad I haven't seen half the movies listed. I like everyone's extra sexiest moments posted, there are plenty to choose from, aren't there? I also loved him smouldering at Libby at Daphne's ball in WAGW, his moving through the crowd at the book launch party in BJD (there is a James Bondish quality about his looks there), and the yearning look Darcy gives Lizzy at Pemberley after he hands her in the carriage and it moves away. Ah, the list is endless..."}, {"response": 442, "author": "mjmorris", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (09:04)", "body": "Dh caught me on this one. I had printed off the top ten and left it on the printer. He came home and found it. I got ribbed all night for it. How can you just pick one or two from P&P? Two I'd like to add are from WAGW and SLOW. When he comes up on the boat at the end of WAGW and he and Libby finally get back together and dance. The other is in SLOW when he asks Nimi to say his name, finally admitting the passion between them. SLOW isn't that well made, but I really liked the culture and values it brought up. WAGW is pure fluff, but those black pants. I really must add to my dvd collection. This list just put dvd's in a higher priority. Please keep adding. I'm enjoying reading them all! Michelle"}, {"response": 443, "author": "Gail", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (09:09)", "body": "Oh, I hope I'm not to late to add to the list. Agree with many of your choices. Plus, if may add the scene in P&P when Darcy writes the letter to Lizzie defending himself, at the end he just leans back in the chair, with the neck of his shirt wide open, and takes a ragged deep breath."}, {"response": 444, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (10:20)", "body": "I'll add one from SLOW-my favorite part of the move. When Matthew leaves Nimi's after spending the night and his walk has that JFL to it. It always has that JFL, but at that moment he was, or at least...never mind. I'm staying out of trouble today. Ditto on the P&P moments. The looks, the glances, the banter, and the repression, to me, are much sexier than the wet shirt scene. I love that moment when they meet because you know it's going to happen and you are anticipating it, but I find it more romantic than sexy. Have to put in FP, the kiss over the coffee cups, the grey undies..."}, {"response": 445, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (12:11)", "body": "(Shoshana)But Evelyn, aren't you going to nominate Armand? ;-) LOL. The whole movie is dear to my heart...poor vulnerable Armand. When he brings Marguerite the camellias*sigh* (You can tell, I go for men that for sure \"would be there in the morning\";-)"}, {"response": 446, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (13:49)", "body": "(Gail)Plus, if may add the scene in P&P when Darcy writes the letter to Lizzie defending himself, at the end he just leans back in the chair, with the neck of his shirt wide open, and takes a ragged deep breath. Oh yes . .I'm seconding the vote for that one and the banter btwn Lizzie and Darcy during the dance at the Netherfield Ball . . (linda)Have to put in FP, the kiss over the coffee cups, the grey undies... What? Linda . . .the red Arsenal boxers don't do it for ya?:) I do love it when Sara says after the coffee mug kiss. .\"Not on the carpet, I can't afford it . .\" I do like it in SLOW when he rushes to the phone when Nimi calls to say that Sammy is missing and then rushes to her house to help . . .would love to have ODB rush to my aid in a time of crisis let me tell you . . .think that's another reason why I like the comb searching scene in GWAPE"}, {"response": 447, "author": "madsky", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 2004 (23:05)", "body": ""}, {"response": 448, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (11:12)", "body": "Has anyone got the GWAPE soundtrack yet? No sign of it here so far."}, {"response": 449, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (14:29)", "body": "Ildi- I've ordered it from Amazon.co.uk. I think with the Spring bit it ends up being at http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00013YQME/thespring-21 . I haven't seen it on any US sites. There are a couple of used copies there as well plus some Lion's Gate promotional \"For Your Consideration\" items floating around on eBay. I trust this more, plus it supports Spring and Drool. ;-)"}, {"response": 450, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 2004 (00:32)", "body": "Thank you for the info Shoshana! I'll go take a look. I find it strange that the movie opened here already and the soundtrack is still not available in the stores."}, {"response": 451, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 2004 (23:42)", "body": "About that \"leash\" around ODB's neck: I seem to recall reading that Colin seemed to start wearing it at around the filming of Trauma (if I remember it wrong sorry). I just watched a bit from WAGW and at the end when Henry tells Daphne he loves her the thing is visible around his neck. Anybody else saw it? Or this is old stuff?"}, {"response": 452, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Jan 25, 2004 (11:38)", "body": "(Ildi)About that \"leash\" around ODB's neck There was a discussion . .and blown up pics on that . .cord w/ beads . . you can see it in the Mushimoko party pics from GWAPE . .I think the discussion was on Odds and Ends?"}, {"response": 453, "author": "Odile", "date": "Sun, Jan 25, 2004 (11:47)", "body": "I'm finally back online and with my own computer. First order of action: put Mr Darcy back as my wallpaper. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find the picture I used to have: screen capture of the lake scene, probably around \"I've just arrived myself\". It was a big size file, excellent for wallpapering. There are a few at casa-feliz, but not that particular shot. So if anybody has it in their files or knows the website where it was, I'd be eternally grateful (for now Mark at the birthday dinner has to do the job -- not too shabby either though :) )."}, {"response": 454, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Jan 25, 2004 (11:59)", "body": "Odile, you mean this one? It's over at firthissimo. For some reason, Casa Feliz is down or has moved or something...don't know what's going on."}, {"response": 455, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 25, 2004 (13:02)", "body": "From what I can tell, the host site is experiencing problems."}, {"response": 456, "author": "Odile", "date": "Sun, Jan 25, 2004 (14:28)", "body": "Thank you so much Ada. The very one!"}, {"response": 457, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Jan 25, 2004 (22:21)", "body": "(Darlin' Ada)Odile, you mean this one? Awww Ada and Odile, the very one and I love it! My favorite scene. It's the one that did me in initially. I just love the way he struggles to make eye contact. What a lovely way to end a Sunday:-)"}, {"response": 458, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (08:44)", "body": "(Kimberly) There was a discussion . .and blown up pics on that . .cord w/ beads . . you can see it in the Mushimoko party pics from GWAPE . .I think the discussion was on Odds and Ends? Yes, I remember that. What I meant was that I think there was a discussion earlier about when the thing was seen on him first, and I remembered Trauma mentioned. But WAGW was filmed before that, and he wore it already. Ada, thank you for that gorgeous Darcy pic! That was one of my fave parts of P&P, love the lost puppy look on his face. That would've made even Mrs. Bennet fall in love with that awful, proud man. :-)"}, {"response": 459, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb  1, 2004 (23:27)", "body": ""}, {"response": 460, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb  1, 2004 (23:28)", "body": "Response 1087 of 1088: Louise Sun, Feb 1, 2004 (18:28) (bethan)Agreed! And for some reason \"Colin\" is definitely a nerdy name in the UK. An explanation I have been meaning to ask of our British DD's - the name Colin's apparent nerdishness there has been alluded to on a number of occasions and from various sources. I certainly don't think it is considered such here. Everyone I know who has named a child Colin uses the British pronounciation (not like Colin Powell). From what I've read, I was beginning to think Colin in Britain was tantamount to Elmer here."}, {"response": 461, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (02:34)", "body": "Some clarification from someone (english) who would have been Colin if had been born a boy! It is a bit nerdy in England. It is somehow quintessentially lower middle class, and you know how dire that is. ;-) However as Janet says it is much smarter in Scotland for some reason. All the smart Colins I know are Scots. You just cannot compare names in US and UK. Take Kevin. In the UK, to describe someone as a \"Kevin\" would be a term of abuse but I know several American who have named their sons, Kevin, without any sign of barrassment.:-)"}, {"response": 462, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (02:36)", "body": "Where did the em go in embarrassment?"}, {"response": 463, "author": "birdy", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (07:48)", "body": "(Allison)You just cannot compare names in US and UK. Take Kevin. In the UK, to describe someone as a \"Kevin\" would be a term of abuse but I know several American who have named their sons, Kevin, without any sign of barrassment.:-) The things you learn on this board! (am thinking of all the Kevins I know who are merrily prancing about unaware of their trans-oceanic humiliation);-D"}, {"response": 464, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (08:49)", "body": "In the UK, to describe someone as a \"Kevin\" would be a term of abuse We are getting into Odds & Ends category here but before I am pilloried by UK droolers, I should point out that the name Kevin has recently become a name to be derided. Harry Enfield, a TV comedian in the UK, named his awful teenager, Kevin. There are plenty of Kevins leading blameless lives in the UK. I suspect what happens to many names is that they become too popular, One or two trendy people find an unusual name for their child and it then catches on, becomes too popular and then is dropped. Probably what happened to Colin. I only know Scottish Colins under the age of 40."}, {"response": 465, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (09:10)", "body": "I guess this should really be in Odds and Ends, but anyway: (Allison)In the UK, to describe someone as a \"Kevin\" would be a term of abuse Again, not in Scotland. And there are many other examples of acceptable/unacceptable names. - Being crazy enough to call your son Clive, Nigel or the dreadful Cecil, would be considered child abuse by many north of the border!!"}, {"response": 466, "author": "Gina2e", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (02:42)", "body": "As a regular worshipper at the church of St Colin.I feel I must have my part in this conversation best Lady Catherine style. In the past I ran ante-natal and post-natal goups and part of one of those sessions was about names.The choice is an important one,an inappropriate or mis-applied name can cause much misery in a childs life. I can't say I've come across many new babies being called Colin, however I have known several new Dads with that name. Upon reflection /observation I find these Dads stick in my mind not only because of their name but they have been an excellent support to their partners and very much hands on fathers with good bonding with their children. These Dads are mostly in their late 20's early 30's. I notice that Colin is a diminutive of Nicholas, (Greek origin) meaning Victory of the people. You sure wouldn't call a goldfish Victory of the people. So all things considered Amnesty,Survival ,Fair Trade I think his parents got it right. St Nicholas brings to mind other associations stockings etc but best not to dwell there! Although in his case I suppose a rose by any other name......"}, {"response": 467, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (15:15)", "body": "(Gina)St Nicholas brings to mind other associations stockings etc but best not to dwell there! Why not? Dwelling and drooling go together very nicely, here;-)Besides, mention St. Nicholas and I think of ODB as Santa baby from the Today show."}, {"response": 468, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (10:39)", "body": "Thought I would post this silliness over here: (Kimberly) Hmmm . .who could we get to sponsor a Trauma screening???? . . . A tequila distributor perhaps? . Vodka or Goldschlager (yum!)...these are all shooters (in case anyone wants to get frisky this day after Valentine's Day) :-) Silver Spider Ingredients 1/2 oz Vodka 1/2 oz Light Rum 1/2 oz Triple Sec 1/2 oz White Creme de Menthe White Spider Ingredients \ufffd1/2 oz Vodka \ufffd1/2 oz Peppermint Schnapps Spider's Web Ingredients About 4 oz Goldschlager 1 drop Strawberry juice Top with Whipped cream Have nice warm fuzzy feeling envisioning ODB drinking last shooter and licking cream off lips (or, if he's had too many as in martini pics....leaving cream on. They would make nice birthday greetings for O&E) ;-)"}, {"response": 469, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (13:54)", "body": "Since I'm not getting the BAFTAs;-( I'll play over here and not muddle up O&E. Just was watching VH1 and they have that show \"Supersecret Movie Rules\" and they are doing tear jerkers....they just got done making fun of TEP. Pretty amusing. One woman (and I should have paid attention to everyone's names but didn't) said that she was angry at Ralph. Kirstin had a good husband and she had no sympathy for them when R and K starting making out in the first three minutes of the film. Then another guy was talking about how Colin used his plane to try to kill Ralph....then said \"whatever happened to the old fashioned type of killing...you know, with poison or something. Colin ruined a perfectly good plane and those things aren't cheap\" Was about a five minute bit on TEP, if you can catch it (I'm sure it will be repeated ad nauseam)."}, {"response": 470, "author": "soph", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (09:57)", "body": "thanks to karen, hail karen ! i have at last been able to watch this *gem* of a movie, yes, you know what i am talking about, PM. i don't wish to start a totally pointless discussion (the old ones stocked @ firth.com pretty much cover everything, all puns intented), but only wanted to know if any of you droolers had seen de palma's \"body double\" and share my weird feeling that this PM thingie is somewhat xeroxed on that movie (itself a rather clever rendition of \"vertigo\") : well, apart from the fact PM is total crap, i sort of saw a connexion in the double act, plus the friend-who's-the-manipulator, etc ?"}, {"response": 471, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (13:17)", "body": "(Sophie)well, apart from the fact PM is total crap, Oh, I'd say there were a few redeeming features...;-)"}, {"response": 472, "author": "soph", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (13:33)", "body": "(lindak) Oh, I'd say there were a few redeeming features...;-) now what on earth do you mean ???? (hehehehe) no, but really, it wasn't even enough to cut through the intense boredom and what-a-heap-of-dung! feeling... (and there are better things on the market in that department frankly)"}, {"response": 473, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (13:40)", "body": "(Sophie) and there are better things on the market in that department frankly LOL...maybe...but are those 'projects' attached to ODB? ;-) That is what makes this one special. The script is crap, Jennifer Rubin can't act, but there are 'special parts' to this film that make it viewable."}, {"response": 474, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (17:16)", "body": "(Sophie)(and there are better things on the market in that department frankly) Yeah, better scripts, surely. But I don't watch PM for the script;-)"}, {"response": 475, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (18:34)", "body": "(Tress) ...but there are 'special parts' to this film that make it viewable I second the *motion*."}, {"response": 476, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (07:58)", "body": "(Tress) ...but there are 'special parts' to this film that make it viewable.. LOL! I much agree. This is my favorite *bad* film and *he plays me like a piano;-))*"}, {"response": 477, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (11:52)", "body": "(Bee) This is my favorite *bad* film and *he plays me like a piano;-))* ROTFL....Don't let ODB hear that! He has refused to be in the same room as that line! Now please apply five second delay on the following: The real question in this movie is...do you want ODB straight up or on the rocks? ;-D"}, {"response": 478, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (12:57)", "body": "(Tress)The real question in this movie is...do you want ODB straight up or on the rocks? ;- Variety is the name of the game...I'll have one of each;-)"}, {"response": 479, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (13:26)", "body": "Now please apply five second delay on the following: ROTFLMAO! Thanks fo the warning but I'll have what Linda's having;-))"}, {"response": 480, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (17:22)", "body": "Regarding PM. There's a very interesting screen capture on another fansite, that is definitely not on my US NTSC tape. - Makes me wonder if there are 2 versions, and that the US version has been censored, ie cropped at waist level (spoil sports!)"}, {"response": 481, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (00:13)", "body": "If you're referring to when he walks out of the shower, as I recall, you see it all from behind. Definitely not from the waist up."}, {"response": 482, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (08:10)", "body": "I haven't seen the movie, but saw two snapshots somewhere on the net of Colin coming out of the shower in PM. He can be seen from the front. The two pics are identical, except that one shows him only waist up, the other gives us a glimpse at what's below the waist and stops barely short of what would be a reeeeally interesting sight. ;-) I wonder why they cut that out of the American version, it doesn't make much sense. Unless it has to do with the rating."}, {"response": 483, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (08:24)", "body": "(Ildi)I wonder why they cut that out of the American version, it doesn't make much sense. Unless it has to do with the rating. I don't think it is. I think it's probably the cropped nature of the one picture and the freezed frame aspect of the other. If one plays with the *pause* function one can get the *almost there* shot. Not that I would waste my time in such a silly way;-))"}, {"response": 484, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (08:57)", "body": "(Ildi) I wonder why they cut that out of the American version, it doesn't make much sense. As I said above, it is not cut out of the American version."}, {"response": 485, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (09:01)", "body": "(Ildi) The two pics are identical, except that one shows him only waist up, the other gives us a glimpse at what's below the waist and stops barely short of what would be a reeeeally interesting sight. ;-) Ildi....I have the American version and if you slo-mo and hit the pause at just the right spot, you get that image (about a nano-second of it)! I dont' think there are two versions (??? I could be completely wrong).....just someone was able to capture that second of 'interest' you mentioned (those blasted glass bricks are in the way....and then when there is a second that could be of real interest, ODB's hand gets in the way). Unlike Bee, I freely admit to wearing out my VCR remote on this activity.....and keep wondering why such great films keep getting converted to DVD and this one has never come up on anyone's list! ;-)"}, {"response": 486, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (09:16)", "body": "Unlike Bee, I freely admit to wearing out my VCR remote on this activity.....and keep wondering why such great films keep getting converted to DVD and this one has never come up on anyone's list! ;-) Well I have to say that don't I or what will Little Bee think;-O-))"}, {"response": 487, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (09:57)", "body": "(Bee ) Well I have to say that don't I or what will Little Bee think;-O-)) LOL....I keep forgetting that you must keep up appearances! My apologies....Little Bee must surely know you've only seen Playmaker once and never hit pause! ;-)"}, {"response": 488, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (10:00)", "body": "hmmm...and Little Bee still believes in the tooth fairy, right? ;-)"}, {"response": 489, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (10:01)", "body": "(Tress) ...and then when there is a second that could be of real interest, ODB's hand gets in the way... LOL Tress, but you like looking at ODB's hands, right? I'd think you'd find seeing his hands more thrilling than anything else... ;-)))) Would anyone believe it, I have never seen Colin in a sex/nude/shower scene yet. Clearly I'm missing something important, but so far his face/voice was enough to send me running for a cold shower. I'm taking this veeery slowly, one step at a time..."}, {"response": 490, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (10:31)", "body": "There are detailed instructions from Bethan on an old topic, which involve counting glassblocks and slo-moing, for seeing what has been termed \"Nessie.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 491, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (12:19)", "body": "(Karen) ...which involve counting glassblocks and slo-moing, for seeing what has been termed \"Nessie.\" ;-) Nessie is an elusive creature...but trying to site him (in this case, Nessie is definitely a boy) is loads of fun...despite the glass bricks, hand, blurry lower screen, damnable cropping...I can't even mention the other stuff that gets in the way of viewing....him.... Ildi, highly recommend that you view this work of art! Jennifer Rubin is so subtle and Colin makes a fine point ;-) Ebay has several copies, including this one that has **Nude** and **Erotic** in the topic line. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3390706670&category=1473 The description is pretty impressive as well: In a town where nothing is real and no one is who they seem, Jamie Harris is a struggling actress who will risk it all. Down on her luck and on her last dollar, she pawns a valuable pearl necklace to pay for a mysterious acting coach who guarantees her success. Ross Talbert promises results...as long as his students go along with his bizarre training methods. Passion, seduction and betrayal...they're all just tools of the trade...and Talbert is an expert. As the lessons progress, he slowly begins to control Jamie's mind and body. Overcome with lust, their relationship explodes when Jamie suddenly realizes that her teacher has been giving a performance of his own."}, {"response": 492, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (12:57)", "body": "(Tress)Nessie is an elusive creature...but trying to site him (in this case, Nessie is definitely a boy) is loads of fun...despite the glass bricks, hand, blurry lower screen, damnable cropping...I can't even mention the other stuff that gets in the way of viewing....him.... I hate those poxy bricks. But just knowing Nessie is lurking just below that cropping is quite exhilarating. (Ildi)Would anyone believe it, I have never seen Colin in a sex/nude/shower scene yet. Oh my poor, poor friend, you must relieve your suffering."}, {"response": 493, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (13:27)", "body": "(Linda) Oh my poor, poor friend, you must relieve your suffering. ROTF! Relieve it? I have the feeling that after seeing it I would suffer even more. ;-) Thanks for the link Tress! So far that's the best price I've seen for it. These oldies seem to be selling for a lot more than they're worth..., maybe because they are rare."}, {"response": 494, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (14:08)", "body": "(Beedee)...one can get the *almost there* shot. Not that I would waste my time in such a silly way;-)) (Tress) Unlike Bee, I freely admit to wearing out my VCR remote on this activity Careful, you'll go blind. (Tress..again) Ildi, highly recommend that you view this work of art! Jennifer Rubin is so subtle and Colin makes a fine point ;-) Careful, your nose will grow...and commensurate to size of fib, to extraordinary lengths. ;-) (Linda) I hate those poxy bricks. You all are killing me. You're going to make me get the darn thing out, you know? Least *I'll* be blameless."}, {"response": 495, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (14:10)", "body": "(Ildi) So far that's the best price I've seen for it. There is one that is going for less! $3.00. But it has six days to go....still, there were about four tapes going for the other price (Gah! Listen to me! I've become a PM pusher! Please, in no way, take this to mean that this is a great film. It is one of his weaker projects, but it has some very pausible moments...if ya get my meaning....). ROTF! Relieve it? I have the feeling that after seeing it I would suffer even more. ;-) There is a high level of frustration involved. For some reason, even after reading past Drooler accounts of this film, I thought my tape would somehow be different and that I would see things others had not....but....Nessie is sneaky...some see him, some don't. But that is the nature of the beast...;-)"}, {"response": 496, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (15:29)", "body": "(Tress)I thought my tape would somehow be different and that I would see things others had not....but....Nessie is sneaky...some see him, some don't. But that is the nature of the beast...;-) ROTFLMAO! Thanks for the question Ildi! This has been such fun."}, {"response": 497, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (15:41)", "body": "(Barb) Careful, you'll go blind. LOL....And now you know why I was sitting so close to the screen! ;-)"}, {"response": 498, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (18:38)", "body": "(Tress)....Nessie is sneaky...some see him, some don't. But that is the nature of the beast...;-) Sounds like Nessie has a magical, mystical quality to him. Seeing him could depend on ones state of mind, no? Personally, I think it depends on size-of your screen."}, {"response": 499, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (19:24)", "body": "(Tress)Nessie is an elusive creature.. Oh my goodness ladies. I've been off for a few days trying to sort out this weekend's SNL activities in NYC and here you've all been discussing this wonderful stuff. Not to change the topic but... I believe the elusive Nessie makes another call close to port in The Advocate. Found myself freeze framing quite a bit when he rolled over after his first romp with the tavern wench. Can't say I was able to document an actual sighting but it was a lot of fun trying."}, {"response": 500, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (20:10)", "body": "(lesliep) but... I believe the elusive Nessie makes another call close to port in The Advocate. Now, I've studied this film as well and never saw evidence of Nessie at that moment (this does not mean that 'he' isn't there and this will give me reason to revisit for further reflection). I have, on the other hand, made careful study of the scene were ODB is entering the baths. And (please apply five second delay) am most concerned about the lack of hangage. Seems that something would be visible from behind, if you are following me here...ODB is a bit bowlegged and it allows for some...views...but not the one I was hoping to see. I am being optimistic though and am of the opinion that although nude from behind, he may have been wearing one of those 'wondersocks' or whatever they are called...that keep things from 'popping out' at an inopportune time. I'll now take my pervy thoughts elsewhere. SNL news has me all jittery, honestly, I'm not like this all the time! ;-D"}, {"response": 501, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (20:24)", "body": "Looks like ODB's presence in NY has brought on all sorts of pervy thoughts around here. LOL! I really must dig my PM tape out from the back of the cabinet and go Nessie hunting myself;-) I'll just use the mute button when JR is talking."}, {"response": 502, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (21:21)", "body": "(Tress)...am most concerned about the lack of hangage LOL, Tress. You are in rare form tonight. Thanks for the last minute chuckle before I pack it in for the eve. Must rest up in anticipation of 5am line-up for SNL tickets Satuday morning..."}, {"response": 503, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (22:10)", "body": "(Tress)Now, I've studied this film as well and never saw evidence of Nessie at that moment (this does not mean that 'he' isn't there and this will give me reason to revisit for further reflection). Alright Tress, where's that 5 second delay warning?"}, {"response": 504, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (22:50)", "body": "(Tress) And (please apply five second delay) am most concerned about the lack of hangage. Tress, have no concerns, the ...er... \"hangage\" is there, I just saw it a few days ago. I didn't see this movie either, but spotted a nice snapshot at another site, and I could see what I wanted, although just a tiny bit of it. But it's there, you can see it if the pic's colour is light enough. You should've seen the grin on my face. It's still there... :-) So why don't you take your DVD out, stop it at the right moment and lighten the picture a bit. And then try to wipe the grin off your face if you can. There. You are not the only perv around here. ;-)"}, {"response": 505, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (22:58)", "body": "FYI, Nessie isn't just a name or euphemism for an anatomical part. In PM, Nessie appears to make a surfacing move, as she would in a loch. ;-)"}, {"response": 506, "author": "soph", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 2004 (10:59)", "body": "my, my, look what the cat dragged in ! and i thouhgt these details had already been covered a thousand times. (myself, a while ago) and there are better things on the market in that department frankly (Tress) LOL...maybe...but are those 'projects' attached to ODB? ;-) yep. i was thinking THOTP. ahhh, period movies. LOL tress, your sock story leaves me with the image of the red hot chilly peppers rendition of the abbey road l.p. cover !"}, {"response": 507, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 2004 (12:05)", "body": "(Karen) FYI, Nessie isn't just a name or euphemism for an anatomical part. In PM, Nessie appears to make a surfacing move, as she would in a loch. ;-) Oooooohhhhhh.....now...I'm walking this very fine line....must keep focused....must....not....speak....no....nope....aughghghghg! My daily struggle. ;-) (Sophie) LOL tress, your sock story leaves me with the image of the red hot chilly peppers rendition of the abbey road l.p. cover ! LOL...I saw those guys do that before they became 'the big thing'. They knew a friend of mine in college and I let them all into a movie for free (they were poor and young). Showed Flea my tattoo (this was a loooooooong time ago). I tried desperately to find a picture of the \"wondersocks\" that are used. I'm most curious to see what they look like....and most curious in THOTP if ODB used one. I'm just concerned about logistics is all...."}, {"response": 508, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 2004 (12:37)", "body": "(Karen)In PM, Nessie appears to make a surfacing move, as she would in a loch. ;-) You mean quiet and stealth-like? (Tress)...ODB is a bit bowlegged and it allows for some...views...but not the one I was hoping to see. LMAO, but the bow is further down, no? His upper thighs look quite straight. But don't worry about the hangage, Tress. It's there-even though covered, as evidenced in grey underwear from FP and the P&P breeches. I know it's more fun to look for the uncovered, but nessie and company do pop up in other places;-) Just a quick tid bit. Today a guy was over doing some work and saw DH's shiny new red toy in garage. He asked if it was mid-life crisis-I just laughed and said yes. He was from NY, and of course I had to ask...believe me I've left no stone unturned in search of SNL tickets. He asked who the host was going to be, I said, \"Colin Firth\" and got that blank stare. I said, \"BJD\"? and got another blank stare. Then I said \"P&P\"? and the light went on. (which shocked me as the guy is 30) He says, \"I just bought the DVD for my wife last week. She loves Mr. Darcy\". I said well that's Colin Firth. He just shook his head and said he would tell her to watch SNL on Saturday...and, no, he doesn't know anyone who can get tickets;-(( Ah, another firthette;-)"}, {"response": 509, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 2004 (14:04)", "body": "(Linda) LMAO, but the bow is further down, no? His upper thighs look quite straight. In that particular scene, it looks to be full blown bowlegs....or maybe it is the way he is walking down the stairs. Anyway, you can see 'sky' all the way up...quite lovely actually...but I'm at work and must quit thinking of these things. Must think spreadsheets, crunching numbers, angsty engineers...not nekky bowlegged English boys...my face gets all flushed just at the thought! ;-)"}, {"response": 510, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (10:17)", "body": "Yipee! I just got my GWAPE soundtrack and am bursting to tell how much I'm enjoying it. It's absolutely beautiful. I was so eager to hear it I practically threw my kids out the door in my haste to send them to school. Then I put the CD in, cranked up the volume on the stereo, sat down, closed my eyes, tuned the world around me out, and sat there with goosebumps covering my entire body until the very last note faded. I think all housework will go undone this morning, because I have to hear it again. The laundry will remain unwashed, dinner uncooked, and the boys can have bread and butter for lunch. :-) This is Mom's Morning... Sigh!"}, {"response": 511, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (12:51)", "body": "This is Mom's Morning YOU GO, GIRL!!! Every Mom needs such a morning every now and again. I haven't been able to see the movie yet, so I am quite envious. Glad to know the soundtrack alone can bring such joy."}, {"response": 512, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 2004 (17:18)", "body": "Sad to see a GWAPE advert in London listings mag Time Out, which only features SJ. First one I've seen :-(("}, {"response": 513, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 2004 (08:21)", "body": "I think this is the right place for these. They are strolls down the old Firth list memory lane - Some creative offerings by yours truly, and Mari (with her permission (these pages are unlinked, so are just for here): http://www.murphsplace.com/firth/memories.html http://www.murphsplace.com/firth/memories2.html We had some silly fun in those long ago days....If there is any interest, I've got more!"}, {"response": 514, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 2004 (09:01)", "body": "Murph! . .LOL! these are priceless!!! . .I esp. love the dialogue btwn Will and Colin!"}, {"response": 515, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 2004 (11:31)", "body": "\"I love Hackney,\" the actor said, \"But matters have definitely gotten out of hand. God knows where Livy is. I can only hope the dastards who stole my car and her with it have the decency to return it...l mean HER!\" A ransom note has been received The police will only say that Miss Giuggioli is safe. The car was not mentioned. ROTFL...that was funny! Will. Will!!!!--bring me my fags before you come in the library here, OK? Your what, Dad? It's as if you Americans have a different word for everything! ;-) Thanks Murph...that was fun!"}, {"response": 516, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 2004 (13:17)", "body": "Yeah, I heard him tell Mom that it was the best thing since Sominex. Was that one of your movies, too, Dad? Uh . . .no, Will, I don't recall making that one. LOL, what a riot. Enjoyed it, thanks, Murph and Mari."}, {"response": 517, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 2004 (17:57)", "body": "Don't blame me, boss. I've tried to tell them if they want to play with my lumps and bumps--it's done, here. ... if they want to discuss current news on the lumps and bumps of my career it's 191;-)Sheesh!"}, {"response": 518, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 2004 (17:58)", "body": "OK Boss . .since I've had my knuckles wrapped twice already!! Silly Kimberly! Just finished listening to Comeback (with many thanks Shoshana for lending it to me). His reading of the novel was wonderful. Question: Has there been a film version of this? Ah, and what do you think of Colin as Peter Darwin?"}, {"response": 519, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 2004 (18:57)", "body": "Ooops! My bad! All the bump talk got started by me....sorry all! I feel just awful.... Ohhh...lookie here...I'm having a relapse...(like the square toed shoes...those are spiffy)"}, {"response": 520, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 2004 (23:15)", "body": "I've tried to tell them if they want to play with my lumps and bumps--it's done, here. ... if they want to discuss current news on the lumps and bumps of my career it's 191;-) Exactly! I don't know why this isn't crystal clear. V. simple. General drooling takes place here."}, {"response": 521, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Apr  1, 2004 (20:32)", "body": "(Karen)Comments about pics on the main Drool page really don't belong here, as discussion thread in and of themselves. OK, am putting end to it. Take fun and games over to Firthology. ;-) Karen, is there some relationship between the pose in that sketch and his People's 50 Most Beautiful People photo? That was 2001. Just a guess. BTW, while trying to research everything that happened to Colin in '01, I managed to spend far too much time hanging around the Article and Interview Archive. What a treasure!!! I love this one! Great hair! Thanks, thanks, thanks Boss!"}, {"response": 522, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Apr  1, 2004 (21:22)", "body": "Shosh - I think you may have it . . the pose is the same . . Is the pic an amalgam of items, news etc? He did get the GQ Actor of the Year award in 2001 . .right? very supermodelish type of pose;) Another idea . .what year did Valmont come out on DVD?"}, {"response": 523, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Apr  1, 2004 (21:26)", "body": "Wow, I found it...it's Colin as James Bond! Topic 150 of 191 [drool]: Colin Firth (Part 10) Response 471 of 1999: Karen (KarenR) * Wed, Jul 25, 2001 (23:47) * 8 lines OK, as Cathey posted yesterday, she has tracked down the CF as Bond fantasy article and has scanned it in. I must say this cartoon artist (generous nomenclature) must not have a clue as to what CF looks like. I much preferred the last fantasy cartoon of CF as Hamlet. Here it is, with thanks to Cathey:"}, {"response": 524, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 2004 (09:01)", "body": "* clap clap clap* If you go up to message 396 you can read the article from the Sydney Sun Herald. The same guy did a much better one of Colin as Hamlet, which is probably up there somewhere, but I can't view those directories right now."}, {"response": 525, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 2004 (18:12)", "body": "(Ada)Wow, I found it...it's Colin as James Bond! Ada, were you a Bond girl in another life? Great investigative work. I vote to make you an honorary member of Her Majesty's Secret Service;-)"}, {"response": 526, "author": "caribou", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 2004 (22:49)", "body": "Colin as James Bond? Until I saw Century City, I was afraid Iaon would be as hard working and successful as Pierce Brosnan in Remington Steele and take it away from ODB, but no worries there now. I wish I had the time and talent to put together a side by side comparison of the things Colin has done that Bond has also done. Of course, he looks suave and elegant in a tux and has a great British accent but he's also done other Bond things in his movies. Dove into a body of water, been taken hostage by the bad guys, dressed elegantly in a casino, observed exotic dances, driven all sorts of things: - small sports cars, - motorcycles, - bus (couldn't believe it when I saw Sean Connery doing same). He's had two interviews with \"M\" and even walked through same doors. He's punched out everyone from Mike Binder to Hugh Grant to \"Alistair\". He's gotten numerous beautiful women. Can anyone else think of others?"}, {"response": 527, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Sat, Apr  3, 2004 (00:45)", "body": "Colin as James Bond? Sometimes I find myself entertaining the idea, but somehow it doesn't take. I just can't see it. Mind you, this is from someone who didn't 'see' ODB in SNL either, and was he ever fabulous! Part of me is dying to see him in the Bond role, I get goosebumps just thinking about how incredible that could be, after all Bond is the coolest stuff ever. Great role, spectacular effects, the cars, the women, the chase scenes, eye popping from the beginning to end. And Colin has the look, the voice, and pretty much everything else, but is he 'cool' enough? I admit, there are many films of his I haven't seen yet, but in the ones I did see I never 'met' a cool Colin. Gorgeous yes. Lovely yes. I saw the Bond face and the Bond walk. But never got the 'cool' feel. The look of Mark Darcy often reminds me of Bond, but he is a bloody wimp. And then there is Colin's age. I feel that he is getting a bit long in the tooth for Bond. By the time the next (after the next) one is made ODB will need a cane. ;-) A nice dream, but dunno if it would work. I'm ever the skeptic."}, {"response": 528, "author": "birdy", "date": "Sat, Apr  3, 2004 (07:34)", "body": "The look of Mark Darcy often reminds me of Bond, but he is a bloody wimp. / A wimp? Mark Darcy A WIMP? Fighting for the rights of others and beating a cad to a pulp isn't a wimp in my book! Point taken, however, that MD character was not the requisite bad-boy needed for Bond. Still, I have enough confidence in CF's acting chops that he could pull Bond off with aplomb - the first Bond since SC that I would lay out good money to see. (I liked PB much more in TCA and the new romcom with JM looks like fun) And I also agree that at 44, unfortunately, CF's too long in the tooth to sign for a series of Bond movies:("}, {"response": 529, "author": "birdy", "date": "Sat, Apr  3, 2004 (07:35)", "body": "closing tags"}, {"response": 530, "author": "birdy", "date": "Sat, Apr  3, 2004 (07:38)", "body": "d**m now?"}, {"response": 531, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sat, Apr  3, 2004 (07:59)", "body": "Re: Colin's ability to play JB... I have no doubt that ODB has the capacilty to be a great JB. I came to this site a few months ago as mainly a P&P and BJD fanatic. Since that time I've been working diligently to get my hands on almost every film he's done. (There are still a few obscure ones to go). What has impressed me the most is his ability to transform himself completely into each and every role he plays regardless of the character type, and the roles have been extremely diverse. Putting the *cool* into the suave, handsome, sophisticated guy we've seen so much of would be a 'cinch' for Colin IMHO. And as far as being long in the tooth...I don't agree. Think he (as well as Sean Connery) only get better with age. Too bad the same doesn't apply for most of us women!!"}, {"response": 532, "author": "birdy", "date": "Sat, Apr  3, 2004 (08:12)", "body": "(lesliep)Putting the *cool* into the suave, handsome, sophisticated guy we've seen so much of would be a 'cinch' for Colin IMHO. And as far as being long in the tooth...I don't agree. I should have clarified that I don't think he's too long in the tooth (quite the opposite) - but no doubt the producers would:("}, {"response": 533, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sat, Apr  3, 2004 (10:19)", "body": "Caribou! (*applauds*) now we should send this list to the producers of the JB films! My fave from your list: He's had two interviews with \"M\" and even walked through same doors. I think Colin would make a great JB . .the task is just to convince the producers of that . . .if they did enough research and looked at his past work they could see how versatile an actor he is. as to Colin's age . .I don't see a problem . .(PB is about 50 now) I personally see Bond as a rugged older man - in his forties or so (not a young pretty boy), with all the suave, charisma and sexuality with a bit of an edge behind him as well. I think Colin could pull it v. v. well. I wonder though,. . as much as he wants a \"shoot em up\" film . .would he want to be part of such a large franchise as the Jame Bond series?"}, {"response": 534, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Apr  3, 2004 (10:46)", "body": "Re: Colin being long in the tooth for Bond.... Pierce Brosnan will be 50 next month. Roger Moore was 50 when The Spy Who Loved Me came out and did 3 more after that ending with A View To a Kill (1985), at which time he was around 58. Timothy Dalton was 41 when his first one came out and 43 with the last one. Sean Connery was the youngest at 32 for the first one and 41 at the last one (Diamonds Are Forever)....53 if you include Never Say Never Again. Now how the producers wish to go with the age of the character is another thing. They may choose to go much younger. I have said on several occasions I'd like to see him do a Thomas Crown-type character...very suave, confident, mischievous, somewhat smug...and I think he'd be fantastic at that. The closest he's come to that is Matthew Field in SLOW and a hint of it as Daniel in DQ. Do I necessarily want to see him with all the gadgets,etc? Not sure, but I doubt it as it's all become too overblown. As we discussed recently regarding Bond, if they could get back to the basics of the films being plot rather than SFX driven, I would like to see him in something like that, perhaps."}, {"response": 535, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Sat, Apr  3, 2004 (12:16)", "body": "(Ildiko) but he is a bloody wimp. I thought the character Mark Darcy was a wimp, too, in his personal life. In BJD(the book and the movie)he allowed Natasha to lead him around as if he had a ring through his nose, and in the EOR (the book) he fell in too easily with Rebecca, for whatever reason."}, {"response": 536, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Sat, Apr  3, 2004 (16:05)", "body": "(Dorine) Pierce Brosnan will be 50 next month. Roger Moore was 50 when The Spy Who Loved Me came out and did 3 more after that... That's true, but they both had a string of Bond movies out by then. IMO Colin is the right age for Bond about right now. But with PB still doing one more in the future..., I just think it's too late for ODB to sign up. (Kimberly) I think Colin would make a great JB . . . .if they did enough research and looked at his past work they could see how versatile an actor he is. I don't question Colin's acting chops and versatility, but I think acting ability is 'only' part of what's needed to create a successful character. A very important one I grant you, but an actor also has to have the \"feel\" of the character. I'm sure most of us have seen great actors in roles that didn't really suit them. I just can't see Colin as Bond, even though I'd like to. Which doesn't say that he wouldn't make a great one, it's just me and my good old skepticism. I would LOVE to be proven wrong on this one. (Dorine) I'd like to see him do a Thomas Crown-type character... Me too. That would convince me. (Luise) Mark Darcy A WIMP? Fighting for the rights of others and beating a cad to a pulp isn't a wimp in my book! He could be the prime minister of England and I'd still think him the biggest wimp I've ever seen. What did Shazzer say? \"There were all these hints and such, but has he ever stuck his f***ing tongue down your f***ing throat? (Very loosely quoted, sorry! LOL!) No, he didn't. He just kept hinting and then went back to his girlfriend. How strange was that. If he wanted Bridget (not that I understood why he wanted her in the first place)I expected him to break up with Natasha first (after all, every woman deserves that much consideration), and then pursue her. Wooing a woman while having a steady girlfriend... not exactly gentlemanly behaviour I think. But this way if Bridget says no he still has Natasha to warm his bed... (Bonnie) In BJD...he allowed Natasha to lead him around as if he had a ring through his nose, and in the EOR (the book) he fell in too easily with Rebecca, for whatever reason. Yupp. Wimp. A very handsome one, but still a wimp."}, {"response": 537, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Apr  3, 2004 (17:59)", "body": "(Dorine)I have said on several occasions I'd like to see him do a Thomas Crown-type character...very suave, confident, mischievous, somewhat smug...and I think he'd be fantastic at that And I have said on several occasions...ditto! British undercover spy--without the gadgets and special effects. Plot twists and turns, surprise ending, steamy affair, maybe even a double agent. (Ildi)Yupp. Wimp. A very handsome one, but still a wimp. IMO I just thought MD was someone who had his heart shattered and was deathly afraid of loving, again--especially falling in love with someone connected with DC. Bridget was perfect for him--she had the ability to bring him out from behind the wall he built. Neither one was ready, but once they cleared the air, everything worked out. (Ildi)But this way if Bridget says no he still has Natasha to warm his bed...,/ . Never thought for a minute that MD was ever really fell for Natasha or Rebecca."}, {"response": 538, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Apr  3, 2004 (18:00)", "body": "closing tags"}, {"response": 539, "author": "birdy", "date": "Sat, Apr  3, 2004 (19:57)", "body": "As I haven't read either book, my opinion of his relative wimpdom was formed entirely from the movie:)"}, {"response": 540, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Apr  3, 2004 (21:22)", "body": "(Dorine) Pierce Brosnan will be 50 next month. Roger Moore was 50 when The Spy Who Loved Me came out and did 3 more after that... (Ildi) That's true, but they both had a string of Bond movies out by then. True, but at their start, they weren't far off of Colin's age, should he start now or soon....PB was 42 when his first one came out and RM was 46! Holy cow! Still can't believe he was doing those so long. (Linda) IMO I just thought MD was someone who had his heart shattered and was deathly afraid of loving, again--especially falling in love with someone connected with DC I do agree with you here, but I also agree with the wimp assessment as well. Maybe he was wimpy to begin with and that's why his wife took up with DC. Being wimpy doesn't mean he isn't one of the sweetest guys there ever was, but it can be boring, frustrating, and annoying. Been there, done that."}, {"response": 541, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Sat, Apr  3, 2004 (21:41)", "body": "(LindaK) Bridget was perfect for him--she had the ability to bring him out from behind the wall he built. I never got that impression. I thought the only ability Bridget had was to make a total ass of herself. That was the main reason I didn't like the movie. I kept waiting till the very end for her to do something that made at least a little sense, and thank goodness, her apology and \"almost confession\" at the Darcys' ruby wedding prevented me from gagging. Yeah, I've got a mean streak where this movie is concerned. Watching the falling down drunk idiot and the handsome wimpy barrister getting together was an experience like no other. Never in my life I've spent so much time cringing while watching a movie. (LindaK) Never thought for a minute that MD was ever really fell for Natasha or Rebecca. Neither did I, but Natasha was his girlfriend, and even though she seemed a girlfriend of convenience I didn't like his \"two timing\". Luckily(?)Natasha was made an unsympathetic character, so who cares if Mark dumped her when he didn't need her anymore? All that counts is the happy ending. I had less problems with the book. Bridget was as stupid as in the movie, but Mark seemed a bit more likeable and honorable character. Mind you, they are the most mismatched couple I've ever seen, both in the movie and the book. What he saw in her will remain a mystery to me forever."}, {"response": 542, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Apr  3, 2004 (22:29)", "body": "(Ildiko) I thought the only ability Bridget had was to make a total ass of herself. LOL! I kept waiting till the very end for her to do something that made at least a little sense, and thank goodness, her apology and \"almost confession\" at the Darcys' ruby wedding prevented me from gagging. LOL again! I hadn't read the books yet when I saw it and I have to admit, I wasn't overly thrilled with it at first. I hadn't had my Colin \"epiphany\" either, but I do recall being rather disappointed with it. After I read the book though, I have to say I like it better, and appreciatively so after my \"epiphany.\" ;-) Once I started watching it repeatedly, I began to see and hear little things I missed initially that made me like it more, too. I think they actually dumbed her down in the movie. The only recurring cringeworthy thing I find about it now, is hearing that line Bridget says at the smug marrieds dinner party, about having scales. Ugh. Oh, and that stupid line Julian says to the girl doing his nails...calls her a nasty name. That was a very poor line, too. Richard Curtis could've done a boatload better on both of those, I'm sure."}, {"response": 543, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 2004 (00:12)", "body": "(Ildi)Mind you, they are the most mismatched couple I've ever seen, both in the movie and the book. What he saw in her will remain a mystery to me forever. I always thought it was because it's a Cinderella story."}, {"response": 544, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 2004 (08:58)", "body": "(ildi)Neither did I, but Natasha was his girlfriend I always took Natasha to be that work collegue trying to stealthly push her way into the girlfriend position . .not unlike Rebecca. I thought people made the assumptions, since he brought her to functions and all that she was \"the girlfriend\" . .and OK, Mark, in his wimpiness or whatever you want to call it, didn't have the gumption to correct people otherwise."}, {"response": 545, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 2004 (10:08)", "body": "tag closed."}, {"response": 546, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 2004 (12:51)", "body": "(Ildi)Never in my life I've spent so much time cringing while watching a movie. [BJD] Worse than the \"I've- got- a -brother\"-ending of TIOBE? Or \"Say -my-name\" in SLOW? (Aishling and I went under the seat at that one at the Ritzy.)"}, {"response": 547, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 2004 (13:26)", "body": "And don't let's start on L'dumb........ or the camels in WAGW. No contender IMO ;-)"}, {"response": 548, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 2004 (14:02)", "body": "See, the camels in WAGW didn't bother me, but the BLP dance made me absolutely cringe the first time I saw it. I've since grown to enjoy the scene, but, oh, it made me want to crawl under the couch from shame. A acquaintance of mine, a Drooleur-in-training, upon seeing WAGW wrote to me: PS I saw Girl with a Pearl Earring and What a Girl Wants. I can't say that I enjoyed watching Colin dance in leather pants. I felt bad for him, he looked so silly. Otherwise, I still have much affection for that dark gaze of his. ;)"}, {"response": 549, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 2004 (14:18)", "body": "(Dorine) I have said on several occasions I'd like to see him do a Thomas Crown-type character...very suave, confident, mischievous, somewhat smug...and I think he'd be fantastic at that (Linda) And I have said on several occasions...ditto! British undercover spy--without the gadgets and special effects. Plot twists and turns, surprise ending, steamy affair, maybe even a double agent. I'm one of the ones who can't really see him as Bond. I can see him all sorts of other ways , just not as 007. Like Ildi said earlier, I dunno if ODB's is 'cool' enough. He has a bit of a dorky side (that would be the side I adore, so don't get me wrong....love ODB, but think he has this irrisistible nerdy bit in him that keeps me from seeing him as the martini man). Would love to see him in undercover spy/Thomas Crown type role! Something he can do and 'create' from scratch. Bond is such a franchise and there are just so many 'ways' an actor can do him...that if you deviate, it's deadly (think Tim D....horrid IMO). I think Colin would make a great double agent/spy type....just not Bond. (Dorine) I think they actually dumbed her down in the movie. I read the book first, and I agree. I was suprised the first time I saw the film because they did dumb her down a bit....but it didn't bother me too much as I had my \"Ding Dong\" moment and was in a bit of a fog! (Kimberly) I always took Natasha to be that work collegue trying to stealthly push her way into the girlfriend position . .not unlike Rebecca. I saw her as Caroline Bingley....an opportunist that would do almost anything to land the rich guy....and I think Mark Darcy felt that and went with it. His heart had been broken before, why get all messed up with love? It wasn't safe...but then he met Bridget. I like Mark (he's a bit of a wuss, but he has had a broken heart....and remember, he thought Bridget was seeing his rival, so why couldn't he date too?). Love Bridget. She may be a mess, but I can relate on several levels! (Ildi) Neither did I, but Natasha was his girlfriend, and even though she seemed a girlfriend of convenience I didn't like his \"two timing\". I never saw it as 'two timing'. MD thought Bridget was in a relationship (and she was)....when he found out she was available, he made his confession and she didn't have time to respond. After their interview and her confession of \"a bit of a crush\" he 'popped on by' to see wot was up and things were looking good until Mr. Cleaver showed up. After the fight, he thought she was not interested again.....then the next time they saw one another was at the ruby wedding anniversary (and he was under the assumption that he and Bridget were over, and Natasha was pushing for a wedding and....well, having his heart broken twice, why not?). Mark flirted with Bridget, but he never stuck his f**king tongue down her f**king throat, so I didn't see it as two timing. I didn't see love on either side of the Mark/Natasha relationship, just a sort of 'coupling of convenience' (not right, but I always figured they both understood that....maybe if they had made Natasha a nicer character I would have had more trouble with he issue, but she was so manipulative and demanding, that it was a 'good riddance' thing at the end for me)."}, {"response": 550, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 2004 (14:41)", "body": "(Shoshana) the BLP dance made me absolutely cringe the first time I saw it. I've since grown to enjoy the scene... Absolutely agree. I hated the BLP dance the first time I saw it - somehow it seemed demeaning to me. I admit it has since grown on me but I do still wince a bit when I see it. Don't know why I find it distasteful to see him acting so silly - I generally love the moments of levity I've seen in so many other roles he's played."}, {"response": 551, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 2004 (17:29)", "body": "(Shoshana) the BLP dance made me absolutely cringe the first time I saw it. I've since grown to enjoy the scene... Same here. It bothers me a great deal though that when I see Hugh doing that kind of stuff I laugh myself silly and enjoy it very much, but when Colin does it I cringe. I don't know if it is because Hugh is more suited for this stuff and can pull it off better, or simply ODB is simply too \"close\" to me. I had the same 'problem' with another fave actor of mine, so I tend to believe it's the latter. (Evelyn) Worse than the \"I've- got- a -brother\"-ending of TIOBE? Or \"Say -my-name\" in SLOW? I haven't seen SLOW yet, but the TIOBE one did make me cringe. However, there were only a few lines in that one that made me want to hide, while I spent the entriety of BJD 'peeking from under the sofa'. ;-)"}, {"response": 552, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 2004 (19:47)", "body": "(Tress)Love Bridget. She may be a mess, but I can relate on several levels! Just about everyone I've shared BJD moments with-relate. (Ildi)I didn't like his \"two timing\". Two timing would have to mean that MD was in a relationship with Bridget and was two-timing her with Natasha. I don't recall that happening. The only true blood two timer in the film was Daniel Cleaver."}, {"response": 553, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 2004 (21:32)", "body": "(Lindak) Two timing would have to mean that MD was in a relationship with Bridget and was two-timing her with Natasha. The other way around. MD was in a relationship with Natasha and was wooing Bridget at the same time. I realize that Natasha was a girlfriend of convenience, but he took her to not just official functions but family ones as well, and in my eyes that makes her Mark's girlfriend. And she sure knew how to 'handle' him. LOL! (Tress) ...then the next time they saw one another was at the ruby wedding anniversary (and he was under the assumption that he and Bridget were over, and Natasha was pushing for a wedding and.... Bridget apologized and told Mark of her feelings at the wedding, which should've cleared up all the misunderstandings. It was clear that she was ready to receive him, and yet he went to NY with Natasha saying nothing to Bridget. The guy just couldn't make up his mind. Wimp? Wuss? Take your pick. ;-)"}, {"response": 554, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 2004 (22:09)", "body": "(Ildi) MD was in a relationship with Natasha and was wooing Bridget at the same time. I agree that Natasha was Mark's girlfriend, but wooing to me is 'taking out to dinner and a movie'. It never went there with Bridget. He whisked some eggs and wished her a happy birthday....I was hoping that after the friends left he'd be there for a serious talk, but that wasn't to be...I call it flirting. Different. I don't think they ever even shook hands.....;-) (Ildi) Bridget apologized and told Mark of her feelings at the wedding, which should've cleared up all the misunderstandings. Shoulda....but....when it is matters of the heart sometimes things get a bit muddled. He couldn't dump Natasha there and then (and I can't imagine anyone who would walk away from that foyer and go immediately to the other person and say 'you are soooo outta here').....and then he had to sort out his own feelings....again.....and then had to deal with the fact that he was to be in NYC working (BTW, I did not see Natasha with him at that point....she was to join him, but it was never said when....for all the audience knows, he could have broken that off pre NYC trip). The man had some thinking to do (as in \"Is this really worth it?\" and \"whatthehellamIdoingwithmylife??\")."}, {"response": 555, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Apr  5, 2004 (18:37)", "body": "(Tress)I agree that Natasha was Mark's girlfriend I never got the impression that they were an \"item\". He introduced her at the launch party as a . I always felt that she was a convenient companion and she was, to him, nothing more than a Caroline Bingley. MD never looked very comfortable with the \"wedding\" toast at the Ruby Wedding Party, either. Bridget was having her ups and downs with DC and chasing her own demons. MD wasn't dating her--though I think he would have if DC hadn't crashed the birthday party. So, I really, IMO, can't see anything that suggested he two timed anyone. (Tress)The man had some thinking to do Yes, and when push came to shove...he gave up the job offer in NY and followed his heart. Natasha, at that point, was history."}, {"response": 556, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Apr  6, 2004 (11:06)", "body": "(Linda) I never got the impression that they were an \"item\" Oh, I did. Not at the book launch as she says \"Give me time\" about Mark to whatshername, but by the smug married dinner, they were definitely an item. And you don't have your parents make an inference like they did with the in-law comment, at a very public event, without having some basis for it. Now that doesn't necessarily imply that they have great emotional attachment to one another just because they are dating. Happens all the time. For her, it was an advantageous match, for him, probably just convenience. He didn't have to invest great emotion that he may not have been prepared to give, because I don't think that was a requirement for her. As far as two-timing, he showed up at Bridget's house on a pretense, certainly because he'd developed an interest in her, but it was just that once, and was innocuous, really. Two-timing generally implies having a second (at least) concurrent ongoing relationship, IMO. If things had not ended as they did at her birthday party, there's no telling what would've happened from there, but since Mark seems he'd take the high ground and not cheat as his wife did, I bet he'd break it off with Natasha before dating Bridget even if he didn't go to NY."}, {"response": 557, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Apr  6, 2004 (12:06)", "body": "(Dorine)I bet he'd break it off with Natasha before dating Bridget even if he didn't go to NY. I thought I read something around here some time ago about how there was a scene that was later cut that showed Mark at the NY airport telling Natasha he never felt anything for her, but that he loved Bridget and had to go back. Am I imagining things? Was it in SM's audio commentary on the DVD? Now I'm all confused. Anyway, it seems to me that there wasn't any two-timing following Dorine's definition. All with Natasha (if there was anything of note) was over before anything happened with Bridget. Granted, Mark loved or at least liked Bridget earlier. Is that's emotional two-timing? That would have require an emotional relationship. Maybe."}, {"response": 558, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr  6, 2004 (12:20)", "body": "The New York airport scene was in the script, but a cut out of the movie. http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjdcut.html He just says that he left something behind in London."}, {"response": 559, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Apr  6, 2004 (13:02)", "body": "(Shoshana) Granted, Mark loved or at least liked Bridget earlier. Is that's emotional two-timing? That would have require an emotional relationship. Maybe. It's hard to say that Mark and Bridget had any type of relationship, emotional or otherwise until the end. I wouldn't say they were much more than acquaintances who keep ending up at the same social functions. That didn't really change 'til Mark came back from NY. I suppose it could be said that a flicker of one started at the bday party, then the Ruby wedding when they each put their own feelers out to begin to test the waters."}, {"response": 560, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Apr  6, 2004 (14:42)", "body": "Had to move this over here from CF Topic so as not to get \"time out\" ;-) (Dorine) I was pretty pleased with the bit with the \"maid\" (nudge, nudge, wink, wink). ;-P Wait....they kissed in that scene?? Hadn't noticed...was distracted by other things...;-D Not to worry, I have brothers... LOL...I actually did notice the kissing in that particular scene and it seemed she was more enthusiastic than he was (again, just IMO). And not that I don't love watching him 'go to it'! I do! Just think he holds back a bit. I always attributed it to his \"gentlemanly like\" behavior. That he didn't want to cross some line with the actresses he was working with....(though, I'd think they would all be willing partners, with such beauty before them)! ;-) Did note, and still wonder about, the scratch marks on his back while he's gettin' the rub down at the bath. Real life enthusiasm? Some bit of the film that was there, then cut? Inquiring minds want to know! ;-)"}, {"response": 561, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Apr  6, 2004 (18:53)", "body": "(Tress)Wait....they kissed in that scene?? Hadn't noticed...was distracted by other things LOL, I could care less wheter he did any kissing at all in that wink, wink, nod, nod scene;-) (Linda) I never got the impression that they were an \"item\" (Dorine)Oh, I did \"Item\" isn't the word I should have used. I guess I never got the impression that MD had any designs on Natasha. But I do agree with Kim's assessment... (Kim)I always took Natasha to be that work collegue trying to stealthly push her way into the girlfriend position . .not unlike Rebecca. I thought people made the assumptions, since he brought her to functions and all that she was \"the girlfriend\" . .and OK, Mark, in his wimpiness or whatever you want to call it, didn't have the gumption to correct people otherwise I never saw any hint of affection between MD and Natasha. Maybe it was cut? They did spend the weekend at the same hotel where DC and Bridget stayed, and even then it was cold, cold, cold. Not saying they weren't dating, but talk about boring... if he did two time on Natasha...could you blame him;-)"}, {"response": 562, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Apr  6, 2004 (19:06)", "body": "(Linda) They did spend the weekend at the same hotel where DC and Bridget stayed, and even then it was cold, cold, cold. LOL..I think this line sums up the Natasha/Mark relationship: I brought Natasha. Get a bit of work done. Thought I might make it a not entirely wasted weekend. LOL...spending time on holiday, at a hotel, with Natasha was getting 'a bit of work done'. Hope he didn't nod off in the middle of it all! ;-)"}, {"response": 563, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Tue, Apr  6, 2004 (21:14)", "body": "Seems to me that Ms Natasha wasn't particularly warm and fuzzy herself. Her attitude in the boating scene was pretty indicative, to me, of her personality as she disdainfully pointed out the \"childish\" behavior of Daniel and Bridget having lots of fun in their boats. Poor Mark looked like he wanted to play, too, sort of like a little boy with his nose pressed up against the glass, watching all his mates playing outside."}, {"response": 564, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Apr  6, 2004 (23:31)", "body": "(Eithne) sort of like a little boy with his nose pressed up against the glass, watching all his mates playing outside. Yes.....! He did seem to want to play (though I think with Bridget only as he was probably still a bit sore about Daniel and his wife!)....There is a great scene at the hotel that was cut (okay, not staggeringly great, but interesting). It happens after the boats (and thank you Karen for the link earlier today as it reminded me of all those great 'missing' pieces!): Daniel comes out, opening the pack of cigarettes, lighting up, inhaling deep...A few wedding guests walk by him. He flicks open his mobile phone. Mark Darcy is coming up the steps. \ufffd Mark Call you can\ufffdt make from the room? Daniel O, just go fuck yourself, Darcy. Mark Such a command of the language\ufffdthe literary world is very lucky to have you at its helm. Silence. These two really don\ufffdt like each other. Mark walks away. Think this scene kind of balances out the arrival scene where Daniel seems to have the upper hand."}, {"response": 565, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (01:56)", "body": "(Tress) Just think he holds back a bit. I always attributed it to his \"gentlemanly like\" behavior. That he didn't want to cross some line with the actresses he was working with... Yes, that's what I feel too, and I'm liking that a lot. Seems perfectly reasonable to me. (Tress) But..but...but...they're actors, they know what comes with the job before they start... They sure do. They are supposed to act . In a fight scene actors just pretend to hit each other, don't they? In a sex scene they have pretend sex (thank goodness), so in a kissing scene why should they be expected to do the real thing? We are talking about swapping saliva here with a \"stranger\". Yuck! I couldn't do it. Wouldn't. No way. IMO if Colin needs kissing lessons he should learn how to make those fake kisses look more real. (Mari) If it was his job? Not a problem. Goes with the territory. It is not his job. His job is to fake it - as realistically as possible. (Evelyn) Just close your eyes, Ildi;-) LOL! Sound advice, but wouldn't help me. It would still bug the hell out of me. (Tress)I did a Google search and ODB kisses like that IRL too! LOL again!!! Tress, you cannot possibly judge that from a pic taken at his wedding where he is kissing (or gets kissed) in front of the assembled guests. I did not french kiss at my wedding, it would've been scandalous. The mere thought of it cracks me up. ROTF! Ladies, I very much enjoyed reading your takes in the kissing debate. I suspect it will come up again at some point, unless Leslie does manage to coach Colin on the proper fake kissing technic (sp?), and ODB will end up smooching McPhooey in a manner that will leave you all breathless. *snigger*"}, {"response": 566, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (02:27)", "body": "Leslie and Ildi, you should check out one of Colin's birthday parties from several years ago where Moon gave him kissing lessons for his birthday. It's hysterical!"}, {"response": 567, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (08:41)", "body": "(Ildiko)unless Leslie does manage to coach Colin on the proper fake kissing technic Oh wow - from your lips to God's ears, Ildiko. I tremble at just the thought. What a lovely picture to keep in my head as I go through my day today! (Dorine) Leslie and Ildi, you should check out one of Colin's birthday parties from several years ago where Moon gave him kissing lessons for his birthday. It's hysterical! Sounds like a riot. Anyone have the link or general idea where it might be?"}, {"response": 568, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (09:03)", "body": "(Ildi) IMO if Colin needs kissing lessons he should learn how to make those fake kisses look more real. That's what it is all the criticsm is about. His kisses need to look more passionate. Period. If it involves opening his mouth, moving a bit and other techniques, then that's all. No one said he had to stick his tongue down anyone's throat. (Leslie) Anyone have the link or general idea where it might be? Colin's birthday is held on Topic 110: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/110/new The kissing lessons were from a few years ago. I must warn you that you'd better have a strong and fast computer because the topic is image-intensive and several years' worth of parties could blow it up."}, {"response": 569, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (10:37)", "body": "It's nice to see the Tongue Brigade gaining in numbers;-) For several years there were only 4 of us."}, {"response": 570, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (11:30)", "body": "Here is where Moon's Kissing Lessons start... http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/110.477 Also, the next year's party, 2002, is hysterical, as well. Check out Karen's Katie Couric interview at post 722 where the Tongue Brigade is brought up. I was ROTF! http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/110.722 Forgot about this part... Colin: We've concluded that the larger rally may be due to my birthday. Katie: (gasp) How would they know that fact, such a personal detail? (slides PDA away) Colin: (shaking head) Honestly, I have no idea and have asked several fans that question myself, when it has arisen in conversation. Katie: And their answer... Colin: They typically have none. *hee hee* ;-) Some of the pics are gone now, unfortunately. Bad links. I thought Lisa's hilarious charwoman story was during one of his birthday's but it seems not. Guess it was just in the CF topic around that time. Took me 3 times to get that read through all the way. Had so many tears in my eyes from laughing I couldn't see."}, {"response": 571, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (12:05)", "body": "Great job finding those bits, Dorine, but it looks like I should've changed this one line: Colin: Yes, these women mass on the sidewalk every night at about ten o'clock with their candles. to cobbles. ;-)"}, {"response": 572, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (12:08)", "body": "(Ildi) I did not french kiss at my wedding, it would've been scandalous. Nor did I...but ODB seems tense when just kissing (not just French kissing). I suspected that possibly the cameras had something to do with it at his wedding.... I guess why I love the doorway scene of BJD so much (and outdoors a few minutes earlier). He seems to be the pursuer (the neck nibble leaves me all squiggy) and he seems relaxed...yet, he never gets to connect (GAH!) cuz Bridget is more interested in getting into some tinier knickers (Sillllllly Bridget)! (Karen) No one said he had to stick his tongue down anyone's throat. Exactly! As long as he can make it look real. I've seen great screen kisses done w/o a hint of tongue (and cataloged the kisses as those of the 'French' persuasion). It's all about it looking real. ODB doesn't do that when he gets all stiff and backs up (and like I've said before, I love watching him, but I just wish he'd loosen up a bit before he 'goes in'...and I still think he did a great job at the end of Trauma....)."}, {"response": 573, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (12:17)", "body": "You learn the different techniques when you're an actor, right Kimberly? I've seen the open mouth, no tongue, or the slightly open going for one lip while the other person goes for the other. Hey!....this opens us up for a good research project? Analyze, compare and contrast ODB's kisses over the course of his career. Take into account type of role, scene, personal situation at the time.... What a hardship to do this type of study. ;-) I realize too, that some people have done this already as they've been around longer. But it never hurts to do more trials. ;-)"}, {"response": 574, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (12:24)", "body": "(Dorine) What a hardship to do this type of study. ;-) Oh! Horrible homework assignment! Will we be graded on a curve?? ;-D Here's a great one ;-)"}, {"response": 575, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (12:44)", "body": "...and another (Dorine)What a hardship to do this type of study. ;) Someone has to do it;-)"}, {"response": 576, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (12:53)", "body": "Here's the charwoman story... http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/163.629 Part of what made it so freakin funny to me, is we were having a discussion about him playing a mute character. I was convinced he'd get nom'd for awards, as others have done in the past, for playing a mute. ;-D Response 632 of 1999: Dorine (gomezdo ) * Mon, Aug 26, 2002 (21:02) * 3 lines (Jeanie) How about \"Children of a Lesser God\".. deaf and mute, right? Ahem!! Yet *another* Oscar winner for the deaf/mute (excuse me, the speech and hearing impaired)! You may have laughed at me and my suggestion, but I'm seeing a pattern here! Or at least several instances. The parody also was a reference to the jokes of how *he* chooses his scripts. ;-) At 556, a couple of articles including the The Sunday Times article and our subsequent comments were good, too. The one where he said he'd never turned head in a room....Pfft! ;-) (CF)But I've never walked into a room and turned heads in my life.' (Caribou) He has clearly not been walking into the right rooms! When he said about \"turning around the ocean liner,\" isn't that where the birthday party theme that year came from? And the reference to script decision making.... Loved Kate's post on that.... (CF) 'I don't have an adviser,' smiles Firth, the family man. 'I talk to my wife.' (Kate) Take good care of those Playmaker tapes, ladies. You ain't gonna see nothin' like that again. :-( And Caribou's... (CF)'I don't have an adviser,' smiles Firth, the family man. 'I talk to my wife.' (Caribou) Funny how we all picked up on that one right away. Can't believe how close the [charwoman] parody was. Also the references that came up recently about where he'd like to school Luca . And until I read down a bit further, I'd forgotten about this bit from Hola Lola.... http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/163.629 (She doesn't italicize, puts article quotes in parentheses). This is a lot fun going back! Haven't done it in a while."}, {"response": 577, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (12:54)", "body": "This wasn't me. ;-) Did this help?"}, {"response": 578, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (12:56)", "body": "Forgot to mark my part... (Jeanie) How about \"Children of a Lesser God\".. deaf and mute, right? (Dorine) Ahem!! Yet *another* Oscar winner for the deaf/mute (excuse me, the speech and hearing impaired)! You may have laughed at me and my suggestion, but I'm seeing a pattern here! Or at least several instances."}, {"response": 579, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (12:57)", "body": "Colin explains one method of screen/stage kissing in Out of the Blue. Isn't it called a fish kiss? Something about sucking the lower lip, etc. Hard for him to do that with his lips so tightly clenched together."}, {"response": 580, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (12:59)", "body": "Closing Linda's tag. *tsk tsk* ;-)"}, {"response": 581, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (13:02)", "body": "Sorry, Hola was at 608. Forgot to change when I copy and pasted... And until I read down a bit further, I'd forgotten about this bit from Hola Lola.... http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/163.608 (She doesn't italicize, puts article quotes in parentheses)."}, {"response": 582, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (13:07)", "body": "\"Katie: (pressing hand to ear) I've been told it says, \"Long live kissing with the tongue.\" ROTF Thanks for finding those, Dorine. Viva Silvio and his glorious (ahem)*jewels* !!!"}, {"response": 583, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (13:13)", "body": "Yoohooo, Dorine, maybe you should do that cataloguing of Drool, as you once suggested a long time ago. You're good at finding all the best bits."}, {"response": 584, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (13:16)", "body": "This is rather apropos in light of the kissing debate of the last couple of days.....from the Katie bday interview.... Colin: Yes, I had been interested in Graham Greene's novels with their complex characters but was never offered the film. Katie: This is purely hypothetical. That film had several very sexy scenes between Ralph Fiennes and Julianne Moore. If it had been offered to you, would you have done them? (pulls earpiece out of ear) Colin: (major effort not to stammer) As an actor, one does what is appropriate for the character within the context of the plot. I did offer, but never heard back! Sounds like my job search now. :-/"}, {"response": 585, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (13:26)", "body": "(Karen)Closing Linda's tag. *tsk tsk* ;-) It's all this study of kissing that has me hot and bothered;-) (Karen)Isn't it called a fish kiss? Not sure, but isn't that the method used by DC on his first date with Bridget? Thanks for the link, Dorine. Wasn't that quote about the ocean liner the reason for his birthday theme that year?"}, {"response": 586, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (13:30)", "body": "(Linda) Not sure, but isn't that the method used by DC on his first date with Bridget? LOL...Yes! The one that Sharon said they had to shoot twice cuz Renee and Hugh had a line of spit between them....so fishy and wet! ;-)"}, {"response": 587, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (13:35)", "body": "(Me) When he said about \"turning around the ocean liner,\" isn't that where the birthday party theme that year came from? (Linda) Wasn't that quote about the ocean liner the reason for his birthday theme that year? Think there's an echo in here, LOL."}, {"response": 588, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (14:00)", "body": "(Dorine)You learn the different techniques when you're an actor, right Kimberly? I've seen the open mouth, no tongue, or the slightly open going for one lip while the other person goes for the other. well . .I must confess I have not taken an indepth class on acting intimacy:) . .but I am guessing you mean by which method one could approach acting: stanislavski, meisner . .all sorts of sensory work you could do . .etc . .yes there are many schools used to approach acting situations . . Colin had that wonderful article from Backstage West, describing his training, actingwise that I found very very facinating. We do know he is a research based actor . .from what I've read as to his preperation techniques for new roles . .but he also seems to be rather open to learning new ways to approaching acting. He's not astrict method actor of any sorts. . . It's rather funny this whole kissing debate has been brought up . .my manager just mentioned it to me yesterday . .that was the first thing she said ( after she saw those pics, Tress!) Perhaps it is just that he hasn't had great chemistry/comfortability with the costars he has had to kiss?. I know for myself as an actor . .I've got to completely trust the other person before I throw myself wholeheartedly into a part, esp. . .when it deals with something that will open up rather difficult emotions . .I try hard to attempt to \"live\" the moment . .create it new . .not just fake a pre-concieved idea as to how the scene should go . . . Perhaps the pressure to create that romantic/sensual moment just can't be achieved. . .it's not easy to create the same performance exactly as in rehearsal or as done even minutes before . . .and the medium of film with everything being shot out of sequence . .well, sometimes you don't have time to warm up and get to know your scene partner;) I'm afraid I don't have the Backstage West article here . .it's at home . . .I'll try to post the link later . .unless someone finds the original post up on the CF topic. Great reading."}, {"response": 589, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (14:04)", "body": "You can always from such articles at firth.com's article archive: http://www.firth.com/articles/03backstagewest.html"}, {"response": 590, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (14:09)", "body": "(Dorine)Think there's an echo in here, LOL. LOL, yes, yes, ye---sss. I told you all this kissing stuff has me in a tizzy. (Evelyn)Viva Silvio and his glorious (ahem)*jewels* !!! Oh gawd, too funny. What great memories. Reminded me of those glorious left/right discussions, too;-)"}, {"response": 591, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (15:03)", "body": "Call me shallow but I wouldn't mind if Colin did something like this... Producer Neal Moritz has signed on at Paramount for a remake of To Catch a Thief. Todd Komarnicki will write the script for the project. The remake will relocate to Miami and will follow a reformed jewel thief who scrambles to clear his reputation while being framed for a series of elaborate robberies from the super-rich."}, {"response": 592, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (15:23)", "body": "(Linda) Reminded me of those glorious left/right discussions, too;-) LOL Knew that would come up but I think that one got shelved because there was discussion of field study (polling the male populace in general regarding preferences/practices) rather than focusing on one study subject. The kiss thing has potential. Shame the weather is getting nice ('cept I would think Karen has a week or three before she starts her gardening!) and time is limited. ;-) BTW, the index thing is brilliant...if anyone is interested in dividing and conquering, I'd love to help. (The wit and wisdom of the early torch bearers is too priceless!)"}, {"response": 593, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (15:52)", "body": "(Ada)LOL Knew that would come up What? the discussion or the \"jewels\";-)"}, {"response": 594, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (15:53)", "body": "Oh sorry, Ada LOL, I meant Barb. Had to clarify, or my \"double\" SNL keeps might be in trouble;-)"}, {"response": 595, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (16:02)", "body": "(Ada) Call me shallow but I wouldn't mind if Colin did something like this...Producer Neal Moritz has signed on at Paramount for a remake of To Catch a Thief. You're shallow. ;-) No, no, no, no. Have you forgotten the recent attempt to remake Charade? Far better to leave the classic, especially Cary Grant classics, alone. Colin needs create his own characters and become known for those."}, {"response": 596, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (16:10)", "body": "Yes, I'd *love* to see him in something like that, but not that...and the character in To Catch A Thief is very much the Thomas Crown-type person I'd love to see him play. I saw that blurb about To Catch A Thief earlier and couldn't believe they'd make such a great movie over again. Ok, that's not true, I could believe it, but thought it wasn't a great thing to do. I saw Charade last week...can't believe how badly they missed the mark with the remake. The original was fantastic. Hard to beat Cary Grant."}, {"response": 597, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (16:17)", "body": "(Karen)Have you forgotten the recent attempt to remake Charade? Far better to leave the classic, especially Cary Grant classics, alone. Brava. . .I thought the same thing. Charade happens to be my favs . .not just for Cary Grant but Audrey Hepburn as well;)"}, {"response": 598, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (17:14)", "body": "(Me)...but I wouldn't mind if Colin did something like this. Ahem;-)"}, {"response": 599, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (18:23)", "body": "I'm sorry, one more link...I was reading over the parties and forgot how I LMAO over this one with the LEGO P&P characters... http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/110.522"}, {"response": 600, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (18:55)", "body": "(Dorine) Leslie and Ildi, you should check out one of Colin's birthday parties from several years ago where Moon gave him kissing lessons for his birthday. It's hysterical! Brngs up such sweet memories. :-) I only wish he had learned. I was so disapointed in that kiss at the end of BJD. What is wrong with him? I read somewhere that men that don't know how to dance are not sensual. Maybe te same is true with actors that can't kiss realistically on screen. If anyone says they liked that kiss in BJD well then I'm sorry to say, you have never been properly kissed. ;-) Actors are supposed to fake it well. I'm still waiting."}, {"response": 601, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (19:00)", "body": "(Ildi) I did not french kiss at my wedding, it would've been scandalous. More than scandalous, vulgar. But if Mr. Darcy and I are alone in a carriage and we are off to our honeymoon... by all means, bring it on."}, {"response": 602, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (19:19)", "body": "(Moon) If anyone says they liked that kiss in BJD well then I'm sorry to say, you have never been properly kissed. ;-) Oooohhhh...I liked it! I don't think it was the type of kiss to inspire the line \"nice boys don't kiss like that\" but it still melts my buttah. I guess it is the 'feel' of the scene and not the actual kiss. And that bit when Bridget puts her hand to Mark's face **big sigh** It is an \"aaaaahhhhhh\" moment for me! BTW, I'm off to tell the hubby that I haven't been properly kissed! ;-D"}, {"response": 603, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (20:12)", "body": "Men and dancing...interesting premise. YOu could say the same thing about people and food. I've found that people who truly enjoy food, not just eating but preparing, arranging, and presenting beautiful food are quite sensual. After all, food touches all our senses, touch, taste, smell, sight and even hearing. I wonder what ODB's attitudes are towards food. Just a thought."}, {"response": 604, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (20:36)", "body": "(Tress) BTW, I'm off to tell the hubby that I haven't been properly kissed! ;-D LOL. You go girl! (Moon) But if Mr. Darcy and I are alone in a carriage and we are off to our honeymoon... by all means, bring it on. Yeah, baby! (Karen) Far better to leave the classic, especially Cary Grant classics, alone. Agreed. For the record, I wasn't crazy about the Thomas Crown Affair remake. Much prefer the McQueen/Dunaway original. (Karen) Colin needs create his own characters and become known for those. Hear, hear. (Ada) LOL Knew that would come up LOL. I could interpret that statement in such an interesting way ;-p (Barb) BTW, the index thing is brilliant...if anyone is interested in dividing and conquering, I'd love to help. (The wit and wisdom of the early torch bearers is too priceless!) Ditto. (Tress) The one that Sharon said they had to shoot twice cuz Renee and Hugh had a line of spit between them....so fishy and wet! ;-) Eeeeeeeeeeeeuuu! Yuck! *shiver* (Ildi) he should learn how to make those fake kisses look more real. (Moon) Actors are supposed to fake it well. That's right. Make me believe these characters (not actors) are kissing with the proper emotion be it passion, need, anger, disinterest... If I want to see an actor's tongue, I'd watch Sean Bean ;-)"}, {"response": 605, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (22:43)", "body": "(Moon) If anyone says they liked that kiss in BJD well then I'm sorry to say, you have never been properly kissed. ;-) Didn't the kiss in BJD get a Best Kiss award some time ago? People's choice or some other award thingy...? If so, there are a lot of unproperly kissed people out there. ;-) BTW: I very much enjoyed your kissing lesson. LOL! Thanks for the link, Karen! That was a hoot."}, {"response": 606, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 2004 (12:26)", "body": "Er, I guess I should've rather posted that I very much enjoyed reading your kissing lesson. There is a bit of difference. ;-)"}, {"response": 607, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 2004 (12:33)", "body": "(Ildi) Didn't the kiss in BJD get a Best Kiss award some time ago? It was nominated for an MTV movie award in that category, but lost to a same sex one with two guys. Can't recall what actors/which movie, as it wasn't one that I would ever see."}, {"response": 608, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 2004 (13:13)", "body": "(Karen) but lost to a same sex one with two guys. Didn't it lose to the \"Cruel Intentions\" kiss? Between Buffy and Selma Blair (they used their tongues...seemed to tip the vote in their favor...all those boys who voted hoping for a repeat performance when they accepted their award)."}, {"response": 609, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 2004 (13:27)", "body": "(Tress)I guess it is the 'feel' of the scene and not the actual kiss. I agree. No, it wasn't an earth shattering kiss, but the moment was out of this world, and my focus wasn't the kiss. But, even though I love the ending of WAGW, the actual kiss in that scene left me feeling a bit blah. I did, and still do, focus on the kiss in that one."}, {"response": 610, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 2004 (13:32)", "body": "(Linda)...but the moment was out of this world. Yes! That bit where Mark opens up his coat and 'invites' Bridget inside! Loverly! My capture addiction just sneaks up on me sometimes..."}, {"response": 611, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 2004 (13:52)", "body": "American Pie 2's kiss between Jason Biggs and Seann William Scott won: http://www.mtv.com/onair/movieawards/ma02/winners/kiss.jhtml"}, {"response": 612, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 2004 (14:06)", "body": "You're right! Selma and Buffy won in 2000. That was the only same sex kiss I could remember. Biggs and Scott look like they're in pain....IMO, BJD is waaaaay above the other kisses in that group (Moulin Rouge not bad, but that kiss wasn't near to being 'the moment' of the BJD snog). Oh well....MTV, whaddya gonna do? Not exactly the Oscars! Thanks Karen!"}, {"response": 613, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 2004 (18:33)", "body": "(Kimberly) hmmm .I thought you might also post that poem he reads during The One Before the Last . .not as funny as the limerick from BJD . .but to hear him recite it . . Here you go Kimberly! If I should die, think only this of me: That there's some corner of a foreign field That is for ever England. There shall be In that rich earth a richer dust concealed; A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware, Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam, A body of England's, breathing English air, Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home. And think, this heart, all evil shed away, A pulse in the eternal mind, no less Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given; Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day; And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness, In hearts at peace, under an English heaven."}, {"response": 614, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 2004 (18:41)", "body": "That's the one, Tress . .*sigh* Many thanks! . .I couldn't find the copy you sent me;)"}, {"response": 615, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 2004 (14:13)", "body": "I've obviously missed an important source ;-) Where/when did CF recite this? Inquiring minds..."}, {"response": 616, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 2004 (14:24)", "body": "(Meredith) I've obviously missed an important source ;-) Where/when did CF recite this? Inquiring minds... It's from a radio play Colin did in the late 80s (??). \"The One Before the Last\". Story of the poet Rupert Brooke. Quite lovely to listen to...he gets a bit 'breathy' in spots!"}, {"response": 617, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 2004 (14:31)", "body": "Tress . . I listened to TOBTL again last nice . . .Ahh Rupert and Carr . .;) It's just lovely . . . I'm telling you will sit and listen to him recite the phone book to me;) BTW, You wouldn't happen to know if the script for this is floating about . . ."}, {"response": 618, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 2004 (14:34)", "body": "Sorry about double post . . Does anyone have a copy of Two Planks and A Passion . .the other radio play he did? . Colin as Richard II:)"}, {"response": 619, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 2004 (15:14)", "body": "(Kimberly) BTW, You wouldn't happen to know if the script for this is floating about . . . I've never seen it, but that doesn't mean it isn't out there somewhere (I'm sure it is!). I just recently found The Lonely Road online (but in German. I cannot find the Fettes' translation). Have never heard Two Planks and a Passion, but you can get that script (It's in \"Minghella Plays 1\")."}, {"response": 620, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 2004 (19:07)", "body": "For Meredith & Tress: TOBTL - http://hem.passagen.se/lmw/brooke.html Two Planks & a Passion - http://hem.passagen.se/lmw/twoplanks.html"}, {"response": 621, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 2004 (19:14)", "body": "Found a neat site for radio plays, etc. Some were in audio form, but TPaaP is not. http://www.stageplays.com/browse-no-frames.cgi?view=search&group=0&search=two+planks+and+a+passion&Subscribe=search"}, {"response": 622, "author": "odea5", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 2004 (06:54)", "body": "Maybe Colin as James Bond is a stretch, but I can picture him as the male lead in a movie version of The DaVinci Code -- that character is a college professor (could as easily be from Oxford as from Harvard) who is attractive in an intellectual sort of way. Can't think of anyone who would be more perfect. I can only assume there will be a movie version. Perhaps we could start an early campaign to the casting folks!"}, {"response": 623, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 2004 (08:58)", "body": "I've finally picked up that DaVinci Code book myself and is the next I'll be reading. However, if you check back on Odds & Ends, there have a number of news itms posted about the movie and casting."}, {"response": 624, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 2004 (09:01)", "body": "Colin was cast as Robert Langdon last year on O&E . Ron Howard is directing. But I bet he picks RC Just a tip to newbies: Read some of the back topics. Lots of interesting stuff there (lots of garbage too;-) But it will give you a flavor of the place."}, {"response": 625, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 2004 (23:34)", "body": "Just finished watching Hope Springs, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. After all the negative comments I read about it I expected to see something really crappy, and was prepared to cringe a lot, but that didn't happen that many times. It seemed like a charming, simple, made for TV movie, and I was very happy to see Colin in almost every scene. He looked AFG, I couldn't get enough of him. My heart is still beating wildly at the thought of him. Haven't had that for a while. Hmmm. So now I'm mentally kicking myself for not making much effort to see this before. I should've known, this happened before. I was prejudiced against it based on what others have said, and I should've known better. After all people's taste differ. *banging head against the wall* So I had fun watching it, laughed out loud a few times, and yes, covered my eyes a few times as well, lol, but all in all I found it quite enjoyable. The behind the scenes stuff wasn't much, but it had some Colin in it, so I'm happy. I guess this is one of those movies that didn't exactly propel ODB into stardom, but it's a nice little diversion. And I thought it was well cast."}, {"response": 626, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 2004 (02:12)", "body": "(Ildiko) He looked AFG The only truly redeeming factor for me. I finally saw a good copy last night. For positive remarks, I can say this for it.... I thought it was beautifully shot, I very much liked he and MD together with their bickering, OP was amusing the short bit he was in it, and ODB was waaay AFG. Virtually as good as he's ever looked in movie. That's about all I can say for it, IMO. I'm glad you liked it, Ildiko."}, {"response": 627, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 2004 (06:39)", "body": "I'd have to put HS way at the bottom of the list of my preferred ODB movies. The main redeeming factor IMO was the abundance of Colin eye candy. Otherwise, I thought many of the other players were simply caricatures, MD - the classic Cruela DeVille(?sp), MS - the country bumpkin, and my least favorite HG - the wacko free spirit. Must admit I've never really cared for HG in any of the roles she's played - I think she tries to make up for her lack of talet by simply taking her clothes off for any role she plays. For the most part, the film offered a talented cast. It had the makings of a much better film - the characters just never seemed developed enough to believe in. I also found myself cringing in quite a few places - I felt embarrased for ODB. The BLP in WAGW were somewhat charming - swinging the scarf a la Gypsy Rose Lee in HS made me wince. Don't know why his silliness felt OK in one and not the other film."}, {"response": 628, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 2004 (09:48)", "body": "(Lesliep) I thought many of the other players were simply caricatures, MD - the classic Cruela DeVille(?sp), MS - the country bumpkin, and my least favorite HG - the wacko free spirit. I thought they were caricatures too, my faves were the Fishers. They made me crack up a few times. As for Mandy, other than in the first few minutes of her screen time she didn't seem like much of a free spirit to me, just a normal country girl. (Dorine) ...and ODB was waaay AFG. Virtually as good as he's ever looked in movie. Yes he was, I couldn't believe it. There was the part where they were doing the ...er, innocent thing, and Mandy kept running her hand over his chest, over and over and over, and I thought Oh God. I swear I could feel his flesh under my hand. I was quite bewildered. LOL! What is the matter with me? ;-) The scarf swinging thing didn't make me cringe one bit. I saw him wrapping it around his chest as he approached the door and went Oh no! Just laughed myself silly. The BLP dance in WAGW was hilarious, but it did make me wince."}, {"response": 629, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 2004 (12:46)", "body": "(Dorine) I thought it was beautifully shot, I very much liked he and MD together with their bickering, OP was amusing the short bit he was in it, and ODB was waaay AFG. This one is my guilty pleasure (pure eye candy, I'm such a shallow girl). Didn't like HG or MS (Those clothes! That accent!), but like the bits you pointed out... I didn't cringe too much at the scarf twirl...I was cringing more for HG and her outburst in the car after chugging a nearly full bottle of schnapps (and miracle of miracles, she didn't throw up or pass out! Amazing!)."}, {"response": 630, "author": "katty", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 2004 (15:23)", "body": "I agree that Hope Springs wasn't THAT bad, especially since I was expecting the worst. I just saw it on a Netflix DVD, and it was a pleasant TV-movie-level diversion, nothing memorable but not the worst thing ever. (Londinium is WAY below it in quality.) My husband also didn't hate it, which surprised me. Part of the reason I sorta enjoyed it was I actually liked the book, and I therefore accepted the plot ahead of time. I thought the setting was postcard lovely. Yes, there wasn't enough development in the love story, but HG was beautiful in a fresh and ingenuous way and I could see why Colin would fall in love with her. MD wasn't THAT bitchy. There were moments that made me cringe a little (e.g. the scarf twirling and the tantrum on the golf course), but the moments when Colin has his love-yearning looks (like at the restaurant) are really nice. And he doesn't look bad with his shirt off either. I'm still debating whether I should buy it or not... One problem with the movie compared to the book is that Colin is probably 10 years too old for the role. He really should have been the same age as MD like they were in the book. The plot that had their mothers being pregnant together was integral to the pair's strong connection."}, {"response": 631, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 2004 (15:40)", "body": "(Katty) Part of the reason I sorta enjoyed it was I actually liked the book, and I therefore accepted the plot ahead of time. I'm curious if it was that way across the board...if you liked the book well enough, you liked the movie and vice versa. Wonder if there are any split decisions anywhere."}, {"response": 632, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 2004 (15:47)", "body": "Oh, and one more thing.... I'm sitting here watching it before I have to return it to Blocknbuster and wondering what kind of kiss that was between Colin and Mandy while they're dancing, before they run back to the motel. At the beginning of where they start to kiss more passionately, he looks like he's almost ripping half of her lower face off (not really a compliment). And bad, bad Mark Herman for letting that old guy's head dance in the way of the view of them kissing."}, {"response": 633, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 2004 (21:04)", "body": "(Katty)I actually liked the book, and I therefore accepted the plot ahead of time. I thought the setting was postcard lovely I loved the book-the second time I read it-with Colin's voice in my head. Before seeing the film, I really thought he was perfect for the part. Actually I still think he was perfect for the role--it's the fact that they totally f---ed up the film that bothers me. That being said...in the book I was rooting for Mandy and Colin and hated when Vera came back. I thought the trick she pulled on him was much more vivid and nasty in the book, and I also felt that he was really suffocated by Vera, her mom and sister. The film doesn't really go into that. I think because of the lack of chemistry between CF and HG, IMO---I was actually rooting for Vera and Colin in the film--knowing the plot, I was hoping the screenplay would really depart from the book and Colin would dump Mandy. (Dorine)I'm curious if it was that way across the board...if you liked the book well enough, you liked the movie and vice versa. Wonder if there are any split decisions anywhere. I'm a splitter. Loved the book and other than the AFG aspect of CF, and he truly is AFG in this...I disliked the film. One of the few CF films that I find extremely hard to sit through without taking a break--- Now, if they had dumped HG, and gotten rid of Mary Steenburgen then I think I would have enjoyed it. My favorite scenes were Colin and Minnie."}, {"response": 634, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 2004 (21:26)", "body": "(lindak)My favorite scenes were Colin and Minnie. I agree. Even though she played the wicked witch, I think she and Colin have great screen chemistry and I found their verbal sparring quite amusing."}, {"response": 635, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 2004 (21:34)", "body": "(Linda)gotten rid of Mary Steenburgen then I think I would have enjoyed it. Thank you. WTF was her accent supposed to be?!? Actually, all of the accents were messed up (except Colin's because he doesn't have an accent, it's the Americans who talk funny). ;-) (Dorine)Wonder if there are any split decisions anywhere. I disliked the book. I only read it out of \"loyalty,\" and I think I'd rather be stuck reading Nostromo . :-P The movie was, IMHO, better than the pathetic book. On my ranking of films, HS becomes like SLOW and FF: the story makes no sense and/or is stupid, but I could watch Colin in it all day!!! AFG! (Ildi)There was the part where they were doing the ...er, innocent thing, and Mandy kept running her hand over his chest, over and over and over, and I thought Oh God. I swear I could feel his flesh under my hand. Gaah! Yes!!! I had to stop the movie and take several deep breaths after that! AFG! Like Tress said, this was eye candy, but I don't mind being shallow every once in a while. ;-)"}, {"response": 636, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 2004 (22:58)", "body": "(Tress)I didn't cringe too much at the scarf twirl ***Me either. I took it for the silly kind of thing that people do when they are initially in lust and flirting with the *other*. Who remembers?;-)) (Dorine)I'm curious if it was that way across the board...if you liked the book well enough, you liked the movie and vice versa. Wonder if there are any split decisions anywhere. I was amused by the book but read it after I knew that ODB was in it. I think that the book was dry and cute and had more to offer than the film, which does have it's qualities but not in quantity;-)) I was disappointed in the adaptation of the book. It lacks the wry quality of the book, IMO but does have that lovely chest and beach scene....... (Linda)I loved the book-the second time I read it-with Colin's voice in my head. Before seeing the film, I really thought he was perfect for the part. Actually I still think he was perfect for the role--it's the fact that they totally f---ed up the film that bothers me. Ditto in spades! My feeling exactly! (Linda)I think because of the lack of chemistry between CF and HG, IMO---I was actually rooting for Vera and Colin in the film--knowing the plot, I was hoping the screenplay would really depart from the book and Colin would dump Mandy. LOL! Me too! I thought MD was a pisser. A lot of misdirected talent here, IMO."}, {"response": 637, "author": "birdy", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 2004 (08:23)", "body": "I finally got my copy of HS, put it on and sat back ready to cringe. As with alot of movies, expectation is all-important. I was so prepared to be mortified on his behalf, I was relieved that it didn't grate on me any worse than it did. IMO it was a low to middlin' romcom. Good rom-coms are few and far between - they either work or they don't. If you aren't made to care whether the leads get together or not, it ain't gonna work. And I not only didn't care, I actively didn't want CW to get together with Mandy. (LindaK)I think because of the lack of chemistry between CF and HG, IMO---I was actually rooting for Vera and Colin in the film--knowing the plot, I was hoping the screenplay would really depart from the book and Colin would dump Mandy. I like hearing about the differences in the movie and the book. Even without knowing about the omissions, I didn't think they set Vera up adequately as the *itch and wanted them to get back together. CW and Vera's scenes were my favorites. I didn't buy for a minute CW would spend the rest of his life in vacuous happiness with Mandy. (Tress)I didn't cringe too much at the scarf twirl Me either. IMO, the scarf twirl, like the BLP episode, were both suppose to humiliate his character - he was supposed to look ridiculous. The BLP scene, however, was EXTREMEly cringe-worthy to me, not because he was doing air-guitar in BLP, but he was doing a particularly doofus air-guitar in BLP and I'm not sure if that was in-character or not. (I pray it was, but if it was - bad choice.) I usually love MS, but here, what thuh? The periferal characters were supposed to be quirky townfolk, but I found them insultingly ridiculous instead. On the plus side, I was amazed just how AFG looking CF was in this film. GAH! That alone is worth the DVD money."}, {"response": 638, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 2004 (10:49)", "body": "It seems to me that this is the kind of situation where it's better that one didn't read the book first. When I read books that are turned into a movie I often find myself mentally armed to the teeth, waiting for the movie to come out with knives out to see how badly they were butchered. And when the movie turns out to be not quite like the book or the way I imagined I go on the attack. Not a good attitude to have, but... *shrug* Since I never read New Cardiff I have one less reason to find fault with HS. I don't know what the characters were supposed to be like, I take them as I see them and interpret them as I see fit. I watched the movie again last night, wondering if the euphoria of its 'newness' would wear off and I'd be less pleased with it, but I still enjoyed it. The one thing that bothers me in it is that Mandy's drinking in the car just doesn't fit in. She seemed such a normal, regular nice girl in the rest of the movie, the booze swilling and jumping around in the buff seemed weird. Or if that's the way she was supposed to be she should've shown a bit more free spiritedness throughout the whole movie (glad she didn't though). So her character was a bit off, but I very much enjoyed the rest."}, {"response": 639, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 2004 (12:46)", "body": "How do you feel about \"Camille\";-))))"}, {"response": 640, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 2004 (12:49)", "body": "(Louise)but he was doing a particularly doofus air-guitar in BLP and I'm not sure if that was in-character or not. I always thought that was the point. Over the years, a perfecly normal, groovy, rock-loving HD grows up and due to family duty, tiitle, advisors, etc grows into a doofus. He was just beginning to get his \"groove\" back.;-) I never cringed-not even the first time I saw the BLP, nor do I now---about 100 times later. I always enjoyed it for what it was-a bit of fun and fluff in an overall decently, cute film. IMHO, of course. Now, if it was career wrecking--that's another topic that will be decided over time, and not by me;-)"}, {"response": 641, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 2004 (13:06)", "body": "(Linda) Now, if it was career wrecking--that's another topic that will be decided over time, and not by me;-) Every time I saw the BLP dance in the theater (even when I was the only one there ;-D), everyone was cracking up. Got the biggest laughs. As far as career wrecking? I don't think so....he followed up with Johannes quite nicely. (Evelyn) How do you feel about \"Camille\";-)))) LOL...I got so caught up in the size of the cravats on ODB and the eyeliner on Marguerite that at times I barely paid attention to the melodrama unfolding... ;-)"}, {"response": 642, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 2004 (13:56)", "body": "(Tress)everyone was cracking up. Got the biggest laughs. Yes, it did-always-except in late May when I was the only one in the theater;-) Always got a round of applause, too-that's why I always loved seeing it on busy Saturday nights. (Tress)I got so caught up in the size of the cravats on ODB and the eyeliner on Marguerite LOL, the coughing always did me in;-)It's like yawning. By the end of the film I thought I had TB."}, {"response": 643, "author": "birdy", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 2004 (14:09)", "body": "(linkak)I always thought that was the point. Over the years, a perfecly normal, groovy, rock-loving HD grows up and due to family duty, tiitle, advisors, etc grows into a doofus. He was just beginning to get his \"groove\" back.;-) I guess I thought he looked less like HD and more like Jerry Lewis getting his \"groove\" back;-D"}, {"response": 644, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 2004 (18:48)", "body": "(Lousie)I guess I thought he looked less like HD and more like Jerry Lewis getting his \"groove\" back;-D . LOL, can't comment as I've never seen nor would I ever want to see JL in BLP;-) Doofus or not, HD's backside sure looked hot to me."}, {"response": 645, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 2004 (19:01)", "body": "(Linda) Doofus or not, HD's backside sure looked hot to me. And who can forget (not me) those bare feet....and that funny 'fluff' thing he does to his hair to make it look more \"rockin\"? The absolute best bit, for me, is the zipper check he does a couple of times....too funny."}, {"response": 646, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 2004 (19:02)", "body": "(Lindak) Doofus or not, HD's backside sure looked hot to me. Hallelujah and amen sister! Wiggle on nerd-boy, wiggle on...."}, {"response": 647, "author": "socadook", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 2004 (19:20)", "body": "(Louise) And I not only didn't care, I actively didn't want CW to get together with Mandy... I didn't buy for a minute CW would spend the rest of his life in vacuous happiness with Mandy. LOL. My thoughts exactly. But it wasn't just the lack of chemistry between ODB and HG. I felt that way reading the book, the movie just made it more obvious. (Linda) My favorite scenes were Colin and Minnie. Ditto. (Katty) The plot that had their mothers being pregnant together was integral to the pair's strong connection. The link between C and V in the book explained C's need, for the first time in his life, to be away from her, physically removed from their environment, the only one he knew, and made his trip to America understandable. Looking back, it also explained why V thought all would be forgiven, and they'd get back together. After all, they've always been together. It's expected by everyone in their world, that they'd always be together. (Linda) it's the fact that they totally f---ed up the film that bothers me And the book wasn't great to begin with, not one I'd recommend anyway. Haven't reread yet (don't think I will anytime soon, if at all.) (Evelyn) How do you feel about \"Camille\";-)))) (Tress) LOL...I got so caught up in the size of the cravats on ODB and the eyeliner on Marguerite that at times I barely paid attention to the melodrama unfolding... ;-) (Linda) By the end of the film I thought I had TB. ROTFL. You ladies kill me, *cough, cough*. Wasn't his fault the leading lady couldn't hack it! (Tress) The absolute best bit, for me, is the zipper check he does a couple of times....too funny. Loved that. Still wonder why he checked. Got my attention. (Maria) Wiggle on nerd-boy, wiggle on.... ROTFL."}, {"response": 648, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 2004 (22:15)", "body": "Must reserve HS comments till I see the video tape;) WAGW however . .I thought the BLP scene was way too funny . .I laughed out loud and fell off the couch when I saw it for the first time. My DH actually came out of the bedroom to see hwat was the matter with me . .no cringe factor here . .More like applause for Colin for not being afraid to look totally ridiculous on film! (Tress)And who can forget (not me) those bare feet....and that funny 'fluff' thing he does to his hair to make it look more \"rockin\"? The absolute best bit, for me, is the zipper check he does a couple of times....too funny. Didn't he also have a leetle earring in his ear that he gave an embarrased pull at when he got caught doing the BLP dance? . .I thought that was too cute;) . .And then when he went back to the dance afterwards;) Would love to see all the takes they did for that scene . . . (Evelyn) How do you feel about \"Camille\";-)))) (Tress) LOL...I got so caught up in the size of the cravats on ODB SNORT . . . ok note to any future costumer . .no cravats please:) . .I remember you said the same about Valmont! I thought Camille was sweet . .I love watching Colin in his early work . . . Greta Sacchi didn't impress me all too much either . .I should see it again to take a look at the eyeliner;) I haven't finished reading the novel yet though . .for some reason I keep putting it down . .Alexandre Dumas I love . .but his son . .for some reason the writing doesn't do much for me :)"}, {"response": 649, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 2004 (22:15)", "body": "(Lindak) Doofus or not, HD's backside sure looked hot to me. I'll *back* you up on that Linda, Tress! I think he's got such a cute butt!"}, {"response": 650, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 2004 (23:00)", "body": "Agree! Baby's sure got \"back\" ;-) [especially after seeing The Advocate] Love that sinuous little wiggle he uses to get into those BLP. I did comment to the cat, though, that I thought he'd better stick to acting and leave the dancing to others."}, {"response": 651, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 2004 (05:39)", "body": "Must post this quickly before DH gets up...I had never seen this LOOONG interview with ODB! I still havn't finished watching as I wanted to post it here..It is from BJD times and the audio and video are not aligned and the sound is low..Will have to watch and listen a few more times (aw!) Did he say hot pants? Short shorts? Intriguing...:) Oh, you may need to root around the link to find it... http://216.239.37.104/translate_c?hl=en&u=http://www.cinematografo.it/ultimepercat.asp%3Fcod%3D18/10/200118:36.21%253Ci%253EBr%26cat%3D2&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dcolin%2Bfirth%2B%2B%2522interviste%2Bcon%2522%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26oe%3DUTF-8%26sa%3DG%26as_qdr%3Dall"}, {"response": 652, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 2004 (08:25)", "body": "Maria! . .It sounds wonderful Here's the direct link I rooted around;) http://www.cinematografo.it/ultimepercat.asp?cod=19/10/200116:07.57Il%20di&cat=9 Karen - do you want a transcript???:)"}, {"response": 653, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 2004 (08:42)", "body": "Sorry .double post . .I just loved this! . .my guess is the short pants he was talking about was the field hockey outfit from Dutch Girls (one of my keeps I think;) . . Loved his anecdote about his freind's response to his aftermath of cooking dinner . . And at the very end . .when asked what kind of advice he would give to his son about women . . he started out by saying . .\"uh . .Dad doesn't know anything about women . .\" . .cute cute cute;) Great interview thanks again Maria!"}, {"response": 654, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 2004 (08:53)", "body": "Thanks, Maria!! The Google Queen comes through again! :-D I've only listened to a minute of it, will go back later, but what is he doing with his hand in his shirt almost vigorously before they start? At first when I was just glancing at it, I thought he was adjusting his mic, but then I really looked and it couldn't be. May have to listen more carefully to what is being said there if anything."}, {"response": 655, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 2004 (08:57)", "body": "Dorine - I thought he was fixing his mic too . .I think I heard the interview say something like . .\"and we contacted your parole officer\" or something odd like that . ."}, {"response": 656, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 2004 (10:52)", "body": "(kim)More like applause for Colin for not being afraid to look totally ridiculous on film! He's had experience."}, {"response": 657, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 2004 (14:18)", "body": "(Kimberly)Karen - do you want a transcript???:) Karen, please forgive my jumping in here but I beg you Kimberly, if you would be so kind as to transcribe..I held the computer speaker up to my ear and yet was still unable to catch all of it...Would love to see and hear all he has to say...Thanks!!!"}, {"response": 658, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 2004 (15:21)", "body": "Maria!!!! OMG!!! That was wonderful!!! Was so happy to 'clicca qui'!!! Anyway, some highlights\" When he was asked about the first time he fell in love and he says something about \"Denise ???. I was five.....was pretty jaded by the time I was seven!\" And then the story about cooking. How he loves to do it, but is very messy....someone came into the kitchen and said \"I understand that you could get it on your clothes, and on the counter and all over the stove.....but how did you manage to get it on the ceiling??\" and then ODB describes looking up and seeing Indian food above his head! ROTFL! Fantastic! Thank you soooooooo freakin' much for that one! A real treat!"}, {"response": 659, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 2004 (16:26)", "body": "I was five.....was pretty jaded by the time I was seven! That was too cute as well . . . nice interview I thought he seemed very relaxed and forthcoming with his answers. Maria - will try to work on transcript as soon an I can"}, {"response": 660, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Apr 18, 2004 (13:09)", "body": "Maria, thank you and Kim for the direct link. Brava!!!! Oh this is wonderful...reminds me a little of Colin Unplugged. I could hear the interviewer so much better-Colin's voice was a bit muted. I used earphones plugged into the speakers and it was a bit better. (Dorine)I thought he was adjusting his mic, but then I really looked and it couldn't be LOL, if he wasn't adjusting his mic then what the hell was he doing. I really wish I was doing to his chest what he was doing... But you're right there really wasn't any noise like the mic was being adjusted \"Oh yes ab-so-lutely\"...regarding costumes...probably the best way I've ever heard him say ab-so-lutely...he put a very sexy inflection on the \"lutely\" You've got to go back and listen. It comes just before the \"small shorts, little hot pants\" when I was 12. (Tress)something about \"Denise ???. sounded like Denise Richardson??? (Tress)and then ODB describes looking up and seeing Indian food above his head! ROTFL! Fantastic! Yes, then I thought I heard him say that the food on the ceiling probably tasted very good. LOL. (CF)...Bridget Jones, herself, had more than a passing interest in Mr. Darcy and Pride and Prejudice ***sigh*** loved that \"dad doesn't know very much about women\" Amazing find, thanks again."}, {"response": 661, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Apr 18, 2004 (14:15)", "body": "Maria, you are the best treasure hunter. We should go off to look for a lost Spanish galleon some day. ;-) Thank you! And Kim, very much appreciate your transcript. His voice was rather low on the recording and I too did not catch it all."}, {"response": 662, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sun, Apr 18, 2004 (22:32)", "body": "Thanks Maria and Kimberley. I just finally had time to listen to the interview and it was a real treat. Forgive my summarizing his comments...but I loved his response to the question about his regard for well written dialogue. He stated that essentially 'the words' are what he's given to work with. As an actor he felt his job was to come up with what's between the words...\"it's all in the gestures\", he said. OMG...I am hard pressed to come up with an actor who has a greater mastery of the gesture - the unspoken line than Colin. For me, that's where the bulk of his magic lies. (Dorine)I thought he was adjusting his mic, but then I really looked and it couldn't be I honestly think he was scratching an itch. Take a look at the satisfied smirk once he's done fiddling inside his shirt. I got that fizzy feeling all over again just watching. Gaah!"}, {"response": 663, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 2004 (09:03)", "body": "(Lindak) I really wish I was doing to his chest what he was doing... (Lesliep) Take a look at the satisfied smirk once he's done fiddling inside his shirt. Me too. I would just do it a lot more slowly than he did. And then I'd check out his satisfied smirk.;-) Thanks Maria! Too bad I didn't hear much either, but the visuals made up for it."}, {"response": 664, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 2004 (12:50)", "body": "(Leslie)I honestly think he was scratching an itch. You know, you could be right. I noticed that once he buttoned up his shirt, as he settles down in the chair he rubs his back on the back of the chair as if to scratch an itch. Hey, maybe a bug or something flew into his shirt just as they began...lucky damn bug!"}, {"response": 665, "author": "locarol", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 2004 (23:38)", "body": "Have LA DVD in my hand and am about to review it. Package (Australia) is as the movie but there is no booklet or anything inside. Simply the DVD sitting all alone. This is apparently as it is in shops. Will get back soon with details of contents."}, {"response": 666, "author": "locarol", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 2004 (23:58)", "body": "Okay, there are no deleted scenes of \"relevance\" but there is a mini interview in the \"Storytellers\" section where he speaks of his co-star and gets a rave review from her about how great he is. He's sitting next to two meagre orchid plants sans flowers which look a little lonely sitting on the table. Things of \"relevance\" are the hair, clothes! Hair well under control and clothing black - duh! But overall, very well put together and relaxed. There is a lot of Richard C talking before all deleted scenes and generally making his presence felt throughout the whole thing. Excellent quality picture and sound - one of the best I've seen actually. Now off to actually watch it properly and especially all the Huge comments."}, {"response": 667, "author": "locarol", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 2004 (16:47)", "body": "Again on the LA DVD. The commentary is very chummy with them talking over each other quite a lot. At times they get a little too into each other rather than the movie imo. Hugh sighs heavily at each sight of Colin! Fills in comments such as - oh now we're back to the boring bit. A couple of times someone says - God he looks good when Colin appears and I think this came from Richard and Bill. When Richard tells them all to pay attention to Colin and how great he is in the smoulder when talking of driving her home, Hugh suggests that Richard probably had only to paste it in from one of his previous roles. Hugh also says he loves the Romeo Juliette scene when Colin proposes as it's the worst thing you can do to a woman to shoot her from beneath yet she stands up to it beautifully and fortunately it meant shooting Colin from above which was no doubt done to make him look thinner! It's done in true British understatement and all in good fun. There was frequent talk of walking without dialogue and its difficulties and the consensus was that Colin is a great walker - straight shoulders, determined. (In case no one here has noticed!) Overall the DVD package is paltry. The cover is as the posters but is printed one side only so the inside reveals a lonely looking DVD in amongst all that white space. The DVD sliced up heart is in pale blue not red as on the soundtrack. There is not a sign of a menu list or anything. The back cover does hold a small shot of the kiss at least. (Perhaps all this is only for here (Australia) but I doubt it.) Still it's a must own. The quality is superb. Even the titles are exquisite in their sharpness and colour."}, {"response": 668, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 2004 (17:01)", "body": "carol, How long is Colin's part....15-20 minutes, max?"}, {"response": 669, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 2004 (18:40)", "body": "Mmm . Carol, thanks for your breakdown on the DVD extras;) (Carol)and the consensus was that Colin is a great walker - straight shoulders, determined. Hey Linda, can you verify that from your glimpse of him from Dean and Delucca's:)"}, {"response": 670, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 2004 (18:53)", "body": "(Carol) and the consensus was that Colin is a great walker - straight shoulders, determined. He is really an amazing walker....that walk at Netherfeld (when he walks behind Lizzy so he could get a better view)...and from repeated WAGW viewings this weekend, that walk when he goes after Libby and Daphne as they leave the dance floor. Shoulders thrown back and those big strides....barreling right at you when he needs to use the loo....hmmmmmm....determined is right!"}, {"response": 671, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 2004 (20:33)", "body": "(Kim)Hey Linda, can you verify that from your glimpse of him from Dean and Delucca's:) . It was the walk that caught my eye in the first place. I don't jog a whole lot so you know it was pretty darn close--if not him(and I really do think it was him)...to have me run out in the rain, across the street, on two hours sleep...as I was ordering coffee from a very baffled young lady behind the counter;-) The things you do for love. Now, getting back to his walk...Since I just heard him say \"shagging\" over on CF news, I'm in shagging mode, so I my favorite is the \"walk\" from Nimi's place early in the morning after shagging her--with the cigarette, too. So there. Now, I'm getting out of here."}, {"response": 672, "author": "locarol", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 2004 (00:32)", "body": "Evelyn - carol, How long is Colin's part....15-20 minutes, max? I'd say a bit longer than that - maybe 23 minutes. The shot of him finding his brother in bed with his girlfriend was shot later. Originally Colin's girlfriend was Alan R's squeeze and it was her whom Colin spoke to on the phone in France. However it was felt that if she was his girlfriend he would only look hurt and not be ready to fall in love with someone new so they invented that scene where it's made clear that he's been cuckolded in no uncertain manner which allows him to move straight on. Thank goodness or we'd hardly have seen any of him. Hugh was surprised when he saw Colin at the beginning - before him. He had no idea that scene had been shot. Oh and btw the nasty cuckolding brother can be seen at the back of Jamie's family when they greet him at the door at Christmas time. Another reason for him to leave. The DVD is worth owning simply for the nice comments on Colin. I mean the smoulder and the walk! What more can a girl want!"}, {"response": 673, "author": "locarol", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 2004 (00:33)", "body": "Another tidbit. There was a 45 minute meeting about the colour of her underwear to be seen before the dive in the lake. MEN! And they do mention Colin's penchant for being wet and \"our\" desire to see it."}, {"response": 674, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 2004 (08:17)", "body": "Carol - many thanks for your intrepid reporting on the LA DVD. Now it's only more difficult waiting for my copy to arrive in May. Loved everyone's comments on *the walk*. Second only to \"the smoulder\" IMHO."}, {"response": 675, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 2004 (09:00)", "body": "(Carol) There was a 45 minute meeting about the colour of her underwear to be seen before the dive in the lake. MEN! LOL! Hey, that's an important detail, isn't it? I'm sure it made for a rather enjoyable meeting. :-) Thanks for the DVD info Carol, I can't wait to buy this one. My fave walk scenes are the one in WAGW wher he hurries after Daphne at her ball, and the one in TIOBE walking through those many doors at Lady B's house. Smouldering? I dunno if anybody can beat Darcy and Vermeer. Although they smouldered very differently..."}, {"response": 676, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 2004 (09:20)", "body": "(linda)It was the walk that caught my eye in the first place. I don't jog a whole lot so you know it was pretty darn close--if not him(and I really do think it was him)...to have me run out in the rain, across the street, on two hours sleep...as I was ordering coffee from a very baffled young lady behind the counter;-) The things you do for love. Ahh . .will never forget that moment . .I heard the sound bite on CF topic . .v. v. nice . . hmm now would like to hear Colin say \"alert\" . .will never think of the word in the same context again:P (carol)Hugh was surprised when he saw Colin at the beginning - before him. He had no idea that scene had been shot. Well, RC had to give the audience what they were there to see, right? . .I was happy to see ODB right there at the top of the film:)"}, {"response": 677, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 2004 (11:14)", "body": "(karen)He has. It's the \"much rather do it, then watch rumpy-pumpy\" quote (CF) \"I don't like sex scenes you know...In fact, I hate them. There is nothing worse than watching bums going up and down on screen. It's unnecessary and awful for the audience to watch.\" (The Express, 30 March 1997) (CF)\ufffd I think film does lose a great deal of its power once people are actually shagging.\ufffd \ufffdOnce everyone\ufffds got their kit off it becomes biology after that really.\ufffd ( http://www.nmpft.org.uk/film/filmdetail.asp?ida=4294 ) All the goings on this past week on the various topics regarding ODB\ufffds **position** on film sex has driven me to total distraction. Thought I needed to get a better handle on the subject so off to the video library I went last night for a first time viewing of FF. The only redeeming factor in this awful film (IMO) is how AFG he his in the intimate scenes with \ufffdCynthia\ufffd \ufffd where they\ufffdre just being affectionate as well as when they\ufffdre actually shagging each other\ufffds brains out. In terms of the shagging \ufffd I thought the acting and cinematography in that scene was approaching as good as it gets IMO. Yeah, I think the full out, graphic bums going up and down does cause a film to lose some of its power. But when done like that \ufffd just a close-up of their intimate facial expressions while you know full well about the biology of what\ufffds going in down below is quite **exhilarating**. The intensity of the stare, the well-placed bead of sweat running down the side of his face, the soft moans \ufffd OMG, I nearly had to stop the tape in order to recover. That said, after my cold hose break you know I re-ran that baby a number of times. (Thank God for VCR\ufffds and DVD\ufffds. What did film fans do in the \ufffdage before the earth\ufffds crust cooled\ufffd?) My internal temperature rose even further in the scene where he and Cynthia are wandering through the grocery store nuzzling and snogging each other left and right. I couldn\ufffdt help but think of his soft grunts and nuzzles as an early precursor to the mastery he displayed 10 years later in Bridget\ufffds apartment doorway. And then he finishes the scene by desperately whispering to her, \ufffdYou have to marry me.\ufffd To which she simply replies, \ufffdI know.\ufffd Lord, what that man does to me ought to be a crime. Need to stop here \ufffd fingers melting keyboard at this point. Pulse rapid, breathing labored. Must return to VCR for further analysis."}, {"response": 678, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 2004 (11:18)", "body": "Just to show how frazzled I was in my prior post, the following line \"...while you know full well about the biology of what\ufffds going in down below...\" should have read \"...while you know full well about the biology of what\ufffds going ON down below...\" Oh gawd, I really am in a state.."}, {"response": 679, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 2004 (12:12)", "body": "(Lesliep) I think the full out, graphic bums going up and down does cause a film to lose some of its power. But when done like that \ufffd just a close-up of their intimate facial expressions while you know full well about the biology of what\ufffds going in down below is quite **exhilarating**. Well said, Leslie. I really should make a bit of an effort to get my hands on Colin's oldies. You are whetting my appetite. :-) (Lesliep) Oh gawd, I really am in a state.. Enjoy it! Makes a working day so much more bearable..."}, {"response": 680, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 2004 (12:31)", "body": "Leslie! LOL...you got me all excited to see FF again. Haven't watched it in donkey's years...you picked my two favorite scenes (besides the bit where he is talking to Billy Zane and wiggling his toes, but that is a personal thing I kinda have to work through ;-D). (Leslie) The intensity of the stare, the well-placed bead of sweat running down the side of his face, the soft moans \ufffd OMG, I nearly had to stop the tape in order to recover. I was never sure if it was sweat or a tear. But I guess sweat makes more sense. It was the placement of the fluid that caused me some confusion! ;-) (Leslie) My internal temperature rose even further in the scene where he and Cynthia are wandering through the grocery store nuzzling and snogging each other left and right. Really like that bit...okay...love that bit... Another good vertical shag can be seen in WoF (bit more nudity, hers (afterwards) not his) but done in the same sort of way....you, know...if you're interested in comparison...or somethin' ;-)"}, {"response": 681, "author": "birdy", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 2004 (12:34)", "body": "(lesliep)Just to show how frazzled I was in my prior post, the following line \"...while you know full well about the biology of what\ufffds going in down below...\" should have read \"...while you know full well about the biology of what\ufffds going ON down below...\" I kinda liked your first post - more succinct;-D"}, {"response": 682, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 2004 (12:34)", "body": "(Leslie) My internal temperature rose even further in the scene where he and Cynthia are wandering through the grocery store nuzzling and snogging each other left and right. Ah yes, \"up against the freezer scene\"...a favorite around here;-) Joe Prince is one of my heroes. As it has been said:\"You -could -be -sure -he'd -be -there- in- the -morning- type of -guy\" Don't know if it got commercial release, but it was a favorite of the airlines one year."}, {"response": 683, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 2004 (12:47)", "body": "Well, I'm glad to see my post has generated some discussion. It's good to know I am not alone. (Tress) I was never sure if it was sweat or a tear. I thought it was sweat because when they cut to a view of him from behind his shoulders were all wet too. But a tear? Hmmm... that leads me down another train of thought. Thanks for the tip. It's back to the VCR I go. (Tress)Another good vertical shag can be seen in WoF I've seen it but for some reason it didn't have the same impact on me. Perhaps I need to view it again this evening after I wear out my FF tape. (Evelyn) Joe Prince is one of my heroes. As it has been said:\"You -could -be -sure -he'd -be -there- in- the -morning- type of -guy\" Absolutely!!"}, {"response": 684, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 2004 (13:41)", "body": "Wow, Leslie! LOL! I couldn\ufffdt help but think of his soft grunts and nuzzles as an early precursor to the mastery he displayed 10 years later in Bridget\ufffds apartment doorway. My favourite. This he does so very well. ;-)"}, {"response": 685, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 2004 (16:19)", "body": "(lesliep)Just to show how frazzled I was in my prior post, the following line \"...while you know full well about the biology of what\ufffds going in down below...\" should have read \"...while you know full well about the biology of what\ufffds going ON down below...\" (Louise) I kinda liked your first post - more succinct;-D That's what I like about this place, so much in common. I also found the first post sufficiently to the point. ;-D"}, {"response": 686, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 2004 (18:02)", "body": "The point is...you guys are killing me! Thank goodness my DH is flying in tonight for the weekend. Looks like my \"gotta get it\" list has just grown!"}, {"response": 687, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 2004 (19:16)", "body": "Oh lordy, now I have to watch FF tonight, Leslie and Tress, I must know if it is a tear or sweat. I was in the sweat camp, hadn't really thought about tears, since I didn't have JP pegged as a weeper--oops, wrong film;-) (Leslie)Oh gawd, I really am in a state.. Yeah, and you managed to take a number of people with you;-) (Moon)This he does so very well. ;-) He is the Grand Puba of grunters."}, {"response": 688, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 2004 (19:53)", "body": "(Linda) He is the Grand Puba of grunters. and nuzzlers... (Linda) I must know if it is a tear or sweat. Kinda changes the mood of the scene if it is one or the other....I always thought it was a tear cuz Joe's kinda sensitve and I did peg him as a weeper! ;-) But it could just as easily have been a 'warm' moment too...hmmmm..... (Barb) I also found the first post sufficiently to the point. ;-D So naughty! LOL...glad to be in your company! ;-)"}, {"response": 689, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 2004 (20:14)", "body": "(Leslie)Oh gawd, I really am in a state.. (Linda)Yeah, and you managed to take a number of people with you;-) Count me in! Those above mentioned scenes are among my faves. The first time I saw the FF shag face it knocked me off my seat:-0 A veritable *thud* moment and I also suffered from repeatitis;-))"}, {"response": 690, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 2004 (20:55)", "body": "OK, OK, I admit to watching the shagging scene several times today in response to our discussions and here's what I come up with... (Tress)I was never sure if it was sweat or a tear. I think you could go either way on this one. It's either a tear coming from the outside corner of his eye or a bead of sweat coming from his left temple and down the side of his cheek. I tend to vote for sweat as there are clear signs of perspiration on other areas of his body at the time - the front of his neck, the face, and the back of the shoulders. Another point of interest. At the end of the shag 'Cynthia' falls off the bed. Colin rolls off to join her on the floor and sort of 'shimmies' on his stomach up along side her. For a brief moment (in the lower left hand corner of the screen) you catch a glimpse of a black waistband on what I assume are underpants on Colin. So it seems he may have had limits to his on-screen sexcapades even back then when as Evelyn put it, 'he was working more on his craft than being a jobbing actor'."}, {"response": 691, "author": "SweetCycle", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 2004 (05:01)", "body": "(lesliep: For a brief moment you catch a glimpse of a black waistband....) How often have you watched that scene in slo-mo, huh? ;) It was sweat, I swear. Having a hot time under hot klieg light."}, {"response": 692, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 2004 (09:27)", "body": "(Manuela)How often have you watched that scene in slo-mo, huh? ;) More than is probably healthy. If I keep it up I'm going to need a defibrillator. (Manuela)It was sweat, I swear. Having a hot time under hot klieg light If he was doing the scene in his underpants, then I would say that instead of working up a sweat under the lights, some 'lackie' sprayed it on with a water bottle. As for moisture elsewhere on the body, well that's a different story..."}, {"response": 693, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 2004 (11:51)", "body": "For anyone still looking for a copy of FF, it's being re-released on VHS (EP version) in the US on 11 May. (Posted at CFFW). No DVD, though:( Mine's a second-hand copy bought on Ebay. -Does anyone know if EP NTSC tapes play in the UK?"}, {"response": 694, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 2004 (12:10)", "body": "(Janet)For anyone still looking for a copy of FF, it's being re-released on VHS (EP version) in the US on 11 May. I've noticed that the version of FF being released on 5/11 is advertised on Amazon as being 'EP version-2004' and 'dubbed in English'. I interpret EP to possibly suggest 'un-cut' and given the discussion these past two days that would be **very** appealing. But 'dubbed in English'?? What's that all about?"}, {"response": 695, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 2004 (13:09)", "body": "(Janet), -Does anyone know if EP NTSC tapes play in the UK? I have a PAL/NTSC VCR which plays both, they are expensive but I can play tapes I've bought in the UK (Fever Pitch), and in Italy. So the answer is yes."}, {"response": 696, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 2004 (13:36)", "body": "I think FF is also being released on DVD under the title Sante Fe Stampede. DeepDiscountDVD.com has it with a release date of May 11 and Amazon.ca releases it a week later."}, {"response": 697, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 2004 (13:43)", "body": "(Sandy)I think FF is also being released on DVD under the title Sante Fe Stampede. DeepDiscountDVD.com has it with a release date of May 11 and Amazon.ca releases it a week later. Yikes! And here's the link. What a silly title, IMO. Imagine the *extras*;-)) http://www.deepdiscountdvd.com/dvd.cfm?itemID=RPC012953"}, {"response": 698, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 2004 (13:53)", "body": "Santa Fe Stampede is a John Wayne film from 1938....Amazon has SFS coming out on May 11 (same day as VHS of Femme Fatale) and it says B&W though it doesn't say who is in it. I think DeepDiscount may have switched their descriptions (and caused me a minor heart attack as I was imagining the slo-mo abilities I would have on the tootsies)????"}, {"response": 699, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 2004 (14:01)", "body": "(Tress) I think DeepDiscount may have switched their descriptions (and caused me a minor heart attack as I was imagining the slo-mo abilities Tress and Bee...that was a five alarm false alarm. All hot and bothered, here. I need help!!!"}, {"response": 700, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 2004 (14:11)", "body": "(Linda)Tress and Bee...that was a five alarm false alarm. All hot and bothered, here. I need help!!! ROTF!!! Well me too! I was gonna pre-order....... My DH would woulds thought I truely lost all of my marbles;-))"}, {"response": 701, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 2004 (14:54)", "body": "(Linda)Tress and Bee...that was a five alarm false alarm. All hot and bothered, here. I need help!!! Thanks for the laugh ladies! -My DH would have thought I'd truly lost the plot if a John Wayne film had dropped through my letterbox, since he's my least favourite actor of all time!(ducking)"}, {"response": 702, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 2004 (14:54)", "body": ""}, {"response": 703, "author": "caribou", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 2004 (23:45)", "body": "(Sandy)I think FF is also being released on DVD under the title Sante Fe Stampede. For a brief moment there, I thought some clever marketing person had figured out how much I like Joe Prince! Haven't been to Santa Fe or caused a stampede lately though.:-) I'm with CF when it comes to screen sex--less is more. Consequently, my favorite part of that scene is the intro shot with him sitting under the tree. I thought it very believable that a married man looking for his missing wife would remember especially since he is trying to think of everything to find the clues. Much better than your average scene that seems to be tacked on just so the movie can get a R rating and be taken seriously by adults."}, {"response": 704, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Sat, Apr 24, 2004 (05:15)", "body": "Tress) I think DeepDiscount may have switched their descriptions (and caused me a minor heart attack as I was imagining the slo-mo abilities Well, I guess I am confused and you are no doubt right. But then there is this link ... http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/item.asp?N=38&R=915778&act=A03&Item=1715312953&Section=dvd&Catalog=DVD&Lang=en&mscssid=37MDBQ6U07CS8PCDDP23SGJUUMNX2C75&WSID=05041B30377700D74670B6F78BE3AE3A8AA35424"}, {"response": 705, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Apr 24, 2004 (07:58)", "body": "(sandyw)Well, I guess I am confused and you are no doubt right. But then there is this link ... Don't build up your hopes. The product description mentions video and NTSC, so I think it may be another error:( BTW I think EP means Extended Play, a format which I don't believe is used in Europe, where we only have SP and LP. So not more naughty bits, I fear!!:(((("}, {"response": 706, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 24, 2004 (11:04)", "body": "I finally had to see what was generating so much traffic on Firthology. Ah, yes.... from the old memory vault, Colin and amore or, as he says, biology. What a romantic guy! ;-) FYI, it isn't a freezer compartment in FF, but a refrigerated case. You can see orange juice as I recall if you tear your eyes away from the Snuzzler for a sec. Re: Underpants Absolutely. He's wearing something. I don't recall seeing a black band, but there's a miniscule swatch of light blue in the lower left-hand corner as he tumbles off the bed. Femme Fatala's latest rerelease. The description saying \"dubbed in English\" bothers me, as there have been occasions (Valmont??) where a foreign item showed up on amazon. As to EP, it usually refers to the speed at which a tape is recorded. Extended Play is between Standard Play (best and what most commercial tapes are supposed to be) SLP (super long play), which allows you to put *more* on a tape because it's all dragged out. A VCR will play EP in EP mode even if you cannot set it to play that way. Does that make any sense? It will or should play however it is recorded. It has nothing to do with \"naughty bits.\" In the US, when FF was shown on the Lifetime Channel, it was edited down and all the good biological stuff was cut out. However, it was also renamed \"Fatal Woman.\" Now, is this a video or a DVD. If you look at the John Wayne movie at DeepDiscountDVD and Chapters (Canada), it has the same UPC or ISBN number as the FF video. If it were a DVD, it would have a different number. Case closed? If you're going to buy, remember, the Boutique has a link."}, {"response": 707, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 2004 (13:21)", "body": "Received this email today from Chapters Indigo Online. Thank you for your e-mail regarding \"Femme Fatale\". We would like to confirm that the following item will be released on DVD in May 2004: 1. Femme Fatale Star: Colin Firth Director: Andre Guttfreund Released By: Republic Pictures Home Video Rating: R (MPAA) Release Date: May 2004 UPC: 017153129533 Not yet available - PreOrder Today Our Price: $16.59"}, {"response": 708, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 2004 (13:39)", "body": "We would like to confirm.... Yesssssss! Thank you Janet for writing!! And thank you Sandy (for your sleuthing and for having faith while I moped about thinking of all the freeze frame possibilities on a John Wayne flick!). Has anyone pre-ordered?"}, {"response": 709, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 2004 (14:19)", "body": "Thank you Janet. Leave it to you to go the direct route and get an answer to the mystery. And of all films to ressurect on DVD, why this one? Will we be seeing Playmaker next? Has anyone heard anything more about the BBC releasing some of their movies on DVD? I would love to see Tumbledown or Master of the Moors."}, {"response": 710, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 2004 (14:21)", "body": "(Ssndy) Will we be seeing Playmaker next? I'm there! Tell me where to order. ;-)"}, {"response": 711, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 2004 (15:16)", "body": "(Sandy) Will we be seeing Playmaker next? (Karen) I'm there! Tell me where to order. ;-) Oooohhhhh.....the freeze frame potential......and the captures! Nessie and..... okay...that's a girlie gif but you get the idea!"}, {"response": 712, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 2004 (15:35)", "body": "One can only hope... And let's not forget the zoom feature! ;-)"}, {"response": 713, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 2004 (18:22)", "body": ""}, {"response": 714, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 2004 (19:11)", "body": "(Janet)We would like to confirm.... Thanks, Janet. After all the hoopla last week my tape's getting a wee bit fuzzy. Guess I'll just have to reach for that American Express one more time."}, {"response": 715, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 2004 (19:30)", "body": "(Karen)And let's not forget the zoom feature! ;-) And the slow-mo. OMG. JP shagging and falling off the bed in slow-mo. Can you bear it? Janet and Sandy, you girls rock! (Sandy) Will we be seeing Playmaker next? LOL, not if YKW has anything to do with it. CF on Playmaker: \"I said yes to the movie. But it was a terrible film and I hope it sinks without a trace.\""}, {"response": 716, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 2004 (21:34)", "body": "LOL you guys, you are a hoot! Janet, thanks for the info. I dunno if this had been posted in the past, but I just found it. A trailer for Playmaker. Trailer I haven't seen this yet, and can't believe my eyes how \"much\" the trailer shows. The movie might be crap, but oh, such lovely visuals!"}, {"response": 717, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 2004 (21:38)", "body": "(Linda channeling ODB): \"I said yes to the movie. But it was a terrible film and I hope it sinks without a trace.\" Mayhaps he was talking about Nessie and not the film itself......?? ;-D"}, {"response": 718, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 2004 (23:01)", "body": "I haven't seen Playmaker, but from the trailer that Ildi provided (Thank you!) it seems to me that ODB can play creepy *really* well. Makes one wonder what potential was lost. At any rate, I will never look at a pair of scissors quite the same way again ;-)"}, {"response": 719, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 2004 (23:45)", "body": "(Ildi) The movie might be crap, but oh, such lovely visuals! *sputtering* *head spinning in manner of Linda Blair in The Exorcist* Oh no! Oh no! This movie is not for your eyes. It is only for those of us with prurient interests, and I currently head the national membership committee. You either want to see him nekkid or you don't. No waffling allowed. ;-) BTW, great find on the trailer and I do love those production notes, especially this bit... Playmaker commenced production in August 1993, many months and several rewrites after the initial screenplay was obtained by producer Peter Samuelson from two people he'd seen at the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Century Park East holding a sign reading \"Need Money for Movie.\" ROTFLOL! A gem! A diamond in the rough! Wonder what they could've purchased across the street. ;-)))))))"}, {"response": 720, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 2004 (23:46)", "body": "LOL!! OMG, that's priceless!"}, {"response": 721, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 2004 (23:47)", "body": "That Playmaker cover art I've only seen on the German release, and those of dubious origin from S.E. Asia."}, {"response": 722, "author": "SweetCycle", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (00:36)", "body": "Playmaker is not crap! Okay, just MHO. In Germany we would say the movie is that bad that it is good again. ;) And there is this scene when he comes out of the shower...ahhhhh...this look on his face - camera goes down...for a short moment you get a glimpse - NO ladies, not little Colin - on his pubic hair. And I was sitting there thinking...there you have him, all naked...deep breathe...why can't this damn camera get a bit deeper? ACK! Women are shown all the time frontal. This is unfair!!"}, {"response": 723, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (03:32)", "body": "You ladies never cease to amaze me with what you so cleverly find. Thanks Ildiko for the Playmaker trailer and press kit. It's whetted my appetite for an indepth study. (Manuela) ...why can't this damn camera get a bit deeper? ACK! Women are shown all the time frontal. This is unfair!! I'm with you all the way. This is a women's rights issue if there ever was one."}, {"response": 724, "author": "SweetCycle", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (06:27)", "body": "I can't help it, I'm always too late with your topics,(see PM). I hate this! :( Anyway, last week I've watched Notting Hill for the 2nd time and again I thought it's a good movie but would had been better with Colin instead of Hugh Grant. Yesterday I watched Mickey Blue Eye on TV and remembered what some of you said about Colin pressing his lips in kissing scenes. Hugh does the same and even more worse. I'd rather have Colin in a \"bad\" kissing scene than Hugh drop his trousers. But to be honest I never noticed Colin kisses with that much compressed lips on screen.(to me it always looks hot enough...*beg*) Only in HS, but I think that's just because there was not the best chemistry between him and Heather. You have no idea how much I would like to see Colin doing a movie with Salma Hayek!"}, {"response": 725, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (10:40)", "body": "(Karen) You either want to see him nekkid or you don't. No waffling allowed. ;-) LOL Karen! No, I don't believe in black and white. Most things in life are grey, so there's got to be a middle road. I never said I didn't like seeing Colin nekkid (as long as the er, main thing is covered). He's got a gorgeous body, and I'm no nun. I just don't want to see his reproductive organ. That takes the mystery out of it, and I need something left for my imagination. ;-)"}, {"response": 726, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (11:34)", "body": "Thanks, Ildiko. Great find on PM. Now that I've settled down from last week's foray into Femme Fatale, perhaps I should get this one out of the cabinet. I do remember the drooleurs talking once about the shadow or outline of *something* behind glass bricks and I never went off to verify for myself. Hmmm..."}, {"response": 727, "author": "birdy", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (12:02)", "body": "(Ildiko)(as long as the er, main thing is covered) ROTFLOL (Ildiko)He's got a gorgeous body IMHO gorgeous it ain't. He's gangly and skinny with absolutely no arm muscles. - his bod is not Jude Law or, a personal fave, Antonio Banderas, purdy. STILL, I think it is adorable - broad shoulders to die for and FABULOUS neck (this is firthology, isn't it) and the walk, Louisa (am I talkin' to myself?) THE WALK. PM is worth the money in butt-time alone. And also for the record, if nessie ever surfaces - I'm so there. Sorry, gotta go lie down and press a cold compress to my forehead..."}, {"response": 728, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (12:08)", "body": "(Ildi)I just don't want to see his reproductive organ. At the end of the year, we should put together Great Drool Quotes of the past 12 months; Ildi, yours gets my vote to start things off.;-) Hee hee . . . That takes the mystery out of it See, I think mystery is way overrated.;-) And what would you do if you lived in Ewan McGegor's house?;-) ;-) Thanks for the info on Femme Fatale on DVD; *that* one I'll buy. Trivia: Was flipping channels yesterday and saw one of Colin's FF co-stars in a celebrated film from the '80s. Name the actress and the movie."}, {"response": 729, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (12:46)", "body": "LOL, of all people to find the PM trailer. *still shaking head* Ildi, you are amazing! (Ildi)I just don't want to see his reproductive organ. They (the RO's) probably won't get a lot of screen time, just hide your eyes and it'll be over in a flash;-) (Mari_And what would you do if you lived in Ewan McGegor's house?;-) ;-) Me? I'd probably go with the flow;-)"}, {"response": 730, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (12:57)", "body": "(Mari)And what would you do if you lived in Ewan McGregor's house?;-) ;-) Tough one . .he's a fave of mine;) . .when talking to him, direct eye contact . .but the minute he turns away . .woo hoo baby! . .chekin out the moon, stars, sun and everything nature has to offer. . . Many thanks for the PM trailer;)"}, {"response": 731, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (14:35)", "body": "(Ildi) I just don't want to see his reproductive organ. C'mon...one reproductive organ is the same as another, and you held out on O&E in favor of Ewan McGregor walking around the house in a family setting with his reproductive organs flopping away."}, {"response": 732, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (15:04)", "body": "(Louise) He's gangly and skinny with absolutely no arm muscles. He's thin...but he has nice definition on the legs. The arms are thin...he has that bit of a dent/flat spot at the sternum...but I find it all v. v. sexy. I like tall, thin boys (married one). Don't like barrel chests or thick legs/necks/arms on men. Like 'em lean and sinewy, but it is the broad shoulders and the height on ODB that are the clincher for me....GAH! (Ildi) I just don't want to see his reproductive organ. ROTFL...personally, I'm all for showing the ROs. It's the 'forbidden' right? If I can see it, maybe I wouldn't talk or think about it so much....LOL...Yeah! Right! ;-D"}, {"response": 733, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (15:44)", "body": "FYI, his body wouldn't be the same as it was in FF or PM, given the passage of years, but more importantly, his body underwent a radical change as a result of working out with Cornel Chin for BJD. He had more definition and sculpting... of course it may have all gone to pot again. Can't comment on the shape of R.O. though. ;-)"}, {"response": 734, "author": "birdy", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (16:07)", "body": "(Karen)FYI, his body wouldn't be the same as it was in FF or PM, given the passage of years As thin as he was, there was less to travel south than for most of us. I you think the 33-43 years would make a difference, just imagine 43-53 - ouch. If he has kept that semi-sculpted look, have we seen it? I don't remember a shirt-off scene since BJD."}, {"response": 735, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (16:19)", "body": "(Karen) He had more definition and sculpting... of course it may have all gone to pot again. Like his chest and arms in HS....but I like him thin...the tummy's not bad either. Visible clavicle (not hidden with extra meat)....Mmmmmm... And when he loses the pants...well...he's got those muscles right above the kneecap that are pretty irresistible! I think he's managed to keep it together pretty nicely since BJD. And now you know how I spent my weekend! LOL! (Karen) Can't comment on the shape of R.O. though. ;-) Welllll....it's been working out. I imagine it's in pretty good shape too! ;-D And unfortunately, I can only imagine !"}, {"response": 736, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (16:46)", "body": "(Tress)Welllll....it's been working out. I imagine it's in pretty good shape too! ;-D And unfortunately, I can only imagine! Tress, you are sooo bad!!;) Thanks, Ildi, for the links to Playmaker. Unfortunately, I really do feel that we've probably seen all we are going to of ODB. BTW, I did think he looked wonderful in HS. I like a little meat on his bones."}, {"response": 737, "author": "Gails", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (17:32)", "body": "Oh Tress, love those pictures. His chest does look very, very nice, but I do wish he had a bit more in the arm department. However, my favorite is that clavicle shot with that wonderful triangle just above the bone leading to his neck, I'm thinking whoever did the lighting must have liked that little area too it is highlighted so nice."}, {"response": 738, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (17:35)", "body": "You are all *bad*!!! ROTF. ODB seems to be built like my DH...tall and \"rangy\". Not much bodyfat and muscles that don't bulk up so much as they get \"stringy\" sort of. Don't be deceived, though, I'll bet he's still pretty strong, especially if he's continued to work out. I refuse to comment on the condition of the other parts ;-)"}, {"response": 739, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (17:45)", "body": "(Louise)I don't remember a shirt-off scene since BJD. The HS premiere in London was a year ago this Wednesday. He may not have had his shirt off but here are a few with the shirt on where he looks pretty damn hot. IMO, of course. http://www.firth.com/images/hope/prem/hslonprem_025m.jpg ...and another http://www.firth.com/images/hope/prem/hslonprem_023m.jpg (Tress)I imagine it's in pretty good shape too! And in good shagging order;-) BTW, Tress, how am I supposed to post with those legs, clavicle and all other body parts looking out at me? Huh? And lets not forget the smile. Haven't said it in awhile. AFG, simply AFG."}, {"response": 740, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (17:46)", "body": "Oh crap, see. I forgot my tags."}, {"response": 741, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (18:07)", "body": "(Louise) And also for the record, if nessie ever surfaces - I'm so there. You won't be alone. Repeat ticket-buying for that one would have to eclipse Linda's record for WAGW. Shoot! I'd bring provisions and camp out for the duration. ;-) BTW, the membership secretary's slot is open in the Secret Organ Watcher's group (S.O.W. - an affiliate of Prurient Interest Groups or P.I.G.)"}, {"response": 742, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (18:24)", "body": "(Gail) However, my favorite is that clavicle shot with that wonderful triangle just above the bone leading to his neck.... LOL....just in case you're interested, it's called the super sternal notch. Come and visit us in Dorset when all this nonsense is over....okay, I'm back...LOL...I couldn't resist TEP quote. One of my fav (non-ODB) bits from that movie. (Linda) And in good shagging order;-) ...and you thought I was talkin' about some other form of 'working out' (I wanna know what you were thinking now?? ;-D)?? LOL! Or were you thinking 'working out' was a solo activity? Goodness...I really need to just stop...;-) (Karen) BTW, the membership secretary's slot is open in the Secret Organ Watcher's group (S.O.W. - an affiliate of Prurient Interest Groups or P.I.G.) ROTFL...Secret? I fear I'm a very open observer...a member of sister splinter group P.O.W. (the Public Organ Watchers) but wholeheartedly admit to being a P.I.G. BTW, who is president of S.O.W.?"}, {"response": 743, "author": "birdy", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (18:44)", "body": "How could I have forgotten HS shirt-off scene. He looked as good or better there than he did HotP. In the \"stay in me\" scene he was propped up on his arms and it took a while to figure out that it was his arms not hers:D Maybe he is keeping up with that work-out. Didn't he say \"I don't like to exercise in front of other people?\" Personal trainer, huh. (Karen)the membership secretary's slot is open in the Secret Organ Watcher's group (S.O.W. - an affiliate of Prurient Interest Groups or P.I.G.) I'll be secretary of \"member\" ship! Only as my civic duty you understand;D"}, {"response": 744, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (18:48)", "body": "You guys are a hoot!! (Karen)FYI, his body wouldn't be the same as it was in FF or PM, given the passage of years I personally like the older, improved (IMO) version of ODB. Find the sculpting v. v. nice. In the early years he seemed too thin and a bit pasty. Not that it ever mattered - he had me hook, line and sinker with 'dearest, loveliest, Elizabeth' and there was barely a glimpse of any skin in that one. Tress - I officially submit my application to POW."}, {"response": 745, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (19:07)", "body": "Sign me up for P.I.G., please. For I am TRULY interested and quite Purient ;-D"}, {"response": 746, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (19:10)", "body": "(Leslie)...he had me hook, line and sinker with 'dearest, loveliest, Elizabeth' and there was barely a glimpse of any skin in that one. And what little skin you saw was amazing...since Mr. Darcy was so covered during most of the film, when you did get a bit of skin it felt a bit naughty....that bit of neck at Rosings while he wrote to Elizabeth and the peek at Pemberly in wet shirt...I find myself just staring at that lovely mole, completely transfixed during that scene. And blast his valet for having such impeccable timing and stepping in front of him with robe open! ;-D"}, {"response": 747, "author": "birdy", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (19:36)", "body": "(Tress)that bit of neck at Rosings while he wrote to Elizabeth I never did get the brouhaha over the wet shirt bit - it was the exposure of his neck that did it for me!"}, {"response": 748, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (19:46)", "body": "(Tress)since Mr. Darcy was so covered during most of the film, when you did get a bit of skin it felt a bit naughty.... Disagree. The most naughty parts in P&P are covered up. Methinks the tight britches poll won over the wet shirt. That's where the whole L/R discussion started. Hard to beat the frontal wedding scene;-)"}, {"response": 749, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (20:01)", "body": "(Evelyn) Hard to beat the frontal wedding scene;-) You're right there....hard to beat that one (actually two...if you count Bingley ;-D). Though I also love the second proposal for looking below the waistline...I just think the skin seen in P&P felt a bit more illicit than the skin seen in some other ODB films...like I was being allowed to see something I shouldn't (think Lizzy felt the same way as she couldn't even look him in the eye really...but she didn't even blush when she saw her intended in his wedding outfit ? LOL...girl has it all mixed up)! Would really like to know if Crispin and Colin could look each other in the face without cracking up while in their costumes. I can't imagine it escaped their notice...."}, {"response": 750, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (20:17)", "body": "ROFLMAO Today... Me: trying to be very good, studying for test Wednesday. (BFOQ, ADEA, WARN,IRCA...boring boring boring) Firthology: RO, S.O.W., P.I.G, super sternal notch. Gah! So much to learn, so little time....and I ask you, what *is* really important after all? Thanks for the link Ildi. And thanks all for perspective checks. (Will now have son hide mouse...)"}, {"response": 751, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (21:12)", "body": "Ladies, ladies! Goodness me!!! I simply had to see what the big hubbub was about and now I fear my delicate young sensibilities have been smutched irrevocably. ;-) That being said, I'd happily serve S.O.W./P.O.W./P.I.G in any means possible, in the name of scientific researc and the advancement of knowledge for the betterment of womankind. (Barb)and I ask you, what *is* really important after all? To think that before I discovered ODB my priorities were school, work, and family... how misguided I was. ;-)"}, {"response": 752, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (21:54)", "body": "(Evelyn) The most naughty parts in P&P are covered up. Methinks the tight britches poll won over the wet shirt Here! Here! The tight britches win hands down IMO. Never gave a hoot about the wet shirt. That made it 'Oh so much more lovely' when we saw him **adjust** himself in his britches offstage at SNL. Remember Linda??"}, {"response": 753, "author": "neshacat", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (22:08)", "body": "On the WAGW DVD extra scenes, there's a shot of Henry in jeans walking down the market. Maybe some of you have discovered it earlier. One of my favorite \"full frontal\" shots."}, {"response": 754, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (22:49)", "body": "Oh my goodness . .I come back from an evening rehearsal and look at everything I missed!!!! Do we get to be a card carrying member of any of the groups mentioned above???:)"}, {"response": 755, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (22:52)", "body": "(Leslie) Here! Here! The tight britches win hands down IMO. A treat for you and Evelyn....a little somethin' I found on an older Darcy topic.... And then just cuz I happened upon it while looking for the britches...."}, {"response": 756, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (22:55)", "body": "(Tress) just in case you're interested, it's called the super sternal notch Actually, it's the supra sternal notch. Sorry, gotta put my degree to use once in a while. ;-) That little spot does it for me when Darcy is writing his letter to Elizabeth and he leans back with his neck exposed. *sigh* Apparently, there are others who share a fascination with this area. This site focuses on a CF movie, but on the wrong people. ;-) http://www.anesi.com/super.htm"}, {"response": 757, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 2004 (01:29)", "body": "(Mari) And what would you do if you lived in Ewan McGegor's house?;-) ;-) I wouldn't bat an eye. Since I have no interest in EM as a man, his ROs would leave me stone cold. (Louise) IMHO gorgeous it ain't. He's gangly and skinny with absolutely no arm muscles. That's okay, I'm not into well muscled men. Colin's main attraction for me is his face, and I love the look of his chest. Very lovely, as Tress's pics demonstrate it well. Yumm! (Evelyn) ...one reproductive organ is the same as another,... Wot??!! You've got to be kidding. I don't care if any other actor puts \"them\" out there for all to see, I have no interest in them whatsoever. But ODB is \"special\", and I want that part of him remain a mystery. I don't make much sense do I? There are feelings that I'm unable to put into words properly, so ... I'll just leave it as it is. But there is definately a difference (for me) between a man walking around in the privacy of his home with his er, things flapping around, and someone flapping them for an audience. But I really don't give a hoot, as long as I'm not \"involved\". And in Colin's case I am. You guys are incredible. You all had me in stitches. Here I am at 2 AM, just home from work, laughing my silly head off. Thank you!"}, {"response": 758, "author": "SweetCycle", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 2004 (02:50)", "body": "Geez! What are you girls (and Colin!!!) doing to me? Never before in my entire life on earth (what was it, 41 or so years?) I was in need of so many cold showers. How much I dislike cold water!! Brrr.... I'd rather have some prickly games under hot water with.... Umm, yeah, that's it. An old maid needs a sexual therapist!"}, {"response": 759, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 2004 (09:40)", "body": "Loved the pics,Tress. Your efforts never fail to **give rise** to lots of fun stuff...."}, {"response": 760, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 2004 (09:43)", "body": "Mmm . .Dorine - the letter writing scene yes . . very very nice . . I love that link you posted . . . esp. the advice for the men: Do not look at a woman's suprasternal notch. Avert your eyes. If this is awkward, look at her nostrils. Don't look into her eyes, either; this is almost as perilous as looking at the notch."}, {"response": 761, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 2004 (10:06)", "body": "Thank you Tress. The RO scenes in P&P have been legendary. One of the best is when Mr Darcy is in London walking down the alley looking for Mrs. Young. (Tress)Crispin and Colin could look each other in the face without cracking up while in their costumes. I can't imagine it escaped their notice.... Escaped their notice? One of the tabs had an article that spoke how they purposely *enhanced* the frontal. You remember that one boss? (sorry, I think this should be on Darcy Drool)"}, {"response": 762, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 2004 (10:15)", "body": ")Evelyn) Escaped their notice? One of the tabs had an article that spoke how they purposely *enhanced* the frontal. You mean, the early Christmas stocking stuffers? *snort*"}, {"response": 763, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 2004 (13:10)", "body": "(Evelyn) One of the best is when Mr Darcy is in London walking down the alley looking for Mrs. Young. Oohhhh...I think I'm Darcy drooling now, but I read somewhere (and it may have been CF doing the talking) about the 'underwear' that was not worn back then...how men would take their long shirts and wrap them under them like a nappy...so how much is ODB and how much is his shirt (meaning did he wear the costume as it was intended or did he go for modern comforts)? I like to think it's all him as that is a great scene...loads of good 'full frontals' walking the streets of London (and to think Mrs. Young was trying to shut him out...silly woman...let that man in!) ;-)"}, {"response": 764, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 2004 (15:30)", "body": "Darcy is IT! IMNSHO. ;-D (Mari), And what would you do if you lived in Ewan McGregor's house?;-) ;-) Reproduce? ;-)"}, {"response": 765, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 2004 (18:56)", "body": "(Tress)but she didn't even blush when she saw her intended in his wedding outfit ? . Of course not, by the time they shot that scene she had seen the real RO's in RL. OH gawd. I hate when we get on this topic. I can never figure out if it's hot flashes or night sweats;-) Also, I pledge my allegiance to any and all groups dedicated to RO's. (Karen)Repeat ticket-buying for that one would have to eclipse Linda's record for WAGW I'm still in bankruptcy;-)But, honestly can you imagine how many tickets I'd buy for that? Mind boggling."}, {"response": 766, "author": "socadook", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 2004 (19:39)", "body": "(Mari), And what would you do if you lived in Ewan McGregor's house?;-) ;-) (Moon)Reproduce? ;-) ROFLOL."}, {"response": 767, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 2004 (19:41)", "body": "OK, I 'fess up...I don't know what 'RO' stands for. Would somebody kindly e-mail and enlighten me? Thanks."}, {"response": 768, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 2004 (20:11)", "body": "(lesliep)OK, I 'fess up...I don't know what 'RO' stands for. Reproductive Organ.:))"}, {"response": 769, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 2004 (20:21)", "body": "Refer to post 725."}, {"response": 770, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 2004 (20:21)", "body": "Of course! RO stands for ________ _______. (Hanging head in shame). So nice to be back in the groove. Thanks, ladies."}, {"response": 771, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 2004 (13:48)", "body": "(Leslie)(Hanging head in shame). No, don't. That's why this is a survey course, a learning experience;-)"}, {"response": 772, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Thu, Apr 29, 2004 (16:17)", "body": "Thanks for your RO fest everyone! (Linda) I can never out if its hot flashes or night sweats ;-) ROTFL.... you are not alone! (Evelyn) .....looking for Mrs Young stop it Evelyn! I even dragged my poor mother around that location in the pouring rain....... come to think of it .... next time you are in England:-)"}, {"response": 773, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, May  5, 2004 (10:39)", "body": "I wanted to post this a long time ago, but wanted to test it before I said anything: if anybody missed Colin's SNL appearance and would like it on a DVD email me to order a copy. It's going to be a transfer from a tape to a no-region DVD that can be played on any regular DVD player. I tested it with my German friends, so the DVD works in Europe. I don't know what other systems are anywhere else, but the DVD is OK for region 1 and 2 for sure. Anyone interested please contact me for details at zgiczi@sympatico.ca"}, {"response": 774, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (16:15)", "body": "Cute article about moms and movies: \"The English Patient.\" This was the movie in which my mother and I bonded over that most British of actors, Colin Firth. Firth played Kristin Scott-Thomas' husband. He calls her \"Ducky,\" and she cheats on him with that cold, dislikable Ralph Fiennes. Halfway through the film, I turned to my mom and whispered: \"I like the husband!\" And my mother whispered back, fervently: \"SO DO I!!!\" Since then we have sought out Colin Firth films, including ... \"Shakespeare in Love.\" \"I like Tom Stoppard. I've seen him interviewed,\" my mother says. This movie doesn't get a perfect rating - far from it - because you've got Gwyneth Paltrow jumping readily into bed with Joseph Fiennes, and face it, mothers were placed on earth to keep their daughters, even when their 20s are far behind them, away from this kind of thing. But the movie's cleverness made up for its faults. (My mom's favorite joke: when Shakespeare, discussing his wife, Anne Hathaway, says: \"She has a cottage.\") So did Colin Firth - who, by the way, again played the unwanted husband. \"Girl with a Pearl Earring.\" My mother likes the paintings of Jan Vermeer for their lovely, sunlit domesticity. Plus, my mom and I both look like people out of his paintings. Plus, in this gentle, beautiful, sex- and swear-word-free movie, Vermeer is played by Colin Firth. (See \"The English Patient.\") http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20040507/1045876.asp"}, {"response": 775, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, May  8, 2004 (19:52)", "body": "Thanks, Tress. \"I like the husband!\" And my mother whispered back, fervently: \"SO DO I!!!\" Since then we have sought out Colin Firth films, including ... Wonder if they'll continue to bond with NMP;-)I must say my mother loves WAGW, GWAPE, P&P. etc. However, there are just some CF films that I would definitely not use as Mother/daughter bonding material;-)"}, {"response": 776, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, May  9, 2004 (09:12)", "body": "(Linda)However, there are just some CF films that I would definitely not use as Mother/daughter bonding material;-) Unless, of course, you are the mother and your thoughtful daughter *scores* them for you ;-)) Ahhh, I'm a lucky woman:-)"}, {"response": 777, "author": "lupa", "date": "Sun, May  9, 2004 (12:56)", "body": "(beedee)Unless, of course, you are the mother and your thoughtful daughter *scores* them for you;-)) Ahhh, I'm a lucky woman :-) *giggle* and i keep trying, don't i? ;)"}, {"response": 778, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, May 11, 2004 (18:54)", "body": "Oh! How about an ODB version of \"Where's Waldo?\" (special thanks to amandabynesnow.com) And this is an interesting capture! Great expression! LOL!!"}, {"response": 779, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, May 11, 2004 (18:55)", "body": "Crikey...hope I'm left of center now...sorry!!"}, {"response": 780, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, May 11, 2004 (19:01)", "body": "Ok, gotta make 'em harder than that. Where's my John Madden pen to point him out. ;-) That is a funny expression, LOL."}, {"response": 781, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 12, 2004 (13:40)", "body": "LOL! She has his eyes. ;-)"}, {"response": 782, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, May 14, 2004 (16:09)", "body": "Ok, here's an easy one just in cases Dorine can't find her John Madden pen;-)"}, {"response": 783, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, May 14, 2004 (16:43)", "body": "LOL, I see him right off, but where's whatsername? ;-)"}, {"response": 784, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, May 16, 2004 (19:59)", "body": "(Dorine)LOL, I see him right off, but where's whatsername? ;-) I believe she's sitting on RC's left. Almost looks like she's sitting on his lap."}, {"response": 785, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, May 16, 2004 (20:00)", "body": "OOPS, that was me. Hopefully closing tags"}, {"response": 786, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, May 28, 2004 (14:42)", "body": "How is this to be borne!!??? Colin is getting beaten by Samuel West. Can't have that, no, no, no! Go about half way down the page...to \"The Big Debate\" (the 'Can You Help Kevin With his Casting?' bit) and vote for ODB...he's slippin' in the poll! Okay, I know these things don't mean much, but I hate to see him looooooose! http://www.whatsonstage.com/dl/page.php"}, {"response": 787, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May 31, 2004 (20:32)", "body": "How is this to be borne!!??? Colin is getting beaten by Samuel West. Can't have that, no, no, no! Waddaya mean being beaten ....I just voted and he's ahead 64% vs. Sam West's 28%. Sam West is a great young stage actor, (his \"Hamlet\" for the RSC sent Colin running!) but this is not the role for him."}, {"response": 788, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 2004 (05:31)", "body": "(Evelyn)I just voted and he's ahead 64% vs. Sam West's 28%. Must have been the fruits of Tress's call to action..."}, {"response": 789, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 2004 (09:25)", "body": "(Evelyn) but this is not the role for him. Actually, I can't picture Colin in it either. Colin's much more the CK Dexter Haven role than Kevin Spacey would ever be."}, {"response": 790, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 2004 (09:42)", "body": "(Karen) Actually, I can't picture Colin in it either. Neither can I, but voted anyway. Twice. Shame on me. ;-)"}, {"response": 791, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 2004 (11:34)", "body": "(Karen) Actually, I can't picture Colin in it either. I can. He can do Jimmy Stewart same as he does Hugh-lite; a little stammer here...a little stammer there."}, {"response": 792, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 2004 (19:40)", "body": "Thanks, Tress...ODB is still at 63%. (Ildi)Twice. Shame on me. ;-) LOL, and me!"}, {"response": 793, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 2004 (15:33)", "body": "Okay...this weekend I again listened to Carlo Franci's 'Music for an Albatross'. Can I just ask \"why???\" I love ODB's voice, but this music (to me) is like fingernails on a chalkboard. Does anyone out there know how Colin got involved in this project and ...well...why?? I only have that piece, so don't know if they other parts of the CD as just as 'special'. Maybe I just don't get it (would not be the first time LOL!)?? BTW, Colin sounds just lovely...wish I could just bag the music wailing behind him..."}, {"response": 794, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 2004 (16:41)", "body": "What is this? I've never heard of it. Please tell more! ;-)"}, {"response": 795, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 2004 (16:53)", "body": "(Shoshana) What is this? I've never heard of it. Please tell more! ;-) Don't get too excited....it is a CD (hard to find) of Carlo Franci's music. One 'tune' called \"Music for an Albatross\" has ODB speaking lines from Moby Dick. He doesn't speak for too long, but the music is agonizing (IMO of course). It's \"classical techno\" or something...I'm still trying to figure it all out."}, {"response": 796, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 2004 (18:56)", "body": "(Tress)ODB speaking lines from Moby Dick Sounds like reading the phone book would be easier on the ears, no?;-)"}, {"response": 797, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 2004 (19:15)", "body": "(Linda) Sounds like reading the phone book would be easier on the ears, no?;-) I dunno....he does get to say \"wondrous flutterings and throbbings shook it\" in his reading (which causes all sorts of naughty thoughts...). That may not be mentioned in a phone book...possibly the Yellow Pages! ;-D"}, {"response": 798, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 2004 (21:12)", "body": "(Linda) Sounds like reading the phone book would be easier on the ears, no?;-) Talk about easy on the ears...does anyone remember those two beautiful passages in the audio play, TOBTL?? There's nothing like hearing it first hand, but just picture him uttering the following lines in that desperate, breathy tone he does so well.... First, when he's remembering his true love that was lost forever.. I dreamt I was in love again with the one before the last. And smiled to greet the pleasant pain of that innocent young past. But I dreamt to feel how sharp had been the pain when it did live. How the faded dreams of 1910 were hell in 19-5 Better oblivion hide dead true love. Better the night unfold. That men to eek the praise of new loves should lie about the old. Oh bitter thoughts I had in plenty, but here\ufffds the worst of it. I should forget in 1920 you ever hurt a bit. I have years and years and years! Do you hear me stars? I will live to be 100 and bore dozens of grandchildren with my stories! But I wronged a woman called Catherine Cox Forgive me, forgive me\ufffd.forgive me, Carr. And then when facing his imminent demise on a foreign battlefield... If I should die think only this of me. That there\ufffds some corner of a foreign field that is forever England. There shall be in that rich earth a richer dust concealed. A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware. Gave once her flowers to love, her ways to roam. A body of England\ufffds breathing English air washed by the rivers blessed by sons of home. And this, this heart all evil shed away. A pulse in the eternal mind no less. Give somewhere back the thoughts by England given. Her sight and sounds, dreams happy as her day, and laughter learned to friends. And gentleness, and hearts at peace under an English heaven. Those of you that found 'Poetry 101' a drag back in school might want to give this one a try. It's fully guaranteed to lend new appreciation to the art form."}, {"response": 799, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 2004 (21:27)", "body": "(Leslie)Talk about easy on the ears...does anyone remember those two beautiful passages in the audio play, TOBTL?? There's nothing like hearing it first hand, but just picture him uttering the following lines in that desperate, breathy tone he does so well.... Oh, you are so right! I'm packing it right now so I can take it to work and listen again. Makes my day smoother to listen to that voice:-)"}, {"response": 800, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (05:39)", "body": "Hmmm, seems to me I have heard a similar story in the past...(my note to the author... ditch Eric honey...;-)) For the Star-gazers... Just a sidenote for those of you who may care what famous celebrities I've been spotting around here (famous celebrity...that's a little redundant, isn't it). A few weeks ago a friend and I were walking through Soho, when we wandered into the very posh district. Tiffany's, Dolce, Armani -- you name it. As we were walking a car pulled up by the sidewalk ahead of us and out stepped Kate Moss. Neither of us said anything, as we weren't exactly sure what to say, and she went on her way into the jewelry shop her car had pulled up at. Talk about weird. My other story, however, is slightly more exciting. As most of you know, I'm taking a theatre course here in London, for which we go to a play every Monday night. Last night's play was at the \"Young Vic\" theatre in Southwark and was called \"Some Voices.\" It was a good production, especially compared with the last two I've seen....eeehg. Anyway, as we were standing waiting for the doors to open, my friend Valerie got a wide-eyed \"oh my gosh!\" expression on her face. She looks at me from the other side of the crowd and points [subtilely], mouthing \"THERE'S COLIN FIRTH!!!\" (movie actor, including \"Bridget Jones Diary,\" \"Love Actually,\" \"What a Girl Wants,\" and \"Pride and Prejudice\" [Mrs. Biechler it's Mr. Darcy!! =) ] ) I looked but he had disappeared from my sightline. Sure enough, a couple seconds later he walks past me headed for the men's bathroom. I thought about standing outside an waiting for him to come back so I could corner him to say hello, but then I thought better of it. =) \"Act English\" our theatre instructor said to us -- she had been standing right there and saw our \"Iowan\" looks of amazement. Once the doors opened, he entered the theatre, took his seat, and spent most of the performance unbothered, besides one girl on our program stopping to say \"I love your work\" and one random stalker/fan asking for an autograph. I, however, did make eye contact with him at the end of the play. We were both standing to leave, and as I looked around the room he was doing the same and our eyes met. While I wouldn't give Eric up for Mr. Firth, it WAS my latest brush with one of the countless British celebrities here in London. =) http://www.centralmania.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/04/07/4074598481cdd"}, {"response": 801, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (09:25)", "body": "I looked but he had disappeared from my sightline. Sure enough, a couple seconds later he walks past me headed for the men's bathroom ... Does anyone else see a pattern here;-)) Thanks for taking the time Maria! You must be sooooo very busy!"}, {"response": 802, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (09:41)", "body": "LOL, that was my first thought, too."}, {"response": 803, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (10:13)", "body": "What a rush, Maria. I loved reading the account your sighting. Random direct eye contact?? Better than any autograph IMO. \"Act English\" our theatre instructor said to us LOL. Reminds me of Lady Dashwood when she talked about how they only hug their dogs and horses."}, {"response": 804, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (10:36)", "body": "Maria, can your clarify? Were you the lucky sighter, or were you re-posting the email from the back-packer, Carissa?"}, {"response": 805, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (10:49)", "body": "If you click on the link she gave, you'll see who's it is."}, {"response": 806, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (12:28)", "body": "Thanks Maria!! Jammy Iowan gits! LOL! (Bee) Does anyone else see a pattern here;-)) (Dorine) LOL, that was my first thought, too. LOL...and my first thought....He is seen going into and out of the loo more than anything else it seems! Maybe Carol's sighter friend is his urologist! ;-)"}, {"response": 807, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (12:39)", "body": "Tress)Maybe Carol's sighter friend is his urologist! ;-)"}, {"response": 808, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (12:41)", "body": "Let me try that again Tress!"}, {"response": 809, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 2004 (10:26)", "body": "Thanks, Maria! It looks like Colin might have been doing a little character research. TheatreguideLondon Some Voices Young Vic Theatre Studio, Spring 2004 Joe Penhall's play won awards when it was first done a decade ago, so critics and audiences must have seen something in it. But you couldn't guess what from this shapeless, lacklustre revival. As directed without rhythm or focus by Matthew Dunster, Some Voices comes across as another case of that odd syndrome, the idea for a play masquerading as the play itself. What happens to mental patients released into the community too soon, Penhall asked himself. Well, we know what happens - too many of then sadly end up on the streets, unable to cope. But Penhall sees other possibilities, and just presents them in case-study form. His central character is a young schizophrenic judged to be able to function and released into the custody of his well-meaning but ill-equipped brother. In no particular order, the boy stops taking his medications, risks relapse when he joins up with an old buddy from the hospital, alternately tries to connect with his brother and pushes him away, meets and falls for a girl with a violent boyfriend, and eventually winds up back in the hospital. Yes, so? you find yourself asking again and again. Each of these things could happen to someone in that position, but so could a lot of other things, and the play seems to have no reason to be showing us these events, in this order. Why does the brother run a restaurant? Why is the girl pregnant? Why does the otherwise totally raving second patient get some of the most sensible lines in the play? Why does the play end with a cooking lesson? Why does Anna Fleischle's unit set, a wall of panels that open in unending permutations and combinations to create different settings, constantly threaten to be cleverer than anything going on in front of it? Much of the fault must lie with the director, who has his cast sleepwalking through the play. Tom Brooke plays the patient as so lost in himself that he rarely makes eye contact with anyone, rather staring through them in a kind of vaguely horrified wonder - what I always think of as the Jeremy Irons stare, the one he employed throughout Brideshead Revisited and half his other roles. But no one else in the cast makes much eye contact or relates to anyone else either. The general effect is of an early rehearsal, in which everyone has their lines down but haven't begun to think about character or relationships. Now, I'll give audiences of 1995 enough credit to assume that there must have seemed some unity, purpose and point to this play then, but this time around it all seems random. There's no apparent structure there. There's no real play there. As Gertrude Stein said of Oakland, there's no there there. Gerald Berkowitz"}, {"response": 810, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 2004 (10:27)", "body": "Have I ever mentioned how much I adore Gertrude Stein?"}, {"response": 811, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 2004 (10:46)", "body": "(Moon) It looks like Colin might have been doing a little character research. \"What happens to mental patients released into the community too soon\"... Either that or he's getting ready to take up another cause."}, {"response": 812, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 2004 (12:11)", "body": "He should watch Spider then, too. ;-)"}, {"response": 813, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 2004 (13:33)", "body": "(Maria)\"What happens to mental patients released into the community too soon\"... (Moon)Either that or he's getting ready to take up another cause. Ooooh... I know of several Mental Health Advocacy programs that could use an new spokesman!"}, {"response": 814, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (20:26)", "body": "Curious . .since it was mentioned on the CF news topic . . What are your top fav 5 pieces of our darling's work??? 1.)Tumbledown 2.)Fever Pitch 3.)Donovan Quick 4.)Pride & Prejudice 5.)A Month In the Country"}, {"response": 815, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (20:27)", "body": "Erp meant to say those were my top 5;)"}, {"response": 816, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (20:37)", "body": "I'll have to think about it and get back to you. My top five change...like every other week... Okay...I can give them in no particular order (for this week): Valmont Pride and Prejudice Tumbledown Lost Empires A Month in the Country I must be in a somber mood as I can usually fit in at least one comedy...like SIL or BJD or FP (which make it to the rotation of top five fairly often). Also love DQ and A0 enough that they often shows up in top slots."}, {"response": 817, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (21:24)", "body": "Hmmm... I've been thinking about this a bunch recently, actually. In no particular order: Lost Empires, Tumbledown, Fever Pitch, Pride & Prejudice, and Hour of the Pig. That was incredibly difficult. Don't hold me to it. ;-)"}, {"response": 818, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (21:39)", "body": "I'll play but like Shosh it a hard one to call so I vacilate chronically 1!!! with a bullet)P&P 2,3,4,5: Depending on my mood they are alphabetically AMITC FP T V And GWAPE only comes in 6th because I wish there was more of him\ufffd Now that Shosh has mentioned BJD I want to put that in but I already went to 6:-) This list is based on acting and, of course, does not account for my guilty pleasures which are legion;-)"}, {"response": 819, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (22:41)", "body": "I have two lists. Well you asked...and you thought I only give Ada a hard time;-) Top 5 for performance-no special order: AZ AMITC Tumbledown LE Conspiracy Top 5 for several reasons--I don't think I have to elaborate. Just look at my list- P&P BJD SLOW WAGW DQ and my list would be incomplete if I didn't add my all time fav, FP and, yes, I have to include HS in this category for the h-o-t factor;-)"}, {"response": 820, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (22:58)", "body": "(Leenda)and my list would be incomplete if I didn't add my all time fav, FP and, yes, I have to include HS in this category for the h-o-t factor;-) A girl after my own heart. I can't help lovin that poor Colin."}, {"response": 821, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (23:33)", "body": "(Linda)..for the h-o-t factor;-) Aw shucks...I'd have to add FF to the hot list. I'm still reeling from my first viewing a few months ago. Can't seem to forget that well placed bead of sweat running down his face. And I do have a new appreciation for containers of Tropicana ever since I saw him peg her up against the refrigerator case."}, {"response": 822, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 2004 (00:23)", "body": "I can't argue with any of the choices you ladies have made (other than I haven't seen Tumbledown yet). Here are mine, in no particular order: Valmont - he is so deliciously, dangerously charming P&P - he is a man without fault BJD - where it all began for me FP - who can resist a man who says he understands and then immediately admits he hasn't got a clue? WAGW - guilty pleasure, need I say more?"}, {"response": 823, "author": "odessa", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 2004 (04:59)", "body": "1.P&P -the best, always 2.GWAPE -so beautiful 3.BJD -another Darcy 4.FP -so cute 5.Valmont -young passion"}, {"response": 824, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 2004 (08:30)", "body": "1. P&P 2. P&P 3. P&P 4. P&P 5. P&P"}, {"response": 825, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 2004 (08:50)", "body": "(Evelyn - who else?) 1. P&P 2. P&P 3. P&P 4. P&P 5. P&P Now why didn't I think of that;-) Wish I'd said it"}, {"response": 826, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 2004 (10:40)", "body": "With L'dum being on TV, thought I'd reprint Mari's quiz after I'd seen it for the first time. 1. This movie is better than: a) The Sex Monster b) SLOW c) Nostromo d) a poke in the eye 2. Mike Binder will never be confused with: a) Mike Leigh b) Mike Nichols c) Mike Elangelo (second cousin thrice removed of Ivan Tobeitalian) d) all of the above 3. Which hero of Mike Binder's once said, \"There are worse things than death--ever spent an evening with an insurance salesman?\" a) Woody Allen b) Steve Allen c) Gracie Allen d) Alan Parsons 4) Fine. We'll make it easy: a) Top 1/3 b) Middle 1/3 c) Bottom 1/3 my answers were: a, d, left blank, c. Those are in no particular order. ;-) (I think question 1 was rather vague.)"}, {"response": 827, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 2004 (13:01)", "body": "Gasp! That photo change... Took my breath. Too quick a change after looking at that t-shirt for so long;-))"}, {"response": 828, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 2004 (13:49)", "body": "LOved Mari's quiz. It's a classic. (Evelyn) 1. P&P 2. P&P 3. P&P 4. P&P 5. P&P Indeed! :-D"}, {"response": 829, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 2004 (23:51)", "body": "Got my region 2 GWAPE this morning, oh what a treat! I'm happy and incensed at the same time. I will never understand why LG decided to mistreat this DVD as it did. The UK version is a beautiful compliment to this gorgeous movie. Loved the deleted scenes, but I fully agree with leaving them out. Yes, the veggie scene too. I spent a considerable amount of time in the past carping about why it was left out, but seeing the scene I'm glad it never made it into the movie. It just didn't work for me the way it was done. There were many drool worthy moments in the \"I didn't ask for blue\" segment, ah, did Colin ever look AFG? But the way he said \"put it away\" made him sound arrogant, and for me it clashed with his character's personality. It just sounded very odd. I only had time to listen to the director/producer commentary, but it contained lots of interesting info, some about Colin: in the scene where Catharina picked up the spatula to attack the painting Colin almost had his eye poked out. They changed camera position, and the choreography of the \"fight\" got forgotten, and the spatula barely missed his eye, Colin moved away just in time, but still got a bit injured. He was bleeding a little, got a scratch I guess. I laughed when they talked about hurting his \"expensive\" face. Another interesting bit: when they shot the scene of Griet crying at his door, Colin was supposed to fly home because his wife was having a baby, but Scarlett asked him to be there, so she'd know he is in there, so he cancelled his flight and remained until the scene was shot. Loved the \"Making of\" featurette too, the way Colin said \"beetle shit\" made me laugh out loud. I'm looking forward to listening to the writers' commentary too, I bet it will be interesting."}, {"response": 830, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 2004 (02:23)", "body": "Did anybody from the UK see L'Dum on Tuesday? It was my first time. So glad I did not waste time nor money seeing it earlier :-( Is MB the poor and intellectually challenged man's Woody Allen? He certainly seemed to be modelling himself on WA. This was definitely the worst CF film I have seen. Its pretensions were so obvious. Even worse than SLOW..."}, {"response": 831, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 2004 (03:33)", "body": "Halfway through the tape, and not hating it totally. Nonetheless, I do agree about the ridiculous WA impersonations. However, if I try to ignore the knowledge that MB wrote this as a vehicle for himself (and to get some action?), it's not the most preposterous thing I've ever seen - yet."}, {"response": 832, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 2004 (07:22)", "body": "it's not the most preposterous thing I've ever seen - yet Is that firthwise or generally?"}, {"response": 833, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 2004 (08:19)", "body": "Is that firthwise or generally? Generally - I haven't seen many CF turkeys, but that may be because I'm not very discriminating. I even found quite a bit to like in SLOW and HS."}, {"response": 834, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 2004 (08:50)", "body": "(Mark)I even found quite a bit to like in SLOW and HS. Oooo, you get cuter all the time;-))"}, {"response": 835, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 2004 (08:56)", "body": "(Mark)it's not the most preposterous thing I've ever seen - yet. Wait til you get to the \"breaking the wind\" part... Or Fiona and Allen on the way home from the shrink talking about \"thinking with his pennis .\""}, {"response": 836, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 2004 (09:04)", "body": "(Ildi) Loved the deleted scenes, but I fully agree with leaving them out. Yes, the veggie scene too. I spent a considerable amount of time in the past carping about why it was left out, but seeing the scene I'm glad it never made it into the movie. It just didn't work for me the way it was done. Definitely agree about the veggie scene; it was a letdown. But I wouldn't have minded the other two. When I have more time, I want to listen to PW commentary on the whole movie, as well as the deleted scenes. Yippeeeeeee!! Finally, hearing some British comments on L'dum. BTW, it was called L'dum, wasn't it even though the DVD was already released everywhere as Four Play? (Allison) This was definitely the worst CF film I have seen. Its pretensions were so obvious. Even worse than SLOW... Where is it relative to HS or didn't you see that one? These are two movies I cannot bear to watch, unlike SLOW, which I've stated before I find has a certain charm to it. Maybe if I turn the sound off completely for those two, I might be able to watch them. (Mark) Halfway through the tape, and not hating it totally. Now, there's an endorsement if I've ever read one. LOL! But you were hating it somewhat?"}, {"response": 837, "author": "LauraS", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 2004 (09:17)", "body": "(Mark)I even found quite a bit to like in SLOW and HS. Yes, have to admit I didn't mind either of these movies either (especially in comparison to L'dum). (Allison)This was definitely the worst CF film I have seen I fully and most heartly agree! L'dum did absolutely nothing for me. If it had had any shred of a story line and made some type of sense I might think otherwise... and what was with those unprovoked fight scenes???? Yeech!!"}, {"response": 838, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 2004 (09:59)", "body": "(Karen re deleted scenes)But I wouldn't have minded the other two.. Oh I much agree! I'm especially fond of the *I'll paint you as I saw you* scene. Little Bee and I both thought he was nuts to leave it out ....but then as extras they sure did justify the purchase of the new equipment;-))"}, {"response": 839, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 2004 (10:14)", "body": "Why didn't Webber just edit those few scenes to the film directly for the DVD? That's what Jackson did with the LOTR DVDs. In the case of GWAPE where there was so much footage, didn't the editor say her first cut was about 200 minutes? In the case of films made from known books, I think the director should put the DVD out with the scenes as part of the film. Give the fan a little special treatment. (Mark), However, if I try to ignore the knowledge that MB wrote this as a vehicle for himself (and to get some action?), it's not the most preposterous thing I've ever seen - yet. He's happily married with kids, but anything is possible. ;-)"}, {"response": 840, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 2004 (10:46)", "body": "(Moon) Why didn't Webber just edit those few scenes to the film directly for the DVD? Each of the deleted scenes can be viewed with PW's commentary too. I would imagine he explains why he left them out. In the case of films made from known books, I think the director should put the DVD out with the scenes as part of the film. I disagree. If he had to cut the film only because of studio pressure, I can understand putting out a \"director's cut.\" But making a film solely to mirror a book, when it doesn't work in the director's mind, doesn't make sense to me."}, {"response": 841, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 2004 (11:17)", "body": "(Karen) BTW, it was called L'dum, wasn't it even though the DVD was already released everywhere as Four Play? Yes (Karen) Where is it relative to HS or didn't you see that one? Yes I did and although it was weak I wasn't embarrassed by it... But maybe that was because he was so AFBG in HS that I found it hard to breath. Perhaps not enough oxygen got to my brain. ;-)"}, {"response": 842, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 2004 (11:50)", "body": "(Moon) Why didn't Webber just edit those few scenes to the film directly for the DVD? (Karen)Each of the deleted scenes can be viewed with PW's commentary too. I would imagine he explains why he left them out. There is commentary with the deleted scenes and he is clear (IMO) on the (his)process. I just am not sure about the last two w/ODB. I think that they would have been lovely in the finished product and *I think that there would not be many [here} who would not approve.* ;-)) There is also very interesting footage in the deleted scene that were then recycled into other scenes. I really enjoyed the director's commentary. Haven't had time for writer's part yet."}, {"response": 843, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 2004 (11:52)", "body": "bollucks!"}, {"response": 844, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 2004 (20:26)", "body": "Just gotta say that I love love love that first shot of ODB's face on the Moor right after the shot of the running kid, yummmmm. See, I'm being good;-)"}, {"response": 845, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Jun 25, 2004 (03:34)", "body": "Have now watched all of L\ufffddum. And have risked taking the final \ufffdb\ufffd off. Overall, my main charge against the film is that it is inconsequential. The last scene, where MB meets the new actress, suggests like the rest that for some people life is about relationships that wax and wane, and end. Which is all a bit bleak, and a bit like the \ufffdmessage\ufffd of his series MOTMM? That said, there were some quite funny bits: I liked the desperate room-changing at the B&B, Stephen Fry\ufffds discomfiture, even MH\ufffds demands for, and acting in, her death-scene. But I thought the jokes undermined the dramatic effort, and the drama undermined the jokes. Definitely the film would have been a box-office stinker, at least in this country: there is no potential audience. But it\ufffds quite acceptable TV fare. The only \ufffdfilmic\ufffd things about it were the scenery (great comment, Karen), which was fun for me, as it\ufffds all where I live, and the Woody Allen patter \ufffd which I found so imitative as to be ridiculous. But maybe I\ufffdm misunderstanding and lots of US people talk like that (\ufffdYou don\ufffdt want to have this conversation? You don\ufffdt want to HAVE this conversation? What, do you disagree with my theories? Do you have your own theories about sex? Yadda, yadda \ufffd\ufffd) Laura: ... and what was with those unprovoked fight scenes???? Yeech!! I also thought the fight scenes were preposterously unrealistic; anyone acting like that would be under court orders or therapy already, even if \ufffd especially if \ufffd they only beat up people who worked for them. However, if I try to ignore the knowledge that MB wrote this as a vehicle for himself (and to get some action?), it's not the most preposterous thing I've ever seen - yet. Moon: He's happily married with kids, but anything is possible. ;-) And I dare say he\ufffds kind to animals, but I\ufffdd be interested to hear his wife justify the scene where MH is bouncing up and down on him naked \ufffd to me this was definitionally gratuitous. (And hey, this married man didn\ufffdt mind watching \ufffd but that\ufffds exactly my point!) Halfway through the tape, and not hating it totally. Now, there's an endorsement if I've ever read one. LOL! But you were hating it somewhat? I wouldn\ufffdt normally have thought about the film after watching it, and would always have found the Woody Allen shtick and the fight scenes stupid, but I would also have got some laughs and accepted that it was quite watchable. Sorry if I have gone on for too long about opinions fairly fleetingly held."}, {"response": 846, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jun 25, 2004 (08:10)", "body": "You haven't gone on too long at all, Mark. Nice to hear your opinion, along with the others who have just seen it. I can't remember if you saw both SLOW and HS, also. I'm curious as to your opinion of L'dum vs. HS and SLOW."}, {"response": 847, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Jun 25, 2004 (10:01)", "body": "I have actually seen all three. For me, SLOW makes more sense as it's a real story; it goes somewhere, and I found it believable. In that way, L'd makes no sense as it's a series of comedic incidents woven around a ridiculous \"story\"; the plot devices are ham-fistedly implausible, and it just doesn't hang together. HS is somewhere in the middle; one or two silly plot points spoil it badly but it ends up as a sort of situational romance with a happy ending. The comedy is much funnier in L'd because that's what it's about; though SLOW has its moments, particularly during the touching bonding between Matthew & Sami - HS's comic stuff largely misfires (apart from MD's smoking and the Whining Whores gag). In terms of the interpretation, I thought HS had a pretty weak cast not doing much with a script that had potential (I might exempt CF & MD); L'd had largely quite a good cast making a decent fist of a disjointed script; and SLOW had a pretty average script that was performed as well as it could have been. Of course, as a dumb movie-going dude, I also appreciated the scenery (both natural and feminine) in HS and L'd. But I'm not really versed enough to appreciate differences in directing or editing etc."}, {"response": 848, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 25, 2004 (10:20)", "body": "(Mark) For me, SLOW makes more sense as it's a real story; it goes somewhere, and I found it believable. In that way, L'd makes no sense as it's a series of comedic incidents woven around a ridiculous \"story\"; the plot devices are ham-fistedly implausible, and it just doesn't hang together. HS is somewhere in the middle; one or two silly plot points spoil it badly but it ends up as a sort of situational romance with a happy ending. Uh huh, uh huh. Agreeing, until... The comedy is much funnier in L'd About the only time I cracked a smile is when Colin punched out MB. However, I don't consider SLOW a true comedy, so it wouldn't be an appropriate comparison. Hard to say what HS was supposed to be. ;-) Thanks Mark for the elaboration. As for what kind of person MB's wife might be. How about highly tolerant? How would any of you like to be in her shoes (Manolo's probably but...), married to a man with that image? Of course, it may all be image, but it makes my skin crawl."}, {"response": 849, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 25, 2004 (12:51)", "body": "Woody Allen has a worse image, IMO, and that never stopped him from getting intelligent women."}, {"response": 850, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jun 25, 2004 (13:01)", "body": "Thanks Mark! It's nice to get a man's perspective on this film. And you didn't go on too long...nevah! (Mark) But maybe I\ufffdm misunderstanding and lots of US people talk like that (\ufffdYou don\ufffdt want to have this conversation? You don\ufffdt want to HAVE this conversation? What, do you disagree with my theories? Do you have your own theories about sex? Yadda, yadda \ufffd\ufffd) LOL...no one I know! You are right Mark, about the Woody Allen banter. A v. v. poor imitation if ever there was one (and I can grow weary of Woody, at times, on a good day, so this just didn't work well for me) Add the ugly (sorry Kimberly) brown suit, MB and MH into the mix and I can't watch it for long. Did think Stephen Fry was amusing too though...the looks on his face (and even Colin's) while Fiona goes on and on...and then later with just the two of them (insipid dialogue (but I'm queen of that myself), but the looks are pretty priceless)."}, {"response": 851, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jun 25, 2004 (13:54)", "body": "(Moon) Woody Allen has a worse image, IMO, and that never stopped him from getting intelligent women. And children...(ooohhh...that was bad!) ;-)"}, {"response": 852, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jun 25, 2004 (19:27)", "body": "(Tress)Did think Stephen Fry was amusing too though...the looks on his face (and even Colin's) while Fiona goes on and on I thought it especially funny because SF was a labor mediation type therapist and very much out of his league in the marriage dept--and just did it because he was Allen's friend or a friend of a friend."}, {"response": 853, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Jun 26, 2004 (08:49)", "body": "A fun moment last evening at the Hollywood Video store. Was rummaging through the pre-viewed racks looking for some specific DVDs (3 for $25) and ran across Four Play! LOL'd and got some glances but passed on the purchase;-)) How'd that get there?"}, {"response": 854, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 26, 2004 (09:13)", "body": "Saw GWAPE last night at local Art Museum showing, with good friend whose been lurking on Drool since it was AKA \"The Pond\"!! \"People's Choice\" [by votes]winner! Yeah! http://www.okcartmuseum.com/programs_film_cal.htm Hey, who said Crime Doesn't Pay;-)) Packed house:-))[I'm so used to counting only few heads for CF films!] But some people still confused with holes and inconsistencies in the film. The comments also noted that they wished it had been a Vermeer film; showing more of his art work. This was an art film /art appreciation not multi-plex crowd. I'm still amazed that it was received with such success. Must have been the acting;-)))"}, {"response": 855, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 26, 2004 (09:26)", "body": "I like the schedule for July, Evelyn. This one made me think of Someone to Love ;-D : Can you find sexy Rexy? ;-)"}, {"response": 856, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Jun 26, 2004 (09:40)", "body": "(Moon)I like the schedule for July, Evelyn I like the whole schedule. Very eclectic."}, {"response": 857, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Jun 26, 2004 (09:56)", "body": "OMG! Godzilla on the big screen?? I'd be so there! ;-) I like the whole schedule too, Bee. Would love to see Casablanca larger than life again. I'd pass on Badaaassssssss....got crap reviews at Sundance."}, {"response": 858, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 26, 2004 (09:56)", "body": "(Beedee) Was rummaging through the pre-viewed racks looking for some specific DVDs (3 for $25) You mean they'd pay you $25 go take three of them off their hands? ;-) This one made me think of Someone to Love ;-D : Can you find sexy Rexy? ;-) LOL!"}, {"response": 859, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jun 26, 2004 (11:59)", "body": "(Moon)This one made me think of Someone to Love ;-D : Can you find sexy Rexy? ;-) LOL, every one of them has long, lean legs,...like trying to find a needle in a haystack;-)"}, {"response": 860, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Jun 26, 2004 (19:23)", "body": "Am watching ATA on cable for about the umpteenth time this week and have finally figured out why ODB's accent is so disconcerting to me. It sounds as if he has a cold...as if he's stuffed up. That...and he has very hard \"R\"s. When he says 'farm', it makes me giggle. Off to go finish watching Jess make a mess of things (okay, they were a mess before he got there, but he didn't help matters much, did he??)...."}, {"response": 861, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 2004 (10:14)", "body": "Apparently, the drummer in this band (Peter Firth) is Colin's cousin. http://www.soundclick.com/bands/0/theclimb.htm http://www.alternativedevon.co.uk/jamroom/bands/9/music.php"}, {"response": 862, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 2004 (10:40)", "body": ""}, {"response": 863, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 2004 (11:10)", "body": "Love this! Thanks, Karen. That front guy in the photo has to be a Firth. Dimples must be a very strong genetic trait. I'm guessing they'll have a lot new members added to their mailing list today, LOL."}, {"response": 864, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 2004 (11:46)", "body": "Oh! It looks like the one in front is the drummer (Peter) from the other pics...He's adorable...thanks Karen!"}, {"response": 865, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 2004 (10:37)", "body": "(Tress)\"have finally figured out why ODB's accent is so disconcerting to me. It sounds as if he has a cold...as if he's stuffed up.\" Being a \"Yankee\" I found his accent endearing. Although, it did have a bit of an Irish tinge to it at times. I need to get my hands on a sound bite of him doing his \"gangster\" accent!!"}, {"response": 866, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 2004 (14:36)", "body": "Kimberly has found a fascinating little interview with Colin from last November from UK Esquire. I've put it up here: http://www.firth.com/articles/03esquire_nov.html"}, {"response": 867, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 2004 (14:48)", "body": "Interesting find. Thanks Kimberly"}, {"response": 868, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 2004 (15:09)", "body": "Great find, Kim. Thanks. Where's that one been hiding? (CF)Yesterday I said to my wife it would be like putting on yesterday\ufffds underpants. Yuk!! LOL"}, {"response": 869, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 2004 (15:22)", "body": "Thanks Kim and Karen, ESQ: Given your ability to do light and dark so well, it\ufffds surprising you\ufffdre not a huge Hollywood star. What is it with this question? He must be soooo tired of it cause I am:-("}, {"response": 870, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 2004 (21:18)", "body": "(leslie)Where's that one been hiding? Another pure stroke of luck . . .someone sitting near me at my temp job noticed the various pics of CF in my cube and the webshots screensaver I had of him . .just came and gave me a copy of the article . . (Bee)What is it with this question? That and \"Is Mr. Darcy an albatross for you?\" type questions . .Enough already."}, {"response": 871, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 2004 (21:26)", "body": "V. interesting article (that I can't copy from....grrr!). Thanks, Kimberly! Romantic comedies....the ones for the dough. Reported dead, not once....but twice!! Poor thing! Have to admit was LOL at the absurdity of it."}, {"response": 872, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 2004 (23:07)", "body": "Thank you Kimberly!! I like this bit: Everyone I knew was saying I couldn\ufffdt possibly do that role. I was bombarded with people saying: \ufffdYou can\ufffdt do all that smouldering, it\ufffds not you at all. You\ufffdre not sexy enough, you\ufffdre not straightforward enough.\ufffd So he's one of those guys that if you tell him he can't do it, he'll do it to spite you and show you he can...quite spunky, he is (did I just sound like Yoda??)."}, {"response": 873, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (00:27)", "body": "Thanks for the article, Kimberly, I very much enjoyed it. I had to LOL a few times though when it seemed that he started giving a \"no\" answer to some questions that turned into a \"yes\" at the end. Either he was trying to confuse ;-) or I shouldn't read stuff at 1:30 in the morning."}, {"response": 874, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (20:54)", "body": "(Tress)So he's one of those guys that if you tell him he can't do it, he'll do it to spite you and show you he can...quite spunky, he is Colin, you can't do sex scenes, you can't handle taking your clothes off, you're just not sexy enough. Towel scenes, naked behinds and sticking your f---ing tongue down someone's f---ing throat are out of the question. ...and, yes you did sound like Yoda;-)"}, {"response": 875, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (22:49)", "body": "(Linda)Colin, you can't do sex scenes, you can't handle taking your clothes off, .... Good start Linda! Keep it up!"}, {"response": 876, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (22:56)", "body": "LOL, Linda. I'm still trying to rid my brain of the underpants analogy. Maybe that's why Colin Ware stopped wearing them. ;-)"}, {"response": 877, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 2004 (18:28)", "body": "(Tress) quite spunky, he is (did I just sound like Yoda??). Sound like him you did ;-) (Linda) Colin, you can't do sex scenes, you can't handle taking your clothes off...sticking your f---ing tongue down someone's f---ing throat are out of the question You go girl! I double dare ya, Colin."}, {"response": 878, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 2004 (18:54)", "body": "Oops, been away so long, forgot my manners. Sorry"}, {"response": 879, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 2004 (19:19)", "body": "Strong in you is The Force, Colin, take your clothes off and feel it you will! ;-)"}, {"response": 880, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 2004 (21:37)", "body": "OK - an older Fresh Air interview from November 14 2003 - during Love Actually http://freshair.npr.org/day_fa.jhtml;jsessionid=QFMW0NNZDBWSZLA5AINSFEY?todayDate=current Type his name in the search in the bottom right corner. Karen - do you want a transcript?"}, {"response": 881, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 2004 (21:48)", "body": "oh poop . .really nothing new . .just a revamp of the 2001 interview . . - sigh . .never mind . . but nice to hear;)"}, {"response": 882, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 2004 (08:56)", "body": "I found a used VHS copy of \"Relative Values\" yesterday. I've been pretty lucky that way. It's the 3rd one I've found!! As usual, the jacket doesn't have any pics of ODB...AND they incorrectly listed him as the \"playboy prince with a stiff upper lip\" in the synopsis. It was great to see (and hear) him in it. I love to see him in farses. He seems to really enjoy letting himself go in them. And we get to see more of that that adorable grin of his :o)"}, {"response": 883, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 2004 (09:09)", "body": "(Yvette)And we get to see more of that that adorable grin of his :o) Congrats Yvette.You're right the grin (and dimples!) are all over that one. RV is a goodie. Love that scene in front of the Girl Guides the best. Wonder if he'll use Peter Marshwood as the springing board for Rex. The person who asks him that in November wins my copy of \"Butterball\";-)"}, {"response": 884, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 2004 (11:49)", "body": "Relative Values... ah yes, another of Colin's direct to cable classics. ;-) But seriously, he was adorably pouffy in that one. (Evelyn) Wonder if he'll use Peter Marshwood as the springing board for Rex. Rex is not light in the loafers, my dear. He's more the equal employment opportunity type. ;-)"}, {"response": 885, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 2004 (13:28)", "body": "Evelyn) Wonder if he'll use Peter Marshwood as the springing board for Rex. (Karen)Rex is not light in the loafers, my dear. He's more the equal employment opportunity type. ;-) LOL. Obviously Rex was AC/DC. Still....Colin might draw from Pete's major hormonal side;-)"}, {"response": 886, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 2004 (13:43)", "body": "(Evelyn) Still....Colin might draw from Pete's major hormonal side;-) But let's hope not his dress sense...LOL...didn't fancy the ascots or whatever those were... And Peter was still a bit 'light' and too 'giddy'. I'm hoping for a more Mark Darcy with a dark secret sort of thing (even Bridget had a moment of doubt when she saw young boy in Mark's bedroom with rabbit)...like that but edgier...and sans bunny."}, {"response": 887, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 2004 (14:47)", "body": "(Tress)But let's hope not his dress sense...LOL...didn't fancy the ascots or whatever those were... LOL, I don't think ascots were in during the '70's. However, a chic decade it was not;-) (But Dean always looked good)and so did Vince. Plushy sweaters, blue suit, turtlenecks, tassled loafers. Vince was cool. (Tress)I'm hoping for a more Mark Darcy with a dark secret sort of thing Yes, that's the way I picture it, too. Don't forget a dash of HD for good measure;-)"}, {"response": 888, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 2004 (14:54)", "body": "(Linda) Yes, that's the way I picture it, too. Don't forget a dash of HD for good measure;-) and maybe perhaps a dash of Vermeer, with shorter hair, longer sideburns...who fancied both Griet and Peter? He'd grind with anyone...not just the saucy maid... ;-)"}, {"response": 889, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 2004 (15:08)", "body": "(Yvette)I love to see him in farses. I agree. I think he plays camp so well and we rarely get to see him do it. Some other great examples were Wessex in SIL, and just about all of the SNL stuff - particularly the skits that weren't aired like Jane Eyre, Gay Divorce Attorneys, and Douchebag *their word, not mine* of the Month. I've heard a number of actors comment that comedic roles are far more difficult to play than the weightier dramatic ones. A lot like we see with Lanny in WTTL, no? (Tress)I'm hoping for a more Mark Darcy with a dark secret sort of thing I agree. He's got to be v. cool and handsome, intelligent - oozing sophistication. Love the analogy of Bridget seeing Mark in the bedroom with the young boy. I can see it now."}, {"response": 890, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 2004 (15:14)", "body": "(Leslie) I've heard a number of actors comment that comedic roles are far more difficult to play than the weightier dramatic ones. A lot like we see with Lanny in WTTL, no? Yes, but it doesn't matter to me. It's the dramatic roles that get the awards. Look at a great comedic actor like Jack Lemmon. He got his Oscars for the dramatic roles."}, {"response": 891, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 2004 (15:15)", "body": "(Tress)I'm hoping for a more Mark Darcy with a dark secret sort of thing AC/DC Darcy? Perish the thought! ;-)"}, {"response": 892, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 2004 (15:19)", "body": "Ah, Lisa! When can we expect to read Helen's version of what *should* have happened at Disneyland?"}, {"response": 893, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 2004 (15:34)", "body": "Don't tempt me! ;-)"}, {"response": 894, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 2004 (15:41)", "body": "(Karen)It's the dramatic roles that get the awards. Look at a great comedic actor like Jack Lemmon. He got his Oscars for the dramatic roles. I don't disagree and look forward to far more of them for ODB. But I still appreciate all that goes into delivering a good comedic performance."}, {"response": 895, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 2004 (15:47)", "body": "(Tress)I'm hoping for a more Mark Darcy with a dark secret sort of thing (lisa)AC/DC Darcy? Perish the thought! ;-) Aong with: Suicidal,co-dependent,insecure.... Tell'em , Lisa. Such blasphemy ;-) I don't really like Vince in the book. Not even a blue suit could tempt me to that type. So I hope he plays it differently:-D"}, {"response": 896, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 2004 (16:05)", "body": "Did you like him at all up to the second Disneyland trip? I could see someone not liking him after that, but up to that point, I found him....typical?....for someone in that profession. I find people like that rather enigmatic in so much as it amazes me they can get away with what they do....with the \"little people\" smiling when they get taken advantage of by people like that. All that matters is they had their brush with fame and celebrity."}, {"response": 897, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 2004 (16:06)", "body": "Oops! Didn't see what board we were on...guess I shoulda moved it over."}, {"response": 898, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 2004 (18:16)", "body": "(Dorine)I found him....typical?....for someone in that profession. I find people like that rather enigmatic in so much as it amazes me they can get away with what they do....with the \"little people\" smiling when they get taken advantage of by people like that. All that matters is they had their brush with fame and celebrity. ROTF.How do you spell t-r-a-s-h. I have a saying: \"If they lived in town, I wouldn't have them for dinner\";-)"}, {"response": 899, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 2004 (18:23)", "body": "Ok, I find it fascinating in a car wreck kinda way sometimes. ;-)"}, {"response": 900, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 2004 (18:46)", "body": "(Dorine) Ok, I find it fascinating in a car wreck kinda way sometimes. ;-) Me too...fascinating in a sort of 'Billy-Bob-Thorton-Angelina-Jolie' sort of way! ;-) (Evelyn) ROTF.How do you spell t-r-a-s-h. ROTFL...so what you are saying is if Mr. Springer had been around back then, Maureen, Reuben, Lanny and Vince would be throwing chairs at one another?? ;-) (Evelyn) \"If they lived in town, I wouldn't have them for dinner\";-) Oh! I would! If only to see said chairs potentially fly by!"}, {"response": 901, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 2004 (21:24)", "body": "(Evelyn)The person who asks him that in November wins my copy of \"Butterball\";-) What about September in Toronto?? Excuse the ingorance, but what's a \"Butterball\"? I just received my copy of SNL from Ildi. It was fun to watch, though he did look a little out of his element w/ live TV. Loved the gangster accent in the Sopranos skit!! And the line \"It's every English actor's dream to play an American hero.\" Thanks Ildi...gotta go watch it again."}, {"response": 902, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jul 20, 2004 (18:08)", "body": "Okay, have found amusing site. This one deals with all those things I'm always blabbering on about...seems someone has made a collection of ODB (okay, and a few other men). Pics of hands, feet, specs and all wet! Check this out: http://handson.provocateuse.com/show.php/colin_firth"}, {"response": 903, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Jul 20, 2004 (18:32)", "body": "Great site, Tress. LOL. I'm particulary fond of the barefoot shots. Should we clue the website creator in on those yummy bare toes from the swings in WAGW? Can't believe that photo's not there. One question though...dare I ask what you were doing that caused you to happen upon this site??"}, {"response": 904, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jul 20, 2004 (18:41)", "body": "(Leslie) ...dare I ask what you were doing that caused you to happen upon this site?? Instead of working, I googled ODB under 'images'. The lovely pic of Colin on the staircase came up and I clicked (cannot be helped...as one always just dreams of a site dedicated to nothing but toes to come up...but never suspects that one will...LOL)! Along with the swing pic, they are missing Earnest...er....Jack....and his toes...and there is a particular wet pic that is missing too..."}, {"response": 905, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Jul 20, 2004 (19:56)", "body": "(Tress)Along with the swing pic, they are missing Earnest...er....Jack....and his toes...and there is a particular wet pic that is missing too... Oh Gawd....I believe we know far too much than is healthy...."}, {"response": 906, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Tue, Jul 20, 2004 (20:40)", "body": "WOW!! Thanks Tress for the great site. Did anyone else click on all the \"risque\" wet men? Or am I the only naughty one? I especially liked ODB barefoot on the stairs and ,OMG, the black and white one in the bubble bath! That LOOK.... MMMMM MM MMMMMM"}, {"response": 907, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Tue, Jul 20, 2004 (20:48)", "body": "I can think of a few more wet pics of Colin that would spice up this site. I'm thinking The Advocate. I'm thinking Playmaker."}, {"response": 908, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jul 20, 2004 (21:03)", "body": "I've been through most of that site over time. Some yummy pics of all kinds of people. I was surprised they didn't have that B&W pic of ODB on the beach in barefeet that is one of my all time favorites."}, {"response": 909, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 2004 (09:50)", "body": "A couple of things sent in from Downunder: (1) P&P will be shown on TV, along with Regency House, on the Australian ABC network. I believe they will be run during the Olympics as some form of counterprogramming. Sheesh! For your sakes, I do hope it isn't playing opposite men's swimming events. ;-) (2) an up close encounter with CF: http://samizdat.typepad.com/notes/2004/02/forget_fat_tues.html Anyone pick up the special edition release of TEP? Anything noteworthy in the extras? Some readers want to know."}, {"response": 910, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 2004 (10:08)", "body": "Karen - Love this person's close encounter . . was laughing out loud here at work . . . My fave part - And the triple take he gives them;) at the airport line and the mere fact they sit behind him on the plane !!!! - Nice pic of the back of his head too;P"}, {"response": 911, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 2004 (10:17)", "body": "Cute, cute blog. Nice to be a socialist and go first class with Thai food:-) Back in steerage it's mostly soggy cold fried chicken."}, {"response": 912, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 2004 (10:21)", "body": ""}, {"response": 913, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 2004 (10:30)", "body": "NB: in real life, colin firth's not this blurry. Wrong, wrong, wrong. I have plenty of pics to prove this point. ;-) Her encounters are pretty funny. Shame she didn't zoom in better on the back of his head. What perfect positioning to examine said turf. FYI, you can click on the pix for slightly larger ones."}, {"response": 914, "author": "Odile", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 2004 (11:02)", "body": "Thanks Karen, but now I'd like to know what she meant by \"cranky while traveling\"..."}, {"response": 915, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 2004 (11:03)", "body": "Then you should ask her. There's a place for comments."}, {"response": 916, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 2004 (11:04)", "body": "Even in first or business, there'd hardly be enough leg room for him to be all that comfortable."}, {"response": 917, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 2004 (11:25)", "body": "Love the pic in this blog taken at the cafe. Note how they placed the camera discretely on the table and just aimed it and shot...LOL.... The back of his head looks v. v. nice. And I love that he is cranky (poor Livia who had to listen to it). This bit had me ROTFL (the last sentence regarding pale skinny arms and being cranky is the killer): FF two days. Scene: Leonardo Da Vinci Aeroport in Rome. A tall skinny man in off-white corduroys and a black pea coat jacket has just finished checking in with his wife. He turns around and does not a single take, not a double take, but a TRIPLE take at this American family standing right behind him in line. Basically: Colin Firth\ufffds worst nightmare. I sat behind him on the plane. He has skinny really pale arms and gets cranky when he travels. And who could've guessed he takes tomato (pronounced to-MAH-to) juice with extra worcestershire sauce as an in-flight drink And Colin was in NYC longer than I thought for SNL. I thought he'd fly in on Sunday (to start rehearsals on Monday..but he hung out all weekend): GUESS WHO MY FATHER SAT NEXT TO ON A PLANE FROM LONDON TO NYC THIS PAST FRIDAY. (tough one yeah? you'll never guess. should i tell you?? i'll wait a sec and let you think. [cue Jeopardy theme] dah-DUM DUM DUM.) Jude Law! heh. just kidding. i just wanted that to be true. COLIN FIRTH! my pa was all \"hi. i'm not stalking you, i swear.\" and CF was all, \"heh. yeah. riiight.\""}, {"response": 918, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 2004 (11:47)", "body": "Here's the link to the rest: http://samizdat.typepad.com/notes/celebrity/index.html Basically: Colin Firth\ufffds worst nightmare. I sat behind him on the plane. Dunno, I can think of several, who would be worse. ;-)"}, {"response": 919, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 2004 (11:49)", "body": "That was very funny. Thanks Karen. ... \"he's no Owen wilson...\" *sigh* Not fair that someone with such taste gets a double sighting and I get none...(yet) :o)"}, {"response": 920, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 2004 (12:11)", "body": "(Karen) Dunno, I can think of several, who would be worse. ;-) LOL... I can't think of who you could possibly mean...LOL...surely no one I would know personally...."}, {"response": 921, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 2004 (13:20)", "body": "Maybe not, but some *I* would know. ;-)"}, {"response": 922, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 2004 (14:51)", "body": "(Dorine) Maybe not, but some *I* would know. ;-) ROTFL....Surely not! Still cannot imagine who you mean? ;-D Am actually very well behaved on flights....don't like talking to those sitting next to me. Usually try to have scary literature to frighten them off....although...if Colin were sitting next to me can see this happenening: Me: Gum? CF: No. Me: You sure? CF: Yes. Me: Okay. It'll be right here if you need it. Five minutes later. Me: It's really good. CF: Shut up. Me: Okay. Wanna watch a movie on my DVD player? I have Pride and Prejudice, BJD, WAGW...?? CF: Excuse me, miss, can I get another seat?? ;-)"}, {"response": 923, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 2004 (17:08)", "body": "Loved this blog, Karen. What you're able to dig up is amazing. Who's the Asian woman seated next to him in the cafe? I thought she looked similar to one of the handlers I've seen in photos. But then again, I thought it could be Kimberley - there's a pretty strong resemblance. (OK Kim, time to come clean about your double life as an 'embedded agent'.) Cranky?? Hmmm...would love to hear a bit more on this."}, {"response": 924, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 2004 (17:22)", "body": "(Leslie) Who's the Asian woman seated next to him in the cafe? The dates kind of match up with his \"GWAPE Italian Tour\". That appears to be the handler who was at all the GWAPE events with him..."}, {"response": 925, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 2004 (18:52)", "body": "(Tress) That appears to be the handler who was at all the GWAPE events with him... Anyone know where I can apply for a job as her alternate?"}, {"response": 926, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 2004 (20:29)", "body": "(leslie)OK Kim, time to come clean about your double life as an 'embedded agent'.) I don't know what you're talking about (**hiding ticket stubs to Italy in purse**);) I think she was the one who gave me a funny look at the SNL party if it's the same person . . could be handler . . . agent . . assistant? - does he have one?"}, {"response": 927, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 2004 (20:46)", "body": "(Tress)The dates kind of match up with his \"GWAPE Italian Tour\". That appears to be the handler who was at all the GWAPE events with him... And I'm wondering if that photo was taken at the Antico Caffe Della Pace near the Piazza Navona. I happened to save an article from NY Times Travel section from several weeks ago. I thought the chairs in the blog photo looked familiar and yep, they I compared them to the ones in the Times photo--v. similar;-) Love that he's cranky while flying. Reminds me of a dream I had once. Extras from TEP DVD:] Master Class with Anthony Minghella and deleted Scenes The Making of TEP A Historical look at the real Count Almasy Two feature commentary tracks with the filmmakers From Novel to Screenplay The Formidable Saul Zaentz About Author Michael Ondoatje Filmmaker conversations with AM,SZ, MO, and the editor Walter Murch And Much Much More!! I have no idea what Much Much More means as I haven't had a chance to watch, yet."}, {"response": 928, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 2004 (20:51)", "body": "(Linda) I have no idea what Much Much More means Don't 4 Ms in a row always signify hidden Colin extras? ;-)"}, {"response": 929, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 2004 (23:30)", "body": "Oh, like those Easter Eggs in What A Girl Wants and others. How fun! The Where's Waldo of Colin extras. ;-)"}, {"response": 930, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 2004 (08:44)", "body": "(Dorine)Oh, like those Easter Eggs in What A Girl Wants and others Wot?? Hmmmm...think I missed something. Guess I know what I'm going to have to put in the DVD player tonight."}, {"response": 931, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 2004 (10:08)", "body": "(Dorine)Oh, like those Easter Eggs in What A Girl Wants and others Didn't PW mention that he planned to use them in the DVD of GWAPE? -If he did, I've been unable to find them. Has anyone found any on other DVDs (CF related, of course!)? I'd like to hear more of the non-fan's close encounter in Rome, the check-in desk and on the plane. Loved that he was cranky. Would love details! But the girl has no taste! Owen Wilson? Not my cup of tea."}, {"response": 932, "author": "cskerr", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 2004 (11:14)", "body": "Am I on? Well here goes. On the subject of hugging. CF is the best hugger I have ever seen. Long arms or not, he just knows how to do it. Disagree about kissing. He does know how, better than anyone I have seen. His use of his hands is perfect. Most actors look like they are stamping a girl for mailing or chewing on them. CF cups their haeds and faces and does it right."}, {"response": 933, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 2004 (12:30)", "body": "(Carolyn)CF cups their heads and faces and does it right. With clenched teeth;-("}, {"response": 934, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 2004 (12:54)", "body": "Welcome Carolyn! (Carolyn) Disagree about kissing. He does know how, better than anyone I have seen....CF cups their haeds and faces and does it right. (Evelyn) With clenched teeth;-( LOL! How true, how true. Sorry, Carolyn, but Colin doesn't show enough passion for me, when he's kissing. Remember, I am not advocating that he stick his f-ing tongue down anybody's f-ing throat. Merely holding someone's head doesn't show enough for me. Ya gotta press your face into theirs, move around a bit, get a hungry look in one's eyes..."}, {"response": 935, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 2004 (13:23)", "body": "With my new VCR I can zoom in on those kisses. I'm telling ya', those muscles around his jaw are taut; you couldn't pry them open with a crowbar. , Carolyn Didn't realize you were new. So, how do you feel about Camille;-)"}, {"response": 936, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 2004 (13:25)", "body": "Mean't my new Code Free DVD...which I love, BTW. My thanks to all who got it first and recommended it. You know who you are!!*clap, clap*"}, {"response": 937, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 2004 (13:36)", "body": "(Karen) get a hungry look in one's eyes... I think he can look the look (IMO BJD was full of wonderful pre-kiss and kiss looks) but he can't snog the snog...LOL. He seems to be trying so hard to make it right at times, but you can't do that when your clenching your teeth. He just looks tense or uncomfortable most times....BJD wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either.....nice boys do kiss like that ;-)"}, {"response": 938, "author": "cskerr", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 2004 (13:39)", "body": "Just whatched Camille for the second time. Need three times through to feel that I've really got it. Having been raised by an opera buff, I am more familiar with Traviata than with the play or film. I find the film so different. At first I found the main characters entirely too young. To me Violetta was a woman of some maturiy and vast experience. and Armand was a young unsophisticated man, not a callow youth, but inexperienced. Anyway, the film took some getting used to. Keep forgetting the story because CF is so beautiful just to look at. Must keep my mind on what I am viewing. Head and eyes, mind and heart!"}, {"response": 939, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 2004 (18:47)", "body": "(Tress)(IMO BJD was full of wonderful pre-kiss and kiss looks) AMEN to that!!!"}, {"response": 940, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 2004 (14:35)", "body": "It took me awhile to nail down, since it was three years ago, but I saw this comment and the date on the site was all wrong. Having been through various incarnations and passed through state ownership to achieve independent status, The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival this year celebrated its 36th birthday. The perfect setting for a 10-day event such as this, the small Czech town is located on the River Tepla in a forested valley near to the German border. All the festival venues are within half an hour's walk of each other and close to late-night dancing venues and the all-night beer and Internet tent. Having already seen over 15 of the featured films in other festivals or on general release, I caught up with another 17 during my 7-day stay. Neither is it a particularly starry event. As happens in any festival, some of the stars and directors who were supposed to turn up didn't. Colin Firth, Michael Caine and Bruce Beresford for instance, were last minute no-shows. Nastassja Kinski, Ray Winstone, Thora Birch, Terry Zwigoff, John Herzfeld, Ivan Reitman, Julian Sands and Joe Pantoliano were amongst those that did attend. Ben Kingsley, there to promote Sexy Beast, picked up an award for Outstanding Artistic Contribution to World Cinema and ran a seminar. Amid much excitement, Emir Kusturica performed with his crazy gypsy band The No Smoking Orchestra. Czech President Vaclav Havel, a great champion of the arts, popped by to attend the proceedings. Not being able to find a program listing for that 36th annual fest, I did manage to find an online festival diary. The closing night film was BJD, which would account for why he was supposed to attend. All very anticlimactic, huh? ;-)"}, {"response": 941, "author": "cskerr", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 2004 (15:38)", "body": "Interesting you should write about KarlovyVary. I was in the town in 1958 or 9. It was at Thanksgiving time, The streets were bare and there was noone there aside from our tour of USArmy dependents. That whole experience in Czechoslovakia was an eye-opener for me. SInce freedom has come to that country, things have obviously changed. I am happy for them. I was there at the low and scary point in their history and I lost my husband at that border trying to get a young man out. Six degrees of separation!"}, {"response": 942, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 2004 (21:10)", "body": "(Evelyn)So, how do you feel about Camille;-) LOL, Don't answer that, Carolyn... Can we leave Camille out if it--just once;-)) BTW- Carolyn"}, {"response": 943, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 2004 (09:01)", "body": "(Evelyn)So, how do you feel about Camille;-) (Ms. Cranky Pants II;-))LOL, Don't answer that, Carolyn... Can we leave Camille out if it--just once;-)) Leammealone, that's how I vet newbies...how else to see what kind of taste they have;-)"}, {"response": 944, "author": "Odile", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 2004 (12:35)", "body": "Camille rules! :) Old TIOBE interview with RE and ODB, didn't see it on firth.com: http://home.comcast.net/~rupever/earn.html CF quotes: -- On playing with an actor you already know: \"Knowing each other's steps, so much of what you might otherwise have to struggle for can be assumed. You already trust them; the barriers have been broken down; there's recognition between each other. In a film you're usually having to manufacture an intimacy with somebody whom you don't know at all, and you have an enormous task of suspending disbelief in order to act properly.\" -- blah blah heard before about the \"new\" TIOBE: \"It had become this iconic antique, dead as a doornail. And too often the productions I've seen have been an homage to aphorisms and epigrams and great literature, and it's been really dull. It's become a ritual where already converted Wilde devotees sit there and nearly laugh before they hear the lines. This one had to be given some freshness, and because it's so rich, when you appropriate the words, it was surprising how easily it felt like your own speech.\" -- on Wilde's renaissance: \"It's about time, is all I can say. One generation may have seen dozens of productions of his work and then they got tired of them and so he was put back on the shelf. And then you have a generation of kids whose parents aren't particularly interested in it, and they get to discover it. I think it goes in cycles like that. I spoke to a girl of about 17 who said the kids at her school had heard there was a film of 'Earnest' coming out and they were dying to see it and wasn't it cool? And when I told my dad what I was doing, he said, 'Oh, they're doing that again?' As if we'd been doing nothing but 'Earnest' year after year.\" -- on hidden reality: \"I find reserve interesting. When people describe uptightness, they always refer to the emotion that's underneath, the emotional story that's being told through the filter. The suggestion is always so much more powerful than having it be explicit. I've sat in a cinema and watched a person totally alienate me because they had done all the work. I was just being screamed at. Congratulations, but nothing's happening for me; I don't get to interact; I'm just being lambasted.\""}, {"response": 945, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 2004 (16:52)", "body": "Eowww! Italics! *running from room with eyes paralyzed*"}, {"response": 946, "author": "firehorse", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 2004 (00:26)", "body": "An update on Karen's last post about P&P being shown downunder. Well, I don't know if it's running as a counterprogramming tactic to the Olympics - to be honest, I don't know when the Olympics are on, as there's been no ads with dates of them as yet... But! I do know that P&P is actually starting THIS Sunday evening! Hoorah! And it got a lovely write up in the Sydney Morning Herald's TV Guide \"The love match of the haughty Mr Darcy and the headstrong Miss Elizabeth Bennett is exceeded only by the casting - Colin Firth smoulders as the brooding, prideful Darcy and Jennifer Ehle lights up every frame in which she appears as the determined, prideful Miss Bennett.\" Something to look forward to on Sunday evenings now... Oh, and Regency House Party is on as Karen said and it's been voted \"Show of the Week\""}, {"response": 947, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 2004 (07:37)", "body": "Wow-Thanks Odile, for the TIOBE article. That's one of my fav films of his. I, too, \"find reserve interesting\"...maybe it's a virgo thing. Too cute that he feels \"lambasted\" at the cinema sometimes!!"}, {"response": 948, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 2004 (08:12)", "body": "To be totally off topic, the Olympic Games run from 13 Aug to 29 Aug. Any overlap? I suppose it would depend on how they air P&P: once a week for how many weeks or consecutive night. Not all that important actually; however, that comment about \"couterprogramming\" came from an article. The same is done here. P&P used to be replayed Thanksgiving weekend, when most people are watching football games. ;-)"}, {"response": 949, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 2004 (14:08)", "body": "Reposting Carolyn's question here: HOw does CF do on stage? He is so famous, and justly so, for the subtlety (sp) of his eye, hand and body language. Does it get lost on stage? or is a completely different persona in film and on stage?"}, {"response": 950, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 2004 (15:26)", "body": "(Carolyn)for the subtlety (sp) of his eye, hand and body language. Does it get lost on stage? or is a completely different persona in film and on stage? Great question Carolyn and I'm sure the answer to this is in the Donmar archives, but since Colin's stage appearances are so rare it would be nice to have some input here from those lucky enough to have experienced it. Please, Donmar, ladies? Thank you in advance."}, {"response": 951, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 2004 (15:33)", "body": "Linda - Would SNL count? . .I kept trying to stare at him in person (OK came short of jumping off that balcony when he was right below us for the Cold Mountain sketch . .- but my eyes kept roving to the television monitors to get more of that subtlety I love so much in his performances . . ."}, {"response": 952, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 2004 (15:37)", "body": "Ask Karen, she was sitting inches from his feet:-)"}, {"response": 953, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 2004 (15:42)", "body": "(Karen) Ask Karen, she was sitting inches from his feet:-) You know I can't take that! You can't do that to me! LOL!!! GAAAAAHHHHH!!"}, {"response": 954, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 2004 (15:43)", "body": "Duh...that was Evelyn ...not Karen. I got a bit excited....sorry!"}, {"response": 955, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 2004 (15:51)", "body": "I bet that he a phenominal on stage. He seems to be a consumate perfectionist. That would mean that he would never step onto a stage unless he was prepared to give it his all. Carolyn\"or is a completely different persona in film and on stage?\" You're right Carolyn, stage is a very different medium than film. On stage, I imagine, you would lose some of that eye and hand work that we love so much. (unless you were lucky enough to be in the first couple of rows) BUT you would gain a whole new level of appreciation. You would get to experience sighs, pregnant pauses (that can't be edited out), and the electricity that can only be felt when you are in the presence of two, or more, people who are interacting to one another. Kimberly \"Would SNL count?\" Yes, I think it would. I just think a weekend would not be enough time for him to reherse and get comfy with the material. So we saw him being a \"slave\" to the teleprompter instead of being able to relax and have more fun with it. Wow...I sure did ramble on...Sorry, but that's one girl's thoughts."}, {"response": 956, "author": "cskerr", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 2004 (16:03)", "body": "I'll probably never be at a live CF stage performence, but I remember telling a group of by students with whom I was watching PandP to stop clapping and hooting (Darcy had just told off Caroline )and had adjourned to the music room and put the candle on the mantle. I told them,\"Now watch his mouth. You can tell what he is thinking by watching him just ever so slightly changing the muscles around mis mouth. That ladies and gentlemen is acting and you won't see it often, but this man knows how to do it. Watch and learn. It is the little things that make the difference.\""}, {"response": 957, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 2004 (16:14)", "body": "(carolyn)ou can tell what he is thinking by watching him just ever so slightly changing the muscles around mis mouth. Exactly . . . hence my strong interest in film/television acting . .on stage you need to be bigger, louder, broader so you can telegraph to the audience in the back row . .the camera forces you to tone it down . .an intake of breath, a slight clenching of the jaw, a stare when magnified by the camera it can be such a powerful tool . . . More ramblings on my part;)"}, {"response": 958, "author": "cskerr", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 2004 (16:28)", "body": "Kimberly Ramble on. It is nice to know I am not the only one to notice these things. I know we all hate Lium, but there is a moment in the marriage couselor's office that is vintage Firth. The camera has a moment of F sitting there while his wife goes on and on about their sex life We see a shot of his hand on his thigh with his fingers curling up and you just know he is thinking,\"forG@#$ sake shut up\" while he dies inside. I find that even in the sillier and inane films F always cokes through with moments of brilliance. It makes it worth watching even the films I don't like."}, {"response": 959, "author": "cskerr", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 2004 (16:30)", "body": "Kimberly Ramble on. It is nice to know I am not the only one to notice these things. I know we all hate Lium, but there is a moment in the marriage couselor's office that is vintage Firth. The camera has a moment of F sitting there while his wife goes on and on about their sex life We see a shot of his hand on his thigh with his fingers curling up and you just know he is thinking,\"forG@#$ sake shut up\" while he dies inside. I find that even in the sillier and inane films F always comes through with moments of brilliance. It makes it worth watching even the films I don't like."}, {"response": 960, "author": "cskerr", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 2004 (16:30)", "body": "Sorry, How did that happen?"}, {"response": 961, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 2004 (16:31)", "body": "Has nothing to do w/ above . .just staring at DVD cover for AMITC that will be release in UK Aug 9 . . . God bless code free dvd players"}, {"response": 962, "author": "cskerr", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 2004 (16:35)", "body": "I,ve odered the new AMITC. Do I have to have a special machine to view it? I own two copies of it now, but sine it is my favorite film, I am treating myself to a new copy. Hope the color and sound are better though the ones I have aren't bad"}, {"response": 963, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 2004 (16:54)", "body": "(Carolyn) I know we all hate Lium A pronoun you should leave at the Drool doorstep. ;-) (Carolyn) Do I have to have a special machine to view it? If you ordered that version from the UK, which is the only DVD version in existence, then yes you need a special player. Email me at nomdedrool@yahoo.com for details of where to procure."}, {"response": 964, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 2004 (17:28)", "body": "Oooo, lots of ODB on the tube coming up:-)) http://www.tv-now.com/stars/firth.html"}, {"response": 965, "author": "firehorse", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 2004 (22:44)", "body": "(Carolyn) You can tell what he is thinking by watching him just ever so slightly changing the muscles around mis mouth. (Kimberly) the camera forces you to tone it down . .an intake of breath, a slight clenching of the jaw, a stare when magnified by the camera it can be such a powerful tool . . . I totally agree with you ladies... in fact, it was precisely a moment like this that I fell totally for ODB. It was in BJD (I know, i'd missed all the P&P and other films...)when ODB was at Bridget's apartment preparing her blue soup birthday dinner and the door bell rings and it's her friends arriving. ODB glances up ever so slightly, presses his fingers on the knot of his tie and then up towards his mouth, index finger slightly curled towards the sensitve part between his nose and his upper lip. MMMMM, that is acting - so subtle that it makes you swoon! That scene, oh, and the last scene of BJD, when in between kisses, ODB answers Bridget's remark \"Hang on a minute, nice boys don't kiss like that!\" with his \"Oh yes, they f**king well do!\" - so subtly done - but, arrgh, so sexy at the same time. Yep - I must admit, it's his acting that got me hook, line and sinker ;-) (not to mention his smoulderingly handsome face!) And on the point of kissing, I must agree with Carolyn's earlier comment that he IS a good kisser, okay, with clenched teeth - maybe the directors didn't want open-mouthed kisses? and the only way he can do it is with his lips pressed together?!!!!?? But IMHO, I think he does cup their faces, and that is a loving gesture, a gesture that is sensitive and caring, not just like some of the other guys who look like they're trying to devour a hamburger or something! sorry for rambling also! :)"}, {"response": 966, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 2004 (23:34)", "body": "(Janice) maybe the directors didn't want open-mouthed kisses? Didn't seem to stop Huge with Renee. ;-) Or were you just referring to Colin? presses his fingers.... up towards his mouth, index finger slightly curled towards the sensitve part between his nose and his upper lip Yes, a signature move for him when he's (his character) nervous or distressed.... like in P&P when he finds Elizabeth distressed at the Inn after she found out her sister ran off with Wickham. I've forgotten off the top of my head where, but there are one or 2 other places he's done it, I think. not just like some of the other guys who look like they're trying to devour a hamburger or something! I don't mind seeing a hungry man once in a while. ;-)"}, {"response": 967, "author": "firehorse", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (02:22)", "body": "(Dorine) Didn't seem to stop Huge with Renee. ;-) Or were you just referring to Colin? I guess you've got me there! Maybe it's stipulated in Colin's contracts or something! ;-) I can just imagine the contract to read something like: Kissing Clauses for Mr. Firth Clause 1. Must kiss with teeth clenched. Clause 2. Mouth must not be opened (not even half opened - which would make lips soft and vulnerable to further exchanges of bodily fluids). Clause 3. Definitely no tongue. But may use other parts of the body e.g. hands and arms freely to express desire, love, sensuality etc etc. Yes, a signature move for him when he's (his character) nervous or distressed. As still new to ODB, I don't know that he uses it often. I must say though - no wonder it's his signature move - it works so very well! I don't mind seeing a hungry man once in a while ditto. Actually, Keeanu's kiss with Diane Keaton in Somethings Gotta Give - you know the one when they're in the kitchen is pretty hot. He also cupped her face. Maybe he learnt that move from ODB! :-)"}, {"response": 968, "author": "firehorse", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (02:29)", "body": "Nothing to do with above. sorry... but in answer to Karen's earlier post... (Karen) the Olympic Games run from 13 Aug to 29 Aug. Any overlap? Thanks for the dates for the Olympics. I don't much follow sports, as too much of it in Australia... :-( That would definitely mean that P&P will be still running when the games are on. As it is running only the one hour on Sunday nights over 6 weeks."}, {"response": 969, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (08:48)", "body": "( presses his fingers.... up towards his mouth, index finger slightly curled towards the sensitve part between his nose and his upper lip (Dorine)Yes, a signature move for him when he's (his character) nervous or distressed.... Not just his character. Also IRL. First interview for SIL on A&E he almost wore out his poor nose."}, {"response": 970, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (09:14)", "body": "He has many signature moves his Rolodex that you'll see repeated in his movies. I know this was discussed a long time ago, but does recur often during film discussion because people see similarities between his actions in different movies. Ya know, I did forget to mention a couple of those in MOTM that were particularly Paul to me."}, {"response": 971, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (12:11)", "body": "OK, I can't resist jumping in here... (Firehorse)I think he does cup their faces, and that is a loving gesture, a gesture that is sensitive and caring, not just like some of the other guys who look like they're trying to devour a hamburger or something! How's 'bout 1) The final scene in WAGW when he finally kisses Kelly Preston up by the band stand? and 2) The final scene in L'dom when he reunites with Hemingway at the train station? (One of the few scenes I can bear watching in this film) Both very nice examples of that delicious facial caress, IMO."}, {"response": 972, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (12:49)", "body": "(Evelyn) Not just his character. Also IRL. First interview for SIL on A&E he almost wore out his poor nose. Is this the BWTA interview? I just saw this for the first time recently. I thought it was LOL funny. He must have done about 6 or 7 nose tugs. He also did a couple of mouth swipes in that interview...where he checked the corners of his mouth for traces of breakfast. I was waiting for him to clean his ears (cuz I think he managed to check for eye boogers too in that ten minutes) ;-D"}, {"response": 973, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (12:54)", "body": "I believe the technical term is eye gunk. ;-)"}, {"response": 974, "author": "cskerr", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (13:09)", "body": "The real term is optical effluence Hah! How did we get onto this sujject? and I can figure out most of your initial abreviations, but what does LOL mean. I can'T translate that. It could mean Light of Love, Little Old Lady Hmmm?"}, {"response": 975, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (13:14)", "body": "Ugh! That sounds like a factory pollutant. ;-) LOL means laugh out loud"}, {"response": 976, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (13:15)", "body": "Laugh(ed) Out Loud. I have seen him do other things IRL, but not necessarily the hand to nose thing. Couldn't think of what they were offhand last night, though, when I posted."}, {"response": 977, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (13:29)", "body": "(Carolyn) The real term is optical effluence LOL....riiiiiiight....I'll remember that.... (Karen) Ugh! That sounds like a factory pollutant. ;-) ROTFL....and I thought...hmmmm...I should get some of that to clean my glasses! ;-) A soft cloth and some Optical Effluence and you're good to go! Eeewwwwwww! (Leslie) Both very nice examples of that delicious facial caress, IMO. Some examples (I love visuals): ] And this pic was included for strictly gratuitous reasons:"}, {"response": 978, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (13:35)", "body": "Oh gawd, Tress. How could I forget the scene from LA? Yes, Yes, Yes!!"}, {"response": 979, "author": "cskerr", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (14:00)", "body": "Ny final word on the subject: Eye YiYi(don't know how that's spelled, but you get the drift. I missed BWTA though I usually watch it. What did I miss? WHen was the program of which you speak?"}, {"response": 980, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (14:07)", "body": "Yikes, didn't expect this today. Lovely. I love discussing YKW's body language, movements, excretions--well, ok, effluences. I notice so many of his little movements in films that totally bring me to another place. But, like Dorine, I can't always remember off the top of my head. One of my favorites is the way he slips off his suit jacket. He does it so smoothly-in the kitchen scene of BJD, then twice more, but I can't remember. Each time I see it, I say, \"there it is, again,\". But of course, I don't write it down and and it's gone. He uses the same action when slipping off his cape in GWAPE for the camera obscura scene. Just a different period, different dress, same mannerism. Thanks Tress for Jamie and Henry-they are always a sight for sore eyes and the man himself-I'm lost for words, but... I'll see your gratuitous and raise you stupendous;-)"}, {"response": 981, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (14:11)", "body": "(Carolyn) What did I miss? WHen was the program of which you speak? This was for SIL so was quite a while ago (probably 1998)...I can't even remember what all Colin talked about (SIL, working with another Fiennes brother, other random things). I was transfixed by all the things he kept doing...was funny to watch him fidget. The first nose swipe I thought \"well, that's not too bad\" and then he did it again...and again...and again...by the fourth or fifth time I was laughing. He was either really nervous or really relaxed."}, {"response": 982, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (14:19)", "body": "Oh! You're playing that game, are you? Well....I see your stupendous and give you a \"YOWZAAAAAAAAAAAAA!\" Double post...sorry...couldn't be helped....I felt cornered...(sure hope Giambalvo & Napolitano don't mind) ;-D"}, {"response": 983, "author": "cskerr", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (14:22)", "body": "Tress Oh I thought it was something recent and I was kicking myself. I always seem to miss CF on television interviews. Another mannerism I love is the dropping of his left shoulder Soooo sexy, I can't tell you where exactly he does it, but it is a frequent action. Suppose people were watching us with such care. We wouldn't be able to function. It's like asking the centipede how it walks; it never walks again."}, {"response": 984, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (14:23)", "body": "I don't like that one; the four capped front teeth stand out too much. Cheap job."}, {"response": 985, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (14:28)", "body": "(Evelyn) I don't like that one; the four capped front teeth stand out too much. He really needs to bleach those other teeth. The canines always stand out with the color difference when he grins. Too much Starbucks. ;-)"}, {"response": 986, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (14:32)", "body": "(Linda)One of my favorites is the way he slips off his suit jacket. He does it so smoothly-in the kitchen scene of BJD, then twice more, but I can't remember. I think one might be in HS when Colin and Mandy return to the motel room after speeding along the street. Colin comes in and takes off his jacket....maybe \"glides out of jacket\" is a better description. :-)"}, {"response": 987, "author": "cskerr", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (14:32)", "body": "Well, I see we have gone from eyes to mouth. Does this indicate that we are moving down (in more ways than one)? Let me know when you get there. The hands and feet, of course LOL Poor dear has no privacy (pronounced privasy) at all with us around."}, {"response": 988, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (14:42)", "body": "(Dorine) The canines always stand out with the color difference when he grins. Too much Starbucks. ;-) And too many years puffing away on smokes. He's got crazy crooked teeth down below too...love those. His teeth are tiered. (Carolyn) Does this indicate that we are moving down (in more ways than one)? Let me know when you get there. LOL...it always 'gets there'...eventually..."}, {"response": 989, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (18:52)", "body": "(Kathryn)I think one might be in HS when Colin and Mandy return to the motel room after speeding along the street. Colin comes in and takes off his jacket....maybe \"glides out of jacket\" is a better description. :-) YES, that's it. HS in the motel, Thank you. It's been bugging me all afternoon. And Glides is the better description. (Tress)LOL...it always 'gets there'...eventually... Yeah, you may have to decide right or left, but 'there' is the place to go;-) From now on I'm smiling with my mouth closed.;-)"}, {"response": 990, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (19:06)", "body": "Ooooohhh! He doesn't have to hide the choppers does he? I love it when he gives toothy grins. Here is one that might be better (Evelyn is this one okay?? ;-D) I just love all the laugh lines that have come into being as he has gotten older. I think they make him look dead sexy!"}, {"response": 991, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (21:19)", "body": "(Tress)I just love all the laugh lines that have come into being as he has gotten older. Yes, I love *my* Colin a bit older too. And while we're on the topic of his signature moves....let us not forget that some of us have crowned him His Royal Highness, the Grand Poobah of Snuzzles. This one's for you, Linda..."}, {"response": 992, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (22:38)", "body": "Geez, all of this talk about caps and bleaching had me a little worried that this was morphing into the CF extreme makeover topic! ;-) And then the eye, nose, and mouth stuff--knew it had to be the Timberly BWTA interview. ;-) I'm convinced he saw that tape, recoiled in horror, and has sat on his hands during interviews ever since. (Well, myabe not in Italy....)"}, {"response": 993, "author": "firehorse", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 2004 (01:04)", "body": "(Leslie)Yes, I love *my* Colin a bit older too. Yes, I agree, his face is getting more and more lovable to me, unbleached canines and all. You know how some guys just really \"grow\" into their faces... I think that definitely applies to ODB. Not that I didn't like his looks in say AC - but it's just not the *same* Colin to me... ;-) But I have to say that strangely enough, I find some of his more haughty looks to be more sexy. Like when he comes out of the tub to look down through the window in P&P and also the dingdong moment - in BJD when he turns around with the reindeer jumper. I don't know about HS, I didn't think much of his tassle-twirling antics, but then, when I was watching the DVD again on my laptop...suddenly all I saw were his shoulders, those bicceps, that chest... mmm just yummy eye candy... :-P"}, {"response": 994, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 2004 (07:58)", "body": "(firehorse)I find some of his more haughty looks to be more sexy. Like when he comes out of the tub to look down through the window in P&P I'm not sure I'd call that one haughty. To me it seemed that was one of the first times he realized Lizzie actually appealed to him. But then again, that's one of the wonderful things about subtle expression...it can have multiple interpretations."}, {"response": 995, "author": "cskerr", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 2004 (15:42)", "body": "Hi! is anyone there? Do you all take Thursdays off? I don't see anything except lesliep on my screen. How can I rejoice without my daily fix now that I am addicted? There are questions I would ask, but hesitate to do so because you all have probably talked about them already sometime in the last seven years while I was wandering in the wilderness. Well I'll try one anyway. What did Darcy say to Lizzy when he came upon her walking across the countryside to visit her sister at Netherfield? I don't mean the audible script , but what he said as she walked by him. I don't read lips very well, but he said something beacuse she stiffened for a moment. Just curious if any of you know or have a thought on the subject"}, {"response": 996, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 2004 (16:00)", "body": "(carolyn) What did Darcy say to Lizzy when he came upon her walking across the countryside to visit her sister at Netherfield? I don't mean the audible script , but what he said as she walked by him. I don't read lips very well, but he said something beacuse she stiffened for a moment You mean when he gestered for her to walk in front of him? kinda streching his arm out toward Netherfield?"}, {"response": 997, "author": "cskerr", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 2004 (16:06)", "body": "(SB Robinson) Yes, as Lizzy stepped by him he said something to her that made her stiffen for just a moment. It is hard to tell whether it was Firth saying something to JE or Darcy saying something to Lizzy which may not have been scripted, or was cut. Just curious if anyone else noticed this. A minor point, but I have always been curious."}, {"response": 998, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 2004 (16:09)", "body": "carolyn! - crazy girl . .I'm here - am off home sick;) . . .Was happy to see Fever Pitch as I turned on the channel to IFC;) . .ah brightens up my icky day . .paul ashworth and arsenal . . keep asking your questions . .I'm fairly new here myself . .just since last november;) Hmmm . .will have to check my p&p DVD for a bit for that question . ."}, {"response": 999, "author": "cskerr", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 2004 (16:17)", "body": "I am probably opening a can of worms with this observation. I do not think CF pertrays anger well. He seems to feel that raising the pitch and loudess of his delivery denotes anger. I have had a deal of experience with angry men (twin brother and father) and in my experience real anger is very deep and rarely rants. When I asked an actor friend of mine about this, his responce was that either CF had had little experience with anger (for which I am greateful for him) or he knows the emotion well and doesn't want to \"go there\"(for which I am truly sorry for him)"}, {"response": 1000, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 2004 (16:30)", "body": "I would imagine his portrayal of anger is at the direction of the, well.... director."}, {"response": 1001, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 2004 (16:31)", "body": "(Leslie)His Royal Highness, the Grand Poobah of Snuzzles. This one's for you, Linda... Mille grazie. Since my epiphany moment several years after P&P was during BJD--it was probably that scene, that nuzzle, and the lips pressed together that made me sit up and say OMG. Just looking at that capture makes me shiver even in this heat. What can I say, but OMG. Thanks Leslie!"}, {"response": 1002, "author": "cskerr", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 2004 (16:37)", "body": "I too sat up and took particular notice of the \"snuzzle\" ability of our hero. Any man who can do that has my vote, whatever he's running for. Has the election season finally gotten to me. I hope not."}, {"response": 1003, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 2004 (21:53)", "body": "Ditto-only it was on my third or fourth viewing of BJD!!! I don't know what happened. I got caught up in Bridget's initial impression of him being a \"nasty bastard\" and never changed my opinion. Until the third or fourth time he was at her door on her birthday looking up her with those eyes. Then...... *DING DONG* :o)"}, {"response": 1004, "author": "firehorse", "date": "Fri, Jul 30, 2004 (01:48)", "body": "(Leslie)I'm not sure I'd call that one haughty. To me it seemed that was one Of the first times he realized Lizzie actually appealed to him. perhaps you're right - it's not all that haughty - but his \"in love\" look definitely looks like he's \"in pain\". (LOL) Maybe that is the perfect look that captures the sentiment \"pangs of the heart\" when one is in love! (Yvette)only it was on my third or fourth viewing of BJD...Until the third or fourth time he was at her door on her birthday looking up her with those eyes Can you believe that I was so sore with Bridget ending up with *him* rather than Hugh the first time I watched the film? And it wasn't until last year... Yep last year! when I recorded BJD off the telly - it was the Sunday night movie - that I noticed ODB! To think of the years I've wasted, not knowing who he was. Ha! And yes YES! He snuzzles sooo well with Bridge. But I also think that Renee Z. is absolutely fantastic as an actress. I don't know why ODB is being paired off with so many much younger actresses in his recent films. I mean really! And half of them can't act! I didn't think much of Heather G in HS - okay, she was great as Rollergirl, but then, I just think it's PT Anderson's good work. And in TIOBE I can't say that my vote was for Frances O (even though she is a fellow Australian). Granted that Scarlett J was absolutely wonderful in GWAPE. But I can't say that I think much of Mena S.'s acting.... or looks?! Am I the only one? ODB should be paired off with actresses more his age and more importantly, he deserves to be acting alongside actresses that are more to his calibre! oops. sorry for going on so long! I was on a roll there... ;-)"}, {"response": 1005, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Fri, Jul 30, 2004 (08:31)", "body": "(firehorse)Can you believe that I was so sore with Bridget ending up with *him* rather than Hugh the first time I watched the film?.....To think of the years I've wasted, not knowing who he was. Ha! LOL. So glad you've come to your senses and seen 'the light'. No one should ever be held respnsible for their youthful indescretions."}, {"response": 1006, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 30, 2004 (10:06)", "body": "(Carolyn) I do not think CF pertrays anger well. He seems to feel that raising the pitch and loudess of his delivery denotes anger. I quite agree and ususally cringe whenever he goes into one of his typically shrill outbursts. (firehorse) I don't know why ODB is being paired off with so many much younger actresses in his recent films. Because younger actresses are what they cast in films these days. An actress of Colin's age would be playing the mother of a grown child (if anything) or a grandmother in today's world. There have been many articles/discussions about this trend on O&E. Thus far, the age of Colin's co-stars has been within acceptable ranges. I don't count Scarlett because it was an unconsummated love and not even a real love if you subscribe to the artist/model relationship view. Where there are more than three decades' difference that comments will be made in print."}, {"response": 1007, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jul 30, 2004 (12:37)", "body": "(Carolyn) I don't read lips very well, but he said something beacuse she stiffened for a moment. Just curious if any of you know or have a thought on the subject \"Like your t*ts in that top\" Oooops....wrong film, huh? ;-) (Carolyn) I do not think CF pertrays anger well. (Karen) I quite agree and ususally cringe whenever he goes into one of his typically shrill outbursts. His loud anger is not nearly as convincing as when you can see him simmer under the surface. In Conspiracy, when he is sitting there listening to various people, before he goes on the tirade, you can just see the temples moving and the jaw twitching. I think those are his finest 'angry' moments. He does it in GWAPE too. Not the full blown freak out over the comb (though I did like that tantrum...), but when he is sitting there at the table watching Van R. You can see the resentment and you know he hates the situation. Same with the scene outdoors when Van R talks about Griet posing for him. The quiet anger is well done...and a bit spookier for me to watch (because that is when you get the feeling he's really pissed)."}, {"response": 1008, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jul 30, 2004 (14:55)", "body": "(Tress)The quiet anger is well done... and a bit spookier for me to watch (because that is when you get the feeling he's really pissed). I agree Tress. And though I think ATA sucks as a film I think he does a good job perculating, then exploding as the father taunts his character at the dish to pass supper."}, {"response": 1009, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jul 30, 2004 (15:22)", "body": "(Tress)His loud anger is not nearly as convincing as when you can see him simmer under the surface Totally agree with you on Conspiracy. (Karen) I quite agree and ususally cringe whenever he goes into one of his typically shrill outbursts. Uh, like on the golf course in HS???"}, {"response": 1010, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Fri, Jul 30, 2004 (17:59)", "body": "Tress \"Like your t*ts in that top\" Oooops....wrong film, huh? ;-) LOL* Good one Tress!!! :o)"}, {"response": 1011, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Fri, Jul 30, 2004 (21:37)", "body": "(Firehorse) Can you believe that I was so sore with Bridget ending up with *him* rather than Hugh the first time I watched the film? Can you believe that I'm still sore about it? I still think that Bridget and Daniel would've made a more realistic couple. Okay, you can send the firing squad now. I'm ready. ;-)"}, {"response": 1012, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 30, 2004 (23:13)", "body": "(Karen) I quite agree and ususally cringe whenever he goes into one of his typically shrill outbursts. (Linda)Uh, like on the golf course in HS??? FP was the worst, IMO.MOTM at the hospital, Tumbledown too , I think. If anger is called for , he reaches into his Roladex of roles and pulls out the ole stand-by;-)"}, {"response": 1013, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Sat, Jul 31, 2004 (10:23)", "body": "(Evelyn) FP was the worst, IMO AWWW...I loved all of his little outbursts in that one. I especially like all of his animated shouting from the sidelines whlie he's coaching. (Ildi) I still think that Bridget and Daniel would've made a more realistic couple. Oh Ildi, no no no. Daniel is is just a bad man who should go crawling back to his American stick insect!!!"}, {"response": 1014, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Sat, Jul 31, 2004 (10:43)", "body": "(Yvette) Daniel is is just a bad man who should go crawling back to his American stick insect!!! So what's he doing back with her in TEOR? Believe me, they were made for each other. The idiot and the rake. A perfect match. Darcy couldn't take her anywhere, she makes an ass of herself wherever she goes. And what on earth could those two ever talk about, aside from the weather? I just can't see it. Sort of like trying to pair Fitz Darcy up with Lydia Bennett. Impossible."}, {"response": 1015, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Sat, Jul 31, 2004 (11:45)", "body": "Yeah, you're right. I haven't read either of them-yet. I'm sure I'll get a little more insight once I have."}, {"response": 1016, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Jul 31, 2004 (12:25)", "body": "(Ildiko) And what on earth could those two ever talk about, aside from the weather? I just can't see it. In the book Bridget is a bit more together and can keep up....she still says terribly hilarious things at the absolute wrong time, but you get the feeling that her and Mark would be very good for one another. They dumbed her down for the film. Besides, a man who wears reindeer jumpers and puts his foot so royally in his mouth doesn't have too much wiggle room when it comes to sophistication, IMO. I think they belong together....Daniel was a user and cruel. Mark doesn't have a mean bone (that I've seen) in his body (well, except when he smacks down DC, but I believe he deserved that) and neither does Bridget."}, {"response": 1017, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Sat, Jul 31, 2004 (12:50)", "body": "Tress, my opinion on these two are based on what I see in the movie, not what I read in the books. Although I didn't care much for BJD, I found TEOR quite entertaining, and as lots of people say, Bridget isn't that dumb in the books. I had no problem with Bridget and Mark as a couple in the books, but in the movie they seem like the most unsuitable couple to me. Even though Mark isn't perfect, he has his faults, but she is way too dumbed down for him. When did Mark put his foot royally in his mouth btw? I haven't watched BJD in a looong time..."}, {"response": 1018, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Jul 31, 2004 (13:01)", "body": "(Ildi) When did Mark put his foot royally in his mouth btw? At the turkey curry buffet. When he was speaking to his mum. He could have used a bit more tact....there were friends and family very close by and he insulted her pretty badly. But it was an homage to Fitzwilliam's \"not handsome enough to tempt me\" speech so I guess I can live with it ;-)"}, {"response": 1019, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 2004 (21:38)", "body": "(Ildi)Even though Mark isn't perfect, he has his faults, but she is way too dumbed down for him. Maybe Mark was just tired of living his life like he had a gherkin thrust up his ass, and was looking for someone down to earth and funny. Someone very unlike Natasha."}, {"response": 1020, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 2004 (23:03)", "body": "(Lindak) Mark ... was looking for someone down to earth and funny. Yeah, but Bridget was ridiculous, not funny. And that's what irks me really, almost every time we see her she comes off as a total idiot. I can see Mark wanting someone different from Natasha, but how low can he go? Mark and Bridget are day and night as far as I can see (in the movie). Aside from his \"insult\" at the beginning, (and gherkin up the arse or not)he seems like an intelligent, normal guy, and all we see of Bridget is her blunders. I feel that it's a major flaw in the movie, presenting her as a moron who can't hold her drink, doesn't have a bit of common (or any kind of) sense, and generally can't do anything right. I was hoping that in TEOR she'd improve a bit, they'd \"undumb\" her a little, so the difference between her and Mark wouldn't be so jarring, but after seeing the trailer I uncrossed my fingers. There's no point in keeping them crossed anymore, she seems as bad in this one as in BJD. :-( (Tress) He could have used a bit more tact. LOL! Yes, he could've said all that a bit more quietly, so no one would've overheard him. But what he said of Bridget was true. She did smoke like a chimney, drank like a fish, and dressed like her mother. Unfortunately."}, {"response": 1021, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 2004 (00:48)", "body": "(Ildi) She did smoke like a chimney, drank like a fish, and dressed like her mother. He was being a bit prejudiced though....a man wearing a reindeer jumper cannot through turkey curry at a woman wearing a carpet. ;-D And she drank on New Years Eve? To quote Natasha...\"how odd!\" LOL!"}, {"response": 1022, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 2004 (07:47)", "body": "(Tress)a man wearing a reindeer jumper cannot through turkey curry at a woman wearing a carpet Exactly! LOL. I still hold to the old saying that 'opposites attract';-)Either that, or the sex is fantastic;-)"}, {"response": 1023, "author": "firehorse", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 2004 (21:29)", "body": "(Ildi)Yeah, but Bridget was ridiculous, not funny. And that's what irks me really, almost every time we see her she comes off as a total idiot. I can see Mark wanting someone different from Natasha, but how low can he go? No, no. please no... Natasha is shallow, hollowed-out shell of a person, maybe good at her job, maybe has \"good taste\" whatever that means, but artificial, shallow and IMO, generally unlikeable. Whereas Bridge is sentimental - she wears a carpet at her mother's turkey curry buffet - not because she's dumb, but because she wanted to please her mother, as did Mark - and yes, they KNOW they look ridiculous in those outfits. And from what I can see (I confess that I haven't read BJD, but did read TEOR) in the film - that Bridget is not dumb, she sticks to her plans, she is lonely sometimes and wants to be loved. Preferrably by someone who will be as honest to her as she is to them. The outburst that Mark gave at the curry buffet only confirms his honesty. What she writes in her diary confirms her honesty. They are not necessarily pleasantries. But they both overcame what they had thought about the other. I think that is what is so special about their relationship, as opposed to the one with Daniel - which seems to be more fun and kind of sexier - which was why I initially loved Bridge and Dan being together."}, {"response": 1024, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Tue, Aug  3, 2004 (08:35)", "body": "(firehorse) No, no. please no... Natasha is shallow, hollowed-out shell of a person, maybe good at her job, maybe has \"good taste\" whatever that means, but artificial, shallow and IMO, generally unlikeable. Whereas Bridge is sentimental - she wears a carpet at her mother's turkey curry buffet - not because she's dumb, but because she wanted to please her mother, as did Mark - and yes, they KNOW they look ridiculous in those outfits. The movie does portray Bridget as a bit more of a fool ( okay, a lot more that a bit) than the novel but she is still a kind fool with a good heart. Her sincerity allows her foolishness a place to dwell-makes her vulnerable and many times ridiculous. She is not calculating , manipulative or spiteful and she wins my trust, if not always my positive reactions to her actions."}, {"response": 1025, "author": "firehorse", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 2004 (07:17)", "body": "You're right Bonnie - your description \"kind fool with a good heart\" is spot on - but still, not dumb! I don't know, maybe I'm just picky with words, but there're many films that portray women or the female lead as \"dumb\" - not UK films, granted, but any sort of US light comedy would have a female character that has \"dumb\" attributes with perhaps less likeable attributes than Bridget. I like her and I can see why Mark Darcy would like her too! ;-)"}, {"response": 1026, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 2004 (09:36)", "body": "Errr, because she was so knowledgeable about Aghani Heany and el Ni\u0148o? ;-)"}, {"response": 1027, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 2004 (12:23)", "body": "But Latin music was on it's way out! Why bother with el Nino? ;-D And she was perfectly ready and able (after just a bit of study) to talk about Chechnya...and so what if F.R. Leavis is dead? Cambridge grads may still appreciate you as long as you wear see-through blouses and short skirts...LOL... ;-)"}, {"response": 1028, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 2004 (12:35)", "body": "As there seems to be a bit of a lull in activity, perhaps some people would like a small diversion. :-) FIRTH FILM FACT FINAL (The 4 F's) PART ONE: Name the same actor or actress who had scenes with Colin in these films. (Note: Sophie Thompson could not be used for Tumbledown because she hadn't any scenes with Colin in the shot.) 1. THOTP and TDBS 2. AZ and DQ 3. TIOBE and AC 4. LE, AMITC, SIL, and THOTP 5. AMITC and Conspiracy 6. Conspiracy and Valmont 7. Hostages and AMITC 8. TEOR and BJD 9. Londinium and MLSF 10. P&P and DG 11. SIL and TIOBE 12. AC and DG 13. Tumbledown and SIL 14. P&P and WAGW 15. P&P and Tumbledown 16. COF and HS 17. TIOBE, SIL, and GWAPE 18. TEOR and BJD 19. RV and Londinium 20. MOTM and WAGW"}, {"response": 1029, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 2004 (15:09)", "body": "Oooh Kathryn . .thanks! . .some of these are really stumping me . ."}, {"response": 1030, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 2004 (15:35)", "body": "I have way too much time on my hands . . . ****************************************************** 1.THOTP and TDBS - Ian Holm (Father Albertus/Sir William Collyer) 2. AZ and DQ \ufffd Liz Smith (Mary Louise McKinney /Granny) 3. TIOBE and AC - Rupert Everett (Algy/ Guy Bennett) 4. LE, AMITC, SIL, and THOTP - Jim Carter( Inspector Crabbe/Ellerbeck/Ralph Bashford/Matheiu) 5. AMITC and Conspiracy - Kenneth Branagh ( Moon/ Heydrich) 6. Conspiracy and Valmont - Ian MacNiece (Dr.Klopfer / Azolan) 7. Hostages and AMITC - Natasha Richardson (Jill / Alice Keach) 8. TEOR and BJD - Renee Zellwegger ( Bridget Jones \ufffd both films) 9. Londinium and MLSF \ufffd Irene Jacob (Fiona/Heloise) 10. P&P and DG \ufffd Adrian Lukis (Wickham/Murray) 11. SIL and TIOBE - Judi Dench (Queen Elizabeth/Lady Bracknell) 12. AC and DG \ufffd Robert Addie (Delahay/Cone) 13. Tumbledown and SIL - Mark Williams (Lumpy/Wabash) 14. P&P and WAGW \ufffd Anna Chancellor (Miss Bingley/Glynnis) 15. P&P and Tumbledown \ufffd Barbara Leigh Hunt (Lady Catherine DeBourgh/ Jean Lawrence) 16. COF and HS \ufffd Minnie Driver (Benny /Vera) 17. TIOBE, SIL, and GWAPE \ufffd Tom Wilkinson (Dr. Chausable/Fennyman/Van Ruijven) 18. TEOR and BJD - Hugh Grant (Daniel Cleaver - both films) 19. RV and Londinium \ufffd Stephen Fry (Crestwell / Therapist) 20. MOTM and WAGW \ufffd Sylvia Sims (Stephen\ufffds mom/Princess Charlotte)"}, {"response": 1031, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 2004 (15:56)", "body": "Oh my, you really do. ;-)"}, {"response": 1032, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 2004 (16:27)", "body": "Brava, Kimberley! 100% and with each character's name, no less. It probably took me more time to work the items up and type them than it did for you to answer.:-) I have a Part Two that's a bit harder, dealing with connectings threads in films, if anyone would like it posted (or Karen, would you prefer this be done via email?)."}, {"response": 1033, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 2004 (16:28)", "body": "(Tress) And she was perfectly ready and able (after just a bit of study) to talk about Chechnya... Thank goodness she had no opportunity to do that, I'm glad we were spared the experience. ;-) (Bonnie) ...but she is still a kind fool with a good heart. LOL! I guess that's the kind of attitude I should have. I should count my blessings and feel relieved that she isn't a mean one. ;-) Kimberley, you are good. I haven't even seen half of those movies..."}, {"response": 1034, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 2004 (16:56)", "body": "(ildi)Kimberley, you are good. I haven't even seen half of those movies... Sigh . .I've seen or own most of these pics . . the only one I haven't seen is TDBS - had to check IMDB for that one . . . Bring on part 2 Kathryn . .this is v. challenging"}, {"response": 1035, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 2004 (18:08)", "body": "Kimberly, you're scaring me ;;;-) But, you forgot to mention that Rene Zellweger was also in BJD and TEOR. scuttling back to my dark corner"}, {"response": 1036, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 2004 (18:14)", "body": "Ah, Eithne, but Kimberley did. #8 and #18 were both TEOR and BJD--one answer was Rene and the other Hugh. :-)"}, {"response": 1037, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 2004 (18:34)", "body": "Bravo, Kimberley!"}, {"response": 1038, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 2004 (21:34)", "body": "(Kim)I have way too much time on my hands . LOL, I'm glad you do. I've been away all day and it was nice to share someone else's homework;-) Thanks, Kathryn. Looking forward to more."}, {"response": 1039, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (09:15)", "body": "Part Two for FIRTH FILM FACT FINAL has 30 items, so I'm posting just the first 15 today. Note: Some threads may be obvious and others less so. Also, just because I thought of one thread, it doesn't mean there may not be others. :-) PART TWO: What's the connecting thread for these productions? 1. AMITC, LE, SG 2. HS, GWAPE, LE 3. FF, ATA, Playmaker, HS, TFTHH 4. RV, AC, P&P, TIOBE, Valmont, SIL 5. FP, DG, AC 6. LA, SLOW, BABAF, TFTHH, WOF 7. WOF, FF, Playmaker, Tumbledown, THOTP 8. AC, DG 9. AMITC, LA 10. Conspiracy, TEP, TDBS 11. P&P, COF, Nostromo, SIL, THOTP, Valmont 12. AZ, Nostromo 13. DQ, MLSF 14. COF, SIL, AMITC, TDBS, TWOMH, Nostromo 15. MOTM, Nostromo"}, {"response": 1040, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (09:31)", "body": "Kathryn, really enjoying your quiz :-) As I should be doing very different things than drooling, I'll only have a go at no. 1: Could it be \"WW1\"?"}, {"response": 1041, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (09:53)", "body": "Yes, Annette, WWI is right. Glad to see you posting again. :-)"}, {"response": 1042, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (12:23)", "body": "I'll have a go at number (2). Colin plays an artist..."}, {"response": 1043, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (13:49)", "body": "Right you are, Tress. :-)"}, {"response": 1044, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (14:16)", "body": "I know I'm skipping out of order here, but... #13) Both DQ and MLSF took place in Scotland, no?"}, {"response": 1045, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (14:28)", "body": "Yes, Leslie, but I thought Janet would beat out everyone else on this answer.:-)"}, {"response": 1046, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (14:37)", "body": "3. FF, ATA, Playmaker, HS, TFTHH These all took place in the US...."}, {"response": 1047, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (15:11)", "body": "Yes. That's two in a row for you, Tress. :-)"}, {"response": 1048, "author": "cskerr", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (15:26)", "body": "I think this is the right site to ask a question. Have any of you read Minghella's Two planks and a Passion? I just read it, delightful. What part did CF play when he did it? I saw a part of the cycle in York many years ago. can't remember a word, but the experience was unforgetable. I can still see the sinners beings vomited out of Hell's mouth. Reading TPand a P bought it all back"}, {"response": 1049, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (15:42)", "body": "I just read this one too for the first time! Was very funny (I didn't expect it to be). Colin played Richard....the inventor of the kerchief (saves the sleeve). ;-)"}, {"response": 1050, "author": "cskerr", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (16:05)", "body": "(Tress) Richard is the king! That was a huge part. I saw a tiny picture somewhere in my trips through the internet sites of a production of T P and aP. It wasn't possible to enlarge it so I couldn't tell whether CF was in any of the pics. I also understand that TPand a P is NOT available on audiotape or any where else other than the play script. Do any of you have info about this?"}, {"response": 1051, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (16:58)", "body": "OK, Kathryn, this is burning a hole in my brain now.... #5) FP, DG, AC Soccer/Football was the sport of choice in each film?"}, {"response": 1052, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (17:01)", "body": "Oooohhhh....and I was thinking they were all \"school\" related???"}, {"response": 1053, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (17:08)", "body": "Okay - one more before bedtime: #7) could it be ODB in scenes without any clothes on Now - will head for Bedfordshire, as it seems my mind is already drifting towards dream-material :-)"}, {"response": 1054, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (17:08)", "body": "Multiple answers are possible. :-) \"sports\" in general (because soccer wasn't in AC--it was cricket) and/or \"schools\". Tress is 3 for 3 and Leslie is 1.66666 for 2. Well done, ladies."}, {"response": 1055, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (17:12)", "body": "Sweet dream, Annette. ;-)) You're right."}, {"response": 1056, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (17:13)", "body": "And here's my guess for #7) WOF, FF, Playmaker, Tumbledown, THOTP: We get to a nice shot of his bare bottom in each of these films :-) Or is my mind just stuck in the gutter as usual??"}, {"response": 1057, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (17:14)", "body": "Uh Oh, I guess Annette beat me to it for #7. Great minds do think alike!!"}, {"response": 1058, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (17:16)", "body": "#12) AZ, Nostromo : Both take place in South America"}, {"response": 1059, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (17:19)", "body": "Yikes, I can't keep up with the postings! Leslie and Annette both get full credit for correct answers for #7. [Although, sadly, there are no \"bottom\" shots in WOF and FF, the review board accepts Leslie's answer--just because of the \"no disclosure\" clause. :-)]"}, {"response": 1060, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (17:22)", "body": "#12 goes to Leslie, now aberaging 3.666666666666!"}, {"response": 1061, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (17:28)", "body": "Bugger! \"full disclosure\", not \"no disclosure\". Grrrrr."}, {"response": 1062, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (17:46)", "body": "I think I have another one... #4) RV, AC, P&P, TIOBE, Valmont, SIL: Wouldn't he be considered a member of the aristocracy in each of these films? (BTW..this is far more fun than the NY Times crossword puzzle - thanks for all your effort on this one, Kathryn)"}, {"response": 1063, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (17:53)", "body": "Ah Ha!! #9) AMITC, LA In each film he's been cuckolded by his prior love interest."}, {"response": 1064, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (18:08)", "body": "#4--\"idle rich\" but \"aristocracy\" has the right idea to it, so it's full credit on this one. #9--\"speech impediment\", but multiple answers are possible, so full credit here, as well. [If \"cuckold\", SIL and TEP should be added. :-)]"}, {"response": 1065, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (18:17)", "body": "Ooh . .girls was out all day and you started the quiz w/o me! My guess: 15. MOTM, Nostromo Dealing w/ underground scenes (cave/silver mines . .etc:)"}, {"response": 1066, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (19:10)", "body": "Correct, Kimberly. Sorry the quiz started without you. :-) Extra credit will be given for anyone who can give Evelyn's statement about the mine from Nostromo without looking it up . Sorry, Evelyn, you obviously can't answer. :-) Remaining unanswered items are: #6, 8, 10, 11, and 14."}, {"response": 1067, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (19:16)", "body": "I'll try #11 P&P, COF, Nostromo, SIL, THOTP, Valmont He rode a horse in each of these films?"}, {"response": 1068, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (19:21)", "body": "Thanks for keeping us occupied during this quiet spell, Kathryn! I've been out all day, and have missed a chance to post earlier, but think #11 may be that he is member of landed gentry in all these roles (or is that answer too similar to #4?) BTW Kathryn, you're right, I guessed #13 straight off!!:-))"}, {"response": 1069, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (19:30)", "body": "I thought this was answered . . here's a shot 8. AC, DG ODB was enrolled in all boys schools? . .and were in those luverly uniforms!"}, {"response": 1070, "author": "cskerr", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (19:33)", "body": "What wqas Evelyn\"s question about the Nostromo mine? I am listening to the recording of the musical score from Nostromo right now. It is so beautiful. The mine was named : Mina de san tome. Was that the question? SInce I watch that film almost every week (don't know why. It certainly isn't a happy story to watch the moral disintegration of two men, but it is so well done, I can't resist.COnrad isn't my favorite reading, but I can appreciate how skillfully he writes and what an extraordinary job was done to bring Nostromo to the screen. Pardon, I tend to blather on"}, {"response": 1071, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (19:34)", "body": "Trying another: 14. COF, SIL, AMITC, TDBS, TWOMH, Nostromo I'm thinking mustache/facial hair"}, {"response": 1072, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (19:49)", "body": "Linda - abt 14 - then she should throw Londoninum in that one too!"}, {"response": 1073, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (20:31)", "body": "(Kathy) Extra credit will be given for anyone who can give Evelyn's statement about the mine from Nostromo without looking it up. Sorry, Evelyn, you obviously can't answer. :-) Answer? *Scratching head* LOL. I can't even remember ;-)))"}, {"response": 1074, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (21:12)", "body": "Great work, ladies! It's down to #6 and #10, with the extra credit for Evelyn's even-I-can't-remember-what-I-said statement re: mine in Nostromo. :-) Linda, thanks for joining in and with two correct answers. #14 was facial hair [Kimberly, at this site, I'm loath to use Londinium references more than absolutely necessary. :-)] and #11 was horseback riding [Sorry, Janet, but THOTP wouldn't fit for landed gentry. :-)] Kimbery, your #8 answer is correct--enrolled at a boys' school. Although school was a correct answer for #5 from Tress, FP involves a teacher at a co-ed school and AC and DG involve students at a public boys' school."}, {"response": 1075, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (21:56)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1076, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (22:34)", "body": "6. LA, SLOW, BABAF, TFTHH, WOF - played a writer 10. Conspiracy, TEP, TDBS - airplane (WWII era) or you could say Colin's character worked or had worked for the government"}, {"response": 1077, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (23:12)", "body": "#6--yes, a writer #10--yes, tie-ins to WWII And with Karen's two right answers, that finishes the first half of Part II. Thanks to all the ladies who participated. :-) I will post #16-30 tomorrow, unless people would prefer a day's break."}, {"response": 1078, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (08:23)", "body": "Please post . .BTW - what was the extra credit? . .If even Evelyn couldn't remember . .now I'm curious to know what she had said:)"}, {"response": 1079, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (08:45)", "body": "I was reminded;-))) In the Nostromo discussion re: symbolism. \"He's not shagging his wife; he's shagging the mine.\" (Thanks Kath )"}, {"response": 1080, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (09:09)", "body": "I bat cleanup. ;-)"}, {"response": 1081, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (09:26)", "body": "Here's the second half from Part Two. Reminder: there may be other threads than what I saw, so multiple answers are possible. Let the not-so-challenging-for-this-group-of-ladies games begin. :-) 16. Valmont, WAGW, GWAPE, BABAF 17. LA, P&P, Valmont, TEOR 18. WAGW, TEP 19. TEP, TDBS 20. AZ, 1919, MOTM, Trauma 21. BJD, WAGW, Londinium, FF, THOTP 22. Valmont, P&P, 1919, SIL 23. Camille, Valmont, LA, SLOW, THOTP 24. TTTOTS, BABAF, TWOMH, TFTHH, 1919, TSG 25. OOTB, Londinium, Playmaker, TFTHH 26. ATA, COF, SIL, TWOMH, TDBS, OOTB 27. AMITC, Nostromo, Hostages, Tumbledown, LE, TIOBE, RV, SLOW, FP, COF, Playmaker, AZ 28. BJD, DQ, SIL 29. SIL, WAGW, HS, Valmont, P&P, MLSF, Playmaker, FF,DG 30. P&P, TTOTS, GWAPE, HS, BJD, TEOR, TEP, ATA, COF, TSG, Camille, Nostromo, LE"}, {"response": 1082, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (09:51)", "body": "Here's a long shot . . 21. BJD, WAGW, Londinium, FF, THOTP His charcters have difficuly saying what they truly feel to their female co-stars till the near end of the film."}, {"response": 1083, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (09:57)", "body": "Sorry, Kimberly, that won't fit for FF (\"You have to marry me!\" scene comes early on in the relationship) or THOTP [there's no emotional connection there--just sex--not that there's anything wrong with those scenes, mind you! ;-)]"}, {"response": 1084, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (10:22)", "body": "shot in the dark for #16...he wore a wig for each role"}, {"response": 1085, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (10:28)", "body": "Good night vision, Ada! Yes, wigs is correct."}, {"response": 1086, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (10:32)", "body": "#18 some of it filmed in Morroco in the desert?"}, {"response": 1087, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (10:46)", "body": "#20 He plays a psychologically troubled character"}, {"response": 1088, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (10:47)", "body": "Yes, Beedee, desert is right, although I don't know if TEP was actually Morroco but who's splitting sands, here, right? :-)"}, {"response": 1089, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (10:54)", "body": "Correct, Linda, for #20. Plans are in the works for a film in which Colin's character ties the sister he loved and murdered to a chair after forcing her to eat a spider and chopping off her blonde hair. Not too many investors are showing interest yet. :-)"}, {"response": 1090, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (10:56)", "body": "I'm good with the not-so-challenging;-) is #22 acted in movies set in consecutive centuries...17th to 20th?"}, {"response": 1091, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (10:59)", "body": "C'mon, Kathryn, give. How is it you can put TEOR in this quiz (#17)? Have you already seen the film, the final film? ;-)"}, {"response": 1092, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (11:00)", "body": "Wow! Good one for you, Ada. I never saw that connection--wish I could claim to because it's brilliant. :-) So, you get a correct answer for #22, but there's still another (less-insightful-one-from-Kathy) allowed."}, {"response": 1093, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (11:05)", "body": "(Karen)C'mon, Kathryn, give. How is it you can put TEOR in this quiz (#17)? Have you already seen the film, the final film? ;-) Amscray, it's the trivia police! I'm just using available information/pictures that I've procured from your site! :-)))))))))"}, {"response": 1094, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (11:09)", "body": "I only speak English. ;-)"}, {"response": 1095, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (11:37)", "body": "My go at #19: He's a pilot in both movies and #25: He's connected to tv-series in some way (producer or whatever) okay - back to RL, from which this is a lovely diversion. Thanks, Kathy :-)"}, {"response": 1096, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (11:45)", "body": "22. Valmont, P&P, 1919, SIL I've never seen 1919 . .so I'm making a guess . .does it have to do w/ fencing/sword fighting in each?"}, {"response": 1097, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (11:54)", "body": "Way to go, Annette. #19 is pilot and #25 TV/film productions. Sorry it's back to RL for you, but the weekend is near. Good inference skills, Kimberly. #22 is fencing--and it's over to Evelyn for another chance for sybolism with foils. :-)"}, {"response": 1098, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (12:05)", "body": "17. LA, P&P, Valmont, TEOR Ha! . .He gets soaking wet while fully clothed!!!!"}, {"response": 1099, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (12:13)", "body": "Very good for #17, Kimberly. [Note to self--must lobby for \"completely-see-through-when-wet\" clothing. :-)]"}, {"response": 1100, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (14:51)", "body": "(Kathy)-and it's over to Evelyn for another chance for sybolism with foils. :-) LOL...also canes and cue sticks;-)"}, {"response": 1101, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (21:03)", "body": "With so much action going on at Topic 191, would the clean-up hitter consider stepping from the on-deck circle and back into the dugout until later tomorrow? For anyone wanting last at-bats tonight and tomorrow, questions #21, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30 remain unanswered."}, {"response": 1102, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (21:47)", "body": "(from Gail, a lurker)#23...ODB in France Had to take a shot Right on the money (or franc, oops, sorry, Euro) Gail!"}, {"response": 1103, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (23:11)", "body": "#23 The French connection? Thanks for the trivia Kathyrn, great job! Sorry I missed all the fun!"}, {"response": 1104, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (23:28)", "body": "Oui (no, not that other homonym!), Maria. You and Gail overlapped, so you both get credit. [I was never this easy a grader when I was a teacher. :-)] Don't stop, though, there are still items left: #21, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30!"}, {"response": 1105, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (23:37)", "body": "Oops..OK, how about #21..Colin's character is with more than one woman in each..."}, {"response": 1106, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 2004 (00:06)", "body": "trying another shot...for #26, he plays the cad in each"}, {"response": 1107, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 2004 (00:11)", "body": "Sorry, Maria, that won't work because in FF Colin is only involved with one woman, multiple personalities notwithstanding. :-) #21 seems to be causing problems, so maybe it's time for a hint: Focus on the most disturbing trait of Colin's character from the middle film."}, {"response": 1108, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 2004 (00:16)", "body": "Ada takes her shot and, whoosh, it's a three pointer all the way from half- court! Yes, #26 is he plays a cad/bounder. Three for three today, Ada. :-)"}, {"response": 1109, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 2004 (01:50)", "body": "Is #24 limited screen time? (am gonna regret staying up late in the morning;-))"}, {"response": 1110, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 2004 (08:51)", "body": "\"You ought to be in pictures, la, la, la...\" Ada, you're definitely ready for your close-up.:-) #24 is limited screen time, and that gives you 4 for 4!"}, {"response": 1111, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 2004 (09:35)", "body": "(Kathryn) would the clean-up hitter consider stepping from the on-deck circle and back into the dugout until later tomorrow? I backed up to the locker room and am now out the door into the parking lot."}, {"response": 1112, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 2004 (10:52)", "body": "(Kathryn)#21 seems to be causing problems, so maybe it's time for a hint: Focus on the most disturbing trait of Colin's character from the middle film. A sad testament to the \"middle\" film is that all I can come up with is that he ate a meat pie and had gas...Thankfully, I don't think that is the thread that binds themm :)"}, {"response": 1113, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 2004 (10:55)", "body": "That really is too much of a hint, Kathryn. But it was about the only thing I liked in that movie."}, {"response": 1114, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 2004 (11:07)", "body": "And I'm thankful, too, Maria, that meat pies and gas is not the correct thread. Eeuuuwwww! Ummmmm, I wonder if we're thinking of the same thing, Karen. With #21, 27, 28, 29, and 30 still remaining, maybe it's time for the clean-up hitter to come back into the stadium. :-)"}, {"response": 1115, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 2004 (11:19)", "body": "Am truly pathetic at this..My next crack at 21 was that he came down stairs, but I can't recall if he did in L'dum, and then once I started thinking about Hotpig stair scene I kind of stayed there and forgot what I was worrying about...:)"}, {"response": 1116, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 2004 (11:37)", "body": "Love your \"never surrender\" attitude, Maria. :-) By the way, what does one do with one's hands when one surrenders??????? ;-))))))"}, {"response": 1117, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 2004 (12:06)", "body": "Number 21 I was thinking it was that he was a 'fighter'. But I don't recall a fight in FF (I remember he didn't wash his hands after his loo break in that one....but that isn't what one does when one surrenders, is it?? LOL! )."}, {"response": 1118, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 2004 (12:16)", "body": "He got beat up in FF, but now I don't recall a fight scene in HPig..LOL! Of course, with my memory, every day is a new beginning...."}, {"response": 1119, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 2004 (12:24)", "body": "Tress, Colin's charater did punch (fight) in FF when they were going to dig up the drug bag, so your answer for #21 is correct. Good for you. I was going for punching or fist fights because there are fights in other films, but those were with swords. #21 was based on the \"some right crosses are better than others, but two rights don't necessarily make a wrong\" concept. :-) And, well, I for one, always wash my hands before surrendering. Wasn't that covered in the 5th grade health curriculum? ;-)"}, {"response": 1120, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 2004 (12:28)", "body": "Maria, in THOTP, Colin punches the sherrif after the nasty crack he makes about the gypsy (can't remember her name right now). [I like your \"carpe hint\" attitude. :-)]"}, {"response": 1121, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 2004 (12:29)", "body": "Oh! But wasn't he fighting...or about to fight....with the locals when they were harrassing Samira and her brother (baptising them)? Father Albertus comes around the corner and stops it...were they actually fighting yet though??? Cannot remember! I'm with you Maria...my memory... Will have to start tattooing myself in the Memento manner."}, {"response": 1122, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 2004 (12:31)", "body": "LOL...and I'm slow too! Kathryn cleared it all up...."}, {"response": 1123, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 2004 (12:36)", "body": "No fists actually were harmed in the making of that scene, though, Tress. About to fight, yes. :-) Okay, folks, remember my original thread was \"punches\" and then I took \"fighting\" and then it made sense to include \"fist fighting\" and then I threw up my hands and surrendered( but only after I washed them)! :-))))))))"}, {"response": 1124, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 2004 (00:00)", "body": "Maybe the last four left are just too hard; Here are clues (with 'pologies to The Bard). For 27, there's a simple hint: He did this then, but you wish he didn't. 28 and 30 have one source of wealth To be found on any library's shelf. Last but not least is number 29. Just pay the piper and you will do fine."}, {"response": 1125, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 2004 (00:36)", "body": "Kathryn, you are too smart at this for me, but with the latest clues, I'll take a guess at # 30: They are all \"based\" on books."}, {"response": 1126, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 2004 (00:49)", "body": "Yes, Annette, all are adapted from books, or ,in other words, a novel idea!:-)"}, {"response": 1127, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 2004 (15:03)", "body": "30. P&P, TTOTS, GWAPE, HS, BJD, TEOR, TEP, ATA, COF, TSG, Camille, Nostromo, LE (Kathryn) all are adapted from books, or ,in other words, a novel idea!:-) Therefore eliminating plays. However, should the list not have included: AMITC, Valmont, and MOTM? How about a short story (TFTHH)? ;-)"}, {"response": 1128, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 2004 (15:10)", "body": "28. BJD, DQ, SIL Each of these paid homage to another book/story. BJD (P&P); DQ (Don Quixote) and SIL (Romeo & Juliet) One left, huh?"}, {"response": 1129, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 2004 (15:32)", "body": "Has anybody suggested a red thread for 29? If not - could it be dancing? I have really tried to get my little brain to work on something on #27, but I just can't seem to find anything at the moment. Just when I think, I've got something, it doesn't fit some of the movies mentioned. But - sooner or later, someone will figure it out, and I'll be here to salute her :-))) Great fun, Kathryn :-)"}, {"response": 1130, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 2004 (16:25)", "body": "29. SIL, WAGW, HS, Valmont, P&P, MLSF, Playmaker, FF,DG I think I have it . .has to do with him dancing/attending a dance?"}, {"response": 1131, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 2004 (17:12)", "body": "Mea culpa, Karen-who-only-speaks-English [pull the other one ;-)], I omitted MOTM and AMITC, which were also adapted from novels, on #30. Correct on #28 for paralleling other literary works. Extra credit has been applied for naming them. :-) Annette and Kimberly both get credit for #29 (dancing) since I had waltzed away from my computer for too long to keep up-to-date. :-) Number 27 still remains for a win. That's all right--it's a vice but not a sin......."}, {"response": 1132, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 2004 (17:19)", "body": "(Kathryn)Number 27 still remains for a win. One last chance to redeem myself... He smoked..."}, {"response": 1133, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 2004 (17:27)", "body": "Poof! You're right, Maria. Consider yourself redeemed.:-) And that's the end Of the Firth Film Fact Final. My thanks to all the ladies who participated. I had a lot of fun doing this, and I hope you had some fun, too. My fault for not closing tags? Will this work? I hope so...."}, {"response": 1134, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 2004 (17:28)", "body": "trying once again or it's over to you, Karen"}, {"response": 1135, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 2004 (17:34)", "body": "Okay, I'll do it, then amscray (I'm quick linguistically too). Did not Tommy Judd smoke?"}, {"response": 1136, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 2004 (17:34)", "body": "Great fun, thank you Kathryn."}, {"response": 1137, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 2004 (18:15)", "body": "Gosh, I don't remember any scene where Tommy Judd smokes--his hands are too full carrying his book, statue, and torch. :-) And, hey, it looks like I did close tags the second time around [I'm a slow learner, or, professionally speaking, \"close-tagged challenged\" :-)] A couple of ladies have emailed me, asking for copies of the test and answers. If you email me, I'm happy to oblige."}, {"response": 1138, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 2004 (22:04)", "body": "(Kathryn)And that's the end Of the Firth Film Fact Final. My thanks to all the ladies who participated. I had a lot of fun doing this, and I hope you had some fun, too. Awww, thanks to you! If you're not too busy I'd love another one! I love the games even if I only have the time to pop in and out."}, {"response": 1139, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 2004 (10:30)", "body": "Was wondering . .has anyone ever heard Two Planks and a Passion? Was speaking to Kathryn offline about this . . . am v. curious to hear it. Had put in call to audio/video marketing dept @ BBC - nothing. And emailed Radio 3 - they wern't releasing any copies either . . However I did ask if they were ever going to replay it . . . they said at this time it was not on their schedule . . Wonder if enough of people emailed to request it . .would they perhaps re-air the programme? Email: radio3@bbc.co.uk Website:www.radiotimes.com Just a thought."}, {"response": 1140, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 2004 (10:59)", "body": "Mass emailing of any business isn't advised. Just recently one movie sales agent changed its email address and installed a better filtering system for phone calls. The BBC can probably handle it, but you have to be careful about such things."}, {"response": 1141, "author": "cskerr", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 2004 (13:06)", "body": "(Kimberly) Tried to respond to you by email but my letter was returned (do I have the correct address?). What I can say about Two Planks and a Passion: I,too contacted BBC about rebroadcasting Ninghella\"s play (1986) and was told in a polite note that \"No\" thay had no plans ro rebroacast it and that all such requests were \"monitored\" (whatever that neans) Maybe if someone gets the idea that there is an interested market, they will take it out of the archives, dust it off, and give us a listen.. \"All things come to him who waits\" or is it \"They also serve who only stand and wait\"? Anyway, I am on the trail too. Maybe one of us will succeed."}, {"response": 1142, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 2004 (14:10)", "body": "(Karen)Mass emailing of any business isn't advised. True True . .sigh . . just wanted a listen . .the description of the play seemed right up my alley . . . Carolyn - got the same note from BBC. Guess we'll just have to wait and see . . ."}, {"response": 1143, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 2004 (18:47)", "body": "I found this site yesterday (Derek Ridgers was the one who took the 'bald pic', I did not know that before)...just thought it was interesting. ODCM was in good company. Some great pictures (I really like his color pics....the one of Elvis Costello is pretty amazing): http://www.derekridgers.com/archive/pages/Colin_Firth.html"}, {"response": 1144, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 2004 (19:43)", "body": "He was kinder to Johnny Depp than he was to Colin. In fact he is kinder to everyone else. Agree that his colored pics are the best. Some imitate de Chirico"}, {"response": 1145, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 2004 (19:55)", "body": "Did you see the two naughty Martine McCutcheon pictures? LOL...her legs don't look like tree trunks atall."}, {"response": 1146, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 2004 (07:41)", "body": "But how long ago were those, too? Not that I thought she was too big at the LA premiere, but she does look thinner overall in those pics. And cameras \"add\" weight."}, {"response": 1147, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 2004 (08:08)", "body": "Do they add height to those heels? ;-) Good thing she's sitting down. Nobody could walk with those."}, {"response": 1148, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 2004 (08:49)", "body": "Thanks, Tress! Nice ones!"}, {"response": 1149, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 2004 (09:23)", "body": "(Ev)He was kinder to Johnny Depp than he was to Colin. In fact he is kinder to everyone else. Ahh, well. Now I think that this is a beautiful photo. I believe that this was taken after Tumbledown and he shaved to even things out. I think that it shows his lovely bone structure to great advantage. After the initial shock (those lovely curls)I like it, very much."}, {"response": 1150, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 2004 (09:37)", "body": "I agree, Beedee, I like it very well indeed."}, {"response": 1151, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 2004 (09:39)", "body": "I know it is all a matter of perspective in the shot, however, look at the size of his right hand (perched atop that skinny forearm) supporting his head. The left hand, held higher and behind him , appears more diminutive due to its placement. I wonder what prompted the photographer to present Mr. Firth in this manner."}, {"response": 1152, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 2004 (11:37)", "body": "(Bonnie) I know it is all a matter of perspective in the shot, however, look at the size of his right hand (perched atop that skinny forearm) supporting his head. Love the hand in that pic...it is so distracting to me I barely notice the lack of locks. Though I think he looks just fine in Mr. Clean mode. It does make the chin cleft more visible....he's got nice lips... I wonder what prompted the photographer to present Mr. Firth in this manner. Thought it was very 'theatrical'. For some reason I think he looks like a modern, bald Hamlet...would have loved to have seen the other pics in this collection as I'm sure a few rolls were shot. I like how one eye is hidden and half his face is in shadow. His mum needs to tell him to sit up straight though, he's a bit hunched down."}, {"response": 1153, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 2004 (11:42)", "body": "(Bonnie)I wonder what prompted the photographer to present Mr. Firth in this manner. Wasn't this taken just after he'd finished Tumbledown? His head was partly shaved for the post-op scenes, so I'd assumed he'd take off the rest after filming was complete."}, {"response": 1154, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 2004 (11:59)", "body": "(Yvette)The left hand, held higher and behind him , appears more diminutive due to its placement. That hand almost looks like it belongs to a chid. I think the picture is quite intriguing, but I would need lots of time to adjust to a totally lockless Colin. I could do it, but not easily;-)"}, {"response": 1155, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 2004 (12:34)", "body": "(Karen) Good thing she's sitting down. Nobody could walk with those. I went to the professional...I think you may be right. Nobody (not even Bettie) could walk in these. Found one pic close...but I think she is holding v. v. still so as to not topple over...and using that arm in the air for balance. ;-)"}, {"response": 1156, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 2004 (12:47)", "body": "(Tress) Thought it was very 'theatrical' Yes, and therefore dramatic! (Janet) Wasn't this taken just after he'd finished Tumbledown? His head was partly shaved for the post-op scenes, so I'd assumed he'd take off the rest after filming was complete. Yes, I realize that. I meant this particular pose with hands so disproportionately displayed :-)"}, {"response": 1157, "author": "cskerr", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 2004 (15:01)", "body": "About the pic of the lady in the 6 inch heels. Reminds me of the charater Betty Boop. That really dates me. We used to draw pictures of girls with those realy high heels.. You don't walk in them, you toddle and you hold on to something, anything that is to hand. I guess it's supposed to make your legs look better than nature made them. Heaven knows some of us need all the help we can get, but I do not ever wear high heels. No more, never again!!"}, {"response": 1158, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 2004 (22:45)", "body": "Hmm . . on another note . . Just recieved my Region 2 AMITC DVD No special features nor little booklet inside as I had hoped. In the DVD cover there is a pic of Birkin & Moon perched atop a tomb in the graveyard . . Same pic is smaller on back of DVD case and a pic - I believe it is the end pic when Birking turns back to look at the church as he leaves. Can't wait to watch it;)"}, {"response": 1159, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 2004 (23:15)", "body": "(Kimberly) Just recieved my Region 2 AMITC DVD No special features nor little booklet inside as I had hoped. Don't they specify if that stuff is included on the DVD on the AmazonUK website? Or did you get it from another vendor?"}, {"response": 1160, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 2004 (08:09)", "body": "(Kim)No special features nor little booklet inside as I had hoped. (Dorine)Don't they specify if that stuff is included on the DVD on the AmazonUK website? Or did you get it from another vendor? I got mine too and I could tell from the info on Amazon UK that there would be no extras. I think that the upcoming Another Country (Sept:-))will have the booklet and big time extras, no?"}, {"response": 1161, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 2004 (08:12)", "body": "(dorine)Don't they specify if that stuff is included on the DVD on the AmazonUK website? They do . .but I had put my pre-order in a while ago so I guess I forgot . .or maybe didn't even bother to look:) . .Just too eager to get the film . ."}, {"response": 1162, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 2004 (09:28)", "body": "(Beedee) I think that the upcoming Another Country (Sept:-))will have the booklet and big time extras, no? I don't know if you can call these big time extras, but it's going to have: - Commentary by director Marek Kanievska and cinematographer Peter Biziou - News itme from the 1984 Cannes Film Festival (will show Colin there) - Discussion of the original play with actors Kenneth Branagh, Rupert Everett and author Julian Mitchell (previously aired on BBC as a regular TV program) - Scrapbook of posters, articles, and photographs - Selections from the original score Didn't know about the latter two. I have my AMITC as well. (Kimberly) In the DVD cover there is a pic of Birkin & Moon perched atop a tomb in the graveyard That was the artwork on the poster and the PAL tape."}, {"response": 1163, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 2004 (20:12)", "body": "(Kim)No special features nor little booklet inside as I had hoped. Ah, could be a blessing in disguise. At least Colin won't have to worry about suing anyone from the commentary;-) Waiting patiently for my copy to arrive."}, {"response": 1164, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 2004 (20:23)", "body": "(Linda) Ah, could be a blessing in disguise. At least Colin won't have to worry about suing anyone from the commentary;-) LOL....You think Natasha would talk smack? Or Ken? \"Colin was a crap Hamlet, you want to see a good Hamlet...?? I can recommend one.\" or \"They had to keep shooting him from below because....well because he was on this scaffolding\" ;-)"}, {"response": 1165, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 2004 (22:34)", "body": "My copy arrived today and is an improvement on the VCR commerical tape. The DVD has crisp coloring, sharp focus, good sound, and there are at least two scenes I noticed that have Colin included in the frame where the tape did not. Even without any special features, this is well worth the investment IMO."}, {"response": 1166, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 2004 (23:21)", "body": "Even without any special features, this is well worth the investment IMO. Tomorrow, tomorrow....... I'm gonna watch a bit of P&P tonight to put it off cause I think this is one that the DH will enjoy but I'm chomping at the proverbial bit! I just love that Mr. Birkin."}, {"response": 1167, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 2004 (23:23)", "body": "Even without any special features, this is well worth the investment IMO. That was our wonderful quiz mistress, Kathryn! Must attribute! You need your props!"}, {"response": 1168, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 2004 (23:54)", "body": "(Beedee) That was our wonderful quiz mistress Glad you reminded me. Did you ever look for that fag in AC? (and I don't mean Rupe) ;-)"}, {"response": 1169, "author": "cskerr", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 2004 (09:04)", "body": "I've received my new AMITC also but can'tplay it yet becasue my new DVD player is not hooked up until a friend comes to the rescue. Can hardly wait I consider AMITC the most perfect film I have ever seen. There are flawless performances by everyone in the cast The book by JLCarr is a g.em; the film is a jewel. I could go on and on , but I guess I've said enough"}, {"response": 1170, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 2004 (09:06)", "body": "(Karen)Did you ever look for that fag in AC? (and I don't mean Rupe) ;-) LOL! I'm ready to bet hard cash right now that there isn't a scene where Tommy smokes, but I will check tonight to be 100% certain. Sorry, can't do it sooner as I will be gone all day."}, {"response": 1171, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 2004 (20:39)", "body": "I just finished checking AC for smoke signals--absolutely none on the horizon--or anywhere else for Tommy Judd. :-)"}, {"response": 1172, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 15, 2004 (09:41)", "body": "Thanks for checking it out. Hmmm, it must have been that publicity shot, where TJ is up against the wall with his ratty sweater. For some reason, I thought he was holding a cigarette, but I checked that out as well and he's not."}, {"response": 1173, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (09:28)", "body": "Poor Kathryn... It must have been torture, having to scrutinize every frame for smoke signals ;o)"}, {"response": 1174, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (18:22)", "body": "Watched HS tonight with my DH. He's a HG fan, poor man! Well, nobody's perfect!! In the opening scene, on the flight to the States, did anyone else think the sleeping boy in the seat behind Colin looked like Will? - I'm almost sure it is him, although I'm surprised this has never been noticed before. I have had a few glasses of wine, I have to admit, so maybe my judgement is a little blurred!!:-))"}, {"response": 1175, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (19:16)", "body": "(Janet ) - I'm almost sure it is him, although I'm surprised this has never been noticed before. I'm sure it is him too. I noticed a while ago and searched. A few sites say that it is him. But some of those sites get their info off of imbd, which Karen has taught me (takes me a while, but I'm gettin' there ;-)) is not the most reliable of sources."}, {"response": 1176, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (19:22)", "body": "I've just googled him, and lo and behold, Amazon.com show him on cast list as 'boy on airplane'."}, {"response": 1177, "author": "neshacat", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (19:24)", "body": "I noticed this the last time I watched HS. I also think this is Will. I believe there were pictures of Will with his Dad during the filming. I can't help but like HS. With a better co-star and the stronger ending from the book, this could have been a winner."}, {"response": 1178, "author": "Dhanaha", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (20:18)", "body": "Well, that just decided my movie of the evening! lol I, too, like HS, but it could've been a bit better. Now I'll be looking for Will. Interesting that Amazon.com gave his full name, not just first and last."}, {"response": 1179, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (22:52)", "body": "Yes, it is Will. But the info on the IMDB was submitted by CF fans, as this time, Will did not get a credit as he did in Spidey, where he had a word of dialogue. Merely sitting on a plane does not rate a credit. Standing around in scenes of BJD didn't get Crispen a credit. Will shouldn't have had a credit for occupying a seat. That's how it works."}, {"response": 1180, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 2004 (12:55)", "body": "I can't recall if this was posted, but here's an opportunity for, perhaps, Annette to finally see GWAPE on a big screen: http://www.copenhagenfilmfestival.com/ Girl with a pearl earring 22/8 Dagmar Teatret - 16.40 27/8 Palads - 19.00"}, {"response": 1181, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 2004 (15:59)", "body": "One of my favorite sites (this is just addictive if you get started)...but I've hit a snag...think anyone could help me with number 3? ;-) http://www.filmwise.com/invisibles/invisible_181.shtml"}, {"response": 1182, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 2004 (16:11)", "body": "What a laugh, Tress. The bad news is that #3 is probably about the only one I can get."}, {"response": 1183, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 2004 (16:18)", "body": "(Leslie) The bad news is that #3 is probably about the only one I can get. LOL...But that is a good thing! Bit embarrassing to know some of these films! LOL! I got 6 out of 8 (I need medical help!). There is an LA one that was done recently...have seen BJD 'invisibles' too but cannot find them now."}, {"response": 1184, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 2004 (16:35)", "body": "I knew 2, 3, 6 and guessed on 7. They're pretty cool."}, {"response": 1185, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 2004 (17:05)", "body": "Cute site."}, {"response": 1186, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 2004 (17:54)", "body": "From the same site...ODB has been replaced by Elmo! OH! The humanity! ;-) Judi looks a bit green... ;-)"}, {"response": 1187, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Aug 21, 2004 (03:04)", "body": "Thanks for posting the link to Copenhagen Film Festival. Unfortunately it's not possible for me to \"travel\" to Copenhagen and from what the distributors are telling me, it will only be shown i Copenhagen when released in October. Thought I'd translate the text following the picture, just to let you know other Danes than me are smitten with ODB :-)) \"Beautiful as a painting. See two of the greatest moviestars of our time - SJ and CF in PW's directorial debut\". GWAPE has already been mentioned in several magazines (unfortunately not accompanied with any interviews), so I hope it gets a little buzz when it opens. And - I know, I'm on the wrong topic, but just wanted to add my thanks to Janet. So good of you to report so soon and what a DH you have :-))))) drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 182, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 183, "subject": "Companion Pieces", "response_count": 33, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (15:39)", "body": "\"Someone\" has been not so gently nudging me to resurrect this topic to resume discussion of the book Girl With a Pearl Earring. There was one in the Books Conference last November, but interested has reignited, so I'll copy off the discussion and repost it here. That same \"Someone\" would like to do TEOR next, which I think is a lovely idea. But that can be worked out AFTER the GWAPE one is done. I'll post all the previous messages in the next one, but I need to clean up the formatting."}, {"response": 2, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (15:46)", "body": "Well, thank \"Someone\" for me, at least. I think a book discussion would be grand. Thank you Karen. ;-)"}, {"response": 3, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (16:15)", "body": "First installment: Response 3 of 151: Evelyn (lafn) * Sat, Nov 16, 2002 The book website gives this guide...good leading questions. http://www.tchevalier.com/guides/index.html Response 6 of 151: Dorine (gomezdo) Sat, Nov 16, 2002 I feel like I'm in college again reading some of those questions. I find 4,10 to 16 (and maybe 2) the most interesting of those. I'm sure there are a boatload of questions and comments of our own. Response 8 of 151: Tress (Tress) * Sat, Nov 16, 2002 (Dorine) I feel like I'm in college again reading some of those questions. I find 4,10 to 16 (and maybe 2) the most interesting of those. I agree with your college statement! They're like the exam questions during finals week. I like 2, 8,10 and 14 (two of those are 'Vermeer' questions, but I find that I'm really curious about how he sees things...since the novel is through Griet's eyes). Thanks for the link Evelyn... Response 9 of 151: Sandy Miller (sandym) * Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (Dorine) I feel like I'm in college again reading some of those questions. I find 4,10 to 16 (and maybe 2) the most interesting of those. I'm sure there are a boatload of questions and comments of our own. #12 looks particularly intriguing. :-D Response 10 of 151: Karen (KarenR) * Sun, Nov 17, 2002 Yeah, those reading guide questions do sound ominously like college exam ones. ;-) I like the idea of discussing the book in sections, as is usually done with books. Films are different because you can't easily divide them up and the discussant has usually seen the entire movie and knows the ending, etc. Rika's suggestion back at Drool about going by year sounds good to me, but I will go with the majority on this one. (As you can tell, I am a structure-junkie.) ;-)))) Then we might use some of the reading guide questions (simplified) at the end if the subject matter hasn't been addressed already. Response 11 of 151: linda (lindak) * Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (11:26) The questions are a bit staggering, but 2,10, and 14 made me sit up and take notice. These questions, for me, get to the heart and soul of the characters, and were some of the very things I questioned as I read. #12 is also significant and I think will be a geat source of exploration as we get underway. If we still have a vote, I'd love to see it discussed in sections with the flexibility of being able to move back and forth as need be for discussion. Thank you Evelyn, for the link. V. informative and a great source for the themes that I'm sure we'll want to cover. Response 12 of 151: Moon Dreams (Moon) * Sun, Nov 17, 2002 I don't happen to own the book. I borrowed it from Lora, so it might be harder for me to stick to structure, but I shall try. ;-D I guess it is too soon to get a copy of the script? Response 13 of 151: Karen (KarenR) * Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (Moon) I don't happen to own the book. I borrowed it Do you have a library card? ;-) How is the voting going on structured vs. unstructured? Rika - structured Evelyn - unstructured Dorine - unstructured Linda - both Karen - structured Moon - wouldn't know the structure if it \"struck\" her in the face. ;-) What other countries haven't been heard from? This is your UN Secretary-General asking for floor discussion before the Hall Proctor raps my knuckles. Response 14 of 151: Evelyn (lafn) * Sun, Nov 17, 2002 If we still have a vote, I'd love to see it discussed in sections with the flexibility of being able to move back and forth as need be for discussion. OK. I rescind my suggestion for free- for- all :-))))) Actually, I don't give a rat's ass what format we use. While this is a book discussion...really, we're going to have the film and the cast in mind ; and be part of the postings.Since this is the only reason why we're discussing the book in the first place. So it's a combination of both. HS was done in a haphazard way and no one complained:-D Response 15 of 151: Evelyn (lafn) * Sun, Nov 17, 2002 I'm going to ask other non-Drool folks who read the book to join in. Response 16 of 151: Dorine (gomezdo) * Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (Linda) If we still have a vote, I'd love to see it discussed in sections with the flexibility of being able to move back and forth as need be for discussion I'm all for this with *flexibility* the key word. Response 17 of 151: Leona M (WinniePeg) * Sun, Nov 17, 2002 Hello everyone... Hope you don't mind if I join in on discussion. I'm kind of new at this so please be gentle with me.. Response 18 of 151: linda (lindak) * Sun, Nov 17, 2002 (Leona)I'm kind of new at this so please be gentle with me.. Welcome, Leona. Don't worry, in a very short while you'll be just as rough and tumble as the rest of us :-)) Stick around, please. Our discussions are fantastic Response 19 of 151: Karen (KarenR) * Sun, Nov 17, 2002 Don't you worry, Leona has a wicked sense of humor. ;-) Pssst! She's been around for years, mainly lurking but she has posted a little way back when. Response 21 of 151: Moon Dreams (Moon) * Sun, Nov 17, 2002 Welcome, Leona! We are always kin"}, {"response": 4, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (16:37)", "body": "Oh, sh.. are we starting a GWAPE book discussion? (she says sipping her Bombay saphire martini) ;-)"}, {"response": 5, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 2003 (18:38)", "body": "Response 49 of 151: Tress (Tress) * Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (Rika) Griet's multi-sensory experience where Vermeer is concerned shows her heightened awareness of him, vs. the others in the household who are for the most part peripheral players to her. Very good point. Griet's descriptions do become fuller when she is speaking of Vermeer. '\"Catharina\" the man said calmly. He spoke her name as if he held cinnamon in his mouth.' (sorry, just had to include that line...I love it). (me) I am not sure I buy the fact that MT would keep the status quo just because Griet made V work faster. (Dorine) Gained: 1. V paints faster, therefore more money brought into the house to feed the ever growing household. I just found a couple of lines that negates my 'MT wants Vermeer to work faster assumption' (because I thought she did want him to work at a quicker pace)...from Tanneke: \"Mistress and young mistress disagree sometimes. Young mistress wants him to paint more, but my mistress says speed will ruin him.\" But now I wonder about Catharina. Does she have more children simply to make Vermeer paint faster? There are several times when it is mentioned that they have no money. More children cost more money. She could slow that process down by nursing them, but instead hires a wet nurse (more money) to feed them (and at the rate she has them, I think the wet nurse is practically a permanent employee). The house being full of children could possibly be more of a distraction to her husband than a motivator to paint faster...hmmmm... BTW has anyone else noticed Griet's hand obsession? Several times she notes Vermeer's clean hands, Pieter the son's dirty, bloody hands and her cracked and bleeding hands (I apologize for the reference...it couldn't be helped). This seems important to her Response 50 of 151: Annette (anjo) * Thu, Nov 21, 2002 Just a short note to let you know, that I'm lurking. I do have a library card, and I've been waiting for the book from the library for 2 months, but until I get a chance to read it, I'll just enjoy your postings. Since this is the only topic, where I can submit anything, I'll introduce myself later where it is apropriate (I hope to hear from Karen). Response 51 of 151: Moon Dreams (Moon) * Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (Dorine), She may even dull her other senses subconsciously (yet in a way deliberately) during times she is not with Vermeer to help her cope with her unhappiness. Do she ever say she is unhappy? I don't think so. Sure cleaning was a drag and hard work but she did it to help her family. (Tress), has anyone else noticed Griet's hand obsession? Several times she notes Vermeer's clean hands, Pieter the son's dirty, bloody hands and her cracked and bleeding hands (I apologize for the reference...it couldn't be helped). This seems important to her. And especially at the end, when she is summoned to Vermeer's house. She notices her dirty nails from the blood of the meat. Her aesthetic sense overall is high, even in her humble job. When she first starts working at the V house, she notices wrinkle sheets and yellow stained sheets. Young mistress wants him to paint more, but my mistress says speed will ruin him.\" This is another clue that tells us that MT appreciates him as a painter. Griet knows this and considers her an allied. This is also why MT lets Griet help him with the colours. Response 52 of 151: Dorine (gomezdo) * Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (Moon) Do she ever say she is unhappy? I don't think so. Sure cleaning was a drag and hard work but she did it to help her family. Does she have to come out and say it to make it so? And just cause she did it to help her family doesn't mean it wouldn't depress her or at least make her sad. Many people do things for their families that make them personally unhappy, esp if the course of their life and lifestyle was dramatically altered as was Griet's. If that were the case, there wouldn't be as many people in therapy. Unfortunately I don't have the time at the moment to find examples of how I specifically would illustrate my point. Hopefully when I return late tonight I will. Response 53 of 151: linda (lindak) * Thu, Nov 21, 2002 (Dorine) Does she have to come out and say it to make it so? I agree. I don't have a specific reference to her unhappiness, but I never get the feeling that she is happy in the situation. Except of course for her infatuation with Vermeer. I think she was uneasy from the moment she arrived. We don't have verbal complaints, though, even when she describes the long days of endless laundry and cleaning. I just sense that she is not happy. Will look for specifics, if there are any, later this evening. Response 54 of 151: Evelyn (lafn) * Thu, Nov 21, 2002 She wasn't exactly thrilled when her mother told her she had to take the job as a maid to help the family. \"Mother: \"You are to start tomorrow as the maid. If you do well, you will be paid 8 stuivers a day [ed note;how much is that?]. You will live with them\" I pressed my lips together [ed note:she i"}, {"response": 6, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (12:05)", "body": "Response 77 of 151: Maria T * Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (Kathleen) I agree, I think Pieter took her to the alley the first time and she was unwilling. After Vermeer sees her hair, she makes some explanation about loss of innocence at his hands. Then she goes and finds Pieter. Vermeer violated her and so she self-inflicts another violation? Don't quite follow that. Maybe she wanted Vermeer, couldn't have him, went to find Pieter. It seems that so much of Griet's life was beyond her control, where she lived, what she had to do, when she could do it.. Her going to find Pieter almost seemed an act of her taking charge of the very little she was able to control. Response 78 of 151: Evelyn * Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (Maria) It seems that so much of Griet's life was beyond her control, where she lived, what she had to do, when she could do it.. Her going to find Pieter almost seemed an act of her taking charge of the very little she was able to control. And even then, one wonders...what choice did she have? Her world was minuscule. Marrying Pieter not only rescued her from the life of a servant, but provided food for her family. I find this another facet of this novel: the struggle of women in the 17th C. to find their own values and place in a male hierarchy. Response 79 of 151: SandyM * Mon, Nov 25, 2002 Not to change the subject, but how about that Maria Thins? She certainly knows how to work both ends against the middle. On page 152 she orchestrates events so that Griet must serve Van Ruijven at dinner knowing full well that Van R. will probably insist that Griet pose with him in V.'s next painting. She also knows that V. will object. V. has already expressed displeasure in the idea that Griet should pose at all. ... he(meaning Van R.) may ask that she (Griet I assume?) be in it. Yet, starting on page 157 she begins conspiring with Griet on how to avoid Van R., knowing all the time that the deal is already done (ed note: my interpretation). What was the point of these machinations? My guess is that it was to cool V.'s escalating interest in Griet by getting Van R. involved, and at the same time put Griet on notice that she was no more important to the household (V. included) than a puppet on a string, perhaps sensing that Griet, because of her color grinding duties, felt her self to be something more than that. However, because she didn't want to overplay that hand, Maria T. also makes herself a (false) ally to Griet to help ensure that not only will Griet stay on in the household (after all, she was helping V. ) but also that Griet, from that point on, would have a more realistic sense of her place in the household's pecking order. Tricky, very tricky. Response 81 of 151: Dorine * Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (Sandy) My guess is that it was to cool V.'s escalating interest in Griet by getting Van R. involved But as smart as she obviously is, I would think that MT would realize that could backfire and stoke V's interest and jealousy over Van R's attentions to Griet especially knowing his reputation. Response 82 of 151: SandyM * Mon, Nov 25, 2002 (Dorine) But as smart as she obviously is, I would think that MT would realize that could backfire and stoke V's interest and jealousy over Van R's attentions to Griet especially knowing his reputation True...My guess is she weighed the risks first, but then went ahead, knowing that something must be done to halt the progression of emotion between Griet and V. The future of the household was hanging in the balance. Catharina went about things differently. She just got herself pregnant every chance she could. ;-) Response 84 of 151: Annette * Wed, Nov 27, 2002 Just a short note to say, that I have finished reading the book, and agree on most of your observations. To me it was a very pictures book, and very valuable indeed to be able to put a face on most of the caracters. I found myself looking from the page, I was reading to the cover of the book to follow the painting, as it proceeded. As much as I wantet to feel sympathy for V, I found it hard. Perhaps he let himself be guided to much by Maria Thins. Tomorrow I will go through the earlier postings and that way enjoy the book once more. There's a lot more in my head about this book, but I'm afraid it will be borderline topic 166, so I'll just put a sock in it. Oh - heck, I picture V to look a little like Richard Curtois. So tonight I'll probobly be dreaming of Vermeer whispering old gypsy poems in Griets (no forget in my) ear Response 85 of 151: NitaE * Sat, Nov 30, 2002 I have just started reading GWAPE for the second time to refresh my memories of it. (The first time was quite a long time ago) It is interesting to read it with concrete faces in mind. As soon as I am a bit further into the book I hope to join the discussion. Response 86 of 151: Rika * Sun, Dec 1, 2002 (SandyM) True...My guess is she weighed the risks first, but then went ahead, knowing that something must be done to halt the progression of emotion between Griet and V. The fut"}, {"response": 7, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (12:06)", "body": "OK, that's all of it....finally. I had some trouble with the tags but now it's all fixed. As fabulous Fitz would say, \"Go to it!\" :-)"}, {"response": 8, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (20:23)", "body": "Karen,I can't believe you're working on your birthday!!! Now that's dedication! Thrilled out of my head that this discussion is back. Thank you, Karen. I think topic 183 is wonderful. Blowing air kisses to \"someone\" Loved rereading the posts thus far. (Tress)Young mistress wants him to paint more, but my mistress says speed will ruin him.\" If MT really was looking the other way regarding the fireworks between Griet and Vermeer, to keep him happy, did it never occur to her that something other than speed might ruin him, and bring scandal upon the entire household, as well?"}, {"response": 9, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 2003 (21:46)", "body": "Thank you for resurrecting this topic! Since I'm a big fan of the novel I've been dying to read other people's take on it, and so far I had to make do with reading the reader's comments at Amazon.com. Talking about GWAPE again might not be too interesting for those who already discussed it almost a year ago, but I'm sure at least some of the newbies will be delighted to share their thoughts and observations. I loved reading all the opinions above, and here is my take on some of the things that were mentioned: Some of you guys referred to Griet as innocent, but my feeling is that she is anything but. Or not quite. She seems an odd girl to me, no matter how I look at her. When we \"meet\" her she is quite young, but her mind is not so. She is strong, forceful, she knows what she wants, and where her place is in her surroundings. She seems precocious, very observant, and although she is a quiet one, in her mind she is talking all the time. She has an opinion about everything, and quite a strong one at that. She sees how things are, and \"knows\" how they ought to be. Not at any point in the book I felt her innocent. She has such a strong voice, and decided opinions (even though she just thinks them) throughout the story, and I feel her hardened (by her circumstances), so her body was innocent for sure, but her mind not. I felt this way reading her interaction with almost everyone. Even with the \"hair thing\". I didn't think it was shyness that prevented her from exposing her hair, but the notion that a woman's hair should not be seen by a man (if she couldn't dress it like those fine, wealthy ladies did), and I wonder whether it was the accepted rule, or she made it up for herself, and kept to it, like to every other strong belief she had. As for being sheltered: \"After I got home I washed myself with vinegar.\" How did she know? She just lost her virginity, and back in those days parents didn't exactly educate their children on these things, or did they? I doubt it. Slapping Cornelia: It might have been a big no no in her position, but even if so, it didn't surprise me one bit. It went perfectly with her character. A maid with a very strong character, used to being the older one at home, being the \"boss\", wanted to establish her authority with the children, and slapping Cornelia was akin to \"nipping it in the bud\". (Not that it worked...) She surely would've been fired for it today, but back in those days it was most likely acceptable. I had no problem with it at all. The one person I thought Griet was \"lost\" around was Vermeer. (Rika)And she says (p.42), \"No gentleman had ever taken such an interest in me before.\" She is hooked on him from the beginning. And we know exactly how she feels about him, but to me Vermeer's feelings remain forever a mistery. I could not figure the man out. Even after repeated readings I could not decide whether he really had any real feelings for Griet and was trying to dutifully repress them, or he was only interested in her because he was painting her, and because she shared his eye for colours and detail. Every time they interact we know how Griet feels and what she thinks, but even though she is an astute observer, she never \"says\" a word about Vermeer's reaction to her. Reactions that would clearly prove the presence of a sexual attraction in him. So I remain undecided. But then again: (Karen) The painting was sold to vanR as promised. It only came back into the house so he could see it while on his deathbed. Now what do we make of that? I'll be darned if I know. Maybe he did have something brewing there, but repressed it as he knew he should, and before he died he needed to make peace with his feelings for her, and face his demons. And he sent Griet the earrings as a token of a confession. It didn't matter whether she kept them or not, he just wanted her to know . Or maybe not. There is no way for me to be sure. It frustrates me, but satisfies me at the same time. I like the mistery of it as much as I hate not knowing."}, {"response": 10, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (11:50)", "body": "Okay, I've finally sat still long enough to read the original posts on this site from last year...and here are some thoughts(although it has been a least a year since I read the novel ,GWAPE). When V. enters the kitchen of Griet's family,and observes her display of sliced vegetables,it is really the first time anyone,especially a man , with status (voice?like pearls,rich carpet,fur((not the correct quote)) has ever given CONSEQUENCE to Griet or anything about her. She is astonished and feels the initial pique of simultaneous awe and fascination(later to become specifically with V)with which she has previously had minusule exposure. It's like a love starved child attracted to anyone who displays kindness . I feel this is significant in light of the social/political environment of 1600's Delft society. As for V requesting the canvas for viewing during his final days, I think he wanted to see the evidence of the one risk he took..the one he took but didn't have the courage(or ability)of his convictions to backup. He let Griet suffer the consequences alone..and he asked that Griet be given the pearls to assauge his conscious before death. TC writing from Griet's POV establishes we only see the events from her perspective...Much like that of Elizabeth Bennet in P&P. It allows us to suspend ourselves,like we do in P&P, to interpret the story in a way which we find, not only believable, but desirable. We're free to be romantics about an entire episode which would have been ruinous in that society...and indeed is not now due to being a work of fiction."}, {"response": 11, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (13:54)", "body": "(Bonnie)TC writing from Griet's POV establishes we only see the events from her perspective Exactly. Until the end of the book, when Griet receives the earrings, I wavered back and forth. I found myself wanting there to be more between Griet and Vermmer than TC was giving us. I had to keep reminding myself that the story was written through the eyes of an inexperienced young woman whose fantasies were probably, as any young girl, very vivid no matter what century they're living in. Once the earrings were given to Griet, I began to look at the story from an entirely different perspective. What if Griet is telling us exactly like it is, and all the glances, etc. were not being misinterpreted or exaggerated driven by her infatuation? I reread the book with that perspective in mind...that Vermeer was infatuated with Griet from the time he meets her. ( Her emotions were reacting from the powerful draw of his. The sensuality was more sensual, the ear piercing scene more erotic, his aloofness more frustrating. I'm rereading it again. I'm trying to stay neutral this time."}, {"response": 12, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (15:21)", "body": "Alright, I've decided to reread the book too. I won't have an opportunity to see the movie until it is distributed in wide release.Although I've been reading the reviews offered and posted here, I really should own up and create definitive impressions from the text before I view the movie.Right? Then I can be more objective with the production and whether or not the book (or least my interpretation of the story )justly. As I write, I am determined to physically remove my other reading material and place GWAPE at the ready!!!!!!"}, {"response": 13, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 2003 (15:30)", "body": "That was supposed to read______*not the book is (or least my interpretation of the story )justly treated on film."}, {"response": 14, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct  4, 2003 (11:07)", "body": "(Linda) Blowing air kisses to \"someone\" Is this early stage narcicism? ;-) In any event, I am happy to oblige. (Ildi) Not at any point in the book I felt her innocent. She has such a strong voice, and decided opinions...throughout the story, and I feel her hardened (by her circumstances), so her body was innocent for sure, but her mind not Griet certainly *knows* the world in which she lives. Again, though, this is more a contrast of the times, as children went out into the world to work at a much younger age than now. A 10-year-old (perhaps younger) would be apprenticed and bringing in a small wage. So IMO, it is not a question of worldy innocence, but more of intelligence. Griet is pretty sharp, though she cannot figure out how to get herself out of the triangle before everything hits the fan. (Ildi) Even with the \"hair thing\". I didn't think it was shyness that prevented her from exposing her hair, but the notion that a woman's hair should not be seen by a man I believe I spoke to this earlier too. A woman's hair is her crowning glory and a temptation to men, much in the same way that Muslim women are hidden behind veils. Not all that much has changed over the centuries. I used to laugh that the first thing a woman did after getting married was cut her hair, and she usually gave the excuse that she didn't have time to bother with it anymore. However, most men love long hair on women and it is something used to attract them, whether consciously or unconsciously. (Bonnie) As for V requesting the canvas for viewing during his final days, I think he wanted to see the evidence of the one risk he took..the one he took but didn't have the courage(or ability)of his convictions to backup. He let Griet suffer the consequences alone..and he asked that Griet be given the pearls to assauge his conscious before death. I like this. A symbol of the artistic risk he took, which gave him a sense of pride, but also an act of personal cowardice at the same time. BTW, I stopped reading the Spoilers topic after the initial comments because, well, I really don't want this movie \"spoiled\" for me. ;-)"}, {"response": 15, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Oct  4, 2003 (13:06)", "body": "(Karen)Griet is pretty sharp, though she cannot figure out how to get herself out of the triangle before everything hits the fan. . True, but I've always wondered just how much she really wanted to get out of the triangle. Being part of the geometric equation, (how's that;-), was certainly stressful, but my impression is that she was so drawn to Vermeer she knew there was no way out. She was astute enough to know the s***t was going to hit the fan, but the emotional/love/sexual attraction/ whatever it was- kept her right there. I don't know if it was so much about not knowing how to get out,(she knew she should have) but down deep not wanting to, either."}, {"response": 16, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Sat, Oct  4, 2003 (15:59)", "body": "I'm still in the midst of a reread,however, I wanted to advance some feasible analogies. Griet's slapping Cornelia on her first day at Papist's Corner-pg 22-The correlation is immediately made with reference to Catharina behaving in a like manner,*except that I will not be able to slap her*.Cornelia (Catharina) looks down on Griet and considers her a threat to the status quo but is unable to do anything about the situation due to V. requiring her for the studio. The tension between Cornelia and Griet and Catharina and Griet parallel throughout the text. Griet slapped Cornelia soon after reaching Papist Corner to exert her presence and favoured (?)position-with allusion to triumphing over Catharina later and ultimately. If Vermeer did indeed witness Griet's slapping of Cornelia(from the upstairs middle window), he viewed it as Cornelia's need to be governed occasionally much as he dislayed with Catharina in Griet's family kithen when she was hired. *He spoke her name as if he held cinnamon in his mouth*. The previous discussion on cinnamon notes a bitter taste to cinnamon,however, there is a later reference in the text(can't find it now that I want it!)to the sweetness of the spice. I do believe he very much loves Catharina, as he does his children, while still recognizing the need for shows of discipline-so the slapping goes unacknowledged in this vein. There are continuous mentions of the blood very displeasingly seen by Griet at the Meat Hall-especially detailed on the son Pieter's hands and apron(person). Blood is equated with life(it's stark reality and ever present cruelty). She knows Pieter is her future. She is happiest when allowing herself to be immersed in the studio-Vermeer's realm-a locale where beauty is created-and at the end of each day, Vermeer cleans his brushes and palettes and places them neatly in their place before exiting the studio for the night. Light in the studio is usually filtered throught the windows-not as harsh and glaring. Maria Thins and Catharina hang out in the Crucifixion Room-foreshadowing the sacrifice of Griet. Vermeer always being referenced as *him and *he*... Many individuals even now never voice or write the name of G-D, and refer to *him* or *he*. To do so is considered a type of blasphemy, and dissipates the inherent mystery of the entity.If you allow yourself to extend the analogy,you later identify Griet's disappointment with Vermeer in even more poignant parallels with her disappointment in providence allowing her father to be involved in such a devastating accident and in allowing the death of her sister,Agnes(another symbol of the death of innocence). Does anyone have an insight as to why Griet was so against anyone at Papist Corner seeing her with her sister ,Agnes, at the Meat Hall? Is she fearful, on a subconscious level, that Agnes' innocence will be stolen also? I'm ready to dive back between the jacket covers---GLUB,GLUB,GLUB-(bubbles rising to the water's surface........."}, {"response": 17, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 2003 (16:17)", "body": "Hello, all! I was so glad to read the previous discussion on GWAPE, as it really enhanced my second reading. As did this handy reference site of Vermeer's works: http://www.cacr.caltech.edu/~roy/vermeer/thumb.html As you're reading about V working on a painting, it's neat to actually see it. I also noticed the repetition of settings and props, including at least 3 others where the pearl earrings are worn. I feel certain that TC noticed this in her research, so it begs the question: If Catharina had been required to loan out the earrings for other models, then why the big deal over Griet wearing them? Or if the dates show that the other models came after Griet's painting, why would V have let them wear the earrings that he so strongly associated her? I think this substantiates the idea that the real issue was indeed G, and not the earrings, and that V knew exactly what he was doing. I do believe there was an attraction on his part, that he knew he could not act on for fear the scandal would destroy his family. He loves his wife, but she's gotta be on the cranky side most of the time, given the wild hormonal ride of being pregnant about every year. She can't understand or appreciate his artistic nature and need for seclusion, and God knows he must not be too involved in the child-rearing. He retreats to his studio, which is off-limits most of the time. Then along comes this quiet, thoughtful, young woman with artistic leanings, who admires his work and seems to be more \"like\" him than any other female in his life. He's gotta be interested, and he shows it by allowing her into his private world, and teaching her things no one else knows. And this is G's first encounter with a MAN. She's fascinated, scared, intrigued, knows he thinks highly of her, also knows nothing can ever come of it. Talk about sexual tension! I think she was horny as hell when she dragged poor ole Pieter into the alley. (i.e. If I have a very close encounter with CF some day, I'm sure my husband will have a smile on his face the next a.m. without ever needing to know the particulars!) The slapping incident jarred me, but I chalked it up to differences in time. I think we're super-sensitive about child abuse, but perhaps back then it would be more accepted for any older person to discipline a bratty child. Did Cornelia go running to complain to anyone, and try to get G fired? (Gotta read that part again.) And regarding Agnes, I felt that a couple of things were going on there. I think G was a little embarrassed by Agnes, and didn't want Cornelia and the others to see A and make fun of her. I also think G didn't want A to come to V's house, for fear that A would think G had gotten into \"the good life\" in a richer family and would be alienated from G, and/or that V might be more interested in A than he is in G. I think G was working very hard to keep her 2 worlds, and 2 lives, separate. For as long as she could. The bedroom in the ground creeped me out. I was trying to make out some deep symbolism about being banished to sleep in a hole with a crucified Christ staring at her -- but I never quite sorted it out. I wonder if I'm trying to read more than the author intended? And now I need a little lie down. And maybe a bowl of Cocoa Puffs."}, {"response": 18, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 2003 (18:50)", "body": "(Deb)If Catharina had been required to loan out the earrings for other models, then why the big deal over Griet wearing them? I assume, primarily, it was because she was a servant in the house. To have Vermeer paint a maid was going to cause enough scandal, but to have that maid wearing the wife's earrings...I think was a bit much for Catharina to bear. Secondly, I think, this, in addition to Catharina's instincts that her husband was attracted to Griet was the last straw. Seeing Griet in the painting with the earrings must have sent her over the edge. She probably thought her husband had is way with her as well, at that point."}, {"response": 19, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (13:15)", "body": "(Bonnie) The tension between Cornelia and Griet and Catharina and Griet parallel throughout the text. Don't you think there's pretty much tension between Griet and nearly everybody else in the story? *hee hee* Guess that's what comes from having an uppity maid. (Bonnie) Maria Thins and Catharina hang out in the Crucifixion Room-foreshadowing the sacrifice of Griet Whoa!!! *slapping hand upside head* Love this one. Looking at the name of the room symbolically never occurred to me before. (Bonnie) If you allow yourself to extend the analogy,you later identify Griet's disappointment with Vermeer in even more poignant parallels with her disappointment in providence If you put Vermeer in that godlike role, then Griet would've been disappointed in V for other than his own failings with her. But she wasn't. (Deb) If Catharina had been required to loan out the earrings for other models, then why the big deal over Griet wearing them? I've never believed it was the lending of Catharina's possession themselves, but Griet having them on. Griet was the embodiment of what Catharina lacked, i.e., a soul-mate for her husband's work. Catharina of course knew and acceded to having her possessions featured in the paintings and knew that either her husband or mother did the borrowing. The accusation against Griet was always bogus in my mind, and had more to do with Griet being the subject of a painting (it was beign kept a secret from her), and a unique painting, unlike his others. Jealousy, pure and simple, and tacit lie. (Deb) The bedroom in the ground creeped me out. I was trying to make out some deep symbolism about being banished to sleep in a hole with a crucified Christ staring at her -- but I never quite sorted it out. I wonder if I'm trying to read more than the author intended? Isn't it always? ;-) Yes, the hole in the ground does sound very dungeon-like to me, but Griet doesn't seem to think it all that unusual. Another difference in customs/times, architecture? Am going to have to reread, as am recollecting absolutely nothing about Agnes. :-( Wonderful insights and research, ladies!"}, {"response": 20, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (13:31)", "body": "(Deb)was trying to make out some deep symbolism about being banished to sleep in a hole with a crucified Christ staring at her Then you can take it a step further. Vermeer, (Bonnie ( in the god like role)elevates her to the room above the household. He paints her, lets her wear the earrings and therfore lifts her above her station and starts her on the collision course with Catharina."}, {"response": 21, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (13:47)", "body": "Yes, I definitely saw it as a hell/heaven journey. Never thought of the move to the attic being \"above her station\", but it would then make sense that banishing her to the cellar was a clear message that she had the \"lowest\" status in the household. I seem to recall that the other maid was quite content to move back to the cellar room, but I don't remember where she had been sleeping before. Surely SHE had not been in the attic room? (Must read again - grrrrrrr.)"}, {"response": 22, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (13:52)", "body": "Tanneke was in the hole, but was moved out and into the Crucifixation Room for Griet. Another sacrificial move?"}, {"response": 23, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (15:04)", "body": "(Karen)Guess that's what comes from having an uppity maid. The maid from Hell, IMO. I'd can her in a NY minute. After all she and mum held the purse strings."}, {"response": 24, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (17:46)", "body": "(Linda)Then you can take it a step further. Vermeer, (Bonnie( in the god like role)elevates her to the room above the household. He paints her, lets her wear the earrings and therfore lifts her above her station and starts her on the collision course with Catharina. Good one-totally missed that one!!!! (Deb)I seem to recall that the other maid was quite content to move back to the cellar room, but I don't remember where she had been sleeping before. Surely SHE had not been in the attic room? (Must read again - grrrrrrr.) T was never slept in the attic-she complained of being placed in the Cruxifition Room when the nurse entered the household.The nurse's snoring kept her awake. When her complaints were ignored, she began to slack off on her work to impress upon Catharina and Maria Thins her lack of sleep.That was when Vermeer seized the opportunity to apply for Griet being situated in the attic-even had given thought to the logisics of the door being locked and unlocked respectively-quite an endeavour for a man who does not concern himself with the running of a household. (Karen)Am going to have to reread, as am recollecting absolutely nothing about Agnes. :-( Agnes is the abandoned (and regretted) innocence. Griet literally turned her back on her in the Meat Hall,and when she again turned to face her, Agnes had left.That was the last time we know of Griet seeing Agnes alive. (Karen)Tanneke was in the hole, but was moved out and into the Crucifixation Room for Griet. Another sacrificial move? Yes, on page 51 second paragraph,Maria Thins does not defend T from Catharina. Have only a few more pages to go, and am cognizant of all the references to Catharina's father having been abusive...in combination to her being hormonal throughout the novel-very skittish and non-trusting;symtomatic of the syndrome. Catharina's brother also tried to harm her during a visit before the story begins. She was rescued by T-not her husband!!!!! Vermeer is again *painted* as a docile male not willing to step forward on behalf of others.He doesn't take the responsibility of punishing Cornelia,either-he makes Maria Thins do it;says it is not his responsibility, and blames it on Catharina not teaching her children properly. Vermeer lives his life on a different plane."}, {"response": 25, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Sat, Oct 18, 2003 (12:02)", "body": "(Bonnie) If you allow yourself to extend the analogy,you later identify Griet's disappointment with Vermeer in even more poignant parallels with her disappointment in providence. (KarenR) If you put Vermeer in that godlike role, then Griet would've been disappointed in V for other than his own failings with her. But she wasn't. Griet is disappointed in Vermeer's failings ... (*Catharina's brother also tried to harm her during a visit before the story begins. She was rescued by T-not her husband!!!!! Vermeer is again *painted* as a docile male not willing to step forward on behalf of others.He doesn't take the responsibility of punishing Cornelia,either-he makes Maria Thins do it;says it is not his responsibility, and blames it on Catharina not teaching her children properly.) Griet looks for an opportunity to question Griet about the incident with Catharina's brother to clarify that it was indeed she, not Vermeer, that *rescued* Catharina. Likewise notes that he refuses to discipline the children despite his appetite for creating them."}, {"response": 26, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Sat, Oct 18, 2003 (22:01)", "body": "(Bonnie)...Likewise notes that he refuses to discipline the children despite his appetite for creating them. But then she realises that \"it must be Catharina who wants many children.\" He'd rather be alone in his studio where he has peace. I just thought the other day how interesting it is that Vermeer painted men and women, but never any children, despite that he had so many. Curious, isn't it?"}, {"response": 27, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 19, 2003 (09:22)", "body": "(Ildi)Vermeer painted men and women, but never any children, despite that he had so many. Some art scholars think the girl with the pearl earring was, in fact, his daughter. (Bonnie)...Likewise notes that he refuses to discipline the children despite his appetite for creating them. (Ildi)But then she realises that \"it must be Catharina who wants many children.\" He'd rather be alone in his studio where he has peace. But remember....it's Griet who is thinking this. Could be her fantasy.....no?"}, {"response": 28, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Oct 19, 2003 (18:49)", "body": "(Bonnie)...Likewise notes that he refuses to discipline the children despite his appetite for creating them I think a lot of men are loathe to discipline the children...especially in Vermeer's time...Women attended to such matters. Vermeer may have had an appeitie for sex, but creating children (or at least so many of them) may have been largely due to lack of birth control."}, {"response": 29, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 19, 2003 (20:26)", "body": "(Linda)...may have been largely due to lack of birth control. Catharina was a Catholic...also maybe sheep's intestines were hard to come by;-)"}, {"response": 30, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Oct 19, 2003 (20:52)", "body": "(Evelyn) ...also maybe sheep's intestines were hard to come by;-) LOL....I nearly fell over when I read that! And to think! Another errand Griet could have been sent out on! I'm sure Pieter would have given her a deal (two for the price of one maybe?)! ;-)"}, {"response": 31, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Sun, Oct 19, 2003 (21:28)", "body": "Evelyn, Tress, LOL!!! You are killing me. :-) (Evelyn) But remember....it's Griet who is thinking this. Could be her fantasy.....no? It is her observation, and I fully agree with it. From what I read he didn't strike me as the jolly papa who bounces his children on his knee often. :-) He seems more like the artist type :-) who likes to withdraw into his quiet domain and do his stuff in peace. (Evelyn) Some art scholars think the girl with the pearl earring was, in fact, his daughter. I wouldn't be surprised, and she looks younger to me than 17 or so. I'd think around 15, but it's hard to judge. Too bad we'll probably never know."}, {"response": 32, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (15:06)", "body": "(Evelyn)...also maybe sheep's intestines were hard to come by;-) You are WICKED!"}, {"response": 33, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (15:39)", "body": "(Linda)I think a lot of men are loathe to discipline the children... Absolute truth...my husband has always been \"present\" in our children's lives,but he will be the first one to admit I'm the one who \"raised\" them....him always wanting to be the \"good guy\"! Of course, whenever either of them did something less than desirable, it was attributed to my failing to \"raise\" them properly. That meshes seamlessly with the passage to which I earlier referred(says it is not his responsibility, and blames it on Catharina not teaching her children properly). Good perception on TC's side. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 184, "subject": "Colin Firth - Part 17", "response_count": 1999, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Sep 30, 2003 (23:56)", "body": "I'm first!:-) Review from reel.com: Girl With a Pearl Earring (2003) *** Country: Luxembourg Running Time: 95 mins. Director: Peter Webber Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Colin Firth Not a lot is known about 17th-century painter Johannes Vermeer, except that he died in early middle age, leaving 11 surviving children and 35 paintings that have survived into the 21st century. One of those paintings, \"Girl with a Pearl Earring,\" was only re-discovered in 1882 and its origins remain a mystery. Inspired by a reproduction of the portrait on her wall, author Tracy Chevalier attempted to solve the enigma in novel form. It is Chevalier's Girl with a Pearl Earring that now inspires Peter Webber's drama of the same name, a portrait of artist and model as well drawn as anything painted by Vermeer himself. The Vermeer (Colin Firth) of Girl with a Pearl Earring is a man under constant pressure. He lives in his mother-in-law Maria's (Judy Parfitt) home with his many children and demanding, usually pregnant wife Catharina (Essie Davis). Money is always an issue as he depends on the capricious whims of his patron, van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson). Into this situation steps 17-year-old Griet (Scarlett Johansson), forced into servitude by her own family's money troubles. Assigned the task of cleaning Vermeer's studio, she becomes increasingly intrigued by the painter's art. For his part, Vermeer is gratified to have someone in his household show genuine interest in his work. The two grow ever closer as Vermeer trains her to mix his paints and she begins spending more and more time in his studio. She becomes his reluctant model when van Ruijven, a vulgar man with a taste for beauty, commissions her portrait. Webber's drama could be a Vermeer painting itself; it is uncommonly beautiful, shot through with an amber glow by cinematographer Eduardo Serra with 17th-century Delft expertly re-created by production designer Ben van Os. But this is a delicate drama, a romance where the emotions are necessarily repressed by the conventions of the times. It calls for subtle performances from Firth and Johansson. Webber draws that out of them. The relationship between Griet and Vermeer plays out almost like a dance. The whole movie plays like that, a romance and a history told in waltz time. \ufffd PAM GRADY"}, {"response": 2, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Oct  1, 2003 (00:13)", "body": "(Mari) I'm first!:-) #^&&!! And I was watching out for it, too. Ok, well not really. Thanks for the review anyway. ;-D"}, {"response": 3, "author": "soph", "date": "Wed, Oct  1, 2003 (06:07)", "body": "aha mari, hilarious interview, total perfunctory mode, will give us another opportunity to groan, sigh and occasionaly rant (and we're sooo good at it) (mr. f) \ufffdI do like to mix and match\ufffd now, that would explain not only the choice of roles, but the brown shoes/blue suits heresy as well... (the interviewer) \ufffdthe light stuff\ufffd as he puts it, because for the classically trained actor, stardom occurred through the pages of Jane Austin and one Mr Darcy jane austen, light stuff ? have i missed something somewhere ? \ufffdsporadically romantic which means that I don\ufffdt have a permanent romantic view of life,\ufffd says the cynical Firth how do you jump from \"sporadically romantic\" to \"cynical\" ? don't you just love it when interviewers try to cram as many adjectives as they can ? mix n match indeed... it\ufffds Firth\ufffds decade-old image of the shirtless Darcy have i missed something somewhere, again ? Perhaps for that reason he allowed himself to play the predominantly silent, internal and not particularly sexy Vermeer... (tress) Not particularly sexy? Hmmmmm.....I beg to differ! was about to comment along the same lines. clueless interviewers, love it ! (karen's comment) Do you think he goes down to the union hall and waits for jobs, like a plumber or an electrician? now karen, you didn't read well : he just sits around at home aimlessly, waiting for the role of the century to come in the mail. sort of a 'mission impossible' thing (tugudugudu, wawawawawa, peeloolee, etc. [am trying my hand at verbally reproducing the theme]). do you think he's hoping for HS copies to self-destruct ?"}, {"response": 4, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Oct  1, 2003 (08:16)", "body": "Both movies playing at this fest in France that begins tomorrow... http://bossa.nerim.net/actualite/2003/Dinard_03/ecrans_dinard/version_comque_9_sept_03.htm www.festivaldufilm-dinard.com"}, {"response": 5, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct  1, 2003 (09:26)", "body": "(Sophie) now karen, you didn't read well : he just sits around at home aimlessly, waiting for the role of the century to come in the mail. LOL! Evelyn has already corrected but I have it on good authority there is a Starbucks next door. Thanks, Mari, for the review and Maria for news about the Dinard Fest of Brit films."}, {"response": 6, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Oct  1, 2003 (10:31)", "body": "(Sophie)he just sits around at home aimlessly, waiting for the role of the century to come in the mail. ...and I thought those roles arrived with Father Christmas and the Easter Bunny;-)"}, {"response": 7, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct  1, 2003 (10:43)", "body": "Hommage aux Studios Ealing cette section comprendra la projection d\ufffdun documentaire intitul\ufffd ForeverEaling, r\ufffdalis\ufffd par Andrew Snelle et narr\ufffd par Daniel Day-Lewis. The Dinard FF will have Colin in three films! GWAPW, LA and this. Thanks, Maria! Sophie, tu peut aller? The relationship between Griet and Vermeer plays out almost like a dance. The whole movie plays like that, a romance and a history told in waltz time. We are starting to see a difference between the female reviewers and the males. Chick flick. Thanks, Mari!"}, {"response": 8, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Oct  1, 2003 (12:58)", "body": "(Linda) ...and I thought those roles arrived with Father Christmas and the Easter Bunny;-) ROTFL...you mean they don't? Don't tell me that the tooth fairy has nothing to do with scripts too? Oooohhhh....I am grieved indeed. Grieved and shocked...but is is certain - absolutely certain? ;-) Even if ODB is a good boy? No scripts in his stocking? Thanks Mari....and Maria...that FF would be a blast, but I do think the DH will begin to draw the line somewhere. Dinard is just a short little 'boat ride' from the UK too. Wonder if ODB will attend?"}, {"response": 9, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Oct  1, 2003 (14:14)", "body": "Sorry if this has been posted, or if the source is unreliable. Rotten Tomatoes has the release date for T as Feb.27 (wide) http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/Trauma-10003310/preview.php"}, {"response": 10, "author": "soph", "date": "Wed, Oct  1, 2003 (14:30)", "body": "(moon) Sophie, tu peut aller? aaargh! non, j'peux pas y aller ! due to previous engagements, i'll be a good 500 miles away from dinard... yeah, i can hear the chorus already, wot is 500 miles, etc... and to think that i don't even have a release date for france... oh well, i might be in l.a. this christmas."}, {"response": 11, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct  1, 2003 (14:36)", "body": "(Linda) Rotten Tomatoes has the release date for T as Feb.27 (wide) The width of that release date is only as far as the Union Jack flies. That is when the film comes out in the UK only. The latest word (as of a week or two ago) is they haven't worked out the details yet on US distribution."}, {"response": 12, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Oct  1, 2003 (15:55)", "body": "(Karen) The latest word (as of a week or two ago) is they haven't worked out the details yet on US distribution. GAH! Nearly had a heart attack thinking about LA in November, GWAPE in January and Trauma in February! Too much (Not! But you know what a mean...ODB Bliss Overload is a powerful thing)!! But, by your remark Karen, are we to then assume that there will be a US distribution on this film (getting ready to do Snoopy Dance in my cube)!??"}, {"response": 13, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct  1, 2003 (16:22)", "body": "2003 Fund Raising Status!! Over 75% There!! Before tallying up the results from our regional bake sales and kissing booths, I want to congratulate those Drooleurs who have been baking up luscious goodies and kissing anything with or without lips in the supreme service of Firthettes everywhere. Still, we need everyone of you, both active Drool participants and lurkers, to make this place viable for another fun-filled year. I want to thank all the wonderful people who have come forward, contacted me about making donations, and followed through with checks, money orders or PayPal transfers. What truly amazes me is the wonderful community of lurkers, who tell me how much they love it here at Drool and that it has become a fixture in their day. With the number of hits we get here, I know it is a daily *must visit* for many more who rely on Drool for current information on Colin and for the lively banter amongst die-hard Firthettes, with nothing better to do than eat chocolate truffles and paint their nails. Here's this week's list of Drool Darlings: So, let's keep this fund drive rolling and I hope to hear from more of you soon. If you're in another country and want to make a contribution, please email me at nomdedrool@yahoo.com to discuss your options. And, if I haven't emailed you an acknowledgment, then I haven't received your donation. Remember, as Colin has stated in many of his interviews:"}, {"response": 14, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct  1, 2003 (16:26)", "body": "One more Important administrative note. Nomdedrool has gotten off her #$%^^ and started to compile Drool Darling email listings by geographic area (UK, US, Eur, Asia, Australia, Planet Zharg, etc.) because there are a couple of offers that will be done in advance by email before being publicized here or on firth.com. Sorry to be cryptic about it, but, well, I like being cryptic when I'm not dragging my wet blanket around. ;-)"}, {"response": 15, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Oct  1, 2003 (18:58)", "body": "Renee in London last night: http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30500-12808239,00.html"}, {"response": 16, "author": "katty", "date": "Wed, Oct  1, 2003 (20:27)", "body": "Another Review http://www.reelfilm.com/tiff0302.htm#girl It doesn't really matter whether or not you're aware of the fact that Girl with a Pearl Earring is an actual painting from the 17th century; the film works as a drama involving a young peasant girl. Scarlett Johansson stars as Griet, a 17-year-old sent to work as a servant in the Vermeer household. Patriarch Johannes (Colin Firth) is a tortured painter that hardly seems to enjoy his work, but there's no denying his ample talent. But Vermeer's lack of inspiration changes after he spots Griet cleaning a window in his study, and though his family and village disapprove, Vermeer begins to paint the young woman. Unlike a lot of films set in this time period, Girl with a Pearl Earring manages to entertain throughout - primarily due to Griet's compelling nature. She's someone we sympathize with, and because it occasionally seems as if everyone is against her (particularly Vermeer's wife, who presumably suspects the two of having an affair), her plight becomes all-the-more intriguing. It's that fish-out-of-water lement that keeps the film interesting initially, with Griet working to insinuate herself into the lives of the Vermeer family (particularly Johannes, obviously). But as the movie progresses, it becomes more about Griet being painted secretly - which isn't quite as compelling as her attempts to blend into the household. Still, director Peter Webber (making his debut) does a fantastic job of establishing the Dutch landscape of the past; the poorer areas are dank and dirty, while the wealthy neighborhoods are as elegant and ornate as one might imagine. It's interesting to note that certain sequences - such as when Griet and a suitor walk through a forest - are shot in such a way as to look like paintings; as it turns out, this was intentional and such moments have been crafted to replicate actual, well-known paintings. *** out of ****"}, {"response": 17, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Oct  1, 2003 (21:56)", "body": "Great sleuthing Murph and Katty! Leaves me time to do my nails and eat those bon bons, hey Karen?;-) Where is that damn polish anyway.........."}, {"response": 18, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Wed, Oct  1, 2003 (22:08)", "body": "Remember the scapular/panic button everyone noticed around ODB's neck at the TIFF? He appears to be wearing the same thing in some of the location photos for Trauma ????"}, {"response": 19, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Oct  1, 2003 (22:25)", "body": "(Bonnie)Remember the scapular/panic button everyone noticed around ODB's neck at the TIFF? He appears to be wearing the same thing in some of the location photos for Trauma ???? Scapular? Perhaps the Lady in Red is a rogue Nun?;-)"}, {"response": 20, "author": "lorilv", "date": "Wed, Oct  1, 2003 (22:59)", "body": "dear droolers..since delurking, have not had the chance to participate...but have learned that for those of us who have not had the opportunity to see HS (as they have taken their sweet time distributing it in the US), have learned it is to open nation wide Dec 26. don't care if it's good or bad...can't wait for a new Firth fix...for us on this side of the pond, Nov and Dec will be banner months...hope this is something you can share...."}, {"response": 21, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (01:07)", "body": "*yanking my wet blanket back to the computer* (Lori) HS...have learned it is to open nation wide Dec 26. Afraid not. That date has been around since the April one was canceled way back in Feb or March. I thought the studio used that to indicate that it would be released by the end of the year, but it is truly meaningless. At that time of year, theater screens are at a premium for the potential Oscar contenders and the megablockbusters for the kiddies. No one dumps a film then. The date is totally bogus. (of course, I thought the Florida rumor was idiotic too) ;-)"}, {"response": 22, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (15:46)", "body": "My gawd! Taken for an upcoming magazine article perhaps? http://colinfirth.casa-feliz.net/images/categories.php?cat_id=107"}, {"response": 23, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (16:02)", "body": "Whoopsie Daisies, I see Maria had already posted it on Firthology. (Sorry, I figured they were \"new\";-)"}, {"response": 24, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (16:56)", "body": "Thanks for the pics Mari and Maria. He is just a dream."}, {"response": 25, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (17:56)", "body": "Mari and Maria-Thank You for brightening my day!!!!! # 6 is the favorite."}, {"response": 26, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (18:24)", "body": "Wow! Mari/Maria excellent find. Thank you. Firthology? I'll be right there!"}, {"response": 27, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 2003 (22:24)", "body": "(Pam)Thanks for the pics Mari and Maria. He is just a dream. You are sooo right! All I get in my woodpile is spiders and snakes.... What am I doing wrong? Lovely pics, I thank you."}, {"response": 28, "author": "Leah", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 2003 (01:40)", "body": "Thanks for the pics Mari and Maria. I'll just have to repeat it again, That man is Gorgeous !"}, {"response": 29, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 2003 (10:41)", "body": "GWAPE at the Hamptons FF 10/22-26.. http://hiff.ezmweb.com/2003/hifffilms2003.pdf"}, {"response": 30, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 2003 (10:45)", "body": "GWAPE at the Hamptons FF 10/22-26. Season's over. Stephen Speilberg and that crowd are gone. Only the beachcombers & housekeepers are left;-(("}, {"response": 31, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 2003 (10:49)", "body": "For non-Acrobat folks, just go here and you can click on the schedule and then the page for GWAPE: http://hiff.ezmweb.com/2003/boxofficeinfo.asp It is playing in two theaters on Friday, Oct 24th."}, {"response": 32, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 2003 (11:35)", "body": "From Daily Mail Growing up in Tasmania, Essie Davis\ufffds artist father used to tell her that if something was worth doing, it was worth doing well. \ufffdDo it with all your heart\ufffd, he said,\ufffd she recalls. That advice seems to be at the core of what makes Ms Davis such a compelling actress. In the movie Girl With a Pearl Earring (based on Tracy Chevalier\ufffds fictionalised tale about how Johannes Vermeer was inspired by a scullery maid to paint his masterpiece), Ms Davis has taken the supporting part of Vermeer\ufffds wife Catharina (pictured right, opposite Colin Firth as Vermeer) and turned her into a tortured soul. I don\ufffdt know that I would have taken much interest in Vermeer\ufffds wife without her fully-fleshed performance. In the film, Vermeer bans his family from the studio where he paints, but allows entry to the maid, played with rare grace by Scarlett Johansson. \ufffdIt\ufffds terribly undermining when the maid is allowed in, and there is obviously more than work to be done in there,\ufffd Essie said. \ufffdIt must be terribly saddening to watch your husband get a new best friend,\ufffd she added. \ufffdI was very concerned that she shouldn\ufffdt just be the bad, pain-in-the-ass wife\ufffd. Essie succeeds in her aim. (We\ufffdve seen the pic)"}, {"response": 33, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 2003 (11:52)", "body": "Would that be the 'fondling' pic? ;-)"}, {"response": 34, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 2003 (11:56)", "body": "LOL. Yeeeeees"}, {"response": 35, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 2003 (12:19)", "body": "(Bonnie)# 6 is the favorite Same here! To die for . . . sigh. This lady has quite a collection. Among my faves are the ones from the SIL Los Angeles premiere--too funny, they're all half shot. Check out # 7 in particular--now we know there was a third party involved in the Bennifer break-up. ;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 36, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 2003 (12:44)", "body": "When did this guy get get so verbose? I get muddled reading it, shaking my head up and down and then back and forth... THE NEXT SMALL STEP towards the negative is for Love Actually: The Work In Progress, which screened here Sunday night for an enthusiastic and appreciative audience. The film, whether they change a single frame (or byte, since we saw the film projected digitally) or not, is going to be a success. There is no question. Richard Curtis is the current master of this form of film comedy - as a writer. Four Weddings & A Funeral, the adaptation of Bridget Jones's Diary, The Tall Guy, Notting Hill and now, Love Actually. A great run of films. And all the charm of those pictures is on display here. However, he is also a first-time director here and it does show. There are not a whole lot of overt problems in his direction, but there are a number of occasions where his work as a writer is less successful than it deserves to be because his director just doesn't have the tools he will, I'm sure, some day have. But the bigger problem is the room that one tends to get as a writer-director. Watching Love Actually, one gets the feeling that Curtis heard a lot of \"yes\" and not nearly enough \"no.\" There are eight concurrent stories in \". That makes it by far Curtis' most ambitious piece of writing. And I can well understand why he would be so ambitious. After all, every one of these stories is smart, clever and full of promise. He could have done any one, two, three or four of them in his sleep. And that would probably have been a much better idea for someone attempting to direct a film for the first time. Because one of the things that happens in a good writer/director relationship is the creative tension between the person of words and the person of the bigger visual and written picture. Yes, as a writer, you have a visual sense of your script. But there is something to filmic language that demands a different set of tools. People are touting Sofia Coppola's screenplay for Lost in Translation for awards, but as good as the words are, I can't really consider separating them from her visuals. I'm not going to get into too many details about Love Actually. You don't need to know and I don't need to tell you. But the trouble telling eight concurrent stories is that while they can all have great beats and special moments, any traditional screenwriter - which Curtis certainly is - eventually looks to create a second and third act for each storyline. Second acts are often the hardest, since you have neither the freshness of the new nor the thrill of the completion of the journey to work with. And having 8 second acts is a pretty tall order for one movie - especially when half the stories are really not three act stories, but rather just elongated punchlines extended into \"complete\" stories. The problem is, all eight stories are treated in the same way. To be a little clearer, the Keira Knightly, the Liam Neeson and the Kris Marshall sequences are really set-up, punch-line, sweet conclusion pieces. There is nothing inherently wrong with them. I quite like them all. But they don't have the depth, in particular, of three of the other segments and there is no signal of that to the audience. In the middle is the Colin Firth sequence, which has more build that those three, but is still a bit of set-up, punchline, resolution. Finally, the Hugh Grant, the Emma Thompson/Alan Rickman and Laura Linney sequences are built to carry a complexity and richness that the others are not. The problem there is that none of them have enough time to really develop fully. And, in fact, both the Rickman/Thompson and Linney storylines are left hanging just as they get to the emotional vein that screams for significant additional screen time. I mean, they literately stop dead in their tracks. There may well have been more to them, but I would not be surprised if extended sequences amaged the pace of the film and the decision was made to stick with the happiness. The one sequence I haven't mentioned, which is one of my favorites, is the Bill Nighy stuff. It is really funny and really smart and deeply honest. But it is also feels like the rubber cement of the piece, flowing all over the movie, but concentrated only in a few special spots. But again, it isn't used that way now. The effect of all of this is the difference between a good movie and a truly great, perhaps legendary, romantic comedy. Every story works, but they are stuck together the way a nine-year-old does a woodshop project. The sharp edges of nails and the unbalanced angles and splinters hang out all over the place. But you forgive it all because you like these people so much. If I were in Working Title's shoes, I would reexamine the cut. I would unbalance the various storylines. I would open with the wedding and the chorus singing \"All You Need Is Love\" and let that play on through credits, somewhat like The Big Chill. I would consider dumping a few of the music cue gags, whic"}, {"response": 37, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 2003 (12:56)", "body": "I have not seen this, but I often wondered how all of these storylines would play out be resolved. The guy has some valid points, though. But then, again, it's easy to be a Monday morning quarterback. Thanks Maria."}, {"response": 38, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 2003 (13:01)", "body": "Thank you Maria! Odd that he keeps saying \"eight story lines\". I counted ten...and he did not mention the two that I disliked. The 'body doubles' and the 'condom boy'. Wish they would dump them...seems that they are forgettable enough. I'm not going to get into too many details about Love Actually. LOL! At least I warned you I would go on and on and on! He's a fibber! And, in fact, both the Rickman/Thompson and Linney storylines are left hanging just as they get to the emotional vein that screams for significant additional screen time. I mean, they literately stop dead in their tracks. I liked the suspended storylines, IRL we often don't know what happens to people we 'meet'. I like that Curtis left it up to the audience to work out/think about...I get tired of plots that are all nicely tied up and given Hollywood endings. Give me ambiguity and I'm a happy girl."}, {"response": 39, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 2003 (17:40)", "body": "This originally appeared in the LA Times a couple of weeks ago, but I was too cheap to register for their subscription service.;-) True romance Even with Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson and Liam Neeson at his disposal, the writer of Four Weddings and a Funeral and Bridget Jones's Diary is still nervous, writes Patrick Goldstein. As the author of a series of wildly successful British film comedies and sitcoms, including Four Weddings and a Funeral, Bean, Notting Hill and Bridget Jones's Diary, you would imagine Richard Curtis might have conquered his fear of failure by now. But when the engaging 46-year-old writer took the stage recently at the venerable Elgin Theatre at the Toronto Film Festival to introduce Love Actually, his much-anticipated debut film as a director, it was clear all he could think about was not glittering prizes but impending doom. He recalled that when Four Weddings was shown in Salt Lake City, Utah, during a Sundance Film Festival in the early 1990s, a volley of obscenities that Hugh Grant sputtered at the beginning of the film didn't go over especially well with a large Mormon contingent in the audience. \"Before the credits were over,\" Curtis dryly recalled, \"47 very large people walked out of the theatre.\" History did not repeat itself in Toronto more recently. Packed with an all-star ensemble of British comedic actors, as well as a couple of American imports, Love Actually earned a rousing reception from the packed house. Set largely in London at Christmas, it weaves together an array of romantic entanglements, some broadly funny, others bittersweet. As with Curtis's other films, the humour is layered with authentic emotion - the wry comedy of awkward situations and rude surprises, as well as the wincing humour of longing and heartbreak. The jokes are stoked by Curtis's abiding affection for pop culture, whether in a scene where a bereaved husband blasts the Bay City Rollers at his wife's funeral, or a vignette at 10 Downing Street, where the prime minister, played by Grant, looks for inspiration from a photograph of Margaret Thatcher, muttering under his breath, \"Oh, you saucy minx\". Due out in December, the film features the return of such Curtis regulars as Grant, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson and Rowan Atkinson, plus Liam Neeson, Laura Linney, Keira Knightley and Bill Nighy, who plays an ageing rock star trying to make a comeback with a holiday-season remake of the lowbrow pop standard Love Is All Around. As in most Curtis films, love is the inspiration for both the story and the laughs, though the media-shy writer-director, who has only rarely given interviews until now, is loath to analyse the reasons behind his preoccupation with the subject. When asked for an explanation over lunch the day after his premiere, Curtis has quite a comeback. \"I'm sure my girlfriend Emma could get to the bottom of it,\" he says, \"since she's a real Freud - Sigmund Freud's great-granddaughter. But I haven't asked.\" Curtis sighs and stares at his soup. \"A lot of it has to do with my first real girlfriend leaving me. I suppose I've been trying to repair the damage ever since.\" He cannily pauses for a moment before adding: \"I guess I owe her a lot of money for sleeping with that other guy.\" As someone whose films are unabashedly commercial, Curtis is hardly the sort of edgy artiste you would expect to see at a film festival like this. But in the past couple of years, the Toronto festival has undergone a transformation, presenting Hollywood fare alongside obscure Korean dramas and Brazilian documentaries. Nearly every studio has a big release here, including such star-driven films as Matchstick Men (Warner Bros), Out of Time (MGM), School of Rock (Paramount), Veronica Guerin (Disney) and The Human Stain (Miramax). Love Actually is sure to cause a mini-stir in England for Grant's depiction of a bachelor prime minister who takes potshots at Tony Blair and falls for a quirky female staffer. (When she complains about her nasty ex-boyfriend, he says, \"You know, being prime minister, I could just have him killed.\") It also offers a tart political exchange between Grant and Billy Bob Thornton, who plays a bellicose, philandering American president that Curtis views as a partial mix of George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. Curtis dreamed up the idea for the movie while in Bali on a six-month \"life-experiment vacation\" with his family, which includes girlfriend Freud and three young children. Forced to take a long walk each day to cure a back ailment, he gave himself the job of recalling the various romances he and his friends had experienced. Firth, for example, plays a broken-hearted writer who escapes to the south of France, where he falls in love with his housekeeper; she speaks only Portuguese, he only English. The inspiration came from a vacation Curtis and Freud took in the south of France; Curtis drove their beautiful housekeeper home each day, though neither spoke the same language. No romance ensued. \""}, {"response": 40, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct  4, 2003 (10:19)", "body": "Thanks, Mari, for the article. More has been added to the official site for Love Actually, though nothing important or even additional pics of Colin (still a big goose egg): http://www.loveactuallythemovie.com/"}, {"response": 41, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Oct  4, 2003 (14:34)", "body": "Gah! Non gore Trauma pics!!(And look, leather necklace/leash etc. still on neck!) And bed head for Tress!! http://www.myriadpictures.com/film.php?film=17"}, {"response": 42, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Oct  4, 2003 (15:12)", "body": "Maria, thank you so much! And thanks to all for the article, reviews, news and all. Believe I am grateful for every detail, provided to this great place, even though I don't post my gratitude that often ! About the necklace, a friend suggested it could be a medalion of some sort (perhaps Sct. Christopher, protecter of travellers or something like that). Perhaps Livia is Catholic and he got it from her??? BlackStar has set a releasedate for Hope Springs, dvd (R2) to Dec. 6th, 2003. They are usually very accurate in their dates, so I hope this is correct."}, {"response": 43, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Oct  4, 2003 (16:05)", "body": "(Tress)And bed head for Tress!! ...and stubble for Linda. LOL, everytime you say 'bed head' I think hair products. (Tress)And look, leather necklace/leash Leash? LMAO. Electrically charged or plain?"}, {"response": 44, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sat, Oct  4, 2003 (16:13)", "body": "(Linda)Leash? LMAO. Electrically charged or plain? LOL. Can't help but recall the line in FF in the convenience store when they are watching and commenting on the lady stacking cat food and Ms. Zane's character says to Joe, \"You come when I call.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 45, "author": "mjmorris", "date": "Sat, Oct  4, 2003 (16:18)", "body": "About the necklace, a friend suggested it could be a medalion of some sort (perhaps Sct. Christopher, protecter of travellers or something like that). Perhaps Livia is Catholic and he got it from her??? I assumed it was a medal of some sort. We have Catholic friends that wear a necklace with a Saint's medallion all the time. Even if he's not Catholic, it could be some symbol that he feels very strongly about. Michelle"}, {"response": 46, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Oct  4, 2003 (18:27)", "body": "(Maria) And bed head for Tress!! GAH! Now that's what I'm talkin' about! Thanks Maria for the traumatic find! Scarred, scruffy and in need of a hug! I'm dying to know what's at the end of the leash (besides the \"If lost, please call Tress for immediate pick-up\" thing ;-D) and am wondering if it is the same thing he had on in Toronto. I bet it could be a medalion of some sort. The shirt he wore to TIFF was pretty snug. Pics show no evidence of anything big/bulky (ID/Pass or rumored panic button). Hopefully we'll get to see in Trauma!!! Can't wait for this one."}, {"response": 47, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Oct  4, 2003 (18:34)", "body": "He loves this hidden look..."}, {"response": 48, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Oct  4, 2003 (19:01)", "body": "(Mary)He loves this hidden look... And it loves him back! Thanks Mary! (Tress)I'm dying to know what's at the end of the leash He seems so fond of it lately, my guess is that it is kid-made or related...awwww (getting sentimental about something I just made up..sheesh..)"}, {"response": 49, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Oct  4, 2003 (21:06)", "body": "(synopsis of \"Trauma\" from site) When he learns that his wife, Elisa, was killed in the accident, his entire world collapses.... But his mind starts playing tricks on him. Elisa, Elisa, can you hear me, Elisa? ;-) (Tress)I'm dying to know what's at the end of the leash Do you mean aside from the red fingernail? ;-)"}, {"response": 50, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Oct  4, 2003 (23:23)", "body": "(Karen)More has been added to the official site for Love Actually, http://www.loveactuallythemovie.com/ Thanks, Karen--I just checked and they've added quite a bit today, including a much better (i.e., lotsa Colin;-) trailer! Nice find on the Trauma site, Maria--thanks. (Lisa)Do you mean aside from the red fingernail? ;-) Heh, heh, heh.:-)"}, {"response": 51, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct  5, 2003 (00:16)", "body": "Thanks for the finding the pics, Maria. They're high enough resolution to enlarge very well and have put them here: http://www.firth.com/trauma_gal1.html"}, {"response": 52, "author": "BarbaraT", "date": "Sun, Oct  5, 2003 (10:43)", "body": "\"News\" item from today's Mail on Sunday: I'm too sexy for my role TV star is cut from film for \"stealing show\" off Colin Firth By Claire Newbon His brilliant performance as Chancellor Gordon Brown in The Deal, the TV drama about the battle for the Labour leadership, won rave reviews. But David Morrissey says his next role, in the British film Girl With A Pearl Earring, has been edited out after producers realised his performances were overshadowing those of his co-star, Colin Firth. \"Apparently they had real trouble in every scene I was in with Colin,\" said Morrissey, 40, last night. \"All the tests they did, showing the film to an audience to gauge reaction, ended up with people saying, \"Which guy are you supposed to fancy?\" \"So they have re-edited it and I have ended up on the cutting room floor. Angry? No - but I'm obviously rather disappointed.\" That disappointment is magnified by the producers tipping the film to be a strong contender at next year's Oscars ceremony. Liverpool-born Morrissey recorded his scenes earlier this year with Firth, who became a heart-throb after starring in TV's Pride and Prejudice. Firth plays artist Johannes Vermeer in the new film, based on a best-selling novel by Tracey Chevalier. Morrissey had been due to play 17th century scientist Antony van Leeuwenhoek, Vermeer's close friend and neighbour who achieved some of the greatest discoveries in the history of biology. The film also stars Essie Davis. Morrissey, whose long-term partner is novelist and former actress Esther Freud, has enjoyed a successful TV career. Earlier his year, he starred in the political drama State Of Play and won plaudits for his role as Kiffer Finzi in Hillary and Jackie, the 1998 biopic about Jacqueline du Pre, the brilliant British cellist who died from Multiple Sclerosis. His movie career has been less high profile and his last Hollywood part was a small role in the 2001 film Captain Corelli's Mandolin, which had mixed reviews. Last night producer Andy Paterson confirmed Morrissey had been edited out of GWAPE but denied the decision had been based on findings from a test audience. Paterson suggested that Morrissey had only been joking when he said that the decision had been taken to protect Firth's sex-symbol status. \"David is an extraordinary actor but we really wanted to tell the story through the main character's eyes and for reasons of adaptation we found that David's part took you away from that,\" he said. \"He has been very grown-up about what has happened and he knows how things work and that this is all part of the process. \"He is a great mate of mine and Colin's and he also knows the author, Tracy Chevalier, so I can't imagine that there would be a problem.\" Text accompanied by pic of DM as himself and smaller one of CF and ED in GWAPE (the fondle scene)."}, {"response": 53, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct  5, 2003 (10:59)", "body": "Thanks Barbara, but it looks like this joking comment by Morrissey is destined to be repeated everywhere and taken seriously. If Paterson is such a good friend of DM's, he better tell him to cut it out but I guess it is too late as the quip is out of the bag. ;-) As if anyone could believe DM being more sexy than Colin..."}, {"response": 54, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct  5, 2003 (11:36)", "body": "You might want to read the review posted here: http://www.lff.org.uk/films_details.php?FilmID=99"}, {"response": 55, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct  5, 2003 (12:03)", "body": "Courtesy of Jennie, from the August/October 2003 issue of Schuh magazine ( http://www.schuhmagazine.co.uk/ ) thought the entire article is not online FIRTH IMPRESSIONS by Mike Davies Renowned for his portrayal of two Darcys, one in period drama Pride & Prejudice and the other in box office smash Bridget Jones's Diary, Mike Davies finds out there's more to Colin Firth than meets the eye. An updated rework of 1958 romance The Reluctant Debutante given a Disneyfied makeover, there's a scene in What a Girl Wants which Colin Firth is hardly likely to forget. And it's a safe bet audiences will find it rather memorable too. Firth plays Lord Henry Dashwood, a man who's become weighed down by the responsibilities of an aristocratic family tradition and a blossoming political career and has forgotten that long ago, when he fell in love with a free thinking, beautiful young American he viewed the world in a rather different way and knew how to let his hair down. Back then he married the liberated Libby (Kelly Preston) in a romantic Moroccan ceremony but events - and his self-interested advisers - conspired to break up the romance. What he didn't know, until she turns up unexpectedly on his doorstep, was that he'd also fathered a child, Daphne (Amanda Bynes). And when this lively American teenager finally seeks out the father she's never know, his life is turned upside down. Misspent Youth Henry begins to remember what it was like when he rode a moteorbike and listened to the music he loved. Which gives rise to the scene in question as Firth pulls on his leather trousers and stands in front of a mirror giving it some serious air guitar to very loud rock music. The 43 year old Firth breaks into a huge grin. \"Yes, dancing in leather trousers. I did wonder if there's a good chance it could kill my career,\" he laughs. \"I very rarely get asked to do the self-mockery thing on a big scale. I certainly very rarely get asked to do it in front of a mirror! And I spent most of my youth doing exactly that. I mean, that was me. Far more than the guy in the suit I'm sort of known for playing.\" As yes, the guy in the suit. If even he believes that's how people think of him, doesn't this tend to suggest that, like Hugh Grant, Firth's got himself pigeonholed as, well, the Colin Firth character. \"Actually I think the Colin Firth character is probably more easily identified by other people than by me,\" he says running a hand through casually tousled hair. \"I usually get asked about the type of character I've been playing - the stiff English gentleman who's always in a suit or always in period costume or always confused. It used to be that I was always paranoid or that I was a loser. There's usually one character type that you seem to associate yourself with at one time or other.\" Born in Grayshott, Hampshire, Firth made his stage debut in the school panto as Jack Frost but it was while playing Hamlet during his final term at Chalk Farm Drama Centre in 1982 that he was discovered, making his stage debut opposite Rupert Everett in Another Country based on the Maclean/Burgess spy scandal, reprising their roles for the 1984 film version. However, obscurity beckoned and Firth spent much of the next decade going largely unnoticed. But then came the BBC's Pride & Prejudice placing him firmly into the spotlight as the thinking woman's crumpet. And it's there he's remained. For a long time, though, it did seem Firth was forever going to be seen only as Mr Darcy. More specifically Mr Darcy in that wet shirt image of sex on period drama legs. And just when it looked like the fuss was dying down what did he go and do? Bridget Jones's Diary playing someone called, that's right, Darcy. However, while he admits it's hard to get through an interview without the words \"Pride & Prejudice\" cropping up at some point, Firth has long since put it into perspective. \"I don't think the Darcy thing will go away. If I brought about world peach the headlines would read, 'Mr Darcy solves world peace', but apart from the problem of trying to think of anything clever to say about it, the pin-up tag doesn't encroach on my life at all. I suppose there's worse things to be known for.\" Big Daddy Firth genuinely doesn't seem fussed about public perceptions nor does he dispute that the characters he plays can seem similar, because to some extent all parts are autobiographical. \"Acting tens to be perceived as the art of transforming yourself\", he muses. \"I actually don't see it like that. With a couple of very notable exceptions I think all actors are pretty sameish in most of what they do.\" \"And there's nothing wrong with that. I have made attempts - with greater or lesser success - at transformation. I find it quite a fun exercise, but I find it far more interesting taking whatever it is that I might bring to a situation and apply it to the [Ed note: something missing]. In fact it's harder in some ways to play a character closer to yourself than someone wildly different.\" "}, {"response": 56, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct  5, 2003 (12:38)", "body": "(Karen)As if anyone could believe DM being more sexy than Colin... In his dreams. Though DM does have a better American accent Thanks Jennie, Karen and Mari.But I can't get the railer to work on the LA site. \"He's also due to travel to South Africa to film The Dead Wait playing a South African army officer in a story of retribution that spans 20 years from the bloody Angolan War of 1983 to present day South Africa. \" There ya' go Leah. Glad to see this one mentioned. I don't want that book to take residence on my night table;-)"}, {"response": 57, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct  5, 2003 (12:55)", "body": "Sort of a Sixteen magazine or Tiger Beat type thing (am aging myself!) , courtesy of JennieT too: http://www.firth.com/articles/03womansown_929.html FYI, they've used a pic from the Rome Press Conference for TIOBE, in the hotel courtyard, leaning on a column."}, {"response": 58, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Oct  5, 2003 (13:24)", "body": "(Evelyn)Thanks Jennie, Karen and Mari.But I can't get the railer to work on the LA site, I could only get it to work using Quicktime. Windows media was distorted. Ditto the thank you to Jennie, Karen and Mari. However, I can't get the link to work from Karen's post. (Evelyn)Glad to see this one mentioned. I don't want that book to take residence on my night table;-) Is it safe to read, yet? (Karen)Tiger Beat...Wow, was that a blast from the past...ah Bobby Sherman and Davy Jones....."}, {"response": 59, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Oct  5, 2003 (13:25)", "body": "(closing tags)"}, {"response": 60, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Oct  5, 2003 (13:34)", "body": "Thank you all for the news and articles. :-) Nothing here, that we haven't seen before, but I do like this picture and the comments, switching over the site: http://www.girlwithapearlearringmovie.com/"}, {"response": 61, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct  5, 2003 (13:35)", "body": "Which link doesn't work?"}, {"response": 62, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Oct  5, 2003 (13:40)", "body": "Thank you ladies! The cf site gets better and better, Karen, thank you! Tokyo is a hugely seductive presence, gorgeous looking From the London FF. The same reviewer of GWAPE did Lost in Translation and she actually thought Tokyo looked gorgeous and Colin was tolerable as Vermeer? She is really out of it. Morrissey, whose long-term partner is novelist and former actress Esther Freud I wonder if Esther is related to Curtis's girlfirend who is also a Freud?"}, {"response": 63, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct  5, 2003 (13:47)", "body": "Yes, the Freuds are all related. Esther is the daughter of the painter Lucien and great-grandaughter of Sigmund. Matthew and Emma (Richard Curtis' partner) are cousins)."}, {"response": 64, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Oct  5, 2003 (13:53)", "body": "Thanks for all the goodies Karen (lovely 'blown up' bed head pic is getting a lot of viewing from me), Barbara, Murph (for 'hidden ODB' pics), JennieT.... Love this version of the LA trailer. (Maria) He seems so fond of it lately, my guess is that it is kid-made or related...awwww (getting sentimental about something I just made up..sheesh..) ROTFL...... (Karen) Sort of a Sixteen magazine or Tiger Beat type thing (am aging myself!) , courtesy of JennieT too: LOL! I remember those articles!!! I am just thankful that Tiger Beat doesn't make magazines for 'big girls'. The DH wouldn't be able to take it....and I don't like the idea of removing staples from ODB's abdomen to pin him up over my bed! ;-)"}, {"response": 65, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Oct  5, 2003 (16:35)", "body": "(Karen)Which link doesn't work? It works for me, now. It was the Love It Loathe It. Thank you"}, {"response": 66, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Oct  5, 2003 (18:13)", "body": "*Loved* Tiger Beat! (CF) I don't like it when someone comes up to me with a scrap of paper and a borrowed pen, and says, \"Ere, sign this.\" I don't mind being recognised or signing autographs, but there is a well-mannered way of asking.... .....though I don't mind whining at me from behind. If I get annoyed, I just hand back the pen, point first, so it jabs them in the hand. ;-D"}, {"response": 67, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Oct  5, 2003 (18:29)", "body": "(Dorine)though I don't mind whining at me from behind. If I get annoyed ...I take refuge in the loo;-)"}, {"response": 68, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Oct  5, 2003 (20:59)", "body": "(Dorine) though I don't mind whining at me from behind. If I get annoyed.... (Linda) ...I take refuge in the loo;-) LOL...hey! I think I'm being mocked! ;-D That's alright....I am merely a 'fledgling fan'. Despite my numerous blunders, ODB was very kind (i.e. he didn't scream for security to haul me away). If he meant to poke me, he did it with panache and it was greatly enjoyed....the run to the loo I feel badly about....but he was staring....and then I was staring....and I'd still be there if he hadn't made a break for it. So thank goodness he had enough wits about him to run...quickly.....away.......;-D"}, {"response": 69, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sun, Oct  5, 2003 (21:36)", "body": "Thanks Mari, Karen, Maria and anyone else I missed for all the reviews and links. Love the new Trauma pics, Maria. Have we seen ODB in anything other than that faded blue pullover in the Trauma pics? I am very curious about this film. Hope it is in the Hitchcock vein and not just another bloody horror film. Tress, I thought we had established that ODB was simply waiting for Scarlett outside the loo, and not hiding from you;-) You are still my hero!"}, {"response": 70, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Oct  5, 2003 (22:36)", "body": "Just saw this on aol news : Updated: 09:40 PM EDT Pearl Earring' wins top prize at Dinard By Shiraz Sidhva, Reuters DINARD, France (Hollywood Reporter) - Director Peter Webber's visually striking film \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" starring Colin Firth and Scarlett Johannson, won the top award on Sunday, at the 14th Dinard Festival of British Films. Inspired by the enigmatic painting of the same name by 17th century Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer, the film was a \"technical tour de force,\" according to French producer Charles Gassot, who headed the jury of eight. The anonymous girl in the painting and the fact that there is little on record of the Dutch master's life, has generated centuries of historical speculation and three recent books. The film is based on Tracy Chevalier's eponymous tale of a young girl, Griet, who finds work in Vermeer's prosperous Delft household in the 1660s, after her family loses its fortune. The 16-year old girl attracts the master painter's attention and becomes his model until she is driven out of the house by the painter's jealous, perpetually pregnant wife and his meddling mother-in-law."}, {"response": 71, "author": "Leah", "date": "Mon, Oct  6, 2003 (02:50)", "body": "(Evelyn)\"He's also due to travel to South Africa to film The Dead Wait playing a South African army officer in a story of retribution that spans 20 years from the bloody Angolan War of 1983 to present day South Africa. \" There ya' go Leah. Glad to see this one mentioned. I don't want that book to take residence on my night table;-) I'm also glad it is mentioned. I am waiting patiently, VERY patiently ;-) and I can be so good at being patient. ;-);-)"}, {"response": 72, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Mon, Oct  6, 2003 (05:34)", "body": "So sorry I forgot to thank Annette for the link to the GWAPE poster. This one certainly produces vibratons and I can't wait to see it on the big screen. Our smoulderer is back in full force!! I keep telling myself that January is just around the corner."}, {"response": 73, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct  6, 2003 (09:58)", "body": "Seattle Times on the Toronto FF films: A world away is \"Girl with a Pearl Earring,\" based on Tracy Chevalier's novel. A quietly soulful first feature from British director Peter Webber, it's less about character and drama than about the way golden light from a dusty window catches a young woman's face. Colin Firth is the brooding 17th-century Dutch artist Vermeer, Scarlett Johansson is the servant girl who becomes his muse, and every frame of the film is ravishingly beautiful, thanks to Eduardo Serra's cinematography. Not much happens, but audiences will be far too busy devouring this gorgeous film with their eyes to care."}, {"response": 74, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct  6, 2003 (12:40)", "body": "Following up on Ada's news . . . Firth, Johansson Vehicle Wins Top Prize Mon, Oct 06, 2003, 09:10 AM PT LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - Known to many singletons as Mark Darcy, Colin Firth, along with his co-star, Scarlett Johansson, had something to celebrate over the weekend. Their latest movie, \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" won the top prize at Dinard, a French film festival solely dedicated to British cinema, according the BBC. The film was awarded the Hitchcock D'Or prize, named for the legendary director, Alfred Hitchcock, who once lived in the Brittany town where the festival is held. Making his big screen debut is director Peter Webber. The film also stars veteran actor Tom Wilkinson and Essie Davis, who portrayed Maggie in \"The Matrix Reloaded.\" Based on the novel by Tracy Chevalier, \"Girl with a Pearl Earring\" tells the tale of a 16-year-old Dutch girl (Johansson) who becomes a maid in the house of the painter Johannes Vermeer. She consequently becomes the subject of one of his most famous paintings. Johansson (\"Ghost World,\" \"The Horse Whisperer\") can currently be seen in Sophia Coppola's indie hit, \"Lost in Translation\" alongside Bill Murray. Firth is busy reprising his role of Mark Darcy in the upcoming \"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason\" which also stars Renee Zellweger. \"Girl with a Pearl Earring\" will be released in New York and Los Angeles in December."}, {"response": 75, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct  6, 2003 (13:00)", "body": "From Box Office mag: GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING **1/2 \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" is an adaptation of the kind of feminist fiction that is often no more than a high-art equivalent of Harlequin romance. This setting for 16th-century Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer's famous portrait is told from the point of view of the maidservant who sat for it. Although it's an elegantly lit and beautifully composed literary conceit, the hushed tones of the picture are the kind usually reserved for lighting incense sticks instead. Colin Firth plays the tempestuous painter like a muted Heathcliff still prowling the moors in \"Wuthering Heights.\" Tom Wilkinson, portraying the morally corrupt art patron who keeps Vermeer alive, goes in the opposite direction. He acts up a storm as if he thought the camera might forget that he's there. Only Scarlett Johansson as Griet, the subject of Vermeer's painting, gives a delicately nuanced performance. In what is essentially a pantomime role, Johansson infuses her character with enough emotional shadings to bring the painting to life for us. In \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" she is the only gem among the scrap jewelry.-Kevin Courrier"}, {"response": 76, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct  6, 2003 (13:01)", "body": "Thaks, Mari and Ada. This bodes very well for the BAFTAS."}, {"response": 77, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Oct  6, 2003 (15:09)", "body": "(Moon)This bodes very well for the BAFTAS. . My thoughts, exactly. V.exciting news, indeed! Thanks Mari, Ada, and Karen for the GWAPE/Dinard news"}, {"response": 78, "author": "katty", "date": "Mon, Oct  6, 2003 (20:29)", "body": "In addition to the Grand Prize, voted on by the judges, GWAPE also won the the Public Prize at the Dinard Film Festival, which I assume means it was voted best by the public. http://www.festivaldufilm-dinard.com/ \"Girl with a Pearl Earring\" de Peter Webber a re\ufffdu l'Hitchcock d'Or' (Grand Prix) et l'Hitchcock d'Argent (Prix du Public). \" I'm surprised that it didn't also win the photography prize, since it was such a \" \"technical tour de force,\" and all critics agree that the cinematography was great, but maybe the judges wanted to spread the prizes out more. Dinard is a film festival that only includes British films, and GWAPE was in the running with only 5 other films I never heard of, but it still gives you hope that the film will be a success."}, {"response": 79, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Oct  6, 2003 (21:59)", "body": "Saw an ad in this week's Entertainment Weekly for an advance screening of LA in certain U.S. cities. No VaBch (of course:-(.) but Philly, DC, NY, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, LA, SanFran. To win free passes go to www.ew.com/freescreening and register."}, {"response": 80, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 2003 (01:16)", "body": "Colin is scheduled to be on E! News Live this Friday, October 10. Show airs at 7 PM. From their website: Lynda Lopez travels to London for a sit-down interview with Keira Knightley, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson and Colin Firth for their new movie Love Actually. Also, I saw the new GWAPE book in stores today, with the poster photo on the cover. Says \"now a major motion picture.\" Also has a quote from Time mag (concerning the book) on the front. No pics inside.:-("}, {"response": 81, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 2003 (02:07)", "body": "(Mari) Colin is scheduled to be on E! News Live this Friday, October 10 Oh, goodie! Hola did say this was the weekend for the LA press junkets there. More lovely courses to go! :-)"}, {"response": 82, "author": "meg", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 2003 (06:58)", "body": "Re: the Box Office Mag review... Good grief. What crawled up that critic and died??? Obviously predisposed to dislike it based (his?) opinion of books written about and by women. Shouldn't have reviewed it since so clearly biased."}, {"response": 83, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 2003 (07:39)", "body": "Have been away from Drooling in order to keep a sense of respect for Yom Kippur. But now's time to crawl back to the fun! (Meg)Good grief. What crawled up that critic and died??? LOL! Everyone is entitiled to her or his own opinion, right? But yes, he's obviously still wrong. ;-) (Ada)...an advance screening of LA in certain U.S. cities... Atlanta ... Thanks Ada! For once something comes to my home town. Have no idea why I signed up for it, though, as I will be with the Drooler's contingent in NY. Maybe passes could be transferable from city to city... Of course, must win passes first. (Katty)\"Girl with a Pearl Earring\" de Peter Webber a re\ufffdu l'Hitchcock d'Or' (Grand Prix) et l'Hitchcock d'Argent (Prix du Public).\" Bravo! May the accolades continue to come!!!"}, {"response": 84, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 2003 (09:56)", "body": "The new Premiere Mag with RZ on the cover also with interview. Nothing new on TEOR or Colin. Tells the interviewer she can't reveal much of the story, but that it follows the book [Ed Note: \"Duh\"]. But on page 40 there there is a nice paragraph ...top of page... ON LOCATION LONDON What if you woke up from a coma following a car accident that killed your wife and found the country mourning for a celebrity, like, say, Princess Diana, or a pop star? How would your grief measure up to the grief of a nation? Thus begins TRAUMA , a psychological thriller in which a widower (Colin Firth) starts seeing his dead wife around his creepy new apartment; meanwhile, his ethereal neighbor (Mena Suvari) begins introducing him to the spirit world. \"You don't know if she's real or not.\" Suvari says of her character. \"It's about someone whose grief leads him to a kind of madness,\" says director Marc Evans ( My Little Eye ) , on location at London's run-down St. Pancras Chambers,perhaps best known as the point of departure for the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films. \"It reminded me a little bit of paranoia films I liked in the '70s, some of the Polanski films and Don't Look Now\" Firth says. \"It's unashamedly trying to mess with your mind.\" ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Accompanied with small map of UK with location on London and two head shots of Colin and MS. St. Pancras is about the closest he ever got to the Harry Potter films;-(("}, {"response": 85, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 2003 (10:45)", "body": "Thanks ladies for all the news bits. The Fall 2003 issue of FLM magazine, which you pick up free at Landmark Cinemas has a small listing for GWAPE, with usual pic of Colin and SJ, with one paragraph story synopsis. Hopefully, there will be a bigger article in the Winter edition."}, {"response": 86, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 2003 (12:57)", "body": "Thanks, Evelyn, Katty and Mari. Let the games begin! Even Trauuuuuma news in Premiere. Excellent!"}, {"response": 87, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 2003 (14:02)", "body": "An interview with Laura Linney, talking a little bit about LA: http://www.darkhorizons.com/news03/laura.htm"}, {"response": 88, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 2003 (14:19)", "body": "Thank you, thank you, thank you everyone for all the news and pics. This is going to be such a great time."}, {"response": 89, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 2003 (15:17)", "body": "Lion's Gate has the Academy and guild screening sessions set up for GWAPE: http://www.lionsgateawards.com/index_flash.html #"}, {"response": 90, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 2003 (15:48)", "body": "From Film Threat's Telluride FF round-up: An ebullient Peter Webber introduced his superb \ufffdGirl With a Pearl Earring\ufffd (****), based on the best-selling novel. Beautifully shot, the film is an extrapolation on the creation of Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer, played by Colin Firth with his usual aplomb. Marked by stunning cinematography evoking Vermeer\ufffds work and a particularly effective score, Webber\ufffds \ufffdEarring,\ufffd featuring a tour de force by actress Scarlett Johansson, was another fest highlight."}, {"response": 91, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 2003 (16:09)", "body": "Thanks for the screening info, Mari! Wonder if there's a limit on the # of RSVP's. ;-D"}, {"response": 92, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 2003 (23:21)", "body": "A couple of relevant sections from Martin Grove's column: Although it would be nice to think that all movies put up for Academy consideration or for consideration in other key awards races have an equal chance of being seen, that's just not the case. There always have been the big movies that everybody's dying to see and that generate immediate RSVPs when their screening invitations are received. These are films that people have no problem making time to see. You don't have to ask your spouse if she or he wants to go because you know instantly that they'll be thrilled to go. Some recent examples of such films are \"Intolerable Cruelty\" and \"Love Actually,\" both from Universal....As for \"Love Actually,\" here we're talking about writer-director Richard Curtis, who wrote \"Four Weddings and a Funeral,\" \"Notting Hill\" and \"Bridget Jones's Diary.\" And we're talking about an ensemble cast including the likes of Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman and Colin Firth. Plus, we're talking about a film that looks terrific because it's set in London during the Christmas seaso . You'd have to be crazy not to go to a screening of \"Love Actually! \" [...] Of course, a good question is whether the pirates want to copy and then try to sell movies that nobody's really heard of. Only a handful of the pictures entering the year-end marketplace are really the kind of high profile blockbusters that a self-respecting pirate would stoop to digitizing....I'd be surprised if there were pirates out there drooling over the prospects of copying lower-profile films like \"21 Grams,\" \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" and \"The Company.\" I don't mean to suggest that these aren't good movies. It's just that at this point they're still waiting to be acclaimed by the critics and endorsed by the awards givers. After that happens, the pirates may well want them, too. But for now it's hard to make a case that sending out DVD screeners of such films would result in global piracy. ~~~~~~ While I don't think all that much about Grove, he does explain the realities of situation on voters. You can read the whole thing here: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/columns/grove_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1995638"}, {"response": 93, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (06:18)", "body": "They are chatting on BBC London this morning about who our celebrity leader should be after Arnie's win (oh my) - Colin has been mentioned. I like it."}, {"response": 94, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (09:23)", "body": "I'd be surprised if there were pirates out there drooling over the prospects of copying lower-profile films like \"21 Grams,\" \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" and.... Ha ha ha ha, hee hee hee....ROTF!"}, {"response": 95, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (10:07)", "body": "(EmmaB)They are chatting on BBC London this morning about who our celebrity leader should be after Arnie's win (oh my) - Colin has been mentioned. OPB (Our Politico Boy) would love it.LOL;-)"}, {"response": 96, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (10:10)", "body": "(Emma), They are chatting on BBC London this morning about who our celebrity leader should be after Arnie's win (oh my) - Colin has been mentioned. I like it. You mean after Arnold California celebrity leader, England is looking for one? ;-) What exactly is that about? There always have been the big movies that everybody's dying to see and that generate immediate RSVPs when their screening invitations are received. That always happens. The independents are just going to have to offer popcorn or frapuccinos at their screenings. ;-)"}, {"response": 97, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (11:52)", "body": ""}, {"response": 98, "author": "katty", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (17:07)", "body": "Interesting tidbit from an Atlanta newspaper about this super scholar-athlete with EXCELLENT taste: http://www.al.com/sports/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/sports/1065604772149760.xml Female Scholar-Athlete of the week \"Year: Senior; Sport: Volleyball. Academic highlights: Rachel has a 4.5 grade-point average on a 4.0 weighted scale, scored 32 on the ACT and 1,460 on the SAT... ...If you could have dinner with anyone of your choosing, who would it be? I would have dinner with COLIN FIRTH because I love him as Mr. Darcy in \"Pride and Prejudice,\" and it's fun to talk to anyone who has a British accent...\""}, {"response": 99, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 2003 (20:55)", "body": "I would have dinner with COLIN FIRTH because I love him as Mr. Darcy in \"Pride and Prejudice,\" That's why she's the Scholar of the week;-)Smart gel."}, {"response": 100, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (12:10)", "body": "\"I would have dinner with COLIN FIRTH because I love him as Mr. Darcy in \"Pride and Prejudice,\" Indeed a young woman with great taste. And I would offer him dessert as well;-)"}, {"response": 101, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 2003 (14:11)", "body": "Not yet! But it could be. This is the final week of our Annual Drool Fundraising Drive. Please contact me to get information on how to make your contribution. If you haven't received an acknowledgment from me, then I haven't received it yet. There are still quite a few people who emailed me, but from whom I haven't received anything yet. So, if it's slipped your mind, now is the time to get that checkbook out. We are very near our goal, having collected approximately 90 percent of the coming year's basic operating expenses. Here is this week's list of Drool Darlings, who have dusted off the old checkbook and helped us get closer to that goal: Thanks again to everyone for their continuing generosity."}, {"response": 102, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 2003 (04:53)", "body": "Well, I suck. I didn't get tickets for the night time GWAPE gala at the LFF, only one for the showing the following afternoon (meaning that I will have to be conveniently sick that day). At least I get to see it at the end of October instead of waiting, but still disappointed. Will console myself over the next week during my Grecian holiday..."}, {"response": 103, "author": "Leah", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 2003 (05:31)", "body": "(Emma)(meaning that I will have to be conveniently sick that day). Yes, we all have our 'off' days ;-)"}, {"response": 104, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 2003 (07:40)", "body": "Checkk out today's Daily Mail. Baz has some stuff on LA."}, {"response": 105, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 2003 (10:04)", "body": "From Antonella: Blue don't feel the Love Actually Poor old Blue. Not only do the pop hunks have to contend with the daily grind of having Lee Ryan among their number but now they're set to become the laughing stock of the movie world - thanks to Richard Curtis's new film Love Actually. One of the strands of the multi-plotlined rom-com sees aging rocker Billy Mack (Bill Nighy) going head to head with the lads for the Christmas No. 1 and he doesn't pull any punches, especially when guesting on Ant & Dec's TV show. First he sarcastically describes Duncan, Anthony, Lee and Simon as \"great musicians\" before drawing a speech bubble on a poster of the boys, ridiculing the size of their manhood's. You'll have to go see the film, which opens on November 21, to find out who grabs the coveted top spot. 10.30am Thursday 9 October 2003"}, {"response": 106, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 2003 (15:28)", "body": "I'll post this here because it deals with the TFF. Not sure if it will include LA or GWAPE. http://www.aetv.com/global/listings/series_showcase.jsp?EGrpType=Series&Id=186433&NetwCode=AEN BREAKFAST WITH THE ARTS SUNDAY OCTOBER 12, 2003 8:00 AM eastern time Elliott Forrest, host Breakfast with the Arts. Fall Film Prevue. Breakfast with the Arts travels to the Toronto Film Festival to talk to producers, directors and actors about their newest projects. Includes"}, {"response": 107, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 2003 (15:50)", "body": "Oooooh!! I'll be up anyway, as the rude marathon volunteers will start whooping it up below my window at about 5ish. Seems more than likely Elliott would try to highlight (a) costume dramas and (b) A&E very own poster boy. ;-) Reminder for Today: E! News Live isn't that on today??"}, {"response": 108, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 2003 (16:23)", "body": "(EmmaB) Well, I suck. I didn't get tickets for the night time GWAPE gala at the LFF, only one for the showing the following afternoon. Emma, I'm glad you will see GWAPE finally! Are you sure there are no tickets left for the gala? When I searched for tickets for the GWAPE screening in Toronto I was told everywhere that all tickets were sold out. A scalpel offered me tickets very \"generously\" for 135 CAN $. So I went to the gala just to spot Colin in the belief that all tickets were sold out, and was left gaping open mouthed when I saw that there were plenty of tickets at the box office before the show, and the theatre was only about one third full. Do you live close enough to the \"action\" to try for the gala tix again? It might be worth a try."}, {"response": 109, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 2003 (16:30)", "body": "Thanks for the E! News reminder. I had forgotten. Also, heads up for Queer Eye fans...marathon starting at 7 tonight on Bravo."}, {"response": 110, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 2003 (18:43)", "body": "My A&E letter from the producer says.... \"Breakfast with the Arts. Fall Film Prevue. Breakfast with the Arts travels to the Toronto Film Festival to talk to producers, directors and actors about their newest projects. Includes talks with producer Jerry Bruckheimer and actor Cate Blanchett on \"Veronica Guerin\"; director and screenwriter Peter Hedges, on \"Pieces of April\"; actor Mark Ruffalo on \"In the Cut\" directed by Jane Campion and co-starring Meg Ryan; and actors Val Kilmer and Josh Lucas on \"Wonderland.\" [TV PG]"}, {"response": 111, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 2003 (19:24)", "body": "(Karen) Reminder for Today: E! News Live isn't that on today?? Maybe I blinked, but nothing on LA. :-((("}, {"response": 112, "author": "KathyLC", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 2003 (19:28)", "body": "I apologize if this is posted elsewhere. Colin with glasses at Wireimage. http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=gls====38737"}, {"response": 113, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 2003 (20:01)", "body": "Thanks so much, Kathy! Have to say I like HG's hair better than Colin's. You know I love the longer hair. Colin's is a tad to short for me, but no matter. I will say Colin is aging *much* better than HG. Matter of fact, I'd almost say he looks like he's had work done, but I find it hard to believe he'd do that. Especially after seeing what happened to Rupe. ;-) At the least, he looks like he's had a facial peel. His skin looks amazing. I kinda like the glasses, but I might like different frames a bit better. Still attractive though."}, {"response": 114, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 2003 (20:12)", "body": "LOVE the pictures! Thanks KathyLC! As a person who must wear glasses, I just nearly fall over when I see them on him and these are REAL (as opposed the the fakes of TIOBE and AC)!! And I like the frames! They look like ringers for my old pair (that I just replaced)...dark frame with wire earpieces (or whatever you call the sides)... (Dorine) Have to say I like HG's hair better than Colin's. You know I love the longer hair. Colin's is a tad to short for me, but no matter. I was just thinking ODB's hair was a bit too long on top (makes it flat). Like the short sides and back...but he needs a bang trim! HG just has great hair (didn't ODB once say he envied HG's 'hair options'? LOL!). I agree that Colin is aging much better than HG...but I'm biased. I think he looks fantastic."}, {"response": 115, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 2003 (20:18)", "body": "(Tress) I was just thinking ODB's hair was a bit too long on top (makes it flat). Yes, exactly. The length on top emphasizes to me how short the rest is. Except the sideburns which are just right. Rather see him grow out the sides and back. Reminds me of his hair in BJD, where his hair looked only fair more often than not to me."}, {"response": 116, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 2003 (20:40)", "body": "Kathy--Thank you for the link to the photographs! (Tress)As a person who must wear glasses, I just nearly fall over when I see them on him and these are REAL (as opposed the the fakes of TIOBE and AC)!! Indeed! He looks amazing with glasses (coming from a fellow four-eyes). ;-)"}, {"response": 117, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 2003 (20:58)", "body": "I don't like the glasses at all; looks nerdy. But he looks better than Liam Neeson & Alan Rickman Which isn't saying much. Hair looks straight; used too much Potion 9 that day. And parted! Taking this fatherhood stuff seriously;-)"}, {"response": 118, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 2003 (21:09)", "body": "(Evelyn) I don't like the glasses at all; I don't love 'em, or hate 'em...just like Sylvia. And parted! Maybe that's what struck me as a bit odd about it. Liam Neeson Eeeek!! Missed those before. Alan Rickman He's a bit on the puffy side lately."}, {"response": 119, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 2003 (21:24)", "body": "Thanks, Kathy! Oh my, there's a picture of Colin with those glasses from the Donmar lobby several years ago. I remember people thought he was trying to go incognito, but apparently not. I'm not big on the part either. Doesn't look v. Mark Darcy to me. I'll put up bigger ones later."}, {"response": 120, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 2003 (23:34)", "body": "I don't care for the glasses, or at least those glasses. They hide too much of CF's beautiful face. I thought HG looked pretty good (dodging tomatoes) but not handsome enough to tempt me. Liam looks weird--what's with that hair?"}, {"response": 121, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 2003 (23:45)", "body": "Everyone may have figured this out already, but if you type in ODB's name in the search, it comes up with three additional pictures. Nice smiles! http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=SRH&logsrch=1&sfld ="}, {"response": 122, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 2003 (23:47)", "body": "Crikey! Link didn't work...just type in his name and you'll see...."}, {"response": 123, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 2003 (23:59)", "body": "(Evelyn) I don't like the glasses at all; looks nerdy He professes to be a nerd.... (Karen) Oh my, there's a picture of Colin with those glasses from the Donmar lobby several years ago. How many years ago?"}, {"response": 124, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (00:01)", "body": "It's just a matter of another photographer's pictures being added to the group. They do show up in the press conference gallery as well."}, {"response": 125, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (00:05)", "body": "From January 2000. They look like the same glasses, though the lenses appear tinted a darker pink."}, {"response": 126, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (01:44)", "body": "I wouldn't want to have to convince my naysaying friends how AFG he is on the basis of these pictures!"}, {"response": 127, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (02:45)", "body": "Kathy. thank you so much for the link. Love his looks with the glasses. Wouldn't have remembered what they looked like at the Donmar."}, {"response": 128, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (04:50)", "body": "Thanks Kathy! I like his look with the glasses, they seem to me well suited to him and well chosen..Maybe his Roman optometrist fitted him, they somehow remind me of Italy..."}, {"response": 129, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (06:37)", "body": "Kathy, thanks for the link to the pics. I had hoped his hair would be slightly longer in TEOR than it was in BJD, but at least he's gained a little weight! And as for the glasses, I suppose presbyopia gets to us all, eventually."}, {"response": 130, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (07:35)", "body": "Thank you, Kathy, for the pictures. I can like the glasses, but I'm not crazy about the hair. I hate the the piece that should be on the opposite side of the part. That left bit should be right;-)But those are lovely MD sideburns. I didn't blink, and there was no meniton of LA on E! The Live Weekend airs this morning. I'llcheck that out since the press conference was yesterday."}, {"response": 131, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (07:55)", "body": "Thank you, Kathy, for the pictures. And thanks from me too. But have to say I hate the hair and hate the glasses. IMHO he looks rather priggish :-( I really hope he does not decide to parade this look to all the intrevies, press conferences etc. It would be too painful."}, {"response": 132, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (08:37)", "body": "LOL, Sandy and Allison! Janet, I too, hoped his hair would be longer and noticed the weight. He has been too skinny before. I know the camera adds weight, but Tress, how does he compare, do you think? I know angles make a difference, too. And that hair on top just isn't settling right,is it? Hola, I hope he looked better in person. Didn't she say she was going to be there?"}, {"response": 133, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (09:04)", "body": "If anyone missed this morning's E News Live Weekend don't worry no mention of the LA interviews. The second segment this morning was the same as the second one last night. Also, no mention of it on their updates for the week ahead. Just have to wait and see."}, {"response": 134, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (09:05)", "body": "(LindaK)The Live Weekend airs this morning. I'llcheck that out since the press conference was yesterday. Was there anything on LA? I was busy reading up on the red fingernail and missed almost all of the show."}, {"response": 135, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (09:06)", "body": "Oops. Must have faster reflexes. Thanks Linda!"}, {"response": 136, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (09:28)", "body": "Great find Kathy! I have to say I don't like those frames on him. He's got such a lovely face, to cover any of it with dark frames is a sin. The glasses Curtis sports would be better suited for him maybe, with no frames visible we could see his face better. Other than that he looks gorgeous IMO. I even like his parted hair, although I hope he'll not make a habit of it... ;-) (Dorine) ...I too, hoped his hair would be longer and noticed the weight. He has been too skinny before. He still looks skinny to me. Where did I read the comment \"He looks like a good meal would kill him\"? I thought that was a rather nasty way to put it, but deep inside I had to agree with it. I'd like to see a few pounds more. Not all around his waist though. :-)"}, {"response": 137, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (09:34)", "body": "He still looks skinny to me No I think skinny is fine. The screen puts so much weight on an actor. I don't want him described again as stocky and jowly :-("}, {"response": 138, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (09:37)", "body": "I have larger versions of the LA press conference pictures here: http://www.murphsplace.com/firth/lapress.html They are Wire Images, and protected, so I hesitate to allow downloading. He looks quite scholarly and quite attractive in those glasses."}, {"response": 139, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (09:56)", "body": "The guy looks like a priest. Think that's a part? Or hair thinning. No one parts their hair in the middle. Thanks Murph."}, {"response": 140, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (10:13)", "body": "The press conference gallery is up: http://www.firth.com/love_gal_pclond1.html"}, {"response": 141, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (10:17)", "body": "Hey, wait a minute, doesn't LD have glasses very similar? Maybe they got a 2-fer. Or maybe they're hers. ;-)"}, {"response": 142, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (10:33)", "body": "LOL, Dorine :-) I think, you may have hit upon something there!! Kathy and Karen, thank you for the pictures. I liked his \"looks\" much better in the Toronto pics, but glad he's doing some publicity :-)"}, {"response": 143, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (10:37)", "body": ""}, {"response": 144, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (10:38)", "body": "(Dorine) Or maybe they're hers. ;-) LD has glasses (pic of her driving, probably in Italy due to location of steering wheel); they're similar but don't look exactly the same. Is there a more recent pic? My mind isn't functioning all that well."}, {"response": 145, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (11:35)", "body": "OMG, it's Clark Kent!!!! So does he usually wear contacts? Thank you, Kathy, Murph and Karen!"}, {"response": 146, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (11:43)", "body": "(Karen)Is there a more recent pic? I believe, she wore glasses at the playground-pictures from earlier this year. (the Sun/Daily Star or whatever the tabloid was called)."}, {"response": 147, "author": "neshacat", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (11:43)", "body": "(Moon) OMG, it's Clark Kent Now, it that really so bad? After all, Clark Kent was really Superman in disquise. Not a bad way to think of ODB."}, {"response": 148, "author": "aishling", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (11:50)", "body": "Many thanks Kathy, Murph and Karen for the new pics. I can\ufffdt say I like the glasses either. Like EmmaB, I struck unlucky with tickets for the GWAPE gala, only for 31st. (I\ufffdll still be hanging around though on the 30th). Yesterday\ufffds Daily Mail - Baz\ufffds comments on LA: Bill\ufffds brill, actually\ufffd. Richard Curtis has completed his directional debut film, Love Actually, and it has been trimmed back a tad since I saw a work-in-progress version. I was glad, though, that he hasn\ufffdt cut back on Bill Nighy\ufffds outrageously funny performance as a former rock star who is making a comeback with a \ufffdChristmas\ufffd version of Love Is All Around. Watching it a second time, I see that he\ufffds actually the film\ufffds soul because he\ufffds the one you least expect to make a magnanimous gesture. There are some lovely moments, particularly with Colin Firth, Emma Thompson and two school children played by Thomas Sangster and Olivia Olson. The film\ufffds going to be a huge hit and is most enjoyable. Some perceptive person worked out that I didn\ufffdt actually love the film. It was more a case of Like Actually. That\ufffds probably because it\ufffds so shamelessly manipulative and, sure enough, it hooked me. But then as my colleague astutely put it: \ufffdIt does exactly what it says on the tin\ufffd."}, {"response": 149, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (11:53)", "body": "(Annette) I believe, she wore glasses at the playground-pictures from earlier this year. I had checked those out and they almost seem a bit like sunglasses. Nevertheless, they don't have frames, like the ones she's wearing while driving a car. If the playground ones are presecription, then she's gotten a new pair, whereas Colin is still wearing his from the \"twofer\" deal. Colin looks great in some glasses (Playmaker, TIOBE) just not these."}, {"response": 150, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (12:02)", "body": "What I dislike the most about the glasses is that it's *so* affected. I'm a Serious Actor and it's All About The Work, Not About Looking Good. I always laugh when I see great looking actors and actresses don these nerdy glasses. It's so transparent, IMO. He didn't need them in Toronto, or anywhere else in the past three years since the Donmar--you mean he can't see two feet in front of him at a press conference? What's to see? C'mon. Huge's big hair has taken on a life of its own. Teased and blown and sprayed to within an inch of its life. Still, it's *much* better than Colin's 'do. If Huge could have his styled before the press conference, why couldn't CF? Laura and Emma look cute. The rest--Rickman, Curtis, Neeson, Nighy--they're homely people and they can't help it, so I don't hold them responsible for their appearance.;-)"}, {"response": 151, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (12:02)", "body": "OMG, it's Clark Kent!!!! LOL, Moon! You've got it! I wondered why he had quite such a smug look on his face ;-)"}, {"response": 152, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (12:06)", "body": "(Mari)What I dislike the most about the glasses is that it's *so* affected. Mari, you are right. There is something in his expression in these photographs that I do not like. Smug perhaps. You have hit the nail on the head."}, {"response": 153, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (12:14)", "body": "You know, Smallville, a show about Superman (which is very well written and I do watch), is very popular in the US. Maybe Colin should audition for the next Superman film, which I read is in the plans. A \"Flashman\" from the past? ;-) Earth, I mean Krypton to Colin, get your agent to make the call. :-D"}, {"response": 154, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (12:51)", "body": "(Dorine) He has been too skinny before. I know the camera adds weight, but Tress, how does he compare, do you think? I know angles make a difference, too. I thought he was rail thin in Toronto. I can't tell with these pics if he has put on a few pounds. Maybe if I saw a full body shot (just to see, not to make any judgements on his weight...*snicker*). I suppose he could have gone back to Italy to pick up the fam and eaten a bit before he left! I think he looks good here (not too jowly....LOL Allison!). (Dorine) And that hair on top just isn't settling right, is it? Nope. It's not. Looks odd (IMO of course). (Ildi) The glasses Curtis sports would be better suited for him maybe, with no frames visible we could see his face better. Love Curtis' frames and think ODB would look great in them....but I like the ones he's wearing. Something about them....makes him look all bookish, which I find v. sexy (like he needs 'props' to be a sexy beast...LOL!) Regarding wireless frames like C's,,,,,I wish I could wear them. My prescription won't work for them and they are 'fragile'. Meaning someone who tosses their glasses about or leaves them laying were 'little hands' can get them should probably avoid them. And the tinting...I've had that pinkish tint on past frames (not currently). They say (and I could never tell) that it cuts down on glare. Also, possible UV protection? But I think they can do that without tint now too. I think ODB's pink tint makes him look a bit tired (still think he looks great, but it makes the whites of his eyes look pink, so he doesn't look very rested....though this could be the case! He's got two at hope in nappies....). (Karen) LD has glasses (pic of her driving, probably in Italy due to location of steering wheel); they're similar but don't look exactly the same. Wasn't that picture taken during Fever Pitch days or a bit after (I remember ODB's hair being a bit wild)? Most eyeglass wearers (that I know) have their eyes checked every two years. She would have new glasses by now (I would think). (Karen) Is there a more recent pic? My mind isn't functioning all that well. (Annette) I believe, she wore glasses at the playground-pictures from earlier this year. The Now pics. She was wearing wireless frames or lighter colored frames. Looked quite nice on her. Still love the glasses (think about it this way....the dark frames make artificial eyebrows! He's got brows now!!), don't like the hair on top (like the short back/sides and MD sideburns. Wot happened to the lovely TIFF hair?? He needs a trim) and I'm not crazy about the shirt! Large brown and black stripes? He must be saving the white button down for the LA premiere (or he loaned it to Hugh)! ;-) All that said! I want to thank Kathy (again), Karen, and Murph for all the pics!!! Danke!"}, {"response": 155, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (13:01)", "body": "LOL, Moon, I thought he looked Clark Kentish, too. ;-) I don't think the glasses are so bad--but I like nerds. ;-) Makes him look vulnerable, IMO. I like him with glasses, without glasses; with clothes, without clothes....whatever!;-) The hair is odd in the pics. But I didn't like his hair in BJD, either. Thought his hair looked like a weird asymmetrical semi-bouffant throughout most of the film."}, {"response": 156, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (13:09)", "body": "I think you see that \"part\" in BJD at times too. Could be that, if the front is long enough and no one is around to fluff it and stick it back, it will naturally fall like that. Again, am racking brain cause I've seen that part before and didn't like it."}, {"response": 157, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (13:56)", "body": "am racking brain cause I've seen that part before and didn't like it. WAGW \"interview\" tape. But at least there, it wasn't so flat on top."}, {"response": 158, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (14:24)", "body": "(Moon)Maybe Colin should audition for the next Superman film, which I read is in the plans. I'm sure I read something recently about him being considered for the George Reeves story. Seriously. (Mari)What I dislike the most about the glasses is that it's *so* affected. As long as they're real I can relate to having days where contacts just won't do. And I really can't see without some help. Funny though that we haven't seen any glasses before. I remember a series of Sting interviews in the '80's where Sting wore fake glasses the whole time. I wanted to ask him if he'd ever wear a fake hearing aid if he thought it was fashionable. Did ODB wear glasses like these in 3DOR? What's that word the Fab 5 use to fluff your hair up ;-) Speaking of Queer Eye, I saw my first LA ad during NBC's QE last night!"}, {"response": 159, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (14:37)", "body": "(Tress)They say (and I could never tell) that it cuts down on glare. And doesn't the pink tint also hide dark circles under the eyes? Maybe he's been helping with the baby at night since being away at TIFF. But regardless he's too young/young looking for a pink tint in his glasses. I forget, does Mark Darcy use glasses? Maybe he's been getting used to them for that. 8-) Thanks, Kathy, Murph, and Karen for the pictures. If the glasses are indeed his then now he's really looking at scripts through rose colored glasses! ;-)"}, {"response": 160, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (14:55)", "body": "Thanks Kathy, Murph and Karen. ...and Tress are you moonlighting at Lens Crafters, again? I did like him in the TIOBE and PM glasses better, too, but overall not bad. But I do agree that he has a very different look about him. Some of those pictures remind me of those back of dust jacket photos of authors. (Karen)Again, am racking brain cause I've seen that part before and didn't like it. I believe we discussed the part in his hair from WAGW...at the table discussing Favorite bands of the 70's, but he looked so AFG in all of that film that I don't think that's the one you are thinking of. From wireimage, HG is very much back in Daniel Cleaver mode. He's been wearing his hair much shorter than this since AAB."}, {"response": 161, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (15:46)", "body": "Actually, I think at one point in BJD that part rears its ugly head too. His hair in BJD wasn't consistently styled. Sometimes there was this weird roll in the front (under the stairs at his parents' house), other times it was poufy, and sometimes flat. Hmmmm, maybe they're going for realism. A bad hair day??? ;-)"}, {"response": 162, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (16:09)", "body": "Translation a bit off but you get the gist, from the SSFF...Nothing like a good pinchazo in the ear to get you warmed up..;-) Warm welcome for \"Girl with to pearl earring\" Special San Sebasti\ufffdn 2003 There are days in which one is not for so large resistances... He is hard to happen of a so pretty tape (perhaps more than good, pretty), like \"Girl with to pearl earring\", in a same day, the one of this Thursday, to one of both only world-wide openings in the competition of this year, the one of \"Dans him rouge du couchant\", that will be titled in Spain \"red Twilight\", a filmic disaster that only can contribute like hypothetical explanation to its unusual selection the one that interprets Marisa Walls. One of the great protagonists of the day, in which the Colombian film \"the shade of the traveller\", of Ciro War has taken to the prize of the section Cinema in Construction, has been Bernardine Bertolucci, that showed its last film, \"The dreamers\", a history on the discovery of sex with the bottom of the May of the 68. Lamentably, like it happened with the other tape of the aid who enjoys a more or less stellar distribution international criteria, \"Veronica Guerin\", neither Colin Firth nor Scarlett Johannson have been dropped by San Sebasti\ufffdn, although at least this time yes made the director, Peter Webber. Good references had already arrived us from Toronto, mainly of the excellent interpretation of Johannson, an emergent actress who is giving much that to speak and that with this affluent tape could appear in palmar\ufffds donostiarra that east Saturday will announce. One is based on \"best-seller\" of Tracy Chevalier on the world of the painting. Flagrant any comparison between this British film with the French of Argentinean the settled down in Paris Edgardo Cozarinsky, incoherent, bad writing, pretencioso and decidedly old. The drama \"red Twilight\" deserves to be neither in this nor in no other festival (for that reason it is released world-wide in San Sebasti\ufffdn). If its purpose were to move to us with the traumas of the Argentine past and of the cruel passage of time on those who a day was young and beautiful, the failure could not be more resounding. \"GIRL WITH To PEARL EARRING\", of Peter Webber (G.B./Luxemburgo) Something extraordinary happened in the projection for the press of this film: after the ovaci\ufffdn that received when finalizing the same one, when in the final titles of credit the room appeared the names of their director of photography (Eduardo Serra), the one of the composer of the sound track (Alexandre Desplat) and the one of its feminine protagonist (Scarlett Johannson) returned to applaud. Newcomer Peter Webber has rolled a gorgeous film on the relation between the teacher of the flamenco painting Vermeer (Colin Firth) and Griet (Scarlett Johannson), a maid with a special talent to understand the art that will get to be its inspiration and model. With a rate rested, an elegant putting scene and helped by an exceptional photography that exactly catches the light of the pictures of the time, realistic an artistic direction and of clothes moved away of the tempting opulencia of the time productions and a as beautiful sound track as touching, is transferred us to the Holland of half-full of century XVII, o a world in which slopes can untie a monumental attack of jealousy or in that simple pinchazo in the ear to place seems them an almost violent act. The work of all the distribution is exceptional, honoring mainly both protagonists, Scarlett Johannson and Colin Firth, with two very complicated papers in which they speak very little, but say much. http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://www.fotograma.com.ar/notas/festivales/3318.shtml&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dvermeer%2B%2522colin%2Bfirth%2522%26start%3D40%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26sa%3DN%26edition%3Dus%26as_qdr%3Dall"}, {"response": 163, "author": "soph", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (16:24)", "body": "waaahhaafarf ! just caught a glimpse and choked : is this the new lecturer in Corporate Sociology from the London School of Economics ??? waahhaaa ! no, seriously, you guys OMG, it's Clark Kent!!!! LOL, Moon! You've got it! I wondered why he had quite such a smug look on his face ;-) are asbo-lulu-tely right... this *is* clark kent ! and i have proof : take a deep look at picture 8 in karen's gallery : the dreaded leash is still there ! well, and... and it isn't even a leash, it's... it's a necklace with a bit of kryptonite atatched to it ! well now, that sure does explain the brown shoes/blue suit business, and it also explains some, let's say, unlucky choice of roles recently... ahem. so, he's got the kryptonite, and it's kind of heavy, so he tends to fall over, bruised his forehead poor thing, had to cover it up with hair, hence the weird parting, plus he's broken three pairs of glasses so far, and now has to make do with mom's vintage 1965 old pair. need a stupid theory, just ask sophie. still have to figure out the convict tee-shirt thing, though... ah hem... but, occasionaly, there *are* good sides to being superman, mr. f. : remember when he rips his shirt off ? (is it a plaaaane , etc) well, might not be a good side for him, but we can handle it, i believe"}, {"response": 164, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (16:33)", "body": "(Maria)Nothing like a good pinchazo in the ear to get you warmed up..;-) ROTF. But this one \"a world in which slopes can untie a monumental attack of jealousy\" \"lamentably\" eludes me."}, {"response": 165, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (17:49)", "body": "(Sophie)ah hem... but, occasionaly, there *are* good sides to being superman, mr. f. : remember when he rips his shirt off ? (is it a plaaaane , etc) Hilarious theory Sophie! Wonderful! And the leash/necklace/whatever is definitely still there. (SSFF via Google translation)the teacher of the flamenco painting Vermeer (Colin Firth) Now why have you all who have seen GWAPE been holding out on this info? Vermeer is a flamenco dance teacher? Ah, my imagination is running away with that one.... ;-) Thanks Maria!"}, {"response": 166, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (18:18)", "body": "It finally occurred to me what this pictured reminded me of: a senior year photo for the high school yearbook by Olan Mills. ;-)"}, {"response": 167, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (18:49)", "body": "ROTFLMAO, Lisa!! You're right!"}, {"response": 168, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 2003 (19:16)", "body": "(LisaJH)It finally occurred to me what this pictured reminded me of: a senior year photo for the high school yearbook by Olan Mills. ;-) I think he looks AFG, nontheless."}, {"response": 169, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Oct 12, 2003 (04:08)", "body": "Those LA press conference photographs really worried me. Have I really been drooling over a narcissistic pseud all this time? Or has our adoration turned his head? Pondering this over my breakfast cornflakes, I came up with a solution that pleases me. How best when appearing with a line up of well known faces, in particular one Hugh Grunt, to whom you are always being compared unfavourably? Pretend to be superman ;-). Set yourself apart by wearing an old pair of your wife's glasses and who knows what round your neck. No more HG mark II. No wonder he looked pleased with himself :D"}, {"response": 170, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 12, 2003 (08:51)", "body": "From today's Observer: For movie fans, just in time for Christmas, with much love New film by writer of Notting Hill is odds-on favourite to be the greatest British hit of all time It is the box-office banker to end them all. Ten love stories, a dozen A-list stars, a comic script by 'the British Spielberg' and the feel-good formula for Christmas - all in a single film. It is called Love Actually and, more than a month before its release, has already been tipped to become the biggest British hit of all time. The strength of the cast list has had the movie industry rubbing its eyes in disbelief. Established stars Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Martine McCutcheon, Bill Nighy, Liam Neeson, Billy Bob Thornton, Alan Rickman and Rowan Atkinson are combined with Britain's hottest young talent: Keira Knightley, Martin Freeman (best known as Tim in The Office), Andrew Lincoln of Teachers fame, Kris Marshall from My Family and rising stage actor Chiwetel Ejiofor. But the key to the success of Love Actually , made for \ufffd23 million and predicted to gross more than \ufffd250m, could lie behind the camera. The film's screenwriter, Richard Curtis, who wrote Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hil , Bridget Jones's Diary and Bean, is also making his debut as a director. The movie played to packed houses at private screenings in London last week and has won audience ovations in Los Angeles and Toronto. Bookmaker Ladbrokes is offering odds of 3-1 that it will become the highest-grossing British film ever. 'It's got all the right ingredients to smash every record,' said spokesman Warren Lush. 'You can't go wrong with Richard Curtis and a cast of this stature.' The film weaves together 10 love stories that unfold in the run-up to Christmas and climax on Christmas Eve. The festive theme, with its potential for TV repeats, has earned comparisons with It's A Wonderful Life. Curtis's film is set in London, and is said to make the city seem as glamorous as Paris or New York. Grant plays a bachelor Prime Minister who falls in love with his Downing Street tea lady, played by McCutcheon, while Nighy is an ageing rocker with a surprise hit. There is also a pop soundtrack with distinct market potential. Love Actually receives its premiere, in aid of Comic Relief, at the Odeon Leicester Square in London on 16 November, five days before its UK release. Adam Dawtrey, European editor of the industry journal Variety , said: 'It's going to be huge. It combines all the elements of Richard Curtis's work but with other things too. It is slightly less glossy and has more of an edge of realism. There is a little more nudity but the normal bucketfuls of swearing. 'It is Curtis's best film yet, a real advance for him, much more interesting than anything he's done before. It's more grown-up in a way and very funny and moving. 'The cumulative effect is of a comic and emotional juggernaut running over you, which the audience won't be able to resist. It does feel like a compendium of great British actors. This will be a must-see film.' In Hollywood, too, Love Actually is the title on industry lips. Chris Petrikin, of the William Morris Agency in Beverly Hills, said: 'It's hard to bet against Richard Curtis, the type of stories he writes and the quality of the ensemble casts he puts together. For actors it's similar to what is was like to be in a Woody Allen film: a feather in your cap that brought you instant cachet.' Curtis, 46, partner of the broadcaster Emma Freud, has written many of Britain's most popular comedies for TV and helped its cinema recapture the glory days of Ealing Studios. Four Weddings , made for \ufffd4m, took \ufffd150m worldwide, Notting Hill , made for \ufffd27m, took \ufffd230m, and Bridget Jones's Diary , made for \ufffd18m, took more than \ufffd100m. He is currently working on Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason . Curtis recently explained his decision to direct: 'It was reaching a point where I'd stolen enough hints from other people. In particular, I got very involved in the edits. I now had strong opinions about where the camera should be, how the actors should act. I just think it was time I dared.' Like Four Weddings and Notting Hill , the movie is made by Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner's Working Title, produced by Duncan Kenworthy and stars Hugh Grant in a fairytale London. It is likely to face criticism for being formulaic, corny and overtly sentimental - it begins with a voice-over about 11 September, 2001, musing on the 'I love you' phone calls of those trapped inside the World Trade Centre after the terrorist attacks. Kenworthy said last night: 'Of the three films I've done with Richard, this is in many ways his most personal. It's his philosophy of life. He's not embarrassed or ashamed to say: \"Love actually is all around.\" Love motivates people in all walks of life in every way possible. Embarrassment is the biggest English emotion, but Richard is not like that and it comes through in his writing. Movies are all about what you're feeling. 'Richard "}, {"response": 171, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 12, 2003 (09:22)", "body": "(Observer)'Richard seems to be the British Spielberg' In your dreams. it begins with a voice-over about 11 September, 2001, musing on the 'I love you' phone calls of those trapped inside the World Trade Centre after the terrorist attacks. I'm concerned about using a tragic event as a plot device for a rom -com. But then I haven't seen the film yet. Thanks Karen."}, {"response": 172, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Oct 12, 2003 (10:08)", "body": "In your dreams. LOL, Evelyn! The festive theme, with its potential for TV repeats, has earned comparisons with It's A Wonderful Life. Did you hear that Clarence? Help! In their dreams. The British are hoping that LA becomes the biggest grossing film ever to help their distressed film industry. The use it like a mantra."}, {"response": 173, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Oct 12, 2003 (11:10)", "body": "Moive City News has the screening calender for Academy Members. Lots of GWAPE. http://www.moviecitynews.com/awards/2004/awards_calendar.html"}, {"response": 174, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Oct 12, 2003 (12:04)", "body": "Thanks so much, Murph!! Thank goodness I just ran across one of RSVP #'s on my desk the other day."}, {"response": 175, "author": "katty", "date": "Sun, Oct 12, 2003 (15:29)", "body": "I don't know about most of you, but my admiration for Colin goes deeper than how nerdy his glasses look or how flat his hair is. I think Colin showed up at the press conference fresh from the barber shop (and no stylist) and wearing glasses that he perhaps just started wearing in real life. He seems like the last person to be concerned with how sexy he looks or how he can outshine his costars. He just is what he is, without the tinseltown artifice, and that's what I respect about him."}, {"response": 176, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, Oct 12, 2003 (16:04)", "body": "Katty, I agree wholeheartedly with you."}, {"response": 177, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sun, Oct 12, 2003 (16:44)", "body": "(Katty)my admiration for Colin goes deeper than how nerdy his glasses look or how flat his hair is Beautifully said. And I still like the glasses. ;-)"}, {"response": 178, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sun, Oct 12, 2003 (18:13)", "body": "This discussion of the LA press conference pics reminds me of the breakfast table at Netherfield after Lizzy arrived with mud on her petticoats and flushed cheeks;-) I agree with Katty in that Colin is comfortable in his own skin and not likely to put on airs to impress the media. Just MHO, of course."}, {"response": 179, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 12, 2003 (18:17)", "body": "(Katty) I think Colin showed up at the press conference fresh from the barber shop Since they've started filming TEOR, he's no longer in charge of his own hair cutting. Frankly, choosing to put on this bizarre facade at a press conference for a very high profile movie doesn't make me want to admire him more. I only question the why and think he did it to purposely set himself apart from HG since he's been accused of being a Huge-lite by the press in his last two outings. As you'll recall, I'm not a disciple of the Church of St Colin."}, {"response": 180, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 12, 2003 (18:30)", "body": "Pssst.. he's just an actor..."}, {"response": 181, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Oct 12, 2003 (18:58)", "body": "(Brenda)What's that word the Fab 5 use to fluff your hair up Zhuzzing. And please don't ask me how to spell it;-) But yeah, your're right he needs to zhuzz. neither Colin Firth nor Scarlett Johannson have been dropped by San Sebasti\ufffdn and that means? Thanks Karen, Maria, and all for the news and pictures."}, {"response": 182, "author": "katty", "date": "Sun, Oct 12, 2003 (22:20)", "body": "Did I miss something? Did Colin appear barechested or in pink tights or bleached hair or a muscle t-shirtt or with winged spectacles? I would hardly call nerdy but perfectly ordinary glasses and unsexy but perfectly ordinary hair \"bizarre.\" A press conference is not a beauty contest. Colin may not have appeared glamorous, but he looks normal to me. Besides noting the new glasses, the participants probably didn't notice anything unusual about his appearance. As far as shooting for TEOR goes, we don't know what the shooting schedule is, and Colin may not even be scheduled to shoot yet (in the book he is absent quite a bit), or maybe his hair (perhaps with a stylist's embellishment) is fine just the way it is."}, {"response": 183, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Oct 12, 2003 (23:26)", "body": "(Katty)Colin may not have appeared glamorous, but he looks normal to me. He looks very unlike his usual self, which makes me feel it's an affectation. (Allison)Set yourself apart by wearing an old pair of your wife's glasses and who knows what round your neck. No more HG mark II. (Karen)I . . .think he did it to purposely set himself apart from HG since he's been accused of being a Huge-lite by the press in his last two outings. Bingo! Anyway, here's a good GWAPE review from Tiscali UK; I deleted the plot description: Peter Webber gets nearly everything right in his screen adaptation. Olivia Hetreed's screenplay is skilful and deft, allowing silence and the unspoken often to carry more weight than the dialogue itself. This may essentially be a study of a single event in history, but Webber's camera and editing make it into a compelling and always interesting story. The period settings, production design and photography all convey the flavour of the great painter's work. The cast are more than equal to the surroundings they find themselves in. Scarlett Johansson comes of age in a mature performance that belies her years. She is awkward and gangly but has an incredible onscreen luminescence that attracts both the audience and the painter. After coming to attention in films such as Ghost World, she is on Hollywood's radar for her first leading roles in bigger films, and with rave reviews already under her belt for her other new film Lost in Translations it seems that the proof is in the pudding. She seems set to become one of the major actresses of the next ten years. Recent film outings have not been too kind for Colin Firth, too often lazily cast as the romantic interest in some below-par rom com ( or What A Girl Wants anyone?). However he excels here as the brooding painter, ill-at-ease at the world he finds himself in. The scenes between the two are particularly well played, and surrounded by a supporting cast that hits its mark every time. Only a desultory romance with a local butcher's boy (Cillian Murphy) slows down the film's pace, eventually going nowhere. But the film should strongly appeal to anyone looking for an upscale and intelligent evening's entertainment (and it is entertaining throughout). Let's hope this is one British director who has plenty still left to show us. Rating: 08/10"}, {"response": 184, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Oct 12, 2003 (23:28)", "body": "closing tag"}, {"response": 185, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 12, 2003 (23:44)", "body": "(Katty) A press conference is not a beauty contest. No, but all participants know that is where the press is going to take all the pictures used in countless articles published all over the world to promote the film, aside from the actual publicity still from the film. Who knows, this may be the *new* Mark Darcy look? That Conservative (with a capital C) that Bridget can't quite accept??? ;-)"}, {"response": 186, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Mon, Oct 13, 2003 (01:43)", "body": ""}, {"response": 187, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Oct 13, 2003 (09:53)", "body": "I'm sure he can give as good as he gets from us, too. And just because he's looking......um, \"different,\" doesn't mean we don't care. Hey, I tell my friends if something they're wearing doesn't quite work. Doesn't mean I have less respect for them. OK, well, um........maybe regarding their fashion sense it does. ;-D"}, {"response": 188, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 13, 2003 (11:08)", "body": "LOL, Dorine! I agree! There is something sexy about Clark Kent too. ;-)"}, {"response": 189, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Oct 13, 2003 (11:53)", "body": "(Karen)Who knows, this may be the *new* Mark Darcy look? That Conservative (with a capital C) that Bridget can't quite accept??? ;-) (Me,post 159)I forget, does Mark Darcy use glasses? Maybe he's been getting used to them for that. 8-) I see your winkie, Karen, but that's what I was thinking. If Renee can get comfortable with extra pounds, then Colin can try out his glasses ;-), if they are indeed for the film."}, {"response": 190, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 13, 2003 (11:55)", "body": "Have we had this review of GWAPE yet? It's from San Sebastian, but in English. ;-) From Laura Clifford: In the city of Delft in 1665, teenaged Griet (Scarlett Johansson, \"Lost in Translation\") must leave her family and go to work when her tile painter father is blinded in a fire. She becomes a maid under the direction of Tanneke (Joanna Scanlan) in the home of painter Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth, \"What a Girl Wants\"). She keeps to herself, but when a domestic servant's squabble results in her sleeping quarters being moved from the basement to the attic, it is arranged that she should clean Vermeer's studio, an enclave not even his wife is allowed into, as she must go through it to enter the rest of the household. Through no action of her own, the unassuming maid is now under Catharina Vermeer's (Essie Davis, \"The Matrix Reloaded\") scrutiny. Laura: British television director Peter Webber makes a feature debut that is both subtle and strong bringing Tracy Chevalier's best seller (adapted by Olivia Hetreed) to the screen. In collaboration with cinematographer Eduardo Serra (\"The Widow of Saint Pierre\"), who won a Jury award at the San Sebastian film festival for his work and should be an Oscar front runner, Webber perfectly captures the life of an elusive artist trapped in the politics of a household run by three generations of women. Small events rachet up the tension between mistress and maid. An elaborate feast is prepared to celebrate both the birth of the Vermeer's latest child and the unveiling of the most recent commissioned painting for benefactor Van Ruijven (a miscast Tom Wilkinson, \"In the Bedroom\"). Van Ruijven announces that his next commission will go to Rembrandt, alarming Maria Thins (Judy Parfitt, \"Dolores Clairborne\"), Vermeer's mother-in-law and household financier, but he also expresses an interest in being painted with their new, pretty maid. Remarking on Vermeer's secretive working style, he salaciously remarks to Catharina 'I have a mind to go up there one day and surprise him in the act.' When Griet asks Catharina and Maria if she should wash the windows in the studio, they wonder why she's even asked. 'It's just that it may change the light,' the girl replies, and the two women wonder that the girl would think of such a thing. It is the artist's eye in the girl that draws the attention of Vermeer himself, and soon he entrusts the girl with mixing his paints, shows her his camera obscura, and draws out of her that the clouds outside are not white, but yellow, red and gray. When one of Catharina's hair combs is stolen, Griet is charged. She boldly asks Vermeer for help and he unexpectedly searches the house, finding the comb under the pillow of his daughter Cornelia (Alakina Mann, \"The Others\"), a girl who sees much and says little. Catharina is less than appeased, though, and Griet's days are numbered. Webber builds up the sexual tension between Griet and Vermeer with looks, acknowledgements of understanding that pass between the two. He stages one of the sexiest scenes in cinema history with two fully clothed people standing yards apart when Vermeer illicitly gazes at Griet, her hair exposed (Griet modestly keeps hair covered beneath a cap and Johansson may never look as stunning on film again as she does here). The two only have physical contact twice - when their fingers brush together as they both mix paint and when Vermeer pierces Griet's ear in preparation for the famous painting, a metaphor for her deflowering. Firth and Johansson are perfectly paired. He exudes repressed passion with his dark eyes and brooding looks, yet he is hamstrung by his manipulative mother-in-law and the demands of his wife so the passion is mixed sharply with frustration of many natures. Johansson expresses intelligent inquisitiveness with her eyes. Physically she shrinks herself inward so as not to attract attention, except when her mind has been engaged and she forgets herself. The rest of the household is also perfectly cast. Parfitt is a standout as the wily player who puts commerce before her daughter, complicit in the use of Catharina's earrings for Van Ruijven's painting of Griet even though she knows the act will cause a rift in the household. Davis nicely handles the pretty but perpetually petulant wife trying to maintain her husband's interest. Outside of the household, however, casting is off. Wilkinson gives Van Ruijven's leering his all, but the role called for someone fatter, more florid. Cillian Murphy (\"28 Days\") as Pieter, the butcher's son who woos Griet, is, frankly, prettier than his costar. The role would have been better served by someone more brutishly handsome. Hetreed's adaptation maintains focus on the book's intrigues, yet she keeps artistic details that bring Vermeer's world to life. We learn, for example, that India yellow was produced from sacred cows who only ate mango leaves ('You've glazed my wife in dried piss!' Van Ruijven heartily exclaims). Another excellent sequen"}, {"response": 191, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Oct 13, 2003 (12:24)", "body": "(Karen)Have we had this review of GWAPE yet? It's from San Sebastian, but in English. ;-) Hey, we take the good news no matter how undecipherable! Atay eastlay heythay erentway inay yrlliccay..;-) (article)Webber builds up the sexual tension between Griet and Vermeer with looks, acknowledgements of understanding that pass between the two. He stages one of the sexiest scenes in cinema history with two fully clothed people standing yards apart when Vermeer illicitly gazes at Griet, As Prez of the Hyberbolists Society, I am glad to see reviewer's name is NOT on the roster..;-)"}, {"response": 192, "author": "mjmorris", "date": "Mon, Oct 13, 2003 (13:46)", "body": "Don't know if this has been posted here or not. Sorry if it has been and I missed it. Ladies Home Journal is doing a promo for Love Actually. There are advanced screenings of the movie in various cities including Nashville and Kansas City, MO. I forgot to write down all the other cities, but you can get tickets by calling 877-474-5323. When you call you press a number for the city of your choice and leave your name and address. The recorded message didn't give the dates for the advanced showings. I hope it's for real because I'd love to see the movie early. Also from the issue of LHJ is a promo sweepstakes to win a romantic trip to New York for the premiere and the Gala party. You can't enter yet, but the website is www.lhjpromo.com/loveactually. At the website is a small picture of OBD. Michelle"}, {"response": 193, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Mon, Oct 13, 2003 (14:37)", "body": "Here are the city choices they give on the recording: Atlanta, Phoenix, Nashville, Greenville (SC), Hartford, Las Vegas, Flint, Portland or Bent Oregon, Kansas City (MO). This movie really IS getting full-blown promotion, though I find the choice of cities for advanced screenings curious. The recording says you will receive your tickets in the mail, so it sounds like first come-first serve. Also says you will receive a gift bag of goodies from sponsors. Too bad I'm not close to any of these."}, {"response": 194, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 13, 2003 (15:12)", "body": "The Entertainment Weekly advance screenings are to the major cities; this is merely being sponsored by some skincare companies and a drugstore chain and their select markets."}, {"response": 195, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 13, 2003 (16:16)", "body": "Today's Extra showed clips from Love Actually and the London press junket (tag team of Huge and Richard Curtis), focused on Huge being unmarried and bored with Hollywood. Didn't mention Colin being in the film, just Liam Neeson and Emma Thompson."}, {"response": 196, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Oct 13, 2003 (18:22)", "body": "He stages one of the sexiest scenes in cinema history Whew, more sexy than the ear piercing? Excellent, bravo. Thank you Maria, Karen and Mari. However he excels here as the brooding painter. Sounding better and better."}, {"response": 197, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (10:34)", "body": "I think this is overstated, but am posting it, from Dark Horizons: Love Actually: Expect the DVD version of this romance/comedy to contain around 80 minutes of extra footage."}, {"response": 198, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (13:04)", "body": "There are a few new photos from the LA press conference at that online gallery Maria had found. My fave: http://colinfirth.casa-feliz.net/images/details.php?image_id=1793 Very clear! His hair looks so soft. No wonder it's a bit messed. Women can't resist touching."}, {"response": 199, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (14:32)", "body": "Mmmmmmm... Thanks BrendaL! The pics weren't up when I checked last night. And I like how the lighting brings out the red in his hair. Makes me think of FP, only not as huge."}, {"response": 200, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (15:54)", "body": "Colin Firth says sex symbol tag is a laugh: http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_828529.html"}, {"response": 201, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (15:58)", "body": "Another version from BBCi -- Firth warned off Mr Darcy role: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3189676.stm ****************************** This from the Mirror : \"...But her love handles come in handy for Darcy as he grabs her in a passionate clinch in scenes filmed in a park in Primrose Hill, North West London. The love action sometimes got a bit too much for Renee and Firth, 43, and they just had to laugh it off.\""}, {"response": 202, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (18:40)", "body": "New pic from Love Actually that was in the Ladies Home Journal ads for that drugstore chain. You'll find it here: http://www.firth.com/love_gal_pub1.html"}, {"response": 203, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (19:08)", "body": "Note: That scarf is mine;-))))) Cute pics. But ad for what? A product,or just the pharmacy chain... Were the others also featured? evelyn *who is too cheap to buy it*"}, {"response": 204, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (19:42)", "body": "Evelyn, I'm glad you spoke up about the scarf because I was just getting ready to go to Keepsakes and beg for it ;-) Love the way he looks in the second pic. Normally I go for the open-necked look but this one is positively divine."}, {"response": 205, "author": "Darla", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (19:53)", "body": "Just found this on the Yahoo Movies site. Since I am still new here and trying to get the hang of it, I didn't know if anyone posted this. Seems Hope Springs did not test well in Florida so it will be released directly to video later. http://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hp&id=1808408049&cf=prev"}, {"response": 206, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (20:20)", "body": "(Evelyn)Cute pics. But ad for what? A product,or just the pharmacy chain... I was too cheap to buy it too.;-) In the mag I saw (November LHJ, Halle Berry on cover), there are three pages of ads. On Colin's page, there's the pic of Colin and Lucia, and the copy says somrething like, When Aurelia (Lucia Moniz) kisses Jamie (Colin Firth), her lipstick doesn't come off. It's an ad for Maybelline lipstick, plus a money back offer from Eckerd. There's also a small pic of CF by himself, taken from the pic with Laura Linney. Also a pic of Lucia with the film's makeup artist (ostensibly applying the Maybelline;-) The scarf pic was not in the ad I saw. Here's more from Reeling Reviews on the San Sebastian Festival (Karen posted the review earlier): Girl with the Pearl Earring press conference (Director Peter Webber) At another sadly underpopulated press conference, director Peter Webber is mostly greeted by questions about cinematography. Granted, the film's visuals are one of its most extraordinary components, but Weber's subtle, sure-handed direction of a complex story told with sparse dialogue seems almost to have been taken for granted. (One journalist was rather condescending when he asked how a first time director like Webber was able to work with esteemed cinematographer Eduardo Serra (\"The Hairdresser's Husband\"). Webber explains that he made films for television and was developing a thriller when a chance, overheard conversation with his producer's assistant about the impact his first viewing of \"Girl with the Pearl Earring\" (a replica was hanging outside the producer's office) had on him resulted in a chance at the job. The casting of Johanssen was luck, as he didn't really think she looked the part at first, having met her on her way to a Knicks game. When asked about Colin Firth by a female journalist, Webber laughed, saying that the ladies always asked about Firth, who was presently shooting \"Bridget Jones 2.\" Webber said that Firth had a brooding quality but that he could also express great tenderness on screen. Webber went on discuss the film's costumes, which he said were stripped back and made simpler than the period would have dictated in order to pay attention to the characters. In closing, Webber said he didn't really think his film was about art at all, but about sex and power."}, {"response": 207, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 2003 (23:36)", "body": "evelyn *who is too cheap to buy it* (Mari) I was too cheap to buy it too.;-) So, it's a good thing someone wasn't. ;-) The scarf pic was not in the ad I saw. It wasn't in LHJ and has been up there for a few days, but now I can't remember where it was from...but it was much smaller....that much I can remember. In closing, Webber said he didn't really think his film was about art at all, but about sex and power. LOL! Reminds me of a NLB answer. Thanks Mari for posting the husband's review...or comments about the press conference."}, {"response": 208, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (10:43)", "body": "Seems Hope Springs did not test well in Florida so it will be released directly to video later. Sheesh! What a surprise? ;-)Thanks, Darla. Thanks, Murph and Karen!"}, {"response": 209, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (13:51)", "body": "Thanks Karen, Murph, Mari and Darla CF sure looks great in LA. I'm staying optomistic that he will look AFG as MD. ...and I'm really hoping it was the wind that parted his hair in the middle. Oops, I wasn't going to go there;-)"}, {"response": 210, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (15:25)", "body": "On the Netflix site, HS and LA are available to reserve and both already have viewer ratings of 3.5 stars. GWAPE has 2.5 stars. Very curious, as I suspect legions of fans are rating these sight unseen out of a sense of loyalty. I consider myself a semi-rabid fan, but I do wait until I've actually seen a movie before I rate it. Do we have any way to find out how they happened to pick Florida for a test market for HS? No offense to our Drool sisters, but I can only imagine matinee houses filled with blue-haired retirees reacting to Heather's antics. Wasn't that stacking the odds against any chance of wider distribution? Is Florida a frequent selection?"}, {"response": 211, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (15:52)", "body": "(Deb) Do we have any way to find out how they happened to pick Florida for a test market for HS? Must be payback for the presidential election. ;-)"}, {"response": 212, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 2003 (18:38)", "body": "(Deb) Do we have any way to find out how they happened to pick Florida for a test market for HS? Wot? You've never seen Wild on E - South Beach? ;-)"}, {"response": 213, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (08:15)", "body": "For those of you in the UK, you can try and win the grand prize, tickets to the LA premiere and after party Nov 16 at the Empire Cinema or 40 runners up win tickets and \"LA Indulgence\" kits (I want to know what's in them!)... http://www.blockbuster.co.uk/"}, {"response": 214, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (11:06)", "body": "Here's a better link to the Blockbuster contest: http://www.blockbuster.co.uk/common/blankframe.asp?frame=dvdbypost&page=../aboutus/loveactually.asp"}, {"response": 215, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (15:00)", "body": "Saturday's Times will have a pullout supplement on the London Film Festival, and a feature article on Scarlett Johannsen. GWAPE is also playing at festivals in St.Louis and Hawaii, and at the Hollywood Awards Festival, in October/early November. \"Sylvia\" is closing the London Festival. Could be the main competition for GWAPE for awards in the UK. I'm hoping that it doesn't get too enthusiastic a reception (although our critics seem to relish anything that's depressing!)"}, {"response": 216, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (17:43)", "body": "Ananova: Daleks voted top TV villains The Daleks have been voted Britain's most evil TV villains. Dr Who's arch enemies topped a list of on-screen baddies in a new poll. The Daleks terrified generations of children with their mission to \"exterminate\". Footballers' Wives bad boy Jason Turner, played by Cristian Solimeno, came second. Third was Soames Forsyte (Eric Porter) in the original 60s version of the The Forsyte Saga, who horrified viewers with the scene in which he raped wife Irene. The ruthless Francis Urquhart, from the political thriller House Of Cards, played by Ian Richardson, came fourth. Jewel In The Crown villain Ronald Merrick (Tim Pigott-Smith) was fifth in the poll of more than 3,000 GMTV viewers on behalf of wine company Lindemans. Sean Bean's Major Richard Sharpe was named top TV hero, beating Horatio Hornblower and Nick Berry's Pc Nick Rowan in Heartbeat. Inspector Morse was top detective, the Larkins from The Darling Buds Of May were favourite family, and Colin Firth's Mr Darcy from Pride and Prejudice was the sexiest TV character. The most sizzling TV romance was between Rachel Ward and Richard Chamberlain, aka Meggie Cleary and Father Ralph, in slushy 80s mini-series The Thorn Birds. Robbie Coltrane series Cracker was voted the best TV drama of all time. It beat the likes of Brideshead Revisited, The Singing Detective and The Forsyte Saga in the poll."}, {"response": 217, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (18:06)", "body": "The front cover of this week's \"Radio Times\" features the BBC's \"The Big Read\" (the nation's favourite books) and depicts two TV personalities in Regency dress. The headline is \"Oh Mr Darcy\" and then there's a speech bubble - \"And what was it about the fabulously rich and handsome Mr Darcy in a wet shirt that first attracted you, Miss Bennet?\" Just how many years has it been since P&P2?"}, {"response": 218, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (21:50)", "body": "Was speaking with someone tonight who had the Italian VF with Colin's interview...(that picture is stunning in magazine size). She said it says the reindeer sweater is to make another appearance.....at least in a drawer at Mark's house where Bridget finds it. That's all she told me. She had only skimmed over the article at that point."}, {"response": 219, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 2003 (23:35)", "body": "This should make Karen happy. Revised release schedule for GWAPE: December 12: New York, Los Angeles December 26: Chicago, San Francisco January 9: Wider release I guess us folks in \"Wider\" will just have to wait.;-)"}, {"response": 220, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Oct 17, 2003 (05:14)", "body": "A few more from TIFF GWAPE premiere.. http://www.globephotos.com/scripts/kws30pre.exe?search=K32640AM&type=GfxOnly&maxhits=12&mode=&site=GLOBEPH&picktype=GfxOnly&Firsthit=1&SORT=&NoScan=on&hmessage=TORONTO+INTERNATIONAL+FILM+FESTIVAL+PREMIERE+THE+GIRL+WITH+THE+PEARL+EARRING+AT+THE+ROY+THOMSON+HALL%2C+TORONTO%2C+CANADA%2C+9%2F7%2F2003&ShowTotal=on&Next+Page.x=4&Next+Page.y=12 And waugh! Is this seat taken?? This one from the portrait section at TIFF! http://217.158.83.120/siteimages/globeph/thumbs/07140/07140669.jpg"}, {"response": 221, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Oct 17, 2003 (06:48)", "body": "Love Actually R E V I E W B Y R I C H C L I N E Shadows on the EWall Writer Richard Curtis (Four Weddings, Notting Hill, Bridget Jones) finally takes control of his own material, directing this sprawling ensemble romantic comedy. You almost need a flow chart to keep track of the characters, but somehow Curtis and his gifted editor keep it all clear for us. Nine love stories are intertwined as Christmas approaches.... 1: The new plain-talking British Prime Minister (Grant) is immediately drawn to his plain-talking tea lady (McCutcheon). 2: The PM's sister Karen (Thompson) is worried about her husband Harry's (Rickman) relationship with his secretary Mia (Makatsch). 3: Harry's star employee Sarah (Linney) has a secret office crush on a hunky coworker (Santoro). 4: Karen's recently widowed best friend (Neeson) is helping his young stepson (Sangster) cope with his first crush. 5: Mia's art gallery owner friend (Lincoln) has trouble relating to his best buddy Peter's (Ejiofor) new wife (Knightley). 6: Peter's novelist friend Jamie (Firth) escapes a bad relationship in the South of France, but begins to fall for his Portuguese housekeeper (Moniz) even though they don't speak a shared language. 7: A loser (Marshall) heads to America where gorgeous girls will find his English accent irresistible, or so he hopes. 8: Two movie stand-ins (Freeman and Page) struggle to express their feelings, despite outrageous physical intimacy on set. 9: And ageing bad boy rocker Billy Mack (Nighy) is trying for a comeback with a Christmas novelty single, a reworking of Love Is All Around, both a fantastic gag and a witty reference to Four Weddings. Curtis plays with every conceivable permutation of the rom-com and doesn't forget to include some serious and even sad moments. He's also a smart enough filmmaker to play with cliches without ever falling back on them; the overall structure is carefully manipulative and we don't mind at all, even as it builds to the big, contrived scenes. Standouts in the cast are Nighy (a deliriously funny role with all the best lines), Thompson (in a startlingly complicated Oscar-worthy turn) and Grant (on peak form as a dream PM who dares to stand up to the US President--a slightly miscast Thornton). Honourable mention goes to Firth, Lincoln, Neeson, Linney, Rickman and the superb Sangster. More problematic are the too-broad McCutcheon, the lightweight Knightley and the criminally underused Ejiofor. Besides the sheer joy of watching this film, it's also worth seeing for what it has to say about romance--both the sweet fairy tale fluff and the more melancholy realities. By touching on virtually every conceivable amorous notion, Curtis continually hits both the hilarious funny notes and the meaningful emotional ones. Love actually is all around."}, {"response": 222, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 17, 2003 (10:31)", "body": "From THR flackman: Oct. 15, 2003 'Love' looms as hit for Uni, Working Title By Martin A. Grove Curtis comedy: Although romantic comedies are one of Hollywood's most successful genres, some of the biggest such hits in recent years actually originated with Britain's Working Title Films. \"Four Weddings and a Funeral,\" \"Notting Hill\" and \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" all stemmed from the long-term relationship between Working Title co-chairmen Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner and writer Richard Curtis. \"Love Actually,\" their latest film, opens Nov. 7 at 500-plus theaters via Universal and marks Curtis' directorial debut. After its launch in limited release, \"Love\" will go wider Nov. 14 and then expand again Nov. 21. [Ed note: 500+ theaters is more than just NY & LA!] Produced by Duncan Kenworthy, Bevan and Fellner, its knock-out ensemble cast boasts Alan Rickman, Bill Nighy, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Laura Linney, Liam Neeson, Martine McCutcheon, Keira Knightley and Rowan Atkinson. Having greatly enjoyed my own early look at \"Love,\" I fully expect it to perpetuate the genre's success both at the boxoffice and also on the awards front in a number of key categories in the Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe races. Curtis is a master when it comes to writing screenplays that blend wonderfully funny lines with genuinely touching moments. With an ensemble cast that's something of a who's who of contemporary British acting talent, there's no shortage of performances to celebrate here. I was particularly fond of the vignettes starring Rickman and Thompson as a couple whose longtime marriage is running into trouble and Grant as the British Prime Minister and McCutcheon as the junior staff member at 10 Downing Street with whom Grant's instantly smitten his first day on the job. Overall, the level of acting Curtis achieves from everyone is top notch across the board. In \"Love,\" Curtis has interwoven a number of ostensibly independent stories about love, all of which differ in tone but have in common the fact that they're amusing in their own way. The film's setting is London in the weeks approaching Christmas and by the time we hit Christmas Eve we're seeing these tales come together and people from one story suddenly relating to those in other vignettes. The film's title comes from a voice over during the opening credits that reflects on the widespread feeling these days that \"we live in a world of hatred and greed,\" but then goes on to conclude that \"If you look for it, I've got a sneaking suspicion that love actually is all around.\" I was happy to have an opportunity shortly after seeing \"Love\" to chat about the making of the film with Bevan, who phoned from London. \"Working Title in whatever incarnation (over the years) has done everything that Richard has ever written,\" Bevan pointed out. \"It started with a little picture called 'The Tall Guy' in the '80s (starring Jeff Goldblum, Emma Thompson and Rowan Atkinson). Then he wrote 'Four Weddings and a Funeral.' Then he co-wrote 'Bean.' Then he wrote 'Notting Hill.' Then he co-wrote 'Bridget Jones's Diary.' And then he wrote and directed 'Love Actually.' Since 1987, when I first met him basically on 'The Tall Guy,' he's always been a writer who's been all over his work. He's kind of had a 'producer' role, particularly on the films where he's been a single-credit writer. So he's been involved in a very intimate way in all of those films through working with us on choosing who should direct them and who should be in them, being on the set all the time and then particularly on all of the mo ies he's been very, very involved in the cutting room. \"And there's always been a kind of dream (of his) and it's become more of an acute dream as time's past that he should direct. He got to a point on 'Love Actually' where it was inevitable, basically, that that should happen. Right from the beginning on 'The Tall Guy,' I think it was a dream of his that one day he would manage to do it and it's fantastic that the collaboration stayed in place and that we've all worked on all of these films together and that it's developed to this point. Not only has it been the backburner of Working Title, but it's sort of become the backburner of British cinema, as well, in the last 15 years.\" With so many stars working together in \"Love's\" ensemble cast, just the logistics of casting all those roles and getting everyone's busy schedules to somehow work during the production period had to have been a great challenge. \"On 'Four Weddings' and on 'Notting Hill' and on 'Love Actually,' we've overseen the films and Richard has worked very, very closely with Duncan Kenworthy, who's been the other producer on all of his films,\" Bevan told me. \"And Duncan and Richard have done the on-floor (in production) stuff. Now when we came to cast 'Love Actually,' Richard had a pretty clear idea on the principals as to who he wanted. As a British phenomenon, which Richard is, if a British actor gets sent a script by Richa"}, {"response": 223, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct 17, 2003 (10:51)", "body": "(THR)\" As for casting all those roles, Bevan added...Hugh Grant....And Colin, obviously, because Colin had worked on 'Bridget Jones' and Emma because Emma was in 'The Tall Guy.' There is a company in a funny sort of way.\" Nice to see him included with the *in* crowd of the British film industry. V. V. good. Thanks Karen."}, {"response": 224, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Oct 17, 2003 (10:54)", "body": "Karen, very interesting article. Thank you so much :-) (I hope, you didn't have to type it all up)."}, {"response": 225, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Oct 17, 2003 (12:38)", "body": "There's a magic hurtle that we have to go through with British films for the American audience Gee, I thought it was the other way 'round;-) As a British phenomenon, which Richard is, if a British actor gets sent a script by Richard Curtis, then they're going to do it. He's one of those lucky people -- who he wants, he gets. ...and thank goodness he's wanted YKW. Great article, thanks, Karen"}, {"response": 226, "author": "odessa", "date": "Sat, Oct 18, 2003 (06:24)", "body": "I have finally managed to catch up what`s been happening in firthland. Is GWAPE trailer online? I`m glad that LA is a x-mas comedy and so it has to open in Finland before christmas too. It seems now that WAGW has disappeared from the coming soon list, so LA is my next hope to see him in something since BJD."}, {"response": 227, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 18, 2003 (09:37)", "body": "There is a GWAPE trailer up at the LIFF site: http://www.lff.org.uk/films_details.php?FilmID=99"}, {"response": 228, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Oct 18, 2003 (13:16)", "body": "I just this minute saw my first LA commercial. Here we go!!! Little bit of Colin and others, lots of Huge. (as noted here) Opens Nov 7th select theaters, nationwide Nov.14)"}, {"response": 229, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Sat, Oct 18, 2003 (21:52)", "body": ""}, {"response": 230, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Sun, Oct 19, 2003 (05:53)", "body": "Well, the LA trailer seems to have finally made it down here, too. Saw it today when I went to a special \"preview\" showing of \"Intolerable Cruelty\". There was quite a bit of Colin in it (the trailer, that is)... I think they know that Colin sells well here. :-)"}, {"response": 231, "author": "odessa", "date": "Sun, Oct 19, 2003 (08:58)", "body": "I like that they used a shot of ODB with `a look` before the word love pops out. He sure knows how to express emotions with his eyes."}, {"response": 232, "author": "Jodi", "date": "Sun, Oct 19, 2003 (09:16)", "body": "Has anyone looked at the GWAPE trailer yet? Karen posted the link above & it is yummy! There is only one review posted and it is by someone called Lois. She saw the movie at the Toronto FF. Basically her review is about how Americans could not appreciate Colin b/c he is too classy for us & how he is not marketable in the US b/c apparently we only like violence. I guess she hasn't seen this site! So, any Americans who were at the Toronto FF & saw this movie (lucky you!) Go over there and post a review to shut Lois up!"}, {"response": 233, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 19, 2003 (09:25)", "body": "(Jodi)... her review is about how Americans could not appreciate Colin b/c he is too classy for us & how he is not marketable in the US b/c apparently we only like violence. *yawn , Yawn* He ain't so marketable in the UK either if you tally up the receipts of his movies over there."}, {"response": 234, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 19, 2003 (11:28)", "body": "Couple of things... (1) If anyone is interested in purchasing a ticket for the London Love Actually premiere (cost is around \ufffd130 plus VAT) and is for the film only, let me know at my \"office\" addy. (2) The L-dum movie (now called Fourplay ) is finally coming out on VHS/DVD in the US on Dec 2, 2003, and can be preordered from amazon; I've put the links up at The Boutique for purchasing, though the video is at discount \"rental\" pricing for now. The DVD is supposed to have a featurette, theatrical trailer (as if there were to be a theatrical release), and deleted scenes (though given some people's egos, I wouldn't count on there being lots of Colin in those). Here's the cover: (3) The Boutique now has links to quite a few more Austen sequels since I've noticed many have been purchased on the quarterly reports. If there are others that should be included, please let me know. (Sorry for the housekeeping details here, but...)"}, {"response": 235, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 19, 2003 (11:29)", "body": "OK, expanded to three items. So no need to tell me I should've written \"several\" ;-)"}, {"response": 236, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Oct 19, 2003 (13:12)", "body": "(Karen's Number Two...really! ;-D) The L-dum movie (now called Fourplay) is finally coming out on VHS/DVD in the US on Dec 2, 2003, and can be preordered from amazon. Oh joy! Now I can slow mo MB! A dream come true!! This creates a bit of a quandary....to buy or not to buy. I'll end up buying it cuz I do all of ODB's films...if I can get them....but gah! Of all the ones not out on DVD...why this one? Give me PM. Much better freeze frame potential (has that little drawback of Jennifer Rubin, but I'll take her over MB any day)....and where is Joe Prince? Where is AC or AMITC???? Those I would expect to be out before.....L'dum. Thanks Karen....."}, {"response": 237, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Oct 19, 2003 (13:27)", "body": "Variety: Year-end wide releases have longer legs -- Muscle of end-of-year titles draws attention By DADE HAYES October at the B.O. has felt more like December, with a 30% increase in the total releases over last year. That flurry is a mere precursor to a pressure-packed year-end stretch that will see a clash between popcorn and awards bait -- some of it combined in one megabudget package. Oh, and in case you've been on Mars: The Oscars are in February and the MPAA has banned screeners. The dynamics of the B.O. are also different during this season. Unlike the one-weekend-wonder pattern of the summer, which this year saw a typical release swoon 50% in its second weekend, an average holiday wide release in 2002 collected just 18% of its total gross in its first frame. That trajectory means distribs accustomed to splashing films into the marketplace and moving on will have to exercise some patience and ingenuity. Pics that open in mid-December will have to have a strategy for how to stay aloft in January. In November and December, 24 wide releases are skedded, up from 22 last year. More than the quantity, the muscle of end-of-year titles is drawing attention. Last year's mainstream roster included \"8-Mile\" and a rash of sequels, among them \"Harry Potter,\" \"Star Trek\" and James Bond. Only \"Lord of the Rings\" emerged as a dual commercial and kudos threat. This year will see the finales of \"Matrix\" and \"Lord of the Rings,\" but also hefty prestige titles like \"Master and Commander,\" \"The Last Samurai\" and \"Cold Mountain.\" As always, big bets will be placed on effects-driven all-ages fare, including \"Cat in the Hat,\" \"Haunted Mansion\" and \"Peter Pan.\" The real estate occupied by those big studio titles will undoubtedly complicate life for littler films. Forget screeners, the real battle will be for screens. The title of Sony's Jack Nicholson-Diane Keaton comedy says it all: \"Something's Got to Give.\" \"You have to consider things you've never considered before\" in order to \"register on this competitive Richter scale,\" says Jack Foley, distrib chief at Focus Features, which is handling \"Sylvia\" and \"21 Grams,\" plus the ongoing \"Lost in Translation.\" Publicity and marketing becomes even more headache-inducing than usual. Everything from spot-TV ad time to talk-show slots to billboard space will be hotly contested. \"With the lack of screeners, the studios and their affiliates are going to ratchet up the spend, which will make it tougher,\" says Tom Ortenberg, prexy of Lions Gate, which is juggling \"Shattered Glass,\" \"The Cooler\" and \"Girl With a Pearl Earring.\" The jockeying for dates ended months ago. Warner Bros. midbudget Halle Berry thriller \"Gothika\" is the only major title to switch spots of late, moving out of a pre-Halloween berth to Nov. 21. With dates set, execution is everything. \"The movies are the thing,\" Ortenberg says. \"If you have a good movie and you do a good job marketing it, you're going to have success. The public can smell out stinkers. It's not a good season to try to put one over on people.\""}, {"response": 238, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Oct 19, 2003 (14:50)", "body": "The LA trailer is showing in Italy with the Coen Bros. film. It looks like it will open in EU at the same time. Will I see it first horribly dubbed, in Italy? Nah! Good things are worth waiting for. :-) The DVD is supposed to have a featurette, theatrical trailer (as if there were to be a theatrical release), and deleted scenes (though given some people's egos, I wouldn't count on there being lots of Colin in those). LOL, Karen. Who will be the brave soul that will let us know about the deleted scenes? ;-)"}, {"response": 239, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, Oct 19, 2003 (18:34)", "body": "(KarenR)If anyone is interested in purchasing a ticket for the London Love Actually premiere (cost is around \ufffd130 plus VAT) and is for the film only, let me know at my \"office\" addy. Don't know if I could justify spending that amount on a cinema ticket(well I xcould, but I don't think even my DH would understand!) Any idea of the time of the screening?"}, {"response": 240, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 19, 2003 (18:39)", "body": "As I said, please contact me via email."}, {"response": 241, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 19, 2003 (18:45)", "body": "Additional details about the \"extras\" (she laughs) on the Fourplay DVD from Australia. Everybody is in the deleted scenes, but it's mainly MB (shocker, huh?) The featurette was characterized as \"basically boring too. Binder thinks he's the star of the film and he also made the film, etc. so the concentration is on him. Colin looks bored to tears through the whole thing imo. There is nothing in this that people would want except the fact that any brief glimpse of the boy is obligatory!\""}, {"response": 242, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sun, Oct 19, 2003 (19:38)", "body": "Nice to see it print!Consider it considered! RARE Glossy COLIN FIRTH-SCARLETT JOHANSSON Girl With A Golden Earring INDUSTRY OSCAR AD This impressive, industry only trade ad was published in a trade by Lions Gate to promote Colin for Best Actor and Scarlett for Best Actress for their performances in \"Girl With A Earring\", in one of the first Oscar ads we have seen.The ad features a great shot of Colin and Scarlett (without scanner distortion) as its centerpiece. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3355863029&category=197"}, {"response": 243, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Sun, Oct 19, 2003 (23:14)", "body": "(MariaT) to promote Colin for Best Actor and Scarlett for Best Actress Considering GWAPE is Griet's story and Colin isn't even seen for the first half hour, I wonder that they aren't promoting him for best supporting actor."}, {"response": 244, "author": "katty", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (04:16)", "body": "In the NY Post today, regarding the Hamptons Film Festival : http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/8461.htm \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" Scarlett Johansson delivers a solid performance as a girl in 17th century Holland whose gig as household maid to painter Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth) gives her the opportunity to be his model. Fri Oct 24 at 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. at United Artists Cinema."}, {"response": 245, "author": "Darla", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (07:21)", "body": "I can't help but notice the difference in the trailers for LA between the ones on the Working pictures website and the american version up on yahoo. I swear I wish I lived in Britian instead of the states sometimes....lol. Turns out ours is quite hokey (with scenes from BJD and NH thrown in there, I don't believe you even see ODB). I am trying to get advanced tickets. We will see."}, {"response": 246, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (07:28)", "body": "Colin for Best Actor Am falling off chair. Thanks, Maria!"}, {"response": 247, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (08:56)", "body": "Quick blurb about the songs and songlist from LA... http://www.rollingstone.com/news/newsarticle.asp?nid=18837"}, {"response": 248, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (09:42)", "body": "This is interesting,yet another site that looks like it may have started in August, maybe they have been lurking here dying to know what was being said and just enjoying the pics thinking, \"spasebo, but, I need more!\"...Looks like Hunk Daddy may have had a bigger influence than he let on... http://www.colin-firth.narod.ru/news.htm"}, {"response": 249, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (10:16)", "body": "All in UK: head to the news stand and buy Eve magazine for a free copy of RV on dvd. There is a choice of two movies so don't get the wrong one! Also there is an article in the Daily Mail today featuring pic of Colin and Mateo."}, {"response": 250, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (10:19)", "body": "Looks like there will be two versions of the CD. At amazon UK, they're showing the US import and a domestic release, though neither gives info on the tracks. ~~~~~~~~ Also I've been told that there will be special Love Actually jars of Nescafe Gold Blend coffee in the UK markets. Another contest too (trip to Mauritius); just the advance poster artwork on the coffee jars - no Colin with a big red bow."}, {"response": 251, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (10:24)", "body": "MariaT -- Thanks for the link. What a curious site! What language/country is that? I even got a pop-up ad with Simpson-type cartoon characters. The world is indeed growing smaller. Emma -- Any chance of scooping up extra copies to sell to us \"over here\"?"}, {"response": 252, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (10:25)", "body": "Maria's link is to a Russian site."}, {"response": 253, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (11:12)", "body": "I second Deb's inquiry. Can you scan the photo of ODB and his DB for this site? Have never seen pics of him with his children except at the polo match w/Will. How old is the baby now? Luca is two years older?"}, {"response": 254, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (11:19)", "body": "Sorry, ladies, but I don't post paparazzi pics of Colin and his family here or at firth.com...nor is it really a subject here."}, {"response": 255, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (11:45)", "body": "Check your mail, ladies. ;-)"}, {"response": 256, "author": "Darla", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (11:53)", "body": "Check your mail, ladies. ;-) Could I possibly ask you to send it to me too?"}, {"response": 257, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (11:58)", "body": "Check your mail, ladies. ;-) me too?"}, {"response": 258, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (12:05)", "body": "The information was sent to my Drool Darlings mailing lists."}, {"response": 259, "author": "Darla", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (12:51)", "body": "The information was sent to my Drool Darlings mailing lists. ???? Ok probably not the place to ask, but what is this?"}, {"response": 260, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (12:56)", "body": "Correct, not the place to ask. I deal with all questions via email. This board is for CF news, etc."}, {"response": 261, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (14:20)", "body": "Posting this as it seems related to the article BarbS posted at the BJD topic. Seems the EOR film crew might have taken a lesson from the Trauma crew..And a Super Loo? Necessary I guess for the lack of shrubbery... http://www.conservatives.lambeth.com/news/pr/0042.htm"}, {"response": 262, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (15:53)", "body": "ROTF...thanks Maria. Nice Conservative website too;-))))"}, {"response": 263, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (16:14)", "body": ""}, {"response": 264, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (16:25)", "body": "Info already posted on the BJ board."}, {"response": 265, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (16:44)", "body": "Sorry!"}, {"response": 266, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (21:05)", "body": "I saw commercials for Love Actually tonight. According to the commercial there will be a sneak preview here on Saturday evening, November 1. Not long to wait at all!:-) (Jodi)Go over there and post a review to shut Lois up! LOL, Jodi! IMO, anybody who feels the need to spew venom like that is angry about a lot more than a movie. Wish I could spell like her though, such as \"Malcavich\" and Jeremy \"Ions.\" Hey, wasn't he married to Carmen Electron?;-) Thanks for the Oscar ad, Maria. (Sandy)Considering GWAPE is Griet's story and Colin isn't even seen for the first half hour, I wonder that they aren't promoting him for best supporting actor. Maybe they'd be hard-pressed to do that since he has top billing. Might look weird and it won't matter anyway)."}, {"response": 267, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (21:39)", "body": "I saw my first TV ad for LA today as well. Made me smile for quite some time. And the Oscar promo is lovely. Thanks Maria. We can all hope, right? ;-)"}, {"response": 268, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (22:48)", "body": ""}, {"response": 269, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (22:49)", "body": "Here's the ad from Ladies Home Journal: http://www.breezymedia.com/lhj/lhjpromo/love_max.html"}, {"response": 270, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 2003 (23:02)", "body": "Dammit! That's $2.99 down the drain. ;-)"}, {"response": 271, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (00:49)", "body": "(Mari) IMO, anybody who feels the need to spew venom like that is angry about a lot more than a movie. No kidding. Wish I could spell like her though, such as \"Malcavich\" and Jeremy \"Ions.\" Hey, wasn't he married to Carmen Electron?;-) LOL! Mari, you just made my night!"}, {"response": 272, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (01:40)", "body": "And they say size doesn't matter... http://www.firth.com/gwape_gal1a.html"}, {"response": 273, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (02:54)", "body": "(Karen) And they say size doesn't matter... \"They\" aren't to be believed! Never listen to them! Size does matter and this one is a doozy! Thanks again Karen! Crikey! Haven't seen it that 'big' since Toronto!"}, {"response": 274, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (07:48)", "body": "(Karen)And they say size doesn't matter... They lie! but we know that and I have a feeling *they know it too;-) Here's one I'll need to back to several times today! And that advert too! Thanks for *saving* me the $2.99 Mari.:-)) I love that pre kiss lean in and the hands louisa, the hands......"}, {"response": 275, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (07:57)", "body": "(Karen)And they say size doesn't matter... What an incredibly sensous moment! This will be the scene to slo-mo once we have the DVD. :-D"}, {"response": 276, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (09:04)", "body": "Couple of new pics from the Love Actually website that I snapped off their crappy Flash presentation. That website leaves a great deal to be desired (contentwise) and is way too cutsey for my taste. :-( http://www.firth.com/love_gal_pub1.html"}, {"response": 277, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (09:29)", "body": "Cute ad, Mari. OK how many are gonna go out and buy your Max Factor lipstick and get a mini-poster & 5 bucks..you can't lose on this one."}, {"response": 278, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (09:39)", "body": "(Karen)That website leaves a great deal to be desired (contentwise) and is way too cutsey for my taste. :-( Great snaps Karen! I'd rathar see that lovely pre-kiss from you/f.com than the LHJ add. I love the pic with Ev's scarf too. I agree with you about that LA site. It gets on my nerves Actually. It all takes too long to load and navigate as well and I need to be able to slip in and out."}, {"response": 279, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (12:47)", "body": "Review from UK Channel 4: Richard Curtis, Hugh Grant and a clutch of great British actors create a Christmas crowd pleaser. Is Love Actually a kitchen-sink drama? Coming from the man behind Four Weddings And A Funeral and Notting Hill, that seems unlikely. But Richard Curtis has, actually, thrown in everything but the kitchen sink for his directorial debut to come up with a good old-fashioned, bums-on-seats Christmas crowd-pleaser. The result is a multi-story tale crammed with the cream of British acting talent. It deals with love in all its guises, whether it be romantic, platonic, filial or fulfilled, unrequited, unspoken or unattainable. At many points it's memorable, affecting and funny. But just as often it's lachrymose and in thrall to a breathtaking sentimentality that provides a cinematic sugar-rush when the various stories come together, Short Cuts-style, at the end. \"General opinion is that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but it seems to me that love, actually, is everywhere,\" says Hugh Grant in his least plausible role yet as Britain's new Prime Minister. Immediately upon entering No 10, the PM falls hopelessly in love with his charming, foul-mouthed tealady (McCutcheon). Meanwhile, newly-bereaved architect Daniel (Neeson) is consoling his 10-year-old stepson (Sangster), who has fallen in love with the most beautiful girl at his school. In another tale, washed-up pop star Billy Mack (Nighy) is making a half-arsed Christmas comeback and forever taking the piss out of his long-time manager and best friend, Joe (Fisher). The rest of the suite includes writer Jamie (Firth) being cuckolded by his little brother, then running off to France to lick his wounds and falling for his Portuguese housekeeper (Moniz); a truly delicious young bride (Knightley) discovers herself the object of the affection of the best man (Lincoln); and Sarah (Linney) nurtures an office crush, spurred on by her boss Harry (Rickman), who is complacently married to Karen (Thompson) and openly pursued by the office vixen, Mia (Makatsch). That's a lot of stories (there are more, in fact) and they are skilfully interwoven, as you'd expect. Mainly, these characters are defined by their reticence, a British trait, dramatising their deepest desires because they find themselves unable to express them. That's what's good about this film, and in finding humour at the heart of their predicament, Curtis supplies plenty of welcome pathos. Plus, we look forward to the defining moment when they simply have to act on their feelings. But that doesn't excuse some terrible, shameless lapses of taste, and even decency. There's a ridiculous escapist scene where Grant sends the US President (Thornton) packing at a press conference for \"for being a bully, not a friend\" (what US audiences - the key market for such British films - will make of this remains to be seen), a silly, masturbatory storyline about a loser called \"Colin, god of sex\" (Marshall) who can't pull in the UK, who goes to the USA with a \"rucksack full of condoms\" and immediately pulls a quartet of the most ridiculously sexy women you've ever seen and - it is implied - has sex with the lot of them. These are among the numerous sops to the feel good factor, and there are some teeth-grinding lapses of tone (a wedding becomes a song and dance number, with guitarists and trombonists appearing from pulpits). Sadly, by the end, everything has degenerated into schmaltz, with all-too-convenient multiple happy endings piled upon one another like cheap rugs, and all hopes of sympathetic characters intelligently handled are banished. Verdict A guaranteed hit but as much as the film celebrates love, it also exploits it for cheap sentiment."}, {"response": 280, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (13:25)", "body": "Thanks Mari! And another small one.. My wish list for Christmas... I would like to believe that the stories in the movies can be true... But only a good movie, good director and a good cast, can makes us believe that love actually happens in our lives every day. A Prime Minister can change the country's foreign policy over a \"chubby\" secretary, or life can go on without trouble after a husband buys a present for a curvy secretary or a kid can talk and fall in love like an adult - the list goes on and on... And, being Christmas, of course it's the thought that counts... This movie brings to mind the happy ending 'maestro' Frank Capra and with so many story threads linked together it's like a Robert Altman film - but it's still too early to say if Richard Curtis can ever achieve the same greatness. This is the directorial debut from an experienced and successful screenwriter and we know that Curtis the screenwriter knows what the public likes and wants.... But the various stories within this movie rely more on the experience and good will of a big name (but quite variable) cast than a strong directional style. One thing that is certain, the movie will make enough money to give the man plenty more directional experience... While the cast is impressive sometimes they go their own way and it seems at times that you are actually watching several different movies simultaneously. Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Liam Neeson and Bill Nighy all give great performances and are in the stories I would love to believe most. And you know what - for a couple of minutes in the movies, I believed. With love (actually) Mariano Gutierrez Alarcon http://www.skymovies.com/skymovies/article/0,,12227391,00.html"}, {"response": 281, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (14:04)", "body": "OK, I'm sure you all knew I was going to hone in on this bit: a silly, masturbatory storyline about a loser called \"Colin, god of sex\" (Marshall) who can't pull in the UK, who goes to the USA with a \"rucksack full of condoms\" and immediately pulls a quartet of the most ridiculously sexy women you've ever seen and - it is implied - has sex with the lot of them. I thought I'd figured out what \"pull\" meant from the first, but then it didn't make sense with the second reference. Need translation help, please."}, {"response": 282, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (14:06)", "body": "Ooof, never mind. Have Googled it. Hmmm, that \"masturbatory\" part threw me off or had my mind going in...ahem...other directions. ;-)"}, {"response": 283, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (14:54)", "body": "GWAPE review from UK Channel 4: Intelligent adaptation of Tracy Chevalier's bestselling novel which is rich in atmosphere and gorgeous to look at, featuring Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson A deeply understated and intelligent film, this faithful adaptation of Tracy Chevalier's speculative novel on the life of the artist Vermeer marks an outstanding debut for director Peter Webber, and a fine turn from upcoming actress Scarlett Johansson. Chevalier's novel was a luminous evocation of the life of the 17th century Delft artist, fabricating an utterly believable tale around the celebrated portrait that forms the film's title, imagining its subject as the young maid Griet (Johansson) of Vermeer (Firth). Driven into domestic service after an accident puts her father out of work, Griet is set the tricky task of cleaning the artist's room without disturbing so much as a crease of material, all under the watchful eye of the other women of the house. Noticing her interest in his work and her eye for colour, tone, and composition, the otherwise detached Vermeer employs her in preparing paints, and eventually she poses for him, in a transgression of her position in the house which brings sparks of illicitness and intimacy to their chaste relationship, and later arouses the disgust of Vermeer's wife (Davis). Webber's film is pensively paced, leaving room for some beautiful cinematography from Eduardo Serra, whose sensitivity to Vermeer's work pervades the film's lush visuals like an omniscient visual narrator; an appropriation of the world and style of this outwardly stoic man which adds valuable insight into his character. Furnished with minimal dialogue, Firth, and especially Johansson, create subtle performances out of gesture and restraint, where the slightest glance can be loaded with emotional weight. Johansson's Griet is poised and unusually beautiful. In contrast, the film's more verbal moments are the only points at which it's in danger of becoming overblown, but not enough to upset its balance. Verdict Arty but accessible, Girl With A Pearl Earring pays tribute to its subject matter with some of the most beautiful visuals on screen this year. High on atmosphere and low on action, its restrained emotions go against Hollywood conventions, creating a rich and rewarding film."}, {"response": 284, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (15:00)", "body": "(Karen)had my mind going in...ahem...other directions. ;-) Ahh, you didn't realize that \"pull\" meant \"push.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 285, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (15:41)", "body": "tee hee hee!!! Neither did I. Learn something every day."}, {"response": 286, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (18:07)", "body": "Whew, just looking over the 'sizable'GWAPE picture. Wow! This is overkill on all fronts and I'm up for the battle;-)But that picture did throw me a bit. Thank you Karen, Moon and all for the great links, pictures and reviews. (Mari)According to the commercial there will be a sneak preview here on Saturday evening, November 1. Not long to wait at all!:-) Oh, I need to look into this!"}, {"response": 287, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (18:34)", "body": "British satellite music channel has just shown the Girls Aloud video for their new single 'Jump' featuring footage from LA. Lots of segments not shown in the trailers I've seen so far."}, {"response": 288, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (20:47)", "body": ""}, {"response": 289, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (20:49)", "body": "Never say I gave you nothing for Christmas.;-) Universal has its LA website up, and it's chock full of goodies, pics, downloads, clips, etc. Check it out: http://www.loveactually.com"}, {"response": 290, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (20:56)", "body": "(Mari)Never say I gave you nothing for Christmas.;-) Oh my....... We must have been very very good! Please accept my heartfelt gratitude and consider this my thank you note.:-))) So many wonderful photo gifts today."}, {"response": 291, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (21:04)", "body": "How can one man look so good? Amazing! Thanks Mari!"}, {"response": 292, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (21:17)", "body": "Ooooh Mari, thank you so very much. Now, what do I get you for Christmas;-)?"}, {"response": 293, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (21:30)", "body": "Mari, v.g.,v.g. Thank You!"}, {"response": 294, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 2003 (22:28)", "body": "Thud! Yow...need a warning label on that thing! Thanks Mari!"}, {"response": 295, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (00:05)", "body": "\"Lick your lips . . .\" http://lionsgatefilms.com/dnm/profile.html?pid=IN-L-00075"}, {"response": 296, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (00:28)", "body": "*Finally!* Thanks, Mari! Mmmmm, looks juicy! The finger tracing the lip part didn't look at all how I imagined, though. Can't wait to see it anyway."}, {"response": 297, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (01:04)", "body": "Quite the bag full of goodies this evening, Mari. Great trailer *fanning self* and who wouldn't want Colin tied up (big red bow optional) on one's desktop or any flat surface for that matter. ;-) Late, breaking news from Ananova: Martine slips into method acting for kissing scenes Martine McCutcheon says she stopped at nothing to make her film role as Hugh Grant's love interest convincing. The star revealed she demanded retakes of kissing scenes and even used her tongue, explaining: \"I thought I would go for a bit of method acting.\" [Ed note: Unlike another Method actor in this film; must be where that \"classical\" training kicks in.] In Love Actually McCutcheon plays a Downing Street tea lady who attracts the amorous attention of the new Prime Minister played by Grant. \"I have to say it was an honour to kiss Mr Grant. I had to go again on numerous occasions because I didn't quite feel I had got the moment right. There were tongues on some takes, when the director asks for tongues, you must give the director tongues,\" she joked. Speaking at the launch of her new book Behind the Scenes: A Personal Diary, the 27-year-old said Grant's character is somewhat more relaxed than Tony Blair. McCutcheon would not speculate on whether the PM could benefit by employing the more \"arse-kicking\" style of Grant's character, who stands up to the US president and dances sexily around 10 Downing Street. But she said Mr Blair may be more spontaneous than the public realise. \"Maybe he watches rock stars strip on telly with a cup of tea in his hand and laughs to himself,\" she said, referring to a scene in the film. Love Actually, from Richard Curtis of Four Wedding And A Funeral fame, is released in November. McCutcheon said the film was probably her proudest moment as an actress. She said: \"Richard Curtis wrote the part for me. He said they were trying to think of the girl that was real but was beautiful enough for the Prime Minister to fall in love with. I was kind of speechless.\""}, {"response": 298, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (01:38)", "body": "(Karen)[Ed note: Unlike another Method actor in this film; must be where that \"classical\" training kicks in.] LOL! Well, he can't fool us, can he? :-) I can only watch the trailer without sound and I'm not sure fanning myself will be cooling enough. Wonder how I'll cope, when \"the voice\" hits me too :-) And the beautiful LA-picture. Thank you Mari for both. Am truely grateful. And - thanks Marianne and Karen for the pics and articles :-)"}, {"response": 299, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (02:52)", "body": "A small article in today's Times . Box Office success for film fest Record number of tickets are being sold for the Times bfi London Film Festival. ..... Hot tickets include Gwape , tipped for Oscar recognition, and Dogville starring Nicole Kidman. More than 110,000 filmgers are expected and some films have already sold out, although returns will be available before screening...."}, {"response": 300, "author": "Leah", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (04:48)", "body": "Thank you Mari for both. Am truely grateful. And - thanks Marianne and Karen for the pics and articles :-) I also want to add my thanks. This is a great place to be. WAGW is finishing its run here - Thursday is it's final day, and LA only opens 28 Nov, so until then, pics and trailers is all I'm going to see :-("}, {"response": 301, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (06:41)", "body": "The Guardian: Why We All Love A Daddy -- \"Yesterday was the turn of Colin Firth, otherwise known as Bridget Jones's Darcy, pictured cradling his new son, Mateo.\" (no image,darn) http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,3604,1067474,00.html Love the pictures! Thanks Mari aand Karen"}, {"response": 302, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (07:51)", "body": "Mari, what a lovely present! Thanks for the GWAPE trailer too. (Karen)[Ed note: Unlike another Method actor in this film; must be where that \"classical\" training kicks in.] (Annette), LOL! Well, he can't fool us, can he? :-) LOL! We know best. Thanks, Murph!"}, {"response": 303, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (07:54)", "body": "Allison, you are going to to the FF for GWAPE, correct? What are the other London ladies doing? There's LA this friday! Emma, Aishling, Lizza?"}, {"response": 304, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (08:25)", "body": "Allison, you are going to to the FF for GWAPE, correct? Sadly no. It's sold out and I do not think I could persuade my DH to queue for returns :-( Also cannot make the second showing. Did anyone manage to get tickets for the Gala?"}, {"response": 305, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (08:34)", "body": "Did I miss something? LA this Friday? I'm going to the afternoon GWAPE next Friday. Will think about going to the gala to stand outside and freeze."}, {"response": 306, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (08:58)", "body": "(Mari)\"Lick your lips . . .\" Whoa! Was a bit fuzzy here and I too had to watch in silence but it was enough to shiver my little timbers. Now I have to pretend to work for a living......"}, {"response": 307, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (09:24)", "body": "How can one man look so good? Amazing! Agree, amazing...he looks 25. Air-brushing?...nah;-) Thanks for the GWAPE trailer: \"The Mystery behind the painting\". Classy,I like that. Though PW \"It's about power and sex\" will sell more at the B.O."}, {"response": 308, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (09:30)", "body": "*****Note******* I have sent a message out to all UK DDs. If other DDs will be in London around the time of LA's premiere, please get in touch with me at the office."}, {"response": 309, "author": "aishling", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (09:53)", "body": "(Moon) What are the other London ladies doing? Managed to get tickets for GWAPE (31st) and will be queuing for returns on 30th."}, {"response": 310, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (10:14)", "body": "Isn't Tuesday when all the \"quality\" weekly news publications [Hello! OK! Now, Heat, New] come out in the UK?"}, {"response": 311, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (12:13)", "body": ""}, {"response": 312, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (12:38)", "body": "From Music From The Movies: Scores missing from upcoming soundtracks: Collectors don't have many reasons to complain about the score album output this autumn - just look at the incredible amount of score CDs coming from Var\ufffdse Sarabande for instance! Still, some anticipated scores won't get a lengthy score presentation on CD. J-Records' release of Love Actually, scored by Craig Armstrong, will only feature one score track on the American version of the album and three on the British pressing. The rest of the album, coming out on 11th November, consists of various songs by artists such as Kelly Clarkson, Norah Jones and Sugababes. Furthermore, despite Oscar buzz surrounding Gabriel Yared's score for English Patient director Anthony Minghella's Cold Mountain, the CD from Sony will, according to the composer, feature four score cuts only. Sony is also releasing the Mona Lisa Smile soundtrack, however this will be a compilation album possibly with one score track only."}, {"response": 313, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (13:16)", "body": "Karen, size really matters :-) Thank you!!"}, {"response": 314, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (13:26)", "body": "(Mari...and ODB)\"Lick your lips . . .\" That bit was the undoing of me! Crikey! Like how she sucks the lip in to make it wet and doesn't stick out her tongue. They didn't cut to ODB's face in the trailer...just you wait for the film! And Karen! You cannot do that to me at work! His hands Louisa! That look! Bigger is better, but also dangerous when operating heavy equipment (am counting computer as 'heavy'). I'll be useless the rest of the day (okay, more useless than normal!) ;-D Thank you ladies for all the goodies! Trailers, pictures...!"}, {"response": 315, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (13:34)", "body": "(Tress) Thank you ladies for all the goodies! Trailers, pictures...! I second! Thank you, thank you, thank you!"}, {"response": 316, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (13:41)", "body": "Karen, I've got to hand (*snicker*) it to you, you sure know how to get my attention! Mercy! Those hands, and in comparison to hers...whoosh. I, like Tress, am ruined for the day. Unlike Tress, being Central time, I have less time to try to fake it! ;-P (Still want to hurry home for the GWAPE trailer, have not been able to see it here.)"}, {"response": 317, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (13:51)", "body": "Wow, nothing like getting Christmas prezzies now...and we haven't even reached Halloween! ;-) Thanks Mari and Karen. The GWAPE trailer was amazing. And the BIG pic of Vermeer with the Mrs. How is one supposed to be able to concentrate after that? How?"}, {"response": 318, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (14:02)", "body": "Okay, now I'm going to get nothing done for the rest of the day. I even liked the way he looked in the hat, out on the street. Thank goodness they didn't give him red hair, like in the book."}, {"response": 319, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (14:46)", "body": "Hopefully there are those among us that may be in the right place at the right time to catch GWAPE here... SILVER SPRING, Md., Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Film Institute (AFI) and the European Commission Delegation in Washington today announced an expanded exhibition and programming schedule for the October 29 - November 9, 2003 EU SHOWCASE, an international collaboration presenting US premieres, worldwide festival award winners and box office triumphs covering a wide range of themes and styles from today's European filmmaking community. http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/031022/law110_1.html http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/031022/law110_1.html"}, {"response": 320, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (15:56)", "body": "when the director asks for tongues, you must give the director tongues Ms. Kidron, please ask for tongues;-) Mari, what can I say? mille grazie? Obrigado? dank u? Think I covered them all. OK just plain Thank you for the GWAPE trailer and that totally gorgeous present. I'm hoping he fits in my stocking;-0"}, {"response": 321, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (16:34)", "body": "From Billboard: http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=2008082 Here is the \"Love Actually\" track list: \"The Trouble With Love Is,\" Kelly Clarkson \"Jump (For My Love),\" the Pointer Sisters \"Here With Me,\" Dido \"Like I Love You,\" Justin Timberlake \"Turn Me On,\" Norah Jones \"Take Me As I Am,\" Wyclef Jean \"Sweetest Goodbye/Saturday Morning,\" Maroon5 \"Songbird,\" Eva Cassidy \"Wherever You Will Go,\" the Calling \"Both Sides Now,\" Joni Mitchell \"All You Need Is Love,\" Lynden David Hall \"God Only Knows,\" the Beach Boys \"I'll See It Through,\" Texas \"Too Lost in You,\" Sugababes \"White Christmas,\" Otis Redding \"Christmas Is All Around,\" Billy Mac \"All I Want for Christmas Is You,\" Olivia Olson"}, {"response": 322, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (17:40)", "body": "Is there a soundtrack Norah Jones isn't on anymore? Not that I don't like her..... Thanks, Maria for your link. Lots of intriguing choices in D.C."}, {"response": 323, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (18:25)", "body": "\"Wherever You Will Go,\" the Calling God Only Knows,\" the Beach Boys Oh, two of my all time favorites. Wonderful!"}, {"response": 324, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (21:34)", "body": "Glad to be part of the group where bigger is better!:-) Can anyone get the October issue of More magazine? Colin is in it, part of a piece on \"Men We Love.\" Unfortunately, my newsstand has already moved on to the November issue. YOO HOO, Lola! Are any talk show appearances scheduled for Colin for Love Actually?) \"Lick your lips . . .\" (Tress)That bit was the undoing of me! Crikey! It reminded me of the scene in Lost in Translation, with Bill Murray trying to understand the hooker: \"Lip your stockings? Lip them? Wha??\" LOL! They didn't cut to ODB's face in the trailer...just you wait for the film! You're killin' me here! (Linda)Ms. Kidron, please ask for tongues;-) I hear you, honey, but fat chance. Am not convinced by those TEOR pics."}, {"response": 325, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 2003 (22:15)", "body": "(Mari) YOO HOO, Lola! Are any talk show appearances scheduled for Colin for Love Actually?) Yes, any witty banter with Jon Stewart (one of my favorites :-D), flirting from Katie Couric, and inane baby banter with Kelly and Reege? ;-) And any Q&A's or intros at guild screenings or film classes? ;-D Am not convinced by those TEOR pics I wasn't so much either. :-("}, {"response": 326, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (07:47)", "body": "Justin and Kelly could have been avoided, IMO. Thanks, Murph! Love those giant pics, thanks, Karen! Saw LA preview on TV last night and it announced special sceenings on Nov. 1. The official site does not have a listing, can anyone help?"}, {"response": 327, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (10:13)", "body": "Now that our DDs have a headstart...check out the main page of firth.com :) (wonder how others are going to \"claim\" to have found this??)"}, {"response": 328, "author": "AnnieZ", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (15:30)", "body": "Oh, my goodness ;-) Daily Show"}, {"response": 329, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (15:46)", "body": "Thanks Annie! Oh dear... I just called, they are booked through the end of the year but last minute cancellations can be checked on Fridays at 11:30..And the show starts at 5:30pm, guess he'll be running..."}, {"response": 330, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (16:06)", "body": "It looks like a real CF fest in NYC!"}, {"response": 331, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (16:09)", "body": "So he will be there!!! Yippeeeeeeee!!!!! And one of my favorite ODB interviews of all time is with Jon Stewart! Am very excited that he is on DS again!"}, {"response": 332, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (16:36)", "body": "This is such great news! Am happy for the contingent who will be travelling to NYC soon!"}, {"response": 333, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (19:27)", "body": "One new picture I hadn't seen before. http://colinfirth.casa-feliz.net/images/details.php?image_id=1870&mode=search"}, {"response": 334, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (20:05)", "body": "Thanks Sandy. I've never seen it either. I like the pensive look. Location: a conservatory , where?"}, {"response": 335, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (20:26)", "body": "(Evelyn) Location: a conservatory , where? In London's Chiswick House (says on bottom of pic). Chiswick House Designed and built by Lord Burlington in the 1720s, Chiswick House is internationally recognised as one of the finest English buildings inspired by the architecture of classical Rome. When you have enjoyed the lavish interiors, you can step outside and admire the superb Italianate gardens. [ed note: and the lovely graffiti on the walls of the green house] http://www.londonpass.com/ViewAttraction.asp?Id=49&CategoryId=2"}, {"response": 336, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (20:29)", "body": "Oh (sorry to double post)! And Maria and I were talking earlier today about that pic! ODB stole the Chuck Taylors and faded jeans from Trauma for that shoot!"}, {"response": 337, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (20:53)", "body": "Colin Firth and Survival International invite you to a special charity preview of Love Actually . Oh those lucky UKers!!! Dying to go. HOLLYWOOD came to London last night for the opening of The Times bfi London Film Festival. In The Cut, in which Meg Ryan shatters her image as the girl next door in an erotically charged role, started a 16-day festival that will include the world premiere of Sylvia, starring Gwyneth Paltrow as Sylvia Plath, and the British premiere of Girl with a Pearl Earring. After a disappointing year for festivals in Cannes and Berlin, London has emerged as a highlight in the film calendar. Stars and industry high-flyers will travel to Britain in force to parade their films before the Oscars and Baftas early next year. Junkets for the awards are especially important this year because of a ban on \ufffdscreeners\ufffd \ufffd DVDs of films sent to industry insiders. Studios banned them after DVDs were leaked last year and pirate copies were released before the films opened officially. The timing of the festival, earlier than in previous years, has also made it a vital staging post in this year\ufffds shortened awards campaign season. Over the next fortnight about \ufffd500,000 will be spent on an average of two parties every night. Apart from the opening and closing galas, each costing \ufffd60,000, there will be seven further gala screenings and a series of other parties held by distributors and organisations such as the Danish Film Institute, which is showing this year an unprecedented six films. The largest gala screening will be The Times European premiere of Girl with a Pearl Earring, starring Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson, next Thursday. Other grand events include the opening of Lost in Translation, directed by Sofia Coppola and starring Bill Murray, which is themed to the film\ufffds ultra-modern setting of a Tokyo bar. Sandra Hebron, artistic director of the festival, said that London had become the launch pad for films in Europe. \ufffdIncreasingly we\ufffdre being used for the UK and European launch of films, and now people are seeing us as a stage for their awards campaigns,\ufffd she said. \ufffdCompanies will bring talent for three, four, five days to do the festival, Bafta screenings and also press junkets.\ufffd Britain is being seen as a hotbed of young talent, boasting stars such as Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley, as well as the rich literary and theatrical industries. London is also benefiting from an influx of film companies taking advantage of tax concessions which Estelle Morris, the Arts Minister, has recommended be extended beyond their planned end in 2005. Fox Searchlight, HBO Films, Myriad Pictures, Franchise Pictures and Gold Circle Films have all started London ventures. Universal has moved its international marketing department from Los Angeles to London, and MTV Films is setting up a London outpost to create youth-oriented films. http://newsdirectory.com/go/?f=&r=eu&u=www.the-times.co.uk"}, {"response": 338, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (21:48)", "body": "(Sandy) One new picture I hadn't seen before (Evelyn) I've never seen it either. I like the pensive look. That's the picture from the November W magazine article, the one with Jennifer Garner on the cover."}, {"response": 339, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (21:52)", "body": "(Tress) ODB stole the Chuck Taylors and faded jeans from Trauma for that shoot! Maybe more like FP ....nothing extra for costumes, so he used his own clothes. ;-)"}, {"response": 340, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (22:27)", "body": "From The Hollywood Reporter: Love Actually By Kirk Honeycutt Oct. 24, 2003 Bottom line: A blizzard of Christmas stories, each insubstantial as a snowflake, but cumulatively they smother you in good cheer. \"Love Actually\" reminds you of an elaborate Christmas card that tumbles apart with pop-up figures, silly/charming greetings and perhaps even a jingle. It probably cost more than the gift it heralds, and you can't help but laugh at the audacity of such an aggressively cheerful card. Clearly, the gift giver wants to love and be loved, and only a Scrooge would deny him his reward. But you also wish he'd heard the phrase \"less is more.\" The gift giver is Richard Curtis, a writer (\"Four Weddings and a Funeral,\" \"Notting Hill\") and, for the first time here, director of comedies that focus on the pursuit of love. Curtis' real gift is that of sharp, rapid-fire dialogue, easily recognizable characters, a benign view of humanity and a knack for making sentimentality feel righteous. This movie, for all its calculation and manipulation, comes from a true believer. He really does believe -- as Oscar Hammerstein II once insisted a composer such as himself must -- in \"raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens.\" Audiences should respond to the determinedly feel-good nature of \"Love Actually\" as a top-flight cast of (mostly) British actors sells its love message very well. The movie is less a traditional story than an elaboration of a theme. This gets pronounced by a narrator at the opening as you watch friends and family tearfully greet at London's Heathrow Airport: \"General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. Seems to me that love is everywhere.\" The movie flips among myriad stories in the weeks before Christmas, none terribly original or compelling in itself, but in the aggregate they illustrate Curtis' theme. A new bachelor prime minister (Hugh Grant) walks into 10 Downing Street and is immediately smitten with a staff member (Martine McCutcheon). A recently widowed stepfather (Liam Neeson) struggles to forge a deeper relationship with his late wife's son (Thomas Sangster). An executive (Alan Rickman) encourages a female employee (Laura Linney) to act on her longtime crush on a fellow worker (Rodrigo Santoro), even as he debates the wisdom of falling into an affair with a most willing colleague (Heike Makatsch), thus betraying his wife of many years (Emma Thompson). A bride (Keira Knightley) comes to realize that her husband's best mate (Andrew Lincoln) is madly in love with her. A cuckolded novelist (Colin Firth) flees to the south of France only to become infatuated with the Portuguese maid (Lucia Moniz) despite their inability to speak each other's language. An aging rock star (a hilarious Bill Nighy) launches a comeback with a Christmas song he knows is crap and freely says so on a truth-telling tour. Squeezed between these subplots are eminently disposable ones such as two movie stand-ins who shyly fall in love while entirely naked or a food vendor who believes a trip to any bar in America will yield a bevy of beauties to fall for his English accent. These plot threads (and they really are threads) contain little substance. Each is intriguing, but with the exception of the widower and stepson, none achieves any resonance. All are too fragmentary, though containing enough clever dialogue and sexy moments to distract from the sheer flimsiness. The production is a winning one, with London turned into a winter wonderland with a side excursion to a rather summery-looking France. As always with a Curtis comedy, the stories pivot around major set pieces -- a wedding, funeral, a school Christmas pageant and an implausible news conference in which the British PM dresses down an arrogant American president (Billy Bob Thornton). Curtis imbues his tales of broken hearts and ecstatic adoration with a festive passion and a cheerful optimism that sweeps the viewer up. It's only afterward that you wonder when the writer fell in love with the maid or why a prime minister would have no social life or how the wife forgave her wandering husband."}, {"response": 341, "author": "katty", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (23:08)", "body": "Odd little thing on boxofficeprophets.com. Earlier today they had a little blurb under their BOP News saying: \"Colin Firth looks ridiculous as a blonde.\" Intrigued, I read the article attached to it, but there was nothing about ODB. I wrote them and asked about it and have not yet received a reply. But when I just checked into their site, the blurb had been changed to: \"Colin Farrell looks ridiculous as a blonde. Apparently they got their Colin F's mixed up, too."}, {"response": 342, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 2003 (23:30)", "body": "(Dorine) Maybe more like FP ....nothing extra for costumes, so he used his own clothes. ;-) Mmmmm.......if that is the case, it means that ODB and I have very similar wardrobes. He just hasn't let go of that Vancouver 'style' yet....LOL. ;-) (Katty) Apparently they got their Colin F's mixed up, too. LOL....I believe thats a punishable offense in some circles....! ;-)"}, {"response": 343, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (07:25)", "body": "Love Actually Allan Hunter in Edinburgh 24 October 2003 00:01 Dir: Richard Curtis. UK. 2003. 129 mins Like a latter-day Frank Capra, Richard Curtis believes in the innate decency of the ordinary individual. His films salute the power of love and the possibility of harmony in a world riven with division. His vision may not be dark or cutting-edge but it is comforting, witty and irresistibly heart-warming for a vast middlebrow audience who have embraced Four Weddings And A Funeral, Notting Hill and his adaptation of Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary. That very same audience will happily line up for his Yuletide ensemble Love Actually, a canny mixture of humour, heartache and humanity that delivers a little something for everyone. The film\ufffds appeal runs the gamut from courting couples to family outings and incurable romantics, promising a monster crowd-pleaser, especially during the lucrative, feel-good Festive season. Directing his own feature material for the first time, Curtis brings tears to the eyes in the opening moments as he focuses on an airport arrivals lounge to underline the sense of joy and companionship that exists in the world. He instantly establishes his film as a heartfelt riposte to the cynics and gloom-merchants. Covering the five-week period leading up to Christmas in London, the film joins together ten stories of first love, impossible love, eternal love and love under threat. A connecting thread of sorts is provided by burnt out pop idol Billy Mack (Nighy) on the comeback trail with his shameless seasonal version of Love Is All Around. A number of stories also relate to newly elected British Prime Minister Hugh Grant and his powerful attraction to tealady Natalie (McCutcheon). The Prime Minister\ufffds sister Karen (Thompson) is all too aware that husband Harry (Rickman) is tempted to stray. She also provides support for recently widowed friend Daniel (Neeson) whose 11 year-old stepson is deeply in love for the first time. Woven together with the easy wit, charm and insouciance one has come to expect from Curtis, Love Actually is inevitably sketchy and even a little glib. There are times when the careful balance of stories, sentimentality and socially-inclusive characterisation seems calculating. The film even threatens to become a compendium of greatest hits from previous Curtis films with a frisson of naughtiness from the use of swear words, a significant disabled character, Kris Marshall\ufffds comical love God echoing Rhys Ifans scene-stealer in Notting Hill etc Most audiences will be all to happy to accept the film\ufffds flaws because it casts such a warm glow, offers moments of genuine tenderness and uproarious comedy and boasts an unbeatable, all-star cast that includes a delicious cameo from Billy Bob Thornton as a Clintonesque American President. Keira Knightley, Chiwetel Ejiofor and a dashing Andrew Lincoln are among the younger performers who broaden the film\ufffds appeal. Hugh Grant raises the roof with his antics as the groovy, lovelorn Prime Minister and Bill Nighy is sheer delight as a roguish survivor of the Swinging Sixties who displays all the subversive candour and indiscretion one could want. A polished, fluid production with impeccable technical credits and a winning soundtrack, Love Actually is the very definition of entertainment and is guaranteed to bring joy to the world this Christmas http://www.screendaily.com/story.asp?storyid=14671&r=true"}, {"response": 344, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (07:37)", "body": "By TODD MCCARTHY Variety A roundly entertaining romantic comedy, \"Love Actually\" is still nearly as cloying as it is funny. Grandly conceived by contemporary British genre master Richard Curtis as a mosaic of love stories that collectively stress the primacy of amour even in difficult times, this doggedly cheery confection persists in going overboard with smiles, hugs, kisses and musical reassurances that all you need is love. But its cheeky wit, impossibly attractive cast and sure-handed professionalism are beguiling all the same, qualities which, along with its all-encompassing romanticism, should make this a highly popular early holiday attraction for adults on both sides of the pond. After stellar TV work on the likes of \"Not the Nine O'Clock News,\" \"Blackadder\" and \"Mr. Bean,\" the New Zealand-born Curtis emerged as Blighty's most eminent commercial screenwriter with \"The Tall Guy,\" \"Four Weddings and a Funeral,\" \"Notting Hill\" and \"Bridget Jones's Diary.\" He now moves confidently into the director's chair. For what it's worth, he gets both the wedding and the funeral out of the way early on in \"Love Actually.\" Set in a spectacularly decorous London in the five weeks running up to Christmas, pic makes a very big point of always looking on the bright side, with the opening narration positioning even 9/11 as an event that occasioned an outpouring of love, however distressed. To be sure, any number of the characters here have to deal with frustration, disappointment, loss and pain, but in almost every case these feelings are transitory and non-depressing. The characters scoot from misery or emotional paralysis to bliss in the time it takes to change clothes, or whenever they discover that someone is interested in them. And in a move designed to give men some special satisfaction at a film many will be dragged to by women, rarely have so many extraordinarily attractive women come on so eagerly to so many guys in a movie not about athletes or rock stars. Showing no strain putting as many balls as he wishes in the air and keeping them aloft, Curtis deftly introduces his ensemble: Drug-ravaged old wild man pop star Billy Mack (Bill Nighy) \"looking for a comeback at any price\" by cutting a sappy lyrics-altered Christmas version of \"Love Is All Around;\" newlyweds Juliet (Keira Knightley) and Peter (Chiwetel Ejiofor), with the latter's best friend Mark (Andrew Lincoln) secretly in love with the bride; a bachelor Prime Minister (Hugh Grant) taking up residence at 10 Downing St. and becoming instantly smitten by young tea girl Natalie (Martine McCutcheon), and the PM's sister, efficient housewife and mother Karen (Emma Thompson), whose husband Harry (Alan Rickman) may be induced to stray by the provocations of his foxy secretary Mia (Heike Makatsch). Harry has an employee, Sarah (Laura Linney), who's harbored a helpless crush on shy dreamboat Karl (Rodrigo Santoro) for nearly three years; also feeling the pangs of unrequited love is 10-year-old Sam (Thomas Sangster), whose mother has just died and who confesses to step-dad Daniel (Liam Neeson) his anguish over a girl in school; jilted writer Jamie (Colin Firth) retreats to the south of France, where he begins a linguistically-challenged romance with Portuguese housekeeper Aurelia (singer Lucia Moniz); movie stand-ins John (Martin Freeman) and Judy (Joanna Page) are painfully reticent with one another even though they spend their days together simulating sex in the nude, and then there's Colin (Kris Marshall), a gawky, enthusiastic lad who is convinced that the answer to his dating woes lies in America. Woven together, and occasionally intersecting, so effectively that only one of the strands wears out its welcome -- the John and Judy interlude is archly drawn and doesn't go anywhere -- the vignettes are composed mostly of comic and emotional highlights, with no down time. Due to the inspired concept and casting, the wonderful passages featuring Grant as the debonairly rumpled new head of state are bound to be the most remarked upon, especially in Britain. Specifically positioned as the next leader after Tony Blair, Grant's PM gets off some sharp zingers at his predecessor and, in a scene designed specifically to appeal to the home market, boldly stands up to the arrogant U.S. President (Billy Bob Thornton), a cowboy with an interest in young ladies to rival that of Bill Clinton. However, the Prime Minister reveals a Clintonesque side as well in his obsession with Natalie. As neatly played by former pop tart and \"My Fair Lady\" McCutcheon, the self-professedly overweight character bears a resemblance to Monica Lewinsky that cannot have been unintentional. Dismayed by the distraction Natalie presents, Grant's PM brings down the house when he peers up at an office portrait of Margaret Thatcher and asks, \"Did you have this kind of problem? Oh, of course you did, you saucy minx.\" Another highlight is Nighy's sly portrait of the seen-and-done-it-all rocker so self-amused "}, {"response": 345, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (07:47)", "body": "Richard Curtis believes in the innate decency of the ordinary individual. The middle and upper-middle class individual. ;-) Which is a nice change from the usual gritty vulgar lower class films that have been championed from Britain for years. Colin Firth and Survival International invite you to a special charity preview of Love Actually. He'd better be there, but don't be surprised if they announce, \"Due to a filming conflict...\" ;-)"}, {"response": 346, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (07:53)", "body": "(Variety) However, the Prime Minister reveals a Clintonesque side as well in his obsession with Natalie. As neatly played by former pop tart and \"My Fair Lady\" McCutcheon, the self-professedly overweight character bears a resemblance to Monica Lewinsky that cannot have been unintentional. Strangely enough, that was my initial impression of her too. ;-)"}, {"response": 347, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (08:01)", "body": "Win tickets to The Times gala party This Saturday you could win tickets to The Times gala film and party at the Times/BFI London Film Festival, plus a meal at a top London restaurant. The ten winners will each win a pair of tickets to the star-studded screening of Girl with a Pearl Earring and to the exclusive post-screening party. Don't miss The Times on Saturday for details."}, {"response": 348, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (08:35)", "body": "This week's Sunday Times will include a dvd of the trailer of \"Love Actually\" and some other movies."}, {"response": 349, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (08:42)", "body": "Breakfast with the Arts on A&E producer says: \"We interview Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansenn for \"Girl with the Pearl Earrings\". The interview is scheduled to air on 11/23.\" This was at the Toronto FF Set your VCR's A&E channel. Check for local viewing times. You read it here first;-)"}, {"response": 350, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (10:31)", "body": "Annie and Evelyn, thanks so much for the TV interview news! Very happy he's doing the Daily Show again, since he was so good on it last time. And I had a feeling A&E would nab him for a sit-down as well; he and Ehle are their poster children."}, {"response": 351, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (12:07)", "body": "From Susan, the More magazine pic of the Colins:"}, {"response": 352, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (12:39)", "body": "(Karen) Win tickets to The Times gala party This Saturday you could win tickets to The Times gala film and party at the Times/BFI London Film Festival, plus a meal at a top London restaurant. The ten winners will each win a pair of tickets to the star-studded screening of Girl with a Pearl Earring and to the exclusive post-screening party. Don't miss The Times on Saturday for details. You can enter online too... http://www.timesonline.co.uk/section/0,,9086,00.html"}, {"response": 353, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (12:58)", "body": "Have added this pic to the TIFF In the Public Eye page from the November InStyle:"}, {"response": 354, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (13:07)", "body": "Have I said lately how much ODB melts my butter? GAH! Great pics Karen! Amazing smiles and dimples in both! Love the crazy curls on his forehead in the More pic. Thank you! Bee! Another great hug!!"}, {"response": 355, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (13:54)", "body": "Fun Scarlett article...Posted here because it does reference Colin and GWAPE...:-)) http://www.timesonline.co.uk/printFriendly/0,,1-7015-845630,00.html"}, {"response": 356, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (14:21)", "body": "(SJ) \ufffdJohn is so funny,\ufffd But wait, I thought *Colin* was the funny one. ;-) She has two in her left ear, one in the right, Just like Colin, right? Think she and Colin traded earrings? ..... and tiny acne scars Bet she loved *that* being pointed out. Thanks, Maria! Cute article. I find her views extremely interesting, I have to say. Not that I agree or disagree with her, but she's not dull. I've read bits of that interview somewhere else."}, {"response": 357, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (15:56)", "body": "This has been a long...long...long time in the making: http://www.firth.com/articles/03vanfair_italy_oct.html"}, {"response": 358, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (16:34)", "body": "A review of Love Actually from one of those \"vanity\" websites, i.e., people who write without having a clue about film ... ;-) http://www.moovees.com/review/billp/love-actually.html"}, {"response": 359, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (16:39)", "body": "Thought this was worth a chuckle... The Scotsman: \"Fancy a bit of rough? Then treat the man in your life to Trevor Sorbie Professional Mg Moulding Mud for a look that\ufffds more Colin Farrell than Colin Firth. Perfect for guys who don\ufffdt want to spend more than five minutes in the bathroom but still want to turn heads. Then get your own back for all that missing moisturiser and steal mud for tousled tresses of your own. Priced \ufffd6.49, it\ufffds available exclusively from Boots.\" http://www.news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=2091088"}, {"response": 360, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (16:45)", "body": "\"Can I jump on you?\" That would be my first thought, too!"}, {"response": 361, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (17:40)", "body": "(Karen)This has been a long...long...long time in the making: And worth every minute of the wait Karen! Hot Damn! Or *thud* to borrow a Tressism....... Beautiful photos. Is this not a guy who grew into his baby face in the most *butter melting* way? I can't thank you enough for your efforts Karen. The two of you bring us so much pleasure.;-)"}, {"response": 362, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (17:45)", "body": "LOL! The process was similar to curing olives. ;-)"}, {"response": 363, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (18:15)", "body": "Maria...thank you for the Scarlet interview. I like her...she's got sass! And Karen! Thanks again! Like how he talks about stealing clothes from his films. Seems he steals more from movies like Trauma than he does from WAGW! Hmmmm....wonder if he stole that lovely shirt from GWAPE? Might look good with the Chucks. ;-) Must say I really like the visible chest in the first two pics....the Neru jacket thing looks too warm (or maybe I'm just overheating again)! ;-)"}, {"response": 364, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (18:26)", "body": "the Neru jacket thing looks too warm (or maybe I'm just overheating again)!;-) It does say \"abiti di Giorgio Armani\" so Giorgio dressed him. Right?"}, {"response": 365, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (18:56)", "body": "(Karen) It does say \"abiti di Giorgio Armani\" so Giorgio dressed him. Right? LOL...I had no idea, so used my handy Italian translator (non-human). This is what it came back with: \"you live of Giorgio Armani\" Is that what they call \"lost in translation\"?? ;-) And Giorgio may have dressed ODB (or done something else to him, for all I know...LOL) but it still looks a bit too warm for the weather. But who knows? It could have been chilly in Umbria that day!"}, {"response": 366, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (19:08)", "body": "(CF)They ignore basic driving rules but are so fastidious at the dinner table Oh so true! I can't imagine what went through his mind the split second that she asked what his favorite color was. LOL, that was gutsy and he was perfect! Thanks so much Karen for the VF article. Love that first picture. Love that shirt, the look, and the amount of buttons unbuttoned! Maria thanks for the SJ article."}, {"response": 367, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (21:21)", "body": "VF interview terrific ,Boss. He seems to open up more with non-English -speaking journalists."}, {"response": 368, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (22:20)", "body": "(Maria) Hopefully there are those among us that may be in the right place at the right time to catch GWAPE here... Maria, bless you!!! I just bought my ticket for the screening this coming Wednesday. Finally, something good about living in Washington..."}, {"response": 369, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (22:29)", "body": "I'm back........ Still obsessing, (and isn't that what this place is sorta for?) on those lovely olivey photos. I like that green color in the first photo v. much. What did he steal that from? I feel like a pressed olive now Karen, but not like a virgin olive, if we know what I mean.;-) It's late so I can say this, I hope........."}, {"response": 370, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (23:04)", "body": "It is as it should be...(nevermind the title...it fits in this topic, trust me...) Daily Record DREAMY KNIGHTLEY Oct 25 2003 Pirate beauty Keira is sexiest film star By Steven Ventura PIRATES of the Caribbean beauty Keira Knightley is Britain's sexiest female film star. The rising actress whose mother grew up in Ayrshire first shot to fame as Queen Amidala's handmaiden in Star Wars: Episode I. The 19-year-old won more fans in Bend It like Beckham before starring with Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom in the swashbuckling Disney hit. But dishy Bloom lost out as Britain's sexiest film star to Bridget Jones hero Colin Firth, who won female hearts as Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. More mature sex symbols Alan Rickman, Sean Connery and Sean Bean also made the top five in the poll of 4500 people by internet provider Tiscali. Firth's Bridget Jones co-star, Hugh Grant, Irish stars Colin Farrell and Liam Neeson, and Scots Robert Carlyle and Ewan McGregor also won places. Richard Ayers, editor of tiscali.co.uk, said: ``It was great to see a scrap between the older fans of Firth, Ed. Note. what do you think? I'm pretty sure we can take 'em! fighting off the teenage hordes of whipper-snapper Orlando. ``It was a triumph of sensual seniority (exactly how I would put it!) over youthful exuberance.'' Surprisingly, cinema darling Catherine Zeta Jones did not make the list of top British screen sirens. Kate Winslet came second, followed by Rachel Weisz and Liz Hurley, known more for her dresses than her acting. TINSELTOWN TALENT TOP TENS MEN1 Colin Firth (left) 2 Orlando Bloom 3 Alan Rickman 4 Sean Connery 5 Sean Bean 6 Hugh Grant 7 Colin Farrell 8 Liam Neeson 9 Robert Carlyle 10 Ewan McGregor WOMEN 1 Keira Knightley2 Kate Winslet 3 Rachel Weisz4 Liz Hurley (left)5 Kate Beckinsale 6 Kristin Scott Thomas 7 Joely Richardson 8 Parminder Nagra 9 Alex Kingston10 Helena Bonham Carter"}, {"response": 371, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (23:19)", "body": "But dishy Bloom lost out as Britain's sexiest film star to Bridget Jones hero Colin Firth, who won female hearts as Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. See Annette! Our little contest Queen! Thanks for waking me up."}, {"response": 372, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 2003 (23:21)", "body": "Oooops! Thanks for posting the results Barb from another Barb Bee!"}, {"response": 373, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Oct 25, 2003 (05:32)", "body": "(Karen, Italian VF) This has been a long...long...long time in the making: And we appreciate the length of your efforts in making it happen! Thanks Karen! (Oops! And can't forget Moonerella (v.cute! :-)) P.S.Hope he gets to keep the sweater this time...Love that he even wants to and probably relates more to it than to the wet shirt..."}, {"response": 374, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Oct 25, 2003 (06:28)", "body": "Off out to buy my local rag, The Daily Record. Thanks, Karen, for your unending work in bringing us all these wonderful pics and articles. It is really appreciated. The Italian VF was definitely worth waiting for! Those first 2 pics are the best I've seen in quite a while. Italy seems to suit him very well!"}, {"response": 375, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Oct 25, 2003 (09:23)", "body": "Thank you, Karen and Moonerella(!), for the Vanity Fair article. I like the bottom pic, the black and white one best. Very much appreciate your efforts to get the mag and the translation! (Linda)can't imagine what went through his mind the split second that she asked what his favorite color was. LOL, that was gutsy Yes it was, as was the question on why he broke up with Meg. Bordering on inappropriate, I'd say. Ancient history. Susan, thanks for the \"More\" mag pics! Very cute photo, too bad he had to appear on the same spread with that potty-mouth Colin F.;-)"}, {"response": 376, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Oct 25, 2003 (09:31)", "body": "Forgot to mention: I have the November \"W\" mag in hand (photo has already been posted somewhere above.) Good long interview entitled \"Going Dutch--Colin Firth, the thinking woman's sex symbol, stars in a new film as painter Johannes Vermeer.\" Here's a highlight: he's talking about having gone to Delft with the crew to see paint colors being ground and mixed in an old mill. \"It's amazing the amount of stuff that's made from beetle shit or the urine of some animal,\" he reports. (I always *knew* those lovely colors all existed in nature.;-) Also, thanks for the InStyle pic of Colin and SJ--wonderful pic, they look so happy and natural! This is the November issue, right? Will pick it up. One more thing. There's a full-page full-color spread in the new issue of US magazine from the TEOR filming; huge BJ and MD kissy pic and some smaller ones, with some behind-the-scenes quotes. Will post more on BJD board."}, {"response": 377, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Oct 25, 2003 (11:13)", "body": "I really liked that W interview. Some different stuff, and quite amusing, at times. Thanks everyone for everything this week."}, {"response": 378, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Oct 25, 2003 (11:13)", "body": "Thanks to the olive pressers for the Italian VF article and pics. Moonerella, eh? So that was you in that Roger Vadim flick! ;-)"}, {"response": 379, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Oct 25, 2003 (11:15)", "body": "There's a big article in USA Today about the likely Oscar contenders, singling out the epics--Lord Of The Rings, Master and Commander, The Last Samurai, Cold Mountain, and The Alamo. This sidebar discusses 10 others that have a shot to get in there should the blcokbusters stumble: The calm before the epic storm By Claudia Puig, USA TODAY Epics are making the most noise now, but several less monumentally budgeted films some in theaters, more due for the holidays are establishing themselves as contenders. Among them: Mystic River (in theaters): Based on Dennis Lehane's best seller about three friends who face a traumatic event as boys, then as adults must cope with a violent crime that stirs up old emotions. Stars Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, and Kevin Bacon. Oscar buzz: Acclaimed performances and the Oscar pedigree of director Clint Eastwood (1992's Unforgiven) give it a good shot. Many nominees have literary roots, and Mystic has the added plus of praised writing and direction. Seabiscuit (in theaters): Famous racehorse comes from behind and takes a Depression-weary America by storm. It's based on Laura Hillenbrand's best-selling book and stars Jeff Bridges, Chris Cooper, and Tobey Maguire. Oscar buzz: Its summer opening, initially seen as a drawback, may prove a plus. With a shorter Oscar season (the awards were moved up to February), Seabiscuit has the advantage of having been already widely seen. Lost in Translation (in theaters): A neglected young wife (Scarlett Johansson) and a has-been movie star (Bill Murray) strike up an unexpected friendship in a Tokyo hotel. Directed by Sofia Coppola. Oscar buzz: There is considerable respect for the daughter of director Francis Ford Coppola for re-inventing herself as a filmmaker after the dismal reviews she received as an actress in Godfather 3. Across-the-board critical raves are an added plus. Love Actually (Nov. 7): A romantic comedy starring Oscar favorites Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant. It follows 10 different characters and was a big crowd pleaser at festivals and early screenings. Oscar buzz: Comedies are always dicey with the serious-minded academy, but Brit humor seems to fare best. Who can forget Four Weddings and a Funeral and The Full Monty? The Missing (Nov. 19): A Western thriller set in 1885 about an estranged father (Tommy Lee Jones) and daughter (Cate Blanchett) who reunite to rescue her child, kidnapped by dangerous outlaws. Oscar buzz: This period piece directed by Oscar-winner Ron Howard may have all the ingredients to please voters. In America (Nov. 26): An impoverished Irish family immigrates to New York in the early '80s after a tragedy and chases the elusive American dream. Oscar buzz: Director Jim Sheridan's work has been nominated before: 1989's My Left Foot and 1993's In the Name of the Father. Also, it's a love letter to New York, which could appeal to academy voters on both coasts. Big Fish (Dec. 10): A drama about a father dying of cancer (Albert Finney and his estranged son (Billy Crudup) Oscar buzz: The story is a departure for director Tim Burton, and the weighty subject and praised performances have an Oscar feel. Girl With a Pearl Earring (Dec. 12): Based on Tracy Chevalier's best-selling novel about Vermeer (Colin Firth) and a wise peasant girl (Scarlett Johansson). Oscar buzz: An arty favorite at film festivals, it could fall into the slot once occupied by Merchant-Ivory productions. The Statement (Dec. 12): A thriller starring Michael Caine as a former French Nazi collaborator on the run from police and assassins. Oscar buzz: Movies about the Holocaust have a powerful track record, as evidenced by last year's The Pianist. And Caine and director Norman Jewison (The Hurricane) are academy favorites. House of Sand and Fog (Dec. 26): Based on Andre Dubus' best-selling novel about a woman (Jennifer Connelly) whose house is mistakenly sold at auction and her desperate efforts to stop the Iranian immigrant (Ben Kingsley) who buys it. Oscar buzz: Kingsley's performance and the story, both personal and epic in scope, are winning kudos from early viewers."}, {"response": 380, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct 25, 2003 (12:17)", "body": "I too adore that picture with the green shirt. (Karen) It does say \"abiti di Giorgio Armani\" so Giorgio dressed him. Right? \"Clothes by G Armani.\" What happens often is that the photo shoot is set up with the understsnding that they would bring a bunch of clothes from a designer. And who would say no to Armani clothes? I bet he kept the shirts. (Lisa), Thanks to the olive pressers for the Italian VF article and pics. Moonerella, eh? So that was you in that Roger Vadim flick! ;-) LOL! With my blond wig, of course. Oh, behave! ;-) I hope you are referring to the remake done by his young son. Keep the articles coming ladies and thank you!"}, {"response": 381, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 25, 2003 (14:43)", "body": "(Mari)There's a big article in USA Today about the likely Oscar contenders... Do we dare dream? Those blockbusters sound ominous though. But isn't it nice to have his forthcoming films menioned on the O. shortlist instead of the dogpile."}, {"response": 382, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 25, 2003 (17:13)", "body": "Aishling to the rescue today, with a cute pic of Colin from the Telegraph. An article Richard Curtis wrote about directing the movie. Here's the part that mentions Colin: There is a scene in which Colin Firth and Lucia Moniz who plays Aurelia swim in an apparently deep lake. The truth is the lake was fine when we originally saw it, but by the time we arrived was 18 inches deep. Our two actors are kneeling and pretending to swim. In the rushes at the end of every take you can see them stand up and the water only comes up to their knees. During the filming, Colin was bitten by a vicious, malarial gadfly--his elbow swelled up like an avocado and were he not a saint, he would have sued us for the entire profits of the films."}, {"response": 383, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Oct 25, 2003 (17:32)", "body": "Quite a lot about CF in the papers! Today's Telegraph has extracts from Richard Curtis's book about the making of \"Love Actually\". Three pics of CF (only 2 of Huge!) including a one page photo of CF and RC on the set. RC writes about scenes shot with CF and Lucia Moniz (swimming in the lake).. \"During the filming Colin was bitten by a vicious malarial gadfly - his elbow swelled up like an avocado, and were he not a saint, he would have sued us for the entire profits of the film.\" ( Ed.note Seems rather accident prone! ) LA opens on the 21st in the UK, but the book (\ufffd12.99 ) is available from Nov 6. Can be ordered (\ufffd11.99 plus p&p) from Telegraph Books Direct on 0870 1557222 Full details at www.penguin.co.uk \"From the writer of Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and Bridget Jones's Diary - the essential companion to the smash-hit movie, including full screenplay and exclusive additional material. For everyone that\ufffds ever been in love and laughed about it \ufffd If you adored Love Actually, this superb companion to the hit movie is guaranteed to warm your heart and make you laugh all over again. Featuring: - Full screenplay introduced by award-winning scriptwriter Richard Curtis - Deleted scenes and other juicy bits - Behind the scenes with the all-star cast, including Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Laura Linney, Martine McCutcheon, Liam Neeson, Bill Nighy, Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson and Rowan Atkinson - Full cast \ufffdlove questionnaire\ufffd - Over 200 full-colour photographs and exclusive black and white photos from the production of the film Set in contemporary London just before Christmas and weaving together a series of touching and hilarious stories, Love Actually is a romantic comedy that looks at the funny, sad and often stupid sides of love.\" CF also features in today's Express - voted sexiest movie male - with nice Darcy pic, and usual blurb - BJD/TEOR, devoted family man, 3 sons etc. The sort of publicity that doesn't hurt. He's also had a good run in the Daily Mail, with TEOR photos over three days. Even the paparazzi shot, although intrusive, was backed up with very positive (ie non-tabloidish) text - devoted dad, and mentions of all recent films WAGW, LA, TEOR plus \"Trauma\" and \"The Dead Wait\". So someone had done their homework. He's also getting mentions as a result of BBC2's \"The Big Read\" (where viewers can vote for their all time favourite book) P&P is battling it out with LOTR. The Sunday Telegraph had a large pic of Darcy/CF sitting by the lake, and quoted Ladbrokes as saying that P&P was odds on favourite to win because of the Darcy factor. Also, the Times has had several mentions of GWAPE, and I'm sure there will be more when it is actually screened. Not a bad week for PR actually!"}, {"response": 384, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Oct 25, 2003 (17:33)", "body": "(RC)were he not a saint Well, as one of the apostles of Sct. Colin, I allready knew that :-) Just joking :-) Thank you all, for the articles and pictures, Karen, Moon, Aishling and everybody I haven't named. The Italian interview is one of the best in a long time, IMHO. I like his sense of humour :-) I agree with you, Evelyn; it's so nice to hear all these positive reports from his films."}, {"response": 385, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Oct 25, 2003 (17:35)", "body": "Oh, you got there before me! Worth duplicating though."}, {"response": 386, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Oct 25, 2003 (17:35)", "body": "(Moon)I bet he kept the shirts. LOL! And if he did we'll see em again.:-D (RC)his elbow swelled up like an avocado and were he not a saint, he would have sued us for the entire profits of the films. Ah! A member of the Church of St. Colin!!"}, {"response": 387, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct 25, 2003 (17:42)", "body": "I think we can safely say that ODB has got himself a hot PR firm. May he NEVER again be in the likes of HS and Ldum."}, {"response": 388, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Oct 25, 2003 (17:43)", "body": "(Bethan!)Quite a lot about CF in the papers!...... and mentions of all recent films WAGW, LA, TEOR plus \"Trauma\" and \"The Dead Wait\". So someone had done their homework..........Not a bad week for PR actually! Great news Bethan!! Now perhaps Karen can keep that paperbag off her head for a while. No more *bag hair*! ;-)"}, {"response": 389, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Oct 25, 2003 (18:54)", "body": "During the filming, Colin was bitten by a vicious, malarial gadfly--his elbow swelled up like an avocado So that's why we saw it bandaged in those pics from filming in France. BTW, that pic of him and RC is on the loveactually.com website, under the behind the scenes section. You need to click on the crew names; there are at least a couple of Colin. There's lots on that site; you need to surf around. I assume everyone saw the clip of Colin/Jamie and Aurelia, talking about driving her home."}, {"response": 390, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 25, 2003 (19:25)", "body": "Bandage is probably where he was bitten."}, {"response": 391, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Oct 25, 2003 (20:42)", "body": "A chance to hear Tracy Chevalier and Olivia Hetreed discuss GWAPE (from www.scriptfactory.co.uk) Girl With A Pearl Earring: A Masterclass in Adaptation from Brush to Pen to Camera Wednesday 29 October \ufffd 5pm Tickets \ufffd6 (\ufffd5 concs) available from www.sohotheatre.com or Soho Theatre Box Office \ufffd 020 7478 0100 Not much is known about Dutch painter Vermeer, and even less about the models who worked for him. So for her best-selling novel, Girl With A Pearl Earring, Tracy Chevalier had to rely on the paintings themselves to tell her the secrets behind one of the artist\ufffds most famous and mysterious works. Her wonderful fictionalised account reveals a relationship between Vermeer and the bright and intriguing servant who became his model and muse (a considerable scandal in 17th Century Holland). As the big screen adaptation gathers rave reviews, we bring together screenwriter Olivia Hetreed and novelist Tracy Chevalier for a detailed discussion about the transformation of a richly-textured novel into a ravishingly beautiful and remarkably intelligent film - one which looks certain to be a major awards favourite for the coming year. Film Festival screening: Girl With A Pearl Earring is screening at Odeon WE on Thurs 30 Oct at 8.30pm and Fri 31 Oct at 1pm - book on-line at www.lff.org.uk"}, {"response": 392, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Oct 25, 2003 (20:53)", "body": "From a long article by film review critic of the Observer (not prone to praising CF movies) on the emerging new genre of horror movie http://observer.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,6903,1065907,00.html \"I'm hanging my hopes on the international market, particularly Trauma and the Ministry of Fear here in Britain, and watching for the next wave of emerging maestros from Hong Kong and Japan to scare the bejesus out of a new generation of horror fans.\""}, {"response": 393, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Oct 25, 2003 (22:30)", "body": "From View London: LFF SHOWING 30th & 31st OCTOBER NATIONAL RELEASE 16th JANUARY Four out of Five stars Running time: 103 mins Beautifully photographed and featuring a superb performance by Scarlett Johansson, this is a rewarding drama that is shot through with a palpable erotic intensity. Girl With A Pearl Earring is a period drama based on the best-selling novel by Tracy Chevalier. Primarily a British production, it\ufffds directed by Peter Webber, making his feature debut. As such, it\ufffds an extremely enjoyable drama: sumptuous, erotic and beautifully photographed, with superb performances from its cast. 17th Century Holland The film is set in 17th century Holland in the city of Delft and the story takes an imaginary look at the events surrounding the creation of Vermeer\ufffds most famous painting. Scarlett Johansson (Ghost World, The Man Who Wasn\ufffdt There) stars as Griet, a 17 year old girl who becomes a maid in the house of Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth). Though separated by both class and education, Vermeer recognises her intuitive understanding of colour and light and gradually allows her to assist with his painting. Their tender, clandestine relationship, though never overtly sexual, nonetheless comes at great risk, particularly from Vermeer\ufffds jealous, spiteful daughter Cornelia (Alakina Mann). However, Vermeer\ufffds shrewd mother-in-law Maria (Judy Parfitt) realises that Griet inspires Vermeer and she takes the dangerous decision to hide the details from his neurotic wife Catharina (Essie Davis). Meanwhile, Griet finds herself in danger of an entirely different sort from Vermeer\ufffds wealthy, lusty patron, Van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson), an extremely perilous position to be in, given that Vermeer depends on Van Ruijven\ufffds patronage\ufffd Impeccable Period Detail The period detail of the film is impeccable and the dull, grimy atmosphere is heightened considerably by Eduardo Serra\ufffds superlative photography, which constantly draws attention to light and shade. There\ufffds also an effective score by the gloriously named Alexandre Desplat. Johansson is perfectly cast in the lead role and gives a wonderful performance \ufffd her resemblance to the girl in the painting is astonishing. Since she doesn\ufffdt have much dialogue, a large part of her performance is conveyed through her face and eyes and at times she\ufffds positively hypnotic to watch. The other performances are good too, particularly Firth (putting his trademarked \ufffddark, brooding\ufffd performance to splendid use) and Wilkinson, who seems to be having altogether too much fun as Van Ruijven. There\ufffds also good support from Cillian Murphy as the butcher\ufffds apprentice who falls in love with Griet. The film is full of memorable scenes \ufffd Cornelia\ufffds eventual punishment is a thoroughly satisfying highlight. The crowning sequence of the film, however, concerns the preparation for the painting itself: Vermeer piercing Griet\ufffds ears and repeatedly asking her to wet her lips are intensely erotic, unforgettable scenes. In short, Girl With A Pearl Earring is a well-written, well-directed, extremely rewarding drama with an astonishing central performance from Johansson \ufffd don\ufffdt be surprised if she picks up an Oscar nomination come February. Highly recommended. Reviewed by - Matthew Turner"}, {"response": 394, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Oct 26, 2003 (04:53)", "body": "Playing to the Crowd The Brit comedy \ufffdLove Actually\ufffd aims to please. Before it makes $125 million, quick question: is it any good? By David Ansen NEWSWEEK Nov. 3 issue \ufffd Here\ufffds a verbal Rorschach test: when you hear the term \ufffdcrowd-pleasing\ufffd attached to a movie, does it seem a recommendation or a dis? How you respond to this may determine your reaction to Richard Curtis\ufffds \ufffdLove Actually,\ufffd a panoramic, star-studded British romantic comedy that is very eager to be liked. Curtis is the talented fellow who wrote \ufffdFour Weddings and a Funeral\ufffd and \ufffdNotting Hill\ufffd (not to mention \ufffdBridget Jones\ufffds Diary\ufffd). This is the first feature he\ufffds both written and directed, and it seems designed to guarantee he\ufffdll get to direct another: failure is not an option. IN PURSUIT OF laughs and lumps in the throat, Curtis employs every clever or hoary trick he\ufffds ever learned, freely pillaging his own movies and others\ufffd. Offering up nine loosely connected love stories, Curtis has whipped up a heaping meal of cinematic comfort food, sweet as English pudding and just spicy enough to earn an R rating. The movie baldly announces its \ufffdlove is everywhere\ufffd theme with a montage of embraces at the arrivals area of Hethrow airport, a sequence that could easily be mistaken for a long-distance-telephone commercial. \ufffdLove Actually\ufffd then plunges into its multiple tales of heterosexual romance, which unfold in the weeks leading up to Christmas. The sheer size of the cast is dizzying\ufffdas you\ufffdll soon see. At the top of the social ladder is the bachelor Prime Minister (Hugh Grant, in his best diffident-charm mode), who finds himself preoccupied with a curvaceous staffer (Martine McCutcheon) from a dodgy part of town. The P.M.\ufffds sister (Emma Thompson) is grappling with the wandering eye of her husband (Alan Rickman), whose saucy secretary (Heike Makatsch) is doing her best to seduce him. This triangle doesn\ufffdt really resolve itself, it just peters out. Meanwhile, a cuckolded mystery writer (Colin Firth) retreats to France for solace, where he falls for his Portuguese maid (Lucia Muniz). Unfortunately, neither understands the other\ufffds language. (You wonder if Curtis is aware that, in most of the affairs here, men are masters and women are servants.) Puppy love is represented by 11-year-old Sam (Thomas Sangster), who is coached in courtship by his recently widowed father (Liam Neeson). The tone shifts uneasily from bedroom farce to masochistic creepiness in a strand involving a pathologically unassertive American (Laura Linney) whose guilt-ridden devotion to her mentally ill brother continually foils the consummation of her lust for her co-worker (hottie Rodrigo Santoro). Are you following all this? There\ufffds more. The unexpected MVP of the cast is Bill Nighy, who gets the biggest laughs playing a lewd, jaded, over-the-hill rock star hoping to make a comeback with a dismal Christmas makeover of \ufffdLove Is All Around.\ufffd Further broad comic relief comes in the form of a randy, oft-spurred young waiter (Kris Marshall) who\ufffds convinced that sexual salvation awaits him in Wisconsin, where his English accent will charm the pants off the natives. Then there are the shy young lovers who meet, naked, as stand-ins for the stars of an erotic movie\ufffda one-joke gag Curtis milks twice too often. Yet another thread, on the theme of unrequited love, involves a newly wed beauty (Keira Knightley) who discovers that her husband\ufffds best friend (Andrew Lincoln) is hopelessly in love with her. The Hugh Grant sequences are among the most delightful (if not the most plausible), and they allow Curtis to get in a barbed anti-Blair and anti-American aside in the form of Billy Bob Thornton\ufffds visiting U.S. president, a reptilian amalgam of skirt-chasing Clinton and bully-boy Bush. As a director, Curtis is nothing if not promiscuous, equally embracing his best and worst ideas. This is the sort of movie in which a crowd of strangers breaks into applause as one character publicly proposes to another (a device that was overworked 10 years ago). Yet the scene works because the proposal itself is hilarious. Slick, expertly acted and shameless, \ufffdLove Actually\ufffd is alternately beguiling and bloated, witty and warmed over, smart and pandering. The majority is likely to swoon; the minority will squirm their way through it."}, {"response": 395, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 26, 2003 (09:43)", "body": "(Bethan) but the book (\ufffd12.99 ) is available from Nov 6. Can be ordered (\ufffd11.99 plus p&p) from Telegraph Books Direct Can also be order (US and UK) from amazon via The Boutique! ;-) (Newsweek) The unexpected MVP of the cast is Bill Nighy Did I call this one or what? He reminds me of Peter O'Toole in My Favorite Year. (You wonder if Curtis is aware that, in most of the affairs here, men are masters and women are servants.) Eowww! Good observation. Thanks everyone for the news items!"}, {"response": 396, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Oct 26, 2003 (10:51)", "body": "(Karen) Did I call this one or what? He reminds me of Peter O'Toole in My Favorite Year. He stole every scene. He was hilarious! There is a Robert Palmer parody that may not be as funny now...okay....it will be! (Karen) Can also be order (US and UK) from amazon via The Boutique! ;-) Have noticed that the UK version of the book is 240 pages and the US version is 144!?!? Hmmmm......interesting! May now have to buy both to compare! ;-)"}, {"response": 397, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Oct 26, 2003 (11:20)", "body": "Thanks Mari, Karen and all for the great articles and pictures. Mari, thanks for the heads up on the November magazine articles and LA website. I've missed some things, but I did catch the lovely Jamie clip."}, {"response": 398, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Oct 26, 2003 (12:04)", "body": "this is a rewarding drama that is shot through with a palpable erotic intensity. And best of all it is a period film! My kind all the way. Can't wait! (Karen) Did I call this one or what? He reminds me of Peter O'Toole in My Favorite Year. It was my fav. part of the previews. He just glows on the screen. (You wonder if Curtis is aware that, in most of the affairs here, men are masters and women are servants.) His partner is a Freud. ;-) Thanks, Mari, Betham and Karen."}, {"response": 399, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 26, 2003 (18:07)", "body": "Re: Love Actually book length (UK vs. US) I'm not sure I have any faith in the product details on the US site, especially as the publisher is not correct; it is St Martin's Press, not Griffin Trade Paper, though the St Martin's Press site does say the book is only 144 pages. I've gone to the Penguin UK site and found the book, under the Michael Joseph imprint, and it says it is 208 pages not 240. I think the American publisher needs a call."}, {"response": 400, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Oct 26, 2003 (22:50)", "body": "To: Mrs. Hola Lola From: Dorine Re: Colin Firth on Letterman Dear Mrs. Hola Lola, It's very nice to see that Mr. Firth will be on The Daily Show. His interview with Jon Stewart is one of our favorites. When can we expect to see him on Letterman? And maybe on the Today Show with Katie Couric, too? Hopefully soon. :-D Thank you. Have a nice week! Sincerely, Dorine :-)"}, {"response": 401, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Oct 26, 2003 (23:12)", "body": "LOL Dorine! Okay, there is a new feature on Amazon.com called Search Inside the Book. If you type in...say a phrase...or, let's say......someone's name, it will search 120,000 titles and find that phrase for you (and you can view the page(s)). Well. Other than BJD/TEOR, I think this is a new favorite mention (from \"The Ticket Out\"): \"You were way right about Moulin Rouge and Shrek, Ann, but not so right about Bridget Jones's Diary. Bridget was a howl, and Colin Firth, pass me a spoon, I'd eat him with fudge sauce anyday. I've heard he's straight, tell me it's true.\" [note: I wouldn't need fudge sauce.] ;-)"}, {"response": 402, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (01:15)", "body": "Rubbing more salt into my gaping wounds... As reported by Momi, who hasn't jumped over her final hurdle for posting here at Drool yet, GWAPE is playing at the Hawaii Intl FF on Friday, Oct 31 http://www.hiff.org/2003fall.html"}, {"response": 403, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (01:31)", "body": "OMG, I'd have to see Walkentalk. ;-) Isn't Mambo Italiano just a Canadian The Wedding Banquet (a movie I loved)?"}, {"response": 404, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (06:43)", "body": "NY Post Business: On this week's magazines -- Time tackles the Iraq mess with a shorter takedown on Donald Rumsfeld that finds the defense chief losing his magic touch. For the cover, though, the weekly plays up two hot-button words - \"kids\" and \"drugs\" - to tease an article on the growing use of medication to treat teens' emotional problems. Time's best bit: A snippy roundtable with British stars Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth."}, {"response": 405, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (07:03)", "body": "Thanks Mary! And here it is... R T S / M O V I E S Pouring On the Charm By RICHARD CURTIS; HUGH GRANT; EMMA THOMPSON; LIAM NEESON; Monday, Nov. 03, 2003 It can't be true that all British actors are more charming and witty than American ones, but it often seems that way, especially in movies by Richard Curtis, the writer of Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and Bridget Jones's Diary. Having given them so many great lines, Curtis was able to assemble quite a constellation of stars for his directorial debut, Love Actually, which opens next week. In a web of interconnected love stories, Hugh Grant plays the Prime Minister, Emma Thompson his sister, Liam Neeson a widower with a stepson, and Colin Firth a writer who moves to France after his girlfriend cheats on him. Curtis and four of his stars sat down with TIME's Josh Tyrangiel in London to discuss love, Governor Schwarzenegger and Grant's inimitable dance moves. EMMA THOMPSON: I think Hugh is quite hung over. [Grant, with a box of Advil, groans.] RICHARD CURTIS: So this is one of those things where you'll put our initials, like E.T., and then it's all boiled down ... EMMA: ... into the stupidest thing you ever said ever, which you then wear round your neck. RICHARD: Talk about stupid things around your neck, what is that? [Thompson is wearing a fur collar.] EMMA: [Laughing] F___ off, all of you. You should be appreciative I've made an effort for your bloody film. RICHARD: You look absolutely gorgeous. Now I don't want that bit in \ufffd the \"your bloody film\" bit. COLIN FIRTH: Do we have to cut it anytime anyone says \"your bloody film,\" or just Emma? RICHARD: Cut that bit too. LIAM NEESON: So why was my computer scene cut out of the film? RICHARD: You see, we've got to give them something for the DVD now. LIAM: But was it hilariously unfunny? RICHARD: It's absolutely lovely. The truth of the matter is that the bonding between you and your stepson, which that scene was meant to achieve, was there from the start. EMMA: What about the scene with my son in the corridor, about the farts? It's gone. RICHARD: Oh, shut up, the whole lot of you. TIME: The story lines that actually made it into the movie are about love between a husband and wife, husband's best friend and wife, brother and sister, mentally impaired brother and sister, language-impaired boss and employee, boy and girl, and a widowed stepfather and son. It all takes place at Christmas, with loving families and adorable children. Did you ever think, O.K., enough is enough? HUGH GRANT: I thought it was very brave. As you say, it runs the risk of being unfashionable to be that positive and warm about life and people. And Richard doesn't seem to care at all. He goes full out for it. His saving grace all his life has been that he takes you to the edge, where you're about to say enough already, and then there's a good joke that undercuts the whole thing. It's a great feat of trapeze. COLIN: You cannot afford to miss, picking up on that metaphor. You miss by an inch, and you've got something that's catastrophic. There's a thin line between being deeply moved and the desire to vomit. RICHARD: Can the vomit bit not be in? EMMA: No, I think we need vomit. TIME: Liam, people tend to overlook your comedic work in Schindler's List. Is that why you wanted to be in this movie? LIAM: That and knowing it was Richard and all these extraordinary actors. I thought, My God, I could only wish. RICHARD: I had just rewatched Husbands and Wives, and there's a fantastic scene where Liam's come back from a date and he's trying to work out whether to kiss Judy Davis. He's so calm, and that magical calm that Liam can do was crucial. I like to feel that in this film people are allowed to do things that are very natural to them. TIME: Like Hugh Grant being Prime Minister? RICHARD: I met the Prime Minister after Notting Hill, and he said he enjoyed it, but why were all the characters in my movies such losers? So I thought, I'll pay him back. TIME: Hugh, did you enjoy playing out the fantasy of global power? HUGH: Well, I do quite like to be the focus of attention, so as far as the Prime Minister gets out of his car and waves, I liked that. But if the question is, Did I enjoy doing the part?, the answer is of course no. Acting is unmitigated torture for me from beginning to end. LIAM: Is it, Hugh? I remember reading something about this. Why? HUGH: Because I don't like the pressure. I don't mind rehearsing. You do something in rehearsal and someone says, \"Hey, that's pretty good. Quite funny.\" And then from that moment on you're just dreading trying to repeat it. LIAM: You repeat it very, very well. RICHARD: Yeah, in film after film after film. [Much laughter.] I've got a terrible thing to admit. Whenever I look at the end of the movie, when Hugh's in front of that audience and they're all clapping and he does that little wave and disappears, I keep thinking, I hope that when he dies, that's the bit they show at the end of the news. "}, {"response": 406, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (07:12)", "body": "There is more!! Page 2 & 3 here... http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101031103-526493-2,00.html"}, {"response": 407, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (07:26)", "body": "HUGH: It'd be either that or the mug shot. Hilarious! I love his sense of humour. Thanks, Maria and Murph!"}, {"response": 408, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (07:36)", "body": "Same issue of Time has a review of LA as well! Sweet Agonies of Affection By RICHARD SCHICKEL Sunday, Oct. 26, 2003 A Prime Minister (Hugh Grant) rattles lonesomely around 10 Downing Street, mooning over his pretty tea lady (Martine McCutcheon). A trashed rocker (Bill Nighy, in a great comic turn) tries to find his old adoring audience with a ghastly Christmas song. A cuckolded writer (Colin Firth) falls in love with his housekeeper (Lucia Moniz) but can't communicate with her: she speaks only Portuguese, he only English. A shy office worker (Laura Linney) is too tongue tied and tragically preoccupied with her mentally ill brother to consummate her passion for the hunk at the neighboring computer. A recently widowed dad (Liam Neeson) tries to reach out to his love-struck 10-year-old stepson. And that's less than half the cast of writer-director Richard Curtis' epic romantic comedy, Love Actually. As you can see, a lot of Love Actually's humor derives from the fact that people are struck dumb by their passions. But as he proved with his script for Four Weddings and a Funeral, Curtis has a deft hand with multiple stories. And as he showed in writing Notting Hill and co-writing Bridget Jones's Diary, he has an acute sense of the desperate needs that underlie our often comically deflected longings. In his comedies people always act improbably, but they are full of a sort of fierce wistfulness too. They will eventually go to extraordinary lengths to find romantic fulfillment. Thus Grant's PM finds himself singing carols on Christmas Eve to bratty children. A horny, socially inept waiter (Kris Marshall) flies all the way to Wisconsin hoping for the sex he can't get in London and, of all things, finds it. A couple of movie stand-ins repeatedly get naked for the cameraman, boredly discuss London traffic and don't confess their love until they get their clothes on. On the other hand, several characters besides Linney's overly devoted sister do not get everything they want. For although Alan Rickman's emotionally constricted businessman does consummate his affair with his nastily manipulative secretary, it does not mean all ends well. Indeed, you could say the wife he betrays (Emma Thompson) carries the film's heaviest emotional weight. She's brave and \ufffd because Thompson is such a wise, fine actress \ufffd utterly winning in her devastation. Her work does not dim the general merriment; it simply colors it with a touch of heartfelt reality. But enough of Curtis' other lovably crazed characters do succeed in finding love in all the unlikely places that you leave the theater with your heart humming happily. He has his dark \ufffd well, darkish \ufffd side under control. Which is to say that he is an Englishman, well practiced in masking pain and absurdity and descents into sheer goofiness with mannerly behavior, sly irony and stiff upper lips. Don't get me wrong: Love Actually is not a black or even a particularly bleak comedy. But it does remind us \ufffd sometimes with a winning, unpolished awkwardness \ufffd that the pursuit of love is a game that is as dangerous as it is exhilarating. From the Nov. 03, 2003 issue of TIME magazine"}, {"response": 409, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (07:41)", "body": "\ufffd Colin Firth; Josh Tyrangiel I just realized that it was Colin! Tiranous Angel. Well done!"}, {"response": 410, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (08:24)", "body": "(Moon)\ufffd Colin Firth; Josh Tyrangiel I just realized that it was Colin! Tiranous Angel. Well done! Oh Moon, could you please fill in? This is code from what, where? Thanking you in advance, Bee.:-))"}, {"response": 411, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (08:43)", "body": "Oh silly me! I forgot to Thank you very much Maria! Will run out at lunch time and grab a copy.:-)))"}, {"response": 412, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (09:05)", "body": "Oh Moon, could you please fill in? This is code from what, where? Beedee, read the interview, at the end, Colin gets the credit, he is Josh, the interviewer. ;-)"}, {"response": 413, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (09:12)", "body": "LOL! very funny interview. Thank goodness Colin had a couple of good quips to keep up with the others and didn't come off too serious and too boring. COLIN: You cannot afford to miss, picking up on that metaphor. You miss by an inch, and you've got something that's catastrophic. There's a thin line between being deeply moved and the desire to vomit. I'm surprised by Liam's humor. He's quite clever and funny. Can't wait for the magazine to be delivered this afternoon. Thanks Murph and Maria!"}, {"response": 414, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (09:15)", "body": "(Momi via Karen)GWAPE is playing at the Hawaii Intl FF on Friday, Oct 31 Ohgoodie...hope Momi reports back to us. We never seem to hear from some of these folks. Louise at Austin FF? Telluride by- the- sea folks??"}, {"response": 415, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (09:25)", "body": "(Moon) read the interview, at the end, Colin gets the credit, he is Josh, the interviewer. ;-) I thought this too but Josh Tyrangiel googles as a Time movie/music writer. Wonder what the story is?"}, {"response": 416, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (09:31)", "body": "I don't think Colin is doubling as the interviewer; it could be a picture caption. Will have to wait until mag is delivered later to see what this means."}, {"response": 417, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (10:00)", "body": "Thanks for the Time mag articles, Murph and Maria. Time is wonderful exposure, but whose idea was it to sit him down among these logorrheic magpies? I can imagine what that scene was like around the table, waiting for one of these self-absorbed luvvies to come up for air. Or as Emma T. might so charmingly say, \"Shut the f___ up.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 418, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (10:02)", "body": "BTW, it's absolutely a photo caption. Hey, Moon, whatcha smokin' down there?;-) godferbid he has those glasses on"}, {"response": 419, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (10:05)", "body": "Time is wonderful exposure, but whose idea was it to sit him down among these logorrheic magpies? It's known as pulling your own weight. Nothing wrong with it and may help his bankability. If he's included in this group, maybe there's some hope (every body part crossed) for a Charlie Rose show with a few of them."}, {"response": 420, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (10:22)", "body": "(Karen)If he's included in this group, maybe there's some hope (every body part crossed) for a Charlie Rose show with a few of them. Oh my!! Be still my foolish heart! I would love a Charlie Rose show!"}, {"response": 421, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (10:42)", "body": "(Karen)It's known as pulling your own weight. Nothing wrong with it and may help his bankability My point is: he has to force himself to speak up more among this type of crowd. These are the type of people who will run right over you if you don't. None of them are the type to try to draw out the quiet person. I'd much rather see him do Charlie Rose with Scarlett for GWAPE, not for this film. And Dorine, count me in the Letterman camp!"}, {"response": 422, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (10:46)", "body": "(Mari) I'd much rather see him do Charlie Rose with Scarlett for GWAPE, not for this film. So would I, but Charlie has to meet him first. Maybe he'd be impressed enough with him after to invite him back for a more serious discussion. Sheesh, I was flipping through the channels last week and saw Charlie 1-on-1 with Mark Ruffalo. Didn't watch; wasn't interested. But you've got to get Charlie Hangdog Expression's interest first."}, {"response": 423, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (11:13)", "body": "(Karen) But you've got to get Charlie Hangdog Expression's interest first. Just like Letterman."}, {"response": 424, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (11:21)", "body": "(Dorine) Just like Letterman. Not quite. 1-on-1 is far different IMO from being the second guest who is there to do a brief plug for a film. If you impress Letterman with that, then he'd get called back as the first guest on his next round of promos. Hey, the other CF didn't start out as the top billed guest initially either on the late night shows, but it didn't take long for their talent bookers to see his ability to draw."}, {"response": 425, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (11:32)", "body": "Letterman will go to Hugh or Liam or Emma. The Jon Stewart show confirms that, IMO. And I would like to be wrong. But for GWAPE? Are we just going to see Scarlett? That would be his time to push too. Hey, Moon, whatcha smokin' down there?;-) LOL! Blame the Marlins, they're psychadelic. ;-) I had a hard time believing that he would only have what, two lines? ;-)"}, {"response": 426, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (12:18)", "body": "(Mari)My point is: he has to force himself to speak up more among this type of crowd. Yes, I cringed for him during his VH1 appearance for BJD. He couldn't get, nor IMO, did he try to get a word in with RZ and HG. He did much better the second time around for TIOBE with RE, RW, and FOC. (Moon)I had a hard time believing that he would only have what, two lines? ;-) I was wondering if he went off to the loo, and maybe ran into Tress;-) Thanks, Maria"}, {"response": 427, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (12:21)", "body": "Hey, Moon, whatcha smokin' down there?;-) LOL! Blame the Marlins, they're psychadelic. ;-) I had a hard time believing that he would only have what, two lines? ;-) Hey, then I'm stoned too! I thought he wrote it as well and that the name used had some sort of interesting meaning.:-)) Well, it was early!"}, {"response": 428, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (12:38)", "body": "Those Brits and their sense of humor -- That roundtable was hilarious. Curtis is a real hoot. Thanks for bring the link over, Maria."}, {"response": 429, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (13:19)", "body": "Have my Time magazine. This spread is 4 pages long. There's a big pic at a restaurant table (with CF and HG standing behind the seated ET, RC and LN, like a wedding photo, where half the table must stand behind), another group shot on the Table of Contents page--uhmmm, ET, LM and Huge got separate headshots with quotes inset, though there's a pic of Colin and Lucia from the movie over the sidebar with Schickel's review. BTW, Colin looks a bit dorky. Sorry, you'll see."}, {"response": 430, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (13:26)", "body": "Hi everyone Hope all is well. I apologize for not stopping in sooner but I've been out of town on several junkets and have been ill as well,especially in the mornings :) Anyway, Colin will be doing some of the morning shows, like Today and The View, but so far, none of the late night shows are interested, probably because of November sweeps--they all have bigger names they can book. But we're still trying! He did our press junket, so he'll be all over local and cable as well. My assistant will be posting shortly with some dates and all that stuff. As for the contest I had mentioned prior, we're still trying to determine a good one for it but I'll let Karen know. Karen, I've got a surprise for you in the mail in the next few days. Be on the lookout. I think you're going to like it :) People love Colin in LA and the comments we've heard have been outstanding! I gotta tell you that this man is great and it's always such a pleasure and joy working with him. He's the best. Anyway, that's it for now. More later. take care!~"}, {"response": 431, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (13:43)", "body": "(Hola)I apologize for not stopping in sooner but I've been out of town on several junkets and have been ill as well,especially in the mornings :) Congratulations Hola! Hope it's not too bad! :-) My assistant will be posting shortly with some dates and all that stuff. Oh yes please! I gotta tell you that this man is great and it's always such a pleasure and joy working with him. He's the best. Always nice to have your greatest hopes confirmed! Thanks so much Hola!!!"}, {"response": 432, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (13:45)", "body": "RICHARD: Yeah, in film after film after film. [Much laughter.] I've got a terrible thing to admit. Whenever I look at the end of the movie, when Hugh's in front of that audience and they're all clapping and he does that little wave and disappears, I keep thinking, I hope that when he dies, that's the bit they show at the end of the news. HUGH: It'd be either that or the mug shot. Thank you Maria! I nearly snorted when I read that line! He really can be quite funny! Colin didn't say too much...and Moon! When I read that CF did the interview, I laughed...I thought...Josh...er...ODB said \"Dude\"! Now I'm a bit sad that he didn't! LOL!"}, {"response": 433, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (14:11)", "body": "Me too Tress! (Lola)I apologize for not stopping in sooner but I've been out of town on several junkets and have been ill as well,especially in the mornings :) Congratulations Lola! I hope you don't plan to retire. ;-) My assistant will be posting shortly with some dates and all that stuff. Excellent! I gotta tell you that this man is great and it's always such a pleasure and joy working with him. He's the best. We'd love a few stories. :-)"}, {"response": 434, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (14:17)", "body": "(Hola) and have been ill as well,especially in the mornings :) Ohhhhh!!! Congratulations! Sounds as if you understand what ODB is talking about in the Time Mag article: There's a thin line between being deeply moved and the desire to vomit. Hope you are feeling better real soon! Need anything? A beetroot cube? Mini-gherkin? ;-) Please do let us know dates! Am very interested (I do hope we see the blue suit again, I've grown quite attached to it, actually)!! (Hola) I gotta tell you that this man is great and it's always such a pleasure and joy working with him. He's the best. **big sigh** Thanks Hola! Always enjoy hearing from you!"}, {"response": 435, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (15:40)", "body": "Hola, Congratulations!!! and thank you for bringing us the news. Hope you feel better, soon. (Hola) I gotta tell you that this man is great and it's always such a pleasure and joy working with him. He's the best. It's always great to hear that. ***one huge sigh***"}, {"response": 436, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (15:46)", "body": "(Hola) and have been ill as well,especially in the mornings :) Congratulations! Take it easy and I hope you get over this particular phase soon. I've got a surprise for you in the mail in the next few days. Be on the lookout. I think you're going to like it :) Yippee!!!!!!! Would park myself on the front stairs but it's a little nippy out. ;-) I can't wait to see the surprise. I *love* prezzies! Thank you."}, {"response": 437, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (15:51)", "body": "I'm going to add the Time article to these, but here are the pics: (This one took some doing--don't look too carefully at Colin's left shoulder/side--because naturally it was spanning two pages and had staple issues); had to piece it together, align, color in, etc.) to make the two parts fit. The little one on the Contents page: and this was with the review:"}, {"response": 438, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (15:58)", "body": "(Karen) BTW, Colin looks a bit dorky. Sorry, you'll see I'm sorry, did you say something Karen? Was fixated on ODB's left shoulder.....;-)) Nope, he looks darn cute to me, dorky is poor Liam's haircut, pretty sure a flowbee would have done a better job! Thanks!!"}, {"response": 439, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (15:58)", "body": "Thanks Boss...did you also staple something to Colin's face in the first one? Looks bloated. And where is Huge's hand going in the second one ;-)) Good PR."}, {"response": 440, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (16:09)", "body": "Cute pics, Karen, thanks! I was all prepared for the rose-colored glasses.;-) He looks very youthful in these. (Tress)dorky is poor Liam's haircut, pretty sure a flowbee would have done a better job ROTF! Evelyn, that's Emma's hand. Congratulations on your good news, Lola! Thanks for the info, will look forward to seeing where you've booked him. So glad he's coming over and doing TV appearances again."}, {"response": 441, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (16:11)", "body": "(Karen) But you've got to get Charlie Hangdog Expression's interest first. (Dorine) Just like Letterman. (Karen) Not quite. 1-on-1 is far different IMO from being the second guest who is there to do a brief plug for a film. If you impress Letterman with that, then he'd get called back as the first guest on his next round of promos. Yeah, but you have to get his/the producers attention even for second string. I would've been happy with that. Matter of fact, I even had in my note to Hola, that I would be happy if he went on with SJ and he was the 2nd guest. Can't imagine everyone doesn't want her. But, I decided to delete it for a variety of reasons. Thought I might have to duck tomatoes. ;-P (Moon)I had a hard time believing that he would only have what, two lines? I thought that was pretty odd. I was like why even be there if you aren't going to say anything? (Karen) Have my Time magazine....BTW, Colin looks a bit dorky. Sorry, you'll see. Grrrrr, Newsweek came today, no Time. Maybe tomorrow. (Hola) Colin will be doing some of the morning shows, like Today and The View Oh yea! We get to watch flirty Katie play with her hair and try to play footsy with him again. Always such fun to watch. And certainly, who blames her? ;-D The View....hmmm, will be curious to see if they fawn over him, as they should. Sometimes they annoy me, sometimes they don't. Interesting choice. I wonder how many of his fans watch this show already. No reason, just curious. No mention of Reege and Co. Does that mean he's skipping this time around? (one can only hope. 2 years in a row of inane baby banter and other inanity....how much more can poor Colin endure from them? ) And one can only continue to hope for other late night spots. ;-) (Hola) I gotta tell you that this man is great... No ya don't, we already know. :-) Though unfortunately, not so much from extensive personal/professional experience, as you. ;-) People love Colin in LA and the comments we've heard have been outstanding! I look forward to seeing it on the 4th, with or without a Q&A. ;-) If I love it, I'll sit right there and watch it a second time if there's room. Anyone find out preview info for Nov. 1? Muchas gracias! Will be waiting for your assistant's post on scheduling. (Moon) Letterman will go to Hugh or Liam or Emma. The Jon Stewart show confirms that, IMO I'm not quite sure of your meaning. I have a couple of theories, but could you 'splain, please? :-D"}, {"response": 442, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (16:24)", "body": "(Moon) Letterman will go to Hugh or Liam or Emma. The Jon Stewart show confirms that, IMO (Dorine), I'm not quite sure of your meaning. I have a couple of theories, but could you 'splain, please? :-D L and Leno would want the big stars and will probably have Hugh, Liam and Emma on sepately promoting the same movie. Overkill. Colin did well on Jon's show, so it was divided and decided, that's in MNSHO. ;-) Thanks, Karen! I agree about the dorky pose. I do like the second picture. Emma looks better than ever, a little nip 'n tuck? ;-)"}, {"response": 443, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (16:32)", "body": "COLIN: I do find a lot of American actors, quite creatively, use the text just as a starting point. We're much more fixed to the discipline of what's on the page. Do you think he's talking about L-dum or HS? ;-)"}, {"response": 444, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (16:48)", "body": "Are you saying that the indigestion scene in L-dum was Colin being creative? ;-) Or the scarf twirling scene in HS? ;-)"}, {"response": 445, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (17:03)", "body": "(Maria) dorky is poor Liam's haircut, pretty sure a flowbee would have done a better job! Thanks!! ROTFL...he looks like a baby chicken! ODB looks good, except what's wrong with his shoulder (I'm kidding! ;-)). His hair is a bit flat again, but I'm tickled at HG in the first pic....he's appears to be laughing at somethin' ODB did/said! (Evelyn) And where is Huge's hand going in the second one ;-)) Looks like he was attempting a bum grab and was intercepted! Is that the blue suit (she asks with bated breath!)?? And did they all plan to come dressed alike?? Liam and Richard didn't seem to get the memo about two buttons, not one! ;-) Thank you Karen for piecing ODB together and sharing!"}, {"response": 446, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (17:08)", "body": "I must say thanks to everyone for all the news and photos! I wouldn't be able to keep up with a quarter of this if it wasn't for Droolers. Here's my contribution for the day: http://www.thezreview.co.uk/trailers/trailersg.htm I think this trailer is a bit longer than the one I've seen. It's certainly clearer. I hope this means the theatres will be showing it soon."}, {"response": 447, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (17:19)", "body": "(Tress) xcept what's wrong with his shoulder (I'm kidding! ;-)) Maybe I should've just paraphrased EmmaT... \"F___ off, all of you. You should be appreciative I've made an effort for your bloody enjoyment.\" (and don't look at the bloody teapot either!)"}, {"response": 448, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (17:22)", "body": "In the TIME article you referenced, Maria and Karen,it was cute when ET said \"Yes, with \"Nobody's perfect,\" the best line in any film ever. Tony Curtis is probably the sexiest actor who ever lived, present company excepted.\" ODB should have blushed at that comment if he's as reticent this piece would demonstrate."}, {"response": 449, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (17:30)", "body": "To: Mrs. Hola Lola From: Dorine Re: Your response to our inquiries Dear Mrs. Hola Lola, Thank you very much for your information regarding Mr. Colin Firth's upcoming television appearances. We know you are v.v. busy and appreciate any little bit of your time to check in with us. We look forward to hearing more details from your assistant, as well. No Letterman.........again, for now. :-( We shall conquer this, we shall! Also, please accept congratulations on *your* upcoming event! Hope you start feeling better soon. :-) As always, we look forward to any of Mr. Firth's publicity events, on television or in person. ;-) Thank you very much again. Have a good week! Sincerely, Dorine ;-)"}, {"response": 450, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (18:10)", "body": "(Karen) \"F___ off, all of you. You should be appreciative I've made an effort for your bloody enjoyment.\" (and don't look at the bloody teapot either!) Ooooohhhh...she's testy (and HG isn't even near her bum!)! ;-) I didn't even notice the bloody teapot as it was not a part or near ODB (but now that you mention it....LOL...;-D)! But I bloody well appreciate all the bloody work being done to bring us the most current and up to the minute news in regards to all things Firthlike. Thanks!"}, {"response": 451, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (18:23)", "body": "(Karen) \"F___ off, all of you. You should be appreciative I've made an effort for your bloody enjoyment.\" (and don't look at the bloody teapot either!) (Tress) I didn't even notice the bloody teapot... I think it's a case of, \"if you don't mention it, no one may notice.\" ;-) Frankly, as I don't have a mondo size screen, I didn't, and might never have noticed either one. Thanks Dr. Frankenstein....er, Karen for your efforts at patching the picture together into a cohesive whole. Or whatever. ;-)"}, {"response": 452, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (19:00)", "body": "So much great news Hola...the CF news is wonderful but your own gave me the best grin! Thanks and good luck! (MCP) \"F___ off, all of you. You should be appreciative I've made an effort for your bloody enjoyment.\" (and don't look at the bloody teapot either!) ROFLMAO Do you not know we worship the keyboard you type on? I came here *knowing* pics from Time would be up, but take you for granted? Nevah! flowbee Still cackling over this one...poor Liam, but who knew he had such a sense of humor?"}, {"response": 453, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (19:21)", "body": "Now that you mention it, it looks like ODB just made a *crack* about the teapot and Huge thinks it's funny!:-))) My maxim at work: No good deed goes unpunished.;-) But seriously folks, Karen you are such a doll! I ran out at lunch to get a copy of time forgetting that the mag shop gets it's delivery on Tuesday! I get back and Walla! Such a treat. Ms. Hola, thanks so much for great news about the junket and the best to you and yours. Get as much sleep as you can now!"}, {"response": 454, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (19:50)", "body": "Thanks MCP, (er, Karen) for the bloody marvelous job you do with getting news and photos to us with lightning speed;-) We are so lucky to have you at the helm! Thanks Hola for your good news and congratulations on the cause of your temporary illness. Hope you are feeling much better soon. Love to hear your praise of YKW since we know you have spent time with him. Your updates allow us to hope as we've never been allowed to hope before that we'll be seeing a lot of ODB on the talk shows. Brenda, thank you for the gorgeous GWAPE trailer. I think *Lick your lips* may join *Say my name* among my favorite ODB lines;-)"}, {"response": 455, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (20:46)", "body": "http://www.burnsfilmcenter.org/FilmProgramming/Docs/special.html#girlwithpearl Colin, Scarlett and Peter Webber will be discussing GWAPE at the Jacob Burns Centre, Pleasantville, New York on November 11. Tickets available from November 6. REVIEW EVENT *GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING Tues. Nov. 11 at 7:00 Peter Webber, 2003; 95 min. PG-13; UK A speculative account of the life of Griet, a 16-year-old girl who appears in Johannes Vermeer's painting of the same title. Set in 17th-century Holland and photographed with all the sublime incandescence of the portrait, the film features Scarlett Johansson, Colin Firth and Tom Wilkinson Scarlett Johansson, Colin Firth and director Peter Webber will discuss the film with New York Times critic and JBFC boardmember Janet Maslin. JBFC Members at the Film Buff level and above may purchase tickets now. Remaining tickets will go on sale on Thurs. Nov. 6. oback to top obuy tickets"}, {"response": 456, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (20:59)", "body": "A panel discussion with Colin about one of his movies. Think it'll happen this time? ;-) Thanks so much, Bethan!"}, {"response": 457, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (21:00)", "body": "Oh, and Janet Maslin isn't the greatest moderator, IMO."}, {"response": 458, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (21:11)", "body": "(Moon)I had a hard time believing that he would only have what, two lines? (Dorine)I thought that was pretty odd. I was like why even be there if you aren't going to say anything? Give 'im a break , he's swimming with 'big fishes' here. I was glad to see him in the picture even if he never said a word."}, {"response": 459, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (21:18)", "body": "(Evelyn) he's swimming with 'big fishes' here. Survival of the fittest. I was glad to see him in the picture even if he never said a word. So am I, but that's a different matter. I should've put a winkie or a LOL after the \"not say anything\" comment. I didn't mean it as a serious criticism, but you gotta admit it's odd (yes, not necessarily considering the company. And who knows what of his might have been cut) . Like on the VH1 Cast Party."}, {"response": 460, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (21:59)", "body": "(Evelyn)And where is Huge's hand going in the second one Forget Huge's hand..check out Liam's! Thank you Lola for all the info..and congratulations! your DH works fast;-)! Karen, you are the best, thanks for the pics! didn't notice anything wrong with CF's shoulder or the funky teapot...all I saw was Huge's huge head and that's certainly not your fault;-)!"}, {"response": 461, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (22:02)", "body": "will be discussing GWAPE at the Jacob Burns Centre, Pleasantville, New York Think they'll show it in black and white? ;-)"}, {"response": 462, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (22:11)", "body": "Bloody hell, I go off to a hockey game for a few hours and the whole bloody board has gone to bloody hell. (Karen)had to piece it together, align, color in, etc.) to make the two parts fit. Well at least your job is v. important. Good to know you weren't just fannying about with the press releases;-)Thank you v.v. much...lop-sided shoulders and all. (Dorine)Like on the VH1 Cast Party. . Except I don't think anything was cut...his lips were sealed tighter than when he kisses;-)"}, {"response": 463, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (22:19)", "body": "(Linda) his lips were sealed tighter than when he kisses;-) ROTFL!!"}, {"response": 464, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (22:25)", "body": "(Dorine)Like on the VH1 Cast Party.. (Linda) Except I don't think anything was cut...his lips were sealed tighter than when he kisses;-) LOL! But we're talking about the BJD VH1 show, right? Now, that was uncomfortable to watch, not the TIOBE one. Rupe was determined to embarrass him and make him speak."}, {"response": 465, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (22:34)", "body": "(Karen)But we're talking about the BJD VH1 show, right? Now, that was uncomfortable to watch, not the TIOBE one. Rupe was determined to embarrass him and make him speak. Clicking heels and repeating 3 times...forward not backward...forward not backward...forward not backward... (that bad huh?)"}, {"response": 466, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (22:40)", "body": "BarbS: (that bad huh?) The BJD one, yes. He said hardly anything and looked bored out of his mind, except when RZ mentioned a certain singer (can't remember which one right now) and there was a flicker of interest. Otherwise, it was the Sharon Maguire and Huge Show, with RZ and an unidentified lump on the sofa."}, {"response": 467, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 2003 (23:00)", "body": "I never saw the BJD one. I thought TIOBE was bad for him, though that chicken pecking thing had me rolling. Unfortunately at ODB's expense. ;-)"}, {"response": 468, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Oct 28, 2003 (07:00)", "body": "Moon)I had a hard time believing that he would only have what, two lines? (Dorine)I thought that was pretty odd. I was like why even be there if you aren't going to say anything? I wish he had been able to say more as well, but under the circumstances, with those (thanks Mari!) logorrheic magpies, I just find myself humming that old Seame Street classic, \"One of these things...\" and that is definitely part of his appeal, that he is not like the rest...Or maybe he shares the same problem as me...The Michigan J Frog Syndrome, you will be laughing and telling stories to one person and then that person calls over someone else and says, \"hey, tell your story to Macchu and Picchu..\" and your little frog lips seal up and all you can manage is a dry croak..."}, {"response": 469, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Oct 28, 2003 (07:43)", "body": "(Maria)The Michigan J Frog Syndrome, you will be laughing and telling stories to one person and then that person calls over someone else and says, \"hey, tell your story to Macchu and Picchu..\" and your little frog lips seal up and all you can manage is a dry croak... ROTFL! So right on and humorously told! Can you tell it again at the *opening*? Machu and Picchu, what a hoot!"}, {"response": 470, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 28, 2003 (09:03)", "body": "Besides, I didn't think the TIME interview was all that scintillating anyway;-P Although all the participants thought it was."}, {"response": 471, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 28, 2003 (10:26)", "body": "Colin is known to be \"lively enough in other places\", so it was hard to understand why only the token lines. I thought Hugh was very funny. Thanks, Bethan! Dorine, will you attend the Q&A? We must come up with questions. ;-)"}, {"response": 472, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 28, 2003 (10:37)", "body": "Here's a better version of the pic accompanying the review in Time: I expect I'll have a higher quality one when Hola's package arrives. ;-)"}, {"response": 473, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Oct 28, 2003 (10:57)", "body": "(Linda)his lips were sealed tighter than when he kisses;-) LOL, Linda, you've nailed it: he was practicing for when he resumes TEOR filming.;-) Except I don't think anything was cut... Surely at some point in the interview someone sneezed, and surely OBD would have said \"Gesundheit.\" Why couldn't they have put that in?;-) Perhaps an irate missive aimed at Time's editorial swine is in order.;-) ;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 474, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Oct 28, 2003 (12:58)", "body": "(Mari)Surely at some point in the interview someone sneezed, and surely OBD would have said \"Gesundheit.\" Why couldn't they have put that in?;-) Perhaps an irate missive aimed at Time's editorial swine is in order.;-) ;-) ;-) LMAO. Oh, there went the diet coke. Or he could have said, \"more tea, anyone\"? Or, \"my left shoulder is really sore\";-) (Karen)Otherwise, it was the Sharon Maguire and Huge Show, with RZ and an unidentified lump on the sofa. Yes, the first interview. That was oh so painful to watch. I did enjoy the TIOBE Cast Party. He took RE's ribbing as all in good fun and got some funny lines in himself. He looked much more relaxed and I think he was more comfortable with the company. The difference between the two shows was amazing. IMO."}, {"response": 475, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 28, 2003 (13:10)", "body": "Apparently, there was some kind of LA premiere (gala screening???) in Madrid yesterday. Pics of Huge, Bill Nighy, Richard Curtis, Lucia M and Heike Makatsch here: http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=gls====40607"}, {"response": 476, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Oct 28, 2003 (14:09)", "body": "(Moon) Dorine, will you attend the Q&A? Yep, got my ticket....and my Time. :-D Thanks again, Bethan!"}, {"response": 477, "author": "katty", "date": "Tue, Oct 28, 2003 (19:27)", "body": "Just got tickets for the GWAPE showing at the Hawaii International Film Festival on Friday night! I thought it would be hard to get, but there were lots left, apparently. Guess the movie's not prominent on the radar here in Hawaii. Don't think any people associated with the production will be here, but just seeing the movie 2 months early will be great. Can't wait to see it!"}, {"response": 478, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (05:32)", "body": "Radio Times mag in UK has free LA tickets for more screenings, this time Tuesday Nov 11. I don't have it with me or I would type up the list of cinemas. Also heat magazine has a two page spread on the fight scene in Hyde Park and admits that if they keep their coverage up, we will see the whole movie in photos before it comes out."}, {"response": 479, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (08:44)", "body": "UNIVERSAL PICTURES AND WORKING TITLE FILMS HOST THE WORLD PREMIERE OF 'LOVE ACTUALLY' THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6 AT THE ZIEGFELD THEATRE IN MANHATTAN WHAT: The world premiere of \"LOVE ACTUALLY\" WHO: \"LOVE ACTUALLY\" cast members Alan Rickman, Bill Nighy, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Laura Linney, Liam Neeson, Martine McCutcheon, Rowan Atkinson, Thomas Sangster, Claudia Schiffer, Shannon Elizabeth, Olivia Olson and January Jones; director/screenwriter Richard Curtis; producers Duncan Kenworthy, Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner; and soundtrack artist Kelly Clarkson. Plus, additional celebrity guests including: Anthony Edwards, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy's Fab 5 (Ted Allen, Kyan Douglas, Thom Filicia, Carson Kressley, Jai Rodriguez), Josh Groban, Heather Matarazzo, Greg Wise, and many others. WHERE: Ziegfeld Theatre 141 West 54th Street New York City WHEN: Thursday, November 6, 2003 5:30 PM Press Call Time 6:30 PM Celebrity Arrivals 7:30 PM Screening Begins http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/10-28-2003/0002046410&EDATE= #"}, {"response": 480, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (09:33)", "body": ""}, {"response": 481, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (09:40)", "body": "Never mind; is exactly what had been posted on Sept 29. ;-)"}, {"response": 482, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (09:54)", "body": ""}, {"response": 483, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (09:57)", "body": "From an online Q&A with Tracy Chevalier in The Times today: Do you approve of the casting of Colin Firth as Vermeer and Scarlett Johansson as Griet? If you had had completely free reign which stars would you have cast in those parts? Jo Smertin, Wiltshire I think they both did a great job. If I could choose an ideal cast, I would have a younger Alan Rickman play Vermeer, and a complete unknown play Griet \ufffd a 17-year-old would-be actress plucked out of drama school. That would mirror what Griet went through \ufffd an unknown thrown into a different world. However, in the real world that just doesn\ufffdt happen. For one thing, the part of Griet is tremendously difficult because you have to act just with looks \ufffd she has very few lines. What young, inexperienced actress could pull that off? Scarlett is the best compromise \ufffd she\ufffds still very young (turned 18 on the set) but she\ufffds experienced enough to know how to act, and she\ufffds not yet too well known. She will be now, mind you \ufffd I think her time has come. In the character of Griet completely fictional? Josie Butterfield, Norwich Yes. No one knows who any of the models in Vermeer\ufffds paintings are. Some believe her to be his eldest daughter, but she would have been 12 at the time and I think this girl is older. Besides, that look, with its underlying eroticism, is not a look a girl would give her father. It is an intimate look, though, of someone who knew him, who was around him. So I chose her to be his servant. What influence, if any, did you have in the making of this film? Did you have any reservations about selling the story to a film company? Kevin Chamberlain, Cardiff I had no influence on the film \ufffd deliberately so. I am no filmmaker and know nothing of that world. Also I\ufffdm so close to the book that really I\ufffdm the last person to decide what scenes would work in a film and what wouldn\ufffdt. I thought I should leave it to the professionals. As a result of taking a back seat, I got on very well with the producer and screenwriter. So they kept me informed about what was happening \ufffd often a little time after dramatic events (financing falling apart, actresses pulling out, etc.) so that I didn\ufffdt have to suffer with every twist and turn. I did have some reservations about selling the book \ufffd it is so visual that I think many readers have a little film of it in their heads, and it pained me to think that those imagined films will get replaced by a real one. However, I\ufffdve been delighted with the result; I think the film is a good companion to the book, like two sisters, and I don\ufffdt think readers will be disappointed. Did the director of photography draw inspiration from Vermeer\ufffds paintings for his lighting in the film? Melissa Danby, London Yes indeed \ufffd from Vermeer, and also from Rembrandt, de Hooch, Metsu, and other Dutch painters. In fact, the film is like a series of gorgeous tableaux \ufffd I kept wanting to shout out, \"Stop the film!\" so I could gaze on another would-be Vermeer or Rembrandt. Did you ever fear that the Dutch cultural circles would not receive well the construction of your novel so close to Professor Philip Steadman\ufffds ideas on Vermeer\ufffds using a camera obscura to paint realistically? Cristina Musat, USA I was terrified the Dutch would hate the book on many levels \ufffd Vermeer\ufffds possible use of the camera obscura was really the least of my worries. Luckily, however, the Dutch readers who have been in contact with me have been very supportive and remarked on how well I captured the Dutch mentality. Concerning the camera obscura, Professor Steadman has written a book in which he suggests Vermeer used it extensively in his work. Other scholars say he didn\ufffdt use it at all. I fall somewhere in the middle of that spectrum \ufffd I think he was interested in it, and used it a bit. That\ufffds me, middle of the road. ~~~~~~~ You can read the rest here: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/printFriendly/0,,1-7015-865286,00.html"}, {"response": 484, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (10:54)", "body": "Darker but no less engaging, is Peter Webber's Girl With a Pearl Earring, which imagines the story behind Johannes Vermeer's famous painting, as depicted in the best-selling novel by Tracy Chevalier. With each shot drawing on the soft color and studied composition of Vermeer's paintings, this beautiful film is almost swallowed up by its own imagery. Luckily, there's just enough room for some surprisingly nuanced acting. There's been Oscar talk surrounding Scarlett Johanson (whose lips rival Angelina Jolie's as Hollywood's most luscious) for her part in Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation, but she could just as easily grab the golden guy for her turn as the girl in the painting: subtle, delicate, unintentionally sexy. The chemistry between her and a brooding Colin Firth is almost indecent. http://www.time.com/time/europe/arts/article/0,13716,525536,00.html Now I'm awake!"}, {"response": 485, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (11:05)", "body": "Stylistically Jan Vermeer might be considered a Dutch Caravaggio with his spare use of light, an effect used throughout Girl with a Pearl Earring, a film from Peter Webber, adapted by Olivia Hetreed from Tracey Chevalier\ufffds novel based on the artist\ufffds life. I haven\ufffdt read the book, but their movie plays like a bodice ripper with bodices refusing to be ripped. Such were the times in 1665 Delft with staunch religious and powerful sexual divisions. Long before we see him, Vermeer is set up visually and musically as some kind of sacred monster, so we are surprised to see gentle Colin Firth step out of the shadows. His mother-in-law whispers to the new servant girl Griet (Scarlett Johansson) \ufffdYou\ufffdre a fly in his web. We all are!\ufffd which would seem to suggest he rules that roost, but in truth it is the women who are in control. Men only lust and paint \ufffd or buy the paintings. Never has it been made so clear that Art in these early times was a sort of pornography. It seems to run longer than it does because of its steady pace and mystical, even holy aura around pretty Griet, who threatens to turn into Joan of Arc rather than just that titular Girl. Did we need that homage to David Hockney by introducing a camera obscura but doing nothing with it? If they wanted to expand, why not dig into Jan\ufffds daughter\ufffds naughtiness? There was much I wouldn\ufffdt buy, obsessions forced and magnified; but all the downs were over-balanced by the inspired visuals, and we are dealing in great art, are we not? http://www.audiencemag.com/festivals/millvalley.html"}, {"response": 486, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (11:37)", "body": "(Maria's ime.com article)The chemistry between her and a brooding Colin Firth is almost indecent. Oh my.........., (fans self), Thanks Maria!"}, {"response": 487, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (12:35)", "body": "(TC)If I could choose an ideal cast, I would have a younger Alan Rickman play Vermeer, and a complete unknown play Griet \ufffd a 17-year-old would-be actress plucked out of drama school. That would mirror what Griet went through \ufffd an unknown thrown into a different world. However, in the real world that just doesn\ufffdt happen Thank Gawd we're in the real world. Long before we see him, Vermeer is set up visually and musically as some kind of sacred monster, so we are surprised to see gentle Colin Firth step out of the shadows... \ufffdYou\ufffdre a fly in his web. . ...gentle Colin Firth. Now that's a visual! Counting the hours till I'm a fly;-) Thanks, Karen and Maria"}, {"response": 488, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (13:17)", "body": "BaftaLA is showing November 14 as the screening date for GWAPE at the Pacific Design Center, though you cannot RSVP as yet. Love Actually is listed at \"anticipated\" only, with no date."}, {"response": 489, "author": "katty", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (13:48)", "body": "Another glowing review with an especially nice take on Colin: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/click/movie-10002174/reviews.php?critic=all&sortby=default&page=1&rid=1211223 Firth is broodingly virile, amply suggesting why Griet might be in a state of arousal over more than his painting talent, which plays into the ignitable intrigues permeating the residence. His portrayal also captures a degree of sympathy for the man of art threatened by the parlor politics of three generations of women... Cinematographer Eduardo Serra doesn't only expertly render the textural richness of the scenery, costumery and cast, but he takes his lighting cues from the master's eyes. That highly directional Vermeer side light with gradations of tonal values into deep shadow are used in his photography to maximize the third dimensional effect, with the added enhancement of an amber-gold overlay. This is marvelously applied to the Johannsen features enveloped within the framing of her headpiece. The Kodak moment, however, comes when she at last reveals her red hair in all its flowing magnificence. The impact of it is a breathe-taker, as designed. This emphasis on looks is not merely a voyeuristic or idle issue. The entire drama revolves around the emotional waves set in motion by the presence of unusual beauty. What novelist Chevalier imagined is that the girl in the painting might have created this kind of havoc and disruption in the very household of the admiring painter. As director Webber's camera rests lovingly and longingly on the big eyes and lush lips of the subject, he is supporting that proposition and making art out of speculation."}, {"response": 490, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (15:26)", "body": "To: Mrs. Hola Lola [and special guest] From: Jane Re: Colin Firth/Love Actually Launch/Australia Dear Mrs. Hola Lola, Thanks so much for dropping in and giving us the good news - congratulations on your impending \"special guest\". Could you please have your assistant also post info about Colin's rumoured upcoming visit to Australia, if you are privy to that info? Also, I have a contact at the ABC radio station, so if you'd like Colin interviewed on ABC radio, please email me and I can probably help out a bit. Sincerely, Jane (with apologies to Dorine! ;-))"}, {"response": 491, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (15:32)", "body": "So far, we've got Liam, Emma and Laura Linney scheduled on the Today Show (Tues, Wed, and Friday, respectively) and Liam and Emma on Reege & Kelly for those same dates. Is v. painful thinking about this... ;-)"}, {"response": 492, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (15:50)", "body": "\"Firth is broodingly virile\" Ladies, I do believe that says it all!"}, {"response": 493, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (16:07)", "body": "(Karen)Is v. painful thinking about this... ;-) What's is? The thought of him *not* being on these shows, or the thought of him being on these shows? ;-);-) Katie Couric will get him on Today if she has to put a muzzle on the other 3 and tie them up in the green room.;-) (Tracy C.)I would have a younger Alan Rickman play Vermeer Bitch. ;-) Thanks for the latest reviews, ladies! BTW, I've been getting mail from Kelly Ripa every other day for the past two weeks (She is originally from a few towns over and her dad is running for local office.)"}, {"response": 494, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (16:12)", "body": "(Tracy C.)I would have a younger Alan Rickman play Vermeer I was v. surprised she answered this. She's right and you can tell she's not of the filmmaking world. I don't think anyone else would have answered it straight out like that. (Mari) Katie Couric will get him on Today if she has to put a muzzle on the other 3 and tie them up in the green room.;-) LOL!"}, {"response": 495, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (16:12)", "body": "(Mari) What's is? The thought of him *not* being on these shows, or the thought of him being on these shows? ;-);-) (c) the thought of Liam, Laura and Emma on R&K. ;-) Bet we get \"baby\" talk with Emma, she says whilst rolling her eyes. (Tracy C.)I would have a younger Alan Rickman play Vermeer (Mari) Bitch. ;-) You know that's not what Moon would've called her. ;-) ...ah, the AR luvvies cannot be restrained. Once a Rickman luvvie, always a Rickman luvvie. LOL!"}, {"response": 496, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (16:49)", "body": "(EmmaB)Radio Times mag in UK has free LA tickets for more screenings, this time Tuesday Nov 11. I don't have it with me or I would type up the list of cinemas. Thanks, Emma. Picked up my tickets tonight! It makes up a little for being unable to travel to London for any of the premieres/special screenings."}, {"response": 497, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (17:23)", "body": "Think I'll start counting number of times cliched/trite are used... http://latinoreview.com/films_2003/universal/loveactually/review.html"}, {"response": 498, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 2003 (18:46)", "body": "I felt that I had just been emotionally manipulated for two hours and twenty minutes. It\ufffds a cheap feeling. I usually go to the movies to be emotionally manipulated;-)And I never feel cheap. (not with my movie expenses) And just what's wrong with leaving the theater with that \"feel good\" feeling?"}, {"response": 499, "author": "Leah", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (04:52)", "body": "Love Actually opens 21 November in South Africa, and the ads have started appearing on TV."}, {"response": 500, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (07:23)", "body": "(Tracy C.)I would have a younger Alan Rickman play Vermeer (Mari) Bitch. ;-) (Karen), You know that's not what Moon would've called her. ;-) LOL! Well yeah! That was not very nice of Tracey, was it? Especially since she gave in and said that Scarlett was perfect and in turn implying that Colin as Vermeer, was not. (Karen)Is v. painful thinking about this... ;-) (Mari),What's is? The thought of him *not* being on these shows, or the thought of him being on these shows? ;-);-) ROTF! But at least Livia will get a trip to NYC and get to do her Xmas shopping. ;-)"}, {"response": 501, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (08:32)", "body": "They're saving ODB for \"The View\";-D (Moon)Especially since she gave in and said that Scarlett was perfect and in turn implying that Colin as Vermeer, was not. The movie is bound to be better than the book anyway ,which I thought was borrr-ing."}, {"response": 502, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (09:13)", "body": "(evelyn) which I thought was borrr-ing. *gasp* Really? Hmmmm.... But you *liked* HS, correct? ;-)"}, {"response": 503, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (09:42)", "body": "But you *liked* HS, correct? ;-) Yup...witty."}, {"response": 504, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (10:01)", "body": "I saw 2 trailers for LA on TV last night, and neither one showed or even mentioned CF. v.v.disappointing, to say the least. \"Starring Liam, Emma, Hugh, Kiera in smash hit for the holiday season.\" Why promote only THOSE names, I wonder? Only good news was that Sneak Previews will be shown this Sat. night (check your local theaters)."}, {"response": 505, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (10:20)", "body": "Woo hoo! Thanks for the heads-up Deb! Sure enough...and the Sneak Preview is even at my favorite theater! **doing happy dance!**"}, {"response": 506, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (10:25)", "body": "The article to go with the Chiswick conservatory pic: http://www.firth.com/articles/03w_nov.html"}, {"response": 507, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (10:33)", "body": "And I've been told that Huge and Emma will be on Oprah on Monday."}, {"response": 508, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (12:18)", "body": "A couple of galleries of pics from the Rome promotional tour for LA, which now includes the Tracey Chevalier's \"perfect\" Vermeer ;-) Mr AR: http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=gls====40862 http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=gls====40861"}, {"response": 509, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (12:58)", "body": "(Karen)And I've been told that Huge and Emma will be on Oprah on Monday.,/i. Damn! I was holding out hope that she would do one of those all cast interviews for LA like she has done in the past for other films. She just did one late summer.(can't remember for which film) and I remember thinking, at the time, this would be great for LA.;-( Thanks, Karen for the W article...I just walked in the door with the magazine. (Deb)I saw 2 trailers for LA on TV last night, and neither one showed or even mentioned CF I know. I've seen them. He was in the trailers they were showing about two weeks ago. Just got my 'sneak preview' tickets for Saturday;-)"}, {"response": 510, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (13:00)", "body": "closing tags"}, {"response": 511, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (13:36)", "body": "I've been told that Hugh answered a few questions in Italian! I'm sure not as well as ODB would have. Colin seems to have a small role promoting LA. Thanks, for the articles and pictures, Karen!"}, {"response": 512, "author": "mjmorris", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (14:01)", "body": "Quick check in from Kansas City. The LA promos are playing here and I saw a lot of ODB on one the other night and his name was included in the voiceover. I also received my screening pass in the mail for LA on Nov 6. It says seats are not guaranteed and are first-come, first-serve. I think I'll be standing in line starting early afternoon. I wish, but I won't be able to get downtown until after business hours and it starts at 7:30. Anybody know how busy these screenings usually are? Will being an hour early be enough? Thanks, Michelle"}, {"response": 513, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (14:06)", "body": "(mj) The LA promos are playing here and I saw a lot of ODB on one the other night and his name was included in the voiceover. I've seen some ads that have a slight bit of Colin and mention of Rowan Atkinson, too, as well as of course, Huge, Emma, and AR."}, {"response": 514, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (14:46)", "body": "I just can't see Rickman playing Vermeer at any age. He's an excellent actor, was a very good Nottingham in Robin Hood, and the voice is very, very nice, but he seems to be too coarsely drawn to play Vermeer, maybe Van Ruijven, but not Vermeer. Also, I think that like many actors, Rickman needs lines. There aren't too many actors that can pack pages and pages of script into a few gestures and a look like CF."}, {"response": 515, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (15:06)", "body": "(Karen)The article to go with the Chiswick conservatory pic: Thanks for putting them together and in the *articles* location at f.c! I love to garden and that pic of ODB in or around a greenhouse is just my cuppa."}, {"response": 516, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (15:08)", "body": "I just can't see Rickman playing Vermeer at any age. He's an excellent actor, was a very good Nottingham in Robin Hood, and the voice is very, very nice, but he seems to be too coarsely drawn to play Vermeer, maybe Van Ruijven, but not Vermeer. Also, I think that like many actors, Rickman needs lines. There aren't too many actors that can pack pages and pages of script into a few gestures and a look like CF."}, {"response": 517, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (15:55)", "body": "I have to tell you all now, I am being a negligent Sit Up Drool correspondent, sitting at home while the gala for GWAPE is on right now. But waiting to hear if he did show, I assume that he would, and really looking forward to seeing it tomorrow."}, {"response": 518, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (15:58)", "body": "Oh No Emma!!! He showed!!! Pearly King Colin Firth reigns at Girl With a Pearl Earring gala 30/10/2003 Outside the Odeon West End is hardly a venue of choice on a particularly miserable October night but when Colin Firth is scheduled to make an appearance the (female) crowds will brave all manner of elemental hardships to catch a glimpse of the dapper star. Arriving for the gala of Girl With a Pearl Earring, Firth caused gridlock in the foyer as festival goers refused to leave the entrance hall until they had gawked themselves silly. His co-star Scarlett Johansson followed Tuesday's Lost in Translation appearance with an encore for Peter Webber's film, which is based on Tracy Chevalier's best-selling novel. Girl With a Pearl Earring tells the imagined story behind Johannes Vermeer's best-loved artistic work. Johanssen plays a girl forced into becoming a servant in the artist's household and soon becomes adept at assisting him in his studio. Their relationship begins to disrupt the running of his household however and becomes a risk to her own respectability. \"It's quite exciting and gives me the opportunity to wear two really nice dresses,\" said Johanssen of her second festival gala. \"I'm tired but I'm doing alright. I keep drinking a lot of your coffee. I've been here for three days and I haven't done anything but all this.\" While much swooning and drooling carried on around her, Johnassen was rather less reverent of her co-star's looks. \"Did you see his hairy wig in the film? That gave me a lot of cause to make fun of him. He looked like an Oompa Loompa - very Fabio. \" Never one to hold a grudge, Firth was quick to lay on the praise for the young actress's performance in the film. \"She's absolutely fantastic, she's one of the best actresses I've ever worked with,\" he declared. \"Before I knew her I didn't expect such a mature performance because she was only 17. But you only have to know her for about half an hour and you start to realise that she's a very sophisticated, worldly person. \" Playing the famous artist, Firth was asked whether his own skill with the brush was something to shout about. \"I think I put Vermeer to shame to be quite honest http://www.empireonline.co.uk/news/news.asp?story=5129"}, {"response": 519, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (16:13)", "body": "(ODB) \"I think I put Vermeer to shame to be quite honest Woohoo, someone's feeling his oats! *crossing fingers -- hoping for good pics*"}, {"response": 520, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (17:33)", "body": "(Michelle) Anybody know how busy these screenings usually are? Will being an hour early be enough? More than enough time; I usually show up a half hour before. Admin note: Drool's software isn't like a message board, where you hit Reload/Refresh to see if there are new messages. If you've posted something and hit Reload/Refresh, your message will be posted again. The best way to navigate is to use the location bar at the top or go out to the Main Drool page and you'll see if anything new has been posted. Write me at \"the office\" or Topic 61 if you have further questions."}, {"response": 521, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (17:38)", "body": "Empire now has a gallery up of pics from the Gala: http://www.empireonline.co.uk/img/features/events/lff2003/large/large28.jpg"}, {"response": 522, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (17:41)", "body": "Oops, messed up a bit: For gallery: http://www.empireonline.co.uk/features/events/lff2003/gallery2.asp"}, {"response": 523, "author": "katty", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (17:42)", "body": "For more photos of the LFF gala go to: http://www.empireonline.co.uk/features/events/lff2003/30event.asp#lff2003 Livia's hair is long now, unlike at the HS premiere, and she's back to her pre-baby slimness."}, {"response": 524, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (17:51)", "body": "I'd say hair extension or fall. Colin's suit looks velvet. I think he's worn that before..."}, {"response": 525, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (17:56)", "body": "and BTW, in the last pic, it is Tracey C with Cillian Murphy and Judy Parfitt, not Olivia Heetred."}, {"response": 526, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (18:00)", "body": "(Karen)I'd say hair extension or fall. Must be, no way could that bob have grown out in 5 months. They look great. Thanks Karen, Maria and Katty."}, {"response": 527, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (18:01)", "body": "damn, I did it again"}, {"response": 528, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (18:13)", "body": "Great photos! He again looks AFG! How does he do that? He and Livia must be wearing their contacts.:-)) (Karen)Colin's suit looks velvet. I think he's worn that before... Oh, I thought he pinched it from GWAPE;-)"}, {"response": 529, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (18:16)", "body": "Re Pics: (Karen) Colin's suit looks velvet. Yeah, I was thinking velvet too. Probably warmer (tired of being cold on TEOR set) (Katty)she's back to her pre-baby slimness. Repeat after me: Life is so unfair. (Karen) I'd say hair extension or fall. I bet so. Someone should have told Cillian to spit his gum out or shut his mouth. I like Scarlett's dress (better than blue shawl thing she wore before) and love the necklace, but the hair Louisa! Gawd, I can hardly wait for this movie!"}, {"response": 530, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (18:18)", "body": "In the latest set of paparazzi pics, her hair was pulled back and you couldn't see its length, but I'd say \"removable.\""}, {"response": 531, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (18:46)", "body": "And Huge will be on Jay Leno on Monday, Nov 10. The View's guests are scheduled for the premiere week, so perhaps that will also occur the week of Nov 10...as long as *some* people are still in NY.... ;-0"}, {"response": 532, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (19:44)", "body": "Oh! Thanks for the pics Karen & Katty! They look great! Love the velvet suit (no pups or cats at home obviously) and Livia looks amazing! Like the faux hair (Has to be! Even with prenatals you can't grow it that fast!). I like Scarlet's dress too...(and agree with Barb about the hair)"}, {"response": 533, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (21:51)", "body": "Thanks Karen and Katty for the LIFF photos. Don't the Firth's look fantastic in black? She's always looking at him adoringly in pics like these, but who can blame her?;-)"}, {"response": 534, "author": "Leah", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (23:23)", "body": "Karen and Katty, thanks for the great pics. (Hen) She's always looking at him adoringly in pics like these, but who can blame her?;-) Certainly not me. I also look at him that way ;-)"}, {"response": 535, "author": "caribou", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 2003 (23:40)", "body": "Thanks for all the pics and news! There is so much going on Firthwise I'm having a hard time keeping it all straight--is it news about LA, GWAPE or TEOR? Or is that GWAPE in LA? or LA in LA? or both? or is that GWAPE at the LIFF gala? or TEOR filming in L? or all of the above???? :-)"}, {"response": 536, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (04:04)", "body": "Great review in today's Times and an article describing Colin as one of the indusrty's \"hottest stars\":-) I cannot seem to copy from that site so go to http://www.the-times.co.uk and register. The review is entitled One's art in the right place :-("}, {"response": 537, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (04:20)", "body": "Hey, sometimes what's going on at home means you gotta sacrifice standing in the rain outside a movie theatre =). It may be crazy but I was spoiled last week so oh well. Plus today I get to go inside so that's even better -- whether or not any of them from last night turn up is another story. That is crazy about Livia's hair - I know it's been 6 months since HS and PEN but I think my hair has grown about an inch at most since then."}, {"response": 538, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (07:18)", "body": "I can't seem to access the Times review without signing up for a paying subscription (godferbid.;-) Hopefully someone will be able to post it. Looking at the pics, I can almost hear Bobby Vinton. \"He wore Blue . . .VEL-vet . . . ta-dum.\" ;-) Wot is Colin doing with the front of his hair? :-( Full page ads in today's papers for the LA sneak preview on Saturday night. Arranged a bit differently than the poster we've seen; Colin is literally front and center.:-)"}, {"response": 539, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (07:28)", "body": "(Mari), Looking at the pics, I can almost hear Bobby Vinton. \"He wore Blue . . .VEL-vet . . . ta-dum.\" ;-) Wot is Colin doing with the front of his hair? :-( LOL! The hair, Louise, both of them!!! ;-) I like the velvet suit. Call me Mod Hippie chic. Thank you, Karen and Katty! Will look out for the Times article."}, {"response": 540, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (08:09)", "body": "(Mari) Wot is Colin doing with the front of his hair? :-( It looks like they cut it too short on the front part or layered it and that's not a great overall cut for his hairline maybe, unless it's combed back and styled. It's looked alright, for the most part everywhere else recently. Or he just had it cut again. :-( Yeah, and what *is* the deal with *her* hair, Louisa? ;-) I'm not so much a fan of that dress myself, except the color. Thought the one in Toronto was much more flattering."}, {"response": 541, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (08:18)", "body": "James Christopher of the Times gave GWAPE 4 out of 5 stars One's art in the right place THE TIMES Gala film, Girl with a Pearl Earring, picklocks an erotic mystery from one of Vermeer's most famous portraits. No one knows much about the painting which hangs in the Maurithuis in the Hague, but it inspired Tracy Chevalier to write a bestselling novel about the relationship between subject and artist which Peter Webber has now fashioned into this thrilling melodrama. Set in 1665, Delft, a humble peasant called Griet is employed by the Vermeers to launder sheets and scrub his studio. It's a thankless job. The household is stony broke, and Colin Firth's depressed and tetchy artist is as blocked as a crumbling, exhausted drain. But something about the 17-year-old waif with eyes as large as marbles inspires Vermeer to pick up his brush. Without at first knowing it, or indeed desiring it, the vulnerable char becomes muse to one of his greatest works. Not much happens in Vermeer's gloomy attic, apart from appreciative grunts from Firth's lugubrious stickler, or small suggestions from Griet about the angle placement of a chair. Yet the intimacy is electric, whether it's mixing paints, or wiping the grime off windows to let in more light. The power of these taboo moments has almost everything to do with Scarlett Johansson's performance as Griet. She is simply marvellous casting, with skin like talcum powder, pendulous pink lips and eyes that withhold their mystery as eloquently as Vermeer's original oil. Griet barely speaks a word, yet the entire drama is quietly frozen in her face. It's here that Webber makes us intensely self-conscious of the relationship between still life and cinema, and it's eloquently underpinned by Eduardo Serra's exquisite lighting. The household seethes with indignation at this unholy conspiracy between master and drudge. Vermeer's highly strung wife, Catharina, can barely bring herself to look at Griet, but can't afford to sack her. The witchy mother-in-law is torn between pure spite and relief that Vermeer might actually finish a painting. \"You're a fly in his web,\" she scowls like Miss Haversham. \"We all are.\" The artist's lascivious patron, van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson), pimps a fat commission for the promise of a tumble with Griet. Can she rely on the unpredictable artist to fight her corner? Put like this, Webber's film sounds like the most unsubtle of melodramas. The real art is that it is anything but."}, {"response": 542, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (09:08)", "body": "Thanks for the head's up about the LA sneak preview in the US on 11/1. Am getting it here in the Southeast."}, {"response": 543, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (09:12)", "body": "Thanks for the review, Karen, but where's the part about Colin? They barely mention him. And they spelled Havisham wrong. ;-)"}, {"response": 544, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (09:36)", "body": ""}, {"response": 545, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (09:55)", "body": "Love the special Halloween picture today, Boss! I'll take a Trick from ODB any ol' day, especially if it involves wet clothing. That would be a Treat, indeed!"}, {"response": 546, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (10:11)", "body": "A lot of the same from the Evening Standard and mainly about Scarlett: Scarlett's a sensation By Richard Simpson and Andre Paine, Evening Standard She is still only 18 years old, but Scarlett Johansson is proving her star quality as one of Hollywood's most talented young actresses. The American actress, who looked stunning in a low-cut green dress, was last night being lauded in London for her starring role in Girl With a Pearl Earring. Johansson - who was at the film's premiere last night - stars opposite Colin Firth in the scandal-filled romance. Now many are tipping her for Hollywood greatness. Film bible Variety wrote of her \"wondrous central performance\" in the film, which she did when she was only 17. The author of the original novel Tracy Chevalier said: \"It was so beautifully done, I burst into tears.\" The film is based on the relationship between 17th century Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer - played by Firth - and his 17-year-old maid, Griet, the young girl who appears in the famous painting. Firth, 43, was quick to praise the young actress. He said: \"She's absolutely fantastic, she's one of the best actresses I've ever worked with. Before I knew her I didn't expect such a mature performance because she was only 17. But you only have to know her for about half an hour and you start to realise that she's a very sophisticated, worldly person.\" [yadda yadda SJ bio] Firth, in a dark blue velvet suit, was joined by his Italian wife, Livia Guiggioli for the premiere at Leicester Square's Odeon - and despite the miserable weather, the stars mingled with the fans. For New Yorker Johansson, it was her second London premiere in three days. She also turned heads on Wednesday for art house film, Lost In Translation. She said: \"It's quite exciting and gives me the opportunity to wear two really nice dresses. I'm tired but I'm doing alright. I keep drinking a lot of your coffee. I've been here for three days and I haven't done anything but all this.\" But while his female admirers were swooning over Firth, Johansson clearly does not take stardom too seriously. She said of Firth's appearance as Vermeer: \"Did you see his hairy wig in the film? That gave me a lot of cause to make fun of him. He looked like an Oompa Loompa.\" But she has also said: \"Colin's gorgeous - I saw him in Pride and Prejudice.\" Firth's next film will be the Bridget Jones sequel - and last night, the clearly suffering actor was giving a few clues about his fight with Hugh Grant. He said: \"Filming (Bridget Jones) last week, I ended up in a pond and it was very cold. I'm now losing my voice.\" Having let the cat out of the bag, he later attempted to backtrack, with: \"Oh, I can't tell you who wins the fight. I am sworn to secrecy.\" At the afterparty at the Institute of Directors building in Pall Mall, Firth was asked if he could beat Hugh Grant in a fight in real life. He joked: \"I could kick his arse any day.\" Other guests at the premiere included Firth's co-stars Cillian Murphy and Judy Parfitt, director Peter Webber, and writer of the novel on which the film was based Tracey Chevalier. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/entertainment/films/articles/7471313 ?"}, {"response": 547, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (10:14)", "body": "Finally, some pics: http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=gls====41131 I'll go grab the larger ones now..."}, {"response": 548, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (11:35)", "body": "British actors don\ufffdt often get the sort of reception afforded Hollywood stars - but to the crowds outside the screening of Girl with a Pearl Earring, and the audience inside, Colin Firth is one better than a Hollywood star. The cheering for the man verges on the ecstatic. Of course he has to field yet another question about a certain Mr Darcy (brushed aside with the smoothness of his black velvet suit), but Firth is smilingly effusive about his role as the old master, Johannes Vermeer, in the film. \ufffdOne of the wonderful things about this profession is that you get the opportunity to indulge hopeless, rather nerdy hobbies and interests,\ufffd he says. \ufffdFor this I was allowed to play with paints in a way I\ufffdve not been allowed to do since I was five years old.\ufffd Festival Diary: Day Nine As for how convincing he was, \ufffdI took comfort in the fact that a brilliant painter looks the same as an awful one when they have a brush in their hand.\ufffd At the party for the film, a sumptuous do at the stately Institute of Directors on Pall Mall (complete with arias and a chocolate fountain), the author Tracy Chevalier says that having a novel adapted into a film is \ufffdevery writer\ufffds dream. It\ufffds just one of those fantasies you use to keep yourself going day after day.\ufffd Praising the adaptation as \ufffdlike a sister, a companion piece to the book,\ufffd she adds that \ufffdYou just don\ufffdt think you\ufffdre going to have a night like this. It\ufffds great and I\ufffdm just going to revel in every minute of it.\ufffd http://www.lff.org.uk/films_editorials.php?EditorialID=42"}, {"response": 549, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (11:45)", "body": "Here's the beginning of the gallery... http://www.firth.com/gwape_premgal4.html"}, {"response": 550, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (13:05)", "body": "Actually I take it back, they cut the rest of the hair too short and kept the front too long. Wasn't as obvious to me before. (Eve Std) in a dark blue velvet suit (lff.org) his black velvet suit Will the real color of the suit, please come forward. (SJ) \"Colin's gorgeous - I saw him in Pride and Prejudice.\" She needed to watch him *on TV* to determine that? ;-)"}, {"response": 551, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (13:10)", "body": "He said: \"She's absolutely fantastic, she's one of the best actresses I've ever worked with. Before I knew her I didn't expect such a mature performance because she was only 17 He said almost the exact same thing about Amanda Bynes, too;-) He's just a charmer;-) (Mari), Looking at the pics, I can almost hear Bobby Vinton. \"He wore Blue . . .VEL-vet. LMAO...pretty darn daring to wear velvet in bad weather. (CF)I ended up in a pond and it was very cold. I'm now losing my voice.\" . And so it begins;-)"}, {"response": 552, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (13:22)", "body": "Sorry, but I forgot my thanks to Karen and all for the pictures and articles. and...Happy Halloween to you, too, Richard. In fact, Happy Halloween to all."}, {"response": 553, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (13:27)", "body": "Thank you Karen for the pics! ODB still needs his bangs trimmed (but looks lovely nonetheless)... and Scarlet.... The Kewpie Doll hair has got to go! Happy Halloween everyone!"}, {"response": 554, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (13:33)", "body": "The Kewpie Doll hair Oh. Is that what you call it? I'm still trying to figure it out. Looks like a skinned-back ponytail with the end brought up in a bad comb-over. YIKES!"}, {"response": 555, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (14:46)", "body": "Thanks ladies for all the articles and pics. \"I'm in heaven ....\""}, {"response": 556, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (15:57)", "body": "Don't remember reading this one... 'Love' looms as hit for Uni, Working Title http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/columns/grove_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=2002205"}, {"response": 557, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (16:17)", "body": "Just seen an ad for \"Love Actually\" in the break in \"Coronation Street\", our primetime soap (18 million viewers). Probably the best (and most expensive) advertising slot. Also \"Love Actually\" has a spread in this month's \"Total Film\". Good review for LA. CF and Richard Curtis seem to get on well - used to have dinner together during the France shoot. Thanks for the review, Karen, but where's the part about Colin? They barely mention him I'm afraid some UK film reviewers aren't exactly generous towards CF. British actors don\ufffdt often get the sort of reception afforded Hollywood stars - but to the crowds outside the screening of Girl with a Pearl Earring, and the audience inside, Colin Firth is one better than a Hollywood star. The cheering for the man verges on the ecstatic. UK film critics please take note!"}, {"response": 558, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (16:48)", "body": "The pics are super, boss. I think SJ looks stunning as does Livia, as usual."}, {"response": 559, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (17:11)", "body": "Thanks for all the pics and articles. Livia looks wonderful. I wish I looked so good 3 months after giving birth! But his hair did look awful. I know how uncooperative curly hair can be(having the same type myself) but I do think he could have made more of an effort!"}, {"response": 560, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (17:12)", "body": "Happy Halloween everyone! I wanted to be cheesy for a moment and ask that each of you check out Love Actually when it comes out in your town. I promise you will really enjoy this wonderful film. In all the years I've done this I have to tell you that I have not enjoyed any film more than this one. Hands down! Richard Curtis' work is pure joy. All the actors, the writing, the production...everyone worked perfectly to create a film that has been a hit with the critics and those who have screened it thus far. Everyone involved in this project is extremely pleased and proud with the end result and I encourage you to tell your friends about it. At every screening I have attended the response has been overwhelming with people cheering and clapping at the end. Now having said all that, of course I have to say that I loved Colin in this film, he was brilliant as usual. He speaks Portuguese beautifully! :) And I loved Hugh and Liam and Emma. But I am truly crazy about Thomas Sangster. I think once you see this movie you will agree! :) Please bear with me as this is obviously a very busy time for us here and I can't come by as often as I would like. We are working very hard and this is a very hectic time of year. I will have Rosemary stop in with some shows and dates for Colin coming up. Look for the next few days and weeks especially. I know some will probably be disappointed that most of the attention will be on Hugh and some others. But that's the reality of things at the moment. He is more well known and will be carrying most of the PR. But Colin is being featured as much as is feasible with his schedule. Oh and thanks for all the lovely congrats on the baby en route. We are all ecstatic. It's a running joke that everytime we do a Working Title project someone is pregnant. Colin's wife for BJD1 and Love Actually; Kim, one of Hugh's people for About A Boy; and me for Edge of Reason. :) Take care Hola Lola From LA"}, {"response": 561, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (17:22)", "body": "(Ms Hola)ask that each of you check out Love Actually when it comes out in your town. I promise you will really enjoy this wonderful film... LOL! Wild horses couldn't keep me away! I know some will probably be disappointed that most of the attention will be on Hugh and some others. But that's the reality of things at the moment. He is more well known and will be carrying most of the PR. But Colin is being featured as much as is feasible with his schedule. Will take what I can get and am appreciative that you keep us posted during this busy (and personally a magical) time. Love getting the inside poop!"}, {"response": 562, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (17:25)", "body": "Hola, thank you for stopping by and congratulations on the baby :-) I promise to do my part about promoting LA and have allready made arrangements with 5 people to go see it. :-) Karen, Maria and all: Thank you for all the articles, reviews and pictures. This is a joyful time to be drooling :-)"}, {"response": 563, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (17:36)", "body": "The GWAPE website is up. Photos, production notes, reviews, trailer, desktops. Go to it!:-) http://www.girlwithapearlearringmovie.com/"}, {"response": 564, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (18:08)", "body": "Globe took a lot of pics: http://www.globephotos.com/scripts/kws30pre.exe?site=GLOBEPH&maxhits=12&picktype=GfxOnly&type=GfxOnly&search=A13862&hmessage=SCREENING+OF+THE+GIRL+WITH+A+PEARL+EARRING++LONDON+10/30/2003&ShowTotal=on&fmaxhits=&submit=lsearch but can't seem to tell the difference between Colin and that other guy with Scarlett. ;-)"}, {"response": 565, "author": "socadook", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (18:41)", "body": "Phew!, finally caught up with all the goings on. (Caribou) There is so much going on Firthwise I'm having a hard time keeping it all straight (Meredith) Thanks for the head's up about the LA sneak preview in the US on 11/1. Am getting it here in the Southeast. (Deb) Love the special Halloween picture today, Boss! (Sandy) Thanks ladies for all the articles and pics. (Hola Lola) I wanted to be cheesy for a moment and ask that each of you check out Love Actually when it comes out in your town. Ditto, ditto, ditto, ditto. Got my ticket in my pocket and am ready to go."}, {"response": 566, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (19:32)", "body": "Ack! I don't have time to Drool for a few days (got to save up my energy for NYC) and suddenly I find myself hundereds of messages behind. Thanks all for the lovely pics! That velvet suit just makes me want to rub my hands all over it and.... ;-) Congrats Hola Lola, and thanks for all the inside info! (Beedee)Love getting the inside poop! Bee?!? Is this a Freudian slip? (Annette)This is a joyful time to be drooling :-) Indeed! I'm planning my schedule around the sneek peek tomorrow."}, {"response": 567, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (19:36)", "body": "Hola, no problem. I'm a one-woman box office wonder. But the rest of this gang does just as well. I plan to go several times, and have already lined up the sheep I will lead there;-) I can't wait to see Colin in this. Congratulations, again! Thanks for stopping by. (Hola He speaks Portuguese beautifully! He speaks everything, beautifully! Mari, thanks for the GWAPE website news and pictures Karen thanks, again, for working overtime as usual."}, {"response": 568, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (20:21)", "body": "Wow, what a beautifully done website! Thanks, Mari!"}, {"response": 569, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (20:29)", "body": "I have found a sneak preview of LA tomorrow night at a theatre just 8 miles from my home. Betcha can't guess where I'll be tomorrow ;-)"}, {"response": 570, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 2003 (20:48)", "body": "Mari, thanks for the heads up about the GWAPE site, it's wonderful! I got goosebumps all over when I heard that beautiful music again. It faded from my memory since I heard it last time, and I missed it. Karen, love the pics, thanks! Livia and Colin make a darn good looking couple. (Did I just say that without choking on it? I think I should go and pat myself on the back) Yeah, his hair sure looks too long on the front, but since he is in the middle of filming I wonder if he is allowed to have it cut in any other way than the way they want it. Or am I just making an excuse for him? It wouldn't surprise me one bit. Hola, thanks for popping in, and congrats about the baby. And don't worry, the moment LA opens we'll all be there. :-)"}, {"response": 571, "author": "aishling", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (07:34)", "body": "(Dorine)Will the real color of the suit, please come forward. Definitely dark blue velvet. Despite the awful weather, as soon as Colin arrived he went straight to the fans and signed autographs for a very long time. SJ arrived shortly before him and did exactly the same. I loved this film and agree with other droolers who have seen GWAPE, it is a beautiful film to watch. IMO Scarlett is Griet. I can\ufffdt imagine Kate Hudson in the role."}, {"response": 572, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (08:51)", "body": "Thanks Aishling for your report; hope to hear more. At the GWAPE site, I've added this new pic to firth.com's gallery: Who remembers that very old commercial or was it from the Ernie Kovacs show about Dutch Masters cigars? LOL! Am kind of vague about it."}, {"response": 573, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (09:09)", "body": "It was Ernie Kovacs and later Edie Adams did the commercials(after he died,I believe)."}, {"response": 574, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (09:24)", "body": "Thanks, Bonnie. I remember the apes a little better. ;-) Since I received an email from a European fan about Scarlett's Fabio reference, here's a pic of him: He became quite famous a number of years ago as a model for romance book covers and he did some TV commercials too."}, {"response": 575, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (09:41)", "body": "Colin always looks wonderful in hats. Someone should claim this one."}, {"response": 576, "author": "mjmorris", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (09:51)", "body": "Karen, you are so right. I remember the cigar commericals and box. I had crayons in one of those boxes. Dh also had a flashback when he saw this picture. Thank you for all the pictures, articles and info, boss. Michelle"}, {"response": 577, "author": "houstonandy", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (09:57)", "body": "Been away this week, and returned to all the wonderful pictures and comments. Thanks to all. Karen, I remember the Dutch Masters...but I surely don't remember it this way! Wow!! Congrats, Hola Lola....and rest assured, this girl will be seeing ODB on the big screen as many times as possible. Can't make our local sneak preview tonight, but I'll be first in line on Nov 7...."}, {"response": 578, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (10:09)", "body": "(Karen)He became quite famous a number of years ago as a model for romance book covers and he did some TV commercials too. \"I can't believe it's not buddah......\" Yeah, I remember the Dutch Masters (and Ernie) but don't remember them looking this hot! I spent some time drooling over this one last night so thanks for putting it here Karen."}, {"response": 579, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (11:40)", "body": "(Aishling)Despite the awful weather, as soon as Colin arrived he went straight to the fans and signed autographs for a very long time. SJ arrived shortly before him and did exactly the same. Well, then I can forgive them the dodgy hair if they were out signing in the rain for fans!:-) Way to go, Aishling! *Blowing kisses across pond* Would love to hear more. (mj)I had crayons in one of those boxes. LOL, me too! And to think of all the time I spent seaching in that box for cerulean and burnt sienna, when what I really wanted was right on the lid.;-) THANK YOU, Karen, for the enlarged photos from the LFF GWAPE night. Some nice ones there. The ones where he has to \"lose a little height\" for SJ remind me of another time and another place.;-);-)"}, {"response": 580, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (11:46)", "body": "There's a two-page spread on Love Actually in the new issue of Entertainment Weekly (November 7). Individual photos of all the main cast memebers, including a new one of Colin (who once again has a staple through his head;-). Quotes from each of them; here's Colin's: COLIN FIRTH Actually He's . . . Jamie, the cuckolded writer who flees to France and falls for his Portuguese housekeeper (Lucia Moniz). His Take: \"I have one of the most uncomplicated story lines in the film. I'm upset at the beginning, but from that moment on I fall in love and it just gets better and better.\" Whom He Wishes He Had Played: Bill Nighy's role. \"He's the guy who gets to say 'f---' a lot.\""}, {"response": 581, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (11:52)", "body": "(Mari) The ones where he has to \"lose a little height\" for SJ remind me of another time and another place.;-);-) Ha ha ha!! Actually I was grateful he did it, so the watermarkings didn't go through his head as they usually do, when he's photographed with shorter folk. ;-)"}, {"response": 582, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (12:24)", "body": "I had a Dutch Master's box as well (don't remember commercials but I was overseas when I was younger so may have missed the fun). I kept colored pencils in it and I don't remember any of the men on the front (because....wasn't there a whole line of them?) looking this freakin' hot (though that's the 'pilgrim hat' and I was relieved when ODB took it off. (it just looks like a giant 10 gallon hat to me....and although I do fancy the idea of seeing him in buckskin, riding the range, I never imagined a hat)..he has the shoes to match too). Love his 'look' that he is giving 'Griet' in this pic. Thanks Karen! (Bee) \"I can't believe it's not buddah......\" LOL...I feel as if I have come full circle with ODB and 'buddah' this week! (Mari) Well, then I can forgive them the dodgy hair if they were out signing in the rain for fans!:-) All is forgiven! Scarlet just must have known it was going to shower and said \"give me something that most resembles a rain hat\" ;-) And well....ODB is always forgiven (except for L'dum...I'm still sore about that) ;-D (Mari) LOL, me too! And to think of all the time I spent seaching in that box for cerulean and burnt sienna, when what I really wanted was right on the lid.;-) ROTFL! (ODB re: role he wished he'd played) \"He's the guy who gets to say 'f---' a lot.\" Now that's what you want to look for when choosing your projects! I can completely understand (as it is a word I enjoy using as well). ;-) Thanks Karen and Mari! And Aishling...so glad you liked GWAPE and thanks for the report!!!!"}, {"response": 583, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (12:38)", "body": "I have my tickets for LA, tonight. :-) Thank you, Karen, Mari, Aisling, lucky girl!"}, {"response": 584, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (13:15)", "body": "(ODB re: role he wished he'd played) \"He's the guy who gets to say 'f---' a lot.\" That's the funniest thing he's said in recent interviews. I wish he'd do that more often....instead of soooo serious. (Tress)(as it is a word I enjoy using as well). ;-) I'm holding out for \"asshole\"."}, {"response": 585, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (15:29)", "body": "Thanks for all the new pics Karen! And Mari, thanks for alerting to the GWAPE website, my computer hissed and spit and took an age to load but it was worth it! Bee, the wild horses have been hoofing and snorting outside my door all day in an effort to drag me away from the LA screening in 3 hours and 4 minutes, but a few apples and carrots turned them around.. Woohooooooo!!!! Film Review: \"Love Actually\" Written 11-01-2003 by BrianOrndorf \ufffdLove Actually\ufffd is smug, childish, clich\ufffdd, unrelentingly and sickeningly upbeat, and when Hugh Grant decides to shake his ass to the Pointer Sisters\ufffd \ufffdJump (For My Love),\ufffd the picture becomes embarrassingly silly. But, inner-preciousness detectors be damned, I couldn\ufffdt take my eyes off the screen. It\ufffds only five weeks until Christmas in London, and love is in the air for a large variety of citizens. There\ufffds a married couple (Emma Thompson and national treasure Alan Rickman) facing relationship woes. An emotionally-burdened office worker (Laura Linney), who secretly desires a co-worker. A widower (Liam Neeson) who is trying to piece his life back together while helping his stepchild (Thomas Sangster) land a girlfriend. Two adult film lighting stand-ins (Joanna Page and Martin Freeman) who connect while at work. A lonely young man (Andrew Lincoln) who secretly desires his best friend\ufffds wife (Kira Knightley). An aging rocker (Bill Nighy) who is taking his manager for granted. A romantically undesirable man (Kris Marshall) who feels he must travel to America to find love. A writer (Colin Firth) who is pining for his maid (Lucia Moniz). And the Prime Minister (Hugh Grant), who can\ufffdt keep his assistant (Martine McCutcheon) out of his head. All these people collide during the holiday weeks as they try to fi d love in the face of overwhelming odds. \ufffdLove Actually\ufffd is the latest crushingly happy affair from Working Title Films, the producers of \ufffdFour Weddings and a Funeral, \ufffdNotting Hill,\ufffd and \ufffdBridget Jones\ufffds Diary.\ufffd The company has elected to give screenwriter Richard Curtis his first big shot at directing, having already scripted the aforementioned smashes, along with his extensive work on the \ufffdMr. Bean\ufffd franchise. For his big debut behind the camera, Curtis has made the excellent decision and decided to call in every possible favor from the top tier of British acting talent. He has also added a pinch of American intelligence (Linney) and eye-candy (Shannon Elizabeth, Denise Richards, Elisha Cuthbert, and January Jones appear briefly), and has chosen the greatest cinematic holiday from which to work from: Christmas. \ufffdLove Actually\ufffd is smug, childish, clich\ufffdd, unrelentingly and sickeningly upbeat, and when Hugh Grant decides to shake his ass to the Pointer Sisters\ufffd \ufffdJump (For My Love),\ufffd the picture becomes embarrassingly silly. But, inner-preciousnes detectors be damned, I couldn\ufffdt take my eyes off the screen. \ufffdLove\ufffd isn\ufffdt the most romantic featured I\ufffdve come into contact with, but it\ufffds the one film that stands out in brilliant colors for being so defiantly in love with the idea of love. Bombastic audience-hooting moments aside, Curtis has written his best film yet, and found time to direct the hell out of it as well. And it\ufffds even gloriously R-rated! Assembling a cast of about 20 main characters (the above synopsis leaves a lot of people out) to follow in the continually intertwining story, \ufffdLove Actually\ufffd often resembles a Robert Altman film if it were on Prozac and maybe a touch of Viagra. It zigzags through two handfuls of stories about all kinds of love found in the world, whether it\ufffds platonic, romantic, fraternal, reliable, detestable, forgettable, desirable, taken for granted, or so heartfelt it crushes all in its path. Curtis opens the film up in an airport, having Hugh Grant explain to the audience that no matter how impossible the world can be, there is always a capacity for love in humanity, seen everyday in the arrivals area of the average airport. This sets the tone expertly since, as saccharine as the plot and the characters appear to be, Curtis maintains a level of realism not often seen in a picture this fanciful and filled with holiday cheer. Yes, there are the romantic comedy staples such as a last minute dash to find the one true woma that dreams are made of, oodles of meet cutes, and there is a teetering on the brink of truly nauseating romantic comedy dialog that Curtis has been known to dish out time and again in his earlier scripts. But the malarkey stops right at the point of no return. There isn\ufffdt a silver lining to some of the characters\ufffd futures, and Curtis doesn\ufffdt pretend that he knows all the answers. Like another gem from 2003, \ufffdLost In Translation,\ufffd there is a palatable sense of regret strung, much like the tinsel, throughout \ufffdLove,\ufffd with heartbreaking characters unable to get what they want, or unable to voice their desires clearly. It\ufffds in these delicious glimpses of frustrated yearning that Curtis develops a real bond with his characters and th"}, {"response": 586, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (15:31)", "body": "(Tress)Scarlet just must have known it was going to shower and said \"give me something that most resembles a rain hat\" And she got a duck's ass;-) Well they're waterproof aren't they?(sorry, Scarlet, but the hair was just a bit too...?) (CF)He's the guy who gets to say 'f---' a lot.\" How many times have I said I love when he says f--k? It's that back of the throat \"u\" that gets me. Too bad he doesn't get to say it here, or does he? I'll find out tonight. Off to the sneak preview... Thanks Karen, and Mari. Ashling and you lucky UK'ers...blowing air kisses across the pond. Thank you."}, {"response": 587, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (15:37)", "body": "(Dorine)Will the real color of the suit, please come forward. (Aishling) Definitely dark blue velvet. Thanks!! What troopers *everyone* were that night. (Aishling) IMO Scarlett is Griet. I can\ufffdt imagine Kate Hudson in the role. I haven't seen it, but I never could imagine KH as Griet. (Karen re Fabio) He became quite famous a number of years ago as a model for romance book covers and ..... And for having those chisled good looks threatened when his nose was broken after a bird flew into his face while he was on a rollercoaster. ;-) Sign me up for the Dutch Masters crayon box club, too. ;-D (Mari) And to think of all the time I spent seaching in that box for cerulean and burnt sienna, when what I really wanted was right on the lid.;-) ROTFL! (Tress) Scarlet just must have known it was going to shower and said \"give me something that most resembles a rain hat\" ;-) LOL!!! Yes, who wants to carry unruly, wet accessories to repel water. Just have them styled in. ;-) (Tress)(as it is a word I enjoy using as well). ;-) I'm holding out for \"asshole\". I'm holding out for the whole shebang....\"F'n A\" (Evelyn) That's the funniest thing he's said in recent interviews. I wish he'd do that more often....instead of soooo serious. That W magazine interview has some pretty amusing bits to me, too..... \"It's hard to talk about any paintings without sounding airy fairy...\" \"A lot of the interest one takes in this stuff is quite nerdy, and I don't know whether it helps the performance,\" he admits. \"It just may be rather masturbatory,....\" \"Most people write carefully worded, very Jane-Austen-esque letters -- no filthy perverted stuff and no nude pictures. Which I find very sad,\".... (Hola Lola) I wanted to be cheesy for a moment and ask that each of you check out Love Actually when it comes out in your town Silly wabbit!! ;-D"}, {"response": 588, "author": "katty", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (15:43)", "body": ""}, {"response": 589, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (15:49)", "body": "Have added a bunch of new pics (and Colin's ass-numblingly boring quote from the production notes) to the site. So there are changes in the: On location gallery (minor) http://www.firth.com/love_gal_loc1.html Publicity pic (major, many humungo clickables): http://www.firth.com/love_gal_pub1.html And the production notes, with some new pics: http://www.firth.com/love_notes.html"}, {"response": 590, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (15:50)", "body": "Please remember to use the Spoiler topic for discussing newly released films. Thanks. :-)"}, {"response": 591, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (15:54)", "body": "Oh yes, I forgot... the caption for the pic of Colin standing amidst a bunch of people is: \"Jamie (COLIN FIRTH), surrounded by a good deal of Aurelia's village, confesses his love (finally) in Richard Curtis' romantic comedy Love Actually.\" Does this sound like the press conference at the end of Notting Hill (which scene I happen to adore)? Can you spell retread? ;-)"}, {"response": 592, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (18:06)", "body": "If this is a repeat, please excuse... The Independent: Selling England by the pound Richard Curtis's new film, Love Actually, is sure to be a success - just like all the others. Yet Ryan Gilbey thinks this smooth operator has nothing to be proud of 31 October 2003 Disciples of Quentin Tarantino complained about having to wait five years for his new movie, but the less demonstrative admirers of the British screenwriter Richard Curtis have been twiddling their thumbs for almost as long. The comparison is not spurious. Only now that Curtis's latest picture, Love Actually, has arrived can we see that he shares more with that bloodthirsty reservoir dog than was first apparent. With its self-referential irony, its preference for tics and eccentricities over flesh-and-blood characterisation, and its escalating structure of competing climaxes, Love Actually is the Kill Bill of romantic comedies. The movie, Curtis's first as director, continues and clarifies the intercontinental love affair that has run through his film work. Three of Curtis's earlier screenplays - The Tall Guy (1989), Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) and Notting Hill (1999) - focused on Anglo-American love affairs between a self-deprecating man and an effortlessly serene woman. Even the one exception, Bean (1997), hinged on the idea of America being seduced by an unpretentious, idiosyncratic Brit. And when you think about it, what is Hugh Grant anyway but Mr Bean with better table manners? The impression is of a battle that Curtis keeps winning, but is compelled to restage from scratch in order to prove that he can win it all over again, perpetuating the same myths - each time - about British reserve and American cool. The Tall Guy can be seen now as a rehearsal for the format that paid dividends in Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill, but from a commercial perspective it was too skewwhiff to succeed. The US market was never likely to go cock-a-hoop for the story of a gawky American who must prove he is the equal of a sardonic Brit. Curtis is nothing if not a stunning entrepreneur, and it must surely have been his sound business sense that told him to invert the mismatch, to play up to the stereotypes. It's no coincidence that Four Weddings and a Funeral opened a few months after the last of Merchant-Ivory's heritage pictures. That producer-director team had been the international face of British cinema since Heat and Dust in 1983. But, following The Remains of the Day in late 1993, their interest wandered away from stately homes and literary treasures; not only did their popularity wane, but the image of Britishness that those films promoted dissipated instantly. Curtis found himself in the right place at the right time. His films are elitist in a social context - few of his characters are short of money in the bank, and most of them have the reflexive chirpiness of people who've been to more dinner parties than you've had hot dinners. But what has made them more accessible and successful than the Merchant-Ivory films is their rejection of an intellectual elitism. It's important to remember that the opening line of Four Weddings is a string of profanities delivered by Hugh Grant in his now-familiar plummy chirrup. It feels now like a statement of intent: Yes, these are toffs, but don't be afraid - they swear just like you and me in the cheap seats. So audiences who might have been frightened away from literary adaptations of books they know they should have read can experience a plush life that feels far more attainable than any intellectual prosperity. After The Tall Guy, in which the hero lived in a dingy North London bedsit with a broken answerphone, something aspirational crept into Curtis's writing. His movies started to be about the audience's desire to inhabit the world on screen, rather than just the wish to see two star-crossed lovers united. It seems unbelievable now that the character played by Emma Thompson in The Tall Guy was a nurse in an understaffed NHS hospital. By the time of Notting Hill, the films would be characterised by a different kind of incongruity, such as the complete absence of black citizens in that film's west London setting. (Viewers of Love Actually should take heart. Many of the new film's characters have best friends who are black. Some of them even get dialogue.) The governing principle behind his recent work would appear to be: We're all the same underneath. So you could be a gay man in an unfortunate waistcoat (Four Weddings and a Funeral), a multi-millionaire movie star (Notting Hill) or even the British Prime Minister (Love Actually) but that's not to say you don't have the same feelings as everyone else. The new film even ends with multiple images of people hugging - a chaste version of the split-screen sex that was such a naughty delight in Stephen Frears' Sammy and Rosie Get Laid. But there has to be more to a movie career than a declaration of homogeneity endlessly reiterated. Divorced from al"}, {"response": 593, "author": "mjmorris", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (19:49)", "body": "OMG, the HUGE clickable publicity pics. I think I've died and gone to heaven. The one where he's standing alone in the tweed coat looking like AFG, melted me right into my bowl of cereal. I know, cereal for dinner, but oh well. If I wasn't so self-conscious I'd have my new wallpaper. Got to say that's one of the best I've seen other than some of the natural setting pics. Great set of pictures. I just can't wait to see the movie Thursday night. I've got the pass sitting right here next to the laptop so I can stare at the pictures. I saw the Entertainment Weekly spread last night at my parents' house. I laughed very hard at CF's quote. (Dorine) I'm holding out for the whole shebang....\"F'n A\" I'm waiting for all the words you can't say on radio. We learned it in school (not in class) as one long expletive. To hear it with *that* voice would sound quite nice. Language in this house is quite censored for obvious reasons. Loved the quotes from W Magazine. \"Airy Fairy\" has to be my favorite. Was really good friends with an Art Historian in grad school. Lots of meaning there with that quote. Hola Lola, Congrats! Happy and Healthy 9mo to you. I've told everyone I can think of including the clerks at Barnes & Noble this morning about LA and GWAPE. Michelle"}, {"response": 594, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (20:01)", "body": "(The Indep) it was too skewwhiff to succeed Translation, please, someone. :-) (Michelle) I'm waiting for all the words you can't say on radio. We learned it in school (not in class) as one long expletive. To hear it with *that* voice would sound quite nice. Yeah, doesn't sound quite so mesmerizing from George Carlin. ;-) Thanks, Murph. That guy is quite the Scrooge."}, {"response": 595, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (21:41)", "body": "I will go to spoilers to discuss LA, but first just a bit of stuff. Hola Lola, you need not worry about being cheesy. This film is a winner. The sneak preview was sold out. We had people on the floor at our viewing. The crowd loved it. The laughter was non stop except for ET's storyline. I must say, Bill Nighy stole the show. Hugh Grant was excellent, and Colin was simply fantastic. At the end, the guy behind me said I will see this 15 times. I thought, hey that's my line;-) When it was over loud explosion of applause, cheers, whistling and what have you. I left feeling v.v. good, and didn't feel cheap at all;-)Not even a hint of emotional manipulation! It does need further viewings and my DH said it first...he's learning;-) Bravo!"}, {"response": 596, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (21:51)", "body": "OK, back from the sneak preview (and a long hiatus due to too much real life/work, etc). Big audience, lots of couples. (Wives dragging husbands along?) My DH liked it. Nudged me every time there was a London view that he recognized. (He is hopeless at remembering names of actors, but he's fair on places.) A few other Firth fans were sitting near me. They had bought their tickets on line Friday morning as soon as they saw the ad. They were hoping to see more skin than there actually was. I explained about the red fingernail test for scripts. (They did not know about drool or firth.com--didn't know about GWAPE, either. Clearly not die-hards.) Several big laughs, the biggest for an early scene with Emma Thompson and one of her kids. I think Curtis definitely gave HG the greatest number of cute moments. Most of Colin's laughs came from his stumbling with language. One one brief flash of MPB, very much in the back not the top. Dare we hope that one of the DVD features will be options to see just one character's storylines? That will save a lot of fast-forward/jumping."}, {"response": 597, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (22:07)", "body": "Like the rest, I'll take my further comments about LA to the spoilers room, but I did want to post this spoiler free (I Hope) review/critique. I just returned from the sneak preview of LA in the Jacksonville Florida metro area. Before the program started, I took a minute to scan the house, just to get a feel for the general make-up of the audience. They were pretty well mixed. So...I will tell you up front that I liked the movie VERY MUCH. THere were scenes that had all of us on the floor, and some that, I was the only laugh. Those were due to the fact that the film has a distinctly British feel and if you don't know Brit humor and/or watch BBCAmerica, you would miss some of the slang and references. Colin was delicious. It was great to see him really cut loose and smile. His character was altogether loveable and he has really good comedic timing. Hugh was also excellent (though he should keep his day job and not pursue a singing or dancing career), as were Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman. The young man played the love sick 12 year old was totally adorable with huge and expressive eyes and was well matched with Liam Neeson. Watch him, I think he'll grow into something very special. My main issue with the film was that, because Curtis tried to do so many stories, you aren't given the opportunity to get to know or care about any of the characters, and that might be the film's downfall. Two or three related storylines, perhaps, but 10 or 12 is just way too many for any kind of character development. It felt like a superficial \"skimming\" over the characters and left me, at any rate, wanting more. I'm extremely glad that I braved the teenaged hoards at the local mall and cineplex (something I would ONLY do for Colin or Hugh). Will I recommend it to friends...oh, YES. Will I go see it again...OH YES! Will I buy the CD when it's released...Do you have to ask? This is Eithne reporting for the NE Florida bureau of Sit Up Drool. Now back to the studio."}, {"response": 598, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (22:10)", "body": "From NY Times today, from the Dorchester PA, only RC and HG but hopefully we will see more soon?? Pic looks like HG is playing hopscotch with RC... Four Comedies and a Collaboration By SARAH LYALL Published: November 2, 2003 LONDON AS with lovers who take a while to warm up to each other, the couple's first meeting promised nothing but mutual dislike. Richard Curtis, auditioning actors for \"Four Weddings and a Funeral,\" felt that Hugh Grant was unreasonably handsome. Mr. Grant was annoyed by the way Mr. Curtis, the film's screenwriter, leaned impassively against a bookshelf and said nothing during his reading. But the 11th-hour decision to cast Mr. Grant as the lead in \"Four Weddings,\" a low-budget romantic confection that became one of Britain's most successful films ever, was the start of an unusually felicitous, not to mention profitable, collaboration that has continued through \"Notting Hill,\" \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" and now, imminently, \"Love Actually.\" The new film, which Mr. Curtis wrote and directed and which features Mr. Grant as a bachelor prime minister awkwardly in love, is opening Friday in New York and other cities. Despite a striking difference in outlook (Mr. Curtis is a romantic and an optimist; Mr. Grant, under all that charm, is not), theirs is a marriage of comic minds. Mr. Curtis, 46 \ufffd the writer responsible for some of the best-known British film and television comedies in recent years \ufffd has found in Mr. Grant, 43, the perfect muse, an actor with the comic instincts, sense of timing and particular sensibility to spin his finely calibrated words into gold. For better or worse, the two together have successfully made Mr. Curtis's rosy-eyed vision of a loved-up England one of the country's most visible exports in the last decade: their first three films have earned $886 million at the box office worldwide. Now, for the first time, Mr. Curtis is directing that vision himself. \"The central character in Richard's films is always Richard himself,\" said Tim Bevan, co-chairman of Working Title, the London-based production company responsible for most of Mr. Curtis and Mr. Grant's films together. \"In finding Hugh, Richard found the alter ego who could play him. There's no one better who can carry a Curtis gag with timing and polish than Hugh Grant, and they're very lucky they found each other.\" The alter ego description comes up often in discussions of Mr. Grant and Mr. Curtis, but in a recent interview here neither wanted to admit to anything quite so straightforward. They are both extremely English, after all: Mr. Curtis bespectacled, affable and boyish, despite graying hair; and Mr. Grant sharp-eyed and effortlessly good-looking, despite suffering from what he said was a serious hangover. Ensconced in a plush suite at the Dorchester Hotel at the start of a long day of media appearances \ufffd the sort of cringe-inducing event that Mr. Curtis lampooned so deftly in \"Notting Hill\" \ufffd the two could easily have been a small mutual-admiration society, if not for their gently abusive banter. So symbiotic have they become that by now Mr. Curtis, who agonizes over the smallest word and trick of timing in every joke the way a mathematician frets about a minute change in a proof, allows Mr. Grant at times to meddle with his dialogue, even the shape of his character. In \"Love Actually,\" a romantic roundelay of interlocking stories, Mr. Grant repeatedly pressed Mr. Curtis to make his character more authoritative and less haplessly charming. \"I thought, `Well, look, he's the prime minister, and almost every joke in every scene will be about the fact that he's not behaving in a prime ministerial manner,' \" Mr. Curtis said. \"But Hugh said, `Well, we'd better make sure that people believe he is the prime minister in the first place, because if he hasn't got a little bit of presence, they might not buy the story.' \" Much of the Curtisian vision remained \ufffd toward the end of the movie Mr. Grant's character goes door to door in a working-class London neighborhood on Christmas Eve in search of the object of his affections, an office tea girl (played by Martine McCutcheon), but Mr. Grant successfully tempered the characterization. \"The key is generally not to be too cuddly,\" said Mr. Grant, who says he feels more affinity with Daniel Cleaver, the slightly wicked, slightly kinky editor he played in \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" (and which he is reprising in the sequel currently being filmed) than with his characters in other Curtis films. \"I found, in doing some of the more recent films like `Bridget Jones' or `About a Boy,' that I quite liked breaking out of that. I quite found that girls found me more attractive that way.\" Both men were at turning points when they met. Mr. Curtis, who had made his name with classic television comedies like \"Not the Nine O'Clock News\" and \"Blackadder,\" had just one film under his belt, \"The Tall Guy,\" and was at a loss to find the right actor for the \"Four Weddings\" lead. Then came Mr. Grant,"}, {"response": 599, "author": "socadook", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (22:12)", "body": "Theater 3/4 full. Mostly women in pairs or groups. 1/4 of audience were couples. Older demographic. Not one child in the bunch, not even teenagers. Some laughs but not as much as expected (from the audience or me). No applause, no whistling. (Kate) Wives dragging husbands along Was walking out of the theater, overheard two DH (wives were strolling ahead of them) chatting away when \"CF is his name.\" One DH was telling the other \"he was in BJD. HG was in that one too. CF was on that series on TV, the good one based on a book by Jane Austen\". I kid you not. Was too stunned to whisper P&P. DH's talking about ODB without being prompted by their wives! You're doing good work, ladies. (Indep) Yet Ryan Gilbey thinks this smooth operator has nothing to be proud of [well not much anyway](...) These films feel shallow because the most convincing love story on display is the one between the writer and his potential marketplace. [sure is starting to look like it] (Dorine) That guy is quite the Scrooge. Yet now that I've seen LA, I'm with Scrooge. Bah humbug :-("}, {"response": 600, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (22:26)", "body": "(Sonia)No applause, no whistling. Totally opposite reaction in out theater. Still in that feel good mode, so I needed to post again, to thank the boss for the updates on the clickables, and pictures."}, {"response": 601, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 2003 (22:50)", "body": "(Dorine) That guy is quite the Scrooge. (Sonia), Yet now that I've seen LA, I'm with Scrooge. Bah humbug :-( I agree. I'm with Scrooge too. :-( LA is totally overrated. Bill Nihey(sp?) was the best part. Hugh was terrible. Hard to buy Colin's storyline as well as others. The ending was more pat than a classic \"happy\" one. And my DH would have to comment, \"it's summer in France and they're passing it off as late Nov.\" LOL! Thank heavens we have GWAPE!"}, {"response": 602, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (00:25)", "body": "Not having seen The Tall Man, I can't (read: won't bother to) comment... Sneak was totally sold out in advance, but was in one of the smaller theaters in the complex. Two seats over from me, I heard a woman telling her husband how she \"loved Colin Firth\" as the film was starting. There was no applause or whistling at mine. Laughter was sporadic. Bill Nighy definitely became a crowd fav, but the biggest laughs were when the character Colin said he had a plane ticket to Wisconsin (you have to understand, the Wisconsin border is merely an hour or so away from where I was) and then again when the guy was in the bar in Wisconsin and meets up with that pert trio of American Heartland nymphomaniacs. ;-) Jamie/Colin's segment got some very warm-hearted laughter with the language issues. Over to Spoilers with my other comments..."}, {"response": 603, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (00:25)", "body": "The theater I went to was completely sold out. I bought tickets in advance, and wound up sitting in the third row. Not a seat to be had. Audience laughed a lot. Typical comments heard repeatedly on the way out: --Too many storylines and none of them fleshed out adequately. --Hugh Grant is the same in every movie. --Emma Thompson was great. --Funniest parts were the has-been rock star, and the subtitles in Colin Firth's storyline. I'll take spoilers over to that topic, but overall, I liked it, didn't love it. I can't see this doing as well as BJD, Notting Hill, or 4 Weddings. Just IMO."}, {"response": 604, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (00:35)", "body": "--Hugh Grant is the same in every movie. They're just not watching him closely. I thought he was great. That one look after the BBT/Martine thing was brilliant. (Mari) I can't see this doing as well as BJD, Notting Hill, or 4 Weddings. Just IMO. Agreed."}, {"response": 605, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (09:21)", "body": "From Aishling, an excerpt from the Telegraph's magazine article \"On the Set of Love Actually\": As Jamie, a writer who unexpectedly finds love with a young Portuguese woman in the south of France, Colin Firth shot his scenes in Marseilles; here he anxiously waits at the door of her family home. 'Night shots are wonderful if you're on location,' he reflects. 'There's this united feeling-we're all up when everyone else is asleep. This night in the city's old port district was bizarre. We were working with Portuguese people in France, I was acting in Portuguese, which I can't imagine ever happening again, and a local heavy from this dodgy neighbourhood was running security. In one scene, I accumulate a crowd as I go down the street. Five, then 15, then 30 Portuguese people marching behind me in the streets of Marseilles at three in the morning. Extraordinary.'"}, {"response": 606, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (10:13)", "body": "From the NY Post by Megan Lehmann, with Contents page pic from Time mag: November 2, 2003 Hopeless romantics rejoice! In time for the holidays comes a gift from Richard Curtis - undisputed master of the romantic comedy (author of the screenplays for \"Notting Hill,\" \"Four Weddings and a Funeral\" and \"Bridget Jones's Diary\"). \"Love Actually,\" opening Friday, is a great big bliss bomb of feel-good sentiment, set in fairy-tale London during the holiday season. The movie also serves as Curtis' directorial debut, and it pops with his trademark blend of sharp humor and unabashed emotion. An impressive A-list cast - including Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Laura Linney, Colin Firth and \"Pirates of the Caribbean's\" Keira Knightley - cavorts through a dizzying array of bittersweet romantic entanglements. Curtis says he didn't find it such a challenge to write such a dense story peopled with so many characters. \"I think it may be that I decided that films take me such a long time - about three years, in the end - and I thought that if I wanted to go on writing romantic films, I would spend the rest of my life doing it,\" says Curtis. \"So I decided that I would try to write nine or 10 of them all at the same time.\" There are 10 interweaving vignettes dealing with love in all of its forms - between husband and wife, brother and sister, boss and employee, boy and girl, father and son. Despite an R rating and Curtis' penchant for having his characters curse profusely, the pile-up of love connections puts \"Love Actually\" in danger of prompting a nauseating sugar overload. But Curtis - a gray-haired, bespectacled Londoner whose longtime girlfriend, Emma, is a descendent of Sigmund Freud - is an unapologetic Pollyanna. \"I do seem to have written a great deal about love,\" Curtis has said. \"But, I mean - if you look at the world, there are huge amounts of love and affection, and yet so much of art portrays the darker side of humanity. When I look around the world I notice a lot of things that are rather gorgeous, lots of people with kind hearts.\" (It should be noted that this is a man who considers \"The Sound of Music\" to be \"quite a realistic piece of work.\") Grant, who has starred in all three of Curtis' other films, endorses the writer/director's view of the world. \"The comedy is hugely important in the success of Richard's work, but equally important is this very rare thing of actually quite liking life,\" Grant has said. Curtis - currently working on \"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason\" - has been dubbed the \"British Spielberg.\" The modestly budgeted \"Four Weddings\" raked in more than $250 million worldwide in 1994; \"Notting Hill\" made $390 million in 1999; and 2001's \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" made more than $170 million. \"One of the strange things about these films is how well they've gone down in other countries,\" Curtis said recently. \"I can't explain that.\" In Britain, one bookmaker is offering odds-on that \"Love Actually,\" made for $51 million, will become the highest-grossing British film ever. \"It's going to be huge,\" says Adam Dawtrey, Variety's European editor. \"It is Curtis' best film yet - a real advance for him, much more interesting than anything he's done before.\" http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/9662.htm"}, {"response": 607, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (13:40)", "body": "The \"official\" hype for LA is making me sick. (It should be noted that this is a man who considers \"The Sound of Music\" to be \"quite a realistic piece of work.\") I love TSOM. Realistic? Well, yeah, I break into song too when the mood hits.;-D"}, {"response": 608, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (16:07)", "body": "Well, America was clearly more in \"Love\" than some here. From Variety; these are outstanding numbers: Universal drew 78% capacity auds to 565 sneaks of Working Title's holiday romancer \"Love Actually.\" A big 78% of moviegoers rated pic \"excellent.\" Overall, 73% of \"Love\" moviegoers were over 30 and 68% femmes. Richard Curtis penned-and-helmed pic, starring Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson and others, unspools in limited release next weekend."}, {"response": 609, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (18:17)", "body": "Nice little bit in the NYT today. No mention of CF though (but hey, the article is about RC and HG); some of this is old or repeted elsewhere. November 2, 2003 Four Comedies and a Collaboration By SARAH LYALL LONDON AS with lovers who take a while to warm up to each other, the couple's first meeting promised nothing but mutual dislike. Richard Curtis, auditioning actors for \"Four Weddings and a Funeral,\" felt that Hugh Grant was unreasonably handsome. Mr. Grant was annoyed by the way Mr. Curtis, the film's screenwriter, leaned impassively against a bookshelf and said nothing during his reading. But the 11th-hour decision to cast Mr. Grant as the lead in \"Four Weddings,\" a low-budget romantic confection that became one of Britain's most successful films ever, was the start of an unusually felicitous, not to mention profitable, collaboration that has continued through \"Notting Hill,\" \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" and now, imminently, \"Love Actually.\" The new film, which Mr. Curtis wrote and directed and which features Mr. Grant as a bachelor prime minister awkwardly in love, is opening Friday in New York and other cities. Despite a striking difference in outlook (Mr. Curtis is a romantic and an optimist; Mr. Grant, under all that charm, is not), theirs is a marriage of comic minds. Mr. Curtis, 46 \ufffd the writer responsible for some of the best-known British film and television comedies in recent years \ufffd has found in Mr. Grant, 43, the perfect muse, an actor with the comic instincts, sense of timing and particular sensibility to spin his finely calibrated words into gold. For better or worse, the two together have successfully made Mr. Curtis's rosy-eyed vision of a loved-up England one of the country's most visible exports in the last decade: their first three films have earned $886 million at the box office worldwide. Now, for the first time, Mr. Curtis is directing that vision himself. \"The central character in Richard's films is always Richard himself,\" said Tim Bevan, co-chairman of Working Title, the London-based production company responsible for most of Mr. Curtis and Mr. Grant's films together. \"In finding Hugh, Richard found the alter ego who could play him. There's no one better who can carry a Curtis gag with timing and polish than Hugh Grant, and they're very lucky they found each other.\" The alter ego description comes up often in discussions of Mr. Grant and Mr. Curtis, but in a recent interview here neither wanted to admit to anything quite so straightforward. They are both extremely English, after all: Mr. Curtis bespectacled, affable and boyish, despite graying hair; and Mr. Grant sharp-eyed and effortlessly good-looking, despite suffering from what he said was a serious hangover. Ensconced in a plush suite at the Dorchester Hotel at the start of a long day of media appearances \ufffd the sort of cringe-inducing event that Mr. Curtis lampooned so deftly in \"Notting Hill\" \ufffd the two could easily have been a small mutual-admiration society, if not for their gently abusive banter. So symbiotic have they become that by now Mr. Curtis, who agonizes over the smallest word and trick of timing in every joke the way a mathematician frets about a minute change in a proof, allows Mr. Grant at times to meddle with his dialogue, even the shape of his character. In \"Love Actually,\" a romantic roundelay of interlocking stories, Mr. Grant repeatedly pressed Mr. Curtis to make his character more authoritative and less haplessly charming. \"I thought, `Well, look, he's the prime minister, and almost every joke in every scene will be about the fact that he's not behaving in a prime ministerial manner,' \" Mr. Curtis said. \"But Hugh said, `Well, we'd better make sure that people believe he is the prime minister in the first place, because if he hasn't got a little bit of presence, they might not buy the story.' \" Much of the Curtisian vision remained \ufffd toward the end of the movie Mr. Grant's character goes door to door in a working-class London neighborhood on Christmas Eve in search of the object of his affections, an office tea girl (played by Martine McCutcheon), but Mr. Grant successfully tempered the characterization. \"The key is generally not to be too cuddly,\" said Mr. Grant, who says he feels more affinity with Daniel Cleaver, the slightly wicked, slightly kinky editor he played in \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" (and which he is reprising in the sequel currently being filmed) than with his characters in other Curtis films. \"I found, in doing some of the more recent films like `Bridget Jones' or `About a Boy,' that I quite liked breaking out of that. I quite found that girls found me more attractive that way.\" Both men were at turning points when they met. Mr. Curtis, who had made his name with classic television comedies like \"Not the Nine O'Clock News\" and \"Blackadder,\" had just one film under his belt, \"The Tall Guy,\" and was at a loss to find the right actor for the \"Four Weddings\" lead. Then came Mr. Grant, whose recent wo"}, {"response": 610, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (19:48)", "body": "Thanks to everyone for the photos and articles! Any Canadians here should check out Movietelevision this week for a bit on LA. And I do mean 'bit'! From the London interviews, there's some of HG and RC, then a few words from Laura Linney with Colin on her right and Liam on her left. CF took his glasses off for this. Lovely faded jeans. We get to see him nod as LL talks about love."}, {"response": 611, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 2003 (19:50)", "body": "If anyone has the tv times and dates of Colin appearances, please email them to me so I can put tivo to work capturing them. terry@spring.net."}, {"response": 612, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (01:23)", "body": "If this has been posted, I apologize for the duplicate - I scanned the past week or so of posts and didn't see anything. My TiVo, which can do \"actor wish lists\" in which it scans upcoming programming for an actor's name, is claiming that ODB will be on \"Today\" on Monday the 10th. Speaking of TiVo, promotional bits for LA have shown up there off and on for the past week or so. At first it was the theatrical trailer plus a three-minute behind-the-scenes mini-featurette. Then yesterday it switched to the behind-the-scenes thing plus a clip from the film (the one in which Huge offers to have Martine McC's ex-boyfriend killed)."}, {"response": 613, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (04:53)", "body": "UKers: Thursday's Evening Standard this week will have a free LA dvd with extended preview, two trailers, documentary, intro to film's characters from the stars. Big pic in the Metro today advertising it."}, {"response": 614, "author": "BarbaraT", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (06:58)", "body": "Thanks for the info re the Evening Standard, Emma. I'll ask my brother in London to get me a copy, as its unobtainable in my neck of the woods. The December issue of Empire has 4 pages of behind the scenes photos from the set of LA with accompanying comments by RC. They include a rather nice pic of CF sheltering in a doorway between takes. The photo appears under the charming heading \"Git\" and RC comments: \"This was CF waiting for the rain to stop before we could start filming the proposal scene in Marseilles. That's the irritating thing about CF - even when he's just hanging out in a battered od doorway, bored out of his box, he still looks attractive.\""}, {"response": 615, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (08:31)", "body": "Why would the heading be \"Git?\" What does that mean in that context?"}, {"response": 616, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (08:50)", "body": "(gomezdo)Why would the heading be \"Git?\" What does that mean in that context? A abbreviation of 'jammy git' ie lucky so and so, for managing to look attractive, even in the most unlikely circumstances. - You've either got it, or you haven't!!"}, {"response": 617, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (08:51)", "body": "TV Guide also shows Colin for Monday's Today Show. Excellent!!"}, {"response": 618, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (09:38)", "body": "(Karen)biggest laughs were when the character Colin said he had a plane ticket to Wisconsin (you have to understand, the Wisconsin border is merely an hour or so away from where I was) forgot about that one, it got a good laugh in NJ, too"}, {"response": 619, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (09:50)", "body": "WARNING! On 60 Minutes last night there was a story on \"pirating\" and file sharing, etc. One of the people interviewed claimed that there is some kind of (infrared?) sensor that can be used to catch people taking pictures/clips from the movie screen. I don't know if that's true, but I thought I'd share the info. (I know, Boss, it sounds more more like something for O&E, but given current, um, temptations, I thought I'd post this here) SO BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!"}, {"response": 620, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (10:03)", "body": "On Oprah this a.m., the clip of Huge and RZ rolling on the floor was shown and then she asked about the sequel. He said the usual stuff about RZ and her gaining the weight, etc., then mentioned Colin, \"who now looks too old for the role - they wheeled him on.\" For the intro to LA, Oprah naturally said it starred Emma and Hugh and then Liam Neeson, Colin Firth and many others. The montage of stories did show Colin at the lake working away, but otherwise that was it. The show was live (which I think is unusual) and Greg Wise was in the audience (very much greying at the temples). Hugh and Emma were typically very funny and she looked v. good. Hugh backtracked on the retirement thing, about the only serious thing he said (how friends had said it was a mistake to have made that comment)."}, {"response": 621, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (10:13)", "body": "Thank you for the Today Show and Oprah news! (Janet)You've either got it, or you haven't!! He's got it, big time!"}, {"response": 622, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (10:30)", "body": "(HG) \"who now looks too old for the role - they wheeled him on.\" And no one in the audience would know that Huge is a day older than Colin. ;-)"}, {"response": 623, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (10:53)", "body": "The whole \"Wisconsin\" thing got big laughs here in the Southeast. I think it's a joke for Americans ;-)"}, {"response": 624, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (11:16)", "body": "Thanks for the heads up about the Today Show. Looks like there are many LA related interviews this week (Laura Linney, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson). Does anyone know who was on this AM (Monday). Time has passed, so the web site has moved on..."}, {"response": 625, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (11:23)", "body": "(HG) then mentioned Colin, \"who now looks too old for the role - they wheeled him on.\" He's just jealous 'cause Colin looks so much better for their age. ;-) (Kate) One of the people interviewed claimed that there is some kind of (infrared?) sensor that can be used to catch people taking pictures/clips from the movie screen. I don't know if that's true, but I thought I'd share the info. They have special security people hired by the studios in screenings to monitor the audience. Usually 2 of them depending on the room size. They kicked out one guy yesterday who had a really expensive camera with him. Not sure if he just planned to take pics at the Q&A, or what. Either they kicked him out or he refused to leave, what he claimed was a $4000 camera, anywhere for safekeeping. Not sure if it had video capability. For that price it should cook and clean the house. ;-)"}, {"response": 626, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (11:53)", "body": "(Meredith) Thanks for the heads up about the Today Show. Does anyone know who was on this AM (Monday). Time has passed, so the web site has moved on... I don't remember, but nobody associated with LA was on. Here's a calendar of what I've found (this is the first time I've used the TiVo \"wishlist\" feature and I like it!). The dates are of course the ones for my local listings: 11/4 - Liam Neeson on \"Today\" and \"Regis & Kelly\" 11/5 - Emma Thompson on \"Today\" and \"Regis & Kelly\" 11/6 - Colin Firth on \"The Daily Show\" 11/7 - Laura Linney on \"Today\" 11/7 - \"Access Hollywood\" has a piece about LA 11/8 - Review of LA on \"Ebert & Roeper\" 11/10 - Colin Firth on \"Today\" (I wonder if he'll also do R&K?) 11/10 - Hugh Grant on \"Tonight\" 11/11 - Hugh Grant on \"Today\" 11/12 - Emma Thompson on \"Ellen DeGeneres\" There could be other things - some shows don't submit the details of their upcoming programs (such as guest lists) to TiVo, or only submit them for the current week."}, {"response": 627, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (12:25)", "body": "(Kate F) One of the people interviewed claimed that there is some kind of (infrared?) sensor that can be used to catch people taking pictures/clips from the movie screen. I don't know if that's true, but I thought I'd share the info (Dorine) They have special security people hired by the studios in screenings to monitor the audience. Usually 2 of them depending on the room size. When I was at the GWAPE Gala, there was an announcement after the stars left the stage and before the film began that they would have infrared sensors in use and to keep all cameras/camcorders off. 11/10 - Colin Firth on \"Today\" (I wonder if he'll also do R&K?) This is great news for those staying on in NYC!! I'll have to watch from home, but expect to see droolers outside waiting for ODB !!! (Go Rika, Go Rika!!)"}, {"response": 628, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (13:45)", "body": "Colin is also scheduled for The View on Tuesday, Nov 11th. Let's just hope he's not on Reege on Monday too, as the Poster Girl for Too Much Plastic Surgery--Joan Rivers--is shown as the main guest. It could be more awful than with just Reege and Kelly. ;-)"}, {"response": 629, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (13:53)", "body": "Nov issue of Esquire Magazine UK (Meg Ryan on cover)- COLIN FIRTH The star of \"Love Actually\" on getting into Bridget Jones's wet swimming trunks 1 PAGE Q&A FEATURE"}, {"response": 630, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (14:29)", "body": "Found this at Canoe.... Love Actually' a curious cultural artifact Ensemble cast works quite well, actually By BRUCE KIRKLAND -- Toronto Sun LONDON -- Every actor has an ego and no actor ever loses it, no matter how sweet in disposition and disinclined to ego-driven tantrums. \"Actors never give up their ego!\" Irish star Liam Neeson says. \"We place it in different places,\" he muses with a mysterious air and a hushed voice. \"We surrender it to a point -- but only to a point!\" So Love Actually, the new film from New Zealand-born, England-based Richard Curtis, is a curious cultural artifact. That is because Love Actually is a true ensemble from the man who wrote the film scripts for The Tall Guy, Four Weddings And A Funeral, Bean, Notting Hill and Bridget Jones's Diary. There are nine major stories going on separately and simultaneously, weaving together only briefly at the end. Each concerns a different kind of love: Fresh or faded, youthful or mature, platonic or sexual, happy or miserable, hopeful or doomed, and so on. Critically, there are a clutch of stars in the film, including Neeson, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Laura Linney, Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean himself), Keira Knightley (the breakout star from Bend It Like Beckham), Billy Bob Thornton (in a cameo as the bully-boy president of the United States), Martine McCutcheon (a singing star in Britain, known for two albums and a West End revival of My Fair Lady) and Bill Nighy (a brilliant character actor who shamelessly steals this picture). Egos had to be surrendered to Curtis, who is making his directorial debut. Linney, for one, says it was easy and describes Love Actually as a case study in how to make actors happy, and ego-less, in their work. \"I would so have to disagree with you!\" she says to Neeson, while sitting at a podium during a group interview. \"I've worked with this man a lot and he's one of the most ego-less people to work with -- period! There is the idea that you have to be really selfish to be an actor. It's really the opposite. You have to have be as selfless as possible. \"This was just great fun. This was just a baseball team of people coming together. For me, an American, to be able to come over here was just heaven. I find these the most satisfying experiences, when you're in a fabulous group of actors you're proud to be a part of and you're all sort of looking to the same end.\" Grant, being the bratty and bemused English schoolboy even in his 40s, claims he only wants to do ensembles now, if anything at all. In Love Actually, he plays the newly elected British prime minister, a single man with his eye on his sexy assistant (McCutcheon). \"Well,\" Grant says with a droll tone in his voice, \"I'm going through a phase in my life where I'm not that keen to act at all, really, especially not in lead parts. I just find it too stressful. I'd rather sit at home and watch the telly or play golf. \"So, in a way, it's absolutely ideal to just come in and do a bit. There was no grand idea of sharing or diluting myself.\" In that spirit of NOT sharing, Grant had some sharp words for Firth, who so bested him on screen as a competing character in Bridget Jones's Diary. \"I always hoped Colin would be bad,\" Grant says of Firth's acting in Love Actually, \"and, indeed, he is!\" Grant, of course, is kidding. He admires Firth. He just won't admit it. Firth, in a separate interview, gets serious, as is his wont. In the film, he plays a jilted English author who falls hopelessly in love with his Portuguese housekeeper during a writing session in Provence. Firth's scenes with Lisbon actress Lucia Moniz are the most exuberantly romantic in the entire movie. \"There's no subtlety here,\" Firth says. \"Part of the reason we have to be so bold is that we had very little time to tell our story, each (of us). We would have four or five scenes in order to develop the whole concept of a story. You tend to have to use broader strokes. \"And I was fortified by Richard Curtis in this, partly because (I trust) a man with his track record in storytelling success. I must say, I have never felt so little pressure on any film because there were so many of us and so many other stories and so many talented people around me. Nobody felt the film on his shoulders, so you could abandon yourself.\" The actors also believed, Firth says, they would be cut out if they screwed up. \"I think most of us were fairly certain we'd be the first to go!\" McCutcheon did feel that, although she is delightful in her role. She just didn't feel she belonged at first. \"For me,\" she says, \"there was definitely no ego involved because I was just absolutely gobsmacked that I got the part. Most actresses would cut their arm off for my part. \"You know, I've done lots of TV work and music stuff and, for me, the movie business and the people who are in it are the creme de la creme of the business. I actually found that they were the people with the least ego. They were so gracious. So, I w"}, {"response": 631, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (14:35)", "body": "(Karen) Let's just hope he's not on Reege on Monday too, as the Poster Girl for Too Much Plastic Surgery--Joan Rivers--is shown as the main guest. It could be more awful than with just Reege and Kelly. ;-) I'm torn. On one hand, I'd hate to see him subjected to that idiocy, but on the other, if he's on the show, I'll be unable to resist the temptation to get up early and get in the standby audience line. Rather like someone hoping there won't be a car wreck, but if there is, she wants a front-row seat, but there it is."}, {"response": 632, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (14:40)", "body": "Hello. I'm supposed to give you some tv dates for Colin Firth. Here goes: Colin Firth is on the Daily Show this Thursday, on the Today Show next Monday, on The View and Extra next Tuesday, on Kilbourne next Wednesday Bye"}, {"response": 633, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (14:49)", "body": "Firth, in a separate interview, gets serious, as is his wont. I wonder how long it took Kirkland to come to this conclusion? ;-)"}, {"response": 634, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (14:50)", "body": "Hola Lola: ...Kilbourne next Wednesday OMG, I better call and see if I can get tickets."}, {"response": 635, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (14:58)", "body": "Thanks Rosemary, standing in for Hola!"}, {"response": 636, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (15:01)", "body": "Thanks, Lola! Good article, Ada - thanks! In that spirit of NOT sharing, Grant had some sharp words for Firth, who so bested him on screen as a competing character in Bridget Jones's Diary. Of course they're probably just referring to the fight, but I'll second this emotion!"}, {"response": 637, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (15:10)", "body": "Sorry to follow up my own post, but Kilbourne comes on at 12:37 am or so EST. So if CF is on Wednesday, does that mean Wednesday at 12:37 am? Or Wednesday night, which would actually be Thursday at 12:37 am?"}, {"response": 638, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (15:12)", "body": "I posted an SF Gate story on Alan Rickman and LA on Odds and Ends..."}, {"response": 639, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (16:05)", "body": "(Rika) Or Wednesday night, which would actually be Thursday at 12:37 am? This would be my bet."}, {"response": 640, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (18:52)", "body": "Thanks, Rosemary standing in for Lola. (Karen) Let's just hope he's not on Reege on Monday too, as the Poster Girl for Too Much Plastic Surgery--Joan Rivers--is shown as the main guest. Just as long as she isn't co-hosting. The two of them wouldn't be out there at the same time, would they? (remembering Chevy Chase makes me ill) Nice article, thanks, Ada."}, {"response": 641, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (19:20)", "body": "(Linda) The two of them wouldn't be out there at the same time, would they? No, but merely the thought of the two of them being in the Green Room together kind of makes me ill...no very ill."}, {"response": 642, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (20:02)", "body": "Oprah is reall in love with this movie. I could have done without the catty remarks about C.F. that Hugh Grant made though. I don't think emma Thompson thought much of them either."}, {"response": 643, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (20:23)", "body": "Lucie)I could have done without the catty remarks about C.F. that Hugh Grant made though. I think it was all in fun, and it may have been in response to Colin saying (At the LFF)that he kicked HG arse last week when filming the fight scene. (Or because Colin accidently connected with a punch.) That still cracks me up;-)"}, {"response": 644, "author": "neshacat", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (20:32)", "body": "(Lucie) I could have done without the catty remarks about C.F. that Hugh Grant made though. My opinion only: Hugh sees the future and it belongs to CF. HG's range is narrow. He finds acting torturous work and is generally pessimistic. Contrast that with CF's broad acting range and successes, his enjoyment for his work and add to that a happy family life. CF is proof that being a nice person and a movie star are not mutually exclusive. HG just might be a little envious."}, {"response": 645, "author": "neshacat", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (20:32)", "body": "Closing tags - I hope"}, {"response": 646, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (20:33)", "body": "I think it was all in fun, and it may have been in response to Colin saying (At the LFF)that he kicked HG arse last week when filming the fight scene. (Or because Colin accidently connected with a punch.) That still cracks me up;-) I think it's in fun too and it's another way to get his name out! I say keep it up Huge."}, {"response": 647, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (20:34)", "body": "Now?"}, {"response": 648, "author": "neshacat", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (20:50)", "body": "(Beedee) I think it was all in fun . . . Me too. It's great to see CF in this company. Wouldn't it be awesome to see CF and Emma Thompson as the leads in a movie?"}, {"response": 649, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 2003 (21:08)", "body": "(Beedee) I think it's in fun too and it's another way to get his name out! I say keep it up Huge. Of course it's all in fun! If you're going to take pseudo-shots at someone in a movie, you have to up the ante and encourage people to think there's undertones. This movie (LA) together is the best possible advertising for TEOR there could be and they'd be fools not to use it. (Even if some of it is maybe true...)"}, {"response": 650, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Nov  4, 2003 (07:04)", "body": "Very happy to hear that Colin will be making a number of TV appearances for LA. I knew Katie wouldn't let him out of the country before doing Today, and The View ladies will eat him up! GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING Film Journal International review: If ever a film was Oscar bait for cinematography and production design, Girl With a Pearl Earring is it. First-time director Peter Webber and his team have adroitly channeled the look of Vermeer into a celluloid facsimile. In this adaptation of Tracy Chevalier's eponymous novel, which invents a backstory to Vermeer's immortal painting, the filmmakers have uncannily reproduced the painter's color tonalities\ufffdthe Delft blues and yellows, the dull gleam of pewter cutlery, pale shimmering robes edged in white and black ermine. They've nailed as well the quality and light source we associate with Vermeer: that gauzy bath flooding in from a window to the subject's left. The sepia-colored exteriors capture the flavor of 17th-century Delft, and there's one knockout scene of lovers strolling along a poplar-lined canal that deserves an award all its own. It's as if Webber and friends had touched a magic wand to the Dutch master's oeuvre and wakened it to life. That said, the story content could hardly be more puerile. In fact, Pearl Earring is a chick flick dressed up in Old Master clothes, a 'You go, girl' essay in female empowerment, threaded through with that old chestnut, 'My wife doesn't understand me.' Griet (Scarlett Johansson) is forced by her father's accident to work as a servant in the household of Johannes Vermeer (a glowering Colin Firth in a major wig). Ruling the roost is Vermeer's harridan mother-in-law (Judy Parfitt), who focuses on the bottom line and lobbies patrons such as van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson) for commissions. Meanwhile, the painter manages to keep his wife (Essie Davis) perpetually pregnant. When Vermeer forms an attachment to Griet, who develops an interest in art and assists him in his studio, his wife becomes the queen of mean. Meanwhile, Griet must weigh a marriage proposal from the local butcher boy, played by the divine-looking Cillian Murphy of 28 Days Later, got up in gear to trigger a new fashion craze. Spoiler ahead: Griet and Vermeer, separated by class and age, never consummate (which, to judge by recent films such as Lost in Translation, has become the theme of the season). The psychology feels jarringly anachronistic. The 17th-century dude Vermeer gravitates toward Griet not only for her bruised-fruit lips, but because she understands his art, unlike his hysterical wife ruled by hormones. When the wife pitches tantrums and Vermeer escapes to his studio (and Griet), it seems a retread of unappreciated husband taking up with the secretary. Griet is conceived as a girl waking to art and life's finer things, but assigned by class strictures to slicing veggies and emptying slops. That's uplifting, but the film fails to render Griet's growing artistic sensibility dramatically credible. The villains are flat-out melodrama: the patron a grabby lech, the wife a spite machine. Meanwhile, Firth's Vermeer has little to do besides glower and sweat under his copious curls, curb his libido, and filch his wife's pearl earring. It's to Johansson's credit that she alone pulls something plausible out of her character. Her haunting beauty is a throwback to an earlier century, her screen presence luminous, her stillness and intelligence mesmerizing. And let's hear it for the make-up artists and DP Eduardo Serra, who have fashioned a face that morphs so thrillingly at the end into Vermeer's actual painting. \ufffdErica Abeel"}, {"response": 651, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Nov  4, 2003 (09:20)", "body": "Rolling Stone review of Love Actually ** out of **** One movie, ten love stories -- only half of them funny. Actually Hugh Grant is a world-class charmer, and he pours it on as Britain's prime minister, a sort of bachelor Tony Blair in heat for a chubby staffer (Martine McCutcheon) who also attracts the U.S. prez, played as a Clintonesque horn dog by Billy Bob Thornton. The PM has a sister (marvelous Emma Thompson), whose husband (Alan Rickman, of the witty sneer) lusts for his secretary. There are laughs laced with feeling here, but the deft screenwriter Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill) dilutes the impact by tossing in more and more stories. As a director (it's his debut), Curtis can't seem to rein in his writer. Did we need Liam Neeson as a widower teaching his ten-year-old stepson about shagging? It's tough to see talented Laura Linney and Keira Knightley wasted in nothing roles. It's even tougher to endure the language-barrier humor between Colin Firth as a writer in love with his Portuguese housekeeper. And why the ungallant fat insults? As for the girl-boy porn actors too shy to ask for a date, that's one joke pounded into hash. And the subplot about the geeky British kid (Kris Marshall) who has to go to Wisconsin to find babes is not only subpar, it wouldn't work in any movie. It helps that the great Bill Nighy nails every comic line as an aging rocker who claims Britney Spears was a lousy lay. Nighy's rocker refers to the old song he's recycled into a Christmas chart-topper as \"solid-gold shit.\" If only Curtis' ear had stayed that acute. He ladles sugar over the eager-to-please Love Actually to make it go down easy, forgetting that sometimes it just makes you gag. PETER TRAVERS (November 3, 2003)"}, {"response": 652, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Tue, Nov  4, 2003 (11:24)", "body": "In case it hasn't been mentioned, someone at ebay is selling the December issue of the UK Marie Claire. Fabulous bathtime photo! I had posted it as a birthday present to Rika yesterday at O&E. I'm happy with the scheduled Kilbourne visit next week! Would love to see ODB do 5 Questions. I didn't think he'd fly to LA. And I still wish there'd been a Letterman appearance. Dave's a daddy by now and they could share war stories. A bunch of you are probably making your way to NY soon. Best wishes and good luck! Take plenty of film!"}, {"response": 653, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Nov  4, 2003 (12:19)", "body": "And I still wish there'd been a Letterman appearance. Dave's a daddy by now and they could share war stories. It looks like LA didn't place anybody on Letterman - not even Huge - unless it's happening the week of the 10th. Dave would have loved having Keira Knightley - he goes for the sweet young things."}, {"response": 654, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Nov  4, 2003 (13:27)", "body": "Village Voice review: Odd Couplings: Brit Stars Flounder in Singleton Dysfunction by Michael Atkinson Love Actually No critic likes kicking lapdogs (though many semi-secretly enjoy, as I do, punting the occasional Rhodesian Ridgeback), and Richard Curtis's Love Actually is a veritable teacup poodle. It's so lovey-dovey, anything but permissive coos may seem cruel. The word itself is pounded with Pentecostal insistence: love, love, love, lovelovelovelovelove. An old-school romantic with a soft skull and a heart as big as a cement mixer, Curtis here extends the niche he eked out with Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, and Bridget Jones's Diary: love British style, handicapped slightly by corny circumstance and populated by colorful neurotics, one of whom is always Hugh Grant. In a rare moment of inspiration, Curtis casts Grant as a new, Blairean prime minister\ufffdand one sequence pits him, gently, against slimy Texan president Billy Bob Thornton. But all that appears to be on this PM's mind is the curvaceous sweetness of his office servant (Martine McCutcheon), and Grant hems, haws, and ho-di-hos his character's way around the Parliament's corridors of power, wondering how to ask her out. That's just one thin story filament among many: Liam Neeson's bruised widower trying to deal with his love-struck stepson, Alan Rickman's office boss succumbing to his horny secretary's come-ons, Laura Linney as a lovelorn nebbish-ess working up the courage to approach a hunky co-worker, Colin Firth as a hack novelist slowly falling for his gangly Portuguese housekeeper, ad infinitum. Most hilariously of all, Bill Nighy salts up the Christmas-eve-countdown scenarios as a spent, self-loathing rock star making a comeback with a seasonal revamp of his old hit, and his blisteringly honest media blitz stands as the film's only, badly needed chord of cynicism. Cretinous love songs from yesteryear clot the soundtrack like factory-dumped phosphates. When he isn't overreaching for absurdity, Curtis can write bouncy patter, but each character gets about 60 seconds before the movie jumps deck to the next love-seeker and the next moony pratfall."}, {"response": 655, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Nov  4, 2003 (14:39)", "body": "Er, thanks for that review Mari..I think... (VV Review)In a rare moment of inspiration, Curtis casts Grant as a new, Blairean prime minister\ufffdand one sequence pits him, gently, against slimy Texan president Billy Bob Thornton. He finds that inspired? It figures, the whole PM and Prez bit was some of my least favorite scenes in the whole movie... As Daphne might have said, \"Mr. Atkinson, why don't you pull your lip over your head and shove it up your...\" The movie is not perfect, but I'd rather be clobbered by the obvious and killed with kindness a hundred times over by RC's ideas on love than listen to the ramblings of one bitter pri*** spewing his vitriol on the world like this..."}, {"response": 656, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Nov  4, 2003 (14:40)", "body": "Oops, one too many ***.."}, {"response": 657, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Nov  4, 2003 (15:25)", "body": "(Maira)Oops, one too many ***.. It's this thing you have about threes.;-)"}, {"response": 658, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Nov  4, 2003 (15:38)", "body": "(Beedee) It's this thing you have about threes.;-) I'm just an open boook...:-)))"}, {"response": 659, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Nov  4, 2003 (17:15)", "body": "Just had a browse-not-buy look through some of the current UK magazines - all the December film mags are now out. Love Actually gets so-so reviews. Hot Dog magazine has as its heading \"Not so good actually\" but says that there are some gems, notably Bill Nighy, and Colin Firth's relationship with the Portugese maid, which is \"genuinely touching\". But all the reviewers expect LA to be very popular with audiences! (isn't that what matters?) There's an interview with CF in Marie Claire - some new facts - he's trying to write a book, cooks a mean curry, reads voraciously but slowly, and has fallen in love with a new area in Italy. And Matteo gives him sleepless nights. Oh, and he prefers dramatic roles to comedy! There's a great new serious photo, but also a very (IMHO) silly photo of him in a foam bath. GWAPE is featuring very strongly as one of the successes of the London Film Festival and is being mentioned as a possible Oscar contender. Will certainly do very well in the BAFTAs. \"Trauma\" got another mention (in the Independent) as one of the highlights for next year."}, {"response": 660, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Nov  4, 2003 (18:02)", "body": "From one Catholic viewpoint.... Love Actually -- By Anne Navarro Catholic News Service NEW YORK (CNS) -- C.S. Lewis eloquently wrote about four loves: affection, friendship, erotic love and the love of God. In the entertaining romantic comedy \"Love Actually\" (Universal), writer-director Richard Curtis also tackles love in its many forms. And though Curtis isn't up to Lewis' depth and fluency, he manages to be witty while mostly resisting the sappy traps of most romantic comedies. With its huge -- and impossibly good-looking -- cast, \"Love Actually\" means to please. And with 10 interweaving story lines to choose from, the moviegoer is likely to find at least one amusing subplot to follow. However, there are a few startling sexual scenes that may pull up the viewer and detract from the enjoyment of watching the film. A shy young couple meets. They are naked stand-ins for the stars of an erotic movie. The not-too-subtle gag is that though the duo pretends to perform a variety of sexual acts for the camera both are sweet, almost naive characters who end their first real date with an innocent grade-school peck, and are thrilled by it. Nevertheless, the viewer is taken aback as the filmmaker includes borderline lewd visuals within an otherwise engaging story. Showing off a cozy London without the typical stock shots of Big Ben, \"Love Actually\" doesn't unreel its story in the traditional sense, but instead cuts among the unfolding lives of the characters in the weeks leading up to Christmas. While none is original or compelling in and of itself, the story lines work to develop the film's theme that \"love is everywhere.\" It doesn't confine itself to romantic love either, but allows for the true love that exists among friends, that flows from parents to children, and is present between siblings. Uppermost on the social ladder is the newly elected prime minister (Hugh Grant) who is immediately smitten with his curvaceous secretary (Martine McCutcheon) upon stepping inside 10 Downing Street. His sister (Emma Thompson) is comfortably ensconced in her role as mother and wife until she fears her husband (Alan Rickman) is contemplating an affair with his alluring and most-willing assistant (Heike Makatsch). Another office romance is brewing between an expatriate American (Laura Linney) and the office's shy dreamboat (Rodrigo Santoro), but pangs of guilt wrack her as she is torn between having a love life and caring for her mentally ill brother. As the writer of \"Notting Hill,\" \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" and \"Four Weddings and a Funeral,\" Curtis (who directs for the first time here) gets the wedding and the funeral out of the way early on. A recently widowed stepfather (Liam Neeson) struggles to form a loving relationship with his late wife's son (Thomas Sangster) who is dealing with his very first case of puppy love (an endearing subplot with the single drawback that Neeson's character bafflingly shares sexual profanity with his pre-pubescent son). Another thread, in the form of unrequited love, exists when a bride (Keira Knightley) realizes what is behind the hostility her husband's best friend (Andrew Lincoln) seems to have for her. Unlucky in love, a writer (Colin Firth) flees his native London for the refuge of the French countryside where he becomes love-struck by his young Portuguese maid (Lucia Moniz), despite each being unable to speak the other's language. An aging rock star (a very saucy Bill Nighy) attempts a comeback with the help of his faithful manager by launching a Christmas CD that he willingly admits is rubbish. And -- can you believe there's more? -- there's the geeky waiter (Kris Marshall) who believes the answer to his dating woes is to move to the United States, where his English accent will charm the pants off -- literally, he hopes -- hot American women. The novellas are mostly made up of comical and emotional moments threaded together with an unbendingly cheering attitude. Curtis' view is of the silver lining -- not the cloud. Even the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, are spun so as to highlight the expressions of love amid the peril. The film's driving force is that love in its every form is within grasp, if only we reach for it. Curtis does strike one rather sour note in his otherwise sweet confection. With the exception of Laura Linney, the Americans portrayed in the film come off rather shabbily. The American president (played with veiled dignity by Billy Bob Thornton) is a sleazy womanizer and American females are uniformly ditzy and promiscuous. Clever dialogue, several perfectly delivered zingers and fine performances camouflage the narrative's flimsy parts. By film's end, everything is neatly, if not quite believably, wrapped up like a Christmas gift. Too bad the film is seriously marred by the inclusion of the unwarranted, brazen sexual visuals. Because of several scenes of sexual encounters with nudity, a few sexual references and innuendoes, and intermittent rough language with an instance"}, {"response": 661, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Nov  4, 2003 (18:24)", "body": "Ebert & Roeper TV this weekend: early reviews of: \"LOVE ACTUALLY\" with Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Laura Linney, Alan Rickman and more. -- \"MASTER AND COMMANDER: Far Side of the World\" with Russell Crowe, Paul Bettany and more. http://tvplex.go.com/buenavista/ebertandroeper/today.html"}, {"response": 662, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Nov  4, 2003 (22:35)", "body": "Guess half of everybody's packing........"}, {"response": 663, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Nov  4, 2003 (23:06)", "body": "Yes, I suppose they are, but I hope that they remember the 'poor folks' here on the other side of the world. I live for details which such excursions bring ;-) And also, if anyone is watching the TV interviews, details please, remember, I live for details..."}, {"response": 664, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Nov  4, 2003 (23:20)", "body": "I saw Liam Neeson on \"Today\" and \"Regis & Kelly\" today. Nothing much to report, except that Katie Couric may have gotten over her crush on ODB. Either that, or she's trying to play it cool. She was reviewing the names of the cast members, and they ran through Thompson, Linney, Rickman... then Katie said, \"...Colin Firth, and Hugh Grant, who's excellent in this movie.\" (That's a paraphrase)"}, {"response": 665, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Tue, Nov  4, 2003 (23:27)", "body": "I noticed Katie mentioned the Time article a couple of times. LN seemed lost when she said something about Schindler's list and also the vomit comment."}, {"response": 666, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Nov  5, 2003 (06:31)", "body": "Love's actually funny to Curtis By Susan Wloszczyna, USA TODAY TORONTO \ufffd Richard Curtis is a hopeless romantic. A pathetic one, actually. \"I always said I would never go to Venice until I found the girl I would spend the rest of my life with,\" says the British scribe behind such sublimely swoony movie hits as Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and Bridget Jones's Diary. (Related item:five films and a directorial debut) At 35, \"I did finally take my current girlfriend. Then I got stomach poisoning on the first night. So she spent two days in Venice. I spent two days in a hotel. Throwing up.\" Like we said, pathetic. But funny. And when it comes to being romantic onscreen, the bespectacled fellow who looks like an Oxford-educated version of Charlie Brown is a regular Colin Firth or Hugh Grant, two of his favorite actors who just happen to have plum parts in his directorial debut, Love Actually. Looks as if this bloke, 46, has another winner on his hands after a successful sneak preview last weekend and a roaring reception at the film festival here. A bookmaker in England is even laying odds that Love might actually become the country's biggest moneymaker ever. Curtis' multi-tiered cake of comedy, slathered in eye-candy icing and set mostly in London at Christmas, serves sundry slices of love \ufffd sad, sweet and silly \ufffd in all of their messy, often surprising, glory. Other performers among the 20 main roles include Emma Thompson, Rowan Atkinson (his Mr. Bean is a Curtis invention), Laura Linney, Liam Neeson, Keira Knightley and Bill Nighy, whose antics as a faded rock star making a desperate comeback with a tacky yuletide version of the Troggs' oldie Love Is All Around (\"Come on and let it snow,\" he warbles sheepishly) provide a framing device. Curtis promised himself he would direct his next script. That it is an unwieldy ensemble piece that weaves nine stories together is just the luck of the draw. \"But the flip side is that nobody had time to see through me,\" he says, ever the optimist. A few cranky critics have dismissed this typically glossy Curtis confection as so much saccharine goo with uneven resolutions. But there is one crowd-pleasing piece of Risky Business that would melt the heart of even the most jaded journalist: Grant's unlikely prime minister, smitten with an underling (newcomer Martine McCutcheon), shakes a tail feather and then some to Jump by the Pointer Sisters. In the hallowed halls of 10 Downing Street, no less. \"Hugh now says he will never dance again in public because he feels he's outed,\" Curtis says. \"We've got some fantastic outtakes, as you can imagine. There's a shot where he goes across a hallway and he did that 47 times. So we've got every single variation. Riverdance dancing, the funky chicken, the Egyptian. We've got him leaping on the word 'jump.' He was very game that day. At least he got to keep his trousers on.\" Curtis came up with the idea for Love Actually while on vacation in Bali recovering from a bad back. \"Every day I would go on an hour-long walk in order to stretch and get a bit healthier. I just scoured through my life and the lives of people I knew, and every day I would come back with one story.\" He enjoyed working with more diversity in both his cast (two couples are interracial) and his material (love is explored between a child and his widowed stepfather). Probably the relationship Curtis most relates to, however, is the one between Nighy's effete musician and his chubby, long-suffering manager. \"I used to work with Rowan all the time (since the late '70s), and I remember realizing that I spent more time with him than with any girlfriend. We were married.\" But he met broadcast journalist Emma Freud, who is indeed related to the big Id himself. \"He's her great-grandfather. She's instinctively very much like him,\" he says of his companion of almost 13 years and mother of his three children, ages 1, 6 and 8. (A fourth is due in December.) They never bothered to marry because, much like Grant's character in Four Weddings, \"between the age of 25 and 35, I worked out that I went to 72 weddings. I couldn't think of a way to distinguish my wedding from all these other weddings I've been to. But we might do it when I turn 50.\" Hitched or not, no one has been more committed to renovating the romantic image of the citizens of England, too often painted as repressed cold fish. \"I see a lot of love around me,\" Curtis says. \"And that's the truth.\" http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2003-11-04-curtis-profile_x.htm"}, {"response": 667, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Nov  5, 2003 (07:48)", "body": "(Beedee) Guess half of everybody's packing........ Sigh, yes, I guess so. Wonder if O&E would be an acceptable place for anyone sympathetic to those of us living vicariously through them to keep us posted? Surely someone has a laptop or the hotel a computer."}, {"response": 668, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Wed, Nov  5, 2003 (09:25)", "body": "On the following link http://www.prosieben.de/film/specials/tatsaechlichliebe/ You can find a picture gallary of LA Picture Number 8 shows Colin On the following link (the official german website) http://movies.uip.de/tatsaechlichliebe/ you may notice, that picture 4 on the left side of the poster shows somebody else instead of Martine McCutcheon. It\ufffds Heike Makatsch, a popular german actress who is in the movie, too. She was guest on a german TV show an spoke only a litte about the movie and no word about Colin :o( . She said that Hugh Grant is really charming, but also cynical and honest. Futhermore she said that she was pleased to have most of her scenes with Alan Rickman because Hugh Grant would have made her to nervous."}, {"response": 669, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Nov  5, 2003 (10:31)", "body": "(AdaVW, about Katie Couric's interview of Liam Neeson)and also the vomit comment. She said it again with Emma Thompson - basically the same as yesterday, \"I loved it, I ate it up, but aren't some people going to think it's really treacly\", and miming vomiting. Interesting. (BarbS)Wonder if O&E would be an acceptable place for anyone sympathetic to those of us living vicariously through them to keep us posted? Surely someone has a laptop or the hotel a computer. I'm not going till tomorrow, but I'm taking mine, and I'm sure I'm not going to be the only one who does. Seems to me in the past the reports of premieres and such have gone right here in the CF topic, haven't they?"}, {"response": 670, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Nov  5, 2003 (11:56)", "body": "Likeable actually By Steve Sullivan, Movie Review November 05, 2003 How do you criticize a movie that stars more big name British actors than all the \"Harry Potter\" films and is built on the warm premise that \"love is all around.\" Well, when the movie is \"Love Actually\" criticism is actually kind of easy. Then again, so is praise. There is so much going on in this ambitious romantic comedy that you are bound to find some things you like . . . and some things you don't. A cheerful, mildly satisfying romantic comedy that's as frustrating as it is sweet. \"Love Actually\" marks the directorial debut of screenwriter Richard Curtis (\"Four Weddings and a Funeral\" and \"Notting Hill\"). Working with an immense and immensely talented cast and nine interwoven plot lines, Curtis has created a light, uneven film with enough assets to diminish its flaws. \"Love Actually\" takes place in London in the weeks leading up to Christmas. It stars the loose and charming Hugh Grant as the new British prime minister, who scores big when he tells off the president of the United States (a slick cameo by Billy Bob Thornton) at a press conference. (The scene is a sly swipe at the Blair administration.) But, international affairs aren't the biggest issue for the new P.M. He is falling in love with his attractive, foul-mouthed secretary Natalie (Martine McCutcheon). The P.M.'s sister Karen (Emma Thompson) is married to Harry (Alan Rickman), who owns a business of some sort. Harry is contemplating an affair with his very willing new secretary. Sarah (Laura Linney), who works at Harry's firm, has been infatuated with an incredibly attractive co-worker for years. He has similar feelings for her. But, the needs of her mentally ill brother interfere with her love life. Meanwhile, Sarah's friend, Mark (Andrew Lincoln), is struggling with the love he feels for his best friend's new wife. The strongest story involves Jamie, a crime writer played by Colin Firth. After he discovers his wife is having an affair with his brother, Jamie retreats to a cottage in France to write and let his broken heart heal. There, he falls in love with Aurelia, a Portuguese maid. Neither can speak each other's language, but, of course, love transcends that minor hurdle. A touching story involves Karen's friend Daniel (Liam Neeson), who is mourning the recent death of his wife and raising his young stepson Sam (Thomas Sangster). Sam is sad about his mom, but his real problem is that he's fallen for a girl at his school. Sam needs Daniel's help dealing with the \"total agony of being in love.\" The cast is strong, particularly Thompson, Rickman, Grant, Firth and the tow-headed Sangster. But, it is Bill Nighy who steals the entire movie as burned out rock star, Billy Mack. Hoping for a comeback, Mack has recorded a special Christmas version of the Troggs' \"Love is All Around.\" Nighy is a riot and \"Love Actually\" gets needed jolts whenever he appears on screen. He plays Mack as a cross between Rod Stewart and Keith Richards, and gets to say a lot of hilariously improper things like \"Kids, don't buy drugs...Become a pop star and they give them to you for free.\" Nighy is a well-known actor in England and \"Love Actually\" should substantially raise his profile on our shores. Curtis does a good job juggling his multiple stories, but he never makes the characters' connections mean much. The comedy is all over the place, ranging from broad to sophisticated. The broadest bit, involving a pimply waiter who flees London to pursue American babes in Wisconsin, is ridiculous and could easily have been cut. Another expendable plotline involves two stand-in actors who \"meet cute\" while blocking a sex scene on a movie set. The actors spend much of their screen time nude, which helped \"Love Actually\" earn an almost otherwise needless R rating. \"Love Actually\" begins and ends at Heathrow Airport, with scenes of full of hugging and kissing as people greet each other. The opening features narration by Grant, who talks about how 9-11 victims who were able to make phone calls talked not about anger or revenge, but of love. \"Love Actually\" isn't the perfect answer to our troubled times, but, right now, it may be all we've got. 'Love actually' 3 out of 5 stars Directed by: Richard Curtis Starring: Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Kiera Knightly, Bill Nighy, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, Laura Linney The bottom line: This is a sweet but frustrating romantic comedy. Details: Universal Pictures, 128 minutes, rated R for sexuality, nudity and language."}, {"response": 671, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Wed, Nov  5, 2003 (15:52)", "body": "There was more of the Colin, Laura and Liam interview on etalk daily in Canada yesterday. The camera kept cutting off Colin's face which was very rude. He was asked what the most romantic time of year is and he said Christmas and that September in London was nice with the leaves changing colour and the shadows being longer. The chill in the air. Then he was asked what the worst advice about love that he'd ever received was and he said \"Tell her the truth\". He smiled but didn't laugh at that."}, {"response": 672, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Nov  5, 2003 (17:08)", "body": "(Brenda)Then he was asked what the worst advice about love that he'd ever received was and he said \"Tell her the truth\". He smiled but didn't laugh at that. LOL! Thanks for that Brenda. My DH would agree with that whole heartedly.;-)"}, {"response": 673, "author": "Leah", "date": "Wed, Nov  5, 2003 (22:44)", "body": "BBC Talking movies which airs on Thursday mornings 2:30am (in South Africa) will feature the New York Premier of Love Actually, on 13 Nov. {and no I don't watch the programme, that's what video machines were made for ;-) }"}, {"response": 674, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Nov  5, 2003 (23:04)", "body": "Found this at Zap2it.com...gave it 2 stars out of 4 Love Actually (R) By Mark Caro, Chicago Tribune The ensemble romantic comedy \"Love Actually\" opens with one of its least familiar actors, Bill Nighy, as a wonderfully crooked-faced pop singer recording a lame, Christmas-themed remake of the Troggs' \"Love Is All Around.\" The running joke, which provides the movie's most reliable laughs, is that this old-timer is so candid and good-natured about the record's crassness that the British public sends it zooming up the charts. Alas, \"Love Actually\" has more in common with the renamed \"Christmas Is All Around,\" at least in terms of commercial calculation, than writer-director Richard Curtis probably would wish to admit. Curtis is the smart writer behind \"Four Weddings and a Funeral,\" \"Notting Hill\" and \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" three of the more accomplished romantic comedies of recent vintage, so he must realize how patronizing \"Love Actually\" is. He's taken the most crowd-pleasing conventions of his films and photocopied them over and over in an apparent attempt to maximize the consumer-friendliness of his directorial debut. He should have called this overstuffed comedy \"Love, British Style,\" as it interweaves eight stories in a manner reminiscent of a certain corny TV series of the early '70s. Individually, the tales wouldn't stand up as short stories. Together, they make for sporadically amusing, ultimately wearying viewing. Perhaps Curtis just wanted an excuse to work with an all-star cast of appealing, mostly British performers. Curtis has Hugh Grant, his longtime stand-in of sorts, playing England's new bachelor prime minister, a glib, likable chap (surprise!) who finds himself drawn to 10 Downing Street's young catering manager, Natalie (likable newcomer Martine McCutcheon). The movie also gets Colin Firth to do his trademark yummy-to-the-ladies, shy-guy thing as a cheated-on writer who heads to the country and falls for the Portuguese housekeeper (Lucia Moniz). Emma Thompson brings her characteristic warmth and intelligence to a housewife whose husband, played by Alan Rickman, appears to be tempted by his new seductress secretary (Heike Makatsch). Rickman also plays boss to Laura Linney's shy Sarah, who's been harboring a crush on her company's chief designer (Rodrigo Santoro) but is constantly distracted by phone calls from her mentally ill brother. The other stories involve the awkward relationship between a best man (Andrew Lincoln) and a newlywed couple (Keira Knightly and Chiwetel Ejiofor); a lovesick 11-year-old boy (Thomas Sangster) who seeks advice from his recently widowed stepdad (Liam Neeson); a happy-go-lucky twit (Kris Marshall) who hopes to hit the hot-chick jackpot by moving to Wisconsin; and a pair of porno film stand-ins (Joanna Page and Martin Freeman) who strike up sweet conversations while enacting lewd poses. Each segment has its moments, but they're rarely more than moments, and there are so darned many of them. Curtis just cuts from one to the other, never establishing depth anywhere. He's a talented enough writer with a talented enough cast that you'd be a killjoy to dismiss the whole kaboodle. Much of the dialogue is sharp, but Curtis also reveals a cutesy, precious streak. Grant's introductory voiceover, for instance, makes the pro-love case by citing heartfelt phone calls from doomed Sept. 11 jet passengers before concluding, \"I've got a sneaking suspicion that love actually is all around.\" The movie grows more cloying and repetitive as it stretches well beyond two hours. Almost every main character boasts the same bashful, puppy-dog attitude toward romance. Three segments feature someone being ridiculed for being overweight, and characters keep pointing out that Christmas is the traditional time for declaring one's love to another. (I thought it was the traditional time for being driven nuts by your family.) If Curtis could fling cotton candy from the screen into the audience, he probably would. At one point he shows Grant doing a \"Risky Business\"-style dance to the Pointer Sisters' \"Jump,\" followed by Firth trying to save his blowing-in-the-wind manuscript (ugh) by jumping clothed into a lake. The Grant scene may draw laughs, but you suspect that Curtis won't respect you in the morning. Curtis tries tying everything together neatly at the end, but he's working with too many strands. The Rickman-Thompson and Linney stories, in particular, get short shrift, and characters who appear to be close friends early on -- such as Neeson's and Thompson's -- don't even acknowledge one another when they're in the same place. The most satisfying relationship turns out to be a non-romantic one, between Nighy's rock star and his manager. Otherwise, \"Love Actually\" is too much tease, not enough satisfaction."}, {"response": 675, "author": "Odile", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 2003 (01:56)", "body": "At DVD Talk: http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=8180 Followers of The Aisle View know my feelings on romantic comedies: I loathe them. But for some reason, Love, Actually did not make me want to vomit like all the others. Typically, when viewing a romantic comedy, the predictable scenarios and contrived dialogue make me feel like my soul is being sucked from my corporeal body. Love, Actually opens with scenes of people hugging and I began to mentally compose my will; but after the first ten minutes, the film began to win me over. With no fewer than twelve different stories of love and relationships, Love, Actually doesn't have time for redundant jokes or insipid smarminess. The writing is very smart and it sparkles with tongue-in-cheek creativity. In the first scene of the actual film, Bill Nighly grudgingly records a Christmas-themed cover of \"Love is All Around,\" (the song from Four Weddings and a Funeral). He is clearly disgusted by the schmaltziness of the whole affair, and his unchecked disgust for the project makes for one of the most hilarious stories in the film. In addition to the Nighly story, Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Alan Rickman, and Liam Neeson each star in their own mini-plots. Each actor skillfully carves out dynamic, complex characters in a matter of moments which helps keep the story confusion to a minimum. However, those already familiar with who's who in the cast will benefit greatly. It's nearly impossible to list all of the various intertwining stories of Love, Actually, but my favorites included: the young man who dreamed of going to Wisconsin where he would sleep with dozens of hot American girls who were immediately charmed by his, \"cute accent,\" Hugh Grant as the neurotic and romantically tortured Prime Minister, and the complicated married couple played by Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman. Not all of the stories are successful. Though I like Colin Firth immensely, and his Mark Darcy-esque performance was enjoyable, his story of a cuckolded husband who falls in love with his non-English-speaking housekeeper was a little contrived. His character's attempts at speaking Portuguese were funny, but the rest of the story was either boring or plagued by dramatic violin music. With a running time of over two-hours, Love, Actually would have benefited by dropping this story and re-using Colin Firth somewhere else. One bad story out of twelve ain't bad especially when writer/ director Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Bridget Jones' Diary) displays a conscious love for his audience. When Hugh Grant (as the Prime Minister) danced around his living room to the Pointer Sister's \"Jump for my Love,\" I swear the lady sitting behind me screamed like she was reliving a Beatles concert, and every scene with Colin Firth prompted a chorus of longing sighs. I enjoyed Love, Actually more than I expected to mostly because of the constantly rotating series of stories and unique group of characters (I think the relationship between the two sex scene stand-ins is a cinematic first). I won't say that Love, Actually isn't painfully predictable or forcefully heartwarming, but it inflicts the usual tortures with thoughtful wit and decorum. -Megan A. Denny I haven't posted in a while but thank you all for pics, news, etc... And best of luck to the NY contingent of Drool reps. :)"}, {"response": 676, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 2003 (06:04)", "body": "(Odile)...best of luck to the NY contingent of Drool reps. :) Ditto! Can't wait to hear all the stories..."}, {"response": 677, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 2003 (09:01)", "body": "Someone sent this to me, so I figured I'd pass it on:-)! Firth on breasts and bad hair by Annette Dasey Colin Firth's new film Girl With A Pearl Earring is a far cry from Bridget Jones \ufffd in it, he plays 17th-century Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer who befriends his young maid (Scarlett Johannson). But you can see why he's often cast as the tall, dark, handsome, silent and mysterious type. For one, he is tall, dark and handsome (pretty much a prerequisite), and he's also enigmatic, thoughtful and intelligent. Firth seems serious at first but once he warms up he proves a right cheeky monkey. That's clear in his banter with Girl With A Pearl Earring co-star Scarlett Johannson. The film illustrates eroticism with furtive glances as opposed to naked flesh. When Johannson explains the pressure put on them to make that more concrete by having him watch her wash her breasts in a basin, Firth quips: \"All that pressure was from me.\" To play the Dutch master, Firth donned a fetching hair piece his co-star describes as \"a Fabio wig\". \"The wig was ah... it was a lovely script and if you know if you accept this part, a wig awaits you, it's an alarming prospect,\" he says. \"Had it been anyone other than brilliant hair designer Jenny Shircore, it would have been the kiss of death.\" Firth is well aware his bad hair film could change his sex symbol status. \"My fear was that the rest of the world would react to my wig the way Scarlett did,\" he laughs, referring to the fact that his co-star said the wig looked particularly weird the first few days before it fell properly. \"I'm doing what I think is a sexy, smouldering look and she's giving me, 'I can't believe it's not butter'.\" Not much is known about Firth's character Johannes. \"The secret was in the mystery. What you have in terms of historical understanding is mystery. The author Tracy Chevalier also wrote mystery. I was perpetuating that interpretation,\" says the 43-year-old star. \"It was a balancing act \ufffd fleshing him out without revealing too much and preserving the enigma.\" Much is being made of the fact that Girl With A Pearl Earring has a lot less dialogue than many modern movies. \"Dialogue is often very limiting, particularly if it's anything other than excellent,\" says Firth. \"Mediocre dialogue is utterly crippling to the process and brilliant dialogue a free ride, but no dialogue is a very liberating and inspiring thing to do as long as you've got the confidence of a great director. \"I've got this complex view of this woman and am going to have to do it all with my eyes. It gave us an added sense of responsibility.\" Referring to some of the terrible lines he's had in the past, he says, \"I insisted someone else's line was cut as I refused to be in the same room with the line. It was, 'You played me, Ross, you played me... and I'm not a piano'.\" Here's the link if anyone wants it... http://www.teletext.co.uk/entertainment/generic.asp?slot=32&page=1&ref=31"}, {"response": 678, "author": "caribou", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 2003 (11:22)", "body": "OOOOHHHHHHHH! I'm so anxious about tonight!!! I can't stand it. It's now my turn to sit by the computer, calculate what time it is in NY and just wait, wait, wait to hear what is happening. SO, I'll take this time to make small talk about the articles. Thanks ladies for taking the time to share. They are fantastic and if they had come during the Dirth of Firth would have carried us through a week easily.:-) (Bethan's article)There's an interview with CF in Marie Claire - some new facts -... and has fallen in love with a new area in Italy. Did it say which area? Wonder if he's planning to buy there? (Odile's article) Not all of the stories are successful. Though I like Colin Firth immensely, and his Mark Darcy-esque performance was enjoyable,..... With a running time of over two-hours, Love, Actually would have benefited by dropping this story and re-using Colin Firth somewhere else. That girl needs her mouth washed out with soap! Let not the thought be thunk! Glad she didn't get through to the moviemakers while they still had scissors in their hands. Seriously, though, I was surprised to find it had been written by a woman. Almost anything negative about CF usually comes from a guy who seems jealous and clueless. I'm very surprised that the only negative I've read about CF's storyline came from a female. (Ada's article)Referring to some of the terrible lines he's had in the past, he says, \"I insisted someone else's line was cut as I refused to be in the same room with the line. It was, 'You played me, Ross, you played me... and I'm not a piano'.\" Snort! I think we can all guess where that came from!:-) I didn't think it had been cut though. It's sounds awfully familiar. I'm amazed he is still thinking about it ten years later! Playmaker must really have been a low point and a turning point for him. IMO, it's when he mentally \"left Hollywood\" and turned his attention back to Britian where he has said his pickings are better. I can't complain because that led to P&P2 and I'd rather see him in that anyday rather than Tales from the Hollywood Hills, Femme Fatale(even as much as Joe is a prince to me), and Playmaker."}, {"response": 679, "author": "socadook", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 2003 (12:25)", "body": "(Ada's rticle) 'You played me, Ross, you played me... and I'm not a piano' LOL, so he's still having nightmares about it ;-) He's in good company. (Caribou) Playmaker must really have been a low point and a turning point for him. IMO, it's when he mentally \"left Hollywood\" and turned his attention back to Britian And for that I'll always be grateful for that @#%**! movie. (Odile's article) but my favorites included: the young man who dreamed of going to Wisconsin where he would sleep with dozens of hot American girls who were immediately charmed by his, \"cute accent,\" Is she from Wisconsin and flattered by that storyline? That was the most moronic storyline, imo. I've seen better beer commercials. With a running time of over two-hours, Love, Actually would have benefited by dropping this story and re-using Colin Firth somewhere else. Couldn't agree more. Sorry Caribou :-/ And to redeem myself, LMN has something going on with LA. They randomly show clips interspersed with interviews. Caught LL, RC with HG, LN and ODB(!!) wearing the now famous black rimmed pink glasses. Note to self, always keep vcr at the ready. Sending good thoughts to the NY contingent. May the weather be fair, the sightings and pictures plentiful, and your fingers do the walking on your computer keyboards."}, {"response": 680, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 2003 (12:44)", "body": "Just spoke with the NYC contingent on the phone - They are having a ball - Saw Hugh Jackman last night. They will tell you all about it -- And are ready for the red carpet tonight. Karen says they will look for an internet cafe, so stay tuned in..."}, {"response": 681, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 2003 (12:48)", "body": "What's the time and place of the premiere, I have a friend in NYC who's going with Kyra Knightly to see Colin and he asked when and where. Anyone know?"}, {"response": 682, "author": "AnnieZ", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 2003 (14:21)", "body": "Paul, the location is at Ziegfeld Theatre, 141 West 54th Street. The stars arrival at 6:30 and the movie stars at 7:30."}, {"response": 683, "author": "caribou", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 2003 (15:14)", "body": "(Murph)And are ready for the red carpet tonight. Ooohhhh! the red carpet! How I long for a red carpet! Thanks for the update, Murph. Every little tidbit is appreciated while we wait for the feast. :-)"}, {"response": 684, "author": "katty", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 2003 (15:25)", "body": "A LA review that only likes ODB's romance, snippets only: http://boxofficemojo.com/review/movies/?id=loveactually.htm \ufffdSmug Actually\ufffd by Scott Holleran ..Though the tenderness of his previous movies comes in patches, Love Actually is too modern, too long and too much...There are more affairs than a Love American Style marathon... The story's main thread is an annoying rock star who possesses none of the charm of Rhys Ifans's underwear-clad flatmate in Notting Hill . Don't bother trying to keep track of the dozens of episodes; they\ufffdre all interconnected through work, blood and friendship and not one stands completely on its own -- only one couple's story holds together. A writer (Colin Firth) who escapes to the country to work on his novel falls for a Portuguese maid (L\ufffdcia Moniz), and theirs is the only courtship that evokes genuine romance. A countdown to Christmas lets Curtis express the movie's cheerfulness, but it's overwhelmed by a distinctly modern sensibility: to love is to suffer. These martyred people don't fall in love so much as avoid falling in love, and what are supposed to be cute foibles are serious character flaws. Watching an adult ensemble in a state of arrested development wears thin... Funny lines, an infectious soundtrack and several promising newcomers -- L\ufffdcia Moniz as the maid is cool and captivating in the movie's best performance, and seductive Rodrigo Santoro owns the screen \ufffd can't save Love Actually from playing like a special two-hour episode of The West Wing with its smug cast cruising on the Love Boat . Grade: C-"}, {"response": 685, "author": "katty", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 2003 (16:15)", "body": "More snippets from various reviews posted on rottentomatoes.com singling out ODB in LA. The last one is especially sweet: Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Some stories are better than others. We could watch the burgeoning romance between Colin Firth's language-challenged Englishman and his Portuguese-speaking maid for hours. Rickman and Thompson bring their stage-honed savvy to the enterprise, while Firth reminds us why Bridget Jones fell for him. Laura Clifford, Reeling Reviews: Colin Firth (last seen as the single, adorably flustered PM of \"What a Girl Wants\") is author Jamie who whisks his broken heart off to a French villa to write, but instead is distracted by the charms of his Portuguese-speaking housekeeper Aurelia (Luca Moniz). This is one of the more poorly written segments, beginning with wobbly confusion before segueing into fantastic romantic comedy overkill, but the two actors have chemistry ... Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews: ...Brit heartthrob Colin Firth and Lucia Moniz have the most charming story in the film with him only speaking English and her only Portuguese, making for some of the most sparkling and amusing dialogue in \ufffdLove Actually...\ufffd Ella Taylor, L.A. Weekly: ...and followers of Colin Firth\ufffds torso will be ecstatic to hear that the dishy actor , as a diffident mystery writer with a radar for the wrong woman, once again dives shirtless into a pond... Betty Jo Tucker, ReelTalk Movie Reviews: Still, how could anyone resist ... Firth, playing a writer enamored of his Portuguese housekeeper (Lucia Moniz) and struggling valiantly to communicate with her? ... ...At the screening I attended, other members of the audience felt the same way. It's the first time I've heard people go \"Ahhhhh\" out loud over a movie kiss. That happened when Firth (who gets better and better with each movie, if that's possible) finally buzzed his lovely housekeeper..."}, {"response": 686, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 2003 (17:33)", "body": "(Murph)And are ready for the red carpet tonight. (Caribou) Ooohhhh! the red carpet! How I long for a red carpet! AAAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGG!!! What I wouldn't give to be there! Can this be endured?!"}, {"response": 687, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 2003 (18:17)", "body": "(BarbS) What I wouldn't give to be there! Can this be endured?! My thoughts exactly! You know, seeing Colin in the flesh is like making love. Once you do it and discover how great it makes you feel you want to do it all the time. I'd give a lot if I could be there. I hope all the lucky ones are going to have the time of their lives tonight."}, {"response": 688, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 2003 (19:38)", "body": "Well, obviously our Droolers are still out partying with ODB. In the meantime, here's a clip from etalk daily. It takes a while to get playing. Click under Web Exclusive in the upper right (etalk daily update). http://www.ctv.ca/generic/generated/news/Entertainment.html"}, {"response": 689, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 2003 (22:40)", "body": "Okay so was it any of our fellow DD's greeting ODB outside the hotel on his way to the taping of The Daily Show, when he slipped on the *cobbles* on his a**?"}, {"response": 690, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 2003 (22:45)", "body": "Just saw and taped Colin on the Daily Show! He was adorable. He and Jon have a nice rapport. But he mentioned that on the way to his limo to get to the Daily Show interview that he ran into about 7 members of his \"fan base.\" After signing autographs for them he said he then managed to fall right on his arse on the way back to the limo! Poor man, he said he was so embarrassed. Was that our contingent of \"fan base\" there with him? Did you guys help him up? What happened? He seemed fine on the show, just a little wiped out, poor guy. You guys must have made him nervous ;-), if it was you... Hope you're enjoying yourselves. So was it a kindly drooleur who came to his rescue to help him up? What a grand opportunity!"}, {"response": 691, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 2003 (22:49)", "body": "Jon Stewart used the term *drool* in his initial introduction of Colin at the beginning of the show,too!"}, {"response": 692, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 2003 (22:49)", "body": "(Bonnie)when he slipped on the *cobbles* on his a**? We posted at the same time! Love the way he called the sidewalk \"cobble.\" LOL!"}, {"response": 693, "author": "houstonandy", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 2003 (22:53)", "body": "Just finished watching ODB on The Daily Show. He looked wonderful, was absolutely charming, had a twinkle in his eye the whole time....and why haven't I heard that adorable laugh before? I've got it TiVoed, and, for sure, it will get good use. Now, can't wait for next week, and his other TV visits. Also, hope that the members of the \"fan base\" he spoke about were Droolers. Everyone must be having a great time in NYC, can't wait to hear about the fun."}, {"response": 694, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 2003 (22:53)", "body": "Lora,do you think his glance to his right upon sitting was to Livia?"}, {"response": 695, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 2003 (22:54)", "body": "Daily Show rough cut http://spring.net/drool/firthdaily.wmv You'll need Windows Media Player to view this."}, {"response": 696, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 2003 (22:55)", "body": "(Bonnie)Jon Stewart used the term *drool* in his initial introduction of Colin at the beginning of the show,too! And the reaction of some audience members when he mentioned at the beginning of the program that his guest was CF, made me think there were DD's there too. JS thought they sounded like males, but they didn't sound like that to me. I'm going back to listen for that part again and for the word *drool.* I missed that."}, {"response": 697, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 2003 (23:00)", "body": "(Bonnie)Lora,do you think his glance to his right upon sitting was to Livia? I'm sure she was there. Especially after the fall he had. If she was there after the cold fountain fight in TEoR filming, then she surely went with him to the DS after a tumble on the cobble. Will be rewatching tape for \"a glance to his right upon sitting\" too!"}, {"response": 698, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 2003 (23:03)", "body": "Wonder if the fans he spoke of are some of the folks on this board? He said he stoppped to sign fans autographs after he left the hotel, just before the fall."}, {"response": 699, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 2003 (23:04)", "body": "I just watched the rough cut Terry linked-ODB looked to the right as soon as he faced the audience, then again upon being seated.(You're in Miami, right? I'm in Jupiter)"}, {"response": 700, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 2003 (23:07)", "body": "I'll get a final cut up tomorrow, this one has my tivo message toward the end. That will get cleared out in the next rev."}, {"response": 701, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 2003 (23:11)", "body": "Thanks, Terry-that's nice for those of us without TiVo!"}, {"response": 702, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 2003 (23:22)", "body": "Oh what a night.... And about the fall, no! We were not that kind of pain in the ass! We had a lovely time and I'm still feeling the *afterglow*. I'm home a bit early (but I got up at 5:00 to make the trip) so for all I know the others may have had a second sighting. But I gotta tell you that we all got an eye full! He was AFG and very wonderful about signing for long time. He was such a doll. It was also wonderful to meet the other Droolers who were able to attend. They are every bit as great IRL! I wish I could be more lyrical but I'm just too pooped but I wanted to check in."}, {"response": 703, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 2003 (23:36)", "body": "Thanks Beedee-go have a good rest so you can give us a detailed account tomorrow. We're not all astonishment that *he was AFG and very wonderful about signing for a long time. He was such a doll*."}, {"response": 704, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 2003 (23:36)", "body": "(Beedee)He was such a doll. Wow! Sounds like a wonderful and lovely time! Can't wait to hear the details. Thanks for checking in even though you've had a very long day. It sounds like it was well worth your efforts! :-D"}, {"response": 705, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 2003 (23:41)", "body": "(Bonnie)Jon Stewart used the term *drool* in his initial introduction of Colin at the beginning of the show,too! I just rewatched and JS said *gruel* not *drool* after describing what that audience reaction sounded like (at the beginning)."}, {"response": 706, "author": "Odile", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 2003 (23:42)", "body": "Thanks Terry for the Daily Show link, and BeeDee for checking in. I can't wait to hear more from your encounter... Wireimage has started posting images of the premiere. So far, no Colin; only Emma Thompson, Rowan Atkinson, Alan Rickman, Martine McCutcheon, and Bill nighy from the cast. http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=gls====41682"}, {"response": 707, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 2003 (23:43)", "body": "Thanks so much for the Daily Show! It's fantastic to be able to see it right here. Bee, I'm so happy for you! Wonderful that he spent all that time with you. Wireimage is putting photos up now. No Colin yet but soon, I'm sure."}, {"response": 708, "author": "Leah", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 2003 (23:54)", "body": "Bee, I'm happy for you, and for everyone who was with you. Sounds like a great time was had by all. Thanks for taking the time to check in. It will be good to hear your stories."}, {"response": 709, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (00:08)", "body": "Lora----(Bonnie)Jon Stewart used the term *drool* in his initial introduction of Colin at the beginning of the show,too! I just rewatched and JS said *gruel* not *drool* after describing what that audience reaction sounded like (at the beginning). Thanks for the clarification-I just watched the beginning of the rebroadcast-"}, {"response": 710, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (00:58)", "body": "Yahoo has a few pictures up."}, {"response": 711, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (02:43)", "body": "Paul, thank you so much for the Daily clip. My only chance of seeing it and I'm most grateful. And fellow droolers - you are so great. Thank you for all the pictures, articles, reports and what have you :-)"}, {"response": 712, "author": "Leah", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (02:47)", "body": "Love the picture of the twins ;-)"}, {"response": 713, "author": "momi", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (03:56)", "body": "GWAPE at the Hawai'i Film Fest.... I wasn't able to see the \"Girl with a Pearl Earring\" last week Friday, Oct. 31st....By the time my friends and I got there, it was \"sold out\".....A lesson learned - to get the tickets earlier especially at a film festival where seats are limited and can get sold out early.... Oh well, we'll have to wait until GWAPE is shown in wider release in Jan. 2004...."}, {"response": 714, "author": "momi", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (04:31)", "body": "Here\ufffds a Hawaii Film Festival review I found at the IMDB page of \ufffdGWAPE\ufffd.....Reading the review makes me think of how \ufffdbummed out\ufffd (disappointed) we were in not being able to see GWAPE\ufffd..It\ufffds a positive review on a \ufffdbeautifully artistic\ufffd film: http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0335119/"}, {"response": 715, "author": "momi", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (04:34)", "body": "When you get to the imdb page of \"GWAPE\", scroll down to \"User Comments\" to read Katsat's review....Here's the link again: http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0335119/"}, {"response": 716, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (05:31)", "body": "My friend John in NYC went to all the festivities with Keira Knightley, who plays a role in love actually. He got to got to all the parties from what I understand."}, {"response": 717, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (05:49)", "body": "The beginning of the Daily Show in Windows Media. Does anyone not have Windows Media? If you use something else like Quicktime or Realplayer let me know and we'll put it up in that format: http://spring.net/drool/dailybegin.wmv"}, {"response": 718, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (06:00)", "body": "(Beedee) It was also wonderful to meet the other Droolers who were able to attend. They are every bit as great IRL! Somehow I knew that would be the case, not sure what I'm more jealous of, ODB or you all! Thanks for checking in Beedee, so glad you had a good time!"}, {"response": 719, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (06:10)", "body": "The full showing of the Daily Show, without the rough ending this time. http://spring.net/drool/firthondaily.wmv This clip will there in about an hour from now."}, {"response": 720, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (06:32)", "body": "NY Times Review November 7, 2003 MOVIE REVIEW | 'LOVE ACTUALLY' Tales of Love, the True and the Not-So-True By A. O. SCOTT Love Actually,\" which opens today nationwide, is an indigestible Christmas pudding from the British whimsy factory responsible for such reasonably palatable confections as \"Four Weddings and a Funeral,\" \"Notting Hill\" and \"Bridget Jones's Diary.\" A romantic comedy swollen to the length of an Oscar-trawling epic \ufffd nearly two and a quarter hours of cheekiness, diffidence and high-tone smirking \ufffd it is more like a record label's greatest-hits compilation or a \"very special\" sitcom clip-reel show than an actual movie. The air is thick with bad pop songs, which those plucky, ironical Britons seem to love in spite of their badness. A sparkling British-American cast of newly minted and long familiar stars chirp, swoon, pine, quip and shed the odd tear. Presiding over it all is the new prime minister, a twinkly bachelor with a tonsorial resemblance to Tony Blair, who is played by none other than Hugh Grant. As he did in the far superior \"About a Boy,\" Mr. Grant makes a climactic onstage appearance at a school talent show. He also sings \"Good King Wenceslas\" and disco-dances around 10 Downing Street in his shirt sleeves. In his opening voice-over, Mr. Grant establishes a new standard for bad taste masquerading as its opposite when he introduces this fluffy farrago, written and directed by Richard Curtis, with a reference to the World Trade Center attacks. The phone calls made from the towers, he suggests, show that however perilous the state of the world, \"love is all around.\" Further support for this thesis is gleaned from the arrival gate at Heathrow, where people tend to hug and kiss each other a lot. Like much else in \"Love Actually,\" you almost buy this moment of banal sentiment, because it is so prettily shot and smartly spoken. But the film's governing idea of love is both shallow and dishonest, and its sweet, chipper demeanor masks a sour cynicism about human emotions that is all the more sleazy for remaining unacknowledged. It has the calloused, leering soul of an early-60's rat-pack comedy, but without the suave, seductive bravado. The worst kind of cad is the one who thinks he's really a sensitive guy deep down. Most of the picture's half-dozen or so romantic subplots \ufffd which lie scattered about like torn wrapping paper on Christmas morning \ufffd involve workplace dalliances of one kind or another. The ones with the best chances of success all involve an older male boss and a young female subordinate. Jamie (Colin Firth), a writer cuckolded by his own brother, retreats to a villa in the South of France and falls for his Portuguese housekeeper, Aurelia, who speaks no English and who obligingly strips down to her underwear to rescue manuscript pages that have blown into the lake. Harry (Alan Rickman), the head of a nonprofit organization, is besotted with his secretary, Mia (Heike Makatsh), who makes no secret of her attraction to him. The prime minister, moral exemplar of the nation, develops a crush on Natalie (Martine McCutcheon), a member of the Downing Street household staff. When the goatish president of the United States, in London for a state visit, puts the moves on her, the P.M.'s jealousy precipitates a chill in British-American relations (and also makes him a national hero). The funniest and most winning on-the-job romance bubbles up between two people (Martin Freeman and Joanna Page) who work as body doubles on a movie set, miming explicit sex scenes in the absence of the prudish stars. As their naked bodies go through the motions, the two of them chat mildly about traffic and the weather, and their mutual attraction is sealed, on the first date, by a chaste kiss on the cheek. The other genuine comic spark comes from Bill Nighy, playing a washed-up, dissolute rock star named Billy Mack, who is trying for a comeback with a treacly Christmas record. Billy says shocking, hilarious things in television and radio interviews, and his casual indifference to proper decorum makes him the most honest character in the film. The problem is that the movie, more than any of the characters in it, is a mess of crossed signals, swerving between cynicism and sincerity without quite knowing the difference between them. It is most grotesque when it tries for earnest drama, parading the grief of a widower (Liam Neeson) and the humiliation of a middle-aged wife (Emma Thompson) before us when it thinks our throats need lumping. It is disturbing to see Ms. Thompson's range and subtlety so shamelessly trashed, and to see Laura Linney's intelligence similarly abused as a lonely, frustrated do-gooder. The fate of their characters suggests that women who are not young, pert secretaries or household workers have no real hope of sexual fulfillment and can find only a compromised, damaged form of love. Perhaps Mr. Curtis wishes to offer this as an insight into contemporary social arrangements; if so, his ind"}, {"response": 721, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (06:48)", "body": "I got this from Universal in my email box this morning, surprised my Spam bonker didn't dump it! But it somehow got through. John Long, my friend, says in his email this morning that he and Colin are now \"buds\" and he promises to share the details after he's recovered from his partying last night in NYC with Keira and Colin."}, {"response": 722, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (07:14)", "body": "TiVo is working on the Today Show now with Laura Linney expected to appear."}, {"response": 723, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (08:25)", "body": "Globe photos has pics up from premiere...3 parts (2 red carpet, 1 after party) just keep hitting \"more\" at the bottom of page to find them. http://www.globephotos.com/scripts/kws30pre.exe?site=GLOBEPH&maxhits=12&type=GfxOnly&picktype=GfxOnly&efile=pevents.htm"}, {"response": 724, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (08:35)", "body": "Just some filler till everyone wakes up and gets typing... The free LA dvd yesterday had the longest preview ever and I have pretty much seen the whole movie! Nothing too exciting on it, short interviews with Colin, behind the scenes stuff, normal dvd extras that will eventually be on the one for sale I'm sure. But good to see as I am yet to see the movie - the 18th Survival screening, which I got my tickets for yesterday (was a bit panicked due to postal strike), will be my first time. And Amazon has apparently dispatched my LA book so looking forward to that."}, {"response": 725, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (08:38)", "body": "Review from Entertainment Weekly Love Actually - Grade B Reviewed by Owen Gleiberman A romantic comedy, it has often been observed, needs an obstacle, a force of natural confusion to keep its objects of affection (temporarily) apart. On the other hand, there's Love Actually, the first movie directed, as well as written, by the compulsive British crowd-pleaser Richard Curtis (''Four Weddings and a Funeral,'' ''Notting Hill''). Set in London during the weeks before Christmas, it's a toasty, star-packed ensemble comedy in which a handful of lonelyhearts attempt, with some success, to come out of their shells, and it's going to make a lot of holiday romantics feel very, very good; watching it, I felt cozy and charmed myself. It's worth noting, however, that the appeal of ''Love Actually,'' a movie as sweetly munchable as a Christmas cookie (and about as nourishing), lies in the way that its romantic ''obstacles'' are, for the most part, barely even there. Curtis' cheaply winsome stroke of genius is to have made an unabashed celebration of the fairy-tale obvious -- that love is standing right in front of you, and that all you need to do is reach out and grab it. Your average Jennifer Aniston or Luke Wilson character should only have it this easy. At the beginning, Bill Nighy, looking like a trampy, gone-to-seed Crocodile Dundee, appears in a recording studio as a raunchy has-been rock star who's gotten corralled into doing a special yuletide version of ''Love Is All Around.'' He thinks the song is crap, but, make no mistake, it will stick in your head (for days), and the rest of the movie follows suit: It's fashionably acerbic about being unfashionably sappy. We're soon introduced to Hugh Grant as the newly elected prime minister, and before we've had a chance to giggle at the amusing perfection of Grant, with his elegant downcast features, playing an alpha-male bachelor version of Tony Blair, he has fallen head over cuff links for his new personal assistant (Martine McCutcheon), whose radiant moon face reflects that affection back at him. It just wouldn't do, of course, for the freshman PM to be shagging his servant. So Grant flirts with her in innocent, stammering agony. He has become a peerless romantic star, even if the film takes a bit too much delight in having him shimmy around the mansion to the Pointer Sisters' ''Jump,'' as though to prove that British men can be funky too. If anything, this particular PM should probably be listening to Billy Joel's ''Tell Her About It.'' In a bizarre retrograde twist, ''Love Actually'' is preoccupied with liaisons between shy, chivalrous male bosses and pliant female underlings. In addition to Grant, there's Colin Firth as a cuckolded novelist who finds the perfect companion in his willowy Portuguese maid (Lucia Moniz), who doesn't quite speak English. Meanwhile, Alan Rickman, as a somber executive stuck in a comfy marriage to a touchingly devoted Emma Thompson, must fend off the advances of his sex-bomb secretary (Heike Makatsch). He seems to be doing a fair job of it until he decides to buy the assistant a gold necklace. Thompson's reaction upon discovery of this secret Christmas gift is the film's most wrenching moment, though the episode would be stronger if we had any idea what was going on in Rickman's head. The gravity of it all is balanced by the levity of two professional movie stand-ins who chat politely as they mime sex, nude, all day long, and also by a goofy-faced bloke (Kris Marshall) who thinks that his English accent will ma e him a stud in America. (In the film's cheesiest gag, he's proved right.) Meanwhile, Laura Linney, with those dimples you just want to curl up in, is adorable as a pathologically shy American with a consuming crush on her office colleague (Rodrigo Santoro). After working up the nerve to take him home, Linney has one of those exhibitionistically private, hands-in-the-air ''Yes!'' moments that's meant to unite the audience in vicarious happiness. But the joy, rather inexplicably, is short-lived, as it turns out that she's too wrapped up in caring for her mentally ill brother to let herself go. Ultimately, a more compelling case of amorous denial arrives with the blithely charismatic Andrew Lincoln as a fellow who's doing all he can to hide his secret yearning for his best friend's wife (Keira Knightley). If that doesn't pluck your heartstrings of bittersweet nobility, try Liam Neeson as a widower who coaches his 11-year-old stepson (Thomas Sangster) into confessing his feelings to the girl he has a crush on. Tell her about it, indeed. At its best, the movie reminds you how one such moment can activate, and set, your lifelong romantic compass. That's ''Love Actually'': the heartfelt, sometimes the wise, layered atop the unfinished and the glib, with even the British prime minister as just one more sweet and lonely guy who's really got to get out of the house more."}, {"response": 726, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (08:58)", "body": "Hi all, only enough time to say that I don't have any time but I hope that some of the others will be able to *write* more than my quips but I'm off to take care of some business!!"}, {"response": 727, "author": "Rika", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (09:17)", "body": "A quick New York report on a slow connection - All of us got to stand IN the press tent, and we all got to see him, most got things signed, got to ask a quick question, etc. (The award for best question, though, goes to something Mari said to Hugh Grant that I'll let her tell). As you've already seen, he was wearing the trademark blue suit and white shirt - black shoes this time. He looked wonderful - he's very tall and he's younger-looking and more handsome IRL than in pictures. He had by far the largest fan contingent, and spent by far the most time with the fans as well. Seemed to be having a wonderful time, smiling, talking to fans and others, etc. A funny moment - when HG arrived (just a couple of minutes after he did) and worked his way back into the press tent where Colin was, he got this huge smile on his face and threw his arms around Hugh for a big hug. Livia looked beautiful - there's a picture of the two of them up on Wireimage - and had the long ponytail again. After that, we stood outside the Metropolitan Club and saw him arrive at the party - just a couple of quick glimpses. And you wouldn't believe how rude the photographers are at these events. When Emma Thompson came in with her husband, Greg Wise (Willoughby in \"Sense & Sensibility\"), some of the photogs wanted pictures of her alone, and apparently Greg Wise didn't get out of their way fast enough. One of them yelled, \"Get the f*** out of the way.\" Really nice, huh? And if a star didn't pose for long enough and went on into the main area of the tent, the photographers would boo them (I was standing directly across from the photographers - if the shots weren't cropped, I'd probably be in the background of a lot of the head shots.) More later."}, {"response": 728, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (09:28)", "body": "http://spring.net/drool/linney.wmv will be ready in about a half hour."}, {"response": 729, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (09:30)", "body": "Bee, Rika...sounds like you all had a lovely time...really really wish I could have been there. All of us got to stand IN the press tent ALL of the Drool contingent? And there was still room for the photographers;-)! he got this huge smile on his face and threw his arms around Hugh for a big hug. Heh..please, tell, what did Hugh do? Nice pic of CF at Ananova... http://www.ananova.com/entertainment/story/sm_836266.html Also Skymovies has pic gallery... http://www.skymovies.com/skymovies/article/0,,1110413,00.html"}, {"response": 730, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (10:09)", "body": "Morning ladies! Sorry we didn't post last night but I lost two of my messages in midstream (hitting something on Linda's laptop wrong) and now it is beeping on us because of low battery. Well, I'll get as much as I can now before Linda comes with the adapter... Last night was fabulous. Not only meeting all the great Drooleurs but getting to see Colin looking so mahvellous and receiving more attention than everyone else put together. It was so evident to all the press that his fans became part of their interviews I'm sure because during each, they would point to all of us behind the barricade and Colin would turn around, wave and smile broadly at the thronging fans. He even cut short his press, holding up his hands and saying \"That's enough,\" and came over to the fans. He *did* all the important press though--ET, Access Hollywood, etc., before deciding we were more important. LOL! No, he probably realized that there wasn't enough time before he'd get shooed into the theater. Colin was pretty much the second to last to arrive and while he was doing the rounds, Hugh slipped in virtually unnoticed by the fans. Wonder why?? ;-D But the funniest part of the evening was when Colin had gone in and Hugh mosied over to the fan line. He stood right in front of us and Mari said, \"Hugh, so what was it like working with ColinFirth,\" to which he replied with a mutter (no stutter), \"bloody Colin.\" Then he kind of smirked, continuing to sign away, but grabbed Mari's GWAPE book and said, \"so glad that you could make it here tonight\" and signed the book. Actually, the book had been Linda's but it got personalized with Mari's name so there will be some money exchanged. As everyone has said, Colin looked great, but Livia.....eh.....Too much hair. Too much messy hair. BTW, we don't think the photogs were yelling at Greg Wise (uttery doll) another functionary...and Keira Knightley wasn't there so I don't know who John is saying he partied with. More later but we have to meet for lunch."}, {"response": 731, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (10:12)", "body": "Turns out Colin read Johns script on the way to the afterparty and Colin hooked with him right a way when he popped in to the party. I just got off the phone with John and he described his meeting with Firth in excruciating detail. They really hit it off and turned out to be buds. There were some very funny and interesting moments at the after party, wonder if any drooleurs made it there? It turns out it was easy to get in because John's friend was co-ordinator of the after party."}, {"response": 732, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (10:13)", "body": "Thank you for stopping by, Karen with the long awaited report :-) Enjoy your lunch (we know, you'll be in the best company :-))"}, {"response": 733, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (10:13)", "body": "Details, Paul, details!!! Please :-)"}, {"response": 734, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (10:17)", "body": "I didn't ask John the specifics about Keira, he just said that she (Keira) delivered John's letter to Colin personally. And Colin read it in the limo on the way to the afterparty. I may have to the rest of this conversation to \"unplugged\" with Karen's permission of course as I don't want to reveal any information that is not intended for public consumption and I may be slipping dangerously close to that! John went in to very great detail about his meeting with Colin, and I'm sure it's not the last. Some astounding things occurred and I'm a bit stunned at John's success with Colin."}, {"response": 735, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (10:30)", "body": "\"Unplugged\" with Karens permission will do me fine, Paul :-)"}, {"response": 736, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (10:37)", "body": "Just a real quick note for now. Last night was fabulous, definitely exceeded our wildest expectations. Colin had the largest fan presence by far and was gracious and friendly with the fans. I couldn't believe he actually cut short some press interviews so that he could come back over and spend more time with his fans. I think he was surprised and very pleased, seemed like he was having a great time. Looked absolutely gorgeous. I was able to ask him a few questions. Very quickly, The Dead Wait is very up in the air, but it sounds as though he has something else in the pipeline. More later! Well done, New York!"}, {"response": 737, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (10:37)", "body": "(Karen)Mari said, \"Hugh, so what was it like working with ColinFirth,\" to which he replied with a mutter (no stutter), \"bloody Colin.\" Then he kind of smirked, continuing to sign away, but grabbed Mari's GWAPE book and said, \"so glad that you could make it here tonight\" and signed the book. LOL! Cheeky Mari! HG's a great sport. Loved his response. Thanks for the report, Karen. I'm so happy for all the Droolers. What a dream come true! We picked a great guy to like :-)"}, {"response": 738, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (11:51)", "body": "You lucky bunch!! Sounds like you all had a wonderful time - and he did too!! For those of us in the UK unable to watch the US TV appearances, I'd check out Talking Movies on BBC News 24 at 5.30am(!) tomorrow morning. It's bound to feature LA. Set your VCRs!"}, {"response": 739, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (12:41)", "body": "Two from the Washington Post: washingtonpost.com 'Love Actually': Romance Submerged in Sugar By Ann Hornaday Washington Post Staff Writer Friday, November 7, 2003; Page C05 \"Love Actually\" could have been ordered straight off a takeout menu of British romantic comedies. Take something from Column A (\"About a Boy\"), take something from Column B (\"Bridget Jones's Diary\") and as for the rest, forget the alphabet and take as much as you can from \"Four Weddings and a Funeral.\" Slather with heaps of cloyingly sweet froth, and serve. That's what writer-director Richard Curtis has done in \"Love Actually,\" a busy, overstuffed and achingly saccharine ensemble vehicle that features, as it happens, one wedding and a funeral. At least Curtis is stealing from himself: He wrote the screenplays for \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" and \"Four Weddings,\" as well as \"Notting Hill,\" the Cinderfella romance starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts. The connective element in all of these, of course, is Grant, whose stammering, self-deprecating, devastatingly handsome presence made all of them hits of varying degrees. Curtis, making his directorial debut here, doesn't lean on the association. He has cast Grant alongside a dozen other actors in just one of countless story lines that jumble together to form a nonsensical, if warmhearted, roundelay. So we have Grant playing a young, single British prime minister who yearns for his sweet, unassuming secretary (Martine McCutcheon); Emma Thompson playing the PM's sister, who is married to a straying nonprofit manager (Alan Rickman); Liam Neeson playing a man who has just lost his wife and is trying to forge a relationship with his stepson, and who has a relationship to Thompson's character that is never entirely clear; Laura Linney playing a character who works at the aforementioned nonprofit and who yearns for its sweet, unassuming graphic designer; and Colin Firth playing a cuckolded novelist who decamps for the South of France and yearns for a Portuguese maid. And that's just for starters. Have we mentioned the new bride (Keira Knightley) and her husband's lovesick best man? Or the two stand-ins on the set of a pornographic movie? Or the unappealing cater-waiter who finds passion and romance in Milwaukee in the dead of winter? Or the aging rock star played by Bill Nighy? Or the clerk played by Rowan Atkinson? Would you believe Billy Bob Thornton as the president? Denise Richards for a cameo, anyone? Claudia Schiffer to block? If listing the cast of \"Love Actually\" is exhausting, it's even more tiring to watch it, chiefly because Curtis makes such long-winded and strenuous labor of making such simple, unassailable points. (He may be the only director earnest, or self-important, enough to invoke Sept. 11, 2001, in a romantic comedy.) His premise -- stated during an admittedly touching opening documentary sequence filmed at the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport -- is that \"love, actually, is all around us.\" True enough, but Curtis can't leave well enough alone, throwing plot line on top of character on top of cliche on top of manipulation to create a movie whose desperation to be liked can have only one effect: to make it thoroughly unlikable. Although Curtis has rounded up a redoubtable cast, he misuses them in a series of too-cute gags and set pieces. So we have Grant at 10 Downing St., doing the Tom Cruise dance bit from \"Risky Business\"; a wedding where the choir not only sings \"All You Need Is Love\" but wherein an entire orchestra pops up out of the audience and the priest high-fives the best man; a school Christmas play featuring moppets in octopus and lobster costumes and a 10-year-old's sexy solo worthy of Britney Spears; a mad dash through an airport for a first kiss; and a mad dash through France for a marriage proposal. A few recognizably human feelings manage to peek through sentimentalism that seems to have been applied with a trowel: Thompson plays the harried, middle-aged wife with dignity and pathos, and Rickman and Neeson wring as much self-respect as they can from roles that are far from fully realized. Linney, too, is far underserved by a script trying too hard to shoehorn in every \"aw, shucks\" moment from the romantic comedy canon. By the time \"Love Actually\" winds up back at Heathrow and Curtis reprises his conceit of showing real-life footage of arrivals, what started out as a genuinely emotional moment feels like one cherry too many on a sagging confection. Love Actually (135 minutes, at area theaters) is rated R for sexuality, nudity and language. \ufffd 2003 The Washington Post Company **************************** 'Love Actually' Is a Many, Many, Many Splendored Thing By Michael O'Sullivan Washington Post Staff Writer Friday, November 7, 2003; Page WE45 \"LOVE ACTUALLY\" is less in love with love -- although, with nine separate subplots about heterosexual coupling, it is certainly that -- than it is in love with itself and its own cleverness. Mind you, there's lots to like, if not"}, {"response": 740, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (12:45)", "body": "Most of the reviews are here at Meta Critic: http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/loveactually/ Hugh and Mari! There's a picture that will live in my mind forever. Mari, his response to you was so Hugh. Loved it - And loved how CF was to his fans. Good going gals. Sounds like a memorable time."}, {"response": 741, "author": "katty", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (13:49)", "body": "There are LOADS of new pictures from the NY premiere at the Colin Firth Image Gallery. One even shows that black string necklace - revealing some round metal beads on them! And some of the pics are HUGE. He's absolutely beaming at the premiere, thanks in no small party, I think, to the great fans there, present company included! http://colinfirth.casa-feliz.net/images/details.php?image_id=2024"}, {"response": 742, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (14:38)", "body": "Hi. My boss asked me to tell you that there will be another Love Actually press junket Nov 21 - Nov 23. So there will be more media soon. Bye"}, {"response": 743, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (14:47)", "body": "USA Today has a lovely big photo of this... ... CF described as The cuckold : Colin Firth is at a loss for words when he fall for a Portuguese maid. Lots to 'Love' It's hard to fail when you have the cream of the U.K. crop signed on. Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman, Liam Neeson and Colin Firth are all in top form. All Together Now"}, {"response": 744, "author": "katty", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (14:54)", "body": "There is another ecstatic account from a fan called FionaFirthFan on another Colin site who actually got to KISS Colin at the NY premiere: http://groups.msn.com/ColinFirthFantasyWomen/general.msnw?action=get_message&mview=0&ID_Message=20548&LastModified=4675446216775159261 It's a long passage that's a great read. The kiss part: \"... I swear I think I only meant to ask him if I could shake his hand. But he looked at me as if to say, 'What? Spit it out,' with this kind, amused look in his eyes (I'm sure I looked like an idiot). And before I knew how to stop myself, I took advantage of his kindness and reached up and gave him a big kiss right on his dimpled cheek. It was heaven, I can tell you. He gave me this 'Oh, you shouldn't have done that' look -- very, very cute...I'm so, so happy! I don't know how I'm going to stand myself for the next few days...\""}, {"response": 745, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (14:55)", "body": "From the LA Times: 'Love' is all around, and often funny Equally satisfying in a more unashamedly romantic way is the story of Jamie (Colin Firth), a jilted author with no foreign-language facility who retreats to the south of France and takes on a severe-looking housekeeper named Aurelia (Lucia Moniz) who speaks only Portuguese."}, {"response": 746, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (15:11)", "body": "Lola's Assistant..thank you very much for the press update! Now I've got to make sure I have enough blank videotapes;-)."}, {"response": 747, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (15:21)", "body": "Drool Darlings NYC Crew, Wonderful, fun filled evening for you all. Colin will not tell another interviewer he has only heard of someone's relative that is a fan...he's met you terrific Drool Darlings (and others) bringing his gathering to more than the other actors'fans combined. Hurrah!!!! He looks very pleased. Thanks for the reports."}, {"response": 748, "author": "birdy", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (15:53)", "body": "As adorable as CF was on THE DAILY SHOW, he all but choked when JS asked him how good LA was:( For whatever reason, the Austin American-Statesman's main page at austin360.com has a picture of CF culled from the LA advertisement adorning the film listings:) Their review: By John DeFore Special to the American-Statesman Posted: November 7, 2003 Lots of intelligent people with good taste enjoyed \"Four Weddings and a Funeral,\" \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" and \"Notting Hill\" \ufffd guiltlessly, even, although many of them would admit to cringing now and then at the cutesy extremes to which the films go in search of heart-tugging laughter. But what if the first movie directed by Richard Curtis (the scribe behind the aforementioned romantic fantasies) was composed solely of the moments that embarrassed us most in those films? With all the sing-alongs, mad gestures and holiday cheer in the advertisements for \"Love Actually,\" it appeared that might be the case. Surely, wary viewers assumed, the final product couldn't be worse than the trailer \ufffd but it could be longer. Actually, \"Love\" isn't a worst-case scenario. Yes, viewers can set their watches by its now-clich\ufffdd contrivances \ufffd a room breaks into spontaneous song 10 minutes in, a sweetly ridiculous eulogy is delivered at the quarter-hour mark, a character is caught dancing by himself half an hour later \ufffd but these moments aren't exploited as shamelessly as they have been before. That's because none of the characters doing these silly things are onscreen long enough for you to care much what happens to them. Having apparently grown tired of simple girl-boy and boy-girl-boy stories, Curtis has concocted (depending how you count them) at least a dozen romances, played out by actors who fortunately are charismatic enough to make their brief minutes count. Drawing a schematic of all this coupling would take all day, but it would be pointless anyway because few of the affairs have much at all to do with the others. \"Love Actually\" is billed as \"The ultimate romantic comedy,\" and in a way that's true: If Curtis' previous stories were fairy tales for romance junkies, this is their pornography \ufffd all the cute moments of a month's worth of date movies, without those trifling time-fillers like character development. To be sure, there are entertaining things on the buffet. Audiences will be treated to many laughs, a disproportionate number of them coming from Bill Nighy, who plays a grandly self-obsessed has-been rock star. Nighy's Billy Mack charms those around him by dispensing with all pretense regarding his hackneyed new Christmas single: He's only in it for the money. (The movie could use more of this self-awareness.) Another high point comes in a cameo from Billy Bob Thornton, playing a disgustingly slick United States president who gives Hugh Grant's 'til-now timid prime minister a chance to become Great Britain's version of Josiah Bartlet. But as a director, Curtis has lots to learn. He squanders the talents of his old colleague Rowan (Mr. Bean) Atkinson, cropping him so tightly that we can hardly see what the famously physical comedian is doing. And he's at a complete loss where music is concerned. From songs in the background to those accompanying button-pushing montage sequences, everything is too obvious, too loud and too dull. While there are many charming moments here, one wonders what the happily-ever-after crowd will make of two subplots that mock the very idea of love-and-marriage. The most puzzling of the two places Keira Knightley in newlywed bliss with Chiwetel Ejiofor (who was magnetic in \"Dirty Pretty Things\" but is thrown away here), only to have her go all doe-eyed for the first guy who develops a crush on her. Her response would be poor form in real life, but Knightley's flightiness is a good metaphor for the movie itself: \"Love Actually\" may be entranced by all the little charms it depicts, but it isn't really moved by any of them."}, {"response": 749, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (16:02)", "body": "Beedee, Rika, Karen, Mari, and all the wonderful d's in NYC thanks for all your reports! What a great bonding experience for all of you and Colin, too! Can't wait for more later. Can't believe Hugh signed Linda's GWAPE book for Mari! LOL! Sounds like a scene from \"Love Actually,\" actually ;-)."}, {"response": 750, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (16:35)", "body": ""}, {"response": 751, "author": "FanPam", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (17:09)", "body": ""}, {"response": 752, "author": "airstream", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (17:12)", "body": "there are a bunch of pics here: http://217.158.83.123/scripts/kws30pre.exe?fchange=&ffirsthit=0&fmaxhits=6&type=GfxOnly&site=LFI&ENext.x=54&ENext.y=14 (i can't get my computer to open the pics, but hopefully something good?) did anyone get into the after party? dorine? ;)"}, {"response": 753, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (18:18)", "body": "Thank you for your lovely reports, NY ladies, I'm so happy for all of you - and the rest of us. This is a great time to be a drooler. I can't wait to hear everything from every single one of you. :-) Paul, a million thanks for posting the JS clip!!! I don't have cable, so I was resigned to my fate that I'd not see any of the interviews, and I was very sad about it. You are my saviour! Loved Colin on the show. All of you who posted pics and links to more, thank you! I'm giddy with excitement! (Katty - \"FionaFirthFan\") .... I took advantage of his kindness and reached up and gave him a big kiss right on his dimpled cheek. It was heaven, I can tell you. He gave me this 'Oh, you shouldn't have done that' look... LOL!!! I guess there IS a reason why they usually don't let fans too close to the stars. ;-)"}, {"response": 754, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (18:41)", "body": "Hi all, sorry for waiting so long to post. Just got back from seeing LA, again. It was wonderful seeing it after last night...Now about last night. Well I can honestly say I'm no longer a Firth virgin. Seeing him so close was truly amazing. He was AFG and so very nice. I'm not going to repeat what others have said because I was standing next to them and don't want to repeat the same things. When Colin walked in I thought I would die. I think I held my breath for ten minutes. My biggest fear was that we would only catch a gllimpse. But, thanks to whoever made the decision to let us in the tent, the experience was so much more than I could have hoped for. When Colin came over do interviews and was standing just in front of me I had a chance to gaze for about 10 minutes...unobstructed. When he put his hands up to the press and said enough then turned and walked straight over to us...well you can imagine how felt. He signed my Speaking With the Angles and then I thought to ask him to personalize it, but he was already finished, and said, sorry? I said oh don't worry that's fine thank you, Colin then bent down and said what's your name ( I thought he hadn't heard my request) I told him Linda and he asked \"with a Y or an I\"? Then I asked if he could include my daughter's name and he bent down to hear what I was saying....Oh Gawd. Then he continued to sign and talk to the others around me. Amazing experience. I won't forget this one for awhile. The entire evening was mesmerizing. Only one small fly in the ointment. One girl that was a few people down from me (who was annoying the entire evening)to the point that she was warned by the guards, In my opinion, crossed the line. Whan Colin came over to her she stood on the barricade and kissed him. Now, I know she thought that it was OK with him, but I can tell you from a birds eye view of the situation, he was not amused. He pulled back and, you could tell he did not like it one bit. Thankfully, Colin, being the professional that he is, continued on. Thankfully, this person's actions didn't ruin it for everyone else. However, actions like this, when people cross the line and think that they can invade someone's space will only make celebrities, especially someone like Colin, think twice about getting up close and personal with his fans. Please don't think this small incident ruined the magic of the evening, it didn't. Just wanted to give you the whole story. Thanks everyone for the vibes and good thoughts you sent our way. They worked! And, just let me mention that the best part of this trip was getting to be with everyone from drool who are in NY. These few days have been wonderful."}, {"response": 755, "author": "katty", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (20:27)", "body": "In my opinion,(she) crossed the line In Hawaii where people are always giving leis with kisses, I see that that sort of thing as pretty common. BUT reading the way you saw it and thinking about it from Colin's point of view, it was a kind of invasion. Thanks for your on-the-spot perspective."}, {"response": 756, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (21:00)", "body": "Is there any media this weekend on LA? I'm trying to find out if there's anything beyond the great listing Karen has at http://www.firth.com/tv_promo.html Of, course, anything not during the Longhorns game (the one exeption)"}, {"response": 757, "author": "meg", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (21:21)", "body": "I agree with Linda about the kiss. And I believe someone pointed out later that if it had been a male fan that leaned over and did that to a female star, he'd have been out of the tent before he knew what hit him. And it was amazing seeing him in person! Everyone that said he's even better was absolutely right. Didn't know it was possible, but there you have it. Emma commented to us that he was very surprised by his reception. She also said she was very happy for him though and that he's wonderful and nice, etc. and really deserves it. She thought all the screaming of \"Colin, Colin\" was fantastic.(Emma was absolutely beautiful and charming by the way...)"}, {"response": 758, "author": "katty", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (21:47)", "body": "To the people at the premiere: What was Livia like in person? How were they together? Thanks so much for sharing all the photos and commentary!"}, {"response": 759, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 2003 (22:14)", "body": "Linda, thanks for the report! Have you been able to sleep yet? :-D I'm so happy for you all! I checked the entertainment shows tonight and saw bits of the premiere on Access Hollywood, Extra and ET. Extra talked for a second to CF. They said to him that LA has been described as a big St. Bernard licking your face. Colin agreed. I don't think he said anything on the other shows. The best show so far was etalk daily tonight in Canada. I'll transcribe it once I get it all on tape. Emma Thompson talked about how noisy Colin's fans were! Nice shot of him getting out of the limo. I was hoping for some close-ups of the fans but the shots are too quick. Maybe freeze framing will help. I can't remember seeing Livia at all."}, {"response": 760, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Nov  8, 2003 (06:38)", "body": "Arggh!! _ I can't believe it!! I had set my VCR to record Talking Movies on BBC News 24 overnight, and went off to bed. My normally wonderful DH Tommy then sat down to watch some football on the Sky Sports Channel. Consequently I have, instead of the expected feature on LA, a half hour of sport! Can anyone help me out if they managed to copy it? - Please!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 761, "author": "meg", "date": "Sat, Nov  8, 2003 (08:11)", "body": "Livia pretty much just stood there and looked around with a pleasant look pasted on her face. But really what else could she do? I think she looked pretty good, especially considering she just had a baby a few months ago. I can't believe I missed Extra for Access Hollywood. Does anyone know if Extra does reruns? At the premier, after all the stars went in and they were taking things down, two camera men stopped my sister and I, along with a few others, and had us scream \"Colin\" and pretend he was right there. They did four takes of this. I'm a little nervous that we may look like complete lunatics, but would still like a copy of this if it ever airs. So if I miss it, and someone else catches it, I'd really love a copy. I think... : ) I was surprised that since CF received twice the attention and four times the noise of everyone else, the shows so far are still pretty much ignoring him. Maybe they think his entire fan base was there. I spoke to a lady from People and she noticed it. Maybe they'll have an article that focuses more on him than Hugh. Or maybe her editors will make her change the focus back to Hugh. I love that Emma commented on it in her interview! So, just how long does it take to come down from this high? Still can't believe I was there."}, {"response": 762, "author": "birdy", "date": "Sat, Nov  8, 2003 (08:47)", "body": "This is listed on Yahoo TV CST: WABC Wayne Brady Show Nov 13 09:00am Series/Talk, 60 Mins. Episode #2054. Actor Zach Braff (``Scrubs''); actor Colin Firth; actor Jeffrey Tambor"}, {"response": 763, "author": "neshacat", "date": "Sat, Nov  8, 2003 (09:34)", "body": "Local review out yesterday. Best one I've read so far. http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/movies/reviews/11072003_loveactually.html"}, {"response": 764, "author": "BarbaraT", "date": "Sat, Nov  8, 2003 (10:06)", "body": "Re Talking Movies in the UK. It's due to be repeated on BBC News 24 at 10.30 tonight and again at 3.30 tomorrow morning. Hope this helps."}, {"response": 765, "author": "dalec", "date": "Sat, Nov  8, 2003 (10:09)", "body": "I haven't posted in a while. Just wanted to say a big thank to you all for the articles, pics, TV listings and sharing your experiences at the NY premiere. You gals are great!"}, {"response": 766, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Sat, Nov  8, 2003 (10:38)", "body": "(Meg)At the premier, after all the stars went in and they were taking things down, two camera men stopped my sister and I, along with a few others, and had us scream \"Colin\" and pretend he was right there. They did four takes of this. I'm a little nervous that we may look like complete lunatics, but would still like a copy of this if it ever airs. So if I miss it, and someone else catches it, I'd really love a copy. I think... Meg, there was a shot from E News Live of a few women holding the LA poster and screaming something (couldn't hear them) and then the camera zoomed on Colin's face on the poster. Could that be you?! I went over the etalk tape. It's a jumble of questions and jumps around a lot. LL, LN and CF are together. Asked if they think public displays of affection are OK, Colin says something like, \"As a married man, life is window shopping for me now.\" Asked if they think marriage is a good thing, he says, \"I love love.\" They were asked if they had any favourite pet names but CF didn't answer that one. HG said, \"Bitch\". LOL! On the red carpet, Emma says, \"Did you see what happened when Colin Firth turned up? He must be thrilled. Shrieking on a great scale. ....hysterical.\" CF says, \"The audience reaction to the film is already fairly legendary so I'm looking forward to hearing all those people laughing so loud you can't hear the next 3 lines.\""}, {"response": 767, "author": "meg", "date": "Sat, Nov  8, 2003 (11:08)", "body": "We weren't holding a poster, but since they were hung all along the fences and we were standing right behind them, it might have looked that way. Wish I could remember if I had my hands on the poster, but it's all a blur. Was one of the girls a cute blonde? (My sister.) If so, did we look like idiots? I don't suppose E News \"Live\" runs repeats..."}, {"response": 768, "author": "socadook", "date": "Sat, Nov  8, 2003 (11:49)", "body": "(Meg) I don't suppose E News \"Live\" runs repeats... E! News Weekend is on at 6pm et on Saturdays and recaps the week's news. Thanks to all for sharing your NY experience. (Dalec) You gals are great! I second."}, {"response": 769, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Sat, Nov  8, 2003 (12:17)", "body": "How fabulous! NY sounds like the place to be! How many drool crew were there?? Not sure if anyone else has posted this but HS is now out to rent in the UK. I happened upon it at my local but the one copy had been taken out already. Anyone seen if there are any extras on it? Also my LA book arrived and it's very bright and glossy. Includes family tree of character connections, the screenplay, lyrics to Christmas is All Around, deleted scenes, behind the scenes, a quiz, amusing questionnaires to the actors, posters advertising the movie or that didn't make it, and more. Waiting to read it as I haven't seen the movie except for Colin's questionnaire. Think maybe I'll transcribe it for you all."}, {"response": 770, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Sat, Nov  8, 2003 (12:30)", "body": "Love Questionnaire Colin Firth (Jamie) Who was the first person you ever loved \ufffd and how old were they and you? It might be Heather Bailey \ufffd I was eight. There were crushes before then but she was the first person I cried over. Actually, no \ufffd I think it was Lynne Lassin. I loved her because she loved me. Well, not JUST because she loved me \ufffd but, you know, it helped. Who [ed.: you mean WHAT] is your favourite romantic poem? Every Day you Play by Pablo Neruda What is your favourite romantic movie of all time? I'm afraid I'm not really a massive fan of romantic films. I like feeling a bit upset at a movie ending, rather than warm and fuzzy \ufffd I mean I prefer Brief Encounter to Sleepless in Seattle. What is your favourite romantic song? \ufffdHot Baritto [ed.: BURRITO!] Number 1\ufffd by Gram Parsons What is your favourite Christmas song? \ufffdFairy Tale of New York\ufffd by The Pogues. What is your best ever Christmas present? A plastic sword. I was six. And what is your worst? The plastic sword \ufffd my brother, who was a toddler, got past the fireguard with it on Christmas Day and then walked round the house with this burning brazier dropping molten plastic on to the linoleum tiles in the hall and the living room carpet. It was nearly the death of my entire family, but I just missed my lovely sword. If you had to have sex with one British Prime Minister, who would it be? Well I wouldn't have f**ked Callaghan, that's for sure. Would I f**k Attlee? I don't know. I think Pitt the Younger sounds promising \ufffd at least he's not some jowly old incontinent. But it's so much easier with American presidents, isn't it. Who would you have as your naked stand-in? Hugh Grant ten years ago. Is love actually all around? Pass"}, {"response": 771, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Nov  8, 2003 (13:23)", "body": "Love may or may not be all around but thank yous are actually all around. I was glad to finally hear from the NY contingent. It sounds like a fabulous time!!! It's always so nice when things work out better than you think they will. Keep posting girls; we haven't heard from everyone or had enough details yet. (Karen)Mari said, \"Hugh, so what was it like working with Colin Firth,\" to which he replied with a mutter (no stutter), \"bloody Colin.\" Then he kind of smirked LOL!! I found myself giggling about it all day. Poor Hugh! up against Mari! Not really an equal match, was it?;-) Love his answer though! Too cute. Way to go, Mari!!! Again, thanks for all the articles, photos, the Daily Show link, and the transcription. Oh, this is by far my favorite time of a FirthYear. Everybody sing along (it might help get \"Love, love, love\" out of our heads.) \"I feel it my fingers. I feel it in my toes. Firth is all around and so the feeling grows!!!!!\""}, {"response": 772, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sat, Nov  8, 2003 (15:41)", "body": "Haven't seen this here yet, though parts are culled from other reports. What is interesting is that the Guardian is reviewing the US reviews. America decides it's not love but loathe, actually David Teather in New York Saturday November 8, 2003 The Guardian It has been heralded as the next big British cinematic triumph: a hit set to sweep America off its feet during the Christmas period. But the prime exporters of stuttering British charm, the team behind Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and Bridget Jones's Diary, appear to have worn out their welcome across the Atlantic. Love Actually, the ensemble film directed by Richard Curtis, was yesterday dismissed with an excoriating review in the New York Times which called it as an \"indigestible Christmas pudding\". Reviews in the New York Post and Wall Street Journal were lukewarm at best. Set in the weeks before Christmas, the film is a patchwork of nine love stories, including the film-makers' regular cast members Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, and Rowan Atkinson, plus Emma Thompson, Martine McCutcheon and Liam Neeson. The Times's critic, AO Scott, said it is \"nearly two and a quarter hours of cheekiness, diffidence and high tone smirking - it is more like a record label's greatest hits compilation or a 'very special' sitcom clip reel show than an actual movie\". The Post also noted the feeling that viewers had been here before. The critic Jonathan Freeman said the film \"cannibalises whole scenes\" from the team's previous movies \"including at least three sequences involving shy men making a last-minute dash to make a splashy declaration of love to a woman in some unlikely public place\". As for its feel-good credentials, the Times's critic was equally scathing, referring to the \"calloused, leering\" soul of the movie. \"The film's governing idea of love is both shallow and dishonest,\" he wrote, adding that the film swerved \"between cynicism and sincerity without quite knowing the difference between them\". There was at least one good review in USA Today, which probably holds more sway over middle America than its more highbrow rivals. It gave the film three stars out of four. \"Love Actually is irresistible,\" wrote Claudia Puig. \"You'd have to be Ebenezer Scrooge not to walk out smiling.\""}, {"response": 773, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Nov  8, 2003 (15:54)", "body": "Every Day You Play by Pablo Neruda (1904-1973) Every day you play with the light of the universe. Subtle visitor, you arrive in the flower and the water. You are more than this white head that I hold tightly as a cluster of fruit, every day, between my hands. You are like nobody since I love you. Let me spread you out among yellow garlands. Who writes your name in letters of smoke among the stars of the south? Oh let me remember you as you were before you existed. Suddenly the wind howls and bangs at my shut window. The sky is a net crammed with shadowy fish. Here all the winds let go sooner or later, all of them. The rain takes off her clothes. The birds go by, fleeing. The wind. The wind. I can contend only against the power of men. The storm whirls dark leaves and turns loose all the boats that were moored last night to the sky. You are here. Oh, you do not run away. You will answer me to the last cry. Cling to me as though you were frightened. Even so, at one time a strange shadow ran through your eyes. Now, now too, little one, you bring me honeysuckle, and even your breasts smell of it. While the sad wind goes slaughtering butterflies I love you, and my happiness bites the plum of your mouth. How you must have suffered getting accustomed to me, my savage, solitary soul, my name that sends them all running. So many times we have seen the morning star burn, kissing our eyes, and over our heads the gray light unwind in turning fans. My words rained over you, stroking you. A long time I have loved the sunned mother-of-pearl of your body. I go so far as to think that you own the universe. I will bring you happy flowers from the mountains, bluebells, dark hazels, and rustic baskets of kisses. I want to do with you what spring does to the cherry trees."}, {"response": 774, "author": "momi", "date": "Sat, Nov  8, 2003 (16:12)", "body": "PRAYERS REQUEST PLEASE.... I left a \"prayer request\" for my Uncle Bill under \"Odds & Ends\" part 7....Any and all prayers for my uncle are really appreciated by our families in England and America.... Mahalo Nui, Momi"}, {"response": 775, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Nov  8, 2003 (17:17)", "body": "Just for the record: (And, who doesn't want the record accurate and complete?) Colin was mentioned during the Charlie Rose Love Actually round table last night. They were discussing the nature of the movie and Laura Linney said: \"It's very, very hard--and I have to give credit--Colin Firth was pointing this out because he was talking about it in London during our junket--It's very difficult to put this subject matter forward with winking at it, brocading it with sugar, winking at it, being patronizing about it. It's very, very hard to do......\" She went on in what seemed to be her opinion that Hugh was very good at playing it like a normal human being would. It seemed a little awkward for everyone else because he was then conspicuously absent but I thought it was very nice of her to mention him. Makes me think she really connected with him during filming and can appreciate him."}, {"response": 776, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Nov  8, 2003 (17:23)", "body": "The Guardian....Love Actually, the ensemble film directed by Richard Curtis, was yesterday dismissed with an excoriating review in the New York Times which called it as an \"indigestible Christmas pudding\". Reviews in the New York Post and Wall Street Journal were lukewarm at best. This is what the British press (esp. the Guardian) just love to do. Selectively emphasise the worst and kill a British movie stone dead. No wonder we no longer have a movie industry! Thanks for all the reports - they make great reading!"}, {"response": 777, "author": "Darla", "date": "Sat, Nov  8, 2003 (18:36)", "body": "I just walked in the door from seeing LA and we absolutely loved it. The entire theater was full (this was the second theater we went to since the first one was sold out for a matinee). Everyone laughed at the right parts and everyone said great things about it as we left. I was slightly uneasy after reading the reviews but it was wonderful, heartwarming, christmas pudding :) and ODB looked fabulous!"}, {"response": 778, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Sun, Nov  9, 2003 (01:35)", "body": "I just arrived home from seeing LA with two friends and all three of us loved the movie. The theatre was full and the audience broke into applause at the end, something I've never experienced before. Something I wondered about though - was the blue velvet suit CF wore to the London GWAPE gala not the same suit he wore to the weddding at the beginning of LA?"}, {"response": 779, "author": "soph", "date": "Sun, Nov  9, 2003 (03:25)", "body": "well, looks like when it rains, it pours ! haven't had much time for posting lately, but i'm impressed : thanks everyone for pix & stories & flutterings & all. terry, thanks a million for the wmp file, but, errrr... could i be totally greedy and ask for a quicktime rendition, for this lousy piece of software (aka wmp) runs your clip blotchily and is now responsible for my obvious squinting... plus, i would really really like to see a little more clearly mr f's reaction to the tube joke. the blank alone had me burst out laughing. btw, am not a fan of that kind of show (ironic metacommentary should be reserved to bunches of smashed friends slouching in front of the tube, imo), and i really find the letterman/leno routines stale and contrived but i have to say this looks like a good one, and this js guy seems quick and sharp, thanx, it was all new to me. hey mari, is nov. 7 \"pick on hugh grant\" day ? should it be officially announced on odds & ends ? anyway, was howling so hard my laptop fell again (just the idea of the gwape book on your shelves has me going again). a few quick stupid remarks : re: emma's posting of the questionnaire : am glad to see mr f. has somewhat changed tack and is now following hugh grant's cue into mock-nasty age related remarks. the fight line was somewhat running thin, this is much better (but still, hugh grant's hilarious weelchair line will be hard to top, keep it up though, mr f.) re: the enormous & super high rez pix posted @ casa-feliz : quite unfortunately, the link led me straight to pix #6, and since it took a looong time to load starting from the top of the pix, i kept hearing the old mst3k line in my head \"filmed in baldspot vision\" ! lauhged so hard i'm sure i woke the neighbors. oh, and the kryptonite is back ! it might even be responsible for the cobble incident (i am going to stick to my old clark kent theory) re: the blue velvet / black velvet enigma : i was kinda sure the uncertainty was actually part of a pr campaign to cover up another blue suit/brown shoes incident. live reports from the nyc brigade sort of cut short to this theory. thanks everyone for bringing the truth to light (!)"}, {"response": 780, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Nov  9, 2003 (07:36)", "body": "Sophie, I would be happy to post that file in Quicktime. Look for a note on this later and drop me an email reminder. I watched the review of LA on Ebert and Roeper a bit ago and they both give it a resounding thumbs up. But no mention or pix of CF."}, {"response": 781, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sun, Nov  9, 2003 (10:22)", "body": "HI! Back from NYC. Bloody tired (had 5 hours sleep tops since Wednesday). Everything was amazing and I will get to telling all as soon as I find my brain! He is the most gorgeous thing on earth!!! Love!"}, {"response": 782, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Nov  9, 2003 (10:44)", "body": "Thanks to Bee, Karen, Mari, and Linda for your reports about the ODB NY experience. All around, it sounds like it was an amazing night. Looking forward to hearing more. :-)"}, {"response": 783, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Nov  9, 2003 (11:17)", "body": "Someone asked how many Drool people were there. I think we had 14. We were very lucky to be admitted to the red carpet area. I believe there were about 70 or so people admitted before room ran out, almost all of whom were there for Colin. There were many other fans left behind on the sidewalk and on the street outside the press tent. BTW, I did not know or recognize any of the other fans--so Colin clearly drew from many other places. There were 2 young fans there, late teens, who said they came to know him from What A Girl Wants. I spoke briefly to 2 women from England; they were very disappointed that Alan Rickman would not sign autographs, but were thrilled that Colin was so accessible--so, happily, their trip was very worthwhile! (Caribou)Poor Hugh! up against Mari! Not really an equal match, was it?;-) Love his answer though! Too cute. That was a riot! I have to say, Hugh was a very good sport about it all, and took it with good humor. Right before that, Colin had finally finished greeting all the fans and went into the theater, so only HG was left in the press tent. *No one* called out to Hugh, so he either assumed that we were his fans, or for form's sake, he wanted to be the last celeb to go into the theater, i.e., held up *so* long by *his* adoring fans. Well, he got a surprise, didn't he?;-)"}, {"response": 784, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Nov  9, 2003 (11:49)", "body": "Weekend box office estimates for Love Actually; terrific per screen average of well over $11,000. Good enough for 6th place; keep in mind, it's still in limited release, in only 576 theaters. The 5 films ahead of it are on over 3,000 screens each. LA will expand next weekend, and again the weekend after that. Love Actually Uni. $6,612,000 - 576 $11,479 $6,612,000"}, {"response": 785, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Nov  9, 2003 (12:24)", "body": "Not sure if any has mentioned this item of doctrinal import, but the, um, balding spot at the back of his head is no longer there. We got a good long look as he was doing interviews. Nicely covered, absolutely seamless; whatever he's done, it looks great.:-) Random cattiness department: Nice, fan-friendly cast members --Colin Firth!! (need I say more?;-), Emma Thompson (a real doll, friendly and outgoing), Huge Gnat (a very good sport), Bill Nighy (he was having a great time, doing air guitar and writing wacky stuff on autographs!). Honorable mention to Emma's hubby Greg Wise who was sweet and down to earth; I'll let Evelyn fill you in on Greg. Not nice --Alan Rickman (refused to sign autographs for his fans), Rowan Atkinson (looking so haughty and above it all and turning his back on the press to the point that they booed him), Liam Neeson (scowl on his face the entire time)."}, {"response": 786, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Nov  9, 2003 (12:29)", "body": "Caribou! Geez, the rich get richer . . .;-) Santa Fe Film Festival Announces Lineup Sat Nov 8,10:22 AM ET By The Associated Press SANTA FE, N.M. - Stephen Frears' \"Dirty Pretty Things\" is among the films scheduled for the 2003 Santa Fe Film Festival, which will be held Dec. 3-7. Frears, actor Peter Boyle, and writer Max Evans will receive lifetime achievement awards, festival director Jon Bowman said Thursday. Actress Ali MacGraw (news) will host the awards ceremony. Among the other movies scheduled to be shown: \"The Hi-Lo Country\"; \"Cold Mountain,\" starring Jude Law and Nicole Kidman; \"House of Sand and Fog,\" with Jennifer Connelly and Ben Kingsley; \"21 Grams,\" with Sean Penn; \"The Company,\" Robert Altman's latest film, about ballet; \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" with Colin Firth; \"In America\"; and \"James' Journey to Jerusalem.\""}, {"response": 787, "author": "meg", "date": "Sun, Nov  9, 2003 (13:50)", "body": "(Mari) \"*No one* called out to Hugh\" Well, actually, we did call him over, along with the girls to our left. I have to admit that I felt a bit bad that as soon as we called to him and he came over, he got the \"How was it working with Colin\" comment, but have to agree that he was indeed a very good sport. (I know I shouldn't feel sorry for him since he's constantly getting all the attention. I'm too soft by far.) I've heard many times that Rowan is painfully shy. To the point of rudeness, I agree. Alan Rickman never even glanced at the fans. I've heard he doesn't do the signing thing. Which seems a bit arrogant? Liam looked at us, we called to him, and he turned and walked away. He's the one that p'd me off."}, {"response": 788, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sun, Nov  9, 2003 (14:43)", "body": "(Mari)Caribou! Geez, the rich get richer . . .;-) Santa Fe Film Festival Announces Lineup I was already screaming inside when I had gotten this far!!!!!!!!! Oh, woohoo! woohoo! woohoo! The City Different has come through!!!!!!!!! Oh, and its at a great time of year! Oh, and its so close! Oh, and I might get to see Peter again! Too bad Colin has a new baby, or he could get to see that ab-solutely gorgeous cowboy country again. Oh, woohoo! woohoo! woohoo! HRMH Caribou and DH cordially invite Drool Darlings everywhere to accompany them to the Santa Fe Film Festival December 3-7,2003 Sorry can't do fancy fonts or even center it and I certainly don't want to try to figure it out given the state I'm in. I had looked around a little but had given up hope when PW said he was looking for geographically-diverse film festivals. I had always hoped one of CF's films would come to the Taos Talking Pictures but it is in the spring and GWAPE will be released by then. But, Santa Fe is even better. Oh, if PW and his wife come, I'll bet she'll wear a tiered broomstick skirt and Indian jewelry. Although that skirt might be more Taos-like and denim, suede, and Indian-wool-blanket graphics more Sante Fe. Or maybe that on the jacket and a broomstick skirt. Will have to think about this some more. Oh, and Colin's black cord with silver beads will fit right in. I wonder if Livia is getting all of her shopping done in NYC or if she would be interested in the Sante Fe style this year? Oh! Oh! Oh!"}, {"response": 789, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Nov  9, 2003 (15:28)", "body": "Thanks everyone for your good wishes sent our way. I got my first good night's sleep. I did not sleep in NY. Another highlight in NY...Eileen Atkins (HD's mum in WAGW was in a play just across the street from our hotel. On Friday, I waited outside the stage door and later was joined by Dorine, Rika, Kathy, Tress, and Maria. When Ms. Atkins came out she said something like you can't all be here for this. You must have liked something else I did. (How true) (I didn't want to say, I was hoping Colin had come to the performance and would be leaving with you) But, I told her that I was sorry I hadn't been to see her play, but loved her in WAGW. She laughed and said she couldn't believe it. She then took several pictures with us. What a lovely and gracious woman!!! Ditto on Mari's post about the friendly and the not so friendly. Emma Thompson is one beautiful, gracious lady!! You could tell she was very pleased for Colin and mentioned that to fans and news media. Now I'm off again, tomorrow, to join Dorine and Rika for the GWAPE BAFTA screening with CF, PW, and SJ. I'm still walking on air, and hopefully ODB will show tomorrow evening, and one of us will get to ask a question. Off to unpack and repack. Ebert and Roper gushed on and on this morning, giving LA two thumbs up!! Excellent. Ok, hope to post from NY about tomorrow evening. Keeping fingers crossed."}, {"response": 790, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov  9, 2003 (16:57)", "body": "Quick posting for now--and am not even sure if this info has been posted--however, we have another Colin TV appearance on Thursday, Nov 13th, on the Wayne Brady Show (nevah seen this one before but he's that improv guy from Who's Line Is It, etc.) Also, you can watch some NY premiere footage that ET didn't air, with Booker talking to Colin and others, here: http://et.tv.yahoo.com/celebrities/2003/11/07/loveactuallypremiere/ Catching up will be tough and slow going; I haven't even unzipped Meg's files (luckily have done my suitcase though) :-("}, {"response": 791, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sun, Nov  9, 2003 (17:42)", "body": "Interesting view at home in the AJC. Love Actually Love and comedy abound in London at Christmastime. FILM FACTS Starring: Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Alan Rickman, Colin Firth and Bill Nighy Director: Richard Curtis Rating: R for sex, nudity and language Genre: Comedy, Romance Grade: B Verdict: As Mary Tyler Moore learned decades ago, love is all around, actually, in this bright Christmas bauble. By ELEANOR RINGEL GILLESPIE The Atlanta Journal-Constitution There's a smashing British boy in \ufffdLove Actually\ufffd and it's not Hugh Grant. It's Thomas Sangster, a precocious and beautiful middle schooler who speaks about his crush on a classmate with all the gravity and passion of Heathcliff in \ufffdWuthering Heights.\ufffd How to gain her attention becomes a much-needed bond between him and his widower stepfather (Liam Neeson). Neeson and Sangster are just two of the outrageously attractive and talented cast who tie a glittering Christmas bow around writer-director Richard Curtis' 10 little love stories. Or rather, stories about love. Love found and love failed, love unrequited and puppy love, love threatened and love triumphant. Even love in Wisconsin. Curtis sets his film five weeks before Christmas in a London so besotted with yuletide that you half expect Ebenezer Scrooge and Tiny Tim to come strolling around a corner, holding hands. The movie begins in a recording studio, where a washed-up rock star (Bill Nighy) is ruefully transforming one of his classics into a ghastly Christmas song, in hopes of a comeback. It then darts from newlyweds Keira Knightley and Chiwetel Ejiofor at their rocking wedding; to a mother (Emma Thompson) gamely fashioning her daughter's lobster costume for the school's Nativity pageant; to the arrival of the new prime minister (Grant) at No. 10 Downing St., where he immediately falls for one of his secretaries (Martine McCutcheon). \ufffdTerribly inconvenient,\ufffd he stiff-upper-lips to himself. And there's more. Thompson's husband, Alan Rickman, is an urbane, dryly humorous boss who might risk a good marriage for a bad-girl employee who all but slithers up his leg. Another of his workers, Laura Linney, has a chance to fulfill a longtime crush on an office colleague but has selflessly \ufffd perhaps too selflessly\ufffd devoted herself to her brother, who lives in an asylum. Some stories are better than others. We could watch the burgeoning romance between Colin Firth's language-challenged Englishman and his Portuguese-speaking maid for hours. But we see far too much of a couple of pseudo-copulating porn-star stand-ins who \ufffdironically\ufffd become interested in each other for real, or the randy young Brit who thinks his love (read, sex) life will change if he goes to America. Most of \ufffdLove Actually\ufffd is as bright and cheery as a string of Christmas lights. But Curtis also reminds us that not everyone gets a merry Christmas. A single present plucked from under the tree changes a life forever. A wedding video that shows only close-ups of the bride's face reveals a hopeless passion. This is the first directorial outing for Curtis, who's written such hits as\ufffdFour Weddings and a Funeral,\ufffd \ufffdNotting Hill\ufffd and \ufffdBridget Jones's Diary.\ufffd But he already knows the first rule of directing: As John Huston so famously said, 99 percent of it is casting. And Curtis has hired only the best. Grant, who does this kind of crisp comedy with a romantic subtext so very well, stands out. By contrast, Neeson generously cedes most of his scenes to his young and extremely talented co-star. Rickman and Thompson bring their stage-honed savvy to the enterprise, while Firth reminds us why Bridget Jones fell for him. Linney gives a heartbreaking portrayal of a woman who, by doing the decent thing, may have doomed herself to a marginal life. There's also a terrific, surprising cameo by Billy Bob Thornton. (Well, I guess this is what to expect from the deep South, pfft!) However, Nighy pretty much steals the movie, giving his rock dinosaur a strange dignity as well as a hilarious propensity for telling the truth, no matter how rude it may be. During a TV appearance, after begging the audience to buy his record even though it's \ufffdtotal crap,\ufffd he turns to the camera and tells the kids watching, \ufffdDon't buy drugs,\ufffd then adds, \ufffdBecome a pop star and then they'll give them to you for free.\ufffd"}, {"response": 792, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov  9, 2003 (18:33)", "body": "Hi Folks...just got home and checking all the fine postings.Thanks to all... Can't add much to the accounts of the \"Magical Night.\" I must admit I'm so proud of ODB and told him so.Has grown in poise in the years we have been following him. He's obviously one of the \"big boys\" now, but has managed to maintain his humble and courteous personal manner. He was a prince to come and sign the autographs. It was His Night and obviously he was pleased.Was glowing...waved during the TV interviews. The print and TV media were surprised with the ovation that he received on arrival. Glad Linda gave you the scoop on \"Hot Lips\" . I was standing there, and his look was more of incredulous shock than pleasurable. (Mari)Honorable mention to Emma's hubby Greg Wise who was sweet and down to earth; I'll let Evelyn fill you in on Greg. Aw, I felt sorry for the guy. Here's the press taking all the photos of Emma and he gets to stand -by like a cast-off. I called over and asked if I could take his pic...He agreed and then my flash didn't go off and he told me so..(duh!) A Bridget moment..but he said he'd wait for me to wind the film. Gawd he's gorgeous. Loved meeting all the Drooleurs. If I must say so myself...ahem, they're an exceptional group! And now this is the longest posting you will ever see me do."}, {"response": 793, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Sun, Nov  9, 2003 (18:40)", "body": "I've just checked http://www.cbs.com/latenight/latelate/guest/ for Colin and he is NOT listed."}, {"response": 794, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Nov  9, 2003 (18:50)", "body": "(Evelyn)And now this is the longest posting you will ever see me do LOL, until the next premiere!!! Thanks everyone for the clips, photos, and interview updates."}, {"response": 795, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sun, Nov  9, 2003 (19:09)", "body": "(Evelyn)And now this is the longest posting you will ever see me do. LOL! So glad you didn't just do a one word summary--it's details like these that make it feel more like we were there.:-) (Evelyn)It was His Night I'm also surprised, especially in such company, but so very glad for him. Hope those promoting the movies are taking note. (Evelyn)obviously he was pleased. Was glowing...waved during the TV interviews. He's at his cutest when he's most like a happy little boy. I still really would like a word by word of the questions and comments everyone got to make to him. I can't imagine ever getting to say anything to him. Did you tell him about firth.com? Did anyone take anything to give him? Did he recognize anyone from other visits? Did he sign for everybody and which things did you take? Did anyone ask about upcoming theater? Did anyone get to talk to Livia?"}, {"response": 796, "author": "vlyne", "date": "Sun, Nov  9, 2003 (21:35)", "body": "Hello, everyone - I wanted to say thank you to everyone for all of the articles, reviews and especially the reports from the red carpet! I'm a devoted lurker who seldom has anything to contribute, so I hope this isn't old news... The \"Hollywood One on One\" program which airs on the Starz movie channels has interviews with the cast of LA. The interviews were done during the London press junket (sp) and the host spoke to the cast in pairs/groups: Colin, Laura Linney and Liam Neeson; Hugh and Richard Curtis; Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman; and Martine Mc and Bill Nighy. CF looked gorgeous in his customary black jacket with white shirt and a pair of faded blue jeans. The program will re-air several times this week."}, {"response": 797, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov  9, 2003 (22:30)", "body": "Caribou: I still really would like a word by word of the questions and comments everyone got to make to him. I told him: \"I'm *so* proud of you\" ; he thanked me gave one of his \"blue soup\"smiles. I didn't have anything signed. I'm not one for autographs. Several years ago he signed a pic he took with Spring in 1999. That's enough. People took all kinds of stuff...many took Speaking with Angels. Did you tell him about firth.com? You gotta be kidding. Did anyone take anything to give him? No. It wasn't that kind of a function. He was about to go into the theatre. Did he recognize anyone from other visits? No. He kept his head down signing madly. Did he sign for everybody and which things did you take? Yes. He signed for all who wanted an autograph. Did anyone ask about upcoming theater? No. I should have.Thought about it later. Did anyone get to talk to Livia? Mari congratulated her on the baby.And she said\" Thank you v. much\" She stood in front of us during the whole time he was being interviewed. We really wanted to ask her to move, but didn't have the nerve. I know others will add to this....you were so good to report about Telluride, that's the least we can do. We wish all DD could have been there with us.....toasted: \"To absent friends\"."}, {"response": 798, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Nov  9, 2003 (23:06)", "body": "Evelyn)It was His Night (Caribou)I'm also surprised, especially in such company, but so very glad for him. Hope those promoting the movies are taking note. Evelyn)obviously he was pleased. Was glowing...waved during the TV interviews. (Caribou)He's at his cutest when he's most like a happy little boy. He was lovely ! He was flirting with us! He would smile at us and wave while he was doing his press stuff and we were not unresponsive as you might imagine! This happened several times. I can safely say that he made the best effort of anyone there and I think made the trip well worth while for his *fan base*. He might not always be eloquent when referring to his fans but he sure made it well worth my efforts to see him and he continued to be gracious to fans after that dope grabbed at him! Whatta guy! Loved meeting fellow Droolers! Better than I'd imagined. This guy has some amazing fans!"}, {"response": 799, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Nov  9, 2003 (23:29)", "body": "(Caribou) Did anyone ask about upcoming theater? (Evelyn) No. I should have.Thought about it later. Thank you!! Question for sometime tomorrow!! That's been one of my burning questions, had an easy chance and forgot, damn it!! We really wanted to ask her to move, but didn't have the nerve. LOL!!!"}, {"response": 800, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov  9, 2003 (23:37)", "body": "(Caribou) Did anyone ask about upcoming theater? Any answer from the weather man would probably be *precipitous* ;-) Thanks Valerie. Always good to hear from you, with or without items of doctrinal import."}, {"response": 801, "author": "caribou", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (00:24)", "body": "(Evelyn)We really wanted to ask her to move, but didn't have the nerve. Probably, she would always rather have us view him through the \"Livia lens\" as it were.:-) (Karen)Any answer from the weather man would probably be *precipitous* ;-) Isn't that the truth! So good to have everyone back on board! Am really looking forward to news from GWAPE BAFTA screening. Please, if you guys get the chance, ask CF if he's going with PW to any more film fests. You might suggest Santa Fe if he has trouble thinking of any nice ones.:-) (BeeDee)He was flirting with us! Did you ever in your wildest dreams think you would be able to write those words???!!!?? Did anybody just happen to have a video camera handy? (Evelyn)We wish all DD could have been there with us.....toasted: \"To absent friends\". That is so sweet. It reminds me of the International Sand Club toasting to absent wives.:-)"}, {"response": 802, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (01:03)", "body": "Don't know what I can add to all that you have already heard (but you do know I'll go on too long, so apologies in advance)! Was surprised that we were let into the press tent and wonder if things would have been different had it not been raining! We really lucked out....I believe there were 14 Droolers present and probably about 70 fans in the tent? We were representin'! ODB got the most applause and cheers. He looked amazing! Blue suit (again!) and black shoes this time! Livia looked lovely. Black cashmere type top with a red suede skirt....nice shoes (took a few pics of them) and the hair is faux. Goes down to her butt and is HUGE. Have a few pics of it as well (one with SAL-MAAAAAN Rushdie standing next to her and talking). BTW, did not get to ask Mr. Rushdie were the loos were....rather disappointed !! ;-D Is very important to me to know were all toilets are situated. Bill Nighy was a sweetheart! He came over to me (after noticing I wanted an autograph earlier, when he was done with his press obligations he said \"where is that lady with the poster? I have to sign for her\". Came over and personalized his autograph to me. We talked of LA (told him I thought he was brilliant....too funny) and told him I enjoyed I Capture the Castle. He said he was proud of both films. He then gave a big ol' belly laugh when KathyF told him that she enjoyed LA so much that \"Christmas Is All Around\" was growing on her.....he said \"it's rubbish!\" and laughed some more! Emma Thompson was incredibly nice. She came over to sign and said \"I think you are all going to really enjoy this film\". Most of us said that we had already seen it. I then told her that her part really moved me and was a real treat to watch. She said something like \"that is really kind, thank you\" and then asked \"who are you all here to see?\" When we said \"Colin\" she said something like \"I'm so thrilled for him! He has so many fans here tonight!\" She seemed genuinely pleased that ODB was having such a fuss made over him. ODB was friendly and talkative and seemed really relaxed (unlike Toronto). He spoke to our 'corner' for a few minutes (thank you Mari for keeping a cool head and being able to actually 'verbalize'). She asked him about The Dead Wait (\"precipitous\" he replied! He couldn't really talk about it as it was still up in the air). Mari also mentioned seeing him at Donmar and welcomed him to her 'neighborhood' (he smiled with dimples at that remark). She asked how long he had been in NYC (\"three days now\"). He was initially confused by a question (don't think he heard it all) when she asked \"what is after TEOR?\" and he replied \"We are filming that right now\". She then said something about \"I meant projects\" and that is when he used \"precipitous\" (my new favorite word now! LOL!). He touched me this time (no poking!). First when I handed him my poster to sign, he took the pen out of my hand and we had 'contact'. His fingers were cool (not hot or warm) and dry! Big ol' sigh! Then he asked \"do you have something I can write on?\" Linda was kind enough to hand over her book for him to use as a 'desk' (a hardship to have him fondle her paperback...LOL! ;-D). As he was signing, KathyF handed her book over to me over my shoulder. I stuck it out to ODB and he then took book and pen from me again (touched me at this point too....got the poster and pen back....and he touched my other hand getting pen away from me to sign for KathyF. This time he capped my Sharpie before it came back so I didn't get a 'pokin'). Managed to eek out a 'thank you' and he said \"you're welcome\" while listening to Mari's questions. It wasn't until after he signed for Linda that I realized ODB had signed autograph actually to me (thank you again Bill Nighy!!!!). There was an akward moment on the carpet, but ODB bounced back fairly quickly. I was taking pics and was messing with my camera...when I looked up, ODB was moving quickly backward with a shocked/stunned look on his face. I asked the girl next to me if he had been hit (as he was making a face as if he had been struck) and she told me that someone had just grabbed him and kissed him. This put a bit of a damper on the festive mood for a minute or two....but ODB recovered quickly and moved down and continued to sign.....I heard later that this woman had been told several times by security to calm down or they would escort her out. She had supposedly been hanging over the barrier and acting out a bit....is unfortunate. One person can ruin a mood or ruin something for dozens more. ODB was a trooper and continued down the row.....but it took a minute for everyone to get 'back to normal'. I don't think because ODB is an actor he forfeits his right to his personal space. I hope that doesn't happen too often o him. Would be very sad if he became like some of the other stars that were at LA who walked by their fans because they didn't want the bother (AR and LN spent no time with fans. Neither did Rowan Atkinson). Hugh was kind and signed fo"}, {"response": 803, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (01:42)", "body": "(Tress) We talked to the head of security and Maria made me LOL...she said \"So if I were to go to the afterparty, where would I be going?\" Was that Mike with the hat? OMG! or did Maria and I ask 2 different people the exact same question, LOL!!!! The island of Manhattan will never look the same (right Rika?) and the subway to the Village will be doing the silent hokie pokie thanks to Maria! ROTFLMAO!! I'll never get on the subway without being a grinnin' fool again. (Dorine taking up post in the air.....I have come to believe that in some past life she was either a bird or monkey ;-D). Maybe a flying monkey? I've always had a huge affinity for The Wizard of Oz. ;-) Thanks so much, Terry! Didn't know about some of the questions and answers down your way. And, your welcome, for the little bit I did. :-D Got a ways to go 'til I'm Julie, the Cruise Director. ;-)"}, {"response": 804, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (02:05)", "body": "(Dorine) Was that Mike with the hat? OMG! or did Maria and I ask 2 different people the exact same question, LOL!!!! Yes! Did you ask that question? Am I still hallucinating? I thought it was Maria that asked Mike that! GAH! But I do think that Maria asked someone as well....the guy we took to calling Vinnie maybe??! He was the one that let us on the carpet I think....am now all fuzzy and warm after no sleep/all drool diet! Am incredibly surprised at how quickly the security boys gave up their info (they were practically willing to throw us all in the car and drive us there....LOL!). Must now learn to chat up the drivers of various limos and town cars for info....this would also keep us (by us, I mean Maria and I) from chasing the wrong car two or three blocks just in the hope of a glimpse! Not that we would do something silly like that.....;-)"}, {"response": 805, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (02:51)", "body": "It seems very sure that I can attend the LA London premiere. So everybody who is comming too, please feel free to contact me via e-mail. Also, I would appreciate some tips ( via e-mail), as it is my first premiere."}, {"response": 806, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (07:38)", "body": "Just a quick note, then it's off to work! For those in later time zones, Colin is on in the second hour of the Today Show, about 20 minutes into the second hour. Adorable. And Katie couldn't resist a touch on the knee.;-) I want to know who the people from San Francisco are who had the big Colin Firth sign outside the studio."}, {"response": 807, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (07:38)", "body": "Katie was cute on the Today Show.....she was too far away to touch him with her feet while they were sitting on those high chairs, but she just *had* to touch him. See that slow little jab on his knee? LOL! She's cute. Not so great lighting for him. He looked a bit tired (not surprising, I suppose) and the lights washed him out a bit."}, {"response": 808, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (09:04)", "body": "(Karen)BTW, we don't think the photogs were yelling at Greg Wise (uttery doll) I don't think you saw what I was referring to. Emma Thompson and Greg Wise were being photographed together, and some of the photogs asked for shots just of her. Greg knelt at her feet (you can see a couple of shots of this on WireImage). It was while he was in that pose that one of the photogs yelled, \"Get the f*** out of the way.\" They could have been yelling at someone else, but as nobody else was \"in the way\" I can't imagine who it would have been. Greg appeared to believe that it was aimed at him, because he immediately stood up and walked around the corner and waited while Emma finished up with the photographers. When she was near the end of the gauntlet, someone asked for a photo of the two of them, and he came back. Okay, on to something new! I just got back to my hotel from the area outside the \"Today Show\" studio in Rockefeller Center. I saw Colin's interview being taped through the windows. During the preceding commercial break, Katie Couric came over to him and got a kiss, and they chatted with quite a bit of animation until it was time for them to sit down and start the interview. When it was done, the two of them stayed seated for a few minutes chatting some more, before he finally departed. He stopped briefly outside the studio doors - some professional autograph sellers were there, along with one photographer who kept blocking my view, so I have one very bad photo from outside and that's all. Sadly, most of the people waiting by the doors were there to see Ann-Margret, who was on the show about half an hour later, and didn't even know who Colin was, but that didn't stop them from getting in the way! As you saw on TV, he was wearing a dark blue jacket and white shirt, along with light khaki-colored slacks. Maybe the matching blue slacks are at the cleaner's after his spill on Thursday. :-) (Mari) I want to know who the people from San Francisco are who had the big Colin Firth sign outside the studio. I saw them. Didn't get a chance to talk to them, though. I couldn't get into that area - even though it was fairly empty, the area you had to walk through to get there was completely jammed with people standing around a huge stage where they were doing Today's \"American Idol\" equivalent. And I also wanted to be able to pop over to the stage door afterwards - would never have made it back through the crowd in time. (Dorine) Not so great lighting for him. He looked a bit tired (not surprising, I suppose) and the lights washed him out a bit. He looked tired (though still gorgeous) in person too. Polite but subdued with the people outside the studio. But this was also a very different sort of atmosphere, where he wasn't called upon to be friendly and sociable. Most of the people waiting there just wanted their autographs so they could go sell them. One fan did get her picture taken with him, and I could probably have managed that if I'd been more aggressive, but because he looked tired I decided not to bug him."}, {"response": 809, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (09:24)", "body": "Looks like Hugh is getting back at Mari: ;-) GRANT: FIRTH IS TOO OLD FOR COMEDY Actor HUGH GRANT has mocked his younger pal COLIN FIRTH's sex symbol status - claiming the screen star is \"starting to look his age\". Grant - who teamed up with Firth in BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY and new movie LOVE ACTUALLY - took a good-humoured pop at his friend this morning (10NOV03) on British TV show GMTV, questioning his handsome looks and suitability for film roles. When the NOTTING HILL hunk - who is actually one day older than Firth - was asked whether the pair are pals, Grant replied, \"It's very difficult to like Colin. \"I feel sorry for him on the regard that he is starting to look his age, poor old boy. The question arises, is he too old for romantic comedy now? I think he is. \"The problem is one eye has started to droop a little.\" http://www.channel4.com/film/newsfeatures/news_story.jsp?storyId=2527"}, {"response": 810, "author": "meg", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (09:26)", "body": "I don't want to be an alarmist, but why don't any of the t.v. listings show CF as being on Craig Kilbourn??? Maybe it's next week?"}, {"response": 811, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (09:41)", "body": "Tivoing the Today show in a later time zone channel, missed the local version. About how far in to the first and second hours is the Firth interview?"}, {"response": 812, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (09:55)", "body": "Cute interview on the Today Show. Thanks for being the on the spot reporter, Rika.The slacks looked like khaki cords...were they, ? Jacket , denim? Shirt looked like pajama tops; maybe he was in a hurry;-)"}, {"response": 813, "author": "birdy", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (10:10)", "body": "Dunno, maybe I missed reading about it, but on the night of The Daily Show, were any of \"us\" among the \"hard-core\" fans that were there and witnessed the \"falling on his ass\" before getting in the limo? Inquiring minds want to know. BTW - The posts the past few days are one of the main reasons why we LOVE this site! KUDOS and THANKS to EVERYONE from me too."}, {"response": 814, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (10:12)", "body": "(Meg) I don't want to be an alarmist, but why don't any of the t.v. listings show CF as being on Craig Kilbourn??? Maybe it's next week? Unfortunately scheduled guests often change on these shows. Who knows what will be the case. You should recall the first time Colin was scheduled for the Today Show; it was even printed in the TV Guide (I kept it!!) but didn't happen. If you go to the Wayne Brady Show webpage, Colin isn't listed as a guest either for this week, yet the Late Show lineup page shows him, as well as online TV Guide. Better safe than sorry I say. Colin appears about 20 minutes into the second hour of Today...today."}, {"response": 815, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (10:16)", "body": "(Evelyn)The slacks looked like khaki cords...were they, ? Khaki, but I don't think they were cords unless it was a very thin wale. Almost a denim-ish look to them. Odd choice with the jacket, I thought. Jacket, denim? Looked like a pretty standard dark blue suit jacket to me. Shirt looked like pajama tops; maybe he was in a hurry;-) LOL! I don't remember anything specific about the shirt except that it was white. I must apologize, though - I forgot to check the shoe color! Was it visible on camera? I couldn't always hear what was being said during the interview (I know they discussed his learning Portugese), but I saw that they showed publicity shots of the TEOR fight in Hyde Park. Did he get a chance to mention GWAPE or any other project, or did he just stick to the Universal projects?"}, {"response": 816, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (10:17)", "body": "(Louise) were any of \"us\" among the \"hard-core\" fans that were there and witnessed the \"falling on his ass\" before getting in the limo? My own feeling is that it was an amusing anecdote created for his interviews. Absolutely no rumblings from his *fan base* to validate and you can be sure world would've gotten around...like the lunatic fan who might have ruined it for everyone else in the future by kissing him. Wish the security guard had thrown her out as he had threatened several times. She's really living in a fantasy world if she thinks Colin thought it was cute or had brought it upon himself. :-("}, {"response": 817, "author": "Rika", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (10:17)", "body": "closing tags. Sorry - haven't done that in ages. Must be \"ODB Fever.\""}, {"response": 818, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (10:18)", "body": "tag is closed now!"}, {"response": 819, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (10:20)", "body": "Lucky you, Rika. I'm so glad you got to see him, again, this morning. He looked lovely from a TV POV. Katie will be flustered for a month after this one. LOL that she pronounced Matteo wrong. Went well with the gist of the interview, actually. OK, off to NY in two hours. Hopefully the stars will shine on us again, tonight!!"}, {"response": 820, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (10:20)", "body": "My guess is that Universal booked him on Craig Kilborn in Los Angeles for Wednesday--without realizing he had GWAPE commitments on Tuesday night in NY. He could take a very early flight Wednesday A.M. and just make it, but it's tight. I'd imagine the Kilborn appearance won't happen. Still, we have The View coming up tomorrow. Terry--did you tape E! News on Friday for us? Since that's a one hour show, I imagine they had decent coverage of the premiere."}, {"response": 821, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (10:31)", "body": "Here are some repeat times for the Starz Hollywood One on One program that Valerie mentioned yesterday. These are all Eastern time: STARZ Nov 11 09:00am STARZ Nov 12 03:30pm STARZ Nov 13 01:35pm STARZ Nov 14 07:20am STARZ Nov 15 04:40pm STARZ Nov 19 04:25am STARZ Nov 19 04:30pm However, if you do a search at Starz: http://www.starzsuperpak.com/se/ssp/schedule/grid_search.html you can see there are two versions of this program: a 15 minute one and another on Starz theater which is 24 minutes. V. confusing, though I suppose it doesn't matter, as I don't have that channel. ;-)"}, {"response": 822, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (10:38)", "body": "(Rika) Did he get a chance to mention GWAPE or any other project, or did he just stick to the Universal projects? Just Universal stuff, unless I missed something.....shades of Thursday night. Maria asked me a couple of days later what he said to me since she couldn't hear, and I freaked because I thought I missed something beside the \"thank you very much.\" I mean it was loud, but.... To top it off she informed me I said something out loud that I thought I was just thinking when my pen didn't work for a sec. I definitely didn't have enough to drink beforehand. ;-) Awesome for you, Rika. Maybe he can get a nap in today and be refreshed. At least he'll be talking about something other than LA tonight and tomorrow night."}, {"response": 823, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (10:42)", "body": "Colin's shirt this morning was striped. Very nice. I thought he looked handsome. Poor guy, we expect him to be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed 24/7.;-) Good luck to Dorine and Linda at the GWAPE thingie tonight! Really looking forward to your report on the Q&A, darling girls!:-)"}, {"response": 824, "author": "caribou", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (10:46)", "body": "(Mari)For those in later time zones, Colin is on in the second hour of the Today Show, about 20 minutes into the second hour. Whew! Mari thanks for that post. You saved my bacon! I would have missed it totally--as it was just missed the first little bit (I hope). Because of my unpreparedness, I was on the wrong channel briefly and saw Russell Crowe. Colin was counterprogramming to R Crowe! Definitely makes him one of the big boys.:-) (Mari)Adorable. And Katie couldn't resist a touch on the knee.;-) I watched that bit a couple of times. She did that to reconnect with him! She had just said that he didn't do a good job with speaking Portegeuse (not really the ad line they were going for). When he heard that, he put on a fake smile and broke eye contact with her and looked down. Then, she kept talking, touched his knee to get him to look up and tried really hard to dig herself out of that hole by saying she thought it was really cute and worked well in the movie. Oh, I do love to watch ODB unrehearsed. Rika, Dorine, or Linda, I had an idea but don't know if it's feasible. On the casa site, there is a photo of him talking to Rushdie at the after party. I bet he would really like a hard copy of that. 4x6 that he could slip in his pocket when you see him tonight.;-) Just a thought. Still enjoying every post and tidbit!!"}, {"response": 825, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (11:20)", "body": "(Caribou)Colin was counterprogramming to R Crowe! Definitely makes him one of the big boys.:-) Prime Time, wow! When did we *ever* think that would happen. Remember the last time he was on the Today Show ? They put him on from 9 to 10. Who looks at that time...except the cleaning ladies."}, {"response": 826, "author": "Odile", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (11:38)", "body": "Reporting in about the Today Show from the later time zone. It was great! I couldn't focus on anything he wore because of the way he looked at Katie! How could she stand it. He had a full blown BJ birthday Mark Darcy look. I also loved how he seemed to get distracted anytime they showed clips of his movies; he must have been watching the monitor..."}, {"response": 827, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (11:43)", "body": "Saw the Today Show interview. Nice...ODB did look a bit tired, but still incredibly handsome. Loved that Katie had to slip in the knee touch (reminded me of Bridget's chest touch at the turkey curry buffet) to get ODB to look back up at her (maybe he was dozing in his jammie top! LOL!). Anyway, he looked tired but sexy... Yeah! Rika!!! You saw him again! Good for you, I'm glad you went down even if you didn't get that close. BTW, I think the shoes he was wearing were boots. Dark brown, I believe. Good luck to the BAFTA ladies, Dorine, Rika and Linda! Have fun this evening and I look forward to hearing all about it!"}, {"response": 828, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (11:51)", "body": "For the crowd that couldn't watch him on TV this morning, the Today show has the clip up on the site now: http://www.msnbc.com/news/today_front.asp?0dm=-20VV"}, {"response": 829, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (12:23)", "body": "Here she goes... Colin, right after being petted: And his face after Katie congratulates him on the baby:"}, {"response": 830, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (12:51)", "body": "They're both cuties. Thanks, Karen. (Tress) Loved that Katie had to slip in the knee touch (reminded me of Bridget's chest touch at the turkey curry buffet) Yes!!!! LOL!! It was so far into the interview, I was losing hope of seeing any \"moves\" from her. ;-)"}, {"response": 831, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (12:52)", "body": "All together now: Awwwwwwwww!!!!!!!! What a sweet way to start my morning! And didn't the little knee-pat thing bring to mind Darcy's sympathy pats on the distressed Lizzie?"}, {"response": 832, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (13:24)", "body": "Karen, you really captured him at the right moments! And now we definitively have the correct pronunciation of Matteo. Rika, so glad you got in another peek this morning. I think the sign that was held up right after his segment said: San Franciscans love Colin Firth and the Today Show. We thought we'd tell you \"Just in cases.\" (Which is so clever, because that's Aurelia's line to him when he comes to propose.)"}, {"response": 833, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (13:27)", "body": "(Mari) And now we definitively have the correct pronunciation of Matteo. Turkish, right? ;-)"}, {"response": 834, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (13:38)", "body": "Hi again! Just slept (only woke up for the Today Show). OK, I'll attempt to be coherent. I\ufffdm sure everything I\ufffdm saying has already been said already. And I\ufffdll apologize upfront to Karen for using the plural sometimes. Meeting all of the Drooleurs was absolutely amazing. You all are wonderful and a wholeheartedly wish that everyone could have been there! Oh, and when I checked into the hotel, the first thin I saw was a LA poster outside the room. It was a positive sign! ;-) I saw GWAPE with Dorine and Linda. It was truly a piece of art!!! Before the premiere, everything seemed v. iffy. A bunch of lawyers were having a party that took up the side of the hotel opposite the theater and blocked off much of the access. Harumph! The gang stood on the edge of the press tent in the rain, which I thought was itself exciting. Then a bunch of fans were issued into the tent, but \"Vinnie\" closed off the barrier while I was outside with several others. Dorine, I think, (the whole experience is still v. dreamlike) pulled the rest of us in after the fans inside yelled that there was still space. We were behind a barrier right on the red carpet and across from all the press. Next to Karen and me were a couple of tourists who had blindly wandered into the tent off the street but had no idea about LA or just about any of the actors. Durr\ufffd (though the man did have a video camera). And I must say, I never realized the paparazzi were so nasty and beastlike. At some point (my only time reference is on my photographs) Bill Nighy walked in as the first of the stars. He was posing and really seemed into the whole experience and was great to Tress and Kathy (I wish I had been over there). Alan Rickman was next, followed by Richard Curtis, and then the girl who played Joanna. Oh, and Kelly Clarkston was in that group too. Rowan Atkinson rushed past the photographers and they booed him very loudly until he walked back to stop for a photo or two. Emma Thompson was beautiful, and I really felt sorry for Greg Wise. I have a picture of his picture being taken by Evelyn. ;-) Maurine McCutcheon wore a lovely gown and looked stunning. Liam Neeson was there with Natasha Richardson, but he completely ignored the fans. Rodrigo Sanchez practically slipped by. My heart has started pounding like it was while we were in the tent as a I think about Colin\ufffds entrance. The screams were deafening (he was really the only one who got any screams). Livia was stunning and Colin glowed. He was all smiley and waved and seemed genuinely delighted to be so adored. Hugh came in a moment or two later and the fans were silent. Some publicist asked the fans if we were going to scream for Hugh, and he got a few cries. I remember yelling, \ufffdYou\ufffdre nice too!\ufffd He and Colin got in a big bear hug and I thought the stardom torch had truly been passed. By this time the two random tourists had left and I was standing next to the infamous psycho fan \ufffdpink girl.\ufffd She kept on nearly climbing over the barrier and Vinnie threatened her three or four times that she would be thrown out. I told her to calm down, because it wasn\ufffdt worth it to be thrown out (ah, hindsight\ufffd had I known what she was about to do, I would have assisted Vinnie in escorting her from the tent!). TMH came over and signed something that pink girl was waving and a few other things from the area in which I was standing, before being swallowed by the press again. When he came back pink girl muttered, \ufffdI have to do this,\ufffd grabbed him by the lapel/shoulder and kissed him on the dimple. He was right in front of me at that point and he recoiled in abject horror, but was so gentlemanlike and continued to sign for the fans. Pink girl then stuffed another book in front of him and insisted he personalize the message, but he couldn\ufffdt understand the way she wanted him to have it spelled and finally scribbled something while muttering that he had to go on. He signed my Speaking with the Angel . I was certain he wasn\ufffdt going to after pink girl and all I could say was sorry and thank you over and over. He was like Adonis in person; so tall and broad shouldered in the blue suit! And the dimples when he gave a big smile\ufffd wow! Oh and his voice was so deep and resonant and I\ufffdm really starting to babble here. ;-) The experience was beyond my wildest expectations, but I think the best part was meeting the other Drooleurs! I had such a blast with the whole chase and New York\ufffds dirty little secret and everything! So much to tell, so much to conceal! It was a dream!"}, {"response": 835, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (13:57)", "body": "(Shoshana)...but I think the best part was meeting the other Drooleurs! I had such a blast with the whole chase and New York\ufffds dirty little secret and everything! So much to tell, so much to conceal! Girl, don't leave us hanging! Tell more, I beg you!"}, {"response": 836, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (14:32)", "body": "I really must thank everyone who takes the time and trouble to post video clips, pictures, and accounts of encounters! I feel almost like I was at the LA premier with you all. So...virtual roses and Godiva chocolates to you all!"}, {"response": 837, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (15:02)", "body": "This might be an entirely impossible link, but it is pics of Rodrigo publicizing the movie in Rio [pause] de Janiero (shaking her shoulders a la HJ) ;-) http://www.globephotos.com/scripts/kws30pre.exe?site=GLOBEPH&maxhits=12&picktype=GfxOnly&type=GfxOnly&search=K33884&hmessage=BRAZILIAN+ACTOR+RODRIGO+SANTORO+DURING+AN+INTERVIEW++RIO+DE+JANEIRO,+BRAZIL++11/03/2003&ShowTotal=on&fmaxhits=&submit=lsearch"}, {"response": 838, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (15:15)", "body": "Boss Lady, I'm not sure if this belongs here but I guess you'll move/delete if necessary. Don't think I've seen it posted already. Article and review from NBC site about LA, with photo of characters (including CF), but doesn't interview CF in article. http://www.msnbc.com/news/989220.asp?0dm=V22DL"}, {"response": 839, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (15:29)", "body": "Thanks to all our premiere ladies for the wonderful reports!! I'm sure you are all still on cloud nine and suffering from lack of sleep, so thanks for sharing. You made it possible for all of us to feel that we were there, as we were in spirit! Karen, thanks for getting the Today link up so soon. My VCR's on the blink, but a friend taped it for me. I'll see it tonight, but loved the sneak peek and the caps. Dorine, Linda and Rika: Have a wonderful time and ask some great questions, or any kind of questions, so you can keep him talking! What a marvelous chance to see him in a different setting, away from the press. Looking forward to your reports later tonight!"}, {"response": 840, "author": "Jodi", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (15:41)", "body": "Thank you so much ladies for all the great stuff. I don't live far from the city but it was an impossible date for me. I can say though that I am extremely jealous of you all yet strangely satisfied b/c all your reports make me feel if I was actually there! On another note, psycho fan \"pink girl\" has posted her story elsewhere and she saw absolutely nothing wrong with what she did. I am with you girls though, definitely over the line. Thank you again and please feel free to babble on."}, {"response": 841, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (16:12)", "body": "Pat O'Brien gave it a rave review on Access Hollywood, he said if it's in your area and you weren't going he would personally come and give you a ride to the theater."}, {"response": 842, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (16:26)", "body": ""}, {"response": 843, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (17:05)", "body": "(Jodi) On another note, psycho fan \"pink girl\" has posted her story elsewhere and she saw absolutely nothing wrong with what she did. One great thing about Drool is that we don't talk about other sites (behind their backs)...that being said, I'm grateful that psycho fan \"pink girl\" didn't have vampire tendencies. ;-)"}, {"response": 844, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (17:29)", "body": "Rex Features had a bunch of pics from the premiere and there's a couple of crowd shots with CF signing autographs. There's one shot of a woman in a pink sweater;-). http://www.rexfeatures.co.uk/cgi-bin/r2show0?k=COLIN+FIRTH&f=Next+%3E%3E&s=yPxhs0u6aqj@Pa@MTRcl-ih0&u=DEFAULT&p=b19F8068A0000000A&t=000000DB"}, {"response": 845, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (17:58)", "body": "Thanks ladies, for your ongoing reports. I, too, am savoring every litte tidbit. Rika, Dorine, and Linda have fun tonight at the Q&A. Mari, loved your report--as you gave us the scoop on his hair, and who was naughty and nice on the red carpet. ;-) So, does this mean that in addition to red suits, we must now avoid wearing pink sweaters? ;-) Lisa, whose postings are almost as short as Evelyn's. ;-)"}, {"response": 846, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (22:13)", "body": "Hi everyone, Rika, Dorine, and I just got back from the BAFTA screening and Q&A|"}, {"response": 847, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (22:35)", "body": "(Lisa)So, does this mean that in addition to red suits, we must now avoid wearing pink sweaters? ;-) LOL! Not a hardship here on either count.:-) (Linda the Tease)Hi everyone, Rika, Dorine, and I just got back from the BAFTA screening and Q&A| Yes? So.........? What's the poop?"}, {"response": 848, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (22:47)", "body": "Sorry about that, but this poxy hotel internet connection is the pitts. Colin, Scarlett, and Peter Webber entered the theater after the screening for the Q&A. We sat in the second row and the first row was divided with a space right in front of my seat. As soon as the screening was over, a women came out and placed four chairs directly in front of that space. I knew we sat in the right spot. I turned to my left as soon as the lights went up and there he was. OMG. Colin was dressed in jeans, a black t-shirt and a brown suede jacket. He was gorgeous. Then the three of them walked down and took their seats. Colin sat directly in front of me. With a bit of effort, I could have stretched my leg all the way out and touched him. Well it might have been a big stretch, but you get the idea. For the second time in four days, I felt like I died and went to heaven. Dorine asked the first question of PW about the ending being so different from the book with almost no passage of time. He had several reasons for this, but in a nutshell he wanted to leave it ambigious, and since it wasn't historical fact, he felt this was the way to go. I'll let Dorine tell you the rest, but it might need to go to Spoilers. There was a question as to why the decision to film in Luxembourg (sp). PW said it definitley was a question of money that helped with the decision. His answers were rather long, and try as I might pay attention, my mind and eyes just kept straying to CF. I was very discreet, but it was almost impossible not to look at him with him sitting not five feet in front of me. When PW answered the question about the shooting location and the money, Colin and Scarlett kept looking at each other and giggling, raising eyebrows, etc over his answer. A few questions came from the moderator. (I have no idea who he was or what he looked like);-) The Q&A lasted about 40 minutes. When we left the theater, Colin was in the hall signing books. I couldn't find my daughter, who attended with me, and as I scanned the crowd she was standing next to Colin and asking him to sign her book. I thought...good girl...the apple doesn't fall far from the tree;-) Colin joked around a bit during the Q&A when he talked about having nothing to do for two months except show up and give a brooding look to Griet and leave. He did say he was terrified when they finally began shooting his part because he had watched for so long and could see the beauty of the film unfolding that he didn't want to mess up. He also laughed about scenes that were cut, but he didn't go into detail. PW promised that all this would be on the DVD...(I hope) What an amazing night. I still can't believe I sat there and kept cool for that long a time in such close proximity. Wow! It was a blast, and like Thursday's premiere, I won't forget it for a long, long time. Have to go...6am train out of here, tomorrow."}, {"response": 849, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (22:47)", "body": "I'm sorry, but I must make this quick. Left several mini-crises at home before Q&A, and gee, they seem to still be here. I'll leave the transcript, as such, to Rika and Linda. First things first....he looked AFG! Brown suede jacket shirt thingy, black T-shirt, stonewashed jeans, brown boots. Veeerrrry nice! Hair...awesome!! Really nice skin up close, wonder if he shaved not long before this. (The things we ruminate on here. ;-)) Stupid me, I asked a question about the end of the movie, therefore encouraging PW to speak as opposed to ODB. He's a talker, that PW. Very interesting and passionate about what he says. I really like him and would love a long conversation one day. Scarlett was cute during one of PW's answers....he kept going on and she was kidding around with the mic and Colin, subtly, acting like she was going to try to get a word in edgewise and couldn't. ODB did answer some ?'s, or his part of questions. Q&A was short and sweet and they left the room rather quickly. Must have had somewhere else to go or were just tired. He did stop outside to speak with someone he knew or who knew someone he knew (got that? ;-)). There was a big gap on his left I slid to, though some young guy slipped in between as soon as he was done talking to the other woman...or maybe there was just a lull, cause I think she just stood there while he talked to the kid for a sec. Linda's daughter wanted something signed and seemed reluctant to go up. As soon as that kid moved out, ODB took a couple of side steps away toward the direction to leave, I took a couple of big steps to take up the gap, he looked over to me, I asked if he minded doing something, he said \"Wot?,\" ;-), I backed up a step, pointed to Linda's daughter who was just behind me, I looked at her, tipped my head toward him and said \"Go ahead,\" and she asked him to sign something for her. He did, of course and she got a really nice smile. Way to go G!! :-) And while I had him there (oh the images that conjures up), I managed to get something signed for someone else, as well. To make things easier for him, I had her name on a Post-It sticking up out of the book so he could use it to sign and avoid the issues of Thursday. Almost didn't help too much, he seemed distracted, or confused, or both, because I had to point it out several times that it was the name I wanted on it. Bet he's tired of all this. Can't blame him really. And it's probably been a long day for him and one tomorrow, too. His handler said he had an elevator holding for him, but he still signed a few more, with the crowd getting more dense in front of him. When he stopped and turned to leave, you could tell he'd had enough. SJ and PW must have hightailed it to the elevator right off. We never saw them out there. They came to the event together, so they were waiting on him to leave, I suppose. Gotta say, we picked one helluva guy to Drool over. :-D Outside, ran into a BAFTA VIP, to whom I pointed out that last year when George Clooney was here, she said she could listen to him read the phone book and I had instantly remarked I'd rather hear Colin. I asked her if her opinion had changed at all. She said she was very surprised about how much ODB had \"IT\" outside of film as he didn't have \"IT\" for her in films. She did seem rather enamored now, but wouldn't concede ODB had it over GC. Give her time, just give her time. ;-) Bet she'll make sure someone at BAFTA tries to get him next year. ;-D Maybe for EOR, if we're lucky. This wasn't too short. :-( Will probably be incommunicado for the next couple of days. I'm looking forward to Rika and Linda's comments."}, {"response": 850, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (23:01)", "body": "(me) When he stopped and turned to leave, you could tell he'd had enough. Gotta say, we picked one helluva guy to Drool over. :-D Just have to reiterate how gracious he was, even when obviously tired. He could be like AR or LN and dis fans. He seemed a tad more business-like in mood and less convivial and flirty as he was on Thursday. Not a huge surprise, really."}, {"response": 851, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (23:10)", "body": "(Linda) Dorine asked the first question of PW about the ending being so different from the book with almost no passage of time. He had several reasons for this, but in a nutshell he wanted to leave it ambigious, and since it wasn't historical fact, he felt this was the way to go. I slid in a follow-up question about whether the different ending was in the script originally when he stopped at the end of the original question. He said the script was different, and he wanted it changed. At that point, didn't ask for follow-up to that, as I all of a sudden realized there were other people in the packed house. ;-D First time in weeks, there weren't droves of exits before the Q&A. ;-)"}, {"response": 852, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (23:21)", "body": "(Dorine)Gotta say, we picked one helluva guy to Drool over. :-D You've got that right! (Linda)With a bit of effort, I could have stretched my leg all the way out and touched him. Well it might have been a big stretch, but you get the idea. Thanks so much Linda and Dorine for those lovely reports. Know how tired you must be and your efforts are much appreciated."}, {"response": 853, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (23:29)", "body": "Yipppppeeeeee!!!! Dorine! Rika! Linda! Way to go ladies! So glad you got to see him again....and it sounds like he was looking mighty fine, though tired (can you blame him?? Crikey! I still haven't recovered from NYC and he's still there and still going!). Glad you got to ask a question on the ending Dorine. I know that you had wanted to hear his response to that.... So happy for you guys!!!! Thanks for the reports ladies!"}, {"response": 854, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (23:51)", "body": "(Ada) Rex Features had a bunch of pics...There's one shot of a woman in a pink sweater;-). Captured for all eternity. *sigh* To the left were a pair of guys holding a white straightjacket. ;-) (Linda) Sorry about that, but this poxy hotel internet connection is the pitts. But do you have water? A flushable toilet? How about working elevators? ;-) Colin sat directly in front of me. With a bit of effort, I could have stretched my leg all the way out and touched him. But could you have kissed him if there had not been a plexiglass divider between them and the audience? Did you notice if he stretched out his legs toward you, indicating (naturally) that he wanted to play footsie with you? ;-) A few questions came from the moderator. (I have no idea who he was or what he looked like);-) Pffft! ;-) I thought...good girl...the apple doesn't fall far from the tree;-) Well done you! (All of you!) Great reports Linda and Dorine. Am savoring every word and trying to visualize Linda playing footsie with him. What a whirlwind week this has been and we're not done yet!"}, {"response": 855, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 2003 (23:59)", "body": "(Linda) A few questions came from the moderator. (I have no idea who he was or what he looked like);-) From EW mag....was a last minute fill-in. Original one cancelled. He left an event to do this. (Karen) What a whirlwind week this has been and we're not done yet! One more lovely course to go! At least here."}, {"response": 856, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (02:27)", "body": "Thank you all for the wonderful reports. I am in awe of you all. However I always like to focus on the really important issues. ;-) Did someone say they had taken a picture of Livia's shoes? Any chance of a peek? Just to add to the collection that is..."}, {"response": 857, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (03:18)", "body": "Hello Everyone and a big THANK YOU to all for your reports, pics, news, etc. - we are all eternally grateful here Down Under for the selfless CF fans out there in the big ol' world. Terry - if you've put the Today show interview into a downloadable format, I'd be very grateful to you for it, since their website seems to have crapped out. Cannot get the darned file in any way, shape or form - it either gives me an error message saying the file cannot be found or it gives me a message saying that the media is downloading - but stays at 0%. :-( I guess all of CF's fans must have murdered the media site..."}, {"response": 858, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (03:47)", "body": "(Jane) Cannot get the darned file in any way, shape or form - it either gives me an error message saying the file cannot be found or it gives me a message saying that the media is downloading - but stays at 0%. *snort* and I thought it was my computer iliteracy showing. (I also can't get in). I want to add my thanks to all the Drool Reporters and their reports. I have had a great time reading and laughing at your antics."}, {"response": 859, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (07:56)", "body": "*TV Alert** BBCA \"Talking Movies\" with Tom Brook (remember him...the bald guy across from us?) featured the NY Premiere this morning.It is repeated again this morning and this evening. Tress and Linda...you are there!! Look at the right when Richard Curtis is being interviewed.Tress holding camera and talking (surprise!) He interviewed Hugh (long time...catch what he says about American audiences reaction to the president scene!), Emma, but alas not Colin. (I'm taping the next show, Boss)"}, {"response": 860, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (08:53)", "body": "Too late! Next ep is not till 5:30 am tomorrow morning."}, {"response": 861, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (09:24)", "body": "BBC American's Talking Movies airs at Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 am, 7:30 am, and 8:30 am/et and on Saturdays at 6:30 am Eastern. While they didn't air Colin being interviewed (cannot believe that, Evelyn, after that special rapport you struck up with Tom!!!) perhaps some of the footage will show up when he reviews the movie on a subsequent show. Note: There is also supposed to be something with Colin on today's Extra! Check for your local listing here: http://extratv.warnerbros.com/local/index.html"}, {"response": 862, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (10:28)", "body": "Wonder if Colin will be on before or after the knockoff shoe segment? ;-) Oh yes, I added the December Marie Claire (UK) article here: http://www.firth.com/articles/03marieclaire_dec.html for those who haven't read it yet. More imports to come... [suitcase got significantly heavier] ;-)"}, {"response": 863, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (10:30)", "body": "(Karen)Wonder if Colin will be on before or after the knockoff shoe segment? ;-) I'm imagining him squirming in the green room wondering if they're going to ask him about home videos, and cursing whoever booked him on this show!"}, {"response": 864, "author": "BarbaraT", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (10:35)", "body": "I'm interested to hear that the US edition of Talking Movies doesn't include any coverage of Colin, as the edition I saw here in Britain at the weekend did include a brief comment from him about his character's romance across the language barrier. It also included TB's review. I hadn't realised they produced different versions for different countries."}, {"response": 865, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (10:51)", "body": "The ladies on The View loved Colin. He did an excellent job of thinking on the spot,especially with Star Jones and Joy Behar. Joy told him is very funny. When Meredith Viera pronounced Matteo's name properly, he looked at her with a sign of appreciation. The only thing the producer did incorrectly was to to put the guest co-host introducing , beginning and closing the spot. Her voice is \"eeewww\". Fortunately, the other ladies piped in and carried the brunt of the time allotted."}, {"response": 866, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (10:52)", "body": "Just saw Colin on the View. Who dressed him this AM? That shirt is hideious!!!! He was great, very charming and witty. And the ladies were a bit calmer than they had been earlier on the show--no questions about embarassing home sex videos. Same clip as on other shows--begining with the papers flyinginto the lake. Interesting that the clip was edited so that we see less skin/undressing when she runs toward the lake. (Disney at work?) He talked about his children, which always makes him look relaxed and happy. Meredith Viera dragged up the \"turnip\" description of Luca. CF said he grew out of that by about 8 months and is not an impossibily beautiful child."}, {"response": 867, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (11:01)", "body": "Am going to have to replay my tape, but Colin started off rather slowly and appeared a bit uncomfortable, but soon loosened up. Loved how the ladies not only said he was gorgeous but that he was funny (that was right after the \"I was four\" quip). It was great hearing/seeing the audience's reaction to him (standing and cheering!!), with one person holding up a sign. I didn't think the shirt looked bad at all. Nice to see him wearing something different for a change."}, {"response": 868, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (11:02)", "body": "ARRGH! bad typing! Luca is NOW an impossibly beautiful child."}, {"response": 869, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (11:04)", "body": "Damn! I'm so sorry I missed his View appearance; sounds like he did well and the ladies and the audience showed proper appreciation.;-). (Freakin' job--necessary only to pay for NYC trips.;-)"}, {"response": 870, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (11:09)", "body": "Star Jones was practically quivering while she mentioned the \"I like you just the way you are\" line from BJD. Cute response to Livia's reaction to being voted sexiest male star in Britain (she probably calls his mother and says 'would you please stop voting') Joy was laughing throughout his description of the baby, not having human attibutes or accessories as he called them. Maybe he doesn't remember how his eyebrows never used to show either. ;-)"}, {"response": 871, "author": "kasey", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (11:16)", "body": "Agree that Colin started off slowly but blame that on the \"auditioning\" co-host... (please don't let her get the position full time!). However, once the regulars took over he loosened up and was charming and funny."}, {"response": 872, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (11:18)", "body": "Was able to watch The View due to Veteran's Day holiday. He was absolutely gorgeous, funny and charming. The ladies seemed v. appreciative of his wit and loved the way he talked about the little ones. I thought he looked fantastic, flowered shirt and all. Couldn't take my eyes off his face long enough to check out the shoes;-)"}, {"response": 873, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (11:38)", "body": "(Kate) Just saw Colin on the View. Who dressed him this AM? Some hispanic bell-boy. But agree, it was a change from the black tee-shirt. Nice audience reaction. Such a difference from the Carolyn Rhea Show (RIP)where the mention of Nostromo brought a resounding silence. Play the tape again , doesn't he do those little purring sounds like he did on \"Colin Unplugged\"tape? Was v. poised...didn't scratch is nose..just kept re-arranging the pillows. The gals were well-behaved which helped. He's ready to take on Letterman and Leno now. Next time."}, {"response": 874, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (12:01)", "body": "(Kate) Just saw Colin on the View. Who dressed him this AM? (Evelyn) Some hispanic bell-boy. And here I thought he was introducing his Darcy line of pajama tops. ;-) (Evelyn) He's ready to take on Letterman and Leno now. Next time. Couldn't agree more. So glad that his wit is coming through, too."}, {"response": 875, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (12:01)", "body": "Congratulations Dorine, Linda, and Rika!!! Such a lucky trip over and over!! Dorine, I thought of questions for tonight, though they're not fully fleshed. One is something to the effect of how do you approach playing a historical figure about whom so little is known, or in SJ's case, someone who in fact never existed but is integrated into true history? Second would be about making historical behavior understandable to a modern audience (I'm thinking about the whole repressed relationships aspect which seems kind of funny modernly when you would just expect them to shag and get over it, who cares about social roles). Yes, they're rubbish, but I at least wanted to try. ;-) Boy, you can tell that I'm still not coherent. ODB is so amazing that he's only showing some tiredness (although he wasn't on the chasing limos/sneaking around hotel lobbies end of the weekend). ;-) Oh, and if anyone cares, my brother is convinced that he can see me in one of the pictures that shows pink girl (and this was without any coaching on my part). \"I\" am staring blindly (looks like towards CF's butt) and halfway behind his shoulder. LOL!"}, {"response": 876, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (13:03)", "body": "(Am going to have to replay my tape, but Colin started off rather slowly and appeared a bit uncomfortable, but soon loosened up. Loved how the ladies not only said he was gorgeous but that he was funny (that was right after the \"I was four\" quip). Actually, he started off that way, too, last evening. At first I thought, oh no, he's in a bad mood, but as soon as things got underway he was great. But on The View this morning it looked as though he had sat on something or maybe his battery pack or whatever it is had slipped to low for comfort. He was AFG this morning and last night. Glad they didn't bring up that sex video stuff with him. Those ladies are like dogs with a bone. They get on to something and keep it going. More about last night: I was trying to remember what PW said in response to Colin's remark that \"it got cut\" and PW said it will be on the DVD extras. I remember, now. They were talking about the weather and how cold it was. Colin said at some point during filming it was 15 below. Scarlett joked around about Colin not having any outside scenes. He responded, \"Yes I did, but they got cut\" And that during those scenes he did shoot outside the weather caused problems with his skin. (Oh Gawd that skin, it looked totally soft and edible last night)sorry! Another moment, off the mic,...(I could hear him breathe)Scarlett mentioned that she loved doing this film because there was so much underlying emotion, and that she had loads of fun looking at all the insturments from Vermeer's studio, she said they were phallic-looking. Colin leaned in to her really laughing and I could hear him say to her, \"Wot did you do, steal them from the set, then\"? (Evelyn)Tress and Linda...you are there!! ...that's it, I'm off to Hollywood. I've been discovered.;-) (Karen)But could you have kissed him if there had not been a plexiglass divider between them and the audience? Did you notice if he stretched out his legs toward you, indicating (naturally) that he wanted to play footsie with you? ;-) . Absolutely, I knew by the look on his face that he was sending me signals to jump him, right then and there. I held back because my daughter was sitting next to me. ...And I knew he wanted to play footsie, too. I could tell.;-))))) But, LOL, I looked down at one point, and found my ankle doing a Couric move. I had to concentrate to stop it. I think I may have been the one sending the signals;-) Oh, and one more thing...I got to hear him say Ab-so-lutely. No wonder I haven't been able to sleep in days. I think if I don't sleep tonight, I'll be ready for the looney bin. OK, who said, \"she's been there for ages\"? (Karen)But do you have water? A flushable toilet? How about working elevators? ;-) LOL, thanks for the memories!!!"}, {"response": 877, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (13:12)", "body": "Sorry, here I am, again. I'm surprised Colin isn't on the Talking Movies clip. He spent a really long time with TB. Or, maybe it just seemed that way since I was anxious for him to come over to our side of the red carpet. Thanks for the TV updates, alerts, and phots. Still dreaming in NJ;-)"}, {"response": 878, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (13:21)", "body": "Finally back home - it's been a whirlwind day so far (5:30 am train so I could be home to teach a class at 10:30). Dorine and Linda have done a great job of covering the major points from the Q&A - let's see what I can add: When they asked about costumes, SJ said hers were pretty comfortable, then asked, \"How were those pantaloons, Colin?\" He replied, \"How did they look to you?\" He went on to say that the biggest problem for him was getting a pair of stockings to stay up. Described \"straps, clasps, clips, pulleys\" used for that purpose. Then he said it was his wig that was the problem, to which Scarlett piped up, \"Yes, it was,\" but they didn't follow that thread any further. He and Peter Webber had a lot of fun with a remark Scarlett made about the \"phallic\" brushes in Vermeer's studio. They were both talking at once so it was hard to make out what they said, but their nonverbal reaction alone was very funny. As has been mentioned, they apparently shot several scenes that were deleted - Webber said he wanted to cut the film down to the most important stuff, which was basically Griet/Vermeer. (Among other things, there were multiple endings shot.) He said we'd get to see them on the DVD. At one point, CF remarked on how cold it was in Luxembourg - he said, \"We were filming in 15 below, weren't we?\" Scarlett said, \"You weren't filming in 15 below; I was.\" He shot back, \"I was too - the scene just got cut.\" Apparently they built a three-story set for the interior of the house. CF talked about how nice that was from the standpoint of the actors being able to easily immerse themselves in the fictional world of the movie, compared to situations where you leave a room, and walk into the room next door several weeks later, hundreds of miles away. They were both asked about preparing for their roles, given that they both did contemporary roles right beforehand. SJ said she was exhausted and feeling emotionally vulnerable after Lost in Translation \"and I just stayed there.\" CF talked at length about his preparation process - lots of research, though it was of little help, and eventually he just had to do something because the cameras were rolling. He mentioned more than once the thing he's said before, about trying to leave Vermeer somewhat \"in the shadows\" as he felt the book and script did. He also mentioned more than once having some feelings of insecurity about the role. The first time, it was in the context of hanging around for five or six weeks and doing nothing but giving Scarlett \"sizzling looks\" on occasion or looking out a window (he repeated the \"I Can't Believe It's Not Butter\" joke about her reaction to the looks). He said it was hard to hang about watching what seemed to be a masterpiece in development while his confidence \"ebbed away\" because he was afraid he'd be the weak link. Later he said that walking onto the set of Vermeer's studio was a rather magical experience, but it also gave him some sense of feeling unworthy. They spent two days filming on location in Delft, though CF didn't go. Scarlett said he was glad he didn't need to go because he'd been doing so much brooding (as Vermeer), and all those brooding looks were totally exhausting. I know there's more, but that's all I can recall right now."}, {"response": 879, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (13:23)", "body": "Sorry to overlap a bit with Linda - we were posting at the same time. (Linda) And that during those scenes he did shoot outside the weather caused problems with his skin. That's right. He said he suspected the reason the scenes were cut was because of what the low temperatures did to his complexion."}, {"response": 880, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (13:31)", "body": "(Rika) He and Peter Webber had a lot of fun with a remark Scarlett made about the \"phallic\" brushes in Vermeer's studio. Ah ha....I *knew* what I was claiming;-D Thanks gals...How about Dorine..is she still stuck on the Triboro Bridge;-)"}, {"response": 881, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (13:34)", "body": "(Allison) Did someone say they had taken a picture of Livia's shoes? I have two pictures of (just) the shoes and a couple of the hair as well....Loved the shoes (and the skirt). (Evelyn) Tress and Linda...you are there!! Look at the right when Richard Curtis is being interviewed. Tress holding camera and talking (surprise!) LOL...Evelyn! You didn't find me quiet and reserved IRL? I fear I'm a bit like Lydia (\"Save your breath to cool your porridge! I will tell the tale!!\"). Actually, I was being coached in that moment. The woman to my right was an Alan Rickman fan from the UK. She said that her English reserve would not allow her to raise her voice over a certain level and she wanted me to yell out to him to get him over to us (didn't work, he dissed his fans). Thanks so much for The View reports ladies! I am stuck at work and my VCR doesn't record! Must live vicariously through you all!!! Have been rethinking my career now as I think I could make a really good limo driver in NYC. Driving around in cabs is like playing Grand Theft Auto and I really had fun...limos are just bigger cabs with bars and posher seats....(and no engorged maps...you can ask Maria about that one! LOL!). And the 'fares'! Oh my! They do come all nicely dressed! (Shoshana) ODB is so amazing that he's only showing some tiredness (although he wasn't on the chasing limos/sneaking around hotel lobbies end of the weekend) LOL! Now Shoshana! We coached you on this!!! We weren't sneaking around hotel lobbies! We were \"checking the menu\" to see if there was anything we \"wanted to order\"! ;-D And with all that lurking about...we did get to see Peter Falk! And Rika sat in Laura Linney's chair!"}, {"response": 882, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (13:48)", "body": "Thanks again for all the up close and personal reports! I think it's great that CF is getting so much appreciation in the US, and of course in other parts of the world. The days have gone when British actors could potter along in the comfort zone of BBC2 films and Film Four. It all seems to be about bankability now, even for casting in \"small\" movies, and international recognition really does make a difference. And the reviews in the US or Australian or European press are generally much kinder and less biased than the British papers (\"candidate for worst film of the year/can Colin Firth act?\" blah, blah, blah, rhubarb, rhubarb, etc) One of the nicest things about CF is that he seems to be genuinely unassuming, which means that he sometimes needs other folk to sing his praises! So go to it, ladies! BAFTA UK are screening previews of GWAPE - 18 November in Glasgow (UGC 6.30pm) and 11 December in London (Screen on the Hill 6.30pm, introduced by Alan Parker)"}, {"response": 883, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (13:53)", "body": "(Tress)Have been rethinking my career now as I think I could make a really good limo driver in NYC. Driving around in cabs is like playing Grand Theft Auto and I really had fun...limos are just bigger cabs with bars and posher seats....(and no engorged maps...you can ask Maria about that one! LOL!). And the 'fares'! Oh my! They do come all nicely dressed! Oh dear Tress! LOL! Or you could be a security guard - I bet Mike wouldn't mind having you around! And with all that lurking about...we did get to see Peter Falk! And Rika sat in Laura Linney's chair! True, though I for all the world would have thought PF was a homeless guy if he weren't at the Ritz Carlton."}, {"response": 884, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (14:10)", "body": "(Linda) Glad they didn't bring up that sex video stuff with him. Those ladies are like dogs with a bone. They get on to something and keep it going Hey, it might've been funny, sort of like the autoeroticism comment and we'd get to hear Colin's \"I've-been-naughty\" laugh. But they could be saving that discussionf for when Huge comes back on the show. ;-) Colin's remark that \"it got cut\" and PW said it will be on the DVD extras. Phew!! At least they *all* won't be Scarlett scenes. And that during those scenes he did shoot outside the weather caused problems with his skin. (Oh Gawd that skin, it looked totally soft and edible last night)sorry! Uh oh, a lot of subconscious promptings I'm sure. Wonder what kind of skin problems the cold would cause...other than it getting red? Is poor baby plagued by dry skin? Anyone recall if he mentined any skin care products in that silly interview awhile back? ;-) (Rika) He said it was hard to hang about watching what seemed to be a masterpiece in development while his confidence \"ebbed away\" because he was afraid he'd be the weak link. Later he said that walking onto the set of Vermeer's studio was a rather magical experience, but it also gave him some sense of feeling unworthy. This is an interesting comment. I'd wonder about my own abilities after having been in a string of .... oh nevermind ;-) Thanks for all the great reports ladies from all the NY venues, including hotel lobbies inhabited by Peter Falk and Laura Linney's bottom. Speaking of Bafta screenings, Colin is scheduled for the LA Bafta screening of GWAPE on 14 November, with the same crew: http://www.baftala.org/screenings/current/ No guests listed for the Love Actually one the day before though. Any LA Drooleurs get tix for these events?"}, {"response": 885, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (15:07)", "body": "(Karen)Speaking of Bafta screenings, Colin is scheduled for the LA Bafta screening of GWAPE on 14 November, with the same crew: Just checked this out and I must say it is indeed gratifying to see CF's name listed first, before SJ (since the movie has been reviewed in the press as mostly about her performance)."}, {"response": 886, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (15:07)", "body": "I know I'm late reporting but poxy work and a neglected DH were tugging on both arms, thanks to all the previous reporters, it certainly helps fill in the gaps (or is that gasps?)... What can I say? It was an absolutely amazing trip, fantastic meeting other DD (and how great to have faces to put to the names now!), getting into the press tent (thank god for the rain!) and realizing what a good choice we have made in admiring ODB. I flew in Thursday night, got in at 4:20pm, ran to the taxi stand and figured I would get to the theatre about 5:30 or so. My taxi driver had other ideas, like the scenic drive through each one of the boroughs. When I asked him where we were going he said, :\"mjuboobbe mwata phlmmp shibby shabba\". Right. Exactly what I needed to hear. Anyway, pulled up in the drizzle right about 6 with my silly red balloon tied around my bag so I would be recognizable (v.v. silly) and spotted Dorine straight away. The Photographers were jostling us around a bit as were just trying to keep under the tent and out of the rain. Under normal circumstances I might have been somewhat apologetic and have been quite concerned I was in their way, but these were NOT normal circumstances, many of us had flown quite a ways to have the privilege of taking up that one sq. ft of space (and the wine I had drunk to quell my nervousness didn't hurt either! ;-)) I was still trying to say hello to all the droolers and security or someone was try ng to roll out the red carpet when someone shouted, \"come on!\" and off we went into the long part of the tent (picture a backwards capitol L, the small part is where the stars made their entrance. Dorine and I were next to each other and directly across from the ET podium where they grabbed everyone after the photographer gauntlet. We were right near the right angle and so could see each person as they came onto the carpet. The lights were blinding but the energy in that room was exhilarating! I think I felt very together until he arrived, and then I had an out of body experience. Or, as I may have tried to explain it to some of the droolers, it was like those near death experiences and people say they saw this great light, and they felt joy and happiness and just wanted to be near the light\ufffdBut you know, when I explained this in person it came out humorously and not so over the top as it is in print (always a problem for me!) so just ignore that bit! J) So ODB and Livia came up and let the photographers ha e their due and then just as he got in front of us (what was the area from barrier to barrier, 8 feet across total?) He was led up for his little interview. Did anyone here ever go to Catholic Church? Well, I remember being at church as a kid and listening to the raba raba raba and just waiting for the syncopation of the little bits we could join in on and while waiting for those would stare at the lights on the ceiling and then look back at the priest and blink and it looked like he had no head, or blinking away holes in the stained glass windows.(Oh, dear, please no disrespect to the church meant, just a recollection from a child with a short attention span!) but my point was that once Colin arrives it is impossible to take your eyes off of him so when he was being interviewed right in front I stared right up at him and into the blinding light, gladly burning holes in my cornea to savor each moment of seeing him in the flesh! From there memories are wonderful if hazy, he came over to our end, as he approached Dorine was upset as her pen wasn\ufffdt working, I think I started rummaging for another for her and then, boop, he was there in front of us and I could hear his lovely voice as he thanked Dorine but I was only looking at him through my camera as was experiencing a frozen moment and hiding behind the camera seemed like an intelligent thing to do when faced with extreme beauty.Then he went to do more interviews. He did come back our way a second time and I wanted to ask him to lean in with Dorine and I for a picture but this was after the infamous \ufffdpink lady\ufffd incident and all bets seemed off after that although he was still kind enough to not leave anyone without and signed a book for me. So much more to say but I\ufffdm sure I have said enough already, I could babble on and on about this fabulous night!! (Ildi)You know, seeing Colin in the flesh is like making love. Once you do it and discover how great it makes you feel you want to do it all the time. Exactly!! And this is what causes one to chase black vehicles around Manhatten on foot in freezing weather on Saturday mornings! (If it had been him my brilliant plan was to keep walking and pretend indifference so as not to bother him! Genius! Not.) Dorine) Was that Mike with the hat? OMG! or did Maria and I ask 2 different people the exact same question, LOL!!!! Great minds think alike\ufffdJ) To top it off she informed me I said something out loud that I thought I was just thinking when my pen didn't work for a sec. I definitely did"}, {"response": 887, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (16:03)", "body": "(Maria) once Colin arrives it is impossible to take your eyes off of him so when he was being interviewed right in front I stared right up at him and into the blinding light, gladly burning holes in my cornea to savor each moment of seeing him in the flesh! Lordy, you've got a severe case of Colinitis, and it's highly contagious! I do believe I've contracted it just reading all these exciting reports from NYC. I'm so happy for all the Droolers who got to see ODB up close and personal, and I'm also extremely jealous. Next time I'm going to plan ahead and be there with you. Jammy gits, indeed!"}, {"response": 888, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (16:14)", "body": "Maria, I think your report has become my favorite, as you really captured the emotional essence of the ODB experience. :-) (Cab driver via Maria)\" mjuboobbe mwata phlmmp shibby shabba\". Are you sure that isn't a refrain from a Neil Sedaka song? ;-)"}, {"response": 889, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (16:20)", "body": "(Maria) Or, as I may have tried to explain it to some of the droolers, it was like those near death experiences and people say they saw this great light, and they felt joy and happiness and just wanted to be near the light\ufffd I completely understood your analogy Maria! LOL! You want to bask in the glow of the light...it is warm and comfortable there...and when the light leaves, you are v. v. sad and want it to come back. And you are not afraid of the light any longer...you know that the light is good. ;-) (Maria) Exactly!! And this is what causes one to chase black vehicles around Manhatten on foot in freezing weather on Saturday mornings! (If it had been him my brilliant plan was to keep walking and pretend indifference so as not to bother him! Genius! Not.) We would have been cool and aloof ice queens....the intellectual equal of everyone there! ;-D (A hearty chase done pre-coffee too! \"On foot\" no less! Though I would have loved to have jumped into a cab and said \"follow that car!\" Seems so NYC!) ;-)"}, {"response": 890, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (16:30)", "body": "OK, absolutely nothing Colin on Extra! today...a bit of Huge though re: love life and Jim Belushi crossing North Ave with my Walgreens in the background...but that's it. Oh yeah, looks like Charley Maher finally found someone to style his hair properly. ;-)"}, {"response": 891, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (16:44)", "body": "(Cab driver via Maria)\" mjuboobbe mwata phlmmp shibby shabba\". (LisaJH) Are you sure that isn't a refrain from a Neil Sedaka song? ;-) LOL...and what is that? Turkish? ;-) And I agree with Lisa, your account definitely captures the essence of the ODB experience! I find it hard to put words to how it feels when he is in the room. I am in such a fog and it seems to happen in slo-mo while it is occurring and then afterwards it seems as if it was sped up or fast forwarded!"}, {"response": 892, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (16:57)", "body": "Maria, loved your report :-) You know, I can never get enough of your babblings, so please let it flow. And your comments, ladies. Words fail me - all I can do is smile and enjoy :-D"}, {"response": 893, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (17:06)", "body": "A couple of things I forgot that added to the magic - This may have been mentioned several times but it was so incredible. The interviewers appeared to all be pointing out to Colin his rather large \"fan base\" showing on the red carpet, and each time they did through several different \"stations\" he seemed to be making his way through, he would turn towards us all and wave and we made it worth his while screaming his name and laughing and waving back! Also, we had a full moon (or v.v. close on Friday night and the eclipse Sat. night with clear skies for enjoying! It seems all the stars were in alignment for a perfect weekend! (Cab driver via Maria)\" mjuboobbe mwata phlmmp shibby shabba\". Are you sure that isn't a refrain from a Neil Sedaka song? ;-) Hmm, or more along the lines of The Age of Hilarious (the whole weekend that is) (Tress) ....(and no engorged maps...you can ask Maria about that one! LOL!). http://www.nyctourist.com/images/map_manhattan.gif It could not be helped, you all decide, this map kept the hormones flying (only it was skin tone on the subway, and no one talks about it, NY's dirty little secret! ;-)) (Me)Maria) Exactly!! And this is what causes one to chase black vehicles around Manhatten BTW, I do actually know how to spell Manhattan, but was afraid that spelling it correctly might lead unsavories to Drool (see map) ;-)..."}, {"response": 894, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (17:30)", "body": "(Maria)It could not be helped, you all decide, this map kept the hormones flying (only it was skin tone on the subway, and no one talks about it, NY's dirty little secret! ;-)) As well as on my pocket map. Not that I had EVER noticed, of course. ;-) Loved ODB on \"The View\"! I thought the shirt was okay considering the tone of the show. And I finally had a chance to check out \"The Today Show\" on my tape. You can't ever see me clearly, but at one point I can just barely see myself walking by in the background, trying to snap a quick photo between the scrims that partially block the view along W. 49th Street (it didn't come out - not enough light). It's while they're talking about him having to learn incorrect Portugese. There were two other women out there doing the same thing at that time. When they showed the San Francisco women, I was standing behind them, but a substantial distance behind, for reasons I explained the other day."}, {"response": 895, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (17:50)", "body": "(Maria) ...only it was skin tone on the subway, and no one talks about it, NY's dirty little secret! ;-) And all those cabs have it 'blown up' in the back seat. LOL! And it made asking for directions interesting because we didn't know what 'terms' we should be using in referring to different parts of Manhatten (keeping with Maria's spelling to keep out the unsavories!) ;-D (Rika) As well as on my pocket map. Not that I had EVER noticed, of course. ;-) Unless my memory is really failing....I believe it was you, Ms. Rika, that pointed out the possibility that the map may look like something else (and each time you took it out and unfolded it, it made me laugh because it was like looking at a centerfold)! ;-) (Maria) This may have been mentioned several times but it was so incredible. The interviewers appeared to all be pointing out to Colin his rather large \"fan base\" showing on the red carpet, and each time they did through several different \"stations\" he seemed to be making his way through, he would turn towards us all and wave and we made it worth his while screaming his name and laughing and waving back! This was great! He did this again and again! Seemed so relaxed and would laugh and wave at his fans each time an interviewer said something to him (and the noise level would rise considerably when he would turn around to us and give us that amazing smile....lots of teeth this time! Didn't get to see that too much in Toronto)....Emma T. commented on it (how happy she was for him to have so many fans in the tent)."}, {"response": 896, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (18:22)", "body": "(Tress) you know that the light is good. Am seeing arcade game plastic zealots from Toy Story... (Maria) This may have been mentioned several times but it was so incredible. The interviewers appeared to all be pointing out to Colin his rather large \"fan base\" showing on the red carpet, and each time .. he would turn towards us all and wave .. (Tress) This was great! He did this again and again! ...he would turn around to us and give us that amazing smile....lots of teeth this time! Can I just touch one of you? Or is the glow you still give off too bright to get near you? There ought to be an 11th commandment -- Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors' NC (near Colin) experiences, but I'd fail miserably. Re: The View. I got no Colin, no shirt to consider, only got Tara Reid, Bob Guiney and a Charleston SC road show. Please, someone tell me Indianapolis is merely behind the times and if I set the VCR for tomorrow, patience will be rewarded?"}, {"response": 897, "author": "Rika", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (18:30)", "body": "Today on \"The View\" they referred to having been in South Carolina the day before. Fingers crossed for you, Barb."}, {"response": 898, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (18:34)", "body": "(BarbS) Am seeing arcade game plastic zealots from Toy Story... ROTFL! ooooooooooohhhhhh...the light is good....;-D"}, {"response": 899, "author": "Jodi", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (19:18)", "body": "Just watched my TiVo'd View and I can't stop smiling! He was so utterly charming and I have never heard so much giggling out of those women before. Joy Behar had such a silly grin on her almost the entire time. I forced my DH to re-watch it with me and even HE (who is just sick to death of the man at this point) had to admit how funny he was!"}, {"response": 900, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (19:24)", "body": "Yes, I know it's blurry, but the whole experience was pretty blurry in a dizzying, euphoric sort of way. Still, they say a picture's worth a thousand words (and I've already given you thousands or words of babble), so this is my attempt to share the experience. (Tress) you know that the light is good Look how that light gleams off the dimple... mmmmm!"}, {"response": 901, "author": "caribou", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (19:48)", "body": "(Karen)OK, absolutely nothing Colin on Extra! today... Wot!?! You mean you missed the 17 frames where he was the tall one walking beside of Hugh with his back to the camera. I'm all amazement!!:-) They actually showed it twice making it a total of 34 frames (but who's counting?). They also did an Almay commercial for Luscious Lips and used footage from the film but no Colin--no matter how slowly I go through the footage.:-( Good news! Got my LoveActually soundtrack today. Better news! Colin is in 4 pictures. Best news! Jamie kissing Aurelia is the only picture under the CD! CF's head measures 2 inches from curls to chin. By way of comparison, Huge's head measures 7/8ths of an inch and is in the booklet! Seems like there at least one graphic artist somewhere who recognizes good material when she sees it! Yeah! Seriously though, Colin got the most pics at 4: On the front (like the poster). He and LL under the brass section at the wedding. He and Aurelia before the papers blow away. Jamie kissing Aurelia (the one under the CD). LL, AR and LN are next with three and everybody else just 1 or 2."}, {"response": 902, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (20:02)", "body": "Well, you all are amazing and so are all your reports. Can't believe how close you all got for the Q&A, L, R, & D! Maria, your red carpet report was too funny. It was just like being there. (Cab driver via Maria)\" mjuboobbe mwata phlmmp shibby shabba\". (LisaJH) Are you sure that isn't a refrain from a Neil Sedaka song? ;-) And this had me ROLFLOL! Your cab drive is what I like to call that, \"Good luck, you crazy girl\" experience in NYC on the way to seeing CF on the red carpet. ;-) Thanks for allowing us to feel like we were sort of there!"}, {"response": 903, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (20:03)", "body": "Thanks so much DDNY ladies, for your brilliant reports! Maria, I was seeing the light right along with you and there's no way I'd ever want to turn away from it;-) Excellent, excellent descriptions of an experience you'll never forget. Linda, Dorine and Rika, I'll never know how you sat that close to him and maintained your composure for 40 minutes. I know I wouldn't grab him like PL did, but he'd probably think I was a complete fool because I wouldn't be able to keep a big smile off my face. Love that you found your foot doing the Couric thing, Linda. LOL! We who weren't able to make the trip are eternally grateful for your unselfishness in sharing all the juicy details. And as you come back to reality, if other little morsels of memory come to light we'll be thrilled to hear about them, too."}, {"response": 904, "author": "EllieNole", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (20:11)", "body": "Hi! Loved reading your posts about your encounters with CF in NYC. Just did a search on my DirectTV guide for Colin, and it says he will be on \"The Best Damn Sports Show Period\" tomorrow at various times around the country. I double-checked Yahoo's TV listings and it confirms \"Episode #226. Nicole Beland; Johnny Chan; Phil Hellmuth; Kevin Jones; Aaron Brooks; Colin Firth. Original Airdate: November 12, 2003.\" Ellie"}, {"response": 905, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (20:15)", "body": "(Lora) Thanks for allowing us to feel like we were sort of there! All the DD were not forgotten...we kept toasting you: \"To absent Friends\". (My blood must be 90% Chardonnay.)"}, {"response": 906, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (23:15)", "body": "Hi all! Quick blurb (much quicker than last night), but first.... (Ellie) Just did a search on my DirectTV guide for Colin, and it says he will be on \"The Best Damn Sports Show Period\" tomorrow at various times around the country Huh?!!! If he has his own PR person, fire him (pffft! A man, who would we be kidding)/her pronto! Fire anyone associated with this if there's a shred of truth to this. I'm sorry, but other details/impressions about the LA premiere from my point of view and the Q&A tonight may have to wait til late tomorrow night. Out since 8:30am til 10:30pm today. Boss is here again tomorrow (it seems I may actually have to do some work *all day* ;-)) and I have another fixed engagement tomorrow night. Will say this much.... Tonight, he looked......well, you know. ;-D Seems to be the same outfit from The View from what I hear, but haven't watched yet. BTW, Hen...same brown shoes from last night. Both more animated and he seemed less tired tonight. Janet Maslin from NY Times (or used to be) was the moderator. Usually can't stand her, but elicited good answers. Both more talkative tonight. One DD I unfortunately didn't get to meet until the end, asked a very good question re reviews and how negative ones affect them. Very wordy answers from both, esp Colin. Good questions all around, really. SJ kinda pissed me off during one answer where she referenced the BAFTA Q&A last night. Rather innocuous, I suppose, but makes you wonder what else they make up. :-( Or at least her. In all, had to be close to 45 mins. I could be wrong. Love the added posts re last week/weekend. Gotta run, more comments another time."}, {"response": 907, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (23:16)", "body": "Oops, a bit long.....Will you still read it Evelyn? ;-D"}, {"response": 908, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 2003 (23:18)", "body": "Oh and Peter Webber not there in case anyone was wondering.....or not. ;-) Several good questions that would have been his to answer."}, {"response": 909, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (07:46)", "body": "Colin's going to be on The Best Damn Sports Show Period . This I hae to see. Here's what Salon.com said about the show: Yes, fat jokes are a staple on \"The Best Damn Sports Show, Period\" -- as are jokes about the hotness of Anna Kournikova, the fiduciary nature of Tiger Woods' girlfriend's attraction to him, white men who can't jump and so-bad-they're-inoffensive jokes about the Washington Redskins (scalpers, boy were their faces red, etc.). But there are tender moments. Guerrero says things like, \"There are a lot of misconceptions about [San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry] Bonds that people are going to want to hear about. He's awesome!\" Sometimes, the boys sit around and talk about the things that matter to them -- like when Lyons weighs in on Mets' shortstop Rey Ord\ufffd\ufffdez's recent errors and relates his own psychological battles with the ball. Then former Dallas Cowboys star and scandal-magnet Michael Irvin declares, \"There's nothing more fragile than an athlete's psyche.\" When I went to the Best Damn Sports Show site, it was unmistakeable. Colin's name was on a giant marquee flashing across this url http://www.foxsports.com/content/view?contentId=318673 along with the Poker Men and New Orleans Saints Aaron Brooks. What's he going to talk about? Rugby? Soccer, er, football? Are they going to roast him alive? Tivo is activated for this. This I gotta see."}, {"response": 910, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (07:53)", "body": "This I gotta see, too, Terry. I thought maybe there was another Colin Firth who played for the Detroit Pistons,;-) but no, that URL does say \"LA's Colin Firth.\" I've never watched the show, but did tune in last night for about a half hour after seeing Ellie's note (thanks, Ellie!). Actually, there was nothing offensive, just a bunch of athletes sitting around talking about the NBA. They also had segments on Tiger Woods and Karl Malone."}, {"response": 911, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (07:58)", "body": "A big thanks to Dorine, Linda, and Rika for their reports from the GWAPE Q&As! Linda, you raised your daughter right!;-) Dorine, I'd be interested in hearing more about his response to negative reviews; that's a good question. Seems like last night's talkativeness was helped by the fact that Peter Webber wasn't there. The smaller the group, the better Colin does. Karen, thanks for the Marie Claire article and pics. That rubber duckie photo at tubbie time is a classic! LOL! Why do I get the feeling that it will be making numerous appearances at future Drool birthday bashes?;-)"}, {"response": 912, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (08:34)", "body": "(Dorine)Oops, a bit long.....Will you still read it Evelyn? ;-D LOL. Yup...if you keep it no more than half a screen;-) Thanks for breaking it up into two posts too. And , oh yes, phrases are mobetta than long sentences. evelyn's school of short posts (I keep trying!)"}, {"response": 913, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (09:19)", "body": "Thanks Dorine for your initial account from last night. Sounds like a fantastic time. I agree that PW not being there was very likely a blessing, as he would've taken more questions and this forced Colin to step up to the plate (getting into sports mode). I have an emailed account from the other DD who attended, but need to check if she wants me to post it or will do so herself. Re: Best Damn Sports Show Ever in the Galaxy Period End of Sentence It boggles the mind as to why Colin would be a guest. Let's see, they want to talk about being an obsessive football fan in FP? They want to beat on him because all their wives/SOs go boneless when they think of both Mr Darcys and they're sick of watching P&P and BJD? They're the ones making \"oh not you faces\" and laughing when they see him on the street? Hope he doesn't refer to them as \"boys.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 914, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (09:47)", "body": "(Karen)It boggles the mind as to why Colin would be a guest [on Best Damn sports...]. Sure does. Maybe he's going to discuss his fighting techniques that allowed him to kick HG's a$$? Drunken bet made at the premiere party? Curtis was supposed to talk about being an obsessive football fan, but couldn't make it and Colin got the short straw and is going in his place?"}, {"response": 915, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (09:55)", "body": "Perhaps the producers got mixed up and were thinking of the \"other\" Colin F.??? That booking would make more sense."}, {"response": 916, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (10:02)", "body": "(Mari) Karen, thanks for the Marie Claire article and pics. That rubber duckie photo at tubbie time is a classic! LOL! Why do I get the feeling that it will be making numerous appearances at future Drool birthday bashes?;-) LOL! Such a picture end up at birthday bashes?? Nevah! Thank you Karen! I'm still trying to get all caught up and ODB in the bath is always a pleasure to behold.....as well as tinkering on the piano (right Rika)?? It's a great article as well: the real Colin Firth cherishes living in London, and has recently \ufffdfallen in love with a new piece of Italy, too\ufffd; that he\ufffds an insatiable bookworm, but is a terribly slow reader to the point where \ufffdI suspect I might have dyslexia\ufffd; he cooks up a \ufffdbloody good curry\ufffd; is dabbling in writing a book, but hasn\ufffdt got the self-discipline. I learn that he does, despite media speculation, like Hugh Grant, \ufffdalthough we\ufffdve never socialised\ufffd. But it\ufffds only much later, when he jumps in the bath, fully clothed in the pouring rain, leans back and closes his eyes, that I discover just how Colin Firth became a sex god. The illusion is wonderful (he must have on those arsenal boxer shorts in that tub!!)! Also...wonder if he knows that Hugh refers to him as \"Bloody Colin!\" LOL! Would he still like him? ;-)"}, {"response": 917, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (10:07)", "body": "And I'm still pre-coffee (sorry for the double post...but.....)....Dorine! End our suffering soon! I'm dying to know what ODB said about bad reviews and everything else!!! Glad he was more talkative last night. Best Damn Sports Show Ever???? I'm all astonishment! But will watch....even the DH doesn't watch that show....how to slip it by him? Hmmmmm.........."}, {"response": 918, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (10:16)", "body": "Found some new pics at Rex of CF... http://www.rexfeatures.co.uk/cgi-bin/r2show0?k=colin+firth&f=Newest"}, {"response": 919, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (10:29)", "body": "(Ada) Found some new pics at Rex of CF... Thanks Ada. Does that man have legs or what? Yow."}, {"response": 920, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (10:33)", "body": "Found some new pics at Rex of CF... He was on the town with Olivia again ;-)"}, {"response": 921, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (10:50)", "body": "Thanks for the link, Ada! He's being recognized on the street now! I'm sure he's thrilled ;-) I'm having trouble linking to Drool today. I got in thru a back door but have no idea why my usual link isn't working. Saw ODB on a Canadian show called Box Office last night. Just a quick clip from the GWAPE premiere in London. The question was 'what is hot in London'. He looked like he thought the question was stupid and said that he had no idea since he'd been out of the country for weeks. SJ said the drinking laws should change since everything shuts down too early. But she loved the shopping. If he's going to be on the sports show, I'll have to go out and get some beer, I suppose :-D Thanks for all the news!!"}, {"response": 922, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (11:06)", "body": "I'm having trouble linking to Drool today. I got in thru a back door but have no idea why my usual link isn't working. Brenda, please email me with the details of how you access (what did/didn't work). I've contacted Terry and he needs the details."}, {"response": 923, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (11:09)", "body": "Talking to Karen. Working on it . . . but puzzled."}, {"response": 924, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (11:48)", "body": "Thanks Ada!!!! OOooohhh....we were looking for that stride and it was on the streets and we missed it! Crikey! Still, am v. v. lucky to have had the experience...best bit being the Droolers themselves! Thanks again Ada, he looks f**king fantastic (sorry, Shazzar moment)!"}, {"response": 925, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (11:59)", "body": "(Ada) Found some new pics at Rex of CF... (Barb) Thanks Ada. Does that man have legs or what? Yow. (Tress) Thanks again Ada, he looks f**king fantastic Yes Ma'am! And arms and hands too as seen in the MC link. Thank you ladies for these wonderful treats of pictures, articles and you-were-there accounts."}, {"response": 926, "author": "Rika", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (12:18)", "body": "(Karen) I agree that PW not being there was very likely a blessing, as he would've taken more questions and this forced Colin to step up to the plate (getting into sports mode). At Monday's Q&A, the questions tended to be directed at specific people, not thrown out to the group as a whole. The thing was that PW's answers to the questions directed at him (such as \"Was the decision to shoot in Luxembourg a financial one?\", or Dorine's question about the ending of the film) were very... comprehensive. ;-) So, yes, if PW hadn't been there, both CF and SJ would have gotten more opportunity to speak because those questions wouldn't have been asked. But they both had quite a bit to say all the same. It wasn't like the round table in \"Time.\""}, {"response": 927, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (12:33)", "body": "Just did some double checking for The Wayne Brady how on 11/13/03 and now they have Alan Rickman listed (wot happened to Colin?)."}, {"response": 928, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (13:17)", "body": "(Cab driver via Maria)\" mjuboobbe mwata phlmmp shibby shabba\". LOL! Wot, you expected an English-speaking cabbie in NYC? Crazy girl!;-) Thanks for the Rex pics, Ada. Seems like SoHo was the place to be. Good that he's had time to get out and about in the city. Oh no, awful thought: Miramax's offices are in SoHo!;-) (Brenda)SJ said the drinking laws should change since everything shuts down too early. But she loved the shopping. A girl after my own heart. (Brenda)If he's going to be on the sports show, I'll have to go out and get some beer, I suppose :-D Just to be on the safe side, Brenda, I personally am practicing my burping and scratching.;-) Bummer about the Wayne Brady show cancellation, but that stuff happens all the time I guess. Maybe another obligation came up. AR is a poor substitute. Am hoping Colin comes back next month to promote GWAPE and we can do this all over again.:-)"}, {"response": 929, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (13:19)", "body": "Thanks for the pictures, ADA. Maybe he ditched Wayne Brady Show for this sports thing? Oh who knows. So, it was Soho, huh? Must remember that for next time;-) (Tress)we were looking for that stride and it was on the streets and we missed it! Crikey! Knew I forgot something from Monday night. I got to see \"the walk\" I was watching as he walked away to the elevator and, yes, I got to see it in RL.**still sighing in NJ** Dorine, can't wait to hear the details about last night. I was watching the clock and thinking he's there, now. Where did you sit?"}, {"response": 930, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (13:21)", "body": "(Evelyn)All the DD were not forgotten...we kept toasting you: \"To absent Friends\". Thank you. We were thinking of you too and sending good vibes. I can't believe CF is going to be on the BDSSP! Even DH will want to see that, but will not want to be refered to as \"boy.\" LOL, Karen. Guess it's a compliment since on the Daily Show CF also refered to \"fan base\" as girls ;-)."}, {"response": 931, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (13:32)", "body": "BAFTA/LA has finally updated the GWAPE screening & I rsvp'd immediately. Yippee! going to see him again. Don't know if I'll be able to get any pictures as they are so strict here about them ... no recording devices, no cameras, no phones, no autographs, no scripts."}, {"response": 932, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (14:25)", "body": "I see Brenda is bringing beer for tonight's special TV viewing, so I'll contribute these:"}, {"response": 933, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (14:31)", "body": "(Mari) Oh no, awful thought: Miramax's offices are in SoHo!;-) You may exhale now. Miramax's offices are in Tribeca...of course, he could walk from SoHo to Tribeca but I won't let myself go there. Prefer thinking he stopped in at Joan Michelin's to pick up a lovely trinket...."}, {"response": 934, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (14:43)", "body": "From Liz Smith's column in today's NY Post: HUGH GRANT was running late last week to the premiere of his new movie, \"Love Actually.\" (He'd just sat to chat with Charlie Rose.) On the street, he spotted a police car with two lady cops inside. Hugh tapped on the window, explained his predicament, and asked for a ride. Thanks to New York's unflappable Finest, Mr. Grant arrived on time to dazzle and quip on the red carpet. Hugh arranged for the officers to have their own screening of the film and sent them each a bouquet the next morning. ************ In my version of the story he taps on the window, and the cops ask him what it's like working with Colin Firth.;-) Tribeca, righto, Boss. *wiping brow in relief*"}, {"response": 935, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (14:46)", "body": "From Roger Friedman, Fox News : I liked Richard Curtis' \"Love Actually\" a lot. It's like eating a lot of chocolate and washing it down with maple syrup, but boy, the buzz is terrific. Someone said last night that after the premiere they were so high they were being nice to people they didn't like! Curtis, by the way, spooked Joel and Ethan Coen at the premiere when he told them a friend of his in England liked their movies so much he named his kid \"Joel Ethan.\" At least it wasn't \"Barton Fink!\""}, {"response": 936, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (14:51)", "body": "(Mari) In my version of the story he taps on the window, and the cops ask him what it's like working with Colin Firth.;-) Pffft! Reaching for Windex. From Roger Friedman...It's like eating a lot of chocolate and washing it down with maple syrup...Someone said last night that after the premiere they were so high they were being nice to people they didn't like! LOL! \"I'd like to teach the world to sing in perfect har-mon-y...\" Come on everybody, join in."}, {"response": 937, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (14:56)", "body": "(Mari) In my version of the story he taps on the window, and the cops ask him what it's like working with Colin Firth.;-) ROTFLMAO! Bloody Colin! (Karen) LOL! \"I'd like to teach the world to sing in perfect har-mon-y...\" Come on everybody, join in. Ohhhhh.....Mmmmm...nope! Didn't work! For a second I thought that would replace the other song I have bouncing around in my head \"....I feel it in my fingers....I feel it in my toes\" ;-D"}, {"response": 938, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (16:25)", "body": "I want to see the looks on boyfriends, husbands, significant others faces tonights when there is a mass turning of the dial and flipping of the remote to The Best Damn Sports Show Period !, especially those that have chided said so's in the past \"You don't watch that garbage do you?\""}, {"response": 939, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (16:31)", "body": "(Ada) Found some new pics at Rex of CF... (Brenda)He's being recognized on the street now! I'm sure he's thrilled ;-) (Tress)OOooohhh....we were looking for that stride and it was on the streets and we missed it! Crikey! Well, I will continue to delude myself that had he walked by, we would have noticed him, and no one would have fallen down. *Sigh* I can imagine myself falling down on the cobbles; actually, I'm suprised I didn't collapse after he left and then I was supported by dear Bee and dear little bee. ;-) And where else but with other Drooleurs would the reponse be, \"Good God! What is the matter? Is there nothing you can take for your present relief? A glass of wine?\" (Tress)Ohhhhh.....Mmmmm...nope! Didn't work! For a second I thought that would replace the other song I have bouncing around in my head \"....I feel it in my fingers....I feel it in my toes\" ;-D That song is frighteningly persistent for \"rubbish.\" I was raking the roof last night and I really had to worry that I was going to laught too hard and fall off. Then again, I suppose I'd prefer the song to naughty Manhatt e n when I'm balancing precariously two stories up."}, {"response": 940, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (16:43)", "body": "(Karen) Miramax's offices are in Tribeca Beat me to it. :-) (Linda) So, it was Soho, huh? Must remember that for next time;-) *cough*, *ahem*...... who suggested SOHO might be a destination at one point? ;-) Though figured on wrong time of *day*. I have an emailed account from the other DD who attended, but need to check if she wants me to post it or will do so herself. So glad you decided to do that, DD! Awesome to meet you and DH. Too bad was at the end. Want to see yours before I post more to avoid too much redundancy about anything. Thanks, Karen. (Mari) When I went to the Best Damn Sports Show site, it was unmistakeable. Colin's name was on a giant marquee flashing across this url I am all astonishment at how much I don't get this. :-( Will try to keep open mind......now where did that crowbar get to. ;-) (Kate) Maybe he's going to discuss his fighting techniques that allowed him to kick HG's a$$? Me thinks he's loving saying that he kicked HG's a$$. Said it yet again last night. Too cute. (Evelyn) And , oh yes, phrases are mobetta than long sentences. Friends want to know why emails arrive in clipped sentences at times. ;-) Not going to fixed engagement tonight as planned, rescheduled. Too worn out....and boss here again **tomorrow** for half day. Saving the rest of my strength for the movie and Q&A with a \"moody\" Aussie actor tomorrow. Will post some more stuff later."}, {"response": 941, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (16:46)", "body": "(Linda) So, it was Soho, huh? Must remember that for next time;-) (me) *cough*, *ahem*...... who suggested SOHO might be a destination at one point? ;-) Though figured on wrong time of *day*. Upon quick reflection after posting, in all fairness to Linda, she may not have been there at the time to hear."}, {"response": 942, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (18:32)", "body": "TV ALERT Sorry if this was posted, I'm still trying to catch up. On E! Behind the Scene Love Actually Premieres: Nov. 13, 5:30 p.m. Encores: Nov. 14, 7:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m.; Nov. 16, 3 a.m., 7:30 a.m.; Nov. 17, 3:30 a.m. (Dorine(Upon quick reflection after posting, in all fairness to Linda, she may not have been there at the time to hear. Thank you for the reflection. If you had mentioned it (while I was there), I would have searched Soho as thoroughly as I searched the Upper East Side or was it West Side?"}, {"response": 943, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (19:13)", "body": "If you had mentioned it (while I was there), I would have searched Soho as thoroughly as I searched the Upper East Side or was it West Side? Who has the energy for that after all that Chardonnay? ;-) We might be teetering on an unsafe precipice. Thanks for the info on E! Behind the Scenes."}, {"response": 944, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (19:31)", "body": "Well the show is nearly half over and no mention of Colin... why do I continue to watch when he's not going to show? (Maria, will the exciting stuff happen in the last five minutes this time?)"}, {"response": 945, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (20:14)", "body": "Hi, my name is Barb and I'm a CF addict. I'm even watching Tom Arnold waiting for a speculative CF appearance. This is probably the mother of all bad jokes."}, {"response": 946, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (20:22)", "body": "(BarbS) Hi, my name is Barb and I'm a CF addict. I'm even watching Tom Arnold waiting for a speculative CF appearance. This is probably the mother of all bad jokes. ROTFL! East coasters are suffering so west coasters don't have to! ;-) (at least I know that I don't have to watch the first hour and a half!)! You have my deepest sympathy Barb...I understand the affliction."}, {"response": 947, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (20:27)", "body": "I got all excited thinking we get this poxy sports show, here. However, I just realized that it is an old rerun from July 2001??? Hope the rest of you get the right one.;-("}, {"response": 948, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (20:31)", "body": "(BarbS) Hi, my name is Barb and I'm a CF addict. I'm even watching Tom Arnold waiting for a speculative CF appearance. You are not alone. I too am suffering through this...Had I a hari kari set, I would be in kneeling position, readying the blade...It is that bad..."}, {"response": 949, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (20:34)", "body": "(Maria) Had I a hari kari set Use Ginsu's. A show like that deserves the very best. ;-)"}, {"response": 950, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (20:48)", "body": "(BarbS) Hi, my name is Barb and I'm a CF addict. I'm even watching Tom Arnold waiting for a speculative CF appearance. (Maria)You are not alone. I too am suffering through this... I'm not sure if I should be glad that a football game preempted the Darn Sports Show, yet I'm unhappy that I can't watch it. This is very sad. If this doesn't meet DSM-IV criteria for something... ;-)"}, {"response": 951, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (20:51)", "body": "Well, I survived an hour of TBDSSE to no avail. I don't even know if what I saw was live or taped, but he wasn't even mentioned and IT was awful! What a Drooleur won't sacrifice for ODB;-)"}, {"response": 952, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (21:04)", "body": "(Shoshana)I'm not sure if I should be glad that a football game preempted the Darn Sports Show Be glad, be very glad. I can't imagine how bizarre it would have been had he been on... Worst two hours spent watching dreck ever. Period!"}, {"response": 953, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (21:16)", "body": "Only the first hour gone here, but I'm packing it in...well, to be honest, the VCR will continue to go but I'm not going with. I'm pretty sure I'm not getting *old* taped show, jokes about Gov Gray Davis and Christian Slater are pretty topical. Gotta go, there's a Bud downstairs with my name on it."}, {"response": 954, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (21:32)", "body": "Well, I can't believe I watched the WHOLE thing. Gahh!! No Colin. The only thing that made it remotely bearable was the pint of Guinness(I figured I deserved it if I was going to watch that cr@p). Ahhh, the sacrifices we drooleurs (?) are willing to make for ODB."}, {"response": 955, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (21:44)", "body": "I've had it on, but in another room doing something not necessarily worthwhile, but more fun. What dreck. I like some sports shows, but this....:-("}, {"response": 956, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (21:49)", "body": "Pics from the press conference for GWAPE (I guess from tonight maybe?) Here's the link http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=SRH&logsrch=1&sfld ="}, {"response": 957, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (21:52)", "body": "oog..try this one instead..(sorry) http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=gls====42198"}, {"response": 958, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (22:01)", "body": "Thanks Ada! I guess it's now not a totally wasted evening. And was that \"my\" brown t-shirt? ;-)"}, {"response": 959, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (22:25)", "body": "Watchin' the Best Damn Sports Show period. No Colin yet. They're talking about Roger Clemens returning to Texas. Good idea. And the Oklahoma win over Texas A&M 77-0. Bob Stoops ain't gonna 'pologize. The week before it was our Horns. Yeah, Stoops is right, they beat us fair and square. Best rushing back in the nation? They're way off the mark here because they didn't even list Cedric Benson, Texas RB. I just realized this is a two hour show! Why was I thinking it was half and hour."}, {"response": 960, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (22:49)", "body": "Thanks, Ada! He certainly seems no worse for wear with his \"late\" night and early flight were were told they were taking. The # of my favorite ends end in 71. No wait, 83. Well maybe 63. But then there's 84. Really, 71 is *the* favorite but only by one of those wonderful hairs on his head. It really looks great today. There's no really bad one there, a few just only ok."}, {"response": 961, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 2003 (23:31)", "body": "Dammit!! *I didn't ask the theater question!* Could have *easily* after the Q&A. Bugger!"}, {"response": 962, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (00:15)", "body": "(Ada) Pics from the press conference for GWAPE (I guess from tonight maybe?) Well, sometime today. So he did make it out to the West Coast! But why has he canceled all his *primo* TV appearances? Times must have overlapped, too tight, couldn't find anything appropriate to wear... Love the pics on the second page, with his hands all over his face and some of the faces he's pulling. ;-) I'll get the big ones up pronto."}, {"response": 963, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (00:25)", "body": "or should I say prontissimo? ;-)"}, {"response": 964, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (00:56)", "body": "http://www.firth.com/gwape_lapconf.html"}, {"response": 965, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (06:04)", "body": "For those of us that will not be pierced by Johannes until Jan (well, actually for all of us!) And dammit, I'll be flying that day! SUNDAY DECEMBER 28, 2003 Anatomy Of A Scene: Girl with a Pearl Earring 7:00 PM http://www.sundancechannel.com/schedule/?schedDate=12/28/2003+06:00:00"}, {"response": 966, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (06:09)", "body": "Ooh! And thanks for those GWAPE LA pics Ada and Karen! They are beautiful! The hands, the hair, the thoughtful far away looks...YUM!"}, {"response": 967, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (06:20)", "body": "Sorry, a link just led me back to Sundance again..It will play also on Dec 25, 8pm, and Dec 31 3:30pm...I can't get the site to work properly from home to copy the shows description..."}, {"response": 968, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (06:55)", "body": "A guess, but I don't think they've finished setting up the show description for it yet. Am now speechless..."}, {"response": 969, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (07:27)", "body": "I've been offline for a few days due to horrible (and obscene) virus taking over my PC. But what a wealth of stuff awaited me! I'm so delighted for all of you who got to see him in the flesh. And the icing on top of this delicious cake? - The pics from the GWAPE press conference - it's criminal for a guy to look this good!(I think HG is getting worried!) Thanks, ladies, for all your input. It has made my day (week, month, year!)"}, {"response": 970, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (07:47)", "body": "Omigod, those GWAPE press conference pics are gorgeous! Thanks, Ada and Karen. His hair looks fab. Didn't he once say his fave haircutter was in LA? Maybe he ditched the chat shows for a grooming session.;-) Thanks also to Linda for the E! Behind the Scenes info and Maria for the GWAPE show on Sundance. Excellent finds, ladies! (Janet)I think HG is getting worried!) Bloody Colin.;-) Did anyone catch Huge on the Today Show just now? I tuned in late but they must have been talking about Colin because the first thing I heard Hugh say to Katie was, \"he hates me.\" LOL! Then later he talked about TEOR and how Renee had plumped up but unfortunately he and Colin did as well. HG's segment is about an hour and 20 minutes into the show; maybe the later time zone people can fill us in. (After all, we took the hit for you yesterday in suffering through the Sports show debacle.;-)"}, {"response": 971, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (07:51)", "body": "Just saw BBC America again this am Linda and Tress all over the screen again;-)) Also nice fleeting pic of Livia as Colin gets a nano-second interview."}, {"response": 972, "author": "Leah", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (07:53)", "body": "Thanks for the GWAPE press conference pics. I laughed when I saw them because in TIOBE DVD there is a scene with a hair clip to 'control' a curl, but in these pics the curl is back. I love the hair."}, {"response": 973, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (08:13)", "body": "Wonderful pics Ada and Karen, thanks! Great way to start the day after last night's sports thing. I'll take my testosterone served up CF-style rather than the other any day of the week! (BTW, great choice Dorine!)"}, {"response": 974, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (08:26)", "body": "hummmmmmmmmmmm"}, {"response": 975, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (08:42)", "body": "Hummmmmmmm indeed :-) Thank you all for the reports, articles and pictures. These are wonderful times to be a drooler and to have this place :-)"}, {"response": 976, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (08:46)", "body": "(Mari) \"Did anyone catch Huge on the Today Show just now? I tuned in late but they must have been talking about Colin because the first thing I heard Hugh say to Katie was, \"he hates me.\" No, actually, Hugh was referring to Richard Curtis there. He was saying that for 4 Funerals, Richard made him audition several times which pissed Hugh off because he thought he was above auditioning by then. But now he's been in several RC films -- so Katie said \"yeah, he must really hate you.\" The only remark about Colin was that Hugh thought both he and Colin had \"plumped up a bit\" since last BJ movie. Not the best interview today -- Katie obviously isn't in sync with HG as she is with CF."}, {"response": 977, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (08:53)", "body": "Bee, you did pick out the absolute best pic IMO. The angle of his head is perfect, the hand behind the head, no dorky grin, the background color compliments his perfectly...and no glasses. ;-) However, I do love the ones with his hands on his face too and can see lots of uses for them in the future. Thanks, ladies for the heads up on programs. Just in case...the Wayne Brady Show starts here in about an hour."}, {"response": 978, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (09:51)", "body": "Bits I remember from HG on Today - Katie asked if he had ever considered running for public office and he said he was far too selfish for that and would likely misuse the power Katie was referring to Rene having to gain the weight for BJD and asked if he wouldn't like to gain 20-30 pounds for a role and he said he was far too vain for that Katie mentioned something about him always playing the stuttering bumbling role, and she understood because she is always referred to as \"perky\" She said she is definitely not always perky and he replied, \"yes, I had heard that about you\", or something like that, was cute He also talked about how RC was \"Head Boy\" and the beginning of LA where he talks about Love being all around but that he tended to think the world was really more full of hatred and greed... He seems to hold no skeleton back in an interview, kind of like Bill Nighy's character in LA actually"}, {"response": 979, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (09:54)", "body": "(Karen)Bee, you did pick out the absolute best pic IMO. The angle of his head is perfect, the hand behind the head, no dorky grin, the background color compliments his perfectly...and no glasses. ;-) I do love that one. I was struck by the similarity to the Vermeer which is a fave of mine as well. But what a *bunch* of lovely shots! They will be my eye candy breaks today. Thanks for the rapid conversion Karen. Yum!"}, {"response": 980, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (09:59)", "body": "(Maria) Katie asked if he had ever considered running for public office and he said he was far too selfish for that and would likely misuse the power Ah yes, but the wittiest part is that he said Caligula would be his role model. ;-) She said she is definitely not always perky and he replied, \"yes, I had heard that about you\", or something like that, was cute But it also got a big laugh from the crew."}, {"response": 981, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (10:14)", "body": "(Me) Katie asked if he had ever considered running for public office and he said he was far too selfish for that and would likely misuse the power (Karen)Ah yes, but the wittiest part is that he said Caligula would be his role model. ;-) Dang! I always forget the punchlines! ;-)) And Karen, bless you for the profile pic! I gasp every time I enter Spring! (polite ladylike wolf whistle!)"}, {"response": 982, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (10:24)", "body": "(Maria) And Karen, bless you for the profile pic! Felt I had to do it, as I was starting to get hate mail about the Halloween one still be up. ;-)"}, {"response": 983, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (10:49)", "body": "Picked up a bunch of magazines in NY, including the December Empire, which had the black and white behind-the-scenes pics from LA. The \"Git\" pic has been added here: http://www.firth.com/love_gal_loc1.html and you can click for an enlarged view."}, {"response": 984, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (10:56)", "body": "Thank you Ada and Karen for those stunning photos! We could practically get fingerprints from them, they're so clear :-) And I'm forever grateful to the unfortunates who sat thru the sports show yesterday. Very much appreciated. Think of the pain if he had been on and we'd missed it. I'm trying to think of a show that would've been worse to watch but it's hard to imagine one. Do they still make The Man Show?"}, {"response": 985, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (11:10)", "body": "No sign of Firth on Wayne Brady or TBDSSP. Anyone else observe this?"}, {"response": 986, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (11:23)", "body": "(Maria) And Karen, bless you for the profile pic! I gasp every time I enter Spring! (polite ladylike wolf whistle!) I'll second that....thank you!"}, {"response": 987, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (11:26)", "body": "Double posting but it cannot be helped....how am I to survive this???? The hands Louisa! And they are everywhere!!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 988, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (11:29)", "body": "(Karen)The \"Git\" pic has been added here: Oh my! I love the *Git* pic:-))) He is stunning in B&W. I also love the candid B&W from TIOBE, also profile:"}, {"response": 989, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (11:44)", "body": "So, it's official? No CF on TBDSSP? I can re-use the tape without regret (or looking at it). I'm thinking it was some sort of joke, to see if there would be a spike in the ratings ;-)"}, {"response": 990, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (11:51)", "body": "It was a plot to get drooleurs to watch TBDSSP and Wayne Brady."}, {"response": 991, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (11:57)", "body": "Karen, Beedee - thank you! Lovely pictures! (Meredith)So, it's official? No CF on TBDSSP? ... I'm thinking it was some sort of joke, to see if there would be a spike in the ratings ;-) Clever thought indeed. I wonder if there was some random Fox executive at a meeting pondering how to work on developing the female viewer demographics. ;-)"}, {"response": 992, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (12:07)", "body": "Just finishing my lunch at my desk at work and listening to Terry Gross, as I am want to do and heard..*Next on Fresh Air, the actor Colin firth..yada BJD..yada Darcy..now appearing in Love Actually*! The next program will be tomorrow on Friday which is *vintage* Terry day and they replay old interviews. It made my heart jump anyway and I will be listening again!"}, {"response": 993, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (12:08)", "body": "Confirmed. No appearance on TBDSSP or Wayne Brady, but he was in LA yesterday, as evidenced by the press conference. He can't stay too long since he has the London premiere in three days. But he could be taping up a storm today for any show that uses pretaped segments or is taped a day in advance, like Wayne Brady (not Craig Kilborn, but could be on tonight). *fingers still crossed for more* (Tress) Double posting but it cannot be helped.... Good thing those fingers were not extended. Eowww! ;-) **************************** I don't want to delay the other \"Eene's\" account from the Burns Center, so here is Pauline's: Left Philly around 1 PM; arrived Pleasantville 4:30. Lesson learned: Arrive early for best of everything. Ticket agent gave good advice on when to come back for best seating. Early fans are usually there for CF. Met nice people who were full of questions and I became the Oracle of Pleasantville. After some re-arrangement became 2nd in line. So far so good. Layout of Center was v. nice. At 6:15 the doors opened and leisurely took our seats. Very sophisticated film buff type of crowd, also v. wealthy and v. warm and friendly. Lady next to me gave expert opinion on where to sit (aisle seat 2nd row left side next to her). She was a member and saw and spoke to George Clooney last year. Assured me that CF & SJ would sign. She said the local crowd would not be interested in getting autographs etc. (Too world weary?) Looked through audience for Hillary and Bill, my NBF [Ed note: New Best Friend] thought they might appear. Announcer introduced movie and how thrilled he was that SJ was there and \"Oh, we might also have heard of CF who was making a name for himself.\" To his credit he mentioned that we all might want to catch AMITC--a real gem. We watched GWAPE and there was applause at the end. Janet Maslan stepped out and introduced CF and SJ (no PW). Heart stopping moment to realize in same room, same air, same outfit as on The View (who dresses him?). Yadda, yadda yadda. Must compose self to ask Q. Mic comes to me and more yadda from JM. Me: Congratulations to you both on a wonderful film. My question is general in nature. When you film something you think is brilliant and the critics call it rubbish and trash you and the film, what do you as an actor do to work through this type of rejection? How do you exorcise the bad reviews? Guess who answers? JM. She shut me down with a her response. I still had the mic and I clarified that the question was general, the problem is widespread. Me: \"For example: as an ordinary person when I have a performance review, its between me and my boss. I can shred it or file it and no one will ever know unless I tell them. Colin and Scarlett are artists and by nature much more sensitive to criticism. Look, we just saw a mesmerizing film.\" Colin was really engaged at this point and said to her: \"I know what she's talking about and its a real problem.\" Scarlett took over and railed about her bad review when she was compared to the \"Hansens\" in The Horse Whisperer. Colin then responded and made eye contact with me. He spoke eloquently, gave examples, told an hilarious anecdote, mugged, covered his face while peeking out between his fingers. And all this time looking me straight in the eye. The people around us were commenting on how funny and warm he was. I was having a \"near death experience.\" After Q&A the CF fans went to the stage and he signed everything for everyone. Learning: Take the quality stuff: DVD, books, SWTA and GWAPE. As soon as he saw my SWTA, he immediately said to the handler, \"I will stay and sign. No one has to leave.\" He took my copy of SWTA and showed SJ the weird plastic Colin on the cover [Ed note: American version] and she laughed. He said \"This is my favorite picture.\" After signing for me I also said \"Sorry to have brought up a negative subject\" and he said \"It needs to be discussed. It's a real problem.\" Went up on stage to get a picture taken with him and that's when Dorine gave her name to him. I leaned over to introduce myself to her, saw my DH snapping pics, and when I turned around he was gone. C'est la vie. Chatted with Dorine; left at 10 PM arrived home at 1 PM. My DH took me on a 12 hour mini-break! When I think back it was a menage a trois."}, {"response": 994, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (13:10)", "body": "Did anyone see this yet? Reuters on the red carpet! They do alot of Hugh, they captured the ODB/Hugh hug and there is an ODB interview for at least a minute which I can't listen to with sound yet here at work! What is he saying?? Help!! http://reuters.feedroom.com/?rf=bm Search using Colin's name..."}, {"response": 995, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (13:26)", "body": "It feels like Pleasantville is slowly changing from black & white to full color. I've another attendee in the wings and am twisting her arm. ;-) She asked a question too!"}, {"response": 996, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (13:45)", "body": "Thank you Karen and Pauline! Pleasantville is indeed becoming colorized (and in a very good way, NOT in an \"It's a Wonderful Life\" way!!)! Capital! Capital! He took my copy of SWTA and showed SJ the weird plastic Colin on the cover [Ed note: American version] and she laughed. He said \"This is my favorite picture.\" ROTFL...sounds like he was really 'on' Tuesday night! I'm so glad for those who attended...has been so much fun reading all of your accounts! Thank you all so much!!!"}, {"response": 997, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (14:03)", "body": "Thank you Karen, Pauline, and Maria. I can't believe that everything just goes on and on. These are the times to hold on to...or something like that. The GWAPE pictures are wonderful. Wow, wireimage finally came through this time!! He must be exhausted but he looks ab-so-lutely wonderful. I think this trip has been good for him, me too! Maria, the Reuters interview was great, thank you. Loved how he wouldn't answer the question about meeting his wife...\" that's not for you, not while these things are pointing at me\" Sounds like Colin and crew were a bit more \"on\" in Pleasantville than the night before. Loved hearing all accounts. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!"}, {"response": 998, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (14:20)", "body": "Wow, thanks Karen, Beedee, Ada et al for the beautiful pictures from GWAPE gathering. Thanks for your account of your Q&A, Pauline via Karen. What a one-on-one experience! That's what I'd call it :-). Good question, it was like you and CF being in a parallel universe where just the two of you understood :-D. (Maria)Reuters on the red carpet! They do alot of Hugh, they captured the ODB/Hugh hug What a great find, as usual! Just like being there for those of us that weren't! Was that our \"fan base\" in the background during the interviews? Definitely in an up close and personal location! Fabulous!"}, {"response": 999, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (14:22)", "body": "( Maria )What is he saying?? Help!! The interviewer introduced herself while Colin said *good, yes, how are you?..I remember...Toronto, that's right*. Interviewer asks if there is love actually around.Colin' reply was *Well, of course. I mean you love pizza.I love it when my soccer team wins, and you love your children,and it's a word that's hard to escape-it applies to almost anything,really,but I'm no expert.* Interviewer wants to know how he met his wife-is that a romantic story? Colin replies*Ah, yes, but that's not for you while these things are pointing @ me(he pointed up at what I must assume are the microphones and cameras)* Interviewer asks won't you tell us the story? Colin says *Ah, no,I, no.* Interviewer asked about the movie being an ensemble piece. Colin said *That's one of the best things,we all felt we had this to ourselves a little bit, you know* Then they cut cut to ET."}, {"response": 1000, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (14:26)", "body": "(Karen) Bee, you did pick out the absolute best pic IMO. The *only* reason the one I posted edged out Bee's for me, is I love the little hint of what looks like amusement in eyes and mouth. It was a hard one to call. ;-) (Tress) The hands Louisa! And they are everywhere!!!!!!!!!! Oh, baby!! Also love the pic Spring entrance pic. And that B/W TIOBE pic one of my all time faves. I don't want to delay the other \"Eene's\" account from the Burns Center, Yes, sorry, mine will most likely be delayed til tomorrow. Just got in and going out again momentarily."}, {"response": 1001, "author": "Gail", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (14:38)", "body": "WOW! The pictures are fantastic. Loved the report of last evening's Q&A. Can only imagine how Pauline felt during eye contact."}, {"response": 1002, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (14:38)", "body": "Cute video though unfortunately dial-up quality streaming with my cable modem. :-( (Lora) Was that our \"fan base\" in the background during the interviews? You mean Colin's \"peeps\" who were seen and heard in the background. ;-D A whole gaggle of us! Or would that be herd, or flock, or ....?"}, {"response": 1003, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (14:48)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1004, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (14:52)", "body": "(Mari) Did anyone catch Huge on the Today Show just now? Interesting - he was originally supposed to be on the show on Tuesday and I wondered what happened. Huge was also on The Early Show on CBS today - busy morning for him. When asked about TEOR, he did his standard \"Colin is too old for the role\" joke. They showed two stills from TEOR - one of Mark and Daniel fighting, and one of Mark with Bridget. Thanks, all, for the pictures and reports! That latest set of Wireimage pictures is... well, I don't need to say it."}, {"response": 1005, "author": "katty", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (14:57)", "body": "What is SWTA?"}, {"response": 1006, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (14:59)", "body": "Speaking With the Angel . It's an anthology of short stories edited by Nick Hornby. Colin wrote one of them."}, {"response": 1007, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (15:00)", "body": "(Karen) Bee, you did pick out the absolute best pic IMO. (Dorine)The *only* reason the one I posted edged out Bee's for me, is I love the little hint of what looks like amusement in eyes and mouth. It was a hard one to call. ;-) There's one there for every kind of mood, I think. I plan on having revolving favorites.;-))"}, {"response": 1008, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (15:03)", "body": "(Eeene1) The *only* reason the one I posted edged out Bee's for me Hon, you don't have to defend your choice. Tomayto/tomahto. Besides, art is so subjective. (Katty) What is SWTA? Speaking with the Angel, the anthology Nick Hornby compiled to benefit autistic children that contains Colin's short story, The Department of Nothing."}, {"response": 1009, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (15:13)", "body": "Any other questions, Katty? ;-))))))) Anyway, there's been a mushrooming of pics from the GWAPE press conference. If you'd like to check it out, here they are: http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=SRH&str=colin+firth&styp=&sfld=C&PageNum=1&lg=Y I'll get the larger ones up in the \"flashes of flashes\" (or whatever that was)."}, {"response": 1010, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (15:26)", "body": "(Dorine) You mean Colin's \"peeps\" who were seen and heard in the background. ;-D LOL...his 'peeps' were representin'! I can't view the video at work to see which Droolers are peering over ODB's shoulder...but if it is Reuters I won't be visible...and I'm guessing that if Maria is, she looks a bit like Camille ;-D Poxy work computer keeps zapping it cuz it thinks it's a pop-up! How can it not tell the difference between ODB and porn!!???"}, {"response": 1011, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (15:45)", "body": "Okay, have added the last little flourish of cinnamon... Two new ones are at the bottom of this page: http://www.firth.com/gwape_lapconf1.html and the rest are here: http://www.firth.com/gwape_lapconf2.html"}, {"response": 1012, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (15:51)", "body": "This is just so wrong...I cannot function...there should be some sort of rule about putting this stuff up without some sort of warning (I know, I know...show some self restraint and don't look...but how can I not??)!! LEGS!!!!! And this one is so funny that it's adorable (with added bonus of hand): THANK YOU Karen!!!!"}, {"response": 1013, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (16:03)", "body": "Good God!! Honestly I just don't know if I have ever seen a group of pictures of him that have all been so flipping beautiful, or if this is just a continuation of the joyous feelings of the past week making every tidbit and post seem absof***inglutely FABulous, but I am mush here. Thanks so much Karen for the pics and for Pauline's account, Drool lately is like a magic hat, I close out of it to go back to work and prest-o change-o! Go back in and a whole new world of wonders awaits!"}, {"response": 1014, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (16:21)", "body": "Have we talked about the colors of these pics yet (as I'm in full obsession mode and cannot stop looking at them)? The colors he is wearing, combined with the background? Unbelievable...someone should walk behind him and hold a fabric swatch that exact color over his head at all times (not that he doesn't look absolutely gorgeous at every given moment, but that combo has me melting...in a new way, as I usually melt in other ways every day...). I'll volunteer to hold perfect color over his head for the first shift...anyone else?? ;-)"}, {"response": 1015, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (16:26)", "body": "I haven't got J registered yet, but here is her account: (Tress: pay attention! And Evelyn, another DH award) ;-))) Colin appeared for a Q&A after a showing of GWAPE at the Burns Film Center. I had never heard of this place even though I live about a half hour away and I checked out their website and called them and they said that it was sold out but that I could come and be on a stand-by list and I did and I actually got in! They showed GWAPE and after it was over I ran out to go to the restroom before the Q&A started and I opened the door to the lobby and HE was standing there smiling and posing for pictures and signing autographs for the theater staff! And I think I went into shock. It seemed so unreal like it couldn't possibly be him right there and I didn't want to stare and gawk and act all uncool, so I just went past him and went to the restroom and when I came back he was gone and I went running into the theater where my husband was and he and Scarlet Johansson were just walking out on the stage and I had a seat in the second row. And he was lovely and charming and funny. He had on the same clothes he had on on the View earlier in the day. I asked him a question too! People were asking technical questions about the lighting and that sort of thing (that the director could've better answered) and Scarlet Johansson was asked a lot (about her other movie Lost in Translation) and I wanted to get the focus back on Colin. The guy going around with the microphone was right next to me, and I asked for it. And I was so afraid of not being able to speak--to get the words out--I've never spoken into a microphone before. But I took deep breaths and did it. I asked something like\" You've done a lot of great things that are maybe lesser known like the Advocate and Apartment Zero, what are some of your favorite roles from the past?\" and he answered and brought up how A Month in the Country\" was a favorite and how it was similar to GWAPE in that the love is unconsummated and he looked right at me, while he was answering, but I don't even remember all that he said because it was so surreal and even when it was happening I didn't believe it was happening. I was in the 2nd row off to the right side. Many people were taking pictures during the Q&A and since I had sent my husband out to get a disposable camera earlier I took some too. Afterward, people went up and he signed autographs and I got one. He smiled and made eye contact when he handed me back my paper and he is just lovely and incredible and his smile is so radiant and he's sweet and kind and just so nice! I will regret forever walking right past him in the theater lobby! I will never have this opportunity again. I just should have said something like \"you are a great actor and there are people all over who really appreciate it\" or something and I didn't. But I did get to see him up on the stage and to get his autograph. He is really a lovely person."}, {"response": 1016, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (16:36)", "body": "(\"J\") ...after it was over I ran out to go to the restroom before the Q&A started and I opened the door to the lobby and HE was standing there smiling and posing for pictures and signing autographs for the theater staff! ROTFL! Seems if you loiter by the loo, you are bound to spot ODB! He shows up near toilets an awful lot! Think I'll go hang out by the door down the hall...hmmmm....maybe if I wait long enough..... ;-D Thanks Karen and \"J\"! Too many goodies today! Great stories and pics everyone! Thanks so much!!!"}, {"response": 1017, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (16:36)", "body": "Hi Check out the cute picture of the Firths in the new issue of US Weekly. Will come back with more shows and dates and news after our junket next week. Colin's schedule is a bit crazed at the moment so there is still lots of juggling going on. Take care!"}, {"response": 1018, "author": "houstonandy", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (17:37)", "body": "To Everyone: Again, I've been out of internet reach for a couple of days, and ALWAYS happy to return to this great group. The information and photos are just stupendous!! Next time, any of you are going anywhere, count me in!! Will be sure to save us all spots on the way to the loos.... I did get a chance( via TiVo) to see some of his appearances...loved him on The View, but didn't love the shirt, at all. If he's out in LA, he's sure to see Will. Was a little disappointed that he didn't mention Will on The View, just Luca and Mateo, when Viera commented that he had another son. Gotta check out those press conference photos again. They are awesome.... Is the Craig Kilbourn visit off?"}, {"response": 1019, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (18:09)", "body": "(Tress) Have we talked about the colors of these pics yet *waving hand wildly* and ignoring that \"we\" as am sure there must be a correlation between constant beautiful picture gazing and loss of finger dexterity whilst typing. ;-) Hola: More shows?!! More dates?!!! Oooh, fantastic. VCR is getting dusted and oiled."}, {"response": 1020, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (18:25)", "body": "Who caught any of his appearances on all these talk shows? I caught the Daily Show interview with my hubby . .Colin looked . .(**sigh**) just wonderful . .poor thing fell outside his hotel before getting there to the show. . . wish I had been there to help him up and ask him where it hurt! I didn't tape it . .sorry!!!!! . .I'm going to try to tape the A&E Breakfast with the Arts interview. Did anyone catch him on any of his other appearances?? . .I was at work and had no access to TV!"}, {"response": 1021, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (18:27)", "body": "(Maria) is (this) just a continuation of the joyous feelings of the past week...? If you mean NYC feelings, I suppose I would have to *feel* your feelings to appreciate the depth of them but I feel pretty doggone good and I wasn't even there...(LOLing here) but I'd say you all are getting one hell of an afterglow! prest-o change-o! Karen will have to insert ta-da at the top of the next bunch! (Tress)colors (general perfection, etc) I was thinking the same thing... the hair, the clothes, the color. I was just noticing, the background seems especially complimentary to what was (I believe) called his Italy tan. (Karen channeling J) I ran out to go to the restroom before the Q&A started and I opened the door to the lobby and HE was standing there... (Lady of the Loo) ROTFL! Seems if you loiter by the loo, you are bound to spot ODB! Thought of you immediately! (Hola Lola) more shows and dates Be still my heart. Are the planets in alignment or something?"}, {"response": 1022, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (18:30)", "body": "(Karen) *waving hand wildly* and ignoring that \"we\" as am sure there must be a correlation between constant beautiful picture gazing and loss of finger dexterity whilst typing. ;-) Apologies all around! My brain is in melt down and I'm not functioning properly....too little sleep, too much work, and all that beauty before me...can't be expected (though I try) to make any sense or type properly ;-) So I take it you are not opposed to swatch duty? ;-)"}, {"response": 1023, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (18:39)", "body": "Thanks for the reports Pauline and \"J\"! Thanks for the pictures Karen! Thanks for the Reuters clip Maria! So much fun!!! (Lora)Was that our \"fan base\" in the background during the interviews? (Dorine)You mean Colin's \"peeps\" who were seen and heard in the background. ;-D (Tress)LOL...his 'peeps' were representin'! I can't view the video at work to see which Droolers are peering over ODB's shoulder... I just had to look at that Reuters clip again and again. ;-) I definitely can identify some Drooleurs! How surreal!"}, {"response": 1024, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (18:43)", "body": "(Maria) And Karen, bless you for the profile pic! You mean the one on the Drool page? I don't bless her;-)...pic is not flattering IMO. There are better ones in that group...like the last two on your page. J. and Pauline *clap, clap* for Tuesday night reports. A week ago tonight..."}, {"response": 1025, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (18:43)", "body": "(Tress) So I take it you are not opposed to swatch duty? ;-) Not opposed to it, though would be incredibly impractical, as I'd need to carry a stepladder around with me all the time. ;-) Actually, I believe I mentioned the background color early this a.m. when Bee posted that one pic. Since I always like to cross something off my mental \"to-do\" list, here's the first of the transcribed interviews: http://www.firth.com/int/03dailyshow.html Ada has done the Today Show and is working on The View. If there are any other talented transcribers out there, you're always needed. I hate doing transcriptions. Hate them, hate them, hate them. Am I being too subtle? ;-)"}, {"response": 1026, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (18:55)", "body": "Need for clarification: Will tomorrow's Fresh Air interview be a repeat or a new one?"}, {"response": 1027, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (20:14)", "body": "(Evelyn)A week ago tonight... I've been thinking about that all day. (Karen)Need for clarification: Will tomorrow's Fresh Air interview be a repeat or a new one? I think it's a repeat. I believe they are doing some type of best of TG's interviews. I searched the NPR website but it's only current through today. But I did come across this review of LA. Scroll down it's at the bottom of the page. http://freshair.npr.org/day_fa.jhtml?display=day&todayDate=11/07/2003"}, {"response": 1028, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (20:23)", "body": "Oops, thank you for all the lovely pictures and lightning speed posting, boss. Hola, we'll anxiously await more TV news. Thank you. \"J\" great job at the Q&A!!"}, {"response": 1029, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (20:43)", "body": "Hey gang...The E! Behind the Scenes of LA is worth a look.(Thanks Linda for the alert) Lots of Colin with glasses . Looks like the LA junket from LA. They show that glorious scene:\"My favorite time of day....my saddest part of the day\". Which has to be the LA counter-part to \"I like you just as you are...\" Richard Curtis did say he picked Portuguese because there is a Portuguese community in Marseilles. Big accolades for Colin: \"sweet, bottomless, kind\". \"He let us take pictures of him kissing every woman on the crew. We thought we'd have tee shirts made 'I kissed Colin Firth.' He's lovely.\" Repeats tomorrow AM , Sunday ."}, {"response": 1030, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (20:58)", "body": "Re: NPR (Linda)I think it's a repeat. I believe they are doing some type of best of TG's interviews. It's almost surely the repeat. Fridays are always Terry's repeats."}, {"response": 1031, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (21:02)", "body": "(***Sigh****) Oh those GWAPE conference pics are just yummy!!!!! . .I found my new screensaver at work!!! Thanks so much for posting them . .I LOVE your site!"}, {"response": 1032, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (21:48)", "body": "Oh my goodness..., sigh! Gorgeous, gorgeous pictures! Thank you so much! Tress, I'm with you, the ones with the legs are incredible. Love the closeups too, but those legs... :-) Beedee, the Colin/Vermeer pics are to die for. What a great pair! And thank you lucky girls for those exciting \"on the scene\" reports, thanks to you I almost feel I was there too. I'm thrilled for all of you for your wonderful experiences, and grateful for thinking of the rest of us while you were having the time of your lives. Are there any pictures taken of you guys at the premiere/Q&A session we could look at? Or that kind of thing is not done here? I would love to see your lovely - and deliriously happy - faces. A Drooler Group Shot maybe? And has anyone met Hola"}, {"response": 1033, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (21:53)", "body": "OOops, hit enter accidentally. Sorry! Anybody met Hola Lola at the premiere? Karen, thanks for transcribing the show, I know it's a lot of work. I've done it once and wowed never to do it again. It takes forever, especially when one can only type with two index fingers. :-)"}, {"response": 1034, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (22:10)", "body": "Alas . .pardon my posts . .you are all on the ball . .I'm still trying valiantly to catch up!!!! . .I certainly came to the right place when wanting up to date info on Colin!"}, {"response": 1035, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (22:11)", "body": "(Barb)but I feel pretty doggone good and I wasn't even there Actually, I'm feeling that I need a cigarette...and I don't smoke;-)! Thanks to Pauline and \"J\" and everyone I haven't thanked before this, for all the reports, articles and pics. I can't tell you how much fun it's been to come here or how much I appreciate all the hard work you've all done. Now, before I get too goopy, I'm off to search for more new pics;-)!"}, {"response": 1036, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (23:06)", "body": "*Grin* I'm all aflutter! Went to the movies with the DBF (I suggested LA but he thought it might not be good for my mental health... LOL). Saw a v. bizarre movie (Bubba Ho-Tep) at one of the artsy theaters in town. Really strange movie. Anyway, there was the trailer for GWAPE!!! It was lovely!! DBF suggested that maybe that movie (\"with your guy, I forget his name\") might be OK to see twice. He was oddly ammused when I informed him I had already seen it once (and plan to see it many more times!) Harumph! Guffaw! Dear Evelyn, I'm really trying to write short posts. Really. ;-)"}, {"response": 1037, "author": "Rika", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 2003 (23:45)", "body": "(Linda)I searched the NPR website but it's only current through today. Just checked again (after midnight) and now he's listed for Friday's program. Here's what it says: Actor Colin Firth. He starred as Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, and in Bridget Jones' Diary he played a part that was an homage to his portrayal of Mr. Darcy. Now he\ufffds co-starring in the film Love Actually. Also, according to the site, Richard Curtis was on the show last Saturday."}, {"response": 1038, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (06:48)", "body": "The press conference from the Dorchester in London interviews are finally appearing in a painfully slow manner...here is one of HG.. With Grant back at work, 'Love' is in the air November 14, 2003 By ANGELA DAWSON Advertisement LONDON -- Hugh Grant, the British actor who became a star with the romantic comedy ''Four Weddings and a Funeral,'' collaborates for the fourth time with ''FWAAF'' screenwriter Richard Curtis, who makes his directorial debut in the ensemble comedy ''Love Actually'' -- billed as ''the ultimate romantic comedy.'' In it, Grant, 43, plays a newly elected British prime minister who inadvertently gets caught in Cupid's cross hairs. The hunky actor recently addressed the press at London's historic Dorchester Hotel to talk about life, love, acting and his new movie, actually. Q. You and Richard have been working together for so long. Can you talk about your collaboration and what makes it work? A. Well, first of all, I should tell you that Richard wanted Alan Rickman to play the part in ''Four Weddings and a Funeral.'' And I fought very hard for that. [Laughs] ... I had a desultory, Euro-pudding career going and was saved entirely by the fact that he wrote ''Four Weddings and a Funeral.'' And I would still be doing four-part French miniseries if it wasn't for Dickie and [producer] Duncan [Kenworthy] coming along with that film. Q. How have you changed since ''Four Weddings and a Funeral''? A. I'm just a little bolder now. As I was saying, in my Euro-pudding phase, one was just so lucky to get a job at all. You didn't quarrel with what came along at all. You just said, ''Script? Money? I'll do that.'' And then the more you do films, the more interfering you become. For instance, on this film, I did go to Richard and say, ''It's all a very hilarious script and all, but ... '' I have really enjoyed in the last few films being not so nice. I have found that girls at parties fancy me more. [They say] ''Could you not make him too nice?'' And Richard did accept that. Q. This is a real ensemble movie. How did you like sharing the screen with so many other actors? A. I am going through a phase in my life where I am not really keen to act at all, especially not in lead parts. I just find it too stressful. I would rather sit home and watch the telly or play golf. So, in a way, it's ideal. There is no grand idea of sharing or diluting myself. Q. So you hoped [co-star] Colin [Firth] would be bad? A. I always hoped Colin would be bad -- and ugly. And, indeed, I think he is. Q. In regard to women, there are so many different kinds of women who are idealized. What do you think? A. I think there is a lesson in this film. Richard really believes that people can fall in love [and] do fall in love. Oddly enough, people like me find it quite hard. It just helps to be reminded of that sometimes. When you are in France or Italy, where romance is very high on everyone's daily agenda, much higher than television or golf or going to get sordid in the pub or eating a lot of curry or being nice to your dog, gardening it somehow makes every woman you meet in life more potentially of romantic interest, sexier. It just raises the kind of romantic and sexual atmosphere. And if this film does that a bit in our drab sort of Protestant-British culture, then fantastic. And then maybe that will apply to America as well. I do feel that the Catholic countries have a better time in that way. But that is a whole other thing. Q. Why are you not keen to act? A. I don't know. I just got tired. I think that is really all it was. I keep thinking every day I am going to wake up and go, ''Oh, yes, let's go and make a film.'' But I don't particularly feel that way. ... I think you just go a bit mad after a bit. You want a bit of privacy. Or I did, anyway. Q. You are tired of being a celebrity? A. Well, I wouldn't go that far. [Laughs] But you do. There is a part of you that wants to switch that off, and that desire to want to switch that off becomes more and more kind of urgent. Q. Did you work with a choreographer for your dance scene in the movie? A. No, that was all me and as a result of this film, I will never ever dance again as long as I live. Generally speaking, [making movies] might protect yourself from seeing what you really do, and in this one, there was more of it [shot] than there is [in the final cut]. I never looked at the playback on the monitor. I was hearing good laughs and smiling faces around the monitor, and then, in the end, I thought, Well, I'll go have a look. I saw this slightly overweight, unhappy-looking middle-aged man dancing completely out of time, and I will never ever dance again for as long as I live. Q. Do you think that your character was suave and the film was schmaltzy? A. I don't think that ''schmaltzy'' is the right word. I think the right word is ''warm,'' and it's incredibly brave from that point of view because it can be argued that it's not fashionable to make positive statements in any art form a"}, {"response": 1039, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (07:05)", "body": "(Shoshana)Dear Evelyn, I'm really trying to write short posts. Really. ;-) The only way I know how, these days. Thank you all !! :-)"}, {"response": 1040, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (07:12)", "body": "And this is related to the last post...and still looking for the main course, of course... over story: Love for sale 09 November 2003 A day in the company of the lovely, celebrated cast of Richard Curtis's new romantic comedy Love Actually helps Jo McCarroll discover her inner cynic. For several years I have accepted money to spend short periods of time with strangers in hotel rooms. I don't feel I need to justify that; it's how I make my living. Perhaps this career choice has made me somewhat cynical about people but I don't think what we are doing demeans them or me. I like to think I'm providing a valuable social service, a brief distraction for you people who would otherwise have to face up to the stupefying monotony of your lives. Celebrities don't interview themselves you know. Of course in the weird reality that is the film publicity junket, celebrities don't do anything themselves. Scores of blonde Stepford publicists anticipate their every desire, bringing them food and bottled water, ushering them deferentially from room to room and interrupting them if they absentmindedly start to tell you about that time they got arrested for having sex with a hooker in the back of a car. Because of course the publicists' real job is to get Hugh Grant et al to talk less about the sex in the car stuff and more about \"the film\". Which in the case of this particular junket is Love Actually, written and directed by New Zealand-born light entertainment heavyweight Richard Curtis. It's more difficult than you'd imagine because the naughty journalists do these film junkets all the time and it makes us rather cynical of yet another actor saying why yet another film is the greatest film he has ever been involved in, no really. We hardly ever want to talk about the film - we always try to bring the conversation around to, let's say, the actors' rumoured affair with a co-star or battle with eating disorders/alcohol/weight/ prescription medication. And while you may think that's because we are only one step up from vultures feeding on the carrion of human misery, really it is mainly because it's quite boring going on and on about a film, especially since no one reading your piece will have had a chance to see it yet. For instance Grant tells us he dreaded filming the dance scene in Love Actually. \"I thought it was funny on paper but unactable because those things are so spontaneous,\" he says. \"It's like blushing, you can't act blushing.\" And then he says that he can't do physical comedy and Richard Curtis demurs and says he can, and Grant demurs back (but completely fails to act blushing) and then we have a long (but meaningless if you haven't seen it) conversation about why the scene worked. The film distributors know the journalists don't want to write about the film. So the distributors of Love Actually have taken precautions. The media present in a London hotel have been warned they'll be blacklisted from future interview opportunities if they write up the ensemble interviews as the individual profile of just one celeb ? Hugh Grant or Emma Thompson, say. All media have to interview all 11 cast members as well as the writer/director and the producer; we're not allowed to cherrypick the \"proper\" famous ones and dismiss, say, just-known-from-telly types like Andrew Lincoln. This way, the distributors believe, the international media ? in my group there's an Irish girl, an Argentinian, a French guy, an Israeli, a Swede, a Belgian, and a Dane, this is the United Nations Light Entertainment division ? will be compelled to write ensemble interviews about a diverse group of people who have nothing in common apart from the fact that they have all appeared in the same film. And so that will keep every ne nicely to the topic of Love Actually and how much everyone involved enjoyed making it. And by everyone I mean Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Rowan Atkinson, Colin Firth, Alan Rickman, Laura Linney, Martine McCutcheon, Bill Nighy, Keira Knightley, and let's not forget Andrew Lincoln. There is such a constellation of stars that I understand the distributors' reluctance to allow media to focus on just one. \"Mind you, now that I've seen it and it's testing so well,\" Grant says, in a very rare moment of Love Actually film junket irony. \"I have taken a much higher role in its publicity.\" But this promiscuous boy-meets-girl romantic comedy follows no less than 22 characters in at least 10 different love stories. You have the prime minister (Grant) falling for the unspoiled charms of his Downing Street tea lady (McCutcheon); you have a heartbroken writer (Firth) who falls for his non-English speaking cleaner; you have a schoolboy in love with the most beautiful girl in his class; and so on. The film doesn't confine itself to just romantic love: there's also a widowed stepfather (Neeson) trying to connect with his forlorn 11-year-old; the love of a girl (Linney) for her mentally disturbed brother; and a has-been rock star (Nighy)"}, {"response": 1041, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (08:20)", "body": "I had a desultory, Euro-pudding career going Yup, looks like Hugh's got a new phrase of the week;-)! Maria, thanks for the articles. I quite liked the second one..makes me want to rush out and go see the movie;-)."}, {"response": 1042, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (08:28)", "body": "\"we're not allowed to cherrypick the \"proper\" famous ones and dismiss, say, just-known-from-telly types like Andrew Lincoln\" Pretty dishy, IMO.(I'd rather \"cherry pick\" him than AR.) (Emma) \"And that is your job as well. It's (the) artists' job and it's (the) journalists' job to remind ourselves and remind our children that the world also contains other things.\" Oh my. But would they do it for nothing...I-don't-think-so. Hey, it's an entertaining movie, we're not talking Titanic, here."}, {"response": 1043, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (08:28)", "body": "\"blonde Stepford publicists anticipate their every desire, bringing them food and bottled water\" Hey, I'm blonde -- I think I've finally found my true calling!! \"So let me say that Love Actually is lovely. Seeing this film and meeting its lovely, lovely cast has made me a better, deeper person. My heart overflows with genuine love for this film and everyone involved in it. Especially the distributors. Really.\" MEEOWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!"}, {"response": 1044, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (09:31)", "body": "I just called WHYY in Philadelphia, the woman I spoke to could not confirm if the Fresh Air interview is a repeat or new. She did, however, seem to think it could be new because of the mention of Colin Firth starring in LA for the promo. This program airs in the PA, DE, and NJ areas at 3PM today and again at 7PM tonight. I will be ready with radio and cassette for recording just in cases;-) Lots of Colin in the E! Behind the Scenes. LA is also one of the selections for E!'s Coming Attractions. I happened to catch the very end of it while I taped Behind the Scenes. Will go back and set up VCR for this, Just another busy day here in Colinworld."}, {"response": 1045, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (09:40)", "body": "(Hugh) I have really enjoyed in the last few films being not so nice. I have found that girls at parties fancy me more. LOL...I know I do...Enjoyed him best in BJD and About a Boy. (Hugh) You just said, ''Script? Money? I'll do that.'' ODB and Hugh have some things in common! (Hugh) I always hoped Colin would be bad -- and ugly. And, indeed, I think he is. ROTFL....Hugh's alright. He's got a bit of a bite to him and I can appreciate that. I think the torch is being passed. At least that is what I saw in NYC. I don't know if it was a surprise to them or not, but I was pretty amazed at how little of a response Hugh got....and how huge the response for Colin was....nice. (Jo McCarroll) For several years I have accepted money to spend short periods of time with strangers in hotel rooms. I don't feel I need to justify that; it's how I make my living. Perhaps this career choice has made me somewhat cynical about people but I don't think what we are doing demeans them or me. I like to think I'm providing a valuable social service, a brief distraction for you people who would otherwise have to face up to the stupefying monotony of your lives. Hmmmm.......thank Gawd she is on this planet to save me from myself. Wow. A piece all about her, but wrapped up in Love Actually. Nicely done. I feel so badly for her....poor thing. Her job sucks and she must suffer through her day to make me happy. Maybe she'd like my job? She can be a technical writer and see if that cures her of cynicism. ;-) Thanks Maria! Must dash....Behind the Scenes is on right now!"}, {"response": 1046, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (09:46)", "body": "Karen, Do you still need help transcribing??? Would love to pitch in and be useful member of Drool Conference!!!!!!"}, {"response": 1047, "author": "soph", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (09:49)", "body": "(karen) However, I (...) can see lots of uses for them in the future. and so do i... lots and lots of new animatronicolins ahead ! thank you, thank you, thank you !"}, {"response": 1048, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (10:03)", "body": "Just saw Behind the Scenes....if you can catch it, it is pretty good. Must say (again), love the specs. Thank you Karen for the transcribing! Just had a moment to read it and it made me laugh....wish I could have been there to help him dust off his bum after his spillage on the cobbles! ;-)"}, {"response": 1049, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (10:49)", "body": "A dear friend let me know there's a lovely photo in the new In Touch mag. Especially if you like a profile and his left ear! Signing autographs at the LA premiere. If one of you is the fan shown then you're very lucky! (shoulder length, straight blonde hair with white top and dark coa The caption reads: Sign Here, Sir Gorgeous Colin Firth was happy to meet his fans, but their screaming made him blush. \"I'm enjoying it,\" he said, \"but no one warned me!\" Also, has this RC interview been mentioned? http://www.npr.org/movies/index.html"}, {"response": 1050, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (10:56)", "body": "Fresh Air comes on at 11 am (minutes from now) here. You can listen to it at my station's site: http://www.wbez.org/ So we shall soon know if it is new or a repeat."}, {"response": 1051, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (11:10)", "body": "It's a repeat of the 2001 interview, with some updating info in the lead-in."}, {"response": 1052, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (11:32)", "body": "(BrendaL) A dear friend let me know there's a lovely photo in the new In Touch mag. Especially if you like a profile and his left ear! Signing autographs at the LA premiere. If one of you is the fan shown then you're very lucky! That is one of our party...and you can see my french manicure (far left) and hair. KathyF's book is obscuring my startled face (thank you Kathy!) and ODB is signing my mini-poster with my \"Pen of Love\"! ;-)"}, {"response": 1053, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (11:48)", "body": "Gorgeous Colin Firth was happy to meet his fans, but their screaming made him blush. \"I'm enjoying it,\" he said, \"but no one warned me!\" That's cute. Glad we could be in there for him. Linda you were right about thinking the rain lucky. Even if you said it just to help us find some positivity beforehand when things weren't looking good. ;-)"}, {"response": 1054, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (12:00)", "body": "(Dorine) That's cute. Glad we could be in there for him. So am I! He seemed pleased? Embarrassed? To have such a fuss made over him! His 'fan base' was certainly lucky to be in the press tent (all dry, warm, fuzzy and so 'close to the light')! ;-)"}, {"response": 1055, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (12:07)", "body": "Where do I even begin to catch up here after only one day?! Gorgeous Colin Firth was happy to meet his fans, but their screaming made him blush. \"I'm enjoying it,\" he said, \"but no one warned me!\" Sweet. Thanks, Brenda, am off to the newsstand! But . . . wot screaming?;-);-) Lola, there's going to be more?? \"Saints preserve us.\";-) In the dog days of August if I start complaining of dearth of Firth, somebody smack me.;-) Pauline and \"J\", I enjoyed your Q&A reports so much! Would love to hear more about how Colin responded to the excellent question about reviews. I think it's funny that Janet Maslin tried to shut it down (no wonder the NY Times \"retired\" her) but you held fast onto that mic! Was probably one of the more interesting questions they got and it sounds like Colin and Scarlett really warmed to it."}, {"response": 1056, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (12:16)", "body": "BeeDee, I loved your juxtaposed pics of Vermeer and Colin. \"AFG through the centuries!\" ;-) Karen, thanks so much for the Daily Show transcipt. That was a terrific interview, these two guys really seem to click. LOL at Jon's observation that in NY, the bomb would probably be stolen.;-) Here's the bit from the new Us magazine that Lola mentioned, with the pic of Colin and Livia at the premiere: Colin Firth's Amore In the new romantic comedy Love Actually, Colin Firth falls for a woman whose language he doesn't speak. Turns out, Firth, 43, had the same experience in real life! His wife, filmmaker Livia Giuggioli, 33, is Italian. \"I learned her language, went after her, and married her as well!\" Firth told Us at the film's New York City premiere. The couple, who met on the set of the British miniseries Nostromo in 1996, have two sons. \"I'm still working on my Italian,\" Firth confessed. \"It isn't as good as my Portuguese in the film.\""}, {"response": 1057, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (12:22)", "body": "(Mari) To have such a fuss made over him! And not Hugh!! ;-D"}, {"response": 1058, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (13:00)", "body": "(Dorine)Linda you were right about thinking the rain lucky. Even if you said it just to help us find some positivity beforehand when things weren't looking good Things were always looking good...we just didn't know it at the time;-) My Grandmother always said that rain was a lucky sign. I believe it now!!! (Karen)It's a repeat of the 2001 interview, with some updating info in the lead-in. Drat! When I called the station this morning, one of the menu choices for Terry Gross was suggestions for future guests. I think I need to make a suggestion. This is TG's perfect type of thing. However, Colin's TIOBE interview from All Things Considered program was good, too. (Tress)So am I! He seemed pleased? Embarrassed? To have such a fuss made over him! His 'fan base' was certainly lucky to be in the press tent (all dry, warm, fuzzy and so 'close to the light')! ;-) Ditto. I thought it was neat that all the fuss was being made in front of his peers. ...Always willing to help with the transcription duties, boss. I was all set to spend the evening with transcribing the NPR interview. Oh well, maybe soon we'll have a new one."}, {"response": 1059, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (13:13)", "body": "(Linda) Ditto. I thought it was neat that all the fuss was being made in front of his peers. Yes! Emma T. was so happy for him (And Hugh! LOL! \"Thanks for coming out to see me !\" Said with great sarcasm after Mari's question about what it was like to work with Colin)! And the press kept pointing it out (like they needed to...I really don't think the tent was loud enough!) and ODB was so nice as to keep turning and waving to placate us until he could make it over to sign/chat..."}, {"response": 1060, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (13:22)", "body": "(Tress)I really don't think the tent was loud enough!) and ODB was so nice as to keep turning and waving to placate us until he could make it over to sign/chat Yes, and I loved when he put up both hands, after speaking with BBC America Tom Brook, and said \"Enough\" (to the rest of the press down the line) and immediately turned and walked over to our side of the red carpet. Bravissimo! (Tress)And Hugh! LOL! \"Thanks for coming out to see me!\" Said with great sarcasm What a good sport he was. I rather enjoyed his time with our group."}, {"response": 1061, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (13:40)", "body": "Sorry, Evelyn, but this is going to be long. Take a nap if you must. ;-) (Ildi) Are there any pictures taken of you guys at the premiere/Q&A session we could look at? Or that kind of thing is not done here? I would love to see your lovely - and deliriously happy - faces. A Drooler Group Shot maybe? That type of thing would never be posted publicly here at Drool. Many people just don't want their faces all over the internet. Ask that Hilton chick! ;-) If pictures are posted, the urls are sent out via email and are for private viewing only...and are not for sharing. Thanks, Maria, for the very eye-opening article from the film critic. Wow!! That's one woman who should hang it up. (Jo McCarroll) I like to think I'm providing a valuable social service, a brief distraction for you people who would otherwise have to face up to the stupefying monotony of your lives. Jaw dropping to floor! (JMcC)And while you may think that's because we are only one step up from vultures feeding on the carrion of human misery Now, I definitely do. (JMcC) The media present in a London hotel have been warned they'll be blacklisted from future interview opportunities if they write up the ensemble interviews as the individual profile of just one celeb--Hugh Grant or Emma Thompson, say....There is such a constellation of stars that I understand the distributors' reluctance to allow media to focus on just one. So, she's solved that problem by writing about Hugh (mainly) with a little Emma tossed in toward the end and a lot of herself. (Mari) But . . . wot screaming?;-);-) How soon we forget. \"Col.....in!!! Col......in!!\" (Tress)And Hugh! LOL! \"Thanks for coming out to see me!\" Said with great sarcasm (Linda) What a good sport he was. I rather enjoyed his time with our group. Ditto. He was great and I liked how startled he was Mari's question. (Kimberley) Do you still need help transcribing? Would love to pitch in and be useful member of Drool Conference! Bless you, my child. :) We're sort of caught up right now with the three TV appearance transcriptions, but hopefully there will be more...either from LA and/or GWAPE. *********Drool/firth.com is always looking for people to pitch in********** (1) People in all countries with scanners, who know how to use them or who *know* people who know how to use them; this would include children who can be bribed to keep their mouths shut and not tell daddy what mom is up to. (2) People in all countries who subscribe to magazines or who like to visit newsstands daily or every couple of days to read quality publications. Bags to cover one's head can be supplied for flipping through lesser-quality publications. (3) People in all countries with VCRs, who know how to hit the record button. (4) People in select countries with cameras, who know how to take pictures, get them developed (if necessary) and scanned (see #1 above) or digitally transmitted. People with other, specialized skills (like Sophie's animatronics and dewatermarking expertise) are always appreciated and should be listed on your C.V."}, {"response": 1062, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (13:41)", "body": "(Linda)What a good sport he was. I rather enjoyed his time with our group. He has come up many notches in my book since last week! Good sport indeed."}, {"response": 1063, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (13:42)", "body": "(Lindak)...and immediately turned and walked over to our side of the red carpet. Bravissimo! That purposeful stride in our direction (I do so love watching him 'in the wild' and in 3-D...he's so unpredictable...)! I think it only took him one giant step to be there...**big sigh** I, too, loved the little gesture he gave to the press to hold up for a moment, so that he could come over to 'our side' (\"Come to the dark side Colin....cut your fans a break....walk away from the light\"). ;-) Hugh was a very good sport. I found him charming (those twenty seconds he spent in front of us)!"}, {"response": 1064, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (13:50)", "body": "Argh!! Have to go to a meeting and want so much to stay and play instead of fend off my narcolepsy( I self diagnose quite a bit evidently ;-)) Anyway, hope this isn't a repeat, I havn't been able to listen with sound... LA Featurette - http://ktla.trb.com/entertainment/movies/stv-movies-review-mmx-loveactually,0,1909240.story?coll=ktla-entnews-2"}, {"response": 1065, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (14:00)", "body": "Looks like the beginning of publicity for LA in the UK. On Sky, a 20-minute preview of Richard Curtis's new romantic comedy starring Hugh Grant, Bill Nighy, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman. Bonus: Love Actually - Nov 18 13:40 on Sky Movies 1 Bonus: Love Actually - Nov 18 19:40 on Sky Movies 1 Bonus: Love Actually - Nov 20 08:45 on Sky Movies 1 Bonus: Love Actually - Nov 20 15:20 on Sky Movies 1"}, {"response": 1066, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (14:08)", "body": "Here is Tom Brook's report from the NY Red Carpet: http://www.bbcworld.com/content/template_talkingmovies.asp?pageid=665&co_pageid=2 There's a link to watch his report, but I keep getting an error message and it closes down. :-("}, {"response": 1067, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (14:25)", "body": "Sorry, Evelyn, but this is going to be long. Take a nap if you must. ;-) Actually , I found most of what you said rather interesting;) Gorgeous Colin Firth was happy to meet his fans, but their screaming made him blush. \"I'm enjoying it,\" he said, \"but no one warned me!\" He was shocked. Doesn't anyone have a pic of him when he turned around to the chant: \"Col-in, Col-in\". Hugh Grant didn't get down to me ...but Shoshanna and I have a gorgeous pic of Greg Wise.He posed.... twice ;-) Poor guy was thrilled to be asked. He was tired of being Mr. Emma Thompson"}, {"response": 1068, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (14:30)", "body": "(Evelyn) Doesn't anyone have a pic of him when he turned around to the chant: \"Col-in, Col-in\". Was that when he was at the ET podium? I have a pic of that (but you'll die when you see his hair! The 'light' behind him made it look all goofy). I promise to get those off to Karen this weekend."}, {"response": 1069, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (14:58)", "body": "(Evelyn) He was tired of being Mr. Emma Thompson Especially when the photogs screamed at him to, \"Get the F%$# out of the way!\" :-( Evelyn, you might as well log off....I've got *a lot* to say about goings on in the past week. Now is it anything of substance? Well, you know I like to hear myself post. ;-)"}, {"response": 1070, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (15:13)", "body": "OHHH, waited for this for a looooooong time: From Entertainment Weekly's Shaw Report In: Colin Firth Five Minutes Ago: Colin Farrell Out: Colin Cowie ...but EW gives LA a B-"}, {"response": 1071, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (15:15)", "body": "WOW! Spend the day getting major car repairs to return to plethora of news,reviews, photographs and lovely links! (Plethora is the wrong word as can never be oversupply of CF items). Thanks you everyone for all of the wonderful goodies. I agree with whoever suggested hearing more about the response ODB gave ,specifically, when answering the inquiry about negative reviews(at the Q&A). How do they resolve that kind of rejection which, even though they are professionals doing a job, is so personally and publically directed at the actor in question ?"}, {"response": 1072, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (15:34)", "body": "From Entertainment Weekly's Shaw Report In: Colin Firth Five Minutes Ago: Colin Farrell Out: Colin Cowie Hoorah!! Hadn't looked at mine yet. Curious which reviewer did LA. OG isn't as hard and just out of whack on reviews like LS. A B- can be decent for one of them and not very good with the other. (Bonnie) I agree with whoever suggested hearing more about the response ODB gave ,specifically, when answering the inquiry about negative reviews(at the Q&A). I can add a little more, I think. Have to read over the others again. He gave a rather long answer. He was in a very chatty mood that night."}, {"response": 1073, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (15:41)", "body": "Anyone belong to this? http://www.kameraone.com/index.jsp Looks like they have a seven 1/2 minute video from the premiere..."}, {"response": 1074, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (16:35)", "body": "In: Colin Firth Five Minutes Ago: Colin Farrell Out: Colin Cowie It's about @#$%ing time, inspired by Mr Five Minutes Ago. ;-0 (Maria) Looks like they have a seven 1/2 minute video from the premiere... There seem to be two (of marginally different lengths) if you search on LA. The company is in Stockholm though."}, {"response": 1075, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (16:44)", "body": "(Ada)Actually, I'm feeling that I need a cigarette...and I don't smoke;-)! I think Colin feels the same way! ;-) (sorry couldn't resist - everytime I see this picture I think the caption should be, \"Has anyone seen my ciggie?\" Must be remnant posture from the old days ;-D) Thanks again for all the articles, pictures, recap of Q&A's, and reviews! (Linda)OHHH, waited for this for a looooooong time: It's great! Our CF is \"in\" and that other CF is finito!"}, {"response": 1076, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (16:45)", "body": "darn, closing"}, {"response": 1077, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (16:55)", "body": "Trying again... (Ada)Actually, I'm feeling that I need a cigarette...and I don't smoke;-)! I think Colin feels the same way! ;-)"}, {"response": 1078, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (16:55)", "body": "(Lynda)...but EW gives LA a B- LOL. So do I, but it's still am entertaining film. Colin's segment saves it, IMO. Is this where I go into my mantra: \"Not all films have to be Oscar contenders.\" Jeeeze. Spill, Dorine, we haven't heard much outta you....Don't hold back...take it away..... Hey Boss....Bee just sent me a terrific pic of Colin's wave. No one else is in the pic...hair looks good, Tress...would it harm to post it here? No commercial photog took that one. Personifies the magic."}, {"response": 1079, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (17:01)", "body": "Hi Ev, that was Little Bee's pick and it does have id factors. Please wait till she sends it herself.:-)))"}, {"response": 1080, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (17:03)", "body": "(Evelyn)Spill, Dorine, we haven't heard much outta you....Don't hold back...take it away..... Have been thinking the same thing ;-) Dorine, here's something to get you going...you've been found out ;-). \"Is that you, Dorine, in the Q & A audience yet again? It ab-so-lute-ly is!\""}, {"response": 1081, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (17:10)", "body": "Here's a short one, Evelyn. ;-) (Lora) \"Is that you, Dorine, in the Q & A audience yet again? It ab-so-lute-ly is!\" ROTFL!! Ironically, that may be too close to the truth. Not sure if that's ok. Oh well, at least I wasn't wearing red.....or pink! ;-) Love his hands in that pic, too. I don't think there's one of those pics I dislike. They all have something."}, {"response": 1082, "author": "Darla", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (17:55)", "body": "Fresh Aire is a repeat. It is from 2001. You can hear it here: http://freshair.npr.org/day_fa.jhtml;jsessionid=HOY1DSDIIKKPRLA5AINSFFQ?todayDate=current"}, {"response": 1083, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (18:32)", "body": "OK, just a few thoughts 'bout premiere night, Thursday, November 6, 2003. ;-) And weekend in general..... Some people have asked me how this compared to TIOBE. This was sooooooooo much bigger than TIOBE, as well as it should be expected, considering the talent and studio involved in this project. After we got inside, I have to say I was much more nervous about the prospect of getting relatively close to him, as it was guaranteed this time that at one point, he would be no further than 6 or 7 feet away...and I wouldn't have to stand on a \"potted palm,\" or be soaking wet. ;-) It was a complete fluke last time to get so close last time. No time to think about it. Plus, I\ufffdd only had time for one drink, as we had a crappy waiter and I waited too long to get a drink from the bar. :-( I have taken myself by surprise at the thought that I was extremely nervous each night once I got next to him to talk to him. I felt like a freakin' idiot and probably looked and sounded like one, too, LOL! Partially because of the aforementioned lack of alcohol, but maybe more so that this wasn\ufffdt a social situation like it was at the party. The events of the past week have an inherent intangible (as well as tangible one at the premiere) \"barrier\" set up separating fan and star. It\ufffds a certain type of \"relationship.\" That\ufffds not to say that I don\ufffdt believe he/they don\ufffdt put on their pants one leg at a time like the rest of us either. But I doubt I\ufffdd be quiet so bad in a more \"normal\" situation, with less people demanding his attention all at once. As I think Maria or Rika said, we were standing at the \"elbow\" of the red carpet and could see the backs of people as they walked through and posed in the gauntlet of photogs. After he and Livia got to the end, to the ones facing the entrance, I think she must have walked on or backed off, because of course, I saw no one but him talking and posing for the last of the photogs before he would turn to walk up to the ET podium. Since virtually no one else had really seemed to pay much attention to us (incl AR, unfortunately for the nice girls next to us who came to see him), I didn\ufffdt figure he\ufffdd stop and they\ufffdd just whisk him up on that podium. Just as the photogs quieted down since they\ufffdd gotten all of Colin\ufffds pics and no one was imminently behind him, I yelled \"Colin!\" And I think some of you might know now I have a big mouth. Comes in handy once in a while. (I don\ufffdt honestly know if anyone else was yelling, but me, either.) He didn\ufffdt seem to hear the scream until the third time, at which point he tu ned around. I held up the cover of one of his older movies that had the pen hooked to it all ready to go and gave a kind of smiling, pleading face and mouthing \"Please.\" Probably the visual equivalent to Tress\ufffd whine in Toronto, LOL. We\ufffdd make a good team in persuading stars to come over. ;-) Then he walked over and as Maria said, that \"light\" just blinded my senses as soon as he smiled. He was a foot and a half or so from my face. (Strangely, I felt no urge to kiss him....hmmm). I tested my pen previously to make sure it worked, but lo and behold, he started to write and nothing came out! Bugger! Bugger!!! Can you say \"panic?,\" because I know he doesn\ufffdt have much time and has other press to do, and I was just *so* grateful he came over at all. *I* didn\ufffdt want to be the git of the group. ;-) I thought I said to *myself*, *in my head*, \"OMG, the pen doesn\ufffdt work!,\" but it seems Maria heard me say it out loud (talk about a lack of self-awareness at that moment, LOL!). The pen started to work, and as he signed I pointed on it and told him, \ufffdyou completely blew me away in this.\ufffd He gave me a very appreciative smile, said \ufffdThank you, very much,\ufffd and started to back away until a book from someone came from the side of my head like a magician pulling a coin out of my ear...or so it seemed. Then off he went to the podium. It was funny a couple of days later, we were talking about it and Maria asks, \"What did he say to you?\" I was like, \ufffdHe spoke to me?\" GAH!! Other than his thanks, didn\ufffdt hear a thing if he said it. The things he could've said that I might have missed, such as, \"Do you and your friends want to come to the party as my guests?\" or....a variety of things in my imagination. Yeah, I know....keep dreamin'! ;-D Just want to say I had such a blast with everyone this weekend!!! Got to go to several places I\ufffdve wanted to go, but for some reason never did. I\ufffdm glad to have met, online and in person, such *ab-so-lute-ly* wonderful people and call them my friends, now, and I\ufffdm sure for a long time to come. :-D For that, I thank *you*, Colin."}, {"response": 1084, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (18:41)", "body": "Evelyn, forgot to warn ya. ;-D Read it over 4 times and still typos, *sigh*. Working on Burns Center Q&A stuff now. This took me a while. Am trying to get the other done before BAFTA-LA stuff starts rolling in."}, {"response": 1085, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (18:45)", "body": "Well done, Dorine. Reading your account makes realize that, yes, we were really there (it wasn't a dream or imagined, and what magic we lived. (Dorine)I\ufffdm glad to have met, online and in person, such *ab-so-lute-ly* wonderful people and call them my friends, now, and I\ufffdm sure for a long time to come. :-D Absolutely!"}, {"response": 1086, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (19:04)", "body": "(Dorine) For that, I thank *you*, Colin. Well said Dorine!! ODB is one special guy, but his 'peeps' made the \"journey\" complete! It was a joy to meet each and every Drooler...f**king fantastic....actually! ;-)"}, {"response": 1087, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (19:39)", "body": "(Kimberley) Do you still need help transcribing? Would love to pitch in and be useful member of Drool Conference! Bless you, my child. :) We're sort of caught up right now with the three TV appearance transcriptions, but hopefully there will be more...either from LA and/or GWAPE. Karen - No prob . .just say when. I do also have a scanner . .and would be more than happy to help in anyway. BTW - would you want any of these? I can scan or type up and email you these . .or post here, if you like Black and White Love Actually ad from NY Newsday (11/14/03) - has critics quotes on how they love the film. .on the borders are pics of the stars (ODB included of course!) - just like on the movie poster. From November 2003 Premiere Magazine: (For the Bridget Jones topic)Interview w/ Renee Zellwegger (honored as one of the important Women in Hollywood From November 2003 Premiere Magazine: Little \"On Location\" blurb about Trauma . .nothing big, but I can scan it for you if you want."}, {"response": 1088, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (20:38)", "body": "Preliminary thoughts.... Needed to go back a bit, as I missed these posts before and they relate to the Q&A. Missed The View due to my own incompetence and lack of sleep. VCR was set and ready to go, but was watching the next channel up when, silly me!, I fell asleep. Totally forgot about it in the morning as I woke up with 15 mins to be out of the house to meet boss. :-( If I didn\ufffdt remember to brush my hair before I went out (which was mercifully flat and not like a windblown Bridget), I wasn\ufffdt going to remember to recheck the VCR/TV. (Kate) Just saw Colin on the View. Who dressed him this AM? That shirt is hideious!!!! (Karen) I didn't think the shirt looked bad at all. Nice to see him wearing something different for a change (Hen) I thought he looked fantastic, flowered shirt and all. (Kate) Who dressed him this AM? (Evelyn) Some hispanic bell-boy. [LOL!!] But agree, it was a change from the black tee-shirt. I can\ufffdt comment how it looked on TV, but up close, he looked pretty hot. I think it was the whole relaxed attitude he had, to go along with the untucked and open collar look I am always *very* fond of. Liked the different look of the shirt, too. I thought it made him look/seem younger, actually. ;-) Maybe he\ufffds looking that way from hanging out around little Miss Almost-Self-Professed older man magnet. Though he always looks younger anyway. I\ufffdm sorry Shoshana I missed your posted questions. Went out at 8:30 am and back in at 10:45 pm. Couldn\ufffdt check last minute posts. :-( Must point out, he said \"erotic\" *twice*. One thing to imagine him saying it, another to hear it from the horse\ufffds mouth. Mmmm. The notes could be all over the place. A lot was said and I know I didn\ufffdt get it or will remember it all. But it helps to have J\ufffds and Pauline\ufffds accounts. Thanks!"}, {"response": 1089, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (20:53)", "body": "Premiere Mag Dec. doesn't have a single pic of the Toronto FF party. Can't believe it considering they sponsored the aft party. Only the often seen one of SJ with black dress and pearls. They review LA , give it two **. I won't bother typing it all up. You know all the negative stuff. Some new stuff: \"As for me, there were times watching this movie when I felt I was being force-fed 30 pounds of creme brulee. Which isn't to say I choked on every minute:I chortled heartily at the thread about the comeback of the washed-up rock star (Bill Nighy), ....was touched by the tale of Colin Firth's not -lost in translation discovery of new love [ed note:\"Take that Ebert!] ....\" Also a featured interview with RC \"In the Name of Love\" on the set of LA when all the stars join in...somewhat like TIME write-up. \"This afternoon's topic of conversation on the LA set is who should play the Clintonesque (read: lecherous) US President in a handful of scenes...Various suggestions--including Tom Selleck, David Hasselhoff, and Tony Curtis---are being bandied about by producer Duncan Kenworthy [ ed note:he was at the premiere],script editor Emma Freud,[ed note: Mrs RC?] and actor Colin Firth. 'Too ancient?' says Firth of Curtis. 'Too camp? What about Bill Clinton? He can't have much to do'\". ~~~~~ I read someplace that they originally wanted John Travolta, but agent declined. I thought Billy Bob was alright. But that gold satin tie, and the purple one...ug. ~~~~~~~~~~ Anothe Firth quote: \"When people made phone calls on Sept 11, they were all love messages says Firth, who plays a novelist.....We haven't got any record of anybody who left a messge of resentment or of practical advice, 'The gold is in the dot dot dot' or 'I never could stand you'. It seems everybody loved somebody\" See? Long postings are catching;-q"}, {"response": 1090, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (21:53)", "body": "Well then, brace yourself, there will be several. ;-P The Jacob Burns Center is a very nice place in a very quaint little town, what I could see of it in the dark. Seem to have very interesting programs there. Might join. I thought the announcer said he was the Program Director of the Center, but I didn\ufffdt hear what he said at first. He intro\ufffdd Janet Maslin [ugh! \ufffd had her for a couple of other Q&A\ufffds, not enamored of her], she spoke of upcoming program with Jeff Bridges [he sounds interesting and amusing], then left so we could watch the movie. My first bathroom break, if needed, is the beginning. Went out to the lobby and struck up a conversation with the Prog Dir, noting that I agreed AMITC was indeed a gem, one of my favorites, and very difficult to get but that as of a year ago, I got it in a Blockbuster which surprised him. Told him I\ufffdd seen GWAPE already and he presumed I was there for YKW. I brought up Apt Zero which he didn\ufffdt know, but another guy standing there, who possibly worked there, chimed in, and we started talking about that for a few secs til I went off to the loo. [Wasn\ufffdt missing anything earth shattering in the first 10 mins anyway, at least not the 3rd time]. On my way back, they were still gabbin , so I threw out Tumbledown as an example of one of his better things, too, which of course I knew he wouldn\ufffdt have heard of. I\ufffdm not putting these in any particular order that they were addressed. And quotes are close, but not necessarily exact. They talked about the painting...if the long shot [ of it that starts in close on the light on the pearl earring] was the real thing or a digital reproduction or print. This came up at BAFTA , too. They said it was a high resolution print. It was very detailed, down to the cracks. What was rather jaw-dropping to me, was JM asked if the real painting was cracked like it is in that close-up. Pffft! It\ufffds 400 years old! Thinkin\ufffd maybe there might be a few. I mean, could it have been a dumber question? From the *moderator,* no less. Another less than brilliant thing JM said was to note how different they here....rather gregarious vs. they way they were in the movie....brooding or rather humble. She started a question, then stopped herself and said, \"Well, you are actors, aren\ufffdt you.\" Well, DUUUH!! Bet she was stunned by how gorgeous Colin was sitting next to her and couldn't think straight. I'd let her slide for that reason. ;-) Or maybe she was stunned by those stupid boots Scarlett was wearing. She had on some kind of mid-shin big, thick moccasins. They discussed the relationship of the Master to the maid, body language and use of eye contact. They were given lessons in how 17th Century people in these situations would move and look, or not look at each other. They were asked to walk down the hall, passing each other, like a master and maid would, while avoiding eye contact. Then they were asked to repeat that, but this time make brief eye contact. Scarlett said that as they made eye contact, her heart skipped 3 beats as she saw Colin's look. Actually mine skipped just hearing about it. Oh, the thought of it. *sigh*"}, {"response": 1091, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (22:30)", "body": "My new favorite picture curtesy of little Bee...."}, {"response": 1092, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (22:40)", "body": "The idea was to show how they went from being disconnected to connected to each other [other than physically]. Colin discussed how their intimacy really manifested itself when he accepted Griet moving the chair, which ultimately influenced his work. She had crossed the line into forbidden territory. Also, will apologize if I repeat stuff they covered on Monday. They discussed the possibility of morphing into the picture of the painting from Scarlett\ufffds pose, but decided against it since Scarlett doesn\ufffdt look like the painting as much when compared directly to it. [Though some prominent features of Scarlett greatly resemble the painting such as the eyes, and the lips to a lesser degree to me when she turns around in \"the pose\"]. Colin joked that morphing them came out looking like Margaret Thatcher, to what SJ looked out in the audience and said, \"Who?\" Of course she was kidding....I hope. ;-) Colin discussed portraying someone about which virtually nothing is known, including what he looks like. He said the only painting that comes close to being a self-portrait is one in which a woman is sitting with her back to us, her face reflected in a mirror [this painting was rather extensively discussed in a PBS show on Vermeer a couple of weeks ago]. A smidgen of easel and what he said was Vermeer\ufffds toe, was the extent of his self-portrait. So that was the extent of his inspiration for Vermeer....a toe. It was rather amusing the way he discussed it. I can\ufffdt capture that. :-( The use of accents came up. JM asked why Scarlett sounded English. [Gee, I don\ufffdt know, maybe so she wouldn\ufffdt sound so out of place with the others?] Colin had a long answer about how they got to the accents there were considering they weren\ufffdt going to speak 17th Century Dutch. Basically it came out to making sure the accents weren\ufffdt distracting, no matter what they all used. Someone expressed surprise about Luxembourg as a location, and Colin mentioned that there were quite a few productions filmed there at that studio. He started to try to name some, hesitated and said, \"Well, at least, you know, that Venice one.\" Got a big laugh from the audience. Quite the comedian he was that night. They were asked about how this film would be promoted. Colin said that while he doesn\ufffdt know much about the science of marketing or what Lions Gate had planned, he felt it would and should be a word-of-mouth, as it\ufffds definitely an art house film. He said the worst thing would be to overhype it as a \"bodice ripper,\" though he did note they had the \"It\" girl of the moment to sell it."}, {"response": 1093, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (23:04)", "body": "I like that one, too, Bee! And little Bee! ;-) As far as promoting the film, it was interesting when JM said that Colin had been on the TV PR wagon this past week with the assumption it was all for LA. He said not necessarily. On the Today Show, they were supposed to talk about GWAPE and he had a clip, but they only showed BJD/EOR clips and stills. He was rather surprised it seemed. The subject of EOR came up. He said it was going well and Renee was so fantastic as Bridget, that he could see it going on. [Gasp!!] Matter of fact, he thought there was enough material that there could be 2 more! [Holy cow. ] JM and Colin discussed about a rumor that Helen Fielding was writing a third book. When JM brought up HG, Colin said he liked Hugh (in response to a question), but slipped in again, almost as an aside since he said it so fast, that he kicked Hugh's a$$ a week ago. I think it's funny how he keeps mentioning that. Like the little boy on the playground who beat up the bigger kid who everyone pays attention to. Someone asked a question about the film stock, that they acknowledged PW would be better equipped to answer, but did say it was a special kind. Scarlett talked about Eduardo Serra, cinematographer, how talented....and quiet he was. He knew what he wanted, could determine it \ufffdlike that\ufffd and just did what needed to be done quickly and quietly. Wasn\ufffdt a lot of talk about it. She also mentioned Ben van Os the production designer. Colin had some stuff to say here, too, but I don\ufffdt really remember much more than this."}, {"response": 1094, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (23:06)", "body": "(Karen) People with other, specialized skills (like Sophie's animatronics and dewatermarking expertise) are always appreciated and should be listed on your C.V. Karen I bake a mean cheesecake, does that count? (Lora)I think Colin feels the same way! ;-) He can share my ciggie, I don't mind;-DDD (Dorine)Well then, brace yourself, there will be several. ;-P (paraphrasing badly)We no care about no steenking badg..uh...typos, hurry up, girl! ;-) (Bee)My new favorite picture curtesy of little Bee. (paraphrasing badly again) Please sir, uhm, ma'am, can I have some more? Thank you ladies!"}, {"response": 1095, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (23:13)", "body": "Dorine, HA! That'll teach me to be cute. I'm typing mine up and you post 2 (count em 2) more times! Please forget the steenking typos remark;-)! Thank you so much...sounds like it was a great evening."}, {"response": 1096, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (23:46)", "body": "J and Pauline had very good questions, as was posted. I remember J as she was sitting across the aisle one or 2 rows down. He made a little face and sound when The Advocate was mentioned. He said AMITC was similar to GWAPE, small film, character study. Said the shoot on AMITC was 5 weeks, but kind of rushed as it rained the whole time, while the setting was supposed to seem like summer. They had to shoot with whatever bits of sunlight would come through. They\ufffdd wait for a break in the clouds which might last for only 30 secs. A question came up about career choices. No idea what she said....sorry. He said over his career, he was offered a bunch of paranoid depressive roles, then roles in breeches, then fluffy comedies. He says he does refuse many scripts, but aftter a while just takes whatever because, \"I gotta work.\" He tries to pick and choose, which he doesn't think he's very good at, but then gives in craving work. He did mention seeming to have a run of poor judgement, which he looked rather....regretful [is that a word?], maybe. Kind of tried to chuckle it off, but obviously not happy about it. Maybe a tad uncomfortable in admitting it...possibly to us and himself. Pure speculation there on my part, as I can only imagine. (Pauline) My question is general in nature. When you film something you think is brilliant and the critics call it rubbish and trash you and the film, what do you as an actor do to work through this type of rejection? How do you exorcise the bad reviews? For example: as an ordinary person when I have a performance review, its between me and my boss. I can shred it or file it and no one will ever know unless I tell them. Colin and Scarlett are artists and by nature much more sensitive to criticism. Look, we just saw a mesmerizing film. He spoke eloquently, gave examples, told an hilarious anecdote, mugged, covered his face while peeking out between his fingers. He spoke for quite a while about it. Just staying under the radar of getting wound up about it, IMO. He mentioned how personal the reviews can get by attacking the physical aspects of the actor personally, their family friends, etc. The inclination being to not read them, basically as protection of some peace of mind. He told a story about a famous actor (no names) who said he didn\ufffdt read reviews and would passionately refuse despite his friends trying to get him to read even a great review. Colin was very animated telling this story, moving around and practically jumping out of the chair, at one point, demonstrating what the actor in his story would do. Finally the actor caved, he said. He said, for him, sometimes (for the bad ones I think he said) he\ufffds just got to call up people he knows and read them to them, to laugh about them, rather than avoid them. I think I got all that right. He stated several times it was a real problem."}, {"response": 1097, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (23:46)", "body": "What fabulous positings this evening! Many thanks to all of you. Love the photo, Beedee and Little Bee! My own little bit is the picture article from \"US Weekly\" that I picked up today (Nov 17th issue). There's a photo spread on LA's \"Gorgeous Leading Men\". Rodrigo Santoro, Liam Neeson, Hugh (of course) Andrew Lincoln, and Colin. The other pictures were OK, but the one of Colin really struck me as his hair is positively auburn and his skin looks almost as if it had been dusted with something vaguely orange. He's wearing what appears to be a leather bomber jacket and looks windburned and half frozen. Wish I had a scanner (sigh, maybe Christmas). Interesting omission...Alan Rickman."}, {"response": 1098, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 2003 (23:49)", "body": "OK, I think that's pretty much it. If there's more, I'm blank at the moment. I have some pics I can't get off the camera at the moment. Will try to get them out onto another computer this weekend."}, {"response": 1099, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 2003 (00:04)", "body": "Hey Bee, do you know where he was standing when your little bee took that pic? Judging by knowing where she was, was he down by the elbow? Before getting to the ET podium?"}, {"response": 1100, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 2003 (04:18)", "body": "Dorine, thank you so much for typing these great descriptions of what must have been a wonderful evening. I'm so thrilled, he mentioned AMITC as one of his favourite movies. It has allways been at the top of my list :-) Bee, great photo! Thank you for sharing :-) And Evelyn, loved your \"ed-note\" :-) Thank you for the Premier Mag-notes. About helping out: As I have fretted about ealier, there isn't much to contribute from this part of the world. And since I don't have any special talents, I'm so grateful for those of you who are willing to share yours :-)"}, {"response": 1101, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 2003 (10:59)", "body": "(Dorine)OK, I think that's pretty much it. That's pretty much a pretty fabulous in-depth look at it! Thank you for all your recaptured CF answers. His feelings really come through in your account of his answers, especially the answer to Pauline's question. Pauline and J, thanks for your accounts of the evening too. I marvel at what you were all able to ask and remember and know you are still on a high from the experience. Thanks for sharing it with us. And was it P or J's DH who ran and got the disposable camera and saved her a seat while she went to the loo (and ran into YKW)? He deserves kudos too!"}, {"response": 1102, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 2003 (11:06)", "body": "(Premiere Mag and Evelyn)....was touched by the tale of Colin Firth's not -lost in translation discovery of new love [ed note:\"Take that Ebert!] ....\" Am still astonishment on Ebert's reaction to ODB's 'piece'. I thought it was v. v. funny and enjoyed it (best bit of acting still goes to Emma T IMO, but ODB did very well indeed) ;-)! (Evelyn) See? Long postings are catching;-q Yah! Way to go! And you even left extra space at the end like you wanted to say more!!!! ;-D Bee....and Little Bee! Fantastic pic! Very good....really love the expression on his face right there. Sort of bemused (which I think he was when he walked into the tent). Do!? Is he looking at you?? I have a pic (I know, I know...I'll get them to Karen and she can sort them out) where he does appear to be looking in 'your corner'. (Dorine) A question came up about career choices. No idea what she said....sorry. LOL....SJ? Career choices? She's 18....she's got a lot of \"Boat Trips\" out there waiting for her...you remembered the best bits! And I'm glad you did. This is interesting...that he appeared to express himself so openly in front of an audience (jammy git!! ;-) ). (ODB through Dorine) He says he does refuse many scripts, but aftter a while just takes whatever because, \"I gotta work.\" And I am assuming it isn't 'for the dough'. He sounds as if he just gets antsy and wants to do something....that's a good sign. He doesn't sound like Hugh....who keeps saying he doesnt want to act anymore (or dance every again! LOL!). (ODB through Do....again, but thanks to Pauline) He mentioned how personal the reviews can get by attacking the physical aspects of the actor personally, their family friends, etc. I still remember the personal attacks on Amanda Bynes. How incredibly hurtful some of them were.....they would attack her appearance when that had nothing to do with her performance. It sometimes seems that once certain reviewers start criticising a film, they just open every door, even if it isn't relevant.....or they begin to go on and on and on about themselves (a la Jo M from yesterday). Thank you Do! I know you've been v. v. busy (and you must be exhausted!). Great reporting! Dorine.....already a legend! (Eithne) ...and his skin looks almost as if it had been dusted with something vaguely orange. That's just cinnamon....so we can just 'eat him up'!! ;-D"}, {"response": 1103, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 2003 (11:28)", "body": "Wow, this place is hopping! Thanks to J, Pauline and Dorine for your in-depth reporting of the Q&A. I am always fascinated by ODB's answers to questions about his acting and career choices. And thanks to the Big and Little Bees for the yummy pic! It was his night. Hurrah! :-)"}, {"response": 1104, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 2003 (13:17)", "body": "(Tress) Do!? Is he looking at you?? I do believe so!! Have been trying to remain calm since I realized last night that it appears to be when he turned around once he heard me and was looking at what I had with me. I wrote Little Bee to clarify where he was when she took it. Didn't realize the first 3 times I looked at this pic, that Livia was right there. Pic is a bit smaller on the laptop than the one I have here, where she is more obvious. And as was apparent by my post about that night, I didn't seem to notice she was there at that moment, either. I still remember the personal attacks on Amanda Bynes. How incredibly hurtful some of them were.....they would attack her appearance when that had nothing to do with her performance. She came to mind as he mentioned the personal stuff and wondered if that's who he was thinking of, also. (Lisa) Thanks to J, Pauline and Dorine for your in-depth reporting of the Q&A. And I will thank some people from another list who were helpful in jogging my memory on some things, too. It was a lot of info, some more of which I have remembered as just flashes, like when you dream, but not enough to coherently put together."}, {"response": 1105, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 2003 (16:38)", "body": "(Tress)Am still astonishment on Ebert's reaction to ODB's 'piece' Although I know he saw LA, and liked it, sometimes I think he's out in left field. He said that Colin's storyline, if I remember correctly, was the weakest link in the film, and that the pond scene wasn't up to the caliber of the rest of the film??? What's up with that? Anyway, I know that Sunday I watched/heard him review WAGW...I know there was no way he watched that film. Ok, give it a thumbs down...and he did, but heck he made no sense and it was quite obvious to me he had gotten it all wrong. Almost like he took his review from other stuff that had been written. Oh well. He can't keep me away, I'm off to 3rd viewing of LA. right now. If your keeping score that's 3 LA and 2 Gwape. Dorine, thank you for all the details about Tuesday night. Oh how I wish I had gone to that, too. I shall not complain, though. Have lots to be thankful for. Great job, Little Bee. So glad you were able to join us. Great picture!!!"}, {"response": 1106, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 2003 (17:05)", "body": "Hi everyone from one of the \"blonde Stepford publicists\" whose only mission in life is to piss off snotty journalists and serve Hugh Grant and Colin Firth chilled drinks! :):) Wow that woman is a pill. Anyway, I wanted to pop in a moment to congratulate all the folks who braved that rain at the NY premiere and made it a lot of fun for the talent, journalists, photogs, and us folks working the thing. The support and enthusiasm you showed the event and of course most especially the talent (ie CF) was terrific. Always a well behaved group those CF fans :) Colin's schedule is a bit crazed at the moment with promoting two pictures and filming one and so as I mentioned earlier some of the things have had to be juggled somewhat. But there is another junket set for this coming week and more to come in the media. Glad to hear you had a pleasant experience meeting Colin again or for the first time. He's truly one of my favorite folks and so is Hugh. Always a pleasure to deal with either of them. Take care and will be back soon with a bit more confirmed details. :)"}, {"response": 1107, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 2003 (17:06)", "body": "Thnaks, Dorine, for the great write-up from the Q&A. On the Today Show, they were supposed to talk about GWAPE and he had a clip, but they only showed BJD/EOR clips and stills. He was rather surprised it seemed. LOL, he shouldn't be. He was there on Universal's nickel, so they showed the 2 films Uni is distributing, LA and TEOR. Uni sent a PR person with him to ensure that their stuff got on. I'd bet anything Lion's Gate didn't. That's business. Besides, it's unlikely they'd be interested in showing clips from a film that is still 2 months away for most of the country. Sorry, Colin, you're going to have to come back.;-) He tries to pick and choose, which he doesn't think he's very good at, but then gives in craving work. He did mention seeming to have a run of poor judgement, which he looked rather....regretful That's why people hire managers--as opposed to soley relying on agents, who just work out the business deal. He mentioned how personal the reviews can get by attacking the physical aspects of the actor personally, their family friends, etc. Definitely brought to mind the AB lynching by the Telegraph. They made fun of how she looked, of her personality, and if I recall correctly, criticized her parents (who they hadn't met.) http://news.independent.co.uk/people/profiles/story.jsp?story=463924"}, {"response": 1108, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 2003 (17:12)", "body": "(Lola)The support and enthusiasm you showed the event and of course most especially the talent (ie CF) was terrific. Aw shucks. *blushing*;-) Honestly, we were all so glad to be there to support Colin--and there were a heck of a lot more than just our group. And believe it or not, Hugh has won us over, Lola!:-) Did anyone make it to the BAFTA LA GWAPE showing last night and if so, did Colin attend? I think the London premiere for LA is tomorrow night, right? And then he has the Survival thing mid-week. Is he coming back to the US for the next junket, Lola?"}, {"response": 1109, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 2003 (17:14)", "body": "(Dorine) Must point out, he said \"erotic\" *twice*. Am visualizing scene from Bye Bye Birdie, when Conrad is singing outside the town hall and the women are dropping like flies. (Dorine) struck up a conversation with the Prog Dir, noting that I agreed AMITC was indeed a gem...I brought up Apt Zero which he didn\ufffdt know...On my way back...I threw out Tumbledown as an example of one of his better things, too, which of course I knew he wouldn\ufffdt have heard of. *snickering big time* You showed them! They talked about the painting...JM asked if the real painting was cracked like it is in that close-up. Not having seen the movie yet, is the painting shown as if going back in time or as if it was just painted, in which case the paint would not have those cracks. Makes a diff IMO. Or maybe she was stunned by those stupid boots Scarlett was wearing. She had on some kind of mid-shin big, thick moccasins. Those are Ugg boots from Australia. You would've known if you'd seen The View and that you can get fairly decent knockoffs from Target. It would appear they're very in right now: http://www.uggaustralia.com/ The subject of EOR came up. He said it was going well and..that he could see it going on. [Gasp!!] Matter of fact, he thought there was enough material that there could be 2 more! [Holy cow. ] You do mean \"cash cow,\" don't you? He says he does refuse many scripts, but aftter a while just takes whatever because, \"I gotta work.\" He tries to pick and choose, which he doesn't think he's very good at, but then gives in craving work. He did mention seeming to have a run of poor judgement, which he looked rather....regretful [is that a word?], maybe. Kind of tried to chuckle it off, but obviously not happy about it. Maybe a tad uncomfortable in admitting it...possibly to us and himself. Pure speculation there on my part, as I can only imagine. He wouldn't have mentioned it otherwise and I've sensed it in a number of interviews/articles, going back to last year. Many other actors would slough it off, blaming others, talking about their failures in the abstract, etc. He not only needs better \"career\" advisors if he can't trust his own judgment, but a better agent (never thought I'd say that!!), one who *can* help him and is plugged in. Thank you, Dorine, for such fabulous reports from the front. You did a brilliant job with the details as well as your own impressions. For Eithne, this is the pic. It was initialy printed in a Norwegian magazine (Det Nye) earlier this year or perhaps end of last year: (Ada) Karen I bake a mean cheesecake, does that count? More than you'll ever know. ;-) And thanks to Bee and Little Bee (who will eventually be posting here herself). A great picture!"}, {"response": 1110, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 2003 (17:32)", "body": "There are some new pics taken by a fan at the London Film Festival here: http://www.firth.com/gwape_premgal5.html Note to self: Must get NY premiere done before London one buries me."}, {"response": 1111, "author": "EllieNole", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 2003 (17:41)", "body": "Hope this hasn't already been posted. From People.com on AOL: \"WHO'S THE SEXIER BRIT? Hugh Grant might be Hollywood's most popular British hunk, but the female fans who gathered outside the red carpet at the Love Actually premiere at the Ziegfeld Theater in New York City begged to differ. The ladies saved their biggest swoons for another British actor: Grant's costar Colin Firth. The roar was deafening as Firth emerged on the red carpet in a black Richard James suit and a white button-down shirt with the top couple of buttons undone. When PEOPLE asked Firth if he expected all the adoration, he said, \"Not at all. It's pretty stunning actually. I actually want to get a tape of this and prove it to a few people back home.\" Grant, meanwhile, seemed to take his position as second fiddle in stride. Asked by PEOPLE whether he felt he received the appropriate reaction from the crowd, he joked, \"Well, I could do with a little more noise.\""}, {"response": 1112, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 2003 (18:04)", "body": "Thanks Ellie D! (People.com)black Richard James suit Sure looked navy to me, especially in comparison to his black shoes ;-) (Colin)\"Not at all. LOL! Am having a P&P moment! It's pretty stunning actually. Someone else is using actually, actually. I actually want to get a tape of this and prove it to a few people back home.\" Anyone else want to offer themselves up as evidence of his \"fan base?\" I'll scream and swoon for him if he needs a tape. ;-) Wow, I'm especially silly this evening. Please pardon me."}, {"response": 1113, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 2003 (18:13)", "body": "but the female fans who gathered outside the red carpet at the Love Actually premiere at the Ziegfeld Theater in New York City begged to differ. The ladies saved their biggest swoons for another British actor: Grant's costar Colin Firth. The roar was deafening as Firth emerged... It's about time. Am singing the Hallelujah Chorus here that one magazine, one reporter managed to accurately portray the evening, despite all the stilted reporting we got from the infotainment shows!"}, {"response": 1114, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 2003 (18:53)", "body": "The ladies saved their biggest swoons for another British actor: Grant's costar Colin Firth. The roar was deafening ... We done him proud! :-D a black Richard James suit and a white button-down shirt with the top couple of buttons undone. Nice to see they notice what's important, too. ;-) Grant, meanwhile, seemed to take his position as second fiddle in stride. Asked by PEOPLE whether he felt he received the appropriate reaction from the crowd, he joked, \"Well, I could do with a little more noise.\" Mari, next time shout your question at him. ;-D They talked about the painting...JM asked if the real painting was cracked like it is in that close-up. (Karen) Not having seen the movie yet, is the painting shown as if going back in time or as if it was just painted, in which case the paint would not have those cracks. Makes a diff IMO. It's just a pull back shot of the high resolution picture they mentioned in the Q&A, of the actual painting, that starts in close on the light reflected on the earring and ends with the whole painting shown and leads into the credits. So it would be the actual cracks in the painting."}, {"response": 1115, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 2003 (19:04)", "body": "OK, though, it seems like one should be closing *in* on the pic, so as to learn what what into its creation. Whatever, am not accredited cinematographer. ;-) The Today Show transcript is up, thanks to Ada: http://www.firth.com/int/03todaynov10.html"}, {"response": 1116, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 2003 (19:21)", "body": "(Hola) Hi everyone from one of the \"blonde Stepford publicists\" whose only mission in life is to piss off snotty journalists and serve Hugh Grant and Colin Firth chilled drinks! :):) Don't listen to her Hola! Hateful woman! I like you.....just as you are! Had a blast in NYC....loving Colin (still) and a newfound respect and admiration for Hugh (who took our kidding and talked smack right back! Gotta love that!). (Mari) Did anyone make it to the BAFTA LA GWAPE showing last night and if so, did Colin attend? Yes. He was there. A friend went.....said he looked amazing. Hair looked great....khaki pants, brown suede shirt and his favorite brown boots....but you are probably wondering what he spoke about....LOL...didn't get into that too much. She was rushed. Will probably hear more in the next few days. (Dorine) Or maybe she was stunned by those stupid boots Scarlett was wearing. (Karen) Those are Ugg boots from Australia. Easy on the Uggs! I have a pair...but don't wear them with a skirt (isn't that what Scarlet did)? I promise not to embarrass you Dorine, when I come back to NYC in December....will keep Uggs at a respectful distance (but be warned that they are coming!). ;-D When PEOPLE asked Firth if he expected all the adoration, he said, \"Not at all. It's pretty stunning actually. I actually want to get a tape of this and prove it to a few people back home.\" I think his time has come....actually! Am so thrilled for him (to borrow Emma T's line!)!!"}, {"response": 1117, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 2003 (19:29)", "body": "(Hola Lola) the \"blonde Stepford publicists\" whose only mission in life is to piss off snotty journalists and serve Hugh Grant and Colin Firth chilled drinks! :):) LOL! Hmmmm....now how can I get a job like that? I'd gladly endure the disdain from bitter journalists. ;-) He's truly one of my favorite folks and so is Hugh. And what a great sport he is! :-D their family friends, etc. BTW, this was supposed to be family, friends, etc.....not just family friends. Just thought I'd put that out there. ;-) (Mari) Sorry, Colin, you're going to have to come back. ;-) From your keyboard to God's and publicist's eyes. ;-) Did anyone make it to the BAFTA LA GWAPE showing last night and if so, did Colin attend? I read he did, but no significant details at that time. I guess there were small details on clothing, etc, but I just glazed over it as I was on my way out. (Dorine) Must point out, he said \"erotic\" *twice*. (Karen) Am visualizing scene from Bye Bye Birdie, when Conrad is singing outside the town hall and the women are dropping like flies. Well that effect could be tempered by the sound of some remnants of congestion when he coughed several times. Poor baby. Hope he has been able to rest up a little to get totally over that cold or whatever he had from the dip in the cold fountain. Those are Ugg boots from Australia Was talking to someone about those recently, but didn't know what they looked like. They're fine with the right outfit. needs a better agent (never thought I'd say that!!) Really? Never knew which side of the fence you were on, on this subject. When PEOPLE asked Firth if he expected all the adoration, he said, \"Not at all. It's pretty stunning actually. I actually want to get a tape of this and prove it to a few people back home.\" Colin, we'd be happy to be a traveling \"fan base,\" or \"Colin's peeps\" show for you to prove it to people in person. ;-D"}, {"response": 1118, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 2003 (19:30)", "body": "Oh! Sorry for double posting...but thank you everyone for all the wonderful tidbits.....and thank you Karen and Sylvia for the lovely pics of the London premiere (wish I had someone to follow me with an umbrella...would come in very handy here in the Pacfic Northwest! LOL!)! And thank you Karen and Ada for the Today Show transcript!"}, {"response": 1119, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 2003 (19:34)", "body": "(Dorine) Colin, we'd be happy to be a traveling \"fan base,\" or \"Colin's peeps\" show for you to prove it to people in person. ;-D ROTFL...I'd gladly follow him around and create a fuss for him so that all his friends would believe him! I'd scream and whine on demand if asked to! And relieve Hola of serving the chilled drinks if needed! ;-D"}, {"response": 1120, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 2003 (19:37)", "body": "(Tress) I promise not to embarrass you Dorine, when I come back to NYC in December....will keep Uggs at a respectful distance (but be warned that they are coming!). ;-D Um, did I forget to mention that it turns out I'll be busy the day you wear those?....whatever day it is. ;-D And she wore them with pants. Trying desperately to get pics of them that night off the camera. (Karen) Those are Ugg boots from Australia. Yeah? Well doesn't make them any more attractive to me on her. Sorry, Terry! :-P"}, {"response": 1121, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 2003 (20:53)", "body": "Good LFF page, Boss. Poor fans in all that rain. Hard to juggle pen, book and brollie. We were lucky to get inside the press tent. Did you arrange that Lola;-) Tomorrow night LA premiere in London. Survival Appeal night is Tuesday. Hope Richard James suit hold up.[That suit was dark navy!]"}, {"response": 1122, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 2003 (21:18)", "body": "(Tress)(wish I had someone to follow me with an umbrella.. I have now realized what my true calling in life could be. I can maneuver one mean umbrella. Lola, thanks for stopping by. Colin was fantastic he made time for all of us. I'm glad People magazine took notice, too...the tent ladies were hard to miss. Just want to add my two cents about Hugh...great sense of humor and another very dear man! (Evelyn)Hope Richard James suit hold up.[That suit was dark navy!] Me too, it's been through hell. Rain, spills on the cobbies, sheesh! Very navy!!! (Dorine)Must point out, he said \"erotic\" *twice*. Oh gawd. Crikey, until Tuesday, I was on cloud nine because I heard him say \"ab-so-lutely\" (CF)\"Not at all. It's pretty stunning actually. I actually want to get a tape of this and prove it to a few people back home.\" Colin, I have a better idea. Take us home and we can do a live repeat performance tomorrow and Tuesday in London. Peeps, what do you say? Are you up for it???"}, {"response": 1123, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 2003 (21:48)", "body": "Mari: Did anyone make it to the BAFTA LA GWAPE showing last night and if so, did Colin attend? Tress: Yes. He was there. A friend went.....said he looked amazing. Hair looked great....khaki pants, brown suede shirt and his favorite brown boots....but you are probably wondering what he spoke about.... Jana and I attended the screening. He was there, along with SJ and PW. I think there were about 4 questions asked, and somehow they seemed to lead into praise for Eduardo Serra. As for how he looked, the lighting in the theatre was so poor, the Q&A could have been conducted by candlelight (and I sat in the front row)."}, {"response": 1124, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 2003 (22:40)", "body": "(people.com)The roar was deafening as Firth emerged on the red carpet in a black Richard James suit and a white button-down shirt with the top couple of buttons undone. When PEOPLE asked Firth if he expected all the adoration, he said, \"Not at all. It's pretty stunning actually. I actually want to get a tape of this and prove it to a few people back home.\" (Karen)It's about time It is about time!! Stupid, stupid reporting! Some of us are bound to be able to make a tape for him......;-))) (Karen)and Little Bee (who will eventually be posting here herself). Oh! I can't wait!!"}, {"response": 1125, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 2003 (22:47)", "body": "(Marianne) As for how he looked, the lighting in the theatre was so poor, the Q&A could have been conducted by candlelight (and I sat in the front row). Sounds like how our BAFTA one was. And they have better lights in those theaters that are on before the movie, but they don't seem to feel the need to turn them on for the Q&A. Did the same with Russell Crowe this week. Thanks for reminding me I was going to complain about that. And I was in the 2nd and 1st row, respectively, for those, too. Thanks, Marianne. Were there only 4 questions because the session was short? Or because they talked so long for each answer? Or the moderator asked most of the questions? I assumed you meant 4 audience questions, not total. Ok, making progress with pics. Just have to get folders to manageable size to send to Karen. Get ready Karen....seems I went a bit nuts with pixel size. I mean, who doesn't want to see a really big Colin? ;-D"}, {"response": 1126, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 2003 (23:48)", "body": "Dorine: Were there only 4 questions because the session was short? Or because they talked so long for each answer? Or the moderator asked most of the questions? BAFTA switched the viewing location from the Pacific Design Center to the Laemmle Fairfax , so the Q&A was short cause the moderator said that it would have to end by 10 as they would be unspooling another movie ... liar. PW and CF spoke lengthily, when answering their questions, but honestly I can't for the life of me remember much. PW spoke about how a lot of his favorite scenes and other characters were cut but would be included in the dvd. CF did a lot of gesturing, grimacing and hands all over his face. In fact, I think he's been spending entirely too much time with HG as he's begun to use some of his reactions. SJ did something really cute. She shoved the mic towards CF and said something along the lines of a romance novel about how she/Griet loves CF/Vermeer ... I wish I could remember the exact words. But mygawd, his reaction! He looked stupefied ... it was so funny."}, {"response": 1127, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (02:33)", "body": "Notice to Australian Drooleurs: Next week's \"In-Entertainment\" (Channel 10, 6pm on Sundays in Sydney) promises \"interviews with the cast of Love Actually\" -- don't know which cast members, but might need to set the VCR just in case... I will hate Antonia Kidman even more if she gets to meet/interview ODB...."}, {"response": 1128, "author": "soph", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (03:59)", "body": "it seems from the mars website (the company distributing LA in france) there will be a local premiere this monday at the ugc normandy in paris (on the champs-\ufffdlys\ufffdes). looks like they are cramming european premieres in the same week. time of screening for the paris thing not specified though (should be around 7-8 pm, right ?). they boast that \"the whole crew will be there\"... am doubtful, but will go and check this afternoon at the theater. i entered a competition last week to win tickets to the premiere, but alack & alas, the gods of vegas were definitely not with me on this one : might be a sign the *whole* of the crew is not going to be there, or is phantom screening of some sort for i cannot find any listing of this in the daily press..."}, {"response": 1129, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (06:22)", "body": "(Dorine)The subject of EOR came up. He said it was going well and Renee was so fantastic as Bridget, that he could see it going on. [Gasp!!] Matter of fact, he thought there was enough material that there could be 2 more! You don't think he was just yanking our chain here, do you? I'm thinking of Mari's take on the story, set 25 years from now... (Dorine) Must point out, he said \"erotic\" *twice*. (Karen) Am visualizing scene from Bye Bye Birdie, when Conrad is singing outside the town hall and the women are dropping like flies. Count me amont the laid out flat! (CF)\"Not at all. It's pretty stunning actually. I actually want to get a tape of this and prove it to a few people back home.\" (Linda)Colin, I have a better idea. Take us home and we can do a live repeat performance tomorrow and Tuesday in London. Peeps, what do you say? Are you up for it??? This peep is in! And Colin that was nothing! Why, had we known it would impress you so much, I'm sure none of us would have had our voices the rest of the weekend from screaming! Thanks Dorine for all the notes and thank you Karen for keeping up with all of this in this amazing time! Come on London premiere!! Wahoooo!!!"}, {"response": 1130, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (08:58)", "body": "Thanks, Marianne, for the report from BaftaLA. Sounds like Colin was very entertaining at all these Q&A sessions. He might want to loosen up a bit more on TV. (Beedee) Some of us are bound to be able to make a tape for him......;-))) Did you have a camcorder? Probably should've gotten friendlier with that cameraman from Extra! (a freelancer on assignment). Bet he shot footage of Colin--like everyone else--which they didn't use. (Sophie) they boast that \"the whole crew will be there\"... am doubtful There has been a fairly large contingent making the rounds to Madrid, Rome, Lisbon and Munich, though Colin hasn't thus far been part of that group. However, given that his storyline takes place in France, it would seem logical for him to be there. But, if you go to ogle at the premiere, you won't be disappointed by Rodrigo and you might want to needle Hugh a little bit more. ;-)"}, {"response": 1131, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (09:12)", "body": "There's a fairly large interview (with no new pics) in today's Sunday Herald magazine (Scottish broadsheet). My brother works for their sister paper, so I'll get extra copies and send one to you, Karen. The female interviewer was quite uneffected by his charms, BTW. - Strange woman!"}, {"response": 1132, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (09:18)", "body": "(Karen)Sounds like Colin was very entertaining at all these Q&A sessions. He might want to loosen up a bit more on TV. Wot and act more like Hugh;-) (as Marianne said). I thought he did v. well on the current round of TV appearances. In top form on The View. (Janet) There's a fairly large interview (with no new pics) in today's Sunday Herald magazine (Scottish broadsheet). Is it online? I can't wait a week til that paper gets here. Can you be a dear, Janet, and type it out for us? We would be greatly indebted."}, {"response": 1133, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (09:30)", "body": "I'm going to be v. v. bad again and not go to the LA premiere in Leicester Square tonight. I just am not in the mood for a gazillion people crowding around trying to see all the other folks - would much prefer the one man show like HS or similar, and I doubt I would get anywhere near what you excellent NY reporters got. He's probably jet lagged anyway. Won't be quite so dashing and happy to see lots of people. But of course will be going Tuesday to Survival, and will report in asap after. Not, of course, expecting that he will show. It'll just be a nice bonus if he does =)."}, {"response": 1134, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (09:34)", "body": "Thanks for the heads up, Janet. Herald interview is below. Pic is a variation of the \"jumping at the rainbow\" ones we've seen: After ten years of being seen as a romantic hero, Colin Firth is keen to lose his sex symbol image. But first, discovers Vicky Allan, there is the small matter of Love Actually, the most hotly anticipated British film of the year Bridget Jones II is a closed set, which means that while Colin Firth is doing the \ufffdline-up\ufffd for his latest scene, I am forced to sit in a freezing, grungy canteen with an overhead heater which seems to have been designed as a hair dryer for people over 6ft. Tall, lean, gangly people like Colin Firth. Already he has stood me up several times. There was the occasion when I booked a flight down to London, only to find, moments before I left, that the date was off, though I decided to go and see his new film, Love Actually, anyway. Then there was my current date, shifted from the warm chic of the Portobello Hotel to chilly Ealing Studios with its plastic table cloths, brown ketchup bottles, extras in Thai police uniforms and pale clouds of breath. Of course, it doesn\ufffdt help that I am wearing my short skirt. A bit of leg had seemed only right back in Edinburgh as I discussed my prospective date with jealous girlfriends, but here, it already seems wrong. Here, a short skirt seems all too Bridget Jones. As if I am play-acting a role as a follower in the cult of Firth. By the time Firth arrives, I am pacing to keep warm. He blusters through the door, looking for all the world like Mark Darcy, the character he plays in the Bridget Jones films. He is dressed in a lawyerish pin-striped suit, pale blue shirt, tie pulled from round his neck. And he has that troubled, slightly constipated look about him. He is almost overly apologetic. \ufffdHave you come down from Edinburgh today?\ufffd he asks. \ufffdI\ufffdm so sorry about that. It\ufffds been a very odd day because I\ufffdve been doing the post-production dubbing for another film, which couldn\ufffdt be more different. It\ufffds called Trauma. I\ufffdm just playing someone who\ufffds very upset all the time. It\ufffds about a guy in sort of emotional meltdown. I didn\ufffdt expect to be filming this today either. I thought we would be lounging in a hotel.\ufffd He suggests that we move to his trailer which will be much warmer. I can\ufffdt help thinking of a few lines from the book of Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason, when Bridget interviews the actor Colin Firth, Mr Darcy in the BBC adaption of Austen\ufffds Pride and Prejudice. \ufffdI think you\ufffdre exactly like Mr Darcy,\ufffd Bridget says. \ufffdIn what way?\ufffd he asks. \ufffdYou talk the same way as him.\ufffd \ufffdOh, do I?\ufffd \ufffdYou look exactly like him.\ufffd At this moment Colin Firth looks very like Mark Darcy. Not like Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pride and Prejudice, or like Jamie, the lovelorn writer he plays in Love Actually, or Judd the embittered public school Trotskyite he played in Another Country. But like the dull, repressed, smouldering Darcy of Bridget Jones, and it doesn\ufffdt make me swoon. I have to confess that, despite the short skirt, I\ufffdve never caught the Firth mania. Firth has been thinking a lot about Pride and Prejudice. \ufffdIt\ufffds very odd, you know, to have it as this ghost. It\ufffds nearly ten years now and I do find it sort of bewildering. I\ufffdve thought about it more in the last year than I\ufffdve ever thought about it. Because it\ufffds suddenly occurred to me how long it\ufffds been and it\ufffds still there. It\ufffds only now that I\ufffdm seeing how bloody durable it is. \ufffdWe are, you know ... culture is saturated with stuff, we\ufffdre full of self-reference. So this film [Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason] quotes from something else that\ufffds already out there, either the first film, or Pride And Prejudice. Everything is full of little homages to something or satires. And it occurred to me today because I was doing this dubbing \ufffd something that was very different \ufffd then one of the engineers said, \ufffdOh, did someone say that the line sounded a bit Darcyish?\ufffd I thought, God, ten years ago, I did that. That was my summer of 1994.\ufffd Love Actually is the directorial debut of Richard Curtis, the screenwriter with the Midas touch responsible for Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and Bridget Jones\ufffd Diary. It is an ensemble romantic comedy with a cast including Hugh Grant, Martine McCutcheon, Liam Neeson and Emma Thompson. Firth plays a novelist, ditched by his girlfriend, who goes off to France to recover. There he meets and falls in love with a Portuguese housekeeper played by Lucia Moniz. In one of the film\ufffds most romantic scenes, Moniz strips off and dives into a lake to fish out a manuscript he has been working on, echoing, I suggest, his own iconic soaking in Pride and Prejudice. \ufffdI don\ufffdt think that scene was written for me,\ufffd he says, shaking his head. \ufffdIt was in place before I had the part.\ufffd The scene in which Bridget Jones interviews Firth is in the book they are filming at the moment. In other words, Firth the actor is appearing in the film of a novel in which he appears as a character. How"}, {"response": 1135, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (10:04)", "body": "Love Actually Stars Head for the Red Carpet By Anita Singh, Showbusiness Correspondent, PA News Love Actually, the most eagerly awaited British film of the year, was getting its UK premiere tonight. The feel-good romantic comedy features the cream of British acting talent. Hugh Grant, Colin Firth and Keira Knightley will be gracing the red carpet in London's Leicester Square, along with Emma Thompson, Bill Nighy and Alan Rickman. Love Actually is the latest film from Richard Curtis, who brought us Four Weddings And A Funeral and Notting Hill. Set in London in the run-up to Christmas, the film tells a series of interwoven love stories. Hugh Grant plays a Prime Minister (\"based on Tony Blair\") who falls for his tea-lady, Martine McCutcheon. Colin Firth is a lovelorn writer, Billy Bob Thornton plays the US president and Bill Nighy steals the show as a fading rock star. Other famous faces who appear in the movie include Liam Neeson, Rowan Atkinson, Laura Linney and The Office's Martin Freeman. Claudia Schiffer, Michael Parkinson and Ant and Dec pop up in cameo roles. Grant has predicted that the film will be a huge hit. \"It sounds nauseating because it's all about love,\" he said. \"The reason it succeeds, rather than being puke-making, is that it is funny as well.\" The film premiered in the US last week but some of the critics were less than kind. The New York Times called it \"an indigestible Christmas pudding from the British whimsy factory\" while Rolling Stone magazine said \"sometimes it just makes you gag.\" Love Actually is released over here on November 21. And Bill Nighy is tipped to land the Christmas number one with his song from the film, a jokey Yuletide version of Love Is All Around."}, {"response": 1136, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (11:09)", "body": "Mari, thanks for copying the Sunday Herald article. And good luck to anyone planning on going along to the premiere tonight in London. - I hope you all have as great a time as the 'fan base' on the other side of the Atlantic did this past week!!"}, {"response": 1137, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (11:25)", "body": "Thanks, Janet, I'd appreciate a copy. (Janet) The female interviewer was quite uneffected by his charms, BTW. - Strange woman She came into the interview, I'm convinced, ready and eager to do a hatchet job. Did we really need to hear how \"inconvenienced\" she was? Then there are the phrases like \"the cult of Firth.\" Maybe he should clear his schedule next time she wants to talk to him. ;-) Firth has a resigned air, as if he's given up on trying to convince the world he's a serious actor Doing Hamlet would've helped. :-( (Mr In-A-Perfect-World) \"I'm not really that comfortable with doing it [charitable causes] as a celebrity. I mean for years I'd much rather put leaflets through the door on my street. You mean, the stuff that goes directly into my garbage bad??? When I ask him if he sees all his own films, he says: \"Yes, I do, sadly. One is obliged to see more of them. It's not always a pleasant experience.\" He brings it up himself. Is this an offensive move to deflect criticism? The best defense is a good offense. It is difficult to tell if he is genuine. A journalist who recently interviewed him on the set of Girl With A Pearl Earring...noted a telling aside by co-star Scarlett Johansson: \"Colin has such a huge ego he probably thinks he painted the paintings himself.\" And this idiot writer takes it seriously? Oh, she's severely lacking in both humor and judgment. :-( What does Guiggioli think of his reputation as an object of desire? I'm getting rather tired of this. Why is this considered remote newsworthy? Why don't I hear this question being posed of other celebrities' spouses, etc.? Even the culture he relates best to is American; his favourite author is William Faulkner. Still, huh? Then why hasn't he pursued doing some of the roles I've always thought he suited to a T, like Ben Quick?"}, {"response": 1138, "author": "momi", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (11:39)", "body": "\"Love Actually\" I saw it in town yesterday in the late afternoon and the audience had a wonderful time watching it!....Men and women were giggling and laughing out loud at the witty dialogue and charming action going on....It's a \"feel good\" kind of movie....The film is energetic - PERFECT for this time of year - .....I really needed to see this kind of film considering the \"down feelings\" I've been experiencing with my uncle being so ill.... It's a wonderful movie in a quirky, fun-loving, sentimental sort of way....There are several storylines (subplots) going on\ufffd.It\ufffds easy to follow each storyline because the film is well directed, with terrific acting, gorgeously filmed capturing the merriment and beauty of the holiday season during Christmas, and meticulously edited\ufffd.The scenes are clearly defined moving easily with understanding from one scene to the next\ufffd.Watching \ufffdLove Actually\ufffd was like reading an enjoyable book that you just didn\ufffdt want to put down\ufffd. Roger Ebert gave it 3 \ufffd out of 4 stars which I \ufffdtotally\ufffd agree with so those other reviews aren\ufffdt hitting the point as to what this film is about\ufffd.Everyone has their opinion though which is just that - an \ufffdopinion\ufffd\ufffd. Roger Ebert\ufffds review: http://www.suntimes.com/output/ebert1/wkp-news-love07f.html GO & SEE IT WHEN IT COMES IN YOUR AREA\ufffd\ufffdYOU\ufffdLL ENJOY IT!!!!! NOTE: (For those of you who don't want to know the storyline involving Colin Firth's character Jamie, don't read any further.) Colin Firth is wonderful as the \"lovelorn writer\" who was jilted by his girlfriend as she is having an affair with his brother\ufffd.To ease his pains and mend his wounds, he goes to Marseille, France and retreats to a country cottage near a lake/pond\ufffd.The scenery is beautiful\ufffd.There he meets lovely Aurelia (Lucia Moniz), a young Portugese woman who cleans his cottage during his stay there\ufffdAt the end of the day, Jamie drives Aurelia home\ufffd.Neither of them speak each other\ufffds language\ufffd.Regardless of not being able to communicate verbally with each other, a budding relationship develops from there, but I won\ufffdt go on\ufffd.You\ufffdll need to see the film to find out how the relationship ends\ufffd.\uf04a To read about Lucia Moniz who plays Aurelia, click on the link below: http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0598159/ ~Momi~"}, {"response": 1139, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (11:53)", "body": "I don't know why they keep quoting that NY Times review; clearly the public isn't paying much attention to it. Weekend boxoffice estimates: LA took in $8.8 million, for a per screen average of over $7,500, and a total since opening of $19 million. And it hasn't even gone on widest release yet."}, {"response": 1140, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (12:06)", "body": "Here, a short skirt seems all too Bridget Jones. As if I am play-acting a role as a follower in the cult of Firth. Silly Vicky...I have no sympathy for her (maybe she can hook up with Jo and they can commiserate over hot cocoa). I didn't dress her in her short skirt (and I don't care that she's wearing it....I learn more about the reviewer in some of these than I do about ODB...). A journalist who recently interviewed him on the set of Girl With A Pearl Earring (in which he plays Johannes Vermeer), noted a telling aside by co-star Scarlett Johansson: \ufffdColin has such a huge ego he probably thinks he painted the paintings himself.\ufffd LOL...I love that some reviewers thought this was serious and instead of making up their own minds about how the feel about Colin, they drag this bit out. Like saying....\"he was perfectly gentleman like and kind to me, but let me tell you what I heard from so and so...who heard from his cousin's best friend that he can be a real pill!\" \ufffdOne of the first things I would define myself with, is a passion for all sorts of Americana.\ufffd LOL...I would have given him a little piece of Americana! Oooohhhhh bad, Tress, bad! Time out! ;-) Thank you Mari, Janet.....good luck to you Emma! I hope he shows to Survival (I'll keep fingers and everything else crossed!)."}, {"response": 1141, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (12:19)", "body": "(Scotland Herald) Even the culture he relates best to is American; his favourite author is William Faulkner. ?One of the first things I would define myself with, is a passion for all sorts of Americana.? In Italy, he substitutes Italian. (Scotland Herald)Moniz strips off and dives into a lake to fish out a manuscript he has been working on,echoing, I suggest, his own iconic soaking in Pride and Prejudice. \"I don?t think that scene was written for me,\" he says, shaking his head. \"It was in place before I had the part.\" Psst,Colin...RC says he wrote the screenplay with the actors in mind. Agree about the journalist. Why would I care if she froze her ass off."}, {"response": 1142, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (12:24)", "body": "#6 Love Actually Uni. $8,880,000 29% 1,177 +601 $7,544 $19,044,000 - / - 2 Up 29% this weekend - From Box Office Mojo. Full chart here: http://boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2003&wknd=46&p=.htm"}, {"response": 1143, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (12:40)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1144, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (13:22)", "body": "From Felicity: LA premiere being covered live by news stations so will be loads on Sky, News 24 etc. Colin even managed to get on ITN 6.00 by walking behind their reporter! wearing lightish grey suit and black shirt. Sorry can't confirm shoe colour. Not looking like Hugh's twin today. But looking good."}, {"response": 1145, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (13:42)", "body": "I checked, but didn't find this posted. From BBCiFilms, review of LA http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2003/11/06/love_actually_2003_review.shtml Can't wait to see pictures from the London premiere. Nice to hear, he looked good (doesn't he allways :-))"}, {"response": 1146, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (14:00)", "body": "Can't wait to see pictures from the London premiere. WireImage is starting to put them on...none of Colin so far. http://www.wireimage.com/"}, {"response": 1147, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (14:14)", "body": "I can see I'll be switching channels all night tonight! For viewers in the UK and Europe. Bonus Love Actually is showing on Sky Movies 5 at 8.40pm tonight, British time."}, {"response": 1148, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (14:35)", "body": "Just caught quite a bit of coverage on Sky. Colin and Hugh arrived first. Crowd were screaming something - definitely two syllables, blah blah-ah (ie not \"Hugh\") Would recognise CF anywhere from the walk. Interviews with both CF and Huge. Believe it or not, this is the first time I've ever seen CF as himself on TV for more than a nanosecond. Definite Hugh bias in reporting - all about Hugh's adoring fans being there to welcome him, women in studio swooning, Martine McC. going on about how good a kisser he is etc. Very good review of LA from in studio critic, although the news reader kept on quoting the New York Times review! Thanks for all the brilliant reporting! Was very interested in the Q&A's. CF should ignore the bad reviews - at least he tries to do life-affirming stuff, stressing the basic decency of people. Most UK reviews seem to be written by 20/30 something males whose defining childhood experience was \"Star Wars\" and who love anything miserable! Perhaps they don't realise that there are times when all the audience wants is some light relief, some undemandingly pleasant escapism. Bin the reviews!"}, {"response": 1149, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (14:44)", "body": "One pic of Colin up at Wire Image. He's wearing a dark shirt (LOL!) under his jacket (maybe dark grey, but am not sure)."}, {"response": 1150, "author": "kelbrom1", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (15:28)", "body": "To anyone in the UK, SKY News are running story now on the UK Premiere that is taking place tonight. They Spoke to Colin for a few minutes, looked divine as usual! I guess they run it on a loop so will put it back on later"}, {"response": 1151, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (15:32)", "body": "Looks like the ole SIL premiere suit. Emma looking v. glam again.. & Laura Linney, stunning. Martine's dress,... (gag!) And who is Laura Bailey in the \"ostrich number.\""}, {"response": 1152, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (15:50)", "body": "LOVE ACTUALLY PREMIERES Love was in the air as the cream of British acting talent gathered for the UK premiere Love Actually. Stars from the feel-good romantic comedy strode down the red carpet in style as they arrived in London's Leicester Square. Director Richard Curtis, famous for Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill described his movie as a \"roaring rampage of romance\". And the film's Christmas theme was on full show when actor Bill Nighy arrived with three blondes on each arm, dressed in risqu\ufffd Santa outfits. Set in London in the run up to Christmas, Love Actually tells a series of interwoven love stories. Hugh Grant plays a Prime Minister - based on Tony Blair - who falls for his tea-lady, Martine McCutcheon. Colin Firth is a love-lorn writer, Billy Bob Thornton plays the US president and Bill Nighy steals the show as a fading rock star. Heart-throbs Grant and Firth had the crowds screaming as they drew up to the premiere. \"I think this is very much Richard Curtis's gig actually,\" said Firth. \"We all just took a free ride. I just went to the south of France and was horribly overpaid.\" Grant praised his co-star McCutcheon as an \"unbelievably good actress with a lot of sexy presence\". He added: \"It's certainly a very, very romantic and positive film. If you can't deal with that, it's not the film for you.\" McCutcheon showed off her figure in a skimpy black and pink sequinned dress. She said she was honoured to star alongside her \"hero\" Grant. The film is released over here on Friday. http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-12928100,00.html"}, {"response": 1153, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (15:56)", "body": "Sounds like Colin looked top form this evening. (bethan)Definite Hugh bias in reporting - all about Hugh's adoring fans being there to welcome him, women in studio swooning Ah...but we know the real truth. I told you the NY Peeps should have gone on a premiere junket;-) Mari, thanks for that Herald article. Sounds a bit to me like the reporter did protest too much. It is difficult to tell if he is genuine. Oh please, I thought reporters had a sixth sense about these things...You're dead on, Karen, she did go with some preconcieved notions. (Evelyn)Agree about the journalist. Why would I care if she froze her ass off. Glad she did, and, just why??? did she wear the short skirt in the first place, Ms. Play Actor of the cult of Firth. Give me a break. Thank you UK ladies for the premiere happenings, and good luck Emma on Tuesday!"}, {"response": 1154, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (16:21)", "body": "From BBC News : \"A crowd of several thousand were at the Odeon cinema in Leicester Square, some waiting more than five hours. \" \"Love Actually took almost $16m (\ufffd9.5m) in its first two weekends on release in the United States and Canada, but has received mixed reviews from critics. Curtis said: \"I'd rather make a film that most of the audience liked and some critics didn't rather than a film that critics loved and nobody wanted to watch.\" http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/3275283.stm 7 photos , but none of YKW (grrrrr)"}, {"response": 1155, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (16:41)", "body": "(Evelyn) Laura Linney, stunning. Martine's dress,... (gag!) That's funny, I was thinking the other way around. ;-)"}, {"response": 1156, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (16:44)", "body": "Got a couple of gallery pages done, while supervising leaf bagging: http://www.firth.com/p_eye010.html http://www.firth.com/love_gal_nyprem1.html and will add NY Drooleurs pics when available. Plan to have small sections on the NY Bafta screening and Burns Center screening as well."}, {"response": 1157, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (16:45)", "body": "About the dresses, I seem to get stuck (sp?) at the picture of ODB. My tired eyes won't use any energy on anything else right now :-) Thank you for the links and reviews :-)"}, {"response": 1158, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (16:48)", "body": "Sorry to doublepost, but have to thank Karen for the new galleries. Really enjoyed reading the text aswell :-)"}, {"response": 1159, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (16:58)", "body": "(Karen) Got a couple of gallery pages done.... Bravo, Karen on the In the Public Eye page! I like the pic of he and Livia going into the club (in front of the bus). Looks like it was taken when he's looking over at his portable \"fan base\" cheering for him. ;-D And LOL, I never saw partygoers having to be bussed into a party in the middle of the city. And to think we had to wear out our little feets schlepping down the street to get there. But then, unfortunately, we weren't partygoers. ;-)"}, {"response": 1160, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (17:00)", "body": "Oh yeah, and that extremely open neck on that shirt of his in those Premiere gallery pics are driving me insane! *fanning self*"}, {"response": 1161, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (17:04)", "body": "(Karen)Got a couple of gallery pages done, while supervising leaf bagging Holy S**t!!! Those pictures are wonderful Karen.:-))) He's beaming. So glad to be a part of it and give him a little back. He sure has given me plenty of pleasure. What a treat! Also loved the narrative."}, {"response": 1162, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (17:11)", "body": "Still only the one pic submitted; there are bound to be more later at other sites."}, {"response": 1163, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (17:27)", "body": "\"....New York at the world premiere of Love Actually. firth.com was there to experience first hand the heady atmosphere of a film premiere' Yeay!! Great write-up, Boss. Sure you weren't a journalist in your pre-Drool life? Wonderful pics of \"The Divine One.\""}, {"response": 1164, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (17:32)", "body": "(Evelyn) Sure you weren't a journalist in your pre-Drool life *snort*"}, {"response": 1165, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (17:47)", "body": "Mari - Thanks for the article Karen - wow . .love those galleries . .I have to say I do love the pics with ODB and Livia . . they are such a beautiful couple together . .god those kids of theirs are going to be drop dead gorgeous when they grow up! Thank you to everyone who donated pics to them!!!!!! Could kick mysself for not joining Drool earlier . .could have met up with the NY Ladies . .sounds like everyone had so much fun!!!!! Will try for next time perhaps??? Lola - So when will he be back in town???? . .I want to make sure to free up my calendar!!! (CF) \"Not at all. It's pretty stunning actually. I actually want to get a tape of this and prove it to a few people back home.\" Hmmm . .I think Beedee suggested making a tape . .what a lovely Christmas present for him, perhaps???? Video testament of screaming adoration from his fans?:)"}, {"response": 1166, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (17:53)", "body": "(Kimberley) Thank you to everyone who donated pics to them! Those galleries only have press photos so far. You've yet to see any of the pics taken by the Drooleurs who were there, except for the one that Bee posted here. I hope to start dealing with them tomorrow-ish..."}, {"response": 1167, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (17:54)", "body": "Huge Thank You to Karen, the gallery pages are lovely. He looks so AFG and not at all too tired. Love how those buttons are unbuttoned lower and lower;-) I say, why button up at all?"}, {"response": 1168, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (17:56)", "body": "http://www.boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2003/11/16/crunch_time/ From the Boston Globe...GWAPE seems to be creeping up in the Oscar stakes,and SJ and RZ seem to be regarded as sure bets for nominations."}, {"response": 1169, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (18:10)", "body": "(Karen) Those galleries only have press photos so far. Erp . .my mistake . . .am eager to see the angles the NY Ladies were able to get with their cameras!!"}, {"response": 1170, "author": "Zing", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (19:06)", "body": "Zowie!!! What gorgeous pictures, and what a great write-up! Thank you, Karen! (Leaf-bagging must be conducive to putting up new galleries...) Can't wait to see the pix from the Lovely Drooleurs in NYC and elsewhere!"}, {"response": 1171, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (19:21)", "body": "Karen, the galleries you put together while leaf bagging are terrific. What a multitasker you are as well as a writer with great journalist talents! The pictures are amazing. Look forward to seeing the ones from drooleurs too. (Karen)Still only the one pic submitted But a goody! Love his rosy cheeks. You're right, Linda, he doesn't look at all tired from US junket. And I love the gray and black change of outfit!"}, {"response": 1172, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (20:18)", "body": "Wire Image has lots of them up now. Hey boss, pl. blow up Colin and Livia...she's got a smashy pants outfit. (Lose the pony tail;-( AR looks hung-over."}, {"response": 1173, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (20:20)", "body": "A great big thanks to Karen for the lovely LA premiere galleries! A classy layout on a v. classy guy. Love the gray suit/black shirt from the London premiere. And Livia looks lovely as usual. Wonder what kind of wrap she's wearing with that dress? Wish some of us could have been there!"}, {"response": 1174, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (20:46)", "body": "I think Colin looks very tired, not in as good a mood as NY, and is somewhat forcing smiles. It's all in the eyes, they aren't smiling as much, IMO. Certainly understandable if it's so, but of course we're only getting snapshots of particular moments. But he looks that way in all the moments to me, so far. Nice silk suit he has on. Looks like they have matching shirts. Re others..... Bad dress choice Laura...a frumpy dressy look. Bill Nighy didn't smile once. Some I realize are put on's, but still different again. Is Kelly Clarkson LA's traveling guest celebrity? Poor Greg Wise, reduced to being guest with Emma, as is Daniel Craig with Heike M. I notice here they dress with more color in UK premieres vs black or darker shades in NY. Not just this movie, but with others, too."}, {"response": 1175, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (21:01)", "body": "(Linda) I say, why button up at all? I second that!! Or tuck the shirttails? Ok, well at an event like this, even I'd think that not great fashion sense...being the fashion maven I'm not."}, {"response": 1176, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (21:05)", "body": "Rare moment when Colin gets in a photo when Huge is in the room: If that photo didn't show up, go to: http://editorial.gettyimages.com/ms_gins/CFW/home.aspx?pg=1"}, {"response": 1177, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (21:16)", "body": "Looks like he got a slight tan while he was in LA, despite the snow/hail storm."}, {"response": 1178, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (21:30)", "body": "Are they wearing matching shirts?"}, {"response": 1179, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 2003 (22:49)", "body": "(Ada)Are they wearing matching shirts? I'll take that shirt! Either one. What a face on him Ada. Thanks for it."}, {"response": 1180, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (02:21)", "body": "Not to be catty, but I've never seen that many rings on one hand, other than a Las Vegas dealer's... wonder why Livia's wearing so many rings at once?"}, {"response": 1181, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (02:23)", "body": "Actually..I saw Colin on the news just before leaving to see LA at a preview with my DH. Colin looked well, radiant, I thought. He seemed to shine. Did not look tired at all. He was being interviewed next to Hugh and as the interviewer started to speak to him he was distracted by something Hugh was saying about him to another interviewer. Colin's woman said something rather briskly along the lines of \"so can we talk to you...\". He just said something about RC being the star of LA and that the critics were bound to carp, this was a film for, and I think he said \"the little people\". It might not have been that but it was some such phrase. Slightly wince-making. Anyway went to see LA with my DH. He hated it. Said it was the worst film he had ever seen. Take no notice a. He only goes to see films carefully selected by his wife (and she didn't make him see SLOW ;-)) b. he should get out more. I found myself smiling inanely by the end of it even though it was shamelessly schmultzy and had times when it was completely ludicrous. But more of that on spoolers perhaps."}, {"response": 1182, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (02:25)", "body": "wonder why Livia's wearing so many rings at once? And one of them looks like scarlett's ring from 4WAAF. The one which served as a wedding ring."}, {"response": 1183, "author": "Leah", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (02:46)", "body": "-- second try at this post -- I got to see LA last night, (thanks to a DH who 'found' giveaway tickets in a newspaper that we 'never' buy... ;-) The theater was full, and there was clapping and cheering almost thoughout the screening. I enjoyed most of the stories, but as it was my first viewing, I was still trying to sort out who belonged to who - and this is after reading the Spoilers and reviews, okay, so sometimes I have to see a movie 5 or 6 times to really get an idea of whats going on ;-) As for Jamie's scenes, I'm going to have to see this a *few more times*, as I couldn't concentrate on his face and the subtitles at the same time. Now to just get the 'feelin' in my fingers song banished from my head until the next time..."}, {"response": 1184, "author": "kelbrom1", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (05:15)", "body": "For any of you who are attending the Survival screening tomorrow night, I just spoke with Survival and they told me that Colin does not finish filming until 7pm so he is going to try and make his speech after the film finishes. Lets just hope he makes it!"}, {"response": 1185, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (07:43)", "body": "Empire has a whole mini site about LA... http://www.empireonline.co.uk/features/events/loveactually/"}, {"response": 1186, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (08:15)", "body": "And if you are greedy and never satisfied, like me, and wish you had been there and want to eat up every moment, there is a small video clip here that opens with Hugh and Colin, but that is all we get of him... http://www.itv.com/news/1658508.html"}, {"response": 1187, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (08:17)", "body": "Grrr...maybe this? http://www.itv.com/news/VideoReports.html"}, {"response": 1188, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (08:42)", "body": "From This is London (and should be the same one up at femail.co.uk: All you need is Love By Georgina Littlejohn 17 November 2003 Love was in the air last night as the cream of British acting talent hit the red carpet for the premiere of the year's most eagerly-awaited romantic movie. Stars of the comedy Love Actually arrived at the Odeon Leicester Square as director Richard Curtis - the man behind Four Weddings And AFuneral, and Notting Hill - described his film as a 'roaring rampage of romance'. Set in the capital in the run-up to Christmas, it intertwines nine different stories connected by one theme - love. Hugh Grant plays a prime minister - apparently based on Tony Blair - who falls for tea-lady Martine McCutcheon. Colin Firth is a lovelorn writer, Billy Bob Thornton plays the US President and Bill Nighy is a fading rock star. Grant and Firth had the crowds screaming as they drew up. 'I think this is very much Richard Curtis's gig actually,' said Firth. 'We all just took a free ride. I just went to the South of France and was horribly overpaid.' Grant praised McCutcheon as an 'unbelievably good actress'. The film was 'very romantic and positive', he added, saying: 'If you can't deal with that, it's not the film for you.' Other stars there included Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Keira Knightley and McCutcheon, who said she was 'blown away' to act with Grant. Nighy is releasing his song from the soundtrack, a jokey version of the Wet Wet Wet hit Love Is All Around. Love was certainly around for Londoner Marc Andrews, who won VIP tickets to the film. He proposed to girlfriend Monse Eiroa as they arrived."}, {"response": 1189, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (08:50)", "body": "I am curious as to how the British press will review LA. Big question: Will it protect its young or join the feeding frenzy? Empire (not really part of the the group referred to above) was critical but gave it 3/5 stars, summing it up as: Overlong and over-sentimental, this is nonetheless a fairly entertaining way to spend a couple of hours, and it\ufffds great to see so many of the UK\ufffds best actors sharing screen space. While never quite scaling the heights of Four Weddings or Notting Hill, it\ufffds a perfectly respectable debut for Curtis. - Caroline Westbrook As a few have mentioned, \"Spoilers\" is the proper place to talk about a newly released movie."}, {"response": 1190, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (09:04)", "body": "Just got an email from jaap photo saying, the stills from GWAPE is up. Not any new ones of ODB as far as I could tell. http://www.jaapphoto.com/ Thank you for the photos and links :-)"}, {"response": 1191, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (09:20)", "body": "Overlong and over-sentimental, this is nonetheless a fairly entertaining way to spend a couple of hours, and it\ufffds great to see so many of the UK\ufffds best actors sharing screen space. While never quite scaling the heights of Four Weddings or Notting Hill, it\ufffds a perfectly respectable debut for Curtis. - Caroline Westbrook I think that's spot on as far as I'm concerned. Thanks for the new GWAPE pics."}, {"response": 1192, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (09:26)", "body": "Thanks, Annette. I'd given up on that guy, figuring he was still busy photographing Alexander. There *is* one new one BTW, at least to me. Globe has its pics of the premiere: http://www.globephotos.com/scripts/kws30pre.exe?site=GLOBEPH&maxhits=12&picktype=GfxOnly&type=GfxOnly&search=[A13976+K34130]&hmessage='LOVE+ACTUALLY'+U.K.+PREMIERE,+ODEON+LEICESTER+SQUARE,+LONDON.+11/16/2003&ShowTotal=on&fmaxhits=&submit=lsearch Pic of Colin with Laura Linney is different: And the after party, at the In and Out Club. http://www.globephotos.com/scripts/kws30pre.exe?site=GLOBEPH&maxhits=12&picktype=GfxOnly&type=GfxOnly&search=A13977&hmessage='LOVE+ACTUALLY'+U.K.+PREMIERE+AFTER+PARTY,+IN+AND+OUT+CLUB,+LONDON.+11/16/2003&ShowTotal=on&fmaxhits=&submit=lsearch where there are *no* pics of Colin"}, {"response": 1193, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (09:27)", "body": "(Karen) From This is London (and should be the same one up at femail.co.uk: Post 188 He looks somewhat perturbed here...Almost the look in WAGW just after he punched Alistair...Was it something the photographers said?"}, {"response": 1194, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (09:38)", "body": "Any reports of daily newspaper coverage from the UK?? According to the Express site, the cover of today's newspaper says there are pics from the premiere?"}, {"response": 1195, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (09:49)", "body": "LA London premiere was great fun - fans were screaming for Colin, Hugh and Keira while we were going in, CF seemed to spend more time than anyone doing autographs, and then got caught for endless interviews once in the lobby. Seemed very upbeat, whereas you could sense that AR, KK and some others were a bit more jaundiced by the publicity carousel. Pre-screening, short speeches from Tim Bevan, Duncan Kenworthy and Richard Curtis, none of them very funny except where RC mentioned that one of the preview cards gathered had said: \"Things You Liked About This Film: Lots of fit birds taking their tops off; Things You Didn't Like About This Film: Everything else.\" Post-screening, the actors were called up on stage for a bow, nothing more."}, {"response": 1196, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (09:50)", "body": "Globe has its pics of the premiere: What is the trophy in Colin's hand?"}, {"response": 1197, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (09:51)", "body": "Pics of the after party at Getty...2 pics of Colin http://editorial.gettyimages.com/source/CFW/imageResults.aspx?s=EventImagesSearchState|1|15|1|2736621|0|0|0|0|&p=7 \""}, {"response": 1198, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (09:58)", "body": "(Dorine)Oh yeah, and that extremely open neck on that shirt of his in those Premiere gallery pics are driving me insane! *fanning self* Mmmmm .Dorine . .just makes you want to nuzzle him right there, doesn't it;) (Allison M.) Anyway went to see LA with my DH. He hated it. I so understand!! I dragged my hubby to see LA .and was quite surprised he liked it . . . he's rather fickle as well (usu. never wants to be near any rom-com or period films I prefer) . .would rather see shoot-em up films or anything related to sports . .have to admit he did enjoy FP (what little I could make him sit through only due to football/obbsessive fan references) Karen - Would you want to see the NY Times review of LA? . .I can 't recall seeing it in any earlier posts . .I hesitate to post it . .b/c it wasn't very good . .I got so angry I wanted to throttle the writer myself."}, {"response": 1199, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (10:16)", "body": "Has anybody posted this? There is video on the BBC entertainment site, bottom right of the page: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/default.stm There is pics in all the papers here today, but as far as I can see from a quick check on my lunch break, they are the same ones that you have all seen already from the websites. Looks like I missed quite the spectacle. And of course just the news I was waiting for - filming commitments tomorrow! Argh!"}, {"response": 1200, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (10:58)", "body": "(Ellie D) ...The ladies saved their biggest swoons for another British actor: Grant's costar Colin Firth. The roar was deafening as Firth emerged on the red carpet... *Grinning from ear to ear* Sigh! Finally! I never thought I'd ever have the chance to read something like that. I'm absolutely thrilled. (Mari)Herald interview: ...\ufffdHave you come down from Edinburgh today?\ufffd he asks. \ufffdI\ufffdm so sorry about that. ...He encourages me to talk about myself. \ufffdMoving on,\ufffd I say, but he insists on asking me about a book I\ufffdve written. ...Then he apologises again, and that concerned look passes over his face. \ufffdDo you feel as if you\ufffdve justified your trip down from Edinburgh? I\ufffdm so sorry it had to be so messy and everything.\ufffd It is difficult to tell if he is genuine. ????? Difficult?! You are a true gentleman Colin. But save your concern, this woman does NOT deserve it. Unbelievable. Thank you for the pics, links, accounts, everyone, I love all these goodies. Colin is gorgeous on all the pics, and so is Livia. I thought one of the after party (London) pics was cute, the one where Colin seems to be chatting with a waitress(?) She must have enjoyed her shift that night. :-)"}, {"response": 1201, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (11:07)", "body": "Just had a quick browse through the papers. Telegraph has a pic of Hugh and Martine on the front page - \"Hugh and Martine delight fans at LA premiere\". Same pic on front of Express and Mirror. Full page spread in Mail of Hugh and his leading ladies, Martine, Emma, Keira. Hugh says Martine has a lovely bottom, Martine says Hugh is very fit. A small pic of CF and Livia. No Alan Rickman or Rowan Atkinson. Nothing in the Times, and I didn't even check the Guardian! Not bad coverage though, but Hugh definitely wins the day! I am curious as to how the British press will review LA. Big question: Will it protect its young or join the feeding frenzy? I think, fingers crossed, that LA may get off fairly unscathed. We've already been told that it had mixed reviews in the States, but that audience ratings are generally okay. Some of the papers have had a dig at the unreal \"Richard Curtis land\" and are asking just how long his run of success can last. But that's about it. I guess it will get middling reviews, but provided they're not \"I'd rather boil in oil than watch this\", there shouldn't be any damage! And if we don't have Richard Curtis, who have we got left?"}, {"response": 1202, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (11:30)", "body": "No need for the NYT review; it was posted here when published, as I recall. I've put up a number of pics, starting here: http://www.firth.com/p_eye012.html and continuing here: http://www.firth.com/love_gal_londprem1.html I expect there will be more and I'll have to send a few to my dewatermarking expert Sophie. ;-) But I knew you'd want to see them sort of 'as is'"}, {"response": 1203, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (11:57)", "body": "From a lurker, a fascinating look at the party planning for the NY post-premiere party inside that fortress (the Metropolitan Club) http://bizbash.com/content/editorial/e3310.asp"}, {"response": 1204, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (12:27)", "body": "(Bethan)Not bad coverage though, but Hugh definitely wins the day! Understandably, he's the UK film industry's Cash Cow. Wow...Thanks 'Lurker' and Karen for the NY LA Bash account. Not just a wine and cheese do. Colin would be happy with the menu. Only people I know on the resources are the A-1 security;-) I'd like to know what the promotion tab for this film is.... Hope they make it."}, {"response": 1205, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (12:50)", "body": "Karen, thanks for the NY and London premiere pages; loved firth.com's narrative about our night in NY.;-) Thanks also to everyone who contributed pics, reports, articles, etc. Colin has really done some heavy lifting for this film. As Evelyn told him, \"I'm very proud of you, Colin.\" :-)"}, {"response": 1206, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (12:59)", "body": "Wow, Fantastic pictures of London premiere and after party. Thank you Karen, Ada, Maria and all for the pictures and links, Thanks also to Mark G for first hand insight at the premiere. Would love to know what the trophy is all about (loudest fans?);-) Love the picture with the waitress pouring the bubbly. Curtis said: \"I'd rather make a film that most of the audience liked and some critics didn't rather than a film that critics loved and nobody wanted to watch.\" Bethan, keeping my fingers crossed, as well. Hope you're right. Some positve, preemptive spin, perhaps?"}, {"response": 1207, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (13:20)", "body": "Karen - as always . .great pics! . .Intersting link for the NY premiere party . .I used to be a special events planner (one of a few jobs I had prior to leaving 9 to 5 work for acting)so I can only imagine what went into that shindig! . .How beautiful it looked!"}, {"response": 1208, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (13:25)", "body": "(Kimberley) How beautiful it looked! Would've liked to have seen it firsthand, but no one put our names down on the guest list. ;-) Here's Hello mag's coverage of the premiere: http://www.hellomagazine.com/film/2003/11/17/loveactually/"}, {"response": 1209, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (13:26)", "body": "(Bethan)And if we don't have Richard Curtis, who have we got left? Puh-leeze... You've got Anathony Minghella, James Madden, Stephen Daldry,Sam Mendes... RC couldn't clean any of their shoes. However, I do hope the film succeeds for Colin's sake. His segment is the best and he's worked at promotion. To his advantage, IMO. Got lots of recognition in the US ."}, {"response": 1210, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (13:37)", "body": "(Evelyn) You've got Anathony Minghella, James Madden, Stephen Daldry,Sam Mendes... Yeah, but someone's gotta make you laugh sometime. ;-) (Kimberley) How beautiful it looked! (Karen) Would've liked to have seen it firsthand, but no one put our names down on the guest list. ;-) Hey, maybe that'll be our reward next time for making the US press take more notice of Colin. You can't buy publicity like that......oh, wait! Of course you can and they do. Silly me. ;-) Great pages, Karen! He still doesn't look as into it all overall, despite a couple of beaming smiles. After that bi-continental PR merry-go-round, I wouldn't either, I suppose."}, {"response": 1211, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (13:41)", "body": "(Karen) Would've liked to have seen it firsthand, but no one put our names down on the guest list. ;-) Ohhh....I think Mike could have arranged something...but I don't know at what cost! LOL! Wasn't willing to find out! Thank you Karen and everyone for all the pics and articles! So many to thank (it's like the Oscars)! Love it when news is coming fast and furious....is hard to keep up, but it sure is fun! (Linda) Love the picture with the waitress pouring the bubbly. LOL...I was kinda hoping she was picking up the glass, not setting it down. She's got her fingers all over the rim (pulling a Daphne)!"}, {"response": 1212, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (13:50)", "body": "The first pic of Colin here made me LOL! Like maybe someone goosed him and he spun around to see who! No?...Could easily just be me.... http://217.158.83.123/scripts/kws30pre.exe?Firsthit=25&maxhits=12&hmessage=THE+UK+CHARITY+FILM+PREMIERE+OF+%27LOVE+ACTUALLY%27%2C+HELD+AT+THE+ODEON+CINEMA+IN+LEICESTER+SQUARE%2C+LONDON&search=LFLON+003944&type=GfxOnly&site=LFI&SEARCH_FILTERA=&Next.x=47&Next.y=14"}, {"response": 1213, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (13:51)", "body": "Ooh! No! Sorry, It is the \"I have no idea where that came from\" Look!"}, {"response": 1214, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (13:55)", "body": "I like this one"}, {"response": 1215, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (13:55)", "body": "Lots in the ES today. Lots about the supposed spat between the two ladies MM and KK. Boring. Even an editorial telling everyone that LA is okay and that A/B's should not be so stuck up as to despise it (will make sure my DH sees that). One snippet. HG was overheard at the party telling someone that he and Colin did not like LA. Was too schmaltzy. Ooh all the men in my life agree. ;-)"}, {"response": 1216, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (13:57)", "body": "Hi everbody, Here is my Premiere report. I have to keep it short, maybe I can write more later. I stood in front row and colin look so good and was so nice. He signed madly and signed my photo, too. I said to him \ufffdDon t forget your fans in Germany\ufffd I thought I would be nice for him to know that people from far away come to see him. He couldn t here me so he stepped back with an questioning look at me searching what it was I want him to sign because I thought he forget to sign for me. I repeated my sentence and he replied \ufffdI will\ufffd So I could hear his voice. I was one of the best moments in my life. By the way could it be I saw his mother"}, {"response": 1217, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (14:08)", "body": "(Allison) HG was overheard at the party telling someone that he and Colin did not like LA. Was too schmaltzy Thanks, Allison. Colin said on The Today Show that it's not the type of movie he likes to see. Doesn't surprise me he didn't like it. Thanks, Petra. Glad you got to talk to him. Sounds like the noise was something there. They advertise premieres and stuff there, don't they? Presumably to get a crowd for the media? Who finds out about that stuff here? Unless for the most part, you are connected in some way to someone who does, how would anyone know?"}, {"response": 1218, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (14:44)", "body": "I was wondering the same thing, Dorine. How do hundreds/thousands (?) of people know to show up at Leicester Square at a given hour on a Sunday evening? Is it announced in the newspapers or on TV? Over here, it's like a big secret, at least in NY. You call the studio to find out and they give you the third degree about why you're calling and who you're working for. I always tell 'em, \"I'm just a member of the ticket buying public who pays the salaries.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 1219, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (15:13)", "body": "|Thanks Maria...Agree that ODB doen't look like the happiest camper. Too much Hugh, perhaps? Methinks he needed the NY \"fan base\"contingent;-) FYI Leicester Sq on weekend is a hub of people...wall to wall.Mostly young. Not difficult to get a thousand folks at any time."}, {"response": 1220, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (15:25)", "body": "Let's enjoy this overkill while the gettin's good I say! http://www.rexfeatures.com/cgi-bin/r2show0?k=COLIN+FIRTH&f=Newest&s=gtKCD7hHLEl8Ik9XZ2bzoY-r&u=DEFAULT&p=b16813EF400000096&t=000000BA"}, {"response": 1221, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (15:30)", "body": "Maria)Let's enjoy this overkill while the gettin's good I say! Thanks Maria! That'll do me for the ride home."}, {"response": 1222, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (15:55)", "body": "Oooh!! Got them all. Big ones. There's one with Jessica Callan, who is listed as the 3am gal. That would be The Mirror... Today's cover of the Daily Mirror had a pic of Colin and Livia, and there's one with this column on the event: http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/page.cfm?objectid=13631365&method=full"}, {"response": 1223, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (16:17)", "body": "OH NOOOOOOO!!! His 'n her matching clothes -- say it isn't so. That only works for square dancing. Had to be Livia's idea, so there'd be no question about who \"HE\" was with. Let's hope this won't become his next favorite outfit."}, {"response": 1224, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (16:20)", "body": "Extra! shows the London premiere and Colin, though he isn't mentioned among the litany of castmembers. But then, they are talking to Huge about TEOR and flash a one of the doorway near kiss pics of RZ and Colin, mention that he's in it and Huge says that Renee hasn't gained enough weight but Colin has gained too much."}, {"response": 1225, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (16:40)", "body": "A 20-strong gospel choir serenaded guests ..... with The Beatles' hit All You Need Is Love as they walked up the red carpet. Did they crowd outside have to hear that continuously? Brings to mind the mental trauma of getting stuck inside that Small World ride at Disney World and having to hear that \"It's A Small World\" (after all) on a loop for 45 mins. :-( But the normally gorgeous Keira Knightley shunned top designers and plumped for a dowdy outfit made by a friend. \"When you have friends who are this talented, you may as well take advantage of their skills,\" she said. And save yourself a few quid, too. Honey, spend the few extra quid. I think you can spare it now. (Deb) His 'n her matching clothes -- say it isn't so. Thank you!"}, {"response": 1226, "author": "Jodi", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (16:43)", "body": "Livia is so beautiful but I wish she'd get a stylist to help her out for these big events. I am not being catty, I just think she could do a better job on her outfits (& hair???) when she is going to be \"In The Public Eye\" and photographed so much. Luckily she is a natural beauty and her choice of arm candy is impeccable. Jodi"}, {"response": 1227, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (16:52)", "body": "(Karen) ...Huge says that Renee hasn't gained enough weight but Colin has gained too much. LOL! I love what these two are doing. Keep it up boys, I'm having a lot of fun. Dorine) Honey, spend the few extra quid. I think you can spare it now. Honestly, I rather like what she is doing. She is \"advertising\" the work of a friend, presenting his/her design to the world, trying to help him/her instead of doing it for an already famous designer. She is taking a bit of a risk with it, and I admire her for it."}, {"response": 1228, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (17:29)", "body": "(Ildiko) Honestly, I rather like what she is doing. She is \"advertising\" the work of a friend I definitely applaud her effort for a friend. Many celebrities do that at some point. I was making more of comment on the style. Just 'cause it's a friend, doesn't make it the best outfit for you. Throw a party for him and wear his stuff. I just didn't find this particular outfit overly flattering on her, IMO."}, {"response": 1229, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (17:51)", "body": "LOL, if Colin and Livia can do it...matching outfits seemed to be \"in\" for both premieres I do like Colin's grey and black...a bit different than the usual. (Evelyn)Methinks he needed the NY \"fan base\"contingent;-) Doesn't he look a bit melancholy? He must be missing his NYFB;-) Again, thanks Maria and Karen for the great pictures, and Petra for sharing your experience. Good for you!! But would somebody, anybody, please please please tell me what the trophy is for. I don't see anyone else holding one."}, {"response": 1230, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (18:03)", "body": "(Linda)But would somebody, anybody, please please please tell me what the trophy is for. I don't see anyone else holding one. Must be for winning the Mr. Congeniality award! ;-)"}, {"response": 1231, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (18:16)", "body": "(Linda) But would somebody, anybody, please please please tell me what the trophy is for. I don't see anyone else holding one. It's the middle weight 'ass whuppin' trophy. Colin won this round...maybe in BJD3 (The Edge of Senility) Hugh will get it back! ;-)"}, {"response": 1232, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (18:32)", "body": "(Tress) It's the middle weight 'ass whuppin' trophy ROTFLMAO! And he lobbied hard for it, too, telling everyone within earshot he whupped Hugh's ass. Mari, that's what you should've asked!!! \"Hugh, how was it to have your ass kicked by CF? LOL! Re: the pic of CF and HG above...was looking at a blowup of that earlier noticing how they look like conjoined twins with the outfits and hands in pockets."}, {"response": 1233, "author": "katty", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (18:33)", "body": "I find it cute how Colin and Hugh affectionately jab at each other in their ongoing mock feud. Shows how much they care:) Most recent example from a video with Dave Sillito of the BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3275283.stm .................................................................... COLIN: Well, a year(?) or so we had the film to ourselves for a while. So it's a bit of a shock to see all these imposters soaking up the attention. HUGH: I don't like it, I don't like it at all. But fortunately Colin's performance is very weak (shakes head and laughs). No one, um, no one will be waching that. .............................................................. I don't know what the question to Hugh was, but maybe he was asked what he thought about being in a film with Colin again."}, {"response": 1234, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (20:19)", "body": "(Kimberley) How beautiful it looked! (Karen)Would've liked to have seen it firsthand, but no one put our names down on the guest list. ;-) Ahhh . .that's our next task of subterfuge . .getting a Drooleur on the inside so we can get in on these parties!!!;) . .Preferably seats at ODB's table?;)"}, {"response": 1235, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (22:32)", "body": "(Tress) It's the middle weight 'ass whuppin' trophy. Colin won this round...maybe in BJD3 (The Edge of Senility) Hugh will get it back! ;-) LOL! Might be the heavy weight class now. Hugh's been saying that Colin's gained too much weight. Question: Can you win an ass-whupping bout if you resort to hair-pulling? ;-) Very cute dialogue, Katty. Thanks for posting it. I couldn't get the player to work. :-( (this computer is going through the window soon like two v. bad street fighters)"}, {"response": 1236, "author": "lupa", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (22:45)", "body": "hi all - just a quick note to say HELLO and to wave at all the Droolers i met in NYC for the premiere! i don't have much time to chat or to introduce so i'll keep it brief... and and post my own favorite pic of the ones i got that night ;) i got a bunch, but that one is my favorite. it's when he's signing for Mari!"}, {"response": 1237, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (23:18)", "body": "I would be willing to sacrifice myself for my fellow Drooleurs and volunteer to date...ummm...maybe Hugh (since I don't fancy the missus beating me senseless or worse)so that y'all can come to the parties. Think that would work?"}, {"response": 1238, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (23:29)", "body": "*Waving back to you, Risa!* it's when he's signing for Mari! Well, I do my best to keep the fellas smiling.;-) Dazzling photo, thanks! (Allison)Lots about the supposed spat between the two ladies MM and KK. Now now, ladies, if you're going to fight, learn to fight nice like Colin and Huge.;-) (Tress)It's the middle weight 'ass whuppin' trophy. LOL! HG was overheard at the party telling someone that he and Colin did not like LA. Was too schmaltzy. Maybe this person watched the US talk shows last week when the two of them kept saying it would make one puke.;-) Doesn't mean they don't like it, puking is fine in moderation.;-) (Dorine)Mari, that's what you should've asked!!! \"Hugh, how was it to have your ass kicked by CF? Darn it, we always think of the perfect thing to say after the moment has passed us by.;-) Well, I figure we have a year until The Edge of Renal Failure premiere to prep our questions and fine tune our interview skills.;-)"}, {"response": 1239, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (23:42)", "body": "Love Actually's sweet overdose By Matthew Slater BBC News Online Love Actually, the new film from the man behind Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill, is given its UK premi\ufffdre in London on Sunday. Just as ten spoonfuls of sugar ruin a cup of tea, ten different stories spoil a good film. In the case of Richard Curtis's directorial debut, Love Actually, his confection is so sweet it is almost impossible to finish. Curtis, of course, is the writer behind the smash hits Four Weddings and Funeral, Bridget Jones's Diary and Notting Hill - not to mention Blackadder and numerous other TV credits. Curtis and his Working Title partners are clearly believers in the old adage that if ain't broke, don't fix it. So once more we have a group of articulate, middle-class Londoners struggling with their love lives and loved ones. As a director of his own material, Curtis is crying out for the editing skills of a less indulgent hand. He can knock out romantic comedies as easily as the rest of us breathe. But Love Actually only serves to prove another old adage that you can have too much of a good thing. What is good here - and there is much that is very good - is diminished by too many distracting plot lines and unnecessary characters. One look at the movie poster will tell you that this is a film not lacking in star turns, but at about 10 minutes of screen time per actor, they are only turns, not performances. Hugh Grant reprises his lovable posh bloke routine - this time as an impossibly youthful prime minister - while Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman and Colin Firth all try to bring a bit of depth to proceedings. Martine McCutcheon plays her appallingly underwritten role very well, Rowan Atkinson supplies another vintage cameo and Bill Nighy almost steals the entire film as a cynical rock star with Curtis's best lines. Love Actually is not a very good film - it's lots of bits of good films with some duff films thrown in too. But its irresistibly optimistic message, strong cast and clever marketing will make it more of a cracker than a turkey this Christmas."}, {"response": 1240, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 2003 (23:57)", "body": "Great pic, Risa! Thanks for sharing. More pics up here: http://www.firth.com/love_gal_londprem2.html (Psst, second row, pic on right.)"}, {"response": 1241, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (01:34)", "body": "Hi all. It\ufffds been quite awhile since I posted but I do try to keep up with you and with all the news. Sorry I\ufffdm a bit tardy with this report but here\ufffds a little more info about the BAFTA-LA Q&A. Marianne already filled you in on most of the details since it was a pretty short session. The moderator asked a few questions about how the GWAPE project got off the ground and its development process, as well as how CF and SJ went about deciding to take the role. Honestly I can\ufffdt remember all the specifics but there wasn\ufffdt any information discussed that we haven\ufffdt already read in some other interview or article. The moderator only took about four questions from the audience since the group was being kicked out of the theatre at 10p.m. One question had to do with the lighting of the film and Peter Webber discussed this at length. Somebody else asked about the film\ufffds financing and the number of producers and what their roles were \ufffd PW also fielded this one. Another question had to do with set decoration and art direction. This was primarily directed at Peter Webber but Colin talked about how the meticulous sets helped them to develop their characters. CF said he had done many hours of research on Vermeer in order to prepare and that most of his paintings featured the same corner of the same room. He mentioned that it was moving to actually get to see that famous corner in real life. CF also said that he enjoyed the fact that the sets were built more like a real house than typical sets in that they had to walk through the kitchen area to get to the other rooms and up stairs to get to the studio. He said this must have been very difficult for the technical crew but the fact that it felt like a real house made it easier for the actors. Somebody asked about the minimal dialogue and was it difficult to portray a character using so few words. SJ primarily answered this one and said that in this film she much preferred letting the emotions show in her face and expression particularly since the only alternative she could think of would be having to say a lot of cheesey \ufffdmovie\ufffd dialogue. She gave the audience an example of what she meant by turning dramatically to Colin, grabbing his arm and saying something OTT like \ufffdOh Vermeer, I want you like I\ufffdve never wanted anyone before.\ufffd It was hilarious \ufffd I found SJ to be quite charming. CF also commented on the scant dialogue and said when he was reading the script he actually thought there was too much dialogue. He said something about pressing for speeches to be cut and the visuals allowed to speak for themselves. Sorry this report wasn\ufffdt more interesting, but the whole event was pretty short. Marianne already mentioned how awful the lighting was. I sat near the front and could still barely see SJ, CF and PW. Too bad they didn\ufffdt have it at the originally scheduled venue which is much nicer, and actually has decent lights. They said they had to switch to a larger theatre at the last minute. Foolish antelopes, didn\ufffdt they know CF would draw a crowd ;-)? BTW, Hart Bochner (CF co-star in AZ) was in the audience and it looked like he and CF may have left together. Can\ufffdt say for sure since they sort of disappeared into the crowd."}, {"response": 1242, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (02:51)", "body": "Thanks Jana and all the other ladies for your reports and pics."}, {"response": 1243, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (02:53)", "body": "Nice pictures of Livia - if I remember correctly, not many photos of just herself. And more importantly, she is neither \"Olivia\" nor \"guest\" anymore! ;-) http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=CLB&str=9874&styp=clbi&nm=Colin%20Firth"}, {"response": 1244, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (05:46)", "body": "I met 2 other german girls at the premiere and we were screaming madly when Heike Makatsch (german actress) arrived. She was very surprised to hear her name (and very happy) , then signed for us . I ask her \ufffdWhat was it like with \ufffd.(I bet at this moment she though I would ask her about Hugh Grant. She was been asked this question a thousand times in interviews)\ufffd\ufffdColin Firth.\" She said: Oh he is really a nice and lovely guy\ufffd. Didn t we know it :o)"}, {"response": 1245, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (06:56)", "body": "Extra was in London, Hugh is strating to really crack me up...Video clip also but real brief of Colin ... http://extratv.warnerbros.com/dailynews/extra/11_03/11_17a.html Star Sightings It is the hottest bunch of stars on either side of the pond. \"Extra\" talked \"Love Actually\" in London, where Emma Thompson, Laura Linney, Martine McCutcheon, Keira Knightley, Simon Cowell, and of course Hugh Grant all popped in for the premier. Grant says folks who have already seen the film have had an interesting reaction. He says, \"People do come out feeling a little warmer about other human beings. And I think a little bit hornier.\" Some of that warmer feeling is being blamed on Rodrigo Santoro. And while Grant, the King of Romantic Comedy, enjoys the film's success, he gave \"Extra\" the inside story on his new \"Bridget Jones\" movie, \"The Edge of Reason,\" now in the works with Colin Firth and Ren\ufffde Zellweger. Grant says, \"The only problem is that Ren\ufffde has not put on enough weight and Colin has put on too much.\""}, {"response": 1246, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (07:04)", "body": "For any that hadn't already seen the E Talk Live clip (Yeah to September and long London shadows and first chill!) http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1068161731432_79/?hub=Entertainment #"}, {"response": 1247, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (07:25)", "body": "Hi Risa! Lovely picture! I'd say if you wanted a new job, you could join the paparazzi, but you're far too nice to be one of them (though it could be a useful inroad). ;-) (Dorine)Mari, that's what you should've asked!!! \"Hugh, how was it to have your ass kicked by CF? (Mari)Darn it, we always think of the perfect thing to say after the moment has passed us by.;-) Well, I figure we have a year until The Edge of Renal Failure premiere to prep our questions and fine tune our interview skills.;-) LOL! How about rehearsing how not to stand like a stunned dear caught in the headlights? I know I could use some help there."}, {"response": 1248, "author": "BarbaraT", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (08:07)", "body": "Liquid News on BBC3 had a short, but entertaining piece on the LA premiere last night, presenting the event as a continuation of the fight btwn CF and HD in BJD. It ended with Richard C saying Hugh would make a dreadful PM, but that Colin would be good."}, {"response": 1249, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (08:49)", "body": "Lovely picture, Little Bee :-) Thank you for posting it. Maria, thank you so much for the links. Seems our only chance to see any of the premiere-fuzz at this part of the world."}, {"response": 1250, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (08:55)", "body": "Thanks Karen for your London preem pics .Can't wait for your own! Livia has looked better in former pics. Smashy 2 yrs ago at the BAFTAs. Jana..good to hear from you. It's been too long. Thanks for your on the spot report."}, {"response": 1251, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (10:06)", "body": "CF said he had done many hours of research on Vermeer in order to prepare and that most of his paintings featured the same corner of the same room. He mentioned that it was moving to actually get to see that famous corner in real life. In real life? *snort* OK, I understand what he meant but... ;-) Thanks for all the details on the screening. Jana. I bet SJ's demo of cheesy dialogue was a hoot to watch. I'm pretty sure this is the second time we've heard that Hart Bochner was at one of these things. I believe he's directing now. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences (premieres, screenings, etc.) and their wonderful pictures and news items. *smooch*"}, {"response": 1252, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (11:06)", "body": "Oh yeah, I'm busy cropping and fixing up pics harvested last night, so the NY pics will be next up..."}, {"response": 1253, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (11:26)", "body": "From the Tabloid Watch...still very positive about LA. The Mirror has a one page report on the post premiere party. The reporter says that everyone came to ogle Hugh and Colin, then goes on to say (quoting from memory!) \"all my Christmases came early when I bumped into the lovely Colin Firth. His gorgeous wife Livia didn't seem to mind as he chatted happily with the women - and men - who threw themselves at him. At least someone was happy, unlike Hugh Grant who had a black scowl on his face for most of the bash. Definitely needs to chill out\""}, {"response": 1254, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (11:46)", "body": "OK, the additions to London have been made, but they're all on existing gallery pages. http://www.firth.com/love_gal_londprem1.html http://www.firth.com/love_gal_londprem2.html I didn't want to rearrange because so many of you have used the pics here and on other topics."}, {"response": 1255, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (12:03)", "body": "From Jennie, a scan of the Sunday Herald mag cover, which Janet brought to our attention: (Pssst! I still want it.)"}, {"response": 1256, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (12:05)", "body": "Capital, Karen, capital! You are such a good and thoughtful boss! And thanks for the news, reoports and links Jana, Josie, Petra, Maria, Barbara, and Bethan!!!"}, {"response": 1257, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (12:10)", "body": "Karen -Love the London pics!!! Who is the lucky girl in lavendar? . .the one that ODB has his arm about her waist. That's a great pic . .the two of them. And as usual Livia and Colin looking wonderful! That Sunday Herald cover is too cute . .make me laugh . .Wish I could have ben at that photo shoot!"}, {"response": 1258, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (12:18)", "body": "OMG!!! Jennie! Janet! Karen! Thanks! Those pics are some of my all time favorites...and to see a new one is a treat! Love the belly peeking through...Air Colin! And this one is too great for words: And \"Hello Little Bee!!\" Glad you stopped by! And thanks for sharing your lovely pic!"}, {"response": 1259, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (12:28)", "body": "(Little Bee) got a bunch, but that one is my favorite. it's when he's signing for Mari! Thank you, Risa That's actually a very special smile... Not only was he signing for our dear Mari, he was holding my copy of GWAPE. (I think he was bombarded with such good vibes for the whole evening that he was just beaming). Now I have a new GWAPE that he signed for my daughter at the BAFTA screening. Oh, these good feelings just keep hanging around. the Sunday Herald mag cover ... The rise and rise of Colin Firth. How great does that sound? Thank you Karen for the triple overtime, Maria for the clips that keep us in touch from across the pond, and Petra, Jana, Josie, Barbara, and Bethan for the news. Thank you,Karen and Maria"}, {"response": 1260, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (12:38)", "body": "(Kimberley) Who is the lucky girl in lavendar? That's Jessica Callan, one of the three women who write the 3 am column for The Mirror. Now don't you think this makes him look...squishier? ;-)"}, {"response": 1261, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (13:11)", "body": "I'm unhappy! GWAPE is showing in Glasgow tonight, but it is a private screening for BAFTA members only. :-((("}, {"response": 1262, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (13:34)", "body": "Debacklogging...from the NY Premiere as covered by In Touch magazine: I've cut off the unimportant parts below, so you can read the captioning."}, {"response": 1263, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (13:49)", "body": "That's my \"Pen of Love\" (at this moment still in my purse in it's protective 'wrapper'...my 'security Sharpie'....DH is lucky I don't sleep with it under my pillow)!!! ODB fondled it but so did Hugh, Emma and Bill! And that's my poster! Also recognize bits and pieces of Droolers! ;-)"}, {"response": 1264, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (14:52)", "body": "Risa!! Awesome to see ya! Nice pics! Karen, nice LA London pages. I love how in wireimage, the pic of Colin and AR is credited as CF and \"guest.\" Poor AR...they're going to make him stand on the side like Greg Wise soon. F Funny, I saw virtually no pics of Andrew Lincoln or Lucia Moniz, but he was on one of the clips for a bit. A cutie last night. (Bethan) The reporter says that everyone came to ogle Hugh and Colin... the Sunday Herald mag cover...The rise and rise of Colin Firth I'm ambivalent. We may have to start sharing him more soon. :-/ We'll have to show up 6 hours ahead next time. Good for him, though, long overdue. Thanks, Jennie and Janet. he chatted happily with the..... men - who threw themselves at him. That's funny, I know of several who left before he got here, who are hoping and waiting for another actor to attend someday. ;-)"}, {"response": 1265, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (15:01)", "body": "(Dorine) I love how in wireimage, the pic of Colin and AR is credited as CF and \"guest.\" Are you talking about the one where Colin is hugging someone?? First off, it is hard for photographers to keep all these people straight and most don't know who these people are, especially the underlings who will label the pics later on, when they're turned in. But second, that's not Alan Rickman. Hair is completely wrong color and, think about it, can you *really* imagine AR hugging anybody like that??? C'mon, you saw Mr Aloof in the tent. He'd be voted Least Likely to Hug Anybody from any high school class. ;-)"}, {"response": 1266, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (15:09)", "body": "(Karen) But second, that's not Alan Rickman I thought it was Bill Nighy. The jacket looks the same..."}, {"response": 1267, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (15:35)", "body": "One opinion from the Guardian - The 10 hottest films that will walk off with the Oscars 2. Girl With a Pearl Earring BBC drama veteran Peter Webber wasn't sure he wanted to make the transition to features with a conventional period romance about the painter Johannes Vermeer and his muse until he read the ear-piercing scene. Then he saw the heart of the upstairs-downstairs domestic drama: the conflict between the artist (Colin Firth) and his patron (Tom Wilkinson), the painter and his family, and the unspoken attraction between the man and his model (Scarlett Johansson). Webber was not afraid to fashion a quietly paced movie that is as visually lovely as a Vermeer. A hit on the festival circuit as well as with academy voters, Girl With a Pearl Earring could be the Frida of this Oscar race. http://film.guardian.co.uk/print/0,3858,4793219-3181,00.html"}, {"response": 1268, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (16:17)", "body": "(Tress[pic In Touch])Also recognize bits and pieces of Droolers! ;-) The pretty blond is Meg's sister."}, {"response": 1269, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (16:35)", "body": "A few pics got lost into other folders, including two adorable ones of ET with Colin and BN at a table. They've been added to Gallery 2; the other is another with LL and there's a pic of the theatre on the In the Public Eye page. http://www.firth.com/love_gal_londprem2.html http://www.firth.com/p_eye012.html But these are too hysterical! Evidently, there was a massage chair at the party: And, lastly, some of the NY pics have gone up here: http://www.firth.com/love_gal_nyprem2.html The page is not complete (only has Bee/Little Bee, Shoshana and Meg's pics) and hasn't been linked to the rest of the galleries yet. Much, much more to come. Shouldn't we be hearing from the Survival crowd? Have they survived the evening? Has Colin survived another evening with representatives of his fan base? ;-)"}, {"response": 1270, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (16:41)", "body": "He came and he looked scrummy! Managed to arrive after we all saw LA, apparently hopped across town on a motorbike again (does he *really* do this? are there confirmed sightings of him or is he pulling our leg and came in a limo or something?!). Good Mark Darcy hair (as was playing him at Sheperton Studios today), jeans, black t-shirt, brown suede jacket. My DBF took some decent digitals which I hope to get tomorrow and will send along. It was nice as I didn't have to worry about snapping them, I could sit back and listen to him orate about diamonds threatening tribes in the Kalahari! Except when I was prodding him to take more! Didn't take any questions, just quick speech about importance of supporting Survival. Another drool-er told me he sneaked out a side door after - perhaps more filming to do or just to go home. Won't add to LA reviews really, a lot has been said, but except for those few funny bits and Emma T and Colin, I wasn't into it and I was waiting for it to end really (not just because I was waiting for what was coming after the credits either!). DBF apparently was getting a little emotional at the end! But he was tired :). He laughed a lot though. And when I asked: didn't you think Colin just looked fantastic in person?, his response is interesting to me as he thinks he's just an average looking guy, a bloke you would see down the pub. Whereas Huge, you can't imagine that. But that he has aged well, as we all know. Must go to bed. Content though!"}, {"response": 1271, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (17:11)", "body": "Oh! Thank you Karen for the new pics (and all the lovely goodies of today)! Love the table pic of Emma with the boys! And thank you Shosh, Meg and the Bees (Risa, your pic! The over the shoulder glance a Dorine...he's giving off an aura! ;-) )!!! EMMA!!!! Yipppppeeeee!!! So glad Colin showed up! Can't wait to see the pics taken by DBF! What a guy (to snap so you can do some proper drooling...er....listening...)! ;-)"}, {"response": 1272, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (17:40)", "body": "Thaks to everyone for the links to videos and articles! Karen, your hard work is always appreciated, and it's obvious you've been burning the midnight oil. Love the pics taken by fellow Drooleurs, including the fantastic close-up by Little Bee. Thanks, Risa, for sharing! ODB appears to have once again been thrilled with his reception. Thanks to Petra for her on the scene reporting. And thank you Emma for keeping us posted on the Survival screening. Have vision of Hunk daddy flying across London on Ian's motorbike;-)"}, {"response": 1273, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (17:55)", "body": "(Tress)Also recognize bits and pieces of Droolers LOL, That's me under the white caption...I think I may have looked better under a blue dot;-) That's my SWTA hanging out there just seconds away from Colin using it to finish signing Tress's poster. (Emma)Good Mark Darcy hair (as was playing him at Sheperton Studios today), jeans, black t-shirt, brown suede jacket Looks like he had time to do laundry. That's the same outfit from the BAFTA screening last Monday in NY. Emma, was it the dark brown suede or the light one like he wore for the PEN reading? Last Monday's jacket was the dark one. (Tress)I thought it was Bill Nighy. The jacket looks the same... My thoughts, exactly. Hair looked the same, as well. One opinion from the Guardian - The 10 hottest films that will walk off with the Oscars Bless you, Guardian! Thanks to all for the reports, and, again, to the hardest working Boss I know. Would love to know who was standing in front of the massage chair and the remark they made to prompt the finger. LOL!!"}, {"response": 1274, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (18:30)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1275, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (18:32)", "body": "(Tress)I thought it was Bill Nighy. The jacket looks the same... (Linda) My thoughts, exactly. Hair looked the same, as well. He'd get my vote too. We'd have a positive ID, if there was just a little better shot from above...the thinning hair. ;-) Thanks for the report from the screening, Emma! (Emma) My DBF took some decent digitals Does you DBF know that he can get knighted for service to Drool? ;-) You probably should've told him that before giving him the assignment. Never know what that kind of motivation can produce. apparently hopped across town on a motorbike again (does he *really* do this? are there confirmed sightings of him or is he pulling our leg and came in a limo or something?!). Did he have wind-blown hair or helmet head? ;-) (Linda) Would love to know who was standing in front of the massage chair and the remark they made to prompt the finger. LOL!! Yeah, me too. ;-) Sorry I didn't identify the woman, she's Ruby Wax, an American TV personality on British TV. the hardest working Boss I know. *looking around* You must be speaking about your slave-driver husband, as most people would say that what I do is more like \"fannying about.\" ;-D"}, {"response": 1276, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (19:02)", "body": "(Karen)most people would say that what I do is more like \"fannying about.\" ;-D But do you wear a short little skirt and see-through blouse?;-)"}, {"response": 1277, "author": "aishling", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (19:07)", "body": "(Karen)Did he have wind-blown hair or helmet head? ;-) I'd say helmet head. Can't really add much to Emma's report. He said he was really pleased to see so many people there (only a few empty seats) and that he had made a journey of 20 miles in five minutes!! He hoped, after watching LA, that we felt 'fluffy and Christmassy'."}, {"response": 1278, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (19:55)", "body": "(Tress)Also recognize bits and pieces of Droolers (Linda)LOL, That's me under the white caption...I think I may have looked better under a blue dot;-) And that's my head on the lower right of Shoshanna's pic;-) Livia was in front of us the whole time. Never let him out of her sight;-) I ask you, why couldn't she go in and take a seat like the other wives."}, {"response": 1279, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (21:02)", "body": "Thanks for the reports of Survival from the Lucky London Ladies! (Emma)He came and he looked scrummy! Managed to arrive after we all saw LA, apparently hopped across town on a motorbike again (does he *really* do this? are there confirmed sightings of him or is he pulling our leg and came in a limo or something?!). (Hen)Have vision of Hunk daddy flying across London on Ian's motorbike;-) (Karen)Did he have wind-blown hair or helmet head? ;-) (Aishling)I'd say helmet head... and that he had made a journey of 20 miles in five minutes!! I'll have to say that I'm a bit skepitcal about the motorbike, but it is a lovely mental image (and I'm so glad he uses a helmet)!!! ;-) (Tress)Also recognize bits and pieces of Droolers (Linda)LOL, That's me under the white caption...I think I may have looked better under a blue dot;-) (Evelyn)And that's my head on the lower right of Shoshanna's pic;-) Awwww... Evelyn, it'd your portrait with ODB! I ask you, why couldn't she go in and take a seat like the other wives. LOL! At least you didn't yell at Livia to move like you did LL's mother! ;-) (that was a really big winkie BTW!) And another apology to Evelyn for the overabundance of quotes and sort-of-long post. ;-)"}, {"response": 1280, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (21:03)", "body": "(Tress)I thought it was Bill Nighy. The jacket looks the same... (Linda) My thoughts, exactly. Hair looked the same, as well. I thought AR because I thought the hair looked darker. Then BN it is! Either way, he was \"guest\" to the press. ;-) (Emma) he looked scrummy! You're too cute! Glad he showed up for you. It's been a banner couple of weeks of sightings for Droolers. (Karen) First off, it is hard for photographers to keep all these people straight and most don't know who these people are, especially the underlings who will label the pics later on, when they're turned in. Oh, I know, but it's funny to see how they identify some people. (Tress) he's giving off an aura! ;-) )!!! Yeah, that aura was too much for my camera. ;-) Esp one (what would have been awesome) shot I got of him. (Aishling) He hoped, after watching LA, that we felt 'fluffy and Christmassy'. Awwww. Glad for you, too, Aishling. (Evelyn) I ask you, why couldn't she go in and take a seat like the other wives. LOL, remember he commented on the ET online pic that his wife had been squirreled (or was that squired) away somewhere? Thanks Droolers for all your pictures!"}, {"response": 1281, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (21:49)", "body": "(Evelyn) I ask you, why couldn't she go in and take a seat like the other wives. I think all the wives (and a hubby...and a mum) stayed on the carpet, didn't they? I have a pic of Bill N with his wife (v. v. cute pic BTW), Princess Rosario was there (in my pics her bra strap tag is showing! Oops!), Natasha Richardson, Greg Wise....all hung out on the carpet. Besides, I think they have more of a right to be there than some of the other people....I mean, I know there were publicists and such, but there were tons of 'random sorts' whose sole purpose appeared to be to run back and forth and mess up my pics! ;-)"}, {"response": 1282, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (21:52)", "body": "(Tress) but there were tons of 'random sorts' whose sole purpose appeared to be to run back and forth You mean like Joan Collins? ;-)"}, {"response": 1283, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (22:02)", "body": "(Dorine) You mean like Joan Collins? ;-) ROTFL! I was going to mention her! Exactly! What was she doing there and why do I have her sequined backside in so many pictures I took of ODB?? ;-D"}, {"response": 1284, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (22:10)", "body": "(Evelyn)I ask you, why couldn't she go in and take a seat like the other wives. Would have left him out there alone? I wouldn't! He was so lovely. LOL! At least you didn't yell at Livia to move like you did LL's mother! ;-) Oops, Shosh, that was me. Evelyn was the picture of decorum.But, but it was my first close encounter. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. BYW, if I had known that she was a mother I would never have said such a thing. I thought she was one of those *ancillary* photo op spoiling types. I would never knowingly push around a Mom!;-))"}, {"response": 1285, "author": "lupa", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (23:18)", "body": "hi and hugs and thanks yous to Mari, Karen, Shoshana, Annette, Tress, Linda, and Dorine! and Shoshana, special thanks for the paparazzi compliment! maybe i can take annie liebovitz's place as portraiture of the stars :D (just kidding!)"}, {"response": 1286, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 2003 (23:38)", "body": "(Risa) annie liebovitz's place as portraiture of the stars :D OMG...just imagine an Annie Liebovitz pic of Colin.....**big sigh**. How would she pose him?? Love her pics!"}, {"response": 1287, "author": "Gina2e", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (07:36)", "body": "OK folks this is the second attempt to post my observations on last night's survival showing. If it gets posted twice many apologies. I was really delighted to see Colin there last night even though it was only a few minutes that he was at the front of house.Thanks to those people who warned that he might not be there, at least I was a little prepared. Emma and Aishling have already posted and there's not much more to say. I also noticed his comments about the bushmen of the Kalahari and how their lifestyle and very existance is threatened. We listened to Colin's thoughts and feelings about the issues surrounding the work that Survival does and how he came to value their work. I couldn't have told you what he was wearing as the light was so bad, however, I did notice his jeans funnily enough! He was not at all formally attired and looked reminiscent of Paul Ashworth. He appeared very comfortable in his jeans and they were well worn and faded in all the right places!.When he mentioned riding at breakneck peed though London traffic ,I felt so grateful that he made such an effort to get there and was happy he got there safely. Now that I come to think of it I have seen many jeans in that state belonging to Bikers. Many a time in A/E (ER)I've had to cut off bikers trousers and leathers usually up the seams as leathers can then be re-stitched ! but perhaps I'd better not go there. Suffice to say he was his usual courteous, eloquent self and put the case for Survival in a way that no-one else could. Heartfelt thanks to Mr Emma who took digi photos while we looked at Colin.I think only one person got an autograph as he really did a speedy exit reportedly by a side door. I was delighted to hear him use the word fluffy as is a name by which I am known to my friends -it felt a little personal even though I know that it wasn't for me ! Many thanks to all those people who regularly post,I'm sorry that I don't post very often usually there's not much to share but I hope the jeans observation makes up for it ju t a little."}, {"response": 1288, "author": "Gina2e", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (07:42)", "body": "Ok Ok perhaps that should read \" breakneck speed\" through the London traffic although perhaps after a journey of 20 miles on good roads I might have been closer the first time.LOL!"}, {"response": 1289, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (08:15)", "body": "Thank you all for all the wonderful reports and pics. I can't even begin to tell, how much I envie you. Karen you are the greatest! Thank you for all the effort."}, {"response": 1290, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (08:41)", "body": "(Evelyn) I ask you, why couldn't she go in and take a seat like the other wives. The only one I noticed who made a beeline into the theater, instead of hanging around on the red carpet, was the woman with AR. (Shoshana) At least you didn't yell at Livia to move like you did LL's mother! ;-) However, she looked pretty amused by the whole incident and kept looking back at us and chuckling. At least no one yelled, \"hey, lady, you make a better wall than a window.\" ;-) You can bet that she would've been horribly yelled at if she stood in front of the press. Thanks, ladies, for your reports from the Survival screening. I'm so glad he did manage to be there for you. Several pictures have already been sent to me; so I'll get them up ASAP for all."}, {"response": 1291, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (08:47)", "body": "(Karen) The only one I noticed who made a beeline into the theater, instead of hanging around on the red carpet, was the woman with AR. There was a woman with AR? Must've been some beeline as my vantage point was just after he walked in. Obviously concentrating on looking for someone else. ;-)"}, {"response": 1292, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (09:10)", "body": "(Shoshana) At least you didn't yell at Livia to move like you did LL's mother! ;-) (Karen) At least no one yelled, \"hey, lady, you make a better wall than a window.\" ;-) My favorite :\"Made of glass, lady\". Note to self: Learn how to say that in Italian;-)) . (Dorine) There was a woman with AR? His mother;-) Thanks Gina, drop in more often."}, {"response": 1293, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (09:13)", "body": "(Evelyn) My favorite :\"Made of glass, lady\". Note to self: Learn how to say that in Italian;-)). LOL!!!!"}, {"response": 1294, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (09:36)", "body": "Thanks everyone for all the interesting write ups and pictures . .whew .go away from your computer for a few hours and there's so much to catch up on .gotta love it .there's always something new 24-7!"}, {"response": 1295, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (09:52)", "body": "(Emma)I could sit back and listen to him orate about diamonds Ahhh, diamonds. Mmmm . . . dreamy sigh. . . threatening tribes in the Kalahari! Er, um, bad diamonds, bad bad. Never use 'em! ;-)"}, {"response": 1296, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (09:54)", "body": "(Dorine) There was a woman with AR? Yup, and she got out of the same limo with him at the M Club. Actually, she got out first and that's how I knew Rickman was in that car. ;-) She had dark brown/reddish hair, cut short. That's all I remember about her, but she looked like a lady on a mission as she kept walking past on the red carpet. She must really have wanted to go sit in her designated seat labeled \"Rickman guest.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 1297, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (09:59)", "body": "(Emma) I could sit back and listen to him orate about diamonds threatening tribes in the Kalahari! (Mari) Er, um, bad diamonds, bad bad. Never use 'em! ;-) Must have been quite a sight! All the women in the audience throwing their diamond rings, earrings, etc., onto the stage and taking mass oath never to wear them again. Yes, I can just see Moon tossing her tiara into the bin. ;-)"}, {"response": 1298, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (10:12)", "body": "I don't recall if this was posted, but a lurker from Japan wrote me about this featurette, which has behind-the-scenes commentary about LA: http://www.channel4.com/film/reviews/feature.jsp?V=4&SV=7&id=125840"}, {"response": 1299, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (10:13)", "body": "\"listen to him orate about diamonds threatening tribes in the Kalahari! \" I hope Livia was aware of his position before she started dreaming of a huge diamond engagement ring. Makes you wonder what those pretty sparkly thangs on her fingers were -- I would suppose ANY natural gemstone would be OUT. Do you think the Firths shop at QVC for Cubic Zirconias and various \"___-olites\"?"}, {"response": 1300, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (10:26)", "body": "From another lurker, the transcript of a PBS program in the DC area (Around Town on WETA), where LA was discussed. The relevant portions: ROBERT AUBRY DAVIS: THE CREATORS OF THE HIT FILMS, 'FOUR WEDDINGS And A FUNERAL,' And 'BRIDGET JONES' DIARY,' NOW BRING US THEIR NEWEST RELEASE,'LOVE ACTUALLY.' IN THIS SCENE, THE NEW BRITISH PRIME MINISTER, HUGH GRANT, SETTLES INTO THE JOB: [FILM CLIP] ROBERT AUBRY DAVIS: I love this guy's work, I've loved all his other movies. I was a sucker for this movie, it rang all my romantic bells. I thought it was delightful form beginning to end. BOB MONDELLO: I didn't resist it as firmly as usual. It was actually kind of fun. One of the quotes they use in the ads is \"epic romance.\" Well, it is. It's weird, but epic has to do with lots of interwoven stories. And this has a lot of different stories going on at once. And it's quite fun. It's just incredibly stupid. There is one scene which has him and the American president talking. I love that sequence. ROBERT AUBRY DAVIS: There are some serious political digs. PETER FAY: This is a movie in which some terrifically talented British actors, directors and writers are really having at, among other things, American politics, which is such an easy target for them. But Tony Blair doesn't come off too easily either. It's so much silly fun that the intricacy, the well-craftedness of it gets hidden which is a good idea. So, it just seems to be a light romantic story, when it's actually more than that. JANE HORWITZ: I actually went to see it at a second screening. ROBERT AUBRY DAVIS: Me too. JANE HORWITZ: Because at the first screening I was not in a great mood. Normally, any time Colin Firth appears in anything, I'm a happy camper. But for some reason it didn't hit me right. And I have to say it did work the second time. It is totally contrived, all movies are, but the wheels do show a bit in this. BOB MONDELLO: The critics who dislike it have usually singled out the way that it treats older women and women in relationships. There are several characters that if they're not very young and sveldt in a specific way, then they're not going to fare as well in romance. You've got Emma Thompson and a couple of other people. JANE HORWITZ: All the young leads are secretaries or tea ladies. ROBERT AUBRY DAVIS: There's a moment with Emma Thompson listening to a Joni Mitchell song, her life collapsing in front of her eyes, as only a great actor can do. It's a fantastic moment. JANE HORWITZ: Liam Neeson plays a recent widower whose step-son by the wife who died, a young boy -- he's worried that the young boy is depressed -- that little kid -- his name is Thomas Sangster -- has a face on him. He may even be younger than eleven. He's small. But his suffering, which turns out not to be quite related to his mother's passing, although he misses her too, and Neeson's interplay with him -- it's full of little grace notes like that all the way through. http://www2.weta.org/productions/aroundtown/transcripts/at20031115.html [Ed note: How I wish that every program put up transcripts. ;-) ]"}, {"response": 1301, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (10:46)", "body": "From THR, some info on the intl box office of LA: The romantic comedy \"Love Actually\" conquered Italy with $2.2 million from 357, edging \"[The Matrix] Revolutions\" to second place. Combined with a weekend opening in Portugal, \"Love's\" weekend haul came to $2.6 million as it entered the international market. So it was in first place in Italy and second place in Portugal."}, {"response": 1302, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (10:57)", "body": "[Ed note: How I wish that every program put up transcripts. ;-) ] That's PBS for you! You really get your money's worth.;-)"}, {"response": 1303, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (11:01)", "body": "(Deb)Makes you wonder what those pretty sparkly thangs on her fingers were -- I would suppose ANY natural gemstone would be OUT. I imagine they must be some affordable synthetic \"All-rounders\", you know . .something you could where any where on any occasion . . .\" (Deb)Do you think the Firths shop at QVC for Cubic Zirconias and various \"___-olites\"? Can you imagine being the QVC operator picking up that order . . \"So sir, that will be the one of Item Number J94553 the Epiphany Platinum Clad Diamonique Princess Cut w/Accents Ring . . . \" \"Ab-so-lut-ley . . .\""}, {"response": 1304, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (11:09)", "body": "Is this new or terribly old? http://film.guardian.co.uk/gall/0,8544,1085537,00.html Enjoying all the goodies..."}, {"response": 1305, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (11:11)", "body": "Lots of thanks to everyone for all these treats! I've lost track of what's what so here's another clip that you may or may not have seen: This one is almost 7 minutes long. I like the accent Colin used for this one. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/entertainment/films/articles/7709685 ? Can't wait to see Mr Emma's photos!! Should we be calling him Mr Bean? (sorry, I couldn't resist that)."}, {"response": 1306, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (11:12)", "body": "US TV news flash (well, I didn't know about it, so it's a \"flash\" to me ;-): P&P is apparently being shown at 2pm EST on A&E beginning this afternoon."}, {"response": 1307, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (11:13)", "body": "some affordable synthetic \"All-rounders\" SNORT!! \"And, sir, if you order now, you can also get the matching earrings for only $19.99.\" \"WOT? ... Sorry, musta dropped the phone whilst doing my little happy dance!\""}, {"response": 1308, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (11:17)", "body": "How did Sophie's animatronics get to this site? http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-11/471047/CFdancing.gif"}, {"response": 1309, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (11:19)", "body": "I borrowed this one only. Sorry if this is not allowed. I only intended to re-use it here. I will smack my own hand. :("}, {"response": 1310, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (11:27)", "body": "From MSNBC Holiday Movie Guide http://www.msnbc.com/news/988783.asp?0ql=c7p Scroll way down on the site for this bit. GIRL WITH THE PEARL EARRING\ufffd Scarlett Johansson stars in 'The Girl with a Pearl Earring.' Starring: Colin Firth, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Wilkinson, Essie Davis, Alakina Mann, Cillian Murphy Director: Peter Webber The story: Based on the novel by Tracey Chevalier, this story of seduction stars Johansson as a girl hired to be a maid in the house of Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer (Firth). She finds herself drawn to his work and winds up being the model for one of his most famous works, stirring up jealousy in his wife (Davis), who realizes the girl has borrowed her pearl earrings to wear for the portrait. Firth (\ufffdBridget Jones Diary\ufffd) may have finally been given a role that allows him to show some of the sexual heat he had in \ufffdValmont.\ufffd He often gets typed as the prim, proper type \ufffd but give him the right role and he smolders. What\ufffds the buzz: Johansson has become the \ufffdIt\ufffd girl of the moment since her winning turn in \ufffdLost in Translation.\ufffd She\ufffds more likely to get a nomination for that film than for this one. This film will give her a chance to show her range. Web site: http://www.girlwithapearlearringmovie.com/"}, {"response": 1311, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (12:07)", "body": "For Drooleurs in LA, Chicago (YEAHHHHHHHHH!!!), NY and SF, I got an email announcing free advance screenings of GWAPE (all except NY's followed by a cocktail reception) in early December. You go to this site: http://www.campuscircle.net/girlwithapearlearring/ click on your city and open up an Adobe invite, which you must then print to use as your admission ticket. Info on times, places, receptions, etc., is in that Adobe file."}, {"response": 1312, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (12:48)", "body": "US TV news flash (well, I didn't know about it, so it's a \"flash\" to me ;-): P&P is apparently being shown at 2pm EST on A&E beginning this afternoon. It was posted here 2 weeks ago, and recently Rika posted it again on Darcy drool topic. AGAIN:Mark your calendars This Sunday Morning on A&E COLIN FIRTH INTERVIEW from Toronto FF. On BWTA check your time. (Karen)free advance screenings of GWAPE ( Pox on Lion's Gate for ignoring the rest of the country."}, {"response": 1313, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (12:48)", "body": "A hearty thanks to Petra, Aishling, Emma and Gina for all the London reporting! Excellent! (Emma) I could sit back and listen to him orate about diamonds threatening tribes in the Kalahari! (Mari) Er, um, bad diamonds, bad bad. Never use 'em! ;-) Wow...so Marilyn Monroe was wrong! (MSNBC) Firth (\ufffdBridget Jones Diary\ufffd) may have finally been given a role that allows him to show some of the sexual heat he had in \ufffdValmont.\ufffd Heat? Valmont? Never noticed! ;-)"}, {"response": 1314, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (12:52)", "body": "For Drooleurs in LA, Chicago (YEAHHHHHHHHH!!!), NY and SF, I got an email announcing free advance screenings of GWAPE (all except NY's followed by a cocktail reception) in early December. YESSSSSSS!!!!! . .I am so there in NY on Dec 10th . .this is down the street from me (I'm temping at Showtime Cable Networks at 1633 B'dway) . . . .Will anyone be there? . .I'll be happy to meet ya!!!"}, {"response": 1315, "author": "dalec", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (12:57)", "body": "Who's Colin with in this picture? Sorry if it's been asked, haven't had time to read all the post yet. Is Colin still scheduled to be on A&E's Breakfast With The Arts this Sunday? Thanks."}, {"response": 1316, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (13:00)", "body": "I give up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 1317, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (13:09)", "body": "From the office of Redundancy: (Evelyn)This Sunday Morning on A&E COLIN FIRTH INTERVIEW from Toronto FF. On BWTA check your time. (Karen)free advance screenings of GWAPE ( (Ev.)Pox on Lion's Gate for ignoring the rest of the country. I'll match your Pox and raise you a pestilence. Who will relieve us of our suffering?:-(("}, {"response": 1318, "author": "meg", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (13:20)", "body": "Okay, now I'm confused. A&E doesn't list CF for this Sunday. I can't find a listing for Dec. 7th on the BWTA site, but was under the impression (from here: http://www.firth.com/tv_promo.html ) that he is going to be on Sunday, Dec. 7th. Here's what they have listed for this Sunday (Nov 23rd): Enrico Caruso: Voice of the Century Life of the opera star considered by many to be the greatest singer of all time. Enjoy the recollections of fellow singers Luciano Pavarotti, Beverly Sills, and Placido Domingo. Also, Michael Kimmelman talks to curator Ruth Fine and jazz musician Branford Marsalis about The Art of Romare Bearden at the National Gallery in Washington, and a conversation with James Rosenquist, one of the founding fathers of pop art. Am I missing something? Is he in fact still supposed to be on on the 7th?"}, {"response": 1319, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (13:45)", "body": "(Karen) For Drooleurs in LA, Chicago (YEAHHHHHHHHH!!!), NY and SF, I got an email announcing free advance screenings of GWAPE Hmmm, I already was RSVP'd for a Lions Gate GWAPE screening that night at a screening room. Must check to see if this is additional or they changed to a bigger theater due to demand."}, {"response": 1320, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (13:49)", "body": "(Beedee) I'll match your Pox and raise you a pestilence. Who will relieve us of our suffering?:-(( It's showing in Portland on December 11th. A benefit for the NorthWest Film Center. (Sorry Bee and Evelyn! At least we won't get cocktails!) ;-)"}, {"response": 1321, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (14:03)", "body": "(Evelyn)My favorite :\"Made of glass, lady\". Note to self: Learn how to say that in Italian;-)). Siete fatti di vetro, signora? (Tress and Dorine)but there were tons of 'random sorts' whose sole purpose appeared to be to run back and forth You mean like Joan Collins? ;-) More like random tart;-) Great to hear from you, Gina. Glad you got to see ODB, with or without the helmet hair. Those jeans faded in the right places sound lovely, better yet...scrummy. Love that, Emma. Firth (\ufffdBridget Jones Diary\ufffd) may have finally been given a role that allows him to show some of the sexual heat he had in \ufffdValmont.\ufffd Oh, Valmont...just watched that two days ago, have P&P on in the background, now. Just finished with Mr. Darcy leaving the bath, and thinking about the sexual heat of Vermeer. Whew, time for a break and I only just got here;-)"}, {"response": 1322, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (14:54)", "body": "(Meg) Am I missing something? Is he in fact still supposed to be on on the 7th? Last month I got an email, after an inquiry ,saying he would be on 11/23. We'll get emails tomorrow or Fri on the program guests . Watch this space;-)"}, {"response": 1323, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (14:56)", "body": "(Karen) At least no one yelled, \"hey, lady, you make a better wall than a window.\" ;-) *blushes* I didn't realize I was yelling... I thought I was just muttering out loud. ;-)))"}, {"response": 1324, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (15:40)", "body": "Though Karen said it above . .I liked the conparisons to other previous openings in this as well . . Daily Variety - 11/17/03 \"Love Actually\" wooed $2.3 million from 332 playdates in Italy, which would be No. 1, unseating \"(Matrix)Revolutions,\" if Universal/UIP's estimate pans out; the opening was 11% bigger than \"Bridget Jones' Diary\" and 4% up on \"Meet the Parents.\" In Portugal, the romantic comedy penned and written by Richard Curtis fetched $330,000, 43% better than \"Notting Hill\" and 4% ahead of \"Bridget Jones.\" Pic opens next weekend in 15 countries including Germany, Spain and the UK."}, {"response": 1325, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (16:40)", "body": "Sorry, I've been offline for awhile (@#$% SBCYahoo DSL)... A couple of things... Admin message For the the sake of some people's sanity (and that includes mine, especially today - insert winkie-), please read the boards before you post a question. If you are using some convoluted, inefficient method of reading Drool (i.e., you're in public mode, not logged in, not letting the software do its thing), contact me at my office and I'll give you some pointers for the best way of reading and navigating here. One of the great things about Drool is that you can always go back and read previous messages too. However, unlike chatrooms, each of our topics has a finite number of messages, which is why private conversations, personal OT questions, etc., are frowned upon. Okay, putting away my virtual wet blanket now. As to BWTA, I received an email on Nov 3, telling me that the interview had been changed to 12/7/03 and I updated my \"TV_promos\" page around that time. The email included the attached correspondence from A&E."}, {"response": 1326, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (17:35)", "body": "FYI, I got contacted by the woman who held up a Colin Firth sign in The View's audience. She might come over here; otherwise, I'll post her comments about what went on."}, {"response": 1327, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (17:38)", "body": "It seems I am ill equipped for having a job that actually requires me to work ALL the dang hours of the work day (plus plus lately!) with no time for my true vocation as \"Googlier\" (pronounced like Sommelier, my DH's vocation and thanks to Dorine for granting me that title in NY!! :-))and as Droolier too I suppose.. Of course I am also ill equipped to live in this climate and yet every morning despite donning my red sneakers of happiness and clicking them 3 times and doing the chant \"There is no place like home\" I open my eyes and still find myself here in insupportable 80 degree weather in November...But enough kvetching and back to ODB!!! I just popped into Google and this popped out and I hadn't seen this pic or bio, and the pic truly should appeal to those that love the bedhead or JFL (you know who you are! ;-)) http://www.tiscali.co.uk/entertainment/film/biographies/colin_firth_biog/page1"}, {"response": 1328, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (18:00)", "body": "OMG...this bio is 10 pages long (and every page has that wonderful JFL pic)!! AND....there is a conveniant button on the bottom that says \"BUY NOW\"!! Wait! Will he come before Christmas? Can I have him gift wrapped?? Can I give him to myself?? ;-D Try it as an experiment; walk into any pub or restaurant and shout out \"Cab for Mr D'Arcy!\" The result will always be the same. No man will express the slightest interest, but every woman's eyes will brighten, a coy smile of delight will appear on her lips and her head will revolve as close to 360 degrees as is possible. Just in case it's him - THE Mr D'Arcy. LOL...my heard revolved 360 degress just reading that! Thank you Googlier! ;-)"}, {"response": 1329, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (18:08)", "body": "More silliness... MARTINE McCUTCHEON'S MEN Actress MARTINE McCUTCHEON cherished her time on the LOVE ACTUALLY set, because she and the rest of the female crew adored her co-stars HUGH GRANT, COLIN FIRTH and LIAM NEESON. The former soap star found herself acting opposite some of Britain's hunkiest actors when she filmed the romantic comedy, and she was surprised by how lovely they were. Martine says, \"Hugh Grant is really serious. He's much more serious than I thought he would be. He is clever, very shrewd, and a good businessman. There was no sexual chemistry off-screen. In real life we were just mates, cracking up and telling jokes all the time. \"Everyone loves Colin Firth and Liam Neeson. I can honestly say that everybody on the set just loved Colin Firth. He is gorgeous - everybody in make-up just loved him. \"It was the same with Liam Neeson - all the women were going, 'Look at his hands - you know what they say about men with big hands!' Liam's such a soft, lovely man.\" Mental note - Give makeup artists more credit...And ODB's hands aren't chopped liver either!! ;-))"}, {"response": 1330, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (18:21)", "body": "UK papers are starting to post their LA reviews. Financial Times: Indulgence likely to rot liver, teeth or brain By Martin Hoyle Amorous misadventures starting in the month before Christmas, cannily released in the month before Christmas, fortuitously touching on an American president's visit to Britain - but there real-life parallels end; for our boyishly idealistic PM makes a speech mentioning Churchill and Shakespeare and refuses to be bullied. We know we are in the realm of fantasy, fable and fairytale. In the realm of Richard Curtis, actually. The writer of Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill has taken effortlessly to directing; and that small but discerning gro up who found those two mega-hits toe-curlingly embarrassing or nerve-grindingly irritating may be won over by Love Actually. As anyone who has recently glanced at a paper will know, a galaxy of stellar thesps enact a collection of love stories. Some are casually connected, but expect no tightly knit strands or overall cohesion. At least one of the nine or 10 plotlets could be expunged without trace. The PM's infatuation with his tea-lady (Hugh Grant and Martine McCutcheon), a middle-class marriage ruefully under strain (Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman), a jilted English writer floundering to communicate with his Portuguese maid (Colin Firth, Aurelia Moniz) a widowed father attempting to bond with his small son (Liam Neeson, Thomas Sangster). There are various sorts of love depicted here: romantic, sexual, familial; fulfilled, frustrated, fantasised. And funny, notably with Bill Nighy's superbly raffish old rocker making a comeback with a tawdry Christmas number. But the comedy is perhaps less memorable than unexpectedly touching vignettes of love unattainable: the revelation of a young bride realising the wedding video shot by her husband's stand- offish best mate is brimming with secret tenderness towards her - beautifully understated by Keira Knightley and Andrew Lincoln; while Laura Linney, whose pining for an office colleague is doomed by her devotion to a mentally handicapped brother, is so moving that she almost unbalances the film. Distinguished in parts - Grant's endearing little Travolta routine through Number 10, Thompson, when not affecting modish Estuary - the film is sleekly machine-tooled for American consumption. The English characters have the breezy, transatlantic flipness that mark Curtis's creations, whatever their background. London is portrayed as how Brits want tourists to see it. The film is too long; it concertinas development and actions into a time-scale improbable even by fairytale standards; it over-eggs the Christmas pudding (primary school nativity play, beaming teachers in a rock routine); and the finale, to a Beach Boys soundtrack, sums up its ruthless mid-Atlanticism. But Curtis's direction of actors is a treat. Love Actually is a Christmas over- indulgence: well-stuffed, sometimes too sweet, not for daily consumption as likely to rot liver, teeth or brain; but only a Scrooge could fail to find something to enjoy, however ashamed he might feel the day after."}, {"response": 1331, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (19:31)", "body": "(Tress) \"BUY NOW\"!! Wait! Will he come before Christmas? Can I have him gift wrapped?? Can I give him to myself?? ;-D LOL! Is there only one in stock? ;-) her head will revolve as close to 360 degrees Was wondering if it's possible to go further. Mine might snap off from the speed. ;-) (MM re HG) He's much more serious than I thought he would be. He is clever, very shrewd, and a good businessman. She forgot the good kisser part she's mentioned before. ;-) Thanks, Mistress Googlier!"}, {"response": 1332, "author": "Gail", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (19:51)", "body": "Great Bio of ODB. Every time I saw the picture it reminded me of the old nursery rhyme we redid in high school. \"There was a little boy with a curl right in the middle of his forehead and when he was good he was very very good and when he was bad he was better;-)"}, {"response": 1333, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (20:48)", "body": "Bravo Googlier! Lovely bio and even better photo! ;-) Far more worthwhile was Girl With A Pearl Earring, where Firth played a brooding Johannes Vermeer, finding a muse in new servant Scarlett Johansson. But while Firth is dealing on an aesthetic level, his sponsor Tom Wilkinson is after some hot muse-nookie. It was a beautiful piece, its look heavily influenced by Vermeer's work, the kind of movie Colin had always been seeking. I love that part, but does anyone else find the parts about future events written in past tense (i.e., He ended 2003 with a bang,... 2004 would be equally busy. ) just a little creepy, or is Dominic Wills also clairvoyant? It all seems a bit precipitous. ;-)"}, {"response": 1334, "author": "dalec", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (21:22)", "body": "Sorry for my earlier posting. I hadn't checked out the messages in a couple of days and was skimming through everything. I was mostly concentrating on the recent pics. Will be more careful from now on."}, {"response": 1335, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (21:55)", "body": "JFL, Googlier/Droolier, muse-nookie...whoa...seems my dictionary is seriously out-of-date! ::::plugging in for download:::: (Shoshana) is Dominic Wills also clairvoyant? Maybe we should ask about The Dead Wait?"}, {"response": 1336, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (22:05)", "body": "MariaT - Thanks so much for that bio!!!! . .Mmmm I just want to run my fingers through that hair . . .yummy! (Tress) \"BUY NOW\"!! Wait! Will he come before Christmas? Can I have him gift wrapped?? Can I give him to myself?? ;-D (Dorine) LOL! Is there only one in stock? ;-) Woohooo . .let's guess where the bow will be tied around;) (Ooh ,bad Kimberly, naughty, naughty)!!!! (Shoshanna)I love that part, but does anyone else find the parts about future events written in past tense (i.e., He ended 2003 with a bang,... 2004 would be equally busy.) just a little creepy, or is Dominic Wills also clairvoyant? Maybe he's just a lazy writer . .figures he'll cover everything . .and this bio could last for at least past 2004! My favorite part from the bio: No, there's only one, with his naturally curly brown locks and searching look, his seemingly cruel aloofness disguising a heart brimming with sensitivity, his body buff as you like as he rises from the sparkling waters of that famous lake. Sigh . .now if that doesn't say it all . . . .there's definitely only ONE!!!!"}, {"response": 1337, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (22:18)", "body": "Hang in there Maria you have not lost your touch yet! Hate when work gets in the way of my obsession and will wait patiently till you get back in gear. In the mean time perhaps Ms. early time zone Annette can pick up some of the slack.;-)"}, {"response": 1338, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (22:32)", "body": "Love is not all around, actually The Scotsman ALASTAIR McKAY Love Actually (15) ** There is, note, no comma in the title. It comes from the quite dreadful voiceover that opens the picture, in which Hugh Grant, as a twittish post-Blair Prime Minister, warbles depressingly about the arrivals gate at Heathrow being a symbol of love and how it \"actually is all around\". He also mentions the destruction of the Twin Towers, and how, on 11 September, no-one paused to send messages of hate. Actually, those final words were all of love. So, before the film begins, it is clear that the masterchef of the mid-Atlantic souffle, Richard Curtis, has lost none of his ability to charm or offend. He is also clever enough to insulate himself against criticism. Yes, it is obscene that someone should attempt to make Hallmark poetry from the massmurders at the World Trade Center, but that someone is not Curtis, it is Prime Minister Hugh Grant, who will also prove to be so lacking in judgment that he falls for the Downing Street teagirl: a version of Eliza f***in\ufffd Doolittle, played with the sauce of an overripe tomato by Martine McCutcheon, who delivers secret Treasury documents along with the Hobnobs, and jeopardises UK-American relations by snuggling up to the twinkling post-Clinton (un-Bush) President, Billy Bob Thornton. Lest the Rt Hon Hugh be mistaken for anything but a parody of a parody, he is shown going into Downing Street for the first time, mentally noting that his wave needs work. Asked how he is feeling, he replies: \"Cool. Powerful.\" You want plot? There isn\ufffdt one. Instead, there is a group of disparate characters marooned in the run-up to Christmas, looking for romance. There is a wedding, in which the whole congregation plays All You Need is Love. There is a funeral, in which the coffin is dispatched to the sound of the Bay City Rollers\ufffd Bye Bye Baby. There is flamboyant swearing. Not nasty swearing, just the posh ejaculation of f***, bugger and arse, in a manner designed to sound ridiculously English to American ears. You might, if you were feeling generous or deluded, praise the absence of form, were it not for the fact that the film slides with a sense of grim inevitability towards a celebratory ending in which almost all of the characters find festive cheer and love, actually; this being an emotion characterised by nothing more than longing and the micro-romantic gestures more usually found in advertisements for chocolates or wilting bouquets. That warm tears are jerked in the ending of this syllabub of sentimentality is a tribute to the music of Craig Armstrong, which plucks emotion from a montage of absurd and manipulative images. What are we to make of Curtis\ufffds version of love? There are slithers of truthfulness in it. Poor Emma Thompson gets to play a drudge who is married to a pillock (Alan Rickman) who finds himself tempted by the Bambi-eyed charms of his secretary. Thompson, whose agent presumably forgot to inform her that she was acting in a marshmallow, manages to squeeze real pathos from the scenes in which she uncovers her husband\ufffds emotional infidelity. Liam Neeson gives a performance of easy charm as a single dad raising a lovelorn infant in a house full of Waitrose groceries and a Dualit toaster. Bill Nighy does well as the anti-Cliff Richard, a sozzled snotty rocker who aims to curse his way to the top of the Christmas charts with a cynical retread of the Troggs\ufffd Love is All Around (as sung by Wet Wet Wet in Four Weddings and a Funeral). Nighy displays more comedic charisma than the more celebrated stars of the picture, and is always worth indulging for his peculiar snorting laugh. Tim from The Office is here, playing a stunt double for a porn star. Egg from This Life gets to swoon over Keira Knightley, who gets to be lovely. Laura Linney pretends to be plain and to have a mentally ill brother who needs love at Christmas. Colin Firth gets his britches wet as he fails to notice that he is in love with his Portuguese housekeeper. Michael Parkinson appears, unconvincingly, as himself. A boy with an oddly shaped head goes to Wisconsin to look for American babes - and finds them. And yes, it is possible, if not probable, that Curtis is having a private joke when he has Nighy, his loveable cynic, ask of his doting engineer: \"This is shit, isn\ufffdt it?\" The engineer, played by Rab C Nesbitt, replies proudly: \"Yep, solid gold shit, maestro.\" Feelgood? I almost ate my arm."}, {"response": 1339, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (22:38)", "body": "The Times Love Actually by james christopher Our critic falls in love with love THIS is a piece of romantic fluff in which ten pairs of star-crossed lovers deliver ten exquisite excuses to weep (or be physically sick) into your party hat. I found it shockingly likeable, and I\ufffdve seen and wept through it twice. Richard Curtis, the director, is helped by a team of Romeos and Juliets as famous and formidable as Manchester United. Actually, it\ufffds the paucity of their passes and their habit of scoring own goals that make them such a winning, and utterly English, combo. Chief striker is Hugh Grant, our new Prime Minister, hopelessly nutmegged by a Downing Street tea lady (Martine McCutcheon). The dashing fop bowls into No 10 after election night feeling \ufffdcool, powerful\ufffd and decidedly single. After sighting Martine\ufffds chubby thighs and crimson face, he bangs his head against the desk blotter, takes a look at Thatcher\ufffds portrait, and says: \ufffdDid you ever have this kind of problem? Of course you did, you saucy minx.\ufffd Is there a deep point to this mash? Of course not. Love can strike anyone anywhere, and we\ufffdre blissfully free to dream. This is the democratic heart of Curtis\ufffds film. Colin Firth\ufffds highbrow English writer falls for his Portuguese charlady. Alan Rickman\ufffds advertising exec is torn between his sizzling secretary (Heike Makatsch) and his prickly wife (Emma Thompson). Martin Freeman and Joanna Page prevaricate about the weather while he awkwardly massages her naked breast. Kris Marshall\ufffds goofy sandwich vendor packs a rucksack full of condoms and fantasises about sex kittens in Milwaukee. True, there is little cinematic alchemy to speak of. Every relationship is carefully impaled on the needle of love. Every frame looks machine-tooled. And the punch-lines have that stamp of British inferiority which Hollywood can only dream about. Sit back, and gawp at Ideal Britain. Revel in the tipsy plot. And enjoy a film full of adult whimsy and adolescent whingeing. Love Actually hits so many sweet spots that you could choke on the sentiment. But I\ufffdm not complaining because I love the humour. There are moments of high pain \ufffd Thompson discovering that her husband might be having an affair \ufffd but they are anaesthetised by comedy. Perhaps that\ufffds the fate of writers who wear double-glazed, rose-tinted spectacles. They are doomed never to be taken entirely seriously."}, {"response": 1340, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (23:03)", "body": "Colin Firth\ufffds highbrow English writer ... ...and his prickly wife (Emma Thompson) Don't think I saw the same film! I didn't think Colin was highbrow or Emma prickly....actually.... ;-) Thanks Mari for all the reviews!"}, {"response": 1341, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (23:19)", "body": "For some reason I was able to get to the LA Times reviews tonight without paying;-) 'Love' is all around, and often funny Los Angeles Times By Kenneth Turan, Times Staff Writer Given its status as an elaborate holiday confection, it's simplest to think of \"Love Actually\" as a box of fine chocolates filled with a variety of centers. All are tasty, no small thing, but some are tastier than others. And while some quickly become cherished favorites, others make you wonder: \"What were they thinking with that one?\" As written and directed by Richard Curtis, \"Love Actually\" is an ensemble romantic comedy with more than 20 characters and so many plot lines even the detailed press material can't manage to list them all. It's got a fine cast, including such known quantities as Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Colin Firth, Laura Linney and Liam Neeson, but, best of all, it's got Curtis. One of the most reliable delights of recent British film and TV, Curtis wrote the scripts for \"Four Weddings and a Funeral\" and \"Notting Hill,\" co-wrote \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" and helped create such British television landmarks as \"Blackadder\" and \"Bean.\" What Curtis brought to those projects as well as to \"Love Actually\" is a sharp sense of character comedy combined with a very human touch. His feeling for people is as genuine as his wit, and he manages it all with a light-on-its-feet casualness, a sense that none of this has to be any kind of big deal to be successful. It's typical of Curtis' engaging sensibility that he says he came up with the idea of making a film that encompasses so many distinct groups of characters because at the rate films are made, if he didn't do them all at once \"I would spend the rest of my life\" getting them on screen. However in this, his first time behind the camera, Curtis couldn't resist branching out from the habitual lightness of his earlier fare, and a few sections of \"Love Actually\" have more serious themes and less-than-jolly resolutions. It turns out that as a writer and director, Curtis' gift does not extend quite as far into that area as he would like, and stretching himself to all those unconnected scenarios inevitably means that even with the lighter ones some are more successful than others. But the bits that do work are so funny and satisfying that audiences may be willing to simply bide their time and hum \"Rule, Britannia\" until the good parts return to the screen. \"Love Actually,\" which begins five weeks before Christmas and goes week by week until the holiday, starts with the private voice-over thoughts of Britain's prime minister (Hugh Grant). He tells us that though \"general opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed,\" it just takes a few warm moments at an airport's arrivals gate (security checkpoints likely being another matter) to prove to him that \"love actually is all around.\" Love may be all around, but if \"Love Actually\" is any indication, it can also cause all kinds of problems. Love refuses to arrive without obstacles, rivalries, cross purposes, hesitations and awful embarrassments. It can make little boys feel small and grown men feel smaller. Even if he's the country's newly elected prime minister. As played by the ever-appealing Grant, the prime minister is \ufffd surprise \ufffd a witty and sophisticated sort, agreeing to meet the 10 Downing Street household staff because he'll do \"anything to put off running the country.\" Just one look at the fetching tea lady (Martine McCutcheon of British TV's \"EastEnders\"), however, has him as tongue-tied as any rural swain. Definitely not tongue-tied is veteran rocker Billy Mack, trying for his umpteenth comeback by recording the standard \"Love Is All Around\" as \"Christmas Is All Around.\" \"Wouldn't it be great,\" he enthuses to a stunned DJ, \"if No. 1 this Christmas wasn't some smug teenager but an old, ex-heroin addict searching for a comeback at any price?\" As a riff on all the hard-living rockers of yore, egocentric Billy is the film's funniest character, and it's a treat beyond treats to see veteran British actor Bill Nighy (memorable in \"Lawless Heart\") realize the potential in the role and deliver a comic performance that will completely put you away. Equally satisfying in a more unashamedly romantic way is the story of Jamie (Colin Firth), a jilted author with no foreign-language facility who retreats to the south of France and takes on a severe-looking housekeeper named Aurelia (Lucia Moniz) who speaks only Portuguese. Though the result of this episode is hardly in doubt, it is characteristic of Curtis' gift at its best that he can bring all measure of sharp humor, unforced emotion and delightful surprises to a story whose outline doesn't seem to merit a second glance. Given how well Curtis works when he's at his best, it's frustrating when other sequences do not measure up. Some segments \ufffd a young man goes to Wisconsin to become a god of sex, a young bride played by Keira Knightley gets caught b"}, {"response": 1342, "author": "Gina2e", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (01:56)", "body": "UK droolers- 4 column interview in this mornings (20/11/03)p.60 Daily Mail.Journo- Sue Gold. Pretty standard questions and replies.Things that make me happy that he's \"so rooted in London and happy here.\" \"Most valuable thing that you've learned in life so far?\".....\"Children and marriage nothing comes close to that.\" How this man makes my day- says and does all the right things. According to my sister in law's friend who happened to see him in Chiswick Park he stopped to return a baby's bottle that had been tossed out of the pram by an errant child.Sorry don't have any other details but I'll work on it. My sister in law is expecting her own baby next spring. Must get down to Chiswick Park just in case.!!"}, {"response": 1343, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (07:11)", "body": "Thanks for the Daily Mail alert Gina!! 'I'm a nerd and Hugh hates me' Life is good for COLIN FIRTH. His new film, Love Actually, has been hailed the best British film ever, he has been filming the sequel to the hugely successful Bridget Jones's Diary, and his wife has recently given birth to his third son. Here, he talks exclusively to our writer SUE GOLD. You have three sons - Luca, two, and baby Mateo with your Italian wife, Livia, and Will, 13, by actress Meg Tilly. How do you feel about being a dad again at 43? Great, wonderful, I couldn't be happier. I don't know where we're going to stop, but there are definitely times when one two-year-old can be quite enough! You've described fatherhood as being completely frightening. Do you still think that? I think I said that before becoming a father. I didn't find it frightening after I became one. I think I just found it distasteful. It didn't appeal to me, that's all. There's a great line by the writer Robert Towne about fatherhood which hit the nail on the head for me. He said he'd always associated fatherhood with age and the atrophy that goes with comfort - pipes and slippers and eventually death. But having a baby was rejuvenating and wild and wonderful. Being a father is more like passionate love than I'd imagined. You have the same sense of being on the brink of being out of control, and of utter euphoria. It's what makes life most worth living - no question. Are acting and fatherhood equally challenging? Fatherhood is a more important challenge, and it runs far deeper into what I care about most. If I had to do without acting, I'd survive. But I simply couldn't do without my kids. Are you a very hands-on dad? Oh, very. I change the nappies and help out wherever I can, but I think most dads do that. Even Tony Blair does, doesn't he? Were you there at the birth? Yes, and it was amazing. It was brave of me, actually, I have to say. I'd begun to think that things had evolved to the point where it's now de rigueur for the father to be present at the birth, but I don't think that it's necessarily a good thing for everyone at all. I think a lot of women don't want to be worrying that their husbands are going to faint. I found the whole birth absolutely wonderful, but I think if you're the sort of person who can't bear it and you get queasy and terribly nervous, you're not going to be any comfort to your wife. So best to stay away. How do you juggle changing nappies with Hollywood roles? Like I say, they're two completely different things, and dealing-with dirty nappies definitely keeps your feet firmly planted on the ground. I like doing both. How would your wife describe you? You'd have to ask her. But I don't think she thinks I'm the strong, silent type in real life. I'm more of a nerd. I'm a fairly dorky sort of person. If I went around trying to smoulder at people in real life, they'd just laugh at me. Is she a fiery Italian to balance your repressed English side? They say opposites attract, but the truth is it's never that simple. Not all Italians are fiery and not all Englishmen are repressed. But it was love at first sight for me. I immediately felt she was amazing, and it was very quick. It was instinctive, inexplicable, and I've never looked back. Have you ever hit a Bridget Jones type of low point in your life? Not in my career, but personally, absolutely. I've had my heart broken. I met Livia when I was 35, so it was late, but I never worried about being alone. Did you and the rest of the cast slip back easily into the roles from Bridget Jones? No, it was quite difficult. I think people expected us all just to pick up where we'd left off, but I've done quite a bit of stuff since, including Love Actually. It's one thing revisiting a role, but it's another thing revisiting a role that everyone knows. I was playing a guy who was out there in the public consciousness, and my first day back on the set was out in public in London. So to walk onto a London street dressed as a familiar character in front of 200 people, including paparazzi, was a bit like doing some variety version of what I'd already done. It was very odd. Here we are, Mark Darcy - The Live Show! We're taking Bridget on the road! Is Renee Zellweger as quirky in real life as she seems? Quirky? I don't know. I'm used to her and very fond of her and she's a real individual. I've only ever met her with an English accent. I've never met the girl from Texas. She does talk about home sometimes, but it's always in an English accent, so it's bizarre to hear her talk about lassooing mustangs and going to the rodeo when she sounds like she's from Croydon. Did she want you to join her doughnut diet? I'd join that diet any day. Hugh and I just gaze enviously at her as she sits and stuffs herself. One of the most bizarre sights is watching Renee - this young, very attractive Hollywood star - downing pint after pint of Guinness. It's not something you see very often. Hugh and I dropped the idea of dietin"}, {"response": 1344, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (08:48)", "body": "baby Mateo I thought it was 2 T's. If it's one, I can see why Katie Couric pronounced it wrong. That would have been a valid pronunciation. (CF) Have you ever hit a Bridget Jones type of low point in your life? Not in my career, but personally, absolutely. Ahem, PM? ;-) Cute comments about Renee and HG."}, {"response": 1345, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (09:47)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1346, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (09:49)", "body": "Thanks for finding the 10 page interview, Maria. It's really a hoot, as there's an incredible amount of subjectivity in it for a biography. The picture seems v. Locarno to me. He did look v. yummy that day. (Hoyle-FT) the film is sleekly machine-tooled for American consumption. Ah, yes, the cornerstone of British film critcism, which ignores the fact that the British movie-going public are willing consumers of such fare, as evidenced by the box office stats. (Mackay-Scotsman) Michael Parkinson appears, unconvincingly, as himself. ROTFLOL! Feelgood? I almost ate my arm. So, they're chaining them to the screening room seats now? ;-) (Firth) I think I said that before becoming a father. I didn't find it frightening after I became one. I think I just found it distasteful. It didn't appeal to me, that's all. Does this make any sense to anyone: \"After\" he became a father, he found it distasteful? Then he goes on to talk about how important it all is. Thanks, Gina, for the heads up on the Daily Mail interview. I'm told there's something in today's Evening Standard too."}, {"response": 1347, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (10:03)", "body": "(Firth)I think I just found it distasteful. It didn't appeal to me, that's all. I'm sure I've read previously that this was his opinion before having children of his own. - Sometimes he just doesn't explain himself too well!! (KarenR)Now don't you think this makes him look...squishier? ;-) -Just the way I like him!! BTW, can I just say again how wonderful the posts, links, articles have been these past few weeks. Thanks to everyone for their input."}, {"response": 1348, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (10:21)", "body": "Jennie has sent me the picture from the Daily Mail; it accompanies the article: http://www.firth.com/articles/03dailymail_1120.html Pic is from the London FF gala for GWAPE"}, {"response": 1349, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (10:26)", "body": "(Janet) Sometimes he just doesn't explain himself too well!! Or the writer doesn't know how to write. ;-)"}, {"response": 1350, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (10:32)", "body": "Being a father is more like passionate love than I'd imagined. You have the same sense of being on the brink of being out of control, and of utter euphoria He does have a way with words. Empire has a mention of the Daily Mail article: http://www.empireonline.co.uk/news/news.asp?story=5180 That's Mr. Sex God, thank you very much! I think this one will be widely quoted."}, {"response": 1351, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (10:48)", "body": "Hi, there. Long time no post. ;-) Just back home from a special preview of LA. I must say that I quite like the movie. Great stories, wonderful actors. Sweet Christmas pudding? Maybe. Insufferable? Certainly not. ODB's story is so sweet that I guess he must hate it a lot! :-P So, in case there are lurkers from Hong Kong here, I heard that LA will be opened in early December. Don't miss it!"}, {"response": 1352, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (10:50)", "body": "It's a small world department. My daughter's best friend's mother-in-law sent this e-mail to her the other day with a picture: \"Yes that is me. Yes that is Colin Firth. Universal had a screening for the new movie that included a Q&A. I found it online on a conference that Mrs. Murphy contributes a lot to [ed note: not enough, however] . I signed up and they held the tickets for me. It was a small venue and the group that attended was only interested in Scarlet. He was quite generous with his time and told the woman gesturing on the left that he would sign everything for his fans. During the Q&A I asked him a question that set off a heated debate and he spoke to me for about 5 minutes, gesturing and mugging and telling an anecdote. Needless to say it was exciting. Hi! to \"P\" if she is visiting - Murph"}, {"response": 1353, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (11:04)", "body": "Pauline has sent me the full set and I'll eventually get them up. Sorry to be so inefficient, ladies. :-("}, {"response": 1354, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (12:00)", "body": "Really good article from The Weekend Australian magazine, with tons of new quotes and info. My favs have to be: \"I find it quite extraordinary how much more famous he is than most other people, when it comes to our profession,\" he remarks. \"I went to Los Angeles to do publicity for Bridget I, and I don't know if I have ever felt quite so invisible. Coming out of the airport with Hugh, going through all the red tape and immigration and so on - everybody knew him. Any by the time we arrived at the hotel, the VIP treatment he got at the expense of absolutely everybody else around - I mean, I could have lain bleeding on the carpet, and they would have stepped over me to help him with his bag.\" Indeed, quite a lot of people would leap at the opportunity to punch Grant, push him into a cake and throw him through a window, as Firth did in Bridget Jones. Decking Grant was something, he admits wickedly, \"I have been wanting to do for years\" Now, this is good stuff! Leno or Letterman-calibre anecdotal material. He believes there is \"something wrong\" with spending months being someone else. \"I think actors are essentially juvenile. There is a retarding element to the job, and I also think that it is very difficult to do it brilliantly unless your ego is somewhat fractured. I think you have got to be a little unstable, probably. If you are very grounded, and have got a very firm sense of who you are, how do you tip up the balance in order to be someone else, and then go back to this firm, grounded person? I don't really think it is possible. There have got to be some screws loose somewhere.\" Lots of philosophizing here and some far better conclusions than I've heard from him. This is the same writer from the April Women's Weekly and she has a particularly good way with him IMO. Article is up now: http://www.firth.com/articles/03weekendaus_1115.html"}, {"response": 1355, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (12:52)", "body": "Thank you Gina for the Daily Mail heads up and Maria for the article! (ODB on fatherhood) Great, wonderful, I couldn't be happier. I don't know where we're going to stop, but there are definitely times when one two-year-old can be quite enough! Ohhhh...more baby Firths?? There can't be too many of those genes floating around. Want them to have a girl. Karen...!!! Thanks! Great article...loads of interesting tidbits (those you listed above are fantastic). Liked this bit too (LOL!): There is a certain uptight dignity about him that is just begging to be moistened I beg for him to be moist all the time! Glad to see I'm not alone! LOL! And looks like he wears the glasses for affect more and more ;-) : With short hair and wearing severe black glasses Like the vision of him grappling with a huge sandwich while giving this interview... Thanks again! Too many good bits to quote. That one's a keeper! ;-)"}, {"response": 1356, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (13:22)", "body": "(Tress)Ohhhh...more baby Firths?? There can't be too many of those genes floating around. Want them to have a girl. LOL! I just knew you would love this. (Tress)Thanks again! Too many good bits to quote. That one's a keeper! ;-) Ditto! Great article but what was the interiewer wearing? Mini skirt? Boots? This one is definitely a member of the cult.;-)"}, {"response": 1357, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (13:45)", "body": "(Bee) Great article but what was the interiewer wearing? Mini skirt? Boots? ROTFL...now that you mention it...I feel a bit lost. What was she wearing? And I want to know what she was eating! And was she cold and grumpy? She seemed smitten, but that's not important...was she wearing heels that killed her feet or comfy shoes? Did ODB stand her up three times before this interview (now that is a flight! Australia to UK....that Edinburgh puddle jumper is nothin' to that!)? ;-)"}, {"response": 1358, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (14:42)", "body": "Tress's NY pics are up; thought I'd immortalize someone else. ;-) http://www.firth.com/love_gal_nyprem2.html"}, {"response": 1359, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (14:58)", "body": "Thanks for the article and photos and all! I saw a Scarlett interview in the Oct. issue of Dazed and Confused today. I think I would've remembered reading this before, but if not, excusez-moi! SJ: \"What's a movie set without some pranks? Colin Firth and I had a drawing war. By the end of the shoot, the make-up trailer was filled with insult drawings. His favorite drawing is of me as a hard-boiled egg....I drew Colin as an oompa loompa. It was a very rude drawing.\" Use your imagination ;-)"}, {"response": 1360, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (15:06)", "body": "I'm a little Dazed and Confused by how juvenile she is. She has a long way to go before she could direct a film herself...unless maybe someone explained it to her. ;-)"}, {"response": 1361, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (15:07)", "body": "Gina, Maria T & Karen - Thanks for the articles & Updates . . . Gina - Let us know if you see ODB around the park . .perhaps go incognito as nanny pushing a pram? If he's a sucker for kids . .there's one way to meet him;) My fav from the Weekend Australia article: There is a certain uptight diginity about him that is just begging to be moistened, fully dressed if possible, for maximum effect. Something about those lines just hits spot on .makes me laugh ( sigh) had a rough day of auditoning . .needed a good pick me up . .and doesn't Colin always do it!"}, {"response": 1362, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (15:24)", "body": "(Karen)Vinnie watching one particular fan like a hawk... ROTF Karen! Vinnie da Gate..."}, {"response": 1363, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (15:34)", "body": "Yeah, I should probably adjust the color of the pictures because she shows up as wearing pink, when I've been told it really was salmon. LOL!!"}, {"response": 1364, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (15:36)", "body": "(Karen) I'm a little Dazed and Confused by how juvenile she is. LOL..but she's only 18! ODB is drawing with her and he's 43 (wonder if they used crayons or colored pencils...LOL)! I quite like the idea of exchanging pervy drawings with Colin...and I'd pay 'ready money' for one of the drawings he had done of Scarlet as an egg (some make-up woman...somewhere...has quite a treasure!). ;-) Good to see \"Vinnie\" getting some recognition! LOL! He had a few stressful moments on the carpet!"}, {"response": 1365, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (15:47)", "body": "(Karen)Vinnie watching one particular fan like a hawk... I found Vinnie to be particularly inattentive to our end, even when trying to get his attention. Guess he was otherwise engaged. ;-) (article) Better in person than on the screen Even she agrees. :-) And who among us can forget his graceful swan dive into the pond in Pride and Prejudice in tight white breeches? A pond, he says now, that was full of indignant frogs and nasty pond stuff:\ufffd It was very, very filthy and unhygienic.\ufffd Of course, she edited out the part mentioning the poor stuntman who did have to jump in that slop. ;-) Firth was relaxed, amusing, giggly..... I\ufffdd pay ready money to see him giggly. Bet it\ufffds too adorable. When Firth met his wife.....she.....greeted the news that he is a sex symbol in Britain with incredulous laughter. \ufffdWell she found it incredibly unlikely.....\ufffd Yeah, I\ufffdd rush right out and marry her, too. ;-) This statement always gets me Although he is best known for romantic comedy, he likes a departure into drama..... So do we! Any other ships we can help to turn around? ;-) Tress thanks for your pics, too!"}, {"response": 1366, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (15:48)", "body": "The fun never stops! (Wahoooo!) LOVE ACTUALLY Q&A WITH COLIN FIRTH Movie Feature by Martyn Palmer In the weeks leading up to the start of filming on LOVE ACTUALLY, Colin Firth was having panic attacks and sleepless nights. Not, you understand that the undeniably talented and extremely experienced Colin was over concerned about his role, in this case playing a heartbroken writer, Jamie, who seeks refuge in the south of France. No, that bit was fine. Nor indeed, was he troubled about the quality of the script, which was, he says, \ufffdjust fantastic.\ufffd No, he was actually worried on behalf of Richard Curtis, the man who had written LOVE ACTUALLY, and for the first time, would be directing it, too. \ufffdI was first on the schedule and just before we started I had panic attacks and actually woke up in the middle of the night thinking: How is he going to do this? How will he cope? He\ufffds got ten or fifteen stories, some very famous actors and he\ufffds going to jump in for the first time in his life and orchestrate all of that. It seemed to be an absolutely overwhelming task.\ufffd In fact, \ufffdCurtis did very well indeed,\ufffd says Firth. \ufffdHe was extremely upbeat, very cheerful and he expressed a lot of enjoyment in the process. And he\ufffds far too intelligent to pretend he knows things he doesn\ufffdt which is something you do find with first time directors, quite understandably, when they feel the need to prove they have done their homework and yet it is very hard to have covered everything before you start.\ufffd \ufffdRichard, on the other hand, clearly had done a massive amount of homework and quite honestly, a lot of what is required for the job he already had done. He\ufffds a formidable storyteller. He has sat on film sets and watched his work unfold. It would be incredibly hard for anyone who has never made a film before to have any more experience than that.\ufffd Colin joined an all star British and American cast for LOVE ACTUALLY - Hugh Grant as a bachelor Prime Minister who falls for his Downing Street tea lady (Martine McCutcheon), Billy Bob Thornton as a hard-line American president with an eye for the ladies, Liam Neeson as a grief stricken father worried about how his young son is coping, Alan Rickman as a happily married man who is tempted by a young, beautiful colleague, Laura Linney, who is secretly in love with a handsome young man and at the same time, devoting much of her spare time to caring for her mentally disabled brother. And many more besides. The film tackles love in all it\ufffds glory and all it\ufffds heartbreakingly sad and funny guises. Colin, 43, is one of Britain's best known actors. He starred alongside Renee Zellweger in the hit comedy BRIDGET JONES\ufffdS DIARY, playing Mark Darcy the man who rivals Hugh Grant for Bridget\ufffds affections, and is currently filming the sequel. His first big break came playing another D\ufffdArcy - in the highly acclaimed BBC adaptation of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE which won him a BAFTA nomination. Colin's numerous other films include THE ENGLISH PATIENT, FEVER PITCH, CIRCLE OF FRIENDS, MY LIFE SO FAR and PLAYMAKER. He was recently seen in the comedy, WHAT A GIRL WANTS and will be on screen in the eagerly awaited GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING soon. Colin lives in London with his family. He is a talented writer and contributed to a collection of stories collated by the author Nick Hornby. Have you seen any of LOVE ACTUALLY? Yes. I think it works fantastically well. As far as I\ufffdm aware Richard as something like a 100 per cent strike rate with everything he has done and you just can\ufffdt believe he has pulled it off again with such an ambitious project. Although with LOVE ACTUALLY he had to step up a gear, directing for the first time? Yes, he did. I was first in on the schedule - it started with three weeks of my stuff. And just before we left for France I had a panic attack on his behalf and woke up in the middle of the night. I actually thought, \ufffdhow is he going to do this? How will he cope?\ufffd He\ufffds got ten or fifteen stories, some very famous actors and he is going to jump in for the first time in his life and orchestrate all of that. It seemed to be an absolutely overwhelming task and the read through seemed like a premiere or a night at the Groucho Club or something - limos, I was expecting bodyguards with earpieces (laughs). He could have taken any one of these stories and developed them into a feature film on their own. In fact, I\ufffdm led to believe that they were all stories that he had been toying with as full-length stories. And it\ufffds as if he has put them all into one and left himself with a clean slate. When did you first hear about it? There were rumours about it before it became definite. I remember by January (2002) hearing about this thing because there was a reading of the script which I had been invited to participate in but I wasn\ufffdt able to be there. There was quite a buzz about the existence of this thing for a long time and you know a lot of talk about it, who may or may not be in it, and who may or may not play which"}, {"response": 1367, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (16:19)", "body": "(article) There is a certain uptight dignity about him that is just begging to be moistened (Tress) I beg for him to be moist all the time! Glad to see I'm not alone! LOL! I'm right there with ya! I really like this writer! :-) And looks like he wears the glasses for affect more and more ;-) I think this interview was done the day of the Dorchester Hotel press conference that had those pics with him in those glasses that seemed to stimulate the Great Glasses Debate of 2003. ;-D (Tress) I'd pay 'ready money'.... (Me) I\ufffdd pay ready money... Great minds.... ;-)"}, {"response": 1368, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (16:30)", "body": "Maira - Thanks for posting the Q&A article . .very nice. Colin Firth was having panic attacks and sleepless nights. Not, you understand that the undeniably talented and extremely experienced Colin was over concerned about his role, in this case playing a heartbroken writer, Jamie, who seeks refuge in the south of France. No, that bit was fine. Nor indeed, was he troubled about the quality of the script, which was, he says, \ufffdjust fantastic.\ufffd No, he was actually worried on behalf of Richard Curtis, the man who had written LOVE ACTUALLY, and for the first time, would be directing it, too. In a way . .that was nice that he was so concerned for RC's first directorial debut . .a shame he had panic attacks about it though . .but you wonder how many actors out there now really truly care that much about a project they work on . . .again, another side of ODB I do admire him for (that and his strong family/fatherly values! as well as his acting!)"}, {"response": 1369, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (16:33)", "body": "And looks like he wears the glasses for affect more and more ;-) (Dorine) I think this interview was done the day of the Dorchester Hotel press conference that had those pics with him in those glasses that seemed to stimulate the Great Glasses Debate of 2003. ;-D I gotta say I do like him with the glasses . .something about them makes him appear academic and adorable all at the same time . .and for me, an intelligent man is EXTREMELY sexy . . ."}, {"response": 1370, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (16:57)", "body": "\"and that if he needs advice about work he talks to his wife. \"She is the smartest person on Earth.\" Fergit R-rated role. *insert red fingernail*"}, {"response": 1371, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (19:15)", "body": "(Colin Firth in today's London Evening Standard will ensure that women everywhere are loosening their stays and calling for smelling salts Trust me, if I'm loosening my stays, I won't be calling for smelling salts;-) (CF)I went to Los Angeles to do publicity for Bridget I, and I don't know if I have ever felt quite so invisible Ah, the VH1 Cast Party... There are so many of you to thank, tonight. The articles are great and so full of new quotes and things. Mari thanks for the reviews, Karen for articles and pictures. Vinn-ie, Vinn-ie, He's our man, well not really, but he was a doll."}, {"response": 1372, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (20:02)", "body": "When Firth met his wife.....she.....greeted the news that he is a sex symbol in Britain with incredulous laughter. \ufffdWell she found it incredibly unlikely.....\ufffd Ok, I don't want to be an apologist here but let me be an apologist here...;-) Let's get the time frame right... He met her doing Nostromo. Who among us went or would have gone bonkers over Charles Gould without a Darcy or Valmont whetting? Remember those little horses he was riding around on? His feet almost scraped the ground fer cryin out loud. His character was almost as repressed as Adrian LeDuc in that one, though I did like the shag in the mine. If I was not already smitten I would not have found him that attractive. He did mention that the first film the I'dies (as I'talians are called in Indiana;-)) saw him in was CoFs. A veritable sleeze in that one. I unknowingly hated his character in that one myself. Great acting but a skeeve. So I think that her leap of heart might just be admired. For a prize she got the lovely Matthew Field and perhaps that interlude in France resulted in lovely enough memories to name a son Mateo. Ok, I'm sure I lost Evelyn here but I just had to express my thoughts."}, {"response": 1373, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (21:07)", "body": "Telegraph review: Romantic comedy? No, on both counts The stars are out in force in Richard Curtis's Love Actually, but they can't save a film that fights shy of real emotion, says Sukhdev Sandhu Love? Actually, no. More like disappointment, and, at times, hatred. I wanted so much to love Richard Curtis's directorial debut, expected to love it too. Yet, even though its makers would have us believe we're curmudgeons if we don't grin and lap up the film, it really is a stale and contrived letdown. A sense of fairness compelled me to see it again last weekend at a cinema packed out by what seems to be its target audience: Anglophile Americans. It was more bearable, but not by much. Don't get me wrong. Romantic comedies are my very favourite type of film. Nothing beats going \ufffd deux to see Annie Hall. Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and Bridget Jones's Diary, while not in that league, were \ufffd and are \ufffd hugely enjoyable. Curtis created career-defining roles for the likes of Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts. The glossy, germ-free fantasy of England he fashioned was as lovable as that in early Britpop records. His movies, for all their fondness for stammering self-deprecation, seemed confident and wonderfully fresh. Not this time. Love Actually is smaller than the sum of its parts, many of which have been lifted straight out of Curtis's earlier films: the mad, show-stopping dash across London; the disabled relative; the strategic and showy use of profanities; the belief that all human emotion \ufffd happiness, anger, sadness \ufffd has to take place on the banks of the Thames or with a whopping grand view of St Paul's in the background. Stylistic tics have begun to curdle into clich\ufffds. The stars are out in force here. All of them falling in, and sometimes a little out, of love. At Christmas time too. Hugh Grant plays a prime minister smitten by his tea lady (Martine McCutcheon); Colin Firth is a cuckolded novelist who retreats to France where he is charmed by his Portuguese maid; Emma Thompson discovers that her husband (Alan Rickman) has a thing for his sultry secretary. And so on. So much talent. So little chance to use it. The film resembles a VIP club, swarming with celebrities who have turned up as much to be seen as actually to have a good time there. By cramming so many characters into his story, Curtis reduces all but a handful to caricatures. He also lops off the possibility of them evolving through the course of the film. The end result is like a \"Stars on 45\" medley: it promises to be a bonanza-blitz of the best choruses of your favourite songs, but it rips away those intros that gave depth and weight to their unmanacled joy. It's the newer faces, many imported from television, that offer the greatest pleasures. Gregor Fisher as the doting manager of Bill Nighy, a foul-mouthed has-been rocker who is trying to revive his career. Martin Freeman, from The Office, as a mild-mannered porn actor who falls for his equally sweet co-star; Andrew Lincoln, from This Life and Teachers, gives a performance that at times recalls John Cusack. Yet it's the storyline he's involved in, or more precisely the lack of one, that exemplifies this film's failures. He's the best man at the wedding of Chiwetel Ejiofor to Keira Knightley, a couple who show no chemistry whatsoever, and who seem to have been cast on the basis of their box-office successes and Curtis's desire to appease those critics who slated Notting Hill for being too monocultural. It turns out that Lincoln has always secretly loved her. Why that might be is unclear as, her mouth permanently ajar like a snooker pocket, she displays zero personality. Finally he proclaims his love, using Dylan-style placards. Then \ufffd nothing: we hop back to another segment of the film. All we're left with is a very showy and exaggerated declaration that love is very important, but no real sense of how it works, how it hurts, how it may change people. The glibness of the dramatic treatment undermines the film's central theme and renders it hollow. Glibness is all around. At the start of Love Actually a voiceover from Hugh Grant (speaking in his prime ministerial capacity?) invokes the attacks on the World Trade Centre. It's an incredible moment of chutzpah, a grotesque piece of emotional blackmail that seeks to enlist the thousands of men and women who died on September 11 as part of the back-story for this lightweight froth. This eruption of reality also means that Curtis can't excuse its more flimsy and ludicrous elements by claiming it's just a fantasy. \"Very romantic. Very comedy\" read some of the posters for the film that have been plastered over every bus shelter in the country. How strange to advertise a movie on the basis of the strictness to which it adheres to a formula. Scrappily edited and flatly directed, it actually disobeys some of the cardinal rules of romantic comedies. Its multiple storylines mean that the characters aren't afforded enough time to veer away from each othe"}, {"response": 1374, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (21:14)", "body": "The Mirror's review: ALL YOU NEED IS LOVELOVE Nov 21 2003 INTELLECTUAL, thought-provoking, ground breaking, incisive, courageously different, fascinating... Actually, Richard Curtis's much talked about movie of the moment is none of these things. Throughout most of the ridiculously unrealistic action I felt as though my heart strings were being played like a fiddle in tune with a succession of demeaning insults to what I like to call \"my intelligence\". But while this blatant brain candy doesn't tax the grey matter, Curtis - directing his own screenplay for the first time - has delivered the perfect feelgood film for Christmas. There's no denying that Mr Curtis's characteristic symphony of saccharine and sentimentality is a brilliantly conceived commercial product. And, even if you're the worst kind of bah humbug Scrooge (me!), get ready to wallow in a warm bath drawn from the milk of human kindness. Trust me, it's very difficult to resist a film brimming with remarkable charm. I tried - and failed. Chronicling nine separate love stories as they reach festive fruition during the season of goodwill, this skilfully woven romantic tapestry adds up to an It's A Wonderful Life for the 21st century. Those seeking gritty realism should, at all costs, avoid what amounts to a shameless two-hour-and-15-minute flight of fantasy. But what the hell. We're in CURTISWORLD - a forget-all-your-worries theme park in which misery doesn't exist, there are stripped pine floorboards and brightly coloured front doors for all, and everybody has a groovy job in fashionably decorated offices where they play pop music. So, leave your cynicism behind and just pretend that not only is the Prime Minister a profoundly handsome bachelor - but also that he's fallen head over heels for the down-to-earth charms of his Downing Street cleaning lady. Hugh Grant and Martine McCutcheon turn this absurd little sub-plot into a hugely entertaining upstairs-downstairs romp. Although, it must also be pointed out, that extreme Cockney McCutcheon is a limited actress who looks too much like a dumpy garden gnome to stand even an outside chance of succeeding in her ambition to make the grade in Hollywood. If you like unlikely, you'll adore the scene in which Premier Grant tells Billy Bob Thornton's visiting US President that he's a domineering dictator and that Britain is no longer prepared to play the poodle. As if! Cleaning ladies loom large in this convivial conceit as Colin Firth, playing a pulp fiction crime writer, also flips for his comely maid - this one, in an extraordinary twist, Portuguese. Widower Liam Neeson's tear-jerking relationship with his weird looking step-son is magnificently implausible. What grown man would take a 10-year-old kid to the airport and encourage him to break through security so that he can declare his undying love for a similarly pre-pubescent little girl? September 11? Never heard of it. And, instead of kissing up to her husband's best friend after he declares his secret passion, Keira Knightley should have recognised him as a dangerously deranged stalker and gone to the courts for a restraining order. In the only cautionary tale, Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman play parents whose happy family hits crisis point when he flirts with his mini-skirted office PA and buys her a stunning gold necklace. The domestic dispute is not resolved. Even though, naturally, Curtis couldn't quite bring Rickman's character to actually commit adultery. In CURTISWORLD impure thoughts are quite enough, thank you. I roared with laughter at the sheer hypocrisy of Emma's interviews in which she railed against how awfully commercial Christmas has become in these modern and venal times. Well honey, if you believe the spirit of capitalism is ruining the spirit of the season here's an idea - DON'T STAR IN FILMS LIKE LOVE ACTUALLY! In any case, the real star of the entire heart-warming production is the fabulous Bill Nighy who is hilarious as a drug addled old rock star on the comeback trail hoping to top the Yuletide charts. Way to go Bill for the funniest film performance of the year. There's a sense here that the audience is being emotionally manipulated. I felt at times that I was drowning under a tidal wave of nonsensical fairytale silliness. But it would be a mistake to take Curtis's lightweight fluff too seriously. Just pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and enjoy a super slice of all-out escapism that will be as popular with families as it will with dating couples. Actually, I'm certain you'll love it."}, {"response": 1375, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (21:18)", "body": "Peter Bradshaw Friday November 21, 2003 The Guardian 2 out of 5 stars Love Actually: this isn't the conlusion Peter Bradshaw came to So here it is at last, after the traditional ruthlessly orchestrated PR crescendo of interviews and photo-ops: Richard Curtis's seasonal feelgood comedy, all done up in red ribbon like a Christmas present. Leaving the cinema, the question that occurred to me, along with Are there no workhouses? and You'll want the whole day tomorrow, I suppose, Cratchit? was this. Does Mr Curtis have special screenwriting software to produce this sort of thing? Using a Q-tip and bodily fluid, he must have impregnated a disk of the Final Draft programme with his DNA, so that all he has to do is type, say, control-shift-NUPTIALS, to get a complete quirky-yet-touching wedding scene. Or maybe control-shift-PRESSCONF, and we get one of his press conferences with a coded public declaration of love. Perhaps apple-control-SIBLING generates a scene with a trademark disabled sibling or loved one, or maybe he just types alt-ROMCOM and the entire movie comes chuntering out of the printer, while Curtis slopes off to watch the rugby on t levision. Well, you could do worse, and Love Actually is put together with professionalism and care. It's a multi-strand comedy with eight or nine interwoven little storylines - Curtis's first film in the director's chair. Hugh Grant plays a stammering fortysomething who is the first bachelor to become prime minister since Edward Heath. He falls in love with his tea-girl, winningly played by Martine McCutcheon, who is, however, the only one bothered about making this whole situation believable; Grant himself looks at both Martine and files marked \"Treasury\" with the suppressed quizzical smirk of an actor who is clearly going to burst out laughing the moment he hears \"Cut!\" At any rate, both his gallantry and his patriotism are tested when a visiting American president, played by the always charismatic Billy Bob Thornton, makes Clintonian advances to our Martine. As for the rest, there's just too much to describe: an array of chocolate-covered, bite-sized, softcentred mini-plots, a Cadbury's Cameo Selection of stars. And overseeing them all, like a raddled old good-ish fairy, is Bill Nighy, playing a superannuated rocker hoping to get a Christmas number one with his cynically repackaged version of Love Is All Around. The good news about Love Actually is that Nighy is barnstormingly brilliant: hilarious in every scene with a cracker of a laugh in every line. His performance, full of twitches, flinches and naughty-boy grins, is pitch-perfect. And his final mumbling declaration of non-sexual love for his manager, played by Gregor Fisher, interspersed with embarrassed air guitar arm-movements, is the funniest and sweetest thing I've seen on screen all year. The bad news is that everything else is rubbish. Well, not all of it, and not total rubbish, but none of the little plots is all that funny or humanly convincing and none has room to breathe or develop. Nothing has the dramatic punch of the aborted Duck-Face marriage in Four Weddings or the real poignancy of Julia Roberts being turned down by a heartsick Grant in Notting Hill. Here, each pseudo-story seems to cut straight from the premise to its unearned euphoric resolution, with no narrative dimension whatever. No sooner have we been introduced to the characters than it's time for the big declaration of love in a public place, or the big rush to the airport. \"We'll go to the airport!\" says someone to a London taxi driver. \"I know a shortcut!\" Sure you do. This whole movie is shortcuts, but not like Robert Altman. It's more like watching a 135-minute trailer for a film called \"Love Actually\". Talking of that \"shortcut\" to Heathrow, there's the much-discussed question of what planet Richard Curtis characters are from. Like Ford Prefect in The Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy, they may be aliens posing as Brit Humanoids, but giving themselves away though little slips. They have a special weird way of swearing. \"Fuck-wank-bugger-stinking-arse-head'n'hole!\" shouts Bill Nighy - funnily, but very, very eccentrically. Martine McCutcheon actually says: \"Oh - piss it!\" which nobody has ever said in real life. The strangest Curtis replicant is that adorable little boy who plays the stepson of Liam Neeson, recently widowed. What a dark-eyed, frizzy-haired cutester he is. I am prepared to accept that he is chirpily and heartwarmingly courageous about the death of his mum. Fine. But don't tell me he's a carbon-based Earth life form. I don't think I have been so blood-freezingly afraid of any alleged child since those kids in The Village of the Damned. There are a few more things to write home about in Love Actually, actually. Emma Thompson has a nice moment as Alan Rickman's wronged wife, slipping away from the family celebrations to control her secret tears by the marital bed. Hugh Grant is always good value, and Martin Freeman and Joan"}, {"response": 1376, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (21:21)", "body": "The Independent's review: Love Actually (15) Reviewed by Anthony Quinn There is a moment early on in Richard Curtis's Love Actually which encapsulates both why his brand of feel-good romantic comedy will have them queuing from here to Christmas, but also why it sticks in the craw of non-believers. We are at a wedding (there will also be a funeral - welcome to Curtisworld) as the happy couple, their vows complete, take their first steps down the aisle as man and wife. Suddenly, a singer appears in the choirloft to begin a rousing version of \"All You Need Is Love\"; then a row of horn players pop up from behind a pew, matched by a row of violinists on the other side of the church. Then a guitarist launches into a solo. Even though it is more like a scene that would end a film rather than begin it, Curtis seems to be getting away with the euphoria when his camera turns back to the altar to catch the priest high-fiving the best man. That is the moment I thought: \"Oh no.\" The problem is one of knowing when to say enough. Richard Curtis, unfortunately, cannot look at a pudding without overegging it. The warbling soloist is acceptable; the hidden orchestra is pushing it; but that high-five tips the whole confection into a realm of touchy-feely inclusiveness that one simply never trusts. According to Curtis, his partner Emma Freud happens to be his sternest editor and will mark even the favourite passages in his script with NBG (No Bloody Good) and CDB (Could Do Better). One can only wonder at how the script of Love Actually read before she got a look at it. The absurd overcrowding of its ensemble structure is the most obvious sign of his inability to see that less is more. Of the nine stories that constitute its length, three, maybe three and a half, are fine; the rest range between sketchy, schmaltzy and plain inadequate. The film opens with its main character, the youngish bachelor prime minister (Hugh Grant), reflecting that the world is not a place of hatred but of love, actually, and invites us to look at a montage of people happily embracing one another at an airport arrival gate. Even the last phone-calls from the doomed of September 11, as he reminds us, were messages of love (a risky reference in the circumstances). But is it actually love that is being celebrated in these vignettes? What the best man (Andrew Lincoln) feels for newlywed Juliet (Keira Knightley) is surely a romantic infatuation, so too Colin Firth's cuckolded writer for the Portuguese housemaid to whom he scarcely talks. The bug-eyed bozo (Kris Marshall) who flies to Milwaukee in search of American girls is purely inspired by a need to get laid: lust, actually. Another sliver of a story turns lust inside out, so to speak, as Martin Freeman (Tim from The Office) and an improbably sweet-faced girl (Joanna Page) literally go through the motions as stand-ins on a porn flick. There is something winningly preposterous about these strangers cavorting naked beneath the arc lights (\"Could you fondle her breasts now?\" asks the director) while making polite chitchat about the traffic hell they encountered on the way to work that morning. Again, though, it is a sketch, a chucklesome squib about intimacy and embarrassment, not a dramatic insight into the mysteries of love. As for Liam Neeson's young stepson (Thomas Sangster) whining about his unrequited love for a top girl at school - \"the end of my life as I know it\" - please, he is 10 years old! A clip round the ear would surely be the wise parent's response. None of these small ardours is convincing, and in the case of Colin Firth being followed by a comedy French chorus line on his way to spring a marriage proposal, it is downright silly. The Curtis veterans fare better. PM Grant, falling head over heels for a perky secretary (Martine McCutcheon), still contrives to make his stuttering self-deprecation endearing. Audiences will enjoy his staircase jive to The Pointer Sisters \"Jump\", though I prefer the tiny moment of embarrassment when he greets McCutcheon with a chummy handwave and then walks on, quietly cringeing at his gaucherie (\"Pathetic!\"). Playing his sister, Emma Thompson also does sterling work as a wife pained by her drifting husband (Alan Rickman) but determined to show the world a brave face. Her stricken look when she realises his betrayal, and the private moments she takes to collect herself - dabbing her eyes, smoothing the coverlet on the bed - are a masterclass in restraint. That is something Laura Linney knows about, and it was presumably her fantastic performance in You Can Count On Me that persuaded Curtis to cast her as a Bridget-type singleton whose romance with the office Adonis is cruelly stalled by the importunate attentions of her schizophrenic brother. Here is a serious, albeit brief, consideration of what love actually can mean: looking after a sick relative when you would rather be having a life of your own. The film's wild card, and the best reason to see it, is Bill Ni"}, {"response": 1377, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (21:29)", "body": "(BeeDee) Ok, I'm sure I lost Evelyn here but I just had to express my thoughts. BeeDee, I'm sure you didn't, and thank you for expressing your thoughts that I happen to fully agree with. :-) Ladies, thank you for the great articles, they are some of the best I've read in a long time. They were a joy to read, and I was quite surprised how comfortable Colin seemed to talk about things he rarely talks about. Also thank you for the pics, we can never have enough of those. :-)Great job, all of you!"}, {"response": 1378, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (22:04)", "body": "(Mari/Independent Review) Another sliver of a story turns lust inside out, so to speak, as Martin Freeman (Tim from The Office) and an improbably sweet-faced girl (Joanna Page) literally go through the motions as stand-ins on a porn flick. Did I fall into sleep during the screening or what? I didn't recall this story in the film at all! :-("}, {"response": 1379, "author": "lupa", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (23:06)", "body": "For Drooleurs in LA, Chicago (YEAHHHHHHHHH!!!), NY and SF, I got an email announcing free advance screenings of GWAPE *skreeee* i'm there i'm there! not much time to chat, but wanted to let everyone know that i am now indulging in fantasies of photo sessions with Sir Colin... *swoons, muttering 'the legs, the legs' over and over*"}, {"response": 1380, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (00:15)", "body": "LOVE ACTUALLY Q&A WITH COLIN FIRTH Movie Feature by Martyn Palmer This is interesting. The Q&A is copyright to UIP, so it's something they handed out, like in a presskit or something. The beginning is definitely written in PR style. Thanks Maria for all your finds. (CF) I just felt that it\ufffds very hard to question Richard really, when he has got it right so often. You can\ufffdt really bet against him. *kiss kiss* (CF) in fact I had strong suspicions that if they needed to cut anything mine would be the first to go (laughs). Didn't I say this? His character interacts the least with other characters and would be one of the easiers ones to go. (CF)I went to Los Angeles to do publicity for Bridget I, and I don't know if I have ever felt quite so invisible (Linda) Ah, the VH1 Cast Party... Was he there? ;-) And now the reviews... (Telegraph) \"Solid gold shit\" is how Bill Nighy describes his terrible, fakely cheerful attempt to beat those boy bands and reach number one at Christmas. I'm afraid I couldn't have put it better myself. Excellent choice for an ad blurb, even better than \"I wanted to vomit once or twice.\" (Mirror) INTELLECTUAL, thought-provoking, ground breaking, incisive, courageously different, fascinating...Actually, Richard Curtis's much talked about movie of the moment is none of these things Cockney McCutcheon is a limited actress who looks too much like a dumpy garden gnome LOL!! (BTW, garden gnomes are often the best parts of movies IMO) (Guardian) or maybe he just types alt-ROMCOM and the entire movie comes chuntering out of the printer what planet Richard Curtis characters are from...The strangest Curtis replicant is that adorable little boy...I don't think I have been so blood-freezingly afraid of any alleged child since those kids in The Village of the Damned. Too funny! So the answer is, with the exception of James Christopher from The Times, they've joined the feeding frenzy, but are resigned to the fact that people will flock to feel-good movies regardless. Thanks Mari for posting all the reviews. Such good late-night reading. :-)"}, {"response": 1381, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (08:04)", "body": "(Risa)skreeee* i'm there i'm there! Not fair!!!! .......... furiously checking bus schedules...that should scare her (Karen)(BTW, garden gnomes are often the best parts of movies IMO) I agree! Loved the gnome in The Full Monty;-)"}, {"response": 1382, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (08:26)", "body": "(Telegraph re:Keira Knightley)...\"her mouth permanently ajar like a snooker pocket, she displays zero personality.\" Couldn't have put it better, ROTF. I know some of their comments are obscene, but these guys write entertaining reviews.*still LOL \"Solid gold shit*. RC will rue the day he wrote that line. Thanks Mari."}, {"response": 1383, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (08:34)", "body": "Aishling says that the Daily Mail gave LA 5 out of 5 stars."}, {"response": 1384, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (08:43)", "body": "Arghh! A press conference but ODB wasn't there!! Hugh makes some very funny comments though and of course takes his digs at Colin... http://www.uip.se/loveactually/"}, {"response": 1385, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (09:20)", "body": "Thank you all for the interviews, clips, reviews and what have you. About Maria's latest find, if you didn't know before, you probably all know now that \"skratt\" is Swedish for \"laughing\". LA got reviewed in Danish tv this week as well. Not much news (not that I thought there would be). In an interview with RC and HG, RC calls it a \"chickflick\" and a \"d**kflick\"; lots of pretty girls. Another reviewer presented Colins clip like this: And now, The Wonderboy of British Film :-) (but he kept on babbling, how this was HG's movie. Made a top 3 of HG's movies with BJD on top.)"}, {"response": 1386, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (10:26)", "body": "(Evelyn)I know some of their comments are obscene, but these guys write entertaining reviews.*still LOL \"Solid gold shit*. My fave was the guy who wrote that RC must be useing rom com write-a-script-software. LOL! (Karen)Aishling says that the Daily Mail gave LA 5 out of 5 stars. Christopher Tookey likes this one?? Will wonders never cease. Can't wait to read it. What's Ev call him, Tookey bin Laden?;-) Maria! Two things: 1. How do you find all this stuff, and 2. Keep up the great work! Off to read some more."}, {"response": 1387, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (10:41)", "body": "The Sun's review: All Hugh need is love I DON\ufffdT know how Richard Curtis discovered his magic formula for cinema success \ufffd he is to the box office what Kylie is to the charts. While everyone else in the British film industry knocks out one turkey after another Curtis, aka The Man With The Golden Pen, can\ufffdt switch on his computer without having a hit. Four Weddings And A Funeral, Notting Hill, Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary \ufffd they have made hundreds of millions. But they could all become small beer compared to Love Actually \ufffd his latest cash cow (sorry, film), which he also directs. With Love Actually, Curtis goes into overdrive. The king of the Brit-rom-com is not content with just one love story \ufffd he has to write at least six. Here we have love in every conceivable form: First sight, unrequited, lost, impossible, first, married, falling in and even shallow love. The movie begins with a Hugh Grant voiceover as people hug and kiss at Heathrow arrivals lounge. The message is obvious \ufffd love is everywhere. This sets the tone of the movie as we are introduced to the various characters. There\ufffds Hugh Grant as a foppish PM more interested in sexing up his tea lady (Martine McCutcheon) than sensitive documents. Liam Neeson is a recently bereaved husband who has to look after his stepson suffering from the effects of his first crush at school. Keira Knightley plays a newlywed whose husband\ufffds best pal is in love with her. Colin Firth is a writer who, while on retreat in France, falls in love with his Portuguese cleaning lady. Emma Thompson is trying to save her listless marriage to Alan Rickman. Laura Linney seizes her opportunity to consolidate an office love affair. And Bill Nighy plays a seen it, done it ageing rock star making a gloriously shameless attack on the Christmas No1 spot. Their stories all come together and Christmas Eve provides the backdrop for the various conclusions. From anyone else, Love Actually would have you reaching for the sickbag but, as he well knows, Curtis can pull it off like no one else. A mixture of slick storytelling, good (if, in some cases, totally unbelievable) characterisation, gentle comedy and, above all, a series of sugary endings had me grinning from ear-to-ear like a loved-up teenager. It\ufffds not all happiness and light though \ufffd Curtis is canny enough to know that love doesn\ufffdt work all the time and drops a couple of hard luck stories in too. Love Actually pushes all the right buttons. Curtis makes films the whole family can sit down to watch, without having to worry that Granny might be offended. (My note: His granny must like simulated sex scenes and say f*ck a lot.;-) Love Actually \ufffd A Richard Curtis film. It does what it says on the tin. The Christmas movie of the year."}, {"response": 1388, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (11:04)", "body": "(Mirror) Curtis, aka The Man With The Golden Pen, can\ufffdt switch on his computer without having a hit. Plagiarizing Bradshaw, huh? ;-) Curtis makes films the whole family can sit down to watch, without having to worry that Granny might be offended. (My note: His granny must like simulated sex scenes and say f*ck a lot.;-) Not sure what the rating is in the UK, but I'd be willing to bet his Granny is over 15. ;-)"}, {"response": 1389, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (11:18)", "body": "Thank you Mari, Karen, Maria, Annette, Gina, and Tress (great photos of Vinnie and nice ones of Colin, too!)!!! (Mari)His granny must like simulated sex scenes and say f*ck a lot.;-) Pffft! LOL! (Beedee)Ok, I don't want to be an apologist here but let me be an apologist here...;-) Just don't apologize for being an apologist! Nicely written, Bee!"}, {"response": 1390, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (11:38)", "body": "Sorry to double post, but is this the review people were looking for? Love Actually Chris Tookey's Rating 10 / 10 Average Critics Rating 6.63 / 10 Film Details 2003, GB, C, 128, 15 Synopsis An incredibly large number of interconnecting love stories. Review Love Actually may not be perfection, but it is two and a quarter hours of cinematic delight. In terms of ambition, range and entertainment value, Richard Curtis's first film as writer-director can stand alongside the great romantic comedies - and it's the most heart-warming Christmas movie since It's A Wonderful Life. At least something good has come out of 9/11. Curtis establishes his Twin Towers-inspired theme in the opening moments, when he makes his alter ego, Hugh Grant, point out that, although fear and hatred sometimes appear to dominate our planet, the world is also full of love. When people knew they were about to die on September 11th, they didn't give vent to their hatred: they sent fond messages to their love ones. Love, as the song says, is all around. As if this isn't enough to enrage melancholics the world over, Curtis enlarges on his theme by depicting the extraordinary variety, versatility and virulence of love. He does that by intertwining 9 short stories and 22 leading characters, with a skill I haven't seen bettered in any movie. The technique and self-discipline are staggering. And the effect is magical. It's not often you can go to the cinema, look around at almost any point in the film, and see virtually the entire audience crying with joy. This New Zealander turned quintessential Englishman first made his name in international cinema with Four Weddings and a Funeral, and his achievements since have included Notting Hill and Bridget Jones's Diary. So it is no surprise to find Hugh Grant in the leading role. Once again at the peak of his powers, Grant plays a new, highly charismatic Prime Minister. He enters Downing Street unencumbered by Blairite blandness, smarminess or marriage. \"No nappies! No teenagers!\" he promises the domestic staff. \"No scary wife!\" He immediately, and inconveniently, falls for the Number 10 tea lady (Martine McCutcheon, showing us the Eliza Doolittle that most of us missed), but gets dispirited when he catches her being snogged by a visiting US President (Billy Bob Thornton, amusingly arrogant - and just a bit chilling - as a Clintonesque womaniser who takes British subservience too much for granted). Love finally gets the better of the PM, however, and he decides to track her down on Christmas Eve - and he doesn't want a cup of tea. December 24th is traditionally the moment when the year's Christmas Number One pop single is revealed, and one contender for this dubious accolade is clapped-out rock grandad Billy Mack (Bill Nighy), with an atrocious version of Love Is All Around, retitled Christmas Is All Around. This narrative strand charts the love-hate relationship between Billy and his long-suffering manager (Gregor Fisher). Nighy builds upon the hilarious character he played in Still Crazy: someone who's been there, done that, but can't remember much of it. This must be one of the funniest performances ever, and - were everyone else not so tremendous - he would steal the movie. There was scarcely a moment when Nighy was on screen that I was not weeping with laughter (and I've seen this movie twice). In a darker strand of the film, Laura Linney has wonderful warmth as a woman entering middle age but still too nervous to date the best-looking man in her office (Rodrigo Santoro). Besides, she has a family responsibility of her own, arising from a very different kind of love, and it keeps getting in the way of her \"love life\". The other tragic-comic story brings out arguably the finest performance in the film. Emma Thompson makes a triumphant return to the big screen as a middle-aged Wandsworth mum increasingly aware that her husband (Alan Rickman) is succumbing to the less than subtle advances of his gorgeous, predatory secretary (Heike Makatsch). Thompson is terrific, whether faking joy at her daughter getting the role of First Lobster in her school's Nativity play but unable to disguise her incredulity (\"There was more than one lobster present at the birth of Jesus?\") or dispensing sage advice to a male neighbour who's grieving for his wife (\"Nobody's ever going to shag you if you cry all the time\"). With comparatively little time on screen, she's as moving as she was in Howards End and Sense and Sensibility. If you don't have a tear in your eye when she gets her Christmas present, there's something wrong with you. I could also rhapsodise about the father-son strand, with Liam Neeson showing an unexpectedly light, charming touch as a widower resigned to a single life, unless of course Claudia Schiffer should suddenly become available, and coping with the sudden stroppiness of his 11 year-old stepson (played by a talented young newcomer, Thomas Sangster, who is Hugh Grant's real-life cousin). Unrequited lov"}, {"response": 1391, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (11:44)", "body": "Sorry, sorry, sorry... didn't grab it all, but then I thought this review of reviews was interesting too. ;-) PRO \ufffdEnough of Curtis' lovably crazed characters do succeed in finding love in all the unlikely places that you leave the theater with your heart humming happily. He has his dark - well, darkish - side under control. Which is to say that he is an Englishman, well practiced in masking pain and absurdity and descents into sheer goofiness with mannerly behavior, sly irony and stiff upper lips.\ufffd (Richard Schickel, TIME) \ufffdMovie reviewers who gush always sound like they're waging a shameless campaign to get themselves quoted in the ads, but I loved Love Actually and will happily recommend it to anyone who asks. It's a chick flick, to be sure, but men at a recent preview seemed to be having a pretty good time, too... As if a pointillist, Curtis keeps applying tiny dots of color to his canvas until he completes the whole. By the movie's end, you realize who's related or friends, and it simply adds another layer of richness to the proceedings... Christmas romantic comedies can be like holiday cookies with too many sweets folded into the batter. Love Actually, admittedly stuffed with perhaps two or four too many characters, is not the deepest, most prestigious or thoughtful movie out there, but it sure is enjoyable and uplifting. And some days, that's like a mysterious package under the tree, just waiting for you to remove the oversize bow and rip off the wrapping.\ufffd (Barbara Vancheri, PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE) \ufffdMovies like Love Actually are often made by jaded cynics preying on our shallowest feelings. One senses that Curtis is not a cynic but a congenital optimist who believes that, notwithstanding the evening news, love really is all around \ufffd or at least lurking by the arrivals gate at Heathrow airport. Love Actually is often banal, but it is not false, and even its willfully sunny creator will allow that love doesn\ufffdt conquer all. The truest, most affecting scenes come late in the movie, and they have nothing to do with resolution, and everything to do with renunciation.\ufffd (Ella Taylor, LA WEEKLY) \ufffdThe characters are too numerous to name and explain and there are many comic gems to discover. Unlike the troubled Le Divorce, Love Actually uses all the actors to their full potential. It is, actually, funny. You\ufffdll laugh, you\ufffdll cry, you\ufffdll swear it was better than CATS. Love Actually is a succinct, well-executed success. It was kind of amazing to watch so many stories be told so fluidly and so well \ufffd with none left dangling. Equal time is given to each plot thread in soap-opera fashion. Though here, each vignette is either touching or hilarious, often both. I could not spot any boring or unnecessary scenes.\ufffd (Rachel, Moviepie.com - indie film review) \ufffdYes, Love Actually is another romantic comedy, but distinguishes itself from the usual rom-com pack by being the first one this year worth seeing... Emotionally manipulative, but pleasantly so. It\ufffds impossible NOT to get caught up in these stories when Curtis and his movie are so obviously in love with well\ufffd love. There\ufffds happiness to be found in a movie unafraid to delve into both the bleak and beautiful aspects of romance and come out with a theme that brings all of that together.\ufffd (Filmhobbit.com) \ufffdThis is a movie about taking big chances (both hopeful and hopeless), about making big gestures to show our love, and about big, big feelings that may make us crazy and miserable but remind us that we are alive and why we are alive... Any movie that manages to include a child dressed as a Nativity lobster, a Bay City Rollers song played at a funeral, love-emergency lessons in both drums and Portugese, and Hugh Grant dancing through the halls of 10 Downing Street to the Pointer Sisters is worth seeing at least twice.\ufffd (Nell Minow, MOVIE MOM) \ufffdEpic in scope but intimate and funny at the same time, writer/director Richard Curtis' Love Actually is so filled to bursting with warmth, love and comedy that only one of the most talented of casts can do justice to a film that dares to tackle the subject of love, to define the undefinable.. There are two subplots that stand head and shoulders above the rest. In one, Billy Mack (Bill Nighy) is a curmudegonly ex-rocker whose latest Christmas album could be the comeback he needs or just another forgettable piece of shit. Nighy is, for all intents and purposes, the real star of the film as he possesses pitch perfect comic timing and imbues his character with a sense of what can only be described as belligerent brilliance. In another subplot, David (Liam Neeson) and Sam (Thomas Sangster) are father and stepson grieving over the loss of the one woman that mattered most to both of them - the boy's mother Joanna. Soon after, David reveals to his stepfather that he has a crush on the most popular girl at school a d what ensues is priceless... I dread using words like delightful, charming and funny no matter how apt a descriptor of a film"}, {"response": 1392, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (12:05)", "body": "Wauw, Shoshana. Talk about reviews :-) Thank you! It turnes out, that a Danish site has some of the LA interviews online and the small clip showed to review the movie. I'm sure you'll find your way around the site without any knowledge of the Danish language :-) http://www.dr.dk/kultur/indexfilm.asp?articleID=24697&articleTypeID=4&SubjectID=125&site=film&action=artikel"}, {"response": 1393, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (12:10)", "body": "(Karen) LOL!! (BTW, garden gnomes are often the best parts of movies IMO) (Bee) I agree! Loved the gnome in The Full Monty;-) And then there is the traveling gnome of Amelie! There should be more gnomes in films! ;-) (Telegraph re: Keira Knightley)...\"her mouth permanently ajar like a snooker pocket, she displays zero personality.\" (Evelyn) Couldn't have put it better, ROTF. I didn't even notice in Bend it Like Beckham, but now that everyone talks about it, it is all I notice! It's as if she has too many teeth and cannot close her mouth properly! Still think she is very pretty, but even with her mouth closed, it looks as if she's 'bursting at the seems'. Needs to have a few molars removed maybe! (The Sun) From anyone else, Love Actually would have you reaching for the sickbag but, as he well knows, Curtis can pull it off like no one else. Wow! Didn't ODB say nearly the same thing? If he ever tires of acting, maybe he can get a gig at The Sun! (The Sun) Love Actually \ufffd A Richard Curtis film. It does what it says on the tin. LOL...I agree! It can't all be Shakespeare. It's a rom-com...can't get too 'highfalutin' about it (but I still think they could have tossed the Condom Boy and Stand-Ins)! ;-) Thanks Mari, Shoshana, Maria!!"}, {"response": 1394, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (12:38)", "body": "LOL...I agree! It can't all be Shakespeare. It's a rom-com...can't get too 'highfalutin' about it (but I still think they could have tossed the Condom Boy and Stand-Ins)! ;-) Agree, agree! Even with the lack of continuity, continuous boobiage, fat jokery and feminine servitudelegde aside, I was amused and can't wait to scene select the hell out of Jamie! Thanks Mari, Shoshana, Maria, Tress (for smile)!!"}, {"response": 1395, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (12:46)", "body": "Thanks Shoshana for all the review excerpts; it'll help if I ever attack my review page. ;-) (Tress) And then there is the traveling gnome of Amelie! There should be more gnomes in films! ;-) Amelie's was certainly a star! Then there was one in BJD, but it didn't have nearly as integral a role. ;-) I've put up pics from the Survival screening courtesy of Kelli and Emma. It starts here: http://www.firth.com/p_eye012.html Enjoy!"}, {"response": 1396, "author": "katty", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (12:47)", "body": "A rapturous review of GWAPE, with an especially Firth-fanatic take on Colin. Not a \"major\" critic, but this woman has awfully good taste: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/click/movie-10002174/reviews.php?critic=columns&sortby=default&page=1&rid=1221063 Uppercrusty man torte Colin Firth lurks and smolders as the torn artist. Here's a girl he can be real with; chat about paints and lights. But, to frolic about the house with her can have dire results. Men. Firth never lets you see Vermeer's true motives and the film's mysterious side shines for it. I'd like to play painter with this tall elegant slice of manly yum... paint by the numbers....slow and artistic-like...purr."}, {"response": 1397, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (13:22)", "body": "Great Karen!!The original Wild One!"}, {"response": 1398, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (13:32)", "body": "That one was snapped outside the theater. ;-)"}, {"response": 1399, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (14:11)", "body": "(Karen) Amelie's was certainly a star! Then there was one in BJD, but it didn't have nearly as integral a role. ;-) Oh! How could I forget about the gnome in the \"tart and vicar sneaking a fag\" scene! Excellent work! Think it is the same gnome? Does he have a SAG card? ;-) Okay...I do know I spelled \"seems\" incorrectly...did spell \"highfalutin\" properly! Crikey! ;-) Thanks for the pics Kelli and Emma! He looks amazing...should be some sort of law against those long legs in denim (or at least a 'crier' to shout out that 'he' is coming...give us some warning)! And Karen....LOL! ODB secretly auditioning for Batman?? That posh accent saying \"I'm Batman\" makes me giggle! But the idea of latex six-pack abs is appealing...and his utility belt (a boy with accessories!) ;-)"}, {"response": 1400, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (14:30)", "body": "(CT)Because of its unfashionable charm, humanity and generosity of spirit , a small but vociferous minority will condemn it out of hand. Most people, however, are going to love it, and - like me- will want to watch it over and over again. If I had a sixth star to award, this movie would get it. And I wouldn't mind a side bet on this film becoming the highest-grossing British picture of all time. This guy is really gushing! Six Stars, LOL, not bad. Thank you for all the reviews and picures, ladies. Maria, Karen, Annette, Shoshanna and all. \"Solid gold shit\" Love it!"}, {"response": 1401, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (14:49)", "body": "(Tookey in DM)Richard Curtis's first film as writer-director can stand alongside the great romantic comedies - and it's the most heart-warming Christmas movie since It's A Wonderful Life. Omigod. Poor Tookey. Someone kidnapped him and switched his brain with an Osmond. Why oh why does it always happen to the good ones? *Shaking fist at the heavens* ;-) Thnaks for that, Shoshana, and for that very extensive review wrap-up! (Katty)Uppercrusty man torte Colin Firth . . . I'd like to play painter with this tall elegant slice of manly yum... Love it! I'll have whatever she's having!;-)"}, {"response": 1402, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (15:43)", "body": "Thanks again for everyone who donated all the reviews . .(wow, Shoshanna that was an eyeful!!) Loved : The film exists in a glossy universe of hip wealthy metropolitan folk, most of whom own fabulous apartments in fashionable neighborhoods and all of whom wear beautiful, expensive-looking sweaters. (At times you wonder if the film wasn't sponsored by the Wool Council.) Love the pic from the survival screening, Karen!!! (HA!)"}, {"response": 1403, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (16:07)", "body": "Methinks Christopher van Laden was smokin' somethin' that night. LOL. He looks like one of those preachers on TV gettin' ready to lay down the law."}, {"response": 1404, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (16:12)", "body": "Nah, he's saying \"You let whatever's in your head come out of your mouth without even ...\""}, {"response": 1405, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (16:15)", "body": "(Evelyn)He looks like one of those preachers on TV gettin' ready to lay down the law. Oh dear, Evelyn, I nearly choked on a chocolate when I read that one! I wonder if Reverend Firth also does the healing by laying on of hands...;-)"}, {"response": 1406, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (16:18)", "body": "(Shoshanna)I wonder if Reverend Firth also does the healing by laying on of hands...;-) OK . .if he starts doing that . .I'm comin up to the altar first!!!"}, {"response": 1407, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (17:43)", "body": "(Deb) Nah, he's saying \"You let whatever's in your head come out of your mouth without even ...\" ROTFLMAO! You're a lipreader, right? (Tress) ODB secretly auditioning for Batman?? There must have been a Batcycle, don't you think? I can't even drive 4 blocks in 5 minutes, let alone 20 miles. *snort*"}, {"response": 1408, "author": "Zing", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (19:44)", "body": "A surprisingly good review from Stanley Kauffman in The New Republic . He can be quite curmudgeonly, and is as highbrow as they come. Obviously an admirer of ODB\ufffds work from other films. Stanley Kauffman on Films \ufffdSeveral Loves Actually\ufffd (Post date 11/21/03; Issue date 12/01/03) It is almost unfair. The cast of Love Actually includes Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman, Laura Linney, and Colin Firth --all of them people of such accomplishment, all of them such reminders of past pleasures, that the sheer list of their names is almost overwhelming. No matter how aware we are that films with star- spangled casts have groaned under the load, we are held. These are not stars, or not merely stars: these are actors. Can such a film possibly be unrewarding? It can't--largely because of them. The troubles with this English film are in the screenplay by Richard Curtis (who also directed), though a good deal of the writing is clever; but whatever the actors are given to do they make so delightful--or so delightfully moving--that Love Actually wins out over its wobbles. All through the (quite long) picture we get sticky bits, but then Thompson or Grant or Rickman or one of the others speaks a word with such delicacy or lights a smile from within so truthfully or reveals a complexity through such a small change of expression that we brave the bumps for the pleasures. After a while we drug ourselves with hyperbole. The film is in one sense lifelike: in order to get the good, we have to endure the lesser. Love Actually is composed of a half dozen or so stories, not often connected, simply interwoven. All of them have to do with love, one way or another, and all of them traverse the weeks before Christmas. The picture begins with a voice-over about the omnipresence of love in our lives (along with a stupid comment about September 11). This dollop of treacle is the first surprise from the screenwriter of Four Weddings and a Funeral and Bridget Jones's Diary, both of which teased along wryly. More drips of syrup continue to spot Love Actually. But reality also persists, ranging from the ridiculous through the cynical to the sad, and in all these hues the actors are masterly. Hugh Grant plays the British prime minister, resembling the current one enough to make the idea tickle. This PM is a bachelor. He is keen on a young woman on his staff. When the American president visits Downing Street and makes a play for that young woman, Grant sounds off in a press conference about British independence from American sway. (Independence! How's that for a comic idea?) Grant wins national cheers. His sister, Emma Thompson, is a fortyish housewife and mother discovering that her successful husband, Alan Rickman, is on the verge of an affair. The tension-plus-bond between the knowledgeable wife and the differently knowledgeable husband is almost tangible. Colin Firth is a novelist who has a house in the south of France and engages a Portuguese maid, played by Lucia Moniz. The triteness of their story is freshened by Firth's grateful surprise at his response and by Moniz's dignified charm. In another story, one of the film's loveliest moments is simply Laura Linney's face as, on the dance floor, she moves for the first time into the arms of a man she has adored for two years. In his story Liam Neeson is worst served, playing a widowed stepfather who has to deal with his eleven- year-old stepson's first love--for a schoolmate. Neeson does everything possible with a role that consists largely of hugging the boy. Curtis's range includes sly absurdities. One instance: a young fellow and a girl, strangers to each other, are hired to do sex stuff for a film totally nude, mimicking it without actually performing it. (They are body doubles for the principals who won't do these scenes.) In the middle of one of the most intimate scenes, the boy shyly asks the girl for a date. On the other hand--there are several other hands--the film has some darkness. Linney's first rendezvous with her lover is interrupted by a call from her deranged brother. Curtis then extends the compass of love with a hospital scene crammed with Linney's feeling for her brother. And a quite different strand of the film is the holiday chronicle of a fiftyish, spacey, sour pop star, etched by Bill Nighy, who wickedly airs his contempt for what he does as that contempt carries him to further success- -and to an unsuspected love. That the Nighy strand and the saccharine strands are in the same picture is its success and its handicap. The debits and the credits can be tallied a bit further. The mushy endings of Grant's story and of Neeson's are debits, but Curtis's neat directing is a credit. (Note the remote office assistant behind the window in Linney's hospital scene, a cold background to what is happening closer.) The credit side of the ledger also includes much of Curtis's dialogue and all the acting by that dream troupe."}, {"response": 1409, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (21:03)", "body": "(Zing)A surprisingly good review from Stanley Kauffman in The New Republic. He can be quite curmudgeonly, and is as highbrow as they come. Obviously an admirer of ODB\ufffds work from other films. Thanks Zing, for finding that insightful review and lovely mention of ODB's performance."}, {"response": 1410, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 2003 (07:50)", "body": "FIRTH-ER figure Megastar News, UK US magazine People might want to rethink their Sexiest Men list after they hear Colin Firth getting all gushy about fatherhood. ... http://www.megastar.co.uk/ents/news/2003/11/21/sMEG01MTA2OTQwOTAyNDU.html STARRING: Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Martine ... Independent, UK ... What the best man (Andrew Lincoln) feels for newlywed Juliet (Keira Knightley) is surely a romantic infatuation, so too Colin Firth's cuckolded writer for the ... http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/film/reviews/story.jsp?story=465693 STANLEY KAUFFMANN ON FILMS New Republic The cast of Love Actually includes Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman, Laura Linney, and Colin Firth--all of them people of such ... http://www.tnr.com/doc.mhtml?i=20031201&s=kauffmann120103"}, {"response": 1411, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 2003 (09:43)", "body": "(Kauffmann) Linney's first rendezvous with her lover is interrupted by a call from her deranged brother. Deranged? What an odd way to describe the brother's condition these days. :-( Curtis's range includes sly absurdities. One instance: a young fellow and a girl, strangers to each other, are hired to do sex stuff for a film totally nude, mimicking it without actually performing it...In the middle of one of the most intimate scenes, the boy shyly asks the girl for a date. Ah, someone who saw what I saw. I thought it an utterly charming piece."}, {"response": 1412, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 2003 (09:55)", "body": "(Karen)Kauffmann) Linney's first rendezvous with her lover is interrupted by a call from her deranged brother. Deranged? What an odd way to describe the brother's condition these days. :-( I was v. put off by this as well, especially since I work in MH. Glad to read your comment Karen."}, {"response": 1413, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 2003 (10:41)", "body": "Enjoying the reviews. Seeing it this afternoon - Comments later. Meta Critic has most of the reviews HERE: http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/loveactually/"}, {"response": 1414, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 2003 (15:25)", "body": "I've added Linda's and my pics from the NY premiere here: http://www.firth.com/love_gal_nyprem3.html which I think are all I'm getting from this event. Enjoy! Now, only the Burns Center and maybe Bafta pics to go."}, {"response": 1415, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 2003 (16:28)", "body": "Pics are super, Drooleurs...Linda, Boss. And the only pics I've seen on a fan sight of the Metropolitan Club. Mari, I see thy head;-)) My fave: \"You really think I'm too old to play MD?\""}, {"response": 1416, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 2003 (16:43)", "body": "Superb photos Linda and Firth.com!!!! Lots of lashes and curls on the ear.:-))) \"You really think I'm too old to play MD?\" LOL Evelyn! I love the sly look;-)"}, {"response": 1417, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 2003 (16:44)", "body": "Huge thanks to everyone for great pics and reviews and articles...I'm hopelessly behind but plan on printing and reading everything on the plane home to Thanksgiving (won't my seatmates be jealous, hah!) Sorry if this has already been posted, the LA Charlie Rose interview sound clip.. http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10006005&sid=aCn7K_SZGsNY&refer=charlie_rose"}, {"response": 1418, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 2003 (16:51)", "body": "Thank you so much for the pictures Linda and Karen. You are both great at capturing ODB :-) Maria, thank you for the Charlie Rose interview. I haven't heard it before (and I really do try to keep up here :-))) Have a nice flight :-)"}, {"response": 1419, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 2003 (18:28)", "body": "Hi all . .I know these are a but old (11/11/03). .but I got Karen's go ahead to post them . . The benefit of temping at Showtime is I can get my hands on great trade mags like Variety & the Hollywood Reporter! These two bits about LA & GWAPE come from a copy of Daily Variety all talking about pictures that made contender status for this year's Oscars . .about 27 of them . .and ODB's two films are included!!! **************************************************** \"This awards season, with the Oscars moving up to February, Variety unveils its contenders a full month earlier than last year. But this doesn't mean year-end films are being released any sooner. It's only made the task of choosing the selected bunch --films with a good shot at snagging two or more noms --that much more difficult. Several pics could not be screened in their completed forms --if at all. And many films that we did see have yet to be released, thus forcing us to make rather semi-educated guesses as to what will gain traction with the voters. Many titles could not be counted based on the pedigree of their makers, while a number of smaller films could rise above the fray. With some award rules still being hammered out, this year more than ever, it's anyone's guess.\" Girl With A Pearl Earring By Robert Koehler A study of how Johannes Vermeer came to make one of his masterpieces might seem to be an unlikely Oscar nominee. But with talk swirling on the fall festival circuit about Scarlett Johansson\ufffds magnetic, nearly wordless performance as the humble workmaid who becomes Vermeer\ufffds subject, as well as tyro director Peter Webber and cinemetographer Eduardo Serra\ufffds precise re-creation of Vermeer\ufffds color, composition and light (nabbing a San Sebastian fest prize), \ufffdGirl With A Pearl Earring\ufffd became one of those qualifiers in that perennial Oscar category: Tradition of Quality. In its exasct replication of old master painting, pic most closely recalls Stanley Kubrick\ufffds multi-Oscar-winning \ufffdBarry Lyndon.\ufffd \ufffdLyndon won in creative categories including photography and art direction, which could well be replicated here for Serra (nommed in 1998 for \ufffdThe Wings of a Dove\ufffd) and production designer for \ufffdOrlando\ufffd). There\ufffds also a longer patern in Oscar history of nominating films and their lead actresses in ore-20th century, European-set dramas: Gwyneth Paltrow and \ufffdShakespeare in Love,\ufffd Cate Blanchett and \ufffdElizabeth,\ufffd Emma Thompson and \ufffdSense and Sensibility, and Glen Close and \ufffdDangerous Liasons\ufffd are examples in the past 15 years. Lions Gate\ufffds record of bringing attention to easily overlooked performances (\ufffdMonster\ufffds Ball,\ufffd \ufffdGods and Monsters\ufffd helps Johansson, but her equally acclaimed work in \ufffdLost in Translation\ufffd may siphon votes. Though much more contemplatively pitched than \ufffdShakespeare in Love,\ufffd there are echoes here of that best picture winner: It features key players in \ufffdShakespeare\ufffds ensemble \ufffd Colin Firth as Vermeer and Oscar nominated Tom Wilkinson as an obnoxious patron \ufffd and it also speculates on the motives and actions of a great artist whose life remains clouded in the unknown. Working nicely on \ufffdGirl\ufffds\ufffd behalf is that it\ufffds one of the few non-macho period movies opening just before Christmas, and could do well with Acad voters who may have had their fill of costume action men. ********************************************* Love Actually By Matt Wolf It\ufffds long been an Academy Award truism that comedy is Oscar\ufffds favorite also-ran, as no one should know better than Oxford-educated British scribe Richard Curtis. Author of a string of popular London-set romantic comedies, Curtis got a 1994 screenplay nomination for \ufffdFour Weddings and a Funeral\ufffd (it also got a pic nom) only to watch his subsequent script for \ufffdNotting Hill\ufffd (1999) get blanked in the Oscar race altogether and 2001\ufffds \ufffdBridget Jone\ufffds Diary\ufffd snare but a single mention, for star Renee Zellweger'\ufffd perf. Still, none of those films delivers the joie de vivre communicated by Curtis\ufffd writing-directing debut, Love Actually, \ufffdA multistoried film that deserves commendation, first and foremost, for never once succumbing to British cynicism. Though some may find the good-will factor just too insistent, the film does have charm and heart to spare, and word of mouth coupled with sure-to-be dynamite biz could carry \ufffdLove Actually\ufffd \ufffdand Curtis\ufffd script \ufffd a considerable way toward the nominees circle. Such omnibus films can be tricky, though: In a film juggling so many narratives, who or what is singled out? Despite impressive work from (relative) newcomer Andrew Lincoln and astonishing child actor Thomas Sanger, award attention could center around emma Thompson, who \ufffd playing the knowing wife of a straying Alan Rickman \ufffd runs with one high emotional scene, that perhaps more than any other, serves to anchor the film. That Thompson is a two time Oscar winner, once for her \ufffdSense and Sensibility\ufffd screenplay, won\ufffdt hurt the much-liked thesp\ufffds Academy chances, especially since she has been absent from the "}, {"response": 1420, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 2003 (18:52)", "body": "Great reviews! . .Karen, great pics!!! Evelyn . .I loved that same picture too . . . \"Hello Ladies . . .\""}, {"response": 1421, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 2003 (19:38)", "body": "Yummy pictures Linda and Karen! I really like the hand-to-the-mouth response to having the fan base pointed out by the ET reporter! And thanks for the CR interview from Maria! Kimberly, the Daily Variety articles are a great find! Now if only they had even mentioned ODB's name... ;-)"}, {"response": 1422, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 2003 (19:39)", "body": "As much as I would've liked to go to NY, it's a good thing I stayed home. I never would have survived all that eye contact. Fantastic pictures, Karen and Linda. Eye contact! I get dizzy just looking at the photos. Thanks for the link, Maria. Have a safe trip there and back again. And everyone else who's going away for the holiday."}, {"response": 1423, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 2003 (19:48)", "body": "Karen, thanks for posting my picturs, but yours are fantastic. Thanks, again, to all for everything!!"}, {"response": 1424, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 2003 (20:14)", "body": "Thanks to Karen and Linda for the fantastic new photos! Love the close-ups. Thanks Maria for the new link. Hope you and everyone else traveling this week has a safe and enjoyable journey."}, {"response": 1425, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 2003 (20:29)", "body": "OMG!! Karen and Linda! Your photos are fantastic! LOVE the hand to mouth bit with the ET guy (where we making noise down at that end of the tent? Surely not!)! And Karen....your close ups are to die for! Thanks so much for sharing those....I'm off to look again (quickly...as DH is taking me to LA!!). Danke!!!!"}, {"response": 1426, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 2003 (21:36)", "body": "(Kimberley) These two bits about LA & GWAPE come from a copy of Daily Variety all talking about pictures that made contender status for this year's Oscars .\" *When* did we ever think that the trades would mention two of ODB's pics in the same breath as Oscar nominations. Exhilarating. (shoshanna)Now if only they had even mentioned ODB's name... ;-) Yeah. Downside:-((( Thanks Kimberley, meaty stuff."}, {"response": 1427, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 2003 (21:36)", "body": "Closed."}, {"response": 1428, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 2003 (21:42)", "body": "(Tress) LOVE the hand to mouth bit with the ET guy Is that the one where it looks like he's ready to blow a kiss? ;-)"}, {"response": 1429, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 2003 (22:08)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1430, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 2003 (22:08)", "body": "oops"}, {"response": 1431, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 2003 (23:14)", "body": "(Kimberley) These two bits about LA & GWAPE come from a copy of Daily Variety all talking about pictures that made contender status for this year's Oscars .\" (Evelyn)*When* did we ever think that the trades would mention two of ODB's pics in the same breath as Oscar nominations. Exhilarating. I know!!!!! . . . . (Variety)\ufffdGirl With A Pearl Earring\ufffd became one of those qualifiers in that perennial Oscar category: Tradition of Quality. Do ya hear that members of the Academy??? . . QUALITY Personally . .I say we go on a campagin . .ODB for Best Actor this year!!!!! Lion's Gate is pushing it . .I've already seen the ads in Variety . .hell even in Backstage! (keeping fingers ever and always crossed!!!)"}, {"response": 1432, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (00:54)", "body": "Thanks to everyone for sharing their pictures. I just can't get over the fact he was looking at one/some of you when he looked like that!!!! And no more than a few feet away!! Usually he's looking at a reflection of himself in the dark lens of a camera but not that night! WOW!"}, {"response": 1433, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (06:27)", "body": "E! has a one hour Holiday Movie 2003 special, which repeats at 11 AM. Colin is interviewed very briefly for both LA and GWAPE."}, {"response": 1434, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (06:48)", "body": "Not good - (If this is old, Karen, please delete) The London Times 11/3: Film: Love is all aground Talk about hard to swallow. Richard Curtis\ufffds Love Actually is a sugary pile of sentimental schmaltz, says Cosmo Landesman It\ufffds like being assaulted by a gang of singing cherubs wielding sticks of candyfloss; it\ufffds like drowning in treacle and then being rescued by a puppy that licks your face; it\ufffds like having your brain bombarded with Valentine-card clich\ufffds. Richard Curtis\ufffds directorial debut, Love Actually, is the look of luuurve, the sound of ick and the cheap sob of schmaltz. Don\ufffdt get me wrong: I can enjoy a sentimental Christmas film as much as the next sucker. But Curtis goes too far. His feelgood fairy tale makes Charles Dickens seem like a dirty realist. Its calculated, button-pressing cynicism is shocking. Nothing so aptly sums up Love Actually as its one good story line. Billy Mack (Bill Nighy) is an old, burnt-out rock star hoping to make a comeback with a new version of the Wet Wet Wet hit Love Is All Around (this featured on the soundtrack of Four Weddings and a Funeral, which Curtis scripted: just one of the many nods to his own oeuvre that the great man makes). Billy\ufffds version is called Christmas Is All Around. Honest Bill says his record is rubbish and so does everyone else, but it goes to No 1 anyway. A clever guy like Curtis knows Love Actually is as terrible as this spoof song, but that is the point. It\ufffds the sort of corny festive rubbish you\ufffdre meant to sit back and enjoy. Curtis has always had a passion for cheesy pop: his characters can\ufffdt open their mouths without quoting from some risible hit from the 1970s. Good God, Love Actually has a funeral scene featuring the Bay City Rollers\ufffd hit Bye Bye Baby. This Christmas, you can see the cheesy film and buy the spin-off cheesy record as well. Love Actually \ufffd a title so arch and English, it sounds like a Pet Shop Boys album \ufffd is set in London during the countdown to the season of goodwill. The premise is simple: the world may seem full of \ufffdhatred and greed\ufffd, as the opening voice-over puts it, but there\ufffds lots of love about. And Curtis finds love everywhere: between a prime minister (Hugh Grant) and his tea lady (Martine McCutcheon), a writer (Colin Firth) and his cleaner (L\ufffdcia Moniz), two porn actors (Joanna Page and Martin Freeman), and even an 11-year-old boy (Thomas Sangster) and a 10-year-old girl (Olivia Olson). Curtis\ufffds idea of Christmas has no connection to reality. Instead of the Queen\ufffds speech, family dinner and nervous breakdowns, we get the season to open your heart, drop your trousers and shag whoever you fancy. It\ufffds Christmas as an office-party piss-up. (While we are on the subject of realism, how come broken-hearted Firth goes to France and everyone speaks Portuguese?) As a comedy, Love Actually is like listening to an album of Curtis\ufffds greatest hits. They are all here: the swearing, the silly dancing, the social embarrassment, the whole oh-gosh-bugger-blush of middle-class life. The sole fresh and funny joke comes towards the end, when Billy\ufffds manager says to him: \ufffdTen minutes at Elton John\ufffds party, and you\ufffdre already gay as a meatball.\ufffd The most disappointing feature is how limited the characterisation is. Just about everybody we meet talks like Hugh Grant. They all cringe, shrug and crack jokes like his \ufffd even 11-year-old Sam, when he says: \ufffdOkay, let\ufffds do it, Dad. Let\ufffds go and get the shit kicked out o us by love.\ufffd The story involving Sam and his secret love for a 10-year-old schoolgirl reaches a dramatic climax when Curtis has the boy running through an airport, chased by security guards, so he can tell her of his love before she leaves for America. Violins swell, and so does your nausea. This is puppy love at its most loathsome: sexualised children indulging in adult notions of romance. If an American director did this, English audiences would respond with horror and hilarity. But alas, this is a Richard Curtis film, so it\ufffds okay. This scene must be the most icky moment in modern cinema. Still, I think we should be grateful that Curtis didn\ufffdt make Sam a child with one leg, chasing his true love on crutches. As for the performances \ufffd in this stellar line-up, Nighy\ufffds rock star steals the show. He takes what could have been a clich\ufffd and gives it real comic charm. Grant and Firth are exactly the same characters they always play. And poor Alan Rickman \ufffd has he got some sort of neural disease? He talks like a man determin d not to shlur his words. For my money, the only real emotional moment comes not from watching weeping Emma Thompson (to the sound of Joni Mitchell, no less), but from a beautifully acted scene featuring Laura Linney as she deals with the violence of her mentally ill brother. It will be interesting to see how Love Actually goes down with the public. The English have always assumed that when it comes to matters of taste in popular music and film, they are a touch superior to the Americans. Sentimentality, schmalt"}, {"response": 1435, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (06:49)", "body": "Oops! Supposed to be 11/23. I put my comments on the film in the spoilers area last night."}, {"response": 1436, "author": "Darla", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (08:17)", "body": "From the Chatter page of People magazine December 1st Taking Stock of his Locks In the dramam Girl with a Pearl Earring, Colin Firth plays a sexy Johannes Vermeer, the 17th-century painter. To the dismay of the British actor, the role required him to wear a shoulder length wig. \"It was itchy, and I was always in danger of looking more Woodstock than 17th century,\" says Firth, 43, whose costar Scarlett Johansson had a tough time keeping a straight face. \"Film wigs are more convincing than toupees, but if your leading lady bursts into fits of laughter at the sight of you, it's a challenge,\" says Firth. \"Scarlett would call me Fabio. I would do a sizzling look, and all she would say was, \"I can't believe it's not butter!'\""}, {"response": 1437, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (09:16)", "body": "(good ole Cosmo )\"Now, though, Curtis, England?s most successful comic screenwriter, has shown that when it comes to Hollywood pap, the English can teach Hollywood a treacly trick or two... \" C'mon...he's just out for what sells...$$$$$$$$$"}, {"response": 1438, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (11:02)", "body": "Just rented HS for the first time finally - don't think it's been posted but not a lot of stuff on the UK rental copy (may be more on selling copies?) except language/subtitle choices and a 7 minute 'making of' thing. I didn't learn anything exciting but we do get to see how they dealt with all that rain. And MD has a theory that all Canadians take happy pills. But anyway. The menu pages are vaguely interesting as they use supposed Colin Ware drawings."}, {"response": 1439, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (12:12)", "body": "Thanks for posting the articles, Kimberley. Keep your eyes peeled for the \"For Your Consideration\" ads and your scanner humming! (Shoshana) I really like the hand-to-the-mouth response to having the fan base pointed out by the ET reporter! Me too. Booker could only be referring to us at the time, and Colin's reaction is to be a bit embarrassed. v. cute. (Landesman) Still, I think we should be grateful that Curtis didn\ufffdt make Sam a child with one leg, chasing his true love on crutches. LMAO! Yes, he showed some restraint. Cute item in People. Thanks Darla."}, {"response": 1440, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (12:29)", "body": "(Dorine) Is that the one where it looks like he's ready to blow a kiss? ;-) Right! Either that or laughing at us! A bunch of wild, wet women calling out \"COLLLLLLL-IIIIIIIN!\" Love that pic!"}, {"response": 1441, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (13:05)", "body": "My absolute favorite, a variation of the one Tress posted above, prompted by the reporter mentioning all his fans. He looked out way, we waved and got that great wave and smile back: Many thanks to everyone who shared their fantastic photos with us!"}, {"response": 1442, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (13:37)", "body": "Living down here in the cultural hinterlands, I must reiterate just how GRATEFUL I am to all of y'all (whoops, sorry)who have taken so much trouble to share your articles, reviews, photos, and accounts of \"CEFK\" (Close Encounters of the Firth Kind) here. Thank you ALL!!"}, {"response": 1443, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (14:14)", "body": "From boxoffice profits.com \"Universal's slow rollout of Love Actually seems to be working very well. After placing sixth last weekend with the romantic comedy, the studio added 510 more venues and managed to increase on last weekend's score of $8.7 million. Love Actually landed in fifth this weekend , pulling in a gross of $9.1 million and a site average of $5,365 from 1,687 venues. That's a 4% increase over last weekend, as the film now carries a total of $30.8 million. Love Actually needs to have more weekends like this, as the film was not cheap to make, with the production budget coming in around $50 million US\""}, {"response": 1444, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (15:44)", "body": "To all Atlanta area Drooleurs (and maybe even some other Southern sisters), a special screening of GWAPE at the High Museum: Special Preview Girl With a Pearl Earring Friday, December 5 8 p.m., Rich Auditorium Photographed with all the sublime incandescence of the Vermeer portrait for which it is named, Girl with a Pearl Earring lifts the veil shrouding the painter's mid-seventeenth century home life in a transfixing story told from the point of view of his young maidservant. Every frame is a triumph of composition and light inspired by the Dutch master's work. Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth, as Griet and Vermeer, are striking for their inner glow of intelligence and quiet insightfulness. Based on the acclaimed novel by Tracy Chevalier, Peter Webber's first feature is a beautiful study of the glorious surfaces and emotional depths of the period.\" 2003 Toronto Film Festival catalogue. (Britain/Luxembourg, 2003, 95 minutes) Thanks to Lions Gate Pictures for making this screening possible. I've already bought tickets and there are some left!"}, {"response": 1445, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (16:22)", "body": "Again, apologies if a repeat..DH in shower, gotta run... http://www.handbag.com/gossip/celebrityinterviews/colinfirth2/"}, {"response": 1446, "author": "Darla", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (16:30)", "body": "Thanks! I will hopefully see you there. I just purchased my tickets. I am really excited! Email me if you would like to meet up!"}, {"response": 1447, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (17:01)", "body": "Thanks for all the tidbits! (Hangbag.com) The thing about having kids is it gets your priorities straight. My life revolves around my boys. And when it comes to your family's happiness, nothing else really matters. I do love hearing things like this . .hearing about how dedicated he is to his family just makes me love him more and more!"}, {"response": 1448, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (17:43)", "body": "I'm going to Atlanta for the GWAPE screening and would love to meet other Drooleurs there. Please email me."}, {"response": 1449, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (18:13)", "body": "(Karen)Keep your eyes peeled for the \"For Your Consideration\" ads and your scanner humming! Just sent you 2 ads . .if you have trouble with them, I can rescan and resend them . ."}, {"response": 1450, "author": "lupa", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (20:24)", "body": "so i have a quick question for anyone who knows anything about the GWPE screenings - i'm assuming ODB will NOT be there. does anyone know if i'm wrong, or if anyone else might be there?"}, {"response": 1451, "author": "lupa", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (20:33)", "body": "(mari) He looked our way, we waved and got that great wave and smile back: ah mari thank you! i was very pleased that this was the one that came out the best of all my \"interview\" pics. in the rest either the light is obscuring him, or else he has a very funny face ;)"}, {"response": 1452, "author": "Zing", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (21:20)", "body": "Just wanted to add my thanks to Linda and Karen and all the other members of the NY contingent for sharing the photos and stories of your CEFK (Close Encounters of the Firth Kind, as coined by Eithne!). I keep marvelling at how you ladies managed to keep your cool and snap away with ODB within touching distance -- those dimples, those big brown eyes, those LASHES!!! -- had I been there I'm sure I would have self-combusted the first time he turned around to wave..."}, {"response": 1453, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (21:43)", "body": "(Risa) so i have a quick question for anyone who knows anything about the GWPE screenings - i'm assuming ODB will NOT be there. does anyone know if i'm wrong, or if anyone else might be there? There are multiple screenings of everything being pushed for awards now, so it's doubtful anyone will be at any of them unless it's announced specifically ahead of time, I believe."}, {"response": 1454, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (22:00)", "body": "Here's one-third (the relevant third) of one of Lions Gate's \"For Your Consideration\" ads: Before anybody gets their hopes up unrealistically, studios put all the major names up. The first third of the ad was for The Cooler and three actors were put forward. I expect the last third was for Shattered Glass and mentioned most of the cast too. This is how it is done. Get the names out and see what sticks."}, {"response": 1455, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (22:00)", "body": "Ooops, thanks to Kimberly for the above ad. :)"}, {"response": 1456, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (22:24)", "body": "(Karen) Before anybody gets their hopes up unrealistically, studios put all the major names up Right, remember all the people and things I listed that Miramax threw out there for consideration for TIOBE on their screener? Like they really had a chance at much, if anything, except maybe costume."}, {"response": 1457, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (04:02)", "body": "(Karen) Before anybody gets their hopes up unrealistically, studios put all the major names up ...oh, but for a chance at unreality... Thanks Kimberly and Karen (and Dorine, who clued me in on the GWAPE screening in Atlanta, but I forgot to thank)!"}, {"response": 1458, "author": "BarbaraT", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (06:41)", "body": "Today's Daily Express has an interview with Colin. It doesn't include any new information and several of the quotes have already appeared in other places, but there are others which I don't remember having seen before. I can't remember whether I've seen the main photo before or not - he's wearing a light-coloured shirt with dark stitching on the pocket and seams and it was taken by Colin Bell. Also, the Mail is reporting that LA has had one of the best ever opening weekends in the UK, taking more than \ufffd6,000,000."}, {"response": 1459, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (07:46)", "body": "Karen) Before anybody gets their hopes up unrealistically, studios put all the major names up (Shosh)...oh, but for a chance at unreality... I too like the dream."}, {"response": 1460, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (09:16)", "body": "(Barbara)I can't remember whether I've seen the main photo before or not - he's wearing a light-coloured shirt with dark stitching on the pocket and seams and it was taken by Colin Bell. Ooooh . .Ada had sent a pic from that photo shoot . .the yummy one with him looking out of the doorway right at you! You'll see the rest of the pice from that shoot here: http://colinfirth.casa-feliz.net/images/categories.php?cat_id=107 And well . .I'll keep my fingers crossed anyway for ODB to get the BA nomination . .I want to see him win something for his quality work !!!. .I saw him in Conspiracy he was amazing. . and he was nominated for an Emmy for that one, but did not get it ( well, as well as not getting the BAFTA for P&P!)"}, {"response": 1461, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (09:29)", "body": "Thanks Kimberly for taking me there again... I just love *Stable Boy* Colin! Now why don't I ever find this in my woodpile? http://colinfirth.casa-feliz.net/images/details.php?image_id=1778"}, {"response": 1462, "author": "Jodi", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (12:25)", "body": "I just want to thank everyone for all the terrific photos and live accounts. The past few weeks have been so exciting here! I love the photos that were taken by the lovely ladies of drool. They seem so much closer and more personal than the ones taken by professional photographers. So again, THANK YOU! Now for some bad news. I had all of ODB's TV appearances saved on TiVo and my darlings DH erased them! He said they were old, they were from weeks ago, you must have watched them already! Ugh! I guess he didn't realize that I have re-watched them many times. From now on I have to be quicker converting to tape. I am bereft. He looked so good on The View!"}, {"response": 1463, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (12:34)", "body": "(Bee) Now why don't I ever find this in my woodpile? LOL...I know! The last woodpile I had was in Arizona and all we got was Gila monsters (and they bite!). Nothing that good (that didn't require a hospital visit) ever awaited me!"}, {"response": 1464, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (12:34)", "body": "Thanks, Kimberly for those delicious pictures I'd just love to be taken to that woodshed-hmmmm! #6 just blew me away. (Mari)My absolute favorite, a variation of the one Tress posted above, prompted by the reporter mentioning all his fans. He looked out way, we waved and got that great wave and smile back Even though, at times, my brain is still fuzzy about Thursday, November 6, 2003 that is one thing I'll never forget-when he turned and waved. Up till that point I hadn't been able to see his full face until he turned around."}, {"response": 1465, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (12:59)", "body": "No mention of ODB (Definite oversight by writer . .grrrr . .but thought you might like to read;) **************************************************** Movieline's Hollywood Life - November 2003 In the Also Showing section: Have there been any romantic comedies of note this year, aside from the agressivly likeable How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days? None that we can think of, which is why Love Actually is arriving in just the nick o' holiday time. The ensemble romance showcases the loves and lives of startlingly good-looking younger stars ( Elisha Cuthbert, Keira Knightly) and always game Brit acting vets (Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson) in a series of 10 interlocking stories. (Grant stars in one as a young, single British Prime Minister who falls in love with the girl who serves him tea.) Richard Curtis, whose screenwriting pen was the impetus behind the lightening witticisms in Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill , makes his directorial debut with this, so we've no doubt that viewers weary of Neo, Trinity, Agent Smith et al. will find quality workmanship here."}, {"response": 1466, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (13:19)", "body": "From Screendaily: Love Actually storms UK box office Richard Curtis' directorial debut Love Actually took the UK by storm this weekend, opening at number one and grossing a massive $11.34m (\ufffd6.7m) from 477 locations. Screening on approximately 775 prints, the weekend takings - which included previews of $1.7m (\ufffd1m) - scored the biggest ever opening for UK distributor UIP. Love Actually dethroned Warner Bros The Matrix Revolutions, which saw a second consecutive 55% drop off in its third weekend. It was the fifth largest opening of 2003, after the two Matrix films, Bruce Almighty and X2, and the 16th of all time. Love Actually also qualifies as Curtis' and Grant's biggest openings in the UK. However, it is difficult to compare with films which opened on a platform release and widened later, such as Finding Nemo and Notting Hill. The film, billed as the ultimate romantic comedy, features a host of British stars including Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Keira Knightley, Alan Rickman and Bill Nighy. Also doing well in the UK is Buena Vista International's Brit-hit Calendar Girls. The comedy drama starring Julie Walters and Helen Mirren passed the \ufffd20m mark, equivalent to $34m, at the weekend. ~~~~~~~~ US comparison: The lone romantic comedy in the top rankings, Universal's \"Love Actually,\" added 513 theaters, bringing its count to 1,690, and took home an estimated $9.1 million in its third weekend to place fifth. The Hugh Grant starrer has picked up an estimated $30.8 million so far."}, {"response": 1467, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (15:01)", "body": "The Toronto Star: Nov. 21, 2003 Frothy film lifts spirits as days get shorter, darker JUDY GERSTEL C'mon guys, lighten up a little. For some reason, Love Actually is turning many journalists into pre-season Scrooges. \"Shallow and dishonest,\" hisses the New York Times' A.O. Scott. \"Calloused and leering.\" \"Cynics who prefer their twee without sugar are advised to look elsewhere,\" suggests the Boston Globe's Ty Burr. Even a measure of delight in the film is acknowledged grudgingly. \"...it would be churlish not to tip the hat to Love Actually's genuine charm,\" admits Ken Turan in the Los Angeles Times, cautiously couching his praise in a negative construction. Others who confess to anything like a warm and fuzzy feeling are immediately overcome with self-loathing. \"He makes me feel shallow,\" writes Sarah Vine in The Times (London) about Love Actually writer/director Richard Curtis, who also wrote Notting Hill and Four Weddings And A Funeral. \"He may be peddling social soft porn, but I don't have to buy it. But I will ...\" Oh, the guilt. Meanwhile, audiences, well, they actually love it. I bring this up not as a former movie critic but as a health writer. Love Actually makes you feel good. And, like the love and warmth it celebrates, it's probably good for your serotonin and norepinephrine levels, too Love Actually is like a flute of bubbly or a cuddle with a puppy or a string of popcorn on a pine tree. Sure, go ahead and gag, you curmudgeons and edgy postmodernists. Me, I'm not about to turn up my nose at anything that affirms what's good in life and makes me smile, even if it's contrived. (As opposed to what, Lord Of The Rings? Even documentaries are contrived.) Hugh Grant as Prime Minister Lite? London as a tunnel of love? Yeah, sneer all you want. Of course, you're not sneering at Master And Commander. Oh no. Australian Russell Crowe really is an English frigate captain fighting in the Napoleonic war, isn't he? And those storms, so real. Never mind that they all took place in a tank. Is anybody criticizing Elf because it's a fantasy? And what's so great about reality anyhow? Bryan Appleyard of the Sunday Times (London) complains that all we see in Love Actually are \"smiling faces all around, people being knocked over by love rather than renegade cyclists, impossibly romantic dramas always ending happily and fantastically pally and supportive networks of friends ... Nobody gets mugged and the doorways aren't the boudoirs of the homeless.\" Listen up, Appleyard. After gray November days waiting for TTC conveyances packed with people wielding umbrellas, after dodging \"renegade cyclists\" and hellbent drivers making dinner plans on their cell phones, after using up the quarters and loonies I need for the wash by doling them out to panhandlers, after reading about a kidnapping and stray bullets and infectious diseases here and people being ripped by bombs elsewhere, I am not in the mood for more of the above on a big screen. Most people aren't. We'll gladly take two hours of fairy tale. Appleyard puts down the movie (\"grotesque parade of emotionally bloated yet strangely soporific climaxes\") by pointing out that the London of Love Actually \"is London in the same sense that Mickey is a mouse.\" Precisely. Mickey is an entertaining construct, a leap of imagination \ufffd and so is the London of Richard Curtis' films. Most of us don't go to the cinema because we want to see real rodents scuffling around on the screen. Nor do we expect to find Mickey running around the slums of a real city looking for Minnie. It just won't do to complain that fantasy is fantasy. So where's the problem if writer/director Curtis takes us to a Never-Never Land London with Hugh Grant as Peter Pan in residence at 10 Downing St.? Fables are what sustain us. Even blues set to music are beguiling. It doesn't hurt to be reminded that the love we're looking for, the love that makes life worthwhile, is all around, even if dank reality and numbing routine render it invisible. Love Actually may be too sweet for sourpusses and cynics, driving them to vitriol, but for some of us, it's a treat, a couple of hours of feel-good confection and not without panache. The rest of you, go kick a puppy."}, {"response": 1468, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (15:21)", "body": "Mary - Love the review!!! My favorite part: Fables are what sustain us. Even blues set to music are beguiling. It doesn't hurt to be reminded that the love we're looking for, the love that makes life worthwhile, is all around, even if dank reality and numbing routine render it invisible. Love Actually may be too sweet for sourpusses and cynics, driving them to vitriol, but for some of us, it's a treat, a couple of hours of feel-good confection and not without panache. I mean come on people .take it for what it is a nice, fluffy piece of escapism in this down and dreary world . .stop taking yourselves so seriously .laugh, even love a litle bit for once!!!!"}, {"response": 1469, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (15:27)", "body": "Of course, you're not sneering at Master And Commander. Oh no. Australian Russell Crowe really is an English frigate captain fighting in the Napoleonic war, isn't he? And those storms, so real. Never mind that they all took place in a tank. Oh, damn! I thought they were real."}, {"response": 1470, "author": "caribou", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (15:52)", "body": "Thanks for the pics Tress and Mari. I think everyone needs to go back and look at 1440 and 1441 again, quickly, one after the other. Are we really getting the entire CEFK story? I'm no expert and I wasn't there but it looks to me like he's blowing a kiss!:-) For your consideration: Colin Firth, Best Actor. For your consideration: Colin Firth, Best Actor. AAAAAHHHHHHH! Gotta love the sound of that while it lasts!;-)"}, {"response": 1471, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (15:53)", "body": "(Toronto Judy)...go kick a puppy. ROFL Nice review! Oh no. Australian Russell Crowe really is an English frigate captain fighting in the Napoleonic war, isn't he? Doesn't really matter, the clothes are cool. Haven't seen it yet, but just had day killing thought (good thing it's late...) wonder if those pants get wet? (Doing Lydia-like \"Ummmmmmm\")"}, {"response": 1472, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (15:59)", "body": "You're not sneering at Master And Commander. Oh no. Australian Russell Crowe really is an English frigate captain fighting in the Napoleonic war, isn't he? And those storms, so real. Never mind that they all took place in a tank. Here's the major difference between M&C and LA: the former is a good film; the latter isn't. ;-) I thought the photography was spectacular; never once did I feel I was in a tank.;-) I think this critic misses the point. I love many dumb rom-coms, and implausibility doesn't bother me if it's well done and if I've been made to care for the characters. My objections to LA center on: --The creepy storyline with Neeson and that strange kid, specifically the speed at which they are able to get completely over the wife/mother's death and move on to romance! How cold. --The male menopausal fantasies that permeate the film. All those young, great looking women falling for guys that are either homely or awful or both. Right. --Too many storylines, which doom them all to come up short. He should have settled on 5 or 6, and given each one a decent 20 minutes or so. --The fact that the only women who look and act like real women (Thompson and Linney) are the ones who wind up unhappy."}, {"response": 1473, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (15:59)", "body": "The storms were shot in the tank. But the shot of Russell and James D'Arcy on the top of the mast were filmed at sea on the HMS Rose. They really did the climb. Don't ask me which film I liked best of the two! I'm one of those Grinches about LA. I really liked Four Weddings and saw Notting Hill a couple of times. Curtis is a witty writer. That's why I expected more of his wit in this film. It was really too long. If they had cut out a few of the stories, it would have flowed a lot better. Still and all - the public has spoken, and LA is doing better than \"Master\" at the box office. And Cat in the Hat is tops for the weekend. So much for the critics' opinions on that one!"}, {"response": 1474, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (16:03)", "body": "Me, I'm not about to turn up my nose at anything that affirms what's good in life and makes me smile, even if it's contrived. So, women in subservient roles makes her smile. Women taking off their tops makes her smile. I'm ashamed to be a woman if she's my role model. Personally, there are far better made films that made me laugh, smile and feel good about people in general. They're not fantasies, fables or other associated attempts at escapism and they weren't cranked out by ALT-SHIFT-ROMCOM software."}, {"response": 1475, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (16:06)", "body": "Barb: \"wonder if those pants get wet?\" Not only got wet, but according to historians never realy dried. They were all of wool and the seamen washed theirs in (ugh) urine and then rinsed them in sea water. I am hoping the officers used something a little more appetizing - Some sweet smelling places those ships must have been. Moving now off to Topic 92, where I should have been in the first place. Sorry, boss."}, {"response": 1476, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (16:34)", "body": "(Barb) Doesn't really matter, the clothes are cool. Haven't seen it yet, but just had day killing thought (good thing it's late...) wonder if those pants get wet? (Doing Lydia-like \"Ummmmmmm\") LOL...pants do, indeed, get wet....but he's no ODB. The pants fit like Col. Fitzwilliam's breeches! A bit too snug and the panel in front looks too small (on ODB that front flap is just fascinating...as it looks very wide which creates all sorts of illusions in my head). Col Fitz looked 'crammed in' and 'smushed' and the panel/front flap looked small which didn't make me think anything in particular (hence, Russell's pants didn't do it for me either, but I enjoyed the film despite my disappointment in his wardrobe)! (Mari) All those young, great looking women falling for guys that are either homely or awful or both. Right Surely you are not referring to ODB? ;-) (Mari) --Too many storylines, which doom them all to come up short. But it worked for Short Cuts (at least IMO)! It is like ADD viewing...before you get too sick of watching HG dance around as PM, it switches over to another story! Did you really want to see more of Keira? Or the little boy? See! So it works on some levels! ;-) But I did think a few stories could have been cut... I enjoyed it...it was entertaining for me and that's all I ask for sometimes. I balance it out by seeing RC in tight pants...! ;-)"}, {"response": 1477, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (17:24)", "body": "Movie review: 'Love Actually' By Mark Caro Chicago Tribune Movie Writer 2 stars (out of 4) The ensemble romantic comedy \"Love Actually\" opens with one of its least familiar actors, Bill Nighy, as a wonderfully crooked-faced pop singer recording a lame, Christmas-themed remake of the Troggs' \"Love Is All Around.\" The running joke, which provides the movie's most reliable laughs, is that this old-timer is so candid and good-natured about the record's crassness that the British public sends it zooming up the charts. Alas, \"Love Actually\" has more in common with the renamed \"Christmas Is All Around,\" at least in terms of commercial calculation, than writer-director Richard Curtis probably would wish to admit. Curtis is the smart writer behind \"Four Weddings and a Funeral,\" \"Notting Hill\" and \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" three of the more accomplished romantic comedies of recent vintage, so he must realize how patronizing \"Love Actually\" is. He's taken the most crowd-pleasing conventions of his films and photocopied them over and over in an apparent attempt to maximize the consumer-friendliness of his directorial debut. He should have called this overstuffed comedy \"Love, British Style,\" as it interweaves eight stories in a manner reminiscent of a certain corny TV series of the early '70s. Individually, the tales wouldn't stand up as short stories. Together, they make for sporadically amusing, ultimately wearying viewing. Perhaps Curtis just wanted an excuse to work with an all-star cast of appealing, mostly British performers. Curtis has Hugh Grant, his longtime stand-in of sorts, playing England's new bachelor prime minister, a glib, likable chap (surprise!) who finds himself drawn to 10 Downing Street's young catering manager, Natalie (likable newcomer Martine McCutcheon). The movie also gets Colin Firth to do his trademark yummy-to-the-ladies, shy-guy thing as a cheated-on writer who heads to the country and falls for the Portuguese housekeeper (Lucia Moniz). Emma Thompson brings her characteristic warmth and intelligence to a housewife whose husband, played by Alan Rickman, appears to be tempted by his new seductress secretary (Heike Makatsch). Rickman also plays boss to Laura Linney's shy Sarah, who's been harboring a crush on her company's chief designer (Rodrigo Santoro) but is constantly distracted by phone calls from her mentally ill brother. The other stories involve the awkward relationship between a best man (Andrew Lincoln) and a newlywed couple (Keira Knightly and Chiwetel Ejiofor); a lovesick 11-year-old boy (Thomas Sangster) who seeks advice from his recently widowed stepdad (Liam Neeson); a happy-go-lucky twit (Kris Marshall) who hopes to hit the hot-chick jackpot by moving to Wisconsin; and a pair of porno film stand-ins (Joanna Page and Martin Freeman) who strike up sweet conversations while enacting lewd poses. Each segment has its moments, but they're rarely more than moments, and there are so darned many of them. Curtis just cuts from one to the other, never establishing depth anywhere. He's a talented enough writer with a talented enough cast that you'd be a killjoy to dismiss the whole kaboodle. Much of the dialogue is sharp, but Curtis also reveals a cutesy, precious streak. Grant's introductory voiceover, for instance, makes the pro-love case by citing heartfelt phone calls from doomed Sept. 11 jet passengers before concluding, \"I've got a sneaking suspicion that love actually is all around.\" The movie grows more cloying and repetitive as it stretches well beyond two hours. Almost every main character boasts the same bashful, puppy-dog attitude toward romance. Three segments feature someone being ridiculed for being overweight, and characters keep pointing out that Christmas is the traditional time for declaring one's love to another. (I thought it was the traditional time for being driven nuts by your family.) If Curtis could fling cotton candy from the screen into the audience, he probably would. At one point he shows Grant doing a \"Risky Business\"-style dance to the Pointer Sisters' \"Jump,\" followed by Firth trying to save his blowing-in-the-wind manuscript (ugh) by jumping clothed into a lake. The Grant scene may draw laughs, but you suspect that Curtis won't respect you in the morning. Curtis tries tying everything together neatly at the end, but he's working with too many strands. The Rickman-Thompson and Linney stories, in particular, get short shrift, and characters who appear to be close friends early on - such as Neeson's and Thompson's - don't even acknowledge one another when they're in the same place. The most satisfying relationship turns out to be a non-romantic one, between Nighy's rock star and his manager. Otherwise, \"Love Actually\" is too much tease, not enough satisfaction. Love Actually may be too sweet for sourpusses and cynics, driving them to vitriol, but for some of us, it's a treat, a couple of hours of feel-good confection and not without panache. Worked for me;-"}, {"response": 1478, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (17:25)", "body": "Barbara mentioned the \"Daily Express\" article on CF. Yes, I think there are some new quotes. He mentions \"falling flat on my arse....I walked out of my hotel and there was a small - about seven people in all - but very devoted bunch of Firthfans milling around. So I signed a few autographs and walked away with my head held high towards my limousine - and fell....\" Also says (at the end) \"There can be times when I've actually felt incredibly picky and think I'm not going to work for months until the perfect thing comes along...and it keeps not coming along\". One of the best things about Working Title movies is that they are very expertly marketed, and always raise the profile of the starring actors. I was listening to a film review radio programme the other day, and one of the \"critics\" (Brit based in LA) praised SJ but said that it was a pity that they hadn't got someone more A-list (on a \ufffd6million budget!)than Colin Firth , as it would limit the potential success of the film internationally. Again, one of the tabs had a report on a possible remake of \"Beckett\" (the original had Richard Burton as Beckett and Peter O'Toole as Henry II) with Russell Crowe and Geoffrey Rush. I'd like to see CF and Jeremy Northam, but I guess they still don't attract the money men.)-: So, all fingers crossed that the publicity and world-wide release of LA, and Oscar buzz for GWAPE, will get the right offers rolling in!"}, {"response": 1479, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (17:33)", "body": "(Bethan) Barbara mentioned the \"Daily Express\" article on CF. Yes, I think there are some new quotes. Seems surprising, since several of the \"quotes\" came verbatim from our translation of the Italian Vanity Fair article; others came from the transcription of the US TV shows, like the Daily Show. I think a good portion of this one has been cobbled together from the firth.com archive. ;-) (Brit based in LA) praised SJ but said that it was a pity that they hadn't got someone more A-list (on a \ufffd6million budget!)than Colin Firth, as it would limit the potential success of the film internationally. It was supposed to be be Ralph Fiennes (who will work for peanuts). As you can see, the emphasis is always on the $$$$, i.e., how much can a given actor contribute to the box office. (Bethan) but I guess they still don't attract the money men.)-: Nor do those two have Oscars like the first two. A correlation, perhaps?? ;-)"}, {"response": 1480, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (17:35)", "body": "(Tress) Russell's pants didn't do it for me either, but I enjoyed the film despite my disappointment in his wardrobe)! I balance it out by seeing RC in tight pants...! ;-) Ah, yes in jeans 6ft away.....MMmmmmm, Mmmmmm. on ODB that front flap is just fascinating...as it looks very wide which creates all sorts of illusions in my head). Col Fitz looked 'crammed in' and 'smushed' ROTFL!the (Linda) I'll never forget-when he turned and waved. I don't remember seeing him do that....and they were directly in front of me! What the hell could I have been looking at?! Maybe the few seconds I decided to watch Hugh come in and comment to Rika or Maria about him having styled bedhead. *shrug* The rest of you, go kick a puppy. LOL! (Karen) So, women in subservient roles makes her smile. Women taking off their tops makes her smile. I'm ashamed to be a woman if she's my role model. And being the butt of several overweight-related jokes without any apparent reason. I do agree with Mari that M&C is the better made film, though in some ways it is like comparing apples to oranges, IMO. I found LA entertaining, despite it's flaws. Having said that, for me, I find it the least enjoyable of RC's films/TV projects."}, {"response": 1481, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (17:41)", "body": "(CF in Daily Express) but very devoted bunch of Firthfans milling around Now wait a minute...... he used the term Firthfans ?!"}, {"response": 1482, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (17:57)", "body": "Love Actually beats other Brit hits 21.40PM GMT, 24 Nov 2003 Love Actually has beaten the opening weekends for other Brit hits Bridget Jones's Diary and Notting Hill to claim the number one slot at the box office. The film, starring Hugh Grant and Colin Firth, took \ufffd6.6 million through previews and since its general release on Friday. It is the biggest opening weekend for a British romantic comedy. And it is the highest UK opening for the companies behind the film, Working Title, Universal Pictures and United International Pictures. Bridget Jones's Diary took \ufffd5.7 million when it opened, while Notting Hill took \ufffd4.3 million. Titanic, the biggest box office success to date, took just \ufffd4.8 million in its opening weekend. Love Actually, which marks the directorial debut of Richard Curtis, is expected to become one of the most successful British films of all time after its strong debut. (Tress)on ODB that front flap is just fascinating...as it looks very wide which creates all sorts of illusions in my head). Yes, it is hugely fascinating. Its (the flap) been my constant study for many years;-) (Dorine)Ah, yes in jeans 6ft away.....MMmmmmm, Mmmmmm. Hey, ODB in jeans 6ft away wasn't bad, either. (Dorine)I don't remember seeing him do that....and they were directly in front of me! What the hell could I have been looking at? LOL, who knows?"}, {"response": 1483, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (18:02)", "body": "Now wait a minute......he used the term Firthfans?! I think Karen's right! It's a cut and paste job!"}, {"response": 1484, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (18:14)", "body": "(Linda) I'll never forget-when he turned and waved. (Dorine) I don't remember seeing him do that....and they were directly in front of me! I remember it! GAH! Well, you can see it in Little Bee's pic! We couldn't see him as you did when he entered (too many folks on the carpet blocking our view). Our first good look came when he got up on the ET podium...ET interviewer pointed us out...and here is where it gets all fuzzy and I felt all warm and glowy...he turned...as in slo-mo (I remember birds chirping, music swelling)...and grinned. BIG...then waved at us (and we were so composed and acted in such a respectable manner and waved our greeting back, v. v. quietly)! ;-)"}, {"response": 1485, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (18:17)", "body": "As soon as I saw this: \"Its sense of tradition. When I met my wife, I had to court her, present myself to her father. Until then I had never met a 26-year-old woman who still lived with her parents. I also find it an interesting contradiction that they ignore basic driving rules but are so fastidious at the dinner table. My father in law is horrified when I put pasta and meat on the same plate!\" I knew where it had come from. When you work on a translation for as long as we did, certain things jump out at you, like the word 'fastidious.' We agonized over using certain words and that was one of them. Besides, Colin doesn't give interviews to the Express or the Sun to my knowledge. They've always had reprinted and rehashed stuff in the past. So why would this be any different?? I believe discussions of flaps and breeches belong elsewhere... *tut tut tut*"}, {"response": 1486, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (20:28)", "body": "I believe discussions of flaps and breeches belong elsewhere... *tut tut tut* Waves hands and arms, I finally know! Darcy Drool, yes?;-)"}, {"response": 1487, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (20:31)", "body": "(?)I knew where it had come from. When you work on a translation for as long as we did, certain things jump out at you, like the word 'fastidious.' We agonized over using certain words and that was one of them. LOL! Good thing you were so 'fastidious' in the translation. Who knows where your stuff will end up? Now where did they steal the 'Firthfans' from? Can you imagine Mr. Self-effacing seeing that?"}, {"response": 1488, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (20:31)", "body": "Mary, thanks for the Toronto Star review, I loved it. You know, sometimes I long for the old times when we watched movies without always finding something in them that rubbed us the wrong way. When we didn't look at them from a feminist point of view, or a political, or weight, height point of view. We could look at ourselves and each other and had a good laugh at our differences. Now every single movie is offensive for certain groups of people. So there should be no more fat jokes, animal jokes, \"four eye\" jokes, dwarf jokes, ugly jokes, blonde jokes, Scot (sp?) jokes, and the list goes on and on. I like them. I like the ones that poke fun at my own shortcomings too. Never took them seriously. :-) And I'm a sucker for the poor girl gets the rich guy movies too, even though these days they are not very politically correct. Tough luck, Cinderella. LOL! So I wonder what kind of funny movies they will be able to make 20 years from now, because I guess every joke is going to be offensive to someone. I suppose we will have to find new things to laugh about. So maybe this old fashioned attitude of mine is the reason I enjoyed LA. Yeah, there were lots of fat jokes, but darn it, the girl did have chunky thighs, and did she ever look gorgeous? She looked like a real woman to me. Monroe, Loren, and yes, even Bridget Jones, yeah, chunky and gorgeous. Wouldn't have it any other way. I fully agree with the reviewer. I think sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. Or just a simple rom-com. You take it apart, look at it from every angle, and at the end there will be nothing left to enjoy. Thanks for all the pics and reviews everyone, I'm glad LA is doing pretty well."}, {"response": 1489, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (20:37)", "body": "(Karen)I think a good portion of this one has been cobbled together from the firth.com archive. ;-) Congratulations Boss! LOL! Such an honor to be a source for a newspaper article! ;-))))"}, {"response": 1490, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (21:16)", "body": "(Ildiko) Yeah, there were lots of fat jokes, but darn it, the girl did have chunky thighs I don't recall seeing her thighs well in the movie, and from 6 ft away, she was looking rather well proportioned to me. Matter of fact, one of the first things we all commented on is the fact she looked to be no more than a size 8. Of course, chunky may be a relative term. Remember camera lenses add the appearance of weight (some say 10#). I will say that the pics at the London premiere made her (and quite frankly IMO, Colin as well), look a bit on the wide side. A product of her dress pattern and possibly the lenses they used. Neither looked so in NY to me. Also, in the movie, I could see if she said her boyfriend said she was chunky if he preferred stick figures, as she definitely wasn't that. But again, in saying all this, I enjoyed the movie nonetheless, despite some obvious flaws. Hell, I'm the one who loves SLOW! A really poorly made movie that I enjoy despite the quality. Much worse than LA. My main complaint about LA is it needed some more judicious editing. So there should be no more fat jokes, animal jokes, \"four eye\" jokes, dwarf jokes, ugly jokes, blonde jokes, Scot (sp?) jokes, and the list goes on and on. I like them. I will be the first one to laugh at jokes about weight, animals, \"four eyes\", dwarves (ever see Foul Play...never laughed so hard at and about a dwarf in my life), \"ugly\" people, blondes, Scots (as I am part), etc. I don't by any stretch consider myself to be politically correct, but my issue is the joke needs to relate to something or someone that has the trait being made fun of, rather than stretching to just make a joke at someone's expense. Maybe they should have done different casting to make it more believable to me. I like the ones that poke fun at my own shortcomings too. Never took them seriously. :-) Me neither as I am short, \"four eyes\", and predominantly Polish. Think how many Polish jokes I've heard in my life. If I was so offended and couldn't laugh, I'd be shut away. ;-D"}, {"response": 1491, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (21:28)", "body": "(me) Also, in the movie, I could see if she said her boyfriend said she was chunky if he preferred stick figures, as she definitely wasn't that. Oops, forgot to finish the thought.... The part that bothered me was when her parents said it out of the blue. It just seemed like a forced joke with who they cast. That's all. Devil's Advocate, over and out. ;-)"}, {"response": 1492, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (21:28)", "body": "(Dorine)Remember camera lenses add the appearance of weight (some say 10#) **sigh** . . I can firmly attest, due to the many on camera classes I've taken that the lens does put a good 10 - 15lbs on you . It's sad but true . . .so just imagine how girls like Britany Murphy must look in real life, if she looks emaciated on camera! I myself am struggling to get rid of a good 25 lbs off myself . .just for camera work (though my DH loves me the way I am - 5'7 and a good 150lbs, rather curvy), unfortunately due to the profession I've chosen . .I've got to compete with the walking stick insects . . . .I'm floating about in the middle . .not skinny enough to me a model/waif . .not heavy enough to be a \"heavy character actor\" The pic I saw of Martine in People . .where she was wearing I assume it was the outfit from the NY premiere . .I thought she look beautiful, normal, healthy for god sake . .like a woman . . .( I also thought RZ in BJD looked like a normal woman, not horribly overweight, personally) Sorry . .just a bit of an aside . ."}, {"response": 1493, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (21:32)", "body": "(Dorine) ... my issue is the joke needs to relate to something or someone that has the trait being made fun of, rather than stretching to just make a joke at someone's expense. I thought about that. I think it's the fact that everybody is commenting on the girl's being \"fat\" that is the joke here, not the girl herself."}, {"response": 1494, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 2003 (23:04)", "body": "(Dorine)Ah, yes in jeans 6ft away.....MMmmmmm, Mmmmmm. (Linda) Hey, ODB in jeans 6ft away wasn't bad, either. Ab-so-lute-ly not! ;-D It was a very good week, visually, all around!"}, {"response": 1495, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 2003 (00:18)", "body": "(Ildi) You know, sometimes I long for the old times when we watched movies without always finding something in them that rubbed us the wrong way. We don't disagree terribly, as I love old movies and put them into the context of the period in which they were made. However, LA aspires to be more than a mere Animal House, yuk-it-up type movie. RC claims to be influenced by Short Cuts and Nashville but he made a very run of the mill movie, with I believe some very anti-female sterotyping, among other flaws. Now on a nice note, here's the \"For Your Consideration\" ad from Variety, courtesy of Kimberly: As you can see (sort of), they've put up everybody's names...pretty much in all important categories."}, {"response": 1496, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 2003 (00:57)", "body": "I love the bottom that says, \"And all other categories.\" Talk about throwing out to see what sticks. ;-) For your consideration....Best gaffer, Best caterer.... ;-)"}, {"response": 1497, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 2003 (08:16)", "body": "(Do)Hell, I'm the one who loves SLOW! And you have company.;-))) Now on a nice note, here's the \"For Your Consideration\" ad from Variety, courtesy of Kimberly: Ahhhhhhhhhh.... Thanks Kimberly and Karen."}, {"response": 1498, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 2003 (08:26)", "body": "Thanks Kimberly and Karen!!! For your consideration: Best Actor - Colin Firth! ;-) Makes me all tingly inside... and not a bad picture either! (Dorine)I love the bottom that says, \"And all other categories.\" Talk about throwing out to see what sticks. ;-) For your consideration....Best gaffer, Best caterer.... ;-) How about Best Wig?"}, {"response": 1499, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 2003 (09:09)", "body": "(Beedee) Good thing you were so 'fastidious' in the translation. That remains to be seen. It's really quite disconcerting to see something you (and a committee) wrote and rewrote and rewrote until it sounded halfway decent. I know there are parts that I took huge liberties with. And now it is being attributed to Colin. :-( [lightbulb goes off in head] Perhaps I should put more interesting \"quotes\" in the next articles. Hmmmm, something about wanting to work for certain directors or certain projects..."}, {"response": 1500, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 2003 (09:17)", "body": "From THR today: Mama Mia! COLOGNE, Germany -- German actress Heike Makatsch doesn't have the biggest role in Richard Curtis' Christmas comedy \"Love Actually,\" but playing sultry office temptress Mia, she does get one of the best lines. When her boss Harry (Alan Rickman) asks her about the location for the office party, Mia turns to him, spreads her legs wide and huskily says, \"It's good, with lots of dark corners for doing dark deeds.\" Hot and flustered, Harry doesn't know where to look. For most U.S. filmgoers, \"Love Actually\" will be their first peek at the 32-year-old Makatsch, but her deep-set, vibrant blue eyes are well-known to German audiences. She's accustomed to getting star billing on her home turf. Makatsch stomped onto the German scene in 1993, wearing combat boots and schoolgirl braids and interviewing such pop royalty as Madonna and David Bowie for then-fledgling music channel VIVA. But her real break came in 1995, when director Detlev Buck cast her as a naive, lisping girl who dreams of being a singer in his road movie comedy \"Jailbirds.\" \"After a few years in television, it began to get repetitive, and I really felt the pressure of having to please an audience all on my own,\" Makatsch says, explaining her move to celluloid. \"What I like about film is you are part of a team, all telling a story.\" It was on the set of her second film \ufffd Peter Sehr's \"Obsession\" \ufffd that Makatsch met British actor Daniel Craig and followed him home to London. \"We've been together ever since,\" Makatsch says. \"Coming to London wasn't a career move, it was a love move.\" But it was a move that certainly hasn't hurt her career. By \"working in Germany and living in London,\" Makatsch has slowly collected a diverse and impressive film r\ufffdsum\ufffd that includes Max Faerberboeck's \"Aim\ufffde & Jaguar,\" Doris Doerrie's \"Naked\" and smaller English- language parts in Paul W.S. Anderson's \"Resident Evil\" and Saul Metzstein's \"Late Night Shopping.\" But \"Love Actually,\" with its star-studded cast that includes Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson and Colin Firth, and its pre-awards buzz, is likely to garner the most attention. \"I was very, very nervous going into the casting because I read the script, and I thought, 'this is funny, it's moving, it's sad \ufffd I really want to do this film,'\" Makatsch recalls. \"I was just hoping that maybe the part is small enough for me to have a chance.\" Although Makatsch stresses she is playing \"just a small role in a big film,\" it is a tribute to her drawing power at home that UIP is putting her front and center for the German release of \"Love Actually.\" Several exhibitors are even promoting the picture as \"the new movie with Hugh Grant and Heike Makatsch.\" Despite such star billing, the 32-year-old actress is realistic about translating her success into bigger Hollywood roles. \"I've never been very ambitious in that way because I think for German actresses it is very hard to succeed (in Hollywood),\" she says. \"And, with the exception of Franke (Potente), the ones who have, haven't been in films I would want to be in. \ufffd However, it would be nice if 'Love Actually' helped me get a few more roles in English movies or even (American ones). Who knows?\""}, {"response": 1501, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 2003 (09:21)", "body": "(Karen) Perhaps I should put more interesting \"quotes\" in the next articles. Hmmmm, something about wanting to work for certain directors or certain projects... Capital idea! A little something about heavy Oscar buzz for him....the possibilities are endless. ;-) Speaking of Oscar....and not baloney yes, I know there's a different spelling ...;-) (How was this for a segue? A stretch I know. ;-)) Just a small mention... With Holiday Movies This Week Comes Oscar Buzz Mon Nov 24,10:18 PM ET By Bob Tourtellotte LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The holiday season starts this week, conjuring up images of a white Christmas, but in Hollywood the color being dreamed about is gold -- Oscar gold. 'Tis the season for awards in Tinseltown starting in mid-December when movie critics begin naming their favorites of 2003 and climaxing on Feb. 29, when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (news - web sites) gives out the Oscars (news - web sites). To be sure, several contenders are now playing such as \"Seabiscuit,\" \"Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World\" and \"Mystic River.\" But the holidays bring out Hollywood's big gun movies targeted directly at the golden boy, along with a slew of crowd-pleasers meant to goose the box office. On Wednesday, the Oscar hunt begins with director Ron Howard (news)'s tale of abduction in the Wild West in \"The Missing,\" starring Cate Blanchett (news), and on Dec. 5, comes \"The Last Samurai,\" with Tom Cruise (news) as a U.S. Civil War veteran asked to train Japanese soldiers in western battle. \"I think you'll see that Tom does some things internally that he has never done before. He ceases to be the movie star and becomes the character,\" said \"Samurai\" director Ed Zwick. Opening in a few cities on Dec. 10 then widening through January is Tim Burton (news)'s \"Big Fish,\" a mystical tale about a son, Billy Crudup (news), discovering the measure of human greatness through the eyes of his dying father, Albert Finney (news). One week later, the season's most anticipated adventure, \"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,\" hits theaters as the climax to the trilogy of movies based on J.R.R. Tolkien's tales of an epic battle for middle Earth. Jack Nicholson (news) and Diane Keaton (news) headline romantic comedy \"Something's Gotta Give\" on Dec. 12 and one week later Julia Roberts (news) portrays a teacher who inspires her students to greater heights at all-female Wellesley College during the early 1950s in \"Mona Lisa Smile.\" . Finally, on Christmas Day, Oscar kingpin Miramax Films opens Civil War tale \"Cold Mountain\" with Jude Law (news) playing a Confederate soldier journeyeing home to reunite with his love, Ada, portrayed by Nicole Kidman (news). AID FOR THE INDIES Those movies and their actors will get the major Oscar campaigns, but there are always a few low-budget and independent films that rise up to catch Oscar glory. \"We're in a period where, for better or worse, the only way to get independent films into the wider public eye is to release them through awards season,\" said director Jim Sheridan, whose tale of personal and family redemption \"In America\" is one movie seeking the attention awards bring. \"In America,\" a semi-autobiographical tale for the director of 1989's \"My Left Foot,\" begins its run Wednesday alongside another indie Oscar hopeful, \"The Cooler.\" That film stars William H. Macy (news) as a casino worker whose luck is so cold he is paid to sit near winning gamblers and \"cool\" their streak. Dark human drama \"House of Sand and Fog,\" opening Dec. 26, fits into the risky category with its tale of an Iranian immigrant played by Ben Kingsley (news) who fights for the ownership of a rundown California bungalow from which its previous occupant, played by Jennifer Connelly (news), was evicted. \"It's not a safe movie,\" said Connelly. \"If it were, it would have been boring. Other indie films with performances that could rise through the ranks are \"21 Grams,\" \"Lost in Translation\" and \"The Barbarian Invasions, which are already playing, \"Girl with a Pearl Earring\" (Dec. 12) and \"Japanese Story\" (Dec. 31). Of course, not all holiday movies aim for Oscars. There are some mainstream titles meant mostly to make audiences laugh or cry or simply please crowds with action and adventure. Among big budget family fare are Disney's spooky \"The Haunted Mansion,\" starring Eddie Murphy (news), opening on Wednesday and a new live action version of the classic \"Peter Pan,\" which debuts on Christmas Day. Also opening on Christmas Day are \"Cheaper by the Dozen,\" starring Steve Martin (news) and Bonnie Hunt (news) as couple with 12 children, and thriller \"Paycheck\" starring Ben Affleck (news). Reuters/VNU"}, {"response": 1502, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 2003 (09:46)", "body": "(Dorine)I love the bottom that says, \"And all other categories.\" Talk about throwing out to see what sticks. ;-) For your consideration....Best gaffer, Best caterer.... ;-) (Shoshanna)How about Best Wig? More like Best Wig Wrangler . . . gotta blame somebody for putting that thing on ODB's head!"}, {"response": 1503, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 2003 (15:36)", "body": "The Daily Trojan (USC) David Radcliff It\ufffds OK to be a guy and to want to see \ufffdLove Actually\ufffd In the spirit of Thanksgiving, let me just say thanks to all four of you who have followed my columns so closely this semester. Whether you are members of my family, or members of my family, it's always really encouraging to have such broad and loyal readership. Each week, it's people like you who inspire me to write with care and wit, and then toss it all behind me and get to work on my column. The reader mail has been great, too, by the way. Thanks for sending the cookies. Today, though, I'd like to dedicate my column to a demographic that is in desperate need of our support this holiday season. A group that, I think, really just needs a warm hug and one of those supportive, empathetic nods of the head. For reasons they themselves can't understand, these guys no doubt feel lost, confused, vulnerable or downright wimpy. Many of them are our fellow Trojans. They walk among us, largely indistinguishable from the rest of the student body. I'm talking, of course, about the straight, single men who kinda sorta maybe want to see \"Love Actually.\" Guys, I want you to know it's OK. In fact, I am proud \ufffd dare I say, honored \ufffd to count myself among you. After all, we can't really help ourselves, can we? The advertisements are pretty persistent, and the reviews have been, well ... really good. The other day, on my way to a class, I heard a critic on the radio actually speak the words \"'Love Actually' is so good, if it's not playing in a theater near you, I will personally drive you there myself.\" A frightening thought, but I suppose it speaks well of the movie. Still, I cannot ignore the fact that \"Love Actually\" falls into a category that usually doesn't interest me. With exceptions like \"The Princess Bride\" or \"When Harry Met Sally,\" films in the romantic comedy genre have gradually become like the tracks on my Barry White album \ufffd it's not that I don't like them, it's just that they all sound a lot alike. So when Richard Roeper proclaimed that the film was \"like a symphony of greatest hits\" in romantic comedy, you can imagine I was a little put off. Just not as much as I'd thought I would be. In the hands of writer-director Richard Curtis (who also wrote hits like \"Bridget Jones' Diary,\" \"Four Weddings and a Funeral\" and the alarmingly boring \"Notting Hill\"), \"Love Actually\" has quietly adopted a larger-than-life, you-have-to-see-this-movie sort of stature. To my surprise, it looks funny, unthreatening and unusually guy-friendly. As an added bonus, its cast is as classy and as charmingly British as anyone could hope to find: Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Alan Rickman, Rowan Atkinson and Hugh Grant are just some of the names attached, so at least we can be sure this flick won't come off feeling like some soggy high school melodrama. When I'd first heard of \"Love Actually,\" though, I had quickly filed it in the \"Eh, whatever\" section of my brain \ufffd a place where you'll find stuff like \"Timeline,\" or \"The Last Samurai\" or the Michael Jackson court case. But sometimes I slip up. Last summer I stuck \"Pirates of the Caribbean\" in there, and ended up feeling like an idiot after seeing it twice in theaters. I don't know that I'll see \"Love Actually\" multiple times, but just the fact that I'm interested in giving it a shot at all is more than I'd expected. Maybe I should point out that I used to be a little biased against Hugh Grant films. It wasn't until \"About a Boy,\" in fact, that I was able to see him as more than the foppish, jittery and insecure man-child characters that he plays. Ironically, in a film in which those man-child characteristics are celebrated in full, Mr. Grant turned out the most mature and confident performance that I've ever seen him give. \"About a Boy\" was about growing up, even after you're already a grown-up, and who better to headline that film than an actor who had spent years perfecting the \"charming,\" spineless stammer of a middle-aged man who, despite looking like a movie star, has no skill with women. \"About a Boy\" was a romantic comedy that surprised me \ufffd it wasn't too mushy, it wasn't too heavy-handed and even as I knew my emotions were being manipulated, the writing was so tight and so smart that I just didn't care. I hope \"Love Actually\" will provide the same sort of surprise. I've agreed to wait until after Thanksgiving to see it with some of my friends, so until then, I guess I could get the requisite testosterone rush from something like \"Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.\" It looks like there's plenty of screaming and tension and high-seas action in that one. It's been getting great reviews, too, and at least it won't make me feel like such a softie. http://www.dailytrojan.com/article.do?issue=/V150/N64&id=03-ok.64d.html"}, {"response": 1504, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 2003 (15:42)", "body": "(Kimberly)More like Best Wig Wrangler . . . gotta blame somebody for putting that thing on ODB's head! Wig wrangler of course! Is that the person who breeds and raises wigs? ;-) Oh, but after seeing ODB as Vermeer, I love that wig. *sigh*"}, {"response": 1505, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 2003 (17:01)", "body": "Before when Maria posted this link for the Anatomy of a Scene for GWAPE on Sundance Channel, the specifics weren't up when I looked. They are now in a pop-up box, for those who haven't checked recently. http://www.sundancechannel.com/schedule/?schedDate=12/28/2003+06:00:00 Has several showings. I'm really looking forward to this. I love this show."}, {"response": 1506, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 2003 (17:18)", "body": "A new GWAPE trailer here *sigh* http://www.mymovies.net/trailers/trailer_play.asp?TRID=1519|1182"}, {"response": 1507, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 2003 (18:22)", "body": "(Karen)A new GWAPE trailer here *sigh* ***Triple sigh*** ...\"Make time\" I think this will be my favorite line of the film. Thanks, Karen. Now I can spend all of the holiday weekend thinking GWAPE."}, {"response": 1508, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 2003 (18:47)", "body": "Just received a book club mailing today, featuring GWAPE, \"Soon to be a Major Motion Picture!\" (Ooooooh, let's hope!)"}, {"response": 1509, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 2003 (18:59)", "body": "IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT for Sydney Drooleurs: There are two scheduled \"preview screenings\" of LA that I know of so far in Sydney - one on Dec 10 at Fox Studios (RSVP.com had a contest to win tix, but don't know if any are available for sale - perhaps you can contact Fox Studios directly to find out). The second is on Dec 14 at the Orpheum, and it's a benefit for the National Trust (a very worthy cause!) tickets are on sale now, so don't delay: http://www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/loveactually.html Have already booked tickets for myself and a friend. Please do email me if you'd like to meet up at the screening. Sounds like a class act - champaigne and strawberries for the show!"}, {"response": 1510, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 2003 (19:35)", "body": "(Karen) A new GWAPE trailer here *sigh* Oh my. That was lovely. Thanks Karen! I wish they would put this one up at the official website, it would be a much better quality then. I thought I liked the other trailer better because this one's a bit all over the place, a cut here, there, everywhere, but that close up of Colin is a killer. \"Lick your lips.\" Naaah, I'd rather lick yours. Bad Ildi. :-) I loved the way they morphed Scarlett into the GWAPE. It looked fantastic. I thought the painting looked younger, and more innocent."}, {"response": 1511, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 2003 (21:30)", "body": "Karen - thanks for the GWAPE trailer! . .grr . . . am having trouble with computer, for some reason did not see anything, only heard audio . .ahh but just hearing ODB's voice out of the darkness is enough . .can't wait for the screening on 12/10 in NY!"}, {"response": 1512, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 2003 (22:37)", "body": "(Dorine)..link for the Anatomy of a Scene for GWAPE on Sundance Channel I plan to subscribe to Sundance for this ...I see it's on Christmas Day at 8 PM and Dec 28th at 7 Pm. when else? (I suscribed to HBO for Conspiracy...now it's be replaced by Sundance!)"}, {"response": 1513, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 2003 (23:23)", "body": "Anatomy of a Scene for GWAPE on Sundance Channel Once more on 12/31 Thursday 12.25.2003 8:00PM Sunday 12.28.2003 7:00PM Wednesday 12.31.2003 3:30PM"}, {"response": 1514, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Nov 26, 2003 (10:31)", "body": "December openings. GWAPE preview from Guy Flatley's interesting film site - Scroll a bit: http://www.moviecrazed.com/ultimate/dec_2003.htm"}, {"response": 1515, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 26, 2003 (11:44)", "body": "In case anyone is organizing LA walking tours, here's some info on a non-CF scene from yesterday: Herne Hill actually By Richard Evans, South London Press WERE you wondering where Hugh Grant searches for Martine McCutcheon in his latest movie? It was Herne Hill, actually. Film producers picked Poplar Road, near Loughborough Junction, for the scene in Love Actually, which stars Hugh as a love-struck Prime Minister. Residents in the street had a chance to earn some cash by putting up Christmas decorations outside the season. One resident even had the film crew in her house. Marian Byfield, 83, had the honour of Hugh singing in her garden. She said: \"He was singing the carol in my front garden. I do not know why they picked me, but they came around and decorated my walls. \"On Friday, I happened to look at the television and they were showing the bit when he was here. \"I liked him very much. When he came around, I said 'hello, Hugh', and he asked me how long I had lived here. \"Margery Mason was in the film and came in and sat on my settee with me. She talks to Hugh in the film and was waiting for him to knock on the door. \"They kept changing my window and changing the number on the door so it looks like it is several different houses.\" St Paul's Church in Rectory Grove, Clapham, was also used as a set for the film. Juliette Gawade, the church warden, said: \"It was very exciting but also quite demanding. \"Justine Allain-Chapman, the vicar of the church, had her sitting room used as a kind of green room by Liam Neeson. Also, a couple of extras in the film are from St Paul's.\" Juliette has yet to see the film, but there will be an outing from the church to Clapham Picture House to see it tonight. She added: \"It was fantastic to be used. The money was much-needed, given the huge roof restoration fund we had recently.\" And to complete the South London presence in the film, Tate Modern, the Millennium Bridge and City Hall also appear."}, {"response": 1516, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 26, 2003 (18:42)", "body": "New article and a very stylishly clad CF: http://www.firth.com/articles/03interview_decjan.html I like his take on Vermeer and how he used Griet."}, {"response": 1517, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Wed, Nov 26, 2003 (18:43)", "body": "OK, here's a notice for Drooleurs in the UK : There is a contest to win a video of HS, which ends TODAY - so if you're interested, better go and register right away. It's on at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/derby/competitions/04_competition.shtml"}, {"response": 1518, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Wed, Nov 26, 2003 (18:44)", "body": "Oh MY! ODB up on a pedestal - and looking very scrumptious! Love the coat..."}, {"response": 1519, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 26, 2003 (19:08)", "body": "Hmmm, I may have to switch the pics, so that I can do a bigger pedestal one..."}, {"response": 1520, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Wed, Nov 26, 2003 (19:13)", "body": "Thank you for that, Karen! And I've just received an invitation to the Dec 10 screening of LA! WOOO HOOOO! To all Australian Drooleurs - you can sign up for the preview screenings (throughout Australia) by becoming a \"member\" at hoyts.ninemsn.com.au - it's free, and they only send me an email once a week, so you don't get spammed."}, {"response": 1521, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, Nov 26, 2003 (19:44)", "body": "Juliette has yet to see the film (LA), but there will be an outing from the church to Clapham Picture House to see it tonight. Uh-oh, I think the church folks have a bit of a shock coming. ;-) Thanks for the pic and the article Karen."}, {"response": 1522, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Nov 26, 2003 (21:06)", "body": "Thank you Karen for the great article!!! I love how the cord is omnipresent. (The Sun)Curtis makes films the whole family can sit down to watch, without having to worry that Granny might be offended. (Mari)His granny must like simulated sex scenes and say f*ck a lot.;-) (Ildi)Uh-oh, I think the church folks have a bit of a shock coming. ;-) Oh, to have a review of LA from the sweet grannies and church folks. LOL!"}, {"response": 1523, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Nov 26, 2003 (21:40)", "body": "Just a little tidbit from MI-6 Actor News - 27-11-03 Two James Bond's make it into the top ten suavest star list... Two \"James Bond\"s have made it into the top ten of a new style poll. 8000 people we polled by Burton's Formal Hire Service in the UK to find the suavest star. The original Bond - Sir Sean Connery - came third in the poll, and the current 007 Pierce Brosnan came in fourth place. Movie idol Cary Grant was voted the most suave star of all time, with crooner Frank Sinatra coming in second place. The rest of the top ten were: Pulp Fiction's Samuel L Jackson, rock star David Bowie and film hunks Colin Firth and George Clooney. Sinatra's Rat Pack pal Dean Martin came ninth and Hugh Grant tenth. http://www.mi6.co.uk/livenews/fullstory.php3?topicid=991&t=&s=news LOL, well at least ODB beat GC, DM and HG. Thanks for the article from Interview, Karen. (CF)I never found him (Vermeer)it was a constant chase... My unasked question from the BAFTA Q&A. *sigh*"}, {"response": 1524, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Nov 26, 2003 (21:58)", "body": "The rest of the top ten were: Pulp Fiction's Samuel L Jackson, rock star David Bowie and film hunks Colin Firth and George Clooney. Sinatra's Rat Pack pal Dean Martin came ninth and Hugh Grant tenth. OMG! A dead guy! Nuf said...."}, {"response": 1525, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 26, 2003 (22:02)", "body": "The leash again under the Hugo Boss gray shirt. Must have some permanent status when he doesn't even remove it for a modeling gig. (CF on Vermeer)\"There is a cruelty in his relationship with her. \" Some of us maintained that during the book discussion, but were disputed. So there;-)"}, {"response": 1526, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Wed, Nov 26, 2003 (22:15)", "body": "*lol* linda and I must have posted that article link simultaneously - but mine went into Odds & Ends, fearing the Boss' wrath... I just got off the phone with the membership office of the Australian Film Institute. Was attempting to weasel out information on the Australian launch of \"Love Actually\". The girl on the phone said that she'd heard Colin's going to be in Melbourne for the Aussie launch (but she didn't know anything 'for certain', and couldn't even pronounce CF's name...). May have to book tickets to Melbourne in Dec... am trying to work up the nerve to call UIP's offices to find out: A. If he's coming to Sydney, too and B. What the exact date is of the premiere in Melbourne"}, {"response": 1527, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 26, 2003 (22:49)", "body": "(CF) I don\ufffdt think Darcy really exists as a fully rounded creature. He\ufffds more of a suggestion, and it\ufffds difficult to develop a character based on an enigma. ...wrapped in a mystery, no doubt. ;-) (Jane) but mine went into Odds & Ends, fearing the Boss' wrath... You mean it is finally penetrating? ;-)"}, {"response": 1528, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Thu, Nov 27, 2003 (01:10)", "body": "(Karen) You mean it is finally penetrating? ;-) hehe - see? I'm not as dense as I look! ;-) Well folks, it's bad news, I'm afraid. The PR person from UIP returned my call and said that there is NO Australian premiere for LA, and Colin is NOT coming to Oz... *SIGH* Regardless of that disappointment, please do email me (by clicking on my name) if you'd like to meet up at either the Dec 10th screening (at Fox Studios) or the Dec 14th screening (at the Orpheum). If you've never been to the Orpheum, let me just say, this is a beautiful theatre! It's completely original 1920's style - just gorgeous. Even has a beautiful piano which rises out of the orchestra pit..."}, {"response": 1529, "author": "soph", "date": "Thu, Nov 27, 2003 (05:01)", "body": "first, the trophy then the podium... congratulations ! but what the hell is this about anyway ? could it be some sort of subtle award-related hypnotizing attempt, you know, free association style (- cf ? - mmmmh, best actor ? and the winner is...) karen, if you still need dewatermarking, i'm back in business."}, {"response": 1530, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Nov 27, 2003 (09:31)", "body": "(CF)And I did a film called My Life So Far [1999] where I run around in a 1930s swimsuit, for God\ufffds sake. I thought, if this doesn\ufffdt kill the heartthrob thing, nothing will. [laughs] Just shows you how he misjudges his appeal - this film was the clincher for me. Thanks for the article, Karen. What publication is it from?"}, {"response": 1531, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Nov 27, 2003 (09:40)", "body": "Karen - Great article! . .Thanks Definitely also liked his take on Vermeer's relationship w/ Griet . .very curious to see the ear piercing scene now . .as an unsympathetic man taking a girl's virginity (in a symbolic way via the earring) , drawing blood, and then getting to on to his own needs, leaving the girl to, as it sounds like SJ has done, take the pain and disappointment of the \"act itself\" and summon all her self dignity to get through the rest of the act . . I'm rambling, sorry . . ."}, {"response": 1532, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 27, 2003 (09:55)", "body": "(Sophie) first, the trophy...then the podium... I prefer to think he's posing as an award statue, but usually those figures are nudes. (Janet) What publication is it from? Interview magazine (Dec/Jan 2004)"}, {"response": 1533, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 27, 2003 (14:11)", "body": "What he really said: http://www.survival-international.org/bushman_031121.htm"}, {"response": 1534, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Thu, Nov 27, 2003 (14:13)", "body": "Imagining Colin nude on an award statue works for me !!!"}, {"response": 1535, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Thu, Nov 27, 2003 (15:06)", "body": "(Cathey) Imagining Colin nude on an award statue works for me !!! Well it would certainly solve the problem of trousers bagging around his ankles. And I thought hemming was the only solution."}, {"response": 1536, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Nov 27, 2003 (20:42)", "body": "(Sophie) first, the trophy...then the podium... (Karen)I prefer to think he's posing as an award statue, but usually those figures are nudes. (Cathey) Imagining Colin nude on an award statue works for me !!! Mmmmmmmmm... happy thought indeed! Aren't the award statues gold plated too, or would that just be gilding the lily, so to speak? ;-)"}, {"response": 1537, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Nov 27, 2003 (21:14)", "body": "(Karen)I prefer to think he's posing as an award statue, but usually those figures are nudes. . Does that mean we get to take him home and put him on the mantel? Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!"}, {"response": 1538, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Nov 27, 2003 (21:19)", "body": "(Karen) I prefer to think he's posing as an award statue, but usually those figures are nudes.. Now...see.....I never imagine him naked (oh, I guess I should say nude)....nope....never.....(Whew.....too much Chardonnay! I almost managed to say that with a straight face)! ;-D Happy Thanksgiving everyone!"}, {"response": 1539, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 27, 2003 (23:06)", "body": "(Tress) I never imagine him naked (oh, I guess I should say nude) That's right, we're talking art where figures are nude, not nekkid."}, {"response": 1540, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Nov 28, 2003 (01:50)", "body": "Thank you for all the articles and pictures. Thought the Interview-one was very interesting, and the pictures great too :-) A few quotes from Telegraph.co.uk: Suvari - in Britain for the premiere of her new film Spun - was also recently on these shores for the filming of Trauma, a psychological thriller co-starring Colin Firth. \"I've always found the English charming,\" she adds. \"I just did a film here with Colin Firth, and he's a proper gentleman; one of the best.'' --------------- Darcy, actually The decision to cast Colin Firth in the second Bridget Jones film has necessitated a hasty rewrite of the original script. For in Helen Fielding's original novel, Firth - who plays love interest Mr Darcy - makes an appearance as himself. \"Bridget actually has a crush on Colin Firth and, in the second book, gets to interview him,\" says Firth. \"I'm not supposed to tell you this, but that bit has had to be written out of the film. There won't be any Colin Firth in the film, so there'll be no confusion with getting another actor to play me.\" Firth, who was speaking at the premiere of Love Actually, is clearly taking his duties as lead male particularly seriously. \"Oh my goodness, it's 2am and I start filming Bridget Jones tomorrow \ufffd no today \ufffd at seven,\" he said, hastening for the exit. \"Those costume girls will need to give me plenty of make-up.\""}, {"response": 1541, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Fri, Nov 28, 2003 (05:52)", "body": "From Vogue, December 2003: One of the neater moments in Girl with a Pearl Earring has little to do with any of the people onscreen - it's the quite drama of a mortar being dragged across a pestle, emitting a mild scraping sound that's as sensual as a whisper. Grinding a powder of the purest cobalt blue is a fetching young maid named Griet (Scarlett Johansson), at work in the house of the great artist Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth). Based on Tracy Chevalier\ufffd\ufffds discreetly sexy historical novel and directed by Peter Webber, who cut his teeth on documentaries, the film re-creates in convincing detail the sights and sounds of Delft, Holland, circa 1665. Here are the ladies\ufffd\ufffd crisp linen bonnets, the rowdy crowds in the marketplace, the bourgeois interiors crammed full of strange and fascinating objects. And above all, the clear northern light that streamed through the windows of Vermeer\ufffd\ufffds studio onto his canvases \ufffdV light that can still teach us fresh lessons about how to see. Arriving as a servant in the Vermeer household after her craftsman father is injured in an accident, Griet finds that it\ufffd\ufffds not the friendliest of places. She faces the petty jealousy of one of Vermeer\ufffd\ufffds young daughters (he\ufffd\ufffds saddled with eleven children), and the more justified envy of his wife, who senses a threatening closeness between her husband and the new girl. Firth, somewhat hampered by the film\ufffd\ufffds emphasis on visuals over dialogue, plays Vermeer as frustrated and morose, hiding from his brood in the upstairs studio and working too slowly to stave off debt . Only Griet seems to understand the pains he takes to get the light right and the colors just so. Silently they form a bond based on artistic sympathy, the feeling each has of being trapped, and \ufffdV though we must form our own opinion of how deep and fiery \ufffdV sexual attraction. As she struggled to handle her feelings, Griet mulls over an offer of marriage from the local butcher\ufffd\ufffds apprentice (sweetly played by rising Irish actor Cillian M rphy, who starred in the futuristic 28 Hours and has an ethereal handsomeness that makes him perfect as a man from another era.) Needless to say, it\ufffd\ufffds all leading up to a behind-the-masterpiece moment as a nasty patron (Tom Wilkinson) pushes Griet to pose in secret for Vermeer. In the hands of the fine cinematographer Eduardo Serra, the moment pays off. When Johansson puts on that earring, turns her head over her left shoulder to stare at the camera, and parts her lips in a tantalizing expression that can be read as inviting or defiant or both, she looks just like the Girl. High-mindedly, director Webber resists the temptation to vamp up the story by making more of Griet and Vermeer\ufffd\ufffds affection than the novel did. But the film\ufffd\ufffds anticlimactic reticence points out a challenge Johansson will face as she heads to stardom. Coming off her acclaimed performance in this fall\ufffd\ufffds Lost in Translation , in which she flirts and yearns fruitlessly alongside Bill Murray, Johansson knows how to be looked at by an older costar and how to inspire a chaste passion. She\ufffd\ufffds this year\ufffd\ufffds obscure object of desire. It\ufffd\ufffdll be good to see her start xpressing herself, and do some desiring of her own."}, {"response": 1542, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Fri, Nov 28, 2003 (08:00)", "body": "( Josie ) Silently they form a bond based on artistic sympathy, the feeling each has of being trapped Nice article-am glad the journalist keynoted that both Vermeer and Griet feel trapped...something that runs true in both the novel and,apparently, the movie."}, {"response": 1543, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Fri, Nov 28, 2003 (08:48)", "body": "( Karen )New article and a very stylishly clad CF: Interesting interview lending more light to ODB's interpretation of his characters- liked the reference to MD not being *fully rounded creature. He's more of a suggestion* .The details we seem to crave are exactly what disperses the mystery-and then the fascination seems lessened.....old adage: \"Less is More\"."}, {"response": 1544, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 28, 2003 (10:07)", "body": "has necessitated a hasty rewrite of the original script. Hasty? (Vogue) Firth, somewhat hampered by the film's emphasis on visuals over dialogue, plays Vermeer as frustrated and morose, hiding from his brood in the upstairs studio and working too slowly to stave off debt v. odd observation IMO. Thanks for the articles, Annette and Josie!"}, {"response": 1545, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 28, 2003 (14:23)", "body": "With Zing being my enabler, pics from the UK screenplay book: http://www.firth.com/love_gal_loc2.html Plus a couple of additons to the other gallery: http://www.firth.com/love_gal_pub1.html"}, {"response": 1546, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 28, 2003 (14:42)", "body": "Nic pics, Zing and Boss...esp. the one with *my* scarf , which he loses on the plane on the way to Marseilles;-) At the Read Through, no spectacles!! From cnn.com Estimated ticket sales Fri through Sun. Final figures to be released on Monday. #5. Love Actually\"$9.1 million"}, {"response": 1547, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Fri, Nov 28, 2003 (16:46)", "body": "Great stuff, Karen and Zing. Thanks Bunches!"}, {"response": 1548, "author": "Zing", "date": "Fri, Nov 28, 2003 (17:53)", "body": "Hi Boss -- thanks for the mention, but all I did was, er, carry out orders... ;-) (Hope someone else cooked the turkey and made the stuffing and cranberry sauce, etc., so you could give your scanning fingers a well-deserved rest!) And thanks much for the recent spate of new pics and articles, especially the Australian one and the one from Interview magazine (though methinks ODB looks a little self-conscious being posed as a fashion mannequin). Hope all the U.S. Drooleurs had a wonderful Thanksgiving!"}, {"response": 1549, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Fri, Nov 28, 2003 (17:59)", "body": "From Entertainment Weekly , 12/5/03, page 16 [each actor is pictured (small) with Bill Nighy\ufffds a bit larger]. \ufffdLove\ufffd Song It could be the ultimate instance of life imitating art: Love Actually \ufffds schlocky holiday hit, \ufffdChristmas is All Around\ufffd (sung by scene stealer Bill Nighy), is being released as a single in the U.K. in the hopes that, as in the film, the song tops the charts by Dec. 25. \ufffdI have to do the video,\ufffd say Nighy from his home across the pond. \ufffdSo I\ufffdve just been dancing about the front room to it.\ufffd Will it be a smash or a flop? We asked the film\ufffds stars, If the song came on the radio, would they turn it up or tune it out? Colin Firth \ufffdOh, boy. Past the first listen I don\ufffdt think I\ufffdd spend a lot of time with it. It\ufffds designed to hurt the eardrums.\ufffd Laura Linney \ufffdI\ufffdm turning it up, baby! It represents the movie for me, so I just love it. I\ufffdd blare it from the rooftops.\ufffd Alan Rickman \ufffdI wouldn\ufffdt be listening to a radio station that played that.\ufffd Emma Thompson \ufffdOh, God. I suppose just out of sheer affection toward Bill Nighy I\ufffdd turn it up.\ufffd"}, {"response": 1550, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Nov 28, 2003 (19:17)", "body": "(CF)It\ufffds designed to hurt the eardrums.\ufffd LOL, showing a bit of age, there? I find it habit forming in my car. Thanks, Karen and Zing for the behind the scenes of LA. I love the black and whites."}, {"response": 1551, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Nov 28, 2003 (19:30)", "body": "Firth, somewhat hampered by the film's emphasis on visuals over dialogue.... Never in a gazillion years would I think that ODB would be hampered by emphasizing visuals over dialogue.....it's all about about the visuals, baby! ;-D Thanks Karen and Zing for the lovely pictures.....love the ones from the read through. Also like the kiss pic (very sweet) and love the pond picture....with ODB's hair looking like Ed Grimley's! Thank you Josie and Annette for the articles!"}, {"response": 1552, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Nov 28, 2003 (20:07)", "body": "Re LA. I have the UK screenplay book. - Is the US version much different?"}, {"response": 1553, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 29, 2003 (09:48)", "body": "(Zing) but all I did was, er, carry out orders... ;-) Ha!! I noticed a kind of desperation in your emails when, initially, you couldn't find the book there. (That was a lot of scanning!) Alan Rickman: \"I wouldn\ufffdt be listening to a radio station that played that.\" Tell it like it is, Alan. ;-) BTW, I've only heard the other song (the one from the Christmas pageant) on the radio and my insulin wasn't handy. v. annoying. (Janet) I have the UK screenplay book. - Is the US version much different? From their listings on amazon, the US version was about 60 pages light, so Zing kindly offered to pick up a UK one while she was there, which was when it was first released."}, {"response": 1554, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sat, Nov 29, 2003 (10:33)", "body": "(Janet) I have the UK screenplay book. - Is the US version much different? (Karen)From their listings on amazon, the US version was about 60 pages light, so Zing kindly offered to pick up a UK one while she was there, which was when it was first released. Goody! Amazon.co.uk said they are mailing mine out today! Thank you Karen and Zing for a sneak peek!"}, {"response": 1555, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sat, Nov 29, 2003 (10:35)", "body": "Sorry. Too much excitement perhaps..."}, {"response": 1556, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Nov 29, 2003 (13:59)", "body": "Not a whole lot new, but a nice upbeat review for LA from The Royal Gazette Love Actually is pleasantly manipulative NEW YORK (AP) -- There are two things you must know up front about the new British comedy \ufffdLove Actually\". It's unabashedly sentimental, premised on the relentlessly upbeat message that love is everywhere. And it's about Christmas. You might be tempted to roll your eyes. But try not to, because then you'd have to take them off the screen. Keep them open, and chances are that at the end of this chaotic, somewhat manipulative but highly entertaining film you'll be wearing a big, silly grin on your face. It's hard to say why this movie doesn't suffocate with its sweetness. Perhaps because writer Richard Curtis, who also penned such successful romantic comedies as \ufffdFour Weddings and a Funeral,\ufffd \ufffdNotting Hill\ufffd and \ufffdBridget Jones's Diary,\ufffd has a knack for turning to humor just split seconds before a scene becomes unbearably corny. Or perhaps it's the terrific cast he's assembled for his directorial debut, including Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Alan Rickman, Colin Firth, Laura Linney, Billy Bob Thornton and of course, that perennial of British romantic comedy, Hugh Grant - appearing here as no less than the prime minister of Britain. The film stakes out its ground in the first moments, with real scenes of happy reunions at the Heathrow arrivals terminal. Love, Grant declares in a voiceover, really is all around. The evidence follows: We track 20 or so loosely interconnected Londoners in various stages of life and love - just before Christmas, naturally.... The rest is here: http://www.theroyalgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20031129/LIFESTYLE/31128002"}, {"response": 1557, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Nov 29, 2003 (15:11)", "body": "LA is No.1 (new entry)at the UK Box Office. Not surprising, given the business it has been doing in my neck of the woods, at least."}, {"response": 1558, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov 29, 2003 (16:01)", "body": "Not surprising at all. British movie , hot British cast; even the 'below the title' actors are from Brit TV. Don't think it will make #1 in the US."}, {"response": 1559, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 29, 2003 (16:19)", "body": "Yes, it was No. 1 from last weekend's box office results, though it is too soon to make any calls for this. However, it may just hold it, if nothing else of significance opens."}, {"response": 1560, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov 29, 2003 (19:09)", "body": "Sorry, mine eyes are playing tricks on me reading the charts....thought it was Cat in the Hat and Elf."}, {"response": 1561, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Sun, Nov 30, 2003 (04:56)", "body": "(Vogue) Firth, somewhat hampered by the film's emphasis on visuals over dialogue, plays Vermeer as frustrated and morose, hiding from his brood in the upstairs studio and working too slowly to stave off debt (Karen) v. odd observation IMO. (Tress) Never in a gazillion years would I think that ODB would be hampered by emphasizing visuals over dialogue.....it's all about about the visuals, baby! ;-D So true. IMO, she's made quite a few odd comments. BTW, a small note - thank you so much for the card, ladies.(you know who you are ;-)) It is certainly one of the best gifts I've ever had!"}, {"response": 1562, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Nov 30, 2003 (08:20)", "body": "Thanks for the articles and the pics!!!! (Love the LA readthrough pics especially . .mmmmm nice striped shirt!) Hope those pics are in the US version of the book . . . Hope everyone had great turkey day . .I was bit under the weather ealier in the week, my DH forced me to stay in bed and not do any baking or anything . .turned it into a Colin film fest sat through all of P&P quite happily (a sacrifice I loved to make!) Took friend to see LA recently . .she liked it alot, had big sigh when ODB came on screen . .esp liked his storyline b/c she had just finished directing the play \"The Foreigner\" . .and there was alot of language/misunderstanding comedy bits in that play as well . . .she said she found it interesting how RC had managed to intertwine all of those storylines . .and was a little sad about LL unrequited love storyline. All in all, enjoyed the film !"}, {"response": 1563, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Sun, Nov 30, 2003 (08:40)", "body": "From The Sydney Morning Herald: Oscar heat is on December 1, 2003 The Sun-Herald 2. Girl With A Pearl Earring (releases January 22) BBC drama veteran Peter Webber wasn't sure he wanted to make the transition to features with a conventional period romance about the painter Johannes Vermeer and his muse, until he read the ear-piercing scene. Then he saw the heart of the upstairs-downstairs domestic drama: the conflict between the artist (Colin Firth) and his patron (Tom Wilkinson), the painter and his family, and the unspoken attraction between the man and his model (Scarlett Johansson). Webber was not afraid to fashion a quietly paced movie that is as visually lovely as a Vermeer. A hit on the festival circuit as well as with academy voters, Girl With A Pearl Earring could be the Frida of this Oscar race. The rest of the article can be viewed here: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/11/30/1070127259583.html"}, {"response": 1564, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Nov 30, 2003 (09:54)", "body": "...And then there is this? Looks like there's hope in Kansas, eh, I think. Posted on Sun, Nov. 30, 2003 Swords & sorcerers From the 'The Last Samurai' to the final 'Lord of the Rings' installment, the holiday movie season offers something for everyone. BY BOB CURTRIGHT The Wichita Eagle Opening Dec. 26 Other possibilities... \"Hope Springs\" (PG-13) Romantic comedy about choices with Colin Firth as a melancholy British artist dumped in small-town Vermont by his fiancee (Minnie Driver). When a matchmaker (Mary Steenburgen) fixes him up with a local girl (Heather Graham), they begin to click just as his old flame returns http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/entertainment/7376807.htm How Odd;-)"}, {"response": 1565, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 30, 2003 (10:32)", "body": "Odd? Odder than odd IMO. Dec 26th was the date Buena Vista penciled in way back when...when it canceled HS's April (or spring) release date. That would've been back in Feb or March and it almost seemed like something they would've put in to mean \"sometime by the end of the year.\" However, with theater screens at a premium this type of year, who dumps films now? Or has someone at BV decided that Colin's fans (much more noticeable since LA's premiere) will go to see anything of his. Talk about something that will put a nice damper on his dramatic reputation while others are hyping his solid performance as Vermeer. The timing couldn't be worse. :-("}, {"response": 1566, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Nov 30, 2003 (10:48)", "body": "Thanks for the Interview interview and pics, Karen. And thanks to Zing for the um, zingers!;-) (Evelyn)At the Read Through, no spectacles!! ROTF! He's busted! I said from the start it was an affectation. (Ev)Don't think it will make #1 in the US. No, but it was never positioned that way by Universal. They did the slow rollout, adding theaters each week, and it's still playing in fewer places than the blockbusters. And with 3 or 4 other major releases here each week, the market here is too competitive. Still , seems like it's doing very well, should top $40 million this weekend. Karen)Dec 26th was the date Buena Vista penciled in way back when...and it almost seemed like something they would've put in to mean \"sometime by the end of the year.\" I think this guy is going from a very outdated list. Agree that timing would be bad, but not to worry, I think this turkey is cooked for good."}, {"response": 1567, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Nov 30, 2003 (10:54)", "body": "(Karen)Talk about something that will put a nice damper on his dramatic reputation while others are hyping his solid performance as Vermeer. The timing couldn't be worse. :-( Errg . .definitely n.g . . . tried searching the BV website . .can't seem to dreg anything up on openings of HS. .perhaps this is just a misprint?? . .or a sole release in Kansas?"}, {"response": 1568, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 30, 2003 (11:01)", "body": "I had checked the BV website and it showed nothing too, when I started getting emails about HS and the 12/26 opening on moviefone too. That I wrote off to an \"old list.\" But a newspaper with upcoming releases??"}, {"response": 1569, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Nov 30, 2003 (12:30)", "body": "(Karen) Or has someone at BV decided that Colin's fans (much more noticeable since LA's premiere) will go to see anything of his. That decision would be spot on. Talk about something that will put a nice damper on his dramatic reputation while others are hyping his solid performance as Vermeer. The timing couldn't be worse. :-( I think it would slip in under the radar of critics, though. Too many other \"important\" films they have to concentrate at that time and give 2 hoots about. Don't think HS would faze them, esp if they'd already seen GWAPE. Matter of fact, doubt they'd devote more than one column inch to it. Thanks Zing and Karen for the goodies."}, {"response": 1570, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Nov 30, 2003 (13:28)", "body": "early US box office report from Comingsoon.com puts LA at #9. Still..it's the only movie in the top 12 that's being shown in less than 2000 theatres."}, {"response": 1571, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 30, 2003 (15:51)", "body": "(Dorine) That decision would be spot on. But I still don't think it is the case. The release listing has just not been accurately updated is all. (Dorine) I think it would slip in under the radar of critics, though. Too many other \"important\" films they have to concentrate at that time and give 2 hoots about. Don't think HS would faze them, esp if they'd already seen GWAPE. Matter of fact, doubt they'd devote more than one column inch to it. *IF* it were released then (which I don't think is going to happen), it would be reviewed (not by the main newspaper critic) and what critic doesn't like to kick a dead dog? But, like I said, it ain't going to happen anyway."}, {"response": 1572, "author": "dalec", "date": "Sun, Nov 30, 2003 (17:36)", "body": "This doesn't seem to have been posted here yet. On Yahoo TV Colin is listed on \"The Late Late Show With Craig Kilborn\" for 12/11(could be night of 12/10)."}, {"response": 1573, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 30, 2003 (18:01)", "body": "Thanks, Dale! I knew he'd be coming back for GWAPE publicity (???) Your tax dollars at work (*hee hee*) and a whining sister made this update/revision possible. The Italian Vanity Fair article was missing one column of the interview (must have gotten lost in our \"translation by committe,\" so the complete article has been uploaded, and the text has undergone some revision, although I did keep the Mirror or the Express's quoted material the same. Wouldn't want to change Colin's quote on them, would I??? ;-) http://www.firth.com/articles/03vanfair_italy_oct.html"}, {"response": 1574, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 30, 2003 (19:29)", "body": "*Clap, clap* to the Translation Committee... \"Bridget makes a trip to Thailand, ending up in a mess over drugs, and having to defend herself from that dog, Daniel. But then I arrive to assure a happy ending.? Think he'll actually take the 'Victoria Line' to Thailand?"}, {"response": 1575, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sun, Nov 30, 2003 (19:56)", "body": "(Evelyn)*Clap, clap* to the Translation Committee... Indeed! A round of applause! I love the last bits. ;-) Also, I bought some extra tickets for the Atlanta GWAPE screening that are currently not being used. If anyone out there wants them, send me an email. Thanks."}, {"response": 1576, "author": "katty", "date": "Mon, Dec  1, 2003 (03:23)", "body": "(Evelyn)At the Read Through, no spectacles!! ROTF! He's busted! I said from the start it was an affectation. He may sometimes wear contacts or sometimes glasses or sometimes neither - just like me and a lot of other people. Colin doesn't seem at all the sort to wear glasses \"as an affectation.\" By the way, he actually looks better in action with the glasses on, than in the still photos. You can see him in a short QT clip I made from that E! interview (it may take a while to load). I think he looks quite charming: http://home.hawaii.rr.com/mksato/Colins-Specs.mov"}, {"response": 1577, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Dec  1, 2003 (09:13)", "body": "Article at USAToday.com. Highlighting the important bits;-) Film directors don't always play by the book Andre Dubus III can't believe his good fortune that Ben Kingsley (news) is starring in the movie version of his novel, House of Sand and Fog. \"My wife and I were just talking in a fantasy way: If this were a movie, who would you see?\" says Dubus. \"Right away, I saw Kingsley.\" For his part, Kingsley read the novel, found it \"crushingly sad,\" and moved on to other work. \"It didn't haunt me.\" Still, he took the part. \"Andre's wife wrote to me and sent me a copy of the book 18 months before it was even considered to be a film,\" says Kingsley, who is getting Oscar buzz for his portrayal of Massoud Behrani, an Iranian colonel who emigrates to the USA but struggles in his new country. \"She very sweetly said, 'No strings attached.' Simply stating the fact that her husband had always envisaged Behrani as me, that I was the scaffolding for the building that was Behrani.\" At least nine filmmakers are using successful novels as the scaffolding for their films this month. While there's nothing new about adapting books to the screen, this season has a flurry of them. Master and Commander, Mystic River, The Human Stain and In the Cut are in theaters now. The Missing, starring Cate Blanchett (news) as a woman who turns to her estranged father to find her kidnapped daughter in 1880s New Mexico, opened last week. Still to come: \ufffdBig Fish, starring Albert Finney and Ewan McGregor in a story of a man coming to terms with his storytelling father, who is dying. Dec. 10, New York, Los Angeles. \ufffdGirl With a Pearl Earring, starring Scarlett Johansson as a servant who catches the eye of artist Vermeer, played by Colin Firth. Dec. 12 in New York and Los Angeles. \ufffdHouse of Sand and Fog, starring Kingsley and Jennifer Connelly. An immigrant sees a house as the realization of his dreams, but it has been wrongly taken from a woman who saw the house as her last hope. Dec. 19, New York, Los Angeles. \ufffdCold Mountain, starring Nicole Kidman, Jude Law and Renee Zellweger. A wounded Civil War soldier makes an epic journey to reunite with his sweetheart. Dec. 25, nationwide. Basing a movie on a well-known novel has its perils. Despite a built-in audience of readers, there's always the possibility fans will dislike the way characters they've imagined are portrayed. But if successful, the film portrayal of a literary character can make a character even more indelible - as Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable become the personification of Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler in the movie based on Gone With the Wind. \"If you're adapting a novel that's both widely read and intensely loved, you have a certain responsibility,\" says Peter Webber, director of Girl With a Pearl Earring, based on the best-selling novel by Tracy Chevalier. \"It's also really scary because everybody who's read the book has cast it in their head. Your version has to be more effective than their version. That's a tall order.\" The cinematic embodiment of characters has sometimes proved controversial, as with Anthony Hopkins (news)' role in The Human Stain as a light-skinned black man, and glamorous Nicole Kidman playing a janitor. Anne Rice famously blanched at Tom Cruise (news) being cast in the movie of her novel, Interview With the Vampire, but recanted when she saw the film. \"People quarrel with every incarnation of a book on film,\" says Anthony Minghella (news), who wrote the screenplay and directed the movie based on Charles Frazier's best-selling Civil War tale, Cold Mountain. \"And that's their privilege.\" Sometimes casting choices are made that authors did not envision, but then realize enhance their work. Novelist Thomas Eidson was thrilled by director Ron Howard (news)'s choice of Blanchett to play the lead role in his western thriller, The Missing, based on Eidson's novel, The Last Ride. \"Cate Blanchett has so much of my sense of Maggie that it almost startled me,\" says Eidson. For some, total immersion Actors vary in their use of the source material to inform their portrayals. Firth, who plays the Dutch painter Vermeer in Girl With a Pearl Earring, read the novel closely. When author Chevalier came to the set, \"I pounced on her and picked her brain.\" Firth explains: \"I absolutely got consumed by a desire to discover something about him. I went to look at paintings and read what I could and did as much painting as I could do. I referred to the script, the book, to pictures. It was like a candy store. You do all this stuff and in the end, I don't know how much of it makes any difference to anyone watching the movie. But it made me enjoy it.\" Johansson, who played the title character, made a conscious choice to trust her instincts. \"I did not read the book before or during filmmaking,\" she says. \"It's written in a first-person narrative from my character's point of view. I just didn't want to be told what I should be feeling at a particular time.\" Johansson read the book after t"}, {"response": 1578, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Dec  1, 2003 (11:00)", "body": "Thanks to everyone for all the great pics and articles and interviews! I really needed a good fix this morning after being deprived for the past week and was not disappointed!! Thought I'd post some of this interview with Lucia Moniz. Pardon my babelfish translation, the pronouns get a bit jumbled ( The Colin Firth? LOL!) but you get the gist. I still find it hard to believe his co-stars just casually go on with their lives after working with him instead of moping about, dreamily reliving all the details of their time together and trying to get cast in his next film and next and so on...I mean, I'm kinda still stuck on Nov 6 and all I seem to do is wonder when I can make another trip to the red carpet again!! ;-)) O Love Happens, the actress and singer contrascene with the British actor Colin Firth, of who was friend. He knew, even so superficially, Hugh Grant, Read Neeson and Rodrigo Santoro, gal\ufffd of?Mulheres Gotten passionate? , among others stars of the cast. To the Post office Woman, L\ufffdcia Moniz speaks of its estreia in the cinema, of the personage whom it interprets and future projectos. How happened to integrate the cast of?O Love Happens? Through a phone call. They had said me that they looked a Portuguese actress to represent the paper of a Portuguese and I found fantastic soon. I was to search the scenes, I studied them and I made?casting. After the daily pay-selec\ufffd\ufffdo the producer wanted to know me to make new?casting? e I was London. I made plus scenes and... the writings had started. It says a little of its personage?Aur\ufffdlia. I was soon enthusiastic and I found immense joke for being the paper of a Portuguese, for saying Portuguese, showing a little of the reality of the immigration of the Portuguese in France. I found joke it not to say none of the languages and to try to communicate with the English, the writer?Jaime? (Colin Firth), to the way of it. ?Aur\ufffdlia? she is a very simple person who fights for the life, that works very. It works in a restaurant and the house of the writer to earn plus some trocos. In the beginning not even it waits that it goes some time to speak with it: the house of it goes, makes its work, serves it, but later it is surprised by it, for its affection. It offers?croissants to it, it wants to know things of the life of it and thus beginning to a friendship and, later, a closer approach is given. Not contrascene with the Hugh Grant, but knew it? Yes and to the remaining cast, when we read the gui\ufffdo. But it was alone for the squeeze of hand and?ol\ufffd? of presentation Then pressed the hand immense... the cast is great? (laughs) It is truth, are immense and already it was a wonder to press the hand to that wonderful people, that I admire since small. Clearly that later, due to promotion of the film, I was knowing some of these people better. It was easy to work with the Colin Firth? Very easy. Obviously that in the beginning it was a little nervous, over all in the assays, but it is a professional, is one?gentleman, he was very considerate and generous as very actor, as colleague and helped me immense. It did not insist on teaching nothing to me, simply she was the person who was and I, through the position of it, of its professionalism went learning things. It facilitated its installment? Immense and demons us pretty. We become friends. E the Rodrigo Santoro already knew? Not, it did not know it, by the way I know better the Colin Firth. http://www.correiomanha.pt/noticia.asp?id=72410&p=22&idselect=133&idCanal=133"}, {"response": 1579, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Dec  1, 2003 (11:20)", "body": "(Dale) This doesn't seem to have been posted here yet. On Yahoo TV Colin is listed on \"The Late Late Show With Craig Kilborn\" for 12/11(could be night of 12/10). (Karen) Thanks, Dale! I knew he'd be coming back for GWAPE publicity (???) Hmm . .tried to call to verify ODB's actually being on the show, unfortunately the company hired to deal with the tix did not have a listing of next weeks show, and told me that, the producers of Craig Kilbourn often don't let them know who the guests are. On the CBS site, the guests are only listed for this week (but my guess is that they are taped, b/c I was just told that they are currently on vacation this week.) Ususally the show is taped live. Here is info, though, for any Drooler in the LA area: THE LATE LATE SHOW tapes in front of a live studio audience @ 4:30 PM from Monday to Friday at: CBS Television City 7800 Beverly Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90036 Tickets can be obtained: http://www.ocatv.com/TicketOrder/TheLateLateShow.htm Or call: You may also call On Camera Audiences at: (213) 833-6469 Or for tickets, call West Coast time btwn the hours of 9AM & 6 PM (818)295-2700 Late Late show webpage: http://www.cbs.com/latenight/latelate/"}, {"response": 1580, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Dec  1, 2003 (11:21)", "body": "It facilitated its installment? Immense and demons us pretty. ROTFLMAO! Maria, that translation made my day! Thank you!"}, {"response": 1581, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Dec  1, 2003 (11:22)", "body": "oh . .was told that there are tix still available for next week . .and they are free."}, {"response": 1582, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Dec  1, 2003 (11:54)", "body": "(Maria's article) ...by the way I know better the Colin Firth. LOL...he's a direct object (but we all knew that!) ;-D (Maria) I still find it hard to believe his co-stars just casually go on with their lives after working with him instead of moping about, dreamily reliving all the details of their time together and trying to get cast in his next film and next and so on... One of the great mysteries in life. I don't think I would ever recover from filming with him (RZ came back for more!). After the film wrapped I'd anxiously await the press junkets...and hope for sequels. ;-)"}, {"response": 1583, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Dec  1, 2003 (12:09)", "body": "Kimberly)(but my guess is that they are taped When I saw this I wondered if he taped it when he was in LA two weeks ago? Maria, thanks for the article on LM (Maria)I mean, I'm kinda still stuck on Nov 6 No getting \"unstuck\" anytime soon;-)"}, {"response": 1584, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec  1, 2003 (12:34)", "body": "He may sometimes wear contacts or sometimes glasses Now why didn't I think of that;-)"}, {"response": 1585, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  1, 2003 (12:39)", "body": "(Kimberly)(but my guess is that they are taped (Linda) When I saw this I wondered if he taped it when he was in LA two weeks ago? Didn't Marianne check into this? She's been in the Craig Kilbourn Show audience before."}, {"response": 1586, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Dec  1, 2003 (15:53)", "body": "Fun - The Guardian Quiz: Love Actually vs Lord of the Rings: http://film.guardian.co.uk/quiz/questions/0,5952,1097370,00.html"}, {"response": 1587, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec  1, 2003 (19:48)", "body": "Interbridge is now showing Coin as a Kilborn guest on December 10; Scarlett will be on December 12. My guess is that the premiere is the 11th in Los Angeles. Thanks for the find, Dale. IMO, Kilborn is *so* not the right show to publicize this one; I've emailed Charlie Rose for what it's worth. Here's the page to e-mail a show suggestion: http://www.charlierose.com/feedback.shtm"}, {"response": 1588, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec  1, 2003 (19:49)", "body": "Well, maybe \"Coin\" will be on too. ;-)"}, {"response": 1589, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec  1, 2003 (19:59)", "body": "Good additions on the Vanity Fair article, Karen, grazie. Can't believe, however, they asked him why he broke up with Meg and how he goes about attracting women. The first is ancient history, and neither is appropriate to ask a married person, IMO. How do you say declasse in Italian?;-) (USA Today) When author Chevalier came to the set, \"I pounced on her and picked her brain.\" Firth explains: \"I absolutely got consumed by a desire to discover something about him. I went to look at paintings and read what I could and did as much painting as I could do. I referred to the script, the book, to pictures. You do all this stuff and in the end, I don't know how much of it makes any difference to anyone watching the movie. But it made me enjoy it.\" Very interesting stuff, thanks, Ada. Really gets into his approach to the role. And such a contrast to how Scarlett prepared, which was to avoid the book. See, this is the stuff I'd love to hear them discuss, but you'd only get it in a lengthy, Charlie Rose-type format. Maybe also on Breakfast With The Arts, which is this Sunday, no?"}, {"response": 1590, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Dec  1, 2003 (20:34)", "body": "Thanks Ada, Murphy, and Mari! Karen - do you know if the Vanity Fair article was conducted in English or Italian or with each party speaking his or her respective native tongue? Is Colin that fluent in Italian? Just curious as to how many translations this thing has gone through."}, {"response": 1591, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (00:20)", "body": "(Mari) The first is ancient history, and neither is appropriate to ask a married person, IMO. How do you say declasse in Italian?;-) LOL! But then again the answer to the \"how do you attract a woman\" question was rather bizarre IMO. \ufffdIt depends on the situation. I would rarely find myself in bed with someone immediately. Usually, we become friends first because I need to establish some sort of rapport.\ufffd She didn't ask if he slept with every woman he picked up. (Shoshana) do you know if the Vanity Fair article was conducted in English or Italian or with each party speaking his or her respective native tongue? Is Colin that fluent in Italian? Colin is fluent in Italian. While I don't have any evidence, I'd say the interview was conducted in Italian. At one point during the press conference for TIOBE in Rome, he decided to forego using a translator and dealt with the journalists one-on-one; also there is some video on the internet from that same junket, where he is talking about TIOBE in Italian."}, {"response": 1592, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (00:53)", "body": "UK box office stats for 11/30 weekend. LA maintains #1 position, taking in another $8 million (a $16,770 per screen average--478 screens), and its two week cume is $26,010,859. In the US, it also made $8.2 million (from 1,714 theaters, per screen of $4,795) putting it in 9th place, and after 24 days in release it has made $43.4 million domestically."}, {"response": 1593, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (01:01)", "body": "(Mari) The first is ancient history, and neither is appropriate to ask a married person, IMO. How do you say declasse in Italian?;-) (Karen) LOL! But then again the answer to the \"how do you attract a woman\" question was rather bizarre IMO. \ufffdIt depends on the situation. I would rarely find myself in bed with someone immediately. Usually, we become friends first because I need to establish some sort of rapport.\ufffd She didn't ask if he slept with every woman he picked up. I thought it bizarre he answered it at all. I think I would've tried to laugh it off and say, \"Next!\" Mixed his past and present tenses, too, which comes off odd...if one is analyzing. ;-)"}, {"response": 1594, "author": "katty", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (01:59)", "body": "I would rarely find myself in bed with someone immediately. Usually, we become friends first because I need to establish some sort of rapport. I certainly hope he meant in the past tense, at least the bed part. Or else, if I were Livia, I would be a bit upset. With all the translations going on - the interviewer putting it all down from her viewpoint, Colin maybe speaking in Italian, and our Firth Droolers translating, it's probably hard to say exactly what he meant. The being friends part seems the natural role for Colin, judging from the great friendships he seems to make with all his female costars."}, {"response": 1595, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (02:03)", "body": "(Katty)....I would be a bit upset. A bit of an understatement, perhaps? ;-)"}, {"response": 1596, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (05:39)", "body": "I've gotta say, I'm with Dorine on that one - why did he even answer that question?? Goodness knows he's shut down reporters with questions like that before... On another note, if anyone in the Sydney area is interested, I've got a spare ticket to the LA preview showing at the Orpheum on Sunday, Dec 14. Please email me if you'd like to go."}, {"response": 1597, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (09:04)", "body": "(Katty) Colin maybe speaking in Italian, and our Firth Droolers translating, it's probably hard to say exactly what he meant. Now, why didn't I think of that;-)"}, {"response": 1598, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (09:36)", "body": "(USA Today) Johansson, who played the title character, made a conscious choice to trust her instincts. \"I did not read the book before or during filmmaking,\" she says. \"It's written in a first-person narrative from my character's point of view. I just didn't want to be told what I should be feeling at a particular time.\" Hmmm. That's an interesting approach, although one that leaves me scratching my head. Since the movie is based on the book, and PW wanted it to be true to it, I thought it would be important for all involved in making the film to read it thoroughly before filming. It's kind of like making a movie about the life of Christ without reading the Bible first. I'm glad that Colin did read it and pumped Tracy for more info. I thought that's how one prepares for a role based on a book, but then, I know nothing of the process, so this is just my speculation."}, {"response": 1599, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (10:02)", "body": "Here, you go, untranslated: Come la conquisti una donna? \"Dipende dalla situazione. \ufffd raro per\ufffd che ci finisca subito a letto, di solito diventiamo prima amici perch\ufffd ho bisogno di instuarare un rapporto\". (Ildi) I thought that's how one prepares for a role based on a book, but then, I know nothing of the process, so this is just my speculation. This isn't so unusual. They go off the script, which is what the director is working from, plus his own vision. The director may be inspired by the book, but ultimately the actor has to take direction from the director, not the source. I didn't read the entire article, but saw a little of what Anthony Minghella was saying. Now, there's a director who radically changes all the adaptations he's done because he has a better idea than the author."}, {"response": 1600, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (10:33)", "body": "(USA Today) When author Chevalier came to the set, \"I pounced on her and picked her brain.\" Firth explains: \"I absolutely got consumed by a desire to discover something about him. I went to look at paintings and read what I could and did as much painting as I could do. I referred to the script, the book, to pictures. You do all this stuff and in the end, I don't know how much of it makes any difference to anyone watching the movie. But it made me enjoy it.\" (USA Today) Johansson, who played the title character, made a conscious choice to trust her instincts. \"I did not read the book before or during filmmaking,\" she says. \"It's written in a first-person narrative from my character's point of view. I just didn't want to be told what I should be feeling at a particular time.\" OK . .just wanted to chime in a bit here, from an actor's POV . .or rather mine . .for you'll find approaches to character/script analysis as varying as the day is long. Initally, I have to admit,although I tend to do a mix of the two styles, I personally lean a little more toward SJ approach, than that of ODB. Not that I have anything against doing research for a role If I am initially unfamiliar with a time period of a piece, a language/dialect, social sturcture/customs . it would of course be best to get some background knowledge on the facts. I have found some actors that I have worked with take research/script analysis to the extreme . .even to the point of marking out their scripts in beats (deliniating for example, by this line, I will be angry . .by this line, sad . .this line, I will be hysterical) Personally, that rubs me the wrong way . . .to have an idea of the mental state of your character during a scene is one thing, to plot out line by line your actions, to me is not acting, but rather a mechanical sort of thing. It makes me rather uncomfortable. Can life be plotted out bit by bit? This ruins the spontinaeity I feel . . . Pardon this philosophical vein, but to me: Acting is reality. Acting is being, doing, playing, living. It is capturing real life situations on stage, film or TV. It is very hard for an actor to not always \"be on\", it's harder to be natural, conversational. One can squeeze out a few tears and scream yourself into hysterics very easily. But is that acting? Or is that just making a show? Is that real? . . I think restraint is more difficult, intimacy is more dificult, the small things one can do with a look, a gesture can tell a thousand things about a person than a great dramatic showdown . .or pushing a joke to hard to try to get a laugh. It's the reality of life and the attempt to capture it that makes acting so difficult and yet so fulfilling at the same time. As to SJ not reading GWAPE novel while filming . .I can definitely understand. With the novel there, you already have your performance plotted out for you. You have the character/scene arcs, the mental state, your views on other characters . .( esp. since GWAPE is written from Griet's POV) You run the risk of being a carbon copy of the novel, sometimes not even intentionally. By not reading the book, SJ left herself more open for her own interpretation of Griet. .for the spontinaity to occur in her performance. . . Also, as an actor, I understand that the director has a vision to my character, the script writer/screenwriter has a vision of my character . .and well, of course I have a vision too.The hard thing is to find an amalgam of all three: be truthful to the text, yet follow the director's guidance and be true to yourself as an actor. That is multiplied when you are doing an adaption of a current work. Can you be true to the author as well? To the fans of the novel? Keep in mind, more often that not, no matter how hard the director/screenwriter want to keep true to the original work/novel . .the project is, in it's own another seperate identity, another creation. Views can change/opinions of characters can change once someone sits down and does an adaptation ( we've all seen our fav books go to screen not entirely true to form) that is mererly because the written page does not translate as easy to screen as we wish. As an actor I can see it being alot easier to ignore the original book and work solely with the script/adaptaion in front of me. best to do that, than perhaps have too much conflicting info (from the book, the current script and the director) bombarding me at once . .stick to one thing and base the performance on that. Errgh . .sorry this is long . . .i can go on an on on this subject;)"}, {"response": 1601, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (10:42)", "body": "FYI, the people at Survival have told me that the event raised over \ufffd8,000 and they're very happy about that and the positive feedback on Colin's speech."}, {"response": 1602, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (11:24)", "body": "(Kimberley)As an actor I can see it being alot easier to ignore the original book and work solely with the script/adaptaion in front of me. best to do that, than perhaps have too much conflicting info (from the book, the current script and the director) bombarding me at once . .stick to one thing and base the performance on that. Perhaps SJ with more experience will be able to balance the different sources as Colin does."}, {"response": 1603, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (11:29)", "body": "(Kimberly) The hard thing is to find an amalgam of all three: be truthful to the text, yet follow the director's guidance and be true to yourself as an actor. That is multiplied when you are doing an adaption of a current work. Can you be true to the author as well? To the fans of the novel? (Karen) This isn't so unusual. They go off the script, which is what the director is working from, plus his own vision. The director may be inspired by the book, but ultimately the actor has to take direction from the director, not the source. I see your point ladies, and yet this still bothers me. I fully agree with SJ's approach in the case of a movie that is not based on a book. But in GWAPE's case (and many others) I feel that everyone involved in the adaptation must tread carefully if they intend to be truthful to the novel. I understand an actor's need for artistic freedom, but ... It's hard for me to put it into words, I'm quite biased here, it's the selfish part of me speaking. I fully realise that once the author sells the film rights to her book the filmmakers are pretty much free to do whatever they want with it. Thankfully PW did sort of state his intentions to remain faithful to the book (and that made me sigh with a bit of relief), and that's why I find Scarlett's approach baffling me. Actually, I find myself a bit incensed, although I know I have no right, and bless my lucky stars that I did not read about this before I saw the movie, or I would've been a nervous wreck until it came out. I heard my old flame Harrison Ford say in an interview once that he plays a role as he wants it, and he doesn't give a f*** what the writer says about it. I found it disturbingly disrespectful, since without the writer there would be no story, and now I can understand why some authors are hesitant to sell the rights for their book. I cannot imagine the heartbreak some of them must be feeling when seeing their work turned into something they never meant to be. But then, that's the risk they take. And us fans? Well, we either get lucky or we suffer with the author. And this time I find myself feeling lucky. *Sighs with relief, but wags a finger at Scarlett* I wonder what Colin's general opinion about this is. I'd love to ask him the question."}, {"response": 1604, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (11:38)", "body": "I know exactly how you feel, Ildi, about book adaptations and especially if you're very fond of a book. But that's the reality of movie-making. The author does give up all rights. Peter Webber didn't adapt the novel; Olivia Hetreed did and he accepted that version to work from when he signed on. The reality behind filmmaking is tough to accept from an artistic standpoint (go read the Possession topic), but that is how it is, i.e., no one has an obligation to be true to a novel. Then the sadder thing is that a viewer often thinks the film is the novel. :-( Very few authors will ever say anything against the film versions of their novels. Only one in recent memory did come out in public because he got reemed by the press and that was Louis de Bernieres because of the Captain Corelli unfaithful adaptation."}, {"response": 1605, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (11:54)", "body": "(Karen) Peter Webber didn't adapt the novel; Olivia Hetreed did and he accepted that version to work from when he signed on. Actually, that's not totally true. He said in his response to my question about the ending, that he wanted to make it more ambiguous. And said what he left in the final cut was different from the script because that's the way *he* wanted it. Very few authors will ever say anything against the film versions of their novels. Only one in recent memory did come out in public because he got reemed by the press and that was Louis de Bernieres because of the Captain Corelli unfaithful adaptation. Anne Rice did, too, initially about Tom Cruise in Interview With a Vampire, but then she did an about face and praised it. Of course, my timeline may be off with that. Not sure if she had actually seen the movie yet (if it was even filmed) at either point."}, {"response": 1606, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (12:00)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1607, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (12:04)", "body": "to work from That was his starting point. I didn't say that a director is even required to be true to a script, when most of them make huge changes, and it pretty much always becomes \"their\" film, based on *their* vision (See DG-WGA arguments about film crediting, please.) ;-)"}, {"response": 1608, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (12:42)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1609, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (12:42)", "body": "\"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" Brings Painting to Life By Glenn Bossik November 20, 2003 \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" an upcoming film, is the story of Master Painter Johannes Vermeer's (Colin Firth) relationship with his maid, Griet (Scarlett Johansson), and the conflict this relationship creates for both of them. Olivia Hetreed adapted the story into a screenplay from the novel by Tracy Chevalier. Just as Vermeer worked with Griet in the story to capture the maid's spirit on canvas, so too did Olivia Hetreed work with Tracy Chevalier to capture the spirit of the novel about Vermeer's relationship with Griet on film. Hetreed says, \"For me Tracy [Chevalier] is the ideal author; sharing research, positive about the transformation wrought on her work and yet able to step back and allow me a free hand.\" Chevalier transformed the world of Vermeer's real-life painting, Girl With a Pearl Earring, into a novel that captured the essence of the relationship between Vermeer and the woman model who served as the subject of the painting. Producer Andy Paterson says, \"\ufffdI loved the way Tracy had taken the few known facts about Vermeer and created a perfect story about the girl who inspired the painting.\" Scarlett Johansson, the actress who plays the girl as Griet in the film, comments on the the actual painting by saying that the girl in the painting \"\ufffdis strange and intriguing. I felt she was just about to do something [on canvas] which would tell us more about her and her life.\" Author Tracy Chevalier used the painting as the inspiration for her novel about Vermeer and Griet. \"\ufffdI thought, `What did Vermeer do to her to make her look like that [in the painting], happy and sad at the same time?'\" says Chevalier. \"Within three days I had the whole story worked out. It was effortless; I could see\ufffdit all in her face.\" The facial expression of the girl in the painting might be explained by the experiences of the character, Griet, in the fictional story, \"Girl With a Pearl Earring.\" \"The repressed romantic obsession that builds between Griet and Vermeer [in the story] inspires him to paint her,\" says Director Peter Webber. \"\ufffdbut the perfection of that painting will lead to her downfall.\" So, perhaps Vermeer did indeed have a love-relationship with the woman model of his painting. Producer Andy Paterson feels that Author Tracy Chevalier was factually accurate about Vermeer's life. \"The story Tracy created perfectly fits the few known facts of Vermeer's world,\" says Paterson. \"His family and financial woes, his dependence on a patron, a fascination with the camera obscura.\" Tracy Chevalier's story is true to the life of Vermeer. And, Chevalier has found that the film will be true to the story depicted in her novel. She says that \"[Screenwriter] Olivia [Hetreed] understood\ufffd[the novel] so well and was able to develop themes further than I had taken them.\" When the film, \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\"( www.girlwithapearlearring.com), debuts in theaters in New York and Los Angeles on December 12, 2003, Vermeer's legendary painting and the mystery behind it will be brought to life on screen. http://www.scriptologist.com/Magazine/News/news.html"}, {"response": 1610, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (12:50)", "body": "( Evelyn ) Perhaps SJ with more experience will be able to balance the different sources as Colin does. I concur. Colin has honed his skill through trial and error and it shows(most of the time-we don't talk about HS, do we? Or have we decided that was poor directing/writing/poor choice of vehicle on Colin's part) in his delivery. In the end, however, the discussion becomes moot (although still interesting) once the film is completed and released. Colin enjoyed the process in his approach and that propels him onto the next project....good for us since we get to see him in more productions!Good for him as he *a jobbing actor*."}, {"response": 1611, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (12:56)", "body": "Thanks Maria... AND...OMG...Vermeer at his manipulative best! Thank you Karen. Great look (and the hands Louisa! So veiny and ...stubble....Fabio hair...and....must remember to breathe!)"}, {"response": 1612, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (13:10)", "body": "(Bonnie) most of the time-we don't talk about HS, do we? Or have we decided that was poor directing/writing/poor choice of vehicle on Colin's part *tut tut tut* We haven't decided anything. I've come to certain conclusions, as I'm sure you have. ;-) As Kimberly pointed out, every actor has his/her own way of preparing for a film. It is all what works for him/her. Ultimately, what gets released may be a collaborative effort (depending on the way a director works), solely the director's vision (if he has final approval), or the studio's (marketing dept's) vision if it has final cut approval."}, {"response": 1613, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (13:11)", "body": "P.S. There are films where even the director has insisted on having his/her name removed too. This isn't a one size fits all situation and no one way is correct."}, {"response": 1614, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (13:14)", "body": "Love Actually slips down US charts Staff and agencies Tuesday December 2, 2003 It has attracted the mushy affection of British filmgoers, but despite making an estimated \ufffd8.9m worldwide over the weekend, Love Actually looks set to fall short of its predecessors in Richard Curtis's hugely successful portfolio of romantic comedies. The screenwriter's directorial debut, which features an ensemble cast including Hugh Grant and Martine McCutcheon, is currently languishing in ninth place in the US box office following mixed reviews. Until last weekend - the important Thanksgiving holiday in the US - Love Actually had been climbing up the charts as it expanded to more screens. But as other films capitalised on holiday audiences, Love Actually slipped four places. While Curtis' first major hit, Four Weddings and a Funeral, took time to make an impact stateside, it now seems unlikely that Love Actually will take off in the same way as that film or Notting Hill. Four Weddings made \ufffd160m worldwide, beaten by Notting Hill's \ufffd230m, with both relying on excellent American box office figures to reach those heights. Curtis himself has defended the film, insisting that it needs time to build a solid American audience. He said: \"Love Actually is having a gradual release in the United States. We're hoping word of mouth will do the trick.The reactions of cinema-goers in America seem pretty good.\" Critics were not so kind. New York Times critic AO Scott labelled the festive-tinted tale of eight wildly varied but interlinked couples \"an indigestible Christmas pudding\", while the New York Observer called it \"unfunny, uninspired and unoriginal\". http://film.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,12589,1098138,00.html (Jane)I've gotta say, I'm with Dorine on that one - why did he even answer that question?? Goodness knows he's shut down reporters with questions like that before... Recently too, at the NY premiere he shut down the woman reporter who had interviewed him at TFF, and she only asked how he met his wife and was it romantic. Colin responded, \"that's not for you, not here\""}, {"response": 1615, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (14:36)", "body": "Hi Everyone don't know if this was already mentioned or not but Colin will be at this weeks sneak screening of GWAPE at the Beverly Connection here in LA Thursday night. Take care!"}, {"response": 1616, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (14:38)", "body": "correction, not this week. He will be at the screening at the Beverly Connection on Dec. 11th! Sorry :("}, {"response": 1617, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (15:01)", "body": "I have no idea what the Beverly Connection is, but that's ok.;-) Is this considered the GWAPE premiere or are they likely to do something else? They should be doing more than a screening."}, {"response": 1618, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (15:16)", "body": "(Linda) Recently too, at the NY premiere he shut down the woman reporter who had interviewed him at TFF, and she only asked how he met his wife and was it romantic. Colin responded, \"that's not for you, not here\" Which is kind of ironic considering not 10 feet away before that, he was telling Booker from ET (on the ET Online clip) that he proposed to his wife very much like Jamie. Was probably sick of so much talk about love and romance. ;-)"}, {"response": 1619, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (15:16)", "body": "JaneGoodness knows he's shut down reporters with questions like that before... I think he's reluctant to be anything other than extremely accomodating to the Italians. IMO. Good insights into varous approaches to acting, Kimberly. By all acounts, SJ has done a superb job in this film, so why find fault. It worked for her, and I say, go with what works for you. Besides, she's filming the script, not the book. The film has to stand on its own."}, {"response": 1620, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (15:22)", "body": "(Guardian)Until last weekend . . . Love Actually had been climbing up the charts as it expanded to more screens. But as other films capitalised on holiday audiences, Love Actually slipped four places. Faulty logic here; those other films were new releases and/or were second-weekers that were adding more screens. The U.S. is a very competitive movie market and this is a very busy time of year when 3 or 4 new films debut in wide release each weekend. Unrealistic to think that a movie that's been out a month will be climbing. $43 million so far seems pretty good to me; Lola, what say you--I can't imagine Uni has been disappointed?"}, {"response": 1621, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (15:25)", "body": "Karen - great pic!!! Lola - Thanks for the info!! . .Wish he was coming to the screening on the 10th in NYC!!!!! . .Ahh to be on the West coast!!!! (Karen)That was his starting point. I didn't say that a director is even required to be true to a script, when most of them make huge changes, and it pretty much always becomes \"their\" film, based on *their* vision Ain't that the truth . .even from a stage persepctive . . I've seen and have had experiences with directors taken an editorial stance and changed scripts from their original versions, for various reasons, due to time constraints, technical constraints, their own vision of the final production. . .I even worked opposite an actor once (in Taming of the Shrew) who took it upon himself to take his \"magic editing scissors\" to various bits and pieces of our scenes together . .and that was Shakespeare!!! Ildi - I completely understand, being an avid reader, the wish for everyone to stay true to that original work that inspired any adaptations in the first place. I think the wonderful thing that the written medium does is that it inspires you to create your own mental imagery. In my mind I have already created how the characters look and how the places appear based upon descriptions the writer gives me. My acting side, however, sees each adaptation/project as an opportunity to take a peek into another person(s) vision of a written work. To see how much their imagery inspired by the writing differs or coincides with my own. To see how things change from page to screen or page to stage . . .I try to go into it with no expectations of the project being any semblance of the book , partially not to be disappointed, and partially to try to see it again as an independant creation, yes, inspired by an existing work, but itself an original take on that first idea (Ildi)I heard my old flame Harrison Ford say in an interview once that he plays a role as he wants it, and he doesn't give a f*** what the writer says about it. Do you know, that when going in for cold readings (that's basically an audition where you are right then and there given with a scene from a work and asked to present it to various people - no prep time or memorization allowed), I've been told by the majority of casting directors I've seen, that they prefer actors to ignore any and all stage directions/descriptions put in by the writer as in regarding to the delivery of lines. Usually this is done for a couple for a few reasons: One, to see originality in an off the cuff performance. Two, to see flexibility in an actor. (Many times they will have you do the scenes various diferent ways. Some actors are so married to a script, they will not give way to variations suggested by the director, fellow actors, etc.) I'll stop while I'm ahead . .again a long post, sorry!!!!!"}, {"response": 1622, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (15:54)", "body": "(Mari) I have no idea what the Beverly Connection is, but that's ok.;-) Just an AMC theater at 100 N La Cienega Blvd.(between Beverly & 3rd Street, across from Beverly Center) http://www.digitalcity.com/losangeles/movies/venue.adp?vid=506 (Mari) s this considered the GWAPE premiere or are they likely to do something else? Good question!! The 11th is one day before it opens in LA/NY. Shouldn't there be a premiere sometime that week in LA? Thanks Hola for the info! (and, no, Kimberley, your posts are not boring me in the least) Re: Guardian Faulty logic here I hate to say that I've always gotten a chuckle over their interpretation of what goes on here and am usually highly entertained by their Oscar watching commentary. ;-)"}, {"response": 1623, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (16:02)", "body": "Seems GWAPE is the big draw for Lions Gate screenings in NY. Called for clarification on something and the message said all 4 GWAPE screenings are full. Maybe only 2/4 of The Cooler and Shattered Glass (wasn't really listening for them, though, RSVP'd for one of The Cooler a while ago, but forgot to write down for when. ;-P)."}, {"response": 1624, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (16:16)", "body": "(Karen)The 11th is one day before it opens in LA/NY. Shouldn't there be a premiere sometime that week in LA? Hmm . .perhaps then ODB will be on the Late Late Show w/ Craig Kilbourn on the 11th . .if he is in town that day? (Dorine)Seems GWAPE is the big draw for Lions Gate screenings in NY. Called for clarification on something and the message said all 4 GWAPE screenings are full. I'm assuming these are the screenings available to Acadamy and guild members only . . .not the one on the 10th that Little Bee and I are planning to go to . . Dorine, are you a lucky academy/guild member? . .I envy your ability to get into the screenings!!!!"}, {"response": 1625, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (16:28)", "body": "Hi again, quick clarification...Lion's Gate and Back Stage West are presenting the screening of GWAPE on Dec 11th at the Beverly Connection (AMC)at 8 pm and both Colin and Scarlett will be in attendance for either a Q and A or something similar. Hope those in the Los Angeles get a chance to see him. Take care!!"}, {"response": 1626, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (16:55)", "body": "Hola Lola: Lion's Gate and Back Stage West are presenting the screening of GWAPE on Dec 11th at the Beverly Connection (AMC)at 8 pm and both Colin and Scarlett will be in attendance for either a Q and A or something similar. Yippee! I'll definitely be there. Is there a number I have to call to rsvp or passes ... and this has nothing to do with BAFTA/LA?"}, {"response": 1627, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (16:59)", "body": "Info has been sent to your inbox"}, {"response": 1628, "author": "Zing", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (18:33)", "body": "\"Trauma\" will apparently have its premiere at Sundance in Jan. 2004. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/film/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=2043743"}, {"response": 1629, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (18:53)", "body": "Thank you Zing! GAH! Must now make a decision. Was asked by a friend to go with her to Sundance and I said \"Nah....I'll save up my points for another premiere\". Now an ODB film is showing and that changes everything !"}, {"response": 1630, "author": "Zing", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (19:18)", "body": "(Tress) Must now make a decision. I know what I would do...if I could, that is. ;-) I am about to go into my busiest season at work, not to emerge until April at the earliest. So I can only look on enviously and get a vicarious thrill through the lucky Drooleurs who are able to attend these gala events. Maybe we can take up a collection for you, Tress, or I can give you some of my frequent flyer points? Anyway, you go , girl!! ;-)"}, {"response": 1631, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (20:27)", "body": "(Zing) Anyway, you go, girl!! ;-) Crikey! My bubble burst quite quickly. Have jury duty (how easily that can slip one's mind) the week before so cannot make definite plans. Oh well...have already spoken to my friend and sent her on a mission. She was looking for films to see and I have assigned her Trauma. Hopefully she will go and report back!"}, {"response": 1632, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (20:56)", "body": "(Tress)Have jury duty (how easily that can slip one's mind) the week before so cannot make definite plans Uh, I'd be out of that jury duty...prontissimo! In the flashiest of flashes! Doctor's note?? Colinitis can be quite serious and maybe even contagious. IMO, Trauuuma is the way to go;-) Thank you, Lola, for stopping by. Now, I'm dying to go to LA. Another Q&A would be fine for me."}, {"response": 1633, "author": "lupa", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (21:20)", "body": "(Tress) and the hands Louisa! So veiny and ... wow, Tress, a woman after my own heart! i love veiny hands and arms as well ;) and now i have to deal with Sundance - a good friend of mine is going and damn i MUST make him go to the screening and tell me all about it!"}, {"response": 1634, "author": "lupa", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (21:28)", "body": "(Dorine) Seems GWAPE is the big draw for Lions Gate screenings in NY. Called for clarification on something and the message said all 4 GWAPE screenings are full. wow, for a second i thought that you meant there were 4 screenings in NY alone! ...then again, maybe that is what you mean. ;) if they had 4 screenings in NYC i'd try to go to every one. (Kimberly) not the one on the 10th that Little Bee and I are planning to go to the screening invite is co-sponsored by The Onion - either it's an Onion joke, or else they've got to have special \"Onion-ticket reserved\" seats in there. 5:15! i'm telling you! i swear! ;)"}, {"response": 1635, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (22:34)", "body": "(Zing) \"Trauma\" will apparently have its premiere at Sundance in Jan. 2004. Was kicking myself because I scoured the listings earlier today, but I see this is a new, more complete article. Excellent! A little bit of info on the GWAPE premiere. It will be on Dec 10; I don't have a location yet, but hope to tomorrow. Big article about Lions Gate and its Awards hopefuls here: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/search/search_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=2043807 A couple of important paragraphs: (Grove) In \"Girl,\" which takes place in Delft, Holland in 1665, Johansson plays a 17-year-old girl who to support her family becomes a maid for the artist Johannes Vermeer (Firth) and winds up becoming his model for what became one of the world's most famous works of art. In the process, the young girl is drawn into the artist's world and his chaotic household run by his jealous wife, ultimately leading to her downfall. Watching \"Girl\" at home the other night, I couldn't help thinking that this is exactly the sort of film I might well have missed had I not had the opportunity to see it on DVD. Not everyone who covers the film business will admit it, but I'm quite certain that I'm not the only person who typically finds it necessary to make time to go to the screenings of high profile major studio films at the expense of lower profile independent product that just doesn't seem as essential to see at that moment. That's why screeners have been such a valuable awards marketing tool for distributors. In the cas of \"Girl,\" having seen and thoroughly enjoyed it, I now intend to put it on my best films of the year list. [Ed note: not that his matters] Johansson, in particular, is outstanding in her lead actress role as the young maid/artist's model. She also, by the way, is marvelous opposite Bill Murray in what I would consider to be a supporting actress performance in Focus Features' \"Lost In Translation,\" directed by Sofia Coppola, which is another of my favorite films this year. (Ortenberg) I believe 'Girl With A Pearl Earring' is a contender in all categories from all awards committees for everything from best picture to best score (Alexandre Desplat) to costumes (Dien van Straalen) to art direction (production designer Ben van Os) to cinematography (Eduardo Serra) to, of course, the acting and writing and directing. It's a very special movie that we have been really overjoyed (about given) the response so far and are looking forward to continued terrific response both commercially and critically. Pathe have been terrific partners on the picture (and) we couldn't be happier with that relationship.\" Focusing on Lions Gate's trio of awards contenders, Ortenberg explained, \"'Girl With A Pearl Earring' is such a special film and has been such a rewarding, wonderful experience. I'm just hoping that it gets all of the recognition both in theaters and during the awards season process that it deserves. We're focusing the campaign on so many different areas (such as) Scarlett Johannson's lead role as Griet, the girl with the pearl earring. Scarlett's obviously becoming a movie star before our eyes. But every scene in 'Girl With A Pearl Earring' is a work of art. Lions Gate has had a fair amount of success in the awards process over the last several years. \"'Girl With A Pearl Earring' probably affords us the best chance at numerous awards and nominations as any film we've ever been associated with. Eduardo Serra's cinematography (for example). Eduardo was nominated in 1997 for 'Wings of the Dove.' The score, the costume design, many performances, the art direction (are all categories that could generate nominations). Being a beautiful period piece really gives the film a chance to highlight its specialness in a number of areas -- the costumes, the set decorations, the score, the cinematography. So we're really very bullish on the film. Most importantly, it's really a terrific motion picture.\""}, {"response": 1636, "author": "Zing", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (22:54)", "body": "(Karen)...[quote from Hollywood Reporter article] \"I now intend to put it on my best films of the year list.\" [Ed note: not that his matters] Thanks for the wet blanket, Miss Cranky Pants! ;-);-) You're right of course, but still it's loverly to have an ODB film mentioned as an Oscar contender."}, {"response": 1637, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (23:01)", "body": "(Zing) but still it's loverly to have an ODB film mentioned as an Oscar contender. He's been in two Oscar winning Best Pictures! The English Patient and Shakespeare in Love (and MCP won't make any other snide remarks about the direction of his career after those...) ;-)"}, {"response": 1638, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (23:27)", "body": "(Ms CP) (and MCP won't make any other snide remarks about the direction of his career after those...) ;-) A long and winding road? But it led to GWAPE and that is a good thing. Don't know if Trauma and TEOR will keep the momentum up...and with TDW being precipitous....it could be another interesting journey...but I'm game! I'll go! ;-)"}, {"response": 1639, "author": "Zing", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 2003 (23:33)", "body": "(Karen) He's been in two Oscar winning Best Pictures! The English Patient and Shakespeare in Love I know, I know, but he didn't have top billing in them (far from it!) as he does in GWAPE (though SJ seems to be getting the lion's share of the media attention). (and MCP won't make any other snide remarks about the direction of his career after those...) ;-) OK, here's my rose-tinted glasses/glass-half-full view: for each crummy movie there was at least one good movie to balance it out: Londinium/HS/WAGW vs. BJD/Conspiracy/TIOBE -- I'll settle for that kind of tradeoff (and WAGW is actually quite sweet--my niece loves it!). And there's hope yet that ODB can improve his hits-to-duds ratio to better than 1:1 -- with LA, GWAPE and now Trauma, he's on a roll! (Hey, some body has to help dry that wet blanket!) ;-)"}, {"response": 1640, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 2003 (08:33)", "body": "Check this link to find Personality of the Year- Vote Here! Click and scroll through article to find qualification and email voting link at bottom. Positive Publicity. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/entertainment/"}, {"response": 1641, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 2003 (08:45)", "body": "(Zing) ...for each crummy movie there was at least one good movie to balance it out: Londinium/HS/WAGW vs. BJD/Conspiracy/TIOBE 'Scuse me, but what is WAGW doing in the crummy movies section? :-) I'd switch that with BJD any time. *dodging tomatoes* Kimberly, I love reading your long posts. It's nice to get that kind of info from someone who is actually in the job. Thanks! (Mari) ...SJ has done a superb job in this film, so why find fault. She did indeed, and I didn't find a fault in her performance. It just unnerves me that she'd taken such a risk with a much loved character of \"mine\". It is a biased, very selfish attitude on my part, and none of my business I know, but..., can't help the feeling."}, {"response": 1642, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 2003 (09:56)", "body": "Thanks Karen & Zing for those articles!!! (Zing)but he didn't have top billing in them (far from it!) as he does in GWAPE (though SJ seems to be getting the lion's share of the media attention). I think it's just a matter of time for Colin to recieve the recognition he deserves . .I think of Anthony Hopkins and his winning his Oscar late in his career . . .let's put out good vibes for him;) .as to SJ . .god bless her, she's the \"it\" girl for the moment .I hope it lasts for her. . .did enjoy her preformance very much in her in Lost in Translation and cannot wait to see her in GWAPE next week . (Risa)the screening invite is co-sponsored by The Onion - either it's an Onion joke, or else they've got to have special \"Onion-ticket reserved\" seats in there. 5:15! i'm telling you! i swear! ;) You know, when I saw \"The Onion\" on the pass . .I thought the same thing . better not be a joke, or else they'll catch hell from me! (Karen)A little bit of info on the GWAPE premiere. It will be on Dec 10; I don't have a location yet, but hope to tomorrow Hmm . . Litle Bee . . .would you rather try to go to the premiere? . .wonder if we could get tix? . .or perhaps just to try to see if ODB shows? I know the dates were posted for this, but an in case you'd like to read up on GWAPE on the Anatomy of a Scene on the Sundance Channel: http://www.sundancechannel.com/anatomy/?PHPSESSID=7bddfa1385e540f63797e9cf4fcc4b7e And for all you lucky ladies who will be heading over to Sundance to see Trauma here's the festival site, so you can start buying passes and planning your trip! They are still in the process of updating the site and listing titles and screening dates, so I wouldn't be worried that Trauma's not listed yet! http://festival.sundance.org/"}, {"response": 1643, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 2003 (10:09)", "body": "On the second page of the Sundance \"Anatomy of a Scene,\" they have a bunch of people to click on, but not Colin. :-("}, {"response": 1644, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 2003 (10:10)", "body": "Kimberley/Little Bee: the GWAPE premiere will be in LA on the 10th"}, {"response": 1645, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 2003 (11:05)", "body": "(Karen)Kimberley/Little Bee: the GWAPE premiere will be in LA on the 10th Dang!!!! . .that means he definitely won't be in NY (**sigh**) Little Bee, guess we'll be Colin-less next week .we'll have to satisfy ourselves with just seeing him on screen .. .we can always walk by the large LA billboard that's on 48th and 7th;) (Karen)On the second page of the Sundance \"Anatomy of a Scene,\" they have a bunch of people to click on, but not Colin. :-( I know . .that book on the side on the 1st pg of the sundance \"Anatomy of a Scene,\" link . .I think it was called \"Vermeer's Camera\" looks interesting .has anyone read it? (Ildi)'Scuse me, but what is WAGW doing in the crummy movies section? :-) I'd switch that with BJD any time. *dodging tomatoes* Well, I liked WAGW too. . . I'll admit it . . .but BJD a crummy movie???? Ildi, say it ain't so!!! . . I'd watch out for flying blue soup and orange marmalade . .not tomatoes!!!;)"}, {"response": 1646, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 2003 (11:56)", "body": "(Kimberly) . . .but BJD a crummy movie???? Ildi, say it ain't so!!! LOL! Yeah, I know. I must be the only Colin fan in the entire Firthland who doesn't like that one. I don't say it's crummy, it's got funny bits and pieces like the book, but as a whole... I can't make myself like it, and believe me I tried. It just doesn't take. I keep watching the DVD just because Colin looks so bloody handsome in it. I mean let's face it, the whole movie is a spectacular Colin Firth extravaganza. Every scene, every shot of him is dead on, he was filmed to look absolutely perfect from every possible angle, and I revel in it. He is immaculately dressed all the time (save the reindeer jumper), and the Dimples Galore in the kitchen scene is to die for. But that's about it for me. Let's see if the second one will convert me. Or maybe I'm just plain hopeless... :-)"}, {"response": 1647, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 2003 (15:01)", "body": "(Karen)On the second page of the Sundance \"Anatomy of a Scene,\" they have a bunch of people to click on, but not Colin I wonder why. I hope he's not excluded on the show. (Anatomy of a scene) At the party, Vermeer, his family, his patron, and his whole world converge. And all the politics, petty emotions, and passion that link them are made apparent to Griet. Sounds interesting, though, this was a great scene."}, {"response": 1648, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 2003 (18:08)", "body": "(Karen)On the second page of the Sundance \"Anatomy of a Scene,\" they have a bunch of people to click on, but not Colin (Linda)I wonder why. I hope he's not excluded on the show. Better not be. I just signed on for Showtime which runs Sundance. They're normally smut-a-vision."}, {"response": 1649, "author": "lupa", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 2003 (20:17)", "body": "(Karen) Kimberley/Little Bee: the GWAPE premiere will be in LA on the 10th (Kimberly) Little Bee, guess we'll be Colin-less next week .we'll have to satisfy ourselves with just seeing him on screen. come on, Kimberly - you and me. a flight to LA, red eye on the 9th. i have a place you can stay for free. we'll fly back the next day. cmon, it'd be great! it doesn't matter that i'm missing a major relaunch at work - ODB is more important!! ;)"}, {"response": 1650, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 2003 (20:58)", "body": "(Little Bee)come on, Kimberly - you and me. a flight to LA, red eye on the 9th. i have a place you can stay for free. we'll fly back the next day. cmon, it'd be great! it doesn't matter that i'm missing a major relaunch at work - ODB is more important!! LOL!!!! . .You are my kinda girl!!!!!! . .ahhh dang if you actually asked me before today, I might have considered it!! . .but just accepted an acting gig for One Life to Live . .and it tapes on the 9th!!!! But if you REALLY want to meet at 5:15 on the 10th . .I can try to swing it . .worse comes to worse . .we could always just catch dinner before hand;)!!!"}, {"response": 1651, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 2003 (21:11)", "body": "(Little Bee)come on, Kimberly - you and me. a flight to LA, (Kimberly)But if you REALLY want to meet at 5:15 on the 10th You *Metro* gals are really rubbin' it in! Santa will remember;-))"}, {"response": 1652, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 2003 (21:22)", "body": "(Evelyn)I just signed on for Showtime which runs Sundance. They're normally smut-a-vision. SNORT! . .Sorry Evelyn, have to laugh, b/c I actually do temp work for Showtime to help me support my acting career . . .I love working there b/c they are great and let me off for acting jobs/auditions and still keep me pretty employed! Sundance and Showtime (as well as Nickelodeon, CMT, MTV, VH1, CBS . .god knows I could go on and on with the list) is actually owned by the parent company Viacom . .the Sundance offices are actually down on the 8th floor of the building I work in . . Showtime is not all that bad . . .they've had some good series, Ressurection Boulevard, Soul Food . . . Dead Like Me (is my fav) . .I will agree their \"After Hours\" programming - Red Shoes Diaries . .and well I could name numerous others, (titles of which you would have a good laugh over) are pretty bad . .I think \"Skin-a-max\" (ie Cinemax)can get worse . . ."}, {"response": 1653, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 2003 (21:23)", "body": "(Bee)You *Metro* gals are really rubbin' it in! Santa will remember;-)) Awwwww pullleeeeese, I'll be good! . .I'm hoping for a VCC (Very Colin Christmas) this year . .I put alot of his films/related books on my christmas list . .here's hoping I get them;)"}, {"response": 1654, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (08:11)", "body": "From W (Dec 2003): A Backward Glance In Girl With a Pearl Earring , Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson play, respectively, the 17th-century Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer and the woman who is said to have inspired one of his most famous paintings. Here, costume designer Dien Van Straalen had the task of creating a world that looked as if it leapt right from Vermeer's canvas. In fact, paintings were all she had to go by, since there are no surviving dresses from the period. \"Was it reality or the painter's vision?\" she asks. \"We'll never know, but it's fun to use your imagination.\" Since Johannson plays a servant in Vermeer's house, she had only give mostume changes of mostly simple clothes accented with bright colors. Van Straalen eschewed wooden shoes because \"they made terrible clicking noises on the set.\""}, {"response": 1655, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (08:48)", "body": "TV ALERT Just heard that Colin will be on Regis and Kelly on Monday"}, {"response": 1656, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (08:49)", "body": "closing bold, I hope"}, {"response": 1657, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (08:52)", "body": "Fantastic! (OK, well, sort of) ;-)"}, {"response": 1658, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (09:06)", "body": "(Karen)Fantastic! (OK, well, sort of) ;-) You said it! If you look up the word *ambivalence* in the dictionary you will see a picture of Colin on Regis....;-))"}, {"response": 1659, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (09:07)", "body": "But the upside is that they're doing press in NY before heading to the other coast."}, {"response": 1660, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (09:24)", "body": "(Linda) Just heard that Colin will be on Regis and Kelly on Monday *sigh* Thought he escaped them this time around. But yes, the upside is he will be here........sometime. :-) Do the \"Metro\" gals hope against hope for a little premiere of their own on Monday perhaps? I have a BAFTA cocktail party to go to...decisions, decisions.....go to party or search for possible premiere ;-P (The premiere I was at last night was a pretty small event at the Paris Theater. Lots of people, but only a dozen or less photogs crammed in that tiny lobby. And that was with Sir Michael Caine. The TIOBE premiere was a bigger do than this was as far as press was concerned."}, {"response": 1661, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (10:45)", "body": "(Linda)Just heard that Colin will be on Regis and Kelly on Monday Ug...they're such idiots. Probably think Vermeer is a new brand of cologne. Why, oh why can't Colin , Peter Weber, and SJ go on the Charlie Rose Show. (Ok, maybe just PW and Colin);-) That's the audience that will go to see this film. Isn't this the weekend that PW is supposed to get an award from the Santa Fe FF? Caribou, where are you?"}, {"response": 1662, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (11:07)", "body": "Linda - Thanks for the heads up. (Karen)But the upside is that they're doing press in NY before heading to the other coast. (Dorine)Do the \"Metro\" gals hope against hope for a little premiere of their own on Monday perhaps? Will keep my fingers crossed for a premiere . . It is nice knowing that he will be here . . hmm do I dare troll around the Live studio location on Monday for a peek of him? Evelyn - Perhaps if we bombard Charlie Rose with emails requesting to see Colin & PW as guests, it may happen??"}, {"response": 1663, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (11:35)", "body": "Perhaps if we bombard Charlie Rose with emails requesting to see Colin & PW as guests, it may happen?? Why didn't I think of that? ;-) VERY happy to hear they're doing press in NY. Many more media outlets than LA, and it goes beyond the chat shows to the important papers and newspaper columnists. Regis & Kelly don't bother me; would you rather not see him on there at all? I'll take it. Then again, I usually enjoy his talk show appearances better than most of his movies, so . . .;-) Easy way to find out about a NY premiere; Lion's Gate has a NY office, and I'm sure they're in the phone book. Call 'em up. The LA office only knows LA."}, {"response": 1664, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (12:27)", "body": "(mari)Why didn't I think of that? ;-) You did! I forgot to thank you for the link (#1587 if believe). I wrote but also got interested in the site.:-))"}, {"response": 1665, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (12:40)", "body": "LOL, no need, BeeDee. I 'm just giving the business to these \"Metro\" girls (love that!). I envy their ability to pick up and go at a moment's notice. Make the fan base proud, girls. Be sure to ask Miz Scarlett (visions of Vivien Leigh) what it was like working with Colin Firth.;-) And Colin, darling, pack your boots; snow is due here over the weekend. You wouldn't want to fall on your ass on those pesky cobbles.;-)"}, {"response": 1666, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (12:44)", "body": "(Mari) Easy way to find out about a NY premiere; Lion's Gate has a NY office, and I'm sure they're in the phone book. Call 'em up. The LA office only knows LA. Am in process of trying to find out . .called NY ofice, they said theatrical was handled out in LA, was put into voice mail of someone in marketing out there. .hopefully will get info soon. Will keep everyone updated!"}, {"response": 1667, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (12:51)", "body": "(mari)Why didn't I think of that? ;-) Durr . .sorry Mari, I had a feeling I was being redundant . . silly, silly newbie . . . ."}, {"response": 1668, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (13:02)", "body": "(Mari)I usually enjoy his talk show appearances better than most of his movies, so . . ROTF. Now there's a new idea for a fan site."}, {"response": 1669, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (13:14)", "body": "This is bordering on \"Firthology\" subject matter as its a several weeks old, but the transcript for The View (thank you, Ada!) is finally up (one more Nov item to go--am shivering with excitement!) here: http://www.firth.com/int/03viewnov11.html Want to get all the LA stuff done before GWAPE starts up. Also, any planning for get togethers (i.e., non-CF news *cough cough*) should be done via email or I could give you the keys to the broom closet down the hall, where arrangements for the LA stuff took place. Remember, these boards each have a finite number of messages and they get used up quickly enough in such newsy times. :)"}, {"response": 1670, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (13:41)", "body": "Thanks Ada & Karen for the transcript of the View . . . That Erin girl is a pip .wonder how long she'll last on the show Karen - Sorry about non-CF posts . . .will refrain from them in future ."}, {"response": 1671, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (14:08)", "body": "That Erin girl is a pip .wonder how long she'll last on the show SNORT! I believe that was one of her last days. She was trying out for the position, but I think they picked someone else. I don't enjoy watching The View (even though I seldom have the opp.) because I think those gals just talk all over their guests. This was not a very satisfying CF interview for me, but he DID look good! Now unlike most of y'all, I really like Regis & Kelly, and trust they will do right by ODB. I agree that his first appearance on their show was horrendous, but that was when Chevy Chase was sitting in for Regis and felt the need to make an arse of himself. I'm amazed that CF even agreed to return after that. Signing off from the snowy South -- Deb"}, {"response": 1672, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (15:22)", "body": "Saw this listing for The View: We 12/10: Jeff Bridges, Fabio, Michael E. Knight, Bobbie Eakes Waddaya think? With his wig. LOL! Just kidding of course."}, {"response": 1673, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (15:22)", "body": "(Dorine)Do the \"Metro\" gals hope against hope for a little premiere of their own on Monday perhaps? Have found out so far . .there will be a NY screening sponsored by Lions Gate on the 9th (it is not considered a premierebut a screening) at the Gennar (sp?)Theater? . .Am still awaiting another call with more info: Address/times/tix and if ODB will be there."}, {"response": 1674, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (16:00)", "body": "Sigh, . .Have sneaking suscpision that NY 12/9 screening of GWAPE is for guild members only . . Just read that there will be a guild screening on 12/9 @ 7:30pm @ Landmark's Cecchi Gori Fine Arts Theatre in Beverly Hills PW, scrrenwriter, Olivia Hetreed and composer Alexandre Desplat will be there . . . My guess, the actors will be at the one in NY . ."}, {"response": 1675, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (16:37)", "body": "(Kimberly) Sigh, . .Have sneaking suscpision that NY 12/9 screening of GWAPE is for guild members only . . Which guild...SAG (you're not a member?), BAFTA, WGA, AMPAS? Others? Thanks for calling. (Mari) Regis & Kelly don't bother me; would you rather not see him on there at all? Um, that's a hard one to call. If he hadn't done any other shows, I'd tolerate him being on there better. But otherwise, they don't thrill me. Nor does Mr. Smug Himself, Mr. Craig Kilborn, though I will watch his show from time to time depending on the guest. But, I'm not always happy with him either, regardless if it's a guest I like. I usually enjoy his talk show appearances better than most of his movies, so . . .;-) Be sure to ask Miz Scarlett (visions of Vivien Leigh) what it was like working with Colin Firth.;-) LOL! Maybe *this* time I could remember to ask him about doing theater. ;-P I don't know why The View transcript would be Firthology. It's still for a current movie."}, {"response": 1676, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (17:18)", "body": "(Karen)I could give you the keys to the broom closet down the hall, where arrangements for the LA stuff took place. We had a lot of fun over there planning for LA premiere...bars,restaurants, menus. *sigh* I miss it:-(((("}, {"response": 1677, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (17:44)", "body": "(Ev)We had a lot of fun over there planning for LA premiere...bars,restaurants, menus. *sigh* I miss it:-(((( Me too......... *sigh*"}, {"response": 1678, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (19:57)", "body": "Girl with a Pearl Earring Rating: B+ Reviewed by Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly 'PEARL' OF A GIRL Johanssen's sublime performance is gives us Scarlett fever The Mona Lisa's famous smile -- a woman thinking about herself smiling -- may be the first appearance in art of modern ambivalence. The works of Johannes Vermeer, the Dutch genius of light, have a similar out-of-time quality. They seem to leap forward, from the middle of the 1600s, to a photographic embrace of the world as a voluptuous nexus of color and shadow. In Girl With a Pearl Earring, Colin Firth, in long, flowing musketeer locks that bring out an erotic dynamism he hasn't shown before, plays Vermeer quietly, with the intensity of the possessed, as if he were looking through people instead of at them. The movie, adapted from Tracy Chevalier's 1999 novel and directed by Peter Webber, is the story of how Vermeer created a single painting, the rapturous ''Girl With a Pearl Earring,'' and it brings off something that few dramas about artists do. It gets you to see the world through new -- which is to say, old -- eyes. Scarlett Johansson is Griet, the 17-year-old maid who comes to live in the noisy, bourgeois, economically fractious Vermeer household, only to become the artist's secret muse. Johansson, with a white cap covering her hair, appears to be nothing but milky skin, overripe lips, and shy, all-seeing orbs: an image of uninterrupted sensuality. The actress gives a nearly silent performance, yet the interplay on her face of fear, ignorance, curiosity, and sex is intensely dramatic. Griet's connection to Vermeer hardly needs to be consummated. Everyone can see it, notably his wife (Essie Davis), who, for all her pettiness, might be the maid's aging mirror image. The movie's soap opera of jealousy and forbidden obsession is standard middlebrow fare, yet when Griet finally poses for that painting, the entire scenario is embedded in her one look, reaching out to us, as if from across the centuries."}, {"response": 1679, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (20:34)", "body": "Colin Firth, in long, flowing musketeer locks that bring out an erotic dynamism he hasn't shown before, plays Vermeer quietly, with the intensity of the possessed, as if he were looking through people instead of at them. Wot!!!"}, {"response": 1680, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (23:42)", "body": "A mention of GWAPE in an article about thriving movie piracy despite the screener ban. The box-office hit \"Elf\" was available four days before its Nov. 7 release in theaters, taken from a digital camcorder recording made in a theater, with the sound most likely recorded from a cinema seat audio jack used by hearing-impaired moviegoers. Films not yet in theaters, including \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" and \"Monsieur Ibrahim,\" were taken from DVD screeners sent out in advance of the films' release. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-et-piracy4dec04,1,7049529.story?coll=la-headlines-world"}, {"response": 1681, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (23:51)", "body": "I didn't read this far before.... Movies from independent companies that are not part of the MPAA are turning up in a number of Internet sites. DVD copies of all of the movies being pushed for awards consideration by Lions Gate Films, for example, are available illegally online. Lions Gate began sending out screeners to an array of awards voters two weeks ago. The studio declined comment Wednesday. Hmmm, inquiries must be made."}, {"response": 1682, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (07:28)", "body": "must have been me:-("}, {"response": 1683, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (09:20)", "body": "(Owen Gleiberman - EW)In Girl With a Pearl Earring, Colin Firth, in long, flowing musketeer locks that bring out an erotic dynamism he hasn't shown before, plays Vermeer quietly, with the intensity of the possessed, as if he were looking through people instead of at them. Hmmm . .perhaps Owen has not really looked at some of ODB's films . . . I definitely have seen the \"erotic dynamism\" before;) . .and also interesting spin on the Fabio wig . . . (Kimberly) Sigh, . .Have sneaking suscpision that NY 12/9 screening of GWAPE is for guild members only . . (Dorine)Which guild...SAG (you're not a member?), BAFTA, WGA, AMPAS? Others? Thanks for calling. Just got a message from someone in Lions Gate's Marketing dept . .we're playing phone tag, and must try to reach her later on today. Will keep everyone updated. . . Esp when it deals w/ guild attendance . .in the ad I saw about the LA GWAPE screening on 12/9, it did not list any particular guilds . .it just said \"Attention all guild members\" I currenly am a member of AFTRA (due to soap work and voice over work), will be joining SAG come February (again thanks to a lucky turn w/ OLTL) - and am hinting alot to my DH that I would like to get a friends membership to BAFTA/NY (since I can't technically qualify for a full or associate or even student membership!) (Evelyn) Perhaps SJ with more experience will be able to balance the different sources as Colin does. Meant to answer this earlier . .I am interested to watch and see how she develops as an actress . .have not seen the Horse Whisperer, or any of her other films except Lost In Translation, which I enjoyed very much. Am eagerly waiting to see GWAPE next week! I do believe she is talented, and have a hunch that she will not be a flash in the pan/pretty face/no talent as others I have seen .. .With age, maturity and more experience, there is no telling where she could go."}, {"response": 1684, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (10:14)", "body": "Scarlett has already established herself as a drama veteran. In additon to THW and LIT, I've seen her in Manny & Lo (excellent), The Man Who Wasn't There, Ghost World, and An American Rhapsody. Anyway, she'll be on: --The View on Monday, 12/8 --The Early Show (CBS) on Tuesday, 12/9"}, {"response": 1685, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (10:32)", "body": "Mari - Ooop . .did not mean to imply I thought of SJ as very new inexperienced actress . . . just saying that with her being so young, she has her whole career still ahead of her and will ineveitably develop even more as an actress . . . .that is what I'm interested in seeing . . . Thanks for listing her appearances and her films .will look up Manny and Lo and her other work and ad them to my Netflix list;)"}, {"response": 1686, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (10:33)", "body": "Article about her today in the Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2003/12/05/bfjohann05.xml&sSheet=/arts/2003/12/05/ixartleft.html"}, {"response": 1687, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (10:53)", "body": "Just a couple of snippets about \"Trauma\" - maybe they've already been picked up. The screenwriter, Richard Smith, seems to be quite versatile... http://www.rodhallagency.com/index.php?art_id=000041 Alison Davids has recorded something for \"Trauma\" - I think it's a cover of a Rod Stewart hit. http://www.mindermusic.com/html/newsmicro/news.htm"}, {"response": 1688, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (11:04)", "body": "(Kimberly)with her being so young, she has her whole career still ahead of her and will ineveitably develop even more as an actress I agree, Kimberly. She's certainly chosen wisely, steadfastly avoiding the teen-oriented stuff. On that list, be sure to also check out American Rhapsody. Universal is adding about 150 screens for LA this weekend. On December 12, GWAPE will open on 7 screens in NY and LA. (Don't anybody panic; that's how they do it with the sloooow arthouse rollouts.)"}, {"response": 1689, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (11:09)", "body": "From the Western Mail (Wales) supplement, courtesy of Jennie: He m@il She m@il Q & A Colin Firth answers your questions Colin Firth shot to fame playing the suave, debonair and ice cool Mr Darcy in the smash hit TV adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. But he admits he was far from cool about his latest role. In fact the star says he suffered full blown panic attacks as he was about to start filming the eagerly awaited new movie Love Actually which opened in cinemas across Wales yesterday. Q: Did you have any concerns that Richard Curtis wouldn't be able to pull off his daunting task as a first-time director? A: I actually had a panic attack on his behalf and woke up in the middle of the night. I thought, 'How is he going to do this? How will he cope? He's got 10 or 15 stories, some very famous actors and he is going to jump in for the first time in his life and orchestrate all that.' It seemed to be an absolutely overwhelming task and the read through seemed like a premiere or a night at the Groucho Club. I was expecting bodyguards, with ear pierces. Q: You play Jamie, a lovelorn writer who flees to France after being dumped and ends up falling for his young Portuguese housekeeper. Are you really that nice in real life? A: I'm not nearly as nice as that guy Jamie. I don't feel like him at all. I wouldn't be as patient and I'm only sporadically romantic. I don't have a permanent romantic view of life. I'm not necessarily an optimist in terms of romantic love. Q: You're still best known for your wet shirt and jodhpurs as Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. Are you amazed by that? A: I'm very surprised it's still so present and I'm surprised it was a success at all at the beginning. It doesn't go away. It's just weird because there is no one way you can feel about that and you do wonder what it is going to mean as your career has to continue. Q: Girl with a Pearl Earring - tipped as one of the big movies of 2004 - is a bit of a change for you isn't it? A: It's a sombre period drama in which I play renowned Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer. I was just really ready to do a bit of drama, since there had been quite a lot of light stuff. Q: How has the filming of the Bridget Jones sequel gone? A: I ended up losing my voice. It was because I was freezing cold - we (Hugh Grant and Firth) ended up in the water during our fight. I spent a couple of days in a very very cold pond with Hugh Grant which left me a little worse for wear. Q: Did you have any doubts about playing Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones II? A: A sequel is fraught with dangers. I think most of us were sceptical about it, but my fears were allayed the minute Renee (Zellweger) opened her mouth. I thought, \"She's great and we're going to want to see a lot more of this.\" Q: What's your favourite role? A: Playing dad. My children are the best thing and the main thing. My life revolves around them, everything else matters less. (Firth is married to the Italian documentary maker Livia Giuggioli, The couple have two young children and Firth has another son Will, 12, from his relationship with American actress Meg Tilly). Colin Firth stars in Love Actually in cinemas now. With the accompanying picture:"}, {"response": 1690, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (12:19)", "body": "A couple of newspapers have picked up this reference to Colin being at the Women in Film and Television Awards dinner at the Hilton in Park Lane in London, at which Barbara Windsor was given the Working Title Film Lifetime Achievement Award. She mentions Colin being there. http://www.utvlive.com/newsroom/indepth.asp?id=5933&pt=e"}, {"response": 1691, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (12:28)", "body": "Sorry, apparently, was a lunch today. If the article hadn't said that her co-star gave her the award, I might think that Colin attended on behalf of Working Title, but this could be an org that Livia belongs to."}, {"response": 1692, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (12:57)", "body": "Goodie, is official; from the Live with Regis & Kelly website. Thanks to Linda for the original tip! http://alliance.zap2it.com/custom/metromix/main_template/0,1846,3-AAISF,00.html"}, {"response": 1693, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (13:00)", "body": "Grrr, here's the right listing for R&K. (But if you click on the above, you can see GWAPe in Chicago on Wednesday.;-) Monday, December 8, 2003 LIVE begins the week with a visit from actor COLIN FIRTH from the new film, \"Girl with a Pearl Earring\", SEAL performs and a segment on Home Security."}, {"response": 1694, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (14:19)", "body": "Update on GWAPE - NYC Lions Gate Screening There is no official NY Premiere of GWAPE. Only a premiere in California. There is a Lions Gate Screening on the evening of Tues, 12/9 at 7PM. Via a group called Gen Arts. The screening will be at a Loew's movie theatre in the city. Tickets can be obtained through a contact I made at Lions Gate. If you are interested, email me. There will be NO talent at the screening. According to my contact, Colin is flying into NY for only the 8th then heading out to LA the next day. Dorine, you are BAFTA . .correct? . .I had mentioned to my contact that I knew a BAFTA member possibly interested in the screening."}, {"response": 1695, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (15:24)", "body": "Kimberly)There will be NO talent at the screening. Oh, but plenty on the screen;-) Thanks, Kimberly for the NY screening news. (Kimberly)Colin is flying into NY for only the 8th then heading out to LA the next day. I originally wondered if the Regis segment was taped when Colin was in NY during those glorious November days. Guess not."}, {"response": 1696, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (15:36)", "body": "(Linda)I originally wondered if the Regis segment was taped when Colin was in NY during those glorious November days. Guess not. I figured he's be flying in for the A&E Breakfast with the Arts thing that airs on Sunday and Regis and Kelly (Monday). .but maybe he taped that A&E thing earlier . ."}, {"response": 1697, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (15:38)", "body": "The Breakfast with the Arts thing was filmed in Toronto."}, {"response": 1698, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (15:50)", "body": "From BWTA newsletter EMMY-Nominated BREAKFAST WITH THE ARTS SUNDAY DECEMBER 7, 2003 8:00 AM eastern time Elliott Forrest, host Two of today's most exciting young actors, Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth, talk about their new film, \"Girl with a Pearl Earring,\" based on the bestseller by Tracey Chevalier."}, {"response": 1699, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (15:50)", "body": "From a survey by Blockbuster - urprising as most critics refer to Fever Pitch as a \"flop\"! There were 20 movies listed. so second place isn't bad! \"ROBERT De Niro\ufffds classic boxing movie Raging Bull has KO\ufffdd all challengers \ufffd to take the title of best sporting film in history. The 1980 film, which won De Niro a best actor Oscar, beat Fever Pitch into second place. De Niro, 60 \ufffd currently recovering from prostate cancer surgery \ufffd caused a sensation as troubled middleweight champion Jake La Motta. Directed by Martin Scorsese, the film highlights the rage that made the boxer unstoppable. De Niro piled on the pounds to help faithfully recreate La Motta\ufffds final years. Fever Pitch, starring Colin Firth as an obsessed Arsenal fan, headed a good cast of British films in the survey by Blockbuster. Third was a movie made 42 years ago \ufffd The Hustler, starring Paul Newman as a mean pool player.\""}, {"response": 1700, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (16:52)", "body": "From a survey by Blockbuster - urprising as most critics refer to Fever Pitch as a \"flop\"! There were 20 movies listed. so second place isn't bad! \"ROBERT De Niro\ufffds classic boxing movie Raging Bull has KO\ufffdd all challengers \ufffd to take the title of best sporting film in history. The 1980 film, which won De Niro a best actor Oscar, beat Fever Pitch into second place. Thanks for the news Bethan. FP is not only my fave, it's one of my only.;-) I do sometimes like Field of Dreams."}, {"response": 1701, "author": "Darla", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (16:55)", "body": "How odd, I just got my BWTA newsletter and it says Part 2 of 2 for the Paul McCartney show. Colin is not mentioned."}, {"response": 1702, "author": "Darla", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (16:55)", "body": "whoops sorry. Too much cold medicine, I should read on."}, {"response": 1703, "author": "socadook", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (17:33)", "body": "(EW) Colin Firth, in long, flowing musketeer locks that bring out an erotic dynamism (Mari) On that list, be sure to also check out American Rhapsody. I second. (BWTA Newsletter) Two of today's most exciting young actors, Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth LOL, they make them sound the same age. (Blockbuster) beat Fever Pitch into second place. I'm staggered ;-) Thanks to everyone for articles, pictures, links and wonderful pov. Lots of postings to catch up. It's great to be back."}, {"response": 1704, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (18:17)", "body": "especially for our Metro gals! Zip into your closest Toys R Us (or similar). Colin will be doing a little segment on Monday's Today Show (scheduled for 8:30 am) for its Annual Toy Drive. I expect that's done in front of the crowds outside, though am not positive."}, {"response": 1705, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (19:20)", "body": "(Karen)Zip into your closest Toys R Us (or similar). Colin will be doing a little segment on Monday's Today Show (scheduled for 8:30 am) for its Annual Toy Drive. Hmm . .dilemna . .there's a big Toy's R'Us in times square . .should I go there or the Today Show's studio? . .both are not too far from each other . . . have a feeling I may be late to work on Monday;)"}, {"response": 1706, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (20:33)", "body": "Kimberly, go to Toys R Us (or FAO Schwartz) tomorrow or Sunday , buy an anatomically correct Darcy Doll, then head over to the Today Show on Monday!:-) Go to it, fan base! (Karen)I expect that's done in front of the crowds outside, though am not positive. Yep, they had Kevin Bacon on last week--and if I'm not mistaken, he wore a little Santa hat! The mind boggles . . .;-) Usually it's when they go to Al Roker for the weather. Great find, Karen, you're amazing!"}, {"response": 1707, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (20:40)", "body": "They're supposed to be at a Toys R Us, for sure? If he has to get to ABC by the 9:00 half hour, as I would imagine he would be the first guest, it would be considerably more doable to do it at Rockefeller Ctr. Doubt Katie or Matt would truck \"all the way\" down there just to do a segment for that. Can you see Colin and Al hanging out in the stuffed animals or on the big indoor ferris wheel. ;-) Maybe they should go to FAO Schwartz instead. They could use the publicity. They're having a fire sale, on the verge of going out of business."}, {"response": 1708, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (21:41)", "body": "This morning, on TODAY, the Bacon boys were collecting toys in the area outside NBC where they shoot the sumer bands and do the outside weather, car segments, and suchlike. Kevin had on the Santa hat. So...If t'were me in the city, I would be getting my toy this weekend, then bundling up and taking it and self to NBC to, hopefully, have a CEFK. Sigh...Oh to be a \"Metro\" girl."}, {"response": 1709, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (21:55)", "body": "Thanks, Eithne. That's what I thought."}, {"response": 1710, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (22:07)", "body": "(Dorine) They're supposed to be at a Toys R Us, for sure? No, I never said that. I said to go to a Toys R Us (or FAO Schwartz or Wal-Mart for that matter) and BUY A TOY to donate to Santa's little helper on Monday, outside of the Today Show's studio. My suggestion: a Paint-by-Numbers set ;-)"}, {"response": 1711, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (03:43)", "body": "Interesting article in itv.com - doesn't bode well for TDW... Heart-throb Colin Firth has said he is exhausted and is planning to take some time off when he has finished filming the sequel to Bridget Jones. http://www.itv.com/news/1075527.html"}, {"response": 1712, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (06:57)", "body": "Colin Firth has said he is exhausted Honestly that man doesn't know how the other half lives (on a fraction of what he earns):-( Have to say that this is an aspect of Colin with which I am not in sympathy. Work/life balance is one thing but CF..."}, {"response": 1713, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (07:00)", "body": "Just an afterthought to the above. Is just possible that the above was him sidestepping the question, particularly if TDW is precipitous (is that what he said? what does it mean?)."}, {"response": 1714, "author": "Darla", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (07:20)", "body": "GWAPE - Atlanta Screening Well I met up with a couple of other droolers.(Lisa and Shoshana) I must apologize, because I was quite chatty, seeing as it was the first time in two days I was able to talk (I had lost my voice). The film was wonderful. Absolutely breathtaking. The sparse dialogue was warranted. I can't imagine anyone else that could have carried that movie off besides ODB. He says so much with his expressions. I nearly fell off my chair when they announced that Mike Newell was originally supposed to direct and that Kate Hudson was supposed to play Griet. I can't even imagine her in the film. Anyway...It was a marvelous film and I did find him quite appealing even in his Fabio wig."}, {"response": 1715, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (07:26)", "body": "(Allison M)Honestly that man doesn't know how the other half lives (on a fraction of what he earns):-( Have to say that this is an aspect of Colin with which I am not in sympathy. Work/life balance is one thing but CF... I don't think his work rate s much different than any other fairly successful actor. He has stated on previous occasions that he values his family life. He is in a profession where he can enjoy the best of both worlds - who wouldn't in his position? He seems to me to be an well-grounded individual, free from the excesses so prevalent in his profession. -I applaud him."}, {"response": 1716, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (07:39)", "body": "(Allison)Is just possible that the above was him sidestepping the question, particularly if TDW is precipitous (is that what he said? what does it mean?). When I asked him at the NY premere of Love Actually if he was doing The Dead Wait, he looked surprised that I'd asked, then shook his head saying, \"that's very precipitous at the moment.\" Well, it *was* raining at the time.;-) I then asked him what he was doing after EOR and he said there was something else he was lining up, but couldn't say more. To which I replied, \"Oh, sure.\" Yes, I did, ask the fan base. He sort of smiled. Sort of.;-) Damn people expect me to work work work.;-) I read the other week that Hillary Swank and Chiwetel Ejiofor (Dirty Pretty Things; KK's hubby in Love Actually) are to be in South Africa shortly doing a film about the Truth & Reconciliation Commission. Given that, and the precipitous answer, IMO, TDW is not happening. Doubt there'd be two films on the same subject matter."}, {"response": 1717, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (07:43)", "body": "Coing Soon has several new stills from GWAPE: http://www.comingsoon.net/cgi-bin/imageFolio.cgi?direct=Drama/Girl_with_a_Pearl_Earring"}, {"response": 1718, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (08:33)", "body": "(Mari)I then asked him what he was doing after EOR and he said there was something else he was lining up, but couldn't say more Yep, I heard him say that, too. But taking a break doesn't necessarily mean several months without work. I'm hoping that all of this recognition and publicity means he's getting more scripts, etc. sent to him---finally, maybe? he wants to take a look at what's being offered and choose carefully;-) Then, again, he will probably say something different next week;-)"}, {"response": 1719, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (08:50)", "body": "Exclusive Girl with a Pearl Earring Photos! Source: Lions Gate Films Friday, December 5, 2003 We've got five exclusive new stills from Lions Gate Films' anticipated adaptation of Tracy Chevalier's Girl with a Pearl Earring, starring Colin Firth, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Wilkinson. The drama opens in Los Angeles and New York next Friday, then in Chicago and San Francisco on the 26th. It will be released wider on January 9. (The one of Colin isn't new) http://comingsoon.net/news.php?id=2599"}, {"response": 1720, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (09:17)", "body": "I'm really, really sorry for triple posting here, but *slapping head* The more I thought about this taking a break thing...the more I hope it was just a \"varying the answers\" type of answer. Why would he take a break now? Isn't there something to be said for striking while the iron is hot? ...must be cabin fever on my part. Watching the snow pile up makes me crazy."}, {"response": 1721, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (09:35)", "body": "(Mari) KK's hubby in Love Actually) are to be in South Africa shortly doing a film about the Truth & Reconciliation Commission. Given that, and the precipitous answer, IMO, TDW is not happening. Doubt there'd be two films on the same subject matter. 1. Valmont redux. 2. Anyway, I read it, and didn't think it was so hot. He can do better. Off to the night table it goes. (Along with Hamlet, Armadillo,Flashman,Maid of Butterball...)"}, {"response": 1722, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (09:52)", "body": "Thanks for the article find, Jane. (Colin) \"We've almost finished filming now. Then I think I'm going to take a break and rest for a while....I've been rather busy recently. I've never been one to plan too far in the future.\" He has been working back to back on more projects than he has in the past, and I suspect all this \"promotion\" has gotten to him. Not to mention how \"physical\" a role he has in TEOR, all that fighting, etc. ;-) If he is planning on taking some time off, it wouldn't be out of character. Let's just hope it isn't 5-7 months or longer, as has happened before. (Linda) Isn't there something to be said for striking while the iron is hot? Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to understand this concept. :-( Someone make a note for it to be next year's birthday party theme. (making lemonade)"}, {"response": 1723, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (10:14)", "body": "Have been playing catch up, and want to thank everyone for the goodies! (And thanks to Karen for posting articles so quickly at Firth.com.) Am getting v. excited about the big promo push for GWAPE. Regarding ODB taking a break, something tells me if a great offer comes his way, he'll take it. I bet he is tired--new baby, promo for 2 films while filming a third, etc. I think it's great he wants to be with his family for a bit and can afford to do so. (Evelyn) Off to the night table it goes. (Along with Hamlet, Armadillo,Flashman,Maid of Butterball...) Oh no, the night stand of death! ;-) Maid of Butterball. Wouldn't that be \"The Maid of I Can't Believe It's Not Buttermere?\" ;-)"}, {"response": 1724, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (10:26)", "body": "From Jennie, a very interesting review of GWAPE from her quarterly news magazine from the National Art Collection Fund: So little biographical details is known of the Sphinx of Delft, as Vermeer has been called, and his calm interiors are imbued with such enigmatic qualities, that it is easy to see why the novelist Tracy Chevalier was drawn to weave a delicate fiction around one of his most celebrated portraits. Peter Webber has now turned Chevalier's book into an elegant film, and he has managed to avoid most of the excesses of the art-historical biopic. In place of the bombastic genius of film portrayals of artists from Charles Laughton's Rembrandt, via Kirk Douglas's Van Gogh, to the startlingly Welsh Picasso of Anthony Hopkins, we have Colin Firth's impressively quiet Vermeer. Here is a painter who behaves as if he is really looking at his subject rather than performing for it. I say \"it\", but the subject here is, of course, the mysterious, pearl-earringed girl who gazes across the centuries at us with an intimacy that still feels disarmingly immediate. Who was this girl? The film makes a plausible case for Chevalier's idea that she was a young servant girl, Griet (Scarlett Johansson), who became the object of Vermeer's discreet infatuation and a relief from the demands of his wife Catharina (blazingly well played by Essie Davis); sitting for her portrait would cost her her job, even as it earned he immortality. Being unconstrained by documentary evidence allows a film-maker to have fun (John Boorman did as much with his short film Two Nudes Bathing, which jokily 'explained' the nipple-pinching pose of that 16th century School of Fontainebleu masterpiece); but the comedy here comes largely from the contrast between the noisily chaotic household run by Catharina and her mother Maria (Judy Parfitt on dust-dry form) and the tranquillity of Vermeer's upstairs studio. The film credibly reconstructs 17th century Delft (in Luxembourg), and the \"outsider\" status of Dutch Catholics (like the Vermeers) is subtly conveyed. But the central conceit explodes when the screen fills with a close-up of the Vermeer portrait--it is tender and sensual, but not sexual. Ultimately, it is hard to believe that Vermeer (who fathered more than a dozen children) would be tempted by the winsome Griet when the volatile passion of Catharina was only a few paces away.\" (Review by Paul Ryan, film critic)"}, {"response": 1725, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (10:28)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1726, "author": "birdy", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (10:53)", "body": "Ultimately, it is hard to believe that Vermeer (who fathered more than a dozen children) would be tempted by the winsome Griet when the volatile passion of Catharina was only a few paces away.\" Middle-age married man with wife, children and mother-in-law constantly tugging at him,tempted by a virginal, pouty-lipped model? Nah. Never happens."}, {"response": 1727, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (11:38)", "body": "(Linda) Isn't there something to be said for striking while the iron is hot? I remember the high hopes I had after the box office success of BJD and the critical success of Conspiracy and his Emmy nomination for that. You know what he did next? Londinium. 'Nuff said. :-( (Lisa) Wouldn't that be \"The Maid of I Can't Believe It's Not Buttermere?\" ;-) LOL! I hope he's not flying in today; we're getting hammered with snow. It does look beautiful and Christmas-y though. (Louise)Middle-age married man with wife, children and mother-in-law constantly tugging at him,tempted by a virginal, pouty-lipped model? Nah. Never happens. ROTF! You're baaaad."}, {"response": 1728, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (11:57)", "body": "(Linda) Isn't there something to be said for striking while the iron is hot? That's not part of his DNA; he never smells the coffee. Nevah. He did tell you, Mari, that there was something else on... I just hope he doesn't go off to make furniture in Italy for a few years."}, {"response": 1729, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (12:06)", "body": "(Karen)I said to go to a Toys R Us (or FAO Schwartz or Wal-Mart for that matter) and BUY A TOY to donate to Santa's little helper on Monday, outside of the Today Show's studio. My suggestion: a Paint-by-Numbers set ;-) Sorry, Boss . .understood your original post wrong . . \"Metro gal\" on the case . .cannot get to store today, as snowed into apartment in manner of Nanook of the North, but tomorrow, must and will get toy and will make way to donate on Monday. . .Will let you know results . . . Colin Firth has said he is exhausted (Allison)Honestly that man doesn't know how the other half lives (on a fraction of what he earns):-( Have to say that this is an aspect of Colin with which I am not in sympathy. Work/life balance is one thing but CF... OK . .chiming in again as an actor . . .I can very much comisserate with ODB . .and I'm not near yet the level of success he has. The acting profession, unfortunately is not as easy as it appears . . . Some may think it\ufffds as easy as memorizing a few lines and stepping in front of a camera . .fraid it\ufffds not. . .I guess I can throw a few examples here to elaborate. (I apologize for the length right now . .fast forward through this, if you may not be interested!) 1.) To start, an actor\ufffds day is never a set 9 to 5 with straight shooting from the beginning to end. For example, next week I have to shoot a under-five for One Life to Live. (Granted, this is daily episodic TV, but it\ufffdll give you an idea) (A U/5 is below a Principal/Contract player, not really a Re-occurring Day player, but a step up from a mere Extra. It\ufffds called an U/5 because you usually have under-five lines or less, sometimes no lines at all. But if you have direct interaction with a principal character, and/or help move the storyline along \ufffd you\ufffdre a U/5) My call time to the studio may be 8 AM. (I would have called the day before to find out this.) My day will start around 5 AM or 5:30 in order for me to get up/get ready and travel to the set on time. I get there around around 8AM, my 2 lines memorized. (I picked the script up a day or two prior) I check the shooting schedule as to when my scene is up for the day. If I\ufffdm lucky it may be the top of the list.then, more often than not I\ufffdm usually at the middle or end of the day. Then I may have to wait till maybe 9 or 9:30 AM to get into the rehearsal room, to do a quick scene blocking with the director and the principal actors. Again, my time in the rehearsal room will depend on where I am on the shooting schedule. (The principal actors may have been there rehearsing previous scenes as early as 6:30 or 7 that morning) After rehearsing I wait till maybe 10:30 or 11 to actually go up to the set for camera blocking. Camera blocking is swift, actors don\ufffdt get to rehearse their scenes full out, this is tech stuff for lighting, cameras, etc . . most of the time once they get their cue lines out, the cameras are off and moved over to another part of the set, leaving the actors in the dark, trying to quickly rehearse again with each other. After the whole day is blocked out, there is a break for lunch (about an hour), I pick up my wardrobe, wait to get called into the make-up and/hair room and then I am called up to the set. A final dress rehearsal is done for each item occurs, followed the shooting of the items. (They may dress, then shoot one item at a time, or do two or three at a time, depending on how elaborate the camera work is/how long the item is) Depending on when my scene is and how many items in that scene, I could get on the set at 2 PM and get out at 4 PM or get on the set at 6 PM and get out at 6:15. It all depends on how long the scenes prior to mine take to shoot. In between lunch and shooting, I could run to an audition or go-see, rehearse songs/monologues for upcoming auditions, go to voice/dance lessons, work on my monthly mailings, memorize/rehearse for any productions I\ufffdm working on. Usually it\ufffds best not to go to far from the studio, b/c you never know when you\ufffdll be called up to tape. And that\ufffds just one type of day at a soap, not even a \ufffdblock/dress/tape day\ufffd, when you do everything mentioned above, separately for each scene. In respect to film/movie work, night shoots are the worst. It throws your body clock off horribly. I did 3 consecutive night shoots as an extra for the movie Two Weeks Notice (w/ HG & SB) As a non union actor, I was responsible for my own hair, makeup and wardrobe. It was the circus/benefit outdoors scene (Formal strapless ball gown with everything to match). So I started my day at 3 PM to get ready and trek, hair in curlers, gown & accessories in hand to travel down to the location in Brooklyn to get to the set by 6:00 PM. They weren\ufffdt ready to do any filming till about 10PM. And being extra number 197 out of the 400 called each night, there was no guarantee that I would even get on set. They would come in and look everyone up and down and choose whomever they wanted for each shot. (I was lucky I got in about 4 or 5 ti"}, {"response": 1730, "author": "birdy", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (12:18)", "body": "Heart-throb Colin Firth has said he is exhausted and is planning to take some time off when he has finished filming the sequel to Bridget Jones. My cynicism nags that the \"interview\" may well have gone like this: Reporter: \"During filming having to do all this publicity must be exhausting.\" CF: \"Yes it is.\" Reporter: \"Are you going to take some time off after you finish EOR?\" CF: \"I hope to.\""}, {"response": 1731, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (12:41)", "body": "LOL, Louise! It may very well have gone exactly (or nearly) that way. Kimberly, your take on the rigors/demands of the acting profession are so noted and understood. Having watched films being made, I know the days are long and very tedious. But he doesn't do it 365 day/yr or even 200+ when you adjust for vacations/holidays. I suspect that filming Trauma was more demanding than anything else he's done for a very long time. All the running back and forth during TEOR filming to do publicity for LA and GWAPE would tire anyone out. But it's natural and what they get paid the big bucks for as actors and is a small portion of what the bigger stars have to do."}, {"response": 1732, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (12:50)", "body": "Karen - Sorry that was so long above! Just wanted to give an idea was a very minor actor could do . . (Karen)But it's natural and what they get paid the big bucks for as actors and is a small portion of what the bigger stars have to do. I find it amazing that the bigger stars get to have any private life/personal time at all, esp the ones that seem to work constantly . .either your in production, post production or doing publicity . .ODB has the right idea to go and take a break . . hopefully not for too long:( . . Perhaps he'll be painting murals in some Italian villa as his children play around him w/ Livia looking lovingly on . . .that sounds nice and relaxing . . ."}, {"response": 1733, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (13:14)", "body": "No need for apologies, as I said, it was enlightening (and not the least lecturing or condescending). Your perspective is a welcome addition to the boards. ...but I'm from the \"don't give a rat's ass\" school when it comes to his private life. ;-) Perhaps he'll be painting murals in some Italian villa Cobbling, more likely. v. dangerous job ;-)"}, {"response": 1734, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (13:17)", "body": "(Evelyn)Isn't this the weekend that PW is supposed to get an award from the Santa Fe FF? Caribou, where are you? Weeeelll, not in Santa Fe. (Grimacing as I type) I decided to go GWAPEless this weekend. If CF's on the front of tomorrow's paper, I will faint. The box office people did say, GWAPE had sold out. Was still only the one showing. They did think someone from each movie was in attendace but couldn't verify who would be there for GWAPE. Still not sure if PW or GWAPE is getting an award this afternoon. Will let you know if anything is in the paper tommorrow. The press coverage has been lacking 60 miles south of the venue. SFFF made the the front page Wed. when it opened. Most of the article was about two other films: one by a former Santa Fe resident about lesbians and one filmed in New Mexico. They gave directions for how to get tickets and Wednesday's schedule and then it disappeared. Will let you know if I find anything relevant. (Kimberly)Hugh Grant....after every take he would curse Just exactly like Billy Mack in LA! They showed him doing that on the TWN DVD. Art imitating life ala Richard Curtis:-)"}, {"response": 1735, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (14:02)", "body": "For those in snowy climes who might want more reading than usual. I found a couple of websites. This is where GWAPE was shown last night: http://www.lensic.com Interesting perspective on GWAPE in this article. A glitzy Hollywood movie!?! http://www.sfnewmexican.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=36500&SectionID=2&SubSectionID=&S=1 Don't know how to add a link per se so, try cutting and pasting if it doesn't work. Rocky Mountain correspondent signing off after trying to redeem self.:-)"}, {"response": 1736, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (14:20)", "body": "Colin Firth has said he is exhausted (Allison) Honestly that man doesn't know how the other half lives (on a fraction of what he earns):-( Have to say that this is an aspect of Colin with which I am not in sympathy. Work/life balance is one thing but CF... (Janet) I don't think his work rate s much different than any other fairly successful actor. He has stated on previous occasions that he values his family life. He is in a profession where he can enjoy the best of both worlds - who wouldn't in his position? He seems to me to be an well-grounded individual, free from the excesses so prevalent in his profession. For what it's worth, must put my .02 in. While I tend to agree with both Janet and Allison, my strong initial reaction when I read items such as this from Colin or any successful actor/actress is akin to Allison's. My first thought runs to the people unlike Colin, et al, who work long hours in factories, the corner stores, delivery people like UPS (or at least some here I know), waitresses with daily long shifts in dive restaurants, and a handful of others I could mention. Some of those people may be single parents, work crappy shifts of 8-12 hour days or even 2 jobs, possibly with no or crappy insurance that costs more every year, esp if it's a family plan, get 2 wks vacation and are penalized if they take the sick time they're given and use up their sick time to take kids to the doctor and are left with no time to use when they are sick or hurt. A high end example of my point, my UPS guy has pain and numbness down his right arm (*and* just broke his toe in an accident), MRI showed cervical issues, can't afford to go out on disability as it will pay a fraction of his salary and he has one kid in college and another will be soon. He also works over an hour from where he lives, leaves home at 4:30 am to get to work an when he gets home at 8 or 9pm, he's too tired to give all his attention to his family before he has to go to bed and do it all again. And to top it off, he's not quite a spring chicken either. There are thousands of illustrations of this point we could all come up with. That being said, I am familiar with most of what Kimberly gave in her overview and certainly take all that into account in the context of what Colin's life is. I don't begrudge him being exhausted in the context of what his life is. He's extremely fortunate to be in his position to not have to work constantly. More power to him. Maybe he'll be lucky enough to get to Michael Caine's level, who said the other night, he doesn't have to work if he doesn't want to except to do the projects he really wants to do, like The Statement. But as with many actors in Colin's position, whether they're frolicking in a fountain or sludging around in the wilds of Romania, all those people are getting paid more for several months of work (incl PR) than what the people above could hope to make in a lifetime. *And* they know it's *temporary* and most times have wonderful digs (sometimes 2) to go back to to recover from their (very real) stresses. The people above don't get that reprieve....sometimes ever. I agree that Colin seems rather well-grounded and obviously cares about those less fortunate. That being said I don't feel bad for him being \"exhausted.\" Not that anyone was asking me to (before I get nailed about that). Ok, that might have been .04. ;-D"}, {"response": 1737, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (14:42)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1738, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (14:49)", "body": "Thanks for the article Jane, I am hoping that Louise's version is how it really went down! And thank you Kimberly for the actor's perspective you provide! There is an article about Scarlett and GWAPE in today's NY Newsday - http://www.nynewsday.com/entertainment/ny-ffmov3570212dec07,0,6839907.story?coll=nyc-ent-short-navigation Also, here is a link to a video interview w/Colin nad Scarlett...Unfortunately I cannot view it on my home computer so I apologize if it is a repeat.. http://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hv&cf=hmg&id=1808404192 Also noticed that Oklahoma City Museum of Art is showing GWAPE next Saturday for anyone fortunate enough to be in that neck of the woods... http://www.okcmoa.com/programs_film_cal.htm (whine) by the time I get to finally see GWAPE, Vermeer could have another 8 children (scuffing floor with right foot in petulant manner)..."}, {"response": 1739, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (15:01)", "body": "There are so many people to thank for posting articles. pictures, links, and insights that I don't know where to begin. While I don't often convey my thanks, I want you all to know how very very much your contributions are appreciated. This is definitely the place to be."}, {"response": 1740, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (15:12)", "body": "Have moved Murph's article to O&E, as she suspected I might. ;-) (Maria) Oklahoma City Museum of Art is showing GWAPE next Saturday for anyone fortunate enough to be in that neck of the woods.. And who do you suppose that might be???? ;-) I can't wait for Tuesday, when I'll see it hopefully for the first time and I might go again on Wednesday for the preview screening at the Siskel Center. Remember, discussions of the movie belong on Spoilers"}, {"response": 1741, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (15:37)", "body": "(Maria) Also noticed that Oklahoma City Museum of Art is showing GWAPE next Saturday for anyone fortunate enough to be in that neck of the woods Blessings on your tribe, Maria... In Mike Meyer mode:\"I'm there, baby!!\""}, {"response": 1742, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (15:58)", "body": "(Evelyn)Blessings on your tribe, Maria... In Mike Meyer mode:\"I'm there, baby!!\" My tribe thanks you for the blessings and hopes your are doubled!:-)) Wahooo Evelyn!I'm so glad you will be able to attend! Have a great time ! And now, for something from the righteously indignant... http://www.pluggedinonline.com/movies/movies/a0001553.cfm"}, {"response": 1743, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (17:29)", "body": "Thanks, Maria, for the yahoo link....waiting for January when we'll get it here in Florida"}, {"response": 1744, "author": "katty", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (17:37)", "body": "Now, now girls, what a lot of fuss over nothing. If you read the article, Colin NEVER claims to be exhausted. The author, not Colin, supplied that word. The actual quote reads: \"We've almost finished filming now. Then I think I'm going to take a break and rest for a while...I've been rather busy recently. I've never been one to plan too far in the future.\" http://www.itv.com/news/1075527.html And what's wrong with taking a break? He's worked on about 5 films in the past year, and has a brand new baby at home (plus a 2-year old, plus a 13-year old in LA.). If he continued his pace I would question his commitment to his family."}, {"response": 1745, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (17:44)", "body": "Then I think I'm going to take a break and rest for a while...I've been rather busy recently. (Katty) If he continued his pace I would question his commitment to his family. My .04 rant stands. ;-D"}, {"response": 1746, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (18:17)", "body": "Oh Maria, that's a doozy. Too bad this reviewer probably scored in the single digits in the comprehension parts of the SATs. I'd bet he was covering his eyes and ears during most of it. I know many Americans are bad on geography, but... There's the frustrated twentysomething \"sex god\" (Colin) who hops a plane to America so he can \"score\" with some \"Minnesota babes.\" Eowww! And apparently anatomy as well... (lower sexual organs are the only things hidden from view). Are there upper sexual organs? ;-) OK, have put up the pics from the Burns Center from Dorine, Pauline and Joann in a new GWAPE gallery, as well as their accounts from that evening. This late arrival starts here: http://www.firth.com/p_eye010.html#burns Make sure you click on Dorine's in the gallery for much larger versions. Only one more thing to go...before I fall behind again."}, {"response": 1747, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (18:32)", "body": "(Maria)Thanks for the article Jane, I am hoping that Louise's version is how it really went down! Ditto! I've spent this snow day convincing myself of it;-) (Maria)by the time I get to finally see GWAPE, Vermeer could have another 8 children LOL, posthumously. Thanks, Maria and Karen"}, {"response": 1748, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (18:39)", "body": "Thank you so much to Karen, Pauline, Joann, and Dorine for the glimpse into the Burns Center Q&A!!! Dorine, those close-ups are scrumptious!"}, {"response": 1749, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (19:06)", "body": "Thanks, Karen!! Awesome job as usual! Thanks, Pauline and Joann, too! LA...a sleazy, amoral mess Just gotta laugh. :-D spliced nudity and sex throughout so as to trick critics into calling it edgy and artsy. Yeah, edgy and artsy were the first things to come to my mind, 'cause I didn't fall for their tricks! Characters frequently drink alcohol at a wedding and at parties. A sample of the kind of decadent weddings and parties we've only heard of in folklore. ;-) Thanks, Maria!"}, {"response": 1750, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (19:15)", "body": "(Mari) I then asked him what he was doing after EOR and he said there was something else he was lining up, but couldn't say more. To which I replied, \"Oh, sure.\" Yes, I did, ask the fan base. He sort of smiled. Sort of.;-) Damn people expect me to work work work.;-) He smiled. I saw it and I believe it was captured on film by the ladies to my right. Have seen lovely pic of him in full grin (something tickled him...had to have been you Mari!). (Evelyn) I just hope he doesn't go off to make furniture in Italy for a few years. I'd pay ready money for Firth Furniture.....chair, table....headboard..... (but I'm a taskmaster...work, dammit, work! I do appreciate that he wants to spend time with family and take it easy for a while (a week should do him!)...but then it's back to the grindstone! I need films to fuel this obsession...and I need loads of them!) ;-) Have fallen a bit behind, just want to thank everyone for the news and articles! Thank you Karen, Pauline, Joann, Dorine for the wonderful pics! Pauline...the hands Louisa!!!! Joann...love the pic of Colin 'coppin' a squat'! Fantastic! And Dorine...the pic of ODB that is partially obscured. Good picture of Scarlett, but she looks a bit lonely....did anyone ask her for her autograph (find it funny that ODB seems so busy signing and she looks to be standing off doing nothing!). Characters frequently drink alcohol at a wedding and at parties. (Dorine) A sample of the kind of decadent weddings and parties we've only heard of in folklore. ;-) LOL....I've only dreamed of such parties! Where can I find one? Does anyone know??"}, {"response": 1751, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (19:24)", "body": "Thanks for the articles and pics ladies!!! Dorine - I liked your.04 rant;)"}, {"response": 1752, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (20:10)", "body": "(Tress) And Dorine...the pic of ODB that is partially obscured. Good picture of Scarlett, but she looks a bit lonely....did anyone ask her for her autograph (find it funny that ODB seems so busy signing and she looks to be standing off doing nothing!). No clue if anyone paid one bit of attention to her. I would think the film center people went up to her with the posters they had, instead of just Colin. Maybe Pauline or Joann noticed. I thought that picture was kind of sad. Didn't know she was standing there til I got home and looked at the pictures. My eyes were otherwise engaged. ;-D"}, {"response": 1753, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (20:20)", "body": "Thanks to all for the fantastic photos and articles! I had a great time meeting Shoshana and Darla in Atlanta and seeing GWAPE. I'll comment on the film at Spoilers, but just wanted to note that the screening was completely sold out and they even added a second showing due to demand. I'm so glad to hear that Karen and Evelyn will be seeing it this week."}, {"response": 1754, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (21:23)", "body": "He's worked on about 5 films in the past year, and has a brand new baby at home (plus a 2-year old, plus a 13-year old in LA.). If he continued his pace I would question his commitment to his family. Pssst. Lots of men who have 3 kids work year -round. some even two ) thanks to the Burns center crowd. The pics are super."}, {"response": 1755, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (22:24)", "body": "A little more info on the Toy Drive: THE \ufffdTODAY\ufffd SHOW was the first morning show to dedicate air time to a toy drive for the sole purpose of promoting charitable giving during the holiday season. This year, the toy drive officially kicks off on December 1 and continues through December 24. Every day, surprise celebrity guests will collect toys and other appropriate gift items for children from infants to age 18 right outside our studio. If you\ufffdre in Rockefeller Plaza this holiday season, be sure to visit us and bring a new, unwrapped toy or gift in its unopened, original package. We need gifts for children from babies up to age 18, and we have a tremendous need for boys\ufffd items as well as older teen gifts. Also, we\ufffdd prefer gifts other than stuffed toys since our corporate donors supply a sufficient number for our needs. We\ufffdll be collecting every day on the air at 8:30 a.m. ET from December 1 until December 24, both weekdays and weekends outside Studio 1A. ~~~~~ OK, so it won't be a surprise. Who cares? More details here: http://www.msnbc.com/news/994372.asp?0sl=-12"}, {"response": 1756, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (22:38)", "body": "(Karen)OK, have put up the pics from the Burns Center from Dorine, Pauline and Joann in a new GWAPE gallery, as well as their accounts from that evening.. Great job to Karen and contributers! He is a case of more is more. (Ev) Pssst. Lots of men who have 3 kids work year -round. some even two ) Now why didn't I think of that?;-) Crack that whip Evelyn!"}, {"response": 1757, "author": "katty", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (23:24)", "body": "Yes, lots of men have 3 kids (some on 2 continents, too) and work all year, and I think most of them would love the luxury of taking time off to be with them, too. Colin has said how very lucky he is that his success in his profession affords him that option. A refreshing change from actors who run away from the responsibilities of daddyhood (like that other Colin F). I know I wouldn't mind having Colin hanging around the house all day. Anyway, thanks for all the eloquent first-hand reports and photos from everyone who saw Colin at the talks and premieres and thanks to Karen for posting them so well. Next to being there, they are the next best thing."}, {"response": 1758, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (04:47)", "body": "Wheeeeeeeeeee!!!Couldn't sleep so came out to living rrom expecting to wear myself out clicking through 100 channels of infomercials all making me doubt my finances, weight, and excercise options in life thus far and instead watched Cinenews, and they promised a segment on Scarlett. They did one better and had a little segment on GWAPE and talked to ODB (looking delicious in a dark shirt!), Scarlett and Peter Webber and joy of joy I saw some scenes I had not seen before...Cinenews repeats several times today on different cable channels and I am actually watching it again right now and it seems to be the same show! Now I'll never get back to sleep! Gah!!!!! OMG!!! They just did a little bit talking about TEOR on the show as well and Colin talks about it!! It was done the same time as GWAPE bit!! Watch for it!!"}, {"response": 1759, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (06:55)", "body": "Love the pictures from the Burns Center. Nice to see what Janet Maslin looks like. Thanks, all, for sharing. Two gossipy bits from People UK: LOVECHEAT PUT CURTIS WRITE ON! LOVE Actually director Richard Curtis began writing romantic films - because he caught a girlfriend cheating on him. The 46-year-old Blackadder producer scored multi-million pound hits with Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill before his latest Hugh Grant blockbuster. But Curtis has revealed it was his heartbreak that pushed him to pen the screenplays. He said: \"A lot of it has to do with my first real girlfriend leaving me. \"I've been repairing the damage ever since. Still, I guess I owe her a lot of money for sleeping with that other guy.\" Curtis, now settled with TV presenter Emma Freud and their three children, also thanks Love Actually pals Colin Firth, Emma Thompson and Rowan Atkinson for recalling their own romantic experiences for the film which has already taken \ufffd30 million. ************************************** ACTUALLY.. IT'S FULL OF COCK-UPS THE hit movie Love, Actually is riddled with cock-ups, according to fans. The Christmas film starring Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson and Colin Firth contains at least a dozen bloomers, say sharp-eyed viewers. They include: THE WRONG colour for Prime Minister Grant's No 10 folders. A CHRISTMAS Eve scene stretching over two different days. THE SAME extra walking past twice in one scene. FIRTH is seen clutching an armful of presents but seconds later he is empty-handed. PAGES from a script mysteriously vanish between shots. A movie buff said: \"There are mistakes but it's still a great film.\""}, {"response": 1760, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (07:53)", "body": "A new article about Scarlett Johansson: http://www.nynewsday.com/entertainment/ny-ffmov3570212dec07,0,6839907.story?coll=nyc-ent-short-navigation Remember to click on the video icons for a couple of film clippings."}, {"response": 1761, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (08:52)", "body": "(Katty) A refreshing change from actors who run away from the responsibilities of daddyhood (like that other Colin F). Uh oh! Think back, m'dear. :-( May be a case of selective amnesia, but there's no need to beat a dead horse here. Am marking you down in my Book of Apostles. ;-) thanks Love Actually pals Colin Firth, Emma Thompson and Rowan Atkinson for recalling their own romantic experiences for the film which has already taken \ufffd30 million. Hmmm, wonder what he contributed...the language classes/gaffes, not looking the right way and getting side swiped, falling into a pond?"}, {"response": 1762, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (08:54)", "body": "An online reviewer sent me the url to her review of GWAPE: http://www.reeltalkreviews.com/browse/viewitem.asp?type=review&id=683"}, {"response": 1763, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (10:09)", "body": "Re: my comment above - Let's not be judgmental about situations of we know none of the details. Besides, I haven't heard anything about the other CF's \"running away\" (but this isn't the place to discuss people's personal lives. Now, onto this morning's BWTA interview. Are there no comments? Are people still sleeping? Actually, I found Colin's answers to be way too long and meandering. He looked good though and that woman was nice and unobtrusive as an interviewer. But he does need to work on his responses. Sharpen them up. I don't mean to \"joke them up,\" but make them more coherent. Hopefully, by now, someone has told Scarlett that a tilemaker is not a merchant. ;-)"}, {"response": 1764, "author": "lupa", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (10:20)", "body": "Perhaps he'll be painting murals in some Italian villa as his children play around him w/ Livia looking lovingly on . . .that sounds nice and relaxing . . . who knows. maybe Livia will hand the babes to Colin and say \"see you in a few months, honey, i'm off to make another documentary!\" ;)"}, {"response": 1765, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (10:34)", "body": "I liked the BWTA interview. The reporter pretty much just let him run with it, and allowed him to talk and talk . . . and talk and talk.;-) I thought he did fine, and was very animated compared to other \"serious\" BWTA interviews. And he looked great. Thought Scarlett did very nicely too. (Maria)They did one better and had a little segment on GWAPE and talked to ODB (looking delicious in a dark shirt!), Scarlett and Peter Webber and joy of joy I saw some scenes I had not seen before Thanks, Maria! Saw your note, turned on the TV and there he was, talking about TEOR, and saying they could get 10 more movies out of it but (looking into camera, wryly addressing audience, \"we won't do that to you.\" Great stuff, will be sure to catch/tape the repeats!"}, {"response": 1766, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (10:37)", "body": "In today's Sunday Times from Antonella:"}, {"response": 1767, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (10:40)", "body": "My Sunday Times has CF and SJ!"}, {"response": 1768, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (10:42)", "body": "(Mari) Thanks, Maria! Saw your note, turned on the TV and there he was, What channel was this on? I don't tend to TV watching/surfing during the day unless I'm looking for something in particular."}, {"response": 1769, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (10:46)", "body": "Thanks, Karen and Antonella! He wishes he could play thugs. Me, too. Hopefully he can take some momentum and find that for himself instead of waiting for what may not come to him. Then again, maybe after Trauma people will see him in a different light and offer him some darker things."}, {"response": 1770, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (10:47)", "body": "Hey Dorine, Cinenews is on Encore; repeats throughout the week. BTW, I agreed with every bit of your $.04.;-) Scarlett is the featured interview in Today's Parade magazine (supplement to many Sunday papaers). Also, from an article in today's NY Daily News : \"I found Scarlett a fascinating creature,\" says the film's director, Peter Webber. \"Colin Firth's very happily married with kids, Scarlett had a boyfriend at the time - they were able to trade on feelings that we all have every day.\" Johansson does not currently have a steady boyfriend. She is, however, racking up more movies and is filming \"A Good Woman\" in Italy, with Helen Hunt. (My note: it's based on Lady Windermere's Fan). \"She's got all the chops she needs,\" says Webber. \"She's got the glamour and she's got the New York attitude. And when we were shooting 'Girl With a Pearl Earring,' everybody would go rushing off to the lunch queue, and Scarlett would still be in the 17th century.\""}, {"response": 1771, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (10:50)", "body": "Caribou, Santa Fe is redeemed!:-) SANTA FE, N.M. - A big turnout for an out-of-Hollywood experience gave Oregon-made \"Indigo\" the Audience Choice Award on Saturday at the 4th annual Santa Fe Film Festival . . . \"The Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" a film about painter Johannes Vermeer starring Colin Firth finished just behind \"Indigo\" in audience responses, festival organizers said."}, {"response": 1772, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (10:51)", "body": "(Mari)I liked the BWTA interview. The reporter pretty much just let him run with it, and allowed him to talk and talk . . . and talk and talk.;-) I thought he did fine, and was very animated compared to other \"serious\" BWTA interviews. And he looked great. Thought Scarlett did very nicely too. I agree, the reporter let him go on..Was it just me or did she have a glazed and stunned look about her? She didn't guide the interview very well IMO, she seemed to do much better with Scarlett and she giggled nervously at his little humorous quips. I did like the bit about him learning from the woman who recreates the masters, and how disastrous his attempt was. (Would love to see and own his disastrous attempt! Could display it in a room next to Dogs Playing Poker, or some other piece that would be sure to elevate it's form ;-))"}, {"response": 1773, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (11:10)", "body": "Perhaps he'll be painting murals in some Italian villa as his children play around him w/ Livia looking lovingly on . . .that sounds nice and relaxing . . . (Risa)who knows. maybe Livia will hand the babes to Colin and say \"see you in a few months, honey, i'm off to make another documentary!\";) That'sa my girl!;-)) I liked the BWTA piece and appreciated his being allowed to talk. It was over too soon for me.;-)"}, {"response": 1774, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (11:28)", "body": "(Karen)Now, onto this morning's BWTA interview. Are there no comments? Are people still sleeping? Sorry . .was a bit busy . .Karen, just emailed to you the BWTA transcript. I liked the interview, wish it was a bit longer though. I liked that Kelly did not interrupt him too much. I understand how you say that he could have been a little more succinct, but I'm a talker myself (as you've seen by previous posts), so I kind of liked his stream of consiousness answers. Did look nice too, every time he smiled . .(*sigh*) it does it for me every time . ."}, {"response": 1775, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (11:48)", "body": "(Karen) Sharpen them up. I don't mean to \"joke them up,\" but make them more coherent. He did go on...but I enjoyed it. I had to remember that this was, I believe, done earlier in the day that I got to see him. He did this all day, then had to go to two galas.....no wonder he didn't socialize much. He had talked himself out! ;-) Oh! He did look pretty amazing..... (Mari) I liked the BWTA interview. The reporter pretty much just let him run with it, and allowed him to talk and talk . . . and talk and talk.;-) I thought he did fine, and was very animated compared to other \"serious\" BWTA interviews. And he looked great. Thought Scarlett did very nicely too. I enjoyed Colin (for all his rambling...which I found amusing. Like he hadn't found his soundbites yet...or gotten a feel for how he really felt about certain things.....was like a bit of 'stream of consciousness' interviewing...a bit like this post is becoming so I'll shut up now.....). Scarlett did well, but she didn't make much eye contact. Kept looking down like a shy child. Thanks Antonella and Karen!!! Wishes he could play thugs? Would love to see that....(see, no time for a break, he needs to get on that right away). Love the bit where imitates his schoolmates....\"Firthy\" ?? LOL...."}, {"response": 1776, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (11:59)", "body": "(Maria)Was it just me or did she have a glazed and stunned look about her? She didn't guide the interview very well IMO Kelly was a pro in comparison to the first interviewer on A&E. Though I had hoped for Elliott Forrest. I thought the questions were thoughtful and he gave excellent \"non-script\" answers. And did anyone notice this is the first time an A&E interviewer did not even mention P&P and Mr. Darcy. I'm sure he did;-) Scarlett...well, she's young ...has a way to go on interviewing skills. Needs to ditch the \"you knows\". But she's appealing & cute;-) Whole segment would appeal to the A&E audience."}, {"response": 1777, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (12:20)", "body": "Got my copy of the Love Actually book. I know that Emma wrote out all the answers to the Love Questionaire from ODB....but I found another bit amusing: Who would you have as your naked stand in? ODB: Hugh Grant ten years ago. And a few pages later, Hugh Grant gives this answer to the same question: Hugh: Colin Firth - but with a better body. Hope that hasn't been posted yet. I fell a bit behind....did a search and didn't see it. Thought some of you might find it funny."}, {"response": 1778, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (13:51)", "body": "(Tress)He did go on...but I enjoyed it. Same here, but when he goes on like that he answers less questions, and I tend to get lost, too. Well, actually, I get lost on the first viewings, anyway. Just another reason to watch again, and again;-)Oh, and of course he was his usual AFG best. His impressions on first seeing Vermeer's studio on the set, and his having little or nothing to do for days on end during filming reminded me of the BAFTA Q&A. Maria, thanks for the Cinnews, news. I caught it just five minutes before it started. Haven't watched yet, but I'm on my way. (Evelyn)(SJ)Needs to ditch the \"you knows\". And the \"Um's\". Thanks, Karen, Mari, and Antonella."}, {"response": 1779, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (14:04)", "body": "(Evelyn)(SJ)Needs to ditch the \"you knows\". (Lindak) And the \"Um's\". And the shoulder shrugs."}, {"response": 1780, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (15:02)", "body": "(Evelyn)(SJ)Needs to ditch the \"you knows\". (Lindak) And the \"Um's\". ODB had quite his share of the \"uh, ums and you knows\" . .believe me, Karen can attest to the transcript I sent her;) . . it didn't bother me that much cause it made the interviews for both of them seem less like planned/scripted answers and more off the cuff . . ."}, {"response": 1781, "author": "lupa", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (16:16)", "body": "(Kimberly) ODB had quite his share of the \"uh, ums and you knows\" it's very easy to forget what you were going to say when you're being interviewed. it was still nice because both of them sounded VERY human, and very real IMO."}, {"response": 1782, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (16:17)", "body": "Here's the link for the Cinenews program, including which Starz/Encore related channel they're on. http://www.starzsuperpak.com/se/ssp/schedule/grid_titleview.html?v=2990231&e=38&valid_services=ALL&on_air_title=Cinenews"}, {"response": 1783, "author": "lupa", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (17:09)", "body": "(Josie) BTW, a small note - thank you so much for the card, ladies.(you know who you are ;-)) It is certainly one of the best gifts I've ever had! it was actually quite nice getting the present for you, dear Josie :) i feel like i was getting something for a sister!"}, {"response": 1784, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (17:57)", "body": "(Kimberly)it didn't bother me that much cause it made the interviews for both of them seem less like planned/scripted answers and more off the cuff . . . Didn't bother me either, actually. It's just much more noticable on her part. I've seen SJ interviewd several times, now, and I guess I almost look for it to happen so I notice it more. When Colin is being interviewed, he may be 'umming', and 'you knowing' all over the place but I get so caught up in his answers that I don't notice it a'tall;-)"}, {"response": 1785, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (19:14)", "body": "The GWAPE website has the exclusive TV spot trailer. Nothing new in it, but it looks and sounds good. http://www.girlwithapearlearringmovie.com/ Thanks for the pics and articles everyone. I envy you for being able to watch the bwta interview, I have no cable, so I'm just trying to picture it based on your opinions. The thought of Colin \"umm\"ing and \"you know\"ing and shrugging and going on and on is very lovely to me. :-) Burns Center ladies, I'm glad you enjoyed yourselves, great pics you took, thank you for sharing!"}, {"response": 1786, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (19:22)", "body": "(Linda)I get so caught up in his answers that I don't notice it a'tall;-) Ain't that the truth;) . . . OK, \"Metro gal\" news : will try to get to Today show tomorrow for 8:30 toy donating segment . .Keep eye out for sign saying \"The LL from SPRING Want to Say Hello to ODB\" . .we'll see what happens;) . . . will update you tomorrow . . psst Karen, bought 1 child's toy and 1 paint by numbers set . .see if he notices;) Oh . .also,just saw SLOW . . . now I finally get the carpenter jokes;) (I'm so behind . .)"}, {"response": 1787, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (22:12)", "body": "(Kimberly)Oh . .also,just saw SLOW . . . now I finally get the carpenter jokes;) (I'm so behind . .) I just love SLOW! I think he is lovely in it. For me it's his best hair film.:-)) Meet me at Firthology if you have any thoughts......."}, {"response": 1788, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (22:37)", "body": "Oh my....forecast is near zero degrees with wind chill tomorrow morning. :-( Can't imagine ODB's too thrilled over that."}, {"response": 1789, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (22:43)", "body": "(Dorine)Oh my....forecast is near zero degrees with wind chill tomorrow morning. :-( Can't imagine ODB's too thrilled over that. Button up you stallwart fan base! Well, he says he a 'merican so he should hold up ok, I hope..."}, {"response": 1790, "author": "NicoleM", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (22:49)", "body": "To those of you going to The Today Show, have a wonderful time! I hope we have the chance to see you with the sign on TV. Wish I could be there, too! Unfortunately, my boss is on vacation this week, which means I can't get anyone else to cover my shift tomorrow (or else I'd have hopped in the car several hours ago)! Apparently, I am the only other person on staff who knows how to make a schedule, which has to be done on Mondays. *Note to self: Train fellow staff in scheduling to avoid future similar aggravations!* I am doubly vexed to miss this as not only will my favorite actor be there (as well as some of you!), but my favorite men's skater, Todd Eldredge. He will be skating a performance on the rink at sometime in the morning (though he said it isn't scheduled to be televised live tomorrow, since the show wants to use it during the holidays, probably on New Year's). To think, I could have seen TWO of my favorites at the same place on the same day; what are the odds of THAT ever happening again? If it does, it will probably once again occur on the one day in the year that I absolutely cannot get out of working! Ah well, my run of great luck had to end sometime! I look forward to the broadcast, anyway. :-)"}, {"response": 1791, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (23:10)", "body": "Well, he says he a 'merican so he should hold up ok, I hope... I'm not concerned about him. ;-) He's got a 3 steps to a nice warm limo waiting for him when he's ready to go the 10 blocks to ABC. I've got a crowded, maybe chilly subway to go all the way to the middle of Queens. ;-P"}, {"response": 1792, "author": "Leah", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 2003 (23:52)", "body": "Thanks for all the new pics and comments etc, I love them. GWAPE is being reviewed on BBC's Talking Movies (Tom Brooks), and will be aired on SABC3 on 11 Dec 02:30, 14 Dec 03:00, and 15 Dec 02:30 As for TDW - no comment :-("}, {"response": 1793, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (02:43)", "body": "Good review in the New Yorker: by ANTHONY LANE \ufffdGirl with a Pearl Earring.\ufffd Issue of 2003-12-15 How many of today\ufffds actresses would be prepared to step into the shoes of Griet, the eponymous heroine of \ufffdGirl with a Pearl Earring\ufffd? And how many would pull out once they realized that the shoes were, in fact, clogs? All credit to Scarlett Johansson, then, not only for taking the role but for devising a superbly inelegant walk\ufffdflat, clumping, and determined, the gait of a woman who has been bred to labor for a living wage and to expect nothing more. Yet something more is sprung upon her. The year is 1665, and Griet goes to work in the house of Johannes Vermeer. The painter is already in thrall to his black moods, his perennially pregnant wife, his formidable mother-in-law, and, given time and space, his art. Now, little by little, the new servant drifts into his view. Peter Webber\ufffds first film is based on Tracy Chevalier\ufffds novel of the same name\ufffda ripe reconstruction of an age, told through the imagined voice of Griet. We lose that first-person narration in the movie, and the outcome is a little more stolid\ufffdGriet all but vanishes into the damp stone of her surroundings as she paces beside the canals. That may strike some viewers as undramatic, but it comes with a historical kick. The Griets of that world were not meant to be seen, and it is through the good offices of Vermeer, de Hooch, and their contemporaries\ufffdthe sanctifying calm of their gaze\ufffdthat we know of such underlings now. The movie, which was shot by Eduardo Serra, wants to scrape itself against the texture of their days, which is why, for all the elegant re-creation of Dutch interiors, with their sifted sidelighting, we are also dragged to the street market, and to its stinking heads of oxen, as a sanguine reminder that elegance alone is not enough. Nevertheless, anybody who balks at slowness will be driven up the wall by this movie, not least by the shortfall of its romance. Years of Hollywood training lead us to expect that Colin Firth, as Vermeer, will come on strong to Scarlett Johansson\ufffdto assume that desire, like art, must surge across all boundaries. But, if ever a society was bounded, it was Holland in the seventeenth century, and, in defense of such decorum, I would say that the repression going on between Firth and Johansson is more of a turn-on than most of the hot news that movies like to bring us from twenty-first-century bedrooms. Watch the two of them huddled beneath the blackout cloth of a camera obscura, or Vermeer showing Griet how to grind shellac and lapis lazuli (the shards even sound delicious in the hand) while preparing his pigments. Best of all, look closely at Johansson as she puts on the pearl earring and sits for the portrait by which she will, unknowingly, be granted immortal life. Instructed to moisten her lips so a to catch the light, she doesn\ufffdt do anything so lubriciously modern as to show her tongue, but gently sucks each lip in like a lozenge\ufffda dazzling detail in what is, by any standards, an immaculate period performance. Johansson, who won the role after Kate Hudson stepped aside, makes no attempt to look pretty; indeed, in the fullness of her figure, and in the breadth of her cheekbones and brow, she displays that mixture of piety and earthiness that we associate with landscapes less urbane than Delft\ufffds, and with artists less given to quietude. \ufffdGirl with a Pearl Earring\ufffd is a tense and civilized tribute to Vermeer, and it is unthinkable without the poise of its leading lady. Yet, if Rembrandt could have glimpsed her, he, likewise, might have reached for his brush."}, {"response": 1794, "author": "BarbaraT", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (06:17)", "body": "From the Express: When brooding heart-throb CF stepped up to present a gong at the Women In TV And Film Awards at London's Hilton Hotel the other night, not everyone among the 750 throng joined in the show-stopping five minute eruption of wolf-whistles and swooning. Fellow pin-up Ross Kemp took the opportunity to slink off, stony-faced, to the toilet."}, {"response": 1795, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (06:49)", "body": "Not So Great in Time: GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING Directed by Peter Webber Starring Scarlett Johansson, Colin Firth, Tom Wilkinson Girl With A Pearl Earring is pretty as a picture \ufffd a picture, let us say, by Johannes Vermeer. Its reconstruction of 17th century Holland, where the old master painted his breathtaking portraits, is stunning. Unfortunately, the characters inhabiting this landscape in Webber's film are merely stunned. You've never seen so many people talking and walking so slowly or registering their emotions so unblinkingly. It's possible that the lento rhythms of the film are dictated by the need to stretch what is really little more than an art-historical anecdote into a full-scale movie. Basically, all that happens in the movie is that Vermeer (Firth) entices his pretty, largely silent new housemaid (Johansson) into posing for the eponymous painting, while his patron (Wilkinson) lusts after her impotently. The film's dramatic high occurs when she finally takes off her cap and reveals her pretty hair. All right, some obsessional undercurrents run beneath Girl's surface. The painter is obviously attracted to his model. He teaches her to mix his paint and guides her study of the play of light. Nothing comes of it, however, but glum expressions. There are a lot of cranky folks in the Vermeer household. An unhappy wife and a domineering mother-in-law do not make his life any easier, and the fact that he is a slow worker (he made only about 35 paintings in his career) doesn't help. But this material is either underdeveloped or crudely put by a director whose style is so conventional that he makes James Ivory look, by comparison, like Jean-Luc Godard. Who knew that 350 years ago the Dutch were pioneering the first Prozac nation? --R.S."}, {"response": 1796, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (07:40)", "body": "Hurrah! Katie Couric got in an interview with Colin about GWAPE...makes up for NBC not covering it on Nov. 10. Someone give him some gloves, poor baby!"}, {"response": 1797, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (07:44)", "body": "Santa Firthy was there! How cute was he in that hat? Loved it, he's a great sport. Huge crowd on hand, hope our metro fan base got up close!:-)"}, {"response": 1798, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (07:49)", "body": "Mini-interview, at least! Katie was all over Colin! LOL! The big question is what the Metro DD's at the Today Show saw. Boy, he looked AFG! Sorry for making no sense."}, {"response": 1799, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (07:49)", "body": "Oh, would I love to be keeping ODSanta's hands warm. But where is Katie? Notice how Matt did the next segment... LOL, loved her kissing him on both cheeks, grabbing his hands...she gets more bold everytime;-)Goforit. (Katie)\"Are you stalking me\"? Did anyone catch what Colin said just after that? Metro girls-did you get up close?"}, {"response": 1800, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (07:50)", "body": "Oh, sorry to double post, but I think my new favorite words to hear him say... \"pearl earring\" **sigh**"}, {"response": 1801, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (07:54)", "body": "Did anyone catch what Colin said just after that? Something about being on live TV"}, {"response": 1802, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (08:01)", "body": "Santa Firthy was there! How cute was he in that hat? Loved it, he's a great sport. Huge crowd on hand, hope our metro fan base got up close!:-) More! Give us more.... I'm at work so had to miss it!"}, {"response": 1803, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (08:18)", "body": "(Time) But this material is either underdeveloped or crudely put by a director whose style is so conventional that he makes James Ivory look, by comparison, like Jean-Luc Godard. Yupp, another one who didn't read the book. I was worried about this, how people who are not familiar with the book and /or not fans of CF or SJ will see the movie. Thank goodness these sort of reviews are in the minority. Liked the New Yorker one better. :-) Thanks Mari and Mary! Ladies, please keep the Santa-Colin reports coming, I'm enjoying it vicariously through you. Thanks a bunch!"}, {"response": 1804, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (08:50)", "body": "Was that cute or what? Grabbing his hand. Loved Katie's line, \"you need to get busy and fill that up, honey.\" After are you stalking me: \"I just made it onto live TV.\" Regis for me in a few minutes..."}, {"response": 1805, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (09:05)", "body": "Hi all! Was there, but can't report right now, must go work. Except for when he left, you saw him better than I did. Sent Karen some pics. If I can't report before I go out early evening, I will when I get home later. Don't think my VCR taped right, so I may have missed it all trying to get both Today and R&K. Hope to get that on compilation tape later with The View. Saw his second segment on R&K. Is it my imagination or does he seem to stumble when trying to talk about GWAPE. Noticed it at Today and on R&K. Like he doesn't have great soundbites organized in his head yet. Don't know what she looked like and how she was acting, as she (and I) was too short and I couldn't see through the crowd well except the back and top of her head and Colin's face (which was more important), but Katie sounded just too adorable and so smitten with him. I could hear her grinning the whole time. ;-D And he was just WAY too cute in that hat. Looked awesome as always. *sigh*"}, {"response": 1806, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (09:52)", "body": "Have just watched Reege. What a breath of fresh air to have Joy on as a co-host (have never seen her in that capacity before). Colin was probably thrilled to have some decent/intelligent comments and questions. I think it showed in some of his answers as well, as they weren't the 'same old, same old'. He needed to vary the answers. [Regis still doesn't have a clue and probably didn't watch the movie.] Off to see what Dorine has sent me..."}, {"response": 1807, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (10:11)", "body": "Good job, Dorine, looking forward to hearing more. Did you get to stuff his bag?;-) Too funhy when he said I thought I was done, but they just gave me another bag to fill. And I was ROTF when Katie and Colin did that double kiss on each cheek thing; then he and Matt Lauer went to shake hands, and Matt bows down and did a mock double kiss on each side of his hand! LMAO! I think he told Katie that TEOR would be filming until February."}, {"response": 1808, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (10:13)", "body": "\"Metro Gal\" here reporting after post Today show appearance . . . Needless to say I'm on CLOUD 9 for various reasons . . . Got to Today show at 6:55 AM . .was lucky to get into the \"inner sanctum\" .(they rope you off like cattle there). There was an inner pen, which you had to be let in via security guards. I think they closed that area at 7AM . .so I was lucky to get there when I did. I was prepared for the cold . .snow boots, long underwear, 2 pairs of socks . .everything. Had large sign as mentioned in post above, and 2 toys in hand. At first, was dissapointed that I did not get there earlier, All the prime spots right up in front, all around the fence/pen were already taken . .I feared that my sign would not be seen, my toys would not be donated . .and I wouldn't even get a good view of ODB. I did a initial survey of the space . and noticed cameras and a little sleigh decorated Christmas-y like at the end near the studio windows . .so I made it there, close to a speaker, /Christmas tree in the corner . .the crowd was not too large, so at least I thought I could get a good view. Al Roker came out numerous times . .but, unfortunately taped his segments either just past me or down at the far end of the pen where I had entered He was nice enought to sign the cookbook of the woman who was standing in front of me . I kept counting down til 8:30 . .scanning the area where I saw Al come out of, figuring ODB would come through that same door . . I whipped out my toy donations, my copy of the FP DVD (the one w/ the pic of him in the black leather jacket and Ruth Gemmell in her green dress on it), a small note I wrote for him . .and a blue sharpie . .dare I hope I would get close enough to get an autograph??? Periodically, people in front of me started leaving b/c of the cold . .so I got closer and closer . .;) Then . . .it happened. It was a few minutes to 8:30 when he appeared . .looking very adorable in his jaunty Santa cap, big smile on his face . . tall, lanky in blue jeans . .thought he should be freezing (wearing lightweight early fall peacoat type of jacket . .and no gloves!!!) ( note it was 25 degrees at that moment. The minute I saw him and (I caught a glimpse of him before anyone in my corner did )I started jumping up and down giddily. \"There he is!!\" I said The women around me were asking me who it was . .and I said to them: \"Colin Firth! Colin Firth! This is why I've been standing around since 7:00am for!!!!\" Then I started enlightening them on his films he was in, explained that GWAPE was opening this week and he was in NY for a little bit of press work for the film.. When he walked further out into the enclosure, I shouted his name and he smiled and waved in my general direction. I waved back w/ the FP DVD in hand;) . .I don't believe anyone else in the audience knew who he was!!! . .Or at least no one as happy to see him as I was . . . He then got directions from the producers/crew and a sack, and he started collecting toys from the section who were at my left. I feared he wouldn't get to us. The women around me were plotting to start calling out his name to get him to come over . .and they let me squeeze in the front between them. Matt & Katie came out . .He stopped then to do the little interview. Can't tell you much since they were in front of us, facing away . .I got the rear view! . . . I did see Kaie give him a big hug . .gush a bit and touch his hands . . . Then he was given another bag and went back to collecting toys . .and then all of a sudden . .there he was, right in front of me. I dropped the toys in with one hand, and showed him the FP DVD, open sharpie and my little note with the other. I looked at him, and (God, I'll admit it, turned on the puppy dog eyes) . .and I said \"Colin, please, please could I have a quick autograph?\" And I held my breath. The woman to the right of me smiled and said:\"We can hold the toy bag for you . .\" so his hands could be free. He looked at me and said: \"All, right . .really quickly. . .\", then took the pen and signed!!!! (Poor boy cold cold and no gloves and he signed .thank you Colin!) Then (I was really gutsy) I said: \"Here, this is for you, darling . . .\" and gave him the note. He grinned and quickly put it in his pocket and went on collecting toys. He looked back in my direction once breifly after that and I yelled:\"Thank you!\" But I wasn't sure if he heard me . . . Other people were starting to take snapshots. . sorry girls, did not have a camera . . . I stayed till he finished collecting toys . . I believe he gave one final wave to the crowd . .thenhe left . .then I pretty much left and made it to work on time! . . I've been floating ever since . .The women around me congratulated me for getting the autograph . . My husband is interested in seeing it as well . . .I got to work and told the woman I temp for . .who is also a large Colin fan . . . she was excited for me as well! Happy, happy day . .what a Monday!!!!"}, {"response": 1809, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (10:15)", "body": "Dorine . . . you were there?????? I would have met up with you!!!!!"}, {"response": 1810, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (10:45)", "body": "Congratulations on your first Firth experience, Kimberly! And Dorine... two sightings on one day? Great job, Metro DDs!!! Yay and happy Monday to all!"}, {"response": 1811, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (10:50)", "body": "(Kimberly) I said: \"Here, this is for you, darling . . .\" and gave him the note. He grinned and quickly put it in his pocket... ...And spent the next few hours in torturous anticipation, wanting desperately to read it, hoping it wouldn't be one of those usually very carefully penned, Jane Austen style letters he usually gets, but one full of dirty innuendos about his very sexy person... ;-) Way to go, Kimberly, I'm so happy for you! Another Colin virgin bites the dust. Dorine, I can't wait for your pictures. Lucky girl, you! Thank you both for your reports!"}, {"response": 1812, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (10:58)", "body": "(Kimberly) I said: \"Here, this is for you, darling . . .\" and gave him the note. He grinned and quickly put it in his pocket... (Ildiko)...And spent the next few hours in torturous anticipation, wanting desperately to read it, hoping it wouldn't be one of those usually very carefully penned, Jane Austen style letters he usually gets, but one full of dirty innuendos about his very sexy person... ;-) Ha!!!!. . .afraid not .more of a appreciative note from a fellow actor to another . .it was small . .no innuendo, sorry to disappoint ya!"}, {"response": 1813, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (11:07)", "body": "(Brazen Hussy) Then (I was really gutsy) I said: \"Here, this is for you, darling . . .\" LOL! Darling? You called him 'darling'? Great story and loved reading about your encounter. I salute you Metro Gals for getting up so early and standing there in this weather. Bravo! What troupers! Here are Dorine's pics: http://www.firth.com/gwape_todaygal.html adorable"}, {"response": 1814, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (11:11)", "body": "Great job, Dorine and Kimberly! Too bad we couldn't have anticipated his not having gloves. One of you could have brought a pair and said, \"Fill these up, honey\";-) He did say he was shocked when he got off the plane that it was so cold. When he left London it was still nice, fall weather. (Karen)What a breath of fresh air to have Joy on as a co-host Exactly. She seemed very excited beforehand that Colin was going to be a guest. She mentioned that she watched P&P last night. Lots of talking between Regis and Joy about Colin before he came out. I was surprised that the first part of the interview was all about TEOR and Renee. He did say they won't finish until the beginning of February--Yes! Regis seemed more comfortable talking about that than GWAPE. I think Joy really liked GWAPE and was more into it than her hubby. All in all another great day. Thanks ladies!"}, {"response": 1815, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (11:15)", "body": "(Karen) LOL! Darling? You called him 'darling'? I did!! . .it just kind of came out before I could stop myself . .To quote ODb as MD: \"And, um, you tend to let whatever's in your head come out of your mouth without much consideration of the consequences.... \" That's pretty much what happened . whew, talk about being forward;) Dorine, were you standing at the end of the toy collecting line? I swear those first 2 pics looked like you took them over my shoulder when he stopped to sign my DVD"}, {"response": 1816, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (12:37)", "body": "Congratulations on your first Firth experience ... Another Colin virgin bites the dust. BRAVO!!! Well done. Obviously the \"S\" in your name doesn't stand for \"shy\"!"}, {"response": 1817, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (12:47)", "body": "Kimberly!!! Already a legend! Wonderful reporting, so happy you got to see him when he looked so amazing! LOL at the paint by numbers set you bought to give to Santa Colin. Dorine....OMG! The pics are to die for...that hat makes me think all manner of non-Christmassy naughty things! Speaking of which....wouldn't mind sitting in a certain Santa's lap and telling him what I really want! ;-) He looked great. Tired, but AFG. He has a vein that pops on his left eye that was v. noticable (and I found a bit irrisistible), but he was hot (despite the cold)!! Loved the jeans/dark jacket look. Liked Katie for saying \"we need to get you some gloves\" (I suspect she is like me and was just wanting to look at those lovely digits because as she said that, he put hands out in front of him and spread his fingers! GAHAAA!!! Also loved the Euro kiss....that Katie is a jammy git!) Thank you ladies for the reports and Dorine for the pics...thank you Karen for getting them up so quickly! Made my morning! Thanks Murph and Mari for the reviews...one good. one not so good....it isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I think the good will far outweigh the bad for GWAPE (when life gives you GWAPES, make GWAPE juice, right?!)"}, {"response": 1818, "author": "NicoleM", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (12:58)", "body": "Thank you Dorine and Kimberly for the reports, and thanks also to Dorine for the terrific pics! Kimberly, kudos on working up the nerve to do (and say) what you did; I've found that it's usually best to just go for it when you have the chance! How nice of the ladies in your section to help with your experience, and brilliant of them to offer to hold the bag to free up ODB's hands. Glad to hear you both had a nice time! :-)"}, {"response": 1819, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (13:25)", "body": "From VLife (a Variety Supplement) - Dec/Jan 2004 - Holiday Screenings Maui: First Light 2003 Screenings - all screenings take place @ the Castle Theater/MACC (inside Maui Arts & Cultural Center) - 1 Cameron Way, Kahului, Maui AMPAS and guild members RSVP to 808-579-9553 or firstlight@mauifilmfestival.com. For more info, log onto www.mauifilmfestival.com Friday, Dec. 19 - Love Actually @ 5 PM Tuesday, Dec. 30 - Girl With A Pearl Earring @ 7:30 PM Aspen: All Screenings take place @ Harris Concert Hall (960 N. 3rd Street,Aspen), unless otherwise noted. AMPAS and guild members RSVP to 970-925-6882 x101 For more info, log onto www.aspenfilm.org Weds, Dec.31 - Girl With A Pearl Earring @ 5:30 PM"}, {"response": 1820, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (14:33)", "body": "Various things from Variety - Friday, 12/5 1) A large Lions Gate ad: Lions Gate thanks The IFP (Independant Spirit Award Nominations)& The National Board of Review Under National Board of Review section: Girl With A Pearl Earring - Special Mention for Excellence in Filmmaking 2.)Article: New to the beat : Vet composers try their hand at something different this year by Steven Mirkin Craig Armstrong has collaborated with musicians such as U2 and Madonna and filmmakers like Baz Luhrmann and Phillip Noyce, but working on the score for \" Love Actually \" presented one of the biggest challenges. For one thing,\" Love Actually ,\" Richard Curtis' directorial debut, is the first laffer Armstrong has scored. \"It's really quite difficult,\" he says laughing. \"Working with comedy is actually very technical. One moment the audience is laughing; the next you're trying to move them emotionally.\" He's not the only one trying something new this year. Paris-based composer Alexandre Desplat scored his first studio pic, \" Girl With A Pearl Earring .\" Working with tryp director Peter Webber, Desplat opted for a sinuous, contemporary score combining the stately minimalism of Steve Reich, the jaunty melodies of French composers Georges Delerue and the lurking moodiness of Bernard Herrmann. He says his music treats sound the way the artist Vermeer used paint: \"to bring tone, color and light\" to the images. \"The movie recreates Vermeer's time and place so beautifully, that for the music also to do it would have been too much,\" Desplat says explaining why he avoided the sounds of 17th century Holland. Going in the other direction, the sounds of Italy are very much present in \"Under the Tuscan Sun\" Christopher Beck, who shifted to composing for film after several years of working in television, says, \"Italy is never really far away from the score.\" Pic about a San Francisco woman who moves to Tuscany after a divorce, needed to have contempo and old Europe sounds. Although echoes of the scores Nino Rota composed for Fellini films can be heard, Beck says he was after music that sounded \"beautiful, fragmented, very textured,\" in which mandolins and other solo instruments give a hint of the locale \"Under the Tuscan Sun\" is the second pic Beck has scored for Director Audrey Wells. His familiarity with Wells made the project both easier and more difficult. The hard part is that working with someone a second time brings a \"pressure to top yourself, which is a good pressure,\" Beck says. The expectation is \"you'll do something that much better than before, so you have to work a little harder to wow the person you're working with.\" On the other hand, Beck and Wells developed a kind of creative shorthand. \"It takes alot of guesswork out, \" he says. \"There's a really nice feeing of not having to second-guess yourself We both knew what kinds of sounds we both really like.\" Armstong is confident the \" Love Actually \" score works because even now, after he's seen the pic a couple of hundred times, certain scenes \"still crack me up.\" This despite the ex plot involving each pair of lovers with their own theme. \"Right from the beginning,\" the 45-year-old Armstrong knew \"the job of the score was to connect things,\" which meant the themes had to be \"very disparate dramamtic devices,\" but at the end of the picture \"they had to play together.\" Plus, he had to include Beatles tunes and the Troggs' \"Love Is All Around.\" He compared the process of coming up with music that fit these criteria to \"taking afugue apart.\""}, {"response": 1821, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (15:33)", "body": "Baby, all I need for Christmas is you . . .oo, oo, oo! Oooh, Baybay! Dorine, I *love* this--thanks so much! Kimberly, good for you for making it happen! So glad our Metro fan base had a Firthwhile morning! Great stuff, ladies, thanks!"}, {"response": 1822, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (15:37)", "body": "BTW, they were playing the songs from LA when CF first came out to collect; not sure if you could hear it in the plaza. Thought it was cute when Katie told Colin she was talking up LA to everyone she knew and he asked her to do the same for GWAPE. \"Colin, I just did that for the past 4 minutes!\" They have a nice, teasing rapport. Dorine and Kimberly, how long did he collect out there?"}, {"response": 1823, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (15:48)", "body": "Mari - Did hear them play the song from LA (very loudly, since right by the speaker;). .I was trying to hint to the women next to me that he was in that film too!! (In case they recognized the song from the commercial) He wasn't out collecting for very long . .just a few minutes . .I'm glad I chose that corner, and stayed there . .for he really just collected at our end of the pen;)"}, {"response": 1824, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (17:48)", "body": "Thanks so much \"Metro Gals\"! What a treat and thanks Karen for getting Dorine's pics up so fast! I had to miss both shows today but being able to see the pom and the silly boy with no gloves really made my day! Smoldering Daughter of Delft: Fleshing out Vermeer By ALAN RIDING Published: December 9, 2003 LONDON, Dec. 8 \ufffd With great portraits it is usually the painter, not the painted, who is remembered: even emperors, kings and popes take second place when Titian, Rubens or Vel\ufffdzquez portray them. Yet a few unidentified models, Leonardo's Mona Lisa or Goya's Maja among them, have become icons. And now, thanks to a best-selling novel and a new movie, Vermeer's \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" may be joining them. The painting was among 20 oils in the Vermeer show seen in Washington and The Hague in the mid-1990's. In 1999 it reappeared on the cover of Tracy Chevalier's novel \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" which imagined the girl to be Griet, a buxom maid who becomes Vermeer's muse. Now, in Peter Webber's movie adaptation, which opens Dec. 12 in New York and Los Angeles, it is Scarlett Johansson's Griet who is stirring the repressed passion of Colin Firth's Vermeer. For the purpose of fiction, of course, it helps that not too much is known about Vermeer's life. This Dutch master was born in 1632 and died in 1675; he made about 45 paintings (some 35 survive); he lived in his mother-in-law's house with his wife, Catharina, and eventually 11 children; he worked as an art appraiser; he had a wealthy patron, Pieter van Ruijven; he painted slowly, doing perhaps two oils a year; and his models were probably family members or friends. On screen \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" captures the mood of a mid-17th-century Delft household as reflected in Dutch genre paintings. And it skillfully evokes the light, color, silence and intimacy that characterize Vermeer's works. It even shows Griet walking through Delft's town square in the right direction to reach the canal-side house where Vermeer once lived. It could be said that almost everything about the film is real \ufffd except the story. And this story is not about painting, Mr. Webber insisted, eager to distance his first feature film from traditional artist biopics. \"It's about creativity and the link between art and money and power and sex in some strange unholy mixture,\" he explained over coffee in a private club near Notting Hill Gate. \"That's what interested me when I read the screenplay.\" He paused, then added with a loud laugh, \"To tell you the truth, I'm more interested in sex than in painting.\" At least since Raphael's \"Fornarina\" the two activities have never been far apart. For many artists the very act of painting a woman is a form of making love. Others needed to satisfy their sexual appetite less metaphorically. And if Vermeer's very proper models \ufffd reading letters, pouring milk, playing a virginal \ufffd suggest this artist was a bit of a square, Ms. Chevalier, Mr. Webber, Mr. Firth and the screenwriter, Olivia Hetreed, have infused him with a fair dose of smoldering eroticism. The movie's plot has Griet sent to clean Vermeer's studio every morning after her father is blinded in an accident. Inevitably the maid and the artist meet. She is intrigued by his painting, he is struck by her wide-eyed youthful beauty. Soon Catharina Vermeer is fuming with jealousy, but her own mother, who runs the household, is sure van Ruijven will pay well for a portrait of Griet. So she secretly lends Catharina's pearl earring to the girl. The film is remarkably silent, except for Catharina's ranting. \"I wanted it to be different from the standard English costume drama where people talk too much,\" Mr. Webber said. \"Vermeer's paintings are not loquacious. It's a quiet, tense, mysterious, transcendent world. I wanted to capture some of that mood. Sex is not about words. Power is not about words. We have such great performances that you can tell what people are thinking.\" As Griet, Ms. Johansson, the young American actress who is currently also starring in Sofia Coppola's \"Lost in Translation,\" is at the heart of the movie. Now just 19, but 17 when the film was made, she also looks the part, not only in her period costumes but also with her large eyes, peach skin and full lips, all suggesting both innocence and sexual awakening. Like other major players in the movie, though, she is Griet by accident. Three years ago the film's producers, Andy Paterson and Anand Tucker, were just one month away for production when their first Griet, Kate Hudson, pulled out. The project sank and with it Ralph Fiennes as Vermeer and Mike Newell as director. The film was reborn in 2001 when Mr. Webber was chosen as director and casting began anew. But no one was more surprised to be involved than Mr. Webber, who in the movie world, as he put it, fell into the category of \"Who?\" \"My career has proceeded through the obvious suspects being busy,\" he said with good humor. Well, not quite. Now in his late 30's, he spent five"}, {"response": 1825, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (17:50)", "body": "I'm so happy for both of you, Dorine and Kimberly! Kimberly, you were so prepared with everything from long underwear to having a keen sense of where to stand! Making friends with the ladies near you (and telling them about ODB) was really great too! Dorine, how fast did you get those pictures developed and scanned (and still get to work on time) ;-)? And Karen, you got them up here so fast! All of you are amazing! Thanks for your mighty efforts! ...And I heard him exclaim as he walked out of the Today Show 'pen,' \"That darling Metro fan base is at it again!\""}, {"response": 1826, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (18:25)", "body": "OMG. What a day!! I can't take all this excitement. Those pics..Dorine, you outdid youself, honey. ... Boss...pl. replace Village Idiot pic on opening page with a Drool exclusive Santa. Regis and Kelly v. cute. I cheered when Joy came out. She's literate;-) He does look pastey and tired, poor baby."}, {"response": 1827, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (18:34)", "body": "Well done ladies! Great report and pics. He does look rather tired - but I'll say no more on that! The video was up on Today's webpage earlier today, but now it seems to have disappeared. Does anyone know if it can still be accessed elsewhere?"}, {"response": 1828, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (19:33)", "body": "(Tress)Thanks Murph and Mari for the reviews...one good. one not so good....it isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I think the good will far outweigh the bad for GWAPE (when life gives you GWAPES, make GWAPE juice, right?!) LOL! I nearly choked when I saw that!!! I don't think I've seen this review before. Seems pretty good (granted pedophilic is generally a less than positive adjective), but at least no sour GWAPEs here (sorry). ;-) MOVIES-Newsweek International, December 15 issue The Face Behind the Painting Until recently the lay public knew little about the life of 17th-century Flemish painter Johannes Vermeer. But that was before the runaway success of Tracy Chevalier\ufffds 2001 historical novel, \ufffdGirl With a Pearl Earring.\ufffd The book has sold more than 2 million copies, and painted the artist with a saucy, alluring brush. That sexy image is set to be further reinforced by Colin Firth\ufffds portrayal of Vermeer in the new film of the same title. Closely following Chevalier\ufffds plot, the film is spun from the mystery behind one of Vermeer\ufffds most enigmatic paintings\ufffdthat of a beautiful young woman wearing a pearl earring. The fetching subject of the masterpiece, it turns out, is 17-year-old Griet, a grieving maiden forced by a family tragedy to become a maid in Vermeer\ufffds chaotic household. The artist becomes enraptured with Griet (played by \ufffdLost in Translation\ufffds\ufffd Scarlett Johannson) when she shows an acute understanding of art. But when Vermeer\ufffds jealous wife discovers the commissioned painting of Griet wearing her mistress\ufffds pearl earring, the reckless master\ufffds home life is turned upside down. Director Peter Webber\ufffds debut feature is entertaining, albeit slightly disturbing\ufffdthe cinematography immediately takes you inside a vibrant 17th-century Holland. Johannson\ufffds nuanced turn brings alive a young girl\ufffds first fits of passion. But that\ufffds just it: Johannson\ufffds too-innocent-looking face and Webber\ufffds deliberate underscoring of the erotic in the master-maid relationship\ufffdwith several highly sexed (minus the sex) overtones\ufffdleave a somewhat pedophilic pit in your stomach. There\ufffds a heart-pounding paint-grinding scene and a disturbing interlude where Firth pierces the young girl\ufffds ear. What\ufffds left for the viewer is a powerful impression of the passion behind a canvas. \ufffdSarah Sennott"}, {"response": 1829, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (19:39)", "body": "You Metro Gals truly ROCK! Thanks for the great report and fab pictures."}, {"response": 1830, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (20:08)", "body": "Dorine and Kimberly - my heroes!!! How brave you were to face the crowds and the bitter cold for a chance to see the adorable Santa Colin, and how grateful we are for your reports and photos! I didn't even get to see or tape the Today Show so I was thrilled to read your marvelous reports and see Dorine's pics. Thanks to Karen, as always, for posting the photos so quickly. Does anyone know where the line forms for sitting on Santa's lap and telling him what you want for Christmas? ;-)"}, {"response": 1831, "author": "caribou", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (20:46)", "body": "Thanks Dorine and Kimberly! You metro gals are made of tougher stuff than me. I would have betted on the storm and weather causing him to cancel and stayed in a nice warm bed. I am so glad you didn't. We all benefit from your bravery. I really enjoyed the segment on Today. Am over the moon that they did this instead of regular interview. They can always bring him back for a more serious one during Oscar season. I haven't seen him in a Santa hat since TEP and that not nearly as clear as Dorine's. I had to go put on my own Santa hat--and that's not easy with these antlers.:-) I felt so sorry for his bare hands. Matt should have just taken his gloves off and given them to him. Colin needed both hands exposed more than he. Colin must have a new appreciation for \"I feel it in my fingers...\" He seemed to be bothered by his hands on R&K. Fiddled with them more than usual. Definitely needs some moisturizer. IMO, he did pretty good with Reege. When he mentioned he and HG being men of a certain age, it gave R the opportunity to preen like he often does. Then, Joy was serious and Colin lightened it with \"And, he had one heck of a wig.\" Reege was able to joke about that. Good going, Colin. My favorite of the day was his reaction to finding that he had walked into the shot while Katie was hot. He jumped back and froze in such an adorable pose. Wonder if he looked like that when he stepped around the trailers while filming TIOBE and someone shouted, \"You're in Judy's line of sight.\" Am laughing like Judy Dench must have.:-)"}, {"response": 1832, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (20:47)", "body": "Just had to share this excerpt from an article on backstage.com: The biggest pause in the afternoon's proceedings came when actor Colin Firth (\"Love Actually\") took the stage to dish out an award. After pausing for nearly five minutes until the wolf whistles and shouting died down from the 500-plus female guests, Firth asked if perhaps his fly was down. He introduced Oscar-winning makeup artist Jenny Shircore (\"Elizabeth\"), who picked up the craft award for her work that most recently included making up Firth to resemble Dutch painter Vermeer in \"Girl With a Pearl Earring.\" *LOL!* LOVE that man's sense of humour! ;-) The whole article can be found at: http://www.backstage.com/backstage/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=2047361"}, {"response": 1833, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (21:13)", "body": "I want to thank everyone for a wonderful (and fairly unproductive) Monday! What a gas. This joint was jumping faster than I could pop in and out. To the Metro gals who braved the cold (sorry for not thinking of *your* discomfort earlier Dorine) I salute you. To Karen, for putting up Dorines fabulous Santa pics in the speed of light, I'm grateful and delighted. And for all of the reports from the tv screen to my computer screen at work, I thank you. And last but not least is the pleasure I get from the excited posts and reviews."}, {"response": 1834, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (21:34)", "body": "Dorine, thank you for the great Santa pics, oh you were so close again! I envy you. I'd love to just stand there and look at him. The one time I saw him I was so busy taking pics I had no time to just stand there and quietly contemplate the lovely sight before me. I hope next time I'll get to do that. Ladies, great reports about the show, thank you!"}, {"response": 1835, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (21:42)", "body": "(Ildiko) I'd love to just stand there and look at him. The one time I saw him I was so busy taking pics I had no time to just stand there and quietly contemplate the lovely sight before me. That's basically what I did at the end (while snapping a couple of pics). Didn't feel the need or desire to bombard him with questions. oh you were so close again! Matter of fact, I was so close, I actually had to back up a step and lean back a hair to get a pic that wasn't just his nose or eye."}, {"response": 1836, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (21:48)", "body": "Matter of fact, I was so close, I actually had to back up a step and lean back a hair to get a pic that wasn't just his nose or eye. Good job at that and thanks again!"}, {"response": 1837, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (22:07)", "body": "(Dorine)Matter of fact, I was so close, I actually had to back up a step and lean back a hair to get a pic that wasn't just his nose or eye. *Swoon* Not that just an ear or his forehead alone would be unappreciated, but all the \"accessories\" together are even better! In your last pic, so graciously and quickly posted by Karen (THANKS!), it looks like he's smiling directly at you, Dorine. Think you've been recognized? ;-)"}, {"response": 1838, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (22:29)", "body": "Firth asked if perhaps his fly was down. Stole one from Jon Stewart, didn't he? ;-) Well, as houses are already decorated, I could put up Dorine's portrait of a Santa..."}, {"response": 1839, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (23:09)", "body": "(Shoshana) Think you've been recognized? ;-) Impossible. That was a Hail Mary shot reaching over the crowd. Didn't pay me one bit of attention at the end (first 2 pics). Maybe the ballcap threw him off. ;-D"}, {"response": 1840, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (23:10)", "body": "Blessings on your tribe for the new pin-up, Boss. *slurp, slurp* , Dorine, thanks for my first Xmas gift:-))) After pausing for nearly five minutes until the wolf whistles and shouting died down from the 500-plus female guests...at one of London's top West End hotels. , 500 women!!! Wolf whistles and shouting!! And we thought the Zeigfield Press Tent was loud. (Bet they didn't chant \"Col-in, Col-in\");-)"}, {"response": 1841, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (23:32)", "body": "NY Times... Smoldering Daughter of Delft: Fleshing out Vermeer By ALAN RIDING Published: December 9, 2003 ONDON, Dec. 8 ? With great portraits it is usually the painter, not the painted, who is remembered: even emperors, kings and popes take second place when Titian, Rubens or Vel\ufffdzquez portray them. Yet a few unidentified models, Leonardo's Mona Lisa or Goya's Maja among them, have become icons. And now, thanks to a best-selling novel and a new movie, Vermeer's \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" may be joining them. The painting was among 20 oils in the Vermeer show seen in Washington and The Hague in the mid-1990's. In 1999 it reappeared on the cover of Tracy Chevalier's novel \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" which imagined the girl to be Griet, a buxom maid who becomes Vermeer's muse. Now, in Peter Webber's movie adaptation, which opens Dec. 12 in New York and Los Angeles, it is Scarlett Johansson's Griet who is stirring the repressed passion of Colin Firth's Vermeer. For the purpose of fiction, of course, it helps that not too much is known about Vermeer's life. This Dutch master was born in 1632 and died in 1675; he made about 45 paintings (some 35 survive); he lived in his mother-in-law's house with his wife, Catharina, and eventually 11 children; he worked as an art appraiser; he had a wealthy patron, Pieter van Ruijven; he painted slowly, doing perhaps two oils a year; and his models were probably family members or friends. On screen \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" captures the mood of a mid-17th-century Delft household as reflected in Dutch genre paintings. And it skillfully evokes the light, color, silence and intimacy that characterize Vermeer's works. It even shows Griet walking through Delft's town square in the right direction to reach the canal-side house where Vermeer once lived. It could be said that almost everything about the film is real ? except the story. And this story is not about painting, Mr. Webber insisted, eager to distance his first feature film from traditional artist biopics. \"It's about creativity and the link between art and money and power and sex in some strange unholy mixture,\" he explained over coffee in a private club near Notting Hill Gate. \"That's what interested me when I read the screenplay.\" He paused, then added with a loud laugh, \"To tell you the truth, I'm more interested in sex than in painting.\" At least since Raphael's \"Fornarina\" the two activities have never been far apart. For many artists the very act of painting a woman is a form of making love. Others needed to satisfy their sexual appetite less metaphorically. And if Vermeer's very proper models ? reading letters, pouring milk, playing a virginal ? suggest this artist was a bit of a square, Ms. Chevalier, Mr. Webber, Mr. Firth and the screenwriter, Olivia Hetreed, have infused him with a fair dose of smoldering eroticism. The movie's plot has Griet sent to clean Vermeer's studio every morning after her father is blinded in an accident. Inevitably the maid and the artist meet. She is intrigued by his painting, he is struck by her wide-eyed youthful beauty. Soon Catharina Vermeer is fuming with jealousy, but her own mother, who runs the household, is sure van Ruijven will pay well for a portrait of Griet. So she secretly lends Catharina's pearl earring to the girl. The film is remarkably silent, except for Catharina's ranting. \"I wanted it to be different from the standard English costume drama where people talk too much,\" Mr. Webber said. \"Vermeer's paintings are not loquacious. It's a quiet, tense, mysterious, transcendent world. I wanted to capture some of that mood. Sex is not about words. Power is not about words. We have such great performances that you can tell what people are thinking.\" As Griet, Ms. Johansson, the young American actress who is currently also starring in Sofia Coppola's \"Lost in Translation,\" is at the heart of the movie. Now just 19, but 17 when the film was made, she also looks the part, not only in her period costumes but also with her large eyes, peach skin and full lips, all suggesting both innocence and sexual awakening. Like other major players in the movie, though, she is Griet by accident. Three years ago the film's producers, Andy Paterson and Anand Tucker, were just one month away for production when their first Griet, Kate Hudson, pulled out. The project sank and with it Ralph Fiennes as Vermeer and Mike Newell as director. The film was reborn in 2001 when Mr. Webber was chosen as director and casting began anew. But no one was more surprised to be involved than Mr. Webber, who in the movie world, as he put it, fell into the category of \"Who?\" \"My career has proceeded through the obvious suspects being busy,\" he said with good humor. Well, not quite. Now in his late 30's, he spent five years as a freelance television editor in London, where, he recalled, he worked with both talented directors and \"a whole bunch who were just faking it.\" Bored with spending days in a small dark room"}, {"response": 1842, "author": "Leah", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (23:34)", "body": "Dorine, Kimberley, Karen, thanks for the pics and the reports. I love them. He really does look gorgeous."}, {"response": 1843, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 2003 (23:56)", "body": "Craig Kilbourn just announced this week's guests and Colin's name was in the group, along with SJ"}, {"response": 1844, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (04:38)", "body": "Thank you for all the news, pictures, articles and updates. What a lovely Monday! ...and now we know the true meaning of Yes, Virgina, there is a Santa Claus-but Santa never looked this good!"}, {"response": 1845, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (07:49)", "body": "12/9/2003 Shades of Scarlett Johansson By Evan Henerson Staff Writer There are people - admittedly, many with a film to promote - who believe that the face of Scarlett Johansson is as layered and enigmatic as, well, as the model for a quite famous 17th-century painting by Johannes Vermeer. The comparisons figure to come hot and heavy, if simply because in \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" Johansson plays a fictionalized subject of Vermeer's masterpiece. \"She's a dead ringer, 'GWPE' incarnate.\" \"Nah, they look nothing alike.\" But a physical resemblance was never really an issue, says Peter Webber, director of the film \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" which opens this weekend. And by now, he figures enough people will simply enjoy looking at - even studying - Scarlett Johansson. The director certainly does. So, it seems, do the housewives who have responded to \"Lost in Translation\" and the teenagers with \"Ghost World\" DVDs in their backpacks who see Johansson as one of them, not just an indie queen, cultural \"It Girl\" or a cinematic work of art. \"I just found myself compelled and fascinated by her presence,\" Webber says of Johansson. \"I saw what you saw in the film: an intelligence, a kind of budding sexuality. I saw a girl who was mature beyond her years. I saw a sensitivity. I just saw that I could do a close-up on her and I could tell what she was thinking.' Brush with greatness Truth be told, Webber and the actress herself both feel there's not much physical resemblance between Vermeer's Girl and the 19-year-old, New York-born Johansson, who earned praised earlier this fall for her role in Sofia Coppola's \"Lost in Translation.\" Take Johansson out of that bottle-like bonnet scarf and put her in contemporary clothes and the gap between subject and actress widens further. \"We both look European, we both look young, and she's got big eyes,\" says Johansson, her blond hair pulled back in a twist during an interview. \"There were ideas that were thrown around, like, 'Should we morph Scarlett's face into the painting? How are we going to sell this that it's really her?' Then I think Peter realized this is a fictionalized story based on the painting, and it doesn't make much sense to morph it. Some of those things (we tried) looked like a cross between, I don't know, Hayley Mills and the youngest Hanson brother.\" Little is known about the life of Vermeer, much less about the model for his painting. In her best-selling novel - on which the film is based - Tracy Chevalier suggests that a poor but intelligent servant named Griet negotiated her way around the bustling Vermeer household, struck up a rapport with the artist and became his assistant. In addition to modeling for him, Griet also fell in love with her employer. And vice versa. Who's that 'Girl'? With several \"Pearl Earring\" cast and crew members nursing an interest in classical art, discussions and debate over the painting filtered over the set. Colin Firth, who plays Vermeer, has suggested that the girl could have been one of Vermeer's daughters. Johansson disagrees. \"There's something very sexual about that painting,\" she says. \"There is like a certain longing in her eyes, and her lips are moist. Maybe it was a young lover. Who knows? It seems too sexy to be something you'd paint of your own daughter.\" Playing the smart but quiet servant Griet, whose presence is noticed by nobody except Vermeer, Johansson is largely silent. Colin Firth's Vermeer is much the same way. Which is not characteristic of either person, says Firth. \"As soon as someone would say cut, we'd start talking 10 to the dozen because we both are like that as people,\" says Firth. \"It's quite ironic in a way that such a quiet, wordless film is made by such loquacious people.\" Count Firth as a Johansson admirer as well. \"She has the child and the adult in her. She can look ordinary or look stunning, which is an amazing asset for an actress to have,\" says Firth. \"She can be aggressive and fearless, and she can be extremely fragile and vulnerable. And I think those are the things you keep looking at and studying and wanting to get to the heart of - and that's why you can watch her in close-up for hours.\" Anonymous no longer In person, Johansson is, if not loquacious, certainly open. Her voice is low, her wit bone-dry. She talks a lot about movies and about the \"private moments\" she occasionally seeks out. With her recent film \"Lost in Translation\" turning out to be a well-seen, critically praised sleeper, those private moments aren't as easy to find - at least not in public - as they once were. A lady can't even spend a few minutes alone with a certain famous painting, apparently. The first time producers took Johansson to the Hague in Holland to see the portrait, the actress recalls noticing a certain nervousness among her escorts. She soon found out why. Johansson had just started to study the brush strokes and the aging when she turned to find a video camera pointed at her. \"It was like, 'So, Scarlett"}, {"response": 1846, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (08:06)", "body": "I just saw talking movies, and GWAPE was featured as the first movie, I missed most of it. Keep an eye out for a repeat!"}, {"response": 1847, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (08:13)", "body": "A note on the NY Times story, posted by Ev -- Two pictures of the painting and Scarlett side by side, plus Colin and Scarlett below. - and in the \"oops\" department, on the continuation page, there is a picture of Webber and Colin, and the caption says \"Webber and Cillian Murphy.\""}, {"response": 1848, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (09:40)", "body": "As translated by Google (Originally in Spanish) Colin Firth: a proudly English actor In the romantic comedy?Love Actually? he returns to meet with the acclaimed writer and director Richard Curtis Juan Rodriguez Flowers Editor of Spectacles 29 of November of 2003 Towards end of year 2001 was carried out in the United States the opening of the English comedy Bridget Jones? Diary, which in just a short time became one from the favorites of I publish. In addition to the shining performance that he had in this films the actress Renee Zellweger, his companion Colin Firth attracted the attention of a good percentage of women who saw in their image the incarnation of the masculine ideals that take in the heart. ?Nunca I have thought that Grant can compete with somebody like my good Hugh friend, yes is true rompecorazones, Colin Firth said, with great sense of humor, during the visit that the last week did to Los Angeles. simply I am a theater actor that now can gain the life doing films. Formed within the purest English theater tradition, Colin Firth accepted east year to participate in Love Actually , the first film directed by Richard Curtis, author of the scripts of as popular comedies as Four Weddings and to Funeral , Notting Hill and already mentioned Bridget Jones? Diary. ?Cuando somebody notified to me that Richard was preparing itself to make debut like director, immediately llo I called to say that wished to him to be involved in its project, I explain Firth. for surprise mine, I knew that others of my companions did the same, among them Hugh Grant. I think that Love Actually is a film that has a spirit who contradicts, in the good sense of the word, everything what it happens so far in the world. Because it puts to the love, the confidence and the faith in the human beings over all the climate military, panic and terror that have been created around the invasion to Iraq. I believe that a film this one will serve to remember the public to him who, in spite of all the errors and tragedies caused by our politicians, still is in the life space for the love and the friendship. In Love Actually, Colin Firth has to their position the paper of Jamie, writer who decides to leave London to go away to live in a house to the south of France where, in the middle of the solitude, tries to revitalize their heart after to have happened through a bitter and painful sentimental experience. With respect to their personage, Colin Firth said the following thing: is a very sensible man, for that reason it wants to take refuge in the writing of his new book. When Curtis offered to me east paper immediately I felt identified with him. In order to be able to develop I made it a long trip by the French region well, to which he is going away to live. While it crossed some small cities and towns, I was trying to include/understand why Jamie leaves London and what reasons must to try to break with their past. Thus I could realize that was somebody that needed to eet again the love and that at the same time gave the back him to that feeling. When Jamie has the opportunity to know a called girl Aurelia (Lucia Moniz) knows that she can be the woman who is been looking for during long time, but she in the beginning refuses to recognize it. Finally, after fighting against itself, Jamie understands that it cannot deceive his own heart and it gives his affection to him. Perhaps because never I have stopped bei g a very ingenuous and romantic person, I felt very excited to have the opportunity to play this role. Proudly English Like recognition at the high artistic level that she has, Colin Firth has been invited in more than an occasion to immigrate to Hollywood. He has always said that not to each one of those proposals. ?Me I feel very comfortable and calm with the life style that I take in London, he assured the actor Shakespeare in Love , The Importance of Being Earnest , To Thousand Pungent , Valmont and Girl with to Pearl Earring . by that reason that I have not felt the necessity to leave my country in permanent form. Although I like to film films in Hollywood, by the enormous international visibility that these have, I I prefer to take part in films that are small and interesting, from the artistic point of view. Perhaps because never I have let love the theater anywhere in the world does not interest to me to be recognized by million people. I am very happy for being an English actor who has the opportunity to participate in film like Love Actually , in that always has priority to develop a good history over any commercial criterion. http://www.laopinion.com/print.html?rkey=00031128143927204086"}, {"response": 1849, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (09:59)", "body": "Hilarious translation, Maria. Thanks. To Thousand Pungent My fave."}, {"response": 1850, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (10:14)", "body": "true rompecorazones Oh my! The imagination is in high gear over what this might mean. I'm thinking romping on a feather bed ... I'm thinking high energy ... I'm thinking lovely smiles and eye crinkles ... I'm thinking erogenous zones ... (I'm thinking too much -- must get back to work!)"}, {"response": 1851, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (10:17)", "body": "(Deb)true rompecorazones He certainly gets my corazones romping!! (Taking it that is a bad translation for Heartthrob?)"}, {"response": 1852, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (10:27)", "body": "(se\ufffdor Firth) \"Yo simplemente soy un actor de teatro...\" Prove it. Hilarious, Maria. That's why most of the translations are \"by committee.\""}, {"response": 1853, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (10:27)", "body": "Whoopsie daisies. All closed now."}, {"response": 1854, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (10:45)", "body": "I think I would take Bill Nighy over Alan Rickman any day after reading their airport stories... (Plus their attitudes at the premiere swayed me as well!) 'Love Actually' embraces romantic side of impersonal airports By DAVID GERMAIN -- AP Movie Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Everybody hates airports -- until the moment when that loved one's face materializes from the crowd, and you find yourself in a viselike hug, oblivious to the swirling mob of strangers. During a long wait at Los Angeles International Airport, British writer-director Richard Curtis was so struck by the tenderness of reunions that he incorporated montages of airport greetings into his romantic comedy \"Love Actually.\" Dozens of airport embraces, caresses and kisses open and close \"Love Actually,\" whose ensemble cast includes Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Laura Linney and Alan Rickman as Londoners in various throes of pre-Christmas romance. The reunion hugs are of real people, shot by a hidden camera at London's Heathrow Airport. \"What is lovely in these airports, before the person you love comes through the door, the people waiting look their least attractive,\" said Curtis, who wrote \"Four Weddings and a Funeral\" and \"Notting Hill.\" \"They're tired, they parked in some airport car park, they arrived 45 minutes early. They look like they couldn't muster a smile if you paid them a thousand pounds. Then their person comes through, and this explosion of personality takes over.\" Airport farewells carry just as much impact, Curtis said. \"They can be equally moving in a very different and sadder way,\" said Curtis, who turns 47 the day after \"Love Actually\" opens. \"When I go through my melancholy phase in my 50s, maybe I'll do a movie that begins and ends with airport departures.\" The Associated Press asked Curtis and some of his cast to share memories of their own airport experiences, whether happy greetings or sad partings. Curtis, actually, has a sad greeting. In Paris years ago, he developed a crush on a British woman. Before he returned to London, he arranged to meet her at the airport when she came back home. \"When she came off the plane, I didn't recognize her. She was wearing a slightly different dress, and I was looking straight through her,\" Curtis said. \"I remember telling this annoying person in front of me to move because I was looking for this fabulous girl in a blue dress, and it turned out to be her. \"Not the perfect start to a date.\" Linney, 39, plays an American living in London, whose attempts at romance with a co-worker are disrupted by trouble with her mentally ill brother. The actress' strongest airport recollections date back to childhood, when she would leave behind her mom and dad to visit her grandmother in Georgia. \"I was one of those solo-flier children, and I would go down and spend part of summer with her,\" Linney said. \"Just getting off the plane and seeing her face, it was wonderful.\" While most people tend to blot out demonstrative scenes among strangers at airports, Linney said she always has been a bit of an emotional voyeur over such moments. \"I get very choked up at airports watching other people greet and say goodbye. When you see those hellos and goodbyes, people coming together or taken apart, you see their chemistry change,\" Linney said. With Curtis' script, \"I was very glad somebody else saw it the same way and was as sentimental about it, and as much of an emotional sponge as I am.\" Rickman, 57, also has been a longtime spectator of other people's emotional airport dramas, so much so that he bears a friendly grudge against Curtis. \"Strangely enough, I've always had in mind that I wanted to make a short film of just people saying hello and goodbye at airports, and he snatched it away from me,\" said Rickman, whose \"Love Actually\" character is a steadfast husband put to the test by a flirtation with an amorous colleague. \"It just goes to show if you have an idea, you better do it fast before someone else does.\" For Rickman, no particular airport scenes from his own life come to mind. \"The trouble is, my airport experiences usually are, 'Where's the driver? Where's the luggage? There's too much luggage. The luggage is too heavy,'\" Rickman said. \"That's why I look around at airports for signs in other people that they're having a better day than I am. \"I think it's everybody for themselves at airports.\" British TV and pop star Martine McCutcheon, 26, gets her big-screen break with \"Love Actually\" as an adorably klutzy aide who catches the eye of Britain's new bachelor prime minister (Grant). McCutcheon recalls her mother's glum face a couple of years ago, when the actress took her first trip from London to Los Angeles to meet with agents. \"My mum drove me to the airport, and she knew I'd be out there on my own. She was kind of breaking her heart when I left,\" McCutcheon said. \"Suddenly you're independent, growing up, all those things. It was pretty emotional saying goodbye. We were both crying our eyes o"}, {"response": 1855, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (11:52)", "body": "se\ufffdor Firth) \"Yo simplemente soy un actor de teatro...\" (Ms Karen)Prove it. Ok, isn't there a rule about driving the linguistically challenged nuts?;-) (Maria)I think I would take Bill Nighy over Alan Rickman any day after reading their airport stories... (Plus their attitudes at the premiere swayed me as well!) I'm with you Maria! Loved your spanish article."}, {"response": 1856, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (12:46)", "body": "Screening of GWAPE in London the 11th.. http://www.screencinemas.co.uk/coming.php http://www.scriptfactory.co.uk/"}, {"response": 1857, "author": "NicoleM", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (12:53)", "body": "Box-office report includes LA's current rank and gross: \"It's 'Love Actually' for British Filmgoers\" The film has grossed over $45 million in the States thus far, and is still in the top ten. While this is a nice achievement, I think the marketers at Universal could have done a much better job promoting it. (These, after all, are the people responsible for deluging us with \"Cat in the Hat\" references everywhere we turn nowadays). It seems to me that the film was advertised fairly well on television in the days leading up to its opening, but that kind of promotion seemed to drop off as the film's release expanded, and it made its way to more theaters. In the U.S., where film audiences tend to have short-term memory, and gravitate towards the last movie they remember seeing an ad for, it would have been more desirable for the promotion of the film to increase as the number of screens playing it increased. That way, people who saw the ads on TV could have actually gone out to see the film at that time, rather than be expected to wait up to several weeks until it arrived in their town. By then, they were seeing commercials for other films, and tended to gravitate towards those instead. Ah, well, I only rant because I work for a cinema chain on the theater level, and see this type of marketing gaffe a lot, so it's a longtime thorn in my side. I do think Universal would be wise to begin a second wave of promotions in the coming week; a good holiday film will do great business during the holidays, and they don't get much better than *this* film. :-)"}, {"response": 1858, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (13:04)", "body": "Thank you Jane! LOL...I would have been doing a lot more that 'wolf whistlin' if ODB's fly was down! ;-) (ODB) \"It's quite ironic in a way that such a quiet, wordless film is made by such loquacious people.\" A testament to how good of an actor he is (and Scarlett too!)! This movie is so quiet, yet so much is 'said' with looks...wonderfully done. Love OLB (Our Loquacious Boy)! Keep talking! I'm listening! Maria! Thanks for the articles and thank goodness for the Google translator...gave me quite a giggle! (Googlie translation) Colin Firth has been invited in more than an occasion to immigrate to Hollywood. He can inhabit in England or he can inhabit in Hollywood. ;-) And Maria...thanks for the airport article...I liked Martine's recollection: Among drivers holding placards with passengers' names at Heathrow, McCutcheon once saw a man with a sign saying, \"Susan, will you marry me?\" \"I didn't ever see Susan,\" McCutcheon said. \"I don't know if she said yes or not, but I remember thinking, I hope she says yes.\" And Bill Nighy...the sweet guy! Love him!"}, {"response": 1859, "author": "katty", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (13:21)", "body": "One major problem with Love Actually's box office is its R rating. Most R movies are action adventures, heavy dramas or gross-out comedies like The Last Samurai, Hannibal or American Pie. Love Actually is a romantic comedy - not usually an R-rated genre - which could easily have brought in more teenagers, families and conservative women if it was PG-13. Many people might have been blind-sided by the nudity because the movie was marketed as something sweet and romantic. I personally didn't mind the nudity and actually found it pretty witty in context, but it seems like there are many who were offended by it (including many in this group), and that kind of reaction slashes repeat viewers and word of mouth. If you look at the top grossing movies almost all of them are PG or G. Even with its nudity, Titanic got a PG-13 rating, probably because the nudity was related to art, not sex. That R rating probably took off a quarter of LA's gross."}, {"response": 1860, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (14:07)", "body": "Pssst! BJD had an R rating in this country. Personally, I hate when films are toned down for the American audience's prudish mores toward nudity but not violence and language. I don't believe anyone in Hollywood expects an R-rated movie to gross the same as Finding Nemo or similar. Back to CF news..."}, {"response": 1861, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (14:14)", "body": "(Tress)...I would have been doing a lot more that 'wolf whistlin' if ODB's fly was down! ;-) No you wouldn't...you'd agonize like Mari and I did the first time we saw 3 DOR, first act. (I had binocs;-) Considering that LA is a British movie, with predominantly British cast. (People don't normally line up to see LL or Billy Bob) I think it's doing v. well."}, {"response": 1862, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (14:18)", "body": "No you wouldn't...you'd agonize like Mari and I did the first time we saw 3 DOR, first act. (I had binocs;-) OH NO! (horrible thoughts filling my brain) Whatever do you mean? Has this been discussed before -- and if so, please direct me where to go read the posts."}, {"response": 1863, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (14:23)", "body": "IFC Channel's At the Angelika will be reviewing GWAPE this month. The current episode (#79) airs nearly everyday. Here are some dates within the next few days: Eastern times all: Tuesday, Dec 9 at 4:00 PM Tuesday, December 9 at 4:00 PM Wednesday, December 10 at 12:30 PM Wednesday, December 10 at 4:30 PM Thursday, December 11 at 7:00 AM Here's a monthly calendar: http://www.ifctv.com/ifc/whatson?CAT0=45&TZ=ET&TB=4&DW=2&CLR=blue&BCLR=0099CC"}, {"response": 1864, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (14:24)", "body": "http://filmforce.ign.com/articles/445/445241p1.html?fromint=1"}, {"response": 1865, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (14:26)", "body": "(Evelyn) No you wouldn't...you'd agonize like Mari and I did the first time we saw 3 DOR, first act. OMG...was his fly down? And no pics...that is a tragedy (though it sounds as if the image is burned in your brain...LOL)! And you guys don't have that problem I have! You can actually articulate when he is near. You didn't do the 'universal' your fly is down sign to him? Well, guess I would want it left down...see if anything...never mind... Good call having the binos Evelyn! Were you in the front row? ;-D (Evelyn) I think it's doing v. well. I think so too. And Christmas week is one of the best movie going weeks of the year. Some will line up for Cold Mountain, but my guess is, LA will get plenty of new (and some repeat) business. It is the type of film that, I think, many are looking for during the actual holidays."}, {"response": 1866, "author": "meg", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (14:26)", "body": "I think I could start believing in Santa all over again, and may not sleep a wink this year listening for sleigh bells. Not sure anyone should be allowed to look that adorable in a Santa hat. Lucky Dorine! Lucky Kimberly! Okay Dorine, be honest now. Did you just briefly entertain the idea of maybe possibly hiding in one of those toy bags so you could get inside with him???"}, {"response": 1867, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (14:31)", "body": "Ooooooh! Love those new pics, Maria. Though I'm pretty sure they aren't publicity stills, but screenshots."}, {"response": 1868, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (14:46)", "body": "Seems that guy might have a screener."}, {"response": 1869, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (15:09)", "body": "If it's VHS, then it's missing the ID marking in the upper right-hand corner. ;-)"}, {"response": 1870, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (16:14)", "body": "Gah! I disappear for a day to work on grad school apps and all this lovely stuff appears. Maria, great finds!!! You are truly a master Googlier (and you've definitely employed today more usefully than I have)! (Juan Rodriguez Flowers, Editor of Spectacles)When Jamie has the opportunity to know a called girl Aurelia (Lucia Moniz) And I thought she was only a waitress and part-time housecleaner...though that might explain the stripping scene. ;-)"}, {"response": 1871, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (16:21)", "body": "Some new pics at Rex Features from the Women in Film presentation. http://www.rexfeatures.com/cgi-bin/r2show0?k=Colin+Firth&f=Newest"}, {"response": 1872, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (16:39)", "body": "Great, Sandy, have snagged the big ones, though Sophie is going to have work her magic on those nasty watermarks."}, {"response": 1873, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (16:41)", "body": "Thank you Sandy! The second picture in made me LOL! Love that look!"}, {"response": 1874, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (17:02)", "body": "Love Actually is still #1 at the UK box office, bringing in $5,540,181 this past weekend on 478 screens ($11,590/avg) and the two week cume is $36,467,389. (Ev, Elf continues to trail, thought you'd want to know)"}, {"response": 1875, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (17:08)", "body": "From the Village Voice: Muse It Or Lose It: Dutch Treat Inspires Vermeer Masterpiece by J. Hoberman December 10 - 16, 2003 A more agreeable, less inflated historical fantasy than Big Fish (see above), Girl With a Pearl Earring signals its interest in what Fernand Braudel called the \"structures of everyday life\" with an opening close-up of its 17th-century teenage protag Griet (Scarlett Johansson) peeling an onion. If the spectacle of a soberly becapped young woman bathed by sunlight as she slices veggies by the kitchen window evokes the golden age of Dutch genre painting\ufffd-you've come to the right place. A first theatrical feature by documentarian Peter Webber, adapted from Tracy Chevalier's bestseller, Girl With a Pearl Earring tells the tale of how young Griet came to work as a maid in the Delft household of the painter Johannes Vermeer and wound up modeling for one of his supreme masterpieces, The Girl With a Pearl Earring, also known as Girl in Turban, and less officially, the \"Mona Lisa of the North.\" Vermeer, whose paintings may be the world's rarest, is fellow Dutchman Vincent van Gogh's only rival as a posthumously appreciated genius. In an odd fashion, the men are almost contemporaries; Vermeer's revaluation began in the period of post-impressionism, the taste for his better-than-photo photo-realism itself post-photographic. Griet, however, is a natural connoisseur: Hired as a slavey in the tumultuously miserable Vermeer household, she stumbles upon the master's sacred studio, replete with props and setups now famous from his paintings\ufffdas well as the camera obscura, subject of another debate, that functions as his secret weapon. As Griet's sensitive attempt to wash the windows inspires Vermeer's Woman With a Water Jug, she's privileged to watch that masterpiece come into existence and is soon mixing Vermeer's paints and glazes, and even offering compositional ideas. Not exactly Master and Commander stuff, this Braudelian action is hyped by the strenuously dancing snowflakes of Alexandre Desplat's over-sparkly score\ufffdas is the complex domestic conspiracy that brings a priceless trophy of Western culture into existence. Delft is impressively evoked, and Griet, assumed by her betters to live in a world beneath intelligence, is a perfect \"everyday\" subject. Vermeer (Colin Firth) is portrayed as taciturn and glowering. The artist might well brood, annoyingly saddled with a blubbering bovine wife (Essie Davis), a micromanaging mother-in-law (Judy Parfitt), a small army of children, and a lip-smacking, troublemaking patron, Van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson). The smarmy Van Ruijven has his eye on Griet, but the modest girl refuses even to remove her cap. (Quiet as Girl With a Pearl Earring is, the moment when Vermeer spies Griet's cascade of auburn hair makes for a superbly Muslim moment.) Girl With a Pearl Earring cannot help but sensitize the viewer to its own use of light and color. It's a daring ploy with unavoidably mixed results\ufffd-especially since a colleague insists that the eponymous piece of jewelry was, in fact, a pendant of polished pewter. As the imaginary historical subject, Johansson holds her frequent close-ups with considerable authority. Wide-eyed, open-mouthed, and silently beseeching, she's even more a screen for projection here than in Lost in Translation; surrounded by a gaggle of over-actors, she glows with understatement."}, {"response": 1876, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (17:18)", "body": "\"...surrounded by a gaggle of over-actors, she glows with understatement. \" Meeeeeeeeeeow!!! I see there are still a few b*tches living in the Village... what a nasty thing to say. Especiallly when you're not willing to back it up with an example, or even say who you're talking about. Coward."}, {"response": 1877, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (17:39)", "body": "Wow . .one day away from the computer . .great articles & pics ladies!!! true rompecorazones . .my guess Romper = to break corazon = heart A true heart breaker? Sure, Hugh might be one . .but ODB certainly is too . . ."}, {"response": 1878, "author": "katty", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (18:09)", "body": "Pssst! BJD had an R rating in this country Bridget Jones (with its undeserved R rating) made just $71.5 million in the US and earned its hit status more on its disproportionately higher $255 million international gross. With LA's gross just slightly lower than BJD after 31 days ($49M/$51M), it still has an outside chance of equalling it. But with all its hype, even that would be seen as a disappointment, at least in the US. I'm hoping that LA has great legs through the Christmas season. It'll be interesting to see how GWAPE does when it is widely released in January. Crossing my fingers for an Oscar nod for Scarlett to boost visibility and status."}, {"response": 1879, "author": "NicoleM", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (18:30)", "body": "One major problem with Love Actually's box office is its R rating. Most R movies are action adventures, heavy dramas or gross-out comedies like The Last Samurai, Hannibal or American Pie. Love Actually is a romantic comedy - not usually an R-rated genre - which could easily have brought in more teenagers, families and conservative women if it was PG-13. Many people might have been blind-sided by the nudity because the movie was marketed as something sweet and romantic. I personally didn't mind the nudity and actually found it pretty witty in context, but it seems like there are many who were offended by it (including many in this group), and that kind of reaction slashes repeat viewers and word of mouth. Good point, Katty. While I don't think all prospective viewers know about the nudity, I'm sure some do, and unfortunately that will keep some away. I don't believe anyone in Hollywood expects an R-rated movie to gross the same as Finding Nemo or similar. Oh, I certainly didn't expect grosses of that nature, either. And one thing I did fail to mention (when my train of thought derailed, as it often does) is that LA is still being shown on considerably less screens than the major releases in the U.S. The highest number of screens that it's been played on in one week is somewhere around 1700, I believe (and in its first week of release, that was somewhere around five hundred). Films like \"The Cat in the Hat\" opened on well over 3,000 screens (and that one isn't even doing that much more business than LA, when you take into account the much higher # of screens it's playing on). LA might actually have come close to matching even that type of general audience fare, had it a comparable # of screens to compete with. I suppose my original point, though, was less to compare its performance to that of other films, and more to express my opinion that it could be doing even a bit better than it already is (and I agree with Evelyn that it's doing quite well). Many people I know who have the interest in seeing the film still aren't quite interested enough to drive 45 minutes to an hour to do so (this is where # of screens comes into play). I am pleased that the film has done so well; I am also just one of those people working in the cinema business who likes to gripe about how much better *I* could have marketed a film (whether or not that's actually the case, LOL). Anyway, on to GWAPE; I am prepared to drive as many miles as need be to see this! :-)"}, {"response": 1880, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (18:31)", "body": "EOR -- There is a still pic at Coming Soon.neet from People Magazine http://comingsoon.net/news.php?id=2628"}, {"response": 1881, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (18:57)", "body": "Thank you Sandy, Mary, Maria, Jane, and Karen I'm glad to see LA doing really well in the UK, but Nicole, I agree with you. I can't believe that the cast was still doing publicity and the commercials were all but gone. (Tress)You didn't do the 'universal' your fly is down sign to him? LOL, would you?"}, {"response": 1882, "author": "katty", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (21:24)", "body": "Did anyone see Scarlett J on The View? I missed it and was wondering if they talked about Colin at all. Those women seem the type who would ask questions about him. LA is still being shown on considerably less screens than the major releases in the U.S. It is a shame that LA's on relatively few screens, and that certainly hurts its gross. (Bridget Jones was on a 1,000 more screens in its first few weeks.) The distributors were expecting word of mouth and impressive grosses to push the number of screens up, but even though it has had decent per screen numbers, it's already losing screens instead. We'll see what kind of \"legs\" it has."}, {"response": 1883, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 2003 (23:34)", "body": "(Nicole) LA is still being shown on considerably less screens than the major releases in the U.S. As is typical for a platformed release. It would never reach the same number of screens (complete saturation) as the slash & burn major releases, which are out to get as much as they can in the first two weeks (when the studios get the lion's share of the take) and then don't care about what happens (50% drops) when the distributors are set to get theirs. You really can't compare. (Katty) Did anyone see Scarlett J on The View? I missed it and was wondering if they talked about Colin at all. I know this has been asked and answered--'caused I answered it myself earlier. No, Colin was not mentioned by anyone."}, {"response": 1884, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (00:15)", "body": "The transcript of the Today Show is up here: http://www.firth.com/int/03todaydec8.html and larger caps have been added to this gallery: http://www.firth.com/gwape_todaygal.html"}, {"response": 1885, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (00:45)", "body": "OMG!! You can see my camera (if you get out a magnifying glass ;-)) right next to the right side of the head of the woman holding the right side of the sign, closest to Colin. And I believe his bag is kind of squared at the bottom because of my present. It was thin, but kind of large. Did they show him the whole time he collected on that side? Maybe you can see \"me\" (rather my arm) handing it forward to him over people's heads. It was in a bright blue bag."}, {"response": 1886, "author": "NicoleM", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (02:41)", "body": "As is typical for a platformed release. It would never reach the same number of screens (complete saturation) as the slash & burn major releases, which are out to get as much as they can in the first two weeks (when the studios get the lion's share of the take) and then don't care about what happens (50% drops) when the distributors are set to get theirs. You really can't compare. Sure I can! :-) This isn't to say that I expected Universal to release the same # of prints for LA as for the \"slash & burn major releases\". I was merely speculating (as I enjoy doing in my little hypothetical world lol) that LA might have grossed comparably to those films, had it been released on as many screens (though I was not stating that such a thing was ever going to occur in reality). This point was simply to illustrate the success the movie HAS had, because my initial post on the subject seems to have been interpreted as suggesting that LA has not been successful in the U.S. My primary issue was the marketing of the film here, and that with a different promotional timetable, it may have had even *more* commercial success thus far. Linda stated it well.. \"the cast was still doing publicity and the commercials were all but gone.\" Anyway, as of today the U.S. gross for the film tops $49 million, so it seems to be chugging along quite nicely. And I have done my part; I've seen it four times so far! I'm sure I'll see it at least four more times in theaters, at the very least. :-)"}, {"response": 1887, "author": "NicoleM", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (02:50)", "body": "Did they show him the whole time he collected on that side? Maybe you can see \"me\" (rather my arm) handing it forward to him over people's heads. It was in a bright blue bag. Dorine, I see your camera! I will have to go back and check the tape to see if I can see your arm (or bag). First thing in the morning lol..."}, {"response": 1888, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (06:43)", "body": "This week at BBC World, Talking Movies will have a feature on GWAPE. Click on the following website for more details and the link to the video report: http://www.bbcworld.com/content/template_talkingmovies.asp?pageid=665&co_pageid=3 Talking Movies can be seen on BBC World TV at the following times (GMT): Tuesday 20:30 | Thursday 16:30 | Friday 01:30 | 08:30 | 13:30 Saturday 21:30 ************************************************************************* For Colin Firth, the opportunity to star as the famous 17th century painter was a welcome change of pace for the actor who\ufffds lately been seen in a number of contemporary romantic comedies. Colin Firth: \"I\ufffdve been doing much lighter stuff and it was such a radical change of tone in terms of what I was reading that it was very noticeable to me for that reason. It also felt like a piece of literature, not in terms of its loftiness but just in terms of the fact that sounds and colors and smells seemed to ooze off the page, and that doesn\ufffdt happen every day when you read a script."}, {"response": 1889, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (07:38)", "body": "Colin Firth Plays Dress Up by Angel Cohn In the new film Girl With a Pearl Earring, Colin Firth wears '60s-style fashions \ufffd the 1660s, that is \ufffd for his role as Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer. You may recall that in Love Actually, he looked shabby chic \ufffd here, he's just plain shabby! Apart from wardrobe, though, he says there's very little difference between making modern films and period pieces. \"I don't pay much attention to what the period is,\" the 43-year-old British actor says. \"I find that a story is a story, and that the when of when it's set is a convention that's been provided just to tell a story in a particular way.\" In fact, Firth is not even sure what defines a film as a period piece \ufffd much to his mother's dismay. \"I don't know when 'period' starts,\" he admits. \"I did a Terence Rattigan play [The Deep Blue Sea] which was set in the year of 1952. When I mentioned it to my mother that I was doing that, I described that as period. She was somewhat hurt, because this was her period, and she wasn't really ready to have it characterized as a costume drama just yet.\" Despite his confusion over dates, he's still dedicated to achieving an authentic period look, even when it means sporting a very scraggly hairstyle. \"I think,\" he laughs, \"that a man who's willing to wear the wig that I did in Girl With A Pearl Earring is willing to do just about anything!\" Firth's bedraggled artist look was mocked by co-star Scarlett Johansson, whose knowledge of American TV commercials clearly surpasses his own. \"A lot of [the taunting] was directed at my wig \ufffd and she called me Fabio for some reason,\" he chuckles. \"And what I thought was my sizzling look was met with a smirk and [her saying], 'I can't believe it's not butter.'\" http://www.tvguide.com/news/insider/031210c.asp"}, {"response": 1890, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (09:21)", "body": "Did anyone see Scarlett J on The View? I missed it and was wondering if they talked about Colin at all., \"Um, um...no. I mean... you know...'No'.\" Also same yesterday morning on The Early Show. \"Um...um...no\". But had on a cute top and leotards..v. Soho."}, {"response": 1891, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (09:31)", "body": "The transcript of the Today Show is up here: http://www.firth.com/int/03todaydec8.html and larger caps have been added to this gallery: http://www.firth.com/gwape_todaygal.html Shoshana, thank you for the transcript and a big thanks to whomever did the screen captures!! Such fun, a great appearance for Colin, and a nice change of pace from the usual talk show interview. I always enjoy seeing Colin being Colin. Dorine, I'll check my tape tonight to see if I can spot you."}, {"response": 1892, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (09:57)", "body": "(Evelyn) \"Um, um...no. I mean... you know...'No'.\" Also same yesterday morning on The Early Show. \"Um...um...no\". Oh, Evelyn, you crack me up! Did anyone else think Scarlett was chewing gum on the BWTA interview (or does she just chew those lips constantly?) I dunno -- in spite of all the kudos re. her acting/directing savvy, she seems still very immature to me. (But hey, anyone under 30 seems very immature to Moi.)"}, {"response": 1893, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (10:13)", "body": "Great articles and links girls! Fabulous screen captures . .!!!! Dorine your hand . . your camera!!!! I wish I had taped it!! I think I may be there as well . . .look at the pics with the today show round sign/speaker in the corner by the Christmas tree over Colin's shoulder. Or the one when Katie is hugging him . .theere is a white banner hanging over the edge, two women who look like they are wearing white hats (they were santa ones) . . (they were the nice women who offered to hold the toy bag!)I think I am the figure next to them, w/ my grey/black hat on, clutching my FP DVD! Its a blur . .but I think it could be me .that's right where I was!"}, {"response": 1894, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (10:17)", "body": "Trying again: I was standing to the right of the women in the santa hats when you are looking at the pictures . . ."}, {"response": 1895, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (10:57)", "body": "IndieWire review: \"The Girl with the Pearl Earring\" aspires to be as beautiful as a Vermeer painting and almost succeeds. It's an agreeably slow, absolute visual delight that must be seen on the big screen to be properly appreciated, especially since the filmmakers' obsession with the nuances of light approaches the painter's own. Scarlett Johansson is (literally) luminous in the role of Griet, a maid in Vermeer's household who, as posited by the original novel by Tracy Chevalier, was the inspiration for the painter's most famous work. Whatever problems the film has stem more from the original novel than from any failure of imagination or execution on the part of the filmmakers. For one thing, it is difficult to credit the notion of the middle-class Vermeer teaching a lowly, illiterate maid how to mix paints and appreciate the colors of the sky (as well as his paintings) in the 16th century, simply because he has become entranced by her beauty. (Even more improbably, she mumbles something about his having \"looked into her very soul\" when she sees a completed painting she's modeled for.) It's pretty to think of things in this romantic vein, and clearly fun for a lot of people, but not very realistic. At the risk of appearing mortally snobbish, I must also say that the exploration of aesthetic issues here is thoroughly middle-brow and aimed at what most people who pack blockbuster exhibitions of the impressionists, Van Gogh, and, yes, Vermeer, are already looking to get from art. What's best on the level of ideas is the film's constant, wel ome insistence on the financial context within which all art is condemned to take place, even if cultural conservatives don't like to believe it. Colin Firth is stolid, uncommunicative, and inscrutable as the painter (this is a compliment), but while Johansson is visually superb as Griet (even if the unending close-ups finally become tiresome), she is less sure in her performance. Judy Parfitt is workmanlike in the clich\ufffdd role of the scheming mother-in-law, as is Tom Wilkinson playing the Vermeer's randy patron, but Essie Davis' performance as Vermeer's spoiled wife is sublime and subtle all at once. Great things are in store for her."}, {"response": 1896, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (12:10)", "body": "I just watched \"At the Angelika\" on IFC. Small interview with Colin and (um) SJ (who BTW is improving)& PW. Content was mostly repression and Colin talks about Vermeer \"aching\" for Griet and not being able to do anything about it. The interviewer liked the film more than the book...Yesssss!"}, {"response": 1897, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (12:19)", "body": "(Indie Wire)Colin Firth is stolid, uncommunicative, and inscrutable as the painter (this is a compliment) I guess a compliment is a compliment. ;-) Thanks Mari for the review and Karen for the Today Show captures!"}, {"response": 1898, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (12:53)", "body": "From The New York Observer's Mr. Indomitable; no full review yet, maybe next week: by Rex Reed The holiday countdown has begun. The potpourri of new movies lining up to assault your senses and your pocketbook from now until New Year\ufffds is like the good stuff\ufffdbad stuff you find every year crammed in your Christmas stocking: for every prayed-for diamond, a lot of nasty cashew nuts. I\ufffdm thankful for the rare treasures like Cold Mountain, House of Sand and Fog, The Girl with a Pearl Earring and Mona Lisa Smile, and I\ufffdd like to kill Santa for dumping garbage like Big Fish, The Haunted Mansion and The Cat in the Hat that was clearly meant for the local landfill, not the local mall."}, {"response": 1899, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (13:15)", "body": "I'd like to schmoozle his smiley/resting in hand little head! http://www.baftala.org/gal/2003-Q-A-Sessions?page=3"}, {"response": 1900, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (13:20)", "body": "\"I think,\" he laughs, \"that a man who's willing to wear the wig that I did in Girl With A Pearl Earring is willing to do just about anything!\" Oh...the possibilities!! I can think of all manner of things for him to do!! ;-D Thanks Maria! And thank you Mari for this (I think! LOL!): For one thing, it is difficult to credit the notion of the middle-class Vermeer teaching a lowly, illiterate maid how to mix paints and appreciate the colors of the sky (as well as his paintings) in the 16th century, simply because he has become entranced by her beauty. Really? Hmmmmm....probably right, this would never happen...what would a middle aged man want with a young, beautiful girl (surely he could just get a sports car and get over it)? ;-) And thank you Karen and Shoshana and 'friend' for the Today Show goodies! He looks good enough to eat here (mo' better than gingerbread!!): And I see your camera Dorine (thanks for flashing him) ;-D !!!"}, {"response": 1901, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (13:20)", "body": "(Rex Reed) \"rare treasures\" Goodness . .am getting very excited to see GWAPE this evening!!!! Can't wait!"}, {"response": 1902, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (13:27)", "body": "Is this the particular area?"}, {"response": 1903, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (13:32)", "body": "Maria!! Thank you!!! OMG...he is adorable. If you click on the smaller images, they 'blow up' to amazing proportions! But...but....is ODB wearing black socks with white pants? What's going on there? Love him when he can't dress himself!"}, {"response": 1904, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (13:39)", "body": "karen - Yup! I think that may be me, to the left of the today sign . .I think that was about the time the women let me squeeze up in front with them . . .there were 3 of them w/ the santa hats . .one of them took off her hat . .there's a chance it might be her . .but I have an odd feeling it's me;)"}, {"response": 1905, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (13:44)", "body": "Sorry, still looking at BAFTA pics, doesn't Scarlett look like Rosie the Riveter??"}, {"response": 1906, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (13:51)", "body": "Tress: But...but....is ODB wearing black socks with white pants? He was wearing khaki colored trousers."}, {"response": 1907, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (13:54)", "body": "(MarianneC) He was wearing khaki colored trousers. On closer inspection (those large pics are wonderful...a bit grainy, but still pretty impressive) I can see they are khaki (thanks Marianne!) and I was told by another source that those are his brown boots (not socks) that he was wearing...much better!"}, {"response": 1908, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (14:11)", "body": "More on GWAPE from Film critic.com Girl with a Pearl Earring--3 stars A film review by Christopher Null - Johannes Vermeer lived in a time of enormous creativity yet produced so few paintings \ufffd 35, exactly \ufffd that it\ufffds surprising he\ufffds remembered at all. Unlike the romanticized \ufffdstarving artist,\ufffd Vermeer\ufffds household (in 1600s Netherlands) was extremely well-off, though little much else is known about him. Based on the popular novel, the film imagines the circumstances that might have led to the creation of Vermeer\ufffds most famous painting, \ufffdThe Girl with a Pearl Earring,\ufffd produced in 1665. Unlike most recent movies about artists \ufffd Surviving Picasso, Pollock, Love Is the Devil \ufffd there\ufffds hardly a lick of truth to be found in Earring. Most scholars figure the girl in the picture is one of Vermeer\ufffds daughters (of which he had many), while the film posits the girl is a quiet maid despised by Vermeer\ufffds wife and lusted after by the artist and his sponsor. It certainly makes for a better story than a movie about a guy painting a picture of his kid. Colin Firth plays a smoldering Vermeer. Though it\ufffds colored by Firth\ufffds usual display of repression, it\ufffds one of his better performances through sheer virtue of its uniqueness in his oeuvre. Scarlett Johansson is the spitting image of the titular girl, and though she has little to do in the film, she also turns in a worthwhile performance, casting aside her dusky rumble for the first time in exchange for a British(?) accent of sorts. Barely 90 minutes long, the movie\ufffds only real failing is that it never develops a terribly compelling story. Vermeer recruits a maid to be a model? Teaches her how to grind stuff into paint, and develops an unhealthy fixation on the girl? I guess that\ufffdll pass for a plot, but it\ufffds hard to get caught up in the interplay between the two leads. They don\ufffdt have a ton of chemistry, and the May-December/student-mentor story\ufffds been done to death. Earring plays out pretty much as you\ufffdd expect, which is funny, since it\ufffds completely made up. At last Earring is a well-made film. Its cinematography, score, and the acting of supporting players are all top-notch. Earring will likely try to become The Hours of 2003 \ufffd making a play as an intense tale of love gone wrong amidst a period backdrop. Too bad that kind of intensity rarely comes across in a movie rated PG-13. http://filmcritic.com/misc/emporium.nsf/2a460f93626cd4678625624c007f2b46/d1eef39d2aceec7288256dec0065ea0a?OpenDocument Thank you, Maria. (Tress)Love him when he can't dress himself But he's looked pretty darn AFG, lately;-)"}, {"response": 1909, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (14:14)", "body": "Thank you Maria, the pictures are great! (Tress) ...they 'blow up' to amazing proportions! They certainly do! (Two Towers cast is on later pages, may I just say Orlando Bloom blows up nicely too.) doesn't Scarlett look like Rosie the Riveter?? LOL...she sure does, that must explain it. I saw this one and wondered about the look she was going for..."}, {"response": 1910, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (14:24)", "body": "\"there\ufffds hardly a lick of truth to be found in Earring. I wonder what's his source of \"the truth\"? I thought the point was that hardly anything is known for sure, thus even \"Most scholars figure the girl in the picture is one of Vermeer\ufffds daughters\" is only speculation at best. I'm going out on a limb here and guessing that Christopher Null (film reviewer extroadinaire) found ELF inciteful, truthful, and kept him on the edge of his seat until the exciting climax. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR."}, {"response": 1911, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (14:27)", "body": "(Linda) But he's looked pretty darn AFG, lately;-) No doubt! He could be wearing a potato sack (or lack thereof) and look pretty hot! He's been especially scrumptious of late! I just get tickled when he makes 'interesting' clothing choices. Makes him more adorable that he sometimes appears to need help getting it all together...."}, {"response": 1912, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (14:44)", "body": "(Tress)I just get tickled when he makes 'interesting' clothing choices. Makes him more adorable that he sometimes appears to need help getting it all together.... I know . .just wants to make you take him by the hand over to his closet and say . .here, sweetheart . .this goes with this . . .no not that . .this . . (I do that with my husband ALL the time)"}, {"response": 1913, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (14:58)", "body": "LOL Tress about Rosie the Riveter!! Have to agree with you ladies, he is looking AFG and unbelievably more adorable all the time. As for his needing help dressing... pretty sure an army of deeply motivated PA's would have made sure that gloves were in the pockets of his coat before sending him out in that weather... Nevah hoid of Slant Magazine but they saw fit to do a review so.... Peter Webber\ufffds gorgeous Girl With a Pearl Earring is a work of lightweight conjecture. Based on Tracy Chevaller\ufffds award-winning novel of the same name, this fictionalized story attempts to reveal the events surrounding the paintings of Dutch master Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth), whose life scholars know very little about. When the gruelingly polite Griet (Scarlett Johanson) goes to work at Vermeer\ufffds home, she quickly catches the eye of no less than three men: the hermetic Vermeer; horny butcher boy Pieter (28 Days Later\ufffds Cillian Murphy); and evil patron of the arts Van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson). Steeped in remarkably obsessive period detail, the film observes how Griet makes food, washes clothes, and mixes colors for the various inhabitants of Vermeer\ufffds gloomy abode. The details are so rigorous it\ufffds as if the filmmakers have been slowly chipping away at the cracked surfaces of Vermeer\ufffds paintings to reveal the history buried beneath. Every frame in the film is meant to evoke one of the artist\ufffds now-famous w rks (the actors all stand and sit in the right place, sunlight is its own dynamic character), and as such Girl With a Pearl Earring quickly reveals itself, perhaps appropriately, as a cinematographer\ufffds creation. But the film\ufffds only sense of wonder is the recognition of Vermeer\ufffds paintings coming to life (at the critic\ufffds screening I attended, fans of his works were quick to respond with \ufffdoohs\ufffd and \ufffdaahs\ufffd). Not surprisingly, the film\ufffds story (class issues and poverty get the Cliffs Notes treatment) and performances (all stolen glances, hushed tones, canal-side cat-walking, and Phantom of the Opera gondola transport) aren\ufffdt quite as finicky as the color palette. Essie Davis and Judy Parfitt, as Vermeer\ufffds wife and mother-in-law, respectively, bring to mind the hysterical mother-grandmother tag-team from Flowers in the Attic. If this banal soap opera noticeably lacks a soul, it bears mentioning that the film still features the best shot of the year. Griet walks into a room where a suspicious Catharina (Davis) is playing Solitaire (of course!), and watches the maid setting plates on a nearby table from the corner of her eye. The camera pulls back to reveal Vermeer sitting next to his wife, starring at the maid he\ufffds enamored with. Again the camera pulls back, this time revealing Maria Thins (Parfitt) to the left of Vermeer, starring at her son-in-law looking at the maid. What with Webber\ufffds remarkable use of silence and offscreen space, it\ufffds this one scene in the film that truly attempts to understand the emotional and psychological baggage of the aesthetic surface. http://www.slantmagazine.com/film/film_review.asp?ID=894"}, {"response": 1914, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (15:06)", "body": "(Maria)pretty sure an army of deeply motivated PA's would have made sure that gloves were in the pockets of his coat before sending him out in that weather... Hmmm . . shall we all inquire to see if there are any positions available?"}, {"response": 1915, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (15:07)", "body": "Firth Class By Dany Margolies Honestly, it's not just his quintessentially tall, dark, and handsome appearance that has won him fans. Colin Firth is a superb actor, and he has created characters as remarkable for their paradoxical intensity and gentleness as they are for their romantic appeal. This year his on-screen performances are even richer in spirit. Yet while his professional career began with more than a little luck, he still struggles for roles like any working-class actor. The Brit came to acting gradually, performing in a few school plays. \"I liked them,\" Firth recalled. \"But I always felt a bit of a fool. It wasn't exactly a very cool thing to do, school plays, a lot of the time. My school wasn't exactly particularly inclined towards the arts. But I did some amateur stuff, as well--extracurricular. And I enjoyed that.\" Firth then attended the Drama Centre London, which he described as a \"tough school.\" There he studied a Stanislavsky/Strasberg-based curriculum, which was \"very unconventional in English terms,\" he admitted. \"It was very much motivated by the extraordinary personalities of the men who ran it; they were hugely charismatic and very powerful, and rather frightening teachers. It certainly galvanized a lot of us into taking our energies to a different level.\" Also at Drama Centre he studied with Yat Malmgren, a student of the man who formalized dance notation, Rudolph Laban. Said Firth, \"Yat took Laban's notation into acting. We studied movement psychology and its notation. We didn't use the notation particularly, but the notation is based on principles of putting psychological concepts into space, into action, into the physical world. \"It all sounds terribly alienating and full of shit, really, to people who don't subscribe to it,\" he continued. \"I found that after a couple of years of it, it started to make an enormous amount of sense; it came as close as anything anybody really can to teaching acting. I think it's very hard to teach acting. You certainly can't teach talent. It made sense to me, and I still use it.\" Another influence on Firth's early years was Christopher Fettes. \"Best theatre director I ever worked with,\" the actor said. \"He would constantly challenge you to ask questions, not only about your character and your performance but about what you're doing as an actor: Who are you doing it for? Are you alive enough to the world around you? Are you reading newspapers? Are you listening to voices? Are you going to galleries? Are you absorbing things that will stimulate you? And if not, why not? Why aren't you asking questions? Why aren't you pursuing things? What right do you have to be standing up and watched if you're not watching the world yourself?\" As Firth recalled, \"It was an incredibly vigorous process, where you'd get rather pleased with yourself about what you were doing, and he would challenge you. He would give you cowardice. He would tell you to throw it all away. I remember, at one point, I thought I was doing extremely well. We were doing Tartuffe; he put a very dark spin on it. We'd been rehearsing for weeks. I felt quite smug about where I'd got to. At the end of one week he gave general notes, and he just said to me, 'I want you to come back on Monday with something different. I want you to throw it away. I want to see what happens.' And it was a torturous weekend. I just risked a completely different physicality. He was a healthy dose of a mixture of fear and respect that he engendered. He still has it over people even now.\" Although he worked hard in drama school, Firth admitted that his first job came quite easily. \"I didn't pay my dues in the sense of struggling to get employed,\" he said. \"I think that is soul-destroying, and I admire anyone [who goes through it].\" At his first audition, although the circumstances were daunting, he earned a role in a long-running West End production of Another Country that had also launched the careers of Rupert Everett, Kenneth Branagh, Daniel Day-Lewis, and James Wilby. Firth took over Day-Lewis's role. \"They held these enormous auditions,\" Firth said. \"They put out ads in a stage newspaper. Thousands of boys came to try out. There were guys dressed--they tried to put the costume on, which doesn't sell, I don't think. And it's a really superbly bad idea; it's far too keen-looking. I think rules are a bit different here than they are in England. I think they like a bit of self-effacement and deference in England. If you were to sit before the director and were a bit skeptical about your own chances for the role, they tended to like that. Here you're out the door if you do that. Anyway, I got past first base. It was a classic thing. I don't know if it happens anymore, but it was the darkened auditorium and the light on the stage.\" Firth said the opportunity provided him not only with the work but also with an Equity card and an agent. \"Everything happened at once,\" he admitted. \"So I have not paid my dues. I landed on "}, {"response": 1916, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (15:10)", "body": "I can't believe she swung it! Colin will be answering questions from his fans tomorrow about his upcoming role in GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING and other topics. All the info you need is right here: http://chat.msn.com/msnlive_feature.msnw?id=artist/colinfirth Remember, it's 9PM eastern standard time (6PM pacific), not 8PM as the site states."}, {"response": 1917, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (15:22)", "body": "OMG Karen!!! Incredible!!! Thanks so much!!"}, {"response": 1918, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (15:22)", "body": "Blurb from Decmber 15 - In Touch Magazine Listed in the \"Best of the week\" section Saturday 12/13 Film: Behind the Muse A Girl With A Pearl Earring is a movie (starring Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson based on a book (by Tracy Chevalier) based on a painting (by Johannes Vermeer). Johansson is a servant who gets an art lesson in sexual tention when she poses for a portrait for her married master, Vermeer (Firth). First Bill Murray, now Colin Firth: Scarlett sure has a way with older guys!"}, {"response": 1919, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (15:26)", "body": "Not sure anyone could get a better birthday present, huh, Mari? Must be because it is precipitous outside now. ;-) You nail'em, hon!"}, {"response": 1920, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (15:28)", "body": "Karen! . .That is fabulous!! Hooray Colin!!!!! Thanks for agreeing to it! Dang . .I am unfortunately going to be stuck in a rehearsal at that time . .If I think of any questions, may I email them to you to ask on my behalf? Never took part in one of these before . .will they keep all the questions and answers posted on line for us to read afterwards?"}, {"response": 1921, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (15:30)", "body": "(Kimberly)Never took part in one of these before . .will they keep all the questions and answers posted on line for us to read afterwards? Um, not that I should admit..but they did when there was a chat with Amanda Bynes...;-)) (I have flutterbies!)"}, {"response": 1922, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (15:37)", "body": "(Kimberly)Never took part in one of these before . .will they keep all the questions and answers posted on line for us to read afterwards? (Maria)Um, not that I should admit..but they did when there was a chat with Amanda Bynes...;-)) (I have flutterbies!) Oh please, oh please, I hope they do . . fingers crossed that they keep them posted . .I won't get back to the house till probably after the chat is done! !!! I'd like to see what people asked and how they all reacted!"}, {"response": 1923, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (15:42)", "body": "(backstage.com) Yet he still reads for roles. \"I haven't read anything in England for decades,\" the actor said. \"Here, oh yes, and I probably still would again. A lot of the work I've done here, it's required. A lot of the work I didn't get required reading as well. I have failed on a grand scale.\" And he, like so many actors, has exited auditions wishing he'd done something differently. \"I've known I've had a bad day,\" said Firth. \"I'm not a great auditioner, actually. I think I did one really good audition in my life, which got me started. I think most jobs I auditioned for I haven't got. It's just a different skill. It's almost a stupid thing to do--to audition actors. I don't know how much you can really tell. You can dazzle at an audition, and then you can't function for the length of a film shoot. Spielberg doesn't audition people, and I think that shows great confidence and wisdom.\" I think that answers a lot of questions. And he's mentioned before how he went in to talk to Spielberg and it didn't go well. Of course, I wouldn't have liked the movie he was up for (a Jurassic Park), but still, he's admitting he doesn't test well or make a good impression on the decision-makers. :-("}, {"response": 1924, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (15:43)", "body": "Colin will be answering questions from his fans tomorrow about his upcoming role in GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING and other topics. GAH!!! I have a screening to go to (and \"work\" at), with rumored Q&A with Helen Mirren and possibly others. Hmmmm. Do they print transcripts of chats? Or must I leave early (with appropriately fabricated excuse of why I'm leaving)? Holy cow!! Thanks, Karen!"}, {"response": 1925, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (15:47)", "body": "(Kimberly)Oh please, oh please, I hope they do . . fingers crossed that they keep them posted (Dorine)Do they print transcripts of chats? If I have any wits about me tomorrow (don't hold your breath with ODB involved!) I will try and cut and paste into an email or word doc, but I know they did keep the transcript the last (and only other) time I participated..."}, {"response": 1926, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (15:50)", "body": "(CF) said Firth. \"I'm not a great auditioner, actually. (Karen) he's admitting he doesn't test well or make a good impression on the decision-makers. :-( The reason he may not have tested for Sylvia? (Thank God, too. That thing sunk like a stone.)"}, {"response": 1927, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (16:00)", "body": "Maria - Must thank you so much for the Backstage article .. .as an actor . .I'm clipping and keeping this one in my journal. . . Will check tomorrow's Backstage (east) just to see if it's printed there as well . . .It should be . . ."}, {"response": 1928, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (16:00)", "body": "Not sure anyone could get a better birthday present, huh, Mari? I've fainted straight away. First the Santa cap on live TV, now he's dabbling in this newfangled technology.;-) I'll be ready . . .if I can figure out how to use it! Do you type in your questions, and then you listen to his answers? Or are his answers typed out and there's no audio? And he's mentioned before how he went in to talk to Spielberg and it didn't go well. No, he said he met with him, but nothing came of it--not that it went poorly. And, he made it clear it was not an audition."}, {"response": 1929, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (16:02)", "body": "Forgot to say, thanks, Karen, for bringing this news to us!!:-) Maria, thanks for the Backstage article--very interesting insider-ish stuff, definitely things we haven't read before."}, {"response": 1930, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (16:04)", "body": "(Mari)Do you type in your questions, and then you listen to his answers? Or are his answers typed out and there's no audio? Mari, if I remember correctly it goes at a fast and furious pace (he will probably have someone typing for him??) so have your questions ready...We type the questions in and then certain entries are chosen and answered..."}, {"response": 1931, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (16:05)", "body": "(CF) said Firth. \"I'm not a great auditioner, actually. (Karen) he's admitting he doesn't test well or make a good impression on the decision-makers. :-( The reason he may not have tested for Sylvia? (Thank God, too. That thing sunk like a stone.) Didn't he also decide not to audtion for Posession? . .Or am I getting actors mixed up?"}, {"response": 1932, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (16:07)", "body": "(Mari) Or are his answers typed out and there's no audio? Yes. Thanks for the Backstage article, Maria! What I've skimmed over is different and interesting. Will read it when I get back later. What happened to all of our questions for Colin that were compiled eons ago?"}, {"response": 1933, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (16:12)", "body": "Karen...thank you!!! Wonderful news. I was going to see GWAPE tomorrow (special screening starts at 7:30) but may have to forgo that and stay to 'chat'. Even if I don't get into the 'inner circle' it may be too much fun to watch it unfold. Will have to see GWAPE in NYC next week! But, but....isn't ODB to be at the GWAPE premiere in LA tomorrow evening? What time does that start? Maria, great, fantastic, wonderful article! Love hearing Colin talk about his craft and what he does for a living! Very interesting stuff talked about with some new revelations regarding auditioning and how he 'channels'...and steals from others....LOL! Thanks for all your finds today!!!"}, {"response": 1934, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (16:17)", "body": "We type the questions in and then certain entries are chosen and answered... Oh no, that means there's a gatekeeper and I'll be censored.;-) ;-) Thanks, Maria and Dorine for responding so quickly. Tress, the Los Angeles GWAPE premiere is tonight!"}, {"response": 1935, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (16:24)", "body": "(Mari) Tress, the Los Angeles GWAPE premiere is tonight! Ohhhh....that means I watch WireImage and Rex this evening to see if pics are up from prem! Isn't something going on tomorrow then? A Q&A maybe?? I'm all flustered as I am excited about the pending chat!"}, {"response": 1936, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (16:29)", "body": "Karen, Help!! When I click the link, it states that MSN Chat has been closed in the UK since October. Is there any way we in the UK can access this?"}, {"response": 1937, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (16:30)", "body": "If you follow the Boss's link to MSN, you'll see an index down the left side of screen to lead you to archived transcripts of previous chats: http://chat.msn.com/msnlive_feature.msnw?id=artist/colinfirth (Karen) I can't believe she swung it! So, to whom do we owe this honor? Was this HolaLola's doing?"}, {"response": 1938, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (16:31)", "body": "After a long night of catching up, just wanted to thank you all for the articles, reviews, transcripts and pictures. Would have loved to join the chat (as if I had any chance of asking a question worth answering :-))), but MSN Denmark just closed the chatroom, to provide better service to parents. Rats - I'm a parent and I want chat!!!! (at least tomorrow). So - Maria, if possible would love to see a transscript !"}, {"response": 1939, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (17:17)", "body": "Hmmmm.... it looks as though Australia's IP addresses are being redirected to a different chat system. :-(((("}, {"response": 1940, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (17:37)", "body": "(Karen)Colin will be answering questions from his fans tomorrow about his upcoming role in GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING and other topics. (Tress)I'm all flustered as I am excited about the pending chat! (MSN)This chat event will begin in only 1 days, 2 hours and 27 mins When it rains, it pours! Wow! What a happy day."}, {"response": 1941, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (18:13)", "body": "According to this: http://join.msn.com/?page=features/es_chat&xapid=1820&DI=341&HL=from_chat_page it looks like MSN chat is a subscription service. I've sent off my emails for verification."}, {"response": 1942, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (18:22)", "body": "Just went into some celebrity chat going on at MSN. It looks just like the one Amanda did last April, there is a moderator that introduces the guest and then opens it up for questions. When you pose a question, you get this message, 8Thank you! Our guest has received your question and will make every effort to answer it. However, due to the large number of questions submitted, not all questions can be answered. Meanwhile you are watching others questions coming through and the guests answers... The questions must be 50 words or less..."}, {"response": 1943, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (18:36)", "body": "OK,the chat I surveyed lasted one half hour, 11 questions were answered, and a link for the transcript is provided at the end of the session. we have got to make these questions goooooood!!!"}, {"response": 1944, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (18:39)", "body": "Saw this to the right of the Chat page that Karen had linked up... MSN Live stays a free site!Find out more! When I clicked on it, it sent me to another page with this info... To all the fans from around the world who have joined us since 1998, we are pleased to announce that MSN Live, your home for Celebrity Events, will remain a free site. You can still expect the same high quality chat events with the biggest stars from film, music and television hosted by your favorite MSN Live hosts! Then there was a bunch of FAQs, how to ask questions, etc.. here's the link for anyone interested http://chat.msn.com/msnlive_feature.msnw?id=artist/faq_free"}, {"response": 1945, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (19:06)", "body": "Oh Fantastic news. Thank you, Karen. I'll be up all night just thinking about this. Maria, thanks for the great article."}, {"response": 1946, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (20:13)", "body": "(CF)\" Yet he still reads for roles. \"I haven't read anything in England for decades,\" the actor said. \"Here, oh yes, and I probably still would again. A lot of the work I've done here, it's required. A lot of the work I didn't get required reading as well. I have failed on a grand scale. I'd like to know what roles he read for...in the US. Fascinating article...wonder how the interviewer got all that out of him. Colin online chat? Whoa....the guy is finally coming into the 21st Century. Hey, boss, looks like you have to register and get a \"net passport\"."}, {"response": 1947, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (20:44)", "body": "After beating my head against cyberwalls and giving up based on AOL's inability/refusal to \"talk\" to MSN and going through Internet Explorer, got to MSN chat area and clicked the link to access the \"room\" for the CF chat...the message said: The chat's topic is: (FREE, courtesy of MSN) Actor Colin Firth of Girl With Pearl Earring and Love Actually Thurs., Dec., 11 at 6pm PT, 7pm MTN, 8pm CT, 9pm ET Still probably need the .net passport thing but looks like the $19.95 subscription may not be necessary."}, {"response": 1948, "author": "caribou", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (21:09)", "body": "Oh, oh, oh! That is definitely our flashiest of (news) flashes!:-) Many, many thanks to she who swung it! I will miss the event but I went over to see if I could get through, just in cases. Follow Karen's link and try to enter the chat room. You definitely need the .net passport with a valid email account. If you don't have one, do it now because they will email verification. Then, you also have to have an unique-to-their-system nickname and it might take time to get one verified. Then, I had to let it download the chat software--took two attempts. All in all, it took at least an hour but then I did see a chat going on and was given the frame to ask a question w/o paying anything. Have a great time ladies! I hope he takes this opportunity to let his sense of humor shine."}, {"response": 1949, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (21:18)", "body": "Can questions be submitted ahead of time (like now)? Or do they only take questions actually submitted during the chat?"}, {"response": 1950, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (21:53)", "body": "Thanks Karen for the exciting news about tomorrow night's event! I can't wait to see the questions he chooses to answer and his responses. Finally, the fan base gets to interact with the man. This is going to be a blast! Maria, love the Backstage article. Thanks again for all your great finds. I think research is your true calling."}, {"response": 1951, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (22:12)", "body": "WooHoo! I just checked, entered the chatroom, and I'm in. Hopefully I\"ll be able to duplicate this again tomorrow night. If I do get in, anyone have a special question I can submit for them?"}, {"response": 1952, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (22:23)", "body": "(LisaHen) I can't wait to see the questions he chooses to answer and his responses. Finally, the fan base gets to interact with the man. While out with Kimberly and Risa (Little Bee) tonight, Risa said she was familiar with the setup for chats and said that 2 people (one may be an agent) act as filters for questions during the chat before it gets to him. She could explain more if she has time. And Mari, I don't believe they take questions early."}, {"response": 1953, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (22:42)", "body": "Johansson: Unfazed by fame By Donna Freydkin, USA TODAY NEW YORK \ufffd It's fair to say that having Scarlett Johansson play a demure 17th-century maiden is seriously casting against type. The style-savvy hipster can proudly sing Will Smith's entire version of Just the Two of Us. She's madly in love with her new BMW Z4 Roadster, waiting for her at home in Los Angeles. She's a huge Prada fan who can cover entire city blocks in soaring heels. And her Oscar night plan of attack? \"I'll be eating pizza at home and watching everyone on television,\" she says. \"I would go if I was nominated, but I won't just show up. But I'll go to the after-parties, because they're just hysterical.\" Chances are, though, that Johansson, 19, won't be a mere bystander at this year's Academy Awards, thanks to dual performances that have struck a chord with critics. First, she played a frustrated, lonely wife stuck abroad in Japan in Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation. And on Friday, she's hesitant, humble Griet, the Dutch maid who goes to work in the house of Johannes Vermeer and becomes the subject of one of his most famous paintings in Girl With a Pearl Earring. Johansson utters few words in the film and has to convey delight or desire with a toss of her head and a downward glance \ufffd no easy task for a woman who's \"noisy, irreverent, witty, opinionated, just an amazing force of nature, really,\" director Peter Webber says. The real Johansson is \"alive and intelligent and communicative,\" says Colin Firth, who plays Vermeer. \"She treated me with a fairly healthy disrespect.\" Particularly when it came to the pantaloons Firth had to wear as part of his period costume. \"Scarlett would start singing the Oompa Loompa song,\" says Firth, referring to the plump creatures in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. And when she saw his long, artistically disheveled wig, \"she would say, 'I can't believe it's not butter.' Fabio became my name for a while.\" As for Johansson, she's not craving the sort of celebrity that would make her a household name, nor has she ever starred in by-the-numbers blockbusters. When talk turns to Britney Spears, Johansson shudders at the thought of not being able to grab a hot dog at Gray's Papaya without being mobbed by fans or reporters. \"If I'm on downtime, I can still go to Starbucks and order a latte. But you realize people are recognizing you, and that's a little bizarre,\" she says. Johansson has had ample time to get used to the recognition, which she has been earning since playing a traumatized teen in Robert Redford's 1998 drama The Horse Whisperer. Now she's finishing up A Good Woman, based on Oscar Wilde's Lady Windermere's Fan, on Italy's Amalfi Coast. She loves the location, sure, but it takes more than a gorgeous view to bedazzle Johansson. She's played opposite Redford, Bill Murray in Translation and John Travolta in the upcoming Ladder 49 and it's safe to say that it's hard to faze her. \"I'm kind of regular, but in a certain way I'm jaded because I can't not be,\" she says. \"I've been doing this for 11 years.\" But there are certain moments that bedazzle her. Like the time musician Elvis Costello recognized her at a party and told her he loved her in the 2000 black comedy Ghost World. \"But something that's been truly surreal is shaking Neil Young's hand in Toronto. I was like, 'I'm a young person and I like your music!' \" she nearly shouts Johansson is that rare breed of actress who would rather bash Hollywood's Botox obsession, chat about her black stilettos or discuss just about anything than ardently hype her own movies. \"I can run a marathon in heels,\" proclaims the native New Yorker, who just bought a place in L.A. She's remodeling it with the help of her architect dad. And don't bother even mentioning the distinct possibility that Johansson might earn not one but two awards nominations this year. \"That would be crazy,\" she says. \"If you start to expect something because people are constantly telling you, it can be disappointing.\""}, {"response": 1954, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (23:45)", "body": "I've put up the pics of Colin at the Women in Film and Televison Awards lunch: http://www.firth.com/p_eye013.html There will be better ones, once that pesky watermarking is removed."}, {"response": 1955, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (23:45)", "body": "Hmmm...awaiting ODB on Craig Kilborn and his 5 questions with trepidation. CK said he was a fan. Interesting. We'll see by his banter and questions. ;-)"}, {"response": 1956, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (23:49)", "body": "I'm devastated! I want so much to participate in the Chat tomorrow but I don't seem to be seeing what others are seeing when I click on Karen's link. All I get is a red MSN screen with clickable links to other MSN pages. I do have an MSN passport and I have participated in other MSN chats. Can anyone help me?"}, {"response": 1957, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 2003 (23:55)", "body": "OH MY! Does he look AFG!!"}, {"response": 1958, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (00:04)", "body": "He seems very relaxed on this one-and is so funny!"}, {"response": 1959, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (00:05)", "body": "He looks AFG and also pretty comfortable in that seat! Love the gray suit and white shirt."}, {"response": 1960, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (00:08)", "body": "(Bonnie) He seems very relaxed on this one I think he's nervous...how many times has he run his right index finger down the side of his face? And quite ansy in his chair. ;-) and is so funny! Too right about that! LOL!!"}, {"response": 1961, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (00:12)", "body": "You talking to Me? My I'm laughin' off my jollyhose!"}, {"response": 1962, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (00:13)", "body": "I thought that was jolly ho's! ;-)"}, {"response": 1963, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (00:13)", "body": "(Dorine)I think he's nervous...how many times has he run his right index finger down the side of his face? And quite ansy in his chair. ;-) You're right..he did that on R&K too...."}, {"response": 1964, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (00:15)", "body": "He's getting better on his reparte'(sp?), though. Maybe he feels better on Pacific Time...was this pre-recorded from his visit two weeks ago?"}, {"response": 1965, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (00:16)", "body": "That's ok, I was nervous for him. Love the question about British food vs British porn, LOL!! I wonder how many people wanted to get up and leave after he did. ;-)"}, {"response": 1966, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (00:16)", "body": "Excellent appearance on Craig Kilborn, and he was so funny! What a week: --Santa hat --MSN chat --Colin doing DeNiro impressions and getting \"bleeped\" several times in the midst of Raging Bull dialogue: \"You f*ckin' my wife? You been f*ckin' my wife? Hey, you wanna f*uck my wife?\" Told several funny anecdotes, especially the one about the angry penis. Must be that California sun.;-) Good show, Colin!"}, {"response": 1967, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (00:16)", "body": "No, it was just before the premiere tonight."}, {"response": 1968, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (00:19)", "body": "Despite the squirming in the chair, he really pulled off a good appearance on that show. Told the \"lying bloody\" story (as expected) and I loved the impressions and so did Craig. Thumbs up!"}, {"response": 1969, "author": "NicoleM", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (00:20)", "body": "Great interview on the Kilborn show! Nice to see CF get a very loud ovation from the audience, who not only stood when he came out for his interview, but also after the interview concluded. Much of CF & CK's convo had me in stitches! So glad I didn't have to work tonight! :-)"}, {"response": 1970, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (00:21)", "body": "He's so cute when he becomes earnst and crosses his arms."}, {"response": 1971, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (00:25)", "body": "(Karen) Despite the squirming in the chair, he really pulled off a good appearance on that show. Absolutely!! I'm glad the Fabio comments didn't pop up when talking about the wig. Over that already."}, {"response": 1972, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (00:37)", "body": "I've created the next topic, but please don't start using it until after we hit 1999 messages here, which will be the last one at Topic 184. http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/187/new And whoever posts message 1999, turn out the lights."}, {"response": 1973, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (00:38)", "body": "I agree about the Fabio comments being a thing of the past..better buried!!!! I originally thought he was relaxed, but upon reflection realize he was quite the opposite..just becoming acquainted with his mannerisms and paying attention to body language during telly spots-it's too easy to get caught up in watching his face and listening to that voice. Look forward to news of the premiere in LA from DD...."}, {"response": 1974, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (01:19)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1975, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (01:33)", "body": "Thank you Marianne!!! Lovely! Looks like a fine evening in Los Angeles!"}, {"response": 1976, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (01:39)", "body": "Thanks, Marianne! Been looking for some all night. Scarlett has the Livia pose down....looking up at him. She looks quite enamored. ;-)"}, {"response": 1977, "author": "NicoleM", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (02:10)", "body": "Wonderful photos! Thank you! :)"}, {"response": 1978, "author": "Leah", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (05:40)", "body": "To everyone that is going to join in the 'chat session' enjoy! I worked out that 9pm eastern is 4am for me, so I'll give this a miss, but would love to hear about how it was."}, {"response": 1979, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (07:24)", "body": "Chiming in about CK show..Fron CK's glowing intro of ODB to ODB getting so excited he kept cutting CK off (Damn cute!) it was a very enjoyable appearance! I was giggling and smiling throughout! Some new GWAPE pics , only one of Vermeer- http://movieweb.com/movies/gallery2.php?film=1646&id=1315"}, {"response": 1980, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (07:33)", "body": "(Mari)Excellent appearance on Craig Kilborn, and he was so funny! What a week: Boy I'm a mess. 1/8 of an inch concealer on my eyes and 4 hrs sleep but worth every minute! I was LMAO! So AFG, so funny! Who says he can't do an american accent? As long as it's De Neroesque and there's a lot of f**k, LOL!! Where's the coffee?"}, {"response": 1981, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (08:35)", "body": "Two galleries of pics: http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=gls====44764 http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=gls====44759 Will do large ones when I return and I'm going to slap a few hands"}, {"response": 1982, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (08:37)", "body": "I like this one... here's the link for more... http://editorial.gettyimages.com/source/CFW/imageResults.aspx?s=ImagesSearchState|0|15|0|1|||0|0|0|0|7|colin+firth&p=7"}, {"response": 1983, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (08:42)", "body": "(Mari)Excellent appearance on Craig Kilborn, and he was so funny! What a week: Wot a week indeed. I loved his appearance early this morning. I set the alarm to wake up as I had gone to bed early. Wonder why I never did get back to sleep;-) I loved hearing him say Penne Arrabbiato. That's my favoite pasta dish, and I enjoyed it the first night in NY last month...I'm in heaven. It thought he did an excellent job, and I couldn't believe the bleeps. LOL,I kept thinking is this ODB or that other *^%$#**? Wish they hadn't bleeped him, though-y'all know that I love hearing him say that word. (Dorine)Scarlett has the Livia pose down....looking up at him. OMG, you took the words right out of my post;-) Have my netpassport, and this girl is ready to fly. Thanks Karen and Marianne."}, {"response": 1984, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (08:45)", "body": "Thanks for all the pics, Karen. I love to see him dressed up. Must have taken a lot to make him wear a tie at the Women in Films lunch. Cute on the Kilborn show. The View is still my fave though."}, {"response": 1985, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (08:50)", "body": "Wire Images from last night:"}, {"response": 1986, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (08:53)", "body": "Penne Arrabiata 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 clove garlic, chopped 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes -- or more if brave 1 stem fresh rosemary, chopped, or 1 tablespoon dried 5 fresh basil leaves or 1 tablespoon dried 1 large can crushed tomatoes 1/3 cup red wine Salt and pepper 1 pound box penne pasta or rigatoni, cooked according to package directions In skillet, saut\ufffd garlic, rosemary and red pepper flakes in oil. Add tomatoes, wine, salt and pepper. Cook on medium heat. When sauce begins to bubble, stir and add basil. Reduce heat; cook for 15 minutes or until thickened. Toss with cooked penne or rigatoni. Makes 4 servings"}, {"response": 1987, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (09:01)", "body": "What a bust....missed Kilborn (and hence missed ODB getting bleeped?? I'm saddened....I long to hear the bleep) and have now found that I can chat using MSN, but my evil Mac will not allow me to see the celebrity chat (meaning I cannot participate. Not that I would get in, but the anticipation, and the hope...that little sliver of joy at the thought of getting a question answered....gone!). I can, on the other hand, view archived chats and see the celebrity home page from work....but our server won't allow chat. I'll have to 'read all about it' after it is over....but my fingers and everything else will be crossed in the hope that Droolers get questions answered! Two bright things today....the lovely Johannes greeted me (thank you Maria!) and it's Mari's birthday!"}, {"response": 1988, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (09:03)", "body": "Oooo, yeah...he's really hating life here. ;-) I like this one... Wow! And who would've recognized Essie Davis and the one who played Tanneke on the street... Something or someone seems to have made him unhappy in the series of pics with Scarlett starting with this one. It seems to get worse. :-( http://web8.wireimage.com/images/preview/1932046gomezdo1211200395608AM.jpg"}, {"response": 1989, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (09:07)", "body": "Oh, wow. Sorry, didn't realize they'd be so big. :-( Thanks for all the pics and links Karen and Murph."}, {"response": 1990, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (09:12)", "body": "(Dorine) Something or someone seems to have made him unhappy in the series of pics with Scarlett starting with this one. It seems to get worse. :-( Wow....something/someone did seem to bring his mood down for a bit, I just looked at the wireimages in order and he does seem to be responding to something (note that the missus isn't there....I still think he does better when she is around at these events). Thank you for all the pics and links ladies!!"}, {"response": 1991, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (09:14)", "body": "Whoops . .I already started posting on Colin Firth - 18!!! Karen - some stuff there might be redundant . . . the wireimage links . . .did find out SJ may be on Charlie Rose this Friday, they responded to my email asking them to interview ODB about GWAPE Oh, Essie Davis in that pic reminds me a bit of Melisa Mccarthy (who plays Sookie St James on Gilmore Girls)"}, {"response": 1992, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (09:19)", "body": "whoops . .i mean, not essie davis . .I mean . .the woman who played Tanneke . ."}, {"response": 1993, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (11:11)", "body": "(Evelyn) Thanks for all the pics, Karen. I love to see him dressed up. Must have taken a lot to make him wear a tie at the Women in Films lunch I'm with you Evelyn, I like to see him dressed up too. And now that you brought it up, I have felt for a long time that if the ladies can dress formal for a premiere, why can't he at least put on a bleeping tie!! A tux is to die for."}, {"response": 1994, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (11:35)", "body": "Just a question: is there going to be a coordinated question formation effort, or is it every DD for herself? Thanks ;-)"}, {"response": 1995, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (12:04)", "body": "Love this one of him and Hart Bochner--they must have remained close friends from the AZ days. Yo, Adrian!;-)"}, {"response": 1996, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (12:24)", "body": "Oh! Thank you for that one Mari! Great picture (ODB's smile) and Hart looks pretty good too! AZ is a fav.....Dorine...where are you?? Whatcha think??"}, {"response": 1997, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (13:17)", "body": "Girl With a Pearl Earring PREMIERE.COM'S REVIEW (posted 12/11/03) Tracy Chevalier\ufffds 2001 novel Girl With a Pearl Earring imagined the story behind the famous painting of the same name by 17th-century Dutch artist Vermeer. The film version of the book, directed by Peter Webber from an Olivia Hetreed screenplay, is a fine adaptation that perfectly captures the novel\ufffds quiet moodiness. Like the novel, which was not great literature but a good story told well, Girl With a Pearl Earring the film is not cinematic art, but a good movie, told well. In 1665 Holland, a peasant girl named Griet (Scarlett Johansson) is forced to find work after an accident leaves her tile-maker father blind and crippled. She becomes a maid at the bustling Catholic home of the not-so-prolific painter Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth), who is soon inspired by her artistic eye and fine bone structure. The artist\ufffds fascination with Griet, in turn, inspires the opportunism of his mother-in-law, the envy of his child, and the ire of his wife. Throughout, Griet struggles to control her own feelings, to keep her place in the household and maintain her honor and dignity. The film is well-paced and surprisingly suspenseful, but it\ufffds clear from the start that Griet\ufffds real threat comes not from the artist, but from his jealous wife and lascivious patron (Tom Wilkinson). Firth\ufffds scraggly wig is awful, but his Vermeer seems far too decent to take advantage of the help. The odd, gentle relationship that develops between him and his soon-to-be model is a nonstandard romance, powerful and true, without a sexy situation or treacly sentiment in sight. Take that, Love Actually. \ufffdKelly Borgeson http://www.premiere.com/article.asp?section_id=2&article_id=1360"}, {"response": 1998, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (13:23)", "body": "Also, there are some pics at Globe, but too many of the guests and not enough of the guests of honor ( IMO ).. http://www.globephotos.com/scripts/kws30pre.exe?site=GLOBEPH&maxhits=12&picktype=GfxOnly&type=GfxOnly&search=K34379EG&hmessage=GIRL+WITH+A+PEARL+EARRING+L.A.+PREMIERE+AT+THE+ACADEMY+OF+ARTS+AND++SCIENCES,+SAMUEL+GOLDWYN+THEATRE,+BEVERLY+HILLS+CALIFORNIA+12/10/2003&ShowTotal=on&fmaxhits=&submit=lsearch"}, {"response": 1999, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (14:07)", "body": "This is the last message. We are now at: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/187/new drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 185, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 186, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 187, "subject": "Colin Firth - Part 18", "response_count": 1999, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "anjo", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (03:10)", "body": "Sorry Dorine, but I saw the opportunity to be first for once :-) Have nothing to contribute but wanted to give my thanks to all the lovely ladies for this great place and a special thanks to Karen :-))"}, {"response": 2, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (08:30)", "body": "Hi all! Caught up on the last of CF-17 .fabulous pics, links and articles. . .as always! Had the wonderful pleasure of meeting Dorine and Risa last night .Risa and I caught the advanced screening of GWAPE here in NYC . . .Will save any discussion of the film for the Spoilers . . . but just to say it was beautiful . .just beautiful to watch . . . Risa & I had a fun time educating a gentleman next to us about ODB and his various films . .about 500 people showed up for the screening . .the theatre held only about 350 but they were determined to fit everyone in . .don't know how they did it, but it was jam packed . . .Risa & I were the 3 row up from the front .they were giving away movie posters to the first 10 people who could produce the book . .we didn't have ours . .and were too far away .and unfortunately the posters hanging on the doors that Risa & I were eyeing to . .um . .quietly make off with. . . were already gone by the time we reached the exit! (damn!) Unfortunately, made it home and fell asleep!!! . . Missed Craig Kilbourn . .and it sounded like a fabulous interview! . .Dorine or Risa, did you tape it? . .If not, I'll just have to wait for the transcript! Who will be participating in the live chat this evening? Should we send questions to just one of you, if we cannot take part ourselves?"}, {"response": 3, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (08:36)", "body": "Sorry for second post, but just checked my email this morning . . I had emailed Charlie Rose, to suggest, him interviewing Colin on the show. .just got this email this morning: Scarlett Johansson is tentatively scheduled to air Friday night. Please keep an eye on our website for details. We appreciate your suggestion and we thank you for watching, Charlie Rose Viewer Services www.charlierose.com Dang . . . so close . . ."}, {"response": 4, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (08:58)", "body": "GWAPE LA Premiere pics from wireimage - Arrivals - http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=SRH&str=Colin+Firth&sfld=C&nvc=E&nvv=44759 Red carpet - http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=SRH&str=Colin+Firth&sfld=C&nvc=E&nvv=44764"}, {"response": 5, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (14:51)", "body": "With hundreds (thousands?) of people having attended advance screenings . . .who's going to see it this weekend when the box office counts? ;-)"}, {"response": 6, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (15:23)", "body": "Was wondering that myself."}, {"response": 7, "author": "soph", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (15:38)", "body": "re: everything that was posted @ 184 recently : woohoo ! what a holiday treat ! thanks everyone for pics, articles and live reports ! really like the elf version of mr f., with or without gloves and red nose a la rudolf, but hey, dorine & kimberly, i would have clubbed him, stuffed him in his own bag and run away with it if i were you, hehehe... thanks a million for the transcripts, comes in handy for those of us living in the desert (am standing with aussies and gautengers here). am eagerly waiting for this kilborn thing now. (from the village voice loser who calls himself a journalist) \"Girl With a Pearl Earring signals its interest in what Fernand Braudel called the \"structures of everyday life\" poor sod has read one history book in his life and tries to place it in the conversation... pathetic."}, {"response": 8, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (16:55)", "body": "(from the village voice loser who calls himself a journalist) \"Girl With a Pearl Earring signals its interest in what Fernand Braudel called the \"structures of everyday life\" (Sophie) poor sod has read one history book in his life and tries to place it in the conversation... pathetic. LOL! Your comments never fail to amuse me."}, {"response": 9, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (17:08)", "body": "What a fantastic group to be part of! Thanks for all the wonderful reports and pics. I have overcome my problem with MSN and hope to be awake tonight (2.00am UK time). I may not participate, but I'll certainly be looking out for questions posted by DDs."}, {"response": 10, "author": "caribou", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (17:52)", "body": "In case you missed it, CBS has this little tidbit of the interview. Looks like he gets as much time as their other main guests this week. http://www.cbs.com/latenight/latelate/5questions/ Just in case a swinging gal or her assistent is reading, these are the questions I would love to have answered but won't be able to ask: What interview question have you never been asked but would want to be? Since, you can't be Girl with a Pearl Earring? What would you be: Guy with ________ Karen, if this is hand-smacking behaviour, ignore the last bit and only pay attention to the link.:-)"}, {"response": 11, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (18:05)", "body": "Pretty good review from the New York Times, and good for Colin. Painting Interiors of the Heart, With Eros in Restrained Hues By ELVIS MITCHELL Published: December 12, 2003 At the start of \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" Griet (Scarlett Johansson) is shown peeling an onion, an image as metaphor rarely seen outside first-semester filmmaking classes. The determination visible in such an effort communicates Importance Writ Large. And the film, adapted by Olivia Hetreed from Tracy Chevalier's novel, does have a great subject: the story surrounding an artwork shrouded in mystery and a project that ruins a woman's reputation yet ensures her a place in history. This film, which opens today in New York and Los Angeles, is the imagined tale of Griet, a maid who became the muse of Johannes Vermeer and the subject of his painting \"Girl With a Pearl Earring.\" Ms. Johansson is photographed so that her skin is as opalescent as her earring, but the movie is opaque. It is an earnest, obvious melodrama with no soul, filled with the longing silences that come after a sigh. Yet the care that has gone into making \"Earring,\" a dexterous and absorbing visual re-creation of the lighting and the look that Vermeer achieved in his work, is a tribute to the director Peter Webber's own group of artisans, the cinematographer Eduardo Serra and the production designer Ben van Os. The gorgeous score, by Alexandre Desplat, brushes in a haunted gloom that gives the picture life where none seems to exist. This is the kind of film that would prompt the movie industry trade papers to say \"technical credits above par.\" The teenage Griet is sent off to earn a living because her blind father can no longer support her. The onion she is opening at the story's start is part of the last meal she prepares at home before being shipped off. Her separation anxiety registers so fully throughout the film that it should be listed in the cast of characters as the credits roll. Anxiety permeates the movie like fear of punctures in a Freddy Krueger film. The household that Griet joins is filled with noisy, spoiled children who look down their noses at her. The mistress of the house, Catharina (Essie Davis), is about to add another mouth to the brood. In addition to her other tasks, Griet is given the duty of cleaning the master's studio, where she develops an interest in the room and its contents. When she asks if she should clean the windows \ufffd that would change the light, she notes \ufffd a befuddled but indifferent mistress tells the maid to do so. Griet's attention to detail has caught the eye of the intense but distracted Vermeer, who is already behind on a commission that is keeping the family fed and clothed. These commissions are brokered by Vermeer's imperiously practical, and equally proud, mother-in-law (Judy Parfitt), who suggests an art-house version of Frau Bl\ufffdcher from \"Young Frankenstein.\" The figures in his paintings seem to flinch when she speaks. The jobs she secures for her son-in-law also keep Vermeer in the good graces of van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson), an acquisitive and unabashed reprobate who also has an eye on Griet. \"You have very wide eyes,\" he admires, turning a compliment into sexual harassment, and Mr. Wilkinson relishes every moment of aggression. His frankly projected appetites make him the only person in the film capable of enjoyment. He loves describing the press of fabric against a woman's skin as if he, too, were caressing it. And as the most fully realized character, he passes that pleasure along to the audience. With all these assaults on her fluttering, tender sensibility \ufffd and on her time \ufffd it is no wonder that Griet always seems on the verge of tears. One of her few respites comes from the notice of the butcher's thoughtful apprentice, Pieter (Cillian Murphy). But she is far more intrigued by Vermeer, and based on Colin Firth's interpretation it is easy to see why. He plays Vermeer as a taciturn eccentric whose dark eyes house terror, anger and finally appreciation. He drinks in Griet's understanding of his art. A scene in which he demonstrates the workings of a camera obscura to her \ufffd and their transfixed faces are bathed in its buttery light \ufffd has real emotional power; it is like watching a pair of kids trading secrets under a sheet. And when the painter does talk, he speaks faster and with greater passion than anyone else; words boil out of him. Though Griet drops her head in his presence, her shyness appears disingenuous; she may be the first person ever to be camera-obscura conscious. \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" is an auspicious feature-directing debut by Mr. Webber in so many ways \ufffd a groaning board of temptations for the eye and ear \ufffd that you may almost forgive the film its lack of drama and the perfunctory attempts at characterization. Viewing this film has been likened to watching paint dry; actually it is more like watching a painting dry."}, {"response": 12, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (18:43)", "body": "Better than LA review; \"...perfunctory attempts at characterization. \" ...but not exhuberant. Thought this would be up their alley. Mobetta The New Yorker."}, {"response": 13, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (19:11)", "body": "(Evelyn)Better than LA review LOL! Of course that doen't take much... The review does seem a bit ambivalent, IMHO, though very good for Colin. Thanks Mari!"}, {"response": 14, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (19:23)", "body": "Just a bit from Premiere PREMIERE.COM'S REVIEW (posted 12/11/03) The film is well-paced and surprisingly suspenseful, but it\ufffds clear from the start that Griet\ufffds real threat comes not from the artist, but from his jealous wife and lascivious patron (Tom Wilkinson). Firth\ufffds scraggly wig is awful, but his Vermeer seems far too decent to take advantage of the help. The odd, gentle relationship that develops between him and his soon-to-be model is a nonstandard romance, powerful and true, without a sexy situation or treacly sentiment in sight. Take that, Love Actually. The rest is here: http://www.premiere.com/article.asp?section_id=2&article_id=1360 ...38 minutes and counting."}, {"response": 15, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (19:28)", "body": "(Linda)...38 minutes and counting Good, so I'm not the only one staring anxiously at the computer clock. ;-) Do you have questions ready?"}, {"response": 16, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (19:49)", "body": "Gaaahh! I can't believe it. I'm in the chat room and people are talking about Colin's bare butt. He could be there reading that stuff. Unbelievable."}, {"response": 17, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (19:58)", "body": "(Caribou)What interview question have you never been asked but would want to be? I submitted it!"}, {"response": 18, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (20:33)", "body": "Well, chat's over and I don't thnk there was a single question that I really cared about. Whatever . . ."}, {"response": 19, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (20:34)", "body": "Wow, that was quick, but fun...and he's gone;-("}, {"response": 20, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (20:35)", "body": "Any droolers get in? I was stuck at work and can't access....;-("}, {"response": 21, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (20:39)", "body": "That was fun, yet disappointing."}, {"response": 22, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (20:41)", "body": "I know at least one got in, Tress. The questions were fine, but mostly stuff we already knew the answers to as he's been asked most of them in recent interviews. Christian Science Monitor's review: Canvassing the emotions 'Girl With a Peal Earring' is a gorgeous tribute to Vermeer. By David Sterritt | Film critic of The Christian Science Monitor When buzz started circulating about \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" it sounded like a gimmick. The story focuses on Johannes Vermeer, arguably the greatest Dutch painter of the 17th century, and the entire film is made in conscious imitation of his style - including his pristine lighting effects, meticulous compositional designs, and innovative uses of perspective. On canvas, these achievements make Vermeer a towering figure. But mimicking them in cinematic terms has a touch of slavishness about it. Would this be the motion-picture equivalent of a pop album by a tribute band that can't dream up its own ideas? The outcome is quite the opposite, thanks to the integrity shown by director Peter Webber and cinematographer Eduardo Serra in manifesting their respect for Vermeer. Other filmmakers have paid homage to his work - most notably Peter Greenaway, who uses allusion and quotation rather than outright replication. The homage paid in \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" has an emotional validity all its own, however, rooted in the discipline and creativity Webber and Serra show in sustaining their version of Vermeer's vision throughout some 95 minutes of eye-dazzling drama. Scarlett Johansson plays a naive young servant who eventually becomes the \"girl with a pearl earring\" in one of Vermeer's most celebrated paintings. Her name is Griet, and she takes a domestic job in the house of the Dutch master (Colin Firth) when her family becomes impoverished. He makes her a prot\ufffdg\ufffde when he discovers her eye for nuances of light and color. He also becomes fascinated by her appearance, touching off envy in his wife while bringing inspiration to his work. In some ways the movie has a rather trite trajectory, driven by stock characters like the jealous spouse, the uncouth patron of the arts, and the crusty old chambermaid with a heart of gold. Nor is there anything fresh about the story of a hard-pressed artist desperate for the stream of aesthetic ideas he needs to keep his reputation comfortably afloat. What distinguishes \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" is its combination of refined filmmaking and Johansson's exquisitely understated acting. It partakes of Vermeer's spirit and style, and that makes it one of the year's best movies."}, {"response": 23, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (20:42)", "body": "Feel like it was just a bunch of questions about what it was like to work with Scarlett Johansson. Sheesh. Cool though."}, {"response": 24, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (20:47)", "body": "Woo hoo! 4 stars out of 4 from USA Today: This 'Pearl' is of great value It's a measure of the mesmerizing power of Girl With a Pearl Earring and the flawless performances of Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson that audiences feel as if they are spying on a moment of artistic inspiration when painter Vermeer creates the title work. The cinematic adaptation of Tracy Chevalier's novel attempts to unravel the mystery behind one of Vermeer's best-known paintings. Chevalier's fictional account of a 17-year-old servant girl who served as the artist's model is the scaffolding upon which a much more nuanced, sensuous tale is built. Because of the film's meticulous attention to detail \ufffd and because cinematographer Eduardo Serra perfectly captures the rich light, shadow and colors of the Dutch master's world \ufffd we are transported seemingly effortlessly to 17th-century Holland. Johansson plays Griet, a farm girl with an intuitive appreciation of art who becomes a servant for Vermeer's family. Firth plays the artist, about whom little is known historically, with a blend of smoldering intensity and quiet understatement. He is meant to be enigmatic, as is Griet in some ways. Yet we feel their growing attraction as she works in his studio; it reaches a climax when he pierces her ear with the earring that he asks her to wear for the portrait. It's a strangely compelling and sexy scene in a movie that is fraught with palpable, but unexpressed, passion. In contrast to their suppressed lust, Tom Wilkinson plays a wealthy patron whose leering lasciviousness becomes a real threat to Griet. Also threatening to Griet is Vermeer's jealous wife (Essie Davis) and conniving mother-in-law (Judy Parfitt), both of whom leave lasting impressions with small roles. Fans of the book will note that the ending is different, but most should be pleased with the majestic visual rendering of the story and the brilliant casting. Johansson, so perfect in Lost in Translation, is having a banner year that Oscar voters should recognize. Firth's quietly contained but emotionally tortured performance should erase any lingering memories of his lackluster part in Love Actually and put us more in mind of his complex charms from Pride and Prejudice. Girl with a Pearl Earring is a rich gem expertly told in a surprisingly scant 95 minutes. The film's deliberate pacing beautifully complements the nuances of a story about the complexity of creativity and the part it plays as a powerful outlet for repressed emotions."}, {"response": 25, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (20:48)", "body": "Mari) Well, chat's over and I don't thnk there was a single question that I really cared about. Whatever . . . *snort* My thoughts, exactly, Mari. Oh well... Do and Kimberly, thanks for the pics and report on Santa Colin. Metro gals rule!:-) And Marianne, those pics you took are AFG!"}, {"response": 26, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (20:48)", "body": "I thought it was exciting, but I wish they would've picked questions that hadn't been asked a gazillion times before. But then, how would the moderator know what Q-s have been asked him by journalists before? Oh well, it was still nice to share cyberspace with Colin for a few minutes even if he wasn't the one doing the typing. Thank you Karen and all who made this possible. What a treat. And thanks to all for all the articles, opinions and lovely pictures that have been posted. This is a great time to be a drooler. But then, when it isn't? :-)"}, {"response": 27, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (20:51)", "body": "I was there for the chat. Agree it was very disappointing. Only 8 questions asked. I guess it speaks well for the quality and quantity of current info available here that I felt I already \"knew\" his answers to those 8 questions. Well, at least this was a first for him, and maybe he'll be willing to do it again sometime. Ildi, I agree that the bare-butt discussion in the open group chatroom was juvenile."}, {"response": 28, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (20:55)", "body": "Very very disappointing. Probably the ONLY opportunity anybody from Australia will EVER have to ask Colin a question, yet not one question from Oz was asked. *sigh* It might not have been so bad, if they hadn't chosen questions he's already answered a GAZILLION times before. What a letdown..."}, {"response": 29, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (20:56)", "body": "I doubt he would have minded the discussion in the open chatroom - most men rather like having their butts admired..."}, {"response": 30, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (20:57)", "body": "For me it was a case of questions interruptus.;-)) We are too well informed here I fear. Gotta admit that I hadn't thought of too many *bright* questions either. But it was fun getting ready for it with you all."}, {"response": 31, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (21:01)", "body": "We are too well informed here I fear. Yep, that's exactly what I meant. When I read some of those questions, I wanted to smack my head and yell \"DUH!!!\" Wonder if HolaLola could arrange a private little chat for the Ladies at Drool, where we could skip the preliminaries and get down to the nitty gritty? \"Colin, if you were a tree, what kind would you be?\""}, {"response": 32, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (21:02)", "body": "Oh! Was that OUR very own \"MarkG\" on that chat??? Mark? Was that you?"}, {"response": 33, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (21:03)", "body": "We are too well informed here I fear. Yep, that's exactly what I meant. When I read some of those questions, I wanted to smack my head and yell \"DUH!!!\" Wonder if HolaLola could arrange a private little chat for the Ladies at Drool, where we could skip the preliminaries and get down to the nitty gritty? \"Colin, if you were a tree, what kind would you be?\""}, {"response": 34, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (21:03)", "body": "I feel sorry for the person who go a question and just a \"No\" as an answer."}, {"response": 35, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (21:05)", "body": "HUH? Sorry for the double post. There's a ghost in my PC tonight. Must drag self to the boudoir and dream of long chats offline."}, {"response": 36, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (21:08)", "body": "(Beedee) For me it was a case of questions interruptus.;-)) LOL That, and very much a case of singin' to the choir. Plainly, it was what it was designed to be, a chance to do some GWAPE promo -- and to a group guaranteed multiples (?! --- viewings!) in the first place. I bet they don't waste their time that way again. If they do however, I would submit that 8 questions in 20 mins (or whatever) is awful. Better to have a voice converter and just let him loose."}, {"response": 37, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (21:11)", "body": "Borrrrrrr-ing. That was an easy one for him. My question was: \"You consider yourself a stage actor...when are you going to do a play\" Knew he wouldn't answer. Mari...good ones. (Christian SM) ...that makes it one of the year's best movies. And 4 **** from USA today, which everyone reads. Al-right! Almost makes up for NY Times and Time which weren't stellar."}, {"response": 38, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (21:16)", "body": "Not that it matters a great deal, but I actually counted 13 questions. I'm with those who were disappointed at the lack of variety in the questions asked. The host assures me they were picked entirely at random so I guess we have only Colin's fan base to blame. I liked the question about his opinion of whether Vemeer was selfish and hurtful in his dealings with Griet. But, not surprisingly for ODB, he wouldn't give a full answer."}, {"response": 39, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (21:21)", "body": "But he did in one of the interviews."}, {"response": 40, "author": "Zing", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (21:26)", "body": "Surfacing for air after a horrendous week -- all work and no time for play -- feeling like a very dull girl indeed. Sorry I haven't been able to post at all, but many thanks to the DD's (and especially the Boss) for all the news, pics, reviews, interviews, links, etc. -- not to mention the smart comments and witty remarks. MetroGals -- You're the Top(s)! ;-) (Kimberly -- I really like reading your insider's views as an actress.) I agree with everyone about the Chat -- great that CF did it, but most of the questions were pretty banal. Here are the two I submitted: 1. I understand you are an avid reader. When you go into a bookstore, which sections do you visit first? Which sections do you end up lingering in? 2. I really liked your short story \"Department of Nothing\" and articles you've written for magazines. Any plans to write/publish more fiction or non-fiction? Does writing tap the same creative impulse and talents as acting, or does it come from a different source? I'd like to read what other DD's submitted. One more comment (now that they've let me out of the sweatshop for a little while I gotta make the most of it!) -- just checked the rottentomatoes site and COULD NOT BELIEVE they rated Elvis Mitchell's review (in the New York Times) as a \"splat\". It wasn't a rave review, but certainly not a rotten one either. What idiot makes the call as to whether a review is \"fresh\" or \"rotten\"?? Isn't there someone we can complain to about this? Not only is the NYT review influential in itself, but it's right there at the top of the page as a \"Sponsored Critic.\" The Tomatometer for GWAPE is now perilously close to the 60% cutoff point. GAHHH!!! What's wrong with these people???"}, {"response": 41, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (21:34)", "body": "I liked the little chat. Even though we are better informed here than most, it was pretty neat to be online with ODB in real time. It was interesting to see him answer about how he drew on his own experiences as Vermeer being the head of a household, with bills, expenses, etc. IRL he's now in that position with growing family and so we get to see him doing chats and more TV interviews than usual. Thanks to Karen and all who made it possible. And thanks to Caribou and Maria for the helpful hints in getting connected!"}, {"response": 42, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (22:16)", "body": "(Sing)The Tomatometer for GWAPE is now perilously close to the 60% cutoff point. GAHHH!!! What's wrong with these people??? Welcome back Zing! Yes, but the Cream of the Crop gives it an 86% so there's a balance there. I agree with you about the Elvis Mitchell review."}, {"response": 43, "author": "Zing", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 2003 (22:41)", "body": "(Beedee) the Cream of the Crop gives it an 86% so there's a balance there. Beedee, thanks for pointing out the bright side! On the other hand, the Cream of the Crop would be 100% were it not for Mitchell's review being rated a \"splat\". OK, need to lie down, take a deep breath, and repeat until calm -- glass is half full, glass is half full, glass is... ;-)"}, {"response": 44, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (02:27)", "body": "Yet another screening w/ Q&A ... They rushed them in, questions for about 15 minutes, then quickly out again. \"Backstage\" said they had another screening to attend, at 10pm?!? and they were late starting the film cause they were at another screening prior to this one in Sherman Oaks, must have been the Chat. Lion's Gate is really running them ragged. It was a much better Q&A session than the one BAFTA had. The majority of the audience was people who were actors, and or studying to be actors. So there were a couple of questions about the audition and rehearsal process and how to get into the business ... the \"female\" moderator said to star in a movie opposite Colin Firth. I'm desperately trying to remember what was said, but my brain has turned into mush. CF did say that he had read the book, gone to the museums to study the works and traveled a bit to get a feel for the subject matter. SJ did not read the book, just went by the script. Regarding rehearsals, CF gave a long and very detailed response, that film is thinking on your feet, things can change so quickly, and that by comparison the theater is controlled. Sometimes, the best performance is at the read through, then things gradually deteriorate, and then as weeks go by you\ufffdre trying to recapture that performance. I noticed that it seemed as if SJ would rather have CF answer all the questions. She was funny, but did a lot of \ufffdumms,\ufffd whereas CF was really trying to convey honest responses to the actors/students in the audience. One last thing, he wore a black velvet jacket, grey corduroy trousers and brown shoes."}, {"response": 45, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (04:13)", "body": "Jane: Oh! Was that OUR very own \"MarkG\" on that chat??? Mark? Was that you? Not me. Just a coincidence (or someone hijacking my identity for nefarious reasons!)"}, {"response": 46, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (07:16)", "body": "NY Daily News 3 of 4 stars Cultured 'Pearl' a beauty Scarlett Johansson as a maid who sits for a painting by Vermeer (Colin Firth) GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING With Scarlett Johansson, Colin Firth, Tom Wilkinson. Director: Peter Webber. At Landmark Sunshine, Lincoln Plaza (1:39) PG-13: Sexual content. Watching \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" is like stepping inside a Vermeer painting. The light, color and composition are eerily perfect. It's as if director Peter Webber, cinematographer Eduardo Serra and production designer Ben van Os unearthed some of the Dutch master's missing work, plus scenes of 17th-century Delft he would have painted if he had the time. Johannes Vermeer didn't live in a vacuum. This movie, adapted from the novel by Tracy Chevalier, imagines his world as filled to bursting with an ever-pregnant wife, a harridan mother-in-law, scads of blond-ringleted children and headache-inducing household expenses. His chief distraction proves to be the new maid, Griet, played by the suitably wide-eyed, cream-skinned Scarlett Johansson (the girl in \"Lost in Translation\"). Johansson is remarkable in allowing us to see her as Vermeer might: as an unconsciously seductive source of inspiration. Anyone familiar with the famous work of the title will see that painting taking shape every time Vermeer (Colin Firth) peers in a darkly romantic way at the shy, sensitive housemaid. Griet may be uneducated and lower-class, but she senses enough about her master's work to inquire before washing the atelier windows, as that may disturb the quality of the light. \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" does an uncommonly good job of summoning all that goes into a masterpiece - erotic tension, financial considerations, even the sensual, elaborate grinding and mixing of paint colors as per 17th-century requirements. Also true to the spirit of a still life, this is a slow, quiet movie, where emotions are writ large (but silently) on the canvas of the face - household members fairly ooze jealousy and suspicion as Griet becomes the master's favorite. The movie doesn't pretend to be grand. A constant refrain is how the unprotected Griet, relegated to the bottom rung of the social ladder by sudden poverty, manages to maintain her modesty while sitting for a painting that requires an open, unabashed gaze, with lips parted and moist. When the mistress of the house finally sees the painting, she labels it pornography. In another age, this could be the story - not a new one - of the baby-sitter who steals the husband. The difference is that the most explicitly sexual scene is one in which Vermeer pierces Griet's ear that she might wear the pearl earring that gave her immortality."}, {"response": 47, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (07:58)", "body": "Hello ladies, I'm back! Lot's to catch up on! And I will! Thank you for the postcard from the LA premiere. It sounds like you had a blast and Dorine was a great hostess. Hugs to all."}, {"response": 48, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (08:32)", "body": "Welcome back Moon! Another review: Girl With A Pearl Earring, By MATT WOLF, AP LONDON (AP) - Not that one intends any slight against a generally accomplished cast in \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" - featuring shooting star Scarlett Johansson - but it's the look and attention to detail that truly set the movie apart. And that's appropriate to a story about the mysterious way painters achieve something of beauty. Here, the artist is Johannes Vermeer, who died at 43 in 1675 - his artistic legacy a scant 35 or so paintings - but not before revolutionizing painting with the poetry to be found in the most seemingly mundane activities of daily life. In the Tracy Chevalier novel and now director Peter Webber's film, we get the possible back story to one of his best-known paintings, \"Girl With A Pearl Earring.\" While countless films have attempted to show us how writers create - last year's \"The Hours\" saw Nicole Kidman's Oscar-winning Virginia Woolf furiously scribbling \"Mrs. Dalloway\" - \"Girl\" is one of the few to speculate on the creativity behind a certain painting. But even as Vermeer's presence puts art history on screen, the roll call of modern-day artists on this film must begin with cinematographer Eduardo Serra, the Oscar nominee (for 1997's \"The Wings of the Dove\") whose visual rendering of the Dutch town of Delft in the 17th century has a shimmering quality worthy of Vermeer himself. So ravishing is the film to look at - an achievement shared by production designer Ben van Os and costume designer Dien van Straalen - that its surface threatens to overwhelm its substance. As played by Colin Firth in an abrupt about-face from the heartsick writer he plays in \"Love, Actually,\" Vermeer is heard before he first appears - swathed in darkness, pulling back a curtain. And even though the character gradually emerges into the light, he remains unknowable in Olivia Hetreed's screenplay, which tends to keep the viewer at arm's length emotionally even as one is fully absorbed visually, frame by frame. Hetreed preserves the conceit of the novel while dispensing with its first-person point-of-view. As in the book, Johannson's Griet is forced into work at a young age following the sudden blinding of her father in a kiln explosion. She finds herself in the intrigue-laden Vermeer household, presided over by the artist's volatile wife, Catharina (Essie Davis) and his fierce-eyed mother-in-law (Judy Parfitt). Griet soon catches the eye of Vermeer, who appreciates the adolescent girl's awareness of the delicacies of shade, composition and light. Before long, the painter is showing Griet his new toy, a camera obscura, while promoting her from maid to artist's model for his famous painting. Away from the house, Griet must contend with the affections of a local butcher's son (Cillian Murphy) as well as the lecherous advances of Vermeer's wealthy patron, whom Tom Wilkinson (\"In the Bedroom) plays as a sneering 17th-century version of Hugh Hefner. At times, Hetreed's script could be a bit more elegant. Such lines as \"You looked inside me\" from Griet sound like a dime-store romance. Still, there's no denying the versatility of Johansson, whose largely silent Griet is worlds away from the young American wife in Japan in \"Lost In Translation.\" And as Vermeer's edgy spouse, Davis bristles with an energy that matches Vermeer's own paintings, which is where the power of \"Girl With A Pearl Earring\" finally lies. \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" a Lions Gate Films release, runs 99 minutes. Three and a half stars out of four."}, {"response": 49, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (08:37)", "body": ""}, {"response": 50, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (08:49)", "body": "An Interview with the Director and Stars of Girl with a Pearl Earring IGN talks to Peter Webber, Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth about bringing the story behind one of the most mysterious and famous paintings to the big screen. December 11, 2003 - The life of legendary Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer is shrouded in mystery. One of his most famous paintings, \"Girl with a Pearl Earring,\" provides the basis for both the story of the film and the book on which it is based. The story is a piece of historical fiction, as very little is actually known about how the painting came to be or who the girl in the painting was. Was it a relative of Vermeer's or possibly his wife? The book and movie proposes that it was actually a servant of his household. In director Peter Webber's feature debut, Girl with a Pearl Earring, Scarlett Johansson plays Griet, a servant to the Vermeer household with a keen interest in the art world and ultimately in Vermeer himself. Colin Firth plays the part of Vermeer, who becomes gradually fascinated with this curious, intelligent and enticing servant. They become friends of sorts as Vermeer uses her as a model in a few of his paintings. Their relationship is innocent at first, but is gradually laced with a sexual tension. Vermeer's wife, in particular, becomes vaguely aware of this situation and orders Griet out of the house. Vermeer fights for Griet to stay and ultimately uses her as the subject for one of his great masterpieces. Peter Webber himself was an Art major in college, although he says he did not expect a film like this as his first film. He has actually been quoted as saying that he is not at all a fan of costume period pieces. As it turned out, there is a much deeper story in Girl with a Pearl Earring than is at first evident on the surface. Webber love of art comes across very clearly and vividly in the film thanks in no small part to the stunning camera work of Eduardo Serra. Thanks to Serra, nearly the entire film itself takes on the look of one of Vermeer's own paintings. Webber did not seek out the project at first. It actually sought him, much to his surprise. \"I didn't have this project in mind... I was known for making very different kinds of films and television in England. ... My most famous drama in England, which is quite controversial, [is] something called Men Only, and it's a rather kind of shocking exploration of male sexuality. [It] caused a bit of a stir in England. And, Andy [Tucker], the producer, I'll tell how it happened: ... I'd gone into the office to see someone there and there was a painting, the painting was on the wall, just a postcard or a poster, I don't remember now, and he heard me talking about it and I just felt this tap on my shoulder. And he said, 'Well, why don't you read the script?' I think he was as surprised as I was. When I started to read it, through all that, I had a passion for the painting of Vermeer for a long time. ... The first few pages I was thinking, 'You know, my first movie's not going to be this. It's a bit polite, it's a co tume drama.' And, as I read through the script I was falling in love with it. But really the scene that did it to me was the piercing, the ear piercing. Because I thought, 'You know what? This is not the film I thought it was when I started to read it. This has got a fantastic dark undertone; it's got an obsessive romantic relation at this heart of it. This cruelty, this passion, and there's interesting stuff about the relationship with money and art. It's about power, it's about sex, it's about a whole bunch of stuff.' And I thought that was a film I could make. ...What I was scared of is ending up with something that was like Masterpiece Theatre, [that] very polite Sunday evening BBC kind of thing, and I [was] determined to make something quite different from that and the material was there to do it with.\" With the recent acclaim Scarlett Johansson has received for her work in Lost in Translation, it's hard to imagine that casting her in this film was a tough sell at first for Webber. \"Actually, it wasn't the case,\" says Johansson. \"I actually had to audition for it. I went in for a reading and originally didn't have the part actually, which I was quite upset about. But you learn to deal with those things...\" Webber fought to cast Johansson: \"Way back then, it's just [about] the script, a conversation between director and producer where a producer said to me, 'We can't raise the money from this actress.' Now I never saw anyone else apart from Scarlett who could do the role. Having seen her audition, I mean it was in a rather bland room like this, she completely blew me away. ...She's an astounding actress for her age. She's got such maturity. She looks like a real person as well. She's not like one of these ridiculous skinny anorexic waifs... And Scarlett is just passionate, committed, intense, clever and a great, great actress who can reveal what she's thinking on her face... Business intervenes s"}, {"response": 51, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (09:00)", "body": "Just checked the Charlie Rose website. .Scarlett is definitely on tonight as a guest, if you are interested in catching her . . ."}, {"response": 52, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (09:06)", "body": "As Evelyn will surely say to this -- \"Um, uh, no, um, well maybe. Um.\""}, {"response": 53, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (09:09)", "body": ""}, {"response": 54, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (09:37)", "body": "(Deb)As Evelyn will surely say to this -- \"Um, uh, no, um, well maybe. Um.\" SJ will get used to the whole interview thing, I'm sure . . .Did like her insights to Griet and Vermeer in that article that Maria just posted above. Thanks Maria for posting this! (SJ - Film Force Article)\"Certainly she's a servant and she does serve Vermeer and the family,\" Johansson says of her Griet character. \"She's a maid, she's taking care of the cooking, the cleaning, the rearing of the children. ... However, it became more apparent to me the more we filmed, how completely in love I was falling with Colin as the Vermeer character. It became more and more apparent to me that the Vermeer character was this sort of untouchable mysterious man, this genius... And my character was completely longing and obsessive and in love with this man. And it was actually physically heartbreaking. I mean, that's how apparent it became. When I saw the Vermeer and Catharina character together, caressing each other, I was, like, physically pained in my heart by that and so, you know, I definitely think that the love affair for me was the most apparent relation between the two characters. The maid and the model are things that come along with the circumstance, but the other is not physical.\""}, {"response": 55, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (09:43)", "body": "I happened to hear this interview on NPR (of a behind the scenes interview of a GWAPE press junket) while in my car yesterday afternoon. There's a cute bit from Colin about a childhood Christmas experience he once had. Hope this link works: http://www.npr.org/features/feature.php?wfId=1544173"}, {"response": 56, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (09:58)", "body": "Thanks Maria, for the above review...I find it the most revealing thus far in terms of the \"guts\" of the story. This interpretation parallels more of what I gleaned from the novel."}, {"response": 57, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (10:04)", "body": "Thanks Lora for the NPR link! I can't listen to it here, but I look forward to it. It looks like the LA Times and Morni g Edition review of GWAPE was on this morning as well..."}, {"response": 58, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (10:05)", "body": "Lora! Awesome find!! Have a few comments for later."}, {"response": 59, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (10:09)", "body": "Welcome back Moon! Thanks for the Q&A report, Marianne. One last thing, he wore a black velvet jacket, grey corduroy trousers and brown shoes. LOL! V. important info there! ;-) Lora-The NPR bit was lots of fun! Thanks! Thanks for the reviews Mari, Ada, and Maria!!!"}, {"response": 60, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (10:27)", "body": "Thank you for all the reviews and reports. Very much appreciated :-) Just got an email from Blackstar update, that you can preorder Hope Springs to be released: 2nd Feb 2004. (R2) No information on extras on the dvd. I suppose, Amazon will have it too."}, {"response": 61, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (10:39)", "body": "Thanks for the info, Anntette. I'm very much looking forward to seeing it."}, {"response": 62, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (11:18)", "body": "Hi everyone I took a girlfriend of mine to the screening last night of GWAPE and I really have to say that Colin's fans are always the nicest people around. Truly. We decided to mingle with the crowd before the movie to get a gist of why some of them were there and of course the most common response was \"Colin Firth\". :) I met a lovely young British aspiring actress named Chloe there and I don't know if she is a member of this forum or not but if she is I hope I get to meet her again. Very sweet girl. I must say that Colin has been very busy lately running back and forth between work and his publicity commitments. But what a gracious trouper he is. I can't say it enough that there is no one out there that is better to work with than Colin Firth. I'm very happy to see him getting more exposure and with it more good work to come. And I look forward to working with him again and again. You folks have definitely picked the right guy to support. :) On a side note I found it very amusing last night that the woman from Backstage in introducing Colin decided to focus mostly on his \"smooth gorgeous skin\". :) Karen, your stuff will be on en route next week. :) I will email you later today. Take care everyone and I will be back as time allows when I can confirm some news that I'm sitting on at the moment about your man. I think you will be pleased!"}, {"response": 63, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (11:20)", "body": "And for anyone who can't wait until Feb 04 for HS, it is currently available in the UK ex-rental on VHS, and on DVD from next week. I think most of them will be in very good condition!!"}, {"response": 64, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (11:24)", "body": "(Hola Lola)I think you will be pleased! Always plesed to hear from you! Thank you for all your work! Were you behind the MSN chat? ;-) Thanks again."}, {"response": 65, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (11:27)", "body": "Hola Lola - Thanks for stopping by! Am always excited to hear about any Colin news you share with us! Am envying the west coast actors who made it to that Q&A . .wonder if Backstage or anyone recorded or had transcripts of the Q&A session . . ."}, {"response": 66, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (11:42)", "body": "Since I'm still here I thought I would quickly respond that I had nothing to do with the MSN chat. He was there to promote GWAPE. Different studio :) take care!"}, {"response": 67, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (12:01)", "body": "Since you're still here, Lola, is the news about a great new role? Just yes or no, I know you can't say more. Thanks."}, {"response": 68, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (12:04)", "body": "New roles plural"}, {"response": 69, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (12:10)", "body": "Was this before of after the Backstage screening? More photos ... http://editorial.gettyimages.com/source/CFW/imageResults.aspx?s=EventImagesSearchState|1|15|1|2799887|0|0|0|0|&p=7"}, {"response": 70, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (12:11)", "body": "(Hola)New roles plural Oi! I'm verklempt! Thank you Hola for the icing on a cake of a week!"}, {"response": 71, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (12:16)", "body": "(Lola)New roles plural Oh, giddiness!! Thanks!"}, {"response": 72, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (12:17)", "body": "Blessing upon you and your tribe, Lola!:-) Thanks for the Q&A report and pics, Marianne. The caption on the above says it was a Variety screening, but you said they had to do 3 screenings last night?? Again, I say, I hope there's somebody left to buy a ticket--we want paying customers!;-) Love this one; \"Here I am, defacing my face\" ;-)"}, {"response": 73, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (12:31)", "body": "LisaJH: And Marianne, those pics you took are AFG! If it's clear, in focus and well lit, then it wasn't me. :)"}, {"response": 74, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (12:46)", "body": "Speaking of AFG, run to wire image at the link below. They had a cocktail party at Mikimoto the other night. Looks like he's having a great time! http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=gls====44839"}, {"response": 75, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (12:51)", "body": "Zing and Kimberly! I liked your questions...I had about 15 (but only about 4 or 5 that were worth actually asking...)! Couldn't access MSN anyway, so just daydreamed and waited to hear how it went. Marianne, thank you for the Q&A report! Wonderful...glad to know he packed his brown shoes! LOL! Welcome back Moon! Hope you had a wonderful time! Thank you Mari, Ada and Maria for reviews! Hope I didn't miss anyone...so much going on...just know that I thank you all for your wonderful insights, news and reviews!!! Hola...always nice to hear from you. I love the plural...(gives me the warm fuzzies, the plural does...) Roles...she said roles!!! ;-)"}, {"response": 76, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (12:53)", "body": "Thanks for the wireimage link Mari. I can't get them to go big but if you could could on get a peek at whatever is at the end of the cord?"}, {"response": 77, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (12:56)", "body": "He's martini drinkin'! Yeah!!!! Thanks Mari!!"}, {"response": 78, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (13:09)", "body": "(Tress), Roles...she said roles!!! ;-) He's martini drinkin'! Yeah!!!! LOL! Yeah! And maybe one of the roles is in costume. ;-) Go Colin! So did Livia go to Rome or is she is in LA? Might be preparing for Matteo's Christening."}, {"response": 79, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (13:29)", "body": "(Hola Lola)New roles plural Fabulous! Fabulous!!! I am waiting with bated breath to hear more . . ."}, {"response": 80, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (13:29)", "body": "Kimberly S.: wonder if Backstage or anyone recorded or had transcripts of the Q&A session . . . I asked the photographer when would the photos he took be available on their site, he said to look for the print edition first."}, {"response": 81, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (13:33)", "body": "I hope these haven't been posted yet! If they have, apologies all around. Rex pics (four new ones): http://www.rexfeatures.com/cgi-bin/r2show0?k=COLIN+FIRTH&f=Newest&s=wQ0QgE6uIRUD9FkaGzacce1H&u=DEFAULT&p=13EE8DFA0000000A&t=000000E4"}, {"response": 82, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (13:48)", "body": "Great news! Great Times! Welcome back Moon! Thanks everybody for everything! Can't stop exclaiming! If my fiongers had a voice they would lose it from screaming and exclaining so much! (still overexcited!) More here.. http://217.158.83.123/scripts/kws30pre.exe?site=LFI&picktype=GfxOnly&type=GfxOnly&maxhits=24&FLFA_FIELD=&SEARCH_FILTERA=&search=LFNY+004916&hmessage=GIRL%20WITH%20THE%20PEARL%20EARRINGS%20PREMIERE&submit=lsearch"}, {"response": 83, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (13:49)", "body": "Kimberly S.: wonder if Backstage or anyone recorded or had transcripts of the Q&A session . . . (Marianne)I asked the photographer when would the photos he took be available on their site, he said to look for the print edition first. Ahh . .you may be able to see it then . .I just pick up the regular Backstage every Thursday morning here in NYC (have never seen Backstage West here). I did put a call into the Backstage West offices to ask about any transcripts of the Q&A & left a message. .am still waiting to hear back! Marianne & Mari - ooh thanks for those links . . . he looks great . .and do love him relaxing there with the martini"}, {"response": 84, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (14:07)", "body": "Okay....going back a couple of months, but this pic is too adorable and I had to share (thank you Casa Feliz!!!) (LOL...please pay no mind to Scarlett's knickers): http://colinfirth.casa-feliz.net/images/details.php?image_id=2160&sessionid=c8bbeb523a77cc19284c228a96a1a70d"}, {"response": 85, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (14:08)", "body": ":-((((((((((((( I can't keep up. Gone all morning and feel like I'm facing K-2. Oh well, here's a new article (sorry, they must be handing out the same pic to everyone who doesn't bring their own photog) http://www.firth.com/articles/04elle_jan.html Also, here are two pics that Marianne took last night at the Backstage screening. (BTW, Mikimoto was one of the sponsors of the first screening I went to on Tuesday; was v. disappointed they didn't hand out samples)"}, {"response": 86, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (14:08)", "body": "Speaking of AFG, run to wire image at the link below. They had a cocktail party at Mikimoto the other night. Looks like he's having a great time! Damn that Scarlett, can he let go of her already! ;-D Bet her drink is just out of the frame. Should've asked her grandma how *much* she liked working with Colin. ;-)"}, {"response": 87, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (14:15)", "body": "Tress-great pic!!! I would give anything to be in Scarlett's place! And (yes, I know I'm stealing your line Tress; please forgive me!) the hands, Louisa! Gah! Such gorgeous hands! Oh, and the little bit of gray in his hair... *sigh* LOL...please pay no mind to Scarlett's knickers Oh dear, are her jollyhose showing?"}, {"response": 88, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (14:15)", "body": "(Karen) ...was v. disappointed they didn't hand out samples LOL....ummm....samples of wot (are we talking about pearls here?)? ;-D"}, {"response": 89, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (14:19)", "body": "(Tress) Okay....going back a couple of months, but this pic is too adorable and I had to share (thank you Casa Feliz!!!) (LOL...please pay no mind to Scarlett's knickers) Actually, there are several of him hugging her... http://colinfirth.casa-feliz.net/images/categories.php?cat_id=104 They make a cute looking couple."}, {"response": 90, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (14:30)", "body": "Great pics . .Love the one w/ Colin & Scarlett (Karen) ...was v. disappointed they didn't hand out samples (Tress)LOL....ummm....samples of wot (are we talking about pearls here?)? ;D Since Mikimoto is a jeweler . .that would have been very cool! But at the screening Risa and I were at , there was a poster for Vermeer Dutch Chocolate Cream Liquor .no samples at our screening though!!!! Their site - http://www.vermeercream.com/"}, {"response": 91, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (14:44)", "body": "Oh YUMMY, that looks delish! Check out the recipe for a Smore-tini. But when you click on the order thing, it says SOLD OUT."}, {"response": 92, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (14:45)", "body": "Oh! See! I've been on overload so long I'm forgetting my manners (you may wonder if I actually have any, but I do try!). Thank you Marianne for the Q&A pics! Dorine, you said this: Damn that Scarlett, can he let go of her already! ;-D and I'm okay with the Scarlett thing...but who is the woman in Marianne's photo who has her hand dangerously close to ODB's bum!?? That's what I wanna know! ;-) And Karen...thank you for the Elle interview! I'd paste my favorite bits, but then I'd be copying the whole article over here! Let's just say that I would play kiss chase with him any ol' day and be mightily impressed with his spaghetti vongole! Also like that he window shops...LOL...he's such a guy ! Thanks again!"}, {"response": 93, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (14:56)", "body": "Thanks for the Elle article, Karen. He's really trying to let loose a little. Is it my imagination or does he appear to be more in the \"getting on a jet plane\" mode instead of in the \"just hopping on the tube\" mode? ;-) That's sort of an historical metaphor (just made that up);-) It shows in his pictures with Scarlett, too. Thanks, Maria, Marianne, Mari, Tress, and Dorine for the pics and links. Thanks Annette for the HS info. Kimberly, thanks for the Vermeer Dutch Chocolate Cream link. Great gift for the holidays! Hola, thanks for the good news about the new roles plural. Can't wait to hear the rest! My imagination is running all over the place. Ah, how precipitous - when it rains it pours! Have a very happy holiday and New Year if we don't talk to you before then."}, {"response": 94, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (14:57)", "body": "(Tress) but who is the woman in Marianne's photo who has her hand dangerously close to ODB's bum!?? That's what I wanna know! ;-) Oh, I wondered that, too! :-D Thanks everyone for pics, articles, and news (Lola)!"}, {"response": 95, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (14:58)", "body": "Lovely pics, he does look great! It looks like a low profile premiere. Who are those people? No wonder Livia stayed away. ;-) She'll be there for GG and Oscar, if it gets nominated. ;-)"}, {"response": 96, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (15:00)", "body": "(Tress) \"Let's just say that I would play kiss chase with him any ol' day and be mightily impressed with his spaghetti vongole!\" ROTFLOL! That's an image to remember! (Changing subject) Never mind Scarlett's knickers, I'm mightily puzzled by the pix of her in the beige dress with black flower at waist. I can't enlarge pix, but certainly looks to me as if she is braless, and, um, er, quite a bit lopsided. Her right mammary appears to be hanging several inches south of the left one. Do I just need to adjust my monitor, or shall we take up a collection for a good support bra for the poor child before she ends up looking like Mammy Yokum?"}, {"response": 97, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (15:03)", "body": "(Tress) Dorine, you said this: Damn that Scarlett, can he let go of her already! ;-D and I'm okay with the Scarlett thing Hey, I'll be the first to admit I'm just jealous of the jammy git. ;-D (Deb) but certainly looks to me as if she is braless, and, um, er, quite a bit lopsided. Her right mammary appears to be hanging several inches south of the left one. Oddly enough I noticed that too, but thought I was imagining..or needed better glasses. :-)"}, {"response": 98, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (15:21)", "body": "FYI, one of the people Colin is shown talking to at the GWAPE premiere is president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. Finally!"}, {"response": 99, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (15:22)", "body": "BTW, that great review from USA TODAY is highlighted on the front cover. I have the LA Times; it can't be accessed online unless you're a subscriber. Gist of Ken Turan's review is generally very positive, but with a real left-handed compliment for CF: \"Firth is a fine actor, with strong romantic roles in films from BJD to LA--which may be part of the difficulty. While the book is smartly circumspect about the artist's manner and appearance, the film can't seem to help turning Vermeer into one of those brooding, heedless, dashingly romantic figures that have become standard in film for generations. While this ups the romance quotient and increases the smoldering looks, it also makes for a more obvious personal dynamic.\""}, {"response": 100, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (15:25)", "body": "(Karen) one of the people Colin is shown talking to at the GWAPE premiere is president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. Saw that, but thought they were the object of some ridicule, despite having the GG's."}, {"response": 101, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (15:25)", "body": "Tress - but who is the woman in Marianne's photo who has her hand dangerously close to ODB's bum!?? That's what I wanna know! ;-) Dorine - Oh, I wondered that, too! :-D She's his handler. And thank you so much Karen, you worked miracles on the photos."}, {"response": 102, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (15:39)", "body": "Great article Karen! Was that from the new issue or are there American and British versions of Elle?"}, {"response": 103, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (15:42)", "body": "(Dorine) Hey, I'll be the first to admit I'm just jealous of the jammy git. ;-D I hear ya! ;-) (Moon) It looks like a low profile premiere. Who are those people? Was wondering about that too...many I didn't recognize at all...but, hey! Jacqueline Bissett and Topher Grace were there! ;-) Topher ('That 70s Show' is one of my guilty pleasures)! Have noticed that Tanneke (Joanna Scanlan) is in many, many pics with ODB...LOL...can't say I blame her, just wondering what her thoughts are on working with Colin. ;-) Thanks Mari for the LA times synopsis...I love those types of reviews...\"Firth is a fine actor\" but...."}, {"response": 104, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (15:44)", "body": "(Marianne) She's his handler. Ah! LOL...the key being the 'handle' part! ;-) Where does one sign up to handle ODB?? Sorry for the double post!"}, {"response": 105, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (15:52)", "body": "(Lora)Ah, how precipitous - when it rains it pours! That would be Three Days of Rain . .right?:) Karen - Cute article from Elle . . . trying to picture ODB \"window shopping\" or on the make. .wonder what type catches his eye now since he is settled down :) (Karen)FYI, one of the people Colin is shown talking to at the GWAPE premiere is president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. Finally! Hooray! . .Speaking of which, the announcement of the nominations for the 61st Annual Golden Globe Awards are announced on Thursday, December 18 @ 5:30 a.m.PT/ 8:30 AM ET at the Beverly Hilton."}, {"response": 106, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (16:15)", "body": "Sorry for double post . . . Marianne - Just got called back from Backstage West . .. there was no recording or transcript made of the Q&A after the screening(ah well) . .let us know how the pics the photographer took look like when they are published!"}, {"response": 107, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (16:23)", "body": "(Dorine) but thought they were the object of some ridicule, despite having the GG's Derision, more like. They'll show up anywhere for free food and drinks. ;-) (Marianne) She's his handler. The woman works for Lions Gate and would be the one to steer him through all these screenings and to-dos; she was also the one in charge of the premiere. Marianne (or any LA-based Droolers): can you post the GWAPE review from the LA Times? From the Elle interview (US edition, Jan 2004, Makeover Issue) on the last page, a section called Cherchez La Femme: Elle: Tongues? CF: No. [Ed note: Hasn't made any progress.] BTW, can't be much chasing in a very, very small room with one other person."}, {"response": 108, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (16:24)", "body": "I like-a the velvet jacket and cord trousers.And last week the coat 'n tie at the Savoy.Whoa...! Enjoying the high life with Martini's.. ..before he hits the nappies mode;-)"}, {"response": 109, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (16:41)", "body": "(Karen) The woman works for Lions Gate and would be the one to steer him through all these screenings and to-dos; she was also the one in charge of the premiere. Is this the same woman? One behind ODB in this pic? The blonde was in the car with him, but as soon as he got out, the dark haird woman took over. She sort of steered him around while he was outside by the pen and in the press tent. (Karen) BTW, can't be much chasing in a very, very small room with one other person. Exactly...he's not a dummy! And as far as the no tongues...the girl could have taken a little initiative! What was she thinking?!"}, {"response": 110, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (16:45)", "body": "No, not the same one. Remember, GWAPE is Lions Gate and LA is Universal."}, {"response": 111, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (16:50)", "body": "(Karen) No, not the same one. Remember, GWAPE is Lions Gate and LA is Universal. That was at the GWAPE gala. Lion's Gate..."}, {"response": 112, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (16:54)", "body": "Karen - can you post the GWAPE review from the LA Times? http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/reviews/cl-et-pearl12dec12,2,541623.story?coll=cl-mreview Colin Firth, right, plays Vermeer and Scarlett Johansson his model in \"Girl With a Pearl Earring.\" (Jaap Buitendijk) A pearl of beauty 'Girl With a Pearl Earring' may lack dramatic subtlety, but its sheer visual appeal is a great achievement. By Kenneth Turan, Times Staff Writer It's not till the very end of \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" that we get to see the actual 17th century Johannes Vermeer painting that inspired both Tracy Chevalier's bestselling novel and this film adaptation \ufffd and that is as it should be. For it is a measure of how convincingly book and film have conveyed the author's compelling notions of this masterpiece's back story, the imaginative re-creation of how this particular painting came to be, that when we finally see it we can't help but feel that we understand the art with a depth and richness of knowledge we have not had before. We feel we're seeing, so to speak, beyond the canvas to the human story that the author imagined when she wrote the novel to answer the question, \"What did Vermeer do to her to make her look like that, happy and sad at the same time?\" Though the screen version of \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" is not in the same class as the painting, the success it has in being both convincing and involving is paradoxical two times over. While Chevalier's quietly and persuasively written book was a feat of language in the service of literary imagination, the film's virtues are almost completely visual. And those visuals are so impressive and overpowering that they largely make up for the fact that the book's delicate story has been somewhat standardized into a tale that lacks the subtlety and grace that made the novel so involving. As envisioned by director Peter Webber, production-designed by the veteran Ben van Os (\"Orlando\" and the work of Peter Greenaway) and gorgeously photographed by Eduardo Serra (Oscar nominated for \"The Wings of the Dove\"), \"Girl\" is so beautifully rendered it truly seems painted with light. Set in Delft, Holland, in the late 1660s, \"Girl\" is a gratifyingly tactile movie, concerned with surfaces, objects and the wonder of seeing. As befits the story of a man whose eyes, a character in the novel says, \"are worth a room full of gold,\" it offers an impeccable re-creation of the ambience of that time, taking us from bustling outdoor markets to cramped, candlelit interiors to the crystalline light of the painter's studio. It's almost as if the filmmakers wanted to shoot in Vermeer-influenced light, wanted to suggest he painted the way he did because that's the way the world looked to him. And now, thanks to these visual wonders, to us. Aside from its look, \"Girl's\" other great asset is actress Scarlett Johansson as Griet, Vermeer's 17-year-old model and inspiration. With this period role following right behind \"Lost in Translation's\" ultramodern girl, Johansson underlines her great ability to fit in everywhere, no matter what the setting or era. Johansson has to do much more than remarkably resemble the girl in the painting (which she does). Though Chevalier's book takes place mostly inside Griet's head, the film has wisely avoided voice-over, so it falls to Johansson and her gift for showing feelings without words, for looking bland, inquisitive or furious as the situation demands, to convey the panoply of emotions she is experiencing. Griet is introduced at a low point in her young life. Her father, a tile painter, has been blinded in an accident, and the family finances demand that she take a job, specifically as a maid in the house of the celebrated painter Vermeer (Colin Firth). With Vermeer's wife exhausted and ill-humored from a constant stream of children, the other servants suspicious and the children an irritant, no one in the house is happy to see Griet. A flirtation with Pieter (Cillian Murphy), the local butcher's son, might have provided some diversion if Griet were that kind of girl, but she is not. The power in the establishment is in the hands of the artist's shrewd mother-in-law, Maria Thins (Judy Parfitt). Though the film doesn't make this clear, Griet was specifically hired to clean Vermeer's studio so that no object be disturbed. She's immediately transfixed by the sacred nature of that space, by the painter's work and, very soon, by the painter himself. What \"Girl\" does well, perhaps because of Webber's background as a maker of documentaries, is illustrate Griet's increasing involvement with the physical details of painting. She's fascinated \ufffd and so are we \ufffd as Vermeer explains his technique, shows her how colors are made, even introduces her to the wonders of the camera obscura. Griet enjoys being Vermeer's chaste apprentice/accomplice, until the possibility of her being a model brings the pressures of her place in the painter's household to a boil and points up difficulties in the stor"}, {"response": 113, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (16:56)", "body": ""}, {"response": 114, "author": "airstream", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (17:37)", "body": "some more pics.....:) (huge link) http://217.158.83.123/scripts/kws30pre.exe?site=LFI&picktype=GfxOnly&type=GfxOnly&maxhits=24&FLFA_FIELD=&SEARCH_FILTERA=&search=LFNY+004916&hmessage=GIRL%20WITH%20THE%20PEARL%20EARRINGS%20PREMIERE&submit=lsearch you can watch the kilborn/5 questions here: http://www.cbs.com/latenight/latelate/5questions/"}, {"response": 115, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (17:40)", "body": "(Tress) That was at the GWAPE gala. Lion's Gate... Ooops, I didn't check the photo's provenance (TIFF). As I recall, Pathe was the lead at Toronto, not LG. Was that woman his handler at TIFF too? Thanks, Marianne, for posting the review, a mixed one, again."}, {"response": 116, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (18:01)", "body": "(Karen) Was that woman his handler at TIFF too? He seemed to have two women with him. There was the blonde who rode with him...and then this woman....and she was the one who would take his arm and tug him along the carpet...move him along (so I am guessing she was doing the 'handling'). She and the blonde spent some time talking while ODB signed autographs. In Marianne's pics I can only see her from the side, but from the mouth, they look like the same woman to me???"}, {"response": 117, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (18:06)", "body": "Yup, that sure does look like her. Works for LG. Want her phone number to ask? Sorry, I forgot, she doesn't answer her phone anymore. ;-)"}, {"response": 118, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (18:53)", "body": "Marianne, there's another LA Times article that was just posted; sounds like an interview with Webber and colin. Can you access it for us and post? www.calendarlive/movies Imagining an elusive Dutch painter's world MOVIES: Little is known about Vermeer, a challenge for first-time filmmaker Peter Webber and star Colin Firth in 'Girl With a Pearl Earring.'"}, {"response": 119, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (18:53)", "body": "Sorry, make that: http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/"}, {"response": 120, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (19:05)", "body": "Holy Cow, I'm out for a few hours and it seems that all hell has broken loose in here. Where do I begin? First a huge Thank You for everyone who has posted articles, interviews, reviews and pictures. OMG, the pictures. The cocktail party looks like it was a blast. (Scarlet perfecting her Livia pose once, again;-) But, Oh Joy...the cocktail party reveals the cord around his neck, but what the heck is it? Looks like beads? (just had to sneak this one picture)(hope it works) (Tress)Oddly enough I noticed that too, but thought I was imagining..or needed better glasses. LOL, I noticed it the first time I saw the pictuers, didn't want to say anything. I kept trying to figure out if it was the light playing with the pattern of her dress. Dorine those hug photos are amazing. Wow. Won't say anymore. Hola, thanks for that postivie news. Plural? I love plural. Welcome back Moon. Did I miss anything? I need a lie down. Whew!"}, {"response": 121, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (19:14)", "body": "(Karen) Was that woman his handler at TIFF too? That's it. *slapping head in disbelief* I've waited a lifetime to figure out what I want to do. It's been here all the time. I want to be a handler. Not just any handler-I'm very particular."}, {"response": 122, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (20:13)", "body": "(Linda)Oh Joy...the cocktail party reveals the cord around his neck, but what the heck is it? Looks like beads? Mmmm, thanks Linda! Well that's a verification of the silver beads that showed up in one of the NY LA premiere pics that Rika found. I remember us crowded around her laptop Friday night looking at four cubic-ish silver beads that showed up on the other side of the necklace through his very open shirt. Tress and Maria (I think, but my memory is kind of fuzzy) were trying to figure out if the very enlarged picture showed the four beads with an initial engraved in each one (W, L, L, and M in order, for Will, Livia, Luca, and Matteo). This picture in combo with that one, which I unfortunately cannot access, would make me think approximately 16 beads (I used to be an avid beader). Ok, enough."}, {"response": 123, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (20:29)", "body": "Sorry for the douple post, but I'm really fanatical about the cord. ;-) http://colinfirth.casa-feliz.net/images/details.php?image_id=2024"}, {"response": 124, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (21:21)", "body": "I think it's just a different version that I see many mothers wear of the necklaces with little figures, sometimes with birthstones, to denote loved ones...children and spouse. Maybe his is an Italian or just an artsy version. Isn't there a name of some sort for those types of necklaces?"}, {"response": 125, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (21:27)", "body": "And I have to say, I'm not as fascinated with the necklace so much as the increasing frequency with which he's been wearing his shirts with the collar *much* more open. ;-P Though loved the tie (tied as poorly as it was) at that to-do the other day, also."}, {"response": 126, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 2003 (22:08)", "body": "LA Times December 14, 2003 Imagining an elusive Dutch painter's world Little is known about Vermeer, a challenge for first-time filmmaker Peter Webber and star Colin Firth in 'Girl With a Pearl Earring.' By Kristin Hohenadel, Special to The Times The only thing riskier for box office potential than labeling a movie an art film might be calling it a film about art \ufffd even if it happens to be about the 17th century Dutch master Johannes Vermeer. Which may explain why director Peter Webber speaks of art as just one of many themes in his adaptation of Tracy Chevalier's bestselling 1999 novel, \"Girl With a Pearl Earring.\" Just as the book used the mystery behind Vermeer's popular painting to invent a relationship between the artist and a servant girl who could have been his muse, Webber said that his project \ufffd starring Colin Firth as Vermeer, Scarlett Johansson as Griet (The Girl) and Tom Wilkinson as Vermeer's mercenary patron, Van Ruijven \ufffd is \"more than just a quaint little film about art.\" It is, he says, about money, sex, repression, obsession, power and the human heart. The boyish, mile-a-minute Webber, 42, on the Luxembourg set, added that he cut out the artspeak but peppered the movie \ufffd his first feature film \ufffd with sly Vermeer references for those who will get them. \"I want to make a film not only for the cognoscenti. It's a film about relationships between people, and the painting is a vehicle for exploring those relationships. \"What happens when an old man becomes obsessed with a young girl? What happens to a couple with six children who've been together for 15 years when someone's work takes over their life? What happens when a woman feels that her husband's interest in her is waning? What do you do when money interferes with art?\" Those are some of the questions that arise when a lovely young servant girl joins the Vermeer residence. Little is known about the elusive artist, who did not leave as much as a self-portrait behind, but the filmmakers decided on a shoulder-length wig for Firth, who was posing in front of the easel in a low-lighted, lead-windowed studio as Webber looked through the monitor from a side room. Webber said that this slightly dreamy atmosphere was a contrast to the highly colored peasant world of bustling Delft, where the artist lived and much of the action would take place. He wanted to avoid making a portrait of Holland using travel poster shortcuts, he said. \"We've avoided windmills, tulips, Edam \ufffd no, sorry \ufffd Gouda cheese.\" In dreaming up the personage of Vermeer, Webber said that he and fellow Brit Firth \ufffd who, he points out, are close in age, background and cultural references \ufffd discussed everything from \"the mundane to the incredibly pretentious.\" They went to a paint-grinding windmill in Amsterdam, to the museum in The Hague where the original painting is kept. They chased Vermeer's ghost to Delft. \"We talked about everything from his walk to how we would wear his hat, stand, hold paintbrushes,\" Webber said, \"and then to how enigmatic did we want him, how mysterious? You want to have a lot of those discussions before you start\ufffd. It's very expensive, talking on the set.\" If nobody knows what Vermeer looked like, Webber met every hot young actress in Hollywood to find the face of the ubiquitous painting (Kate Hudson was attached in an earlier financing of the project with Ralph Fiennes as Vermeer). But by now everyone on set was saying \"Scarlett is The Girl!\" \"When I first saw the painting, my mom said, 'Oh, that's funny, the painting looks a little like you,' \" Johansson said on a break between scenes, kneading her delicate hands in her costume apron. \"And I said, 'No, it doesn't!' \" But in a headscarf and with dyed blond eyebrows to match the painting's coloring, she admitted to a spooky resemblance. \"When I'm in costume and I cock my head in just the right position and we're doing a very still pose, it can be very eerie \ufffd a thing the painting kind of exudes, it comes out in very still moments with the camera.\" The ever-more-popular Johansson, who turned 18 during the shoot, said that she was waiting to read the novel until after she finished shooting. But she seems to have reacted to the script, adapted by Olivia Hetreed, the way that many readers reacted to the novel. \"The script was beautifully written,\" she said. \"I was very moved and it's so rare that that happens. The character is very touching. She's sort of destined to be in a certain social class, and you know that when you begin the story. The relationship with Vermeer is very emotionally filled, and it's almost sort of impossible to grasp it \ufffd it's always sort of slipping away, and it's very painful and it's that pain you can so relate to of wanting someone or wanting something so badly and it slipping out of your hands always. And while you're reading you feel a kind of anguish and nervousness and it's exciting to get that kind of feeling when you're reading something. It's very appealing.\" Art history buffs "}, {"response": 127, "author": "Zing", "date": "Sat, Dec 13, 2003 (00:19)", "body": "Thanks, Dorine! What a fascinating article -- one of the most substantive and revealing yet, about ODB's background (his circle of artistic friends), his approach to preparing for a role, and his intellectual curiosity, which I find admirable (though as usual he self-deprecatingly calls it his nerdiness). In dreaming up the personage of Vermeer, Webber said that he and fellow Brit Firth \ufffd who, he points out, are close in age, background and cultural references \ufffd discussed everything from \"the mundane to the incredibly pretentious.\" They went to a paint-grinding windmill in Amsterdam, to the museum in The Hague where the original painting is kept. They chased Vermeer's ghost to Delft. Sounds like Webber treated CF as a peer and partner in developing the role of Vermeer, and really appreciates his talents. I remember he said something quite perceptive about CF\ufffds appeal in the W article \ufffdGoing Dutch\ufffd Karen posted on this site a while ago: \"He also has a mystery, a dignity, a sternness and a romantic sexuality that\ufffds particularly appealing to women.\" The romantic sexuality is what first attracts people to him, but it's the mystery and dignity and, well, I wouldn't call it sternness exactly, more like a kind of reserve and strength of character, that keep his fans (or me, at least) intrigued enough to keep coming back. (Sorry for rambling on, but I can only come out to play for a few minutes late at night, so gotta get in as much as I can! ;-)"}, {"response": 128, "author": "soph", "date": "Sat, Dec 13, 2003 (04:29)", "body": "(marianne) One last thing, he wore a black velvet jacket, grey corduroy trousers and brown shoes. ahaha ! the grey/brown combo, a new combination ! can't leave him a day alone without his falling back in mismatch hell ! (but the kryptonite might explain it). though it definitely looks like he's training for the next drool b'day bash, downing martinis, party hopping & all that. what next ? dancing lessons ? (tress) but who is the woman in Marianne's photo who has her hand dangerously close to ODB's bum!?? That's what I wanna know! ;-) (dorine) Oh, I wondered that, too! :-D (marianne) She's his handler. (karen) the woman works for Lions Gate and would be the one to steer him through all these screenings and to-dos hence, the leash. comes in handy for the handler. (whistle, whistle : \"come here, boy, roll over. now, that's a good boy\") on another plane : (peter webber in this IGN thingie) His painting, his art, is more important to him, actually, than his sex life. So, he's using all of that sexual energy to put into the painting. And if he had walked into that closet when she was taking the cap off, the painting would be over. ... It's the building up, it's the yearning that he was using as an artist. mmmhhh, would that be another case of 'sexying up' the original story ? this \"blame it on the sex drive\" explanation sounds very contrived/simplistic to me & rather ridiculous to tell you the truth (not to mention the 'been there seen that' factor)... but i guess i'll have to wait to see the movie to be the judge of that. sigh, may 2004... thanks for the goodies everyone !"}, {"response": 129, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Sat, Dec 13, 2003 (07:44)", "body": "Just a brief second-hand report on the free screening in SF Thursday night. My sister (whom I have recently introduced to the world of Firth) attended with a friend and absolutely loves the movie -- thinks it's gotta get an Oscar nom at least for cinematography. But she also found the audience to be a rather strange collection of folks -- no big shots or celebrity types, some CF fans, many very elderly women, and a large percentage being street people who apparently took advantage of seeing a free movie with eats afterward. I'll ask her to watch for any newspaper articles. (She recently sent me a full page from SF paper with huge picture of Vermeer's GWAPE at top, and it turned out to be feature story on a decorator who reproduced the painting full size for the master bathroom in a mansion. The noive of some people!)"}, {"response": 130, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Sat, Dec 13, 2003 (07:50)", "body": "P.S. The live chat transcript is posted now: http://chat.msn.com/msnlive_feature.msnw?id=artist/colinfirth"}, {"response": 131, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Dec 13, 2003 (13:36)", "body": "(Dorine)And I have to say, I'm not as fascinated with the necklace so much as the increasing frequency with which he's been wearing his shirts with the collar *much* more open. ;-P Yesss! Thans for posting the LA Times story, Dorine. \"We talked about everything from his walk to how we would wear his hat, stand, hold paintbrushes,\" Webber said, \"and then to how enigmatic did we want him, how mysterious? . . . \"I think I kind of got myself tied into knots,\" he said. \"There did come a point when I did stop looking at the pictures and just sort of came down from the clouds a bit and just did things that were practical. Interesting stuff. This is Colin's sandbox. I can't help but believe that he finds the dramatic roles and the research more fulfilling than comedy. LOL at the Elle article, Karen. This guy asked most of the things I wanted to at the chat.;-)"}, {"response": 132, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec 13, 2003 (17:48)", "body": "Saw GWAPE today at a screening at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. Wonderful to see it in a quasi-museum setting, artsy crowd, some book club people. Everyone impressed. Sold out crowd; turning people away. This the day aft a big mid-west winter storm. More in Spoilers topic."}, {"response": 133, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Dec 13, 2003 (17:50)", "body": "(Mari)I can't help but believe that he finds the dramatic roles and the research more fulfilling than comedy. Absolutely. I think I've found him more honest, open, and revealing a great deal more through the GWAPE publicity than he has ever done with the comedies. He really, I think, enjoyed the whole process. Dorine, fantastic article, thank you."}, {"response": 134, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Dec 13, 2003 (18:24)", "body": "The GG's announcements will be on E! at 8 AM EST on the 18th. Hoping for a couple of familiar names there..."}, {"response": 135, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Dec 13, 2003 (19:42)", "body": "Leonard Maltin and Joyce Kulhawick of Hot Ticket will review GWAPE this week; check your local listings, comes on later tonight in my area. I hear it's well worth watching.;-)"}, {"response": 136, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Dec 13, 2003 (19:42)", "body": "So happy you made it to GWAPE, Evelyn!"}, {"response": 137, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Dec 13, 2003 (19:47)", "body": "Heres' the link to the Metacritic site, which I find is a much better barometer of critical opinion than rotten tomatoes. It's just the major critics, which means you don't have to suffer through reviews from some pimply faced 16 year old named Tyler who's working out of his parents' basement in Hackensack.;-) http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/girlwithapearlearring/ BTW, according to Coming Soon, TEOR will open on December 24, 2004. Which means we get to do this all over again same time next year!:-)"}, {"response": 138, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Dec 13, 2003 (19:59)", "body": "GWAPE premiere; thought his eyes looked great in this one:"}, {"response": 139, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Dec 13, 2003 (20:16)", "body": "(Mari) BTW, according to Coming Soon, TEOR will open on December 24, 2004. What an awesome birthday present!! I know now what to say if someone asks me where I want to go out for my birthday. :-D Thanks, Mari! You're right, that is a fantastic picture. Leonard Maltin and Joyce Kulhawick of Hot Ticket will review GWAPE this week; check your local listings, comes on later tonight in my area. I hear it's well worth watching.;-) You hear *they* are worth watching or they say the movie is worth watching? I can't stand her. He's tolerable most of the time to me."}, {"response": 140, "author": "Zing", "date": "Sat, Dec 13, 2003 (22:00)", "body": "(Mari) Heres' the link to the Metacritic site, which I find is a much better barometer of critical opinion than rotten tomatoes. Thanks for the link, Mari! You're right, it seems to be a much more discerning site (or maybe it's just the snob in me saying this, since I agree more with their evaluations -- not just of GWAPE). (Mari) It's just the major critics, which means you don't have to suffer through reviews from some pimply faced 16 year old named Tyler who's working out of his parents' basement in Hackensack.;-) LOL! How true. That *is* a fantastic picture! No wonder people keep raving about his smooth skin. And what a pair of fine eyes!! ;-) And so much exposed neck. Swoon... (But are those gray hairs or just the reflection of camera flashes from the paparazzi?!) (Dorine) I can't stand her. [Joyce Kulhawik] Me neither. She's on one of my local channels, and I just switch off when she gets on. Doesn't seem to have an original thought or any discerning taste -- most of the time it feels like she didn't see the same movie or play I did."}, {"response": 141, "author": "katty", "date": "Sat, Dec 13, 2003 (23:20)", "body": "The Hot Ticket review of GWAPE verged on the ecstatic by both Leonard Maltin and Joyce Kulhawik. Among other hymns of praise, they called it \"a great story...amazing story,\" \"staggering,\" \"an extraordinary achievement,\" \"a really, really special film,\" and \"most elegant film of the year.\" They called Scarlett's an Oscar-worthy performance, and Maltin described Colin as \"wonderful here as Vermeer - he's usually wonderful; he's really great here.\" I don't know how many people watch this show (Roger Ebert is the biggie), but I hope they influence enough people to see GWAPE and appreciate it, too."}, {"response": 142, "author": "momi", "date": "Sun, Dec 14, 2003 (00:11)", "body": "\"GWAPE - Official Website\" I'm not sure this has been posted already, but anyway, here is the link to the official website: http://www.girlwithapearlearringmovie.com/ Now playing in New York and Los Angeles Opens in Chicago and San Francisco - Dec. 26th In Theatres - January 2004 I'll \"finally\" be able to see it....."}, {"response": 143, "author": "momi", "date": "Sun, Dec 14, 2003 (00:23)", "body": "Hi Katty..... I was able to watch Leonard Maltin and Joyce Kulhawik today on tv and it's exciting that \"GWAPE\" is getting so much positive praises....Leonard mentioned that Colin Firth is such a giftedly talented actor and both said nothing but praises for the film's acting, screenplay, cinematography, directing, etc....I think Leonard said, it's like stepping into a book/painting and being transported back to 17th century Holland....The film looks so real - the visual imagery are amazing.... Here's a link to GWAPE author, Tracy Chevalier website with her talking about her novel being transformed into the film: http://www.tchevalier.com/filmnews.html ~Momi~"}, {"response": 144, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Sun, Dec 14, 2003 (00:55)", "body": "Went to the benefit showing of LA in Sydney today - what a treat! They were serving free champagne (with strawberries), and free liqueur drinks (Tio Lusso, which is rather like a cross between Bailey's and Kahlua, only low-fat). VERY nice - had several of those (they were quite small! ;-)) and stood around chatting with several of the women on the National Trust. They wanted to know, since I wasn't with the National Trust, how I found out about the showing - told them I googled \"LA\" and \"preview\" and their website came up. Suggested that they might want to do a preview of GWAPE, too, as a fundraiser. ;-)) Fingers crossed..."}, {"response": 145, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Dec 14, 2003 (08:26)", "body": "Great picture, Mari! Methinks he has a better hair stylist in LA. ;-) Thanks, for the link. Dorine, thank you for the LA Times article."}, {"response": 146, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec 14, 2003 (09:11)", "body": "Does anyone have the WSJ review? Takes a subscription. I wish Metacritic would have included the NYer...it was a good one. These are the folks who are going to see this film. The SJ fans will like her more in her contemporary roles. Period films are a hard sell to the \"great unwashed\". I asked the people around me at the screening where they had heard of the film. Most from BWTA and some from the Today Show, even that blurb. TV rules!"}, {"response": 147, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Dec 14, 2003 (09:27)", "body": "Evelyn, so glad you got to see the OC screening of GWAPE! And thanks, Dorine, for that fine and revealing article, and, Mari, for those fine and revealing eyes. (Colin on msnlive)We're looking into the light. When I first read this during the chat, I had to LOL because I thought immediately of you, Maria, and your explanation of your experience seeing CF on the red carpet in NYC. :-)"}, {"response": 148, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Dec 14, 2003 (09:36)", "body": "Thanks for the link to the chat, Deb. I had tuned into the chat after the first couple of questions which meant my view of it started in mid answer to the third question. I actually tried to post a question a lot like the first one. No wonder they didn't use it."}, {"response": 149, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Dec 14, 2003 (09:45)", "body": "(Evelyn) Does anyone have the WSJ review? Takes a subscription. I have a subscription, but it won't let me log on for some reason. Tried to reregister and told me it already had my acct number and wouldn't let me go further. No time to type from print right now. Sorry. :-("}, {"response": 150, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Dec 14, 2003 (10:54)", "body": "Can someone post if Ebert and Roeper reviewed GWAPE this week, for sure? My local news decided to override it with local news to tell me it's snowing outside....for 15 mins! Then, Sen. Schumer comes on for his weekly attempt at greater media exposure over the topic of the day. I don't know if E&R is shown on another channel at another time. :-("}, {"response": 151, "author": "Zing", "date": "Sun, Dec 14, 2003 (11:27)", "body": "(Katty) The Hot Ticket review of GWAPE verged on the ecstatic by both Leonard Maltin and Joyce Kulhawik. Joyce is forgiven. Usually she pans the films I like, and raves about the ones I detest. (Though I haven't seen GWAPE yet, from what everyone has been saying here I can't imagine NOT loving it!)"}, {"response": 152, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Dec 14, 2003 (11:51)", "body": "Dorine, E&R did not review GWAPE yet. (Moon),Great picture, Mari! Methinks he has a better hair stylist in LA. ;-) He has said that himself. I knew you'd approve, Moon.;-) Early box office estimates: $90,000 for GWAPE from 7 screens, average of close to $13,000 per screen. Love Actually is up to $53 million."}, {"response": 153, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Dec 14, 2003 (11:52)", "body": "Dorine, E&R did not review GWAPE yet. (Moon),Great picture, Mari! Methinks he has a better hair stylist in LA. ;-) He has said that himself. I knew you'd approve, Moon.;-) Early box office estimates: $90,000 for GWAPE from 7 screens, average of close to $13,000 per screen. Love Actually is up to $53 million."}, {"response": 154, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Dec 14, 2003 (11:52)", "body": "Grrr, closed I hope."}, {"response": 155, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Dec 14, 2003 (12:45)", "body": "Dorine - Thanks for posting that LA Times article. Sweet to hear him apologetic about all his research and mental filing cabinet of Vermeer-facts . .nerdy, certainly not, Colin;) . . .I'd sit and listen to you wax poetic about Vermeer, if I could do the same about J.W.Waterhouse;) Mari - Nice pic and nice link to the Metacritics site . . and TEOR on 12/24/04??? I am so there . . .Dorine, perhaps you'll get a special b'day hello or something from Colin ;)"}, {"response": 156, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Dec 14, 2003 (13:35)", "body": "'Something's Gotta Give' rules box office By DAVID GERMAIN, Associated Press Last updated: 2:15 p.m., Sunday, December 14, 2003 LOS ANGELES -- Love among older adults conquered the box office as Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton's romance \"Something's Gotta Give\" debuted in the top spot with $17 million. The previous weekend's top film, \"The Last Samurai,\" slipped to second place with $14.05 million, according to studio estimates Sunday. The Farrelly brothers' comedy \"Stuck on You,\" starring Matt Damon and Greg Kinnear as conjoined twins, opened at No. 3 with $10 million. The teen romance \"Love Don't Cost a Thing,\" featuring Nick Cannon, debuted in fourth place with $6.5 million. The overall box office slipped, with the top 12 movies grossing $83 million, down 8 percent from the same weekend a year ago. Ticket sales will surge this week with \"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,\" the conclusion of Peter Jackson's adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy classic. The film opens Wednesday. \"Return of the King\" could surpass the $62 million opening weekend for last year's middle chapter, \"The Two Towers,\" said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations. In limited release, a reissue of \"Two Towers\" took in $700,000 this past weekend, pushing the film's total gross to $340 million and priming the pump for \"Return of the King.\" \"This past weekend was the calm before the storm,\" Dergarabedian said. \"Everybody's waiting for `Return of the King' and the onslaught of all the holiday movies coming after that.\" Opening Friday is Julia Roberts' \"Mona Lisa Smile.\" Christmas week brings Nicole Kidman and Jude Law's Civil War epic \"Cold Mountain,\" Steve Martin's comedy \"Cheaper by the Dozen,\" Ben Affleck's sci-fi tale \"Paycheck\" and a live-action version of \"Peter Pan.\" Distributor Sony hopes the well-reviewed \"Something's Gotta Give\" will linger in theaters through the holidays. Keaton stars as a 55-year-old playwright in a love triangle involving a 63-year-old womanizer (Nicholson) and a 30-something doctor (Keanu Reeves). \"For the holidays, this is the perfect piece of entertainment, especially in a market that for the most part has had either children's films or darker-themed adult films out there,\" said Jeff Blake, Sony Pictures head of distribution. \"This is funny, well-written, and we think works for all audiences.\" Though aimed at older adults, \"Something's Gotta Give\" scored well among younger crowds, with viewers under 30 accounting for a third of the audience, Blake said. It was Sony's ninth movie this year to debut as No. 1 for the weekend, breaking the old industry record of eight set three times in past years by Warner Bros., Blake said. Playing in 2,677 theaters, \"Something's Gotta Give\" averaged a solid $6,350 per showing, compared to a $3,330 average in 3,003 theaters for \"Stuck on You\" and $3,544 in 1,844 theaters for \"Love Don't Cost a Thing.\" In limited release, Tim Burton's tall-tale adventure \"Big Fish\" debuted strongly, grossing $215,000 in six theaters for a $35,833 average. The father-son reunion story stars Albert Finney, Ewan McGregor, Jessica Lange and Billy Crudup. The 17th century drama \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" starring Colin Firth as Dutch artist Vermeer and Scarlett Johansson as a servant who inspires him, also opened well. In seven theaters, the film took in $90,000 for a $12,857 average. \"Big Fish\" and \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" expand to more theaters Christmas week."}, {"response": 157, "author": "katty", "date": "Sun, Dec 14, 2003 (14:30)", "body": "You can LISTEN to Wall Street Journal's Joe Morgenstern review of GWAPE on KCRW's website: http://www.kcrw.com/show/fr Regarding Metacritic, it's a very interesting, informative site, but I question some of the number ratings it gives GWAPE. The bunch of \"60\" scores lump together positive (TV Guide), negative (Time and Salon), and in-between (WSJ and NYT)reviews. But I guess if you average them together, they come out even."}, {"response": 158, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Sun, Dec 14, 2003 (14:30)", "body": "Thanks everyone for all the news, links, photos, and everything! I was just at the official gwape site: http://www.girlwithapearlearringmovie.com/ # They have a link to a music video inspired by the movie. I was expecting classical music and romantic images. I was wrong :-D I know I'm not the hippest person alive but this is an interesting choice. Maybe it'll bring the younger folk in to see the movie? The singer has his own site: http://www.trumankind.com/ Big push for the award season: http://lionsgateawards.com/index_land.html"}, {"response": 159, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Dec 14, 2003 (19:17)", "body": "(Mari)thought his eyes looked great in this one Thought everything looked great in that one;-) *sigh* (Mari)Early box office estimates: $90,000 for GWAPE from 7 screens, average of close to $13,000 per screen Excellent early #'s. Looks like Universal dusted off the LA commercials. I saw a few over the weekend. Just a tid bit from the Chicago Sun Times: All I want for Xmas is a celebrity makeover: I blame celebrities. As the winter doldrums stifle our psyches, it seems like we've seen it all before, the same famous people doing the same things in the same places: Eating at the Ivy, wearing Ugg boots, studying Kabbalah, tongue-kissing Colin Firth. Often at the same time. Tongue kissing? Colin? At the Ivy, wearing Uggs, studying Kabbalah (ah the beads)When? Where? Who? LOL, that is a make over!;-)I want one too! http://www.suntimes.com/output/wiser/sho-sunday-paige14.html Thanks everyone."}, {"response": 160, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Dec 14, 2003 (19:18)", "body": "Woops, must have been all that tongue kissing talk. closing bold"}, {"response": 161, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Dec 14, 2003 (23:00)", "body": "Don't know who's tongue kissing him, but it certainly isn't anybody onscreen.;-) NY Film Critics Online Awards (as opposed to the NY Film Critics) NYFCO FILM AWARDS FOR 2003 Picture...... Lost in Translation Director...... Sofia Coppola (Lost in Translation) Actor...... Bill Murray (Lost in Translation) Actress ...... Charlize Theron (Monster) Support Actor...... Alex Baldwin (The Cooler) Support Actress ...... Scarlett Johanson (Lost in Translation) Screenplay ...... In America (Jim, Naomi & Kirsten Sheridan) Foreign Language ...... Demonlover Documentary ...... Winged Migration Cinematography ...... Girl with a Pearl Earring (Eduardo Serra) Animation ...... Finding Nemo Breakthrough performance ...... Peter Dinklage (The Station Agent)"}, {"response": 162, "author": "madsky", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (00:48)", "body": "Hello ladies, I will introduce myself at Topic 174 very soon, but wanted to post this now if anyone is interested in voting. CF is one of 10 finalists, the winner to be named London Personality of the Year 2003 this Tuesday. They are still taking votes as of right now. Madelyn"}, {"response": 163, "author": "madsky", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (00:49)", "body": "I'll try again."}, {"response": 164, "author": "madsky", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (00:55)", "body": "Sorry. I have to learn. Here's the website's address anyway http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/showbiz/articles/7960572?source=Evening%20Standard They want emails to personality@thisislondon.co.uk with name of votee in subject line"}, {"response": 165, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (07:14)", "body": "(Lora)Colin on msnlive)We're looking into the light. When I first read this during the chat, I had to LOL because I thought immediately of you, Maria, and your explanation of your experience seeing CF on the red carpet in NYC. :-) That line really resonated with me! :-)) Really enjoying the types of articles and responses we are getting with GWAPE! COLIN FIRTH: TAKING THE LEAD Ruthe Stein Sunday, December 14, 2003 Toronto -- A new baby recently arrived in the Colin Firth household, consuming the stalwart British actor with dad duties like changing diapers. He and his wife, Italian producer Livia Giuggioli, have another son, who is 3, and Firth has a 13-year-old with actress Meg Tilly. When all three boys are around, his London home gets so noisy that it's hard for Firth to think, let alone concentrate on preparing for a new role. All this havoc helped him get a handle on 17th century Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer, who had 11 children running around his cramped home in Delft and a wife who was a bit of a shrew. Vermeer nevertheless created some of the most remarkable paintings ever committed to canvas. His simple yet mystical images remain in the mind's eye long after viewing. Cast as Vermeer in the holiday movie \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,'' Firth immediately knew he could never capture the great man's genius. \"I couldn't touch that. You can't play genius,'' he said over coffee during the Toronto International Film Festival, where \"Girl'' premiered. Firth, 43, has built a career on costume dramas -- most memorably as Mr. Darcy in the 1995 miniseries \"Pride and Prejudice,'' a role that made him the hunk du jour of the \"Masterpiece Theater\" crowd. As is often said of him, Firth seems to belong in britches. He looked out of sync in jeans and casual sweater, like a time traveler trying to blend in. On the other hand, he's completely convincing in the robes of a marginally prosperous mid- 1600s painter. Firth found the \"practical details'' of Vermeer's life a \"useful accessible element'' in capturing him. \"This was a man who painted seemingly serene pictures repeatedly, capturing the calm of the moment in a house that is incredibly chaotic,'' said Firth, who studied Vermeer's work in museums. \"Everybody knows what it's like in a noisy house. Everybody knows what it is to need to work, to close yourself off in a room and have the sounds going on. Everybody knows what it is like to have a bit of a secret life, a secret passion or a dream. Looking from my own vantage point, I think one of the most interesting things is that kind of creative intensity within a very earthbound domestic environment.'' Firth wouldn't reveal much about his own secret life, except to say that \"you can share these things with your partner.'' He's become guarded since his first brush with fame, when paparazzi followed him home after he had purchased a vacuum cleaner. A headline in the tabs screamed, \"Mr. Darcy does the household chores.'' The notoriety intensified after Helen Fielding, in the midst of writing \"Bridget Jones's Diary,'' named the romantic hero Mr. Darcy in the actor's honor. Firth was catapulted to a gentler English version of superstardom when he was cast as Darcy in the screen adaptation. He's reprising the role in a sequel. Firth is opinionated on the subject of Vermeer's secret life, which, the movie suggests, may have entailed a romantic liaison with his young housemaid, possibly the model for his sexually charged painting \"Girl With a Pearl Earring.'' In her novel of the same name, Tracy Chevalier took fictional license in telling the story of Griet, a 16-year-old employed by the Vermeers to tend to the children and perform menial tasks for Mrs. Vermeer. Scarlett Johansson, fresh from enticing Bill Murray in \"Lost in Translation,'' again plays muse to an older man in \"Girl.'' As portrayed in the movie, Vermeer's relationship with Griet is loaded with sexual tension, but Firth is convinced it was never consummated. \"I don't think he does womanize at all. I think he is utterly faithful to his wife. His mother-in-law covers up (the times she sees Griet and Vermeer together) because his wife is extremely jealous, and the mother-in-law knows there will be nothing but trouble.'' Still, the scene where Griet poses in his studio is awfully hot, especially when Vermeer smears red paint over her lips. According to the movie, this accounts for the girl's moist red-parted mouth, which leaps out from the canvas far more than her subtle earring. \"The direction in that scene was eloquent,'' Firth recalled. \"You see a brush going across her lips, then you see my thumb going across. There was no more contact (between them) than that.'' Firth came away impressed with Johannson, no more than a teenager herself. \"She's quite committed to what she does. I think she's exceptional.'' Her resemblance to the model in the painting is remarkable. \"Scarlett has a Scandinavian background, so she is not a million miles away. She is very fair skinne"}, {"response": 166, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (07:50)", "body": "International Playboy Bartenders Create Cocktails For Stars Of Love Actually http://www.fashion-uk.co.uk/fas_news.taf?_function=detail&_record=172353&_UserReference=E88B2E4C306A232FC36F4A70&_start=1"}, {"response": 167, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (08:06)", "body": "Still, the scene where Griet poses in his studio is awfully hot, especially when Vermeer smears red paint over her lips. According to the movie, this accounts for the girl's moist red-parted mouth, which leaps out from the canvas far more than her subtle earring. \"The direction in that scene was eloquent,'' Firth recalled. \"You see a brush going across her lips, then you see my thumb going across. There was no more contact (between them) than that.'' They cut something here?! A reshoot? You mean I have to go see it *again* to take a better look at the lips? ;-) She wore no makeup, just white (coloring). She showed a lack of vanity. Well, duh, that was in character. She wears quite a bit otherwise. Esp bright red lipstick often. On most movie sets, Firth has felt \"an element of stress because you are carrying a lot of responsibility.'' It was acute on \"Girl With a Pearl Earring, '' the first movie in which he has the undisputed male lead. Hasn't seen many of his movies, has she? Thanks, Maria!"}, {"response": 168, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (08:41)", "body": "Great article Maria! (Dorine)They cut something here?! A reshoot? You mean I have to go see it *again* to take a better look at the lips? ;-) I was going to say that too! . .when did I miss THAT scene???? If it was cut out of the theatrical release that we saw . .I hope it will be on the extra features on the DVD."}, {"response": 169, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (08:46)", "body": "He looked out of sync in jeans and casual sweater I think he looks great in jeans.:)) Everybody knows what it is like to have a bit of a secret life, a secret passion or a dream. Looking from my own vantage point, I think one of the most interesting things is that kind of creative intensity within a very earthbound domestic environment.'' Ha! I do, and it's you..... the first movie in which he has the undisputed male lead Is this a quote of his or hers?"}, {"response": 170, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (09:05)", "body": "Would just like to thank you all for the articles. The last two from Dorine and Maria were really very interesting. Bee, you took my qoutes and replies right out of my mouth :-) Kindred spirits :-))"}, {"response": 171, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (10:44)", "body": "http://www.ent-today.com/movies/mo121203_gwape.htm Girl With a Pearl Earring reviewed by Brent Simon Set in Holland in 1665, Girl With a Pearl Earring details the relationship between master painter Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth) and Griet (Scarlett Johansson), a tilemaker\ufffds daughter forced to take work as a second maid in his household when her father passes away. Fascinated by his use of color and light, Griet exhibits a native interest in and appreciation for Vermeer\ufffds work that the rest of his family does not possess. Soon she becomes part of his work, their growing acquaintanceship spreading disruption and sowing jealousy throughout the house. Vermeer\ufffdand by extension Griet\ufffdboth contend with cohabitating and intersecting forces that disapprove of their burgeoning non-relationship: Vermeer\ufffds prone-to-histrionics wife Catharina (Essie Davis) and domineering mother-in-law/\ufffdagent\ufffd Maria Thins (Judy Parfitt), weasely benefactor Van Ruijven (In the Bedroom\ufffds Tom Wilkinson) and young butcher boy Pieter (28 Days Later\ufffds Cillian Murphy), Griet\ufffds would-be paramour. Directed by Peter Webber, from a screenplay by Olivia Hetreed, Girl With a Pearl Earring is a movie of a certain sumptuous malaise (darkly lensed by Eduardo Serra, it exudes a beautiful gloominess). Yet even if you can appreciate its elaborate posing, there\ufffds never a lavish emotionalism, characteristic of the best period piece heart-tuggers, which sweeps you along. A fine actress, Johansson makes us feel for Griet and her predicament, but neither the script nor her performance tell us anything lasting about her character\ufffds inner makeup. Instead, we get a couple dozen slack-jawed curtsies and gasps \ufffd wan, signifying markers of costume drama emotion. Firth, on the other hand, truly exemplifies the dictum that less is often more; something dark lies behind his stormy brown eyes, and his Vermeer is a tantalizing character, someone about whom we want to know more. The crucial, defining difference in movies of this sort\ufffdmovies of scope and ambition but limited means\ufffdboils down to the fine line between small and intimate. Can the filmmakers successfully convey a grander emotional and psychological palette without the full resources of a big Hollywood production? If a script is hitting on all cylinders, yes, certainly. But Girl With a Pearl Earring is a movie of small charms \ufffd a chamber drama unprepared for the limelight. (Lions Gate/Path\ufffd, PG-13) ***************************************************** http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/usatoday/20031212/en_usatoday/thispearlisofgreatvalue This 'Pearl' is of great value (USA Today -Fri Dec 12, 6:20 AM ET) It's a measure of the mesmerizing power of Girl With a Pearl Earring and the flawless performances of Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson that audiences feel as if they are spying on a moment of artistic inspiration when painter Vermeer creates the title work. The cinematic adaptation of Tracy Chevalier's novel attempts to unravel the mystery behind one of Vermeer's best-known paintings. Chevalier's fictional account of a 17-year-old servant girl who served as the artist's model is the scaffolding upon which a much more nuanced, sensuous tale is built. Because of the film's meticulous attention to detail - and because cinematographer Eduardo Serra perfectly captures the rich light, shadow and colors of the Dutch master's world - we are transported seemingly effortlessly to 17th-century Holland. Johansson plays Griet, a farm girl with an intuitive appreciation of art who becomes a servant for Vermeer's family. Firth plays the artist, about whom little is known historically, with a blend of smoldering intensity and quiet understatement. He is meant to be enigmatic, as is Griet in some ways. Yet we feel their growing attraction as she works in his studio; it reaches a climax when he pierces her ear with the earring that he asks her to wear for the portrait. It's a strangely compelling and sexy scene in a movie that is fraught with palpable, but unexpressed, passion. In contrast to their suppressed lust, Tom Wilkinson plays a wealthy patron whose leering lasciviousness becomes a real threat to Griet. Also threatening to Griet is Vermeer's jealous wife (Essie Davis) and conniving mother-in-law (Judy Parfitt), both of whom leave lasting impressions with small roles. Fans of the book will note that the ending is different, but most should pleased with the majestic visual rendering of the story and the brilliant casting. Johansson, so perfect in Lost in Translation, is having a banner year that Oscar voters should recognize. Firth's quietly contained but emotionally tortured performance should erase any lingering memories of his lackluster part in Love Actually and put us more in mind of his complex charms from Pride and Prejudice. Girl with a Pearl Earring is a rich gem expertly told in a surprisingly scant 95 minutes. The film's deliberate pacing beautifully complements the nuances of a story about the complexi"}, {"response": 172, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (10:59)", "body": "Firth's quietly contained but emotionally tortured performance should erase any lingering memories of his lackluster part in Love Actually and put us more in mind of his complex charms from Pride and Prejudice YIPPEE!!! Need to see more of those \"complex charms\"! But Girl With a Pearl Earring is a movie of small charms \ufffd a chamber drama unprepared for the limelight. UH OH. That doesn't sound good. Wonder what terrible things will befall a drama \"unprepared for the limelight\"???"}, {"response": 173, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (12:02)", "body": "I don't remember seeing this ...From a Sept. article about Esther Freud - She then wrote her fourth novel, The Wild, and set up a film company with David, \"largely as a way of ensuring we spent more time together\". She is currently working on a film script of The Wild and they are trying to raise money to make it. Colin Firth and John Malkovich have both expressed a keen interest in being in it and David will direct. http://www.thisisbrightonandhove.co.uk/brighton__hove/leisure/interview/artists_writers/esther_freud.html"}, {"response": 174, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (12:10)", "body": "Interesting, Maria - Perhaps this is one of the roles Hola Lola was hinting at? Ah she also wrote - Hideous Kinky - that was made into a film w/ Kate Winslet - Anyone see it? Here's a bit about Wild from: http://www.impacdublinaward.ie/2002/titles/Freud.htm ABOUT THE BOOK It is the '70s. In an old bakery converted into a home, two single-parent families have come together under one roof. For nine-year-old Tess it is a new start and she sees in William, the tall, blond guitar-playing father of three, both the father she craves and a lover for her mother, Francine. Her brother Jake, however, feels nothing for William but contempt. When Francine becomes involved with William, Tess, eager to share in their love, tries to please the adults as well as win Jake round. But Tess soon finds that good intentions don't always bring happiness and that adults are sometimes capable of making mistakes. I take it he'd be William . .bringing out his guitar again? . .they might think of Ewan McGregor for this role too . . . (thinking of his guitar playing in Nora)"}, {"response": 175, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (12:12)", "body": "Sorry about double post: A little more on The Wild - w/ an excerpt . . . http://www.penguin.co.uk/static/packages/uk/readers/bookshelf/freud.html"}, {"response": 176, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (12:17)", "body": "(Kimberly) I take it he'd be William. .bringing out his guitar again? Or maybe he would be Jake, the 12 year old brother, and they could have the make-up crew from WAGW that worked such magic in making him look 20 years old really show us what they've got! ;-)"}, {"response": 177, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (12:22)", "body": "Long interview with Webber, Colin, and Scarlett: http://www.phase9.tv/moviefeatures/girlwithapearlearringfeature1.htm"}, {"response": 178, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (12:25)", "body": "Yes, I saw Hideous Kinky not too long ago -- but that's too off-topic to discuss here, I'm sure. (But I was outraged that KW's character dragged her children through so much while trying to \"find\" herself.)"}, {"response": 179, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (12:32)", "body": "(Deb)But I was outraged that KW's character dragged her children through so much while trying to \"find\" herself.) Yes, it was an okay film, and based on Esther's real life. Her parents were a couple of pills, alright, and the poor kids just wanted to be \"normal.\" Am sure that this was *not* one that Lola mentioned; remember, she said we'd be pleased.;-) This one, they don't even have the money to make it, and even if they do scrape the financing together, it may not ever see the light of day. No ready-made distribution deal = waste of time, IMO."}, {"response": 180, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (12:38)", "body": "(Mari)This one, they don't even have the money to make it, and even if they do scrape the financing together, it may not ever see the light of day. No ready-made distribution deal = waste of time, IMO. Another one for my now -groaning night table...:-((( Uh, uh."}, {"response": 181, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (12:47)", "body": "Mari - Wonderful article! I think I liked the best, Colin's view on dialoge in film: Firth adds \ufffdI think dialogue is very limiting, particularly if it is anything other than excellent. Mediocre dialogue is utterly crippling to the process and brilliant dialogue is a free ride, but no dialogue is a very liberating and inspiring thing to do as long as you\ufffdve got the confidence, and you\ufffdve got a director who\ufffds going to go with what you do. There\ufffds nothing more dispiriting than having a whole lot of ideas about what your tacit performance is going to be if no one\ufffds on the other end of it with the camera. I\ufffdve got this complex view of this woman and I\ufffdm going to have to do it all with my eyes. Unless it\ufffds being photographed, unless somebody\ufffds playing the game, it\ufffds entirely mutually dependent, entirely symbiotic. So we wouldn\ufffdt have been able to do any of it if we hadn\ufffdt known that was the convention that we were working in. And there were times when there were two words being said and the camera was going to be here for a very long time. You were going to have to fill that, and so it gave us all a kind of added sense of responsibility. Somebody said earlier today that they seemed to imply from that that it had reduced the role somehow of the scriptwriter, that less dialogue meant less responsibility by the scriptwriter. In fact it\ufffds almost the contrary. Something [Peter Webber] said when we were in Toronto was the confidence and the skill to be able to use silence in your writing is unusual and requires great maturity. \ufffdIt\ufffds called cinema!\ufffd cuts in Webber. I also read the phase9 review . .This gave me a chuckle: One of the highly anticipated films of the year because it stars the lush Colin Firth (oh, all right, and because it\ufffds adapted from the hugely popular novel of the same name by Tracy Chevalier) GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING will not disappoint the many fans of the original novel. That and his \"Iron Maiden\" wig . .hmm . .is that a better description than Fabio, I wonder . . ."}, {"response": 182, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (12:47)", "body": "Or...Colin will get this underfinanced no distribution deal job while JM gets a part in \"Le Sauvage\", a darker version of The Wild,about two single-parent families that have come together under one roof in an old boulangerie converted into a maison which will, of course be a blockbuster as it is released several months prior to The Wild...."}, {"response": 183, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (13:25)", "body": "LOL, Maria. Maybe it will all balance out when ODB takes the lead in Being Colin Firth. ;-)"}, {"response": 184, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (13:38)", "body": "LMAO Maria and Mari! Thank you!!! And thanks for all the links Kimberly!"}, {"response": 185, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (13:41)", "body": "BBC Home Vid in DVD push for Film Line By Brett Sporich BBC Home Video has begun producing double-disc DVDs of its BBC Film Line for distribution in the United States and Canada beginning with four releases next year. While BBC Video and its American distributor, Warner Home Video, have successfully marketed such BBC television fare as \"Absolutely Fabulous\" and most recently \"The Office\" on DVD in North America, this is the BBC's first foray into the distribution of the BBC Film Line's product acquired from independent producers throughout the United Kingdom to be marketed to American consumers, BBC Home Video and Direct vp Burton Cromer said. The first double-disc release will be director James Ivory's 1986 Academy Award-winning \"A Room With a View\" on April 6, carrying a suggested retail price of $26.99. \"Another Country\" is slated to be the second double-disc DVD release Sept. 7 and will carry a suggested retail price of $19.98. \"There is so much crossover talent with whom Americans and Canadians are familiar \ufffd such as Ridley Scott, who started out with the 1963 BBC TV series 'Doctor Who,' and Colin Firth in the 1995 miniseries 'Pride and Prejudice' \ufffd that it just seemed a logical extension for us to expand beyond television to film,\" Cromer said. [...] The bonus disc for \"Another Country\" will include interviews with cast members Rupert Everett and Firth at the 1984 Festival de Cannes; \"Newsnight: Another Country \ufffd Discussion\" on the original play, starring Everett, Julian Mitchell and Kenneth Branagh; and an audio commentary with director Marek Kanievska."}, {"response": 186, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (13:46)", "body": "Karen - Fabulous news . .another film to add to my ever growing wish list;)!"}, {"response": 187, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (13:49)", "body": "(Karen-BBC)Another Country\" is slated to be the second double-disc DVD release Sept. 7 This is great news indeed :-) Thank you all, once again for the articles and reviews."}, {"response": 188, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (13:55)", "body": "Also, here is the WSJ's review: Wall Street Journal Friday, December 12, 2003 Review/Film by Joe Morgenstern 'Girl With a Pearl Earring' Peter Webber's debut feature, \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" is eye caviar that doesn't pretend to be much else. Exquisitely visualized (with cinematography by Eduardo Serra), deliberately underdramatized and snorefully paced, this film version of a bestselling literary fiction stars Scarlett Johansson as Griet, a comely young housemaid who, in 17th Century Delft, becomes the model for one of Vermeer's best-loved paintings. The story, as adapted from the novel by Tracy Chevalier, puts Griet at the center of domestic intrigue. Vermeer's materialistic mother-in-law, impatient with the pace of his work, urges him to do a portrait of Griet in the belief that his lecherous patron will buy it, then offends her own daughter - Vermeer's wife Catharina - by secretly lending the girl Catharina's pearl earring. Although Colin Firth plays the painter with suppressed passion, the main fun is watching Tom Wilkinson's quick-eyed wickedness as the patron, Pieter van Ruijven. Yet there's pleasure to be had from Ms. Johansson's thoughtful portrait of a portrait model, and from the way Eduardo Serra has matched the lighting of the film with the creamy light that suffuses the painter's canvasses. During his lifetime the Dutch master made only about 45 paintings, but Mr. Serra outdoes him. No matter where he points his camera there's another Vermeer."}, {"response": 189, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (14:10)", "body": "If this is a repeat, I apologize. But - in case you haven't seen it here's the chance to watch the camera obscura-scene along with a review of the movie. (I'm getting more and more depressed about this movie not getting a theatrical release here, but am happy for all the droolers, who has or gets to see it). http://www.tvguide.com/movies/database/ShowMovie.asp?MI=45031"}, {"response": 190, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (14:27)", "body": "Thanks for that Phase9 interview Mari! Sounds like they really bonded there on the set... And thanks Karen for the great news about the AC DVD! Definitely one of my favorites. Can't wait to see the 1984 ODB Cannes interview!"}, {"response": 191, "author": "Zing", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (14:29)", "body": "Karen -- thanks for the DVD news and WSJ review (and nice to have you back!) ;-) Am keeping my fingers crossed that \"A Month in the Country\" will be next."}, {"response": 192, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (14:33)", "body": "(Zing)Am keeping my fingers crossed that \"A Month in the Country\" will be next. I'm a goober, got prematurely excited with thought that it was AMITC we were talking about.. Oh well, still looking forward to the interview at Cannes..."}, {"response": 193, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (14:34)", "body": ""}, {"response": 194, "author": "Zing", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (15:07)", "body": "(MariaT) I'm a goober... LOL, Maria! Is that another title you have, along with \"Google-ier\"?! ;-)"}, {"response": 195, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (15:09)", "body": "(WSJ)\"During his lifetime the Dutch master made only about 45 paintings, but Mr. Serra outdoes him. No matter where he points his camera there's another Vermeer.\" Thanks Boss. Have to agree. I am not a fan of the Dutch School of Painting. Mr Serra does Vermeer proud; and PW outdoes Tracy C."}, {"response": 196, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (15:10)", "body": "Great articles Maria and Maria. Karen, great DVD news. I wonder if at some time they will include T-down that was BBC, wasn't it? I know it's made for TV but they're doing things like The Office, too. (Maria)Oh well, still looking forward to the interview at Cannes... Me too, I wonder if he's got that fluffy AC hair in the interview?"}, {"response": 197, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (15:17)", "body": "(Lindak)Great articles Maria and Maria. Mari, I think you need to buy a vowel ..;-)"}, {"response": 198, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (15:17)", "body": "Nothing will likely come of this, but I don't mind seeing Colin lumped in with Penn, Kingsley, Duvall, Crowe, Depp, and Macy!:-) Epics, history and lots of horses highlight Oscar season By David Germain Associated Press Movie Writer December 15, 2003 The Academy Awards are shaping up as a literal horse race. Sweeping spectacle and historical pageantry -- featuring tons of horse flesh -- could dominate the ceremony Feb. 29. Everyone from jockeys and Hobbits to samurai and Civil War combatants are saddled up for a run at Oscar gold. Among the top contenders: the fantasy epic \"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,\" the Civil War saga \"Cold Mountain,\" the racehorse drama \"Seabiscuit\" and the 19th century warrior tales \"The Last Samurai\" and \"Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.\" More intimate contemporary dramas produced many of the year's finest performances, including \"Mystic River, \"21 Grams,\" \"In America,\" \"Lost in Translation\" and \"House of Sand and Fog.\" Oscar nominations come out Jan. 27. The rundown of possible contenders in major categories: Best Picture: The top prize should come down to Frodo in Middle-earth vs. Odysseus in the Confederacy. Peter Jackson has scored back-to-back best-picture nominations with his J.R.R. Tolkien adaptation, and \"Return of the King\" is certain to make it three straight. The final chapter follows Hobbit Frodo Baggins' desperate attempt to destroy a ring of ultimate evil. But will Oscar voters crown a fantasy flick as the year's best? Such fanciful tales rarely are taken seriously enough to get nominated, and no fantasy film has ever won. Still, there's never been anything like \"The Lord of the Rings,\" one of the most lavish spectacles in cinema history, whose three parts were shot simultaneously and rushed into theaters just a year apart. Academy members might lean toward \"Return of the King\" for best picture as a collective prize for the entire trilogy. Traditional Oscar wisdom should make Anthony Minghella's \"Cold Mountain\" the front-runner, though. Adapted from Charles Frazier's Civil War best seller, \"Cold Mountain\" is a reimagining of Homer's \"The Odyssey\" as a wounded Confederate deserter (Jude Law) wends his way home to his sweetheart (Nicole Kidman). \"Cold Mountain\" has the weighty drama, tragic romance and historical sweep that often clicks with Oscar voters. And it has something to offer every branch of the academy: A tremendous ensemble cast, passionate dialogue, lovely music, artful editing and cinematography, sumptuous sets and costumes. Since Minghella already has a best-director Oscar for \"The English Patient,\" which also took the best-picture honor, academy voters might split their ballots. \"Cold Mountain\" could come away as best picture, with Jackson taking directing honors for his monumental \"Lord of the Rings\" achievement. Two other epics could creep into the best-picture mix, Peter Weir's Napoleonic-era naval tale \"Master and Commander\" and Edward Zwick's \"The Last Samurai,\" an East-West culture clash set in 19th century Japan. Among more contemporary films, the strongest contender looks to be Clint Eastwood's \"Mystic River,\" a somber drama of murder, remorse and suspicion centering on three reunited childhood friends. \"Mystic River\" is Eastwood's finest work since \"Unforgiven\" earned him best-picture and director Oscars. Other possibilities: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's \"21 Grams,\" a stark rumination on mortality, grief and vengeance; Gary Ross' buoyant \"Seabiscuit,\" the story of the Depression-era racehorse that captivated the nation; Tim Burton's \"Big Fish,\" a fanciful reunion story between a grandiloquent father and his down-to-earth son; \"In America,\" Jim Sheridan's semi-autobiographical story about an Irish family in New York City; and Nancy Meyers' \"Something's Gotta Give,\" a romantic comedy about a woman in her 50s wooed by a 60-something and a 30-something man. A handful of other acclaimed smaller films -- \"Lost in Translation,\" \"House of Sand and Fog,\" \"The Station Agent,\" \"American Splendor\" and \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" --probably will not have the clout to compete for best picture but could score nominations in acting, writing and technical categories. Best Director: As with best picture, this looks to be a two-man race between Anthony Minghella for \"Cold Mountain\" and Peter Jackson for \"The Return of the King.\" Clint Eastwood can figure on a nomination for \"Mystic River.\" Other possibilities: Peter Weir, \"Master and Commander\"; Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, \"21 Grams\"; Tim Burton, \"Big Fish\"; Jim Sheridan, \"In America\"; Gary Ross, \"Seabiscuit\"; and Edward Zwick, \"The Last Samurai.\" Women historically fare poorly, with only two female directors ever earning nominations. Still, Sofia Coppola for \"Lost in Translation\" and Nancy Meyers for \"Something's Gotta Give\" might have longshot prospects. Best Actor: Sean Penn has two great performances in the running, a plus and minus for his prospects. Penn plays a reformed hood"}, {"response": 199, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (15:24)", "body": "Coppola Receives Film, Director Awards By The Associated Press NEW YORK - Sofia Coppola (news)'s \"Lost in Translation\" wasn't lost on the New York Film Critics Online, which named it the top film of the year. Coppola also won the group's award for best director, and stars Bill Murray (news) and Scarlett Johansson (news) were named best actor and best supporting actress. Murray and Johansson play a pair of jetlagged Americans who wander bleary-eyed through a Tokyo hotel and form an unlikely friendship. The online critics group, which voted Sunday on the top films of 2003, chose Charlize Theron (news) as best actress for her portrayal of a serial killer in \"Monster.\" Alec Baldwin (news) won the supporting-actor honor for \"The Cooler,\" in which he plays a sleazy casino owner. The group's top 10 films of 2003 in order are: \"Lost in Translation,\" \"American Splendor,\" \"In America,\" \"21 Grams,\" \"A Mighty Wind,\" \"cold Mountain,\" \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" \"Lawless Heart,\" \"The Barbarian Invasions\" and \"The Station Agent.\" The New York Film Critics Online is made up of 23 reviewers whose work appears exclusively online or who work in print and broadcast but have a strong Internet presence."}, {"response": 200, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (15:24)", "body": "(Mari)Nothing will likely come of this, Maybe not, but seeing his name, there, gives me the chills. At leaset his name is getting out, finally! From Hollywood.com (they're a picture of the ear piercig that you can click, too Girl With a Pearl Earring Stacie Hougland Who knew there was so much melodrama behind a 17th-century Dutch master's portrait of a bejewled young blonde? Clearly, some thought, enough to make a movie of a book about it; mainstream audiences, however, may not see it the same way. Story In this Britney-and-Beyonce-obsessed age, 'tis a wonder anyone other than an art history buff knows who Rembrandt is, let alone that other Dutch painter guy--what'shisname, Vermeer. In fact, very little is known about the 17th-century painter, who died in debt at 43 and left most of his works, including his most famous of a young girl wearing a pearl earring, shrouded in mystery. Girl With a Pearl Earring is director Peter Webber's adaptation of the 1999 Tracy Chevalier novel that spun a gauzy fiction about the painter's unrequited obsession with a young maid who became his muse, and the subject of said painting. The maid in question is Griet (Scarlett Johansson), whose tilemaker father's accident forces their family into poverty and her into servitude--and it's no picnic. Morose, henpecked Vermeer (Colin Firth) hides in his studio away from the household, which includes the puffy and pampered wife (Essie Davis) he keeps eternally pregnant; her tyrannical, domineering mother (Judy Parfitt), who brazenly sol cits work for Vermeer from patrons like rich lecher Van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson); and a multitude of Vermeer brats. Full-lipped and nubile, the servant Griet becomes the artist's secret obsession--he spies on her cleaning his studio, teaches her about painting (or, at least, how to make his paints) and seduces her while painting her portrait behind his wife's back. Acting With little dialogue to speak, Johansson's Griet is a study in silence. Her wide-eyed, earnest stares and Mona Lisa smile do the talking for her, proving a picture certainly can say a thousand words. She may get more attention for Lost in Translation, but this is her vehicle. Johansson's quiet, understated performance makes the others look that much more overstated--Wilkinson's vulgar, mustache twirling art patron, for example, and Davis's jealous and ranting Catharina Vermeer for another, although they too are very solid turns. Firth's Vermeer fades into the background surrounded by these big personalities, understandably and fittingly so; he's the brooding artist who'd be far happier left alone to gaze upon his subject. Although the master and the servant never do much more than exchange looks, the sensual energy between them is palpable. Direction This movie is beautiful, absolutely stunning--it's as if cinematographer Eduardo Serra saw Vermeer's life through the artist's eyes, and that vision comes through in exquisitely framed and lit shots. Some scenes--of young lovers walking along a tree-lined canal in fall, light beaming across the girl's face as she cleans the studio's beveled windows--are literally breathtaking. Just as an artist's work is tactile, so does this film feel--in the sounds of a heavy knife chopping vegetables and a spatula grinding pigment into paste\ufffdvolumes are spoken in the clean, white crispness of Griet's bonnet. First-time helmer Webber occasionally allows the camera to hang too long (a lip-licking scene in extreme close-up, for example), but he creates a fully enveloping period and confidently leads his cast through this fairly thin story. You can pretty much guess what you're in for with a movie about a 17th-century Dutch master; knowing that, if there's any criticism to be made it's that the pic feels every bit of its 95 inutes long. A lovely score by Alexandre Desplat also deserves a mention, although it sometimes overwhelms scenes with unwarranted portentousness. Bottom Line With superb performances marking a contrived story about a 17th-century Dutch artist and his muse, this film is not just for art lovers, it's for anyone who appreciates gorgeous filmmaking. http://www.hollywood.com/movies/reviews/movie/1736373"}, {"response": 201, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (17:15)", "body": "(Mari)Maybe it will all balance out when ODB takes the lead in Being Colin Firth. ;-) I'm afraid the chance of that happening has already been nixed in TEoR. ;-)"}, {"response": 202, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (17:59)", "body": "LOL, Lora!! And Welcome back, Moon!! Missed you and your comments while all the excitement's been going on. :-D"}, {"response": 203, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (19:13)", "body": "'Girl' pretty as a picture Sun Dec 14, 7:00 PM ET Diane Garrett (Variety) HOLLYWOOD For a movie that hinges upon watching paint dry, filmmakers spent an awful lot of time talking about the script. Pre-unspooling, \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" helmer Peter Webber reminded the aud that a good script is about more than dialogue. Stars Colin Firth (news) and Scarlett Johansson (news) picked up that theme at the Dec. 10 Academy post-bow bash. Firth, the pic's brooding Johannes Vermeer, admitted to a youthful fantasy about becoming a painter, before adding the project's appeal \"wasn't the painting, but the tone of the piece.\" Johansson, meanwhile, said the script was \"so visually stimulating, I immediately wanted to do it.\" And Lions Gate's Tom Ortenberg brushed off marketing concerns for the scantily worded period pic. \"Certainly there are marketing challenges, but there are also so many marketing opportunities,\" he said. \"There's always room for well done period pieces, and this is about as well done as it can be.\" http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/variety/20031215/va_vp/_girl__pretty_as_a_picture_1"}, {"response": 204, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (19:23)", "body": "The New York Film Critics Online is made up of 23 reviewers whose work appears exclusively online or who work in print and broadcast but have a strong Internet presence. Oh :( Anyway, I've finally put up the BWTA interview, transcribed by Kimberly."}, {"response": 205, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (19:24)", "body": "The url might be nice ;-) http://www.firth.com/int/03bwtadec7.html"}, {"response": 206, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 2003 (21:45)", "body": "Thank you Kimberly for the transcription and Karen for the lovely presentation and photos. I love those pictures of him. So many lovely treats here for the holidays."}, {"response": 207, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Dec 16, 2003 (08:36)", "body": "I enjoying these articles too! It's about time! Thank you ladies! (Mari), Don't know who's tongue kissing him, but it certainly isn't anybody onscreen.;-) LOL! How true! She is currently working on a film script of The Wild and they are trying to raise money to make it. Colin Firth and John Malkovich have both expressed a keen interest in being in it and David will direct. Oh Lord! The last time those two had the same role, one ran off to a log cabin. Not hoping for that one, Colin can do much better. International Playboy Bartenders Create Cocktails For Stars Of Love Actually Link is not working. :-( Theron is absolutely ferocious in \"Monster,\" playing serial killer Aileen Wuornos, a hitchhiking prostitute executed last year in Florida. For the unflinching role, Theron obliterated her cover-girl beauty, packing on 25 to 30 pounds and disguising herself behind dark contact lenses, fake teeth and a splotched complexion. This is just the type of role that wins Oscar. There seems to be a large list this year for the actresses. I have to catch up on so may films!"}, {"response": 208, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 16, 2003 (09:50)", "body": "From THR: Thanks mainly to its strong hold in the U.K., \"Love Actually,\" No. 1 for four weeks in a row, picked up $10.6 million over the weekend from 2,658 screens in 26 countries, raising its cume to $87.7 million and giving it a good chance to reach the $100 million brass ring. In the U.K. alone, the romantic comedy has chalked up $42.4 million in 11 weeks. [Ed note: 11 weeks? Try 3.]"}, {"response": 209, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec 16, 2003 (10:00)", "body": "Thanks, Kimberly, for the A&E transcript! Also, Ada, I'm just catching up to The View transcript that you did--thank you! It's great to have these gems preserved. (Lora)I'm afraid the chance of that happening has already been nixed in TEoR. ;-) Hee hee. (Maria)Mari, I think you need to buy a vowel ..;-) I think I'll spin.;-) (Moon)There seems to be a large list this year for the actresses. There's a large list for the men too. Good to see so many talented people doing challenging work, instead of phoning it in. (Karen/THR)raising its cume to $87.7 million That must not include North America."}, {"response": 210, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec 16, 2003 (10:06)", "body": "The Love Actually gang gets a nom from the Broadcast Film Critics Assn. for ensemble acting. http://www.moviecitynews.com/awards/2004/critics_awards/bfca.html"}, {"response": 211, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 16, 2003 (10:13)", "body": "Probably not, as the article was about the Intl box office. For 38 days in release, LA has made $52 million and is in 12th place; it's in 1,566 theaters now. Here are some of the individual country totals: Australia (just opened, on 204 screens) and brought in slightly over $500,000 France - $2.9 cume in its second week) Germany - $8.7 mill in its third week) Hong Kong - $600,000 in second week; only on 2 screens ??? and second week Italy - nearly $8 million in 4 weeks S. Africa - $800,000 in 2 weeks Sweden - $1.4 mill in its 2nd week That's all they show for individual charts"}, {"response": 212, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Tue, Dec 16, 2003 (10:18)", "body": "Here's a new one on me -- \"Hollywood Stock Exchange\" -- where you receive 2million cyber-$$$ when you register, and you buy and sell stock in movie stars to make or lose your fortune (which you can supposedly exchange later for real items). A star's stock value varies according to the current box office returns, and might be fun to check as new movies are released. Looks like a pasttime for the seriously anal, but too time-consuming for me. (And besides, my DH and I have sworn off the stock market forever, as we noticed that every stock we bought ultimately went down the crapper. I wouldn't want to be blamed for any career slumps for ODB.) Here's the link: http://movies.hsx.com/servlet/SecurityDetail?symbol=CFIRT&day_span=90&field ="}, {"response": 213, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 16, 2003 (10:21)", "body": "I know this may be *new* for some, but the HSX has been around for several years. Please either use Firthology or try reading our archives."}, {"response": 214, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Dec 16, 2003 (12:29)", "body": "There are now dates for Trauma at Sundance. They are as follows: Monday January 19th: Eccles Theater (6 p.m.) Tuesday January 20th Eygptian Theater (9 a.m.) Screening Room (Broadway Center Cinemas VI) SUN (7 p.m.) Screening Room (Broadway Center Cinemas VI) SUN (10 p.m.) Wednesday January 21st Trolley Corners Theater SLC (6:30 p.m.) http://festival.sundance.org/ May be packing my Uggs and heading out.....;-) Have fallen behind on thanks! Thank you everyone for all the articles and links...it is much appreciated!"}, {"response": 215, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Dec 16, 2003 (12:57)", "body": "\"The Girl with the Pearl Earring\" Pierces the iW BOT Top Spot; \"In America\" Remains Decent in Expansion by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE Lions Gate's \"The Girl with the Pearl Earring\" pierced the top spot of the specialty BOT over the weekend, making a solid debut in theaters. Peter Weber's \"The Girl with the Pearl Earring\" adorned the number one spot of the specialty box office over the weekend. The Lions Gate release bowed on seven screens, grossing $89,472 for a sparkling $12,782 per screen average. \"It's a terrific opening so far,\" said Lions Gate president Tom Ortenberg in a conversation with indieWIRE. \"We had numerous sell outs in New York, and our exit polls were fantastic.\" Ortenberg commented further that 92% of respondents to the poll called the film \"excellent\" or \"very good,\" and 81% said they would recommend the film. \"We think the film will play for a long time,\" he commented further. The Lions Gate prez said the audience was skewed toward the 'mature' end at most screenings and that he expected the film to remain strong in the coming weeks. \"With that audience, the crowds don't necessarily rush out to attend the first weekend,\" he said, \"We're a hit critically and commercially so far. It should play well through the awards season.\" Continuing further, Ortenber said, \"[We expect] the film to be reviewed even better as we spread out around the country, [and] believe the film will play even better around the country. It's making a lot of top ten lists, [and] we're expecting a long shelf-life for the movie.\" Ortenberg also lauded the film's chances as the awards season kicks into high gear. \"The Girl with the Pearl Earring\" will add a few suburban dates in New York and Los Angeles December 26th, and will bow on screens in San Francisco and Chicago. The film will roll further into the top 20 markets on January 9th. The rest of the article here: http://www.indiewire.com/biz/biz_031216boxoffice.html"}, {"response": 216, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Dec 16, 2003 (13:07)", "body": "*The Girl with the Pearl Earring\" will add a few suburban dates in New York and Los Angeles December 26th, and will bow on screens in San Francisco and Chicago. The film will roll further into the top 20 markets on January 9th. Oh dear, I don't really think *here* will be one of the top 20 markets...:-("}, {"response": 217, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Tue, Dec 16, 2003 (18:09)", "body": "Just a quick note to clarify: LA hasn't actually officially opened in Oz yet - it opens officially on Boxing Day (26 Dec). They showed it over the weekend in \"preview\" showings, but very limited - i.e., only two showings per theatre in which it is being \"previewed\", as opposed to showing it four or five times per day on those screens. So the numbers for Australia can't really be compared to other films, which are being screened many more times per day..."}, {"response": 218, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 16, 2003 (18:44)", "body": "Got it! Though the \"official\" preview screenings are being reported and counted in the totals from the US (sneak the week before) and UK. Have put up most of the LA prem pix (though Soph has a bit of work to do) and will get the \"other\" press the flesh appearance pix together next. Starts here: http://www.firth.com/p_eye013.html and continues http://www.firth.com/gwape_premgal6.html"}, {"response": 219, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 16, 2003 (18:50)", "body": "Review :HOLLYWOOD LIFE (US) January 2004 GWAPE based on Tracy Chevalier's novel about the Dutch painter Vermeer and the model for his famous painting, follows in the tradition of other movies (like 1952's \"Moulin Rouge\" and \"Lust for Life\") that try to ape the style of the painters they scrutinize. Like those earlier biographies, this is stunning to watch, with compositions awash in the dark, burnished colors and striking play of light and shadow that characterize Vermeer's work. While it's all well-directed by PW, the real artist at work here is cinematographer Eduardo Serra, who demonstrated his gifts on \"What Dreams May Come\", \"Unbreakable \" and \"The Wings of the Dove\". Once again, Serra confirms that he is one of the great cinematographers now working; the ravishing exteriors and the haunting interiors are all lit and framed with loving care. It,s a sensous treat, but like many painterly movies, rather static. There is a distinction between pictorial beauty, which this has in abundance, and the more dynamic cinematic flair that you find in masterpieces by Fellini or Bertolucci, George Stevens or David Lean. Webber allows his gorgeous shots to sit there like canvasses in a museum, while too many crucial moments take place offscreen. We never quite get a handle on Vermeer (Colin Firth) or Griet (SJ) , the maid who becomes the model for his celebrated painting. Their relationship builds almost imperceptibly, in sidelong glances and only a few highly charged moments, such as one in which he pierces her ears. By the end, there is something touching about the elusive bond they share, but one wishes there had been a bit more dramatic fire along with the array of breathaking images.\""}, {"response": 220, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Dec 16, 2003 (19:01)", "body": "Thanks everyone for the articles and links....and Karen! Thanks for the pics (and Sophie for work past and present)! It looks like Tanneke wouldn't mind grinding ODB's paints! She is in several of the pics that I have seen!"}, {"response": 221, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Dec 16, 2003 (21:56)", "body": "Thank you all for all the fun stuff!!! Karen-so many great pictures! My head hurts! ;-)"}, {"response": 222, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Dec 16, 2003 (22:19)", "body": "My head hurts! ;-) Oh Shosh! You make me ROTFL!!"}, {"response": 223, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (08:43)", "body": "Must proclaim my ignorance here... This doesn't give much info about it, will the film tie-in be the book with extras about the film or is it just with the films cover...In other words, do we need a third copy of GWAPE? http://www.abbeys.com.au/items.asp?id=253039"}, {"response": 224, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (08:47)", "body": "Just the film's cover, but from an Australian publisher as there was an American publisher, a UK publisher, etc."}, {"response": 225, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (08:49)", "body": "(Shoshana)My head hurts! ;-) Hmm . . . Perhaps one too many martinis at one of the after-parties??? Karen - Thanks for the pics and write up! Evelyn - Thanks for the article .ahh didn't know that Serra also did the cinematography for \"What Dreams May Come\" . .another film I thought was visually stunning;), and a favortie of mine. . ."}, {"response": 226, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (08:59)", "body": "(Karen/THR) Hong Kong - $600,000 in second week; only on 2 screens ??? and second week LOL! Now, this I can tell you: it should be 22 screens, not 2."}, {"response": 227, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (09:21)", "body": "Some LA news from Australia Novice's labour of love December 18, 2003(Daily Telegraph, Australia) RICHARD Curtis drew on, and stretched, his writing skills when directing his first film. MICHAEL BODEY reports. http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story.jsp?sectionid=1267&storyid=649753 *************************************************** LA reviews from Sydney Morning Herald, Australia. I just took the snippets about LA out . . you can read the whole article below. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/12/17/1071337017604.html Critics' picks - December 18, 2003 We asked our experts to nominate three must-see movies. Alexa Moses - Love Actually Reviewers are giving it patchy write-ups, but my loyalty lies with this sprawling romantic comedy only because it's written and directed by Richard Curtis. I can't give up on the writer of works such as Blackadder and Four Weddings and a Funeral, even after the bland Julia Roberts-vehicle Notting Hill. Love Actually is made up of eight interlocking stories of romance, which sounds rambling and probably sketchy, but I'm intrigued to see how Curtis attempts to juggle so many storylines. Oh, and Love Actually stars Hugh Grant, Colin Firth and Alan Rickman on one screen. Sigh. Sandra Hall - Love Actually The first film to be directed by hit maker Richard Curtis weaves its way through more sub-plots than a Robert Altman film and has just as many stars. Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Laura Linney and Alan Rickman are all present and exulting in Curtis's ability to deliver the gags. And if the theme tying them all together gets a little wobbly at moments, there's no time to think about it until the laughter has stopped. Tom Ryan - Love Actually The directorial debut for Richard Curtis is a delight, a sparkling romantic comedy in which a dozen or so characters learn that love is almost all you need. What can you say about a film that puts eligible bachelor Hugh Grant at 10 Downing Street and makes him a worthier resident than his predecessor, that hits its emotional peak when an 11-year-old gets to say \"hi\" to his dream girl, and that has Christmas arriving right on cue? Guaranteed to be the date movie of the summer."}, {"response": 228, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (09:48)", "body": "I'm imagining an army of Emily Latellas watching the immoral scenes over and over to make sure they count every possible action of depraved intent...They do GWAPE and LA... http://www.kids-in-mind.com/g/girlwithapearlearring.htm"}, {"response": 229, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (09:57)", "body": "A woman whips a young woman's hand with a cane (we hear the cracking of the cane) Oh, what have we come to when a very bad child being punished is described like this? :-( Interesting \"message\" they've interpreted between dissecting every scene. :-("}, {"response": 230, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (10:04)", "body": "My favorite: Under \"Violence & Gore\" \" A woman picks her nails and ear\" You girls watch that violence and gore out there;-)"}, {"response": 231, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (10:52)", "body": "From Leonard Klady's column at MCN: \"...Eight seems like an appropriate number of films to cite though I'm sorely tempted to include Girl with a Pearl Earring, an extraordinary examination of the personal and political dynamics of art in the microcosm of Johannes Vermeer's studio in 17th Century Delft. I hesitate only because I'd prefer a little time and objectivity before committing completely. I feel similarly about Peter Pan, a charming, enchanting and clever adaptation of J.M. Barrie's fairy tale.\" http://www.moviecitynews.com/columnists/klady/2003/gb_031217.html"}, {"response": 232, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (11:29)", "body": "GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING by David Geffner December 11, 2003 Before photography and cinema, painting was used to record the details of the physical world. This was particularly true in post-Renaissance Europe. Artists like Raphael, Rembrandt and Caravaggio painted Biblical scenes to satisfy the church and the state, but when institutions failed to support them, these artists turned to local patrons, for whom they created delicately nuanced portraits of everyday life. GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING, Peter Webber's translucent new drama, transports us back in time to investigate the origins of one such masterpiece. Based on the 1998 novel of the same name by Tracy Chevalier, the film weaves together what little is known of the brilliant seventeenth century Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer to create a tantalizing and plausible scenario of the creation of Vermeer's most famous portrait. This 1665-66 painting, \"Girl With A Pearl Earring,\" hangs permanently in Holland's Mauritshuis Museum. The painting's model -- a young woman turned in three-quarter repose, her head wrapped in a blue scarf and accented by a single piece of jewelry -- is unknown. This much is known about Vermeer: he lived his life in the Dutch city of Delft. He converted to Catholicism after marriage. He joined the artistic Guild of St. Luke after having served an apprenticeship, and he painted professionally all his life, creating much of his work in a home studio suffused with northern light. He died at the age of 43, deeply in debt, with 11 surviving children. There are a mere 35 paintings in existence that are attributed to Vermeer. The story of GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING centers on Griet (Scarlett Johansson), an impoverished teenager who enters Vermeer's (Colin Firth) household as a maid to help provide for her family. Griet's father, a tile painter, was blinded in a kiln explosion, and cannot support his austere, Calvinistic household. Vermeer's world is the opposite. It is noisy, chaotic, and Catholic. Vermeer's wife, Catharina, churns out babies to confirm her workaholic husband's love. His mother-in-law, Maria Thins (Judy Parfitt) maintains the family's plush lifestyle by protecting Vermeer's relationship with a local patron of the arts, the lascivious and manipulative Master Van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson). Van Ruijven is a lusty, carnal soul who, sensing a relationship between Griet and Vermeer, commissions the portrait of Griet that will become the painter's masterwork. Because Dutch painters of this time lacked church or court patronage (as Dutch leaders were elected), these artists relied upon portraits commissioned by wealthy community figures. Most of these paintings included household objects, local landscapes, and everyday settings, giving production designer Ben van Os a wealth of details to draw upon as he recreated the story's time period. The production design is enhanced by Academy-Award-nominated Eduardo Serra's luminous cinematography, which appears to channel the same textures of light, color and composition that possessed Vermeer. \"We conceived Vermeer's house to give us that sense of frames within frames, so familiar from the paintings,\" van Os notes. Although Vermeer's home looked out onto a busy canal with the city's main square half a block away, director Peter Webber says Vermeer was able to paint works that were \"the definition of tranquility and perfection.\" Like a Vermeer canvas, the film is laid out in overlapping textures and layers. There are open doorways and windows everywhere, giving the impression that light follows the young maid wherever she goes. And since there is no privacy in Vermeer's home, passions must go unrequited, fulfilled through the artist's canvas. \"We were determined that the studio -- the room that contained that familiar, almost holy corner represented in so many of the great paintings -- should be the magical space,\" Webber relates. \"It is a private world that he allows Griet to share because she alone understands why it is special.\" Screenwriter Olivia Hetreed wisely chose to avoid voice-overs and expository dialogue in her adaptation of Chevalier's quiet book. Instead, we are treated to Scarlett Johansson's almost wordless performance as a na\ufffdve girl transformed by artistic genius. Her character wanders through the painter's world wide-eyed with astonishment at his ability to harness light. The scenes of Vermeer teaching Griet to grind and mix his paints, and the scenes of them huddling together behind a draped camera obscura are almost unbearably sensual, though not even a kiss is shared. It seems odd that a man who produces children faster than artwork would choose temperance when alone with his maid.(LOL!) But GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING offers a world immersed in Calvinist moderation. Passion, when expressed, is modulated through one of the great currencies of the day -- artwork. Only in the paintings can such secrets validated: a shy glance back from a nubile subject, a hand draped across the"}, {"response": 233, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (11:30)", "body": "(IndieWire)\"It's a terrific opening so far,\" said Lions Gate president Tom Ortenberg in a conversation with indieWIRE. \"We had numerous sell outs in New York, and our exit polls were fantastic.\" . . . 92% of respondents to the poll called the film \"excellent\" or \"very good,\" and 81% said they would recommend the film. \" Thanks, Kimberly. Interesting that more people liked the film than would recommend it.;-) I'm happy to read that LG is optimistic. thaks for the GWAPe premiere pics, Karen! Are we giong to get the Mikimoto party ones, I hope? Looks like the London Film critics have nommed Scarlett for GWAPE as Best Actress. List is at link below, but they left off the male categories. Somebody goofed. Maybe someone can find a better source. http://www.moviecitynews.com/awards/2004/critics_awards/london.html"}, {"response": 234, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (11:32)", "body": "More LA #'s from Variety: \"Love Actually\" picked up an estimated $12 million in 28 countries. Cume reached $91.1 million and conceivably could hit $150 million with Japan and Australia ahead. Ensemble comedy was little loved in Argentina, mirroring the response in Mexico the previous weekend, and declined by a moderate 33% after a surprisingly soft start in France, earning $3.1 million in 12 days. All U.K. needs is 'Love' Pic helmed and penned by Richard Curtis ruled Britannia in its fourth chapter, amassing $42.3 million so far, 11% ahead of \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" (which wound up with $60 million) and 20% up on \"Notting Hill\" ($53 million). Hugh Grant starrer has wooed a juicy $8.1 million in 25 days in Germany and $5.3 million in 24 days in Spain. http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=show_detail&eventid=1117489159"}, {"response": 235, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (12:36)", "body": "(Mari)[London Film Critics Nominations....] but they left off the male categories. Somebody goofed. Maybe someone can find a better source. It's up now :-(((( ROTF. They list Best Actor, Best British Actor etc as separate categories.... Hey, if Hollywood did that they would be a great hue and cry. Absurd."}, {"response": 236, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (13:02)", "body": "(Mari) thanks for the GWAPE premiere pics, Karen! Are we going to get the Mikimoto party ones, I hope? Oh, yes....Pleeeeze **and** the \"Huggy Squeezey\" ones too."}, {"response": 237, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (13:15)", "body": "(Evelyn), ROTF. They list Best Actor, Best British Actor etc as separate categories.... How provincial. Great reviews and articles, thank you firthettes!"}, {"response": 238, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (13:19)", "body": "Grrrr...I was just going to post to say how marvellous it is to see Colin finally getting the recognition he deserves (ie a very talented actor), and then the London Film critics strike again. We have British Actor of the Year:Jude Law, Paul Bettany (M&C), Ewan McGregor (Young Adam) Daniel Craig (The Mother) And Paddy Consadine (who?) and Actor of the Year: Russell Crowe, Ed Harris, Sean Penn, Bill Murray, Nic Cage, and thenScarlett is nominated as Best Actress in GWAPE. So who's missing, and what does that say about the sort of reviews CF is going to get from our beloved critics?! He can't even be given a nomination for Best British Actor (or Best British actor in a supporting role) in a film that's getting great reviews in the US. I've always thought that CF *has* to get international recognition because the critics over here will choke on their poisoned quills before they say something nice about him. Glad to hear that he got a 5 minutes standing ovation at the Women of the Year Lunch. Women have good taste!"}, {"response": 239, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (14:32)", "body": "And what is Bill Nihey to say? He was superbly brilliant in LA."}, {"response": 240, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (15:31)", "body": "(Bethan) Glad to hear that he got a 5 minutes standing ovation at the Women of the Year Lunch. Women have good taste! But they don't support his starring films!!"}, {"response": 241, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (16:23)", "body": "That was a *reallygoodreview* from the reallygoodfilms website. Thanks, Maria. (Evelyn) They list Best Actor, Best British Actor etc as separate categories....Hey, if Hollywood did that they would be a great hue and cry. Many of the awards are structured this way outside the US. Even the Baftas has Best Film and Best British Film. Nothing new about this. (Mari) Are we going to get the Mikimoto party ones, I hope? (Evelyn) Oh, yes....Pleeeeze **and** the \"Huggy Squeezey\" ones too. Yes and yes (am assuming the latter are the nanookie of the north ones) (Bethan) So who's missing, and what does that say about the sort of reviews CF is going to get from our beloved critics?! I wouldn't worry about his reviews; he'll do fine. Your critics won't pick on him, as he's finally doing what they've wanted him to do. He's not nominated because his role is not the type that gets nominations. They need to be showier. Subtle doesn't cut it at award time. Plus you shouldn't really shove him into the supporting category for convenience sake because it is the co-lead."}, {"response": 242, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (17:05)", "body": "Here are the huggy and squeezy ones: http://www.firth.com/gwape_premgal7.html"}, {"response": 243, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (17:17)", "body": "Article about Mena Suvari in THR about her appearing in story arc in 6FU next season, says: \"Suvari, whose credits also include the first two 'American Pie' movies, next stars opposite Colin Firth in the indie 'Trauma,' set to premiere next month at the Sundance Film Festival.\""}, {"response": 244, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (17:20)", "body": "(Karen) Many of the awards are structured this way outside the US. Even the Baftas has Best Film and Best British Film. Nothing new about this. Insular...bigoted, IMO. Thanks for the Huggy- Squeezies; my fave, the one with his hand on her knee;-)"}, {"response": 245, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (17:25)", "body": "Thanks for the pics Karen. I especially like those Sept 8 press conference photos.:-))"}, {"response": 246, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (19:23)", "body": "Karen - love those huggy pics . . wish I was Scarlett!!!"}, {"response": 247, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 2003 (03:51)", "body": "On my way to work this morning, big poster in Green Park tube station - v. alluring photo of ODB as Vermeer looking straight at you, and oh crap I just realised I can't remember the caption. But it was something about what his paintings do to you, a line from the movie. Anyway. It was nice!"}, {"response": 248, "author": "katty", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 2003 (06:20)", "body": "(Karen) Many of the awards are structured this way outside the US. Even the Baftas has Best Film and Best British Film. Nothing new about this. (Evelyn)Insular...bigoted, IMO. These awards are just trying to support the British film industry. American films have been behemoths in most countries around the world, leaving other countries to pick up the crumbs. The Brits are just trying to boost their own films which rarely do well outside of their own country. Because of their international domination, American films don't need that. Anyway, too bad that except for Scarlett, GWAPE didn't get recognized by the London critics for other award consideration, like for Weber for newcomer. I agree that though he did an excellent job, Colin's role was not showy enough for this kind of recognition."}, {"response": 249, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 2003 (06:35)", "body": "Trio paint pretty picture Wed Dec 17, 7:00 PM ET Olivia Hemaratanatorn (Variety) \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" stars Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth chatted up the oft-wordless pic following its unspooling Dec. 11 in the Variety Screening Series. Thesps said filming was fun despite the pic's somber mood. \"Very often it's the opposite,\" Firth said. \"You make a very serious film and it's one of the grimmest places to be.\" Helmer Peter Webber said the chaste yet highly charged scenes of physical contact between painter Johannes Vermeer and his servant were inspired by Japanese films. \"I like the way that Asian cinema makes very intimate moments into something epic,\" Webber said. \"That's what we had to do. The big moment was a finger moving a quarter of an inch.\" \"That finger moving a quarter of an inch was a big deal for the both of us,\" Johansson joked. \"Well, it was good for me, anyway.\" Pete Hammond moderated the Q&A sesh at the Pacific Galleria Stadium 16 in Sherman Oaks."}, {"response": 250, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 2003 (06:40)", "body": "Oops! Forgot to add my comment.. hahaha (slap!) badmariabad!"}, {"response": 251, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 2003 (06:51)", "body": "Thanks for the huggy squeezy pics, Karen. So adorable!:-) Here's your buddy Capone's review from Ain't It Cool News : GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING This is an easy film to review because very little happens, but that isn\ufffdt necessarily a bad thing. Based on the popular novel by Tracy Chevalier about master painter Johannes Vermeer (played by the master actor of angst Colin Firth; serious has any actor played more characters in love with women below his character\ufffds standing than this guy?) and the maid (LOST IN TRANSLATION\ufffds Scarlett Johansson) who served as the model for one of his most famous paintings. The story speculates that Vermeer fell in love with the maid (although never acted on that feeling) much to his wife\ufffds disapproval. There are countless subplots in the film involving Vermeer\ufffds wicked children, his lecherous patron, Van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson), the other servants, and a butcher\ufffds son played by 28 DAYS LATER\ufffds Cillian Murphy, but none of these are as interesting as the nearly wordless interplay between Firth and the stunningly expressive face of Johansson. Never has catching a glimpse of a woman\ufffds uncovered hair seen quite so erotic. And never has Colin Firth been so pent up and repressed as he is here. Yes, the brief glimpse that first-time feature director Peter Webber gives us of Vermeer at work and his technique is fascinating, but the fact remains that next to nothing actually transpires here, and this may turn some people off to the film. It feels like everyone in this film is on the brink of exploding from repression. Vermeer\ufffds wife suspects him of all sorts of indiscretions, although he hasn\ufffdt done anything but sin in his heart. So little goes on in the household that the servant gossip about even the smallest out-of-the-ordinary events. GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING might be the most tension-filled movie I\ufffdve seen this year that didn\ufffdt result in some explosion or bloody death. The film is an excellent chamber piece, beautifully photographed, with a handful of perfectly understated performances. What more do you need? I have no idea whether any of this took place in the Vermeer house, but the film is so convincing that in my mind, this is exactly what happened. It opens wide this Christmas."}, {"response": 252, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 2003 (07:46)", "body": "Scarlett got two noms: Lost in Translation (musical/comedy) and GWAPE (drama). GG discussion over at O&E"}, {"response": 253, "author": "audiogirl", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 2003 (07:48)", "body": "Scarlett Johansson was just nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama for GWAPE!!!! No mention of Colin but as was said, his part was not showy enough. Good news for the movie , though. May get him some attention he never seems to garnish."}, {"response": 254, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 2003 (08:29)", "body": "(Karen) Many of the awards are structured this way outside the US. Even the Baftas has Best Film and Best British Film. Nothing new about this. (Evelyn)Insular...bigoted, IMO. (Katty)These awards are just trying to support the British film industry. American films have been behemoths in most countries around the world, leaving other countries to pick up the crumbs. The Brits are just trying to boost their own films... *in Lizzie mode* \"Thank you, Mary\";-)"}, {"response": 255, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 2003 (12:56)", "body": "Girl with a movie star Tracy Chevalier\ufffds best selling book, Girl with a Pearl Earring, is now a film starring Colin Firth. Lew Matthews meets the chuffed author THE delicious moment when heart-throb actor Colin Firth met author Tracy Chevalier on the set of The Girl with a Pearl Earring was recalled with a dreamy smile before an audience at Burgh House, Hampstead, on Friday. The dashing Colin Firth, who plays Vermeer in the film, became very involved with the whole idea, she revealed. \ufffdColin took on the role completely and became obsessed with it and with Vermeer and tried to find out all he could about the artist and Dutch society of the time,\ufffd said Ms Chevalier, who lives in Woodsome Road, Kentish Town. \ufffdAnd when I visited the set, he pounced on me \ufffd almost literally, I am delighted to say \ufffd and he said he just had to talk to me. Naturally, like any woman, my reaction was: Talk to Colin Firth? Oh boy, sure, I\ufffdll talk to you as much as you like. . . You could say that I was very happy with Colin Firth.\ufffd Ms Chevalier, appearing in the Burgh House Lifelines series of interviews with writers and celebrities, spoke about how delighted she was with the film, directed by Peter Webber, that has been made of her remarkable book, which is due to go on general release on January 16. The book, which suggests a fictional account of how the famous Dutch artist Vermeer could have come to produce one of his most popular paintings (the dark haired young girl wearing a pearl earring) has become a publishing phenomenon since it came out about three years ago. At first it sold very modestly, but then it took off on the strength of word-of-mouth popularity, and has now sold more than two million copies worldwide. It has been translated into 32 languages, including Icelandish, and has also been a bestseller in Thailand. Ms Chevalier said that she had seen the film three times \ufffd \ufffdand I am delighted to be able to say that I loved it,\ufffd she said. \ufffdIt was an amazing experience to see something that has been in my head being projected onto a screen. It\ufffds not the film that was originally in my head \ufffd I don\ufffdt think anyone could ever make that, including me \ufffd but I think they have done a remarkable job at remaining true to the ethos of the book, without copying it scene by scene. \ufffdIt still has the same feel to it, and that\ufffds why I was so delighted. They understood the essence of it \ufffd but they made it their own. It\ufffds beautiful to look at; like a series of paintings.\ufffd But Ms Chevalier also revealed that the film had been shot in Luxembourg, and not in Delft, Holland, where the book was set. \ufffdThe producers discovered that there was a set already built in Luxembourg that they could use, something that had originally been used for a film set in Venice. But they changed the shape of the windows and changed the lovely Italian stone look by spray painting a brick effect onto the walls, and it looks great. Perhaps people who live in Delft will be horrified, but I found it very convincing.\ufffd Some filming was done in Delft itself, and that showed up just how difficult it was to use real streets and towns. \ufffdThe scene was in the town square, and when they got there they found the square covered in ice. They had to hire blowtorches to melt the ice. \ufffdThen when Scarlett Johannsen, the actress who plays the young girl, Greet, walked across the square, there were clouds of condensed breath every time she breathed out \ufffd and this was supposed to be in summer. In the end she had to walk across the square holding her breath! \ufffdScarlett turned 18 on the set during filming. That was one of the reasons why they chose her \ufffd because she was so young. \ufffdShe has been in many films, and has had the experience, but she looks remarkably like the young girl in the painting. She doesn\ufffdt say very much and she was very self-contained. She came out of nowhere and acted very instinctively. \ufffdShe didn\ufffdt prepare for the role, she didn\ufffdt find out anything about Dutch society, and she didn\ufffdt read the book. And in a way that was right, because Griet herself comes out of nowhere, and is thrown into a situation where she has to respond with her gut \ufffd and that\ufffds what Scarlett did as well. So in the end it worked perfectly.\ufffd Ms Chevalier said that she hoped the film would be shown at the Screen on the Hill, in Belszie Park, \ufffdbecause that\ufffds where I go to see films like that, and it would be very pleasing\ufffd. She continued: \ufffdIf it does open there, I am going to go one day and just stand in the lobby and wait for people to come out from the earlier show so that I can look at the expressions on their faces to see if they like it or not. I want to have that moment to myself. I\ufffdm really looking forward to it.\ufffd http://www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/archive/f271103_1.htm"}, {"response": 256, "author": "katty", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 2003 (13:00)", "body": "I loved that AintitCool review. Unlike some others, which make the movie sound too highbrow and off-putting, it prepares viewers for a no-action movie where the excitement is in the dramatic tension, not the explosions. Sexy without the sex. This is great, because Aintitcool is such a popular site, and anyone going to see the film because of the review will be well-prepared to look for - appreciate - the subtleties of the film and the real action beneath the surface. And Capone seems to know Colin very well, too."}, {"response": 257, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 2003 (13:33)", "body": "Looks as though Colin will be in Utah in January. From today's \"Times\" ... \"There will be stars strolling the streets of Park City, Utah in January. Matt Dillon, Kevin Bacon, Courtney Cox, Colin Firth and Helen Mirren will be among dozens of performers who will be promoting films at the 2004 Sundance Festival.\" Marc Evans is also reported to be showing \"Trauma\" at the Cannes Film Festival."}, {"response": 258, "author": "aishling", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 2003 (13:44)", "body": "Part of an article in last Sunday\ufffds Mail magazine supplement. Scarlett Johansson Why I love older men (just ask Colin Firth, Sean Connery and John Travolta) No one does turbulent and sexy intensity better than 43-year-old Colin Firth, and the unspoken, forbidden attraction between the two creates the most powerful study of erotic tension since Jane Campion\ufffds The Piano. \ufffdIt was really lucky that Colin and I had such good chemistry. I had seen him in Pride and Prejudice and Bridget Jones and he was very sexy, but I still didn\ufffdt know what to expect when I met him. He\ufffds such a genuinely nice guy, so sweet. It was so meant to be Colin and me in those roles.\ufffd"}, {"response": 259, "author": "aishling", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 2003 (13:51)", "body": "Whoops, don't know what happened to these two paragraphs \"It's such a rare role because it's about her wonderful inner thoughts, which is so appealing for an actor to play. There's no cheesy dialogue to describe the way she's feeling,\" she explains, \"I could just be quiet, which is rare. Often writers fill the voids with awful dialogue that's very hard to say.\" And there's no denying that the taboo attraction between Johansson and Colin Firth is at its most electrifying in those silences."}, {"response": 260, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 2003 (16:57)", "body": "(SJ DM)\"It was so meant to be Colin and me in those roles.? \" Awwwww Hey Aishling, does she say the same thing about John Travolta and Sean Connery? Inquiring minds want to know;-) Thanks."}, {"response": 261, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 2003 (17:01)", "body": "(Bethan) Marc Evans is also reported to be showing \"Trauma\" at the Cannes Film Festival. Perhaps it's been submitted or they'll be screening it out of competition for sales purposes, but it's way too early to even know if Cannes has accepted anything. IMO Colin would have to go to Park City with the film. It'll wouldn't stand a chance without him. Besides, he thinks Marc Evans is one of the most talented directors around (or similar). How could he let his friend down? ;-) Thanks, Aishling, for the article. Has SJ ever said before that she's seen P&P and BJD? (lately I'm just scrolling)"}, {"response": 262, "author": "katty", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 2003 (18:04)", "body": "Has SJ ever said before that she's seen P&P and BJD? (lately I'm just scrolling) I read maybe a couple months ago about her mentioning P&P. She said something like, \"I know Colin can be sexy - I've seen Pride and Prejudice.\" Sorry, I can't remember which article that was. I've never before read about her seeing BJD."}, {"response": 263, "author": "katty", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 2003 (18:11)", "body": "Interesting article from the LA Times about Scarlett and her older men co-stars. Sorry if it's been posted before. http://www.scarlettjohansson.org/english.html This maturity also translates to Johansson's relationships with her older co-stars in real life, with the exception of Murray, whom she says was a bit remote. Firth, she says, has \"got a part of my heart. He's a great guy and good friend. He never weirded me out.\" Of John Travolta, whom she just worked with on \"A Love Song for Bobby Long,\" she says: \"I love that man like a family member. He's so adorable. He's so funny and not funny. I used to miss him over the weekend [during the shoot]. It was weird. I would tell him that, and he would get overly emotional and cry.\" To hear Firth describe it, she treated him as an equal- that is, she teased him mercilessly. \"She reminded me that she had been in the film business as long as I had,\" Firth says, laughing, adding that they were as talkative off-screen as they were taciturn on. \"She's one of the best actresses I've ever worked with.\""}, {"response": 264, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 2003 (18:59)", "body": "Just so no one thinks I've been idle all day (though I can think of better things I might have done with about 2 hrs and 20 min of it), here are some more pics: http://www.firth.com/gwape_otherla.html Only the cocktail party to go. I know of you are eager to see (hic) the man with martini glass. Soon."}, {"response": 265, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 2003 (20:25)", "body": "Thank you Karen for all of the lovely pictures. I'm not sure about ODB's ability to create an outfit... but good pics with lots of smiles! Thanks!"}, {"response": 266, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 2003 (21:13)", "body": "Re: Trauma and Cannes Forgot the most important point. Trauma couldn't be entered if it opens in the UK on Feb 27th."}, {"response": 267, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 2003 (21:39)", "body": "Besides, he thinks Marc Evans is one of the most talented directors around (or similar). How could he let his friend down? ;-) It's surprising such talent has not yet found a US distributor. ;-) Thanks, Aishling. Lovely pics Karen!"}, {"response": 268, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 2003 (22:46)", "body": "(Bethan)Looks as though Colin will be in Utah in January. Great! That improves its chances of picking up a US distributor. Here's the info from the Sundance website; did we know Brenda Fricker is in this? Trauma United Kingdom, 2003, 93 Minutes, Color Director: Marc Evans Screenwriter - Richard Smith Producers - Jonathan Cavendish, Nicky Kentish Barnes Cinematographer - John Mathieson Editor - Mags Arnold Production Designer - Crispian Sallis Cast - Colin Firth, Mena Suvari, Brenda Fricker Screening Times Monday, Jan 19 6:00 PM Eccles Center Tuesday, Jan 20 9:00 AM Egyptian Theatre Tuesday, Jan 20 7:00 PM Sundance Village Tuesday, Jan 20 10:00 PM Sundance Village Wednesday, Jan 21 6:30 PM Tower Theatre Stunning camerawork and startling sound design create an atmosphere of steely anxiety that permeates every frame of Trauma, the postmodern psychological chiller directed by Marc Evans. In London, Ben (Colin Firth) awakes from a coma frightened and disoriented. When he learns he has been in a car crash that claimed the life of his wife, his world goes dark. Unable to make sense of the situation, he retreats into a delusional world where he can no longer distinguish between what is real and what is not. He seeks help from those in reach, including his old psychiatrist, a beautiful new neighbor (Mena Suvari), even a highly regarded medium (Brenda Fricker). Inevitably it is up to him to put his life back together and make sense of the altered existence he struggles to reenter. But something is not right in his world. Evans enters this territory flanked by a crack team of artists. The writing is crisp and precise, and the cinematography is exquisite. The tone, sustained by the entire cast, creates the ideal conditions for dread to grow just under the surface. In Trauma, Evans expertly builds tension by slowly and deliberately stacking images, reshuffling them, and letting them fall where they will."}, {"response": 269, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 2003 (23:00)", "body": "(Tracy C) You could say that I was very happy with Colin Firth.\ufffd (Scarlett)He\ufffds such a genuinely nice guy, so sweet. It was so meant to be Colin and me in those roles. . . Firth, she says, has \"got a part of my heart. He's a great guy and good friend. Ahh, so nice to read. Really, no one ever says anything but great things about him, except maybe Huge and that's been taken care of.;-) Thanks, Maria, Aishling, and Katty. with the exception of Murray, whom she says was a bit remote. Gah, she came out with this on the Charlie Rose show, later contrasting him to Colin who was so great to work with. This kid can be blunt, but I suppose disguise of any kind is her abhorrence.;-)"}, {"response": 270, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 2003 (23:04)", "body": "Love this one especially! Thanks, Karen. I see you have the Mikimoto teaser up.;-) *tapping foot, looking at watch*"}, {"response": 271, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Fri, Dec 19, 2003 (02:44)", "body": "Thanks for all the lovely photos and all your hard work, Karen. Those boots he's wearing at the Pacifica Gallery look like \"blunnies\" (Blundstones). I have wanted a pair of blunnies for a couple of years now... (they do make them for women, though they're pretty pricey). Maybe if I get a Xmas bonus, I'll lash out and buy myself a pair. ;-)"}, {"response": 272, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Dec 19, 2003 (07:04)", "body": "Thanks for the lovely pics Karen! We appreciate the 2 plus hours you spent! Variety is doling out these articles on GWAPE like vitamins...one a day... Repressed passion Thu Dec 18, 7:00 PM ET DAVID WEDDLE (Variety) In a year when many filmmakers risked the deathblow of an NC-17 rating and battled the MPAA to bring more graphic and realistic depictions of sexuality to the bigscreen, the most erotically charged movie turned out to be one in which the lead characters never make love, take off their clothes, or even kiss. Director Peter Webber understands that sublimated passions can be the most powerful, both in life and in a movie. \"Whoever said the most important sex organ is the brain was right,\" Webber says. \"It's anticipation and the fact that two people can't get together that builds up a tremendous charge of energy, like static electricity. You're just waiting for it to discharge. That's an interesting register to work in.\" The two people are the 17th century painter Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth (news)) and his 17-year-old model, Griet (Scarlett Johansson (news)). When Vermeer decides to paint Griet's portrait, he manipulates both her emotions and his own, exploiting the sexual tension between them to coax from Griet a mixture of sadness, longing and frustration, which he captures on canvas. Their relationship climaxes (both dramatically and symbolically) when Vermeer presents Griet with one of his wife's pearl earrings --- which he has taken without her knowledge --- and then pierces Griet's ear so that she can wear it. \"When I read that scene in Olivia Hetreed's screenplay, that was the moment I decided I wanted to do the movie,\" says Webber. \"We make a lot of period movies in Britain that are fairly dull --- 'Masterpiece Theater' type films. They're rather pretty and everything, but you're not emotionally engaged. Then I got to that ear-piercing scene and I suddenly realized there was a darkness to this story, an edge of sexual obsession and power plays.\" A $10 million budget for a period piece may be threadbare by Hollywood standards, but for Webber --- who cut his teeth directing documentaries and movies for British television --- it seemed quite luxurious. This would be his first feature, and Webber was determined not to squander the opportunity. \"You're remembered by your first film,\" says Webber. \"People pigeonhole you, and you may never get to make a second film.\""}, {"response": 273, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Dec 19, 2003 (07:30)", "body": "Thank you, Karen for the picutres. Can't wait to get to the cocktail party;-) Maria, thanks for the article. (PW)Then I got to that ear-piercing scene and I suddenly realized there was a darkness to this story, an edge of sexual obsession and power plays.\" I like the idea of Vermeer being borderline lech. I think I'll go to spoilers."}, {"response": 274, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Dec 19, 2003 (07:33)", "body": "Scarlett Johansson prompts Oscar buzz 'GIRL WITH A PEARL' JAM: Considering all the Oscar buzz for Scarlett Johansson's nuanced and understated performance in \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,' it's quite fitting that the film premiered in Los Angeles at Oscar Central, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Beverly Hills. Johansson, 19, was pure Oscar bait on the carpet Wednesday night in an elegant, long cream-colored Prada gown with black onyx earrings and a black swirl applique on the side of her gown. Nothing like the rough-hewn peasant garb she had to wear in the period film based on Tracy Chevalier's novel by the same name, a fictional account of a young maid's life in the household of Dutch master painter Johannes Vermeer. \"My only request was that I not have to wear wool,' Johansson said. \"And my only costume ended up being a rough wool dress that looked like a burlap sack.' British actor Colin Firth, who played Vermeer, looked much more casual in a gray suit with no tie. But that could be because he's a bit more practiced at the premiere routine, having landed his first film role the year Johansson was born. Much of the film is composed of faithful re-creations of Vermeer's famous color and light, which caused Firth to feel a bit antsy early on. \"In the early stages, I would be standing by a lot of the time. It was frustrating because I would be held up in my trailer just to walk down a corridor.' But he'd researched and studied the artist and his work for months, so when he did get into character, the experience was \"quite magical.' Paying compliments to director Peter Webber and Johansson at the reception following the film: Essie Davis (who plays Vermeer's wife), wearing a red strapless Armani gown, Aisha Tyler, Dominique Swain and Jesse Bradford. Of course, everyone just had to try the delicious chocolate martinis made with a Dutch liqueur. Hey, when in Rome, er, Holland. http://u.presstelegram.com/Stories/0,1413,214%257E24178%257E1829144,00.html?search=filter"}, {"response": 275, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Dec 19, 2003 (09:15)", "body": "(lindak)I like the idea of Vermeer being borderline lech. My 17 year old niece saw the trailer for GWAPE recently, and knowing of my interest in all things CF, advised me that he was playing a pervert in his new film!"}, {"response": 276, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 19, 2003 (09:50)", "body": "(Maria) We appreciate the 2 plus hours you spent! LOL! That was time wasted on something else...that could've been better used on the pics. ;-) Good piece of PR by the Sundance crew to make Trauma sound brilliant, a must-see! (UPress) But that could be because he's a bit more practiced at the premiere routine, having landed his first film role the year Johansson was born. Ouch!! :-( Of course, everyone just had to try the delicious chocolate martinis made with a Dutch liqueur. Ah, so maybe he got a taste for them and that's what he's holding at the Mikimoto reception that next day?"}, {"response": 277, "author": "soph", "date": "Fri, Dec 19, 2003 (10:38)", "body": "this took care of the tags, i hope... (karen)\"Good piece of PR by the Sundance crew to make Trauma sound brilliant, a must-see!\" yeah, well, could be, but... : (trauma blurb)\"(...)the postmodern psychological chiller (...)\" *groan*"}, {"response": 278, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 19, 2003 (11:00)", "body": "(trauma blurb)\"(...)the postmodern psychological chiller (...)\" (Sophie) *groan* I know, that caught my eye initially, but I'd bet it only means the story is deconstructed, no grand narrative style."}, {"response": 279, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Dec 19, 2003 (15:54)", "body": "The January issue of American Cinematographer (page 94, with Cruise on the cover) has a several page article entitled \"Lighting Vermeer\" (Eduardo Serra). With loads of pictures from the set. Don't have time myself to scan it all, but perhaps someone could - for Karen?"}, {"response": 280, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 19, 2003 (17:21)", "body": "Wish I'd known about it before, as I was right across the street from a Borders and I could've scanned it myself. Will take care of it tomorrow."}, {"response": 281, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Dec 19, 2003 (17:36)", "body": "Karen: Just looked at it right before my post. I sent you an e-mil."}, {"response": 282, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 19, 2003 (17:43)", "body": "Interview in the Independent today: Colin Firth: Still sitting pretty From Mr Darcy to Vermeer, Colin Firth seems drawn to smouldering roles - but he thinks he's dead ordinary By Fiona Morrow 19 December 2003 There's something slightly cheesy about Colin Firth. Not in the flesh, you understand, but in the idea of him. It's something about the way middle England panted in unison when he strode out of that lake in Pride and Prejudice. \"Ooh, Colin,\" you could hear them whisper, faintly reproachfully. \"You are naughty.\" Now, I had as big a crush on Mr Darcy as the next gal. I was 14 at the time, and I got over it as quickly as I did strawberry-mint lip gloss. My Mr Darcy served his purpose and was then cast aside - and Timothy Dalton never did it for me again. Ever. Unlike the erstwhile Bond, Firth's career is easily split into pre- and post-Pride and Prejudice. He started out well. Another Country, Apartment Zero, A Month in the Country, Tumbledown, Valmont: small but interesting projects, with Firth given the chance to develop complex, often troubled characters. Mr Darcy changed all that: suddenly Firth was bankable. He became an actor sought out by the high-end heritage market of the British film industry. But for every English Patient and Shakespeare In Love on his CV, there's a Relative Values or an Importance Of Being Earnest. Bridget Jones's Diary was fun, but What A Girl Wants? Love Actually? What more evidence do I need to muster? Definitely a bit cheesy. So I wasn't nearly as excited at meeting Firth as perhaps I should have been. Certainly, every female with a pulse to whom I mentioned the interview appeared to go glassy-eyed at the mere sound of his name. A tall, slim, rather diffident Firth arrives. He's smiling and instantly affable, looking younger than his 43 years but also less substantial than he does on screen. His is a handsome face, but not extraordinarily so. We're in Luxembourg, on the set of Girl With a Pearl Earring, the film version of Tracy Chevalier's bestselling novel. Firth plays the 17th-century Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer, who becomes captivated by the family maid, Griet (played by Scarlett Johansson). It's a pretty torrid tale: Vermeer and Griet's mutual attraction is repressed beneath the demands of social etiquette; the slightest glance becomes weighted with meaning, the sexual atmosphere building to an almost unbearable intensity. Plenty of opportunity for Firth to smoulder, then? \"Oh, God!\" exclaims Firth, aghast. \"I hope it doesn't come across like that. I don't consciously smoulder anyway - I never have.\" He pauses for a wry little grin: \"Smouldering is something that's kind of come to me. \"Actually,\" he adds, not ready to let the subject lie. \"It was a bit worrying the other day on set. I was looking at Griet and going through my own process and doing what I thought, you know, was wanted, and afterwards I got a comment about my smouldering look and I just thought, 'Oh, Christ'.\" He says it more in sadness than in anger, as though really fearful that he is reduced to \"one look\". Unfortunately, because Girl With a Pearl Earring is a film of intent rather than action, Firth does vacillate rather between a smoulder and a scowl. His limitations in the emoting department are not helped by the fact that he's up against Johansson, an actress who can say more with her eyes than any page of dialogue. \"Very few actors would decide to take on a role and just do a look,\" comments Firth, a little dejectedly. \"You hope you can be elegant without speaking, and that once the film's cut together, you come out in the wash the way you intended to.\" Such concern is emblematic of his lack of arrogance: he seems genuinely surprised and cheered by his good fortune in doing a job he enjoys. He became an actor, he says, as a last resort. The son of academics, Firth lived in Nigeria until he was four, eventually growing up in Hampshire where he attended the local comprehensive. His posh accent is the product of \"old-fashioned drama school RP\". \"My father was worried when I decided not to go to university,\" he recalls, \"but only because he wanted me to be able to find something that was stimulating from which I could make a living. I lit on acting because there really wasn't anything else that seemed feasible.\" Though he loved what he was doing, the decision preyed on his mind for many years: \"I did say to my dad later that I felt like I hadn't fulfilled the family tradition and that I had missed something by not going to university, by not following that path.\" His father, however, sees it differently: \"He told me that, considering all the things I've learnt for various roles, I haven't missed out on much.\" It soon becomes clear that for Firth, it's the research that really gives him a kick: \"I enjoy the homework very much,\" he says with a slightly embarrassed guffaw. Girl With a Pearl Earring has certainly delivered for him on that front: \"It's allowed me to go to school, in a way,\" he shrugs. \""}, {"response": 283, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 19, 2003 (18:04)", "body": "( Independent)\"Neither scrumptious nor cheesy, he's more like a reliably decent pint of beer.\" Hmmm....don't like beer. I prefer to think of him as a nice glass of vintage wine. Thanks boss; *Clap, clap* You're always on the mark...this was just published today."}, {"response": 284, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Fri, Dec 19, 2003 (20:59)", "body": "That was great, Karen! And so are those gorgeous pics you put up. Thank you! Thanks for all the info ladies, I very much appreciate it. (Evelyn) I prefer to think of him as a nice glass of vintage wine. Yesss. Me too. :-)"}, {"response": 285, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Dec 20, 2003 (07:45)", "body": "(Evelyn) I prefer to think of him as a nice glass of vintage wine. ...a fine ruby port does it for me. Scrumptious, but not cheesy (CF)\"I'm hopeless at predicting that kind of thing - I was the one who thought Shakespeare In Love couldn't work, which shows how strong my instincts are. LOL, ain't that the truth;-)"}, {"response": 286, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Dec 20, 2003 (08:38)", "body": "My son watched Talking Movies on BBC News 24 very early this morning (5.30am!). It features an interview with CF discussing LA and GWAPE. My son thought he came over very well. It's being repeated this afternoon at 3.30pm."}, {"response": 287, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sat, Dec 20, 2003 (09:53)", "body": "Thanks for posting all the info and pics! Karen - Great article from the Independant . . Colin described as cheesy? . .Definitely not . .I'd go more for the scrumptious side;)"}, {"response": 288, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Dec 20, 2003 (10:55)", "body": "Colin Firth: Still sitting pretty From Mr Darcy to Vermeer, Colin Firth seems drawn to smouldering roles - but he thinks he's dead ordinary By Fiona Morrow 19 December 2003 Once more a case of much more information about reporter than I care to know. She came off a bit cheesy IMO:-("}, {"response": 289, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 20, 2003 (11:24)", "body": "Thanks for the heads-up, Janet, about the new Talking Movies segment. I hope we'll hear a full report once you've seen it yourself. (Beedee) Once more a case of much more information about reporter than I care to know. Or anyone cares to know. Agreed. The reporter's name seems familiar to me, but I can't place it with any other article on the archive. Hmmmm Had a report from Jennie in England, who said that there are posters all over London for GWAPE, featuring at least 6 different images (other characters), plus one showing Vermeer looking around the side of the easel. (I'll upload later but you've seen it on other sites.) There is also a special Vermeer night on 7 January at the National Gallery, but it is sold out. The foyer of the Gallery's Sainsbury Wing will have live music, a bar and events -including author Tracey Chevalier signing copies of the book. Attendees will also be able to enter a drawing to win one of 300 tickets to an advance screening of Girl with a Pearl Earring on 14 Jan at the National Gallery that will be introduced by the film's director Peter Webber. Info at http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk"}, {"response": 290, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 20, 2003 (11:31)", "body": "Here's a better link: http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/education/events/discuss%5Fjan.htm"}, {"response": 291, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec 20, 2003 (11:36)", "body": "(Karen) There is also a special Vermeer night on 7 January at the National Gallery, but it is sold out. The foyer of the Gallery's Sainsbury Wing will have live music, a bar and events -including author Tracey Chevalier signing copies of the book. Attendees will also be able to enter a drawing to win one of 300 tickets to an advance screening of Girl with a Pearl Earring on 14 Jan at the National Gallery that will be introduced by the film's director Peter Webber. Classy promo.Thanks Jennie. I wish they would have done the same at the Met in NY. The National owns one Vermeer:"}, {"response": 292, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Dec 20, 2003 (12:27)", "body": "(Evelyn) I wish they would have done the same at the Met in NY. Yeah, me too. :-( Or even the Frick, since they have 3."}, {"response": 293, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Dec 20, 2003 (12:41)", "body": "(Karen)Thanks for the heads-up, Janet, about the new Talking Movies segment. Thanks, Janet. I just checked BBCAmerica's site for talking movies and they still have the Dec.6-11 schedule showing. Last time, we got the GWAPE segment almost at the same time the show aired in the UK. I'll keep checking. (Karen)Had a report from Jennie in England, who said that there are posters all over London for GWAPE, featuring at least 6 different images . hmmmm...there will be less of them in about a week;-)"}, {"response": 294, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sat, Dec 20, 2003 (16:33)", "body": "whole bunch of new GWAPE pics at firthissimo... http://digilander.libero.it/firthissimo/index.htm"}, {"response": 295, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Dec 20, 2003 (16:46)", "body": "Thanks, Ada for the link and the scan on the other topic. Looks like someone has a high quality bootleg or the screener. I know some people who have the screener and it's like gold. Oh to be a voting member of a guild. :-("}, {"response": 296, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Dec 20, 2003 (17:55)", "body": "Once more a case of much more information about reporter than I care to know. She came off a bit cheesy IMO:-( (Beedee) Makes me wonder just how much personal interpretation goes into these interviews. As he prattles on happily, I realise that the great sex symbol of the Home Counties is, in fact, a big kid, eyes still wide with wonder at the world. Even that laugh, with its throat-tickling rumble, belongs to a boy..... As for his own part in it, he starts to giggle The interviewer is (by her own admission!)22, CF is 43. Can't imagine him prattling and giggling. More worrying is Unfortunately, because Girl With a Pearl Earring is a film of intent rather than action, Firth does vacillate rather between a smoulder and a scowl. His limitations in the emoting department are not helped by the fact that he's up against Johansson, an actress who can say more with her eyes than any page of dialogue So can Mr Firth, young lady! Didn't you notice? Hope she doesn't write the reviews for the Independent!"}, {"response": 297, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 20, 2003 (18:06)", "body": ""}, {"response": 298, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 20, 2003 (18:07)", "body": "Thanks, Ada, those look like from a VHS tape, not a DVD. OK, the tapping and poking can stop. The Dean Martin or Humbert Humbert Memorial gallery is up (take your pick): http://www.firth.com/gwape_otherla2.html"}, {"response": 299, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Dec 20, 2003 (18:24)", "body": "Karen, Wonderful pics! - Doesn't he look a little inebriated?"}, {"response": 300, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Sat, Dec 20, 2003 (18:33)", "body": "Funny - his glass is full or almost full in every shot that he's got a glass in his hand. Do you think that the martini is just another \"affectation\"? ;-)) LA is rated number 8 in the Australian market at the moment on yourmovies.com.au - not too shabby for a movie which hasn't even opened yet! ;-) It's now playing in many more theaters and at times throughout the day, so I'd say it's on an even footing with everything else. I think they've done this \"pre-launch launch\" because it's opening opposite LOTR3 on Boxing Day, and hasn't got a hope in hades of competing..."}, {"response": 301, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Dec 20, 2003 (20:11)", "body": "(Karen) The Dean Martin or Humbert Humbert Memorial gallery ROTF! This one is one of my all time favorites now. Not always fond of the toothy smile, but he looks so relaxed and dare I say.....happy. ;-) (Janet) Doesn't he look a little inebriated? Just a tad , perhaps? ;-) Thanks, Karen! those look like from a VHS tape, not a DVD. Um, is that good or bad?"}, {"response": 302, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Dec 20, 2003 (20:12)", "body": "Oh bugger !"}, {"response": 303, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sat, Dec 20, 2003 (20:48)", "body": "Thanks for all of the lovely Hannukah presents, especially those fun pics!"}, {"response": 304, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sat, Dec 20, 2003 (21:41)", "body": "(Janet) Doesn't he look a little inebriated? Hmmmm .. .perhaps a just little???? Karen - do love the pics . .nice to seem ODB relaxed and having a good time! Ada - thanks for the link . . great pics also!"}, {"response": 305, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Dec 20, 2003 (22:37)", "body": "\"That last martini at the Mikimoto party did me in.\""}, {"response": 306, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 20, 2003 (23:01)", "body": "\"Who's she talking to?\""}, {"response": 307, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Dec 20, 2003 (23:04)", "body": "\"Mishimoko . . . Mokomiti . . . Mooshimuki . . .\" \"Fabio . . . you're flagged!\" (Boss)OK, the tapping and poking can stop. But it was so much fun.;-) The Dean Martin or Humbert Humbert Memorial gallery is up LMAO! Thanks, Karen, these are priceless and worth the wait!"}, {"response": 308, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Dec 20, 2003 (23:12)", "body": "According to this, HS will be on VHS (NTSC) in April: http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/h/hopesprings.php There's a big ad supplement in Entertainment Weekly for the Sundance Festival. Pics from all the films; Trauma one we've seen. Says there were 6,000 entries, but about 200 selected. \"Many are called, but few are chosen.\" ;-) Trauma is screening out-of-competition in the \"Premiere\" section. Did Ebert & Roeper review GWAPE this week by any chance?"}, {"response": 309, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 20, 2003 (23:14)", "body": "\"Everybody loves somebody sometime. Everybody falls in love somehow.\""}, {"response": 310, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 20, 2003 (23:15)", "body": "(Mari) Did Ebert & Roeper review GWAPE this week by any chance? Nope; it just finished airing. Next week is a recap of the holiday blockbusters."}, {"response": 311, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Dec 20, 2003 (23:58)", "body": "(Mari) Did Ebert & Roeper review GWAPE this week by any chance? (Karen)Nope; it just finished airing. Next week is a recap of the holiday blockbusters. OOOOOHHHHHHH! The injustice of it all. Ebert is always, always, always at Telluride and Toronto---but not his year because of cancer treatments.:-( I just know he would have given it both of his thumbs up if he could have been there to see just how excited I was about GWAPE!:-) Thanks again for the all the pics and articles! You ladies are in rare form again with those Mikimoto ones!:-)"}, {"response": 312, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Dec 21, 2003 (00:17)", "body": ""}, {"response": 313, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Dec 21, 2003 (00:20)", "body": "Hey, these are pretty good! Could someone bring me another? What do you mean I can't have another one until I have a free hand? I'll finish this while waiting to get the next one and *then* put the glass down! Feel free to erase the other Karen. THanks."}, {"response": 314, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sun, Dec 21, 2003 (07:40)", "body": "I haven't had time to post much lately but I just had to comment on the Mooshimito party pics. Karen, you have outdone yourself! Dean Martin indeed. LOL!!! Those chocolate martinis must have been something else. I think Scarlett needs to pay a visit to CF's LA hairstylist;-)"}, {"response": 315, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Sun, Dec 21, 2003 (08:50)", "body": "What a hoot with those pictures,..... Thanks Karen from I who am not worthy(on floor raising and lowering arms overhead in praise). Could ODB look any more earnest in his expressions? Great fun!"}, {"response": 316, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec 21, 2003 (09:21)", "body": "(Karen)\"Who's she talking to?\" I dunno...but she's saying: \"How come Vermeer doesn't put his arm around *me*?\";-))"}, {"response": 317, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 21, 2003 (10:18)", "body": "(Caribou) Ebert is always, always, always at Telluride and Toronto---but not his year because of cancer treatments.:-( I just know he would have given it both of his thumbs up if he could have been there to see just how excited I was about GWAPE!:-) He's going to give it a \"rave\" review whenever they get around to broadcasting it, probably closer to when it opens around the country. Ebert gives GWAPE his \"Special Jury Prize\" (didn't make his Top 10): \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" is Peter Webber's sensuous meditation on artistic inspiration, starring Scarlett Johansson in the second of her great performances this year, as a poor girl who is employed as a maid in the home of the 17th century Dutch master Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth) and not only inspires a famous painting but also makes an unmistakable artistic and emotional connection with him -- which the rigid social code of the time prevents them from acknowledging. Then, Roeper ranks Love Actually as #12 in his Top 25 list. You can see them all here: http://www.suntimes.com/output/entertainment/sho-sunday-rogerrich21.html"}, {"response": 318, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sun, Dec 21, 2003 (10:20)", "body": "(Karen)\"Who's she talking to?\" (Evelyn)I dunno...but she's saying: \"How come Vermeer doesn't put his arm around *me*?\";-)) I thought that it looked like Joanna had been goosed (and both Alexandre and Colin seem ever so slightly guilty). ;-)"}, {"response": 319, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 21, 2003 (10:27)", "body": "Another comment from the Pop Idol contestant who adores Colin in the Sunday Mirror: During Pop Idol, Michelle has been taken to all sorts of celebrity parties. And although she enjoys them, she insists the fame is not what attracted her to being a Pop Idol. \"What's important to me is music and that's why I'm doing it,\" she said. \"Having said that, the Love Actually premiere was fantastic. I'm in love with Colin Firth and I met him, which was amazing. Unfortunately he didn't know who I was! Someone told him I was from Pop Idol and he just went, 'Oh, charming'. I'm sure he's far too busy to watch TV on Saturday night. But he's lovely.\" http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/news/content_objectid=13746362_method=full_siteid=106694_headline=-MICHELLE--MY-SEX-AND-THE-CITY-LIFE-name_page.html"}, {"response": 320, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Dec 21, 2003 (12:50)", "body": "Mari and Karen, you are cracking me up!!! You'd think he'd be an expert by now after all those birthday parties. ;-) Picture precious. ;-) (beedee), Once more a case of much more information about reporter than I care to know. She came off a bit cheesy IMO:-( I agree. They are so full of themselves."}, {"response": 321, "author": "soph", "date": "Sun, Dec 21, 2003 (14:29)", "body": "(whatshername at the independent) \"Now, I had as big a crush on Mr Darcy as the next gal. I was 14 at the time, and I got over it as quickly as I did strawberry-mint lip gloss. My Mr Darcy served his purpose and was then cast aside - and Timothy Dalton never did it for me again. Ever.\" **duh ?** what's t. dalton got to do with this ? (ada) \"The interviewer is (by her own admission!)22 (...)\" you know what, ada ? this dalton nonsense had me wondering about this would-be confessional crap, so much so it had me reread the interview (oh sacrifices !) : i actualy believe she had a crush on darcy (the book character) when she was fourteen, and that she gave him the shape of t. dalton and hasn't even seen the bbc series (foolish antelope). would have taken place in the eighties, and she then would be in her thirties... anyway what do we even care, i agree on the lame quality of the whole thing. most of it sounds like soundbites from previous interviews, not to mention the annoying \"it's for real !\" special effects (he shrugs, he grimaces, he laughs, he picks his nose, he hits the stoopid interviewer on the head with a rather large and blunt instrument, etc. ) that suspiciously look like they come straight from \"writing fiction in 10 lessons, chapter four : how to make great characterization\". what a total waste of interview time. re: the dean martin / humbert humbert (LOL ! but don't martinis look more like a clare quilty thing ?) gallery : wahhahhaaaahhaaaa ! these are now my new favorite pix ever ! and just realizing the animatronic potential they have, i laughed so hard i almost peed my pants ! karen, i'll drink one to your health tonight (which is right now btw) ! (jane) Funny - his glass is full or almost full in every shot that he's got a glass in his hand. Do you think that the martini is just another \"affectation\"? ;-)) getting drunk without swallowing, just like smoking without inhaling ? or maybe he drank too quickly for the photographer : careful ! beware of the dreadful martini-elbow ! ahaha for the caption contest ! keep it up everyone ! (with a slight slurr) \"and ! and ! and ! let me introbooze, introdushhhh you to my new beshhhh, friend, the bartender, johnnywhat'syournameagaingogetmeanotheronepronto?\""}, {"response": 322, "author": "odessa", "date": "Sun, Dec 21, 2003 (15:04)", "body": "lovely pictures! He is looking so good, hair and all (and that chest hair too ;-)"}, {"response": 323, "author": "soph", "date": "Sun, Dec 21, 2003 (16:10)", "body": "tags closed. \"come on colin, that's enough, hold on tigt and i'll call you a taxi\" \"oh shuturp scarlett, you know, now that i'm in my fourties, i can hold my drink... oooops !\""}, {"response": 324, "author": "soph", "date": "Sun, Dec 21, 2003 (16:13)", "body": "ooops, forgot this one : of course, \"hugh grant ? where ?\""}, {"response": 325, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec 21, 2003 (17:06)", "body": "ROTF Sophie.... Wonder if Mushimoto gave her those gorgeous pearls keepsies. I didn't think the Independent interview was any different than any of the others. Remember a few weeks ago we had the gal from the Daily Scotland Express who proceeded to tell us the saga of getting an interview and her cold legs etc. They all have an axe to grind, it seems."}, {"response": 326, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Dec 21, 2003 (17:25)", "body": "I would think if it involved an interview with Colin, they'd have something they'd prefer to grind than an axe. ;-D Sophie, thanks for the theory that gives the possible reason for the Timothy Dalton connection in that interview. Thought maybe she confused P&P with the version of Wuthering Heights TD did. ;-)"}, {"response": 327, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, Dec 21, 2003 (19:41)", "body": "I have to agree that these are some of the best pics of him I've seen in a long time. A few drinks seems to agree with him - he's even better looking than usual. -Most people look a bit bedraggled after a few!!"}, {"response": 328, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Dec 21, 2003 (20:52)", "body": "Can you say, Veeta, vita, vegamin? Thank you, Karen for these Dino cocktail beauties, and everyone for making me LMAO, today."}, {"response": 329, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Dec 21, 2003 (21:36)", "body": "(Janet) I have to agree that these are some of the best pics of him I've seen in a long time. A few drinks seems to agree with him - he's even better looking than usual. A few drinks and...........oh, nevermind. ;-)"}, {"response": 330, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 21, 2003 (23:41)", "body": "LOL! Ladies! Those pics were meant for creative captioning. (Karen)\"Who's she talking to?\" The \"she\" is SJ. Don't know about you, but something else has caught his eye and he isn't amused. A little possessive?? ;-) (Sophie) i actualy believe she had a crush on darcy (the book character) when she was fourteen, and that she gave him the shape of t. dalton and hasn't even seen the bbc series Interesting deductive reasoning. The woman probably extrapolated Heathcliff onto Austen's pages. Funnily enough, Heathcliff came to mind when I first saw Colin's Darcy. I remember thinking to myself, 'who does he think he's playing? Heathcliff?' ;-) True, true re: Dean Martin and his drink of choice (would've been Scotch or similar) but he had htat bobbing and weaving look. Comments from Alexandre Desplat upon hearing of his GG nomination: \"Each of the collaborators had a jewel box to fill with his idea of what the jewel should be,\" said \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" composer Alexandre Desplat, a first-time nominee. \"My role was to lighten up the restrained love and desire between Griet (Scarlett Johansson) and Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth).\" Desplat said he wrote for a big-string orchestra with a harp, piano, cello and vibraphone played with a bow to depict \"the delicacy of Griett and her purity.\" The music was written in Desplat's atelier in Paris' Montparnasee district, which was where sculptor Constantin Brancusi had his first workshop. \"He definitely played some part in inspiring the score,\" Desplat said. \"In certain movies, the stars align and bring everything to life.\" Desplat said the Golden Globes are a \"very big deal for a little composer from France.\""}, {"response": 331, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Dec 22, 2003 (04:05)", "body": "(Karen)The \"she\" is SJ. Don't know about you, but something else has caught his eye and he isn't amused. A little possessive?? ;-) Ah, now all is clear. I wonder...;-)"}, {"response": 332, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Dec 22, 2003 (07:49)", "body": "Thanks Karen for the cocktail pics and the hilarious caption party they ignited! Not sure if this is what Janet's son saw but hopefully we can catch it at some point... Colin Firth appears in two notable end-of-year films, the romantic comedy Love BBC World's 'Talking Movies' Actually and the 17th century drama, Girl With A Pearl Earring. Laura Metzger sits down with Firth to discuss these two very different roles and whether he yearns for A-list Hollywood status. Airtimes: Wednesday 24th December = 04:30 hrs Friday 26th December = 00:30, 16:30 & 21:30 hrs Sunday 28th December = 05:30 hrs http://www.astro.com.my/v4/highlight/new.asp"}, {"response": 333, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec 22, 2003 (09:30)", "body": "(Dorine)I would think if it involved an interview with Colin, they'd have something they'd prefer to grind than an axe. ;-D Good one, Dorine. Never mind that stupid lapis;-) Has anyone see that Talking Movies segment on BBC America?"}, {"response": 334, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 22, 2003 (10:48)", "body": "If there are any people planning trips to Sundance, who want to meet up with other Drooleurs, contact me at my \"office\" and I'll give you the keys to the broom closet, where such discussions take place. ;-)"}, {"response": 335, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec 22, 2003 (11:36)", "body": "Laura Metzger sits down with Firth to discuss these two very different roles and whether he yearns for A-list Hollywood status. The Beeb always asks him the same crap. Last time, Tom Brooke asked him why aren't you a big star in Hollywood. What can he say other than I'm happy the way things are. If he wasn't/isn't, do you think he'd tell them? I have an answer for him this time: \"Mishimoko.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 336, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Dec 22, 2003 (11:47)", "body": "Colin is interviewed on the Independent Film Channel's \"At the Angelika\" show, which runs throughout the week. Anybody get this one? Check your local listings."}, {"response": 337, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Dec 22, 2003 (12:02)", "body": "(MariaT)Not sure if this is what Janet's son saw but hopefully we can catch it at some point... The very one! Having watched it, there's nothing new - and she does ask him about Hollywood!!"}, {"response": 338, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Dec 22, 2003 (12:23)", "body": "The Beverly Hills Weekly had a small bit about the Mikimoto, unfortunately it was not done by a woman or I'm sure there would have been more about YKW... http://www.bhweekly.com/aroundtown.html"}, {"response": 339, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Dec 22, 2003 (13:21)", "body": "I don't think this has been posted yet . .if it has, sorry . .the flu has my brain a bit adled . . . LA Page - http://www.showbizdata.com/contacts/credits.cfm?mid=230574 GWAPE page - http://www.showbizdata.com/contacts/credits.cfm?mid=232298"}, {"response": 340, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Mon, Dec 22, 2003 (14:50)", "body": "Hi everyone LOVE ACTUALLY's international cumulative thus far (NOT including US Box office)is $104 million, which makes it Universal's sixth film to pass $100 million in 2003. This is not only great news obviously for the studio but for a certain someone who then continues to be considered for our future projects. A win win in my opinion. I look forward to BJD2 which will be distributed domestically (U.S. and Canada) by Miramax and worldwide by Uni like the last time. There are a couple of projects still in talking stages that I am excited about. I would have loved to see him cast in SYNERGY and THE GOOD SHEPHERD but there are others out there still a possibility. I would also like to see him in THE INTERPRETER. But we'll see :) But what do I know? :) HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE HOLIDAY SEASON EVERYONE. I HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL NEXT YEAR :)"}, {"response": 341, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 22, 2003 (14:53)", "body": ""}, {"response": 342, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Dec 22, 2003 (14:55)", "body": "(Hola Lola)This is not only great news obviously for the studio but for a certain someone who then continues to be considered for our future projects. A win win in my opinion. I so agree . . . can't wait to hear more about the projects of his that are still in negotiations!!!! Happy Happy Holidays Hola Lola!!"}, {"response": 343, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 22, 2003 (14:55)", "body": "(BH Weekly) he next stop on the cocktail circuit was Mikimoto\ufffds recently expanded berth in the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, where hunky Colin Firth (\ufffdLove, Actually\ufffd) was raising his glass in celebration of his latest film, \ufffdGirl with the Pearl Earring\ufffd LOL! Not an aberration. Even this guy noticed this aspect. Thank goodness he didn't find the HH part noteworthy. What am I saying, he's in Beverly Hills. ;-)"}, {"response": 344, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 22, 2003 (15:14)", "body": "Thanks Hola! Put in my vote for The Interpreter; just the kind of thing I've always wanted to see Colin do since...well, since I got here. ;-)"}, {"response": 345, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 22, 2003 (15:46)", "body": "Hmmm, so does that mean that Sean Penn has turned The Interpreter down and has Dennis Quaid bowed out of Synergy?"}, {"response": 346, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Dec 22, 2003 (15:58)", "body": "(Karen)Hmmm, so does that mean that Sean Penn has turned The Interpreter down and has Dennis Quaid bowed out of Synergy? Hola's insider hint's?;) . .this could be interesting . ."}, {"response": 347, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Mon, Dec 22, 2003 (16:36)", "body": "sorry, did not mean to insinuate that Colin would be in SYNERGY or THE GOOD SHEPHERD. DiCaprio and Quaid are done deals. But there are others....... :)"}, {"response": 348, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 22, 2003 (16:41)", "body": "(Hola) I would have loved to see him cast... My mistake. You were very clear about it."}, {"response": 349, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Dec 22, 2003 (16:45)", "body": "Hola - Ah well . .just havin some wishful thinkin' . . ."}, {"response": 350, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Dec 22, 2003 (16:53)", "body": "(Lola), But there are others....... :) But... I thought you'd get back to us with \"others\", not done deals. Come on Lola, we can take a little speculation."}, {"response": 351, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Dec 22, 2003 (17:13)", "body": "(Karen)Thanks Hola! Put in my vote for The Interpreter; Add my vote for this one, too! Oh, the thought of it!!! Thanks Hola. Happy Holidays! Just a tid bit: The Interpreter Release Date: November 19, 2004 Studio: Universal Pictures Director: Sidney Pollack Screenwriter: Charles Randolph Starring: Nicole Kidman, Sean Penn Genre: Thriller MPAA Rating: Not available Official Website: Not available Review: Not available DVD/VHS: Not available Movie Poster: Not available Plot Summary: Kidman will play a U.N. interpreter who overhears an assassination plot. When she becomes a target she's paired with a federal agent and together they work to stop the murder of an African leader addressing the General Assembly."}, {"response": 352, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Dec 22, 2003 (20:01)", "body": "Looks like Sean Penn is the federal agent. Maybe Colin can be the African leader? ;-) (A dream come true) ;-))))))"}, {"response": 353, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Dec 22, 2003 (20:31)", "body": "Thanks for the exciting news Hola! (Moon)Looks like Sean Penn is the federal agent. Maybe Colin can be the African leader? ;-) (A dream come true) ;-)))))) Colin could always play the cuckolded husband/lover! Just kidding, just kidding... ;-)))"}, {"response": 354, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Mon, Dec 22, 2003 (21:33)", "body": "The soundtrack of GWAPE will be released on 19 January 2004. Can be pre-ordered now: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00013YQME/ref=sr_aps_music_1_1/202-8224568-1598264"}, {"response": 355, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 22, 2003 (22:12)", "body": "(Moon) Maybe Colin can be the African leader? ;-) (A dream come true) ;-)))))) LOL! Interesting that all three projects require an American accent. I'd have to think way outside the box to come up with an FBI agent with a British accent. But that project isn't up for grabs anyway..."}, {"response": 356, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 22, 2003 (22:28)", "body": "Can't believe but BBC has actually transcribed his interview (missing those ums and you knows) and you can watch it here, from the latest Talking Movies: http://www.bbcworld.com/content/template_talkingmovies.asp?pageid=665&co_pageid=6"}, {"response": 357, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Dec 22, 2003 (22:40)", "body": "(Karen)Interesting that all three projects require an American accent. I'd have to think way outside the box to come up with an FBI agent with a British accent. His \"American\" in A Thousand Acres wasn't all that bad . .a bit jarring for me though, b/c well, I always expect to hear that lovely deep posh voice to come out of his mouth;) . .I'll help ya think outta the box . .how bout a British Secret Service on loan to the FBI? . .doing consulting work? . .an expat? Would be interesting seeing ODB in some sort of Tom Clancy-ish project . . . lord, I'm rambling . .it's time to go to bed. . ."}, {"response": 358, "author": "Snooze", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 2003 (06:36)", "body": "Channel 10 (Sydney) is showing 'The Making of Love Actually' on Thursday 25th at 3.30pm. Has this been shown elsewhere? Is it worth watching?"}, {"response": 359, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 2003 (06:45)", "body": "Enjoying all the speculations...It's nice to know even if it remains unnamed that there are projects out there with his name attached. And thanks for the BBC transcript Karen. Colin Firth's painful festive memories Last updated 22 December 2003 One celeb who perhaps isn't looking forward to Christmas as much as others is Colin Firth. The 'Love Actually' star admits he still has nightmares about the big day because of a bad childhood experience: \"I remember electrocuting myself on the Christmas tree lights. I remember actually finding a socket and sticking my finger in it and lighting the Christmas tree up - literally.\" \"I can remember the pain involved in that. I've always associated Christmas tree lights with pain as a result of that.\" \"I also remember wondering why Santa Claus has such appalling teeth, and realising that this was my grandfather's attempt to disguise himself on his Santa visit.\" \"He'd got some horrible false teeth from somewhere!\" http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/news/entertainment/031222_colinfirth.shtml"}, {"response": 360, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 2003 (08:20)", "body": "From Film Stew.com - http://www.filmstew.com/Content/ReviewsViews/Details.asp?Pg=1&ContentID=7550 Monday, December 22, 2003 Girl with a Pearl Earring This somewhat superficial examination of the motivations behind Vermeer\ufffds famous painting allows cinematographer Eduardo Serra to shine with his own palette of colors. By Todd Gilchrist Films about artists, much less their best known works, are often a tricky business. While some explain the creative process and suggest the verisimi-litude between the creator\ufffds life and livelihood, others merely demystify the artist\ufffds methods, or fail outright to explain much more than his or her penchant for outr\ufffd behavior. Johnannes Vermeer left behind a remarkable legacy with his body of work, but far be it from Girl With A Pearl Earring to reveal the shroud of mystery which surrounded it. The film, which stars Colin Firth and Scarlet Johannson as (respectively) the author and his subject, is about time, space, and texture, and sufficiently creates a fable around which the painting\ufffds origins can be attached without so much as suggesting it is true. Johansson (Lost In Translation) plays Griet, a 17-year old who is sent to work in Vermeer\ufffds home after her father, a once-famous painter himself, is blinded in an accident. Although treated coldly by her mistress Catharina (Essie Davis), Vermeer takes an odd shine to Griet and introduces her to the world of his art, from the appreciation of color to the creation of the materials themselves. When Vermeer\ufffds patron, a lecherous glutton named van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson) asks for another painting, Vermeer finds inspiration in Griet\ufffds luminous, low-key beauty, and crafts one of his most famous works. For those (like myself) unfamiliar with Vermeer\ufffds legacy, it must be understood that the relationships between the characters are of secondary importance to the film\ufffds purpose. Rather, the imagery - that of Vermeer\ufffds canvas and director Peter Webber\ufffds lush framing - is the key to the film\ufffds resonance, and if you prefer a well-told narrative to stories of beauty and lyricism, you likely won\ufffdt enjoy Pearl Earring. The characterizations are ripe with melodrama and woven with conflicts that, unlike many films remain succinctly observed throughout the course of the film (or explained by its end), exist only to sustain the artistry of the moving image. As usual, Johansson is fantastic, playing to her strengths as a young, uncertain woman whose febrile curiosity gets the best of her good judgment, while Firth balances the attractive elusiveness of Vermeer with a sincere desire to create meaningful work. Wilkinson\ufffds versatility is demonstrated yet again as Vermeer\ufffds slimy, self-glorifying patron, and Davis perfectly captures the petulant jealousy of a woman so enraptured by her husband\ufffds passion that she fails to realize that it by and large is his only one (despite his ever-growing progeny). However, the star of the film is clearly Eduardo Serra, the cinematographer for Unbreakable and What Dreams May Come amongst others, who will almost certainly a second Oscar nomination with Girl With A Pearl Earring (his first was in 1998 for Iain Softley\ufffds Wings Of the Dove). The images are clean and beautiful, full of texture that the story cannot supply, revealing the very essence of Ver-meer\ufffds work. Serra\ufffds artistry creates a palpable atmosphere for the film that few others can sustain and works in tandem with Webber\ufffds storytelling to create a deliberate pacing that never bores. It burns into the viewer\ufffds mind the images and the characters, setting the stage for a post-cinema conversation over coffee or, in some cases, a solitary meditation about further comprehension of the film\ufffds images. Girl With A Pearl Earring certainly isn\ufffdt for everyone - impatient fans of action spectaculars will likely find little to enjoy here - but it remains one of the year\ufffds most curious spectacles. It almost seems like a film from another time and place, when patience and atmosphere transcended the need for gear-shifting plot points or exaggerated characterizations. Think of it as a Blow-Up for today\ufffds generation. At a swift ninety minutes, however, the film hardly taxes one\ufffds patience, and makes for a captivating transference of an artist\ufffds work from one medium to another. Far be it from me to suggest anyone will achieve a resoundingly greater understanding of Vermeer\ufffds work from this film, which bears more likeness to the paintings he completed than the life he lived. But Webber\ufffds vision ought be considered a success if he convinces but one viewer to see more than one color in those clouds that cast down upon him or her once they\ufffdve finished watching it. Like Griet\ufffds stunning facial features, Girl With A Pearl Earring possesses a beauty that may not easily be explained, but it\ufffds well worth a closer look."}, {"response": 361, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 2003 (08:43)", "body": "Sorry . .I know I posted this on Odds and Ends . .but before it just had the Tracy Chevalier talking about the book . .now they posted the actual report entitled: Art Imitating Art: 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' A New Film Is Born of a Novel Inspired by Vermeer's Painting http://www.npr.org/features/feature.php?wfId=1555495"}, {"response": 362, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 2003 (09:49)", "body": "(Kimberley)His \"American\" in A Thousand Acres wasn't all that bad 3 DOR was. His voice gets distorted. Channel 10 (Sydney) is showing 'The Making of Love Actually' on Thursday 25th at 3.30pm. Has this been shown elsewhere? Is it worth watching? *rolling eyes* I like the BBC interviews that give the videos.Thanks. He doesn't come off \"all\" that stuffy as in print."}, {"response": 363, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 2003 (10:00)", "body": "(Kimberley)His \"American\" in A Thousand Acres wasn't all that bad (Evelyn)3 DOR was. His voice gets distorted. TA was an American midwest accent. .I forgot . . was 3DOR a Boston accent? . .or was it NY?"}, {"response": 364, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 2003 (10:23)", "body": "(Moon) Looks like Sean Penn is the federal agent. Maybe Colin can be the African leader? ;-) (A dream come true) ;-)))))) LOL! But an assassin *would* be one of my dream roles for him. Thanks for the wee tidbit, Hola. Have a great holiday!! :-D"}, {"response": 365, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 2003 (10:53)", "body": "I forgot . . was 3DOR a Boston accent? . .or was it NY? Trans-Atlantic."}, {"response": 366, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 2003 (11:44)", "body": "From IndieWire: This was a grand year for docs, and as 2003 draws to a close, one more doc topped the specialty box office over the weekend. Errol Morris' \"The Fog of War\" opened with a strong showing, while the previous weekend's number one, \"Girl with a Pearl Earring\" remained robust in the second position. Lions Gate's \"Girl with a Pearl Earring\" added one more venue, taking in $71,051 for a sparkling $8,881 per-screen average at eight sites. Lions Gate president Tom Ortenberg last week told indieWIRE the film will continue to have a slow expansion through December and will open the top 20 markets early in the new year. So far, the film has cumed $205,640. Ed note: GWAPE is currently on only 8 screens (NY/LA)"}, {"response": 367, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 2003 (11:59)", "body": "(Indie wire)This was a grand year for docs,......while the previous weekend's number one, \"Girl with a Pearl Earring\" remained robust in the second position. Wot? GWAPE considered a \"doc\"???"}, {"response": 368, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 2003 (12:08)", "body": "(Evelyn) Wot? GWAPE considered a \"doc\"??? No, but IndieWire's box office chart includes both docs and feature films. I only excerpted from the weekly news item and a documentary is currently in No 1 position."}, {"response": 369, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 2003 (12:13)", "body": "That BBC Talking Movies interview is on this week's show on BBC America. What the online tape doesn't show is Tom Brook's generous intro: \"Colin Firth is not an A-list star.\" Wot is this guy's hang-up??? :-( And to think we were nice to him at the premiere, Ev. Next time, I tell him off.;-) Good opening shot of the fan base at the LA premiere, though. Repeats on Thursday."}, {"response": 370, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 2003 (12:23)", "body": "(Moon) Maybe Colin can be the African leader? ;-) (A dream come true) ;-)))))) LMAO, Moon! Re: American accents. We're hearing some *really* bad ones this holiday season, Emma Thompson and Ewan McGregor being among the worst offenders. But the performances are good so nobody cares. He wouldn't do any worse than them. A good dialect coach could help him maintain the tibre of his natural voice. while the previous weekend's number one, \"Girl with a Pearl Earring\" remained robust in the second position. Robust is good! Thanks for the latest articles and reviews, ladies."}, {"response": 371, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 2003 (12:25)", "body": "An excerpt from: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2003/151/22.0.html Film Forum: Return of the Raves By Jeffrey Overstreet | posted 12/23/2003 Christianity Today Magazine Imagining the story behind Girl with the Pearl Earring The origins of a famous painting by Johannes Vermeer are at the center of novelist Tracey Chevalier's book Girl with a Pearl Earring. The painting, sometimes called \"the Dutch Mona Lisa,\" gave Chevalier the idea to explore the life of the woman who might have been the subject of the work. She used what we know about Vermeer to invent a tantalizing plot about repressed passion, class prejudice, and the rare gift of artistic insight. Now, director Peter Webber has delivered a beautiful, soft-spoken work based on the novel, bringing this provocative fiction to life with the help of two talented actors: Colin Firth (Bridget Jones's Diary, Love Actually) and Scarlett Johansson (Lost in Translation.) Webber captures a vivid and convincing recreation of 17th century Holland, where young Griet goes to work as a maid for Vermeer's household. Griet sees to it that nothing in Vermeer's studio is disturbed as she cleans, so his painting will go untroubled. But her intuitions about light and composition lead to an inevitable influence on the master's work, and her humble service impresses him deeply. He spends his life surrounded by greedy and arrogant family members and patrons, and thus Griet's quiet spirit draws him powerfully. This is the second time this year that Scarlett Johansson has played a young lady with repressed longings, underappreciated and neglected, who is suddenly noticed by a depressed but observant older man. In both stories, their budding friendship toes the line of infidelity, and yet their ill-advised relationship draws the flaws in an already established marriage into the light. While this film is not as complex or as satisfying as Lost in Translation, it is worth seeing for lush, \"painterly\" cinematography, and for Johansson's performance. Webber captures the young actress's unique ability to suggest deep reservoirs of intelligence and emotion concealed behind dark eyes that seem to belong to a woman older and wiser than herself. In doing so, Webber finds the precise passion that indwells the painting, so when we finally see the finished work, we don't blink; it seems perfectly plausible that this is what someone would paint after looking at Johansson for hours. An actress has not communicated so much through so little since Juliette Binoche in Three Colors: Blue. Fortunately, they have found an actor who can bring the same amount of gravity to the screen to portray the painter. I never would have thought of Colin Firth to portray a contemplative, passionate painter, but he makes the intense, brooding figure intriguing without making him laughably morose. Strong supporting work is contributed by Tom Wilkinson as a lecherous but wealthy patron who keeps the Vermeer home afloat; Essie Davis as Catharina, Vermeer's statuesque wife, possessed of both a cold beauty and a volatile temper; and Judy Parfitt as Maria Thins, Catharina's mother, a formidable figure whose wicked arrogance is cracked by the fragility of her financial condition. Watching the film, I found myself easing into a reflective, contemplative state that movies rarely allow an audience to reach. While very little is said or done, there are important things happening in every minute of the film: curiosities developing, risks taken, covert endeavors, revelations. By inviting us to look closely for hints of emotion and suggestions of betrayal or sympathy, Webber quietly prepares us to approach Vermeer's visual art with sharper discernment. It never lectures us about the art, but it does inspire us to look more closely. I wish he could have taken this approach even farther. The film's most important theme, however, regards the liberating and inspiring experience of being seen. This poor, abused, overlooked girl never intentionally does a thing to draw Vermeer's attention; in fact, she avoids his gaze. But when his keen vision catches in her something of substance and of shared longing\ufffdnot for erotic adventures, but for beauty and revelation\ufffdit is as if, to alter a line from e. e. cummings, \"the eyes of her eyes are opened.\" Michael Elliott (Movie Parables) says, \"The filmmakers have taken great care to honor Vermeer's genius and process. The cinematography in particular is superb and helps to give insight into Vermeer's world and vision. Scarlett Johansson is sublimely expressive in a nearly nonverbal role.\" Mainstream critics are again praising Johansson's talents, as well as the cinematography of this handsomely filmed story."}, {"response": 372, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 2003 (13:04)", "body": "Caught the end of GWAPE with Scarlett, Colin and Peter at the Angelika last night: 10pm. He doesn't look as good as in those Mikimoto pictures. (Mari), A good dialect coach could help him maintain the tibre of his natural voice. That would be the point. I couldn't watch him in ATA, hated the accent and his voice change. (Dorine), But an assassin *would* be one of my dream roles for him. Wot? Colin kill an African leader? I refuse to believe it. ;-) I never would have thought of Colin Firth to portray a contemplative, passionate painter, but he makes the intense, brooding figure intriguing without making him laughably morose. I wonder how they do think of Colin? Sheesh, it looks like he must count his lucky stars that Ralph Fiennes passed. Thanks, Kimberley for all the articles."}, {"response": 373, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 2003 (13:54)", "body": "(Mari)And to think we were nice to him at the premiere, Ev. Next time, I tell him off.;-) I even took his picture several times, I'm going to remove them from my album. Take that TB! Thanks for the articles, ladies, and Talking Movies heads up, Mari (Dorine)LOL! But an assassin *would* be one of my dream roles for him. Mine too, and he did say either on The Daily Show or CK thathe was dying to do a shoot 'em up type of role. Fingers crossed"}, {"response": 374, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 2003 (16:04)", "body": "(Mari)And to think we were nice to him at the premiere, Ev. Next time, I tell him off.;-) You can do it right here... http://bbcamerica.com/genre/movies_specials/talking_movies/tm_ask_question.jsp I plan to aft I see it on Thurs: ET 6:30, 7:30 8:30"}, {"response": 375, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 2003 (22:03)", "body": "Girl With a Pearl Earring By Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune 3 1/2 stars out of 4 \"Girl with a Pearl Earring,\" a movie about Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer and the creation of one of his masterpieces, is a work of resplendent visual beauty, a film in which every frame pays tribute to Vermeer's genius and the power of art to transcend the world around us. But it's also a sad study of how society can entrap artists and lovers, an absorbing romantic drama full of acute psychological detail and social nuance. Director Peter Webber's picture, faithfully based on Tracy Chevalier's excellent 1998 novel, has the brilliant notion of showing Vermeer's world through the innocent eyes of one of his models, the fictitious Griet (Scarlett Johansson). \"Girl\" captures the look of Vermeer's city of Delft, Holland, 1665, through images meticulously patterned on his paintings. But it also convinces us that Griet and her employers are real -- and their world a living, breathing place of mud, bustle and sordid family tangles. The movie becomes another rapt portrait, and at its center, Johansson gives the second of two remarkable 2003 film performances. (The other is in \"Lost in Translation.\") As Griet, who barely says a word, Johansson creates both the portrait's image and a resilient but deeply sensitive girl, a social victim who becomes a sublime icon. Forced to become a maidservant to support her family, Griet is hired by Vermeer's imperious mother-in-law Maria Thins (Judy Parfitt), instructed by the veteran housekeeper Tanneke (Joanna Scanlan) and subject to the whims of Vermeer's neurotic and envious wife Catharina (Essie Davis). She is an outsider sucked into their intrigues and, more important, into the painter's vision. The movie constantly juxtaposes Vermeeresque images, bathed in magical light, and the mundane everyday routines they reveal. As Griet quietly goes about her chores, we sense her resentment, awe and wonder, and when the sad-eyed, slightly disheveled Vermeer (Colin Firth) spots her for the first time, something ignites between them. Is it love, sexual desire or simply the artist's recognition of a face suitable for framing? In any case, Vermeer, whose obsessive perfectionism keeps his family always on the financial edge, selects her as the model for a painting demanded by his main patron, the cynical voluptuary Van Ruijven. Van Ruijven (a stinging, nastily magnetic performance by Tom Wilkinson) has partly base motives, promoting Griet because he has sexual designs on her. But something more unspoken and tender flares up between Griet and Vermeer. The movie is more oblique than the novel, but Vermeer is forced to keep his jealous wife at bay -- especially when he decides to use one of Catharina's earrings, on Griet's ear, as the painting's center point. Griet, inevitably, is forced away from the mixture of hell and heaven into which she has fallen. Personally, I love the 17th-century Dutch masters -- Breughel, Bosch, Rembrandt and Vermeer -- and what I love most is their luminous detail and mastery of both realism and fantasy. \"Girl,\" Webber's first feature, is luminous, too. In its immaculate design (by Peter Greenaway's constant collaborator, Ben van Os) and its radiant cinematography (by Eduardo Serra), it is truly a visual marvel. Almost all of the acting -- especially by Johansson, Wilkinson and Parfitt -- is superb as well: deeply imagined, crisp and lucid, with a touch of fire beneath. The single flaw, mostly a casting gaffe, is in Cillian Murphy's role as Griet's butcher-boy lover, Pieter. Murphy's fashion-model handsomeness contradicts the coarser character Chevalier drew, subverting the tale's precise romantic quadrangle. But the rest of it is wonderful. \"Girl with a Pearl Earring\" has a sad resolution -- sadder still if we know the fate of the real-life Vermeer, who died at 43 with a small body of work behind him (only 35 paintings extant today), or if we contemplate how Griet and her unknown counterpart vanish afterwards. \"Girl\" suggests that the greatest art is somehow both fragile and sturdy, sensitive and stubborn, and driven by a sensuality and desire perhaps never realized in the flesh. But in the end, as the camera contemplates the actual painting, art's glories seem worth life's pain. Griet, like Vermeer, sees more than others --and watching their movie, so do we."}, {"response": 376, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 2003 (22:08)", "body": "Wonderful review, but Mikey seems to have missed someone... Almost all of the acting -- especially by Johansson, Wilkinson and Parfitt -- is superb as well: deeply imagined, crisp and lucid, with a touch of fire beneath. At least he wasn't singled out as a flaw. :-("}, {"response": 377, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Dec 24, 2003 (06:23)", "body": "Colin being linked with the \"cream of Hollywood celebrity?\" If you have been too busy shopping to exchange any season's greetings, then how about a special message from the cream of Hollywood celebrity? At the Los Angeles premiere of fantasy epic 'Lord of the Rings: Return of the King', the actors, and director Peter Jackson, all had Christmas messages for their fans. Comic Billy Connolly and actors Sir Michael Caine and Colin Firth (he was there-ed?) wished everyone a Merry Christmas. http://www.itv.com/news/523184.html"}, {"response": 378, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec 24, 2003 (08:54)", "body": "Comic Billy Connolly and actors Sir Michael Caine and Colin Firth(he was there-ed?) wished everyone a Merry Christmas. Something he'd do with Will. Where are the pictures? Almost all of the acting -- especially by Johansson, Wilkinson and Parfitt -- is superb as well: deeply imagined, crisp and lucid, with a touch of fire beneath. I noticed that too. Has anyone written suberb acting by CF? A very Happy Christmas to all the firthettes."}, {"response": 379, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Dec 24, 2003 (09:15)", "body": "(Moon Dreams)Has anyone written suberb acting by CF? GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING is an utter joy to watch. Based on the acclaimed novel about painter Johannes Vermeer, every frame of the film seems to radiate with the distinctive lighting and glorious colors of the 17th century Dutch Master. The enchanting Scarlett Johansson gives an inspired performance as Vermeer's chambermaid and Colin Firth is superb as the enigmatic painter. This is an astonishingly beautiful film that intelligently explores the life and work of a transcendent artist. :-)) Also a LA article from the Dorchester press event,Hugh being ever more himself.. http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story.jsp?sectionid=1267&storyid=683121"}, {"response": 380, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 24, 2003 (09:48)", "body": "...\" explores the life and work of a transcendent artist.\" Hmmmmmm.... More like the life and work of the \"transcendent\" artist's maid. ...Sir Michael Caine and Colin Firth(he was there-ed?) wished everyone a Merry Christmas. Aw, it was probably Matthew Mondine;-)"}, {"response": 381, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec 24, 2003 (10:12)", "body": "I went in search of pictures and found this instead. This is my Christmas present to you. Go hear to hear Colin wish you a merry Christmas: http://www.itv.com/news/541120 Click on: 'Have a funky Christmas'"}, {"response": 382, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec 24, 2003 (10:13)", "body": "Here's the correct link: http://www.itv.com/news/541120.html"}, {"response": 383, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Dec 24, 2003 (10:38)", "body": "Excellent Moon! Thanks! He looks quite shy while saying it!"}, {"response": 384, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 24, 2003 (15:33)", "body": "Colin's Christmas message appears to be from the LA GWAPE premiere and the clip is probably made up from many such events. The LOTR's LA prem was 12/3 and Colin was in London on 12/5 for that Women in Film to do. Have scanned and typed up the article Murph sent from American Cinematographer. Lovely pics and interesting text. Left out a few tech descriptions of filters, film stock, etc., here and there. Best thing is we now have visual proof of David Morrissey being in the film, and I liked how there was more of an emphasis on Vermeer and the character of Vermeer than on Griet. Here it is: http://www.firth.com/gwape_notes.html#lighting Thanks Mary!"}, {"response": 385, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 24, 2003 (16:13)", "body": "(Eduardo Serra)\"People shouldn?t leave the theater saying ?Every frame is a painting,?... Ooops, thatsa' me!! Peter Weber's lucky day is when he enlisted ES. That film wouldn't be as mesmerizing without him. What an artist.Thanks Murph and K. The photos are extraordinary. I recognized that forest scene from Wings of the Dove...as well as the canal scenes in Venice. I was one of the 10 people;-)who saw that jewel of a film on the big screen."}, {"response": 386, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 24, 2003 (16:19)", "body": "Best thing is we now have visual proof of David Morrissey being in the film, Where? You mean the guy on the right? http://www.firth.com/images/gwape/bts004ac.jpg"}, {"response": 387, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 24, 2003 (16:26)", "body": "Yeah, that's him, on the right. The photo captions kind of ignore him too (LOL!) They just say: \"The dutiful Griet tries to ignore another interested party in the Vermeer home.\" Most of the other pics will mention the actor's name. When he hit that cutting room floor, he hit it hard. ;-)"}, {"response": 388, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 25, 2003 (16:25)", "body": "Did anyone, by any chance, tape this morning's BBC America's Talking Movies interview with a-# Tom B.introduction? If so pl. email me. I'll trade with Sundance tonight."}, {"response": 389, "author": "katty", "date": "Thu, Dec 25, 2003 (17:45)", "body": "Interesting take on GWAPE, especially in regards to Colin, from Karina Montgomery of CINERINA http://www.rottentomatoes.com/click/movie-1128236/reviews.php?critic=columns&sortby=default&page=5&rid=1232574 If you have not read Tracy Chevalier's novel... you will probably come out of Girl with a Pearl Earring thinking, \"wow, sexual attraction does good things to artists...\" This does a disservice to the film for its audience. ...the core issue of the desperation of the main character, Griet (Scarlett Johansson) seems to be missing. In addition, the powerful presence (even in his absence) of the artist himself in his household and in the thrumming panic of Griet's difficult existence in a papist home leaves out whole chunks of vital character.... To be fair, you don't cast Vermeer with someone as hot as Colin Firth (with long, fierce hair, oh my word!) and have him skulking about in another room, making Griet tremble with fear, heavens no. No doubt the psychological layers of the book are too difficult to portray when keeping our stars apart, but to reduce their relationship to a crush or to physical attraction is just plain old demeaning to the story... Tom Wilkinson (In the Bedroom) and Cillian Murphy (28 Days Later) and Judy Parfitt (Ever After) circle around Johansson, each with their own brand of torment, but she is most affected by Vermeer. The film touches on how they actually do connect but it is difficult to fully understand the constraints and religious differences of the period with so little assistance from the screenplay. Poor Scarlett is turning into the older-man-asexual-object-of-longing poster child of 2003 (see Lost in Translation); but she is establishing herself as more than just a bee-stung lipped ninnyhammer with aplomb. It's worth seeing for the scenes with her and Firth, but please read the book before you pass judgement on Ms. Chevalier. Though a negative review, it's kinda nice that it criticizes Colin for being TOO sexy ."}, {"response": 390, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Dec 25, 2003 (18:59)", "body": "Karen - re American Cinematographer -- Glad I could be of help. You did a great job on the article. I particularly love the winter scene -and the candlelight dinner. Most interesting."}, {"response": 391, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 26, 2003 (09:29)", "body": "Here's Ebert's print review: GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING / **** December 26, 2003 BY ROGER EBERT Sun-Times Film Critic 'Girl With a Pearl Earring\" is a quiet movie, shaken from time to time by ripples of emotional turbulence far beneath the surface. It is about things not said, opportunities not taken, potentials not realized, lips unkissed. All of these elements are guessed at by the filmmakers as they regard a painting made in about 1665 by Johannes Vermeer. The painting shows a young woman regarding us over her left shoulder. She wears a simple blue headband and a modest smock. Her red lips are slightly parted. Is she smiling? She seems to be glancing back at the moment she was leaving the room. She wears a pearl earring. Not much is known about Vermeer, who left about 35 paintings. Nothing is known about his model. You can hear that it was his daughter, a neighbor, a tradeswoman. You will not hear that she was his lover, because Vermeer's household was under the iron rule of his mother-in-law, who was vigilant as a hawk. The painting has become as intriguing in its modest way as the Mona Lisa. The girl's face turned toward us from centuries ago demands that we ask, who was she? What was the thinking? What was the artist thinking about her? Tracy Chevalier's novel speculating about the painting has now been filmed by Peter Webber, who casts Scarlett Johansson as the girl and Colin Firth as Vermeer. I can think of many ways the film could have gone wrong, but it goes right, because it doesn't cook up melodrama and romantic intrigue but tells a story that's content with its simplicity. The painting is contemplative, reflective, subdued, and the film must be, too: We don't want lurid revelations breaking into its mood. Sometimes two people will regard each other over a gulf too wide to ever be bridged, and know immediately what could have happened, and that it never will. That is essentially the message of \"Girl with a Pearl Earring.\" The girl's name is Griet, according to this story. She lives nearby. She is sent by her blind father to work in Vermeer's house, where several small children are about to be joined by a new arrival. The household is run like a factory with the mother-in-law, Maria Thins (Judy Parfitt) as foreman. She has set her daughter to work producing babies while her son-in-law produces paintings. Both have an output of about one a year, which is good if you are a mother, but not if you are a painter. Nobody ever says what they think in this house, except for Maria, whose thoughts are all too obvious, anyway. Catharina (Essie Davis), Vermeer's wife, sometimes seems to be standing where she hopes nobody will see her. It becomes clear that Griet is intelligent in a natural way, but has no idea what to do with her ideas. Of course she attracts Vermeer's attention; she's a hard worker and responds instinctively to the manual labor of painting -- to the craft, the technique, the strategy, even the chemistry (did you know that the color named Indian yellow is distilled from the urine of cows fed on mango leaves?). In one flawless sequence, Griet is alone in Vermeer's studio and looks at the canvas he is working on, looks at what he is painting, looks back, looks forth, and then moves a chair away from a window. When he returns and sees what she has done, he studies the composition carefully and removes the chair from his painting. Eventually he has her move up to the attic, closer to his studio, where she can mix his paints, which she does very well. And then of course they start sleeping together? Not in this movie. Vermeer has a rich patron named Van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson). If Vermeer is too shy to reveal feelings for his maid, Van Ruijven is not. He wants a painting of the girl. This of course would be unacceptable to Catharina Vermeer, whose best-developed quality is her insecurity -- but it is not unacceptable to her mother, who must keep a rich patron happy. Thus Griet becomes a model. There is a young man in the town, Pieter (Cillian Murphy), a butcher's apprentice, who is attracted to Griet. He would make her a good husband, in this world where status and opportunity are assigned by caste. Griet likes him. It's not that she likes Vermeer more; indeed, she's so intimidated she barely speaks to the artist. It's that -- well, Griet could never be a butcher, but she could be a painter. Mankind has Shakespeares who were illiterate, Mozarts who never heard a note, painters who never touched a brush. Griet could be a painter. Whether a good or bad one, she will never know. Vermeer senses it. The moments of greatest intimacy between the simple peasant girl and the famous artist come when they sit side by side in wordless communication, mixing paints, both doing the same job, both understanding it. Do not believe those who think this movie is about the \"mystery\" of the model, or Vermeer's sources of inspiration, or medieval gender roles, or whether the mother-in-law was the man in the family. A m"}, {"response": 392, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 26, 2003 (09:46)", "body": "Pretty bad one from Metro, a Silicon Valley paper: Pretty as a Picture: Scarlett Johansson models (and more) for Dutch artist Vermeer in 'Girl With a Pearl Earring.' Veils of Decorum 'Girl With a Pearl Earring' brings Vermeer's famous painting to life By Richard von Busack SINCE IT'S BOTH swank and snoozy, Girl With a Pearl Earring can't be saved even by its genuine beauty. Scarlett Johansson of Lost in Translation stars as Griet, the model for the famed Johannes Vermeer painting from which this film has taken its title. In Holland, in the city of Delft, in the mid-1600s, Griet becomes a servant in the crowded, spying household of the master artist. Vermeer (Colin Firth) is bedeviled, caught between his pregnant and jealous wife on the one hand and the whims of his art patron, a coarse burgher named Van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson), on the other. Griet is not blind to art. Her father was an artisan who made Delft's famous tiles before he was disabled in an accident. Vermeer understands the young girl's covert interest in him. He teaches her how to mix pigments and returns her unspoken fascination by ordering her (imperiously) to model for him. Johansson carries herself well as a simple girl, but was ever a girl that simple? Girl With a Pearl Earring bears a strange eroticism: the key moment of indiscretion has Griet unwinding her head cloth and revealing her hair to a man. This is followed by the suggestive scene of her flinching as she has her ear pierced for the first time. (The movie would fit right in with the short-lived modesty craze of a few years ago.) When was the last time we had a European film that placed all the errogenous zones above the neck? As such, Girl With a Pearl Earring provides one explanation for the gaze in the well-known painting: the veils of decorum have parted, and an instant of longing is shining through. The film is well appointed but juiceless; even the carnage of a butcher shop seems quaintly arranged, as in the paintings of the time. Because the Dutch Republic was an era when money talked almost as loudly as it does today, it would have been fun if Wilkinson had seasoned the role of the boorish patron with a little more insinuation. If his dark money and wicked ways seemed spicy against the rigorous morals of the day, the film could have shown a little more tension in the most basic kind of romance. In the part of the genius, Firth seems wise enough, but unfortunately his long floppy hair makes him resemble Steve Zahn at his most miffed. The actor is a lighter romantic lead than some directors suspect. With its stilted dialogue, written in the familiar international style of Merchant/Ivory (\"You're not the first to forget your manners in front of one of his paintings\"), the cast of Englishmen and Americans in the lead roles deracinates the picture worse than the English and Australian stars in Cold Mountain. Insisting that we look at a painting as staged by actors in a tableau vivant is the opposite of the pleasure we experience in a museum gallery--of wandering, until one particular picture seizes us. This film, as well as Jon Jost's All the Vermeers in New York, suggests that the early death and subsequent obscurity of Vermeer may be more enticing than what's in the frame. Is this fascination with Vermeer like the old-time worship of Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, rendered dead in all but the corniest movies, such as Mona Lisa Smile?"}, {"response": 393, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Fri, Dec 26, 2003 (16:16)", "body": "Kudos to Roger Ebert for an intelligent review(I like that last phrase ,\"Well, if it were my painting,I'd have her stand like this\"-puts it on an entirely different level), and Bah! Humbug! to Richard von Bus*ck! Thanks, Karen-always on the job....."}, {"response": 394, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Dec 26, 2003 (19:51)", "body": "Thanks for the reviews Karen. Oh the ups and downs...;-))"}, {"response": 395, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Dec 26, 2003 (19:55)", "body": "Anyone see Firth on ET earlier this evening?"}, {"response": 396, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Dec 26, 2003 (21:28)", "body": "I didn't see ET, Terry--was he interviewed? Wow, 4 stars from Roger Ebert--great! Pretty bad one from Metro, a Silicon Valley paper Never heard of it. Probably a freebie, and a weekly one at that. Not all reviews are created equal, folks.;-) Here's one from a real newspaper. Sexual tension meets timeless art 'Girl With a Pearl Earring' explores Vermeer's family dynamics Ruthe Stein, San Francisco Chronicle Staff Writer Friday, December 26, 2003 A shrewish wife suspects her husband of hanky-panky with the housekeeper. The discovery of a portrait he surreptitiously painted of the girl provides damning evidence. \"It's obscene,'' the wife shrieks, going ballistic as she notes the coup de grace -- her own prized earring dangling from the subject's ear. More than four centuries later, \"The Girl With a Pearl Earring,'' a masterpiece from the brush of Johannes Vermeer, would hardly strike anyone as obscene. But look again at the sensuous parting of the model's moist lips and her come-hither gaze, and you may sympathize with Mrs. Vermeer. The Vermeer family dynamics are a conceit of Tracy Chevalier's best- selling novel, which has been made into the provocative \"Girl With a Pearl Earring'' (the introductory \"the'' in the painting's title evidently deemed too much of a mouthful for movie audiences). Like the book, the film focuses on the fictional teenage maid, Griet. Scarlett Johansson plays her with a palpable feeling for what it's like to be on the brink of sexual awakening -- \"ripe as a plum,'' in the words of Vermeer's lecherous art dealer. Johansson (who's having quite a year with this film and \"Lost in Translation\") shows a notable lack of vanity, going through \"Girl'' with no apparent makeup and her hair covered by a scarf. She bears a startling resemblance to the painting's anonymous sitter. Vermeer doesn't appear until a third of the way through, bursting into his noisy household in Delft (his wife was perennially pregnant, which may have accounted for her foul moods) and anxiously searching for a modicum of quiet. Since the artist left no searing self-portraits, Colin Firth in a pageboy has an easier time convincing us he's Vermeer than Kirk Douglas did when he took on van Gogh. Painstakingly slathering paint on canvas, Firth displays the intensity of a great artist. Vermeer's legion of enthusiastic fans may wish there had been more conjecture about his miraculous ability to turn simple household scenes into timeless art. The movie offers tantalizing glimpses of the leaded glass windows, rich mosaic fabrics and cobbled streets immortalized in his work. But the only painterly moments come with the creation of \"The Girl With a Pearl Earring'' -- an anomaly for Vermeer because it features a single face against a sea of black instead of the detailed settings for which he's famous. Director Peter Webber is at his best in the scene of Griet posing. It's tightly woven (displaying Webber's roots as a film editor), as the camera moves back and forth from Vermeer assessing his model to her trying to comprehend his expectations. Nothing overtly sexual happens, but incendiary looks pass between them. To fit her with the pearl earrings, Vermeer must first pierce her ears with a hot needle. Griet passionately cries out, as if her virginity had been taken. He instructs her to wet her lips, smoothing them over with his fingers. When Vermeer finishes with her, Griet runs to her young boyfriend, portrayed with gusto by rising hunk Cillian Murphy. The implication is that the sitting has aroused her, and she expects him to do something about it. And he does. He fulfills her as a woman, but it's Vermeer who makes her immortal."}, {"response": 397, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 27, 2003 (10:01)", "body": "(Mari) Not all reviews are created equal, folks.;-) True, true. When I looked for the Chronicle's review, all I found was a one paragraph synopsis. They must have put it up later. Thanks, though I'm not sure Ruthe knows what a 'pageboy' is or remembers too many of the particulars of the film. ;-)"}, {"response": 398, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 27, 2003 (10:11)", "body": "Anyone see Anatomy of a Scene on Sundance?"}, {"response": 399, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Dec 27, 2003 (12:31)", "body": "I watched it. They focused mostly on the banquet scene. Lots of VanR. Vermeer says maybe 3 words. I can tell I'm going to really really like this movie.;-) They talked a bit about trying to approximate a \"candlelight only\" look. Recreating the lead glass. Photographing the servant scenes in blues and vivid colors, and then softening everything to ambers for the family scenes. Last month's episode on The Cooler was better, IMO."}, {"response": 400, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 27, 2003 (12:39)", "body": "(Mari) Vermeer says maybe 3 words. I can tell I'm going to really really like this movie.;-) Well, he doesn't really say much in that scene anyway. Those three words are about it. The scene focuses on Mama trying to get son-in-law another commission. From the third Chicago paper (albeit a freebie, this guy is major and serious); it only got a capsule review but by the main guy: Capsule by Jonathan Rosenbaum From the Chicago Reader A greeting card disguised as a historical drama about Jan Vermeer and his 17th-century Dutch milieu. Scarlett Johansson plays Grete, a 16-year-old domestic in the household of the dashing young painter (Colin Firth), who sublimates his feelings for her into his painting. The maid is lit like a Vermeer portrait even when she isn't posing or mixing his paints, which reduces his art to photo-realism and undercuts the reverence accorded to him as a sacred visionary. The period detail is more vibrant than the minimal story (adapted by Olivia Hetreed from Tracy Chevalier's novel), which includes Grete's romance with a butcher's assistant. Tom Wilkinson plays Vermeer's patron as a lascivious ogre. Peter Webber, a first-timer, directed. 99 min. (JR)"}, {"response": 401, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec 27, 2003 (17:30)", "body": "Anyone see Anatomy of a Scene on Sundance? Me... (Mari)Lots of VanR. Vermeer says maybe 3 words. To Griet: \"Make it\" Everyone is interviewed except YKW. Agaree with Mari that it enhances the film viewing. The most interesting part is that the Editing director said GWAPE was 3 hrs and 20 minutes on the first run. Ya'think part of the ending was left on the cutting room floor;-) Will show again tomorrow and Wednesday. I'll do more taping and send it around. If any DD want to be on the Sundance Tape Train email me."}, {"response": 402, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 28, 2003 (10:13)", "body": "A \"how it was made\" type article, with some old/new info, by Tracy Chevalier in the Observer today: http://books.guardian.co.uk/departments/generalfiction/story/0,6000,1113053,00.html Mother of Pearl On the eve of its cinema release, Tracy Chevalier describes how she felt as she saw her bestselling novel Girl with a Pearl Earring being transferred to the screen 'I hear a film has been made of your book! Have you seen it? Did you like it? Did you have anything to do with making it? Did you meet Colin Firth? What are you wearing to the premiere? Do you get to go to the Oscars if it's nominated? Will your other books be made into films?' Over the past few months I've been bombarded with such questions about the upcoming film adaptation of my novel Girl with a Pearl Earring. Not just from family and friends, but from readers and journalists as well, all of them giddy with the kind of excitement I never hear over the publication of a book. No one has ever asked me what I'm going to wear to a book launch. The film world has a glamour that book publishing can never compete with - a bigger budget, flashier ads ('There's a huge billboard of your film on Sunset Boulevard!' an LA friend emailed), and glitzier awards ceremonies. Despite this, the bright stage lights of a film don't necessarily cancel out the small, steady candle flame of a book. Indeed, that flame may last longer. These days a film has to do well in the first weekend's takings or it gets pulled from cinemas, whereas a book has a few months to earn its shelf space in a bookshop, as well as a second chance on paperback publication. I didn't write Girl expecting it to be made into a film. Nor did I expect it to sell two million copies around the world. Of course I secretly hoped both things would happen - who doesn't dream of success? Sometimes during low points in the writing, I kept myself going by imagining the perfect cast (a younger Alan Rickman as the painter Vermeer, and some unknown actress, plucked fresh from drama school, as his servant and muse, Griet). I was aware too that the book is very visual, as well as having a straightforward story line, and so might translate easily into a film. I researched and wrote the book in just eight months (I was pregnant and had a biological deadline). The film had a rather longer gestation. I sat in the London office of Archer Street Films, drinking cappuccino and chatting to producers Andy Paterson and Anand Tucker about selling the film option in the summer of 1999, just before the book was published. In August 2003 I first saw the finished film. Four years from first meeting to first screening is a long time in book publishing terms. I've published two novels since Archer Street bought the rights to Girl. When I first talked with Andy and Anand, I didn't have great expectations. I was delighted they were interested in making the book into a film, but I had also heard the statistic that only 5 per cent of books optioned for films ever get made. I suspected Girl would sit on a shelf gathering dust in some film executive's office. On the other hand, Andy and Anand were persuasive and appeared to have integrity. They seemed to 'get' the novel, understanding that the key to the story was its restraint. One of the first things I said to them was that I did not want the main characters to sleep together. Hollywood would want to sex up the film, and I thought a small British production company would be more likely to remain faithful to the book in that respect, as well as to ensure the film had a European feel to it. When they promised to try to replicate the 'emotional truth' of the book, I believed them. I was aware that I might be hoodwinked, but at least they were talking a language I would never hear in Hollywood. Does Hollywood know the meaning of restraint? When we began negotiations, Archer Street Films asked if I wanted any involvement in writing the screenplay. I answered blithely that I wouldn't mind taking a crack at the first draft. At that point my agent Jonny Geller dragged me away from the negotiating table. 'Unless you want to become a screenwriter, don't do it!' he said. 'You're a novelist, that's what you do best. Go and write books and leave film-making to the film-makers.' It was the best advice he ever gave me. I signed off on any involvement in the film - much to the relief of Archer Street Films, I suspect. Who wants an interfering author breathing down your neck? As a result I probably had the best relationship possible with both producer Andy Paterson and screenwriter Olivia Hetreed. It also gave me an excuse in case the film turned out to be terrible - I could truthfully say that I had nothing to do with it. Keeping the film at an arm's length meant that I didn't have to follow every twist and turn of its tortuous progress to the screen. Andy kept me informed, but usually a few months late so that by the time I found out the bad news, some good news had already come along to replace it. "}, {"response": 403, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Dec 28, 2003 (11:04)", "body": "(Karen's Tracy Chevalier in the Observer) I now have two Griets in my head - Scarlett Johansson's luminous Griet and my own, original Griet, small and quiet - but with a steady presence no less diminished for having gained a sister. Lovely. Thanks Karen. That was an enjoyable read."}, {"response": 404, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 28, 2003 (13:54)", "body": "I think I have them all up now, the transcripts from Regis and Kilborn's shows: http://www.firth.com/int/03regisdec8.html http://www.firth.com/int/03kilborndec10.html"}, {"response": 405, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, Dec 28, 2003 (13:58)", "body": "(Karen's Tracy Chevalier in the Observer) I now have two Griets in my head - Scarlett Johansson's luminous Griet and my own, original Griet, small and quiet - but with a steady presence no less diminished for having gained a sister. (Beedee) Lovely. Thanks Karen. Indeed. Thanks Karen. Now I'm truly praying with a purpose regarding noms. My local art movie theatre \"hopes to get it\" around the end of January."}, {"response": 406, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec 28, 2003 (14:51)", "body": "This weekend GWAPE Lions Grossed $175,000 Playing in 25 theatres Average $7,000 [v.v. good] $444,000 Total Gross Wish they'd hurry up and add more theatres.There's a lot of garbage out there now. Love Actually Uni. Grossed$911,000 Playing in 408 theatres $2,232 Average/theatre $55,983,000 Total gross LA is out of my neck of the woods. So much for a Christmas movie.... Hel-lo, this is Christmas week."}, {"response": 407, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Dec 28, 2003 (17:42)", "body": "Thanks Karen, Mari and Katty for those articles! And thanks for the transcripts too Karen . .! Ordering penne at an Italian restuarant will never be the same again;) Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas;)"}, {"response": 408, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Dec 28, 2003 (18:06)", "body": "An earring & an enigma VERMEER'S SUBJECT ILLUMINATES SCREEN IN A TALE OF HISTORICAL SPECULATION By Bruce Newman Mercury News Posted on Sat, Dec. 27, 2003 For most of the film ``Girl With a Pearl Earring,'' Griet -- the young housemaid played by Scarlett Johansson -- keeps her hair concealed in a swaddling scarf, a headpiece of such elaborate design that you begin to wonder if she might be bald. When Griet, at last, removes the cover and we catch the first glimpse of her hair, the effect is almost the same as if she had taken off all her clothes. ``Cinematically, repression is seriously interesting,'' says Peter Webber, the film's director. Based on Tracy Chevalier's bestselling historical speculation about Vermeer's iconic portrait, ``Girl With a Pearl Earring'' -- which opened in the Bay Area on Friday -- re-creates the Dutch master's 17th-century household so deftly that even the sight of an uncovered head feels revealing. ``The sexual repression she's operating under within that household disappears,'' Webber says, ``and you realize she's not this little girl anymore.'' Though no one knows who the girl in the painting really was, in Chevalier's story Griet has been employed to clean up after Vermeer's quarrelsome wife, Catharina (Essie Davis), and their 11 children. It soon becomes apparent to the artist (played by Colin Firth) that the only person under his own roof who understands him is this young maid, who is forced by her station to remain virtually mute. The painting has been called ``the Mona Lisa of the North'' because its enigmatic quality is reminiscent of Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece. ``You look at that girl's face and you see a whole mixture of things going on,'' Webber says. ``You see innocence, you see sexuality, happiness and sadness -- it seems to ask as many questions as it answers.'' Vermeer's reaction to the sight of Griet with her head exposed is emblematic of the film's dramatic turning points: He tilts his head meaningfully. ``You're looking to create these little moments of reality,'' Webber says. ``I know the film is very beautiful to look at. If you hire someone as talented as Eduardo Serra'' -- the cinematographer responsible for the film's painterly look -- ``and you have the visual resource of the art of that period, it's going to be beautiful. The trickier thing is making sure there's some life within that beauty, because beauty can be a trap.'' Chevalier's novel was a kind of reverse engineering of the painting. The film not only extends that speculation but also adds the physical texture of shadow and light, the interplay of youth and experience, the polarities of sexual obsession and repression. ``Those polarities are the beating heart of the film really,'' Webber says. ``He's extremely isolated within that household, so the tenderness he experiences from her is very important. It's good, strong, grown-up stuff. ``I think it's a great advantage that we know a bunch of details about Vermeer's life, but not so many that they constrain you. People may think a film about an artist is going to be boring, but this is a story about money, sex and power. It's not one of those turgid biopics.'' To re-create the atmosphere of a Delft household in the mid-1600s, Webber took a minimalist approach to dialogue, often allowing entire scenes to play out without a word spoken. ``I'm sure some people might equate silent with boring,'' he says. ``I thought it was very important to strip the dialogue away. But to do that, you need Colin Firth and you need Scarlett Johansson.'' The role of Griet was originally to have been played by Kate Hudson, Ralph Fiennes was set to play Vermeer, and Mike Newell (``Mona Lisa Smile'') had agreed to direct the picture. But when Hudson backed out, the opportunity to direct fell to Webber, who had done only documentaries before ``Girl With a Pearl Earring.'' He immediately set about auditioning teenage actresses. ``You knew Scarlett was special the moment you met her,'' he says. ``She was a force of nature. Not that all the other actresses we looked at weren't talented, but Scarlett did something that other people couldn't do. She didn't just do ethereal.'' Johansson, who was then 17, had to fly from Tokyo to Europe and start work three days after finishing ``Lost in Translation,'' another movie in which she has a platonic relationship with an older man, played by Bill Murray. (She's been nominated for Golden Globes as best actress in both films.) A year earlier, she appeared in ``The Man Who Wasn't There,'' as a young girl involved with an older man (Billy Bob Thornton this time). ``Scarlett has a quality about her that's much older and wiser,'' Webber says. ``There's a complexity about her, an emotional depth, a combination of innocence and experience and a budding sexuality.'' Also, as it turns out, a great head of hair. GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING Now playing throughout the Bay Area .Rated: PG-13 (some sexual content) Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Colin Firth"}, {"response": 409, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Dec 29, 2003 (02:32)", "body": "Thank you all for the articles, pictures and reviews. I'm amazed at the amount of informations, this group of droolers are able to dig up :-) A small contribution, which I hope haven't been posted before: http://www.splicedwire.com/03reviews/girlpearl.html (part of the review: One such moment comes as the Dutch master, played with alluring, untamed gravitas by the solemnly magnetic Colin Firth"}, {"response": 410, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Dec 29, 2003 (03:07)", "body": "A few more google-results. I know, these aren't reviews from \"important\" sources, but thought it interesting to read anyway. Colin Firth plays a smoldering Vermeer. Though it\ufffds colored by Firth\ufffds usual display of repression, it\ufffds one of his better performances through sheer virtue of its uniqueness in his oeuvre. http://www.filmcritic.com/misc/emporium.nsf/0/d1eef39d2aceec7288256dec0065ea0a?OpenDocument -- Recent film outings have not been too kind for Colin Firth, too often lazily cast as the romantic interest in some below-par rom com (<> or What A Girl Wants anyone?). However he excels here as the brooding painter, ill-at-ease at the world he finds himself in. The scenes between the two are particularly well played, and surrounded by a supporting cast that hits its mark every time. http://www.tiscali.co.uk/entertainment/film/reviews/girl_with_a_pearl_earring.html -- Firth is broodingly virile, amply suggesting why Griet might be in a state of arousal over more than his painting talent, which plays into the ignitable intrigues permeating the residence. His portrayal also captures a degree of sympathy for the man of art threatened by the parlor politics of three generations of women. http://www.variagate.com/pearring.htm?CNr -- It\ufffds odd, though, that the film\ufffds greatest strength \ufffd the focus on Griet and Johansson\ufffds appealing performance \ufffd ends up taking away from what you\ufffdd expect to be its highlight \ufffd shedding light on Vermeer, his motivations and inspiration. Compared to Griet, Vermeer seems a secondary character, and we never get as strong a sense of what he\ufffds about as the filmmakers obviously had intended. (ed note: didn\ufffdt the filmmakers intend to focus on Griet more than Vermeer??) http://www.apolloguide.com/mov_fullrev.asp?CID=5018&Specific=5847 -- Colin Firth does a surprising turn as a conflicted artist who is unable to let loose with his usual, assertively romantic style. http://www.allmovieportal.com/m/2003_Girl_with_a_Pearl_Earring.html -- Fortunately, they have found an actor who can bring the same amount of gravity to the screen to portray the painter. I never would have thought of Colin Firth to portray a contemplative, passionate painter, but he finds in Johannes Vermeer material for what may indeed be his best performance. He is able to make the intense, brooding figure intriguing without making him laughably morose. His hair and costume do seem a bit too precious, but I was surprised at how much chemisty and tension Weber was able to develop between the nearly silent scenes between Vermeer and Griet, the maid who mystefies him. http://promontoryartists.org/lookingcloser/movie%20reviews/A-G/girlwithapearlearring.htm"}, {"response": 411, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Dec 29, 2003 (08:50)", "body": "Thanks for all of the reviews Annette. . . Not Colin . .but another article on Scarlett . . .nice little blurb on her working on GWAPE For Johansson, becoming 'it' is a non-stop journey - http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/movies/154160_johansson29.html She poured herself into the role, finding herself becoming emotionally spent after shooting some of the scenes. She says, \"It became more apparent to me the more that we filmed how completely in love I was falling with Colin as the Vermeer character. And it became more and more apparent to me that the Vermeer character was this sort of untouchable, mysterious man -- this genius -- and my character was completely longing and obsessive and in love with this man and it was actually physically heartbreaking.\""}, {"response": 412, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Dec 29, 2003 (09:19)", "body": "If any of the Metro Gals will be in the area of Huntington and are looking for something to do on New Year's Eve: Champagne and Celluloid The Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington will be mixing dancing, dining and movie watching. The film fare includes \"In America,\" a tale of an Irish immigrant family in New York, \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" about the painter Vermeer and a young maid , and the French animated film, \"The Triplets of Belleville.\" The celebration, which begins at 7:45 p.m., costs $90 a person for Cinema members and $115 for non-members. (Address: 423 Park Ave, Huntington; 631-423-7611.)"}, {"response": 413, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Dec 29, 2003 (09:27)", "body": "For any Droolers in the area . .win tix to see GWAPE on January 15 ClickOnDetroit.com, Local 4 and Lions Gate Films are giving you and a guest the chance to see a special preview of the new movie \"Girl With A Pearl Earring.\". Enter to win two tickets to the preview set for Thursday, Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. at Landmark's Maple Art, 4135 Maple Road, Birmingham. http://www.clickondetroit.com/contests/2726579/detail.html"}, {"response": 414, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 29, 2003 (10:53)", "body": "Thanks for finding the lovely comments about Colin's acting in GWAPE, Annette, though I find it more interesting how surprised the reviewers are. :-( it\ufffds one of his better performances through sheer virtue of its uniqueness in his oeuvre. Colin Firth does a surprising turn... I never would have thought of Colin Firth to portray a contemplative, passionate painter... ********* Compared to Griet, Vermeer seems a secondary character, and we never get as strong a sense of what he\ufffds about as the filmmakers obviously had intended. (ed note: didn\ufffdt the filmmakers intend to focus on Griet more than Vermeer??) That, Annette, is why these reviewers (I won't call them critics) are merely on the internet. ;-)"}, {"response": 415, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Mon, Dec 29, 2003 (11:23)", "body": "Thank you for the all the reviews, photos and photo captions ladies, I laughed myself silly reading those. It's nice to see that GWAPE is getting a good reception, it certainly deserves it. I just hope it'll get a wide enough release that we don't have to travel a hundred miles to see it. I searched for info about when it would get released here in Canada, but didn't find anything. I'm a bit worried that it's a bad sign, but we'll have to see. Karen, thanks for the Colin New Year greeting on the main page. Lovely! :-)"}, {"response": 416, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Dec 29, 2003 (13:30)", "body": "I just hope it'll get a wide enough release Here in the UK, there was a long ad on Christmas Day on Channel 4. Very impressive. They must have a good budget! Christmas Day is the most expensive for advertising time :-)"}, {"response": 417, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Dec 29, 2003 (14:01)", "body": "Don't think this was posted yet . .was given 4 out of 5 stars by this reviewer . . http://www.themediadrome.com/content/reviews/girl_with_a_pearl_earing.shtml Girl with a Pearl Earring by Scott Mantz Inspiration can come in a variety of forms \ufffd a song you heard, a movie you saw, a poem you read or a person you met. In director Peter Webber\ufffds first feature Girl With a Pearl Earring, inspiration comes in the unlikely form of a meek housemaid in Holland, circa 1665. Adapted from the best-selling 1999 novel by Tracy Chevalier, the film starts out slow, but like the painting it is based on, it eventually takes shape to become an intense and thoroughly engrossing work of art. In order to support her family, seventeen-year-old Griet (Scarlett Johansson) is forced to take a job as a maid for the acclaimed artist, Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth). They are worlds apart in just about every way (especially their age), but Vermeer soon finds himself attracted to Griet\ufffds natural beauty and slowly begins to draw her into his craft. Since Griet obviously inspires Vermeer, his superficial mother-in-law (Judy Parfitt) allows their relationship to develop even further, much to the chagrin of Vermeer\ufffds jealous, controlling wife (Essie Davis). How long can Griet survive before she gets in over her head with this chaotic family, and more importantly, how long will it take for Vermeer to finish what will eventually become known as one of the greatest paintings of all time? Other than the painstakingly slow pace at which Vermeer created his 35 paintings, not much is known about him. That gives the book \ufffd and ultimately, the film \ufffd free reign to take a fictional idea and run with it to make it more than just an art history lesson. While the movie\ufffds setting and subject matter may announce its intentions early on as a high-brow period piece, a curious love triangle soon develops with elements of dramatic tension found in most contemporary thrillers \ufffd including jealously, pettiness, spiritual connection and understanding. Since the passion between Vermeer and Griet is more visual than talked about, the acting is incredibly strong and doesn\ufffdt overstate the obvious. To that extent, you couldn\ufffdt have asked for a better Griet than Scarlett Johansson. Naturally beautiful and wise far beyond her years, Johansson adds yet another strong, seductive \ufffd yet somehow innocent \ufffd performance to her resume. She also has incredible chemistry with Colin Firth, who plays Vermeer with so much conflicted, self-absorbed torture, it\ufffds hard to tell if he really cares for Griet or if he simply sees her as a muse for his own professional gratification. Comparisons are bound to be made between Girl With a Pearl Earring and Lost in Translation, and for good reason. Both films feature young women (both, ironically, played by Scarlett Johansson) who fall for older, past-their-prime artists (Bill Murray in Translation and, of course, Colin Firth in Earring). In addition, both films rely on mood, atmosphere and connection, and more importantly, both films avoid the predictable trappings that are common in most cinematic May-December romances. Girl With a Pearl Earring may take creative liberties when it comes to the genesis of the famous painting, but it\ufffds certainly an engaging film that makes the unassuming girl at the center of its story a \ufffdpearl of great price.\ufffd That\ufffds a reference to the biblical story of the merchant, \ufffdwho, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.\ufffd Whether the events depicted in the film are true or not (and let\ufffds face it, they\ufffdre obviously not), it hardly matters. The passion that inspires Vermeer is a small price to pay for what ends up being a priceless cinematic experience. Also from: http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/review_1868.html Girl With A Pearl Earring Reviewed by - Matthew Turner NATIONAL RELEASE 16th JANUARY 2004 Four out of Five stars Running time: 103 mins Beautifully photographed and featuring a superb performance by Scarlett Johansson, this is a rewarding drama that is shot through with a palpable erotic intensity. Girl With A Pearl Earring is a period drama based on the best-selling novel by Tracy Chevalier. Primarily a British production, it\ufffds directed by Peter Webber, making his feature debut. As such, it\ufffds an extremely enjoyable drama: sumptuous, erotic and beautifully photographed, with superb performances from its cast. 17th Century Holland The film is set in 17th century Holland in the city of Delft and the story takes an imaginary look at the events surrounding the creation of Vermeer\ufffds most famous painting. Scarlett Johansson (Ghost World, The Man Who Wasn\ufffdt There) stars as Griet, a 17 year old girl who becomes a maid in the house of Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth). Though separated by both class and education, Vermeer recognises her intuitive understanding of colour and light and gradually allows her to assist with his painting. Their tender, clandestine relationsh"}, {"response": 418, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Dec 29, 2003 (15:06)", "body": "Greetings, ladies. This seems like an appropriate place for me to jump into the pool with all of you. I've been a avid fan for years but have only recent ly come upon your website. It has been a source of great enjoyment and information. Thanks to Karen, I'm up and running on the site although I freely admit to being intimidated by the wealth of knowledge and resources you all bring to the topic of our shared Colin obsession. I'm one of the lucky ones in that I was able to catch GWAPE last week at a local art cinema. (Yes, the one he and SJ visited in November for a preview of the film in Westchester County, NY. I'm still nuts at having found out via your site that he had been a mere 15 minutes from my home and I'd been in the dark about it.) Anyway, the film was absolutely beautiful and I think it is sure to become a signature role for him. I must say that although I loved his performances in BJD and LA I am very happy to see him back in a classic dramatic film portraying the quiet, intense romantic lead we all know he does so well. I had feared for a time that he risked being relegated to light comedic fare similar to Hugh Grant's recent career path. My concern was heightend further after this fall's debut of WAGW with Amanda Bynes. But GWAPE puts the breadth and scope of his talents back on full display for the wider audience that is destined to see and appreciate the film. Hopefully, that assures us addicts of many oses of Colin yet to come in the great diversity of roles we know he can play. Karen, thanks for your help with the site and all scoop you pass our way. Today's New Year's picture is great - perhaps you can pass along some hints at how one goes about digging this stuff up? By the way, can anyone fill me in on the abbreviation, 'LOL'? It's the only one I can't quite figure out..."}, {"response": 419, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 29, 2003 (15:19)", "body": "Good to see you've taken the plunge into the Spring's bubbling waters, Leslie. Join the gang on Topic 146: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/146/new where they'll give you a proper welcoming reception. And LOL means \"laughing out loud.\" (Ildi) I just hope it'll get a wide enough release that we don't have to travel a hundred miles to see it. I searched for info about when it would get released here in Canada Aren't you near enough to Toronto? 'cause that's where it will play. Don't expect this movie to have anything remotely considered a \"wide\" release. It is art house, pure and simple. If Evelyn's OKC art museum hadn't had a special screening, she would've had to fly to Dallas for this one. ;-)"}, {"response": 420, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Dec 29, 2003 (15:26)", "body": "Love New Year Colin Karen!"}, {"response": 421, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Dec 29, 2003 (15:37)", "body": "Psst . . Leslie . . . Hi to a fellow Metro Gal and Westchester-ite;) Glad to hear of another Colin fan in close proximity!"}, {"response": 422, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Dec 29, 2003 (15:40)", "body": "Whoops Karen . .did you mean Topic 174? . .for Leslie to introduce her self? http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/174/new"}, {"response": 423, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Dec 29, 2003 (15:59)", "body": "Thanks, Kimberly. Are there many of us Metro Gals and Westchester-ites out there? Also, will properly introduce my self on Topic 174..."}, {"response": 424, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Dec 29, 2003 (16:14)", "body": "Dorine and Risa (ie Little Bee) are the other Metro Gals that I've physically met so far . .they are down in NYC . .(Queens and Brooklyn I believe to be exact) . .no other Westchester-ites that I know of;) . .Just you and me . . Unless there are more lurkers that I haven't met yet . .and I'm still relatively new too . .so I'm still trying to get all the names and locations of everyone straight;)"}, {"response": 425, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 2003 (01:14)", "body": "Fabio's Got a Real Pretty Mouth, Too By ANTHONY RAMIREZ The New York Times SCARLETT JOHANSSON, the art house It Girl of the moment, may or may not know the source of her cinematic appeal. But she and her directors do know that her ANGELINA JOLIE-class lips should be spotlighted big time on screen. In \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" Ms. Johansson's impossibly plump kisser is almost a character by itself. It mesmerizes COLIN FIRTH as Vermeer in a fictional retelling based on TRACY CHEVALIER's novel. Ms. Johansson plays a maid in Vermeer's house in the 1660's who becomes the subject of his iconic art. On a press junket at the Regency Hotel, Ms. Johansson's mouth was painted a berry red. Like Vermeer's enigmatic girl, Ms. Johansson also loves earrings. She has two in her left ear, one in her right ear, and one in her belly button, reported The Times of London recently. And being a fashionable Manhattan teenager (she just turned 19), Ms. Johansson did not want to stop there. She planned to put a pair of earrings through her left eyebrow and, for symmetry's sake, somewhere else on her physiognomy. Her mother, sensing a career-killing trend, shrieked, \"Not the mouth, Scarlett, anything but the mouth.\" Ms. Johansson desisted, she told The Times of London. Unpierced adventure still beckons, however. \"I certainly don't want to be an old person looking back at things,\" Ms. Johansson said. \"Why didn't I do all the things I wanted to do when I was younger and vibrant and had no responsibilities to anybody or family?\" Such as, our reporter nudged. Ms. Johansson pursed her ringless lips, thought a while, and said, \"Why didn't I travel around and meet people and work in Canada? That sort of thing.\" We see. Next interrogation! Her tall co-star, Mr. Firth, ambled his way into the press room, glanced at his watch and nearly collided with pint-size Ms. Johansson's quart-size bouche. Mr. Firth was bemused. Ms. Johansson smiled a hey-big-guy smile. \"Stop checking your watch, you grumpy old man,\" Ms. Johansson teased. Was there much mockery on the film set, Mr. Firth was asked. Very much so, he said, clearing his throat. \"A lot of it was directed at my wig,\" Mr. Firth said, referring to the long locks that give him a brooding 17th-century look for the film. On the set, Mr. Firth said, Ms. Johansson kept calling him FABIO. \"And what I thought was my sizzling look was met with a smirk, and `I can't believe it's not butter.' \" http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/30/nyregion/30BOLD.html"}, {"response": 426, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 2003 (09:03)", "body": "Guess if any Drooler is in the area and would like to meet Tracy Chevalier: 'Pearl Earring' author coming to Naperville - http://www.dailyherald.com/news_story.asp?intid=3798534"}, {"response": 427, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 2003 (09:29)", "body": "From The Mirror: FILMS: THE BEST AND WORST OF 2003 KEVIN O'SULLIVAN looks back at a vintage 12 months which had a fair share of turkeys Lord Of The Rings blah blah. Love Actually blah. Peter Jackson, God Of Hollywood, blah blah. Richard Curtis, Hugh Grant, feelgood film for Christmas, blah. British triumph, blah, blah, bloody blah. Right. That's got rid of the boring positive stuff. Never mind the genuinely fabulous films which made 2003 a vintage year for movies, here's the rubbish! Hope Springs, The Hot Chick, Biker Boyz, Double Whammy, What A Girl Wants, Bad Boys 2, Party Monster, In The Cut and Spun. All of these pathetic cinematic dung heaps plumbed incredible depths, but the worst film of the year was the mighty Gigli. [...] Before he raised his game a little with his turn in the overrated Love Actually, Colin Firth was having a stinker of a time. Hope Springs was a dire dirge of a non-comedy which inflicted serious damage not only on Col's career but also on that of his hapless co-star Minnie Driver. Just a couple of months later, Firth was at again in What A Girl Wants, a slice of solid garbage about an American airhead who comes to London looking for her long lost British father. Unfortunately, she finds him. [Best stuff...] ...Richard Curtis's festive offering Luvvie Actually featured all of his thespian chums but was wildly overrated. [...] Kill Bill: Volume One. This dazzling kung fu masterpiece placed director extraordinaire Quentin Tarantino at the very top of the pile. With the able assistance of stunning Uma Thurman, Mr Q demonstrated he knows more about movie style than Peter Jackson and Richard Curtis ever will. So there. http://www.mirror.co.uk/theticket/tickethidden/content_objectid=13758650_method=full_siteid=50143_headline=-FILMS%2D%2DTHE%2DBEST%2DAND%2DWORST%2DOF%2D2003-name_page.html"}, {"response": 428, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 2003 (09:37)", "body": "(Karen) Aren't you near enough to Toronto? 'cause that's where it will play. Yes, I'm near enough, only 25kms west of it. And if GWAPE'll play there I'm going to be a happy person. But so far I haven't found any info on when and where it would open in Canada. So I'm waiting in suspense. Thanks for the articles, Kimberly, Josie!"}, {"response": 429, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 2003 (09:45)", "body": "(Mirror)Before he raised his game a little with his turn in the overrated Love Actually, Colin Firth was having a stinker of a time. Hope Springs was a dire dirge of a non-comedy which inflicted serious damage not only on Col's career but also on that of his hapless co-star Minnie Driver. Just a couple of months later, Firth was at again in What A Girl Wants, a slice of solid garbage about an American airhead who comes to London looking for her long lost British father. Unfortunately, she finds him. Youch! . .Dorine warned me that HS was pretty bad . .though, much like a car wreck on the side of the road . .I am compelled to see it, just b/c ODB is in it . . .(now that is true fan dedication) OK . . I like WAGW (I'll even admit to owning a copy of it). .it's not his best . .its a silly sugary piece of fluff, but you know what, it makes me laugh, like RV makes me laugh and I love that one as well . . . one can't be serious and smouldering all the time . . . (Mirror)but the worst film of the year was the mighty Gigli. OK. . . this car wreck I have NO interest in seeing . .funny . .I was watching \"The Biggest Celebrity Ooops of 2003\" . .and the Ben-ifer flick made number one as well . . ."}, {"response": 430, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 2003 (10:23)", "body": "(Kimberly)I am compelled to see it, just b/c ODB is in it . . .(now that is true fan dedication) I do this all the time. Try SLOW...Methinks HS was better... (Mirror)but the worst film of the year was the mighty Gigli. Wrong!! The critics had it in for those two. I saw Gigli. Kangaroo Jack was."}, {"response": 431, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 2003 (12:58)", "body": "Guess if any Drooler is in the area and would like to meet Tracy Chevalier: Chavalier doesn't ring my chimes but...if ODB was doing the signing I'd hop a plane this afternoon. Hope Springs was a dire dirge of a non-comedy Sorry HS looks to be a stinker based on the opinion of a number or reviewers. The trailer seems quite appealing given all the compromising situations ODB looks to find himself in. Still anxiously awaiting the video release...even bad Colin is better than no Colin. On WAGW... Yes, I agree is was senseless fluff, but I still watch it over and over and over... And Josie, thanks for the piece from today's NYTimes. I looked at the actual ariticle to get a feel for when the press junket occured but it was very vague. I thought he'd left the NY area for the holidays but perhaps he's still around?? Anyone privy to his current whereabouts?"}, {"response": 432, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 2003 (13:05)", "body": "Try SLOW...Methinks HS was better... I agree! Absolutely, actually."}, {"response": 433, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 2003 (13:11)", "body": "While we're digressing into some of his stinkers ... I just got a hold of a copy of WOF w/Peter O'Toole. Would one of you far more astute members of our community please explain what that movie was about? Am I stupid or was it totally bizarre?"}, {"response": 434, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 2003 (13:17)", "body": "I saw WOF a few times before I realised that they were all dead, but then the 'Bobby Ewing' thing happened and so its all a little bizarre for me too. ??"}, {"response": 435, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 2003 (13:41)", "body": "There's a wealth of information on many of the old movies in the film discussions archives -- WOF looks like it is on Topic 98 beginning about Resp 1825. I love the discussions...this has always been a talented group and the discussions have always been \"indepth\"!"}, {"response": 436, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 2003 (13:49)", "body": "Try SLOW...Methinks HS was better... Hey, try Camille...;-)) I know, I know.. He was young."}, {"response": 437, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 2003 (14:02)", "body": "(Leslie) even bad Colin is better than no Colin. You obviously must not have gotten to Londinium yet. ;-) (Evelyn) Try SLOW...Methinks HS was better... (Allison) I agree! Absolutely, actually. I have to beg to differ. ;-) While both are technically poor, I've been able to watch SLOW #'s of times and HS, 1/2 a time. Still haven't finished it. Though will say, a good DVD copy may help a bit. I put it just above L'dum at the bottom of the list. But really it's all personal preference with the bad ones. What appeals to one won't to someone else. I did like WAGW for what it was. Not a wonderfully done movie, but I thought it was cute and he was the best thing in it, bias aside. ;-) (Leslie) And Josie, thanks for the piece from today's NYTimes. I looked at the actual ariticle to get a feel for when the press junket occured but it was very vague. I thought he'd left the NY area for the holidays but perhaps he's still around?? Anyone privy to his current whereabouts? Doubtful to say the least. They do those junkets/individual interviews/reviews sometimes weeks and months before they publish them, if the movie isn't coming out directly when the interviews are done."}, {"response": 438, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 2003 (14:20)", "body": "OK . .so it's not about GWAPE . .but LA . .but it was in this month's issue of Premiere . .so I thought I'd post it . . From Premiere Magazine \ufffd December 2003/January 2004 issue On the Set by Mark Salisbury In the Name of Love The writer of Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill directs a galaxy of stars in the tender comedy Love Actually This afternoon\ufffds topic of conversation on the Love Actually set is who should play the Clintonesque (read: lecherous) U.S. President in a handful of scenes involving Hugh Grant\ufffds British Prime Minister. Various suggestions \ufffdincluding Tom Selleck, David Hasselhoff, and Tony Curtis \ufffd are being bandied about by producer Duncan Kentworthy ( Notting Hill ), script editor Emma Freud, and actor Colin Firth. \ufffdToo ancient?\ufffd says Firth of Curtis. \ufffdToo camp?\ufffd What about Bill Clinton? He can\ufffdt have much to do.\ufffd The part will eventually go to Billy Bob Thorton. In the meantime, this game of fantasy casting is a rather good way of taking everyone\ufffds mind off the fact that it\ufffds sweltering inside Shepperton Studios, England, the result of unusually warm weather in the fall of 2002 and the number of lights required to illuminate this particular set, which is built to look like the arrivals area at London\ufffds Heathrow Airport. But bad as it is for those of us standing around watching, it\ufffds far worse for the actors, who today include, Firth, Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Keira Knightly ( Pirates of the Carribean ), Chiwetel Ejiofor ( Dirty Pretty Things ), and Claudia Schiffer, plus 250 extras, all of who are buried underneath layers of thick sweaters, heavy overcoats, woolen scarves and hats. In fact, today\ufffds most in-demand on-set accessory if a handheld mini-fan. \ufffdThe power of cashmere,\ufffd says a harried looking Firth, who\ufffds wearing a thick turtleneck and a thin sheen of perspiration. The only person who doesn\ufffdt seem to be affected by the conditions is Richard Curtis, the writer of Four Weddings and a Funeral , Notting Hill , and Bridget Jones\ufffd Diary , here making his debut as a writer-director. Arguably the leading component of contemporary cinematic romance, Curtis has detailed with affection, poignancy and wit6 the optimistic pursuit and eventiual attainment of love. \ufffdI think at a fundamental level he\ufffds an incurable romantic,\ufffd says Neeson, who plays a widower having to deal not only with his grief but with his stepson\ufffds infatuation with the coolest girl in school. \ufffdHe loves romance and he likes turning it slightly askew.\ufffd Sitting behind a video monitor and nibbling on nuts and fruit, Curtis, who seems to be able to name every girl he\ufffds ever been in love with (at age seven it was Tracy N. Thompson: \ufffdHer initials were TNT, and she blew my life apart.\ufffd), scarcely breaks a sweat as he orchestrates the comings and goings of his stellar cast. As the day progresses, owever, a pained expression crosses his still boyish features. \ufffdIt\ufffds a stressful job, \ufffd he will later reflect, \ufffdbut on the other hand I did feel ready for it.\ufffd Inspired by Robert Altman\ufffds Nashville and Short Cuts , as well as Wayne Wang\ufffds Smoke (three films that make it into the Curtis Top Ten), Love Actually is set in the weeks leading up to Christmas and laces together nine stories, some self-contained, some loosely connected, dealing with love in its many forms. It was while on holiday in Bali with his longtime partner Emma Freud (the great-grandaughter of Sigmund) and their children that Curtis began formulating lots of different stories, inspired in part by the messages of love sent by the victims of 9/11, a reference to which is made in Grant\ufffds opening voice-over of the film. \ufffdWhen people made phone calls on September 11, they were all love messages, \ufffd says Firth, who plays a novelist who heads to France after catching \ufffdhis girlfriend shagging his brother, \ufffd only to fall in love with a Portuguese maid who can\ufffdt speak English. \ufffdWe haven\ufffdt got any record of anybody who left a message of resentment or of practical advice, \ufffdThe gold is in the dot dot dot,\ufffd or \ufffdI never could stand you.\ufffd It seems everybody loved somebody.\ufffd But Curtis, 47, didn\ufffdt simply want to do another film about a couple falling in love. \ufffdGetting older and more familified, I\ufffdm interested in love of different shapes and size,\ufffd he says. \ufffdI\ufffdve been a married man, as it were, for ten years, so I was looking for a change. I thought, \ufffdIf I know who to do the love thing, why not try and do a really different version of it?\ufffd I had made these very structured romantic comedies with a guy of a certain age trying to find the perfect girl to marry, which is just one aspect of what love is all about. Having taken a shiny approach to it in the past, this one\ufffds got more of the darker side of it.\ufffd Which is why, alongside the more typical comic stories of romance \ufffdsuch as Grant\ufffds newly elected bachelor Prime Minister falling for a member of his household staff (British soap star Martine McCutcheon) upon entering 10 Downing Street \ufffdthere\ufffds the sour side of love too, l"}, {"response": 439, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 2003 (14:29)", "body": "(Evelyn)Try SLOW...Methinks HS was better... Hey . .I gotta say I did like SLOW . . for what it was, a very Lifetime channel type of film (which is where a friend of mine had taped it off of for me) . .Still will have to wait to make the comparison after I see HS Leslie - May have to borrow WOF from you, just b/c you've got my curiosity piqued Dorine - OK will agree, Londoninium is probably down on the bottom of my list as well . .ATA is too maybe above that . . . Bee - Camille . .hmm another friend has just taped that for me too . .will wait to see before placing it on my list of faves . .but yes . .he was young . . and one's acting style does mature over time . . .I mean look at the difference between his performaces in AZ as opposed to GWAPE."}, {"response": 440, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 2003 (14:39)", "body": "(Kimberly) I mean look at the difference between his performaces in AZ as opposed to GWAPE. True, but, to me, to compare these 2 would be like comparing apples and oranges as far as character's personality goes and the type of acting they required. AZ is top of the list for me, but I certainly won't negate what he did in GWAPE. Both are very good, AZ is just the ultimate for me....and came much earlier. Just depends on his projects. Quite a few of his earlier pieces are *much* better than most of what he's done in the most recent past, IMO. And Camille....I have to admit, I keep forgetting he ever did this. Sorry, Evelyn. ;-)"}, {"response": 441, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 2003 (16:06)", "body": "Holiday Numbers Are Solid for New Indie and Specialty Films by Eugene Hernandez/indieWIRE (for the weekend ending December 29, 2003) Lions Gate remains busy with its awards hopefuls \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" and \"The Cooler.\" \"Girl\" made $188,756 for an average of $7,260 and a new total of just under $500,000, while \"The Cooler\" made $308,756 for an average of just over $4,000 and a new total of almost $1.2 million. http://www.indiewire.com/biz/biz_031230boxoffice.html"}, {"response": 442, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 2003 (16:10)", "body": "Have checked the number before posting, but Firthology was created to discuss the old movies (though not formal discussions) and is especially for those kind of questions by our newbies: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/181/new (Dorine) I put it just above L'dum at the bottom of the list. Hey, stop appropriating my list!"}, {"response": 443, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 2003 (22:05)", "body": "From Martin Grove of The Hollywood Reporter weighing in on his favorite movies of the year, with both LA and GWAPE.... (4) Another romantic comedy that I thoroughly enjoyed was Universal, Studio Canal and Working Title's \" Love Actually .\" Written and directed by Richard Curtis, it was produced by Duncan Kenworthy, Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner. Its ensemble cast shines across the board, including Alan Rickman, Bill Nighy, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Laura Linney, Liam Neeson, Martine McCutcheon, Keira Knightley and Rowan Atkinson. If \"Something\" is a quintessentially American romantic comedy, \"Love\" is a quintessentially British romantic comedy. It's nice to be able to include them both on my list of the year's top films. If, as I do, you love London and, in particular, love the way it looks and feels at Christmastime, this is a movie you'll want to see more than once. \"Love\" marks Curtis' directorial debut, after having written three memorable romantic comedies -- \"Four Weddings and a Funeral,\" \"Notting Hill\" and \"Bridget Jones's Diary.\" In \"Love,\" as he did in \"Four Weddings,\" Curtis weaves together numerous individual stories and then in the end manages to tie them up neatly into something that we didn't anticipate. And it's particularly pleasing that getting there is so much fun. In my Oct. 15 column, Bevan, who with Fellner is co-chairman of Working Title, spoke about Curtis' background as a writer. \"Since 1987, when I first met him basically on 'The Tall Guy,' he's always been a writer who's been all over his work,\" he pointed out. \"He's kind of had a 'producer' role, particularly on the films where he's been a single-credit writer. So he's been involved in a very intimate way in all of those films through working with us on choosing who should direct them and who should be in them, being on the set all the time and then particularly on all of the movies he's been very, very involved in the cutting room. \"And there's always been a kind of dream (of his) and it's become more of an acute dream as time's passed that he should direct. He got to a point on 'Love Actually' where it was inevitable, basically, that that should happen. Right from the beginning on 'The Tall Guy,' I think it was a dream of his that one day he would manage to do it and it's fantastic that the collaboration stayed in place and that we've all worked on all of these films together and that it's developed to this point .Not only has it been the backburner of Working Title, but it's sort of become the backburner of British cinema, as well, in the last 15 years.\" and.... [8] In any case, Lions Gate's drama \" Girl With a Pearl Earring \" earned a spot on today's list as soon as I saw it. It is the kind of film that really defines the concept of what an independent drama is all about. What makes it all the more impressive is that it's the work of a first time feature director. \"Girl,\" co-financed by Lions Gate and Pathe Pictures with U.K. Film Council, marks the feature directorial debut of Peter Webber. Starring are Colin Firth, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Wilkinson, Judy Parfitt, Cillian Murphy and Essie Davis. Produced by Andy Paterson and Anand Tucker, its screenplay by Olivia Hetreed is based on the best-selling novel by Tracy Chevalier. It was executive produced by Francois Ivernel, Cameron McCraken, Duncan Reid, Tom Ortenberg, Peter Block, Daria Jovicic, Philip Erdoes and Nick Drake. Focusing here on \"Girl,\" Lions Gate's Ortenberg explained, \"(It's) such a special film and has been such a rewarding, wonderful experience. I'm just hoping that it gets all of the recognition both in theaters and during the awards season process that it deserves. We're focusing the campaign on so many different areas (such as) Scarlett Johannson's lead role as Griet, the girl with the pearl earring. Scarlett's obviously becoming a movie star before our eyes. But every scene in 'Girl With a Pearl Earring' is a work of art. \"Lions Gate has had a fair amount of success in the awards process over the last several years. 'Girl With a Pearl Earring' probably affords us the best chance at numerous awards and nominations as any film we've ever been associated with. Eduardo Serra's cinematography (for example). Eduardo was nominated in 1997 for 'Wings of the Dove.' The score, the costume design, many performances, the art direction (are all categories that could generate nominations). Being a beautiful period piece really gives the film a chance to highlight its specialness in a number of areas -- the costumes, the set decorations, the score, the cinematography.\" http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/columns/grove.jsp"}, {"response": 444, "author": "katty", "date": "Wed, Dec 31, 2003 (03:16)", "body": "I just found this slightly old tidbit about GWAPE from this very interesting and quite comprehensive film site called Hollywood Bitchslap. This is a great place to gauge what the general public thinks of a movie. This particular item was in a report from the Toronto Film Festival: http://hollywoodbitchslap.com/feature.php?feature=883 THE MOVIES THAT MATTERED: Toronto 2003. 10 days. 339 movies. No problem. OK, maybe I missed a few. Here are the ones that stuck when I threw them against the wall ... Girl With a Pearl Earring Peter Webber's debut drama about the Dutch Master painter Vermeer and the maiden who inspired his most famous work. Impeccably shot and superbly acted, this tight little drama never hits a false note or gets \"historically\" boring. Colin Firth remains the best all around UK actor (if unheralded) and Scarlett Johansson continues to amaze with her confident stillness."}, {"response": 445, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Dec 31, 2003 (08:18)", "body": "Dorine, Katy thanks for the articles! (Dorine)Both are very good, AZ is just the ultimate for me....and came much earlier. Just depends on his projects. Quite a few of his earlier pieces are *much* better than most of what he's done in the most recent past, IMO. True, true . .FP I think will always be one of my top faves . .but it is all relative to a person's likes and dislikes. . . (My friend was rather shocked that that was the film I brought to the Today show to get signed . .I'm believe she really only know of him from BJD and his films he has done afterward. .\"Couldn't you have brought something better?\" she asked me . . .:) (Hollywood bitchslap)Colin Firth remains the best all around UK actor (if unheralded) Oh how true . .I have a feeling, Colin . .something big is just around the corner for you . . . Hola Lola's sitting on something good . .I'm sure of it;)"}, {"response": 446, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Dec 31, 2003 (08:22)", "body": "BarbS and Karen-- Thanks for the directions to the WOF archives. Very helpful info. Still not a fave, though. Keenly interested in the current chatter re: AZ. My copy happens to be on order as part of an effort to catch all the old stuff that's passed me by. Now I really can't wait for that package to arrive. Have a healthy and happy New Year all.."}, {"response": 447, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 31, 2003 (09:05)", "body": "(THR Martin Grove on LA)\"If, as I do, you love London and, in particular, love the way it looks and feels at Christmastime, this is a movie you'll want to see more than once. \" If that's his criterion let's send him Londinium."}, {"response": 448, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Dec 31, 2003 (11:31)", "body": "Ev)If that's his criterion let's send him Londinium. You mean that in the most positive and helpful way right?? rolling eyes:-))"}, {"response": 449, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 31, 2003 (12:36)", "body": "As 2003 draws to a close, I wanted to put up the final group of Drool Darlings and the full list of those who contributed to make this site viable for another year. Over $3,800 was raised from all over the world! This outpouring of generosity will not only keep us comfortable (and safe from Terry's periodic requests) but also facilitate some site improvements which I'll be pursuing with the software developers after the first of the year. In addition, it will cover out-of-pocket subscription fees that are becoming increasingly common at information sources important to the Colin Firth news gathering effort. This community of Firth fans has been in existence since 1997. Its active participants are continually changing and infusing the site with an enthusiasm, wit and intelligence that sets it apart from all others. For that and the wonderful friendships I've made up with the people associated with this site, I thank you and wish you--especially our newbies--the same and to everyone a very healthy and Happy New Year filled with fantastic news and movies for Colin and many opportunities to share our mutual interests with each other, in person and here at this great site!"}, {"response": 450, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Dec 31, 2003 (12:41)", "body": "My sincere thanks go out to Karen and all of these folks whose generous support makes this site possible. May you have a happy and healthy New Year."}, {"response": 451, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Dec 31, 2003 (13:20)", "body": "My gratitude to Karen and all the DD for making this such a great community and incredible year. It has truly been a pleasure getting to know and meet some of you and share all the Colin news and especially the laughter. I look forward to meeting more of you in 2004! Looks like Colin will be in this Sunday's USA Weekend Magazine. The whole article is here but sans any pics that may be added... http://www.usaweekend.com/partners/mktgpromo/040104articles/040104movie.html"}, {"response": 452, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Dec 31, 2003 (14:04)", "body": "(Maria's USAweekend article)three films rolling out this year, ..... and a medical thriller , \"Trauma.\" Here's betting Firth looks dashing even in a hospital gown. Wot? I'd be happy to see him in a medical gown but...?? Welcome back Maria!"}, {"response": 453, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, Dec 31, 2003 (14:30)", "body": "(BeeDee) I'd be happy to see him in a medical gown... Me too, especially if it's open at the back and he turns around a lot. ;-)"}, {"response": 454, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Dec 31, 2003 (15:03)", "body": "(Ildi)Me too, especially if it's open at the back and he turns around a lot. ;-) Ooo, ooo! Me too. Love those cute butt dimples.:-)) Oh, oh... butt dimple discussion should go to Firthology....except if butt is in new film? Sorry:)"}, {"response": 455, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Wed, Dec 31, 2003 (15:07)", "body": "Um, shouldn't \"butt dimples\" be discussed under \"Odds and Ends\"?"}, {"response": 456, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Dec 31, 2003 (15:11)", "body": "(Deb)Um, shouldn't \"butt dimples\" be discussed under \"Odds and Ends\"? ROTFLM O & E O!"}, {"response": 457, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Dec 31, 2003 (15:29)", "body": "Hi Maria . .thanks for the article! Ildi, Bee, Deb . . . Butt dimples! . .naughty, naughty girls . .but hmmm . .quite an image to take into the new year;) Time to down some bubbly and give this a good thinking . . . Hope everyone has a happy happy new year!"}, {"response": 458, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, Dec 31, 2003 (15:58)", "body": "What a wonderful year this has been on this site! I'd like to thank everyone for their input, whether it be articles, pics, on experiences!! Happy New Year to you all!!"}, {"response": 459, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Dec 31, 2003 (17:09)", "body": "Thanks for the \"state of the union\" message Karen, glad the fundraising was so successful and thank *you* for all you do. And I'll second Janet's wonderful year comment and join the rest in wishing you all a Happy New Year! (Beedee) ROTFLM O & E O! I do truly love this place! Thanks all!"}, {"response": 460, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec 31, 2003 (18:17)", "body": "(Beedee) ROTFLM O & E O! And mine too! LOL, ladies! A huge thanks to our hostess with the mostess, Karen, for all she does (and will continue to do;-) Baby, you're the greatest!:-) And to all our Drool Darlings . . . Hippie New Year! I send you good wishes via the international symbmol for \"peace.\" Bottoms up, from me 'n the kid."}, {"response": 461, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Dec 31, 2003 (18:46)", "body": "(Mari)A huge thanks to our hostess with the mostess, Karen, for all she does (and will continue to do;-) Baby, you're the greatest!:-) That goes for me too! And thanks to every one of the DFB (the devoted fan base)for *chippin in*. One for all and all for one...and we know who that is!;-)) Mari your post made me spew my tea! Good thing I'm not into the bubbly yet!"}, {"response": 462, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Dec 31, 2003 (18:49)", "body": "Happy New Year, all! And thanks especially to Karen for leading us here at Drool in 2003. On those butt dimples --- see him pulling on his jockeys in Tumbledown after a last night with his girl friend before shipping out. That'll stir your blood."}, {"response": 463, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (09:44)", "body": "Did anyone else watch the Today Show this morning? According to their expert. For 2004 sitcoms are out, nightime soaps are in. Julia and Meg are out Nicolle is in. Colin Farrel is out COLIN FIRTH is in. To quote \"There is a large cult following for him and it is growing by leaps and bounds.\" Hardly news to us. Katey was a happy camper at that."}, {"response": 464, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (10:01)", "body": "\"There is a large cult following for him..\" A cult ? Like the Branch Davidians? Yikes! Thanks Lucie...."}, {"response": 465, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (10:08)", "body": "The Catholics liked GWAPE.... http://www.catholicnews.com/data/movies/03mv246.htm \"Firth's Vermeer is moody and distant, yet he is made almost laughable by a ridiculous, stringy, long-haired wig placed precariously upon his head. The story's villains are all too conventional with their behind-the-scenes machinations and selfish motives.\" LOL.Honestly, I didn't write this;-D"}, {"response": 466, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (10:27)", "body": "(Ev)A cult? Read Devoted Fan Base in manner of Harold and Maude.;-)"}, {"response": 467, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (10:57)", "body": "(Beedee) Oh, oh... butt dimple discussion should go to Firthology....except if butt is in new film? (Deb) Um, shouldn't \"butt dimples\" be discussed under \"Odds and Ends\"? (Beedee) ROTFLM O & E O! Me too! (If we see that butt again, it *will* be news! Big news!) To all of you, who make this such a great place"}, {"response": 468, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (11:13)", "body": "(If we see that butt again, it *will* be news! Big news!) My first thought was \"fat chance!\" Maybe he figures if Jack Nicholson can do it, so could he (though I guess he wouldn't have known Jack was doing it at that time.) ;-) Maybe he will as part of the \"New\" Colin that seems to be emerging..... Increase in significantly open collars, Sexier poses in photo shoots, Touchy feeliness with young 'uns, Less denial or, even outright embrace of appeal to women... Can a butt shot be far behind? ;-D"}, {"response": 469, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (11:24)", "body": "(Today Show) \"There is a large cult following for him..\" (Evelyn) A cult? Like the Branch Davidians? (Beedee) Read Devoted Fan Base in manner of Harold and Maude.;-) I like to say we're his \"Peeps,\" in manner of current Hip Hop trend (I think Tress called us that here in NY). Not that I'm the least bit trendy, mind you. ;-)"}, {"response": 470, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (13:31)", "body": "(Dorine) My first thought was \"fat chance!\" Maybe he figures if Jack Nicholson can do it, so could he (though I guess he wouldn't have known Jack was doing it at that time.) ;-) ODB's butt is sure to be far more pleasing. Almost said 'ouch' when I saw Jack's the other night. Didn't realize until that point that men suffered from cellulite as well. Anyway, we saw a lot of ODB in the earlier films. Almost thought I saw something else when he rolled over on the bed in The Advocate. But upon further frame-by-frame insepction it was just wishful thinking."}, {"response": 471, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (13:34)", "body": "(Dorine)Not that I'm the least bit trendy, mind you. ;-) Oh, you looked plenty trendy to me in NYC, you lovely and helpful Metro Girl!"}, {"response": 472, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (14:15)", "body": "(Leslie) Almost thought I saw something else when he rolled over on the bed in The Advocate. But upon further frame-by-frame insepction it was just wishful thinking. The imagination is a powerful and wonderful thing. ;-D (Dorine)Not that I'm the least bit trendy, mind you. ;-) (Beedee) Oh, you looked plenty trendy to me in NYC, you lovely and helpful Metro Girl! Aw shucks, thanks. I certainly don't aspire to any sort of trendiness. Paris Hilton won't be looking over her shoulder anytime soon. ;-D"}, {"response": 473, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (14:19)", "body": "I'll take \"peeps\". Dispise \"groupie\" Like \"Drooleurs\"/\"Firthettes\" best ."}, {"response": 474, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (14:36)", "body": "Happy 2004!!! . .oh BTW, as I type this my husband is shouting to say hello to \"the girls\" (as he fondly calls all of you) and Happy New Year too . . (Evelyn)A cult? Like the Branch Davidians? Or how about the Branch Colinians? (*groan* . .that was bad, I know) \"Peeps\" is pretty good . .makes us sound really hip I agree with Evelyn . .I like \"Drooleurs\" (very sophisticated & French) and \"Firthettes\" (very 50's girl singing group - \"Colin and the Firthettes\") . .they both have a nice ring to it . . .we are also the \"Lovely Ladies\" (very Les Mis) also, the \"Drool Darlings\""}, {"response": 475, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (16:19)", "body": "(me) \"Lovely Ladies\" (very Les Mis) Hmm . . course the \"Lovely Ladies\" of Les Mis were all prostitutes . .perhaps n.g. correlation . ."}, {"response": 476, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (16:32)", "body": "Review of GWAPE from \"The Aspen Times\" [GWAPE is being shown at the Aspen FF] December 31, 2003 A PAINTING RATHER THAN A MOVIE By Stewart Oksenhorn Aspen Times Staff Writer Forgive ?Girl With a Pearl Earring? for believing itself to be a still painting, rather than a movie. ?Girl With a Pearl Earring? is, after all, concerned largely with painting. The first film by director Peter Webber reveals the story behind one of the masterpieces by 17th-century Dutch master Johannes Vermeer. Vermeer?s ?Girl With a Pearl Earring? was inspired by the gorgeous, virtuous house maid, Griet. Through no fault of her own ? other than being beautiful and a daily presence in the Vermeer household ? Griet has angered Vermeer?s jealous, vengeful wife, Catharina. Catharina?s hostility is not without some cause. Griet ? played by Scarlett Johansson with almost surreal sensuality, considering she never once smiles and is mostly covered head to toe with peasant?s smocks ? has indeed attracted the eye of Vermeer (Colin Firth). Also much taken with the young maid is Van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson), Vermeer?s manipulative, mischievous patron. When Van Ruijven commissions Vermeer to make a portrait of Griet, the already tense Vermeer household is thrown into combat mode. It is a decent story, and Webber?s telling of it sustains our interest. But Webber is overly concerned with making his ?Girl With a Pearl Earring? visually worthy of Vermeer?s. Every frame of the movie is shot in the manner of a still painting, with shadow and light, contrast and composition painfully executed. The camera hardly ever moves. Worse still, the actors? expressions virtually never change. Firth?s Vermeer is caught in a pinched face, the result of his wife?s nagging. Johannson?s Griet never wavers from her aggrieved countenance, the result of Catharina?s menacing. Vermeer?s mother-in-law (Judy Parfitt) keeps the permanent expression of the dried-up, domineering witch that she is. Webber has, indeed, created a work of visual art. There is no denying the beauty of ?Girl With a Pearl Earring.? It is a small victory that the story holds up to all this focus on the visual. But one can?t help but think that the overemphasis on the look of the film strangles the movie more than a little. [?Girl With a Pearl Earring? shows today at 5:30 p.m. at Harris Hall, as part of Aspen Filmfest?s Academy Screenings series. The Academy Screenings run through Jan. 2, with daily screenings at Harris Hall. For a full schedule, go to www.aspenfilm.org.]"}, {"response": 477, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (17:18)", "body": "I guess my hints about using Firthology were too subtle? Girl With a Pearl Earring shows today...as part of Aspen Filmfest's Academy Screenings series. And it's playing on Maui too so that the various guild members can see potential nominees."}, {"response": 478, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (18:16)", "body": "(Karen) I guess my hints about using Firthology were too subtle? Ok, I give...what....? I understood the first time. But the whole butt/fan base discussion that was related to Trauma? Or the one reference to The Advocate? Honestly curious, as I may be considering Firthology to narrowly, and this topic too broadly."}, {"response": 479, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (18:56)", "body": "OMG....**catching breath**! Colin's peeps have been busy! Thank you everyone for the articles, links and photos (am truly sorry to have missed out on the Muushimoto... Mishymomo (whatevah...I did have my nose pressed against their glass in NYC a few times though...that was only when I wasn't stalking Ewan McGregor (really!) in Barneys) Martini Bash captioning fiesta! ROTFLMAO! You all are too funny!!!). Am all caught up now and just wanted to say my thanks to our lovely hostess and to all the Droolers...here's hoping that this coming year holds as many laughs and surprises as this past year!!! Thank you all and Happy New Year!!!!! To quote (kinda) one of my favorite films: \"We want the finest martinis available to humanity. We want them here, and we want them now.\" Sorry Karen if this was a mishmashmoto of O&E and CF.....New Years Resolution No. 1.: Use proper topic (I'll get on that right after this one! ;-D)."}, {"response": 480, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (21:11)", "body": "(Tress).....New Years Resolution No. 1.: Use proper topic (I'll get on that right after this one! ;-D). ROTF! Tress, you are one of my fave funny peeps! Tomorrow I'll get off the sauce and on the right topic, I shall conquer this, I shall!;-))"}, {"response": 481, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 2004 (22:19)", "body": "Guess this critic doesn't share our opinions on LA http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/features/20040101-9999_1w1worst.html Films so bad they won't go down: Get the plunger ....The pain of \"Love Actually\" came from watching a good cast (Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Laura Linney) trashed to tinsel on Richard Curtis' yule tree of meet-cutes, vapid romancing, kid love, jabs at Bush/Blair and music-driven plot loops, though Bill Nighy is a funny old rocker."}, {"response": 482, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (08:01)", "body": "Ad in today's NY Times (Karen, please use as you see fit):"}, {"response": 483, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (08:13)", "body": "Thanks Murph! I think it's fun to see the blurb by Elvis Mitchell who was counted as having *panned* the film on the Rottentomatos site."}, {"response": 484, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (09:01)", "body": "Great picture, Murph. A little from todays google-hunt: http://www.usaweekend.com/04_issues/040104/040104colin_firth.html"}, {"response": 485, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (09:05)", "body": "sorry to be double-posting, but they write the medicalpart about Trauma again. Who started that? (not that it matters at all :-)) For now, what does work for Firth is, well, work. \"Earring\" is one of his three films rolling out this year, including the Bridget Jones sequel and a medical thriller, \"Trauma.\" Here's betting Firth looks dashing even in a hospital gown."}, {"response": 486, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (09:45)", "body": "Again? But that is exactly the same article. However, that doesn't guarantee that the \"medical\" reference won't be erroneously picked up elsewhere. Thanks, Murph, for the ad. Kind of bizarre that they'd show Griet with her hair, when that's one of the film's big moments, the uncovering. :-( I *do* hate to rub things in, but I never thought I'd ever see this: http://movies.yahoo.com/showtimes/showtimes.html?z=60614&r=sim&m=&t=Sony%20Esquire&a=&dt=0&s=tm&p=0"}, {"response": 487, "author": "Andie", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (10:03)", "body": "Hello! Haven't posted here for quite a while, but have been enjoying all the articles, photos, comments etc. Thanks everyone, especially the Boss! I had wanted to post this (after a little encouragement from Karen, thanks!) some time ago, but somehow things got in the way. Hope this is not too outdated and still belong in 187. Anyhow, this was from an article found in a local mag. Where I am (Singapore btw), news or articles on ODB are rare, and seldom does he get mentioned beyond one or two lines. I was alerted to this article by a kind friend who even kindly pulled out the pages for me (mag was sold out, not sure if the ODB factor helped). The article was a feature on LA, or more precisely the men from LA. Have typed up the parts on HG and ODB: Her World \ufffd Dec Issue Feature Put some of the most charming actors together in one film, then get them all into one room \ufffd and what do you get? One really hot day in London. Ivy Ong finds out if the stars of Christmas feel-good movie Love Actually sizzle off-screen as well. Hugh Grant Reel Life: Dah dah dah abt his PM role in LA Real Life: Everthing abt Hugh is larger than life. He\ufffds taller, his eyes are bluer, his smile is wider and his fringe is floppier than you\ufffdve ever seen in the movies. He doesn\ufffdt have to say a word to charm two giggly Japanese tourists who accost him for photos. But the first thing you notice the moment he opens his mouth is that he doesn\ufffdt have that self-conscious air you\ufffdve come to expect from watching him in Four Weddings and Notting Hill. HG is a star and he has the confidence of one. He knows exactly what journalists want of him \ufffd details of his personal life \ufffd and he deliberately doesn\ufffdt give it. Ask him what he\ufffds doing for Christmas, to try to see if he\ufffdll be spending it with ex-gf Liz Hurley and son, and he neatly side-steps the question, saying : \ufffd I love Christmas. I love sleigh bells and little children with rosy cheeks.\ufffd Ask him what he thinks of falling in lover with the lower classes (the PM falls in love with a Cockney speaking tea lady) and he just gives you a wink and says : \ufffd Sure I like that dynamic \ufffd You don\ufffdt know if he\ufffd s slyly referring to that infamous Divine Brown incident or whether he\ufffds just pulling your leg. A journalist later sighs: \ufffd HG doesn\ufffdt give you anything. He just turns everything into a joke.\ufffd Sizzle Meter: 3 hearts of out 5 Colin Firth Reel Life: In a departure from his suave Mr Darcy persona in Bridget Jones\ufffd Diary, he plays a loser who fumbles and stammers his way into the heart of a Portuguese beauty. He\ufffds Jamie, a writer who exiles himself to the South of France after he catches his wife in bed with his brother. There, he falls in love with his maid, Aurelia, who speaks no English. Watch for the part when he tries to tell Aurelia he loves her \ufffd in broken Portuguese, complete with subtitles. Real Life: He comes round the table to shake everyone\ufffds hand. First impressions are disappointing \ufffd he\ufffds shorter than expected and has the regulation pasty English complexion. His hair is rumpled and his dark suit and brown-and-black striped T-shirt makes him look like any ordinary man in the street. But as soon as he starts talking, you realize why the journalists who have met him before (both men and women) gush: \ufffdHe\ufffds so charming. Be prepared to be swept off your feet!\ufffd A little dimple peeks out every time he emphasizes a point and \ufffd always the gentleman \ufffd he waits till we have finished writing down his quotes before he goes on to answer another question. Then there\ufffds his self-deprecating British humour. Ask him how he works on being the thinking woman\ufffds sex symbol and he deadpans : \ufffdI get up and spend an hour on it every morning. \ufffd He says it so matter-of-factly you almost think he\ufffds serious before you catch that twinkle in his eye. Then comes a sidelong glance, sharing the joke with you, and you\ufffdre won over already. And you know you\ufffdre not dealing with some himbo here when he gently contradicts a journalist who says Richard Curtis films are always about well-scrubbed, middle-income London. He says: \ufffd I don\ufffdt think there\ufffds an attempt to ethnically clean Nottinghill. Not all of London is a Quentin Tarantino film, you know.\ufffd Cue the shy, sidelong glance. Awww\ufffd Smart and witty to boot. No wonder everyone comes out of a meeting with him with stars in their eyes. Sizzle meter : 5 hearts out of 5 Well, ODB beat HG hands down, acc to the reporter's sizzle meter at least(and me of course). His write-up didn't start well, but I guess she came to her senses later :-). Doubtful abt the part on their height. HG seems taller in person while ODB shorter than expected?? Perhaps, our dear friends who have seen them both could tell? Btw Liam Neeson, Alan Rickman and Andrew Lincoln were all featured as well, none ranked as high on the sizzle meter. LN - 4, AR - 4 (with some help from Emma Thompson, acc to the reporter), and AL - 3 (though she said he is v good looking)."}, {"response": 488, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (10:04)", "body": "(Karen)I *do* hate to rub things in, but I never thought I'd ever see this: Can't help but feel that we may begin to see CF double billings more often in the future. With all the wonderful press and exposure this year (Katie Couric has helped a lot in this regard) the recognition factor for ODB is rising daily. All this begs the question, can there ever be enough of ODB to go 'round?"}, {"response": 489, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (10:16)", "body": "Hello Magazine has Colin as one of the finalists for Most Attractive Man of the Year. You can vote here: http://www.hellomagazine.com/vote/grand_finale2003/hombreatractivo.html?pantalla=hombreatractivo"}, {"response": 490, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (10:32)", "body": "Mary - Thanks for the ad . .nice to see they used a different pics than just the camera obscura scene one. Although I do agree with Karen . .surprised they showed Griet with her hair. Andie - thanks for the blurbs from that article . . Colin shorter in life? . .I don't think so . .was much taller and lankier I think . .and very very handsome up close. . .As to Hugh . .his eyes are very very blue in real life (remembering from the Two Weeks Notice shoot) . .didn't think him taller than I had previously expected . . (leslie)All this begs the question, can there ever be enough of ODB to go 'round? *sigh* . . Never . .will never be satisfied till there's more . . we want more! Most Attractive Man of the Year poll - I put my vote in . .Seems like Colin has to beat out Orlando Bloom and Jon Bon Jovi;)"}, {"response": 491, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (11:03)", "body": "(USA Weekend) I tried to take guitar lessons when I was young, but the kind available to an 8- or 9-year-old where I came from were where you learned to play Kumbaya. Not exactly what I was looking for. Wasn't it something like Kumbaya that he played, sitting around with the cast, crew and extras from ATA? ;-) Thanks for posting the article, Andie! *clap clap* First impressions are disappointing \ufffd he\ufffds shorter than expected You do really have to wonder how tall did this person think he'd be? Sheesh! He's taller than Hugh or Richard Curtis or pretty much all the others at that press conference (OK, maybe not Liam Neeson)"}, {"response": 492, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (11:46)", "body": "(Karen)I *do* hate to rub things in, but I never thought I'd ever see this: Can't help but feel that we may begin to see CF double billings more often in the future. With all the wonderful press and exposure this year (Katie Couric has helped a lot in this regard) the recognition factor for ODB is rising daily. All this begs the question, can there ever be enough of ODB to go 'round?"}, {"response": 493, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (11:48)", "body": "Please forgive previous double posting. Still working things out on my computer. Will vote at Hello magazine post haste. Thanks for the tip, Mary"}, {"response": 494, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (12:21)", "body": "And you know you\ufffdre not dealing with some himbo LOL! Thanks Andie! That was great...the reporter didn't mention his affectation glasses...as this sounds as if it is the same press conference. Maybe that is why he seemed shorter...they detracted from his height (which is substantial and I can't imagine why she thought he would be even taller...but then again, I always envision ODB as \"bigger than life\" too...;-) (Kimberly) As to Hugh . .his eyes are very very blue in real life... That is what I really noticed. His eyes seem much bluer IRL...have an extreme close up of him and it still doesn't do those minces justice. They sure are purdy..."}, {"response": 495, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (12:25)", "body": "(Karen)I *do* hate to rub things in... Hah! Well, while I'm waiting to see GWAPE...god knows when, Risa and I did see LA again the day after Christmas and it was well attended.;-))"}, {"response": 496, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (12:34)", "body": "Fabulous article all about Colin's long ago days in deepest, darkest, remotest (LOL!) B.C. from a freebie mag in Canadian theaters sent to me by Silvie. http://www.firth.com/articles/04famous_jan.html"}, {"response": 497, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (12:42)", "body": "(Famous)It may become a franchise like Bond. Hmmm . . that would be interesting . .a Bridget Jones franchise . . .only though, if they didn't do it to death . . . Lord, wouldn't want anyone but Colin playing Mark though . .the same goes for RZ and HG playing their perspective roles . . . So then, what . . the 3rd film would be: Bridget finally gets married, the 4th . .Bridget having a baby? . .The 5th . .Mark hits his mid-life crisis and Bridget has to cope . . ."}, {"response": 498, "author": "momi", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (14:11)", "body": "Here's an article I found on Colin at MSN yesterday. I didn't see the \"posting box\" yesterday when I logged in, but today I do so I've pasted the link to the article below. I can't wait to see GWAPE when it is shown in theatres here this month....:) Momi:) http://entertainment.msn.com/news/article.aspx?news=144290"}, {"response": 499, "author": "odessa", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (14:12)", "body": "he\ufffds shorter than expected according to imdb.com: ODB 6' 1\" (1.85 m) , Hugh 5' 11\" (1.80 m) So the question is, what kind of shoes was Hugh wearing? I also put my vote on him :-)"}, {"response": 500, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (14:54)", "body": "(Her World) Then there\ufffds his self-deprecating British humour. Ask him how he works on being the thinking woman\ufffds sex symbol and he deadpans : \ufffdI get up and spend an hour on it every morning. ROTFL!! I knew he'd finally come around and admit he works \"it\". ;-) (Tress) His eyes seem much bluer IRL Stunning."}, {"response": 501, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (15:24)", "body": "Thank you Karen and Silvie for the article! I was near Maple Ridge a couple of summers ago with the hubby. It is v. v. beautiful there but a bit remote...DH loved it and would move there in a second...I don't know if I could live that far out...I'm more of a Metro Gal wannabe and not a nature girl..."}, {"response": 502, "author": "katty", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (15:59)", "body": "Andie, thanks for such an interesting article. It seems to highlight what I like best about Colin - not simply his looks but his aura. character and personality. It's cool how he won over the reporter. As for his height, maybe he came in right after 6-4 Liam Neeson. I can't imagine any other reason related to fact, especially considering he's 2 inches taller than Hugh. Also a big thanks to the Boss and all the other ladies of Drool You have all made my Colin hobby so much fun, and I look forward to even greater things in 2004."}, {"response": 503, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (16:01)", "body": "While I don't usually do plain old galleries, this one was an exception... http://www.firth.com/gal/gal_03jk.html"}, {"response": 504, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (16:10)", "body": "Seeing that \"plain old\" gallery, reminded me to jump in here and add my thanks to Karen and all the DDs for the CF entertainment shared here. Don't have much to contribute or say, but I'm lurking, enjoying it all so much. Happy 2004!"}, {"response": 505, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (16:13)", "body": "I don't think things get any better than this... I could be wrong though...will continue to hang out here and make a nuisance of myself to see if anything better does come up! Thanks Karen!!! Those are loverly...I get all warm and squishy just looking at all those!"}, {"response": 506, "author": "katty", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (16:20)", "body": "Remember that strange article in the Chicago Sun Times a couple weeks ago about celebrities and \"tongue-kissing Colin Firth?\" ( http://www.suntimes.com/output/wiser/sho-sunday-paige14.html) ? I emailed the writer and asked about it, and she only just replied. From the writer: Yes, I was referring to Colin Farrell... but maybe a victim of some wishful thinking regarding Colin Firth? My Freudian slip is showing. Thanks for writing. Paige My original email question: I'm a little baffled by your latest column talking about celebrity makeovers and \"tongue-kissing Colin Firth.\" As far as I know, Colin Firth does all his tongue-kissing in private. To my constant disappointment, Colin in his movies seems ever the English gentleman, reluctant to even open his mouth in his kissing scenes. The only kisses I've seen him give in public have been of the chaste smack-on-the-cheek variety, or the more European double cheek peck bestowed on Katie Couric recently. Are you mixing him up with the more wanton other Colin - Mr. Farrell, or is there something he's done in Chicago that has not been publicized in the rest of the world?"}, {"response": 507, "author": "neshacat", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (16:23)", "body": "(Karen) While I don't usually do plain old galleries, this one was an exception... I've always associated that color of purple with chubby little old ladies in stretch pants. Never again! Thanks."}, {"response": 508, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (16:57)", "body": "My favorite of the chair ones. The quiet, contemplative mood. (Tress) I don't think things get any better than this... One of my favorites of the tub set, with the knee sticking up and the bottle of wine by the tub. *sigh* Thanks, Karen. Funny note you wrote, Katty. Thanks for writing her. (Katty) or is there something he's done in Chicago that has not been publicized in the rest of the world? Though I couldn't imagine she'd admit it...about anyone really. Nice try, though. ;-) There's an Ivy Restaurant in Chicago, too? Or, I shouldn't assume the whole blurb happened in one place.....;-)"}, {"response": 509, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (17:15)", "body": "(Karen)While I don't usually do plain old galleries, this one was an exception... I bow to your impeccable judgement and kindness in this matter! So many of these are *jump on his bones* gorgeous. Wanna jump on his lap, wanna jump in that tub......... Ahh my. Love the Color Purple on him:-)"}, {"response": 510, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (17:20)", "body": "(Dorine) One of my favorites of the tub set... It is oh-so-hard for me to pic a favorite tub time pic (just the thought of him all nekky and wet...though I know he isn't...in a tub...like you said Dorine, he's learned to work \"it\") All the photos are so good (bathtime, piano and contemplative dreamer in torn up leather chair (and he's barefoot in those...sorry Evelyn!))!!! Like the 'new' purple shirt. I am assuming that it is new due to heavy crease in the sleeve...either that or ODB/Livia are v. v. intense ironers... LOL....Thanks Katty! Your original note and her response are both v. v. funny! Paige seems to be a closet Firth fan! Come out out Paige! The waters lovely! ;-)"}, {"response": 511, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (17:27)", "body": "Nice pics...he's goin Hollywood!!\"Playgirl\" next! My favorite of the chair ones. But let's chip in and get him a new chair. Wonder where the location was."}, {"response": 512, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (17:48)", "body": "(Mary) I've always associated that color of purple with chubby little old ladies in stretch pants. Never again! LOL! Though that's somewhere between amethyst or violet. Looks v.g. on him and an excellent choice given his first question by Craig Kilborn. ;-) (Paige) Yes, I was referring to Colin Farrell... Another wonderful example of journalistic excellence. Good going, Katty. May not be true, but Colin got some press. (Dorine) There's an Ivy Restaurant in Chicago, too? Not that I know about. (Evelyn) Wonder where the location was. Deptford, but will recheck my emails to see if he was more specific."}, {"response": 513, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (18:09)", "body": "That gallery could start me doing the Firth Fandango again! Thanks."}, {"response": 514, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (18:35)", "body": "Doesn't it look like he's going to spit out his wine in manner of fountain? :-D I like the crows feet in this one, though easier to see on the huge one at Casa Feliz. (Tress) and he's barefoot in those. Gah!! How did I miss that?! Was blinded and distracted by the sight of a knee. ;-P (Karen) Deptford, Where is that in relation to London....a suburb? Enclave? I also think that's a v. good color on him (Me) My favorite of the chair ones. (Evelyn) But let's chip in and get him a new chair. Is there enough left from the Spring Pledge Drive? ;-) Was in my neighborhood movie theater for a sec today, and inquired if GWAPE was doing well. She gave an enthusiastic \"yes!\" and said many people have said it was very good, but she hadn't seen it yet."}, {"response": 515, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (18:59)", "body": "(Dorine) Gah!! How did I miss that?! Was blinded and distracted by the sight of a knee. ;-P Very easy to get distracted...I didn't notice myself for a while...took some intense study! ;-) I mean, the sight of knees! Crikey! And in one of the pics (please see below) he looks a bit 'splayed'(two knees!!)....kinda sexy (if you're into that sort of thing) ;-D Wish I could get in with him...I need to cool off...jeez...."}, {"response": 516, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (19:14)", "body": "(Tress)And in one of the pics (please see below) he looks a bit 'splayed'(two knees!!) Yes, I did notice before, but apparently was distracted by the next thing. An eye candy merry-go-round! It's makin' me dizzy! ;-D kinda sexy (if you're into that sort of thing) ;-D And who wouldn't be? At least where he's concerned. ;-)"}, {"response": 517, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (20:03)", "body": "(Karen) While I don't usually do plain old galleries, this one was an exception... You just make all the exceptions you want...yowza -- need to take a nice, cool walk in the brisk air! I believe there was an earlier reference to \"working it\"? Love them all, but this one makes me think he needs Rupert to tell him \"less is more.\""}, {"response": 518, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (20:17)", "body": "(Evelyn) he's goin Hollywood!! \"Playgirl\" next! Now, don't tease me with a thought like that! Where's your winkie? ;-)"}, {"response": 519, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 2004 (20:26)", "body": "What a welcome back treat! Thank you Karen for the fantastic Kingman pics. Much as I love the bathtub pics I think the purple sweater does it for me more. I am almost speechless and will have to study these a lot more before I can comment coherently;-) Happy New Year to all the lovely DD's!"}, {"response": 520, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (00:11)", "body": "Oh my, Karen thanks for that gallery! . . Ahhh just the type of pics I like: Sweet . . . Shy and Unassuming . . . And another \"Mushimoko\" pic . .believe he\ufffds toasting us! Like the Amythest/Purple/Violet sweater . .it\ufffds always been one of my favorite colors . . and here\ufffds another nice reason for it! ( better than those pics of him in that red tomato color sweater I\ufffdve seen) Katty - Bravo for catching that writer on her Freudian Slip;) . .kind of neat that she wrote back . .perhaps she'll be a newbie here soon . .sounds like she's a fan!"}, {"response": 521, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (06:57)", "body": "The back cover of today's Times (Saturday) Magazine is a full page ad for GWAPE - the SJ/CF photo but more of it than is usually seen. Very striking image. And tomorrow's Sunday Times will include a free DVD of the trailer for GWAPE."}, {"response": 522, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (09:05)", "body": "From today's Telegraph: FIRTH TAKES ON DIAMOND MINING GIANT Oddly, for such an accomplished luvvie, Colin Firth is about to declare war on some of the biggest names in showbusiness. He has just been appointed patron of Survival International, an organisation that campaigns against De Beers' mining practices in Southern Africa. That promises to make him fall out with the likes of Elle Macpherson, Minnie Driver and Jodie Kidd, who have all stepped out in De Beers jewellery recently. In a written attack on the alleged practices, which has been passed to Spy, Firth says: \"The Kalahari Bushmen have lived on this land for millennia. Their water supply has been destroyed, and they've been shifted off to relocation camps where the lives they have known are basically over. \"These people are not the remnants of a past era who need to be brought up to date; those who are able to continue to live on the land which is rightfully theirs are facing the 21st century with a confidence that many of us in the so-called developed world can only envy.\" Friend in UK tells me the story appears on p. 26 and has a small pic, which I couldn't find online."}, {"response": 523, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (09:22)", "body": "(Tress)All the photos are so good (bathtime, piano and contemplative dreamer in torn up leather chair (and he's barefoot in those...sorry Evelyn!))! No apologies to me, Tress. Wrong Droolie. I like feet. Fact is...my fave is the one on the beach in LA featuring feet (Vogue, I think), and the one coming down the stairs in a tux...barefooted. Some Italina mag. better than those pics of him in that red tomato color sweater I?ve seen) *sigh* (Evelyn) he's goin Hollywood!! \"Playgirl\" next! (Dorine)Now, don't tease me with a thought like that! Where's your winkie? ;-) LOL. No kidding...and this one... Bottle is blantant phallic symbol. What a centerfold!!!*hee, hee*"}, {"response": 524, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (10:02)", "body": "Sorry to repost . . .but a lurked has emailed me re: the post Mary Murphy did a little while ago and asked I'd share the info. . . . She said you are able to vote every 15 minutes (so I guess we can tip the scales in Colin's favor if you bookmark the link and drop him a vote every now and then!) I put Murph's link/post below ************************************** Hello Magazine has Colin as one of the finalists for Most Attractive Man of the Year. You can vote here: http://www.hellomagazine.com/vote/grand_finale2003/hombreatractivo.html?pantalla=hombreatractivo"}, {"response": 525, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (10:28)", "body": "(Evelyn) my fave is the one on the beach in LA featuring feet (Vogue, I think) Ooooo, me too! The black and white one? Bottle is blantant phallic symbol. What a centerfold!! *hee,hee* Ok, now you're just being cruel. ;-D"}, {"response": 526, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (10:39)", "body": "Au contraire....I like 'em. Photogs do that all the time."}, {"response": 527, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (10:52)", "body": "I find the wine photos interesting because you usually only see Colin with white wine. Red must have been a better choice from a photographic sense. ;-) Thanks for the news, Bethan and Evelyn. Do you think Livia wears Diamonique?"}, {"response": 528, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (11:55)", "body": "(Kimberly) ...you are able to vote every 15 minutes Ah, \"Chicago\" style voting ;-) Vote early and vote often! Will end up being not the \"most attractive\" but the one with the most obsessed \"fan base\". We're pretty obsessed, but not sure I'd put us up against teenage \"Bloom\"ers."}, {"response": 529, "author": "houstonandy", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (12:13)", "body": "(Karen)While I don't usually do plain old galleries, this one was an exception... ....and how glad are we that you made that exception! Can't think of a better way to start off 2004 then these."}, {"response": 530, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (12:13)", "body": "Admin note: Because the conference boards have finite message capabilities, please do not use them to discuss, cheerlead, or or otherwise promote online polls, voting contests, etc. A single message to notify people is fine, but not to continually monitor their status. Thanks, Your management"}, {"response": 531, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (12:13)", "body": "(BarbS) Will end up being not the \"most attractive\" but the one with the most obsessed \"fan base\". My thoughts exactly. That is why I never vote on things like that. When you can vote only once and no cheating is allowed then it's better. It's more fair that way. But I wish good luck to those who vote. By the way, I'd like to see O. Bloom immerse himself in a bathtub full of bubbles, hold a glass of red wine in his hand and look as blood stirringly gorgeous as the other \"most attractive\" candidate. No contest IMHO. :-) (Not trying to be mean to Bloomers, or the man himself, but watching him in 'Pirates' makes me feel that he is handsome all right, but I can only picture him with a glass of milk and a rubber duckie. ;-))"}, {"response": 532, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (12:41)", "body": "(BarbS) but the one with the most obsessed \"fan base\". (Ildi) My thoughts exactly. Or the most obsessed fan base with the most time on its hands. :-( If anybody's curious, go back about three years on this board to some online voting for the Hollywood Film Awards when BJD was in the running. :-("}, {"response": 533, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (15:02)", "body": "Karen - Re: Admin note Sorry Boss, as per the email I sent, thought I was helping out a lurker . .will refrain from doing polls stuff in the future;) (Evelyn)Fact is...my fave is the one on the beach in LA featuring feet (Vogue, I think), and the one coming down the stairs in a tux...barefooted. Some Italina mag. Oooh sounds lovely. .don't think I've seen those .. . must make an online search;)"}, {"response": 534, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (15:47)", "body": "No need for apologies here; not necessary; not desired. I just wanted to mention this as the rest of the Internet Firthworld appears to be in a voting fervor. Betcha're thinking MCP is back; well, she never left. ;-) Anyone check out USA Today/Weekend for the printed article? I found the Fri-Sun paper, looked through the section labeled \"Weekend\" and didn't see it. Saw another article that was talking about Rodrigo Santoro and Essie Davis, saw an article in another section about Vermeer and the painting, but no article about Colin. Does this newspaper have a magazine? Grrrr! More wild goose chases."}, {"response": 535, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (15:55)", "body": "(Karen)While I don't usually do plain old galleries, this one was an exception... Wow Boss!!! Great gallery! Though I'd hardly call those pic plain. Thanks again! I, too, love the knees. Mmmmm... ;-) (Evelyn)my fave is the one on the beach in LA featuring feet (Vogue, I think) (Dorine)Ooooo, me too! The black and white one? (Kimberly)Oooh sounds lovely Is this one (with thanks to Firthissimo) the one you are alluding to? Too many good pictures out there and not enough time to enjoy them all..."}, {"response": 536, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (15:59)", "body": "There it is! Nice to have it show up on occasion. Love those toes digging in the sand."}, {"response": 537, "author": "kkenkel513", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (16:03)", "body": "(Karen) Anyone check out USA Today/Weekend for the printed article? I found the Fri-Sun paper, looked through the section labeled \"Weekend\" and didn't see it. Saw another article that was talking about Rodrigo Santoro and Essie Davis, saw an article in another section about Vermeer and the painting, but no article about Colin. Does this newspaper have a magazine? Grrrr! More wild goose chases. USA Today Weekend is a \"Parade\"-like Sunday magazine supplement included in some newspapers, including the Sioux City Journal which will be delivered to my home sometime before dawn tomorrow. I will check and see if it's there."}, {"response": 538, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (16:29)", "body": "(Dorine) There it is! I'll say. It's got it all...dimples, full teeth, toesies, slim pants, riotous curls and hands. Ought to start a tickle file just to make sure this one shows up every now and then, any reason, or no reason at all!"}, {"response": 539, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (16:31)", "body": "Shoshana)Is this one (with thanks to Firthissimo) the one you are alluding to \"The very one\". Thanks S. Send on to Tress who said : I didn't like feet. Grrrrr;-) Now let's find the one coming down the stairs barefooted... Let's put them on #181. Must remember NY Resolution;-D"}, {"response": 540, "author": "katty", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (17:41)", "body": ""}, {"response": 541, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (17:52)", "body": "No, I'm no longer scolding. I'm deleting. Does 181 (Firthology) have cooties or or something? I know I'm writing this in English. This is the NEWS topic."}, {"response": 542, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 2004 (21:18)", "body": "Here's a link to a state by state list of Sunday papers that carry the USA Today weekend supplement. Karen, looks likes you can get it with the Sun Times. Maria, thanks for the original find! http://www.usaweekend.com/partners/partner_links/index.html There would have been no Beatles without American rock 'n' roll, and there would have been no Hendrix without the [Rolling] Stones,\" he says. And there would have been no Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow without Keith Richards!;-) Love the tubbie pics, Karen; oh, to be a rubber duckie. But where was he on New Year's Eve when we all needed a date and had to settle for Mr. Mishimoko? (And it *is* M i shimoko with an \"i.\" ;-) intellectual property rights, ya know;-)"}, {"response": 543, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (06:25)", "body": "Firth drew inspiration for role from work of 17th-century artist By Moira Macdonald Seattle Times movie critic Inspiration can come from the oddest of places. In the case of actor Colin Firth, the key to playing 17th-century artist Johannes Vermeer came from the soft, dusty light in the corner of a long-gone room. The end result, \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" co-starring Firth and Scarlett Johansson, opens this Friday at the Seven Gables and the Uptown. As very little is known of Vermeer's actual life, Firth had to find meaning in the paintings. \"When you've got a bit of a blank canvas, you just have to impose your own notions on it,\" said the actor in a telephone interview. \"I couldn't make up my mind whether (Vermeer) was a tortured soul or a rather serene fellow.\" But that corner of the studio, where so many of Vermeer's great works were created, haunted Firth. \"I thought, that corner of that room that he keeps painting, maybe there's a restlessness to that, despite the seeming serenity of the paintings themselves. I thought, is he trying to solve something? Is he looking for something there? \"That was something that I could bear in mind when I'm in front of the cameras \ufffd he is someone who is constantly looking for that serenity that he portrays, and he seems to keep looking for it in the same spot. He's got the whole rest of the town to paint \ufffd there's one example of a cityscape, one exterior of houses, a few others. The rest of the time, he paints the same corner of the same room, over and over.\" In the film, Firth's Vermeer is a quiet man, seemingly overshadowed by his petulant wife and regal mother-in-law, frustrated by the demands of his patron Master van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson), who seems to want to control the artist like a puppetmaster pulling strings. But in the crisp, blue-gray light of the almost-bare studio, he breathes more freely \ufffd like he's in control of this small but perfect domain. Firth, no stranger to period roles (he's perhaps best known for his dashing performance as Mr. Darcy in the BBC miniseries \"Pride and Prejudice\"), viewed as many Vermeer originals as possible in preparation for the role, though he says it takes \"a bit of a world tour\" to see them all. Four of them reside handily in London \ufffd \"the best one the Queen's got, under a bit of strip lighting next to a picture of a horse.\" (It's clear what he thinks of Her Majesty's curatorial standards.) And he worked to keep the story simple, letting images and actions speak louder than words. \"What I brought to it was a feeling of, the less said the better. A lot of the paring down of dialogue was my responsibility. With the full endorsement, I must say, of the writer (Olivia Hetreed, who adapted Tracey Chevalier's novel). She was always looking out for a possibility of economizing.\" Firth, also recently seen in theaters in the romantic comedy \"Love Actually,\" is currently at work filming another big-screen adaptation. \"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason,\" a sequel to the popular 2001 film \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" will be in theaters in late 2004, with Firth, Hugh Grant and Ren\ufffde Zellweger reprising their roles. Though Firth said he was initially reluctant to make a sequel, he now says he has \"high hopes\" for the film. \"The only sensible attitude to it was to be cautious. People want the same film and they don't want the same film. You have to really hit the right note with this thing. As long as you can take it forward in some way, it's justified.\" The classically-trained actor, whose dark eyes and stalwart bearing have inspired legions of female fans, is amused by his inadvertent heartthrob status. (Told of a colleague who packed her \"Pride and Prejudice\" tape for a trip to the labor room, his response was a heartfelt \ufffd and horrified \ufffd \"Oh my God!\") In Helen Fielding's book \"The Edge of Reason,\" on which the \"Bridget Jones\" movie sequel is based, the fictional Bridget conducts an interview with the non-fictional Colin Firth. Unfortunately she keeps getting muddled because she's obsessed with the \"Pride and Prejudice\" scene, beloved by many, in which Mr. Darcy jumps into a lake and his shirt gets wet and clingy. \"I did that interview with Helen Fielding,\" Firth remembered. \"She didn't make it up, we actually did it. It's fun to be written into a piece of fiction. I guess that sort of thing is more common because popular culture draws on itself increasingly for its sources.\" Mindful of the power of surprise, Firth politely declined to discuss how that particular scene would be handled in the film. Nor would he comment on whether the notorious reindeer sweater, worn by the hapless Mark Darcy in \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" would reappear. Mark Darcy was, undoubtedly, less of a challenge than Vermeer \ufffd though in retrospect, Firth thinks he found the latter character only when he stopped working so hard. \"In some ways, I reached my frustration in not being able to nail anything about (Vermeer),\" he says. \"I just thought, maybe this is it \ufffd y"}, {"response": 544, "author": "kkenkel513", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (08:01)", "body": "I'll try this, but I make no guarantees... Here's the link to the USA Weekend article. http://www.usaweekend.com/04_issues/040104/040104colin_firth.html The only thing not there is the pictures. (Black leather jacket, black tee, blue jeans against a tree) and this publicity photo for GWAPE... http://www.firth.com/images/gwape/pub03_med.jpg"}, {"response": 545, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (08:31)", "body": "Thanks for the USA article, Kathy. I liked this. He is always good for a quotable quote: Children make you feel mortal,\" Firth says. \"Before you have kids, there's an invisible thread that's attached to your youth and your birth in some way. Once you've got them, that thread is now attached to the other end of your life somehow. It's their turn to be beginners. You have to move over.\" And although he's embraced his role as a parent, he says matter-of-factly, \"I'm absolutely certain that it's not for everyone.\""}, {"response": 546, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (08:51)", "body": "The London Times 1/4/04 thanks to Gill: January 04, 2004 Don't call me Darcy Britain's top male totty, in or out of his wet breeches, Colin Firth denies he is the eligible bit of posh he always ends up playing on screen. But that's not going to put off his army of female fans, says Jasper Gerard If Brad Pitt is the finest bit of trouser in America, and G\ufffdrard Depardieu the sexiest saucisson in France, Colin Firth is the nearest Britain comes to a cinematic stud. He is that peculiarly British phenomenon, PMT: Posh Male Totty. Firth invariably renders the wooing as being excruciatingly difficult. Rather than simply asking the love interest if she fancies a snog there is much brooding silence, wistful walks and crumpled Basildon Bond. You can almost understand how his Italian in-laws watched him in one flick and turned, puzzled, to his wife, \ufffdHe\ufffds sexy?\ufffd they asked. But, eventually, he invariably beds the girl. Until now. In the Golden Globe-nominated Girl with a Pearl Earring he plays Vermeer, the Dutch master, who falls for his lovely maid. He endlessly touches up her portrait, but his passion is confined to painting. It\ufffds a role that fits the man. It\ufffds not that in real life he is a romantic failure \ufffd even to my untrained eye he is handsome and happily married \ufffd but he is diffident. If Firth, 43, encountered the object of his infatuation after diving into a lake \ufffd as he did so as Darcy in the television version of Pride and Prejudice \ufffd he would probably scurry into the bushes. This modest quietness is ignored by adoring female fans. When he recently toured America, a posse followed him coast to coast in a frenzy of screams and lingerie lobbing. In Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary he is an object of desire \ufffd a modern Darcy \ufffd but his swooning fans should clasp their smelling salts because he\ufffds nothing like his upper-middle-class screen characters, or so he claims. \ufffdI\ufffdm a phoney,\ufffd he says in a garishly decorated caravan on the set of the second Bridget Jones film. As proof of his proletarian past he reprises the agricultural accent \ufffd and language \ufffd of his Hampshire secondary modern. \ufffdIt was \ufffdFirthy, come and get a smack in the mouth\ufffd and \ufffdWho you f****** looking at, you c***!\ufffd He even claims to have sung in a band that was \ufffdhippie with punk overtones\ufffd. Hard to believe in his Gieves & Hawkes suit, which he insists is a stage prop. If he is a phoney it is as much because his career has not been true to his early rebelliousness as to any class sellout. In 1979, at the dawning of Thatcher\ufffds Britain, he found himself at drama school. \ufffdThe inverted snobbery was very aspirant, the alternative culture was riding high and I wanted to be a part of that. But my street cred certainly wasn\ufffdt going to be competing with the kids in that class: I wasn\ufffdt a smack addict and didn\ufffdt develop a criminal record.\ufffd Instead, casting directors realised he would look pretty in hunting pink and told him to ride with what could be described as the Brideshead Revisited pack. \ufffdTo my astonishment I was identified immediately as silver spooned, plummy,\ufffd he says. And filled with ambition, he wasn\ufffdt going to let political posturing hold up his career. And so from Firth\ufffds first role in Another Country he took on the Rex Harrison mantle of Britain\ufffds favourite PMT. \ufffdIt\ufffds been so easy,\ufffd he smiles sheepishly. \ufffdI\ufffdve got none of the credentials of treading the boards at the Hartlepool Empire.\ufffd Still, it says something depressing about Britain that he had to pretend that he had. Until recently, British film was so pre-Victorian you were classed as either toff or tyke. \ufffdBritain really does do the class labelling quite a bit. I\ufffdve had such a full career, one doesn\ufffdt complain, but,\ufffd he says, rubbing a slightly greying temple, \ufffdI do notice dead-end roads.\ufffd Far from regretting some of his cinematic slush, he \ufffdcouldn\ufffdt give a s***\ufffd about the sneers of trendies who say his films are schmaltzy. Partly this is because he can reel off lots of non-romantic flicks he has starred in (alas all the ones we didn\ufffdt notice, including a drama screened at the same time as Pride and Prejudice in which he played a \ufffddrunk Nottinghamshire miner and wife abuser\ufffd). He says he has \ufffdhad it up to here\ufffd with \ufffd1980s edginess\ufffd and all those Ken Loach films about the underclass, and feels British tastes might be changing. He was \ufffdsurprised\ufffd Love Actually, in which he stars, received benign reviews. \ufffdPeople said, \ufffdIt\ufffds fun, I like it, it made me laugh, it made me cry, it swept me along\ufffd,\ufffd he says, \ufffdand in its own way was actually enormously risky. It really is a case of \ufffd Duh, if you don\ufffdt like it you can see Kill Bill instead\ufffd.\ufffd Although he is grateful for the regular employment, he wishes offers would come in to play East End gangsters. \ufffdI have gone through periods of sitting around not working and waiting for the perfect part,\ufffd he says, \ufffdwhich I can do very easily as I\ufffdm naturally lazy.\ufffd If his life experience is anything to go by, he is suited to playing Dutch daubers: not only does he have an "}, {"response": 547, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (08:52)", "body": "Two quick blurbs from the NYT on 1/2/04: 'Girl With A Pearl Earring' Scarlett Johansson is a maid who serves in the household of the great Dutch painter Vermeer. When she becomes the model for one of his greatest works, jealousies and rivalries simmer around her. Pluses The visually ravishing film, based on Tracy Chevalier's novel, unfolds like a Vermeer canvas being slowly turned into the light. Ms. Johansson registers the tiniest calibrations of anxiety and erotic awareness as the model who has no idea she will be immortalized. Minuses The surrounding intrigue is jumbled and barely comprehensible. The movie is best appreciated as a cinematic painting. And this also... \"GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING\" starring Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. ....At the very start of this film, Griet (Ms. Johansson) is shown peeling an onion - an image as metaphor that isn't often seen outside first semester film making classes. The determination visible in such an effort communicates Importance Writ Large. This film, adapted by Olivia Hetreed from Tracy Chevalier's novel, does have a great subject: it creates a story around a work of art shrouded in mystery and deals with a project that ruins a woman's reputation and ensures her place in history. In \"Girl With A Pearl Earring\" the story offered is that of Griet, a servant who became the muse of Johannes Vermeer (Mr. Firth) and the subject of the painting of the same title. Ms. Johansson is photographed so that her skin is opalescent as her earring, but the movie is opaque. It's an earnest, obvious melodrama with no soul, filled with the longing silences that come after a sigh (Mitchell). Ouch!"}, {"response": 548, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (08:57)", "body": "Ah you just got ahead of me with the Sunday Times article. He is now living in Hampstead!!!! Surely a mistake?"}, {"response": 549, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (09:04)", "body": "I don't think this one's been posted from \"The Scotsman\" \"....But if film-makers struggle with showing the creation of poetry and prose on screen, you might think that recreating another visual medium such as painting would be easier. The latest attempt is Girl With a Pearl Earring, based on the bestselling novel by Tracy Chevalier and directed by Peter Webber. It fleshes out a fictionalised back-story that led to the creation of the eponymous painting by 17th-century Dutch Master Vermeer (Colin Firth). The girl in question is Griet (Scarlett Johansson), a 17-year-old maid in Vermeer\ufffds household, who grows close to her master and is eventually the inspiration for what would become his most famous painting. \"I did come up with a list of clich\ufffds that you have to avoid - like sticking your thumb up as a means of judging perspective,\" says Webber. \"It was just an internal clich\ufffd alarm. Some of the films I love - like Lust For Life [the 1956 Van Gogh biopic starring Kirk Douglas] - are a bit ridiculous now. It wouldn\ufffdt work with Vermeer. The good thing about him is that he\ufffds not a clich\ufffdd artist because he is so quiet and so still.\" Nevertheless, while Firth\ufffds Vermeer may not fall into the trap of a furious flurry of creative activity, he does spend much of his time staring at his canvas with a demented look in his eyes. Admitting when he first saw the trailer that he advised the editor to recut it with \"less art, more sex!\", Webber - while underlining the film is not a \"bodice ripper\" and is a \"chaste erotic film\" - says he did not want to \"let the painting get in the way\". \"I also didn\ufffdt think the audience wanted to hear a three-minute discussion of optics and the camera obscura. It\ufffds not my film\ufffds job to do that. I used to joke that this could be a film set in the world of plumbing. Painting is just the background. A lot of art is down to which pencil should I use.\" Yet it is exactly the films that attempt to show the painstaking process of canvas creation that are the most successful. V\ufffdctor Erice\ufffds 1992 documentary Quince Tree of the Sun spends two-and-a-quarter hours watching artist Antonio L\ufffdpez Garc\ufffda paint the titular tree in his Madrid back yard. Despite the film\ufffds tranquil pace echoing the painter\ufffds own leisurely approach, the result is a mesmerising, almost suspenseful work. Likewise, narrative films such as John Maybury\ufffds Francis Bacon portrait Love is the Devil or Maurice Pialat\ufffds Van Gogh, that set out to sew the spirit of the artist\ufffds work into the very rhythms and fabric of the film are the most triumphant. In the case of Maybury\ufffds work, at times the film\ufffds warped, hypnotic visuals come to resemble a painting by Bacon. Even Ed Harris\ufffds more conventional Pollock takes great pains to capture the free-form style of action-painter Jackson Pollock, primarily thanks to the physical performance of Harris in the lead. That said, there is one jaw-dropping moment in Girl With a Pearl Earring that manages to express the mysterious intuition that governs all artistic endeavours. It comes near the climax as Griet literally turns into the painting - a daring scene not in the original script that was improvised on the day. \"We never believed we could get her to look like the painting,\" says Webber. \"There was a touch of fear there. Thank God I did it. It\ufffds a crucial moment. I\ufffdd hate to think what the film would be without it.\" http://www.news.scotsman.com/features.cfm?id=7452004"}, {"response": 550, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (09:18)", "body": "Good Times interview. Some comments are old re-cycled ones. Doesn't sound like there's a stage project in the future:-(( Thanks to Murph and Gill. Seattle Times, Thanks Maria \"Firth, no stranger to period roles ...\" Does his best performances in these roles, IMO."}, {"response": 551, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (10:29)", "body": "Thanks Mari and Kathy for the info on the magazine. There were piles of Sun-Timeses sitting there and I could've picked it up yesterday. Will run out shortly before there's too much snow. :-( (Told of a colleague who packed her \"Pride and Prejudice\" tape for a trip to the labor room, his response was a heartfelt \ufffd and horrified \ufffd \"Oh my God!\") A colleague? A fellow actor? LOL! Mindful of the power of surprise, Firth politely declined to discuss how that particular scene would be handled in the film. Nor would he comment on whether the notorious reindeer sweater, worn by the hapless Mark Darcy in \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" would reappear. Oh yeah, trade secrets. ;-) You can almost understand how his Italian in-laws watched him in one flick and turned, puzzled, to his wife, \ufffdHe\ufffds sexy?\ufffd they asked. But, eventually, he invariably beds the girl. And which movie might this be? When he recently toured America, a posse followed him coast to coast in a frenzy of screams and lingerie lobbing. Devoted fan base is now a posse. Where did this lingerie lobbing take place? He says he has \ufffdhad it up to here\ufffd with \ufffd1980s edginess\ufffd Getting angry now? On the offensive? ;-) \ufffdPeople said, \ufffdIt\ufffds fun, I like it, it made me laugh, it made me cry, it swept me along\ufffd,\ufffd he says It made me want to vomit once or twice. ;-) Poor Firth. He\ufffds the male Ursula Andress. Whatever parts he plays, 20 years from now you can guarantee he will only ever be remembered for one thing: emerging sexily sodden from the water. :-((((((((((((((( (Allison) He is now living in Hampstead!!!! Surely a mistake? And Livia is now a television producer. ;-)"}, {"response": 552, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (10:35)", "body": "Is the London Times article in the magazine or another section and is there a photo?"}, {"response": 553, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (11:07)", "body": "(Mari)(And it *is* Mishimoko with an \"i.\" ;-) intellectual property rights, ya know;-) Whoops! . .meant to quote you, not plagarize!. .my spelling is n.g. . .\"Mishimoko\" it is! (Karen)Where did this lingerie lobbing take place? Perhaps pink sweater girl from the LA premiere has been stalking him, tossing her jollyhose about! Girls, thanks for all the articles . . ."}, {"response": 554, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (11:34)", "body": "Karen: It is in the Sunday Times Review section. I don't see a picture on the page Gill sent me, but perhaps Allison has a hard copy?"}, {"response": 555, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (11:44)", "body": "Thanks to everyone for galleries, interviews, tidbits!! \ufffdOh, it\ufffds just little bitchy comments. I\ufffdve just listened to the DVD commentary for Love Actually and Hugh points out unfavourable camera angles in a scene with me that an actress was obviously having to do all the work.\ufffd DVD commentary! I'm going to assume he participates. One of my dreams come true. And a good omen for TEOR. Never mind the actual film, I'm thinking ahead to DVDs, LOL."}, {"response": 556, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (11:45)", "body": "Thanks, Mary. We get the Review section of the paper, but not the regular magazine. I can always check tomorrow. USA Weekend used a pic that had been on the Daily Record's magazine cover when Conspiracy was shown. I don't have a clean one of that and it's too ugly outside to scan the one from today, so I used the Record's pic. Will substitute actual when weather improves. ;-) http://www.firth.com/articles/04usaweekend_104.html"}, {"response": 557, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (11:46)", "body": "\"He is that peculiarly British phenomenon, PMT: Posh Male Totty.\" ODB, PMT , LOL;-) \"rumpled Basildon Bond.\" Too funny. \"alas all the ones we didn?t notice, including a drama screened at the same time as Pride and Prejudice in which he played a ?drunk Nottinghamshire miner and wife abuser?). \" MOTM.One of his best. \"He says he has ?had it up to here? with ?1980s edginess? and all those Ken Loach films about the underclass, and feels British tastes might be changing\" Hooray! Let's throw in the films with people vomiting in the toilets."}, {"response": 558, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (11:54)", "body": "\"rumpled Basildon Bond.\" Too funny."}, {"response": 559, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (13:21)", "body": "(article)\"alas all the ones we didn?t notice, including a drama screened at the same time as Pride and Prejudice in which he played a ?drunk Nottinghamshire miner and wife abuser?). \" (Evelyn)MOTM.One of his best. I agree about MOTM being one of his best, but don't you think they mean TWOMH? Thank you all for the comments, pictures, articles and what have yo :-) and - Karen, great you had the picture in your archive. Really yummy !!"}, {"response": 560, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (13:37)", "body": "Yes, it would be Mrs Holroyd, though I don't recall them showing Charlie as a wife abuser, psychologically yes, but physically no. I'd bet old Jasper didn't see Holroyd either."}, {"response": 561, "author": "birdy", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (14:02)", "body": "\"Told of a colleague who packed her \"Pride and Prejudice\" tape for a trip to the labor room, his response was a heartfelt \ufffd and horrified \ufffd \"Oh my God!\") Karen: A colleague? A fellow actor? LOL! This must refer to the colleague of the teller of the incident not his, but would love to know if that not the case. \"You can almost understand how his Italian in-laws watched him in one flick and turned, puzzled, to his wife, \ufffdHe\ufffds sexy?\ufffd they asked. But, eventually, he invariably beds the girl.\" (Karen)And which movie might this be? I hate to belabor the point but my calculations suggest indeed, that was generally the case. If memory serves, everything post AZ excepting TeP (he may have bedded his wife, but being a cuckold IMO cancels that out),SIL and RV (his character of unlikely heterosexuality, probably should not be included in the statistics). You gotta admit in CoF, Simon was a slime-ball but he did BtG - enough to get her preggers):)"}, {"response": 562, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (14:10)", "body": "No, you're right. Colin has often mentioned COF as the film his in-laws saw and he indeed got to \"bed the girl\" in that one...plus you then had Nostromo, where he \"mined the girl.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 563, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (15:23)", "body": "(Annette) great you had the picture in your archive. Actual USA Weekend one is there now: http://www.firth.com/articles/04usaweekend_104.html Wish I had a clean one of that in my files. And have added a color version (from my files) of the one with today's Sunday Times article. http://www.firth.com/articles/04times104.html Naturally, I could make it black and white to be more authentic. All I need to know, ladies, is what the pic is and I'll dig it out. No pressure for scanning, etc."}, {"response": 564, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (17:20)", "body": "Thanks Karen and others for the the new articles. I was delighted to find the Time Traveler article in my morning paper. I didn't remember seeing this photo before."}, {"response": 565, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (17:40)", "body": "(Annette)but don't you think they mean TWOMH? *smacking head* Of course! With Zoe Wanamaker and Stephen Dillane.Painful to watch and difficult for me to understand at times, but Wow~ what a winner. (I think his feet make a showing in the coffin at the end, don't they;-) Weekend BO: GWAPE Looks like it's #26 from #35 last week.Took in... $200,000 in 26 theatres {still!!]- $7,692/theatre [Woo Hoo!]] cum $854,000. LA in #35 ,cum $57 ,458 M. Only in 406 theatres $1869/theatre"}, {"response": 566, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (17:41)", "body": "Correction LA #21.Same as last week."}, {"response": 567, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (17:43)", "body": "The Edge of Reason,\" .... Though Firth said he was initially reluctant to make a sequel, he now says he has \"high hopes\" for the film. \"The only sensible attitude to it was to be cautious. ... You have to really hit the right note with this thing. As long as you can take it forward in some way, it's justified.\" And, of course, pay me really well, including a share of the back end. ;-) When he recently toured America, a posse followed him coast to coast in a frenzy of screams and lingerie lobbing. NY venue to venue, would be a more accurate statement. Unless 6th and 5th Aves would be considered coasts. ;-) Though the lingerie lobbing is still a mystery. :-/ Webber - while underlining the film is not a \"bodice ripper\" Uh-oh, he said \"bodice ripper\"! I think he's stealing the intellectual property posted on a website from notes of a Q&A that many people were at, and heard at the same time. And didn't give credit!! Oh the gall of him!! Quick, he must be banned from Colin websites! What a bad, bad man. ;-D Although he is grateful for the regular employment, he wishes offers would come in to play East End gangsters. \ufffdI have gone through periods of sitting around not working and waiting for the perfect part,\ufffd Well, he answered the exact question I was thinking of just yesterday to ask him, should I be in a position again to do so. (Brenda) DVD commentary! I'm going to assume he participates. Now don't be so hasty there. You know what happens when one assumes. ;-) He said he was listening, not working on it. And why would Hugh comment on Colin's part anyway? Thanks for all the articles and pictures."}, {"response": 568, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (19:58)", "body": "(Seatle Times) A lot of the paring down of dialogue was my responsibility. Now I know who to . . .thank.;-) (But I want to know why Seattle will get this before Philly.;-( Told of a colleague who packed her \"Pride and Prejudice\" tape for a trip to the labor room, his response was a heartfelt \ufffd and horrified \ufffd \"Oh my God!\") LOL! Hey, it's better than a deck of cards.;-) Thanks for the article, Maria. (London Times)When he recently toured America, a posse followed him coast to coast in a frenzy of screams and lingerie lobbing. Kimberly, what did you put in that Today Show toy bag??;-) Unless this occurred when he was in Wisconsin.;-) Actually, I think this is ancient history when some fan gave an ill-advised quote to the LA Times about following him from LA to NY. Karen, you really need to start pointing these reporters to the more recent articles on firth.com.;-) And do we want to be peeps or a posse? I can't decide.;-) Firth says he feels \ufffdvery nearly as at home in America as in Britain\ufffd. One thing I will say for Colin: he is always fair and respectful of other cultures. Unlike some foreign celebs who come here, make a great living, act all nicey nicey, then go back home and--zing!--take cheap shots at America in the press. And it sounds like they've moved? I gather Hampstead is more upscale? Actually, I can believe that the loquatious Huge is doing the DVD commmentary with Curtis. Thanks, Murph and Gill. Good article unti the last bit about 20 years from now.;-( (Kimberley)Mishimoko\" it is! Nah, I was being anal, honey, ignore me."}, {"response": 569, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (20:14)", "body": "(Mari) And do we want to be peeps or a posse? I can't decide.;-) LOL! A la EW mag.....Peeps are \"in\", posse is \"out\". Posse was so Arsenio. ;-) (oh really, how would I know? ;-)) Actually, I can believe that the loquatious Huge is doing the DVD commmentary with Curtis. He did say in one of those premiere interviews that he was involved with the making of LA every step of the way, didn't he. I think he's the anal one. ;-)"}, {"response": 570, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (20:56)", "body": "When he recently toured America, a posse followed him coast to coast in a frenzy of screams and lingerie lobbing. Whew! Did knicker check.....have all my jollyhose from NYC still....so....okay....who did it? Who tossed their pants??? ;-) \ufffdI have gone through periods of sitting around not working and waiting for the perfect part,\ufffd he says, \ufffdwhich I can do very easily as I\ufffdm naturally lazy.\ufffd Touring coast to coast, avoiding knickers, changing nappies, working on three films in one year....okay....lazy it is then......(sitting in a hammock doing nothin' is my idea of lazy....not making labor intensive spaghetti dishes and going to martini parties....) He lives in Hampstead, northwest London, with his wife Livia Giuggiolo, a 33-year-old television producer, and their children Luca, 2, and six-month-old Mateo. I had heard a rumor he had moved....but not to Hampstead.....hmmmmm....... (Evelyn) (I think his feet make a showing in the coffin at the end, don't they;-) TWOMH is one of the ones I have never seen....and there are toes??? GAH! Must make an effort to view this one! (Dorine) Well, he answered the exact question I was thinking of just yesterday to ask him, should I be in a position again to do so. Me thinks you should come up with another question then.....soon....!!! ;-)"}, {"response": 571, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (22:04)", "body": "(London Times)When he recently toured America, a posse followed him coast to coast in a frenzy of screams and lingerie lobbing. (Mari)Kimberly, what did you put in that Today Show toy bag??;-) Whatever do you mean, Mari????;) (**discretly shutting her jollyhose drawer***) Now . .I know waiting out in 25 degree weather for ODB was a prime occasion for genuinely tiny knickers. . .however, mine stayed on . .and were not lobbed into the toy bag, nor at him . . . But if you are referring to the scary, stomach-holding-in-pants (very popular with grannies the world over) that I folded nicely and placed in that note I slipped him. .well . .that's a ANOTHER thing altogether;) (Tress)I had heard a rumor he had moved....but not to Hampstead.....hmmmmm....... Did he actually move? . .Dear me, I guess I should stop looking for a flat in Islington and start elsewhere . . .;)"}, {"response": 572, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (23:08)", "body": "(Tress) I had heard a rumor he had moved....but not to Hampstead.... Yeah, they needed to be closer to her TV producer job. ;-)"}, {"response": 573, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 2004 (23:18)", "body": "(Karen) Yeah, they needed to be closer to her TV producer job. ;-) LOL...she's producing alright...but I don't think it's for the telly! ;-)"}, {"response": 574, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (01:01)", "body": "(Tress) LOL...she's producing alright...but I don't think it's for the telly! ;-) Oh, with one quick glimpse, I thought you wanted to say \"it's for the belly!\" ;-)"}, {"response": 575, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (02:50)", "body": "Ladies, I give you the modern-day Laurence Olivier Irish Independent by Ciara Dwyer 'COLIN Firth is waiting for you.\" All my life I have been waiting to hear a line like that. The publicity girl thinks I am going to talk to him about his latest film, Girl with a Pearl Earring - and I am. But what she does not know is that I am obsessed with this man, completely. And, as I make my way to meet him, I know that a lot of women would kill to be in my shoes. It all started when Firth played Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, the epitome of female desire - tall, dark and handsome. Then he played Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones's Diary and we all swooned some more. Hours before I was due to interview Firth, I was sitting in a corridor of the Dorchester Hotel - and who should walk by but His Nibs. I had been busy gabbling away to another journalist when this vision appears. All six foot one of him glides by, and I am gobsmacked. He wears a chocolate brown suede jacket, the same colour as his eyes. His long legs are covered in denim. And his shoulders are beautifully broad. He's a modern-day Laurence Olivier. I contemplate faking a faint, but I am already sitting down. So I settle for watching him walk by and leering at his fabulous frame. He is so tall, the ceiling looks low. But at last it is my turn. Colin Firth and I are alone in a hotel room. OK, so I have a Dictaphone on the table and this is supposed to be work, but if you have swooned over him as much as I have, it is a little tricky to control yourself. I sit on the edge of the armchair, asking him questions, and almost topple over in excitement. We will talk about Pearl Earring in a minute, but first we talk about his role in one of his many other films, Richard Curtis's Love Actually. In this he plays a writer who falls in love with a Portuguese girl and who goes to the ends of the earth to see her. Unabashed romance. Another one for the fans. You must have women of all ages leering and lusting after you, and writing you letters, I say. \"There are definitely letters, yeah, but there are no knickers in the post,\" he says. \"It's so terribly well-behaved, unfortunately. A lot of it is still vague, extremely polite and second-hand reporting. I don't tend to get the actual person themselves.\" If ever there was a cue to speak up . . . so I tell him that the one that did it for me was Bridget Jones's Diary in the navy pin-striped suit, with the barrister flies, standing over a pot, cooking for her. \"Really?\" he says, with a frisky look in his eye. I tell him that I even thought about bringing the costume that day and asking him to dress up for me. He smiles some more but, aah, I must stop flirting with Mr Firth. He is married to a beautiful Italian woman, for whom he learned the language. Imagine. Enough of my infatuation. On with our official reason for meeting. Girl with a Pearl Earring is based on Tracy Chevalier's book of the same title. It's a fictional account of the girl in that famous Vermeer painting, and how the picture came about. Firth plays Johannes Vermeer. The film is perfection. Every frame looks like a painting, the music is divine and the whole thing is very sensual. This is a case of less is more. There are lingering looks between Vermeer and Griet, the maid who was the muse for the painting. The moment when their fingers brush against each other is positively explosive. It is a darker role for Firth, and yet the women will be swooning once more. \"I didn't know anything about Vermeer,\" he says, \"but I'd noticed the painting - which doesn't come every day for me. I'm not an art expert but I do tend to pop into a gallery if I can, and this happened in New York. It was in the Met. I was just blithely wandering from room to room and there was this very small painting at the other end of the room and it absolutely hit me. Like most people who aren't art experts, you just know what you like. And I thought, 'Oh God, what is it about that one?' \"It had this strong power and so it developed into a nerdy obsession. That was five or six years ago, but being the fickle creature that all actors are, you have this passion for something and then the capacity to completely forget.\" COLIN Firth was born in Hampshire, England in 1960. He has a brother and sister. His parents are academics; his father is a history lecturer at King Alfred's College, Winchester, and his mother is a comparative religions lecturer with the Open University. Were his parents draggy academics? \"I suppose I thought so at the time, but now I think it was probably a gift, really. It was an environment which encouraged thinking, 'Fatherhood is a strangely passionate experience. I thought it would be a wise mellow thing, but it's not. It's a crazy devotion. I fall in love each time' reading and conversation. My parents were interested in different places and my father got a teaching post in Nigeria, so my first four years were there, and then he got a teaching post in the USA so I spent a year in "}, {"response": 576, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (07:39)", "body": "\"There are definitely letters, yeah, but there are no knickers in the post,\" Saves postage to just lob them. ;-) I don't tend to get the actual person themselves.\" No, those were cardboard cutouts at the NY premiere. ;-) While it has been painfully obvious, I'm surprised he's been saying it on more than one occasion. Nor is he yearning to go back to the theatre, although in some ways he looks forward to the idea. \"I'd love to do something very new and exciting in a smallish theatre,\" he says. Well, there's the answer to the theater question. There's nothing new over there? Come over here. Though he might find it easier to find some things if he gets out of his easy chair. ;-) You can't say, 'If you don't shut up I'll call my agent.' Sure he could. He could say, \"Get me a job in Romania for a few months.\" ;-) Thanks, Josie."}, {"response": 577, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (08:03)", "body": "Thanks for the article, Josie. A fun read. Think the author needs to be invited to join the DD's. Then again - perhaps she already has?? But at last it is my turn. Colin Firth and I are alone in a hotel room I think I might have been tempted to produce something more than a Dictaphone..."}, {"response": 578, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (08:04)", "body": "Oops, I meant..... He talks about his career. He is no good at pursuing parts While it has been painfully obvious with some recent choices, I'm surprised he's been saying it on more than one occasion."}, {"response": 579, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (08:25)", "body": "(Josie's article)And then he obliges . . . I have no notion of what he was saying, but, oh God, Colin Firth speaking Italian. Sponge me down, quick. I know how she feels..;-)) Thanks Josie, that was a fun morning eye-opener."}, {"response": 580, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (08:28)", "body": "Gah! So many great articles and pics and DD to thank! I love my DH dearly but he clung to me like a cheap toupe yesterday. I tried everything to get him out of the house but to no avail and when a girl's gotta drool.... \"There are definitely letters, yeah, but there are no knickers in the post,\" (Dorine) Saves postage to just lob them. ;-) ROTF!!! 'Fatherhood is a strangely passionate experience. I thought it would be a wise mellow thing, but it's not. It's a crazy devotion. I fall in love each time' As do we hearing you say that... Nor is he yearning to go back to the theatre, although in some ways he looks forward to the idea. \"I'd love to do something very new and exciting in a smallish theatre,\" he says. I really and truly believe but hardly ever feel that non commital answers are best..;-) \"I can't, I'll feel completely silly doing it,\" he says. \"Oh God.\" And then he obliges . . . I have no notion of what he was saying, but, oh God, Colin Firth speaking Italian. Sponge me down, quick. Jammy git! The reformed egotist is a good egg.... Thanks Josie!"}, {"response": 581, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (08:49)", "body": "(Tress), I had heard a rumor he had moved....but not to Hampstead.....hmmmmm....... Wot? I go away for a week and he's moved? Now Tress you know you must share this rumour... we're waiting... :-) I always thought Livia would prefer to live in Chelsea, but Hamstead is just as good, they must be thinking of the schools for Luca. Thank you ladies for the articles and Karen for such a wonderful site."}, {"response": 582, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (08:50)", "body": "Many thanks for the fun article Josie!!! (Josie's article)You must have women of all ages leering and lusting after you, and writing you letters, I say. \"There are definitely letters, yeah, but there are no knickers in the post,\" he says. \"It's so terribly well-behaved, unfortunately. So if he doesn't like well-behaved, what does he want out of his fan base? Frankly, I never understood the idea of send/throwing underwear, but I suppose I could oblige. ;-)"}, {"response": 583, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (09:55)", "body": "(Tress)I had heard a rumor he had moved....but not to Hampstead.....hmmmmm....... He'll miss the button shop;-) \"\"As an actor on a film set, you're treated like an infant, really. You're told what time you're going to wake up. Somebody puts your face and hair on for you. You're told where you go and what you're going to say. Literally the only thing that you do for yourself is go to the bathroom...\" But theatre is soooo much easier....;-D (Times)\"The attraction of theatre is just how easy it is,\" he insists. \"You don't utter a line in public before five weeks rehearsals\" Tell that who the guys who slog away at doing 7 performances /week at the National or Donmar for 500 quid a week. Sometimes I wonder what planet this guy lives in."}, {"response": 584, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (11:50)", "body": "From Variety: Repressed passion Peter Webber's 'Pearl Earring' brings Vermeer to life with restraint By DAVID WEDDLE In a year when many filmmakers risked the deathblow of an NC-17 rating and battled the MPAA to bring more graphic and realistic depictions of sexuality to the bigscreen, the most erotically charged movie turned out to be one in which the lead characters never make love, take off their clothes, or even kiss. Director Peter Webber understands that sublimated passions can be the most powerful, both in life and in a movie. \"Whoever said the most important sex organ is the brain was right,\" Webber observes. \"It's anticipation and the fact that two people can't get together that builds up a tremendous charge of energy, like static electricity. You're just waiting for it to discharge. That's an interesting register to work in.\" The two people are the 17th century painter Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth) and his 17-year-old model, Griet (Scarlett Johansson). When Vermeer decides to paint Griet's portrait, he manipulates both her emotions and his own, exploiting the sexual tension between them to coax from Griet a mixture of sadness, longing and frustration, which he captures on canvas. Their relationship climaxes (both dramatically and symbolically) when Vermeer presents Griet with one of his wife's pearl earrings -- which he has taken without her knowledge -- and then pierces Griet's ear so that she can wear it. \"When I read that scene in Olivia Hetreed's screenplay, that was the moment I decided I wanted to do the movie,\" says Webber. \"We make a lot of period movies in Britain that are fairly dull -- 'Masterpiece Theater' type films. They're rather pretty and everything, but you're not emotionally engaged. Then I got to that ear-piercing scene and I suddenly realized there was a darkness to this story, an edge of sexual obsession and power plays.\" A 50-day shooting schedule and $10 million budget for a period piece may be threadbare by Hollywood standards, but for Webber -- who cut his teeth directing documentaries and movies for British television -- it seemed quite luxurious. This would be his first feature, and Webber was determined not to squander the opportunity. \"You're remembered by your first film,\" says Webber. \"People pigeonhole you, and you may never get to make a second film.\""}, {"response": 585, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (11:53)", "body": "Just got word that local theatre has GWAPE beginning 1/30/04. As DH said, \"must be the real wide\" opening ;-)"}, {"response": 586, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (12:35)", "body": "Thanks for the article, Josie, but am I the only person who thinks the title ridiculous? LO was quite good looking (1939ish) but his reputation was as an actor first. Murph, you're the expert here. Again, an article more about the writer than the subject. \"I'd love to do something very new and exciting in a smallish theatre,\" he says. Could've done \"Take Me Out\" at the Donmar. oooh, to have those front row seats again for that. Now that would be a real \"sponge me down, quick\" moment. ;-) If ever there was a cue to speak up . . . so I tell him that the one that did it for me was Bridget Jones's Diary in the navy pin-striped suit, with the barrister flies, standing over a pot, cooking for her. \"Really?\" he says, with a frisky look in his eye. A ha!!! Ciara Dwyer is pseudonym for Lizza, Keeper of the Whisk ;-)"}, {"response": 587, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (12:43)", "body": "I was sitting in a corridor of the Dorchester Hotel - and who should walk by but His Nibs Am picturing this gal sitting there clutching a copy of Horse and Hound. ;-) It's exhausting. The moment you walk out of the house and leave that noise behind you is just fantastic. Boy, do I remember *that* feeling. Kudos for your honesty on that one, Colin. I don't tend to get the actual person themselves.\" (Dorine)No, those were cardboard cutouts at the NY premiere. ;-) Pfft! The fan base is now a phan-tom base.;-) He talks about his career. He is no good at pursuing parts Astonish me. (Evelyn)He'll miss the button shop;-) ROTF! Thanks for the article, Josie!"}, {"response": 588, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (12:49)", "body": "I have no notion of what he was saying, but, oh God, Colin Firth speaking Italian. Sponge me down, quick. GAH! Me too! Is there a bathtub I can get into? ;-) Thanks Josie! \"She's Italian, oh yeah. I have to draw a line under it now, but you can probably imagine. She's very fiery, very smart, she's no pushover.\" Sounds like she keeps him on his toes! Good! Means if he shows up with random knickers from his fan base she won't have any of that! Be careful out there ladies! ;-D \"There are definitely letters, yeah, but there are no knickers in the post,\" (Dorine) Saves postage to just lob them. ;-) LOL...Was going to say we are a cheap lot...trying to save our pennies for when he does a play... ;-( (Peter Webber) You're just waiting for it to discharge. Wot? Is there some double meaning here? ;-) And if there is...I'll wait...LOL...waiting.... (Mari's article...again)...Their relationship climaxes Must find that tub... Thanks Mari!!"}, {"response": 589, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (13:11)", "body": "\"Ladies, I give you the modern-day Laurence Olivier\" I got the feeling she was talking about looks here more than talent. LO was pretty scrumptious in his youth, as Heathcliff showed us. But talent-wise, I don't think CF can touch him - yet! Enjoyed the article, Josie. Written by an Irish woman I presume?"}, {"response": 590, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (13:23)", "body": "(Murph) I got the feeling she was talking about looks here more than talent. Exactly, but did LO suffer comparisons to Gielgud because of his looks, i.e., was Gielgud taken more seriously as an actor than Larry because he was a heartthrob?"}, {"response": 591, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (13:52)", "body": "Josie - Love the article . .puts a smile on my face this Monday morning! (Irish Independant)\"There are definitely letters, yeah, but there are no knickers in the post,\" he says. \"It's so terribly well-behaved, unfortunately. A lot of it is still vague, extremely polite and second-hand reporting. I don't tend to get the actual person themselves.\" Hey! . .what was I . .chopped liver??? I delivered my note in person . .OK . . so I didn't wrap it in any knickers . . slight miscalculation on my part . . .perhaps I should have used a thong to slingshot the note over to him?;) But at last it is my turn. Colin Firth and I are alone in a hotel room. Lucky, lucky girl . . .I'm insanely jealous. Mari - Another wonderful article . . (Peter Webber) You're just waiting for it to discharge. (Tress)Wot? Is there some double meaning here? ;-) And if there is...I'll wait...LOL...waiting.... Tress . .you caught that too;) . .ahh great minds think alike!"}, {"response": 592, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (14:21)", "body": "(Murph)LO was pretty scrumptious in his youth, Wow, thanks for that Murph. My early favorite mood monster;-))"}, {"response": 593, "author": "Odile", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (15:19)", "body": "Thanks so much everyone for the news and articles! Was this posted? Still from your favorite, Karen: Hello Magazine and its polls :)( (can't quite make up my mind, happy or sad) : Coolest Baby Name COLIN FIRTH AND LIVIA GIUGGIOLI'S SON MATEO Though he faced stiff competition from fellow 2003 infants Daisy Boo, Caspar, Carys and Stellan, Mateo - the offspring of Colin Firth and his Italian wife Livia - took home the crown in the coolest baby name category. The little guy, born in August, is the couple's second child, while Colin also has a 12-year-old son, Will, with actress Meg Tilly. \"Being a father is more like passionate love than I'd imagined,\" he said recently. \"You have the same sense of being on the brink of being out of control, and of utter euphoria. It's what makes life most worth living - no question\" http://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/specials/endofyearpoll2003/pagina_7_1.html"}, {"response": 594, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (16:41)", "body": "(Kimberly) Hey! . .what was I . .chopped liver??? I delivered my note in person Don't take it personally. This interview--at the Dorchester--took place somewhere around Oct 10, way before he laid eyes on you or received your note. Am positive (*snort*) he'd never have made a comment like that after seeing all those cardboard standups inside the LA premiere tent or seeing you and getting your note. ;-)))))))"}, {"response": 595, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (18:51)", "body": "Thanks, Josie. (Mari), Pfft! The fan base is now a phan-tom base.;-) Clap, clap! COLIN FIRTH AND LIVIA GIUGGIOLI'S SON MATEO Why do they keep mispelling his name? It's Matteo. (Karen), Exactly, but did LO suffer comparisons to Gielgud because of his looks, i.e., was Gielgud taken more seriously as an actor than Larry because he was a heartthrob? Since you're OT, I will add that I always thought LO ot be more handsome than Gielgud. Tress, I'm still waiting for that rumour. :-)"}, {"response": 596, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (19:06)", "body": "Final weekend numbers for GWAPE: $210,348 (up 11.4%) on 26 screens, for an average of $8,090 (v.g.) and a total so far of $865,240. From the new issue (January 12) of People mag: Swab Story Scarlett Johansson says that her Girl With A Pearl Earring co-star Colin Firth gleefully poked fun at her costume, especially since her head was wrapped tightly in a white scarf for the drama. \"Colin kept saying I looked like a peeled egg,\" says Johansson, 19, who retaliated by drawing caricatures of the wig-wearing Firth with big hair. \"He also said I looked like a Q-Tip. He'd stick little Q-Tips with happy faces on them up on our makeup mirror.\" Pic of SJ. Also, an article on Renee Zellwegger, accompanied by cute pic of her and Colin (called one of \"Britain's leading men\") on TEOR set--a variation of one we've seen."}, {"response": 597, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (19:12)", "body": "(Moon) Tress, I'm still waiting for that rumour. :-) Check your e-mail. I don't wanna to be the one spreading the rumors...I just heard somethin' different, that's all...no proof. I'm sure it is only a matter of time before Hello or Now catch him 'in the wild'..."}, {"response": 598, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (19:39)", "body": "(Moon) Tress, I'm still waiting for that rumour. :-) Having just spent the weekend in central London with my DH and 2 younger boys, I had been thinking that it wasn't the healthiest environment in which to raise children. Maybe he's opted for country living and commuting to the city? BTW, loads of posters of GWAPE at the Tube stations. (Only one week to go!)"}, {"response": 599, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (20:14)", "body": "Well where oh where do I begin. First off, Karen that random gallery--whew! I waited days to see it. Thank you. Dorine, Tress and Evelyn ditto on the comments about the tub, the knees, the purple, and that phallic wine bottle. Oh how I've missed this place. It's good to be back. Josie great article. I think Ciara needs to come on board. She even got him to speak Italian. I agree that is a sponge me down moment. Thanks to all for everything. It will take me days to catch up. Just wanted to tell all of you that some of the best parts of my 9 days in London was seeing all the red double decker buses with the LA posters plasterd from one end to the the other, and the GWAPE posters. Crikey! I happend to be in the tube station at Green Park on Saturday. There is one steep escalator in there and lo and behold a GWAPE poster that was almost the length of the wall from ceiling to floor. As you ride up the escalator it just looms out at you. I tripped getting off because I was staring back at it on my way up. Also took another look on the way down then had to go up again. Also, at another stop the posters were in a row spaced about 5 feet apart and they even went around a bend. Each one was different with different members of the cast with different captions...Don't get caught in his web...another read Everyone gets caught in his world and so on. Almost like you had to keep moving on to read what came next. In several coffee shops they were giving out post cards with the poster on the front and an entry form on back for a trip to Denmark...no ODB just a trip to Denmark. I saw LA while I was there and GWAPE posters were outside for the coming attraction. Later that night, as I was leaving a girl was taping a notice on the poster that Tracy Chevalier would be doing a Q&A there in January. I'm not sure of the exact date, but it's at the Curzon Theater on Curzon Street Mayfair.I asked her if any cast members were attending, found myself winking like you know who I mean. I think she thought I was just another nutty American, but she did say, winking back, that she wasn't sure at the moment. (Evelyn)\"He is that peculiarly British phenomenon, PMT: Posh Male Totty.\" ODB, PMT , LOL;-) but an AFGPMT;-) (Evelyn)Now let's find the one coming down the stairs barefooted... . This I gotta see...I'll go over to Cootie world, eh firthology and see if it has surfaced;-)"}, {"response": 600, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (23:22)", "body": "Welcome back, Linda. Since they probably fingerprinted you at Customs, that should provide adequate protection as well for the cooties at Firthology. ;-D Have fun over there. Antonella sent me some info about a GWAPE contest over at the The Times site: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/filmfirst where you win a trip to Amsterdam if you can answer the question: Who plays Johannes Vermeer in GWAPE? Put on your thinking caps and enter. Sorry, you don't win the said actor. ;-)"}, {"response": 601, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 2004 (23:38)", "body": "(Moon) Since you're OT... Not really, as I was discussing the article and the journalist's premise. But it has reminded me of another, who was always known as the next LO: Kenny boy. Didn't anyone think it odd that Kenny would be featured on the special DVD release of Another Country when he isn't in it? Sure, he played the Tommy Judd but he isn't in the film. So Colin isn't even providing special commentary for that. OK, Ms Lemonade, make lemonade about that. ;-)"}, {"response": 602, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Jan  6, 2004 (04:57)", "body": "David Weddle (Variety) Screenplay: Olivia Hetreed Category: Adapted screenplay Source Material: \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" novel by Tracy Chevalier Storyline: A 17th century Dutch painter, Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth (news)), forms a covert relationship with a 17-year-old servant girl named Griet (Scarlett Johansson (news)). He chooses Griet as the subject of his next portrait, and exploits the sexual tension between them to coax a mixture of sadness, longing, and frustration from Griet, which he captures on canvas. The relationship climaxes when he presents Griet with one of his wife's pearl earrings, and pierces Griet's ear so she can wear it. About the script: We often think of great screenwriting as tour-de-force dialogue, but Hetreed's script focuses on the silences between people, the emotions that remain unspoken because of fears or inarticulateness. Hetreed draws attention to the small actions that reveal people's turbulent inner lives. The dynamics of the Vermeer household are keenly observed. Vermeer's mother-in-law, who at first appears harsh, is revealed to be fighting desperately for the family's financial survival. In an era when American cinema celebrates all forms of excess, \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" demonstrates the value of old-fashioned virtues such as restraint and understatement. Biggest challenge: \"The novel is told from Griet's point of view, so you are privy to all of her thoughts and feelings,\" says Hetreed. \"I didn't want to use a voiceover in the movie because Griet's an inarticulate, unanalytical character. So I had to find visual ways of dramatizing her emotions and thoughts. For instance, in the novel there's a fantastically erotic moment where Vermeer has her look into his camera obscura. He gives her his cloak and says, \"Put this over your head.\" She puts it over her head and she can smell his smell and feel the warmth because he's just been wearing it. It was a fantastic moment, but you couldn't make that work on screen. Instead I put the two of them under the cloak, and you can feel the sexual tension between them.\" Breakthrough idea: \"The book has a 15-year time jump in it,\" says Hetreed. \"I decided that that just wouldn't play in a movie. The sexual tension is so intense that it's very important that the story takes place in a tight time frame; it needs that intensity of the moment to make it work.\" Favorite scene: \"There's a scene with Griet and Vermeer where he says, 'Look at the clouds, what color are they?'\" Hetreed explains. \"She starts to understand how he looks at the world.\" Lines we love: Van Ruijven, Vermeer's wealthy patron, who enjoys taunting the artist, re what's going on with Griet: \"Master and maid, that's an old tune and we all know it.'\" Recognition to date: Golden Hitchcock, Audience Award 2003 Dinard Festival of British Cinema; cinematography, San Sebastian Film Festival. Writer's bio: Hetreed worked as an editor on movies for British television and went on to write screenplays for several British TV movies, including adaptations of \"The Canterville Ghost,\" \"What Katy Did\" and E. Nesbitt's \"The Treasure Seekers.\" After completing \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" she wrote the first installment of the BBC's contemporary series based on \"The Canterbury Tales.\""}, {"response": 603, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan  6, 2004 (10:26)", "body": "(VARIETY :Screen writer)\"He gives her his cloak and says, \"Put this over your head.\" She puts it over her head and she can smell his smell and feel the warmth because he's just been wearing it. It was a fantastic moment, but you couldn't make that work on screen.\" Hey, Olivia, it worked for me. \" Breakthrough idea: \"The book has a 15-year time jump in it,\" says Hetreed. \"I decided that that just wouldn't play in a movie. The sexual tension is so intense that it's very important that the story takes place in a tight time frame; it needs that intensity of the moment to make it work.\" \" But what exactly was your breakthrough idea... ;-). To leave the audience hanging???"}, {"response": 604, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan  6, 2004 (10:34)", "body": "or with erroneous conclusions. Yeah, excellent idea! ;-)"}, {"response": 605, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jan  6, 2004 (11:06)", "body": "(Karen)or with erroneous conclusions. And an inadequate presentation of how Vermeer is attracted to her visual sense in the first place. Essentially we're left with \"Camera obscura? Cool!\" ;-) There are many things I like about the film but the screenplay isn't the one I'd single out. Thanks, Maria. Scarlett will be on the Today Show tomorrow. This is from The Scotsman: Johansson is as commanding and persuasive as the demure maid in 17th-century Delft - a role with almost no dialogue - as she is playing a drifting young hipster in 21st-century Japan. Indeed, she has had Golden Globe nominations as Best Actress for both performances: in the comedy or musical category for Translation and in the drama category for Earring. Both achievements are impressive. The former because Johansson\ufffds co-star in Translation, Bill Murray, is one of the biggest scene-stealers in the business. The latter because, two and a half years ago, Earring was all set to shoot when Kate Hudson, originally cast as the enigmatic woman with the pearl, pulled out, causing the finance to collapse. The producers rallied, finding new backers and a completely new creative team (Peter Webber directs, and Colin Firth took over the part of Vermeer, originally to be played by Ralph Fiennes). \"They thought I would really need to be buttered up - that I would be so upset I was not the first choice,\" recalls Johansson, cheerfully. \"But I had the greatest leading man ever. It was so smooth and so much fun.\" Now, contemplating the quiet intensity of her performance, it is impossible to imagine anyone else in the role. Full article at: http://www.news.scotsman.com/features.cfm?id=13972004"}, {"response": 606, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Jan  6, 2004 (12:44)", "body": "The way this started out I thought it would all be written for laughs (and have not seen MLS OR GWAPE so hard to comment) but I liked the whole oyster angle and the little side pics and it seems the reviewer truly thought about the film before writing this... http://www.filmsnobs.com/www/shimes/girlearring.htm"}, {"response": 607, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Jan  6, 2004 (14:55)", "body": "(filmsnobs.com) The novel was written first person from Griet's perspective, which strikes me as a gross miscalculation--Griet's lot had no voice, thus the glory of the fiction is the revealing of her to the world. Maria, this one is great, thanks! The above quote nails for me a problem I had with the book. Now I can doubly-hardly wait for the movie. Thanks!"}, {"response": 608, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Jan  6, 2004 (19:05)", "body": "Unfortunately the cover pic shown is not him... COVER STORY: WHY COLIN IS A DUTCH OF CLASS Jan 3 2004 Heart throb Coin Firth hits the spot in Brit-Coms but he's also showing his versatility in a darker role as the painer Johannes Vermeer Paul English He's responsible for the warm glow in millions of hearts leaving cinemas across the globe over the years. But don't call Colin Firth a romantic. While hundreds of film-goers are filled with candyfloss emotions after flicks like Hope Springs, Love Actually and Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary, the 43-year-old actor doesn't buy into the notion of the romantic love he peddles on screen. I'm not necessarily an optimist in terms of romantic love, he says. I'm not the type of romantic who enjoys the weepy movie and then sighs sweetly about it. I'm more interested in the obstacles and the impossible than I am in resolution and happiness. Whether his peer Hugh Grant shares the same belief is up for argument. But for all his recent associations with bumbling roles, Colin is doing his best to avoid the same career choices that have left Mr Grant typecast and lacking the sort of impact he once had. All this, despite his bumbling role in recent hit Love Actually. He says: I wouldn't be as patient and self-deprecating. I'm sporadi ally romantic, which means I don't have a permanent romantic view of life. I'm more interested in emotion and its complications. Colin's latest role, in Girl With A Pearl Earring, based on the best- selling novel, is a dark period drama in which Firth plays Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer. Candyfloss emotions? Unlikely. He says: I like to mix and match which is why I jumped at the chance to play Vermeer. I was sitting at home one day and a script arrived asking me if I wanted to do it. I said yes. I was ready to do a bit of drama, since I had done quite a string of romantic comedies and light stuff. For one thing, Pearl Earring meant he could drop the smarmy-one liners. I had been looking for years to do something like this, he says. In fact, it was odd, because in the first week of Pearl Earring I just wondered if I was doing something where I didn't have to be tongue-in-cheek? Even in roles like Fever Pitch, the film adaptation of Nick Hornby's classic novel where he played a teacher obsessed with Arsenal he still had his tongue wedged to one side. It's no surprise, of course, that Firth is often sent the lighter stuff after he shot to stardom as the racy Mr Darcy in the TV adaptation of Jane Austen's bodice- ripper Pride and Prejudice in 1995. He says: Romance and comedy have obviously found a way to go hand in hand in popular culture and I think, if you get successful in one thing, it makes you employable enough. Maybe so, but there is still the nagging suspicion that Colin took the part in teen comedy What A Girl Wants to raise his American profile. He disagrees. It wasn't that conscious, he says. I think a lot of what we do is very random and, on the outside, it is often assumed everybody has some sort of strategy. I often read an analysis of an actor's career and they talk about choices, in that they made bad choices for a while then good ones, as if they were in a world of perfect choice. In fact, it is very odd, just looking back over the last few things that I have done, I can't see any pattern. So e worked out badly and some worked out well, but there is no exact science. Then again, so long as Brit-coms like Bridget Jones's Diary, and this years follow-up The Edge of Reason, continue to hit the mark, then he no more needs a career strategy than Henrik Larsson needs shooting practice. Indeed, if he was waiting for the Bridget Jones follow-up to keep his profile buoyant, then the huge success of Love Actually has been an added bonus. It was a role Colin had no hesitation in taking, having worked with Richard Curtis on the smash hit Bridget Jones. He says: He has this fantastically intelligent and self-deprecating wit that you associate with the films he writes. He is doing something that, however mainstream it is, is different from what other people do and it is only mainstream because of the fact that he single-handedly made it so. It is quite hard to write about middle-class people, which is usually the stuff of sitcoms, but he manages to get some drama out of it. Colin thinks this is especially evi ent in Love Actually, a film that isn't just about those feel-good emotions. Great drama comprises comedy and tragedy, he says. Richard has been able to enmesh both and bring a genuine humanity to his work. Much of Colin's sequences were shot on location in the south of France and there were no major dramas working on what seemed a complex undertaking. He says: It was a simple pleasure from beginning to end. I think it was easy to say that because in some ways I could just jump right in and feel little pressure, as I'm not carrying the film. \ufffdMy whole storyline could have been a total catastrophe and it wouldn't be the end of the world. I decided to se"}, {"response": 609, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Jan  6, 2004 (19:34)", "body": "(MariaT)Unfortunately the cover pic shown is not him... It is in my copy of the supplement! -My lovely Mum kept the newspaper for me since I was away for the weekend. (I have a very supportive family!)"}, {"response": 610, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jan  6, 2004 (19:54)", "body": "(CF) I had been looking for years to do something like this, *Years* to find a drama besides Conspiracy? :-/ Where ya been looking, in haystacks? (CF re Richard Curtis) He has this fantastically intelligent and self-deprecating wit that you associate with the films he writes. He is doing something that, however mainstream it is, is different from what other people do LA was a fluffy Altman movie. their second son, Matteo. There ya go, Moon. 2 T's. ;-) Thanks, Maria for all the tidbits today."}, {"response": 611, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan  6, 2004 (20:09)", "body": "\"But I consider myself a jobbing actor. I have to pay the bills.\" *Yawn, Yawn, Yawn*..If I have to read this one more time, I'm gonna puke. Thanks Maria.... ...not your fault. Why doesn't he vary his answers! This getting to be like:... \"The gang in the St. Louis playground\"...of four years ago. The guy goes on a kick."}, {"response": 612, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan  6, 2004 (21:08)", "body": "(Karen)or with erroneous conclusions. Yeah! When she goes to the house to receive the earrings after he's dead, she brings her 15 year old daughter with long dark hair. ;-) Thanks, Maria!"}, {"response": 613, "author": "madsky", "date": "Tue, Jan  6, 2004 (23:38)", "body": "(Evelyn)Why doesn't he vary his answers! Looks to me like ALL those quotes in that Daily Record cover story are taken from other (or earlier) interviews -- I know most of them are because I've been reading and reading these things for my research and most of the lines are the EXACT same wordings. I've seen this with other articles. As we know, journalists don't have to divulge sources, provide citations, can make unsupported generalizations or statements, etc. It appears that newspaper articles sometimes (often?) lift quotes from magazine interviews."}, {"response": 614, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  7, 2004 (00:02)", "body": "I had been looking for years to do something like this, he says. I was sitting at home one day and a script arrived asking me if I wanted to do it. I said yes. Actively searching, huh? That Lazy-Boy was a bad purchase decision. ;-) In fact, it is very odd, just looking back over the last few things that I have done, I can't see any pattern. I do. They're mostly \"randomly\" bad, which happens when you sit in that Lazy-Boy waiting for good scripts to knock on the door."}, {"response": 615, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jan  7, 2004 (00:02)", "body": "I jumped at the chance to play Vermeer. I was sitting at home one day and a script arrived asking me if I wanted to do it. Way to aggressively hunt down those good dramatic parts!;-) ;-) (Dorine)*Years* to find a drama besides Conspiracy? :-/ Where ya been looking, in haystacks? No, in the mail box.;-) Well, he'll have a good opportunity at Sundance to rub elbows with the people who are writing, producing and directing a lot of the good dramatic stuff. Thanks for the article, Maria; Janet,is it a new pic?"}, {"response": 616, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jan  7, 2004 (00:04)", "body": "Great minds, Karen! I gotta get to bed."}, {"response": 617, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  7, 2004 (00:17)", "body": "(Madelyn) Looks to me like ALL those quotes in that Daily Record cover story are taken from other (or earlier) interviews Very likely, as Colin doesn't give interviews to tabloids. Whatever is usually printed in these is \"cobbled\" from other sources. The \"fave\" quote about Italy came right from our translated by committee article. ;-) BBC has given GWAPE 4 out of 5 stars: Girl With A Pearl Earring is a superior British costume drama that expertly mixes art history with romantic fiction. Peter Webber's directorial debut subtly portrays the relationship between Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth) and his enigmatic subject (Scarlett Johansson). Adapted from the bestselling novel by Tracy Chevalier and inspired by the painting of the same name, this film doesn't just appeal to budding Vermeers but anyone who likes serious, intelligent drama and gentle erotic tension. In mid-17th century Delft, Holland, 17-year-old Griet (Lost In Translation's Johansson) is forced into servanthood when her father suffers an accident and is unable to work. She's taken on in Vermeer's household and gives everyone the hump - particularly the artist's permanently pregnant wife (Essie Davis) and eldest daughter (Alakina Mann) - when she starts forging an understanding with her mysterious master. \"POUTING LESSONS FROM POSH HERSELF\" Colin (Love Actually) Firth battles bravely to stop his Iron Maiden-style wig from expressing more than he does, while Scarlett Johansson has been taking pouting lessons from Posh herself. That said, both leads are excellent, doing a grand job of expressing feelings and emotions without the use of much dialogue, and the picture is the better for it. The film is occasionally clumsy on the erotic overtones (a sledgehammer would have been as subtle as the twitching hands scene), but ultimately the story's power stems from its restraint. It's a shame that Tom Wilkinson - as Vermeer's sleazy patron Van Ruijven - is underused, peering occasionally around corners to leer at maids like a salivating wolf. But the film is beautifully shot, each scene resembling a mini-portrait in itself. Not a masterpiece, then, but well worth a viewing. ~~~~~~~~~ There is also an interview with Colin: Q: One of the interesting things about Girl With A Pearl Earring is how there's very little dialogue... A: It's good not to speak. I think it gives you the opportunity to own it, in a way. When you've got other people's words, you have to go full circle, making their words yours. Doing it in this way, it's much more of a direct line from the source material to whatever it is you're doing in front of the camera. Words can be an enormous asset. They can really catapult you into something wonderful if they're brilliant. If they're not, then they are a gigantic obstacle. If they're not there, then suddenly it's you! You're on! You have to sing and dance, and that's it. Q: The centrepiece of the film is the evolving relationship between Griet, the servant girl, and your character, Johannes Vermeer, who wants to paint her. How did you make that relationship real on screen? A: It all got quite easy once it was between myself and Scarlett [Johansson]. It was a strange job for me because I wasn't present for a lot of it. I mean, I was and I wasn't. I had to be there physically most days so I could walk down a flight of stairs or something. It meant I wasn't really able to establish anything for a long time, but once we got into the meat of it, in that artist's studio, between the two of us... I found that once we hit a certain tone, those elements just actually sort of dictated it. That's when collaboration actually starts to display its benefits - we start to inspire each other. I found that once we were at the proper work, it didn't require great leaps of the imagination. And it was also easy because Scarlett really is so believable. Q: Why did you take a chance on working with Peter Webber, a first time director? A: It didn't seem like such a terrible risk. He's not wet behind the ears. He's very experienced behind a camera. He's made drama. I think we make a rather artificial divide between the small screen and the big screen because the work is very much the same. It depends what sensibilities you bring to it. He knows the world of cinema. He's one of these people whose knowledge is encyclopaedic, but he's also watched and studied things. I felt he was more equipped than a lot of more experienced directors I've worked with. I didn't have the feeling of a man on his first feature film job at all. Q: How does it feel to be in a movie that a lot of people wouldn't associate you with? A: I think it's great. I'm quite happy for those things to co-exist. This film wouldn't be possible without Bridget Jones for me. I enjoy doing Bridget Jones. I don't think films are less substantial because they're more popular or because they're lighter. I certainly know that if you're any more bankable because of the success of one film, then one of th"}, {"response": 618, "author": "Gina2e", "date": "Wed, Jan  7, 2004 (02:38)", "body": "Happy New Year to Everyone. I saw a small article in Telegraph (3rd Jan) refering to Colin- \"now appointed patron of Survival\".Is this news or history? Can't find any reference to this on the Survial site.Apparantly he has written to De Beers campaining against mining practices in South Africa. Wonder if there will be any fall out as regarding possible filming in S.A.?"}, {"response": 619, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Wed, Jan  7, 2004 (08:38)", "body": "In fact, it is very odd, just looking back over the last few things that I have done, I can't see any pattern. (Karen) I do. They're mostly \"randomly\" bad, which happens when you sit in that Lazy-Boy waiting for good scripts to knock on the door. I think it's time for another report from our on-the-scene imbeded Drooler, who was posing as a maid in the Islington house. Wasn't her mission to search out and destroy any bad scripts that made it past the perimeter and try to plant suitable scripts where ODB might conveniently pick them up? (i.e. next to Lazy-Boy) Has anyone heard from her lately? Think she's still hiding in closets, or has she been done in by a red fingernail?"}, {"response": 620, "author": "Eljanfor51", "date": "Wed, Jan  7, 2004 (10:36)", "body": "I am a veteran lurker, not being nearly as witty as most of you charming firthettes. I just had to share my excitement about getting tickets yesterday to the first screening of Trauma at the Sundance Film Festival. I have lived in the Salt Lake City area for almost 19 years and never attended the festival, but I couldn't resist being one of the first to see a CF film."}, {"response": 621, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Jan  7, 2004 (10:42)", "body": "Gone for a day and such lovely lovely tidbits to read! Thanks, as always to Maria and Karen for the articles . . . (Hetreed)Instead I put the two of them under the cloak, and you can feel the sexual tension between them.\" Ahhh indeed you do . .;) (Colin)The wisdom of jazz legend Miles Davis I've always followed the advice of Miles: Don't play what you know. Play what you don't know. Love this quote . .actually have it in my journal that I carry around with me (yes, very much in manner of BJ:) (filmsnob)but none of them will developed into the actress Scarlett Johansson is by pimping themselves to Mona Lisa Smile. Far fewer people will see Girl With a Pearl Earring, for sure, but those who do will be rewarded with a moving portrait of art, not just some people pretending to be moved by art. Youch! . .is Mona Lisa Smile that bad . .haven't seen it yet . . (BBC)this film doesn't just appeal to budding Vermeers but anyone who likes serious, intelligent drama and gentle erotic tension. Hmmm who could that be . .me! . .me!! Esp the latter . ."}, {"response": 622, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Jan  7, 2004 (10:44)", "body": "Janine - Am very jelous of you and any other fellow Drooleours who get to go to Sundance! A friend here at who is an employee of the Sundance Channel has just informed me that she is attending the whole festival . .I asked if she could hide me in her luggage . .but to no avail . .she is going to try to see Trauma for me to give me some early details!"}, {"response": 623, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  7, 2004 (10:57)", "body": "(Janine) I am a veteran lurker, not being nearly as witty as most of you charming firthettes. I just had to share my excitement about getting tickets yesterday to the first screening of Trauma Fantastic! I hope you'll report back on the movie and the experience and if YKW shows up. Remember, bring your camera. It's more important than being witty. ;-)"}, {"response": 624, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jan  7, 2004 (12:01)", "body": "(Karen) Remember, bring your camera. It's more important than being witty. ;-) LOL....one good pic and you don't have to be witty for weeks on end! Janine...we'll be seeing you there! Am wondering if YKW will show with all the cancelled flights out of UK and Europe. Surely they are flying commercial on the Trauma budget."}, {"response": 625, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jan  7, 2004 (12:09)", "body": "Good for you, Janine! Can't wait to hear your thoughts on Trauma. In case Colin shows up, bring your cardboard cutout double; the phan-tom base must be represented.;-) (Tress)wondering if YKW will show with all the cancelled flights out of UK and Europe Mostly just that one flight from London--DC run has been subject to delays and cancellations. I doubt very strongly if flights to Salt Lake City of all places would be affected."}, {"response": 626, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Jan  7, 2004 (14:13)", "body": "Don't think this has been posted yet . . . From the National Catholic Reporter (Issue Date: January 9, 2004) Romance and Desire 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' shines; 'Something's Gotta Give' is coy look at love By JOSEPH CUNNEEN Girl with a Pearl Earring will delight those who prefer their dramatic moments muted as well as those who love great paintings that have remained mysterious. Based on the carefully researched novel by Tracy Chevalier about the great 17th-century artist Johannes Vermeer and his model for the painting that provides its title, the movie is an advanced class in the use of light and color. Documentarian Peter Webber\ufffds first feature film, \ufffdGirl with a Pearl Earring\ufffd is impressive in its presentation of Delft -- its canals, clothes, class divisions and social assumptions. He works well with a fine cast, and photographer Eduardo Serra captures their different faces with a subtlety that complements the paintings that dominate the film. Young Griet (Scarlett Johansson), who comes to work as a maid in the Vermeer household, is the radiant but soberly becapped daughter of a local tile maker who has become blind. The movie opens with her meticulously chopping and arranging vegetables for the last meal she will have in her own home. Soon she will bring such attention to detail and sense of order to Vermeer\ufffds studio: Asked by her mistress to clean its windows, she worries that this may change the studio\ufffds lighting. What is most remarkable is how, despite the strict class barriers of the time and the limited number of her spoken lines, Johansson is able through expression alone to convey Griet\ufffds vulnera ility, curiosity and intensity. While laundering, cooking and running errands, Griet has to put up with the snobbery of Vermeer\ufffds wife, Catharina (Essie Davis), the deliberate cruelty of one daughter, a despotic mother-in-law (Judy Parfitt) and the artist\ufffds womanizing patron, Van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson). But Griet\ufffds quiet beauty and instinctive response to color soon bring her to the attention of Vermeer himself (Colin Firth), who asks her to help mix his paints. The sequence in which he explains to her the mechanics of the camera obscura successfully conveys the repression that heightens their growing mutual attraction, though the subtlety of the relationship is undermined by the intrusive music of Alexandre Desplat. Firth is impressive in suggesting the artist\ufffds brooding, taciturn personality , but audience sympathy is inevitably with the besieged Griet. She modestly accepts the attentions of the handsome young butcher\ufffds apprentice, Pieter (Cillian Murphy), and is initially reluctant to remove her cap when the painter insists he needs to see her face. The cascade of auburn hair tumbling down provides a major moment in the film, but Griet immediately covers her hair, grasping the blue and yellow cloths that are preserved in the famous painting. The idea of an affair between artist and model has become such a clich\ufffd that responses to the movie may depend on whether the audience insists on a reductionist understanding of human relationships. \ufffdGirl with a Pearl Earring\ufffd is satisfied with implying that Vermeer and Griet have learned from and come to care for each other despite their deep differences in class and religion. The film deliberately ends in ambiguity; those who would like to know more or dig deeper should turn to the book. For example, there is no attempt to convey the subtlety of the book\ufffds conversation between Vermeer and Griet on the difference between Catholic and Protestant attitudes to painting. Nevertheless, by conveying the importance of art in preparing our responses to everyday life, \ufffdGirl with a Pearl Earring\ufffd suggests an underlying religious significance. For the rest of the article - http://ncronline.org/NCR_Online/archives2/2004a/010904/010904h.php"}, {"response": 627, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jan  7, 2004 (14:29)", "body": "Scalett was on the Today Show this morning and Katie was drooling away! After discussing/showing the clips: Katie: \"I love Colin Firth. I think he's wonderful. What was it like working with him? I don't know him well, but I've interviewed him a number of times and he seems like an absolute gem.\" Scarlett: (Nodding head vigorously, then stopping and breaking into wry, mischief-y smile) \"Colin . . . he's alright, I suppose.\" Both ladies fall into fits of laughter. I can just imagine what they talked about just prior to the interview!:-) BTW, if you haven't already done so, read the GWAPE \"diary\" posted by Murph on Odds & Ends Topic 178."}, {"response": 628, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  7, 2004 (16:06)", "body": "Adorable! You can watch it at the MSN Today Show site. http://msnbc.msn.com/Default.aspx?id=3032633&p1=01%7C%7C%7C%7C003 It's the second video. If anybody's taped it, let me know."}, {"response": 629, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Jan  7, 2004 (17:45)", "body": "Re: Scarlett's appearance on 'Today' this morning. Agree she was adorable - very poised and well spoken. I've seen a real transformation in her these past few months. All the exposure from GWAPE and LIT has really helped mature her public persona. Think we'll be seeing a lot more of her in the future."}, {"response": 630, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Jan  7, 2004 (18:11)", "body": "Don't think this one's been posted yet... http://seattleweekly.com/features/0401/040107_film_thisweek.php GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING Opens Fri., Jan. 9, at Seven Gables and Uptown Has Scarlett Johansson ever been in a movie with a plot? Ghost World, The Man Who Wasn't There, Lost in Translation . . . and now this? Maybe she's the new muse of the meandering and the atmospheric. Audiences, directors, and especially directors of photography love to stare at her soft, dewy features. Her best pose is repose, so you can understand why, in this still, handsome adaptation of the 1999 best seller by Tracy Chevalier, Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth) chooses this household maid for a portrait commissioned by his chief patron, Van Ruijven (a hammy Tom Wilkinson), which today hangs in the Hague. Griet isn't just a good pupil when Vermeer explains how light works; she seems to attract the stuff. Martin Amis wrote that one of his heroines appeared to be illuminated by her own personal cinematographer. Griet goes her one better: She's got her own Dutch master, and a hunky, smoldering one to boot. Yet the snickering subtext to the classic artists-and-models romance only remains a subtext here, however charged. (\"Master and maid\ufffdthere's a tune we all know,\" Van Ruijven insinuates, but alas not a tune we get to hear.) The greater tension comes from the jealousy that ripe, young Griet creates among the women in Vermeer's household\ufffdhis simpering wife (Essie Davis), shrewd mother-in-law, and spiteful 12-year-old daughter. Girl is also oddly pedagogic as Vermeer teaches Griet about pigments, lets her mix his paint (not steamy or sensual in the slightest), and basically educates us about his craft while mentoring her. The film is so hushed and respectful that we hear the touch of bristles on canvas. Fine, but if we wanted art-history textbooks, we'd go to the library. It's all very PBS-y, yet even Upstairs, Downstairs had scandals and sex. There's talk of how virile Vermeer has knocked up a succession of prior models\ufffdtalk, and not even much talk at that. Even though I like the way that the director summons up the daily domestic life of 1665 Delft, Girl rather dully subscribes to that old trope about the artist's displacement of you-know-what into his art. They have to be kept chastely separate, unlike, say, the life of Picasso, who managed to paint and screw without his energy ever flagging. But I guess that's a different movie. Here, there's just a superfluous courtship subplot with 28 Days Later's Cillian Murphy to make a woman out of Griet; there's a lovely scene of them walking by a wintry yellow canal in the snow, but it's only there because it's lovely, not because it makes sense. Meanwhile, Firth's saturnine Mr. Darcy charisma goes nowhere; he's not much better used (he's ill-used, really) than in Love Actually, only without all that splashing in the lake. I guess he's biding his time while Ren\ufffde Zellweger fattens up for the Bridget Jones sequel. As for lovely, lank, do-less Johansson, only 19, she's graduating to high school in the SAT-theft movie The Perfect Score (Jan. 30). Let the other teen strivers worry about their double 800s; in my yearbook, she goes down as most likely to achieve by not achieving. (PG-13) BRIAN MILLER Ouch! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------"}, {"response": 631, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  7, 2004 (18:30)", "body": "BTW, no need to put all quoted material in italics. Take pity on your fellow Drooleurs' eyes. ;-) Attn: E! News had a little bit on GWAPE today, talking to both Scarlett and Colin during the press junket. It will be repeated tomorrow at Noon Eastern time."}, {"response": 632, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jan  7, 2004 (20:42)", "body": "Loved Scarlet's interview with Katie. Was it me, or was there a spring of some sort in her chair? v. bouncy, but cute. Ah yes, the twinkle in Ms. Couric's eye when she mentions YKW;-) Thanks Karen for that link and the heads up on E!"}, {"response": 633, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 2004 (09:05)", "body": "Another writer smitten with Colin in an article about Tracy Chevalier's book tour: I asked if this now-successful author ever wished she could reach back in time to console the struggling, unpublished writer she once was with the knowledge that someday Colin Firth would deliver lines she had written on the big screen. Chevalier let out a long, unrestrained laugh that must be a source of delight to her friends. http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/books/155659_tracy08.html"}, {"response": 634, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 2004 (09:58)", "body": "For Karen - Sorry about the italics (I'd actually thought they might be easier on eyes.) Comments duly noted for future postings..."}, {"response": 635, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 2004 (14:24)", "body": "Re: Today Show interview with SJ--does msnbc.com archive the video clips anywhere? It look like I missed my window to see this clip (no longer on the \"front\" page). Not entirely thrilled with their new web design!"}, {"response": 636, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 2004 (17:46)", "body": "Some new captures from Trauma up at Colin Firth Image Gallery. - Pretty horrific, but it's the spiders I'm more worried about! BTW, this girl does have an amazing collection of pics."}, {"response": 637, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 2004 (17:58)", "body": "Yes, those came from the makeup artist's site. Thought they were too gory to put up. :-("}, {"response": 638, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 2004 (18:34)", "body": "I caught the closing credits of E! news live and saw that they showed a clip of BJD...anyone see the show? I guess it's noon time tomorrow for me, again. thanks, Janet"}, {"response": 639, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 2004 (19:39)", "body": "Colin Firth's easy job with Scarlett Last updated 08 January 2004 Scarlett Johannsen seems to be an actress to look out for this year. She has already starred in a couple of movies including 'Eight Legged Freaks' and 'The Horse Whisperer', but this year looks like it's going to be her year. Firstly, she stars in 'Lost in Translation' with Bill Murray which opens this week. Bill plays a fading American actor in Japan who befriends her as she's the only person he can understand. She is also starring alongside Colin Firth in 'Girl With The Pearl Earring', a slightly more serious film about Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer - she plays his model. Colin said he had quite an easy time through the first few weeks of filming, but it still wasn't easy: \"My job for those first five or six weeks, was to come in on a Tuesday, and maybe a Wednesday and a Friday, do another look out of a window, walk down a corridor, sit at the end of a table and then go home again. And in the evening, we'd all go out to dinner and everyone would say 'Scarlett was so marvellous today - this is going to be such a marvellous film, well as long as you're good\ufffd'\" http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/news/entertainment/040108_colinfirth.shtml"}, {"response": 640, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 2004 (20:13)", "body": "Telegraph Review:GWAPE Portrait of perfection (Filed: 09/01/2004) Girl With a Pearl Earring recreates the world of 17th-century artist Vermeer with astonishing attention to detail. Sarah Crompton talks to an expert in Dutch art about the way it brings the paintings to life Cinema loves a tortured artist. Whether it's Charlton Heston cramped on his back painting the Sistine Chapel ceiling in The Agony and the Ecstasy, or Ed Harris splattering his canvases, fag in mouth, in Pollock, film delights in the recreation of genius at work. Girl with a Pearl Earring: Scarlett Johansson But I can't remember a film that goes to more trouble to make each scene look like a work of art than Girl With a Pearl Earring, which is released here next Friday. Starring Colin Firth as Vermeer and Scarlett Johansson as the servant girl Griet - very different but just as wonderful as she is in Lost in Translation and a very convincing look-alike for the girl in the famous painting - it evocatively and precisely recreates the painter's household in 17th-century Delft. In doing so, it vividly recalls the paintings of the period. Axel Ruger, curator of Dutch Painting at the National Gallery, was impressed. \"The film takes the atmosphere and some of the pictorial language of the time and translates it into a cinematic language - a moving image of the still paintings, if you like. It's a great achievement. \"Very often you see the protagonists involved in some kind of manual household task - peeling vegetables, washing, sweeping the floor - and it is almost as if a painting has come to life.\" He says that this is particularly true of the interiors, which are deliberately framed by Eduardo Serra's sumptuous cinematography to look like the rooms in a Vermeer. \"Very often you see a box-shaped room, with a window on the left, subtle lighting and interior arrangements and furniture just like those you see his work.\" Such careful authenticity is all the more surprising because Tracy Chevalier's best-selling book, the source for the film, is based not on the facts of Vermeer's life (about which we know very little) but on a credible but fictitious premise. What if, she asks, Vermeer had been inspired by the beauty of a maid who came into his household, with whom he fell in love, with complicated consequences? It makes a great story, but the fact is, no one knows who posed for Vermeer. It may be that one of his daughters was the model. But Ruger says we simply do not know, just as the identities of the models for his other paintings remain lost in the mists of time. \"Chevalier's novel extrapolates Vermeer's character from his paintings,\" he says. \"Because he paints quiet scenes, she argues that he must be a contemplative man who is withdrawn from his family. But we know he had 10 children, so that would be quite involving. We know he was active in the Guild in Delft, and that he travelled round Holland. He was a prominent public figure. For all we know, he could have been out at the pub every night.\" This hardly chimes with the moody, silent character portrayed by Firth, full of suppressed emotion and wistful longing. But the film is faithful to another fact about the painter's life: we do know that Vermeer and his mother-in-law dealt in art, and we glimpse paintings on the wall of their home - such as The Goldfinch by Carel Fabritius - which it is feasible that they might have sold. It is also engrossing on the way Vermeer painted, building up depth of colour on his canvases. One episode shows him receiving a camera obscura, and snuggling with Griet under a cloak better to see its image. This is potentially controversial, since argument has raged long and hard in the art world over whether the artist did actually use optics to gain his pellucid effects. But Axel Ruger is satisfied that the notion is not overplayed. \"I am adamantly against the idea that he directly used a camera obscura for his effects. But, on the other hand, Delft at that time was a centre for optics, and he was a very cultured man; so he would surely have been aware of the optical possiblities.\" Some of the loveliest scenes in Girl With a Pearl Earring are those where Vermeer teaches Griet how to prepare his paints, introducing her to the secret art of grinding and mixing heavy black, bright lapis lazuli, rich vermilion. The induction becomes a tender moment of understanding, but the techniques used, if not the emotion depicted, have their roots in a real and arduous process. Ruger explains: \"It's all quite authentic. It was very laborious and involved, and every artist had his own recipes and idiosyncracies. Usually, the artist had an apprentice who paid to be in his studio and learn from him - whether Vermeer would have used his own servant for that is another point. But perhaps he was so besotted with her\" That's only in the story, I point out. Ruger laughs. That's the thing about Girl With a Pearl Earring. It looks so beautiful and its story is so charming, that you are in"}, {"response": 641, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 2004 (22:54)", "body": "GWAPE expands to a number of cities here tomorrow, so a new batch of reviews are coming in. This one is vg. Girl With A Pearl Earring By PHILIP WUNTCH / The Dallas Morning News To use one of David Letterman's favorite words, Girl With a Pearl Earring must have been \"daunting\" for all its major talents. As his feature debut, director Peter Webber chose a story of a faraway place in a long-ago time. As her first solo feature film, screenwriter Olivia Hetreed adapted a critically praised best seller, Tracy Chevalier's fictionalized account of Dutch Master Johannes Vermeer's creation of his most famous painting, Girl With a Pearl Earring, allegedly inspired by a household servant. Cinematographer Eduardo Serra (Unbreakable, The Wings of the Dove) faced the challenge of bringing his own style to the story of a painter famous for experimenting with light and shading. And, finally, Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson must inhabit the roles of artist Vermeer and the young servant Griet. The painter is a shadowy figure, while Griet, as much by her own choice as by the dictates of her station, says very little for much of the film. All succeed superbly. And for Ms. Johansson, also exquisite in Lost in Translation, the film is an unqualified victory. Griet is nobody's fool and nobody's martyr, and her sudden flashes of passion and anger are as eloquent as her lengthy silences and penetrating stares. In 1665 Holland, Griet's impoverished parents virtually sell her to the prominent Vermeer family in the city of Delft. The household is ruled by the painter's arrogant, despotic mother-in-law, Maria (Judy Parfitt), who sometimes acts as if she has eyes for her brooding son-in-law. Her daughter, Catharina (Essie Davis), has reason to feel neglected and neurotic, which she does to the point of crazed hysterics. Vermeer, it must be said, does not always show the greatest wisdom in maintaining domestic tranquillity. He notices the quiet Griet's affinity for art and asks her to pose for his new painting. Although their relationship never progresses beyond platonic, he makes only modest efforts to conceal his fondness for her. When Catharina discovers that Griet has posed for her husband \ufffd wearing one of her earrings, yet! \ufffd a tempest quickly erupts. The film's wholeness of vision is the work of many contributors. Its superb production design aids both director Webber and cinematographer Serra in creating the mood of a bustling city of canals. Mr. Webber's entire cast is expertly chosen. Ms. Johansson's instinctive, glowing performance should get Oscar-nominee acknowledgment. Mr. Firth's Vermeer has the spellbinding mixture of both an artist's self-absorption and an artist's compassion. Ms. Davis brings creditability and even pangs of sympathy to the role of hysterical wife. Ms. Parfitt's mother-in-law is the closest the film possesses to a one-note villain, but she plays it with sublime self-assurance. Tom Wilkinson, so powerful in In the Bedroom, shows off his distinguished leer as Vermeer's bawdy patron, while Cillian Murphy displays unforced pleasantness as a butcher's son who offers Griet a respite from the Vermeer household. Like the painting itself and the young woman who inspired it, Girl With a Pearl Earring is a quiet jewel."}, {"response": 642, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 2004 (23:48)", "body": "A Lustrous 'Pearl Earring' By Desson Thomson Washington Post Staff Writer IN THE delicate, assured \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" a 17-year-old servant who has joined a Dutch household spells big trouble. Her name is Griet (Scarlett Johansson) and, even though she hardly speaks and is all but lost in her cap and frock, there's something irresistibly provocative about her. The women -- and this gloomy, busy Catholic house is full of them -- sense this immediately. In 1665 in the small town of Delft, such female allure is a harbinger of unspeakable temptation for the man of the house. That would be Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth), the industrious artist who works directly for his patron, van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson). Vermeer spends most of his time squirreled away in the upstairs studio, painting models positioned in the same corner. It is a quietly busy life. But the paintings never seem to come fast enough for this rapidly expanding family. Vermeer's wife, Catharina (Essie Davis), seems to be constantly pregnant. Anxiety runs rampant. And Catharina's tight-lipped mother, Maria (Judy Parfitt), watches the finances nervously. The inevitable happens. Vermeer is taken with this girl who shows such fascination with his studio and his paintings. Griet, who comes from a Protestant home, is a woman of some sophistication; she's only a servant because her father has been rendered unemployable due to sudden blindness. When Vermeer shows Griet the wonders of the camera obscura, his face close to hers under the flap as they gaze through the lens, a dangerous bond is formed. Very soon, he has Griet buying his supplies and mixing the paints. And their mutual passion over aesthetics and each other is clearly more captivating than the relationship between Vermeer and his wife. When he asks Griet to pose for a painting, she realizes she has to make some painful decisions. Should she risk her livelihood for a painting? The women rule this house, not the artist. They will undoubtedly get rid of her. She'll lose her precious connection with the artist either way. Meanwhile, van Ruijven, who has a reputation for soliciting and bedding models from Vermeer's studio, also has noticed her. He makes a bargain with Maria that sets a heartbreaking scenario into motion. And there is yet one more pressure on Griet: Pieter (Cillian Murphy), the son of the local butcher, is clearly infatuated with her. He'd be the perfect candidate for a husband, if not for Griet's powerful attraction to Vermeer's world. The movie, directed by Peter Webber and written by Olivia Hetreed, is adapted from Tracy Chevalier's best-selling novel, which was inspired in turn by the 17th-century Vermeer painting that now hangs permanently in the Mauritshuis in the Hague. The identity of the woman in the painting is not known. Thanks to this compelling face, three fine works have been made: painting, book and movie. Perhaps no one could have fulfilled the ineffable appeal of Griet better than Johansson. It isn't merely her cherry mouth, pale skin and uncanny resemblance to the girl in Vermeer's painting that make her so memorable here; it's also her mystical presence, born of deft acting. She barely speaks, but her gestures and mien are everything. She becomes the Girl, rendered in a brilliant variety of lights and darks, funereal blacks and glowing golds by cinematographer Eduardo Serra. The movie's only false brush stroke is Murphy, who seems too impossibly boy-toyish and fastidious to be some local Dutch lad. But apart from that, everything works beautifully. And if the scope of the film feels small, \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" fills that scope to bursting with subtle glory. It takes things as far as they can -- and should -- go."}, {"response": 643, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 2004 (23:51)", "body": "Vermeer's painting director's 'Pearl,' too By Scott Galupo THE WASHINGTON TIMES \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" is as riveting as a tour of a good city museum. Depending on your inclination, you can take that either way you'd like. An adaptation of Tracy Chevalier's historical novel, which concocted a back story to Johannes Vermeer's painting of the same name, \"Pearl,\" in every one of its vividly colored frames, is an homage to the old master. There are three acts in here somewhere, I think, but they're not relayed through traditional means. Dialogue, for instance; there's almost none of it here. With action frozen in carefully staged production designs, \"Pearl\" is more like an exhibition, hung in a gallery of celluloid. Stare at it for 95 minutes; search for deeper commentary about class and privilege; appreciate its proportion and composition. If you've ever said of a movie that it was like watching paint dry, you will say it again of \"Pearl\" \ufffd and you may mean it as a compliment. Set in 1665 Delft, Holland, \"Pearl\" imagines that the muse for the famous portrait was a 17-year-old common girl, Griet (Scarlett Johansson), introduced to the Vermeer household as a maidservant with an intuitive understanding of art that belies her illiteracy. Miss Johansson, following her quietly intelligent role in \"Lost in Translation,\" takes quiet intelligence to even quieter heights here. Her face a ghostly pallor, she speaks pages of dialogue through facial tics and movement of mouth. Her Griet is timid, hesitant, curious, transfixed by the beauty of Vermeer's work. Under a chaste white cap and buried in clothing, she nonetheless crackles with sexual energy. Vermeer, played by the always likable Colin Firth, notices all these things, but the movie never quite says so. It doesn't have to. Peter Webber, a first-time feature director, telegraphs \"Pearl's\" story arc through an economical interaction of imagery and sound: eye rolls toward footsteps overhead; the rumblings of arguments in other rooms; the moans of pregnancy. What all this does is establish the dysfunctional politics of the Vermeer household without spilling too much ink or wasting screen time. Vermeer himself is a slow, deliberative worker, living well but painting essentially on hand-to-mouth commissions from a tyrannical patron, van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson). He's badgered by a materialistic, miserable wife, Catharina (Essie Davis), who's indifferent to higher things and who uses her gift of fertility as leverage over her husband. Cornelia (Alakina Mann) is a scampish daughter who becomes jealous of Griet's newfound standing with her father. Watching over it all is a Machiavellian mother-in-law (Judy Parfitt) willing to endanger her daughter's happiness to maintain cash flow. Things reach a crisis point when van Ruijven, angling for control, commissions Vermeer to paint Griet alone, knowing full well the tension between them. Mercenary Maria (Miss Parfitt) slips Griet a few coins, a payment for her silence. Her daughter, the delicate thing, must never find out. What's the point of all these exercises, ultra-precious as they are? High art is wasted on the rich, is one thing that comes to mind. For van Ruijven, Vermeer's paintings are tokens of privilege. For Vermeer, they are his passion. For his family they're nothing more than the way he earns a living. Mr. Webber, like director Stephen Daldry was in \"The Hours,\" is rather ham-handedly obsessed with food as allegory. Anyone who sells it or prepares it is by definition of low birth. An ill-fitting and hurried story in \"Pearl\" follows Griet's romance with a butcher's apprentice (Cillian Murphy). Like Griet, he's smarter and more refined than his job. Talent, you may have noticed by now, is democratically distributed in \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" \ufffd to the point that it almost forgets the decidedly uncommon genius of the man it so artfully celebrates."}, {"response": 644, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 2004 (23:56)", "body": "Drama exceeds limits of truth and succeeds By ERIC HARRISON Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer is the perfect artist around which to create a fictional drama because so little is known about him, and his painting Girl With a Pearl Earring, which was long missing, has been the subject of more than a century of speculation. A young woman, wearing a blue turban, looks over her shoulder at the viewer, her full lips slightly parted. From her left ear dangles a pearl earring. Some scholars believe the model might have been Vermeer's oldest daughter, others think it might be the daughter of his principal patron, Pieter van Ruijven. In her 1999 novel, author Tracy Chevalier imagined she was Griet, a 16-year-old maid who goes to work in the Vermeer household in Delft, Holland, in 1665 after a tragedy in her family; she quickly catches the interest of both painter and patron. In the new movie adapted from that book, painting seems the most erotic act imaginable. At the very least, it is an elaborate form of foreplay; it may be a straight-out surrogate for sex. When Vermeer's wife learns he has painted the maid -- wearing her earring, no less -- she goes berserk as if betrayed. Van Ruijven (Tom Wilkerson), whose lust for young women rivals that of Jack Nicholson's in Something's Gotta Give, thinks buying a painting of a pretty girl is the same as buying the girl. And after posing for Vermeer (Colin Firth), Griet (Scarlett Johansson) rushes off to find her boyfriend, a young butcher played by Cillian Murphy. She apparently needs to release all that energy she built up under Vermeer's smoldering gaze. Befitting a film set in the world of art, Girl With a Pearl Earring is spectacularly beautiful, filled with painterly compositions, and cinematographer Eduardo Serra makes impressive use of light. Nearly every shot is suitable for framing. Physically, Johansson, with her translucent skin and bee-stung lips, is perfect for Griet. She also has the kind of face that's open to interpretation. Griet is naive, unsure of herself in the well-to-do household, where a maid had best know her place. She seems to be always holding her breath, and she reacts to everything with a gasp. It's hard to tell if she's struck mute with fear or excitement. On the heels of Lost in Translation, Johansson is on a roll. (She'll also be in the upcoming The Perfect Score.) If she's on the brink of major stardom, though, it's doubtful Girl With a Pearl Earring will push her over the edge. It isn't a star-making kind of movie. As in Lost in Translation and The Man Who Wasn't There, Johansson is paired with an older man -- or in this case, two -- and the possibility of forbidden sex provides an edge. Griet's father was a tile painter, and Vermeer is drawn to her because she has an eye for color and composition. Despite differences of class and background, he senses in her a kindred spirit. The Vermeers are having money problems. He is a slow, meticulous painter, and he and his wife have a lot of mouths to feed. It is through the efforts of his shrewd mother-in-law that they're barely able to maintain a lavish lifestyle. Vermeer's dependence on van Ruijven gives the wealthy patron power over him. So when van Ruijven demands Griet, we can't be sure how things will play out. Quiet drama drives this speculative account, then near the end it suddenly becomes over-amped. This also is about the time uncertainty about the extent of the speculation becomes a bother. Some details, such as Vermeer's fascination with the camera obscura, possibly are true. Scholars believe he used an early version of the camera to project images that he then traced onto the canvas. It helps to know going in that this, his money problems and the name of his patron are some of the few elements of the story based on fact. But there was no Griet. The film doesn't use fiction to shed light on the historical figures and on the artwork; the story is almost all fiction. Historical figures and the famous painting are here to add juice to a tasteful melodrama conjured from thin air. This seems an important distinction to me."}, {"response": 645, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 2004 (00:14)", "body": ""}, {"response": 646, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 2004 (00:15)", "body": "'Girl With a Pearl Earring': An Unintended Still Life By Ann Hornaday Washington Post Staff Writer From its opening shot of a pair of hands methodically slicing gemlike pieces of vegetables, \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" never strays from its chief mission: to create beautiful, painterly images with every single frame. This it does, with a lustrous production design and attention to detail that allow viewers to sink voluptuously in its imagined world. But the movie's strengths also prove to be its weaknesses, as visual rapture continually trumps narrative drive. Carefully composed, worshipfully ritualized and scrupulously self-conscious, \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" unfolds as a series of meticulous tableaux vivants, but like those parlor pastimes, it lacks physical verve and a compelling emotional charge. Adapted from Tracy Chevalier's best-selling novel, \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" stars Scarlett Johansson, late of \"Lost in Translation,\" as a servant named Griet in 17th-century Delft, Holland, who goes to work for the painter Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth). Plunged into a troubled household run by Vermeer's bovine, peevish, eternally pregnant wife (Judy Parfitt), Griet over several months wins the painter's trust, eventually becoming his atelier assistant, muse and model for the eponymous painting, Vermeer's most famous and famously mysterious portrait. The entire story is Chevalier's conjecture, of course, a fanciful and ultimately polemical piece of feminist revisionism about women's historically endless capacity to suffer for men's art. (The implication is that Griet has the eye and sensitivity to be a great painter herself, were it not for the politics of class and gender.) Much of the film transpires silently, with Griet and Vermeer exchanging meaningfully pained glances, their fingers barely touching as they mix paints together. Shot and lit to approximate Vermeer's glowing canvases (one scene even looks as if it was filmed on a convex mirror), \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" is the ultimate portrait of erotic love as an intellectual exercise, the meeting of two minds rather than bodies. As such, it's essentially a cerebral experience, and one that wants to have its politics both ways: Griet is the victim of male manipulation, on the part of both Vermeer and his odious patron (Tom Wilkinson), but she also only comes alive under the male artist's gaze. Johansson bears an eerie resemblance to the girl in the painting, and her expressive eyes and puckered lips make her gorgeous to behold, even with her hair skinned back under the signature 17th-century Dutch cap. Director Peter Webber makes a confident if torpid debut here, although his background as an editor is barely in evidence in the course of the film's long, languid scenes. But more troubling than any narrative limitations of \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" is something more inchoate having to do with the way cinema -- more than fiction or any other medium -- can appropriate and colonize the visual imagination. Nowhere is this more evident than when Vermeer commands Griet to lick her lips before posing for the titular portrait -- a commission, as Chevalier's story has it, of the leeringly threatening patron. The moment is creepy, not because of its sexual undercurrent but because this is the story we want to tell ourselves about an otherwise tantalizingly elusive work of art. By this time, the film's fetishistic treatment of Griet and her world has become almost unseemly, and when she finally strikes the famous pose, it plays like a highbrow, literary version of the blockbuster money shot. \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" culminates, appropriately enough, on the lingering image of Vermeer's actual painting, a conclusion that serves only to remind viewers of how superfluous the preceding playacting and speculation have been. With luck, even the most lambent visual seductions of the screen will never supplant the enigmatic power of the real thing."}, {"response": 647, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 2004 (06:32)", "body": "Thanks for all those reviews Mari!Here is another... Luminous photography of 'Girl' is as much a star as Firth and Johansson By Moira Macdonald Seattle Times movie critic A quiet film so beautifully lit that it seems to shimmer, Peter Webber's \"Girl with a Pearl Earring\" is both lovely to look at and intriguing to hold in the mind. Hidden within a seemingly sedate 17th-century plot is an elegant study of two kinds of servitude, that between master and servant, and that between artist and patron. Ultimately the two bonds don't look so very different, though one is in a rather more gilded cage. Griet (Scarlett Johansson), a shy teenage girl in 1665 Delft, Holland, is hired as a maid in the household of artist Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth). It's an elegant but cramped and chaotic home, with numerous children, a petulant, pregnant wife (Essie Davis), a domineering mother-in-law (Judy Parfitt) and whispering servants. Griet sleeps on a pallet in a dark basement, where she can hear rats chirping, and spends her days quietly doing the tasks that the more senior servants can't be bothered with. The one place that intrigues her is the studio where Vermeer paints \ufffd a nearly bare room with tall windows letting in the gray-blue, slightly mudded-over light. Griet, who says little but whose watchful face speaks volumes, seems to understand innately that things must not be touched here, and that the tall, vaguely dissatisfied-looking artist finds peace in this room. Gradually they become not quite friends, but perhaps colleagues, mixing paints wordlessly side-by-side. Her pale beauty inspires the famous title painting, for which she wears a borrowed (and forbidden) earring, turns her head and parts her lips as if just about to speak a word of love. It's at heart a simple story, based on Tracy Chevalier's novel (itself an imagining of the events that might have led to the painting \"Girl with a Pearl Earring\"). And the relationship between Vermeer and Griet brings to mind that between Johansson and Bill Murray in \"Lost in Translation\" \ufffd a soft-faced young woman who listens, an unhappy older man who watches, a friendship both innocent and knowing, flirting with borders but not quite crossing them. Firth \ufffd who's rock-star handsome here, with flowing dark hair and needle-sharp eyes \ufffd makes a startling on-screen contrast to Johansson, a wraith shrouded in a nunlike cap and veil. You can see that this man is frustrated by everyone around him: by his wife (who sobs \"Why can't you paint me?\"), by his gimlet-eyed mother-in-law, by the demands of his patron Van Ruijven, who leers at Griet and suggests Vermeer paint her. It's an offer that the artist can't refuse; he's as indentured as she is. While the soulful chemistry created by the film's two stars is art in itself, mention must be made of the film's third star, director of photography Eduardo Serra (\"The Wings of the Dove\"). Seemingly using only candles and blue-gray skies for light, Serra creates a world so lustrous it looks rubbed with oil. Vivid smudges of color, like the startling cobalt of Vermeer's palette or the blurry pink of Johansson's lips, appear like brushstrokes among the faded umbers and grays. \"Girl with a Pearl Earring,\" both the painting and the film, is a visual feast. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/movies/2001832712_girl09.html"}, {"response": 648, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 2004 (06:47)", "body": "Firth \ufffd who's rock-star handsome here, Thanks, Maria--my thoughts exactly! This one is not as kind. 'Girl' finds the passion behind the pose By Ty Burr, Boston Globe Staff, 1/9/2004 As Griet, the 17th-century Dutch housemaid employed by the painter Johannes Vermeer, Scarlett Johansson wears her hair pinned up and hidden under a crisp, white bonnet in all but one scene. The effect is mysterious and twofold. It accentuates the fleshy broadness of the actress's face, turning it into a canvas that will be colored with emotion as the film unfolds. And it gives the scene in which Griet finally takes that bonnet off -- and her hair tumbles down in luxuriant red tresses -- the force of a virgin's swoon. That's about as explicit as things get in \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" but you still may blush when it comes. Peter Webber's film is less an adaptation of the best-selling Tracy Chevalier novel than a painting of it. The surface of \"Girl\" is rich with the busy details of life in 1665 Delft, where Vermeer (Colin Firth) struggles to maintain patronage for his art while overseeing a household of wife, mother-in-law, and ever more children (11 survived), and where the 16-year-old Griet toils in anonymous servitude. The real drama of the film lies in the relationship between maid and master, and it moves with the pace of brushstrokes cautiously applied. Dancing on the edge of dullness, \"Girl\" is continually saved by the look of things: the hush of an atelier in midafternoon, dust-motes swirling in a sunbeam, pigment blooming under mortar and pestle. Impatience is forestalled, time and again, by rapture. Griet herself has an artistic temperament -- she's forced to work after her artisan father is blinded -- and while her duties consign her at first to the kitchen and stairs, she is drawn to the unmoving miracle of \"Lady With a Pearl Necklace\" leaning on a second-floor easel. Instructed to dust the studio, she balks at cleaning the windows. \"It may change the light,\" she protests, and the artist's ears prick up. As do the attentions of Vermeer's main patron, a wealthy and profligate fool named Van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson), who assumes that all women are there for the plucking. Even as he lusts after Griet, Van Ruijven sees her becoming Vermeer's apprentice and muse, and he demands that she be painted, for his own pleasure and to foment a little domestic turmoil. Mrs. Vermeer (Essie Davis), shrewish and ever-pregnant, has her suspicions, and her mother (regal Judy Parfitt) is certain \"there has been too much sneaking around.\" The irony is that the bond between Vermeer and Griet is both more innocent and more profound than any of them know. The painter shows her his camera obscura, that early optical device in which the world hangs upside down, and he teaches her how to prepare his colors: gum arabic, ruby scales, malachite, vermilion. There's the seduction right there, in the words and in the rainbow they convey, and the air between the two trembles with a passion that could bring down bourgeois Holland itself. It's an aesthetic passion, and that's the film's strength and weakness. \"Girl\" is so static at times that it threatens to turn into a coffee-table book: Eduardo Serra's precise, sensuous photography mimics the angles and light of the Dutch Golden Age, while Alexandre Desplat's score burbles with elegant baroque minimalism. It's a marvelous exercise in control, but how much control can a movie take before its engines seize up? Griet ultimately poses for the famous title painting, and the scene includes a gesture so freighted with erotic portent that you may smother a giggle or two (much more powerful is the sequence immediately following, in which the painter moves her into the pose burning in his mind). It doesn't help that the film's heroine is a passive object throughout -- a maid to her mistress, a potential wife to the butcher's handsome son (Cillian Murphy of \"28 Days Later\"), a painting to her master. And it certainly doesn't help that Firth makes an altogether too fussy Vermeer. I understand that there are palpitating legions of fans who will disagree, and I'm not taking issue with the man's talent; it's there and it's real, but it never feels right for this movie. You need a man who can brood with the best of them -- a young Jeremy Irons, say -- but the best Firth can muster is an irritable snit. Johansson, by contrast, keeps you constantly apprised of the feelings swimming far below Griet's placid face; it's a performance as rigorously internal as Charlotte in \"Lost in Translation\" was a helpless mess. Between those two roles, Johansson is in danger of turning into Our Damsel of the Unconsummated Relationship, but I can't think of any other actor who can be so yearning yet so withholding. There are moments in \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" when Griet is still, and both the painter and we are suddenly transfixed by the art hidden there."}, {"response": 649, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 2004 (06:49)", "body": "'Pearl' of wisdom Vermeer's muse invites as much conjecture on film as she does on canvas By Robert Philpot Fort Worth Star-Telegram Staff Writer It's a striking image: A young woman, her hair covered by blue and gold scarves, looks over her left shoulder, her lips parted. Her eyes seem to be saying something, but it's up to the viewer to guess what it is, whether it's curiosity, suspicion, surprise, lust or innocence. The painting by 17th-century Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer came to be known as Girl With a Pearl Earring. Little is known about Vermeer's model, and not much more about Vermeer himself, which allowed Tracy Chevalier to come up with a piece of speculative fiction about the painting. Her 1999 novel became a bestseller, no doubt in part because a replica of the painting graced the cover, inviting readers to take a look at what was inside. Scarlett Johansson's image graces the posters for the movie Girl With a Pearl Earring, with a partly obscured Colin Firth standing behind her as a protective, seductive Vermeer. The poster is a little deceptive, echoing the covers of salacious romance novels more than it does the quiet, slow and sometimes slight movie itself. This is a love story, but it isn't \"erotic,\" at least not in the way that today's entertainment world throws around that word. Johansson plays Griet, a Protestant girl who helps her money-strapped family by taking a job as a servant in Vermeer's Catholic household. She contends with, among other things, Vermeer's jealous wife (Essie Davis); his lecherous patron (Tom Wilkinson); his imperious mother-in-law (Judy Parfitt); and his bratty daughter (Alakina Mann). Despite all these obstacles, Griet makes a connection with Vermeer, becoming the only person allowed to clean his studio, making suggestions about his paintings and learning about his art. In one of the movie's best scenes, Vermeer explains to her the different materials and combinations he uses to come up with the unique colors in his paintings. Johansson and Firth are both good, and they were obviously cast for the qualities they've shown in other films -- Johansson is practically trademarking the ethereal young woman who catches the attention of an older man, and Firth's brooding Vermeer recalls his brooding Mr. Darcy from TV's Pride and Prejudice. They aren't the real stars here, anyway. The real star is Vermeer's color palette, which has been reproduced remarkably well by Eduardo Serra, who provided the moody graphic-novel-style cinematography for Unbreakable and the dazzling colors for What Dreams May Come, a movie that should be watched with the sound off. In Girl With a Pearl Earring, Serra seems to be working with oils instead of cameras and light, and everything -- the exterior shots of the Dutch village of Delft, the interiors, the costumes, the faces -- uses the muted browns, the bright blues and reds, and the stark contrasts of Vermeer's art. If Serra doesn't get an Academy Award nomination, it will be an injustice. Serra works well in tandem with director Peter Webber, whose previous work has been a handful of TV movies. Webber does a good job capturing the period atmosphere, and he and screenwriter Olivia Hetreed resist the temptation to tart up Chevalier's book. The result is a movie that is a little elusive, much like Vermeer's painting; it requires patience that some viewers won't have. But Vermeer fans, and fans of Chevalier's book, should be pleased with the outcome."}, {"response": 650, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 2004 (06:51)", "body": "THE BOOK OR THE MOVIE? By Marilyn Bailey Fort Worth Star-Telegram Staff Writer It's the eternal question: Should I read the book or see the movie? We're here to provide the not-so-eternal answers. The book/movie: Girl With a Pearl Earring The book is better because: The painting Girl With a Pearl Earring, a mysteriously beautiful portrait by 17th-century painter Johannes Vermeer, is Northern Europe's Mona Lisa. Nothing is known about the woman who sat for it, and her seductive expression has beguiled and haunted viewers for centuries. Author Tracy Chevalier invented a compelling back story for the painting, and her prose and characters bring to life 17th-century Holland: its canals, food markets and religious and domestic life. She has invented a pleasant new literary genre, having since written a novel based on the famed medieval tapestry series The Lady and the Unicorn. The movie is better because: Its cinematographer, Eduardo Serra, and set designers have re-created the look of a Vermeer canvas, notably with the painter's studio, the props and costumes he used in his pictures, and those famous left-side windows. Serra does such a remarkable job of capturing the colors and even the textures of Vermeer's art, the movie almost seems to have been shot by the painter himself. Scarlett Johansson, as the girl in the portrait, and Colin Firth as Vermeer inhabit their quiet roles well. So, the book or the movie? If you love Vermeer, you've already read the book. Everyone else should see the movie for the visual experience."}, {"response": 651, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 2004 (06:55)", "body": "Plot-thin `Girl' still lovely to look at By ROBERT W. BUTLER Kansas City Star It only makes sense that a movie about the creation of a famous painting should itself be visually lush. But does it also follow that said film must be the cinematic equivalent of watching paint dry? Here's the deal with \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\": Go to it wide awake and fully caffeinated or risk drifting into a beauty-induced coma. The work of the title was executed in the late 1660s by Johannes Vermeer, a resident of Delft, Holland, who revolutionized painting by concentrating on commonplace domestic scenes and elevating them to high art. Based on Tracy Chevalier's novel, the film centers on Griet (ingenue du jour Scarlett Johansson), a young woman whose impoverished family sends her to work as a maid in the Vermeer household. The plot -- and there's not much of it -- limns her rise from abused scullery maid to artist's model who inspires the Master (Colin Firth) to his greatest work. Director Peter Webber approaches the material less from a narrative standpoint than from an atmospheric one. He's determined to capture on screen the same world Vermeer depicted, one of heavy curtains and sunlight through leaded glass windows; and Eduardo Serra's cinematography is like a stroll through a gallery. The city of Delft created by production designer Ben van Os is a captivating combination of eye-popping beauty (large bricked buildings lining picturesque canals) and grit (servants heaving buckets of filth into said waterways). No argument with the film's look. Dramatically, though, Olivia Hetreed's screenplay is only intermittently engrossing. In fact, it's mostly about things that don't quite come into focus. The Vermeer household is presided over by the artist's mother-in-law (Judy Parfitt), who handles the finances and serves as the artist's sales representative. She's not quite a wicked witch, but certainly not sympathetic. Vermeer's wife (Essie Davis) is a vain, shallow and hysterically jealous woman. She may have cause, because the artist is rumored to have had affairs with his models. She's certainly not someone with whom we want to spend much time. Neither is her bratty daughter, who makes life miserable for our heroine. Virtually nothing is known of the real Vermeer's personality, which may explain why Colin Firth's portrayal feels terribly tentative. His artist is indifferent to just about everything but the act of creation; he's capable of flying into a rage when provoked, but mostly he exudes a smoldering intensity. We never do get a fix on who this guy is. The same could have been true of Johansson's Griet, who, as a servant expected to do her work and keep quiet, barely speaks. The difference here is that Johansson can say more with her eyes than most actors can with pages of dialogue. It's been quite a ride for the 19-year-old; her recent films include such excellent titles as \"Ghost World,\" \"American Rhapsody\" and \"Lost in Translation.\" In each she's shown a remarkable understanding of character and an ability to project complicated inner states without a lot of exterior action. In \"Girl\" we can see precisely what she's thinking as Griet scopes out her new environment. This young woman is obviously too smart to be a menial; asked to clean the Master's studio, for instance, she asks if she should wash the windows, because that will change the light in the room. That intelligence makes her character compelling even when the story doesn't seem to be going anywhere. One other performance deserves special mention. Tom Wilkinson is terrific as the local art collector whose patronage is keeping the Vermeer family afloat. Not only is he rich and powerful, but he's a full-bore letch who'll rub up against any woman lacking the social standing to push him away. Yes, he's a predatory creep. He's also the only character on screen whose methods and motives are right out there where we can see them, and that makes his every appearance a treat."}, {"response": 652, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 2004 (06:58)", "body": "Art-breaker: `Girl' hangs a powerful portrait of unrequited love Review by James Verniere Boston Herald Ravishing to the eye, ``Girl With a Pearl Earring'' is a coming-of-age tale full of sensuous, painterly detail. Among the most memorable images are the alarmingly tumescent lips of Griet (Scarlett Johansson), the beautiful 17-year-old girl of the title forced in 17th century Delft to leave her family home and live under the roof of the famous cash-strapped painter Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth). There, Griet must contend with Vermeer's haughty, serially pregnant wife (Essie Davis), the numerous, mischievous, even malevolent Vermeer children and the wife's pipe-smoking, Machiavellian mother (a wonderful witchy turn by Judy Parfitt). How's an arthouse Cinderella, not to mention Jane Eyre of the Netherlands, to cope? To make matters worse, Griet must also deal with Vermeer's goatlike patron Van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson, sporting a Dutch Master beard and mustache and in an apparent state of permanent arousal). Johansson, the current movie It Girl thanks to her critically acclaimed work in ``Lost in Translation'' (she also can be seen in the upcoming ``The Perfect Score''), may replace Angelina Jolie as the screen's most lip-a-licious star. But more important than her physical attributes is the brooding intensity she brings to her roles. Johansson does more with silence than any young actor I know. Much of her justly acclaimed performance in Sofia Coppola's ``Lost in Translation'' is a steamy staring contest with co-star Bill Murray. Based on the 1999 bestseller by Tracy Chevalier, ``Girl With a Pearl Earring'' - also the title of the Vermeer painting hanging in the Hague - places Johansson in another semi-verbal, human-as-art-object role. Almost every frame in the film - and every close-up of Johansson - is like a Vermeer portrait bathed in the artist's trademark liquid light and soft color. As a servant, Griet is not expected to speak unless spoken to, and she must complete Herculean daily chores. But, assigned to clean Vermeer's studio, an exacting job no one wants, she manages to steal precious moments away to examine the master's work in progress and evinces enough grace, insight and scorching sexuality to interest Vermeer. After first catching the eye of his lecherous patron, Griet becomes her master's muse, and you can see the electric current streaming between them. Vermeer shows the young peasant girl, whom he finds surprisingly intelligent, how to use his camera obscura, a pre-photographic device involving a lens, mirror and box that captures an image for the purpose of making exact sketches. Obviously, Vermeer's instructions in the use of the device, which involve pulling a cloth over Griet's head, are a droll, appropriately painterly metaphor for initiating her into the mysteries of sex (you half expect him to goose her as she bends over to gaze in the dark). Griet's unrequited yearning for her master complicates her courtship at the hands of an appealing apprentice butcher (Cillian Murphy), a fine catch for Griet but no comparison to a man of Vermeer's social standing ``Girl With a Pearl Earring'' is at its heart a Freudian adolescent fantasy about the transference of a young woman's sexual longing from an unattainable object - the older, married, paternal figure - to a more attainable one - the young, single male. Notably for the armchair Freudians in the audience, Griet's father is a blind former tile maker, a type of ruined Vermeer. The film works so well on this Freudian level that its weak social context and lack of a clear narrative line are not fatal. And when you take into consideration the enchanting, Vermeer-inspired visuals of cinematographer Eduardo Serra (``The Wings of the Dove,'' ``Unbreakable'') and production designer Ben Van Os (``Orlando''), you have an attractive package indeed, especially from a first-time director - Peter Webber. ``Girl With a Pearl Earring'' is both an introduction to sex and an introduction to art, which may explain why the novel it is based on has sold 2 million copies thus far."}, {"response": 653, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 2004 (09:18)", "body": "Thanks for all the reviews, Mari. Here is a \"for your consideration\" ad at Oscar Watch. Hope it has not been posted already. http://www.oscarwatch.com/FYC/Lions_Gate/girl.html"}, {"response": 654, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 2004 (09:45)", "body": "(Karen)Thought they were too gory to put up. :-( . .I took a look at them . .they were pretty graphic . .I assume for a post car accident scene? . .Poor baby . .made me want to clean him up and nurse him back to health . . Thanks girls: Mari, Maria, Evelyn for all of these great articles and reviews! (Boston Globe)You need a man who can brood with the best of them -- a young Jeremy Irons, say -- but the best Firth can muster is an irritable snit. I have to laugh . .way too many writers keep going back to his smouldering, brooding looks/moods in past films . . . (Fort Worth Star Telegram)but it isn't \"erotic,\" at least not in the way that today's entertainment world throws around that word. Thank god for that . .no ridiculous gratuitous graphic nudity/sex scenes thrown in to please the studios. .I think that's the best way . .insinuation . .let's you imagine what could have or might be . . . (Kansas City Star)His artist is indifferent to just about everything but the act of creation; he's capable of flying into a rage when provoked, but mostly he exudes a smoldering intensity. We never do get a fix on who this guy is. Hmmm . .funny, I thought the film was about the Girl With a Pearl Earring . .not about the guy who painted a Girl With a Pearl Earring . . .silly me . . (Kansas City Star)The difference here is that Johansson can say more with her eyes than most actors can with pages of dialogue. Funny, I say that about Colin quite alot . . ."}, {"response": 655, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 2004 (09:51)", "body": "This is the makeup/hair designer's site: http://www.pamelahaddock.com/site.htm"}, {"response": 656, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 2004 (09:53)", "body": "From: ArtDaily.com http://www.artdaily.com/links.asp?idl=28&id=311 How Vermeer\ufffds paintings translate to film Friday, January 9, 2004 Jan Vermeer\ufffds works aren\ufffdt paintings - they\ufffdre frozen films, cinematic dramas in paint and canvas. Jonathan Jones looks at how his enigmatic masterpieces translate to the big screen. On the face of it, there could scarcely be a less inviting subject for a film than Jan Vermeer. Films tend to be about things happening, and nothing much ever happened to the 17th-century Dutch painter of women in quiet rooms furnished with a distinctive mixture of parsimony and luxury, reading a letter by the cool morning light at the window or playing at a keyboard, or being courted by a shady cavalier. Meticulous research by historians combing the town records of Delft has established that Vermeer was born into a humble Protestant family there in 1632 and, perhaps after training in Utrecht, spent his life in this quiet Dutch canal city surrounded by flat fields. He married a woman slightly older than himself, a Catholic, and converted; they lived with his wealthy mother-in-law. Vermeer, who painted slowly, never made much money himself. When he died in 1675, in his 40s, he left Catharina to raise 11 children. It\ufffds as sparse as any anonymous life documented by a handful of parish records. Not the kind of stuff, surely, to make a great film pitch. It\ufffds not only the man but his art that is tantalisingly silent: just as no pithy quotes from Vermeer or anecdotes about the time he punched Pieter de Hooch in the face survive, nothing is known about the women in his paintings, or the stories they seem to hint at. And there\ufffds the rub. In fact it makes film-makers of us all as we mentally complete the hints of narrative in his paintings, picturing scenarios, possibilities suggested by his inscrutable glimpses. Take any Vermeer painting. The Little Street, for example, with its uneventful Delft day, the sky neither bright nor stormy, as we contemplate the red brick facade of a large house with its dark windows, and the servants working - a woman sewing on the stoop, another cleaning in front of the house, another glimpsed in the yard down the side - and you can\ufffdt help inventing a back story, wondering who they are, if the woman sitting in the doorway is a servant, or the mistress... Or take Vermeer\ufffds tantalising, erotically charged tronie, or head, of a young woman with one pearl earring visible as she returns the beholder\ufffds gaze, a painting preserved in the Mauritshuis in the Hague. The forthcoming film, Girl With a Pearl Earring, speculates who this woman might have been - patiently recreating Vermeer\ufffds home life, with the mother-in-law, the kids and a marriage more strained than any records suggest, and it introduces a plausible fictional character, a servant with whom Vermeer - Colin Firth - forms a barely spoken bond. It probably should be emphasised that the servant, played by Scarlett Johansson, is fictional - because the novel by Tracy Chevalier, on which the film is based, is so coolly believable that some readers have been fooled. But in its transfer to the screen the story becomes less about the girl, and more about the secret pact that Vermeer has with the camera. Vermeer painted more than two centuries before the invention of cinema, but he anticipated the way films make a world and fill it with light. \"The only thing that really interested him was light,\" comments Eduardo Serra, the cinematographer on Girl With a Pearl Earring. \"He\ufffds really the painter of light. Rembrandt is light on faces; Vermeer is just light, period.\" Vermeer is often said to have anticipated photography - to put it conservatively. There is convincing evidence - in the lucid cold blueish spaces Vermeer paints, the artfully disarranged furniture (a velvet upholstered chair pulled back, a rumpled tablecloth) and the particular quality of his edges, shadows and foreshortenings - that he used a camera obscura. The same room appears again and again; it may have been, as Philip Steadman argues in his book Vermeer\ufffds Camera, very much like a Victorian photographer\ufffds studio with different arrangements of props set up for Vermeer\ufffds camera. It was, anyway, in the age of photography that Vermeer first struck people as a genius. He was well known in his own lifetime and cherished by a few connoisseurs down the centuries, but the fame he has today is a totally modern phenomenon. The seeds were sown by the French critic Th\ufffdophile Thor\ufffd who wrote a series of articles about Vermeer in the Gazette des Beaux Arts in 1866. Vermeer became a hero of French modern art, a cult figure who by the early 20th century was a suitable obsession for the aesthete in Proust\ufffds Remembrance of Things Past who dies at a Vermeer exhibition while contemplating the painter\ufffds View of Delft. The rediscovery of Vermeer followed the invention of photography. But he has exploded in popular culture since the birth of cinema. Vermeer is far more like a film-maker than"}, {"response": 657, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 2004 (09:55)", "body": "Thanks Mari..you must have gotten up before dawn. Reviews are terrific; some glowing. Except for Boston Globe and it's not awful. Let's face it... these are the best reviews ODB's film has ever received. (Allison, won't have to see this one in an empty cinema;-) They're all rooting for Eduardo Serra for an Oscar nom..his lucky day. Interesting insights in several... \"Notably for the armchair Freudians in the audience, Griet's father is a blind former tile maker, a type of ruined Vermeer..\" Hmmmm. Note to Caribou and Lora: this will make good discussion stuff!! \" Virtually nothing is known of the real Vermeer's personality, which may explain why Colin Firth's portrayal feels terribly tentative. His artist is indifferent to just about everything but the act of creation; he's capable of flying into a rage when provoked, but mostly he exudes a smoldering intensity. We never do get a fix on who this guy is.\" Good thinking..He caught on. Not one of them brought up the ambiguous ending. Wanna bet not one of them read the book!"}, {"response": 658, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 2004 (10:06)", "body": "Pamela Haddock website v. interesting. Blood and Gore seems to be some of her special skills...Thanks boss. Those Trauma pics....not exactly PMT."}, {"response": 659, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 2004 (10:17)", "body": "Thanks Mari and Maria! Ann Hornaday wasn't too impressed....but Moira makes up for it! In Girl With a Pearl Earring, Serra seems to be working with oils instead of cameras and light, and everything -- the exterior shots of the Dutch village of Delft, the interiors, the costumes, the faces -- uses the muted browns, the bright blues and reds, and the stark contrasts of Vermeer's art. If Serra doesn't get an Academy Award nomination, it will be an injustice. Agreed! Regarding the Trauma pics...I'm with Kimberly...just want to make it all better (surely there is some boo-boo we can kiss??). Looks like Dr. Frankenstein did the stitching over the brow! (Evelyn) Those Trauma pics....not exactly PMT. Ohhh....I dunno....he's a bloody PMT...could this be what Hugh was referring to? ;-)"}, {"response": 660, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 2004 (15:39)", "body": "Some Pre-Sundance Q&A with Marc Evans Q. How have things changed for you since your film was accepted into the festival? Well I'm British and therefore am probably a little outside the loop when it comes to Sundance film frenzy. Also we are only just finishing work on the film. There's a lot of interest and support from the producers but nothing has changed much at time of writing. I guess it all depends on how the film goes down. Pleased to be at the party though. Q. When you were shooting the film, did you have Sundance in mind? Since Sundance took my first feature I have always felt warmly towards it and it certainly has a certain indie credibility, which I like. To be honest though I didn't really think about festivals while shooting. Q. How did you get your film started? How did you go from script to finished product? The script came to me from Lizzie Francke's new horror outfit \"Ministry Of Fear\" - a new initiative to make genre films, set up by Little Bird in London. I had just made \"My Little Eye\", a digital horror film so I guess the timing was fortuitous. The script, the first by young Scottish writer Richard Smith, was in pretty good shape. Then we worked on it together some more and the film came together pretty quickly after that. It seemed to be a good time for genre in the UK, though this is not really a horror. More psychological. Q. What\ufffds the one glaring lesson you learned while making this film? The importance of casting. [Ed note: Does this have ominous tones??] Q. When you were in pre-production, did you find yourself watching other great movies in preparation? \"Don't look now\"/\"Dark Water\"/\"Three Colours Blue\" - three great films about grief. Q. Two parter - which actor would you cut off an arm to work with, and which relatively unknown actor on your own film do you want the world to start recognizing sooner rather than later? Well, really, Colin Firth (in Trauma) is up there. He is seriously good. As for unknowns, Trauma does not apply being a fairly small, distinguished cast. However Alison David who sings in the film (taking on the persona of murdered pop star Lauren Parris) deserves wider recognition. The rest here: http://www.efilmcritic.com/feature.php?feature=904"}, {"response": 661, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 2004 (15:56)", "body": "Firth \ufffd who's rock-star handsome here, My favourite along with a costume. ;-) Thanks, Mari and Maria! Unfortunately GWAPE won't get to me until next Friday. (Evelyn), Let's face it... these are the best reviews ODB's film has ever received. About time! Thanks for the site Karen, creepy."}, {"response": 662, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 2004 (16:07)", "body": "Just picked this up... http://www.heraldnet.com/ae/story.cfm?sectionname=MOVIES&file=04010917995903.cfm A film in sober brushstrokes Scarlett Johansson plays a modern woman in the making in \"Girl With a Pearl Earring.\" By Robert Horton Herald Movie Critic A great painting inspired Tracy Chevalier's novel \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" an entirely fictional meditation on the origins of a Vermeer. The truth is, not much is known about the life of Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675), let alone the stories behind specific paintings. But Chevalier's fantasy is an intriguing feminist-tinged tale. \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" Interesting: A sober speculation, based on Tracy Chevalier's novel, about a famous painting by Vermeer. In 1665, Vermeer (Colin Firth) meets a servant girl (Scarlett Johansson, well-cast) who has an artistic sense of her own. (3 stars) Rated: PG-13 rating is for subject matter. Now showing: Seven Gables, Uptown. We are in the Dutch city of Delft, in 1665. We follow a 17-year-old country girl, Griet (Scarlett Johansson), as she is hired as a maid in the Vermeer household. Said household seems to be run by the painter's wife Catharina (Essie Davis in a fine performance) and her scary mother (Judy Parfitt). The artist himself, hard up for commissions, is brooding about his upstairs studio. When Vermeer (Colin Firth, late of \"Love Actually\") and Griet do meet, there is a kinship established, an artistic way of looking at the world. He shows her how to mix dry powders into paints, and eventually decides she must become the subject of a painting. Scarlett Johansson is an ideal casting choice for Griet. With her eyebrows gone and her hair perpetually covered by a cowl, she must express most of her performance through her eyes. She seamlessly shifts from the funky slacker of \"Lost in Translation\" to a 17th-century Dutch girl. I can't think of anything wrong with Colin Firth's performance as Vermeer, except that he seems fundamentally miscast. On the other hand, Tom Wilkinson (\"In the Bedroom\") is right on the money as Vermeer's vulgar patron, and Cillian Murphy (\"28 Days Later\") is winning as a butcher boy interested in Griet. The movie touches on, but doesn't really explore, the connection between the painter's erotic attraction to Griet and his aesthetic outlook. If this is a romance, it's one that stays muffled within Vermeer's artistic soul (though there's a nice scene involving an ear piercing that presumably substitutes for sex). British director Peter Webber and cinematographer Eduardo Serra have created a painterly look for the movie; the light and the color could pass for something from a 17th-century canvas. It's impressive, although it also has the effect of freezing the characters in their past world. The haunting music by Alexandre Desplat adds a slightly modern tone, and perhaps underscores the sense of Griet as a modern woman in the making. \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" doesn't get everything right, but its alien landscape and sober approach are refreshing. And its speculation is something that anybody might have wondered looking at a centuries-old painting: Who were these people?"}, {"response": 663, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 2004 (16:19)", "body": "Thanks for the Mark Evans article, Karen. That link provides more info onthe film. that part about hi not getting any support because a well-known person was also killed strikes me as strange. (Moon)Unfortunately GWAPE won't get to me until next Friday. I have to wait at least 2 more weeks. Too many good films out that are doing well, and not enough screens. Just got this from my local theater: Hello Mari, Thank you for your inquiry. \"The Girl with a Pearl Earring\" now has a tentative opening date of January 23rd. It is opening later in the month because presently, we don't have room to run it. As much as we would like to open it earlier, our current films are all still popular and we do not wish to end any of their engagements prematurely. I hope this is helpful. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate in sending me an email. Best regards, Alison Silverman Assistant Director of Operations Ritz Theatre Group"}, {"response": 664, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 2004 (16:49)", "body": "I'm opening later in the month too. The indies section of my multi-plex is jammed with goodies. \"From the producers of Bridget Jones, Love Actually, and About a Boy, TRAUMA is a psychological chiller about love, grief and madness.\" Little Bird can sure pick 'em...let's hope they're right this time. Q. What's the one glaring lesson you learned while making this film? (Marc Evans)The importance of casting. [Ed note: Does this have ominous tones??] Uh,oh. Does he have a few regrets here;-) Thanks boss."}, {"response": 665, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 2004 (16:50)", "body": "sorry"}, {"response": 666, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 2004 (17:28)", "body": "Great reviews (mostly) ladies. Thank you for sharing. IMHO Marc Evans comments on casting doesn't have any negative tones about Colin, as he later points at him as being a great actor (I know, he's the \"old\" well-known, but still). Just a thought. Here's another, I wish I were in Scotland: http://www.news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=26062004 See it first, see it free The girl with the pearl earring (12A) We\ufffdve teamed up with UGC Cinema at Fountain Park to offer EH Entertainment readers a chance to see a series of film FIRST & FREE. This is an exclusive offer allowing you into these special advance screenings and it\ufffds really simple to take up - all you do is take a relevant copy of EH Entertainment along to UGC Cinema and claim a pair of tickets. The next screening is The Girl With The Pearl Earring (12A) on Wednesday January 14 at 8.55pm. This Oscar-tipped period drama focuses on the story around artist Johannes Vermeer and his young maid Griet. Based on a novel by Tracy Chevalier, the story depicts the life of a girl beneath the stairs and how she begins to capture the eye and heart of her employer. Vermeer, played by Colin Firth, is a Dutch painter famed for painting women carrying out ordinary household chores. Griet (Scarlett Johansson) seems young and naive as she is admired not only by Vermeer but also by his assistant Tom Wilkinson and local boy, Cillian Murphy. Is it as simple as a servant girl posing for her employer or is there something deeper between them both?"}, {"response": 667, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 2004 (17:51)", "body": "(Annette) IMHO Marc Evans comments on casting doesn't have any negative tones about Colin No and my comment didn't imply it had. Just that Evans may regret the casting of someone else in the movie, someone he didn't think worked out that well. I do look beyond the \"Colin factor\" when I think about movies."}, {"response": 668, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 2004 (19:29)", "body": "Thanks for the Sundance link, Karen. T sounds intriguing so far. Mari, great articles and reviews-thank you. (Evelyn)I'm opening later in the month too. V. disappointed that our little art house theater in Princeton doesn't have GWAPE this week, either;-( I can't think of anything wrong with Colin Firth's performance as Vermeer, except that he seems fundamentally miscast How? Why? I hate when a statement gets thrown out like that with no reason. Not that he isn't entitled to his opinion, but give the reason. sheesh!"}, {"response": 669, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Jan 10, 2004 (01:48)", "body": "(Karen)I do look beyond the \"Colin factor\" when I think about movies. My mistake. To be able to keep up, I've concentrated on the comments about Colin in most of the interviews and articles and didn't get that \"filter\" turned off for this one. Sorry. (review)I can't think of anything wrong with Colin Firth's performance as Vermeer, except that he seems fundamentally miscast (Linda)How? Why? I hate when a statement gets thrown out like that with no reason. Not that he isn't entitled to his opinion, but give the reason. sheesh! I felt the same way, reading this."}, {"response": 670, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Jan 10, 2004 (04:49)", "body": "The importance of casting. [Ed note: Does this have ominous tones??] If I were a Mena Suvari fan I would be worried. No mention for her. I think any one not a paranoid Colinite would infer that he was happy with him but as for the others...."}, {"response": 671, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Jan 10, 2004 (04:51)", "body": "Linda)How? Why? I hate when a statement gets thrown out like that with no reason. Not that he isn't entitled to his opinion, but give the reason. sheesh! Sorry to take up two posts. Was trying to keep them short. ;-) If the reviewer had only seen him on LA, BJD and WAGW then he would think this was a safwe comment as this was a comedy actor trying to do drama :-("}, {"response": 672, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jan 10, 2004 (05:47)", "body": "(Allison)If the reviewer had only seen him on LA, BJD and WAGW then he would think this was a safe comment as this was a comedy actor trying to do drama Perhaps, but I would have been interested in knowing how he came to that conclusion. He thought SJ was perfect as Griet and explained why."}, {"response": 673, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Jan 10, 2004 (09:05)", "body": "Great article in Today's Telegraph. Saw the front page of the Telegraph on Newsnight late last night. The presenter was showing the front pages of today's papers and I saw a familiar face. Am now off to see where I have hidden the scanner..."}, {"response": 674, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jan 10, 2004 (10:01)", "body": "The importance of casting. [Ed note: Does this have ominous tones??] (Allison) If I were a Mena Suvari fan I would be worried. That was my thought as well."}, {"response": 675, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 10, 2004 (11:38)", "body": "(Allison) If I were a Mena Suvari fan I would be worried. No mention for her. My first impression too. (Linda) How? Why? I hate when a statement gets thrown out like that with no reason. Not that he isn't entitled to his opinion, but give the reason. sheesh! (Allison) If the reviewer had only seen him on LA, BJD and WAGW then he would think this was a safwe comment as this was a comedy actor trying to do drama :-( Exactly...and let's not forget SLOW! ;-) How many of these younger, online reviewers would've seen his older works. Sheesh! You really have to go out of your way to even see them. Re: Telegraph article Am putting it together now. Antonella has scanned and sent the material to me and I'm working on it now. It will be up shortly."}, {"response": 676, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Jan 10, 2004 (11:51)", "body": "Colin is on Cinenews again this week. Part of the junket interview; he talks about the set design and Ben Van Os's work. PW & SJ also interviewed. Lots of film clips. GWAPE will be reviewed on Ebert & Roeper's show today. Re: the casting comment. I didn't take it that way at all. He goes on to mention his \"small and distinguished\" cast. No way is he stupid enough to diss his actors. I took it to mean that the film made him appreciate how important casting the right actors were, i.e., vital to the film's success."}, {"response": 677, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Jan 10, 2004 (11:53)", "body": "(Allison) If the reviewer had only seen him on LA, BJD and WAGW then he would think this was a safe comment as this was a comedy actor trying to do drama :-( (Karen) Exactly...and let's not forget SLOW! ;-) How many of these younger, online reviewers would've seen his older works. Sheesh! You really have to go out of your way to even see them. But should a person be judged on their past work like that? I mean, just because someone has always played a certain type of role, if they break out and do something different (and for ODB drama is not different, it is just not what he is now best known for to most people now...unfortunately...as I love him in dramas and I want MORE! MORE!!), and it's good, should you try and pigeonhole them back into their former 'genre'? Let each film stand on it's own. I dislike Adam Sandler's stuff, in general (dislike is a mild word actually), but went to see Punch Drunk Love and actually enjoyed myself! Was a bit different for him....and I was happy for him (though I sometimes get the feeling he likes being Happy Gilmore)! Anyway, I don't think a person's past should 'haunt' them in that way. I think each film, and each performance, should be it's own unique entity. So, for a reviewer to say \"miscast\", they better tell me why! If their answer is \"cuz he's Mark Darcy!\" then to the back of the room for them.... \"next!!!\" ;-)"}, {"response": 678, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 10, 2004 (11:57)", "body": "Anyway, I don't think a person's past should 'haunt' them in that way. ....in an ideal world."}, {"response": 679, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 10, 2004 (12:04)", "body": "(Tress) Anyway, I don't think a person's past should 'haunt' them in that way. I think each film, and each performance, should be it's own unique entity. Without saying so explicitly, he has said it. The reviewer must not think Colin played Vermeer very well and is probably baffled that a rom-com actor would've been cast in the part. Otherwise, he would be extolling Colin's ability to do something outside his usual genre and do it brilliantly."}, {"response": 680, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 10, 2004 (12:34)", "body": "(Mari) Re: the casting comment. I didn't take it that way at all...No way is he stupid enough to diss his actors. Some of these guys are terribly naive about what they say and to whom. :-("}, {"response": 681, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 10, 2004 (15:15)", "body": "OK, article and lovely pics are here, thanks to Antonella: http://www.firth.com/articles/04telegraph_0110.html Lots of factual errors and it seems obvious that the writer is relying very heavily on published material and hasn't seen Tumbledown, given his description of it. ;-) Does he like the film? 'It is very hard to give in to completely liking anything you are in at first,' he replies. 'But I think there is a lot about it that is strong and takes my breath away. I think it is very brave in being serious as it is. It is unusual these days to find a script that doesn't want to employ a bit of irony, because most people who tell stories and make films are very frightened of seeming naive.' How @#$%ing hard would it have been to say, \"It's a great film and Peter Webber and [yadda yadda] did a spectacular job. I'm so proud to even be associated with it...\"? Vermeer is an older, more family-oriented role than we are used to seeing Firth play, and it demonstrates that he will be one of those actors who get better as they move through middle age: Bob Hoskins, Bill Nighy. *snort* That ought to make so many of his fans ecstatic. ;-)"}, {"response": 682, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jan 10, 2004 (15:33)", "body": "(Karen), How @#$%ing hard would it have been to say, \"It's a great film and Peter Webber and [yadda yadda] did a spectacular job. I'm so proud to even be associated with it...\"? ROTF! And Of course I agree with you. Remember your pet project Hope Springs, Colin? Thank you, Karen! As always great job! Thanks also to Antonella and Allison."}, {"response": 683, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jan 10, 2004 (15:35)", "body": "Vermeer is an older, more family-oriented role than we are used to seeing Firth play, and it demonstrates that he will be one of those actors who get better as they move through middle age: Bob Hoskins, Bill Nighy LOL, that threw me a bit off my game, as well. Great article, though. Thanks Karen and Antonella."}, {"response": 684, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jan 10, 2004 (15:37)", "body": "He looks rather tired in those pictures. Wait a minute! There has not been an official GWAPE premiere in London, right?"}, {"response": 685, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 10, 2004 (15:46)", "body": "I'd say the London FF gala was its London premiere. No need to do that again."}, {"response": 686, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jan 10, 2004 (16:16)", "body": "(Karen), I'd say the London FF gala was its London premiere. No need to do that again. Except that now all the press is coming and more people and stars would attend. It would get much more attention for the \"little indie film\"."}, {"response": 687, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 10, 2004 (16:24)", "body": "I think he looks terrific in those pics........ \"Our Most Romantic Actor\"!! Ha! Not bad at 43! He beat out all the young Turks. Take that Orlando Bloom,Jude Law,Joe Fiennes!! \"He drives a generic German hatchback; \" He piles all those kids in a small car? Thankgod he dumped that ole Nissan...or was it a Mazda. Thanks to all who helped."}, {"response": 688, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 10, 2004 (16:39)", "body": "That pic above is from the Free Trade Coffee campaign. ;-)"}, {"response": 689, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 10, 2004 (16:52)", "body": "Free Trade said :\"Our Most Romantic Actor\"?;-)"}, {"response": 690, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sat, Jan 10, 2004 (17:13)", "body": "Thanks Karen, Antonella, and Allison! Amusing article (though it did make me scratch my head). (Telegraph)he has played the outsider in later life\ufffdavoiding Hollywood, chat shows, fashion events, premieres and orthodontistry\ufffdbecause he was ostracised as a nipper Well, I've always considered orthodontistry very bourgeois, but huh?!? Firth has commanded [...] a respectfully weak-kneed following unique among British actors outside the soaps Yet another bewildering description here. Is it better to be respectfully weak-kneed than a screaming posse of fans? Or does one do both at once? ;-)))"}, {"response": 691, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sat, Jan 10, 2004 (19:22)", "body": "A very fun arrticle. Thanks Karen, Antonella and Allison... his first wife, the actress Meg Tilly,...; Jennifer Ehle, who he went out with after co-starring in Pride and Prejudice....; and his wife, Livia Giuggioli,.. whom he (met on the set of Nostromo) OK, Kimberly, should we put your DH on notice?? ...his magic ingredient: the dark, scary side that means he can play romantic figures who are unfriendly, scary and a bit damaged. He is so good at communicating what is hidden... Oh yes..a capacity most of us are very fond of."}, {"response": 692, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jan 10, 2004 (19:40)", "body": "(Shoshana)Is it better to be respectfully weak-kneed than a screaming posse of fans LOL, the former before you make it into the press tent, and the latter afterward. Versatility is the watch word, here."}, {"response": 693, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Jan 10, 2004 (21:16)", "body": "Thanks for the article and pics, Karen and Antonella. (Karen), How @#$%ing hard would it have been to say, \"It's a great film and Peter Webber and [yadda yadda] did a spectacular job. I'm so proud to even be associated with it...\"? I thought the same thing, what is wrong with him, but the answer about his parents is even worse: I would say that my family are all still there. They've stayed together all these years and so that speaks to you of it being quite functional, to an extent. If I were his parents, I'd be pissed off. The best he can say is that they're there and they're functional to an extent?! Perhaps unintentionally, he's made it sound like a rift there, or maybe he's just incapable of giving an answer from the heart. He should stick to TV interviews, he's much more open. But maybe his reticence has something to do with being born in Nigeria and being on his second marriage.;-) ;-) The top two pics are pretty good, but that cover shot is unflattering."}, {"response": 694, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Jan 10, 2004 (21:32)", "body": "From The Telegraph: BA under fire for cutting 9/11 speech from Love Actually By Gary Anderson Producer attacks airline for censoring in-flight screenings of the hit film 'to spare the feelings of passengers', reports Gary Anderson It is meant to be one of the most cheerful and uplifting films of the moment, but Love Actually, the box office hit seen by millions of Britons, has been judged to be too frightening for airline passengers. British Airways has decided that the film, which stars Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson and Colin Firth among others, will have to be censored before it is shown on its aircraft because of a reference to September 11. The decision has infuriated the film's producer, Duncan Kenworthy, who described the censorship as \"ludicrous\". It will prompt renewed concern that the airline is over-reacting to the threat of terrorism. British Airways, which plans to screen Love Actually, on flights from March, insisted, however, that the film would have to be cut before it was suitable to be shown to passengers. A spokesman for BA said that the offending passage was an opening speech by Hugh Grant, which includes the lines: \"When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know, none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge. They were all messages of love.\" The spokesman said: \"We have made a very small edit to the beginning of the film and removed a reference in the script to the tragic events of September 11. \"We feel that this is justified given the terrible events of that day and in no way detracts from the rest of the film.\" Mr Kenworthy, however, criticised BA's argument, adding that he was disappointed by the way in which airlines generally imposed more stringent cuts than those demanded by sanitised American television networks. \"I find it ludicrous,\" said Mr Kenworthy. \"If it's OK to watch on American television it should be available for viewing on airlines.\" He also expressed surprise that airlines were unconcerned by a scene later in the film that portrays a young boy deceiving security personnel at Heathrow and sprinting through several checkpoints. Mr Kenworthy said that despite his protests, film producers had no choice other than to bow to airline pressure because of the substantial sums of money involved in licensing agreements. He added: \"I don't like censorship at any point, but I am contractually obliged to provide a version acceptable to the airlines.\" BA issues guidelines to an outside agency, which provides its on-board entertainment, asking it to select films with a \"general appeal\" to the broad range of ages and nationalities on its flights. Films containing foul language and graphic scenes of a violent or sexual nature are rejected or censored. Portrayals of air crashes or hijackings are also cut. Passengers on flights operated by Virgin Atlantic, BA's rival, will be able to see Love Actually uncut on flights from February, although a warning about the Hugh Grant speech will be printed in the in-flight magazine. Lysette Gauna, the head of media at Virgin, said: \"As long as sufficient information is given on the nature of the movie and we offer channel-blocking to parents, we believe that we can let passengers watch the movie as the director intended.\" After September 11, BA passengers were denied access to BBC World Service news reports because of fears that the images of the attacks on the World Trade Center would be too traumatic or cause panic. The decision to cut Love Actually reveals the lengths to which the airline continues to go to shield passengers' sensibilities. The film, which has taken more than \ufffd30 million since its release in November, also stars Alan Rickman, Rowan Atkinson and Martine McCutcheon, and has earned two Golden Globe nominations. Critics were less impressed. A scathing review in The New York Times summed up the film as \"a patchwork of contrived naughtiness and forced pathos, ending as it began, with hugging and kissing at the airport where returning passengers are perhaps expressing their relief at being delivered from an in-flight movie like this one\"."}, {"response": 695, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jan 10, 2004 (21:39)", "body": "(Mari) Perhaps unintentionally, he's made it sound like a rift there Thought it was just me. It was a bizarre answer. He should've just said he didn't want to go there and left it at that, if he didn't want to say too much. Thanks Karen and Antonella."}, {"response": 696, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jan 10, 2004 (21:50)", "body": "Producer attacks airline for censoring in-flight screenings of the hit film 'to spare the feelings of passengers', reports Gary Anderson It is meant to be one of the most cheerful and uplifting films of the moment, but Love Actually, the box office hit seen by millions of Britons, has been judged to be too frightening for airline passengers. I completely agree with that call, especially in light of the problems with BA flights over the holidays. Quite frankly, I wouldn't want to hear a reference to it sitting on any plane, going anywhere. The decision has infuriated the film's producer, Duncan Kenworthy, who described the censorship as \"ludicrous\". It will prompt renewed concern that the airline is over-reacting to the threat of terrorism. Get over it and display some sensitivity. It's not a pivotal plot point or anything. It wouldn't be missed. :-( Mr Kenworthy, however, criticised BA's argument, adding that he was disappointed by the way in which airlines generally imposed more stringent cuts than those demanded by sanitised American television networks. Hmmmm, watching TV on the ground where it's \"safe\" vs watching it in an environment identical to the event. Not a big deal. :-( \"I find it ludicrous,\" said Mr Kenworthy. \"If it's OK to watch on American television it should be available for viewing on airlines.\" What a freakin' git. vThe decision to cut Love Actually reveals the lengths to which the airline continues to go to shield passengers' sensibilities. I don't find that unreasonable, again, in light of recent events. *stepping down from soapbox* Sorry, got a bit carried away. :-("}, {"response": 697, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Sat, Jan 10, 2004 (22:59)", "body": "(Karen) How @#$%ing hard would it have been to say, \"It's a great film and Peter Webber and [yadda yadda] did a spectacular job. I'm so proud to even be associated with it...\"? If that's not how he felt about the movie I'm glad he didn't say it. I see/read so many actors talking about their latest movie as if it were the best thing that ever happened to them, and sometimes you feel that their words are anything but heartfelt. They praise the movie out of duty, and although I understand it's the honourable thing to do, still, it's a lie. If Colin was less than happy with how the movie turned out it's a good way to get out of giving a straight answer. I don't hold it against him. (Mari) If I were his parents, I'd be pissed off. The best he can say is that they're there and they're functional to an extent?! That's not what I understood from that bit. I thought Colin meant that his parents' staying together all these years explains it being functional to an extent . Not that they are functional only to an extent. I feel he said the right thing but in a way that it's easy to misunderstand. I'm surprised (or shouldn't I be?) that the interviewer asked such a stupid thing about his parents. It's sort of like asking which of his sons is his favourite. I'd never answer any of those questions. It's too personal, and no one is his/her right mind would answer it, especially if the parents are still alive. Thanks for the photos and articles, ladies!"}, {"response": 698, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jan 10, 2004 (23:36)", "body": "(Ildiko) If Colin was less than happy with how the movie turned out it's a good way to get out of giving a straight answer. I can't fathom how he would be less than happy with how it turned out and would feel he couldn't give a straight answer after giving them on lesser projects (ok, little things here and there could be bothersome...the wig perhaps? ;-)). IMO, he *should* agree that Peter Webber and [yadda yadda] did a spectacular job and should be proud to even be associated with it... . Not like he's had much to brag about recently. When was the last time he was in a potential bonefide Oscar contender? Then again, if he's not happy, he's not. :-( From the Jan 16 Entertainment Weekly Item of the Week... We'd wear them even if it didn't mean getting close to Colin Firth. Scarlett Johansson's baubles in Girl With a Pearl Earring aren't just for the 17th century. \"More designers are using pearls,\" says Robert Arteit of Mikimoto, whose modern version was inspired by the film. \"You'd think [young buyers] would go for something more trendy. But they love the classic design.\""}, {"response": 699, "author": "Gail", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 2004 (00:57)", "body": "Thanks for the article Karen and Antonella. The section of the article that dealt with his parents I thought he handled it very well. He said something to the effect he didn't want to discuss things about them and have them read it in the paper. He rather have them present to talk about them or have at least given them some sort of notice. I think that shows respect for them and a healthy dose of caution in dealing with the press."}, {"response": 700, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 2004 (02:08)", "body": "(Gail) He said something to the effect he didn't want to discuss things about them and have them read it in the paper. I think that shows respect for them and a healthy dose of caution in dealing with the press. It may have been more prudent had he stopped here..... It varied according to my age. But this is a conversation that would probably be better if my parents were present. It\ufffds a tricky one to get into so I'd rather they didn\ufffdt read it in The Telegraph. It didn't seem too cautious to continue with this... They've stayed together all these years and so that speaks to you of it being quite functional, to an extent....... Ye-es, but it is probably a bit difficult. If this was well covered with my parents, I\ufffdd be happy to talk about it. It\ufffds just that I don\ufffdt want to read stuff I haven\ufffdt said to them . Maybe it didn't come out the way he meant it, but it implies to me he's saying there are unresolved issues he hasn't addressed with them directly and doesn't want to drag it out in an interview before speaking with them first. That's just my take of what it comes across to me. Maybe I've misunderstood, or it didn't come out how he meant. I just found his comments odd here."}, {"response": 701, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 2004 (06:22)", "body": "GWAPE reviewd by Ebert and Roper this week. Repeats today at 11:30 EST It\ufffds a tricky one to get into so I'd rather they didn\ufffdt read it in The Telegraph. Stupid question, IMO. Kind of like parents asking a child, if we get divorced who would you live with. How do you answer that? But, I agree, he should have just left it there."}, {"response": 702, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 2004 (08:45)", "body": "For Lindak ...Thanks for the Ebert and Roper tip - was able to set my timer and I look forward to what they have to say."}, {"response": 703, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 2004 (08:46)", "body": "GWAPE reviewd by Ebert and Roper this week. Repeats today at 11:30 EST Unfortunately, I don't get the repeat, but I caught it last night and it's worth taping. Aside from rave reviews for GWAPE, the second half of the show is their \"Memo To The Academy\"--their recommendations on people the Academy should nominate who may be otherwise overlooked. Richard Roeper's pick for Best Supporting Actor was Colin . . . in Love Actually."}, {"response": 704, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 2004 (09:23)", "body": "(Ildiko) If Colin was less than happy with how the movie turned out it's a good way to get out of giving a straight answer. LOL. What a guy...picks on the best thing he's done since the fifteen minutes on \"Conspiracy\"...never said a word about the other turkeys he's done. Re: parents remark: I've always said he talks too much. A simple diplomatic: \"At different times in my life I've been closer to one than the other\". But noooo... If he posted on Drool, I'd scroll through those long answers;-)"}, {"response": 705, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 2004 (09:42)", "body": "Richard Roeper's pick for Best Supporting Actor was Colin . . . in Love Actually. Really? Over Bill Nighy?"}, {"response": 706, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 2004 (09:55)", "body": "(Mari) but the answer about his parents is even worse So did I, but my backside is still sore from the kicking I got from the Firth Anti-Defamation League over the \"supposed\" slur. What is \"functional, to an extent\" ? Talk about planting the seeds for further public discussion and speculation on a private matter. The question was \"are you closer to your mother or father?\" All he had to do was say he had good relationships with each at different ages. Period. My mother would say this guy has no \"sechel.\" :-( (Ildi) If that's not how he felt about the movie I'm glad he didn't say it...They praise the movie out of duty, and although I understand it's the honourable thing to do, still, it's a lie. Maybe when he's 95 years old and writing his memoirs, but not now. He was being interviewed to promote the movie; he has a contractual obligation to do his best to sell it. What's more annoying is that he's finally associated with a film that is receiving widespread critical praise, people are going to get nominated for Academy Awards, the studio is pushing his name for same, and the clown can't even clearly express his unqualified support for the film. He needs a minder, not to an extent, but badly. :-( (Mari) Richard Roeper's pick for Best Supporting Actor was Colin . . . in Love Actually. Yes, wasn't *that* a nice surprise. Have another article that I'll put up in a bit, from the National Post, from Jennie."}, {"response": 707, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 2004 (10:59)", "body": "(Mari) Richard Roeper's pick for Best Supporting Actor was Colin . . . in Love Actually. Yes, wasn't *that* a nice surprise. Amazing and wonderful surprise especially since Ebert said Colin's performance was the weakest of the lot when he reviewed LA...today he commended RR for three great picks. (Dorine)I completely agree with that call, especially in light of the problems with BA flights over the holidays. Quite frankly, I wouldn't want to hear a reference to it sitting on any plane, going anywhere. So do I, as one who just left Heathrow and had to watch the passengers from that delayed Washington flight being loaded onto a bus so they could board the plane sitting all alone in the center of the runway.;-( Also, BA at least has individual screens for in flight films and parents can lock out the channels with R rated movies. Sitting side by side you can't really see what is on the screen beside you...but you can by peaking through the seats of the next row;-) Just a reminder: E! news weekend with the GWAPE junket clips repeats, tomorrow at noon."}, {"response": 708, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 2004 (11:20)", "body": "(Evelyn) If he posted on Drool, I'd scroll through those long answers;-) ROTF!! (Mari) Richard Roeper's pick for Best Supporting Actor was Colin . . . in Love Actually. (Moon) Really? Over Bill Nighy? Yeah, I'm surprised, too."}, {"response": 709, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 2004 (11:55)", "body": "Here's the Sunday (National) Post article from Jennie: http://www.firth.com/articles/04sundaypost_0111.html It's a lot of the same old, same old, but there's a new shot from the red armchair/black trainers with white laces photoshoot. I've also put up last Saturday's Daily Record article with Janet's scan of the cover that wasn't online: http://www.firth.com/articles/04dailyrecord_103.html"}, {"response": 710, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 2004 (12:41)", "body": "Thanks boss...you're right ,nothing there. Goofy pic in the Post and the Daily Record cover looks like he's in the Witness Protection Program."}, {"response": 711, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 2004 (12:53)", "body": "Thank you Janet, Jennie and Karen. Loved the pictures from the Post (Karen)What's more annoying is that he's finally associated with a film that is receiving widespread critical praise, people are going to get nominated for Academy Awards, the studio is pushing his name for same, and the clown can't even clearly express his unqualified support for the film. ...He needs to put a sock in it-never knows when enough is enough. But it still reminds me of the 'I'm on the brink therefore I'll try and blow it' syndrome."}, {"response": 712, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 2004 (13:01)", "body": "Have found something new: \ufffdWhat strikes me about the Italians is their attachment to family,\ufffd he smiles. \ufffdLivia\ufffds family is wonderful and close. You get a sense of security and stability. We English, on the other hand, we\ufffdre always off by ourselves. Other than the bolded part, this is verbatim what we translated from the Italian Vogue article and was up on the website before somebody's brother made a few revisions. ;-) If this even came up in the current interview, he probably *smiled* when he heard the weird translation. The other Italian quote is verbatim. These writers have no shame. ;-)"}, {"response": 713, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 2004 (13:30)", "body": "Posted on Sun, Jan. 11, 2004 CHICK FLICK REVIEW Masterpiece theater By Marilyn Bailey Star-Telegram Staff Writer LION GATE ENTERTAINMENT/JAPP BUITENDIJK Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth in Girl With a Pearl Earring Flick: Girl With a Pearl Earring Chick: Scarlett Johansson, who plays Griet (pronounced \"greet\"), a maid in the home of 17th-century Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer. The fairy tale: An artist and his model fall in love. Vermeer (Colin Firth) is becomingly moody, a middle-aged, married-with-children painter of genius. Griet is a nubile maid, new to a household that includes a jealous wife, four children and a stern mother-in-law. Vermeer becomes fascinated by Griet, and she poses for his most personal and mysterious painting. You-go-girl moments: They're many, but they're extremely subtle. This movie is almost as quiet as a still life. Though she's illiterate and poor, Griet sees and feels things like the artist and is more useful to Vermeer than his privileged and educated wife. Griet silently but boldly suggests he change the composition of one of his paintings, and he does. She alone is allowed to clean his studio and help mix his paints, and she stands up to a predatory man who tries to abuse her low position. Reality check: You feel that these are 17th-century people -- the characters don't leap into bed together, for instance. The sexiest scenes are when Vermeer and Griet sit side-by-side grinding paints. What it's worth: Full price, for the sensation of stepping into a ravishing Vermeer canvas."}, {"response": 714, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 2004 (13:37)", "body": "Thanks for all the new news and photos! Colin is to be on a Canadian TV show this next week called \"TributeTV\". I caught a short interview with him on a show called \"Inside Entertainment\" yesterday. It was done at the Toronto Film Festival, filmed outside at probably the same place he was hugging SJ. Here's the transcript I wrote out for it: IE: The 2 actors never touch in the movie but Colin says their onscreen sexual tension comes from a strong off screen friendship. CF: \"I think that if you have...if you're relaxed with each other, if you can develop ideas together, if there's no conflict, it's just so much better.\" \"This was a man who I'm sure lost hours and hours and hours in front of a canvas, and even though I might be a fairly crappy painter, I can still lose hours and hours in front of a canvas.\" IE: This 43 year old is quick to point out the similarities between the ancient art world and modern day Hollywood. CF: \"And there's wonderful accounts of Michaelangelo in the Sistine Chapel with the Pope coming in like a Hollywood producer. 'When do I get to see it, when do I get to show it to my sponsors?' And he says no one gets to see it. It's like a film in the cutting room and they even had a physical fight at one point. I think the Pope hit him with a stick and Michaelangelo had to run away to Florence. You know this could be a modern story between a director and a producer perhaps.\""}, {"response": 715, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 2004 (15:42)", "body": "Variety: Lions Gate's \"Girl with a Pearl Earring\" added 17 playdates for a total 41 and grossed $308,000, a notable $7,512 per engagement. Scarlett Johansson-Colin Firth starrer totes a $1.3 million cume as it prepares for expansions on Friday and Jan. 30. Off to watch the Eagles!:-)"}, {"response": 716, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 2004 (16:11)", "body": "(Evelyn), Goofy pic in the Post and the Daily Record cover looks like he's in the Witness Protection Program. I don't like any of them. Looks mighty ugly. A big contrast to the Mushimoto ones. Get back to LA, ASAP, Colin! ;-D We English, on the other hand, we\ufffdre always off by ourselves. He has also stated that he rarely sees his brother Jon. I think he might have said it's been 2 years. Thanks, Karen!"}, {"response": 717, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 2004 (16:14)", "body": "(Me), He has also stated that he rarely sees his brother Jon. I think he might have said it's been 2 years. I am referring to an article I read in 2003. And yes, I read it here. Sorry I can't remember which mag. or paper it is from."}, {"response": 718, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 2004 (18:28)", "body": "OK, although it's not important information in the grand scheme of things, I was hoping you all could set me straight on two points regarding ODB's love interests, past and present. 1) I have heard various sources state that Livia is either an a)producer of documentary films, b) a television producer, c) an assistant producer, and d) a production assistant. Does anyone know which it is, if any? Does anyone know any of the work she's been associated with? 2) One of the recent articles posted referred to Meg Tilly as his 'ex-wife'. I was under the impression that they had never been married. Am I mistaken? Thank you all. I just like to try and keep my facts straight."}, {"response": 719, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 2004 (20:39)", "body": "Leslie, as far as I know Colin and Meg never married, and Livia is a producer of documentary films. I don't know her body of work, this is the only link I found: http://www.fandango.it/eng/documentari/giuseppe/giuseppe.htm A doc. with Marc Evans who directed Colin in Trauma."}, {"response": 720, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Mon, Jan 12, 2004 (00:29)", "body": "Portrait of perfection (Filed: 09/01/2004) Daily Telegraph Girl With a Pearl Earring recreates the world of 17th-century artist Vermeer with astonishing attention to detail. Sarah Crompton talks to an expert in Dutch art about the way it brings the paintings to life Cinema loves a tortured artist. Whether it's Charlton Heston cramped on his back painting the Sistine Chapel ceiling in The Agony and the Ecstasy, or Ed Harris splattering his canvases, fag in mouth, in Pollock, film delights in the recreation of genius at work. But I can't remember a film that goes to more trouble to make each scene look like a work of art than Girl With a Pearl Earring, which is released here next Friday. Starring Colin Firth as Vermeer and Scarlett Johansson as the servant girl Griet - very different but just as wonderful as she is in Lost in Translation and a very convincing look-alike for the girl in the famous painting - it evocatively and precisely recreates the painter's household in 17th-century Delft. In doing so, it vividly recalls the paintings of the period. Axel Ruger, curator of Dutch Painting at the National Gallery, was impressed. \"The film takes the atmosphere and some of the pictorial language of the time and translates it into a cinematic language - a moving image of the still paintings, if you like. It's a great achievement. \"Very often you see the protagonists involved in some kind of manual household task - peeling vegetables, washing, sweeping the floor - and it is almost as if a painting has come to life.\" He says that this is particularly true of the interiors, which are deliberately framed by Eduardo Serra's sumptuous cinematography to look like the rooms in a Vermeer. \"Very often you see a box-shaped room, with a window on the left, subtle lighting and interior arrangements and furniture just like those you see his work.\" Such careful authenticity is all the more surprising because Tracy Chevalier's best-selling book, the source for the film, is based not on the facts of Vermeer's life (about which we know very little) but on a credible but fictitious premise. What if, she asks, Vermeer had been inspired by the beauty of a maid who came into his household, with whom he fell in love, with complicated consequences? It makes a great story, but the fact is, no one knows who posed for Vermeer. It may be that one of his daughters was the model. But Ruger says we simply do not know, just as the identities of the models for his other paintings remain lost in the mists of time. \"Chevalier's novel extrapolates Vermeer's character from his paintings,\" he says. \"Because he paints quiet scenes, she argues that he must be a contemplative man who is withdrawn from his family. But we know he had 10 children, so that would be quite involving. We know he was active in the Guild in Delft, and that he travelled round Holland. He was a prominent public figure. For all we know, he could have been out at the pub every night.\" This hardly chimes with the moody, silent character portrayed by Firth, full of suppressed emotion and wistful longing. But the film is faithful to another fact about the painter's life: we do know that Vermeer and his mother-in-law dealt in art, and we glimpse paintings on the wall of their home - such as The Goldfinch by Carel Fabritius - which it is feasible that they might have sold. It is also engrossing on the way Vermeer painted, building up depth of colour on his canvases. One episode shows him receiving a camera obscura, and snuggling with Griet under a cloak better to see its image. This is potentially controversial, since argument has raged long and hard in the art world over whether the artist did actually use optics to gain his pellucid effects. But Axel Ruger is satisfied that the notion is not overplayed. \"I am adamantly against the idea that he directly used a camera obscura for his effects. But, on the other hand, Delft at that time was a centre for optics, and he was a very cultured man; so he would surely have been aware of the optical possiblities.\" Some of the loveliest scenes in Girl With a Pearl Earring are those where Vermeer teaches Griet how to prepare his paints, introducing her to the secret art of grinding and mixing heavy black, bright lapis lazuli, rich vermilion. The induction becomes a tender moment of understanding, but the techniques used, if not the emotion depicted, have their roots in a real and arduous process. Ruger explains: \"It's all quite authentic. It was very laborious and involved, and every artist had his own recipes and idiosyncracies. Usually, the artist had an apprentice who paid to be in his studio and learn from him - whether Vermeer would have used his own servant for that is another point. But perhaps he was so besotted with her\" That's only in the story, I point out. Ruger laughs. That's the thing about Girl With a Pearl Earring. It looks so beautiful and its story is so charming, that you are in danger of confusing the fictional Vermeer with the r"}, {"response": 721, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Mon, Jan 12, 2004 (05:00)", "body": "As I was leaving the house this morning, BBC 1 Breakfast's show started to talk about the boom of the British film industry, and that they were reporting live in a few minutes from Shepperton Studios after the filming of BJD2 has just ended. And I am pretty sure they said they'd be talking to Colin and the producer of the movie, so I set my VCR. Won't be home till like 6:30pm to check, and the website mentions nothing so far. But check there later: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/programmes/breakfast/default.stm as they usually have a clip."}, {"response": 722, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Jan 12, 2004 (06:46)", "body": "From Variety: BAFTA narrows its best pic contenders Final 5 noms for each category to be announced Jan. 19 By ADAM DAWTREY LONDON -- \"The Last Samurai,\" \"Something's Gotta Give\" and \"In America\" are among Oscar contenders that cannot win the best film prize at this year's British Academy Film Awards. All three failed to make the long list of 15 contenders in BAFTA's best film category, which was published Friday. Pics that emerged strongly in the first round of BAFTA voting, with 10 or more entries each across all categories, include \"Cold Mountain,\" \"Big Fish,\" \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" \"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,\" \"Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World,\" \"Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,\" \"Lost in Translation,\" \"21 Grams,\" \"Calendar Girls,\" \"Kill Bill Vol. 1\" and \"Mystic River.\" The BAFTA long lists are voted by all the members. In the second round of voting, which closes Jan. 14, the members will choose five nominees in each category, to be announced Jan. 19. In the final voting, the members vote on the winners of the best film prize and the four acting awards, but the other sections are decided by specialist juries. The BAFTA ceremony takes place Feb. 15 in London. Hard to measure With 15 contenders on each long list, it's hard to pick front-runners, since pics that figure strongly at this stage do not necessarily show up on the short lists. But the long lists do at least make clear which films have not found favor with BAFTA voters. \"The Last Samurai\" may have missed out in the film and director sections, but it received several nods in the acting and technical categories. \"In America\" figures in the prestigious acting, directing and original screenplay sections. But \"Something's Gotta Give,\" which has hardly been screened, made no impact whatsoever. Another U.S. kudos contender largely absent from the Brit list is \"House of Sand and Fog,\" while \"American Splendor\" is nowhere to be seen. The value of sending out screeners was highlighted by a good showing for \"The Station Agent,\" which figures on the best film list and several others. Other pics that clearly benefited from their screeners include \"Big Fish,\" \"The Barbarian Invasions\" and \"21 Grams.\" Small fish overlooked But smaller British pics, including several that sent out screeners, were largely overlooked. The best film list contains only three Brit pics (four if \"Cold Mountain\" is counted as British) -- two big commercial hits, \"Love Actually\" and \"Calendar Girls,\" plus \"Girl With a Pearl Earring.\" Some of these British omissions, however, will be rectified in the Brit film category, which is not voted by the membership and therefore does not have a long list. Both the short list and the winners are chosen by a jury. Several British contenders for American kudos are not eligible for this year's BAFTAs, because their U.K. release was in 2002. These include \"Bend It Like Beckham,\" \"Dirty Pretty Things\" and \"The Magdalene Sisters.\""}, {"response": 723, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Jan 12, 2004 (09:44)", "body": "(Moon)He has also stated that he rarely sees his brother Jon. I think he might have said it's been 2 years. That must have been at Luca's christening as Jon is a godfather I believe! I am sure they must mingle occasionally. Jon lives (or used to) in the flat above Nick Hornby's office which indicates that he gets introduced to his brother's friends. Also didn't Helen Fielding write about gong to Arsenal with NH and the 2 Firth brothers and could could not get over having Mr Darcy to the left and right. Also he was at 3DOR. Have I just dreamt all this or can others confirm?"}, {"response": 724, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Jan 12, 2004 (10:34)", "body": "Colin Firth: The Q Interview 11 January 2004 Firth, 43, spent part of his childhood in Nigeria and the US, where his parents were university lecturers. He attended a Hampshire comprehensive, then went straight from drama school to the West End, in Another Country, also starring in the film version of the same. Firth's other films include The English Patient, Fever Pitch, Bridget Jones's Diary and Shakespeare in Love. In 1995 he became f\ufffdted as \"the male Ursula Andress\" after emerging from a pond as Mr Darcy in the BBC's production of Pride and Prejudice. Firth has three sons: Will, 14, from his relationship with the actress Meg Tilly, and Luca, two, and Mateo, six months, by his wife Livia Giuggiolo. They divide their time between homes in Hampstead and Umbria. In Girl with a Pearl Earring, you've got rather good teeth for a 17th-century character, if I may say so... Well, the Dutch were absolutely fastidious about hygiene and cleanliness. The Dutch word for \"beauty\" is actually the same word for \"clean\", which shows how much they valued it. They were incredibly bloody civilised. Are you a clean person? Yes, I am. It doesn't mean I'm particularly tidy but, oh yeah, even in my most bachelor self, I've never been able to abide dirt. I don't mind papers all over the place but the kitchen and the bathroom have always been well scrubbed. You sound domesticated - do you cook? I'm married to an Italian who is a phenomenal cook, and far more fastidiously tidy than I am. I tend to make an outrageous mess in the kitchen. I like to think the results are OK but the process is pretty grisly. What's the best thing about life in Italy? Oh, you name it. It's got most things covered, Italy. You can go there for the food alone. The fashion, the sculpture... it really excels in every corner of culture, other than pop music. Do you feel yourself becoming more English when you're there? No, but I've spent a lot of time feeling like a bit of an expatriate [Firth lived in Canada for five years during his 30s] and I think that means you often seem more identifiably English, in the old-fashioned sense. I remember coming back from several years away and being told by an old school friend that I'd got plummier. But I don't think I had, you see. I think what had happened was he'd got less plummy, because he'd been listening to Jonathan Ross. There'd been a gradual move towards estuary that I hadn't been party to. Expat Brits don't tend to put on plumminess; they just stay in a time warp. Then they come back speaking like Celia Johnson and no one here still sounds like that, unless they're the Royal Family, or my grandfather. One of our staff relates how she once dropped her shopping, only to find the person helping her pick up her frozen peas was you. Really, good heavens... did I? Peas? Is the moment not as etched on your mind as it is on hers? I don't remember it, I'm afraid. Don't tell her. Are you normally chivalrous? Of course, if someone dropped their shopping I'd help, absolutely. Speaking of supermarkets, people often look at me and shake their heads in kind of funny-old-world disbelief. Then they often get out their mobiles. It's odd to go to the supermarket and find people staring at what you've got in your trolley and telling their friends. You feel as if just by existing, you're a bizarre spectacle. As an actor, how do you become magnetic? God, don't ask me. But if you want an earnest answer, you need to be riveted, absolutely spellbound by the person you're looking at. Forget \"trying\" to be sexy. That's just gruesome. Thinking of your fight in Bridget Jones, have you ever really been involved in fisticuffs? Yes, and I lost very decisively. I got the girl but I lost the fight. Yes, there were marks on my face. But I wasn't being very gallant. I think I spent most of the time running away, actually. A romantic gesture, nevertheless. Not really. I think the thing that's required the most courage that I've done in the name of romance was getting married, to be honest. If you're as scared of marriage as I was, it's a pretty romantic thing to have done. That and learning her language, I suppose. Specifically for courtship in Italian? Well, it's wonderful to have an excuse to learn a language. Her English is better than my Italian will ever be. But if you're going to live your life with someone you should, as a mark of respect, try to learn their way of conceptualising things. What music are you listening to at the moment? Um, it's very haphazard, always. There's an American singer called Kelly Joe Phelps, who I've got quite a passion for. I like the new Blur album, actually. And the Flaming Lips. Do you know them? I like Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots. They often have celebs dressed as animals on stage at their concerts, don't they? I'd expect they probably do. They make me think of New York art school. Justin Timberlake dressed up as a dolphin - what would you be? It's unlikely I'd be tempted. When I see audience participatio"}, {"response": 725, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Mon, Jan 12, 2004 (10:53)", "body": "It's an old converted houseboat moving slowly down the Thames. Oh, I love this quote! Sounds like he's responding to the pleas on these boards to \"turn the ship around\", etc. If CF were starring in The Tortoise and The Hare, is there any doubt which role he would play?"}, {"response": 726, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Mon, Jan 12, 2004 (11:13)", "body": "Thanks for posting the interview Maria, I very much enjoyed it. And thanks for the reviews ladies, more more, more! I hear GWAPE is coming out here in Canada this friday, so I'm all excited! (Evelyn) If he posted on Drool, I'd scroll through those long answers;-) LOL! Would you really? Come on, I thought you liked a good challenge. (Evelyn) What a guy...picks on the best thing he's done since the fifteen minutes on \"Conspiracy\" That is your opinion and many others', but not everybody's. It might not be his either, so let's take that into account. (Evelyn) A simple diplomatic: \"At different times in my life I've been closer to one than the other\". That's diplomatic? LOL! I would rather dodge the question altogether. Better safe than sorry. (Dorine) Not like he's had much to brag about recently. When was the last time he was in a potential bonefide Oscar contender? Not recently for sure :-), but are we sure that is what he is after? We know that's what WE want, for him to get as much recognition as possible and all kinds of awards, etc. but is this what HE wants? (Karen) Maybe when he's 95 years old and writing his memoirs, but not now. He was being interviewed to promote the movie; he has a contractual obligation to do his best to sell it. No thanks, I prefer the honest Colin now, not 50 years later. I don't want to read how he was full of s*** all those years ago. I appreciate his honesty, and his attempts at diplomacy. Sometimes he succeeds, and sometimes not. Just like the rest of us. As for his contractual obligation to do his best to sell the movie, I think he fulfilled his obligation by giving a great performance that's being recognized by both his fans and the critics, and that IMO will sell the movie better than any fake praise he can produce. He's also been doing the press rounds for GWAPE, so he is doing his part well I believe."}, {"response": 727, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Mon, Jan 12, 2004 (11:16)", "body": "Oops, how do I fix that?"}, {"response": 728, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 12, 2004 (11:16)", "body": "\"It's odd to go to the supermarket and find people staring at what you've got in your trolley and telling their friends. You feel as if just by existing, you're a bizarre spectacle. \" Poor guy:-((( Good excuse not to go to the supermaket, though. Great little interview, Maria.As always you do trot out the gems."}, {"response": 729, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 12, 2004 (11:17)", "body": "Is the moment not as etched on your mind as it is on hers? I don't remember it, I'm afraid. Don't tell her. LOL! Good questioner. ;-) Thanks, Mary, for the Bafta long list highlights. Have seen SJ's name mentioned at the BBC site: US actress Scarlett Johansson, 19, is featured twice on the best actress longlist - for Lost in Translation and Girl With a Pearl Earring. A few other names mentioned, but no Colin...as yet. No full list of possibles. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/3389151.stm"}, {"response": 730, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 12, 2004 (11:20)", "body": ""}, {"response": 731, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 12, 2004 (11:20)", "body": "Evelyn) If he posted on Drool, I'd scroll through those long answers;-) (Ildi)LOL! Would you really? Come on, I thought you liked a good challenge. S c o o o l l i n g"}, {"response": 732, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Mon, Jan 12, 2004 (11:37)", "body": "Karen, thank you for being gentle. :-) You are right, I'll withdraw the WE. The rest remains."}, {"response": 733, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 12, 2004 (11:39)", "body": "Gentle Reminder There are no WE's here. Also, no one is presuming to know what Colin wants. The opinions expressed here have been and will continue to be the opinions of the poster only. Thanks! :)"}, {"response": 734, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Jan 12, 2004 (12:38)", "body": "Thanks for the article, Maria. Very tongue-in-cheek which is a nice break from time to time. Gosh, would I like to drop my peas in the market and come face to face with ODB!"}, {"response": 735, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jan 12, 2004 (12:42)", "body": "Is the moment not as etched on your mind as it is on hers? ...at least I have permanent sharpie etched on my coat from the premiere. I'll treasure that stain, always whether he remembers or not. When I see audience participation in a show I reach for my revolver. LOL, that's not one I've heard before. Good thing he doesn't ever accompany me to one of his films. Thanks Maria, great article and thanks Murph for the BAFTA list. Emma, welcome back. Please keep us posted on the BBC1 interview. ...did they mean finished filming for the day or finished filming altogether? I thought the schedule for TEOR took them to early Feb? Loved that article, Maria thank you."}, {"response": 736, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jan 12, 2004 (12:46)", "body": "(Ildi)Not recently for sure :-), but are we sure that is what he is after? Actors (all of us, really) want to be associated with work that is respected. I don't have to know him to know that. IMO, he has no family rift and he's happy with GWAPE--it's just that with certain media outlets he starts giving these portentious responses and they wind up obscuring what he's trying to say. I like the new Q&A, Maria, thanks. And the Flaming Lips. Do you know them? Am pretty sure these guys are Sooners, Ev. Can see you lining up for concert tickets.;-)"}, {"response": 737, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 12, 2004 (13:11)", "body": "Hey...your'e right...Over ot O&E For Flaming Lips...."}, {"response": 738, "author": "Gail", "date": "Mon, Jan 12, 2004 (14:00)", "body": "Maria thanks for the article, vey funny, put a smile on my face. You know you just have to love a guy who has to have a well-scrubbed kitchen and bath & seems to know how to do it himself."}, {"response": 739, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jan 12, 2004 (14:33)", "body": "(Evelyn) What a guy...picks on the best thing he's done since the fifteen minutes on \"Conspiracy\" (Ildiko) That is your opinion and many others', but not everybody's. It might not be his either, so let's take that into account. Though, he did admit at the Burns Q&A that he has had a run of poor judgement as far as projects go. (Ildiko) Not recently for sure :-), but are we sure that is what he is after? We know that's what WE want, for him to get as much recognition as possible and all kinds of awards, etc. but is this what HE wants? I can't imagine that what HE wants is to be if not universally, but locally bashed by the critics in projects... that many people, if not most critics, think or verbally express, are way beneath his talents. That being said, just because I liked WAGW (cute for what it was) and TIOBE (though might have been better with a different adaptation and director), I still think he hasn't done anything truly worthy of his talents since his small part in Conspiracy...until now. The awards are icing on the cake. I just want to see him in good projects that I'd be proud to watch or recommend to others."}, {"response": 740, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 12, 2004 (14:42)", "body": "Maria, thank you! That's the best one I've read in a long time! Allison), That must have been at Luca's christening as Jon is a godfather I believe! That must have been when I was away for the summer, because I don't recall reading anything about Luca's Christening. Also he was at 3DOR. Have I just dreamt all this or can others confirm? Again, I've never read that he did. Does anyone else remember?"}, {"response": 741, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Jan 12, 2004 (16:31)", "body": "Girls, as always . .thanks for the all the articles and pics . .Forgive me, my home computer died on us . .and 2 days without Drool . .almost unbearable! (Robert Horton)I can't think of anything wrong with Colin Firth's performance as Vermeer, except that he seems fundamentally miscast. (Linda)How? Why? I hate when a statement gets thrown out like that with no reason. Not that he isn't entitled to his opinion, but give the reason. sheesh! I was going to say the same thing . .umm why do you feel that way, Mr. Horton? Examples from the film, please . . . (Marc Evans interview)Q. What's the one glaring lesson you learned while making this film? A. The importance of casting. Since he appears to like Colin . .who he is talking about . . Mena? . .I thought she was an odd choice to put against Colin . . . (Tress)should you try and pigeonhole them back into their former 'genre'? I wholeheartedly agree . .unfortunately the realtity of show business, esp in Hollywood, is if that can stick you in that pigeonhole they will. It's just an easy way I think of keeping everyone straight . .this is the comedic actor, this is the character actor . .this one does only the quirky type roles , this one is great with heavy drama. . .there have been the lucky ones who have spanned the gammut (a Tom Hanks for instance) . . god bless em, they are lucky . .but few and far between . . I've actually been told by fellow actors and some casting directors that if you don't know your niche . .your pigeonhole, don't go out to LA, b/c you'll just be adrfit in a sea of faces;) . . . (Leslie)OK, Kimberly, should we put your DH on notice?? (CF - Telgraph)I am very attracted to people who are not English, and I am very interested in other cultures, . . I don't know what you may mean . .(*smiling slyly . . *) . . (Karen)Lots of factual errors ( re: the Telegraph article) You mean like this . .;) - (CF - Telgraph) Firth, then 30, married his Valmont co-star Tilly, Mmmmm . .love that Colin Bell photoshoot . .the one with him by the barn and in the woodpile . . (The Q Interview) \"the male Ursula Andress\" SNORT . . ok ther's a description I wouldn't have thought of! (The Q Interview)Q.Is your body a temple or a bike shed? A. It's an old converted houseboat moving slowly down the Thames. Can I come aboard?"}, {"response": 742, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Jan 12, 2004 (21:11)", "body": "Is the moment not as etched on your mind as it is on hers? I don't remember it, I'm afraid. Don't tell her. Well, that answers my question about if he would remember me from the loos in Toronto at the GWAPE gala. He probably doesn't even remember that he went to the 'wash rooms', but it will be forever etched in my brain....the twenty seconds I shared with \"Mr. Darcy\"! ;-) Thanks Maria and everyone else for the wonderful articles and pics. Have been away for a few days and you all have been busy!!! Wonderful stuff!!! **blowing kisses** Okay....and there is something going on in ODB's pants in these pics...I can't quite put my finger on it (wish I could, but I can't!). Just find some of these images fascinating....(I think there is a picture of ODB 'working it' with a water glass during this photo shoot...naughty....I don't know if it is him being naughty or me just me thinking naughty....either way....) ;-)"}, {"response": 743, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 2004 (03:38)", "body": "BBC yeah...oops, never mind. The Breakfast interview was with the producer of GWAPE. However the interviewer was confusing calling him Colin Firth's producer so no wonder I heard it wrong. Nothing too interesting to mention. No internet at home right now, sorry could not correct myself earlier."}, {"response": 744, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 2004 (04:51)", "body": "DAVID WEDDLE (Variety) In \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" director Peter Webber and his production team created a living, breathing, fully dimensionalized portrait of the 17th-century Dutch town of Delft on a budget of just $10 million. The secret to their success lay in the angle of attack. Webber is a passionate admirer of Stanley Kubrick's 18th-century epic, \"Barry Lyndon.\" But upon reading Olivia Hetreed's screenplay for \"Pearl Earring,\" Webber saw a key difference between Kubrick's film and the one he was about to make. \"Kubrick was obsessed with the spectacle and manners of the period,\" says Webber. \"So he staged these elaborate and expensive set pieces. My film was about the intimate relationships within a single household.\" \"Pearl Earring\" focuses on painter Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth as he forms a covert relationship with 17-year-old servant girl Griet (Scarlett Johansson. \"The characters who pass through Vermeer's house come from a broad spectrum of society, from the very wealthy to the very poor,\" says Webber. \"You get a microcosm of 17th-century Holland under one roof. So the film is, in a sense, an intimate epic.\" Production Design Finding a production designer who could bring this distilled drama to the screen proved difficult. \"The various British production designers whom I spoke to approached the film a bit like it was a museum piece,\" says Webber. \"They wanted to get all of the period details exactly right, and were slightly scared of not getting it right.\" When Webber met Ben van Os --- who had worked with Peter Greenaway on \"The Cook, The Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover\" and \"Belly of an Architect\" --- he knew he had found the right person. \"Ben is Dutch; this story is in his blood,\" says the helmer. \"So he wasn't intimidated by the period obligations. He was much more interested in story and character. How are we going to create this mood? Ben said, 'We'll take this from this period and this from that period.' It was music to my ears. \"The most important things are the story and the characters. I really don't care if I'm going to get a letter from some expert in Dutch architecture saying, 'That roof design wasn't used until 17 years after your movie takes place.'\" Van Os created a cross-section of Dutch society by building three interior sets: the drab monochromatic, Calvinistic home of Griet; the lurid, painting-filled Catholic chaos of the Vermeer house; and the mansion of Vermeer's wealthy patron, van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson , filled with curios gathered on his world travels and eerie stuffed animals, which convey van Ruijven's predatory nature. The Vermeer house presented the biggest challenge. Van Os constructed the three-story set on one of the largest soundstages in Luxembourg. \"We wanted the house to give us that sense of frames within frames so familiar from Vermeer's paintings,\" says van Os. \"We built rooms with connecting doorways that led the eye through the house to give a feeling of space --- and lack of privacy. We wanted Griet to always feel watched because the film is about being observed, either by Vermeer as he paints her, or by the other family members with their various agendas.\" Van Os knows that the little details give this cloistered world authenticity. \"For instance, the windows are all exact reproductions of the those that were used at the time,\" he says. \"That was a big undertaking, quite expensive. We went to a company that restores all kinds of windows in old churches and historic buildings and had them build them for us.\" For the exteriors, Webber and van Os spread dirt and trash to give the streets the feel of a crowded city. \"I was obsessed with getting animals --- dogs, livestock --- into as many shots as I could,\" says Webber, \"because it brings a breath of life to the piece. Costume Design The distillation process extended to the wardrobe as well. \"I wanted a stripped-down look,\" says Webber. \"If I dressed all the actors in the real costumes of that era, they would be wearing ruffles and baggy outfits. I didn't want to put Colin Firth in that. For a modern audience he's going to look too costumey. So we came up with a look we jokingly called period Prada, to give the clothes sleek lines. I called it my Vermeer filter: take the real clothes from the period and reduce them to their essence.\" Costume designer Dien van Straalen --- who worked for Greenaway on \"The Cook, the Thief\" and \"Prospero's Books\" --- combed through second-hand clothing and furniture stores, Indian silk shops and garment marts throughout London and Holland in search of period fabrics. Old curtains and slipcovers were converted to jackets and dresses, and aged with sandpaper. The wardrobes for each character varied from prosaic to grand. Again, the clothes made up a cross-section of the 17th-century Dutch society. \"We used pale colors for Scarlett Johansson to give her the drab look of a poor servant girl,\" van Straalen explains. As for Vermeer, \"obviously he was not a wealthy man, thou"}, {"response": 745, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 2004 (07:01)", "body": "Variety - Nice news for those of us with IFC! IFC NABS 21-PACK OF LIONS GATE PIX - Ten titles to make network TV preem on cabler The Independent Film Channel has acquired \"Shattered Glass,\" \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" and \"The Cooler\" as part of a 21-film licensing deal with Lions Gate Films"}, {"response": 746, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 2004 (11:25)", "body": "(Tress) ...there is something going on in ODB's pants in these pics... ROTF! Now what would that be I wonder? Are those your car keys in your pocket my love, or you are just happy to see me? I like that pic for some reason, and the new ones from the Daily Telegraph. I saw the huge version of those, and on the one where he stands in the room looking down my eyes are always drawn to his denim covered thighs. A most lovely sight if I may say so. And the other one..., this man has the most beautiful profile. Maria, thanks for another great article. I had to laugh when I read about the problems with Scarlett's wig. What a fuss, and the thing was seen in the movie for 5 seconds only... (Dorine) I still think he hasn't done anything truly worthy of his talents since his small part in Conspiracy...until now. I agree, and it's frustrating. I'm still waiting for \"The One\", that will be worthy of his talents AND give Colin a bit more chance to shine than Conspiracy and GWAPE. This is a funny thing, you know. There were 2 other actors in my life I got all enthusiastic about. One kept making movies that pleased the crowds, and the few time he made ones to please himself he was ripped apart by critics and fans alike. So he made popular ones again and the crowd applauded, and he looked miserable. The other one got tired of the crowd pleasers and started making little arthouse movies that made him very happy, and his fans miserable. So where is the middle road, and where is the \"perfect\" script and the role that would keep all happy? Sounds almost impossible."}, {"response": 747, "author": "katty", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 2004 (13:00)", "body": "I didn't see Ebert and Roeper's show and was curious what Roeper's reason for picking Colin as Best Supporting Actor. I certainly liked him in the movie, but hardly thought it was of Oscar-worthy. Can anyone enlighten me?"}, {"response": 748, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 2004 (13:05)", "body": "He would have talked about him...if only the interviewer had asked.... Peter Webber Interview Director of Girl With A Pearl Earring http://www.futuremovies.co.uk/filmmaking.asp?ID=63"}, {"response": 749, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 2004 (14:53)", "body": "From a Japanese fan: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/ross/ Apparently, Colin will be interviewed this Saturday by Jonathan Ross on BBC2 Radio. It is listed as being on from 10:00a-13:00p and can be heard online."}, {"response": 750, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 2004 (14:54)", "body": "(futuremovies)PW: In a way that\ufffds one of the questions that the film is trying to answer: What is love? What different kinds of love are there? Wait . .doesn't that sound like a line Richard Curtuis used about Love Actually?;) Thanks for the articles Maria!"}, {"response": 751, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 2004 (16:01)", "body": "Good article, Maria. I like reading PW interviews. Wonder if the producers would have chosen him if he hadn't been an art major. I'm glad they lightened the film up, dark films don't do well on TV screens, IMO. (PW)\"They were really in tune with the kind of film that we wanted to make and weren?t ever trying to make us too ?Hollywood?. LOL. Poor \"Hollywood\", always takes on a pjorative tone. Bet he only says that in UK;-/"}, {"response": 752, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 2004 (16:49)", "body": "(KarenR)Apparently, Colin will be interviewed this Saturday by Jonathan Ross on BBC2 Radio. It is listed as being on from 10:00a-13:00p and can be heard online. This is an absolute must! JR sends his guests up something rotten, but he is so funny they don't seem to mind, and enjoy it as much as the listeners."}, {"response": 753, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 2004 (18:16)", "body": "Do they keep these archived online? I'll be on a plane."}, {"response": 754, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 2004 (18:29)", "body": "(Dorine)Do they keep these archived online? I'll be on a plane. Yes, they do. The whole show from last Saturday in online and can be accessed via the BBC Radio Player on the Radio 2 Website. - Don't know how long it stays up though. GWAPE was reviewed by Jonathan Ross on Film 2004 on BBC tonight. Yes, the same JR from Radio 2. His comment on CF: Colin Firth is measured, subtle and effective. It's true that he isn't called upon to do much more than look troubled and moodily romantic while wearing a frilly blouson, but I suspect that there are many of you who will find that more than satisfactory - you know who you are, ladies! Really looking forward to Saturday!"}, {"response": 755, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 2004 (18:41)", "body": "If we want to listen to this BBC interview, here in the states, is it live? does that mean 5am est. or is this pre-recorded? Does that make sense? Thanks for the articles and news, ladies."}, {"response": 756, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 2004 (18:58)", "body": "Girl With A Pearl Earring Director: Peter Webber AAH, THE BRITISH costume drama. What an institution. Girl with a Pearl Earring is of course actually set in Holland, but hey, what\ufffds the harm in a Merchant Ivory accent or two? You wouldn\ufffdt want things to stray too far from the norm. Use real Dutch people? Madness, surely. Bring on the all the marks of a BBC-esque period piece - over the top character acting; working class people from Yorkshire (irrespective of actual geographical setting); pretty set and costume design; a bland-but-likeable story; Colin Firth - and everyone\ufffdll love it. Girl with a Pearl Earring, adapted from Tracy Chevalier\ufffds incredibly popular novel, invents a background story to artist Johannes Vermeer\ufffds most famous painting. In real life, little is known of Vermeer himself, and nothing is known of the girl in the portrait. This, a potentially interesting premise, is dulled by Chevalier\ufffds storytelling hands into limp clich\ufffd: \ufffdgreat artist\ufffd is inspired by an unlikely female muse. It is not, however, the story that makes Girl with a Pearl Earring the relatively enjoyable film that it is. Thanks to the talents of cinematographer Eduardo Serra, the whole thing genuinely looks like a painting, uncannily close, in fact, to a painting by Vermeer. The images of 17th century Delft deserve in themselves to be immortalised on canvas and beautifully composed shots emerge scene by scene, from two lovers strolling beside a canal, to Vermeer and his maid elaborately grinding and mixing his paint colours. Vermeer\ufffds studio is permanently bathed in muted, golden shades, shot entirely in natural light and exquisitely recreated from scenes from the artists work. So much attention is paid to minute detail, even down to the less pleasing aesthetics of a fat maid rubbing lard into a chicken\ufffds ass, that the blandness doesn\ufffdt hit you too hard. Scarlett Johannson, playing Griet, the young maid who ends up posing for Firth\ufffds Vermeer, matches the film\ufffds overall prettiness. She is so beautiful as to be actually mesmerising, with her wide eyed innocence, longing gaze and pouting lips. As always, Mr Firth has little to do other than look slightly stern, slightly brooding and intensely sexy (aka \ufffdrepressed artistic passion\ufffd). This is probably all he can manage - that\ufffds a whole three RADA lessons at once - but, to be fair, he is damn good at it. The chemistry between Griet and Vermeer is predictable and uninteresting, although both actors are fairly convincing in their roles, Griet\ufffds growing artistic sensibility is underplayed, and, unfortunately, the content of Girl never quite lives up to its stunning packaging. http://www.studentnewspaper.org/view_article.php?article_id=20040113180340"}, {"response": 757, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 2004 (19:28)", "body": "(lindak)If we want to listen to this BBC interview, here in the states, is it live? does that mean 5am est. or is this pre-recorded? Does that make sense? The show would go out at 5am est. Not sure if it is pre-recorded or live. It does have the feel of a live show; some of his comments can be outrageous but very funny! The guest is in the studio during the broadcast, and chats to Jonathan in between the music segments - not a two minute spot by any means."}, {"response": 758, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 2004 (19:50)", "body": "10 to 1 PM GMT....???? Does this show go on for 3 hrs???? You're kidding.... According to the website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/ross/ One should be able to hear it later .... When is \"later\" ;-) I don't know."}, {"response": 759, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 2004 (21:56)", "body": "I like what he said about ODB: Keira vs Scarlett: who trumps who? Daily Telegraph ...But more than all that, Johansson has, in these two films that have so suddenly made her name, inspired reputation-restoring efforts from her male co-stars. Murray and Firth, having coasted all too often in vehicles that were not up to their talents, react to the ascendant star with performances of real class. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2004/01/14/bfgirls14.xml&sSheet=/arts/2004/01/14/ixtop.html"}, {"response": 760, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 2004 (23:39)", "body": "Thanks for the BBC Radio link. Looks like you can listen to the prior week's show after the broadcast. There are links to the interviews, but from Janet's note it seems like they're interspersed with the music? I see Ryan Adams will also be on; remember, CF is a big fan. Just saw him last week on Letterman, I think. Scarlett was just on Jay Leno's show. They showed the clip of Griet and Vermeer disagreeing over whether she should wear the pearl earrings. She said \"Colin Firth is gorgeous and lovely!\""}, {"response": 761, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (00:58)", "body": "She was cute, a tad hyper, perhaps. And *what* was up with the discussion about shopping for phallic faucets? ;-) Loved that blue shirt she had on. Good color for her."}, {"response": 762, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (07:54)", "body": "(Do)And *what* was up with the discussion about shopping for phallic faucets? And the toilets Louisa, the toilets..... Probably nervous. I did appreciate her Colin gush."}, {"response": 763, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (10:03)", "body": "((Do)And *what* was up with the discussion about shopping for phallic faucets? Maybe this will explain: Just an exerpt from Liz Smith's column this morning in the local paper. ...Of far more interest to Scarlett right now is her new apartment in Hollywood. Her father, who is an architect, is helping her fix it up. \"Just this week, all I've done is sit on toilets, lay in bathtubs, turn on sinks.\" Thanks, Janet. The last Saturday I was in London, I was walking along a market area and one of the vendors had a radio on. I think it was the BBC1 show he must have been listening to. Crazy questions, lots of laughs and music. I could have sworn he said we have Colin Firth on the line...the reception was poor, but it was enough for me to duck in the tent and pretend I was looking at backpacks. The voice certainly sounded like Colin and the interviewer was teasing about the attention from female fans. One of the questions was...who was the first person you kissed on New Year's Eve. The guy/Colin? being interviewed laughed and said, My Mum\". Then there was a \"there you have it ladies, this heart-throb kissed his mum first. Then all this music started and I realized I hadn't moved from my spot and the vendor was saying, \"lady do you want to buy anything?\" More on GWAPE: The True Meaning of Pictures Telling a thousand words: Scarlett Johansson in 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' Image: LIONS GATE FILMS 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' peeks under the Vermeer by Jessica Winter \"It's an image--a picture made from light,\" Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth) explains to his maid and muse Griet (Scarlett Johansson) after the startled young woman has peered for the first time through his newfangled camera obscura in Girl with a Pearl Earring. Tracy Chevalier's 1999 source novel, an enamored speculation on the 17th-century Dutch master and the genesis of his titular portrait, is not only an exemplum of fan-fiction as high lit, but (however fleetingly) a rumination on the ancestral origins of photography. Fitting, then, that the most obvious pleasures of Peter Webber's film version--as with John Maybury's essay on Francis Bacon, Love Is the Devil, and Derek Jarman's Caravaggio--lie in cinematographic mimesis. Eduardo Serra's images summon Vermeer's flickering play of diffused sunlight and shadow, his ethereal halations--captured in the effulgent wink of the famous Girl's dangling jewel. Better still, each performer of this chamber piece presents a face worthy of his or her own Vermeer treatment. Johansson and Firth's celebrated visages frequently fill the screen, of course. But behold, too, Judy Parfitt as the artist's imperious mother-in-law, wielding granite jaw and smelting gaze, and Essie Davis as Vermeer's wife Catharina, a sulky china doll with impossible azure orbs and strawberry hair that could only be conjured from a painter's palette. Back in real-life Delft, Vermeer made scant record of his mere 43 years on earth: Not a single piece of correspondence that he wrote or received survives today, though he did leave behind a mountain of debt, a prodigious brood of children (at least eight, perhaps as many as 11), and a precious cache of some 40 paintings. Focusing again and again on women lost or interrupted in mid-daydream amid familiar domestic surroundings, Vermeer found his great subject in what might be called enigmatic contemplation, and it occupies most of his waking hours in Girl with a Pearl Earring; holding to Griet's limited purview, the movie only projects generic creative torment and Heathcliffian allure onto Firth's stormy-eyed brooder. As Vermeer covertly enlists the illiterate Griet as his assistant and, eventually, his clandestine model, the film--embroidered by Alexandre Desplat's busily apprehensive score--becomes the unwritten diary of a chambermaid. Griet must also endure hard, repetitive labor, elude the suspicious spit of mopey Catharina and her meddling daughter Cornelia (Alakina Mann), and negotiate the vigorous advances of both a callow butcher's son (Cillian Murphy) and the lecherous patron Van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson), whose purchasing power leaves the entire extended household variously in his thrall. Proust once noted, quite arguably, that \"passion and suffering and sex are banished\" from Vermeer's art. Chevalier's book and, more openly, Olivia Hetreed's faithful screenplay strive to instate heritage-drama renderings of all three, planning many of the Vermeer-Griet encounters around erotic similes or substitutions. Foreplay is an intimate huddle beneath the curtains of the camera obscura. Griet disrobes by simply removing her cap, unveiling her taboo hair. The climactic penetration, naturally, is an ear-piercing. As much animation as adaptation, Webber's film is impeccably surfaced, but it neglects a shapely indication of the central pair's instinctual aesthetic affinities--their courtship, so to speak. (By contrast, Chevalier's book arranges a charming introduction of boss and employee when Vermeer notices "}, {"response": 764, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (10:55)", "body": "Thanks Linda....Nice audio encounter at the marketplace with Colin;-) anyway. \"Foreplay is an intimate huddle beneath the curtains of the camera obscura. Griet disrobes by simply removing her cap, unveiling her taboo hair. The climactic penetration, naturally, is an ear-piercing. \" Jessica Winters read the book and \"gets\" it; she did her homework. Lots of good heavy stuff here... *with dictionary in hand;-)* Let's get her to come for the film discussion."}, {"response": 765, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (10:58)", "body": "I've put up a list of GWAPE's expansion dates and places in the US through mid-Feb here: http://www.firth.com/gwape_dates.html"}, {"response": 766, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (11:05)", "body": "Thanks Boss... LOL. Like your \"Disclaimer\"....what makes you think it's gonna stop them. You da' Man;-) Looks like GWAPE is gonna hit every \"one horse town\".] More than I ever thought."}, {"response": 767, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (11:11)", "body": "(Evelyn) Looks like GWAPE is gonna hit every \"one horse town\".] I didn't see yours or the two horse town you usually go to. ;-) LOL. Like your \"Disclaimer\"....what makes you think it's gonna stop them I toyed with more violent language (sending Mari's Uncle Vito) ;-)"}, {"response": 768, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (11:20)", "body": "(Karen)I didn't see yours or the two horse town you usually go to. ;-) Easy for you to say, Ms. Big City Girl);-) I'd say wee's been robbed, Evelyn. How dare it not come to Princeton?...fairly two-horse town in the scheme of things-except it has an art house theater.They had TIOBE for two months, fergawd's sake. Looks like I need to become the squeaky wheel. Now where is that phone number?..."}, {"response": 769, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (12:13)", "body": "1/30 Cinemapolis Ithaca NY Yes!! Just across the street form where I work! Easy in and out slippage;-)) Thanks for making my day Karen!"}, {"response": 770, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (12:24)", "body": "I can't believe it. Rocky Hill is where TIOBE went after Princeton. Just another 5 minutes up the road. Yes! Crap theater, though. No stadium seating, stale popcorn, dirty bathrooms. But, whatthehell. If it was good enough for Earnest, it's good enough for Vermeer."}, {"response": 771, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (12:27)", "body": "I was told Miami Beach opens this Friday by the Miami Herald's film critic and I'm sticking to that. Thanks for the reviews, ladies. I plan to attend a book reading with Tracy Chevalier this Saturday. Looking forward to Colin's radio interview too."}, {"response": 772, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (12:50)", "body": "(Evelyn) Looks like GWAPE is gonna hit every \"one horse town\".] (Da Boss)I didn't see yours or the two horse town you usually go to. ;-) But Tulsa ain't bad. Only about 300 miles r/t.LOL Hey, I get excited if I don't have to fly to Dallas. (MLSF was worth it!)"}, {"response": 773, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (13:33)", "body": "(Evelyn) Looks like GWAPE is gonna hit every \"one horse town\". Yeeeeeee-haaaaa! Comes to the Fox on the 30th. Great theater, nice (high backed) seats that tilt....risers (so you have that one row that has railing in front of it (acts as a nice ottoman). Am most content now. Thanks Karen! Thanks Linda for the Winters review.... The lavish breathtaking further underlines the movie's muted but stubborn assumption that Vermeer's obsessive vocation has become a surrogate for forbidden upstairs-downstairs coitus. Oh! My! ;-)"}, {"response": 774, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (15:14)", "body": "Thanks again girls . .esp Karen for the GWAPE extended release dates. . Leslie! . .. . .GWAPE will be in Bronxville (*dancing around: yayyyy!!!*) . .a literal 5 minutes from my house after 1/30 . .if you'd like to catch it then;)(though will also do the 19th as well;)"}, {"response": 775, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (20:05)", "body": "Not a good review from FT. Particularly hates his comments on ODB. Another British-actor-hating British film critic, IMHO. Just a thin veneer of Vermeer by Nigel Andrews Financial Times Art about making art. What an amazing record the cinema has on this subject. Its products sit at either end of a scale ranging between the sublime and the ridiculous, with almost nothing in between. Art biopics and art dramas are either masterpieces (Andrei Roublev, Lust for Life) or madnesses, and the second group is divided into the accidentally lunatic (Song without End) and the designedly so (This is Spinal Tap). This week we spy on Johannes Vermeer as he befriends, appraises and paints his model for the canvas that became known as Girl with a Pearl Earring. And we follow three American folk groups converging for a reunion concert in A Mighty Wind. The first film is a serious period piece, the second a mockumentary. But how do you tell the difference? Both present their stories in a style of po-faced solemnity, one with droll intent, the other without. But the Vermeer film's pedestrian seriousness and fustian reverence are their own eventual parody: I found myself giggling in the intervals when I wasn't fidgeting. Biopics like this are the cinema's equivalent of putting a blue plaque on a wall. \"Vermeer slept here\". So may many moviegoers. Nothing wrong with serious style of course, except when married to a stupefying triviality of content. As an exploration of art's pains and processes, Girl with a Pearl Earring has all the profundity of a Mills and Boon novel. It is a tale of artists behaving badly - but ever so attractively and creatively - in 17th-century Delft. The eponymous girl (Scarlett Johansson of Lost in Translation) is a pale, succulent-lipped maid in the Vermeer household who warms the cockles not just of Colin Firth's painter but of Tom Wilkinson's randy patron. \"Ripe as a plum, still unplucked!\" exclaims he in one scene, backing her into a wall and all but twirling his grey moustache. The great artist himself takes 25 minutes to utter a line - not even Hamlet had a more important delayed-speaking entrance - and spends the remaining 80 minutes wooing the girl into comradeship and compliance, before he lovingly pierces her earlobe for the eponymous adornment. This scene almost touches a brief, weird tenderness. But down below in the parlour Mrs Vermeer is still semaphoring her sexual jealousy, while the artist's mother-in-law (Judy Parfitt) is a dragonish caricature in Calvinist black, vainly trying to speed Vermeer's productivity. \"Three months\", she harrumphs with each new painting, \"another three months before he's 'satisfied'!\" Add a housekeeper with keys to the clich\ufffds cupboard (\"no smoke without fire\", \"she's eatin' us out of house and home\") and at times you rub your eyes to make sure this isn't a Monty Python sketch. Press-show colleagues admired the respectful, Vermeeresque lighting. But reverend intentions and a cosmetic fidelity are not at issue. Only excessive respect, indeed, could produce a film at once so droopy and so loopy, one that configures its characters in a circle of hackneyed stereotypes around a no less hackneyed vision of the genius as crypto-Byronic matinee idol. Colin Firth's Vermeer is a sexy, surly, storm-browed introvert, with a caustic aside or winning scowl for every occasion. Give him a wet blouse and he'd be Delft's Mr Darcy. http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1073281025230"}, {"response": 776, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (20:11)", "body": "The Times's review. Marked 4 stars, but it's obviously been mislabled.:-( Peter Webber\ufffds lavish melodrama, Girl with a Pearl Earring, pummels the senses with a Brian Sewell sense of its own painterly importance. It is quite brilliantly lit and dressed. Ducks are smothered in lard, and floorboards creak. But the master-and-servant romance has the erotic charge of a five-watt bulb. Set in Delft in 1665, the film picklocks the erotic mystery behind one of Vermeer\ufffds most famous paintings. A humble peasant, Griet (Scarlett Johansson), is employed by the artist\ufffds wife to launder sheets and scrub his studio. She is Cinderella in a house full of malevolent creeps and bitchy servants. The family is stony broke, and Colin Firth\ufffds depressed, tetchy artist is blocked. But something about the 17-year-old waif with eyes as large as marbles inspires Vermeer to pick up his brush. Without at first knowing, or indeed desiring it, the vulnerable char becomes his inspiration and muse. I doubt there has been a more beautiful period romance that never happens. Firth smoulders like a damp rag. Johansson is the shapely marvel: she barely speaks a word, yet the entire drama is quietly frozen on her face. The rest is as Dutch as Dickens."}, {"response": 777, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (20:14)", "body": "Empireonline's review is good: Tracy Chevalier\ufffds novel, from which Girl With A Pearl Earring is adapted, attempts to solve the mystery that surrounds Vermeer\ufffds painting of the same name. Although no-one is sure of the identity of the beautiful girl who inspired the artist to produce one of the world\ufffds greatest paintings, Chevalier cobbled together a series of clues and created a bestselling novel. Director Webber sticks firmly to the book and, in doing so, has produced a captivating film whose stunning use of set design and colour recreates Vermeer\ufffds sense of space and reality in almost every shot. Firth\ufffds Vermeer is distant and untouchable, making his attraction to Griet all the more powerful. Johansson, meanwhile, shows a remarkable resemblance to the servant girl in the picture, and her ability to keep Griet simple and naturally beautiful (coupled with her turn in Lost In Translation) is a marker of good things to come. Very good \ufffd one of the rare book adaptations that actually benefits from a visual makeover."}, {"response": 778, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (20:21)", "body": "Looks like the broadsheets have their knives out."}, {"response": 779, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (21:21)", "body": "Girl with a Pearl Earring Alistair Harkness The Scotsman Girl with a Pearl Earring (12A) ** Directed by: Peter Webber Starring: Colin Firth, Scarlett Johansson GIVEN that Johannes Vermeer was a master of light, it should come as no surprise that this film version of Tracey Chevalier\ufffds best-selling novel fictionalising the story behind the Dutch painter\ufffds most famous work has been handsomely shot. Cinematographer Eduardo Serra beautifully evokes the mood of Vermeer\ufffds paintings, giving the film an appropriately luminous hue. That, however, is about the best thing you can say about Girl with a Pearl Earring, a film that struggles to inject any life at all into its dreary source novel. Scarlett Johansson is suitably enigmatic as Griet, a maid in the Vermeer household whose pouting lips and soulful eyes attract the attention of the artist (Colin Firth), providing him with some much-needed inspiration - much to the chagrin of his wife. But understated and mesmerising a screen presence as Johansson is, there are only so many longing glances and wistful sighs you can take before you start questioning why any young actress would subject herself to wearing a milk maid\ufffds hat for 90 minutes. Still, at least Firth succeeds in broadening his range. Not only can he do repressed and smouldering, he can do repressed and smouldering with hair extensions. Cool."}, {"response": 780, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (21:37)", "body": "What do these people want? I'd like to see reviews of the movies they like...if anything."}, {"response": 781, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (21:44)", "body": "This is good, from Scotsman on Sunday: Servant's brush with Dutch master is picture perfect AMERICA\ufffds young hopefuls have precious few chances to shine. Tasteless teen comedies and tacky horror flicks rarely show the promise of a great future. It still seems a road that everyone has to travel, whether you are Tom Cruise (Losin\ufffd It), Leonardo DiCaprio (Critters 3), or Renee Zellweger (Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation). Scarlett Johansson may have films such as Eight-Legged Freaks and Home Alone 3 on her CV, but at just 19 she has already emerged as the most beguiling female star of her generation. In Lost In Translation, Johansson holds her own against an Oscar-worthy Bill Murray as the young American adrift in Tokyo. In Girl With A Pearl Earring she becomes an Oscar contender in her own right with a luminous, remarkably poised performance as the 17th-century Dutch servant girl who may have been the inspiration for one of the greatest paintings of all time. As tender and spellbinding a presence as the young Audrey Hepburn, Johansson makes critics feel inadequate - you don\ufffdt want to review her work, you just want to write her love letters. Crafted with the precise judgment and fine brushstrokes of an old master, Girl With A Pearl Earring also marks an auspicious feature debut for director Peter Webber, who has made a period drama that rivals the classic Babette\ufffds Feast in its attention to detail and atmospheric re- creation of a faraway age. Based on the Tracy Chevalier bestseller, Girl With A Pearl Earring is set in the Delft of 17th century Holland and tells of the servant girl Griet (Johansson), who is sent to work in the household of the painter Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth). It is a household dominated by the influence of Vermeer\ufffds imperious, penny pinching mother Maria (Judy Parfitt) and his jealous wife Catharina (Essie Davis). The artist\ufffds studio is hallowed ground. Griet is ordered to clean it. Her sensitivity to his work wins his trust and eventually inspires a bond between them that transcends the barriers of class and circumstance that might otherwise have separated them. Unfolding with an economy and subtlety that is hard to fault, Girl With A Pearl Earring is a visual treat. Vermeer\ufffds paintings come to life in the dappled light of wintry landscapes and the dusty darkness of candlelit interiors. The film\ufffds strength lies in a mesmerising re-creation of the period, allied to emotions that are timeless. An artist torn between his dutiful wife and a servant girl with a much more profound understanding of his art, Vermeer becomes an entirely human figure. Griet may be a servant girl with a handsome offer of marriage from butcher\ufffds son Pieter (Cillian Murphy) but it is understandable she should feel the frustration of wanting more once Vermeer allows her to see the world through his eyes. Distinguished by glorious cinematography and production design, this film deals in the implicit rather than the explicit. Meaning is found in lingering glances and painful intimacy rather than bold statements or flamboyant drama. In this respect, Johansson\ufffds central performance is a revelation. She is able to let her features become a map of her character\ufffds emotions, registering wide-eyed wonder, shame, enchantment or scalding injustice with little more than a hint of a smile or a modest look. It is a performance that emphatically confirms the maturity of her talent and the promise of future greatness. On general release from Friday"}, {"response": 782, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (07:56)", "body": "NY TImes January 15, 2004 Surf's Up at Sundance: Documentary Is First Film By SHARON WAXMAN LOS ANGELES, Jan. 14 \ufffd Hollywood packed up its parkas and sheepskin boots on Wednesday to head to Park City, Utah, for the 20th annual Sundance Film Festival, which will start on Thursday. For the first time, its opening film is a documentary. That film, \"Riding Giants,\" is a fast-moving look at the origins of surfing by Stacy Peralta, who made his mark at the festival in 2001 with his first film, \"Dogtown and Z-Boys,\" about skateboarding in Southern California. The festival will include 137 full-length films \ufffd 91 features and 46 documentaries \ufffd and 88 shorts. Another 30 short films can be seen at www.sundance.org, an online version of the festival. Festival programmers said they were optimistic about this year's slate, buoyed by the success of many of last year's entries, among them \"American Splendor\" and \"The Station Agent,\" which were acquired by distributors and have gone on to critical acclaim and recognition during the current awards season. \"The success of the films that were in the festival last year was very high,\" said John Cooper, the festival's director of programming. \"That has us coming into this year on a high.\" Mr. Cooper noted a number of films this year that deal with memory and time, among them \"The Machinist,\" \"November\" and \"Trauma.\" He also observed that many of the entries experiment with nontraditional filmmaking techniques, such as mixing animation into a narrative or actors addressing the camera directly. \"Those things don't throw the audience out of the film like they used to,\" he said. Already there was buzz around some films available for acquisition, including \"The Motorcycle Diaries\" by Walter Salles, about Che Guevara's journey into political activism, and \"Open Water,\" a thriller about two people left to face sharks in the middle of the ocean. As has become the norm at the festival, there will be numerous films with major movie stars in them, including Julianne Moore, Kevin Bacon, DMX and this year Robert Redford, the father of Sundance. \"It's a sign of the economics of indie films,\" said Laura Kim, a consultant to Sundance and an executive with Warner Independent Pictures. \"You get your films financed if you put stars in it. That's not just Sundance. That's the film economy.\""}, {"response": 783, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (08:25)", "body": "(Dorine)What do these people want? I'd like to see reviews of the movies they like...if anything. LA"}, {"response": 784, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (09:12)", "body": "Oh, yeah. That's right."}, {"response": 785, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (10:14)", "body": "From: http://www.eye.net/eye/issue/issue_01.15.04/film/onscreen.html An affair of the art GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING by JASON ANDERSON Starring Colin Firth, Scarlett Johansson. Written by Olivia Hetreed from the novel by Tracy Chevalier. Directed by Peter Webber. (PG) 95 min. Opens Jan 16. Though Colin Firth gets top billing for his role as 17th-century Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer, Peter Webber's finely wrought Girl With a Pearl Earring has two more noteworthy virtues. One is the sumptuous cinematography by Eduardo Serra, who closely emulates the buttery light, vibrant colours and canny use of perspective in Vermeer's own works. Many movies have tried to convey the dusky, richly textured look of a Dutch Master painting, but only Peter Greenaway's The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover did so as memorably as Girl With a Pearl Earring. (Unsurprisingly, Webber's technical crew also includes Greenaway's production designer, Ben van Os.) The other virtue is Scarlett Johansson's precise performance as Griet, the 17-year-old girl who becomes the subject of Vermeer's titular painting (little is known of his real model). When Griet's own family falls on hard times, she goes into the service of Vermeer's. Despite her stoic expression and reserved manner, the young maid catches the fancy of several men: hunky butcher's son Pieter (28 Days Later's Cillian Murphy), Vermeer's rich and rapacious patron, Master van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson) and the painter himself, whose ardour soon turns his mostly female household into a simmering stew of sexual jealousy. After Van Ruijven gives a scandalous commission to the artist, Griet is forced into a potentially ruinous situation. Though the story (adapted from the 1999 bestseller by Tracy Chevalier) can sometimes seem as undernourished as its heroine, Girl With a Pearl Earring offers a remarkably convincing recreation of the period and a fairly deft variation on the familiar story of an artist becoming infatuated with a muse. Johansson's wide eyes, creamy complexion and quietly fraught performance as the increasingly compromised Griet are all good reasons for that infatuation. On the other hand, Webber's directions to the one-note Firth must've consisted of \"smoulder!\" and \"OK, now smoulder harder!\" Thankfully, this handsome period romance is often as good as it looks. I think this one might have been posted already, so I'll just post the link, incase it wasn't: Subtle 'Girl With A Pearl Earring' awash in visual splendor BY: DAN BENNETT http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2004/01/14/entertainment/movies/1_14_0412_52_55.txt"}, {"response": 786, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (10:21)", "body": "Seems, at least according to this author's opinion, that we might see GWAPE mentioned at least a few times in the category of Oscar nominees this year. He even goes so far as to mention ODB as a best actor long shot. Music to my ears but I think highly unlikely. He was fabulous but the part was too small for an Oscar nod, IMHO. In any case, perhaps we'll get a glimpse of ODB on the red carpet this year? I believe this would be a first, no? Have the DD's ever successfully infiltrated this event? Given all the triumphs I've read about (trips to the loo, sharpie stains, clandestine passage of notes, and sweet utterings of 'darling') I think this event should be a piece of cake for the seasoned vets in this crew. It may also mark the first time I've stayed awake throught the entire show. I've always been a sucker for ODB in a tux. http://www.myinky.com/ecp/gleaner_entertainment/article/0,1626,ECP_4478_2573718,00.html LOS ANGELES -- The Academy Awards are shaping up as a literal horse race. Sweeping spectacle and historical pageantry -- featuring tons of horse flesh -- could dominate the ceremony Feb. 29. Everyone from jockeys and Hobbits to samurai and Civil War combatants are saddled up for a run at Oscar gold. Among the top contenders: the fantasy epic \"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,\" the Civil War saga \"Cold Mountain,\" the racehorse drama \"Seabiscuit\" and the 19th century warrior tales \"The Last Samurai\" and \"Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.\" More intimate contemporary dramas produced many of the year's finest performances, including \"Mystic River, \"21 Grams,\" \"In America,\" \"Lost in Translation\" and \"House of Sand and Fog.\" Oscar nominations come out Jan. 27. The rundown of possible contenders in major categories: Best Picture: The top prize should come down to Frodo in Middle-earth vs. Odysseus in the Confederacy. Peter Jackson has scored back-to-back best-picture nominations with his J.R.R. Tolkien adaptation, and \"Return of the King\" is certain to make it three straight. The final chapter follows Hobbit Frodo Baggins' desperate attempt to destroy a ring of ultimate evil. But will Oscar voters crown a fantasy flick as the year's best? Such fanciful tales rarely are taken seriously enough to get nominated, and no fantasy film has ever won. Still, there's never been anything like \"The Lord of the Rings,\" one of the most lavish spectacles in cinema history, whose three parts were shot simultaneously and rushed into theaters just a year apart. Academy members might lean toward \"Return of the King\" for best picture as a collective prize for the entire trilogy. Traditional Oscar wisdom should make Anthony Minghella's \"Cold Mountain\" the front-runner, though. Adapted from Charles Frazier's Civil War best seller, \"Cold Mountain\" is a reimagining of Homer's \"The Odyssey\" as a wounded Confederate deserter (Jude Law) wends his way home to his sweetheart (Nicole Kidman). \"Cold Mountain\" has the weighty drama, tragic romance and historical sweep that often clicks with Oscar voters. And it has something to offer every branch of the academy: A tremendous ensemble cast, passionate dialogue, lovely music, artful editing and cinematography, sumptuous sets and costumes. Since Minghella already has a best-director Oscar for \"The English Patient,\" which also took the best-picture honor, academy voters might split their ballots. \"Cold Mountain\" could come away as best picture, with Jackson taking directing honors for his monumental \"Lord of the Rings\" achievement. Two other epics could creep into the best-picture mix, Peter Weir's Napoleonic-era naval tale \"Master and Commander\" and Edward Zwick's \"The Last Samurai,\" an East-West culture clash set in 19th century Japan. Among more contemporary films, the strongest contender looks to be Clint Eastwood's \"Mystic River,\" a somber drama of murder, remorse and suspicion centering on three reunited childhood friends. \"Mystic River\" is Eastwood's finest work since \"Unforgiven\" earned him best-picture and director Oscars. Other possibilities: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's \"21 Grams,\" a stark rumination on mortality, grief and vengeance; Gary Ross' buoyant \"Seabiscuit,\" the story of the Depression-era racehorse that captivated the nation; Tim Burton's \"Big Fish,\" a fanciful reunion story between a grandiloquent father and his down-to-earth son; \"In America,\" Jim Sheridan's semi-autobiographical story about an Irish family in New York City; and Nancy Meyers' \"Something's Gotta Give,\" a romantic comedy about a woman in her 50s wooed by a 60-something and a 30-something man. A handful of other acclaimed smaller films -- \"Lost in Translation,\" \"House of Sand and Fog,\" \"The Station Agent,\" \"American Splendor\" and \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" -- probably will not have the clout to compete for best picture but could score nominations in acting, writing and technical categories. Best Director: As with best picture, this looks to be a two-man race between Anthony M"}, {"response": 787, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (10:52)", "body": "FYI, the 27 Feb opening date floating around for Trauam in the UK is no longer any good."}, {"response": 788, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (10:59)", "body": "the 27 Feb opening date floating around for Trauam in the UK is no longer any good. How traumatic! (sorry, couldn't resist -- slow day at work!)"}, {"response": 789, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (11:46)", "body": "The UK ivillage site has some items (interviews, reviews, etc.) for GWAPE: Colin Firth's top ten sexy moments: http://www.ivillage.co.uk/newspol/celeb/cfeat/articles/0,,528719_613615,00.html (I suggest any elaboration of the go to Firthology) *hint hint* Interview with Olivia Hetreed: http://www.ivillage.co.uk/newspol/readerswriters/writers/articles/0,,532364_613598,00.html (have put one of her answers on Spoilers as has to do with the ending and why it was done that way) Interview with Peter Webber: http://www.ivillage.co.uk/newspol/movies/features/articles/0,,532360_613608,00.html Was it hard to edit the movie? Were there any scenes that were really heart-wrenching to drop? You always have a hard time editing a movie. Anyone who thinks a film just falls together is kidding themselves. Films have to be bludgeoned, beaten and bullied into shape, and it's a terrible process because you're taking things that you really cherished and loved when you were shooting them and pulling them apart to make it work. There are many days you come home from the edit suite hanging your head in shame, thinking you're terrible, but it's all part of the process. The edit suite is where you really create the film - for me anyway. Having said that, there's a bunch of stuff I cut out that I'm quite proud of, but it just didn't work. Scenes that the people who have read the novel will undoubtedly miss. Though they'll get to see them later on, on DVD. This film had to be bare and taut, and I didn't want it to be self-indulgent. I'd rather leave people wanting more than wanting less. And because it had its own pace and its own kind of peculiar atmosphere - it's quite a delicate fragile film on one level - I got busy with the scissors. And the review: http://www.ivillage.co.uk/newspol/movies/features/articles/0,,532360_612903,00.html"}, {"response": 790, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (12:13)", "body": "You can watch several clips, plus an excerpt from the London press conference for GWAPE here: http://www.mymovies.net/features/features_media.asp?filmid=1519&avfid=2364 There is also a text portion for the press conference, though it doesn't include the last section, where Colin interjects that the pressure to have a scene where Griet washes her breasts came from him. ;-)"}, {"response": 791, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (12:30)", "body": "Thank you, Karen. Loads of goodies, today. SAG nominations on E! this morning. Nothing for GWAPE;-( Off to Firthology."}, {"response": 792, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (13:05)", "body": "Aaaah\ufffdthe wonders of being snowed in at home for a day. Gives one a lot of time to ponder. Not meaning to shift the topic of the current postings but\ufffdI viewed FP last night for the first time. There\ufffds a scene where ODB is talking to himself late one night trying to justify his passion as a football fanatic. It immediately struck me as having an interesting parallel to the life of a drooleur. Thought I might share this idea with all the DD\ufffds. Quoted from CF in FP: \ufffdPerhaps it\ufffds not something you can understand unless you belong. But what about this? Three minutes to go and you\ufffdre 2-1 up in a semi-final. You look around and you see all those thousands of faces contorted with fear, hope, and worry. Everyone lost. Everything else run out of their heads. Then the whistle blows and everyone goes to despair. But just for those few minutes you\ufffdre at the center of the whole world. And the fact that you care so much, that the noise you\ufffdve made has been such a crucial part of it, is what makes it special. Because you\ufffdve been every bit as important as the player and if you hadn\ufffdt been there then who\ufffdd have been bothered about football really? And the great thing is that it comes around again and again. There\ufffds always another season. If you lose a cup final in May, well there\ufffds the third round to look forward to in January. And what\ufffds wrong with that? It\ufffds actually pretty comforting if you think about it.\ufffd Now, translated into \ufffddrool-speak\ufffd it might sound something like this: \"Perhaps it\ufffds not something you can understand unless you belong. But what about this? Oscar nominations are just three weeks away and you\ufffdve got GWAPE being buzzed about by a number of industry insiders. You read the postings every day and sense all those thousands of keyboards atwitter with fear, hope, and worry. Everyone lost. Everything else run out of their heads. But when the list comes out, you know you might all fall into despair. But just for those few weeks you\ufffdre at the center of the whole world. And the fact that you care so much, that the noise you\ufffdve made has been such a crucial part of it, is what makes it special. Because you\ufffdve been every bit as important as ODB and if you hadn\ufffdt been there then who\ufffdd have been bothered about his rise to glory really? And the great thing is that it comes around again and again. There\ufffds always another new release. If GWAPE doesn\ufffdt cement his position as a PMT, there\ufffds always TEOR to look forward to next season. And what\ufffds wrong with that? It\ufffds act ally pretty comforting if you think about it.\""}, {"response": 793, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (13:09)", "body": "Leslie: I have moved your Hornbyesque ponderings comments to Firthology."}, {"response": 794, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (13:28)", "body": "Looks like the broadsheets have their knives out. (Evelyn) Yep...and we've still got the Telegraph, Guardian and Independent to come. And then there's Christopher Turkey. Oh, and Cosmo (what sort of name is that?) Landesman :-( I thought they would approve of GWAPE. Perhaps it's not miserable enough. I had a quick flick through the film mags and weeklies for reviews of GWAPE. Generally, all very positive reviews, especially \"Now\" magazine (main movie review, 2 page spread) - \"hauntingly beautiful, timeless\". All full of praise for Scarlett (a star is born etc). Colin fares less well. Hotdog (quite a good film mag) describes him as \"eternally underated\". Otherwise he's not mentioned (the focus is on SJ's performance), and there's one very nasty (on a par with the broadsheets!) comment about how the film serves to highlight Firth's limitations as an actor, whilst, contrastingly illustrates SJ's glowing talent. I heard a similar type of review on the radio - praise for the film, for the director, for the cinematography, for Scarlett, but criticism for CF- he \"looked too old\" for the part, was \"not convincing\" and apparently has \"blank expressionless eyes.\" Who are these reviewers? I won't launch into my usual tirade, but they really do not seem to know what they are talking about. And they have the power to damage and undermine. What's with the Times \"4 star so-called\" review.. \" But the master-and-servant romance has the erotic charge of a five-watt bulb.... Firth smoulders like a damp rag. \" Sounds like he's writing under duress or drugs. FYI, the 27 Feb opening date floating around for Trauam in the UK is no longer any good. (Karen) Publicity-wise, it's very close to GWAPE. And runs the risk of being totally savaged by our sadistic \"critics\". Better hopefully to get a positive buzz at Sundance and a wider distribution deal. Incidently, the Times has a full page article about Sundance, and films showing there - and whereas all for all other films there's a mention of the cast, Trauma is just \"Marc Evan's 'Trauma'. Okay, I'm getting paranoid... (Dorine)What do these people want? I'd like to see reviews of the movies they like...if anything They like \"Young Adam\" (explicit rough sex, degrading to women, nihilistic characters, dark) Morven Cellar(?), dunno what it's about, and \"The Mother\" (man has sexual relationship with girlfriend's 60-something mother, again, explicit sex, unlikeable characters, dreary). All got brilliant reviews but no-one went to see them (except the critics). On the other hand, according to the Guardian film critic, the Richard Curtis and Harry Potter movies are \"crap\". Not a word I particularly like, but one that tells you a lot about the current standard of film criticism in the UK!"}, {"response": 795, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (14:24)", "body": "Good review by Will Self in the Evening Standard. People who go out in the evenings read the ES! Full page review with striking picure of the ear piercing. sorry but have not the time to type it all out now but the salient bits: ....Vermeer - as depicted by CF- is no turbulent Impressionist, or polymorphously perverse Renaissance genius, but a rather weak, tongue-tied man, whose intense devotion to his work masks a failure to engage with his life. ....Vermeer is a man who manages to be conspicuously absent even when he is present. ...If all this makes GWAPE sound unappealing then it shouldn't.... Personally, I revelled in the exactitude of the period detail, from bloody pig's heads in the meat market to the mechanics of pre-industrial domestic laundering. It is good to see the full resourses of contemporary fil-making harnessed in the surface of historical verisimilitude on this small scale, instead oftheir usual epic expenditure. .... Scarlett Johansson may have a pout that speaks of congenital collagen, and certainly she brings a sly fortitude to her role; but in a film which features such powerful players as Wilkinson, Davis and Parfitt, I could not say that she stood out more than Firth. Still, perhaps this very febrile quality to their interaction was also one of the film's strengths.In the most heightened scene, Griet tears gerself away froma particularly intimate moment of depiction at the hands of Vermeer to throw herself into the arms of Pieter (CM), the butcher's boy who is wooing her. The implication that being beautifully portrayed is as acutely sensual as being made love to is what ties the whole conceit together most prettily."}, {"response": 796, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (15:01)", "body": "but in a film which features such powerful players as Wilkinson, Davis and Parfitt, I could not say that she stood out more than Firth. Is this (scarcely able to believe it) actually praise for CF? Can't quite work it out. I like Will Self, and would lend far more credence to what he writes than to the the ramblings of the spotty oik \"Total Film\" brigade. IMHO a review in the ES can often determine whether a film is a box office success."}, {"response": 797, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (15:14)", "body": "Bethan, can you stand another good one?;-) From Channel 4: GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING FILM REVIEW Intelligent adaptation of Tracy Chevalier's bestselling novel which is rich in atmosphere and gorgeous to look at, featuring Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson A deeply understated and intelligent film, this faithful adaptation of Tracy Chevalier's speculative novel on the life of the artist Vermeer marks an outstanding debut for director Peter Webber, and a fine turn from upcoming actress Scarlett Johansson. Chevalier's novel was a luminous evocation of the life of the 17th century Delft artist, fabricating an utterly believable tale around the celebrated portrait that forms the film's title, imagining its subject as the young maid Griet (Johansson) of Vermeer (Firth). Driven into domestic service after an accident puts her father out of work, Griet is set the tricky task of cleaning the artist's room without disturbing so much as a crease of material, all under the watchful eye of the other women of the house. Noticing her interest in his work and her eye for colour, tone, and composition, the otherwise detached Vermeer employs her in preparing paints, and eventually she poses for him, in a transgression of her position in the house which brings sparks of illicitness and intimacy to their chaste relationship, and later arouses the disgust of Vermeer's wife (Davis). Webber's film is pensively paced, leaving room for some beautiful cinematography from Eduardo Serra, whose sensitivity to Vermeer's work pervades the film's lush visuals like an omniscient visual narrator; an appropriation of the world and style of this outwardly stoic man which adds valuable insight into his character. Furnished with minimal dialogue, Firth, and especially Johansson, create subtle performances out of gesture and restraint, where the slightest glance can be loaded with emotional weight. Johansson's Griet is poised and unusually beautiful. In contrast, the film's more verbal moments are the only points at which it's in danger of becoming overblown, but not enough to upset its balance. Verdict Arty but accessible, Girl With A Pearl Earring pays tribute to its subject matter with some of the most beautiful visuals on screen this year. High on atmosphere and low on action, its restrained emotions go against Hollywood conventions, creating a rich and rewarding film."}, {"response": 798, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (17:22)", "body": "Bethan, can you stand another good one?;-) From Channel 4: (Mari) Ah, not bad at all. Hope springs.. Let's see what the Telegraph, Independent and Guardian have to say. (If the Guardian prints a a good review, I'll frame it!)"}, {"response": 799, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (17:27)", "body": "(Evelyn) Looks like the broadsheets have their knives out. I didn't think they would and had greater faith that they'd reward this small Brit film. Am not looking at the FT as a trend setter necessarily. ...and I couldn't care less what Hotdog, which is aimed at the blockbuster and Bennifer crowd, publishes. When I've flipped through its pages, I don't know 99% of the people/things covered. Those people aren't going to GWAPE no matter what it says. (Bethan) Better hopefully to get a positive buzz at Sundance and a wider distribution deal. Trauma's distribution deal in the UK is done. I'll have more info next week. (Bethan) They like \"Young Adam\"...Morven Cellar...and \"The Mother\"...All got brilliant reviews but no-one went to see them (except the critics). On the other hand, according to the Guardian film critic, the Richard Curtis and Harry Potter movies are \"crap\". Not a word I particularly like, but one that tells you a lot about the current standard of film criticism in the UK! Tells me they have taste and higher standards than most audiences, but that'll only start a discussion about why people go to movies and what they see. ;-) Morven Caller was another brilliant piece by Lynne Ramsay (\"Ratcatcher\"); her films are like artwork and this one starred Samantha Morton. Need I say more?"}, {"response": 800, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (17:54)", "body": "(Karen)Am not looking at the FT as a trend setter necessarily. Agree, not for most films; but GWAPE would appeal to the highbrow audience who would read the Financial Times."}, {"response": 801, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (18:34)", "body": "(Bethan) They like \"Young Adam\".... That was a very well done movie. Depressing, but well done. Can't fault 'em for liking that."}, {"response": 802, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (18:46)", "body": "Daily Telegraph review Girl With a Pearl Earring, directed by Peter Webber and based on a novel by Tracy Chevalier, is the second film in successive weeks that stars Scarlett Johansson. A fictional biography of the mysterious subject of Vermeer's greatest painting, it seems to have been mad e expressly for the purpose of showcasing the talents of this farouche and supremely fascinating young actress. Johansson plays Griet, a 17-year-old girl in 17th-century Delft, who leaves behind her poor parents to go to work as a maid in the Vermeer household. Her father is blind, but she likes nothing better than to look at the world around her and in small ways to rearrange it. She washes dirty windows to let more light enter the building. She mops the floor with the same care as a painter passes his brush across canvases. Soon she attracts the attention of Vermeer (a remote-seeming but competent Colin Firth), much to the annoyance of his wife (Joanna Scanlan) and his malicious daughter (Alakina Mann). Griet goes on to have a fairly tepid romance with a local butcher boy. She's also attacked by Vermeer's bullying patron (an underused Tom Wilkinson). Not much else happens. It doesn't matter. This is a film about atmosphere and texture and light, an avant-garde movie masquerading as a historical drama. Vermeer offers the young girl an aesthetic education, showing her how a camera obscura works and discoursing about perspective and illusion. At the same time, he is inspired by her beauty, inquisitiveness, and eye for detail. The scene in which he pierces her ear is wonderfully erotic. Who better to play the maid's role than Johansson? This is a film that proceeds at a languorous pace at the best of times; when she appears on screen, it stops dead. She's a forcefield sucking in all the energy. We peer at her eyebrowless face, her alabaster skin, her inquiring eyes. She holds our gaze, and returns it - with interest. Rarely does she speak (just as well: her accent sounds like that of Ren\ufffde Zellweger in Bridget Jones's Diary). She ends the film as mysterious and inscrutable as she began it. The other star of this film is cinematographer Eduardo Serra, who counterposes the ordure-strewn lanes and the market-stall pigs' heads with rapturous, light-saturated interiors. Girl With a Pearl Earring is intelligent, ably acted and wonderful to look at. But it's also too becalmed and aloof in tone to truly captivate. Still lives are one thing; inert ones are a different matter. \ufffd Copyright of Telegraph Group Limited 2004. Terms & Conditions of reading. Commercial information. Privacy Policy."}, {"response": 803, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (19:14)", "body": "much to the annoyance of his wife (Joanna Scanlan) OMG! Did they really print that? Shame, shame. competent Colin Firth Well it's positive. ;-) Girl With a Pearl Earring is intelligent, ably acted and wonderful to look at. I'm hard pressed to see that this is what they were getting at in the review, but I'll take it. Thanks, Bethan."}, {"response": 804, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (19:23)", "body": "Major disappointment! CF is no longer named as a guest on JR's Radio 2 show this Saturday. - He appears to have been replaced by a comedian I've not heard of.:-((((("}, {"response": 805, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (21:28)", "body": "Get that frame ready, Bethan! Peter Bradshaw Friday January 16, 2004 The Guardian 4 out of 5 stars In her last three major films, it has been 19-year-old Scarlett Johansson's destiny to evoke menopausal longing in older men, and what's not to long for? Billy Bob Thornton was obsessed by her in the Coens' The Man Who Wasn't There; Bill Murray was entranced by her in Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation. And now it is the turn of Colin Firth, playing a stubbled, romantic-looking Johannes Vermeer in this speculative imagining of the 17th-century Dutch artist's relationship with his unknown model, to be captivated by the bloom of her untouched loveliness. Even when she was in the 2002 horror movie Eight Legged Freaks, come to think of it, I'm pretty sure I remember seeing some of the older male giant monster-spiders looking at Scarlett piningly, exchanging shy smiles with her, before scuttling off home to contemplate the desolate reality of their monster-spider marriages and careers. Be that as it may, this movie - taken from the Tracy Chevalier novel - is a stunningly designed piece of work, with hauntingly beautiful cinematography from Eduardo Serra of the sort that often gets called \"painterly\" and here really deserves it. This film is a tremendously intelligent and detailed homage. The production design by Ben Van Os is outstanding. Films about artists don't have to look like their art, of course; that can look self-satisfied and obtuse - like the clever but faintly redundant pastiche sequences in Julie Taymor's Frida - and to be frank, the sheer mass of controlled visual detail sometimes threatens to refrigerate and paralyse the movie. There were times, in fact, when I wondered what a movie about Vermeer's life that wasn't trying to imitate his art would look like. Exactly the same, maybe? Can the detail of his paintings be used as primary, real-world source material? It is into this gilt frame, at any rate, that Scarlett Johansson daintily steps, playing Griet, a girl from a dignified but impoverished Protestant family, forced to take a post as domestic help to the Catholic Vermeer household in the prosperous town of Delft. \"Keep clear of their Catholic prayers!\" hisses her mother before Griet sets off. \"Stop your ears!\" She conceals her gorgeous hair within a modest traditional Dutch headdress, and does her best to fit in as a servant in a house full of dominant women. Essie Davis is Vermeer's highly strung, perpetually pregnant wife Catharina; Judy Parfitt is his formidable clay-pipe-smoking mother-in-law Maria Thins, and Joanna Scanlan gives a tough performance as Tanneke, the raw-boned serving woman who is the nearest thing Griet has to a friend. Colin Firth, as Vermeer, must reconcile the domestic calm of the painter's family life with the life-force romantic-artist image that the director has evidently decided should be his look. He's the sort of long-haired, moody, intense-eyed guy who looks like he should be roistering around town and painting can-can dancers, but actually stays in en famille , reading and drinking contemplative mugs of beer while small children scramble on and off his lap, doing everything but watching television. Webber's masterstroke is the use of Vermeer's eerie, empty studio, familiar from so many paintings but here untenanted except for the uncanny, robot-like wooden life model and, in one scene, the camera obscura device that is Vermeer's link with the modern world of image. Griet impresses Vermeer with her intuitive sense of light and colour and he is soon infatuated enough to want to paint her in secret while Griet models his wife's pearl earrings. Her ears are not pierced, so Vermeer tenderly contrives this penetration himself, and the metonymical deflowering of the virgin Griet is just explicit enough to work as both erotic encounter and pagan obeisance. But the movie is more complicated than just being about erotic obsession sublimated into artistic rapture. This painting has been privately commissioned for Vermeer's wealthy patron, Van Ruijven: a lip-smacking performance from Tom Wilkinson. He has conceived a goatish desire for Griet and the idea of possessing her image appeals to his decadent aesthetic cupidity. But Van Ruijven also clearly understands, without anyone saying a word, that as a frequent and honoured visitor, he will have ample opportunity of forcing himself sexually on the serving maid Griet, and so the painting will be an exquisitely evil memento. So there is a real whiff of sulphur about the commission, in which the financially straitened Vermeer is ambiguously complicit: he is preparing to sell Griet body and soul, and the painting becomes an occult object of betrayal. Webber gives a long, long close-up on Johansson's face as she models for that famous portrait study and the effect really is swooningly beautiful, though a little coercive - as if we were being ordered to swoon. Often, Firth and Johansson will gaze at each other, silent, stricken, he o"}, {"response": 806, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (21:34)", "body": "From the Telegraph: 'On set, Scarlett would tear strips off Colin' Girl With a Pearl Earring, Peter Webber's atmospheric debut feature, crackles with the chemistry between Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth. 'It really clicked between them,' the director tells Marisol Grand\ufffdn What was it like directing Scarlett Johansson? 'There was a toughness about her': Scarlett Johansson as Griet When we hired her, she wasn't a name. I didn't think: \"Gasp, I'm directing Scarlett Johansson!\" I'd seen her in Ghost World, The Man Who Wasn't There and Manny and Lo which is a great film. She was one of 150 actresses we were talking to. I didn't think there would be many potential Griets out there, and I was right because we only found one. And it was Scarlett. Now she is \"Scarlett Johansson\" - a name that everyone knows and it's rather wonderful that we have been part of that. She's had a great year and so she should do because she is amazing. She had her 18th birthday at the end of the first week's shoot, but there was a maturity about her, a wisdom and a toughness. She was just a very interesting character. You have to be when you're in a film where the camera gazes at you for 90 minutes. Very deliberately, we pared her dialogue out. You don't need Scarlett to tell you what she's thinking, you just see it on her face. I also like that she looks real. She doesn't look like a skinny, anorexic Hollywood star. I think that's very important in this film. Girl With a Pearl Earring is your first feature. How was the leap from directing for television? It was fantastic. It was like getting off a leaky old rowboat and getting on board a cruise liner. There's a limit to the scale of artistic ambition in television, especially these days. It's more a medium for producers and writers. Movies are great for directors because you get to run the show and that can be quite addictive. There was fear, but there's fear with every film I start. Even with the tiniest documentary - in the car on the way to the shoot I always feel like I want to throw up. On a feature film, 150 people are standing around saying: \"Right, what do you want to do?\" So you had better know what you want to do. Having a lot of practice in television prepares you because you have to think on your feet. Each scene is designed to look like a Vermeer painting or a painting from the era. How long did it take to perfect the lighting and details of the mise-en-scene? What you're looking at is the work of director of photography Eduardo Serra, who is a god of cinema. He's been doing it for a long time and he works incredibly quickly. Some shots look like they took hours to light but actually took 25 minutes. Some stuff is more complicated but he works surprisingly fast and that comes from a lifetime of experience. A lot of those Dutch paintings are lit the same way: tall, diffused light coming down at an angle through a window which is often on the left-hand side of the room. So that kind of limits your options. That's not to take away from Serra's mastery because he also makes the light beautiful. The best thing about him is that he's not just obsessed about pictures. He's interested in story and character, and he has half the ego most other DOPs have. What was Johansson and Firth's relationship like on set? Did he, being the veteran of romantic films that he is, offer her any guidance? I don't think for one second that Scarlett would take any guidance from Colin. They had, in a joyful way, a very combative relationship. They obviously had strong feelings for each other. It really clicked between them. And they used those feelings in the scenes. That's what chemistry is. You can't fake chemistry, it's a real thing. Great actors do a lot of their own work. On set, they would go for each other hammer and tongs. Scarlett would tear strips off Colin. Sometimes you would think they were being serious but it was just a game they played. When the cameras turned on there was this wonderful atmosphere. They created a barrier to the warmth they felt for each other. As a director, you nip and tuck and maybe encourage them in one direction or another. They were two great actors. I think Colin offered Scarlett a few tips but if anything it was the other way round. She's been doing this probably as long as Colin. How familiar were you with Vermeer before you took on this project? Very. Girl With a Pearl Earring is a painting I've known for a long time. I've always loved Vermeer and the sense of mystery surrounding his work. There's something very special about the world he created which is very cinematic. I found Vermeer quite obsessive: the way he returns to the same corner of the room again and again. I remember being on a college trip to see the painting. It had a profound effect on me. Making this film felt like the completion of a journey. I thought about how relatively unformed I was when I saw that painting for the first time, and the difference going back some years later. Being tha"}, {"response": 807, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (21:48)", "body": "From the Atlanta Journal Constitution. (Note: for EG, this is close to gushing) Girl With a Pearl Earring ELEANOR RINGEL GILLESPIE Grade: B- Verdict: Gorgeous to look at, but not much there dramatically. Watching \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" is like watching paint dry. It's meant to be. Paint - and how it interacts with light - is the essence of this visually exquisite, emotionally stunted film. Director Peter Webber and his production team intend to put us inside a Vermeer painting. It's a striking experience of light, color and composition. But it's also somewhat stifling Like the Tracy Chevalier novel on which it's based, the movie imagines a back story for the famous \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" painted by Dutch master Johannes Vermeer in 17th-century Delft. Griet (Scarlett Johansson) is a Dutch girl rented out as a servant to the Vermeer household after her working-class father is blinded in an accident. Chez Vermeer makes the Osbornes look like the Brady Bunch. The home is a discordant jumble of spoiled children; gossipy housemaids; a shrewd, flinty mother-in-law (Judy Parfitt); a jealous, high-strung, perpetually pregnant wife (Essie Davis); a lecherous patron (Tom Wilkinson), who always drops by to fondle the \"talent;\" and Vermeer himself (Colin Firth), who does his best to keep things at an artistic distance. But he takes an interest in Griet. Perhaps it's her inner stillness in the midst of so much mindless commotion. Perhaps it's the way she asks whether she should clean the studio windows (as ordered by others), noting that, in doing so, she'll change the quality of the light. Or perhaps it's because of her luminous skin and huge, watchful eyes. Because she's the only one granted access to Vermeer's inner sanctum - his studio - Griet is viewed by everyone else with suspicion and envy. For good reason, as her relationship with Vermeer subtly evolves from a servant with potential to a trusted apprentice to the model for one of the most haunting portraits ever painted. There's a hint of bashful Jane Eyre overpowering Mr. Rochester in their scenes together, which gives them a slight erotic tingle. But Webber wisely keeps the focus on the work and on the world that surrounds it. Inside Vermeer's cramped, candlelit studio, Griet is introduced to the mysteries of light, texture and shade, to the beauty of lapis lazul, to the secrets of the camera obscura. Outside, she's caught up in the tactile, crowded world of Delft, a bustling mercantile city with a teeming street life to rival Franco Zeffirelli's Verona in \"Romeo and Juliet.\" Firth brings the requisite semi-banked fire to his role as the brooding artist whose ardor for his work is often heedless of the feelings of those around him. As always, the actor does the dashing thing flawlessly. Johansson's earlier work in \"Lost in Translation\" has already established her as one to watch. Her remarkable resemblance to Vermeer's anonymous model aside, she gives a superbly nuanced, nearly mute performance, mostly consisting of a deft gesture, a nuanced expression, a flared nostril or a subtly shaded glance. She could be acting in a silent movie \ufffd so much so, you half expect Charlie Chaplin to hand her a flower. Unfortunately, Webber lacks Chaplin's delicate way with a story. The transcendent richness of Eduardo Serra's cinematography and Ben van Os' production design only emphasizes the weakness of the script, which manages to be both slight and melodramatic. We're immersed in Vermeer's exquisite artistry, but we're kept distanced from the characters. At the very end, we're invited to gaze briefly at Vermeer's masterwork and, in that minute and a half, we connect more vitally with what's on screen than we have with anything in the preceding 97 and a half minutes. And perhaps that's the movie's point. Beauty can't be explained. It just is."}, {"response": 808, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (21:54)", "body": "Really good one from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Local boy makes good.;-);-) Girl With a Pearl Earring BY CALVIN WILSON Post-Dispatch Griet (Scarlett Johansson) is a servant in the home of painter Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth). She knows her place, which is to perform her duties, do as she's told and speak only when necessary. But behind her silence, Griet has ideas. It's just that in 17th-century Holland no one of importance is interested in hearing them. Except, perhaps, Vermeer. \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" the feature debut of director Peter Webber, is based on a novel by Tracy Chevalier. Both the book and the film take their inspiration from a Vermeer painting of a young girl who wears a blue headband and a pearl earring. In its way, the image is as hypnotically enigmatic as the Mona Lisa. Who was the girl, and why, after hundreds of years, is her portrait still so beguiling? Not much is known about Vermeer's model, not even her name. But that's where the imagination comes in. Taking the Chevalier novel as their template, Webber and screenwriter Olivia Hetreed explore a story about art, its admirers and its mysteries. Vermeer becomes intrigued when Griet, against all propriety, takes an interest in his work. Before long, she's assisting him in his studio, although surreptitiously. Essential to their collaboration, which crosses lines of class and gender, is its secrecy. Outside the studio, they lead very different lives. Vermeer is obliged to appease not only wife Catharina (Essie Davis) and mother-in-law Maria (Judy Parfitt), but also his wealthy patron, Van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson). Griet has a suitor in Pieter (Cillian Murphy), a butcher's apprentice who might be good for her, as well as good to her. Problem is, having come to see the world with fresh eyes, she might never be happy as a butcher's wife. In a lesser film, Griet would become Vermeer's lover. But \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" is better than that. It's a film of subtle beauty, devoid of melodrama and directed with painterly grace. Webber immerses the moviegoer in the world of the film with mesmerizing immediacy. It's as if we're looking over Griet's shoulder as she makes her way through the day, from her lowly chores to her higher calling. It's hard to imagine this film being as effective as it is without Johansson in the title role. Not only does she uncannily resemble the girl in the painting, but she also has a stillness about her that is as evocative of the film's setting as its cinematography or art direction. Balanced between the earthy and the ethereal, Johansson goes a long way toward suggesting Griet's contradictory nature before the character has spoken a word. Equally impressive is Firth, who brings a quiet dignity to Vermeer while also hinting at the unruly impulses that find expression in his art. His interpretation of the painter is all the more intriguing for its remoteness and restraint. Such an approach to the character only lends heightened poignancy to Vermeer's unspoken desire for Griet - who, we may reasonably assume, harbors similar feelings for the painter. Webber and Hetreed might have taken a safer road, paved with cheap sentiment. Instead, \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" respects your intelligence while engaging your emotions. In the art world, there's a word for such a work: masterpiece. \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" **** (out of four) Rating: PG-13 (for mild sexual content) Running time: 1:35"}, {"response": 809, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (22:02)", "body": "(The Guardian) ...erotic obsession sublimated into artistic rapture ...always *my* preferred way of explaining the CF obsession. ...decadent aesthetic cupidity I'll give Brit reviewers one thing....the vocabulary seems generally to reach to a higher assumed \"age\" than in the US. These look pretty good so far. I can hardly wait to see this movie."}, {"response": 810, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (22:16)", "body": "(mari) *respects your intelligence while engaging your emotions. In the art world, there's a word for such a work: masterpiece. GWAPE hasn't opened in my neck of the woods yet, however, I know I'll find it engaging (as I did the book ). Thanks for this one in particular, Mari."}, {"response": 811, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (23:28)", "body": "Thanks, Mari for the Telegraph Q&A article with Peter Webber. Some very interesting insights. ;-) Love reviews that help expand my vocabulary. God love the UK reviewers for that much anyway. ;-)"}, {"response": 812, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (00:23)", "body": "From the Independent, good old Charlotte O'Sullivan (2/5 stars) In Godard's 1963 film Le M\ufffdpris, a naked Brigitte Bardot lolls on a double bed and itemises her cinema-friendly assets. \"Do you like my breasts?\" she wonders, \"My ankles? My knees? My thighs?\" One can imagine the 21st-century's latest muse, Scarlett Johansson, compiling a similar list. The young actress has two films out in as many weeks, both hungrily obsessed with her objects of desire. Lost in Translation, tellingly, begins with a close-up of her peachy bottom, gently encased by see-through silk knickers. Girl With A Pearl Earring, meanwhile, feeds on Johansson's eyes and mouth - features so ripe they look ready to secrete juice. You don't have to be a Scarlettophile, however, to appreciate this handsome period outing. Producer Andy Paterson and his script-writer wife Olivia Hetreed fell in love with Tracy Chevalier's \"re-imaginging\" of the relationship between a painter (Johannes Vermeer) and his servant-girl model, even before the novel became a best-seller. And the many fans of that zippy Jane Eyre meets Brief Encounter meets Spare Rib romance will be pleased to hear that, as adaptations go, this one stays pretty true. Griet (Johansson) is an illiterate but instinctively artistic Protestant girl in 17th-century Delft, thrown into the chaotic Catholic household of her semi-famous employer Vermeer (Colin Firth). She captures his heart and mind; alienates his wife, Catharina (Essie Davis); earns the grudging respect of his mother-in-law (Judy Parfitt) and fends off the venal but discriminating art dealer Van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson). When not rubbing her arms raw in the laundry room, our reserved heroine also finds time to sit for the titular portrait that Van Ruijven mischievously commissions - resplendent in a blue and yellow scarf, a pearl dangling wetly from her ear. Visually, the film makes a good fist of aping Vermeer's famously natural aesthetic - you can almost believe he helped to dab at the screen. Still, the film is built around Johansson's performance. One should be pleased. Cast in secondary roles, till now, the 19-year-old is one of those exceptional actresses who can \"pass\" as strange or normal. The secret weapon in Ghost World and The Man Who Wasn't There, her subtleness has been a joy to behold. The irony is that in Girl With A Pearl - in terms of her craft - she's never looked so bog-standard. Me, I blame first-time feature director Peter Webber. He seems unable to trust that audiences will warm to a character as phlegmatic as Griet. His solution? To clue us in on her inner turmoil by having Johansson sport a permanent frown. Griet almost touches Vermeer's hand; she sees him sensually stroking his wife; she gets picked on by his daughter; she's accosted by Van Ruijven. On each occasion, you can all but hear Webber cry: \"Scarlett! You're an imperilled ingenue! Work that forehead!\" Still more annoying is a soundtrack that amplifies her every breath. When Griet's upset or excited, she inhales more quickly. Close your eyes and you could be listening to a porn film. The heavy breathing reaches its climax at the point when Vermeer penetrates Griet's virgin lobe with the earring. Even if panting's your thing, though, it's unlikely you'll be convinced by the body heat on display. You believe that this servant finds her master's work fascinating, not that she's aroused by him. Every now and again, Firth manages to convey Vermeer's longing for her, but even then, things go awry. In a crucial scene, modest Griet agrees to swap her beloved headscarf for the yellow and blue turban, and the artist gets a fleeting glimpse of her chestnut hair. He looks on with frantic desire, but from where we're standing, said tresses resemble comedy dog-turds. Thank God for the turban. Girl With A Pearl Earring is more effective when it concentrates on the minor characters, in particular, Vermeer's permanently pregnant wife. One of Webber's best moves is first to show Catharina ensconced in her domestic sphere, and then swing the camera round to reveal the dishevelled painter sitting there as well, at once incongruous and strangely content. It's clear that this pair exist in different worlds. Yet, while he's able to play a part in hers, she's not welcome in his. We discover that Vermeer often painted servant girls, not only as they were, but dressed up as \"ladies\". Something about his mate, though, repels his imagination. It's hard not to be moved by Catharina's stretched-cat face as she screams: \"Why don't you paint me?\" In the middle of all this make-believe, she's saddled with that most horrible and fixed of roles: the desired but unloved wife. In this respect, Girl With A Pearl is streets ahead of Lost in Translation. Webber's film also has a more egalitarian approach to notions of culture. Griet's noble desire to hide her hair makes you think of the current debate about what Muslim girls can and cannot wear at school in France. As you watch the Cath"}, {"response": 813, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (00:34)", "body": "Full review Girl with a Pearl Earring (12A) by WILL SELF, Evening Standard Peter Webber's debut feature is a languid affair, as studiedly brown as the Vermeer paintings that it builds on for its painstakingly detailed portrait of life in 17th century Delft. The action - such as it is - concerns the entry into the Dutch master's family of Griet (played by Scarlett Johansson), the young daughter of a humble tile painter, whom circumstance forces to become a maid. The household is dominated by Vermeer's mother-in-law, Maria Thins (Judy Parfitt, making a spirited bid for cinematic Pipesmoker of the Year), but the reality of Griet's subjugation is voiced by the painter's wife, Catharina (Essie Davis), who snaps, \"Don't speak unless you're spoken to!\" as Griet voices an innocent enquiry. Beautiful, vain, and subject to continual pregnancies the way the sea is beset by tides, Catharina may have her man sexually and domestically, but she longs to possess him artistically as well. However, we soon learn that there is no meeting of eyes between them: Vermeer's vision is his own, no matter how dependent he is on his womenfolk, or his patron, the sinisterly earthy Van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson), a man driven, like all artistic patrons, to experience the power of creativity with grotesque vicariousness. Sent to clean his studio, Griet soon comes to captivate Vermeer, both as muse and helpmeet, as she mixes his paints from malachite and shellac, and learns, too, the fine detail of his compositional technique. But Vermeer is not Griet's only admirer. Van Ruijven has a taste for such virginal treats as well, and in a peculiar deal made to ensure that the painter's family doesn't suffer the ignominious bankruptcy of their neighbours, he secures Griet's presence forever. Vermeer - as depicted by Colin Firth - is no turbulent Impressionist, or polymorphously perverse Renaissance genius, but a rather weak, tongue-tied man, whose intense devotion to his work masks a failure to engage with his life. In the rolling sensuality of a world in which masters and servants sleep cheek-by-jowl, and the wet nurse is a human equivalent of a Milton steriliser full of babies' bottles, Vermeer is a man who manages to be conspicuously absent even when he is present. As I say, if it's a strong narrative you're after, then this isn't the film for you. Indeed, it's difficult to see how Webber could have extracted much in the way of motion and vigour from a painter whose works epitomise the stillest of lives, and the most placid of portraiture. In The Draughtsman's Contract, the sexual turmoil of rakish English Restoration dandies was captured from a variety of surprising perspectives, and this film leans heavily on Peter Greenaway's legacy, by painting a portrait of a period's social mores from a palette of received imagery. I don't suppose too many people will be sitting in the stalls oohing and aahing when they spot this or that detail of their favourite Flemish daub, yet the pervasive sense of inhabiting a world one has only previously seen framed is uncanny. If all of the above makes Girl with a Pearl Earring sound unappealing, then it shouldn't. Like Lost in Translation, the other film currently featuring the prodigious Scarlett Johansson, it is a mood piece; and I suspect that whether you find it to be more or less than the sum of its parts will depend on how you are feeling when the lights go down, rather than up. Personally, I revelled in the exactitude of the period detail, from bloody pigs' heads in the meat market, to the mechanics of pre-industrial domestic laundering. It is good to see the full resources of contemporary film-making harnessed in the surface of historical verisimilitude on this small scale, instead of their usual epic expenditure. Of course, it is a tad ironic to hail as cinematic art a production in which the plot resolution is a single still image, but it isn't one that it's necessary to dwell on. Scarlett Johansson may have a pout that speaks of congenital collagen, and certainly she brings a sly fortitude to her role; but in a film which features such powerful supporting players as Wilkinson, Davis and Parfitt, I couldn't say that she stood out any more that Firth. Still, perhaps this very febrile quality to their interaction was also one of the film's strengths. In the most heightened scene, Griet tears herself way from a particularly intimate moment of depiction at the hands of Vermeer, to throw herself into the arms of Pieter (Cillian Murphy), the butcher's boy who is wooing her. The implication that being beautifully portrayed is as acutely sensual as being made love to is what ties the whole conceit together most prettily."}, {"response": 814, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (01:24)", "body": "For those who don't read O&E, where all the awards/noms get listed, GWAPE's Ben Van Os got a nomination for his art direction in the category of period/fantasy film. I'll post the whole thing on O&E"}, {"response": 815, "author": "Leah", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (02:00)", "body": "Thank you everyone for the GWAPE reviews. I am not sure of a release date yet in South Africa :-( so I enjoy what others have to say."}, {"response": 816, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (05:21)", "body": "Making a virtue out of a necessity, ( I needed change for parking) I bought the Daily Mail. Wish I hadn't :-( Our friend Mr tookey says: BEAUTIFUL BUT ITS ONLY SKIN DEEP 2 out of 5 stars This film which tells TC's invented story of events in the 1660's that led to the creation of one of Vermeer's nst famous paintings, can be recommended with confidence to anyone who only goes to the cinema purely to see pretty pictures. First time director PW and his experienced cinematographer, ES, make every frame look like an Old Master. The sense of colour and texture is marvellous, so full marks to production designer Ben van Os and hair and make up designer Jenny Shircore. Missing however, are an involving stroyline and characters we might find intriguing or with whom we might wish to spend time. The love story between the artist's maid and model (SJ) and a butcher's boy (CM) is perfunctroy and underwritten. Almost as poorly developed is the potentially more interesting and cerebral one between the anxious tongue-tied servant and her employer, Vermeer,(CF) who seems to confuse agonised genius with severe constipation. It's hard to know why Vermeer's unappealing wife (ED) becomes quite so hysterical when the maid poses for an extremely modest pertrait that might help them survive financially. TW, cast as Vermeer's melodramatically villanous patron does everything except twirl his mustochios but forgets to do anything that is particularly dastadly beyong groping the maid, which diminishes the drama more than somewhat. The whole production is assembled with extraordinary care but fails to convey anything mch beyond tedium. This film certainly looks like high art, but that is not the same as being it."}, {"response": 817, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (07:49)", "body": "A near-perfect Pearl By LIZ BRAUN, TORONTO SUN Someone less enamoured of Girl With A Pearl Earring than we has commented that the film is so slow it's sort of like watching paint dry. Actually, it's exactly like watching paint dry. That would be the point. Girl With A Pearl Earring concerns the painter Vermeer and his complicated relationship with a young maid in his household. The year is 1665, the setting is the Dutch city of Delft and the goings-on are as 1665-ish as you can imagine -- slow, detailed, labour-intensive, no-mod-cons. The stillness of the film (not the oxymoron it seems) is one of its many marvels. As befits the subject matter, the film is visually magnificent, all light play and painterly. Girl With A Pearl Earring is truly fabulous to look at. Cinematographer Eduardo Serra has created magic here. Based on the novel by Tracy Chevalier, Girl With A Pearl Earring stars Colin Firth as Vermeer and Scarlett Johansson as Griet, the maid in Vermeer's household. When Griet's father is hurt in an accident, she must find work to support her family. In the household of Johannes Vermeer, the painter's mother-in-law (Judy Parfitt, who is remarkable in this role) runs the show. Vermeer himself is depicted as a reclusive perfectionist. He seems to hide out from his wife and children, and small wonder. Many demands are made on him to paint more and earn more. What quickly differentiates Griet from everyone else in the house is her actual interest in what Vermeer does. Slowly, they develop a relationship. He teaches her how to look at colour and how to mix colours on his behalf. How Vermeer comes to paint a portrait of Griet involves some of the sexiest non-sexual scenes extant -- Vermeer catching a glimpse of Griet's hair when she removes her cap, for example. Much of the smouldering activity is conveyed via extreme close-up of Johansson, who could ignite celluloid in a jiffy with that face. Girl With A Pearl Earring is heavy with desire, despite the social, religious, economic and status barriers that separate the two main characters. Those social, religious, economic and status barriers are examined in great detail, too, another huge attraction of the film. Girl With A Pearl Earring pays meticulous attention to all the dress, domestic arrangements and social machinations of the time. This is very rich fare. GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes Rated: PG Director: Peter Webber Stars: Colin Firth Scarlett Johansson 'SMOULDERING PLENTY' -- LIZ BRAUN, SUN Sun Rating: 4 out of 5"}, {"response": 818, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (08:15)", "body": "From Mari's posting: In one scene, shot in a single take, Griet is setting the table. She is watched by Vermeer who is in turn watched by his wife, daughter and mother-in-law. The complex relationships and power struggles make gripping cinema I thought this scene was incredible. It combined all the best of everything cinema has to offer; acting, editing, lighting, cinematography, direction... It just all came together at that point for me. (Shoshana) ...the actor does the dashing thing flawlessly ...couldn't agree more (Karen) From Charlotte O'Sullivan and the Independant ...I would venture to guess that this woman's daily breakfast consists of rusty nails washed down by battery acid. (Mari) His interpretation.... is all the more intriguing for its remoteness and restraint. I'm hard pressed to think of someone who does this better than ODB. (Karen) From Will Self of the Evening Standard... IMHO, the classic case of a frustrated critic thinking far too much of himself...masking his underlying feelings of inadequacy by trying to dazzle us with linguistic contortions...so did he like it or not??? (Allison) From Mr. Tookey at the Daily Mail... Sorry to see such a bad review, but it really was LOL. Thanks to all for the numerous reviews this morning. A great way to start the day."}, {"response": 819, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (08:26)", "body": "(Dorine) Love reviews that help expand my vocabulary. God love the UK reviewers for that much anyway. ;-) Me too!I keep my dictionary by my computer and have a lengthy list. I have to write out the definition for it to stick in my head!!!"}, {"response": 820, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (08:42)", "body": "good old Charlotte O'Sullivan: He looks on with frantic desire, but from where we're standing, said tresses resemble comedy dog-turds. Thank God for the turban. Well DD's who have seen this film.... How come I haven't read about this in your reports at * Spoilers *? Holding out on us?;-)"}, {"response": 821, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (09:24)", "body": "Beedde, I assure you that her wig does not resemble dog turds.;-) A balancing act gracefully done Much to contemplate in 'Earring' By Lisa Kennedy Denver Post Movie Critic The young woman in the painting \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" glances over her shoulder, making the sort of eye contact with artist Johannes Vermeer - and us - that is now the stuff of magazine covers. But the power of that portrait, believed to have been painted in 1665, is hardly throwaway. Art invites response, even four centuries later. A portrait can make us crave more - more back story, more history. The museum poster that author Tracy Chevalier had hanging in her bedroom inspired her to write a novel about that unknown model's life. And the manuscript for that best seller (it has sold more than 2 million copies) captured the imaginations of the producers of this elegant and graceful movie. When film takes on painting, it's often with a heady mix of the competitive and the celebratory. Director Peter Webber's first theatrical feature gets the balance just right. While Chevalier's book was told from the point of view of the young Dutch house servant Griet, screenwriter Olivia Hetreed avoids what in film too often amounts to a cheat - the voice-over. Instead, this tale of a young woman who leaves her parents' Protestant home and disrupts the Catholic house of the painter and his family hews closely to Griet's emotions while giving us glimpses of life in 17th-century Delft. In Vermeer's household, the glum painter (played by Colin Firth) retreats to his studio, which offers respite from the minor chaos of the houseful of women. He is surrounded by his wife, his daughters, his mother-in-law, and a flock of gossiping servants. Newcomer Griet (Scarlett Johansson) displays a curiosity that stirs Firth's Vermeer. While it would be tempting to wish for romance between the two, the movie has grander ambitions. And Cillian Murphy does a nice job as Griet's class-appropriate suitor, Pieter. There's a grit to Griet's life. Cinematographer Eduardo Serra's work is full of shadow and light and the milky blues, bleached whites and micturated yellows of candlelight that constitute so much Vermeer's palette. (For another example of Serra's gift, see \"The Flower of Evil.\") But \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" mounts a serious exploration of tensions beyond the aesthetic: the frustrated minuet between duty and desire, the hardness of domestic work and the precarious fortunes of the bourgeoisie, the vulnerability of the artist to his patron. It is no surprise that Webber made documentaries. He pays heed to the details of life in Delft. The head maid's gruff directions to Griet about canal water underscore the domestic pecking order but also remind us that cleaner water came with a better address. In \"Lost in Translation,\" Johannson plays the younger woman to Bill Murray's aging actor. A similar intimacy exists between Griet and Vermeer, wavering between a friendship and something more. \"You looked inside me,\" says Griet upon seeing the completed painting. This isn't as revealing as it sounds. Johannson grasps just what a peculiar thing Griet's gaze is. It isn't defiant. It isn't inscrutable like Mona Lisa's smile. It isn't beckoning, exactly. Of course, there is a little Rorschach test embedded in the best portraits. Casting Johannson, who physically conjures the anonymous woman in the portrait, could have been a clever stunt. But the actress pulls off gestures and expressions that could be the foundation for a new brand of silent-film acting. They're not grand, just telling. There may be one too many shots of open-mouthed wonder, but Johansson remains the thinking, feeling core of the movie. Even though Essie Davis does a deft job of making Johannes' wife, Catharina, impossible, it would be overly simple to cheer on Griet at the expense of the Vermeer women. Vermeer shares his vision only with this outsider. Everyone else, with the exception of his mother-in-law, is judged incapable of understanding the painter's calling. Firth makes a dour Vermeer. By today's standards, he would be judged passive-aggressive. He's good at setting the household against itself. He yells at his child for quiet but encourages Griet's enthusiasms. And you'd have to be a blinkered romantic to not recognize the nasty selfishness in the moment when Vermeer asks Griet a question about light and his wife's earring in front of Catharina. Tom Wilkinson's Van Ruijven is the moneybags underwriting Vermeer's precarious career, but he comes across as base, a necessary evil. Vermeer's mother-in-law, Maria Thins (Judy Parfitt) is the artist's true patron. She maintains his working conditions, not just because it fuels the household economy but because she recognizes what must happen to keep the painstaking talent working. To earn its props, a period film must resonate in our time. A movie about art doubles that demand. Webber has delivered the goods and then some. \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" - "}, {"response": 822, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (09:44)", "body": "From Kevin O'Sullivan of the Mirror: GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING 19:00, Jan 15 2004 * * * * One of the great 17th-century Dutch painters, Johannes Vermeer served up an artistic mystery to match the enduring guessing game surrounding the true identity of da Vinci's enigmatic Mona Lisa. Vermeer's most famous work is his portrait of a hauntingly beautiful young woman wearing a simple blue headband, a modest smock and a single pearl earring. But who was she? Here, director Peter Webber offers an intriguing theory. In a meticulous reconstruction of an age when people lived in a venal world full of rotting meat and mud, Webber transports us back to 1665 and the Venice-like city of Delft. There we find Vermeer (Colin Firth), a tormented man in a house full of hectoring women torn between the financial realities of providing for his family and the art which he hates to compromise. Into his home comes a maid, Griet, forced below stairs when her father is blinded in a kiln accident. Uneducated, Griet is nevertheless intelligent and impresses her master with her understanding of his work. Played by future superstar Scarlett Johansson, Griet resists the attentions of Vermeer's oafish patron Van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson). But, desperate for Van Ruijven's cash, Vermeer secretly agrees to paint his stunning maid. The closest Vermeer and Griet get to consummation is in the scenes where they quietly mix the richly coloured paints in his studio. As with all good works of art, nothing is overstated in a lovely film that paints its own impressive picture. http://www.mirror.co.uk/atthemovies/atthemovies/content_objectid=13821700_method=full_siteid=50143_headline=-GIRL%2DWITH%2DA%2DPEARL%2DEARRING-name_page.html"}, {"response": 823, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (09:49)", "body": "(Guardian)So there is a real whiff of sulphur about the commission, in which the financially straitened Vermeer is ambiguously complicit: he is preparing to sell Griet body and soul, and the painting becomes an occult object of betrayal. Excellent way to put it. Thanks Karen, Mari, and Bethan. Decent reviews from the UK! I'm still shell shocked from the last round. Mr. Kookey: Actually, his comment is, again, very personal and humiliating. I guess that's just his style. His opinion, of course, and he's entitled to it, but again over the top and a bit unnecessary, IMO. He makes a few valid points, but I find him distasteful. (CO'S)but from where we're standing, said tresses resemble comedy dog-turds. Thank God for the turban. How odd. (Mari)(Local boy makes good.;-);-) LOL, I can hear the St.Louis crowd cheering from here."}, {"response": 824, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (09:54)", "body": "Also from today's Mirror: When we meet... I suspect it was in a hallway or street. ;-) COLIN FIRTH - MASTER CLASS Jan 16 2004 COLIN FIRTH TALKS ABOUT HIS NEW ROLE AS VERMEER AND LIFE AFTER MR DARCY. By John Hiscock He became a romantic national hero with his portrayal of the brooding and captivating Mr Darcy in Pride And Prejudice. Women still go weak at the knees when they recall his smouldering performance in the 1995 television mini-series which catapulted Colin Firth from a solid, middle-aged actor into an international sex symbol. And no one was more surprised than Firth himself. \"I was 35 when I did Pride And Prejudice and I thought romantic, leading man parts were passing out of my scope,\" recalls the Hampshire-born actor, now 43, with a laugh. \"It was time for me to do character roles and joyfully get fat, so the reaction to Mr Darcy took me very much by surprise. \"It has put the romantic, leading man back on the agenda in terms of the sort of work that is coming my way. I would never have expected it. In fact, I don't know what would have happened without Mr Darcy.\" When we meet, Colin - whose new film Girl With A Pearl Earring has just been released - is casually dressed in trainers, jeans and a dark crew-neck sweater. It's a far cry from his dashing Darcy look, but he admits that his experience playing his most famous role helped when he was courting his wife Livia. An Italian film maker, they met in 1996 while they were both working on the movie Nostromo. They were married in June 1997 and have two sons, Luca, who is three in March, and five-month-old Mateo. \"Because of the conventions of her family, being Italian, my courtship with my wife was quite formal and very old-fashioned,\" Colin explains. \"And I think our relationship benefited from that.\" Firth's most serious romantic involvements - of which he insists there have been very few - were all with his leading ladies. He has a 13-year-old son William from a five-year relationship with actress Meg Tilly after they met on the set of the 1989 film Valmont. He also had a brief relationship with the British actress Jennifer Ehle while they were filming Pride And Prejudice. \"Until I met my present wife, at the age of 35, you could name two girlfriends of mine,\" Colin says. \"Yet there is this extraordinary image of me as a man who goes off with his leading lady all the time. In reality, any 35-year-old man who can claim to have had two past lovers is hardly a philanderer.\" He is, he believes, a better father now than when his first child was born. \"I was 30 and I still felt far too young for anything like that,\" admits Colin. \"I hadn't quite got over not being 18 anymore and having a child changed my life dramatically. This time, I finally feel old enough and a little more equipped for it, but in some ways it's almost an identical experience because the joy is there both times.\" Since his career took off with Prejudice, Colin has had high-profile roles in The English Patient (1996), Fever Pitch (1997), Shakespeare In Love (1998) and Bridget Jones's Diary (2001) - in which he also played a Mr Darcy - among others. In Girl With A Pearl Earring, he plays the 17th century painter Johannes Vermeer who falls for a beautiful peasant girl, portrayed by Scarlett Johansson. It has been seen as his best film in years and rumours of an Oscar nomination are in the air. \"I do like to mix and match,\" says Firth, when asked about taking on the role of the Dutch master. \"I was just really ready to do a bit of drama, since there had been quite a string of romantic comedies and light stuff.\" Although he considers London to be his home, Colin is a much-travelled actor who has lived, at various times, in Nigeria, America and Canada, as well as Winchester, where his father was a history lecturer at King Alfred's College. \"The business of moving about has been in my family for generations,\" he explains. \"My parents were born in India, my sister was born in Nigeria and my mother did a lot of her growing up in America.\" After returning to Britain in his early teens from St Louis, Missouri, where the family briefly lived, he joined the National Theatre. He made his professional London stage debut, replacing Rupert Everett as the spy Guy Bennett in Another Country, and in 1984 appeared in the film of the play, also with Everett. The pair of them also ended up together in the 2002 movie of Oscar Wilde's The Importance Of Being Earnest. \"Yes, Rupert and I go back a long way,\" Colin admits. \"We were bantering on the set all the time like naughty schoolboys. Someone referred to us as being like an old married couple.\" Then, with a smile and a courteous farewell, he strolls off down the hotel corridor, seemingly oblivious to the stares of recognition and the inevitable whispers of \"That's Mr Darcy!\". - Girl With A Pearl Earring is on general release."}, {"response": 825, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (09:59)", "body": "'Girl' a lifelike portrait of a century Though a bit dry, story of Vermeer, model, a brilliant likeness of 1600s daily life By Robert Denerstein, Rocky Mountain News January 16, 2004 Girl With a Pearl Earring, the big-screen adaptation of Tracy Chevalier's much-admired novel, provides a crash course in 17th century living. Director Peter Webber presents a complete and fascinating portrait of life in 17th century Delft, Holland, so much so that students of the period may want to own the DVD. If you've ever had a burning desire to know how laundry was done in the 1600s, this movie provides an answer. And, no, I'm not being glib or sarcastic. Girl With a Pearl Earring brilliantly captures the texture of ordinary life. The movie is about the relationship between Johannes Vermeer and the servant girl who became the subject of one of his most revered paintings, a story that provides Webber with an opportunity to focus on everything from the way Vermeer mixed paints to the form of patronage that enabled him to make a comfortable living. The movie is textured in much the same way as a Vermeer painting, but like the novel on which it's based, it's a somewhat dry speculation about the origins of a single painting. The story, which at times flirts with inertia, revolves around Griet (Scarlett Johansson from Lost in Translation). Early on, Griet, raised in a Protestant family, is sent to work in the Vermeer home as a maid. The Vermeers are Catholics. Eventually, it becomes clear to Vermeer (Colin Firth) that the girl's penetrating gaze reflects a special kind of vision. Maid and artist may be kindred spirits. Vermeer is portrayed as aloof, a man who's mostly ineffectual when away from his easel. He understands Griet's potential, but he's also under the sway of his crude patron (Thom Wilkinson), a mother-in-law who constantly frets over money (Judy Parfitt) and a needy wife (Essie Davis) who's shut out of his creative life. Johansson, who perhaps carries Griet's wide-eyed pose too far, might have done well to close her mouth once in a while. Yet, there's something provocative in her gaze, an inchoate longing that probably will never be satisfied. Those familiar with the novel should agree that Webber, working from a script by Olivia Hetreed, has done justice to Chevalier's low-key mixture of art and domestic intrigue. Firth does his best with a role of a man who can never be fully free, and the supporting cast, particularly Wilkinson and Parfitt, acquit themselves well. A subplot connects Griet with the son of a local butcher (Cillian Murphy). Girl With a Pearl Earring has the look of a Vermeer painting, a sense of preternatural calm over ripples of disquiet. And we do have the same rewards of perspective that the novel offered, the world seen as much from the subject's point of view as from the artist's. All things considered, that's a worthy - if not always riveting - accomplishment."}, {"response": 826, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (10:01)", "body": "Speaking of the Rocky Mountains, do we have any Sundancers here? Anyone ready to leave the tundra that is the East Coast for the relative warmth of Utah?;-)"}, {"response": 827, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (10:24)", "body": "(Webber), I think Colin offered Scarlett a few tips but if anything it was the other way round. She's been doing this probably as long as Colin. Aha! Now we know why Colin thinks Scarlett will be a director. I wonder how many things she suggested to him? ;-) Thank you ladies for the reviews! (Dorine) Love reviews that help expand my vocabulary. God love the UK reviewers for that much anyway. ;-) LOL! So that's what they're good for? ;-)"}, {"response": 828, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (10:49)", "body": "The Globe and Mail: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20040116/MOVIE16/TPEntertainment/Film Are you ready for your close-up? By JOHANNA SCHNELLER What's in a face? Studies show that even babies prefer large, symmetrical features. Movies specialize in blowing them up two storeys tall, inviting leisurely, detailed scrutiny of a matinee idol's mouth or cheekbones or chin. You could ponder for years which centimetre makes Jeff Bridges's face so much more classically handsome than his brother Beau. And then, when you find a face that is beautiful to you -- Marlene Dietrich's, or Faye Dunaway's, or Diane Lane's -- you could spend your life lost in it, reading in it every kind of promise or mystery, goodness or cruelty. A beautiful face can give you hope that humans can attain some kind of, if not perfection, at least radical improvement. A surgically constructed face could never be as nuanced as a god-given one. Two films opening today are constructed almost entirely around gazing into the faces of their leading ladies, Scarlett Johansson in Girl with a Pearl Earring, and Charlize Theron in Monster. In both of their two-hour running times, the camera rarely strays from the infinite space between hairline and collarbone. In the former, it finds a heaven there; in the latter, a hell. This is a departure from big Hollywood films which, these days, are all about the wide shot. Computer-generated imagery has given directors, limitless possibilities for crowd and battle scenes. So movies now are excuses to use that technology; stories are created to accommodate crowd scenes. Think of the thousands of orcs pouring across the fields in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, or the hundreds of ships spanning the sea in the current trailer for Troy. Monster and Girl with a Pearl Earring, however, focus instead on the opposite staple of filmmaking, the close-up. The close-up is the most intimate of shots; it is filmmaking's gift to emotional transparency. In the hands of the right actor, director and story, a close-up can make a thought or feeling physically visible. Interestingly, both of these films were made outside the studio system, and both were created by women -- Patty Jenkins wrote and directed Monster, and Olivia Hetreed wrote Pearl Earring from the novel by Tracy Chevalier -- who, traditionally, care more for nuance and less for spectacle than men. These films create whole worlds, too. But they do it in the smallest space imaginable, in the curve of an eyebrow or the curl of a lip. Watching them is akin to staring into a lover's eyes in the early, heady stages of an affair, when every flicker is endlessly fascinating. Girl with a Pearl Earring is an art-mystery romance about Jan Vermeer's masterpiece of the same name. It posits that the girl in the painting -- who gazes over her shoulder so steadily, and whose downy cheek reflects the pearl's light so sublimely -- was a servant, here called Griet, with whom Vermeer (Colin Firth) fell madly, if chastely, in love, consummating their relationship only on canvas. The film is lit and shot like a series of paintings and, like a painting, its emotional impact comes from images, not words. Vermeer and Griet's affair is nearly silent; they communicate with their eyes. They have to. As a proper servant, Griet is covered from neck to ankle in layers of muslin, and her hair is wrapped in a scarf and hidden under a cap. So literally, all you can see is her face. With Johansson, that is enough. Her face is not classically beautiful, it's a bit puffy and pouty. But it is an ideal face for a 20-year-old, innocent and wise, intelligent and curious, wary and hopeful, obedient and defiant. You have no trouble believing that men would burn with desire for Griet night after night; you look and look and look at her face, and never tire of it. In fact, the movie ends with a two-minute shot of the painting itself -- it starts on the earring, then pulls back until the art fills the screen, and the camera simply stays on it, unblinking. And though it's a ravishing way to end the tale, and satisfies the real relationship you have developed with the painting, and you feel so grateful to be given permission to gaze for such a long (on film) time on something so beautiful, you find yourself wishing it was Johansson that Vermeer painted. You miss her face. Monster is the opposite in many ways. It's based on the true story of America's so-called only female serial killer, Aileen Wuornos, a prostitute and abuse victim who shot six men and was executed last year, and it's a meditation on not beauty or goodness but evil. You restlessly search Theron's face for answers as to how that behaviour is possible. Well, for the first few minutes, you search for signs of Theron's real face: Her stunning mein is obscured by prosthetics around her mouth, brown contacts and makeup that mottles her silky skin. You glimpse flashes of Theron under the beastliness when she smil"}, {"response": 829, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (11:13)", "body": "Thanks to Mary, there's a new gallery of additional images from the W photoshoot, taken at Chiswick House: http://www.firth.com/gal/gal_03jw.html"}, {"response": 830, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (11:25)", "body": "From the Tribute.ca newsletter: B.L. This film is about the painter Vermier, whom you play. Were you a fan of his work or did you know anything about him before taking on the role? C.F. I am and I was, yeah. I knew more about Vermier than I knew about the book actually. I had not read the book when I got the script and it did seem somewhat consistent how I felt about him when I saw my first Vermier. I\ufffdm not a person who has a particularly sophisticated reaction to paintings and fine art. It must have been about five or six years ago, when I was on a promotion for Shakespeare in Love, and I was in the Met in New York and I saw the painting \"Woman with a Water Jug\" in the window and that was the one that did for me. It was a very small painting in quite a small room full of other Dutch and Flemish art, and it just blew me away. B.L. Was playing him a bit of a challenge for you, because here is a guy that really existed, but we really don\ufffdt know a lot about him. There isn\ufffdt a lot of information on his background. You were pretty well working with a blank canvas so to speak. C.F. It was easy in some ways and difficult in others when the character is an enigma like that, because it\ufffds not like playing somebody totally familiar. If I were playing the British Prime Minister it would be an exercise in imitation as much as anything else and I\ufffdd have to work very hard to a specific model. With this, we had carte blanche. There is no portrait or physical description of him. But in another sense though, it was specific because that enigma didn\ufffdt just give me carte blanche to develop the character in any way I wanted to. The enigma was essential to the story so it was to some extent an exercise in preserving that. B.L. You get to work very closely with Scarlett Johansson who is one of the brightest young up-and-coming stars to come around in a long time. What impressed you about her and how did you enjoy working with her? C.F. Just about everything really, I think she\ufffds extraordinary. She was 17 years old when she started this job and she is one of my favorite actors that I have ever worked with. One of the things that throw you slightly when you are in your early forties is to work with someone who is that young and actually probably, as experienced as you are because she\ufffds been doing it that long. So there was a lot of the \ufffdold soul\ufffd in her and she offered unbelievable energy. She was able to keep up with the workload and she had just come off a really difficult schedule and came right into this. I think I\ufffdd realized with middle age coming on, my exhaustion threshold was much lower than hers. B.L. She was absolutely mesmerizing in this role I thought. C.F. She was utterly committed to the project and utterly enamored with it all, and when you\ufffdve got something like this it tends to weave a spell on all of us and puts us all on the same page. B.L. You have worked with a lot of young actresses in the last few years. Amanda Bynes, Mena Suvari, Scarlett Johansson\ufffd C.F. It\ufffds been a long time since I have done a film without an American actress interestingly enough. It\ufffds very often that American actresses come to England to work and I tend to be there when they do. B.L. It\ufffds interesting. How have you enjoyed working with these up-and-coming young women? Are they good sparring partners for you? C.F. Amazing. Oh yeah, absolutely. When someone is young and brilliant it does throw down the gauntlet. It stops you from becoming stagnant and complacent and jaded. It keeps you fresh to work with brilliant young people, definitely. B.L. You also just released Love Actually, which I have to say I truly loved your storyline. How much fun did you have working on that? C.F. That was a walk in the park and yes, it was a very different piece for me. Girl with a Pearl Earring was not a walk in the park; I felt it was treading a very narrow line of getting it right. With Love Actually I was very fortunate where we had the beautiful location. I was the only one who got to go to the south of France and my story is set apart so it was like a mini movie and I wasn\ufffdt sprinkled around the rest of the shoot like the other actors were. So it was mine and my part of the story kicked the film off, so we started with that and it was only three weeks. I wasn\ufffdt carrying the film and it was incredibly enjoyable and I was in very good hands with Richard Curtis the director and there was nothing to it. It was just fun really and when you\ufffdve only got three weeks to do something, you might as well have fun. B.L. It\ufffds funny, I have to admit that every time I told people that I would be interviewing you, every single person was just aflutter. I know that you have been dubbed the British sex symbol, how does that sit with you? I have to tell you, there isn\ufffdt a person in this world that wouldn\ufffdt want to meet you and be in my place right now. C.F. Oh, there\ufffdre some people in the world \ufffd B.L. Very few! C.F. There are probably quite a few people who do know me that p"}, {"response": 831, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (11:48)", "body": "(Mari) Really good one from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Local boy makes good.;-);-) Ahhhh, the gang in the school yard must be cheering....or maybe the jail yard;-) The Mirror: \"It[P&P] has put the romantic, leading man back on the agenda in terms of the sort of work that is coming my way. I would never have expected it. In fact, I don't know what would have happened without Mr Darcy.\" \"You'd be wandering around the bowels of BBC.\" Thanks for all the reviews. Pox on bin Tookey."}, {"response": 832, "author": "Gail", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (12:09)", "body": "Karen, thanks for the Master Class article & Brenda thanks for the Tribute.ca newsletter. In both of these article they talk about him as middle aged, as if he is just a short step away from being a doddering old man. I find it so hard to believe that at 35 he felt romantic leads would soon be out of his scope. At 43 he's calling himself middle-aged, and talking about an exhaustion threshold. I always wonder if he says this tongue-in-cheek or if he really means it. Doesn't he look in the mirror -- he has gotten better with age!!! IMO, being in my mid-forties, I won't hit middle age for another ten to fifteen years, & old age doesn't start till sometime after eighty. And yes Rod Stewart is singing \"Forever Young\" in the background right now;-)"}, {"response": 833, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (12:30)", "body": "Thanks to Karen, Mari, Brenda and others for all the great reviews, articles, interviews! I was told to lay low about non-work related internet sites but I can't take it anymore! I had to duck in here, it is the only way I have enough happy thoughts to slog through the drudgery! Did a brief look-see and didn't see this one posted before... The Story Beneath That Calm Vermeer By Laura Winters Special to The Washington Post Sunday, January 4, 2004; Page N01 Johannes Vermeer's celebrated portrait \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" captures the imagination through the questions it elicits and leaves unanswered. The painting, which hangs in the Mauritshuis, a museum in the Hague, depicts a beautiful young woman posing simply against a black background, wearing a turban-like kerchief on her head and a single, giant pearl. The young woman looks directly at the viewer with a mysterious, doe-eyed gaze. Who was she? And what was her relationship to Vermeer? To this day, we still don't know the answers -- but the questions spurred Tracy Chevalier to write a book that imagined the story behind the painting. Her 1999 novel, also called \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" became a worldwide bestseller. Now Peter Webber, a British director, has made Chevalier's book into a movie that opens here Friday and stars Colin Firth as Vermeer and Scarlett Johansson as Griet, the young woman who becomes Vermeer's obsession and, eventually, his artistic muse. The facts we know about Vermeer's life are sparse. He was born in Delft in 1632 and died in 1675, converted to Catholicism to marry his wife, Catharina Bolnes, and left behind 11 children and something like 35 paintings. Most of what we can divine of the painter's sensibility comes from his paintings -- often quiet scenes of reflective women, framed in soft daylight, doing everyday tasks. \"One of the most wonderful things about Vermeer's paintings is that they are removed, in a certain way, from time and place,\" says Arthur K. Wheelock Jr., curator of northern baroque painting at Washington's National Gallery of Art and organizer of the museum's acclaimed 1995-96 Vermeer show. But the girl with a pearl poses a special enigma for viewers. \"She is in a costume that is not specific to any particular culture,\" says Wheelock. \"She is almost like a sibyl, a kind of ideal figure from another world.\" And, unlike many of Vermeer's women, the girl looks straight at us \"with a very personal, very open look,\" says Wheelock. Her gaze prompted Chevalier, a native of Washington, to start writing her book. \"I've had the poster of that painting up on my wall for years,\" Chevalier said by phone from London, where she now lives. \"One morning I was wondering, 'Why does she have this ambiguous look, where you can't tell if she's happy or sad?' And I suddenly thought, 'The look on her face is the story of a relationship between the model and the painter.' \" In her novel, Chevalier invented the character of the model. She spun a story in which 16-year-old Griet becomes a maid in the Vermeer household in Delft to help out her parents financially. At first, the remote painter, who is in constant flight from his brood of children and his temperamental wife, takes little notice of her. Slowly, however, Vermeer realizes that Griet has an aptitude for color and light. She becomes his secret assistant, grinding his pigments and even adjusting the position of objects he paints. As their unspoken attraction grows, so does his wife's jealousy. The storm breaks when Vermeer clandestinely begins to paint Griet wearing his wife's pearl earring. When British screenwriter Olivia Hetreed was given a galley proof of Chevalier's book, she read it in about two hours. \"It was so gripping that I felt as though I didn't breathe,\" she recalled. \"I thought of it as a domestic thriller.\" Hetreed's husband, producer Andy Paterson, and his partner, Anand Tucker, bought the film rights for their company, Archer Street Ltd. Hetreed wrote the screenplay, which in turn inspired Webber, who had never directed a feature film before and was known in England mainly as a director of documentaries and TV dramas. \"When I read the script, I thought, 'This is a wonderful tale about an innocent girl coming of age, and there's this fascinating dark undertow that I can bring to the story,' \" Webber said, sitting on a sun-drenched patio during the Toronto International Film Festival in September. It's an undertow that the film might not have had, if Webber hadn't directed it. \"What happens when people are in love but can't express it?\" he said. \"What happens when power and money get in the way of love and sex? I think all of that is very contemporary, and I wanted to try to make a period film that felt, somehow, not 'period' at all.\" But Webber also wanted to convey the strict social mores of Vermeer's time, where the free expression of emotion between master and maid would be, as he put it, \"an impossibility.\" \"Griet can't express what she feels, nor can V"}, {"response": 834, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (12:40)", "body": "Thanks for all the wonderful reviews and tidbits today! Bee - Hmm SJ wig looking like dog turds? . .what film was she watching?;)"}, {"response": 835, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (12:56)", "body": "Review: Girl with a Pearl Earring By Caroline Westbrook BBC News Online entertainment staff Girl With a Pearl Earring, starring Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson, has been critically acclaimed. Following on from Lost In Translation, actress Scarlett Johansson plays a very different kind of character in Girl With A Pearl Earring, based on the best-seller by Tracy Chevalier. This time around she is Griet, a 17th Century Dutch girl who is forced to go and work as a maid after an accident leaves her father blind and unable to support the family. Her new boss is the painter Vermeer (Colin Firth) and after she lands the job of cleaning his art studio he begins to take more than a cursory interest in her. Click here send in your review of the film She eventually becomes his muse and the model for one of his most famous paintings - but things are complicated by his permanently pregnant, highly-strung wife Catharina (Essie Davis), who is none too pleased with the arrangement. Like Lost In Translation, the focus of the film is on the platonic relationship between an older man and a much younger woman - one which continually threatens to spill over into something deeper. Beautiful cinematography Johansson has been nominated for a Golden Globe for both films - and it is easy to see why - she is superb here, in a role which gives her just a handful of dialogue. Firth, complete with long hair and big shirts, is also excellent, while beautiful cinematography and a haunting soundtrack add to the overall effect. However, those who read Chevalier's book may be disappointed by the under-use of important supporting characters and an ending which has been changed from the original, losing one of the most important plot points in the process and feeling inconclusive as a result. It is a noticeable let-down in what is otherwise a visually stunning treat, one which offers another welcome chance to see one of the best new actresses around. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/3402851.stm"}, {"response": 836, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (13:35)", "body": "B.L. You have worked with a lot of young actresses in the last few years. Amanda Bynes, Mena Suvari, Scarlett Johansson... C.F. It\ufffds been a long time since I have done a film without an American actress interestingly enough. It\ufffds very often that American actresses come to England to work and I tend to be there when they do. An understatement about 'where' he is. But this film was made in Luxembourg. Picky picky ;-) B.L. It\ufffds funny, I have to admit that every time I told people that I would be interviewing you, every single person was just aflutter. I know that you have been dubbed the British sex symbol, how does that sit with you? I have to tell you, there isn\ufffdt a person in this world that wouldn\ufffdt want to meet you and be in my place right now. C.F. Oh, there\ufffdre some people in the world \ufffd B.L. Very few! C.F. There are probably quite a few people who do know me that probably wish they didn\ufffdt. I don\ufffdt know, I have no intelligent answer to that question, really. LOL! Colin, meet Silvio. Silvio, Colin. ;-) Thanks Brenda! GWAPE has arrived in San Diego and the Union-Trib's critic is a Colin fan, per one of its other staff writers who told me. Gave it 3-1/2 of 4 stars. Here's his review: 'Girl With a Pearl Earring' a gem of light, awakenings By David Elliott Union-Tribune Movie Critic January 16, 2004 Painter Johannes Vermeer was forgotten for about 200 years, rediscovered by 19th-century scholars and then began (like the revived El Greco and Caravaggio) winning a devout modern following. His pop prize of fame \ufffd the very idea would have baffled him \ufffd is \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" a hit novel by Tracy Chevalier. There isn't much story for a film to hang its pearl on. Griet (Scarlett Johansson), the milky Protestant virgin who will become the subject of Vermeer's most tenderly immaculate portrait, is hired as a servant in the Catholic artist's Delft canal home. He is prospering, yet very dependent on a covetous patron, Van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson, his mustache looking fresh from Frans Hals). Colin Firth, as Vermeer, at first seems recessively English. Sure, Vermeer was a quiet, lab-of-art master who left behind a small body of profoundly posed work. Nobody painted pearls better, or made a whole painting into more of a pearl. But he must have had force of personality to go his singular way, not aping Rubens or Rembrandt, painting with finicky purity the mostly interior views in his home of a few people and immaculate furnishings, in the cool window light that became his signature. Firth indicates that force, though his Vermeer is sly and careful around his insecure (because not greatly loved) and materialistic wife (Essie Davis), and her fierce hawk of a mother. And Griet, though no daisy, is initially scared of them all. Artists had rather raffish reputations even in bourgeois Holland, and the household women are dominators, even the raw-faced cook Tanneke (Joanna Scanlan). But Griet has beauty she has not recognized, which awakens through the reflective beauty of Vermeer's art and his love of her face. The art is a window of escape from prudish Calvinism and her hard-pressed family. Scripted by Olivia Hetreed from the novel, the story is about the anxious and then proud blooming of Griet as a woman, true to her mind and body. The movie has a soberly sexy wit. When a veil is lifted on a new painting, it's a disrobing. When Vermeer has Griet grind paints with him (artists had to be chemists of a sort), the rich colors are like foreplay. A blue strip of cloth around Griet's head is a banner of ripening, and her loss of virginity is symbolized (Vermeer-style) by the piercing of Griet's ear for the pearl. The pearl itself is passion, sublimely sublimated. Van Ruijven, the haughty grasper, makes a move at Griet, but it is the painting of her lustrous portrait that liberates Griet for a lucky butcher boy (Cillian Murphy). Johansson, almost jaded with young sophistication in \"Lost in Translation,\" is here a servant becoming a myth, knowing that the painting will make her a jewel (the pearl with a pearl). Debut director Peter Webber relishes the distant but brothy density of Delft and Vermeer's household. He and almost salivating cinematographer Eduardo Serra have made a devoutly painterly movie \ufffd very Vermeer in the upstairs studio, closer to Terborch or Rembrandt in other rooms, and a Peter Breugel tumult of life outside (plus, some Canaletto canals). Anecdotally, the film is a camera obscura, a peephole condensation of the mystery and mystique of Vermeer, whose legend is spellbound in a private light. He can never be explained. But the people are alive, too busy existing to know that a genius of stillness was making them, and one pretty girl especially, icons of beauty to be loved in another age."}, {"response": 837, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (15:06)", "body": "Get that frame ready, Bethan! (Mari) Peter Bradshaw Friday January 16, 2004 The Guardian 4 out of 5 stars Well, that really is a first! Wow. Daily Mail excepted, GWAPE has done very well in the tabloids. Seriously and thoughtfully reviewed. 5 stars in the Express, and an excellent (long) review, huge pic. The review is well written and perceptive...\"What really impresses is the way a seductive recreation of the period is linked to the kind of torments that are timeless.\" 4 stars in the Mirror \"As with all good works of art nothng is overstated in a lovely film that paints its own impressive picture. And 4 stars (I think)in the Sun \"a finely drawn period drama with top notch performances.\" Overall the critics have responded very favourably. And no silly digs at CF/\"Mr Darcy\". I am all amazement. ;-)"}, {"response": 838, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (16:13)", "body": "Well done, Bethan! (Karen), LOL! Colin, meet Silvio. Silvio, Colin. ;-) Of course, you would think of Silvio! LOL! However, those who read Chevalier's book may be disappointed by the under-use of important supporting characters and an ending which has been changed from the original, losing one of the most important plot points in the process and feeling inconclusive as a result. Good point. I don't think others have made a case of it. Thanks for the reviews, ladies."}, {"response": 839, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (16:31)", "body": "It'll be interesting to see what edited scenes/characters end up on the DVD."}, {"response": 840, "author": "katty", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (19:18)", "body": "...from where we're standing, said tresses resemble comedy dog-turds The only thing I can figure is that the reviewer was standing near a straining dog's rear end that was partially blocking her view of that beautiful scene. (Who let the dogs out?!) Such a stupid review says more about the nastiness and myopia of the writer than of the quality of the movie."}, {"response": 841, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (20:11)", "body": "Overall the critics have responded very favourably. And no silly digs at CF/\"Mr Darcy\". I am all amazement. ;-) Told you so. Told you so. I knew they couldn't do it to this film; it wouldn't merit it. However, there are still the weekend critics: Cosmo, the ever-hateful Barbara Ellen (will she chime in since James Christopher already did one?? Hopefully no), then there's Philip French for The Observer. I too love to read the reviews for their \"entertainment\" value. Good thing no one really pays any attention to them in the UK."}, {"response": 842, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (20:20)", "body": "Overall the critics have responded very favourably. And no silly digs at CF/\"Mr Darcy\". I am all amazement. ;-) Except that nasty guy from FT. I suppose he said something like this, \"Give him a wet shirt, and he'll be Delft's Mr Darcy\". Very nasty comment."}, {"response": 843, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (21:56)", "body": "Another review from The Globe and Mail: Girl with a Pearl Earring By RICK GROEN From Friday's Globe and Mail Rating: *** At first glance, even second, there looks to be no motion in the picture. It seems as static as you'd expect from a movie that's all about a painting. But watch a little longer, think a little harder, and something interesting happens. The film begins to acquire at least some of the magical properties of its famous subject \ufffd layers start to emerge, layers of light and colour and meaning, and Girl with a Pearl Earring comes alive. Only then does it talk to us, delivering in muted tones a rather daunting message: Fine art needs fine perceivers, or else it will turn crude. Of course, the piece of art under consideration is the celebrated work from the Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer. It shows a young woman in a makeshift turban, her eyes wide, lips parted and full, the titled pearl dangling from her left ear lobe, her expression a puzzle mingling sadness with joy, enigmatic enough that critics have dubbed her the Mona Lisa of the north. In her novel, Tracy Chevalier did at length what many of us do instinctively. She converted the painting into a narrative, inventing a backstory for the girl, and writing the book in the voice of this conceived character \ufffd a mere servant, unschooled and naive but always observant and strongly intuitive. The challenge of the screenplay is to find a cinematic equivalent for that interior voice, an especially tricky task since the plot is minimal here \ufffd not a whole lot occurs outside of her head. Is the challenge met? Partly. The script does well to preserve the themes, and, beyond that, the tradeoff is obvious: What we lose in psychological depth is gained in visual appeal \ufffd the movie is gorgeous to behold and, in the alluring person of Scarlett Johansson, so is its star. She plays Griet, a teenager torn from her own humble family and pressed into service at the Vermeer household. Making his feature debut, and drawing on his documentary background, director Peter Webber is quick to establish the rigours of underclass life in 17th-century Holland \ufffd the cramped sleeping quarters, the stench of the adjacent canal, the daily grind of scrubbing and laundering. The m\ufffdnage chez Vermeer is stolidly Catholic and very large. His brood of children and his ever-pregnant wife all fall under the watchful gaze of Maria, his shrewd mother-in-law, who owns the house and pinches every penny. However, in the midst of this chaotic sprawl, there is an oasis of calm: The master's studio, separated from the other rooms and brighter, its windows admitting the precious light. We see it when Griet does, her first day on the job, accompanied by her mistress's stern admonition: \"Disturb nothing.\" Cue the disturbance. Like everything else here, it happens gradually and with subtlety. At first, Vermeer (Colin Firth) is merely glimpsed at the edges of the picture, a near-silent figure with long hair and a short manner \ufffd curt, unsmiling. Instead, the initial focus is on the people around him, and on how each of them views his art as a means to an end \ufffd a supply of income to his pecuniary mother-in-law, a totem of loyalty to his jealous wife, a source of status to his loud-mouthed patron (Tom Wilkinson). To them, art only has extrinsic value; intrinsically, it's worthless: \"They're just paintings, paintings for money \ufffd they mean nothing.\" But Griet knows better. Entering his studio to dust and clean, an allegedly ignorant girl marvels at the layered evolution of a work-in-progress, instinctively grasping how colour and perspective and composition all dance together to animate the canvas. Recognizing a kindred spirit, an aesthetic soul mate, Vermeer tutors her in the mixing of pigments, and shows her the mirrored innards of his camera obscura, explaining that \"It's an image made of light.\" Of course, so is his art, so is the movie we're watching, and the two begin their own mating dance, moving toward the climactic moment when the film morphs completely into the painting whose name it bears. Some will argue that it takes too long to get there, offering scant diversion en route. Others will find the sights arresting and the theme enriching \ufffd it's all a matter of perception. Nevertheless, there can be no disagreement over Johansson's performance. An extraordinary embodiment of the period, she looks to have stepped right into a Vermeer frame. We recently saw her in Lost in Translation, and very few actors could manage the transition from a night in Tokyo all the way back to the days of the Dutch Golden Age \ufffd yet Johansson, blessed with a face for all seasons, makes the trip without breaking stride. Nor will anyone dispute the power of one luminous sequence, an extended scene where the master invites the servant into his imagination, asking the girl to pose for eternity. The imagery is entirely sexual: He pierces her ear, preparing for the pearl drop to come; he removes her bonnet, unloosing a casca"}, {"response": 844, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (22:36)", "body": "Dark Marc Jan 17 2004 Claire Hill, The Western Mail After directing horror film My Little Eye, surely Marc Evans would want a lighter subject? Instead his new film shows Colin Firth, of Mr Darcy fame, unravelling as mental illness overtakes him. The Welsh director spoke toClaire Hill about his punk band past, his love of Hitchcock and his plans for a musical IF MARC EVANS was told that he had to make a film in Wales every year on a small-to-medium budget, he would be perfectly happy. No dreams of Hollywood or working in America, just an idealised view of an old socialist-style working film system. \"I just want to make films,\" he says. \"Obviously I would not want to work in the Communist system or have my work politically censored. \"But if there was a new law in Wales which said to someone has to make a film a year and you're that man, that would suit me fine.\" Braving the torrential rain of a miserable Cardiff Sunday, the tall, 44-year-old director patiently has his photographs taken before we settle down for a coffee. He is a bit delicate after drinking lots of grappa with his family the night before. So with last night's stubble, slight greying at the temples and a thick parka coat bulking him up, Evans looks a little imposing. His nickname is Dark Marc, due to his propensity to make frightening films, but once he opens his mouth he is friendly and amenable. Once you start him on topics such as his work, or his other love - music - he is off. And he can talk and talk. He is getting ready to take his new film, Trauma to the Sundance Festival, hosted by Robert Redford. The last time he was there, in 1997, he took his first film, House of America, and, while he might just want to watch instead of promote Trauma, if the trade press falls in love with it, it will surely spell success. House of America was a unsavoury look at a family trying to escape their lot. Resurrection Man was a portrayal of 1970s Northern Ireland and My Little Eye, a Big Brother meets internet slasher movie, have all lived up to his dark reputation as a film-maker. Has the 44-year-old chosen to shake this off with his new film? Frankly, no. Trauma, starring Colin Firth and Mena Suvari, tells the tale of a man waking from a coma to find he has lost his wife in a car crash. Plunging into grief, he experiences a kind of mental illness and struggles to cope while the rest of the world is coming to terms with its own loss - a young, adulated pop star who people never knew personally. In the programme for the Sundance Festival, a note has been added about Trauma which lumps the film into a category called \"post 9/11 films\". Evans hadn't thought about his film in that way. \"Really, the film is about an ordinary man in extraordinary situations. \"The rest of the world is dealing with the grief of this person they do not know and he is trying to cope with this personal death.\" Firth was easy to get on board and a pleasure for Evans to work with. \"Colin was quite anxious to shed the Darcy role, and shirt, so he was up for it. \"What actor does not want to be in every scene of a film?\" But Firth was never meant to be in the film - it was written for a younger man. However, Evans immediately thought of him when he read the script. \"I worked with Colin on Ruth Rendell's Master of the Moor and I have always known he has a dark side. \"We sort of became friends and he was bemoaning the fact that people do not do the 'man in a suit' film anymore. \"So when I read the script I thought of him, as he was looking for the darker material. \"He said yes straight away.\" With Firth on board the film instantly had more selling power but American actress Mena Suvari was brought in initially to get more funding. Evans is candid about what is needed to get a movie shot and out in the cinemas and does not gloss over the film process. \"We needed Mena for the money and originally I did not know that much about her. \"She looks like an angel. She is the American Beauty. \"But she is dark as hell. She was reading a book on the Yorkshire Ripper and she had been to visit a pathology museum. \"That interested me, she looks like an angel but was darker.\" Evans screened My Little Eye for Suvari and her husband, cinematographer Robert Brinkmann, to give them an insight into his work, before the 24-year old actress signed up. The L'Oreal model is quite picky with her roles, so it was another coup for Evans to have her on board. \"That made me respect her, she did this because she wanted to. \"She was delightful to work with.\" Moving from a group of unknown actors in My Little Eye to the famous faces in Trauma was easy for Evans, because the cast were down to earth. \"I was never nervous with the people I worked with. \"Colin was a dream. In his view some of the romantic comedies he felt miserable on, but in this film he was covered in ants and he had a laugh.\" The film was also a joy to work on for Evans because he got to work with Oscar-winning Gladiator cameraman, John Mathieson. Here h"}, {"response": 845, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (22:40)", "body": "Firth on Evans Jan 17 2004 Claire Hill, The Western Mail BRIDGET JONES star Colin Firth relished the chance to appear in a darker film, but it was working with the Welsh director that made the process worthwhile. Firth said, \"Marc and I worked together on the Ruth Rendell TV movie Master of the Moor and I thought he was brilliant. So I wanted to join him again but our numerous attempts never quite panned out. \"Then Trauma came out of leftfield and intrigued me enough to sign on to what was clearly going to be an interesting journey. My main motivation for doing anything these days is to work with people I have always wanted to collaborate with and this seemed the perfect opportunity for us.\""}, {"response": 846, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (23:20)", "body": "A less than stellar review from the Toronto Star: Texture missing from visual treat PETER HOWELL MOVIE CRITIC Girl With A Pearl Earring Starring Scarlett Johansson, Colin Firth, Tom Wilkinson, Essie Davis and Judy Parfitt. Directed by Peter Webber. At major theatres. PG Why is Da Vinci's Mona Lisa smiling? What is Rodin's The Thinker pondering? What incredible vision inspired Dali's The Persistence Of Memory? In the presence of an acknowledged masterwork, a thoughtful person can't help but wonder about the story behind the enduring image. Such artful thinking sparked Tracy Chevalier's 1999 bestselling novel Girl With A Pearl Earring, which offered a dramatic explanation for one of most famous and enigmatic paintings by Johannes Vermeer, the 17th-century Dutch master. Chevalier used fiction to suggest answers to eternal questions: Who was the young girl who peers so knowingly from the picture? Why is she dressed so exotically, wearing a turban not of her culture? And where did those pearl earrings come from? The conceit of Chevalier's book, and now the attentive and visually splendid movie by first-time British filmmaker Peter Webber, is that the girl was an enigmatic housemaid named Griet, who is played in the film by the remarkably assured Scarlett Johansson (Lost In Translation). As the tale goes, she was both muse and temptation for the very married and very Catholic Vermeer (Colin Firth), who had to struggle to balance his artistic instincts against his adulterous urges. The story opens in 1665 in the artistic city of Delft, with the shy young Griet being dispatched by her family to the Vermeer household as an act of desperation. Her artist father was recently blinded in a kiln accident, and no money is coming in. \"Keep clear of their Catholic prayers,\" Griet's mother scolds. The Vermeers are also in disarray. The painter and his wife Catharina (Essie Davis) have a large brood, with yet another child on the way. They live in the home of Catharina's shrewd mother Maria Thins (Judy Parfitt), who sees all too well that a reckoning is coming: The family can no longer afford to maintain its lavish lifestyle. The perfectionist Vermeer takes many months to complete a single painting, and his major source of income is money he receives from wealthy patron Master van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson), whose patience and loyalty are fast running out. There is no hurry to set the scene, something that is both strength and weakness for the film. Griet stoically takes up her tasks in the kitchen and laundry, working for small pay and even less thanks, and her actions are a study in calm determination. She is resigned to her fate, which she accepts unsmilingly but with grace. The only sense of a life beyond the mundane for her comes when she cleans the sacrosanct studio of Vermeer, who begins to notice and appreciate her artistic sense \ufffd Griet realizes that cleaning the windows could affect the painter's light \ufffd and her attention to detail. Vermeer gives her the important task of mixing the colours for his palette, even as his high-strung wife begins to cast suspicious eyes toward the pair. Screenwriter Olivia Hetreed dispenses with the book's first-person narrative, but she retains Chevalier's careful assessment of 17th-century Europe in general, and the Vermeer household in particular. There is much pleasure to be derived in simply sitting back and taking in the scene, much as you would for a painting. Cinematographer Eduardo Serra (The Wings Of The Dove) gives the film a lustrous feel, each scene looking as if it could be a Vermeer portrait. The picture is simply ravishing, but at times it falls prey to its own contemplations. Dramatic turns involving Catharina's increasing jealousy, Griet's growing interest (and vice-versa) in Vermeer, the wooings of a local butcher boy (Cillian Murphy) and the demands of van Ruijven are treated as diversions, rather than being part of the main narrative. Johansson is marvellous as the self-contained Griet, so introspective it seems impossible the same woman also played the outgoing Charlotte of Lost In Translation. It is only when she smiles (rarely), and her face is transformed, that we can see the resemblance between the two characters. Wilkinson also impresses as van Ruijven, making something out of a character that is little more than a dirty old man. Less successful is the casting of Colin Firth as Vermeer. The 24-year age gap between Firth and Johansson isn't the problem \ufffd she is old beyond her years \ufffd but the romantic involvement so essential to the film's suggested intrigues just isn't there. Firth doesn't even show up until a good 20 minutes into the film, and when he does he's so self-absorbed, he barely notices her. The stately pace continues, with eros implied, but not shown. Whatever lustful urges were brought out of Vermeer by his subject for Girl With A Pearl Earring remain as tantalizingly obscure as always. And perhaps that's the way it should be, since all great art is i"}, {"response": 847, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (23:36)", "body": "Thanks for the Marc Evans interview, Mari. Very interesting!"}, {"response": 848, "author": "kelbrom1", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 2004 (04:31)", "body": "Hey all I hope I haven't missed anything but am now listening to Jonathan Ross and there is no mention of Colin being on it today. Have I got the wrong week??? Help"}, {"response": 849, "author": "paddyblue", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 2004 (06:30)", "body": "Results of the \"Hello\" Magazine poll - ODB did well http://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/specials/men03/pagina_1_1.html"}, {"response": 850, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 2004 (09:18)", "body": "(kelli)hope I haven't missed anything but am now listening to Jonathan Ross and there is no mention of Colin being on it today. Have I got the wrong week??? His name disappeared from the guest list on Friday, and was replaced by Rob Bryden, I think. No explanation. I emailed the show, but have had no response."}, {"response": 851, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 2004 (09:25)", "body": "(ME)\"She looks like an angel. She is the American Beauty. \"But she is dark as hell. She was reading a book on the Yorkshire Ripper and she had been to visit a pathology museum. Doesn't sound like MS was subject of the 'importance of casting remark'. Thanks Mari, for the great article on ME and T."}, {"response": 852, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 2004 (11:12)", "body": "(Toronto Star) Less successful is the casting of Colin Firth as Vermeer. The 24-year age gap between Firth and Johansson isn't the problem \ufffd she is old beyond her years \ufffd but the romantic involvement so essential to the film's suggested intrigues just isn't there. Firth doesn't even show up until a good 20 minutes into the film, and when he does he's so self-absorbed, he barely notices her. The stately pace continues, with eros implied, but not shown. Everyone happy that he explained it? ;-) Thanks for the article, Mari. Very interesting. (Linda) Doesn't sound like MS was subject of the 'importance of casting remark'. LOL! Naturally, I was thinking the same but it could still be about her, i.e., not that she was bad but the 'importance of casting' a hot American actress in order to generate interest in the film. Just another angle. (Evans) \"Colin was a dream. In his view some of the romantic comedies he felt miserable on, but in this film he was covered in ants and he had a laugh.\" So, Colin thinks being covered by ants is preferable to working in a rom-com. The definitive measure. ;-)"}, {"response": 853, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 2004 (11:31)", "body": "(Marc Evans) At the moment he is looking at making a musical set in Swansea - a film about the life of Joe Meek, the legendary record producer who killed himself and his landlady. Can't wait;-) Note to ME: \"Call Hugh Jackman\" (Globe /Mail)We recently saw her in Lost in Translation, and very few actors could manage the transition from a night in Tokyo all the way back to the days of the Dutch Golden Age ? yet Johansson, blessed with a face for all seasons, makes the trip without breaking stride\" The reviews are better than I thought...but a lot has to do with SJ being the Flavour of the Month now. All of them single her out. ME)\"She looks like an angel. She is the American Beauty. \"But she is dark as hell. She was reading a book on the Yorkshire Ripper and she had been to visit a pathology museum. (Linda)Doesn't sound like MS was subject of the 'importance of casting remark'. Methinks he was CUA after the remark that he cast her for the cash. ME does sound like an intriguing person...an odd ball, but interesting."}, {"response": 854, "author": "kelbrom1", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 2004 (12:05)", "body": "Thanks Janet for your response at least I know I haven't gone mad!"}, {"response": 855, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 2004 (14:37)", "body": "(TS)but the romantic involvement so essential to the film's suggested intrigues just isn't there. Firth doesn't even show up until a good 20 minutes into the film, and when he does he's so self-absorbed, he barely notices her. The stately pace continues, with eros implied, but not shown. (Karen)Everyone happy that he explained it? ;-) Yes...and no;-)I see the point, but to me, that's direction and not necessarily casting."}, {"response": 856, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 2004 (16:21)", "body": "Thanks for the interesting ME article Mari! No sex please, we're painting Chris Knight National Post Friday, January 16, 2004 GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING It's a rare work of art that makes a journey from one medium to another unscathed. Johannes Vermeer's 1665 painting Girl With a Pearl Earring has made it twice. The painting, one of only three dozen surviving works attributed to the Dutch master, was the subject five years ago of a novel by Tracy Chevalier, who imagined the life of its subject, about whom even less is known than the painter. Now that story has been adapted for the screen, and those who enjoyed the novel will find little of substance changed. Not since Kazuo Ishiguro's The Remains of the Day (another tale of introspection and things not said) has a book been so lovingly rendered in celluloid. The story concerns Griet (Scarlett Johansson), the daughter of a Delft tile maker who has lost his vision and hence his livelihood; she supports her parents by working as a maid in the house of Vermeer (Colin Firth). He and his wife, Catharina, share their home with a growing brood of children, Catharina's shrewd mother, Maria Thins, and another servant, Tanneke. They are several steps up the social ladder from Griet, but hardly secure -- an early scene shows a bankrupt neighbour being visited by 17th-century repo men -- and they are heavily dependent on Vermeer's odious patron, Pieter Van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson), who demands that his ego (and sometimes more) be stroked. Johansson, not yet 18 when filming began, performs superbly in a role that demands much. As a possible conquest for Van Ruijven, the romantic interest of another Pieter, a butcher's son (28 Days Later's Cillian Murphy), and the subject of Vermeer's painting, Griet is always at the receiving end of a male gaze, and constantly reminded of it. \"Don't get caught up in his world,\" Pieter tells her, and Maria Thins echoes the advice: \"You're a fly in his web.\" Johansson's face, luminous yet earthy, seems at once open and curious with those wide eyes, and guarded in the tilt of her head. She wears a bonnet throughout the film (tellingly, her hair is revealed only once) and uses it as a shield against emotions that might find their way in or out -- when she first sees her portrait she blurts out, with a mixture of awe and fear: \"You looked inside me.\" Firth is the go-to actor when roles demand smouldering, which he does like nobody's business -- even tightly buttoned into a waistcoat, emotionally he is open-shirted and damp. He can spend a six-minute scene in total silence, constantly about to speak. Vermeer finds a kindred if illiterate spirit in Griet; she possesses an instinctive understanding of composition, but lacks the vocabulary to describe it. From brief, Socratic conversations about his work, he moves on to having her mix paints, an arduous task that in the 1660s required procuring rare minerals and lots of work with a mortar and pestle. Still, the relationship never approaches one of equals: When Griet tells her master she doesn't have time to do both his bidding and her regular household chores, he shuts her down with a brusque remark: \"Make time.\" First-time feature director Peter Webber relies a little too heavily on swelling music to carry the mood, but he needn't -- the lighting and composition are pretty as a picture. Characters are framed in doorways or seen through window panes as though caught on canvas, and the light of candles or the sun catches them most often from one side, creating deep shadows and highlights. One pastoral shot of a riverbank next to a regularly spaced row of trees and a country lane looks as though it could be a painting itself, until we see figures in motion on the path. As in the novel, much of the emotional content is shown in tiny gestures. Johansson conveys joy or fear with the slightest change of pace, and the sexual tension between Griet and Vermeer is all in the eyes, or at most the accidental brush of knuckle against knuckle as she hands him a jar of colour. It's enough, though -- Maria Thins sees her son-in-law smitten but also painting faster than ever; Catharina, ignorant of painterly things and in fact forbidden to enter the master's studio, has a vague feeling of unease; and eldest daughter Cornelia is young enough to have a child's instant and illogical hatred of Griet, but old enough to know how to cause trouble. In the end, it is nothing so crass as sex that brings matters to a head. Writer Chevalier and screenwriter Olivia Hetreed are wise enough to know that emotion usually begins with a look, and sometimes it ends there. Rating three 1/2 http://www.canada.com/national/nationalpost/news/artslife/story.html?id=6175f2ae-f54b-4dd1-95bb-ed51b4c0adad"}, {"response": 857, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 2004 (16:49)", "body": "Karen, it looks like the MyMovies link you posted the other day has added a couple of clips. One of a press conference and the other an interview with the writer and director. My home computer is too weak to pull them up (and now I can't watch from work) I shall go mad, mad I tell you! http://www.mymovies.net/reviews/review_offical.asp?filmid=1519&reviewid=1"}, {"response": 858, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 2004 (19:41)", "body": "'We didn't want the \"Griet discovers her sexuality in front of the mirror\" scene' (Filed: 15/01/2004) Even before Girl With a Pearl Earring became an international best-selling novel, producers were circling for the film rights. Screenwriter Olivia Hetreed explains how she came to write the script and the challenges of adaptation. Interview by Marisol Grand\ufffdn Tracy Chevalier's fictitious novel about Vermeer and his maid, Griet, has now sold more than two million copies worldwide. But how did it get from page to screen? Before the book was published, companies including Miramax were keen to buy the rights, although nobody could have predicted the book's tremendous success. Thanks to Pathe Films and Lion's Gate Entertainment, the film's backers, Chevalier's tender narrative escaped Hollywood's clutches. Olivia Hetreed is a seasoned British screenwriter who chooses her projects carefully. She wrote the screenplays for several ITV dramas including adaptations of The Canterville Ghost, What Katy Did and one of the BBC's contemporary stories based on The Canterbury Tales. How do you think the film would have turned out had it gone to Miramax or one of the other Hollywood studios? The book is written in the first person. So the single biggest challenge of the adaptation was to find a way of bringing Griet's inner voice to the screen. Miramax wanted it with voice-over. But voice-over seemed to me to be completely wrong for this film, partly because it would make it very literary, but also because Griet is a character who is not analytical. She is not able to work out what her situation is. She's simply in the moment. In order to have that, you need to be as involved in the situation as she is. Voice-over immediately puts a distance on it and a kind of detachment. I was very lucky that that pressure never came on me because of the way the film was made. The film was protected. Both Pathe and Lion's Gate who were the principal producers were even pulling in the opposite direction. They would say: \"Oh, I don't think we need to be as obvious as that.\" They were really sympathetic to the nature of the film. It's not an ordinary film in that respect. It does ask quite a lot of the viewer and it's quite ambiguous, particularly the ending. How did you and producer Andy Paterson convince the author, Tracy Chevalier, to sell the film rights? We were very fortunate. I got a copy of the book before it came out because I share an agent with her. I read it prepublication. And although there were people interested, it wasn't a best-seller at that point. I read it and just completely fell in love with it. I thought it was utterly thrilling. When I read it, I 'saw' the movie immediately. Andy and co-producer Anand Tucker met Tracy and they pitched her their version of the story. They told her they didn't want to change it. She believed that they wouldn't make it Hollywood, they wouldn't have them sleep together, or have the \"Griet discovers her sexuality in front of the mirror\" scene. So she went with it. Chevalier thought for a second about writing it herself. But with really impressive self-control and restraint she thought: \"No actually, that's not what I do.\" She has written two more novels since and has been incredibly trusting and generous. Was it tempting to add a kiss or any more contact between Griet and Vermeer? No, I don't think so. The 'almostness' of the story and the incredible tension was more thrilling. There's a moment where Vermeer and Griet are outside the house. He says \"Tomorrow\" and she says \"I can't\". It's like an affair. They're moving past each other and they're barely acknowledging each other. To me, those moments of tension are more thrilling than getting on with it. Indeed, our instincts were always to play it down. Colin and Scarlett agreed. Colin and Scarlett's relationship on set was very interesting. I was there just before they started shooting all the studio scenes and just after. The difference in the two actors' relationship before and after those scenes was amazing. I returned six days later and they were completely different with each other. It had been such an intense experience for them. Reports suggest Chevalier received just \ufffd10,000 for the film rights. Is that true? That wasn't for the rights, that was for the options. She was paid a lot more when the film was made. How much extra research did you have to put into the screenplay? The book is very clever because it's carefully placed on the few known facts about Vermeer. They're like little pillars sticking up out of the dust of history, which tell us about his family and some of his business transactions. But it's pretty sparse information. However, there is a wealth of information about 17th-century Dutch society. I did the research again and I covered a lot of the same ground as Tracy. As I was going through, I'd suddenly find something and think: \"Ah! That's where she got that from!\" But in the process of adaptation, you need to do the "}, {"response": 859, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 2004 (20:02)", "body": "A very long and chatty interview by Neil Young's Film Lounge with Peter Webber on GWAPE http://www.jigsawlounge.co.uk/film/peterwebberinterview.html"}, {"response": 860, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 2004 (20:31)", "body": "Whoops, me again... Interesting interview with Eduardo Serra at Cinematographer.com re GWAPE along with three quicktime clips (which, as you now know, this whiny moper can't see...) http://www.uemedia.net/CPC/cinematographer/article_5939.shtml"}, {"response": 861, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 2004 (20:52)", "body": "Colin interviewed (I use that term lightly here, strange format) in the Jan/Feb magazine/website for Southwest trains??? http://www.e-motionmagazine.co.uk/SWTEmotion/NewsFeatures/ColinFirth.htm"}, {"response": 862, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 2004 (00:27)", "body": "Thanks for all the links, Maria. I'll have to check them out in the morning. Wasn't it the mymovies' site press conference clip that I was pointing out? The director and writer ones would be new. Thanks! Philip French's in The Observer: Old Masters, young servants Vermeer's masterpiece is bought vividly to life thanks to brilliant cinematography Sunday January 18, 2004 A feminist subspecies of the traditional biopic has arisen in recent years in which recognition is demanded for the women living in the shadow of famous artists. In Percy Adlon's C\ufffdleste, the centre of interest is not Marcel Proust, but his devoted housekeeper. Camille Claudel sets out to rescue the sculptress exploited by Auguste Rodin. Tom and Viv seeks justice for T.S. Eliot's maligned wife. Frida claims equality for the painter married to the bombastic Diego Rivera. Surviving Picasso puts the case for the artists' crushed mistresses, Fran\ufffdoise Gilot and Dora Maar. For his musical, Sunday in the Park With George, Stephen Sondheim invented a mistress-model, wittily called Dot, for an egotistical Seurat to work into La Grande Jatte. Something similar, though more sombre, lies at the centre of Peter Webber's Girl With a Pearl Earring, a film of the Tracy Chevalier novel. The movie's central conceit is that there was a teenage maid called Griet (Scarlett Johansson) in the cramped household of Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth) in Delft who posed for his Girl With a Pearl Earring. This is the painting from around 1665 that sold for the equivalent of 25p in the 1880s and now hangs in the Hague. There is also the invention that Vermeer, who sold as few paintings as his admirer Van Gogh did, had a rich patron, Van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson rawing on the overbearing, upper-class side of his repertoire). In this wealthy merchant's house hangs View of Delft and his support, nurtured by the painter's mother-in-law (Judy Parfitt), keeps the cash-strapped Vermeers from starving. When Griet arrives to take up her post, she sees the Vermeers' bankrupt neighbours weeping beside the canal as the bailiffs take away their furniture. This film, then, is about art and exploitation and how a young woman attempts to resist a system designed to make her hopelessly vulnerable. Griet is a Protestant in a Catholic household. The artist's permanently pregnant wife and her cruel children despise and resent the pretty newcomer. The lecherous merchant Van Ruijven lusts after Griet and, in lieu of realising his desires, he agrees to have a painting made of her to leer over in his private gallery. This turns out to be Girl With a Pearl Earring. There is in Vermeer's paintings of servant girls a sense of passivity, of quiet acceptance of their place, that led Claude Goretta to call his celebrated 1977 film The Lacemaker, a reference to the Vermeer painting in the Louvre that he compares with the resigned state of Isabelle Huppert at the end of the movie. But this applies only to the surface appearance of the subservient Griet. Though illiterate, she's strong-willed and intelligent. Vermeer, who appropriately remains a quiet, mysterious man, recognises her natural understanding of art and a sensitivity superior to that of his petulant wife and domineering mother-in-law. She becomes involved in mixing his paints and in the shaping of his work, subtly producing a change in the composition of Woman With a Water Jug. Does Vermeer lust after Griet the way his patron does? Is desire for the model sublimated or expressed in the work of art? Griet feels she is being possessed and when her ear is painfully pierced by Vermeer and her blood flows, it is clear she is being symbolically deflowered. His mother-in-law abets in this act as a way of pleasing the rich patron and her role brings to mind Vermeer's earliest genre painting, The Procuress. Immediately after the piercing, Griet rushes off to surrender her real virginity to a boyfriend, a butcher's son of her own class. Girl With a Pearl Earring is quiet, intelligent and well-acted. Olivia Hetreed's dialogue is plain and inoffensive in an old-fashioned schools-broadcasting manner. What most people will be impressed by, and carry away in their mind's eye, is the film's appearance. French cinematographer Eduardo Serra and his Dutch collaborators, the production designer Ben van Os and the costume designer Dien van Straalen, have given the movie a self-conscious beauty. The landscapes are out of Hobbema. The stern, black-dressed mother-in-law looks as if she has posed for Rembrandt or Hals. The interiors and exteriors of Delft resemble paintings by Vermeer, Pieter de Hooch and their contemporaries brought to life. Van Meegeren the forger never came near this."}, {"response": 863, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 2004 (09:20)", "body": "Thanks Maria for the Southwest Trains interview;-) Good to hear him say nice things about Winchester; it's a gorgeous city. (Where you get off to go to Chawton, JA's home; she's buried at the Winchcester cathedral)) Just a short while ago he referred to it as \"the sticks\"."}, {"response": 864, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 2004 (10:20)", "body": "Just a short while ago he referred to it as \"the sticks\". He wasn't wrong IMHO! It may look nice in parts but thereis not much going on there. They did not have a cinema until about 6 years ago :-("}, {"response": 865, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 2004 (10:22)", "body": "FYI: Ebert will mention GWAPE again next weekend, when they do a program on \"Most Overlooked Films of 2003.\""}, {"response": 866, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 2004 (10:44)", "body": "And Cosmo has spoken, from the Sunday Times: His dark interiors Girl with a Pearl Earring is impeccably tasteful yet strangely anaemic, says Cosmo Landesman Last week, we had Scarlett Johansson in a film, Lost n Translation, about a younger woman's relationship with an older man (Bill Murray). This week we have Scarlett Johansson in a film, Girl With a Pearl Earring, about a younger woman's relationship with an older man (Colin Firth). What could a film set in contemporary Japan and a film set in 17th-century Holland possibly have in common, other than Scarlett Johansson and older men? Answer: repression. At a time when an older generation of film-makers--Brian De Palma, Paul Verhoeven, William Friedkin--can be heard complaining that the puritanism of the George W Bush era is pushing sex out of films [Ed note: Aren't you glad I posted that article on O&E? ], we have two films by younger directors who seem to be saying: no sex, please, we're American art movies. Both are works that revel in restraint. Watching Girl with a Pearl Earring, I realised I hadn't seen so much drama beneath the surface since the final act of James Cameron's Titanic. Based on Tracy Chevalier's hit novel, it purports to tell the story behind the creation of Johannes Vermeer's painting of that name. I hate to be a party-pooper, but nobody knows who the girl in the painting really was, so what we are watching is an illusion. This film is the biography of a masterpiece based on pure speculation--and nobody seems to mind. When Hollywood does this sort of thing, everyone groans about distorting the truth; but when it's a conspicuously artful work like this, it's called poetic truth (ie, a lie with classy cinematography). Anyway, this is the story of how Griet (Johansson), an uneducated but beautiful 17-year-old servant girl, came to play a part in the creation of Vermeer's masterpiece. Her blind father is sick, and to support her family, Griet must leave her quiet Protestant home to work as a servant for the noisy, Catholic Vermeer family. Life with the Vermeers is a cold, harsh and crowded affair, full of bawling babies, petulant kids and scheming adults. Her jealous mistress, Catharina (Essie Davis), is a headache, and the house is ruled by the Machiavellian mother-in-law, Maria (Judy Parfitt). And there's the great man himself (Firth), who spends his days locked away in his studio, scowling. The world of the Vermeers is full of dark interiors where people creep around in the shadows, spying on each other. Most of Griet's time is spent shopping, scrubbing, boiling and fetching. We see her soft white hands slowly turn into red lumps of scarred meat. But her beauty, which is kept tightly under wraps, soon attracts the eye of her master, Vermeer. A relationship develops based on her interest in art, and soon she is cleaning his studio before graduating to mixing his paints. Her elevation from maid to muse is made explicit when we see Vermeer watching her wash his studio windows--this provides the inspiration for another famous Vermeer painting, Woman with a Water Jug. Griet is taken into the private world of his creative life like a mistress to his bed. Soon, they begin an illicit affair of the art--for, behind his jealous wife's back, Griet sits for Vermeer in the painting that is to become Girl with a Pearl Earring. On paper, this story is the stuff of melodrama, a young-servant-girl-in-peril story. Griet faces the sexual attentions of her master and the even more explicit erotic longing of Vermeer's manipulative patron, the lecherous Master van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson). But the director, Peter Webber, is more keen to create a mellow drama than a melodrama. The dominant tone is understatement. What interests him are those little events--the brush of a hand, the licking of lips, the letting down of Griet's hair--that carry such an erotic charge. But the film is a little too restrained for my taste; the central drama is left looking too anaemic to make an impact. Johansson is perfect as Griet; such is her luminosity that she seems to be lit from beneath her skin. But Colin Firth has reacted against the film tradition of portraying painters as larger-than-life figures and ends up with a character who can't fill the screen. This is one of those films you feel obliged to admire because it's so self-consciously artistic. The cinematographer, Eduardo Serra, has framed his frames with the simple use of light and composition that comes straight from Vermeer paintings. It's done with such impeccable good taste that real life seems to be smothered beneath its sumptuous style. By the end, you feel as if you've seen a wonderful exhibition of Vermeer, but where's the drama? Girl with a Pearl Earring, 12A, 100 mins, one star"}, {"response": 867, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 2004 (11:45)", "body": "(Cosmo) one star Pox on Cosmo. As I've always said ...with a name like that he's always on the offensive. (Allison)It may look nice in parts but there is not much going on there... LOL. C'mon Allison, you make it sound like a hamlet in the Cotswolds;-)"}, {"response": 868, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 2004 (12:38)", "body": "Very good review by Jenny McCartney in the Sunday Telegraph. \"Painterly, beautifully understated gem\"....\"Firth, temporarily liberated from the rigours of romantic comedy, none the less looks his most romantic here. The straggling locks of an Old Master suit him. His performance emphasises Vermeer's overwhelming selfish obsession with the craft of painting - although other considerations - kindness, desire, the increasingly urgent need to earn money - can be seen drifting in and out of his consciousness.\" Definitely a difference in male/female perspective! Doesn't the ghastly Cosmo use a different rating system - no star, one star, two. Doesn't go any further?"}, {"response": 869, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 2004 (13:29)", "body": "http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/sundance/ A good BBCInteractive site - you can email the reporter and ask her to report back on particular movies (or maybe questions for cast/director?). \"Trauma\" is on her list of films to see."}, {"response": 870, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 2004 (14:26)", "body": "Bethan - Great link for Sundance info. Thanks."}, {"response": 871, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 2004 (14:28)", "body": "Thank you for the reviews and all the links. Maria I especially liked the Telegraph's Olivia H. interview. Chevalier thought for a second about writing it herself. I spoke with her last night and she said that her agent quickly talked her out of it by saying she didn't know how to write a screen play and that she should stick to books. Her Vermeer she says was quite ruthless and the reason he made Griet pierce her other ear was because esthetically, she didn't look right wearing only one. She had to have them both on. The film was \"reussi\" and Scarlett was perfect and although she doesn't look like Griet, she became her at the end."}, {"response": 872, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 2004 (14:32)", "body": "You can listen to Ebert & Roeper's reviews of GWAPE, and also check out their memo to the Academy list with CF. http://tvplex.go.com/buenavista/ebertandroeper/today.html"}, {"response": 873, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 2004 (14:59)", "body": "(Moon) The film was \"reussi\" Translate, pl. (author via Moon) Her Vermeer she says was quite ruthless.. Hmmmm.Wonder if she told Colin that. To me in the book Vermeer came across as a predator. Thankfully, Colin didn't play him that way."}, {"response": 874, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 2004 (15:48)", "body": "(Bethan) Doesn't the ghastly Cosmo use a different rating system - no star, one star, two. Doesn't go any further? Is that right? One wonders why he even bothers with stars. Would be easier to say: No, OK, and yes. (Moon) The film was \"reussi\" Translate, pl. Precipitous. ;-)"}, {"response": 875, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 2004 (16:06)", "body": "Speaking of precipitous...... Spoke to someone in Press Office, conveniently 20 ft away at the moment..... We were told definite shows were Marc Evans and Mena Suvari, with Colin and Brenda Fricker as TBD-but unlikely . :-( Well here's hoping. They didn't say a definite \"No.\" Will check for updated list tomorrow. Later!"}, {"response": 876, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 2004 (16:12)", "body": "Thanks Dorine for the update. Can't believe that (mumble mumble) won't be there."}, {"response": 877, "author": "soph", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 2004 (16:53)", "body": "is this still news ? i'm not sure, but here goes : a flood of gwape publicity pix up on french sites (movie opening here in march) : here's one i hadn't seen yet (hello there, hand lovers) : also, they changed tack in terms of poster and went straight for the recreation of the painting : very nice imo... check it out @ alt poster thanks for the news everyone."}, {"response": 878, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 2004 (17:05)", "body": "Merci, sophie! (Moon) The film was \"reussi\" (Evelyn), Translate, pl. Succeeded. All the goals were attained. (Karen), Precipitous. ;-) ?????"}, {"response": 879, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 2004 (17:33)", "body": "GWAPE did well again this weekend, with an excellent $9,215 per screen average: Girl with a Pearl Earring $470,000 +48.4% 51 +10 $9,215 $1,873,000"}, {"response": 880, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 2004 (17:41)", "body": "(Mari)GWAPE did well again this weekend, with an excellent $9,215 per screen average Now if they would just get it to a theater near me I can assure you it will do even better;-)"}, {"response": 881, "author": "Leah", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 2004 (05:24)", "body": "GWAPE is coming to South Africa 'tentatively' on 9 April. Can't wait. Thanks for all the reviews - they make the wait durable."}, {"response": 882, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 2004 (05:33)", "body": "10 Bafta nominations for GWAPE - see BBC Entertainment site"}, {"response": 883, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 2004 (10:16)", "body": "For those who don't go to O&E, Emma was kind enough to type the BAFTA nominations and list them on #178."}, {"response": 884, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 2004 (11:07)", "body": "Go to www.tribute.ca and then go to Tribute TV to see an interview from Toronto with Colin and SJ. This was supposed to have been on TV here on Saturday but was pre-empted by skating, so I'm happy as a happy girl :-)"}, {"response": 885, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 2004 (11:21)", "body": "Here's a direct link to the video: http://www.tribute.ca/multimedia/interview.asp?m_id=7883&firstin=1"}, {"response": 886, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 2004 (11:23)", "body": "And we're happy that you brought it to us. Thanks Brenda. She has improved her interview skills tremendously since Toronto. Obviously a fun shoot. Their compatibility paid off."}, {"response": 887, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 2004 (11:43)", "body": "Thanks Brenda and Karen for the direct link. I get an error and am unable to watch the SJ and CF video but there is a seven minute video of just Colin if you go to star chat and click on clipstream...(And yes, I gave up on being good at work...:-))"}, {"response": 888, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 2004 (11:50)", "body": "Thanks Maria for the additional info. I believe Brenda had posted transcribed text before, which is also on the site: http://www.tribute.ca/newsletter/121/starchat_01.html This link takes you directly to the StarChat page: http://www.tribute.ca/newsletter/starchats/index.asp"}, {"response": 889, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 2004 (13:33)", "body": "The star chat video stream is almost the same as the audio except you get to see his hands a lot and pulling on his nose;-) Sounds as if it was SJ who set the tone on the set. Her enthusiasm and vitality was infectious."}, {"response": 890, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 2004 (15:12)", "body": "I had missed the longer clip! Thanks for that link. I wouldn't have gone back to the chat page. Very nice clip! Makes me think they may have read my emails begging for more Colin :-D"}, {"response": 891, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 2004 (15:13)", "body": "Thanks, everyone. Interviews, chats, and BAFTA noms...now that is my kind of Monday. (Maria)...(And yes, I gave up on being good at work...:-)) I'm pleased to hear it;-)"}, {"response": 892, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 2004 (18:22)", "body": "News Release Monday 19 January 2004, 12:46 GMT Monday 19 January 2004 FILM AWARD Pathe Distribution British film GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING scores 10 BAFTA nominations LONDON, January 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Path\ufffd Pictures' GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING, released on Friday 16th January and starring Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson received 10 BAFTA nominations today. THE ALEXANDER KORDA AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM OF THE YEAR Andy Paterson, Anand Tucker, Peter Webber THE CARL FOREMAN AWARD FOR SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT BY A BRITISH DIRECTOR/PRODUCER OR WRITER IN THEIR FIRST FEATURE FILM Peter Webber BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY Olivia Hetreed BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE Scarlett Johansson BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Judy Parfitt THE ANTHONY ASQUITH AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN FILM MUSIC Alexandre Desplat BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY Eduardo Serra AFC, ASC BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN Ben Van Os BEST COSTUME DESIGN Dien Van Straalen BEST MAKE UP AND HAIR Jenny Shircore GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING unravels the mystery behind one of Dutch Master artist Johannes Vermeer's greatest and most enigmatic paintings. Seventeen year-old Griet (Johansson) is forced by family tragedy to become a maid for the Vermeer family. As intimacy grows between master and servant, disruption and jealousy spread within the ordered household and beyond, fuelling a scandal which threatens to ruin them all. The screenplay for GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING was adapted by Olivia Hetreed from Tracy Chevalier's best-selling novel and the film marks the feature film debut of director Peter Webber. Andy Paterson and Anand Tucker produce for Archer Street on behalf of Inside Track; Jimmy de Brabant is co-producer for Luxembourg's Delux Productions. The film opened on Friday 16th January to excellent reviews: \"Vermeer's masterpiece is brought vividly to life...brilliant cinematography\" - Philip French - The Observer - Film of the Week \"Stunning...hauntingly beautiful\" - Peter Bradshaw - The Guardian - Film of the Week \"A magical film...it will leave you spellbound. Scarlett Johansson gives a stunning performance\" - Allan Hunter - Daily Express - 5 Stars All images available on www.image.net. Note to Editors: Director Peter Webber and Producer Andy Paterson are available for interviews. Distributed by PR Newswire on behalf of Pathe Distribution http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=115403"}, {"response": 893, "author": "katty", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 2004 (20:27)", "body": "I completely agree with this description of Colin in GWAPE: http://www.iofilm.co.uk/fm/g/girl_with_a_pearl_earring_2003.shtml Vermeer is shown as a weak man, prone to outbursts of temper, but essentially trapped in a loveless marriage, controlled by a harridan and disliked by his children, whom he ignores. Firth gives one of his brooding, unshaven, devilishly attractive performances, borrowed from romantic fiction, in which the look in his eye and the movement of his hands speaks poetry."}, {"response": 894, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (01:26)", "body": "Portrait pics of Mena Suvari (and her husband) and Marc Evans: http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=gls====48141&evntI=594 Trauma premiere: http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=gls====48092&evntI=594"}, {"response": 895, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (02:40)", "body": "FILM REVIEW: Webber's artistic 'Pearl' is a slow-moving, subtle gem By Meaghan Chambers The Hoya (Georgetown U.) 01/19/2004 (U-WIRE) WASHINGTON -- Among the films released this holiday season, \"Girl with the Pearl Earring\" is perhaps the most subdued -- in acclaim, in attention and in tone. Unlike the practically animated \"Big Fish\" or adventurous \"Lord of the Rings,\" \"Girl with the Pearl Earring\"'s aim is much more low-key. Readers of Tracy Chevalier's novel of the same name, however, should understand that the transition to film is no simple undertaking, making this quite an accomplished film. Like the novel, the film is not driven by its plot, but rather by character development. It is not fast paced, but through the embedded character study, it manages to come off as charming and artistic. \"Girl with the Pearl Earring\" tells the fictionalized story of the creation of a painting by Johannes Vermeer in 1665 Netherlands. The teenage protagonist of the film, Griet (Scarlett Johansson), works as a maid in the house of Vermeer (Colin Firth). The painter's home is a foreign but strangely intriguing world to Griet; her mother warns her to stay away from their Catholic prayers and cover her Protestant ears if she hears them. During her work, she quickly befriends the other maid and quickly irritates Cornelia (Alakina Mann), one of Vermeer's children. Vermeer's wife Catharina (an astonishing Essie Davis) also dislikes Griet and remains wary of her throughout the film. Vermeer himself is mysterious -- he works alone in his studio and rarely crosses Griet's path in the beginning of her time at his house. Griet views Vermeer's studio as a sacred space and is always very careful when she works there. As Griet slowly becomes more visible to Vermeer, he begins to see something special in her -- an interest in art. They develop a friendship in which he teaches her about art and she blossoms with the responsibilities entrusted to her. Scarlett Johansson is perhaps Hollywood's most promising young actress. From her acclaimed performance in \"Ghostworld\" to this year's \"Lost in Translation,\" she rarely gives audiences anything other than a stellar performance. As Griet, she possesses great poise and delivers a performance that is shy and uncertain, but done with a streak of confidence. Upon first meeting the Vermeer's butcher, she sends back the meat he gives her and asks for the freshest cut. Her manner is slow, deliberate and open. But in the presence of her master she becomes slightly awkward, almost paralyzed with admiration. Colin Firth's naturally enigmatic expressions are appropriate for Vermeer. He has long, untamed hair and lurks around his house and studio like a madman (or some might say, a genius). The interactions between Firth and Johansson are extremely touching. At one point, Vermeer introduces Griet to the camera obscura -- a basic camera -- in what is one of the film's most intimate and honest exchanges. Griet catches the eye of -- and befriends -- the butcher's son, Pieter. She also attracts Vermeer's patron Van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson), a lecherous, wealthy man with a history of impregnating maids. Wilkinson's performance is a great combination of jovial exuberance and sexual innuendo. But it is clearly the relationship between Griet and Vermeer that is at the heart of the film. It is unclear whether Vermeer is actually attracted to Griet or if he sees in her only great artistic inspiration. Whatever the case, the tension between them is beautiful and strong. Director Peter Webber chose wisely to avoid changing the novel's plot and inventing a Hollywood romance. The mise-en-scene wonderfully illustrates the atmosphere of the city, Delft, and of Griet's situation. Drab blues, white, grays and yellows depict the winter scenes of the Netherlands and the clouds that Vermeer brings to Griet's attention. Each camera shot seems like a painting of its own. As the film begins and ends, Griet is shown looking lost and without direction as she walks across a compass made of tiles in a town square. This mural of colors and shapes may be the most beautiful shot of all. The long-lasting close-ups on Griet while she poses for a painting highlight the importance of the moment and the similarities between the actress and the actual painting. Webber does an exemplary job with images in the film, greatly compensating for the lack of narration. Johansson is also largely responsible for these expressive images; her nonverbal expressions speak volumes. These moments include the adrenaline rush she has when she influences Vermeer's art and the fear of a painting of a dying Jesus in her sleeping quarters. \"Girl with a Pearl Earring\" is a beautiful cinematic translation of a wonderfully illustrative and imagined novel. As a film about painting, it takes the artistic aspect of filmmaking very seriously and turns out an artistic success. The film resists all melodramatic urges and instead draws interest from its authentic, beautifu"}, {"response": 896, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (07:33)", "body": "Remember, reviews, reports, general audience reaction type stuff here. Spoilers about the film (details) on Spoilers. From the BBC's Sundance site: (Stella) it's a discomfiting watch - as the title suggests. Firth's performance is certainly a departure from the soft-centred roles we're used to seeing him in, but he pulls it off very well. That's very good to hear. In all, Trauma is the kind of high impact movie High impact? Now *that* I love! but rather like a Chinese takeaway, it left me feeling unsatisfied. Nevah heard of her."}, {"response": 897, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (08:02)", "body": "From the woman who wrote in the SF Chronicle: \"Painstakingly slathering paint on canvas, Firth displays the intensity of a great artist,\" Ruthe ran to see Trauma too. Wonder why? ;-) She wrote: The emotional effects of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks may account for the bad things that unexpectedly befall a parade of characters. Festival director Geoffrey Gilmore believes this year's crop of indie filmmakers--the first since Sept. 11 to have their work come to fruition--are reflecting the subconscious fears of the population. \"The kind of self-centered complacency that America was so full of in the '90s has seemed to evaporate. There is much more of a sense of anxiety,\" Gilmore said. Sundance offerings like \"November,\" \"The Machinist,\" \"Trauma\" and \"One Point O\" \"deal with people trying to resettle themselves in a world much less assured than it used to be and far more threatening.\" In \"Trauma,\" it's Colin Firth whose world falls apart after a car crash that kills his wife and leaves him first in a coma and then delusional. \"Colin's character is adrift,\" said director Marc Evans. \"He doesn't know where his anchor is, either emotionally or socially. He goes to a shrink, but actually, he gets the truth he is looking for from a medium. It is very true that since 9/11, we are all looking for solace any place we can find it.\""}, {"response": 898, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (08:05)", "body": "Brenda, thanks for the links to the interviews from the Toronto FF! Really enjoyed watching them. Whie we're waiting for the Sundance Kids to wake up . . . (Karen)Portrait pics of Mena Suvari (and her husband) and Marc Evans Awww, no Butch Cassidy. :-( :-( I really figured he'd show, thinking that supporting your director, publicizing the film, possibly enhancing chances of distribution deals and meeting serious film people who just might do you some good would be worthwhile things. Silly me. *Lightbulb* Maybe Mishimoko is Italian for \"no more field trips.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 899, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (08:31)", "body": "I love this! From Londoner's Diary in today's ES. Some chastening news for pin-up Colin firth. SJ, the precocious 19 year-old New yorker who plays opposite him in the new film, GWAPE, has been teasing him about his \"chicken legs\". \"The characteristic was accentuated by the breeches that Colin wore in the film\", says direcor PW. \"It's true his legs did look skinny in the old Dutch trousers he wore which finish above the ankle. Maybe Scarlett had a point - the trousers did make him look like he had chicken legs. I only put one shot of his ankles in the whole film, perhaps as a kindness.\""}, {"response": 900, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (09:09)", "body": "Thanks Brenda, Maria and Karen for the video links to the Toronto interviews... Even though we've read transcripts from these interviews it's always a little more telling to see the images. For instance, I very much got a kick out of hearing how the intervewer was just a wea bit flustered when asking those silly questions about his hearthrob status. I liked the way he handled it and shut it down pretty quickly. But then again, I'm not sure I would have been able to do any better. (Allison)... only put one shot of his ankles in the whole film, perhaps as a kindness. Interesting to see that post today. I saw the film again last night and noticed that very shot..it's when he's climbing up the ladder to where the paints are mixed....funny thing is that I had said to myself at the time \"Gosh, he really does have skinny legs...\""}, {"response": 901, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (09:28)", "body": "Brenda, Karen, thank you for the video link, I very much enjoyed the interview! It was funny to watch in the long version as Colin switched from Let's-get-on-with-the-interview mode to I'm-being-interviewed one. I watched his face as he was asked the sex symbol question and wondered if he would keep a straight face or the dimples would appear. I would've grinned in embarrassment at that point, but he is sooo used to that one by now, he didn't bat an eyelash. I loved the dimply smile at the end of that particular topic though.:-) (Allison - PW) \"...the trousers did make him look like he had chicken legs. I only put one shot of his ankles in the whole film, perhaps as a kindness.\" LOL! Be blessed for that Mr. Webber! I think I really like this guy... Scarlett must have had a ball teasing Colin about all his \"imperfections\". No wonder they had such a great time together. Thank you for all the reviews, links to pics etc. posted ladies."}, {"response": 902, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (09:38)", "body": "Since Whatshisname couldn't make Sundance, here's how Reuters is captioning Mena's pics. Sounds like \"she's\" in every frame. :-( Actress Mean Suvari, star of the drama film 'Trauma' poses during a photo session in Park City, Utah at the Sundance Film Festival, January 19, 2004. Suvari portrays a psychiatrist who takes an interest in a man, her neighbor, who had been her patient after he loses his wife in a car crash. The film is in competition at the festival which is celebrating its 20th anniversary. REUTERS/Fred Prouser"}, {"response": 903, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (09:53)", "body": "(Karen)..Sounds like \"she's\" in every frame.. That should teach him not to show..."}, {"response": 904, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (10:42)", "body": "UK box office stats: GWAPE made $684,406 in its first weekend and was #10 on the charts. On 106 screens, it had a $6,457 per screen avg. Not bad at all, though three other films (LOTR, LIT and Samurai had better per screen avgs). BTW, in its 8th week, LA is in 6th place, making $1,047,531 on 312 screens ($3,357/per screen avg) and has cumed $62,947,365."}, {"response": 905, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (12:59)", "body": "Sandi: I want to know about audience reaction to Trauma; anything Marc Evans or Mena said... it can be done here for all (who don't want the movie spoiled) to read."}, {"response": 906, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (13:27)", "body": "Ok thanks, They do not have a US distributor for the film yet. They are hoping to find one through the screening in Sundance. During the movie they're were various reactions and much applause at the end. Colin was on screen the whole time, and MS role was smaller than I expected. During the Q&A they asked the screen writer how old he was, because he looked like a BABY, so young! He is only 27, and he was commissioned to do it 2 years ago. There were some squeemish parts, which got an audience reaction, and also some funny bits which got laughs. It was a huge audience, over 1200+ I think, being in the largest venue for the festival. We will let you know how it plays tonight also, I think the theater has about 150 seats. Mena was polite and very very Petite. they only asked her a couple questions, one about \"spiders\" which she said \"they were very professional\" to a big laugh. They were asked how long the process took from first page to finish, They stated that the screenplay was commissioned 2 years ago, funding was secured 1 year ago, and they started filming last spring. This role was such a departure from what Colin has done before, I found myself looking for the lighter side of his expressions, which were few and far between. I think the venue was not the best forum for a Q&A, it was much too large. It took a minute to come out with the first question which was uncomfortable, and I think there were only 6 or 7 asked, and they had to keep repeating the question into the mic then answere. ME did say it was a privilage to be back, after his first movie was shown here 2 years ago, He praised everyone, including his 2 leads, who were amazing to work with. He stated that Colin wanted to be there, but he was busy being Mr. Darcy in the BJD sequel, and was here is spirit."}, {"response": 907, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (13:44)", "body": "(PWebber) I think a lot of directors are really \ufffd self-indulgent bunch of fuckers! Because, the amount of time I leave the cinema with a sore arse\ufffd and slightly bored, you think \ufffd \ufffdIf that film had been twenty minutes shorter, it would have been great\ufffd. Ha! . .Ain't that the truth . .nice to see a director who sees it too! Also liked his views on directing/ being a director (for me, this type of director is truly ideal to work with): (PWebber) I think if I\ufffdve done nothing else on this film, I\ufffdve hired right. I mean, that\ufffds really, if there\ufffds a \ufffdsecret,\ufffd to what makes a good director \ufffd the difference between a good director and a bad director \ufffd is the good director knows who to hire. Because if you hire right, then most of the job is done. But it\ufffds not only down to ability, it\ufffds down to personality as well \ufffd you need to hire people who can work together. . . .There were particular things I was looking for, but you know, that\ufffds part of the working-through \ufffd you\ufffdve had conversations beforehand, you\ufffdve had some kind of rehearsal, and then on the day, you spend, whatever it is, twenty minutes, half an hour, maybe an hour for some scenes, working with the actors, working out the movements\ufffd You\ufffdre in there, and you\ufffdre very very hands-on. But she would understand, in her gut, the emotion of the scene, or get it very quickly, after very few words. So I didn\ufffdt have to beat the performance out of her, or anything. She is that talented. They both are \ufffd it\ufffds like I said about the hiring, you don\ufffdt act for them, you help people do their job. You\ufffdre like a conductor \ufffd you don\ufffdt play the instruments, but you help them understand what they\ufffdre playing. . . .Exactly \ufffd I can\ufffdt play the violin, I can\ufffdt act. But I know what I like and I know what I want and I know to try and get it. There\ufffds different ways to skin a cat \ufffd some people you have to tell very clearly, very intellectually. Other people you just suggest\ufffd Some people you don\ufffdt say anything to. Directing is about getting what you want, and as you know, in everyday life, you don\ufffdt always get what you want, grabbing them by the shirt, pulling them up, and saying \ufffdOi!\ufffd Sometimes you have to do it through manipulation, sometimes\ufffd I\ufffdm not going to say too much, because it would give it all away. Different ways to skin a cat\ufffd One star, Cosmo????? Hmph . . . where are those dog turds that other reviewer was complaining about? . .think I'll set a bag of it alight on Cosmo's doorstep . .:P CF having chicken legs in GWAPE: . .well those blue jeans on the Today show toy drive did make him look awfully lean and lanky . .but that particular poultry correlation never crossed my mind during GWAPE . . .his ankles looked all right to me;) . .but if the camera adds 10lbs . . ."}, {"response": 908, "author": "dalec", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (14:24)", "body": "I was just checking out IMDB and it list \"The Advocate\" as IMDb Movie of the Day on the main page. http://imdb.com/ Copied this bit from IMDB \"Firth's bemused courtroom defense of the pig reveals glimpses of his future star power.\""}, {"response": 909, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (14:30)", "body": "(Sandi)He stated that Colin wanted to be there, but he was busy being Mr. Darcy in the BJD sequel . . . Thanks, Sandi, I figured that would be the party line. They could have accommodated him and worked around his TEOR schedule. It's done all the itme. They knew about Sundance a month ago. Whatever. During the movie they're were various reactions and much applause at the end. Great to hear it! Off to read your account on Spoilers. BTW, I hope you Sundance Kids will write glowing reviews for Ain't It Cool News."}, {"response": 910, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (14:43)", "body": "Dorine and Tress where also watching the local cable channel last night in Park City and saw me shout WOOOW in the camera at the Eccles theater. We saw them taping some show and decided to ham it up. I pulled my sisters and their friends into the scene, and they said it was very funny. I am a 40+ yr old idiot now! Sandi"}, {"response": 911, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (14:56)", "body": ""}, {"response": 912, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (15:08)", "body": "Film Comment Magazine's Guilty Pleasures for 2003: Everyone's damaged, but, hey, damage doesn't mean you're totally up shit creek in Love, Actually's world of serial minicatharses. The action barely lets up: Hugh Grant shaking his ass to \"Jump (For My Love),\" Liam Neeson flexing his jaw through an extended tearjerking widowed stepfather-son bonding session, Alan Rickman doing Alan Rickman, and, if that wasn't enough, Denise Richards and her toothy smile at Heathrow as the credits roll. Classic schlock disguised as post-schlock, it's self-conscious enough to let Laura Linney and Emma Thompson deftly screw themselves (or be screwed) over. Or do I have it backwards? Could this be the darkest film of the year? - ALICE LOVEJOY http://www.filmlinc.com/fcm/1-2-2004/2003guilty.htm"}, {"response": 913, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (15:49)", "body": "(Sandi)I am a 40+ yr old idiot now! ROTF. You are now officially part of the club, Sandi. We (errr, I mean....)*I* call it getting in touch with our teen-age side;-)"}, {"response": 914, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (16:09)", "body": "Tress and I would like to say...... Congratulations, Colin!! You've made us proud!! Hope you are, too. :-D"}, {"response": 915, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (16:43)", "body": "While Dorine and I were sitting at Drool Satellite HQ (Marriott lobby), we noticed Marc Evans in the foyer. Made Dorine jump up and ask question that we didn't have time for at last nights Q&A. Dorine went up and told him she loved the film. I walked up behind her and shook his hand and congratulated him. Dorine asked if he would be at tonight's screening (we have tickets to 7 p.m. show.), Mr. Evans said \"no, I did one this morning (Egyptian Theatre)\". We sat down in front of fireplace and were surprised when Marc sat down next to my friend Christina (in town skiing). He spoke for several minutes with woman sitting to his left (producer from film who was at premiere and Q&A last night). After a few minutes their conversation stopped for a second and Dorine and I started asking questions (he sat with us for about ten minutes). Marc spoke about premiere. Asked us if we thought the venue was too large. He thought that the sound/film sync was a bit off because of how big the Eccles Theatre is (holds 1270). Asked us if we knew how many Sundance House holds. We told him about 160 and he thought that it might be a better venue for the film. A tighter space may make it feel more closed in (not his exact words, but after seeing film, can understand this logic). He asked if we though it would be full tonight up there, but we told him we really couldn't say as we'd never been up there and knew nothing about the venues or area (it's 60 mins away). We asked a couple of questions pertaining to the film (can't give details as they belong in spoilers). He was very surprised at the nature of questions, I think. He said he didn't intend to make any connections regarding those points! LOL!! I think he even said \"Wow. I didn't even think of that!\" Told Dorine that that just blows my perception of film discussions. Directors must just sometimes pull this stuff out of their butts and we interpret all sorts of things that aren't even there! We told him film was v. v. dark and we enjoyed it. Dorine told him he \"had a great eye\" and he laughed...said \"Yeah, this one!\" and pointed to his right eye. V. v. funny! Producer and Marc asked if we had seen GWAPE. We said yes, we loved it and thought it was stunning. Producer then said she was v. surprised that SJ was not nommed by SAG and we talked about SJ and Lost in Translation for a minute. (Switch to Dorine) Then Marc brought up how he thought Mena was \"quite good, don't you think? Quite angelic.\" We agreed (which we actually did!). Then I said, \"Colin was quite good....of course.\" He lit up and said, \"Yeah, he's great!\" Then he asked us, \"Do you like Colin?\" Following a *very* pregnant pause, we said \"Yes!\" Fortunately Tress's friend didn't out us (whew!!)...just sat there (next to Marc) and rolled her eyes (fortunately not looking at him). I said the movie and his performance reminded me of Apt 0, his favorite performance of mine. He said, \"Oh really? I haven't seen it.\" He said Colin had spoken to him about it and was quite proud of that one, and was sorry that it didn't get better notice and distribution. Then Marc asked if we knew if it was on DVD? (Duh!! ROTF!!!). I said yes, that it just came out recently. Then he asked if we noticed Brenda Fricker as the medium, to which we said yes. He also brought up Tommy Flannigan, mentioned he was a great actor....at this point we were all trying to help Tress's friend remember who he was, running through a bunch of films including Gladiator, Charlie's Angel's, Ratcatcher....but all to no avail. She just sat there blank faced. ;-) She'll see him tonight. Then Marc asked whether we thought the accents were too heavy for Americans. We hesitated, but then said \"Yes, possibly\", that we did have moments of trouble, but got more used it (although there wasn't that much in the film that was hard to understand, just scenes with TF). He seemed especially concerned with TF's accent, and I mentioned I noticed Colin's accent changed in scenes with TF. He asked if we thought he needed to redo the speech in the scenes. He was really leaning forward in his seat, seemingly very earnest with his questions and wanted an honest answer. He asked if we'd seen Trainspotting and had trouble with that, possibly looking for a reference point. I asked if he was planning to take it to other film fests. He said he wasn't sure, but probably not, as he considered it a genre film rather than festival film....though he did mention possibly taking it to Cannes for Director's Fortnight. He had to leave and we thanked him. And now we have to leave to catch the shuttle to see it again. Intrepid Sundance reporters signing off.....with a bit of a crush, really. ;-)"}, {"response": 916, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (16:59)", "body": "Fantastic report, ladies, from your satellite location! Am amazed by the length of time you spent with ME and how interested he was in \"average\" persons' opinions. *snort* Told Dorine that that just blows my perception of film discussions. Directors must just sometimes pull this stuff out of their butts and we interpret all sorts of things that aren't even there! Have gotten the same response from some writers. Never intended such and such... Never thought about it that way... *yadda yadda* Then Marc asked whether we thought the accents were too heavy for Americans. We hesitated, but then said \"Yes, possibly\", that we did have moments of trouble, but got more used it (although there wasn't that much in the film that was hard to understand, just scenes with TF). He seemed especially concerned with TF's accent, and I mentioned I noticed Colin's accent changed in scenes with TF. He asked if we thought he needed to redo the speech in the scenes. He was really leaning forward in his seat, seemingly very earnest with his questions and wanted an honest answer. He asked if we'd seen Trainspotting and had trouble with that, possibly looking for a reference point. Had you??? Gaah!! If they're anywhere like that, then they'd have to redo...if they have hope of getting it released here."}, {"response": 917, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (17:00)", "body": "Thank you for the great Sundance-reports, you lucky girls (Tress, Dorine and Sandi). And for all the material posted lately. Have nothing to contribute, but wanted to say thank you to all the lovely ladies at drool :-) (Tress/Dorine)Then he asked us, \"Do you like Colin?\" Following a *very* pregnant pause, we said \"Yes!\" I believe you just passed the ultimate test for \"keeping up appearances\". You seem to be ready to take on the world at large :-) Am impressed by your private Q&A. So very well done !!!"}, {"response": 918, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (17:17)", "body": "Question for the Sundance Droolers: How do they determine what gets the audience awards? Is there balloting (which is actually counted) or do they use ticket sales?"}, {"response": 919, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (17:24)", "body": "(Tress) ...Mr. Evans said \"no, I did one this morning (Egyptian Theatre)\". We sat down in front of fireplace and were surprised when Marc sat down next to my friend So he was \"Marc\" when he sat down huh? You all are too good and your reports are wonderful! You'll have to fill in the blanks for us: Airfare to Sundance -- $$ Hotel Rooms -- $$ Personal Q&A with director -- Priceless (No need for numbers, the bottom line is all that matters!)"}, {"response": 920, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (18:23)", "body": ""}, {"response": 921, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (19:23)", "body": "Tress and Dorine--Bravo!!! Wonderful job, and your very own T Q&A. (T&D)We asked a couple of questions pertaining to the film (can't give details as they belong in spoilers). He was very surprised at the nature of questions LOL, he just didn't know he was talking to the dynamic duo of drool;-)"}, {"response": 922, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (19:53)", "body": "Tress and Dorine - Amazing, truly amazing. As my ten-year old would say, you guys are AWESOME!"}, {"response": 923, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (21:13)", "body": "To our Sundance kids: you have outdone yourselves today! Thank you so much for the on-the-scene news, and for the unbelievably detailed reports at Spoilers. I wish we had some idea of when Trauma will be released in the US. I have to confess that if Colin weren't in it I would have no interest in seeing this film. Having said that, I'm really looking forward to seeing it! Thanks to everyone for all the GWAPE reviews and interview clips."}, {"response": 924, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (22:01)", "body": "Amazing on the site reporting Sundance Gals! Am awed by your forthright search for new scoops and exclusive interviews! Grand job, really! Shame, though, that Colin wasn't there to show off for this \"dramatic turn.\" Silly that they expect him and RZ to show up and film TEOR instead of promoting current films. ;-)"}, {"response": 925, "author": "katty", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (01:07)", "body": "Thanks all the great reports! But... Could you please move the spoiler to the Spoiler section? It's very hard not to read it inadvertently with it sticking out all by itself. Thanks lots."}, {"response": 926, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (06:45)", "body": "Thanks to the Sundance Kids for their mini-interview with ME. Review from Ain't It Cool News. No real Spoilers here. TRAUMA (**\ufffd) A dark journey into insanity with all of the uncertainty of reality that accompanies it. Colin Firth plays Ben, a man who wakes up from a coma to discover that his wife was killed in a car accident. Or was she? He thinks he might have also killed a young singer. Or did he? He explains everything to his psychologist. Or does he? He finds solace in the reality of his neighbor (Mena Suvari). Or can he? He's perfectly sane. Or is he? Just as Ben is unable to answer any of these questions with certainty, so is the audience. Screenwriter Richard Smith has constructed a work with so many unanswered questions, it demands that the audience fill in many of the gaps afterward. His challenging and very dark script is aided by gorgeously troubling cinematography and a production design that is almost ominous enough to drive somebody mad. In the screening I attended, as the closing credits began, the audience was just silent; they felt almost like they needed somebody to come out afterward and explain the film to them. Success! This is a mark of true insanity."}, {"response": 927, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (07:13)", "body": "BBC's Stella Papamichael's daily postcard from Park City, Utah Mena Suvari was about to tuck into a light lunch of salmon and green beans when I dropped in on her at The Park City Marriot. She chin-nodded me and asked her publicist: \"So, am I nibbling?\" It looked like she needed the nourishment, and knowing how much a lunch hour means to most people (let alone a Hollywood starlet), I apologised for keeping her from it. Still, she was very accommodating, telling me that she was quite content to eat her salmon in increments. She's sanguine and at the same time reserved, and I could see why horror helmer Marc Evans had cast her as the ethereal earth child opposite a chaotic Colin Firth in the gruesome thriller Trauma. She was predictably effusive about working with Firth, and approving of the laidback mode of British filmmaking - \"very calm, very relaxed,\" she told me - apparently a big departure from Hollywood and its time-is-money ethos. But when I asked whether Trauma had appealed to some previously unseen \"darker side\", she turned coy, shrugging her shoulders and giving me the cutesy flim-flam: \"Who me? Really? I dunno...\" Welsh director Marc Evans was an altogether different story. He readily admitted to earning the nickname 'Dark Marc' for his fascination with the macabre. This is the man who brought you the slasher flick My Little Eye and the pitch black House Of America. With the London-based Trauma, he says he wanted to explore the psyche of those people who \"sit on the tube\" and \"live in bedsits\". It was also moulded by a long conversation he had with Colin Firth about revisiting the \"man in the suit\" genre, the kind of Hitchcock thriller that got \"beneath the skin and scratched around\" (see Vertigo). \"NOT YOUR AVERAGE NIHILIST\" On the surface, though, Marc doesn't come over like your average nihilist. He has an open and, dare I say it, sunny disposition, and I often felt that his brain ticked faster than his lips could move. The words spilled as if they were beyond his control and I could tell he was already thinking about the next thing. It was certainly an education, but the interview almost never happened. After my half hour with Mena, the publicist was taken aback when I asked for time with the director - as if we hadn't already had this conversation! \"Oh, that's right. I forgot,\" she says. \"I'm not used to people asking about the director. There's only you and another London film critic.\""}, {"response": 928, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (07:34)", "body": "Screenwriter Richard Smith has constructed a work with so many unanswered questions, it demands that the audience fill in many of the gaps afterward. His challenging and very dark script I'm still trying to figure out the ending to \"The Swimming Pool.\" ;-) Too many unanswered questions is not a good thing, IMO. Thanks, Mari!"}, {"response": 929, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (08:24)", "body": "Thanks for your reports Sundance Ladies, it sounds like you all had a good time. Dorine, Tress, congrats on your private interview with ME. Lucky and smart girls! I'd never have your courage, I tend to get tongue tied around famous people. Kudos to you guys! Such excitement for all of us. I Love it! Wish ODB had been there for a private Q&A too. You girls would've handled that brilliantly too. :-) Mari, thanks for the reviews!"}, {"response": 930, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (09:43)", "body": "Moon!!! How could you? Some people are not reading Spoilers because they don't want the movie spoiled for them...but too late. :-((((((((( (AICN guy) as the closing credits began, the audience was just silent; they felt almost like they needed somebody to come out afterward and explain the film to them. Success! This is a mark of true insanity. Interesting take on audience reaction. Hmmm, depends on whether you like ambiguity. Is apparent that Stella has read up (i.e, read the Dark Mark article) before she left. ;-) Didn't seem to get much more than a regurgitation of it and the bedsit business. Oh well... Thanks Mari!"}, {"response": 931, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (10:32)", "body": "FYI, even though Stella wrote the 27 Feb release date for Trauma in the UK, it is absolutely not accurate. Have just had that confirmed, but there is nothing else to add as yet."}, {"response": 932, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (11:36)", "body": ""}, {"response": 933, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (11:43)", "body": ""}, {"response": 934, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (11:45)", "body": "Another mention: I run to catch the bus back to the condo, grab some lunch, take a 20-minute nap, call my very supportive girlfriend, Aislyn, and run back out the door to catch another movie. The third movie of the day is another psychological thriller, \ufffdTrauma,\ufffd starring Colin Firth and Mena Suvari. Colin couldn\ufffdt make it (he was busy filming \ufffdBridget Jones\ufffds Diary II\ufffd). Mena, however, was there and was nice enough to let me take a picture with her. \ufffdTrauma\ufffd is a British film about Ben (Firth) who wakes from a coma and learns he has been in a car crash that has taken the life of his wife. His whole life goes dark, and he fades into a delusional world where he can\ufffdt tell fact from fiction. After the movie, I jump on the bus, grab some pizza and head to work. Tonight we are featuring a movie that I read and was very excited to see. \ufffdSaw\ufffd stars Cary Elwes, Danny Glover, Monica Potter and Leigh Whannell. Whannell also co-wrote the film with director James Wan. Remember those names! \ufffdSaw\ufffd is the best movie I have seen here at the Festival so far this year, and I have seen some really good films! It starts with two guys who wake up from unconsciousness in a very dark and dirty basement warehouse. They don\ufffdt know how they got there. They just know they are chained to rusty pipes by their ankles and they are on opposite sides of the room. In between them is a body of a man who has apparently shot himself in the head. In their pockets they find a cassette tape with instructions they must solve to stay alive. I don\ufffdt want to give anything away, just know that it is a horror-suspense movie, and worth seeing if you can handle it. \ufffdSaw\ufffd has been sold and should be in theaters sometime in the futur . This blew the other two suspense movies out of the water and could be my favorite movie of all three years in the festival. Did I mention how good it was? Oh well, that's one guy's opinion, but from the looks of him, he's right in the target market. Trauma isn't being made for the \"faithful flock\" :-( http://news.statesmanjournal.com/article.cfm?i=74039"}, {"response": 935, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (12:13)", "body": "Hurrah to the reporters of Drool current events . .our girls down at Sundance . . Tress, Dorine - So happy you were able to have a private Q&A w/ ME who really seemed to enjoy it;) Such a shame ODB wasn't there to benefit from your reporting prowess;) Thanks for all of the great reporting from Sundance . .hope you have a safe flight home! Mari & Karen, as always, thanks for your reviews!"}, {"response": 936, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (12:50)", "body": "(Kimberley) Such a shame ODB wasn't there to benefit from your reporting prowess;) Such a shame ODB wasn't there to promote his own film. Dorine....did you happen to spot Matthew Mondine or Stanley Tucci;-)"}, {"response": 937, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (13:15)", "body": "(Evelyn)Dorine....did you happen to spot Matthew Mondine or Stanley Tucci;-) ROTF! Colin's designated stand-ins. Don't want to sound like a broken record, but his presence would have helped the film's Fest profile tremendously. As it is, there's very little so far on it. Ok, he's filming TEOR. Ya think Renee won't show in LA for the Golden Globes this Sunday?? Guess again . . . On a brighter note, GWAPE will expand to 300+ theaters in the US on January 30. And guess where it's finally coming Friday--yippee! Click on the film name, and there's a lengthy description, probably lifted from the press packet. http://www.ritzfilmbill.com/showtimes/index.php?theater_id=4&dow=01/23/04"}, {"response": 938, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (13:46)", "body": "You're lucky, Mari! Closest it is scheduled to me is 2.5 hours away, and that's not until Feb. I must console myself with all the news from Drool."}, {"response": 939, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (17:20)", "body": "Hello all! Just got home from Sundance (Dorine should be home shortly, I imagine). Am tired, but had tons of fun! On the surface, though, Marc doesn't come over like your average nihilist. He has an open and, dare I say it, sunny disposition, and I often felt that his brain ticked faster than his lips could move. The words spilled as if they were beyond his control and I could tell he was already thinking about the next thing. Agree totally! When Dorine and I reported yesterday, we had just enough time to get the bare bones down. I want to add (and I'm sure Dorine will add later tonight as well) that Marc Evans was incredibly pleasant. He seemed to genuinely want to talk to us about his film. We started by asking him questions, but then it turned around and he began to ask us questions. He talked a blue streak (and for those of you who know me, I do the same, so with all of us present, we were tripping all over each other to talk). He appeared eager to get feed back....he was very cute when talking to us. Using his hands and leaning forward in his seat. He seemed friendly and 'excitable'. Will wait for Dorine to get 'home' before talking about our Bridget moment 'pre-interview' (actually it was probably more like a 'two stooges' moment!)"}, {"response": 940, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (23:44)", "body": "From The Times, Festival report (January 22, 2004) by Dave Calhoun: The most impressive film at the festival so far is undoubtedly The Motorcycle Diaries, Walter Salles\ufffds beautiful interpretation of the journey of Ernesto \ufffdCh\ufffd Guevara (Gael Garc\ufffda Bernal) and Alberto Granado (Rodrigo De La Serna) across South America in 1952. Bernal delivers a startling portrayal of Ch\ufffd Guevara as a man of brooding, sometimes naive, integrity, and Salles resists the easy pull of Guevara\ufffds iconic fame and instead presents a moving buddy movie with a hard documentary edge..... The only British film with a world premiere at Sundance is Trauma, the Welsh director Marc Evans\ufffds first film since his claustrophobic horror debut My Little Eye. It\ufffds also the scriptwriting debut of a 25-year-old Scot, Richard Smith. Colin Firth sheds his usual safe cocoon to play Ben, a man wrestling with mental illness in a distinctly unfriendly vision of London. Trauma is a mind game of a movie. It\ufffds troubling, intense and puzzling, all of which are bolstered by the visual sense of Evans and his cinematographer John Mathieson (Love is the Devil), who allow Ben\ufffds fragility to seep into the very core of the film through oppressive camerawork. On Saturday, the festival will announce its award winners. For giving smaller filmmakers the chance to have their work seen on such a well-publicised and heavily scrutinised stage, Sundance remains important, whatever its faults."}, {"response": 941, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (06:46)", "body": "2004 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL \ufffd Day 8 On a Mena streak by Kevin Williamson Calgary Sun PARK CITY, Utah \ufffd Assembly-line press interviews can be traumatic for both scribe and subject. 2004 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL \ufffd Day 8 On a Mena streak by Kevin Williamson Calgary Sun PARK CITY, Utah \ufffd Assembly-line press interviews can be traumatic for both scribe and subject. (I will skip to the part we care about) Trauma, filmed in London and starring Colin Firth (Love, Actually), concerns a man whose reality may be crumbling. Suvari plays Firth\ufffds next-door neighbour. \ufffdI couldn\ufffdt have lucked out any better working with Colin. He was so passionate about the project and so eager to give his insight into what he wanted. But in the same breath, he\ufffdd ask me what I wanted and if I was OK with things. I really appreciated it. It\ufffds something I\ufffdve never really had before.\ufffd http://www.fyicalgary.com/perl-bin/niveau2.cgi?s=films&p=81329.html&a=1"}, {"response": 942, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (06:51)", "body": "Hi everybody, I don't know if it was mentioned here before. Colin won 3rd place in Hello! Magazine's \"Most attractive man 2003\". Winner is Orlando Bloom, second John Bon Jovi."}, {"response": 943, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (09:01)", "body": "(Calgary Sun, MS)\"He[CF] was so passionate about the project and so eager to give his insight into what he wanted. But in the same breath, he?d ask me what I wanted ...\" One is left to wonder what the director wanted."}, {"response": 944, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (10:35)", "body": "(Evelyn) One is left to wonder what the director wanted. LOL Evelyn! Colin is \"bigger\" than the director, so maybe what he wants is of no consequence. ;-) I wish he'd ask what WE want. I'd like to see a good bedroom scene. One that would leave me breathless like the end of BJD. I know he'd done a few of those back \"before the earth's crust cooled\", but I prefer the older, more seasoned, more manly Colin to the young one. Maybe TEOR will indulge me... Thanks for the reviews ladies!"}, {"response": 945, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (10:48)", "body": "That's maybe what YOU want; personally, I'd rather have a scene that got me all sweaty. OK Ildi! You're now going to have to remove that W key from your keyboard and send it to me for safekeeping. ;-)"}, {"response": 946, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (10:56)", "body": "Thanks, Karen and Maria, for the latest bits on Trauma. Sounds like Mena really loved working with CF. *I'd* love it if our Sundance Kids could write brief reviews/opinions about Trauma for Ain't It Cool News, which has been posting a number of reader reviews of Sundance films. There has been virtually nothing written about the film in the media."}, {"response": 947, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (11:05)", "body": "Oh, I'm a badly misunderstood woman. Or I'm very bad at expressing myself.*banging head against the wall*. Yes, that's what I want. That's what I wrote. \"I wish he'd ask what WE want\" means I wish he'd ask us fans, and we could all express our individual wish just like you and I just did. I wasn't trying to speak for all. Jumping to conclusions quickly, aren't we? ;-) No, I will not give you my W. It's mine. I learned the \"W\" lesson, trust me. :-)"}, {"response": 948, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (11:15)", "body": "(Ildi) I wish he'd ask us fans Well, one fan wrote me that she wished he wouldn't appear in movies with women who showed their \"cleavage.\" Wish I could remember the other recommendations she had. ;-)"}, {"response": 949, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (12:25)", "body": "(Karen) Well, one fan wrote me that she wished he wouldn't appear in movies with women who showed their \"cleavage.\" Oh...that means no P&P. Don't think I'd like that at all! Must have Lizzy in that white dress...I like the idea that Mr. Darcy may be trying to take a peek down that frock. (Mari) *I'd* love it if our Sundance Kids could write brief reviews/opinions about Trauma for Ain't It Cool News, which has been posting a number of reader reviews of Sundance films. There has been virtually nothing written about the film in the media. Ummmm....you must mean Dorine. You all know I can't string a sentence together to save my life (but many on AICN are the same I suppose ;-) BTW, Mari, just wanted to say \"thank you\".....that you were my inspiration! Your \"precipitious mini-interview\" gave me courage to speak up (and Dorine being there was a big help....she's not as \"shy\" as I am!) ;-)"}, {"response": 950, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (12:51)", "body": "(Mari)*I'd* love it if our Sundance Kids could write brief reviews/opinions about Trauma for Ain't It Cool News, which has been posting a number of reader reviews of Sundance films. There has been virtually nothing written about the film in the media It would be very cool if the Sundancers would get the ball rolling on this--T needs all the help it can get for US distribution. I hate to be pushy, I know you guys are tired, but it would really be cool if you could;-)"}, {"response": 951, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (15:05)", "body": "I can at least start one with Tress....going away again Sat morning for 8 days with, most likely, little internet access. And will be busy beforehand."}, {"response": 952, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (15:32)", "body": "I was just reading an interview with Gwyneth Paltrow in the 2/04 issue of Vanity Fair. In it she talks about what she'll wear to a screening of her film, Sylvia (an indie film). She says she'll \"overdress slightly, for sure...because if you're in a nice pretty dress it helps the movie. And this is a movie I am dying for people to see.\" Now, there's an actress who *gets it*. I don't know what the mitigating circumstances were, but IMO ODB really should have been at Sundance. If the movie is as good as the buzz we've heard, I think it could be very helpful in moving his career along. Films, especially indies, usually need to be pushed to get noticed. And besides, Tress, Dorine, and Sandi went out of their way to be there. It's the least he could have done..."}, {"response": 953, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (15:51)", "body": "A GWAP write-up from the 'Oxford Student'. Nothing new but perhaps a few interesting takes... http://www.oxfordstudent.com/2004-01-22/features/7 Passion, Painting and a Pearl A delicate portrayal of obsession, eroticism and thwarted desires? Or yet another excuse to watch a brooding Colin Firth in an open-necked shirt? Katherine Lim decides. Katherine Lim Remember Pride and Prejudice? (The BBC television adaptation that is, not the book.) If not, consider yourself lucky: you've missed out on Darcy Mania, otherwise known as Firth Fever. In 1995 Colin Firth's Mr Darcy strode purposefully out of the lake at Pemberley wearing nothing but a wet shirt and a pair of equally soaked breeches. The nation watched transfixed. Lizzie's bosom heaved and hearts were set aflutter from Surrey to Shropshire as Firth galloped, fenced, and smouldered his way to prominence. If it's smouldering looks and furtive glances you're after, look no further than Girl With a Pearl Earring, the adaptation of Tracy Chevalier's novel about the Vermeer painting of the same name. Firth plays Jan Vermeer, a Dutch artist plagued by financial worries and slow work methods. His situation is not helped by the three generations of women in his household: with a wife given to fits of temper, a spoilt brat of a daughter, and a fearsome chain-smoking mother-in-law, it's little wonder that Vermeer locks himself up in his studio, isolated from the domestic chaos below. Enter Griet, a young maid-servant who leaves her blind father to work for the Vermeer family. It is not long before she is ordered to clean the studio, where she encounters a strange realm bordering fantasy and reality, where a box (a camera obscura) contains the images of paintings, and the colours of clothes and clouds are not what they seem. Scarlett Johanssen portrays Griet's curiosity in the world around her with wide eyes. Her face, often shot in close-up, reveals a wide range of emotions that change with the flick of an eyelid or the tilt of her head. This innocence and expressiveness attract the attention of Vermeer, who finds inspiration for his art in her. Cleaning windows and mixing pigments might sound like dull work, but it's par for the course that leads to artistic immortality. In an atmosphere charged with eroticism, thwarted desires, and intrigue - brilliantly lighted by Eduardo Serra -- the unlikely pair of master and maid grow closer. Soon, however, Griet unwittingly excites the passions of the mercurial nobleman Van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson). The intensity of her own experiences with the painter similarly fuel her need to find release, as seen in her relationship with butcher boy Pieter, which she attempts to substitute for the pleasures forbidden to her with the married-with-six-children Vermeer. In these scenes, the film tableaux suggest the subtle tones of Vermeer's paintings, capturing the understated elegance of his canvases. Elsewhere, Dutch landscapes are invoked, from the severed heads of pigs in the market to the tree-lined paths that Griet and Pieter stroll down. Genre scenes find their way in whimsical portrayals of children blowing bubbles by canalside houses. But beyond repressed desires and tender moments - the most poignant of which takes place when Vermeer pierces Griet's ear to put his wife's pearl earring on her, holding her head in his hands to stem the pain - the plot is thin. The characters skulk about, hiding in doorways and peering through windows. This occurs a bit too often for comfort, such that one can predict that someone is watching every time Griet is alone in a room. Director Peter Webber reveals that he took particular pains to capture the spirit of Vermeer: \"The film is reminiscent of painterly style,\" he says, \"And Vermeer is at the heart of it. His paintings are open to interpretation - and I'm a big fan of enigma.\" But pretty pictures and clever lighting do not an exciting story make. There is Griet scrubbing the floors clean, Griet stirring the copper pot of laundry, Griet hanging up the washing, Griet going to the apothecary. Ultimately, Girl With a Pearl Earring is eye candy masquerading as high art. For those who like their scenes laid out in the neat manner in which Griet arranges vegetables on a plate, the film will appeal. But if you want satisfying endings and plot resolutions, you won't find them here. Try looking at Rembrandt's 'The Night Watch' instead - there's more action in the captain's little finger than in the 99 minutes of this movie."}, {"response": 954, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (16:17)", "body": "there's more action in the captain's little finger than in the 99 minutes of this movie. OUCH! (Memo to self: dig out old art history textbook and look at finger.) consider yourself lucky: you've missed out on Darcy Mania I'd consider such a person very UNlucky, indeed. I have a finger wave of my own for Mz. Lim. (v.v. bad)"}, {"response": 955, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (16:20)", "body": "From THR: Trauma By Duane Byrge Sundance Film Festival PARK CITY -- \"Trauma\" is the poor man's \"Memento.\" It is a spiraling, flash-cut visualization of one man's meltdown following a car crash in which his wife was killed. Starring Colin Firth as Ben, the driver who wakes up in a hospital ward to find that his beloved wife is dead, \"Trauma\" is a mega-reality brain tease. Memory, delusion, obsession and, of course, the trauma from the accident itself all are part of this very disturbing story. What is real and what is in the mind's eye of Ben are always in doubt. And the question eventually arises: Did he kill his wife before the accident? . Although \"Trauma\" is a dazzler, it's also a snoozer. Once the quick cuts and flashy cinematic flourishes subside, the story dissolves into a protracted muddle. Although we're mesmerized by director Marc Evans' visual pyrotechnics and hard-noir stylistics, it's difficult to keep up interest when we're indifferent to Ben, who emerges as an obsessive lout. Screenwriter Richard Smith shows ample gifts, combining intrigue with the horror-of-personality genre. Yet, his character construction is overtly clinical: Ben's mental turmoil and how it connects to the death of his wife never satisfyingly congeals. Admittedly, the story is well-wired, but it nonetheless short-circuits because of the essential crudity of the characters, including dogged investigators, weird neighbors and other generic types. Not to mention bugs, which are all over the place. Such excessive imagery comes across as anthropological/psychological wanking. Fortunately, \"Trauma\" recovers from its character deficiencies on the technical front. Cinematographer John Mathieson's dazzling noir scopings revive our eye even when our brain has turned off to the story. Editor Mags Arnold flexes a surgeon's precision in connecting the cinematic synapses of this hypervisual drama, while production designer Crispian Sallis shows us the character's conflicted mind-sets much more succinctly than the story does. Compounding \"Trauma's\" narrative fractures, it's also hard to understand the Queen's English, especially when snarled by Firth. Supporting players are similarly bludgeoned by the writing, namely Mena Suvari as Ben's spacey neighbor and Brenda Fricker as a clairvoyant. Both come across as character pawns rather than flesh and blood -- the lack of which is fatal with this \"Trauma"}, {"response": 956, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (16:38)", "body": "Thanks Ada.... What is real and what is in the mind's eye of Ben are always in doubt. And the question eventually arises: Did he kill his wife before the accident? Um...that's not right...he's not being questioned about his wife.... Although \"Trauma\" is a dazzler, it's also a snoozer. Once the quick cuts and flashy cinematic flourishes subside, the story dissolves into a protracted muddle. The muddle is in Ben's head and things are seen as he sees them...you have to keep up....and a second viewing is recommended (I saw/heard more things the second time around that helped me make sense of what was going on)...I still have a few questions, but I think the film was left open, in a few matters, for the viewer to interpret. Both come across as character pawns rather than flesh and blood -- the lack of which is fatal with this \"Trauma I thought both MS and BF did a good job....I didn't think they appeared pawnish, but we are seeing them through Ben's eyes and he's such a mess we can never tell what's real and what's not (even this reviewer mentioned that). Compounding \"Trauma's\" narrative fractures, it's also hard to understand the Queen's English, especially when snarled by Firth. Only when he's with Tommy Flannagan....and this is what Marc Evans was talking about with us."}, {"response": 957, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (16:59)", "body": "(Tress)things are seen as he sees them...you have to keep up....and a second viewing is recommended Hmmmmm. Aside from us, how many people want to plunk down twenty bucks to make sense of a movie. Methinks they're gonna have to work this one over:-((( Thanks Ada."}, {"response": 958, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (17:10)", "body": "\"Trauma\" is the poor man's \"Memento.\" I didn't find Memento any less confusing or muddled and I enjoyed it, too. Although \"Trauma\" is a dazzler, it's also a snoozer. Once the quick cuts and flashy cinematic flourishes subside, the story dissolves into a protracted muddle. I'm glad they recognize the cinematography...it really was great, but Marc Evans should get more credit for the style of it. And of course, Colin for his performance. I'll be honest, the first time I saw it, I (like Sandi) thought it was getting a bit slow toward the half mark. (I don't think Tress and I ever discussed this point). There was a lot of things going on and almost nothing at all at the same time. Lots of bits and pieces....many of which, that in retrospect and a second viewing, I realized were clues to, or rather indications of Ben's mental state. It was *very* interesting in a purely visual sense. But, it really paid off toward the end for me, when things started to come together...kind of an \"OOoooohhhh! I get it! \" factor. Many puzzles pieces started to come together...and yes, there were a few things to be confused over and thought about. I didn't think that was a failing, really. Made me more curious to see it again. It's not necessary that stories are wrapped up in neat little packages and tied up with bows for me to enjoy them. Though I admit with GWAPE, that ambiguity with the ending bothered me a bit.....probably because I reference the book in my mind, as much as I try not to. If I try hard to ignore my knowledge of the book, it tends not to bother me so much, and kind of enjoy guessing the various scenarios. Both come across as character pawns rather than flesh and blood -- the lack of which is fatal with this \"Trauma Yeah, so BF was there to essentially bring to light an important plot point....what's the big deal? She wasn't much more than a cameo and did more to advance the story than some others. MS's Charlotte had ambiguity about her character in a way, I think, but a pawn? Compounding \"Trauma's\" narrative fractures, it's also hard to understand the Queen's English, especially when snarled by Firth. (Tress) Only when he's with Tommy Flannagan Yes, noticeably different than with MS or other characters. ;-)"}, {"response": 959, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (17:18)", "body": "(Evelyn) Aside from us, how many people want to plunk down twenty bucks to make sense of a movie. How many saw The Sixth Sense more than once? Quite a few I've heard and read. And if one doesn't want to, it's mostly unnecessary to pay full price to a movie...at least in more urban areas (beside NY ;-)). There are Entertainment Books (discount books), AAA passes, matinees (though tough to get to sometimes or not as much fun), etc. I've not paid full price for a movie (not associated with BAFTA or my film class) in several years, (excepting less than half a dozen)."}, {"response": 960, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (17:23)", "body": "(Evelyn) Hmmmmm. Aside from us, how many people want to plunk down twenty bucks to make sense of a movie. I dunno, but my friend who came with us and is not a CF fan (she's not anti-CF, just indifferent) loved this film. Her two friends also came with her and she said today that they all really enjoyed it and spent the entire ride back to Park City talking about it. She said she'd like to see it again, but the first viewing was no disappointment to her. So, although I recommend a second viewing, it isn't necessary (just things said and done earlier in the film may make more sense)...."}, {"response": 961, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (20:26)", "body": "Was just rereading this.... (Me) There was a lot of things going on Just flog me now over my poor grammar. :-( Hope I was changing something and didn't finish. Typos are one thing, but this.... (I'm fussy with myself about stuff like that.)"}, {"response": 962, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (21:02)", "body": "Never you mind the grammar, just get moving on that AICN review.;-) That THR one is a real ouch. Maybe Variety's will be better. One comment on The Sixth Sense: people went to see that a second time because they couldn't believe how they got fooled on the first viewing. \"I swear I saw Bruce Willis talking to somebody besides the kid!\" Other than the circumstances surrounding the final twist, the story is very straightforward, tightly scripted, nothing particularly ambiguous about it. From The Telegraph: Another British film premiered at Sundance \ufffd Trauma, from talented Welsh director Marc Evans (My Little Eye). Shot in a fragmented style demanding close attention, it stars Colin Firth as Ben, a delusional husband driven mad by grief. Awaking from a coma, he learns he was in a car crash that killed his wife (Naomie Harris). Now Ben must sort out reality from fiction: for instance, is his helpful new neighbour Charlotte (Mena Suvari) real or imagined? Evans's film is bracing and original, though some in the Sundance audience found it hard to fathom."}, {"response": 963, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (22:23)", "body": "Next batch of GWAPE reviews filtering in. This one is a rave from good 'ol Rex Reed in the New York Observer: Dutch Treat Photographed with all the beguiling varnish of the world-renowned painting for which it is named, Girl with a Pearl Earring is director Peter Webber\ufffds scrupulously detailed study of the career and repressed life of 17th-century Dutch master Johannes Vermeer. Adapted from Tracy Chevalier\ufffds best-selling 2000 novel, this opulent film imagines the world of Griet (Scarlett Johansson), a comely maid who will one day sit for the museum piece, and whose chaste flirtation with the great painter (well played by Colin Firth) sets off shock waves that affect every member of his household, while ripping the veil from Vermeer\ufffds cloistered home life in a triumph of composition and light inspired by his work. The film is a sublimely incandescent study of the glorious surfaces and emotional depths of the period. When young Griet arrives in the house, she tries to maintain her equilibrium in a situation where privacy is hard to come by: The lady of the house, Catharina (Essie Davis), is demanding and perennially pregnant, and her mother, Maria (Judy Parfitt, the latest in a line of crusty Brits descending from Dame Edith Evans), is tight-fisted and implacable. Vermeer turns to Griet as a sanctuary from domestic stress, and she responds with an awakening passion for love and art. However, their disparate backgrounds\ufffdas well as class, age and religious differences\ufffdbegin to complicate their developing relationship. Nevertheless, the master asks Griet to pose for one of his canvases, arousing jealousy, resentment and ultimately fury in the internecine plots of his wife, family and even his art patron, Van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson), who turns out to be greedily and selfishly fixated on what Vermeer can do for him. It can be argued that the real star of Girl with a Pearl Earring is cinematographer Eduardo Serra, who nobly fleshes out director Webber\ufffds glorious vision of the period. The composition of every frame takes the breath away like a visit to the Reijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Drawing on Vermeer\ufffds celebrated practice of painting female subjects peering directly into the eyes of the viewer, Ms. Johansson envelops us in the maidservant\ufffds point of view with her burnished, wide-eyed, nocturnal and full-faced beauty. Colin Firth, in a welcome about-face from his dashing, clean-cut performance in the lowbrow Love Actually, is especially subtle and touching in the forced restraint and quiet insightfulness that mask his tortured psyche. A rare and elegant film bathed in the kind of soft, delicate light that can build unexpectedly to feelings of both anxiety and bliss."}, {"response": 964, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (22:58)", "body": "Feh. Tale of painter lacks color Steven Rea Philadelphia Inquirer Published: Friday, January 23, 2004 There are worse things to do in this world than watch Scarlett Johansson mix pigments of paint in a Dutch master's garret, her pale skin illumined by shafts of light, her long locks wrapped in a linen wimple. And, for many filmgoers, too, there are worse things than watching Colin Firth watching the bewimpled Johansson mixing those fine pigments. His stares are intense. His chin is dimpled. His frown is manly. Nevertheless, even diehard fans of the handsome Brit will have to admit that his wig, in Girl With a Pearl Earring, is a bit much. A film based on Tracy Chevalier's best-seller about Johannes Vermeer and the poor teenage servant who posed for one of his most famous paintings, Girl With a Pearl Earring is a lovely-looking speculative period piece about, hmm - what exactly is it about? One could argue that the film is a meditation on inspiration, on erotic longing and the life of the artist and his muse. But first-time director Peter Webber's stab at all that doesn't quite fly. Girl With a Pearl Earring is really about watching paint dry. Slowly. Yes, it's beautiful paint. Those globs of lapis lazuli that Johansson's character, Griet, grinds and slaps onto her boss' pallet are almost electrically charged, bluer than blue. And in the drab surroundings of Vermeer's studio in Delft, Holland, circa 1665, that vibrant chunk of color can go a long way. But not quite long enough to hide the almost self-parodic ludicrousness of this breathless exercise in Masterpiece Theater artsiness. Firth's Vermeer comes off as brooding and brattish, a family man whose portraits are much in demand among high-society types of 17th-century Holland. Johansson's Griet (a creation of novelist Chevalier - no one knows who the real model was for the famous painting) hails from a poor family, and goes to work for the Vermeers scrubbing, dusting, and sleeping under a staircase in the darkest corner of the cellar. And then the master of the house and the young wench make eye contact. If they had air-raid sirens back then in tulip-and-canal country, they surely would have blared. Such is the urgency of the couple's attraction, or, at least, that's what the filmmakers would have us believe. In truth, the chemistry between Firth and Johansson - who comports herself in an altogether un-21st-century manner, and makes it look natural - isn't all that charged. And the fussy way the artist and the maid go about their amorous pas de deux is, well, fussy. Sillier still is the presence of Van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson), the painter's patron, and a horny old chap was he. Van Ruijven practically drools when he spies the lush-lipped Griet, who is at a loss as to what to do, how to behave, and how to get the lascivious paws of this wealthy lech off her. Griet must also deal - more happily - with the impassioned advances of a butcher's son (28 Days Later bike messenger Cillian Murphy), a handsome working chap who squires her on long walks in the woods and such. Meanwhile, Vermeer's mother-in-law (Judy Parfitt), wife (Essie Davis), and eldest daughter (Alakina Mann) gaze on with disdain, jealousy and what's-Daddy-up-to-now scorn as the artist spends more and more time up there in his studio with that girl. And then the mother-in-law, the wife and the daughter gaze some more. Girl With a Pearl Earring is a virtual ricochet-fest of eyeball action. Those looks, those glares, those gapes, those gawks!"}, {"response": 965, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 2004 (00:27)", "body": "(Karen) Well, one fan wrote me that she wished he wouldn't appear in movies with women who showed their \"cleavage.\" The front or the rear one? ;-) (Tress) I like the idea that Mr. Darcy may be trying to take a peek down that frock. I bet that happened during the shooting of P&P, after all no hot blooded male would be able to resist such a sight. I wonder what happened to those outtakes... Mari, thanks for the \"more reviews\"! Where on earth are you digging all this stuff up from, and how do you remember which ones haven't been posted yet? You're putting good old Sherlock Holmes to shame. :-)"}, {"response": 966, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 2004 (03:27)", "body": "Thank you for all the reviews, reports and what have you :-) from todays Times Online: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,7943-971964,00.html The only British film with a world premiere at Sundance is Trauma, the Welsh director Marc Evans\ufffds first film since his claustrophobic horror debut My Little Eye. It\ufffds also the scriptwriting debut of a 25-year-old Scot, Richard Smith. Colin Firth sheds his usual safe cocoon to play Ben, a man wrestling with mental illness in a distinctly unfriendly vision of London. Trauma is a mind game of a movie. It\ufffds troubling, intense and puzzling, all of which are bolstered by the visual sense of Evans and his cinematographer John Mathieson (Love is the Devil), who allow Ben\ufffds fragility to seep into the very core of the film through oppressive camerawork. Do and Tress, doesn't this fit your impressions from seeing the film?? It\ufffds troubling, intense and puzzling, all of which are bolstered by the visual sense of Evans and his cinematographer John Mathieson (Love is the Devil), who allow Ben\ufffds fragility to seep into the very core of the film through oppressive camerawork."}, {"response": 967, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 2004 (09:37)", "body": "Always did like prisms..:-) STANLEY KAUFFMANN ON FILMS Major Mysteries The subject of genius worries the film world--artistic genius especially. Some geniuses had such romance-novel lives that they seem to beg for dramatization. But difficulties arise. First, the biographical facts were not arranged by the fine fingers of art but by the coarse hands of life. Re-arrangements are bothersome. Second, even tougher, how do you show genius? Writers are poor subjects. The writer labors at a desk--he could be scribbling a laundry list--then says, \"At last it's finished! Crime and Punishment!\" It is even harder with performing artists, where it is necessary actually to display genius. Edwin Booth, Isadora Duncan, and Vaslav Nijinsky have all been embodied on film, alas. Their places in history are still secure. Composers have a somewhat better chance: at least we can hear, after externalized scenes of Promethean inner struggle, a snatch of Beethoven. But painters are the best film subjects. Rembrandt or Van Gogh add strokes to a canvas, and, in this visual medium, we can see the finish d work whole and at once. All this does not mean that Girl with a Pearl Earring explicates the mystery of Johannes Vermeer's genius, but it does mean that the process of painting in the film is not ludicrous. A story has been contrived, in a novel by Tracy Chevalier adapted by Olivia Hetreed, that provides a pleasant enough raison d'\ufffdtre for the pearl painting. In 1665 a maid named Griet comes to work in the Vermeer household in Delft, not a strikingly beautiful girl, but one with a modest glow, servile yet with dignity. In the course of time she ends up on the canvas--wearing one of Mrs. Vermeer's pearl earrings, her ear having been pierced by Vermeer himself. I'm not getting ahead of the story: there isn't much story to get ahead of. Vermeer's life is not one of those flamboyances that cry for film. This perhaps is another reason to admire this picture's relatively quiet adventure. Vermeer lives with his wife and mother-in-law and a few visible children. (He actually had eleven.) After Griet's arrival, a rich patron of the artist, who collects women as well as paintings, fancies her and commissions a portrait of her. This only heats Mrs. Vermeer's dislike of Griet and leads to complications for which Griet is as innocent as an attractive girl can be in such a situation. Anyway, although there are troubles along the way, we sigh with relief when the great work is finished, unharmed. This is a first film by Peter Webber, an English director whose previous work was in television (and included programs about Schubert and Wagner). Webber has the sense to keep the story tight, domestic--no rumblings about a peak in the world history of art. There is little excitement in the film, yet neatness, discretion, intelligence mark every moment. Webber's cast is perfect. Scarlett Johansson, lately seen in Lost in Translation, discloses a great deal more than she got the chance to show in that film. With ease and understanding, she realizes the qualities that spark the painter's interest. He is played by Colin Firth, an actor who keeps holding us because he keeps turning his talent like a prism, displaying different facets of credibility. He was recently a reluctant romantic in Love Actually, somewhat comic; here he is an artist who takes himself just seriously enough--no mad-genius antics. The acting that will probably be least appreciated, as is generally the case with unsympathetic characte s, is Essie Davis's reluctantly sullen performance of Vermeer's wife. As we would expect in a film about a painter, a key person was the cinematographer. Eduardo Serra, Portuguese, has had a career too long to detail. I mention only that in 2000 he photographed a masterwork, The Widow of Saint-Pierre, which was as much blessed by Serra's eye and lighting as is this new film. The most enchanting point about his work here is that he hasn't put Vermeer's painting into the film; he has put the film into Vermeer. Every room, every street, every corner has the master's lighting, his arrangement of objects. Some years ago I spent just one day in Delft, and I felt that I was walking through the Vermeer View of Delft that Proust adored. Serra's work gives us the same embrace. http://www.tnr.com/doc.mhtml?i=20040202&s=kauffmann020204"}, {"response": 968, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 2004 (11:00)", "body": "(Rex) Colin Firth, in a welcome about-face from his dashing, clean-cut performance in the lowbrow Love Actually, is especially subtle and touching in the forced restraint and quiet insightfulness that mask his tortured psyche. Low brow! *snort* (Rea) Nevertheless, even diehard fans of the handsome Brit will have to admit that his wig, in Girl With a Pearl Earring, is a bit much. Gimme a break. What *is* it with these people? There's nothing wrong with the wig/hair. Sheesh! I'm getting really sick of this and how it is supposed to pass for film criticism. :-( ~~~~~~~ Portrait pics from Sundance are up here: http://us.imdb.com/Special/GalleryFeatures/sundance2004/traumapor-1.html"}, {"response": 969, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 2004 (22:49)", "body": "Ildi, if you watch carefully the scene at Rosings when he Darcy is standing at the piano you will see him drop his eyes to Lizzie's cleavage. It is just for a second and easy to miss."}, {"response": 970, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 2004 (23:34)", "body": "I had E! News on earlier this evening and heard a GWAPE commercial airing; didn't see it as I was in another room and couldn't get there fast enough! This is a first to my knowledge and the film's been here for about a month."}, {"response": 971, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 2004 (23:35)", "body": "Aaa-ha! Now I'll have to go put in the DVD and check that out. Such hardship... but I gotta see it. Thanks Lucie! Well, whaddaya know, GWAPE finally arrived at my doorstep, it's playing a mere 20 minutes from me. Yes!!! I'll have to go see it this weekend. The film is also among the Toronto Sun's top 5 picks , which pleases me a great deal. Ah, life is good... (Ada-From THR) What is real and what is in the mind's eye of Ben are always in doubt. And the question eventually arises: Did he kill his wife before the accident? This sounds an awful lot like David Lynch's Lost Highway. For those who like these puzzle type psychological thrillers I strongly recommend that one. It takes a long time to figure it out - if ever, but what an experience!"}, {"response": 972, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jan 24, 2004 (00:08)", "body": "(Karen) I had E! News on earlier this evening and heard a GWAPE commercial airing; I saw one on E! last night. I've seen another one, maybe this week, but can't remember where exactly. If it wasn't another E!, it was one of the late night shows...Letterman, Leno, or Conan. May have been one of those as I have a sense I remember thinking it was an odd place and time to have a GWAPE ad."}, {"response": 973, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jan 24, 2004 (08:16)", "body": "I just saw a GWAPE commercial on E! and one last night on Style. Now, if the film would just show up I'd be quite pleased;-)"}, {"response": 974, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Jan 24, 2004 (09:48)", "body": "I saw the commercial too, and Colin was once again the forgotten man. His picture showed, but the ad was all Scarlett. On the one I saw his name was not mentioned in the voice over."}, {"response": 975, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Jan 24, 2004 (11:57)", "body": "So they have a GWAPE commercial now? I guess that's why they've reduced the newspaper ads to miniscule size, to pay for the TV spots. I'm hoping to see it later today before the next wave of snow. (Ildi)Where on earth are you digging all this stuff up from, and how do you remember which ones haven't been posted yet? You're putting good old Sherlock Holmes to shame. :-) No, that would be Maria, bless her!:-) I just go by the list I got from Lion's Gate to see where it's opening, then look up the local newspapers to see if they're online. Major expansion set for next Friday, 350+ screens, so I will be very busy and important then.;-) Tress, I'm glad I could offer some inspiration, but I'm sure Marc Evans was only too happy to speak with such bright, friendly, and attractive fans such as you Sundance Kids!:-) I always figure celebs are more nervous than we are, and welcome the chance to have the ice broken. So, you see, we actually did Colin a favor at the LA premiere.;-) ;-) (Karen)Low brow! *snort* Don't you love Rex? He's either effusive in his praise or bitchily dismissive in his criticsm. Never a middle ground."}, {"response": 976, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 24, 2004 (12:43)", "body": "(Mari). Major expansion set for next Friday, 350+ screens,... Big bonanza for GWAPE if SJ wins tomorrow night. I hope they show GWAPE trailer when they introduce her nom and not LIT."}, {"response": 977, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Jan 24, 2004 (14:51)", "body": "From our other daily, Philadelphia Daily News : Johannson a pearl in artistic 'Girl' By GARY THOMPSON thompsg@phillynews.com \"Girl with a Pearl Earring\" does for painting what Fred and Ginger did for dancing. Which is to say that it uses painting as a stand-in for sex. Paint preparation is foreplay, the brushstroke is akin to fondling, and the capturing of a subject's soul on canvas is a very dirty business indeed. There would seem to be little need for such metaphorical innuendo today, of course, when \"daring\" artists have managed to make explicit sexual content commonplace and frequently boring. \"Pearl Earring,\" though, wants to re-create 17th-century Holland, when people lived under rigid standards of behavior established by a sort of Protestant Taliban, and even the hint of attraction between a married man and a servant girl was scandalous and potentially ruinous. The movie stars Scarlett Johansson as Griet, a girl from a Calvinist home who goes to work as a domestic in the Catholic household of celebrated painter Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth). Let us pause here to note that Vermeer died at age 43, possibly due to \"stress,\" the kind that anyone would encounter living in a home run by his wealth-obsessed mother-in-law, as Vermeer's was. Vermeer labors to produce paintings and children, and while his wife is pregnant, he finds himself, uh, inspired by the ripening Griet, and they begin a subtle flirtation - first she's allowed to clean the inner sanctum of his studio, then to help him mix paints. Eventually she poses for him in secret, and the whole thing culminates when Vermeer asks the trembling young model to \"wet her lips.\" It's not exactly NC-17, but in its own slow-burn way it has more sexual energy than the dreary, self-serving show-off explicitness of, say, Britney and Madonna. And we get the real sense that Vermeer's attraction to the girl pushes the entire household on the edge of catastrophe. His wife senses what is happening and is insanely jealous. His bourgeoisie mother-in-law, on the other hand, is aware of the situation and tolerant of it, knowing it is likely to produce a fantastic and fantastically valuable painting. Casting is a huge aid to \"Girl with a Pearl.\" Scarlett Johansson is just the right age and has the pouty-lipped innocence, and she seems unaware of the ideas that men get when they evaluate her voluptuous features. Plus, her name is Johansson, and she looks like the kind of girl you'd expect to see wearing wooden shoes, or plugging a dike. If the movie has a flaw, it's that it does rather too good a job recreating 17th century Holland, in wintertime, a city decked out in various shades of frozen mud. Also, the movie makes a gimmick of staging scenes as painterly compositions in the style of Vermeer masterpieces. It's clever, but it makes the movie static, and often calls attention to itself in a way that further slows the movie. Also, the final shot of Griet's portrait, morphed from a close-up of Johansson, would have had much more impact had the trick not been performed a dozen times previous."}, {"response": 978, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Jan 24, 2004 (14:53)", "body": "(Evelyn)Big bonanza for GWAPE if SJ wins tomorrow night. Sure would be, and an even bigger one if SJ can nab an Oscar Nomination come Tuesday."}, {"response": 979, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Jan 25, 2004 (10:56)", "body": "Hurah . .new home computer in place . .Drool withdrawl soon to end as soon as I catch up! (Ildi)I'd like to see a good bedroom scene. One that would leave me breathless like the end of BJD. I know he'd done a few of those back \"before the earth's crust cooled\", but I prefer the older, more seasoned, more manly Colin to the young one. Ahh . .a woman after my own heart . .I'm seconding that request;) (Philadelphia Inquirer) Nevertheless, even diehard fans of the handsome Brit will have to admit that his wig, in Girl With a Pearl Earring, is a bit much. *Sigh* . .enough with the wig already . . . (Karen)I had E! News on earlier this evening and heard a GWAPE commercial airing; Karen . .just caught it! . .fabulous . .mentioned the golden globe nominations . .SJ (for acting)and AD (for score) . .mentioned ES for spectacular cinematography . .nice clips . .mentioned \"now playing in select theaters\". .NO mention of Colin's performance . .grrr, bad oversight by ad agency . . but FINALLY . .nice to see a commercial for it again . ."}, {"response": 980, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Jan 25, 2004 (10:59)", "body": "Sorry for double post . . .forgot to say I caught the GWAPE on TLC a few minutes ago . ."}, {"response": 981, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Jan 25, 2004 (10:59)", "body": "GWAPE commercial I mean . . ."}, {"response": 982, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (11:42)", "body": "GWAPE had another good weekend. From Variety: \"Lions Gate's period drama \"Girl with a Pearl Earring\" added 21 engagements for a total 72 and grossed $520,000, an ample $7,222 per playdate with a $2.6 million cume.\" Scalett gave Colin a nice mention last night on the Globes' red carpet."}, {"response": 983, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (11:48)", "body": "(Mari) Scalett gave Colin a nice mention last night on the Globes' red carpet. E! reran the Red Carpet stuff this a.m. and I caught Scarlett's comment this time. v. nice"}, {"response": 984, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (19:50)", "body": "Ooo, weekend actuals are better than estimated: Girl with a Pearl Earring Lions $540,954 up 19.9% 72 +21 $7,513 $2,629,489 They've upped the screencount for January 30, will be 400+. Oscar nom for SJ tomorrow would really help. Fingers crossed."}, {"response": 985, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (23:54)", "body": "And GWAPE has moved up one position to #9 on the UK charts, taking in $657,685 on 107 screens ($6,147 per) for a two-week cume of $1,924,750."}, {"response": 986, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (00:08)", "body": "Variety: By DAVID ROONEY Following his resourceful low-budget chiller \"My Little Eye,\" Brit director Marc Evans revisits similar genre territory but this time stumbles with \"Trauma.\" Visually stylish and distinguished by its hallucinatory atmosphere of dread, the psychological thriller about a coma patient who emerges into an increasingly delusional world is hampered by narrative incoherence, sluggish pacing and emotionally remote characters. Strongest shot will be as a DVD title for this first feature from Anglo-Irish production outfit Little Bird's new horror label, Ministry of Fear. Waking up in a hospital after being in a coma for a week, Ben (Colin Firth) learns the car he was driving crashed and his wife Elisa (Naomie Harris) was killed. His disorientation and guilt-ridden state is further aggravated by the media frenzy gripping London after the murder of a pop star. Ben visits the same shrink he saw following a childhood trauma, and moves into a creepy former hospital. There, he becomes friendly with neighbor Charlotte (Mena Suvari), whose spiritual bent gives her a view into his tortured soul. Charlotte takes Ben to a medium (Brenda Fricker), who further destabilizes him by telling him Elisa is alive. When a cop (Ken Cranham) begins questioning Ben about the pop star killing, he becomes increasingly unable to distinguish reality from morbid fantasy. Working with accomplished d.p. John Mathieson and editor Mags Arnold, Evans creates a darkly textured world of fragmented images and disturbing visions that recalls the charged visual atmosphere of Hong Kong thrillers like \"The Eye.\" However, Richard Smith's original screenplay fails to lay a concrete foundation in reality or to provide sufficient access to the characters, resulting in an unsatisfyingly, uninvolving abstract chiller. Even when the puzzle comes together in the final reel, the pieces remain an imperfect fit. Like so many recent films in which stylistic flourishes take precedence over plot construction, too many factors -- Ben's home in a blue-lit, other-worldly building with an abandoned morgue in the basement and seemingly no other residents aside from Charlotte; his ant farm and entomology interest -- seem like arbitrarily creepy components with no logical bearing on the story beyond their visual function. Stuck with a distancing character, Firth contributes a brooding, troubled turn that's become his stock in trade, while Suvari lacks the gravitas to make much of an impression in an enigmatic role. Pic screened at Sundance without end credits. Camera (color), John Mathieson; editor, Mags Arnold; music, Alex Heffes; production designer, Crispian Sallis; art director, Paul Ghirardini; set decorator, Careen Hertzog; costume designer, Ffion Elinor; assistant director, Matthew Penry-Davey; casting, Jina Jay. Reviewed at Sundance Film Festival (Premieres), Jan. 19, 2004. Running time: 88 MIN."}, {"response": 987, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (00:16)", "body": "Strongest shot will be as a DVD title Wow! That should make lots of folks happy, right? They'll get to buy it and watch it at home over and over again. Like so many recent films in which stylistic flourishes take precedence over plot construction seem like arbitrarily creepy components with no logical bearing on the story beyond their visual function. All style, no substance. :-( Ben's home in a blue-lit Ah, DQ flashbacks again."}, {"response": 988, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (00:47)", "body": "... his ant farm and entomology interest -- seem like arbitrarily creepy components with no logical bearing on the story beyond their visual function. Disagree there. Reviewer obviously didn't see our screening or didn't pay attention to the ant discussion afterwards. And the entomology interest had an obvious link to Ben's past. It was quite stylish, flashback sequences, use of double images with mirrors, reflection. The way it opened and finished was great too (more 'reflection')...but I also liked the story. Knew it woudln't be everyone's cuppa, but it certainly was interesting!"}, {"response": 989, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (09:20)", "body": "Just had a few words w/ the man I temp for here at Showtime who had attended Sundance and saw Trauma on my recommendation. He thought it was excellent . .very disturbing. He enjoys more thinking/psychlogical dramas. He loved the fact that that you really couldn't tell if Ben was insane or not. He saw and liked the CW correlation you were talking about Tress, throughout the film as well . . Thought MS was very tiny;) . .he went to the premiere . . . he doubts whether or not it will be picked up for distribution b/c of how disturbing it was . .some of those who went with him did not like it b/c of that fact. As Tress mentioned . .it certainly won't be a film for everyone . . ."}, {"response": 990, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (09:23)", "body": "There are plenty of small films that are picked up even though they are \"disturbing.\""}, {"response": 991, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (09:32)", "body": "(Karen)There are plenty of small films that are picked up even though they are \"disturbing.\" Oh I understand . .I certainly hope this is one of them . . I want to see it distrutbing or not . . .was just passing along what he told me . . ."}, {"response": 992, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (09:56)", "body": "(Variety)\"....psychological thriller about a coma patient who emerges into an increasingly delusional world is hampered by narrative incoherence, sluggish pacing and emotionally remote characters.\" Uh-oh...ME will have to do a lot of tweaking to fix this one...sounds ominous:-((( (Variety)...\" his ant farm and entomology interest -- seem like arbitrarily creepy components with no logical bearing on the story beyond their visual function.\" Wot? Even Sandi and Tress caught on to this one. Thanks Mari."}, {"response": 993, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (10:33)", "body": "Posted 1/21 by a Box Office Prophet who hasn't seen the movie: Director Marc Evans had a minor hit last year in the U.K. with a stylish reality show-themed horror movie called My Little Eye. The film has still not seen release in the U.S., even on video. His next film, Trauma, will be released in February in the U.K. by Warner Bros, but there is currently no distributor in the U.S. Perhaps Warner Bros will pick it up for its new indie division when it plays at Sundance. The film stars Colin Firth as a man who has been in a coma as a result of an auto accident. When he awakens to learn that his wife died in that accident, he retreats into his delusions, seeing his wife everywhere. To try to make sense of the situation, he turns to his psychiatrist, his neighbor, and even a psychic. The people involved give me faith that this will be a solid thriller and not just another \"I see dead people\" retread. (If we ever get to see it.) [Ed note: Quite a bit was made in the trades about WB's new indie division's first purchases at Sundance.]"}, {"response": 994, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (11:11)", "body": "Tress and Dorine, just curious: what were the elements of Trauma that you perceived but which Marc Evans said were unintentional? 3 noms for GWAPE, but unfortunately for the B.O., not for SJ. Can't wait to see the ads: (in big type generally reserved for declarations of war): 3 OSCAR NOMINATIONS! (in teensy type): for stuff you don't care about ;-)"}, {"response": 995, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (12:25)", "body": "(Mari) Tress and Dorine, just curious: what were the elements of Trauma that you perceived but which Marc Evans said were unintentional? I'll take it to spoilers. I was asked via e-mail to explain myself too! Sorry. Still catching up. Sundance...then home...with company...so I've fallen behind a bit!"}, {"response": 996, "author": "katty", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (13:05)", "body": "Interesting interview with Peter Webber with questions about Colin: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/click/movie-1128236/reviews.php?critic=approved&sortby=date&page=1&rid=1243791 Question: We must have a word about Colin Firth. Women love him, but for anguish and torment\ufffdwhy did you go with him? Webber: Because he's a great actor. Listen, I didn't really know that he was such a heartthrob until afterwards, to tell you the truth. I have discovered [that] because every time I go to a Q&A, I stand up, and I get two questions for me, and then the third question is [in a high-pitched voice], \ufffdWhere's Colin? Where's Colin?\ufffd (edit: you droolers know who you are) So, I understand that people want to see him rather than me, and I don't blame them. He's a great actor. He understands reserve. He's very good to work with. He's not got movie star [attitude] at all. He's very straight up. He brings a tenderness to the role. That's an important thing, because it's important that Vermeer sees something special in this girl, and falls for her because of that. Rather than he just sees her, and thinks, \ufffdSchwing!\ufffd and that's it. I think Colin's one of the few actors who is convincing in that way. I think that's one of the reasons that women like him so much. He's not just this incredibly hunky character\ufffdit seems like he cares. He seems like he understands. I think that's what it's about. Question: He's introspective, and it comes through on the screen. Webber: I think he can do mystery as well. He's not scared about doing less. That's a good thing."}, {"response": 997, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (14:01)", "body": "Thanks for the PW interview,Katty. Couldn't have said it any better. Was hoping that Trauma would help the 'wider world' appreciate his talents beyond heartthrob but given what I've been reading here lately, I fear us DD's might be the only ones that'll see it."}, {"response": 998, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (14:22)", "body": "Thanks Katty! (Katty)Interesting interview with Peter Webber with questions about Colin: Reference is made to just that in this interview as well... http://www.londonart.co.uk/editorial/mag_home.asp"}, {"response": 999, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (15:27)", "body": "Vogue.com: BRIDGET JONES' TOPSHOP AS if TopShop needed further celebrity endorsement, it has landed a cameo appearance in the forthcoming Bridget Jones sequel, The Edge Of Reason. Word has it that Bridget Jones herself, aka Ren\ufffde Zellweger, is so enamoured with the high street superpower that she has arranged an entire scene to be filmed at its Oxford Circus flagship. During a typically ditzy moment, Ms Jones is saved from a fashion disaster by popping into the store at the last minute before a particularly important date. TopShop, Oxford Circus will be closed on February 13 to make its big screen debut. (January 27 2004, AM) http://www.vogue.co.uk/vogue_daily/story/story.asp?stid=14978"}, {"response": 1000, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (17:27)", "body": "\"TopShop, Oxford Circus will be closed on February 13 to make its big screen debut\" Sounds as if they'll be filming there that day."}, {"response": 1001, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (22:46)", "body": "(Evelyn) Wot? Even Sandi and Tress caught on to this one. Um......hi! ;-)"}, {"response": 1002, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (23:00)", "body": "(PW) I get two questions for me That would be me. ;-) (Bad DD! Where *are* my priorities?) Sorry, Tress to leave you picking up Trauma slack. Damn job of mine! ;-) I know I've said little about it, but Sandi and Tress have done very thorough job. Will have a bunch more of my impressions by early next week,if not before, if needed. (Evelyn) Uh-oh...ME will have to do a lot of tweaking to fix this one... Can't see how to \"tweak.\" Except redubbing the unintelligible accents."}, {"response": 1003, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Jan 28, 2004 (11:56)", "body": "Dead quiet on the news front...I think I am in the minority of those that have not seen GWAPE (and am unlikely to have the opportunity prior to DVD release:-()but these reviews and all of your comments are all I have to go on...Actually, the first two are very complimentary and the last one just made me laugh... http://www.detnews.com/2004/entertainment/0401/16/e03-37008.htm http://promontoryartists.org/lookingcloser/movie%20reviews/A-G/girlwithapearlearring.htm http://www.eclipsemagazine.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=855"}, {"response": 1004, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Jan 28, 2004 (12:48)", "body": "(eclipse)Colin Firth plays Vermeer a little bit like Gomez Aadams with no joie de vivre and incredibly bad hair; he\ufffds moody, he\ufffds eccentric, and boy, does he enunciate. He strides around and glares. He insists with a hint of petulance. He\ufffds obsessed with the perfection of his craft. Did we mention that no one understands him? Thanks for the articles Maria . . hmmm he's been described as Fabio, a member of Iron Maiden . .but Gomes Aadams?? . .that's a new one for you;)"}, {"response": 1005, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Jan 28, 2004 (13:15)", "body": "Hartelijk dank for the new reviews, Maria! (Lorelei from Eclipse)there simply must be more to a character than a lot of stomping, wild hair, and menacing pronunciation LOL! I never noticed any unnecessary enunciation (all enunciation was vital, IMHO). Interesting comparison to th T review several days ago that accused Colin of \"snarling the Queen's English\"? Can he do nothing right? ;-)"}, {"response": 1006, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jan 28, 2004 (17:40)", "body": "(promo)Fortunately, they have found an actor who can bring the same amount of gravity to the screen in order to portray the painter. I never would have thought of Colin Firth for the portrayal of a contemplative, passionate painter, but he finds in Johannes Vermeer material for what may indeed be his best performance. Surprise, surprise."}, {"response": 1007, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Jan 28, 2004 (20:28)", "body": "Just caught another GWAPE commercial . .newer - mentioned oscar nominations (though not specifically which ones) . . odd choice of music for the commerical . .would have thought they would have chose a snippet from the score . .instead they chose a very snappy, modern bit of music . .rather incongruous with the subject of the film and the images . .made me look twice, though . .;)"}, {"response": 1008, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jan 28, 2004 (20:37)", "body": ".rather incongruous with the subject of the film and the images . .made me look twice, though . .;) Was it from that odd video?"}, {"response": 1009, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Wed, Jan 28, 2004 (22:32)", "body": "I just saw the new commercial too, and really odd music. I do not recall it being like the video, guitar strumming, drumming and piano. I saw it on HGTV and it almost sounded like it was their music that comes on in-between programs! 4 stars from Roger Ebert."}, {"response": 1010, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (10:11)", "body": "(Bee)Was it from that odd video? Can't say . .didn't see the video . .I caught it on TLC (am obsessed with the show Clean Sweep/Trading Spaces and What Not to Wear!)but it kind of was like as sandi said . .the music sounded like something that would be played between programs . .not suited to the subject of the commercial . . Of course there's a car commercial out there right now. .I think BMW? . .w/ music I swear swiped from the GWAPE score . .had me run to the TV only to be disappointed:("}, {"response": 1011, "author": "caribou", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (10:28)", "body": "(Peter Webber)Listen, I didn't really know that he was such a heartthrob until afterwards, to tell you the truth. I have discovered [that] because every time I go to a Q&A, I stand up, and I get two questions for me, and then the third question is [in a high-pitched voice], \ufffdWhere's Colin? Where's Colin?\ufffd And here he is 30 seconds before that first infamous Q&A! Hee! Hee! I did ask him two other questions but as it turns out, I asked \"Where's Colin?\" first.:-0 This is outside of the second showing of GWAPE. Peter is holding a white coffee cup and speaking to two \"young\" guys and a girl. Andy Patterson is taller and behind him with a cup and speaking to a lady in black. Peter's wife has her back to the camera but you can still check out her fashion choices for Telluride. She is in a dress with a denim jacket. She reminded me of Bridge going on her mini-break though perhaps ever so slightly more elegant!:-)"}, {"response": 1012, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (17:59)", "body": "MOVIE REVIEW- Brush with Greitness: Nobody home at the Vermeers' Published January 29, 2004, in issue #0304 of the Hook Subtlety can be a virtue in movies, especially since it's such a rare commodity in Hollywood. But like anything else in cinema, it can be overused. Girl with a Pearl Earring is about people who lived in subtler times, and despite director Peter Webber's attempt to immerse us in their world, \"What's the big deal?\" would be an appropriate response from a modern viewer. On a purely visual level, the film is more successful. They've done a magnificent job of recreating Delft, Holland, in 1665, and Eduardo Serra has photographed it with a painterly eye; but as they haven't spared themselves in creating this world, they spare none of our time showing it off. The plot is so simple there's plenty of time to fill with atmosphere. Scarlett Johansson plays 17-year-old Griet, who-- to help her family with expenses-- takes a job as a maid in the household of painter Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth). It's as dysfunctional a family as you could ask for. Catharina (Essie Davis) turns out babies as regularly as Vermeer does paintings and has all the mood swings associated with pregnancy. Her mother, Maria Thins (Judy Parfitt), really runs things, doing whatever it takes to keep her son-in-law productive. The oldest child, Cornelia (Alakina Mann of The Others), 12, takes an instant dislike to Griet; and as her father shows an interest in the new maid, the other women of the house follow the child's lead, including head housekeeper Tanneke (Joanna Scanlan). Griet catches the eye of the butcher's son, Pieter (Cillian Murphy of 28 Days Later), because she's the only maid in town with a nose for rotten meat. She impresses her master because, though illiterate, she has an innate sense for things artistic. When told to clean the windows in his studio, she hesitates because it will change the light. Later she moves a chair to improve the composition of a painting. Also impressed with Griet is Vermeer's patron, Van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson), who commissions a painting of her, apparently out of prurient interest. The artist is said to have gotten a previous maid pregnant when he painted her, so the stage is set for some steamy action. It's much ado about nothing. He's strictly hands-off while painting the fully clothed Griet, albeit with a certain amount of heavy breathing. The most scandalous thing he does is to borrow his wife's earrings for her to wear in the painting. Apparently there's little enough known about Vermeer's life that this speculative fiction, created by Tracy Chevalier in the source novel, fits the known facts. The international cast manage a reasonable cohesiveness and do what they can to pretend something is really happening. Johansson is a curious but wise choice to play Griet. Known for contemporary roles (Ghost World, Lost in Translation) she has less trouble fitting in a period setting than, say, Keanu Reeves. Girl with a Pearl Earring gives you a tour of a fabulous house, but there's nobody home. http://www.readthehook.com/stories/2004/01/29/movieReviewBrushWithGreitn.html"}, {"response": 1013, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (19:24)", "body": "Heard a rumor somewhere about Colin and possibly a certain \"Nanny\". Will check it out and let you know! :)"}, {"response": 1014, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (19:45)", "body": "(Hola) Heard a rumor somewhere about Colin and possibly a certain \"Nanny\". Will check it out and let you know! :) Oh...now...I'm gonna overload...what am I to make of that?? I'm thinking Mary Poppins, Nanny and the Professor, I'm thinking The Nanny Diaries, I'm thinking Fran Drescher...??? LOL.....GAAAAHAHHHHHH!!! ;-) Always good to hear from you Hola! How ya doing??"}, {"response": 1015, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (20:27)", "body": "(Hola)Heard a rumor somewhere about Colin and possibly a certain \"Nanny\". Will check it out and let you know! :) You really know how to get a gals attention! I'm on overload with Tress now. What could it be, what could it be? Hope all's well with your own new production;-))"}, {"response": 1016, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (20:28)", "body": "ARGGGGGGGGGGG Nanny I thought Fran! Hola...am drowning here, you must send a line! Hope you are well!"}, {"response": 1017, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (20:37)", "body": "I'm joining in with the others here! Nanny??? Rumor??? Please tell!! Also, hope you are well and thriving!"}, {"response": 1018, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (20:53)", "body": "Hola!!!!!!! HI! . .Hope you are doing well. . .you and yours:) Hmmm . . .Colin and a Nanny! . .don't think it's Fran . .Nanny Diaries would be interesting . . that was a great book . . I have to laugh though . .been piddling around with ideas for a screen play . .had started one with a father of three young kids . .wife up and left him . .and well . .he hires a new nanny to help him out as an interim person while his housekeeper/nanny is away for the summer . .of course I was basing the father on ODB;) . . . guess my story idea is going to be old news . . I'm going to love seeing what your lead is going to turn out to be;) . . let us know as soon as you can . .I'm dying to know now!"}, {"response": 1019, "author": "sandym", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (06:34)", "body": "Let's just hope it isn't a remake of this *gem* http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107612/ :-D"}, {"response": 1020, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (07:17)", "body": "Wasn't it on these boards I saw something saying Emma Thompson was slated to play a magical nanny ? What do you think ?"}, {"response": 1021, "author": "meg", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (08:08)", "body": "Isn't ODB supposed to be filming \"Dead Wait\" around now? Has anyone heard anything about that project? I'd love to see him work with Emma Thompson, but am not so enthused about the idea of him being in a movie with a magical nanny... Personally, I'd prefer something a bit more sophisticated. But Nanny Diaries could be fun... The only male I can recall is the husband... not a big role. Can't wait to hear more... He certainly has been keeping busy!"}, {"response": 1022, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (08:23)", "body": "Let's just hope it isn't a remake of this *gem* LOL! I was coming in to say that I bet Livia will make sure the nanny is being played by a man ;-) And Sandy posted that. A wrestler would be just right:D"}, {"response": 1023, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (08:29)", "body": "Don't think this has been posted yet. Not too great a review for GWAPE. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/entertainment/movies/reviews/s_177023.html 'Girl With a Pearl Earring' looks good on surface Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth star in 'Girl With a Pearl Earring' By Jolie Williamson TRIBUNE-REVIEW Friday, January 30, 2004 \"Girl with a Pearl Earring\" desperately wants to be a significant piece of cinema. It presents a screenplay that spares no unnecessary word, cinematography that begs to be described as \"painterly\" and understated acting dependent to an extraordinary degree on facial expressions and body language. Despite this meticulous preparation, the film arrives with a thud. A good-looking, understated thud, but nonetheless, one that makes its short 95-minute running time feel like a three-hour epic that doesn't know when to wrap it up and go home. The film is based on a novel of the same name that tells the imagined story of Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer's 1665 painting, also with the same name. The film has the poor, quiet-yet-perceptive 16-year-old Griet (Scarlett Johansson) arrive at Vermeer's well-to-do Delft household to do servant's work. Vermeer (Colin Firth) becomes obsessed with the girl, much to the dismay of his ferociously jealous wife. From the first manly glower to the final minor bloodletting -- when Vermeer pierces Griet's ear as he prepares to paint her portrait -- we're fully aware of his intense fascination with his lowly maid. It's not entirely sexual -- Griet seems to be the only one interested in the process of Vermeer's art, how he chooses his methods and what influences the final appearance of his paintings. Her interest in him as an artist and not just a breadwinner brings what can possibly be described as a primitive sort of nonsexual joy to the painter. Maybe it's because the actors are so good at conveying their characters' feelings that we can see where this is headed before the film barely gets rolling. But there is a significant difference in a restrained film that nevertheless challenges our perceptions and keeps us enthralled, and one that simply bores us with its predictability -- no matter how well photographed or acted. As if in recognition of this, the film's score contains a horribly cloying piano motif that chimes in every so often to signal us that Something Important is happening. One begins to wonder how many more times the same few maddening notes of music must be endured before escape is possible."}, {"response": 1024, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (08:35)", "body": "(Tress) ...I'm thinking Fran Drescher...??? LOL! Good heavens! Can you imagine that donkey laugh with Colin's rich, velvety voice? *shudders* I'd have to wear ear plugs watching that one. The type that blocks only Fran's voice of course. ;-) Colin and Emma Thompson? YES!!! I like that combination. She is terrific. I've been very fond of her ever since I've seen Much Ado About Nothing."}, {"response": 1025, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (09:09)", "body": "Emma and Colin . .great combo! Here is a blurb about Emma's New \"Nanny project\" from the Emma Thompson Sacntuary Website Main site Address: http://www.muldermedia.com/emma/ From the Roles page: http://www.muldermedia.com/emma/background/roles.html Nanny McPhee Emma wrote the screenplay based on the Nurse Matilda books by Christianna Brand. She will play a governess who uses magic to turn around a bunch of naughty kids. Status: Pre-production."}, {"response": 1026, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (09:10)", "body": "Ooh . .sorry about 2nd post Boss . .but looks like Emma's going to work on a Nick Hornby film: Fast Forward . .Nick and Colin are friends. .that would be a neat project for them to work together on . .perhaps"}, {"response": 1027, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (10:10)", "body": "Hi Hola!!! Happy New Year and hope all is well with you. See what a one-liner can do around here? Nanny, as in??? co-starring with??? While I'd love to see ODB paired with ET, I'm not so sure about a Nurse Matilda... Still, I love the speculation, ladies. (Meg)Isn't ODB supposed to be filming \"Dead Wait\" around now? I e-mailed Beyond Films before the holiday. Got a strange response back saying TDW wasn't based on a play and it hadn't been cast, yet. I think some intern(no offense to interns) must have been given the task of answering the mail. I'll try again. YES!!!! The 400+ expansion of GWAPE has brought it to Princeton. I'm hoping it didn't have anything to do with the 7,000 phone calls I made to the theater. If you don't hear from me in the next few weeks-I can be contacted at my little office in the theater;-) 555-GWAPE."}, {"response": 1028, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (10:28)", "body": "USA Today on Oscar nominated films on DVD and the big screen : Girl With a Pearl Earring. The tale of artist Vermeer and his young female muse is up for three Oscars; it goes into 300 theaters today. The DVD is due in May."}, {"response": 1029, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (11:02)", "body": "(Mary) The DVD is due in May. YESSS!!! *pumping fists in the air* I was hoping we wouldn't have to wait for too long for it. Oh,I feel like hugging somebody. Thank you Mary! Happy GWAPE watching Linda!"}, {"response": 1030, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (11:03)", "body": "(meg)The only male I can recall is the husband... not a big role. I just read a review of the book. Apparently there's a HH who lives upstairs. - Sounds a better prospect! Re Dead Wait. Seem to remember reading a while back that production wasn't certain to be going ahead."}, {"response": 1031, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (11:04)", "body": "Hurrah! GWAPE opens here today-I'll be at the first showing @ 2:00. Finally, I can view this treasure and read the spoilers,at long last!!!! Then I get to go back and see it again and again and again......you get the picture!"}, {"response": 1032, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (11:15)", "body": "(Janet) Apparently there's a HH who lives upstairs. - Sounds a better prospect! Sorry, HH was a college student. Hi, Hola from not-so-sunny-at-the-moment Florida!! Hope you're well! Thanks, as always, for the cryptic note! ;-D"}, {"response": 1033, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (11:22)", "body": "From my hometown paper in this week's Weekend (TGIF) section..... I have rarely agreed with this guy and was surprised to see a favorable review. He gave it an A-. 'Pearl' is a gem of a picture By Hap Erstein, Palm Beach Post Film Writer Friday, January 30, 2004 Little is known of the model or the motive behind 17th-century Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer's haunting portrait, Girl With A Pearl Earring, a void that was imaginatively filled by the conjecture of writer Tracy Chevalier in her novel of the same name. That exercise in historical fiction has now made it to the screen, in a slow-paced but visually exquisite and engrossing film that turns the entire city of Delft into a Vermeer canvas. Production designer Ben van Os meticulously re-creates 1665 Holland, but it is cinematographer Eduardo Serra who bathes it in contrasting pools of light and shadow, capturing the vivid textures of Vermeer. First-time director Peter Webber makes the film a window to the past and a view of the creative process, but more than either of those, each frame is a painterly work of art. We see Vermeer's world through the eyes of an uneducated, teenaged serving girl named Griet (Scarlett Johansson of Lost in Translation), daughter of a recently blinded tile painter, who is begrudgingly taken into the Vermeer household as a lowly servant. Treated rudely by the painter's perpetually pregnant wife and singled out for mischievous abuse by one of his bratty daughters, she also attracts the lecherous attentions of Vermeer's chief patron, the crude Van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson), who has an acquisitive nature and roving hands. By a quirk of domestic management, Griet gains the exalted assignment of cleaning Vermeer's studio and is awed by the sight of his work, even in its preliminary stages. It is the conceit of the film, and Olivia Hetreed's taciturn screenplay, that Griet is a natural kindred spirit of Vermeer's, instinctively appreciating art. When she asks his wife, Catharina (Essie Davis), and her mother, the shrewd, mercenary Maria Thins (Judy Parfitt), whether she should clean the studio windows -- for that would affect the light spilling into the room -- they are dumbfounded by the apt question. Before long, Vermeer (Colin Firth of Love Actually) befriends Griet, showing her his prized camera obscura, teaching her to see colors in the clouds, and eventually entrusting her to grind and mix his pigments, the vibrant ruby shellac, gum arabic, malachite, vermilion and other exotic hues. At one point, she boldly removes a chair from a carefully composed scene, claiming that it ruins the balance of a portrait and, soon after, Vermeer deletes the chair from his painting. Eventually, Vermeer has Griet pose for him, but when he decides she must wear his wife's pearl earrings, the implied intimacy ignites Catharina's jealous streak. In fact, artist and model rarely touch, except when he painfully pierces her virgin ears, arguably a symbolic sexual defilement. Johansson (who also appears in this week's The Perfect Score) gives a delicately understated performance, almost expressionless, yet her wide blue-gray eyes suggest Griet's unexpected intelligence. The painting is considered to be a Dutch Mona Lisa, and Johansson radiates an alluring mystery. By comparison, Vermeer is much less interesting a character, though Firth broods well and plays up the tempestuous artistic temperament effectively. Wilkinson is an aptly greasy fat cat, though hampered by the role's one-dimensional nature, and Parfitt steals many a scene as Vermeer's calculating mother-in-law. Ultimately, beyond the characters, Girl with a Pearl Earring is a haunting tale about the creation of a work of art, an entrancing over-the-shoulder portrait and its engrossing, though completely fabricated, back story. And for you South FL Droolers....and lurkers that I'm aware of, here's the list of theaters.... Shadowood 16, Delray 18, Mizner Park, Movies at Boynton Beach, Treasure Coast Mall, Indian River 24, Jupiter 18, PGA Cinema 8."}, {"response": 1034, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (11:26)", "body": "(meg)Nanny Diaries ... The only male I can recall is the husband... not a big role. It's a nothing role. Weak ineffectual husband. Nurse Matilda books by Christianna Brand. She will play a governess who uses magic to turn around a bunch of naughty kids. Another nothing, presumably. Weak ineffectual father. Lola, whatever happened to those *real* movies you had mentioned? The ones that would require him to do something other than phone in a small supporting role.:-( Fran Drescher is starting to sound good.;-) I'm sure I've posted this before, but since it's come up again . . . at the NY premiere of LA, Colin told me that the status of The Dead Wait was \"very precipitous.\" Translation: don't hold your breath. GWAPE is now playing in 9 theaters throughout my area."}, {"response": 1035, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (14:32)", "body": "AHHHHHHHHH .......I SAW IT!!!!! Daily Variety Gotham - Friday, January 30th 2004 in the Film PRoduction Chart - Page 16 in \"Films in the Future:\" section Nanny McPhee Emma Thompson, COLIN FIRTH Prod, Lindsay Doran; DIR, Kirk Jones; SCR, Ema Thompson; DISTRIB, MGM, Working Title 4/04/.UK. It must be true . .they wouldn't print it in Variety otherwise . . .right?"}, {"response": 1036, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (14:40)", "body": "Grrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-( That's right, it would be true. Who the #$%^ is Kirk Jones? Oh, yes, I see he directed Waking Ned Devine."}, {"response": 1037, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (14:41)", "body": "Sorry hit submit so fast was excited I found it . . . so they are shooting this April in the UK . .Emma wrote the screenplay . . .probvably not high drama . .buit might be something nice family film . .I did enjoy Emma's Sense and Sensibility screenplay . .so I have good hopes;)"}, {"response": 1038, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (14:46)", "body": "OMG! Kimberly! Thanks for finding that!!! Emma (love her) AND Colin in the same film...okay....but a magical nanny?? Hmmmm....okay, keeping open mind and getting excited about seeing ODB with Elinor Dashwood (BTW, I just realized that Elinor's father was Henry Dashwood...so odd)!"}, {"response": 1039, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (14:47)", "body": "Emma has written the screenplay: an adaption of the \"Nurse Matilda\" governess stories of the 1960s, now out of print. From Ananova Emma Thompson to play magical nanny in new film The director of Waking Ned is set to make a new film with Emma Thompson. Kirk Jones will direct Thompson in Nanny McPhee. The actress has also written the screenplay to the movie. The film is about a nanny who uses magic to make a group of rowdy children in her care behave reports www.variety.com. Filming is expected to begin next year. [article was actually written 16 December 2002 ]"}, {"response": 1040, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (14:59)", "body": "If it was in today's Variety, then yeah, it's true. Plus it meets all the right criteria: --Passes red nail test (no love scenes) --Can take Tube to work --Filming starts in April, which means it will wrap in time for summer vacation. McPhooey! :-("}, {"response": 1041, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (15:02)", "body": "Hmmm, maybe I shouldn't have used this for one of Colin's birthday parties a few years ago. :-("}, {"response": 1042, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (15:02)", "body": "Colin . .my guess is to play father of the children? Will be nice to see him again as paternal figure . .liked him in MLSF, SLOW & even WAGW working with the kids . .GWAPE doesn't count . .was too distant from his brood of kids;)"}, {"response": 1043, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (15:07)", "body": "A link (in German) mentioning Nanny McPhee, Emma and ODB: http://www.hl-fonds143.de/nanny.html Die Rolle der Nanny soll Emma Thompson \ufffdbernehmen, die derzeit mit \"Tats\ufffdchlich Liebe\" (\"Love Actually\") in den deutschen Kinos zu sehen ist. Aus diesem Film ist auch Colin Firth bekannt, der ebenfalls mit von der Partie sein soll. And Lost in Translation: The role of the Nanny is to take over Emma Thompson, which is to be seen at present with \"actually love\" (\"Love Actually\") in the German cinemas. From this film also Colin Firth is well-known, which is to likewise also be from the portion."}, {"response": 1044, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (15:12)", "body": "Karen - will that pic be the new one for this film's page on colinfirth .com?;) Cheer up it may be a very sweet film . . . (*singing* - \"And a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down . . \")"}, {"response": 1045, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (15:20)", "body": "Nurse Matilda - \"Two clueless upper-class parents, their TWENTY demon children, and the magical nanny who brings them into line without turning a hair.\""}, {"response": 1046, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (15:21)", "body": "Also from your link, Tress, in LITese: The budget is calculated at present with approximately USD 44 millions, about which for instance USD 34.5 millions are to be allotted to the turning work). $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ It's freezing here and this little tidbit isn't going to warm the cockles of my heart or my toesies for that matter. Signed, Too Proud to Buy a Ticket to G-Rated Movie"}, {"response": 1047, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (15:24)", "body": "(Kimberly) (*singing* - \"And a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down . . \") Oh...hope it's not a musical...I was sweating it out yesterday after Hola's tidbit...trying to imagine ODB singing...and dancing (am picturing Henry Dashwood in leather here and not Fitzwilliam in those breeches that cause vibrations). Love ODB dearly, but, IMO, he cannot sing (though I said the same of Antonio Bandaras pre-Evita and now that's nearly all he does). It makes me laugh...which can be a good thing...or bad...depending on what you're going for, I guess."}, {"response": 1048, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (15:25)", "body": "ROTF......You guys...."}, {"response": 1049, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (15:28)", "body": "(Tress)Love ODB dearly, but, IMO, he cannot sing Oh, he know he can't sing as do those stalwarts who saw TIOBE:-O He was so very cute at it though, IMHO."}, {"response": 1050, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (15:30)", "body": "(tress)but, IMO, he cannot sing Alas . . .singing ain't his strong point . .am hearing TIOBE song in my head now . . . I'm sure if needed his sister could help him out . .isn't she a voice teacher?:) . .I'll give him singing lessons;P (bethan)TWENTY demon children OK, now getting a bit I'm worried . . . perhaps UK version of \"Cheaper By the Dozen\" . .Steve Martin film currently out???? Am hoping Emma's screenwriting skills will keep silly bad sight gags at bay . . ."}, {"response": 1051, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (15:35)", "body": "Whoa!!! Before this goes any further, this film is NOT a musical."}, {"response": 1052, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (15:38)", "body": "(Bee) He was so very cute at it though, IMHO. Agree! He was v. v. cute...but he couldn't carry that tune to save his life!! And I listen to that CD over and over just to hear him butcher that song! Tis funny...and I'm easily amused! (Karen) Signed, Too Proud to Buy a Ticket to G-Rated Movie Oh! But with TWENTY children I'm hoping for at least a PG (and a director's cut of NC-17)!! ;-) Signed, My Glass is Half Full (Today)"}, {"response": 1053, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (16:05)", "body": "(Karen)maybe I shouldn't have used this for one of Colin's birthday parties a few years ago. :-( Didn't Dick Van Dyke turn into a terrible alcoholic after that film was made? No wonder.;-) At least Colin's English accent will be better than DVD's. ;-)"}, {"response": 1054, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (16:05)", "body": "LOL. I love all your responses to the Nanny news. Cheer up, there are other things in the horizon that will help make the sugar go down :) Sorry I have not been around much but its been crazy busy. Award season is very hectic and even more so when you no longer fit through a doorway! :) Will be back soon! take care Huge Lola"}, {"response": 1055, "author": "Gail", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (16:13)", "body": "Whew, afer reading all this about a Nanny I'm glad its Emma Thompson, cause the only other Nanny I could think of was Mrs. Doubtfire. That could have been scary. Mari --Passes red nail test (no love scenes) --Can take Tube to work Your assessment of the situation would appear to be on the money. Thank you for defining red nail test -- I wondered what was meant by that."}, {"response": 1056, "author": "caribou", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (16:17)", "body": "(Kimberly)I did enjoy Emma's Sense and Sensibility screenplay . .so I have good hopes;) Emma did a brilliant job of writing with each actor in view. She wrote HG's role specifically because he was seen as a floppy-haired, stuttering, indecisive guy. But, what does ET think of ODB? Or worse yet, what did she think of him three years ago? (Mari)it fits the criteria LOL! What can we expect of (my fav CF quote):\"a refurbished houseboat floating down the Thames\"?"}, {"response": 1057, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (16:34)", "body": "Would this have been too much to expect out of the houseboat?"}, {"response": 1058, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (16:35)", "body": "Awwww! \"You sir; me sir.\""}, {"response": 1059, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (16:39)", "body": "(Hola)Cheer up, there are other things in the horizon that will help make the sugar go down :) LOL. I'm cheered, really I am. Watch out for those doorways! (Caribou) But, what does ET think of ODB? Oh, I think she had her eyes (and ears) opened for her in NY at the LA premiere. \"Are you all here for Colin\"? I wonder how much say so she had for the casting? ...and how much, if anything, the noise in the tent set her mind to working... LOL, be careful what you wish for...I know I wanted to see him paired with ET for a long time."}, {"response": 1060, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (16:57)", "body": "(Mari)Didn't Dick Van Dyke turn into a terrible alcoholic after that film was made? No wonder.;-) Yup! And the Dick Van Dyke Center is in the town down the street from me. (Caribou)But, what does ET think of ODB? Or worse yet, what did she think of him three years ago? At LA in NYC I remember her asking us who we were there for and we said Colin Firth and she said *Oh Nice* and smiled. She seemed genuinely pleased for him. You think we had something to do with it?;-) Trying to pick up some more *fan base*;-))"}, {"response": 1061, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (17:24)", "body": "(Bee) At LA in NYC I remember her asking us who we were there for and we said Colin Firth and she said *Oh Nice* and smiled. And I remember her just *gushing* and saying \"I'm so thrilled for him\"! when we said we were there for Colin...Also have a picture of her at ODB's feet (when he is up at the ET podium), just chatting away with him! They appear to get along quite well.... One of my fav pics from London LA premiere:"}, {"response": 1062, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (17:53)", "body": "Is it egotistical of me to want a pinch of credit for my thought at #1020? All I want is a spoonful of sugar!!!!!!"}, {"response": 1063, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (18:11)", "body": "(Bonnie)Is it egotistical of me to want a pinch of credit for my thought at #1020? Yay for Bonnie! And yay for all the amazing investigative work done by all the industrious and inquisitive Drooleurs!!! And yay to Lola for inciting such excitement!! (Linda)YES!!!! The 400+ expansion of GWAPE has brought it to Princeton. I'm hoping it didn't have anything to do with the 7,000 phone calls I made to the theater. If you don't hear from me in the next few weeks-I can be contacted at my little office in the theater;-) 555-GWAPE. Yay for the expantion of GWAPE!!!! It's now at seven theaters in metro Atlanta (amazingly at a number of mainstream multiplexes). I can now go to a theater that is playing both LA and GWAPE (and LIT and PS if I wanted to see Scarlett 3 times)! (Murphy) The DVD is due in May. Yay! Yay! Yay!!!"}, {"response": 1064, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (18:16)", "body": "(tress)but, IMO, he cannot sing But he does play a mean air guitar;-)"}, {"response": 1065, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (18:26)", "body": "(Linda) But he does play a mean air guitar;-) How true! LOL...and that makes up for it all!! Mean air guitar overrides off key singing (it's like rock, paper, scissors....) ;-) And kudos to Bonnie for calling \"magical nanny\"!"}, {"response": 1066, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (20:06)", "body": "Bonnie - I'll give you a spoonful of sugar and then some;)!!!! . .your comment made me check ET's website and got the Nanny McPhee info;) . .which actually made me look twice when I picked up Variety at work . .I was groaning at looking at Miss Congeniality 2 (why Sandy, why???) . .and there it was . . a few titles right below! You were the impetus, my dear . .full credit to you!!!!! Must say also YAYAY!!! with Shoshanna for the GWAPE DVD release news! (Thanks Murph!) Tress -I second loving that pic w/ ET, ODB & BN from the LA permiere party . . . .I think the two of them will be great together . .G rating or not . .I spy something nice in the future;) Hola - I can imagine you laughing yourself silly at all of us! Your litle tip certianly spurred on alot of action here today;) Can't wait for hints toward the really big stuff you've warned us about! I still hope . .perhaps after Nanny McPhee . .that ET and ODB work together on that Nick Hornby Film (Fast Forward) I saw on her website;) Can't help it it's in my head now (just for you Bonnie). .and a one . .and a two: \"A Spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down The medicine go down-wown The medicine go down Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down In a most delightful way . . .\""}, {"response": 1067, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (21:06)", "body": "Kudos to all the DD's....am very impressed with group investigational skills re: the nanny tip. Perhaps Lola can be convinced to spin a group 'Columbo' type script to Hollywood players looking for the next big screen sensation? Have visions of many active fingers on keyboards across the globe scanning internet for obscure clues in search of ultimate truth...ODB playing part of cantankerous police superintendent beseiged by bevy of gorgeous detectives..."}, {"response": 1068, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (23:44)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1069, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 31, 2004 (00:25)", "body": "I know Moon would've posted this herself, from the Miami Herald: GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING (PG-13) ** \ufffd Period piece is high on art, low on action BY CONNIE OGLE \"It's obscene,\" snarls the fuming, jealous wife of Johannes Vermeer of one of the artist's most famous paintings, the work after which this stately, visually dazzling but imperfect film is named. The painting is not, of course, obscene, but it's not hard to see why an emotional wife might view it that way. The subject's gaze of unadorned hunger is not something most spouses could shrug off lightly. Girl With a Pearl Earring is based on Tracy Chevalier's bestselling fictional account of the origins of Vermeer's classic work, told by the teenage maid who becomes its focus. Chevalier's evocative novel, however, is not just about creation. It is also a coming-of-age tale; a view into the harsh economics of art, specifically in 17th century Holland; a meditation on the desire -- maybe even need -- for beauty in the simplest of lives. Some of these themes find their way into the film seamlessly -- it's clear from the start that the large, rapidly expanding Vermeer family needs its patriarch to paint faster to keep up with the bills -- but others get a bit derailed. The film is primarily concerned with the romance, such as it is, between the man and the maid, not with Griet's growth or understanding of how her life must proceed. But this is a sort of burning-gazes-across-the-room, will-our-hands-ever-touch? romance. The fire is not exactly blazing brightly; some audiences will find developments a bit slow. The toughest loss is the narration by young Griet, whose father's blindness has sealed her fate as a servant. In the novel, we are privy to her thoughts as she leaves her home for the Vermeer household, learning of her loneliness, her homesickness, her fears (most of which center on the Vermeers' exotic Catholic behavior). We begin to sense her intelligence and practicality long before Griet sees such qualities in herself. In the film, though, Griet is almost mute, with no confidants to share her feelings. She is more vulnerable, less assured. Fortunately she is played by the remarkable Scarlett Johansson, as striking here as she was in Lost in Translation. Bringing to mind Holly Hunter's virtuouso and mostly silent performance in The Piano, Johansson works mostly with her eyes and mouth, conveying with only a few flicks of expression turbulent surges of fear, confusion, intelligence, desire. Her face is a canvas, and her artistry is undeniable. One has to think Vermeer would have approved. Colin Firth, with sullen rock-star eyes and hair, is an appropriately remote and arrogant Vermeer. He might take Griet's side in a small household squabble, but in the end his paintings are what matter. It's too bad the film skipped the novel's postscript, in which an older Griet has moved on to what is surely a better life for her. This ending feels incomplete and unsatisfying, as if the filmmakers feared they had to finish up quickly or risk losing the audience's attention. Girl With a Pearl Earring is beautifully constructed and filmed. It's fitting that a movie about art glows with such dynamic richness. The dark chill of the Vermeer home contrasts starkly with the brilliant colors Griet grinds obediently for her master, the deep yellows and the bright blues that will translate light onto canvas. This translation of book into film is not quite so effortless or lovely. Lavish attention to historical detail, the thorough immersion in this unusual world and Johansson's impressive performance make Girl With a Pearl Earring memorable but not a masterpiece."}, {"response": 1070, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Jan 31, 2004 (05:01)", "body": "From today's Times Eye section on latest DVD releases, there is a review of the latest rom-com DVD's. There are pictures from Le Divorce, Down with Love and Hope Springs with CF carrying HG. The bit on HS says: Old-fashioned hearts and flowers are esssential ingredients of a proper rom-com. The gently romantic HS is a film in which the names of two of the main protagonists - Colin and Vera - give you some idea of the target age range.[!] CF plays a gilted painter who arrives in a sleepy New England town and rediscovers life and love with the local booze-hound (HG). Quietly paced but never slow, this is soft-centred fare for a rainy afternoon. On the subject of The Nanny project, have to say that I am in the pro camp. And if it was the choice of LD, then I would not blame her. I feel sorry for her (well - a bit sorry). It is one thing to marry a relatively unknown actor; quite another thing to find yourself hitched to the \"world's sexiest man\". And in a world full of glamorous seductive women who would regard it as good publicity to add him to their list of conquests. He is just a man after all, not superman. I think most people have to make choices when they work in professions or businesses where in order to reach the very top, family and personal relationships have to take second place. Colin is lucky in that he can, if he chooses wisely, tread a path where he can combine success and personal life. I think he has shown by choosing projects such as Trauma and Conspracy that he would like to do more serious work. I assume that the choice of lighter fare is to pay the mortgage and because higher profile serious drama has not yet been off red to him. IHNSVHO that is ;-)"}, {"response": 1071, "author": "birdy", "date": "Sat, Jan 31, 2004 (08:12)", "body": "Weighing in on the \"Nanny\" situation, I would have to lean towards to Pro side if only for the ET involvement. Take her out of the equation and I might repair to the fainting couch with fingers pressed to a deeply furrowed brow."}, {"response": 1072, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sat, Jan 31, 2004 (08:17)", "body": "Karen - impressive shrine! Is recent news quite this dire? ;-)"}, {"response": 1073, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jan 31, 2004 (08:31)", "body": "Colin Firth, with sullen rock-star eyes and hair, Did I miss something? Did Vermeer play air guitar with one of his brushes, or did Connie see WAGW? (Shoshanna)Karen - impressive shrine!Is recent news quite this dire? Yeah, boss, I'm confused. I thought one lit candles in anticipation of red-less finger nail projects. Are the candles lit with the hope that this nanny stuff was a nightmare ala the Bobby Ewing dream episode of Dallas? Or, are they lit in anticipation of the \"horizon\" stuff Hola mentioned? GWAPE tonight and tomorrow. Ooh-la-la"}, {"response": 1074, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Jan 31, 2004 (09:47)", "body": "adding this little light(s) of mine, I'm gonna let it shine........ I will try to keep a positive outlook and hope that this is perhaps a favor to Emma (and a paycheck) and that it will help keep him as * durable * as he wishes. Now back to the juicy stuff!"}, {"response": 1075, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 31, 2004 (10:08)", "body": "Saw GWAPE yesterday here in Tulsa. Good crowd (60) for Fri matinee. *Am taking spoonful of sugar*. Agree with DD who said take ET out of the equation and I take a spoonful of Pepto-Bismol. Working Title not stupid. Those G-rated films take in $$$$$$$$ regardless of the reviews. Another supporting role where he doesn't have to carry the movie:-)) And just for the record, I don't care about his home/family life. ;-/"}, {"response": 1076, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Jan 31, 2004 (13:28)", "body": "(Evelyn) And just for the record, I don't care about his home/family life. But I bet he does! ;-) I like ODB because he seems so grounded...as well as being a great actor. If he were sans wife and kids.....a serial dater, with a different woman every couple of months, I don't think the appeal would be as strong for me. That and he seems to have read a few books....or done his Guardian crossword.....we got \"precipitious\" from ODB....when Dorine and I saw Ashton K on the carpet, we got a thumbs up....big difference! That ODB seems to have some substance makes me all tingly....(add the dimples, the Jon Stewart interviews, that walk and posh voice and I'm a total goner!!)"}, {"response": 1077, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Jan 31, 2004 (14:02)", "body": "Sorry to post twice in a row. Local (Portland OR) review. From the The Willamette Week A Rare Beauty Tracy Chevalier\ufffds Novel Girl with a Pearl Earring comes richly to life on the big screen By Lindsay Utz When writer Tracy Chevalier looked at Johannes Vermeer\ufffds striking portrait of a fair-skinned girl wearing a pearl earring, she imaged a world beyond the oil colors and canvas. Building on the few known facts about Vermeer\ufffds life, she created a story about a girl who inspired his most famous painting. Now the film Girl with a Pearl Earring breathes new life into a work of art that is more than 300 years old. The setting is Delft, Holland in 1665, where a proud tile craftsman has been blinded in a terrible accident and can no longer provide for his family. His daughter, Griet (Scarlett Johansson), is forced to go to work at the home of the master painter Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth). Griet\ufffds days are spent cleaning the artist\ufffds studio, careful not to disturb anything, but curious all the same about what goes on. Vermeer watches her. He recognizes Griet\ufffds innate understanding of light and composition, the artistic potential that dwells beneath the demure surface. Slowly she becomes a part of his mysterious world. Girl with a Pearl Earring is that rate film that feels like a rich literary novel, taking its time to develop characters and establish story lines. To ensure a faithful adaptation, Chevalier and screenwriter Olivia Metreed were in close correspondence during the writing of the script. The result is a film that retains the literary essence from which it drew it\ufffds inspiration, and at the same time pays visual homage to Vermeer and the art of painting. Every scene is carefully lit, composed to create the depth and texture of a painting. The snowy streets and bustling markets of 17th century Delft seem like familiar scenes, right out of an art museum, come to life. Extraordinary performances work with Metreed\ufffds deft script and Peter Weber\ufffds assured direction to add dimension and character to the film. Australian actress Judy Parfitt co-stars as Vermeer\ufffds controlling mother-in-law, English actress Essie Davis is his jealous, possessive wife and prolific actor Tom Wilkinson is Master Van Ruijven, Vermeer\ufffds licentious patron. All create indelible portraits. That teenage actress Johansson can hold her own among such heady company is amazing; she excels in her role as the quiet servant. With little dialogue, the actress conveys the complexity of her character primarily through her facial expressions, conveying a wealth of feeling with her large almond eyes. With subtlety, Johansson brings forth the passion and sexuality stirring inside her as Vermeer approaches and declares, \ufffdI will paint you as I first saw you. Not a maid. You.\ufffd Firth is the perfect Vermeer: commanding, intense and obsessive. But there is also a vulnerability to his character. The real Vermeer was a perfectionist, often taking months to finish a painting. As the disheveled, introverted artist, Firth has little dialogue, though his piercing stare says it all. At times, the tormented artist looks like he might cry. Alexandre Desplat\ufffds original score is entrancing. In a way, the music becomes a character unto itself, the ethereal presence, haunting and mesmerizing. As the anger of Vermeer\ufffds volatile wife, Catharina, intensifies and the erotic tension between Griet and Vermeer rises, the music builds and winds into a maze of exhilaration, drawing the audience into Vermeer\ufffds passionate world. Thankfully, Hollywood didn\ufffdt get its hands on this film. Director Weber, working with a small British production company, has brought Chevalier\ufffds novel to the big screen with a genuine desire to preserve the emotional truth of the book. Like a painting that hypnotizes the viewer, Girl with a Pearl Earring is an enchanting film that holds its audience spellbound."}, {"response": 1078, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Jan 31, 2004 (15:11)", "body": "(Tress)I like ODB because he seems so grounded...as well as being a great actor. I agree completely. With all of your comments. I know his private life shouldn't matter to me, but the simple fact is, it does."}, {"response": 1079, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sat, Jan 31, 2004 (17:24)", "body": "(Willamette Week)Firth is the perfect Vermeer: commanding, intense and obsessive. But there is also a vulnerability to his character. The real Vermeer was a perfectionist, often taking months to finish a painting. As the disheveled, introverted artist, Firth has little dialogue, though his piercing stare says it all. At times, the tormented artist looks like he might cry. Nice nice nice . . very well put. (Willamette Week)With subtlety, Johansson brings forth the passion and sexuality stirring inside her as Vermeer approaches and declares, \ufffdI will paint you as I first saw you. Not a maid. You.\ufffd OK . .I know after even 4 viewings (the 4th being today) . .did I miss this scene? . .Perhaps this was in the version shown in Toronto? Tress - As with Janet I second and third your comments . .it is just those reasons I do like Colin as an actor and as a human being;) I am pro Nanny film;) . .he's done 2 serious film in a row . .going for a lighter turn w/ TEOR and now NMcP . what a better way to clear his head before his summer holiday with his kids. . . I'm trusting Hola will have great news on upcoming roles . . I feel it! I know, I'm disgustingly optimistic . . .;)"}, {"response": 1080, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sun, Feb  1, 2004 (08:12)", "body": "(Kimberly)....(Willamette Week)With subtlety, Johansson brings forth the passion and sexuality stirring inside her as Vermeer approaches and declares, \ufffdI will paint you as I first saw you. Not a maid. You.\ufffd OK . .I know after even 4 viewings (the 4th being today) . .did I miss this scene? . .Perhaps this was in the version shown in Toronto?... No, this line was not in the film (at least the one we've been seeing here in NY). I do seem to remember it from the book - it was a very pivotal moment. Have been thinking that I need to re-read this novel. Perhaps this is the final impetus to go digging through my bookshelf?"}, {"response": 1081, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sun, Feb  1, 2004 (08:20)", "body": "Ooops... forgot to add this to my previous post.. Tress, I completely agree with your summation of ODB and his appeal. It's the complete package that does it for me. Without all the depth, grace, and intellect, he's just another pretty face. I've often thought that beneath all the glossy packaging (which I'm sure *his people* have had a hand in designing), there's a bit of a nerd to be found. I can envision a quiet type, not completely at ease in the world, hiding beneath all that magnetism."}, {"response": 1082, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb  1, 2004 (10:06)", "body": "Back to news.... A mention of Trauma in a post-Sundance wrap-up column in the Contra Costa Times, though you don't get any indication of good/bad/indifference, just the recurrent themes or its use of the cinematic gimmick du jour : Festival audiences were shocked by Christian Bale's wasted appearance in \"The Machinist,\" an edgy, existential plunge. Colin Firth's character retreats into a world of delusions following a personal tragedy in the psycho-thriller \"Trauma,\" while Julianne Moore and Matthew Broderick endure -- even cling to -- a deeply dysfunctional relationship in \"Marie and Bruce,\" screenplay by Wallace Shawn. http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/entertainment/7849313.htm"}, {"response": 1083, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Feb  1, 2004 (12:01)", "body": "Thanks boss for the ultimate daddies (UD) of them all, Very appropriate, My Three Sons and Father Knows Best;-) (Kimberly)did I miss this scene No, but since I'm leaving in 15 minutes for viewing #4, I'll double check;-)I saw some things last night that I'll carry over to Spoilers, later. ...Thank You, Princeton!"}, {"response": 1084, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Feb  1, 2004 (13:53)", "body": "(Leslie) ...there's a bit of a nerd to be found. Oh! Another reason to adore him! Love his 'self proclaimed' nerdishness....there is a slight geekiness to him that is appealing. V. v. appealing! Don't know if some of it is that self deprecation or if he does actually have spillage on cobbles....either way, I love it (and it comes through so wonderfullly in the leather pants dance in WAGW and in his singing in TIOBE and in everything about Edward in MLSF and......you get the idea!)."}, {"response": 1085, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Feb  1, 2004 (14:27)", "body": "there is a slight geekiness to him that is appealing. V. v. appealing! Agreed! He must be the first \"hunky heart-throb\" to study A'level Religious Studies. And for some reason \"Colin\" is definitely a nerdy name in the UK."}, {"response": 1086, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, Feb  1, 2004 (17:44)", "body": "(lizbeth54)And for some reason \"Colin\" is definitely a nerdy name in the UK. I know the man himself has mentioned this is the past, but in my part of the UK, Scotland, it is fairly unusual and definitely not nerdy! In fact, I chose this very name for my second son. (BTW, he was born long before my interest in ODB!!)"}, {"response": 1087, "author": "birdy", "date": "Sun, Feb  1, 2004 (18:28)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1088, "author": "birdy", "date": "Sun, Feb  1, 2004 (18:28)", "body": "closing tags"}, {"response": 1089, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb  1, 2004 (23:30)", "body": "Have moved Louise's message to Firthology. Remember, this is the News topic (didn't I say that about 6 messages back) and not the reaffirmation topic. ;-D"}, {"response": 1090, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb  1, 2004 (23:45)", "body": "Lions Gate's \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" grossed $1.3 million from 391 theaters, up 319 from the previous weekend. \"Pearl\" averaged $3,325 per theater and has gleaned an estimated $4.2 million."}, {"response": 1091, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (06:18)", "body": "For anyone planning to come to London anytime soon: they've produced a LA film location map, which you can get from the Visitor's Centre on Regent Street or download here: http://www.visitlondon.com/whats_on/031120loveactually.html Let's hope they do more of these for some better choices too."}, {"response": 1092, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (07:17)", "body": "Screendaily: Trauma Colin Brown in Park City 02 February 2004 Dir: Marc Evans. UK. 2003. 93mins Actor Colin Firth goes some way to rescuing his screen persona from being forever enslaved to his romantic alter ego Darcy with his morose presence in Trauma, in which he plays the spooked survivor of a car crash. Dishevelled, disorientated and anything but dashing, Firth\ufffds mental meltdown continues to hold the attention even when the fragmented plotline veers into some murky cul-de-sacs. An ambitious exercise in cinematic atmospherics, the film plays best as a haunting meditation on grief and self-delusion, rather than as the outright boys-horror film one might have expected from the director behind the low-budget My Little Eye. Indeed, Trauma has more in common with Krzysztof Kieslowski\ufffds metaphysical Three Colours: Blue, about a young woman unhinged by the accidental death of her husband and daughter, than it does a conventional chiller. There are creepy moments, for sure, and a culminating death unpleasant enough to register with fans of the macabre \ufffd particularly those who suffer from arachnophobia. But the slow-burning mood of ominous portent counts for more here than any storytelling shock and awe. Trauma trades in fear, not fright. The anguish begins in hospital where Ben (Firth) emerges from a coma to learn that his wife (Harris) has been killed in a car accident of his own doing. Or maybe not. In his stricken condition, Ben finds it increasingly difficult to wrestle fact from fiction. Visions of his wife torture him and so too the recent death of a pop superstar that seems eerily close to home. Perhaps he killed her instead? Retreating into an altered state of mental despair, Ben seeks refuge wherever he can \ufffd an enigmatic neighbour (Suvari), a psychoanalyst, a clairvoyant (Fricker), even his collection of ants. But each of them succeed only in tormenting him further. By the end, his tenuous grip on sanity has been torn away completely and he lashes out to devastating effect. Marketing this story, which will be released in the UK through Warner Bros, will require ingenuity. Its likeliest audience appeal lies somewhere in the space between Firth\ufffds legion of female groupies and that narrower, predominantly male vein of puzzle addicts who loved being teased by films like Memento. Their common ground might be represented by Don\ufffdt Look Now, a seminal film that was steamy enough to be a date movie, but also artful enough to keep the most ardent suspense fans guessing. In the case of Trauma, the question is whether there is enough emotional involvement or cryptic mystery to tempt either constituency into seeing Trauma at theatres, rather than waiting to see it at home. Those that do pay at the box office will at least be rewarded by a UK film whose visual and aural virtuosity sets it apart from the television-influenced social-realist dramas and comedies that have come to typify this country\ufffds output. Dressed in neo-gothic garb, this is a more mythical take on contemporary London than we are used to. Every trick in the cinematic armoury, from elliptical editing to menacing production and sound design, is deployed to create an angst-ridden canvas. But this technical tour de also comes at the expense of audience engagement. In the past, before MTV music videos and Avid digital editing suites changed the filmmaking vocabulary, directors like Don\ufffdt Look Now\ufffds Nicolas Roeg could rely on shadows and dark motifs to unsettle viewers. But with even Hitchcockian devices now too hackneyed to truly disturb anymore, the tendency has been towards sensory assault and ever more disjointed narratives in order to keep ahead of viewer anticipation in this kinetic, post-modern age. The problem here is that not every image makes sense, even on a subliminal level; rather that unlock the door to our subconscious fears, this impressionistic barrage of incongruities ends up baffling. This is dislocation to the point of distraction. On the positive side, Welsh filmmaker Marc Evans is nothing if not prescient. My Little Eye, his previous film that took the reality TV concept to horrific extremes, was developed before the Big Brother series had even hit British television. Trauma, his immediate follow-up to that claustrophobic cult favourite, effectively plugs into the emerging zeitgeist of dread and anxiety. Trauma was one of three unnerving Sundance psycho-dramas \ufffd along with November and The Machinist - that played tricks with memory and time to the point where fantasy and reality melds into one hallucinatory mindscape. It is not too much of a stretch to see in such films the first signs of a return to the paranoia and unease that marked cinema at the height of the Cold War in the late 1950s."}, {"response": 1093, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (08:30)", "body": "Thanks, Mari. I find this to be a literate, succint, and accurate review. The first thing I thought of to describe this movie as I was watching it, was it was definitely an exercise in style, which I don't consider a negative thing. I also enjoyed GC's Confessions of a Dangerous Mind for the same reason, in addition to the story. I don't understand why the reviews seem to think MS plays a psychoanalyst of some sort. I'll put further comments about that on Spoilers."}, {"response": 1094, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (08:50)", "body": "(Screendaily)Marketing this story, which will be released in the UK through Warner Bros, Thanks Mari for this . .here's hoping WB will release it in the US as well . . I just found this facinating: (Screendaily)Those that do pay at the box office will at least be rewarded by a UK film whose visual and aural virtuosity sets it apart from the television-influenced social-realist dramas and comedies that have come to typify this country\ufffds output. Dressed in neo-gothic garb, this is a more mythical take on contemporary London than we are used to. Certainly makes me curious to see it . . ."}, {"response": 1095, "author": "birdy", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (08:59)", "body": "I just saw a promo of 2004 BAFTAs on BBC America - among all the bits is a flash of CF and wife in their 2003 aisle seats."}, {"response": 1096, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (09:16)", "body": "A fairly decent review IMO. Made it seem an interesting and worthwhile watch. Screendaily's reviews are often couched in such advisory language, as it is a trade paper and is primarily focused on the business end (box office, marketing and distribution), so those aspects don't bother me. Wasn't too keen on the reference to Firth's legion of female groupies however. :-( However, they will need to get to that *other* group (males) for this film to make it. (Kimberly) here's hoping WB will release it in the US as well . . I think it's pretty clear that WB (US) has passed on it."}, {"response": 1097, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (09:21)", "body": "(Karen) Girl With a Pearl Earring\" .... has gleaned an estimated $4.2 million. Karen, do you know what a film of this type would have to gross overall (approximately) in order to be considered a successful release by the film trade?"}, {"response": 1098, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (09:46)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1099, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (09:51)", "body": "(Kimberly) here's hoping WB will release it in the US as well . . (Karen)I think it's pretty clear that WB (US) has passed on it. Oh crap and a half . . .this is one I do want to see in the theaters b/4 the DVD comes out (provided the DVD will be released here in the US)"}, {"response": 1100, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (11:18)", "body": "Dark Horizons is reporting the same NMcP news, though it could just be someone reporting what they've seen here. Hardly an independent confirmation. From the book jacket: Nurse Matilda, \"the ugliest person you ever saw in your life,\" with \"a nose like two potatoes,\" and \"one huge front Tooth sticking right out like a tombstone over her lower lip\" descends upon the enormous family of outrageously bad Brown children to teach them the error of their ways. Her method is simple, and foolproof: when they are doing something naughty she hangs her magic stick, which causes them to continue doing it endlessly until, of course, all the fun has gone out of it. Each chapter in Nurse Matilda is another episode in this odyssey of naughtiness, beginning with a recital of the children's misdeeds. (\"Tora was pouring treacle into the Wellington boots. David was putting glue in the sandwiches, etc.\") and ending with the chorus, \"And all the other children were doing simply dreadful things too.\" As their manners improve, she herself grows prettier (\"her smile was so lovely that she would have looked like the loveliest person in all the world if only....it hadn't been for that terrible Tooth!\") ntil when at last they are (at least temporarily) reformed characters, she leaves. \"When my children don't want me, but do need me, then I must stay. When they no longer need me, but they do want me: then I have to go.\""}, {"response": 1101, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (11:24)", "body": "\"When my children don't want me, but do need me, then I must stay. When they no longer need me, but they do want me: then I have to go.\" Very Mary Poppins-ish . .was that Nanny based upon this one I wonder . .or vice versa?"}, {"response": 1102, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (11:46)", "body": "According to the introduction, the first Nurse Matilda book was published in 1962 in an anthology called Naughty Children. \"The story had been handed down orally in Brand's family from generation to generation and was originally told as far back as the mid-1800s, and it has taken many different forms over the years.\" \"The oral history of the story is readily apparent in repetitive details and lists and in the occasional direct address to the audience. And the predicatability inherent in the episodes, which follow a set pattern, gives listeners a delicious sense of impending doom, as they can easily see what's coming. These qualities of the story that stem from its original oral origin are just the qualities that make 'Nurse Matilda' so suitable for reading aloud.\" ...I'll type up more of this later, but I thought this more relevant: \"The appearance in the 1960s of the story of a Victorian nanny was somewhat uncommon, and this particular nanny could be easily compared to such familiar characters as Mary Poppins and Betty MacDonald's Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle. But there are several qualities of the Nurse Matilda books that set this English nanny distinctly apart from her peers in children's literature. One quality is the outrageously bad behavior of her young charges. They light-heartedly set to the tasks of pouring syrup in their boots, giving the dogs a bath in the cook's stockpot, and shampooing each other's hair with glue. The other quality is the metamorphosis of Nurse Matilda that occurs each time the children improve their behavior....\""}, {"response": 1103, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (13:00)", "body": "Would love to have been a fly on the wall. From Variety: UIP bullish about '04 United Intl. Pictures has set itself an aggressive target of more than $2 billion in theatrical grosses for 2004, up from last year's $1.74 billion. This was the challenge laid down to 90 UIP execs from around the world when they gathered in London a fortnight ago for four days of marketing meetings, intended to rally the troops behind its muscular 2004 slate of pics from Universal, Paramount and DreamWorks. \"We believe this is our biggest and best slate ever,\" boasts one UIP chief, \"and we wanted to let the managers know what we expect from them.\" U carried the burden of the 2003 slate, but this year's product will be more evenly spread across the three studios. Jeffrey Katzenberg flew in to screen a rough cut of \"Shrek 2\" to UIP managers from the European territories, plus Brazil, Mexico, Australia, Japan and Korea. They also saw the nearly finished \"Thunderbirds\" from Working Title/Universal (\"quite camp with lots of primary colors, great fun,\" per one territory manager, who predicted it would squarely hit the \"Spy Kids\" audience). Scott Rudin showed footage from \"The Stepford Wives,\" Emma Thompson highlighted her upcoming \"Nanny McPhee,\" and there were glimpses of \"The Bourne Supremacy,\" \"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason,\" \"Van Helsing\" and \"Riddick.\" Local managers were bullish about the 2004 gross target (stated in constant currencies), but one noted that with the international B.O. no longer growing rapidly overall, UIP must achieve it largely at the expense of rival distribs."}, {"response": 1104, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (13:09)", "body": "\"the ugliest person you ever saw in your life,\" with \"a nose like two potatoes,\" and \"one huge front Tooth sticking right out like a tombstone over her lower lip\" descends upon the enormous family of outrageously bad Brown children Well, Emma is a sharp lady, so let's hope she's had sense enough to: --Lose the big nose and tooth and just look like herself. --Make Mr. Brown a lonely widower. --Reduce the number of kids from 20 to 7. --Give them names like, I dunno, Liesl, Kurt, Brigitta, Louisa, Friedrich, Marta, and Gretl. --Let Colin do a cover of \"Edelweiss.\" These are the only circumstances under which McPhooey would be even marginally acceptable to me. ;-)"}, {"response": 1105, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (13:20)", "body": "(Mari)Let Colin do a cover of \"Edelweiss.\" Only if he plays guitar again . .ala Christopher Plummer . . . Am now getting images of Colin in lederhosen;) . . . ."}, {"response": 1106, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (13:21)", "body": "closing tag"}, {"response": 1107, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (14:15)", "body": "Emma Thompson highlighted her upcoming \"Nanny McPhee,\" Ooooh! Maybe there's still time for the execs to quash it. Quick, Evelyn, cash a CD and buy one of the collectors' editions of the book for your nightstand. I'll get out my voodoo doll and stick a potato on as a nose. ;-) (Mari)--Give them names like, I dunno, Liesl, Kurt, Brigitta, Louisa, Friedrich, Marta, and Gretl. --Let Colin do a cover of \"Edelweiss.\" LOL! (Mari) These are the only circumstances under which McPhooey would be even marginally acceptable to me. ;-) But I still might Climb Every Mountain to get away from this one. You'll see, his character won't even have a first name, being as insignificant as he'll be. Mr Brown will join the legions of child story parents with no names, like Mr Darling."}, {"response": 1108, "author": "Gail", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (15:00)", "body": "(Karen) You'll see, his character won't even have a first name, being as insignificant as he'll be. Mr Brown will join the legions of child story parents with no names, like Mr Darling. Maybe this is his prerequisite movie that his children can see;-)Especially now since he is an Ultimate Dad."}, {"response": 1109, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (15:10)", "body": "Maybe this is his prerequisite movie that his children can see;-)Especially now since he is an Ultimate Dad. OMG, now his *kids* are picking his movies."}, {"response": 1110, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (18:06)", "body": "(Mari)--Make Mr. Brown a lonely widower. One can only hope. (Karen)Mr Brown will join the legions of child story parents with no names, like Mr Darling. Does Harry Potter look any better, now?"}, {"response": 1111, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (19:16)", "body": "(Linda )Does Harry Potter look any better, now? *snort* Hey Linda, think the boss will Shangai-us to a Spring topic to discuss Nanny McPhooey;-)"}, {"response": 1112, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (19:43)", "body": "(Kimberly) Am now getting images of Colin in lederhosen;) If he shows up in jollyhose, I might be enticed. ;-)"}, {"response": 1113, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (22:33)", "body": "(Kimberly) Am now getting images of Colin in lederhosen;) (Dorine)If he shows up in jollyhose, I might be enticed. ;-) OK . .how about a jollyhose appearance + another air guitar moment . . . .now I'd pay to see that . . .;) . .A new interpretive dance moment: I shall entitle it . .\"Mr. Brown does the laundry\" Imagine the animicolin that Rika could make from it;)!!!"}, {"response": 1114, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (22:49)", "body": "I think those would be Sophie's animicolins. :-)"}, {"response": 1115, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (23:50)", "body": "(Dorine re: Trauma review posted by Mari) Thanks, Mari. I find this to be a literate, succint, and accurate review. The first thing I thought of to describe this movie as I was watching it, was it was definitely an exercise in style, which I don't consider a negative thing. Ditto! I enjoyed how this film was shot. Found it confusing at times, but it was intended to be (IMO) so that we could get a feel for what Ben was going through. It all comes together in the end (and why I recommend at least two viewings as things fell into place for me once I realized what was happening). Even to the point of opening and closing with the same 'image'. I thought it was very clever. (Dorine) I don't understand why the reviews seem to think MS plays a psychoanalyst of some sort. Suvari was described as the enigmatic neighbor...then there was a comma....psychoanalyst. And well....that does need to be discussed in spoilers! ;-D"}, {"response": 1116, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (00:13)", "body": "(Evelyn) Hey Linda, think the boss will Shangai-us to a Spring topic to discuss Nanny McPhooey;-) Don't laugh. I've been thinking about it - a topic I can \"forget.\" (Please note: no winkies)"}, {"response": 1117, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (06:37)", "body": "(Dorine)I think those would be Sophie's animicolins. :-) Erp . .sorry Sophie! . . Was talking to Ada about I think it was Rika keeping a b'day list . .I always associate the appearance of the animicolins w/ someone's b'day on Drool:) . .free association . ."}, {"response": 1118, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (08:35)", "body": "Other Firth Father roles: Do long time fans remember when he was rumored to be doing \"Seven Little Australians?\" I even bought the paperback. He would have played the father, Captain Woolcot, a real martinet."}, {"response": 1119, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (10:05)", "body": "(Murph)Do long time fans remember when he was rumored to be doing \"Seven Little Australians?\" I even bought the paperback. Missed that one on my night table. Like your new Hall of Dads pic boss....dare you to put it on firth.com so he and his agent can see it;-/"}, {"response": 1120, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (10:18)", "body": "(Evelyn) Hey Linda, think the boss will Shangai-us to a Spring topic to discuss Nanny McPhooey;-) I can see it now Topic -000 of 190 (drool): Bednobs, Broomsticks, and Nightstand Nightmares;-)"}, {"response": 1121, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (15:56)", "body": "OK, here are some updates (though not finished yet)... The Chiswick pics are now clearer and clickable: http://www.firth.com/gal/gal_03jw.html And there's a whole new page of LA NY premiere pics; have given placement of honor to one pic in particular: http://www.firth.com/love_gal_nyprem4.html"}, {"response": 1122, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (16:17)", "body": "Thanks for the great pics Karen - both here and the TEOR topic . . OK . .who are the lucky Droolers in the top LA pic?:) . . This one w/ ET and Colin is also darling . ."}, {"response": 1123, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (16:38)", "body": "Thank you, Karen. The abundance of pics today has been a welcome reprieve from this cold, dreary day. And yes, pray tell, do we know any of those lucky fans in the LA premiere photo?"}, {"response": 1124, "author": "katty", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (16:49)", "body": "Here's a very negative review of Trauma. Reviewer seems fair, not blaming Colin, who he seems to respect. Doesn't look like this film will go very far. http://hollywoodbitchslap.com/review.php?movie=8520&reviewer=128 Excerpts: ...Basically, 'Trauma' was at the top of my Must See list for much of the fest...and guess what? The flick kinda stinks!... Trauma is a movie that you'll want to throttle after thirty minutes as you spit the following from between your gritted teeth: Get...on...with...IT...ALREADY!... Colin Firth, the ever-watchable and workmanlike performer, does the best with what he's given (which is lots of flashbacks, wide-eyed staring, sequences of sweaty angst, etc.) but there's barely enough meat here to support a whole movie, let alone a standout acting performance... 'Trauma' is not exactly a 'poor' or 'inept' piece of moviemaking, but if this movie had a pulse...it must have petered out within the first 15 minutes."}, {"response": 1125, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (17:35)", "body": "Thanks for finding (?) this review, although if you look at what this clown as reviewed in the past (pretty much nothing anyone could pay me to see) I find it as meaningless as most online reviews. http://hollywoodbitchslap.com/hbs.cgi?reviewer=128 Some new GWAPE LA premiere pics: http://www.firth.com/gwape_premgal8.html"}, {"response": 1126, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (18:05)", "body": "Thanks, Katty for pointing out the review. I can't totally dismiss a bit of his criticism. I did address the slowness before. I wasn't annoyed about it as he was. But, I have to say that anyone who rates Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom with 4 stars, I take with a grain of salt. (That goes for the 4 star rating for Zoolander, too). Thanks, Karen for the pics. Love the pics of ET with Colin. She looks as proud of him as we sounded. ;-D And what's with the expression in this pic? :-0 (Linda) I can see it now Topic -000 of 190 (drool): Bednobs, Broomsticks, and Nightstand Nightmares;-) Too funny!"}, {"response": 1127, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (18:13)", "body": "(Linda) I can see it now Topic -000 of 190 (drool): Bednobs, Broomsticks, and Nightstand Nightmares;-) Thanks for the title. Now, everyone get on the stick and buy the blasted book so it won't be made. Sticking more pins in my doll and reaching for the Vicodin. OK, the last four were put up at the NY Earnest premiere: http://www.firth.com/p_eye3.html Like the one where he was waving goodbye to Lora. ;-)"}, {"response": 1128, "author": "Gail", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (18:14)", "body": "Katty, thanks for the review site. This guy was looking for Horror movies. He went to see (from what I gather from the spoilers) a psycho-drama, suspense movie -- could be why he was disappointed."}, {"response": 1129, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (18:22)", "body": "Sticking more pins in my doll and reaching for the Vicodin. Ahem, please make that Percocet. ;-) (Gail) This guy was looking for Horror movies. He went to see (from what I gather from the spoilers) a psycho-drama, suspense movie -- could be why he was disappointed. My thoughts exactly."}, {"response": 1130, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (18:33)", "body": "(Dorine) Ahem, please make that Percocet. ;-) Only if you send me over some samples. ;-) (Gail) This guy was looking for Horror movies. He went to see (from what I gather from the spoilers) a psycho-drama, suspense movie -- could be why he was disappointed. (Dorine) My thoughts exactly. The only problem *is* that this is exactly the group they need to sell this movie to."}, {"response": 1131, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (18:35)", "body": "(Karen)And there's a whole new page of LA NY premiere pics; have given placement of honor to one pic in particular: Many, many thanks for that top placement. I am humbled. Funny you should mention Lora's pictures from the Earnest premiere. At the time, (May 13, 2002) I never thought it would happen to me;-) (Dorine)And what's with the expression in this pic? :-0 ...should I do another drama, or go with the Nanny business?"}, {"response": 1132, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (18:36)", "body": "(Leslie) And yes, pray tell, do we know any of those lucky fans in the LA premiere photo? I recognize a few folks! ;-) That's my pen and poster...and my face is obscured by Kathy's book....I'll let everyone else identify themselves if they wish... (Dorine) And what's with the expression in this pic? :-0 Maybe a cell call from the missus saying they're out of nappies and there is an 'emergency'...he's thinking of fastest route to Sainsbury's and where wipes are located?! ;-D"}, {"response": 1133, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (18:42)", "body": "(I'm behind a vertically held camera - didn't notice that before!)"}, {"response": 1134, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (18:49)", "body": "Oops, Didn't identify myself...I'm standing next to Tress with that goofy expression on my face. (hey what can I say, breathing his air was intoxicating), or was that the Chardonney from across the street? I'm holding a copy of Speaking With the Angel."}, {"response": 1135, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (19:02)", "body": "So much fun to get to know everyone's faces. But the next logical question to follow is...okay, did HE know who YOU were?"}, {"response": 1136, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (19:31)", "body": "(Leslie) But the next logical question to follow is...okay, did HE know who YOU were? LOL...noooooo! Thank goodness....don't want to be remembered as the loo girl. Besides, I'm not sure that he would acknowledge remembering a fan..."}, {"response": 1137, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (20:08)", "body": "(Tress) don't want to be remembered as the loo girl. LOL! Nor me as the monkey in the \"potted palm.\" ;-) Though standing on the light pole at The Metropolitan Club may have caused flashbacks. :-D"}, {"response": 1138, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (20:24)", "body": "(Dorine) And what's with the expression in this pic? Don't know, but I thought he had a *blahh* face on in quite a few of the Chiswick photos. A bad day, perhaps?? A falling out with the missus?? Beter yet, thinking about his upcoming role in 'Nanny McPhooey'??"}, {"response": 1139, "author": "kathness", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (22:09)", "body": "(Tress) I recognize a few folks! ;-) That's my pen and poster...and my face is obscured by Kathy's book....I'll let everyone else identify themselves if they wish... I apologize wholeheartedly for obscuring your face with my book! Very bad timing on my part. Since I opted to sit perched on the barricade thing behind us in order to get a better view, I'm behind everyone and I never appear with CF except in one tiny pic on TM where my head is about the size of a pencil eraser. Please avoid the making obvious comments I just set myself up for. ;-)"}, {"response": 1140, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (22:28)", "body": "(Kathy) I never appear with CF But you are in a number of clips shown on Talking Movies, as I recall."}, {"response": 1141, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (22:37)", "body": "So how long am *I* going to have to do penance and look at those Dad's of my youth when I come here for some Drool juice? Mercy!"}, {"response": 1142, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (22:45)", "body": "(Beedee) So how long am *I* going to have to do penance and look at those Dad's of my youth when I come here for some Drool juice? Mercy! At least until after I get back from Betty Ford and I'm pointing fingers!!"}, {"response": 1143, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (22:51)", "body": "(KathyF) I apologize wholeheartedly for obscuring your face with my book! Very bad timing on my part. Oooohhhhhh no! I thank you for that! I'm sure I have a dumbfounded/awed/stupid look on my face that needed to be hidden at all costs! ;-)"}, {"response": 1144, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (04:20)", "body": "(Karen)Thanks for the title. Now, everyone get on the stick and buy the blasted book so it won't be made. Sticking more pins in my doll and reaching for the Vicodin. (Dorine)(Dorine) Ahem, please make that Percocet. ;-) Ooh me! Me too! I'll take the drugs, but not sure the movie has anything to do with it ;-)... At least I know B,B&NN would release here so folks could take the grandkids.. Thanks all for the news and Karen for new galleries here and at TEOR. Oh, and line up the arrows on that childproof lid... Feb. 04, 2004 Father's day for Firth on 'Nanny' pic Colin Firth is in negotiations to star opposite Emma Thompson in the family comedy \"Nanny McPhee\" for director Kirk Jones. Shooting starts in April around London, with Working Title toppers Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner producing along with Three Strange Angels topper Lindsay Doran. Thompson also wrote the screenplay, adapted from the \"Nurse Matilda\" book series by Christianna Brand. The stories follow a magical nanny and the seven worst children in the world. Firth would play the father of the children. Doran has been shepherding the project since 1997, when she was head of MGM specialty unit United Artists. When she stepped down for a production deal at the studio, she took the project with her. Working Title recently signed on to produce with her. Bevan and Fellner have a previous relationship with Firth, having worked with him on \"Bridget Jones's Diary.\" He is in front of the cameras opposite Renee Zellweger on the sequel \"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason.\" Firth is repped by ICM. (Chris Gardner) http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/film/brief_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=2082929"}, {"response": 1145, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (04:20)", "body": "closing"}, {"response": 1146, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (05:58)", "body": "Firth would play the father of the children. What happened to wanting to being a fat character actor? ;-)"}, {"response": 1147, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (06:39)", "body": "(Me) What happened to wanting to being a fat character actor? ;-) That would be....wanting to be a fat character actor? Not usually up so early and distracted by prep for phone interview. :-("}, {"response": 1148, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (07:10)", "body": "(Maria/THR)The stories follow a magical nanny and the seven worst children in the world. Alrighty, one of my five requirements from #1104 above has been met: --Reduce the number of kids from 20 to 7. Four to go. \"You look happy to me, t'me.\" ;-) (Dorine)What happened to wanting to being a fat character actor? ;-) Or a masturbatory village pervert? *Sigh* those were the days. ;-) Love the new LA premiere pics! Fan base, start thinking about what we do for an encore for the TEOR premiere!"}, {"response": 1149, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (07:17)", "body": "From Variety: Multi-nation adaptation A&E execs talk early and often to U.K. for classic co-productions By SHALINI DORE With titles such as \"Pride and Prejudice,\" \"Horatio Hornblower\" and \"Shackleton\" as evidence, A&E's success with its Brit co-productions is due to careful, time-consuming preparation. Delia Fine, A&E's VP of film, drama and performing arts, oversees many of these projects with her five-person department, and talks to her U.K. counterparts, be they at the BBC, Granada or Channel Four, early on. Discussions continue during development before A&E signs on. Fine also has her say on writers, cast and other talent. \"If you don't have a shared vision, it can all end in tears,\" says the net's 15-year vet. Jane Tranter, head of drama at the BBC, has worked with A&E for five years, beginning with \"Lorna Doone.\" Partnering with A&E has been crucial to the re-emergence of classic adaptations and not just for the financing that raises production values, she notes. \"We've been able to make them (classic adaptations) to a certain standard. It's critical to engage audiences. There is the shared desire of BBC and A&E to make classics accessible to audiences, books that most people wouldn't think of taking off shelves and reading.\" Michele Block, controller of drama at ITV's London Weekend Television, has worked with A&E for five years on projects including the \"Horatio Hornblower\" series and Agatha Christie mysteries. \"It's not like we take American money and run away,\" she says about the partnership. \"During production we talk every week about casting, about rushes.\" The series Block greenlights are not necessarily with an eye toward the U.S. \"Co-productions have to benefit both sides, have to serve both masters and not feel grafted on,\" Block says. The amount of coin each company contributes to the project differs, but Fine won't go into specifics. Fine takes pride in the net's role in raising the profile of thesps such as Colin Firth (\"Pride and Prejudice\"), Kate Beckinsale and Samantha Morton (\"Emma\"). However, not all their co-productions are what Tranter calls \"bonnets and bows.\" The upcoming \"Pride,\" from the BBC, is a coming-of-age tale by Simon Nye about lions in Africa. Docu, directed by John Downer, includes the voices of Sean Bean, Helen Mirren and Kate Winslet. \"The Last King\" (\"Charles II\" in the U.K.) is based in the 17th century, a turbulent period in British history. Fine says A&E rarely imposes casting choices based on American preferences, although they did suggest Peter Falk for the role of the Rev. Theo Kerr in \"Lost World.\" \"You just can't force that,\" Fine says of the casting process. \"You don't want to violate the integrity of the project.\" While most of these projects are co-productions, BBC's \"MI-5\" started out as a pickup for the American net. \" 'MI-5' was on our radar,\" Fine says, but the Beeb had only ordered six episodes. Once viewers responded, the Brits ordered 10 episodes and A&E stepped in as a co-producer. Tranter says the project, called \"Spooks\" in the U.K., happened very quickly. \"I read the script and commissioned it in hours. We didn't search for a partner. A&E looked at it and decided to come in, but it was already in the can.\" Date in print: Mon., Feb. 2, 2004,"}, {"response": 1150, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (07:29)", "body": "Fan base, start thinking about what we do for an encore for the TEOR premiere! And start saving those pennies! If there's a NY Premiere in Dec, it'll cost ya extra for hotels. Prime tourist season. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a huge lead time to know when it is to make reservations ahead."}, {"response": 1151, "author": "birdy", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (08:33)", "body": "(Mari)Or a masturbatory village pervert? Wasn't he that in MoM? ;-))) (and a v.v. cute MVP he was)"}, {"response": 1152, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (08:57)", "body": "(Mari) --Reduce the number of kids from 20 to 7. LOL! I started reading the book last night, and in the first five chapters, I've already noted 24 children's names). This is pathetic stuff, unless you're a four-year-old. :-( The parents, thus far, are completely on the periphery and, as Bethan said \"clueless.\" For the mother, Glynnis John comes to mind. At the end of each chapter, NM tells them the kids have learned a lesson and that's about it."}, {"response": 1153, "author": "birdy", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (10:00)", "body": "Does anyone remember a CHEERS episode where ET played, I believe, Frasier's first wife who was a children's program TV hostess who showed up wearing a hat that sprouted a daisy or am I completely bonkers? (Or more precisely: Am I bonkers on this recollection?) If I am not, if certainly conjures up an image suspisciously \"Nannyesque.\""}, {"response": 1154, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (10:13)", "body": "According to the IMDB, it was 1982, the character was Nanny Gee/Nannette Goolsmann, in an episode entitled \"Fraiser Crane's First Wife.\" There is a collage at this ET website: http://www.muldermedia.com/emma/gallery/stills/cheers1.html"}, {"response": 1155, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (10:22)", "body": "Seems that wasn't the episode title. More info here: http://s9000.furman.edu/~ejorgens/cheers/episodes/235.html"}, {"response": 1156, "author": "birdy", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (10:27)", "body": "Okay, just a beanie no daisy - am clearly confusing her character with Mary Poppins. Ergo, only partially bonkers (a condition that has already been diagnosed;)"}, {"response": 1157, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (12:18)", "body": "From IndieWire's article about the indie boxoffice results from the weekend: \"The increase in 'Girl' screens was not a result of, but rather it was timed to, the Oscar noms,\" said Lions Gate chief Tom Ortenberg via email responding to iW questions on the film's larger roll out. \"We were confident of 'Girl''s playability in art houses, and we knew were a contender in several categories for the Academy Awards, so we decided to use the week of the nominations as our springboard into commercial theatres.\""}, {"response": 1158, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (14:42)", "body": "we decided to use the week of the nominations as our springboard into commercial theatres.\" Saw it twice over the weekend in an art house and commercial theater-both sold out. I'm also surprised at the number of times a day it's playing as well-even through the weekdays. More of the same: Firth Joining Thompson in Nanny McPhee Source: The Hollywood Reporter Tuesday, February 3, 2004 http://comingsoon.net/news.php?id=3289"}, {"response": 1159, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (14:58)", "body": "and another from Zap2it: Firth Fingered for 'Nanny's' Father Figure Wed, Feb 04, 2004, 08:02 AM PT LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - Colin Firth fans who love to see the strait-laced actor distressed and slightly rumpled will practically drool over his newest role. Firth, 43, will play the harried father of the seven worst children in the world in \"Nanny McPhee,\" according to The Hollywood Reporter.. Adapted from the \"Nurse Matilda\" book series by Christianna Brand, \"Nanny\" stars Emma Thompson as the magical nanny to the misbehaving rug rats. Thompson also wrote the screenplay. The film marks a reunion for Firth and Thompson, who co-starred in 2003's holiday romantic comedy \"Love Actually.\" Kirk Jones will direct the project, which will begin shooting in April around London. Firth currently stars opposite Scarlett Johansson in \"Girl with a Pearl Earring\" and is reprising his role as Mark Darcy in \"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason,\" which is scheduled for release in November. http://www.zap2it.com/movies/news/story/0,1259,---20354,00.html"}, {"response": 1160, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (15:23)", "body": "Hmmm . .back to Trauma for a minute. Don't think this was posted. Has US relase dated January 19th . .they meant Sundance . .but a UK release of Feb. 27th? http://www.thefilmasylum.com/database/t/trauma/trauma.htm And saw this: http://www.thezreview.co.uk/comingsoon/t/trauma.htm Tress, Dorine, Sandi . .curious . .was reading the 7/29/03 update on this page . .was that scene in the film?"}, {"response": 1161, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (15:32)", "body": "I asked ME to confirm the UK release date....it is not correct, no new date given. I got the impression he wasn't sure. No, that scene wasn't in it. That question popped up at Spoilers, I think."}, {"response": 1162, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (15:33)", "body": "I got the impression he wasn't sure. That is....he wasn't sure when the release date is. Maybe it hasn't been rescheduled yet."}, {"response": 1163, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (15:42)", "body": "That is....he wasn't sure when the release date is. Maybe it hasn't been rescheduled yet. Thanks for the clarification, Dorine;) . .."}, {"response": 1164, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (15:44)", "body": "Oh! That has nice big pics....you can see the necklace he wears in Traaauuuuma is different than the one he wears now (this one is made of, what looks like, wooden beads, about an inch long):"}, {"response": 1165, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (15:52)", "body": "(Dorine) Maybe it hasn't been rescheduled yet. It hasn't (direct from the lips of the distributor); that was the old date."}, {"response": 1166, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (23:29)", "body": "Colin's in the new Hollywood issue of Vanity Fair. Didn't make th cover (as SJ did) but... http://www.firth.com/articles/04vanfair_march.html"}, {"response": 1167, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (23:40)", "body": "Oh, yes, LA has won three Empire awards: Best British Actress for Emma Thompson, Best British Film, and Martine McCutcheon took Best Newcomer (open to all nationalities apparently). http://www.ananova.com/entertainment/story/sm_862676.html?menu ="}, {"response": 1168, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (03:28)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1169, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (08:24)", "body": "Coming Soon announcing April 27th as US DVD release for Love Actually in both full and wide screen."}, {"response": 1170, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (08:26)", "body": "(Emma) News about old things: any one else in the UK seen the ads on channel 4 for Regency House Party? Oh! Wish we got it here!!! We had Manor House and I was addicted to that show....this one looks to be v. v. amusing! Thanks Emma! And Most Wanted Man indeed! Thanks Karen!!! Love the casual, no fuss way he lounges about......(I know...probably took three hours to get that pic.....but.....he still looks positively slackerly, even in the nice suit. YUM!)"}, {"response": 1171, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (08:40)", "body": "(Tress)he still looks positively slackerly, even in the nice suit. YUM!) Ditto. Where's the location? Lampshade needs replacing. Suit reminiscent of \"Tales from Hollywood Hills\""}, {"response": 1172, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (08:44)", "body": "Have moved Emma's to O&E (Evelyn) Where's the location? Says London on November 14"}, {"response": 1173, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (08:52)", "body": "(Tress)he still looks positively slackerly, even in the nice suit. YUM!) (Ev)Ditto. Dayyyyo! Yum indeed. What a lovely eyeopener;-) Thanks Karen"}, {"response": 1174, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (08:59)", "body": "(Evelyn) Where's the location? (Karen) Says London on November 14 Just a few days after we saw him.....seems we took the wind out of his sails! ;-D"}, {"response": 1175, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (09:10)", "body": "Vanity Fair pictures are lovely and made for a nice breakfast treat, but...what is it with photographing ODB in tatty chairs? (thinking: I've got a *very* tatty chair he could pose in) Great suit BTW."}, {"response": 1176, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (09:24)", "body": "(Eithne) (thinking: I've got a *very* tatty chair he could pose in) LOL....Oh! I'm liking the 'tatty chair' pics (I'd be willing to rip the stuffing out of one of my good chairs to have him sit in in that is what he prefers!).....gives me college day flashbacks....but the boys I knew didn't look that hot! ;-) Like how in this one we get the cool nekky lamp too! (Eithne) Great suit BTW. Agree....not a big fan of white suits in general (too Saturday Night Fever if they aren't the right material)...but a linen suit!? YES!!! Nice....v. v. nice!"}, {"response": 1177, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (09:48)", "body": "I think the setting is charming, full of fabulous antiques. And the model ain't half bad either. ;-)"}, {"response": 1178, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (10:18)", "body": "(Bee)Dayyyyo! Yum indeed. What a lovely eyeopener;-) Thanks Karen Mmmmm... thanks for the lovely morning pickup, boss!!!"}, {"response": 1179, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (10:35)", "body": "Julian Broad does shoot some very nice pics of ODB...InStyle last year and now this. Ditto on the Mmmmm...thank you Karen!"}, {"response": 1180, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (10:41)", "body": "OMG...the Vanity Fair pic....hottest image to come along in a while IMO. Loved the setting, the look, everything (even the striped linen, albeit white suit. Can't afford to be this distracted today...far too many things that need to get done. Thanks (I think), Karen."}, {"response": 1181, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (10:45)", "body": "Karen . .thanks for the article . . nice nice nice pic! Am liking suit v. much . . . hope more pics from this photo shoot surface somewhere on the internet. . .;) Tress- don't own a tatty chair myself . .but would be willing to purchase one if same such model would be included in the deal;)"}, {"response": 1182, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (10:46)", "body": "Julian Broad does shoot some very nice pics of ODB...InStyle last year and now this. Ditto on the Mmmmm...thank you Karen!"}, {"response": 1183, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (11:23)", "body": "(Eithne) (thinking: I've got a *very* tatty chair he could pose in) (Tress)I'd be willing to rip the stuffing out of one of my good chairs to have him sit in if that is what he prefers!)..... (Kimberly)don't own a tatty chair myself . .but would be willing to purchase one if same such model would be included in the deal;) LOL! Do you think a very large and comfortable but slightly tatty sofa would fit qualifications?"}, {"response": 1184, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (11:38)", "body": "(Karen)I think the setting is charming, full of fabulous antiques. And the model ain't half bad either. ;-) Ditto! But what's the statue of Janet Jackson doing next to him?;-) Thanks, K. That Hollywood issue is Vanity Fair's most popular of the year; great placement for him. BTW, Region 1 DVD of Love Actually will be out April 27."}, {"response": 1185, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (13:36)", "body": "Yes indeed, LA on DVD! I can drool over that nubbly cardy to my heart's content, and just in time for my birthday (well, two days after). Do you suppose that's how they decided on the release date? ;-)"}, {"response": 1186, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (14:03)", "body": "Eithne . .do you mean this one?;) Karen . .I have to say had a good laugh checking the update page on your site . . .the, um pic you chose for the NMcP news . .shall I be correct to assume that the pic is of the Titanic?;)"}, {"response": 1187, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (14:59)", "body": "(lesliep_Loved the setting, the look, everything (even the striped linen, albeit white suit. Nothing more to add except thanks to the boss. I know the UD's are on the Spring page, but I'll take this daddy, anytime. I know we're a week early, but what a lovley pre-Valentine treat. Thanks for the LA DVD news (Tress)....but the boys I knew didn't look that hot! ;-) Hot, yes, but sizzling sums it up for me;-)"}, {"response": 1188, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (15:22)", "body": "Sorry to double post, but that isn't a sinking ship is it? Could it just be lisitng a bit? New birthday theme emerging... I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes."}, {"response": 1189, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (15:44)", "body": "(Kimberly) shall I be correct to assume that the pic is of the Titanic?;) Someone emailed me to say I should stencil S.S. Colin's Career on the bow. ;-) Our CF birthday theme two years ago was \"Turn the Boat [S.S. Si Cara] Around.\" Evidently, he doesn't retain things for long. (Linda) New birthday theme emerging... I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes. Do you now? The Birthday Steering (LOL!) Committee will accept ideas at anytime."}, {"response": 1190, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (15:44)", "body": "(Mari) Ditto! But what's the statue of Janet Jackson doing next to him?;-) LOL!! Thanks, K. That Hollywood issue is Vanity Fair's most popular of the year; great placement for him. Was saying to someone either he has a big fan at VF or he did get a good PR person. ;-)"}, {"response": 1191, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (15:45)", "body": "(Karen) Someone emailed me to say I should stencil S.S. Colin's Career on the bow. ;-) ROTF!!! Oh, that's a shame. :-P"}, {"response": 1192, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (16:11)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1193, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (16:25)", "body": "Maria is currently internet deprived, but found this review from The Calgary Sun. I'm passing it on...thanks Maria!!! Film minimalism by Louis B. Hobson Calgary Sun British filmmaker Peter Webber feels there is a time and place for heaving teenage bosoms. It\ufffds just not in the 17th century Holland he explores in his romantic drama Girl With a Pearl Earring. Based on the best-selling novel by Tracy Chevalier, Pearl Earring is a fictional account of how Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer was inspired to create his famous portrait of a young woman with a pearl earring. \ufffdCourtesy of such people as Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera and their imitators, we are being bombarded with acres of naked teenage flesh,\ufffd says Webber in a phone interview from his home in London. \ufffdWe are embracing this phenomenon of young women selling sex as part of their music or films. Sexuality is so open. There is no subtlety. \ufffdIt would have been so wrong to introduce this kind of sexuality into Vermeer\ufffds world.\ufffd Vermeer (Colin Firth) becomes fascinated with Griet (Scarlett Johannson) the new teenage serving girl in his household. Through their love of art, Vermeer and Griet fall in love. They fear as much as they long to consummate their passion. \ufffdI think the way Colin and Scarlett express the emotions of their characters is far more powerful. They let us know exactly how these people are feeling and what they are thinking using minimal dialogue and without overt sexuality.\ufffd Earring is being praised for its minimalist approach but the fact it reaches audiences with very little dialogue does not surprise Webber. \ufffdCinema used to be silent. With no dialogue at all, early filmmakers told huge, complex stories. \ufffdVermeer\ufffds paintings are serene and transcendent. You would do this story a huge injustice if you turned it into a big, noisy film.\ufffd Webber inherited the film from Mike Newell, the director of such movies as Four Weddings and a Funeral, Donnie Brasco and Mona Lisa Smile. \ufffdWhen Mike had the film, it was supposed to be Ralph Fiennes and Kate Hudson.\ufffd Webber didn\ufffdt know the film was in limbo when he went to visit producers Andy Patterson and Olivia Hetreed about another project. \ufffdI saw the poster in their office. I was an art history major. I was telling someone outside their office how much I liked Vermeer\ufffds paintings when Andy brought the script out to me and asked if I\ufffdd be interested in directing this movie for them.\ufffd Hudson had already left for another movie and, within months, so did Fiennes. \ufffdThe fact I had to start over completely with the casting was the best thing that could have happened. As a director, you have to need to make it your own film.\ufffd Webber says he went to Firth with an offer because \ufffdthere is always a tenderness in Colin that\ufffds essential to Vermeer. There\ufffds no vanity in Colin so I was sure he would risk the challenge of making Vermeer mysterious. \ufffdHe is essentially a presence that lurks around the edge of the screen for so much of the film.\ufffd The moment Johansson read the part, Webber says everyone present knew \ufffdthere was no one else for the role of Griet. With our picture and Lost in Translation, Scarlett is having an incredible and much-deserved year. She is a very special actor.\ufffd Webber is also having an incredible year \ufffd Girl With a Pearl Earring received 10 BAFTA nominations. \ufffdMy phone is starting to ring. It\ufffds amazing the impact even a nomination can have,\ufffd says Webber who has signed to direct an episode of HBO\ufffds Six Feet Under before he begins work on a new feature film. 2004-01-31 http://www.fyicalgary.com/perl-bin/niveau2.cgi?s=films&p=81608.html&a=1"}, {"response": 1194, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (16:36)", "body": "Another from Maria.... SPOILT SCARLETT JOHANSSON American actress SCARLETT JOHANSSON had to be taught how to scrub floors for her role in new movie GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING - because she's never cleaned before. Co-star COLIN FIRTH was stunned the 19-year-old was so ill-prepared for her part as a maid who becomes artist VERMEER's model in the film, based on TRACY CHEVALIER's book. Firth says, \"She never read it. However, being a New York teenager, she had never cleaned before and didn't have a clue. In fact, she needed lessons to teach her how to scrub a floor.\" http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/0/FE0610D0C997EB1880256E23004DDF0B!opendocument"}, {"response": 1195, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (16:59)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1196, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (17:00)", "body": "(Firth) However, being a New York teenager, she had never cleaned before and didn't have a clue. In fact, she needed lessons to teach her how to scrub a floor.\" LOL! But I'd need lessons in how to do wash clothing in the 17th century too. Where's the ON button? No Swiffers? Thanks Maria-channeled-through Tress"}, {"response": 1197, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (17:00)", "body": "closed tag"}, {"response": 1198, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (17:17)", "body": "Karen, the Titanic is an absolute hoot! Definitely needed the Windex on that one. (lindak) Hot, yes, but sizzling sums it up for me;-) Ditto."}, {"response": 1199, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (17:17)", "body": "Firth says, \"She never read it. However, being a New York teenager, she had never cleaned before and didn't have a clue. In fact, she needed lessons to teach her how to scrub a floor.\" New York teenagers don't clean? OMG...I knew I should have grown up there! ;-) Makes it sound as if those of growing up, in say, Arizona, did learn to clean 17th century style....down on hands and knees with big ol' brush, buckets of water taken from the CAP...scarves on our heads...LOL...I think I'd need lessons too, otherwise I'd be asking for the Windex and the Pinesol..."}, {"response": 1200, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (17:28)", "body": "That would be it, Kimberly. My one and only keep. I've been looking for a pattern for a plain zipped cardy that I could knit up to duplicate/imitate that sweater. I have legitimate need for a sweater as I am moving from sunny Florida to frozen (to me, anyway) Maryland the end of February, so it may as well be something I can cuddle up with. ;-)"}, {"response": 1201, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (21:55)", "body": "Tress - Please thank Maria for those fab articles! Eithne - What a keep! . .can imagine nice nights snuggled up in that with memories of you know who dancing about in your head;) I'll keep an eye out for a knitting pattern for you . .I just started to knit myself . .and am in the process of making a very sad looking scarf. Told leslie once I get the hang of it I just may knit myself a red/white one like my keep from FP! (Although my DH did get me one from the UK for xmas . .it'd be nice to see if I could make one with my own hands;) Hope your move up north goes well!!!"}, {"response": 1202, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (22:21)", "body": "I believe there is a Crafts Conference at Spring or you might want to try email for personal discussions."}, {"response": 1203, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (22:28)", "body": "One more thing. No need to take up a message for apologies, etc. Here's the link to preorder the Region 1 Love Actually DVD: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005JMFQ/spring-20"}, {"response": 1204, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Feb  6, 2004 (07:54)", "body": "Cheer up, Karen! According to today's Times, CF is merely \"mulling over the chance to join ET in the comedy Nanny McPhee\". Maybe a last minute appeal will make him change his mind ;-) Or perhaps he is just holding out for lots of \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd & $$$$$$$$."}, {"response": 1205, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Feb  6, 2004 (08:20)", "body": "(Karen)Here's the link to preorder the Region 1 Love Actually DVD: Thanks Karen, I put it on my wish list for now but having gone there to check it out I have to ask, what's the deal with *Hope Springs* costing so much?"}, {"response": 1206, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Fri, Feb  6, 2004 (09:30)", "body": "(Karen)Here's the link to preorder the Region 1 Love Actually DVD: A question on pre-orders, Karen.. I know if we purchase through the link, Spring gets some sort of commission. But do we get a better price by pre-ordering as opposed to waiting until the actual release?"}, {"response": 1207, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb  6, 2004 (09:38)", "body": "(Allison) According to today's Times, CF is merely \"mulling over the chance to join ET in the comedy Nanny McPhee\". \"the chance to join ET\"???? Gaaah! This guy should be mulling over the \"chance of working\" with important directors, not her. No offense to Emma. OK, I've crossed all my fingers and toes and set the horrid little book on my nightstand. Am sticking extra pins in my Nanny McPhooey doll. Candles are lit. What else can I do? Thanks for the little bit of hope. (Leslie) But do we get a better price by pre-ordering as opposed to waiting until the actual release? No. It goes by the price. As long as you use the link, Spring will get 5%, which is the max on tapes/DVDs."}, {"response": 1208, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Feb  6, 2004 (18:02)", "body": "Published Friday, February 6, 2004 'Pearl' ain't no Vermeer Film JEFFREY YOHALEM Watching Peter Webber's new film \"Girl with a Pearl Earring\" is like trying to look at a masterful painting while listening to a crying baby: the noise just keeps getting in the way. At first glance the production looks remarkably promising, combining veteran actors such as Tom Wilkinson and Colin Firth with up-and-comers like Scarlett Johansson. Unfortunately the film fails to deliver any surprises, journeying so far into familiar territory as to be boring. Webber's tale of a misunderstood artist and the woman who loves him joins the burgeoning ranks of a sub-genre of the period piece: the tragic genius film. While many of the other members of this category contributed something to cinema, unfortunately all \"Girl with a Pearl Earring\" proves is that enigma does not protect against melodrama. The enigma in this case is the painter Johannes Vermeer, who was born in the 1600s, worked in Delft and was arguably Holland's greatest artist. With only a few official papers that contain his name in the hands of historians, his life remains sparsely detailed at best. This lack of documentation allowed Tracy Chevalier to write a fairly decent novel in 2001 centered around Vermeer's most famous painting, \"Girl with a Pearl Earring.\" The film follows the same story, spinning the tale of a young peasant girl named Griet (Scarlett Johansson) who is sent by her family to work as a maid in the house of Vermeer (Colin Firth). The two women of the house who lord it over Griet, Vermeer's wife Catharina and his mother-in-law, are both tough and practical, and their only care for painting is the money it brings. Griet, however, loves looking at Vermeer's canvasses and he in turn loves looking at Griet. To him, she is the only one who truthfully takes an interest in his work. All of this is melodramatic enough without Olivia Hetreed's tepid screen adaptation which pushes the film into the realm of soap opera. Line after line paints ulterior motives onto the characters that either don't make sense or are overdone, and would have benefited from more subtly. Hetreed even goes so far as to use cliches without any spin to make them original: \"We are all caught in his web\" is one of her worst. Not once is it possible to believe the level of intrigue easily worthy of Queen Elizabeth surrounding Griet and Vermeer. Worse, Hetreed stays on the surface, writing \"Girl with a Pearl Earring\" as if it were a cheap thriller. The problem may partially lie in Chevalier's material: there just isn't enough there for a gripping story line. Yet Hetreed said about the book, \"The domestic setting is deceptive. I saw it as a cinematic thriller from the start.\" Perhaps a repeat visit to the Amsterdam Rijksmuseum or a dunk in the canal outside would have been wise. Luckily, the acting manages to partially rise above the mediocre script. In an interesting if not altogether convincing character choice, Firth's Vermeer is timid and quiet. His personality seems so entirely demagnetized that it is hard to imagine that such emotional paintings could come from his brush. He spends most of the film cowering in his studio like a caged animal, leaving the bravery and most of the acting to Griet. Johansson is up to the task, fighting gallantly with the inflated script to add some much needed subtlety to the film. Her Griet is tough, hiding her inner light behind an appropriately dumb apathy to protect herself from all of the unpleasantries that surround peasant life. One of these is Vermeer's patron, Master van Ruijven, played lecherously by Tom Wilkinson. In contrast to Johansson's tempered performance, Ruijven's is over the top, as he harangues Vermeer and attacks Griet. The usually brilliant Wilkinson seems far too angry and coarse for a patron of the arts; maybe he sees the uspicious connections between \"Girl with a Pearl Earring\" and \"The Governess,\" the far superior period film he starred in with Minnie Driver that tells almost exactly the same story. In any case, his mind seems to be disengaged from the performance. Despite its pitiful script and mediocre acting, \"Girl with a Pearl Earring\" is still a film worth seeing solely for its cinematography. The exciting visual premise of Webber's adaptation, the fact that he can shoot his film in the style of Vermeer, is a triumphant success. Eduardo Serra's cinematography is textured enough to peel off the screen, and his use of color and light rivals Vermeer's himself. To make the cutting of red cabbage look like the blooming of a black rose takes amazing skill, yet Serra accomplishes it in the very first shot. The characters themselves are treated just as intimately. Vermeer's mother-in-law Maria Thins is treated by the camera as if she is right out of a Flemish masterpiece, the wrinkles of her face twisting in the candlelight. Every interior reflects the Dutch fascination with keyhole views through windows and doors. Vermeer's house i"}, {"response": 1209, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sat, Feb  7, 2004 (14:35)", "body": "My issue of Vanity Fair arrived today. (Nearly stepped on and maimed dog and child by hurling myself towards the bundle that came in from the mailbox.) Very, very nice. Always thrilling to see him get a nod from the mainstream press. Kudos to whomever engineered that one."}, {"response": 1210, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb  8, 2004 (08:29)", "body": "Dutch Beauty Sandi Chaitram meets Girl With A Pearl Earring director Peter Webber and screenwriter Olivier Hetreed Girl With a Pearl Earring is universally recognized as one of Johannes Vermeer's greatest paintings. It features a beautiful, young girl - wearing a pearl earring - looking over her shoulder. The look on her face isn't quite clear; is she happy, sad? For centuries, art historians worldwide have debated as to the identity of that girl and how she came to be painted by Vermeer. Tracy Chevalier's best-selling novel of the same name is a fictional attempt to unravel that mystery. The artistic vision and sensual awakening of the main character Griet is told through Griet's eyes. Bringing those thoughts - not to mention capturing the awe-inspiring beauty of the painting - to the big screen would seem daunting. But, Screenwriter Olivia Hetreed's words and Director Peter Webber's vision successfully breathes cinematic life into the 'Girl'. Seventeen year old Griet (Johansson) takes up a job as a maid in Vermeer's (Firth) house. Very quickly Vermeer realises that Griet has an appreciation for his work; an appreciation lacking in Vermeer's wife, the forever-pregnant and jealous Catharina (Davis). So, Vermeer arranges clandestine meetings with Griet so that she can assist him. Vermeer's mother-in-law Maria Thins (Parfitt) spots the growing closeness between the two. However she turns a blind eye as she realises that Vermeer - not known for his speed in producing bankable work - inspired by Griet starts working more diligently. Both Griet and Vermeer feel strongly attracted to each other, but keep a professional distance. This however does not stop the gossips; that there is something more sexual between them. Matters are made more complicated when Vermeer's lecherous patron Van Ruijven (Wilkinson) commissions Vermeer to paint Griet for Van Ruijven's own private collection. Griet and Vermeer struggle to keep control of their feelings resulting with them having to confront the jealousies of those closest to them; and Vermeer creating a painting that will fascinate for centuries to come. Firth's Vermeer is a tortured soul who believes that a great work takes time to produce. The same could be said of the making of the film. It's had a pretty tortuous history spanning over four years. Hetreed and her husband (and one of the producers of the film) Andy Paterson had read the manuscript a few months before the book itself was published. Both believed strongly in the film, got the rights and came up with a treatment. Chevalier was concerned that the script did not descend into the Hollywood school of adaptation; that Griet and Vermeer didn't get naked with each other. Hetreed and Paterson fully understood that this was paramount to preserving the erotic power of the story. The book is not a sprawling epic but it's very descriptive. \"The voice of the novel is in Griet's head,\" says Hetreed. \"I didn't want to use a voiceover; it felt too modern, too self-conscious, so the challenge was to find a way to bring that inner voice to the screen.\" That task was made easier when Chevalier gave Hetreed creative license to do what she needed, to capture the essence of Griet. Hetreed was able to bring unique insights into how Griet's self discovery could be demonstrated on film - insight's that the author herself says she wished she'd thought of! \"There are things that are only suggested so you have to find another way of showing that,\" explains Hetreed. \"I wanted to explore the excitement that Griet feels when she begins to understand about light and how it works. So I devised the scene where she is outside polishing a silver bowl and she starts to play with the reflection on the wall.\" Hetreed's screenplay was ready to roll, but the following three years was a filmmaker's nightmare; always getting that close to shooting only for it to all to collapse. Then, Webber happened to be in Paterson's office one day, spots the 'Girl' photo on the wall, and in good old art history grad fashion, starts babbling about the picture. Paterson had found his director! Webber admits that initially he may not have been thought of as the right person for the job. For years he'd worked for Paterson and fellow producer Anand Tucker as an editor and documentary director. His first dramas included the controversial Men Only for Channel Four; a gritty tale that focused on a lads' night out, fuelled by an excess amount of drink and drugs resulting in a horrific gang-rape of a woman. And when he wandered into the office that day, he was working on another gritty drama. Webber hadn't read Chevalier's book but he knew the painting and that period of art intimately. It shows. This is the most gorgeous film visually you're likely to see this year. Every single frame is beautifully crafted with light and colour that captures the atmosphere and mood of the Vermeer paintings themselves. For Webber, this was more by design, than accident. He had a clear idea"}, {"response": 1211, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb  8, 2004 (17:35)", "body": "Weekend BO Report: GWAPE in 402 Theatres took in $1,070,000 @ $2,661/theatre for a total of $5,790,000. I still haven't gotten it locally. So it's still rolling into new markets."}, {"response": 1212, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Sun, Feb  8, 2004 (19:57)", "body": "Australian Drooleurs: GWAPE opens in Oz on 11 March - please email me if you'd like to join up in Sydney for a viewing..."}, {"response": 1213, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (10:09)", "body": "I'm a bit behind, but thank you for the pics and articles ladies. As for the Vanity Fair photo: It's not often that I see a pic of Colin I don't like, but this is definately one of those. It looks soooo posed for. Unnatural (not the best word I know). And he looks miserable on it too. LOL! I wonder what he was thinking at the time. Hating every moment of the photo shoot maybe... Karen, thank you for taking the \"USS Colin's Career\" off the pic on the main page. I felt sort of bad about that. Much better now. :-)"}, {"response": 1214, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (10:25)", "body": "Got my copy of Vanity Fair and my only quibble is that most of the pics are shot in glorious close-up (many by the genius Annie Leibovitz), whereas Colin's is from a distance and his face is dark. Karen, you did a good job in lightening up the pic and cropping it; wish it looked as good in the mag. Happened to be looking through CF items on e-bay and I see that someone is selling a pic of Colin signing autographs at the NYC premiere of LA. Number of fans in the background, Maria am 99% certain that you're front and center. From the angle it was taken, this was definitely shot by one of the professional photographers. \"It's those bloody paparazzi again.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 1215, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (10:47)", "body": "(Mari) my only quibble is that most of the pics are shot in glorious close-up (many by the genius Annie Leibovitz), whereas Colin's is from a distance and his face is dark. True, the difference in photographers is marked. Julian Broad who shot Colin also took the pic of the two Brazilian directors on the Rio street and I wouldn't have minded one bit to see a close up of Walter Salles. ;-) Actually, my fav of the bunch has to be the black and white of Michael Caine and Jude Law (two Alfies...ooops The Rakes) Number of fans in the background, Maria am 99% certain that you're front and center. From the angle it was taken, this was definitely shot by one of the professional photographers Oh yes, that's Maria, alright! Isn't she computerless right now?"}, {"response": 1216, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (11:17)", "body": "(Mari) my only quibble is that most of the pics are shot in glorious close-up Yes, I quibbled over that, too. I went through the magazine three times before I found it. Much too dark, and thanks, boss for tinkering with it-yours was better."}, {"response": 1217, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (11:21)", "body": "True, the difference in photographers is marked. Julian Broad who shot Colin also took the pic of the two Brazilian directors on the Rio street and I wouldn't have minded one bit to see a close up of Walter Salles. ;-) LOL, I hear you! All of Broad's shots are full length and you don't see the character in the subject's faces. He did the same thing to the Mills family (Hayley, Juliet, John). Too far away. Contrast with the spectacular pic of Jeff Bridges and his wife and daughter."}, {"response": 1218, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (11:41)", "body": "(Mari) He did the same thing to the Mills family (Hayley, Juliet, John) That one was too boring for words. I'm really surprised VF chose that one and the one of Cyd Charisse and Tony Martin (and dog). Both lack any artistic sense. However, I wouldn't say the same of Colin's. I like the setting and the lighting, but Colin does get lost in the props...or becomes one of them. :-( In case anyone's interested, in the various credits, styled by Emily Barnes (oh, to have been Emily), Colin is wearing Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, shirt by Alexandre Savile Row, shoes by Tim Little, hair products by Clinique, grooming products by Creme de la Mer, grooming by Karen Alder for Marco Santucci. Additonal credits: Colin Firth's hair styled with Clinique Hair Care Serum. His face moisturized with Creme de la Mer Daily Moisturizer; also on his face, Laura Mercier Translucent Powder, on his lips, Creme de la Mer Lip Balm."}, {"response": 1219, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (11:59)", "body": "(Karen)This guy should be mulling over the \"chance of working\" with important directors, not her. Karen, for the hell of it I checked the Daily Variety Gotham from Friday, Feb 6th. As of Friday, NMcP is still listed w/ Colin's name still attached . . . But will keep my eyes open to see if there are any changes;) (oh, to have been Emily), Now there's a job that would be fun . .stylist will be number two job choice after celebrity wrangler Ummmm . . . Mr. Firth do you mind if I just run my fingers through your hair . .you, um . . need more product . .yeah, more product in it . . ."}, {"response": 1220, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (12:23)", "body": "(Kimberly) Mr. Firth do you mind if I just run my fingers through your hair . .you, um . . need more product I'd like to test the Lip Balm, you know, how soft and supple it really makes the lips and just how long does it last? Thanks for the various credits, Karen. *sigh*"}, {"response": 1221, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (15:22)", "body": "(Mari) Happened to be looking through CF items on e-bay and I see that someone is selling a pic of Colin signing autographs at the NYC premiere of LA. Number of fans in the background, Maria am 99% certain that you're front and center. Too cool! Am perplexed how that is not me standing right next to her considering that's where I was all night draped over and knocking off that sign at one point. Was taken right after he signed mine, I believe. I think I turned to show Rika and maybe that other girl moved in momentarily. Does Maria have any rights if she doesn't want to be sold, as it were? And I recognize a non-Drooler in that pic."}, {"response": 1222, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (15:32)", "body": "(Dorine) Does Maria have any rights if she doesn't want to be sold, as it were? I think, if you stand next to a celebrity at a public event, you forfeit your rights. They don't need to get a release to use your pic. Besides, the person who is selling the pic isn't even the photog."}, {"response": 1223, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (15:56)", "body": "Karen, if this is not new, delete --- Driver Slams Sweatshops February 9, 2004 LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - Minnie Driver has seen the light. The statuesque actress, who recently visited garment factories in Thailand and Cambodia, says she was completely ignorant to the conditions that female workers in poor countries endure. \"The poorest people with the least are making sacrifices for those of us who have the most,\" says Driver, 33, who visited Southeast Asia as part of the British charity group Oxfam International's \"Make Trade Fair\" campaign, according to the AP. Speaking from a fashion show in Phnom Penh on Sunday, Feb. 8, Driver says she wants corporate leaders to carefully consider their buying practices. Garment workers modeled clothes bearing large tags reading \"Made in Cambodia ... by us ... US$0.25 per hour.\" Driver garnered an Oscar nomination in 1998 for her role in \"Good Will Hunting.\" Richard E. Grant, Helen Fielding (\"Bridget Jones's Diary\"), Colin Firth, Kate Moss, Chris Martin, Bono and REM are also supporters of the Make Trade Fair Campaign. Make Trade Fair aims to change the rules of world trade so that they no longer disadvantage the world's poorest people. Driver will next be seen in \"Ella Enchanted\" and \"The Phantom of the Opera\" due in theaters later this year."}, {"response": 1224, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (18:26)", "body": "(Mari)Happened to be looking through CF items on e-bay and I see that someone is selling a pic of Colin signing autographs at the NYC premiere of LA. Number of fans in the background, Maria am 99% certain that you're front and center. OMG!!Thanks Mari!!!That is me alright, modeling my best \"I'm smitten as a kitten\" pose!(Dorine, this does not preclude my desire to have him \"lean in\" for a pic of us at the next premiere!)LOL! Actually, it kind of looks like I would like to eat him for dinner, hope I toned it down a bit when he turned back... (Karen)Oh yes, that's Maria, alright! Isn't she computerless right now? About 80% computerless...Will try and send off my \"rainy day links\" to other droolers to post here both from work and home... ordered a new home computer as this gray mare ain't what she used to be, and I feel Big Brother's thumb on my head at the office although for some reason today I tiptoed in, just for a second, but the bonus is they are sending me to Budapest in 11 days so I feel I should try and behave, at least until the expense report is done..;-)) (Dorine)Does Maria have any rights if she doesn't want to be sold, as it were? I hope I win, can't imagine anyhone else would want a picture of pure drool in action like this! :-)"}, {"response": 1225, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (18:56)", "body": "(Maria) !(Dorine, this does not preclude my desire to have him \"lean in\" for a pic of us at the next premiere!) And, I'll elbow any interlopers (non-Droolers) out of the way who get in between! ;-) You should write that seller and ask for a comp copy or a cut of the sale. ;-) Enjoy Budapest! Loved it, though it was 13 years ago."}, {"response": 1226, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (22:24)", "body": "(Dorine) You should write that seller and ask for a comp copy or a cut of the sale. ;-) Absolutely. You should tell him and get a copy for yourself."}, {"response": 1227, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (22:46)", "body": "I just realized that's Evelyn right next to Maria with the camera in front of her face peaking out from behind ODB. Am still perplexed on my whereabouts. No matter. Well, Maria, for someone who kept professing her hope for anonymity, I think I've seen you in more still pics and TV clips than anyone. ;-D"}, {"response": 1228, "author": "meg", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (08:01)", "body": "I can't find this picture on EBay... How is it named there? Thanks!"}, {"response": 1229, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (08:14)", "body": "RARE COLIN FIRTH ORIGINAL PHOTO http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3384187809&category=200 I had a tough time finding it again."}, {"response": 1230, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (09:56)", "body": "I couldn't find it either....thanks Dorine. Hmmm looks like me. But I thought I was next to Bee Dee and in front of Shoshanna. You guys were way down at the end....the first ones who saw ODB coming in. LOL I can still remember the screams :\"He's here\"....\"He's here\". Magic."}, {"response": 1231, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (10:23)", "body": "(Maria)That is me alright, modeling my best \"I'm smitten as a kitten\" pose! It's an adorable pic, Maria. You *must* have it. I wonder what other goodies from that evening this guy might have in his stash? (Evelyn)LOL I can still remember the screams :\"He's here\"....\"He's here\". Magic. It really was. I remember turning to the entrance and since he towers above most others, seeing that dark hair, big smile and flash of dimples. One of those rare times when we're in the right place at the right time, the stars align and the moon is in the seventh house!;-). And, possibly more premiere magic on the way. The imdb is now showing a November release for TEOR in the US; November 19 for UK. You know I put little stock in the release info shown on imdb, but it's something to get us through the slow months.;-) Also, they're showing August 27 for Trauma in the UK."}, {"response": 1232, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (10:37)", "body": "(Mari) Also, they're showing August 27 for Trauma in the UK. Like you, I don't put a whole lot of stock in release dates on the IMDB, but if this is accurate, they're dumping it. :-("}, {"response": 1233, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (11:03)", "body": "But US release Nov 17 isn't dumping season in the US where it's a better market. Wish it were the other way around. Doesn't sound like it's Oscar stuff anyway. He gets better reviews in the US. They don't keep bringing up the \"Mr. Darcy\" syndrome."}, {"response": 1234, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (11:26)", "body": "I was only referring to Trauma (Aug 27); as you'll recall WAGW was dumped in August. TEOR wouldn't be \"Oscar\" stuff (except perhaps to garner another nom for RZ) and the November/December dates have been used fairly interchangeably. Either is fine by me. Indicates they're shooting for a big holiday box office draw."}, {"response": 1235, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (11:50)", "body": "(Maria)That is me alright, modeling my best \"I'm smitten as a kitten\" pose! You certainly look happy Maria!! . .but I must say I recognize the expression . .I KNOW I had that same look plastered over my face at the Today Show Toy Drive . . Also, they're showing August 27 for Trauma in the UK. But no dates for a US release . .besides Sundance?:( Dang it!"}, {"response": 1236, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (11:51)", "body": "closing tag"}, {"response": 1237, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (11:54)", "body": "(Evelyn)LOL I can still remember the screams :\"He's here\"....\"He's here\". Magic. (Mari)It really was. I remember turning to the entrance and since he towers above most others, seeing that dark hair, big smile and flash of dimples. One of those rare times when we're in the right place at the right time, the stars align and the moon is in the seventh house!;-). Ahhh, thanks for the memories gals and for lifting me out of my work doldrums.."}, {"response": 1238, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (12:25)", "body": "(Evelyn) LOL I can still remember the screams :\"He's here\"....\"He's here\". Magic. (Mari) It really was. I remember turning to the entrance and since he towers above most others, seeing that dark hair, big smile and flash of dimples. One of those rare times when we're in the right place at the right time, the stars align and the moon is in the seventh house!;-). And my first good look at ODB wasn't until he got up to speak to Booker at the ET podium! Some of us were further down the tent and when he got in (initially) everyone was leaning so far forward along the rail (and so many 'handler' types came in) that it was hard to see him, even with his height. It wasn't until he got up to the ET interview that we saw him fully and freaked out...and Booker pointed us out...a kinda \"look what you started down there\" moment! Bee-uuu-teeee-fulllll! My first good view (thanks to Bee and the boss)!"}, {"response": 1239, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (12:56)", "body": "(Mari)and the moon is in the seventh house!;-). Ok, now I can't get *The Age of Aquarius* out of my mind......"}, {"response": 1240, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (13:54)", "body": "(Tress) It wasn't until he got up to the ET interview that we saw him fully I saw him then too because ET had an elevated stage. But when he was interviewing on the ground, Livia was right in front of me. Grrrrr. One would think.... I mean, she sees him all the time.Right? ;-)"}, {"response": 1241, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (14:05)", "body": "(Evelyn) But when he was interviewing on the ground, Livia was right in front of me. Grrrrr. One would think.... I mean, she sees him all the time.Right? ;-) She was wavering a bit in front of us too...but she was off to one side so I could see her hubby juuuuuust fine, most of the time...once he got out of the interview cul-de-sac, he was alllll ours! Nice views the whole time (even if it was his backside at times...didn't mind that one bit!). I enjoyed having Livia stand there to my right talking to Salman Rushdie...was a bit surreal."}, {"response": 1242, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (14:18)", "body": "Evelyn)LOL I can still remember the screams :\"He's here\"....\"He's here\". Magic (Mari)And, possibly more premiere magic on the way. Oh God, I hope so. This sounds like it was such a *great* time. Can't wait for the opportunity for my first ODB sighting as well as meeting other drooleurs en masse. Was worried when I read a premiere date of 12/24 a while back...Don't know about anyone else but leaving hearth and home on that date in search of ODB would probably be the end of my family's patience for my 'condition'. (Evelyn)Livia was right in front of me. Grrrrr. One would think.... I mean, she sees him all the time.Right? ;-)"}, {"response": 1243, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (14:21)", "body": "Sorry about the double post. Hit 'enter' too quickly...thoughts of *ODB in the flesh* causing irregular body movements. (Evelyn)Livia was right in front of me. Grrrrr. One would think.... I mean, she sees him all the time.Right? ;-) Sheesh!! Of all the nerve..."}, {"response": 1244, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (14:29)", "body": "Wow! So many Colin goodies..... been away too long! Boss, you are my \"Angel in America\" for sure. Loved all the new pics plus your NY fun. (Evelyn)Livia was right in front of me Grrrrr. What, in two continents honey? ;-))"}, {"response": 1245, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (14:51)", "body": "*Slinking in and whispering..* (Mari) I remember turning to the entrance and since he towers above most others, seeing that dark hair, big smile and flash of dimples. One of those rare times when we're in the right place at the right time, the stars align and the moon is in the seventh house!;-). Amen to that! When I first saw the picture I thought, \"So it wasn't just a dream!\" It was surreal Tress! I plan on learning how to use a sextant to make sure all those same forces of nature occur for us all when the next opportunity arises and will read \"How to charm the unsmiling Vinnie's in your life that keep you from what you want\" and will dance naked with trees in on the new moon in damp swamp forests if only we get to do it again!!"}, {"response": 1246, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (15:03)", "body": "(Maria) ...will dance naked with trees in on the new moon in damp swamp forests And now, thanks to ebay, have actually basis for mental picture of Maria in ya-ya sisterhood garb doing dance to dimple gods! (He *did* look amazing in your picture!)"}, {"response": 1247, "author": "meg", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (15:03)", "body": "Maria, you took the words right off of my keyboard. Very surreal. Even the memories are surreal. Someone on this board said once that it would be that way and that he is even more amazing in person, and boy were they right. If I didn't have the autograph and the pictures I'd be pretty sure it was just a dream. So I take it there's still no backer for Trauma in the U.S.? I really am in the mood for another NY premier after all this reminiscing... As for the Nanny thing, do you think maybe he's been taking career advice from Michael Cain? If they ask, he does? I'm not thrilled either, but to play devil's advocate, I can understand wanting to work with ET. And since he is a dad, it's not unreasonable to want to do some kid movies. At least it's not all he's doing. Maybe this will be good networking. It really could be worse..."}, {"response": 1248, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (18:30)", "body": "(Leslie) Was worried when I read a premiere date of 12/24 a while back...Don't know about anyone else but leaving hearth and home on that date in search of ODB... That was the original *release* date. The premieres, most times, are 1-2 weeks prior to release. Sometimes just a few days. You wouldn't catch anyone in the industry doing premieres that close to Xmas. (Maria) will read \"How to charm the unsmiling Vinnie's in your life that keep you from what you want\"will read \"How to charm the unsmiling Vinnie's in your life that keep you from what you want\" ROTF! And I'll read \"101 Direct Questions You Always Wanted to Ask Mike's About Afterparties, Weren't Afraid to Ask, and How to Determine the Veracity of the Answers,\" or \"The Art of the Premiere: From Red Carpet to Afterparty.\" ;-D Just wanted to point out to those that weren't at the NY LA premiere, it was such a *huge* event, with so many stars and top press, because it was the *World* premiere of a high profile project for one of the top studios. A premiere for Trauma would most likely be a very small affair. Maybe only still photographers and no or just one minor TV outlet. Depends really on who picks it up and how much they want to put behind it. (Meg) Maybe this will be good networking. Sundance = Networking ;-) or an old SAT-type question: Sundance is to networking, As Colin is to _______. A. Filming a big budget movie B. Hanging out with the wife and kids C. Waiting for a great project to fall into his lap or chasing projects with fair potential D. Not E. All of the above ;-)"}, {"response": 1249, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (18:56)", "body": "(Dorine)or an old SAT-type question: You forgot those other choices, B&C, C&D, B&D, or B,C,&D... (Dorine)\"The Art of the Premiere: From Red Carpet to Afterparty One can only hope the next Afterparty is in large hotel not pvt. club...makes acting like you're supposed to be there a lot easier, I think;-) (Barb)He *did* look amazing in your picture!) Yes he did, didn't he. Love that backwards glance. Other than what has already been said about the magic of that night,(absolutely wonderful memories) I think the fondest memeory of ODB that I have of our time in the tent is that look of an almost increduluous nature on his face. I truly think he was totally stunned by the whole experience-especially because of number of other \"big names\" that were there. I love looking at all the wonderful pictures that everyone has shared. Thanks, ladies. I'm hoping with that half-full glass that T isn't being dumped and maybe it will open here, first? Yeah, I know...no buyer no show;-("}, {"response": 1250, "author": "janet2", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (19:36)", "body": "Is there any word on whether he's likely to show at the British Academy Awards on Sunday? I think, given the number of nominations that GWAPE received, that he would, but maybe now that TEOR is finished, he's off on his long overdue holiday;-)"}, {"response": 1251, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (19:52)", "body": "(Janet) Is there any word on whether he's likely to show at the British Academy Awards on Sunday? You are talking about the BAFTAs? I heard from a friend in the UK that he would not...don't know where she heard the info though. :-( Pity...he looks so good in a tux, I'm in favor of getting him in one just for the thrill of it, even better if he's at an award show (means I get to see pictures!)."}, {"response": 1252, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (20:25)", "body": "At IMDb *today*! That makes it current, right? I couldn't get the picture of the DVD cover as it was a mzz file, whatever that is. Just glad to see it there:-) IMDb Movie of the Day: Over the past few years, Nick Hornby's novels have suddenly become all the rage in movie land, with filmmakers itching to translate the authenticity of his main characters into popular success. Hornby's first novel-turned-movie, Fever Pitch, centers on a familiarly hapless but lovable guy working to admit changes into his already comfortable life, but somehow never had the commercial luck of its successors. Here, he offers us the story of Paul (Colin Firth) circa 1989, a scattered but basically good guy who makes a living as an English teacher, but whose real passion is a complete and utter devotion to the Arsenal football team. A definite precursor to the stories that would follow, Paul's obsession with football is not all that different than Rob and his music in High Fidelity. Similarly, the flashbacks to Paul's youth, where he first attended matches with his father as a way of bonding after his parents divorced, to the present day scenes where Paul escorts one of his pupils to his first match, feature t e same awkwardly wonderful texture later captured by Will and Marcus in About a Boy. And, like both of those films, the appearance of an interesting woman scrambles Paul's heretofore-content existence completely. When the very grown-up fellow teacher Sarah (Ruth Gemmell) enters Paul's life, the true evolution begins, as he tries to include her in the joy of his football-saturated lifestyle, and she tries to understand exactly why an underachieving team of eleven men kicking a ball around can mean so much to anyone. - Heather Campbell (more) (Movie of the Day Archive)"}, {"response": 1253, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (21:51)", "body": "(Maria)I plan on learning how to use a sextant to make sure all those same forces of nature occur for us all when the next opportunity arises and will read \"How to charm the unsmiling Vinnie's in your life that keep you from what you want\" and will dance naked with trees in on the new moon in damp swamp forests if only we get to do it again!! Barb)have actually basis for mental picture of Maria in ya-ya sisterhood garb doing dance to dimple gods! Hmm . .besides the dancing . .think we should burn a tatty chair as a sacrifice, you know, to just seal the deal . . Cannot wait till TEOR premiere to see all of you girls . .very excited . .will start stocking up on Chardonnay, Milk Tray and salmon pinwheels ASAP! (Dorine)\"The Art of the Premiere: From Red Carpet to Afterparty.\" Read it? Dorine, admit it . .you wrote the book on getting into Premiere parties;) (Mari)and the moon is in the seventh house!;-). (Bee)Ok, now I can't get *The Age of Aquarius* out of my mind...... And visions of ODB dancing about w/ the GWAPE wig . .there's HAIR for you;) (**singing \".. .harmony and understanding . . . sympathy and trust abounding . .No more falsehood and derisions, golden living dreams of visions, mystic crystal revelations, and the mind's true liberations . . .\" Bee - IMDb Movie of the Day! Horray . .FP is my all time fav!:)"}, {"response": 1254, "author": "Petra78", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (04:05)", "body": "Does anybody know if Colin will attend this years bafta's? Is it worth going there ?"}, {"response": 1255, "author": "soph", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (04:15)", "body": "back from hell, and ready to go again (vanfair via karen) Additonal credits: Colin Firth's hair styled with Clinique Hair Care Serum. His face moisturized with Creme de la Mer Daily Moisturizer; also on his face, Laura Mercier Translucent Powder, on his lips, Creme de la Mer Lip Balm what about the brand of toilet paper used on set ? come on, vanity fair ! we are missing some crucial bits of info here ! re: the new york 'drool party' business & possible TEOR premieres : enough already !!!! we, hermits in the woods, are not amused (but in fact quite jealous). hey maria ! looking good ! close your mouth though dear, your drooling shows (just kidding)... (in a weird mood : just caught randy newman onstage, ahahaha, love him !)"}, {"response": 1256, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (05:42)", "body": "Village set to steal the scenes in blockbuster By Vince Soodin OSCAR-WINNER Emma Thompson could shoot a British-made blockbuster in one of Chiltern's smallest villages. The acclaimed actress is set to star in the fantasy film Nanny McPhee, shooting the movie in Penn Street, Amersham, while heart-throb Colin Firth could also be cast. Ms Thompson has also adapted the screenplay from the Nurse Mathilda series, written by Christianna Brand. A spokesman for Ms Thompson's agency Hamilton Hodell said she was looking forward to the role. He said: \"Ms Thompson is very excited about this she has been working on the script for quite a while.\" \"They are still casting the rest of the film. It will have a largely British cast. The desire is that it will be another successful film with the makers of Love Actually making it.\" Working Title Films, also behind blockbusters Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill, is producing the movie and applied to Chiltern District Council to film at Shingle Mere Meadow, opposite Penn House, home of Earl Howe. The plot follows a magical nanny and the seven worst children in the world with Firth rumoured to be in talks to play the father of the children, while the film will be directed by Kirk Jones, who made Waking Ned. A set with up to 20 buildings and a fake road would be constructed if the council give Working Title the green light. The Hamilton Hodell spokesman added: \"The proposal is for work to begin in March or April, but as yet nothing is set in stone.\" Working Title believes the set will take three months to construct with filming set to take another three months. In its application to Chiltern district planning officers the film company says the land will be returned to its former state after filming has finished. The company believes the Penn Houses site \"provides an attractive village setting\" and will \"not adversely affect the appearance or character of the green belt or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty\". http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/localnews/display.var.458701.0.village_set_to_steal_the_scenes_in_blockbuster.php"}, {"response": 1257, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (08:21)", "body": "For those who might want to check out the set (if Karen's proverbial boat keeps sinking), Amersham is on the end of the Met Line tube (and is a mere 10 or 15 miles from my house, nicely). It's not like it's an inaccessible small town or anything. Thanks for the info Maria, if it comes in handy!"}, {"response": 1258, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (09:12)", "body": "(Tress)I heard from a friend in the UK that he would not I guess I shouldn't be surprised at that, after all GWAPE has only 10 BAFTA noms.;-) Sheesh! You'd think he'd be a presenter, at least?? I hope that info is wrong. He should be there, IMO. Thanks, Maria"}, {"response": 1259, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (09:19)", "body": "Emma- If ODB does choose to pursue this likely dreadful role, there will be some consolation knowing that a fellow drooleurs is in close proximity to act as an 'embedded agent'. Are you game?"}, {"response": 1260, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (09:25)", "body": "Here's a cute tidbit selecting *the* kiss between Bridget and Mark in BJD as #8 of the top 20 screen kisses of all time. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/content_objectid=13937349_method=full_siteid=89488_headline=-YOU-MUST-REMEMBER-KISS-name_page.html"}, {"response": 1261, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (09:57)", "body": "The April 27th date for the UK release of Trauma has been confirmed as correct, as least for now. (Dorine) A premiere for Trauma would most likely be a very small affair. Maybe only still photographers and no or just one minor TV outlet. Absolutely. Lest anyone forget, the LA premiere for GWAPE was nearly a private affair; no press hoopla at all. The distributor wouldn't even give out the location. Sundance is to networking, As Colin is to _______. LOL! Reminds me of another quiz Mari once did for L'dum. ;-) (Janet) Is there any word on whether he's likely to show at the British Academy Awards on Sunday? Unless you're a publicity-seeking-hound type actor, you don't attend awards shows for which you haven't been nominated. (Hmmm, do I have enough negatives to cancel each out??) Sheesh! Colin doesn't even go to ones he should (Emmys, SAG for best ensemble) \"Supporting a film\" isn't a consideration nor necessary; the votes are in and why put yourself in a position for people to say \"Shame you weren't nominated.\" (Beedee) At IMDb *today*! That makes it current, right? Wrong. It isn't News about Colin, is it? Thanks for the location info, Maria. Hopefully, it won't be necessary for anyone to have to go the end of the Metropolitan Line."}, {"response": 1262, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (10:01)", "body": "(Karen) The April 27th date for the UK release of Trauma has been confirmed April or August?"}, {"response": 1263, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (10:05)", "body": "(Karen) Unless you're a publicity-seeking-hound type actor, you don't attend awards shows for which you haven't been nominated. (Hmmm, do I have enough negatives to cancel each out??) Sheesh! Colin doesn't even go to ones he should (Emmys, SAG for best ensemble) \"Supporting a film\" isn't a consideration nor necessary; Plus, if the producers don't ask you, you don't go. Unless a someone you know is going and they give you an extra ticket. They are looking for ratings drivers. That's why the BAFTA's have had an influx of high profile Hollywood stars in recent years."}, {"response": 1264, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (10:06)", "body": "Ooops, sorry. I meant the August 27th date."}, {"response": 1265, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (11:48)", "body": "Ooops, sorry.I meant the August 27th date. You would....I was off to make plane reservations. (Janet) Is there any word on whether he's likely to show at the British Academy Awards on Sunday? If I were he, I wouldn't go. If they didn't have the dignity to nominate him, why should he go for nothin'. Voting is over by then."}, {"response": 1266, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (11:50)", "body": "**tiptoeing in and whispering** Boss, thought you should know . . .don't get upset, b/c I just saw Hollywood Reporter (Janurary 10 - 16, 2004) A \"new\" and international listing in the Films in Preperation section Pg. 38, left hand column, top of the page Nanny McPhee (Family/Comedy) (Start April) Shooting in London, England; Working Title (UK)/Three Strange Angels, Oxford House, 76 Oxford Street., London, England, W1N 9FD; Cast Emma Thompson, Colin Firth ; Prd., Lindsay Doran, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner; Dir., Kirk Jones; Scr., Emma Thompson; US Distrb, MGM Now it's in the Hollywood reporter . .these trades keep posting this as fact . . ***runs out, ducking from the flying NMcP voodoo doll***"}, {"response": 1267, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (11:56)", "body": "Thanks, Kimberly, I hadn't checked the online database today (would've been updated yesterday) though I did last week. This is the same info Variety had. Wonder why MGM is the US distrib since Working Title is owned by Universal? In some of the older material about the project (dated what two years ago?), MGM was listed, but there hadn't been any mention of Working Title then. I suppose it could be a joint studio effort: two studios sharing the cost. Plan to put that NMcP voodoo doll under the tires of my car and go back and forth a few times."}, {"response": 1268, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (12:36)", "body": "Re: MGM connection. Lindsay Doran (McPhooey producer) used to be head of United Artists studio, which is owned by MGM. When MGM spun UA off into an subsidiary, LD stayed with MGM as an independent producer. She also produced Emma's Sense & Sensibility, so they must be buds. Interestingly enough, she also produced Meg T's Leaving Normal. What an incestuous business. I got this from the imdb bio; and look what's showing up as her latest production, with our very own Ozzie Nelson listed as the dad: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0233386/"}, {"response": 1269, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (13:00)", "body": "(Karen)Plan to put that NMcP voodoo doll under the tires of my car and go back and forth a few times. Save the tires. I don't think it's going to work. Maybe a magic wand would help. Where's HP when you need him;-) (Mari)I got this from the imdb bio; and look what's showing up as her latest production, with our very own Ozzie Nelson listed as the dad Let me guess;-)"}, {"response": 1270, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (13:09)", "body": "IMDB had McPhooey before, but some Firth zealot rushed to submit his name. Wonder if same zealot who jumped the gun with TDW will get it deleted."}, {"response": 1271, "author": "katty", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (14:02)", "body": "There's a big differenc between actors and movie stars. Colin, I believe, considers himself an actor, not a movie star. He'd rather be a character actor than a leading man, and whether he's the supporting actor or the star of the movie is not as important as the quality of the production. It seems to me that Nanny McPhee is going to be a quality production. If he as a supporting actor adds to the quality and the prestige of the production, what's wrong with that? I greatly admired David Tomlinson's contribution as the father in Mary Poppins. I love star and scriptwriter Emma Thompson, who, you may remember, won Oscars for both acting AND writing. Possible director Kirk Jones' Waking Ned Devine was a wonderfully quirky and entertaining film. The producers of Nanny McPhee have a stellar track record. I hardly think the production deserves a sinking ship. I have no qualms about Colin being in Nanny McPhee, and what father wouldn't like to be in a movie that his own kids can cherish? I'm sure he can personally relate to the role with his own experiences with nannies and the naughtiness every child occassionally exhibits. I don't consider such a role as a step down, but a step out. Mixed up with roles in such adult-oriented films as Bridget Jones, GWAPE and Trauma, Nanny McPhee would just add to his versatility as an actor."}, {"response": 1272, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (14:20)", "body": "(Karen) Plan to put that NMcP voodoo doll under the tires of my car and go back and forth a few times. Ohhhh....that's what we used to do to hackey sacks to get them all broken in and supple.....might backfire on you. Turn voodoo doll into adored poppet. I'm only concerned, now , about Nanny M because I have heard the books are not that good. Wonder if they were something that Emma read as a child and enjoyed and that is why she is adapting them? Surely there are other children's books out there...still, I have faith in her as a screenwriter. She's done well in the past.....but......okay, okay...will just think of Hunk Daddy.....with seven....er....twenty...whatever....kids. Like a nice HD/Johannes blend. Wonder if he can wear the wig and the leather pants? Hmmmm.....better yet, that blue suit and hold a paint brush....mmmmm.......still not feeling well. Will go have a lie down and ponder the possibilities. ;-)"}, {"response": 1273, "author": "locarol", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (15:11)", "body": "(Katty) I greatly admired David Tomlinson's contribution as the father in Mary Poppins. [....] The producers of Nanny McPhee have a stellar track record. I hardly think the production deserves a sinking ship. But unfortunately there are few who remember who was in Mary Poppins other than Julie Andrews. In fact I'd hazard a guess and say virtually no one. The subsidiary roles in a movie like this are inconsequential and can be played by any actor old enough to be the father of this many kids. It's just not a career move and I think that's the disappointing part of his involvement - if he becomes involved. And as far as the ship goes - well this role will not enhance his career at all and there is no standing still. It's upward and onward or backwards in an acting career at his level."}, {"response": 1274, "author": "Firthermore", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (15:32)", "body": "(dancing happily) I just got my \"Vanity Fair\" in the mailbox. \"He Who Must\" has actually made the yearly \"Hollywood Issue\". You all probably already know all about this, though, so if I'm being my typical redundant self, then please overlook it. (huggles) ~jeanie"}, {"response": 1275, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (16:20)", "body": "(KarenR)Ooops, sorry. I meant the August 27th date. I received this email today from Little Bird: **Hi Janet, I'm afraid no date as of yet has been set for Trauma. Keep an eye on the Internet Movie Data Base - www.imdb.com or our own website www.littlebird.ie , details will be posted on both sites. Best, Jessica Hilliard.** I wish they'd make up their minds:-((("}, {"response": 1276, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (16:51)", "body": "(Katty) I greatly admired David Tomlinson's contribution as the father in Mary Poppins. Who? (Janet) I wish they'd make up their minds:-((( Little Bird is done with the film; it has nothing to do with distribution in the UK. Warner Bros (UK) says Aug 27th - at least for now - and that's what it is. (Carol) The subsidiary roles in a movie like this are inconsequential and can be played by any actor old enough to be the father of this many kids...And as far as the ship goes - well this role will not enhance his career at all and there is no standing still. It's upward and onward or backwards in an acting career at his level. Exactly. Given his commitments (i.e., needs for time off), I'd prefer he use his allocated work time better. He shows a real pattern: quantity over quality. He doesn't seem to realize that, if he works on higher quality projects (with hot or award-winning directors), his asking price has the potential to go higher, which would enable him to work less. A lot of running in place and going nowhere IMO."}, {"response": 1277, "author": "soph", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (17:52)", "body": "*la-dee-daaaa* anyone needs one of those ????"}, {"response": 1278, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (20:48)", "body": "Sophie - Ouch!!!! . .But I have to say too funny . .but should the doll be of the NMcP character as opposed to our dearest one?;)"}, {"response": 1279, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (22:52)", "body": "(Sophie) anyone needs one of those ???? LOL! Yes, I can't seem to find my usual one. Boy are those teeth ugly! But Kim has a point. The doll should be named \"Nanny.\" *boogga booga*"}, {"response": 1280, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (22:53)", "body": "(Karen) Plan to put that NMcP voodoo doll under the tires of my car and go back and forth a few times. Ah, shades of Mr. Bill and Sluggo. ;-) I've missed them. He doesn't seem to realize that, if he works on higher quality projects (with hot or award-winning directors), his asking price has the potential to go higher, which would enable him to work less. Completely agree with this part.... if he works on higher quality projects (with hot or award-winning directors), his asking price has the potential to go higher, which would enable him to work less ....I don't believe for a second he doesn't realize that after being in this business 20 yrs. There are a # of credible scenarios here. I'll state the obvious... 1. Said directors don't seek him out (for whatever reason-irrelevant for my purposes). 2. He doesn't seek out said directors/projects (for whatever reason, I won't bother to speculate). 3. He is rejected (for whatever reason), no matter who initiated. 4. He rejects projects considered quality (Sylvia, anyone? Good riddance if he did.) 3. He, himself, indicated poor judgement on his part (at the Burns Q&A). Now, I thought GWAPE and Trauma were very good choices. LA, was good, too, as far as working with Richard Curtis (any director/writer hotter in Britain at the moment?). I don't think TIOBE was an inherently bad choice. I mean it was Oscar Wilde! And an update wasn't out of line, it had potential. It was unfortunate that OP tinkered with it so much. It had it's flaws, but I still enjoyed it for the most part. Granted Trauma may not have (or get) a US distributor, at least imminently, but I still find it a gutsy and worthy choice. I'm sorry there aren't more of you who can weigh in on that subject. Just because a movie gets a distributor, doesn't mean it gets released (look at HS for the most part). Even projects with big and well respected names get sat on (set on?). Was reading an article recently about all the stuff that Miramax buys, then lets languish in a vault for years. (I realize some of you are well aware of this last part. Am speaking to global audience not so familiar, too)."}, {"response": 1281, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (23:05)", "body": "(Dorine) I don't believe for a second he doesn't realize that after being in this business 20 yrs. ...and is unwilling to do anything about it. He's a polyester shirt kind of guy, instead of silk. Sorry, don't have a list. ;-)"}, {"response": 1282, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (00:11)", "body": "(Karen) Sorry, don't have a list. ;-) Oh, you're no fun. ;-D He's a polyester shirt kind of guy Is that with or without socks with sandals? ;-)"}, {"response": 1283, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (08:12)", "body": "More on the Nanny McPhee front. This source states ODB's participation is not a done deal at this point. Perhaps the voodoo doll and incantations (Ooga Booga) are having some effect? http://www.empireonline.co.uk/site/news/newsstory.asp?news_id=15587 Thompson on Trelawney Exclusive: Emma Thompson on Potter, Lemony Snicket and Nanny McPhee 12 February 2004 One of the best things about the Harry Potter franchise is surely the fact that the perfect people have been cast in every role, no matter how much screen time they get. Continuing this tradition, Emma Thompson's role as Divination Professor Sybil Trelawney in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban should see the batty seer come to life with all the quirks and neuroses ascribed to her literary counterpart faithfully replicated on screen. \" She was so much fun to play,\" Thompson told us. \"I decided that, since she was someone who saw into the future, she had to be someone who couldn\ufffdt see anything at all in the present. Like where she was going, her clothing, anything. I decided to dress her slightly differently, and had wonderful co-operation from my director and designer and everything.\" However, Potter is not the only children\ufffds film on Emma\ufffds slate. She is also playing the title role in Nanny McPhee , her self-penned adaptation of the Nurse Matilda series by Christina Brand. Thompson plays a governess who uses magic to quell seven extremely naughty children, with Colin Firth in talks to play their father. Shooting starts on 1 April in London \ufffd surely the perfect date for any film with an element of comedy. Thompson also scotched the rumours connecting her to Lemony Snicket\ufffds A Series of Unfortunate Events . This adaptation of the dreadful adventures of the wretched Baudelaire orphans stars Jim Carrey and Meryl Streep, and should be the sort of children\ufffds film Tim Burton would make if he were a manic depressive. Thompson, however will not be joining that particular children's tale . \"They did ask me about the Judge, but I said that I don\ufffdt think I can do that, because I\ufffdm just doing my own kid\ufffds film. People would get confused because I\ufffdve just done Harry Potter, and children get fed up too.\""}, {"response": 1284, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (09:10)", "body": "Who do that voo-doo that you do?! Booga Booga! U.K. pic biz faces coin collapse Industry lobbyists seek transitional funding plan By ADAM DAWTREY Variety BERLIN -- After the British government effectively delivered the death sentence Tuesday to two of the U.K.'s most important film funds, British movie industryites spent Wednesday preparing their case for a stay of execution. Industry lobbyists will meet government officials before the end of this week to plead for transitional arrangements that would allow the Inside Track and First Choice funds to honor their production finance commitments before they are shut. The government's shock announcement of an immediate change in its tax rules has imperiled the financing of a slew of major movies in pre-production. Projects that were expecting to receive a third of their budgets from either Inside Track or First Choice include \"The Constant Gardener,\" directed by Fernando Meirelles for Focus Features; James Ivory's \"The White Countess,\" backed by Sony Pictures Classics; the Miramax/DreamWorks project \"Tulip Fever,\" directed by John Madden; Working Title's \"Nanny McPfee,\" starring Emma Thompson; \"The Libertine,\" featuring Johnny Depp; Nick Willing's \"River King,\" toplining Ed Burns; and Julien Temple's \"The Golden Man.\" Unless the government puts transitional arrangements in place, all of these projects will be forced to scramble for alternative financing and could face postponement or collapse. Inside Track alone has about $200 million worth of productions under negotiation, but talks have been suspended pending clarification of the government's position. However, movies already in production, such as Ridley Scott's \"Kingdom of Heaven\" and Paul Anderson's \"Alien vs. Predator,\" appear to be protected from the devastating effects of the tax rule change. The Inland Revenue, the government's tax collection arm, has closed the loophole that allowed Ingenious Media's Inside Track fund and Grosvenor Park's First Choice to claim production costs as tax losses. Both funds launched in the last tax year, using generally agreed accounting principles, or GAAP, rather than the U.K.'s film-specific Section 48 tax break. In the past year, Inside Track has co-financed Richard Loncraine's \"Wimbledon\" for Working Title, Mira Nair's \"Vanity Fair\" for Focus and Gurinder Chadha's \"Bride and Prejudice\" and Danny Boyle's \"Millions\" for Pathe. First Choice has backed smaller indie pics such as Istvan Szabo's \"Being Julia,\" Richard Jobson's \"The Purifiers\" and the remake of Dutch movie \"All Stars.\" Funds using Section 48 have not been caught by the rule change, although in future they will have to show their investors are actively involved in filmmaking, spending at least 10 hours a week on the business. It's thought the rule change will also cause major problems for the P&A funds recently launched by Invicta and Scotts Atlantic to bankroll the U.S. and U.K. release costs of selected movies from Sony and Warner."}, {"response": 1285, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (09:22)", "body": "(Mari) Who do that voo-doo that you do?! Booga Booga! Unless the government puts transitional arrangements in place, all of these projects will be forced to scramble for alternative financing and could face postponement or collapse. I guess you do.......;-))"}, {"response": 1286, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (09:31)", "body": "(Karen)He's a polyester shirt kind of guy (Dorine)Is that with or without socks with sandals? ;-) Or short socks....with oxfords. \"Unless the government puts transitional arrangements in place, all of these projects will be forced to scramble for alternative financing and could face postponement or collapse. *snort* Perish the thought that private monies fund movies...instead of taxpayers."}, {"response": 1287, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (09:32)", "body": "(Kimberly) ...but should the doll be of the NMcP character as opposed to our dearest one?;) Right you are, that would be better. Hey, Nanny McPhooey Brigade, cheer up! Try to think Sound of music. That didn't turn out too bad, did it? Actually, Cptn. Von Trapp was the kind of bamboo-stick-lodged-in-his-rear, laugh-and-humourless but-quite-handsome-and-elegant sort of character Colin would've done very well. Who knows, this may not be as bad as it seems. I'm very interested in how this one will turn out. I wasn't here when Colin signed up for WAGW, but I suspect not everyone was happy about that one either. And look what happened, it's a favourite among many fans. Cross your fingers and see what happens. Maybe there's no need for the voodoo doll after all."}, {"response": 1288, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (10:09)", "body": "(Kimberly) ...but should the doll be of the NMcP character as opposed to our dearest one?;) (Ildi)Right you are, that would be better. Let me tell you . .when playing with the powers that be . .it's best to be very specific ..Don't want to do any damage to Colin . . Personally I'd rather like to make a success doll for him . .pin on The Dead Wait, TEOR . .and other nice stuff dealing with creative growth, career stimulation, etc . . . .or good wishes jar of some sort . . . perhaps will send him Reiki/positive energy, maybe that will help . . (Ildi)Hey, Nanny McPhooey Brigade, cheer up! Must say, I don't mind the NMcP possibility, I just would like to see him in another drama, got just a taste in GWAPE . .want something for him more in the way of a meaty role (leading or supporting, though would prefer leading, of course), like Conspiracy . .which I thought he was fantastic in. . . rom coms/comedies/family films are nice, light fare and hey , don't get me wrong I own and like WAGW. . . .but I guess as an actor as well as a fan, I want to see him in something rather challenging . . ."}, {"response": 1289, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (10:12)", "body": "(Ildi) Try to think Sound of music. That didn't turn out too bad, did it? Unless there's a love affair between Nanny McPhee and Mr Brown (the father), then IMO it's not worth his limited time. As to WAGW, he's a central character and the relationship with his daughter was key. Folks, we're talking Cat in the Hat material here, and Colin's not the cat; he's the parent who leaves his kids at home. Man! All this encouraging news (still hasn't signed) and the dried-up funding is making me giddy. Bring it on!!! ;-)))"}, {"response": 1290, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (10:34)", "body": "(Kimberly) . .but I guess as an actor as well as a fan, I want to see him in something rather challenging . . . LOL. Me too, so no wonder I have no love for BJD and TEOR. Another role he could've phoned in. But it's money, money, money. I understand. (Karen) Folks, we're talking Cat in the Hat material here,... LOL! Please don't make me want to make a voodoo doll too, let me just stick my head in the sand. What I don't know doesn't hurt. ;-) BTW: Is there a love affair between NM and Mr. Brown? Has anyone read the darn thing? (Karen) ...and Colin's not the cat; he's the parent who leaves his kids at home. Too bad, I'd love to hear him purring...;-)"}, {"response": 1291, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (10:43)", "body": "Another interview for GWAPE: http://www.virgin.net/movies/interviews/colinfirth.html Colin Firth interview Love is in the air... Last time we saw Colin Firth he was falling for his Portuguese maid in Love Actually. His latest film, Girl With A Pearl Earring, finds him playing the dutch artist, Johannes Vermeer, who claims he was inspired to paint by a forbidden desire for his naive young housemaid (Scarlett Johansson). We quizzed the British actor on art, life and wigs... VN: What attracted you to the film in the first place? CF: \"It was refreshing. It takes itself seriously, which is not a popular position in most films - it is safer to have your tongue in cheek these days. Not a lot big happens on the surface; it's a minimal, finely focused drama that must be made interesting by the characters. It's an exploration of how powerful a relationship can be...\" VN: Not much is known about Vermeer. Was it hard putting flesh on his bones? CF: \"The secret was in the mystery. Basically what you have in terms of historical understanding is mystery, and what Tracy Chevalier wrote in the original novel was also mystery. I was perpetuating that interpretation; in some ways it was a balancing act between fleshing him out and not revealing too much. We weren't trying to do Amadeus with this character, and I think preserving the enigma of the figure was something that had to be handled quite delicately. I felt that ultimately I was the final frontier in keeping that going, through all the various stages of interpretation.\" VN: So much of your love for Scarlett's character is left unsaid. Did you ever feel you might be doing too little? CF: \"I think I speak for a lot of actors when I say I love doing less. Dialogue is often very limiting, particularly if it's anything other than excellent. Mediocre dialogue is utterly crippling; brilliant dialogue is a free ride; but no dialogue is a very liberating and inspiring thing to do, as long as you've got the confidence that your director will look at what you're doing. There's nothing more dispiriting than having a lot of ideas about what your fantastic performance is going to be when no one's at the other end of the camera.\" VN: So it was vital you had an understanding with your director, Peter Webber... CF: \"I've got this complex view of this woman and I'm going to have to do it all with my eyes; it is entirely mutually dependent and symbiotic. We wouldn't have been able to do any of it if we hadn't known Peter was going after that. There were times when there were only two words being said but the camera would be turning for a very long time, and you were going to have to fill that. It gave us all an added responsibility.\" VN: It sounds like quite an intense collaboration. CF: \"Working with a crew is a huge collaborative effort. Everyone arrives on set in the morning and the challenge of the day is to give life to the written word. But you have to be prepared to change the ideas you brought with you that morning, in order to keep the energy and carry the room. If you are in tune, you can feel that moment - it's palpable.\" VN: Did you learn to paint for the film? CF: \"I've played around, but anything I could do with a paintbrush would be utterly irrelevant to anything that would be useful to Peter or the film. In the end, as long as you can point your paintbrush in a straight line and not look too closely at what you're doing, I think it's perfectly adequate. And besides, even if I had considerable skills, I don't know how long it would take me to apply them towards creating a Vermeer.\" VN: You have a splendid mane of hair in the film. How did that come about? CF: \"When you read a script like this and accept the part, you know a wig awaits you. It was an alarming prospect, and had it been anyone other than [make-up designer] Jenny Shircore, who is fairly well known for being brilliant, it would have been the kiss of death. My fear was that the rest of the world would react to my wig the way that Scarlett did. There I am doing what I think is my best sexy, smouldering look and she's standing there sniggering!\" By Neil Smith"}, {"response": 1292, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (11:39)", "body": "(Ildi) BTW: Is there a love affair between NM and Mr. Brown? Has anyone read the darn thing? Let's not start rumors. I was just kidding around. I have read the book. It is dire material unless you are 4 years old. Each chapter is devoted to the children learning a lesson (e.g., saying please, not running away, not to gobble their food, shut doors, won't get up in the morning, etc.). The parents have next to no role in the book. They are the clueless and don't know how to deal with their children; it seems they only know how to make them. Anyway, I digress. ;-) Emma would have to beef up the father's role and the stories themselves. This would definitely be IMO a \"phoner-iner.\" :-("}, {"response": 1293, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (11:41)", "body": "(Karen) He's a polyester shirt kind of guy (Dorine) Is that with or without socks with sandals? ;-) Am most confused.....I thought ODB was an Armani t-shirt, Chuck Taylor sort of guy...;-) (Ildi) I wasn't here when Colin signed up for WAGW, but I suspect not everyone was happy about that one either. And look what happened, it's a favourite among many fans. Cross your fingers and see what happens. Maybe there's no need for the voodoo doll after all. I have a hard time getting my knickers in a twist before I actually see something. Something that often sounds fantastic on paper (Sylvia) turns to crap and something that is pretty awful sounding (WAGW) turns out to be alright. I'll wait to see it before I freak out completely. Honestly, I was getting a bit nervous about nothing being lined up after TEOR (in the back of my head, I think...\"he's working this hard so that he can retire to Umbria and raise more beautiful babies!!\", so when I hear that he has a project even lined up, I get a bit excited (nearly died when he said TDW was \"precipitious\")). I just feel better knowing he's not off to cobble. ;-) (Kimberly) Must say, I don't mind the NMcP possibility, I just would like to see him in another drama, got just a taste in GWAPE . .want something for him more in the way of a meaty role (leading or supporting, though would prefer leading, of course), like Conspiracy . . IMO, ODB is getting the wrong message! Trauma is brilliant. But no one is touching it. It was, as Dorine said earlier, a very bold choice. He is in, pretty much, every frame of that film and not phoning it in. He has some of the most intense scenes I've ever seen him do and yet.....no interest. Yet WAGW, TEOR, LA, BJD all get released and seen. Now he has a potentially high profile project with Nanny (ET won an Oscar for S&S adaptation, that had to have been a draw...as well as working with a friend) which will surely get some press. I can't pretend to know how he choses projects, but I can see reasons for this one....."}, {"response": 1294, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (11:43)", "body": "Sorry for double post..... (Karen) They are the clueless and don't know how to deal with their children; it seems they only know how to make them. LOL...wait....are we talking about GWAPE or Nanny now? ;-)"}, {"response": 1295, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (12:06)", "body": "(Tress) I'll wait to see it before I freak out completely. If it looks like Cat in the Hat, smells like Cat in the Hat, walks like Cat in the Hat, then... I was getting a bit nervous about nothing being lined up after TEOR (in the back of my head, I think...\"he's working this hard so that he can retire to Umbria... Not me. I'd rather he \"work smarter.\" If that means take a break, wait for the good roles, then fine. Trauma is brilliant. But no one is touching it....He is in, pretty much, every frame of that film and not phoning it in. He has some of the most intense scenes I've ever seen him do and yet.....no interest. That's OK. I'd rather he do 10 Traumas than one NMcP (exact ratio not scientifically derived). Someone is bound to eventually notice a high calibre dramatic performance, which could lead to important leading roles, movies about *his* lead character. I'm often reminded of the story that Cate Blanchett was cast in Elizabeth, based on someone seeing her in Oscar & Lucinda, which went nowhere and one that hardly anybody ever saw. Now he has a potentially high profile project with Nanny Eowww! I wouldn't characterize it as such. More like, a little kiddie flick from England. I hope no one is expecting Colin to get any nearer to an Oscar, Inside the Actors Studio or even Charlie Rose, working on films like this. I'm taking names for next time there is carping about \"why doesn't Colin get noticed...\" ;-) Admin: Please don't get the wrong idea. People are free to like or dislike Colin in any role he chooses. That's what makes this board very different from other Firth group. And people are free to voice their personal opinions, but not attack other Drool participants for expressing those views. (back to me) But frankly, these career/choice discussions seem so pointless. They change no one's opinions."}, {"response": 1296, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (12:12)", "body": "a little kiddie flick from England. *cough cough* Excuse me boss. Less of this kiddie flick from \"the back of beyond!. Some of us regard England as the centre of the Universe ;-)"}, {"response": 1297, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (12:30)", "body": "Whatever. :-( I've stuck a fork in myself. I'm done."}, {"response": 1298, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (12:32)", "body": "(Tress)I just feel better knowing he's not off to cobble. ;-) Perhaps he should . .start making his own line of oxfords . . .:) Plenty of actors do some sort of merchandising;) (Tress)Trauma is brilliant. Dang, forgot about Trauma . .but I guess since I haven't been lucky enough to see it yet, it slipped my mind . . .though from all that you and Dorine and Sandi have spoken about it, it sounds like a film role I envision him doing . .substantial, you know;)It's just that he's an extremely talented actor and I'd like to see him showcase that talent, whether the film is a blockbuster or not (personally I think a lot of those Hollywood blockbusters are devoid of substance, IMO) . .as Karen mentioned, the more he does that type of work, the more will be offered to him . . if that's what he wants . .and when it all boils down to it, he just has to ask himself, what does he want . . . Just rambling . .sorry . ."}, {"response": 1299, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (12:33)", "body": "Taking your cue from Ricky Gervais' Golden Globe speech there Allison ;-)) And so say all of us ( ' cept we are more than outnumbered here!)"}, {"response": 1300, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (12:55)", "body": "(Dorine)He rejects projects considered quality (Sylvia, anyone? Good riddance if he did.) I'm glad, in hindsight, that he didn't do Sylvia--If it was his choice not to do it. (remember the refusal to read for the part/new director stories) But, IMO, he may have made the right choice for the wrong reasons-I think he took one look at the steamy love scenes in that script and took off faster than a jack rabbit. Didn't GP bring Chris Martin in for a private screening, before the premiere, because she was afraid of his reaction to those scenes? I'd love to say he made a brilliant choice because he knew it would die, but I don't think so. I should also make clear that I don't consider steamy love scenes as wrong or right. If CF is uncomfortable doing them-it's his choice. I'd love to help him change his mind;-)"}, {"response": 1301, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (13:04)", "body": "(Karen) People are free to like or dislike Colin in any role he chooses. But that's where I can't get too worked up.....I can't make up my mind until I actually see it. I just get excited to hear he's working. And, as always, I think to myself....it can't get worse than L'dum (okay, it could, but we are talking Emma Thompson and not Mike Binder in this case). Dorine also mentioned that he said at the Burns Q&A that he admits to making some missteps. I don't think he's that good at choosing parts (his taste in choosing a script is a bit like his taste in music....sorta all over the place with no recurring theme). He's done alright so far, he's 'jobbing' ;-)...."}, {"response": 1302, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 2004 (06:55)", "body": "Agree wholeheartedly that I'd love to see more of the intense dramatic Colin now that I've been a fan for a long time and have a better knowledge of his wide range and talent. But let's not disparage the lighter romantic fare completely. It's how many of us were baptised into the 'Church of Colin'. P&P, BJD, and WAGW were the vehicles in which many people first took notice because of his ability to blow the socks off a romantic role. IMO these roles attract a lot of attention initially and are the impetus to delve further into his filmography and see just what he's truly capable of. I think of them as sort of a 'back door approach' to increasing his profile amongst mainstream audiences...to say nothing of 'paying the bills for a jobbing actor. If he doesn't continue to make the films that draw easy attention, I fear he may fall off the radar completely while awaiting those meatier roles. Anybody see Ralph Fiennes or Jeremy Irons recently?? Besides, if Colin made films as infrequently as those two, wha ever would drooleurs have to keep these boards alive with? Case in point...I'm laid up for a few days and can assure you when I'm seeking diversions with which to entertain myself, replaying some of his 'swoon films' will be at the top of my list of choices."}, {"response": 1303, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 2004 (10:58)", "body": "I think Ralph has been doing theater most recently, a noble venture, IMO. Also, he is set to star in John LeCarre's the Constant Gardener for director Fernando Mereilles (Oscar nommed for City of God). He's also set to do a Merchant-Ivory film with Vanessa Redgrave and Natasha R. Then he's on tap to do a film for Neil LaBute. Last year, he had Spider out, which was one of the strongest performances I've seen in recent years. Director was David Cronenberg. No flies on Rafe--his projects are class all the way. The importance of working with first-rate directors cannot be overstated, IMO."}, {"response": 1304, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 2004 (11:44)", "body": "Last summer he was in:\"Brand\" by Henrik Ibsen. Opened at The Swan Theatre in Stratford and went on to the West End. Recently in Viet-Nam, Rafe is a Good Will Ambassador for UNICEF. Also it was reported that Actor Ralph Fiennes is to be a judge for the prestigious Whitbread Book Prize. Fiennes will join broadcaster Joan Bakewell who will chair the judging panel to find the book of the year. Sorry boss, I know this belongs on Rafe's board#40, but some people don't go there."}, {"response": 1305, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 2004 (12:13)", "body": "I know this belongs on Rafe's board#40, but some people don't go there. And they should, if they are going to try to use him as an example or to try to support their arguments. Back to what this board is for... A Trauma update of litttle or no real value ;-) It is still being screened for potential distributors, but thus far doesn't have a US one."}, {"response": 1306, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 2004 (12:26)", "body": "(Karen) A Trauma update of litttle or no real value ;-) It is still being screened for potential distributors, but thus far doesn't have a US one. Thanks Karen...I guess, it is still being screened, so that is a good thing (they haven't given up)."}, {"response": 1307, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 2004 (15:43)", "body": "The Arizona Republic -- The final lines of a review of a new version of Pride and Prejudice produced by the Mormons: \"...A better way to combine the church and Jane Austen? Rent the Colin Firth version of Pride and Prejudice and read the Book of Mormon during the slow bits.\" http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/preview/articles/0213pride13-CR.html"}, {"response": 1308, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 2004 (15:47)", "body": "The Ohio Beacon Journal -- Unlucky in love -- For Valentine's Day and Friday the 13th, 13 unlucky movie lovers: \ufffd William Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes) in Shakespeare in Love -- So let me get this right. Shakespeare has a way with words and whispers them quite ably to Viola (Gwyneth Paltrow), a woman in the queen's court; makes mad, passionate love to her; and watches helplessly as she sails off to the New World with some aristocratic weasel (Colin Firth) who's looking for a woman only to serve as a mommy to his future offspring? Love stinks. More here: http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/7944394.htm"}, {"response": 1309, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 2004 (20:26)", "body": "Can't recall if this has already been posted . . But the GWAPE soundtrack will be available on Amazon on Feb 17th (you can order it now as an import . .a bit more expensive, if you can't wait . .or order from the offical site . .but of course via Amazon helps out Drool!!!)) http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0001FVEU4/qid=1076725268/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-1851586-9552815?v=glance&s=music"}, {"response": 1310, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (09:43)", "body": "If ordered via this kind of link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0001FVEU4/spring-20 Thanks, Kimberly, for letting everyone know. I'll update the boutique page."}, {"response": 1311, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (09:58)", "body": "A place Sophie might want to check out, from today's Times: Mr Gorgeous, sorry I mean Colin Firth, has been spotted at the frightfully posh Hotel Beauvallon at St Maxim on the C\ufffdte d\ufffdAzur. He relaxed by the pool with his wife Livia Giuggioli, then the couple hopped into a boat at the hotel\ufffds private jetty for the eight-minute journey to St Tropez. A Follow That Star mole said: \ufffdHe likes it here because no one bothers him. In London people keep asking for autographs.\ufffd The Beauvallon is 90 years old in April and has played host to the likes of Colette, F. Scott Fitzgerald (who is rumoured to have written Tender is the Night here) and John F. Kennedy, who liked to drink pink champagne on the hotel\ufffds pink and white marble terrace. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,71-999825,00.html"}, {"response": 1312, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (10:09)", "body": "Mr Gorgeous, sorry I mean Colin Firth, has been spotted at the frightfully posh Hotel Beauvallon at St Maxim on the C\ufffdte d\ufffdAzur. Wow, that was one quick getaway since he was filming in London on Tuesday."}, {"response": 1313, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (10:19)", "body": "\"Abercrombie & Kent (0845 0700612, www.abercrombiekent.co.uk ) is offering Times readers a special birthday break at the Beauvallon for \ufffd545pp. The price, based on two sharing, includes three nights in a Mountain Room, flights from London and car hire. Even with the $2./UKP that's a good price for such a frightfully posh hotel. Of course, Mountain Room might be overlooking the garbage dump. Me thinks they have an ocean view. *sigh*"}, {"response": 1314, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (10:22)", "body": "(Linda) Wow, that was one quick getaway since he was filming in London on Tuesday. Sorry! I didn't mean to imply he was there now. This was from the Travel section and several other locations were mentioned in the column."}, {"response": 1315, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (10:36)", "body": "Not too shabby...."}, {"response": 1316, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (10:45)", "body": "(Evelyn) Not too shabby.... Indeed! Can you just imagine?? Cocktails by the pool!"}, {"response": 1317, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (10:58)", "body": "And looking out on the balcony from your hotel room....after....:-))))))))))))"}, {"response": 1318, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (11:26)", "body": "(Evelyn)And looking out on the balcony from your hotel room....after....:-)))))))))))) After...wot? ***sigh*** did this have to come up on Valentine's Day? Gets in the way of my own fantasies;-) Great view, but the funky slippers have to go."}, {"response": 1319, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (14:03)", "body": "frightfully posh Hotel Beauvallon at St Maxim on the C\ufffdte d\ufffdAzur. Sounds wonderfully relaxing and romantic . . . And looks beautiful . .My DH and I have been thinking about going to Europe for a trip . .this may be a weeee bit expensive . . (Tress)Cocktails by the pool! That would be a martini please, shaken not stirred . .mushimoko style;)"}, {"response": 1320, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (18:21)", "body": "(Karen)Sorry! I didn't mean to imply he was there now You're right, he wouldn't have been. They get winter there too, and it was in the '40s there yesterday. Ain't nobody lounging by the pool then. So why isn't he going to the BAFTAs when people who didn't even make a movie last year are going and even presenting! He has two films with noms."}, {"response": 1321, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (19:10)", "body": "(Mari) So why isn't he going to the BAFTAs when people who didn't even make a movie last year are going and even presenting! I'm sticking to the scary hair theory. Scarlett may not have found a new hairdresser in London yet.....;-)"}, {"response": 1322, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (20:41)", "body": "Nope, doesn't look like she's found one;-)."}, {"response": 1323, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (20:51)", "body": "(Mari) So why isn't he going to the BAFTAs when people who didn't even make a movie last year are going and even presenting! He has two films with noms. The two films have noms but he doesn't, so why would he bother? From what I've seen he doesn't like these award ceremonies much, so if his presence is not 'required' he'll sure give it a pass. It would've surprised me if I heard he was going to be there. I'd remain on vacation if I were him. Having a fun getaway with a gorgeous wife sure beats parading around for the TV cameras. I simply see no reason for him to be there."}, {"response": 1324, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (21:31)", "body": "(Ildi) The two films have noms but he doesn't, so why would he bother? And why would they want him?"}, {"response": 1325, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (22:10)", "body": "The producers pick who attends (besides the nominees). Either they asked and he said no (possible), or they didn't ask. Perhaps they got all the A-listers they needed and had room for. I don't know how many the venue holds, but after nominees, presenters, sponsors, and BAFTA VIP's plus guests, they may not have had room. I read the Oscars are hard pressed for room now that they moved to the smaller Kodak Theater. All manner of VIP's and names begging for tix they can't get."}, {"response": 1326, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (23:26)", "body": "(Dorine) Perhaps they got all the A-listers they needed and had room for. When did Judy Parfitt get on the A-list? ;-) Naw, I'd say he declined."}, {"response": 1327, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (04:11)", "body": "When did Judy Parfitt get on the A-list? ;-) She's a nominee surely? Best supporting actress?"}, {"response": 1328, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (07:41)", "body": "Has there been a list given of who is attending? Or has it been reported in the media he is definitely not making an appearance?"}, {"response": 1329, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (08:51)", "body": "(Karen) When did Judy Parfitt get on the A-list? ;-) (Allison) She's a nominee surely? Best supporting actress? Ding, ding, ding!!! Give this woman a prize! She is indeed nom'd."}, {"response": 1330, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (09:04)", "body": "Remember when he and Livia went before? Camera just loved Mrs. Firth, kept alighting on her seat at every opportunity! Also caught ODB wiping tear away for John Thaw's death. Maybe he doesn't want to get caught emotionally inflagrante again ;-) Still shame on him for not brightening up a dull February day. Then again maybe he's lying low , lots of \"Mr Darcy seeks his Elizabeth.\" (Telegraph) type headlines due to Regency House Party etc They broadcast a snippet from P&P on radio on Friday with ODB. Might be expected by press to turn up tux less in wet white shirt no less."}, {"response": 1331, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (09:13)", "body": "Maybe he's just saving his energy for the parties later. ;-) Who knows, maybe he'll go to the show under the radar."}, {"response": 1332, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (10:07)", "body": "(Dorine)Maybe he's just saving his energy for the parties later. ;-) Hmmm . .who could we get to sponsor a Trauma screening???? . . . A tequila distributor perhaps? . .there's always a yummy bug floating in the bottom of those bottles . . ."}, {"response": 1333, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (10:32)", "body": "Bringing this over from Odds & Ends; these are the non-nominated people who are presenting: Pedro Almodovar, Lord Attenborough, Helena Bonham Carter, Billy Boyd, Mackenzie Crook, Jason Isaacs, Val Kilmer, LL Cool J, Thandie Newton, Clive Owen, Joely Richardson, Miranda Richardson, Dougray Scott, Alicia Silverstone, Patrick Stewart, Jon Voight, and Olivia Williams. Colin brings more glamour to the party than most of these people. Also from Odds & Ends: \"Scarlett will arrive with the Elemental people and be photographed on the red carpet with them. She will then sit on a table with the Path\ufffd lot.'' Even that deal was apparently only made possible by another factor being removed from the equation. \"Scarlett got on very well with Colin Firth when they were doing Girl with a Pearl Earring together,\" adds my source. \"If he'd come along to the Baftas, I rather think that Elemental wouldn't have had a look-in, but he's decided to give it a miss.\" Read the last part: he declined. I just can't figure out why."}, {"response": 1334, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (10:41)", "body": "\"If he'd come along to the Baftas, I rather think that Elemental wouldn't have had a look-in, but he's decided to give it a miss.\" He may have, am curious, too. Maybe someone didn't want a certain someone to sit next to another certain someone. ;-) But you know how the press or someone's PR peep will say someone declined rather than they weren't asked, too. Doesn't sound too nice to say no one asked you to the Big Show. Saves face. You know how that game is played. But I agree, I'd much rather not see Alicia Silverstone or Thandie Newton. Also, have no idea who Mackenzie Crook is. Someone big in the UK, I imagine."}, {"response": 1335, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (10:48)", "body": "Hee hee Mari, methinks the real reason he can't be there is that he has tickets for today's match in Rome. It's England v Italy this afternoon , the 6 Nations Rugby! Not sure which side he will be shouting for, but maybe he will join with all us Celts and cry \"Viva Italia\" ;-)"}, {"response": 1336, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (10:52)", "body": "Mackenzie Crook is from the GG winning series \"The Office\" and was in \"Pirates of the Caribbean\" too. He's not in ODB'S league!"}, {"response": 1337, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (10:56)", "body": "Maybe ODB's just tired. He's done his job 'pimping' GWAPE, now he's done. Had his pic in all the papers with martini and blonde and that was it.....it is still doing well....he's not nommed.....maybe he just feels like he'd rather hang out than get dressed up in tux and photographed and interviewed.....and have to listen to Scarlett talk about herself and his Fabio wig (must get old doing the same tale over and over....). Maybe he'll party with the players later....or he could be off to Italy for the rugby match. ;-)"}, {"response": 1338, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (12:01)", "body": "(Allison) She's a nominee surely? Best supporting actress? Hrumph! Knew I should've checked the slate before I typed and picked out a less likely candidate for my example. ;-)"}, {"response": 1339, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (12:34)", "body": "(Tress) Had his pic in all the papers with martini and blonde... Hmmmm, maybe you're on to something here....;-D See ya after the show!"}, {"response": 1340, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (12:48)", "body": "We just had an item on BBC radio about BAFTAS and all the screaming fans waiting for stars to arrive, sounded deafening! Mentioned SJ and RZ but not you know who. Enjoy your US coverage ladies BTW Is Joan Rivers over?"}, {"response": 1341, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (13:17)", "body": "Hey who was it that said SJ's hair would keep ODB away? Checkout THAT Lippie ladies, enough to keep any self respecting artist at home! http://movies.yahoo.com/news/main go to Baftas and click on slideshow. There's also a scary pic of \"Nanny Mcphee\" too."}, {"response": 1342, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (13:28)", "body": "Over to O&E for Bafta play by plays and post-game recap. ;-)"}, {"response": 1343, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (13:49)", "body": "Thanks for the subtle hint ;-)"}, {"response": 1344, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (14:14)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1345, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (14:43)", "body": "Well England beat Italy by 50 points to a handful, maybe he's celebrating..... shame tho' when lots of his co-stars are present tonite. He would have made a great presenter, I agree. RZ, LL,and SJ, when's he going to have another year of opportunity like this again? Still he's even more of a family man than when he and Livia were there last time, maybe that's the reason pure and simple."}, {"response": 1346, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (15:27)", "body": "he declined. I just can't figure out why. From the various panning shots shown of the audience, it looks as though every seat is taken. Perhaps he wasn't invited?"}, {"response": 1347, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (15:31)", "body": "Glad to say that altho' ODB isn't there he got a mention in Stephen Fry's (more and more a Harvey lookylikey!) opening speech. It was a joke about the use of the colon in film titles and he said that maybe \"Maybe if he's not too busy, the title role will be played by Colon Firth.\" Did get a laugh. Lots of clips of Colin in best Brit film section in LA and GWAPE. Can't imagine he will have a year like this again, for a while."}, {"response": 1348, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (17:30)", "body": "sorry, it would be me forgetting to close the tags (Lizza)Lots of clips of Colin in best Brit film section in LA and GWAPE. Can't imagine he will have a year like this again, for a while. It's been loads of fun, and I was thrilled to see him in the clips and a mention in SF's monologue as well. Lots of Hugh, too."}, {"response": 1349, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (17:36)", "body": "(Lizza)\"Maybe if he's not too busy, the title role will be played by Colon Firth.\" Did get a laugh. Hey Lizza! That was a cute line. See, if he attended they could have panned to him at that point and he'd have had to laugh.;-) We have a show coming on at 7 (in about a half hour) called Red Carpet, followed by a repeat of the BAFTA ceremony, so am hoping it's BAFTA red carpet. Will join you all at Odds & Ends for post mortem and fashion police-style commentary.;- Tress, LOL at your side-by-side of SJ and Bob's Big Boy!"}, {"response": 1350, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (19:50)", "body": "(Bethan) Still he's even more of a family man than when he and Livia were there last time, maybe that's the reason pure and simple. Jude Law has him beat by a kid or 2 (without a wife) and he's there. ;-)"}, {"response": 1351, "author": "birdy", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (23:23)", "body": "(Dorine)Jude Law has him beat by a kid or 2 (without a wife) and he's there. ;-) Maybe that's why he's without a wife;-)"}, {"response": 1352, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 2004 (02:37)", "body": "Also not there: Hugh Grant. I did not watch the whole thing through but did anyone see Ewan McG for the Big Fish? Those are just 2 who spring to mind. It seemed to me that only nominees and presenters were there. Okay he might have been asked to present but that is another issue. I am happy to criticise him when I think he is not putting enough effort into his career but not this time."}, {"response": 1353, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 2004 (10:08)", "body": "Sent to me by Maura, a very cute column from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Two words can stop a post-Valentine's massacre Sunday, February 15, 2004 Yesterday being Valentine's Day, I think I can say one thing with assurance: Many of you men screwed it up again big-time. You're asking yourself that annual Feb. 15 question: How do I make this up to her? Boys, as your full-service columnist, I'm here to help. Two words: Chick flick. Trick your one-and-only into thinking you're a sensitive guy. Take her to see \"Girl with a Pearl Earring.\" Just listen to this testimonial from Steve Hansen, program director at KDKA radio, who said this as the credits rolled at the Manor Theatre: \"That wasn't like watching paint dry. That was watching paint dry.\" Hansen and I had accompanied our wives to this movie for the same reason all husbands watch chick flicks: the hope that points gained here may be redeemed later. This one was about a 17th-century Dutch painter who falls in love with his maid and -- parents, please keep your children from this -- pierces her ear! Yes, this event, now as common as a Saturday afternoon at the mall, was the climactic scene. If the symbolism had been any heavier, the screen would have fallen. \"I was probably awake for a good 50 minutes,\" Hansen said later. \"So I know the movie was about a guy who never smiled, and I think he had a wife, and, apparently, he painted.\" I must be evolving or something because I liked this movie. The cinematography was as deft as the painter from Delft and, though it could have used a gondola chase, it held me to the end. For one thing, it had the captivating Scarlett Johansson. She played essentially the same role she did in the best movie I've seen in awhile, \"Lost in Translation.\" A young woman without fame enchants a famous guy for a short time and then they part, enriched by their passionately chaste encounter. Classic chick-flick stuff. \"Earring\" also had Colin Firth as the brooding painter, Jan Vermeer. Men, if you go to this movie, be sure to say you were intrigued by Firth's performance. Use that word -- in-TREEGED -- and give it kind of a Thurston Howell III flourish. Women think this guy is as deep as the Mon. Hansen asked me after the movie what was up with the lead actor \"having one face the entire movie,\" but he doesn't know the half of it. Firth has made more money brooding than Jason Kendall. He has worn his troubled, introspective face pretty much his whole career. I've seen Firth brood in \"Pride and Prejudice,\" in \"Bridget Jones' Diary\" and in \"The English Patient.\" Most of his time on screen, Firth looks so downcast he could pass for a Penguins fan, but he gets away with it because he always plays an aristocrat, artist or spy, and those guys are always perceived as thinking deep thoughts, even if they're just wondering what's for lunch. My wife loves that hound dog look, except when I wear it. I sometimes think that if I listened to Pirates games while wearing jodhpurs, I could look like Firth, but then what if someone came to the door? Anyway, I hope I've helped you guys out there. I'm also hoping that for the sequel, \"Girl Gets A Necklace To Go With Her Earring,\" Hollywood meets men halfway. Get Vin Diesel to take on Firth in a gondola chase to the death. Last man brooding wins. http://www.postgazette.com/columnists/20040215briancolp1.asp"}, {"response": 1354, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 2004 (10:43)", "body": "My wife loves that hound dog look, except when I wear it. LOL! How insightful! Must fess up to same;-)"}, {"response": 1355, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 2004 (10:52)", "body": "Firth looks so downcast he could pass for a Penguins fan . . . Hansen asked me what was up with the lead actor \"having one face the entire movie,\" but he doesn't know the half of it. Firth has made more money brooding than Jason Kendall Oh, too funny. Particularly loved all the references to the downtrodden status of Pittsburgh sports fans. Thanks, Karen and Maura, for a good laugh."}, {"response": 1356, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 2004 (11:15)", "body": "Admin message Our server is being physically moved at 2:00am EST (17 Feb). So there will be a couple of hours of downtime at a minimum and hopefully no other adverse effects."}, {"response": 1357, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 2004 (14:46)", "body": "...Men, if you go to this movie, be sure to say you were intrigued by Firth's performance. Use that word -- in-TREEGED -- and give it kind of a Thurston Howell III flourish. Women think this guy is as deep as the Mon. I sometimes think that if I listened to Pirates games while wearing jodhpurs, I could look like Firth, but then what if someone came to the door? LOL, but that is one very CF educated DH;-) Thanks, Karen."}, {"response": 1358, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 2004 (15:11)", "body": "And he's about to be even more. Says he'll rent FP now. ;-)"}, {"response": 1359, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 2004 (15:31)", "body": "GWAPE moved up a few notches. Weekend box office estimates: Girl with a Pearl Earring $1,130,000 weekend; $3,021 per screen average; $7,430,000 cumulative"}, {"response": 1360, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 2004 (15:37)", "body": "Thanks, Karen. I loved the article. LMAO. Had my DH read it - even he wound up LOL. His favorite line was.... \"I was probably awake for a good 50 minutes,\" Hansen said later. \"So I know the movie was about a guy who never smiled, and I think he had a wife, and, apparently, he painted.\" I haven't thoroughly won him over though...he thought FP was the pits and promptly fell asleep on it. Now if only CF would do a baseball flick..."}, {"response": 1361, "author": "Gails", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 2004 (18:23)", "body": "Karen, loved the article. I sometimes think that if I listened to Pirates games while wearing jodhpurs, I could look like Firth, but then what if someone came to the door? I'll have to mention this to my DH and tell him not to worry about the door;-) I'm also hoping that for the sequel, \"Girl Gets A Necklace To Go With Her Earring,\" Hollywood meets men half way. This could be the way Colin gets to fulfill his wish to do a shootem up type movie;-)"}, {"response": 1362, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 2004 (09:14)", "body": "Great article, Karen . .must send it to my DH . .he still has not watched GWAPE with me . .tried to talk him into it b/c SJ is in the film (he liked LIT) . .but says if SJ doesn't show up in her jollyhose, he isn't sitting through the picture . .*sigh* Thanks for the great play by play on the awards show on O&E & here girls!"}, {"response": 1363, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 2004 (11:38)", "body": "Here's what Fred MacMurray is up to now: http://www.naeurope.co.uk/en/story.htx?nr=300002082 On sale starting February 22. Yes, it's an old picture. No, I've never seen this mag in the U.S. (Just anticipating the questions;-)"}, {"response": 1364, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 2004 (12:07)", "body": "OMG! How hysterical! Too bad he couldn't be on the cover of, say, a Redbook or similar. ;-) According to the mag's site it can be purchased \"thoughout the country in all good independant newsagent's including Tesco, WHSmith and Sainsbury's for just \ufffd2.99!\" and it looks as though Liam Neeson has already been featured, though he hasn't made the cover."}, {"response": 1365, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 2004 (12:13)", "body": "Oh my, Mari, as long as he doesn't plan on doing Geritol commercials anytime in the near future... I have complete faith that one (if not many) of the talented drooleurs will get their hands on this article as soon as it's available. Maybe it will have some nice new pics as well? I actually liked the cover photo very much. Although something tells me that that's not exactly what he (and Livia) look like when the baby is colicking and the three year old is simultaneously taking some crayons to the new wallpaper. Perhaps this is more like it..."}, {"response": 1366, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 2004 (13:13)", "body": "I've spoken with the editor of this daddy mag and it is not sold in the US. So ladies, off to Tesco you go."}, {"response": 1367, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 2004 (16:15)", "body": "The Scotsman has this on the new mag: Bi-monthly from the March \ufffd April 2004 Issue. (On the news stands on The 22nd February. As the only Dad Mag on the news stands \ufffd copy sales far exceeded targets and now FQ reaches over 350,000 young, happening dads per issue. This issue sees an exclusive interview with Bridget Jones star Colin Firth on the trials and tribulations of parenthood plus an in depth article on father \ufffd Son relationship Footie\ufffds favourite Lampard Jnr & Snr!! (Chelsea FC) http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=2542279"}, {"response": 1368, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Feb 18, 2004 (07:00)", "body": "Voodoo Schmoodoo. I knew we should have stuck with the candles.;-) Tax fund cut may wilt 'Tulip' Inside Track was to put up a third of pic's $45 mil budget By ADAM DAWTREY VARIETY LONDON -- Crew working on pre-productionpre-production for John MaddenJohn Madden's \"Tulip Fever\" have been told the project could shuttershutter at the end of this week, unless the producers get a positive signal from the British government about the status of its tax financing deal. \"Tulip Fever,\" starring Jude LawJude Law and Keira KnightleyKeira Knightley, is co-financed by DreamWorks and Miramax with tax fund Inside Track putting up a third of the $45 million budget. But the government's shock announcement Feb. 10 of a sudden change in tax law forced the immediate suspension of Inside Track, along with rival tax fund First Choice. That left around 25 upcoming movies, indie and studio-funded alike, with a gaping hole in their budgets. Hardest hit were the half dozen projects, including \"Tulip Fever,\" already into full pre-production. Industry lobbyists are pleading with the Inland Revenue, the government's tax collection arm, for urgent confirmation of whether Inside Track and First Choice will honor their commitments to these imperiled projects, where significant pre-production coincoin has already been spent. \"Tulip Fever\" producer Alison Owen gave her crew a week's notice Friday, and says that unless she gets the greenlightgreenlight from the Inland Revenue by today she will either have to find alternative financing or shut the pic down. \"Tulip Fever\" is due to start principal photography April 23. The strike cost is understood to be in the region of $6 million. The other projects also deep into pre-production include Regis Wargnier's $28 million \"Man to Man,\" which started shooting today; The Libertine,\" starring Johnny DeppJohnny Depp, due to shoot Monday; Nick Willing's \"River King,\" scheduled for early March; Gaby Dellal's $7 million \"On a Clear Day,\" set to shoot April 5; and Fernando MeirellesFernando Meirelles' \"The Constant Gardener,\" scheduled for the end of April. The producers of \"The Libertine\"\"The Libertine\" insist they will go ahead with their shoot, whether or not their tax equity deal from First Choice stands. But they may push the start date back a week to give extra time for re-financing. One pic that appears to have escaped unscathed is Working Title's \"Nanny McPfee,\" starring Emma ThompsonEmma Thompson. Pic is also set for production in April, and was in negotiations for co-financing from Inside Track. But Universal had already agreed to fully finance the movie with or without the tax deal, and so it is going ahead regardless. Date in print: Wed., Feb. 18, 2004, Los Angeles"}, {"response": 1369, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, Feb 18, 2004 (09:51)", "body": "(Mari-Variety) One pic that appears to have escaped unscathed is Working Title's \"Nanny McPfee,\" starring Emma Thompson. I bet ET's had a near breakdown over this one. I can't imagine how crushing it can be to have one's project fall apart for financial (or any other) reason. I really didn't wish it for her. What if Colin took the part for her? Let's say she wanted her movie made, and thought that if Colin was aboard it would help a lot getting financing and finding a distributor once the movie is made. So she asked him to do it for her, after all it is a smallish part (I presume) and it would take up very little of his time. So he shrugged and said sure, why not? I can squeeze it in before I go on vacation. Again. :-) Okay, this is just idle speculation, but is it improbable?"}, {"response": 1370, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Feb 18, 2004 (09:57)", "body": "(Ildi)So he shrugged and said sure, why not? I can squeeze it in before I go on vacation. Again. :-) You mean it may simply be a *cameo*? Happy thought indeed...:-))"}, {"response": 1371, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 18, 2004 (09:58)", "body": "Okay, this is just idle speculation, but is it improbable? Very."}, {"response": 1372, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 18, 2004 (09:59)", "body": "One pic that appears to have escaped unscathed is Working Title's \"Nanny McPfee,\" With hindsight, this would be logical based on ET's comments on Sunday. She announced to the the universe (at least some people's center of the universe ;-)))) that she was doing this film, while Stephen Fry was jabbing at the tax credit decision and its impact on British film."}, {"response": 1373, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, Feb 18, 2004 (10:25)", "body": "(BeeDee) You mean it may simply be a *cameo*? You wish! LOL! No, I mean a relatively small part. I'm just grinding the gears here, trying to figure out why he picked this particular part. I'll never know of course, but it's fun to speculate, no matter how pointless."}, {"response": 1374, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 18, 2004 (10:56)", "body": "Cute aside, I got an email from a woman, commenting on the coincidence of her son meeting Colin (while he was filming) and having his picture taken with him and then finding out he'll be in NMcPhee, when that was her maiden name. I steered her to the most recent batch of location pictures and she confirmed that was her son in the picture."}, {"response": 1375, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 18, 2004 (13:56)", "body": "Moon's timing is so incredibly bad. :-( I've been told where Colin will be in Rome tomorrow with Peter Webber."}, {"response": 1376, "author": "katty", "date": "Wed, Feb 18, 2004 (20:11)", "body": "Ildi's comments sound perfectly reasonable to me."}, {"response": 1377, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Feb 18, 2004 (22:57)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1378, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 18, 2004 (23:20)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1379, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 2004 (08:23)", "body": "There are a few new pictures at this Italian film website: http://film.spettacolo.virgilio.it/cinema/photogallery.php?film=26087"}, {"response": 1380, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 2004 (08:49)", "body": "Great find Karen, they are great! Thank you! So will you tell us where Colin is today in Rome? Or you just wanted to tease us all? ;-)"}, {"response": 1381, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 2004 (09:02)", "body": "Thanks. This is my favorite.... Awww! A hard day's work.... Peter Webber's already cute, but like the beard..... This is one of my favorite scenes....when she walks across the room, it looks like she's walking through a painting of the studio. Guess the film stock and lighting made it look like that. It strikes me every time. And did anyone else notice in the commercials, this snippet of the scene was reversed? Van R was on his left, not his right and they were facing the other way? Different shot or reversed film? Maybe will check out trailer online sometime."}, {"response": 1382, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 2004 (09:48)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1383, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 2004 (10:36)", "body": "Che bell'uomo! http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=gls====52164&nbc1=1"}, {"response": 1384, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 2004 (10:41)", "body": "And I have the pics up (or most of htem here): http://www.firth.com/gwape_romepc1.html"}, {"response": 1385, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 2004 (10:52)", "body": "Oh . .Mari, Karen, thanks for the pics . . . Wonder what a reporter asked when they took this pic:)"}, {"response": 1386, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 2004 (11:03)", "body": "Oh my goodness, look at all that hair! Trying to resist the styling too. :-) I don't think I've ever seen such I-partied-all-night or the-baby-didn't-let-me-sleep look on Colin's face in such close up before. My fave is the last one. Mari, Karen, thank you!"}, {"response": 1387, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 2004 (11:08)", "body": "I love this one for the innocent expression ...And this one because there are dozens of ringlets and curls all over the place-especially on the right and over the forehead. Reminds me of the look as he sips his wine at the book launch after introducing and teasing Bridget as having played naked in his pool. Actually, I love most of them. Thanks Karen for the quick turnaround, and Mari for finding them."}, {"response": 1388, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 2004 (11:18)", "body": "Mari and Karen, I love all of them. Even the ones with the strange facial expressions! - And those curls!"}, {"response": 1389, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 2004 (11:38)", "body": "An article (\"I like Vermeer\")with quotes from the press conference here: http://www.cinematografo.it/it/1205268.html Nothing really new from what I've translated, except Webber saying he was influenced by Jacques Rivette's film La Belle Noiseuse (not getting caught up in the cliches of making a movie about an artist) and then Colin adds: 'E' be the much most instructive one than whichever lesson of pittura\" adds Firth. In order to prepare itself for the part, the actor has not followed no course, but he has studied to along the works of Vermeer. \"a lot fascinated Me to hold in hand the paint-brush, to play with the colors, but what to more it pressed me it was to succeed to pick the particular relationship that Vermeer had with the light, the way in which succeeded to capture it and to transfer it on the burlap. I wanted that through me the public learned to know this personage still wrapped in one driven in aura of mistero.\" There's also a photo gallery of a some TEOR location pics at that site; nothing new either."}, {"response": 1390, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 2004 (12:06)", "body": "[If anyone would like to do some translating, please contact me.] Firth: 'Ho cercato la luce di Vermeer' Colin Firth a Roma E\ufffd stato negli abiti shakespeariani di Lord Wessex in \ufffdShakespeare in love\ufffd, in quelli di inizio secolo per l\ufffd'Ernesto' di Wilde. Ora Colin Firth torna nei panni del grande maestro fiammingo Johannes Vermeer ne La ragazza con l\ufffdorecchino di perla da domani nei cinema. Tratto dal bestseller di Tracy Chevalier (oltre due milioni di copie nel mondo), il film di Peter Webber, montatore e regista di documentari, racconta la storia del mistero che sta dietro ad uno dei capolavori della pittura fiamminga, \ufffdLa ragazza con l\ufffdorecchino di perla. L\ufffdautrice e la sceneggiatrice (l\ufffdadattamento per il cinema \ufffd di Olivia Hetreed) immaginano una storia di passione platonica e artistica tra Vermeer e la sua domestica, Griet, che diventa presto la sua fonte di ispirazione, provocando in casa gelosie e tensioni. Abbiamo incontrato Colin Firth-Johannes Vermeer. L\ufffdintervista Come si \ufffd preparato al ruolo del pittore Vermeer? Prepararmi per il ruolo di Vermeer \ufffd stato un esercizio interessante, perch\ufffd l\ufffdaspetto pi\ufffd significativo di questo personaggio per me era il mistero che lo avvolgeva. Volevo arrivare al cuore del mistero, anche se avevo il dubbio che, se lo avessi colto fino in fondo, il suo fascino sarebbe diminuito. Ha dipinto dei quadri eccezionali che ovviamente io non sarei mai stato in grado di realizzare, ma ci\ufffd che mi ha divertito di pi\ufffd \ufffd stato lavorare con i materiali. E\ufffd stato come recarsi in un mercato di spezie o entrare nel negozio di un gioielliere, colori e sostanze straordinarie che non occorre essere un maestro per apprezzare. Che rapporto ha con la pittura, ha preso lezioni di disegno? Non credo che fosse importante apprendere la tecnica di Vermeer, innanzitutto perch\ufffd non ne sarei stato capace, ma anche perch\ufffd non credo che fosse il mio compito. Per me era pi\ufffd importante comunicare il suo modo di vedere, il suo modo di cogliere la luce e come la catturava nei suoi quadri, Vermeer non schizzava le sue figure, ma disegnava direttamente sulla tela. Nonostante questo, si \ufffd mai sentito pittore durante la lavorazione del film? Assolutamente no. Come attore sono abituato a calarmi nei panni di un personaggio e in questo caso ho cercato veramente di entrare nel mondo del pittore. Questo per\ufffd \ufffd avvenuto nel suo modo di vedere la realt\ufffd pi\ufffd che nel suo modo di tenere in mano il pennello. Non so dipingere come Vermeer, non sono capace neppure a dipingere come uno studente di una scuola d\ufffdarte, c\ufffd\ufffd poco da fare. Quello che potevo fare \ufffd stato avvicinarmi al suo mondo, dopo mesi in cui ero ossessionato da Vermeer ho avuto l\ufffdesperienza di entrare nel suo atelier, ricostruito dalla scenografa e cos\ufffd vedere quella stanza, la luce che entra da sinistra come nella maggior parte dei suoi quadri, e vedere Scarlett che si muove e si comporta come avrebbe fatto Griet, tutto questo \ufffd stato per me un\ufffdimportante fonte di ispirazione. Vedete, in fondo interpretare un bravo pittore o un pessimo artista in realt\ufffd per un attore non cambia, certo che se ti devi calare nei panni di un artista che ami le cose sono pi\ufffd facili. Ha appena finito di girare il seguito de \ufffdIl diario di Bridget Jones\ufffd: nel libro, la protagonista incontra a Roma proprio lei, Colin Firth. Come avete risolto questo problema? Il sequel \ufffd un adattamento molto libero dal romanzo, abbiamo fatto un po\ufffd come volevamo. Per quella scena in cui io avrei dovuto interpretare me stesso, abbiamo risolto il problema eliminando del tutto la scena Chiara Ugolini 19-02-2004 http://www.kataweb.it/cinema/detail_articolo.jsp?idContent=267519 LIT version: Firth: ' I have tried the light of Vermeer' Colin Firth to Rome E\ufffd state in the shakespeariani dresses of Lord Wessex in \ufffdShakespeare in love\ufffd, in those of beginning century for l\ufffd' Ernesto' di Wilde. Hour Colin Firth returns in the cloth of great master fiammingo Johannes Vermeer from there the girl with l\ufffdorecchino of pearl from tomorrow in the cinemas. Feature from the bestseller of Tracy Chevalier (beyond two million copies in the world), the film of Peter Webber, documentary assembler and director, tells the history of the mystery that is behind to one of the capolavori of the painting fiamminga, \ufffdLa girl with l\ufffdorecchino of pearl. L\ufffdautrice and the sceneggiatrice (l\ufffdadattamento for the cinema is of Olivia Hetreed) imagines a history of platonic and artistic passion between Vermeer and its domestic servant, Griet, that it soon becomes its source of inspiration, provoking in house jealousies and tensions. We have met Colin Firth-Johannes Vermeer. L\ufffdintervista How it has been prepared for the role of Vermeer painter? To prepare me for the role of Vermeer has been an interesting exercise, because l\ufffdaspetto more meaningful than this personage for me it was the mystery that wrapped it. I wanted to arrive to the heart of the mystery, even if had the doubt that, if you had picked it until in bottom, its fascinatio"}, {"response": 1391, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 2004 (12:11)", "body": "If this doesn't work, click the article link above to see picture from the press conference. Not as good as the others."}, {"response": 1392, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 2004 (12:51)", "body": "I'm with all you curlfriends;-) I love the longer length he's sporting lately! Trauma will be screened at the American Film Market in Santa Monica on February 27 and 29. I know this is primarily for potential distributors, but some films allow the public in. If anyone in the L.A. area is interested in giving it a shot, here are the screening details and links for more info: http://www.afma.com/afm/att_sche_title.asp?StartName=S"}, {"response": 1393, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 2004 (13:03)", "body": "Thanks for the pics!! LOVE the hair, the longer length, as well!! Little piece on the left trying to break out. Love the longer sideburnsthe . He's got the Paris Hilton head tilt pose down, too. ;-) Fingers and toes crossed for Trauma. They should hire the Droolers who've seen it to go out (and down) there to talk it up. ;-)"}, {"response": 1394, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 2004 (13:04)", "body": "Thanks Karen for the translation. I can just hear him do that Italian. Mari good news, I hope, about Trauma screening. Wish I could do more with the details than just wish I could be there. The stills on that site link posted by Karen are really sharp and beautiful."}, {"response": 1395, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 2004 (13:36)", "body": "Got another one! Intervista a Peter Webber e Colin Firth Presentato oggi a Roma La ragazza con l'orecchino di perla, atteso film sul maestro olandese del 1600, Johannes Vermeer. Il film, candidato a tre premi Oscar per la scenografia, la fotografia ed i costumi, \ufffd il fedele adattamento cinematografico dell\ufffdomonimo libro di successo di Tracy Chevalier. La storia si ispira al bellissimo, omonimo quadro del pittore fiammingo Johannes Vermeer, sulla cui opera aleggia cos\ufffd tanto mistero che la scrittrice ne ha fornito una personale e fantasiosa ricreazione. E\ufffd proprio il mistero della creazione e dell\ufffdispirazione, pi\ufffd che l\ufffdusuale biografia artistica, il motivo principale della pellicola diretta dall\ufffdesordiente Peter Webber ed interpretata da Colin Firth (nei panni del maestro olandese) e dalla stupenda Scarlett Johansson, giovane domestica e musa del pittore. La possibilit\ufffd di conoscere ulteriori dettagli sulla pellicola, ci \ufffd stata fornita dall\ufffdincontro con il regista esordiente Webber e con l\ufffdinterprete principale. Mr. Webber ha incontrato difficolt\ufffd particolari nell\ufffdadattare un libro molto incentrato sugli stati d\ufffdanimo e nella scelta degli attori? Ogni progetto inizialmente pu\ufffd spaventarti e crearti quella tipica sensazione da salto nel buio. Fortunatamente per\ufffd, l\ufffdaspetto fortemente visivo del romanzo, mi ha permesso di lavorare senza particolari difficolt\ufffd. Si tratta di una scrittura molto cinematografica che mi ha favorito anche nell\ufffdobiettivo di rimanere fedele allo spirito del libro. Per quanto riguarda il casting, \ufffd stato fatto scegliendo gli interpreti in modo individuale, sperando poi di riuscire a creare sul set l\ufffdalchimia necessaria. Il film penso sia la testimonianza pi\ufffd chiara della riuscita del tutto. Mr. Firth, che preparazione ha dovuto seguire per interpretare un ruolo cos\ufffd impegnativo? Sono partito dalla consapevolezza che la cosa pi\ufffd importante del personaggio fosse il mistero, quindi ho usato il metodo pi\ufffd usuale per un attore e cio\ufffd l\ufffdimmedesimazione. Per fare questo ho creduto necessario addentrarmi all\ufffdinterno della sua ammaliante pittura per svelarne i misteri e il suo approccio nei confronti della luce. La cosa pi\ufffd importante, secondo me, era comunicare al pubblico come il maestro vedeva la luce ed i suoi soggetti invece di puntare all\ufffdaspetto tecnico del dipingere. Per fare questo sono stato facilitato di molto dall\ufffdeccellente lavoro effettuato dal regista, dallo scenografo e dal direttore della fotografia che hanno costruito un mondo nel quale potevo sentirmi realmente Vermeer, imitarne il linguaggio corporeo. Qual \ufffd il suo rapporto con la pittura? Si \ufffd sentito pi\ufffd pittore o pi\ufffd attore? Amo la pittura, anche se non so assolutamente dipingere. Ho fatto pure una scuola per pittori, ma i miei dipinti sono molto vicini a quelli di un bambino. Decisamente quindi sono pi\ufffd attore che pittore, anche se la mia specifica passione per Vermeer mi ha di certo aiutato. Mr. Webber, la cosa che colpisce pi\ufffd di questo film \ufffd la bellezza della fotografia, come avete adoperato la luce per costruire il mondo di Vermeer? In questi casi, la cosa pi\ufffd difficile \ufffd comprendere cosa si vuole visivamente ottenere. Parlando con il direttore della fotografia, abbiamo capito che la cosa pi\ufffd importante era osservare e abbiamo visto libri e libri di storia dell\ufffdarte. Edoardo \ufffd un mago. Con pochi elementi \ufffd riuscito a fornirci la luce adeguata, mantenendo anche una gran libert\ufffd di movimento per gli attori. A questo proposito, l\ufffdatmosfera eterea e rarefatta del film, quasi irreale non ha portato ad apprezzare pi\ufffd l\ufffdaspetto formale del film piuttosto che la recitazione, seppur ottima. Pu\ufffd essere una chiave di lettura, per analizzare le nomination all\ufffdOscar del film, tutte e tre di tipo tecnico? Premesso che sono entusiasta dai premi e le nomination che il film sta ricevendo, \ufffd probabile che la recitazione pacata e sottile dei protagonisti li penalizzi per premiazioni dove si predilege una recitazione enfatica e sopra le righe. Io comunque sono soddisfattissimo della recitazione. Volevo assolutamente che gli interpreti non mettessero al centro il loro ego, ma che entrassero a stretto contatto con il mondo rappresentato mediante un approccio minimalista. Per riuscire nell\ufffdintento, ho elencato una lista di gesti visivamente da evitare, in modo da non cadere nel classico approccio epico-tragico sulla vita di un artista. E\ufffd indubbio, per\ufffd, che nel far questo, mi ha facilitato la scelta di un pittore con una vita molto poco conosciuta; tutto questo sarebbe stato impossibile se avessi fatto un film su Van Gogh, Bacon o Picasso. Autore: Adriano Aiello - Data: 19-02-04 http://cinema.castlerock.it/article.php/id=494 LIT version: Introduced today to Rome the girl with orecchino of pearl, attended the film on the Dutch master of 1600, Johannes Vermeer. The film, candidate to three prizes Oscar for the scenografia, the photography and the customs, is the faithful cinematographic adaptation of omonimo the book of succeeding of Tra"}, {"response": 1396, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 2004 (13:57)", "body": "This is the FQ mag interview. Disappointing; entire thing is cut and paste from old articles. Dad Actually Feb 19 2004 Joan Folland, The Western Mail Wales He's one of the biggest acting stars in Britain, and now making a splash in Hollywood. But, as The Western Mail continues its Children's Week, Joan Folland discovered Colin Firth's first priority is his family MAYBE it's his aristocratic air or even his piercing steely glare but, for some reason, Colin Firth has gained a reputation as an actor who plays hardened bachelors, virtually unattached and most assuredly childless guys. First there was Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, then Jack in The Importance of Being Earnest, not to mention football-mad and emotionally stunted Paul in Fever Pitch. Later this year, Firth will further confirm this reputation when he reprises his role of aloof singleton Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. What makes this typecasting quite so ironic is that, unlike so many Hollywood stars, Firth puts family first. From the moment he fell in love with his leading lady, Meg Tilly, on the set of Valmont at the end of the 1980s, Colin Firth has embraced his relationships with passionate fervour. After swiftly marrying, they moved to the wilderness of British Columbia where they had a son, Will. There, they spent five years together, living practically as recluses in a region where the woods were so thick there was very little light and at times it snowed so hard they couldn't even go out for a walk. Eventually the seclusion grew too much for Firth and they spilt up, but nevertheless remained on good terms, \"because everyone has been patient and mature about it,\" he says. Will has effectively shaped Firth's career ever since. Thanks to the rhythms of the American school year, and the need to spend three months of the year with Will near Los Angeles, Firth doesn't do much theatre. When he has Will in the summer holidays, they go to Umbria, ruling out those British films shot on location at the height of July and August. \"My son is triple national,\" he says proudly. \"My son is born Canadian, took American citizenship quite recently, but he's also English. \"Because of the complications of my life, any free time goes to him. I fly to see him (in California) whenever I have a moment. That's the only place where I really hang out.\" But in 1995, Firth met Livia Guiggioli, a former production coordinator and now a documentary producer whom he met on the set of TV mini-series Nostramo in Colombia. Nick Hornby, a friend of Firth's since Fever Pitch, describes her as a joke-perfect, \"PhD, beautiful in that sultry Italian way, funny and vivacious\". She is also, he says, \"very good for Firth, because she's absolutely not in any thrall to him\". She \"affects to be completely mystified\" by the cult of Mr Darcy that captivated so many female viewers following his sultry, sodden shirt-wearing performance in Pride and Prejudice. They married in 1997 and had a son, Luca, who is now two years old. The birth of Luca, Firth says, has changed the nature of his relationship with his wife. \"I don't want to get too specific with my actual relationship, but I think that it deepens things. I almost can't remember what it was like before.\" Becoming a father has, Firth admits, completely changed him. \"It surprised me enormously because I associated it with tedium, old age, comfort and death. And it couldn't be less like that. It was both times an invigorating, frightening upheaval. It's the most unpredictably wild thing that ever happened to me. I didn't think babies were about that.\" In a typical self-effacing way, and perhaps with a hint of Firth's very dry sense of humour, he adds that becoming a father has forced him to tackle his own petulance. \"The whole business of becoming a dad put me up against my limitations the way I never thought possible; gave me a different picture of the person I thought I was. There was much more in me that I liked and didn't like. \"You can't just do what you want. You can't call your agent when they make a fuss and make life inconvenient for you. It's all on their terms and their schedule and you can't sleep when you want and you can't be impatient when you want to be.\" As a rule, Firth and the mothers of his two children have decided his sons won't be allowed to watch their father's work in their younger years. \"We decided not to do that. When he (Will) was very young I didn't want it to be confusing, to see me in strange situations, and to have to explain the difference between reality and fiction. It's not everybody that sees his or her father on a screen, or on the television. And I wanted him to feel relatively normal. \"Of course he has seen things now. He's been on an aeroplane when they have shown something. You can't control that situation. It is a bit freaky. I wasn't there at the time. He was about three and stood up and shouted, 'That's my daddy!'.\" Marrying an Italian has also given the actor's life an unexpe"}, {"response": 1397, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 2004 (14:10)", "body": "Thanks, Mari. I can't believe they'd do a cut-and-paste job on a cover story...but it is soooooo familiar. Even has that old chestnut about the \"button shop.\" ;-) As a rule, Firth and the mothers of his two children have decided his sons won't be allowed to watch their father's work in their younger years. So when are L&M gonna watch McPhoey? When they're 15 or 16? Yeah, right. Out the window with the argument of \"making a film his children can watch.\" Wanna try again? LOL! Firth remains a self-confessed member of the \"work just pays the bills\" club. Exactly the kind of actor that's invited onto Inside the Actors Studio or Charlie Rose. *snort*"}, {"response": 1398, "author": "Gails", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 2004 (15:03)", "body": "Thanks for all the great pictures. Especially liked that last one at the press conference. Just love the hair and that flirty expression."}, {"response": 1399, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 2004 (16:15)", "body": "Firth and the mothers of his two children I think they forgot somebody. ;-)"}, {"response": 1400, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 2004 (17:07)", "body": "\"Trauma will be screened at the American Film Market in Santa Monica on February 27 and 29\" Time for your candles, Bee Dee. This is a \"last -chance- dance\". Thanks to all for the lovely pics. That Dad's Mag interview is wierd. Bet they pinched the stuff from firth.com But they forgot to add the \"great Shakespearean actor\" bit;-)"}, {"response": 1401, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 2004 (17:07)", "body": "Oh MY! Thanks so much Karen and Mari!! Wot a way to make the day a bit brighter! My favs: and this one: He looks quite sly....and loving his \"Roman Holiday Hair\"....bit mussy and long.....v. v. nice indeed! Thanks again!"}, {"response": 1402, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 2004 (17:09)", "body": "Thanks to all for the fun articles and pictures today! I adore the curls!! I found this while pulling my new Allure out of the mailbox and divesting it of postcards. Unfortunately, Colin doesn't get a picture along with the mention. The GQ reference makes me wonder if Colin's quote is from 2001. Allure March 2004 - Private Eye Who do you ask for style advice? By Jeffrey Slonim It isn't east being a celebrity. Everyone will tell you you're fabulous, but who, really , will let you know that your butt looks big in those Blue Cult jeans? We asked celebrities at the GQ Men of the Year Awards, the Fashion Group's Night of Stars, and a Christopher Reeve Foundation fund-raiser who they trust for the unvarnished truth. Honesty is hard to find. Star Jones consults her housekeeper: \"She'll say , 'Miss Jones, that's too tight' or 'Miss Jones, that's too big.'\" Heidi Klum asks her publicist, who \"gives me a rating from one to ten. Rarely do I get a ten.\" Colin Firth relies on \"the good old bathroom mirror. My wife's losing interest in all that stuff.\" A slightly paranoid Stephan Jenkins of Third Eye Blind apparently has faith in no one: \"I always look like hell. If anyone said I looked OK, I'd know they were lying.\""}, {"response": 1403, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 2004 (17:35)", "body": "More pics up: http://www.firth.com/gwape_romepc1.html"}, {"response": 1404, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 2004 (17:41)", "body": "Firth and the mothers of his two children (Dorine) I think they forgot somebody. ;-) I think their sources were that old."}, {"response": 1405, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 2004 (17:48)", "body": "Thanks Karen and Mari for the pictures. Love them all; the longish hair, the hint of a smile, ..... Poor boy does look desperately in need of a holiday though. He's been working far to hard lately ;-) Colin Firth relies on \"the good old bathroom mirror. Now I get it. He can't see his shoes/socks in the mirror."}, {"response": 1406, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 2004 (18:16)", "body": "Karen, These pic are just wonderful; he looks amazing - can't decide which to use as my desktop! One little niggly thing, though. Does anyone else think he should bleach his teeth? - bit of shade variation there, I think!(ducking)"}, {"response": 1407, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 2004 (19:39)", "body": "(Janet) One little niggly thing, though. Does anyone else think he should bleach his teeth? Must be the camera lens/angle. In person, Janet, his teeth are pearly white ....and a dazzling smile. Witness Protection Program pic;-) Where do you find these, super sleuth;-) On the *very* day....."}, {"response": 1408, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 2004 (20:09)", "body": "Just sat down for a quick check in before I collapse for the day and oh, to my surprise, a lovely batch of new pics. A perfect remedy for these aching bones after a long day. Thank you, Karen and Mari. Sweet dreams certainly lay ahead for me this evening. Loved all of them, especially those with the wonderful coy smirk. And the hair...what new products can we attribute these bountiful curly locks to? Just dying to run my fingers through that mane..."}, {"response": 1409, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 2004 (20:29)", "body": "(Janet) One little niggly thing, though. Does anyone else think he should bleach his teeth? I've thought the same thing for a while. Matter of fact, sent a couple of recent pics (within the last 6 mos) of his to a dental hygienist friend of mine trying to start a tooth whitening business, asking if she was looking for referrals. ;-D Have to say, didn't notice his teeth at the premiere when he was by us. Just the eyes. ;-P"}, {"response": 1410, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 2004 (22:00)", "body": "Thanks Mari and Karen for the lovely pics from Rome. Love the Mark Darcy curls and sideburns. I prefer the slight hint of a smile to the toothy grin, but they are all gorgeous. My fingers and toes are crossed for the Trauma screening in LA. We need to see this on the big screen!"}, {"response": 1411, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 2004 (22:42)", "body": "(Ev)\"Trauma will be screened at the American Film Market in Santa Monica on February 27 and 29\" Time for your candles, Bee Dee. Got it covered Evelyn! I light them every night by default;-)) Hey! I've been here a year! Have some *Bee* cake on me - and to share with the class of '03 ... and ... And what a year it's been! I've had a great time and had a face to face with ODB and came out to my lovely daughter who wasn't a bit surprised, my DH who was and my girlfriends who are a bit envious actually;-)) Thanks to each and every one of you who have made this a delightful year and to ODB not least of all for connecting me with all of you and I hope to hell I've closed all of these f***ing tags, thanks... Bee"}, {"response": 1412, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (00:56)", "body": "Have added a second page of pics from the press conference and they're clickable. ;-)))))"}, {"response": 1413, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (03:03)", "body": "Thanks, Karen! Is that jacket either brown velvet or corderoy (sp)? :-/ (Beedee) Thanks to each and every one of you who have made this a delightful year Your welcome and back at ya. ;-) Firth remains a self-confessed member of the \"work just pays the bills\" club. (Karen) Exactly the kind of actor that's invited onto Inside the Actors Studio or Charlie Rose. *snort* You're being facetious, right?"}, {"response": 1414, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (08:31)", "body": "(Dodine)Have to say, didn't notice his teeth at the premiere when he was by us. Just the eyes. ;-P You could overlook that smile? I'm a teeth person;-)"}, {"response": 1415, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (08:35)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1416, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (08:55)", "body": "Very funny Kimberly! Thanks. (Evelyn) You could overlook that smile? Looking in those eyes is like getting caught in a tractor beam. ;-D Actually, I am a big \"teeth person\", too. :-)"}, {"response": 1417, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (09:56)", "body": "(Janet) One little niggly thing, though. Does anyone else think he should bleach his teeth? Yes, and I noticed it in another set of pictures not long ago too. (Bee) Thanks to each and every one of you who have made this a delightful year and to ODB not least of all for connecting me with all of you Aw, how nice of you. The feelings are likewise. :) (Dorine) Is that jacket either brown velvet or corderoy (sp)? :-/ Oh lordy! Do you think I've turned into Steven Cojocaru? (A velvet jacket with wheat jeans? The little fashionista!) ;-) When I lighten up the pic, it looks like it may be a deep chocolate brown with a black T (or slate grey as a result of many washings??). Fabric?? Hard to tell for certain. As someone who used to sew (many, many years ago), no-wale corduroy could easily be mistaken for velvet, and seems far more likely for his ensemble."}, {"response": 1418, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (10:17)", "body": "A little blurb about the release of the LA DVD in the UK: Richard Curtis's directorial debut Love Actually is coming to DVD on March 22 though Universal Pictures Video As you'd expect, this is classic rom-com all the way. Set in London during the build-up to Christmas, the film follows the love lives of various individuals including a heartbroken author (Colin Firth), a widowed stepfather (Liam Neeson), an aging rock star (Bill Nighy) and the Prime Minister himself (Hugh Grant) before all their paths cross on a very romantic Christmas Eve. Fans will also be pleaded to hear that the disc will come packed with extras including: - audio commentary with Richard Curtis, Hugh Grant, Bill Nighy and Thomas Sangster - deleted scenes and storylines presented by Richard Curtis - Billy Mack's Christmas Is All Around music video - a music highlights section introduced by Richard Curtis - a 'Storytellers' featurette"}, {"response": 1419, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (10:19)", "body": "Thanks for the pics Karen but I'm sorry, every time I look at this pic (and I've been looking alot)I keep thinking he looks like Chris Cooper! ;-DD"}, {"response": 1420, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (10:19)", "body": "Excellent coverage of yesterday's events, Karen--thanks! Am enjoying the new \"clickables,\" too. all this would have been impossible if you had made a film on Van Gogh, Bacon or Picasso. Hey, they're making a film about Kevin Bacon? I'm so there!;-) ;-) (Karen)Out the window with the argument of \"making a film his children can watch.\" Have printed out his quote and laminated it for future discussions.;-) (Janet) One little niggly thing, though. Does anyone else think he should bleach his teeth? Absolutely. (Bee)And what a year it's been! Yes it has, and I'm so glad you've been a part of it and this group, Bee! Your little bee cake was yummy.;-)"}, {"response": 1421, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (10:23)", "body": "From a Teletext interview with Thomas Sangster: And the boy star's rise shows no sign of slowing. \"I'm starting a film in April. It's Nanny McPhee. I don't know much about it. It has Colin Firth and Emma Thompson in it. I'm Colin Firth's son and he has seven children. It's a family feel-good film,\" he says. http://www.teletext.co.uk/TVPlus/generic.asp?slot=325&page=1&ref=1"}, {"response": 1422, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (10:45)", "body": "Another account from Sundance: Sundance Terrors Reviews by SARAH WALKER Sarah sez\ufffd This year\ufffds Sundance Film Festival featured a handful of remarkably similar films in the horror/thriller genre, many focusing on similarly reclusive, desperate and delusional men. These Kafkaesque characters live in equally creepy apartment buildings; are haunted by visions and/or characters that may or may not be real; are somehow involved in crimes they cannot remember; and are infatuated with mysterious blondes who live in or near their buildings. The films in question are Marc Evans\ufffd TRAUMA, Jeff Renfroe and Marteinn Thorsson\ufffds ONE POINT 0, and Brad Anderson\ufffds THE MACHINIST, the latter being the most engaging of the lot. That film\ufffds Christian Bale easily takes the prize for best performance, putting Colin Firth\ufffds (TRAUMA) and Jeremy Sisto\ufffds (ONE POINT 0) bedraggled characters to shame with his own form of insanity: a freakish weight loss program. Bale reportedly lost a horrifying 63 pounds for the film, his emaciated body making Adrian Brody\ufffds transformation in THE PIANIST seem positively trite. As is to be expected, Bale pours himself into his role, bringing his body to the brink of starvation as he delves into the tortured soul that is Trevor Reznik\ufffda career machinist at an anonymous factory in an anonymous city. Something has occurred in the past year that has caused Trevor to become a walking skeleton, plagued by hallucinations and paranoia. His colorless life consists of factory work by day and sleeplessness at night, the latter of which he spends either talking to the pretty waitress at the airport cafe or in the arms of a weary but sympathetic prostitute (Jennifer Jason Leigh). As always, Bale is mesmerizing to watch, and his pain and loneliness are magnificent. The sight of him sitting alone in his dismal kitchen, devouring a rotisserie chicken while his body slowly devours itself, is almost unbearable. Trevor\ufffds sunken eyes and ravaged physique belie the corny sense of humor he uses to simultaneously charm and ward off others. Director Anderson (SESSION 9) seamlessly conveys Trevor\ufffds devastated emotional state by creating a nightmarish world devoid of light, hope or any sense of comfort. And if you can avert your eyes from Bale\ufffds concave stomach or protruding spine, you will find yourself both repulsed by and engrossed in Trevor\ufffds existence: the layer of scum and cigarette smoke that coats his world, the smell of bleach that he obsessively scrubs the bathroom with to pass his sleepless hours at home. Scott Kosar (who penned the TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE remake) has written a script that is multilayered and yet thankfully coherent, a blessing in a sea of muddled \ufffdopen to interpretation\ufffd films. TRAUMA, Evans\ufffd follow-up to the acclaimed MY LITTLE EYE, also had its world premiere at Sundance, and expectations were high, as evidenced by the massive and energetic crowds. The film begins in a London hospital as Ben (Firth) emerges from a coma, having survived the car crash that killed his wife Elisa (28 DAYS LATER\ufffds Naomie Harris). Coinciding with the accident, one of the world\ufffds biggest superstars, Lauren Parris, is found beaten to death in a nearby river. As Ben is slowly consumed with grief over Elisa\ufffds death, he becomes increasingly obsessed with the Parris case, to the point where he becomes a suspect himself. Unable to decipher what is real, Ben\ufffds delusions and paranoia intensify as his life spins out of control. Desperate for reprieve, Ben finds temporary salvation in his kindhearted neighbor (Mena Suvari), who is interested in him for God-knows-what reason. In exchange for helping to ease the pain over his wife\ufffds death, Ben tries to assuage her fear of spiders (his unusual interest in bugs is integral to the story, yet how and why are here left \ufffdopen to interpretation\ufffd). Ultimately, the film falls flat. On top of being only marginally interesting, the characters (particularly Firth and Suvari) have zero chemistry. In the end, the story itself seems so muddled in its complexity that it\ufffds difficult to really know (or even care) what it\ufffds all about. ~~~~~ More on other films: http://www.fangoria.com/ghastly_review.php?id=1926"}, {"response": 1423, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (10:53)", "body": "From the Salt Lake Tribune: Dispatches from Sundance (part 12) By Becky Hodges 1/22/2004 9:50:24 AM I ignored the warning from one of my movie buddies and went to see Trauma. Colin Firth plays a painter who is in a coma for a week after an automobile accident. He\ufffds hazy about the accident and believes his wife died. He also has no memory of the weeks, possibly months, before the accident. His personal grief is intruded upon by public grieving for a murdered pop-star, whose death begins to fascinate him. Colin Firth gives a fine performance and the plot is pretty good, but I was bored with director Marc Evans\ufffd attempt to turn a potentially good drama into some sort of suspense thriller. Remove a few noises loud enough to make you jump and change the end of one particular scene, and there\ufffds potential. As it stands, Trauma is a movie with unfulfilled promise. Not bad, but not as good as it could be. http://www.sltrib.com/blogs/sundance.asp"}, {"response": 1424, "author": "birdy", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (11:03)", "body": "(Janet) One little niggly thing, though. Does anyone else think he should bleach his teeth? 'Suppose I stand among the minority on this issue. One of the many things I dislike about \"Hollywood\" is that all the \"stars\" and wannabes have almost \"Ross\" (remember the irridescent teeth episode of Friends?) teeth. Don't get me wrong, I like white teeth, but not unnaturally-white-Julia Roberts-hanger-in-her-mouth teeth - it just screams MOVIESTAR with VENEERS! I guess if that is the current de rigueur , actors are expected to do it. Personally, I hope CF doesn't mess with his toothy grin."}, {"response": 1425, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (11:12)", "body": "\"but I was bored with director Marc Evans? attempt to turn a potentially good drama into some sort of suspense thriller.\" So much for the great director he couldn't wait to work with:-(( Sounds like R.I.P."}, {"response": 1426, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (11:39)", "body": "(Evelyn)In person, Janet, his teeth are pearly white Yes, they were. I didn't take my eyes off his face, teeth, hair---except to check out the rest of him-as long as he was in that tent. (But I have noticed the yellowing in some photos, lately) Lovely, lovely, lovely, boss, and thank you for the great coverage of Colin does Rome, yesterday;-) And might I add, Colin has two v. Italian looking poses, here Congratulations, Bee-will be two years for me in March. Two absolutely fun, wonderful years. Keeping fingers crossed for Trauma-a touched up version, I hope."}, {"response": 1427, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (11:44)", "body": "Sorry, but I forgot this bit. (Dorine)Is that jacket either brown velvet or corderoy (sp)? :-/ Looks a bit too smooth for corduroy. But the shoes are the same from the BAFTA screening, and I know he had a chocolate brown suede jacket on that night with the dark shirt and jeans. I'm thinking same outfit except for the slacks."}, {"response": 1428, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (11:49)", "body": "(Louise)Don't get me wrong, I like white teeth, but not unnaturally-white-Julia Roberts-hanger-in-her-mouth teeth - it just screams MOVIESTAR with VENEERS! I guess if that is the current de rigueur , actors are expected to do it. Personally, I hope CF doesn't mess with his toothy grin. While I do agree that much of the dental work done in the entertainment world is unnecessary, I do think the shade difference between his front teeth (where he's obviously had work done in the past) and his own teeth needs tidying up, IMHO. But he does have a wonderful smile. Not so fond of the toothy grin, though."}, {"response": 1429, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (11:50)", "body": "Karen, as always thanks for the pics & Trauma news : Looking relaxed, dashing . .mmmmm;) Bee - HDA!! (Happy Drool Anniversary!) Love the smile, (toothy or sans . .that slightly embarrased closed mouth grin of his is too cute (he flashed that at me at the Today Show) b/c the dimples always make an appearance) but the eyes usually gets me first though . . ."}, {"response": 1430, "author": "LauraS", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (12:19)", "body": "Lovely pic's - agree with Leslie as would love to run a few fingers through those curls *sigh*.....(I can dream can't I?)"}, {"response": 1431, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (13:30)", "body": "Remove a few noises loud enough to make you jump and change the end of one particular scene, and there\ufffds potential. I may write her to ask to what she's referring. Marc Evans\ufffd attempt to turn a potentially good drama into some sort of suspense thriller. Um, duh!! I believe it has been classed as a *psychological thriller/horror film* in other articles, the Sundance program, and the director...not *just* a drama. Maybe she didn't like it, but maybe she had different expectations. the characters (particularly Firth and Suvari) have zero chemistry. If she's referring to chemistry generally as actors, ok, that may be valid. While I found MS ok for her role as a calm, spiritual person, she's not the most exciting. But if she's referring to chemistry in the context of some sort of romantic ideal, that's not a valid criticism IMO, as they were not, nor intended to be heading in that direction. They had a growing friendship of sorts, that Ben acted on physically to some degree as a way to connect to another human being, not to further a romance in the classic sense. I hope that wasn't considered a spoiler, tried to stay general. Not bad, but not as good as it could be. I think it's better than just \"not bad.\" And frankly, yes, it could have been better in some ways that might have made it great. But, too, The Machinist was more similar to Trauma than reviews would lead. Both were exercises in style (not a criticism...they were different, liked them both) and both had a great deal of ambiguity and mystery that was not resolved until the last 15 mins. I enjoyed both of them and thought both lead actors did great jobs. I\ufffdm not surprised Christian Bale is getting more notice for his 63 lb weight loss....he was freakish. I don\ufffdt think CB was better or worse than Colin. The characters manner of existing and deteriorating were different. Colin\ufffds would be the more demonstrative of the 2, while CB was very restrained and quiet by comparison. That was the nature of their respective characters. And BTW, some of you know me well enough to know I won\ufffdt tout a Colin project or give it unwarranted praise if I don\ufffdt think it\ufffds up to snuff (HS anyone? ;-)). I do think Marc Evans should loop the accents between TF and CF to make them more intelligible, though."}, {"response": 1432, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (13:33)", "body": "(me) The Machinist was more similar to Trauma than reviews would lead. I meant..... The Machinist was more similar to Trauma than reviews would lead you to believe."}, {"response": 1433, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (13:42)", "body": "(Dorine) I may write her to ask to what she's referring. As far as the loud noise she is referring to....I think I know of two. I can take it over to Spoilers...if you wish. The \"end of one particular scene\" bit I'd be curious about too."}, {"response": 1434, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (14:23)", "body": "Just popped by to thank you for all the lovely new pics. Wonderful! Tho' I would just settle for the MD picnic pic anytime ;-)) Thanks."}, {"response": 1435, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (15:23)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1436, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (15:24)", "body": "Oops, closing italics. Scusi."}, {"response": 1437, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (16:22)", "body": "(Me) The Machinist was more similar to Trauma than reviews would lead you to believe. Both were exercises in style (not a criticism...they were different, liked them both) and both had a great deal of ambiguity and mystery that was not resolved until the last 15 mins. I enjoyed both of them and thought both lead actors did great jobs......I don\ufffdt think CB was better or worse than Colin. The characters manner of existing and deteriorating were different. Colin\ufffds would be the more demonstrative of the 2, while CB was very restrained and quiet by comparison. That was the nature of their respective characters. I could write an film critique essay comparing and contrasting the 2 of these. Flashbacks to high school senior year term paper....Compare and contrast the code-heroes in Hemingway's Farewell To Arms, The Sun Also Rises, and For Whom the Bell Tolls. Thank God for Cliff Notes...never read the books, except to pull out reference material. Could never get through his stuff. BOR-ING. Got an A, though. At least I've seen the movies. And yes, Mari, I hear you!....Tress and I have that review to write and post around. I'll start this weekend while I'm away in case someone who goes to that Amer Film Mkt might run across it somewhere and add it to the list of opinions elsewhere. Hopefully Tress will be less medicated. ;-)"}, {"response": 1438, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (18:43)", "body": "Please STOP posting the article from the Australian here. It is NOT Colin Firth news and has been posted at O&E. I've put up some newly found on location pics from Trauma here: http://www.firth.com/trauma_gal2.html I'll have to get Sophie back to work on the pics requiring more advanced dewatermarking skills than I have. Also, with the assistance of Antonella, I've put up translations of two of the Italian articles posted yesterday. There's another to be done. http://www.firth.com/articles/04gwapeitaly_219.html"}, {"response": 1439, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (20:37)", "body": "(Janet) One little niggly thing, though. Does anyone else think he should bleach his teeth? (Louise) Don't get me wrong, I like white teeth, but not unnaturally-white-Julia Roberts-hanger-in-her-mouth teeth - it just screams MOVIESTAR with VENEERS! I guess if that is the current de rigueur , actors are expected to do it. And BriteSmile, one-hour whitening! ;-) That's very big among stars and industry people. At least here it is. Along with spray-on tans. ;-) Thanks for the Italian translations and new pics."}, {"response": 1440, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (20:45)", "body": "I've been trying to catch up to you guys these last few days. Sorry I had to be away for awhile. But what terrific pictures to be greeted by today, both the GWAPE publicity ones and the new Trauma ones. Thanks, Karen. And thanks for the translations, Antonella. I went back and read about the Sundance \"Trauma\" experience had by Dorine, Tress, and Sandi. From what I've read by D,T,&S, this movie has great potential if only it would be relooped and picked up by a distributor. If not, it would be a good one to wait for until the DVD comes out and we could really have a great film discussion about it here! It sort of sounds like Donovan Quick meets Joe Prince (guy with accent that's hard to understand tries to solve mystery about strange wife...;-)). I love the last two \"angry face\" shots in the new group of Trauma pics. Looks like he's misplaced his morning coffee, but when he finds it he'll break into one of his Colin smiles."}, {"response": 1441, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 21, 2004 (12:08)", "body": "Another account from the press conference: http://www.hdcmultimedia.it/_inchiestap.asp?idrec=0000709&codpubbl=0000007 Colin Firth: \"Vi svelo il mistero di Veermer\" Tratto dall\ufffdomonimo bestseller di Tracy Chevalier il film \"La ragazza con l'orecchino di perla\" arriva sugli schermi venerd\ufffd. Con Colin Firth e Scarlett Johansson ROMA \ufffd Il fascino misterioso che emana dal dipinto fiammingo \ufffdLa ragazza con l\ufffdorecchino di perla\ufffd si riversa nell\ufffdomonimo film di Peter Webber, con Colin Firth e Scarlett Johansson, nei cinema da venerd\ufffd. Tratto dall\ufffdomonimo bestseller di Tracy Chevalier che descrive la nascita di uno dei pi\ufffd enigmatici dipinti del maestro fiammingo Johannes Vermeer conservato a L\ufffdAia, il film ripercorre una storia che \ufffd frutto di fantasia ma ben si adatta alle poche notizie pervenuteci sul pittore, la sua famiglia, i suoi problemi finanziari, la sua dipendenza da un mecenate. Nel romanzo si immagina che Vermeer, sposato e padre di una dozzina di figli, fu attratto dalla servetta diciassettenne Griet che ritrasse nel celebre quadro e con la quale stabil\ufffd un\ufffdintesa cos\ufffd profonda da provocare gelosie, pettegolezzi e scompiglio in famiglia. Su questa storia misteriosa e romantica ambientata nel XVII secolo, Webber ha \ufffddipinto\ufffd il suo primo film, esaltando soprattutto luci, colori, atmosfere e l\ufffdossessione amorosa fra i due protagonisti che ispir\ufffd il ritratto della ragazza, e ne segn\ufffd la sconfitta. \ufffdIl romanzo ha un grande impatto visivo che ben si prestava a farne un film, ne ho mantenuto intatto lo spirito \ufffd spiega il regista giunto a Roma con Colin Firth per l\ufffdanteprima -. I protagonisti vedevano il mondo con gli occhi dell\ufffdarte, la difficolt\ufffd \ufffd stata calare in questo magico universo attori che sapessero sviluppare la chimica giusta. E girare gli esterni in Lussemburgo con 15 gradi zotto zero\ufffd. Il film \ufffd candidato a tre Oscar, per fotografia, scenografia e costumi, ma nessuna nomination \ufffd andata agli attori. \ufffdLo meritavano \ufffd dice Webber -, ma il film richiedeva una recitazione pacata, sottile, senza scene di passioni sfrenate che solitamente sono quelle premiate. Chi ha occhi e cervello coglie la loro bravura per questa recitazione minimalista, in cui nessuno prevale sull\ufffdaltro\ufffd. Per il ruolo di Griet ha puntato sulla giovane newyorkese Scarlett Johansson (scoperta dodicenne da Robert Redford nel film \ufffdL\ufffduomo che sussurrava ai cavalli\ufffd e apparsa di recente in \ufffdLost in Translation\ufffd ) per il suo volto, da stella del muto. Vermeer \ufffd ben rappresentato da Colin Firth, inteprete di una quarantina di pellicole fra cui \ufffdIl paziente inglese\ufffd, \ufffdShakespeare in Love\ufffd, \ufffdIl diario di Bridget Jones\ufffd e il sequel che ha appena finito di girare. L\ufffdattore, pur non avendo letto il libro, ha subito accettato di dar vita al pittore, considerando il ruolo una sfida interpretativa: \ufffdNel film non ci sono eventi di grande rilievo \ufffd spiega Colin-, l\ufffdazione \ufffd ridotta al minimo, il dramma \ufffd talmente concentrato che deve essere reso interessante dai personaggi, come le opere di Vermeer\ufffd. Cosa l\ufffdha colpita in particolare? Di lui si sa poco, dipingeva immagini che riflettevano le convenzioni dell\ufffdepoca, dei 35 quadri che conosciamo una ventina furono dipinti nello stesso angolo della stessa stanza. Ma in ognuno di quei dipinti c\ufffd\ufffd una gentilezza morale che mette servi e padroni sullo stesso piano. Rappresentarlo in modo cos\ufffd statico \ufffd stato difficile? Quando il tono di una sceneggiatura \ufffd tanto importante un cambiamento d\ufffdenfasi pu\ufffd trasformare radicalmente la direzione di una scena. Osservando i suoi quadri ai raggi X si vede che cominciava con un\ufffdidea e proseguiva con un\ufffdaltra. Lo stesso pu\ufffd accadere su un set. Si parte convinti di dover dare vita alla parola scritta ma si deve essere pronti a cambiare idea per trovare il tono giusto, e quando accade lo senti in modo palpabile. Come si \ufffd preparato al personaggio? La cosa pi\ufffd importante era coglierne il mistero, arrivarne al cuore, ma senza risolverlo. Trasmettere il piacere che si prova nel maneggiare spezie, gioielli, colori, polveri, pietre, il suo modo di vedere i soggetti e catturarli nei quadri, senza bozzetti preparatori. Si \ufffd sentito anche lei un po\ufffd pittore? Non volevo dare al pubblico una lezione di pittura, ma ricreare il rapporto tra pittore e modella, catturarne la vulnerabilit\ufffd e le emozioni piuttosto che far vedere come si tiene in mano un pennello. Su che aspetto ha puntato in particolare? Ho cercato di cogliere il suo rapporto con la luce e in questo scenografo e direttore della fotografia mi hanno facilitato il compito. Ho studiato pittura ma sono negato, quando ho cercato di rifare quel dipinto il risultato \ufffd stato disastroso, sembrava un disegnino di mio figlio. ~~~~~~~~~~~ Colin Firth: \"I reveal to You the mystery of Veermer \" Feature from omonimo bestseller of Tracy Chevalier the film \"the girl with the orecchino of pearl\" arrives on the screen friday. With Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson ROME - the mysterious fascination that emanates from the painting fiamm"}, {"response": 1442, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 21, 2004 (12:21)", "body": "I bet these literal translations are a lot more interesting than the originals. My fave: \" film \"the man who whispered the horses\" and appeared of recent in \"Lost in Translation\") for its face, from star of the dumb one. \" Thanks."}, {"response": 1443, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 21, 2004 (13:40)", "body": "I know; they are a hoot. More coming... but isn't this lovely?"}, {"response": 1444, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Sat, Feb 21, 2004 (14:07)", "body": "Beautiful. Sigh! Thank you Karen."}, {"response": 1445, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Feb 21, 2004 (14:27)", "body": "Bravo, Karen. I can get LIT in his Italian and those pictures anytime. Thank you!! Love that hair--a cross between MD and I'm on vacation;-)"}, {"response": 1446, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 21, 2004 (14:45)", "body": "Poor guy looks wiped-out. Look at circles under eyes. Still a lovely relaxed pic. Mobetta than the posey professional ones."}, {"response": 1447, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 21, 2004 (15:31)", "body": "You can watch Colin here: http://www.rai.it/news/monitornews/0,9220,3214,00.html"}, {"response": 1448, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Feb 21, 2004 (16:04)", "body": "Karen, Thanks for the link to the Italian video clip. Just how good is his Italian/accent? - Sounds wonderful to me, but what do I know? And sorry to repeat myself, but the latest batch of pics are fantastic. He just looks better and better, even with the slightly tired eyes!"}, {"response": 1449, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Feb 21, 2004 (17:43)", "body": "(Karen) I know; they are a hoot. More coming... but isn't this lovely? Uh-huh....lovely! It's that amazing color scheme again (as in the LA Press Conference for GWAPE). He looks great when he's got that orange-y/brownish background). BTW, thank you v. v. much for the pics and the Italian snippet. I can't understand what he's saying but he can keep saying it! ;-) And thank you Antonella for the translation... (Evelyn) Poor guy looks wiped-out. Look at circles under eyes. Poor baby's been busy....pushing films (not Trauma unfortunately), filming TEOR and then he has two boys under the age of three in the house....he's probably been toilet training.....I don't have any of that goin' on and you should see my eyes right now...LOL! (Evelyn) Still a lovely relaxed pic. Mobetta than the posey professional ones. Yes! Although he looks like he could use a lie down, he has a 'softer' look (like he knows he's on vacation soon!). Relaxed......"}, {"response": 1450, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 21, 2004 (18:12)", "body": "(Tress)Poor baby's been busy....pushing films (not Trauma unfortunately),.. *Unfortunately*,is right. Up to the last minute, I would have bet the family farm he would have been there. Sad."}, {"response": 1451, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Feb 21, 2004 (20:20)", "body": "(Evelyn) Up to the last minute, I would have bet the family farm he would have been there. Terry, we failed as intrepid reporters...we didn't grill ME on the *real* story of why ODB wasn't there! ;-) Expressed our skepticism that they couldn't have scheduled him a few days or a week off. On the flip side, maybe they did, but were running behind and couldn't spare him? Possible, but unlikely I imagine. Oh, well, we were still trying to regain composure from our slightly Bridget moment just before he came over, LOL! ;-)"}, {"response": 1452, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Feb 21, 2004 (20:42)", "body": "(Dorine) Terry, we failed as intrepid reporters...we didn't grill ME on the *real* story of why ODB wasn't there! ;-) LOL...we hadn't planned on seeing ME....had we only known! We would have been better prepared. I think we asked some great questions (without giving our ODB fandom away) considering we had zero prep time! Still, that would have been a really good question....\"Why isn't the beautful one here....I mean....why didn't Colin really attend?\" When ME asked us \"Do you like Colin\"? I nearly snorted and said....\"Is that a trick question?\" (Dorine) Oh, well, we were still trying to regain composure from our slightly Bridget moment just before he came over, LOL! ;-) LOL...I wonder what the producer said when they left us? She witnessed the whole thing go down! She was sitting right across from us while I opted not to get my latte due to Kyle MacLachlan standing in my way....and then we sat there and \"quietly\" discussed Trauma right before Marc walked across the foyer (actually I think we were being rather quiet as we didn't want Christina to hear what we were saying as she hadn't see it yet). The Producer must have seen us, first panicking...\"You talk to him\" \"No! You! Quick!!\" \"Wot do I say?\" \"I dunno!!! Quick!\", then falling all over the place (me tripping over my bag and nearly doing a face plant into the middle of the coffee table/wooden ottoman) and both of us practically leaping over couch to go ask him the first question. She may have outed us after we left?! GAH!"}, {"response": 1453, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Feb 21, 2004 (21:56)", "body": "(Tress) I wonder what the producer said when they left us? She witnessed the whole thing go down! ROTF! OMG, I never really thought about that! Funny thing is, we didn't know who she was while sitting there (though something was naggingly familiar about her...wonder why as I'd wished her luck in the lobby after the premiere on finding a US distributor. Only looked at her for a millisecond, though, while trying to navigate the crowd). then we sat there and \"quietly\" discussed Trauma right before Marc walked across the foyer With our multitude of post-it's and other bits of paper with Trauma notes, we were using to organize our thoughts for posting here, spread all over that table in between us and the produer. Imagine if either of them realized what those notes were. :-O The Producer must have seen us, first panicking...\"You talk to him\" \"No! You! Quick!!\" \"Wot do I say?\" \"I dunno!!! Quick!\", And we're like Jack-in-the-boxes at the same time, up and down out of those chairs, unsure what to do, LOL!! then falling all over the place (me tripping over my bag and nearly doing a face plant into the middle of the coffee table/wooden ottoman) and both of us practically leaping over couch to go ask him the first question. I felt a smidge better when he tripped a little over his bag. ;-D"}, {"response": 1454, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Feb 21, 2004 (22:34)", "body": "(Dorine) I felt a smidge better when he tripped a little over his bag. ;-D LOL...poor guy! Trying to make a graceful exit and he nearly falls back into the couch....still, I don't think he saw our antics.....but I'm betting the producer (wish I could remember her name) saw some, if not all of our Bridgetisms.....I know that Christina was barely containing her laughter....she kept going \"What are you guys so excited about? Who is that??!\""}, {"response": 1455, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 22, 2004 (09:36)", "body": "(Tress)we hadn't planned on seeing ME....had we only known! We would have been better prepared. I think we asked some great questions (without giving our ODB fandom away) considering we had zero prep time! I think your questions were better than his answers! We really appreciated the day by day accounts on O&E, anyway.*kiss, kiss* Doubt he would have told you the *real* reason why The Divine One was MIA. They crank out the same ole , same ole."}, {"response": 1456, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Feb 22, 2004 (10:57)", "body": "(Me) Jack-in-the-boxes Jacks-in-the box? ;-) (Evelyn) Doubt he would have told you the *real* reason why The Divine One was MIA. They crank out the same ole , same ole. Tress and I discussed later we could and should have asked him to have drinks with us later that day, but we couldn't as we had an hour's trip up to Sundance Village to see Trauma again. Ply him with a few drinks and who knows what he might have told us! ;-D"}, {"response": 1457, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Feb 22, 2004 (11:03)", "body": "Karen, Antonella thanks for the translations and pics . . And that interview bit . .*sigh*. . . he just sounds lovely speaking Italian;) Dorine & Tress (our intrepid Sundance girls) . .you two did such a fabulous job with your onsite reporting! . . . on the cuff, top notch job especially with Marc Evans!"}, {"response": 1458, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 22, 2004 (11:11)", "body": "While the Italian journalist who covered the TIOBE press conf and gave me his exclusive stuff couldn't make this one (idiot was up in Genoa), his friend did and I've put up his pics: http://www.firth.com/gwape_romepc2.html"}, {"response": 1459, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Sun, Feb 22, 2004 (11:46)", "body": "Oh, my...What lovely pics! Thanks Boss! You've made my Sunday. Oof, need another cup of coffee {fanning self}."}, {"response": 1460, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Feb 22, 2004 (12:27)", "body": "I love the look on this one as well as the second and last ones especially. Thanks!"}, {"response": 1461, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sun, Feb 22, 2004 (12:38)", "body": "Thanks Karen for the gorgeous new pics and the Italian interviews. He looks more AFG than usual! I know ODB has been known to say that he is as much American as English, but I think Italy feels more like home to him now. He looks a little tired but very relaxed and content. I'm with you, Dorine. The photo you posted is ab-so-lute-ly stunning!"}, {"response": 1462, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Feb 22, 2004 (13:09)", "body": "Thanks again, Karen for this lovely Roman holiday. The building behind him looked very familiar to me, but then they all do;-) I think it's the Vittorio Emanuele II Monument in the Piazza Venezia in that last picture. For a look at the Piazza Venezia...here is the link http://sights.seindal.dk/photo/8639,s258f.html (Hen)He looks more AFG than usual I don't know how he does it. Must be the Italian in him;-)"}, {"response": 1463, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sun, Feb 22, 2004 (13:26)", "body": "Yummy stuff Karen! Grazie! (Hen)I'm with you, Dorine. The photo you posted is ab-so-lute-ly stunning! Wow! AFG indeed!!! ODB sure knows how to work a chair (though maybe the ratty, tatty chairs of recent photos are more comefortable to lounge in)!"}, {"response": 1464, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Feb 22, 2004 (15:02)", "body": "(Linda), For a look at the Piazza Venezia...here is the link Btrava, Linda, it is indeed Piazza Venezia! (Hen)He looks more AFG than usual (Linda),I don't know how he does it. Must be the Italian in him;-) Must be the Italian food. ;-) Figures I would return and totally miss him in Italy! I can tell you that most of the reviews there for GWAPE have been terrible. Great job, Karen! Colin's Italian has definitely improved! (Colin), I have studied painting but they are denied, when I have tried to rifare that painting the result has been disastrous, seemed design of my son. I have studied painting, but I'm not capable, when I tried to copy that painting, the result was disastrous, it looked like one of my son's drawings. [ed note] He tried to copy the painting? Guts or nerve? ;-)"}, {"response": 1465, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Sun, Feb 22, 2004 (18:40)", "body": "(Linda) The building behind him looked very familiar to me, but then they all do;-) I think it's the Vittorio Emanuele II Monument in the Piazza Venezia in that last picture. Thanks Linda! After I recovered from the Colin induced dizzy spell my second glance fell on the building behind that lovely man, and found myself wishing I could see it. Oh, Europe, I'm homesick... Karen, thank you for..., well, everything. The pics are AFG, and listening to Colin speaking Italian was lovely. Mmmm..."}, {"response": 1466, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Feb 22, 2004 (19:10)", "body": "(Karen)and I've put up his pics: (Dorine)I love the look on this one LOL!! Thanks you so much Karen. I was just going to post that picture Dorine! I was working on the tags and there he was already! What a treat... He does know how to turn it on. (Moon)I can tell you that most of the reviews there for GWAPE have been terrible. Welcome back Moon! What's their problem?"}, {"response": 1467, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (07:45)", "body": "(Beedee), What's their problem? Most found it very slow, some things not well explained, not engaging enough."}, {"response": 1468, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (11:40)", "body": "This was brought to my attention from the Guardian's film page, as Quote of the Week\": \"Colin, bless him, doesn't really need to act - a bit of smouldering is enough for most of us, and he smouldered quietly and well.\" The secret of Mr Firth's success laid shockingly bare in this user review of Girl With a Pearl Earring http://film.guardian.co.uk/ The quoted part if from a user review, which you'll find here: http://film.guardian.co.uk/Film/Reader_Review/0,4163,-97324,00.html and the commentary is from the Guardian. Unfortuntely, I too have noted that is a prevalent attitude. :-("}, {"response": 1469, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (11:51)", "body": "LOL. Maybe they'll create a new award category for *smouldering*. With a rant thrown in here 'n there;-)"}, {"response": 1470, "author": "janet2", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (12:25)", "body": "Re The Guardian Film Reviews. Another user review by (Art Miller) finishes \"Shame Colin Firth is so ugly....\" I guess he omitted the ;) at the end."}, {"response": 1471, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (21:31)", "body": "Perhaps this is nothing . . . But was on Netflix and just checked up on the \"Colin Firth\" DVDs I have seen . .and noticed, they already had Trauma listed . .with only a 2004 release. I thought it was a bit odd, b/c Netflix usually doesn't even take recommendations of films to add to their list unless it is already has been listed on Amazon / knowledge is known that the DVD is already released. (I'm still trying to get Lost Empires on the dang list!) Could they know something that we don't?"}, {"response": 1472, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 2004 (09:16)", "body": "(Kimberly) Could they know something that we don't? No. It is highly doubtful. I seem to recall that they listed HS very early on as well."}, {"response": 1473, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 2004 (10:51)", "body": "For Australian Drooleurs from Jasmine: Reading Cinemas ( http://www.readingcinemas.com.au/t_comingsoon.asp ) will begin showing GWAPE on March 4th, a week before its national release on March 11th."}, {"response": 1474, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 2004 (13:27)", "body": "More pics added to Rome press conference galleries: http://www.firth.com/gwape_romepc2.html Look to be same as ones on Wire Image but full frame. Interesting how one on WI cut Peter Webber out entirely. ;-)"}, {"response": 1475, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 2004 (13:47)", "body": "Hi everyone, Wanted to pop in for a brief moment to say that unfortunately one of the projects I had hoped would go to CF is out of reach for now. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly would have been a good opportunity in my opinion. There are a couple more so I am keeping my fingers crossed. While it's fun to see him use his comedic skills I do enjoy him in deeper character driven vehicles most times. Sometimes his talent is wasted. Again, just my opinion! :) After Sunday, my schedule won't be as hectic as I plan to scale back to prepare for the baby's arrival next month. So I can try to pop in a bit more with some further information when I get the chance. Hope all is well! Take care. Huge Lola"}, {"response": 1476, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 2004 (13:47)", "body": "Thank you Karen!!! It doesn't get much better than this:"}, {"response": 1477, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 2004 (17:41)", "body": "(Tress)It doesn't get much better than this Oh I sooooo agree with that;) (*sigh) Hola Lola - Thanks for stopping by! Here's hoping the other two projects you are having your fingers crossed for will come through for ODB! (Note to self* -Find a suitable tatty chair to sacrifice to the movie gods . .perhaps that will help;) Hope next month's new arrival to your family will bring you all sorts of happiness, love and laughter!!!"}, {"response": 1478, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 2004 (17:44)", "body": "I dunno, I kind of like this one: Great work, Karen! Happy to hear all is well, Lola, and that you'll be able to pop in more often. How long is you maternity leave?"}, {"response": 1479, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 2004 (19:08)", "body": "Thank you, Lola and I have my fingers crossed not only for Colin, but for you as well. Best of luck next month. Thanks for stopping by. I guess this is why it's out of reach for Colin. Depp to star in Diving Bell and the Butterfly Staff and agencies Friday February 20, 2004 Johnny Depp is in talks to star in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, based on the bestselling autobiography of Jean-Dominique Bauby, the former Elle France editor who dictated his memoirs by blinking an eye after a stroke left him almost entirely paralysed. Variety says Julian Schnable, who directed Depp in the 2000 drama Before Night Falls, is lined up to direct. http://film.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,12589,1152577,00.html The Principal at my daughter's school used this book as the background for his opening day speech at the start of the school year. The book was quite inspiring."}, {"response": 1480, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 2004 (19:19)", "body": "Sorry, this should have been in my last post, but I got distracted. It's all your fault, boss;-) Moon, your choice is probably my first as well, but I like this one, too. Tress, yours is also lovely. (I actually love the second one with his elbow on the window sill and looking dreamy, but that blasted watermark gets in the way--no offense, boss. Watermarks are necessary;-) (I'd look dreamy, too, if I were in Rome)"}, {"response": 1481, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 2004 (19:52)", "body": "Thanks Hola for the news! Sorry to hear about ODB's miss on TDBATB. He's such an expressive actor with his eyes...he would have been a natural! And with only his left one at that! Get some rest before the wee one comes! And thanks for that pic Linda! I love these...he looks so...so...serene? As well as curly...must be that Roman air (is it humid there this time of year?)."}, {"response": 1482, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 2004 (23:13)", "body": "Lola, thanks for stopping in with the update! Best wishes for an easy delivery and a happy and healthy babe! Kimberly, I have just the chair for the sacrifice;-) Boss, the pix are delicious!!"}, {"response": 1483, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 2004 (09:18)", "body": "(Linda) I actually love the second one with his elbow on the window sill and looking dreamy, but that blasted watermark gets in the way Have no fear, my dewatermarking savants (Sophie and Carol) have come to the rescue and I'll be putting up a clean versions shortly. Good hearing from you, Hola. I too am keeping my fingers crossed for Colin to do roles with more substance. Good luck with the baby and rest up too."}, {"response": 1484, "author": "Gina2e", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 2004 (11:04)", "body": "Thanks to everyone who posts and puts up pictures, you all make my day- every day. There's a scrummy picture of Colin with Scarlett that I've not seen before. For UK droolers its Hello magazine 2/3/04 No805 page86. Reminds me of the bear hug for Ruth Gemmell in F/P just before he thows her on the bed! Sorry I'm in the dark ages here- no scanner- perhaps someone else can oblige so everyone can indulge!"}, {"response": 1485, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 2004 (12:32)", "body": "(Hola Lola) Sometimes his talent is wasted. Again, just my opinion! :) Completely agree, but is that a result of his choices or others? Hola, will you get a chance to see Trauma this week? Or any other time? Hope all is going well with the impending new arrival!! Have fun with all the preparations. :-) Moon, that pic was one of my favorites I posted a few days ago, but Tress, love that one, too!!"}, {"response": 1486, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 2004 (12:34)", "body": "If that is the current Hello, I can go take a look when it gets over here on Friday. Found this comment by EmmaT at The Times from 8 Feb for an article about the movie Imagining Argentina (which tanked here): It\ufffds all worlds away, of course, from the role she\ufffds been seen in since and the next part on her schedule. How do you square a torture victim with the PM\ufffds sister in Love Actually and Nanny McPhee, the governess she will play in her own adaptation of the Nurse Matilda stories of the 1960s? For Thompson, intriguingly, they come from the same source. \ufffdNanny McPhee will have everything I believe in about how people should behave, struggling with what it is to be human,\ufffd she told Variety. \ufffdThat goes for Love Actually as well. I\ufffdm not into doing agitprop. And what appealed to me about Imagining Argentina was its imaginative approach.\ufffd ~~~~~~~~~ struggling with what it is to be human Sense frustrated and ineffectual parent role. :-("}, {"response": 1487, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 2004 (13:35)", "body": "(Hola Lola) Sometimes his talent is wasted. Again, just my opinion! :) Completely agree, but is that a result of his choices or others? Hola, will you get a chance to see Trauma this week? Or any other time? Dorine, in my personal opinion I do believe that it's mostly a result of his choices that lead to others not selecting him. Do you follow what I mean? But his choices are his to make. He reminds me very much of a good and dear actor friend of mine who I love so much. I'll just call him V. V is a very respected and talented actor who like Colin is not a household name and chooses not to be. He is finally getting some well deserved recognition due to being in some smash hits lately but still remains the same unaffected down to earth guy that he is and will always be. He just like Colin is a politically liberal activist kind of guy, is in his mid years :), is a wonderful father and shuns Hollywood. So there you go. Their choices are theirs and they are both happy. But I will never see V play a hapless dad in a comedy. :) Thanks everyone for the good wishes. My husband and I are two very thrilled people right now. We're involved in the Nanny project so I can share some news shortly once the negotiations are finalized. Also, there are two terrific scripts which have been bought by the studio for development that I think would be ideal vehicles for Colin. But time will tell! Take care!"}, {"response": 1488, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 2004 (13:45)", "body": "(Lola)But I will never see V play a hapless dad in a comedy. :) Lola, not that it matters in the scheme of things, but was Nanny McP a true choice or was he persuaded by ET? (Lola)Also, there are two terrific scripts which have been bought by the studio for development that I think would be ideal vehicles for Colin. More candles ordered, and everything that can be crossed is crossed;-) ...thanks again, Lola, for stopping by and it's always nice to hear you speak so highly of Colin."}, {"response": 1489, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 2004 (15:08)", "body": "Latest pics are great, thanks Karen. And a belated thanks to Antonella for the translations. Lola, you're in the home stretch! Best of luck; glad to hear you're winding down. We're involved in the Nanny project Ok, so there's one good thing about it.;-) (Lola)it's mostly a result of his choices that lead to others not selecting him That's how it's always seemed to me. But since he is continuing to make questionable choices, how realistic is it to think he'd be considered for the great projects you allude to? Roles that have gone to Sean Penn, Johnny Depp (who, BTW, seem even less Hollywood than Colin. At least CF does interviews, goes on talk shows, etc.)"}, {"response": 1490, "author": "janet2", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 2004 (15:26)", "body": "(Gina2e)There's a scrummy picture of Colin with Scarlett that I've not seen before. For UK droolers its Hello magazine 2/3/04 No805 page86. Reminds me of the bear hug for Ruth Gemmell in F/P just before he thows her on the bed! It looks like one of the pics from the official GWAPE photocall. They're seated together and he's giving her a big hug - both seem to be having a great time. There's also a pic of Scarlett wearing a low cut, balconette neckline gold dress, not unlike the one worn a few years ago by Joely Richardson. - She looks absolutely stunning."}, {"response": 1491, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 2004 (18:14)", "body": "(Linda) not that it matters in the scheme of things, but was Nanny McP a true choice or was he persuaded by ET? Linda, Linda, Linda! As you said, the reason really doesn't matter; the end result is the same. (Hola) I do believe that it's mostly a result of his choices that lead to others not selecting him. Do you follow what I mean? Oh, absolutely. Now, I'm just going to have to come up with some other names here, as Vince Vaughn and Vivian Vance don't work. ;-)"}, {"response": 1492, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 2004 (18:30)", "body": "(Karen) Now, I'm just going to have to come up with some other names here, as Vince Vaughn and Vivian Vance don't work. ;-) LOL, Karen. Vivian Vance, now there's a blast from the past. My first thought was Viggo. (Hola) I do believe that it's mostly a result of his choices that lead to others not selecting him. Do you follow what I mean? Indeed. What is it they say: you're only as good as your last pic? I'll join the others and wish you and your DH the very best for the upcoming addition to your family."}, {"response": 1493, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 2004 (20:10)", "body": "(Karen)Now, I'm just going to have to come up with some other names here, as Vince Vaughn and Vivian Vance don't work. ;-) Please, I've been wracking my brain and searching actor lists for enlightenment all afternoon;-) (Karen)Linda, Linda, Linda! As you said, the reason really doesn't matter; the end result is the same. I know, I know, I know. Just thought that maybe this one was the result of some arm-twisting so later on during the junket he can say, \"Emma made me do it\";-)"}, {"response": 1494, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 2004 (20:11)", "body": "(Sonia) My first thought was Viggo. That's who immediately came to my mind, as well.. Thanks for the tidbits and good luck with the baby, Lola. It's a great thing!"}, {"response": 1495, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 2004 (20:42)", "body": "(Sonia) My first thought was Viggo. Not my first thought (Val K came first but was quickly discarded) but I betcha we have a winner. His bio refers to his social activism. Has to be and Lola is right, I don't get on at all trying to transpose him into WAGW daddy role."}, {"response": 1496, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 2004 (21:00)", "body": "(Hola Lola)Also, there are two terrific scripts which have been bought by the studio for development that I think would be ideal vehicles for Colin. OK . .have fingers & toes crossed and currently am burning all tatty chairs anyone will toss my way (Eithne, yours is currently on top of the bonfire!) Thanks for stopping by Hola Lola!"}, {"response": 1497, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 2004 (21:47)", "body": "Greetings Hola! Thanks for coming by with all the wonderful news! And thanks for the info on Colin, too! ;-)"}, {"response": 1498, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 2004 (23:39)", "body": "But I will never see V play a hapless dad in a comedy. :) Gotta be Van Johnson; he'd never sell out, especially now that he's dead.;-) Viggo (who *is* a household name the world over, so you kids are barking up the wrong tree) gets the cover of next week's TV Guide, which is their Oscar issue. There's an article on him entitled \"Hollywood's Renaissance Man.\" But hey, here's what we get: there's an article called \"And the winner isn't--Oscars we only wish we could hand out\" and here's one of the categories: Best performance in \"Love Actually\" by a middle-aged male in the role of an employer with designs on an underling (Tie) Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Alan Rickman. And speaking of hapless dads in a comedy, WAGW will start airing on HBO March 27."}, {"response": 1499, "author": "Gina2e", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (02:47)", "body": "Janet. You're right it is a GWAPE photo, silly Gina must view things more carefully in future. Hola best wishes for a safe delivery, you're thrilled now , you're sure to be tired later! Happy to talk babies at any time -it's what I do best, obviously better than keeping up with photocalls!"}, {"response": 1500, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (07:55)", "body": "(Mari), But hey, here's what we get: ROTF!!! Thanks for that laugh, Mari. I thought of Tim Robbins. He's not a household name and his choices have been excellent, true family man and quite the liberal."}, {"response": 1501, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (08:18)", "body": "From Screendaily, reporting on deals at the AFM: Myriad Pictures has closed a seven figure-deal with Rai Cinema in Italy for its psychological thriller Trauma starring Colin Firth. The deal was negotiated by Myriad's senior vice president, international distribution, Samantha Horley with Rai's head of film rights Paola Malanga. The film, which was produced by the UK's Little Bird and its horror label Ministry Of Fear, was directed by Marc Evans and also stars Mena Suvari and Brenda Fricker. Warner Bros has UK rights. (So that makes the UK, some Scandanavian countries and now Italy...)"}, {"response": 1502, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (11:43)", "body": "Great new pics Karen, thanks so much! Difficult to choose a favourite! Think I'm with you Moon on the seated pic. Hola Lola, thanks for stopping by with great news - and the news about ODB wasn't bad either! ;-)) Wishing you both lots of luck and joy, Looking forward to hearing about the new projects."}, {"response": 1503, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (12:00)", "body": "If it's any comfort, Mr. Brown doesn't even show-up in \"Nurse Matilda Goes to Town\";he and the missus are abroad;-) ET will probably write him a bigger part;-)...but that's what we said about TTOTS. And all BBC did was outfit him in a suit that didn't even fit . He had more screen time (and better fit !) in The Secret Garden."}, {"response": 1504, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (12:37)", "body": "(Ev)He had more screen time (and better fit !) in The Secret Garden. LOL! Truly 75 seconds of admirable work! ;-)"}, {"response": 1505, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (13:54)", "body": "You're not going to believe this, but it has been confirmed: http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet/GuidePageServlet/showid-365/epid-304129/"}, {"response": 1506, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (14:10)", "body": "*falling over in shock*"}, {"response": 1507, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (14:11)", "body": "You're not going to believe this,... Well I'll be! I haven't watched *regularly* for years but this is great news!"}, {"response": 1508, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (14:32)", "body": "OMG! Confirmed?! OMG! Okay...am a bit excited by this development... OMG! Really!?"}, {"response": 1509, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (14:36)", "body": "Remember they will announce the host for next week's show this Saturday night."}, {"response": 1510, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (14:39)", "body": "Am envisioning ODB dressed as Darcy with several SNL ladies standing about... Can see him dressed as Vermeer painting...who knows what...(really, who cares! He's on SNL!) New publicist? Agent? How does this happen?"}, {"response": 1511, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (14:49)", "body": "New publicist? Agent? Attitude?;-) Will believe it when I see it; sure they don't mean Colin potty mouth drunk Farrell? Metro Girls, you have your work cut out for you; from the NBC site: Saturday Night Live We are no longer taking ticket requests for the 2003-2004 season. Check back next summer for information about the 2004-2005 ticket lottery. For stand-by tickets: Arrive no later than 7:00am on the morning of the taping under the \"NBC Studios\" marquee on the 50th St. side of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. You may choose a stand-by ticket for either the 8:00pm dress rehearsal or the 11:30pm live show. Only one ticket will be issued per person. Please note that a stand-by ticket does not guarantee admission."}, {"response": 1512, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (14:53)", "body": "Am envisioning ODB dressed as Darcy with several SNL ladies standing about.. Or a look-a-like- Fred Mac Murray -daddy:-))))) Be careful what you hope for... We talked about that several years ago, to show his rom-com potentials;-)"}, {"response": 1513, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (15:05)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1514, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (15:18)", "body": "LOL...Karen! I'm just sad that Mike Myers still isn't with the cast. \"Simon\" and ODB would have been a treat! Picturing them in bathtub together doing 'dwawings'...oh my!"}, {"response": 1515, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (15:22)", "body": "I am in a state of shock! Think I will program a double bill that Sat. night, first the Passion then the passionate. ;-)"}, {"response": 1516, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (15:33)", "body": "Can anyonr explain what this programme is about?"}, {"response": 1517, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (15:33)", "body": "Can anyone explain what this programme is about?"}, {"response": 1518, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (15:35)", "body": "New publicist? Agent? How does this happen? I'm betting someone flipped through Vanity Fair and Colin was the only one he/she didn't know. ;-)"}, {"response": 1519, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (15:40)", "body": "Can anyone explain what this programme is about? Sketch comedy. This is the show all the really great improv comedians hit it big on: John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd, Chevy Chase, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy... The list is endless. They were all SNL--and most were from Second City originally (I had to throw in a plug)"}, {"response": 1520, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (15:41)", "body": "(Allison) Can anyone explain what this programme is about? Saturday Night Live it a sketch comedy show. Very long running in the states (since the mid 70s?). Has helped many comic careers (Eddie Murphy, Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, Dan Akyroyd, Mike Myers were all former SNL cast members). It is crazy that Colin is doing this...probably the last thing I would ever imagine him doing. But I'm a bit excited about it (as you can tell). Would think it may be out of his comfort zone, but I guess I was wrong!"}, {"response": 1521, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (15:45)", "body": "Sketch comedy with a topical bent, very irreverent. If it's true, he's coming at a great time--so much going on here to poke fun at--gay marriages in SF, Bush, Mel Gibson, Bush, Kerry, Bush, the Jacksons, Bush . . .;-) I can picture them putting him in a horrendously overstated Vermeer type wig, with one of the women playing Griet--with lips out to *there*!"}, {"response": 1522, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (15:50)", "body": "(Mari) I can picture them putting him in a horrendously overstated Vermeer type wig, with one of the women playing Griet--with lips out to *there*! LOL...or something out to *there*! I actually had the same thought. Something ridiculous on her head...maybe with various earrings being tried on. Paint and such being spilled everywhere..."}, {"response": 1523, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (16:01)", "body": "(Mari) Will believe it when I see it; sure they don't mean Colin potty mouth drunk Farrell? My thoughts exactly. It certainly didn't sound like his cup of tea to me."}, {"response": 1524, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (16:03)", "body": "LOL, Tress, that's the spirit! Or maybe an American Idol spoof, with Colin as Simon Cowell: \"That was positively dreadful. You belong on a cruise ship.\" And then the contestant goes berserk him. Maybe they can bring in William Hung, the \"She Bangs\" guy! Cowell tore him apart--LOL!"}, {"response": 1525, "author": "janet2", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (16:05)", "body": "SNL does air in the UK, on Sky TV. But I'm sure the last time I watched, it was a show from the 80's. :-((("}, {"response": 1526, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (16:18)", "body": "(Mari) Or maybe an American Idol spoof, with Colin as Simon Cowell: \"That was positively dreadful. You belong on a cruise ship.\" And then the contestant goes berserk him. Maybe they can bring in William Hung, the \"She Bangs\" guy! Cowell tore him apart--LOL! Brilliant! LOL! You should write for SNL Mari! BTW, find it terribly amusing that William Hung is a 'celebrity' now! Maybe he'll be the musical guest? ;-D Or! Better yet! Paris Hilton, she has an album coming out and I know Karen is dying to get it! ;-)"}, {"response": 1527, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (16:44)", "body": "OMG!! Now that I'm back from the cardiac care ward (arrested while reading SNL confirmation). Thank heaven it's happening AFTER I move and have the new cable sorted! Now I know that I MUST be sure to take the VCR with me and not leave it for the DH (who is tending the homefires while I settle in)! Must remember to get a clean tape for this one. Boss, THANK YOU for finding this one!!!"}, {"response": 1528, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (16:58)", "body": "OMG, SNL, this is GREAT news! Just when things seemed to be getting a bit quiet. Might this be a chance at my first ODB 'in the flesh' experience? What time do you think we'd have to get on line for a shot at those 'standby' tix? An absolutely great opportunity for ODB! I think he has great comedic talents and just think of the exposure... Many, many,thanks, Karen"}, {"response": 1529, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (17:10)", "body": "No need to thank me. My mailbox was getting stuffed with emails about this. What do you think about the Lorne Michaels, as film producer (with Mick Jagger) connection?"}, {"response": 1530, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (17:38)", "body": "(Karen)and most were from Second City originally (I had to throw in a plug) And that would be located where?;-)) (Sandy)It certainly didn't sound like his cup of tea to me. Oh, I think that this is just his irreverant cup of tea, milk first;-) He could do an English DeNero...*You bloody f***ing my wife?* He was a pisser on the KK show."}, {"response": 1531, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (17:45)", "body": "Loved all the ideas for the potential SNL sketches. But I've got to think that some how...at some part in the broadcast we're gonna' see him getting soaked and standing around in a wet shirt."}, {"response": 1532, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (18:11)", "body": "Am now pretty certain that there must be some really great Spring sale occurring and Livia needs to be in NYC next week. Am still trying to make sense of SNL business. ODB thought he'd keep busy while the missus swipes the credit cards?! Not complaining...just baffled! Good for him for 'putting it out there' so to speak!"}, {"response": 1533, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (18:15)", "body": "But Tress, Fashion Week has ended, no? Were the two of them here incongnito where all the while we thought him to be in Rome?? Or perhaps some private post-show viewings have been scheduled at the designers' ateliers?"}, {"response": 1534, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (18:33)", "body": "Amazing news! Have to admit though, I'm wondering who *is* this person and what have they done with the real CF? (Leslie) ...at some part in the broadcast we're gonna' see him getting soaked and standing around in a wet shirt. And don't you just know every female in that skit would be pumped up to ridiculous heights? But, like the BJD interview, the significance would be understood by only a few, probably too esoteric."}, {"response": 1535, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (18:46)", "body": "Thank you, Karen, for the exciting, if bizarre, news on what has been just a horrid day! And that's the Saturday I'm going to be in NYC!!! Maybe it hasn't been quite such a poxy day afterall. Plus, my family has finally figured out what's important when they are on vacation. ;-)"}, {"response": 1536, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (19:05)", "body": "(Shoshana) Plus, my family has finally figured out what's important when they are on vacation. ;-) Now there's a poster to ask for!"}, {"response": 1537, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (19:20)", "body": "How exciting that ODB will be hosting SNL. I have to believe that one of the sketches will involve him fighting a HG look-alike. I think they will spoof his rom-coms and GWAPE. I want to see what he does with the opening monologue. Oh, to be in NYC next weekend! Hope we have at least one DD on the scene!"}, {"response": 1538, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (20:25)", "body": "OMG, here I am always late when there is breaking news! I cannot believe this. New publicist? Agent? How does this happen? New something or other. Wow!! this is f---ing fantastic;-) (Bee)He could do an English DeNero...*You bloody f***ing my wife?* All of the suggestions were great, but Bee I love yours;-) Maybe he'll just do an hour of smoldering, repressed looks. Hell, he can just stand there for an hour and do nothing just as long as he looks AFG and I'll be happy."}, {"response": 1539, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (20:38)", "body": "Has it occured to anyone that he might be on his way to the Oscars to celebrate with the GWAPE people, before going to NY? Bet Livia's happy. :-) As much as I would love to relive a Darcy moment, I have a feeling we will get him in a wig only as Vermeer. Still, SNL is incredible news!"}, {"response": 1540, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (21:03)", "body": "SNL!!!! OH MY GOD!!!!! OK Metro Girls - Shosh, you'll be in town . .are we going to try for it? Would love to see them doing a skit where he constantly gets wet or falls in some body of water . . . but GWAPE is in now . .so I'm seeing a Vermeer appearance . .or possibly a BJD skit . .with him playing Huge?;)"}, {"response": 1541, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (22:25)", "body": "Oooh, hot musical guest too! From an NBC site: COLIN FIRTH TO HOST NBC\ufffdS 'SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE' WITH MUSICAL GUEST NORAH JONES ON MARCH 6 Published: February 26, 2004 NEW YORK -- February 26, 2004 -- Acclaimed English actor Colin Firth takes the reins of the March 6 edition of \"Saturday Night Live\" with multiple Grammy winner Norah Jones as musical guest. A classically trained British theater actor and veteran of numerous memorable television and film roles, Colin Firth makes his first appearance on \"SNL.\" Firth charmed audiences in the hit romantic comedies \"Love Actually\" and \"Bridget Jones Diary\" and will soon be seen in the much-anticipated sequel \"The Edge of Reason\" with Renee Zellweger. Firth also is currently starring opposite Scarlett Johansson in the critically praised \"Girl With A Pearl Earring.\" He'll next be seen in the psychological thriller \"Trauma\" which debuted at this year's Sundance Film Festival. Firth first broke out with his role as Mr. Darcy in the BBC television adaptation of \"Pride and Prejudice.\" Firth's other film credits include: \"What A Girl Wants\" with Amanda Bynes, \"The Importance of Being Earnest,\" \"Shakespeare in Love\" and \"The English Patient.\" He was nominated for an Emmy for his work in the HBO film \"Conspiracy.\" Hailed by Time as \"the most natural singer of her generation,\" Norah Jones makes her second SNL appearance, performing from her runaway hit sophomore release \"Feels Like Home.\" Since her first appearance on SNL, the jazz-influenced pianist and vocalist has won a whopping eight Grammy Awards for her acclaimed debut \"Come Away With Me\" as well as the record going eight-times-platinum. While \"Feels Like Home\" which Rolling Stone called in a four-star review \"easygoing and poignant\" recently debuted at Number One on the Billboard chart, selling a million records in its first week (the biggest debut since N*Sync's 2001 \"Celebrity\"), her equally acclaimed debut remains in the Top 20."}, {"response": 1542, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (22:45)", "body": "Here's the link, BTW. Pic is from LA premiere of GWAPE, I believe. http://www.nbcmv.com/entertainment/release_detail.nbc/entertainment-20040226000000-snlwithcolinfirth.html You know, they rehearse the entire week leading up to the show, so anyone hanging around 30 Rock should be in good position for a sighting. Dorine and Kim, shades of the Today Show toy drive with Santa Firth.;-) They generally start running TV promos midweek for the upcoming show."}, {"response": 1543, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (23:05)", "body": "He'll next be seen in the psychological thriller \"Trauma\" which debuted at this year's Sundance Film Festival. Only in the UK, Italy and some Scandanavian countries! ;-( Maybe SNL appearance will help! Hope so.... Thanks Mari! This makes it seem so 'official'! And with Norah Jones!! Must run out and get VHS tapes (Plural...must have back ups and.....call brother to set TiVo....and.....) Kimberly...you must try to go! Someone has to rep! And the more the merrier (hint, hint....all those other metrogals!) ;-)"}, {"response": 1544, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (00:24)", "body": "(Tress) It is crazy that Colin is doing this...probably the last thing I would ever imagine him doing. But I'm a bit excited about it (as you can tell). Would think it may be out of his comfort zone, but I guess I was wrong! I share your sentiments Tress, except I feel a lot more nervous than excited. I can't really explain it, it's just that....this could go very well, or very badly. I'm not making much sense, am I? Sorry about that, I'm just feeling a weeeee bit uneasy."}, {"response": 1545, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (07:01)", "body": "(Ildi) I'm just feeling a weeeee bit uneasy. I know what you mean. The man most frequently described as smouldering and repressed will have to play against type to be entertaining. But rehearsal time to get comfort level up should help. And when he's been with someone who knows what they're doing (Jon Stewart, Rupe in Cast Party interview) he comes out more. I hope it is fun for him."}, {"response": 1546, "author": "meg", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (07:25)", "body": "I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels a bit nervous about this... Very excited mind you, but yes, uneasy. I've been watching the show since the 70's when it first started, and have to say it's really just not as good as it used to be. (Stating the obvious here.) I'd hate to have him in lame skits in his first mainstream high profile American bit. That said, my guess is (agreeing with others who've said this already) a HG fight scene and a wig scene. I do think it would be funny, although not everyone would get it, if they doused him with water everytime he appeared. The ladies could just show up, even if out of context, and throw a bucket of water at him. Well, I'd laugh. And I do think he's up to slapstick. So much wish I could be in NY that weekend to hang around the stage door. Anyone going to try some gate crashing?"}, {"response": 1547, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (07:36)", "body": "Thanks, Mari! A vg double bill! At this point I'm thinking about what could be next. This is a huge step for him. Can we find out what the viewership is that for that night?"}, {"response": 1548, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (08:03)", "body": "Thanks, Mari. NJ as the musical guest as well. Excellent! Meg, Tress, Ildi, Barb, (and me, a wee bit, too) Nervous is good, though. All I can say-- break a leg, Colin! (Moon)Has it occured to anyone that he might be on his way to the Oscars to celebrate with the GWAPE people I was thinking LA after NY---lots of schools starting spring break just about then. I don't know about the Oscar celebrations-he opted out of the BAFTA stuff."}, {"response": 1549, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (08:06)", "body": "(NBC)\"He'll next be seen in the psychological thriller \"Trauma\" which debuted at this year's Sundance Film Festival.\" Not a bad plug .(Hey, it beats NMc) Psst....Bee Dee, your candles are slowly getting there:-))) (Moon)This is a huge step for him Bee Dee...throw in an extra candle for the above;-)"}, {"response": 1550, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (08:16)", "body": "(Ildi) I share your sentiments Tress, except I feel a lot more nervous than excited. (Meg) Very excited mind you, but yes, uneasy. I guess there is a bit of trepidation on my part too....but not because I dont' think Colin can do it. I worry more about lame skits. But, hey, it's a right of passage, right? All the Hollywood big wigs have had there turn up there saying those words...\"LIVE...from New York...\"! If I get nervous, I don't want to imagine what ODB is going through right now! Keep thinking about Christopher Walken and the Continental Lover....and the land shark (oh....v. v. old one....showing age)....and..... (Barb) And when he's been with someone who knows what they're doing (Jon Stewart, Rupe in Cast Party interview) he comes out more. I hope it is fun for him. Yes....more than anything, I hope he has fun doing it. Maybe he'll get a taste again for a live audience (am still hoping to someday see him on stage....wishing I could be in NYC, cuz right about now, the SNL stage sounds mighty good!)."}, {"response": 1551, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (08:26)", "body": "And where is Dorine? Has she fallen over from the shock? Or is she busy doing recon on the streets of NY and cultivating NBC contacts? ;-) It's going to be tough to catch the show promos on tape and there are usually two different ones done, unless I keep that channel taping in the background. The one with Megan M and the idol guy, reenacting the wardrobe malfunction, was a good one. A classically trained British theater actor and veteran of numerous memorable television and film roles LOL! The dropout! And you need to have a memory with his CV for those theater roles. ;-) Thanks for the poster, Shoshana. Cute. I can make out the first two words (Yeldah em...) but haven't a clue what the words for pearl earring might be."}, {"response": 1552, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (08:28)", "body": "(Tress)If I get nervous, I don't want to imagine what ODB is going through right now! I know, Colin said he woke in the middle of the night worrying about RC pulling off LA. LOL, he'll be up for a week with this one;-) I think he'll be OK. I want to be in NY, too."}, {"response": 1553, "author": "Gails", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (08:47)", "body": "(Tress)All the Hollywood big wigs have had there turn up there saying those words...\"LIVE...from New York...\"! (/i) I don't know why, but that line is just had for me to imagine him saying. As for skits, I'm thinking along the lines of a Katie Couric type of interview -- all smiley, gushy, and can't keep my hands off your knees -- type."}, {"response": 1554, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (08:48)", "body": "Let's watch those tags! ;-) BTW, Trauma has a distributor in Spain, as well as the UK, Italy, Finland, Sweden and Norway."}, {"response": 1555, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (09:55)", "body": "(Karen) Trauma has a distributor in Spain Oh good! My doppelganger can go see it! I have an evil twin in Spain right now...long story. But it sounds as if it is getting distribution.....slowly......still.....(trying not to whine) I'd like to see it in the US. I'm in slight panic mode as I keep thinking that if it doesn't get a distributor here, I'll never even see it on DVD. And this one needs to be seen!"}, {"response": 1556, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (10:05)", "body": "(Evelyn)Not a bad plug .(Hey, it beats NMc) Psst....Bee Dee, your candles are slowly getting there:-))) (Moon)This is a huge step for him Bee Dee...throw in an extra candle for the above;-) I'm going to the Dollar store to stock up. I have been hoping for this for some time. Not for the show so much, I don't watch that often anymore, but for the acknowledgment factor. And I will be watching the last few minutes on Saturday just to hear them... *say my name*;-)"}, {"response": 1557, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (10:33)", "body": "(Tress)If I get nervous, I don't want to imagine what ODB is going through right now! He's an actor ....this is just another role for him. He's in the \"pretend \" business, remember;-)"}, {"response": 1558, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (10:48)", "body": "Don't be nervous, gang. The show always has been and always will be somewhat uneven. Some skits are brilliant, some are ok, some are awful, and I'd imagine Colin's show will be no different. Besides, when something bombs, no one blames the host. Have you ever thought less of a host when the show has a bad week? No. He/she gets to burst out on stage to cheers, do a monologue, appear in several of the skits, introduduce the musical guest, say goodnight, and then go home. Sure, it's working without a net because it's live TV--there's no chance to do another take--but that's the fun of it. It's great exposure for him, it's a chance to show another side, and it's considered a very cool, hip thing to do which all the big stars have done. A win/win situation, IMO."}, {"response": 1559, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (11:11)", "body": "(Mari)It's great exposure for him, it's a chance to show another side, and it's considered a very cool, hip thing to do which all the big stars have done. A win/win situation, IMO. What she said!..;-))"}, {"response": 1560, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (11:18)", "body": "BeeDee - While you're stocking up on candles can you light a few for the Metro Gals in hopes they can get tickets? If not, I'm sure Dorine can figure out how to sneek us through an air shaft somewhere given her impeccable track record. (Karen)And where is Dorine? Didn't she post a few days ago to let us know she was having trouble with computer access these days?"}, {"response": 1561, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (11:54)", "body": "I was nervous for him the first time he was on The Daily Show, and that turned out wonderfully, but of course that is taped ;-) He could relate a fascinating story about falling on the cobbles outside. Or they could do the \"following in with video-cam\" thing that they do, and we could *watch* him falling on the cobbles. Off to stock the tapes...;-)"}, {"response": 1562, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (11:59)", "body": "(Tress)I keep thinking that if it doesn't get a distributor here, I'll never even see it on DVD Tress, Hakuna Matata!! ...I'm thinking multiregion(just in cases) I almost bought one last summer worrying about HS;-) I'm thinking time to start browsing again--just browsing, because I'm in a half-full mood, today. I feel good vibes. (Karen)And where is Dorine? I've just had a call from her-she is indeed out of commission internet-wise. She does know about SNL-and is in total shock;-) She is only accessible by phone for the time being."}, {"response": 1563, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (13:49)", "body": "(Gail)As for skits, I'm thinking along the lines of a Katie Couric type of interview -- all smiley, gushy, and can't keep my hands off your knees -- type. I'm thinking black leather pants, air guitar ....."}, {"response": 1564, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (13:57)", "body": "Reeling here from all your fall out Ladies, tho' I can't pretend to imagine the show ;-) Anyone know if we have something comparable in UK. Anyway I had a lovely surprise when opening the centre of today's Guardian review, a large pic of ODB! It's a pic of Colin at the LA premiere of GWAPE, arm round SJ and with the actress who played Tanneke. The double page spread tells the story of Joanna Scanlan's (Tanneke) \"rollercoaster ride of castings, premieres and pre- Oscar parties\" Sadly not even a mere mention of Colin! Can't have everything ;-("}, {"response": 1565, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (14:00)", "body": "(Sandy) I'm thinking black leather pants, air guitar I'm thinking... if only I could see it ;-)"}, {"response": 1566, "author": "socadook", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (14:30)", "body": "(Mari) Sure, it's working without a net because it's live TV--there's no chance to do another take--but that's the fun of it. I'm glad he's doing it and hope he has a blast. I have no worries, after all this is the guy who didn't miss a beat when faced with uncooperative plumbing on stage, and who remained gracious with his fan base even after the pink lady incident. Haven't watched the show in years but will set the vcr for this one. (Lizza) Reeling here from all your fall out Ladies, tho' I can't pretend to imagine the show ;-) Anyone know if we have something comparable in UK. I'm not familiar with all UK shows but think Graham Norton when he involves his celebrity guests in some sort of skit. (Gail)As for skits, I'm thinking along the lines of a Katie Couric type of interview -- all smiley, gushy, and can't keep my hands off your knees -- type. Or \ufffd la BJ in EOR the book. (Meredith) Or they could do the \"following in with video-cam\" thing that they do, (Sandy) I'm thinking black leather pants, air guitar ..... Video-cam + blp ="}, {"response": 1567, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (14:42)", "body": "Hi all! Quick check-in while mooching off someone's computer. Haven't read recent posts. Spoke to Linda earlier about the SNL gig. Bee's daughter told me last night and I took it with a grain of salt. Then Linda called and am still skeptical...won't believe it til I see it or a commercial. Can't say this particular choice for him overly thrills me, as I've thought SNL has pretty much sucked for years (sorry for the undiplomatic sentiment ;-)). I've tried periodically to watch it over the past couple of years after someone would tell me it's good, and I turn it on and don't really laugh. Haven't made it past (or frequently to) Weekend Update. That's the only thing I've found consistently funny.... since Tina Fey took it over. I can't imagine why they are having him. Usually the host is on to promote something coming out, or just out, right? GWAPE has been out for a while, and fairly low profile to boot. Who knows? I just find it an odd choice on both parts. That being said, I find it an interesting choice on his part to agree, and am actually impressed. Yet another gutsy choice. I bet he's terrified. Live TV is nervewracking I'm sure, esp trying to do comedy....at least if you're not used to it. Would LOVE to have been a fly on the wall when this came up. Would love to know the genesis of the idea period. Bet you there's a skit about him being mistaken for the other CF. Maybe he'll get a chance to swear up a storm again, pretending to be the other one. ;-)) If anyone needs me to do something, recon, something about tix, etc...you'll have to call me. I think enough of you have my phone number. I don't know when my computer will be up again, and beside tomorrow night (if things work out), I don't know when I'll get to a computer to check email and here. I have an all day seminar in the city on that Sat starting at 9am. If they give out tix to the show on the day...I have no idea how that works for that show.....I can go early if need be, or maybe skip out for a while depending on what time I'd have to be wherever I need to get tix. Does it work like Letterman? Tix are given in advance by writing, then you stand in a rush line the day of to see if there are cancellations or extras? Will try to check in tomorrow night. Maybe I'll have time to catch up on posts. :-D"}, {"response": 1568, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (14:52)", "body": "(Dorine) Can't say this particular choice for him overly thrills me, as I've thought SNL has pretty much sucked for years (sorry for the undiplomatic sentiment ;-)) I haven't watched it in ages either for that reason. Can only name two of the current cast members (and probably only recognize one if he stood in front of me). I'm a bit excited to see ODB try his hand at live telly though. And...the real...the material point...ODB...in NYC...LIVE (sorry for the 'yell', just v. v. excited)...walking around for a week! NYC has all sorts of cubby holes, but there are a few where he could be hiding out. It's safari time again. ;-)"}, {"response": 1569, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (15:09)", "body": "Saturday Night Live We are no longer taking ticket requests for the 2003-2004 season. Check back next summer for information about the 2004-2005 ticket lottery. For stand-by tickets: Arrive no later than 7:00am on the morning of the taping under the \"NBC Studios\" marquee on the 50th St. side of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. You may choose a stand-by ticket for either the 8:00pm dress rehearsal or the 11:30pm live show. Only one ticket will be issued per person. Please note that a stand-by ticket does not guarantee admission. http://www.nbc.com/nbc/footer/Tickets.shtml The following is not from an official SNL or NBC website http://www.nytix.com/TVShows/NewYork/SNL/Tickets/tickets.html The Saturday Night Live ticket lottery which used to be done in the month of August by lottery is cancelled and is not expected to be revived. Tickets must now be obtained for each show by the standby line only. Rumor also has it that Lorne Michaels doesn't like the image of people waiting 36 hours or more in the standby line for SNL , it just doesn't fit with their caring image - so we expect them to replace the standby line with something easier to handle, like the standby lottery line that Rosie used - You could arrive early, but why bother because its a lottery - Watch this space for the latest info."}, {"response": 1570, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (15:14)", "body": "(Sonia) .... but think Graham Norton Thanks Sonia, so could be a camper Colin , in something sparkly then :-)) How long does the show usually last ans about how long would the host be on for? Has there been a precedent for other film stars doing this show from time to time?"}, {"response": 1571, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (15:37)", "body": "Hi Lizza, it's not really anything like Graham Norton (sorry, Sonia;-). Here are some of the people who hosted last season, from NBC's website: \ufffdSNL\ufffds\ufffd impressive lineup of guest hosts last season featured some of the biggest stars of film, television and music including: Matt Damon, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Eric McCormack, Nia Vardalos, Brittany Murphy, Robert DeNiro, Ray Liotta, Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Christopher Walken, Queen Latifah, Salma Hayek, Bernie Mac, Ray Romano, Ashton Kutcher, Adrien Brody and Dan Aykroyd. The show also featured the acting debuts of NASCAR superstar Jeff Gordon and headline-making turns by former Vice President Al Gore and Senator John McCain."}, {"response": 1572, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (15:43)", "body": "Maybe SNL is trying to get the show sold in UK."}, {"response": 1573, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (15:50)", "body": "Sorry, forgot to finish! The show is 90 minutes (including commer-shills;-). I'd say the host is on for roughly one-third to one-half the time. Host does an opening monologue (about 5 minutes or so) and participates in about half the comedy sketches. Lots of topical and political humor. Also, introduces the musical guest, who usually is on twice during the show. Other familiar faces who've hosted in recent times: Renee Z., Gwyneth, Ian McKellan, Alec Baldwin, Halle Berry, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore . . ."}, {"response": 1574, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (17:32)", "body": "Ab-so-f***ing-lute-ly fantastic!!!! Yes, I agree with Evelyn,he's an actor and this is just another role. Whatever he has to do or put himself through to prepare and perform-let it begin!!!!!! The exposure is great even the show isn't as keen as previously. Whatever happens, the cast carries the host (if need be )so he'll be brilliant.... He needs to make a gutsy move like this(out of type)to get noticed by some of those directors and producers we've been longing to have him associate with. He's aleays done very well with Jon Stewart and recently Craig Kilborne...you just ROTFLOL watching those. Hurrah!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 1575, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (17:44)", "body": "WOW! I'm STUNNED. Stunned, I tell you! *lol* Anyway, two things: 1st, there's an article about GWAPE in the SMH online (this is a reprint from the Los Angeles Daily News): http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/02/27/1077676949056.html 2nd, In Australia, Saturday Night Live is broadcast on Sunday mornings at 10 am on \"Arena\" channel (only on cable, but available on both Telstra and Optus)"}, {"response": 1576, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (17:57)", "body": "Oops! Just remembered *we've been longing * from my post two slots above is not allowed.I speak for myself......okay, Boss?"}, {"response": 1577, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (18:59)", "body": "Along with the spoofs on ODB's work, I think it would be great if they had a skit about The Apprentice. (Okay, I admit I've not viewed even one episode )Colin could use his American accent interacting with the Trump character. Let the powers that be see he can do the accent.It might produce more \"jobbing\" opportunities ;)"}, {"response": 1578, "author": "janet2", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (19:14)", "body": "Although I'm delighted that he is hosting SNL, I do have reservations. - He'll either bomb, or come out smelling of roses! Let's hope it's the latter! But why is he choosing to do this at this stage in his career? - God only knows! I do hope he's making the right decision. I know his choices in the past have been a bit dubious.:-( Lighting candles!!"}, {"response": 1579, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (19:34)", "body": "I'm wondering how many times he's already practiced in front of the mirror saying...Live from NY...I can't wait! Surreal as it all seems."}, {"response": 1580, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (22:23)", "body": "Just realized (after checking the neighbour's tv listings, as I don't have cable myself) that Australia is possibly a whole season behind on SNL... does anyone remember when John McCain was on, cuz that's who's listed for next Sunday's show... and it's only an hour long, for some insane reason - wonder how they decide which 30 minutes to cut??"}, {"response": 1581, "author": "NicoleM", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 2004 (00:15)", "body": "John McCain was on the show last season, I believe. Anyway, wow, I've been busy offline, and I finally get back here and read THIS! I think my jaw is still squarely on the floor! I am very excited, though, and think this will be great exposure for CF, and that he'll do a fabulous job. Can't wait to see it! :-)"}, {"response": 1582, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 2004 (06:00)", "body": "Thanks Mari for the low down on the show, lots of big names have been there before then. Puts it perspective. Hope he does a fantastic job and will (Janet) Come out smelling of roses otherwise could be a disaster! I think it's an interesting choice, especially as he has chosen not to appear here on any talk shows etc as he does with you, let alone live TV! Maybe he's woken up and is smelling that fairtrade coffee ;-))"}, {"response": 1583, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 2004 (08:56)", "body": "Since a new public persona is emerging , I don't think it's too far-fetched to think that he might be an Oscar presenter tomorrow night. I mean...SNL? Who wudda thunk.... I'm putting in a tape....\"just in cases\" ;-)"}, {"response": 1584, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 2004 (09:10)", "body": "Think something like Smack the Pony, but live and with a topical bent, though not 100%, with musical guest (2 numbers), and a satiric news broadcast segment. (Janet) But why is he choosing to do this at this stage in his career? - God only knows! Actually, it's more like why are *they* choosing him since he has nothing out or about to come out to plug and he's not in the news for any other reason. It really has nothing to do with a person's stage in his/her career. There is really no downside to his being on, unless he comes off as the \"last British twit\" and only a John Cleese can pull that one off. ;-) I've got it! Colin is going to announce on live TV that he's running against Tony Blair!"}, {"response": 1585, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 2004 (09:12)", "body": "(Evelyn) I don't think it's too far-fetched to think that he might be an Oscar presenter tomorrow night. I do. The names (and I do mean names) have been announced. GGs would've been more likely...especially with GWAPE and LA out."}, {"response": 1586, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 2004 (10:34)", "body": "Re: SNL Lest anyone think Colin will be getting a big paycheck for this, the answer is no. TV shows like this do not pay a great deal of money. They are done strictly for the publicity they generate. Also, don't expect a lot of in-jokes derived from things he's said. The references have to be broad enough for people to get them. I'm betting on a Fabio/Vermeer skit. ;-)"}, {"response": 1587, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 2004 (11:10)", "body": "(Karen) Colin is going to announce on live TV that he's running against Tony Blair.\" ROTFL! Then there would be accusations of \"sexing it up \" flying round the Brit political scene! So is LD trying to do a \"Mrs Heinz\" ? ;-)"}, {"response": 1588, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 2004 (11:10)", "body": "Whoops closing tag"}, {"response": 1589, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 2004 (11:25)", "body": "(Karen),I've got it! Colin is going to announce on live TV that he's running against Tony Blair! ROTF! Maybe he can do a paper chain news skit? ;-) This is just too much fun and I know I will be cringing at something he does that night, but what fun!"}, {"response": 1590, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 2004 (11:32)", "body": "(Lizza) Maybe he's woken up and is smelling that fairtrade coffee ;-)) LOL....he's smellin' something. Maybe too many nappies at home? ;-D Nice chance to get out of the house for a week. Maybe Livia will stay in Rome with the babies instead of shop? (Karen) Actually, it's more like why are *they* choosing him since he has nothing out or about to come out to plug and he's not in the news for any other reason. Maybe somebody thought ODB was \"naturally hilarious\"! It's a mystery of the highest order of how this all came about....I hope someday ODB explains how it happened. Still, I'm thrilled that he'll be on.... This is the first time in months, I think, that ODB hasn't had at least two or three things going at once (premiering a film, interviews for another film, filming a third film)? It may be that this is the 'time' he could arrange to do this.....didn't someone say it takes about a week? That you are in and out of rehearsals and rewrites and such with this?"}, {"response": 1591, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 2004 (11:57)", "body": "(Tress) Maybe somebody thought ODB was \"naturally hilarious\"! Sorry, but no. Not a requirement for host. (See all the political types who have appeared.) A host is a name, who will draw an audience and is game enough to make a fool of himself. Do agree this has to rank as one of the great mysteries in life. Sheesh! Your'e talking about a guy who cannot even get booked on Letterman or Leno in the second guest spot! ;-)"}, {"response": 1592, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 2004 (12:40)", "body": "There is a very good article about SNL, its history, significance, and more, including a list of celeb hosts of UK interest, at the BBC's website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/s/saturdaynightliv_1299003553.shtml Apparently it has been shown on either ITV or BBC at one time or other during the show's nearly 30 yrs on air. Saturday Night Live has enjoyed two outings on British television. Beginning in late 1982, ITV screened 21 editions from 102 hour-length programmes of re-edited and re-packaged highlights produced by NBC for overseas sale and US syndication. Ten years on, BBC2 screened six further editions, edited from their recent broadcast in the USA (28 September to 14 November 1992 inclusively, shown in Britain from 7 November to 12 December 1992). There was also a one-off special, Saturday Night Live Goes Commercial, a compendium of TV advert send-ups by Murphy, Murray, Aykroyd, Belushi, Chase and others, screened by London-area ITV on 28 November 1992. From 17 to 31 January 1996 C4 screened three 60-minute programmes, The Best Of Aykroyd, Belushi And Chase, that compiled (actually in reverse order) the best SNL comedy moments from each of the three comics. Finally, two attempts to capture the same eel as SNL have been made in Britain: Saturday Live (1985-87 and 1996) and Friday Night Live (1988). Is it shown there now? I'd like to add such details, if possible to the news page."}, {"response": 1593, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 2004 (12:53)", "body": "(Karen), Do agree this has to rank as one of the great mysteries in life. Sheesh! Your'e talking about a guy who cannot even get booked on Letterman or Leno in the second guest spot! ;-) Now to Ripley's Believe it or Not: Colin will be on Letterman next Thursday to promote his gig on SNL. ;-) I bet his agent is working on this."}, {"response": 1594, "author": "houstonandy", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 2004 (13:41)", "body": "Well, this will teach me NOT to stay away too long!! WOW WOW WOW!! Does anyone think Katie Couric might have challenged him or the SNL folks to have him? Love everyone's ideas about what he'll do. I watch SNL from time to time and I agree that the caliber of the show is nowhere near what it used to be. Having said that, he's going to be fine, whatever the material. IMHO, this is a great publicity shot. Obviously he's not too \"lofty\" about this exposure."}, {"response": 1595, "author": "LauraS", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 2004 (14:38)", "body": "Speculation: perhaps SNL appearance is a result of ODB's reception (thanks to fellow droolers) at the NY premiere of LA?"}, {"response": 1596, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 2004 (18:53)", "body": "Wonder if Katie will use his presence in NYC as an excuse to have him on the Today Show--right in the neighborhood...He'll be there most of the upcoming week. Although, host may not have to show up bright and early on Monday. As was mentioned, lurking around NBC could yield drool-purtunities."}, {"response": 1597, "author": "katty", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 2004 (22:10)", "body": "I am in complete shock that Colin was invited to host SNL. Despite what us old fogeys may think, the show is hugely popular with the teenage to 34 demographic, most of whom probably never heard of him. Most hosts are very high-profile, big-name stars who have a movie to promote. With no new movies and his low profile, Colin being asked just doesn't make any sense. He'll gain more exposure in the U.S. in this one night than during the whole run of GWAPE. And it sure helps having Norah Jones - the hottest singer of the moment - as the musical guest. Maybe Tina Fey, the Weekend Update host and head writer of the show (the first female head ever) is a big fan. She's that nerdy, brainy, funny type of girl who could've had P&P-viewing parties at her East Coast college. Or maybe the producer's wife is a Firth fanatic. Who knows - maybe Norah Jones is a big fan. What will be most interesting is the closing, when the host thanks everybody and the whole cast appears. That's when you see how popular he was with everybody. I remember fellow Brit Christopher Lee being presented with a big bouquet of roses (never seen that before or since) and an overflow of affection. Another Brit Miranda Richardson was the exact opposite, as she just stood there and you could just feel the chill. Hope Colin is more like Lee, and is as charming and funny as he was on The Daily Show and The View."}, {"response": 1598, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 2004 (22:47)", "body": "I'm sure Katie Couric will be happy that he's just around the corner . .I could see her dropping hints;) . .I think she was the one who got Colin into the People Magazine spread some years ago?:) Can I confess . .I emailed Katie the adresses for firth.com and Drool . .perhaps she's a lurker:)? RE: Colin on SNL . . I hope he just enjoys himself . . .I know he'll be just fabulous! . . regardless of how the writing is on that show . .it's got some good and bad moments . .but for him, I'll tune in any day . .not to mention standing on line if possible to see him work live!;) (Mari)so anyone hanging around 30 Rock should be in good position for a sighting. Hmmm . .so perhaps it is fate that my temp job ended last week leaving me open for trolling around 30 Rock this coming week???:) Keep your fingers crossed . .will let you know about any sightings, if any occur!"}, {"response": 1599, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 2004 (22:55)", "body": "Am watching SNL now, and they just announced Colin as next week's host, so . . . it's happening! Happy trails, Metro Gals! Gee, we're a great bunch of fans: \"How the hell did they pick him?\" LOL! Don't sell him short. He's coming off a big box office hit and a critically acclaimed film. More people know him than you think. Was watching my tape of his most recent talk show appearances, and those audiences were screaming; his base goes way beyond the groups we know of. He's funny and the hosts like him. Maybe Jon Stewart egged him on."}, {"response": 1600, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (00:19)", "body": "(Karen) Actually, it's more like why are *they* choosing him since he has nothing out or about to come out to plug and he's not in the news for any other reason. (Tress) It's a mystery of the highest order of how this all came about.... (Karen) Do agree this has to rank as one of the great mysteries in life. (Katty) Most hosts are very high-profile, big-name stars who have a movie to promote. With no new movies and his low profile, Colin being asked just doesn't make any sense. Was just thinking today that should I get a chance to speak with him again, this was, in fact, the subject of my *first* question....How did this come about?.... or variations thereof. One of my other thoughts.... can Letterman or Leno be far behind when the time is right to promote something? (Kimberly) I know he'll be just fabulous! . . regardless of how the writing is on that show . .it's got some good and bad moments At worst, I suppose, it will just be dull as it has been with other people who I really like who've hosted. God knows I hope not, though."}, {"response": 1601, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (00:25)", "body": "Oh, and wanna take bets on the possibility of a certain \"It girl\" making a cameo? ;-) You know they have other celebrities connected with the host show up for a skit or a bit during the monologue. And spoofing GWAPE would fit the bill."}, {"response": 1602, "author": "katty", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (03:13)", "body": "I am in complete shock that Colin was invited to host SNL. Despite what us old fogeys may think, the show is hugely popular with the teenage to 34 demographic, most of whom probably never heard of him. Most hosts are very high-profile, big-name stars who have a movie to promote. With no new movies and his low profile, Colin being asked just doesn't make any sense. He'll gain more exposure in the U.S. in this one night than during the whole run of GWAPE. And it sure helps having Norah Jones - the hottest singer of the moment - as the musical guest. Maybe Tina Fey, the Weekend Update host and head writer of the show (the first female head ever) is a big fan. She's that nerdy, brainy, funny type of girl who could've had P&P-viewing parties at her East Coast college. Or maybe the producer's wife is a Firth fanatic. Who knows - maybe Norah Jones is a big fan. What will be most interesting is the closing, when the host thanks everybody and the whole cast appears. That's when you see how popular he was with everybody. I remember fellow Brit Christopher Lee being presented with a big bouquet of roses (never seen that before or since) and an overflow of affection. Another Brit Miranda Richardson was the exact opposite, as she just stood there and you could just feel the chill. Hope Colin is more like Lee, and is as charming and funny as he was on The Daily Show and The View."}, {"response": 1603, "author": "katty", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (03:21)", "body": "So sorry about the double post. I didn't know it happened - must've been when I refreshed my screen. Dorine, intriguing idea about the \"It\" girl having something to do with it. It'll be exciting to see if there are any surprises that night!"}, {"response": 1604, "author": "charmedbycolin", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (06:19)", "body": "I'm surprised some of the Colin fans here are suprised Colin has been asked to host SNL. I belong to another Colin community, where I'm one of the oldest posters along with a few others in our thirties (the rest being college aged) They even all marvel they have a crush on a man in some cases old enough to be their father, but they definetly ADORE him. Colin seems to be hugely popular with the college age group. I was just browsing a live journal tonight, where a young girl wrote her 2nd choice beside's a certain member of N SYNC to host SNL was Colin and now her dream is coming true. So I don't agree that most of the under 34 demographic has never heard of him. I have friends from different fandoms from their fifites down to their twenties, and most everyone has heard of Colin Firth. The younger fans discover him through P & P and Earnest, (often times for school) I think ODB popularity has really been on the up swing the last few years. I can't wait until he hosts. I mean he's so naturally funny, he's going to do great."}, {"response": 1605, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (07:24)", "body": "I don't know how many times since I've moved to the UK I've said to people 'I don't know why they don't show SNL here' - and now how I wish they did! Interesting, Karen, to find out they have in the past. I don't know about anyone else here but I have a couple hundred channels and don't get it. Have sent my emergency requests to Canada already for some vcr action."}, {"response": 1606, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (08:42)", "body": "(Katty) must've been when I refreshed my screen. ADMIN: One does not Refresh/Reload one's screen on Drool. If you have posted recently, it will repost your message. You can only check for new messages via the location bar or go back to the main Drool page. (Carolyn) I'm surprised some of the Colin fans here are suprised Colin has been asked to host SNL. ADMIN: Please do not comment on the nature of other participants comments here on Drool. Opinions are varied and no one here takes a pledge of absolute loyalty to Colin in order to join. Also, messages from or about other fan groups are not appropriate. We do not talk about what goes on elsewhere."}, {"response": 1607, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (09:50)", "body": "(Dorine) And spoofing GWAPE would fit the bill. But is GWAPE worth spoofing? It is not a well known movie. From all the posts I ever read all over the place it seems that most people know Colin from either P&P or BJD. So maybe those would be more worth spoofing... This is a bit nerve wrecking, but you guys are doing a pretty good job making me forget my worries. Thanks! I'm actually getting excited about it now. Since I have no cable it's time for me to go and start begging old friends to tape the show for me. :-)"}, {"response": 1608, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (11:55)", "body": "(Ildiko)But is GWAPE worth spoofing? It is not a well known movie. I've been told that Conan did a spoof of GWAPE on Friday's show. He was showing clips from Oscar nominees and ran the clip of Griet seeing the painting for the first time. She says the line about how he saw inside of her and the camera shows a painting of a monkey or something. Sorry I'm not more specific. I know Colin isn't listed as a Conan guest this week but the hosts often appear on Conan to promote SNL. I'll be taping just in case. Well, I'll be taping anyhow to get the promos :-) I'll just turn on the vcr for the whole week, LOL! Thanks to all for all the scoops and photos!"}, {"response": 1609, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (12:13)", "body": "(Boss)ADMIN: Please do not comment on the nature of other participants comments here on Drool. Opinions are varied and no one here takes a pledge of absolute loyalty to Colin in order to join. Also, messages from or about other fan groups are not appropriate. We do not talk about what goes on elsewhere. And may I add....nor do I wish to be quoted on another board. With or w/o credit;-)"}, {"response": 1610, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (13:49)", "body": "(Mari) LOL! Don't sell him short. He's coming off a big box office hit and a critically acclaimed film Ditto, to all of your post, Mari. I watched SNL last night for the first time in a decade...he can certainly do no worse than JA. and I thought she was OK. I didn't think her monologue was terrific, but the audience seemed enthuastic, anyway. I'm sure Colin will generate much more excitement. Was it me, or were the sketches always soooooooo long? I used to watch all the time, but I don't remember them going on and on like the paparazzi spot, and some of the others--or is it my age showing? Nah, they must have always been that way;-) I'm thrilled Colin is doing this, but after watching two weeks in a row, I think I probably won't watch for another decade;-) (Brenda)I'll just turn on the vcr for the whole week, LOL! My thoughts, exactly!"}, {"response": 1611, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (14:45)", "body": "Just opened the Observer newspaper review section to find a lovely colour pic of ODB on page 2. Great I think, it's the SNL bandwagon beginning to catch on in the UK.... but no it's an article about being a boyfriend and wearing \"casual Colin Firth style jumpers\" ....... the pic actually shows him in black tee and dark jacket. Thanks for the further info Karen. (EMMA)I have a couple of hundred channels and don't get it No hope for the rest of us then ;-)"}, {"response": 1612, "author": "charmedbycolin", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (15:28)", "body": "I haven't quoted people from here on other boards, I wouldn't do that. Did I suggest I would do that anywhere in my post? I quoted a girl who wrote in a public live journal, and I just vaguely quoted her, not word for word of with a link and telling you who she is. Live journals you can mark your posts private for friends to only, if you like. This person didn't obviously, it was on her public journal. But I don't think that suggests I would do the same with people's posts here. I don't think its even compariable. In my mind I didn't even make that leap - now I feel insulted. I was just trying to say that I'm aware of a large fan base of under 34 age group Colin fans. Sorry won't bring it up again, I wasn't trying to insult anyone's fandom or loyalty. I was merely saying in a geninunely surprised way that I thought most (not all) people were aware of Colin's increasing popularity and then wouldn't be surprised Colin would asked to be host SNL. And that's my opinon - please respect it. I was just trying to show my experience with one segment of Colin's fandom and my growing awareness of the younger Colin fans, which may or may not be represented here. I have no idea of knowing that, I was just trying to share my experience. My lips are sealed. I guess I will go back to lurkdom."}, {"response": 1613, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (15:43)", "body": "(Carolyn) And that's my opinon - please respect it. That's my point. Everyone has an opinion and should stick to it and not bring in that of other people who are not participants here. I was merely saying in a geninunely surprised way that I thought most (not all) people were aware of Colin's increasing popularity and then wouldn't be surprised Colin would asked to be host SNL. Having been on this board since 1997, yes, I am aware of it. Similarly, I would've have thought that, if you were reading this board, you wouldn't be surprised at my attitudes. They are nothing new. The part about quoting postings at other boards was a general reminder and I wanted to nip it in the bud since you were getting dangerously close. As to Evelyn's request, comments from Drool have been posted on other boards without anyone's permission. I personally feel it is very rude to do this. As to talking about comments at other boards, people are free to post links, but are not free to use this board to discuss what goes on elsewhere. IMO, it is like talking behind people's backs and is extremely rude. There was an incident from November, where Drool people were talking about what they had witnessed with their own eyes at the LA NY premiere. Those comments were posted to another community where the party in question resided and had been bragging about her exploits. Long story, but I think it important to remind newbies since many have come from other groups and still frequent them."}, {"response": 1614, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (15:52)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1615, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (15:56)", "body": "Oh yes, since I never mentioned any specific age group or demographic, I know your comments couldn't possibly be in response to my postings, Carolyn."}, {"response": 1616, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (16:11)", "body": "Live!!.....From a Times Square Internet Cafe!!!........Just getting in the spirit! ;-D Took the NBC tour on a whim while in the city today. Sat in the very studio he will be in this week!! Confirmed the process of attempting tix on standby. One of the tour guides and I discussed CF being on (after I told him I was there to look for the person to bribe for a ticket ;-)). He was very surprised, too, that Colin is on, but thinks it should be good. Esp with Norah Jones on. And Linda, no the skits weren't always so long and just said to someone Friday that has been one of my main complaints about SNL in the past few years and that's one of the reasons I don't watch it anymore. (Carolyn) I'm surprised some of the Colin fans here are suprised Colin has been asked to host SNL Well, as was mentioned before, usually the host has something to promote and it seems odd to be promoting either LA or GWAPE at this point...and the host usually is a very instantly recognizable name. Maybe to get attention for Trauma. And if you show a picture or mention the name of the last 8 hosts of SNL this year, and include Colin, I bet they'd have instant recognition for most of the others, and hesitate over Colin. Not saying he doesn't have a sizeable fan base, but doubt he has instant recognizability with the majority without some sort of qualifier or hesitation. Don't get me wrong, I'm abso-f'ng-lutely thrilled! But I think wonderment on the whole thing isn't beyond realm of possibility. I mean this is a *big* step! And BTW, didn't realize til I went on the tour today that Lorne Michaels exec produces both SNL and Conan (I don't watch him). Can't imagine they couldn't or won't squeeze him on there to promote it."}, {"response": 1617, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (17:03)", "body": "(Dorine) Took the NBC tour on a whim while in the city today. Sat in the very studio he will be in this week!! And the recon work starts! Great going Dorine and thanks for the report. Still keeping all necessary things crossed for you and any others to get tix! (Dorine) Don't get me wrong, I'm abso-f'ng-lutely thrilled! But I think wonderment on the whole thing isn't beyond realm of possibility. I mean this is a *big* step! I'm just shocked, but like you, thrilled. Had never entered my mind that he would do SNL (I always thought Leno, Letterman, Inside the Actor's Studio...those programs). Never thought about it really. I guess cuz I don't usually think of SNL....hadn't seen it for ages. Watched last night for the first time in donkey's years....got a small thrill when they announced ODB's name at the second break! Good to hear from you Dorine! Glad you could check in!"}, {"response": 1618, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (18:39)", "body": "(Tress)I guess cuz I don't usually think of SNL....hadn't seen it for ages I guess that's part of the total bizarre thing, here, as I've gotten older, I've tended to think that SNL didn't exist anymore-although I knew it was still out there. So part of me says wonderful, and yes it is a huge step, but the other part of me says SNL?? And then there is the why, now, at this particular moment when LA and GWAPE moments are just about gone. Maybe it's just a matter of timing. I don't think he's had time to do much else in the last few months other than publicity for GWAPE, LA, and working on TEOR-so maybe they wanted him sooner, but he hasn't been available until now?? Just idle speculation on my part. In any event, I'm looking forward to it, thrilled for Colin, and can only hope that it changes his recognition factor in a positive way."}, {"response": 1619, "author": "katty", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (02:39)", "body": "Carolyn, thanks for telling us about Colin's popularity with younger girls. Most big fans I know of are primarily older, thoughtful type of women (Frametracker.com: \"At this point, he's in danger of becoming the love object of post-menopausal NPR listeners\"), so it's heartening to hear his fan base is broader than I thought, and even growing. Hopefully, his appearance on SNL will add to that."}, {"response": 1620, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (08:05)", "body": "RE: Carolyn's comments about CF's popularity with younger girl's.... Albeit minimal, my experience with this demographic group seems to support her assertions. My college aged niece recently informed me that ODB is definitely on the younger set's radar thanks to his role as Mark Darcy. Seems he blew HG out of the water as far as her circle of friends was concerned. Apparently, BJD is considered a staple amongst the 'chic fliks' they regularly view on evenings when they get together. I'm told they anxiously await Colin's reprisal in TEOR. Be assured I did my part to further their education by clueing her into all the other roles he's played. Can you believe there are fans out there that don't know about P&P let alone all the other great, but lesser known roles he's done? (Now in my mid-forties, this fact just struck me as yet another sucker punch as I plunge deeper into the vortex of middle age...GAAH!)"}, {"response": 1621, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (08:34)", "body": "about CF's popularity with younger girl's.... Well somebody should tell Colin. He repeatedly states that his fan base are the Volvo set."}, {"response": 1622, "author": "soph", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (09:40)", "body": "(karen) (...) comments from Drool have been posted on other boards without anyone's permission not to mention my animatronicolins if i can remember well... Carolyn, let's say i'm not part of the volvo set (!) either, i thus strongly support your theory : bewaaaare media planners, total demographic invasion is getting close ! (lesliep) Can you believe there are fans out there that don't know about P&P let alone all the other great, but lesser known roles he's done? oh, you mean that double one with showers and pianos and stuff ? bwahahahahahaha ! running away while ducking to Firthology no, but seriously : you should see what it is for hermits in the woods like me. it is strange and quite exciting to hear of such television appearances from out here. SNL no good anymore ? hell, i'd take just about anything, even shampoo commercials (there i go, talking showers again). enjoy (and report at once, that's all i'm asking from you, the \"in\" crowd !). ok, ok, boss, back to dewatermarking hell"}, {"response": 1623, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (19:48)", "body": "SNL Stakeout - Day 1 Number of times walked by 30 Rockerfeller Center - 2; number of times inside 30 Rockerfeller Center - 1; sightings of Colin Firth - 0 Sigh. Nothing much to report. On my way to some extra work for One Life to Live, I stopped by 30 Rock, with premise of dropping off headshot and resume to extras casting person for SNL. Very nice security guard pointed me to staircase and hallway over loking main hall/elevator banks. Successfully dropped off pics at NBC Messenger Center and took time returning to exit to closely per in each elevator bank. ( Would be quite fun if they called me to work for this weekend!:) As to seeing any hair of ODB . .Nothing. Hmph. Upon exiting ran into friend who works for NBC (Last Call With Carson Daly). Had emailed her over the weekend to see if she could get tixs for Sat show. Looks v. bad. According to her, tix for show are already given out to industry people . .leaving very few for even NBC employees. The few times she got tixs were flukes. Even Carson,.who has his own show, can't get a few tix. She said she will ask . .but told me not to hold my breath. Last Call uses the SNL studios to tape Mon - Weds. She said most likely, Colin would not be around today (as they do most of the writing today.) Tues is the 1st table read through, so he may be around tomorrow. But Thurs. is definite rehearsal on set. She will keep her eyes peeled, as she is also fan of ODB. Walked by one final time at 4PM . .light fading . .nice spring weather . .even though he wasn't there, it's nice to think he will be soon. Metro Gal, over and out . . ."}, {"response": 1624, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (19:56)", "body": "Ohhh! Kimberly! Thanks for the update. And you have access to insider info! Good going. Tomorrow is the table read through! He'll be there...lovely! Am happy to just think that you may 'bump' into him soon! Good luck!"}, {"response": 1625, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (20:37)", "body": "Excellent stakeout work, Kimberly! You gained some useful info. Feel certain that a sighting can't be far behind.:-)"}, {"response": 1626, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (08:28)", "body": "Looking forward to your next Report from the Rock: Firth in New York, Kimberley!"}, {"response": 1627, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (11:11)", "body": "Great work, Kimberly. I can't wait to join the reconnaissance mission on Friday."}, {"response": 1628, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (12:44)", "body": "The UK DVD of Love Actually is released March 19. Here's Empire Online's review, 3 out of 5 stars: The quartet of writer-director Curtis, Nighy, Grant and - bizarrely - 11 year-old Thomas Sangster provide the commentary. This starts badly (Grant is stuck in traffic), goes a bit wobbly (they realise Sangster is technically too young to watch the film), but still manages to contain a few gems. There\ufffds an all-too-brief behind-the-scenes documentary (from the comments shown, more from producer Duncan Kenworthy and the cast would have been nice), a poor Thunderbirds trailer and an Oxfam campaign ad that seems incongruous until you\ufffdve seen the deleted scenes. These, though, are the highlights, with a lot of material that didn\ufffdt make the cut mainly because of length. An African sub-plot provides the Oxfam link, there\ufffds also a love story for the school\ufffds headmistress (Anne Reid), extra scenes for most of the characters and an alternative gymnastic version of Sangster\ufffds sprint through the airport. Curtis also introduces key songs from the soundtrack, and should you have the desire to have your version of All I Want For Christmas humiliatingly compared to the jaw-dropping, schoolgirl\ufffds vocals on screen, the lyrics are provided, too."}, {"response": 1629, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (13:16)", "body": "Rooting for you Kimberley! Go to it!"}, {"response": 1630, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (15:06)", "body": "Kimberley, counting on you from this side of the pond too! Good luck."}, {"response": 1631, "author": "houstonandy", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (17:39)", "body": "Kimberley....waiting anxiously for Stakeout #2. Good Luck!!"}, {"response": 1632, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (18:36)", "body": "You Metro-gals are ab-solutely the greatest! Thank you Kimberly for your Monday report. I'm hoping that no news tonight means that you are having some success. Can't wait to hear from Dorine and Linda as well. And Bee, Little Bee, Shoshana and Leslie - it's a Drool Darling reunion! Any news about an appearance with Katie?"}, {"response": 1633, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (20:13)", "body": "Sheesh, leave the country for a week and come back to a parallel universe where ODB hosts SNL!?! Go nerd boy! And go metro gals! I have faith and hope you will get in to the show and see ODB in the wild! ODB makes me feel alot better about the rather schizophrenic career path(s) I have chosen! ;-) As I have been computerless/googleless/drool-less for a bit I'm not sure if these have been posted but couldn't find in the posts or articles so will provide link.I know some of this has been seen but I don't remember this in it's entirety (Then again, I am like Dory, Nemo's friend ;-)) Glad to be back amongst my drool buddies! http://www.aboutfilm.com/features/girlwithapearlearring/firth.htm"}, {"response": 1634, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (21:17)", "body": "OK, here's the latest news from \"Down Under\" (Sydney area only)... GWAPE, which was alleged to be opening NEXT Thursday, is instead opening THIS Friday at a select number of cinemas, and is only showing Fri-Sat-Sun, and NOT Mon-Tue-Wed of next week. I guess this is what they call \"special previews\". Also, although Reading cinemas has had the opening date of GWAPE listed as THIS Thursday, I am unable to confirm that it is playing at any of the Reading cinemas this week at all. Don't know why this is - perhaps they just haven't updated their film/session times online yet... Am fervently wishing all the best to all who turn up for tickets for SNL this week - you GO girls! Hey boss, any chance of you posting a streaming version of Colin's monologue for us poor, deprived overseas Drool Darlings? ;-)"}, {"response": 1635, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (22:24)", "body": "Tuesday 2 March 2004 SNL Stakeout - Day 2 Number of times limped by 30 Rockerfeller Center - 1; number of times inside 30 Rockerfeller Center - 0; number of daydreams of legs giving out beneath me and Colin rushing to my rescue before I hit the cobbles face first - 5; sightings of Colin Firth - 0, I think Day 2 of SNL stakeout, or as I now like to also call it: \"Colin Watch 2004\". Not much to report today. Woke up in utter pain due to dance audition few days prior . .Legs and knees almost giving out at each step and was unable to get up early to make 1st morning sweep of 30 Rock. Instead rushed to rehearsal with fellow actress who is auditioning for Actor's Studio on Saturday. Rehearsal took all day, ending at 4:41 PM. Decided to take N train to 49th street to make secondary early evening quick \"drive-by\" or rather very slow \"limp/hobble-by\" the Rock. Did a \"u\" shaped sweep, down 49th, across in front of the ice rink and up 50th. No sightings. Checked ice rink. No sightings. Checked seating areas in front and on sides of ice rink. No sightings. Hmph. If he was in the vicinity, I must have missed him. Have sneaking suspicion he will not be there till Thursday. Interesting observation: while walking down 49th, was carefully peering into various limousines/hired cars as they passed by. As one did, I noticed a curly headed silhouette turn to look at me as I stared at the car. Wonder if that was him? One can always hope . . Perhaps if muscle pain still occurs will then adopt even more inconspicous costume of blind beggar, complete with cane, cup of pencils and dark glasses . .can then work limp into whole disguise:) Also interesting note: have started watching Today show to see if ODB might just pop by to surprise Katie Couric. Wonder if other Droolers are doing the same. This morning she was at the rink . .to talk to 2 skaters . . Metro Gal, limping off for the evening . ."}, {"response": 1636, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (22:31)", "body": "Metro Gal, limping off for the evening . . I've got some Ben Gay Kimberly! Thanks for the update. You are great!"}, {"response": 1637, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (04:03)", "body": "'Nanny' lures Lansbury Tue Mar 2, 7:00 PM ET CATHY DUNKLEY (Variety) In what will mark her first movie role in 20 years, Angela Lansbury is in negotiations to star opposite Emma Thompson and Colin Firth in Working Title's \"Nanny McPhee\" for Universal. Pic, an adaptation of the \"Nurse Matilda\" books by Christianna Brand, was adapted by Thompson and is being helmed by Kirk Jones (\"Waking Ned Devine\"). Shooting is skedded to start in April. Pic is the story of a magical nanny (Thompson) who uses her powers to tame the seven Brown children after their father (Firth) is widowed. Lansbury will play the children's aristocratic great aunt who threatens to do the worst thing imaginable --- take one of the children away to live with her. Lindsay Doran is producing pic with Working Title's Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner. Shingle's Debra Hayward and Liza Chasin will exec produce with Glynis Murray co-producing."}, {"response": 1638, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (07:48)", "body": "father (Firth) is widowed. Whew! Well I suppose that is a step in the right direction ;-) Thanks, Maria."}, {"response": 1639, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (08:03)", "body": "Re-posting my post #1104 from 2/2: ************* These are the only circumstances under which McPhooey would be even marginally acceptable to me. ;-) --(Emma should)lose the big nose and tooth and just look like herself. --Make Mr. Brown a lonely widower. --Reduce the number of kids from 20 to 7. --Give them names like, I dunno, Liesl, Kurt, Brigitta, Louisa, Friedrich, Marta, and Gretl. --Let Colin do a cover of \"Edelweiss.\" *********** Checking things off the list. Kids reduced from 20 to 7---Check. Dad's a lonely widower--Check. Edelweiss, edelweiss. . . every morning you greet me . . .;-)"}, {"response": 1640, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (08:41)", "body": "LOL, Maria! Welcome back! At this point it should really turn into a sing-along. ;-)"}, {"response": 1641, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (09:13)", "body": "Welcome back Maria!! And thanks for the link yesterday! Pic is the story of a magical nanny (Thompson) who uses her powers to tame the seven Brown children after their father (Firth) is widowed. Yeeeeees! Much better! He gets the mum and the dad lines! No sharing with duck face or similar! Leaves this open for a Nanny/Daddy hook-up (if only Nanny loses the big nose and tooth per Mari's list). If Dad does sing \"Edelweiss\", \"Kurt\" (Thomas Sangster) can back him up on drums! ;-)"}, {"response": 1642, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (09:22)", "body": "(Kimberley)Perhaps if muscle pain still occurs will then adopt even more inconspicous costume of blind beggar, complete with cane, cup of pencils and dark glasses . .can then work limp into whole disguise:) Wheel chairs work at Disney World. \"father (Firth) is widowed.\" (Allison)Whew! Well I suppose that is a step in the right direction ;-) Hooray! Let's out Minnie Driver. \" Lansbury will play the children's aristocratic great aunt who threatens to do the worst thing imaginable --- take one of the children away to live with her. \" Great Aunt Adelaide \"with a nose like a rhino and a trumpet in her ear\". Angela Lansbury will bring in another demographic group of fans...the \"Murder She Wrote\" crowd. The ole nursing home gang lives!"}, {"response": 1643, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (09:38)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1644, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (09:41)", "body": "to tame the seven Brown children after their father (Firth) is widowed Here's the backstory: Frightened and disoriented, Mr Brown (Colin Firth) awakes from a coma in hospital to discover that he has been in a car crash. When he learns that his wife was killed in the accident, his world might as well have ended. His seven motherless children are sent to a shrink (Julie Andrews) but continue to act out, until he brings home a magical nanny (Emma Thompson) and a goat (Mickey Rooney). He also picks up with an old friend (Corin Redgrave), who takes pity on his grieving friend, and tries to cheer him up by taking him bird watching. Meanwhile, Mr Brown is befriended by his neighbor's young daughter who likes to wear pearl ropes and pretend she is an adult (to be played by one of the Bolger sisters). Brown's Aunt Adelaide (Angela Lansbury) insists on taking one of the children to raise and hilarity ensues when she mistakes the goat for a child. Mr Brown falls in love with the neighbor's daughter and they live happily ever after, well at least they will after about 10 years when he's able to consummate the marriage."}, {"response": 1645, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (09:49)", "body": "ROTFL...this is good! And it might even get a PG-13 rating! (Karen) When he learns that his wife was killed in the accident, his world might as well have ended. His wife and 13 of the children....not enough child seats in the family bus.....only Liesl, Kurt.....you know the rest, survived....but he thinks the other 13 are still alive and is having trouble managing all 20 (or at least the 7 surviving ones act as if they were 20....and keep letting the ants out....or should I say letting the aunt out??). It's all very confusing but Daddy Brown just isn't himself lately....;-)"}, {"response": 1646, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (10:21)", "body": "Re GWAPE: There is a costume showing at The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in downtown L.A (until April 8) Here is the link to the Institute's web site"}, {"response": 1647, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (10:36)", "body": "but he thinks the other 13 are still alive That was the surprise of the movie. The ghosts of his dead children keep popping up everywhere. Dan Ackroyd, Harold Ramis and Bill Murry will be making cameo appearances."}, {"response": 1648, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (10:49)", "body": "ROTF. Sounds as if it might even get a distributor;-)"}, {"response": 1649, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (11:23)", "body": "Thanks for the laugh, Karen! We'll need Fred McMurrey, Kurt Russell and that little volkswagon making cameo appearances too!"}, {"response": 1650, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (11:30)", "body": "Murph...thanks for the link! Looks like ODB's clothes are on my coast (but a bit too far for me to go and touch). Am so happy the pilgrim hat and shoes will be displayed! http://www.fidm.com/features/gallery/hollywood-2004/girl-with-pearl-earring/johannes-vermeer.html"}, {"response": 1651, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (11:47)", "body": "I know how you can get in to the SNL reading today. Get a very large pizza and show up and the NBC Studios. Tell them you're delivering it to Colin Firth. They'll wave you right though. The pizza delivery trick works every time!"}, {"response": 1652, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (12:23)", "body": "LOL, Karen and Tress. And some people are concerned about him setting a foot wrong doing SNL? *snort*"}, {"response": 1653, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (12:25)", "body": "Hit submit too soon. Wanted to ask: when and on what shows can we expect to start seeing SNL promos for this week? I thought someone posted the info earlier, but I can't seem to find it. Thanks!"}, {"response": 1654, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (13:13)", "body": "LOL, Kimberly at your recon! I did the Rock Plaza sweep, too, on Sunday hoping for a glimpse in case he was out walking the neighborhood on such a beautiful day. ;-) The tour guide said they start working in the offices Mon first thing with the host to get to know whoever it is and start working on ideas for skits. And as you mentioned, they write Mon-Wed, then rehearsals Thurs-Sat. At least this is what the tour guide said. Karen, your Nanny McP scenario is hilarious!"}, {"response": 1655, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (13:14)", "body": "(Mari)Wanted to ask: when and on what shows can we expect to start seeing SNL promos for this week? I thought someone posted the info earlier, but I can't seem to find it. Thanks! I've taped Conan two nights in a row now, no promos no mention. LOL, Karen I think you need to send ET a copy. (Karen)The ghosts of his dead children keep popping up everywhere Thanks, can't get the theme from Ghostbusters out of my head, now;-) (Terry)The pizza delivery trick works every time! I have visions of dozens of pizzas arriving at the same time."}, {"response": 1656, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (14:07)", "body": "Forgot to thank Hola Lola for answering one of my questions way back when...(thanks Linda for the update). When she mentioned V, I also first thought of Viggo Mortensen. If it is, I hope Hidalgo is received well for him. I was disappointed....notes on O&E."}, {"response": 1657, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (14:28)", "body": "Maria - thanks for the NMcP update;) Karen & Tress - you should be script consultants for NmcP!!! Way too funny . . Mari - if he's singin Edelweiss - I want to see some leiderhosen, jollyhose, somethin . . ;) Eveyln - Had considered wheelchair, but am mechanically inept . .would end up driving it right into his shins, or worse yet, straight into traffic! Paul - Durrr . .pizza delivery . .why didn't I think of that!!!!!;) ************************************************************ Wednesday 3 March 2004 SNL Stakeout - Day 3 Number of times walked around 30 Rockerfeller Center - 5; number of times inside 30 Rockerfeller Center - 1; number of times under 30 Rockerfeller Center - 1; number of times inside NBC Experience Store - 1; number of odd looks given to me by various security guards at 30 Rockerfeller Center - oh thousands; sightings of Colin Firth - nada, zip, zilch, zero (*sigh*) \"Colin Watch 2004\" has reached day 3. Hump day. Middle of the road. And still NOTHING. Had taken's Bee's advice and applied muscle rub last night so my tell tale gimpy leg would not give me away. Was determined to hunkerdown with this stakeout in manner of Marty Stouffer (Wild America) or yet even Steve Irwin (Crocodile Hunter):) Came into NYC to temp at Showtime, but took earlier train to make first day's visit to the Rock. Accomplished same u-shaped recon sweep, eventually sitting at corner of 49th to nibble on bagel breakfast and watch Today show. Arrived just as Kelly Clarkson performed her song from the Love Actually soundtrack. Was hoping that would be good karmic sign for mere glimpse of ODB. Stayed for 30-45 minutes and repeated u-sweep a couple of more times. No sightings. Returned at 1PM for lunch time break. Had feeling with wonderful beautiful weather, ODB would want to get out of stuffy office building and seek warmth of sunshine. Note to self: v. bad mistake. Throngs of tourists/lunchtime people all over Rockerfeller Center at this time. Very difficult for one woman to cover 3 exits to a building at one time as well as scrutinizing every tall, curly haired man that walks by. Retained same seat as morning to sit for 20 minutes, eat half a sandwich and watch cabs/limos passing by as well as pedestrians and watching center Rock exit. Did couple of u-sweeps, walked all around ice rink (was nice ice skating exhibition type thingy at the time),went subterranean to shops and resturants in lower level (thinking perhaps he did not want to venture outdoors);then used stairs to get back into building and walked to 2nd floor of NBC Experience Store to use height as vantage point. And yet again, nothing. Am feeling like I am disappointing fellow Droolers for there is no curl, finger, smile and dimples nor pair of brown eyes to report upon. Hopefully when reinforcements show up on Friday, ther will be more success in this endeavor. Will try yet again tomorrow. Week not over yet. Metro Gal - now back to the studio (or rather, the temp job)"}, {"response": 1658, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (14:36)", "body": "(Kimberley)Had feeling with wonderful beautiful weather, ODB would want to get out of stuffy office building and seek warmth of sunshine. Or go to a Starbucks for a skinny latte;-) Don't know the closest . Big one 49th & 7th.Too far from Rock Plaza."}, {"response": 1659, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (14:38)", "body": "(Kimberly) Am feeling like I am disappointing fellow Droolers for there is no curl, finger, smile and dimples nor pair of brown eyes to report upon. Disappoint? Nevah! I love hearing about your recon efforts! He is there...I can feel it all the way in Portland! I have faith you will see him! Do you have walkie talkies for Friday when reinforcments show? Can just visualize the surveillance team now...dressed all in black with night vision glasses and ropes for scaling buildings."}, {"response": 1660, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (14:46)", "body": "Sorry to double post! (Evelyn) Or go to a Starbucks for a skinny latte;-) I bet there is a Starbucks in Rockefeller! Check this out: Catacombs One of the benefits for people who work at Rockefeller Center is the series of underground corridors that connect the complex's 14 main buildings. These tunnels, known officially as the Underground Concourse, and referred to by others as the Catacombs, provide access to the B, D, F and Q subway lines as well as to fast food and other dining establishments, cards stores, clothing boutiques and a myriad of other shops and services. Not only does this network of shops and restaurants help area workers to avoid going outside in bad weather, but the discount program set up by the merchants, called the Rockefeller Center Privilege Program, helps them save money as well. ODB may be the \"mole man\" and hiding underground! http://www.theinsider.com/nyc/attractions/2rockefe.htm"}, {"response": 1661, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (14:56)", "body": "Can just visualize the surveillance team now...dressed all in black with night vision glasses and ropes for scaling buildings. And flinging themselves over stone walls in manner of very large birds. Kim, this is soooo exciting! Good luck!"}, {"response": 1662, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (15:20)", "body": "Am thinking that with the loooooong-awaited new season of The Sopranos to start on Sunday, SNL could do spoof of Tony and company. As we saw on the Kilborn show, Colin certainly has the vernacular and the accent down pat! Kim, you poor dear, you're not disappointing us! I feel there's undue pressure on you, searching out a gorgeous needle in a very busy haystack.;-) Yo, how you doin'? You talkin' t' me?"}, {"response": 1663, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (15:24)", "body": "(Dorine), they start working in the offices Mon first thing with the host to get to know whoever it is and start working on ideas for skits. And as you mentioned, they write Mon-Wed, then rehearsals Thurs-Sat. Does this mean that ODB might give suggestions to the wtiters? I bet there won't be a wet shirt scene. Ladies there are two Top 10 to have fun with: Top 10 reasons Colin's on SNL and Top 10 suggestions Colin will make to the SNL writers Any takers? ;-D"}, {"response": 1664, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (15:29)", "body": "I'll bite! The reason he's on SNL -- He's having a secret affair with Katic Couric, and this was the only way he could get away for a week in NYC."}, {"response": 1665, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (15:32)", "body": "(Mari)Yo, how you doin'? You talkin' t' me? Hey, you left out my favorite... *you f***ing my wife?* Ok, it's official, I'm one dirty old lady;-))"}, {"response": 1666, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (15:38)", "body": "(Moon)Top 10 suggestions Colin will make to the SNL writers I just happen to have a list;-) SNL: Ok, so what are you known for? CF: Girl With A Pearl Earring SNL: Never heard of it CF: Pride & Prejudice SNL: Never heard of it CF: Bridget Jones's Diary SNL: Ok, *now* we're talkin'! Maybe we can spoof the time you got busted with that hooker on Sunset Boulevard. CF: The Importance of Being Earnest SNL: Never heard of it ;-) (BeeDee)Hey, you left out my favorite... *you f***ing my wife?* ROTF, Bee, I was going to add \"hit it BeeDee!\" cuz I know how much you like that one!:-)"}, {"response": 1667, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (17:37)", "body": "(Mari)ROTF, Bee, I was going to add \"hit it BeeDee!\" cuz I know how much you like that one!:-) Thanks for leaving it for me;-)) (Mari)Top 10 suggestions Colin will make to the SNL writers LOL! Gotta say that for whatever reason this SNL gig came about it has brought out the talent here! Karen, Tress, Mari etc. You all should be the writers for this show!"}, {"response": 1668, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (17:54)", "body": "(Moon) Top 10 reasons Colin's on SNL (10) Nappies piling up at home and easier to leave than clean them (assuming he is a cloth and not a disposable) (9) The air is so fresh in NYC and he enjoys the birds, you never hear the birds in London. (8) Katie promised him a comp dinner at The Rainbow Room since he was forced to wear Santa hat and given no gloves to match. (7) He lost his tuque in SoHo and thought he'd go look for it. (6) He hit is head when he had slippage on the cobbles and agreed to do SNL in a delirious moment. (5) He is craving that chocolate covered popcorn you get in Times Square (oh...wait...that's me...nevermind....). (4) Jon Stewart and ODB made plans to sit on the tube (they do have those here, don't they?) (3) He wants to pay Hugh Grant back for his \"Bloody Colin\" remark and figures he can take a jab at him on SNL. (2) He lost a bet with Lorne Michaels. (1) He's jobbing!"}, {"response": 1669, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (18:10)", "body": "(Moon) Top 10 reasons Colin's on SNL (1)He played a crap game of Rochambeau with the rest of the stars of LA at the after party (Yet another reason they should have let us in!) (2)Dennie Gordon flew to London to convince him that..oh wait..I'm confused.. (3)It was hinted that Brittany would be co-hosting (4)Will's 8th grade class wrote an essay to the producers (Moon)Top 10 suggestions Colin will make to the SNL writers (1)\"I'll be a village pervert, see? And...\""}, {"response": 1670, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (18:29)", "body": "I'll just add a few to Maria's 5. Nanny McPhooey waved her magic wand 6. He heard that pizza gets delivered to the set 2,3,4 times a day"}, {"response": 1671, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (19:01)", "body": "Re: TTL, Kudos everyone! (Tress)(9) The air is so fresh in NYC and he enjoys the birds, you never hear the birds in London. LOL! *Yes*, We hardly ever get Valmont the Obsure quotes!"}, {"response": 1672, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (19:02)", "body": "7. Wants to get even with Rupee for his snide remarks on VH1 party. 8. Ya' never know ...MB might be looking to cast his next movie *barf, barf*"}, {"response": 1673, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (19:30)", "body": "(Tress) I bet there is a Starbucks in Rockefeller! Ahh yes there is . .with nice comfy couches . .I peered in there, the Sea Grill Resturant, and various other food type places underneath . .v. nice stuff down there! (Tress) Can just visualize the surveillance team now...dressed all in black with night vision glasses and ropes for scaling buildings. I hear the Mission Impossible theme constantly in my head as I do my recon work . . . .:) (Tress)He is craving that chocolate covered popcorn you get in Times Square (oh...wait...that's me...nevermind....). I know which place you mean . .do you want me to ship you some popcorn?:) The top 10s are too funny . .can\ufffdt wait to think up of a few myself;) To add to Maria's 7.)He wants to purposely drive Metro Gals mad while they spend hours searching through throngs of people at Rockerfeller Center for him!!! ****************************************************************** Wednesday 3 March 2004 **Addendum to earlier SNL Stakeout report** 6:30 PM Final sweep of \ufffdThe Rock\ufffd before taking train home. Stopped to wait by numerous limousines parked by one of the exits . .still NOTHING. However, as walking by did see 2 people speed by on a Vespa! Believe the passenger on the back was a man. Had flashes of Colin riding the back of motorcycles, zipping across the English country side to screenings and such:) Was tempted to run after Vespa, but leg injury prevented me from doing so. However, one good plus to the day (knew Kelly Clarkson was a sign for something) Ended up temping for the advertising department of Showtime. Discovered woman I temped for was also a person with OCD!. Better yet, discovered person in cubicle across from me had recent contact with Colin during press junket for Love Actually. She gave me a VHS copy of mini question interview-y type thing she had with Colin, Laura Linney and Liam Neeson. Nothing in-depth, but still, v. v. nice! Saw it, he looks adorable, blue jeans, white shirt, open collar. LL looks happy, leaning more toward Colin in chair. Liam also looking very handsome . .love answers to odd questions about love, and such . .Will transcribe it and get copy to Boss lady ASAP . .perhaps screen caps will be cute for colinfirth.com!"}, {"response": 1674, "author": "locarol", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (19:44)", "body": "Ten reasons (showing cruel streak). 10) Scarlett dared him. 9) Renee did it. 8) He wanted to beat Hugh by getting on first. 7) Nora's on and he loves dark women. 6) He needed to before they had the Nanny movie to spoof. 5) After GWAPE, Trauma, TEOR - he needed to practise smiling. 4) They meant the invitation to go to the other Colin. 3) He thought it was a music show. 2) It will be more recognised on his CV than most of his movies. 1) For once he listened to someone else's career advice."}, {"response": 1675, "author": "locarol", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (19:50)", "body": "Following on.....ten things he said to SNL. 10) Can Scarlett be on too? 9) Did Renee mention me? 8) Can I say something cruel about Hugh? 7) Is Nora in a skit with me? 6) Ah....no, I....I....I haven't confirmed the Nanny movie. 5) See I've got dimples 4) No, it's Firth. F-I-R-T-H. 3) Oh....I brought my guitar and I'm on a CD! 2) Can I have a reference after this? 1) My agent made me."}, {"response": 1676, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (19:58)", "body": "( (Evelyn)Or go to a Starbucks for a skinny latte;-) Ha! . .would that be made with Fair Trade coffee - ala Oxfam???"}, {"response": 1677, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (20:09)", "body": "(Evelyn)Or go to a Starbucks for a skinny latte;-) (Kimberley)Ha! . .would that be made with Fair Trade coffee - ala Oxfam??? Starbucks only uses Fair Trade. That's why you pay $3.50 for a Grande;-)"}, {"response": 1678, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (20:14)", "body": "(Evelyn) Starbucks only uses Fair Trade. That's why you pay $3.50 for a Grande;-) Actually, in my neck of the woods, they don't. There was a big protest a while back at a Starbucks around the corner from me. They sell whole bean Fair Trade and it is the 'coffee of the day' about once a week."}, {"response": 1679, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (22:49)", "body": "(Mari) when and on what shows can we expect to start seeing SNL promos for this week? Definitely Thursday night. From Friends through ER is prime time for this promo and there's usually a different one on Friday. 6) He needed to before they had the Nanny movie to spoof. Cruel, but good. ;-) Loved your Top 10 lists, ladies. Please add the following two to the Reasons: (1) NBC needed to take the Qualified Credit for the Employment of Masturbatory Village Perverts by April 15th. (2) Intense lobbying by the Jollyhose Political Action Coalition. (3) Thought this gig was better than presenting at the Oscars. (4) Needed to get in touch with his comic inner self before grueling work on Nanny McPhee starts. \"I can feel it in my fingers, feel it in my bones...\" Yes, tomorrow's going to be a Firthful day for our intrepid recon team at the Rock. Good luck and remember to breathe."}, {"response": 1680, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 2004 (08:38)", "body": "Some reviews/articles from France: http://www.lefigaro.fr/culture/20040303.FIG0188.html Pour Colin Firth, qui interprete Vermeer, ce fut different. Il fallait que l'acteur s'efface : \"C'est presque une ombre, un fantome et Colin a accepte de disparaitre. C'est rare qu'un comedien admette cela.\"(Peter Webber interview by Dominique Borde, le Figaro) For Firth Hake, which interprete Vermeer, it was different. It was necessary that the actor is erased: \"It is almost a shade, a fantome and Colin A accepts disparaitre. It is rare that a comedien admits that.\" * * * * * http://www.lemonde.fr/web/article/0,1-0@2-3246,36-355185,0.html \"Le cheveu joliment boucle et l'air sombre, Colin Firth evoque furieusement Lord Byron. Son Vermeer neoromantique endure son attirance pour Griet comme un mal de dents.\" The hair nicely buckles and the dark air, evoque Colin Firth furiously Lord Byron. Its Vermeer neoromantic endures its attraction for Griet like a tooth ache. * * * * * Coup de coeur \" La Jeune Fille la perle \" : un bijou http://www.leparisien.fr/home/loisirs/theatre/f_piece.htm?pieceid=235899693 * * * * * http://www.lefigaro.fr/culture/20040303.FIG0189.html ...le cadre d'un autre tableau. Celui de Colin Firth surprenant la timidite de Scarlett Johansson, et tentant de faire d'une banale servante une feminite symbolique et mysterieuse. Tout le film n'est plus alors que l'histoire d'un vol et d'un viol, lente prise de possession qui se suffit quelques regards, des gestes infimes ou symboliques comme ce percement d'oreille qui devient le depucelage d'une jeune fille et sa transformation en modele, concretise avec cette perle, la marque du maitre incongrue et essentielle. (D.B.) ... the framework of another table. That of Firth Hake surprising the timidite of Scarlett Johansson, and trying to make of a banal maidservant a feminite symbolic system and mysterieuse. All the film is not any more whereas the history of a flight and a rape, slow taking possession which is enough some glances, of the negligible gestures or symbolic systems as this boring of ear which becomes the depucelage of a girl and her transformation into model, concretise with this pearl, the mark of the maitre incongruous and essential. * * * * * http://www.paris-premiere.fr/page.php?P=data/cinema/fiche_film/&art_id=107756 Au triangle des regards peintre-modele-spectateur se rajoute le triangle peintre-epouse-rivale. Le tout filme avec une salutaire economie de moyens, sans appuyer. La vision de l'artiste Vermeer n'a rien de sublime : musele par sa belle-doche et sa femme, tenu a la botte de son mecene, deux adjectifs le resument : libre et lache. Lache par rapporta Griet, libre grace a sa peinture. Et c'est le theme du film : des hommes prisonniers des contingences ont toujours reussi a s'evader par l'art, des hommes mauvais ou faibles dans la vie qui creent neanmoins des oeuvres plus grandes, plus lumineuses qu'eux, pleines de ce sentiment dont leur vie etait denuee : l'amour. (4/5) With the triangle of the glances painter-model-spectator is added the triangle painter-epouse-rival. The whole films with a salutary saving in means, without supporting. The vision of the Vermeer artist does not have anything sublime: musele by its beautiful-doche and his wife, held have the boot of sound mecene, two adjectives resument: free and releases. Release by brought back Griet, free thanks to its painting. And it is the theme film: men captive of the contingencies always have reussi has evader by art, of the very poor or poor men in the life which creent nevertheless larger works, more luminous than them, full with this feeling whose their life etait denuee: love. * * * * * http://www.m6.fr/html/evenements/cinema/index.shtml?nominfos=23086 ...l'interpretation tout en nuance de Scarlett Johansson (remarquee dernierement dans Lost in translation) et le flegme tres britannique de Colin Firth illuminent La jeune fille a la perle qui se laisse regarder avec la meme fascination que le tableau original. La jeune fille a la perle a deja ete prime dans deux festivals : Hitchcock d'or et Hitchcock d'argent au Festival du film britannique de Dinard ; prix du jury officiel du Festival de San Sebastian et prix de la meilleure photographie pour Eduardo Serra. (3/4) ... the interpretation all in nuance of Scarlett Johansson (remarquee dernierement in Lost in translation) and phlegm the very British Firth Hake illuminate the girl has the pearl which is let look with same fascination that the original table. The girl has the pearl has already ete premium in two festivals: Gold Hitchcock and money Hitchcock to the Festival of British film of Dinard; price of the official jury of the Festival of San Sebastian and price of best photography for Eduardo Tightened. * * * * * Camille Brun - monsieurcinema.com: Mais Colin Firth (LE JOURNAL DE BRIDGET JONES) rate completement sa composition. Dans le role de Vermeer, il n'est que sourcils fronces et volonte de paraitre a tout prix opaque et m"}, {"response": 1681, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 2004 (09:13)", "body": "British Firth Hake LOL! Love these translations! I shall feel quite odd eating colin en France."}, {"response": 1682, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 2004 (09:45)", "body": "LOL, Karen! But they do sem to like it en France. Great list ladies. Here's mine: TOP 10 REASONS COLIN FIRTH IS HOSTING SNL 10. Lost at poker, if was either that or doing a film with Mike Binder. 9. His LA agent brokered a deal, Colin now, Orlando Bloom when his new film comes out. 8. His dream of being on a NY stage comes true. 7. Has heard rumor that Scorsese does his casting there. 6. Might be looking into a career as a comedy writer. 5. Wanted out of London this week because he refuses to meet new director of the Italian Cultural Institute at the welcoming party. 4. Carson from QE said he would take him shopping. (no more brown shoes, oddly fitting shirts and short socks) 3. \"What the hell, it's just one stopover on my way to LA.\" 2. If Bill Murray can do it... 1. Norah Jones baby!!!"}, {"response": 1683, "author": "soph", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 2004 (10:36)", "body": "(karen) Some reviews/articles from France was about to post translations but it was too much work, and the google translations are ten times funnier anyway ! (allison) i shall feel quite odd eating colin en France the 'hake' one is a classic (and the reason for the confusion between the name and the fish stands in good place in any good dictionary) ... too bad it's such a bland fish, btw. (automatic translator from hell) its beautiful-doche LOL!!!!!! automatic translators have a real hard time with slang ! (belle-doche means mother-in-law, very informal word) (moon) But they do seem to like it en France mmhhh... i'm not that sure from the 10-something reviews i've read so far. blahblahnicecinematography, blahblahscarlet, but definitely not a movie to remember. i am waiting for *the* review (france inter, sunday night at eight) that sums them all. the movie is out in only a handful of theaters in paris, very little publicity in the subway and all... i bet it will mostly go unnoticed. the really good review i read is in the figaro, but they are sponsoring it. re: colin watch 2004: hey kimberly, have you tried calling and saying 'hi, it's scarlet here, i'm just outside the building.. can't colin meet me on teh sidewalk ?\". could work... LOL at top ten reasons for the SNL session another top 1 reason : *free martinis !*"}, {"response": 1684, "author": "soph", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 2004 (11:13)", "body": "sorry i forgot : a rather interesting interview with webber, where he talks about the clouds scene, and about the subjective point of view, etc. webber's interview @ allocin\ufffd"}, {"response": 1685, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 2004 (12:01)", "body": "he hair nicely buckles and the dark air, evoque Colin Firth furiously Lord Byron ROTFL....oooooooo-kay! Thanks Karen. Those are always a hoot."}, {"response": 1686, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 2004 (12:33)", "body": "Moon.... love your 10 Reasons Why....Capital! Capital! 8. His dream of being on a NY stage comes true. AKA \"As close as I'll get to Broadway.\" Translation reviews mobetta than \"real ones\". \" In the role of Vermeer, it is only eyebrows creases and will of paraitre has any opaque and mysterieux price...\" Is that French for \"smouldering\";-)"}, {"response": 1687, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 2004 (12:48)", "body": "One more: ...they promised him the musical guest spot, next time-with mirror. men captive of the contingencies always have reussi has evader by art, of the very poor or poor men in the life which creent nevertheless larger works, more luminous than them, full with this feeling whose their life etait denuee: love. I found this very thought-provoking. Thank you, Karen And I'm sure glad you can feel it in your fingers and in your bones. I will remember to breathe, breathe, breathe!!! But I will be missing my crumb-cake breaks;-("}, {"response": 1688, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 2004 (15:37)", "body": "Finally finished my list of Reasons Why(OK, I'm slow): (10) NBC needed to take the Qualified Credit for the Employment of Masturbatory Village Perverts by April 15th. (9) Intense lobbying by the Jollyhose Political Action Coalition. (8) Thought this gig was better than presenting at the Oscars. (7) Needed to get in touch with his comic inner self before grueling work on Nanny McPhee starts. (6) Always wanted to work with the director, you know, whatshisname (5) It was this or Iron Chef (4) Boys watch SNL (3) Donald Trump fired me (2) Been working on my Samurai Drycleaner for a long, long time. (1) Three words: Shoot'em up"}, {"response": 1689, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 2004 (15:41)", "body": "(Karen) (10) NBC needed to take the Qualified Credit for the Employment of Masturbatory Village Perverts by April 15th. ROFLMAO Knew someone would work MVP in, but the usage is masterful. Why, it's even socially conscious! Very good all!"}, {"response": 1690, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 2004 (16:41)", "body": "Kimberley, you are doing a fantastic job, hang on in there! Just popped by to say how I have enjoyed your top tens! ROTFL , thanks everyone. Counting the hours....... ;-0"}, {"response": 1691, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 2004 (19:20)", "body": "Thursday 4 March 2004 SNL Stakeout \ufffd Day 4 Number of times walked around 30 Rockerfeller Center - 1; number of times inside 30 Rockerfeller Center - 1; Number of times under 30 Rockerfeller Center - 1; number of times inside NBC Experience Store - 1; number of friends made with NBC pages \ufffd 1; number of cups of Free Trade Starbucks Coffee in honor of Colin Firth - 1; sightings of Colin Firth - . . .well, read on to find out;) 7 AM Metro Gal up and ready for another day of Colin Watch 2004. Am ruthlessly committed to bringing the details of my findings to Droolers all over the world! However, need to do errands first and foremost. 10:30 AM rehearsal with friend for Saturday Actor\ufffds Studio audition. Lunchtime meeting with friend from Showtime. Doom! Dooooom!!!!! Peeked out window. It is raining. It is raining! Know once I step outside will have mad flat hair. Will meet Colin looking like drowned wet squirrel. Know he will run away screaming in horror. 8:25 AM Am prepping hair for horrid outside rainy humid day while watching Today Show on TV. Ah, look Katie Couric & Matt Lauer outside. Am having fond memories of first Colin sighting in December.. Wait, that\ufffds Norah Jones music playing! Katie mentioning Love Actually soundtrack, joking with Matt that he and \ufffdMrs. Jones have a thing going on.\ufffd 8:30 was time he made appearance during Toy Drive. Gahhhhh!!! . .if these are not more karmic Colin Firth signs, do not know what is!!! Could he make surprise appearance??? Tripped over laundry piles in bedroom while lunging for VCR. Cursing, shoving tape into VCR programmed it to continue taping Today, as had to rush out to get train. Did stay till 9:05, no Colin, but the show goes on till 10 AM. Will have hope and review tape in the evening. Good, this good sign for the day, I feel it. 1:30 PM Am having lunch with friend from Showtime. And Kelly Clarkson\ufffds song from Love Actually soundtrack comes on. Another good sign;) 3:30 PM Made first initial u-sweep. No sightings. Noticed yesterday as well as today, undercover cop with same chocolate brown Labrador retriever standing by center Rockerfeller exit. Today, now standing right by where I was sitting on 49th street side watching Today show. Ha . perhaps cops are on to me! Will be even more stealthy in my approach! Decided to take NBC Studio tour, because Dorine mentioned it a few days earlier. Ask cashier what studios will be seen. She said, it would depend on what is not being used at the time. It varies every day. Dang. If SNL has 1st dress rehearsal, then surely will be in use, studio closed and will not see Colin. Saw Dateline studio empty, no one inside, whole studio in state of disarray. Made friends with one NBC page, v. nice girl. Overheard her talking to another woman on the tour who asked about SNL studio. (Have suspicion woman is Colin fan!) Page said, she did not think we\ufffdd get to see studio 8H. Usually the studio is open, but it mostly varies with the host\ufffds preference leaving it open or closed. This morning was closed. Even when she took 1:00 PM tour around, was closed. Feeling was, probably would not get to see it. 4 PM Yes! Yesssss!!!!!! Studio 8H was open! Walked eagerly up to the glass window behind the balcony seats to look down . . . And there was Colin Firth in midst of rehearsal. Was partially listening to NBC Page . .because he was saying we were very lucky that we are actually seeing a rehearsal in process. Apparently today was the first day Colin was in the studio (ahahahahah . . as I guessed previously). Usually, as Dorine mentioned, hosts are here whole week. Colin looked v. handsome, as usual. Brown jacket, black t-shirt with white line pattern on it, blue jeans. Hair in nice state of curliness (ala Mark Darcy pics) Was sitting in directors chair in center of set, reading from cue cards, then he moved to stand in front of wood panel wall to continue speaking. Did not look happy and seemed v. tired. I suspect jet lag was setting in (unless he was not happy with spot he was doing, could not tell.) Page kept talking, but was not fully listening, for was concentrating on watching Colin. Was resisting urge to press face against glass like child in candy store staring at sweets right beyond reach behind counter. Was smiling at sight of ODB, as I did automatically did at December toy drive. Could not hear too well, b/c page talking & volume of mics in studio not cranked up. But what I could hear sounded very serious. Think they are playing around with serious British sterotype. Only thing I could hear was: \ufffdAnd for the History Channel, this is Liam Neeson. . .\ufffd And when one of the cue cards turned around, I swear I saw something to the effect of . .\ufffdthe last temptation of Christ\ufffd or something like that. What an odd spot. . . .sorry I could not tell you more. But fellow Droolers, I can officially say I have finally seen the elusive Colin Firth!!!!!! Probably won\ufffdt have access to computer for the next few days, but will be happy to give update or share u"}, {"response": 1692, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 2004 (19:32)", "body": "8:32 PM Did you catch it? . .I just saw 1st SNL promo after friends. Colin was wearing what I saw him in this afternoon!"}, {"response": 1693, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 2004 (19:33)", "body": "*Clap, Clap* Kimberley...you are our hero....!! You Did it. He is there!! Many thanks!! You came through...we [can I use *we*, boss?] loves you. (Liam Neeson narrated some film on CNN last week on a Passion of Christ look-a-like.)"}, {"response": 1694, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 2004 (19:35)", "body": "Gah! Wonderful Kimberly!! Sure sign of more good things to come! Thanks for the continuing reportage! Just saw Colin do a commercial after Friends for SNL with Nora and blonde girl. He looked vaguely uncomfortable as blonde girl called him cute and grabbed him...And now my phone just rang twice with friends calling to alert me! Hah! Little do they know we have droolers on the scene!"}, {"response": 1695, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 2004 (19:51)", "body": "Great work, Kimberly. Patience and persistance pays off. See you tomorrow!"}, {"response": 1696, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 2004 (19:52)", "body": "Yay, Kimberly!! We have lift-off! So glad that Colin Watch 2004 has paid dividends. Apparently today was the first day Colin was in the studio That would be right. The earlier days are spent on brainstorming, writing, and table-reads if I understood what someone posted earlier correctly. Anyway, I saw the promo spot after Friends, and he looks great! He's standing between Rachel Dratch and Norah Jones. \"Hi, I'm Colin Firth and I'm hosting SNL this week with musical guest Norah Jones.\" Then Rachel blurts, \"God, you're so cute!\" Then she looks embarrassed at having said aloud what she was thinking and says, \"Who said that? Norah, I'm so embarrassed for you.\" Cute."}, {"response": 1697, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 2004 (19:53)", "body": "(Kimberly) But fellow Droolers, I can officially say I have finally seen the elusive Colin Firth!!!!!! Hurrah!!! I'm so happy you got to see him. Great sleuthing Sherlock! And I will look for the SNL promo tonight when I get home. Did not look happy and seemed v. tired. I suspect jet lag was setting in (unless he was not happy with spot he was doing, could not tell.) Uh-oh! Sounds like he may need someone to go get him some of that Fair Trade coffee! or if the skits suck....maybe a drink!"}, {"response": 1698, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 2004 (20:09)", "body": "(Tress)he may need someone to go get him some of that Fair Trade coffee! or if the skits suck....maybe a drink! Hmmm . .mushimoko darlings!!!! . .perhaps tomorrow the Droolers should deliver some martinis to the set!:)"}, {"response": 1699, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 2004 (20:14)", "body": "(I'm talking to Dorine on the phone who is still computerless and this is what she says:) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ \"Way to go Kimberly.\" \"Tenacity pays off.\" \"See you tomorrow\"!!"}, {"response": 1700, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 2004 (20:25)", "body": "Yay Kimberly!! You are a v. clever girl and you deserved to get the first glimpse of ODB after all your recon work on our behalf. Hope you and the other DD's have a great time this weekend, even if you can't get the tix. I'd love to be there with you!"}, {"response": 1701, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 2004 (21:12)", "body": "Many thanks!! You came through...we [can I use *we*, boss?] loves you. Well Evelyn that makes two of us... at least, and that's a *we* for sure! Great going Kimberly!"}, {"response": 1702, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 2004 (22:37)", "body": "Thanks for the heads up on the SNL promo spot. Just saw it.....love the way ODB tends to bark his own name. \"Hello, this is COL-in FIR-th....\". T-shirt was interesting. Looked to be a woman's head....close up, laying down and her hair flowing back....Couldn't even tell you what the women looked like as I was staring at Colin the entire time. He looked unsettled when SNL girl said \"God you're so cute! Oh Norah, I'm so embarrassed for you!\". Then he kinda did an expulsion of air through his lips and gave a very slight smile. He looked great!"}, {"response": 1703, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 2004 (23:29)", "body": "Two words for Kimberly: You ROCK! Thank you for your surveillance efforts and reports. Makes me feel as if I were there (GAH, now only few hour trainride away, but can not make it to NYC this weekend)."}, {"response": 1704, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (00:32)", "body": "The promo ran during Leno's show, too, and just now I saw a new one on Conan O'Brien's show. Same three people, same intro from Colin. Rachel says, \"I loved you in Bridget Jones's Diary. And I'm just like Bridget, I want to shag you.\" Colin: \"Not in front of Norah.\" Tress, you're right about the shirt."}, {"response": 1705, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (00:54)", "body": "*clap clap clap* Kimberley, you done good, real good! So happy that you've had a sighting. Saw both promos tonight as well, but that isn't Rachel Dratch. The blonde one is Amy Poehler (I did have to go to the SNL site to find her name.) I have some screen caps from promo 1 and will put them up in the a.m. Good luck, ladies, and have fun tomorrow and Saturday if you don't get back online for awhile."}, {"response": 1706, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (01:54)", "body": "Here you go: http://www.firth.com/gal/gal_04snl_promo1.html"}, {"response": 1707, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (04:51)", "body": "Thanks for getting the pics up so fast Karen. After watching both Leno and Conan without so much as a snippet of Colin, the pics were some consolation. I know we in Canada don't get the same commercials as in the U.S. but I was hoping that we might at least see a promo for SNL. And thanks to all the Metro Gals for your intreprid reporting. Good luck with more sightings, and tickets."}, {"response": 1708, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (07:45)", "body": "Thanks to Karen and Kathy C. for the excellent screencaps! Great, fast work, ladies! Rachel/Amy, whatever; these people are not as memorable as Ackroyd and Murray.;-)"}, {"response": 1709, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (08:23)", "body": "Mari, thanks for this bit: \"I loved you in Bridget Jones's Diary. And I'm just like Bridget, I want to shag you.\" Colin: \"Not in front of Norah.\" Missed that one! Too funny.... And thank you Karen and Kathy C! Lovely! Sooooo that's what the girls looked like (I know what Norah looks like, so no need to look in that direction and I wasn't curious enough to look at Amy Poehler)! Couldn't tear my eyes of the man, so was just vaguely aware that they were there! ;-) Never figured ODB for a print t-shirt kinda guy. He's just full of surprises these past couple of weeks. I do like the shirt though."}, {"response": 1710, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (08:26)", "body": "*Clap, Clap, Boss. Colin Firth Commercial lookin' good:-))))"}, {"response": 1711, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (08:30)", "body": "Kim! I'm so happy for you -- perseverance pays off! And no one would have blamed you at all for pressing your face to the glass (just watch out for those tell-tale drool streaks)."}, {"response": 1712, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (08:41)", "body": "Why am I reminded of Dustin Hoffman in the balcony of the church in \"The Graduate\". If I were there, they would have heard the banging on the glass on stage ;-) Loved your reports, Kimberley. I'm so glad you had a sighting! (Still can't quite believe he's going to be hosting--but even my channel guide thingy says so ;-)"}, {"response": 1713, "author": "Gails", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (09:05)", "body": "Holy Cow, Ladies, what great work. I've been out of the loop for the past week or so, came back and found all sorts of excitement. Kimberley, I just love your recon posts (glad I have windex & paper towels nearby -- I had some great laughs). Karen & Kathy C, thanks for the screencaps. Sure do like his hair."}, {"response": 1714, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (09:07)", "body": "Way to go Kimberley! I'm proud of you, and not a little green with envy. I would've loved to be in your shoes for a minute or two...:-) Thank you for your wonderful report! Karen, Kathy, thanks for the screen caps. He looks gorgeous - as usual."}, {"response": 1715, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (09:22)", "body": "Kathy did some more of the second promo slot, which I've added to the same page. Enjoy!"}, {"response": 1716, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (09:30)", "body": "New article in the weekend Melbourne paper. Would somebody check if the actual one used the old Telegraph pic. Renaissance man March 6, 2004 Brooding, serious and awfully hunky in period costume, Colin Firth plays the artist Vermeer perfectly, writes Tom Ryan. Colin Firth has a special affection for Rome. It's where his wife of six years, 33-year-old Livia Giuggioli, grew up, and it's also the birthplace of their first son, Luca, who's fast approaching his third birthday. And although he's reluctant to \"do press\", as he puts it, he finds himself in Rome doing just that. He was there last year to promote The Importance of Being Earnest and he's back again for the launch of The Girl with a Pearl Earring, in which he plays 17th-century Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer opposite Scarlett Johansson as his 17-year-old muse. With the film's publicist watching the clock in the next room, Firth is staying in a hotel, doing a couple of interviews before heading off to spend the day fending off questions from the Italian media about \"what it's like being Mr Darcy\", referring to the 1995 performance that officially turned him into a heart-throb, as Fitzwilliam Darcy, Esq, in the BBC's mini-series adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. \"I'm sitting in a barren room that looks like an interrogation room in a Belgrade police station,\" he complains (not that he's ever been inside one). \"If I look out the window, however, I'm looking at a beautiful terracotta-tiled roof with a million TV aerials and a dome, of the mini-St Peter's variety. Beyond that there's an ancient Roman palace, and to my right there's a statue of St Peter. I'm high up, so I'm overlooking the rooftops.\" Ah, Rome! \"Yes, indeed. It's pissing with rain, more like a Norfolk winter than an Italian one. Awfully dark and gloomy.\" No sign at all of the golden sunshine that smiled down six years ago on his meeting by the fountain in the Piazza Navona with Helen Fielding. Forget \"smiled\", though: it was probably more like guffawing at their exchange. Fielding is the author of two diary-style novels whose perpetually befuddled heroine is named Bridget Jones. She had originally invented the character as a nom-de-plume for a regular column she'd been writing for the Independent newspaper. In the big-screen adaptation of the first of the books, Bridget Jones's Diary, Firth had played Bridget's uptight object of desire, a Fitzwilliam Darcy type of chap named Mark Darcy. In a twist in the second novel, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, published in 1999, Bridget is assigned to interview Colin Firth. The subsequent encounter is presented in the book as a straight Q&A. The topic is supposed to be Firth's then-latest film, Fever Pitch, based on Nick Hornby's semi-autobiographical novel. In real life, Fielding set up the interview with a co-operative Firth and came to Rome to do it. \"It was contrived a little,\" he explains. \"Helen of course is not Bridget and I'm not really Colin Firth, or at least not the one in the book. That's someone I assumed for the interview. \"Then she was generous enough to include me in the editing process afterwards. She would fax me a draft and I would say, 'Maybe cut this or add that or change the answer here or there.' \" Alas, the scene won't be turning up in the big-screen adaptation of the second film, directed by Beeban Kidron, which is finished and now awaiting release. So who is Colin Firth when he's not busy being Colin Firth? He says he is certainly not, in real life, anything like the put-upon men he's presented to the world in films such as The English Patient, Shakespeare in Love, Londinium (screened here on cable TV as Four Play), Love Actually, Girl with a Pearl Earring, not to mention Pride and Prejudice. \"None of them are me as I see myself,\" he declares, \"although they probably all are representative of me to some extent. I think they have to be for any actor playing any role. For it to be convincing, it's got to come from somewhere that's you. The question is about realigning the relevant parts of yourself. \"You always have to find something about a character that you like. You can be playing the most despicable human being, but if you pronounce them despicable then you won't be able to make it real.\" The suggestion that Firth might originally have become an actor in order to meet girls is apparently untrue. It just turned out that way. In 1989, he worked with Meg Tilly on Valmont, Milos Forman's adaptation of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos's famed novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses, and the pair spent the next few years together with their son, William, now 12, pursuing a secluded existence in the Canadian backwoods. After their amicable split came the affair with Jennifer Ehle, who played Elizabeth Bennet to his Darcy in the BBC miniseries. And then, while shooting an adaptation of Joseph Conrad's Nostromo in Colombia in 1996, again for the BBC, he met Livia Giuggioli, who was working on the miniseries as a production assista"}, {"response": 1717, "author": "LauraS", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (09:43)", "body": "Oh to be in NYC! Thanks Kimberly for your excellent sleuthing skills and reports. GRRR...Cannot believe that TV stations in Canada are not showing promos for SNL. AHHHHrrrrggghhhh...must rush off to Seattle or somewhere civilized!!!! Thanks Karen for getting the promos posted so quickly. I have let my imagination run wild (bad laura, bad, bad)"}, {"response": 1718, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (09:52)", "body": "Thanks, Karen! And KathyC! (Kimberly) But fellow Droolers, I can officially say I have finally seen the elusive Colin Firth!!!!!! I had a feeling you would! Good intuition, Kimberley! Have a great time tomorrow ladies."}, {"response": 1719, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (10:17)", "body": "He's on the NBC home page: http://www.nbc.com From the looks of the promos, and the above, I think they're playing the hunk card.;-) (Meredith)Why am I reminded of Dustin Hoffman in the balcony of the church in \"The Graduate\". LOL, I'd bet anything Kinm's DNA is all over that studio glass.;-) I'm reminded of a movie from the '60s called The World of Henry Orient, in which two teens follow their hearthrob, played by Peter Sellers, all around Manhattan. Too cute."}, {"response": 1720, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (10:52)", "body": "(Mari), From the looks of the promos, and the above, I think they're playing the hunk card.;-) Duh! ;-) Do you think he's happy about that? ;-))))"}, {"response": 1721, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (11:00)", "body": "(Moon)Do you think he's happy about that? ;-)))) He posed naked (as far as we can see;-) in a tub recently, didn't he?"}, {"response": 1722, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (11:14)", "body": "(Mari) From the looks of the promos, and the above, I think they're playing the hunk card.;-) (Moon)Do you think he's happy about that? ;-)))) (Mari) He posed naked (as far as we can see;-) in a tub recently, didn't he? And if he didn't want to do it, he wouldn't. He'd be doing nonhunky roles in serious films."}, {"response": 1723, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (11:25)", "body": "(Mari)LOL, I'd bet anything Kinm's DNA is all over that studio glass.;-) I'm reminded of a movie from the '60s called The World of Henry Orient, in which two teens follow their hearthrob, played by Peter Sellers, all around Manhattan. Too cute. Mari, I've been thinking this same thing all week. LOL! Angela Lansbury was in that, too. One of my fave movies. They should remake it with 'slightly' older women trying to find hunky actor :-)"}, {"response": 1724, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (11:31)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1725, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (11:42)", "body": "Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!! And I'm going to delete it, even though you had a winkie."}, {"response": 1726, "author": "caribou", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (12:39)", "body": "Thanks so much for the great news, ladies. Kim, special thanks for the recon work and timely reporting. It is hard to imagine going on a studio tour and seeing him on stage. I still can't believe he's actually doing this! Kim's report and the ads are helping but there are just some things that are too good to be true. Thanks, Mari, for the NBC link. Colin peeking out from behind a beautiful woman with flowing hair reminds me of the GWAPE poster. He's seems quite gentlemanly to let them \"upstage\" him.;-) Karen and KathyC, thanks for the screen caps. Your speed and thoroughness continue to amaze. I put in a new tape and pushed record and let it go into the wee sma's. I don't think I've ever rushed through 6 hours or programming to get to the commercials. I didn't go slo-mo through his clips because I knew they were here waiting for me. Many, many thanks!!!!! In the third clip with the tan jacket, what does he say when he realizes they weren't saying he was cute? Best of luck to all the drooleurs descending on NYC. I wish the stand by tickets would go to the people who care the most."}, {"response": 1727, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (12:59)", "body": "(Caribou)In the third clip with the tan jacket, what does he say when he realizes they weren't saying he was cute? What third clip? What have I missed while away from my set?;-)"}, {"response": 1728, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (13:00)", "body": "Didn't see it either, as my screen went blue after Conan last night. Bad cable company. Bad. :-("}, {"response": 1729, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (13:07)", "body": "Thanks Mari for the hunky NBC link. Thrilling. IMO, Katie Couric's fingerprints all over this gig. Did you say \"Marty Scorsese\", Moon? I'm thinking Farrelly Brothers;-)"}, {"response": 1730, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (13:36)", "body": "(Karen), And I'm going to delete it, even though you had a winkie. LOL! Fear factor, I suppose. ;-) (Evelyn), Did you say \"Marty Scorsese\", Moon? I'm thinking Farrelly Brothers;-) LOL! Maybe he wants it bad enough now. If we do see a skit with him as James Bond, beware!"}, {"response": 1731, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (15:28)", "body": "Success Times two: I got to NY just after 11am, checked in and went to NBC for studio tour. Long winded guide and finally as we boarded yet another elevator the guide look at me and said to you like SNL--they're rehearsing and we can watch. YES!!! I was the first one off the elevator and the monitors were facing us and there was Colin. I looked down to the stage and there he was--arms going all over the place and looking like he was having an overall good time. I think, at that point he was just having a conversation with one of the cast. He was in a black long sleeved T, and cords. His hair looked shorter, but I think it was just extra curly because of the weather. Anyway, in NY for less than two hours and ding dong!! I lingered as long as I could. I vaguely remember hearing the guide ask if the people at the front could move so the ones in the back could take a look. Sorry, but I didn't move because of the 26 of us on the tour---they all needed a lesson on who Colin Firth was-sheesh! Of course I was happy to oblidge and give a lesson on the elevator. Ten minutes later, I met Dorine who was running a bit late and we did it again. Now I knew the routine and just lingered so we were the last ones on the elevator for the SNL studio floor which meant first ones at the glass. Colin was still there but this time rehearsing over to the left. He was sitting on a couch and looked like he was a bit drunk (Dorine said that). We couldn't figure out what they were doing but he was on the couch with Rachel (blonde) and she kept getting up and walking behind him and he kept grabbing her arm. We'll have to wait till tomorrow to see what that's all about. Dorine and I stayed behind as long as we could until another guide/guard came up behind and moved us along. Anyway, gotta go. Will check back in later. And of course he was AFGAFGAFG-as usual"}, {"response": 1732, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (15:34)", "body": "YES! Way to go Dorine and Linda! Am so excited that you got to see Colin rehearsing. And Kimberly saw him yesterday! Good times!"}, {"response": 1733, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (15:44)", "body": "(Linda), We couldn't figure out what they were doing but he was on the couch with Rachel (blonde) and she kept getting up and walking behind him and he kept grabbing her arm. Sounds like a BJ skit. You girls rock! Can't wait to hear your comments on the live show. I am confident you will get in. :-)"}, {"response": 1734, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (15:45)", "body": "Viewing area was behind glass! Too bad there would be no way to sneak into the audience seating area and hide. ;-) Very exciting! You go, gals!"}, {"response": 1735, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (16:07)", "body": "WOO HOO, Linda! You, Dorine, and Kimberly are our Triplets of Bello-ville!:-) Way to go, girls--keep us posted!"}, {"response": 1736, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (17:29)", "body": "Yipee Dorine and Linda!!! Ding dong indeed! Knew you guys would break on through to the other side!! Guess we weren't the only ones wondering.. http://www.gothamist.com/archives/2004/03/03/live_from_ny_its_colin_firth.php"}, {"response": 1737, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (17:35)", "body": "oops..Forgot to say thanks for the new article Karen!"}, {"response": 1738, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (17:35)", "body": "Hi Everyone Saw a rough cut of Edge of Reason today and I think most of you will especially like the scenes of a bare chested Colin in bed :) There are some wonderful moments from Renee, Colin and Hugh. Some tear jerky scenes between Mark and Bridget in the Thai jail. I enjoyed it. Hope you will too. If you have any questions about this film let me know. :) Also, the Nanny project was discussed and some of the females in the room gave out a collective \"aaaaahhhhh\" when told that he plays a widower father of 7. :)Seems like a cross between The Nanny and the Professor, Sound of Music, and Mary Poppins. Not one of my favorite ideas but we'll have to see how it develops. Some of you guessed right about V. :) Truly one of my favorite human beings. Talk about a good soul. I suggested he be cast in our upcoming yet uncast film directed by Peter Jackson. But he might balk. :) Take care and have a great weekend! I know you will have a great Saturday Night at least! Talk to you again soon."}, {"response": 1739, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (17:42)", "body": "Gothamist OK gang, somebody post! Dorine/Linda....You're on a Roll!!"}, {"response": 1740, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (17:48)", "body": "Hi Lola! Always good to hear from you, hope you are doing well! (HolaLola)If you have any questions about this film let me know. :) I hope you know you are opening up a whole tin of Marmite here! ;-))"}, {"response": 1741, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (17:48)", "body": "Thanks Maria! Like the last post on the Gothamist! LOL! (Hola) If you have any questions about this film let me know. :) And Hola? Really? We can ask questions? Suppose that means that you may or may not be able to answer, so will try to keep general. I love Bridget (all by herself), but am wondering....how much screen time does ODB get? And Hugh? Was Hugh's part expanded a great deal? Will we see more Mark Darcy this time around than in the orginal? And will this one leave us hanging? Have heard rumors of BJD 3...was wondering if this is a 'stand alone' piece or if we will be left wondering what's going to happen.... Thanks! If you can't answer, I understand!"}, {"response": 1742, "author": "HolaLola", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (17:53)", "body": "Since I'm still here :) (Tress)how much screen time does ODB get? And Hugh? Was Hugh's part expanded a great deal? Will we see more Mark Darcy this time around than in the orginal? Colin has a much greater role as the story centers around his and her relationship--from heady love and romance in the beginning (with a great takeoff on the Sound of Music hillside scene) to the eventual crumbling of the romance and breakup, to the realization that neither can live without the other. Hugh's part is expanded. Yes. He's a swarmier Daniel Cleaver if you can imagine :)"}, {"response": 1743, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (17:56)", "body": "Thanks Hola!!! (Hola) He's a swarmier Daniel Cleaver if you can imagine :) Oh good! I like Hugh when he's swarmy! He does it so well it makes ya wonder! The bad boy thing suits him, I think."}, {"response": 1744, "author": "caribou", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (18:21)", "body": "(Caribou)In the third clip with the tan jacket, what does he say when he realizes they weren't saying he was cute? (Mari)What third clip? What have I missed while away from my set?;-) I've been playing \"Where's Colin?\" with the six hour tape I put in at 9PM last night. He is in a third clip right after Carson Daly. He changed into a tan shirt jacket to make it harder to spot while fast forwarding but, they couldn't fool me. I called in reinforcements. DH understood the last line he shyly mumbles in one try.:-) CF: I'm Colin Firth and I'm hosting SNL with Norah Jones. Blonde: Won't it be fun to work with such a cute guy? Norah: Yeah, I can hardly wait. CF: (So cute as he humbly looks from one to the other) That's very flattering ladies. Norah: We're talking about Jimmy Fallon. CF: (crestfallen) Oh! Right! Me, too. I'm lovin' it! In just a few seconds of air time there have already been a dozen dear expressions. What will a whole hour of Firth produce?"}, {"response": 1745, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (19:55)", "body": "Yes, yes, yesssssss!!! Just saw the spot identified as third at 8:40 EST. He looks wonderful and v. relaxed. Looks quite sheepish when he realizes the girls aren't referring to him as the cute guy they will be working with. Keeping fingers and toes crossed that the writing won't be terrible and that his charm and wit will be apparant to everyone, not just those of us who love him dearly. Thannks to Karen and KathyC for the delicious screen caps and the new article. I'll read it tomorrow to keep me calm while I'm waiting for SNL. Dorine and Linda, Ding don, ding dong, ding dong!!!! How exciting for you to see him rehearsing. Oh, to be in NYC with you, Kimberly, Bee and Little Bee and any other DD's who are able to make the trip. I have a feeling our intrepid reporters will be successful in their search for Colin in the wild as well. Go to it!!!"}, {"response": 1746, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (00:52)", "body": "(Hola)Some tear jerky scenes between Mark and Bridget in the Thai jail. I enjoyed it. Hope you will too. Hi Hola, and thanks for the great news about TEOR. I do have a question-is there a lot of the Thai jail stuff, and do we actually see MD there with Bridget? In the book we only know that MD is working behind the scenes to free her. Also, did Colin travel to Thailand with Renee and Hugh to film any of this or were his scenes done in studio? Thank you, and hope you're feeling OK."}, {"response": 1747, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (00:54)", "body": "This is lindak, but I'm on Dorine's computer, here in NY, and the above post to Hola was from me. ...so no, Dorine isn't double posting;-)"}, {"response": 1748, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (01:17)", "body": "(Somebody) This is lindak, but I'm on Dorine's computer, here in NY, and the above post to Hola was from me....so no, Dorine isn't double posting;-) How can I know for certain? You could be anybody. But, nevermind, I'm writing it in my book. I've got it in my book. ;-) Thanks Hola for the early comments. Now, what's this about only a bare chest in bed? Sheesh! Isn't this an R rated movie? I gather we won't be treated to Mark Darcy clad only in a towel striding in barrister mode. Major disappointment. I told Helen, it was my favorite column."}, {"response": 1749, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (01:19)", "body": "Dorine, Linda, Shosh, Bee, Little Bee, Leslie, Kimberly......our intrepid reporters!! Hope you guys are having loads and loads of fun! I'm with you in spirit and rooting for you all the way! Say \"howdy\" to ODB when you see him! ;-)"}, {"response": 1750, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (01:23)", "body": "They've been showing another commercial for SNL that shows them doing Ozzy and Sharon. I'm sure another regular castmember does Ozzy (as well as Simon Cowell) but maybe he'll be joined by another fellow Englishman? A long-haired old bandmember? ;-)"}, {"response": 1751, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (06:57)", "body": "Thanks Hola for the inside scoop on TEOR. Do you have any idea of a release date? Looks like someone here correctly guessed about the picnic scene and the connection to Maria and Captain Von Trapp;-) I'm thrilled to hear that we probably won't be seeing a cliffhanger ending. Hope you are feeling well and resting up for your sleepless nights to come."}, {"response": 1752, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (07:06)", "body": "Saw that commercial with Ozzy. Didn't realize that was a current skit. Think that's Alesandro Sanz (or whatever his name is). Quick early report.... Linda and I got to standby line at 4:40 am, Kim and Leslie and Shoshana not long after. Good amount already in line. When Linda and I went by last night, there were maybe a dozen. (While cruising the Plaza on the way to the Four Seasons for a drink, saw Lorne Michaels getting into a Mercedes across the street (~ 9pm). Had spotted Mercedes in front of NBC side door from down the street and been walking toward it just in case a certain someone else was going to be getting in it. LM got in quickly and left. No one else came out.) A very large group in line by 7am. Kim asked me after I'd walked by the front of the line, how many did it seem were ahead. I guessed 25....and our standby tix are 26-30. Someone came along just before they were given out to say that we had to ask for either Dress or Show. When we come back at 7:15, we line up in the order of our ticket numbers. Those who go to Dress can stay through the show. Kinda blew our theory that more people would pick show than Dress as it seems everyone in front of us picked Dress. A no brainer, really if we can stay. :-( if we don't get in......and will say, speaking for myself....I'm sooooo not holding my breath that any of us will. Linda might post some later, possibly under my name. I'll be in a seminar all day. Think they are all planning to take NBC tour."}, {"response": 1753, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (08:31)", "body": "Kimberley, Dorine and Linda ........ WOW, Ladies, you really know how to go! Double gratitude from this side of the pond! Loved all your on the spot reporting and great descripitions of ODB! Thanks Mari for the NBC site, essential for those of us with no know how about SNL ;-) Also the great screen caps from Karen a nd Kathy, thank you. What a dream team! Am looking forward to reading all your posts early tomorrow morning , when with a bit of luck, there will still be euphoric ODB posts hitting the board. ENJOY, everyone. Lizza * who's greener than a leprechaun In a St. Patrick's day parade*"}, {"response": 1754, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (09:56)", "body": "Saturday 6 March 2004 Live From New York \ufffd It\ufffds Saturday Morning!!!!! Number of Droolers in NYC \ufffd 7; Number of hours of sleep \ufffd cannot recall, all lost in an alcoholic haze; Number of hours on line waiting for SNL tix \ufffd at least 2 and a half ( in the rain, in the wind, cold, etc . .mad hair and all); number of copies of Village Voice we obtained to sit on \ufffd 4; sightings of Colin Firth \ufffd 2, we believe 9:16 AM Am now dry, showered and fed. . . v. good start to the morning.(despite beginnings of sleep deprivation.) Was not able to post yesterday, due to lack of computer access. But all well. Have now met other Droolers . .Linda, Bee, Shosh (Love Lovely Droolers!) Took dinner and then eventually all gathered in the bar area of Omni Berkshire hotel ( keeping eyes open for ODB) and happily downing many glasses of chardonnay. Had thought one possible sighting. Linda leaned over to me whispered \ufffdhooded figure\ufffd as I quietly got up and made my way to the hotel lobby under premise of searching for ladies room. Hmph. Hooded gentleman disappered into thin air. Drool gathering ended about 12:30 AM (Saturday). Karmic sign, perhaps? About 4:13 this morning - Leslie and I are in her parent\ufffds apartment on East side. Was dreaming all Droolers were extras in Colin\ufffds newest film. ( Do not think it was NMcP) Location manager was yelling at us to get on the bus so we could get to the newest set, an annoying buzzing in the air. (alarm for us to get up) We take taxi over to 30 Rockerfeller Center. See Linda already on line. Dorine joins us, then Shosh. Is v. wet, v. cold, v. windy. But for Colin, will suffer mad flat hair and soaking wool coat for 2 and a half hours. Will just wring out socks and shoes later. Got tix \ufffd v. good. Numbers on tix are low, v. v. good sign again. Were hungry and decided to go around corner to Dean and DeLuca for Coffee (not Fair Trade, I think \ufffd Sorry Colin) We hunker down to make plans for the day, NBC tours, etc. . . As Linda goes to buy the 2nd round of coffee. She shouts \ufffdAlert!\ufffd and runs out door (without coat, phone, umbrella.) Within minutes she is past the ice rink and across the street, rounding the corner. Realize she saw something. But by the time I gathered coat, umbrella and cell phone, Linda is back. Believes she saw HIM! She can post better how she saw him, but she had recognized gait, look of him in jeans, hair (spot on the back of his head wear all the fur has been loved off), and sped off to see if it was him. Mysterious Man disappeared into AP building. Will tell Droolers to keep eye out for any new AP articles. Thought perhaps he went for an interview before 10 AM Rehearsal. V.G. start to day!. Believe these are good karmic signs. Know we will get into SNL dress rehearsal and also see him on NBC tour. Also, may have even better news tomorrow morning if further developments this evening go as planned. Have sent Karen nice pic montage of our SNL tix. Metro Gal \ufffd signing off . . .(for now)"}, {"response": 1755, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (10:11)", "body": "Linda should be on shortly. Have had lovely chat about her early morning activities and sightings. Appears that, if it weren't for Nora Jones being on, they'd be assured of getting in. *fingers remain crossed, though is v. hard to type* Just hours to go! The excitement is palpable."}, {"response": 1756, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (10:18)", "body": "Operating on two hours sleep, here, and yes it's linda posting as linda no AKA Dorine, today. Dorine has covered most of what happened in the early morning hours. I know a lot of people in front of us picked the dress rehearsal, but according to the guides at NBC and the hotel concierge--dress rehearsal is the better bet as a lot of real ticket holders for the rehearsal don't show and more stand-bys get in to that show. We'll see. Thank goodness they are numbered, because I would probably fall asleep on my feet if we had to stand in line, again. It will also be interesting to compare the two shows if we do get in as they told us on the tour that they cut and tweak from the first show in that hour and 1/2 before they do the 11:30 one. I'm going to get some sleep, now, and meet the rest of the gang for the 1:00 studio tour. Hey, I'm going for the record-you didn't think I just did that for movies, did you;-) Thanks for all the good vibes being sent our way-it really does work- and I think the weather worked in our favor again. It poured during the night and into the early am hours and may have kept several away which allowed us to get decent stand by numbers. One more hurdle to overcome and hopefully we'll have some good news."}, {"response": 1757, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (10:29)", "body": "Oh, gawd, my sighting. I almost forgot. Actually brain is not functioning. Martinis and no sleep;-) I couldn't describe the sighting any better than Kimberly except to say I wish I had looked up sooner because I only was going by the rear view-and a nice view it was (whoever it was if not ODB) As I looked up he had just rounded the corner, but it was the stride that first caught my eye, then the long jeaned legs, curylhair-complete with MPB spot that was also v. noticed yesterday at rehearsal. At times like these, one isn't quite aware how one will react. At least I had sense enought to look both ways before I took off across the street. Also had sense enough to jog on my toes as not to make noise behind him as the plaza was quite deserted on that side-I was afraid ODB or whoever he was would think he was being mugged or about to have his bones jumped. What amazed me was how quickly he disappeared once he got into the building. A guard was there as the sign inside the revolving door said \"closed\" the door was still revolving as I approached but poof, he was gone- like magic. Maybe he is already preparing for role with the magic Nanny;-) Anyway, there you have it, at least I had my exercise for the day-perfect after two hours of line standing. Bye for now."}, {"response": 1758, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (10:59)", "body": "From the gang. I'll let them provide the explanations, but looks to be an altar to YKW and (????) Alexander Graham Bell. ;-) Will also be sending to the DDs a link to a zipfile of the first promo spot done by a dedicated lurker. The file is about 8 MB (v. large), so I don't want to post it here, as the downloading could have an adverse impact on our server. I will only leave the file up there through the weekend and then will delete it."}, {"response": 1759, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (11:10)", "body": "ROTFLMAO....Wonderful! Love that! Will light candles around it and play my BJD soundtrack. Use it as a virtual alter! Am sending positive vibes toward the Metro Girls so that can get in (so as to place offerings at the feet of ODB)! ;-D Gooooood luck crazy girls!!!! Am so wishing I was there with them!!!"}, {"response": 1760, "author": "socadook", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (11:20)", "body": "Loved all the reports. Can't wait for the morning after the night before. Kimberly S. already a legend. All Metro gals, good luck you crazy girls! Good vibes being sent your way."}, {"response": 1761, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (12:00)", "body": "Am loving the reports from our SNL Ready for Prime Time Players!:-) Great looking shrine, too. (Dorine)Linda and I got to standby line at 4:40 am, Kim and Leslie and Shoshana not long after. I don't think I've ever seen 4:40 am. What does the clock look like at that hour?;-) You girls deserve to get in and I think you will--and possibly seeing two shows--what a coup! I hope the rain has cleared; of not, you will have to be Colin's own Holden Caulfields--\"The Catchers In The Cobbles.\";-) Check out http://www.nbc.com now Wish I had the ability to make a screenshot--that's one for the books! Saw yet another versoin if the promo lat last night. Just Colin and Norah. Colin: \"I was in Bridget Jones and you're Norah Jones!\" Norah: \"So what?\" Colin (doing his slightly embarrassed stammering schtick to perfection: \"Well, I dunno, just seemed interesting to mention . . .\""}, {"response": 1762, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (12:23)", "body": "(Mari) Wish I had the ability to make a screenshot--that's one for the books! You mean this: Actually, I wish I had the little one from yesterday. It had more atmosphere IMO but I won't complain. Is that understood? I'm not complaining. ;-)"}, {"response": 1763, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (12:38)", "body": "LOL, Karen! How could you complain with all the excitment in the air! ;-) (Tress),Am sending positive vibes toward the Metro Girls so that can get in I'm doing the same! You deserve it! Great reports and I love the mini-shrine. Go girl power!"}, {"response": 1764, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (13:35)", "body": "More Success--SPOILERS Just got back from the third tour of the SNL studio. Forget NBC tour--just SNL Tour. Had to go as I was familiar with the route and needed to show the others what the best position would be to be at the front where the glass is to see the stage.(at least that is what I told myself;-) Had few moments of terror as the crew only was there fixing and whathaveyou. Then Colin walked out looking wonderful. He was in a tweed brownish jacket, grey flannel slacks, light shirt and tie with gold, brown, and greenish blue. They rehearsed a political sketch. Three of the cast are arguing their political pov's--liberal, conservative, and independent. Each are called a name, then Colin steps in and acts like a pompous Englishman know-it-all. They label him as pompous opinionated, Englishman. Then some of the dialogue couldn't b e heard, but a French guy with berret is sitting in a corner and Colin says lets beat up the French guy...they all take out foam bats and begin to beat the heck out of the unsuspecting Frenchman...it was quite funny as the others in the tour laughed, as well. Also, while this was going on the crew was putting together a bed, yes, a real bed. It is positioned in front of half wall and behind that wall is the double doors where Colin will come out of to do the monologue. Dying to know what that bed is going to be used for. Sadly our time was up all too soon, but, Leslie got to see Colin for the first time. YES!!! Colin really looked v.v. AFGorgeously handsome-the best of the three tours. We didn't move from our glass position as one comment was: the host is that big tall guy--I forget his name. We, in unision said Colin Firth. It was asked again as we watched the rehearsal, and again, we said, C-o-l-i-n F-i-r-t-h! When the other participants of the tour have no clue...we don't move! OK, gotta get that shower and at least an hours' worth of sleep. Leslie will post a bit more in a short while. Please keep those vibes coming our way...time is getting close, now. Thanking you all for the good thoughts and wishes. Our wish is that you were all here with us."}, {"response": 1765, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (13:45)", "body": "Have put up more caps from Promo 3: http://www.firth.com/gal/gal_04snl_promo2.html"}, {"response": 1766, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (13:48)", "body": "(Linda) Dying to know what that bed is going to be used for. How many women are regular and featured cast members? Could be quite a crowd. ;-) Thanks for the update, Linda. Am so enjoying all the reports. Almost just like I was there with you all. *sniff sniff*"}, {"response": 1767, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (13:50)", "body": "Yipppppeeeee!! I just knew you guys were seeing Colin (as tried Linda's cellie and it appeared to be off, so made huge assumption that she was right then looking upon ODB!!). YES!!! Am so excited to see this tonight in Portland so cannot imagine what you guys are feeling right now (okay, I can a bit, but you know what I mean)! Things are just going to go your way. I still have faith that you will be in to see dress rehearsal and the taping! I'm going to be looking for you in the audience when I watch! Yell LOUD so we can hear you!!! Am so happy for you guys (please note rambling, which is not unusual for me, but I'm extremely thrilled for the Metro Girls). And congratulations Leslie! He's pretty amazing IRL, huh??? Just wait 'til you get closer. That skin is pretty fantastic up close!!! (Linda) Colin really looked v.v. AFGorgeously handsome-the best of the three tours. GAH!!! And don't forget to scope out the loos!!! ;-) Though you seem to be doing quite well without the bathroom runs..... Still sending positive vibes your way.....have WAGW soundtrack (yeeessssss.....I own it) blasting and am sending those positive vibes and hugs your way aaalllllllll day and into the night!"}, {"response": 1768, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (13:58)", "body": "Sorry for double post! Thanks for captures Karen and KathyC!!! Lovely! I've only seen two of the promos (one of them twice). VCR is sketchy and not hooked up, so I thank you for the peek at the other ones! (Linda) We didn't move from our glass position as one comment was: the host is that big tall guy--I forget his name. We, in unision said Colin Firth. It was asked again as we watched the rehearsal, and again, we said, C-o-l-i-n F-i-r-t-h! LOL....good call! Never give up your seat to a non-believer. If they don't know who he is, then they can stand behind you to have a look at him! ;-) I feel like that Calvin Klein commercial from the late 70s with Brooke Shields.....\"nothing gets between me and ODB (except another Drooler)\" Showing age again.....!"}, {"response": 1769, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (14:26)", "body": "Thanks to the caring and perseverance of my beloved DD\ufffds here in NY\ufffd. I AM NO LONGER A VIRGIN!!!! (Sorry for shouting, boss, but if ever there was a time to do it, it\ufffds now.) Just returned from NBC studio tour and my first unveiling of the man, in the flesh. 12:45 pm: Bee, Kimberley, Shoshana, Linda and I on line for 1:00 tour. Linda and Kim carefully reviewing the tips gleamed from their excellent recon work over the past two days. Linda reinforces, over and over, we need to be the last ones in the first elevator after leaving the Tom Brokaw studio portion of the tour. That way, we\ufffdll be in position to move to the front of the glass at the SNL studio. It\ufffds a full house. There are 26 people going on the tour. 1:10 pm: In line waiting to ascend first elevator. Woman in front of us says that SNL may be rehearsing because the show is tonight. \ufffdAnd you know that really tall guy, what\ufffds his name, is tonight\ufffds host\ufffd. 5 DD\ufffds respond in unison \ufffdColin Firth\ufffd. \ufffdOh yeah\ufffd..\ufffd she says. (Clearly, we\ufffdre not letting this lame brain take our spot in front of the glass when the time comes.) After a long and odious tour we finally find ourselves at the critical moment\ufffdTom Brokaw\ufffds studio. We all start maneuvering into proper position to be the last people in that all important first elevator Linda has told us about. Through brief whispers and side long glances, we all know that five people must leave the studio before we join the line en mass. Walking briskly down the hall to the elevators, we utter frantic whispers to one another, \ufffdMake a wall.. don\ufffdt let any one by\ufffd stay in position\ufffd. easy does it\ufffd. that\ufffds the way\ufffd.\ufffd The elevators arrive. As a result of our excellent teamwork we achieve proper elevator positioning. The elevators doors open. Linda nods and nudges me forward. I see the glass looking over the studio at the end of a long hall. \ufffdMust walk briskly\ufffdmust be first\ufffdmust not look frantic\ufffd\ufffd I say to myself. I\ufffdm finally there-behind the glass overlooking the studio. OMG he\ufffds not there!!! All of us anxiously scanning the stage floor. A lot of carpenters and stage hands bustling about but no cast members. \ufffdF**k, f**k, f**k! It\ufffds not going to happen!\ufffd We only have a few minutes at this stop. Just when we\ufffdre about to give up, he emerges and rehearses a skit. (won\ufffdt repeat Linda\ufffds prior spoiler) AFGorgeous. Better in real life than any picture I\ufffdve seen. Hair is lighter than most pics, brown tweed jacket, ecru shirt and rep tie with green/gold stripes. Medium gray felt pants, brown rubber soled shoes. I\ufffdm feeling shaky, slightly stunned. \ufffdWho\ufffds that guy?\ufffd the tour guides asks. Five DD\ufffds respond loudly, in unison, \ufffdColin Firth!\ufffd Oh God, we have just \ufffdouted\ufffd ourselves. The guide had known something was up all along. We\ufffdd been acting very giddy and giving only vague responses to his questions along the tour like\ufffd\ufffdJee..how is it you\ufffdre all friends since you come from all over the place?\ufffd Now he and everyone else knows. And much to our surprise he opts to help us out. He opens the door so that we can actually hear the skit being rehearsed and let\ufffds us linger longer than any other tour the girls had been on these past few days. Matthew L. was his name\ufffda nice young kid. Won\ufffdt forget his name anytime soon. And now, a nap, before our 5:15 rendezvous. Working on nothing but adrenaline at this point. Light all candles, pull out all stops. Hoping against hope to get into the dress rehearsal at 8 pm. Will let you all know ASAP. Thank you, thank you all. Drool really is a wonderful place."}, {"response": 1770, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (14:31)", "body": "(Tress).....\"nothing gets between me and ODB (except another Drooler)\" Showing LOL, you said it, dahling-and no one did! Just another comment- I don't know how new the political sketch was but I noticed Colin stumbled over his lines a few times- as he was using the cue cards. He looked as though he didn't have it down, yet. May have been a late addition. Also, the first time they did it they had to stop before Colin jumped in with his speech-he was about ready to enter the conversation then stepped back into beginning position before it began, again. I watched him open and close his hands several times like someone just a bit nervous as they are waiting their turn. V. cute."}, {"response": 1771, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (14:40)", "body": "You guys are the best! Thanks soooooo much for all this info!! Next best thing to being there is to have another Drooler on the spot reporting the play by play! Leslie, I'm so thrilled for you and thank you for your in-depth report of the jittery moments! Nothing beats an ODB high....when the adrenaline starts to pump and you realize....it's really HIM (sorry for the shout again Karen)!! Thanks so much everyone for their great coverage! It's been very exciting on this end too! Am so happy for you all!!!!"}, {"response": 1772, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (15:22)", "body": "(the nonvirgin Leslie) \ufffdMake a wall.. don\ufffdt let any one by\ufffd stay in position\ufffd. easy does it\ufffd. that\ufffds the way\ufffd.\ufffd The elevators arrive. As a result of our excellent teamwork we achieve proper elevator positioning. LOL! What year did you graduate from West Point? ;-) I think you guys could teach lessons in not only gathering field intel but strategy and operational effectivenesss. I think field commendations may be in order. The Bronze Star with Towel?? He opens the door so that we can actually hear the skit being rehearsed I wondered about that, how you heard the dialogue. (Linda) but I noticed Colin stumbled over his lines a few times- as he was using the cue cards. He looked as though he didn't have it down, yet. From what few times I've watched SNL lately, most guests (and cast members) seem to rely on the cue cards. Great report, ladies! Rest up. The time is getting close. Remember to breathe at all times."}, {"response": 1773, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (15:26)", "body": "Oh my goodness, what are you guys doing to me? All my nails are chewed off, nothing left for later... You are the greatest NY ladies, I wish you the best time of your lives! Have fun, feast your eyes on that gorgeous man, and savour every moment of your experience. Thank you for your exciting reports, looking forward to more! Karen, KathyC, thank you for the lovely screen caps and the promo. Mmmmm..."}, {"response": 1774, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (15:29)", "body": "I'm lighting candles for you girls in NY tonight. Your reports have been wonderful and can't wait for your updates tomorrow. Good Luck!!!"}, {"response": 1775, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (16:08)", "body": "Thanks for the reports and good luck to all! Time for you to be on your way! Thinking of you and hoping for the best!"}, {"response": 1776, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (16:50)", "body": "Hello from Houston... Finally joined this party..but have been keeping in touch with the boss during airport lay-overs.... DD's I *knew* you'd *Make It Happen* That's always been our motto. And the rain came through again...just like the Press Tent. Yesssss! You're the Best..."}, {"response": 1777, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (17:46)", "body": "And the rain came through again Don't cheer just yet....rain has cleared. Off to meet them now after much needed wee nap. Get those vibes and candles goin' and wish us luck for us to actually make it inside!"}, {"response": 1778, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (19:12)", "body": "It is approx. 8:10 in NYC.....I haven't heard anything from Linda so am hoping this is v. v. good news! They were to find out if they got into the dress rehearsal at 7:45. If I didn't hear from her, she says it means they got in....don't know how long I was to wait ??? but surely ten after is a good sign!!! Dress rehearsal is 2.5 hours so if they are there, we won't get word until after 10:30 p.m.!!!!!! Am thinking they had great luck.....!!! We'll see.....I will wait.....and hope my phone does NOT ring!"}, {"response": 1779, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (19:26)", "body": "(Tress) I haven't heard anything from Linda so am hoping this is v. v. good news! I came to the same conclusion, as Linda was supposed to call me too. They must be in. Yeah Team!"}, {"response": 1780, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (19:32)", "body": "Confirmation!!!!! I got a message from Little Bee, who said Dorine, Shosh, Kimberly, Leslie, and Linda all made it into the SNL dress rehearsal!"}, {"response": 1781, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (19:48)", "body": "Yesssssssss!!!! I'm so thrilled for them!!!! This is the one they wanted to see! 2.5 hours. They cut some of the skits and things on the version we will see tonght (hope that we was okay!).....jammy gits! I'm so happy for them, it couldn't have happened to a better group of people! Way to go ladies!!!! Did Little Bee and Bee not get in?? :-("}, {"response": 1782, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (19:56)", "body": "I don't believe they had standby tix from this a.m."}, {"response": 1783, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (20:16)", "body": "Hi folks! Little Bee and I didn't get tix cause she couldn't be on line at 5:00 am and the only thing that I care about in NYC today more than seeing ODB is my first and only born! So we did reconnaissance and had a great time and we're meeting the group again at 10:15. We don't think that they will be too awfully coherant;-)) And will be an insufferable to be with but what can one do?? I did see ODB during the NBC tour so it's fine. Little Bee here: Since we weren't able to go to the dress rehearsal we watched the others waiting on line and talked some to the woman who was organizing the line. Bee again: From her we were able to get some fun information to feed to our cohorts on line and she is a firthette and saw 3DOR! Told her to go to CF.com! I'm at Little Bee's walking the dog and we're on our way back in shortly. It's been great fun. Back to studio........."}, {"response": 1784, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (20:19)", "body": "OMG, I can't believe Linda, Dorine, Kimberly, Leslie and Shosh got into the dress rehearsal! So happy for all of you, and sorry that Bee and Risa won't be there. My day has been v. strange, a complete fog alternating with periods of euphoria. I know he's going to be wonderful, and we'll be talking about this for weeks to come. Thanks to our Metro Gals for keeping us updated. It's almost like being there. DD's rock!!!"}, {"response": 1785, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (21:18)", "body": "Sorry the Bees couldn't get in. To be sooo close . I'm thrilled that our Metro Gals made it in and all that hard work paid off! Since I can't be there, I'll watch on telly and drink a toast to the intrepid DDs. You go, girls!!!"}, {"response": 1786, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (22:32)", "body": "Karen, I've sent you a couple of emails, but no reply - have you sent out a URL to the DD list? If so, I haven't received it - am I no longer on the list? Was it something I said? ;-) I think it's showtime right now in NY - hope all of the DD's were successful in getting into the live show!"}, {"response": 1787, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (23:53)", "body": "Quick update while the NY group is watching SNL.... Quite a few things tweaked in several skits that got on. Unfortunately they cut a Jane Eyre spoof that was really funny, and kept the Sopranos skit we wish they'd cut. Fortunately they did cut a couple of skits we didn't like. We're just remarking that it's interesting to see what they keep and what they don't and to possibly realize that maybe they are poor at editing....they keep poorer material and leave in somewhat weaker material. I'm sure the others will be able to expand further as I'll be internet-less tomorrow, unless I pop into my favorite internet cafe in Times Square. ;-)"}, {"response": 1788, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (23:57)", "body": "Actually, the last post was me. Didn't realize that Linda's account was signed on here. ;-D Hope everyone who saw SNL enjoyed it!!"}, {"response": 1789, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (00:10)", "body": "I thought the show was very funny and Colin did a great job! And I loved that they did--as I predicted--a Sopranos sketch, utilizing Colin's ability to do the wiseguy personna. Paulie Walnuts, no less, with the white wings in the hair! I thught there was only one bad sketch and that was the one where Colin is at the hotel. Loved the Civil War movie one, with Colin sounding like Paul Lynde.;-) The spoof of the hideous Spanish network programming was good also. All in all, a good show, I thought. Colin looked very comfortable and I loved the stylized photographs they showed during the breaks. A big shout out to the Metro gals--can't wait to hear more."}, {"response": 1790, "author": "Gails", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (00:17)", "body": "Congratulations, Metro Gals. Throughly enjoyed the show and Colin seemed to be having a good time. Thought he did a great job with the monologue, an area that I was thinking could be iffy. Thanks again for all the great reports."}, {"response": 1791, "author": "NicoleM", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (00:19)", "body": "Oh wow, he was great! Even in the weaker skits, he did an excellent job with what he had to work with. I also loved the Civil War movie sketch; somehow I just knew when he opened his mouth, the accent in that one would be really hideous (purposely)! I was rolling with laughter, and I'm so glad I taped this. Congrats to everyone who got to see the show in person! :-)"}, {"response": 1792, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (00:36)", "body": "Paul Lynde! Yes, that was it. I couldn't place it. Been on the phone with the Metro Gals and heard about the Jane Eyre skit. Boo hoo! Colin as Rochester (boo hoo again!). This show had a lot of pluses to it. First off, you had Darrell Hammond doing his Bill Clinton and there isn't anyone better. Was he also the one who did Ted Koppel? He was perfect. IMO, they could've cut more of the Sabado Gigante-type show. It was a snooze until Colin showed up. The monologue bit was pretty good; wonder how many in the audience were mouthing along with him from P&P? ;-) Oh to be in Rachel's shoes, when she laid one on him. Loved the pics too! Wonder if there's anyway to get copies.... Hmmmm. A good show. He came off very well, except when he turned around after introducing Norah's second number. Somebody in hair/makeup fell down on the job. ;-) The ladies are off to the cast party now. *fingers crossed they can fineagle a way in.*"}, {"response": 1793, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (00:42)", "body": "I really enjoyed Colin's SNL debut, particularly his opening set and the Cold Mountain spoof. All in all, I would give it a two thumbs up. (Mari)Colin looked very comfortable and I loved the stylized photographs they showed during the breaks. I agree and especially liked the photo of Colin with sunglasses, straddling a chair and holding a cigar. Anyone....? BTW Had no idea there were so many commercials during SNL. Of the 91 minute show, there must have been 50 minutes of commercials. :("}, {"response": 1794, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (00:44)", "body": "Congrats to all of the intrepid DD's. I may not post too often , but I'm always tuned in, and am thrilled for all of you Metro Gals. There were some loud fans at the taping, too....loved his suit!!! Does anyone know if the show gives a copy of the tape to the host? I would think so; hope he gets to see how well he handled it, and that some big shots in the industry saw him and took note."}, {"response": 1795, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (00:48)", "body": "(Sandy) BTW Had no idea there were so many commercials during SNL. Of the 91 minute show, there must have been 50 minutes of commercials. :( I thought the same thing- they didn't have so many in earlier years..bummer, but made it easier for Colin to juggle."}, {"response": 1796, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (00:50)", "body": "(Karen) Was he also the one who did Ted Koppel? He was perfect. Yes. ( Sorry about the triple posts but I\"ve temporarily lost my head again.)"}, {"response": 1797, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (00:54)", "body": "(Sandy) BTW Had no idea there were so many commercials during SNL. Of the 91 minute show, there must have been 50 minutes of commercials. :( LOL! It wasn't quite that bad. Since I tape without commercials (a pause button person), the show was more like 70 minutes out of 90. I have to guess at the exact because I left out the Smigel cartoon as well, though I probably shouldn't have because it was pretty funny. Maybe, I'll redo it on the replay later. Our poor Metro Gals are running on fumes now. They've been up for nearly 24 hrs, with only brief naps."}, {"response": 1798, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (01:02)", "body": "(Karen) They've been up for nearly 24 hrs, with only brief naps. I know-I admit I greatly admire their devotion and stamina-although I know the adrenaline kicks in with a Colin experience-or so others have said.....someday I will get a turn. I will get a turn. I will get a turn. When they began the skit on Martha Stewart stating that the rioters were middle-aged women I thought the police would bring in Colin as their crowd control! (Since he still quips that is his fan base.)"}, {"response": 1799, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (01:03)", "body": "And having Ana Gastyer do Martha Stewart was a plus, and Seth Meyers' Hugh Grant at the beginning was a hoot. A personal fav: the Weekend Update news item about the \"homeless man\" at the Oscars. ;-)))))) Colin truly showed a lot of versatility, which may open up some new doors for him. Hey, maybe, he'll get a guest arc on ER now since they seem to hire lots of Brits like most Chicago hospitals."}, {"response": 1800, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (01:10)", "body": "(Karen) Hey, maybe, he'll get a guest arc on ER now since they seem to hire lots of Brits like most Chicago hospitals. Ooooh! Wouldn't that be great ? I liked the homeless man too,pretty explicit making comments about the smell,too. So people writing the skits for a national institution also thought PJ was negligent in the grooming department. Seth Myers doing Huge was very good-has he done that impression before?"}, {"response": 1801, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (01:42)", "body": "Speaking of impressions, Colin did a fine Liam Neeson too! Am anxious to get the latest update from the cast party. How many DD's hid in potted palms? Mushimiko for all.(or is it mishimooko? oh what the f***, we're divided by a common language)"}, {"response": 1802, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (01:55)", "body": "WOW!!! Way to go Metro gals! So delighted that you got in for so many hours of CF on stage. Is still hard to believe. Thanks for taking the time to share with all of us. It makes this wonderful event even more exciting. To think you were actually in the same room when he said, \"Dearest, lovliest Elizabeth\"!!!!!!!! I think this board to being read by more than we know. Skits about P&P, how he does an American accent, the Sopranos--someone has been listening. I was ROTFLOL with that southern accent. Kept thinking of ATA the whole time. Mi Beee lauved! Priceless! The only thing that got deleted from my tape was the hideous rogering skit. That was not complimentary to anyone or relevant to anything. Did \"Liam\" sound a bit more Irish than Scottish? He is Scottish isn't he? Hope you can get those pix, Karen. My favorite was the Risky Business pose and I think I missed it while pausing for commercials. Hope to wake to more news about the cast party. With Dorine on the scene......"}, {"response": 1803, "author": "katty", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (02:10)", "body": "Liam is Irish. If there's one thing Brits know, it's the origin of fellow Brits' accents. Liam did, however, play a Scottish hero in Rob Roy. Here in Hawaii, SNL comes on in 20 minutes, so still waiting impatiently..."}, {"response": 1804, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (02:30)", "body": "Marvellous Metro Gals! Soooo thrilled that you got in to see it and ODB in all his close up gorgeousness. Thanks for all the reports on the show everyone, sounds like he did way more than hold his own. New horizons ahead.....? Karen, he'll guest arc on ER Now you've got me going, don't you know it:-) A really exciting night, which hopefully ended with the cast party for you sleep deprived MG's ..... but to paraphrase L'oreal \"He's worth it.\""}, {"response": 1805, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (03:24)", "body": "(Karen) The ladies are off to the cast party now. *fingers crossed they can fineagle a way in.* Any news??? It is just a bit after one here, so after four in NYC! Linda called me during my book group....they had just seen Colin and were about to watch the actual taped show in a bar/lounge! Am sad about the Jane Eyre bit being lost! :-( Linda was too cute when I talked to her. She was saying ODB seemed comfortable and was v. v. funny. Loved the southern accent thing, was laughing.....the hearing skit was funny too....after Colin refused to help his client and pouted, opening monologue was funny.... (Mari) Colin looked very comfortable and I loved the stylized photographs they showed during the breaks. The photos Louisa! GAH! (Karen) I left out the Smigel cartoon as well, though I probably shouldn't have because it was pretty funny. That was funny! Had a left over 'book groupie' with me and we cracked up at that bit! (Karen) Our poor Metro Gals are running on fumes now. They've been up for nearly 24 hrs, with only brief naps. I remember that feeling! Did that back in November......they are either sound asleep right now (having pleasant ODB inspired dreams) or still going strong. There's no in between!!! So thrilled they got to see the dress rehearsal and hoping to hear that they had....or are having.....martinis with ODB!!! Metro Gals....any Livia sitings??"}, {"response": 1806, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (03:24)", "body": "Blast!"}, {"response": 1807, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (03:38)", "body": "This is lindak We made it in to the afterparty, and as this was my first one I had too many Chardonnays to be coherent so I'll let Dorine post and give the scenario. Amazing, absolutely, amazing"}, {"response": 1808, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (03:51)", "body": "Wooo Hoooo!! I can't believe you made it into the party! You girls ROCK! Am anxiously awaiting further reports..."}, {"response": 1809, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (04:21)", "body": "Too tired to post all details now as 4:45 am. We had been standing outside the party location, down the street a bit from the entrance, at the corner for a bit without a Colin sighting for quite a while. Several people were getting very tired and cold, so I decided to just walk up to whoever was doing security at the door and ask if he had arrived. When I got up to the door, I discovered the door checker was the guy who had given me the tour last Sunday, who I'd been speaking to about wanting to get into the show to see Colin. (Had spoken to him again tonight when I arrived to get in the standby line tonight.) He was very sweet and wished me luck. Believed I mentioned him at some point previously. He said Colin had arrived a while ago (it was around 1:45-2am). We all ended up congregating on the sidewalk near the door debating what to do now, if anything, beside go home. Asked said page if I could give him a note to give to Colin to see if maybe he might come out for a second....was thinking of anything. He said he didn't think so as Colin was a l the way in the back of the room. I decided not to try bribery as he seemed like a nice guy and doubted he would take it. ;-) I didn't want to leave yet as was trying to observe the manner in which people were getting in, and ascertain if we had a chance in some way. Was not giving it much hope, truthfully. Noticed quite a few people standing outside, or coming outside to smoke and decided to bum one and hold a lit one, pretending to smoke it, in order to look more natural while just standing in the middle of the sidewalk at 2:15am. ;-) I don't think I was the most convincing \"smoker\".... Kept coughing periodically and turning my nose up at it, LOL! We talked about the 2 shows with him quite a bit while standing out there. He thought it was the best one this year. Then all of a sudden, a girl page, who the Bee's had been speaking to at NBC while we were waiting on line, came out and he walked down the street with her. When 2 girls, whom he'd rebuffed from getting in earlier after trying to blu f their way in walked back down the street toward us and right into the revolving doors...then didn't come back out within a minute, I thought Hmmmmm.......so in I walked! (Apologies to Droolers I left behind....and the Bee's had already gone home.) As I walked through the revolving doors, with other people going through the other side, all of a sudden I stopped! I looked inside the other compartment to my left, Val Kilmer was grinning!...as he had stopped me in the door as a joke apparently. Ha, Ha. Dressed all in white. No security just inside the foyer, so went through the next set of doors expecting another checker, but alas, no!! Seemed to be free and clear! ;-D Asked someone where the loos were, which were upstairs, which gave me a good reason to walk purposefully around looking for ODB, esp in a back area where I saw about a dozen people with Lorne Michaels from a distance. Came back downstairs and was waiting at the bar to get the bartender's attention when Linda showed up. Then Leslie not long after. Finally Linda spotted him. He was indeed ensconced in a back alcove with a dozen or dozen and a half people. Quite a while later, Kim and Shoshana showed up. We thought ODB was on his way out, but he went upstairs....Linda got to see th Stairmaster in action! ;-D He didn't run up though. He came back down and was standing at the divide between that back section and the rest of the restaurant, where he stayed talking to many people for a long time. Have to quit now.....am beyond too tired now. But wait, there's much more to come! ;-)"}, {"response": 1810, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (04:24)", "body": "Sorry, I don't understand these odd sentence/word breaks. Colin was a l the way in the back of the room Colin was all the way in the back of the room Linda got to see th Stairmaster Linda got to see the Stairmaster..."}, {"response": 1811, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (04:27)", "body": "WAY TO GO! sorry, had to shout that one from the rooftops;-) Brilliant ladies, obviously need the details of clothes, hair, all the usual stuff, but you need your beauty sleep first! Guess you went home hovering over the sidewalk on cloud nine. Thrilled for you;-))"}, {"response": 1812, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (06:29)", "body": "Having very difficult time typing this am. Kim and I are up after about two housr sleep for the second night in a row. Can't sleep, can't eat, feel sick. Glad she's here. She's helping to confirm that last night reallly happened. Down to the last activity of the night where Colin was talking very casually to the four of us (Linda, Dorine, Shoshana, Kim and I). As is usual (my guess), Dorine kept her wits and engaged in a great discussion with him about Trauma and othere things.....especially wonderful that she got him to anwer the question \"Why SNL?\" I give her the privilege of filling you in on the answer later today. All I can say was amazing, truly amazing. We all achieved physical contact, made eye contact and enagaed in brief conversation directly with him. Will fill you in on all details once I get home, get some sleep, and get coherent. It's going to be a great couple of days on Drool...."}, {"response": 1813, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (06:41)", "body": "Just a teaser, girls, until I get back home and can type in length ( prepare yourself Evelyn!!!) Sunday 6 March 2004 Number of Droolers in NYC \ufffd 7; Number of hours of sleep \ufffd christ, did we even sleep????; number of glasses of white wine - too many to count; number of waves from Colin during Dress rehearsal - 2; number of times shook Colin Firth's hand - 1; number of times playfully flirted/ shoved Colin's shoulder - 1; number of times had arm around Colin Firth's waist - 1; number of odd looks given to me by former ODB wranglers - 1 ( I think); amount of happines - enternal 6:30 AM GAHHHHH!!!!!! Sunlight especially bright this morning. Am still basking in glow of being with him last evening. Will give more details later . .but Dorine will probably beat me to it. Greatest Drool inflitration . .has there ever been this many in 1 after party? . .and all making contact? I think I made first contact . . . and got odd look from Lion's Gate GWAPE female asian celebrity wrangler we've seen in pics . . Will say - Colin very very gracious, extremely talented . .. and very \"on\" during the dress rehearal . .I think the Droolers certainly made him feel special (heck we were the loudest cheering section of the that audience!:) goodness, Karen, be prepared, this whole story will be an epic like the potted palm incident . . ;) Did love the 2 direct waves Colin gave to us during the dress rehearsal of the Cold Mountain spot ( which was right below where he was sitting. I mean, he literally looked around a set piece, made eye contact and waved with a big smile on his face!). Must run, but will post detail later . . . ."}, {"response": 1814, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (07:04)", "body": "(lesliep)Down to the last activity of the night where Colin was talking very casually to the four of us (Linda, Dorine, Shoshana, Kim and I). (Kimberly)number of times shook Colin Firth's hand - 1; number of times playfully flirted/ shoved Colin's shoulder - 1; number of times had arm around Colin Firth's waist - 1 No, wait, come baaaaacck!!! OMG, Love you guys! You girls rock so hard!!! I am dyiiiiiing!! Unbef***inglievable! Can't wait cant't wait can't wait to hear every detail, nuance, every word...Please go have a Bloody Mary, or a doppio Fair Trade espresso and come back to share soon!! Gah!!!"}, {"response": 1815, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (08:31)", "body": "You MG's deserve some beauty sleep after your fantastic night, but I'm dying here!! I can't believe you all got to talk to him. DD Metro Gals are my heros! Thank you so much for checking in before you go to sleep. Sweet dreams of William, Mr. Collins and Liam!"}, {"response": 1816, "author": "Gails", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (09:31)", "body": "Can't wait to get all the details. OMG, I can't believe you were able to speak with him. I was nervous just reading about it. Great work, enjoy your well deserved rest."}, {"response": 1817, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (09:31)", "body": "Will do this in bits. Hopefully will finish before I have to checkout. BTW, Linda will unlikely be able to report her bit for a few days as she will be traveling out of town. Ahhhhhh.....the morning after. Er, the morning continuing. ;-) First off, want to say how awesome our little Metro Group was the past few days!! Thanks so much to Bee and Little Bee for their recon work yesterday. I\ufffdm sooooooo bummed that it was so late and you had to leave, but things were looking bleak. :-(((( *Big* shout out to Kim and her friend, the anonymous donor (anonymous to everyone but Kim ;-)), who provided us with the party locale. ;-D (Kim) Did love the 2 direct waves Colin gave to us during the dress rehearsal of the Cold Mountain spot And don\ufffdt forget the \ufffdThank you!\ufffd while specifically looking up our way and acknowledging our section\ufffds cheering (the bulk and loudest of which was from the several of us) while he was *trying* to start his monologue. ;-) (Kim) I think I made first contact . . . and got odd look from Lion's Gate GWAPE female asian celebrity wrangler we've seen in pics . . Where the hell was she?! And where was I? Is that when you walked by Colin faking the search for someone in the back room? Was she in that group behind him in the shadows? Nicely done, BTW, catching him on the way back by. ;-) I think the Droolers certainly made him feel special (heck we were the loudest cheering section of the that audience!:) By far! (Kim) prepare yourself Evelyn!!! LOL! And, puhleeeeeeze turn on your cell phone no matter where you are when you know Droolers are in potential position to make sightings or contact. ;-)))) (Kim) goodness, Karen, be prepared, this whole story will be an epic like the potted palm incident . . ;) Linda was gracious enough to make sure Karen was in on the story, ASAP. ;-DDDDD I really did try to convince her another time might be more suitable for a verbal report. ;-DD"}, {"response": 1818, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (09:52)", "body": "My heartfelt congratulations, ladies! This has got to be the best of all other times. I loved the beginning monologue and had high hopes for more Darcy moments but it was not to be. Colin was brave to try out those accents, the best he did was Liam, of course, the easiest for him. Sad to hear they cut off Jane Eyre. Did not like the skits. IMO, they didn't take full advantage of what it means to have Colin on their show. But at least he got to say South Florida. ;-)))) He seemed genuinely excited and happy to be there, and I can't wait to hear the explanation he gives Dorine as to why SNL. Question: at the closing, he is standing next to Norah on one side but who is the woman on his other side? She seems like a fan he might have picked up from the audience. Once again, I thank you for your great efforts, Metro Gals the gods are on your side. :-) And I look forward to reading all about the close encounter. *clap* *clap*"}, {"response": 1819, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (09:56)", "body": "Oh my goodness, such goings on. Stalking the NBC tours, almost licking the SNL window, chatting up the NBC pages;-)! Loved it all. Thank you, thank you so very much ladies for all your hard work and reporting. Now hurry up and tell us the good stuff;-DD!"}, {"response": 1820, "author": "Gina2e", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (10:02)", "body": "Can't think of anything better than spending the early hours of the morning in a hotel with Colin!Feel a Meg Ryan YES,YES,Yes moment coming on- and I wasn't even there!Green with envy, sick with anticipation,desperate to hear all the details, every observation please omit nothing! Well done, you very special people Kim, Linda,Dorine and Shoshana. Next time I'm considering flying in from London- you girls get such good results.A bit like Arsenal (F/P) at present all on a winning streak.You certainly won the cup this time. Thanks for making my day -again!"}, {"response": 1821, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (10:02)", "body": "I stand, awed and humbled by the intrepid Women of Metro! You made dress, you made the after-party, you apparently talked to himself. OMG! I can't wait to hear the whole story! Thought Seth's send up of HG was perfect and Daryl Hammond was hysterical as Clinton. Frankly, ODB surprised me wonderfully as I thought he was great in a very difficult situation. That accent he did in the Cold Mountain skit must have been painful ;-) Please, please tell more (when you've recovered, of course). Thank you, thank you!!!"}, {"response": 1822, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (10:04)", "body": "(Kimberly)Just a teaser, girls, until I get back home and can type in length ( prepare yourself Evelyn!!!) (Dorine)LOL! And, puhleeeeeeze turn on your cell phone no matter where you are when you know Droolers are in potential position to make sightings or contact. ;-)))) ROTF. You know me toooo well. Now, you know I read all of *your posts*. What a night! Talk about \"Shock and Awe\". So what did he say about \"Troma\"? RE: SNL. Loved Cold Mountain Liam Neeson& mini-P&P sentences. On the whole thought he was wasted; used more like a Brit extra. Wish they wudda done the Jane Eyre skit or more of his films. Stupid hotel and senate hearing skit. I actually laughed during the Sabado Gigante (\"Ay Dios Mio\")bit. We'll get lots of newbies from this one. He looked amazing."}, {"response": 1823, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (10:07)", "body": "oh shit..."}, {"response": 1824, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (10:11)", "body": "Evelyn, you got a little excited there it seems, LOL! (Moon) She seems like a fan he might have picked up from the audience. If it's who I saw, you mean Ana Gastemeyer (sp?), former castmember who did the Martha Stewart impression in the opening skit. She was not there for the Dress and in our opinion, she did a *much* better job with the impression. We thought that skit stopped dead when the other one did Martha earlier. V good call on their part, IMO. Interesting she didn't do it in the Dress, though. Am trying to finish to get to the conversation, but is cutting it close with having to checkout. Would be later today before I could get to it."}, {"response": 1825, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (10:11)", "body": "This story is so good, but I'm not going to reveal any of the details from my 3am-ish phone call from two rather squiffy Metro Gals. Dorine and Linda were flying high and giggling uncontrollably. It is an amazing story and I'm so proud of all of them for everything they did over the past couple of days in order to bring us all the up close and personal reports. You ladies get a standing O in advance from me! I'll reveal this one detail, since so many were curious about it. LD was not in attendance. ;-)"}, {"response": 1826, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (10:16)", "body": "closing that tag. Really! Yes, that was Ana Gasteyer, and since she isn't listed anymore as a regular or rep player on SNL, would be considered to have done a guest spot last night, as other former cast members do from time to time."}, {"response": 1827, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (10:21)", "body": "Back in NJ--what a reality check. Two hours sleep-a wee bit of a heavy head from a bit of Chardonnay and, memories that will last a lifetime. Dorine has pretty well given you all the details. The only difference is that I followed her in, and we went to the loos together. I felt like I was in slow motion for a good twenty minutes until I could get my bearings. It was such an incredible feeling knowing that we were \"in\". I was surprisingly calm, and that says a lot for me. My favorite lasting image...Colin climbing the stairs to the loo. It was amazing seeing him do something that we spent a lot of time discussing not so long ago. My heart skipped a beat when he took the last two, at the top, in one step. I had excellent position for gazing as he was in the back part of the room but right in my line of vision so I could drink, talk, ooze sophistication-while not having to take my eyes off him. When Dorine, Kim, Shoshanna and I made our way to the back to see if we could have a few moments with him I noticed he was speaking with a blonde woman who was whining about his not being able to do lunch today. I figured in manner of Bridget I should worm my way to her so that when he came back to conversation with her we would just be chatting. I don't know why, (yes I do it was the wine) I decided to converse with her about her hair. It was a nice shade and very full a nice do-not earth shattering, just nice. I reached up (as she looked the type who wanted to be gushed over) and I said I love your hair-from there she gave me a v. long winded explanation of how her hair got to look like that. I cannot tell you what she said as my mission at that point was just to have a reason for standing there. Colin did turn back to speak with her and Dorine came up behind me at that point and the conversation just went from there. I became very adept this week at tuning out unwanted chatter to concentrate on the matter at hand. I took three NBC studio tours and once we hit the SNL studio-I just tuned out the guides. It worked well last night, too. I believe the woman wanted to continue the hair talk even as Colin came back into the conversation-but by that time, as far as I was concerned, she had achieved NBC tour guide status--tuned out.;-) I loved the whole experience of the last two days. Seeing fellow droolers again and meeting new ones made the time in NY very special once again. The level of excitement when Colin is in NY is amazing. I don't eat, don't sleep-just move from one location to another. How many times did we make the rounds at the Rock? I have more thoughts but need to get them together, and right now I'm going to crash before I leave for a few days. I'm calling the theme for this trip--Revolving Doors as that image is in my mind since the possible sighting on Friday morning at the AP building. I got there to see that form move through the doors and the doors still going around. Then, again last night, the doors still moving as Dorine went through and my mind in slow motion--take it or leave it? I'm glad I took it. I'll be back later. Have a great Sunday."}, {"response": 1828, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (10:25)", "body": "To continue.... For some reason, we thought he might be leaving soon after he went to the loo, but he just kept standing in that same spot. Was talking to Lorne Michaels for a loooong time. My only real concern was with the two security men in trench coats I had been keeping my eye on the whole time. Leslie and I had noticed them standing near us conversing for quite a while as we stood in line waiting to see if they were going to let us in to SNL...I heard them discussing The Sopranos at one point. I kept looking at them often enough, hopefully somewhat surreptitiously and with Linda\ufffds help as she was faced that way more often, to see if they noticed us at all for any reason. If they did (which could be possible, I suppose), they deemed us harmless. ;-) We were in a spot that was the convergence of the 2 pathways he\ufffdd have to head to to get to the door. Kim and Leslie decided to stand strategically closer to the door as we didn\ufffdt want to just be a big glob of people getting in his pathway. Figured a better chance of success that each would get to meet him. What was funny though, is Linda and I noticed after a while, there seemed to be several groups of about half a dozen women strategically placed and spaced out along both pathways he could take. ;-D Finally, around 3:30 or so, I said to Shoshana and Linda that even I was getting tired of waiting and trying to be patient so as not to interrupt him in case he were talking business to many of those people. I told Linda earlier that if he was walking out and talking with someone that I would interrupt him and ask my questions if I had to, but didn\ufffdt just want to necessarily do that if I didn\ufffdt have to. At that point though, it seemed more people were revolving around him, so I figured the mountain had better head to Mohammed. ;-) Must interrupt narrative here for some *really* important bits...... He looked *very* good....and you know, for some reason anymore, I forget how tall he really is. He was wearing my favorite outfit......A green buttondown shirt (color unimportant), *untucked*, wide open collar, jeans.....oops, just realized I didn\ufffdt check out the shoes. Noticed a bit of the string from his usual necklace which reminded me I was dying to ask, but would have been too strange. Couldn\ufffdt see enough of it to play it off as it me being curious what type of necklace would have that kind of cord. Hair looked fine. MPB spotted earlier on broadcast while we watched on TV and the other day when Linda and I took the tour. Wasn\ufffdt at the proper angle to notice at the party. He had what was left of what may have been a Margarita in his hand (was in a regular short drink glass vs. a special Margarita glass, so wasn\ufffdt sure, but saw what looked like some leftover salt around the top). He was speaking to Seth when we got up there. I was actually going to say something to Seth, too, when I could catch a break in the conversation, but I turned my head to say something to Linda or some woman who was trying to make lunch plans with Colin, and he was gone. No matter. ;-) Somewhere around here was the point Kim did her little fake searching for someone and spoke to him, I think. Will let her fill in. Colin was now talking to some other guy. When he turned our way, I said to the lady to go ahead so she could make her plans. Was trying not to be rude unnecesarily. It wasn\ufffdt imperative to be at that point. While she was trying to talk to him, the guy on his other side that he was just talking to had a cell phone to his ear. I heard him say, \ufffdAnd here\ufffds a message from Colin Firth,\ufffd and he shoved the phone at Colin, who turned a bit and took it, turned away from the woman he was speaking with and said whatever into the phone. Didn\ufffdt hear that. He was trying to be nice and speak to everyone. In the meantime, Linda and I (mostly Linda) were chatting the woman up about her hair and how she didn\ufffdt think her lunch plans with Colin were going to come to fruition. He turned back around to her, finished their conversation and then when it seemed he might turn to someone else, I started talking when he made brief eye contact with me. And I *really,truly* hate to leave it here, but I must get out of this room. I will make every effort to go to my \ufffdfavorite\ufffd internet cafe in Times Square later to finish. I hope this all makes sense, as I have no time to proofread now. Ah yes, to answer the burning question....there was no red fingernail polish to be seen. ;-) Linda! What an unexpected surprise!"}, {"response": 1829, "author": "socadook", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (10:27)", "body": "This is a bit long so skip ahead if you can't stand it :-) (Leslie) Down to the last activity of the night where Colin was talking very casually to the four of us Yessssssssss! Mission accomplished. Bra-vo! (Leslie) We all achieved physical contact Woo hoo! Lets get physical, physical... ;-) (Kimberly) number of times shook Colin Firth's hand - 1; number of times playfully flirted/ shoved Colin's shoulder - 1; number of times had arm around Colin Firth's waist - 1; Yeah Baby! Great job Metro Gals. So very happy for you. You sounded great during the show :-) Your reports are so wonderful that in another week or two I'd swear I was there too. Thank you so much for \"making it happen\". Keep on sharing. As for the show... Loved the monologue. Lucky actress in purple dress kissing ODB, taking full advantage of a live show. Wonder if there's any pink in her wardrobe, hmm ;-) Didn't enjoy the Civil War skit. Hated the Latin host thing but liked the potato potahto song. The Senate hearing skit started well enough but ultimately didn't cut it. The hotel room thing started well enough but quickly turned awful. (Keenan, you showed more talent on Nickelodeon) LOL Cartoons and Your Government, my fave being Bambi. Enjoyed the Clinton and Martha bits and Benny Hill brought back memories. Good accents from ODB. Loved the pics during commercial breaks. I guess the problem I had with some of these skits is that the joke goes on for too long (way too long when the joke wasn\ufffdt funny) but that's SNL. Overall it wasn\ufffdt bad. After all the tv stayed on, my eyes didn\ufffdt roll to the back of my head, and I did laugh here and there. Glad to have seen it. But most of all ODB looked like he was having fun (more so as the night went on) and looked AFG doing it. And no one takes a bow like the man himself."}, {"response": 1830, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (10:29)", "body": "(Karen) 3am-ish phone call That's 4am-ish EST, folks. ;-) And only *one* of us was squiffy from beverages, and she's not typing at this moment. ;-P"}, {"response": 1831, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (10:35)", "body": "9 am and I\ufffdm at home. Would love to crash but feel the need to begin getting everything on the record for the sake of posterity. Please bear with us all, our posts will be very long, and I\ufffdm sure we\ufffdll have to keep adding to them as we continue to remember the events of the past two days. My SNL log needs to begin with a HUGE thank you to all the girls in NY this weekend. I am honored and privileged to feel part of this group that, in spite of its diversity, displayed such warmth and camaraderie over the course of the past two days. And to the great \ufffdhome team\ufffd on Drool- your encouragement, enthusiasm and good karma was instrumental to our achievements. I\ufffdll pick up where I last left off \ufffd the stand by line for the SNL dress rehearsal. It was one of the longest, most anxiety ridden hours I can remember. Much like a line at Disney, we slowly advanced through multiple \ufffdkeeping areas\ufffd on our way to the studio. No one would give any indication throughout the process as to whether we were getting any closer to our goal. It wasn\ufffdt until we finally had wristbands slapped on at the doorway to the studio that we knew we were in. True to our friendly personas, we all did our best to engage any and all young NBC staffers in conversation, which proved to pay off as the evening wore on. All were very helpful, friendly, and interestingly enough when it came to our group, these staffers understood that we stood apart as the \ufffdtrue fans\ufffd. I need to digress for a moment here. We chatted last week on Drool about the nature of Colin\ufffds fan base. If there was ever a doubt as to whether Colin appealed to the younger demographic set, one needed to be in New York this weekend. The number of \ufffdchirpies\ufffd drooling over Colin and fighting for access was in the gazillions. (\ufffdchirpie\ufffd \ufffd a slang term used to describe sexy, overly made up, lithe coeds under the age of 22 . ) We were definitely in the minority as more mature, literate, and well-behaved fans. Not sure how he plays in Middle America \ufffd but in New York the number of young girls clamoring for a glimpse was striking. Of course, every one of them we talked to hadn\ufffdt a clue as to his background beyond BJD. I did come across one who\ufffdd seen P&P. When I told others about P&P, I just got this nod and a very vague response of \ufffdCool\ufffd.\ufffd. So, we\ufffdre finally in our seats and Don Pardo steps up to the mike to get the crowd warmed up. He followed standard procedure by allowing the different audience sections compete to see who could cheer the most. Don\ufffdt think for a moment that we didn\ufffdt win the competition. We screamed so loud they were taken aback and mentioned that we should probably be allowed to stay for the actual broadcast because they needed groups like us. Now, here I am this middle aged, reasonably literate, suburban mom who\ufffds always thought I would be somewhat \ufffdabove it all\ufffd when faced with this circumstance. Let me assure you, I came totally un-glued. The moment Colin stepped on the stage I lost my breath, screamed like an idiot, and felt total release in the euphoria of the moment. Whistling, hooting, screaming, waving\ufffdyou name it, I did it. So much for my sense of decorum, but it felt great! The dress rehearsal was fabulous. Colin absolutely *nailed* his performance. He was very cool, relaxed and seemed to enjoy himself. It was the best show I\ufffdd seen in years \ufffd we were all remarking how it was like the \ufffdold SNL\ufffd. But the actual broadcast was a real let down. It was very short, and included a very poor choice of material. I can\ufffdt imagine that in its final form, the show did much to promote his image as many of us had hoped. I talked to a couple of non-Firths after the broadcast who gave it OK to poor reiews. There was so much wonderful stuff you all didn\ufffdt get a chance to see. And the still images they would put on the screen at the breaks \ufffd you know the one with him in the sunglasses and the cigar? We saw a vast number of these that never made it to air. Karen, if there\ufffds anyway we can get a hold of their inventory, they are without a doubt some of the best photos of him in quite some time. I can\ufffdt imagine how you\ufffdd do that but it\ufffds certainly worth a try given all your talents and sour es. Here\ufffds my rundown of the scenes I remember at this point: The monologue- Thought it was great. You needed to hear the loud, visceral groan that came out of each of us when he looked at that cast member and said. \ufffd\ufffd.my darling Elizabeth\ufffd. I know he heard it because he raised his eyebrows in our direction and smiled. The monologue was also the point where we got our first wave plus a thank you in our direction during the applause. The Spanish comedian (don\ufffdt remember the actual name at this point) - I thought it was weak until he showed on the scene. Cold Mountain \ufffd thought I\ufffdd wet myself here. Just before this sketch Jimmy Fallon was playing with the audience and waving. When Colin looked in our direction (he was right under us) we gave him a giant wave \ufffd which he returned making eye contact all "}, {"response": 1832, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (10:47)", "body": "Thanks for sharing ALL the juicy details you intrepid and resourceful MG! It's feels like we were there too, as you've left out none of the great little details , like touching him ;-) Linda have a great Sunday All down to you that it is (Dorine) when he made brief eye contact with me Hell of a cliffhanger there! Omigod..... we can't hang on y'know ;-))"}, {"response": 1833, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (10:48)", "body": "Whoops, Hell of a cliffhanger there! Omigod... we can't hang on y'know ;-))"}, {"response": 1834, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (10:55)", "body": "Brava, Bravissima!!! Well done ladies. Can only imagine being there with you - except I would have been the tongue-tied one with no nerve. Keep those reports coming."}, {"response": 1835, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (10:58)", "body": "Great report Lesliep. You make us feel like we were there too. Lesliep) He never appeared to discriminate his attention between the industry higher ups and no- names like us That's ODB, glad he hasn't changed ;-)) But hey you're not no- names here... think he guessed;-)) Glad you got to have that contact with him, I bet he made you feel mega special for those moments...... enjoy floating along and don't come down yet."}, {"response": 1836, "author": "LauraS", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (11:23)", "body": "Well done MG's! Way to go!! Am greeeeeeennnnn with envy. Dang, I knew I should have jumped on that plane Friday! Waiting for additional tidbits with bated breath."}, {"response": 1837, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (11:26)", "body": "OMG....go to sleep at 2:00 a.m. Pacific time....thinking....hmmmmm.....I wonder???? And wake up to this!!!! FANTASTIC!!! You guys did it. Had sneaking suspicion that you would! Am so excited for you all and so proud! I mean, the obstacles you faced.....and the tenacity you showed! Great going ladies.....I'm so so so so happy for you! (Leslie) The moment Colin stepped on the stage I lost my breath, screamed like an idiot, and felt total release in the euphoria of the moment. Whistling, hooting, screaming, waving\ufffdyou name it, I did it. So much for my sense of decorum, but it felt great! Why does this happen? I found myself doing the same thing....My DH didn't understand at all....then I told him that \"Colin is my Elvis\". He seemed to understand that a bit (his mum was a huge fan of EP). The monologue- Thought it was great. You needed to hear the loud, visceral groan that came out of each of us when he looked at that cast member and said. \ufffd\ufffd.my darling Elizabeth\ufffd. LOL....when I saw this on the telly, I thought of you guys. I imagined it would get a reaction! ;-) We did our best to \ufffdcirculate, oozing sophistication\ufffd. Bravo! Sounds like you accomplished that (got the screaming out of your system at rehearsal!) As many of you know he is charming, gracious, polite and very much at ease with people. (To say nothing about him being AFG!!) He never appeared to discriminate his attention between the industry higher-ups and the no-names like us. He is a true gentleman and I am more obsessed than ever. **big sigh**!! Wonderful! I like hearing stuff like that...... So happy for you all. Wish I could have been there, but it may have disrupted the good karma you had going. Seems that things worked out the way they should have......thrilled that you all got to share this experience together and then come back to Drool to share it! Had quite the time catching up....sorry for not quoting all the DDs, but I was sitting here with my mouthing hanging open most of the time!!! Can't wait to hear the rest....the question!! Why SNL? Why now??? Hope you all get some rest! Please post again soon......love hearing all about it! Thanks soooooooo much for sharing!!!! And look! An ODB smiley....just needs to be sticking his tongue out...."}, {"response": 1838, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (12:02)", "body": "WOW! You did it. I'm sooo envious of you MGs. Thank you all so much for your reports. And keep posting every detail. Soon please!"}, {"response": 1839, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (12:14)", "body": "KathyC must have stayed up all night too and I'm deluged by caps and more caps. Will be working to get at least some of them up today. Great report, ladies. No detail is ever too small, too insignificant for this group. Salt on the rim of his glass? ;-) Colin's friendliness at the party doesn't surprise me at all. There have been a number of eyewitness accounts before. He's a gregarious kind of guy and likes to party, which is why sometimes that public facade he puts on seems so phony to me. Never thought to ask D&L last night if anyone thought to pick up an artifact from the restaurant, something that Colin touched, something of his, a used cocktail napkin? ;-)"}, {"response": 1840, "author": "katty", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (12:19)", "body": "Thanks, Metro Girls, for the great reports! You all handled yourselves so well - determined and resourceful, awestruct but respectful when face to face with THE MAN. I don't think I could have been so cool-headed. You are a credit to all Colin Fans."}, {"response": 1841, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (12:41)", "body": "(leslie)I am honored and privileged to feel part of this group that, in spite of its diversity, displayed such warmth and camaraderie over the course of the past two days. And to the great \ufffdhome team\ufffd on Drool- your encouragement, enthusiasm and good karma was instrumental to our achievements. What a nice thing to say, Leslie.Thank you. Can't tell you how much we have appreciated all of your reports. Made us feel we were there with you. A board is only as nice as its members.....and the host who sets the tone. (But don't tell her!) Sorry to hear that the young gals have not seen P&P. That really was his \"Super Bowl\""}, {"response": 1842, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (13:23)", "body": "(Leslie) I am honored and privileged to feel part of this group that, in spite of its diversity, displayed such warmth and camaraderie over the course of the past two days. And to the great \ufffdhome team\ufffd on Drool- your encouragement, enthusiasm and good karma was instrumental to our achievements. A big part (a huge part) of the \"Colin Experience\" for me is the women I have met on this board. Each and every one I have had the privilege to meet has just added, in such a positive way, to the whole event. I'm still so happy for you all....and so glad you got to have those few days together to do some \"Drool Bonding\". BTW, have spoken to both Linda (who will post when she has time, but has a family obligation this weekend) and Dorine. Both will post ASAP and try to add to the tale and answer those burning questions.....like about that cocktail napkin Karen asked about! Inquiring minds want to know!!!!"}, {"response": 1843, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (14:03)", "body": "Moon and Mari, where the hell are ya?! Oh, just remembered....can someone send Leslie the link to the Potted Palm story that Linda, Rika, and I made up? Thanks! (Karen) No detail is ever too small, too insignificant for this group (Me)saw what looked like some leftover salt around the top There was a lime, too. ;-) Well it seems I did mess up on a clothing detail, which surprisingly I haven't been corrected on yet....the shirt was black or dark blue....the same one that he had on at the end of the show. He must have literally just ended the show and headed to the party. He did also have a green one on at some point in the Dress. I just watched a snippet of the end of the show. We had been discussing at the Dress, that you can tell at the end of the show when the host and cast are gathered onstage to say goodbye, whether the cast liked the host or not. At the end of the Dress, he was hugged by many including a couple of the women, Jimmy Fallon, the tall black guy he gave a brother-ish handshake and they hugged and maybe Seth. I noticed that after the show, other than Norah Jones and Ana G, he spent most of the time wandering around the stage while everyone else hugged each other. He may have hugged or shook hands with one other person. Will have to watch again. I don't remember who said the skits were too long, Sonia maybe. The irony is, they cut stuff out of virtually every skit, including Weekend Update. My least favorite skit was the courtroom and the Liam Neeson one. Wish they'd axed those. But they dropped the one set on a ship, so that was ok. Though he was wearing breeches and looked v. good in them (though with a not so hot wig), that was an awful skit."}, {"response": 1844, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (14:26)", "body": "(leslie)I am honored and privileged to feel part of this group that, in spite of its diversity, displayed such warmth and camaraderie over the course of the past two days. And to the great \ufffdhome team\ufffd on Drool- your encouragement, enthusiasm and good karma was instrumental to our achievements. It is always wonderful to read things like this and to know that the Drool experience never changes. Whether it is the kind of people who are attracted to this place and who want to be an active participant, I don't know but I love it. Thank you for expressing it so well, Leslie. (Dorine) He must have literally just ended the show and headed to the party. Par for his course. He was out of the Donmar like a flash each night. ;-) While it may be disappointing to some that he didn't do more period pieces or they got cut, I'm thrilled about what he did in the show. He showed the small pea-brained casting types that he is comfortable in contemporary settings and can do all sorts of accents. The ones on the show were exaggerated, but it showed he can be more than the repressed, smouldering, glowering upper-class Brit, which is where he's been pidgeonholed for quite some time. And, even though the show may have had its high and lows (as do all SNLs), he came off very well IMO. I'm telling ya, this could pay off royally if he doesn't blow it. A big if. ;-) Keep those candles lit, Bee and Barb and everyone else. FYI, it's doubtful that most of the audience even knew who Benny Hill was."}, {"response": 1845, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (14:38)", "body": "Something I just remembered... We had been very concerned about the 'Norah Jones angle' over the weekend. Thought her presence on the show was putting a lot of pressure on these already difficult to score tickets. While standing on line to get our standby tix on Sat am we spent a lot of time analyzing the others on line. Most looked like young 'spring breakers', there for what we assumed was Norah. Much to our surprise when we entered the studio, it was immediately clear this was a 'Colin crowd' and that carried through the entire show. Even when Don Pardo was doing his audience warm up, Colin generated far more excitement and applause than Norah. Go figure?? Too bad most them were so ill versed in his wide body of work. Was the same at the after party. Norah hung out with a relatively small group all evening. Colin, on the other hand, was mobbed throughout the party."}, {"response": 1846, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (14:40)", "body": "(Karen) I'm telling ya, this could pay off royally if he doesn't blow it. I was wondering how those of you in the know would sum up the career implications of his SNL experiment. Any suggestions on how best not to blow it? Other than Nanny Mc of course, what is the ultimate follow-up?"}, {"response": 1847, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (15:03)", "body": "A major comedy role for Colin would be a logical outcome of SNL. Look at how many major careers SNL has launched, Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, Dan Akroyd, Billy Crystal, Dana Carvey, David Spade, Eddie Murphy, Mike Myers, Will Ferrell and more, I've left dozens out."}, {"response": 1848, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (15:23)", "body": "A multi-part question. ;-) As Colin is not a regular cast member of SNL, the above comparison isn't at all what I would conclude from his guest appearance. Career Implications: Ability to be cast as an American and in contemporary settings with audience recognition and believability. Casting people look at what you've done lately. No one is going to seek out two rather obscure instances where Colin used an American accent. Some would even like to forget ATA and the other. ;-) Whereas other imports from the UK/Ireland/Australia hit our shores with excellent American (and other) accents and they've been able to go back and forth as needs be with perfect believability. Not Blowing It: Needs to get a manager or use his American agent more in that capacity. Will also offer up own time to give opinion on scripts, offers, etc. Ultimate follow-up: You're right, definitely not McPhooey. Could be anything though, but IMO not a rom-com, not a comedy, not a family-oriented picture. He needs to star in a drama (not co-star) being directed by a hot director. Doesn't have to be big budget. In fact, I prefer it not be of the factory-made type. I want something that calls attention to his acting skills, not his pretty face but that's just me."}, {"response": 1849, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (15:44)", "body": "Have been hanging on every word of every report! MGs, you did us proud, and am in awe of your tenacity and resourcefulness. What fun, and I'm so happy that it turned out so spectacularly for you! It sounds like Colin enjoyed himself tremendously, and had a very positive experience. I am so happy for him, and yes, relieved, too. This was the funniest SNL in recent memory, and I thought Colin was nicely showcased in a broad range of situations. Colin, I am very proud of YOU!:-) Now . . . what did he say when you talked to him???!!! Am dying here, we want more more more!:-) Why SNL and how did it come about?"}, {"response": 1850, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (15:49)", "body": "(Karen)Never thought to ask D&L last night if anyone thought to pick up an artifact from the restaurant, something that Colin touched, something of his, a used cocktail napkin? ;-) I was considering it for some time, but he did continue glancing in my direction (I probably looked like nervous, crazed terrorist), so I did not steal his napkin and straw. Would have been too weird. There's not much more that I can add about the show or ODB in general, besides Dorine's discussion with Colin, which was v. amusing, but I think that's her territory. Sorry. ;-) (Sandy)except I would have been the tongue-tied one with no nerve AKA Me. I was the last one to sneak into the party. Got in by asking chirpie to pretend I was coming in with her after smoke break. Many thanks to Kim, for standing with me after he seemed finished talking to us and pushing me up, noting to him that I was shy (was doing dead possum imitation out of fear and excitement). He shook my hand. What a gentleman! What lovely, large, warm soft hands, and good tight strong squeeze to the shake!!! Oh, and he looked AFG! Gaah! Very slender and soooo tall. Though he did seem a bit squiffy (I was just in Colin overload). Am still a bit confused as to why I said what I then said. (The words just come out of my mouth without much consideration of the consequences.) Told him how impressed I was with his amazing acting skills, particularly in AZ. Then added, for some reason, that I study psychopathology, and he does an amazing job portraying personality disorders. Why? Why??? Doom!!! Got v. bizarre look from him and nearby people. I gushed, \"That's a compliment. Really!\" Felt like total IDIOT and politely walked away, smacking forehead with hand (left hand; right hand was still tingly from touching his). Wish I could have just been silly chirpie (though I fit in the age category, I get pained just looking at the prerequisite shoes and short/tight clothing). By that point was coming down from Colin adrenaline high and poisoning from second-hand smoke (sorry DD's). Still am smacking myself on forehead, but mostly because I am confused as to reality of day's events. Like one long, bizarre, but happy dream. Best part though, by far, was playing with other Metro Gals! Blegh, babbling. Sorry Ev! BTW, Ada, if you're there, I claim the pirate hat from the before ad break stills (please?!!!!). Leslie is my witness. ;-P"}, {"response": 1851, "author": "locarol", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (15:51)", "body": "(Karen) Doesn't have to be big budget. In fact, I prefer it not be of the factory-made type. I want something that calls attention to his acting skills, not his pretty face but that's just me. I hear where you're coming from but I kinda lean to a factory-made next if he wishes to gain more attention. I think he has to go big time mainstream but choose a different genre of pic - that is no rom-com ! He needs major exposure in a good serious role and that will probably only come from a major flick. He just does not get noticed in the minor films. For instance he probably got more exposure for WAGW than he'll ever get for Trauma. Unfortunately the majority of audience seems to flock to big studio productions. His track record of off-mainstream \"acting skills\" pics hasn't led him anywhere except to our tape collections imo."}, {"response": 1852, "author": "janet2", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (15:58)", "body": "You girls are simply amazing! Thanks for all your wonderful reports and anecdotes. And Shoshana, don't feel bad, I'm sure most of us would have done something similar in that situation - I know I would have!!LOL"}, {"response": 1853, "author": "Rika", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (16:17)", "body": "Got v. bizarre look from him and nearby people. I gushed, \"That's a compliment. Really!\" Felt like total IDIOT and politely walked away, smacking forehead with hand (left hand; right hand was still tingly from touching his). Shoshana, if it's any consolation, you can think of it as a very Bridget-esque moment. At least you said SOMETHING. I stood right next to him after the GWAPE BAFTA Q&A and couldn't bring myself to say a word, not even something as simple as, \"I really enjoyed your performance.\""}, {"response": 1854, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (16:35)", "body": "The episode guide is up for last night, complete with descriptions of the skits and some pics: http://snlonline.tv/Episodes/03-06-04/03-06-04.htm Here are all the Colin ones since dealing with the caps is going to take me, like, forever. ;-) (and that's Rachel)"}, {"response": 1855, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (17:06)", "body": "Haven't posted for a long time, but am following your every move, dear DD's. So glad to read some of you got to meet him. I'm so thrilled for you :-) As has been posted before, so good of you to share with the rest of us. And I mean encounters, pictures, articles and so on. Karen, thank you for posting the larger caps from the show. The small ones are very hard on the eyes this time of night :-)"}, {"response": 1856, "author": "neshacat", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (17:06)", "body": "NY DD's, you're incredible! Some random thoughts: I'd love to know how it was decided who would get to plant that kiss. IMO hosting SNL is an industry standard - a statement the host has made it to a certain status level, including a substantial amount of public recognition. I've been watching off and on since the show began in the mid seventies. While the quality of the show varies the actors who host all seem to have staying power. Again IMO, Colin's performance was top notch. I actually laughed out loud in some parts - rare for me. I'd like to think this was a way of saying he's ready, willing, and able to be more than just a \"jobbing\" actor and is working to be more visible in the US. The ending came across as friendly to me. He kissed the two women on the forhead and hugged a couple of people. Then stayed late at the party. Details! We need more details, please."}, {"response": 1857, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (17:10)", "body": "Karen, many many thanks! Now I can actually picture what you were all talking about. Great to see the essence of the show and all the different guises he adopted. Cold Mountain looks fun. Can anyone fill me in on who he is in the brown jacket with \"History\" on the cap. Looks uncannily like a young Robert Vaughn!"}, {"response": 1858, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (17:16)", "body": "(Lizza) Can anyone fill me in on who he is in the brown jacket with \"History\" on the cap. Looks uncannily like a young Robert Vaughn! LOL! That's Colin as Liam Neeson, introducing another \"controversial\" film about Jesus, but starring Benny Hill."}, {"response": 1859, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (17:16)", "body": "OK, back to the party..... When I made eye contact with Colin, his attention was still being divided by Miss Hair-Do and the Cell Phone guy. So I basically just kept looking at him til he looked at me long enough that I could put out my hand to shake his and congratulate him on the show.... Keep in mind there a few longer sentences from him I may paraphrase more as I didn't hear every word, or don't remember every exact words.....If any of you standing around heard something different than I did, please fill in. D: Congratulations, well done! C: Thanks. D: I was able to see Trauma at Sundance. I liked it. C: Oh, good. D: Have you seen it? C: Yes. D: A final cut? (He was interrupted by someone here. He was trying to listen to us both. I repeated the question.) D: You saw the final cut? C: Yes. D: Did you like it? C: Yes.......but it had problems. D: Problems with what? C: The narrative. D: Such as? He looks away for a moment contemplating C: It's not like Memento where it had kind of an exciting ending and..... I think this is what he said, but it didn't make sense to me as I actually found it similar in some ways to Memento. I could swear he said he thought it moved slowly, but it could be just me, though I just called Linda and she thought so, too. I thought it was Linda who asked about the US distribution, but apparently it was Leslie.... L: Do you think it will get distributed in the US? C: I don't know. I don't know if it will be distributed anywhere. I didn't bother to inform him of the various countries it's been bought or that it has a tentative August release date in the UK. ;-)) I was trying to ask something else when someone kind of behind him right side came up to say something or say goodbye. He turned his head around and saw I was trying to say something while someone else was trying to talk to him and he said C: I'm so sorry.... and held out his arm toward me as an acknowledgement that he knew I had something to say and he wanted to hear it. When I got his attention back I said..... D: So how did all this come about? I wouldn't necessarily have thought to put SNL and you in the same sentence. C: They called and asked me, so I said yes. I had never heard of them. Cue extremely incredulous look on my face and in tone of voice.... D: You've never heard of Saturday Night Live?!! (He was starting to say something here, but I pressed on....bad salesman! bad!)...It's been around for *30* years! *And* you lived in America at one point! C: That's when I was 12!! D: What year was that?! C: 1971! D: Ah, ok. Can you tell with all the exclamation points it was an extremely animated conversation on both our parts. There's unfortunately no real way to accurately convey the tones of our voices in the above or the rest. It's pretty amusing. Then he starts going off on the US-centric stuff.... C: You Americans think that you have some big TV shows and the rest of the world should know them all!!! (that's the gist if not verbatim) We have some big shows and comedians in England, but you all would never have heard of them!! D: I bet I would have!!! Like what?!! (I felt kinda cocky thinking he would name some of the gazillion British comedy shows I've watched on PBS or BBC America for the last 25 years. Silly me! ;-)) C: Tony Hancock!! He's one of the classic comedians in Britain!! (Should've seen his face...he was very adamant and animated. Very amusing! Kind of looking at me like...\"Well?!!\") And he just stares at me waiting for a reply while I'm thinking.... GAH!! Who the hell is that?!! It sounds maybe distantly familiar, but don't know enough to bluff through if I said yes and we started to talk about that, esp if he said, \"oh yeah, what did he do?\") D: To self....Dammit!! D: (to Colin) Ok.... no I don't know him. What else?! Colin named someone else saying he was a classic, too, but didn't hear the name well. (Just tried a site listing to see if it would jog my memory, to no avail). Didn't matter, had never heard of him either. Foiled again!! Bugger, bugger!! D: Alright, no, I don't know him either. Just looked up Tony Hancock....he died when I was 3!! His radio shows and what ever else were in the 50's!! At least in the brief information I could find just now. Wish I'd known that talking to him, I could've come back with a snappy answer. At this moment, that is the last of the conversation in my brain. I remember saying thanks and goodbye and walking out of the way of other people around. This is where the other MG's got to talk to him briefly. It was after 4am at this point and he really seemed to still be going strong. At least I didn't notice he seemed overly tired. God knows we were. Wonder how long he stayed. Quite the difference from the TIOBE party. Different circumstances. ;-) So we all went to our respective homes away from home. ;-)"}, {"response": 1860, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (17:17)", "body": "What an exciting time for all of us, and especially our lucky and v. clever Metro Gals! All your hard work and sleuthing paid off in a lovely way, and I'm so happy for you! I know everyone is exhausted now and still heavily under the influence of ODB, but please remember - ab-solutely no detail is too small to mention. Love the way Shosh described his handshake. Gush all you want to, ladies! I thought Colin did an outstanding job with his first live sketch comedy show. Aside from his gorgeousness, he was game to try anything and seemed to be having a great time. Some skits were better than others, of course. I wish they had done more with him and Seth as Colin and Hugh, and it would have been wonderful to see him in the knee britches. Thanks Karen for getting the screen caps up so soon."}, {"response": 1861, "author": "locarol", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (17:30)", "body": "C: Tony Hancock!! He's one of the classic comedians in Britain!! A real classic! His TV shows are repeated at odd hours even now. I remember my mother saying she used to listen to his radio shows but I only remember repeats of his TV stuff. Regular watching at our house though. As far as Benny Hill goes! I really never liked his humour. A bit too ridiculously smutty. Then he wrote a book and I had to deal with him and he was less than pleasing to be around and deal with! And that's all I have to say about Benny Hill except to add that the thing I remember most was almost having a knock out argument with him about certain \"star\" demands."}, {"response": 1862, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (17:31)", "body": "(Hen)....it would have been wonderful to see him in the knee britches. We did see him in knee britches. There was a nautical sketch named (believe it or not) the History Channel's \"Doucebag of the Month\". The sketch was as bad as the title and we were glad they dropped it. However...he was dressed in white britches, knee boots, and period navel jacket with a bad white wig that included a ponytail. Aside from the bad skit he looked AFG in the costume. Funny aside...both Linda and I observed him offstage while he waited for his entry. Both she and I noticed Colin very definitely adjusting his 'lie' in those britches before coming onstage. Too bad the other MG's mised this lovely sight."}, {"response": 1863, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (17:36)", "body": "Oh.....My......God!!! NOW I remember why the name Tony Hancock was fleetingly familiar!!! The BAFTA East Coast Vice Chair whom I know, was married to him!! GAAAAAHHHHHHHH! I could have had a comeback for him!!! Dammit!!!!!"}, {"response": 1864, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (17:39)", "body": "(Locarol) Then he wrote a book and I had to deal with him Thank you!! Even though you were referring to Benny Hill, that's the sentence that triggered the recall of Tony Hancock for me. I have heard her say on a couple of occasions and in an interview talk about dealing with aspects of his career. Bugger!!"}, {"response": 1865, "author": "neshacat", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (17:41)", "body": "C: They called and asked me, so I said yes. I had never heard of them. So, there must be at least one Colin fan with some power at SNL. Then again maybe there is a Katie connection. Would love to know what made them ask him in the first place."}, {"response": 1866, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (17:45)", "body": "If you go to this website, you can see pics of Colin from each of the sketches/bits he was involved in by clicking on the relevant name: http://snlarc.jt.org/ep.php?i=0403062"}, {"response": 1867, "author": "locarol", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (17:51)", "body": "C: They called and asked me, so I said yes. I had never heard of them. This comment still leaves me astounded. It's a kind of institution show that attracts some comment across the world. It's mentioned so many times when an actor's career is time-lined, etc. He might never have seen the show but I cannot imagine he had never heard of it. Perhaps he got his verbs confused. ;-)"}, {"response": 1868, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (18:14)", "body": "Well, either way, it was fun to kind of verbally \"spar\" with him."}, {"response": 1869, "author": "locarol", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (18:25)", "body": "(gomezdo) Well, either way, it was fun to kind of verbally \"spar\" with him. Oh absolutely! I bet you wish you had a tape recorder hidden somewhere! ;-)"}, {"response": 1870, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (18:32)", "body": "(Dorine)Well, either way, it was fun to kind of verbally \"spar\" with him. And I think that's exactly what he had in mind.;-) No way would someone in his position who has worked in the industry for the past 20 years not know SNL. Especially given his knowledge of American pop culture, movies, music, books, obscure rock stars, etc. He was having some fun with you--but that's a good thing, D, he wanted to keep the conversation goin.;-) You Americans think that you have some big TV shows and the rest of the world should know them all!!! And what's unreasonable about that?;-) (Leslie)Both she and I noticed Colin very definitely adjusting his 'lie' in those britches before coming onstage LOL, I live for this sort of snippet!;-) (D)It was after 4am at this point and he really seemed to still be going strong. Little party animal! I guess he was having a good time; sounds like he was mobbed at every turn. Good for him."}, {"response": 1871, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (18:41)", "body": "Karen and Kathy, great job with the caps so far! But can we please have one of Colin as Paulie Walnuts?"}, {"response": 1872, "author": "houstonandy", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (18:48)", "body": "Thanks to the Metro Gals for a great job all week and for the \"upclose and personal\" detail. Kudos to you all...and, get some rest!!! Kim, I applaud your \"touch\". My vicarious pleasures abound! Karen, the pictures are perfect!! So, there must be at least one Colin fan with some power at SNL. Then again maybe there is a Katie connection. Would love to know what made them ask him in the first place I'm with you on the Katie connection. And whoever made the Colin decision must surely have seen ODB on the Craig Kilbourn Show. Let's all hope that the powers that be were as happy with his work last night as we are. The doors are opening, and I do believe, as others have said, that he may be rethinking his desire for \"across the pond work\" Wonder if he's off to California for spring break with Will???"}, {"response": 1873, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (18:55)", "body": "Oh, and BTW, was trying desperately to get a question out during the Trauma part of the conversation, but there were too many people trying to talk to him at once, and in his graciousness was trying not to ignore them totally..... Had you considered going out to Sundance at all and do you think going there would've helped sell it better or faster? I also wanted to tell him we spoke to ME, but it was just too difficult to get more out. I think when other people see the same person or persons speaking to someone like him, they stop being patient and holding back and start to move in on the star, or whoever. I wanted to make sure I got the SNL question in first."}, {"response": 1874, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (18:59)", "body": "(locarol) Oh absolutely! I bet you wish you had a tape recorder hidden somewhere! ;-) Funny you should mention that....I did bring a digital recorder with my stuff to the hotel, but chose not to bring it to the show in case they found it and took it. Granted they'd give it back, though after the Dress a page was asking the crowd who's confiscated camera he had in his hands. They must have brought it out during the show. It's just as well, the noise was too much, it wouldn't have picked the conversation up with it in my pocket."}, {"response": 1875, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (19:23)", "body": "I am in awe! And also jealous, what could be better than seeing him perform live and to later have a conversation with him?!!! But you deserved it my dear Metro gals. Bravissime! You have truly had a close encounter of the Colin type. And a tequila drinking Colin! What more could a girl ask for? ;-) Thanks, Karen, for your quick work."}, {"response": 1876, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (19:28)", "body": "(Dorine)the shirt was black or dark blue.... I thought that it was dark blue, but I deferred to your better clarity of mind. But when I saw it I remember thinking I had to tell Tress as it looked like the exact one from the wireimage portraits from Toronto FF. Colin blue and untucked!! He might never have seen the show but I cannot imagine he had never heard of it. Perhaps he got his verbs confused. ;-) His answer to this really shocked me as he spends lots of time here, visiting Will. I LOL thinking he's never watched TV on a Saturday night while in the states;-) I know Dorine didn't like the attorney sketch but I did. I liked how during rehearsal he knocked over the water glasses-looked startled then stifled a laugh, but didn't miss a beat--he just \"nailed\" the whole show like he's done it a hundred times. I also liked that sketch because he was very HD-looking."}, {"response": 1877, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (19:32)", "body": "(Leslie)Both she and I noticed Colin very definitely adjusting his 'lie' in those britches before coming onstage (Mari)LOL, I live for this sort of snippet!;-) I can remember a time when a comment like this would keep us occupied for a week. LOL! I know, discussion about the fit of the britches needs to move to Firthology. Thanks Leslie for that tantilizing tidbit!"}, {"response": 1878, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (19:32)", "body": "Blast!"}, {"response": 1879, "author": "locarol", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (19:35)", "body": "(Linda) he just \"nailed\" the whole show like he's done it a hundred times. Great to hear. There have been mixed reviews around the place but I suspect that many have limited exposure to his \"career\" and thus only wanted to see Mr. D."}, {"response": 1880, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (19:38)", "body": "Thank you Karen for all the lovely pics!!!! Danke! And Shosh! How's our litttttttle Bridget!?? I think that is a great story! Don't hit your self on forehead! You have a memory of ODB that will last a lifetime! And you got that warm, powerful handshake! He liked you.....just as you are! (Dorine) Foiled again!! Bugger, bugger!! Well....when one has to be foiled, it may as well be by a handsome Englishman! ;-) (Mari) And I think that's exactly what he had in mind.;-) No way would someone in his position who has worked in the industry for the past 20 years not know SNL. Especially given his knowledge of American pop culture, movies, music, books, obscure rock stars, etc. He was having some fun with you--but that's a good thing, D, he wanted to keep the conversation goin.;-) Agree!! Sounds like he was enjoying himself with the Metro Gals....best to talk to fun and witty women than to listen to woman whine about missing lunch! ;-) (Mari) Little party animal! I guess he was having a good time; sounds like he was mobbed at every turn. Good for him. When the cat and kittens are away, the mouse will play?? Isn't that how it goes! ;-D Glad he seemed to have such a good time.....I thought he did a great job on SNL, and that he seemed to be having fun doing it makes it all the better! Thanks so much for all the sharing MGs! Keep it coming......I'm a little sponge here....just ready to soak up some more!"}, {"response": 1881, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (19:39)", "body": "Thank you for all the lovely details, NY ladies! I've been reading your posts grinning from ear to ear, my face is hurting now, but I can't help myself. You guys are wonderful! I'm so happy for you - and all of us. (LeslieP) Both she and I noticed Colin very definitely adjusting his 'lie' in those britches before coming onstage. LOL! What a lovely detail. I bet it burned into your memory forever. :-) (Shoshana) What lovely, large, warm soft hands, and good tight strong squeeze to the shake!!! Oh, this killed me. Sigh! One day... I won't be able to get my tape till tuesday, but thankfully I saw a few clips from the show, and he truly looked comfy, confident and AFG. I'm so relieved, I was very worried about this one. Whew! Good job Colin, and well done NYDDs! Thank you!"}, {"response": 1882, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (19:41)", "body": "Bugger, bugger, bugger! Am in a tizzy of excitment...that's twice in one day! Sorry!!!!!!! (Linda) Colin blue and untucked!! LOL.....sounds like an album.....is it accoustic!?"}, {"response": 1883, "author": "Zing", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (19:43)", "body": "Defying doctor's orders (no use of keyboard due to RSI) to say three cheers for DD MetroGals -- hurrah hurrah hurrah!!! You are all amazing!! Any more tidbits? As someone said earlier, no detail is too small... ;-)"}, {"response": 1884, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (19:56)", "body": "Highlight of yucky gray weekend with yucky headcold has been the field reports from the MG's. You guys are too much. I *cannot* believe you got into the after party and had the presence of mind for the machinations to get up close and personal. I've hung on every single word you've typed, including (and especially!) the squiffy early morning ones! As far as the why of SNL, is it absolutely impossible that a certain bunch of very vocal partisans who distinguished themselves and him at LA NY premiere may have had some influence in \"who is this and why hasn't he ever done us?\" Just a thought. And finally, a Proposal: into void left by end of SATC, propose weekly episode of \"Dorine and the MG's.\" (With apologies to every past, present and future Metro Girl, is just recognition of she who boldly goes!) Way to go you all! You think you could do this weekly? ;-)"}, {"response": 1885, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (20:02)", "body": "(Mari) No way would someone in his position who has worked in the industry for the past 20 years not know SNL. Especially given his knowledge of American pop culture, movies, music, books, obscure rock stars, etc. He was having some fun with you Agreed, plus a little bit more. Unfortunately, he used a bad example to make his point. With nearly 12 hrs of hindsight, your response should've been as follows: D: Tony Hancock? No, I don't think so. Did he appear on US television? C: I have no idea. D: Tell you what, why don't you give me a number and I'll get back to you to see if your example has any validity because SNL has been shown all over the world including the UK? Now, if you had asked me if I knew who Monty Python were, then... *smiling broadly* But can we please have one of Colin as Paulie Walnuts? Have several; will put up later. Time for Tony...back later!"}, {"response": 1886, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (20:17)", "body": "(Karen) Now, if you had asked me if I knew who Monty Python were, then... *smiling broadly* When speaking to Dorine earlier....I used Eddie Izzard (I believe Dorine saw him in concert). Cuz I was thinking Tony Hancock??? GAH! Don't know him either....but I've seen the Ministry of Funny Walks and know who Eddie Izzard is! (Karen) Tell you what, why don't you give me a number and I'll get back to you to see if your example has any validity..... LOL...very clever!!! That was the best part of your plan! Think he would have fallen for it?? Guess it depends on how many 'gritas he had before he 'sparred' with Dorine (and if they came with tequila shooters)! LOL...just love that you two had a modern Elizabeth Benett/Mr. Darcy moment! ;-) Brilliant! Am so happy, have had perma-grin all day. Told DH all about MG adventures and said \"Isn't that exciting???\" and he said \"Nah, but I guess it might have been had I been there....\" Can DH be turning into Drooler? Have I missed something? Should I be worried?? Do you think he may have developed a \"heterosexual man crush\" on Colin Firth??? ;-D"}, {"response": 1887, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (21:17)", "body": "\"C: Tony Hancock!! He's one of the classic comedians in Britain!!' Me:He is living? I only look at live actors. This guy must live in a cave...along with his friends. The show has spawned the best comedians around. I am sure your conversation with him was refreshing, Dorine. He must get sick of the same ole,same ole. I remember at the Donmar he was v. interested in talking to Karen who had seen 3 DOR in Chicago. After the show, he remembered to ask her how the Donmar production compared to it."}, {"response": 1888, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (21:20)", "body": "Hello Droolers!!! Am back home finally and want to give bits and pieces of my fun filled days . .will try not to be too redundant, . .the others have detailed quite well the occurances of the evening/early morning! Want to also say, the past few days have been just wonderful, from meeting new Droolers, to meeting the man himself! Am happy that as a Metro Gal, I was able to be of some help, doing early recon work, updates, and thankfully getting that party info. Wow, where to begin? (am ditching usually BJD format for this one, girls, please excuse me!) As an aside, I am now a firm believer in KCFS (Karmic Colin Firth Signs) . .have to say our whole weekend seemed to be full of them . .things were just falling into place, and I must say I was in firm belief everything we hoped for would happen on Saturday: seeing him on the tour, getting into the dress rehearsal, getting into and making contact with him at the afterparty. And it did!!!! This is going to be long . . .I\ufffdll try to post it in two parts or so . . . Last time I had posted in real length was prior to the tour on Sat morning. Leslie and Linda pretty much had summed it up that great experience. Our strategy of staying at the front of the elevators: counting people entering, creating \ufffdthe wall\ufffd was just too hilarious. Nearly ran down a young handicapped gentleman and an elderly woman to get to the front window! Then there was the eager search through the milling people on the studio floor for him, and the utter happiness of seeing him there, as usual brought a smile to my face. Did not leave any tell tale Drool on the window this time around, I swear I was good;) After that, made it back to the apt to freshen up and showed Leslie, Bee and Shosh my Showtime interview blurb (which we agreed would be done more justice as a version of streaming video as opposed to transcript and screen caps. Will be getting help from Little Bee with this task . .You\ufffdlll love it girls, I promise;) Time leading up to the dress rehearsal was utter torture . . .Couldn\ufffdt eat because I was too nervous . .for him! The line up and wait to see if we\ufffdd be taken in to the dress rehearsal was painful. Made friends with Ryan, young NBC intern who helped the process along. Kept bugging him for more details, but he could only do so much. They would take only so many people . .move them up a few feet, then move a few through metal detectors, then have them wait. Risa and Bee were a few feet away, cheering us on at every step, calling us on the phone with any details. Making friends with another NBC worker who was also a fan of the man himself.We found out that the studio held 340 seats, but we didn\ufffdt know how many seats were still empty. The actual audience seemed rather large. But sure enough they had 2 groups of 15 people each past the metal detectors. We were the 2nd group. Then the call came, they sent up the first group of 15 and just 11 of the second group . .with our luck some people didn\ufffdt show and I (who was the last of the group with a ticket, was the last in the elevator!!!) The excitement grew. We got up there and someone asked: \ufffdAre we in?\ufffd They took our tickets and we were told to go down the hallway to get a blue bracelet and to wear it and to go in an get a seat . I RAN down that hallway so fast . . .we were yelping aloud and jumping up and down, we were so happy!. The seated us at the far left hand part of the balcony (that\ufffds looking at the audience from the being on the stage.) Dorine and I were a little miffed at not being center to see him dead on . .but the position seemed to be rather fortuitous. We were, by far, the loudest of Colin\ufffds fans . .Dorine noticed people looking at us . .perhaps we were making too much noise?:) As mentioned before, we (our whole section) certainly were singled out as being the most energetic and enthusiastic. I was determined to let him know that there were true blue fans out there to support him . .never screamed so much in my life, standing up, waving my FP red and white scarf about! OK will just give some random details, feelings about the rest of the Dress rehearsal. Colin was so ON . .. and as an actor, I can say that is the best feeling in the world. The show was energetic, lively . .he really looked like he was enjoying himself.. The audience loved him! He was in almost every skit we saw ( many of which you did not) \ufffd the hardest working man down there, saw him in the shadows after every skit zipping about for his quick changes . .and I couldn\ufffdt help but smile . .I know that adrenaline rush . .ah what a high! I haven\ufffdt laughed so hard. SNL was at it\ufffds best, I thought at that rehearsal. The opening monologue was fabulous . .written perfectly, fit to a tee for Colin. As Leslie mentioned . . . that visceral groan . .well let me tell you I was part of that! The moment Amy Pollard came out with Lizzy\ufffds lines from Pride and Prejudice, I just stopped breathing. . .and then all of a sudden, Colin went from being himself, to Mr. Darcy for t"}, {"response": 1889, "author": "mjmorris", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (21:32)", "body": "Wow, thanks ladies. You've really brightened up a Sunday. It's a miracle that I saw the show last night. The first trimester sleepies and morning sickness has me in bed most nights very early. I enjoyed the opening monologue very much, as well as the Civil War skit. Being a Southerner myself, seeing OBD in a Confederate uniform was wonderful. The accent made me LOL! OMG, I died at the end with \"my beloved.\" I haven't watched SNL since the late 80s and it sure has changed a lot. The hotel skit and the bits about HG were funny and once CF joined the Spanish one it was amusing. The one I really disliked was the hearing, but I think I'm a bit biased there because my Dad retired from ATF. Overall I'm glad I saw it, but am more thrilled over the reports from dress, during and after the show. Shoshana, very Bridget. :) I probably would have said something similar, but from my own field, and felt like you did. At least it'll be a memorable moment for years to come. Bravo! Michelle"}, {"response": 1890, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (22:28)", "body": "(Kimberly) Noticing more arms about, he stepped around the corner, looked at us directly, flashed us that wonderful, warm smile (teeth and dimples) and gave us another big wave to us again. Made my heart jump, because he seemed genuinely happy at that moment. Woo hoo! You ladies were his anti-kryptonite! The MGs (his roving fanbase) gave him super powers....I noticed it hours later when I got to see him on SNL! The after effects were still apparent! Thanks again you guys for sharing your stories.....love hearing them and keep 'em coming! It is absolutely the next best thing to being there!!!"}, {"response": 1891, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (22:37)", "body": "Last part . .! OK, after the show we met Bee and Risa and went back to the Omni bar for some drinks and to watch the live show. Oh my, got a bit squiffy let me tell you. Bar manager smiled when he saw us again, knew what we were there for as me parked ourselves under the television and began to recount lovely show. At one commercial break we ran upstairs to Linda and Dorine\ufffds room to go where we could hear the broadcast better. Oh we were a bit energetic . .someone reported us to the hotel we were making so much noise! . . . Someone from the hotel staff came to the door and told us to keep it down! At about 1:30 we started to leave for the after party (I am so happy I had even thought to try to get that info from my source). Risa, Bee, Shosh and Linda left before us in one cab. Dorine, Leslie and myself followed. Our dang cabdriver did not know where he was going! . .we were very upset as he dropped us off on the wrong street . As we realized and we tried to correct this, I heard Leslie yell: \ufffdLimo!\ufffd and sure enough there was a white stretch limo that was turning down the street towards the restaurant we were heading for. Have never chased a limo before, but found the rush quite enjoyable. However was not him.:( We got to the restaurant, finding the other girls standing at the corner of the restaurant. We all watched other cars and cabs drop off people, but no Colin! I believe Risa walked around to the other side to the street to see if the restaurant had a back enterance. Shosh and I walked down the other side of the restaurant pretending to need to use the payphone, as we looked through the large glass windows for him. Dorine finally had sense of mind to approach the man at the front door with the list and ask him if Colin had already arrived. And he had! Door Watcher couldn\ufffdt let us in, but was very nice and talked to us about the show and all. Two young chirpies, as Leslie calls them, attempted to enter, saying that they were with someone inside. But they were not able to get in, and lurked down the street just around the corner. We asked if we could possibly get a note into Colin . .just to let him know that we just wanted to say congratulations on such a wonderful performance, nothing more. But the NBC door watcher said he didn\ufffdt think he or anyone could get back to Colin anyway, as he was in a part far back with the cast, and there were some security guys there to prevent people from bothering them. We lingered, waiting for him to come out. Eventually Door Watcher was done for the evening and went in for the party. The two chirpies walked in. As Dorine mentioned: she, Linda and Leslie walked straight in. Poor Shosh, Bee and I were outside for a bit getting up the courage to walk in the door!. When I finally did, I did not see the girls, so I made a circle around the bar, shmoozing with the bartender, got a chardonnay and started to blend in. Found the other girls who saw Colin in the back.. Shosh came and joined us. Dorine & I agreed that approaching as one big group might be too overwhelming, so Leslie and I separated and stayed by the door, figuring we could catch him if he got by the other girls on his way out. We noticed a growing number of chirpies surrounding us, and I was damned if I was going to let some of them get to Colin first and ruin it for the rest of us (Images of pink sweaters were coming to my mind). So as Dorine mentioned, we gathered and moved closer to the back part of t e resturant where he was.. He looked like he was moving forward. The security guys had left. I was going home w/ Leslie who was looking a bit peaked, so I was not going to leave with out at least going up to him. I just said \ufffdF*** it\ufffd to myself, handed Shosh my coat and approached him. I pretended like I was searching for someone. I walked around Colin and the gentleman he was talking to and as I turned around, as if still searching for my unknown someone Colin and I caught each other\ufffds gaze. I interrupted his current conversation, touched his hand, (he grasped my in return ) and said: \ufffdColin, sorry to interrupt, I just wanted to tell you congratulations. Saw the dress rehearsal and the live performance and it was just wonderful. Great job.\ufffd And I flashed him a smile. He was so kind, and said : \ufffdThank you . . .Thank you very much.\ufffd. He gave my hand a squeeze And I walked away, still looking for my pretend someone. I then encountered Dorine, who asked if I was pretending looking for someone . .I gave her a casual nod, took my coat from her and told her to go for it. I walked about the restaurant, up to the bathroom and then back down again. When I got back down, there were the other Droolers about Colin, so I joined again. By that time I was in time to hear Dorine ask Colin about how he got the SNL gig. We were astounded of his lack of knowledge of the show, and as already mentioned he was asking us about other British Comedic icons/shows. It was a wonderful playful banter. At one point when he teased us Americans"}, {"response": 1892, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (22:42)", "body": "(Linda) I know Dorine didn't like the attorney sketch but I did....I also liked that sketch because he was very HD-looking. Actually, c'mon Evelyn tell'm who that was. ;-) (Tress) I used Eddie Izzard Naw, SNL and Monty Python are better: both revolutionary and known worldwide for being just that, with characters and sketches that will always be famous. (Kim) Nearly ran down a young handicapped gentleman and an elderly woman to get to the front window! There must always be acceptable levels of collateral damage. ;-) ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Now, here's something fairly amusing. The TV Tome Critic's review of last night's SNL: If at Firth you don't succeed ... Review by heystu After the near-debacle of the Christina Aguilera/Maroon 5 episode, the only direction we can go now is up. In retrospect, I might have been harsh in my criticism of that particular episode, but sleepwalking through your performance, no matter whether the sketch was well-written or not, does not merit glowing accolades. Nonetheless, my harsh Stu-dometer rating of 1 out of 5 stands. Every season, Lorne chooses a host pretty much out of left field, and unless (theoretically) the guy who plays Dr. Cox on \"Scrubs\" ends up hosting the season finale, this year's honor would go to classically trained thespian Colin Firth. (Last year, the title went to Adrian Brody, and we all know how that went.) [Ed Note: Adrian Brody had just won the Oscar for Best Actor, getting everyone's notice for his kissing Halle Berry.] Backing up SNL's seventh-ever British host is none other than the Grammy Awards' favorite child, Norah Jones. As many of you might recall, Norah and her minimalist jazz sound was one of only a handful of highlights in last year's underwhelming Robert DeNiro episode. And I also own her new album, thus letting me avoid having to guess tonight's track names. And now, ix-nay on the etch-by-sketch-skay analysis-ay: COLD OPENING: For the second time in four episodes (and the third time in five seasons), it's \"Nightline\" with Ted Koppel (DH). Addressing the surprise guilty decision in the Martha Stewart trial, he discusses Cool Hand Luke with one of the jurors (KT), the definition of being a bitch with a Merrill Lynch broker (WF), the celebrity standpoint from Rosie O'Donnell (the increasingly annoying Horatio Sanz), and Martha herself (our old buddy Ana Gasteyer), looking rather unfazed. Just by this sketch alone I can officially declare this episode better than the last one. MONOLOGUE: An entire country is about to ask \"Who is this guy?\", but Colin explains himself by pointing out that he's starred opposite Hugh Grant in nearly every movie he's ever made. Suddenly, who should appear but the three female cast members that actually appear in sketches, each trying to win over Colin with faux accents, not to mention Hugh himself (SM), who breaks character and admits to having a man-crush on the host. After an almost unbearable 2 years since I last saw Seth do Hugh, I can proudly say that seeing that uncanny impression was probably the best part of the skit. I also liked the reference to the omelette suit from the Justin Timberlake episode. \"CIVIL WAR DRAMA\": On the set of a \"Cold Mountain\"-esque movie, a British actor (who else but Colin) attempts a Southern drawl but ends up sounding like Charles Nelson Reilly. Meanwhile, his three co-stars (FM, AP, CP) openly complain to the director (JF) about speaking in their real, though flawed voices. Silly but satisfactory. \"SHOW-BIZ GRANDE EXPLOSION\": For the second episode in a row, we experience having to hear broken Spanish in a sketch. This time, it's a talk show hosted by long-AWOL recurring character Ferecito (FA), who teaches a thing or two about comedy to Colin. For some reason, this reminded me a lot of that borderline-offensive Turkish talk show spoof from last season (complete with Horatio as the sidekick), but this sketch had slightly funnier results. SMIGELTOON: It's only the fourth cartoon this season, but the wait was worthwhile on this particular occasion. A talking head from the FCC shows pixilated alternate versions of classic cartoons, only to be turned into a eunuch in a respectable \"Duck Amuck\" homage. Howard Stern shall have his revenge on New York City. \"SENATE TESTIMONY\": In his first non-WU appearance, soft-spoken weirdo and perennial political candidate Tim Calhoun (WF) testifies before a committee over his role in a Everglades drug deal. Problem is, his lawyer (Colin) is reluctantly feeding words into his mouth. A so-so sketch revolving around a semi-popular recurring character that is eventually marred by a somewhat abrupt ending. MUSICAL PERFORMANCE: It's the leadoff track from Norah's new album Feels Like Home, \"Sunrise.\" Even with the installment of a backing band, she still sounded fantastic. WEEKEND UPDATE: On some nights, including two weeks ago, \"Update\" acts almost like a crutch for the entire show. Some of the burden has been lifted tonight, but otherwise it's the most consisten"}, {"response": 1893, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (22:45)", "body": "Just remembered . . when we were waiting by the metal detectors to get in for the dress rehearsal there was a group of young boys who all came in wearing badges that said: Special Guests of Colin Firth. Wonder who they were . . . Thought they were a bit young to be Will and his friends . ."}, {"response": 1894, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (22:58)", "body": "(TVTome)Colin in his native tongue, yet again Gahhhh!!!! . .can't even tell a British accent from an Irish brogue??? (Karen) I'll let them provide the explanations, but looks to be an altar to YKW and (????) Alexander Graham Bell. ;-) Ahh the altar . .wasn\ufffdt that cute . .that was done after the waiting in the rain for the dress rehearsal tix. Our tribute to Colin, NYC and well our massive cellphone usage during the trip. . .and you got to see the today show. That was the corner I was standing in (the one closest to the Dean and Deluca window) during the December Toy Drive when I first saw Colin in person! (leslie) Liam Neeson- I didn't care for it. It was the only time in the broadcast that he looed uncomfortable Now that was the scene he was first rehearsing when I saw him on the NBC tour on Thursday of last week. Had that same pained look then too . . is he trying to say Liam looks that way most of the time . .??;) (Karen)While it may be disappointing to some that he didn't do more period pieces or they got cut, I'm thrilled about what he did in the show. He showed the small pea-brained casting types that he is comfortable in contemporary settings and can do all sorts of accents. The ones on the show were exaggerated, but it showed he can be more than the repressed, smouldering, glowering upper-class Brit, which is where he's been pidgeonholed for quite some time. And, even though the show may have had its high and lows (as do all SNLs), he came off very well IMO. I'm telling ya, this could pay off royally if he doesn't blow it. A big if. ;-) Keep those candles lit, Bee and Barb and everyone else. I'm with you . .this is a great stepping stone for him . .I hope people really noticed this great man's talent!"}, {"response": 1895, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (23:25)", "body": "Just finished the last * 74 * posts, and am thrilled for and amazed at the Metro gals! Start planning now for the release and NYC premiere of TEOR !!!"}, {"response": 1896, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (23:30)", "body": "Because I didn't want to disappoint anyone, here's Furio, who didn't wear track suits. I mean, here's Paulie Walnuts:"}, {"response": 1897, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (23:42)", "body": "There's Paulie! Thanks Karen! (Dorine) Oh.....My......God!!! NOW I remember why the name Tony Hancock was fleetingly familiar!!! The BAFTA East Coast Vice Chair whom I know, was married to him!! GAAAAAHHHHHHHH! I could have had a comeback for him!!! Dammit!!!!! Would have paid ready money to see the look on his face if you had mentioned this! (Mari) He was having some fun with you--but that's a good thing, D, he wanted to keep the conversation goin.;-) Am now convinced of this.....how could he not know who The Blues Brothers were??? Surely he listened to \"Rubber Biscuit\" as much as the next guy?! ;-) DH is now reading FQ magazine with ODB on the cover (BTW, he found this title really funny and thought the mag might be about something else). Am v. v. concerned. We have no children....he is going on and on about a unimog that he found in it....should get out camera though and take pic. Not everyday I see him sitting holding magazine with ODB's face emblazed on the front. This man crush thing might be real....;-D"}, {"response": 1898, "author": "caribou", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (00:48)", "body": "Dorine on the scene. Dorine in the scene. It's great!!!!! Hay, I just figured it out. It has been there staring us in the face the whole time. It's her name!!!!!! It has DOoR, IN, and 'E. Of course, she is IN the DOoR where 'E is.:-) No I wish my name was Dorine,too.;-) Way to go, ladies! Thanks for sharing your many adventures with us. (Stu)SKETCHES THAT WILL PROBABLY BE REMOVED FOR RERUNS: \"Show-Biz Grande Explosion,\" \"Senate Testimony,\" \"Hotel Wilson,\" and \"The Sopranos.\" So, what would that leave of Colin? The monologue and Cold Mountain? Although it would be an ingenious way of making sure nobody would spot the HOST of the show!!!!! Stu es Idioto Mucho Grande!"}, {"response": 1899, "author": "caribou", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (00:50)", "body": "Sorry to double post but that should be: Now, I wish my name was Dorine, too.;-) \"No\" was just a typo but did change the meaning."}, {"response": 1900, "author": "Leah", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (03:56)", "body": "I have loved the posts about SNL, and am grateful that everyone have all shared so much. Thank you for all the reports, etc - they are v g to have."}, {"response": 1901, "author": "Gails", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (08:43)", "body": "So happy for all you Metro Gals. Seemed like a magical evening. I can just imagine him having that little bit of banter with Dorine and having that slightly flirty smile on his face. Got such a kick out of reading how Leslie let it rip. Sounds like not only was Colin in top form all of you were too."}, {"response": 1902, "author": "meg", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (08:52)", "body": "I'm completely blown away by the success of the NYC contingent this weekend! Way to go! As soon as he came on stage and I heard the screaming, (sounded like it came from the right of the audience as you face the stage), I knew you'd made it in. And to Kimberly for finding out where the cast party was and for Dorine for brazenly crashing it (again), double kudos. I have to admit to being so jealous it almost hurts (okay, that hurting part may be a slight exaggeration). You actually spoke to him! Whole sentences! Not at all sure I could have managed that, but would sure like to give it a try some time! Maybe brush up on all Brit comedians for the last century first... Anyway, congrats again! And thank you so much for the sharing. You're all amazing and I'm so happy for you! Bet you won't really come down for weeks... wistful sigh."}, {"response": 1903, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (09:36)", "body": "In other news;-)....Coming Soon now saying Region 1 DVD release for GWAPE is May 4th."}, {"response": 1904, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (09:46)", "body": "From Moviehole.net Kim Basinger encounters Possession Posted on Mon, 8-Mar-2004 Comeback queen Kim Basinger is tipped for the lead role in \ufffdPossession\ufffd, a new supernatural thriller to be directed by Stuart Baird [\ufffdU.S Marshals\ufffd]. In the film, Basinger \ufffd next in the film \ufffdCellular\ufffd \ufffd would play Alex, the attractive mother of a boy who tragically dies in a car crash. After his bereavement, she starts to have some rather freakish psychic experiences. Unable to call on anyone else, Alex seeks the help of a medium, but they refuse to continue, terrified of something - but unwilling to say of what. By this stage, the dead son is more and more present, pleading \ufffdHelp me, Mother\ufffd. Alex comes to the grasp that she has to dig up her son\ufffds past and find out what it could be that he\ufffds referring to. The film is based on a book of the same name by author Peter James. It\ufffds believed Hayden Christensen is in talks for the role of the dead son, Fabian Hightower, and Colin Firth has also been contacted about playing a role. \ufffdIt\ufffds an excellent script \ufffd I believe the actors that have been contacted about it are strongly considering it\ufffd, says scooper, Richard. \ufffdThey hope to have it shooting Before Christmas\ufffd."}, {"response": 1905, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (09:54)", "body": "who tragically dies in a car crash...freakish psychic experiences...seeks the help of a medium Does this sound like another film?? ;-) Thanks Ada!"}, {"response": 1906, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (09:57)", "body": "Ada- Re: the possible role in Possession... How odd that he's being considered for a role that has such strong parallels to Trauma. Is it possible that it's pure coincidence? Regardless, with Nanny McPhee coming up and now this possibility, he certainly continues his record of never lacking for work. If only one of them were *the big one*."}, {"response": 1907, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (10:00)", "body": "Interesting scoop, Ada, thanks! (Tress)Am now convinced of this.....how could he not know who The Blues Brothers were?? Or the show that launched the careers of Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Adam Sandler, Mike Myers, etc. etc. Here's further proof he was teasing: he has said his all-time fave TV program is the Larry Sanders Show (Garry Shandling). That show had a cult following. He knows a relatively obscure comedy program, but not SNL? No way. Well, for whatever reason he didn't want to tell the real story, and that's his right, I guess."}, {"response": 1908, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (10:05)", "body": "Ada- Re: the possible role in Possession... How odd that he's being considered for a role that has such strong parallels to Trauma. Is it possible that it's pure coincidence? Regardless, with Nanny McPhee coming up and now this possibility, he certainly continues his record of never lacking for work. If only one of them were *the big one*."}, {"response": 1909, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (10:12)", "body": "Karen, thank you for that pic of Colin as Paulie! LOL! When I was watching The Sopranos debut last night, I cracked up when Paulie came on. I'll never be able to look at that character the same way. Colin even had his facial expressons down pat. (Kim)That\ufffds when I noticed the woman, who I believe was his wrangler for the GWAPE press junket Hmm, what's she, his rottweiler? Maybe someonme from his agent's or publicist's office. Speaking of which--and you know I don't do fan mail--I'm writing Colin a letter via his Los Angeles agent, giving him snaps for going on SNL. The boy deserves our positive reinforcement!;-) I refuse to send anything to the other office, aka, the black hole.:-( (Kim)As he went to return to his friends I caught his gaze, slipped up close to him. I put my right arm about his waist and leaned close to his ear He leaned into me a bit as I said: \ufffdColin, darling Jeez, Kim, I'm about to have an orgasm-by-proxy here!:-)"}, {"response": 1910, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (10:26)", "body": "(Kim)As he went to return to his friends I caught his gaze, slipped up close to him. I put my right arm about his waist and leaned close to his ear He leaned into me a bit as I said: \ufffdColin, darling (Mari)Jeez, Kim, I'm about to have an orgasm-by-proxy here!:-) You said it Mari! LOL! I think many of us are feeling it! Zowie!"}, {"response": 1911, "author": "BrendaL", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (10:38)", "body": "(from tvtome review)I also liked the reference to the omelette suit from the Justin Timberlake episode. This explains that line! I couldn't understand it and could only think of omelette mention in BJD. And I saw that Timberlake episode :-) Thanks so much a million times to all the Droolers for a wonderful weekend! You Metro Gals are brilliant and I bow to your fabulousity. As Wayne Campbell would say (but Colin would apparently not get the reference!) \"I am not worthy!!\""}, {"response": 1912, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (10:52)", "body": "Just for those who have convinced themselves that CF is winding Dorine up by claiming not to have heard of SNL ... can I explain that it doesn't air here in the UK - we don't see commercials for it - we don't see old clips - we probably missed the time they ran six episodes on BBC2 over ten years ago - it's just not a factor in British life. If that means we \"live in a cave\", so be it. Sometimes our cave seems all right to us. I have even managed to watch The Blues Brothers and Wayne's World without knowing they were spin-offs from SNL. Hats off to Dorine for giving the guy an interesting conversation though, and especially for honesty in admitting she didn't know of Tony Hancock. In her defence, yes he died a long time ago (and CF may have been a bit sneaky to pick him), but in his defence, any study of British comedy would have to mention Hancock. Colin probably avoided Ricky Gervais, Monty Python and Morecambe & Wise deliberately, but then again most Americans probably wouldn\ufffdt have heard of \ufffdNot The Nine O\ufffdClock News\ufffd, a comedy sketch show which ran for some years on the BBC and launched a few comic talents. This isn\ufffdt shocking ignorance, it\ufffds just ordinary ignorance. The Larry Sanders Show has been broadcast here a lot in the last few years, likewise many many US sitcoms, I even remember seeing an amount of Rowan & Martin\ufffds Laugh-In, but SNL just doesn\ufffdt exist here. The point is \ufffd one country\ufffds \ufffdworld-famous\ufffd is another country\ufffds \ufffdbelow the radar\ufffd, especially in terms of TV. He\ufffds just not lying to you. And I'm very amused that his general point - that Americans expect the rest of the world to know their cultural reference points - has been supported here in the face of his own denial. Just my tuppence-worth ;-)"}, {"response": 1913, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (10:53)", "body": "Sorry - I mean the ordinary ignorance is on our parts as well, of course..."}, {"response": 1914, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (10:58)", "body": "(Kim)As he went to return to his friends I caught his gaze, slipped up close to him. I put my right arm about his waist and leaned close to his ear He leaned into me a bit as I said: \ufffdColin, darling (Mari)Jeez, Kim, I'm about to have an orgasm-by-proxy here!:-) (Maria)You said it Mari! LOL! I think many of us are feeling it! Zowie! Well he didn't seem uncomfortable when I did it . .not like that guy who tried to give him a big hug (which Colin didn't reciprocate and looked v. uncomfortable during) . .whether or not it was due to both of our SOS (state of squiffiness) at the time who knows . .it was nice it happened . . and he didn't look offended or anything . .I just didn't want to come off ala pink sweater girl from LA premiere!! Mari - are you going to put in the letter that we were at the dress rehearsal???:) He should know how fabulous he was that night!!!! I just re-watched my tape of SNL . .hmmm wonder what the audience was like . . . for some reason, got a feeling they wern't as enthusiastic as our audience was . . wish we could have been there just to boost him up some more . . . seemed like a very different show energy wise, very different from the dress rehearsal. Ada- thanks for the scoop. Will keep fingers and toes crossed for Colin! Sorry I didn't have a chance to ask about NMcP . .couldn't find a segueway into it . . .. There will be next time. (Mari)Hmm, what's she, his rottweiler? Maybe someonme from his agent's or publicist's office. Perhaps . . . I swear I had seen her in some of the pics from GWAPE or perhaps it was LA? . .asian woman . .I dunno I tired checking the galleries on colinfirth.com to see if maybe my mind was playing tricks on me . .but I couldn't find the pic I recall seeing."}, {"response": 1915, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (11:05)", "body": "Mark, you may have missed the point, which is that someone in his position, i.e., working in the entertainment business *and* having lived in North America for some years *and* visiting here regularly to see his child--would surely know the show, whether seeing it, reading about it, etc. No, I don't expect the average person to know our cultural reference points."}, {"response": 1916, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (11:13)", "body": "If I get fired today, it will be because I've spent too much time reading these fabulous posts! Congrats to all the Metro gals -- I'm so happy for you (and so jealous!). Thanks for sharing all the details with us!"}, {"response": 1917, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (11:16)", "body": "But my point was that Colin in his interviews is always boasting of being such an \"American\". He lived in St. Louis (albeit a long time ago),his son is an American(teenager), and has been visiting LA for the past 14 yrs \"as often as I can\". He is not an ordinary British tourist who comes to the US on a holiday every now and then. And even if he hadn't seen SNL ,it comes up often in convrsation here in the US. Having said that, I bet there are many Americans who have never heard of SNL either. LOL."}, {"response": 1918, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (11:25)", "body": "(Tress), Not everyday I see him sitting holding magazine with ODB's face emblazed on the front. This man crush thing might be real....;-D He's probably trying to figure out what it is you and the Metro gals see in him. ;-) (Kim), Well he didn't seem uncomfortable when I did it You were fantastic! What an amazing time you girls had. I don't watch the Sopranos but I could tell Colin had something going with that character, and it really comes through in that picture as well, thanks, Karen! Who knows what will come off from SNL, but I hope he skips that \"Possesion\" role."}, {"response": 1919, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (11:39)", "body": "Mari, sorry, yes I did forget that he'd lived in Canada for a while, and it should make a difference; the entertainment bit less so, IMO, as he doesn't generally work in comedy; but I still think it possible he's being honest. Though I take Ev's point about him not being a regular tourist too ... and I'll admit I was surprised (but not staggered ) that he said he hadn't heard of SNL. I just wanted to demonstrate how deep our ignorance can run sometimes (I still don't know who the real Fabio is...)!"}, {"response": 1920, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (11:46)", "body": "Mark, you may have missed the point, which is that someone in his position, i.e., working in the entertainment business *and* having lived in North America for some years *and* visiting here regularly to see his child--would surely know the show, whether seeing it, reading about it, etc Actually I am with Mark on this. I have spent time working in the US. Not as much as CF and I don't work in the entertainment business. I recognised the name SNL but did not know what it was. Perhaps I have seen the odd promo for it which is why I recognised the name. Hey, its on Saturday night. As we know Colin is a party animal so would he be there watching it? When I am in the States I do not spend time watching TV on a Saturday night and I am a stay at home sort of girl ;-)"}, {"response": 1921, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (12:13)", "body": "First Benny Hill then Rowan & Marting's Laugh In, this sure takes me back and dates me as well (Evelyn) He lived in St. Louis (albeit a long time ago),his son is an American(teenager), and has been visiting LA for the past 14 yrs \"as often as I can\". And promptly spends his time in front of the tv catching up on all things American when on this side of the pond;-) He may be in the business, he may visit the US often but I wasn't surprised he hadn't heard of SNL. After all (Evelyn) I bet there are many Americans who have never heard of SNL either. LOL. some may even be actors :-)"}, {"response": 1922, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (12:18)", "body": "Sorry, I just have to weigh in on this one - and I dare *anyone* to accuse me of being \"America-centric\". *LOL* If he said he wasn't very familiar with SNL, had never *watched* SNL, etc., I could believe it. But I can't buy \"never heard of it\". Sorry. Doesn't wash. A show that launched the careers of John Belushi, Dan Akroyd, Gilda Radner, Larraine Newman, Mike Meyers, Eddie Murphy, etc., etc., etc. And let us not forget - Chevy Chase . Now we KNOW he's heard of Chevy Chase! *LOL* I don't buy \"never heard of it\". I would definitely buy \"never watched/saw it\"."}, {"response": 1923, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (12:25)", "body": "Well, if he hadn't heard of it, then he took a tremendous leap of faith in agreeing to do it.;-) Whatever, it's one I'm glad he took. Let's e-mail our feedback on the show to: SaturdayNightLive@nbc.com Two other comments: I could swear he introduced Norah Jones the first time as \"Lora.\" Anyone else notice? Also, loved the suit he wore for his monologue; I do believe we have a new premiere suit!:-)"}, {"response": 1924, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (12:33)", "body": "(Mari) I could swear he introduced Norah Jones the first time as \"Lora.\" Anyone else notice? Cringed then 'cause that was what I thought I heard too."}, {"response": 1925, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (12:35)", "body": "Why do we have another \"Possession\" so soon after Jennifer/Jeremy's \"Possession? Just watched the tape of SNL (I was away for the weekend). Thought he did well with what was given him, but watching some of the lame skits, I remembered why I never got into SNL. It is so uneven. Did enjoy the Cold Mountain bit, but that hotel one????!!!! Still, wonderful for him to have the exposure (no pun intended). He seemed to be enjoying himself a lot."}, {"response": 1926, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (12:35)", "body": "(Mari)I could swear he introduced Norah Jones the first time as \"Lora.\" Anyone else notice? Erp . .just reviewed my tape caught it too . .chalk it up to nerves, I guess!:)"}, {"response": 1927, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (12:43)", "body": "\"Aye Dios Mio!\" *cupping chin in both palms* Wish I could have been in NY this weekend with you Metro Gals! You are awesome! What a day you all had in NYC! Thanks for your up-to-the-minute and thoroughly amazing reports. I enjoyed every word you all wrote and every brave step you all took! (Lesliep)We did our best to \ufffdcirculate, oozing sophistication\ufffd. Colin was in the way back talking with a ton of people and cast members. Love this. Am picturing the launch party, but with very worthy drooleurs invited this time. They even get to meet ODB while sipping chardonay! Dorine, Shoshana, Linda, and Kimberley, you are tireless and true in your pursuits of seeing and talking to ODB - from positioning yourselves during the NBC tours to positioning yourselves at the afterparty! You are terrific. BTW, Shosh, I think you did great. At least you were quite intelligent. When I meet him at the Paris Theatre at the \"Earnest\" premiere all I could do was gush and gush. Wish I had been able to hook up with Dorine at that afterparty ;-). Kim, you aren't so bad yourself ;-). Bee and little Bee, so sorry you couldn't see the show, but I'm sure you enjoyed all the excitement that was \"buzzing\" around you! Sounds like you helped make that stage door line move in the right direction too! I would have sworn that you guys were at the live performance too. They panned the audience a couple of times (either before or after the opening monologue) and I could see and hear some very enthusiastic fans. The audience also looked more crowded than usual to me. I watch the show a lot and it's never looked as crowded and alive to me."}, {"response": 1928, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (12:43)", "body": "I'll apologize in advance....I may have to make multiple posts. As this isn't my regular computer and this place had servers going down consistently yesterday, I don't want to do a huge post and lose it. I got lucky yesterday. It's luck of the draw here I think. (Mark) most Americans probably wouldn\ufffdt have heard of \ufffdNot The Nine O\ufffdClock News\ufffd Wish he had mentioned that as I have indeed heard of and watched it at one time. Quite a while ago. It occurred to me to mention Monty Python, but that is too recognizable I thought. Smart of him not to go that way. In her defence, yes he died a long time ago (and CF may have been a bit sneaky to pick him), Yes, I just assumed he was alive if he was going to give an example. I would've told him that wasn't a fair comparison had I known. I'll be prepared to ask for clarification next time. Am learning how his mind works. ;-) It also occurred to me that he could have taken the tack of, \"You American's think....\" because he was riffing on a skit that was cut (the one you saw on the commercial Karen, with the baseball bats) where he was described as a pretentious Englishman, with various other stereotypical descriptions of Americans sitting at the table. I liked that skit, wish they'd left it. (Caribou) It's her name!!!!!! It has DOoR, IN, and 'E. Of course, she is IN the DOoR where 'E is.:-) ROTF!! You are so talented, Caribou!!"}, {"response": 1929, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (12:53)", "body": "(Mari) I could swear he introduced Norah Jones the first time as \"Lora.\" Anyone else notice? (Barb)Cringed then 'cause that was what I thought I heard too. (Kimberly)Erp . .just reviewed my tape caught it too . .chalk it up to nerves, I guess!:) I noticed it too, but thought it was just \"me\" ;-)."}, {"response": 1930, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (13:10)", "body": "Well in the fog that was my brain yesterday (better today, I got some more sleep ;-)), I realized today I forgot part of the Trauma conversation. I'll just repost what I put before to keep it all together to be more coherent, rather than having to refer back to the first part wherever it is if necessary. I'll bold the new stuff. D: Congratulations, well done! C: Thanks. D: I was able to see Trauma at Sundance. I liked it. C: Oh, good. D: Have you seen it? C: Yes. D: A final cut? (He was interrupted by someone here. He was trying to listen to us both. I repeated the question.) D: You saw the final cut? C: Yes. D: Did you like it? C: Yes.......but it had problems. D: Problems with what? C: The narrative. D: Such as? He looks away for a moment contemplating C: It's not like Memento where it had kind of an exciting ending and..... I think this is what he said, but it didn't make sense to me as I actually found it similar in some ways to Memento. I could swear he said he thought it moved slowly, but it could be just me, though I just called Linda and she thought so, too. D: One thing I had a bit of a problem with was the accents.....(cue puzzled look on Colin)....just when you were talking to Tommy Flannagan. C: Really? I didn't notice a difference..... (Looked like he was really thinking about it) D: Yes, there was a very significant difference when you were speaking with Tommy than when you were speaking to Mena. C: (Still looking as if he's trying to figure it out).....Well, I don't think anybody would notice it in England. D: No, I certainly wouldn't think so there. I thought it was Linda who asked about the US distribution, but apparently it was Leslie.... L: Do you think it will get distributed in the US? C: I don't know. I don't know if it will be distributed anywhere. I didn't bother to inform him of the various countries it's been bought or that it has a tentative August release date in the UK. ;-)) _______________ Yes, I know Tress, this would've been a good time to mention speaking with Marc Evans, but he got interrupted and I wanted to get to the SNL question. ;-)"}, {"response": 1931, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (13:24)", "body": "Ada, thanks for the Possession news (think they'll change that title due to the Paltrow/Northam/Ehle/Eckhart film?). Read the two reviews on Amazon. They didn't like it! ;-( http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0575042729/qid=1078771065/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-8522637-9488804?v=glance&s=books (Kim)As he went to return to his friends I caught his gaze, slipped up close to him. I put my right arm about his waist and leaned close to his ear He leaned into me a bit as I said: \ufffdColin, darling (Mari)Jeez, Kim, I'm about to have an orgasm-by-proxy here!:-) (Maria) You said it Mari! LOL! I think many of us are feeling it! Zowie! LOL... and I was thinking \"Wow...Kimberly is tall!\" I would have been speaking into his nipple and not his ear (did that need a five second delay??) ;-0 (MarkG) The point is \ufffd one country\ufffds \ufffdworld-famous\ufffd is another country\ufffds \ufffdbelow the radar\ufffd, especially in terms of TV. He\ufffds just not lying to you. And I'm very amused that his general point - that Americans expect the rest of the world to know their cultural reference points - has been supported here in the face of his own denial. This is true! And I apologize for my assumption (I just always equated SNL to Monty Python...both shows starting the careers of many comedians). Plus, even if ODB is in the States a lot, he has admitted to not being a big telly watcher. I must make mental note that the US gave the world Baywatch (my apologies all around) and not SNL (but the UK countered with Teletubbies, we were trying for world domination through David Hasselhoff, but the UK was more clever...they gave us something that will come back to haunt us in twenty years when all the 'retro' toys of the 90s come back!);-D Okay, someone will probably come back and tell me they don't know what Boobwatch is... and I except that...I never watched it either. (MarkG) (I still don't know who the real Fabio is...)! LOL...I wonder about who the real Fabio is too! For you MarkG: (Dorine) Yes, I know Tress, this would've been a good time to mention speaking with Marc Evans, but he got interrupted and I wanted to get to the SNL question. ;-) Wot?? Are you mad!? LOL! Nah...I think you did the right thing. I wanted the SNL question answered! And I still think it is good that I was not there....cuz when he said (paraphrasing) that he didn't know SNL at all and that they just called him and he said \"yes\"...I would have piped up and said \"Well, my birthday is in January and....\" ;-D And now I have some idea about how/why he choses scripts! All you have to do is ask! ;-)"}, {"response": 1932, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (13:25)", "body": "I realized last night, I was dangerously close to birthday question territory....it could have gone like this.... D: *And* you lived in America at one point! C: When I.....wait a minute....how do you know I lived in America? D: (Cue deer frozen in headlights look.... Busted!!! ) Would have been very convenient at that point to let someone interrupt him. ;-)"}, {"response": 1933, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (14:08)", "body": "closing tag and opinionless ;-))))))"}, {"response": 1934, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (14:31)", "body": "(me/quote from SNL sketch)\"Aye Dios Mio!\" *cupping chin in both palms* Just wanted to clear up that this was a repeated line and action in one of the sketches (said by a Latin TV host who thinks he's a comedian) that Colin was in, whose presence finally made the sketch worthwhile. I reread it above and realized those on the other side of the pond might not get the \"cultural reference point.\" ;-) You make a very good point about our Ameri-centricness, Mark G. Thanks for pointing that out. Maybe Colin didn't know the show was still on the air after all these years."}, {"response": 1935, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (14:32)", "body": "Anyone help me with who Colin is supposed to be sitting on stool in brown jacket looking like Robert Vaughn in his \"Man from Uncle\" days?"}, {"response": 1936, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (14:35)", "body": "Lizza - That actually was Colin as Liam Neeson, speaking for the History Channel. He was speaking about a movie about Jesus Christ, which ended up being by Benny Hill. According to Evelyn, Liam Neeson did a similar spot on another US cable channel recently regarding a \"Passion of the Christ\" similar movie . ."}, {"response": 1937, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (14:35)", "body": "(Lizzajaneway)Anyone help me with who Colin is supposed to be sitting on stool in brown jacket looking like Robert Vaughn in his \"Man from Uncle\" days? That's when he's imitating Liam N. and introducing a Benny Hill version of \"The Passion.\""}, {"response": 1938, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (14:42)", "body": "(Tress) LOL...just love that you two had a modern Elizabeth Benett/Mr. Darcy moment! ;-) LOL! Ironically, I don't think that would've occurred to me. ;-O \"C: Tony Hancock!! He's one of the classic comedians in Britain!!' (Evelyn) Me:He is living? I only look at live actors. ROTF! I can imagine the look on his face would be priceless. (Kim) The line up and wait to see if we\ufffdd be taken in to the dress rehearsal was painful. Pure hell! We were all doing our own types of meditation and channeling of good vibes and wished from fellow Droolers. Kim, what technique were you doing, if you can mention that?....at the first part of the line, then you took all of our tix in your hands. (Kim) Making friends with another NBC worker who was also a fan of the man himself. I spoke with her for a bit at the party. She was with the page I'd met Sunday during my tour, and had seen earlier when I was looking for everyone else in the standby line. He was so sweet wishing us good luck. When he was doing door duty at the party and walked off down the street, this girl was with him....they may be going out, they make a cute couple, if so. Anyway, when she was talking to Bee and Little Bee, she said she'd seen Colin in 3DOR, so that was one of the things I talked to her about when I saw them in the party later. She had been studying drama over there. Now she just works 60 hour work weeks at NBC. :-( Does tours and Conan Tues-Friday and SNL on Sat. Dorine and I were a little miffed at not being center to see him dead on . .but the position seemed to be rather fortuitous. I would've been happy off to the side, on the curve, where I tried to sit down before they made us move all the way over, but it did turn out v. v. well. ;-) We were, by far, the loudest of Colin\ufffds fans . .Dorine noticed people looking at us . .perhaps we were making too much noise?:) At one point, not long after it started, maybe even during the monologue, I noticed a page walk over from the center section to a couple of other pages near the door where we walked in, looked our way, whisper to another one, then she looked over. They didn't look too happy. I pointed it out to Kim, not sure if Linda also, then the one went back to the center. I noticed the ones near the door look over a few other times. I asked one as we were leaving if we too loud and he said no. Could have said that too avoid getting me irritated. Also, Linda said some woman in front of us was kind of \"with us\" in enthusiasm for Colin at first, but then when we continued to be kinda loud and v. enthusiastic, she kinda shunned us. I got that right, Linda? I heard Leslie yell: \ufffdLimo!\ufffd and sure enough there was a white stretch limo that was turning down the street towards the restaurant we were heading for. Have never chased a limo before, but found the rush quite enjoyable. And I will say they left me in the dust, LOL! (Meg) As soon as he came on stage and I heard the screaming, (sounded like it came from the right of the audience as you face the stage), Didn't someone at the bar mention SNL augmenting audience sounds during the broadcast? Is that possible, or likely? (Mari) Mark, you may have missed the point, which is that someone in his position, i.e., working in the entertainment business *and* having lived in North America for some years *and* visiting here regularly to see his child--would surely know the show, whether seeing it, reading about it, etc. Well, as he said, he lived in the US before it was on and I suppose I could give him a bye for not knowing while in NA...he lived in bumf**k Canada (practically his assessment) didn't he? Without a TV I'll presume and only short time periods in LA or elsewhere. Still suprised though, to not have heard about it at least in relation to other comedians/comic actors vs. not ever watch it is a stretch for me, too, but it could be. Maybe he meant he'd never *watched* it. The wrong verb as someone said. ;-) (Mari) Also, loved the suit he wore for his monologue; I do believe we have a new premiere suit!:-) And it mine! All mine!! ;-D"}, {"response": 1939, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (14:55)", "body": "Dorine, Shoshana, Linda, and Kimberley, you are tireless and true in your pursuits of seeing and talking to ODB - from positioning yourselves during the NBC tours to positioning yourselves at the afterparty! You are terrific. \"Aye Dios Mio,\" again. I forgot to mention you, Lesliep! What a trooper you were. And it was your first time. What a great experience for your first time!!! Btw, everytime I see your name here I see it as Viola (de)Lesliep(s) ;-). It keeps catching my eye that way."}, {"response": 1940, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (15:03)", "body": "Lora and Kimberly, thanks for clarification ;-) All making sense now. Mind was befuddled by MG's triumphant reports and too many Colin Darling moments!"}, {"response": 1941, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (15:16)", "body": "You know, for an actor who won't audition, this was probably the biggest audition he's ever done. No more, \"oh yeah, I think I might have seen him in such and such\" or \"he's the other guy in BJD\" or \"who was he in Shakespeare in Love?\" That nameless guy has a name now. (But, of course, I'm only talking about here, in the US) ;-)))))"}, {"response": 1942, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (15:28)", "body": "(Dorine) I just watched a snippet of the end of the show. We had been discussing at the Dress, that you can tell at the end of the show when the host and cast are gathered onstage to say goodbye, whether the cast liked the host or not. At the end of the Dress, he was hugged by many including a couple of the women, Jimmy Fallon, the tall black guy he gave a brother-ish handshake and they hugged and maybe Seth. I noticed that after the show, other than Norah Jones and Ana G, he spent most of the time wandering around the stage while everyone else hugged each other. He may have hugged or shook hands with one other person. Will have to watch again. You know I noticed that too. At the Dress, it was such a rush of excitement and energy at the end of the show . .it reminded me of a great opening night type of feeling and Colin was about and everyone was congratulating him . . I saw at the end of the live performance it didn't feel like that . . you're right Dorine . .it seemed like he just said congrats to Norah and Ana Gastmeyer and that's it . .everyone else was too busy congratulating each other and not him . .what's up with that??? a big turn around from a few hours before. .wanted to jump through the screen and just give him a hug and tell him BRAVO!!!!!"}, {"response": 1943, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (15:28)", "body": "(Dorine) Still suprised though, to not have heard about it at least in relation to other comedians/comic actors vs. not ever watch it is a stretch for me, too, but it could be. Maybe he meant he'd never *watched* it. The wrong verb as someone said. ;-) I can believe he may have never watched it....that he wouldn't know SNL first hand...but (as MarkG's post reminded me) that he would know about the \"I can't believe it's not buttah\" Fabio commercials is the really odd thing....unless, Scarlett sat him down and gave him the skinny on both Fabio and the butter commercials that ran for six months in...when did those run? Early or mid 90s? I think that is v. v. obscure....so, he knows US cultural references that I wouldn't expect him to know...and others that I guess I assumed he did know...if that makes any sense?"}, {"response": 1944, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (15:51)", "body": "(Dorine)Kim, what technique were you doing, if you can mention that?....at the first part of the line, then you took all of our tix in your hands. Ahh . .yeah gave the tickets a little Reiki (it's a form of energy work, much like a laying on of hands. If you're curious about Reiki, here's a link: http://www.reiki.org/FAQ/WhatIsReiki.html ) . .you can ask Shosh about it too - I gave her a bit b/c she was so nervous as we were waiting in that stand-by line . .great stuff . .the tix were a bit warm afterI gave back, weren't they?:) Didn't someone at the bar mention SNL augmenting audience sounds during the broadcast? Is that possible, or likely? Ha! . .I bet they taped our enthusiastic noise and added it in! It did sound a bit canned at some points, I think. At one point, not long after it started, maybe even during the monologue, I noticed a page walk over from the center section to a couple of other pages near the door where we walked in, looked our way, whisper to another one, then she looked over. They didn't look too happy. I pointed it out to Kim, . . I tried to keep it a little more low key after Dorine spotted those people eyeing us and told me . .but come on, really . .we were good during the skits and all . . .though during the Cold Moutain skit I think I was laughing so hard . .all of us were . .we threw Jimmy Fallon and Colin off for a bit. They had to stop and compose themselves they were laughing too . . but we just wanted to give Colin his due when he first walked on that stage for the first time. Just as a matter of experience . .a low energy audience brings a show down. We wanted to pump Colin up and sure enough we did and it affected not only his performance but that of the entire cast (now we couldn't help with the writing of the some of those skits), but you could tell the difference from the dress and live, IMO. And I think the audience response was a big factor. I mean I re-watched the opening monologue from the live show . .and hell, no one even responded after the P&P bit . .he had to explain that was a scenes from P&P . .he had no eed of doing it with our audience!! The live audience was nice, but in no comparison to the dress!"}, {"response": 1945, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (16:10)", "body": "And what was the point of pumping up the audience with not one, but *2* people if they didn't want enthusiasm? They should've paid us for that. ;-) Yeah, I noticed it was a lot quieter during the show monologue. That would've been a good question...Did you feel one show was better than the other and if so, how?"}, {"response": 1946, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (16:16)", "body": "(Tress) that he would know about the \"I can't believe it's not buttah\" Fabio commercials is the really odd thing....unless, Scarlett sat him down and gave him the skinny on both Fabio and the butter commercials that ran for six months in...when did those run? Early or mid 90s? I think that is v. v. obscure.... I wouldn't be surprised if PR or film marketing people made that up for the amount of times that it was said. Maybe it originated with someone on the set, but marketing or whoever decided they should run with it. A catch or buzz phrase for this movie, like triviality was the buzz word for TIOBE."}, {"response": 1947, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (16:16)", "body": "(Kim),We wanted to pump Colin up and sure enough we did and it affected not only his performance but that of the entire cast All that and reike too? No wonder he was your Colin darling ! (Karen), You know, for an actor who won't audition, this was probably the biggest audition he's ever done. Really? Most of the cool people like us don't bother watching the show anymore."}, {"response": 1948, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (16:29)", "body": "(Dorine) I thought it was Linda who asked about the US distribution, but apparently it was Leslie.... As I recollect, Linda did ask the question first but Colin didn't answer it as his attention was drawn to finishing his conversation with the guy behind him. I re-asked the question once he turned his attention back to us. (Dorine) Didn't someone at the bar mention SNL augmenting audience sounds during the broadcast? Is that possible, or likely? I had mentioned it when we were watching the live broadcast back at the hotel. The laughter heard then had a definite 'canned' ring to it, very much like the stuff we heard them demonstrate on the NBC tour. It almost seemed as if they were augmenting the studio audience a bit. (Dorine) At one point, not long after it started, maybe even during the monologue, I noticed a page walk over from the center section to a couple of other pages near the door where we walked in, looked our way, whisper to another one, then she looked over. They didn't look too happy. I pointed it out to Kim, . . I didn't see this action nor did any of you point it out to me. I'm certain I was the worst offender - admit to being comletely out of control. In retrospect I guess I should be glad I wasn't escorted out. I did take notice of the woman in front of us. Initially she seemed to share our enthusiasm for Colin but by the end of the rehearsal I'm sure she'd written us off as 'fringe' characters, probably a bit scary as well. (Good thing I don't have any aspirations for membership in the Junior League.) (Kimberley) Ahh . .yeah gave the tickets a little Reiki The Reiki thing was very cool and yes, the tickets were very hot once you returned them to us after putting the 'iggy' on them. Very interesting stuff that just supports the contention that something more than luck was helping us along."}, {"response": 1949, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (16:49)", "body": "(Dorine)And what was the point of pumping up the audience with not one, but *2* people if they didn't want enthusiasm? They should've paid us for that. ;-) I know!!!! . .We should have been asked back,( though I\ufffdm glad we were able to share it with Bee and Little Bee back at the hotel) . .I betcha we could have made a world of difference. Yeah, I noticed it was a lot quieter during the show monologue. That would've been a good question...Did you feel one show was better than the other and if so, how? I really feel the dress rehearsal was better than the actual show. We saw everything, even worse skits that didn\ufffdt make the air, and I still feel that way. I believe it all boils down to audience response when we talk about any sort of live performance. Again, taking from various acting experiences of mine I\ufffdm saying this. There\ufffds nothing in the world like positive response from a live audience for a performer. Can\ufffdt explain how it works . . .guess it\ufffds an energy thing, a very palpable feeling for audience members and performers alike. . . but for actors in any sort of live venue there is a kind of symbiotic relationship we maintain with an audience throughout the performance. Hearing or feeling any sort of positive feedback, always creates a better performance. Better performance = greater response from an audience and so on. Like anything in life, any time you received positive reinforcement, didn\ufffdt it make you feel better about yourself? And therin made your own performance in doing whatever tasks better? Performers especially, when we know our audience likes what were doing, then something just clicks in us: we take risks, we stop worrying about the performance itself, any technical aspects, and we just let things happen naturally. When we don\ufffdt get that, we start doubting ourselves as performers . .and then things can start spiraling down from there: we forget lines, cues, get frustrated and sometimes lose control (ie the actor from that one-act play you saw me in!!) And I think, especially when working with comedy, which is such a fragile medium in and of itself, a great audience can help the performer relax, whereby jokes can then flow more smoothly, timing just falls into place. (God knows timing is so important with comedy!) Without that, there is the danger of trying too hard, working too much to push the jokes, to try to make it funny because, since you can\ufffdt hear the laughter, you are assuming you have to do something to make the response come. You think well, it must be me, let\ufffds just try a little harder. I\ufffdve been in shows that went downhill from the start just because we had a bad audience, even though the day before it was like we were on fire!"}, {"response": 1950, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (16:53)", "body": "(Kim) I really feel the dress rehearsal was better than the actual show. I know we all thought so, just curious what he thought. Especially since we weren't in the second audience and he could hear it better than we could I imagine."}, {"response": 1951, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (17:00)", "body": "(Somebody)And what was the point of pumping up the audience with not one, but *2* people if they didn't want enthusiasm? I'm sure *Colin* was v. appreciative of the enthusiasm of the onsite fans. As an actor he understands the necessity of an involved audience. Even 3 DOR had \"iffy\" audiences (mostly confused) and it was reflected in the performances."}, {"response": 1952, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (17:06)", "body": "Ah Moon, he'll be \"my darling\", regardless . . (*sigh*) . .um, after my DH of course!!!! Oooop forgot to add with my post above . . Remember girls, those who saw the Showtime blurb I brought on Sat: The interviewer asked: \"In a spouse, a lover or a co-star, what do you prefer: that you are able to make them laugh or that they are able to make you laugh . .\"(I'm paraphrasing a bit) And Colin responded emphatically, that although it sounded a bit egotistical, that he much more preferred to be able to make his wife laugh - because he enjoyed the sound of the response."}, {"response": 1953, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (17:14)", "body": "(Kim) I really feel the dress rehearsal was better than the actual show. (Dorine)I know we all thought so, just curious what he thought. Sigh, there I go in eagerness to post . .ramble off a soliloquy . . .(Sorry Evelyn!) But I agree, great question . .I would love to sit with him after a show and ask him things like that and other acting related questions;). God, would love to work with him in general and just watch the process in his character development throughout a project."}, {"response": 1954, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (18:00)", "body": "With my usual glacial speed, have gotten some things up from the program: http://www.firth.com/snl.html Only two pages of monologue caps from KathyC are there; rest to come."}, {"response": 1955, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (18:08)", "body": "HOOORAYYY!!!! . Kathy C, Karen . .you are wonderful!!!!"}, {"response": 1956, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (18:09)", "body": "Brilliant job on the SNL caps, Karen. They are a joy to behold. Many thanks. I only wish there was a way to get our hands on the many stills we saw during the rehearsal that never made it to the broadcast. They are quite lovely. I did hear from Kim today that she was going to do some investigating with her NBC contact. Hopefully there will be more lovely images to share with everyone on Drool."}, {"response": 1957, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (18:16)", "body": "That *would* be great. BTW, if anyone would like to write up better synopses for the skits than the quick and dirty ones lifted and revised, please go right ahead."}, {"response": 1958, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (18:19)", "body": "Karen . .do you want synopses or actual transcripts?"}, {"response": 1959, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (18:35)", "body": "(Karen) With my usual glacial speed... Huh? I thought that was right quick! And it looks v. v. good (though when you click on the marquee, it shows you the pic from the Chiswick House...LOL...or is that some joke I'm just not getting (wouldn't be the first time...))! Thank you!"}, {"response": 1960, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (19:45)", "body": "I'm posting twice again, but this was such a funny moment for me: When MR screams her lines...and Colin just calmly says \"Oh....hello Maya!\" and then she kinda whispers \"Did you forget your part?\" and she starts to thumb through her book...and he responds \"Call me but love and I'll be new baptized\"...then Maya: \"oooooohhhhh.....he's goooooood!!\" LOL! She was funny. The looks on her face were a hoot. Thanks again Karen and KathyC!!! I keep going back and peeking every few minutes!"}, {"response": 1961, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (21:43)", "body": "Hi all, On poxy hotel computer, again. V. expensive and v. frustrating not to be home and be able to read and post at will. I can only say in regard to Colin's not ever hearing about SNL is very close to what has already been said, it's just that I can't, for the life of me, believe that he has not heard of it. Only because ODB has continually boasted in interviews that he is v. American, we know he spends a lot of time here for work and Will. It just seems so strange that he hasn't heard of it-not that I believe it-just a strange response. He probably doesn't watch a great deal of TV, but come on?? I love it when he's just being ironic;-) (Kim) I really feel the dress rehearsal was better than the actual show. Totally agree, and of course I've been thinking of all the questions I coulda, shoulda, woulda asked him had I not been in a fog. I would love to know what he thought of the whole experience--from first days of rehearsal to walking out on that stage. I know my stomach was in knots as we took our seats. Not just from the torture of the hour before wondering if we were getting in or not, but wondering how he was feeling in those moments just before the show began. He isn't a stand up comedian, though he has been on stage, but fergawd's sake, it was live TV. Live American TV, to boot. As far as making noise during the rehearsal...I believe that they want you pumped, our section won the contest for being the loudest. However, we weren't obnoxious, didn't disrupt the show, and I think that our laughter and noise wasn't a distraction--except for the Cold Mountain skit. We were all laughing so hard and I know that was the reason Colin and JF started laughing as well. Heck, isn't that what made SNL so wildly funny in those early years? The audience was a big part of that, and IMO that rehearsal was vintage SNL. If ODB had any doubts prior to coming on stage that night and bombing, or worried that the audience didn't know who he was...well let's just say that, that myth was dispelled in the first few minutes. OK, this is costing mucho $$$$$$$. See y'all tomorrow."}, {"response": 1962, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (00:12)", "body": "(Kimberly) do you want synopses or actual transcripts? For now, I'll settle for improved synopses. Transcripts might be a bit much, don't you think? (Tress) though when you click on the marquee, it shows you the pic from the Chiswick House I have no idea how that happened. This new program is driving me crazy and accounts for the slowness too. :-("}, {"response": 1963, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (00:27)", "body": "(Me, in my delirium) it shows you the pic from the Chiswick House I'm such a dork....I'm sure the article isn't necessary! Have just been so verklempt today! ;-) Chiswick House. (Karen) I have no idea how that happened. It's not a bad thing....I like that picture! Thanks again everyone for all the news, pictures, personal accounts! It has been a fantastic weekend and Monday! Grazie!"}, {"response": 1964, "author": "Jodi", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (06:50)", "body": "Dearest, loveliest metro gals, Thank you so much for all your hard work and dedication this past week. You made me feel as if I was there with you. Love hearing all the details down to the most minor minutiae! Karen, as always you are the woman with the goods! Thank you!"}, {"response": 1965, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (08:39)", "body": "(Kimberly) do you want synopses or actual transcripts? (Karen)For now, I'll settle for improved synopses. Transcripts might be a bit much, don't you think? I'd type out the transcript of the skits he was in or the opening monologue for ya only if you wanted (still no new temp job in sight so there is a bit of time on my hands), but I'll defer to you, whatever you wish:) Am still chuckling from my favorite line from the evening . .from the Cold Mountain Skit: \"Every British actor's dream is to play an authentic American hero.\""}, {"response": 1966, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (09:22)", "body": "Kathy C's caps are incredible and your SNL page lay-out, Boss , mahvelous. What a Team! Offense gives us the \"You are there\" reports and back-ups are busily recording for posterity . I'm telling ya', we're NFL."}, {"response": 1967, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (09:52)", "body": "What a team! And you didn't even need to pizza trick."}, {"response": 1968, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (10:49)", "body": "After reading yesterday\ufffds posts I sat down to watch the SNL broadcast once again for things I might have missed. I was amazed during the monologue when he uttered those words \ufffd\ufffddearest, loveliest, Elizabeth\ufffd that the audience didn\ufffdt respond. He and the cast member (? Amy Poehler) had to come out and tell them it was a scene from P&P. Oh, did I feel bad for him at that moment. During the rehearsal you may remember we screamed so loudly after hearing that magic bit of dialogue that he looked our way, smiled, and uttered a direct thank you. So much for feeling a bit self-conscious about my behavior when I learned about those pages giving us the \ufffdevil eye\ufffd. In the words of our now de-throned Martha\ufffd \ufffdit was a very good thing\ufffd. And yes, I re-state my opinion that the audience response was supplemented in spots by a laugh track. It just sounded a little contrived to me. Does anyone know if this is a regular practice during broadcasts and tapings in front of a live audience?"}, {"response": 1969, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (10:50)", "body": "(Evelyn),Kathy C's caps are incredible and your SNL page lay-out, Boss , mahvelous. Fantastically fast work, Karen! I think it is a good idea to write to SNL as Mari pointed out, buut I would also make them aware that we had friends there and know of the other skits and can we eventually buy an unedited tape."}, {"response": 1970, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (11:17)", "body": "Thanks to KathyC and Karen! The SNL page is wonderful! I especially love the host pictures at the end, you guys are too good! Thanks!"}, {"response": 1971, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (11:38)", "body": "How cool is he???! Love the SNL page, many thanks to Karen and Kathy! (When I click on some of the pics, I get \"a page not found\" message. Does this mean you're still adding?;-) Goodie . . .) Leslie, I'm confused, I thought you were at the dress rehearsal only, not the live broadcast? Anyway, the audience response sounded fine to me throughout the show. Don't feel bad for him; he did great. Did you see it last week with Jennifer Aniston? Talk about dead silence, LOL."}, {"response": 1972, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (11:43)", "body": "(Moon)I think it is a good idea to write to SNL And that number again is SaturdayNightLive@nbc.com If you want to write to Colin and give him an attaboy, send your letter in care of his agent: Chris Andrews ICM 8942 Wilshire Blvd. Beverly Hills, CA 90211"}, {"response": 1973, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (12:00)", "body": "Lola! Who's the idiot at Universal who removed Colin from the Region 1 DVD cover of LA? And who can we complain to? http://www.dvdanswers.com/index.php?r=0&s=1&c=3477 the last time I saw it, it had Colin and Lucia kissing at upper right. If this is the final art, I'm not buying it. Honestly."}, {"response": 1974, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (12:07)", "body": "(Kimberly) \"Every British actor's dream is to play an authentic American hero.\" That line had us cracking up... My Fav stills: Who am I kidding?? They're all great...! Thanks for all the hard work!!! The page looks great!"}, {"response": 1975, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (12:13)", "body": "(Mari) When I click on some of the pics, I get \"a page not found\" message. Does this mean you're still adding? 'cause the page isn't there. Yeah, I'm slow, so sue me. ;-) Am working on Cold Mountain now. Who's the idiot at Universal who removed Colin from the Region 1 DVD cover of LA? And who can we complain to? Yes, let's remove the one guy that Richard Roeper said deserved a Best Supporting Actor nod in his Memo to the Academy spot (far fetched but he was singled out!). Unbelievable and sad. v. sad. :-("}, {"response": 1976, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (12:16)", "body": "(Mari) Leslie, I'm confused, I thought you were at the dress rehearsal only, not the live broadcast? No, Mari, you're not confused. I was unclear. The comments I made about the broadcast were surmised by my watching a tape of it here at home. And Tress, I can't stop gushing about those still photos. I think they were a major highlight of the experience. So relaxed, so tongue-in-cheek. I love the way he was willing to just go for it. IMO some of the best photos of him ever. If there's any Reiki left in Kimberley, she'll be able to dig up the others that didn't make it to broadcast. They were amazing!!"}, {"response": 1977, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (13:10)", "body": "All I can say, now that I've thought it through, is that Will has to know about SNL and therefore his dad does - even if he has never seen it. The kids talk about it. I know a 14 year old and 2 of his friends who thought this past week's SNL was \"hilarious\" and \"better than it has been in a long time.\" Those are direct quotes from instant messaging (during a POS moment - parent over shoulder ;-)). The SNL page is awesome, thanks so much Karen and Kathy! The still photos are adorable and I can't believe there were even more adorable ones during the dress rehearsal. Can't wait to use them at birthday parties - if that's okay, Karen :-)."}, {"response": 1978, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (13:24)", "body": "(Lora)...Will has to know about SNL and therefore his dad does ... If Colin really didn't know about SNL, then perhaps Will's opinion of it had something to do with his father deciding to do the show? That gets us back to yesterday's question from Kimberley....who were those 5 or 6 boys (approx ages 7-12) that were escorted into the rehearsal wearing large \"Special Guests of Colin Firth\" tags around their necks? (Lora)I know a 14 year old and 2 of his friends who thought this past week's SNL was \"hilarious\" and \"better than it has been in a long time.\" It's always nice to get a reality check from (what I assume are) non-Firth's."}, {"response": 1979, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (13:24)", "body": "(leslie)I was amazed during the monologue when he uttered those words \ufffd\ufffddearest, loveliest, Elizabeth\ufffd that the audience didn\ufffdt respond. He and the cast member (? Amy Poehler) had to come out and tell them it was a scene from P&P. Oh, did I feel bad for him at that moment. Have a sneaking suscpision they were expecting the same reaction like we gave at the dress . .that little explanation, I believe seemed a bit thrown in, last minute . . . one of the rough hazards of working with live performances;) . .nothing is ever the same the second time around!"}, {"response": 1980, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (13:36)", "body": "(leslie)It's always nice to get a reality check from (what I assume are) non-Firth's. They are definitely non-Firths. But my son suddenly thinks my choice of CF as my favorite actor is much cooler than he once thought. (Of course, then he mockingly said to me, \"I'm juss keeding.\" ;-))"}, {"response": 1981, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (14:10)", "body": "The Paul Lynde page is up: http://www.firth.com/snl_movie1.html plugging away.... (oh, yes, these caps are going to provide years of entertaining visuals for the parties!)"}, {"response": 1982, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (14:16)", "body": "LOL! Thanks again!!! Love the jacket in this...it made me laugh as soon as I saw it...ODB has looooong arms and well, the jacket does not!"}, {"response": 1983, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (14:26)", "body": "(Kimberly) Have a sneaking suscpision they were expecting the same reaction like we gave at the dress Those silly people. Bet they were wishing they'd kept us. ;-) Thanks so much, Karen and Kathy C!!!! Awesome pics!! Am using them to illustrate our adventures to a friend right now. BTW, in light of this weekends events, I know what I'm getting Colin for his birthday. ;-) And I bet I know what I'll be getting for mine, possibly from the UK contingent anyway. ;-) Did anyone ever comment on the irony of the musical guest when Colin hosted is the same as Moon's birthday present to him? ;-)"}, {"response": 1984, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (14:27)", "body": "(leslie)I was amazed during the monologue when he uttered those words \ufffd\ufffddearest, loveliest, Elizabeth\ufffd that the audience didn\ufffdt respond. He and the cast member (? Amy Poehler) had to come out and tell them it was a scene from P&P. Oh, did I feel bad for him at that moment. That really must have thrown him! Here he was thinking that everyone knew him as Mr. Darcy. He'll probably throw that at some British journalist the next time they bring up the Darcy thing. And, he might even be happy about it. :-( So is there a chance we might be able to purchase an un-edited SNL? Agent Metro-gal Kimberly, I hope you're working on this. :-D"}, {"response": 1985, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (14:29)", "body": "(Dorine), Did anyone ever comment on the irony of the musical guest when Colin hosted is the same as Moon's birthday present to him? ;-) That's right! I wish you had mentioned that to him, Dorine. ;-) Always happy to help Colin expand his record collection with my musical tastes. ;-)"}, {"response": 1986, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (14:35)", "body": "(Moon)...He'll probably throw that at some British journalist the next time they bring up the Darcy thing. And, he might even be happy about it. Don't I remember reading a while back where he said instead of resenting the Darcy persona he had finally come to embrace it somewhat? He certainly looked happy with it that night, IMO."}, {"response": 1987, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (14:41)", "body": "(Moon) I wish you had mentioned that to him, Dorine. ;-) It'll be first on my topic of discussion list next time....his virtual birthday presents. ;-D Thanks for the addresses, Mari. :-) I will take my usual stance of being cautiously pessimistic about the tape. ;-) We could sign a waiver, like with the screeners, watermark them.....whatever. ;-)"}, {"response": 1988, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (14:43)", "body": "Oh Karen . .Thanks for these pics!!!! Ssssssssssufferin ssssuccotash Ida, I 'm just crrrazzzzeee about yew!"}, {"response": 1989, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (14:53)", "body": "(Dorine) BTW, in light of this weekends events, I know what I'm getting Colin for his birthday. ;-) Okaaaaay...I'll bite...wot (again, I may have missed something...)? ;-) Maybe a copy of this: or with...."}, {"response": 1990, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (14:54)", "body": "Oooopsss...that was really big! Karen if you need to remove, please do so. My apologies!"}, {"response": 1991, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (16:41)", "body": "\"Ssssssssssufferin ssssuccotash\" Wonderin' if he knows what \"succotash\" is ;-D LOL methinks the Boss should send him that book now : \"Courtesy of Spring\""}, {"response": 1992, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (16:59)", "body": "Ah yes, the book I hadn't thought of. I had in mind the DVD's of the individual cast members skits.....Best of Eddie Murphy, Best of Bill Murray, etc. Wonder if they're only on VHS still or on DVD, too. ;-) Maybe I should send him a few of those and ask for some Tony Hancock shows and other \"classic\" British shows in return. ;-D"}, {"response": 1993, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (17:06)", "body": "(Mari)Who's the idiot at Universal who removed Colin from the Region 1 DVD cover of LA? Arrrrghhhhh!!!!!! Are they kidding?????? There's a big slip up there if I've ever seen one! (Moon)So is there a chance we might be able to purchase an un-edited SNL? Agent Metro-gal Kimberly, I hope you're working on this. :-D Moon, working on that and other things . .will see what happens . .keep your fingers crossed! Oh, and I know I've been behind on posts b/c of the SNL weekend . .but Hola Lola, wanted to say thnaks about your little blurb you sent about TEOR . .Can't wait till that opens!!!! Hope you and the little one are doing well. Karen - Just sent you the monologue transcript."}, {"response": 1994, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (17:10)", "body": "(Kimberly) Hola Lola, wanted to say thnaks about your little blurb you sent about TEOR Did I miss something somewhere?"}, {"response": 1995, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (17:27)", "body": "(Dorine) Wonder if they're only on VHS still or on DVD, too. ;-) They are on DVD...and you can order them on Amazon.uk. Save on shipping! ;-) ...and ask for some Tony Hancock shows and other \"classic\" British shows in return. ;-D And they have Tony too! http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005M6OM/ref=sr_aps_dvd_1_1/026-4953058-0472449 They have loads of other comedians ...\"Best of\" stuff. Have heard of Morecambe and Wise! But they don't look familiar...thinking I may have just read a reference to them in a Bill Bryson book and that doesn't count. :-( (Dorine) Did I miss something somewhere? Post 1738 and 1742!"}, {"response": 1996, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (19:06)", "body": "(Evelyn)\"Ssssssssssufferin ssssuccotash\" Wonderin' if he knows what \"succotash\" is ;-D . LOL, You Americans always think... (Dorine)Maybe I should send him a few of those and ask for some Tony Hancock shows and other \"classic\" British shows in return. Nah, Save your $$$$$-he only watches news programs;-) Mari, thanks for Colin's agent's address and SNL...will write as soon as I'm caught up. And I can't find your post just now about the Jennifer Aniston reference. I thought that was so awful. I was in knots all week worrying that the show would be just as bad, and Colin would be left twisting in the wind. Thank goodness it was so much better. Even the NBC guy checking names as the after party said he thought it was the funniest in a looooong time. Karen, fabulous job with the SNL pages. Thanking you a million times."}, {"response": 1997, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (19:08)", "body": "Uh, I know I goofed. Sorry, I'm just nervous about being back on my own computer. I hope this doesn't cost me a \"keep\";-)"}, {"response": 1998, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (19:27)", "body": "Dorine - You saw them already - the posts #1738 & 1742. I just am NOW catching up on both sleep and all of the posts that came in in between all of our SNL reports!!!"}, {"response": 1999, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (20:45)", "body": "Take a bow, everyone, we filled another topic.:-) Boss, we need a new one opened. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 1878, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 188, "subject": "Keepsakes, etc. (cont. from Topic 113)", "response_count": 126, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (10:53)", "body": "I claim this topic for England! Hehe"}, {"response": 2, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (11:11)", "body": "(Karen)Signed, Your Management, who is thinking about grinding a lot ;-) Are ya, now? Paints? artists? actors parading as artists? Must be all that phallic talk;-)"}, {"response": 3, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (11:36)", "body": "(Karen)Signed, Your Management, who is thinking about grinding a lot ;-) Lordy, ain't innuendo fun . . .we got grinding . .and all that linseed oil . .we could go to very bad places with this . .;) (Ada)All of Me has always been one of my faves. I am such a big Cole Porter fan . .I live by my \"Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Songbook\" 2 CD set! \"Night and Day\" is another one of my fav songs . .as well as \"Begin the Beguine\" . . Perhaps one day I'll put together a cabaret show here in NY w/ me singing Cole Porter . .as a tribute to ODB?:) Wouldn't that be a trip! Wonder if he'd come to see it . . . (Ada)Of course you may...but in keeping with this topic of symbolism, what should I list it as, paint knife, phallic paint knife, phallic paint trowel?? LOL! Indeedy everything can be phallic in this film! Phallic painting knife will be fine . . You sound busy busy . .hope the little ones are feeling better soon . .mmm . . you know how to make cheesecake? . .I think I've found my new best friend . . .I'll trade you a cheesecake recipie for a great cookie one (Pecan Caramel Shortbread made with homemade caramel)"}, {"response": 4, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (12:20)", "body": "Okay, updated list for GWAPE Pearl Earrings - Annette Question:.. Does he ever touch the pearl earrings? Only saw the film once and thought mother-in-law gave them to Maid from Hell. Can't can't remember V. paws on them. Original rule : Keepsakes: What he wears or touches. Of course there has been many evolutions with so many topic hosts, that it gets chaotic."}, {"response": 5, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (12:45)", "body": "(Evelyn)What he wears or touches. I hate not remembering clearly, but does he put the earring in after he pierces her ear?"}, {"response": 6, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (13:28)", "body": "(Evelyn)What he wears or touches. (linda)I hate not remembering clearly, but does he put the earring in after he pierces her ear? Yes, indeedy . .originally, in the film, Maria Thins gave the earrings to Griet .but during ear piercing scene, Griet asks Vermeer to pierce her ear, then she gives him one of the earring and he did insert it after he wiped the blood away . ."}, {"response": 7, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (15:01)", "body": "Oh Great and Mighty Keepmistress, Just wanted a bit of clarification . . . Are tributes due for all Keeps you bestow on a person? . .or just for the specific items you ask tributes for? (b/c I may be sorely behind and will get to work ASAP during the quiet hours here at work during the Christmas Holidays . . )"}, {"response": 8, "author": "anjo", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (17:01)", "body": "(Evelyn)Question:.. Does he ever touch the pearl earrings? Only saw the film once and thought mother-in-law gave them to Maid from Hell. Can't can't remember V. paws on them. Oh Evelyn, you really had me worried here. I wouldn't be able to check until year 200whatever, when it gets out on dvd. (Kimberly)Yes, indeedy . .originally, in the film, Maria Thins gave the earrings to Griet .but during ear piercing scene, Griet asks Vermeer to pierce her ear, then she gives him one of the earring and he did insert it after he wiped the blood away . . Thank you, Kim :-) You just saved my day. Those pearl earrings are my very best keeps, and I would hate to loose them."}, {"response": 9, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (17:09)", "body": "Aw...not to worry...we always make exceptions:-)"}, {"response": 10, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (17:13)", "body": "Who's we?"}, {"response": 11, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (17:26)", "body": "Ah ha.... Just checking to see if you were on your toesies;-))))"}, {"response": 12, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (18:43)", "body": "(Evelyn)Original rule:Keepsakes: What he wears or touches. Of course there has been many evolutions with so many topic hosts, that it gets chaotic. Memo to self...really, really need to update those rules and fast. (Annette)Oh Evelyn, you really had me worried here. No need to worry, Annette. I emailed Caribou when you first asked, so I knew he had touched the earring, I just didn't know when. (that's my job to check those things...such a hard job it is too;-).) (Evelyn)Aw...not to worry...we always make exceptions:-) (Karen)Who's we? Me, that's who. Y'all know I hate to make executive decisions (besides, my hips can't stand that much chocolate)! I'll get on updating those rules and have them posted tomorrow."}, {"response": 13, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (18:58)", "body": "(Ada)(besides, my hips can't stand that much chocolate)! OK, so how about a little champagne? I think it will make dealing with this crowd a bit easier;-) Ok, it will make dealing with me a bit easier!"}, {"response": 14, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 2003 (21:27)", "body": "(Ada)I'll get on updating those rules and have them posted tomorrow But, but... What about the cheesecake and the rum sauce? I've been spending some time here trying to figure out how I can get on your Chritmas prezzie list;-)) Hope the boys are feeling better. (Linda)OK, so how about a little champagne? I think it will make dealing with this crowd a bit easier;-) Ok, it will make dealing with me a bit easier! LOL Linda!! You are a Keeps trip. I love the conundrums you pose but then I'm not mistress of the keeps and don't have the miss- stress of sorting you out. But I love to read them with a glass of wine that I often need to wipe off my keyboard later."}, {"response": 15, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 2003 (09:54)", "body": "(Linda)OK, so how about a little champagne? I think it will make dealing with this crowd a bit easier;-) Ok, it will make dealing with me a bit easier! LOL! Too funny Linda. I do love champagne but a sloshed keepsmistress? Heck, I have enough trouble understanding what I type now (must be all that rum sauce I've been taste-testing);-)! (Bee)But, but... What about the cheesecake and the rum sauce? I've been spending some time here trying to figure out how I can get on your Chritmas prezzie list;-)) Heh...Bee, I'd send you a cheesecake but UPS doesn't ship anything over 150 lbs;-). And the boys are feeling very rambunctious, so you know they're fine:-). I promised I'd have rules up today- THE RULES 1. Anyone will be allowed to \"own\" one and only one item per film. - no trading or giving back items from one movie to claim 2 from another. 2. Keeps may be traded but only for another item from the same film. 3. Newcomers may claim \"unclaimed\" items only. 4. Body parts (including hair) is forbidden. If you can prove CF wore a wig in the role, that you may claim. (Sorry ladies, there's only so much of CF to give out, we have to share :-).) 5. Keeps must be seen in the movie to be claimed. A keep may be claimed from a publicity still, book, or trailer but only if it\ufffds also in the movie. 6. The keepsake in question must be worn or at least touched by CF. 7. In the event of a sequel, items claimed in the first movie stay claimed. Guideline (not a rule, as guidelines are not enforceable) Claimants should write a poem, essay or other creative expression of their regard for said claimed items. While this guideline cannot be enforced, following it is desirable as (a) these creative submissions will be used to resolve any cases of dispute and (b) your Keepmistress wants to read them and you know how important it is to stay on the good side of your Keepmistress. ;-)"}, {"response": 16, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 2003 (10:31)", "body": "Thanks for posting the Keeps rules Ada;) . .will start working on some tributes for ya;) A 150lb cheesecake! . .Woo hoo! I want to get on that Christmas list too! Too bad we don't have an single archive composed of just all of the tributes . .I've read some of the older ones and have been truly inspired!"}, {"response": 17, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 2003 (16:46)", "body": "Ok, here's my attempt at a tribute for those P&P wedding gloves, Ada! \ufffd\ufffdHowever, he wrote some verses on her, and very pretty they were.\ufffd \ufffdAnd so ended his affection,\ufffd said Elizabeth impatiently. \ufffdThere has been many a one, I fancy overcome in the same way. I wonder who first discovered the efficacy of poetry in driving away love!\ufffd \ufffdI have been used to consider poetry as the food of love,\ufffd said Darcy. \ufffdOf a fine, stout healthy love it may. Every thing nourishes what is strong already. But if it be only a slight thin sort of inclination, I am convinced that one good sonnet will starve it entirely away.\ufffd Darcy only smiled\ufffd \ufffdJane Austen, Pride and Prejudice O N D ARCY'S W EDDING G LOVES In satin of the finest dove-like grey, Your glove encloses the strong and sculpted hand That placed on Lizzy\ufffds own the golden band And sanctified your wintry wedding day. Fine figure of a man, your pride was drawn away Despite your hauteur, passion comes unplanned Love forces gentlemen to understand; The heart pulls stronger than prejudice can sway In vain have I struggled; it will not do. But to another have you sworn your soul, Immortally together live your loves. O Darcy, endless adoration be true, Though not for me, your goodness does console Since I may always cherish your fine gloves."}, {"response": 18, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 2003 (18:14)", "body": "Oh Mistress of the Keeps, I most respectfully submit that Shoshana has (sob) most eloquently satisfied the requirements for her keep and move it be hers eternally (that truly was lovely! -- nicely done!)"}, {"response": 19, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Dec 19, 2003 (07:37)", "body": "(JA)Darcy only smiled (Shoshana)Though not for me, your goodness does console Since I may always cherish your fine gloves. Lovely Shoshana:-) You are truely deserving."}, {"response": 20, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Dec 19, 2003 (08:57)", "body": "Shoshana - That was beautiful! . .you are a truly are a poet."}, {"response": 21, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 2004 (16:27)", "body": "Ada . .here's a tribute I owe you for Vermeer's painting knife . . .other tributes to come;) A free verse poem entitled: \"in the shadows of the garret\" in the shadows of the garret (tribute to the Vermeer\ufffds painting knife) in the shadows of the garret she rises with the sun tucking wisps of hair beneath a crisply starched cap, the smell of linseed oil is strong in the air as is the the comforting sound of the muller grinding, pulverizing into powders colors that pierce her soul the bright cerulean blue the deep, rich russet the jewel tones which transport her away from the grey, shadowy garret in Delft and into his world his corner of light into his canvas in the shadows of the garret she pauses in her industry to glance, just for a moment at his place, his chair where hours before he sat next to her grinding, pulverizing, mixing those jewel tones the paint, the colors into existence closing her eyes, she hears comforting sound of his breathing as he works with the muller she smells the linseed oil on his hands, in his clothes strong and pungent as it is on her hands, her clothes, her hair tucked beneath the crisply starched cap it never leaves her that smell his smell in the shadows of the garret it is as if he is still sitting beside her she blushes beneath her crisply starched cap for he is so real, that she feels the warmth of his body so close to hers as together they breathe in time to the grinding of the muller she pauses to glance at his hand scented with linseed stained with the bright cerulean blue the deep rich russet of the jewel colored paints he is mixing with care his fingers deftly balancing his painting knife he cradles it, caresses it gently applies pressure here firmly there it is his instrument he applies it well, knowingly in the shadows of the garret the girl opens her eyes to find herself alone her own fingers now stained with paint she has mixed holding his instrument mimicking his movements gentle, firm, knowing and she wonders what it would be like to be cradled, caressed with his apt fingers perfumed with linseed drowning in pools of bright cerulean blue deep rich russet colors that pierce her soul but she notices the light pushing back the shadows the grinding of the muller is left aside as she tucks back a curl escaped from her crisply starched cap and continues downstairs to the tedium of colorless grey Delft"}, {"response": 22, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 2004 (16:38)", "body": "ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL! Can't speak for Ada, but I'd give you anything you asked for."}, {"response": 23, "author": "mjmorris", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 2004 (19:04)", "body": "Oh my, that's just gorgeous. I haven't posted for awhile, been in lurker mode, but broke my silence to thank you. Michelle"}, {"response": 24, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 2004 (19:17)", "body": "A gorgeous and stirring tribute, Kimberly! That is a piece of art in itself. Thank you for sharing. Mmmm... makes me want to start working on another tribute."}, {"response": 25, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (08:42)", "body": "Ditto, and can be a tribute to my muller as well. Thanks!"}, {"response": 26, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (08:48)", "body": "Oh my goodness gracious Kim! Your tribute is just wonderful. You are so talented. Thank you so much. The phallic paint knife is yours. Mind you, if I dared to say no after that, I'd probably get beaten to a pulp;-)."}, {"response": 27, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (10:00)", "body": "Wow... that was beautiful Kimberly, thank you so much!"}, {"response": 28, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (11:45)", "body": "(Karen) and can be a tribute to my muller as well. Thanks! Karen, if anyone else had said this, you know I'd have say no riding on coattails, but because you're the boss...;-)! one of these days I'm going to get you to do something...one of these days;-)!"}, {"response": 29, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (11:48)", "body": "Hate to tell you, Madame Keepmistress, but I'm totally exempt from the tribute guideline. Don't I do enough around here, huh? ;-)"}, {"response": 30, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (12:21)", "body": "If you're gonna squabble, ladies, can you do it in large font? Squinting causes laugh lines;-) Lovely tribute, Kimberly. Glad I can hand off the trouble maker label to someone else for awhile;-)"}, {"response": 31, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (12:33)", "body": "Lovely Kimberley!"}, {"response": 32, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (12:57)", "body": "Sorry!"}, {"response": 33, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (16:08)", "body": "(*blushes*)Thanks girls, glad you liked it! (Ada)Mind you, if I dared to say no after that, I'd probably get beaten to a pulp;-) Hmmm . .maybe it should be in the rules . .no physical harm should come to the Keepmistress? If you said no . .well I wouldn't resort to any physical violence . .I might try to sneak in and steal it whil you were sleeping;) (Karen)and can be a tribute to my muller as well Of course! . .I threw all that \"grinding\" in just for you;) Linda - trouble maker ....me???? . . .well, anything to help;)"}, {"response": 34, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (17:18)", "body": "(to Karen)one of these days I'm going to get you to do something...one of these days;-)! LOL. I think we can all agree that Karen's efforts are the greatest tribute around. I wish....."}, {"response": 35, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (20:05)", "body": "(Linda) Glad I can hand off the trouble maker label to someone else for awhile;-) Glad you can toss yours off so easily. Mine is attached with Superglue. ;-) Awesome, Kimberly!"}, {"response": 36, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (09:28)", "body": "Beautiful tribute, Kimberly. That certainly will be a tough one to match. For whatever a newbie's vote counts for, I'm 'thumbs up' on this one."}, {"response": 37, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (14:11)", "body": "(Evelyn) I think we can all agree that Karen's efforts are the greatest tribute around. oh yes completely, but I would love to see Karen's nimble mind come up with something....one of these days;-)! Leslie, around here, a newbie's as good as an oldie. No, wait...how about a newbie but still a goodie? Heh..sorry, in a strange mood today, couldn't resist;-). And since GWAPE is opening today across the pond, I'll update the list... Girl with a Pearl Earring - Earring (by mushimoko) - Annette Ring - Caribou Hat - MoonD Shirt (camera obscura scene) - LindaK Coat(camera obscura scene) - Shoshana Camera obscura - LisaJH Wig - Darla Muller - Karen Ear piercer - Tress Phallic paint brush - Evelyn Phallic paint knife - Kim"}, {"response": 38, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 2004 (15:59)", "body": "(Ada) but I would love to see Karen's nimble mind come up with something....one of these days;-)! Something???? Well, don't any of my \"interviews\" or the Firth Family in the West travelogue count as something from my \"nimble mind\"? Perhaps I can work in a keepsake in a future installment...but I don't do poetry of any kind (sonnets, haikus, limericks or free verse). Sorry. ;-)"}, {"response": 39, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 2004 (13:51)", "body": "Karen, lol..no no those count they really do..you're marvelous at your job and we love you for it. I just wanted something special for keeps that's all:-). I'm going to quit this because someone may want me to do something soon...eep! Okay shutting up now;-)!"}, {"response": 40, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (13:45)", "body": "Now, I would like those trousers from GWAPE. The ones that show off the finest chicken legs that the United Kingdom has to offer."}, {"response": 41, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (14:09)", "body": "(Allison)Now, I would like those trousers from GWAPE. Great choice . .never thought I'd like ODB in blue cordouroy . .but he certainly cuts a fine figure in that suit! Will your tribute be poultry themed?:)"}, {"response": 42, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (14:13)", "body": "Will your tribute be poultry themed?:) Perhaps an original recipe for Chicken Cordon Bleu with Gwape Sauce?"}, {"response": 43, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (14:14)", "body": "crappity!"}, {"response": 44, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (14:18)", "body": "(*dancing around*) I feel like chicken tonight . .like chicken tonight . . Sorry Boss . .in very silly mood today;)"}, {"response": 45, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (14:18)", "body": "If anything, it should be cooked in a Dutch oven. ;-)"}, {"response": 46, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (14:33)", "body": "If anything, it should be cooked in a Dutch oven. ;-) Then who gets to slather him all over with butter like Tanneke in the film?;) OK . .I'll stop now;)"}, {"response": 47, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (14:43)", "body": "closing tag"}, {"response": 48, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (08:44)", "body": "Allison, do you want fries with that? Sorry, couldn't resist;-) Actually would you want just the chicken-legged blue cordouroy trousers or the whole suit?"}, {"response": 49, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (08:50)", "body": "Actually would you want just the chicken-legged blue cordouroy trousers or the whole suit? Actually would just like the legs but know that is not allowed :-( So the whole suit :D Do you think it will still smell of Zanzibar (was that the stuff)?"}, {"response": 50, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (15:37)", "body": "Found one (finally)! Ada - from P&P after numerous viewings . . May I have Lizzie's brownish gloves that she is wearing when she goes to visit Pemberly w/ her Aunt & Uncle Gardiner. (the day of the infamous wet shirt encounter!) Noticed that Darcy held her hand as he helped her into the carriage as they leave. .thereby touching her gloves . .aha! . .a Keep!!!! I scanned the last known P&P list . .do not believe it is there;) (FYI: still working on tribute for Arsenal red striped scarf from FP . . )"}, {"response": 51, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (10:15)", "body": "(Kim)Then who gets to slather him all over with butter like Tanneke in the film?;) I keep seeing Colin getting slathered ala MBFGW...with fried chicken legs;-)! (Allison)Actually would just like the legs but know that is not allowed :-( So the whole suit :D Do you think it will still smell of Zanzibar (was that the stuff)? Allison, the suit it yours. Treat it well. Heh, no, not Zanzibar, it probably smells more of linseed oil and turpintine than anything else;-). (Kim)Found one (finally)! - from P&P after numerous viewings Finally! Lizzies's brown gloves, ooh very nice keep Kim! Yes, they can be yours. And I am so sure it was such a hardship to keep viewing P&P over and over;-)!"}, {"response": 52, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (10:56)", "body": "(Kim)Ada could you post the TEOR current list on the keeps page? Not a prob, hun...but don't forget, if it's not seen on screen, it ain't a keeper:-). The Edge of Reason - Blue suit (wet)- Evelyn White suit shirt (also wet)- MoonD Bridget's apt key (not wet)- Tress Blue Overcoat (or picnic shirt...depending on overcoat not being the same as Karen's from first movie...neither one wet, I think;-).) - Linda"}, {"response": 53, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (11:21)", "body": "(Ada)Blue Overcoat (or picnic shirt...depending on overcoat not being the same as Karen's from first movie...neither one wet, I think;-).) - Linda I really do think it's two different coats. The one from BJD(Karen's)looks black, and this one does look navy."}, {"response": 54, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (11:27)", "body": "The one from BJD(Karen's)looks black, Black? On my screen it looks blue. 'sides I thought only undertakers wore black coats...with oxfords and short socks, of course;-)"}, {"response": 55, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (10:55)", "body": "All this talk of gloves being claimed....... just checked out next week's \"Regency House Party\" according to the title it says \"The gloves are off\" ;-))"}, {"response": 56, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (16:08)", "body": "Oh Keepmistress, I am requesting the striped suit from Colin's monologue in SNL. Actually, the MG's would like to ask special permission to claim 2 items as an exception, for standing out in the chilly rain, from 4:40am for a couple of hours waiting for tix. If you have an objection, Linda would be the one to address primarily. ;-) (Way to pawn that off, huh Linda? ;-)) I will ask for the second should we get permission."}, {"response": 57, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Mar  7, 2004 (20:07)", "body": "Hey Ada, May I ask for the black buttondown shirt, if possible that he wore at the end of SNL, then to the party (the one he was wearing when I slipped my arm about his waist!:) Want to claim that puppy very fast!"}, {"response": 58, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (11:33)", "body": "(Shosh from topic 187)BTW, Ada, if you're there, I claim the pirate hat from the before ad break stills (please?!!!!). Oh I'm here, I'm just so stunned that I can't speak (don't worry it won't last long;-).) It sounds like you all had a such wonderfully exciting time. I'm so terribly horribly jealous, I'm greener than Scarlett's dress! As far as keeps from SNL..hmmm, hmmm...it's supposed to be just movies ya know, but heck, I'm always making exceptions, I'm make another one:-). Shosh, even though you didn't request it here (ahem!) I'll give you your pirate hat. Can't not give it to you...it's too too cute and it deserves to be a keep. Just be careful of that feather;-). (Dorine)Oh Keepmistress, I am requesting the striped suit from Colin's monologue in SNL. Actually, the MG's would like to ask special permission to claim 2 items as an exception, for standing out in the chilly rain, from 4:40am for a couple of hours waiting for tix. If you have an objection, Linda would be the one to address primarily. ;-) (Way to pawn that off, huh Linda? ;-)) So for standing out in the rain without catching cold, for tackling non-US-famous/famous British comedians, and for the cujones needed to crash that party, you want Colin's striped suit AND another keep? And if I don't like it, you want to get Linda in trouble? LOL! How on earth could I say no to that? (I'm just too easy for this job) Yes, you and Linda can have 2 keeps! Don't push it though..it's a one time only thing;-)! (Kim)May I ask for the black buttondown shirt, if possible that he wore at the end of SNL, then to the party (the one he was wearing when I slipped my arm about his waist!:) Kim, you know I'm pouting now. I wanted that shirt...also wanted to be the one who slipped my arm around his waist (mind you, I'm so short it probably would have been his hips) but it wasn't me...it was you (sniff sniff)! Ooooh okay, the shirt's yours. With all your hard work and reporting, you certainly deserve it. Next time though, you're taking me along;-)!"}, {"response": 59, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (12:51)", "body": "Bless you, dear Ada! :-D Ah, excellent choice Kim! Must watch my tape before my next request to see if it made the show and not just the rehearsal."}, {"response": 60, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (14:33)", "body": "(Dorine) Ah, excellent choice Kim! After being THAT close . .well there's no way I wouldn't try to get it . .nice fabric, I can attest to that:) . .and the wearer, well not a bad fellow either . ."}, {"response": 61, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (14:43)", "body": "(Ada)As far as keeps from SNL..hmmm, hmmm...it's supposed to be just movies ya know, but heck, I'm always making exceptions, I'm make another one:-). Well I did think it was perfomances, including TV. After all, P&P was on TV. Dearest Ada, Thank YOU! I apologize for not asking properly, but I'm still addled from the experience. I shall cherish that hat forever. BTW, how'd it feel to have Him almost saying your name? (Yes, Ida and Ada are different, though He was saying \"Ay-da\"). And I know I'm not a MG, but do I not fit in to the criteria for getting to SNL keeps (i.e., standing out in the chilly rain, from 4:40am for a couple of hours waiting for tix)? I can't quite think of another request at the moment, but I'd like to have the opportunity. ;-) What about items in sketches not actually shown on TV but that appeared in the dress rehersal?"}, {"response": 62, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (15:18)", "body": "SNL will appear on firth.com's TV page. So, without stepping on our Keepmistress's toes, I'd say you can have whatever he wore on TV. (unofficially speaking of course)"}, {"response": 63, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (15:58)", "body": "(Shosh)I can't quite think of another request at the moment, but I'd like to have the opportunity. ;-) Shosh - you were out in the rain with us though suffering through that cold and wind, and even if you don't live in the metro area, I'd say you're an honorary MG just for this weeknd!!! But oh..Ooh . .oh if that's true . .I wasn't sure if that double SNL keep request was just for Dorine and Linda . .I'd like a second crack at it too!!!! Ada - you know how I am with those keep requests!!! (Karen)SNL will appear on firth.com's TV page. So, without stepping on our Keepmistress's toes, I'd say you can have whatever he wore on TV. YESSSS!!!!!!"}, {"response": 64, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (16:05)", "body": "Dang - hit the submit button. Now Ada, if the all the MG's can get a 2nd keep . .may I ask for one? (does my daily recon work that led up to SNL on Sat possibly count as a reason to ask??)if that's not ok, I understand . . but IF that's possible . . I'd like the grey confederate soldier cap he wore during the Cold Mountain sketch. I'd ask for the blond wig too, but that's one keep too many, I know . .can't be greedy. But, I'll leave that up to your descretion ,oh great wise Mistress of the Keeps!!!!"}, {"response": 65, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (16:17)", "body": "And it's only stuff that actually aired, right?"}, {"response": 66, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (18:18)", "body": "Ada, I throw my hat in for your consideration on two SNL keeps. Would you kindly deem me worthy of two wardrobe items we saw on the still photos that aired during the commercial breaks? In one image Colin is wearing a particularly lovely suit with black and dk. green stripes. The other item I covet is the lovely red period jacket with ruffles and lace on the cuffs."}, {"response": 67, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (20:44)", "body": "Ada, I believe I've goofed... Upon yet another viewing of the SNL tape this evening, it appears the striped suit I requested from the still photos may be one and the same with that worn in the monologue and previously claimed by Dorine. I withdraw my request and will think about another. My apologies."}, {"response": 68, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (21:01)", "body": "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar........ So here's a request that Linda would be jealous of (because of possible complexities;-)). Oh Ada of the justice scales, would the cigar that ODB holds in his hands in those lovely artistic shots be a Keepsicle? It was smoking and he was holding it and it was on the program and I would inhale;-))"}, {"response": 69, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (21:06)", "body": "(Bee) It was smoking and he was holding it and it was on the program and I would inhale;-)) Am sitting at home giggling.....the inhale remark makes me think of Mr. Clinton...and when I think of cigars and Mr. Clinton....I think.....well....nevermind....but I am thinking Bee is being naughty.....;-)"}, {"response": 70, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (21:15)", "body": "but I am thinking Bee is being naughty.....;-) Who me? (You seem to have gotten my point, you little devil;-)) I was trying to be Freudian and erudite;-)) Yeah, like a woman like me would think that Freud knew what the f***k what he was talking about when it came to women! But that belongs on Odds and ends;-))"}, {"response": 71, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (22:21)", "body": "Bee!!! Naughty, naughty!!!!!;)"}, {"response": 72, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (22:43)", "body": "Ooooh I should have known this was going to happen. (banging head on desk) Must remember, never, ever say yes to 2 keeps again;-)! Okay, since I gave Dorine and Linda the option of 2 keeps then I must give the other MG ladies (Shosh, Kim, Bee, Little Bee, Leslie, who am I missing?) that same option...it's only fair and I like to be fair. Now, having said that, I'd also like to say something I'm always telling the boys...Don't forget to share your toys, there are others that would like to play too!;-) (Karen)So, without stepping on our Keepmistress's toes, I'd say you can have whatever he wore on TV. (unofficially speaking of course) Karen, I don't mind, please step on my toes anytime, makes my dilemmas so much easier;-)! Officially speaking then, whatever Colin wore that was seen on TV can be a keep, including the still photos. (Also because I wasn't at dress rehearsal..so no me..no keep;-).) (Leslie)..Colin is wearing a particularly lovely suit with black and dk. green stripes. The other item I covet is the lovely red period jacket with ruffles and lace on the cuffs. ...it appears the striped suit I requested from the still photos may be one and the same with that worn in the monologue and previously claimed by Dorine. I withdraw my request and will think about Leslie, so are you withdrawing both requests or do you still want (what I'm calling) the Johnny Depp jacket? (Bee)..would the cigar that ODB holds in his hands in those lovely artistic shots be a Keepsicle? Yes indeed it would Bee and indeed it's yours:-). So the list looks like this so far: Saturday Night Live - 03/06/04 Striped suit from monologue - Dorine Black shirt and grey confederate hat - Kimberly Pirate's hat - Shoshana Cigar - Bee Johnny Depp pirate coat - Leslie (until further notice) Going to bed now since my headache from the weekend has come back for some reason;-)"}, {"response": 73, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (00:15)", "body": "You know, there is a dark blue suit that usually has someone's name on it. ;-)"}, {"response": 74, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (08:12)", "body": "(Ada) Leslie, so are you withdrawing both requests or do you still want (what I'm calling) the Johnny Depp jacket? Yes, Ada. I would like to hold on to what you so aptly called the Johnny Depp jacket. Lest I appear greedy in regard to my second claim, I will hold off until we hear from Little Bee and Linda as to what their choices might be. Many thanks."}, {"response": 75, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (09:31)", "body": "And there's Linda. While I might have been on the edge of sleep, I think one of her wanted keeps may have been claimed. :-("}, {"response": 76, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (09:33)", "body": "(Karen)You know, there is a dark blue suit that usually has someone's name on it. ;-) *Frantically, *Me, me!!! Hotel-room blue suit. Though it had a \"salesman look\" about it:-( Nevermind, this guy \"makes the suit\". Court-room suit (more $$$, fat lawyer!)looks better, but hate pin-stripe. Too \"Bada-Bing Club\" -looking."}, {"response": 77, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (09:48)", "body": "(Karen)And there's Linda. While I might have been on the edge of sleep, I think one of her wanted keeps may have been claimed. :-( Uh oh . .what did she want???? If it's one of mine, I'll defer to her . .was too fabulous meeting her this wknd!"}, {"response": 78, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (10:28)", "body": "I'm fairly certain that she said she wanted the cigar and the round eyeglasses he wore in the still shot. I'm sure the reason we haven't heard from her is that she's away these few days with limited access. Since Bee has already claimed the cigar, should we put a hold on the glasses 'till she returns?"}, {"response": 79, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (10:51)", "body": "Sorry if I was a bit vague in my prior post. Ada, I'm sure you know I was referring to Linda."}, {"response": 80, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (11:58)", "body": "(Evelyn) Court-room suit (more $$$, fat lawyer!) looks better, but hate pin-stripe. Linda said it wasn't a 'whole' suit. He was wearing jeans with the jacket (she did say you can catch a glimpse of them on the telly, but I haven't had time to go back and look)!"}, {"response": 81, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (14:35)", "body": "I think Linda told me in the bar on Sat she wanted the cigar, but maybe it was Bee instead. Not sure now. I'd like the confederate shirt as my second keep please. :-) (Karen)You know, there is a dark blue suit that usually has someone's name on it. ;-) (Evelyn) *Frantically, *Me, me!!! Hotel-room blue suit. Though it had a \"salesman look\" about it:-( Nevermind, this guy \"makes the suit\". As soon as I saw that blue suit in that skit I leaned over to Kimberly and said, \"There's Evelyn's blue suit.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 82, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (14:53)", "body": "What a gang....thinking of me /n the blue suit...during the show :-)))))) Loves ya!!!*kiss, kiss*"}, {"response": 83, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (18:09)", "body": "(Dorine)I think Linda told me in the bar on Sat she wanted the cigar, but maybe it was Bee instead. Not sure now. Uh, yes, It was me that asked for the cigar, but I'll let that nasty bee have it since I have decided on something else. First off, hey you guys you started without me, but that's ok. Darling Ada, I will take the full blame and responsibility for requesting the two keeps. Even though standing out in the rain at 4:40am was my reasoning...LOL it was a labor of love. I'd do it again in a minute. So....here goes. I'm requesting ODB's jeans. Yes those lovely faded-in-the-right-places jeans. I know they are part of his personal wardrobe (and worn on the show)so I'll gladly give up the cigar;-) For my second keep, if our darling Ada will agree-I'd still like to have the sunglasses from the stills. ODB's jeans and sunglasses, that'll do me;-)"}, {"response": 84, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (18:17)", "body": "Oh gawd, not home even an hour and I'm double posting;-) How on earth could I say no to that? (I'm just too easy for this job) Yes, you and Linda can have 2 keeps! Don't push it though..it's a one time only thing;-)! LOL, I just need to tell you how busy and important you are, Ada. When I called the boss-boss in the wee hours of the morning and asked her about the keeps she did say that all requests were at your discretion. You got the power, girl. I'm impressed;-) Also, I'll say it here-thanks Karen for taking our calls at all hours of the am over the weekend. I know Dorine was quite clear headed, and I must admit, I was not you were very gracious and patient with one slightly crazy girl. Who needs drugs when a natural high is much more fun?"}, {"response": 85, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (20:17)", "body": "(Linda) When I called the boss-boss in the wee hours of the morning and asked her about the keeps... LOLing and shaking my head...asked her about keeps?! You know, I'm not sure I would even mind if you guys had exclusive rights, given what you went through and the *sacrifices* you made for ...ummmm... the greater good -- or whatever. If I had my way, I'd have y'all belly up to the bar and I'd have Ada give you another round on me! Too funny..."}, {"response": 86, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (21:24)", "body": "(Karen)You know, there is a dark blue suit that usually has someone's name on it. ;-) (Evelyn)*Frantically, *Me, me!!! I knew that,I did. Really. I didn't forget that Evelyn always gets the blue suits..nope, not me. I was..uhm..just waiting for her to confirm that she wanted it, uh hunh..that's it. And she did...so now it's hers;-). (Linda)When I called the boss-boss in the wee hours of the morning and asked her about the keeps she did say that all requests were at your discretion Remind me to never give you my phone number;-P. (Barb)...I'd have Ada give you another round...! Barb, quit giving them more ideas;-DDD! So the updated list is as follows: Saturday Night Live - Monologue suit (striped) and Confederate shirt - Dorine Black shirt and Confederate hat - Kim Johnny Depp jacket - Leslie Orlando Bloom hat - Shosh Cigar - Bee Hotel skit blue suit - Evelyn Well-worn jeans and sunglasses(from stills) - Linda As always, if I got something wrong, let me know. But don't call me in the wee hours;-)"}, {"response": 87, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 2004 (00:08)", "body": "The jeans and the sunglasses? Sheesh! I had my eye on those jeans. So much better than ones he's worn before that didn't look worn at all. You know there are two pairs of sunglasses in the pics. Make your selection first. (Barb) LOLing and shaking my head...asked her about keeps?! Among other things. ;-) Wasn't a big deal; I hadn't fallen asleep yet. Besides, it was worth losing sleep just to hear all about their exploits that night. As a sage co-star of Colin's once said, \"Bring it on!\""}, {"response": 88, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 2004 (09:53)", "body": "(Karen)You know there are two pairs of sunglasses in the pics. Make your selection first. My fault, Karen. Leslie said that Linda had wanted the round eyeglasses with her cigar...I just forgot to write it down. Sheesh! I had my eye on those jeans Heh..gotta move fast with these Metro Gals. I wanted the gaudy jacket. That olive green shirt is still up for grabs:-)"}, {"response": 89, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 2004 (13:11)", "body": "(Karen)You know there are two pairs of sunglasses in the pics. Make your selection first. (Ada)Leslie said that Linda had wanted the round eyeglasses Thanks, Karen, for allowing me to choose first. The sunglasses are the round ones he wears with the red-striped jacket in the stills. However, since I jumped on the jeans and slipped them out from under you, eh, Colin...(ohhh I love the sound of that) I will give up the round ones to you as long as I can have the other pair. You decide."}, {"response": 90, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 2004 (13:21)", "body": "No, that's OK, I was leaning to the other ones. I don't like the round ones."}, {"response": 91, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 2004 (08:27)", "body": "Oooh, funny you mention the green shirt was my initial second pick, but decided to go for the confederate shirt as it's a period shirt of sorts, the closest I'll get to having a Darcy-like shirt, it was in what is probably my favorite skit, and it's directly on his skin, unlike the green shirt. ;-D"}, {"response": 92, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 2004 (15:06)", "body": "(Dorine)the closest I'll get to having a Darcy-like shirt Ahh . . if only that Jane Eyre spot . .or even the nautical skit was in . .you would have had some nice keeps there;) But think he was wearing the confederate shirt when he waved to ya!:)"}, {"response": 93, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 2004 (13:04)", "body": "Ahh . . if only that Jane Eyre spot . .or even the nautical skit was in . .you would have had some nice keeps there;) OOO000H, if they kept the nautical spot I just might have been tempted to give up the sunglasses for the breeches."}, {"response": 94, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 2004 (16:15)", "body": "Since I'm the troublemaker for today . .let me stir some things up on this topic too . . .:) Oh, Mighty and Wise Mistress of the Keeps, with the help of fellow Droolers, I have been catching up on more and more of my darlin's films . . So to add to my CF Hope chest may I request: Another Country - his wire rimmed glasses (was going to ask for his torch - to keep with a phallic theme from GWAPE, but changed my mind!) A Month In The Country - the book Birkin presses the Mrs. Keach's rose in Dutch Girls - (Evelyn , you beat me to that scarf!)His field hockey uniform (pink sweatshirt, little shorts and all!) Tumbledown -the red patterned scarf he's wearing in the bar the night before he's shipped off to the Falklands Donovan Quick - That lovely jacket he wears while driving the Quick and Pannick bus PlayMaker - Does someone own the towel from the famous Nessie shower scene?"}, {"response": 95, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 2004 (16:47)", "body": "(Kimberley)- (Evelyn , you beat me to that scarf!) Along with navy suits, I like him in scarves.... Think I grabbed the one in LA too. The one he must have lost on the plane. Had it boarding, but not on arrival in France. (Kimberley) Since I'm the troublemaker for today .... Today, you. Tomorrow, me. We all take turns;-)"}, {"response": 96, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 2004 (17:05)", "body": "(Evelyn)Along with navy suits, I like him in scarves.... MMMMMMmmmmmm yes . .I so agree . .great minds think alike!! . .and that DG grey one is a great keeper;)"}, {"response": 97, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 2004 (17:07)", "body": "I think I'm going to make a \"traumatic\" request as I was reminded that I had never asked for anything. .....was going to ask for Ben's ant farm, then thought....hmmmm .....maybe the infamous spider would be better (but although I don't fear spiders in particular, I didn't want to take care if it.....ick!) ....then there was Mena's necklace, which he touches (and I asked Marc Evans the silly question about its significance....) ....then I thought that maybe I would like his wedding band. He no longer needs it (his wife is dead, right ;-)??) and the reminder of it for him will surely drive him mad! But then I thought about the one thing (other than being a bit kooky) that we have in common. Our love of Wilbur. I have a tattoo of a pig (college thing, don't ask) and Wilbur was the inspiration (am thankful that I never got the web tattooed on my shoulder blade as was part of the original plan...the one that said \"Some Pig!\" ...although....that would have made for an interesting conversation starter with Mr. Evans). Soooooo......if the Keeps Mistress will allow me, I would like to take Ben's copy of Charlotte's Web. The one he doodled in and loved......"}, {"response": 98, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 2004 (17:28)", "body": "Dutch Girls - (Evelyn , you beat me to that scarf!)His field hockey uniform (pink sweatshirt, little shorts and all!) Ms Keep, would you check this out? I thought I owned one of his pink things. Was it this (with cute shorts) or the blazer? Or it might be nothing for all I remember. ;-)"}, {"response": 99, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Mar 22, 2004 (21:24)", "body": "(Kim)Oh, Mighty and Wise Mistress of the Keeps... Me? Mighty, Wise? ROFL! Oh that's too funny...I'm just dying of laughter, but on to the keeps Another Country - his wire rimmed glasses Yes Kim, those can be yours. A Month In The Country - the book Birkin presses the Mrs. Keach's rose Those too. Tumbledown -the red patterned scarf Sure ok. Donovan Quick - That lovely jacket he wears while driving Uh hunh, yup. Dutch Girls - His field hockey uniform Had to do some searching on this one. I couldn't find anything requested for Dutch Girls other than Evelyn's scarf (sorry Karen), so unless the boss wants to fight you for it,the outfit is yours. PlayMaker - Does someone own the towel from the famous Nessie shower scene? Ahh..nope sorry, Shosh already has that lovely little towel...but the piano is yours if you want it;-)! (Tress)...if the Keeps Mistress will allow me, I would like to take Ben's copy of Charlotte's Web. Tress, ooooh I was hoping there'd be a tennis ball somewhere in this movie for you. Oh well, I guess you can make do with Ben's copy of Charlotte's Web but no drooling on the doodling;-)"}, {"response": 100, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Mar 22, 2004 (21:39)", "body": "Many thanks Ada! . .will try to find time to write tributes (I am soooo behind!) Ah well . .as to Playmaker . .Lucky lucky Shosh got a good keep! . . But since I believe I have the song he plays on the piano from RV . .I need a piano to play it on! (Hey can stick my bust of Beethoven from MLSF right on top of it!) Interior design ala Colin . .hmm I might have a good idea going here .. . Wooo hoo!! Count me in for the piano! Boss, would you like the field hockey outfit from DG? . .I would of course release it to your care if you wish and scan the film for another keep . .;)"}, {"response": 101, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 2004 (09:12)", "body": "would you like the field hockey outfit from DG? . .I would of course release it to your care if you wish and scan the film for another keep . .;) Not necessary, but thank you for offering. The pink/salmon school blazer will do me fine....though the buttoned-up to the eyeballs pajamas are rather tempting and I do have an assortment of bedwear claimed. ;-)"}, {"response": 102, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 2004 (16:55)", "body": "Dearest Keepmistress . .it's been quiet on this topic for awhile so I'd thought to start some trouble . . Been laid up in bed with a turned ankled (no, did not slip on the cobbles, but made an frightfully embarassing fall doing some extra work on a film set yesterday) Anywhooo . .since I've been laid up (and finished the production of the Tempest I was currently doing) I have finally had the time to watch Lost Empires . . . So to add to my CF Hope chest filled to the brim with lovely items . .may I ask, in my weakened invalid state . .has anyone claimed the little cap he wore in the film? Many thanks to the Colin Firth Career Timeline for the pic"}, {"response": 103, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 2004 (12:08)", "body": "Darlin' Kim...so sorry I haven't responded before this...let's just say it's been a long week:-). Anyway, no one has claimed anything from Lost Empires,so you're the first! The cap is yours, but only if you want it;-). Actually, many of ODB's films before P&P have very few claimed keeps and several including MOTM, Camille (yoohoo Evelyn!), English Patient and AZ have no keepsakes claimed at all. If anyone is interested, I can post a list of those movies...just let me know:-)."}, {"response": 104, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 2004 (13:20)", "body": "I'll claim the anorak from MOTM. (no blue suit available;-(( The tux from TEP. Will have to view Camille *sigh* again for a goodie. But methinks it's a silly cravat . AZ Leather jacket, (but I thought Moon grabbed that one."}, {"response": 105, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 2004 (14:54)", "body": "Great keepmistress . .many thanks for the hat from LE! Could you post the lists again . .I know it probably is big pain to do so . . .Am interested to see what people have . . Am wondering if there are any more scarves floating about . .I know Evelyn has the nice grey one from DG;) Evelyn - thought you had the glass rose from Camille?:)"}, {"response": 106, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 2004 (16:17)", "body": "Not a problemo:-D I'll list the movies that have keeps first and then list the ones w/o keeps...which after this may not be too many anymore;-). Please note that many keeps may be held by people no longer posting. Sorry but please do not ask me to boot those ladies off their keep...it ain't nice:-D. ANOTHER COUNTRY - Bathrobe - Cymbeline Wire rimmed glasses - KimS DUTCH GIRLS - Grey Scarf - Evelyn Pink Hockey Uniform - KimS Pajamas - Karen CAMILLE - Cravat (maybe) - Evelyn LOST EMPIRES - Cap - KimS A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY - Rose - Lizza Apples - Annette Book (in which rose is pressed in) - KimS TUMBLEDOWN - Car - Lucie Fisherman's sweater - Marcia Red Scarf - KimS APARTMENT ZERO - Leather Jacket - Evelyn VALMONT - Wig - Tineke Bow and Arrow - LindaK Falling into Pond outfit - Shosh FEMME FATALE (aka Fatal Woman) - Proposal sweater - KJart HOSTAGES - Glass urine jar (ewwww!) - Deb HOUR OF THE PIG/The Advocate - Small towel covering assets - AllisonM Wine stained shirt - CherylB Leather leggings - Shoshana Mug from banquet scene - Deb"}, {"response": 107, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 2004 (16:41)", "body": "Oh! Unclaimed goodies!!! Can I have Robert's walkman (Tumbledown), Judd's Marx book (AC - it's gotta be Captial and not the Communist Manifesto as it is so thick), Richard's turban (LE) and Valmont's stick (the one he uses to play with Cecil...I'll take either one you are willing to give me)? ;-)"}, {"response": 108, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 2004 (18:17)", "body": "Continuing....(am ignoring Tress right now;-D!) PLAYMAKER - Steel rimmed glasses - Laura Towel (not used to cover up) - Shoshana Piano - KimS MASTER OF THE MOOR - Anorak - Evelyn CIRCLE OF FRIENDS - Glass at lunch - Deb (I'm seeing a trend here;-)) THE ENGLISH PATIENT - Tuxedo - Evelyn NOSTROMO - Silver mine (the whole mine..not just the wall) - Marcia Boots (from execution scene) - BarbS White shirt (mine scene) - Annette FEVER PITCH - Leather Jacket - Karen Grey t-shirt and underwear - Marcia Arsenal Boxer shorts - Stacey Whistle - Heide Wristwatch - Elena Arsenal Football shirt - Tracy Lighter - Tress Blue comforter - LeahP Champagne bottle with fizzies - BeeDee Sweater (board game scene) - LindaK TV chair - CeeJ Faded blue denim shirt - KathyF Striped Arsenal scarf - KimS Faded black jeans - Shoshana Glass napkin is dipped into - Deb A THOUSAND ACRES - String bracelet - KimS Blue shirt (court scene) - Evelyn MY LIFE SO FAR - Scots accent - Lizza Wire rimmed glasses - Esbee Kilt - Lucie Navy blue suit - Evelyn Sporran - Marcia Cap (curling scene) - KJart Baby saving outfit - Eileen Towel - Lidya Dorky striped pajamas - Karen Wedding Ring - Lynda Striped swimsuit - KathyF Rod and tackle - Tress Robe - LindaK Beethoven bust - KimS Glass cut decanter - Deb SECRET LAUGHTER OF WOMEN - Bathrobe - Evelyn Coffee cup - Beedee Wedding Ring - LindaK Dark blue shirt - Shoshana Red shirt - KimS SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE - Pearl earring - Renate Blue tights - EileenG Ruff - Arami Song Wessex sings - Esbee Horse - AnnW Sword, scabbard and belt - KJart Hat with feather - Nan Gold wedding cape - Gi Goatee - Lizza Sapphire ring on index finger and codpiece - Marcia Play notice - Marina Kiss Wessex gives to Viola - SusanA Ring on ring finger - Tress Money pouch - KimS Thigh high pointed toe black boots - Shoshana LONDINIUM/Four Play - Headset/pillows - Caribou White shirt/blue pants - Annette Brown plaid suit and tie - KimS"}, {"response": 109, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 2004 (18:55)", "body": "OOOOHHHHH, Dear Mistress Ada, May I please have Robert's black undies from Tumbledown??? You know, the black sexy ones that he pulls over that gorgeous behind when he's spent his last night with Sophie. thank you!!!"}, {"response": 110, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 2004 (18:58)", "body": "and still more - DONOVAN QUICK - Bus driver jacket - KimS RELATIVE VALUES - Limp wrist - Karen Loafers - Marcia Silver cigarette case - Arami Yellow cravat, Judy Garland record collection, camp shirt, Monty Clift autographed photo - Mari George Cukor pool party pass - Heide Plane tickets to Greenwich Village Playhouse season = CherylD Piano - LindaK Martini glass - MoonD Hip flask - Tress Song played on piano - KimS Drink on piano - Deb BRIDGET JONES' DIARY - Reindeer sweater - Allison Whisk - Lizza Barrister collar - Ann Grey jumper/sweater - KJart Briefcase - Echo Watch - MoonD Overcoat - Karen Pinstripe suit (aka BadaBing suit) - Danielle Christmas tie - Evelyn Grey scarf/gloves - CathyW Fight shirt - TracyT Smug married dinner party suit - Esbee Right sock from dinner party - Eileen Blue sweater (rowboat scene) - LisaJH Newspaper - LauraT Buttons - Marcia Pepper grinder - Caribou Birthday dinner wineglass - Rachel Oars - Emily Sausages at Tart/Vicars party - Beth Shirt/Khaki pants from Rowboat scene (Bonus - glass from Tart/Vicars party) - BarbS Packet of Embassy cigarettes - Beedee (nonexistent but assumed) Blue soup spoon at table - LindaK Ding-dong wineglass - Tress Marmalade spoon - Ada Happy Birthday Bridget wineglass - MariaT Tart and Vicars outfit - Hen Diary bought by MD - CeeJ Launch party wineglass (bonus - Ruby wedding wineglass) - Annette Bada Bing Tie - KimS HOPE SPRINGS - Pencil - LindaK Scarf - Joyce Bathing trunks - Karen Drawing pad - MoonD White towel - Janet2 Tie - Evelyn Nonexistent underwear - MariaT Black sweater - KathyF Blue yoga mat - Tress Black jacket - Annette Melon slice - Rika THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST - Silver tray/tattoo - Lisa Letter from Gwen - Leah Smelling salts vial - LindaK Urn - Evelyn Glasses - Esbee Red rose - Lora Guitar - Caribou Muffin - Minkee Nonexistent tennis ball - Tress Dressing gown - Karen Funeral Hat - MoonD Cigarette holder - KimS Glass at nightclub - Deb WHAT A GIRL WANTS - 80's earring - Beedee White tie/tails - Lora Black leather pants - Karen Blue shirt/Rolls - MoonD Mirror - Rika 80's desert shirt - KateF Spoon (coco pops scene) - Annette Moroccan Wedding Outfit - Ada Tuxdeo shirt - LindaK Tattoo - Esbee Present day desert shirt - Dorine Bathrobe - Joyce Pocket Love notes - Tress Black shirt - KJart Blue suit - Evelyn Watch - MariaT Cocopops - Odile Cell phone - KathyF Pajamas - Hen Motorcycle - BarbS Picnic outfit from final scene - Leah Cup and saucer - KimS Alka selzer glass - Deb LOVE ACTUALLY - Scarf - Evelyn Overcoat - Ada Dark blue shirt - LindaK Manual typewriter - Tress Dark brown t-shirt - Shoshana Tweed shirt (arrival in France) - KateF House in France (also Carl's black briefs...grrr) - Karen Watch - Marie Black zip-up cardigan - Eithne Dark blue sweater - Odile Headset for language tapes - Beedee Beige coffee mug - KimS Car in France - Leah GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING - Dutch Masters Hat - MoonD Ring - Caribou Earring - Annette Shirt (camera obscura scene) - LindaK Coat/Robe/whatever (ditto scene) - Shoshana Camera Obscura - LisaJH Ear Piercer - Tress Phallic paint brush - Evelyn Wig - Darla Muller - Karen Painting knife(trowel) - KimS Blue cordouroy suit - Allison SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE Episode - Jeans and Round sunglasses - LindaK Orlando Bloom Hat - Shoshana Johnny Depp coat - Leslie Cigar - Beedee Blue suit (Hotel skit) - Evelyn Black shirt (end of show) and Confederate Hat - KimS Striped suit (monologue) and Confederate Shirt - Dorine Square sunglasses - Karen TRAUMA - (holding until movie is released) Leather necklace (aka leash) - Evelyn Chuck Taylor sneakers - Maria Charlotte's Web book - Tress THE EDGE OF REASON - (holding until movie is released) Blue Suit (fight scene) - Evelyn Wet shirt (fight scene) - MoonD Bridget's apartment key - Tress Overcoat (if not Karen's coat from BJD1) - LindaK Not doing P&P...too dammed long and my fingers hurt;-)!"}, {"response": 111, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 2004 (19:03)", "body": "ignoring Linda too;-)! Movies w/o keeps - 1919 Secret Garden Wings of Fame BlackAdder:Back and Forth Turn of the Screw Conspiracy Nanny MacPhee...McPhee?...whatever"}, {"response": 112, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 2004 (19:24)", "body": "Crikey! . .I apologize for your sore fingers - since I started this request up! (Would you like me to help keep this as an electronic file for you? - anything to help you out! - seriously:) Do you want me to look back in the keeps records and re-type or even cut & paste P& P for you? - Anything!) Buuuuttttt, since you posted the list . .here comes another troublemaker (add my name to the list with linda & tress)again with the big requests . . . I beleive I have lagged seriously with tributes, but if you want to hold these items ransome until I come up with something . . . WOF - the bedsheets from the vertical shagging scene;) BlackAdder - the copy of MacBeth he was carrying when he ran into the BlackAdder TEOR - the tuxedo he is wearing when he goes to Bridget's apt Conspiracy - the chair he is sitting in while at the Wanassee Conference"}, {"response": 113, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 2004 (20:05)", "body": "(Ada the oracle) Shirt/Khaki pants from Rowboat scene (Bonus - glass from Tart/Vicars party) - BarbS Oh man, you even have my bonus! You are too good. I'll be glad when tomorrow (and my test) is over...I have a new book to read, a film discussion to catch up on and a free-for-all brewing in keeps. So many lovely potential keeps, so little time! (Thanks for all your work!)"}, {"response": 114, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 2004 (20:14)", "body": "Uh, Mistress, does ignore mean forget it, or I'll deal with you later?;-)"}, {"response": 115, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 2004 (09:09)", "body": "LOL, Linda! No no honey, not ignore,I could never ignore you;-)! I was just on a roll and didn't want to stop and ammend lists. Kim's, Tress' ('s, 'es?) and your requests have been approved and duly noted in my little book;-)."}, {"response": 116, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 2004 (09:39)", "body": "(Ada)_Kim's, Tress' ('s, 'es?) and your requests have been approved and duly noted in my little book;-). YESSSS!!!!! Dear Keepmistress . .many many thanks . .and just for that, sometime btwn the MOTM film discussion and speed reading Where The Truth Lies I will find a way to do a tribute!!!!"}, {"response": 117, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (16:42)", "body": "I'm reserving TEOR robe for the time being."}, {"response": 118, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (19:29)", "body": "(Karen)I'm reserving TEOR robe for the time being. Ooooh! I'm going back to that trailer and see what I can dig up."}, {"response": 119, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 2004 (12:55)", "body": "Boss, the robe is yours for the time being. Looks very comfy...unlike leather pants;-). Troubl..I mean Linda, honey;-D! I'm sorry but you can't dig anything else up right now. Right now you're holding on to his overcoat if it's a different one from BJD1 and on reserve you've got the picnic shirt...don't you remember;-D?"}, {"response": 120, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 2004 (16:19)", "body": "Yeah, yeah, Ms.(you don't miss a trick do you?)Ada. Just seeing if I could sneak something in under the wire. Sheesh!;-) BTW-I heard that!"}, {"response": 121, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 2004 (20:26)", "body": "Ha!...Can't sneak anything past me, especially since darlin' Kim typed up a full keeps list for me. Now my fingers won't cramp up from typing so much;-) Tell ya what I'm gonna do, I'll repost TEOR just to refresh everyone's mind. I'll also put up Trauma, as it'll be opening soon:-). BJD: The Edge of Reason - Blue Suit (fight scene) - Evelyn Wet shirt (fight scene) - MoonD Bridget's apartment key - Tress Overcoat (if not Karen's coat from BJD1) - LindaK Tuxedo worn when at Bridget\ufffds apt \ufffd KimS (ahem...love how you sneaked this one in, Kim!) Trauma - Leather necklace (aka leash) - Evelyn Chuck Taylor sneakers - Maria Charlotte's Web book \ufffd Tress Let me know if anyone wants to add something;-)"}, {"response": 122, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 2004 (00:51)", "body": "Long time - no claims, but I think I'll try these two movies. BJD - TEOR: Would love the \"Von Trapp\" outfit. If that's more than one item, I would have to chose the crispy white shirt. Trauma: In the photografs with his wife, he wears a striped shirt. May I claim that, please? Ada - I know, I still own tributes to some older items. One fine day, I'll get to it, I promise :-)"}, {"response": 123, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 2004 (16:17)", "body": "Sneak it in? . .me??? - Check my request on 112 and your response on 115! I swear . .greedy little git that I am . .I put in my requests as the others do!:) Glad I could help w/ the list . .it was a long one!"}, {"response": 124, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 2004 (09:20)", "body": "(Kim) Sneak it in? . .me??? - Check my request on 112 and your response on 115! So sorry Kim, you're right of course. My excuse is that's when I was re-typing the lists and ignoring Tress, Linda and you;-). Annette, the Von Trapp shirt. Uhm, see, it's like this, you know Linda, right? Linda's the one who requested the only-if-it's-a-different-one-than-Karen's- overcoat? Wellll, she also requested the picnic/Von Trapp shirt be put on hold if the overcoat wasn't different, and uhm...I kinda did that (bad Ada, bad!). Linda might be persuaded to give up the alternate request(help me out here, Linda!) and if so, then the shirt would be yours. Beating her up is an option;-). But the striped shirt from Trauma is yours...definitely (well, as long as it's in the movie somewhere). Going back to bed as Monday is not starting out well for me;-)."}, {"response": 125, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 2004 (15:52)", "body": "LOL, Would the Keepsmistress be so kind as to post a photo of that Von Trapp shirt? I can't seem to recall what it looks like. Maybe I'll be persuaded to give it up. (Ada)I kinda did that (bad Ada, bad!). Hey, it isn't every day a person is in an overcoat duel with the boss;-) You did the right thing, dear Keepsmistress, as one can't really decided if it's the same coat or not until the poxy film comes out, right? (Ada)Beating her up is an option;-). I'm so telling Karen."}, {"response": 126, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 2004 (19:08)", "body": "Linda - isn't this the shirt . .form the seemingly sound of music idillyic frolic in the fields pics?? (Ada)Beating her up is an option;-). (linda)I'm so telling Karen. Oooh it's a fight . .a real fight!:) - no throwing anybody through any plate glass windows . . . drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 189, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 19, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 190, "subject": "Odds & Ends - Part 8", "response_count": 1999, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (13:05)", "body": "Wonder if they'll be something on short socks too ;-) http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/3397149.stm The feedback is hysterical."}, {"response": 2, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (13:51)", "body": "ROTF! Thank, Karen. White sports socks with trainers...they are ok. White socks of any kind with anything other than trainers.. bad, bad taste. Mark H, UK I've been saying it for years. And David Letterman looks ridiculous in his white socks and penny loafers with those double-breasted suits."}, {"response": 3, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (14:30)", "body": "White sports socks with trainers...they are ok. White socks of any kind with anything other than trainers.. bad, bad taste. Mark H, UK (Moon) I've been saying it for years. Moon, that was the one I was going to use! White okay with (and only with) trainers. I'll go one more...no colored socks with trainers...so it's white or nothin' when it comes to tennies. ODB is guilty of the colored socks with trainers infraction...just doesn't work (IMO). Scroll halfway down http://www.firth.com/articles/ladailynews52202.html ...crikey! At least he matched sweater to socks (I'll give him that...) and the adorable half-smile will make up for a bit of it...just a bit ;-)"}, {"response": 4, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (15:09)", "body": "(Tress)I'll go one more... I'll raise you....white socks with sandals...Peeeeeoooowwwww. Now, I've seen those in summer in Europe. Always makes me think the person has athletes foot."}, {"response": 5, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (15:20)", "body": "(Evelyn) I'll raise you....white socks with sandals...Peeeeeoooowwwww. Oh! Another good one! That one always perplexed me... Now, I've seen those in summer in Europe. I've seen it here! Thanks Karen...amusing article and the responses are hilarious....has got me thinking on some important matters! ;-D"}, {"response": 6, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (15:34)", "body": "I'm afraid these are my favorite answers: From a country where prostitution is legal and drugs are tolerated? (Glenn, St. Louis, USA) I have nothing but utter respect for the Dutch people and here again they prove their worth. Some might say that anyone with a sense of style knows when white socks look alright and when they don't. They're wrong. White socks 'never' look good unless you are deliberately trying to look like a clown. (Guy Thackeray, London, UK) People who wear white socks cannot be trusted. I once knew someone who wore white socks and he was very sneaky. The Dutch Finance Ministry is absolute right to instigate a witch-hunt against sartorial criminals of this kind. If we tolerate white sock wearing, where will it all end? The world will go to hell in a handbasket, you mark my words. (NK, UK)"}, {"response": 7, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (15:38)", "body": "(Tress)I'll go one more... (Evelyn)I'll raise you....white socks with sandals...Peeeeeoooowwwww. I believe I'll raise you both...dress socks with sandals! (seen on old fogies at the beach)"}, {"response": 8, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (15:56)", "body": "People who wear white socks cannot be trusted. I once knew someone who wore white socks and he was very sneaky. The Dutch Finance Ministry is absolute right to instigate a witch-hunt against sartorial criminals of this kind. If we tolerate white sock wearing, where will it all end? The world will go to hell in a handbasket, you mark my words. (NK, UK) Agree with Karen on this one. Although when I read his signature (NK, UK) I \"heard\" the Three Stooges going \"Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk\"."}, {"response": 9, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (16:20)", "body": "Karen . .too funny. My favorite response: One of the few publicly accepted hatreds is White sockism. I dream of a world where all socks are equal. Daniel, Chipping Sodbury Erp . .I have to admit . . Hello my name is Kimberly and I am a WSW . .a White Sock Wearer . .I've been wearing white socks for oh god to many years to count now . .and I admit, I have a problem . . .(**puts head down on desk and sobs**) I have not gotten to the socks with sandals stage . .and I never will . .I will nip this in the bud now . .I shall conquer this, I shall . . ."}, {"response": 10, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (18:53)", "body": "(ADA)I believe I'll raise you both...dress socks with sandals! (seen on old fogies at the beach) You beat me to that one. LOL. I've seen them on some young fogies, too. I used to live at the beach. Made me want to barf. The best is socks, dress or white with flip flops...and they force the sock around the toe thingie. Thanks Karen, I love it when we have such intellectual discourse on these cold, cold days;-) (Kimberly)Hello my name is Kimberly and I am a WSW Hello, Kimberly."}, {"response": 11, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (19:36)", "body": "ROTF!! What a riot! In addition to the \"hell in a handbasket\" comment, these are my top picks.... ** Dress codes are just a conveniently superficial way for the stupid to make judgements about people ** The only reason that white socks are 'not done' in Britain, is that the Brits have milk white legs, which actually makes the socks invisible, and suggests that people go barefoot. **This is from the country that gave us...clogs. The runnners-up..... white socks (unless worn with shorts or for sport) are an affront to decently dressed people everywhere. The problem is people wearing trousers too short for their legs! Besides, you buy enough of the same type, you won't have to worry about having just one sock. [Would solve my problems ;-)] Without a doubt, the Dutch are the worst dressed nation within the EU! It's not entirely their fault though....over there the clothing quality is abominable - but the cost is exorbitant. Cut 'em a break. (Or else send in the Italians to teach them how to dress! It makes me sick seeing this! (So do ugly ties, but that is another war.) If you don't want to wear 'respectable clothes' find a job elsewhere. Don't try to bring the rest of the world down to your degenerate level."}, {"response": 12, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (20:33)", "body": "(Kimberly) Hello my name is Kimberly and I am a WSW . .a White Sock Wearer . .I've been wearing white socks for oh god to many years to count now . . LOL! Good for you Kimberly! When I was a teen ...er..., over 20 years ago back in Hungary, knee length skirts with white socks and sandals were the rage and I loved it! I don't know who started it, some said it came from the French, but girls started wearing it and it spread like wildfire. It was pretty, comfortable, and good for our feet too. Enjoy your white socks, never mind if some find them unfashionable. If you like them then you are all right. :-)"}, {"response": 13, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 2004 (22:03)", "body": "(Tress)White okay with (and only with) trainers. I'll go one more...no colored socks with trainers...so it's white or nothin' when it comes to tennies. ODB is guilty of the colored socks with trainers infraction...just doesn't work (IMO)...crikey! At least he matched sweater to socks (I'll give him that...) and the adorable half-smile will make up for a bit of it...just a bit ;-) I'm sorry. I know I'm fashion impaired, but his trainers (what happened to calling them sneakers?) are gray and navy/black. Shouldn't they be worn with darker socks? (Of course, I thought the blue suit/brown shoes would have been OK if the shoes just weren't so scuffed up.) (Kimberly) Hello my name is Kimberly and I am a WSW . .a White Sock Wearer . .I've been wearing white socks for oh god to many years to count now . . . (Ildi)LOL! Good for you Kimberly! When I was a teen ...er..., over 20 years ago back in Hungary, knee length skirts with white socks and sandals were the rage and I loved it! Should I be ashamed to say that I still wear outfits like that? ;-) Anyway, if the pants are long enough and the boots high enough, then why not wear socks that are fun? I do have this pair of socks; actually, I wore them yesterday. They were given to me by a friend and are warm and fluffy. (Linda)Thanks Karen, I love it when we have such intellectual discourse on these cold, cold days;-) Hear hear!!!"}, {"response": 14, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (00:19)", "body": "Hmmm, doesn't look v.g. for Eduardo Serra... Epics are focus of ASC noms By Sheigh Crabtree According to their cameraman peers, the top lensing in the field of cinematography this year was seen in epic films of both historical and fantastical nature. The five contenders cited Tuesday by the American Society of Cinematographers for the feature film category of the 18th annual ASC Awards are Russell Boyd for 20th Century Fox's \"Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World,\" Andrew Lesnie for New Line's \"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,\" John Schwartzman for Universal Pictures' \"Seabiscuit,\" John Seale for Miramax's \"Cold Mountain\" and John Toll for Warner Bros. Pictures' \"The Last Samurai.\" \"According to their peers, these five outstanding filmmakers have set the highest standards for artistic excellence in feature film cinematography during the past year,\" said Owen Roizman, chairman of the ASC's awards committee. Roizman noted that the nominees all demonstrated extraordinary abilities to create a sense of place and time and to visually punctuate moods and other emotional content. \"There is no easy or precise way to judge artistic achievements in cinematography because it is a subjective and collaborative art form,\" Roizman said. \"Many people equate strikingly beautiful pictures with artful cinematography, but that isn't necessarily true. Great motion pictures can also be dark, and the images can be ugly and menacing. It has more to do with the emotions they evoke than what the audience sees.\" Toll won the ASC outstanding achievement award for \"Braveheart\" (1996) and \"The Thin Red Line\" (1999) and was nominated for \"Legends of the Fall\" (1995). Seale took top ASC honors for \"The English Patient\" (1997), with additional nominations for \"Rain Man\" (1989) and \"The Perfect Storm\" (2001). Lesnie and Schwartzman each earned an ASC nomination in 2002 for \"The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring\" and \"Pearl Harbor,\" respectively. This year is Boyd's first nomination. There are 215 ASC members and another 135 associate members who work in ancillary businesses. The 18th annual ASC Awards will be preceded by an open house at the organization's historic Hollywood clubhouse and by an Internet chat, both set for Feb. 7. The winner will be named at the organization's awards gala Feb. 8 at the Century Plaza Hotel in Century City."}, {"response": 15, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (08:27)", "body": "(Do's list)** The only reason that white socks are 'not done' in Britain, is that the Brits have milk white legs, which actually makes the socks invisible, and suggests that people go barefoot. This is my flat out favorite!:-)) (Do's list)** ***Besides, you buy enough of the same type, you won't have to worry about having just one sock. [Would solve my problems ;-)] This is my *real* reason for buying them! I agree with Tress about white socks and trainers! Only (mostly?) white will do. Am reminded of the trivia factoid that Gene Kelly used to wear white or light socks during his dance routines because they drew the eye to his feet and highlighted his foot work.:-)) Thanks Karen"}, {"response": 16, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (08:30)", "body": "None of the contenders are indies, are they? They all seem to be big movies, big budgets, sweeping cinematography. I guess that walk in the woods with Peter and Griet didn't count;-)"}, {"response": 17, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (08:59)", "body": "I see LOTR all the way. Seabiscuit? It seems to me that a scene that comes alive to match a famous painting is not easy to do and worth noting. That was a bad call on their part. Maybe most members didn't see GWAPE. They lose in credibility by just going for the big Hollywood budget pictures, IMO. I'm very interested in the IFC nom. I think they announce them today."}, {"response": 18, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (09:42)", "body": "It doesn't rule GWAPE out for an Oscar nom, as this was the ASC (American Society of Cinematographers) and membership in the Academy branch for cinematographers is likely wider than that. Seabiscuit? Still haven't seen that one; may have to break down and rent it, but on Ebert & Roper's Memo to the Academy, it was singled out for the racing footage - best he'd ever seen. Whatever... The omission that surprises me is Northfork, one of those stylized ones (like the Man Who Wasn't There) that screams cinematography."}, {"response": 19, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (09:49)", "body": "From THR: New firms hit Sundance By Ian Mohr and Chris Gardner PARK CITY -- For seasoned Sundancers, there are certain constants in Park City's snow-globe universe every January: the dressed-down auteurs, the black Mercedes-Benzes dotting wintry Deer Valley and star sightings at Zoom. But this year, the business landscape surrounding the festival also is displaying some significant changes, with familiar faces chartering unfamiliar ventures. And acquisitions aren't even at the top of all the participants' to-do lists. \"Most of our business is set up to do production,\" indie vet Mark Gill said from a Paris movie set a couple of days before heading to Park City for the first time as head of Warner Independent Pictures, the new specialty arm of Warner Bros. Pictures. \"If we find something, it would be great. It's certainly a lot easier than producing movies.\" Yet another seasoned vet of the scene who will hit the slopes -- this year, on the other side of the bargaining table -- will be Howard Cohen, who exited ICM last year to launch Roadside Pictures with \"Lovely & Amazing\" producer Eric d'Arbeloff. Their company will be looking to acquire films as part of IDP, joining Samuel Goldwyn Films in the hunt for new titles. Add to the list of familiar faces with new aims this year former USA senior vp acquisitions Steven Raphael and veteran entertainment attorney Ira Schreck, who have teamed to handle three films: competition entry \"Book of Love,\" \"Brother to Brother\" from writer-director Rodney Evans and \"Lbs.\" by Matthew Bonifacio. Because of the large number of films this year by relatively unknown directors, Sundance is expected to be something of a maze for acquisitions execs -- especially because, for fear of piracy, there have been fewer advance screeners to help chart the course. \"In a general sense, people don't know a lot of the specifics of each film because the majority haven't seen the movies,\" CAA's Kevin Iwashina said. \"There aren't a lot of tapes out there, which has led to a general optimism among the buyers.\" And that's a good thing, said Iwashina's colleague Jennifer Rawlings: \"You can lose a lot of the audience (when tapes circulate), and you really have to be careful because you never know. You could send out a bad (quality) tape, and it influences the kinds of people that show up at your Sundance screening. And as a filmmaker, you want not just the potential buyers to show up but other actors, other filmmakers to be a part of it.\" Said Miramax Films acquisitions head Agnes Mentre: \"For me, Sundance is the most difficult festival to judge on paper because there are always the most first-timers. In Cannes or Toronto, you know the filmmakers, you know the casts.\" Said Lions Gate Films Releasing president Tom Ortenberg: \"There are certainly a number of films that are worth checking out very seriously. We'll find out soon enough if they live up to the hype.\" Said Samuel Goldwyn acquisitions vp Tom Quinn: \"Looking at this year's slate, it's not the dot-com era, it's not the digital era. It's really back to basics.\" Even though the directors' names may be new, many of the stars at Sundance are not -- from Kevin Bacon (\"The Woodsman\") and Natalie Portman (\"Garden State\") to Naomi Watts (\"We Don't Live Here Anymore\") and Billy Bob Thornton (\"Chrystal\"). Myriad Pictures is bringing \"Eulogy,\" which stars Ray Romano and Debra Winger. Myriad president Kirk D'Amico said of the current indie fascination with recognizable stars, \"Really interesting material and cast with recognizable (names) helps pretty dramatically, in terms of our ability to sell the film and then the distributors' ability to market it, as (Fox Searchlight) did so well with 'The Good Girl.' \" [Ed note: But he doesn't mention that he's bringing Trauma :-( ] But for all the optimism in the air, some lament the outbreaks of frenzied dealmaking that inevitably occur at the fest -- even when companies swear they're going to forego bidding wars. \"We look as Sundance as a great place to launch movies,\" said Sony Pictures Classics co-topper Tom Bernard, whose company will have four films in the festival this year. \"But it's the worst place on Earth to attempt to acquire a movie. I think it would be much easier if the festival set up some sort of virtual marketplace\" like the one for Cannes. Said Shaun Redick of ICM's indie film department: \"This year doesn't have the feel of a buyer's festival, but could be a showcase of exciting debut filmmakers with a plethora of original concepts and story lines. More than ever, it's difficult to get a sneak preview of a Sundance selection, so with what seems to be a Sundance record of first-time directors, there is a lot of anticipation from the distributors.\""}, {"response": 20, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (10:11)", "body": "I liked Seabiscuit very much. Too bad it came out so early in the year. MAJOR surprises in the SAG Award noms, which were just announced. All the indies got in; hardly any big stuido fare. As Nelson on The Simpsons would say: \"HA -ha.\" When the nominations were annonced this moring for the Screen Actors Guild Awards, it was the small that was rewarded. Small movies, like Miramax's \"The Station Agent;\" small stars, like its star Peter Dinklage, and small studios like Newmarket Films, United Artists, Fox Searchlight and Lions Gate, which all netted best female actor noms for movies like \"Whale Rider,\" \"Pieces of April\", \"Thirteen\" and \"The Cooler.\" Miramax and Warner Bros. tied with four noms apiece, with Miramax's \"Station Agent\" and WB's \"Mystic River\" each providing three of the four. In primetime television, NBC dominated with 13 nominations overall, followed closely on the heels by CBS and HBO, with 10 noms apiece. In the television movie or miniseries category, cable shut out network, with \"Angels in America,\" performing especially well with six noms; \"Everybody Loves Raymond\" also earned six noms in three categories. The most lauded thesp was Patricia Clarkson, rewarded with three nominations, one for her supporting role in \"Pieces of April,\" and two for \"Station Agent\" for the lead actress and as part of the cast. The 10th annual Screen Actors Guild awards will air Sunday, Feb. 22, on TNT at 5 p.m. Pacific. And the nominees are... Actor Johnny Depp, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (BV) Peter Dinklage, The Station Agent (Miramax) Ben Kingsley, House of Sand and Fog (Dreamworks) Bill Murray, Lost in Translation (Focus) Sean Penn, Mystic River (WB) Actress Patricia Clarkson, The Station Agent (Miramax) Diane Keaton, Something's Gotta Give (Columbia) Charlize Theron, Monster (Newmarket) Naomi Watts, 21 Grams (Focus) Evan Rachel Wood, Thirteen (Fox Searchlight) Supporting Actor Alec Baldwin, The Cooler (Lions Gate) Chris Cooper, Seabiscuit (Universal) Benicio Del Toro, 21 Grams (Focus) Tim Robbins, Mystic River (WB) Ken Watanabe, The Last Samurai (WB) Supporting Actress Maria Bello, The Cooler (Lions Gate) Keisha Castle-Hughes, Whale Rider (Newmarket) Patricia Clarkson, Pieces of April (United) Holly Hunter, Thirteen (Fox Searchlight) Renee Zellweger, Cold Mountain (Miramax) Cast In America Emma Bolger, Sarah Bolger, Paddy Considine, Djimon Hounsou, Samantha Morton (Fox Searchlight) The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Sean Astin, Sean Bean, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Billy Boyd, Bernard Hill, Ian Holm, Ian McKellen, Dominic Monaghan, Viggo Mortensen, John Noble, Miranda Otto, John Rhys-Davies, Andy Serkis, Liv Tyler, Karl Urban, Hugo Weaving, David Wenham, Elijah Wood (New Line) Mystic River Kevin Bacon, Laurence Fishburne, Marcia Gay Harden, Laura Linney, Sean Penn, Tim Robbins (WB) Seabiscuit Elizabeth Banks, Jeff Bridges, Chris Cooper, William H. Macy, Tobey Maguire, Gary Stevens (U) The Station Agent Paul Benjamin, Bobby Cannavale, Patricia Clarkson, Peter Dinklage, Raven Goodwin, Michelle Williams (Miramax)"}, {"response": 21, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (10:31)", "body": "Best Actress: Naomi Watts, 21 Grams Best Supporting Actor: Benicio Del Toro, 21 Grams Games playing. Sorry, I don't buy this structure. The three actors all had equal roles. Three leads. By putting BDT in this category, someone like Bobby Cannavale from The Station Agent, got bumped. BDT should've gotten Johnny Depp's slot. I can't believe they'd reward that kind of cartoonish performance. :-("}, {"response": 22, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (10:45)", "body": "The three actors all had equal roles. Three leads Yep. But that's how they had their studios put their names forward. Happens all the itme."}, {"response": 23, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (10:49)", "body": "I know, doesn't mean I have to like it. ;-) Don't you think Johnny Depp actually deserves the Cyril Ritchard Memorial Award?"}, {"response": 24, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (10:57)", "body": "the Cyril Ritchard Memorial Award Thanks. Now I'll be singing \"Never smile at a croc-o-dile\" all day."}, {"response": 25, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (11:05)", "body": "Am v. glad to see In America nommed for Best Cast (SAG's equivalent of Best Picture). A really good film, but that reminds me...Djimon Hounsou deserved a slot for Best Supporting Actor."}, {"response": 26, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (15:06)", "body": "For ODB... John Gress for The New York Times Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips, whose EP is up against Radiohead, Sigur Ros, the White Stripes and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs for a Grammy. CHICAGO, Jan. 13 \ufffd Two hours before the White Stripes and the Flaming Lips ushered in 2004 with their double-bill New Year's Eve concert at the historic Aragon Ballroom here, the Flaming Lips were onstage blowing up oversize balloons, posing inflatable robots and setting up a giant video screen and confetti machine for their extravagant multimedia show. By contrast, Jack and Meg White, who make up the White Stripes, were mostly backstage until performance time, their roadies, in black suits and bowler hats, guarding their dressing suite. The White Stripes are rock stars, and stars are not supposed to do stagehand work. The same cannot be said of the members of the Flaming Lips: Wayne Coyne, Michael Ivins and Steven Drozd. A psychedelic pop band from Oklahoma City, the Flaming Lips have been toiling largely outside the notice of the mainstream for 20 years. But while most rock bands flare and disappear like Roman candles, the Flaming Lips have survived, steadily building a following, winning the praise of critics (ed note...and YKW) and selling ever more discs with each release. Now they find themselves in elite company, nominated for a major Grammy Award along with some of the biggest names in rock: Radiohead, Sigur Ros, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and, yes, the White Stripes. The nomination is for \"Fight Test,\" an extended-play disc that Flaming Lips released in April on the Warner Brothers label. Even with just two new original songs (and five remixes and covers), it was nominated for best alternative album. Picture and the rest is here: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/14/arts/music/14LIPS.html?th"}, {"response": 27, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (16:06)", "body": "Supporting Actress- Keisha Castle-Hughes, Whale Rider (Newmarket) Now this is just silly. I understand the reason for shifting categories to increase nom chances..... but really. Though I'm thrilled to see her recognized. That movie cames out \"eons\" ago (in movie time). Thanks for posting that article, Linda. Read the print version yesterday and forgot to search online and post it when I got home."}, {"response": 28, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (16:06)", "body": "#$*&^#! There."}, {"response": 29, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (17:34)", "body": "Hmmm, hadn't noticed that one. Guess I didn't care about the category. Pathetic. :-( Interesting article about American films: http://www.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/2004_01/nosex.php"}, {"response": 30, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (18:14)", "body": "Yet she has lead parts in French movies that have her characters' particular predicaments at the centre of their stories. Which no one goes to see in France. They go to see American movies. SOS. They just don't get it..Studios make movies that people want to see. And moreover *pay* to see them. Tell BFI: 1-800-Richard Curtis"}, {"response": 31, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (01:26)", "body": "The Art Directors Guild (ADG) today announced nominations in six categories of Production Design for motion pictures and television competing in the ADG's Eighth Annual Excellence in Production Design Awards for the year 2003...Deadline for final voting by the 1,000-members of ADG is February 11. Black-tie ceremonies announcing winners will take place Saturday, February 14, from the International Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton Hotel. FOR EXCELLENCE IN PRODUCTION DESIGN FOR A FEATURE FILM IN 2003: Period or Fantasy Film Girl with a Pearl Earring, Production Designer: Ben Van Os The Last Samurai, Production Designer: Lilly Kilvert Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Production Designer: Grant Major Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Production Designer: Brian Morris Seabiscuit, Production Designer: Jeannine Oppewal Contemporary Film Kill Bill Vol. I, Production Designer: David Wasco and Yohei Taneda Lost in Translation, Production Designer: K.K. Barrett and Anne Ross Mystic River, Production Designer: Henry Bumstead Something's Gotta Give, Production Designer: Jon Hutman Under the Tuscan Sun, Production Designer: Stephen McCabe EXCELLENCE IN PRODUCTION DESIGN IN TELEVISION FOR 2003: Single Camera Television Series 24, Production Designer: Joseph Hodges Alias, Production Designer: Scott Chambliss Carnivale, Production Designer: Bernt Capra C.S.I. Crime Scene Investigation: Production Designer: Jon Hutman Las Vegas: Production Designer: Peter Politanoff Multi-Camera Television Series Arrested Development: In God We Trust, Production Designer: Dawn Snyder Coupling, Production Designer: Thomas E. Azzari King of Queens, Production Designer: Scott Heineman Life with Bonnie, Production Designer: Robert Strohmaier Will & Grace, Production Designer: Glenda Rovello Television Movie or Mini-Series Angels in America, Production Designer: Stuart Wurtzel Helen of Troy, Production Designer: James F. Allen and Miljen Kljakovic Hitler: The Rise of Evil, Production Designer: Marek Dobrowolski Napoleon, Production Designer: Richard Cunin The Reagans, Production Designer: Barbara Dunphy Variety or Awards Show, Music Special, or Documentary 37th Annual Country Music Awards, Production Designer: Rene Lagler 45th Annual Grammy Awards, Production Designer: Bob Keene 75th Annual Academy Awards, Production Designer: Roy Christopher Dinosaur Planet, Production Designer: Mark L. Walters Moments in Time: Valley Forge - The Crucible, Production Designer: John R. Mott"}, {"response": 32, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (09:49)", "body": "Change afoot on 'Six Feet Under' Fri Jan 16, 6:19 AM ET Add Entertainment - USATODAY.com to My Yahoo! William Keck, USA TODAY When Six Feet Under returns to HBO on June 6, the Fisher clan will be thrown into \"life-altering experiences and sexual experimentation,\" promises executive producer Alan Poul. \"Our intention is to return to the lighter, unpredictable tone of the first two seasons.\" Expect familiar faces in guest roles: \ufffd Mena Suvari (news), who worked with show creator Alan Ball in the movie American Beauty, joins the cast in the second episode as an art-school friend of Claire (Lauren Ambrose (news)). \"Mena's character is a provocative performance artist and a strong feminist who doesn't care what anyone thinks,\" Poul says. \ufffd Ben Foster returns as Claire's bisexual boyfriend, Russell. \ufffd Claire's former boyfriend Gabriel (Eric Balfour) may not be as dead as viewers were led to believe, though this is unconfirmed by the producers. \ufffdCharlie's Angels: Full Throttle bad guy Justin Theroux returns as musician Joe, who will strike up a serious romance with Brenda (Rachel Griffiths (news)). Poul says to expect a love triangle with Nate (Peter Krause (news)) as the season evolves. Poul says David (Michael C. Hall (news)) and Keith (Mathew St. Patrick (news)) will try to save their rocky relationship by pursuing separate life paths. For Keith, that means bodyguarding a Britney Spears (news)-type pop princess, played by Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Michelle Trachtenberg (news). In the third episode, the pop star makes a \"guest appearance\" on The Ellen DeGeneres (news) Show, with DeGeneres playing herself. Ruth Fisher (Frances Conroy) will face a more complicated life with the return of sister Sarah (Patricia Clarkson) and mischievous friend Bettina (Kathy Bates (news)). She also will have to deal with new husband George (James Cromwell (news)). She will \"realize she might not know this man as well as she thought she did,\" Poul says. As for the imaginative opening deaths, Poul says one will involve an interaction with a sex toy."}, {"response": 33, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (10:15)", "body": "No prima donnas at the Morning Ray By Nancy Hobbs Special to The Salt Lake City Tribune Jabbing fun at the pomposity of some Sundance festivalgoers has brought Morning Ray Cafe owner Jason Sanford more than a little attention, not to mention customers and money. And yet he does it, he says, to maintain some sanity through the 10-day festival \"zoo,\" when the streets of Park City are filled with \"pushy people who want it yesterday\" and take everything -- particularly themselves -- too seriously. He started posting a list of \"rules\" for festival patrons dining in his cafe several years ago, and though they are generally considered funny, Sanford says he does enforce them. Take, for example, his rule on general decorum: \"If you are pushy, rude, abusive or otherwise obnoxious or unpleasant, you will be asked to leave immediately,\" it states. \"Don't believe us? Try it -- we could use the space.\" Another reads, \"Please bear with us: We are trying our best in the face of utter chaos. Whining will not help your cause, nor ours.\" Sanford refuses to tolerate boorish behavior and has booted more customers than he likes to count. \"I don't buy that the customer is always right. They can meet me halfway,\" he says. \"The customer is important, but respect is a two-way street.\" Apparently others agree. Last year, in a further display of cheekiness, Sanford and staff greeted patrons on the first day of the festival wearing black T-shirts with, \"Do you have any idea who I am?\" printed on the front. On the back: \"Good. Then we're even.\" By 8 a.m. the following morning, all two dozen of the shirts he had made were sold off the staff's backs, and an order was placed for another 27 dozen -- with the Morning Ray logo, of course. They sold out in three days. No doubt lots of those customers will return to the Morning Ray during this festival, as they have in years past. Though he is best known for his attitude, Sanford says his food -- particularly the breakfast, vegan and vegetarian options -- are popular with the film crowd. \"And I am thankful for that.\""}, {"response": 34, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (14:13)", "body": "Need an Addled Old Rocker? Call for Bill Nighy Fri Jan 16, 8:58 AM ET By Paul Majendie LONDON (Reuters) - When it comes to drug-addled rock dinosaurs, no one does them better than Bill Nighy. Now Oscar glory beckons for Nighy who stole the hit comedy \"Love Actually\" with his riotous portrayal of the dilapidated rocker who said: \"Wouldn't it be great if the number one hit this Christmas wasn't some smug teenager but an old heroin addict?\" But at the ripe old age of 54, the self-deprecating Englishman is not getting carried away by Hollywood hype. \"I handle it with a packet of salt,\" he told Reuters before flying out to Hollywood to receive his Best Supporting Actor award next week from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association (news - web sites). \"It is the capital of the movie world and for them to spell my name properly is a serious leap forward and I am very grateful.\" But what about the chances of an Oscar for the angular actor who built his career on the British stage but has now blossomed as a screen star from a vampire in \"Underworld\" to an eccentric writer in \"I Capture The Castle\" \"I have great difficulty in imagining me getting an Oscar. The odds are so long that it is best to let other people think of it,\" he said. \"They don't often give big prizes for comic performances.\" The raffishly thin Nighy may be endearingly apologetic about his acting ability but the smart money could be on him after the L.A. critics unusually gave him the Best Supporting Actor award for his body of work over the past year. In 1998's \"Still Crazy,\" Nighy won plaudits playing the insecure and frightened leader of a British 1970s band on a comeback tour. In \"Love Actually\" he is on the comeback trail again as outrageous rocker Billy Mack. Nighy has a talent for looking as if he is having huge fun on screen but he confessed: \"I have an averagely anxious disposition. I have difficulty persuading myself it is a good day to act.\" Still, the assignment was not that tough. \"Posing by a fake mountain and fake snow flanked by seven models in four-inch heels and mini Santa Claus outfits does wonders at my time of life,\" he admitted. He has no hang-ups about being typecast. \"It is what you get offered. People think of tired, knackered old rockers when they look at me. (Comedian) Billy Connolly (news) told me I had rock 'n' roll legs. You need them to get into tight velvet pants.\" Costumes have a lot to do with him never wanting to do Shakespeare. He has no burning desire to be the definitive Macbeth. \"It is the clothes. I cannot relax in a pair of balloon trousers. And those tights are out of the question.\" Nighy is refreshingly frank talking about the intricacies of acting but it is always a struggle. \"You have to deal with self-consciousness and fear,\" he said of his craft. \"I just like good material and paying the rent,\" he concluded. \"I have been luckier than most. I want to do things you feel good about and give you some dignity.\""}, {"response": 35, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (16:18)", "body": "Now Oscar glory beckons for Nighy who stole the hit comedy \"Love Actually\" with his riotous portrayal of the dilapidated rocker I agree. Thanks for the articles, Dorine, Mari and Murph!"}, {"response": 36, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 2004 (19:36)", "body": "(BN)I just like good material and paying the rent,\" he concluded. \"I have been luckier than most. I want to do things you feel good about and give you some dignity.\" Just another jobbing actor;-)"}, {"response": 37, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 2004 (12:45)", "body": "The Producers Guild of America is pleased to announce the nominated motion picture and television productions and honorees for the 2004 Producers Guild Awards, taking place on Saturday, January 17th at the Century Plaza Hotel. The nominees are: 15th Annual Event to be Held Saturday, January 17th Darryl F. Zanuck Producer of the Year Award in Theatrical Motion Pictures Cold Mountain (Miramax Films) Sydney Pollack William Horberg Albert Berger & Ron Yerxa The Last Samurai (Warner Bros.) Marshall Herskovitz & Edward Zwick Tom Cruise & Paula Wagner The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (New Line Cinema) Barrie M. Osborne Peter Jackson Fran Walsh Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (Twentieth Century Fox) Samuel Goldwyn Jr. Peter Weir Duncan Henderson Mystic River (Warner Bros.) Robert Lorenz Judie G. Hoyt Clint Eastwood Seabiscuit (Universal Pictures) Kathleen Kennedy Frank Marshall Gary Ross David L. Wolper Producer of the Year Award in Long-Form Television And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself (HBO) Joshua D. Maurer Mark Gordon Larry Gelbart Hitler: The Rise of Evil (CBS) Peter Sussman Ed Gernon John Ryan My House in Umbria (HBO) Frank Doelger Robert Allan Ackerman Ann Wingate Normal (HBO) Cary Brokaw Lydia Dean Pilcher The Pentagon Papers (fX) Joshua D. Maurer Norman Felton Producer of the Year Award in Episodic Television - Drama Alias (ABC) J.J. Abrams John Eisendrath Ken Olin Sarah Caplan C.S.I. Crime Scene Investigation (CBS) Jerry Bruckheimer Carol Mendelsohn Anthony E. Zuiker Ann M. Donahue Jonathan Littman Danny Cannon Cynthia Chvatal & William Petersen Louis Milito Six Feet Under (HBO) Alan Ball Alan Poul Robert Greenblatt & David Janollari 24 (FOX) Joel Surnow Robert Cochran Brian Grazer Howard Gordon Norman Powell The West Wing (NBC) Aaron Sorkin Thomas Schlamme John Wells Alex Graves Christopher Misiano Llewellyn Wells Neal Ahern, Jr. Danny Thomas Producer of the Year Award in Episodic Television - Comedy Everybody Loves Raymond (CBS) Ray Romano Philip Rosenthal Lisa Helfrich Jackson Ken Ornstein Malcolm In the Middle (FOX) Linwood Boomer Jimmy S. Simons Matthew Carlson Gary Murphy & Neil Thompson Michael Glouberman & Andrew Orenstein Michael Borkow Alex Reid Rob Hanning Scrubs (NBC) Bill Lawrence Randall Winston Sex and the City (HBO) Michael Patrick King Cindy Chupack John P. Melfi Sarah Jessica Parker Jenny Bicks Jane Raab Will & Grace (NBC) Max Mutchnick & David Kohan James Burrows Jeff Greenstein Jhoni Marchinko Tim Kaiser Producer of the Year Award in Reality /Game/Informational Series The Amazing Race 4 (CBS) Jerry Bruckheimer Bertram van Munster Elise Doganieri (by Petition) Jonathan Littman Jon Kroll Hayma Screech Washington Anthony Dominici Rick Ringbakk Evan Weinstein (by Petition) Brady Connell Julian Grimmond Shannon McGinn Michael Norton Michael Noval Jym Buss (by Petition) Glenn Stickley (by Petition) Bill Pruitt (by Petition) Nancy Gunn (by Petition) Scott Owens (by Petition) American Idol (FOX) Simon Fuller Nigel Lythgoe Ken Warwick David Goffin Biography (A&E) (Various Independent Producers) Project Greenlight (HBO) Ben Affleck Matt Damon Chris Moore Sean Bailey Dan Cutforth & Jane Lipsitz Eli Holzman Tony Yates Queer Eye for the Straight Guy (Bravo) David Collins Michael Williams David Metzler Lynn Sadofsky Survivor: Pearl Islands (CBS) Mark Burnett Craig Armstrong Tom Shelly Vittoria Cacciatore Holly M. Wofford Douglas McCallie Maria Baltazzi Adam Briles Cathrine Nilsen Conrad Riggs HONOREES Milestone Award being presented to Warren Beatty David O. Selznick Achievement Award in Theatrical Motion Pictures being presented to Dino De Laurentiis David Susskind Achievement Award in Television being presented to Lorne Michaels Vanguard Award Sponsored by Intel and United Airlines Recognizing outstanding achievement in new media and technology being presented to James Cameron Visonary Award Sponsored by Future Media Recognizing the producers whose work demonstrates a unique or uplifting vision or quality being presented to Mike Nichols and Cary Brokaw for ANGELS IN AMERICA Stanley Kramer Award Recognizing an achievement or contribution that illuminates provocative social issues in an accessible and elevating fashion being presented to Jim Sheridan and Arthur Lappin for IN AMERICA http://www.producersguild.org/pg/awards_a/"}, {"response": 38, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 2004 (18:12)", "body": "Tress here....Hello all! Dorine and I are in Sundance...have done a preliminary walkabout on Main Street. No Colin, but several others...within first five minutes we saw Tim Daly and Minnie Driver (who spotted Dorine and turned and ran into a tea shop...but not before I began to covet her really 'interesting' and personlized Uggs. Pink...with \"Locals Only\" on the back. Wearing cute white parka too...). Saw Mare Winningham (twice), the Nip/Tuck guy (Julian McMahon) and some blonde girl we can't remember the name of, being interviewed on the street. An assortment of REALLY attractive men with beautiful blue eyes (sorry for yelling, but they are REALLY good looking!). Dorine here!.... reporting live from the Park City Marriott..... Let me tell you, I'm beside myself at the thought of seeing Ashton and Demi tonight! I am all anticipation! ;-D Signing off for now!"}, {"response": 39, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 2004 (19:31)", "body": "Good to hear from our intrepid Sundance reporters.... LOL. Glad you could identify these glitzy folks... but hey, go hang out at the loo and look for the guy with the chocolate brown eyes...and dimples;-)"}, {"response": 40, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 2004 (20:37)", "body": "Hi to our Sundancers!! Glad to see that you got there safe and sound and am looking forward to your reports from the high country!"}, {"response": 41, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 2004 (20:41)", "body": "Godspeed Dorine and Tress..May the force be with you!"}, {"response": 42, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 2004 (23:25)", "body": "Dorine and Tress...glad you made it safely! Don't trip over all the uggs, take lots of pics and keep warm with some martinis (or Irish coffees..whichever is in style this year);-)!"}, {"response": 43, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 2004 (12:54)", "body": "Tomorrow's the big day for Trauma. Crossing my fingers for you two and our third representative, Sandi! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Looks like there's one member of the Hollywood Foreign Press fighting back; interesting bit about Richard Curtis too: How the world warmed to the Globes The once maligned Golden Globe awards are now second only to the Oscars in importance. Voter John Hiscock explains why I have marked my ballot, sealed it in an envelope and dropped it in a Federal Express collection box for delivery to Ernst and Young, the Los Angeles accountants who tally the votes for the Golden Globe awards. Whether or not my choices coincide with those of my 89 fellow voters in the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, I won't know until the winners are announced at the awards ceremony on January 25. The Golden Globes evening has long been known as a giant party: a star-filled, champagne and cocktail-fuelled orgy of back-patting and table-hopping where the world's leading actors, actresses and directors relish the informality of an event where there is always a feeling that anything can happen. In previous years Jack Nicholson mooned the audience, Ren\ufffde Zellweger was in the ladies' room when she should have been picking up her Golden Globe and Ving Rhames insisted on passing his trophy on to Jack Lemmon because, he said, he was more deserving of it. The star turnout far surpasses that for the Oscars, partly because of its reputation as a zany, let-your-hair-down evening and partly because the Globes ceremony hands out more awards \ufffd there are separate categories for best drama and best comedy or musical \ufffd and embraces television, too. But in recent years the Globes have also come to be viewed as a vital part of the film industry, second in importance only to the Oscars and having a great impact on a film's financial success. As Miramax co-chairman Harvey Weinstein says: \"A successful awards season can mean the difference between a movie grossing $5 million and grossing $20 million.\" Veteran publicist Tony Angellotti believes the Golden Globes have become a major force over the past decade. \"The Golden Globes are one big, huge promotion for the motion picture industry,\" he said. \"Also, the Globes act as a benchmark and launching pad for the awards season and bring to the attention of a whole lot of people who vote for other awards films that they did not see.\" In the past the Globes have proved to be a fairly reliable forecaster for the Oscars, and only once in the past decade has there been a best picture Globe winner that did not win the Oscar: 1996, when Babe and Sense and Sensibility won Golden Globes but Braveheart took home the Oscar. The ceremony will be of particular significance this year because, due to a calendar shuffle, the Globes will be handed out only two days before the Oscar nominations are announced and will certainly influence the 6,000 Academy voters' final choices. This year's Golden Globes ceremony will be the 61st hosted by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, a group of journalists \ufffd of which, for the past seven years I have been one \ufffd who were fortunate that their predecessors who founded the organisation doggedly persevered with the Globes despite setbacks, derision and accusations of corruption. Although everybody now knows of the Golden Globes, not many are familiar with the background and the organisation behind it. There is no mystery. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association was founded in the early 1940s by a group of Los Angeles-based foreign journalists in an attempt to gain more clout with the studios and make it easier to get access to stars. Today it has 90 members from 55 countries, most of whom are working journalists, with the odd retired schoolteacher and engineer left over from the days when conditions of entry were not so strict. Now only bona fide journalists are admitted. In the early years of the Golden Globes, few nominees bothered to attend the ceremony and the association had to fend off charges of \"selling\" Globes to those who provided the best gifts or laid on the best parties. The association gained a reputation as being freeloaders who, as one journalist put it, \"would sell their votes for a vodka and tonic and cross the Alps for a hot dog\". Although it happened more than 20 years ago, the association is still dogged by the Pia Zadora fiasco, when she was voted most promising newcomer after members had been flown to Las Vegas and wined and dined by her casino-owner husband Meshulam Riklis. And it was rumoured to be no coincidence that Sharon Stone won the best actress award in 1995 for Casino shortly after she sent every member of the association an expensive money clip and a hand-written note. But since NBC began televising the Globes in 1996, the rules have tightened up. Members must now sign an agreement that they will not receive valuable gifts, and, four years ago when Sharon Stone drew attention to her performance in The Muse by sending everyone a \ufffd250 watch, th"}, {"response": 44, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 2004 (14:22)", "body": "Tress and Dorine best of luck. Keep your eyes open, hang out at the loos, and have a grand old time. Hope Trauma keeps you rivited to your seats. Can't wait to hear more."}, {"response": 45, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 2004 (14:44)", "body": "Dorine here!.... reporting live from the Park City Marriott..... Let me tell you, I'm beside myself at the thought of seeing Ashton and Demi tonight! I am all anticipation! ;-D Hello Tress and Dorine, watch out you're not PUNK'D! Will be awaiting your reports."}, {"response": 46, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 2004 (16:00)", "body": "Hi all! Intrepid Sundance reporters here!! Dorine speaking.... First off, Ashton sends his love and Demi sent her regrets.....seems she wasn't in the mood to walk the red carpet....or maybe she heard what we were told from the security guard at the front door of the theater, \"You don't want to see this (The Butterfly Effect), it sucks!\" Other red carpeters.....Paris Hilton, who seemed camera shy and not wanting to pose for any of the 200 pictures we were able to get. A very shy girl ;-) . Also graced with the presence of Soleil Moon Frye (Punky Brewster), Amy Smart, and a big guy who was in Remember the Titans....and presumably this one. Last night sightings on Main St....Hank Azaria, and Nick Carter of Backstreet Boys standing in line at ICM party....he's rather short, like a hand puppet according to Tress. Mariott sightings yesterday....Mario Van Peebles and dad, and everyones's favorite critic, Richard Roeper, and the guy from The Guardian (help me out on the name ;-)). This mornings, literally had just set foot our of the taxi and saw Mark Ruffalo (Tress loved his hair) then Danny Glover (who wears Dansko clogs). Shared taxi to Marriott with Jeff from Canadian consulate (Johnny Depp lookalike), who invited us to the Canadian hospitality suite for happy hour. We're so there! Drinks and (hopefully) food before we try for rush tix for Robert Redford's flick, The Clearing and The Machinist with Christian Bale. Saw a *fabulous* film today called Maria, Full of Grace with rush tix. Was World Premiere, cast and director did Q&A. American director, in Spanish, with subtitles. It's about drug trafficking using mules. Are off to search for pic of Marc Evans, but feel free to help us out. :-)"}, {"response": 47, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 2004 (16:22)", "body": "Here you go:"}, {"response": 48, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 2004 (16:23)", "body": "Good to hear from DDs on the scene!!! Am very jealous of the excitement, and wish you the best! Hopefully, this might help the hunt. ;-)"}, {"response": 49, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 2004 (16:27)", "body": "I'm on a roll..."}, {"response": 50, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 2004 (17:25)", "body": "And one more for good measure;-) Enjoy the party!!!"}, {"response": 51, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 2004 (17:27)", "body": "WOO-HOO for the Sundance Kids!"}, {"response": 52, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 2004 (17:30)", "body": "Talk about Witness Protection Program photos... Dark Marc ain't v. purdy."}, {"response": 53, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 2004 (17:34)", "body": "Nothing wrong with him. Besides, he's on the other side of the camera."}, {"response": 54, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 2004 (21:40)", "body": "On this day in history... posted by bean January 17 1820: (Birthday) Anne Bront\ufffd, author of Tenant of Wildfell Hall (1848) and Agness Gray (1847), and sister of Emily and Charlotte Bront\ufffd, born at Thornton in West Yorkshire. (BTW, according to one website, the Bront\ufffd birthplace is (or was recently) for sale -- just for those of you house hunting right now)."}, {"response": 55, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 2004 (04:38)", "body": "BAFTA nominations are out... 10 for GWAPE! And even some for LA Best film Big Fish Cold Mountain Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Lost in Translation Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World Best British film (Alexander Korda award for the outstanding British film of the year) Cold Mountain Girl with a Pearl Earring In This World Love Actually Touching the Void Best director (David Lean award for achievement in direction) Tim Burton - Big Fish Anthony Minghella - Cold Mountain Peter Jackson - The Return of the King Sofia Coppola - Lost in Translation Peter Weir - Master and Commander Best actor in a leading role Benicio Del Toro - 21 Grams Bill Murray - Lost in Translation Johnny Depp - Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl Jude Law - Cold Mountain Sean Penn - Mystic River Sean Penn - 21 Grams Best actress in a leading role Anne Reid - The Mother Naomi Watts - 21 Grams Scarlett Johansson - Girl with a Pearl Earring Scarlett Johansson - Lost in Translation Uma Thurman - Kill Bill Vol. 1 Best actor in a supporting role Albert Finney - Big Fish Bill Nighy - Love Actually Sir Ian McKellen - The Return of the King Paul Bettany - Master and Commander Tim Robbins - Cold Mountain Best actress in a supporting role Emma Thompson - Love Actually Holly Hunter - Thirteen Judy Parfitt - Girl with a Pearl Earring Laura Linney - Mystic River Renee Zellweger - Cold Mountain Best film not in the English language The Barbarian Invasions Belleville Rendez-vous Etre et Avoir Good Bye Lenin! In This World Spirited Away Original screenplay 21 Grams The Barbarian Invasions Finding Nemo Lost in Translation The Station Agent Adapted screenplay Big Fish Cold Mountain Girl with a Pearl Earring The Return of the King Mystic River Carl Foreman Award (for special achievement by a British director/producer/writer in their first feature film) Sergio Casci - American Cousins Jenny Mayhew - To Kill A King Peter Webber - Girl with a Pearl Earring Emily Young - Kiss of Life Short animation Dads Dead Dear Sweet Emma Jojo in the Stars Nibbles Plumber Short film Brown Paper Bag Bye Child Nits Sea Monsters Talking with Angels Make Up & Hair Big Fish Cold Mountain Girl with a Pearl Earring The Return of the King Pirates of the Caribbean Visual Effects Big Fish Kill Bill The Return of the King Master and Commander Pirates of the Caribbean Sound Cold Mountain Kill Bill The Return of the King Master and Commander Pirates of the Caribbean Editing 21 Grams Cold Mountain Kill Bill Return of the King Lost in Translation Costume design Cold Mountain Girl with a Pearl Earring The Return of the King Master and Commander Pirates of the Caribbean Production design Big Fish Cold Mountain Girl with a Pearl Earring The Return of the King Master and Commander Cinematography Cold Mountain Girl with a Pearl Earring The Return of the King Lost in Translation Master and Commander Music (Anthony Asquith award for achievement in film music) Cold Mountain Girl with a Pearl Earring Kill Bill The Return of the King Lost in Translation"}, {"response": 56, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 2004 (10:13)", "body": "Thanks for posting the list, Emma. From Empire: \"Given his credentials, Richard Curtis was conspicuous by his absence in both directing and writing categories. 'I can't, apart from my own film, see any huge omissions in the list.' said Love Actually's producer Duncan Kenworthy who as Chair of the BAFTA's Film Committee attended the press conference.\""}, {"response": 57, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 2004 (10:31)", "body": "I see they didn't nominate RC for Best Actor;-))))) Big night for SJ , Peter Weir & Sofia... Glad for GWAPE even if....:-((("}, {"response": 58, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 2004 (10:35)", "body": "I see they didn't nominate RC for Best Actor;-))))) They couldn't guarantee that his acceptance speech wouldn't be cut.;-) I see a big omission: Ben Kingsley for House of Sand and Fog. Not sure why Cold Mountain is a British film."}, {"response": 59, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 2004 (10:41)", "body": "So this is where he was yesterday;-))))) AP COSTNER BIG ARSENAL FAN \"Actor Kevin Costner celebrated his 49th birthday Sunday by cheering for Arsenal during its 2-0 victory over Aston Villa in an English Premier League game. When Costner arrived in London on Saturday, he immediately asked where Arsenal was playing. He made arrangements to fly by helicopter to the game. \"My first introductioin to English football was in 1990, when I was over here making Robin Hood,\" Costner said.. \"Having watched sports all my life in America, there was no comparison in terms of the emotion that was in the stadium that day.\""}, {"response": 60, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 2004 (10:47)", "body": "I tend to agree with much of the below. Why didn't any of the Best British Films make into the Best Film category? Makes the former appear to be a second-rate category. Brits miss out as Bafta hopefuls By Neil Smith British talent has been largely passed over by this year's Bafta film awards. Jude Law and director Anthony Minghella have been recognised for Cold Mountain, and there is a strong showing in the supporting acting categories. But there are some notable absentees that suggest Britain's traditional dominance at this event may be on the wane. The mood was defiantly upbeat at Monday's nominations announcement, with host Stephen Fry trumpeting the British nominees. \"The shortlist demonstrates the depth of British talent,\" said Fry. \"There's a diverse talent in Britain still, which any other nation apart from America must envy.\" But a closer look at the nominations reveals that UK films have been largely sidelined in favour of big-budget blockbusters from the US and Australasia. Working Title production Love Actually, the most successful British film of 2003, gets two best supporting actor nominations and a nod for best screenplay. [Ed note: Huh?] But while it is up for the Alexander Korda award for outstanding British feature, it failed to make the shortlist for best film. Neither did UK-Luxembourg co-production Girl with a Pearl Earring, despite being recognised in 10 categories - the highest number of nominations after Cold Mountain and The Return of the King. British comedy Calendar Girls is a surprise omission, with both Helen Mirren and Julie Walters overlooked for acting honours. So are Hugh Grant for Love Actually and Colin Firth for Girl with a Pearl Earring. And there is no nomination for Sir Ben Kingsley, despite his Golden Globe recognition for House of Sand and Fog. Dinner Ladies star Anne Reid can be proud of her best actress nomination for BBC-funded The Mother. But she is an outsider to win as Scarlett Johansson's two nominations make her the clear favourite in this category. Best actor nominee Law is also unlikely to triumph over stiff competition from Bill Murray and Sean Penn - who, like Johansson, is nominated twice in the same category. Britain's best hope for a gong lies in the supporting actor field, where four out of the five nominees - Sir Ian McKellen, Albert Finney, Paul Bettany and Bill Nighy - hail from these shores. Love Actually's Emma Thompson and Girl with a Pearl Earring's Judy Parfitt make up the British contingent in the best supporting actress category. Perhaps the most interesting British nominee is In This World, nominated for both British film of the year and best film not in the English language. But the recognition given to this low-budget asylum seeker drama is the exception to the rule in a year where Bafta voters have largely snubbed homegrown fare. \"Bafta voters have shown themselves over the years to be very independent and have a global outlook,\" Bafta chairman Michael Atwell told BBC News Online. \"We are quite prepared to be critical of homegrown British talent.\" The Baftas have traditionally been seen as a partisan event and for many years took place after the Academy Awards. But the decision to move the ceremony to a date before the Oscars means the awards are now taken increasingly seriously by Hollywood. The tastes of Bafta and Academy voters often differ though. Last year's best film at the Baftas - Roman Polanski's holocaust drama The Pianist - failed to repeat its success at the Oscars, as did Bafta best actor Daniel Day-Lewis. Moreover, distributors' fears over piracy have made it increasingly difficult for Bafta voters to see films that later figure on the Oscar shortlist. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/3409241.stm"}, {"response": 61, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 2004 (11:12)", "body": "\"The Baftas have traditionally been seen as a partisan event...\" I applaud the change. \"Best is Best\" in the Enlish-speaking category. Don't they already have a \"Best in Britain\" category? So all is not lost. ...besides, they get the Hollywood stars to attend ; one year the best they could do was Andie Mac Dowell."}, {"response": 62, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 2004 (11:46)", "body": "(Evelyn) I applaud the change. I only see the change as they're being star-struck or brain-washed. Big Fish gets a Best Film nomination? I see it as a total lack of integrity and run the risk of becoming the next Hollywood Foreign Press. ;-)"}, {"response": 63, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 2004 (14:42)", "body": "From someone perhaps slightly less influential, a Top 10 list from WDET Detroit/Wayne State University. I'm not even quite sure how I found this one. ;-) Martin Bandyke's Top 10 Films | 2003 1. 21 Grams 2. American Splendor 3. Capturing The Friedmans 4. Girl With a Pearl Earring 5. The Barbarian Invasions 6. Tom Dowd & The Language of Music 7. Lost In Translation 8. Mystic River 9. The Fog Of War 10. To Be And To Have"}, {"response": 64, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 2004 (15:34)", "body": "Thank you, Emma. British comedy Calendar Girls is a surprise omission, with both Helen Mirren and Julie Walters overlooked for acting honours. So are Hugh Grant for Love Actually and Colin Firth for Girl with a Pearl Earring. And there is no nomination for Sir Ben Kingsley, despite his Golden Globe recognition for House of Sand and Fog. Well if YKW had to be omitted at least he was omitted in good company;-( (Mari)Not sure why Cold Mountain is a British film. Raised my eyebrows, too. Various movie sites have it listed as US so what criteria makes a film eligible in the British film category?"}, {"response": 65, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 2004 (16:10)", "body": "Not Russell's year for awards -- but he doesn't need them - he's got little Charlie. Variety: BAFTA favors 'Cold Mountain' with 13 noms while the 'Lord of the Rings' grabs 12 By ADAM DAWTREY LONDON -- \"Cold Mountain\" and \"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King\" lead the race for this year's British Academy Film Awards, with 13 nominations for Anthony Minghella's Civil War drama and 12 for the final part of Peter Jackson's Tolkien trilogy. All that separates the two movies is a nomination for \"Cold Mountain\" in the best British film category, for which \"Return of the King\" is not eligible. These two pics are competing in for the best film prize with Sofia Coppola's \"Lost in Translation\" (eight noms), Peter Weir's \"Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World\" (also eight) and Tim Burton's \"Big Fish\" (seven). Peter Webber's \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" won 10 nods, despite missing out in the best film and best director categories. Scarlett Johansson was nominated twice in the best actress race, for \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" and \"Lost in Translation.\" Sean Penn had the same honor in the best actor category, where he was nominated for \"Mystic River\" and \"21 Grams.\" Johansson is running against local veteran Anne Reid (\"The Mother\"), Naomi Watts (\"21 Grams\") and Uma Thurman (\"Kill Bill: Vol. 1). Penn is up against Benicio Del Toro (\"21 Grams), Bill Murray (\"Lost in Translation\"), Johnny Depp (\"Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl\") and Jude Law (\"Cold Mountain\"). Shock omissions included \"Cold Mountain's\" Nicole Kidman, winner last year for \"The Hours,\" but not nominated this year in the actress race, despite the virtual clean sweep of the film in the other sections. Also missing is Russell Crowe, another recent BAFTA winner, whose performance in \"Master and Commander\" clearly didn't find favor with Brit voters this year. And there were no nominations at all for \"Calendar Girls\" on its home turf. Its failure to make a mark even in the actress or supporting actress category, where British thesps are usually heavily favored, was particularly unexpected. The strong showing for \"Big Fish,\" which has yet to open in Blighty, was perhaps the biggest surprise. It was the only movie from a major studio to be sent out to voters on tape. Testifying to Quentin Tarantino's perennial popularity in Britain, \"Kill Bill Vol. 1\" picked up five nods, as did \"Pirates of the Caribbean\" and \"21 Grams.\" \"Mystic River\" and \"Love Actually\" managed three apiece. The BAFTA film awards ceremony takes place Feb. 15 at the Odeon Leicester Square."}, {"response": 66, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 2004 (16:22)", "body": "(Variety) Testifying to Quentin Tarantino's perennial popularity in Britain, \"Kill Bill Vol. 1\" picked up five nods,... *snort* Look who's saying *America* likes violence. *rolling eyes* ....\"as did 'Pirates of the Caribbean'\" Puh-leeze."}, {"response": 67, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 2004 (16:50)", "body": "Hi all! Dorine here, with my trusty sidekick, Tress! Just a quick blurb on spottings..... Yesterday Willem Defoe and yes, that's right.....Mr. Sundance himself....Robert Redford!!! He dissed us fans, but still has awesome hair (those of you who know me well, know I wanted my hands through it :-P). He's also not so craggy as he appears on the big screen. Looks quite good actually. Also saw Christian Bale at his new movie, The Machinist, last night. He lost 63 lbs for the role, looked like he was anorexic. Was in much better shape last night, having gained the weight back and then some. Today we saw Simon West (The Guardian guy again) being interviewed in the street, and Kyle McLachlan walked by us. Got our Trauma premiere tix for tonight!! Woo Hoo!!! Will post more on Spoilers tomorrow sometime later, and hopefully have something to report on CF topic."}, {"response": 68, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 2004 (17:26)", "body": "Howdy Dorine and Tress! Have a great time this evening and keep warm! I have my fingers, toes, etc. crossed that the jammy git will show. ;-)"}, {"response": 69, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 2004 (18:14)", "body": "(Mari)Not sure why Cold Mountain is a British film. While the criteria defy nailing down, it probably has something to do with Mirage, the production company set up by Minghella and Sydney Pollack."}, {"response": 70, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 2004 (18:25)", "body": "Bafta pledge on movie preview ban Some Bafta voters were affected by the ban on preview tapes A leading Bafta official has promised action to try to combat the impact of any future Hollywood ban on film preview tapes going to awards judges. Duncan Kenworthy, who chairs Bafta's film committee, said the anti-piracy ban on distribution of \"screener\" tapes by US studios had been \"ill conceived\". He told BBC News Online UK-based Bafta voters had been penalised by the move. It was later overturned by a judge after some producers said it would hurt their chances to win awards. Mr Kenworthy said: \"It hasn't proved to be a catastrophe - we have survived. But it's hard to say whether that's because the ban was overturned on time, or because our members have somehow managed to find their way to these films.\" He said Bafta members who lived outside London had been penalised because they had not been able to get to screenings of some shortlisted films. A number of people didn't see enough films this year to vote. That's not a good situation Duncan Kenworthy, Bafta \"Members of Bafta in Scotland, the Midlands, East Anglia, Cornwall find it particularly hard to see all those films, particularly ones that qualify at the last minute. \"I know from my e-mails that a number of people didn't see enough films this year to vote. That's not a good situation and I hope it will be overturned next year.\" He said Bafta had already made \"strenuous representations\" to the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) which enforced the ban. The MPAA relaxed the rules for the Oscars - as long as voters signed an agreement to keep their copies safe. \"Obviously we are all opposed to copyright piracy but I hope that some way can be found to protect the system of sending out screeners to our members,\" he said. Mr Kenworthy, producer of the hit romantic comedy Love Actually, hailed the film's inclusion in Bafta's best British film category. There are also mentions in supporting roles for two of the film's co-stars, Bill Nighy and Emma Thompson. \"I'm thrilled,\" said Mr Kenworthy. \"Normally comedies aren't thought to be award fodder, and I'm delighted for Richard Curtis who wrote and directed the film. \"It's strange to say that at the age of 52 Bill Nighy has made a career-making performance. Suddenly he's on the list of every casting director in Hollywood.\" Love Actually had experienced \"an extraordinary run in the UK\" and was loved by British audiences, he said. \"I would much rather have audiences love it than critics or audience review boards I must say, so I am happy.\" http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/3409783.stm"}, {"response": 71, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 2004 (19:09)", "body": "Update from the Sundancers: Just got a call from Tress, Dorine, and Sandi...they were in a hurry getting ready to go in and see Trauma. They spoke to ME and asked why the date was pushed back in the UK. He said because there wasn't enough time...Dorine said he was a bit vague as to what that actually meant. MS there taking pictures with everyone. Colin is definitely not there. The ladies are having a blast in spite of that and will post on Spoilers tomorrow."}, {"response": 72, "author": "caribou", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 2004 (23:45)", "body": "Thanks for the update, Linda. I'm so glad you got to talk to the front-line troops. I've been glancing at the clock trying to calculate when the first Trauma would be over and when they could possibly post. This little tidbit will allow me to get some sleep while I wait to hear the news."}, {"response": 73, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 2004 (23:53)", "body": "Hi all, We were told by ME at the introduction that Colin is busy filming Mr. Darcy in TEOR, and was there in spirit. I have posted some small info on Spoilers, and will be up for a bit, but will await Dorine's post in the morning as well. Sandi"}, {"response": 74, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (07:40)", "body": "Sun Jan 18 ADAM DAWTREY (Variety) \"Pride and Prejudice\" is looking good to go in 2004 for Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner's Working Title Films, now that the Universal-owned company has signed up rookie helmer Joe Wright to direct its version of Jane Austen's classic 19th century romance. Wright previously directed two acclaimed BBC mini-series --- the historical biog \"Charles II\" and contempo drama \"Nature Boy.\" Novelist Deborah Moggach (\"Tulip Fever\") wrote the first draft of the \"Pride and Prejudice\" script, and \"Billy Elliot\" scribe Lee Hall is now buffing it up. \"We're trying to do something that pleases the enthusiasts and the Austen fans, that's a faithful adaptation but with a bit more muscle,\" says one WT insider. Pic is not yet greenlit, but is expected to shoot this summer. Working Title's confirmed production slate for 2004 includes Sydney Pollack's \"The Interpreter,\" currently shooting with Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn; and \"Nanny McPhee,\" set to start in April with Emma Thompson starring as a magical nanny, directed by Kirk Jones (\"Waking Ned Devine\"). Stephen Daldry's \"Everest,\" Paul Greengrass's \"Birdsong\" and Shekhar Kapur's sequel to \"Elizabeth\" are all pencilled for 2005."}, {"response": 75, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (08:33)", "body": "Karen- Thanks for the blurb on the new adaptation of P&P to be directed by Joe Wright. However... Historically, and on rare occaisions, there are some dramatic interpretations that are so beloved by the theater going public that they almost become the actor's 'property' in a manner of speaking. Curently we see this occuring in New York with \"The Producers\"...NL and MB have become Bialystock and Bloom...so much so that it's hard to fill the theater in their absence. IMHO...ODB is Darcy. It would be very hard to buy into anyone else filling those shoes."}, {"response": 76, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (10:56)", "body": "Keen Eddie debuts tonight on Bravo aft Queer Eye."}, {"response": 77, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (11:26)", "body": "Stella at the BBC's report on Day 3 - Ouch for I'll Sleep When I'm Dead. Hope for better for Trauma: http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/sundance/sundance_diary_3.shtml"}, {"response": 78, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (11:29)", "body": "(Leslie) NL and MB have become Bialystock and Bloom... Funny you should mention this. Just last night I mentioned to the DH I was looking forward to the screen version of this since the stage version got such raves. He said (and I agreed) it will take some getting used to since Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder *are* Bialystock and Bloom for us but maybe it will not take all that much getting used to after all."}, {"response": 79, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (11:32)", "body": "Ev: Here's the TV GuideInfo on KE: 1:00 AM Channel 44 BRAVO Wednesday, 21 Keen Eddie Pilot Episode 60 mins. NYPD detective Eddie Arlette (Mark Valley) is sent to London, where he looks for a woman and a chemist who ruined a drug bust in Manhattan. Rudy Alexander: Alexei Sayle. DA Jonah Rosenthal: Yul Vazquez. Marylyn: Lisa Barbuscia. Fishy: Martin Hancock. Bernard: Simon Startin. Cheap Trick: Nick Malinowski. Fiona: Sienna Miller. Monty Pippin: Julian Rhind-Tutt. Superintendent Johnson: Colin Salmon. Cast: Mark Valley, Sienna Miller, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Colin Salmon, Alexei Sayle, Yul Vazquez, Lisa Barbuscia, Martin Hancock, Simon Startin, Nick Malinowski Rating: TV-PG Content: Suggestive Dialog, Strong, Coarse Language, Explicit Sexual Situations, Violence Release Year: 2003 ******************************* Anyone watch the L Word? I enjoyed it, though it was more voyeur than anything else. I kept picturing all those men out there drooling at their TV's and \"tivoing\" away."}, {"response": 80, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (12:05)", "body": "Cathing up . .(damn broken computer at home) Thanks as always for all the articles . . Tress, Dorine & Sandi . .top notch Sundance reporting and star sighting info! Sorry ODB is not there Have a friend from Showtime that was also at the Trauma premiere last night @ Sundance. .just missed him when he called into the office . .very eager to hear his take, from what I heard, he enjoyed it very much . . .hope to hear from him again to day to get more details. Off to check spoilers;)"}, {"response": 81, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (12:24)", "body": "Eugene Hernandez from IndieWire wrote: \"What are you doing later,\" I asked the star of a big Sundance film during a brief morning conversation this weekend here in Park City. \"Getting over this major hangover,\" the young star said in a low, gravely voice. That must account for Dorine and Tress' absence. ;-)"}, {"response": 82, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (12:38)", "body": "\"Getting over this major hangover,\" the young star said in a low, gravely voice. .......(Karen)That must account for Dorine and Tress' absence. ;-) That would be my guess..;-)"}, {"response": 83, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (12:51)", "body": "ok ok, I have a HUGE spoiler posted! Sandi"}, {"response": 84, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (16:05)", "body": "Hi all! Quick note here.... Yesterday's sightings.....at dinner last night... Came \"this close\" to Peter Krause (Six Feet Under - pretty hot!) and Laura Dern while I was trying to get to bathroom downstairs through a crowded private party. Today's sightings..... Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard sitting next to us at breakfast, Kyle McLachlan again getting coffee in lobby Starbucks counter (rather graying). That's it for here. :-)"}, {"response": 85, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 2004 (16:24)", "body": "(Dorine)Came \"this close\" to Peter Krause (Six Feet Under - pretty hot!) and Laura Dern while I was trying to get to bathroom downstairs through a crowded private party. It's all about the loos . . .that and the potted plants . .;) . .So that's the secret . . ."}, {"response": 86, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (13:32)", "body": "Amongst the O&E found in a Sundance column... BITTER BYSTANDERS: As a small crowd gathered to watch actress Mena Suvari doing a photo shoot, one young man muttered, \"She's mean.\" What, did he date her or something? We don't think so."}, {"response": 87, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (13:52)", "body": "Nothing on Trauma. Ebert's column from Sundance: http://www.suntimes.com/output/eb-feature/cst-ftr-ebert20.html and for those who know me, column is rather relevant. ;-) Roeper's has a funny bit toward the end about fake titles: http://www.suntimes.com/output/roeper/cst-nws-roep21.html"}, {"response": 88, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (14:55)", "body": "Speaking of Seinfield, We saw the actor who played \"BABU\" the restaurant owner who has a bad run-in with Jerry Seinfeld. We wanted to say \"Sienfeld, veddy, veddy bad man\" but just couldn't do it."}, {"response": 89, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (15:45)", "body": "Sandi: Did you see \"I'll Sleep When I'm Dead?\""}, {"response": 90, "author": "sandiclaus", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (16:49)", "body": "No, Trauma was it for me, but I am a new fan of the festival and will return next year for sure! Sandi"}, {"response": 91, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 2004 (22:08)", "body": "Karen, please excuse me for using the board this way. ;-) As the grad school interview season warms up, I get to (hopefully) travel all over the country, and I thought it might be a good way to also meet more DDs. I will be at Temple University in Philadelphia February 8 and 9 and should have some free sightseeing time on Sunday. Anyway, if anyone would like to talk more, please email me. Now back to your regularly scheduled Odds and Ends."}, {"response": 92, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (09:25)", "body": "From CF topic... (Karen) Question for the Sundance Droolers: How do they determine what gets the audience awards? Is there balloting (which is actually counted) or do they use ticket sales? When we saw Maria, Full of Grace, they handed us a ballot as we went in as it was in Dramatic Competition and returned it a box when we left. We rated 1 to 5 (Bad to Best). We didn't get any for the other 2. Other than that, I'll have to look in the book we got, or the website."}, {"response": 93, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (12:54)", "body": "If anyone missed Keen Eddy's debut on Bravo Tuesday night (like, moi)it repeats tonight at 8 pm."}, {"response": 94, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (12:59)", "body": "And next week's show apparently is one of the episodes that never aired. Was going to say that \"we haven't seen\" but reworded. See how easy it is? ;-)"}, {"response": 95, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (13:24)", "body": "Well, I watched it, based on the reco's from this board, but I must say that I couldn't get into it. Eddy's UK sidekick detective with the long hair looked interesting, until the scene in the sex bar stripped down to black leather undies. I may give the show one more episode or two, but I dunno, Ladies."}, {"response": 96, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (17:42)", "body": "Now I find this interesting...I found The Machinist (or my reaction to it) very similar to Trauma, but this reviewer seems to like The Machinist more. I found the set up very similar in that you're never sure what is real or not, it was very interestingly shot, had a similar style and tone, and the puzzle pieces were put together in the end. And he likes this more. I liked them both, but Trauma is definitely the more commercial of the 2. I'd be surprised to see it released, frankly, unless the Christian Bale association is somehow a selling point."}, {"response": 97, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 2004 (17:44)", "body": "Oops, forgot the review.... Jan. 20, 2004 The Machinist Christian Bale is a haggard machine shop worker who hasn't slept in a year in \"The Machinist.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Duane Byrge Sundance Film Festival PARK CITY -- Director Brad Anderson has forged an expert horror-of-personality tale in \"The Machinist.\" It's a brilliantly honed tale of dementia, starring a skeletal Christian Bale as a tormented insomniac wasting away and terrorized by his irreal existence. In the Premiere segment of Sundance, \"The Machinist\" notched strong and appreciative audience recognition in its world premiere here. In this unnerving saga, Trevor Reznick (Bale) toils away at a machine shop, performing a drudge-like function but a dangerous one. The machinery is steely and scary, and Trevor is losing his grip, physically and emotionally. Freaking his co-workers with his sunken frame, he's out-of-whack in his conversation also. When he causes a harrowing accident -- a co-worker loses his arm -- Trevor is completely ostracized and threatened. He realizes he's losing it, and his condition keeps getting worse. He hasn't slept in a year. Haggard, bug-eyed and prone to hallucinations, Trevor can't tell up from down, reality from delusion. In its very calibrations, from Scott Alan Kosar's edgy, spooky script to Anderson's provocative visualizations of Trevor's disintegrating mind-set, \"The Machinist\" is a gem. In particular, the film's look -- a combination of stark Germanic-style Expressionism and gritty film noir -- musters up an unsettling, paranoid atmosphere. It's a perfect depiction of Trevor's chaotic, frightening world. Under Anderson's shrewd hand, the technical contributions are masterful, including cinematographer Xavi Gimenez's nervy compositions and chiaroscuro shadings and Roque Banos' Bernard Herrmann-like score, lush with foreboding strings and an eerie bass clarinet undercurrent. Bale's performance, including his startling weight loss, is a brilliant meld of dysfunction, paranoia and fear. Jennifer Jason Leigh brings an apt tranquility to a portrayal of Trevor's Rock of Gibraltar, a generally addled hooker who soothes his demons. The supporting cast is well-selected, including most aptly some frightening-looking individuals seemingly just stepped out of \"The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.\" THE MACHINIST Filmax Entertainment A Julio Fernandez production for Castelao Prods. Credits: Director: Brad Anderson; Screenwriter: Scott Alan Kosar; Producer: Julio Fernandez; Executive producers: Carlos Fernandez, Antonio Nava; Director of photography: Xavi Gimenez; Line producer: Teresa Gefaell; Art director: Alain Bainee; Sound: Albert Manera; Editor: Luis de la Madrid; Music: Roque Banos. Cast: Trevor: Christian Bale; Stevie: Jennifer Jason Leigh; Marie: Aitana Sanchez-Gijon; Ivan: John Sharian; Miller: Michael Ironside; Jackson: Larry Gilliard; Jones: Reg E. Cathey: Mrs. Shike: Anna Massey. No MPAA rating, running time 98 minutes."}, {"response": 98, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 2004 (00:23)", "body": "Tress and I thought we'd give you a sneak peek at our Sundance Diary to give you a little more insight into some of the silly things we saw, heard, and did. Cigarettes smoked: 0 (v.v. good!). Cigarettes smoked second hand: about 8 packs (v. bad!) Kyle MacLachlan sightings: about 8. Number of times we thought we should file a restraining order against Kyle M for stalking us: 2. Number of times Tress was too afraid to go to Starbucks counter to order latte: 1 (Kyle MacLachlan was standing close by waiting for his own latte). Number of times Tress asked Dorine how to spell MacLachlan/MacLachlin/McLaughlin: about 8 . Number of times Dorine fell asleep at a restaurant: 1 (it was late and our first night there!) Number of times there was spillage on the cobbles: 1 (Dorine landed squarely on her ass on the ice getting out of Sundance van). Number of times Tress tripped over \"Patagucci\" (actually Patagonia) bag: at least 15. Number of times we witnessed Marc Evans tripping over his bag: 1 . Number of free tickets to films: 7. Number of times Dorine got shot in the eye with lime by bartender: 2. Number of free drinks for Dorine after lime shot in eye: 1, a Manhattan! Number of hats lost: 1 (Dorine's). Number of lost hats recovered: 1. Number of gloves lost: 1 (Dorine's). Number of lost gloves recovered: 0 (seems silly little glove wanted to stay and party in Utah!) Number of seconds people look each other in the eye at Sundance walking on street or in restaurant to ascertain celebrity status: 3-4, Number of seconds people look each other in the eye in NYC: 1 millisecond. Items stolen by us: one Dr. Dolittle tape (but it was for a good cause) Number of times we eavesdropped: at least 20 (v. v. bad!) Times we had to chew our food in front of celebrities: at least 3 Number of ODB sightings: 0. Minutes spent mourning lack of ODB sightings: about 1 (we had too much fun and too much to do to lament him not being there)! Bottles of Chardonnay consumed: ooooooohhhhhh thousands! Number of regrets: 0 (v.v .good!!!) ;-D Best quotes from Sundance (those said to us or overheard): \"It's cold here....not a NYC cold, but a moor cold! \"(overheard on Main Street) \"Oh! Main Street is great! Between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. it's a celebrity petting zoo!\" (told to us by Suzanne. A Tommy Flannagan fan [who knew there were any ;-)] waiting for 10 p.m. showing of Trauma at Sundance) \"We call the lesser celebrities, the below par ones.....sub-lebrities\" (again, Suzanne in her 'Tommy Flannagan Celtic Rock Confessions' to us) Best rumor that turned out to be untrue (v.disappointing): Orlando Bloom is at Sundance! **this rumor was obtained when eavesdropping on cell call made to 12 or 13 year old girl** Best bit about being at Sundance: Getting better acquainted with each other and meeting other Droolers.......and then.....Trauma and fireside chat with Marc Evans! Most frequently asked question of us: Who are you with? **next year we tell them \"Horse and Hound\"** Most frequent question we asked each other: Isn't that _____ ?? (fill in the blank)"}, {"response": 99, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 2004 (07:44)", "body": "(Dorine)Number of ODB sightings: 0. Minutes spent mourning lack of ODB sightings: about 1 (we had too much fun and too much to do to lament him not being there)! Bottles of Chardonnay consumed: ooooooohhhhhh thousands! Number of regrets: 0 (v.v .good!!!) ;-D ROTFLMAO! Thanks for the early morning belly laugh Dorine and Tress! What a fun way to start my day."}, {"response": 100, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 2004 (08:43)", "body": "Can I second Bee's ROTFLMAO? V. v. funny Tress and Dorine!!!"}, {"response": 101, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 2004 (09:11)", "body": "Who are you with? **next year we tell them \"Horse and Hound\"** I LOVE THAT!!! Good goin', Ladies!"}, {"response": 102, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 2004 (10:02)", "body": "Good news (eventually) for MI5 fans... BBC Press Release: Rupert Penry Jones and Tim McInnerny join the cast of Spooks as a new series starts filming for BBC ONE \"Slick and stylish\" (The Express) \"Fantastically entertaining\" (Heat) \"Splendid spy stuff\" (Financial Times) \"Spooks is total commitment TV\" (Sunday Telegraph) Bafta award-winning, top-rating Spooks is back \ufffd as topical and timely as ever \ufffd for a new season of dynamic, cutting edge drama this autumn on BBC ONE. Paul Connolly, writing in The Times, said: \"The BBC's drama output is back on form. The most recent success has been Spooks. Last night's series finale was spectacular. This was an hour of relentlessly exciting and beautifully constructed television and quite possibly the best hour of television I have seen this year.\" MI5's crack team of spies Tom (Matthew Macfadyen), Zoe (Keeley Hawes) and Danny (David Oyelowo) has long guarded its hard-earned reputation for infiltrating and thwarting the machinations of arms smugglers, international terrorists and drug dealers. But their own secret and compelling world was itself rocked to the core and their personal allegiances under threat of extinction when Tom's erratic behaviour caused his closest partners to doubt him at the end of the last series. The third series opens at the exact moment the last episode ended. Tom has sensationally disappeared, Harry (Peter Firth) is critically injured and the team is in disarray. Was it treachery? Will they ever see Tom again? And how will they begin to discover the truth? Newcomer Adam Carter (Rupert Penry Jones) is recruited by Harry from MI6 and his casual confidence galvanises the group into action. Spooks also features return appearances from Megan Dodds, Nicola Walker and Shauna MacDonald, as well as a new character, Oliver Mace (Tim McInnerny). And in the opening episode Frances Tomelty features in a Machiavellian cameo role. Written and created by David Wolstencroft, Spooks is also written by Howard Brenton, Rupert Walters, Ben Richards and Elizabeth Anne Wheal. Spooks is currently filming in London for transmission later this year. The producer is Andrew Woodhead and executive producers are Simon Crawford Collins, Jane Featherstone for Kudos and BBC Head of Drama Commissioning Gareth Neame. Spooks is a Kudos production for BBC ONE."}, {"response": 103, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 2004 (10:35)", "body": "Thanks so much to our own Hole-in-the-Wall Gang! Definitely, Horse and Hounds next year. ;-)"}, {"response": 104, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 2004 (11:37)", "body": "Smaller Pics Penciled for WGA Nominations Fri Jan 23, 1:33 AM ET LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Small films loomed large among the original screenplay nominations for the Writers Guild Awards Thursday, while bigger releases -- including \"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King\" and \"Cold Mountain\" -- featured prominently in the adapted screenplay race. Original screenplay nominees for the 56th annual Writers Guild Awards were: - Gurinder Chadha, Paul Berges and Guljit Bindra for Fox Searchlight Pictures' \"Bend It Like Beckham,\" a lighthearted look at women's competitive soccer; - Steven Knight for Miramax Films' \"Dirty Pretty Things,\" a gritty immigrant story; - Jim Sheridan and daughters Naomi and Kirsten Sheridan for Fox Searchlight's \"In America,\" an intimate portrait of a family struggling with the loss of a child; - Sofia Coppola for Focus Features' much-honored \"Lost in Translation\"; - and Tom McCarthy for Miramax's moody drama \"The Station Agent.\" Adapted screenplay nominees were: - Robert Pulcini and Shari Springer Berman for HBO Films/Fine Line Features' \"American Splendor,\" based on the comic book series by Harvey Pekar and novel by Pekar and Joyce Brabner; - Anthony Minghella for Miramax Films' Civil War-era drama \"Cold Mountain,\" based on the novel by Charles Frazier; - Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens and Peter Jackson for New Line Cinema's \"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,\" based on the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien; - Brian Helgeland for Warner Bros. Pictures' \"Mystic River,\" based on the novel by Dennis Lehane; - and Gary Ross for Universal Pictures' \"Seabiscuit,\" based on the book by Laura Hillenbrand. For the first time in the event's history, nominations went to a father and his daughter -- or in this case, two daughters -- with the nod for \"In America.\" It was the third WGA nomination for Jim Sheridan, who was recognized in 1994 for \"In the Name of the Father\" and in 1990 for \"My Left Foot.\" The trio have already won the 2003 National Board of Review prize for best original screenplay. The WGA considered 110 films eligible for original screenplay nominations and 78 films for adapted screenplay. Winners will be announced Feb. 21 at the Writers Guild Award ceremonies in New York and Los Angeles."}, {"response": 105, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 2004 (11:44)", "body": "Probably enough time for implants...from Variety via Playbill: Now Nicole Belt: Kidman to Play Ulla in \"Producers\" Film Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman will play Ulla in the upcoming film of the Broadway musical \"The Producers.\" Variety reports that the actress, currently on screens in \"Cold Mountain,\" has landed the role of the blonde bombshell secretary originated on stage by Tony winner Cady Huffman. Susan Stroman, who directed the Broadway musical and who will direct the film, told the industry paper, \"I'm so excited, [Kidman's] so versatile.\" Variety also says that Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan are currently writing the film's script, and shooting is scheduled to begin next February. The motion picture \ufffd starring the previously announced Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick \ufffd is scheduled for Christmas 2005."}, {"response": 106, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 2004 (11:52)", "body": "British helmers to honor Curtis By Stuart Kemp LONDON -- The Directors' Guild of Great Britain said Thursday that Richard Curtis, the writer-director of boxoffice hit \"Love Actually,\" will receive the outstanding contribution to film and television award at the guild's inaugural presentation this year. The DGGB will also present nine other awards in categories that include British, international and foreign films as well as a short-film award. Other award categories include telefilm or serial, 60-minute television drama, 30-minute TV drama, single documentary and commercial. At the inaugural event, contenders for the international film award are \"Cold Mountain,\" \"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,\" \"Lost in Translation\" and \"21 Grams.\" Vying for the British film award are \"Girl With a Pearl Earring,\" \"In This World,\" \"The Magdalene Sisters\" and \"Young Adam.\" Best foreign film will emerge from Brazil's \"City of God,\" France's \"Etre et Avoir\" (To Be and to Have), Germany's \"Good bye, Lenin!\" and the French-Pakistan-Bangladesh co-production \"Matir Moina\" (The Clay Bird). Curtis' career spans more than 40 years, beginning with the creation of cult television series \"Blackadder.\" His screenwriting credits include \"Notting Hill,\" \"Bean\" and \"Bridget Jones's Diary.\" He has also written for numerous television shows, including \"The Vicar of Dibley\" and \"Spitting Image.\" The organization's first awards ceremony will take place Feb. 21 at the Curzon Mayfair cinema in London and is scheduled to be hosted by veteran director Michael Winner. Organizers said Thursday that Miramax Films co-chairman Harvey Weinstein is expected to attend to hand out the British film award. The guild represents directors in film, television, theater, radio, opera, commercials, corporate, multimedia and new technology. The full list of nominations will be available today."}, {"response": 107, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 2004 (18:50)", "body": "The organization's first awards ceremony will take place Feb. 21 at the Curzon Mayfair cinema in London I saw LA there the day before New Year's Eve...just down from our hotel. Very small though.(only two screens). I guess it won't be a huge crowd?"}, {"response": 108, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Jan 24, 2004 (08:28)", "body": "(Sundance Kids)Number of times there was spillage on the cobbles: 1 (Dorine landed squarely on her ass on the ice getting out of Sundance van). Makes me think of Bridget falling out of the taxi. Tress, did you say, \"drive on, she's fine\"? Hilarious reading, thanks ladies."}, {"response": 109, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 24, 2004 (10:41)", "body": "SJ is on the cover of HOLLYWOOD LIFE Feb issue. Gorgeous pics and long interview.\"Scarlett Woman\" Does not mention Colin On GWAPE: \"Q. How are you handling all this revved-up awards attention for both Lost in Translation and GWAPE . A.......I've done a lot of pre-Oscar stuff, which is draining but it's for a good cause....so my publicist says.[Laughs] ....Neither of these are big movies where you might expect it. We thought people might go and see Lost in Translation but when we made it, it was just a small, crazy weird experience. Who knew? Girl with a Pearl Earring had more of a built-in audience of people who liked the book or appreciate Vermeer or like period movies or who watch The View. [Laughs] I wanted Girl with a Pearl Earring to do really well because I really think it's good. Everybody worked so hard on it. We just feel it deserves to be seen.\" In print she comes across as a committed actress who knows how to channel her career."}, {"response": 110, "author": "katty", "date": "Sat, Jan 24, 2004 (18:43)", "body": "See THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD If anyone wants to see a beautiful film, you must see The Whole Wide World (1996) with our own Bridget, Renee Zellweger, and Vincent D'Onofrio. This is the film that got her Jerry McGuire. I just saw it last night and was simply blown away by it. I don't think any film has moved me so much in a long, long time. It was so real, so touching, so sweet and so sad. I don't think Renee can ever top this performance. It's too bad few people saw it, but those who did, know just how special it is. I'm sure anyone with great enough taste to love Colin Firth will love it, too."}, {"response": 111, "author": "katty", "date": "Sat, Jan 24, 2004 (18:46)", "body": "I also want to add that The Whole Wide World has one of the best screen kisses I've ever seen. (Maybe Renee inspires them, since hers with Colin was probably HIS best.) Colin should see it and take notes."}, {"response": 112, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Jan 25, 2004 (08:03)", "body": "The London Times - Mena Suvari January 25, 2004 Cover story: Bye-bye, Miss American Pie She made it big as small-town America\ufffds bathing beauty, then just as quickly lost it again. Several stinkers later, Mena Suvari is back in production \ufffd minus the rose petals \ufffd with an all-new grown-up look. But will it wash, asks Garth Pearce Mena Suvari, the teenage temptress in American Beauty, became the subject of one of the most popular Hollywood film stills since the days of Marilyn Monroe. You know the one: the teasing blonde, her naked body covered with red rose petals, with sultry, come-to-bath eyes. The film won five Oscars, with Kevin Spacey voted best actor and Sam Mendes best director. Suvari\ufffds freeze-framed impact, though, has somehow been more lasting. But such curious fame has brought its own problems. Suvari admits that, thus far, her other films have all fast gurgled down the plughole. She has been spinning around in search of anything to take her to the next stage: something grown-up, respected or successful. There have been eight movies in the 4 years since American Beauty, and all of them, apart from a sequel to the high-school comedy American Pie, have sunk without trace. \ufffdI have not made the best choices since American Beauty,\ufffd she says, with disarming candour. \ufffdThe film gave me recognition, but I was just not ready for it. Did I really want to open up, play the game and be seen everywhere? Or did I want to go back to just quietly learning and building up a career that was worth having? I was caught in the middle and took parts because they were there. I should have waited and thought more carefully.\ufffd Such lack of care saw her playing the daughter of a porn king in American Virgin. It earned her more notoriety, of sorts, as a pub-quiz answer: the only actress to have starred in four films with \ufffdAmerican\ufffd in the title (American Pie, American Beauty, American Pie 2 and American Virgin). American Virgin also earned a mightily fast exit from the handful of cinemas where it was shown. Her record since has hardly improved. Hands up those who recall her 2000 film, the aptly named Loser? No? Or Snide and Prejudice, in 2001? Thought not. How about Sonny (2002), or the dreadful Spun, which closed without trace? Some of the most damning reviews were reserved for a lavish 2001 version of The Musketeer, in which she played alongside respectable actors such as Stephen Rea and Tim Roth. \ufffdA dire version of the original story,\ufffd reported one; \ufffdUnspeakable dialogue,\ufffd said another. \ufffdIn each of the films, I have tried to improve myself,\ufffd Suvari says defiantly. \ufffdI have not been personally slaughtered \ufffd yet \ufffd by the critics an have tried to hold onto my self-belief. If I did not think it will turn around for me soon, I would sit back home in Los Angeles with the doors closed and the phone off.\ufffd Her confidence seems ingrained, almost from birth. The daughter of an Estonian psychiatrist, she was brought up first in a gothic mansion called Hilltop in Newport, Rhode Island, then at a splendid colonial home in Charleston, South Carolina. She was educated at Ashley Hall, Barbara Bush\ufffds alma mater. The mixture of wealth and education sits easily on shoulders that she admits are dressed in everything from Prada to Burberry. Her brushed blonde hair, blue eyes and cheerily elegant manner are what used to be called \ufffdpreppy\ufffd. Criticism does not stick. She has conviction \ufffd from her ramrod-straight back, as she sits bolt upright, to her clear eyes, which still seem to carry a mixture of wonder and awe that she is earning a good living from a business that is riddled with desperation and insecurity. Her self-belief in keeping her head above the mire, when others have had theirs buried in it, helped her selection as the co-star for Colin Firth in the upcoming Trauma. It comes in the wake of rave tributes for another of Firth\ufffds young co-stars, Scarlett Johansson, in Girl with a Pearl Earring. \ufffdIf I can get that sort of reaction, I will be delighted,\ufffd says Suvari. The jury is still out on Trauma, a thriller-cum-ghost story, with previews currently being set up. Firth\ufffds character, Ben, has woken from a coma following a car crash that killed his wife. He moves home and is befriended by a beautiful young neighbour, Charlotte, played by Suvari. But all is not as it seems, and he is constantly haunted by visions of his dead wife. Is Charlotte helping, or adding to his pain? And does all this sound like well-trodden ground? \ufffdIt\ufffds a well-told story, with a lot of surprises,\ufffd Suvari says. \ufffdBut it is difficult to talk about it without giving away the story. Let\ufffds just say there is a twist \ufffd and I didn\ufffdt see it coming when I first read the script.\ufffd Her performance led to another piece of casting: as the female lead in a love story to be filmed in the spring by Richard Attenborough. It co-stars the veterans Peter O\ufffdToole and Dennis Hopper. \ufffdI look at the performance rather than the films she has been in,\ufffd Attenborough tells me. \ufffdShe has a talent tha"}, {"response": 113, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 25, 2004 (09:33)", "body": "The jury is still out on Trauma, a thriller-cum-ghost story, with previews currently being set up. Hmmmmm.... Thanks, Mary. Given the bits and pieces I've read here, I wonder if they're going to rework it a bit."}, {"response": 114, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan 25, 2004 (09:59)", "body": "I've been swamped with work lately, but I just want to thank everyone for the interesting articles. So any GG predictions? Karen? I know how accurate yours are. :-)"}, {"response": 115, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Jan 25, 2004 (10:40)", "body": "For those interested: Thriller 'Primer' Wins Top Sundance Honor Sunday January 25 1:52 AM ET The high-tech thriller \"Primer,\" about two get-rich-quick inventors whose time-travel device complicates their lives, won the top dramatic honor at the Sundance Film Festival. Sundance jurors gave the documentary grand prize to \"DIG!\", director Ondi Timoner's portrait of the friendship and rivalry between musicians Anton Newcombe of the Brian Jonestown Massacre and Courtney Taylor of the Dandy Warhols. Awards were presented Saturday night, with top winners expected to screen one last time Sunday as the 11-day independent film showcase ends. \"Primer\" written and directed by Shane Carruth, who co-stars won the grand jury prize as well as the festival's Alfred P. Sloane Prize, a $20,000 cash award for films that showcase science and technology. The audience award for dramatic films, chosen by Sundance moviegoers, went to \"Maria Full of Grace,\" writer-director Joshua Marston's Spanish-language tale of a young Colombian woman (Catalina Sandino Moreno) in peril after she becomes a \"mule\" carrying heroin to the United States. \"Born Into Brothels,\" which examines the hardships endured by impoverished children of prostitutes in Calcutta, won the documentary audience honor. The film was directed by Ross Kauffman and Zana Briski. The directing prize for dramatic features was given to Debra Granik for \"Down to the Bone,\" her tale of a lower-middle-class wife and mother struggling to kick a cocaine habit. \"Down to the Bone\" star Vera Farmiga also earned a special jury prize for her performance. Morgan Spurlock won the documentary directing prize for \"Super Size Me,\" his indictment of the fast-food industry that chronicles the deterioration of his health during a monthlong experiment eating nothing but McDonald's food. The festival's jurors for drama entries were actors Danny Glover and Maggie Gyllenhaal, director Lisa Cholodenko, producer Ted Hope and cinematographer Frederick Elmes. Serving on the jury for documentaries were filmmakers Rory Kennedy, Robb Moss and Chris Smith, photojournalist Mary Ellen Mark and cinematographer Robert Shepard. Among other winners: _ The Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award went to Larry Gross for \"We Don't Live Here Anymore,\" a marital drama starring Mark Ruffalo, Laura Dern, Naomi Watts and Peter Krause. _ The world-cinema dramatic audience award went to \"Seducing Doctor Lewis,\" a French-language film by Canadian director Jean-Francois Pouliot about a remote fishing village conniving to keep a Montreal doctor in their midst. _ Another Canadian film, \"The Corporation\" directors Mark Achbar and Jennifer Abbott's study of the pros and cons of modern corporate structure, won the documentary audience honor for world cinema. _ Nancy Schreiber won the dramatic cinematography award for \"November,\" a cryptic thriller starring Courteney Cox as a woman experiencing strange visions after a tragedy. _ Ferne Pearlstein received the documentary cinematography award for \"Imelda,\" chronicling the life of former Philippines first lady Imelda Marcos. _ The Freedom of Expression Award, given to a documentary that examines social or political issues, went to the Korean film \"Repatriation,\" director Kim Dong-won's exploration of North Korean communist inmates held in South Korea. _ Special jury prizes were awarded to \"Brother to Brother,\" director Rodney Evans' drama about black gay artists, and \"Farmingville,\" a documentary by Catherine Tambini and Carlos Sandoval about culture clash in a Long Island community with a large migrant-laborer population. _ The jury prize for short films was shared by \"When the Storm Came,\" directed by Shilpi Gupta, and \"Gowanus, Brooklyn,\" directed by Ryan Fleck. The British film \"Tomo,\" by director Paul Catling, won the international jury prize for short films."}, {"response": 116, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 25, 2004 (11:12)", "body": "Thanks for the award info, Ada. Saw the name Evans (albeit Rodney) and the heart skipped a beat. ;-) (Moon) So any GG predictions? Karen? Moi? Surely you jest. I don't bother predicting this group's awards. If you have a list of gifts sent by the various studios, then maybe I could. ;-) Hmmm, probably should turn on E! to see neverending rerun of Joan and Melissa on last year's GG Red Carpet... Note to self: Keep TV on Mute. ;-)"}, {"response": 117, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Jan 25, 2004 (11:31)", "body": "Thanks for the articles! Dorine - love the Sundance diary!! sounds like all of you had a fabulous time! . . .wonder who made off with your Dr. Dolittle tape? Kyle McLaughlan was everywhere? . .How does he look in person? . .was a v. big Twin Peaks fan b/c of him;)"}, {"response": 118, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Jan 25, 2004 (13:16)", "body": "(Kimberly) . . .wonder who made off with your Dr. Dolittle tape? Kyle McLaughlan was everywhere? . .How does he look in person? . .was a v. big Twin Peaks fan b/c of him;) Ummmm.....we didn't have a Dr. Dolittle tape to steal....we kinda nicked one! The boss will be getting it soon. Was a midnight emergency with Trauma clips running on the channel that hosted Sundance coverage (some short clips from the film)....we had to MacGyver it. No tape so I peeled off label to place over the tab so we could tape over it (surely I'll be going to hell after all this, but I told Dorine I'd take the fall). Kyle was quite tall....and looked really amazing with salt and pepper hair! Very distinguished. He blocked the Starbucks counter for about ten minutes though...when I was in crutial need of caffeine! Stood there chewing on a stirring straw. We saw him about three times at the Marriott and endless times on Main Street just cruising around."}, {"response": 119, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 25, 2004 (13:23)", "body": "Hmmmm, haven't been following this Dr Doolittle business at all... So, could you tell if Kyle had been keeping up on his tummy crunches? *snort* I remember reading how he had to get in shape to be on SATC for all those shirtless (and worse) scenes. ;-)"}, {"response": 120, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Jan 25, 2004 (13:31)", "body": "(Karen) Thanks for the award info, Ada. Saw the name Evans (albeit Rodney) and the heart skipped a beat. ;-) I heard that Trauma was not up for consideration. Many films were not running for awards. I think ME was just wanting to get T out there....and troll for distribution."}, {"response": 121, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Jan 25, 2004 (13:34)", "body": "(Karen) Hmmmm, haven't been following this Dr Doolittle business at all... You should be the proud owner of a Dr. D tape shortly. Dorine has it and will probably get that to you fairly soon. So, could you tell if Kyle had been keeping up on his tummy crunches? *snort* I remember reading how he had to get in shape to be on SATC for all those shirtless (and worse) scenes. ;-) He looked pretty fit....though he was layering. Was a bit chilly for ab inspection ;-) Sorry to post twice!"}, {"response": 122, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jan 25, 2004 (13:36)", "body": "Well I'm going to give the GG a shot. I do think there might be a tie in some of the acting categories but this is how I think it will go: Picture - Drama The Lord Of the Rings: The Return Of the King Produced by Peter Jackson, Barrie M. Osborne, Frances Walsh BP - Comedy Lost In Translation Produced by Sofia Coppola, Ross Katz Actor In A Leading Role - Drama Sean Penn in Mystic River Actor In A Leading Role - Musical Or Comedy Bill Murray in Lost In Translation Actress In A Leading Role - Drama Charlize Theron in Monster Actress In A Leading Role - Musical Or Comedy Scarlett Johansson in Lost In Translation Actor In A Supporting Role Tim Robbins in Mystic River Actress In A Supporting Role Ren\ufffde Zellweger in Cold Mountain Director Peter Jackson for The Lord Of the Rings: The Return Of the King Screenplay Lost In Translation Written by Sofia Coppola Original Score The Lord Of the Rings: The Return Of the King Composed by Howard Shore Original Song \"Into the West\" From The Lord Of the Rings: The Return Of the King Music and Lyric by Annie Lennox, Howard Shore, Frances Walsh Foreign Film The Barbarian Invasions Cecil B. DeMille Award Michael Douglas I don't watch TV so I leave those to the experts: Television Series - Drama C. S. I.: Crime Scene Investigation Nip/Tuck Six Feet Under 24 The West Wing Television Series - Musical Or Comedy Arrested Development Monk The Office Sex and the City Will & Grace Mini-Series Or Television Movie Angels In America Actor In A Leading Role - Drama Series Michael Chiklis in The Shield Anthony LaPaglia in Without a Trace William L. Petersen in C. S. I.: Crime Scene Investigation Martin Sheen in The West Wing Kiefer Sutherland in 24 Actor In A Leading Role - Musical Or Comedy Series Ricky Gervais in The Office Matt LeBlanc in Friends Bernie Mac in The Bernie Mac Show Eric McCormack in Will & Grace Tony Shalhoub in Monk Actor In A Leading Role - Mini-Series Or Television Movie Antonio Banderas in And Starring Pancho Villa As Himself James Brolin in The Reagans Troy Garity in Soldier's Girl Al Pacino in Angels In America Tom Wilkinson in Normal Actress In A Leading Role - Drama Series Frances Conroy in Six Feet Under Jennifer Garner in Alias Allison Janney in The West Wing Joely Richardson in Nip/Tuck Amber Tamblyn in Joan Of Arcadia Actress In A Leading Role - Musical Or Comedy Series Bonnie Hunt in Life With Bonnie Reba McEntire in Reba Debra Messing in Will & Grace Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex and the City Bitty Schram in Monk Alicia Silverstone in Miss Match Actress In A Leading Role - Mini-Series Or Television Movie Judy Davis in The Reagans Jessica Lange in Normal Helen Mirren in Tennessee Williams' The Roman Spring Of Mrs. Stone Maggie Smith in My House In Umbria Meryl Streep in Angels In America Actor In A Supporting Role - Series, Mini-Series Or Television Movie Sean P. Hayes in Will & Grace Lee Pace in Soldier's Girl Ben Shenkman in Angels In America Patrick Wilson in Angels In America Jeffrey Wright in Angels In America Actress In A Supporting Role - Series, Mini-Series Or Television Movie Kim Cattrall in Sex and the City Kristin Davis in Sex and the City Megan Mullally in Will & Grace Cynthia Nixon in Sex and the City Mary-Louise Parker in Angels In America"}, {"response": 123, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 25, 2004 (17:53)", "body": "Gaah, E!s expert just pronounced that she didn't think Russell Crowe, Tom Cruise or Nicole had a chance this year. Durrr! Get me this woman's crystal ball. ;-) I think everyone knows it will be LOTR's year to pick up Best Film/Director to recognize Jackson's overall achievement on the three films. OK, back to that nitwit and nitwit jr."}, {"response": 124, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, Jan 25, 2004 (22:15)", "body": "Moon, I did not totally keep score, but looks like you were pretty closely on. Putting my hand up here: everything LOTR gets, I cheer for it. You go JRRT and PJ...you've earned it."}, {"response": 125, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Jan 25, 2004 (22:15)", "body": "(Moon)Well I'm going to give the GG a shot. I do think there might be a tie in some of the acting categories but this is how I think it will go: Hey Moon! Great job! Not 100% but better than I would have done. (Karen)I think everyone knows it will be LOTR's year to pick up Best Film/Director to recognize Jackson's overall achievement on the three films. You got that right. Gotta admit that it was a wonderful field this year. Any one of the films could have won in a less competative year."}, {"response": 126, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sun, Jan 25, 2004 (22:22)", "body": "Congratulations, Moon. Very impressed with your GG calls. Might you be free for a trip to Vegas anytime soon? Would love to have your prediction skills at one of the tables there. Although I was disappointed for SJ and LA, I thought the competitors were very worthy. A tough year with all those great films and performances. Wonder what the Oscars noms will bring this week?"}, {"response": 127, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Jan 25, 2004 (22:25)", "body": "(Tress)Kyle was quite tall....and looked really amazing with salt and pepper hair! Very distinguished. Hmmm nice . . . too bad he was too layered to inspect those abs! Re - the DR. D tape . .bravo! . .Droolers who think quick on their feet . .Richard Dean Anderson would be proud! (was a big MacGyver fan in the 80's too!) . .you won't go to hell . .you were operating with all the best intentions of spreading the word about this film! (since ODB wasn't there . .guess it's up to us to do some of the PR work . .)"}, {"response": 128, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (09:17)", "body": "The Razzie nominations have been announced and, as expected, Gigli cleaned up: WORST PICTURE CAT-IN-THE HAT CHARLIE'S ANGELS: FULL THROTTLE FROM JUSTIN TO KELLY GIGLI THE REAL CANCUN (New Line) WORST ACTOR Ben Affleck / DAREDEVIL, GIGLI and PAYCHECK Cuba Gooding, Jr. / BOAT TRIP, FIGHTING TEMPTATIONS and RADIO Justin Guarini / FROM JUSTIN TO KELLY Ashton Kutcher / CHEAPER by the DOZEN, JUST MARRIED and MY BOSS'S [sic] DAUGHTER Mike Myers / THE CAT-IN-THE-HAT WORST ACTRESS Drew Barrymore / CHARLIE'S ANGELS: FULL THROTTLE and DUPLEX Cameron Diaz / CHARLIE'S ANGELS: FULL THROTTLE Kelly Clarkson / FROM JUSTIN TO KELLY Angelina Jolie / BEYOND BORDERS and LARA CROFT TOMB RADER: THE CRADLE of LIFE Jennifer Lopez / GIGLI WORST SUPPORTING ACTOR Anthony Anderson / KANGAROO JACK Alec Baldwin / THE CAT-IN-THE-HAT Al Pacino / GIGLI Sylvester Stallone (Whose 5 Roles Could Fill This ENTIRE Category!) SPY KIDS 3-D: GAME OVER Christopher Walken / GIGLI and KANGAROO JACK WORST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Lanie Kazan / GIGLI Demi Moore / CHARLIE'S ANGELS: FULL THROTTLE Kelly Preston / THE CAT-IN-THE-HAT Brittany Murphy / JUST MARRIED Tara Reid / MY BOSS'S [sic] DAUGHTER WORST SCREEN COUPLE Ben Affleck & Jennifer Lopez / GIGLI Eric Christian Olsen & Derek Richardson / DUMB AND DUMBERER Justin Guarini & Kelly Clarkson / FROM JUSTIN TO KELLY Ashton Kutcher & EITHER Hilary Duff (CHEAPER by the DOZEN) Brittany Murphy (JUST MARRIED) and/or Tara Reid (MY BOSS's DAUGHTER) Mike Myers & EITHER Thing One OR Thing Two / THE CAT-IN-THE-HAT WORST EXCUSE for an ACTUAL MOVIE (All Concept/No Content!) (New Category) 2 FAST, 2 FURIOUS CHARLIE'S ANGLES: FULL THROTTLE THE CAT-IN-THE-HAT FROM JUSTIN TO KELLY THE REAL CANCUN WORST REMAKE or SEQUEL 2 FAST, 2 FURIOUS CHARLIE'S ANGELS: FULL THROTTLE DUMB & DUMBERER: WHEN HARRY MET LLOYD FROM JUSTIN TO KELLY (Remake of WHERE THE BOYS ARE \ufffd60 and WHERE THE BOYS ARE \ufffd84) TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE WORST DIRECTOR Martin Brest / GIGLI Robert Iscove / FROM JUSTIN TO KELLY Mort Nathan / BOAT TRIP The Wachowski Brothers / Both MATRIX Sequels Bo Welch / THE CAT-IN-THE-HAT WORST SCREENPLAY THE CAT-IN-THE-HAT, Screenplay by Alec Berg, David Mandel and Jeff Schaffer CHARLIE'S ANGELS: FULL THROTTLE, Screenplay by John August and Cormac & Marianne Wibberley, \ufffdStory\ufffd by August DUMB AND DUMBERER, Screenplay by Robert Brener and Troy Miller, \ufffdStory\ufffd by Brener FROM JUSTIN TO KELLY, Written by Kim Fuller GIGLI, Written by Martin Brest NOMINATIONS PER PICTURE: GIGLI \ufffd 9 CAT-IN-THE-HAT \ufffd 8 FROM JUSTIN TO KELLY \ufffd 8 CHARLIE'S ANGELS: FULL THROTTLE - 7 BOAT TRIP, DUMB & DUMBERER, JUST MARRIED, MY BOSS\ufffdS [sic] DAUGHTER and THE REAL CANCUN \ufffd - 2 Each"}, {"response": 129, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (09:32)", "body": "I'll just get this out of the way: I thought Nicole's get up was awful, hideous, ridiculous and loved Sarah Jessica Parker's, Kim Cattrall's and Charlize. Glittery Kidman Stands Out at Globes By ERIN HANAFY, Associated Press Writer Nicole Kidman stopped traffic on the red carpet in a backless, cut-down-to-there gold sequin dress that stood out among the mostly ladylike fashions at the Golden Globe Awards. \"I sort of like that it's got a sort of slight Salome feel to it,\" the actress told Joan Rivers on E! Entertainment Television at Sunday night's awards show in Beverly Hills, Calif. Kevin Lennox, associate fashion editor of Glamour magazine, said Kidman's gown, designed by Tom Ford in his last collection for Yves Saint Laurent, would likely be the most-talked-about dress of the evening. \"I think it's sort of out of left field for her, but I think it's interesting,\" said Lennox. \"I feel like she's feeling a little kooky.\" Kidman's gold sequin bodice, with a neckline that plunged to her waist, was held together with nude fabric and paired with a flowing, pale chiffon skirt. Her loose curls were held back with a gold headband. \"I like her for wearing what she's wearing,\" Lennox said. \"She's like 6 feet tall or something and 10 pounds. It's great that she takes chances and doesn't just do the run-of-the-mill.\" His favorite outfit of the evening was Charlize Theron's ultrafeminine, pale yellow ruffled gown. \"She is my favorite for the night,\" he said of Theron, who transformed herself to look like serial killer Aileen Wuornos in the film \"Monster.\" \"Especially because you have the contrast of her in that movie and the way she looks tonight.\" Aside from Johnny Depp, who wore a brown suit with a black shirt and a brown fedora, most men wore traditional attire, if a little casual. Many wore suits instead of tuxedos, and Elton John appeared to have left home without his tie, wearing an open tuxedo shirt with a black overcoat. Goddess gowns were popular on the red carpet. Presenter Jennifer Lopez (news) \ufffd who appeared at the awards just days after her breakup with Ben Affleck was announced \ufffd wore a tangerine gown with silver straps, her hair pulled up in a loose ponytail. \"It looked very pretty on her. Sometimes she doesn't play up the pretty softer side of her, she wears harsher things,\" Lennox said. Goddess gowns also gave a romantic flair to both \"Lost in Translation\" director Sofia Coppola, who wore Azzedine Alaia, and Kim Cattrall, in vintage Valentino. \"It's just very cool,\" Lennox said of Coppola's black vintage gown. \"I think it looks great, but looks great from a different perspective.\" Glam maternity clothes were worn by Cate Blanchett, in a flowing deep-red cap-sleeved gown, and Debra Messing, in a black empire waist gown with an elegant lacy jacket. New mother Mary-Louise Parker thanked her son for giving her the bosom to fill out her revealing black gown. Most stars wore loose, pretty hair and long, lavish earrings with dresses that revealed just enough to be sexy, including Uma Thurman's satin lavender gown and Queen Latifah's flowing pale pink gown with a sheer wrap. But some stars played it a little too safe, Lennox said. \"The `Sex and the City' girls, they all four looked gorgeous tonight,\" he said. \"But it's not like I'm really going to say tonight or tomorrow, `My God, Kristin Davis!'\" Lennox also cast a critical eye at Catherine Zeta-Jones, who wore a black satin gown. \"She has the safe up-do, she has the safe gown. It's just gorgeous because she's a gorgeous woman. But it's par for the course.\" Youth had a stylish place on the red carpet. Scarlett Johansson wore a nude-colored corset gown, Evan Rachel Wood was dressed in a simple metallic gray spaghetti strap gown with loosely pulled-up hair, and Amber Tamblyn chose a pale apricot corset gown with a handkerchief train by designer Reem Acra. Elisha Cuthbert's strapless, pale pink organza cocktail dress by Monique Lhuillier was accessorized with a small bouquet of roses at the waist. \"It's a little prom queen but I love it,\" Cuthbert told Melissa Rivers on E! \"I wanted to do simple, I didn't want to do too crazy.\" Lennox gave Rivers \ufffd who did fashion commentary with her mother, Joan \ufffd a failing grade because of the busy, colorful V-shaped stripes on her dress. \"I find it interesting when she's wearing something goofy and she's critiquing everybody else,\" he said."}, {"response": 130, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (09:42)", "body": "Ooooh, didn't see this on the Red Carpet. Love it! Diane Lane..."}, {"response": 131, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (09:44)", "body": ""}, {"response": 132, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (09:47)", "body": "\"Aside from Johnny Depp, who wore a brown suit with a black shirt and a brown fedora, most men wore traditional attire, if a little casual.\" Kevin Costner looked like the proverbial \"un-made bed\". Al Pacino is too old for a pony tail. \" \"It's just very cool,\" Lennox said of Coppola's black vintage gown. \"I think it looks great, but looks great from a different perspective.\" Cool!! Yeah, sure esp with those flat shoes.LOL. Kim Cattrall #1.SJ way up there. So why didn't Bill Murray thank his co-star. Bad form. Nice of SJ to mention Colin to Joan Rivers. I like glitter, so I thought Nicole Kidman looked stunning, though she looked uncomfortable in the cut-out dress. Did you catch Sienna Miller (Keene Eddie) with Jude Law."}, {"response": 133, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (09:50)", "body": "PS. Was told that Dawn in \"The Office\" ,which won as Best Comedy on TV, is Lucy Davis....Maria Lucas in P&P!! She appeared on the stage with the cast last night. Diane Lane in a dress from Walmart would look good."}, {"response": 134, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (09:51)", "body": "Rachel Weisz I don't know about you, but I was getting sick of seeing Clint Eastwood's wife hovering next to his ear every time the camera showed him. Somebody should've strapped her into a child's seat."}, {"response": 135, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (09:57)", "body": "Rachel Weisz Yeah, sure esp with those flat shoes.LOL. Dress looked like a sack to me."}, {"response": 136, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (10:32)", "body": "(Karen) I'll just get this out of the way: I thought Nicole's get up was awful, hideous, ridiculous.. I agree. Did you notice her awkward attempt at re-arranging when her left breast nearly fell out while she was presenting an award?? I'm not crazy about her new funkier looks..they seem to have appeared about the time she started hanging with Lenny Kravis..another *fashion icon*. (Karen) Goddess gowns also gave a romantic flair to... \"Lost in Translation\" director Sofia Coppola Perhaps I missed something...but I was trying to figure out what that get-up was all about. Looked more like an ill-fitting black barrel attached by shoulder straps to me....thought the black ballet flats were the ultimate kiss of death for this outfit... Who knew it was actually the height if fashion??? (karen) I was getting sick of seeing Clint Eastwood's wife hovering next to his ear every time the camera showed him.. LOL. Did you notice she also got the credit for his musical talents during the red carpet interview?? Why pay a manager when she's around? And for my final 'witchy comment'...would someone please tell Al Pacino that he's beginnng to look like he needs to be de-loused??? With all the people that get paid to advise these folks, why hasn't someone given him a mirror?? MEEOWW...."}, {"response": 137, "author": "birdy", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (10:32)", "body": "(Evelyn)Was told that Dawn in \"The Office\" ,which won as Best Comedy on TV, is Lucy Davis....Maria Lucas in P&P!! THANKS A MIL, EV! She looked SO familiar and I couldn't figure out why..."}, {"response": 138, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (10:43)", "body": "(Barb), Hey Moon! Great job! Not 100% but better than I would have done. Missed 2! Foreign Film (should have gone with the PC Osama) ;-) and I am happy Diane Keeton won Best Actress, she was great. The dresses: I loved Melanie Griffith dress, Kim Catrell, Kate Blanchett was stunning, Charlize. The girl of Joan of Arcadia and a presenter named Molly (I don't her, but loved the gown). Did not care for Nicole Kidman's dress, not a good fit. Did not like Scarlett's dress, what was she thinking? Love Jude Law.... mantra. ;-) And hooray for LOTR! Lost in Translation is going to sweep the IFC awards, IMO."}, {"response": 139, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (10:44)", "body": "Nicole's dress with nude inserts reminded me of the costumes worn by figure skaters. (Leslie) Looked more like an ill-fitting black barrel attached by shoulder straps to me.... Think I called it a paper bag last night when I was recapping with Ev. About those \"goddess\" gowns, they were vintage, right? Think I remember people like Elizabeth Taylor or Gina Lolabridgida wearing that ancient Greek look back in the '60s. Hmmm, maybe it was post-Cleopatra... (Leslie) would someone please tell Al Pacino that he's beginnng to look like he needs to be de-loused?? *snort* He was bad, as was his speech."}, {"response": 140, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (10:47)", "body": "*snort* He was bad, as was his speech. I find him very conceited and full of himself."}, {"response": 141, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (10:49)", "body": "(Leslie) And for my final 'witchy comment' Surely you should have something to say about Dick Clark? Somebody put this man back in his embalming fluid. Hated when they'd break away for his commentary."}, {"response": 142, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (10:52)", "body": "Oooh, thought of another low light of the evening. When the pres of the HFP gave his speech and we were somehow to be impressed by the fact that they'd given away $700K to whatevers. Sheesh! I think that's less than the combined value of three goodie bags. ;-)"}, {"response": 143, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (11:07)", "body": "Ooops...please forgive my ignorance...noticed I mispelled Nicole Kidman's former flame...I meant Lenny Kravitz, not Kravis. Just goes to show how much of a fan I am. LOL about Dick Clark, Karen. Does anyone know how old he actually is?"}, {"response": 144, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (11:17)", "body": "Love the comments. Always the best part of these things. Just looked at People's worst dressed list -- Scarlett is first up. When I first saw her, she was standing in profile and she looked so \"top heavy\" I wondered she could keep her balance. Renee Z is on the list too. Did not think she was that bad but thought of the \"make Bridget look worse than she is\" trick of having the clothes a size too small. (Happy she won.) Favorite thing 1 -- Jane Fonda on the red carpet cutting off questions about her--there for her son. Favorite thing 2 -- Have never been huge Michael Douglas fan, but the tribute they put together was good, Sharon Stone seemed to start of kooky but reined it in quickly and thought MD showed lots of class by mentioned Karl Malden right off. Most favorite thing -- LOTR and Peter Jackson thanking the professor."}, {"response": 145, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (11:17)", "body": "He's 74 -- my DH & I wondered the same thing last night. Here's some bio info: http://www.history-of-rock.com/clark.htm"}, {"response": 146, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (11:20)", "body": "Favorite thing: Bill Murray's acceptance speech. Most tasteless thing, outside of anything said by Mother and Daughter Nitwit, Danny DeVito's quip about knowing him longer than some men's wives' ages. She did not look amused. *muted the rest of the tribute to Michael Douglas and read*"}, {"response": 147, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (11:20)", "body": "Worst: --Nicole Kidman. She looked so uncomfortable. The dress wore her. --Cynthia Nixon's hair. Looked like someone tacked a red mop onto the back of her head. --Sofia Coppola. Sack dress and ugly flat shoes. Poor thing. --Diane Keaton. She always does that covered head to toe combined with Michael Jackson gloves thing. Bad. Best: --Renee Z. Elegant as always and very curvy. Beautiful color. --Diane Lane. Gorgeous floral, very flattering, fit her like a glove. --Sarah Jessica. Loved the dress, but the hair was bad. Lots of bad hair last night. Others: --Scarlett. Not thrilled with the corset look, but she's young and gorgeous and can get away with it. Jude Law told Joan a huge lie when she asked who he was with. \"Just my friend Simon.\" Gee, Simon looks just like Sienna Miller.;-)"}, {"response": 148, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (11:24)", "body": "Worst male: Peter Jackson. He always looks so unkempt. Most boring: Anything to do with LOTR. Good riddance already. Loved Bill Murray's speech. Was surprised he showed up. Forgot Cate Blanchett--she was stunning."}, {"response": 149, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (11:25)", "body": "In defense of Sofia Coppola. As a writer/director, she's not required to be as glam as the actors and though the shoes looked ridiculous, bet she was comfortable. ;-) (Mari) Jude Law told Joan a huge lie when she asked who he was with. \"Just my friend Simon.\" Gee, Simon looks just like Sienna Miller.;-) Yeah, I heard that too, but maybe it's not a lie. Maybe it's his nickname for her: Si-enna M-iller??? Really loud dress :-("}, {"response": 150, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (11:38)", "body": "(Krn), Favorite thing: Bill Murray's acceptance speech. Loved it! To bad Sean Penn didn't show, but I knew that. ;-) Diane Keaton's: la di da. Looks like she was expecting it. Hey, I got Danny Devito's brick joke! ;-D Ever since Ren\ufffde was on Letterman wearing a tight red dress showing cleavage, he observed that she should always wear that dress when she coms on his show, and she's showing it! I could swear that blue dress was a copy with very minor changes."}, {"response": 151, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (11:48)", "body": "(Karen)Oooh, thought of another low light of the evening. What was up with that stupid opening song incorporating peeps from the red carpet? A lousy cheesy way to open show. (Mari)Renee Z. Elegant as always and very curvy. Beautiful color. I agree. I loved the dress, the color and her cute self up there. I loved her Ruby which was the personification of the Ruby in my mind when I read it. (Karen)In defense of Sofia Coppola. As a writer/director, she's not required to be as glam as the actors and though the shoes looked ridiculous, bet she was comfortable. ;-) Bunions! Was my first thought when I saw those shoes (as it would be;-))"}, {"response": 152, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (12:00)", "body": "Beedee....Bunions! By Heaven, I think you've got it!!! What else could it be? LOL. Thanks for the Dick Clark link, Karen."}, {"response": 153, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (12:12)", "body": "BTW... I vote 'thumbs up' for RZ's recent fashion outings...both the red Letterman dress and the one she wore last night. Both of these outfits were pretty retro. Wonder if she's just trying to find the best way to present her temporarily inflated self? IMO those outfits are pretty reminiscent of all the fuller pin up girls from the past...Grable, Hayworth and Monroe. Worked pretty well for them, no?"}, {"response": 154, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (12:19)", "body": "Fashion Police on tonight on E! \"Lose the weight Renee...you'll start getting \"mother\" roles...like in \"Leave it to Beaver\" Saw \"Big Fish\"...they shudda called it \"Big Yawn\"."}, {"response": 155, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (12:38)", "body": "Kudos to Mary Louise Parker--who was dumped right before giving birth 2 months ago, showed up looking fabulous, and got a well-deserved win for AIA. Way to go, honey. (leslie)IMO those outfits are pretty reminiscent of all the fuller pin up girls from the past...Grable, Hayworth and Monroe. Very much so! Hey, she's curvy and she's working it! To me, her dresses aren't too tight, it's just that the media is not used to seeing actresses who are not size 2. BTW, Nicole looks ill. And golly, weren't you all surprised that RZ showed up because, after all, they are filming TEOR now. ;-) Was LOL a Joan's shaming of Kevin Costner over that microscopic engagement ring on his honey's finger. I guess after alimony and the divorce settlement it was the best he could do.;-) Also enjoyed her query to said honey: \"Christine, what do you do?\" \"Um, er, I, ah, design bags.\" And Barbra was there! Looking like buttah!;-) Good for her for sporting her furs. PETA can go pound."}, {"response": 156, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (13:00)", "body": "Didn't sit and watch the GGs but caught bits of the fashion parade this morning on the talk shows . . Charlize was beautiful . .Nicole looked a bit washed out in her sequin number . . liked the lavendar that Uma wore (am partial to many shades of purple & blue;) . .thought J-Lo's coral/tangerine didn't flatter her color wise . .saw Sofia flat shoes and shapless black dress . . .she looked comfy at least! . .anyone have a pic of RZ? Didn't see one of her . . . or of SJ . .only saw Scarlett sitting down . ."}, {"response": 157, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (13:27)", "body": "(Karen)I don't know about you, but I was getting sick of seeing Clint Eastwood's wife hovering next to his ear every time the camera showed him. LOL, I didn't think much of it the first time or two, but after that it was so obvious. Maybe she should design bags or something, too;-) Agree-Nicole looked awful. RZ was wonderfully curvy, and Sofia needs help before the Oscars. I did think that both Bill Murray and Sofia Coppola not mentioning Scarlet was a bit sad. At least the second time SC went up she did mention her, but I think it was because Scarlet stopped her on the way to the stage and gave her a hug.(like don't forget me this time) I really think it's going to be Charlize all the way. I'm anxious to see who gets bumped from the Best Actress category,tomorrow."}, {"response": 158, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (13:37)", "body": "Speaking of LOL, I had to laugh at Harry, the guy on CBS Morning Show, who interviewed RZ and pointed at two purple jewels she had on our dress straps. He said, \"Are those real?\" And RZ looked down at her chest and said \"Which ones were you referring to?\" She then laughed, paused and said. \"The answer is yes, and yes.\""}, {"response": 159, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (13:50)", "body": "My yearly rant: Except for extenuating circumstances, think people who don't show up should not be given awards. Refreshing to see the cute cast of \"The Office\" on stage. Enthusiastic, self-deprecating, appreciative....and they came all the way over the pond. RC came from his ranch in Australia, Richard Curtis & Ben Kingsley from UK and all they got was a goodie-bag. Jeeze, even Johnny Depp graced our shores all the way from France."}, {"response": 160, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (14:24)", "body": "(Moon) To bad Sean Penn didn't show, but I knew that. ;-) He attended the Broadcast Film Critics award show a couple of weeks ago. (Leslie) IMO those outfits are pretty reminiscent of all the fuller pin up girls from the past...Grable, Hayworth and Monroe. Worked pretty well for them, no? Excellent point. (Mari) Kudos to Mary Louise Parker--who was dumped right before giving birth 2 months ago I had heard that she and Billy Crudup were no more, but didn't know the details or the fact that she was pregnant. Really must read those gossip papers more... ;-) (Mari) And golly, weren't you all surprised that RZ showed up because, after all, they are filming TEOR now. ;-) *snort* There are just some things a person will do for a, say, Anthony Minghella, as opposed to a Marc Evans. ;-) (Linda) I did think that both Bill Murray and Sofia Coppola not mentioning Scarlet was a bit sad. I'm anxious to see what they show of backstage interviews today on Access Hollywood, ET and Extra. If no one mentions her, when less frazzled as their excuse, then I have to jump to some ominous conclusions. :-( (Evelyn) My yearly rant: Except for extenuating circumstances, think people who don't show up should not be given awards. And my yearly response: Irrelevant Speaking of which, there was one category where it almost appeared no one was there. Supporting Actress for TV movie or similar which had Helen Mirren, Maggie Smith and somebody else not there. Whenever I see Diane Keaton with her gloves, it reminds me of East of Eden and Jo Van Fleet as the mother who had severely arthritic hands and wore gloves all the time."}, {"response": 161, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (14:50)", "body": "(Karen), He attended the Broadcast Film Critics award show a couple of weeks ago. Yes, but I'm sure the speech he might have made at the GGs would have been Interesting ? (Linda) I did think that both Bill Murray and Sofia Coppola not mentioning Scarlet was a bit sad. Sofia did thank Scarlett, Bill did not, I found that odd. Maybe my comment about he whispers in her ears in LiT is true! LOL! Even Leo Di Caprio showed up! And he's filming in Rome. In fact, there are a few films wrapping up in Rome right now. Will keep my eyes open. Hugs to all, arrivederci! I'm off to Italy for three weeks tomorrow, will keep my eyes open in Rome. ;-)"}, {"response": 162, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (14:51)", "body": "Excuse my mistakes, am doing too many things at once."}, {"response": 163, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (15:16)", "body": "(Ev)Refreshing to see the cute cast of \"The Office\" on stage. Enthusiastic, self-deprecating, appreciative....and they came all the way over the pond.. Weren't they cute! The funny thing is that this is the only show that nominated that I get to see fairly regularly. Loved Ricky Gervais the second time too. Very witty. Arrivederci Moon, you lucky duck!"}, {"response": 164, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (16:23)", "body": "Ev says: RC came from his ranch in Australia, Richard Curtis & Ben Kingsley from UK and all they got was a goodie-bag. If RC means Russell, he wasn't there. He is staying with baby and Dani until the last minute. Will go to Japan for promo for M&C Feb 4 and 5, and then to the DGA's before Toronto to start filming. I was appalled that Fox had NO representation there for M&C, and wasn't crazy about Robin Williams intro. Loved Cate Blanchett's look, and Amber Tambyln's. If that was her Dad Russ with her, he sure has gotten older --- as have we all. Love Diane Keaton's acceptance speech (though the gloves were a bit much), and Streep's. So happy for Geoffrey Wright, and Tim Robbins. Peter Jackson was the dumpiest man there - even worse than Pacino. And I am not a fan of the off-beat brown-fedora Depp look. We all should look as glamorous and beautiful as Ellen Burstyn at over 60. Poor Joan Rivers! I never have the TV sound on for her, but that face! It is etched in stone. Something happened to her mouth on the last nip/tuck."}, {"response": 165, "author": "Gail", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (16:38)", "body": "I think Peter Jackson may need some slack, I heard an interview that he did once and he said something to the effect that after working for all those years on LOTR that he shouldn't have been surprized, but was, that he ended up looking like a Hobbit"}, {"response": 166, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (16:52)", "body": "Slack? What's that? ;-) Couple of other comments on the men. Thank goodness Michael Douglas isn't a strawberry blonde anymore. ;-) Also, didn't Tom Wilkinson look younger?"}, {"response": 167, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (17:14)", "body": "(Karen)Thank goodness Michael Douglas isn't a strawberry blonde anymore. ;-) You got that right! Looks like he had some skin work too. Also, didn't Tom Wilkinson look younger? I thought so too. Younger than in years. Was anyone able to get a pic of SJ standing up? I came late to the ball;-)"}, {"response": 168, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (17:16)", "body": "(Karen)Thank goodness Michael Douglas isn't a strawberry blonde anymore. ;-) And he has some new front teeth;-) Oops, cudda sworn I saw Russell Crowe;-) (Murph) I was appalled that Fox had NO representation there for M&C,.. Someone leaked the *bad news* to Fox. Why waste your time....they shudda told the other RC. ...and wasn't crazy about Robin Williams intro. Someone should put Robin williams and Jack Nicholson on a dog sled and send them off to the Alaska tundras."}, {"response": 169, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (18:40)", "body": "(Ev)...and wasn't crazy about Robin Williams intro. Someone should put Robin williams and Jack Nicholson on a dog sled and send them off to the Alaska tundras. LOL! Any room for JIm Carrey on that sled?"}, {"response": 170, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (19:03)", "body": "(Karen) If no one mentions her, when less frazzled as their excuse, then I have to jump to some ominous conclusions. Just finished watching the evening shows. There wasn't hide 'nor hair of SJ anywhere. What might those conclusions be?? I'm a bit confused...most of her press thus far has been pretty glowing."}, {"response": 171, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (19:10)", "body": "Just picked up on People magazine's worst dressed list for the GG. SJ is at the top of the list with RZ following close behind. http://people.aol.com/people/pop_up/0,10772,579281_1_photos,00.html"}, {"response": 172, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (19:26)", "body": "Thanks for the link leslie . .hmm I liked SJ's dress . .just the color made her look a bit washed out that's all . .what's with the pale pale colors??? . .the style was great . .Need to find another pic of RZ's dress . .looked fab to me;)"}, {"response": 173, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (19:54)", "body": "(Leslie)There wasn't hide 'nor hair of SJ anywhere. What might those conclusions be?? I think the only conclusion is that ET and AH were too busy focusing on people who weren't even nominated! Hello JLo, Jessica, Nick. SJ was interviwed on E! News. Renee said on one of the shows that she was off to Austria tomorrow for TEOR."}, {"response": 174, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 2004 (23:59)", "body": "Saw SJ at one of the parties. She was *with* Sofia and SJ was holding the GG statue. The whole thing is rather bizarre IMO. Also, saw Bill Murray being interviewed (can't remember which show) and he was asked about the \"honor\" of working with SJ. He responded that he really didn't think in terms of the honor of working with a 17-year-old but that it was a fun experience."}, {"response": 175, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (04:17)", "body": "UK buzz about GG's is all about The Office - which reminds me, Lucy Davis said in 'The Making of The Office ' that she had been in P&P, but her small role had gone unnoticed as nobody had managed to take their eyes off CF for more than a second. Thought RZ looked glorious, personally, to judge from the stills. Paris Hilton is the UK tabloids' \"worst-dressed\", with Joely Richardson a gallant British runner-up."}, {"response": 176, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (06:17)", "body": "(Karen)..he really didn't think in terms of the honor of working with a 17-year-old OUCH!"}, {"response": 177, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (06:37)", "body": "Say what you want about the GGs, on the TV side they've historically championed new shows and helped them gain a following, such as Sex $ The City, Curb Your Enthusiasm, etc. Was glad The Office won, Ricky Gervais is unfortunately not that far off from some bosses from hell that I've had. Mark, do you get Nip/Tuck over there? That's Joely's show, was really pulling for that to win, I'm completely hooked."}, {"response": 178, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (07:55)", "body": ""}, {"response": 179, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (07:59)", "body": "I'll fill in with the lessers. GWAPE nabbed a few. Complete List of Oscar Nominations 4 minutes ago By The Associated Press Complete list of the 76th annual Oscar nominations announced Tuesday in Beverly Hills, Calif., by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (news - web sites): AP Photo Slideshow: Academy Awards 1. Best Picture: \"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,\" \"Lost in Translation,\" \"Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World,\" \"Mystic River,\" \"Seabiscuit.\" 2. Actor: Johnny Depp (news), \"Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl\"; Ben Kingsley (news), \"House of Sand and Fog\"; Jude Law (news), \"Cold Mountain\"; Bill Murray (news), \"Lost in Translation\"; Sean Penn (news), \"Mystic River.\" 3. Actress: Keisha Castle-Hughes, \"Whale Rider\"; Diane Keaton (news), \"Something's Gotta Give\"; Samantha Morton (news), \"In America\"; Charlize Theron (news), \"Monster\"; Naomi Watts (news), \"21 Grams.\" 4. Supporting Actor: Alec Baldwin (news), \"The Cooler\"; Benicio Del Toro (news), \"21 Grams\"; Djimon Hounsou (news), \"In America\"; Tim Robbins (news), \"Mystic River\"; Ken Watanabe, \"The Last Samurai.\" 5. Supporting Actress: Shohreh Aghdashloo, \"House of Sand and Fog\"; Patricia Clarkson, \"Pieces of April\"; Marcia Gay Harden (news), \"Mystic River\"; Holly Hunter (news), \"thirteen\"; Renee Zellweger (news), \"Cold Mountain.\" 6. Director: Fernando Meirelles, \"City of God\"; Peter Jackson (news), \"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King\"; Sofia Coppola (news), \"Lost in Translation\"; Peter Weir (news), \"Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World\"; Clint Eastwood (news), \"Mystic River.\" 7. Foreign Film: \"The Barbarian Invasions,\" Canada; \"Zelary,\" Czech Republic; \"The Twilight Samurai,\" Japan; \"Twin Sisters,\" The Netherlands; \"Evil,\" Sweden. 8. Adapted Screenplay: Robert Pulcini & Shari Springer Berman, \"American Splendor\"; Braulio Mantovani, \"City of God\"; Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens & Peter Jackson, \"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King\"; Brian Helgeland, \"Mystic River\"; Gary Ross, \"Seabiscuit.\" 9. Original Screenplay: Denys Arcand (news), \"The Barbarian Invasions\"; Steven Knight, \"Dirty Pretty Things\"; Andrew Stanton, Bob Peterson and David Reynolds, \"Finding Nemo\"; Jim Sheridan & Naomi Sheridan & Kirsten Sheridan, \"In America\"; Sofia Coppola, \"Lost in Translation.\" 10. Animated feature film: \"Brother Bear\"; \"Finding Nemo\"; \"The Triplets of Belleville.\" 11. Art Direction: \"Girl with a Pearl Earring,\" \"The Last Samurai,\" \"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,\" \"Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World,\" \"Seabiscuit.\" 12. Cinematography: \"City of God,\" \"Cold Mountain,\" \"Girl with a Pearl Earring,\" \"Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World,\" \"Seabiscuit.\" 13. Sound Mixing: \"The Last Samurai,\" \"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,\" \"Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World,\" \"Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,\" \"Seabiscuit.\" 14. Sound Editing: \"Finding Nemo,\" \"Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World,\" \"Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. \" 15. Original Score: \"Big Fish,\" Danny Elfman (news); \"Cold Mountain,\" Gabriel Yared; \"Finding Nemo,\" Thomas Newman; \"House of Sand and Fog,\" James Horner; \"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,\" Howard Shore. 16. Original Song: \"Into the West\" from \"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,\" Fran Walsh, Howard Shore and Annie Lennox (news); \"A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow\" from \"A Mighty Wind,\" Michael McKean (news) and Annette O'Toole; \"Scarlet Tide\" from \"Cold Mountain,\" T Bone Burnett and Elvis Costello (news); \"The Triplets of Belleville\" from \"The Triplets of Belleville,\" Benoit Charest and Sylvain Chomet; \"You Will Be My Ain True Love\" from \"Cold Mountain,\" Sting. 17. Costume: \"Girl with a Pearl Earring,\" \"The Last Samurai,\" \"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,\" \"Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World,\" \"Seabiscuit.\" 18. Documentary Feature: \"Balseros,\" \"Capturing the Friedmans,\" \"The Fog of War,\" \"My Architect,\" \"The Weather Underground.\" 19. Documentary (short subject): \"Asylum,\" \"Chernobyl Heart,\" \"Ferry Tales.\" 20. Film Editing: \"City of God,\" \"Cold Mountain,\" \"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of The King,\" \"Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World\" \"Seabiscuit.\" 21. Makeup: \"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,\" \"Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World,\" \"Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.\" 22. Animated Short Film: \"Boundin',\" \"Destino,\" \"Gone Nutty,\" \"Harvie Krumpet,\" \"Nibbles.\" 23. Live Action Short Film: \"Die Rote Jacke (The Red Jacket),\" \"Most (The Bridge),\" \"Squash,\" \"(A) Torzija (A Torsion),\" \"Two Soldiers.\" 24. Visual Effects: \"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,\" \"Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World,\" \"Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.\""}, {"response": 180, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (08:00)", "body": "Complete Oscars List ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE Johnny Depp - PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL Ben Kingsley - HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG Jude Law - COLD MOUNTAIN Bill Murray - LOST IN TRANSLATION Sean Penn - MYSTIC RIVER ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Alec Baldwin - THE COOLER Benicio Del Toro - 21 GRAMS Djimon Hounsou - IN AMERICA Tim Robbins - MYSTIC RIVER Ken Watanabe - THE LAST SAMURAI ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE Keisha Castle-Hughes - WHALE RIDER Diane Keaton - SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE Samantha Morton - IN AMERICA Charlize Theron - MONSTER Naomi Watts - 21 GRAMS ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Shohreh Aghdashloo - HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG Patricia Clarkson - PIECES OF APRIL Marcia Gay Harden - MYSTIC RIVER Holly Hunter - THIRTEEN Ren\ufffde Zellweger - COLD MOUNTAIN ANIMATED FEATURE FILM BROTHER BEAR FINDING NEMO THE TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE ART DIRECTION GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING THE LAST SAMURAI THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD SEABISCUIT CINEMATOGRAPHY CITY OF GOD COLD MOUNTAIN GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD SEABISCUIT COSTUME DESIGN GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING THE LAST SAMURAI THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD SEABISCUIT DIRECTING CITY OF GOD THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING LOST IN TRANSLATION MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD MYSTIC RIVER DOCUMENTARY FEATURE BALSEROS CAPTURING THE FRIEDMANS THE FOG OF WAR MY ARCHITECT THE WEATHER UNDERGROUND DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT ASYLUM CHERNOBYL HEART FERRY TALES FILM EDITING CITY OF GOD COLD MOUNTAIN THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD SEABISCUIT FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM THE BARBARIAN INVASIONS EVIL THE TWILIGHT SAMURAI TWIN SISTERS \ufffdELARY MAKEUP THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL MUSIC (SCORE) BIG FISH COLD MOUNTAIN FINDING NEMO HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING MUSIC (SONG) \"Into the West\" - THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING \"A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow\" - A MIGHTY WIND \"Scarlet Tide\" - COLD MOUNTAIN \"The Triplets of Belleville\" - THE TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE \"You Will Be My Ain True Love\" - COLD MOUNTAIN BEST PICTURE THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING LOST IN TRANSLATION MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD MYSTIC RIVER SEABISCUIT SHORT FILM (ANIMATED) BOUNDIN' DESTINO GONE NUTTY HARVIE KRUMPET NIBBLES SHORT FILM (LIVE ACTION) DIE ROTE JACKE (The Red Jacket) MOST (The Bridge) SQUASH (A) TORZIJA ([A] Torsion) TWO SOLDIERS SOUND THE LAST SAMURAI THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL SEABISCUIT SOUND EDITING FINDING NEMO MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL VISUAL EFFECTS THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY) AMERICAN SPLENDOR CITY OF GOD THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING MYSTIC RIVER SEABISCUIT WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY) THE BARBARIAN INVASIONS DIRTY PRETTY THINGS FINDING NEMO IN AMERICA LOST IN TRANSLATION"}, {"response": 181, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (08:01)", "body": ""}, {"response": 182, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (08:11)", "body": "Well, I'm thrilled. Just goes to show how ridiculous IMO the GGs are. Good to see GWAPE get three noms in the expected categories: Art Direction, Cinematography and Costume Design. I really like nearly all the actor noms (with the exception of Johnny Depp) in all four categories, though I can't say about Diane Keaton since I still haven't seen that one. ;-) Loved that they recognized Keisha Knight-Castle, Djimon Housou, Samantha Morton, the woman from House of Sand & Fog, as well as the ones who were obvious choices (Tim Robbins, Alex Baldwin, Patricia Clarkson, Naomi Watts, Charlize Theron, Sean Penn, etc. Pesonally, am gloating that Cold Mountain and M&C (sorry Mary) didn't rack it up. I didn't think they were all that special. Much preferred the Last Samurai in the category of historical epic."}, {"response": 183, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (08:44)", "body": "Mari: Mark, do you get Nip/Tuck over there? Mari, it just started on Sky (satellite/cable), so much less audience potential than terrestrial TV. Audiences about 1m, I believe, which is good for Sky and would be very weak for BBC or ITV."}, {"response": 184, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (08:52)", "body": "Disappointed that GWAPE didn't get a nomination for its score but it wasn't expected. As I've said before, this is the most incestuous category in the group. Same names year after year no matter what they churn out or how bland. :-( BTW, after what Clint Eastwood said, I think he's shamed the Academy voters into voting for Sean Penn over Bill Murray."}, {"response": 185, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (09:22)", "body": "(Karen)BTW, after what Clint Eastwood said, I think he's shamed the Academy voters into voting for Sean Penn over Bill Murray. Hmmmmm. Interesting point. Will be interesting to watch."}, {"response": 186, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (09:32)", "body": "I forgot to say thanks to those on the ball pals who posted the Oscar lists so quickly, you know who you are:-))"}, {"response": 187, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (09:36)", "body": "They're an easily influenced group. For example, Julia Roberts' campaign for Denzel and recent smear campaigns against popular contenders."}, {"response": 188, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (09:43)", "body": "Ug. Oscars *so* predictable this year. Glad \"21 Grams\" got some recognition. Thrilled for Renee and GWAPE. RC getting robbed....again. M&C nommed for what...ten nominations and not the star? Get Out! Reminiscent of Beautiful Mind. Red Carpet will be dull with a bunch of no names prancing in. If it wasn't for Billy Crystal and Elvis Costello I wouldn't watch. Katie Couric and the guys on E! exclaiming surprise that SJ was not nommed. (Leslie) People magazine's worst dressed list for the GG. SJ is at the top of the list with RZ following close behind SJ shudda worn the GWAPE premiere dress, the one with the black rose at the waist.Stunning Have to agree about Renee. Looked like she told the dressmaker she was a size 10 when she's more a 14."}, {"response": 189, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (09:47)", "body": "(Karen)recent smear campaigns against popular contenders. Ooo, ooo, Who? So waddaya think the thinking was w/J Depp? I had no problem with it at the GGs as they had a *mirthful* category but jeeze. And I do like him and admire his choices. OT, BTW, I caught Lost in LaMancha and found it facinating."}, {"response": 190, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (09:55)", "body": "(Beedee) So waddaya think the thinking was w/J Depp? I'm at a loss. Have to say drugs. ;-) Smear campaigns in recent past."}, {"response": 191, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (10:02)", "body": "(Karen)recent smear campaigns against popular contenders. (BD)Ooo, ooo, Who? So waddaya think the thinking was w/J Depp? (Karen)I'm at a loss. Have to say drugs. ;-) Glad you put a winkie.... drugs would disqualify most of the industry. ....at least Johnny Depp shows up. Even if only to get the Worst Dressed Man Award from Fashion Police last night, LOL;-) I thought he looked pretty distinguished ;-) and so did he."}, {"response": 192, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (10:16)", "body": "(K)I'm at a loss. Have to say drugs. ;-) Taken by nominators or Johnny?..;-)"}, {"response": 193, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (10:42)", "body": "Ev: Re RC - At least he was nominated for A Beautiful Mind! I can't feel too bad, though. It is a rich acting field this year, though I would have picked Russell over Jude Law as a nominee. Keisha - the youngest ever to be nominated for best actress. Way to go. Charlize will win that category. Now will root for Robbins and Penn."}, {"response": 194, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (10:55)", "body": "There's not a performance in the Supporting Actor category that I didn't love. I know I posted that Tim Robbins' virtually screamed Oscar to me right after I saw it way back when, but Djimon Hounsou's in In America will rip out your heart. And this has to be a first! I have actually seen something in the Film Short (animated) category! Saw 'Destino' before another film at the Chicago FF; its pedigree is extremely interesting: a collaboration between Disney and Salvador Dali that was started in the mid-1940s but was only finished now."}, {"response": 195, "author": "katty", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (12:24)", "body": "I'm so surprised Samantha Morton was nominated. Though she was excellent, there was no buzz for her at all, and her role was more a supporting one. The little girls completely overshadowed the adults. She wasn't even nominated for Golden Globe, BAFTA or SAG. I just don't understand it. In this case, the nomination went completely against the grain. I sure wish SJ had her spot but being the \"It\" girl - and deserving it - just wasn't enough. Sorry to disagree, but I just didn't like Penn's performance. He's a great actor, but in this one his acting seemed so showy and over-the-top and too typically Penn. He could have interchanged the same character in half of his other films. I never once forgot he was Sean Penn acting a Sean Penn character. I'd like to see him - for once - surprise us and UNDERPLAY a role. (Please don't blast me - just my humble opinion.) I did, however, think Robbins was amazingly good. Master and Commander, to me, was boring. Russell Crowe is one of the best actors in the world, but he wasn't much in this one and I'm glad he wasn't nominated. He was, however, robbed when he didn't win for A Beautiful Mind. Before I get booed off the stage, I'd like to say that I loved Johnny Depp in Pirates. His interpretation was so original and daring. He could have been just another Captain Hook type, but he took it to another level and made it so hilarious, mischeivous, surprising, clever and hilarious. Depp is so beautiful one forgets what a great actor he is. He BECAME Jack Sparrow and engraved that character into our memories. Now I'll exit before the tomatoes hit."}, {"response": 196, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (12:46)", "body": "Hey, they'll have to boo me off, too, because I thought Depp was fantastic in Pirates. Without him, it's just another swashbuckler (albeit a handsomely made one). Very surprised at Cold Mountain and Minghella's omission. I think they were deserving. Lost In Translation is, IMO, overrated--except for the excellent Bill Murray. I thought Last Samurai was surprisingly good, a beautifully made epic, and I thought Tom Cruise was great. Good to see Ken w. get in there, at least. I also really enjoyed Seabiscuit. Any of the actors would have been deserving, especially Jeff Bridges, but that Supporting Actor category is always chock full."}, {"response": 197, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (13:33)", "body": "(Murph)Now will root for Robbins and Penn. I'm rooting for Bernicio, JL...and \"Finding Nemo\";-) (Katty)He's[Johnny Depp] a great actor, but in this one his acting seemed so showy and over-the-top and too typically Penn. He could have interchanged the same character in half of his other films LOL. That's what some of the critics said; a \"Johnny One-Note\" Hey, if it works once...milk it;-) (Mari)Lost In Translation is, IMO, overrated--except for the excellent Bill Murray. Agree. Didn't even think SJ was a stand-out in that one...though she was in spades in GWAPE."}, {"response": 198, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (13:50)", "body": "(Evelyn) LOL. That's what some of the critics said; a \"Johnny One-Note\" Hey, if it works once...milk it;-) Jack Nicholson has been doing it successfully for years. Glad to see the GG's and AA's didn't reward him for it this year."}, {"response": 199, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (13:51)", "body": "oops"}, {"response": 200, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (17:32)", "body": "(Mari)Lost In Translation is, IMO, overrated--except for the excellent Bill Murray. (Evelyn)Agree. Didn't even think SJ was a stand-out in that one...though she was in spades in GWAPE. Agree and Agree. I saw LIT the weekend it opened just to see SJ and what I might expect from her in GWAPE. I was disappointed in her and the film...except for Bill Murray. However I really did think she was great in GWAPE. But I am surprised that after two GG noms that she didn't make the cut. (Evelyn)Refreshing to see the cute cast of \"The Office\" on stage. Enthusiastic, self-deprecating, appreciative....and they came all the way over the pond. I am so hooked on this show. I never thought it would win-let alone two awards. RG looked as shocked as I did;-)Bravo to them for being there, and RC, too!! ...programing note: don't forget Keen Eddy, tonight."}, {"response": 201, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (17:57)", "body": "Anyone here a Grobanite? From the Seattle Times--the rest is here: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2001844257_superbrites27.html ...Anyway, if you're not sure if you're a Grobanite, take this simple test: If you think the highlight of Sunday's Super Bowl will be Kid Rock's halftime performance, run away, dude. If, however, you enjoy movies starring Hugh Grant AND Colin Firth, you just might be a Grobanite."}, {"response": 202, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (18:40)", "body": "Editor and Publisher.com: Two Thumbs Down on Movie Blurbing By Allan Wolper (January 13, 2004) -- This is about The Blurbing of America, where film critics are packaged by the film studios, aided by newspaper advertising departments hungry for the full- page ads that are part of huge movie budgets. The salespeople even send out advance copies of their newspaper's reviews or feature stories to studios, to give them extra time to prepare promotional or advertising copy. Or perhaps to warn them that their movie might be panned. For example, The New York Times e-mails its movie reviews to studio publicists three hours before they are posted on the newspaper's Web site. The Times claims that its editorial integrity is not compromised because the reviews are already locked into the printing process, and can't be changed. But the message is clear: the alleged firewall between the newspaper's business and editorial sections has been breached. The arts sections of many big-city newspapers are replete with advertising blurbs which studio ad agencies surgically remove from the critics' reviews. There is evidence that many critics and the publications they work for enjoy the notoriety that those blurbs bring to them. When Rolling Stone interviewed writers for the critic's job that eventually went to Peter Travers, the magazine made it known that it wanted its reviewer to be featured in newspaper ads, according to numerous journalists. The reasoning was obvious: Rolling Stone saw the blurbs as free advertisements for itself, as well as a selling point with studio ad agencies. Travers has made it big in Blurb Journalism, second only to Roger Ebert and Richard Roeper, the \"Two Thumbs Up\" Guys. Newspaper critics allege the dynamic duo of Ebert & Roeper, both of whom work for the Chicago Sun-Times, are studio-friendly because their syndicated television show and annual Film Festival at Sea are both sponsored by Disney. Those innuendos grate on Ebert. \"I'm on the level,\" he said. \"I won The Pulitzer Prize. If you talk to anyone who knows me, they will tell you I am an honest person.\" He views the criticism of his Disney connection as the reactive rants of writers jealous of his fame and fortune. \"We are quoted more than anyone else because we are the most popular movie program in the country,\" he said, adding, \"If a movie is really shitty, we won't review it.\" Stephen Holden, a New York Times film critic, said that kind of relationship would not be tolerated by his superiors. \"That's a clear conflict of interest,\" Holden told me. \"That's dangerous. But that's the world we live in today. Our newspaper would never approve that arrangement.\" Roeper said Holden doesn't understand the needs of a syndicated television program or the ethical constraints involved. \"We are Disney employees, but we don't tout their movies more than anyone else,\" he said. \"In fact, we go out of our way to show movies of other studios on our cruises. If someone is going to syndicate a television program, they are going to have to find a media conglomerate like Disney to sponsor it.\" The studio publicists, sensitive to the ethical hand-wringing of the critics, routinely call reviewers to get their approval for the blurbs. But that makes those critics part of the promotional process. The advertising rewrites of the reviews are an effective way of negating bad press. The studios were much more up-front during the old days: \"The publicists used to send us cases of fine wine,\" recalled Rex Reed, a film critic for The New York Observer. \"It was done as courtesy, not a bribe. But they don't do that anymore.\" It is a fact of consumer life -- especially during the latest rise in ticket prices -- that readers use the blurbs to help them make their movie decisions. Some readers tend to skip the actual reviews until they've seen the movies because they give away too much of the plot. That is why I shut my eyes and stick my fingers in my ears during those endless coming attractions. The blurbs are so important that three years ago Sony executives created a fake movie critic, known as David Manning, to promote the studio's worst films. Rita Kempley, film critic for The Washington Post who retired this month after 25 years, said Allied Advertising once told her that her career would suffer if she didn't become more quotable. \"I guess they couldn't figure out how to blurb me,\" Kempley said. It is considered an ethical no-no for newspapers to publish reviews before a movie has officially opened. No reviewer wants to be seen publicly as an extension of the studios. Which is why film festivals have become so important. These festivals, once a haven for low-budget independents looking for a promotional lift, are now routinely used by big studios to harvest positive reviews that can be used three to six months later, right before the movie premieres. Movie critics argue at length that reviewing a film at a festival before it opens is not the same as reviewing a movie before"}, {"response": 203, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (20:25)", "body": "If you're not familiar with Grobanites, they're kind of like Deadheads, except they're more likely to do glasses of Merlot than bong hits before shows, ...... ... If, however, you enjoy movies starring Hugh Grant AND Colin Firth, you just might be a Grobanite. Ha! I never knew myself;-)) Wine and Colin are my favorites and I would surely enjoy Josh too."}, {"response": 204, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (20:26)", "body": "closing the proverbial tag;-) I hope.."}, {"response": 205, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (20:55)", "body": "(Bee)Wine and Colin are my favorites . . . Mmmmm . .not a bad combo, Bee . .I'm with you on that one;)"}, {"response": 206, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (21:03)", "body": "Linda- thanks for the KE note. That show is growing on me. ;-) All- I have really been enjoying the GG/Oscars discussion. Now if it could only be a DD on the red carpet instead of icky Joan and Melissa Rivers. Continuing my journey around the US for interviews, I will be heading to Columbia, MO, to visit Mizzou. If there are any Drooleurs in that neck of the woods, please contact me. Grazie."}, {"response": 207, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 2004 (23:23)", "body": "(Karen) Also, saw Bill Murray being interviewed (can't remember which show) and he was asked about the \"honor\" of working with SJ. He responded that he really didn't think in terms of the honor of working with a 17-year-old but that it was a fun experience. I believe \"fun\" was not the operative word (or sentiment) from SJ's point of view when speaking with someone \"in-the-know\". Bravo, Academy re:Keisha Castle-Hughes!!! :( Had more comments that got lost and no time to repeat. Not important."}, {"response": 208, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Jan 28, 2004 (07:56)", "body": "(Dorine) I believe \"fun\" was not the operative word (or sentiment) from SJ's point of view ... Funny...we've heard/read many interviews where SJ has sung the praises of working with Colin, but I don't remember any similar tid bits about Bill Murray. Can it be implied that this wasn't a great experience?? Wonder what the issues were?"}, {"response": 209, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 28, 2004 (08:18)", "body": "\"Fun\" may or may not have been the word Bill Murray used either. Can't recall exactly, but whatever he did use, the idea was the imbecility of someone asking him (an established actor and comedian) about the \"honor\" or privilege of working with a 17 year old girl, a newcomer. From his POV, so what if she's the flavor of the month. Frankly, I've never set great store by actors referring to how much fun it was working with somebody...even SJ's comments. Prefer when they comment on the other's acting."}, {"response": 210, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 28, 2004 (08:25)", "body": "I believe they're running 'Destino' in front of the \"Triplets\" in my area: Disney's grateful to Dali for original 'Destino' idea By Sheigh Crabtree Combine rare Salvador Dali paintings with a healthy dose of Walt Disney movie magic and you've got one of the most interesting offerings in the 2003 animated short film Oscar race. Executive produced by Roy E. Disney, the former vice chairman of the board of the Walt Disney Co., and directed by Dominique Monfrey, who had been based at Disney's now-shuttered Paris studio, the short film \"Destino\" began with the unlikeliest of partnerships, one which dates back to 1945. That's when Walt Disney, the studio's founder, first proposed a collaboration with Salvador Dali, the celebrated Spanish surrealist. That original teaming was abandoned in the following year because of the studio's financial setbacks after World War II. But the project was revived again 54 years later by Roy E. Disney, Walt Disney's nephew, when he came across Dali's original artwork and story sketches while he was overseeing the re-release of \"Fantasia.\" Almost overnight -- if you set aside that 54-year hiatus -- the project was revived and became a six-minute short film that has since gone on to become the toast of the animated film festival circuit. \"The story sketches had to be reinterpreted by an animator of today,\" Disney said Tuesday. \"It was a labor of love. You get into these things and you begin to realize it's something special and you want to do right by what was clearly an amazing idea. Surrealism in 1945 was a modern art movement that not a lot of people understood.\" Disney recounted the story about Dali who said, when he came to Hollywood in the 1940s, he had met the two great American surrealists: Alfred Hitchcock and Walt Disney. \"I've thought about that since and if you look at a lot of the film that was made in those days, in the 1940s, there's a tremendous amount of surrealism in it: dreamscapes and weird pink elephants on parade in 'Dumbo,' for instance,\" he said. Attempting to explain his creative process, Dali often said that he simply woke up from dreams, realizing that he'd just come up with a great idea. Disney cited that explanation Tuesday and added that when he himself awoke on this particular morning, he was delighted to learn of the Oscar nomination for \"Destino.\" \"But my dream was a little bit more concrete,\" he said. \"Recognition of all that hard work by your peers is thrilling.\" He said he planned to drink champagne and celebrate the combined work of Disney's animators and the great surrealist."}, {"response": 211, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 28, 2004 (08:29)", "body": "This is one I couldn't praise enough, when it played the first time around. I even managed to get my subtitlephobic brother in law to see it and he came out in awe. Now, *this* is a disturbing film and a brilliant film: Oscar pays homage to 'God' By Ian Mohr NEW YORK -- What a long, strange pilgrimage to the Oscars it has been for \"City of God,\" Brazilian filmmaker Fernando Meirelles' explosive story of boys growing up in a dangerous neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro. Although the film was submitted for last year's Oscars by Brazil, it failed to earn a nomination as best foreign-language film -- a fact that some insiders attributed to its visceral violence. Miramax Films, which became involved in the project at the script stage, opened the film in U.S. theaters in January 2003. Because of its 2003 theatrical release, the film then became eligible to compete in the other Academy categories. Critics lauded it, but it never expanded beyond 108 theaters. Nevertheless, Miramax has kept it in limited release for more than a year. By year's end, \"God\" still had not climbed above the $5 million mark, but it topped the foreign-film list of a handful of critics groups and was nominated for a Golden Globe as best import. And now -- a year after the Academy first turned a thumbs down on it -- \"City of God\" has re-emerged with four nominations in major categories -- best director, best adapted screenplay, best film editing and best cinematography. \"I'm not surprised,\" said Meirelles, who spent a decade in commercials before venturing into film. Speaking Tuesday from London, where he is prepping his next project, he quickly contradicted himself, adding, \"I am shocked! (Last year), I thought that this was not the kind of film for the Academy.\" In May, Miramax Films co-chairman Harvey Weinstein made a stand -- literally -- at the Festival de Cannes on \"City's\" behalf. At the mini-major's annual international distributors' luncheon by the seashore, he vowed to rerelease Meirelles' movie in the United States in December for Academy Awards consideration. \"In America, it's doing OK,\" Weinstein said at Cannes. \"And in additional territories too. But I am frustrated, and I am going to rerelease it for Academy season. You never give up on the things you love.\" The movie mogul even asked his distribution partners to hold back releasing \"God\" to home video to get the campaign going. \"Harvey was into the film,\" Meirelles said Tuesday. \"We hear a lot of stories about Miramax. But he loves the film, and this is not big business for him. It's much more his (passion) for the movie.\" \"I'm so proud of 'City of God,' \" Weinstein testified Tuesday. \"We resisted putting it out on video, and the minute the screener ban was lifted, we sent it out. We worked hard to let Academy members know that though the film wasn't eligible last year, it is eligible in other categories this year. Now, we're going to be putting the movie out on 200 screens, and we'll eventually get that number up to 500 screens.\" In recent years, the Academy has become more willing to honor foreign-language films in the major categories. Last year, for example, Sony Pictures Classics pulled off a coup with \"Talk to Her,\" directed by Spanish helmer Pedro Almodovar. Although it was not recognized as the official Oscar foreign-language entry from Spain, the distributor fought back by waging a war in the major categories, which brought Almodovar two nominations -- for best original screenplay and best director -- and a win for screenplay. Said Meirelles: \"The other nominations, in a way, explain the success of ('City'). This film had a lot to do with the actors, and they are all almost amateurs. They are real -- there is a freshness to their acting.\""}, {"response": 212, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 28, 2004 (08:45)", "body": "Empire has announced its 2004 awards nominees. A few for Love Actually (2 newcomers: Martine McC and Andrew Lincoln; Best British Actress: EmmaT; and Best British Film) - again second rate status. Full list and details here: http://www.empireonline.co.uk/news/news.asp?story=5315"}, {"response": 213, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jan 28, 2004 (08:49)", "body": "(Karen) This is one I couldn't praise enough....... Now, *this* is a disturbing film and a brilliant film Agree!"}, {"response": 214, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Jan 28, 2004 (09:10)", "body": "I've got two Oscar-related articles from Variety today on site. Both mention GWAPE, and in the first, LA too: http://www.murphsplace.com/crowe/variety-2004-3.html"}, {"response": 215, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 28, 2004 (09:38)", "body": "Interesting articles,Murph. \" Many others predicted that the usual December logjam may be a thing of the past.\" I hope so. The rest of the year is like a desert."}, {"response": 216, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jan 28, 2004 (18:12)", "body": "No Scarlett fever PK Goodhand Oscars snub for Scarlett As the world bemoans the lack of Cold Mountain action in the Oscar nominations, we turn our wrath to more pressing complaints. Like where the dickens champagne-quaffing cutie Scarlett Johansson? Us Brits seem to have got it sown up, by nominating the pant-wearing Lost in Translation lady, not once, but twice for a best actress BAFTA. After all, shaving off your eyebrows and watching paint dry with Colin Firth in Girl With A Pearl Earring is worth another gong, surely? But is the bee-stung-lipped curvy miss in the running for a Best Actress Oscar? Is she heck-as-like! Instead, we\ufffdve got to choose between Whale Rider\ufffds Keisha Castle-Hughes (whale-y good star of sea mammal epic \ufffd apparently), Something\ufffds Gotta Give\ufffds Diane Keaton (being pursued by Jack Nicholson \ufffd isn\ufffdt everyone?) and Monster\ufffds Charlize Theron (a honey, but can she act?). Naomi Watts is also nominated for 21 Grams, so as best chum of Nicole Kidman that\ufffds one in the eye for the lanky ginger lady who is conspicuous by her absence. Leaving us to put money on, with gusto, Brit girl and In America star Samantha Morton, in a self-confessed case of misplaced national pride. The choice of fellas comes down to Bill Murray, Sean Penn, Ben Kingsley, Jude Law and oo-arrghh-me-'earties Pirates Of The Caribbean star, Johnny Depp. Of course, on the film side of things, as if we need to bother saying, Lord of the Rings gets the most votes, nominated in 11 categories, which will give director Peter Jackson another big event to turn up to without washing his hair. Master and Commander, starring everyone\ufffds favourite rufty-tufty Russell Crowe, bagged 10-nominations and Cold Mountain, alongside horse-fest Seabiscuit, is mentioned in seven categories. Which everyone seems to think isn\ufffdt enough. Greedy. What about Scarlett? Did we mention she\ufffds not nominated? We think we might've done. http://www.megastar.co.uk/ents/news/2004/01/27/sMEG01MTA3NTIyMjI5MjA.html"}, {"response": 217, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jan 28, 2004 (20:35)", "body": "(Linda's)What about Scarlett? Did we mention she\ufffds not nominated? We think we might've done. LOL! That's one way to put it:-)"}, {"response": 218, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (08:46)", "body": "shaving off your eyebrows and watching paint dry with Colin Firth I'd do it in a heartbeat."}, {"response": 219, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (09:08)", "body": "Oooh Evelyn, he might show up after all;-)... Penn To Attend First Oscars Actor Sean Penn will attend the Academy Awards for the first time ever this year - to support his film Mystic River. Penn, who shunned Sunday's Golden Globe awards in favor of a night in with his daughter, has refused to attend the Oscars in the past, despite three previous Best Actor nominations for I Am Sam, Sweet And Lowdown and Dead Man Walking. However, the 43-year-old - who created controversy in Hollywood last year for his high-profile Anti-Iraq War stance - will now go to the glitzy ceremony in Los Angeles next month after being nominated for his leading performance in the Clint Eastwood-directed movie. A friend tells the Pagesix website, \"(He) wants to stand up for Mystic River\""}, {"response": 220, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (09:31)", "body": "\"(He) wants to stand up for Mystic River\" Yeah, some people do that. ;-)"}, {"response": 221, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (10:55)", "body": "It made me laugh, outrageous as some of it is.... LA Weekly -- Deadline Hollywood - The Dwarf Got Dissed: Why this year\ufffds Oscars suck more than usual by Nikki Finke http://www.laweekly.com/ink/04/10/deadline-finke.php"}, {"response": 222, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (11:06)", "body": "WARNING!! Move back from your monitor! Santoro Wows Fashionistas at Latin America's Big Show Wed Jan 28, 5:41 PM ET SAO PAULO, Brazil (Reuters) - Movie actor Rodrigo Santoro stole the show at the opening of Latin America's biggest fashion fest in Sao Paulo on Wednesday when he traipsed down the catwalk clad in the creations of the Brazilian president's personal stylist. Celebrities clapped and whooped when Santoro--best known internationally for his role as Laura Linney's love interest in the British hit \"Love Actually\"--made two appearances in the parades and upstaged supermodel and compatriot Gisele Bundchen. He was modeling for Ricardo Almeida, who is known as Brazil's Armani and has overseen President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's style transformation from a bejeaned union militant to a sharply dressed statesman. Almeida's styles on display on Wednesday aimed to attract young executives wanting to look like \"well-dressed bad boys\"--leather jackets and form-fitting pants in brown and black. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=638&ncid=579&e=10&u=/nm/20040128/en_nm/leisure_fashion_brazil_dc You can see a couple of others here: http://search.news.yahoo.com/search/news/?c=news_photos&p=rodrigo+santoro"}, {"response": 223, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (12:07)", "body": "Mmmmm . .Karen thanks for that pic . .I'm getting flashbacks of those undies he wore in LA! . .who has those as keeps??? Just a bit here on another of ODB's costars: \"Black Dalia\" Gets A Tinge of Scarlett by Michael Fleming & Cathy Dunkley Variety Today - Thursday, January 29, 2004 Scarlettt Johansson has signed on to star in \"The Black Dahlia,\" opposite Josh Harnett and Mark Wahlberg for Director Brian De Palma. In the fictional account of the notorious 1947 murder, Johansson plays Kay, a doppelganger for the title character, and the object of affection for two police officers ( to be played by Harnett and Wahlberg) investigating the brutal murder of Hollywood starlett Elizabeth Short. The film marks a reteam between helmer DePalma and producer Art Linson after \"The Untouchables.\" Combination investment Pic, to be produced by Linson with Rudy Cohen and Moshe Diamant, was financed through a combination of foreign sales by Signature Pictures and an investment from the German film fund Apollo Media. The film is in process of securing a domestic distribution deal. Adapted for the screen by Josh Friedman from JAmes' Ellroy's bestselling novel, pic will start shooting May 24 in LA. Johansson will star in \"Dahlia\" after she finishes with the Weitz brothers film \"Synergy,\" which she starts shooting in March. Johansson, repped by WMA and manager Melanie Johansson, will next be seen in Paramount's \"The Perfect Score\" and has also completed production on \"A Love Song For Bobby Long.\""}, {"response": 224, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (12:10)", "body": "Thank you boss..nice way to warm up a cold day! (Kim)..who has those as keeps??? Not me that's for sure..grrr;-)"}, {"response": 225, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (12:17)", "body": "(Kim)..who has those as keeps??? (Ada) Not me that's for sure..grrr;-) Laughing proudly. Scarlettt Johansson has signed on to star in \"The Black Dahlia,\" opposite Josh Harnett and Mark Wahlberg for Director Brian De Palma. What, is this the high school version? :-("}, {"response": 226, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (12:44)", "body": "(Karen)WARNING!! Move back from your monitor! Thanks for the Warning/disclaimer Karen! This is so that if I had spilled my afternoon hot beverage on my lap you would not be liable, right;-)) What a lovely hunk."}, {"response": 227, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (15:24)", "body": "A couple more articles about SJ . . .can we get ODB her publicist? Girl with a Golden Future Despite this week\ufffds Golden Globes snub and lack of Oscar nominations, actress Scarlett Johannson is well on her way to major Hollywood stardom. By Annlee Ellingson And Colin [Firth, her co-star in Girl] and I, we have a different relationship. We don\ufffdt need each other \ufffd we want each other.\ufffd \ufffdAnd you think that my character could survive anything,\ufffd Johannson adds. \ufffdShe could survive another world war. She\ufffds so strong that Colin [as the painter Vermeer] does not help her come unscathed out of the household. It\ufffds her own inner strength that does.\ufffd http://www.filmstew.com/Content/Features/Details.asp?Pg=1&ContentID=7815 A Study in Scarlett Posted by: aday on Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 11:01 AM By Stephen Rebello http://spin.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=265&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0"}, {"response": 228, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (16:01)", "body": "WARNER INDEPENDENT PICTURES 2004 PREVIEW BEFORE SUNSET - JUNE 25, 2004 Nine years ago, two strangers met by chance, spent a night together in Vienna, and parted before sunrise. Now, they\ufffdre about to cross paths again \ufffd in Paris -- where they will get the chance we all wish we had \ufffd to find out what might have been. The only problem is they have just a few hours to figure out if they belong together. Directed by Richard Linklater (\ufffdBefore Sunrise,\ufffd \ufffdSchool of Rock\ufffd), the film reunites Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. A HOME AT THE END OF THE WORLD JULY 23, 2004 From the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Hours comes a story that chronicles a dozen years in the lives of two best friends who couldn't be more different. From suburban Cleveland in the 60s, to New York City in the 80s, where they meet an older woman, the film charts a journey of trials, triumphs, loves and losses. Now the question is: can they navigate the unusual triangle they\ufffdve created and hold their friendship together? The film stars Colin Farrell, Robin Wright-Penn, Sissy Spacek and Dallas Roberts--and is directed by Michael Mayer, the Tony Award-winning director of \ufffdThoroughly Modern Millie.\" WE DON\ufffdT LIVE HERE ANYMORE AUGUST 13, 2004 (North America and UK; in post-production) Mark Ruffalo (\ufffdYou Can Count on Me\ufffd), Laura Dern (\ufffdI Am Sam\ufffd), Peter Krause (\ufffdSix Feet Under\ufffd) and Naomi Watts (\ufffd21 Grams\ufffd) star in the story of two couples in a New England college town whose lives become inextricably intertwined and turned upside-down in a tide of passion, suspicion, humor, anger and stunning revelations. The film is directed by John Curran (\ufffdPraise\ufffd) from a screenplay by Larry Gross, based on two short stories by Andre Dubus II (In the Bedroom). CRIMINAL SEPTEMBER 10, 2004 John C. Reilly (\"Chicago\"), Diego Luna (\"Y Tu Mama Tambien\") and Maggie Gyllenhaal (\"Secretary\") star in a contemporary caper movie set in Los Angeles. It's the story of an extremely odd couple: a young Latino man who will do anything for his family (Luna) and a 30-something scheming white guy who will do anything to his family (Reilly). One wants to save his father. The other wants to get rich, in any way possible. So when they come across one of the most valuable pieces of currency in U.S. history, they're suddenly stuck together, and that's just . . . criminal. All they have to do is sell it, which is where the real problems begin. And of course the only way out is family: the one person who can help them, hates them: the schemer's sister (Gyllenhaal). \ufffdCriminal.\ufffd is directed by Gregory Jacobs. AROUND THE BEND OCTOBER 15, 2004 Four generations of men are suddenly brought together by the chance to uncover the truth about their family\ufffds past. It\ufffds a journey that takes them out on the road to a world full of surprises \ufffd some comic, some dramatic, and all of them personal. The film is written and directed by Jordan Roberts and stars Michael Caine, Christopher Walken, Josh Lucas, Jonah Bobo and Glenne Headly. A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT NOVEMBER 26, 2004 From the director and star of \ufffdAmelie\ufffd (Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Audrey Tautou) comes a very different love story: \ufffdA Very Long Engagement,\ufffd based on the acclaimed novel by Sebastien Japrisot. The film is set in France near the end of World War I in the deadly trenches of the Somme, in the gilded Parisien halls of power, and in the modest home of an indomitable provincial girl. It tells the story of this young woman's relentless, moving and sometimes comic search for her fianc\ufffde, who has disappeared. He is one of five French soldiers believed to have been court-martialed under mysterious circumstances and pushed out of an allied trench into an almost-certain death in no-man's land. What follows is an investigation into the arbitrary nature of secrecy, the absurdity of war, and the enduring passion, intuition and tenacity of the human heart. The film also stars Gaspard Ulliel, Dominique Pinon and Jodie Foster."}, {"response": 229, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (16:19)", "body": "And Colin [Firth, her co-star in Girl] and I, we have a different relationship. We don\ufffdt need each other \ufffd we want each other.\ufffd LOL! Isn't that obvious? He is soooooo grounded. ;-)"}, {"response": 230, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (16:38)", "body": "(Karen) LOL! Isn't that obvious? He is soooooo grounded. ;-) Ummm...er...you know...he's like...just...um...**shrug**...window shopping! ;-D"}, {"response": 231, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (17:37)", "body": "I thought this part of an article I read today was interesting. It continues the SJ and honors discussion. Oscar first marks rise of third generation By STEVE MURRAY The Atlanta Journal-Constitution While Sofia Coppola was making Academy Award history, her parents were sleeping. She woke up at 5:15 a.m. Tuesday at the Los Angeles Four Seasons Hotel and turned on the TV to watch the Oscar nominations, along with her \"Translation\" producer Ross Katz and Bart Walker, her agent. \"We ordered room service and screamed,\" she said. After the screaming, she called Bill Murray, who earned the film's fourth Oscar nomination, for best actor. \"He was so happy. He said he was going to be very different now and throw some tantrums. I think he's been strutting around all day.\" Murray's co-star, 19-year-old Scarlett Johansson, didn't get singled out. \"We couldn't have gotten that best picture nomination without her,\" Coppola said. \"But I can't say I'm sorry for her, because everyone has really been talking about her talent. And she has a lot of time ahead of her.\" Of the five best picture nominees, \"Lost in Translation\" is the only low-budget, independent film. It has no wizards or battleships, no special effects, no killings, no horse races. \"No plot, even,\" Coppola said wryly. It's true. Her movie is a sort of emotional tone poem better experienced than described. \"It was really unexpected,\" she said about the film's traction with audiences. \"I love the movie, but I never expected it to be out there so much. We made the movie we wanted to make, and people connected with it. People say that it really stayed with them.\" One thing that has stayed with viewers is the mystery of what Murray whispers to Johansson in their final scene together. Coppola won't say. \"Bill says it's something between lovers. Everyone can make it what they want it to be.\" But now, as a best picture nominee, that secret exchange could be a prime target for Oscar host Billy Crystal's wit. Coppola paused, considering the possibility. \"I never thought of that,\" she said quietly. \"Oh my God, it's so surreal, the whole thing . . . \" http://www.accessatlanta.com/news/content/movies/news/0104/29coppola.html"}, {"response": 232, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (17:48)", "body": "(Karen) LOL! Isn't that obvious? He is soooooo grounded. ;-) (Tress) Ummm...er...you know...he's like...just...um...**shrug**...window shopping! ;-D Don't you just know that, as a result, Colin's next co-star will be, like, Vanessa Redgrave or similar. ;-) \"We couldn't have gotten that best picture nomination without her,\" Coppola said. \"But I can't say I'm sorry for her, because everyone has really been talking about her talent. And she has a lot of time ahead of her.\" Talk about your inadvertently bitchy comments! Personally, many could say the same about Sofia with the \"unknown\" last name who has only made one other film. Doesn't seem fair that she is going to get the honor of being the first woman director to be nominated for an Oscar, when there are so many others who have been overlooked. It has no wizards or battleships, no special effects, no killings, no horse races. \"No plot, even,\" Coppola said wryly. It's true. Her movie is a sort of emotional tone poem better experienced than described. *snort*"}, {"response": 233, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (17:57)", "body": "29 JANUARY 2004 The new hero of British comedy, Ricky Gervais, got so excited after winning two Golden Globes last weekend that he forgot to acknowledge his co-workers. But the self-effacing actor is obviously keen to make amends for the oversight, because he has taken out a full page ad in showbiz magazine Variety to offer them his thanks and congratulations. \"I would have made a better effort if I thought I was going to win,\" said the 42-year-old, who plays paper mill boss David Brent in The Office. \"I'm sorry I did not have something better to say\ufffd I'm more surprised than I have ever been in my life!\". Ricky looks set to become a major force in the US, where he is currently working on an American version of the show. (ed.note-that never works, remember Coupling?) After last weekend's awards Miramax boss Harvey Weinstein described him as a \"genius\" and he has also filmed a part in the spy series Alias. Comic Steve Carell will play Brent in a pilot for the new show, but NBC apparently wants Ricky himself to reprise the role when filming begins on the series proper. And the self-styled \"fat bloke from Reading\" has reportedly received a flood of acting and writing offers since his victory at the Globes. Indeed his run of glory has even extended back to Britain, where town planners in his hometown have decided to name a street after him. http://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/2004/01/29/rickygervais/"}, {"response": 234, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (20:36)", "body": "(Karen) LOL! Isn't that obvious? He is soooooo grounded. ;-) (Tress) Ummm...er...you know...he's like...just...um...**shrug**...window shopping! ;-D (Karen)Don't you just know that, as a result, Colin's next co-star will be, like, Vanessa Redgrave or similar. ;-) Ooooh, look out...I think there's some, umm, channeling of red fingernails going on...or, you know, whatever... (Karen) Doesn't seem fair that she is going to get the honor of being the first woman director to be nominated for an Oscar, when there are so many others who have been overlooked. The first? Really? OK, nevermind that, I know that you know, but really? I had no freakin' idea. Do you suppose Halle will present? (Slapping self...)"}, {"response": 235, "author": "birdy", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (22:07)", "body": "(Karen)Doesn't seem fair that she is going to get the honor of being the first woman director to be nominated for an Oscar, when there are so many others who have been overlooked. Isn't she the first AMERICAN female director nominated? Jane Campion was nominated and maybe Leni Wertwhatever?"}, {"response": 236, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 2004 (23:33)", "body": "v.g. Louise. Yes, it is first American female director. Lina Wertmuller was the first female director. I hadn't thought that Jane Campion got that nom, only possibly for screenwriting, but she did."}, {"response": 237, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (08:23)", "body": "What about Barbra Streisand? Wasn't she nominated for Prince of Tides or something like that? I might remember wrong, it was a loooong time ago."}, {"response": 238, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (09:03)", "body": "No, she was snubbed (film was nominated for Best Picture but she was not); that's when the issue came to light."}, {"response": 239, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (11:27)", "body": "A little misstep for the \"It\" girl. Though no matter. Everyone has them. Review: Imperfect vision derails 'Perfect Score' By Melinda Ennis, Palm Beach Post-Cox News Service Friday, January 30, 2004 The Perfect Score gets some passing grades for acting, but ultimately it flunks the final. Starring the \"it girl\" of the moment, Scarlett Johansson (Lost in Translation, Girl With a Pearl Earring), in a role she signed on for before she became \"it,\" the plot revolves around a group of high school seniors who scheme to steal SAT questions. This dubious plan is justified in the film by the underlying assertion that the SAT is an unfair, racially and sexually biased barometer that puts undue pressure on otherwise promising teens. Despite the serious subject matter, director Brian Robbins can't decide whether this is a drama, a satire or an American Pie-style teen spoof, and the film dissolves into a shapeless, weightless mass. Kyle (Chris Evans, Not Another Teen Movie) is a 3.7 GPA student whose determined dreams of a Cornell architecture degree are stymied by a respectable but imperfect PSAT performance. His cohort in crime is his buddy, Matty (Bryan Greenberg, of The WB show One Tree Hill), whose university yearnings are focused on joining the girlfriend who has left him behind for the University of Maryland. The teens recruit four other students to help break into the Educational Standards Testing building where the SAT tests are produced, conveniently located in their neighborhood of Princeton, N.J. The group's academic (and acting) abilities are as diverse as its predictably varied ethnicity. This Breakfast Club-ish crew includes Anna (Erika Christensen, Traffic), a pretty, straight-A achiever; Desmond (NBA star Darius Miles), an African-American basketball hero whose court prowess doesn't mitigate his poor classroom performance; and Francesca (Johansson), a poor little rich and pouty punk chick. The only fly in the formulaic ointment is Roy (newcomer Leonardo Nam), an Asian-American who is a pothead instead of an overachieving academic, as might be expected in this clich\ufffdd concoction. Yet Nam gets the film's few laughs, while supplying some dramatic motivation for his drug-hazed lifestyle. The talent of Johansson and Christensen so outshines the material -- and their costars (especially Miles, who acts as if reading lines from cue cards) -- that it sometimes seems as if they were in a different film. Johansson's portrayal of a parentally abandoned and jaded teen shows the promise delivered in her more lauded roles of late. And her luminous screen presence is intact, even when dressed in a slacker-slut ensemble. Similarly, when she's allowed, Christensen brings depth and dimension to her role as a brilliant, creative student pressured by her parents' tunnel vision of Ivy League success. The movie flip-flops between feeble attempts at humor, righteous indignation and moralistic messages about the SAT issue. The power that this test wields over the children and parents of 21st-century America is a thought-provoking premise. Regrettably, the only thought this movie provokes is wondering when it will be over."}, {"response": 240, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (12:05)", "body": "Starring the \"it girl\" of the moment, Scarlett Johansson (Lost in Translation, Girl With a Pearl Earring), in a role she signed on for before she became \"it,\" the plot revolves around a group of high school seniors who scheme to steal SAT questions. When I saw the trailer for this several weeks ago, I thought, \"Ahhh! Here's the typical high school fare someone of her age usually does.\" Since Peter Webber mentioned in one of the interviews he went to talk to SJ while she was making this (finished before GWAPE), you can kind of surmise it wasn't going to be a winner as both of her subsequent films have already been released."}, {"response": 241, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (12:08)", "body": "I read yesterday that Perfect Score was supposed to have been released almost a year ago, but was held back. So, SJ can be forgiven; believe me, she won't be making films of that ilk anymore."}, {"response": 242, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 2004 (14:24)", "body": "For Fans of \"The Office\" - Martin Freeman (ie John from LA )signed on for this: Variety - Friday, January 30th Cast gets thumbs up for \"Hitchhiker\" gig by Cathy Dunkley \"The Office\" star Martin Freeman, Zooey Deschanel and Mos Def top the cast of Spyglass Entertainment/Walt Disney PIcture's feature version of Douglas Adams \"The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.\" Garth Jennings and Nick Goldsmith (aka Hammer and Tongs) will direct the pic, which starts shooting April 19 in London. Adams, who penned the adaption prior to his death in 2001, will have a posthumous producing credit. Spyglass partners Roger Birnbaum, Gary Barber and Johnathan Glickman will produce with Jay Roach and Goldsmith. Exec producers are Derek Evans, RObbie Stamp and Adams. Buena Vista Motion Pictures prexy Nina Jacobson and exec VP of production Jason Reed will oversee the project for the studio. The story centers on Arthur Dent (Freeman), who is whisked off the planet by Ford Prefect (Def) an undercover alien researching \"The Hitchhiker's Guide.\" just before Earth is destroyed to create a new hyperspace freeway. Deschanel will play Trillian, girlfriend of Zaphod Beeblebrox, a two-headed, three-armed ex-hippie and current president of the Galaxy. That role hs still to be cast. The property has been previously adapted as a radio serial and TV series (both for BBC) as well as a videogame."}, {"response": 243, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb  1, 2004 (23:40)", "body": "Miramax's Weinstein Blames Oscar Snub on Timing Sun Feb 1, 6:06 PM ET LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Miramax Films co-chairman Harvey Weinstein was quoted on Sunday as blaming the timing of the release of \"Cold Mountain\" for the film's failure to win an Oscar nomination in the best picture category. In interviews with Time and Newsweek, Weinstein said he opened the highly acclaimed Civil War epic starring Nicole Kidman and Jude Law at Christmas time so that Oscar nominations would fuel box office sales. \"With the early (Oscar voting) this year, we fell short. There's a lot to do for Academy members and I don't know how many members we got to. We just plain ran out of people who had seen this movie,\" Weinstein told Time Magazine, which hits newsstands on Feb. 2. But \"Cold Mountain\" did win seven other Oscar nominations from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences including best actor for Jude Law and best supporting actress for Renee Zellweger. It is the first time in 12 years that Walt Disney Co.'s Miramax does not have a best picture nominee at the Oscars but the studio still racked up the most nominations of any studio -- 15 -- for the third year in a row. Citing the fact that the Oscars will be held in February this year instead of March, Weinstein told Newsweek, \"I think the whole positioning of movies has changed because of this.\" Other than \"Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,\" every best-picture nominee was released prior to December, he said. As a result, Weinstein said Miramax would move up the release of J.M. Barrie's \"Neverland\" starring Johnny Depp to October and would aim to release Martin Scorsese's \"The Aviator\" in November instead of late December. Weinstein also told Time that he will be directing his own film \"pretty soon, probably the fall.\" He said the script is finished and the film will be produced by Martin Scorsese and Anthony Minghella, who directed \"Cold Mountain.\""}, {"response": 244, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (08:38)", "body": "Weinstein also told Time that he will be directing his own film \"pretty soon, probably the fall.\" He said the script is finished and the film will be produced by Martin Scorsese and Anthony Minghella, who directed \"Cold Mountain.\" Hmmm . .wonder what that project is and how it will turn out . . ."}, {"response": 245, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (11:32)", "body": "Emma's top actress, actually By Luke Leitch, Arts Correspondent, Evening Standard It was the night one of our most celebrated actresses and a 15-year-old schoolboy shared the limelight. Emma Thompson, star of Love Actually, and Master And Commander's Max Pirkis were outstanding winners at the Evening Standard British Film Awards - the only awards dedicated exclusively to celebrating British talent. While Love Actually lost out as best film, Thompson bagged the best actress award for her performance in it. Ms Thompson, 44, wearing a daring backless pink Maria Grachvogel gown, said: \"I thought I've only got a few more years left to wear things like this so I might as well make the most of them.\" Eton schoolboy Max Pirkis, aged 15, was named ITV London's most promising newcomer for his part alongside Russell Crowe in Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. Pirkis admitted his schoolfriends tease him about his new-found fame. He said: \"This was the first acting I had ever done. The film's producers just came to our school and auditioned some of us. My schoolmates are quite amused - and they do bring it up in class.\" Many of the recipients of the awards spoke in defence of the BBC following the Hutton Report. Best actor winner Paul Bettany, 32, whose wife is actress Jennifer Connelly, said: \"I would like to thank the whole of the BBC. I'm married to an American so it's nice to have somebody that tells things as they are.\" He received his award for performances in Master And Commander and The Heart Of Me. Director Ken Loach presented the best film award to Kevin Macdonald for his true story of a mountaineering expedition, Touching The Void. Mr Loach said: \"It is very important that the BBC retains its independence for all of us because for those of us who make films, the independence of broadcasting television is not negotiable.\" Comic Jack Dee, who presented the 31st awards, joked to the audience at the Savoy that he helped out with the writing of the Hutton Report. He said: \"That great punch line at the end - 'it was the BBC's fault' - I wrote that.\" Bill Nighy was named winner of The Peter Sellers Award for comedy, for his role in Love Actually. He joked: \"I thought awards were divisive and damaging until I got one and then they became strangely meaningful and real.\" Best screenplay went to Gregor Jordan, Nora Maccoby and Eric Weiss for Buffalo Soldiers, a comic portrayal about US soldiers stationed in West Germany just before the fall of the Berlin Wall. The technical achievement award went to cinematographer Seamus McGarvey for the Nicole Kidman film The Hours. The award was presented by Nip/Tuck star Joely Richardson. The awards, to be screened on ITV London on Thursday, were hosted by Evening Standard editor Veronica Wadley. [Ed note: I'll never understand this...] She said: \"I'm sure you will have noticed there is one important person who is not here this year. I refer to Alexander Walker, the Evening Standard's film critic for 43 years until he died so suddenly last summer. \"Above all he was the most passionate and most respected movie fan in Britain. To honour the contribution of Alex made to the standard and just as importantly to the British film industry I am proud to announce a new award tonight - the Alexander Walker Special Award.\" It was won by the director Michael Winterbottom. Olivia Williams, Emilia Fox, Emily Woof and Romola Garai were among th leading ladies at the Savoy. The ceremony was also attended by Stephen Daldry, John Hurt, Richard Curtis and Simon Callow."}, {"response": 246, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 2004 (17:29)", "body": "I heard that there were several articles in the WSJ about Miramax and Harvey. The consensus seems to be that black-balling Cold Mountain for Best Pic was backlash at Miramax for their heavy-handedness in previous years. Also apparently Miramax did not send out screeners to Academy members to cut down on piracy. \" Many of the recipients of the awards spoke in defence of the BBC following the Hutton Report.\" Why am I not surprised;-)"}, {"response": 247, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 2004 (10:26)", "body": "Just a programming note here: BAFTAS Live, commercial free, and exclusive coverage of the star-studded Orange British Academy Film Awards airs Sunday, February 15th at 4 pm/et, 1 pm/pt. BBC America"}, {"response": 248, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (09:52)", "body": "Re: Extras' pay Saw this on a bulletin board, inviting people (no experience req'd) to be extras in a Nic Cage movie being filmed here: The film shoots in Chicago/Suburbs from Feb 23rd \ufffd May. All types are need and all positions are paid. For consideration, please attend the Open Casting Call on Sat. Feb 7th. Compensation: $55/8 hrs"}, {"response": 249, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (10:27)", "body": "Thanks to a Crowe fan: Opinions?? Variety -- Keep your shirt on, Oscar. Not even the traditionally well-behaved Academy Awards ceremony is immune to the storm over indecency that is lashing the broadcast biz. For the first time ever, ABC wants to impose a delay on its telecast of the Oscars, so that inappropriate material can be edited out. ABC approached the Academy of Motion Pictures & Sciences about using a five-second delay. On Tuesday night, the AMPAS board voted not to change its plans for the show, but will not fight the web execs: \"It's up to them,\" said an Acad spokesman. Unlike other live telecasts, the Oscars have never been subject to a delay -- a point of pride for the org. While board members understand the web's concerns, they decided to make no changes to their Oscarcast strategy. ABC first approached the org last week about a possible delay, even before Janet Jackson's breast-baring during Sunday's Super Bowl halftime show. Networks were already skittish about live events, thanks to such occurrences as the expletive from U2's Bono at last year's Golden Globe awards on NBC. Throughout Tuesday, the Super Bowl spectacle continued to engulf CBS in controversy. Still in full damage control, Eye announced it will employ an unprecedented, enhanced tape and video delay when televising Sunday's Grammy Awards. Delay could be as much as five minutes and will utilize a complex mix of computer software and automatic tape machines. Also, insiders said CBS and Grammy officials are in constant communication regarding whether or not Janet Jackson will participate in the awards show. Talks continue, with several industry insiders suggesting CBS would prefer Jackson not appear. The networks use a five-second delay on most live events, which allows them to edit for audio. \"The network has made it clear they're feeling enormous pressure to institute a delay,\" AMPAS exec director Bruce Davis said. \"ABC may factor in the board's decision, but has indicated that it will not necessarily feel obligated to follow it.\" In theory, a five-second delay would not affect the ceremonies at the Kodak Theatre. But a network exec would have his finger on the bleep button, which is a consideration. \"We would be very concerned about a delay that would raise possibility of a network representative deciding that remarks like Michael Moore's last year would be inappropriate,\" Davis said. \"We don't want that kind of censorship. The ability to edit out a single word or a body part is different; that's not the same kind of concern, although some would see it as the camel's nose moving into our tent.\" Given the current climate, ABC may be willing to go against the Academy's wishes if it means protecting its affiliates and its owned & operated stations. What game? And the network wants to protect the event itself: One ABC exec noted that talk about the actual Super Bowl, which was an exciting game, has been easily overshadowed by talk about Jackson. With indecency already on the minds of Washington regulators sitting down to watch the Super Bowl, Jackson's stunt couldn't have come at a worse time for CBS, which maintains it had no idea that she had arranged for singer Justin Timberlake to pull her top off. Show was produced by sister company MTV. The CBS Affiliate Advisory Board held a conference call Tuesday and afterward demanded the net do something to ensure that Sunday's Grammy telecast would be free of content that would raise red flags at the FCC or in Congress. In a letter to CBS chair-CEO Leslie Moonves, with copies forwarded to Viacom prexy Mel Karmazin and CBS head of affiliate relations Peter Schruth, affils lambasted the net for allowing the indecent content in the halftime show to take place and informing Eye execs they plan to \"cooperate fully\" with the FCC investigation and any other inquiries. \"The CBS Affiliates regard themselves as partners with the network,\" CBS Affiliate Advisory Board chair Bob Lee wrote in the communique. \"In what should have been a triumphant occasion for that partnership, the network let us down and embarrassed us in front of our public. It was not just one incident in the halftime show; from beginning to end, the show was in poor taste and reflected poor judgment,\" said Lee, GM of WDBJ in Roanoke, Va. Affiliates have good reason to worry -- they could each be fined $27,000 for airing the bawdy halftime show. The agency Monday sent CBS a formal letter of inquiry, which alerts the net of the investigation and asks execs to provide their version of events in a timely manner. The question that agency officials are now pondering if whether to fine all of the affiliates or just the network owned-and-operated stations, FCC sources said. If the agency fines all CBS stations, penalties could exceed $5 million. \"We are just as outraged as the affiliates are,\" CBS spokesman Dana McClintock said. MTV Networks chairman-CEO seemed equally upset over the incident. \"We were really ripped off. We were punk'd by"}, {"response": 250, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (11:03)", "body": "What's a 5 second delay....who cares? But ABC is worried about a lot more than that.... From TIME this week article by Richard Corliss \"With all the indie nominations, some big stars and big moviews were orphaned. 'There's fear at the Academy about ratings,' says an industry consultant. 'Johnny Depp and Renee Zellweger are the biggest stars. It's really going to be about the presenters'. Also:Seems as if No Show Sean might be changing his mind;-))) \"Some movie mavens predict that Sean Penn's absence at the Golden Globes last week could have a crippling effect on his shot at the Best Actor Oscar for Mystic River. When Penn won the Globe for Best Actor in a drama, Eastwood, accepting the award for him, mentioned what a commendable fellow Penn is. A few days later, after his Oscar nomination was announced, the star's handlers said he would attend several industry functions\" http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101040209-586244,00.html"}, {"response": 251, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 2004 (15:35)", "body": "(Karen)Compensation: $55/8 hrs eesh . .that's how much they pay non-SAG in Chicago? . . .after taxes that's a pittance . .we get a tad bit more here in NYC about $75 Saw this in HollyWood Reporter Feb 3 - 9 2004 For Droolers in the LA area: The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising http://www.fidm.com/features/gallery/museumfoundation.html#ns 12th Annual Exhibition: The FIDM Museum Galleries Present \ufffdThe Art of Motion Picture Costume Design\ufffd Exhibition Saluting Year 2003 Costumes Designed For Film Presentation Internationally Exclusive Los Angeles, California: The Museum Galleries at The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM will open their 12th annual exhibition saluting \ufffd The Art of Motion Picture Costume Design\ufffd on Monday, February 2, 2004. This annual, major exhibition pays homage to the creativity of the costume designer for film with a museum show of outstanding costumes and Oscar nominated designs. On view will be year 2003 actual costumes from outstanding motion pictures. The 2004 Exhibition features over 100 costumes from 25 plus films from 2003, including five Oscar nominees for Costume Design . The Oscar nominated costumes are from Girl with a Pearl Earring , The Last Samurai, The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, and Seabiscuit . Other films represented in the collection are: The Haunted Mansion, Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl, The Missing and many more. Free Exhibition: Public Dates/Times Opens to Public: Monday, February 2, 2004 ends Thursday, April 8, 2004 Gallery Hours: 10-4 p.m. daily, including Saturday. Closed Sundays Location: The FIDM Museum Galleries On The Park, 1st Level, The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM, 919 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90015 (Corner of Grand Avenue & 9th Street) Parking: Under college building. Entrance on 9th Street Admission: Free. Group tours can be arranged\ufffd 213-624-1200, ext. 2225 Public Information: 213-624-1200, Ext. 2224 Media Contact: Shirley Wilson 213-624-1200, Ext. 2625, Voice Page: 213-994-1278 A Bit of Exhibition History Twelve years ago, with the help of The Costume Designers Guild, The Museum Galleries at The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM planned an exhibit honoring the work of the talented men and women costume designers in the film industry. This modest first effort met with such success, that in each succeeding year, the number of movies and costumes grew. Three years ago, the college opened an entirely new museum with 11,000 square feet of space, expanding the scope of the exhibition. Today, the exhibit receives international publicity, thousands upon thousand of people visit the Museum Galleries, tour groups travel far distances, including hundreds of students from high schools and colleges all over California and surrounding states. This indeed, is a tribute to the skill, dedication and talent of those artists we showcase each year. The Museum at FIDM is very proud of its association with the creative people who produce their costume magic for the film industry. As always, we salute their efforts, triumphs and art. Media Contact: Shirley Wilson 213-624-1200, ext. 2625 or 213-994-1278 11/7/03"}, {"response": 252, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (08:19)", "body": "Started going to my film class again last night and almost fell out of the chair or jumped to the ceiling when the teacher started talking about the bonus movie this weekend. He started to describe it (without using the title as he is wont to do) as a complex, edgy British film whose director and 2 of the stars were flying into town this weekend for press over the next week and were available to come to class on Sun. Was thinking \"Yeah!! Trauma found a distributor!!\"...and he happened to get it early. I was on that thought train because When I got the notice for the current mini-term, when I got back from Sundance, Trauma was listed as one of the possible movies. But alas, it's a movie called Collusion. Good viewer reviews on imdb.com (yes, Mari, am getting to Trauma review for AICN, etc ;-)....may have more time than I know what to do with next week to get to it.) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0295838/#comment I called my teacher when I got back from Sundance and saw the movie list to tell him I'd just seen Trauma and ask how he'd be getting it without a US distributor (knowing full well movies are put on the list as a draw not a definite), but had to leave a message and never heard back. Didn't have time to speak to him last night. I don't think most of the people in my class would like it really. We had Jack Foley (head of Focus Features....Lost In Translation, 21 Grams, Sylvia) as guest last night. He's very enthusiastic and sometimes childlike when talking about the game of strategizing releasing movies and how that changes week to week. Talked about LIT as an example. At one point, mentioned they were concerned about LA's release affecting them. More later, gotta run."}, {"response": 253, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (08:41)", "body": "Response 1168 of 1170: EmmaB (emmabean) * Thu, Feb 5, 2004 ( News about old things: any one else in the UK seen the ads on channel 4 for Regency House Party? New reality show starting soon I think we heard about here, to match single people up JA style. Well they've set up at least some of it to be seriously Andrew Davies' Darcy-esque - we have a guy in the same clothes with a wet shirt clinging to him strolling across a grassy bank. see here: http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/R/regencyhouse/index.html"}, {"response": 254, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (08:48)", "body": "Forgot to say...interesting story, Dorine. How did Trauma even get listed for your class as a \"possible\"? Were you whispering in someone's ear? ;-) Well they've set up at least some of it to be seriously Andrew Davies' Darcy-esque There was an article in the Telegraph's magazine that had the last Colin article about the program, and there was a picture of two guys on horses with a big house in the background. Reminiscent of a certain opening scene."}, {"response": 255, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (10:33)", "body": "If anyone wants to see a little video about the making of this year's Vanity Fair Hollywood Portfolio issue: http://extratv.warnerbros.com/dailynews/extra/0204/02_02c.html No Colin of course, and I believe it is significantly shorter than what I saw on TV...or maybe it was another infotainment show. http://et.tv.yahoo.com/celebrities/2004/02/02/janetjackson_vanityfair/"}, {"response": 256, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 2004 (10:38)", "body": "Looks like Dorine's honey, Sam, has been cast in a film for which Colin's name was once bandied about (probably without any basis either): Rockwell hitches 'Galaxy' ride Sam Rockwell should have a lot of face time in Spyglass Entertainment/Walt Disney Co.'s \"The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy\" -- a big-screen adaptation of the cult hit novel by Douglas Adams -- because he'll be playing Zaphod, the two-headed president of the galaxy. \"Galaxy\" begins shooting in April in London with Garth Jennings at the helm. Mos Def, Zooey Deschanel and Martin Freeman also star. Mos Def plays Ford Prefect, an alien disguising himself as an out-of-work actor who sets out on an intergalactic journey with his best friend, mild-mannered earthling Arthur Dent (Freeman). The duo hitch a ride through space with Rockwell's Zaphod, the beautiful and brilliant scientist Trillion (Deschanel) and a depressed robot while on a quest to discover the meaning of life."}, {"response": 257, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, Feb  6, 2004 (03:47)", "body": "I think I'll stick with Babette's Feast or Big Night...Now Mari, What exactly did you say to that poor man again? ;-)) Move over, Hannibal Lecter, Hugh Grant is here. What? Yes, you read it right. The British romantic-comedy king, who has headlined such classic chick flicks as \ufffdFour Weddings and a Funeral\ufffd and \ufffdBridget Jones' Diary,\ufffd is looking for a role with a little more meat. Grant is reportedly using his film production company to get the rights to the story of the German cannibal, Armin Meiwes, who after putting out a newspaper advertisement, killed and partially ate a man with the victim's consent, videotaping portions of the episode to acquit himself of long-term prison charges. Grant plans to play the lead character, and wants Brad Pitt to play the part of Bernd Brandes, the cannibal's victim. A friend of Grant's told the London Daily Star newspaper that Grant thinks this role is Oscar-worthy material, and that he's ready to break out of his typecasting as a romantic-comedy hero. About Brad Pitt's taking on this role, Grant said he'd be perfect. After all, who wouldn't want to take a bite out of Brad Pitt? http://www.faz.com/IN/INtemplates/eFAZ/docmain.asp?rub=%7BF040FFD3-897B-46DF-9603-752DD6405389%7D&doc=%7BC94285CE-C5A6-43A3-8C66-D0DB80B57A9A%7D"}, {"response": 258, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Fri, Feb  6, 2004 (09:17)", "body": "Thanks for the Hugh Grant article, Maria. I've often thought ODB's been very fortunate not to have been as severely typecast as HG. Not sure if it's a result of obvious talent, careful planning or just luck. Am very grateful that we continue to get to see him in a wide variety of genres."}, {"response": 259, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb  6, 2004 (09:42)", "body": "A friend of Grant's told the London Daily Star newspaper that Grant thinks this role is Oscar-worthy material, and that he's ready to break out of his typecasting as a romantic-comedy hero. Oscar-worthy may be pushing it, but at least he's going to try. It's going to take some effort though and he may not succeed at first. But he really has to. Can't be a rom-com hero forever."}, {"response": 260, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb  6, 2004 (10:08)", "body": "I have \"not -too- fond\" memories of Extreme Measures. I say , he has a niche that no one else can equal."}, {"response": 261, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb  6, 2004 (10:52)", "body": "The first episode of the second season of the Forsyte saga airs this Sunday, Feb 8. Discussions take place on: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/164/new"}, {"response": 262, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Feb  6, 2004 (12:59)", "body": "(Karen)Oscar-worthy may be pushing it, but at least he's going to try. It's going to take some effort though and he may not succeed at first. But he really has to. Can't be a rom-com hero forever. (Evelyn)I have \"not -too- fond\" memories of Extreme Measures. I just saw Impromptu and he played a prissy Chopin. I think he has it in him to do more and better."}, {"response": 263, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Feb  6, 2004 (20:24)", "body": "(Karen)but at least he's going to try Yes, bravo Hugh. But I thought he wanted out;-)"}, {"response": 264, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sat, Feb  7, 2004 (07:11)", "body": "(lindak)..But I thought he wanted out Ditto. I remember him being quoted extensively last year (particularly in a high profile Vanity Fair article) about how he'd had it with acting and the industry. Wonder what happened? New mortgage payment perhaps?"}, {"response": 265, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb  7, 2004 (09:27)", "body": "Yes, he had been saying it, but I forget on which program he admitted his friends had told him he'd made a mistake in making that comment."}, {"response": 266, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (09:35)", "body": "Not that this wasn't expected: 3rd DGA nom is a charm for Jackson By Gregg Kilday \"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King\" continued to build awards season momentum as Peter Jackson took home the top honors for outstanding directorial achievement in feature film at the 56th annual DGA Awards held Saturday night at the Century Plaza Hotel. Jackson, who also received nominations for each of the first two installments of his epic trilogy based on the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien, claimed his first DGA award for the trilogy's grand finale. He prevailed over a competitive field of nominees that included Sofia Coppola for \"Lost in Translation,\" Clint Eastwood for \"Mystic River,\" Gary Ross for \"Seabiscuit\" and Peter Weir for \"Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.\" In accepting the award, Jackson said, \"I am so proud to accept this for making a film that, thanks to J.R.R. Tolkien's book, promotes the values of courage, of friendship and faith.\" The DGA award makes Jackson the front-runner in the current Oscar race -- where he is nominated as best director and New Line Cinema's \"King\" is up for 11 awards -- since only six times since 1949 has the winner of the DGA award failed to win the best directing Oscar. Jackson also picked up a Golden Globe as best director. In addition, \"King\" has scored the Producers Guild of America's Golden Laurel Award, earned a best drama Golden Globe and was named the year's best picture by the Broadcast Film Critics Assn. In the category of movies for television, Mike Nichols was honored for the HBO miniseries \"Angels in America,\" which picked up five Golden Globes. Nichols was a double winner at Saturday night's event because he was also the recipient of the guild's Lifetime Achievement Award. In presenting the award, Buck Henry, who has frequently collaborated with Nichols, credited him with \"enormous curiosity, far-ranging intelligence, a diet rich in fiber, a boundless affection for actors -- and some actresses. I firmly believe that he is just at the beginning of his amazing career.\" Nichols, currently filming \"Closer\" in England [Ed note: too bad he can't work with Emma again on Nanny], accepted the award by videotape and paid tribute to such mentors as Billy Wilder, William Wyler and George Stevens, calling them \"my heroes.\" He added, \"I'm still thrilled to be doing the same job they did.\" Christopher Misiano picked up the directing award for nighttime drama series for \"25,\" an episode of NBC's \"The West Wing,\" while Timothy M. Van Patten took home the comedy trophy for the \"Boy Interrupted\" episode of HBO's \"Sex and the City.\" The winner for outstanding directorial achievement in documentary proved something of an upset with Nathaniel Kahn taking the prize for \"My Architect,\" a portrait of his father, architect Louis Kahn. In the DGA competition it was up against such highly regarded docus as Sam Green and Bill Siegel's \"The Weather Underground,\" Andrew Jarecki's \"Capturing the Friedmans,\" Errol Morris' \"The Fog of War\" and Jose Padilha's \"Bus 174.\" With the exception of \"Bus 174,\" all the films are also competing in the current documentary Oscar race. Carl Reiner, adroitly serving as master of ceremonies for his 19th consecutive year, lent an air of spontaneity to the event, introducing a new element to the usual awards show thank-yous by allowing winners a \"mulligan\" so they could return to the stage to thank anyone they forgot in their initial remarks."}, {"response": 267, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (09:40)", "body": "In the \"Gimme a break and stop complaining category\"... Weinstein: 'Cold' shunned because of location By Stuart Kemp and Scott Roxborough BERLIN -- Miramax Films co-chairman Harvey Weinstein said Thursday that he believes the low Oscar-nomination count for \"Cold Mountain\" was due in part to stories in the U.S. press attacking the moviemakers' decision to shoot it in Europe and not America. Weinstein, who jetted in to support the Anthony Minghella-directed Civil War story, which kicks off the Berlin International Film Festival, hinted that there had been a whispering campaign against the production because the filmmakers chose to shoot largely in lower-cost Romania rather than the United States. Said Weinstein: \"I'm proud of 'Cold Mountain' being a European film. The movie has done $80 million at the U.S. boxoffice so far and is on its way to $100 million. But I think it (being shot in Romania) did hurt us with the Academy (voters).\" Weinstein stopped short of calling it a boycott by voters but said negative press may have resulted in \"a move to deny the movie awards.\" The film received seven Oscar nominations. Said Minghella: \"There has been a reaction in America and a real campaign to stop movies leaving America to shoot.\" While Minghella said he understood the criticism, he defended his decision to shoot in Romania on economic terms. \"It was a choice between making the movie (outside America) or not,\" he said. \"We still spent nearly $20 million in the U.S.\" Weinstein also attacked what he called American \"discrimination\" against European films and cited an example of how few are seen in the United States. \"We believe in European quotas because European movies are discriminated against in America,\" Weinstein said. \"The major networks in America have not shown one single European movie in 25 years.\" The news conference saw Weinstein face down a question on why the movie's three principal stars -- Jude Law, Nicole Kidman and Renee Zellweger -- failed to travel for the evening's gala. He said Law and Zellweger are shooting movies in London, and Kidman had returned to Australia because of a \"family situation.\" Weinstein said he had offered to buy out the production of \"Closer,\" which Law is shooting, in order to secure the actor's presence in Berlin. \"You know my reputation,\" Weinstein joked. \"If I couldn't get them out (to Berlin), nobody could.\" He played down any suggestion that the stars weren't supporting the movie's European rollout, which begins Monday on a release tour of the continent's capitals. Law and Zellweger will be traveling with the film, while Kidman is gearing up to do satellite interviews upon her return to New York. Other attendees at the news conference included the movie's Philip Seymour Hoffman and Brendan Gleeson. ~~~~~~~~~ Did it never occur to him that five other films could be better?"}, {"response": 268, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (09:54)", "body": "The news conference saw Weinstein face down a question on why the movie's three principal stars -- Jude Law, Nicole Kidman and Renee Zellweger -- failed to travel for the evening's gala. Maybe Renee wasn't there for the gala, but I saw a photo of her on Yahoo this morning for a photocall in Berlin for the festival. Miramax Films co-chairman Harvey Weinstein said Thursday that he believes the low Oscar-nomination count for \"Cold Mountain\" was due in part to stories in the U.S. press attacking the moviemakers' decision to shoot it in Europe and not America. Weinstein stopped short of calling it a boycott by voters but said negative press may have resulted in \"a move to deny the movie awards.\" I've heard it was the unions, not the press. But they still got some noms anyway. Weinstein, who jetted in to support the Anthony Minghella-directed Civil War story, which kicks off the Berlin International Film Festival, hinted that there had been a whispering campaign against the production because the filmmakers chose to shoot largely in lower-cost Romania rather than the United States. Whispering nuthin', email/letter campaign from what I've seen and heard. Peter Jackson took home the top honors for outstanding directorial achievement in feature film at the 56th annual DGA Awards Great! No one else deserves it more this year, IMO. Not saying it's my favorite movie, though heads above the other 2, but he more than deserved it. To film 3 movies, at one time, out of sequence, over the course of 5 years can't be beat."}, {"response": 269, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (10:06)", "body": "Said Minghella: \"There has been a reaction in America and a real campaign to stop movies leaving America to shoot.\" Best Picture nominees: LOTR - not made in the US Lost in Translation - not made in the US Master & Commander - not made in the US Mystic River - Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval Seabiscuit - All American as Apple Pie Award Weinstein also attacked what he called American \"discrimination\" against European films and cited an example of how few are seen in the United States. Talk about an idiotic argument by a man who will only drop two copies of foreign films in NY and LA most times. Can't see what you're not given the opportunity to see."}, {"response": 270, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (10:07)", "body": "\"Said Minghella: \"There has been a reaction in America and a real campaign to stop movies leaving America to shoot.\" He's a bellyacher too. Surprised he didn't blame Bush. Can see why they're disappointed ,CM was my fave over the ones nominated. But what do I know? I see what I like."}, {"response": 271, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (10:08)", "body": "Weinstein stopped short of calling it a boycott by voters but said negative press may have resulted in \"a move to deny the movie awards.\" Last week he said the movie failed to get a best picture nod because it was released too late in the year and voters hadn't had a chance to see it. From now on, he said, nothing Oscar-bound goes out later than November. Now he goes to Berlin and changes his story to something that would appeal to the locals. Which is it, Harve? Be a man: there were five movies the voters liked better. The LOTR pics were financed with American studio money--yet no one complained that they were filmed in New Zealand, nor is anyone denying them awards because of it. Too bad the media covering the fest weren't savvy enough to call him on it. BTW, Renee flew in for one day, yesterday. Jude will make a command performance on Wednesday. Harvey always gets his way."}, {"response": 272, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (10:10)", "body": "If I remember, for SIL only Colin showed up at the Berlin FF."}, {"response": 273, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (10:56)", "body": "You're correct, Evelyn, CF represented SIL. Said Minghella: \"There has been a reaction in America and a real campaign to stop movies leaving America to shoot.\" No shit. Just like there's a campaign in every other country to try to get US movies and TV shows to film there, and they even hand US studios fat tax breaks to do so. Everyone wants to see their people employed--their actors, craftspeople, etc.--plus they want the boom to their local economies--hotels, restaurants, support functions--that a big movie set brings in. Why is it wrong for Americans to want those same things?"}, {"response": 274, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (11:27)", "body": "(Mari)Harvey always gets his way. Was if for BJD London premiere that he flew Colin in from Rome?"}, {"response": 275, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (11:42)", "body": "Actually, that would've been Universal's transport, as it had intl distribution for BJD, as it does for TEOR too."}, {"response": 276, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (16:38)", "body": "The Sydney Morning Herald - More Cold Mountain - This is cute: Movie violations By Maggie Alderson February 10, 2004 Okay, as we are fast approaching the Academy Awards season, here is a topical quiz: who won the Oscar last year for Best Make-up? What about the year before that? Or the one before that? Bet you don't know - I certainly don't. Which is wrong, because the right slap and hair makes an enormous difference on the big screen. It must do, because when it's bad, it can totally ruin a film. To wit, the movie version of I Capture the Castle (one of my top five all-time favourite books) was destroyed for me by the stupid red wig that Rose Byrne, the Australian actress playing Rose, was forced to wear. Likewise Hermione's ridiculous thatch in the Harry Potter films. The B-52's classic track Wigs was all I could think about when I watched those movies. (It goes like this: \"What's that on your head? A wig. Wig! Wig! Wig!\" And I make no apologies for mentioning it in this column for the second time. It is legendary.) The thing is, if a wig makes a person's head look as large as a kewpie doll's and if it has a telltale, hide-the-join fringe, a la Sir Elton, you can forget the subtleties and nuances of acting. All you can think is: Wig! Wig! Wig! Then, just last night, Cold Mountain was completely wrecked for me by Nicole Kidman's fingernails. Which was quite an achievement, considering that I am now so in love with Jude Law I might have to desert my family and devote the rest of my life to stalking him. The irony is that his hair and slap totally make the film. You thought he was a cutie as the clean-cut rich kid in The Talented Mr Ripley? Just wait till you see him down and dirty, scarred and bloody as a wounded Confederate soldier. Hoo-wee, pass my fan, Scarlett. You could smell the dirt and sweat on him and I'm first in the queue to... Oh, never mind. Anyway, so there's Jude looking thrillingly filthy, those sensitive pale blue eyes madly emoting out of his unshaven face (oh, God) and along comes Nicole with a perfect manicure and totally ruins the climax of the entire film. I won't destroy the plot for you, in case you haven't seen it yet, but it's fairly common knowledge that the story involves Ms Kidman - or Ada Monroe, as she is called in it - living off the land for several years to survive the American Civil War in a remote mountain settlement. So she's diggin' vegetables, milkin' cows, choppin' wood, killin' hogs, etc, with her bare hands. Yet, she has perfect nails - with top coat. Not much to eat up there in Cold Mountain during the killin' an' the fightin', but clearly an excellent supply of Jessica nail products. She already had me offside in the opening scenes for wearing copious amounts of eye shadow, eyebrow pencil and mascara, which I really don't think they went in for back in the 1860s. Especially not the refined daughters of preacher men. But it was the nails that really did me in. (Possibly, also, because they were touching Jude Law.) Funnily enough, her wigs weren't too distracting, and I liked the way that, even at the beginning, before the war, her hair was a bit flyaway and imperfect, so you got the idea that she - Ada, not Nicole - had done it herself. So what I don't understand is how could they get that right and the make-up so disastrously wrong? Especially as no other woman in the film seemed to be wearing it. The wonderful, wonderful Renee Zellweger looked like she had been sleeping with the hogs throughout the film and I sincerely hope she runs off with the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Or at least Best Supporting Make-up. This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/02/09/1076175089417.html"}, {"response": 277, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (17:50)", "body": "Re: Minnie Driver Sweatshop article on CF topic... Driver says she wants corporate leaders to carefully consider their buying practices. Garment workers modeled clothes bearing large tags reading \"Made in Cambodia ... by us ... US$0.25 per hour.\" I'm curious where those ugly pink boots of hers that she wore at Sundance came from. The irony is that his hair and slap totally make the film. You thought he was a cutie as the clean-cut rich kid in The Talented Mr Ripley? Just wait till you see him down and dirty, scarred and bloody as a wounded Confederate soldier. Hoo-wee, pass my fan, Scarlett. You could smell the dirt and sweat on him and I'm first in the queue to... I'm right there with her on this one. He was more attractive in the movie than onscreen to me. Like his hair darker and longer...and with stubble, not that full beard he had a lot. Thanks, Murph, that was cute."}, {"response": 278, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 2004 (22:32)", "body": "You thought he was a cutie as the clean-cut rich kid in The Talented Mr Ripley? Sorry, but the sweaty Inman doesn't trump a Dickie Greenleaf lying on a beach chair, with a porkpie hat singing Americano, or looking mahvelous anytime else. ;-) ROFLOL Mary! I noticed Nicole's makeup (also thinking it not appropriate for a preacherman's daughter!), but didn't check out her perfect manicure. Must've been tough after killing those hogs with her bare hands. What a woman! ;-)"}, {"response": 279, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (08:30)", "body": "You'll never get my bloomers off, Mr Darcy - I'd rather do it myself Larushka Ivan-Zadeh enjoyed her Regency era reality TV show - once she had bared all Sunday February 8, 2004 The Observer Volunteers for Channel 4's Regency House Party, inspired by the house party at Netherfield in Pride and Prejudice, could apply to be 'an aspiring Miss Bennett' or 'a dashing Darcy'. For nine weeks we could be ourselves (this was reality TV after all) but must also be our 'Regency selves' - characters who must obey the morals and manners of the time. When I was picked to be part of this bizarre living novel I little realised how dashed difficult that might be. I entered Kentchurch Court, Herefordshire in modern garb - jeans, Converse trainers, waxed hair and vest top - and emerged in full costume as a Regency 'countess'. And I mean full costume. Jane Austen never mentioned knee-length split crotch bloomers, I thought crossly as I struggled to wrap the tapes around my corseted waist; then hyperventilated as I pulled up thigh-high wool stockings. In fact there was a lot Jane hadn't mentioned about Regency life - like the chamber pot in the corner of my boudoir. Luckily, wealthy Mr Everett spotted an advert in our weekly Regency Gazette (our one source of news) and purchased an antique (sorry, new-fangled) flushing loo. I was given a fictional biography based on the person I might have been 200 years ago. Since, on my father's side, I am descended from Russian nobility, I was to re-adopt my ancestral title and be known as 'Countess Griaznov'. She/I had apparently 'lived an exciting life despite my youth' and 'with the confidence of a titled lady' was 'fully aware that you can get away with breaking rules in a way which would cause a girl of less consequence to be dismissed from the house'. However, contrary to appearances, she/I was practically penniless due to my family's financial support of Tsar Alexander. It was imperative this 'shameful fact' remained a secret. Status dictated everything from seating at dinner to the thread count of bedsheets. And being top of the tree wasn't all larks. Since it was 'perfection of good breeding to know your place', hierarchy constrained friendships. Protocol forbade any women to walk alone (unless before breakfast), to interrupt a man, to wear make up, to show our teeth while smiling, to drink unless moderately at dinner, to loll, to smoke (particularly hard on Miss Hopkins who had a pack-a-day habit), to breathe too hard - the list went on. The narrow round of permitted activities: 'a walk around the corridor to view the portraits', needlework, pianoforte practice (to entertain the gentlemen in the evening) was hardly stimulating and quickly exhausted. Six modern independent girls slumped into a Regency lethargy. Relieved of all work and responsibility, most became little girlies who giggled over hot chocolate after lights out (11pm) while I found myself climbing trees like a tomboy. Our infantalising party frocks were more likely to tempt Mr Darcy to give us a balloon and a pat on the head than a proposal of marriage. A battalion of servants catered for our every whim, but after two listless, repressed weeks I wondered why on earth any sane woman would actually want to live in a Jane Austen novel. It felt to me that the only people having real fun at this 'party' were the gentlemen who lived inside a parallel Tom Jones universe of ale for breakfast and endless freedom. Since we were not meant to be alone with a man unchaperoned (though posies were placed on pillows, love notes passed via footmen) there were few opportunities to get to know them except at dinner. Almost by default they became romantically intriguing figures. We would gaze wistfully out from our gilded cage as they hawked by the Temple of Apollo or, for want of excitement, sneak behind bushes and watch them learn to wield sabres on horseback. But otherwise our two fictional lifestyles barely met. This was ridiculous, I thought, as I counted down the hours until dinner - I'd come to the Regency seeking escapism and adventure and it was time I found it. When a director suggested I recreate Lady Caroline Lamb's daring stunt of serving herself up naked as dessert at Lord Melbourne's birthday I barely hesitated. Until now the naughtiest thing I'd done in the House was sniff snuff with Miss Conick in the Billiard Room. As I lay on the candlelit dining table, my body covered only by sugar, fruits and the odd exotic peacock plume, I knew I'd leapt not just outside the restraints of Regency protocol but into the utterly fantastical life of 'countess'. From then on I demanded to do the fun stuff I'd only watched the gentlemen play at: pistol shooting, riding, and drinking Madeira. I rebelliously tanned myself and, disguised as a boy I learnt to sabre-fight. Gossip items appeared about me in our Regency newspapers. It was strangely exhilarating, like being the heroine of my own novel. Of course, no woman really controlled her lif"}, {"response": 280, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (08:33)", "body": "Karen says: Sorry, but the sweaty Inman doesn't trump a Dickie Greenleaf lying on a beach chair, with a porkpie hat singing Americano, or looking mahvelous anytime else. ;-) I agree. Dickie Greenleaf was sublime. I listened to the Ripley sound track again the other day. He and Matt had such fun with Americano. I imagine his upcoming role in Closer will give him a chance to be cute - and raunchy!"}, {"response": 281, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (11:50)", "body": "Top ASC nod to Schwartzman By Sheigh Crabtree Thanks for the article about Regency House. Wonder if they ladies were told about wetting down their bodices? ;-) ************ Now this was is rather surprising... \"Seabiscuit\" director of photography John Schwartzman found himself in the winner's circle at the 18th annual American Society of Cinematographers Outstanding Achievement Awards gala Sunday night at the Century Plaza Hotel. Schwartzman, ASC nominated for \"Pearl Harbor\" in 2002, was one of two American DPs along with John Toll (\"The Last Samurai\"), nominated in a five-film race that included three Australians: Russell Boyd for \"Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World,\" Andrew Lesnie for New Line Cinema's \"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,\" and John Seale for Miramax's \"Cold Mountain.\""}, {"response": 282, "author": "birdy", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (12:25)", "body": "Karen says: Sorry, but the sweaty Inman doesn't trump a Dickie Greenleaf lying on a beach chair, with a porkpie hat singing Americano, or looking mahvelous anytime else. ;-) Yeah, he was gorgeous in TMR (and in every other film he's made including W), but IMHO, shallow Dickie doesn't hold a candle to honorable Inman. JL's portrayals of both were perfection, but there was so much more to Inman for him to capture - and he did in every sweaty, bearded scene;)"}, {"response": 283, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (12:52)", "body": "Shall we take the debate over \"shallowness\" and other character flaws over to Jude's topic? ;-) http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/144/new"}, {"response": 284, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (14:49)", "body": "Don't know if anyone from UK has posted here about \"Angels in America\" which we had this weekend past. You all had it early Dec. right? I was glued to the video and then the tape ran out boo hoo :-(( Anyone tell me how it ended after Harper was on the plane chasing the moon across America? Guess I only missed a few minutes. Thanks."}, {"response": 285, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (18:18)", "body": "Personal view - Kudos to them! From Movie City News : Statement Re: Tape Delay From AMPAS President Frank Pierson At their February 3 Board meeting, the Academy governors considered a request from the ABC network to impose a five-second delay on the telecast of the 76th Academy Awards that would allow the network to delete unscripted and objectionable language from the show. The Academy Awards have never been subject to a tape-delay, and in fact have a 50-year track record of maintaining high standards of taste and decorum. The governors found themselves balancing a pair of crucial concerns. Even a very brief tape-delay introduces a form of censorship into the broadcast - not direct governmental control, but it means that a network representative is in effect guessing at what a government might tolerate, which can be even worse. There was also a concern about just how slippery a slope the Academy might be setting its foot on. This year's five-second delay would be aimed at individual words. Once the principle of a delay has been accepted though, how much broader a scope might be sought in subsequent years, and how long before not only words, but ideas become subject to deletion? The First Amendment concerns were weighed against the Academy's own longstanding objective of offering a tasteful, sophisticated event which parents can encourage their children to watch without concerns about elements of coarseness. The threat of massive fines of dubious legality present ABC with a serious financial, legal and moral dilemma, and we're sympathetic with them. But our resolve is absolute. A \"live\" show is either alive or not. Free speech is free or it is not. Viewers are free to use their remote or Tivo. Parents are responsible or they are not. The Academy has no contractual ability to refuse the network's decision to bow to government pressure. But we cannot endorse a delay. We will present the show live, a celebration of achievement, with a little glitz, a little glamour, as always. If it comes with a bleep, we are all losers."}, {"response": 286, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 2004 (19:12)", "body": "But it seems.... Oscar Delay Won't Deter Political Remarks 1 hour, 24 minutes ago By ANTHONY BREZNICAN, AP Entertainment Writer LOS ANGELES - The producer and director of the upcoming Oscar telecast said the ABC's 5-second delay will be used to shield viewers from any unlikely profanity or nudity \ufffd but will not interfere with any political statements winners may make. The safeguard measure for the Academy Awards (news - web sites) is the latest fallout from the uproar over Janet Jackson (news)'s breast-baring Super Bowl performance, which has provoked an investigation by the Federal Communications Commission (news - web sites). \"At the nominees luncheon yesterday, I spoke with the nominees and just said that, when they come up, they're all under this microscope, unfortunately, because of these events a couple weeks ago,\" Oscar telecast producer Joe Roth told reporters Tuesday. Asked if the delay could be used to block political statements \ufffd like documentary filmmaker Michael Moore (news)'s scathing criticism last year of President Bush (news - web sites), which drew both cheers and boos from the theater audience \ufffd Roth responded: \"No, it applies to the use of profanity.\" The producer, who's head of Revolution Studios, said he wants to encourage a sense of freedom and spontaneity \ufffd as long as winners are interesting and generally wholesome, he won't seek to interrupt their speeches. ABC always maintains a watch over its live events, said Oscar telecast director Louis J. Horvitz, who has worked on the show eight times previously. \"ABC standards-and-practices has always gone out on the red carpet and looked at the gowns the women are wearing and I'm sure if a guy's coming in with a jock strap they might say something, like `When you photograph him on his entrance would you do a waist(-up) shot,\" Horvitz joked. But it's happened before. In 1974, David Niven (news)'s Oscar introduction of Elizabeth Taylor (news) was suddenly interrupted as a naked trespasser flashing a peace sign raced past him onstage. Niven famously quipped to the audience: \"Just think, the only laugh that man will probably ever get is for stripping and showing off his shortcomings.\" More innocently, sometimes an actress shows up in a dress that becomes see-through in the bright stage lights \ufffd which is what happened to an embarrassed Meryl Streep (news) at the recent Golden Globe Awards (news - web sites). Horvitz said he can deal with that through tighter close-ups or adjusted lighting without cutting or blocking the image. The Academy Awards are set for broadcast from Hollywood's Kodak Theatre on Feb. 29. Billy Crystal (news) has signed on as host."}, {"response": 287, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (08:48)", "body": "Wasn't this one of the projects that was broughtup briefly just a few weeks ago as one that maybe Colin could do, until Hola said Dennis Quaid was set? Look who he would have had the pleasure of working with again. ;-) Selma Blair, David Paymer Find 'Synergy' in Comedy Wed Feb 11, 3:59 AM ET By Borys Kit LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Selma Blair (news), Clark Gregg, Philip Baker Hall (news) and David Paymer have signed on to appear in \"Synergy,\" a comedy from \"American Pie\" filmmakers the Weitz brothers. The Universal Pictures project follows the uneasy relationship between a 50-year-old businessman (Dennis Quaid (news)) and his new 26-year-old boss (Topher Grace (news)). The younger boss is having an affair with the older man's daughter (Scarlett Johansson (news)). Blair will play Grace's unhappy wife, whom he has just wed, while Gregg will appear as Grace's boss, who wants Quaid fired. Hall portrays the head of an auto-supply chain that Quaid is trying to get as a client, while Paymer has been set as Quaid's co-worker, who has his own set of insecurities. Paul Weitz will direct from his script, with Chris Weitz handling producing chores. Blair, who recently wed Ahmet Zappa, next appears in \"Hellboy.\" Her other credits include \"The Sweetest Thing\" and \"Cruel Intentions.\" Gregg's recent credits include \"State and Main,\" \"We Were Soldiers\" and \"Lovely & Amazing.\" He also wrote \"What Lies Beneath.\" Hall's numerous credits include \"Bruce Almighty,\" \"The Talented Mr. Ripley,\" \"Magnolia\" and \"Boogie Nights.\" Paymer is appearing as a mobster in ABC's \"Line of Fire\" and will make his television directorial debut on an upcoming episode of \"Everwood.\" Reuters/Hollywood Reporter"}, {"response": 288, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (10:05)", "body": "Thanks for the articles are the Oscar broadcast in the wake of Nipplegate. Idiocy, udder idiocy. ;-) Glad they voted against a delay. Excellent article in this week's Time, entitled The Hypocrisy Bowl. (Dorine) Look who he would have had the pleasure of working with again. ;-) That was another indication to me that he *wouldn't* be in this."}, {"response": 289, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (10:57)", "body": "Glad they voted against a delay But ABC has the final word, and from the article Dorine posted, they're going with the delay. What a craven bunch. I hope Billy Crystal rips them to shreds. I personally don't know anyone who gives a damn about JJ's boob. And shame on the media for giving it all this attention--which is, of course, exactly why she did it in the first place. The need to fill news network airtime 24/7 is partly to blame."}, {"response": 290, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (11:16)", "body": "(Mari) I hope Billy Crystal rips them to shreds. Yes, another thing to look forward to. ;-) Perhaps by the time of the telecast, ABC will have backed off. I liked the statement they made. (Mari) And shame on the media for giving it all this attention And bigger shame on the government for wasting my tax dollars investigating this. Here's the Time article: The Hypocrisy Bowl A sunburst exposes the game's sex-sells ethos. Let the bogus outrage and culture wars begin! By JAMES PONIEWOZIK It was meant to be a super Sunday like any other. About 143 million people gathered to enjoy a wholesome evening of giant men knocking the living hell out of one another, cheered on by busty dancing women in skimpy uniforms, with occasional messages from crude talking animals entreating them to buy intoxicants. Instead, something offensive happened. In a jaw-dropping denouement to the MTV-produced halftime show, Justin Timberlake sang, \"I gotta have you naked by the end of this song,\" reached across Janet Jackson's black leather bustier and exposed \ufffd well, yes. But he exposed more than that. What the Super Bowl incident (Nipplegate? Boobytrap? The Tempest in a C Cup?) also revealed was the hypocrisies of the entertainment and sports industries, the commercial culture and even the viewing public. After what Timberlake euphemized with the NASA-like \"wardrobe malfunction,\" the accusations flew like flags on a late hit. The NFL blamed CBS and MTV. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) blamed the networks not just for the \"reveal\" but also for a halftime show that included rapper Nelly grabbing his crotch and sexual grinding between Timberlake and Jackson. The networks blamed Jackson, who said she cooked up the stunt at the last minute. Nonetheless, after the game the MTV website crowed that \"fans of Janet Jackson and her pasties were definitely in the right place.\" (Actually, Jackson's right breast was adorned by a metal \"nipple shield,\" the event's other gift to the lexicon.) Jackson apologized but blamed her outfit; she said it was supposed to reveal a red bra, which \"collapsed.\" The defenseless undergarment, alas, could not speak up for itself. The league said, however, that it had concerns about the tone of the show, and Timberlake's song, that MTV never addressed. \"MTV did not live up to their end of the deal,\" said NFL executive vice president Joe Browne. \"They told us, 'We'll address your concerns,' and then things never changed.\" But MTV Networks chairman and CEO Tom Freston said the league and the networks together reviewed the songs, costumes and choreography. He noted that MTV also produced the halftime show three years ago. \"If you go back and look,\" he said, \"you'll see the artists doing similar types of music with similar choreography. You even have guys in 'N Sync doing crotch grabbing. But none of it fell under the microscope.\" (CBS executives refused requests to speak for this story.) MTV can make a case that the show, minus the pop-out, was not beyond the pale for TV. Just look how far MTV has moved the pale. At its Video Music Awards (V.M.A.), rapper Lil' Kim has sported a pastie-accessorized outfit that showed no less than Jackson, while Britney Spears has stripped down to a flesh-colored body stocking and has kissed Madonna on her publicity-hungry lips. And MTV has what CBS and the NFL want badly: young, especially young male, viewers. The Super Bowl fiasco showed how tough it is to assemble a giant mainstream spectacle for today's niched audience. Even the audience reaction ranged from deep offense to bemusement. Bill Cleaver, of Pittsboro, N.C., watched the performance with his wife Julia and their daughter Annie, 10. \"I'm not a Boy Scout,\" he said, \"but I know in public what is appropriate manners and what is vulgarity.\" Then again, TiVo, the digital-video-recorder maker, said the event was the most replayed ever among its users. In a TIME/CNN poll, 47% of respondents said the incident marked \"a new low in bad taste\"; yet 68% said the government should not fine CBS. Attempting to please a torn audience has put all the big networks through growing, or rather shrinking, pains. Under fire from conservatives, CBS last year canceled its mini-series The Reagans, although it claimed the cancellation was not caused by the pressure. This, combined with the network's apparent quid pro quo offer to Jessica Lynch \ufffd a host of Viacom deals in exchan e for her story of capture in Iraq \ufffd and reports of a similar offer to obtain a Michael Jackson interview, has put CBS's credibility at a low point. But you can't eat credibility, and CBS is the most watched network on TV largely because it has rejuvenated its audience with edgier shows. Survivor is MTV's The Real World redone as a game show, and 33 million people watched the post \ufffd Super Bowl debut of Survivor: All-Stars, with the return of player Richard Hatch, who spent much of the episode nude (albeit pixelated). CSI, TV's most popular drama, may be the goriest show"}, {"response": 291, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (11:57)", "body": "\" And if the NFL knew what it was getting ? and wanted ? from MTV, the music network's corporate sib CBS has even less reason to be shocked,.. Truer words have never been spoken... Let's face it..\"coarseness\" is in . And we all stand by and applaud it."}, {"response": 292, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (15:30)", "body": "'Master and Commander' Wins British Critics' Awards LONDON (Reuters) - \"Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World\" sailed to victory at the London Film Critics' Circle awards Wednesday, beating Oscar favorite \"Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King\" to the best film title. The sea-faring tale also scooped prizes for Paul Bettany (news) as best British actor, and for John Collee and Peter Weir (news) as best screenwriters. \"The British are an island race, which is probably why 'Master and Commander', a rip roaring tale of life at sea in the age of sail, swept the board in our awards,\" said William Russell, chairman of the Critics' Circle. Just days before Sunday's Baftas, known as the British Oscars (news - web sites), the Americans also scored well, with Clint Eastwood (news) taking the best director accolade and Sean Penn (news) named best actor for U.S. murder story \"Mystic River.\" British romance \"Love Actually\" took some honors with Emma Thompson (news) winning best British actress in a supporting role and Bill Nighy scooping best British actor in a supporting role. But despite being tipped for Oscar glory after winning four U.S. Golden Globe awards (news - web sites) last month, the final installment of the \"Lord of the Rings\" trilogy was overlooked by the 100 British critics who make up the Critics' Circle."}, {"response": 293, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (10:47)", "body": "I'm good today..... Move from 187 (Karen)\"Smut,\" of course. ;-) For filth (I'm glad to say) is in the mind of the beholder. When correctly viewed, Everything is lewd. (I could tell you things about Peter Pan, And the Wizard of Oz, there's a dirty old man!) LOL! and I thought it was gonna be: Everybody Eat (?) Everybody eat! Every niece and every nephew even if you're deaf you'll hear them digest. Kiddie's by the dozen from local zoos Someone's second cousin but god knows whose. Everybody feed For example there's an uncle who when he's drunk'll be a real pest. And cousin Julia is actin' childish to put it mildish. Hey you kids I don't know who just did that but it's gross Then Al begins to smoke and tells a dirty joke when Grandma's comatose. Oh everybody's swill. And put up with uncle Gordon video recordin' everyone here. Now they've all gone away And we're so happy to say They won't be back for a year. But I love Smut and New Math. Wish he would make a comeback!"}, {"response": 294, "author": "katty", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (13:00)", "body": "For those of you who were highly impressed by Oliver James, Colin's soccer-watching buddy in WAGW, you might be interested to know what he's up to. His next movie is with another teen queen, Amanda Bynes' rival Hilary Duff, in Heart of Summer, currently in production. It's set in a performing arts high school, so he'll probably play a similar character, romancing the teen girl and singing. Guess he's found a very lucrative niche."}, {"response": 295, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (13:51)", "body": "Poor guy. He'll be stuck in that muck. He's got more talent than that ...like YKW."}, {"response": 296, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (14:18)", "body": "And both of them look good on a motorbike."}, {"response": 297, "author": "katty", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (17:51)", "body": "Poor guy. He'll be stuck in that muck. Oliver is an unknown actor to anyone who hasn't seen WAGW, his first and only significant professional job. Whether he can go beyond being the \"cute guy in a Hillary Duff/Amanda Bynes film\" remains to be seen, but at this point in his career the main thing is to be given the opportunity to show his stuff. I was beginning to think he wasn't going anywhere at all, but this is a big boost for his career. Not every actor can have Another Country as a springboard. Even Johnny Depp started in 21 Jump Street, and he didn't too badly..."}, {"response": 298, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (18:15)", "body": "Another British crime drama starts tonight on A&E. They're calling it \"With Malice,\" but I gathered it aired in the UK as \"M.I.T.\" (Murder Investigation Team). Not much on the A&E website, but here's info: http://www.memorabletv.com/onthebox/profiles/mit.htm"}, {"response": 299, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (19:16)", "body": "FYI Oliver James has appeared with the RSC. There are greater things in an actor's life than appearing in a Hilary Duff movie. But I bow to your conclusions. What do I know?"}, {"response": 300, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (21:24)", "body": ""}, {"response": 301, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (21:24)", "body": "(Evelyn) FYI Oliver James has appeared with the RSC. Really? I didn't know that. I thought he was on the verge of becoming a member of an N'Synch-type band when Dennie auditioned him (not that he couldn't have done RSC, too). Thought that was all he'd done. Didn't memorize his bio. (Katty) WAGW, his first and only significant professional job. For semantics sake.... his first and only significant professional *film* job. Maybe that's more accurate. (Evelyn) There are greater things in an actor's life than appearing in a Hilary Duff movie. True, except when you are a young actor aspiring to filmdom and wanting mass exposure. I thought it was a smart move. Her movies aren't *that* bad. But they are high profile."}, {"response": 302, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 2004 (23:30)", "body": "From the Telegraph: Another string to his bow - Mendes turns impresario By Nigel Reynolds Filed: 13/02/2004 Sam Mendes, the Oscar-winning darling of the London theatre, unveiled a new identity yesterday - as a big-time impresario. In a deal thought to be unique in British entertainment, the man who brought a naked Nicole Kidman to the stage and then won a directing Oscar for his debut film, American Beauty, announced that he is to start a new company producing both films and theatre shows. His ambitious first slate includes seven film projects, almost a dozen plays and a big-budget musical. A film of the Sondheim stage musical Sweeney Todd and, in a neat reverse, a stage musical of the hit film Shrek are among the projects. Mendes, 38, who made his name running the small Donmar Warehouse theatre in London and whose career is closely followed on both sides of the Atlantic, has been unwilling to be pigeon-holed as a theatre director, a Hollywood director or a producer. His new London-based company, Scamp, will allow him to combine all three roles and it has high-powered backing. DreamWorks, the Hollywood studio founded by Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen, has a first-look deal for all of Scamp's film productions. Mendes, married to the actress Kate Winslet and now a father, will direct both for the theatre and cinema but, almost a year on from his last project, a Broadway revival of Gypsy, he is keeping his cards close to his chest about his next task. He is likely to direct only a handful of the projects announced yesterday but bring in others to do the job. Caro Newling, a director of Scamp, said: \"Sam is a rare bird and producing has always been something he has done. He's great at it and enjoys the collaboration. \"Lots of people assume that he's run off to Hollywood and is not doing theatre any more. But he's passionate about both, he wants to do both and he doesn't want to go off and become a jobbing freelance director.\" Variety will be the name of Mendes's game. The films will be co-productions in Britain or America; some plays will be new commissions, others revivals and they may be staged on either side of the Atlantic. Among the films are The Kite Runner, a story about two childhood friends set against the background of Afghanistan, based on a novel by Khaled Hosseine; Lifestory, about the race to discover DNA, to be written by William Nicholson and directed by David Yates; Tom Fool, a thriller about the adventures of a 17th century court jester written by Tim Firth, who wrote Calendar Girls; and a Second World War spy thriller by Peter Moffat, writer of the BBC television series Cambridge Spies. The theatre projects include Edward Hall directing the first London revival of Howard Brenton and David Hare's Pravda; the UK premiere of Anna in the Tropics, Nilo Cruz's 2003 Pulitzer Prize winning play; a stage adaptation of the 1942 Ernst Lubitsch film To Be Or Not To Be, a comedy about a ramshackle theatre troupe who outwit the Nazis; a new Owen McCafferty version of J P Miller's play Days of Wine and Roses; Katie Mtchell directing Macbeth; and a new play by Heidi Thomas (who adapted I Capture the Castle for television) about the Russian royal family's last days before their assassination. Producers on Broadway have made the unusual announcement that Sam Mendes's \ufffd5.6 million revival of the musical Gypsy is to be reprieved. They had previously said it would close this month. In the interim, ticket sales have picked up and cast and crew have agreed salary cuts."}, {"response": 303, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 2004 (08:00)", "body": "Thanks, Karen. Sounds like some interesting projects on his plate. UK premiere of Anna in the Tropics Hope it does better there than here. Producers on Broadway have made the unusual announcement that Sam Mendes's \ufffd5.6 million revival of the musical Gypsy is to be reprieved Through May 20, so far, if anyone's coming to NY to catch shows."}, {"response": 304, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 2004 (09:48)", "body": "I think this pretty well answers the question on some people's minds: Host of stars set for Orange Baftas A host of stars are set to attend The Orange British Academy Film Awards in London on Sunday night. Lord of the Rings star Sir Ian McKellen and director Peter Jackson are among the celebrities who will be at the awards in Leicester Square. Love Actually writer and Director Richard Curtis will also be at the awards where he'll be joined by two of the stars of the film - Emma Thompson and Bill Nighy. Also attending the event at the Odeon Cinema in Leicester Square will be Paul Bettany, Benicio Del Torro, Jude Law and double nominee Scarlett Johansson. Renee Zellweger, nominated in the Best Supporting Actress role for Cold Mountain, is also due to attend. Uma Thurman, Tim Burton and Holly Hunter are also confirmed for the awards ceremony. The Orange British Academy Film Awards, which is being hosted by Stephen Fry, will be shown on BBC1 at 9pm."}, {"response": 305, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 2004 (10:16)", "body": "From my friend Gill (Is Colin not in the country?): Got this off a media related message board so can't say whether it's totally true, but look like at least one of your lads will show up this year. Hosted by Stephen Fry, nominees confirmed to attend include: Paul Bettany, Tim Burton, Sofia Coppola, Richard Curtis, Benicio Del Toro, Holly Hunter, Peter Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Jude Law, Laura Linney, Sir Ian McKellan, Anthony Minghella, Bill Nighy, Judy Parfitt, Anne Reid, Emma Thompson, Uma Thurman, Naomi Watts, Peter Webber, Tim Robbins and Renee Zellweger. Confirmed citation readers for Sunday's ceremony include: Pedro Almodovar, Lord Attenborough, Helena Bonham Carter, Billy Boyd, Mackenzie Crook, Jason Isaacs, Val Kilmer, LL Cool J, Thandie Newton, Clive Owen , Joely Richardson, Miranda Richardson, Dougray Scott, Alicia Silverstone, Patrick Stewart, Jon Voight, and Olivia Williams."}, {"response": 306, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 2004 (10:30)", "body": "FYI: For those without BBC America, the Baftas will be shown on Monday morning (8:30amish) on E! But from what I remember of two years ago, E! will edit the program and you won't see all the categories, just the main ones. I think they did a little montage bit with the winners of the lesser awards (hair & makeup, etc.)"}, {"response": 307, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 2004 (11:07)", "body": "BBC America has a one-hour red carpet show starting at 7 PM, Eastern time, on Sunday. So who's England's answer to Joan Rivers? ;-) Also, despite their bizarre claims of \"live\" coverage, the BBCA show starts at 8, so it could not possibly be live,. Then again, I hear it's not being shown live in Britain either. Just a heads up to stay away fomr your computer if you don't want to know the winners in advance. (Murph)Is Colin not in the country?) He's not out of the country, he's just out to lunch. :-( Some cool casting news for Nip/Tuck fans: Joely R's mom, Vanessa Redgrave of course, will do three episodes next season, playing . . . Joely's mom. She comes to Miami to get a facelift performed by Sean, but there are complications. New season starts in June."}, {"response": 308, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 2004 (12:37)", "body": "(Dorine)Hope it does better there than here. It opened in Princeton about a month before it went on to NY-same cast-terrible reviews. Thanks for the BAFTA news. I'm quite put out;-("}, {"response": 309, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 2004 (12:37)", "body": "(Mari)Also, despite their bizarre claims of \"live\" coverage, the BBCA show starts at 8, so it could not possibly be live,. Then again, I hear it's not being shown live in Britain either. Just a heads up to stay away fomr your computer if you don't want to know the winners in advance. I checked my Directv magazine yesterday and it's listed to show Baftas on Sunday at 4:00 pm to 6:00 and again from 8:00 to 10:00."}, {"response": 310, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 2004 (13:01)", "body": "Did anyone catch With Malice last night? I turned it off after 20 minutes. I thought the characters were very cold. I know it was the nature of the show, but I felt as though I had no reason to care about them or their work. I'm enjoying Wire in the Blood series on BBC America much more. I tune in to that each week for both the characters and the story."}, {"response": 311, "author": "katty", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 2004 (14:00)", "body": "WAGW, his first and only significant professional job. FYI Oliver James has appeared with the RSC. Oliver only had minor work in plays, commercials, tv, and a newly-forming boy band, so that movie WAS his first big break of any kind. He himself said \"I'd done t.v. spots but nothing noticeable, just back in the U.K. My background is in stage really. I trained at an acting school and then when I left I'd done a few commercials and stuff but mainly in theater. Not huge jobs in theater but just kind of learning my craft.\" ( http://www.oliver-james.net/articles/article040403b.html ) Denny Gordon talks about \"discovering\" him. So basically he made a big leap from being a virtual unknown. Anyway, at least he has a chance to be seen again by millions of people and show his stuff, even if it is in the shadow of the latest teen queen. The vast majority of aspiring actors never get that chance, and he's getting it twice already."}, {"response": 312, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 2004 (14:29)", "body": "(Mari) Also, despite their bizarre claims of \"live\" coverage, the BBCA show starts at 8. (Beedee) I checked my Directv magazine yesterday and it's listed to show Baftas on Sunday at 4:00 pm to 6:00 and again from 8:00 to 10:00. I'll be watching the live feed starting at 3:30ET at the BAFTA party. BAFTA-LA must be on @ 12:30 PT. I wonder why 4. And I wonder why they don't show it live in the UK. Jason Isaacs, Clive Owen, Dougray Scott, Nice consolation prizes! ;-)"}, {"response": 313, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 2004 (14:47)", "body": "(Beedee) I checked my Directv magazine yesterday and it's listed to show Baftas on Sunday at 4:00 pm to 6:00 and again from 8:00 to 10:00. (Dorine)I'll be watching the live feed starting at 3:30ET at the BAFTA party Thanks, ladies. Neither can be \"live\" though because that would mean the show doesn't start until 8:30 PM or 9 PM in London--and I believe their website says 6:30. I think in this case \"live\" really means simultaneous with the BBC broadcast--which isn't live, it's delayed 2 hours. Gah, am so confused . . .;-)"}, {"response": 314, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 2004 (14:49)", "body": "This is from empireonline: Two Hour Delay For BAFTAs If you don't want to know who's won - look away now 11 February 2004 UK film fans are once again being given short shrift when it comes to the televising of the BAFTAs. Although the British Academy Awards are widely regarded as the UK's most prestigious movie event, for the second year running they will only be shown on TV once the live ceremony is over. This will, of course, allow film fans to find out who the winners are before the television show commences. The event, which kicks off at the Odeon Leicester Square on Sunday evening at 6.30pm, will only be broadcast in edited form on the BBC at 9.00pm \ufffd with a break for the news. Given the American Academy's outrage at a measly five-second delay between The Oscars and its broadcast transmission on ABC, it's amazing that the British have put up with this with nary a whimper. And while the BBC won't be revealing the winners on its own 10-o'clock News, which cuts into the televised ceremony, any fool with a remote control or access to the internet will be able to either switch channels or go online to find out who's won. 'It's the best possible scheduling,' a BBC spokesperson told Empire Online, blithely unbothered that knowing the results in advance would take all of the suspense away from the show. Rant aside, it promises to be another brilliant year for the BAFTAs, with a large number of stars flying over to London for the event. Confirmed attendees include Uma Thurman, Scarlett Johansson, Naomi Watts and Jon Voight. And that's just for starters. Anyone wanting a glimpse of the stars should be heading down to Leicester Square to secure their patch roughly \ufffd er \ufffd now. Coverage On The Night As you've come to expect, Empire Online will be there on the red carpet this Sunday night, communing with the Hollywood massive and chinwagging with Britain's finest. We'll be bringing you the winners as soon they're announced (which of course you'll have to ignore if you're planning on watching the show), and we'll have a full review on the ceremony up on the site later that evening."}, {"response": 315, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 2004 (15:30)", "body": "The OC (my guilty pleasure) comes to the UK (brief Colin mention in there): The future's Orange County The hottest show in the US is the teenage-obsessed OC. It will be the new Sex and the City, says Hadley Freeman Friday February 13, 2004 - The Guardian Nature may well abhor a vacuum, but not as desperately, I would wager, as do television schedulers. Following the announcement of the demise of the publicity-friendly Sex and the City, \"the new Sex and the City\" became the TV producer's favourite cliche. Any new show in which one or more of the characters mentioned sex (cue Kenneth Williams' pursed lips) or wore something more adventurous than a hooded Gap top was immediately deemed to merit this much sought after crown. Contenders included The Mind of a Married Man (aka Sex, Lies and Misogyny) and Miss Match (aka What Clueless's Alicia Silverstone Tentatively Did Next). But all this misses the point of what made the original programme such fun: despite its title, it was not the sex, nor, for that matter, the endless, adoring shots of Manhattan - both of these have long been supplied by the film industry. Rather, it was the show's shameless trashiness (only 80s movies starring Judd Nelson had cheesier soundtracks and close-ups) combined with its understanding of the meaning that overly style-conscious women (and men) attach to fashion. Thus Samantha's bold and blowsy Matthew Williamson and Ungaro equals her less uptight American, more easy-going European approach to relationships and sex, and the disastrous afternoon when Carrie ran into her ex's new wife in the Marni changing room equals ultimate humiliation as she realises that she will not even have a better outfit than the Stick Insect. Now, though, a proper new Sex and the City is about to arrive (and yes, ma'am, that is a trumpet fanfare you hear in the background). The OC is not, despite what its name suggests, another hospital drama, but an abbreviation for California's Orange County, and it is a truly worthy pretender to the throne. Ryan is a kid \"from the wrong side of the tracks\" - so wrong, in fact, that it is called \"Chino\". \"Uh, Chino?\" sneers one of his new snotty friends on learning of Ryan's human stain. \"Ewww!\"And frankly, who can blame her? He is adopted by an \"idealistic public defender\", taken back to his new luxurious house where he is not, surprisingly, forced to work as a rent boy, but where, to quote the press release, \"nothing is quite what it seems\" (in other words, the rich kids all take drugs and stay out late and the parents exchange meaningful glances with people other than their spouses). Oh my lord, it is Fresh Prince of Bel Air meets Melrose Place in one glorious package. It is the kind of programme in which teenagers say, \"We're from different worlds\", without even a smidgen of Dawson's Creek-style irony or self-analysis (thank God). As for the fashion, the first episode revolves around a charity fashion show and the trials such events entail: \"What are you doing putting my daughter in Calvin Klein? She was supposed to be in Vera Wang!\" wails one mother. Ah yes: the old dilemma: is fashion self-obsessive or just a bit of fun? The show's basic take is that it is only the former when fashion love tips over into vanity, such as when one mother solemnly asks her pre-pubescent daughter, \"Do you like my hair this straight or is it too Avril Lavigne?\" All a far cry from carefree Carrie tripping about in head-to-toe Chanel. Admittedly, The OC's decidedly West Coast approach to fashion (cropped tops, micro-minis, beaded flip-flops) might be problematic, temperature-wise, for British fans to copy but, heck, we are the country that tricked out Topshop versions of Oscar de la Renta couture and Dior saddlebags. Set in California, as the theme tune pointedly reminds us, the emphasis is on bare shoulders and tummies that are flatter than the Midlands, as opposed to Sex and the City's pinched waists and perfect pedicures. There is much smoking of odd-smelling substances, but little of tobacco, and a wholesale disinterest in trying to be - say it with me - the new Sex and the City, and, as all fashion-followers know, those who try too hard are doomed to fail. But, most importantly, the show is fantastically timely. The emphasis is decidedly on the under 18s, just as the current focus in Hollywood and on the radiowaves is, too. After belatedly rediscovering the power of the youth market in the wake of the success of American Pie, it is tempting to think that this is the only market that American film producers are interested in, judging by the focus on the likes of Ashton Kutcher (25), Kirsten Dunst (21), Jake (23) and Maggie Gyllenhaal (26), Eva Green (23), Scarlett Johansson (19) and Keira Knightley (18). As for the pop charts, Britney Spears (22) now being a bit past it, take your pick from the likes of Joss Stone (16), Amy Winehouse (20) and Katie Melua (19). Melua's recent song, The Closest Thing to Crazy, has provided the frontrunner "}, {"response": 316, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 2004 (16:15)", "body": "Two Hour Delay For BAFTAs They've come a looooong way. A few years ago, they used to telecast it 2 days later, LOL.Talk about old news. I lay my gauntlet down on: Oliver James. Enough already. Who cares? I've posted the four films that Rafe has in pre-production on #40. Jeremy Northam has \"Toyer\" (horror) with Juliette Binoche directed by Brian Di Palma. With luck one of them will bow out and Colin can get it;-) They are all Colin-type roles."}, {"response": 317, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 2004 (16:44)", "body": "I wrote someone at BAFTA for clarification and was told..... As far as I know, the BBC-America telecast begins the same time as our transmission, 4 PM, which I believe is the same time that London gets it. (It's slightly delayed from the live event to allow for some editing for time). I had seen on the web invite or somewhere that our party starts at 2 (which it does), but that the show started at 3:30. Had made a mental note at the time to make sure to get there earlier before the show started to mingle. We went late-ish last year and couldn't chat much before it started, discovering that people actually sit and pay attention to the show, rather than mill about the room chatting. Who knew??!"}, {"response": 318, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Feb 13, 2004 (18:33)", "body": "All I know is BBC America is advertising Live at the BAFTA's Sunday, 4PM EST. I even changed a Valentine Brunch to make sure I was home in time. I really thought that a certain YKW would be there...yeah I know I sound like a broken record. Won't mention it again:-("}, {"response": 319, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (09:48)", "body": "From The Telegraph: Scarlett at Bafta awards So lofty is Scarlett Johansson's star these days that it's even causing logistical - and egotistical - problems for the movie moguls who've helped make her name. Having been nominated for Best Actress for her roles in two films - Girl with a Pearl Earring and Lost in Translation - the New Yorker will undoubtedly be the star of tomorrow's Bafta ceremony. The problem is that Johansson's two flicks have been made by two different production companies - Path\ufffd and Elemental Films respectively. And both firms want the kudos of having the star as their guest, rather than the other outfit's. An embarrassing stand-off was looming, but Spy hears that a compromise has now been arrived at. \"There was frantic behind-the-scenes politicking between Pathe, Elemental and the organisers, but thankfully they seemed to have sorted it out,\" says my source. \"Scarlett will arrive with the Elemental people and be photographed on the red carpet with them. She will then sit on a table with the Path\ufffd lot.'' Even that deal was apparently only made possible by another factor being removed from the equation. \"Scarlett got on very well with Colin Firth when they were doing Girl with a Pearl Earring together,\" adds my source. \"If he'd come along to the Baftas, I rather think that Elemental wouldn't have had a look-in, but he's decided to give it a miss.\""}, {"response": 320, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (10:26)", "body": "It's really too bad. They could sit at the Humbert Humbert table. ;-)"}, {"response": 321, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (10:35)", "body": "In the totally OT department. It occured to me when I was watching SATC last night that Brady's name would now be Brady Brady since Miranda gave him Steve's last name as a first name. Now that they're married, surely the kid wouldn't keep Miranda's last name, as in Brady Hobbes, anymore. Some things are keeping me up at night. ;-)"}, {"response": 322, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (10:36)", "body": "(Karen) It's really too bad. They could sit at the Humbert Humbert table. ;-) LOL is that where Ashton and Demi are to be seated (no...wait...that's something else entirely, isn't it?? ;-D)....maybe he's staying away cuz there are no martinis or....maybe he is staying away as the last time Scarlett was in London she had scary hair....enough to frighten anyone away! Hopefully her rain-repellent Bob's Big Boy Hairdo won't be needed at the Baftas. What's the weather like there right now?? ;-)"}, {"response": 323, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (10:45)", "body": "....maybe he is staying away as the last time Scarlett was in London she had scary hair....enough to frighten anyone away! Hopefully her rain-repellent Bob's Big Boy Hairdo won't be needed at the Baftas. What's the weather like there right now?? ;-) Or maybe he is staying away as the last time Scarlett was with him she was photographed giving him googo eyes in manner of wife:-0"}, {"response": 324, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (10:46)", "body": "(Tress) is that where Ashton and Demi are to be seated (no...wait...that's something else entirely, isn't it?? ;-D) No, they're seated with Mrs Stone from Rome. ;-)"}, {"response": 325, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (10:51)", "body": "(Karen) No, they're seated with Mrs Stone from Rome. ;-) Oh! Forgot about Mr. Williams' version...I was thinking Charles Webb....humming \"Mrs. Robinson\" right now!"}, {"response": 326, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (11:01)", "body": "Elemental wouldn't have had a look-in What exactly does this mean...\"look-in?\" \"Scarlett got on very well with Colin Firth when they were doing Girl with a Pearl Earring together,\" So? She couldn't bear to sit apart from him? Ohhhhh, the tragedy. ;-) (Karen) It's really too bad. They could sit at the Humbert Humbert table. ;-) (Tress) LOL is that where Ashton and Demi are to be seated (no...wait...that's something else entirely, isn't it??) ;-D Yes, at least he's out of his teens. ;-D"}, {"response": 327, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (11:17)", "body": "\"If he'd come along to the Baftas, I rather think that Elemental wouldn't have had a look-in, but he's, decided to give it a miss.\" So, 'he'decided to give it a miss. Sheesh. I guess the French Riviera just couldn't wait! (Dorine)So? She couldn't bear to sit apart from him? Ohhhhh, the tragedy. ;-) I think the red finger nails took care of that problem."}, {"response": 328, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (11:45)", "body": "(Linda) So, 'he'decided to give it a miss. Sheesh. I guess the French Riviera just couldn't wait! Uhhh...no offense to the Baftas, but I think I'd rather be lounging by that pool too (though there was no date on his \"mini-break\" and he could have been there last year for all we know)! ;-) (Linda) I think the red finger nails took care of that problem. LOL...yeah...she got her man to take her to the Riviera.....I'm sure he's not thinking about that bubble gum snappin', see-through shirt wearin' woman-child there. His mind is more agreeably engaged, I'm sure. ;-)"}, {"response": 329, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (11:54)", "body": "Wishing all Drooleurs or at least a nice box of Godivas to tuck into! ;-)"}, {"response": 330, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (12:23)", "body": "Thanks, Karen! Back at ya! (Leslie, moved from RF topic) The jury's still out on Jeremy Irons, though. Is he also busy at things I am unaware of or is he at home waiting for the *right script*? Saw him at Lincoln Center last Fall or Spring season (forgot which) where he was in A Little Night Music at NY City Opera. He was even \"singing!\" I hear he's a \"window shopper,\" at least, if you catch my drift.....;-). I sat 2 seats from SATC's Miranda...didn't recognize her til someone started arguing about seats next to us."}, {"response": 331, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (12:38)", "body": "The jury's still out on Jeremy Irons And he's older, so not a valid comparison either."}, {"response": 332, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (18:27)", "body": "What exactly does this mean...\"look-in?\" A chance. It means she would have dropped the Lost in Translation people like a hot potato if CF was coming.;-) I'd love to see her win for GWAPE but with two noms in the same category, she'll probably cancel herself out. Still can't believe the Oscar idiots didn't nom her. As much as I like Samantha Morton, she had relatively little to do in In America. SJ carries GWAPE."}, {"response": 333, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (20:57)", "body": "Thank you for your Valentine's Day greeting Karen, same to you and everybody else. Also thanks for the lovely Mark Darcy greeting at the main page. Those are some of my fave pics of him. Mmmmm..."}, {"response": 334, "author": "katty", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (21:46)", "body": "As much as I like Samantha Morton, she had relatively little to do in In America. SJ carries GWAPE. I completely agree with you. Samantha did an excellent job, but hers was more of a supporting role, and was overshadowed by the amazing performances of the two little girls. She had no individual SAG, BAFTA or Golden Globe nominations like Scarlett had. There was no buzz about her at all, so her nomination was a complete surprise. I still can't figure out how she beat out Scarlett. Guess people just loved In America and wanted to nominate someone from it."}, {"response": 335, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Feb 14, 2004 (21:49)", "body": "(Me) What exactly does this mean...\"look-in?\" (Mari) A chance. It means she would have dropped the Lost in Translation people like a hot potato if CF was coming.;-) Thanks, I thought that was the gist of that statement, but was still a bit unsure with that term. Wouldn't any of us drop anyone like a hot potato if Colin was in the vicinity? ;-) Wonder where \"the source\" got that inference from. ;-) (re:SJ) Still can't believe the Oscar idiots didn't nom her. And SAG didn't nom her either! Curious."}, {"response": 336, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (09:11)", "body": "Dropping by a day late to thank you for the Valentine greetings and lovely (sadly whiskless) montage of Mark. Hearts and flowers by the bucket load;-))"}, {"response": 337, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (13:16)", "body": ""}, {"response": 338, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (13:16)", "body": "According to an article in today's Observer, tickets to the Baftas are \ufffd300 and \ufffd650 each (there's a dinner afterward at the Grosvenor House Hotel). As Dorine mentioned, the producers (in this case Pathe) would be paying for their people to attend, so it wouldn't be out of pocket to Colin in any case. Other info here: http://observer.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,6903,1148280,00.html (Lizza) (sadly whiskless) I always save that for your birthday. ;-)"}, {"response": 339, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (13:38)", "body": "Here's Scarlett: and Renee: and Joely: Emma: and the \"scary\" Emma:"}, {"response": 340, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (13:46)", "body": "Thank you, Karen for the up to the minute red carpet photos. I think Renee looks much better than she did for the GG's, but Scarlett looks like she's aged a bit...maybe it's the hair or the suntan?"}, {"response": 341, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (13:53)", "body": "No Linda it's the lippy! Awwwful on the close up. I really like ET but does she ever study pics of herself. There's one of her calling to the crowd and she twists her face so.... really unflattering. Still she's got 25 years on SJ and I think she looks great in her backless dress, go on Nanny McPhee! Like RZ's choice too."}, {"response": 342, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (13:55)", "body": "Good to see Bill Nighy winning for LA!"}, {"response": 343, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (13:59)", "body": "Sofia: Really bad lipstick choice: And a couple of lightweights:"}, {"response": 344, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (14:01)", "body": "Hey Karen it's your old friend from Ziegfeld ;-)"}, {"response": 345, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (14:04)", "body": "Looks like Scarlett's boobs are too big for the dress....shouldn't that seam hit below? And what is the thing hanging from the side (a bow? Looks like faux fur) Would be prettier without it. She looks 'womanly'....older than her teen years..... (Lizza) No Linda it's the lippy! Awwwful on the close up. Yes! She chooses interesting colors at times (and she has such full lips you really notice). She should have gone with straight red IMO. RZ looks good (I'm not a big lace fan but the dress suits her...she looks great all filled out). I agree Lizza, ET looks great in the backless dress! But I think the fur thing can go.....whatever it is..... Boy...they think Joan and Melissa are tough...wait til this is all over! ;-)"}, {"response": 346, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (14:47)", "body": "Glad to see Renee has something to add to her GG! Rounding off quite a week for her;-)"}, {"response": 347, "author": "locarol", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (15:49)", "body": "(Tress) Yes! She chooses interesting colors at times (and she has such full lips you really notice). She should have gone with straight red IMO. Definitely agree. This is one of those colours you find in nail polish on the discount table - the throw-outs! It's harsh. ET has a great bod and the dress has the wow! factor. RZ looks a little slimmer than GGs but she needs to perfect the non-squint look. She always reeks of - where the hell are my glasses?"}, {"response": 348, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (15:57)", "body": "First impressions of SJ and RZ on the podium as presenters.... lippy actually doesn't look too bad, not as harsh as expected, but she's under 20 so gets away with it. Renee's hair is just on the edge of too messy, she's looking good tho' so no need for those glasses Locarol."}, {"response": 349, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (16:58)", "body": "Am surprised and pleased for SJ at the BAFTAs. I felt she gave very strong performances this year but didn't think she stood a chance. I thought the award would have gone to someone else given Scarlett's age and the other very fine and more seasoned talent she was up against. However, IMO GWAPE was a better performance. Perhaps my judgement is clouded by inherent CF bias, but I thought her peformance in GWAPE was technically more difficult and far more subtle than LIT. Also thought it interesting in light of the fact that many of the accolades she received for LIT referenced her 'minimalist performance'. But then again, I think I'm the only person in the universe who thought LIT was a very good film, but not a great one. Perhaps I'd read far too much *hype* before seeing it which often leaves me feeling let down."}, {"response": 350, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (17:25)", "body": "Lots of \"near the knuckle\" comments from the inventive Stephen Fry. Hope they made it on to your coverage!! We have finished here."}, {"response": 351, "author": "Gails", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (17:29)", "body": "RZ's dress looks great on her. Though do wish she spent more that 15 seconds on her hair. Tress, I agree SJ should have gone with a red, probably with a coral undetone. That color she wore has too much blue in it and makes her look washed out,IMO."}, {"response": 352, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (17:46)", "body": "(Lizza)Lots of \"near the knuckle\" comments from the inventive Stephen Fry. Hope they made it on to your coverage!! Yes they did, thank God the thought police ignore cable TV!:-) Really laughed at Stephen's comments about having slept with Jude Law (in a movie) and that pregnant pause afterward. Enjoyed his \"notes from mum\" about the Best Pic nominees. Good job by SF as usual. Sofia Coppola looked about 1000% better than at the GGs. Scarlett stayed too long in the tanning bed, I think, but her hair looked better than usual. Would like to see her wear more color on her body instead of on the lips.;-) I liked Renee's dress, not crazy about the hair, and a nice diamond necklace would have set things off better. I liked Joely Richardson's look, color was great on her, let's hear it for red carpet color! These people go all beige or black and it gets boring. Good for Emma for going backless down to *there.* Work it girl, if you've still got it, flaunt it! BTW, did anyone catch her allusion to McPhooey, something about have to wear warts on her nose? Is that in the book? There goes my dream of Nanny/employer romance in manner of Maria and Capt. Von Trapp.:-("}, {"response": 353, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (17:49)", "body": "I thought the award would have gone to someone else given Scarlett's age Age discrimination????;-) Shocking. I didn't think her performance in LIT compared with GWAPE, but I be the latter helped her get the award. But did the presenter have to degrade GWAPE by prefacing the award with: \"Not for Girl With a Pearl Earring, but for LIT, the award goes to SJ\" Bad form. Her acceptance speech was lovely. No notes! What poise and she'l lost all the uh's and um's. Happy, happy for Renee. She deserves it. JL gets more handsome every day. I guess Johnny Depp only smiles when they pay him. Thankgod for Bill Murray's speech for an otherwise boring show. Hoorah! We're finished with LOTR. Sadly , we have the Oscars to go with more of them."}, {"response": 354, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (17:55)", "body": "So, what did he present? This eager mind wants to know. Thanks! Saw GWAPE today. Put my thoughts in the film spoilers thread."}, {"response": 355, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (19:01)", "body": "(Mary) So, what did he present? This eager mind wants to know. There were 5 awards that didn't make the BBC cut; Clive presented two of them. I think they were for film editing and sound. Dougray and Thandie presented another one of the invisible awards and that Office person (Mackenzie and someone else) did a couple of others for small, invisible and/or animated films."}, {"response": 356, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (19:57)", "body": "Haven\ufffdt read any of your comments, but here are mine....... Why was LL Cool K there? Did Scarlett have a fake tan? Tons of hair spray? It didn\ufffdt move when she looked down. ;-) Glad Bill Murray won. Most of room clapped when he won. Only time that really happened. *What* was Sofia Copppola wearing? As the person next to me said, she doesn\ufffdt have the presence to wear a dress like that. Went too far the other way from the sack. Renee looked great! Funny Harvey didn't hug or kiss her when she won. And she said unexpected?! Puh-leeze!! She's been the frontrunner since they were announced. I love her, but the false modesty's a bit much. Biggest surprise.....Peter Weir for Best Director. Steven Fry very funny as usual. And yeah, what ever happened to Pretty Young Things? Was looking forward to it. Bill Nighy \ufffd glad he won, but surprised Tim Robbins didn\ufffdt. Maybe they figured he\ufffdd get Oscar anyway. Big venue, they probably could have squeezed Colin in. ;-) Colin couldn\ufffdt be there (or here), so of course, I met his sub.....Matthew Modine!! ROTF!! He was sitting next table over. Came stag. LOL!! I didn\ufffdt even have the desire to meet him, nothing to say, but a friend of mine had met him earlier, and insisted introducing me when MM walked by our table after the show. Told him I wanted to meet him, but was too shy. ROTF! Yeah, right! Obviously he (my friend) doesn\ufffdt know me well enough to know if I really wanted to meet MM and had anything to say, I\ufffdd have been on him like white on rice! I mentioned to MM that I\ufffdd seen him at a few Knicks games and we talked about the Knicks and Yankees for a minute, then he left. Mentioned who he voted for in one category for Oscar, but forgot now. I was surprised at whatever it was. He\ufffds extremely tall. Alec Baldwin there before the show. Helped give out several door prizes. Looks as he does onscreen. Didn\ufffdt have anything to say to him, so didn\ufffdt introduce myself. Had ample opportunity. Just realized as I\ufffdm typing this, could have given congrats on the Oscar nod and say I really liked his performance in The Cooler. C\ufffdest la vie. Nice to see several Colin clips, esp with LA. Surprised PW didn\ufffdt get first time director award. So were others at my table. My goody bag not so posh as those at awards. :-( It included..... Fodor\ufffds London \ufffd04 guide A lined large journal from IFC/WE/AMC Latest edition of Variety A little Walker\ufffds Shortbread Winter catalog from Savoy/Claridge\ufffds Cadbury Caramel Egg $100 Gift Certificate at Gloss Day Spa toward the following: laser teeth whitening, airbrush body bronzing package, detox facial treatment, or silver star/microdermabrasion treatment. Tangerine Altoids This weekend\ufffds FT A map/ travel wallet from a travel agency ( they also contributed a door prize of 2 nights at Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes-Orlando....just had my weeklong meeting there.....saw John Travolta. They have an awesome spa!! (which is what he was there for)). A CD of Lyra\ufffds Oxford performed by author and full cast (by the author of His Dark Materials....????). And a DVD of the first year of The Office from BBC America (last year was Coupling). Didn\ufffdt win the best door prize ;-(....2 Virgin Atlantic business class tix to London. Will now check your comments during the show. :-)"}, {"response": 357, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (20:15)", "body": "From CF topic.... (Lizza) shame tho' when lots of his co-stars are present tonite. He would have made a great presenter, I agree. RZ, LL,and SJ, when's he going to have another year of opportunity like this again? Next year when he (and RZ and HG) have the high profile TEOR to promote. (Linda) Lots of Hugh, too. Everybody's wondering where ODB is, no one wonders where HG is? He's bigger really. (Bethan) Perhaps he wasn't invited? Now why didn't I think of that? ;-) (Lizza) Stephen Fry's (more and more a Harvey lookylikey!) First thing I said was what was up with that haircut?!"}, {"response": 358, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (21:06)", "body": "At least her nail polish matches her lipstick. ;-)"}, {"response": 359, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (22:10)", "body": "(Karen) As Dorine mentioned, the producers (in this case Pathe) would be paying for their people to attend, so it wouldn't be out of pocket to Colin in any case. Oh, actually when I was referring to producers, I meant the show producers, not the studios. And ouch on those ticket prices. I liked RZ's hair, obviously no fuss-no muss, unlike the super do's of SJ and LL. Serious curls/waves and hairspray/ mousse. Did LL go with Tim Curry? I was also surprised about SJ's win for LIT vs GWAPE, but she won anyway. (Leslie) I think I'm the only person in the universe who thought LIT was a very good film, but not a great one. I agree, but thought Bill Murray was a *great*. Helluva performance. The movie was his, IMO. (Mari) BTW, did anyone catch her allusion to McPhooey, something about have to wear warts on her nose? Is that in the book? There goes my dream of Nanny/employer romance in manner of Maria and Capt. Von Trapp.:-( LOL!! Caught that almost under the radar reference. (Evelyn) I guess Johnny Depp only smiles when they pay him. I thought he looked quite yummy anyway. :-P (Me) Why was LL Cool K there? Um, that's LL Cool J. Murph, thought Clive was quite handsome in the quick glimpse I got of him. Ok, think I'm caught up."}, {"response": 360, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (22:21)", "body": "Dying to know what they talked about;-)"}, {"response": 361, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 2004 (22:31)", "body": "SJ reminds me of Marilyn Monroe at a glance there. Hair just needs to be platinum."}, {"response": 362, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 2004 (06:52)", "body": "(Dorine)SJ reminds me of Marilyn Monroe at a glance there. Thought so myself. She seems to be modeling MM frequently these days. Her costuming in the recent Vanity Fair shoot was very much a la Marilyn. The magazine editors/authors even made reference to it in their comments about the shoot. From the article... \"Scarlett Johansson seemed to be channeling Marilyn Monroe when she arrived at VF's cover shoot with platimun hair and bright-red lipstick to match her name.\""}, {"response": 363, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 2004 (08:24)", "body": "GAH! Forgot Red Carpet show on at 8am. Turned on with 10 mins to go. :-( Not repeated tonight it seems. What is this with a show like this at *8AM*!?:-( I know who Mackenzie Crook is now that I've seen him."}, {"response": 364, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 2004 (08:51)", "body": "Baftas 'may influence Oscar vote' By Chris Heard BBC News Online BBC News Online assesses what impact Sunday's Baftas may have on Oscar voting in two weeks' time. US Academy members watched the prestigious Bafta award for best film being handed out in London on Sunday with their usual interest. But to what degree, if any, will the British Academy's choice have an impact on the Oscars two weeks later? It could be significant, according to some industry watchers who say this year's race is more wide open than many have made out. The Return of the King, the final part of Peter Jackson's Lord of The Rings trilogy, is favourite among most commentators to sweep the board in Hollywood on 29 February. It dominated the Golden Globes - the first major pre-Oscars testing ground - and won five Bafta awards including best picture. But if it had been overlooked in London on Sunday, Oscar voters may have been be swayed away from Middle-earth towards something more cinematically realistic, say film experts. Steven Gaydos, executive editor of Variety movie industry magazine, said: \"I think this is an odd year - there is no clear consensus across the board and that's where the Baftas could have some impact. \"You can't say Lord of the Rings is a sure thing at the Oscars. A fantasy film has never won in 76 years, and a lot of people in the acting branches are not impressed. They will be leaning more towards Mystic River, driven more by reality and a social element.\" Charles Gant, film editor of Heat magazine, believed Rings would sweep the board at both ceremonies, but said if something else had happened on Sunday, it could have made everyone think differently. The Baftas are now been staged in advance of the Oscars - a move that has dramatically increased their profile and influence in Hollywood. Before 2001, when Bafta trailed in Oscar's wake, they were seen as an anti-climax - and would barely have registered among many Tinseltown movers and shakers. Now, though, in a turnaround described as an act of \"genius\" by some observers, Bafta helps set the international film agenda and can affect the choice of Oscar voters. It does all this while proudly proclaiming an independence of spirit and maintaining its vital PR role for British movie-making. Actors and film-makers take advantage of the ceremony's red carpet exposure to give their movies a final push in the run-up to the Academy Awards. Last year, A-listers such as Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep and Julianne Moore flew to London to promote their films - with the attendant possibility of swaying undecided Academy voters. Peter Jackson is up for a prize for directing The Return of the King This year, Oscar voters will become conscious of who and what Bafta chooses to honour a full nine days before their own ballots close. Mr Gaydos said it was important for movie stars to show up at the London event. \"Everyone is watching the awards season. We look at all the awards and see how they might be predictors, if the voters would be influenced. \"If 250 critics have said Finding Nemo is one of the best films of the year, no Academy voter is going to ignore that when it comes to choosing the best animated film category.\" Mr Gant was agreed on the potential impact of the British prizes on Hollywood's jurors. 'Endgame' \"Bafta is a very good way of catching (US) Academy members in the UK,\" he said. \"Having the star come over and attend screenings is the process by which votes are sought. The endgame is to scoop up Academy members.\" This year the voting process on both sides of the Atlantic has been hit by the \"screener\" row - a ban on preview DVDs of fancied films for Academy voters, instigated by studios fearful of internet piracy. The ban was later lifted but it led to some voters missing out on seeing certain films. \"Bigger companies like Warners didn't send out tapes and it meant that Mystic River didn't get a nomination because not enough people saw it,\" said Mr Gant. \"I think Warner Bros missed a trick there.\" Whatever and whoever Bafta honours, the awards are firmly established as the most glamorous night on the UK entertainment calendar - and an event the world now takes even greater notice of."}, {"response": 365, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 2004 (08:51)", "body": "Thanks, Karen re Clive O. Apparently you saw him in the UK broadcast at the very end of the show giving an award to Ronnie Ancona (not sure who she is or what the award was for):"}, {"response": 366, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 2004 (08:53)", "body": "Oops!"}, {"response": 367, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 2004 (09:00)", "body": "Glamour on Bafta's red carpet By Chris Heard BBC News Online entertainment staff Thousands of UK film fans gave some of Hollywood's finest a raucous welcome at the 2004 Bafta awards in London - and BBC News Online was there to see it all. Cheering crowds thronged Leicester Square to join the celebrations for the British entertainment world's biggest night of the year. It made for a rousing atmosphere as some of the cream of the world's actors and film-makers got briefly close to their adoring public. Providing the red carpet glitz were a wealth of movie talent: among them Johnny Depp, Holly Hunter, Jude Law, Scarlett Johansson, Benicio Del Toro, Emma Thompson and Naomi Watts. They were joined by a string of leading directors competing for the night's prizes including Peter Jackson, Anthony Minghella, Tim Burton and Sofia Coppola. All were greeted warmly - but by far the biggest cheer of the night was reserved for Pirates of the Caribbean star Johnny Depp. Depp, nominated for best actor, emerged from his limo as a conspicuous last-minute arrival - defying speculation that he might not show up. Asked about the crowd's overwhelming reaction, he jokingly told BBC News Online: \"I paid everyone, I paid everyone.\" Emma Thompson, in a show-stealing Maria Grachvogel dress with fake fur stole, admitted to feeling the chill of the cold February night. \"I'm freezing, darling\" said Thompson, competing for best supporting actress for Love Actually. \"I've been outside for an hour in a frock that essentially is a front and no back and will turn into a sausage skin at about midnight.\" Her fellow Love Actually star Bill Nighy, nominated for best supporting actor, said he was amazed by the reception. \"It's wild. I had no idea it was quite so big,\" he said. \"I thought the premiere for Love Actually was big. It's a very big deal and I think it's getting bigger and bigger. Anything that celebrates British film, we need it. We have always had acres of talent - it must be in the DNA.\" Peter Jackson, director of the evening's big winner The Return of the King, was also thrilled by the audience's appreciation. \"We've had our premieres here for the last three years and the Leicester Square crowd give you a hell of a reception, that's for sure,\" he said. \"It's very important to us that Mr Tolkien (Lord of the Rings author) was born here and we have tried to adapt his story with the integrity that he put into it himself.\" Rings star Sir Ian McKellen said Leicester Square had been transformed into \"a street party\". \"It's about drawing attention to the film industry and the British film industry,\" he said. \"It's a party. It's end of term. It's people patting each other on the back. There should be more of this going on.\" One visitor apparently less comfortable with all the noise was 21 Grams star Naomi Watts, who admitted she was not used to so many people calling her name. \"It's scary!\" she said. \"I don't think it's a natural experience. You get a little bit more used to it with time but I'm still pretty new at this!\" Mystic River star Laura Linney - nominated as best supporting actress - seemed more relaxed. \"I'm very proud to be here, it's very nice,\" she said. \"It's different (to the US) in a really nice way. I love it here. I'm certainly not expecting anything - I'm rooting for Emma (Thompson), but I'm just thrilled to be here.\" Sofia Coppola, whose film Lost in Translation won best actor and actress awards for Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson, said she was excited to be at her first Baftas but had no expectations: \"I'm happy to be here.\" Cold Mountain director Anthony Minghella, whose film had led the shortlists with 13 nominations, said making the movie had been a reward in itself. \"I'm thrilled that we got so many nominations. I feel like they are 13 arrows pointing at the movie and to audiences to say it was worth getting the movie out.\" Peter Webber, director of Girl with a Pearl Earring, was in a similar frame of mind: \"To a first time film-maker (the Baftas) means a lot. You get the chance to make another film - that's the prize I've had already.\" While some observers remarked that this year's guest list did not live up to last year's stellar turnout (Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore), there was still plenty of star quality in evidence in central London. Despite the absence of big-name nominees such as Uma Thurman, Sean Penn and Bill Murray, fashion-watchers were at least reassured by the high designer count. Joely Richardson in Dior, a Prada-clad Scarlett Johansson and Jerry Hall wearing Vivienne Westwood were deemed to be among the evening's shrewder couture choices."}, {"response": 368, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 2004 (09:08)", "body": ""}, {"response": 369, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 2004 (09:10)", "body": "(BBC) But to what degree, if any, will the British Academy's choice have an impact on the Oscars two weeks later? My assessment: zippola! C'mon, does anyone really think LOTR and Peter Jackson will not win? Obviously, it will have no influence on Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor, and RZ is considered the frontrunner anyway for Best Supporting Actress though articles have said the woman from House of Sand and Fog has momentum (I'm pulling for her over RZ, though I'd prefer Patricia Clarkson). (Mary) Apparently you saw him in the UK broadcast at the very end of the show giving an award to Ronnie Ancona (not sure who she is...) It was on the BBC America broadcast, at the very end. The woman in the pic is Sarah Flack, editor of Lost in Translation. He also presented the Sound award as well."}, {"response": 370, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 2004 (09:11)", "body": "Her costuming in the recent Vanity Fair shoot was very much a la Marilyn. She looked like MM in looks, but a hideous dress.Vile! I like her in champagne color. Let Joeley wear orange;-/ Who was sitting next to JL ? Sienna Miller is supposed to be his squeeze but this gal was a brunette. (Dyed her hair for Alfie?) Odd that nothing was exchanged between Harvey and Renee when she won. Major shut-out for Mystic River;-/ (Dorine)I liked RZ's hair, obviously no fuss-no muss,.. You mean: \"I'm just running over to Safeway look\"? ;-)"}, {"response": 371, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 2004 (09:42)", "body": "(Karen) I'd prefer Patricia Clarkson Me too. Obviously, it will have no influence on Best Actress Just saw Monster last week. Anyone see that? She was incredible. Such a tragic story and life. Was wondering (and confused) about JL's seat mate,also. (Dorine)I liked RZ's hair, obviously no fuss-no muss,.. Sometimes the do's are a bit too done-up for me. LOL at the fashion commentator saying HBC reminded her of Bette Davis in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane."}, {"response": 372, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 2004 (10:20)", "body": "The new PREMIERE Mag has a list of the best 100 Films last year : \"The nation's top critics rate the most noteworthy films of 2003\" 1. Finding Nemo 2. LOTR 3. LIT Hey, Murph....M&C came in #8 50 GWAPE 59 LA And for all the tomato- hurlers out there.... Gigli was *not* the worst movie of the year.....came in #97;-) Lara Croft Tomb Raider #98 Alex & Emma came in #99 And Cat in the Hat #100. (ATA received that place in '98!) Kangaroo Jack was not rated ;-)"}, {"response": 373, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 2004 (10:59)", "body": "(Evelyn)I didn't think her performance in LIT compared with GWAPE Neither did I, but I'm still glad for her. Her acceptance speech was lovely. No notes! What poise and she'l lost all the uh's and um's. One forgets that she's just a kid. Lots of poise, as you said. Hoorah! We're finished with LOTR. Sadly , we have the Oscars to go with more of them. What a bore. Can't believe they gave the adapted screenplay award to them for that bloated, pompous mess. Ahead of Brian Helgeland for Mystic River?! Was glad for Tom McCarthy who won original screenplay for Station Agent; terrific script, and he was good looking and funny.:-)"}, {"response": 374, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 2004 (11:14)", "body": "(Dorine)Bill Nighy \ufffd glad he won, but surprised Tim Robbins didn\ufffdt. I was also. Tim Robbins is just heartbreaking in MR, really. It's a beautiful performance. Surprised PW didn\ufffdt get first time director award. So were others at my table. I was shcocked. Poor PW got screwed. (Karen)My assessment: zippola! Agreed. The Oscar ballots are due in this week and I think I read that over 80% of them have been returned already. Still, it's smart of them to go before the Oscars; once the AAs are done, people have had it with awards shows. (Ev)Odd that nothing was exchanged between Harvey and Renee when she won. LOL, she didn't even look at him! I guess she figured it was bad enough she had to sit next to him.;-) Nice that she ran back to hug Anthony Minghella. Again, recognizing how much you owe to a good director. that was Sienna next to Jude. Her hair is just darker now."}, {"response": 375, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 2004 (19:15)", "body": "I hope the producers of the Oscars learn something from the Baftas. It was so much better than any Oscar show I\"ve seen yet."}, {"response": 376, "author": "caribou", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 2004 (21:03)", "body": "(Dorine)Surprised PW didn\ufffdt get first time director award. This definitely calls for a song--though a slightly mutilated one: \"Oh, I'm goin' to Colorado in my mind.\" Back to Colorado. Back to September. Back to a golden sunset. Back to the days when LIT was appropriately overlooked and GWAPE was the toast and talk of the town. Oh, how can this be? Did I read everything correctly? GWAPE got 10 noms and no awards? There was only a glimpse of PW broadcast? I won't get to see him and Andy do an acceptance speech? I honestly try to keep my bellyaching to a minimum but really, this is too much to be borne. Oh, I desparately hope GWAPE gets an Oscar just to show those BAFTA voters they should support the home team especially when its that good!!!"}, {"response": 377, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 16, 2004 (23:33)", "body": "Long but interesting New film challenges full-frontal taboo Monday, February 16, 2004 NEW YORK (AP) -- A smitten young man in Bernardo Bertolucci's \"The Dreamers\" steals a photo of his inamorata and puts it next to his private parts, then is understandably embarrassed when she forcibly peels off his tighty-whiteys and discovers it. Rather than being appalled, she appears quite complimented by this different kind of Kodak moment -- a close-up that leaves nothing to the imagination as the picture gently catapults toward her. Such scenes got an NC-17 rating slapped on the new film by the director whose oeuvre includes the 1972 X-rated \"Last Tango in Paris.\" But in the three decades since then, scenes with full-frontal male nudity usually can be timed with a stopwatch while those with nude women can be measured with a sundial. Even in \"The Full Monty,\" filmgoers didn't get the full monty -- not even for a split second. Pop-culture observers maintain that's because a de facto sexism still exists in Hollywood, where women can parade around in the altogether but men can't. The instances of actors in mainstream American movies swinging in the breeze are so rare that movie buffs can catalog them off the top of their heads. Harvey Keitel has let it all hang out at least twice (\"The Piano\" and \"Bad Lieutenant\") and Ewan McGregor at least four times, including the upcoming \"Young Adam.\" Bruce Willis in 1994's \"Color of Night,\" Kevin Bacon in 1998's \"Wild Things\" and Geoffrey Rush in 2000's \"Quills\" as well as the prosthetically enhanced Mark Wahlberg in 1997's \"Boogie Nights\" are among the few others. Sarah Riddick, an English professor who heads the film program at William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri, attributes it simply to the industry's gender makeup: \"It is still a male-dominated business, and men are more likely to show female nudity.\" Only actresses with great clout such as Julia Roberts can insist on a no-nudity clause. Elayne Rapping, a professor of women's studies and media studies at the State University of New York, Buffalo, said it's such as it ever was: You can look back to classic paintings of the 17th and 18th centuries and see fully clothed men with nude women. \"That's been a constant of Western culture for centuries in representational art -- that women have been presented as objects for what in film theory is called 'the male gaze.' The assumed viewer is male, and the woman is to be looked at for male pleasure,\" she said. She said another reason there are few full-frontal male nude scenes is that it raises an issue of vulnerability for men. \"For a man to reveal his private parts is to be reduced to the position that women have always been reduced to -- which is to be examined, to be judged. And I think that's a scary thing,\" she said, adding: \"When a man is flaccid, it's not a very virile thing.\" Sexuality in movies One theory holds that while women have several areas to satisfy scopophilia -- the term sometimes used in feminist film criticism that literally means the \"love of looking\" -- men really have just one, where size matters. So a woman might have a beautiful face or legs that offset, say, her breast size, but if a man has a certain shortcoming, a handsome mug or six-pack abs fail to make up for it. Yoko Ono once joked: \"I wonder why men get serious at all. They have this delicate, long thing hanging outside their bodies which goes up and down by its own will. If I were a man I would always be laughing at myself.\" For a male view, there's Jim McBride, aka Mr. Skin, who runs a Web site that's a compendium of movie nudity. He was quoted recently as saying he prefers his silver-screen sex \"without a guy in the scene.\" Rapping suggested that men also may be afraid of the \"male gaze\" for homophobic reasons. \"The fear of male homosexuality is the fear of the loss of male dominance in our society -- if everybody gets equally sexualized and equally open to having sex with everybody else then the whole system of male dominance gets called into question.\" Fox Searchlight's release of \"The Dreamers\" -- uncut and with an NC-17 rating -- has refocused attention on the issue of sexuality in movies. When the distributor decided to go ahead with the unbowdlerized version, Bertolucci alluded to the expression \"Make love, not war\" from the late '60s (when his film is set) by saying: \"After all, an orgasm is better than a bomb.\" \"Americans are much more comfortable with extreme violence in their movies than any sexuality,\" observed Stephen Gilula, Fox Searchlight's president of distribution. Gilula, who attributes Bertolucci's comfort depicting sex to his European upbringing, said his company decided to release the film with an adult rating because while NC-17 has become \"sort of a scarlet letter ... We felt it wouldn't be the liability everybody perceived it was.\" Unrated films with comparable -- and even more explicit -- content are playing in U.S. theaters anyway, he said, and Fox Searchlight resear"}, {"response": 378, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 2004 (00:16)", "body": "Just popping up to comment on \"The Dreamers.\" It wasn't the nudity, sex, incest or whatever their relationship was, it was the bad hygiene. Ugh!!!"}, {"response": 379, "author": "birdy", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 2004 (08:11)", "body": "Time was, even an X rating wasn't a drawback: John Schlesinger's \"Midnight Cowboy\" won the 1969 best-picture Oscar despite it. \"How is it in 2004 we are more puritanical than 30 years ago?\" Bertolucci said. Unrated films with comparable -- and even more explicit -- content are playing in U.S. theaters anyway, he said, and Fox Searchlight research has dispelled the long-held notion that newspapers won't carry ads for NC-17 movies and movie chains won't show them. V. interesting article, but I don't think the point was made firmly enough that MC\" in '69 X rated content was hardly equivalent to today's NC17. If memory serves even Brenda Vacarro wore a coat in the post-coital scene. Bertolucci's comment seems self-serving. Americans are much more comfortable with extreme violence in their movies than any sexuality,\" observed Stephen Gilula, Fox Searchlight's president of distribution. So true. I remember JI on the Today show for HoS a few years back and they showed a clip from it where his character knocks the wee out MS's character but the expletive was deleted. JI commented that it was odd that on American TV, the curse was unacceptable but the violence wasn't. Elayne Rapping, a professor of women's studies and media studies at the State University of New York, Buffalo, said it's such as it ever was: You can look back to classic paintings of the 17th and 18th centuries and see fully clothed men with nude women. \"That's been a constant of Western culture for centuries in representational art -- that women have been presented as objects for what in film theory is called 'the male gaze.' The assumed viewer is male, and the woman is to be looked at for male pleasure,\" she said. So true too. As this is, appropriately, the Odds & Ends topoic I will present my theory on why *some* actors (even when they're young and need the money) don't do full frontal at least in period pieces: circumcision. Thank goodness for Ewan McGregor. (At some other time, I will relate the unfortunate incident of my last minute visit to the mini-plex snack-bar for a hotdog to enjoy while viewing the \"Pillow Book.\")"}, {"response": 380, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 2004 (09:04)", "body": "(Mary Ann)It wasn't the nudity, sex, incest or whatever their relationship was, it was the bad hygiene. Ugh!!! I have to agree Mary Ann . .the nudity or sex scenes didn't bother me . .but erp . .what was it that grossed you out more . .the toothbruch incident or the aftermath of the girl's first sexual experience on the kitchen floor?;)"}, {"response": 381, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 2004 (09:17)", "body": "(Kimberley) what was it that grossed you out more . .the toothbruch incident or the aftermath of the girl's first sexual experience on the kitchen floor?;) OK, I had this movie on my 'must see' list after Ebert and Roeper this weekend but I might choose to take a pass after such lovely imagery. Sex and violence?? No problem. Bad hygiene? *Yuk!*"}, {"response": 382, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 2004 (10:05)", "body": "There is a long interview with Bernardo Bertolucci in this month's PREMIERE mag in which he says: \"Why can a nine year old child go, with his family and see the most violent movies around---decapitation, lakes of blood--and they are afraid of sex\"? Mr. Bertalucci does not have any children ... But movies with violence are rated PG-13 here. I don't know about France or Italy. And frankly I don't want to take my 9 yr old grand to see; \"...scene of Theo masturbating...or the scene in the kitchen when Matthew and Isabelle make love and the other scene when Matthew is exploring the body of Isabelle and when he gets to her pubic area and says 'Ah'\" I also don't take him to see \"Columbine\". Even with the farting maybe \"Kangaroo Jack\" wasn't so bad after all."}, {"response": 383, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 2004 (10:08)", "body": "I've been seeing the trailers for this film for eons and it didn't grab me at all, but the all the controversy is pushing me *toward* seeing it. Now, that I know what it's about, the trailer is not doing it justice. Anyway, I thought the article made a few good points, several of which I hadn't really considered. I always chalked up the inequity to male objectifying and its acceptance. I hadn't thought about: \"For a man to reveal his private parts is to be reduced to the position that women have always been reduced to -- which is to be examined, to be judged. And I think that's a scary thing,\" she said, adding: \"When a man is flaccid, it's not a very virile thing.\" One theory holds that while women have several areas to satisfy scopophilia...men really have just one, where size matters. So a woman might have a beautiful face or legs that offset, say, her breast size, but if a man has a certain shortcoming, a handsome mug or six-pack abs fail to make up for it. But when I got to Yoko's quote, I knew I had to post this article because it was hysterical! Yoko Ono once joked: \"I wonder why men get serious at all. They have this delicate, long thing hanging outside their bodies which goes up and down by its own will. If I were a man I would always be laughing at myself.\" (Louise) but I don't think the point was made firmly enough that MC\" in '69 X rated content was hardly equivalent to today's NC17. No and NC-17 still isn't X. That rating still exists for porn. The idea behind NC-17 is that the film isn't porn (depictions of people having sex with a mere excuse, if any, for plot) but \"film\" with adult content, whether it be situational, drugs, sex, nudity or violence. Because such a category didn't exist in 1969, the comparison is not totally analogous but it's the best they can do under the circumstances. MC was rated X at that time; if there had been an NC-17, then it might have gone there (all thiings being equal). But I don't disagree that the criteria has changed over the years as well. Anyone watching HOTPig could see that it would never be an NC-17 rated movie today as the MPAA rated it then. (Louise) I will present my theory on why *some* actors (even when they're young and need the money) don't do full frontal at least in period pieces: circumcision. You think they don't do it because of authenticity or what? (Louise) Thank goodness for Ewan McGregor. LOL! I have to agree and love his attitude toward it."}, {"response": 384, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 2004 (10:56)", "body": "Re: The Dreamers My friend and I went to a BAFTA screening of this earlier this month . . . we left a bit puzzled . .I guess trying to figure out the main point of the film . . . My take of it was he was trying to exhibit that human need for wanting, belonging, and any sort of love . .it is that particular need, I think which draws in this American kid (Matthew)into the lives of the two French twins (Theo & Isabelle) It was facinating how Bertolucci intercut older black and white films with his \"real time\" actors . . . it showed how the twins and Matthew kind of lived in their own fantasy world . .realtity didn't seem as tangible to them as the cinema and the ideas . .Matthew, to me, first seemed to be the voice of reason/reality, until he really got sucked in by these kids, their sexual and mind games . .and he succombed to his vunerability, his own need for love . . . and then at the end of the film, he was harshly brought back into reality again. Sex was abundant, whether it be actual sex, masterbatory moments, implied incestual realtionships, an implied possible homosexual moments . . (the kitchen scene, Ev, my friend and I almost laughed at though there Matthew and Isabelle are going at it, with Theo watching, when in the middle of it, Theo goes and starts cooking eggs . .continuing to glance over every now and then . . .) (That website that had taken apart/found all sorts of \"questionable\" parts of GWAPE . .sexual and otherwise . .oh they will have a field day reviewing this film!) The sex/nudity didn't bother me at all . .but then, again, I wouldn't be taking any kids to see it by any means . . (Oh, BTW, was lovely to see Anna Chancellor as the twins mother!) As to Ewan McGregor . . . From a couple of his interviews: Which raises the question: Is there anything he won't do in front of the cameras? \"I really don't think you can know that,\" he says. \"I couldn't consider myself truly an actor if I had a list of things I won't do. There are actresses and actors who've said, 'I won't do any nudity ever again,' and you think, well, how do you know? What if there's a [expletive] amazing part and you're naked in the whole play or the whole film, how do you know you won't do it?... You could be denying yourself the best role in the world that could be your role, the role of a lifetime. But because your bum's in it, you're not going to do the part. That's stupid.\" (Ewan McGregor, Up for Anything by Alona Wartofsky - Special to The Washington Post / Sunday, May 18, 2003; Page N01) Given your past nude moments on the screen, are you thinking more about keeping your clothes on in future films? I've never understood actors who have rules against nudity. I wouldn't consider myself an actor if I had a list of things I won't do. It staggers me how big a deal everyone makes of it. In my everyday life, I'm naked a lot of the time--probably eight hours of my 24 hours are spent naked. Interacting with my wife and children at home, I'm quite often naked. And yet the second we put it onscreen, everybody f--king s--ts themselves. I don't get it. (Once-Swingin' Family Man Talks Love, Going Nude and Everything but the Episode III Script by Jeanne Wolf | May 14, 2003) http://ewanspotting.com/ewannews/archives/25.html I'm with you Karen, love his attitude toward it . .hey if you're comfortable enough with yourself . .just go for it . .."}, {"response": 385, "author": "birdy", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 2004 (11:55)", "body": "(Louise) I will present my theory on why *some* actors (even when they're young and need the money) don't do full frontal at least in period pieces: circumcision. (Karen)You think they don't do it because of authenticity or what? I would say authenticity - unless the character is supposed to be Jewish;) I've noticed (only for scientific research, of course) that in historical dramas all exposed wahoos have been un-circumcized. This subject reminds me of the film, Angels & Insects, when the husband walks in on his wife inflagrante with her brother. When the Brother flees the bed and attempts to put on his pants, said brother's membrum virile is in a state of \"agitation\" - supposedly a first in a mainstream film. Entertainment Weekly had a little blurb on it entitled \"What's My Motivation Here?\" ROTFL"}, {"response": 386, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 2004 (12:30)", "body": "(Evelyn)But movies with violence are rated PG-13 here. And those with \"decapitation, lakes of blood\" are rated R--older teens and up. I'd like to know what his film is rated in Italy. And what's his beef anyway? This film is in large markets throughout the country, in mainstream cinemas. The only place they refused ads for it was Salt Lake, and you know what? That's their right. Sounds like he was pissed at the NC-17 when he thought it would affect the $$$$$$$ he'd make. Schmuck. (Ewan McG)Interacting with my wife and children at home, I'm quite often naked. Your older daughter is 8 years old, pal. If you think a young girl that age wants to see her dad's penis, then you're an even bigger ass than I've always thought you were."}, {"response": 387, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 2004 (12:41)", "body": "(Mari)And what's his beef anyway? Yes, he's been heralded as a cinematic genius. But I can't help but think that in some ways his approach has been about titillation and provocation as a means to sell tickets. There are many talented directors who've made profound artistic impacts without grossing people out. It's a cheap trick, IMO. (Mari)If you think a young girl that age wants to see her dad's penis, then you're an even bigger ass than I've always thought you were. Well said."}, {"response": 388, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 2004 (12:54)", "body": "(Louise) Angels & Insects...supposedly a first in a mainstream film. Entertainment Weekly had a little blurb on it entitled \"What's My Motivation Here?\" LOL! Must rerent this one, as I don't recall. However, I thought the first was Patrice Chereau's Intimacy in 2001...or maybe it was the first by a bona fide actor as opposed to the porn stars used in Catherine Breillat's films. BTw, Intimacy is a wonderfully acted, though sad, movie. (Evelyn)But movies with violence are rated PG-13 here. (Mari) And those with \"decapitation, lakes of blood\" are rated R--older teens and up. Yet parents think nothing about dragging their younger children along because they're too cheap to get a babysitter. Re: those Christian websites and their reviews Why would they even bother with this one? It would be so clearly unacceptable. The reviewer would never stop jotting down each and every frame of the film."}, {"response": 389, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 2004 (13:10)", "body": "\"The fear of male homosexuality is the fear of the loss of male dominance in our society -- if everybody gets equally sexualized and equally open to having sex with everybody else then the whole system of male dominance gets called into question.\" That's a stretch. I don't see how the equally sexualized, and sexy with everybody else, in films, calls male dominace into question."}, {"response": 390, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 2004 (13:14)", "body": "Kimberly S: what was it that grossed you out more . .the toothbruch incident or the aftermath of the girl's first sexual experience on the kitchen floor?;) Yes and menstruation. I thought there was too much blood for their first time, and I thought they forgot that it should be mixed with something else. Now Scarlett (at the Brit Awards)... boy she's really showing off her curves ... not too sure about the eye shadow."}, {"response": 391, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 2004 (13:20)", "body": "(Louise)said brother's membrum virile is in a state of \"agitation Yes! I was watching A&I just the other night; I think HBO has been running it. Bro is at about a 90 degree angle. Maybe 80. Anyway, these shots are never close enough or lingering enough for me to tell if they're circumcised or not. And I've tried.;-)"}, {"response": 392, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 2004 (13:23)", "body": "Marianne - . . and menstruation Yes that bath scene was . . well not necessary I think . .bleah! I totally agree with you about the \"first time as well\" . .was thinking, good lord, get a torniquet for her . .she losing too much:). . SJ looks pretty . .I liked her dress the other night too. .but what is it with these very fair girls wearing champagne and other light colors that seem to wash them out? . .reminds me of NK at the GG . .she looked like a ghost! Guess I'm just a sucker for something with a bit more color . . ."}, {"response": 393, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 2004 (13:26)", "body": "(Mari) Anyway, these shots are never close enough or lingering enough for me to tell if they're circumcised or not. And I've tried.;-) Then, here's something for you to rent: It is probably the best performing penis ever to appear in a non-pornographic film, worthy of an Oscar in its own right - and it belongs to the star of the film, Mark Rylance. http://www.musicomh.com/films/intimacy.htm"}, {"response": 394, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 2004 (13:32)", "body": "I caught part of Intimacy the other night! Was on Sundance, I think. I guess I changed the channel too soon.;-) (Kim)was thinking, good lord, get a torniquet for her LOL!"}, {"response": 395, "author": "katty", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 2004 (14:36)", "body": "Your older daughter is 8 years old, pal. If you think a young girl that age wants to see her dad's penis, then you're an even bigger ass than I've always thought you were. If a child is used to seeing her father naked, I don't think it'd be a question of \"wants to see\" his penis. It would be as natural as seeing any other part of him, and she wouldn't even notice it. In Europe it's very common for people to swim in the nude - and that includes people of all shapes and sizes and ages. They think nothing of it. In Japan families traditionally soak in tubs together, even though they were very modest in other parts of their lives. It's really all about what you're used to. I'm not used to walking around naked, so I would never want my kids to see me that way, but I think it'd be a healthier society if nudity wasn't such a big deal, and nakedness was a natural thing. I think the problem is that nakedness in our society is too synonymous with sex, when they are really two separate things. As for that Angels and Insects movie, I coincidentally saw it last Friday, and was pretty surprised by that perpendicular penis scene. It was definitely appropriate for the storyline. I feel uncomfortable about how far movies should go with this kind of thing. After a while it gets to be too much like pornography and prostitution when real sex is involved."}, {"response": 396, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 2004 (14:56)", "body": "Interacting with my wife and children at home, I'm quite often naked. Ok. Ewan lives in England. Can anyone here who lives there tell us if it's the norm for a father to walk around naked in front of his 8-year old daughter when he's \"interacting\" with her at home."}, {"response": 397, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 2004 (15:44)", "body": "Changing this fascinating subject....(Though I recommend renting \"Close My Eyes\" for some fontal and rear young Clive Owen - I disagree that pecs and a penis are all men have to offer. Some of them have great butts (think Colin). ******************************** Funny interview, but ultimately sad: The Guardian - Carrie Fisher -- 'Get me to the funny bar' Her childhood was catastrophic, her husband left her for a man, and she has battled with alcohol, drugs and manic depression. But Carrie Fisher can't understand why celebrities are such whingers... http://film.guardian.co.uk/interview/interviewpages/0,6737,1148943,00.html"}, {"response": 398, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 2004 (17:05)", "body": "Re: Christian Movie Review websites. As an adult I never go there. But an agnostic liberal who is v. close to me regularly does to check on the films he takes his kids to;-) They do an exemplary job for parental guidance; \"PG\" doesn't give the details. And PG-13 is often v. deceiving in the interest of selling to a wider audience."}, {"response": 399, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 2004 (17:25)", "body": "*SPOILER*SATC....This past Sunday: Methinks Alexander Petrovsky is French toast;-)"}, {"response": 400, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 2004 (17:59)", "body": "Methinks Alexander Petrovsky is French toast;-) With short-ening on top.;-) In the wise words of Miranda: \"Go get our girl.\" Am still thinking Carrie will wind up with neither Big nor un-Big.;-) I'm going to miss the girls. Ok, Intimacy re-airs on Sundance Channel at 11 tonight. My cable guide says it's rated R; would you say that I'm not getting the, um, uncut version?;-)"}, {"response": 401, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 2004 (19:28)", "body": "(Mari)Am still thinking Carrie will wind up with neither Big nor un-Big.;-) I'm going to miss the girls. Ditto.But I missed the early ones and they will not doubt start them again. The four of them reflect the female population. So one has to remain single. Charlotte and Harry will either adopt a bi-racial or physically challenged child. Samantha stumps me though. I like Smith, but like she says:\"I don't know whether to blow him or burp him.\" BTW was the Breast Cancer fundraiser party a hoot."}, {"response": 402, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 2004 (21:22)", "body": "(Mari) My cable guide says it's rated R; would you say that I'm not getting the, um, uncut version?;-) The \"best performing penis\" must have been been circumcized. The DVD appears to be uncut."}, {"response": 403, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 2004 (23:31)", "body": "(Mari) Ok. Ewan lives in England. Can anyone here who lives there tell us if it's the norm for a father to walk around naked in front of his 8-year old daughter when he's \"interacting\" with her at home. I doubt anybody can tell you what the norm in England is, because IMO there is no such thing, no matter what country you live in. I would think that these sort of things are 'family specific'. What's normal for one family seems weird to the other, and that I find perfectly normal. I have 2 boys at home and never bothered to cover myself while they were young. We dressed together and showered together, and none of us gave it a thought. It was perfectly natural for all of us. It was our norm. So if Ewan goes naked before his kids and they are comfy with it (and he should know, he is their dad) I have no problem with it. Lots of people find nudity natural, just look at the european topless and nudist beaches. If people can go naked 'in public', why shouldn't they do it at home? If that's their norm..."}, {"response": 404, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Feb 18, 2004 (07:34)", "body": "A norm is a pattern or trait taken to be typical in the behavior of a social group (according to my dictionary). As such, there's no such thing as an \"individual norm.\" Anyway, at some age, your sons stopped dressing and showering with you; the reason why is the point."}, {"response": 405, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, Feb 18, 2004 (08:50)", "body": "(Mari) A norm is a pattern or trait taken to be typical in the behavior of a social group (according to my dictionary). I agree. And a family is a social group, so whatever the McGregors are doing is their norm. I stopped going uncovered before my boys at one point because I made the decision that it's time to separate the boys from the 'girl'. I could've gone the other way, I see no problem with it. By covering up I don't think I did the right thing, I simply made a choice. Ewan made a different one, and if it suits his family..., that's fine. Families make the norm for themselves IMO."}, {"response": 406, "author": "birdy", "date": "Wed, Feb 18, 2004 (09:23)", "body": "(Karen) It is probably the best performing penis ever to appear in a non-pornographic film, worthy of an Oscar in its own right - and it belongs to the star of the film, Mark Rylance. I didn't think Sundance cut movies - I taped Intimacy and intend to research this on-going topic thoroughly. And thanks for that link, Karen. It delineates exactly how to know if the version you're watching is expurgated. BTW, Mark Rylance was the husband in A&I. (Note to self: visit IMDB and see what other movies this guy is in.)"}, {"response": 407, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 18, 2004 (09:45)", "body": "(Louise) BTW, Mark Rylance was the husband in A&I. I caught that immediately, but you said it was the brother with the agitated appendage, right? I just saw Rylance (in the flesh) playing Olivia in Twelfth Night. Hard to see what was going on under his dress. ;-)"}, {"response": 408, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 18, 2004 (09:56)", "body": "Personally, I think the \"nudie\" situation is a *class* thing."}, {"response": 409, "author": "birdy", "date": "Wed, Feb 18, 2004 (10:01)", "body": "(Louise) BTW, Mark Rylance was the husband in A&I. (Karen)I caught that immediately, but you said it was the brother with the agitated appendage, right? Right. That was Doug Henshaw who got caught with his pants hanging on a chair. IMHO the exposure of the weenie in A&I was entirely appropriate in its context. It was the perfect exclamation point to a shockin moment. I didn't mean to imply that it was MR's (his love scenes were explicit, but not graphic), it just suggests to me that MR's film choices are worth a look if one is disposed towards such exposure:-D"}, {"response": 410, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Wed, Feb 18, 2004 (10:17)", "body": "(Evelyn) Personally, I think the \"nudie\" situation is a *class* thing. Meaning what? Upper-middle-lower class, or people who go nude have no class? ;-) Scarlett Johansson has just been chosen as the fragrance girl for Calvin Klein. She is the IT girl all right, now her face will be all over the place more than ever. Good for her."}, {"response": 411, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 18, 2004 (10:19)", "body": "(Louise) it just suggests to me that MR's film choices are worth a look if one is disposed towards such exposure:-D Unfortunately, he hasn't done many films, as theater (Shakespeare/Globe Theatre) is his main thing, but he does that brilliantly. His Olivia was a riot."}, {"response": 412, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Feb 18, 2004 (10:32)", "body": "(Louise)I taped Intimacy and intend to research this on-going topic thoroughly. Well, what's the verdict...Sundance, tonight at 11 or Blockbuster?;-)"}, {"response": 413, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 18, 2004 (10:37)", "body": "I don't think Blockbuster carries NR (not rated) films or NC-17. In some cases, Blockbuster has its own versions of movies that have been edited down to the R level. Too bad it's not on HBO or Showtime. :-("}, {"response": 414, "author": "birdy", "date": "Wed, Feb 18, 2004 (11:21)", "body": "(LindaK) Well, what's the verdict...Sundance, tonight at 11 or Blockbuster?;-) I just checked out the first 10min. and it showed a sex scene where MR pulls out a condom but it fast cuts to grappling around. Since the description on the webpage says it shows one actually being rolled on a penis, I suspect we have a no-go on the un-cut version. :(Karen)I don't think Blockbuster carries NR (not rated) films or NC-17. In some cases, Blockbuster has its own versions of movies that have been edited down to the R level. Too bad it's not on HBO or Showtime. :-( I take it that this a roundabout way of saying Sundance can't be relied on? I'm shocked. What's the point of the channel then? (Rhetorical question) I am now on a mission to see this, any other ideas?"}, {"response": 415, "author": "birdy", "date": "Wed, Feb 18, 2004 (11:24)", "body": "Sorry to double-post, but I did notice a familiar face playing MR's (I suppose) wife - Susannah Harker, aka Jane Bennet Bingley"}, {"response": 416, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Feb 18, 2004 (12:25)", "body": "(Louise)any other ideas? Amazon has two versions--unrated and R. I don't know if the unrated is NC-17, but it does say not sold to anyone under 18. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000BWVD9/qid=1077128196/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-8825126-3799129?v=glance&s=dvd"}, {"response": 417, "author": "birdy", "date": "Wed, Feb 18, 2004 (12:52)", "body": "(lindak)Amazon has two versions--unrated and R. I don't know if the unrated is NC-17, but it does say not sold to anyone under 18. Thanks, it looks like that's the one. However I don't think I'm gonna plunk out onwards to 20 bucks to satisfy my prurient interest;) I have my principles, even if they are montetarily founded:-D"}, {"response": 418, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 2004 (08:56)", "body": "I checked Blockbuster online and there was a listing but no details, then I checked to see if they carried Requiem for a Dream, another nonrated movie, and it was there. Hollywood Video only carries the R version. What about that Netflix place? DVDs by mail?"}, {"response": 419, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 2004 (22:12)", "body": "I think they carry alternate versions. Haven't ordered any to be sure though. ;-) On a another note, this just struck me.....a BIG oops! http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=599&e=1&u=/nm/20040220/media_nm/art_britain_raphael_dc"}, {"response": 420, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (08:23)", "body": "A good read... How Harry met Sally The movie that brought fake orgasms to the world's attention is getting the West End treatment. Writer Nora Ephron reveals that the two leads were inspired by her relationship with the film's depressed, womanising director Nora Ephron Friday February 20, 2004 The Guardian It began in October 1984, when I got a call from my agent saying that Rob Reiner and his producing partner Andrew Scheinman wanted to have lunch to discuss a project. So we had a lunch, and they told me about an idea they had for a movie about a lawyer. I've forgotten the details. The point is, it didn't interest me at all, and I couldn't imagine why they'd thought of me in connection with it. I remember being slightly perplexed about whether to say straight off that the idea didn't interest me, or whether to play along for an hour so as not to have that horrible awkwardness that can happen when the meeting is over but the lunch must go on. I decided on the former; and we then spent the rest of the lunch talking about ourselves. Well, that isn't entirely true: we spent the rest of the lunch talking about Rob and Andy. Rob was divorced and Andy was a bachelor - and they were both extremely funny and candid about their lives as single men in Los Angeles. When the lunch ended, we still didn't have an idea for a movie; but we decided to meet again the next time they were in New York. And so, a month later, we got together. And threw around more ideas, none of which I remember. But finally, Rob said wanted to make a movie about a man and a woman who become friends, as opposed to lovers. They make a deliberate decision not to have sex because sex ruins everything; and then they have sex and it ruins everything. And I said, let's do it. So we made a deal, and in February Andy and Rob came back to New York and we sat around for several days and they told me some things. Appalling things. They told me, for instance, that when they finished having sex, they wanted to get up out of bed and go home. (Which became: HARRY: \"How long do I have to lie here and hold her before I can get up and go home? Is 30 seconds enough? ... How long do you like to be held afterwards? All night, right? ... Somewhere between 30 seconds and all night is your problem.\" SALLY: \"I don't have a problem.\") They told me about endless excuses they had concocted in order to make a middle-of-the-night getaway (SALLY: \"You know, I am so glad I never got involved with you. I just would have ended up being a woman you had to get up out of bed and leave at three o'clock in the morning and go clean your andirons. And you don't even have a fireplace. Not that I would know this.\") They also told me the reason they thought men and women couldn't be friends was that a man always wanted to sleep with a woman. Any woman. (HARRY: \"No man can be friends with a woman he finds attractive. He always wants to have sex with her.\" SALLY: \"So you're saying a man can be friends with a woman he finds unattractive.\" HARRY: \"No. You pretty much want to nail them, too.\") I said that these things were appalling, but the truth is that they weren't really a surprise; they were sort of my wildest nightmares of what men thought. Rob and Andy and I noodled for hours over the questions raised by friendship, sex, and life in general; and as we did, I realised that I had found a wonderful character in Rob Reiner. Rob is a very strange person. He is extremely funny, but he is also extremely depressed - or at least he was at the time; he talked constantly about it. \"You know how women have a base of make-up,\" he said to me. \"I have a base of depression. Sometimes I sink below it. Sometimes I rise above it.\" This line went right into the first draft of the movie, but somewhere along the line Rob cut it. A mistake, I think, but never mind. The point is that Rob was depressed; but he wasn't at all depressed about being depressed; in fact, he loved his depression. And so does Harry. Harry honestly believes that he is a better person than Sally because he has what Sally generously calls a dark side. \"Suppose nothing happens to you,\" he says in the first sequence of the movie. \"Suppose you live there [New York] your whole life and nothing happens. You never meet anyone, you never become anything, and finally you die one of those New York deaths where nobody notices for two weeks until the smell drifts out into the hallway.\" Harry is genuinely proud to have thought of that possibility and to lay it at the feet of this shallow young woman he is stuck in a car with for 18 hours. So I began with a Harry based on Rob. And because Harry was bleak and depressed, it followed absolutely that Sally would be cheerful and chirpy and relentlessly, pointlessly, unrealistically, idiotically optimistic. Which is, it turns out, very much like me. I'm not precisely chirpy, but I am the sort of person who is fine, I'm just fine, everything's fine. \"I am over him,\" Sally says, when she isn't over him at all"}, {"response": 421, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (08:26)", "body": "Just wanted to add (Sorry if I am wasting a post!) that I love Odds and Ends. It gives me a chance to share film things I find surfing around. It is great to have a place that is a true meeting of minds."}, {"response": 422, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (10:51)", "body": "Moving this from topic 187 (Bee)Hey! I've been here a year! Thanks to each and every one of you who have made this a delightful year and to ODB not least of all for connecting me with all of you Happy Anniversary Bee, you've made it pretty delightful too:-)! On the topic of anniversaries...well, actually birthdays, I contacted Rika about renewing the birthday list (btw, she says hello to everyone and she'll be popping back in sometime soon:-)) as there are so many new drooleurs. If any of you would like to email me and give me your date of birth, I'll make sure it gets onto the new list. Oops..almost forgot, thanks for the segue Bee;-)!"}, {"response": 423, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (12:02)", "body": "Well, now. This is one way of looking at it February 17, 2004 After years of recurring Colin Firth, dreams, I finally had a different one last night. And you know what? It\ufffds a lot more comfortable without the bustle. (I once had a real-life boyfriend who was into costume drama. It got old pretty fast. I called it quits once I realised that, if I didn\ufffdt dress up, he\ufffdd have trouble maintaining his art direction. But I digress.) When I am at the movies, I simply lust after Colin Firth. Which is easy, especially when he gets that confused little look between his eyebrows, and he looks just like \ufffd well, just like everybody else I\ufffdve ever gone out with, actually. But when I am dreaming, I am ashamed to admit, I am in love with Colin Firth. And I don\ufffdt just mean I dream I am in love with him. I am in love with him. I can feel it. When I awake, I can even see it: a fine mist of dopamine and testosterone and norepinephrine suspended over the bedclothes - like a scene from A Midsummer Night\ufffds Dream, played at an all-night chemist. In the latest version of the dream, Colin and I meet at the Fremantle Aquatic Centre. I spot him in front of the waterslide. We lock eyes, and I can feel something dragging me down, down, down. I knew I should have waxed! The pool is crowded with lesser mortals. But does this stop us from diving right in? It does not. As we head for the Leisure Lane, my resistance - to chlorine, to Colin, to anything - vanishes. I know with absolute conviction that I would follow him anywhere. Even to the stagnant end of the kiddie pool. (O, the madness! Oy, the germ count!) Is that the sound of my heart beating, I think to myself, or are the kids playing the soundtrack from Jaws again? The point of the dream, of course, is that it\ufffds never safe to go back in the water. It\ufffds important to be reminded of that every now and again - fun, too, as long as you are careful to stay unconscious. That\ufffds probably one reason I\ufffdve fallen so hard for Helen Fisher\ufffds new book, Why We Love: The Nature and Chemistry of Romantic Love. If you can\ufffdt sign up for stroke correction with Colin - and I got there first, remember? - Why We Love is probably the next best thing. (Having said that, I\ufffdll confess that I haven\ufffdt actually read the whole book yet. Then again, I haven\ufffdt actually shagged Colin Firth yet, either. So what does that prove?) Fisher, an anthropologist based at Rutgers University\ufffds Center for Human Evolutionary Studies in New Jersey, argues that love, like so much else in life worth having - from margarita mix to a McDonald\ufffds milkshake - is a largely chemical cocktail. \ufffdWith orgasm,\ufffd she explains, \ufffdlevels of oxytocin go up in women and vasopressin in men\ufffd. (I love it when anthropologists talk dirty.) These \ufffdsatisfaction hormones\ufffd give a sense of calm, peace and cosmic wellbeing - sort of like the Department of Homeland Security, but at a fraction of the cost. Ergo, if you have enough orgasms with somebody, you\ufffdre going to feel attached to them. (Mmmm. So this is why so many guys can\ufffdt get over themselves.) But mess with the delicate chemical balance, and you\ufffdve got a prescription for disaster. Take \ufffdlifestyle antidepressants\ufffd, such as Prozac and Zoloft. (Everybody else seems to.) These SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, may not douse the flames of love. But they can sure throw cold water on the Bunsen burner of lust - and the two are more closely related than you might have dared imagine. The depressing thing about antidepressants, Fisher points out, is that they dampen the ability to have orgasms. Bottom line (and just a little to the left)? \ufffdIf you\ufffdre not having an orgasm with omebody on a regular basis, you are not juicing your brain with attachment chemicals.\ufffd Couldn\ufffdt we just buy frozen concentrate and be done with it, one wonders? Apparently not, especially if we are female. Fresh-squeezed seminal fluid contains a veritable pharmacopoeia of feelgood chemicals, including dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, testosterone, oestrogen. Now, if only they could figure out how to add the chocolate. The biological link between love and sex, and between sex and attachment, is the good news in Why We Love. The bad news is that, if love is a drug, sooner or later most of us will end up in rehab. Extensive cross-cultural research suggests that pre-historic humans were hardwired (and chemically sharpened) for serial monogamy, with the average reproductive relationship lasting only till Pebbles or Bam Bam was ready for preschool. Even today, interestingly, divorce is most prevalent in the fourth year of marriage. (Of course, some of us are just precocious.) Personally, I\ufffdm sceptical that science will ever get to the bottom of it all. As Pascal reminds us, the heart has its reasons of which reason knows nothing. And that goes double for a few other organs I could mention. Now, where did I put my flippers? http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,8702776^17063,00.html"}, {"response": 424, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (12:23)", "body": "(Mary)...I love Odds and Ends. It gives me a chance to share film things I find surfing around. It is great to have a place that is a true meeting of minds. (Linda's article)I know with absolute conviction that I would follow him anywhere. Even to the stagnant end of the kiddie pool. (O, the madness! Oy, the germ count!) Is that the sound of my heart beating, I think to myself, or are the kids playing the soundtrack from Jaws again? .....ROTFLMAO! I love Odds & Ends too! It serves up such a wonderfully eclectic array of tidbits! Love the tidbit"}, {"response": 425, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (13:30)", "body": "SALLY: \"So you're saying a man can be friends with a woman he finds unattractive.\" HARRY: \"No. You pretty much want to nail them, too.\") I said that these things were appalling, but the truth is that they weren't really a surprise; they were sort of my wildest nightmares of what men thought. Kind of like the toothbrush bit in The Dreamers! Betcha anything Bertolucci (or whoever wrote the screenplay) heard of that happening. Not that it wasn't a totally EOWWW! moment for all the women in the audience, I didn't exactly detect any men cringing, but laughing. Men will use anything as a toilet because they're able, considerably harder for a woman. But I digress... ;-) Thanks, Murph, for the article and all the other \"wonderfully eclectic tidbits.\" Back to The Dreamers... I am eagerly awaiting Moonerella's take on the film. From my standpoint, it was an interesting look at the era. The sex/nudity was no big deal, but did anyone else notice that the guy who played Theo's full frontals were all from a distance. With the exception of the one tight shot of Matthew's \"photo album\" (which could've been a body double), the male nudity was far more circumspect than the woman's. Bet if I clocked it, there was more (timewise and skinwise) for the woman. Being nowhere near a cinephile as those in the movie, I did enjoy the intercutting of famous films; it was so much a part of their lives. I saw an Irish film in which the characters enacted that same scene from Godard's Breathless. It was called \"When Brendan Met Trudy.\" (LOL at coincidence!) But I really didn't understand the parents and how they would just leave? Granted they may have been somewhat Bohemian, given the times, but still, it seemed rather bizarre to me."}, {"response": 426, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (13:57)", "body": "Where's the mention of you dancing on the tables at this party, Dorine? BAFTA BONANZA: The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) East Coast held its fourth-annual British Academy Awards party on Sunday at the Hudson Theatre at the Millennium Broadway Hotel. More than 300 guests (including actor Matthew Modine and novelist Tama Janowitz) dined on a buffet lunch, sipped champagne and wine, and settled into their tables to watch the live telecast of the BAFTAs on BBC America. Actor Alec Baldwin was a surprise special guest at the New York event. As he took the podium to announce door prize winners, he joked, \"I'd like to thank the British Academy for selecting me as your raffle drawer. It is a particular honor.\" (He wasn't nominated for a BAFTA award, but he's garnering more and more steam for his Oscar nod.) Baldwin then joked that prizes included a \"12-month supply of haggis and stilton shortbreads.\" Highlights from the actual ceremony, over in London, were host Stephen Fry threatening that his \"breasts may fall out\" if acceptance speeches went on too long; Bill Ni hy winning for his portrayal of an aging rocker in \"Love Actually,\" and Sofia Coppola reading a hilarious acceptance speech for best actor winner Bill Murray. The BAFTAs aren't always a good predictor for the Oscars -- as in the case of underdog original screenplay winner Tom McCarthy for \"The Station Agent,\" snubbed by the Oscars -- but film of the year honors went to \"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.\" In a surprise move, the BAFTA award for best director went to that other Peter -- Weir -- for \"Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.\" http://www.indiewire.com/biz/biz_040220buzz.html"}, {"response": 427, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (14:05)", "body": "LOL! I knew the right people to pay off. ;-) Second year in a row that director win was a big suprise."}, {"response": 428, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (14:15)", "body": "(Karen)I did enjoy the intercutting of famous films; it was so much a part of their lives. I saw an Irish film in which the characters enacted that same scene from Godard's Breathless. It was called \"When Brendan Met Trudy.\" (LOL at coincidence!) I agree . .the intercutting was facinating . .liked the bit where the kids were running through the museum (was it the Louvre?) Which part was the Irish film shown in? (As an aside, I had a realization while watching one of the intercutting segments. .the one where Isabelle was dancing around w/ the mop (the clips shown from the Marlene Deitrich film (Blonde Venus) . .Joel Schumacher had copied that same scene when he did Batman & Robin . .down to Uma Thurman in the gorilla suit.) (Karen)But I really didn't understand the parents and how they would just leave? Granted they may have been somewhat Bohemian, given the times, but still, it seemed rather bizarre to me. I think it was something they've done before . .I thought I recalled the father, when giving the kids the check or mentioning the money they were leaving, said something like :\"Don't spead it too quickly again . .\" or something like that. The father was a poet/writer, correct and they left b/c it was a book tour of some sorts. Perhaps every time he had these tours, they just left the kids . . It's been awhile since I saw the film. How long were the parents gone again? A month?"}, {"response": 429, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (14:33)", "body": "Question: Did \"The Machinist\"get a distributor at Sundance?"}, {"response": 430, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (14:43)", "body": "Not to my knowledge. I believe I mentioned I thought that out of the two, Trauma was the more commercially viable film. I see The Machinist as a festival film then to DVD (if it gets as far as a DVD release)."}, {"response": 431, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (15:50)", "body": "Thanks Mary and Linda for the articles. Thoroughly enjoyed them both."}, {"response": 432, "author": "katty", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (18:26)", "body": "\"Intimacy\" is available at Netflix in the \"raw\" version. I have an \"Economy\" subscription, and I really enjoy it."}, {"response": 433, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 20, 2004 (18:38)", "body": "(Kim) Perhaps every time he had these tours, they just left the kids I meant after they've returned and see what had gone on...the living room tent. liked the bit where the kids were running through the museum (was it the Louvre?) The Louvre got a credit at the end. Which part was the Irish film shown in? You mean, which scene from Breathless? This one: There were all sorts of reenactments - from Sunset Blvd and others. (Katty) \"Intimacy\" is available at Netflix in the \"raw\" version. I have an \"Economy\" subscription, and I really enjoy it. Yeah, I had suggested that before, didn't I? Anyway, I'm glad that you too found it enjoyable. The character portraits are fascinating and the acting is so good. A really desperate group of characters, but... Did you realize that was Marianne Faithful?"}, {"response": 434, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Feb 21, 2004 (00:18)", "body": "(Karen) Did you realize that was Marianne Faithful? I did, right off. But, I did just *barely* recognize Susannah Harker (Jane, P&P)."}, {"response": 435, "author": "katty", "date": "Sat, Feb 21, 2004 (04:07)", "body": "Yeah, I had suggested that before, didn't I? Anyway, I'm glad that you too found it enjoyable. Sorry, I meant I enjoy my subscription, not the movie, which I haven't seen. But all this talk has piqued my interest and I have it on order. The lead guy who was in Angels and Insects sure doesn't seem like the prime candidate for that kind of role - he was pretty wimpy in A&I - but maybe that was just good acting. That Colin Firth dream article in The Australian was hilarious. The writer has great wit as well as great taste."}, {"response": 436, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 21, 2004 (09:53)", "body": "(Katty) he was pretty wimpy in A&I - but maybe that was just good acting. Mark Rylance is the artistic director of the Globe Theatre in London. He's RADA and RSC and won Oliviers. Nevertheless, it still may not be your cup of tea, but the cast (Rylance, Timothy Spall and Kerry Fox) made it a cut way above the other films which had pushed the sexual content envelope at that time. I felt more assured that it wasn't being done for titillation or other mercenary purposes, plus the story was written by the guy who did My Beautiful Launderette. This was a serious film with explicit sex and serious actors and therefore more worth my time to see than the others. I suggest people read the reviews (of serious critics) before attempting to rent it."}, {"response": 437, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Feb 21, 2004 (11:06)", "body": "Here is the Rotten Tomatoes page of reviews for Intimacy: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/Intimacy-1110561/"}, {"response": 438, "author": "katty", "date": "Sat, Feb 21, 2004 (21:09)", "body": "Thanks, Karen, for your take on Intimacy. It sounds like a film worth seeing for much more than its sensational aspect. Mark Rylance is probably unrecognizable in Intimacy if all I know of him is the character in A&I, and that is ultimately the goal of a great actor - to disappear into his roles."}, {"response": 439, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Feb 22, 2004 (10:13)", "body": "Kim) Perhaps every time he had these tours, they just left the kids (Karen)I meant after they've returned and see what had gone on...the living room tent. Ahh . .yes THAT part! . .Maybe the shock of it all made the parents leave . .. .though something in me had a feeling those kids have gotten into sticky situations before . . . maybe that check was more of a payoff for Matthew to leave and forget it happened . . .?:)"}, {"response": 440, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Feb 22, 2004 (14:26)", "body": "Hello ladies, I'm back! Sorry to cut in but why is everyone discussing such an old movie? I remember seeing it because of Marianne Faithful. If you want to see her in an earlier film by one of my favourite film directors, Nicholas Roeg, check out the film with Mick Jaegger when she was his girlfriend and very beautiful, \"Interview\"."}, {"response": 441, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 22, 2004 (15:31)", "body": "(Moon) Sorry to cut in but why is everyone discussing such an old movie? Esp. when Spring has a Movie Topic;-q http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/movies/all"}, {"response": 442, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Feb 22, 2004 (18:58)", "body": "(Moon) why is everyone discussing such an old movie? Intimacy? Yes, it's ancient!....a whole 3 yrs old. ;-) Welcome back, Moon!! Missed ya, and sorry you missed ODB. :-/"}, {"response": 443, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Feb 22, 2004 (20:50)", "body": "Johnny Depp...SAG award! Who saw *that* coming?! Sean Penn's probably cursing CE and all the people who made him go to that shindig."}, {"response": 444, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Feb 22, 2004 (22:02)", "body": "Anyone want to dish on the Sex & The City finale? All I can say is . . . thank God for caller ID!;-) (Dorine)Intimacy? Yes, it's ancient!....a whole 3 yrs old. ;-) LOL, didn't realize there was a statute of limitations on film discussions. Moon, if you really want to know why, you need to look back further to see how the topic first came up. Johnny Depp...SAG award! Who saw *that* coming?! Not me, was shocked. I liked Tim Robbins's speech; I noticed he has the same publicist as Colin. Was that the same dress RZ wore to BAFTA? Can't imagine she'd repeat, but was certainly very similar. Glad she took my advice and wore diamonds with it this time.;-) Think she can be persuaded to share John Carrabino with someone we all know and love who could use some sage career advice?;-)"}, {"response": 445, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Feb 22, 2004 (23:34)", "body": "(Mari) I liked Tim Robbins's speech; I noticed he has the same publicist as Colin. I liked the speech,too, but tacky how they kept moving the spot off him to get him to stop. Good for him to keep talking. I'm pretty generally aware of the issues he and Sean Astin were talking about. And how about John Rhys-Davies shoving SA over to get him to stop. If I were Sean, that guy would be gettin' a piece of my mind backstage. ;-) One thing that impressed me at a LOTR Q&A and on the show tonight, is how articulate and obviously intelligent Sean Astin is. It's more pronounced when you hear the Hobbits all together. I didn't totally listen to all the people Tim Robbins mentioned. Was that the same dress RZ wore to BAFTA? Can't imagine she'd repeat, but was certainly very similar. *Thank* yoU! That was my *first* thought when I saw her, but just figured I'd mixed her up with someone else. I loved that necklace. See the guy behind Peter Krause when 6 Ft Under won? Chewing his gum like a cow. :-( Was flipping back and forth on SATC, so missed a few tidbits here and there that I'll catch tomorrow night. Glad to see her with Big. I think most people wanted it that way. They just finished editing it the middle of last week...think they were reading around the internet to see what people wanted and went with that. I think it would've been the wrong way to go if Carrie hadn't ended up in a (hopefully) decent relationship like the others. She's had too many dysfunctional ones. I think it would've shown a lack of growth, esp after Big showed growth by apologizing and finally owning up to his feelings. Granted she was in a relationship already, but they were in 2 totally different places, like she and Big were until he got his emotional act together. Think I'm rambling... Good job by Anne Meara...tagged her for a stroke immediately. She gave some good, subtle physical clues, beside the obvious cognitive issues."}, {"response": 446, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (01:09)", "body": "Hmmm, took me longer to catch up with the night's offerings than all you guys. Had to submit the TV schedule to the Supercomputer Lab in Champaign to work out what I'd watch from when to when, what I'd tape, when I had time to go the bathroom... ;-) (Moon) Sorry to cut in but why is everyone discussing such an old movie? (Evelyn) Esp. when Spring has a Movie Topic;-q That's where you discuss children's movies. ;-) (Dorine) Johnny Depp...SAG award! Who saw *that* coming?! Ya gotta know that I surely didn't. Pathetic, truly pathetic. (Mari) All I can say is . . . thank God for caller ID!;-) I knew it! I knew it! OK, not how but what they were going to reveal. The retrospective gave it away. The writer mentioned that Carrie didn't know him; didn't know his name. I almost called Ev when the show was over to tell her. The finale was absofuckinglutely great. Didn't let me down at all. (Mari) Was that the same dress RZ wore to BAFTA? My first thought too. (Dorine) See the guy behind Peter Krause when 6 Ft Under won? Chewing his gum like a cow. :-( Yessssss!! Betcha his mother called him right after the show to *chew* him out. What an idiot. (Dorine) Good job by Anne Meara...tagged her for a stroke immediately. She gave some good, subtle physical clues, beside the obvious cognitive issues. I thought so too. It was well done. More in the a.m."}, {"response": 447, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (01:10)", "body": "And, Moon, context is rather important. ;-)"}, {"response": 448, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (06:44)", "body": "Re SATC -- I am happy with the way everything wound up. The Big thing was expected (So his name is John!), but since Miranda and Sam are my favorites, I loved their final moments - Miranda washing Ann Meara was so on target and so full of love and caring (I have done that with my mother in law myself in years past.) And Smith coming home to Sam - what they said to one another? Just grand. Loved that Sam's final words were a very satisfied scream of delight. I was surprisingly sad at the final moment. I came to the show late, but it got to me. Two weeks --- Tony is baaacck! Anyone else like \"Curb Your Enthusiasm?\" Larry David is such a klutz, and so hilarious."}, {"response": 449, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (08:02)", "body": "(Dorine), Johnny Depp...SAG award! Who saw *that* coming?! Sean Penn's probably cursing CE and all the people who made him go to that shindig. LOL! Totally! I doubt he'll be at the Oscars. I guess for SAG members, more is more. And in that sense, I'm happy about LOTR. And for once, I thought all the ladies looked very nice. (Dorine),And how about John Rhys-Davies shoving SA over to get him to stop. I'm glad he did. Sean should write an article on V or THR about it. Tim had said it very well already. (Mari), didn't realize there was a statute of limitations on film discussions. Moon, if you really want to know why, you need to look back further to see how the topic first came up. I know that! I just wanted to re-enter with a bang. ;-) (Evelyn) Esp. when Spring has a Movie Topic;-q (Karen), That's where you discuss children's movies. ;-) You've got that right. ;-)"}, {"response": 450, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (08:54)", "body": "Are we up for a discussion of The Passion of Christ? Or would it be too devisive? Early reviews from Time, Newsweek and The Hollywood Reporter are in. (Finally! I am sick to death of the pre-publicity surrounding this film) I have excerpted some of what the reviewers had to say and added my own comments. Will not post until I hear what our leader wants."}, {"response": 451, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (09:15)", "body": "(Karen) absofuckinglutely *Loved* when he said that, was ROTF. Just struck me funny. (Murph) Two weeks --- Tony is baaacck! Looks great, too! Anyone else like \"Curb Your Enthusiasm?\" Larry David is such a klutz, and so hilarious. I can't take him on a weekly basis. I've found it uneven, but have enjoyed it. So his name is John! How cute, it rhymes with the real Big's name...Ron. Are we up for a discussion of The Passion of Christ? Or would it be too devisive? Might get relegated to a closet. ;-) 'I won't comment til I've seen it and I'm not going til the hubbub goes down. Who's going to be able to get near a theater unless you belong to a church group. They're buying up all the tix. (Moon) I thought all the ladies looked very nice. For the most part, me too."}, {"response": 452, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (10:09)", "body": "(Karen) absofuckinglutely (Dorine) *Loved* when he said that, was ROTF. Just struck me funny. Another thing given away from the Retrospective show, emphasizing the ending of the pilot episode. Alexandr's ex-wife was Carole Bouquet. Remember her? \"For your eyes only...\" Would Anne Meara's character have \"good days\"? I didn't think so with a stroke. SAG favs: definitely Charlize (hair too!) and Naomi and I liked Laura Linney's too. Lots of purple of various shades. Do you think the ladies of SATC planned theirs out. Kristen and Kim's even looked like the same fabric. Cynthia's might have been to blend, as she couldnt' have worn that color with her hair. Re: Discussion of TPOTC I don't care, though everything surrounding its notoreity annoys me."}, {"response": 453, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (11:26)", "body": "(Dorine) Johnny Depp...SAG award! Who saw *that* coming?! (Karen)Ya gotta know that I surely didn't. Pathetic, truly pathetic. Why pathetic? I approved. The winners last night, Johnny Depp, Charlize Theron, Renee Z. all went outside the box and excelled in pattern-breaking roles.No cookie-cutters for them. I didn't really like Pirates of the Carribean, but JD was superb. Beats me why Jack Nicholson keeps getting awards for the same ole. (Karen)The finale was absofuckinglutely great. Agree. I laughed, I cried. (Told you Charlotte and Harry would adopt a bi-racial baby...adorable. )Will watch this one again . (Murph) Are we up for a discussion of The Passion of Christ? It's a movie, isn't it? I won't comment til I see it. Evelyn) Esp. when Spring has a Movie Topic;-q (Karen), That's where you discuss children's movies. ;-) (Moon)You've got that right. ;-) We-el, You wouldn't let me discuss Titanic, seven years ago;-/ Loved RZ gown and ...hair;-) liked the speech,too, but tacky how they kept moving the spot off him to get him to stop. Good for him to keep talking. I'm pretty generally aware of the issues he and Sean Astin were talking about. Of course, everyone is aware of the issues. But I look at award shows to know the winners and hear them thank their grandmothers;-) Not *issues* or *tenets of Scientology*. Right on who ever said that stuff belongs in the trades. Paid for. Not on the cheap."}, {"response": 454, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (11:26)", "body": "From today's Guardian: A bigger slice of the action This Sunday could see the first woman director to win an Oscar. Why has it taken so long? Natasha Walter talks to leading female film-makers about the battles they face Sofia Coppola's Oscar nomination for best director this year for her second film, Lost in Translation, has been taken as something as a breakthrough for women. This weekend we shall find out whether she is the first woman ever to win. But how can it be that this is only the third time that a woman has even been up for this award - 30 years since Lina Wertmuller was nominated for Seven Beauties and more than 10 years since Jane Campion was nominated for The Piano? What is stopping women making the sort of films that take the highest honours? Women directors at the peak of their careers say that of course women in film have faced all the barriers that women in every sphere have faced - from encounters with outright sexism to the struggle to balance work and family life - but that the industry is now changing. Gurinder Chadha achieved a mainstream hit two years ago with Bend It Like Beckham, and is now about to release Bride and Prejudice, a Bollywood take on Jane Austen. It took her a long time to break through; after she directed her first film, she didn't direct another feature for six years. \"I did meet resentment when I started out,\" she says, \"but look, this is a hard industry for everyone. And I feel that the attitudes of an older generation have changed.\" Beeban Kidron, who has just finished filming the second Bridget Jones film, has also felt barriers come down. \"When I started it was so unusual for a woman to be directing,\" she says. \"On my very first film I fired the assistant director after he called me 'the little lady'. But now I feel I have respect for what I have achieved. The only thing that I'm upset about is that I'd like to make a Bond film - and I know I'd do a good job - but that's always pooh-poohed.\" Indeed, even if women don't face blatant sexism any more, they often say that they are still being ever so gently funnelled into making certain kinds of film. Women directors tend to complain about this more in the US, where the big money goes into the films that glimmer with gore and shimmer with special effects - the sort the boys make. Even if they aren't itching to create those gut-wrenching spectacles, many women say that they are trusted less to handle budgets that men would take for granted. Catherine Hardwicke, who was an experienced production designer before she broke into directing with her heartfelt film about teenage life, Thirteen, was struck by how hard she found it to get her first film financed. \"It's harder, it is definitely harder,\" she told an online film magazine. \"The other screenplays that I've written before this, you know, I had them really planned out ... [but] people would just say, 'You're never going to make that as your first movie. A $5m movie, you're never going to direct that!' And I'm thinking to myself - argh! How many first-time directors have I worked with, and they had way bigger budgets than $5m, and they're all guys? I do think it makes a real difference.\" Other women echo Hardwicke's sense of frustration. Scottish director Alison Peebles, whose first feature film, Afterlife, was released last year, says she can already sense the same thing happening around her. \"If I come up with a proposal for a film that involves more of a budget - maybe a period feature or something with higher production values - they might well say, 'Well, you haven't got the experience.' But I don't see that stopping them giving it to a man who doesn't have the experience either.\" If women are being pushed into making smaller-scale, more intimate films, they are showing that they can succeed within those limits. At this year's Oscars we can measure the growing success of women directors in a way other than Coppola's nomination - and that's in the performances that women directors are generating. In 2002 only 7% of US films bore the stamp of a woman director, but this year's Oscars show that they are yielding the majority of nominations for best actress. [Ed note: Durr! And that's because only women directors will give good, meaty roles to women. Not going to find any worthy of a Best Actress nom in a male-oriented blockbuster f/x type.] And these are performances you can't forget. Nancy Meyers has drawn the performance of her career from Diane Keaton in Something's Gotta Give, getting her to drop her actressy, brittle gestures for something more lively and vulnerable. Niki Caro got the 13-year-old Keisha Castle-Hughes not so much to act her heart out in Whale Rider, as to live, apparently unconscious and unfettered, in front of the camera. And then there is the favourite for the award, the transformation of Charlize Theron from glossy starlet to compelling antihero in Patty Jenkins' film about a lesbian serial killer, Monster. Hardwicke, whose film yielded a be"}, {"response": 455, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (11:33)", "body": "But they didn't even mention Dennie Gordon;-) One would think that with so many women now CEO's of the big studios, they would lend a hand to a female. If you watch the credits, there are lots of women directors on TV."}, {"response": 456, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (11:36)", "body": "(Murph)Miranda washing Ann Meara was so on target and so full of love and caring That was so well done, as was the entire episode. I said from the start that the Russion was a nogoodnik.;-) Him and his anxiety attack. What a baby. Everything was always about him. How sad was it when she went to the restaurant and saw that her \"fanclub\" had departed, and even left her book behind. Anyone else like \"Curb Your Enthusiasm?\" I do! Hilarious. \"It's a mullatto doll.\" He's such an ass, but he has me in tears of laughter every week. Last week's was particularly funny, when he picked up that hooker as a way to use the carpool lane going to Dodger Stadium! I have excerpted some of what the reviewers had to say and added my own comments I'd love to read it. Other than Ebert & Roeper (who gave it raves), I haven't read any of the reviews."}, {"response": 457, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (11:53)", "body": "(Evelyn) One would think that with so many women now CEO's of the big studios, they would lend a hand to a female. No, they're playing in a \"man's\" world and those women are the \"new men.\" In order to succeed in business, women have had to become men, a truly sad commentary on the what the feminist movement has produced. Besides, being head of a studio is business and money is the bottom line."}, {"response": 458, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (12:15)", "body": "From the AP: Carrie returns to Mr. Big on final 'Sex and the City' NEW YORK -- Torn between two lovers, Carrie Bradshaw returned to Mr. Big and New York, ditching Aleksandr in Paris, on Sunday's finale of \"Sex and the City.\" Her big decision settled a question this HBO comedy had been building toward for six seasons: What man, if any, would Carrie end up with? The satisfying answer: Carrie (series star Sarah Jessica Parker) chose the on-again/off-again businessman beau (Chris Noth) with whom she first struck sparks on the series' premiere. But first, she had to confront her mistake in leaving her world behind to move to Paris with Aleksandr, the self-involved, neglectful artist played by Mikhail Baryshnikov. \"I am someone who's looking for love, real love ... can't-live-without-each-other love -- and I don't think that love is here,\" Carrie tells him. Moments later, Big, who has come to his senses and raced across the ocean to bring her home, finds her, alone, in her hotel lobby. \"It took me a really long time to get here,\" he says. \"But I'm here. Carrie, you're the one.\" After nearly 100 romantic and often raunchy installments, \"Sex\" closed the book with a top-secret, much-hyped conclusion that made good on its promise to resolve the love life of New York sex columnist Carrie. Meanwhile, it nicely tied up some details concerning her three gal pals: -- Miranda, the hard-nosed realist played by Cynthia Nixon, remained a happy mother and the wife of bartender Steve, living in Brooklyn (where she opened her heart to Steve's ailing mother, inviting her to come live with them). -- Charlotte, the idealist (Kristin Davis) and her husband, Harry (formerly her divorce lawyer) got their wish, at last: they'll be adopting a baby girl from China. -- And hot-blooded Samantha (Kim Cattrall) was solid with her boy-toy hunk, Smith, despite the loss of her sex drive from treatment for breast cancer. In a tender moment, he declares his love for her. \"You've meant more to me than any man I've ever known,\" a tearful Samantha replies. Voila! A few scenes later, she's her lusty self, nude in the sack astride Smith. Her final line is a howl of pleasure. Back in New York, Carrie surprises her friends at the coffee shop where they've exchanged so many confidences with one another (and viewers) through the years. Then, as a special treat at the fadeout, the man Carrie dubbed \"Mr. Big\" so long ago phones her and, for the first time, viewers learn his real name, displayed on the caller ID: John. \"The most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself,\" says Carrie in her role as narrator. \"And if you find someone to love the you you love,\" she concludes, \"well, that's just fabulous.\" The Manhattan-set series, which premiered in June 1998, became a cultural phenomenon, defining a new breed of modern woman who wasn't afraid to talk about men -- and her desire for them -- with raw honesty even as she placed top priority on friendships with other women. But as the announced end neared, accompanied by a flood of eulogies, a contradictory message was gaining volume: Maybe this won't be the sure-nuff end of \"Sex,\" after all. The series' top executive, Michael Patrick King, and the show's cast are in discussions with HBO about a movie that would continue the saga, HBO spokeswoman Tobe Becker confirmed Thursday. The details remained in doubt. Indeed, in addressing the question two weeks ago, co-producer Parker unleashed a flood of conditionals befitting a politician on the stump. \"I haven't made any decisions about how we might revisit this show and in what medium,\" she said, listing several unrelated projects that might occupy her for the immediate future. \"It's very important to me that we are dignified and graceful in our exit from the (current) series,\" Parker declared. \"After that, if we hear a cry from the public, I think we have to respond to that, if we can do right by them.\""}, {"response": 459, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (13:00)", "body": "(Karen) Would Anne Meara's character have \"good days\"? I didn't think so with a stroke. Certainly. Depends on many factors....where and how significant the damage is, fatigue level, and current medications among others. Just like those with early to mid-stage Alzheimer's. Dementia, no matter the etiology, can be a wildly fluctuating condition. Makes consistent progress in rehab rather challenging for both the patient and the therapist. Another thing given away from the Retrospective show, emphasizing the ending of the pilot episode. Glad I didn 't watch it if they were giving so many clues. Liked discovering it for myself. Dorine) Johnny Depp...SAG award! Who saw *that* coming?! (Karen)Ya gotta know that I surely didn't. Pathetic, truly pathetic. (Evelyn) Why pathetic? I approved. I didn't disapprove per se, loved him in it, but was just floored that he won. I was rooting for and believe Bill Murray is the best out of that group. Bet anything, the Oscars will be back to a horse race between Bill M and SP. We don't know the percentage of SAG members that voted for JD and there's a significant amount of Oscar voters who aren't SAG members. Curious the percentage of voters who already have their ballots back vs ones who will wait til the last minute on Tues, who may be influenced in the least by the SAG awards. (Evelyn) Of course, everyone is aware of the issues. But I look at award shows to know the winners and hear them thank their grandmothers;-) Not *issues* or *tenets of Scientology*. I say get your message out to your target audience while opportunity is knocking....a captive audience. Can't beat them when they're free and the world's press is there. Though squandering your time and rambling about it is another thing. Thank your grandmother, make your point and leave. ;-)"}, {"response": 460, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (13:15)", "body": "(Dorine) Just like those with early to mid-stage Alzheimer's. Dementia, no matter the etiology, can be a wildly fluctuating condition. I know more than I ever wanted to know about AD, but thought once a stroke affects certain areas of the brain, that was it. They're gone. Certain motor skills can be relearned, but brain damage is brain damage. Hmmm, fast-forwarded through the LOTR acceptance speech. Wasn't in the least interested. Guess, I'm going to have to check out SA and what went on. Even though the Best Ensemble award is SAG's equivalent for Best Picture, I find it completely hypocritically for the LOTR's cast to have won when so little of the movie has ever been dependent on actors or acting. Note the dearth of acting noms for any of the three films. IMO, the SAG members sold out their profession with that award, as well as the one for JD."}, {"response": 461, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (13:26)", "body": "(Karen) Certain motor skills can be relearned, but brain damage is brain damage One of the wonderful qualities of the brain is it's plasticity. Nerve pathways can regenerate to a degree as well as reroute themselves. Otherwise no stroke or traumatic brain injury sufferers would have much or any recovery, such as Robert Lawrence (Tumbledown) for instance. ;-) Now how much recovery there is after a stroke depends again on many factors...amount and quality of rehab, amount of effort/motivation by patients themselves, the location, severity, and type of event, etc. SAG members sold out their profession with that award, as well as the one for JD. I know you didn't like POTC. I did despite it being too long (as was all of the LOTR films), but IMO, JD saved that movie. I absolutely would have thought it crap if he wasn't in it. Same can be said for Once Upon a Time in Mexico with he and Antonio Banderas. I think both movies were raised above being just mediocre or downright awful because of him. I find that to be a gift."}, {"response": 462, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (13:31)", "body": "Kirk Honicutt in the Hollywood Reporter - In early scenes and the flashback, Caviezel has the look and gravity to portray the warm and compassionate rabbi that Jesus was. But we get only these snippets of his humanity. (One bizarre flashback focuses solely on his former occupation, that of a carpenter.) More troubling is Gibson's decision to make Jesus into a victim of political intrigue, thus denying him his martyrdom. Why do so many disciples follow this man? What does his promise of eternal life mean in the context of these events? Gibson's intense concentration on the scourging and whipping of the physical body virtually denies any metaphysical significance to the most famous half-day in history. http://hollywoodreporter.com/thr/reviews/review_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000441264 ************************** David Ansen - Newsweek: This peculiar, deeply personal expression of the filmmaker's faith is a far cry from the sentimental, pious depictions of Christ that popular culture has often served up. Relentlessly savage, \"The Passion\" plays like the Gospel according to the Marquis de Sade. The film that has been getting rapturous advance raves from evangelical Christians turns out to be an R-rated inspirational movie no child can, or should, see. To these secular eyes at least, Gibson's movie is more likely to inspire nightmares than devotion. It's the sadism, not the alleged anti-Semitism, that is most striking. (For the record, I don't think Gibson is anti-Semitic; but those inclined toward bigotry could easily find fuel for their fire here.) There's always been a pronounced streak of sadomasochism and martyrdom running through Gibson's movies, both as an actor and as a filmmaker. The Oscar-winning \"Braveheart\" reveled in decapitations and disembowelments, not to mention the spectacle of Gibson himself, as the Scottish warrior hero, impaled on a cross. In \"Mad Max,\" the \"Lethal Weapon\" movies, \"Ransom\" and \"Signs\" (where he's a cleric who's lost his faith), the Gibson hero is pummeled and persecuted, driven to suicidal extremes. From these pop passion plays to the Passion itself is a logical progression; it gives rise to the suspicion that on some unconscious level \"The Passion of the Christ\" is, for Gibson, autobiography... It's fascinating that the most understated sequence is the Resurrection itself. Rendered in obliquely crisp cinematic shorthand, it brings the movie to an anomalously muted conclusion. http://msnbc.msn.com/id/4338528/ ********************************** David Van Beima in Time: \"With due respect for his desire that Christ's sacrifice be understood by all and for the gratitude among Christians that a Hollywood deity has finally made an accomplished and utterly unironical Christian film, one can only hope that he has it wrong. The Christian story includes joy, astonishment, prophecy, righteous wrath, mystery and love straightforward as well as love sacrificial. The Passion of the Christ is a one-note threnody about the Son of God being dragged to his death. That may be just the ticket for some times and for some benighted places where understanding human torment in terms of God's love is the only religious insight of any use. But in a culture as rich, as powerful, as lucky and as open-minded as ours \ufffd one might even say, as blessed \ufffd it is, or should be, a very bad fit indeed. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101040301-593591,00.html ********************** These reviewers state my main criticism of the film, (based, I admit, on articles and reviews and more publicity than we need. I haven't seen the film), said better than I could say it. The moments that counted and still count in Holy Week happened not during the horror-filled hours of the crucifixion but on Easter Sunday with Christ's rising from the dead. Redemption, for those who believe, happened then, the joy of knowing that there is life after death. If you are going to graphically show the death of Jesus, then you must make all that suffering lead to his resurrection - the main event - the true heart of why this God/man chose his manner of death. - Murph, a Catholic who is very happy with the English Mass and Vatican II."}, {"response": 463, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (13:35)", "body": "(Karen) Certain motor skills can be relearned, but brain damage is brain damage (Dorine) One of the wonderful qualities of the brain is it's plasticity. Nerve pathways can regenerate to a degree as well as reroute themselves. And the same can apply to some degree to SCI (Spinal Cord Injury) sufferers,as well, at least when the spinal cord is only bruised or has an incomplete cut vs. a complete cut. Sorry for the medical lesson. ;-) Neuro rehab was my specialty and favorite area of interest. Did Orthopedics, too, but not as inherently interesting (no offense to those with hip and knee replacements ;-))."}, {"response": 464, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (13:43)", "body": "Voila! A few scenes later, she's her lusty self, nude in the sack astride Smith. Her final line is a howl of pleasure Did you love the way the accompanying \"flowers[spring] not yet blooming\" that Smith sent started to bloomonce blossom at a time... til the last howl when there were flowers all over the place. Nice touch. Clever writing, directing. Just heard on the news that the commercial networks want to run the series...with lots of cutting and cleaning. Won't be the same. I say get your message out to your target audience while opportunity is knocking....a captive audience. What captive audience? I'm not a union member, and what's more, I don't care. Sometimes that type of \"in-your-face\" behavior serves the opposite effect. Networks hate it because, in all fairness, the opposition requests equal time."}, {"response": 465, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (13:53)", "body": "(Mari) I said from the start that the Russion was a nogoodnik.;-) Him and his anxiety attack. What a baby. Everything was always about him. (a) you have to wonder why Carrie stayed so long at the museum; I'd have cut out and gone to my party when I realized I'd been abandoned. (b) remember the ex-wife's comment and surprise that Carrie had her own fame and that Alexandr was fine with it? Made me wonder whether there would've been an anxiety attack at all if he hadn't known about Carrie's party. Bet he would've left her in the hotel under normal circumstances, saying *he* had to unveil the pieces to the curator and would be home later. Personally, Miranda has been my fav this last season. She became the spokesperson for the group. I can't forget how she said last week to Big, \"Go get our girl.\" Just the way she looked, as the one who knew what Carrie was going through in Paris. (Dorine) One of the wonderful qualities of the brain is it's plasticity. Nerve pathways can regenerate to a degree as well as reroute themselves. Otherwise no stroke or traumatic brain injury sufferers would have much or any recovery, such as Robert Lawrence (Tumbledown) for instance. ;-) Yes, yes, yes. But I was talking more about memory loss, and I'm excluding amnesia or anything caused by traumatic or psychosomatic events. Anyway, the events on SATC took place probably within a week's time."}, {"response": 466, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (13:55)", "body": "(Murph) These reviewers state my main criticism of the film..... The moments that counted and still count in Holy Week happened not during the horror-filled hours of the crucifixion but on Easter Sunday with Christ's rising from the dead. Redemption, for those who believe, happened then, the joy of knowing that there is life after death. If you are going to graphically show the death of Jesus, then you must make all that suffering lead to his resurrection - the main event - the true heart of why this God/man chose his manner of death. I was curious when watching some stories about it on CNN and other places this weekend, if they dealt with the Resurrection or just stopped when they took him down from the cross. The one main point I see MG making, is to *really* illustrate the depths to which Jesus willingly sacrificed himself for the world. I don't know whether a grand Resurrection scene will be necessary, but it is the whole point of the suffering, isn't it? I think the reality of that brutal sacrifice, such as it would have been back then, is very much lost on most people. Sure people go to church, recite the same prayers about it, ruminate on the sermons about it, but do they **truly** understand what it all meant and would have been like. I didn't for one. Got a good idea so far from the trailer, and I'm astounded, quite frankly. I believe I'll find it quite powerful (if my feelings after the trailer were any indication) regardless of how it ends. I may or may not need the rest of it. How it fits in to the rest of the movie nd whether there is a \"payoff\" at the end with a satisfying depiction of the Resurrection, I obviously won't be able to comment until I see it. Ironically, I'm a lapsed Catholic and presently consider myself an agnostic. My aunt, who is a nun, won't be seeing it due to the extreme violence. So much for not commenting til I'd seen it. ;-)"}, {"response": 467, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (14:00)", "body": "Glad you found reviews that agreed with your criticism of the film, Murph. I'll wait til I see it to comment. Meanwhile this seems to be the consensus of opinion...including Rabbi Geldman on CNN yesterday. .. those inclined toward bigotry could easily find fuel for their fire here.) Hey,we don't blame all the Italians for Mussolini."}, {"response": 468, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (14:05)", "body": "(Karen) But I was talking more about memory loss Doesn't matter what skills are affected, cognitive or physical (excluding trauma if you wish...though a stroke/cerebral hemorrhage is/can be considered a \"traumatic\" brain injury, too). Same conditions and principles apply. (Dorine)I say get your message out to your target audience while opportunity is knocking....a captive audience. (Evelyn) What captive audience? All the SAG (and AFTRA) members who were there (and watching at home)!"}, {"response": 469, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (14:11)", "body": "(Dorine) My aunt, who is a nun, won't be seeing it due to the extreme violence. This was the subject of a Nightline last week that caught. You've got all these church leaders encouraging their congregants to take their children regardless of age, when the film is rated R for its violence, even though it was contextual violence. They had two guys, a reverend from Missouri and a child psychologist (or an educator) from Yale, debating the correct age to expose children to this movie. I was appalled at the hypocrisy again. Just because the subject matter is religion, toss out the \"recommended\" ratings. Even MG evidently stated the film is not for under 17/18, but these church groups are telling parents to take their 8 yr olds. :-("}, {"response": 470, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (15:06)", "body": "(Karen) Even MG evidently stated the film is not for under 17/18, but these church groups are telling parents to take their 8 yr olds. :-( Yikes! The DH and I won't even see it in the theaters. I will need the option of breaks/pause or full stops cause I don't want to be a captive audience. I can't imagine not giving youngsters the same options.:-("}, {"response": 471, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (15:25)", "body": "I'm going to see TPOTC...to see what the fuss is about (of course). I'm surprised that so many think it is too violent. From what I remember of one of my history classes, the Romans did this quite a bit...and very well. I bet MG didn't capture even half of how violent it truly was... (Dorine) Ironically, I'm a lapsed Catholic and presently consider myself an agnostic. Wow...and I learn something new about you! Ironically, I'm a lapsed Methodist and presently consider myself an agnostic as well... (Karen) I was appalled at the hypocrisy again. Just because the subject matter is religion, toss out the \"recommended\" ratings. Even MG evidently stated the film is not for under 17/18, but these church groups are telling parents to take their 8 yr olds. :-( I'm surprised too...I heard that some churches were encouraging people to take their kids to see this. Find it so odd that sex is a big no-no, but violence is okay...though from the looks of the trailer and all the hype, it sounds ulta-violent, but even better if it has a religious theme. Though that won't keep junior from having nightmares. Feel sorry for the kids who will be seeing this...I remember being terrified of the 'candy man' in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, this goes a bit beyond that."}, {"response": 472, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (16:08)", "body": "The New Yorker -- NAILED by DAVID DENBY Mel Gibson\ufffds \ufffdThe Passion of the Christ.\ufffd Issue of 2004-03-01 In \ufffdThe Passion of the Christ,\ufffd Mel Gibson shows little interest in celebrating the electric charge of hope and redemption that Jesus Christ brought into the world. He largely ignores Jesus\ufffd heart-stopping eloquence, his startling ethical radicalism and personal radiance\ufffdChrist as a \ufffdparagon of vitality and poetic assertion,\ufffd as John Updike described Jesus\ufffd character in his essay \ufffdThe Gospel According to Saint Matthew.\ufffd Cecil B. De Mille had his version of Jesus\ufffd life, Pier Paolo Pasolini and Martin Scorsese had theirs, and Gibson, of course, is free to skip over the incomparable glories of Jesus\ufffd temperament and to devote himself, as he does, to Jesus\ufffd pain and martyrdom in the last twelve hours of his life. As a viewer, I am equally free to say that the movie Gibson has made from his personal obsessions is a sickening death trip, a grimly unilluminating procession of treachery, beatings, blood, and agony\ufffdand to say so without indulging in \ufffdanti-Christian sentiment\ufffd (Gibson\ufffds term for what his critics are preading). For two hours, with only an occasional pause or gentle flashback, we watch, stupefied, as a handsome, strapping, at times half-naked young man (James Caviezel) is slowly tortured to death. Gibson is so thoroughly fixated on the scourging and crushing of Christ, and so meagrely involved in the spiritual meanings of the final hours, that he falls in danger of altering Jesus\ufffd message of love into one of hate. And against whom will the audience direct its hate? As Gibson was completing the film, some historians, theologians, and clergymen accused him of emphasizing the discredited charge that it was the ancient Jews who were primarily responsible for killing Jesus, a claim that has served as the traditional justification for the persecution of the Jews in Europe for nearly two millennia. The critics turn out to have been right. Gibson is guilty of some serious mischief in his handling of these issues. But he may have also committed an aggression against Christian believers. The movie has been hailed as a religious experience by various Catholic and Protestant groups, some of whom, with an ungodly eye to the commercial realities of film distribution, have prepurchased blocks of tickets or rented theatres to insure \ufffdThe Passion\ufffd a healthy opening weekend\ufffds business. But how, I wonder, will people become better Christians if they are filled with the guilt, anguish, or loathing that this movie may create in their sou s? \ufffdThe Passion\ufffd opens at night in the Garden of Gethsemane\ufffda hushed, misty grotto bathed in a purplish disco light. Softly chanting female voices float on the soundtrack, accompanied by electronic shrieks and thuds. At first, the movie looks like a graveyard horror flick, and then, as Jewish temple guards show up bearing torches, like a faintly tedious art film. The Jews speak in Aramaic, and the Romans speak in Latin; the movie is subtitled in English. Gibson distances the dialogue from us, as if Jesus\ufffd famous words were only incidental and the visual spectacle\ufffdGibson\ufffds work as a director\ufffdwere the real point. Then the beatings begin: Jesus is punched and slapped, struck with chains, trussed, and dangled over a wall. In the middle of the night, a hasty trial gets under way before Caiaphas (Mattia Sbragia) and other Jewish priests. Caiaphas, a cynical, devious, petty dictator, interrogates Jesus, and then turns him over to the Roman prefect Pontius Pilate (Hristo Naumov Shopov), who tries again and again to sp re Jesus from the crucifixion that the priests demand. From the movie, we get the impression that the priests are either merely envious of Jesus\ufffd spiritual power or inherently and inexplicably vicious. And Pilate is not the bloody governor of history (even Tiberius paused at his crimes against the Jews) but a civilized and humane leader tormented by the burdens of power\ufffdhe holds a soulful discussion with his wife on the nature of truth. Gibson and his screenwriter, Benedict Fitzgerald, selected and enhanced incidents from the four Gospels and collated them into a single, surpassingly violent narrative\ufffdthe scourging, for instance, which is mentioned only in a few phrases in Matthew, Mark, and John, is drawn out to the point of excruciation and beyond. History is also treated selectively. The writer Jon Meacham, in a patient and thorough article in Newsweek, has detailed the many small ways that Gibson disregarded what historians know of the period, with the effect of assigning greater responsibility to the Jews, and less to the Romans, for Jesus\ufffd death. Meacham\ufffds central thesis, which is shared by others, is that the priests may have been willing to sacrifice Jesus\ufffdwhose mass following may have posed a threat to Roman governance\ufffdin order to deter Pilate from crushing the Jewish community altogether. It\ufffds also possible that the temple \ufffdlite may have wanted to get rid of the leader of a"}, {"response": 473, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (16:09)", "body": "Sorry about the breaks in the text."}, {"response": 474, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (16:21)", "body": "(Time)The Christian story includes joy, astonishment, prophecy, righteous wrath, mystery and love straightforward as well as love sacrificial. The Passion of the Christ is a one-note threnody about the Son of God being dragged to his death. Could be. But that's the movie MG chose to make and the part of the story he chose to focus on. I see no point in questioning why he didn't make a different movie. Obviously, I can't comment on a film I haven't seen, so I'll confine my comments to an optimistic hope that this will all promote more dialogue. As a modern Catholic, taught that *all* are guilty and that Jesus died for all the sins that were ever committed and all that would ever be committed, it wouldn't even occur to me to assign blame to any group. I know non-Christians who were not aware of that teaching. At the same time, I've recently learned more about how such depictions have been twisted and perverted throughout history to persecute people and fuel bigotry. As for taking 8 year olds, that's just plain nuts."}, {"response": 475, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (16:39)", "body": "Mari, I'd quote you, but I'd just be dittoing your whole thing. Very well said, thank you. To Mari's point: (Rabbi Geldman on CNN yesterday... ) .. those inclined toward bigotry could easily find fuel for their fire here.) I'm afraid he could have as easily said *will* find fuel. I hope I'm wrong. As an Episcopalian, I've already seen the grief that can be caused by well meaning people. And I've not gone back to see who said it first (Maria?) but I will not see this in a theater either for the same reason I did not see Saving Private Ryan."}, {"response": 476, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (17:04)", "body": "(Karen), Even though the Best Ensemble award is SAG's equivalent for Best Picture, I find it completely hypocritically for the LOTR's cast to have won when so little of the movie has ever been dependent on actors or acting. Note the dearth of acting noms for any of the three films. IMO, the SAG members sold out their profession with that award, as well as the one for JD. Pish, posh. I happen to like JD very much and add that LOTR would not have worked for me if there were no acting involved. - Murph, a Catholic who is very happy with the English Mass and Vatican II. I can't wait to see The Passion and will probably go Thur. Moon, a Catholic who is not very happy with the English Mass and the Vatican II. I still pray in Latin. I would love to have a strict Jesuit Pope next, but it will not happen. I have read a lot about this film in Italy recently, but will not comment until I see it."}, {"response": 477, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (17:09)", "body": "(Tress)I'm surprised too...I heard that some churches were encouraging people to take their kids to see this. Find it so odd that sex is a big no-no, but violence is okay..., As a catholic, presently practicing, I don't find the hypocracy surprising at all."}, {"response": 478, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (17:12)", "body": "(Karen) I was appalled at the hypocrisy again. Just because the subject matter is religion, toss out the \"recommended\" ratings. Even MG evidently stated the film is not for under 17/18, but these church groups are telling parents to take their 8 yr olds. :-( Not my parish! In fact my husband and I are going to see it first and see it we should have the boys see it. (Dorine) Ironically, I'm a lapsed Catholic and presently consider myself an agnostic. I am more gnostic."}, {"response": 479, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (17:35)", "body": "(Karen) all these church leaders encouraging their congregants to take their children regardless of age Now I consider that beyond irresponsible of both the church leaders and the parents, if they take them. Does anyone wonder why I'm a lapsed Catholic, as well as an agnostic? ;-) (Tress) I'm surprised that so many think it is too violent. From what I remember of one of my history classes, the Romans did this quite a bit...and very well. I bet MG didn't capture even half of how violent it truly was You haven't seen any clips I take it. MG may not have captured the full effect, but what's there is hard to take.....in the few minutes I've seen. I bet there are slasher/horror movies that may be worse, but still.... I have wondered whether I'd be able to sit through it or need to do like Bee and wait for DVD. My curiosity about it over the past year is overriding any qualms I have. Wow...and I learn something new about you! Likewise! :-) I remember being terrified of the 'candy man' in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The guy with the net? The Childcatcher? Oooh, me too!! ;-) (Mari) it wouldn't even occur to me to assign blame to any group. Me neither. Was surprised when all this controversy first started up. I've never heard anyone fixate on blaming any particular group. And I went to a Catholic school from first grade through high school graduation. If anyone did bring it up, I apparently discarded that notion and have forgotten about it. Who knows, maybe I'll find the movie \"blames\" a certain group. (Denby) Gibson is so thoroughly fixated on the scourging and crushing of Christ, and so meagrely involved in the spiritual meanings of the final hours, that he falls in danger of altering Jesus\ufffd message of love into one of hate. I suspect he may have missed MG's ultimate point, but can't say til I see it. And there is an element of hate in the whole story. Otherwise, no one could possibly do something like that to other human beings, nor would that set up the Resurrection for our redemption. We'll see what happens in the film. But how, I wonder, will people become better Christians if they are filled with the guilt, anguish, or loathing that this movie may create in their souls? I would think they would or could, as hopefully they might have increased insight into Jesus' suffering for everyone and in the future strive to be better people, so as not to feel that His suffering was in vain. Just a guess. Will revisit that article after I've seen it."}, {"response": 480, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (19:22)", "body": ""}, {"response": 481, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (19:23)", "body": "Closed"}, {"response": 482, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (19:38)", "body": "(Me)Does anyone wonder why I'm a lapsed Catholic, as well as an agnostic? ;-) (Evelyn) Pssst...Dorine...don't let other people's actions impact on your moral convictions... or to put it differently.... Don't *blame* other people for what you think /do. That was a jokinginly rhetorical question, hence the winkie. My dissatisfaction with the Catholic Church, and religion in general is much deeper and more personal than that. Not a particular person(s)/event(s). Maybe a variety of them. The above would be an oversimplified, and somewhat invalid reason to go away from \"the church.\" Just an evolution in my views on spirituality and methods of worship over the years. It's a very personal thing for each person, and each one goes with the one that works for them, be it in a group setting, or not. That's all. :-) Was just telling my aunt a smidge of what we all have been talking about on TPOTC. She mentioned it was too hard for she and I to discuss on an IM forum and I concurred. I love to talk religion and politics, but I did almost post earlier, that this is a subject that's quite difficult to discuss on a message board due to the sheer volume of conversation that can and may be generated."}, {"response": 483, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (19:39)", "body": "And I didn't miss your winkie, either. ;-)))"}, {"response": 484, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (20:02)", "body": "RE: MG's Passion of Christ... (Karen) all these church leaders encouraging their congregants to take their children regardless of age I think you may be referring to more of the fringe, ultra-orthodox, right wing Christian sects. I don't know too many 'mainstream' Catholic churches that are pushing their under-age congregants to see this film en masse. (Mari) As a modern Catholic, taught that *all* are guilty and that Jesus died for all the sins that were ever committed and all that would ever be committed, it wouldn't even occur to me to assign blame to any group I agree. I also consider myself a modern Catholic. Was raised in the faith but like many in my position, I tend to *pick and choose* those tenants by which I lead my life. I'm also raising 2 kids in the Catholic church. I was never taught that the *Jews* *murdered* Christ but am surprised to learn how many non-Catholics think the Catholics teach and promote this anti-semitic view. Even my DH (who is Jewish) was always brought up to think the Catholics promulgated this belief. (It took a long time to convince him otherwise.) My concern about this film is that it will merely fuel the flames of the virulent anti-semitism that's the root of so many global problems right now. I can't help but suspect MG's motives given his affiliation with Opus Dei (a bunch of wackos, IMO), and his father's well documented vilification of the Jews. MG has been 'on record' on more than one occaision supporting his father's positions. I have doubts about him making this film merely for the 'love of Christ', as opposed to furthering his extreme religious agendas. The Christ I was taught to follow was accepting of all comers."}, {"response": 485, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (20:53)", "body": "(Dorine)I know you didn't like POTC. I did despite it being too long (as was all of the LOTR films), but IMO, JD saved that movie. I absolutely would have thought it crap if he wasn't in it. Same can be said for Once Upon a Time in Mexico with he and Antonio Banderas. I think both movies were raised above being just mediocre or downright awful because of him. I find that to be a gift. I just finally caught POTC on Sat ala DVD . .and I agree . .other than JD, the film itself was really nothing that great . .some neat special effects and all . .his performance made the film for me. Did you catch any of JD on The Actor's Studio? Found it interesting how he starts on his characters via flashes of images he gets . .hard to describe it exactly the way he did . .also as an actor, do enjoy how varying his roles are, how he broke away from being a Hollywood product and took his career into his own hands . . RE: The Passion - Am curious to see the film, as is my DH . .and will also wait to give commentary aafter we see it. But given our spiritual backgrounds/current spiritual paths, it will be interesting seeing it in my current mindset, as opposed to say it coming out 6 years ago or so. (Both of us are former Catholics, DH more an agnostic now, with a penchant for Buddhism and I consider myself an eccelctic spiritualist/pagan;)"}, {"response": 486, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (21:47)", "body": "Sam Mendes is listed for Charlie Rose tonight for anyone interested."}, {"response": 487, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (22:04)", "body": "Oops, CR just said Sam Mendes will be on later in the week."}, {"response": 488, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 2004 (23:41)", "body": "(Karen) all these church leaders encouraging their congregants to take their children regardless of age Teens to See 'Passion' With Church Groups Mon Feb 23, 5:41 PM ET By MARTHA IRVINE, AP National Writer CHICAGO - At first, Emily Schemelia wasn't sure she wanted to see \"The Passion of the Christ,\" fearing that Mel Gibson (news)'s movie about the crucifixion might give her nightmares. \"It looks scary!\" the 13-year-old from East Windsor, N.J., says of the film that has some wondering if it's too graphic and violent for young people. Still, despite its R-rating, she and many other youth will be among those flocking this week to see the film \ufffd with their parents' blessing. Emily decided she wants to go because \"it's true; it's in a different language; and it's supposed to give you the effect that you're there.\" Some teens will see the film with church youth groups that have booked tickets well in advance. Others are going with their parents, often Christians who see this as a chance to reinforce biblical teaching or to spur discussion. \"I'd want to see the movie, anyway,\" says Novel Tooley, a Baptist from Atlanta who plans to accompany 13-year-old stepson Ray and his church youth group when they see the movie this weekend. \"And I think it's going to be an important experience for him.\" Ray agrees. \"I'm excited and curious to see what it's about,\" says the teen, who viewed clips from the film at his church over the weekend and thought it was \"pretty true\" to the biblical story. His youth group is one of a few that will view the film while taking part in a \"30-hour famine,\" a fast and hunger fund-raiser sponsored by the nonprofit group World Vision. Some Christian publishers, such as Michigan-based Zondervan, also are providing discussion guides for students and others who see the movie. But even with its religious theme, not everyone thinks most young people are ready to see a movie that a Time magazine reviewer said was best suited for \"true believers with cast-iron stomachs.\" Some worry that the movie has anti-Jewish undertones, which Gibson has denied. \"I think many kids are going to come out of the film asking 'Why did the Jews hate Jesus so much?'\" says Jonathan Schwartz, assistant director of the American Jewish Committee's Chicago chapter. He saw the film at a screening at a Christian church last month. \"Because the film reasserts so many hurtful and discredited anti-Jewish characterizations, it troubles us.\" At the same time, he remains hopeful that the film could spur positive interreligious dialogue. Still others think Gibson's movie focusses too much on the prolonged gore of Christ's death to be suitable for young people \ufffd and not enough on his life. \"He is a powerful director who's too obsessed with blood and rage. And that doesn't sit well with the adolescent tendency toward extreme emotions,\" says Marc Gopin, director of the Center for World Religions, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University. Jimmy Lee, a youth pastor at the Chinese Evangelical Church of San Diego, says parents were \"definitely\" concerned when he suggested teens from the church see the movie. In the end, church leaders and parents decided to let them go, concurring that \"the violence has a message and a purpose. And it does not glorify evil,\" Lee says. But, he adds, each teen who attends must have a permission slip signed by a parent. At least one child development expert says that parents should be trusted to know their children \ufffd and whether violent images tend to trouble them. \"Parents know their children better than anyone,\" says George Scarlett, an assistant professor at Tufts University in Boston whose work includes research on spiritual and religious development. \"Violence for one child may be a very different experience than violence for another.\" Mary Chastain, a United Methodist youth minister in Eureka, Mo., saw the movie at a conference last fall. She doesn't think children younger than 10 should see it. But she calls it a \"wonderful, wonderful film\" \ufffd and plans to take her church's youth group to see it Friday. (The age range on the registration page for the film's Web site starts at 13.) Chastain says youth in her group have been asking her, \"'How bloody is it?'\" \"And they did want to know also if I felt it was truthful \ufffd if I felt it was according to the Bible and historic fact,\" she added. She does. Fran Capo, a Roman Catholic in New York, says she gets that same sense. That's why she plans to take 15-year-old son Spencer to see the film. \"Mainly,\" she says, \"I don't think there is really going to be anything new that wasn't already in the Bible.\" [Ed. note - Boy has she got another thing coming, I suspect.] On the Net: Official film site: http://www.thepassionofchrist.com/ http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=529&e=2&u=/ap/20040223/ap_en_mo/film_passion_youth"}, {"response": 489, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 2004 (09:47)", "body": "(Moon) LOTR would not have worked for me if there were no acting involved. The best acting in movie 2 was by that computer-generated character IMO. Still haven't seen #3. Must go this week sometime. ;-) (Irvine AP) At least one child development expert says that parents should be trusted to know their children \ufffd and whether violent images tend to trouble them. \"Parents know their children better than anyone,\" says George Scarlett, an assistant professor at Tufts University in Boston whose work includes research on spiritual and religious development. \"Violence for one child may be a very different experience than violence for another.\" Does no one question why there are Bible books for children? :-("}, {"response": 490, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 2004 (09:56)", "body": "Here's Roger Ebert's review: THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST / **** (R) February 24, 2004 BY ROGER EBERT FILM CRITIC If ever there was a film with the correct title, that film is Mel Gibson's \"The Passion of the Christ.\" Although the word passion has become mixed up with romance, its Latin origins refer to suffering and pain; later Christian theology broadened that to include Christ's love for mankind, which made him willing to suffer and die for us. The movie is 126 minutes long, and I would guess that at least 100 of those minutes, maybe more, are concerned specifically and graphically with the details of the torture and death of Jesus. This is the most violent film I have ever seen. I prefer to evaluate a film on the basis of what it intends to do, not on what I think it should have done. It is clear that Mel Gibson wanted to make graphic and inescapable the price that Jesus paid (as Christians believe) when he died for our sins. Anyone raised as a Catholic will be familiar with the stops along the way; the screenplay is inspired not so much by the Gospels as by the 14 Stations of the Cross. As an altar boy, serving during the Stations on Friday nights in Lent, I was encouraged to meditate on Christ's suffering, and I remember the chants as the priest led the way from one station to another: At the Cross, her station keeping ... Stood the mournful Mother weeping ... Close to Jesus to the last. For we altar boys, this was not necessarily a deep spiritual experience. Christ suffered, Christ died, Christ rose again, we were redeemed, and let's hope we can get home in time to watch the Illinois basketball game on TV. What Gibson has provided for me, for the first time in my life, is a visceral idea of what the Passion consisted of. That his film is superficial in terms of the surrounding message -- that we get only a few passing references to the teachings of Jesus -- is, I suppose, not the point. This is not a sermon or a homily, but a visualization of the central event in the Christian religion. Take it or leave it. David Ansen, a critic I respect, finds in Newsweek that Gibson has gone too far. \"The relentless gore is self-defeating,\" he writes. \"Instead of being moved by Christ's suffering or awed by his sacrifice, I felt abused by a filmmaker intent on punishing an audience, for who knows what sins.\" This is a completely valid response to the film, and I quote Ansen because I suspect he speaks for many audience members, who will enter the theater in a devout or spiritual mood and emerge deeply disturbed. You must be prepared for whippings, flayings, beatings, the crunch of bones, the agony of screams, the cruelty of the sadistic centurions, the rivulets of blood that crisscross every inch of Jesus' body. Some will leave before the end. This is not a Passion like any other ever filmed. Perhaps that is the best reason for it. I grew up on those pious Hollywood biblical epics of the 1950s, which looked like holy cards brought to life. I remember my grin when Time magazine noted that Jeffrey Hunter, starring as Christ in \"King of Kings\" (1961), had shaved his armpits. (Not Hunter's fault; the film's Crucifixion scene had to be re-shot because preview audiences objected to Jesus' hairy chest.) If it does nothing else, Gibson's film will break the tradition of turning Jesus and his disciples into neat, clean, well-barbered middle-class businessmen. They were poor men in a poor land. I debated Martin Scorsese's \"The Last Temptation of Christ\" with commentator Michael Medved before an audience from a Christian college, and was told by an audience member that the characters were filthy and needed haircuts. The Middle East in biblical times was a Jewish community occupied against its will by the Roman Empire, and the message of Jesus was equally threatening to both sides: to the Romans, because he was a revolutionary, and to the establishment of Jewish priests, because he preached a new covenant and threatened the status quo. In the movie's scenes showing Jesus being condemned to death, the two main players are Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, and Caiaphas, the Jewish high priest. Both men want to keep the lid on, and while neither is especially eager to see Jesus crucified, they live in a harsh time when such a man is dangerous. Pilate is seen going through his well-known doubts before finally washing his hands of the matter and turning Jesus over to the priests, but Caiaphas, who also had doubts, is not seen as sympathetically. The critic Steven D. Greydanus, in a useful analysis of the film, writes: \"The film omits the canonical line from John's gospel in which Caiaphas argues that it is better for one man to die for the people [so] that the nation be saved. \"Had Gibson retained this line, perhaps giving Caiaphas a measure of the inner conflict he gave to Pilate, it could have underscored the similarities between Caiaphas and Pilate and helped defuse the issue of anti-Semitism.\" This scene and others might justif"}, {"response": 491, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 2004 (10:36)", "body": "That his film is superficial in terms of the surrounding message -- that we get only a few passing references to the teachings of Jesus -- is, I suppose, not the point. This is not a sermon or a homily, but a visualization of the central event in the Christian religion. Take it or leave it. Amen! No race, no man, no priest, no governor, no executioner killed Jesus; he died by God's will to fulfill his purpose, and with our sins we all killed him. The mob killed Jesus. Thanks, Mari! A level headed Ebert comes through."}, {"response": 492, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 2004 (10:40)", "body": "A nonsectarian, commercial interlude: ;-) N.Y. Jeweler to Launch 'Sex' Necklaces When Carrie Bradshaw broke her Russian lover's heart and the necklace he'd given her in the \"Sex and the City\" finale, the jewelry had a stunt double. The real necklace, consisting of nine diamond beads on a platinum chain and valued at $55,000, remains intact, said New York jeweler Fred Leighton. A crystal and silver version was used in the scene in which Carrie, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, ends her romance with an artist played by Mikhail Baryshnikov. The 20-carat diamond piece was designed for the HBO show at Parker's request, said Leighton, whose Fred Leighton Rare Collectible Jewels has supplied other pieces to the series that ended its six-season run on Sunday. While \"Sex and the City\" started other fashion trends, serious cash is required for those who want this bauble. Leighton is making a 10-carat, $25,000 version and has already sold a half-dozen. Is he prepared for knockoffs? \"Probably. Who cares? Then we go on to the next thing,\" he said Monday. In the series, Carrie is happy to end up with Mr. Big (Chris Noth) and a simple nameplate necklace spelling out her first name. But Parker is interested in obtaining the diamond piece, Leighton said. The actual necklace from the show remains at his store and it's uncertain if it will be sold, said Leighton, who has a private collection that includes pieces owned by the Duchess of Windsor, Wallis Simpson."}, {"response": 493, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 2004 (12:27)", "body": "(RE)I myself am no longer religious in the sense that a long-ago altar boy thought he should be, but I can respond to the power of belief whether I agree or not, and when I find it in a film, I must respect it. (RE)This is not a criticism but an observation; the film is unsuitable for younger viewers, but works powerfully for those who can endure it. And I respect RE for being a voice of reason. Thanks, Mari."}, {"response": 494, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 2004 (15:55)", "body": "Yesterday Murph posted an article from TIME on \"The Passion of Christ\". But it was not a review, it was a Viewpoiint article. Here is the review written by Richard Corliss entertainment editor of TIME. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101040301-593580,00.html"}, {"response": 495, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 2004 (17:33)", "body": "(**applauds Ebert**) Very nice write up! Thanks for posting it Mari!"}, {"response": 496, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 2004 (10:24)", "body": "(Evelyn) Beats me why Jack Nicholson keeps getting awards for the same ole. Thank you! (Moon) Pish, posh. I happen to like JD very much... POTC isn't a great movie but it's entertaining, fun and a good pirate movie. And JD made it work. Actors are always saying how comedy is so much harder than drama. It's about time they walk the walk and show their appreciation when peers pull it off - this from someone with a low opinion of awards shows ;-) (Moon)... and add that LOTR would not have worked for me if there were no acting involved. (Karen) The best acting in movie 2 was by that computer-generated character IMO. Thanks to the acting talents of AS. The LOTR cast as a whole did a wonderful job. Besides, even Finding Nemo needed actors. Machines may rise but they will never take over! Well, not in my lifetime anyway ;-) (Irvine AP) At least one child development expert says that parents should be trusted to know their children. (Moon) In fact my husband and I are going to see it first and see it we should have the boys see it. That's called parenting. You go girl!"}, {"response": 497, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 2004 (12:01)", "body": "Now for some utter fluff... the AOL Moviegoer awards! Hottest song - from Love Actually \"The trouble with love is\" by Kelly Clarkson. Oh yeah, JD won best actor too;-)"}, {"response": 498, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 2004 (12:19)", "body": "Only read part of the review at from the NY Times print edition this morning of TPOTC, but he (A.O. Scott) gets the point/my point from earlier regarding showing it as it realistically may have been vs \"showing the love\" per se. Can't post it as I've been knocked offline at home and I have only time where I'm at for a quick check in for mail and peeking here. Not sure when I can check back in. :-((("}, {"response": 499, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 2004 (16:01)", "body": "You can read reviews from the major news outlets at metacritic; the NY Times one is there also, Dorine. http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/passionofthechrist/"}, {"response": 500, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (07:13)", "body": "Am not surprised; this got great reviews at Sundance: The Machinist Operating at Paramount Classics Source: The Hollywood Reporter Thursday, February 26, 2004 Paramount Classics has snapped up distribution rights from Filmax International to Brad Anderson's Sundance Film Festival selection The Machinist, starring Christian Bale. The speciality division has aquired rights to the film in North America, the UK, South Africa, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand. It is planning a late-2004 release. The film, which also recently screened at the Berlin International Film Festival, stars Bale as factory machinist Trevor Reznik, who has not slept in a year. His lack of sleep has led to a deterioration in his physical and mental health, and he struggles to come to terms with his breakdown. Jennifer Jason Leigh, Michael Ironside, Aitana Sanchez Gijon and John Sharian also star."}, {"response": 501, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (07:18)", "body": "This was too juicy not to share. From the NY Post's Page Six column: WHICH Broadway hunk lost his chance at being the next James Bond because of rumors he's gay? The movie's producers found out he was a little too close to his male assistant, and were worried about the secret getting out and weakening the Bond machismo . ."}, {"response": 502, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (07:57)", "body": "LOL! So who was on that list again?"}, {"response": 503, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (08:02)", "body": "*hint hint* Broadway hunk. \"When my baby smiles at me, I go to Rio, Rio de Janeiro. Oh me oh my O...\" (Mari) This was too juicy not to share. When I read that I was sure you were going to post this item: New Line Cinema has picked up North American distribution rights to writer-director Mike Binder's The Upside of Anger, a dramedy about an alcoholic suburban housewife raising four headstrong daughters, with an ensemble cast headed by Kevin Costner and Joan Allen. After being abandoned by her husband, Allen's character finds her life changed when a once-great baseball star (Costner) steps in as her drinking buddy and becomes an ad-hoc member of the dysfunctional family. The film also stars Erika Christensen, Evan Rachel Wood, Keri Russell, Alicia Witt and Binder."}, {"response": 504, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (08:22)", "body": "(Karen) *hint hint* Broadway hunk. \"When my baby smiles at me, I go to Rio, Rio de Janeiro. Oh me oh my O...\" Gotta be Hugh Jackman?"}, {"response": 505, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (09:57)", "body": "I need to reboot spring.net today, there will be about 5 minutes of downtime at 11 am. Please be patient at this time."}, {"response": 506, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (13:18)", "body": "(Karen) *hint hint* Broadway hunk. \"When my baby smiles at me, I go to Rio, Rio de Janeiro. Oh me oh my O...\" Gotta be Hugh Jackman? You mean it's not Barry Manilow?"}, {"response": 507, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (13:21)", "body": "Gotta be Hugh Jackman? That was my first thought too, but what a pity. So the marriage is scam, or is his wife a dike who wanted to conceive a child? Where's Bush when you need him? ;-)"}, {"response": 508, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (13:57)", "body": "(Moon)Where's Bush when you need him? ;-) He's at my house counseling the DH to pick up his socks and come in to dinner in a timely fashion. ;-))"}, {"response": 509, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (15:25)", "body": "(Moon) So the marriage is scam, or is his wife a dike who wanted to conceive a child? I have a good friend who is gay, married, a father, and very devoted to his family. I think some people very much want a conventional life and the same things that most of us want--a home, family, children, etc. My friend is determined to have those things even though it means sublimating a part of his character. So . . . it does happen, and probably more often than we might think. As for Hugh, I still think he'd make a great Bond. He's a star."}, {"response": 510, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (16:48)", "body": "I really don't think that HJ is gay. I suspect this is one of those nasty rumors sparked by jealousy or just a nasty soul who needs something to do. The fact that he's playing a pretty \"out there\" character right now could also contribute. BTW, (in case anyone's interested\" Hugh's son is adopted. Yep, he'd make a pretty good Bond, but I think there may well be another X-Men movie in the (early) works."}, {"response": 511, "author": "locarol", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (18:22)", "body": "I have never thought of HJ as gay either. I first met him some years ago before he was married and he gave no indication at all of being gay. His leisure interests were totally female."}, {"response": 512, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (19:01)", "body": "I really don't think that HJ is gay. I suspect this is one of those nasty rumors sparked by jealousy or just a nasty soul who needs something to do. The fact that he's playing a pretty \"out there\" character right now could also contribute. BTW, (in case anyone's interested\" Hugh's son is adopted. Yep, he'd make a pretty good Bond, but I think there may well be another X-Men movie in the (early) works."}, {"response": 513, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (20:33)", "body": "(Moon)LOL! So who was on that list again? Do you really want to know?;-) (Karen)Mike Binder's The Upside of Anger, a dramedy about an alcoholic suburban housewife raising four headstrong daughters, with an ensemble cast headed by Kevin Costner and Joan Allen Was holding my breath until I read KC and JA. Everytime I see Mike Binder's name I get a panic attack."}, {"response": 514, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (20:41)", "body": "(Linda), Do you really want to know?;-) LOL! Just give it Jeremy Northam. :-) (Eithne), in case anyone's interested\" Hugh's son is adopted. Oh! The mystery deepens. ;-)"}, {"response": 515, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (20:46)", "body": "(Moon)So the marriage is scam, or is his wife a dike who wanted to conceive a child? Fraid Hugh is very straight and very devoted to his wife. (actually adorable story . .how they met on one of his early acting jobs straight out of drama school - a television movie - Corelli , she was an actress at the time). She is some years older than him . .and was having troubles conciveing a child when they tried naturally. .so they adopted. . . they had the mother of the child live with them some time as the pregnancy progressed, so they could bond with her as well. People like to suppose he's gay b/c of his success in musical theatre . .and they are just plain jealous of his growing career, I say . . . He'd make a good Bond . .but I think he is a bit too good looking . .now Clive Owen . .he would be a great edgy Bond, in my book"}, {"response": 516, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 2004 (22:57)", "body": "Again, my friend is also very devoted to his wife and child. Anyway, it doesn't matter one way or the other to me. I think Hugh is fantastic and was more impressed than ever after seeing him in Boy From Oz. He is an all around entertainer--can act, sing, dance, do drama, comedy, and what a dynamic personality! Charisma to burn."}, {"response": 517, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (07:36)", "body": "(Mari)He is an all around entertainer--can act, sing, dance, do drama, comedy, and what a dynamic personality! Charisma to burn. Well said! A silly thing that it's an issue one way or another."}, {"response": 518, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (08:29)", "body": "(Moon) So the marriage is scam, or is his wife a dike who wanted to conceive a child? I'm still pondering the second half...huh? But, no, I don't believe he's gay but he sure was never on my list for Bond."}, {"response": 519, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (08:35)", "body": "Article about the guy who did the soundtrack for TPOTC, John Debney, who you'll recall also did Relative Values. Strange, it isn't mentioned here though: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/columns/music_reporter_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000444578"}, {"response": 520, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (12:12)", "body": "My Oscar predictions: ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE Bill Murray - LOST IN TRANSLATION ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Tim Robbins - MYSTIC RIVER ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE Charlize Theron - MONSTER ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Ren\ufffde Zellweger - COLD MOUNTAIN ANIMATED FEATURE FILM finally added this category FINDING NEMO ART DIRECTION GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING CINEMATOGRAPHY MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD COSTUME DESIGN THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING DIRECTING MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD DOCUMENTARY FEATURE MY ARCHITECT DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT CHERNOBYL HEART FILM EDITING THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM THE BARBARIAN INVASIONS MAKEUP PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL MUSIC (SCORE) THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING MUSIC (SONG) \"Into the West\" - THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING BEST PICTURE THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING VISUAL EFFECTS THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY) AMERICAN SPLENDOR WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY) LOST IN TRANSLATION"}, {"response": 521, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (12:48)", "body": "(Moon)My Oscar predictions: ....... ART DIRECTION GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING From your keyboard to God's ear;-)) We'll talk on Monday!"}, {"response": 522, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (12:55)", "body": "Here are the IFC Spirit awards nominations. I predict it will be a battle between Lost in Translation and American Splendor plus some obvious ones such as CT for best actress. The show airs on Sat. night. Award given to the Producer) American Splendor; Producer: Ted Hope In America; Producers: Jim Sheridan, Arthur Lappin Lost in Translation; Producers: Sofia Coppola, Ross Katz Raising Victor Vargas; Producers: Alain de la Mata, Robin O'Hara, Scott Macaulay, Peter Sollett Shattered Glass; Producers: Craig Baumgarten, Tove Christensen, Gaye Hirsch, Adam Merims BEST DIRECTOR Shari Springer Berman & Robert Pulcini, American Splendor Sofia Coppola, Lost in Translation Jim Sheridan, In America Peter Sollett, Raising Victor Vargas Gus Van Sant, Elephant BEST SCREENPLAY American Splendor; Writers: Shari Springer Berman & Robert Pulcini Lost in Translation; Writer: Sofia Coppola A Mighty Wind; Writers: Christopher Guest & Eugene Levy and the cast of A Mighty Wind Pieces of April; Writer: Peter Hedges Shattered Glass; Writer: Billy Ray BEST FIRST FEATURE Bomb the System; Director: Adam Bhala Lough; Producers: Ben Rekhi, Sol Tryon House of Sand and Fog; Director: Vadim Perelman; Producers: Michael London, Vadim Perelman Monster; Director: Patty Jenkins; Producers: Mark Damon, Donald Kushner, Clark Peterson, Charlize Theron, Brad Wyman Quattro Noza; Director: Joey Curtis; Producer: Fredric King Thirteen; Director: Catherine Hardwicke; Producers: Jeffrey Levy-Hinte, Michael London JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD (Given to the best feature made for under $500,000) Anne B. Real; Director: Lisa France; Writers: Lisa France, Antonio Macia; Producers: Josselyne Herman, Luis Moro, Jeanine Rohn Better Luck Tomorrow; Director: Justin Lin; Writers: Ernesto M. Foronda, Justin Lin, Fabian Marquez; Producers: Julie Asato, Ernesto M. Foronda, Justin Lin Pieces of April; Writer/Director: Peter Hedges; Producers: Alexis Alexanian, John S. Lyons, Gary Winick The Station Agent; Writer/Director: Thomas McCarthy; Producers: Mary Jane Skalski, Robert May, Kathryn Tucker Virgin; Writer/Director: Deborah Kampmeier; Producer: Sarah Schenck BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY Blue Car; Writer: Karen Moncrieff Monster; Writer: Patty Jenkins Raising Victor Vargas; Writers: Peter Sollett and Eva Vives The Station Agent; Writer: Thomas McCarthy Thirteen; Writers: Catherine Hardwicke & Nikki Reed BEST FEMALE LEAD Agnes Bruckner, Blue Car Zooey Deschanel, All the Real Girls Samantha Morton, In America Elisabeth Moss, Virgin Charlize Theron, Monster BEST MALE LEAD Peter Dinklage, The Station Agent Paul Giamatti, American Splendor Sir Ben Kingsley, House of Sand and Fog Bill Murray, Lost in Translation Lee Pace, Soldier's Girl BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE Shohreh Aghdashloo, House of Sand and Fog Sarah Bolger, In America Patricia Clarkson, Pieces of April Hope Davis, The Secret Lives of Dentists Frances McDormand, Laurel Canyon BEST SUPPORTING MALE Judah Friedlander, American Splendor Troy Garity, Soldier's Girl Djimon Hounsou, In America Alessandro Nivola, Laurel Canyon Peter Sarsgaard, Shattered Glass BEST DEBUT PERFORMANCE Anna Kendrick, Camp Judy Marte, Raising Victor Vargas Victor Rasuk, Raising Victor Vargas Nikki Reed, Thirteen Janice Richardson, Anne B. Real BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY Elephant, Harris Savides In America, Declan Quinn Northfork, M. David Mullen Quattro Noza, Derek Cianfrance Shattered Glass, Mandy Walker BEST FOREIGN FILM City of God - (Brazil); Director: Fernando Meirelles Lilya 4-Ever - (Denmark); Director: Lukas Moodysson The Magdalene Sisters - (England/Ireland); Director: Peter Mullan The Triplets of Belleville - (France); Director: Sylvian Chomet Whale Rider - (New Zealand/Germany); Director: Niki Caro BEST DOCUMENTARY The Fog of War; Director: Errol Morris Mayor of the Sunset Strip; Director: George Hickenlooper My Architect; Director: Nathaniel Kahn OT: our town; Director: Scott Hamilton Kennedy Power Trip; Director: Paul Devlin"}, {"response": 523, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (13:16)", "body": "From Dark Horizons re The DaVinci Code 'The Rascal' was at a talk with best-selling author Dan Brown the other day who spoke out about Imagine Entertainment's planned adaptation of his already famous \"The DaVinci Code\" about a murder investigation which leads to uncovering of all sorts of ancient conspiracies and religious secrets: \"Brown said that he was wary of selling the rights to the book. He was first courted by Harvey Weinstein, but found his meetings with him to be distasteful. [Ed note: Perceptive guy!] Eventually he agreed to sell the rights to Ron Howard. Brown indicated that Howard was deciding between Russell Crowe and Tom Hanks for the part of Robert Langdon. Tom Cruise was trying to acquire the rights but is NOT under consideration by Howard. Although Brown has a veto right over the choice of lead character, he said that he will not overrule Howard, saying: \ufffdhow am I supposed to tell an academy award-winning director that he\ufffds wrong when I don\ufffdt know anything about movies?\ufffd If Brown could choose anyone, he said he\ufffdd like to see Ralph Fiennes play Langdon, but said that he knew that Fiennes wasn\ufffdt a big enough B.O. draw to be seriously considered for the part. The budget is set at $100+ million and filming will be on location in Paris and England\"."}, {"response": 524, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (13:27)", "body": "If Brown could choose anyone, he said he\ufffdd like to see Ralph Fiennes play Langdon, but said that he knew that Fiennes wasn\ufffdt a big enough B.O. draw to be seriously considered for the part. Just finished reading this...you can only imagine who I was thinking in the part of Langdon. ;-) Enjoyed the book. Had actually heard some of the MM stuff before... Interesting remark about Weinstein (will Brown ever eat lunch in that town again??). Is one allowed to say such things? ;-)"}, {"response": 525, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (14:01)", "body": "(Tress)Just finished reading this...you can only imagine who I was thinking in the part of Langdon. ;-) . Me too, eh, you don't mean that tall, skinny guy with the dark curly hair who parades around in wet shirts from time to time-speaks with a posh British accent, likes to say \"jobbing\" a lot? If Brown could choose anyone, he said he\ufffdd like to see Ralph Fiennes play Langdon, but said that he knew that Fiennes wasn\ufffdt a big enough B.O. draw to be seriously considered for the part. Oh well that leaves out the tall, skinny guy...but where there is a RF..."}, {"response": 526, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (14:10)", "body": "(Linda) Oh well that leaves out the tall, skinny guy...but where there is a RF... or a younger Jeremy Irons. ;-)"}, {"response": 527, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (15:37)", "body": "PS- I don't think HJ is gay, either, but having seen him in TBFO in January while in NY, he seemed the victim of the referenced gossip."}, {"response": 528, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (15:40)", "body": "\"He was first courted by Harvey Weinstein, but found his meetings with him to be distasteful. [Ed note: Perceptive guy!] Eventually he agreed to sell the rights to Ron Howard.\" Methinks Dan Brown is reading the same book, I am;-) (Strongly recommend reading... \"Down and Dirty Pictures: Miramax, Sundance and the Rise of Independent Film\" by Peter Biskind) for all Miramax dirt from its inception. I recommended YKW (with a dialect coach;-)for Robert Langdon's role 6 months ago and was shot down by all:-(( Look forward to Ron Howard's direction though. OK...now I'm reading \"Absolute Friends\" the new John Le Carre book and once more cast YKW for the leading role of Ted Mundy\"...failed writer, and expatriate son of an Army Officer used to be a spy.....\"[Needs no dialect coach!] But it too *screams* RF. I'm always casting Colin in Le Carre books ,but either RF or Pierce Brosnan get 'em.Loved \"Tinker, Tailor....\" All the respected directors love Rafe. But really, \"da Vinci\" is not his type of drama. As long as it isn't Harrison Ford! .... (Karen)or a younger Jeremy Irons. ;-) *snort*"}, {"response": 529, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (16:03)", "body": "(Evelyn) I recommended YKW (with a dialect coach;-)for Robert Langdon's role 6 months ago and was shot down by all:-(( I remember that! I had no opinion at the time as I had not read the book. I'll not shoot you down Evelyn! ;-) But, why would he even need a dialect coach? I say keep the posh voice. I didn't think that Langdon's being an American was neccessary to the plot. He could just as well still be a prof at Harvard and be from the UK. Hope this hasn't been posted yet. Scarlett is presenting on Sunday (and now why-oh-why woudln't they have YKW there to present with her??) Scarlett Johansson will make her first Oscar show appearance as a presenter. She currently can be seen in \"Girl with a Pearl Earring\" and \"Lost in Translation.\" http://www.oscars.org/press/pressreleases/2004/04.02.25.html"}, {"response": 530, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 2004 (19:30)", "body": "(Evelyn)(Evelyn) I recommended YKW (with a dialect coach;-)for Robert Langdon's role 6 months ago and was shot down by all:-(( No way. Really? I can definitely see those skinny legs running down the halls of the Louvre. (Tress)I didn't think that Langdon's being an American was neccessary to the plot. He could just as well still be a prof at Harvard and be from the UK. Absolutely! See, now. It's all worked out. (Tress-again)Scarlett is presenting on Sunday (and now why-oh-why woudln't they have YKW there to present with her??) You mean that tall skinny guy with...just kidding. Hell, he should have been a presenter at the BAFTA's GWAPE had 10 nominations, there. But, I agree it would have been great to see him present with SJ on Sunday. (Evelyn)I'm always casting Colin in Le Carre books I've cast him as Justin Quayle in The Constant Gardner, and one of my favorites, Barley Blair in The Russia House."}, {"response": 531, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 2004 (06:09)", "body": "(Tress) Scarlett is presenting on Sunday LOL! hope she gets the lipstick right then! Would love to see the man with the amazing digits co-present;-) Me, I'd never get as far as the (Linda) Skinny legs myself ! which is why I admire our R, but........ ;-))"}, {"response": 532, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 2004 (09:16)", "body": "(Evelyn) I'm always casting Colin in Le Carre books ,but either RF or Pierce Brosnan get 'em. I said that in 1997 (which beats your 6 months ago)."}, {"response": 533, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 2004 (13:13)", "body": "Inside the Actor's Studio on Bravo: Eastern Times: Sun, Mar 7 8:00 PM HUGH JACKMAN Sun, Mar 7 11:30 PM HUGH JACKMAN And according to the schedule, it doesn't repeat in March."}, {"response": 534, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 2004 (14:37)", "body": "Thanks, Evelyn! But frankly, how much has he done? I don't care if he is the talk of Broadway. Colin certainly has a longer CV. I saw a brilliant film last night: The Cuckoo. It is from Lapland and done in that language, Finnish and Russian. These three characters talking to each other and not understanding a word each says whilst the action progresses. Has any one seen it?"}, {"response": 535, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 2004 (15:57)", "body": "(Moon) But frankly, how much has he done? I don't care if he is the talk of Broadway. Colin certainly has a longer CV. What has that to do with anything in view of this year's guest slate? They had Charlize and Naomi, relative newcomers, and even Jay Leno (what was that about?). It is quality vs quantity and what these actors, who have received critical acclaim can impart to the audience. There's not a whole lot on Colin's CV worth talking about to an acting school IMO."}, {"response": 536, "author": "birdy", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 2004 (16:32)", "body": "Okay. Remind me. What's CV? (Then I can slap my head and say, \"THAT's right!)"}, {"response": 537, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 2004 (18:01)", "body": "Louise- CV = Curriculum vitae A fancy word for resume, most often used by medical and/or academic professionals to list their credentials and publications. I thought actors used 'resume', no?"}, {"response": 538, "author": "birdy", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 2004 (18:29)", "body": "(lesliep)CV = Curriculum vitae A fancy word for resume, most often used by medical and/or academic professionals to list their credentials and publications. I can't even give myself a slap on the head for that one - nevah heard of the term. Thanks for the enlightenment. (Karen)There's not a whole lot on Colin's CV worth talking about to an acting school IMO. Huh? Surely, I have misunderstood what you are saying. CF's resume isn't worth talking about to an acting class? Care to expound?"}, {"response": 539, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 2004 (18:59)", "body": "(Karen)and even Jay Leno (what was that about?). It is quality vs quantity and what these actors, who have received critical acclaim can impart to the audience. I agree, the Jay Leno thing was v. strange -and IMO didn't belong on ITAS. More of an A&E Biography or Headliners and Legends or whatever that MSNBC show is called. In light of Leno's appearance then I'd have to say that suggesting that Colin should be a guest is not that far out in left field. I've e-mailed JL, ITAS, and Bravo several times concerning Colin. Always get the standard computer generated reply-- due to the volume of mail...blah, blah, blah. This last time I listed as many of his roles, BAFTA noms, Emmy nom, Royal Television Awards and noms, appearances in Oscar winning movie noms--when you put it all together it really is impressive-to me, anyway;-)And I would think that could possibly be more interesting to an acting class than Jay Leno. IMO. Of course BRAVO may have a different opinion;-)"}, {"response": 540, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 2004 (22:10)", "body": "(Moon)But frankly, how much has he done? Hugh's CV:) - http://www.jackmanslanding.com/filmography.html Re: ODB on ITAS Well, speaking as an actor . . (putting biases aside and all) . .I find Colin's career quite interesting . .the people he has worked with, the types of projects he has done, his approaches to acting (as he described in that Backstage interview) . .and just the fact that he has been a working \"jobbing\" (sorry to coin his phrase) actor for all these years would be enough for me to want to hear him talk to any class I was in. So many in our profession are working our tails off to get a fraction of the work he gets . . . Now, as Linda has mentioned . .he might not be worthy to televise for Bravo . .but to talk to an acting class . .I'd definitely line him up. As an aside . .a great book for anyone to read about the blue collar/working actor that I've always recommended for a good laugh: \"If Chins Could Kill: Confessions of a B Movie Actor\" by Bruce Campbell If you don't know who Bruce is - http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0132257/ http://www.bruce-campbell.com/"}, {"response": 541, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 2004 (23:09)", "body": "(Kimberly) If you don't know who Bruce is - LOL...Ohhhh....I know who Bruce is! I don't know if I should admit that! My DH's good friend is a huuuuuuge fan (and into Troma and all that too). I promised to see Bubba Ho-Tep with 'the guys' (they did go see TIOBE with me and it was payback time). Not as bad as I thought it would be....just v. v. cheesy (definite B movie stuff)."}, {"response": 542, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (08:50)", "body": "(Leslie) A fancy word for resume, most often used by medical and/or academic professionals to list their credentials and publications. I thought actors used 'resume', no? In England, CV is the more prevalent. I remember when an old boss of mine talked about updating his CV, but he was a pompous ass. ;-) (Louise) Surely, I have misunderstood what you are saying. CF's resume isn't worth talking about to an acting class? Care to expound? Maybe my eyes are going bad, but can you point to his Oscar nominations, wins or similar? Also, if you watch the show, the people interviewed are 180 degreees away from calling themselves \"jobbing\" actors. Not one of them I've seen recently viewed his/her profession as a paycheck. They've all displayed tremendous commitment and passion toward his/her art."}, {"response": 543, "author": "birdy", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (09:59)", "body": "(Karen)Maybe my eyes are going bad, but can you point to his Oscar nominations, wins or similar? Also, if you watch the show, the people interviewed are 180 degreees away from calling themselves \"jobbing\" actors. Not one of them I've seen recently viewed his/her profession as a paycheck. They've all displayed tremendous commitment and passion toward his/her art. I don't recall HG having any Oscar nods, nor do I recall that he has he expressed any commitment and passion for his \"higher art.\" He has, however, periodically claimed he was going to quit acting altogether. For a TV show IMO, it is far more important that he is highly entertaining. Okay, I get your beef now, but that \"jobbing\" actor remark CF makes doesn't really bother me. I just consider it a self-deprecation and not one that would top directors would take seriously either. (If I had the HTML icon for \"head ducking,\" I would insert it here;-D) I do recall an interview early on with HG who observed that the British tendency towards self-deprecation was taken at face value rather than as modesty by US interviewers and had gotten him in trouble a time or two. I really don't know what the criteria is for an invite to AS, I had been of the opinion that neither passion nor charm was the key. He/she had simply to be a respected actor with something to contribute - but Jay Leno visit kinda blows that notion outta the water:-D"}, {"response": 544, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (10:08)", "body": "(Karen) Not one of them I've seen recently viewed his/her profession as a paycheck. They've all displayed tremendous commitment and passion toward his/her art. I'm trying to figure out how Melanie Griffith got invited to the party....;-)"}, {"response": 545, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (11:03)", "body": "In England, CV is the more prevalent. Just popping in the say CV is the only word in the UK unless talking to Americans ;-)"}, {"response": 546, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (12:06)", "body": "(Louise)Okay, I get your beef now, but that \"jobbing\" actor remark CF makes doesn't really bother me. Bothers me. Not self-deprecating at all..in fact, it diminishes the craft. The inference being :\"I do anything for $$$$\" Any professional knows better. Poor PR. But as I've said before: He talks too much."}, {"response": 547, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (13:14)", "body": "(Evelyn) But as I've said before: He talks too much. By his own admission, he is \"loquacious\". Best that he doesn't talk too much about his private life. Once he got started, he'd probably never stop.....then he'd have some 'splaining to do when he got home! ;-)"}, {"response": 548, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (13:56)", "body": "Karen, what about your Oscar predictions? We always have fun with those. I did mine on Friday so that I wouldn't be influenced by others. My local critic gave the supporing actress to the Iranian woman and best actor to Sean Penn. I read an AP article last week that quoted Renee as saying that she deserved the Oscar. She'll be mighty PO if it doesn't happen. Here are mine once again: ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE Bill Murray - LOST IN TRANSLATION ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Tim Robbins - MYSTIC RIVER ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE Charlize Theron - MONSTER ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Ren\ufffde Zellweger - COLD MOUNTAIN ANIMATED FEATURE FILM FINDING NEMO ART DIRECTION GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING CINEMATOGRAPHY MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD COSTUME DESIGN THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING DIRECTING MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD DOCUMENTARY FEATURE MY ARCHITECT DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT CHERNOBYL HEART FILM EDITING THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM THE BARBARIAN INVASIONS MAKEUP PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL MUSIC (SCORE) THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING MUSIC (SONG) \"Into the West\" - THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING BEST PICTURE THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING VISUAL EFFECTS THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY) AMERICAN SPLENDOR WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY) LOST IN TRANSLATION"}, {"response": 549, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (14:05)", "body": "Sinse you only asked Karen, I won't post mine.;-)"}, {"response": 550, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (14:06)", "body": "(Moon from Friday) Here are the IFC Spirit awards nominations. I predict it will be a battle between Lost in Translation and American Splendor Was a massacre. ;-) Loved the Independent Spirit Awards show; so entertaining. John Waters' opening bit was hysterical and the Sing Alongs were great too. I remember last year, when Jennifer Tilly's Sing Along stole the show. Best part was actually seeing Francis Ford Coppola singing along with the bouncing ball. Everyone else was too cool. The In America bunch didn't look too amused with their tribute, but Kyra Sedgwick and Zoey Deschanel doing Gilbert & Sullivan was adorable. The best had to be Erika Christensen and Michael McKean doing I Am Sixteen Going on Seventeen for LIT. what about your Oscar predictions? Don't get your knickers in a twist. Have just printed off my ballot and will mark it now. Always do it on the day of. Back in a flash."}, {"response": 551, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (14:31)", "body": "(Karen)Loved the Independent Spirit Awards show; so entertaining. Me too. Even though I only had seen LIT and 21 Grams. Don't think I've ever seen the show before. ('cept for the clothes...you wudda died, Moon. They made Walmart couture look good.What was Naomi Watts thinking when she put that outfit on.) The Sing-a-long was a hoot.Papa Coppola , so proud of his little girl. Did you see him whistling when she won! Big night for LIT, where was SJ? Nice that the cast for 21 Grams showed up in support of the film for special award. Liked the speech by Director Alejandro Gonz\ufffdlez I\ufffd\ufffdrritu. That's what I call a classy acceptance speech centered around his craft! Agree with your predictions, except I think Sean Penn will win. Though I would like to see Bill Murray."}, {"response": 552, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (14:51)", "body": "(Evelyn) What was Naomi Watts thinking when she put that outfit on.) That was pretty hideous. Looked like a vintage child's party dress or a maternity top with those capri pants. Ugh! v. bad OK, here are my predictions and I'm sure I put much too much effort into them since there's an inverse relationship between research and accuracy. ;-) Best Picture: LOTR will (Mystic River should) Best Director: Peter Jackson will and should (for the three-year effort) Best Actor: Sean Penn should and will Best Actress: Charlize Theron should and will but there has to be an upset somewhere and it usually occurs in the supporting actor category (Please note: I said usually, not always. Anyone can find exceptions.) Best Supporting Actor: Tim Robbins should and will, but I would love to see Djimon Hounsou get it Best Supporting Actress: Shohreh Aghdashloo will upset RZ, but I'd still like to see Patricia Clarkson get it Adapted Screenplay: LOTR crowd (been nominated three times with no wins in this category), though I agree with Moon that American Splendor should've Original Screenplay: Sofia's no matter what Cinematography: Seabiscuit, though my pref would be City of God or GWAPE Documentary: Who knows Foreign Language Film: I'd pick The Barbarian Invasions but the people who vote in this category (and documentary) are rather strange and more likely to pick something terribly obscure Animated: Finding Nemo Original Score: Not a clue and not a single memorable one in the bunch. Both Horner and Shore won in the last two years, so maybe it is Thomas Newman's turn. Original Song: A Mighty Wind. Ooops! Not nominated. I guess they'll give it to the LOTR one. Art Direction: LOTR Costume Design: The Last Samurai Film Editing: City of God Makeup: Pirates of the Caribbean Sound: Master and Commander Sound Editing: Master and Commander Visual Effects: LOTR for three years running"}, {"response": 553, "author": "katty", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (15:12)", "body": "A Mighty Wind's song \"A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow\" is nominated for best Original Song. It was written by Michael McKean (a Christopher Guest regular) and Annette O'Toole (Martha Kent of Smallville), who are also husband and wife."}, {"response": 554, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (15:15)", "body": "And, most importantly, I want to nominate Carson Kressley to do E! Red Carpet events. He's far more entertaining than Joan and makes the effort to know what the people have done. Plus the guy can recognize a Prada dress at 50 ft and doesn't have to ask, \"who are you wearing?\" ;-) Which reminds me, has anyone else watched Comedy Central's takeoff on Queer Eye? It's called A Straight Plan for the Gay Man. Pretty funny, though it isn't meant to inspire lifestyle changes, i.e., the gay guy is supposed to pass for a straight one at a designated place. The first guy who worked in fashion on Seventh Avenue had to be a blue-collar worker and they tested him at a meat packing plant. They took him to shop for clothing at the Salvation Army and he was going to pass out."}, {"response": 555, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (15:17)", "body": "A Mighty Wind's song \"A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow\" is nominated for best Original Song. Yes, I know but I didn't like it. Thought it was sappy as all get out, but fit what they were trying to do. I prefered the final song, A Mighty Wind. It was good, classic and meaningful folk music."}, {"response": 556, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (15:25)", "body": "(Karen)I would love to see Djimon Hounsou get it Oh me too. His acceptance speech was darling. Was so appreciative. Nice when they aren't arrogant and self-centered. Karen) I want to nominate Carson Kressley to do E! Red Carpet events. Definitely. Does his homework and is v. gracious, and hilarious in a non-caricature way. But does he have to keep telling the audience/interviewee he's gay .....it doesn't make any difference. He's terrific in that job. The nail-biter IMO is Best Actor"}, {"response": 557, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (15:55)", "body": "(Evelyn), The nail-biter IMO is Best Actor Totally agree. (Karen)Loved the Independent Spirit Awards show; so entertaining. I always enjoy it! Love the sign along, John Waters... Loved Carson and other on the red carpet. They knew what and who they were talking about. Also hated Naomi's outfit. And wasn't crazy about the Prada dress Laura Linley wore, but I'm not a fan of Prada. BTW, I loved the editing in City of God, and would love to see PeterJ get best director, but I am also a huge fan of Peter Weir and he might take it over. (Mari), Sinse you only asked Karen, I won't post mine.;-) LOL! Now you get right back here and post. I was only reminding Karen. ;-D"}, {"response": 558, "author": "birdy", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (18:04)", "body": "(Evelyn)Bothers me. Not self-deprecating at all..in fact, it diminishes the craft. The inference being :\"I do anything for $$$$\" I always thought the \"jobbing actor\" inference was \"I don't want to be called a 'movie star.'\" Even in the \"biz\" the PC term for acting seems to be the \"work\" (as in \"I love your work\" \"I'm just in it for the work.\"). Personally, when I hear actors prattling on about their \"art\" or their \"craft\" the inference is that they're a pompous a**;-D"}, {"response": 559, "author": "locarol", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (18:53)", "body": "Red Carpet comments. I think SJ looks good in the green - but the satin fabric - hmmm, not so good imo. It reflects a bit too much over body parts. Adore Nicole's Chanel, do not like Charleze's hair - better at SAGs, Samantha Morton looks great, Michael Douglas looks old. Uma looks like she found a Last Sam costume and bleached it. But tell me who would put Joan next to Tom Brooks? Obviously Tom has been bad this past year and this is his punishment. On diet now!"}, {"response": 560, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (18:55)", "body": "(Karen) I want to nominate Carson Kressley to do E! Red Carpet events., Yes, yes, yes. I really can't take Joan anymore. She isn't funny anymore, I think she's just rude. I love CK-funny and knows his stuff. (Evelyn)The nail-biter IMO is Best Actor, Yep, and I'm thinking Best Supporting Actress could really be the upset. Keeping my fingers crossed for at least one win for GWAPE. Too bad it didn't win a thing at the BAFTA's;-( Oh, Diane Keaton-I know it's her style, but please! and MGH looks like she should have delivered two months, ago. I'm outta here until tomorrow. Good luck with all the predictions."}, {"response": 561, "author": "locarol", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (19:01)", "body": "Renee looks fantastic and has obviously not eaten since rap party for TEOR."}, {"response": 562, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (19:05)", "body": "Just as I was signing off Renee came on, she did look lovely and much thinner, but I like her better in vivid colors or black. I think she washes out in light colors. Her dress was beautiful. OK, goodnight!"}, {"response": 563, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, Feb 29, 2004 (23:26)", "body": "Will wait and read tomorrow...too tired for now...and too much Jack (Daniels)... I mean Sparrow... I most wanted \"adapted screenplay\"...sry to those who are ready to be done with JRRT...but am postively giddy. WTG Scarlett, if there was a time to pull it all together and to look drop dead gorgeous, now was the time. Renee, now I may well have to watch that damn movie. Tim Robbins...glad you won, but will still not watch that damn movie. Peter Jackson...just wish we could clean you up....and thank you for making those damn movies. Angelina Jolie...*thank you* ...so much better than the Morticia thing... And Billy Crystal is LOL wonderful. (Except Nicole, I want to be you...to cut Joan on \"E\"...priceless.)"}, {"response": 564, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (00:27)", "body": "(locarol) Uma looks like she found a Last Sam costume and bleached it. She looked like a frumpy St. Pauli girl....wearing a mussy dirndl....she should have been serving at an Oktoberfest! One of the worst outfits of the evening, IMO....if not the worst! Diane Keaton looked like she was ready for an 80s party. (Linda) I really can't take Joan anymore. She isn't funny anymore.... LOL...oh Linda...she was never funny! ;-) And someone should speak to her plastic surgeon. I remember years ago when she did her stand up routine and would just rip on celebs (Liz Taylor) who had too much surgery. Now she's a freakish example of what can go wrong.... (Linda) MGH looks like she should have delivered two months, ago. Twins....and Livia was pretty big with just one! Nicole looked lovely.....so many beautiful dresses. Renee looked thinner (but agree she looked washed out). Really liked the back of the dress (and can't believe I said that...it was a bit 'busy' with that huge bow, but looked wonderful, I thought). Liked the color on Scarlett, but not the all the pleats. Holly Hunter, stunning in Vera Wang. Charlize...beautiful dress, but her lips looked washed out and not a big fan of the sprayed on tan. The men...so many neck ties! LOVED it. Very sharp looking gentlemen this evening. Johnny Depp cleaned up nicely. Adrian Brody was a hoot presenting best actress."}, {"response": 565, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (00:29)", "body": "A few comments... Hands down for worse dress of nominee or presenter: Uma Thurman. What was that? Alpine couture? I noticed our WGN was having a Red Carpet Show too. Don't know who the people were but they were very decent with their questions. Seems like the receiving line went from right to left: Joan, BBC, and then these nameless people. SJ's dresses never fit her properly. Lots of great dresses and the best ones were vintage. What does that say for today's couture? ;-) After a full week of watching the entertainment news shows segments on the jewelry, where were all those pieces? All the big colored stones and chunky necklaces that they said people were wearing. Hmmmm, looking more like commercials... Billy Crystal's opening number a la LOTR: Return of the Host was great, and the surprise bit from Something's Gotta Give was hysterical. Adrian Brody spraying breath freshner: a high point!"}, {"response": 566, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (00:41)", "body": "(Karen) SJ's dresses never fit her properly. Agree. It's as if, because she is nineteen, they don't allow for enough bust room, because she couldn't possibly need it, right? She always has a seam going at some odd angle across her chest.....or she's smashed in or 'dangling' (LA GWAPE premiere dress...not flattering IMO, she looked lopsided there). (Karen) Billy Crystal's opening number a la LOTR: Return of the Host was great, and the surprise bit from Something's Gotta Give was hysterical. Agree! So funny. Really liked the whole segment, but the \"Something's Gotta Give\" bit was particularly amusing...also liked the little hair toss he did when dressed as Legolas. The bit with him in the back of the car (Mystic River \"Wait, this isn't the way to the Oscars!\") was just wrong...but ooooooh so funny!"}, {"response": 567, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (00:42)", "body": "(Tress) She looked like a frumpy St. Pauli girl Yes! That's it. A St. Pauli girl. I liked the crystal beaded dresses worn by Charlize and Naomi. Thought Charlize looked great, a cross between Jean Harlow and Carole Lombard. While Naomi was being interviewed on the Red Carpet, Heath Ledger kept stroking her neck and ear. Oooh, very sexy."}, {"response": 568, "author": "katty", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (03:17)", "body": "What is it with Sofia Coppola not thanking Scarlett at the Oscars? There are only 2 stars in the movie. Does she dislike her?"}, {"response": 569, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (03:43)", "body": "(Katty) What is it with Sofia Coppola not thanking Scarlett at the Oscars? There are only 2 stars in the movie. Does she dislike her? I noticed that too, and when Bill Murray won at the GG's. Not a mention of Scarlett by either of them. Very poor manners by both of them IMO. Sofia gives the impression of being a very cold fish indeed. Her interviews on the red carpet were virtually monosyllabic. I thought the women looked stunning tonight (with a few exceptions like Uma). I particularly liked Jennifer Garner, Renee, Nicole, Diane Lane. Billy Crystal is fantastic as the AA host. He didn't miss a beat and his opening number was a delight. I also enjoyed his tribute songs to the best picture nominees. Best moments: Adrien Brodie's breath freshener, Blake Edwards' entrance All along I have thought that Sean Penn's absence from award shows was due to arrogance. But his comments tonight about being uncomfortable in a crowd of people he barely knew reminded me of Darcy - a man so paralyzed in social situations that his reserve was taken for arrogance."}, {"response": 570, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (08:27)", "body": "Re the comments on the ages of Colin's fan at the Colin Droll thread -- I recently did a small poll on Crowe fans' demographics. Thought it was interesting that his on-line fan base seems to lean toward later middle age. What is your age (generally) Answers Votes Percent 1. Under 18 (2) 1% 2. 18 to 30 (25) 7% 3. 30 to 45 (115) 34% 4. 45 to 60 (156) 46% 5. Over 60 (43) 13% I remember years ago at the old Firth group, we did an age thing, and, if memory serves me correctly, most of us were in that same later 40-60 group."}, {"response": 571, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (08:50)", "body": "What was up with Michael Douglas and the sun glasses? Was he a stand-in for Jack or did he have cataract surgery? (Katty)What is it with Sofia Coppola not thanking Scarlett at the Oscars? I noticed that too, Sofia did thank her at the GG's the second time she went up for the award-but that was only after SJ grabbed her on her way up to the stage to congratulate her. Maybe all was not happy on the set? Or just Sofia not able to focus in front of the camera? Loved Billy Crystal and Adrian Brody"}, {"response": 572, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (09:02)", "body": "(Linda) What was up with Michael Douglas and the sun glasses? Was he a stand-in for Jack or did he have cataract surgery? I think he was wearing the magical Jack Nicholson sunglasses Billy Crystal had from the opening number."}, {"response": 573, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (09:09)", "body": "Probably the most predictable Oscars in years, but I'm happy with the LOTR sweep. Loved Billy Cristal. Adrian Brody is always so relaxed and cool up there. I agree that Uma and Keaton were the worst dressed. I wasn't too happy with the overall putty color gowns and washed-out lipstic colors. Charlize always looks good but remember her purple gown at the SAG awards? That worked really well with her complexion. Also looking rather washed-out were Naomi Watts and Julianne Moore. Even Nicole's lovely gown could have benefitted by a more defining color. Renee's gown was lovely and hid her weight very well, still nothing I would ever wear. And, I loved Angelina Jolie's necklace and Charlize's earrings. Catherine ZJ looked good in red but I preferred her gold gown from the SAG awards. The best dressed IMO were: Sandra Bullock, Liv Taylor(loved her hair too), Diane Lane and Jennifer Gardner in Vintage Valentino: Did anyone notice Jim Carey's elf-like ears? LOL! Nic Cage and Sir Ian had very ill fitting jackets. Jude Law looked great and I was happy to see Sean Penn in a tux instead of a tie. I wish Tim Robbins had doen the same. (Karen) SJ's dresses never fit her properly. And this dress was the best fit yet! I agree she should get a new stylist. While Naomi was being interviewed on the Red Carpet, Heath Ledger kept stroking her neck and ear. Oooh, very sexy. He was actually undoing her hairstyle! I kept thinking put that hand down. LOL!"}, {"response": 574, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (09:35)", "body": "(Sandy) Sofia gives the impression of being a very cold fish indeed. She gave me the impression of someone very nervous. She didn't talk well, and looked uncomfortable. I enjoyed watching the Oscars, loved Billy Crystal, but thought this year the show wasn't as lively as I expected. Loved the opening number, and several other bits here and there, but the musical performances bored me (maybe because I haven't seen the movies), and some of the speeches went on waaay too long. I was sad GWAPE didn't get anything. I'm happy for the LOTR people, but wished the 'smaller ones' could've shared the glory. Renee's dress: I thought she looked great on the front, but hideous at the back. And as she was standing on the stage she looked like she was about to fall over. I too thought she'd looked better in darker colours because of her blond hair and fair skin. I smiled through her speech, she was so nervous, so overwhelmed, I was very happy for her. Charlize looked great, so did Scarlett. I thought the green colour went very well with her blond hair. Lovely. And Catherina Zeta-Jones still looks like one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen on the screen, until she starts talking. That voice somehow just doesn't go with that lovely face. Jonny Depp looked so normal it surprised me, and Pierce Brosnan..., oh did he ever look dashing? Cool and handsome. I wonder if they'll ever find another Bond like him. On the Colin front, I know he wasn't there, but did I ever get a thrill to see him up on the screen twice as the nominated movies were presented? Not the real thing, but thrilling nevertheless. I wished he presented though, of all the presenters no one would've sounded as great as he. I could easily imagine his rich voice with that lovely accent resonating throughout the auditorium. Mmmmm."}, {"response": 575, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (09:56)", "body": "(Barb)Sun: Will wait and read tomorrow...too tired for now...and too much Jack (Daniels)... I mean Sparrow... Tim Robbins...glad you won, but will still not watch that damn movie. Mom AM: LOL. Totally agree...and I haven't even had any Jack Daniels!! Hooray for Renee*doing dance of joy*!! Anybody see the GMA ? They went to all the parties. Renee holding court. Oprah getting the biggest hug of all. Gorgeous dress. Now has to drop 10 more . I want her to fit into the Chicago dress. (I know this board likes 'em chubby;) Not me. I want my movie stars to look like *stars*, not the checker at Walmart.) Catherine ZJ looks like a 20-something now that she lost her weight. Fashion police tonight on E!. Didn't see LOTR, but it was refreshing to see all those Kiwis up there. Not the usual jaded, Botoxed, Hollywood types."}, {"response": 576, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (09:59)", "body": "(Evelyn) Not the usual jaded, Botoxed, Hollywood types. But it would've been nice if two of them (who shall remain nameless) had combed their hair and not looked like they shopped at the Salvation Army. ;-) From the weekend news at Dark Horizons: Fever Pitch: Mira Nair, PJ Hogan and Luke Greenfield are candidates to direct. Drew Barrymore is attached to star and its scheduled to begin in July."}, {"response": 577, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (10:09)", "body": "Oscar Slips of the Tongue Mock Network Censors (Reuters) - Can I say that? The burning question of Oscar night on Sunday was how far to push network censors who had insisted on a five-second delay to avoid a repeat of the Feb. 1 Super Bowl debacle involving singer Janet Jackson's now-infamous bared breast. Uppermost in the minds of many stars walking the red carpet and taking the stage at the Kodak Theater seemed to be a perceived backlash against vulgarity and sex on TV--although most poked fun at the new standards of decency. When asked by local TV presenters how he had voted in the Oscar contests, comedian Robin Williams declined to answer, and descended into the profane when pressed. \"I'm not gonna do that s---,\" he said, then added: \"Oh sorry. I can't say that.\" Comedian Jack Black seemed unsure of whether he had strayed over the line of good taste while telling another interviewer of his regret that his film, \"School of Rock,\" was not being considered for a prize. \"I was very upset that we didn't get nominated for best song because it was a kick-ass song,\" Black said. \"Can I say that?\" And \"Starsky & Hutch\" castmates Owen Wilson and Ben Stiller wrapped up their red carpet shtick by asking a glamorous TV presenter in a low cut dress if her breasts were real. The verbal debauchery continued backstage, with two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks describing a nominee's typical pre-show jitters thusly: \"There's a lot of upchucking going on in some rooms and white pills being taken in others.\" During a pre-show interview, Nicole Kidman chided \"Cold Mountain\" castmate Renee Zellweger over a supposed slip of the tongue. \"I think you just swore,\" Kidman told Zellweger. \"Did I swear?\" Zellweger said. \"I did not!\" \"I thought she said something,\" a laughing Kidman told the interviewer. \"I'm hearing things.\" Even host Billy Crystal flouted the new atmosphere of propriety by paying tribute to the incident that spurred it. \"And Smeagol pops out like the right boob of Janet,\" Crystal sang onstage in a parody song about Best Picture nominee \"The Lord of The Rings: The Return of the King.\" Actor Jim Carrey apparently did not get the memo--he blithely told the worldwide television audience of a childhood incident in which he attacked his older sister \"while she was having sex with my brother-in-law.\""}, {"response": 578, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (10:18)", "body": "Oscar Slips of the Tongue Mock Network Censors (Reuters) - Can I say that? I didn't think lack of profanity diminished the Oscars;-) Billy Crystal was the only stand-out IMO Robbin Williams is on my sled to the tundras anyway. The night before on Independent Spirit Awards Nia Kardalos said she had taken some coke so she could sing the \"machine-gun\" sing-a-long. Funny. She wasn't cut-off."}, {"response": 579, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (10:24)", "body": "This AP article probably contains the most info on the clothes (designers) that I've seen thus far. Hadn't a clue that Jude Law's tux was midnight blue. Oscar Red Carpet Is Nod to Old Hollywood Glamour. Glamour. More Glamour. The red carpet fashions at Sunday's Academy Awards were a throwback to Oscars past as stars wore sophisticated and classy gowns, such as Naomi Watts' stunning nude-colored Versace dress. The gown was adorned with huge teardrop-shaped crystals. \"It's the Oscars and there's so much tradition, I wanted to go old-school glamour,\" said Watts, who wore her hair in an updo and simple, dewy makeup. Her accessories? Dainty drop earrings and boyfriend Heath Ledger, who wore a Gucci tuxedo and oversized sunglasses. Charlize Theron went with a sentimental favorite: a nude beaded Gucci gown by Tom Ford, who just showed his last collection for the label. \"I've always been a huge fan of his work. I thought if he's leaving, I want to wear one more dress,\" Theron said. Theron's silver purse was done by a fellow South African, Lana Marks, and her drop earrings by Chopard featured 46 diamonds and were nicknamed \"The Shooting Star.\" Many stars seemed to go for neutral colors as a way to show respect for the Oscars, said Cindi Leive, Glamour magazine's editor in chief. \"It's kind of incredible how retro glam the whole thing is. ... There was nothing rock 'n' roll,\" Leive said. Scarlett Johannson's green Alberto Ferretti gown was \"apropos for her moment in time,\" said Reeve Chace, author of \"The Complete Book of Oscar Fashion\" (Reed Press). Renee Zellweger again looked to Carolina Herrera, wearing a white strapless column gown with a draped bodice and back bow. She also wore almost $1 million worth of Cartier jewels, including a 73-carat oval and pear-shaped diamond necklace with a 35-carat diamond bracelet. \"I loved the elegant and regal look of white on Renee,\" said Tom Julian, fashion commentator for the Web site Oscar.com. Julian also praised Susan Sarandon's black cap-sleeve, silk satin Gucci dress and Oprah Winfrey's sea foam green wrap gown by Gianfranco Ferre. But Julian said the exotic and ethnic look of Uma Thurman's white layered gown with a bolero jacket and colored sash \"wasn't exactly right on.\" Keisha Castle-Hughes, 13-year-old star of \"Whale Rider,\" wore a beaded whale barrette in her hair. She also gave a boost to designer Liz Mitchell from her native New Zealand in a classy, age-appropriate pink dress with Swarovski crystals in the shape of a New Zealand fern on the bodice. A sheer pink capelet was the perfect topper. \"I feel like I'm floating. It's like I'm having a total out-of-body experience,\" said Castle-Hughes. Veteran Iranian actress Shohreh Aghdashloo wore a red lace gown with a train by Iranian designer Simin. \"I did this on purpose. My heart belongs to Iran.\" The embroidery on the bottom of Nicole Kidman's light green satin Chanel gown took more than 400 hours to do. The top of the strapless dress was simple, with just a touch of lace at the top of the bodice, allowing a necklace of 195 carats of natural green diamonds custom designed by L'Wren Scott for Bulgari to really shine. Sandra Bullock's ivory silk faille gown was based on a design shown in a recent Oscar de la Renta fashion show. It featured bows on the pockets and two tiers of ivory feathers. \"I love the feathers! It was a very easy decision,\" Bullock said. Julianne Moore's Versace dress was a light gray sheath with a lace spider's web embroidery with crystals and pearls. Stella McCartney designed the 1930s-inspired ice blue, silk satin dress that transformed Scottish singer Annie Lennox into a Hollywood princess. Diane Keaton showed up in an \"Annie Hall\"-style suit by Ralph Lauren, complete with a black bowler hat and black gloves, polka-dot tie, matching handkerchief square and white carnation. An elegant Jude Law wore a navy three-piece tuxedo from Dunhill. \"I'm a fan of old-school tailoring. They told me tuxedos used to be made in midnight blue so I just went along with the tradition.\" Jamie Lee Curtis, who normally favors dark, subdued dresses, wore an uncharacteristically sexy Monique Lhuillier blue ombre silk chiffon strapless gown with ruching at the bust and scarf ties. \"I've now broken every rule I ever set for myself.\" Also in blue was a pregnant Marcia Gay Harden, who said she didn't want her Badgley Mischka gown with antique beads around her waist to disguise her burgeoning belly. \"I'm so proud of it,\" she said. Marc Jacobs frequently cites Sofia Coppola as his muse, so it was no surprise that she chose a black dress by the designer. Catherine Zeta-Jones raided the Versace archives to find the inspiration for her fiery red scoop-neck gown. A blond Julia Roberts, wearing a bronze Giorgio Armani gown with a deep V-neck and a gathered waist decorated with a jewel, said her new hair color was \"just for work.\" Other outstanding looks were Diane Lane's white gown with silver beaded cutouts, complemented by simple"}, {"response": 580, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (10:36)", "body": "Williams, Curtis Hold Off Oscars Censor By ANTHONY BREZNICAN, AP Entertainment Writer In some of the last rehearsals leading up to Oscar night, Robin Williams stood in the wings of the Academy Awards stage trading off-color jokes and awaiting his cue. Soon he would be in front of the cameras to practice a presentation, but for the moment he was just goofing around. He took a few jabs at California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's opposition to gay marriage, while joke writer David Steinberg lobbed quips back at him from the shadow of a gargantuan Oscar statue. \"Good luck getting anyone to decorate Sacramento,\" Williams said. \"It's going to be 'early camouflage.'\" Then the lights and music came up, and a still-laughing Williams strutted to center stage. \"My job is to pump him up,\" Steinberg told a stagehand. Williams then continued to deliver an obscenity-laced rehearsal Saturday night that had the scattered Oscar workers roaring. When trophy handler Berglind \"Icey\" Olafsdottir walked out holding two Oscars, Williams stared at the small cross dangling in the cleavage of her low-cut bustier. \"Oh! Mary Magdalene!\" Williams shouted. He clutched the two Oscars to his chest like erect nipples. \"Even Oscar is excited!\" he declared. His routine continued, profane as ever. \"The ABC censor just went, 'Eeech!'\" Williams said. Well, she WAS standing just offstage. Susan Futterman cringed a little, but tried to keep up a good front as Williams came back to meet her, still cracking jokes. Was he going over possible gags for approval? \"No, we were just joking around,\" Futterman told The Associated Press. \"I've worked with Robin many times and he never does in rehearsal what he will do onstage ... That doesn't mean I don't have to worry.\" If it was Steinberg's job to pump up Williams, it was Futterman's responsibility to tone it down. The Oscars begin at 8:29:55 p.m. EST, and those extra five seconds are built in to give Futterman a chance to push a button that will eliminate any racy material. It's the first time the Oscars have been subject to that scrutiny \ufffd thanks to Janet Jackson's breast-baring stunt at the Super Bowl. Futterman remained on the prowl for nipples all day. \"Excuse me, Miss Curtis?\" Futterman said, stopping Jamie Lee Curtis backstage after a rehearsal. \"I need to ask you about your gown?\" Curtis listened, waiting. \"It's not see-through, is it?\" Futterman asked. \"No, it's very elegant.\" \"Nipples covered?\" Futterman insisted. Curtis gawked at her, then called over a camera crew that was recording backstage activity for \"The Oprah Winfrey Show.\" Curtis asked Futterman to repeat the question, then answered: \"My nipples are going to be completely covered. I'm the mother of two!\" \"Not transparent?\" Futterman asked again. \"It's fabulous,\" Curtis said. \"No, I'm going to look elegant and lovely.\" Futterman went on her way. \"OK,\" Curtis said after she left. \"That was scary.\""}, {"response": 581, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (10:45)", "body": "(Moon)Catherine ZJ looked good in red but I preferred her gold gown from the SAG awards. That gold gown was a knockout--Ellie Saab. Gorgeous. (Karen)But it would've been nice if two of them (who shall remain nameless) had combed their hair and not looked like they shopped at the Salvation Army. ;-) You mean Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh? Terrible. Hey, even if you're not a glam Hollywood type, there's no excuse for not washing and combing your hair. There's something SNL can spoof this week.;-) Mostly everyone else looked great. After the GG debacle, Nicole redeemed herself and is firmly back on top as fashion icon. Superb. Ditto Naomi Watts. Loved Renee's dress, but prefer her in a color. Seems like she's dropped some of the BJ weight; looks perfect as is, IMO. Where can I get boobs like Susan Sarandon and Jamie Lee? Yowza! And how cute was Tim Robbins's little boy, spieling on about the environmentally friendly car they arrived in? Looks like mom, but with dad's dimples. Sweet. Kudos to Samantha Morton, my vote for most improved. Vintage lilac lace--stunning. Scarlett . . . liked the color a lot, but the fit of her stuff always seems a little off. How cute was John Travolta? He's keeping the weight off, looks great. Cheers to Billy Crystal, who did a superb job as always. The Something's Gotta Give tackeoff was hilarious. As was Adrian Brody and his breath spray--LOL! He's a sweetie."}, {"response": 582, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (11:13)", "body": "(Evelyn)didn't think lack of profanity diminished the Oscars;-) Billy Crystal was the only stand-out IMO Stand-out? Is that because he was nude during part of the opening spot? Funny there's no mention of that;-))"}, {"response": 583, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (12:06)", "body": "Stand-out? Is that because he was nude during part of the opening spot? Funny there's no mention of that;-)) ROTF. Pitiful little bod. BC has never been offensive when I've seen him. Robbin Williams show on HBO.....whole different story. But cable doesn't count."}, {"response": 584, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (12:12)", "body": "(Mari) Loved Renee's dress, but prefer her in a color. Seems like she's dropped some of the BJ weight; looks perfect as is, IMO. I agree. She looked neither chubby nor thin, just right. It must be hell though to play around with her weight like that. Doesn't that affect one's skin? Strech and shrink..., one might be able to do that at twenty, but over thirty it must be a risky business. Dunno why but I like Oprah with a bit more weight. Is that because thinness makes her face look drawn, or I simply saw her chubbier most of the time and I'm simply used to her like that? Hmmm. (BeeDee) Stand-out? Is that because he was nude during part of the opening spot? Funny there's no mention of that;-)) LOL BeeDee! I wondered about that myself. I guess nude is okay in front of a few million people, just don't do it at home... ;-) In a few articles about the Oscars some people fretted about Billy's 'look' in the nude. I thought it was great that he was willing to make fun of himself this way. Hilarious stuff. BTW: What's the difference between the sight of Janet J.'s breast with her nipple covered with a metal shield and Billy's entire nude body barely covered at the most 'sensitive' part with his hands? Why is one okay and the other a scandal?"}, {"response": 585, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (12:47)", "body": "...allowing a necklace of 195 carats of natural green diamonds custom designed by L'Wren Scott for Bulgari to really shine. Loved Nicole's necklace! Also loved Angelina Jolie's.... Shohreh Aghdashloo's dress was beautiful. Moon, that picture you posted of Jennifer Garner! Beautiful. Everything about it was perfect. The style, the color. She looked radiant. \"Nipples covered?\" Futterman insisted. ...\"My nipples are going to be completely covered. I'm the mother of two!\" \"Not transparent?\" Futterman asked again. That was scary! LOL! Did notice that Angelina was smuggling peanuts! Am I allowed to say that here or should I be put on five second delay? ;-D"}, {"response": 586, "author": "dalec", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (12:51)", "body": "Does anyone know who was the man sitting between Nicole and Renee at the Oscars last night? There was a shot of him when Renee got up to accept her award."}, {"response": 587, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (13:07)", "body": "That was John Carrabino, Renee's manager. She mentions him in every acceptance speech. Also caught him \"doing\" his job on one of the post shows. He was pulling her away from some reporters to get her into the Vanity Fair party. Speaking of seat assignments, I kept my eye on Scarlett, who was sitting next to Sean Connery. They didn't look like they'd developed any sort of rapport. Of course, his wife was seated on the other side of him. Did Jude bring his mom? No Sienna so far as I could see."}, {"response": 588, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (13:08)", "body": "(Ildi)I wondered about that myself. I guess nude is okay in front of a few million people, just don't do it at home... ; BTW: What's the difference between the sight of Janet J.'s breast with her nipple covered with a metal shield and Billy's entire nude body barely covered at the most 'sensitive' part with his hands? Why is one okay and the other a scandal? I have a sneaky suspician that it has more to do with the first being a young attractive woman with perky breast and the other was a middle-aged flabby male (I like BC but that's not the point). Perhaps there's a titillation quotient at work here, but what do I know?;-))"}, {"response": 589, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (13:11)", "body": "The embroidery on the bottom of Nicole Kidman's light green satin Chanel gown took more than 400 hours to do. Shame it was on the bottom-I never saw it. (Karen)Fever Pitch: Mira Nair, PJ Hogan and Luke Greenfield are candidates to direct. Drew Barrymore is attached to star and its scheduled to begin in July. I thought GP was doing it? (dalec)Does anyone know who was the man sitting between Nicole and Renee at the Oscars last night? Her manager, John Carrabino, I believe."}, {"response": 590, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (13:12)", "body": "(Tress)Am I allowed to say that here or should I be put on five second delay? ;-D ROTF!! We could all agree to count to 5 before reading your posts;-))"}, {"response": 591, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (13:15)", "body": "(Ildi) What's the difference between the sight of Janet J.'s breast with her nipple covered with a metal shield and Billy's entire nude body barely covered at the most 'sensitive' part with his hands? Why is one okay and the other a scandal? Well, for one, her actual breast was shown, whereas you saw nothing but skin on the naked body used for Billy Crystal. BTW, I'd bet anything it wasn't really him. The entire segment was special effects and they just superimposed his head on the body. However, you will not get any argument from me. Remember, I'm the one who posted the Time article called \"The Hypocrisy Bowl.\""}, {"response": 592, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (13:27)", "body": "(Karen), Did Jude bring his mom? No Sienna so far as I could see. She went with him to the VF party. There are pics on wire site."}, {"response": 593, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (13:37)", "body": "Thanks. Not too crazy about her brown hair, but maybe he prefers women with it. ;-) A very Greek goddess dress she's wearing, nice, complete with arm bands. Mum probably had to go to bed. (Mari) Hey, even if you're not a glam Hollywood type, there's no excuse for not washing and combing your hair. That layer of Middle Earth should've been rinsed off. ;-)"}, {"response": 594, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (13:41)", "body": ""}, {"response": 595, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (14:03)", "body": "Thanks Karen. I like her better as a blond. Think brown hair for Alfie? Handsome couple;-) BTW I see that \"Keen Eddie\" moves to Wed on March 10th. http://www.bravotv.com/Keen_Eddie/episodes_list.html"}, {"response": 596, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (14:21)", "body": "Wire Image shows Sienna as a blond in Jan. at GG party.Spectacular cerise gown. Brown in Rome. Cute \"huggie\" pics too;-)"}, {"response": 597, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (14:23)", "body": "This is all IMO of course...and Karen, if this is too much, please delete. I know I have used a lot of \"visuals\" The Good...(missing pic that I thought was good, Jennifer Garner (but Moon already gave us a look at hers)) The BAD... The the ugly.... And these are the fashion police?! V. v. ugly outfits IMO..."}, {"response": 598, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (14:52)", "body": "LOL, Tress! When Joan introduced Melissa she said my very pretty daughter... she looks like a scarecrow. I really loved Liv Taylor's dress as well as Sandra Bullocks."}, {"response": 599, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (14:56)", "body": "(Tress)And these are the fashion police?! V. v. ugly outfits IMO... Joan looks sorta Zsa Zsa and M looks like she's a channel on Cable I don't get:-/"}, {"response": 600, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (15:01)", "body": "Agree with your picks, Tress. Look how gorgeous Charlize, Renee, Naomi, and Nicole are. Spectacular. (And I love that they have only-first-name-needed status.;-) I have to add to your Ugly heap; this is just plain scary:"}, {"response": 601, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (15:04)", "body": "I thought this was unusual and very pretty, too, on Samantha."}, {"response": 602, "author": "locarol", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (15:17)", "body": "The \"fashion police\" above look like they wore everything they own, at the one time. ;-) They forgot the golden rule of dressing. Get dressed, turn around twice and take off the first accessory that takes your eye and anything that makes a noise. As for the pale lipstick choices - well that's the thing this year. So the make-up artists follow the trends just like the stylists. I like RZ in pale colours. I think strong colours cloud her face and overwhelm her. The back detail was perfect if one was inclined to think their rear view might be still a little larger than wished for. She was surpremely elegant. And I still think Charlize's hair was better at the SAGs. As for Peter, et al! Egads, tidiness is next to godliness, isn't it? Frankly I don't know how he stands his hair over his face all the time. Obviously they think Bohemian is a stand out fashion statement - very middle earth."}, {"response": 603, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (15:21)", "body": "(Mari) I thought this was unusual and very pretty, too, on Samantha. It was vintage. Circa 1959 but I cannot remember the designer. I'm not a big lace person, but I thought it was beautiful too. Her earrings didn't match though (picky, picky, I know!) And LOL at Peter and the missus...my friend said she looked like Peg Bundy. Moon, Liv's dress was pretty (but rather matronly with the high neck), but I didn't like her hair! Looked like two different styles. Sandra looked nice...but I did like the top half better than the bottom of her dress...she kinda lost me after the little bow on her hip."}, {"response": 604, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (15:58)", "body": "Thanks for that picture, Tress! Liv's dress had a beautiful backside, not matronly at all, very sexy. Her hair was pure glamour with a touch of originality. Sandra's Oscar della Renta is elegant and pure fun. Both very chic. Samantha's dress was from Givenchy's first couture show in the '50's. She's tiny enough to pull it off."}, {"response": 605, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (16:14)", "body": "(Moon) Liv's dress had a beautiful backside, not matronly at all, very sexy. Here ya go Moon: (Moon) Samantha's dress was from Givenchy's first couture show in the '50's. Thanks! I had forgotten that she said that (I think she was being interviewed by my fav, Joan)! I love most of the vintage gowns (remember Julia Roberts Valentino from a few years ago...stunning). Samantha looked v. nice indeed!"}, {"response": 606, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (18:15)", "body": "Thanks for bringing in the pictures, ladies. Re: the Fashion Police, dear Melissa had a wardrobe malfunction before the Red Carpet even started. The strap broke on her $$$$$ Stuart Weitzmans. LOL! Her dress was by Elie Saab, the one who did Halle Berry's Oscar gown (one I didn't like, but I recall lots did). (Moon) Sandra's Oscar della Renta is elegant and pure fun. Both very chic. Dunno about that. Looks more like a dress designed by a committee. Somebody stuck a bow on it. Another added feathers. One wanted a straight line for the bodice; another wanted it to flare. A compromise dress, designed by committe."}, {"response": 607, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (18:18)", "body": "(Ildiko)Zeta-Jones still looks like one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen on the screen, until she starts talking I agree that she's a stunner, but I think her voice is very breathy and affected. Gives me the impression that she's trying too hard to channel Liz Taylor back when Liz was the cat's meow."}, {"response": 608, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (18:23)", "body": "(Mari) I thought this was unusual and very pretty, too, on Samantha. Agreed, I thought it was lovely, funny how *those-in-the-know* are panning it. I can't love Nicole's though, I just look at it and think \"mermaid\". And I keep thinking of floating stairs -- you know, the ones engineered to appear to have no visible means of support? Same thing. Definitely some engineering went on there."}, {"response": 609, "author": "locarol", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (19:25)", "body": "(Karen) Dunno about that. Looks more like a dress designed by a committee. Somebody stuck a bow on it. Another added feathers. One wanted a straight line for the bodice; another wanted it to flare. A compromise dress, designed by committee. I must agree with this about Sandra's dress. Designed by a committee of people sitting in an office. (Barbs) I can't love Nicole's though, I just look at it and think \"mermaid\". And I keep thinking of floating stairs -- you know, the ones engineered to appear to have no visible means of support? Same thing. Definitely some engineering went on there. And must disagree here. I thought it was an exquisite dress on a great bod. Underwear optional. One thing about Uma is that it's a good feeling to see that those with all the money and all the stylists can still mess it up. It can only be a morale boost for the rest of the population. ;-)"}, {"response": 610, "author": "katty", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (19:47)", "body": "Personally, I couldn't care less how rumpled Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh looked. I just have so much admiration for them. They have more important things to think about than the image they project. Their trilogy has taken spectacle, mythology and passionate film-making to a whole new level, and far from being tyrannical geniuses, they are beloved and respected by all who worked with them. They are who they are, and to me their realness adds to their charm. I can just imagine the criticism of Albert Einstein if he were to stroll down the Red Carpet, too."}, {"response": 611, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (20:24)", "body": "(Ildi)Doesn't that affect one's skin? Strech and shrink..., one might be able to do that at twenty, but over thirty it must be a risky business. It must . .at 28 I'm harping at stretch marks on my thighs from ying yang weight loss! \"Nipples covered?\" Futterman insisted. Completely freaky . . . Old Hollywood glam some reporter called it . .it was beautiful!!! . .loved RZ & SJ,NK & JG . .couldn't stop thinking how handsome JD also looked with his hair cut;) . .oh so very love the vintage looks;)"}, {"response": 612, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 2004 (20:34)", "body": "Old guy, long frizzy hair, droopy mustache? Never heard of him.;-) They have more important things to think about than the image they project Image? I'm talking basic grooming. IMO, unless you're home sick in your bathrobe, there is no excuse for dirty, stringy hair and unkempt clothes. As my mom used to say, what does a bar of soap and a comb cost. Being neat and well groomed is not mutually exclusive with being \"real.\""}, {"response": 613, "author": "katty", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (02:20)", "body": "People view the same thing and see something different. I didn't see any dirty, stringy-haired, unkempt man in need of a bath. I saw a rumpled (but clean) teddy bear of a man, uncomfortable in his tux but enjoying with his dear friends the triumphant end of a long six-year journey. For the fashion-conscious, he actually did put out what was a lot of effort for him - he wore shoes."}, {"response": 614, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (06:42)", "body": "Slate: Lights, Camera, Action A post-Oscars reflection on the state of American acting. By Lee Siegel Lee Strasberg: always ready for his close-up The Oscars have come and gone, and the awards for best acting have been handed out. So now, after discussing Charlize's dress, and Diane's hat, and Johnny's hair, and Benicio's beard, it's time to talk about ... acting! It's time to talk about acting because acting as an art with a history of evolving styles\ufffdacting as a highly developed discipline that demands specialized training\ufffdalmost never gets discussed. When it does you'll find vague references to the Method, the naturalistic style of acting imported from Russia into this country by Lee Strasberg and the Actors Studio in the 1940s, which changed American acting, and which, in one permutation or another, still dominates the teaching of American acting. But rarely is there mention of the fact that there were two antagonistic versions of the Method: Strasberg's emphasis on how actors should draw from their own experience to inhabit a character; and Stella Adler's insistence that actors must pay closer attention to the play's circumstances than to their own memories and emotions. Nor does anyone bother to observe that David Mamet has devised the only successful alternative to the Method, training his actors\ufffdWilliam H. Macy, Rebecca Pidgeon, Lindsay Crouse, Joe Mantegna\ufffdi a style that consists of a high, though subtle, degree of deliberate artifice. No, the skill or lack thereof with which an actor inhabits a character on the silver screen usually gets cursory treatment: \"So-and-so played Ted's father with exactly the right mixture of surprise and anxiety that one would expect to find in a 44-year-old tax lawyer who wakes up one morning and finds himself in the middle of a peasant revolt in 1282.\" Then it's on to the movie's themes, to its place in that particular director's work, to its relationship to other movies, etc. When critics do touch on acting, their discussion usually consists of a superficial comparison of an actor's portrayal of a fictional character to how that character would behave in real life if \"he\" or \"she\" were an actual person\ufffdand stops right there. The analogy would be a critic reviewing a Rembrandt retrospective and praising the paintings as having \"figures that seem to have stepped right out of 17th-century Holland,\" while ignoring just what it is that makes them work in aesthetic terms: the balance of colors, the deftness of the brush, the technical and symbolic nature of Rembrandt's use of light and darkness. Writing in the New York Times two weeks ago, A.O. Scott, one of the most astute critics around, made the same omission when he asserted that we are now in a \"golden age of screen acting.\" His evidence was that many of today's films are distinguished by \"the dense, believable humanity of the people who inhabit the stories.\" What he didn't do was define what it is that makes a character on scree believable. Film criticism infrequently considers whether real life is a valid criterion for judgment. It almost never reflects on the possibility that what makes a performance memorable can be precisely what makes it not believable: i.e., the larger-than-life mannerisms and bits of business with which an actor will embellish a role. Critics praised Sean Penn for the realism of his \"prison yard hunch\" in his Oscar-winning performance of Jimmy Markum, the ex-con in Mystic River. But why are hunched shoulders the sign of having been in prison? How many reviewers are familiar with ex-cons? Penn's prison yard hunch is as much a fabrication as Marlon Brando's Godfather mumble, and probably just as far from reality. It represents our idea of something, not necessarily the thing itself. The Method's so-called naturalism mostly consists of the imaginative embellishment, which makes a star a star the way a trademark image or brushstroke establishes an abstract painter's reputation. Such embellishments are not the overblown thea rical gestures you find in a silent film like The Birth of a Nation (1915). But they are \"made up.\" They are the imagined representations of what our intuition tells us would be plausible\ufffdregardless of whether anyone actually ever behaved like that. The question of representation brings us to the question of training and style. Some actors are trained in television; others in the theater; others in film itself. If you make \"believability\" the standard against which to judge an actor's performance, you have to address the fact that verisimilitude is better suited to television than to film, and that it is suited only to certain kinds of film. Helen Hunt, a wonderful TV actress, has not been able to flourish in film after her appearance in As Good as It Gets, and her frustration in that industry has a lot to do with her training and experience. TV actors always act more naturally in serious TV fare because television is a familiar, domestic medium; watched at home, in private, i"}, {"response": 615, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (06:49)", "body": "vis a vis - that rumpled look: The Washington Post -- ABC Cuts Off Oscar To Wear Ratings Ring - By Lisa de Moraes ...And, you have to admit, even 43 million viewers would be an incredible accomplishment for a four-hour broadcast that was monopolized by a fat, rumpled, dreary little man -- given that most people watch the Academy Awards to spend quality time gazing on beautiful, slender, glamorous and, at least superficially, interesting movie stars. We're speaking of \"LOTR: ROTK\" director Peter Jackson, who kept taking the stage to impress upon the star-strewn audience at the (film company name) Theatre in Hollywood, and viewers at home, how honored he was to clean up. You want to show the film academy how honored you really are, Mr. Jackson? Try running a comb through your hair. (It's official, I have turned into my mother.) http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A21212-2004Mar1.html"}, {"response": 616, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (09:09)", "body": "(Barbs) I can't love Nicole's though, I just look at it and think \"mermaid\". (Carol) I thought it was an exquisite dress on a great bod. Underwear optional. I thought the dress and her entire look (the hair) was marvelous, though wish I could see some close-up detail for the bottom of the dress. But I'd have to disagree about the bod. Having seen it in The Human Stain most recently, she's way too thin and has no figure whatsoever. It made me cringe. My ideal of a woman's body is not that of a 14-year-old boy. (Katty) I can just imagine the criticism of Albert Einstein if he were to stroll down the Red Carpet, too. Oh, was he there too? ;-) Equating Peter Jackson to Albert Einstein... Hmmm, the synapses of my brain have frozen up, just as they do when Tress compares Colin to Paris Hilton. ;-) (your secret is out) Great article(s), Mary. Thanks! So true. Watching the recent production of Proof on Broadway with Len Cariou, a great stage actor, and Anne Heche, a great film actor, and several TV actors was like watching six psychotics, each of whom thinks he is Christ, in one room. No one related to anyone else. I experienced the same thing for The Violet Hour, which I had seen here at the Steppenwolf and thought was brilliant, but on Broadway, it sucked. You had one stage actor and a few TV actors. They were not up to the material."}, {"response": 617, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (09:12)", "body": "On last night's Tonight Show, Ross the intern's footage from the Vanity Fair party was shown. It ended with Ross and Scarlett J. He was going on and on about having met Oprah, and Scarlett said, \"I've gone on vacation with Oprah (or similar),\" and raised her eyebrow. It was cute."}, {"response": 618, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (09:42)", "body": "\"Fashion Police\" last night on E!....hilarious. Joan Rivers: \"Last night , the Oscars....today, reality. Back to rehab the unmarked bus picks them [actors] up at the door and wisks them off to Mexico\". She is outrageous. But oddly enough I like her niche. This is fun...we're not talking nuclear proliferation here! Someone has to quit bowing down to these actors and make them feel they're more like gods than they think they are. Apparently Kate Winslet refused to be interviewed and now Joan refers to her as \"The fat one from the Titanic\"!"}, {"response": 619, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (09:47)", "body": "(Washington Post) Try running a comb through your hair. (It's official, I have turned into my mother.) LOL, Murph, thanks. I know *I* have turned into my mother, as evidenced by my soap and comb quote above. Jay Leno last night: \"The only two people Peter Jackson didn't thank were his barber and his personal trainer. (Karen)\"He was going on and on about having met Oprah, and Scarlett said, \"I've gone on vacation with Oprah (or similar),\" and raised her eyebrow. And how about Ross's reply to that? \"Bitch!\" I was ROTF."}, {"response": 620, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (10:03)", "body": ""}, {"response": 621, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (10:18)", "body": "From The Mirror today: BULL'S EYE ON A BABE SHE'S sexy, sassy and still sweet nineteen - so it's no wonder the Hollywood studs are all over Scarlett Johannson like a rash. Add to that the fact that she's also one of the movie industry's hottest properties and it's like a red rag to a bull. Or to one bull in particular - Benicio del Toro. The Latin hunk - whose name means Benny the Bull - was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in 21 Grams, but lost out to Tim Robbins. But on Saturday night, before his big disappointment, the Latin stud was looking for some action - which he found in the arms of young Scarlett. Our spies caught the pair walking into the exclusive Chateau Marmont hotel on Sunset Boulevard at 3.30am with their arms wrapped around each other before getting into a lift to go somewhere a little more intimate. \"They didn't care who saw them,\" says our source. \"They walked through the hotel lobby where there were quite a few people hanging about and didn't seem at all embarrassed to be spotted with their arms all over each other. It was quite extraordinary. She looks so young and he could easily pass for her dad. \"They then got into a lift together. At that time in the morning they couldn't have been heading to the hotel pool, put it like that. They were clearly going to the rooms. \"You would have thought they'd want their beauty sleep as the ceremony took place later that afternoon, but clearly not.\" Puerto Rican Benicio, 37, apparently likes his ladies young. The sexy actor once smooched with British supermodel Sophie Dahl at a New York club when she wasn't much older than his newest squeeze. Lost In Translation star Scarlett who presented an Oscar at the ceremony has been likened to Marilyn Monroe and lived up to the comparison on Sunday night when she showed off her curvaceous figure in a 50s-style gown. When she arrived on the red carpet at the Kodak auditorium, last year's Best Actor winner Adrien Brody pounced on her, telling her how much he admired her work. Nice try, Adrien ... but not good enough to keep the Bull from the pastures."}, {"response": 622, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (10:21)", "body": "(Mari) And how about Ross's reply to that? \"Bitch!\" I was ROTF. Oh yeah! Exactly! That's why I never tell jokes. Can't remember the punchlines. Which fashion mavens were criticizing Samantha Morton's dress? I hadn't seen any. In fact, I watched the rerun of Oprah's show last night and Isaac Mizrahi had her in the top 5. I think Nicole has been given Best Dressed Emeritus status now (except for the GG faux pas), making room for Jennifer Garner at the top."}, {"response": 623, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (10:55)", "body": "(Karen)Which fashion mavens were criticizing Samantha Morton's dress? I hadn't seen any. In fact, I watched the rerun of Oprah's show last night and Isaac Mizrahi had her in the top 5. Joan and Melissa were just on The View and Joan said SM was her pick for best dressed. I didn't see E! last night so I don't know if she mentioned it there, as well."}, {"response": 624, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (11:00)", "body": "I jotted down a bunch of comments on the Oscars in the Spring's movie conference (linked to porch). Angelia Jolie made the biggest impact on me, not just the sexy silk, nipple revealing dress. I just got the feeling that she's on a much bigger mission and had a lot to say but couldn't because she was only a presenter and not a winner. Sean Penn and Tim Robbins have stuff to say and they were winners. They just gave mealy mouthed acceptance speeches. Did anyone see Jon Stewarts take on this on the Daily Show? I think BarbS wants to put Peter Jackson on Queer Eye for the Straight guy for a makeover, but he looks more like he belongs on Survivor as a contestant. Peter Jackson is comfortable in a pair of long shorts and a t shirt and this may be the only time he ever dresses up (for award shows). Looking forward to the Hobbit movie. Slate makes a good point, they should post a sign in all Academy voters offices that says \"It's the acting, stupid!\" But back to the superficial. Julia Roberts looked stunning, she was a close second to Angelina for her dress. And she gives every guy hope, I mean, she married Lyle Lovett. Every guy thinks when they see her, \"that could have been me. I had a shot!\" Billy Crystal was terrific and he has unlimited potential for pulling off a surprise. He's like a master quarterback, making moves and drawing from material as the show unfolds. He draws from about a thousand jokes and pulls out 20 to 40 or so, like a quarterback does from his playbook. Did anyone see him make these comments on the Oscar version of the Baba Wawa special? I've still got it on tivo, the show. Maybe I'll add some time to the expire date. I kind of dozed off on the last half hour so I'll at least watch that again."}, {"response": 625, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (11:01)", "body": "Slippage, sign of a happening topic!"}, {"response": 626, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (11:20)", "body": "(Karen)Which fashion mavens were criticizing Samantha Morton's dress? What I saw was in a People Magazine report, they have her listed (#2 after Diane K) as a \"worst\". Here's the comment: SAMANTHA MORTON: Best Actress nominee Morton shined in the understated film In America, but the same can't be said for the British star's turn on the red carpet. Morton's 1951 Givenchy silver-and-gold couture gown hid her petite frame under voluminous material."}, {"response": 627, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (11:38)", "body": "(Evelyn)She is outrageous. But oddly enough I like her niche. This is fun...we're not talking nuclear proliferation here! Someone has to quit bowing down to these actors and make them feel they're more like gods than they think they are. Agreed! Well said, Evelyn. If I want to see/hear celeb fawning, I'll watch ET or AH. She dares to say what a lot of us viewers at home are thinking. Good for her. So she doesn't always do her homework in terms of the actors' work--big deal, that's not why she's there. As Julia Roberts told her the other night, \"Joan, I could tell you I was nominated this year and you'd say Congratulations!\""}, {"response": 628, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (11:46)", "body": "(Linda)Joan and Melissa were just on The View and Joan said SM was her pick for best dressed. I didn't see E! last night so I don't know if she mentioned it there, as well. She mentioned it on E! News Live last night. On the Fashion Police show, Melissa and Jennifer Garner's stylist weren't as crazy about it as Joan because they said they didn't like the fit. However, one of the guys pointed out that while many celebs say they're wearing vintage, they really mean that it's from the '80s. Big deal, not true vintage, he sniffed, whereas Samantha's was--from '51, from an original collection and they are *not* about to alter that dress in any way (though he said they *might* for someone like Nicole). The thing is like a museum piece; Joan said on E! Live that it belonged in the Met."}, {"response": 629, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (12:25)", "body": "(Karen) Hmmm, the synapses of my brain have frozen up, just as they do when Tress compares Colin to Paris Hilton. ;-) (your secret is out) LOL! Hey! That was in reference to self promotion...how some are pros and some take a sort of laissez-faire attitude toward it all...and now how you could just knock me down with a feather that a certain person is doing SNL when he has nothing to promote...except himself... (Evelyn) Someone has to quit bowing down to these actors and make them feel they're more like gods than they think they are. I watched Fashion Police too...but noticed how not one of their guests critqued the Rivers outfits! I think Joan looked like she was in a dressing gown from the 40s (or thought she was going to be coronated) and Missy looked like Sigmund (from Sigmund and the Sea Monsters for those who remember Sid and Marty Kroft). I say this as I sit in my jeans and sweater...LOL... (Linda) Joan and Melissa were just on The View and Joan said SM was her pick for best dressed. I didn't see E! last night so I don't know if she mentioned it there, as well. The guest fashionista on with Melissa and Joan said that the 'dress wore her' instead of the other way around. But said that she loved it...and that SM seemed to love it...'because, really, when are you ever going to be able to wear a 1951 Givenchy couture again'. I earlier said 1959, but was mistaken. The dress is 1951 and from their first couture show. Samantha was wearing history...very exciting for her and I was happy to see her do it! Anyway, that was the most negative thing I heard about the dress...and that's not too bad!"}, {"response": 630, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (13:15)", "body": "I missed it. Watch the Natalie Wood story. When I did change the channel all they were talking about was the men. They did spend a lot more time on them I guess. Overall, the dresses in those muted colors of \"old Hollywood style\" were predominant. Too many of them = not enough variety = boring. It has been more interesting in years past. Low on the bling bling too."}, {"response": 631, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (14:01)", "body": "ere is one hopeful sign however"}, {"response": 632, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (14:07)", "body": "Sorry everyone was typing out article on fashions at Oscars, which was very amusing when I lost it! It's entitled \"It's enough to make you long for Cher.\" It concludes \"There is one hopeful sign however, amid all these butter-wouldn't melt, goody-goody pretty dresses. This year Uma thurman chose a bizare lace flamenco-milkmaid hybrid - white, but anything but demure and added a big blue sash for good measure. If that's a taste of looks to come, then perhaps things are looking up.\" Thanks for all the pics and comments posted, I really enjoyed them:-))"}, {"response": 633, "author": "locarol", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (15:12)", "body": "(Karen)But I'd have to disagree about the bod. Having seen it in The Human Stain most recently, she's way too thin and has no figure whatsoever. It made me cringe. My ideal of a woman's body is not that of a 14-year-old boy. Okay Nicole is thin but she's always been thin so I guess I accept it in her more than I do in people who have lost a lot of weight in the last few years of \"thin is best\" actors. I think she dresses for her bod. Maybe I'm just used to her in the same way I'm more used to RZ being as she is now rather than so very thin in Chicago. As for the bottom detail of Nicole's dress. The best descriptions I've received from those who actually saw it say that it was \"shards\" of silk chiffon sewn in layers with beading behind on the main dress. Each piece of chiffon was cut on the bias giving a wavy effect by slight stretching and was kind of triangular shaped with torn edges so that they floated over the beading."}, {"response": 634, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (15:35)", "body": "Carol, you have friends that got that close for such fantastic details? Pray tell, the hermits from NZ? ;-) Details sounds lovely."}, {"response": 635, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (15:37)", "body": "Think my favorite outfits are Jennifer Garner and Charlize....but.... Was trying to find just a close up of the bottom of Nicole's dress but was unsuccessful. Here is another look (thanks locarol for the description). I think she looks fantastic in this...hair and make-up v. nice too! And a closer look at the necklace...just love this, think it is beautiful:"}, {"response": 636, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (15:44)", "body": "(Tress)I think she looks fantastic in this...hair and make-up v. nice too! Thanks for the photos Tress, but what is keeping that dress up???"}, {"response": 637, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (15:47)", "body": "(Bee) ...but what is keeping that dress up??? Magic! CGI??? ;-D"}, {"response": 638, "author": "locarol", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (16:48)", "body": "(moon) Carol, you have friends that got that close for such fantastic details? Pray tell, the hermits from NZ? ;-) Work colleagues and friends. (Bee) ...but what is keeping that dress up??? Really good boning hidden in that side fold. Still....she wouldn't want to turn quickly as the dress may be left behind. ;-) Adore the necklace. I always think the ladies must hate sitting down - just think of the creases in silk etc. Nicole has a few across the front just from the sitting in the limo."}, {"response": 639, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 2004 (18:02)", "body": "Only read a couple of posts from yesterday's Oscar comments, but here's a couple of mine... John Travolta.....I saw him exactly 4 weeks ago from 12 feet away and I will say that he either shampoos with Miracle Gro or he's a Chia actor. ;-) Favorite dress among many....Jennifer Garner. Best thing she's ever worn. Emphasized her femininity much better than past dresses. Loved seeing one of my other honeys....John Cusack. *sigh* I typed up a bunch of other comments last night thinking I'd have home internet soon, but it seems it will be later next week, so my comments will then be obsolete. :-("}, {"response": 640, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (00:27)", "body": "(Tress) LOL! Hey! That was in reference to self promotion *hee hee* Yes, I know. But there are some concepts I have a hard time getting my mind around: Colin Firth and Paris Hilton or Peter Jackson and Albert Einstein. ;-) (Carol) Okay Nicole is thin but she's always been thin A number of the commentators mentioned that it looked like she'd lost more weight. (Dorine) Jennifer Garner. Best thing she's ever worn. Emphasized her femininity much better than past dresses. I have to agree and you've pinpointed it well. In the past, so many of her dresses have made her look like a female bodybuilder at a competition. thinking I'd have home internet soon, but it seems it will be later next week Awww, hang in there. We miss you."}, {"response": 641, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (09:35)", "body": "Imdb has pics of all the award shows including Sundance. With 8 photos of \"Trauma\"event...all MS. http://imdb.com/features/rto/2004/photos Some films hosted parties....jeeze you wudda thought Little People, or whatever their name is, coulda at least given out cans of Miller lites."}, {"response": 642, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (13:04)", "body": "Another Oscar note....see the obvious look of disappointment on Bill Murray's face when Sean Penn won? Saw Hidalgo (with Viggo Mortensen) on Sunday. Disappointing, IMO. Think the director told most of the main actors to act devoid of most, if not all, personality. Omar Sharif was a bit more expressive, but still dampened. Or be somewhat stereotypical (the evil ones). Uneven tone...is it a kid-ish adventure movie that has some adult appeal, or an adult movie that has some comic bits to appeal to kids? Plot holes. Think the story needed reworking to increase suspense and drama factor, but would still be appealing to a broad audience. Won't mention more, that's the general idea. It's enjoyable enough for some I'm sure, but the issues I had with it made it seem too long, too. Also saw a little Danish/UK production filmed in Scotland, Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself. Think it's the first Dogme film directed by a woman....or something significant like that. She was there to introduce the film. Cute film...melancholy and quirky. I found it morally ambivalent. Stars Shirley Henderson (Jude in BJD). And lastly.... Goodbye, Lenin! was a good German comedy with subtitles. (coming to you from friends office at NY City Opera. I feel like an internet vagabond. ;-))"}, {"response": 643, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (13:09)", "body": "(Lizza)It's entitled \"It's enough to make you long for Cher.\" So true, Lizza. I also miss Demi Moore in her satin biker shorts, covered in black chiffon. Those were the days. Almost all of them have personal stylists now, so they don't make the awful mistakes they did in years past. Frankly, it's taken some of the fun out of it for me, but every do often a scruffy hobbit and his missus come along and the life of the fashion cop is once again worth living.;-) The guy on Joan R's Fashion Police show said Uma's dress looked like a collection of oregami placemats made out of Depends. Someone else called it a Maria von conTrapption!"}, {"response": 644, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (13:27)", "body": "(Dorine)(coming to you from friends office at NY City Opera. I feel like an internet vagabond. ;-)) Bravo! How resourceful!"}, {"response": 645, "author": "katty", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (13:37)", "body": "...equating Peter Jackson to Albert Einstein Jackson and Einstein are/were very famous people with very messy hair. A contains X, and B contains X. That does NOT mean A equals B. But I understand where the critics are coming from. It's a lot more fun and amusing to cut people down and focus on the negative and the superficial. Whole industries thrive on this. But I'm obviously in the minority, so I'll shut up (as I duck the tomatoes)."}, {"response": 646, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (14:25)", "body": "(Katty) It's a lot more fun and amusing to cut people down and focus on the negative and the superficial. Peter Jackson is a fantastic filmmaker IMO. I didn't mean to be 'negative' of his talent. It's just that this is the red carpet. An event that others take the time and energy to get glammed up for...(It's the Superbowl of award shows, you can't afford a wardrobe malfunction). IMO, it just shows a respect for the event. And maybe some think it shouldn't be that way, but the reason I watch is to see Hollywood types look like...well....Hollywood types. I'm not a 'dresser' and live in jeans and t-shirts. It isn't like I don't understand the need to be comfy, but when you are on a red carpet, you're representin'. I guess what I'm trying to say is that, for me, watching at home, in my jeans, it is what the Oscars is all about....seeing who wears what. And I won't throw tomatoes...it's all good!"}, {"response": 647, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (18:56)", "body": "(Katty)It's a lot more fun and amusing to cut people down and focus on the negative IMO his 11 Oscars for 11 nominations have been noted and praised around here-in a positive manner, but sorry, his appearance was a negative and noted as well as some of the other fashion gaffes--and fashion home runs."}, {"response": 648, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Mar  3, 2004 (19:42)", "body": "(Dorine)Also saw a little Danish/UK production filmed in Scotland, Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself. Ahh wanted to ask you if you had caught it . .was unable to make that screening due to appt up in Westchester that night . .is it something you think is worth spending $$ on to see in theatre . .or wait to see if gets on DVD in the future?"}, {"response": 649, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 2004 (14:44)", "body": "(Evelyn) Kate Winslet refused to be interviewed and now Joan refers to her as \"The fat one from the Titanic\"! Well, she did just have a baby recently, so if she has a little extra weight now, that's certainly understandable. But..... Saw Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind last night in class. Stars Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Tom Wilkinson, Mark Ruffalo, Kirsten Dunst. The latest Charlie Kaufman (Being John Malkovich, Adaptation) script. What a warped mind he has. Definitely his most complex yet. Can't say I liked it per se, though appreciated the complicatedness of it. It definitely helped to have a discussion with the 2 producers after...Steve Golin, Andrew Bregman. They said 90% of the script was filmed as written. Can't imagine trying to read it. I think it will open well on the names, but I can't imagine word of mouth will be great. It's by no means a linear story. Jack Foley, head of distribution of Focus Features, called it a \"little sci-fi\" movie. It's not in a strict sense. But some odd concepts. Very curious about the reviews. They are nervous about it, it seems. My point to mentioning this was I did pointedly notice during one scene how great Kate Winslet's legs looked and wondered how much running and weights I'd have to do to get those. ;-) Also, was opening night for this class term at a new theater down at NYU. The professor's 35th year of doing this class. State of the art. Had some interesting guests in the audience..friends of his there to support him....Cliff Robertson, Anne Meara and Jerry Stiller, Eli Wallach and his wife, Glenda Jackson, Joe Piscopo, Michael Imperioli (Sopranos). Also, a big Hollywood agent we had as a guest a few weeks ago and I think a producer that showed up on this week's Queer Eye to watch a play the \"straight guy\" had written."}, {"response": 650, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 2004 (16:07)", "body": "(Dorine) \"Saw Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind \" Thanks for the report, Dorine. Coming to me in April at the Museum of Art. Sounds like a matinee movie; hold the martinis."}, {"response": 651, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 2004 (16:50)", "body": "(Dorine)...how great Kate Winslet's legs looked and wondered how much running and weights I'd have to do to get those:-) None apparently Dorine! I have on good authority (close friend) who has seen her out and about recently a few times, its wheeling a trolley around a downmarket supermarket, and lolling about on the quayside ;-)) Maybe she does run along Brighton seafront as well! (Evelyn) hold the martinis Thought matinees was mimosas?"}, {"response": 652, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 2004 (18:04)", "body": "Dave Poland at Movie City News on the after Oscar bashes: \"Gossip pages reported sex between Benicio del Toro and Scarlett Johansson, which would produce a gorgeous mocha baby with a voice so low and mumbly that it could only be heard by certain ancient animals in the Amazon.\""}, {"response": 653, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 2004 (19:22)", "body": "Hmmmm. A little PI, IMO:-((("}, {"response": 654, "author": "kathness", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (01:19)", "body": "On Sunday I went into some strange awards-show frenzy, and watched nothing but awards and pre-awards shows from afternoon until almost midnight. Tonight I finally had a chance to read all your comments, and they certainly were enjoyable! I think all of you should be hired to do the red-carpet commentary. Some of my favorites: (Beedee) Joan looks sorta Zsa Zsa and M looks like she's a channel on Cable I don't get:-/ ROTFLOL! You're spot on, Bee! (Moon) Sandra's Oscar della Renta is elegant and pure fun. Both very chic. (Karen)Dunno about that. Looks more like a dress designed by a committee. Somebody stuck a bow on it. Another added feathers. One wanted a straight line for the bodice; another wanted it to flare. A compromise dress, designed by committe. (Tress) Sandra looked nice...but I did like the top half better than the bottom of her dress...she kinda lost me after the little bow on her hip. LOL! The top was lovely... the bottom was most strange -- reminds me of something Ginger Rogers might have worn in one of her movies with Fred Astaire, but those dresses were designed to look good while being whirled around. In fact, in looking over all the pictures posted here, many dresses have strange touches at about the calf area. Must be a trend. (Mari) The guy on Joan R's Fashion Police show said Uma's dress looked like a collection of oregami placemats made out of Depends. Someone else called it a Maria von conTrapption! ROTFLMAO! What was she thinking, or what was the \"designer\" thinking?! I can't love Nicole's though, I just look at it and think \"mermaid\". And I keep thinking of floating stairs -- you know, the ones engineered to appear to have no visible means of support? Same thing. Definitely some engineering went on there. (Beedee) Thanks for the photos Tress, but what is keeping that dress up??? Super Glue? I never have cared for gowns that defy gravity -- they make me nervous (as if a Janet Jackson accident might occur any second). (Dorine) Jennifer Garner. Best thing she's ever worn. Emphasized her femininity much better than past dresses. (Karen) I have to agree and you've pinpointed it well. In the past, so many of her dresses have made her look like a female bodybuilder at a competition. Absolutely! She's a lovely lady, but sometimes she looks strangely mannish. The cut and color of her gown suited her perfectly. (Dorine) Another Oscar note....see the obvious look of disappointment on Bill Murray's face when Sean Penn won? I felt so bad for him. He was marvelous in LIT, and will probably never have such a fantastic role again. This was a tough year in the Best Actor category. Thanks for all the great comments and pictures!"}, {"response": 655, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (09:04)", "body": "reported sex between Benicio del Toro and Scarlett Johansson I'm sorry, but I don't find BdT the least bit sexy. And since SJ is still under legal age, isn't this stupid, risky behavior on his part?"}, {"response": 656, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (09:10)", "body": "(Deb) And since SJ is still under legal age, isn't this stupid, risky behavior on his part? She's nineteen now.....she can shag away. Am surprised at trampy behavior by the \"It Girl\" actually, thought she was a bit smarter than that, but I guess not (and two weeks ago I read she had 30, 31 year old boyfriend....?? Whatever happened to him?). Don't think Benicio is very good looking....but like his voice. All grumbly and such....still, don't think he's shag-worthy."}, {"response": 657, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (09:20)", "body": "(Deb) And since SJ is still under legal age, isn't this stupid, risky behavior on his part? Deb, isn't legal age for sex 14 or something? At 19 Scarlett is sure old enough to roll in the hay with anybody. She is probably underage for drinking (which is sort of funny). I wonder why the media feels the need to report on people's sex life though. It's nobody's business really. Oh yeah, I forgot about the 'sensational' aspect of it. :-("}, {"response": 658, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (09:59)", "body": "(Tress), Don't think Benicio is very good looking.... And he's competing with Peter Jackson with the slob look. I did read that they were all over each other at two parties and ended up in the hotel together. Has anyone seen the new ad for Cold Mountain? No wonder Renee keeps thanking Jon Carabino. I've never seen this done before. It is her picture holding the Oscar from that night."}, {"response": 659, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (10:27)", "body": "You think maybe Scarlett has decided she likes wild-haired Byronic types?"}, {"response": 660, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (10:47)", "body": "That did cross my mind. Should Livia be worried? ;-)"}, {"response": 661, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (11:51)", "body": ""}, {"response": 662, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (11:52)", "body": "These are my favorite pics of the day. Couldn't resist them."}, {"response": 663, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (12:51)", "body": "(Tress), Don't think Benicio is very good looking.... I do.Love his voice. SJ and I have similar taste:-))) (Tress) Am surprised at trampy behavior by the \"It Girl\" actually, thought she was a bit smarter than that,... B-But SATC girls do it all the time;-D"}, {"response": 664, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (13:23)", "body": "(Evelyn) B-But SATC girls do it all the time;-D Yeah. And they are fictional characters (whose antics don't end up by the supermarket check out stand)! I guess what I meant was, don't care that she is shagging Benicio, but thought that with the Oscars going on....and every entertainment reporter and journalist on the planet watching her, she would be more discreet. Unless she likes her publicity that way. Ildi mentioned that it should be no ones business and I agree, but unfortunately that is what the media likes to report (they actually seem to live for the juicier tales). She's so young and talented, just don't want to see her go the way of (here ya go again Karen) Paris Hilton or similar."}, {"response": 665, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (13:43)", "body": "(Tress), with the Oscars going on....and every entertainment reporter and journalist on the planet watching her, she would be more discreet. Exactly! Thy were acting that way at parties filled with photographers. Those two are not naive. Although, it makes for great gossip and it puts her relationship with Colin on another plane, IMO. (Karen), These are my favorite pics of the day. Couldn't resist them. Who are they?"}, {"response": 666, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (13:54)", "body": "That's Jamie Lynn Sigler (now Discala) and her husband (and former manager who is ten yrs older than her); she's the daughter on the Sopranos. He's quite the hunk and look at her hands!"}, {"response": 667, "author": "katty", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (14:14)", "body": "My 21-year-old daughter thinks BdT is the sexiest thing on 2 legs. He may look awful in photos, but in interviews and onscreen he shows a genuineness, intelligence, and thoughtfulness that is both masculine and sweet. And under the scruffiness there's a combination of sparkle and smoulder that is apparently irresistable to a lot of women. Regarding Scarlett, we shouldn't take one reporter's gossip as fact. But whatever happened, anyone that adores Colin and vice versa is okay with me. (What does SATC mean?)"}, {"response": 668, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (14:16)", "body": "(Karen), These are my favorite pics of the day. Couldn't resist them. I can't see them...;-( I'm just getting the ol' boxes of death. Will have to look to see if they show up on home computer. (Evelyn) I do.Love his voice. Really like his voice...very low and throaty. Love it when he speaks Spanish too... Sometimes I think he looks good: Then other times he just scares me...and I can't get the scary images outta my head:"}, {"response": 669, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (14:19)", "body": "(Katty) My 21-year-old daughter thinks BdT is the sexiest thing on 2 legs. He may look awful in photos, but in interviews and onscreen he shows a genuineness, intelligence, and thoughtfulness that is both masculine and sweet. And under the scruffiness there's a combination of sparkle and smoulder that is apparently irresistable to a lot of women. Yeah! Let's hear it for latin men;-D Sex and the City."}, {"response": 670, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (14:27)", "body": "Besides...even *if* the tabloid reports are true... They are both single....No one is getting hurt here. And why is the T-word (like in \"tramp\") used for SJ, and not for him;-) I'm telling ya'... Sexism Lives!"}, {"response": 671, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (14:38)", "body": "(Evelyn) And why is the T-word (like in \"tramp\") used for SJ, and not for him;-) Because men who do such things are referred to by other names, like dog, scum, cradle robber and others too numerous to mention. ;-) The salient point is that she's been seen with lots of guys from coast to coast. However, I haven't been following Benicio's exploits very closely or hers for that matter. May we please limit our discussion to our own opinions, i.e., those who are registered to post here. I am sure we all know others who have other views, but...once again...they are not members of this discussion group."}, {"response": 672, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (14:55)", "body": "(Evelyn) And why is the T-word (like in \"tramp\") used for SJ, and not for him;-) I didn't call her a tramp...I said she was exhibiting trampy behavior (lots of nice girls act trampy occasionally). So was he...I guess I should have just said so...(but the word I use for 'he tramp' isn't probably allowed here). ;-) (Evelyn) Let's hear it for latin men;-D In celebration of Latin men (is Spain considered Latin? Am fuzzy there, but I'll post pic anyway...another voice that I love):"}, {"response": 673, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (15:20)", "body": "The Spring's Bush2004.com is for sale. http://bush2004.com/press"}, {"response": 674, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (15:41)", "body": "Music related and typography related - This is beautiful: http://www.ni9e.com/typo_illus.html"}, {"response": 675, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (18:12)", "body": "(Murph) Music related and typography related - This is beautiful: Very cool! Just had to share that with some friends. Thanks!!!"}, {"response": 676, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Mar  5, 2004 (18:15)", "body": "I need some help in spreading the word about http://bush2004.com . Is anyone here poltically oriented and able to volunteer? This is a domain name sale that will pay for our next generation server and provide for many, many upgrades that we could ordinarily not afford. Email terry@bush2004.com please. Press release at http://bush2004.com/press"}, {"response": 677, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sat, Mar  6, 2004 (08:37)", "body": "Lots of reports in our press too about BT and SJ. There can be nothing less sexy than a man who looks so vitamin depleted and dehydrated;-(("}, {"response": 678, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (12:26)", "body": "No one talking about the Sopranos? Little Spoilers... Tony has turned into a weird, dark blimp of a man! Not sure I like the Melfi/Soprano turn of events. Did like the last shot outside in the dark, with cigar and gun, waiting for the bear. (Liked the bear too)"}, {"response": 679, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (12:44)", "body": "Scarlett J will be on the Craig Killborn show tonight. (12:30 p.m. EST) Wonder if he'll ask about the post-Oscar partying? http://www.cbs.com/latenight/latelate/guest/"}, {"response": 680, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (13:04)", "body": "Sorry, it's a rerun of Kilborn."}, {"response": 681, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (10:42)", "body": "For those who like to see different versions: Catherine Deneuve plays a 1960s Madame in WE's \"Dangerous Liaisons\" BRIDGET BYRNE, For The Associated Press Monday, March 8, 2004 French star Catherine Deneuve falls back on her native language to describe the role she plays in WE's \"Dangerous Liaisons.\" \"A great amoureuse,\" says Deneuve, whose English is good but distinctively accented. She says that translates to \"a woman in love with the idea of love ... really living for that.\" The role is Madame de Merteuil, the wealthy aristocrat whose sexual games and desire for revenge -- in collusion with her equally decadent part-time lover, Valmont -- ultimately destroy many lives, including her own. In this latest adaptation of the 18th century French classic, Rupert Everett stars as Valmont. Natassja Kinski plays Marie de Tourvel, the decent married woman ultimately seduced by Valmont. And Leelee Sobieski is the ingenue Cecile de Volanges, also a victim of the evil sophisticates. The four-hour miniseries airs March 15-16 (8 p.m. (ET). \"Dangerous Liaisons,\" which never seems to go out of fashion, was adapted at least four times prior to the WE production: * A modernized 1959 French miniseries, directed by Roger Vadim, starred Jeanne Moreau, with Gerard Philipe as Valmont. * Stephen Frears' 1988 film featured Glenn Close, with John Malkovich as Valmont. * Milos Foreman's 1989 film version, \"Valmont,\" starred Colin Firth in the title role and Annette Bening as de Merteuil. * Roger Kumble's 1999 \"Cruel Intentions,\" a contemporary adaptation set among American prep school students, starred Sarah Michelle Gellar as a youthful Merteuil and Ryan Phillipe as her co-conspirator. WE's version takes place in early-1960s Paris, where high society still clings to hypocritical proprieties. Deneuve, 60, believes the \"insouciance\" of this era is an apt setting -- when \"social rules were different, a lot of things were not possible, there was no contraception, less freedom for women.\" Judith Orlowski, vice president of acquisitions for WE, admits there's an escapist fascination with this oft-told tale, in whatever era it's set. \"It's a story that totally makes sense for our audience. They love a miniseries. They love Deneuve ... you get to see incredibly attractive people in fabulous clothes in fabulous settings ... it's a little bit of eye candy,\" Orlowski says. In Hollywood to promote the miniseries, Deneuve used a reference to her character to discuss the risks of saying too much in media interviews. She noted that early in the movie, de Merteuil's voice-over muses how the only thing she really has control over are her thoughts. \"That's been a classic theme from a lot of philosophers and authors,\" Deneuve said. \"Everything you keep is your hostage, everything that you say is your slave ... It's true the more you say the more people know about you.\" Although she tries to protect her privacy, Deneuve doesn't object to interviewers \"trying to pull things out of me.\" The actress does get upset, however, if something is written about her that hasn't been checked first hand. The daughter of actors, Deneuve first came to prominence playing the virtuous role in Vadim's 1962 movie \"La Vice et la Vertu.\" She and Vadim had a son, Christian, who in the WE miniseries plays Edouard, de Tourvel's jilted husband. Deneuve's great beauty brought her to Hollywood's attention in the late '1960s, when she starred opposite Jack Lemmon in the romantic comedy \"The April Fools.\" In 1993, she was nominated for an Oscar for her leading role in the epic love story \"Indochine,\" which won the Foreign Language Oscar. From the very beginning, Deneuve was associated with innovative directors, including Jacques Demy (\"The Umbrellas of Cherbourg\"), Roman Polanski (\"Repulsion\"), Luis Bunuel (\"Belle De Jour\") and Francois Truffaut (\"Le Deniere Metro\"). And her risk-taking continues today. She recently costarred with Bjork in Lars von Trier's \"Dancer in the Dark.\" In the upcoming \"Marie Bonaparte,\" she plays the dictator's great grandniece, the woman who championed the work of psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud. Away from work, Deneuve grows classic strains of roses, and she even has a hybrid named after her. But she admits the flower's shape and pink color are \"not really my favorite\" and she wouldn't mind if someone named a new strain after her. \"I especially think for someone who likes roses as much as I do, I deserve better.\""}, {"response": 682, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (13:14)", "body": "This is clever - Link thanks to Green Cine Daily: The Passion of Curly"}, {"response": 683, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 2004 (14:33)", "body": "In the upcoming \"Marie Bonaparte,\" she plays the dictator's great grandniece, the woman who championed the work of psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud. The dictator? Is that what the modern world calls emperors now? I'd sooner call Freud a dictator. ;-D Vive le Roi!"}, {"response": 684, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 2004 (00:15)", "body": "Another funny column by Joanne Scanlan about being in LA: http://film.guardian.co.uk/features/featurepages/0,4120,1157577,00.html She mentions Peter Biskind and his books."}, {"response": 685, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 2004 (05:36)", "body": "The dictator? Is that what the modern world calls emperors now? \"Emperor\" is what dictators call themselves!"}, {"response": 686, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 2004 (08:23)", "body": "Love the JS column!!!! . .ah an actress after my own heart . .have been debating the LA trip for pilot season myself . .haven't gotten the courage yet . .wonder if I did if i could meet hola lola and other Droolers?:)"}, {"response": 687, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 2004 (09:20)", "body": "From Dark Horizons: MI5 (aka. Spooks): Daytime actress Olga Sosnovska of ABC's \"All My Children\" will replace Keeley Hawes as the new female lead in the third season."}, {"response": 688, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 2004 (09:32)", "body": "JS article diary too funny, Karen. I like this: \"What really freaks me out is that they have all watched their screeners of Girl with a Pearl and appear to know us. Hope something comes of it...but doubt it 'cept for the leads. Also like the part of watching BBC America in US. When I'm in UK I run from American TV."}, {"response": 689, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 2004 (09:32)", "body": "I get a plus-size beige thong and a jar of olives and he gets a computer game and a packet of Tylenol painkillers. Perfect end to a perfect day. February 4 I begin to acclimatise to the look of the older women in Beverly Hills. The surgery gives their faces a strange vulnerability, which instinctively makes me want to go get them a glass of water, kneel beside them and say, \"Don't worry, it'll all be all right.\" LOL! My favorites! If the acting doesn't work she could be a writer. I'd look for her work."}, {"response": 690, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 2004 (09:33)", "body": "Wow, she is a shoo in to get her own topic in 'babes'?"}, {"response": 691, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Mar 10, 2004 (09:33)", "body": "Slippage is good."}, {"response": 692, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 2004 (09:15)", "body": "He's Hired! Donald Trump to Host 'SNL' NEW YORK - Real estate mogul Donald Trump will take over \"Saturday Night Live\" on April 3, NBC announced Wednesday. NBC's \"The Apprentice\" features Trump and contestants vying to work for him. Trump also serves as executive producer with Mark Burnett (\"Survivor\")."}, {"response": 693, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 2004 (09:24)", "body": "Apparently, the Americanized version of Touching Evil has Americanized the female lead's part. :-( Creegan lands at the special crimes unit, where he's paired up with the usual sultry femme partner (Vera Farmiga, last seen looking more model- than cop-like in NBC's \"UC Undercover\")....Buoyed by a strong supporting cast, \"Evil\" lopes along well enough before a rather flat ending. Donovan possesses a certain amount of charisma--mixing goofball behavior with a dark streak, in a Mel Gibson-in-\"Lethal Weapon\" sort of way0--and Farmiga pensively pouts just fine, which is about all she has to do in a thankless role. Proving again, it isn't possible to be a normal, average looking woman on TV. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1946&ncid=1990&e=6&u=/variety/20040311/va_re_al/touching_evil"}, {"response": 694, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 2004 (14:55)", "body": "(Karen)He's Hired! Donald Trump to Host 'SNL' I don't think I'll be in line at 4;30 for this one, but I'd love to take a tour and see him rehearse. I bet he'll do a good job."}, {"response": 695, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 2004 (16:43)", "body": "Linda ..and see him rehearse One to keep your eyes closed for tho', no delicious eye candy like last weekend:-))"}, {"response": 696, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 2004 (09:31)", "body": "I can't think of anything of Carrie's that I'd want, but... New Yorkers Shop for 'Sex and the City' Castoffs By Michele Gershberg (Reuters) When sex is over, there's always shopping. On Thursday, hundreds of women lined up outside a New York consignment shop, clamoring for castoff clothes from the trendsetting TV show \"Sex and the City,\" which ended last month after a successful, haute couture-drenched, six-season run. Well-heeled professionals and working girls skipped out on their jobs to buy some of the garments of the show's foursome--Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda--whose romantic escapades made it seem sexy to be over 30 and single. \"We had people offering us $1,000 to come and shop the night before,\" said Ina, owner of the downtown shop that bears her name. Many of the show's signature outfits, from top designers few women could afford, have already been claimed by cast members. Other chic pieces were auctioned by cable network HBO for the actresses' favorite charities. That did not deter self-confessed addicts from pawing through racks and bins of leftovers, hoping the aura of sexual adventure and outlandish couture would rub off on them. \"I'm in heaven. I'm just beside myself,\" gushed Chris Robillard, 31, as she triumphantly held up a pair of red-beaded strappy heels stuck with a $275 price tag. \"These really signify the show for me,\" she said. \"I know they're Samantha's because I checked her size before I came.\" A black sequined Chanel minidress was the priciest item at $5,000, while a pair of red silk hot pants was billed at $70. Many items were purchased by the show's costumers but never used, and Carrie's beloved Manolo Blahnik stilettos were nowhere to be seen. [Ed note: I heard her say she got to keep them all.] Ladies who could not fit into the size \"2\" worn by actress Sarah Jessica Parker (news), who played Carrie, said they would be happy with a memento, or might resell an item online at online auctioneer eBay. \"It makes me laugh a little,\" said Karen Kim, 28, juggling seven garments, including a gray silk skirt with a trailing hem. \"Women try to pick up cues from the show on how to dress and it doesn't always work. You end up being a lemming.\" For die-hard collectors, several pieces carried a snapshot of the scene in which they were worn, or tags with written instructions by costumers, like a pink slip nightie Carrie donned during a late rendezvous with her Russian lover, Aleksandr Petrovsky, played by Mikhail Baryshnikov. \"I got Carrie's hot pants!\" crowed Rene Ortega, brandishing the shiny pink trousers she insisted Parker wore in a favorite episode. \"I've got no spending limit. This is a once-in-a-lifetime deal.\""}, {"response": 697, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 2004 (10:37)", "body": "\"I got Carrie's hot pants!\" Whatever rocks your boat. Doesn't do a thing for me. But if there's ever a sale for a certain Englishman's cast-offs, well that's a whole different matter. Can you imagine the frenzy???"}, {"response": 698, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 2004 (10:42)", "body": "I wish I would have known . .since I was in the city yesterday . .I couldn't have bought . .no way can I pay for stuff like that on an actors salary . .but would have been interesting to see what was on sale;) Deb - Ah since that sale isn't happening . .our keeps list is a nice highlight of what could be:)"}, {"response": 699, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Mar 12, 2004 (23:37)", "body": "Val Kilmer on Charlie Rose at the moment. Looks better than the other night. He has a family? He mentioned how important they are to him. Didn't someone say he had ragged out looking chirpies with him? Maybe his wife, assuming he has one? Didn't get around to mentioning earlier that I saw Secret Window (with Johnny Depp) in class the other night. David Koepp, screenwriter/director (and co-writer of Apt Zero) was the guest. Very down to earth and funny. Got to ask a couple of questions. Was scanning audience as soon as I heard he was guest....he's still friends with ODB from what I can tell. Wasn't sure he was still in town, but didn't hurt to scan, though couldn't appear uninterested. It's supposed to be a thriller, but I found it to be thriller-lite. Found it too amusing (thanks to JD) to be scary or overly thrilling. Also found it rather predictable. Great cast though. Johnny Depp definitely made that movie. DK said JD was his first choice and the studio wasn't overly excited over that choice. They started filming just before POTC came out and when it did well, the studio says, \" Aren't you glad we insisted you get JD?\" Typical. ;-)"}, {"response": 700, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 2004 (07:42)", "body": "(Dorine Didn't someone say he had ragged out looking chirpies with him? Maybe his wife, assuming he has one? It wasn't me, but several chirpies left with him. Jeffrey Lyons gave SW a v. lukewarm review. He said to go see any other movie playing in the theater next door. He said the film used too many of the over-used Stephen King special effects. (Dorine)Wasn't sure he was still in town, Wonder if hair lady knows?;-)"}, {"response": 701, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 2004 (09:37)", "body": "(Dorine)Val Kilmer on Charlie Rose at the moment. Looks better than the other night. He has a family? He mentioned how important they are to him. Didn't someone say he had ragged out looking chirpies with him? Maybe his wife, assuming he has one? If it wasn't me it sure could have been! He played a *Star* show on the side walk and then left with all of the folks he was playing to:-/ V. different from what your experience was inside I think."}, {"response": 702, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 2004 (09:54)", "body": "I believe Leslie mentioned his chirpies . .I thought I noticed only one really that seemed to be really with him . .and she was older . .perhaps his wife???"}, {"response": 703, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 2004 (10:50)", "body": "New York Daily News - http://www.nydailynews.com Tom cans top gun in sect spat By JOANNA MOLLOY DAILY NEWS GOSSIP COLUMNIST Saturday, March 13th, 2004 Tom Cruise has fired one of his closest advisers in a split that rocked Hollywood. The \"Last Samurai\" star canned Hollywood megapublicist Pat Kingsley this week after months of strained relations about his involvement in Scientology, sources said yesterday. \"He was talking more and more about Scientology,\" a source said. \"She was counseling him not to. It became an issue.\" But Kingsley insisted to the News last night it was an \"amicable parting.\" \"I adore the guy,\" she said. \"I have the greatest respect for him professionally and personally. We've had a great ride.\" Kingsley became Cruise's spokeswoman 14 years ago with \"Far and Away.\" She dealt with controversies such as the end of his marriage to Nicole Kidman. Kidman says she learned of her own breakup from a Kingsley press release. Cruise, a member of the Church of Scientology for years, has been talking more recently about its controversial beliefs - saying, for instance, \"psychiatry should be outlawed.\" \"He's surrounded himself with Scientology factotums now and so she had to go,\" a source said of Kingsley. But Cruise's sister LeeAnne Devette, also a Scientologist, says: \"That is completely untrue. It was an amicable separation and the two remain friends. He still cares a great deal for Pat. Clearly, it was time for a change. It was a decision he came to.\" As for Cruise's role in Scientology, she said: \"In earlier years, he didn't talk about Scientology, and everybody said he was keeping it a big mystery. Now, he talks about it and it's wrong. It's damned if you do, damned if you don't.\""}, {"response": 704, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 2004 (14:51)", "body": "I've just gotten this month's Vanity Fair out of the mailbox to find that Sophia Coppola has been named to the 2004 International Best-Dressed List. The issue also contains a high profile piece on Marc Jacobs - the article is accompanied by a 2-page title photo of him spanking a scantily clad Sophia. She's touted as one of his primary muses. Talk about head slapping forehead.... I was all set to give her the 'frump of the year' award after that goddess thing with the flats she wore to the SAGs. (It was the SAGs where she wore that number wasn't it?) Didn't think her Oscar ensemble was that much better. Perhaps if she just stood up straight - those slumped over shoulders can kill even the greatest of looks IMO."}, {"response": 705, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 2004 (12:00)", "body": "ODB: It is the Ides of March Tim Calhoun: Hide the starch? ODB: No! The Ides of March. Tim Calhoun: Theeeee....Idessssss....offffffff....Marrrrrrch? ODB: Oh, nevermind, just wish Barb a Happy Birthday!!! Tim Calhoun: Happy Birthday Barb!!!!"}, {"response": 706, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 2004 (12:02)", "body": "For JE fans: JE will co-star with Ed Burns in \"The River King\" based on the NY Times besteller by Alice Hoffman. \"Supernatural thriller concerns a small-town cop probing a suicide at a posh kids school.\" Shooting starts tomorrow in Nova Scotia."}, {"response": 707, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 2004 (12:03)", "body": "Barb, Happy Birthday! And I'm sorry...I tried, I really did, but do you know how hard it is to find those boots from Nostromo? All I could manage were these. Ah well, hope you have a wonderful day:-)!"}, {"response": 708, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 2004 (12:15)", "body": "No f**ing kidding? . .It's Barb's b'day?? Please forgive me, I almost forgot!! Have the happiest of days today, Barb!!!"}, {"response": 709, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 2004 (12:50)", "body": "Barb, Have a great day Sure you will if this party is a taster ;-)"}, {"response": 710, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 2004 (13:41)", "body": "All these contemporaries Wot? No Fitz to tear up the topiary Are breeches, vest and boots To be part of your birthday loot ODB present in any way Is sure to brighten the gloomiest day And from me in sunny Florida Good wishes to you in Indiana"}, {"response": 711, "author": "Odile", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 2004 (15:36)", "body": "Best wishes on your birthday Barb!"}, {"response": 712, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 2004 (15:52)", "body": "\"Now, cut that out! I'm saving myself for Barb, as a *very* special birthday present!\" Happy Birthday, Barb!"}, {"response": 713, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 2004 (16:24)", "body": "Sometimes it's hard getting out the words.... Happy Birthday Barb!!!"}, {"response": 714, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 2004 (17:01)", "body": "Hi Barb, we've all come to help you with your homework! And when we're done we can party! src=\" http://pages.prodigy.net/bestsmileys1/emoticons3/martinitrayCLR.gif\" > Happy Birthday Barb!"}, {"response": 715, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 2004 (17:03)", "body": "Ooops, I left out the beverages.......;-)"}, {"response": 716, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 2004 (17:13)", "body": "Hey, Barb! Now that Rachel's gone, the stage is open just in time for your birthday for you to get into a corset thing and go to town on some English dude! Oh happy day! Have a great birthday!"}, {"response": 717, "author": "LauraS", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 2004 (17:42)", "body": "Have a wonderful, wonderful B-Day!!!! Haven't learnt to attach things yet so you'll have to use your imagination..... After all...wouldn't a little creme brule and a Margurita go down nicely about now!! (just a pinch). Laura"}, {"response": 718, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 2004 (17:57)", "body": "I can't believe it. I f---ed up, again. This isn't a costume party, is it? That's OK, I'll change later...much later-after we make those... Then we can have some......... Happy Birthday, Barb"}, {"response": 719, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 2004 (18:09)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Barb! Hope you have a GREAT time!"}, {"response": 720, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 2004 (18:40)", "body": "What a lovely party! Thank you all! Et especially tu Tress! Hide the starch? LOL That yummy attorney can whisper in my ear any old time he wants to! Hope he's not billing by the hour though... And Ada, thanks for digging up the keeps pictures you *did* find, and as for the boots, it's the thought that counts...and I like giving them lots of thought! As for the motorcycle, you know just what a girl wants! The thought of him astride that motorcycle makes me all rumbly in my.... ummm ... tummy (yeah, that's the place!) Thanks! Thank you too Kimberly, especially for the lovely hand picture! How nice you all have these wonderful SNL pictures to remember your adventure and we get to play with them too! Thanks! And Sonia -- Drool's poet laureate, you're right about ODB's day brightening power! And well you can boast of sunny FL, we've got 3-6 inches of snow forecasted for tonight. Of course, that is of no account with the right boots ;-) LOL Mari, I'll try not to leave him with such a pained expression, tired is more what I have in mind...a very special birthday present indeed! Thanks for the thoughts Karen, but you know, I'm not sure he has to say a thing! And if he insists, as long as it's soft and low and in that accent, I'm a goner. (Eeuuuwww, just had this vision of Paul Lynde whispering in my ear!) Thanks! Oh Beedee, now *that* is totally not conducive to doing homework! But it's my birthday, I gave myself the day off but he can hang around to \"help\" later (soon as he loses the kid looking over his shoulder... the rating is *not* likely to be PG!) Thanks Lora, he looks amazing there! What a picture--a little low lighting, a nice little v-neck sweater, a little \"Come Away With Me\" (I'd make sure to get to pick the song...) I am so there.... LOL Linda, I love fireworks, I'm getting my ooohs and aaaahs warmed up as we speak! And thanks to Lizza, Odile, Laura and Eithne for the good wishes, it's been lovely so far, thanks! Special thanks to SNL for all they did to make this possible...how very nice of them! And to all the DD's who can make any day a party, it's been a fun and exciting year, think next year can top it? I'll drink to that! Thanks all!"}, {"response": 721, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 2004 (18:51)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Barb."}, {"response": 722, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 2004 (20:24)", "body": "My most sincere apologies for my late arrival to your birthday fiesta, Barb! There was a revolution, and corrupt soldiers tried to execute me, and some rabble attempted to steal my lovely boots, and then I had to ride all the way here on a horse the size of a Chihuahua.... Again, my apologies, Mademoiselle! Perhaps if I just freshen up and put on a new starched collar, we can celebrate your birthday more appropriately. Or there is this great mine cavern for a more intimate party..."}, {"response": 723, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 2004 (20:36)", "body": "Barb, hope your birthday was ab-solutely fantastic. How could it be otherwise with Nigel, Paulie and Co. in attendance?"}, {"response": 724, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 2004 (21:16)", "body": "I wanted to surprise you on your birthday Barb....I tried out for the new Village People. I was told it was the happening boy band. And although I have never heard of them before, I thought I'd give it a go..... This guy, who said his name was Fericito, said I was a shoe in....but he may have been keeeeeding! But things didn't go as smoothly when I tried out with the rest of the group....I was a hit with the bellboy and the manager, but the police officer said my pants were too low and kept trying to give me a wedgy.... They said they would let me know tomorrow if I made the group or not....but that will be too late for a \"Happy Birthday\" serenade! Apologies all around! Hope you still have a very......."}, {"response": 725, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 2004 (23:01)", "body": "Thanks Lucie! And thanks Shoshana for bringing dear, lovely, flawed Charles. The poor thing, such long legs and they put him on such a short horse. Silly people. And the cave scene...Oh! Charles! Are you glad to see me or is that a stalagmite in your pocket? And Hen, it's been the best, thanks for the good wishes! ROFLMAO Tress!! No keeeeding from me, he's got my vote any old time he wants! (Love that first picture!) Thanks!"}, {"response": 726, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 2004 (00:15)", "body": "Barb! Baby! Sorry for being late, had to change into my other outfit for my gig as ... And I brought something to keep this party goin\ufffd You Americans have heard of margaritas, haven't you? Happy Birthday, Barb!!"}, {"response": 727, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 2004 (01:36)", "body": "So sorry I\ufffdm late to congratulate you, Barb. Hope you\ufffdve had a great birthday. To make up, I bring flowers: and wine: and a special guest to toast you Happy Birthday!"}, {"response": 728, "author": "Leah", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 2004 (04:49)", "body": "Hi Barb Happy Birthday. I'm sure you've enjoyed the party."}, {"response": 729, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 2004 (08:59)", "body": "Happy Belated Birhday Barb! It took me a while to arrange a South Florida outing... so forget the snow, I'm on my way!"}, {"response": 730, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 2004 (09:27)", "body": "For GWAPE fans - Essie Davis will be coming to Broadway soon. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/03/16/1079199221056.html"}, {"response": 731, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 2004 (10:45)", "body": "Tom Stoppard's \"Jumpers\" with Simon Russell Beale (West End's Golden Boy) directed by ....hey Moon...by David Leveaux! Previews April 6th opening April 25th at the Brooks Atkinson theatre. http://www.playbill.com/news/article/84917.html"}, {"response": 732, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 2004 (10:46)", "body": "PS This will be SRB's Broadway debut. Get the Tony ready;-)"}, {"response": 733, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 2004 (11:01)", "body": "Another interesting bit of info about a GWAPE co-star of Colin's . . Just heard from a friend that Cillian Murphy's film, Intermission will be premiering here in NYC Thursday evening . . . Funny I got news about it wil listening to my GWAPE soundtrack!"}, {"response": 734, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 2004 (15:32)", "body": "(Evelyn), directed by ....hey Moon...by David Leveaux! PS This will be SRB's Broadway debut. Get the Tony ready;-) What a combination! David is definitely the best there is. And he's just so AFG!"}, {"response": 735, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 2004 (15:43)", "body": "Thought I'd be nice and share my M.Leveaux with you. :-D"}, {"response": 736, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 2004 (19:41)", "body": "Since this is an odd I'll post it here ;-) I just want to thank everyone who makes this such a delightful place with your posts and caps, good humor and creativity. Y'all are making my solitary foray into a new location and job bearable. My wonderful DH is manning my escape hatch back home (in case this job doesn't work out) while I'm trying to get adjusted to a new job, climate, et. al. I look forward every night to getting home from work and reading the latest. You have made me laugh out loud (which scares the cat and makes the neighbors wonder) and made this transition a little easier for me. So...Thank you, my Drool family, from the bottom of my heart."}, {"response": 737, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 2004 (22:10)", "body": "(Eithne)So...Thank you, my Drool family, from the bottom of my heart. Very good luck with your new job and the move and we'll be here (with ODB) when you get home till your DH moves in. Maryland, is it?"}, {"response": 738, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 2004 (11:50)", "body": "Thanks for your sweet note, Eithne. Change is difficult, but am sure things will work out well for you. And if they don't, just remember what my dear Dad told me as he was about to walk me down the aisle: \"If it doesn't look right, come home.\" (And I married a guy they liked!;-) Did anyone see Ioan Gryfudd last night on Craig Kilborn's show? He wasn't nearly as funny with Craig as Colin was, but he is a sweetie. Has a new series called Century City on CBS in which he plays an attorney with a law firm in the year 2030. Looks interesting, I caught some of it last night flipping between that and American idol. BTW, his American accent is v.g. Anyway, he mentioned that his \"Internet fans from all over the world\" recently had a Hornblower convention in London. I thought it was nice of him to mention."}, {"response": 739, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 2004 (11:56)", "body": "Century City sounds interesting, is it scheduled yet?"}, {"response": 740, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 2004 (12:01)", "body": "Yes, it debuted last night. Is on Tuesdays at 9PM, Eastern. Has anyone in the UK seen The Last King, about Charles II, starring Rufus Sewell? It plays here on A&E this Sunday night and I was wondering if it's worth the 4-hour investment."}, {"response": 741, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 2004 (12:04)", "body": "(Mari) Did anyone see Ioan Gryfudd last night on Craig Kilborn's show? He wasn't nearly as funny with Craig as Colin was, but he is a sweetie. Has a new series called Century City Aha!! When watching the commercials for the program I thought it looked like him. I taped the show last night but haven't watched it. Anybody watching Significant Other on Bravo. This is really good. All improv fromw what I've read, which makes what they're doing even more incredible. There are only six shows in the can and I don't know if they're planning to do more."}, {"response": 742, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 2004 (14:18)", "body": "Saw Ioan on Kilborn, too. Liked how he said CK was the only one who'd gotten the pronunciation of his first name right. You're right, Mari, he wasn't as funny, but was endearing. And he does do a good American accent. Maybe Colin could use his voice coach should it be needed. ;-) What screamers were there for him. That's nice for him. I missed that part with the convention. Was flipping back and forth to Karen Sisco. Did he take part in some way or just knew it was happening? I watched about 15 mins of Significant Others. Didn't realize it was heavy improv. I did find it amusing, but must not have been in the mood for it, 'cause I also found them grating and switched it."}, {"response": 743, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 2004 (14:42)", "body": "( Kimberly) For GWAPE fans - Essie Davis will be coming to Broadway soon. My DH and I saw her in London in this play-she's very good playing Dorothy. I think the rest of my observation should go to Spoilers in case MG's plan to see this when it hits Broadway . They may have to change it a bit, though, to appeal to a non-British audience. Kind of like how Starlight Express was a huge hit in London and bombed in NY. I saw both of those productions and loved it each time, but it wasn't well received in NYC."}, {"response": 744, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 2004 (15:46)", "body": "Has anyone in the UK seen The Last King, about Charles II, starring Rufus Sewell? It plays here on A&E this Sunday night and I was wondering if it's worth the 4-hour investment. I'd like to know, as well. Our Sunday TV supplement gave it a decent review, (though it leaned to boring) and some of the same old tired stuff about period pieces. I think I'll give it a try, anyway. (Bonnie)They may have to change it a bit, though, to appeal to a non-British audience I know, we Americans...;-)Thanks, Bonnie I'd love to see ED in this."}, {"response": 745, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 2004 (16:01)", "body": "(Dorine)he wasn't as funny, but was endearing. . . Did he take part in some way or just knew it was happening? Endearing is the perfect word, Dorine, definitely. He said he didn't take part in the convention but two of the attendees landed on his doorstep. He was cute, talking about how he was embarrassed because he was dressed in old sweats \"and I had my glasses on.\" LOL. Anyway, he invited them in, and he said they kept referring to things in his apartment that had been mentioned in articles. \"Oh, there's your ratty old red sofa. And you must be Joe, his roommate.\" I think Ioan is Welsh for Yummy.:-)"}, {"response": 746, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 2004 (16:07)", "body": "I've been counseled to keep JUMPERS comments here , so if you plan to see it on Broadway don't read it! BEWARE!!!!!! SPOILERS AHOY!!!!!!! As I stated in my previous post here, we saw Jumpers with Essie Davis and Simon Russell Beale while in London in February. Essie Davis is very good in her role as Dorothy, a considerably younger entertainer wife of an academic. The husband is throughly caught up in his own little scholarly box and doesn't notice what's going on around him . He is also incapable of connecting more than one thought at a time to write his doctrine. This has been going on for years. Dorothy is on the downhill slope of her career and is bored and sulky. She has parties every night on the top floor of their apartment and sinks deeper and deeper into melancholy. The plot becomes quite complicated, and although I don't recall all of the particulars, I can tell you this is written for a British audience. I have the glossy flyer from which that picture of Essie Davis ( on the website posted by Kimberly ) is taken lying prone on the bed. The audience at our attendance-a Wednesday matinee- loved the show, and there were only about two dozen seats in the very back of the theatre unoccupied. The age reprsentation was actually quite varied-it was their \" winter break\" ( as we discovered once we hit London)-so there were a goodly number of high school and college aged students in the mix. The humour is British, and although I laughed, my DH just didn't get most of it. The sets are on a rotating stage, and they change scenes smoothly by this device and by dimming the lights. The first act has ED's character (flamboyant) teetering on the edge of sanity. She slips out of her glitzy evening gown to a full frontal while the stage rotates. That grapped DH's attention! ED does a superb job of playing this flaky singer, but IMO the plot has tediouly S-L-O-W moments. I can't fathom this version making it on Broadway... and I liked it. It wasn't my favorite play of the eight I saw while there, but it was better than others."}, {"response": 747, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 2004 (16:16)", "body": "(Bonnie)ED does a superb job of playing this flaky singer, Not surprising. I thought she was excellent as Vermeer's flaky wife. At times, she had that wild look in her eyes like someone ready to skate off the edge. I can really imagine her doing teetering on the edge of sanity, quite well. Thanks, again, Bonnie"}, {"response": 748, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 2004 (16:23)", "body": "Oooooh! We did get to see Harriet Walter (Fannie Dashwood in ET's S&S and the \"witch\" in ODB's THOTP) and Adrian Lukis ( Wickham in ODB's P&P and classmate in DG) in another dark comedy entitled DINNER. Adrian Lukis has put on weight over the years. The scene where he takes the stage in his wifebeater undershirt is not all that appealing."}, {"response": 749, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 2004 (16:27)", "body": "Thanks, Baonnie! I wonder if David Leveaux plans many changes for Broadway? I hope you get to see it and give us a detailed comparison. (Mari), Has anyone in the UK seen The Last King, about Charles II, starring Rufus Sewell? It plays here on A&E this Sunday night and I was wondering if it's worth the 4-hour investment. As I always say, if it's a costume drama, it is worth watching. ;-) Thanks for the heads-up Mari!"}, {"response": 750, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 2004 (17:25)", "body": "(Bonnie)I can tell you this is written for a British audience. (Moon)I wonder if David Leveaux plans many changes for Broadway? He and Tom Stoppard have worked together before...remember, TRT? And TS always tweaks his plays before they hit B'way. I saw TRT at the Donmar, Albery and Barrymore and they each had a different twist. (Also the actors play it differently in each place.) But this is not the first time Jumpers has played here. I saw it at the Kennedy Center years ago. I plan to see it again. Can't get enough of Stoppard.:-)))) Thanks Bonnie."}, {"response": 751, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 2004 (17:37)", "body": "Pg 74 COSMO (March)has pic of SJ and YKW at the Mishimoko party ;-)"}, {"response": 752, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 2004 (17:48)", "body": "(Mari) Has a new series called Century City on CBS in which he plays an attorney with a law firm in the year 2030. Looks interesting, I caught some of it last night flipping between that and American idol. BTW, his American accent is v.g. Caught some of it but it didn't keep my attention. Guess I was expecting more than just another show about lawyers. Agree, Ioan's accent is v.g. Wasn't impressed by the show though I liked the septuagenarian boy band. Kept switching to the DC's 7 Wonders of Rome, more interesting than CC, imo. (Dorine)I watched about 15 mins of Significant Others. Didn't realize it was heavy improv. I did find it amusing, but must not have been in the mood for it, 'cause I also found them grating and switched it. Same here. The commercials for the show were more fun. Maybe I need to tape it and watch it as 5min skits.:-/ Did anyone catch Dangerous Liaisons w/RE and la Deneuve? Couldn't take more than a few minutes. Never was a fan of la D. Though setting the story in the 50's (or 60's) was good, what little I saw of the acting RE, Deneuve, Kinski and Sobiesky wasn't."}, {"response": 753, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 2004 (18:04)", "body": "http://usa.bmwfilms.com/clap.asp?template=index&country=usa&film=&start=Y Clive Owen is here...."}, {"response": 754, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 2004 (21:06)", "body": "Would this be an O&E????? Found a blurb on a new Working Title pic . . if YKW wants a new . .perhaps shoot em up pic . .perhaps he should get his agent on this?:) Dome diamond heist heading for big screen /b 13:29 Monday 15th March 2004 Working Title Films has reportedly bought up David Logan's script about the Millennium Dome heist. Variety says The Rip is loosely based on the failed attempt to snatch \ufffd200 million worth of diamonds from the Dome. The November 2000 was foiled when 100 armed police officers lay in wait as the gang ram-raided their way into the tourist attraction on a digger. The action film focuses on a thief who is hired to steal the diamonds from the Dome, but uses the initial theft as a diversion for a job that's twice as big. Variety says James Gibb will produce the project with Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner. http://www.ananova.com/entertainment/story/sm_891794.html?menu=entertainment.films"}, {"response": 755, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 2004 (21:06)", "body": "closing tag"}, {"response": 756, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 2004 (21:12)", "body": "Ahh, before I forget to say . . .to all the Droolers . . Happy St. Patrick's Day! \"When Irish Eyes are smiling . . .\""}, {"response": 757, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 2004 (21:29)", "body": "Since I can't resist...To all my fellow Drooleurs and of course ODB I wish you all Beannachtai na Feile Padraig! Slainte!"}, {"response": 758, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 2004 (22:18)", "body": "(Eithne) Beannachtai na Feile Padraig! Right back atcha, Eithne!"}, {"response": 759, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 2004 (23:20)", "body": "(Dorine)I watched about 15 mins of Significant Others. Didn't realize it was heavy improv. I did find it amusing, but must not have been in the mood for it, 'cause I also found them grating and switched it. (Sonia) Same here. The commercials for the show were more fun. Maybe I need to tape it and watch it as 5min skits.:-/ Yeah, the people are hideously dysfunctional, but that's why they're all in therapy. I'm sorry but I find it hysterically funny and admire what they're doing. These actors are very talented to pull this off."}, {"response": 760, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 2004 (07:44)", "body": "Has anyone in the UK seen The Last King, about Charles II, starring Rufus Sewell? It plays here on A&E this Sunday night and I was wondering if it's worth the 4-hour investment. I watched the whole thing (which was shown in 4 parts , and called Charles II: The Power and the Passion here), and that in itself says that it's not bad. Of course, I use this stuff as a form of interesting history lesson, to counteract one area of my ignorance, but it works very well. I'm not sure I could have taken a full 4-hr sitting, as period stuff is more my DW's domain. Interestingly, the female characters were much the most interesting part of this dramatisation (I particularly remember Shirley Henderson and Diana Rigg's performances) - but that could be because I did my usual thing of not being able to identify which male character was which, particularly once they started taking their wigs off. There was probably too much sex to be believable, but it made it reasonably entertaining! Overall, I'd just about recommend it."}, {"response": 761, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 2004 (08:27)", "body": "(Mark) There was probably too much sex to be believable, but it made it reasonably entertaining! ....Overall, I'd just about recommend it. Hey, I'm on!! Thanks Mark. As Moon says...\"It's a costume drama, isn't it?\";-) Also \"Jolyon Forsyte\" is in it:-)))))"}, {"response": 762, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 2004 (09:05)", "body": "Oooh, Rufus Sewell *and* \"Jolyon Forsyte?\" Yum! Though, \"JF\" wasn't looking quite so great when I saw him here in The Elephant Man a few years ago. Hey, if Angus McFadden's in it, I might tape it! ;-) Thanks for all the info about Charles II. I was wondering when it was going to show up here. (Mark) too much sex to be believable ??? Can't imagine there's such a thing! ;-) (Karen) I'm sorry but I find it hysterically funny and admire what they're doing. These actors are very talented to pull this off. Oh, I completely admire people doing tons of improv and doing it well. I love what they do on \"Curb Your Enthusiasm too, though it's a hit or miss show for me depending on my mood. Seen too many improv shows that didn't work and it's painful. But why are you sorry to find something funny? ;-)"}, {"response": 763, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 2004 (09:23)", "body": "(MarkG) There was probably too much sex to be believable, but it made it reasonably entertaining! (Evelyn) Hey, I'm on!! But it's on A&E here. It'll all be cut out because our pure eyes can't be allowed to see such stuff. (Dorine) But why are you sorry to find something funny? ;-) What does it say about me that I like a show about a bunch of truly dysfunctional people? ;-0"}, {"response": 764, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 2004 (10:00)", "body": "(MarkG) There was probably too much sex to be believable, but it made it reasonably entertaining! I don't think we'll have to worry about that on this side of the pond, but thanks, Mark. I'll tune in for sure. (Karen)What does it say about me that I like a show about a bunch of truly dysfunctional people? ;- LOL, I'll not touch that with a 10 ft. barge pole--at least not around here;-) Did anyone catch this week's segment of Talking Movies? There was a brief interview with Paul Bettany (The Reckoning, A Beatutiful Mind, Master and Commander, and due out, Wimbledon)I watched it then taped the repeat segment. If I have time, today, I'll type up the transcript. The interview was all about being bankable in Hollywood and his take on Hollywood and, art house films not standing a chance against the big budget films. It was short but interesting."}, {"response": 765, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 2004 (10:22)", "body": "(Linda) ...a brief interview with Paul Bettany Thanks, Linda. I'd love to hear his take on it. Maybe we can get wind of a new spin to apply to all the analyzing we do re: ODB's career. Easier still, do you think it's going to be re-aired? I'll check the listings on my end."}, {"response": 766, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 2004 (10:35)", "body": "FYI, James Lipton was on Conan last night, talking about having tried for 10 yrs to get Barbra Streisand on Inside the Actors Studio. She finally wound up taking Whoopi Goldberg's bus across country (one of those who doesn't like to fly) and the session lasted for 5 hours. It'll be another of the 2-hr broadcasts."}, {"response": 767, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 2004 (10:41)", "body": "(Karen), It'll all be cut out because our pure eyes can't be allowed to see such stuff. How true. :-( Did anyone see Courtney Love on Letterman last night? She pulled a Drew and flashed him about 4 times. She's very entertaining. Says she learned to flirk by watching his show and brought up Terry Garr and Sandra Bernhart. I always loved when Terry G was on the show for the same reason. Those two had an incredible chemistry which he no longer has with another actress, IMO. After all that flashing Dave said to Courtney, \"I'm glad a have a son\" was ROTF!"}, {"response": 768, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 2004 (10:46)", "body": "Thanks for the Charles II recommendation, Mark. Sounds like it's worth postponing my Sopranos viewing until the Monday night re-run. Just this once.;-) I saw the Paul Bettany interview on Talking Movies, and frankly, I thought he came across like an old girl's blouse. (Mark, did I get that right? I heard Kate Winslet say it on Letterman the other night and thought I'd try to build it into my cross-cultural repertoire.;-) Anyway, the guy is such a whiner, IMO, and not just based on that brief interview. I think he's pompous and full of himself."}, {"response": 769, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 2004 (10:55)", "body": "Karen, when does Significant Others air and on what network? I saw a good show last night on Fox, called Arrested Development. Funny stuff, great ensemble cast of Julia Louis Dreyfus, Jason Bateman, Jeffrey Tambor, Jessica Walter, Amy Poelher from SNL, etc. Somewhat Curb Your Enthusiam-esque. Am in major CYE withdrawal; I thought the way they wrapped up the season with The Producers tie-in and Mel Brooks and Anne Bancroft doing the play within the show was brilliant. Anybody see it?"}, {"response": 770, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 2004 (11:13)", "body": "Significant Others is on Bravo. Its regular slot is 9:30 ET but they do repeats through the week. The first night, they showed two episodes back to back, then this week, they replayed #2 and showed #3 in the 9:30 slot. Next week, TV Guide shows it the same way. Repeat at 9; new at 9:30. Check out the site, especially the Couples section to learn about the characters, in character: http://www.bravotv.com/Significant_Others/ From the \"About\" section: Significant Others is a comedy about couples in and outside of marriage counseling; a hysterically honest look at marriage and the rewards \ufffd and costs \ufffd that come with being in a committed relationship. More real than traditional comedies and more imaginative than reality shows, this six-episode series features a talented ensemble of improvisational actors and comedians who, quite literally, script themselves. Thomas, Casting Director Francene Selkirk-Ackerman, and Associate Producer Allison Kingsley saw roughly 500 actors and comedians to cast couples with the right combination of inventiveness, training and chemistry needed to pull off the on-the-spot performances required of the series. Each episode starts with a storyline that takes its shape from the creative give-and-take between the actors, Thomas (who serves as both therapist and director), Co-Producer Jordana Arkin and Tortorici. Brian Palermo (Daddy Day Care) is all-business James \ufffd a financial analyst who has it all except the confidence to believe it, something his more spirited and free-loving wife Chelsea, played by Andrea Savage (The West Wing) finds endearing...sometimes. Faith Salie (Sex and the City) is the scholarly Eleanor, whose pregnancy and the pressure of impending fatherhood prove too much too soon for husband Ethan (Herschel Bleefeld, Six Feet Under). Jane Edith Wilson (Curb Your Enthusiasm) plays the organized and seemingly predictable Constance, who finds her world unraveling when her husband Bill (Fred Goss, South Park) loses his job in full midlife freefall. Chris Spencer (Vibe) and Nicole Randall Johnson (Miss Match) are Devon and Alex \ufffd two parents doing their best to balance the demands of work and their 9 year old son; they are fairly sure that they don't have \"issues\" but are checking in just in case."}, {"response": 771, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 2004 (11:21)", "body": "(Mari) Sounds like it's worth postponing my Sopranos viewing until the Monday night re-run. Just this once.;-) Isn't really necessary, as A&E usually repeats its programming, if not the same night (not for a four-hr deal) but on another night, plus next week, etc. BTW, Deadwood's debut on HBO follows The Sopranos and it had an excellent review at THR."}, {"response": 772, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 2004 (11:37)", "body": "Mari: like an old girl's blouse. (Mark, did I get that right?) Close but no cigar (I think I got that right) - the phrase, for some reason, is \"...like a big girl's blouse.\" Hey, don't ask me"}, {"response": 773, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 2004 (11:44)", "body": "http://www.bravotv.com/Schedule/search.bravo?month=2005-12&keyword=Significant%20Others&start=today If you click on Schedule, all four episodes will replay in a row (which may be way too much for Sonia!) on March 29, starting at 9 ET."}, {"response": 774, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 2004 (11:50)", "body": "I think Mark's spot on re Charles et al. We had it as sunday night viewing if I remember correctly. RS does a good job and there are lots of good cameos, excellent costumes etc but then we only had to watch it in smaller doses!"}, {"response": 775, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 2004 (12:23)", "body": "(Karen), Significant Others is on Bravo. Check out the site, especially the Couples section to learn about the characters, in character: Sorry but I can't understand why people would give a damn about these losers that are in therapy. Lighten it up!"}, {"response": 776, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 2004 (12:28)", "body": "Blind Flight Allan Hunter in Edinburgh Dir: John Furse. UK. 2003. 96 mins Exceptional performances from Ian Hart and Linus Roache lend a compelling authority to the true story of hostages Brian Keenan and John McCarthy. Both actors get under the skin of two very different characters, capturing their individual personalities but also illuminating the common humanity that allowed them to endure their ordeal as long-term captives in the Lebanon. Based largely on Keenan\ufffds bestselling memoir An Evil Cradling, Blind Flight marks an impressive feature debut for writer-director John Furse. His spare, unsentimental account of the men\ufffds captivity and friendship is tightly focused, well-balanced and always absorbing. Positive reviews should ensure a healthy theatrical life and good long-term prospects for a modest, sensitively handled project that is released in the UK on April 9 after festival exposure at London and the Celtic Film Festival in Scotland. Extensive media coverage of what befell Keenan and McCarthy might make some British audiences feel that they know this story well enough already. It was dramatised for television in David Wheatley\ufffds docudrama Hostages (1993) with Ciaran Hinds and Colin Firth. Blind Flight has had considerable involvement from Keenan and McCarthy and one of its virtues is the way in which it encourages you to think again. It works by reducing the story to the basics of two men enduring four years of shared imprisonment in which they managed to remain sane and resilient. Just like the hostages themselves, the viewer has little sense of events in the wider world or indeed a grasp of the passage of time. Claustrophobic and intense, the film rarely ventures outside the various buildings in which the men were held. The story begins in 1985. Keenan (Hart) is working as a teacher in Beirut. One day he is bundled into a car and abducted. Moulded by his experiences of the troubles in Northern Ireland, he takes a defiant stance towards his captors revealing an unwillingness to co-operate with them or be seen as a victim. Some time later he is relocated and finds himself sharing a room with fellow captive John McCarthy (Roache in a role originally announced for Joseph Fiennes) , a gentlemanly English journalist who has a more pragmatic view of the situation. Over months of captivity in roach-infested cells, the two strangers develop a deep bond. The angry Keenan finds some sense of balance in McCarthy\ufffds calm manner. McCarthy\ufffds political naivety is informed by Keenan\ufffds worldly wisdom. Political attitudes are tested, personal details are traded like precious commodities. Through physical decline and emotional hardship, each one gives the other the gift of seeing beyond the despair of a particular moment. Blind Flight ultimately emerges as a deeply moving portrait of friendship and solidarity in the face of appalling deprivations. The film also takes a sympathetic approach to their Arab jailers who are sometimes friendly and sometimes sadistic in a confused desire to assert their dominance of the situation. A production that makes the most of its modest resources, Blind Flight reveals a mature judgement in the handling of material, refusing to sensationalise or wallow in melodrama but staying true to the dramatic truth of the events. The physical commitment and emotional acuity of the performances are further testimony to Furse\ufffds assured touch and the overall merit of the film. http://www.screendaily.com/story.asp?storyid=16852&r=t"}, {"response": 777, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 2004 (12:48)", "body": "Hope that this movie opens here. Thanks Linda! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Love these kinds of columns: NO DIVISION THIS DEEP SINCE THE RED SEA PARTING Mick LaSalle, Sunday, March 14, 2004, \ufffd2004 San Francisco Chronicle sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/03/14/PKGL65CP0U1.DTL When I was a kid, my mother used to say, \"Never get into a discussion about politics or religion.\" To which I'd say, \"What else is there to talk about?'' But these days you can talk about religion or politics all you want. It's talking about movies that's dangerous. Today if two acquaintances disagree about a movie they will, within three short exchanges, usually find a way to pretend they see the merits of the other's position: \"Yeah, I see what you mean.\" \"Yeah, it's a little like that, you're right.\" To a surprising extent, a movie is no longer seen as an artwork but as a collection of values, a philosophical proposition to be endorsed or denied. So people tread lightly, not wanting to offend. I don't know when movies became such a sensitive topic [Ed note: when they're about religion or abortion, idiot! ;-)] , but I think it may have happened within the past generation. Today it seems that millions of Americans, maybe even a majority, find imaginative release and spiritual nourishment not in their faith, their work, their hobbies or their social contacts but only in popular culture. This is a depressing state of affairs, made even sadder by the fact that today's popular culture is of such limited emotional and spiritual range as to hardly nourish a housefly, much less a sentient human being. It's one thing to argue passionately over the relative merits of Chaplin and Keaton, as do the young cinephiles in \"The Dreamers.\" But to get into a heated discussion about, say, Johnny Depp's performance in \"The Pirates of Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl\" could only be degrading, an admission of too much time and too little to think about. Now we're in the midst of a national discussion over \"The Passion of the Christ,\" one that has been framed from the beginning as an argument over not aesthetics but values. Director Mel Gibson set the tone early by suggesting before the film's release that anyone against the film was anti-Christian. The strategy worked beautifully. A week before the film's premiere, I got my first irate voice mail. It was from a woman, identifying herself only as a schoolteacher, who said that she and her class had decided that I was going to give a bad review to \"The Passion of the Christ\" because, according to her, I lack religious values. \"Now don't disappoint us,\" she said, and then hung up. The idea that there really may be idiots out there collecting salaries for standing in front of classrooms and discussing Mick LaSalle's forthcoming reviews is chilling, but a topic for another day. The issue here is that this woman was calling on behalf of a movie she hadn't even seen. That's when I knew Gibson had accomplished something extraordinary: He had convinced a lot of susceptible people that liking his movie was concrete evidence of virtue. Even more alluringly, he had convinced them that everybody who didn't like his movie was going to hell. \"Now don't disappoint us,\" the woman said, thinking she was being arch, when actually she was telling the deeper truth. Her enthusiasm for the movie thrived on her illusion of persecution and her fantasy of moral superiority. This may be the first time that the promise of moral superiority has been used in film marketing, though the promise of intellectual superiority has been used many times. If people go into a Godard movie believing that, if they don't like it, it probably means they're stupid, the vast majority will figure out a way to like that Godard movie, no matter what. Similarly, once people bought into Gibson's good versus evil dichotomy, it was hard to imagine many of them opting for the red horns and the pitchfork. The day my review came out--mixed, not a hatchet job--the e-mail arrived in a deluge, at a rate of about one a minute. Most were outraged tirades--nasty, condescending and, of course, anonymous. The ones that made sense dwelled on one of two points. Some people wrote to say that, until \"The Passion,\" they had never been able to imagine the Crucifixion. They were apparently sincere, though I still don't understand it. How can anyone ever sit in a church and face an altar without imagining the Crucifixion? Others wrote to complain that I said that any movie ending in the Resurrection should send people out in a joyful or at least hopeful state. They wrote to tell me that sending people out feeling hopeful was not Gibson's intention. I'd figured that one out on my own. The issues surrounding \"The Passion of the Christ\" highlight a cultural divide in this country, but not one between Christian and secular, or moral and immoral, as some would have you believe. Actually, if \"The Passion of the Christ\" has a problem, it's that it isn't Christian en"}, {"response": 778, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 2004 (15:24)", "body": "(Mari re: Paul Bettany) I think he's pompous and full of himself. Someone told me after I saw him at a Q&A here, that he was being a \"diva\" in the VIP room prior. James Lipton was on Arrested Development last night as a prison warden, too. Unfortunately I haven't been able to catch this show regularly as it shows on Sunday night when I watch Alias, so not sure if it's a recurring role. (Moon) Did anyone see Courtney Love on Letterman last night? No, but read about it today while reading the story of her being arrested last night at an East Village bar at 2:30 am after throwing a mic stand and injuring someone in the head. (Karen) BTW, Deadwood's debut on HBO follows The Sopranos and it had an excellent review at THR. Is that the Western? If so, that's the one I want to see with Ian McShane in it. He used to play the title character in the show Lovejoy. A UK show that used to play on A&E. Was bummed when they quit playing it. (Mark) Close but no cigar (I think I got that right) Excellent! ;-) See what ODB started? We're all learning something new everyday.... -- \"...like a big girl's blouse.\" -- Close but no cigar -- that maybe maybe a movie can have too much sex to be believable. Our possibilities are endless! ;-)"}, {"response": 779, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 2004 (15:59)", "body": "(Mark)the phrase, for some reason, is \"...like a big girl's blouse.\" I *knew* I'd make a hash of it--cheers, Mark.;-) (Screendaily)The film also takes a sympathetic approach to their Arab jailers That's a relief. I'd hate to think they were portrayed unfairly.;-) (SF Chronicle)Some are comforted by the sight of a man in a flight suit, while others want to know whether he can really fly the plane. ROTF!"}, {"response": 780, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 2004 (17:05)", "body": "(Karen)Re: Streisand...and the session lasted for 5 hours. It'll be another of the 2-hr broadcasts. Not for me. *Yawn* (Linda) Re; Paul Bettany\"The interview was all about being bankable in Hollywood and his take on Hollywood and, art house films not standing a chance against the big budget films. \" Makes one wonder if he's seen Lost in Translation. Or \"In the Bedroom\"... What a whiner..."}, {"response": 781, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 2004 (17:21)", "body": "Re: Bettany His take is his take. Doesn't make it right or even halfway knowledgeable. ;-) However, the guy has been in both and been exposed to some of the big guns. But the fact that he's doing the rounds shows that he's wised up some."}, {"response": 782, "author": "socadook", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 2004 (18:36)", "body": "(Karen) (which may be way too much for Sonia!) LOL. You take such good care of me :-) Thanks for the warning. (Mick LaSalle) The idea that there really may be idiots out there collecting salaries for standing in front of classrooms and discussing Mick LaSalle's forthcoming reviews is chilling, but a topic for another day. Indeed. Thanks for the article, Karen. Liked where the guy was coming from. (Screendaily)The film also takes a sympathetic approach to their Arab jailers who are sometimes friendly and sometimes sadistic in a confused desire to assert their dominance of the situation. That came across in Hostages. Reminds me of a closing comment in Bravo Two Zero \"As for those who tortured us, they had a job to do as well, it's just that some enjoyed it a bit too much. If I met any of them tomorrow and thought I could get away with it, I'd slaughter them.\" There's understanding a jailer's need to asert dominance and there's understanding . (SF Chronicle)Some are comforted by the sight of a man in a flight suit, while others want to know whether he can really fly the plane. (Mari) ROTF! ROTFLOL. I may use that line when meeting new people. \"Are you the type to be comforted by ...\" Thanks for the Charles II info. Will set vcr in case I need to pull a Brit and watch in smaller doses."}, {"response": 783, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 2004 (20:24)", "body": "Just caught the repeat of \"The Seducers\" with YKW. Besides \"Da'Man\" I would say Denzel Washington is second. Rafe not too shabby (those eyes!). Though I preferred him with Julianne Moore in \"The End of the Affair\" to the Ice Queen in TEP."}, {"response": 784, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 2004 (21:07)", "body": "Whiner, complainer, pompous ass...Will the real Paul Bettany please stand up? The only reason I sat and listened to this interview was because of the intro...32 year old, British born, now considered able to carry a film, had done a lot of art house... I wanted to compare his take on things to that other 40-something British born...YKW I mean. (except that he hasn't yet proved he can carry a film, here...soon, though--I hope) Anyway, I haven't seen any other PB interviews, I only saw him in ABM. I had never heard anything about his personality so I can only type up what I heard. IMO, after watching several times to transcribe this I didn't feel he came off as terribly abrasive or whining-I thought he was down to earth and answered the questions. But, as I said that's my take, and my prior knowledge of him is v. limited. Intro by Tom Brook (and I've only included the relevant part, here) ...If nothing else this picture (The Reckoning) proves that Paul Bettany, in a leading role, can carry a film. This 32-year old British born actor is getting a lot of attention for his work. He gave a really strong performance as a husband who strays in The Heart of Me, a period drama that was sadly overlooked. (mentions his roles in Master and Commander and A Beautiful Mind) TB: You do a really excellent job in this film. I know it was made before you did a lot of work in Hollywood. But do you think the Hollywood studios would see you as bankable, in terms of being a leading man, now? PB: I don't think they look at movies in that way. I think that's slightly too generous. I think they look at the recipts, and then they (he points, yeah he can do it). I'm not sure it's the way it works. I think more likely people will be looking after Wimbledon comes out cause its more that kind of movie, you know what I mean? Its less of an art house movie. TB: What about Master and Commander? Were you disappointed you didn't get an Oscar nomination? PB: No, its a really hard question to answer cause when you answer it honestly as I'm going to you sound like you're being gracious (laughs heartily) which is not my intention.(laughs, again) I think they're very odd-awards shows and awards. I think, on one hand, the purist in me is thinking well, there shouldn't be any competition between artists--what's this all about? The needy bit in me goes--this is all rather nice-pat myself on the back. I guess the truth is somewhere in the middle--You've made employee of the month. TB: You do some really good work, and there's one film I saw called The Heart of Me which I thought you...thought the whole film was very compelling, actually, and you did a great performance. PB: Thank you. TB: It didn't really go anywhere in America. Does that frustrate you when you work so hard on a project like that and it really doesn't reach an audience? PB: (stutters, ye...yes. It's beginning to. (laughs) PB: I mean I came for the premiere of it, here, and I walked into the premiere up the red carpet and the whole side of this sky scrapper had X Men 2 on it, and I just thought how can you compete? How can a small film compete with the enormous marketing budgets that these movies have? It's a shame because it's a sweet, really well-made film, and I'm proud of it."}, {"response": 785, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 2004 (22:09)", "body": "now considered able to carry a film Like what?! The Reckoning is an art house film with middling to decent reviews that will be seen by next to no one. Sound like someone we know? ;-)"}, {"response": 786, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 2004 (22:17)", "body": "Oops, sorry, should've read all the way before I posted last time.... TB: What about Master and Commander? Were you disappointed you didn't get an Oscar nomination? I was. Had him pegged for one when I saw it. Thought he was fantastic, very moving. My heart sank when his character's did everytime RC's character reneged on a promise to him. Thanks for typing that up, Linda."}, {"response": 787, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 2004 (22:24)", "body": "Thanks for transcribing the PB bit. For me, it only reinforced my impressions of Tom Brook, who is obsessed with the concept of bankability, yet shows absolutely no understanding of it. ;-) Am having a glass half full/empty experience after watching the Bravo Seducers program. Glass half full: Colin was mentioned. Glass half empty: his grouping :-("}, {"response": 788, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 2004 (22:27)", "body": "TB: What about Master and Commander? Were you disappointed you didn't get an Oscar nomination? (Dorine) I was. Had him pegged for one when I saw it. Thought he was fantastic, very moving. My heart sank when his character's did everytime RC's character reneged on a promise to him. I was probably snoozing because it hardly registered with me, but then again, I already had three strong candidates in that category already. ;-)"}, {"response": 789, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 2004 (23:13)", "body": "As I wrote before, my view of PB was formed before that interview which admittedly is not that revealing. I've seen him on other talk shows and read interviews, and I don't care for him. (Dorine)Someone told me after I saw him at a Q&A here, that he was being a \"diva\" in the VIP room prior. See, I knew there was something.;-) I walked into the premiere up the red carpet and the whole side of this sky scrapper had X Men 2 on it, and I just thought how can you compete? Sorry, but a billboard full of Hugh Jackman is, IMO, a damn fine billboard. The X-Men movies did well because they're entertaining. And I assume it was ok when the big billboards were up for Master & Commander? (Tom Brook on The Heart of Me) It didn't really go anywhere in America. It didn't go anywhere in Britain either. Check the numbers at the imdb. BBC review: \"it's more like a party guest who's turned up so late, they've become a complete embarrassment. . . Trudging from one clich\ufffd to the next - pregnancies, confinements, accusations, repressions - \"The Heart of Me\" rarely convinces.\" Guardian review: \"I really don't think I've seen a film as purely and simply miserable as this one . . .\" Yeah, they'd line up around the block for that one.;-) But do you think the Hollywood studios would see you as bankable, in terms of being a leading man, now? Tom Brook has a real hang up about this. He always pulls this crap on the British actors. I recall him asking Colin, why aren't you a big star in Hollywood. What are people supposed to say to that? And why doesn't he ask it of American actors he interviews who are on about the same \"fame\" level as these guys? Evelyn, at the next premiere, I think you're going to have to have a word with him.;-)"}, {"response": 790, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 2004 (07:55)", "body": "(Evelyn)Just caught the repeat of \"The Seducers\" with YKW. Besides \"Da'Man\" I would say Denzel Washington is second. Whew! I'm with you Evelyn :-P''' (Karen)Glass half full: Colin was mentioned. Glass half empty: his grouping :-( My feeling too. And I wish he could have moved:-("}, {"response": 791, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 2004 (08:19)", "body": "(Mari)Evelyn, at the next premiere, I think you're going to have to have a word with him.;-) How about a bushel of tomatoes...Oops...sorry, tomahtoes ;-) ... now considered able to carry a film *snort* Paul Bettany couldn't open up a can of tuna fish, let alone a movie."}, {"response": 792, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 2004 (08:57)", "body": "Was playing star links, and finally found a score of \"3\" with Colin Firth...Stephen Colbert of Mr. Goodwrench and Daily Show fame. Have tried for years to get a score over 2 with anyone and CF, he has worked with everyone who has worked with everyone else. http://oracleofbacon.org/oracle/star_links.html"}, {"response": 793, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 2004 (09:35)", "body": "(Mari)And I assume it was ok when the big billboards were up for Master & Commander? I'm sure, however, his response was based on the premiere for The Heart of Me. But he should be used to it as any actor who has been on both sides of the fence-art house vs big budget. That's the way it is."}, {"response": 794, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 2004 (09:42)", "body": "(Karen)Glass half full: Colin was mentioned. Glass half empty: his grouping :-( What? You have something against nice guys? ;-) At least they wisely didn't put him in the best kiss category. :-( (Evelyn), Paul Bettany couldn't open up a can of tuna fish, let alone a movie. LOL! I can't even place him."}, {"response": 795, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 2004 (09:44)", "body": "Ebert gave The Reckoning 3 stars and another newspaper critic mentioned The Advocate (and Rhe Name of the Rose) as another of the same genre in his review. I'm going to see it. BTW, Young Adam got an NC-17 rating and will be released uncut in April. Hoorah! We get to see it as-is. I don't understand articles, like this: http://film.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,12589,1173483,00.html which contain such erroneous information. NC-17 is not X. Debbie Does Dallas 2 would not have an NC-17 rating because it would never be submitted to the MPAA, which hold the copyright to those ratings. \"Debbie\" would have an X or Triple X or whatever they put on them. Why do people equate NC-17 with porn? *shaking head*"}, {"response": 796, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 2004 (09:48)", "body": "(Moon) You have something against nice guys? ;-) He was the only example of unlikely sexy guys from the good guys category, then they went on to show other \"unlikelies.\" Those included people like Jason Biggs from the American Pie films, Austin Powers, Woody Allen, and several other geeky types. Hardly droolable company. Huge had a much better placement."}, {"response": 797, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 2004 (09:48)", "body": "Spotless Mind got tops 4 stars from the Miami Herald. Go Charlie! It is directed by the man who did his first, Human Nature, which was most brilliant."}, {"response": 798, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 2004 (10:09)", "body": "(Karen)Huge had a much better placement Yes he did, and it was a bit jarring to go from Colin to Mike then on to Woody;-) I didn't quite understand what the blonde was trying to say, here, LOL \"He's got that real sexy like you can maybe really bump into him and really see a guy like him. ..OH he's hot\". LOL, at least she got the Hot part clear. The category may not have been good, but at least he was in the same segment as Paul Neumann."}, {"response": 799, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 2004 (10:20)", "body": "(Karen)He was the only example of unlikely sexy guys from the good guys category, then they went on to show other \"unlikelies.\" No, he was a \"nice guy\" shown as a counterpoint to the preceding \"bad boys\" epitomized by Brando, Paul Newman, etc. End of segment. Then they went on to the unlikelies. Anyway, good to see him in there. (Karen)Why do people equate NC-17 with porn? *shaking head* Agreed. I think it's purely rhetoric to try and get their way with the ratings board. Another ill-informed statement: \"newspapers in more devout regions of the country would almost certainly refuse to carry advertising for the film while a number of mall multiplexes would pull it from their screening schedules.\" This was the old conventional wisdom but it doesn't happen anymore, as we just saw with The Dreamers."}, {"response": 800, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 2004 (10:21)", "body": "(Linda)\"He's got that real sexy like you can maybe really bump into him and really see a guy like him. ..OH he's hot\"....LOL, at least she got the Hot part clear Eh, but you *could* have almost bumped into him in Rockefeller Plaza if I recall and then, and then did actually bump into him in a bar;-))"}, {"response": 801, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 2004 (10:25)", "body": "(Linda) The category may not have been good, but at least he was in the same segment as Paul Neumann. But Newman and Brando were the examples of Bad Boys. Colin was the Nice Guy (stiff and starchy who ultimately stands around and then gets the girl). Overall, it was an idiotic show. Is there really anyone who wasn't mentioned? ;-) And so many of the people who commented...WHO were they?? I also watched the Top 20 Sexy Movie Scenes show. Pathetic. True, they had the good ones in there (both Thomas Crowns, The Big Easy, Against All Odds, L scene from Risky Business) that could not be overlooked and I wouldn't quibble with No. 1 (Body Heat), but some of the others were ludicrous IMO. FYI, Colin's portion, which showed stills from BJD, was not the only one. The English Patient was stills only. I'd say it was a Miramax thing, but there was a clip from The Unbearable Lightness of Being, also Miramax."}, {"response": 802, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 2004 (10:27)", "body": "FYI, Bad Boys were part of the Unlikely group."}, {"response": 803, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 2004 (10:30)", "body": "(Moon)Spotless Mind got tops 4 stars from the Miami Herald. Go Charlie! Same from the Philly Inquirer and many other papers. Charlie Kaufmann can't seem to set a foot wrong. Haven't looked that closely at the credits, but it doesn't seem as though \"Donald Kaufmann\" was involved.;-) (Linda)But he should be used to it as any actor who has been on both sides of the fence-art house vs big budget. That's the way it is. Agreed. It never ceases to amaze me how people who work in or report on the film industry just don't \"get\" the business end of it. Master & Commander cost well over $100 million to make, so of course they'd spend another $40 million to advertise it (am pretty sure my numbers are close). You have to spend money to make money. They couldn't let it fly under the radar or they'd never have a prayer of a chance to get their their investment back. Ditto X-Men. On the other hand, they're not going to spend $40 million to advertise a film that probably cost less than $5 million. It's like slaying a housefly with an atomic bomb. Weird analogy, but you get my drift."}, {"response": 804, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 2004 (10:34)", "body": "(Karen) BTW, Young Adam got an NC-17 rating and will be released uncut in April. Hoorah! We get to see it as-is. NC-17 is not X. Debbie Does Dallas 2 would not have an NC-17 rating because it would never be submitted to the MPAA, which hold the copyright to those ratings. \"Debbie\" would have an X or Triple X or whatever they put on them. Why do people equate NC-17 with porn? *shaking head* They may *say* they are rating it that way for the fully clothed scene, but will bet my last dollar it's for the one or 2 scenes with Ewan's full frontal nudity. Not very lingering shots, but still there....at least when I saw it. Tilda Swinton is also fully nude, if I recall correctly, but of course, that's no problem. Also, there's a very odd scene where he's throwing all kinds of food and stuff all over his girlfriend that I imagine they could take umbrage with."}, {"response": 805, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 2004 (10:46)", "body": "(Moon)Spotless Mind got tops 4 stars from the Miami Herald. Go Charlie! (Mari) Same from the Philly Inquirer and many other papers. Charlie Kaufmann can't seem to set a foot wrong. Haven't looked that closely at the credits, but it doesn't seem as though \"Donald Kaufmann\" was involved.;-) You know, I've seen nothing but stellar reviews for this movie and I want to know, how many of these people went into this movie blind like I did? How many didn't read they're press kits or something about it before going? Because I'm curious if they would've been able to keep track of everything that was going on without some tips. I knew nothing about it other than the name and a few of the stars. I was not that enamored of it throughout, mainly because I found it all over the place. Had a hard time discerning reality and memories and their meaning and order. Lots of jumping around. As I said before, it was an incredibly complex and ambitious script by Charlie Kaufman, and I appreciate that. But it wasn't til we had the discussion after, with 2 of the producers, that most of it made more sense and I sort of started to like it. Maybe I was just dense. Definitely one that will need a repeat viewing on DVD. (Mari) Master & Commander cost well over $100 million to make, so of course they'd spend another $40 million to advertise it (am pretty sure my numbers are close). You have to spend money to make money. They couldn't let it fly under the radar or they'd never have a prayer of a chance to get their their investment back. Domestically I don't think it did as well as they hoped, so they actually probably didn't or won't unless international and DVD sales were awesome."}, {"response": 806, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 2004 (13:50)", "body": "This is just a FYI from Entertainment Weekly, March 5th. Eh, now I know why I never got around to posting. It's 2003 The Year in Box Office. Since it's 132 films and multiple columns, I'm only going to give the placements for a select few--my select few;-) Through Feb 22, 2004. Top 5: LOTR, Finding Nemo, Pirates of the Caribbean, Matrix Reloaded, Bruce Almighty. Last 5: House of Sand and Fog, Confidence, Winged Migration, House of the Dead, and last, Swimming Pool.(132) Information included domestic box, foreigh box, total. Now my two selections for further elaboration;-) #50 Love Actually Domestic 59.5, foreign 176.0, total $235.4 #78 What A Girl Wants Domestic 36.0, foreign 4.4 total $40.4."}, {"response": 807, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 2004 (16:51)", "body": "Colin was the Nice Guy (stiff and starchy who ultimately stands around and then gets the girl). He had me at hello. ;-) (Dorine), Had a hard time discerning reality and memories and their meaning and order. Lots of jumping around. As I said before, it was an incredibly complex and ambitious script by Charlie Kaufman, and I appreciate that. Hurray! A film that makes you think! Anytime over those reality based Indies of late. Secret Lives of Dentists? Oh, please! (Dorine), They may *say* they are rating it that way for the fully clothed scene, but will bet my last dollar it's for the one or 2 scenes with Ewan's full frontal nudity. And Ewan has stated so many times that he likes being naked in films. And he should be, looking vvg. :-) (Karen), they had the good ones in there (both Thomas Crowns, The Big Easy, Against All Odds, L scene from Risky Business) that could not be overlooked and I wouldn't quibble with No. 1 (Body Heat), but some of the others were ludicrous IMO. Agreed!"}, {"response": 808, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 2004 (17:01)", "body": "and the limo scene from No Way Out. All so memorable."}, {"response": 809, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 2004 (17:24)", "body": "Colin was the Nice Guy (stiff and starchy who ultimately stands around and then gets the girl). (Moon)He had me at hello. ;-) He had me at Ding Dong!;-) Well, it was somewhat earlier than that... (Karen), they had the good ones in there (both Thomas Crowns, The Big Easy, Against All Odds, L scene from Risky Business) that could not be overlooked and I wouldn't quibble with No. 1 (Body Heat), but some of the others were ludicrous IMO. (Moon)Agreed! Oooo, Body Heat:-P I much agree and wonder what Adriane Lyne paid to get so many of his films in these shows? His willingness to show up for the interviews, perhaps."}, {"response": 810, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 2004 (17:38)", "body": "(Karen) ...., they had the good ones in there But they missed one of my faves...Harrison Ford and Greta Scacchi on the desk in Presumed Innocent."}, {"response": 811, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 2004 (17:47)", "body": "(Beedee) I much agree and wonder what Adriane Lyne paid to get so many of his films in these shows? His willingness to show up for the interviews, perhaps. LOL! No, I don't think so. That's Adrian Lyne's stock in trade. He's only made 8 films: 1.Unfaithful 2.Lolita 3.Indecent Proposal 4.Jacob's Ladder 5.Fatal Attraction 6.Nine 1/2 Weeks 7.Flashdance 8.Foxes and most have a common denominator. Hey, the guy has limited interests, but he does it so well."}, {"response": 812, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 2004 (18:32)", "body": "(Karen) Why do people equate NC-17 with porn? *shaking head* Agree....There is a definite difference (IMO). (Dorine) They may *say* they are rating it that way for the fully clothed scene, but will bet my last dollar it's for the one or 2 scenes with Ewan's full frontal nudity. I love how they said that...As if they don't want to appear too 'stuffy'. A few years back (just a few), there was some fuss over the rating for Atame! (Tie Me Up Tie Me Down). I remember hearing that Almodovar wanted an R but was being told it would be an X. There were a few sex scenes and the board was saying that those, combined with the 'subject matter' (a young girl is essentially kidnapped and held captive by a man who wants to 'keep' her until she falls in love with him) made it a candidate for an X. Well...Almodovar or Banderas (cannot remember which now) made statements about how that exact theme was present in a G rated film (sans sex of course)...\"Beauty and the Beast\". Some time after those statements were made, the board granted them an NC-17 (something that Pedro couldn't really complain about...it was definte NC material...and his films in Spain often have the \"no one under 18 admitted\" mark on them (remember seeing this on \"Law of Desire\")). I think this film was one of the first to get that rating?? I may be wrong?? Does anyone know the first film?"}, {"response": 813, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 2004 (20:05)", "body": "(Tress)Does anyone know the first film? I don't know but here's a site for his filmography http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,7946-1042593,00.html"}, {"response": 814, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 2004 (20:09)", "body": "LOL, (sorry) that URL isn't for Almodovar, but for the next part of my post concerning the release of the LA DVD in the UK. Here's part of it the rest is here: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,7946-1042593,00.html Grant arrives five minutes late, takes a call from his golf coach and is still great value, pouring amiable scorn on any scene involving Colin Firth. But perhaps the most telling moment comes in an interview with the producer, Duncan Kenworthy, who admits to insisting that Laura Linney\ufffds object of obsession be a smouldering Latin type. His reason? Nobody could fantasise for two years about an Englishman. Here is the one for Almodovar: still LOL http://www.foreignfilms.com/person.asp?person_id=1003&hp=1"}, {"response": 815, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Mar 20, 2004 (09:13)", "body": "Linda! You helped answer my question! I read a few reviews of Atame! and one of the reviewers mentioned \"Henry and June\". That is the first film to receive the NC-17 rating (don't know how many saw it, but I think I slept through most of it when it came out....zzzzzz....). and a waaaaay too long (but somewhat interesting and often amusing) article from the BBC regarding American ratings: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/A220537 I think this foot note is my favorite: 4 However, any movie firm not in compliance is browbeaten into submission and sent to their room without any supper. If they persist, they will inevitably find themselves bankrupt. So much for freedom of choice. I, personally, will always go for unrated and uncut DVDs. Am still a bit miffed that Europe got to see the 'real' version of \"Eyes Wide Shut\" and we (even in DVD format) had to be 'protected' and were given a version that was cut and modified."}, {"response": 816, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 20, 2004 (09:55)", "body": "Good article on the MPAA, Linda. Always enjoy something so dripping in sarcasm. Thanks for posting. The difficulty here is not with the ratings system, but how the public perceives the ratings system, and how they react to it. So true, except for its far greater tolerance of blood, gore and violence. It's there for you, because in the 20th Century we all know how busy you are and how difficult it is to be an informed parent. Oh man, good one! ;-) (Tress) Am still a bit miffed that Europe got to see the 'real' version of \"Eyes Wide Shut\" Same here, but I got even more miffed when I found out that the European version of Tomorrow Never Dies contains the steamier love scene betweem Pierce Brosnan and Halle that was mentioned in the news. I may have to get that code-free DVD player in order to complete my collection of 007 fare, as I will absolutely *not* buy the American one now. Since PB is IMO the best screen kisser out there, I want to see this scene. ;-)"}, {"response": 817, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Mar 20, 2004 (10:46)", "body": "The fact that the public today tends to treat 'NC-17' in exactly the same way they use to treat 'X' Not me. X is still X. I see a lot of foreign films that are U (unrated). Those are always fun. ;-) But in Italy I have to monitor the TV my boys watch at night because of all the porno that is freely available as of 11pm. It is out-of-control there. Thanks for the article, Linda!"}, {"response": 818, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Mar 20, 2004 (20:31)", "body": "(Karen)Since PB is IMO the best screen kisser out there, I want to see this scene. ;-) ...especially when we get the back view of him on those marble stairs--I think that scene made it in both nights for Seducers and Seductive scenes.;-)No nice guy category, there."}, {"response": 819, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 2004 (08:56)", "body": "Nice article on RZ . . . think it's OK to put here on O&E . . . Boss, please move/remove if I'm incorrect . .there was just a slight blurb about BJD/TEOR http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/03/21/1079823235751.html With a British accent to die for and showing tremendous guts to even tackle the role, she was the very funny, weight-battling Bridget Jones, desperately seeking love in Bridget Jones's Diary. (It earned her her first best actress nomination.) Recently she wound up the Bridget sequel Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason (to be released on December 26), teaming up again with Hugh Grant and Colin Firth, both once again battling for her hand. Looking glamorous and every inch the international movie star, Zellweger admits that she's still trying to lose the extra kilograms she had to put on to do the Bridget Jones sequel. \"I had to gobble up all sorts of things to get that weight on again,\" she said. \"You name it: ice-cream, doughnuts, pizza and pasta - I ate the lot.\" But the second time around was a much sweeter experience than when she first tackled Bridget. \"This time I was so much more confident,\" she said. \"Last time when I went to England they were out there with the knives because they were outraged that an American actress was playing this British icon. I could see they wanted a hometown girl in the part, because Bridget is the quintessential young, modern English working woman.\" But when the film came out everyone agreed that Zellweger proved she had the guts, the talent and the perfect accent to pull it off. And early word is that she's done it again in the sequel. \"It was like old home week,\" she said of her return. \"And this time they welcomed me with open arms.\""}, {"response": 820, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 2004 (09:41)", "body": "(a) I am not a moving company or anybody's servant. (b) If it is about Bridget, it would go on TEOR page and, since the rest of the article isn't relevant, a link to it how to go. (c) I'm just deleting in the future. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saw both The Reckoning and Eternal Sunshine. The Reckoning is amazingly similar to HOTPig insofar as the plot is concerned (dead boy, woman accused, weird lord of the castle, played by Vincent Cassel) but it has a more serious tone and the look/feel is closer to The Name of the Rose, with a touch of Illuminata for the backstage look a troupe of actors. That was the part I found most interesting: how the acting troupe put on its reenactments, the makeup, the costuming, and then development of a new play based on the murder they found in this village. The actors' discussions about whether to do something so radical and then the actual play, seemingly done off the cuff but complete and in verse. Really interesting. The village/castle sets looked terribly fake. FYI, a cute touch was Matthew MacFadyen (Tom from MI-5) who played the King's Justice. Some things never change. ;-) Oh yes, Paul Bettany was very good, and Gina McKee hardly had a part. Eternal Sunshine was definitely a film to admire for its uniqueness, but I've always liked Jim Carrey in his serious roles, like this one. I can't picture anybody else being able to pull this off. He and Winslet are wonderful. Was I confused? Yeah, some, but I'm pretty sure I knew what was going. I'd probably get even more out of it on a second viewing. (Moon, this is the same director who did Human Nature with Kaufman.)"}, {"response": 821, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 2004 (10:57)", "body": "(Moon, this is the same director who did Human Nature with Kaufman.) I had posted this info two days ago. ;-) I liked Eternal Sunshine. There was wonderful chemistry between the two. It is quite easy to follow, I was never confused. But I do have years of film classes behind me. It was a treat ot see a film that was worth a film class analysis once again."}, {"response": 822, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 2004 (12:54)", "body": "Re: Moving Messages Apologies if my message sounded mean. I'm just tired of people always telling me to move something if I don't think it's on the right topic."}, {"response": 823, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 2004 (15:26)", "body": "I'm sorry I didn't find this earlier . .. .The cast of Fraiser doing a staged reading of TIOBE - happened already though (ergh march 15th)- http://www.playbill.com/news/article/84933.html http://www.taperahmanson.com/show.asp?id=255"}, {"response": 824, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 2004 (16:08)", "body": "Am feeling v. smug.... Have been to see a sneak preview of Lars von Trier \"Dogville\" ahead of indi-literati on this board;-) This is a story (fable) about Grace (Nicole Kidman), a woman who wanders into the isolated Rocky Mountain hamlet of Dogville during the Depression. The town's residents don't know what to make of her, but young Tom (Paul Bettany,again) urges them to give her a chance and she agrees to work in exchange for shelter. All goes well til one day they find out she is wanted by the police, and from there it is all downhill for poor Grace, (and I might add the poor audience). I found the sparse setting facinating. Chalk lines indicating the houses, street names and gooseberry bushes. V. Brecht-like and Our Town in form. It is all fake and it becomesclear it is allegorical. The acting was terrific. Though I'm getting a little overload on Nicole Kidman (of the eyeliner). Paul Bettany is ordinary, Particia Clarkson v. good and the narrator (John Hurt)pretentious. On the surface this is a film about violence and intolerance in our society , but you soon get the idea that it is anti-bourgeoisie with a generous sprinkling of anti-Americanism thrown in for good measure. Mind you von Trier has never been to America (is afraid to fly) and plans to write two more films on America in this triology. I was not offended by the anti-American sentiments (am inured to them by now, perhaps) .The ending dialogue with NK and James Caan was so absurd, that I joined the audience laughing. Adding to the confusion was a photomontage depicting the squalor in the depression and recent photos (including a Richard Nixon photo[huh?]) that is scored to David Bowie singing \"Young Americans.\" I can?t imagine anyone seeing this film except the arch-devoted artsy crowd, and socialists with an axe to grind. I say employ the (bring- a- tush...)3 hours looking at espisode 1, 2.&3."}, {"response": 825, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 2004 (16:11)", "body": "LOl, that should be...\"Bring a cush\".. but if you have an extra \"tush\", it will come in handy;-)"}, {"response": 826, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 2004 (16:18)", "body": "Evelyn - Lucky lucky!!! I tried rsvcp-ing for the BAFTA screening of Dogville here in NYC but was too late . .Dorine was telling me that she also thought it was as long as you say . .ergh . . Perhaps this will wait till I it comes out on DVD and I can sit my tush on my v. comfy couch! Thanks for your insights on the film."}, {"response": 827, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 2004 (16:49)", "body": "If I had checked my alt paper earlier yesterday, I could've seen it here too (plays again on the 24th, as part of the annual European Union FF at the Siskel Center). But I can wait until it opens....if not later. ;-) I had a feeling it wasn't all that good since it fell flat at Toronto and Lions Gate delayed its opening from the 4Q of last year."}, {"response": 828, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 2004 (17:14)", "body": "For those in a quandary over tonight's programming, A&E will rebroadcast The Last King afterward, which will would be 12 midnight Eastern. I plan to tape it then, so I can watch it in more manageable segments and FF through the commercials. It'll then be reshown on Friday, starting at 8."}, {"response": 829, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 2004 (17:34)", "body": "(Karen)Lions Gate delayed its opening from the 4Q of last year. Had it received better reviews I was afraid Lions Gate was going to push it ahead of GWAPE for Oscar noms. What was the story of Dogville at Cannes? I don'tremember that it was received there v. well And I would have thought it would be their cuppa."}, {"response": 830, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 2004 (18:08)", "body": "(Karen)It'll then be reshown on Friday, starting at 8. I just looked that up in the TVWeek and it shows The Last King as only being 3 hours long then. I am confused. Are they throwing in an hours worth of commercials? Of course, I plan to tape it and FF, but I'm just a bit confused."}, {"response": 831, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 2004 (18:42)", "body": "According to A&E website/schedule, it's on from 8-12 am, then 12-4 am. But, then on Friday March 26, it is on from 8-11 pm, then 12-3. More listings: Saturday 27 March: 1-4 pm Sunday 28 March: 11-2 pm"}, {"response": 832, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 2004 (19:17)", "body": "Thanks for the heads up re Dogville, Evelyn. Am seeing it either this Thurs night or next Sunday morning. Will be a long night for a 7pm screening. Maybe No-Doze is in order? ;-) All I remember about it at Cannes off the top of my head was that she'd said she'd do the others in the trilogy, but then said she wouldn't later. I think he tried to make her to promise to not smoke at Cannes either, but she dissed him on that, too. ;-) Thanks for the repeat info for The Last King, too. The wig on Rufus Sewall looks ok enough, but on Rupert Graves.....:-(."}, {"response": 833, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 2004 (20:46)", "body": "Thanks for posting the additional showings of The Last King. My 13 day old telly went belly up Thursday evening so I have been TV free for some time. Took advantage of the time to indulge in embroidery and some of ODB's DVDs (no player, I watch on computer). As soon as I get my UPS Store mailbox, I can order some of the ones that I love or haven't been able to get at the local Blockbuster (Fever Pitch??? Try in the horror section. Yeah right, sonny) In the meantime, they should be bringing the replacement Tuesday eve, after work. Hopefully, this one will not die such an early death."}, {"response": 834, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 2004 (21:38)", "body": "For anyone who'll be in the NYC area May 1-9.... Haven't decided if I'm volunteering again. :-/ May be too late now anyway. Maybe offhand chance a certain movie will be playing, though sounded like ME wasn't going this route. FROM: TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL 375 Greenwich Street New York, NY 10013 GOVERNOR GEORGE E. PATAKI, ROBERT DE NIRO, JANE ROSENTHAL, AND CRAIG HATKOFF ANNOUNCE 2004 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL * * * Festival to Celebrate 10th Anniversary of Democracy in South Africa, Announces Year-Round Cultural Exchange Initiative [New York, NY \ufffd March 5, 2004] \ufffd Governor George E. Pataki and Tribeca Film Festival co-founders Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff joined together today to announce that the blockbuster festival will once again return to downtown, bringing a broad array of gala premieres, independent films, compelling panels, and a reprise of the highly successful Family Festival. Also announced today were the first round of jurors for the 2004 Festival. They include Ellen Barkin, Chad Lowe, Chris Noth, Mary Louise Parker, Eddie Izzard, Bingham Ray, and Jeff Skoll. The Festival will also spotlight great Latin American filmmakers such as Academy Award nominated director Hector Babenco. Additionally, Elia Kazan, an award winning filmmaker, who died earlier this year, will be remembered with a tribute screening. The Festival will present an exclusive preview of DreamWorks\ufffd new animated comedy Shark Tale, featuring selected scenes from the movie and a special appearance by some of the film\ufffds all-star voice talent. Opening nationwide on October 1, Shark Tale stars the voices of Will Smith, De Niro, Ren\ufffde Zellweger, Angelina Jolie, Jack Black and Scorsese. Also shown will be United Artists\ufffd Coffee & Cigarettes, an ensemble comedy presented in a series of vignettes all revolving around discussions held over coffee and cigarettes, the topics of which include Nicola Tesla, alternative medicine, Paris, the movie industry, and more. The film features a diverse starring cast including Bill Murray, Steve Buscemi, Tom Waits, and Cate Blanchett. In production since the 1980s, the film is in black and white. The Festival will also be reviving one of its most popular programs: panel discussions by a wide variety of industry leaders. In 2004, the Tribeca Film Festival will host over 15 conversations and discussions with some of the most provocative filmmakers, directors, actors, producers and writers in the entertainment community. This year's schedule of panels will feature two discussions relating to music and film. Scorsese, a director who has made music a focal point in his films, will join with Vanity Fair contributing editor Lisa Robinson for a one on one conversation about the influence of music in his movies. In Music Fit for a King, Academy Award winner Shore will discuss his work on The Lord of The Rings trilogy. The Festival will also showcase, as one of several themed categories, the work of great Latin American filmmakers. Academy Award nominated director Babenco\ufffds film Carandiru, a Sony Pictures Classsics Release, will be shown and is a film based on the real life experiences of doctor Drauzio Varella inside Brazil\ufffds dreadful state penitentiary Carandiru. The Festival will also screen Prisoner of the Iron Bars: Self Portraits, a separate film comprised of video captured when some of Carandiru\ufffds inmates were given camcorders to document their experiences. Other films coming to the festival include an adaptation of Dorothy Allison\ufffds novel Cavedweller directed by Lisa Cholodenko and starring Bacon, Sedgwick, Aidan Quinn, and Sherilynn Fenn, the psychological thriller The 24th Day directed by Tony Piccirillo with Scott Speedman and James Marsden, and A Hole in One, the debut film by writer/director Richard Ledes that stars Michelle Williams and Meatloaf. The festival will run from May 1 through May 9. Once again, there will be a family festival that runs concurrently with the festival on the two weekends (May 1-2 and May 8-9.) There will be several films including Thunderbirds, a new family action adventure from Universal Pictures and Working Title, starring Bill Paxton, Sir Ben Kingsley, Anthony Edwards and others. The street fair will be a fun-filled experience for families that will unfold along Greenwich Street with food entertainment, and family activities all day long. From 10am to 6pm on May 8, there will be special performances on multiple festival stages, along with crafts, games, storytelling, art shows, and character appearances. ... the Festival\ufffds program consists of more than 150 features, documentaries and shorts, screened alongside gala premieres of major studio releases. The Festival offers the excitement of premiere screenings with directors and stars in attendance weeks or months before their movies are released commercially, as well as the opportunity to see some offbeat, hard-hitting movies that may not resurface for years. For the filmmakers who participate, it\ufffds a chance f"}, {"response": 835, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 2004 (22:46)", "body": "Dorine . .I may join you if I'm free . . Will keep fingers and toes crossed that ME may decide to show Trauma there (oh please, oh please oh please! . .)"}, {"response": 836, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Mar 22, 2004 (11:14)", "body": "(Dorine)Maybe offhand chance a certain movie will be playing, though sounded like ME wasn't going this route. Uh, you mean the one with the problems in the narrative?;-)Count me in if that happens. as well as the opportunity to see some offbeat, hard-hitting movies that may not resurface for years Well????"}, {"response": 837, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Mar 22, 2004 (20:33)", "body": "Server went back up a little while ago. We had one of our second channel hard drives crash and now we need to replace it. But our main drive is intact and, contrary to an early diagnosis, our motherboard is intact. No data was lost. The second drive was mirrored and even it's data was preserved. Sorry for the 4 hours of downtime, it's a rare and unusually long outage for us. And a good wakeup call!"}, {"response": 838, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Mar 22, 2004 (20:40)", "body": "Is the stuff on the boards backed up or archived somehow anyway? I remember reading waaaaaay back in the old topics about stuff getting lost. I'm sure the technology is pretty different now, just curious. I'm still bummed there's some stuff that was referred to in the archives from the beginning that can't be retrieved anymore. :-("}, {"response": 839, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 2004 (09:44)", "body": "AH! Sigh of relief-boards are back up so can take a long, slow calming breath!!!!"}, {"response": 840, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 2004 (10:10)", "body": "Oooh! I can't wait to see this one. Love Sayles' work: Newmarket stumping for Sayles' 'City' By Ian Mohr Just in time to capitalize on what promises to be a contentious run for the White House in the fall, Newmarket Films has sealed a deal to acquire North American distribution rights to indie auteur John Sayles' political satire \"Silver City.\" \"City\" stars Maria Bello, Thora Birch, Chris Cooper, Richard Dreyfuss, Daryl Hannah, Danny Houston, Kris Kristofferson, Mary Kay Place and Tim Roth. Set in Colorado during a state gubernatorial race, the film follows a grammatically challenged, born-again candidate who is the scion of a formidable right-wing political dynasty. The candidate is in the midst of fumbling his way toward elected office when an unexplained corpse emerges to threaten his campaign, his family's empire and the special interest groups that pull his strings. \" 'Silver City' is John Sayles' best film yet and will really shake up this political season with its spirited sense of mischief-making,\" Newmarket Films president and partner Bob Berney said. \"I loved every character in the film, and John has put together a truly amazing cast, all delivering inspired performances.\" Sayles also wrote and edited \"City.\" Maggie Renzi produced the film through the Anarchists' Convention banner. \"John Sayles and I are thrilled to join the Newmarket juggernaut straight through to the Nov. 2 election and beyond,\" Renzi said. Negotiations on the \"City\" deal were led for Newmarket by company principal William Tyrer. Attorney Sue Bodine repped Anarchists' Convention. \"On behalf of my partners and myself, I can honestly say that we could not be more proud to be in business with John Sayles,\" Tyrer said. \"He has created some of the most memorable and important films of the last few decades, and we believe 'Silver City' will be the latest addition to this group.\""}, {"response": 841, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 2004 (13:05)", "body": "The NY Times review of Dogville, by A.O. Scott: It Fakes a Village: Lars von Trier's America DOGVILLE, the setting for Lars von Trier's new film of the same name, is a tiny, obscure town in the Colorado Rockies. The adult population numbers about 15, and during the Great Depression, when the film takes place, these people's lives are busy, joyless and harsh. The hard-bitten folk who inhabited the Northwestern factory town in \"Dancer in the Dark,\" Mr. von Trier's previous foray into Americana, at least had a community theater, but the most Dogville can offer is some meetings presided over by a self-styled intellectual named Tom Edison Jr. (the English actor Paul Bettany). Dogville is, in short, a place where life seems to have been reduced to its crude minimum. A modern American happening upon \"Dogville,\" which opens in New York and Los Angeles on Friday, will quickly become aware of what has been omitted. \"I deliberately took out religion,\" Mr. von Trier said in a recent telephone interview. Also, he might have added, such quintessential American passions as sports, popular culture and politics: one of the citizens does own a radio, but he snaps it off as soon as one of President Roosevelt's fireside chats comes over the airwaves. In \"Dancer in the Dark\" you could glimpse a framed photograph of President Eisenhower hanging on the wall, a curious touch in a movie supposedly set in 1964, but nonetheless a scrambled signal of some connection between the fictitious characters and the actual political entity they are supposed to inhabit. In the 1930's in Dogville, where the brief appearance of a constable is the only sign of the existence of the state, there are no pictures of F D. R. hanging on the wall. Then again, there aren't any walls. Nor are there any trees or houses or enclosed physical structures of any kind. There is nothing, in short, to mark Dogville as a place, American or otherwise: aside from one or two skeletal structures, an outcropping or two of painted styrofoam and a few pieces of furniture, Dogville is conjured out of chalk outlines and stark stage effects. The floor plans of the tiny houses are stenciled on the ground, as are invisible streets and phantom landmarks like the prized gooseberry bushes and the nonexistent dog whose nonetheless audible bark signals the arrival of a stranger. What happens to that stranger \ufffd a woman named Grace, played with a flawless combination of vulnerability and cunning by Nicole Kidman \ufffd constitutes Mr. Von Trier's latest American tragedy. Young Tom Edison, worried without any obvious reason that the town is in need of \"moral rearmament,\" wishes for a test of its virtues, a real-life \"illustration\" (one of his favorite words) of his vague notions of community and responsibility. Grace, who is fleeing from big-city gangsters, seems to offer a perfect opportunity. She is reluctant to impose on the town's kindness but also utterly helpless. Dogville rises to the challenge of her presence by opening its arms in generosity, and then enclosing her in a pious, self-justifying embrace of indentured servitude, humiliation and, eventually, sexual slavery. It has been frequently noted that Mr. von Trier, a Dane, has never been to the United States. It was so frequently noted in discussions of \"Dancer\" that he was provoked to conceive an entire American trilogy, and to pre-empt objections by noting, in press materials, that the makers of \"Casablanca\" had never been to Morocco. Nor had Kafka been to the United States while writing \"Amerika.\" \"I must say I'm very fond of this idea that Kafka didn't go to America,\" Mr. von Trier said. \"For me it's about America, even though it's about what he had seen in Europe. Somehow America is a canvas that you can use. Of course the film is, like Kafka's book, inspired by my own meeting with not Americans but mostly Danish people. It could be a place anywhere.\" Tom Edison, who is at once Mr. von Trier's alter ego and, ultimately, his villain, might endorse this interpretation. Toward the end of the movie, after the true, ugly nature of the town and its people has been revealed, he conceives a novel \ufffd maybe even a trilogy \ufffd about the experiences of a town just like it. \"Why not just call it Dogville?\" Grace asks. \"No, no,\" he says, \"it has to be universal. A lot of writers make that mistake.\" It is a mistake Mr. von Trier is far too clever to avoid. What makes \"Dogville\" so fascinating, and so troubling, is the tension between the universal and the specific. \"You mean, why not just call it Denmark?\" Mr. von Trier responded, mockingly, when asked about his choice. Because, of course, it couldn't possibly be Denmark. It's America. The script may have been written in Danish and then translated into the strange, mock-literary English the characters speak. The characters themselves may be played by a motley, international collection of actors ranging from Lauren Bacall to Chlo\ufffd Sevigny to Stellan Skarsgard. (You can hardly expect a man who "}, {"response": 842, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 2004 (14:34)", "body": "\"the nonexistent dog whose nonetheless audible bark signals the arrival of a stranger\" \"Moses\". LOL. I didn't know he was non-existent. \" The coda is so heavy-handed it's hard to take it seriously at all\" I'm telling ya' the audience laughed. A museum audience....not the cineplex crowd. [LvT]\"But I can't deny that I am by heart a socialist\" Now...how could anybody guess that... \"And the citizens of Dogville, for all their exaggerated frontier folksiness, seem to have been projected from the anxious unconscious of Europe. They are rooted to the spot,immobilized by habit and prejudice, incapable of flight or self-invention,...\" *snort* (I didn't say that , boss...AO Scott did.) Oh , but that we could all be as flawless as Danes;-)"}, {"response": 843, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 2004 (17:05)", "body": "LOL! Knew you'd get a kick out of it. I liked the title of the piece and his justification for setting the trilogy here, without ever having been here. VT sets his Americana movies in places that aren't as accessible to foreigners. One can easily portray a NY or an LA, but a small town in the NW (Dancer in the Dark) or wherever Dogville is supposed to be. No, ain't going to happen. But let's not forget not to lump all Danes in the same boat, eh, Annette? ;-)"}, {"response": 844, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 2004 (17:44)", "body": "(karen) But let's not forget not to lump all Danes in the same boat, eh, Annette? ;-) Of course. Present company is always excluded. I mean't to put ;-/ ..meaning LvT. If #2 is on Racism and Slavery, wanna bet # 3 is on Capital Punishment? #1 put us all in the \"Sopranos\" category...with uzuzzi's(?) in every home. BTW the last episode of The Sopranos had some magnificent accent . The final scene between Tony and Uncle Junior was stunning. So how come no one has commented on \"The Last King\" Loooong...esp the first half. Second half moved along."}, {"response": 845, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 2004 (17:44)", "body": "I thank you, Karen :-) Lars Von Trier is not what some of us would call a typical Dane. I for one, am not a big fan of most of his movies."}, {"response": 846, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 2004 (20:07)", "body": "(Annette)I for one, am not a big fan of most of his I liked Dancer in the Dark (bleak) and Breaking the Waves (painful to watch). Hmmmm, maybe liked isn't the right word. Admired ? He seems to portray his women characters as victims of humanity."}, {"response": 847, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 2004 (00:08)", "body": "You're welcome, Annette. Am very sensitive, sympathetic and nice person. ;-))))) (Evelyn) So how come no one has commented on \"The Last King\" I thought it was great, especially if you took it in two sittings. Rufus was excellent, though nobody aged at all. Quite a different portrayal of Charles from the movie Restoration and others. Other than his desire to be an absolute monarch (a natural inclination, of course), he came off extremely well: very wise and astute and a responsible king. Is this revisionism at its best?"}, {"response": 848, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 2004 (01:20)", "body": "Saw the new Coen Bros. movie The Ladykillers last night. I liked it for the most part with some reservations. *Loved* the woman in it, Irma P. Hall. I liked it a heck of a lot better than Intolerable Cruelty. I had such high expectations for that one and it fell flat for me. One of the big things that really bothered me in this is the overuse, really, of cursing by Marlon Wayans character. An occasional, f-word or m-f or bitch is ok, but when it's used very frequently, it's a bit ridiculous. He was supposed to be a lower class and of the street, but still.... I just now noticed this is R, which is really unnecessary if they didn't have all the cursing. Also, the designated stupid, dunce-like guy was a bit too so for me. I wondered how he could get dressed in the morning. Now the music!....Loved the gospel music. That T. Bone Burnett is sharp in picking out the soundtrack and score. Love his wife's (Sam Philips) music, too, though it's not in this movie. I've read the opinions that the original of this movie is excellent. I'll have to check it out sometime."}, {"response": 849, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 2004 (01:56)", "body": "Boy, talk about counterprogramming.... Monty Python's 'Life of Brian' Set for Re-Release Tue Mar 23, 9:03 PM ET By Steve Gorman LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Coming back soon to a theater near you -- a controversial film about a Jewish guy from Nazareth who is worshiped as the Messiah and crucified by the Romans. No, it's not Mel Gibson (news)'s \"The Passion of the Christ.\" It's Monty Python's \"Life of Brian.\" Inspired by the runaway success -- and public furor -- over Gibson's portrayal of the last 12 hours in the life of Jesus, the creators behind the 1979 biblical satire about an anti-Roman activist who spends his life being mistaken for a prophet are planning a 25th anniversary re-release next month. \"Life of Brian\" will open at the end of April in Los Angeles and New York before expanding to other cities across the country, Rainbow Film Company president Henry Jaglom (news), whose distribution arm is reissuing the film, said on Tuesday. Jaglom, a writer-director whose partner, John Goldstone, produced the original film, said trailers for the comedy would appear in theaters starting on Good Friday. \"We decided this is an important time to re-release this film, to provide some counter-programing to 'The Passion,\"' Jaglom told Reuters. \"I intend it, hopefully, to serve as an antidote to all the hysteria about Mel's movie.\" He said marketing for the re-release would play off Gibson's film by adapting such taglines as \"Mel or Monty\" and \"The Passion or the Python\" -- \"we want to give people a choice.\" The members of the Monty Python comedy troupe -- John Cleese (news), Terry Gilliam (news), Michael Palin (news), Terry Jones (news) and the late Graham Chapman (news) (who played Brian) -- all shared writing credits on the film and won back theatrical rights to it several years ago. Jaglom said the surviving members \"all agreed this was a good time\" to re-release the film and would help promote it. Owing to a heavy turnout by Christian moviegoers and weeks of intense media attention, Gibson's film opened to blockbuster success on Feb. 25 -- Ash Wednesday. \"The Passion\" has gone on to generate nearly $300 million in North American ticket sales alone, becoming the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time. \"Life of Brian,\" stirred an uproar all its own 25 years ago, with some Christians condemning the film as blasphemous. The film only got made when former Beatle George Harrison (news) stepped in to finance the picture after EMI Films withdrew from the project, fearing that it was too controversial. The movie focused on the fictional Brian of Nazareth, a Jew who is born in the manger next-door to Jesus and grows up to join an anti-Roman separatist group called the Judean People's Front but ends up being mistaken for the Messiah. The film's creators have said it was meant as a spoof on Bible films and intolerance rather than Christianity. But that distinction was lost on some who were offended by the irreverent flavor of the film, including a scene in which several crucifixion victims sing and whistle the tune \"Look On the Bright Side of Life\" while hanging on crosses."}, {"response": 850, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 2004 (08:56)", "body": "(Dorine) One of the big things that really bothered me in this is the overuse, really, of cursing by Marlon Wayans character. An occasional, f-word or m-f or bitch is ok, but when it's used very frequently, it's a bit ridiculous. So, you must not like Kevin Smith's films, right? Speaking of language, anybody watch Deadwood on HBO? The language floored me too. Not only the frequency, but the anachronistic nature of it and other details. It was like the Sopranos in the wild wild west. I'm sure the language used was coarse, but it just seemed like the wrong words for that place and time. Every other word was the F word or the compound C-S word. Maybe it's my formative years, growing up watching sanitized westerns on TV. Who knows, but I don't recall any of the other dark and more realistic filmed westerns bothering me this way. More anachronisms! I started writing them down, as I watched. Besides, the curse words, one guy talked about someone being a \"motivated seller.\" I guess he must've worked for Century 21 or ReMax back in the big city. ;-) Another said he had performed his \"due diligence.\" Then the cost of items was so out of whack for that time period. Someone was selling prospector's equipment off the back of his wagon and shovels were like $8. Two guys were bidding for another's claim and it went to like $20,000. Are they kidding? This is the time when a guy paid $1 for night's room and board and two bits for a poke. ;-) Someone did not do their homework."}, {"response": 851, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 2004 (09:05)", "body": "(Karen)Am very sensitive, sympathetic and nice person. ;-))))) Pssst...you forgot \"humble\":-/ BTW boss, Big Group Hug for alerting DD's to Drool outage. *kiss* *kiss*"}, {"response": 852, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 2004 (09:19)", "body": "Marlon Wayans was on the Today Show this morning. Katie said she was going to wash his mouth out with soap and told him it's your fault I couldn't bring my daughters to this one.:-) Dorine, you didn't mention Tom Hanks. He seems really funny in the commercials; that accent and those teeth crack me up. He was on the Daily Show yesterday promoting this; Jon Stewart is really getting the big names. I plan to see it; the Coens and Tom Hanks--I'm there. Re: The Last King. I did it all in one sitting, though fell asleep on the last half hour; will have to catch up on the re-run. I liked it well enough; it held my attention for 4 hours, so that's saying a lot. Rufus Sewell did a good job, I thought. One thing that struck me was his visits among the common folk during the Plague and then the great fire. I'm not saying that a king wouldn't do this--but royalty of that time has never been portrayed on film as being overly compassionate, that I can recall. The outside sets were very cheesy."}, {"response": 853, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 2004 (09:30)", "body": "From THR, now, this is a creative solution: ShoWest: Fithian presses tolerance of NC-17 By Gail Schiller LAS VEGAS -- Arguing that theater owners can show NC-17 films and that studios can successfully advertise them, National Association of Theatre Owners president John Fithian on Tuesday urged Hollywood to release more NC-17 fare in an effort to make the controversial rating more viable. Speaking at the opening ceremony of ShoWest, Fithian also said that Mel Gibson's \"The Passion of the Christ\" and the controversy over the film that played out in movie theaters nationwide proved that when filmmakers have something to say, they still choose to do it first in theaters. Fithian said he was delighted to see at least three studios releasing NC-17 films this year: Fox Searchlight's \"The Dreamers,\" Lions Gate's \"High Tension\" and Sony Pictures Classics' \"Young Adam.\" \"Every rating in the system has a function, and the viability of the whole system depends on the appropriate use of every single rating,\" said Fithian, who noted that Fox Searchlight discovered with its February release of Bernardo Bertolucci's \"Dreamers\" that \"the myths about why the NC-17 (rating) won't work are simply that--myths.\" \"First of all, theater owners will play NC-17s. On a case-by-case basis, (with) good pictures that fit the audience in their marketplaces, they will use that rating. Secondly, there's a myth you can't get NC-17s advertised,\" said Fithian, adding that Fox Searchlight debunked that notion by advertising the film in virtually all the markets it had targeted. An NC-17 rating--no one 17 or younger admitted--has long been considered a stigma on theatrical releases that damages boxoffice and video sales as well as advertising. \"Dreamers\" was the first film released by an MPAA signatory company with an NC-17 rating in six years. Addressing an audience of theater owners, Fithian invoked the success of Gibson's \"Passion\" as proof of the ongoing viability on their business despite the onslaught of new home theater technologies. [yadda yadda, other comments about the changes, trends, and challenges affecting theater owners.]"}, {"response": 854, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 2004 (09:52)", "body": "(Dorine) One of the big things that really bothered me in this is the overuse, really, of cursing by Marlon Wayans character. An occasional, f-word or m-f or bitch is ok, but when it's used very frequently, it's a bit ridiculous. (Karen) So, you must not like Kevin Smith's films, right? Not sure if there was supposed to be a winkie there or not ;-).... Irregardless, I'm a huge fan of KS. Dogma one of my all time favorites. Saw him at a Q&A last year and literally every sentence he said had the f-word at least once. But I will say, despite that, he was *very* f-ng funny. ;-) In the context of his movies, I expect that language. In the Ladykillers, it seemed so out of place because, except for when he taunted one of the other guys into cursing a bit, too, Gawain (Marlon Wayans) was over the top compared to the rest. It was just too big a counterpoint to the Prof (Tom Hanks), who was the genteel Southern gentleman. I liked Tom Hanks for the most part, but at times it seemed he was trying too hard to me. He was a great with the old woman though. And that laugh of his was pretty amusing, too. Because of the Deep South characterization aspect, my mind kept coming back to George Clooney in O'Brother Where Art Thou...thinking how incredible I thought his performance was and I didn't think it was quite as good. Nor did I think it was close to Forrest Gump as the ads keep touting. And a movie in my top 10, probably Top 5, with over the top violence and language....Pulp Fiction. Brilliant film."}, {"response": 855, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 2004 (12:00)", "body": "(Dorine) And a movie in my top 10, probably Top 5, with over the top violence and language....Pulp Fiction. Brilliant film. My Top 5 too... Also like Reservior Dogs and Trainspotting (load me up with bad language and/or violence). Clerks (badly acted, but the dialogue is hilarious) and Dogma are favorites as well. Really like Kevin Smith a lot (for a good laugh, I recommend his website. Click on the cartoon and take the Office Tour, otherwise you get stuck looking at the merchandise...but if you want a Buddy Jesus, this is the place to go) http://www.viewaskew.com/"}, {"response": 856, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 2004 (12:19)", "body": "Kevin Smith should write and not direct, but have always liked his movies from Clerks through Mallrats through Chasing Amy and Dogma. Never saw Jay & Silent Bob and doubt will see Jersey Girl. Love his Roadside Atrractions shorts on Leno's show. However, I am having a change of heart about him, as a result of reading Biskind's book. As for Tarantino, not a real fan. Pulp Fiction was fine, but his schtick is not my schtick. All style (does it look cool?) and no substance."}, {"response": 857, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 2004 (12:25)", "body": "(Mari)I liked it well enough; it held my attention for 4 hours, so that's saying a lot Agreed. I was pleasantly surprised to see one of my favorites, Martin Freeman, from LA and The Office. I think, though, I'm more partial to him in comedy. Shirley Henderson's voice began to get on my nerves. I was expecting Harry Potter and gang to surface;-) Favorite line, from Charles when she arrives to marry him...\"They've brought me a bat.\" The hair, Louisa;-) P&P moment-Charles watching Catherine from the upstairs window as she frolics with the dog. I know there was another one, but I can't remember at the moment-will have to catch it on my VHS."}, {"response": 858, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 2004 (12:48)", "body": "(Annette), Lars Von Trier is not what some of us would call a typical Dane. That's not a bad thing, is it? ;-) I'm a fan of the DOGMA movement and consider \"Dancer in the Dark\" a masterpiece. (Karen), As for Tarantino, not a real fan. but his schtick is not my schtick. All style (does it look cool?) and no substance. I agree! I think Pulp Fiction is overrated, much preferred Resevoir Dogs, although, it is not my schtick. (Mari)I liked it well enough; it held my attention for 4 hours, so that's saying a lot I agree! Was surprised he did not annul his marriage and was very surprised that he converted to Catholism on his death bed. It must be said that he tried to work with Parliament before they began to blackmail him for his power. He did the right thing to claim absolute power, but following tradition and standing by the Duke of York as his succesor did him in. Just think, even back then the mob was calling to an end of tradition. :-("}, {"response": 859, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 2004 (14:25)", "body": "I thought the first half of The Last King dragged for me, but picked up once the story left the bedroom;-) Thought Rupert Graves was terrific....'cept for the blond wig. Didn't you like 'em both with heads shaved:-))) I hope Diana Rigg takes over from Judi Dench roles. Poor Charles, had a barren wife who didn't speak English, the London fire and the plague... Got awfully tired of the religion stuff, but I guess it was important in those days LOL. I guess here too til JFK. (Tress)Also like Reservior Dogs and Trainspotting (load me up with bad language and/or violence). Lars VT would love you;-) I don't like anything about or by Tarantino."}, {"response": 860, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 2004 (17:15)", "body": "(Moon) Was surprised he did not annul his marriage and was very surprised that he converted to Catholism on his death bed. Ya gotta wonder what went on in those days for a mere fever to result in women never being able to conceive again. Seems like it always happens in the movies. ;-) Not annuling the marriage and finding some nice Protestant lady was probably his worst judgmental error. He knew what having his openly Catholic brother as his successor meant and it flies at odds with everything else he did to heal a nation that had experienced such upheaval. That he converted on his deathbed didn't surprise me. Loved the scene at the end when he got all regally dolled up in order to dissolve Parliament. Strangely enough, I found I knew the words. (\"Gentlemen, you may go home.\") Must have read them somewhere some time ago. ;-) (Linda) Favorite line, from Charles when she arrives to marry him...\"They've brought me a bat.\" The hair, Louisa;-) That was precious! (Evelyn) Got awfully tired of the religion stuff, but I guess it was important in those days Can you say understatement? ;-) But it was far more than Kennedy-era fears of Papal influence. The history of Europe was the history of the Catholic Church. Until the rise of the modern nation state, religion was key to understanding the geopolitics of Europe."}, {"response": 861, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 2004 (22:31)", "body": "I had noticed after checking this on the TEOR topic . . A contest from Working Title -win a free Love Actually DVD (I'm assuming the contest is still on since it's still on the site:) http://www.workingtitlefilms.com/nusite.php"}, {"response": 862, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 2004 (07:13)", "body": "Last night I did a complete, full backup of all the websites, including firth, spring and austen, and am currently in the midst of backing up the bbs. I will be testing and doing backups all day today. I am also researching the need to \"spare\" parts in the event of a motherboard failure on our server. Recent experience has shown us that it would take 3-4 days to order and get a spare motherboard shipped to our colocation facility. I'd like to raise the funds to get a spare motherboard on hand and replace the crashed hard drive that is continuing to cause problems on our system."}, {"response": 863, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 2004 (09:31)", "body": "Last night's Keen Eddie featured the same kid in \"About a Boy\" who hooked up with HG. Same role too. Cute show. I like the fact that they don't take themselves seriously. Some of these shows think they are larger than life. (Terry)Recent experience has shown us that it would take 3-4 days to order and get a spare motherboard shipped to our colocation facility. *Overnight* Express ?"}, {"response": 864, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 2004 (09:47)", "body": "Please post your messages elsewhere on Spring for the other conferences. Drool has done its thing. Also, this isn't the place anyway. (Evelyn) Last night's Keen Eddie featured the same kid in \"About a Boy\" who hooked up with HG. When I was flipping channels, I noticed he looked familiar then placed him. Gotten v. tall, hasn't he? Will watch the taped KE today. ;-)"}, {"response": 865, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 2004 (10:02)", "body": "(Mark) I agree there's no UK comparison to SNL, certainly not in terms of longevity. Our sketch shows tend to go for a maximum of about 4 years That is always been the crux of the issue: longevity. In the US, if a program is successful, it goes on as long as possible, plus a full TV season requires 26 episodes. In the UK, only half that amount are made, which accounts for why the programs are not picked up by US networks. Also, the longevity of our programs makes them iconic. Programs that have been on for 10 years or longer tend to be like that. ;-) But so many successful UK programs only do a few years. Last night, Ricky Gervais was on Letterman and talked about how they've stopped doing The Office. It's only had three seasons. That wouldn't happen here to a popular, award-winning program. That Was The Week That Was (known by devotees as TW3), Monty Python, The Two Ronnies, Three of a Kind, Not The Nine O'Clock News, A Kick up the Eighties, Smack The Pony, The Fast Show. Many of these have shown here (pre-BBC America) on PBS or Bravo. Ernie Kovacs: name rings a vague bell, but I couldn't identify him. Before you were born, I'm sure. My dad's fave....the Nairobi Trio. \"da da da, da da da da, da da da da, da da da da. boom.\""}, {"response": 866, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 2004 (10:06)", "body": "She's going to be everywhere it seems... Suvari Takes Own Chair in 'Beauty Shop' Thu Mar 25, 1:20 AM ET By Liza Foreman LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - From \"American Beauty\" to \"Beauty Shop\" ... Mena Suvari (news) is joining the cast of Queen Latifah's \"Barbershop\" spinoff, which is set to begin shooting next month. The MGM project revolves around a beauty shop run by Gina (Queen Latifah) where there's more interest in the talk than the haircuts. Alicia Silverstone (news) plays the sole white staffer, while Djimon Hounsou (news) plays the leading man. Suvari will play Joanne, an upper-crust opinionated socialite. Bille Woodruff (\"Honey\") will direct. Suvari was most recently in theaters with the 2002 movie \"Spun.\" Upcoming releases include \"Trauma,\" \"Closing the Ring,\" \"Living and Breathing\" and \"Standing Still.\" Reuters/Hollywood Reporter"}, {"response": 867, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 2004 (10:51)", "body": "I think I've developed a \"heterosexual woman crush\" on Kate Winslet after last night. Allow me to explain.... At film class last night and was looking around the theater for the Professor, just as it was supposed to start, to see if he was around and getting ready to start. I look up to the diagonal, top corner from me and see who I thought was Sam Mendes standing there. It was a bit away, so it was hard for me to tell for absolute certain. I was trying to rack my brain to figure out if he had a movie coming out that I'd forgotten about and maybe missed him talking about on Charlie Rose a couple of weeks ago. Couldn't think of anything, but became more certain as I looked at him and was excited as I figured he was the guest. So the Prof gets up to do his usual spiel about whatever subject would relate to the movie we would see (he never tells us what the movie is until after his spiel). 45 mins later, he mentions Eternal Sunshine...and that he had said that night we saw it, he planned to have a star from it at a later date. That's when I realized it was Kate Winslet! I had seen him come in with 2 women, but couldn't make out either one as they were starting to bring the house lights down. She is probably one of the *least* affected and most charming and endearing A-listers I've ever seen (George Clooney is another off the top of my head....and do we count ODB as A-list now that he's done SNL? *note no winkie*). She's a gabber, too! I saw her on Actor's Studio a couple of weeks ago and remember finding her very charming then too, but can't remember how she was overall, though the part about Harvey Keitel's death scene was a riot. There's quite a bit I can't really mention on a public board as it was some more personal stuff for her...about her family in England, herself and family with SM, and other rather personal stuff I was surprised he got into. Seems the director on Eternal Sunshine was very open to having them collaborate on setting up and running scenes, very improvisational at times. Says she takes tons of notes on scripts and has little post-it notes all over her scripts. Gets worried when she doesn't see it in others, but was relieved when Jim Carrey had *tons*. To help her get her back to or just to the proper emotional plane of a particular scene, she'll write on the blank side of the page opposite the scene she's shooting that day what was the last thing that was happening so she can match it and not have to flip back and forth in the script. With this script, since the scenes were so jumbled around and flicking back and forth, she needed it especially with this film to keep her own continuity. Said if she looks stiff or scared in the scene that they took the ad picture for, it's because they were on a frozen lake at 3am shooting and because of the heaters and weight of all the equipment, a big crack occurred under her and went right by her head. They all laughed at her, because they knew it wouldn't be a big deal since the ice was so thick, but she was just trying to get through it quickly. I could tell the teacher was so enamored of her too, because the interview ran for over an hour and a half when they are usually only 45 mins, occasionally an hour. It ran *so* long, we didn't have time for a film! He wouldn't even tell us what it was supposed to be, but said it was kinda long. :-( I was exhausted so I was glad he didn't show one. It would have to have been one special movie for me to stay the whole time. They also talked about the Oscars, the red carpet (the local lane for somebodies, and express lane for nobodies, LOL!). She mentioned how annoyed she was at Billy Bush this year inside the theater...said she was mortified for poor Johnny Depp and Keisha Castle-Hughes for being put on the spot like that, as usually it's a relief for all of them to get into the theater as it's been generally off limits to press like that. Gives them time to relax, such as it were, and compose themselves before it starts. The teacher told a v. funny story about when he went to the Oscars one year as guests of someone there....he was walking up the red carpet and Joan Rivers spotted him and wanted him to come over. They had met at a dinner party sometime prior to that, sat next to each other and spoken briefly. Unfortunately, Joan realized too late that even though she knew him, he was a \"nobody\". At that point she had to run with it and asked him who he was wearing. He pointed to his jacket and said \"Today's Man,\" and to his pants and said \"Loehmann's\" (a Brooklyn shopping institution of more downscale clothing). The whole room was ROTF! She talked about the post-Oscar parties as not really parties, but press manipulations for whoever is putting them on...Vanity Fair, In-Style, etc. At the end, she was given a plaque of appreciation, and while we're clapping, she was spoofing crying and thanking her family, dog, etc. Kind of a joke on what she'd been talking about earlier about getting 3 noms and no wins. She "}, {"response": 868, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 2004 (11:20)", "body": "Thanks, Dorine! Have alwsys liked her too. I've always felt she should have been Bridget Jones, and I still do! She said discovered it's fun to dress for fun. I always thought that to be \"The\" British way for fashion. What a great class! So what film was to be shown? (Karen), Last night, Ricky Gervais was on Letterman and talked about how they've stopped doing The Office. It's only had three seasons. Never got into that show. I can not understand why it's so successul."}, {"response": 869, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 2004 (11:27)", "body": "(Moon) So what film was to be shown? (Me) He wouldn't even tell us what it was supposed to be, but said it was kinda long. :-( I was exhausted so I was glad he didn't show one. It would have to have been one special movie for me to stay the whole time."}, {"response": 870, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 2004 (11:49)", "body": "(Dorine)I think I've developed a \"heterosexual woman crush\" on Kate Winslet I can see why, have you told her yet? She sounds like a charming, very down to earth person. (Evelyn) Last night's Keen Eddie featured the same kid in \"About a Boy\" Saw that, too. I thought the other kid was cute, too--Fiona's co-worker's brother. Another new episode next week. I wonder if they'll do anymore?"}, {"response": 871, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 2004 (12:25)", "body": "Dorine, thanks for the Kate news! Since I can't be a Metro Gal I have to live vicariously through your posts. Sounds like a great evening and that she was very 'up front' in her answers. Always great to hear stories like that about celebs. (Evelyn) Cute show. I like the fact that they don't take themselves seriously. Last Saturday, a cable guy came to my door and I have not been the same since. I now have digitial and have more channels than I know what to do with....but I saw my first episode of Keen Eddie last night (missing Nip/Tuck as I totally spaced it, so now must consider TiVo to catch both). Anyway, loved it. Loved the AAB boy (who is growing! His voice is deeper and he's tall and his face is thinning out!) and the dog that likes crisps and Eddie. What a riot. Great show and I'm looking forward to next week, a 'fight club' episode."}, {"response": 872, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 2004 (12:32)", "body": "(Tress) missing Nip/Tuck as I totally spaced it Oh, crap!! Are they rerunning those and I'm missing them? Needed to tape them for someone. Can't wait til June for the new ones."}, {"response": 873, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 2004 (12:50)", "body": "(Dorine) Oh, crap!! Are they rerunning those and I'm missing them? Yup! And I missed a few episodes and dont' know which one they showed last night. But.....they are showing the pilot on Sunday (28th) at 11:00 p.m. my time (Pacific). I'd check you listings, you should be okay with taping. Looks like Sundays and Wednesday nights (so I'm assuming I missed the pilot last night and they rebroadcast on Sundays)."}, {"response": 874, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 2004 (13:12)", "body": "Thanks, Dorine. Charming account of KW at your class. So what was Sam doing while his wife was in the spotlight? Did he hang around at the back of the room? She mentioned how annoyed she was at Billy Bush this year inside the theater...said she was mortified for poor Johnny Depp and Keisha Castle-Hughes for being put on the spot like that I've read other criticisms of that as well as when he sat down between Nicole and RZ. \"Loehmann's\" (a Brooklyn shopping institution of more downscale clothing). Downscale? How about last season's designerwear? Re: Nip/Tuck I wanted to watch the rebroadcast of the pilot (or at least tape it), but there were too many conflicts. Sunday, you say? Maybe, I'll catch it then. I once watched part of an episode and wasn't enthralled. Will give it another go."}, {"response": 875, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 2004 (13:20)", "body": "From Variety: Focus widens lens with Rogue David Rooney, STAFF Focus Features, looking to expand into mainstream commercial territory, has created Rogue Pictures, a label devoted to upscale action, thriller and urban fare with franchise potential. [Ed note: isn't this what parent company--Universal--does?] Focus co-presidents David Linde and James Schamus announced Rogue at ShoWest on Wednesday, giving the 2-year-old Universal specialty unit additional muscle to compete with more established players like Miramax and New Line. Unlike Miramax sister unit Dimension Films, however, Rogue will be run by the same executive team as Focus, rather than by a dedicated staff. Rogue releases will be overseen by Focus distribution prexy Jack Foley, who honed his genre skills on the \"Scream\" series while at Miramax. While the first-year lineup includes three or four pics, Focus has not set an annual quota of titles for the division. Like the Focus slate, Rogue's output will tilt more heavily toward features developed inhouse than acquisitions. The genre arm will debut with the wide Halloween-weekend release of horror sequel \"Seed of Chucky,\" now in production with series creator Don Mancini writing and directing. The fifth deadly doll installment stars Jennifer Tilly, Redman, Hannah Spearritt, John Waters and the voices of Billy Boyd and Brad Dourif. The first domestic acquisition for Rogue is an untitled Jet Li starrer produced by Luc Besson's Europa Corp., currently in post. Directed by Louis Leterrier, the action drama about a violent killing machine who attempts to break from the mob also stars Morgan Freeman and Bob Hoskins. Focus parent Universal will release the pic in the U.K., Germany, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa through UIP. Also on the inaugural Rogue slate is director Jean-Francois Richet's remake of John Carpenter's 1976 \"Assault on Precinct 13,\" which starts shooting April 5. Rapper Busta Rhymes has joined the cast, which includes Ethan Hawke, Laurence Fishburne, Maria Bello, John Leguizamo, Drea de Matteo, Gabriel Byrne and Brian Dennehy. \"In the same way we've carved out our niche as Focus in the last two years, Rogue will stick very much to our basic model,\" Schamus told Daily Variety. \"On the same day we hear that the average MPAA studio release costs over $100 million, we realize there is a real place in the market right now for sanely budgeted and marketed, audience-specific movies that aren't necessarily arthouse. We've given it long, hard thought.\" \"We still perceive it as a specialized business, but what Rogue represents is an organic growth of that kind of business,\" he continued. \"We don't have to assume in our plans that any of these films will be wild successes, but what we can assume is that every release will get the chance to be so.\" Talent focus Despite the emphasis on more commercial genre fare and far wider, more aggressively upfront releases than the distrib's standard platform approach, Rogue will retain the key Focus mandate of seeking material- and filmmaker-driven projects that utilize established and breakout talent. \"The same rules still apply, which is that the one kind of movie we'll never make is the movie for everybody,\" Schamus explained. \"We realize that there is added value to building a brand and in not confusing what people have come to associate with the Focus name to date, but instead trying to re-create the same kind of pedigree with this other part of the movie landscape.\" As part of the branding of the nascent division, Focus will set up strategic corporate alliances, Internet marketing and outreach to genre and niche media. Worldwide rights to the majority of Rogue titles will be held by Focus Intl. Focus, in addition to spawning a string of specialty hits and awards honorees--including \"The Pianist,\" \"Far From Heaven,\" \"Lost in Translation,\" \"21 Grams\" and the current \"Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind\"--has developed a thriving international business that lends stability to the domestic operation. Hatched out of Good Machine Intl., Focus Intl. has shepherded $100 million-grossing hits from titles like \"Lost in Translation\" and Zhang Yimou's \"Hero.\" This year, the division has international rights to Pedro Almodovar's Cannes opener \"Bad Education\" and Zhang's \"House of Flying Daggers,\" which also is among titles under discussion for the French fest. Balance sought \"Domestic and international both function as anchors for each other,\" Schamus said. \"When you make the kind of movies we make, they have to work internationally--look at '21 Grams.' When you take the kind of aesthetic risks we take in the normal course of business, you must be able to leverage those against what you know is a more available international marketplace.\" The introduction of Rogue means that titles previously sold off, like last year's \"The Texas Chainsaw Massacre\" remake--which went to New Line during the transition from Good Machine to Focus--now will remain inhouse earners. "}, {"response": 876, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 2004 (13:40)", "body": "Like the Focus slate, Rogue's output will tilt more heavily toward features developed inhouse than acquisitions. Up to that point, I was holding out hope for Trauma;-( Thanks, Karen"}, {"response": 877, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 2004 (14:04)", "body": "Except for the fact that everything shown on the slate were \"acquisitions.\" Another irreconcilable bit to this article."}, {"response": 878, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 2004 (15:42)", "body": "(Karen) So what was Sam doing while his wife was in the spotlight? Did he hang around at the back of the room? He was sitting in the seats where I saw him heading to initially. She would glance up that way periodically when mentioning him by name or allude to him. He was not pointed out though....her night. And judging by comments I heard around me, esp by the guy I mentioned my initial sighting to, people didn't know they were married, or together at all probably. Thanks for the Focus interview. (Me) She mentioned how annoyed she was at Billy Bush this year inside the theater...said she was mortified for poor Johnny Depp and Keisha Castle-Hughes for being put on the spot like that (Karen) I've read other criticisms of that as well as when he sat down between Nicole and RZ. The one that ticked me off is when he leaned his whole body over Alec Baldwin to get to Sandra Bullock, so that AB had to lean forward. I would've been livid if I were AB to have to lean over like that for so long. Too rude. Re: Nip/Tuck I wanted to watch the rebroadcast of the pilot (or at least tape it), but there were too many conflicts. Sunday, you say? Maybe, I'll catch it then. I once watched part of an episode and wasn't enthralled. Will give it another go. Oh, yes, stick with it! I saw maybe the second or third episode first and didn't catch up to the pilot til later. Am glad it worked out that way as I made a mental note in the middle of the pilot that I may not have stuck with it had I seen that one first. I thought it kept getting better, or at least increasingly compelling and fun as the season went on and you got to know them better."}, {"response": 879, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 2004 (18:07)", "body": "(Linda)...Fiona's co-worker's brother. Oh the Bar Mitzvah kid...hilarious. So tongue in cheek..I loved it. And what about the look on the kid's face when he noticed the sparring between Fiona and Eddie...he's figured it out. (Dorine)Loehmann's\" (a Brooklyn shopping institution of more downscale clothing). LOL. That hurt, Dorine;-( Once on Fifth, they are over on 17th &7th, I think. Got all my prom dresses there a million years ago. (Dorine)She would glance up that way periodically when mentioning him by name or allude to him. When James Lipton asked her \"What turns you on\". Kate W. said:\"My Husband\". She sounds like someone who would be fun to be around. Doesn't take herself seriously. Thanks for this, Dorine."}, {"response": 880, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 2004 (18:48)", "body": "(Evelyn)And what about the look on the kid's face when he noticed the sparring between Fiona and Eddie...he's figured it out. I like how he tried to become Eddie-poor Fiona, she had two of them. I do love the sparring-they're both great at it."}, {"response": 881, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 2004 (19:07)", "body": "(Linda) poor Fiona Okay, being new to KE, is she always painting her toes? Also love Dozer's (isn't that the dog's name?) affection for Fiona's fur coat. LOL! \"I think they've been to third base!\" And the Scotland Yard detective (Eddie's partner)...I've seen him in other things and it's been killin' me. I guess I should just \"google\" him. Might take the mystery out of it."}, {"response": 882, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 2004 (19:22)", "body": "(Tress)And the Scotland Yard detective (Eddie's partner)...I've seen him in other things and it's been killin' me That's Julian Rhind Tutt. I recognized him from Laura Croft and MT's Reckless, and Tomorrow Never Dies. http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet/PersonDetail/personid-95650 (Tress)Okay, being new to KE, is she always painting her toes? LOL, yes, but she's good at other things, too."}, {"response": 883, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 2004 (20:03)", "body": "(Tress)Okay, being new to KE, is she always painting her toes? (Linda)LOL, yes, but she's good at other things, too. IRL, she's Jude Law's squeeze; cute."}, {"response": 884, "author": "socadook", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 2004 (21:22)", "body": "(Tress) I've seen him in other things Think Horse & Hound"}, {"response": 885, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 2004 (22:23)", "body": "FYI, the rabbi was Henry Goodman, one of Evelyn's fav guys. ;-) He was also brought over to be Nathan Lane's replacement in The Producers and it lasted, um, um..."}, {"response": 886, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 2004 (22:57)", "body": "(Dorine)Loehmann's\" (a Brooklyn shopping institution of more downscale clothing). (Evelyn) LOL. That hurt, Dorine;-( Once on Fifth, they are over on 17th &7th, I think. I go by the one in Sheepshead Bay fairly frequently, not a bastion of upscale shopping. ;-) The one in Palm Bch Gardens,FL was popular for the sales. I just meant it wasn't Armani, Saks 5th Ave, or Barney's....at least now. By the same token, it's also not Century 21 (the store, not the realtor ;-)), which is along the same idea of TJ Maxx or Marshall's, but not a chain...just 2 to my knowledge (again 1 in Brooklyn). I have to say I have tried desperately to get into Keen Eddie, but failed miserably. :-( (Karen) He was also brought over to be Nathan Lane's replacement in The Producers and it lasted, um, um... Blink and you missed him territory. Thanks for the info 'bout Julian Rhind Tutt, Linda. It was driving me crazy, too, about where I'd seen him. Initial impressions of Dogville... I'm surprised at myself. I was considerably more compelled by it than I thought I would be. That may not be saying much as I wasn't in the mood for it...bad day...and didn't expect to like it much anyway. Found the setup very intriguing including the foley work (sound) with the door sounds (opening/closing) and occasionally the steps on particular types of floor (wood vs. carpet). My film class teacher's pet subject seems to be foley work as he talks about it frequently and went into a long discussion of it last night again. The camera work was initially annoying, but subsequently only intermittently disturbing. What a bunch of shallow, two-faced, hypocritical, mean, selfish people in that town. I was rooting for NK in the end, although she was just as selfish as they were in her own way. I think I found NK a bit too understated for my taste and her character's penchant for basically sacrificing herself and her dignity by not standing up for herself annoyed me. The movie could've been considerably shorter I think if she had defended herself. ;-) I was actually too focused on how great she looked (bothered me more than Cold Mtn). Was lovin' her short hair. Actually the way it was going, I think if the first hour was expanded a bit to under 2 hours, it would've made a decent movie in itself. I liked the music with the chapter titles, which got a bit more amusing near the end. Odd end credits. I really liked James Caan in the end, but what a bizarre conversation."}, {"response": 887, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 2004 (07:55)", "body": "(Karen) He was also brought over to be Nathan Lane's replacement in The Producers and it lasted, um, um... (Dorine)Blink and you missed him territory. Just in time for me to see him in it (with Steven Webber) and I thought he was good. What a fun production!"}, {"response": 888, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 2004 (07:56)", "body": "closing tag I hope.."}, {"response": 889, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 2004 (07:57)", "body": "now why not?"}, {"response": 890, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 2004 (08:41)", "body": "(Dorine)I think I found NK a bit too understated for my taste and her character's penchant for basically sacrificing herself and her dignity by not standing up for herself annoyed me. The movie could've been considerably shorter I think if she had defended herself. ;-) Oh, but she's goodness personified Several reviewers compared her to a female Christ;dragging the wheel around etc."}, {"response": 891, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 2004 (08:56)", "body": "(Dorine) her character's penchant for basically sacrificing herself and her dignity by not standing up for herself annoyed me. Sacrificial females seem to be a recurring theme (Breaking the Waves and Dancer)."}, {"response": 892, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 2004 (09:01)", "body": "Ah, I wouldn't have picked up on that as I've never seen those."}, {"response": 893, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 2004 (09:17)", "body": "I can't comment on whether NK's character is supposed to be Christ-like but, in the other two movies, the sacrifices were made on behalf of specific individuals: husband and son, respectively. These women would do anything and even fought against help from others, at least in Dancer (can't remember if that happened in BTW too)."}, {"response": 894, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 2004 (09:19)", "body": "(Evelyn) Several reviewers compared her to a female Christ;dragging the wheel around etc. So, then would the end be considered The Apocalypse, after she is set free? She did border on providing \"absolution\" with her own \"Resurrection,\" but then it went the other way."}, {"response": 895, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 2004 (09:21)", "body": "Ah, I wouldn't have picked up on that as I've never seen those. By all means, rent them, Dorine! Sacrificial females seem to be a recurring theme (Breaking the Waves and Dancer). Karen gets an A+"}, {"response": 896, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 2004 (09:24)", "body": "Note: If you can't stand Drool Fashion Police comments, don't read. ;-) When I first saw pics of Gwynnie from ShowWest, I thought, \"oh, what a nice, flattering dress for being nearly due.\" (see below) Then I caught the shoes! Why?????"}, {"response": 897, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 2004 (09:31)", "body": "The dress was ok....til I saw that elongated front. Would've been cuter as a shorter sundress, I think. Jude needs his pants hemmed, too. Looks like he has a broken ankle."}, {"response": 898, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 2004 (10:01)", "body": "Think Jude just needs a box to stand on instead of his tiptoes."}, {"response": 899, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 2004 (10:32)", "body": "This is the group that would've had \"first look\" at Trauma and passed. Its guiding principle: \"Smart movies for grown-ups\" ;-) Low-key WIP aims for grown-up moviegoers By Gregg Kilday March 26, 2004 LAS VEGAS -- At ShoWest 2004, hoopla is the name of the game -- much of the week has been devoted to stars, stunts and goody bags. But amidst the carney atmosphere, Warner Independent Pictures, the newest studio-based specialty films unit, opted for a low-key approach as it made its first visit to the theater owners' convention. Setting up shop in a suite on the 34th floor of the Paris hotel, the WIP team -- led by president Mark Gill, exec vp distribution Steven Friedlander and exec vp publicity/marketing Laura Kim -- simply let the films speak for themselves as they previewed upcoming trailers for visiting exhibitors. It's been just over six months since Warner Bros. president Alan Horn and production president Jeff Robinov tapped Gill, a veteran of Miramax Films and the Stratus Film Co., to head the new venture. And WIP already has six films scheduled for release in the second half of this year. Its first offering, \"Before Sunset,\" a sequel to Richard Linklater's 1995 feature \"Before Sunrise,\" reunites the original's Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy nine years after their one-day encounter in Vienna as they meet up again in Paris. WIP plans to open the film in the top 10 markets nationwide July 2, daring to offer it as adult-oriented counterprogramming on the same weekend that \"Spider-Man 2\" sets down in theaters. Aware that the company's first few releases could serve to establish WIP's brand identity, Gill has a simple formula for WIP's aspirations -- \"Smart movies for grown-ups\" is how he puts out. The WIP team says their initial meetings with both art house operators and more commercial theater chains suggest that there is a ready market. \"Art market people are just famished for more quality films for adults,\" Gill says. \"There is still a shortage. Also, it's a matter of pure demographics. Look at the aging baby boomers: Their taste has matured, and they have far more disposable income than their parents did. The other thing that's so telling, with DVD and video growing so explosively, people have seen more films and they are more film literate. And therefore, their demand for more sophisticated fare grows.\" Seconds Friedlander: \"Many of the circuits now are dedicating two or three screens in their multiplexes solely to art (films). They're calling it by a separate name with a separate booker, different decor, separate concession stands. Anecdotally, it's always been said the adult audience doesn't buy as much popcorn per capita. But they do now tend to be more than a once-a-month audience -- art films have become a 52-week-a-year business.\" Subsequent months will see WIP roll out \"A Home at the End of the World,\" theater director Michael Mayer's adaptation of Michael Cunningham's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about an alternative family starring Colin Farrell, Robin Wright Penn and Sissy Spacek; \"We Don't Live Here Anymore,\" John Curran's adaptation of two Andres Dubus II short stories starring Mark Ruffalo, Laura Dern, Peter Krause and Naomi Watts; \"Criminal,\" a contemporary caper movie starring John C. Reilly and Diego Luna and directed by Gregory Jacobs; \"Around the Bend,\" a search into a family's past written and directed by Jordan Roberts and starring Michael Caine, Christopher Walken and Glenne Headly; and \"A Very Long Engagement,\" a new film from the \"Amelie\" team of actress Audrey Tautou and director Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Grown-up moviegoers are forewarned."}, {"response": 900, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 2004 (11:28)", "body": "(Moon) Then I caught the shoes! Ooooohhhh...poor thing! Is that what they mean when they say 'her belly was so big she couldn't see her shoes?'! Surely Gwen must have not known what she put on! ;-)"}, {"response": 901, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 2004 (12:35)", "body": "Then I caught the shoes! I think they're Jimmy Choo's. I'e seen them in Vogue Hey, when you're that big, the only thing that you can buy and and not feel like Dumbo is shoes. Trust me. I think she looks stunning. What was the event? I hope she won for Sylvia."}, {"response": 902, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 2004 (12:38)", "body": "I don't really want to talk about the ending of \"Dogville\" ...because it will spoil it for others. But aft everyone sees it , would be fun to talk about the allegorical aspects. Will email you, Dorine."}, {"response": 903, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 2004 (12:38)", "body": "At ShoWest (the trade show for theater owners), Gwynnie was named her Female Performer of the Year and Jude was Male Performer of the Year."}, {"response": 904, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 2004 (12:39)", "body": "(Evleyn) Hey, when you're that big, the only thing that you can buy and and not feel like Dumbo is shoes. And purses. ;-)"}, {"response": 905, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 2004 (13:52)", "body": "(Ev)Hey, when you're that big, the only thing that you can buy and and not feel like Dumbo is shoes. LOL, good point! She must be due soon I'd imagine. I'm a bit surprised at how tiny Jude looks. Not just height-wise, but the narrowness of his frame. I saw the two of them on ET last night; different outfits. No wonder they want teensy female stars; most of these guys are shrimps."}, {"response": 906, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 2004 (14:51)", "body": "(Mark), Think Jude just needs a box to stand on instead of his tiptoes. How very clever of you! And smart of him. (Evleyn) Hey, when you're that big, the only thing that you can buy and and not feel like Dumbo is shoes. Not crazy about the shoes or the dress. She does look great with more cleavage. And Jude... he's a dreambeau. ;-)"}, {"response": 907, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 2004 (14:57)", "body": "Un petit dreambeau. ;-)"}, {"response": 908, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 2004 (15:47)", "body": "Oui, Mari! By now, I'm sure you know my infatuation with vampires and how sad I am that Angel will be cancelled, well read this: Villagers dig up, 'kill' vampire corpses Romanian vampire slayers ask police: If they were already dead, what's the big deal over cutting out their hearts? BY MATTHEW SCHOFIELD, Knight Ridder News Service MAROTINU DE SUS, Romania - Before Toma Petre's relatives pulled his body from the grave, ripped out his heart, burned it to ashes, mixed it with water and drank it, he hadn't been in the news much. That's often the way here with vampires. Quiet lives, active deaths. Villagers here aren't up in arms about the undead -- they're pretty common -- but they are outraged that the police are involved in a simple vampire slaying. After all, vampire slaying is an accepted, although hidden, bit of national heritage, even if illegal. ''What did we do?'' pleaded Flora Marinescu, Petre's sister and the wife of the man accused of rekilling him. ``If they're right, he was already dead. If we're right, we killed a vampire and saved three lives. . . . Is that so wrong?'' Yes, according to the Romanian State Police. Its view, expressed by Constantin Ghindeano, the chief agent for the region, is that vampires aren't real and dead bodies in graves aren't to be dug out and killed again, even by relatives. PROBE EXPANDING Ghindeano doesn't really have much more to say on this case, other than noting that Petre had been removed from his grave, his heart had been cut out, and it was presumed to have been consumed by his relatives. Ghindeano added that police were expanding the investigation, which began in mid-January, to include the afterdeaths of others in area. ''The investigation is ongoing, and we expect to file charges later,'' he said, referring to possible charges of disturbing the peace of the dead, which could carry a three-year jail term. ``We are determining whether this was an isolated case or whether there is a pattern in the village.'' Romania has been filled with news of the vampire-slaying investigation, and villagers admit there's a pattern, but they argue that's the reason these matters shouldn't make it to court. There's too much of it going on, and too few complain about the practice. On a recent afternoon, the village's single store, which also serves as its lone bar, was filled with men drinking hard as they explained the vampire facts to a stranger. Most had at least one vampire in their family histories, and many were related to vampire victims. Most had learned to kill a vampire while still children. HOLLYWOOD MYTHS Theirs is not a Hollywood tale, and they laugh at Hollywood conventions -- that vampires can be warded off by crosses or cloves of garlic, or that they can't be seen in mirrors. Utter nonsense. Vampires were once Catholics, were they not? And if a vampire can be seen, the mirror can see him. And why would you wear garlic around your neck? Are you adding flavor? No, vampires are humans who have died, commonly babies before baptism or people unfortunate enough to have black cats jump over their coffins. Vampires occur everywhere, but in busy cities no one notices, the men said. Vampires are obvious when dug up because while they will have been laid to rest on their backs, arms folded neatly across their chests, they will be found on their sides, even their stomachs. They will not have decomposed. Beards will have continued to grow. Their arms will be at their sides, as if they are clawing out of their coffins. And they will have blood -- sometimes dried, sometimes fresh -- around their mouths. PREY ON FAMILIES But the biggest tipoff that a vampire is near is his or her family, for vampires always prey on their families. If family members fall ill after a death, odds are a vampire is draining their blood at night, looking for company. Ion Balasa, 64, explained that there are two ways to stop a vampire, but only one after he or she has risen to feed. ''Before the burial, you can insert a long sewing needle, just into the bellybutton,'' he said. ``That will stop them from becoming a vampire.'' But once they've become vampires, all that's left is to dig them up, use a curved haying sickle to remove the heart, burn the heart to ashes on an iron plate, then have the ill relatives drink the ashes mixed with water. TRIES TO ESCAPE ''The heart of a vampire, while you burn it, will squeak like a mouse and try to escape,'' Balasa said. ``It's best to take a wood stake and pin it to the pan, so it won't get away.'' Which is exactly what happened with Petre, according to Gheorghe Marinescu, a cheery, aging vampire slayer who was Petre's brother-in-law. Marinescu's story goes like this: After Petre died, Marinescu's son, his daughter-in-law and his granddaughter fell ill. Marinescu knew the cause was his dead brother-in-law. So he had to go out to the cemetery. Marinescu said he found Petre on his side, his mouth bloody. His heart squeaked and jumped as it was burned. When it was mi"}, {"response": 909, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 2004 (16:30)", "body": "(Mari) I'm a bit surprised at how tiny Jude looks. Not just height-wise, but the narrowness of his frame. I saw the two of them on ET last night; different outfits. No wonder they want teensy female stars; most of these guys are shrimps. I was surprised when I saw him at the BAFTA Q&A how slight he was. He seemed so built up in the movie we'd just seen (and yes, he was also 20ft high ;-))...though he did say he had to bulk up for that movie. There's a pic of them in today's NY Post with the different outfits and his hair slicked back at the screening of their new movie, whatever it's called. The Sky Something, or whatever. Don't care to look it up now. (Moon's article) Romanian vampire slayers ask police: If they were already dead, what's the big deal over cutting out their hearts? LOL!!! A logical question. ;-) \"Before Sunrise,\" reunites the original's Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy nine years after their one-day encounter in Vienna as they meet up again in Paris. WIP plans to open the film in the top 10 markets nationwide July 2, daring to offer it as adult-oriented counterprogramming on the same weekend that \"Spider-Man 2\" sets down in theaters. A not so hot move IMO, unless they really don't expect much. Adults and kids alike like Spiderman, I believe. They'd have to for the amount they did just in opening 3 and 5-day gross last year. Subsequent months will see WIP roll out...\"We Don't Live Here Anymore,\" John Curran's adaptation of two Andres Dubus II short stories starring Mark Ruffalo, Laura Dern, Peter Krause and Naomi Watts A Sundance entry this year."}, {"response": 910, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 2004 (16:43)", "body": "\"Before Sunrise,\" reunites the original's Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy nine years after their one-day encounter in Vienna as they meet up again in Paris. (Dorine) A not so hot move IMO, unless they really don't expect much. LOL...and that's one I own on DVD! I liked it because it seemed so real. Half finished thoughts and random encounters...a bit like real life (also liked White so enjoyed Delpy in this...though Blue and Red were the better of the trilogy). I'd go see \"BS the sequel\" ;-) (was one that left me thinking \"I wonder....??\")."}, {"response": 911, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 2004 (17:09)", "body": "I own it, too and wasn't making a judgement call on the quality or whether it will be liked or desired to be seen *at some point*........ given the choice, unless Spiderman is sold out, I'm sure it will be *at least* a second choice on opening weekend for a vast majority of people. Spiderman will be a $$ machine and Lord help whatever throws itself out there at the same time. And I'm certain they'd have fairly conservative expectations, too."}, {"response": 912, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 2004 (17:22)", "body": "(Dorine) And I'm certain they'd have fairly conservative expectations, too. I'm surprised that it is being put out as an alternative to Spiderman (though I guess some film has to be 'it'). I would think it would be art house stuff...wasn't the original? I can't remember where I saw it. Spiderman will probably be in every third theater when it's released...my head already hurts...those who face sold out shows and are anxious to see Spidey will hardly think of BS as a good alternate, I think. LOL...something (slightly) related, a co-worker (randomly) just said over her cube wall to me \"You know what the best part of Thelma and Louise was? The fact that they drove their car off the side of a cliff so we wouldn't have to see a sequel\" (A-ha, it all becomes clear....her son is asking to go to Scooby Doo 2 this weekend)."}, {"response": 913, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 2004 (17:46)", "body": "(Tress) I'm surprised that it is being put out as an alternative to Spiderman (though I guess some film has to be 'it') Not necessarily. Possibly they aren't happy with it (I have NO idea of that...just throwing it out there) and think it may do better as counterprogramming to something so different vs. throwing it out with likeminded product and coming up short that way. (Tress) those who face sold out shows and are anxious to see Spidey will hardly think of BS as a good alternate, I think. My point exactly."}, {"response": 914, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 2004 (18:00)", "body": "Moon, that Vampire article had me in stiches! LOL thanks for sharing! btw -have you ever read Christine Feehan? best vampire fiction around (imho) :-)"}, {"response": 915, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 2004 (19:47)", "body": "Many thanks girls for the above articles and stuff! . .Have enjoyed catching up! Dorine - I do love KW as well .caught her Actor\ufffds Studio episode . .she seems to be one of those quality real down to earth girls . .more of a girlfriend than a \ufffdmovie star\ufffd! Hey luv gwyenth\ufffds shooes!!! . .I\ufffdm just amazed she could balance baby and all on them . .I have trouble walking on heels and I\ufffdm not even pregnant! (Mari) No wonder they want teensy female stars; most of these guys are shrimps. Dooooom! . .one does not want to be American stick insect to continue in this profession! (Not to mention, I like my food too much!)"}, {"response": 916, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 2004 (19:47)", "body": "closing tag"}, {"response": 917, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 2004 (22:02)", "body": "According to my cable schedule, Charlie Kaufman is supposed to be on Charlie Rose tonight."}, {"response": 918, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Mar 31, 2004 (22:57)", "body": "hmmm...so are we up yet?"}, {"response": 919, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Mar 31, 2004 (23:05)", "body": "(Ada)so are we up yet? If we're not-this is the twilight zone;-)"}, {"response": 920, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Mar 31, 2004 (23:29)", "body": "I see you all. ;-)"}, {"response": 921, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar 31, 2004 (17:13)", "body": ""}, {"response": 922, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 31, 2004 (17:20)", "body": "That's a right! Drink up! Article in this week's Time about the upcoming princess movies: The Princess Paradox Hollywood's newest Cinderella stories seek to inject some feminist messages into the age-old fantasy. But can you really wear your tiara while spurning it too? By JAMES PONIEWOZIK It's the recurring nightmare of high-minded modern parents of daughters. You ask your relatives to lay off the pink pinafores at the baby shower. You give your daughter Legos and soccer balls, not Barbies. You encourage her to play fire fighter and immerse her in Dora the Explorer videos. Then one Halloween rolls around, and your empowered, self-confident budding Marie Curie tells you that she wants to be...a princess. Call it nature or nurture, harmless fantasy or insidious indoctrination, but Hollywood is discovering that it still pays not to fight the royal urge. Following 2001's $108 million \ufffd grossing The Princess Diaries, Hollywood has waved its wand and conjured a set of Cinderella stories for girls, including next month's The Prince & Me and Ella Enchanted, as well as A Cinderella Story in July and a Princess Diaries sequel in August. That's not to mention other fairy-tale projects (Shrek 2) and transformational stories like 13 Going On 30, in which a gawky teen is magically morphed into a fashion-plate magazine editor played by the perpetually miniskirted Jennifer Garner. We've come a long way, it seems, from the girls-kick-ass culture of just a few years ago (Charlie's Angels, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) in which a 360\ufffd flying-roundhouse kick was a girl's best friend. (On the proto girl-power cartoon, Powerpuff Girls, one of the heroines' worst enemies was a spoiled brat named Princess Morbucks.) But brush off the fairy dust, and you find a new kind of Cinderella, one who would rather save Prince Charming, thank you, and who has learned the lessons of feminism \ufffd or at least learned to pay lip service to them. You can have the girly dream of glass slippers and true love, these films say, as well as the womanly ideal of self-determination and independence \ufffd and any contradictions between them are no match for the movies' magic. Ella Enchanted, for instance, is a spoof of Cinderella in which the title character (Diaries' Anne Hathaway, Hollywood's queen of princesses) spends her free time protesting the discriminatory anti-elf and -giant policies of the family of Prince Charmont (Hugh Dancy). What she wants at first is not love but to free herself of a fairy's curse that forces her to be obedient. In The Prince & Me (what, The Prince & I would have been too egghead-y?), Paige Morgan (Julia Stiles) is a workaholic soon-to-be medical student who rolls her eyes at friends rushing to get their M.R.S. degrees. When she falls for Eddie (Luke Mably), a rakish-but-sweet exchange student who turns out to be Danish Crown Prince Edvard, the prospect of becoming queen upsets her dreams of working for Doctors Without Borders. (Stiles, who played Ophelia in the 2000 film Hamlet, should know that dating the prince of Denmark can be a pain.) \"The Cinderella story has always frustrated me,\" Stiles says. \"What I like about The Prince & Me is that my character is a lot more active and is ready to live a life by herself and be independent.\" SPOILER ALERT: Skip this paragraph if you don't want to know how these movies end. O.K., here's the shocker \ufffd they end happily. What is surprising, however, is that, in the original ending of The Prince & Me, Paige broke up with Edvard to go to med school (in the final version, she gets to have both the guy and the career). And what's downright shocking is that Paramount approved the first, decidedly non-fairy-tale ending. \"But when I saw it,\" says director Martha Coolidge, \"I knew it was wrong. What was wrong about it was not what we thought \ufffd whether she got together with him or not. The real issue was about him making a compromise and the monarchy making a compromise.\" Reinventing fairy tales has been a favorite project of feminist authors from Angela Carter (The Bloody Chamber) to Marlo Thomas (Free to Be...You and Me), who understood that wish-fulfillment stories are about teaching people what they should wish for. Among an earlier generation of women, the wish was to be able to do everything men could. For the modern Cinderellas' audience, which takes that freedom as a given, the wish is to also be able \ufffd unashamedly \ufffd to fall in love and go to the ball. Indeed, in Prince, Paige realizes that she needs to be \"rescued\" from her disciplined but single-minded careerism as much as she needs to assert her independence. Girls asserting their right to choose the fairy-tale ending is not a bad thing, says Thomas, since now the movies are balanced by varied depictions of young women in films from Whale Rider to Blue Crush. \"What women have tried to achieve for other women,\" she says, \"is choice in every step of their lives.\" But to succeed on both the feminist and the fantasy level, the new Cinder"}, {"response": 923, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Mar 31, 2004 (18:26)", "body": "Nice to have Drool back\ufffd.. I got to thinking a bit when I heard Alistair Cooke died yesterday. The news of his passing brought to mind many fond recollections of Masterpiece Theater on Sunday nights long ago and how I became enthralled with British costume drama. This, of course, led to an introduction to the BBC, Monty Python, and all those wonderful shows. Now here I am with a total obsession for a tall dark and handsome British actor searching for all sorts of creative ways to disguise just how much time I actually spend on the computer each day in search of a \ufffdfix\ufffd. Sound familiar, anyone?"}, {"response": 924, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar 31, 2004 (19:38)", "body": "(Leslie) I got to thinking a bit when I heard Alistair Cooke died yesterday. In addition to introducing us all to the best in UK television he also stood for integrity in journalism as well Alas...the last good friend the US had on the BBC. We all mourn his passing."}, {"response": 925, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Mar 31, 2004 (20:01)", "body": "Glad to see you all back! I've been dreadfully busy and missed my quick Drool fixes!"}, {"response": 926, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Mar 31, 2004 (20:12)", "body": "(Leslie)I got to thinking a bit when I heard Alistair Cooke died yesterday. First time I saw Alistair Cooke, I had been watching the Poldark series and I thought he had the loveliest voice. Before I forget, birthdays for April - April 4 - Lora April 8 - Kim April 25 - Eithne Please let me know if I've forgotten anyone:-)"}, {"response": 927, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Wed, Mar 31, 2004 (20:16)", "body": "I missed you, too, I'm so hooked on Drool! I've filled the time with watching ODB in WAGW. Now, before y'all are all amazement that I haven't seen it before this, remember, I'm rather new to the world of OCD. Two of the best scenes were out takes tacked onto the special etiquette feature. Jonathan Pryce had me choking on my tea when he, in all seriousness, told Henry that Libby wasn't what he thought she was, et.al. I just wish there had been a better shot of ODB cracking up. BTW, doesn't he fill out a Saville Row suit nicely? Yummy! And for you Brosnan fans, NBC is showing Thomas Crown affair Saturday night. Glad you're back!"}, {"response": 928, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Mar 31, 2004 (21:44)", "body": "Hooray we're up again! Saw on the temporary drool sight Karen brought up the subject of accents again . .am currently reading \"Shooting the Actor\" by Simon Callow . .and ran into some rather humorous exercpts on his expereinces working with accents/dialogue coaches in a prticular film . .I'll try to type it up for your reading enjoyment . . ."}, {"response": 929, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  1, 2004 (09:51)", "body": "From Empire: Kaufman Cusses Clooney There's no love lost there 01 April 2004 Screenwriter Charlie Kaufman is a man with a grudge \ufffd and the object of that grudge is none other than the former scrubs-wearing TV doc turned Hollywood A-lister George Clooney. It seems that Kaufman, whose latest film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is out this month, is still irked by the way Clooney treated his script for Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. In an interview in the May issue of Arena magazine, Kaufman explains the situation. \ufffdI was upset by the fact that he took the movie from me and then cut me out after that. I\ufffdm unhappy with the end result. And I\ufffdm unhappy with George Clooney. I had a movie that I wrote and that isn\ufffdt it.\ufffd Clooney\ufffds big mistake, it transpires, was to take Kaufman\ufffds script and tinker around with it. \ufffdI\ufffdve always been involved in the process with Spike (Jonze) and Michel (Gondry),\ufffd Charlies says. \ufffdIf there\ufffds any rewriting to do, I do it. But with Clooney it was different\ufffdeven the end of the movie is different. I mean, Clooney went on forever about how my Confessions\ufffdscreenplay was one of the greatest scripts he\ufffdd read. But if someone truthfully felt that way they they\ufffdd want the person who wrote it to be onboard offering their thoughts and criticisms. But Clooney didn\ufffdt. And I think it\ufffds a silly way to be a director.\ufffd Thankfully Kaufman isn\ufffdt letting his Clooney chagrin keep him from planning new ways to bemuse and befuddle cinema audiences the world over. \ufffdSpike and I recently pitched this idea for a scary movie to Sony pictures. I don\ufffdt have a title for it yet and I\ufffdm not even sure what the plot\ufffds going to be. But that\ufffds the way I write: without knowing where something is going.\ufffd You can read the full interview with Charlie Kaufman in the May issue of Arena which will be on newsstands Friday 2 April 2004. http://www.empireonline.co.uk/site/news/newsstory.asp?news_id=15727"}, {"response": 930, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  1, 2004 (10:20)", "body": "'Century City' collapses CBS has pulled the plug on midseason drama \"Century City\" after four airings. The Universal Network TV series, revolving around a futuristic law firm in Los Angeles, had little ratings traction for CBS in the Tuesday 9 p.m. slot, where it went up against Fox's \"American Idol.\" Goodbye, Ioan."}, {"response": 931, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr  1, 2004 (11:02)", "body": "Trailer on BBCA of \"State of Play\" looks like it stars Bill Nigh (in non-aging-rocker role)and David Morrissey. Starts Apr 18."}, {"response": 932, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Apr  1, 2004 (12:18)", "body": "(Evelyn)Trailer on BBCA of \"State of Play\" looks like it stars Bill Nigh (in non-aging-rocker role)and David Morrissey. Starts Apr 18 Thanks, Evelyn. I wanted to mention this a few days ago before drool went down. Looks like it might be OK. Wasn't Keen Eddie a rerun? I thought they advertised it last week as all new?"}, {"response": 933, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr  1, 2004 (13:15)", "body": "(Kaufman)I\ufffdm unhappy with the end result. And I\ufffdm unhappy with George Clooney. I had a movie that I wrote and that isn\ufffdt it.\ufffd Hey, I *liked* Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, as did the critics. Did anyone see Kaufman on Charlie rose last week? Very bright and articulate, as you'd expect, but oddly huumorless and intense, given his body of work."}, {"response": 934, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Apr  1, 2004 (14:59)", "body": "(Linda)Wasn't Keen Eddie a rerun? I thought they advertised it last week as all new? They showed two in a row. The first was a repeat from last week, and the second was new (at least to me). Several weeks ago there was discussion about connotations with the name Colin. I was very ammused by this article, and wanted to share it, both for the Colin reference (though not ODB) and the word highfalutin. The name game Traditional and unique monikers rise and fall in popularity with trends By BILL HENDRICK The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Published on: 03/31/04 Funny. You don't look like a Bertha. But if that's your name, smile \ufffd you're being complimented if someone tells you that. Once one of the most popular names in America, Bertha no longer ranks in the Top 1,000. In our society, it's come to mean fat, severe, dour. If someone says you look like a Bambi, it's OK to feel insulted. Sure, it connotes perkiness and cheerfulness, but it's more closely associated with strip club lap dancers and ditsy mob molls. Alas, what's in a name is a lot. And experts urge prospective parents to be careful, asserting that the names they choose could come back to haunt them. Ask Laura and Gary Eaton of Brookhaven. Gary Eaton, 47, wanted \"Benjamin\" for their unborn child \ufffd fairly common at 28th in the Social Security Administration's Top 1,000 names for boys. But his wife quickly nixed it. \"I was like, 'Are you kidding?' He'll be called Ben,\" says Laura Eaton, 39. \"Think of it. Ben Eaton, like 'been eating.' You want people calling him that? He'll be teased for life. Now we're looking for something different. We don't want him to be one of three Johns.\" The Eatons, says Cleveland Kent Evans, a psychology professor at Bellevue University in Nebraska and leading member of the American Name Society, are representative of a new trend: Increasingly, Americans are turning their backs on family names that honor ancestors and trying hard to come up with uncommon monikers \ufffd or even unique ones. In a look-alike culture where every suburb, every mall, every school feels the same, new parents are seeking ways to distinguish themselves and their offspring. It's a trend that started a few decades ago but has gathered steam, spawning a cottage industry of books and Web sites. One indicator: For the first time in history, the Top 50 names account for less than half of the names given to baby boys each year, according to research recently released by Evans. And less than 40 percent of girls are getting one of the 50 most popular names. For now, the Eatons have settled on \"Elliott,\" which ranks 544th. And if the child, expected in four months or so, turns out to be a girl, they're thinking \"Catherine\" \ufffd which ranks 100th. Kristen Gates, 30, and her husband, Steve, 31, of Acworth also wanted a \"different kind of name. We have friends whose dog is named Cooper. We like that. We're 95 percent the baby will be Cooper.\" They know it'll be a boy but never considered naming him Steve \ufffd \"they're everywhere in his family\" \ufffd or Junior. And that's good, says Evans. \"Studies show there are negative things about being a junior,\" he says. \"It sounds like somebody who is never going to grow up, who's always inferior to what senior is. Young men with 'junior' after their name, compared with Roman numerals, are a bit less responsible, get lower grades in school.\" It's also not smart to give a child a nickname that sounds, well, juvenile, like Billy or Jimmy. \"It's harder to take a Billy seriously, we know,\" Evans says. \"That was a little bit of Jimmy Carter's problem. I think the fact that he kept that form allowed people to see him as ineffectual or incompetent. It was easier to stick him with those labels.\" Out of the mainstream But names can be harmful in many ways, says Bruce Lansky, author of many best-selling baby books, including his latest, \"The Mother of All Baby Name Books,\" which contains 94,000 names, their origins and meanings. Lansky, who also released a survey about Americans' attitudes toward their names this month, contends some parents make mistakes by trying too hard to find unique names for their offspring. Lansky, 62, says, for example, \"an African-sounding name can cause perception problems when people are looking at r\ufffdsum\ufffds. Sure, it's wrong, but an aggressively African name could communicate negative stereotypes. A name way out there might even have the effect of sort of thumbing your nose at normal rules and regulations.\" Rigorous research supports this belief. Economics professor Marianne Bertrand of the University of Chicago found in a recent study that employers apparently do discriminate based on whether names on r\ufffdsum\ufffds sound \"white\" or \"black\" \ufffd even when other credentials are equal. They found that r\ufffdsum\ufffds with white-sounding names generated twice as many callbacks as those with conspicuously \"black\" names like Jamal. That wasn't a factor for Pam and Marc Buchanan of Stockbridge, who named their new son Caleb Meyah-Nwing. Their 2-yea"}, {"response": 935, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  1, 2004 (15:00)", "body": "(Lilnda) Wasn't Keen Eddie a rerun? I thought they advertised it last week as all new? There were two episodes last night, both not new. Next week's will be new. (Kaufman)I\ufffdm unhappy with the end result. And I\ufffdm unhappy with George Clooney. I had a movie that I wrote and that isn\ufffdt it.\ufffd (Mari) Hey, I *liked* Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, as did the critics. But you/they might've liked it even better, had he made Charlie's original film. Did anyone see Kaufman on Charlie rose last week? Very bright and articulate, as you'd expect, but oddly huumorless and intense, given his body of work. I saw it. Could C Rose fawn over him any more than he did? I don't think so? As to his personality, I wasn't surprised he wasn't LOL funny in a traditional standup comedian way. I'd say his word perfectly reflects his personality. It's all about strangeness, oddities, bizarreness, not pie-in-the-face humor. That's why Jim Carrey appearing in Eternal Mind will be classified as one of his serious works, as opposed to his usual comedy stuff."}, {"response": 936, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr  1, 2004 (16:09)", "body": "(Karen)But you/they might've liked it even better, had he made Charlie's original film. Or I might have liked it less.;-) Re: Charlie the K--I wasn't expecting Soupy Sales. But generally people who write with humor are not so intense. Maybe Charlie Rose made him nervous with all his boot-licking.;-) Anybody here watching 24? Tuesday's episode was the best of the season, IMO. Sopranos is having a great season as well."}, {"response": 937, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 2004 (03:49)", "body": "Just wanted to say I recommend State of Play, really enjoyed it when it was on here. I think I just heard it was nominated for some tv BAFTA's, too."}, {"response": 938, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 2004 (10:46)", "body": "I caught all of the episodes of SO Monday night and watched this week's installment on Tuesday.....LOVE IT ! Will not tolerate future viewing of *canned performances* on sit coms ! Now, they tell me next week's installment is the season finale? Wot? Boll**ks."}, {"response": 939, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 2004 (17:59)", "body": "(Kaufman)I\ufffdm unhappy with the end result. And I\ufffdm unhappy with George Clooney. I had a movie that I wrote and that isn\ufffdt it.\ufffd (Mari) Hey, I *liked* Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, as did the critics. (Karen) But you/they might've liked it even better, had he made Charlie's original film. I *loved* Confessions as is. Possibly it could have been even better, but I don't recall any standout complaints on my part. Was one of my favorite films that year actually. I'm sure there's always nitpicky things. I am surprised to read that though, as CK generally gets *much* better treatment than most writers, who are indeed locked out of the filming and rewriting process. I thought CK was a lot more relaxed than I expected he'd be after reading frequently how uncomfortable his is in public and with interviews. I was fascinated to hear his writing process."}, {"response": 940, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 2004 (18:25)", "body": "Romola tops Austen shortlist By Baz Bamigboye, Daily Mail 2 April 2004 Romola Garai is top of the shortlist to play the spirited Elizabeth Bennet in the first big screen version of Pride And Prejudice in more than six decades. The fast-rising young star is one of several British actresses being considered by director Joe Wright and executives at British studio Working Title. Last year, Romola was seen in BBC TV's Daniel Deronda and in the films I Capture The Castle and Nicholas Nickleby. She's now appearing in the play Calico in the West End, which finishes its short run tomorrow. Jane Austen's novel is one of the best loved in English literature. When Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth starred in a BBC version ten years ago, as Elizabeth and the haughty Mr Darcy, the tale of their repressed love for each other gripped the nation. But the latest adaptation, by Deborah Moggach and Lee Hall, will be even sexier - although not explicit. The last time Pride And Prejudice was seen on cinema screens was in 1940, when Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier played the will-theywon't-they? couple. Bend It Like Beckham director Gurinder Chadha has shot her Bollywood all-singing, alldancing version, calling it Bride And Prejudice. It opens later in the year and it could be an Oscar contender. Working Title's P&P will begin filming in the summer. But no cast member will be contracted until a major leading hunk is cast as Mr Darcy. Everyone from Brad Pitt to Orlando Bloom is being considered. Working Title is behind the Bridget Jones movies, and author Helen Fielding based her Mark Darcy on Colin Firth's portrayal. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/showbiz/articles/10047047?source=Daily%20Mail"}, {"response": 941, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 2004 (22:09)", "body": "Oh my....it's a sad day when The Rock is a guest on Charlie Rose before ODB. :-( (That being said, I actually kinda like The Rock, or at least have nothing against him. He's come across very articulate the few times I've seen or heard his interviews)."}, {"response": 942, "author": "caribou", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 2004 (22:25)", "body": "Speaking of The Rock, he was on Letterman last night. Before the opening sequence, they had Dave and The Rock backstage talking together. Dave asks: So, what's your new movie, Walking Tall, about? The Rock replies: It's based on a Jane Austen novel and I play the tall, dark, handsome hero, named Willoughby and I win the girl. Dave looks blank and doesn't know what to say. The Rock says: No, I was just kidding. I really take out a baseball bat and beat guys silly with it. Dave smiles excitedly. Something tells me they were making fun of me.;-) Guess Dave's target audience is not Jane Austin fans."}, {"response": 943, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Apr  3, 2004 (12:55)", "body": "LOL, Caribou! (Kaufman)I\ufffdm unhappy with the end result. And I\ufffdm unhappy with George Clooney. I had a movie that I wrote and that isn\ufffdt it.\ufffd Clooney did a great job! What a whiner. Working Title's P&P will begin filming in the summer. But no cast member will be contracted until a major leading hunk is cast as Mr Darcy. Everyone from Brad Pitt to Orlando Bloom is being considered. Heaven forbid! I will make an exception for Vigo. I do like him with dark longish hair. I bet Colin is thrilled that someone else will be Mr. Darcy. Bend It Like Beckham director Gurinder Chadha has shot her Bollywood all-singing, alldancing version, calling it Bride And Prejudice. It opens later in the year and it could be an Oscar contender. Really? As much as I love Bollywood movies, I can't imagine them as Oscar contenders."}, {"response": 944, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 2004 (08:44)", "body": "Oh Lora . . . You\ufffdre here! It\ufffds your birthday! My heart is soooo full! Have the happiest of days today!"}, {"response": 945, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 2004 (10:10)", "body": "Isn't it tomorrow, the 5th?"}, {"response": 946, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 2004 (11:11)", "body": "OH! . .I thought it was the fourth that was her b'day . . I'm really early then!"}, {"response": 947, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 2004 (11:23)", "body": "(Ada)Before I forget, birthdays for April - April 4 - Lora April 8 - Kim April 25 - Eithne Please let me know if I've forgotten anyone:-)"}, {"response": 948, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 2004 (11:24)", "body": "Yes, I know. But my printout from last year says the 5th."}, {"response": 949, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 2004 (13:23)", "body": "LORA, BIRTHDAY GREETINGS TO YOU Early or not, they carry lots of good wishes for a fun filled day ;-))"}, {"response": 950, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 2004 (14:26)", "body": "(Karen) Yes, I know. But my printout from last year says the 5th. LOL...is this the same printout that gave me a birthday in September and January? ;-D (will go hide now.....will try not to be so cheeky)!"}, {"response": 951, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 2004 (14:53)", "body": "Leave Lora alone, she's in the kitchen making my latkes;-) I saw a recipe on TV for sweet potato latkes that one eats with applesauce....yummmmm"}, {"response": 952, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 2004 (15:01)", "body": "Evelyn, wrong holiday. ;-) Now I do make lots of lovely flowerless confections like walnut cookies and chocolate-almond macaroons that I'd be happy to sharewith all."}, {"response": 953, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 2004 (15:15)", "body": "LOL! She should know the difference. We were just talking about kugels the other day...though she only knows about luchen kugels and not the matzo farfel ones for this holiday. I've got gefilte fish cooking on the stove right now and have opened up the door to air the place out. Oh man, I need an exhaust fan! ;-)"}, {"response": 954, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 2004 (15:17)", "body": "(Shoshana) Evelyn, wrong holiday. ;-) (don't like walnuts/chocolate) Drats...No latkes,..but kugel is a fave... ...how about apple- matzoh kugel:-)))) (Got cha'...no flour there.)"}, {"response": 955, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 2004 (17:56)", "body": "(Karen)Isn't it tomorrow, the 5th? Karen is right as usual, it is on the 5th. Somehow last year it started on the 4th by mistake. But thanks for the early greetings anyway since today I can still eat regular birthday cake and tomorrow night it will have to be Passover sponge cake ;-). Thanks Kimberly and Lizza for the warm wishes. Shoshana, sorry for the confusion. Evelyn, don't worry I'm saving you some of my special chocolate chip, coconut macaroons and matzah ball soup!"}, {"response": 956, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 2004 (18:08)", "body": "(Lora) it will have to be Passover sponge cake ;-). My condolences. ;-) At least you have a cake. Every once and awhile, mine will fall on Yom Kippur and you know what that means...NO cake. You really should look into making just a basic flourless chocolate cake and then you never have to torture anybody ever again with a sponge cake. ;-)"}, {"response": 957, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 2004 (18:31)", "body": "(Karen)You really should look into making just a basic flourless chocolate cake and then you never have to torture anybody ever again with a sponge cake. ;-) Yummmm, that sounds really good. Thanks for thinking of a cake like that for my birthday and Passover. There are definitely some wonderful aromas emanating from this topic today ;-P!"}, {"response": 958, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 2004 (19:44)", "body": "(Karen)then you never have to torture anybody ever again with a sponge cake. ;-) Pssst....*I* like that nice yellow, eggy sponge cake...yummmmm. Thank you Lora for saving some of the seder goodies for me. Can you drink-ie tomorrow....I have a bottle of bubbly chilling....;-))))"}, {"response": 959, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 2004 (21:36)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Lora, and may you have many more! Mazel Tov! And for those who will be celebrating, may you have a blessed Passover!"}, {"response": 960, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 2004 (21:46)", "body": "(Evelyn)Can you drink-ie tomorrow.... But of course, with lots of Manischewitz to go around ;-). Thank you, Eithne, for your happy birthday wishes."}, {"response": 961, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Apr  4, 2004 (23:44)", "body": "Well Lora . . I'm just going to have to wish you another happy b'day tomorrow . .perhaps's I'll get the pic to work next time around . . Chocolate Chip macaroons you say? Mmmmmmmmmm;) Flourless Chocolate cake, another yummy idea. .Shosh, do you have a recipie for one of those too?"}, {"response": 962, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr  5, 2004 (00:15)", "body": "I'll put the roadmap back up so as not to affect Lora's party. Okie doke?"}, {"response": 963, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Apr  5, 2004 (09:45)", "body": "(Me)April 4 - Lora Oops..so sorry Lora, my bad. I hope this birthday pic makes up for the confusion:-). Happy Birthday! with grateful thanks to firthissimo"}, {"response": 964, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr  5, 2004 (09:49)", "body": "Ooops! I've been caught sampling Lora's prebirthday birthday cake. I wasn't too keen on having the dreaded sprongecake. Happy Birthday Lora!"}, {"response": 965, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr  5, 2004 (09:54)", "body": "Hang on, hang on!! Get that mic between us, so we can all sing Happy Birthday to Lora!"}, {"response": 966, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr  5, 2004 (10:06)", "body": "C'mon everybody...take a piece...this one is legal...no flour, no dairy , even steamed:-((( Happy Birthday , Lora"}, {"response": 967, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr  5, 2004 (11:48)", "body": "For Karen, Shoshana, Lora and anybody else who gonna pig out on the seder...;-) Enjoy the season!"}, {"response": 968, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Apr  5, 2004 (12:08)", "body": "Wow, thanks for all the happy birthday and Passover messages. Thanks for putting the roadmap back up too, Karen. I assume \"roadmap\" means we get lovely pictures. And it just wouldn't be a birthday celebration without the birthday wishing face of ODB ;-). Ada, thanks for my favorite tuxedoed happy birthday wisher. I'll take him anyday! Karen, LOL at that sneaky Colin snagging my pre-birthday cake - the only real birthday cake that I'm getting! At least he made up for it by singing happy birthday to me with Scarlett and Peter. Will definitely wear pearl earrings tonight for Seder ;-). Evelyn, you make virtual sponge cake look really good - will be thinking of you when I eat it tonight. Happy Passover to Karen, Shoshana, and all who celebrate it."}, {"response": 969, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Apr  5, 2004 (12:21)", "body": "Happy Birthday Lora! First, a rose for the birthday girl! Now, my specialty... a flourless chocolate cake called a Chocolate Oblivion Torte! Totally pesadic (only dark chocolate, sweet butter, and eggs), it tastes like a mixture of a Godiva truffle and a chocolate mousse!!! I made it especially for you, Lora. Just don't eat too much... you need the space for *yum* dry, tasteless matzah! ;-)"}, {"response": 970, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr  5, 2004 (12:35)", "body": "While Colin is whipping up some of his famous curry for you, Lora, thought we'd have a few last tortilla chips and this: I had the guy at the next table try it out: hope it isn't too spicy for you. ;-)"}, {"response": 971, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Apr  5, 2004 (12:42)", "body": "(Shoshana)First, a rose for the birthday girl! Thanks so much! And I believe, correct me if I'm wrong Ada, that it's actually that very rose that belongs to me in keepsakes. I claimed it from TIOBE when it first premiered - the one ODB catches at the dance hall when he first gets to the city to see Algie. Did you know that I had claimed it Shoshana? I guess it's more than a coincidence since your name means rose in Hebrew (so I'll share it with you)! And Kimberly and Karen thanks for mentioning the flourless chocolate cake yesterday. Looks like Shoshana does have an excellent recipe for it, kosher and all! It looks quite yummy - and anything that tastes like a Godiva truffle and a chocolate mousse has got to be amazing. Hmmm, chocolate and ODB what more could I ask for ;-)."}, {"response": 972, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr  5, 2004 (12:50)", "body": "Ay, Dios Mio! A song and a dance for Lora's Birthday! \"You say she's witty I say she's pretty You say she's funny I say she's sunny Witty! Pretty! Funny! Sunny! Let's all wish Lora a Happy Birthday!"}, {"response": 973, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Apr  5, 2004 (12:54)", "body": "ROTFLOL, Karen! And bring on the virgin daiquiris too! Spices and booze give me a headache. Just give me rich chocolate and a spicy ODB!"}, {"response": 974, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr  5, 2004 (12:57)", "body": "Happy Birthday Lora!!! Millions of people heard me introduce Norah as Lora. It was most unconsciously done but, it could not be helped. All I kept thinking about was you in Southern Florida I was anxious to get to you and take you dancing. Yes I had learned a few salsa steps from mi amigo Ferecito. So my dearest loveliest, Lora, I\ufffdll be right over."}, {"response": 975, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Apr  5, 2004 (13:00)", "body": "Psssst.....Have you heard?? It's Lora's Birthday!!! We've got to get ready!!! Party hat...check Cake....check Cocktails...check ...and a birthday toast! \"To Lora, just as she is!\""}, {"response": 976, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Apr  5, 2004 (13:02)", "body": "Oh, I love the song, Mari! My favorite dancing pair! So glad they didn't end it with, \"we're jees keeding\" ;-D! Thanks so much for the new birthday song they/you put together for my birthday. I'm going to keep it in \"my favorites!\""}, {"response": 977, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr  5, 2004 (13:04)", "body": "(Shoshana), it tastes like a mixture of a Godiva truffle and a chocolate mousse!!! Yum! There's nothing better! Happy Passover, Karen, Lora and Shoshana!"}, {"response": 978, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Apr  5, 2004 (13:14)", "body": "Everytime I answer a birthday wish, another one appears! (Moon)but, it could not be helped. All I kept thinking about was you in Southern Florida Can you hear me sighing down here in South Florida? I love it, especially that last picture with that great smile. Thanks Moon for a wonderful birthday message. Tress, thanks for your birthday wishes too. Love the birthday hat and your message is finger licking good to the very last morsal...I mean picture ;-)))."}, {"response": 979, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Apr  5, 2004 (13:18)", "body": "I mean \"morsel\" I appreciate all your efforts for a fun birthday party. You've already made my day! Thank you!"}, {"response": 980, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Apr  5, 2004 (13:30)", "body": "Happy Passover Shosh, Karen, Lora and everyone else celebrating!"}, {"response": 981, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Apr  5, 2004 (13:43)", "body": "(Lora)that it's actually that very rose that belongs to me in keepsakes. I claimed it from TIOBE when it first premiered - the one ODB catches at the dance hall when he first gets to the city to see Algie. Did you know that I had claimed it Shoshana? But of course, Lora, it's your red rose straight from Jack's/Ernest's hand! I guess it's more than a coincidence since your name means rose in Hebrew (so I'll share it with you)! Yup, rose or lily of the valley! In regards to TIOBE, I'm partial to Jack's buttonhole. ;-)"}, {"response": 982, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr  5, 2004 (15:13)", "body": "My dearest Lora, it's been two years since I've seen you at the Paris Theatre in New York...promise you'll come to the Bridget premiere next November Happy Birthday , Lora.... I looked all over Islington, and found some"}, {"response": 983, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Apr  5, 2004 (16:07)", "body": "Awwwww shucks Lora . . . I\ufffdm slightly embarrassed I got the day wrong . . . but early is better than late, right! So I\ufffdve been on my mobile to Livy To tell her I\ufffdll be late coming home tonight . . . Cause\ufffd I\ufffdm just going to pop over to your party for awhile;) Wouldn\ufffdt miss it! Happy Birthday, darlin\ufffd! ********************** Just to copy my last b\ufffdday post: Oh Lora . . . You\ufffdre here! It\ufffds your birthday! My heart is soooo full! Have the happiest of days today!"}, {"response": 984, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Apr  5, 2004 (16:51)", "body": "Thought I'd pop back to the party before I pop into the seder to say thanks for all your birthday thoughts: (Shoshana)it's your red rose straight from Jack's/Ernest's hand Wouldn't have it any other way. But on special occasions he can use it as a buttonhole if you'd like (no matter how I tried to word that it sounded off color, sorry ;-\\). (Evelyn)I looked all over Islington ROTFLOL! It must have taken him all day! And I love that TIOBE pic with his fist to his chest, one of my favs. (Kimberly)It\ufffds your birthday! My heart is soooo full! Don't worry, Kim, early is on time and on time is late ;-)! And it was worth the wait for \"my belahved!\" ;-))) You guys are so clever. Thanks for all the great gifts of words, song, and charming pics of ODB!"}, {"response": 985, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Apr  5, 2004 (18:24)", "body": "Lora, hope you like my new shades. I bought them for all that sunshine...and they work great for hangovers, too. Can't wait to party with you. Wishing you a healthy and peaceful Passover, too! Enjoy!"}, {"response": 986, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Apr  5, 2004 (19:14)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Lora abd a blessed Passover."}, {"response": 987, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Apr  5, 2004 (23:09)", "body": "After lotsa, lotsa matzah...just want to thank you Linda for the happy birthday and Passover wishes with \"Shade Man\" doin' that thing he does. Thanks Lucie for your happy birthday and Passover wishes too! It's been a lot of fun. Thanks to all of you!"}, {"response": 988, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Apr  5, 2004 (23:38)", "body": "Jack\ufffds in black, tails and top hat HD\ufffds in a tux. A feathered hat, yes I saw that And ODB pulled it off. Shosh even baked a chocolate cake So good I bit my screen. May have broke tooth, no, it\ufffdth juth looth Man oh Manischevitz. The dancing two made it official too We are having a ball. If you celebrate this Passover date Good wishes to you all. It wouldn\ufffdt be right to end this night Without more to say, To you dear lady, hope it was dandy Lora, Happy Birthday."}, {"response": 989, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Apr  6, 2004 (00:06)", "body": "Lora, cannot miss the chance to say \"Happy birthday!\" Best wishes for your new year!"}, {"response": 990, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Apr  6, 2004 (09:09)", "body": "Am very late to the party, but Happy Birthday, Lora!! Sorry I have no great pix, just lots of good wishes. I appear to be jinxed - all attempts to post images recently have failed miserably"}, {"response": 991, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Apr  6, 2004 (09:30)", "body": "Sussen Pasach Happy and Yummy holiday wishes and a belated Happy Day to Lora!"}, {"response": 992, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr  6, 2004 (13:10)", "body": "The coincidence of this appearing today: The Office stars 'used tongues' in final kiss Lucy Davis has admitted that she \"used tongues\" when she kissed The Office co-star Martin Freeman in the final episode of the show. She told Heat magazine: \"Well, you have to don't you? At the end of the day two people like Tim and Dawn are going to use tongues. \"That's how I kiss, it would be weird, it would look weird - even though I hope no-one could see a tongue. \"Martin and I had to do it a million times because it was like: \"That's a bit short, can you do it longer.\" And she added: \"Martin's good looking which makes the kissing scenes easier.\" Lucy says their on-screen passion must have been convincing because lots of people believe they are a real life couple. She added: \"It always surprises me how much people believe what they see on TV because they all know we're actors. But if you love something you don't want to ruin that little fantasy, I suppose.\""}, {"response": 993, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Apr  6, 2004 (13:35)", "body": "Wow, my point exactly. Funny bit though."}, {"response": 994, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Apr  6, 2004 (13:42)", "body": "I hope this hasn't been posted here yet?? Question is....can she act???? Pink takes a little piece of Renee's 'Heart' with Joplin project April 5, 2004 BY BILL ZWECKER SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST Word has it, newly crowned Oscar winner Renee Zellweger is seeing red over the news rock star Pink is planning to make her big-screen debut in a film based on the life of Janis Joplin -- rivaling Zellweger's own Joplin feature, \"Piece of My Heart,\" being developed by Paramount Pictures and Chicagoan Tom Rosenberg's Lakeshore Entertainment. Daily Variety reports that Zellweger -- a lifelong Joplin fan -- is driven by the passion of someone who \"grew up in Texas worshipping the singer.\" At this point, it looks like the Pink project could go before the cameras first. Penelope Spheeris is set to direct, the Joplin family has endorsed it and Pink (whose real name is Alecia Moore) has put together a screen test as Joplin that's generating lots of big buzz in Hollywood. Apparently Pink's imitation of Joplin's gravelly voiced singing style is amazing -- so much so, music mogul Clive Davis is already planning a soundtrack deal at Pink's label, Arista, where he signed Joplin to her first major record contract."}, {"response": 995, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Apr  6, 2004 (14:15)", "body": "I had read that her screen test was amazing. Penelope Spheeris is probably the best choice to direct. I felt that Renee took Bridget away from Kate Winslet. Those things do happen."}, {"response": 996, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Apr  6, 2004 (14:27)", "body": "(Sonia)no, it\ufffdth juth looth Man oh Manischevitz. LOL! Thanks for summing up the occasion with your great celebration verse! Thanks Barb, Leslie, and Beedee for the birthday and Passover greetings too. It was a fun day with firth friends like all of you."}, {"response": 997, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Apr  6, 2004 (15:53)", "body": "Brosnan done with 007: Pierce pal By BRUCE KIRKLAND -- Toronto Sun HOLLYWOOD -- Pierce Brosnan is finished with James Bond, according to his friend, neighbour and one-time 007 co-star, Michael Madsen. \"Pierce lives right down the beach from me. Our kids play together,\" Madsen said during interviews for his own new movie, Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill: Vol. 1. \"And he told me he doesn't want to do another one. \"I also heard that they bought him out. I really don't know but an impasse is an impasse.\" Madsen said he was told that Brosnan will be replaced with an Australian, although he did not know who and could not confirm if it was Hugh Jackman, who has been touted as a possible future Bond. So has Englishman Clive Owen. Madsen's comments seem to put in stone something that Brosnan has only hinted at. The Irish-born actor admitted last month that, while he was willing to do his fifth Bond picture if the filmmakers could get a decent script written and find a director for the project, the negotiations were not going well. Neither was the script development. \"We've reached an impasse with the producers,\" Brosnan said in March. \"They seem to be paralyzed and cannot move forward. If they want me, they know where to find me. \"I was prepared to do a fifth film and then walk away. I made that very clear to the producers. We had started negotiations and I want to follow through, but conversations and telephone calls have dried up.\" Madsen said he himself is interested in the new Bond because he was supposed to get a role in it. He last worked with Brosnan as Bond in Lee Tamahori's Die Another Day (2002), playing Damian Falco. Now Madsen is wary. \"Well, I was going to do it with Pierce but, now that Pierce is out of the Bond picture, I don't know what is going to happen. If (producer) Barbara Broccoli calls me up and says: 'Michael, I want you to be in the James Bond picture,' I'll probably go do it, but I'm not going to call her. \"I don't know the new Bond guy. I've never seen anything he's done. I don't even know what he looks like. I can't remember the guy's name. I would have to feel like he's going to be a good Bond for me to want to do it.\" Madsen, who plays the assassin Sidewinder in the Kill Bill films, said that watching Brosnan on Die Another Day taught him how torturous it is for the star on a 007 set. \"You know, making a Bond film is not an easy thing to do. That's a heavy shoot, man. That's a long, long, big, big, heavy thing. The Bond thing is a tremendously gigantic production and the last one was hugely successful. \"For Pierce, that was the fourth one that he did. He's tired, man. You know, he's James Bond. He doesn't have to do another one. Why would you? Why would you bother?\""}, {"response": 998, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Apr  6, 2004 (16:09)", "body": "So is the portion of the Negotiation Show where there's an impasse in the private talks and one party decides to go to the press (themselves or surreptiously through a third party) to force the other's hand publicly? ;-)"}, {"response": 999, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (00:23)", "body": "This is not quite Odds & Ends, just Odd. I think \"Happy Passover\" has just about been pounded into the ground, but having had my required four glasses of wine and then retreating to the DVD player, I started thinking about what ODB's four glasses would be. Somehow I came up with something that makes me dislike Manishevitz a little less. ;-) Please enjoy! L'Chayim and Mushimoko!"}, {"response": 1000, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (00:26)", "body": "Not sure if anyone's interested in The Alamo, but I saw it last night. Jason Patric introduced. Funny, when he got there, he walked right up to me where I was behind a table waiting to start checking people in. Guess I was looking all busy and important and like I knew what was going on. ;-) The BAfta biggies were standing nearby in a huddle. All I was actually trying to do was avoid eye contact with the increasing crowd chomping at the bit to start going in. His adorable grandmother I had the conversation with last year after the Narc screening was there again. It wasn't bad, I did like it, but wasn't anything to write home about either. Of all the stars, I liked Billy Bob Thorton the best as Davy Crockett. Dennis Quaid as Gen. Sam Houston and most of the rest of the main high profile characters were a bit overwrought I thought. Heavy handed direction. Think it could've been shorter if some lingering shots were cut. I've managed to catch more bits of Significant Others and it is indeed v.v. funny, but it still annoys me, too. Might be the editing. Karen, have you seen any more of Nip/Tuck? Thanks again Tress for the heads up on the repeats for that. I'm so thrilled! Can't wait for the new season."}, {"response": 1001, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (09:13)", "body": "Re: Alamo I figured something was wrong with it since the release has been delayed so long. Nope, haven't watched Nip/Tuck yet. I guess I must keep forgeting about it."}, {"response": 1002, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (09:41)", "body": "Shoshana, that was lovely! That must have taken some work to pull together, such dedication is admirable! Thank you!"}, {"response": 1003, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (10:05)", "body": "LOL! I just saw this: Epic Film 'The Alamo' Fights for Respect By ANTHONY BREZNICAN, AP Entertainment Writer LOS ANGELES - The shooting was relatively painless on \"The Alamo.\" The cutting was where things started to hurt. Production was finished and the Christmas release date loomed, but director John Lee Hancock wanted more time and money to edit his film of that memorable Texas battle. Disney's studio bosses gave him an extra $3 million and three more months \ufffd during which Hancock felt like he was performing the old vaudeville act of balancing dishes on sticks. \"Most epic films have one character. You follow his or her journey and everything feeds their journey. This was an epic film with at least six main characters. That's difficult because you realize you can add a little bit of this, and what does that do to the whole story? It's a little like the guy on `The Ed Sullivan Show' spinning plates. You can spin one really, really fast and then look and you're about to drop another one.\" A few of the story lines he had to juggle: Dennis Quaid as Gen. Sam Houston, Jason Patric as Jim Bowie, Patrick Wilson as Col. William Travis, Billy Bob Thornton as Davy Crockett, Jordi Molla as Tejano hero Juan Seguin and Marc Blucas as garrison officer James Bonham. In October, Disney screened an early print that ran more than three hours. Studio boss Dick Cook acknowledged the movie was being groomed for Oscar contention, but decided it wasn't close enough to being finished for the planned Christmas release. Cook told The Associated Press in December: \"There were deadlines ... and we just honestly felt, the filmmakers and all, we're not going to get this movie done in two weeks ... We said, `You know what? Looking at the landscape let's not kill ourselves.\" Hancock took over \"The Alamo\" after \"A Beautiful Mind\" filmmaker Ron Howard dropped out of directing, taking Russell Crowe with him. Primarily a screenwriter who wrote the Clint Eastwood film \"A Perfect World,\" Hancock directed Quaid in the true-life baseball story \"The Rookie\" and had done some script work on \"The Alamo\" when it was still Howard's project. Howard had planned to start filming in November 2002, but the studio and Howard clashed over how bloody and expensive the film would be, with Howard seeking a reported $125 million budget plus his standard sizable percentage of the movie's box office. Disney wanted a PG-13 movie, a less expensive production budget, and a smaller part of the profit pie for Howard and would-be star Crowe. But Cook couldn't persuade them to lower their asking prices. Cook wanted \"The Alamo\" to be an example of a cost-saving epic in an era of out-of-control movie budgets. So Howard and Disney parted ways \ufffd which left an opening for Hancock. \"We sort of have a mantra around here that we like to make the right movie at the right price,\" Cook said. \"Some people have misinterpreted it that we're not going to make big movies. Clearly we're going to make big movies, but hopefully those big movies will be the right big movies to make for the right price.\" Hancock said he received Howard's blessing to move into the director's chair, and had no problem with the budget Disney was offering: $95 million. \"Honestly there's not a penny that's spared on the screen,\" Hancock said. \"It's just that Ron and Russell Crowe are a far more expensive than Dennis Quaid and I are.\" Hancock's cameras didn't get rolling until January 2003, and the Texas-born filmmaker's ambition in chronicling the many Alamo heroes placed that Dec. 25 release date in jeopardy almost from the get-go. \"Billy Bob told me during production, `There is no way in hell you're coming out at Christmas,'\" Hancock said. Then the postponement of the movie's release surrounded Hancock and Disney with bad buzz. Numerous stories questioned what was wrong with the film. Sometimes, delays mean a troubled movie. \"The Alamo\" director expected negative press but was glad to have more time to craft what he considered to be a better movie. \"I knew that with the press reaction we'd take a hit,\" Hancock said. \"But ask the most pertinent question: `What are you reshooting?' We didn't reshoot one frame of film, we didn't shoot any additional footage. It was me playing with well over a million feet of film we shot.\" In the editing room, Quaid's role as Houston became more of a bookend for the story, the character of Bonham was practically eliminated and the character of Seguin was reduced to a smaller supporting role. Meanwhile, the conflict between Travis and the dying Bowie became prominent, while Thornton's supporting role as Crockett became the film's \"heart and soul,\" Hancock said. Now the fate of \"The Alamo\" lies in the hands of ticket buyers. But the film already has one high-profile admirer \ufffd Richard Bruce Winders, curator of the Alamo museum and author of the new book \"Sacrificed at the Alamo: Tragedy and Triumph in the Texas Revolution.\" \"Given that this had such pre-release negative expectation b"}, {"response": 1004, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (10:38)", "body": "Meanwhile, the conflict between Travis and the dying Bowie became prominent, while Thornton's supporting role as Crockett became the film's \"heart and soul,\" Hancock said. I liked the conflict between Travis and Bowie. Travis was the officer in charge, but most of the men wouldn't listen to him unless Bowie gave the word. BBT was at times, the subtle comic relief. He got the throwaway amusing lines. Wasn't Patrick Wilson the guy Scarlett Johannson was supposedly seeing at one time? Jordi Molla as Tejano hero Juan Seguin Boy, can I tell you I was really bummed he wasn't in it more. Pretty much disappeared halfway in then reappeared at the end, but genereally didn't have a lot to say anyway. He is one hot tamale, IMO. ;-P Bet he wouldn't appeal to many here though. Marc Blucas as garrison officer James Bonham. I saw his name in the credits and wondered if I blinked an missed him. He was in Buffy the Vampire Slayer series for a time for those wondering who he was. He was really bland in the series to me. When Jason Patric started to speak for the intro he said he didn't know what he was supposed to say and just said there were no SFX for the most part, it was just old fashioned movie making like a David Lean epic [reaching just a bit ;-)]. I did think the battle scenes were very well done, but not on the scale and quality of the one in Cold Mtn. *That* was something. I'd read about all the problems about this movie back around the holidays, so I wasn't overly enthusiastic about seeing it, but I did enjoy it. I think most people there did from comments I could hear, though I don't think anyone was overjoyed with it either."}, {"response": 1005, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (13:21)", "body": "Was looking at the Indie box office report at indieWire and there are some very interesting pie charts: For the week ending April 5, (1) There were 62 indie films being shown, up 3 percent from the previous week, which represented 49.6 percent of the total out now. (2) But the total gross from indie films was $12.68M (down 15 percent), which is only about 10 percent of the total box office. (3) This naturally corresponds to the number of screens. Indies played on a total of 4,535 screens nationwide (down 9 percent), which is 11 percent of the total. Wow, I had no idea the relationship was that lopsided, but if I thought more about the math, it should have."}, {"response": 1006, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (13:48)", "body": "According to the ZReview, the Australian actor referred to by Michael Madsen is Heath Ledger: Rumours are now circulating that Barbara Broccoli is now looking at siging Heath Ledger up to replace Pierce Brosnan as James Bond! Apparently \"they're\" going for a young Bond to lure them into longer contracts."}, {"response": 1007, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (14:02)", "body": "Interesting article about the movie development process at big studios: http://www.moviecitynews.com/columnists/klady/2004/gb_040408.html Good line: In the spoof Hollywood Boulevard, the filmmakers created the fictional studio Miracle Pictures and provided it with the motto: If it's a good picture, it's a Miracle. ;-))))))"}, {"response": 1008, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (14:34)", "body": "\"....Heath Ledger up to replace Pierce Brosnan as James Bond! Apparently \"they're\" going for a young Bond to lure them into longer contracts.\" The \"Knight's Tale\" guy? He's a mere child. I think they're going for the teeny audience .A PG-13 Bond"}, {"response": 1009, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (14:41)", "body": "HL as Bond . .even a young one? . .Sorry .I just don't see it."}, {"response": 1010, "author": "soph", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (17:12)", "body": "according to my mantlepiece, it is now officially the 8th, so it means it's time to wish kim a *very happy birthday* i know my little boys (aka animatronicolins) have been pretty quiet these past few months, actually i believe they have been invisible since one of them showed up at dorine's infamous cocktail party last december... (warning : a humongous file awaits you at the other end of this link) it means they missed a couple of celebrations already, tress's & barbs' come to mind (i'll make it up to you somehow)... well, to be honest, they also missed lora's birthday, which is why this one chose to show up so early in the morning, in order to make amends. so, without further ado, lora & kim, a few people here would like to wish you a happy birthday (warning again : this is a 700 ko file) enjoy."}, {"response": 1011, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (18:42)", "body": "That was fantastic, Sophie! I can't believe I had missed Dorine's Xmas one. I absolutely ;-) loved it! Tu est genial! Rumours are now circulating that Barbara Broccoli is now looking at siging Heath Ledger up to replace Pierce Brosnan as James Bond! Apparently \"they're\" going for a young Bond to lure them into longer contracts. I wonder who he'll push t be his Bond girl? ;-) They better dye his hair black. I read tha The Alamo had terrible audience responses when they startedescreening it eons ago. It was supposedto be a Xmas release. That's one film my DH wants to see. Interesting article, Karen, thanks!"}, {"response": 1012, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (20:47)", "body": "(Moon) I wonder who he'll push t be his Bond girl? ;-) MaryKate or Ashley? Or maybe both..."}, {"response": 1013, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (20:53)", "body": "(Barb) MaryKate or Ashley? Too funny. :-)"}, {"response": 1014, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 2004 (21:55)", "body": "Oh, what shall I ever come up with as a fitting gift for Kimberley\ufffds birthday tomorrow?? Perhaps one of these for her role as \ufffdAce Reconnaissance Agent\ufffd\ufffd... A nice way to recognize her deft talents for unearthing obscure background info whenever breaking news occurs. Secure party locations?? Obscure theatrical scripts?? No problem for our \ufffdgirl in the know\ufffd! Naaah, I think a nice \ufffdwet one\ufffd will do the trick best\ufffd\ufffd. Have a great one tomorrow, Kimberley!!!!"}, {"response": 1015, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 2004 (08:42)", "body": "*clap clap clap* for your newest animatronic Colin, Sophie. Your collection could've been the Smigel cartoon on the show had they known about them. ;-) (Moon) I wonder who he'll push t be his Bond girl? ;-) (BarbS) MaryKate or Ashley? Or maybe both... LOL! And I hope they throw in somebody from those WB shows as the villain. ;-)"}, {"response": 1016, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 2004 (10:27)", "body": "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen I must confess that ever since Kimberley called me DARLING I have thought of nothing else but how wonderful it would be to co-star with her in my next film. (The one after the Nanny of course). So Kimberley on your birthday rest assured that I working on it. Now, come join me and take a bow. Happy Birthday Kimberley! PS. Today is my son's birthday too."}, {"response": 1017, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 2004 (11:12)", "body": "That's odd. It's Kim's birthday, yet she's given *me* a present--a gift certificate for kissing lessons! What's wrong with how I kiss? Look how effectively I gave Katie my cheek when she tried to zoom in for some action. Even Matt wants to get in on the act! Hugs and (chaste) kisses on your Birthday, Kimberly!"}, {"response": 1018, "author": "socadook", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 2004 (11:34)", "body": "Westchester to the Big Apple Our Metro Gal in the know Proved to be Emma\ufffds equal On stakeout of a certain show. Soon we\ufffdll see premieres With her film on the marquee ODB and our Kim, you wait it\ufffdll be. Until we can look back And say we knew you when Birthday wishes you won\ufffdt lack Happy Birthday, my friend."}, {"response": 1019, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 2004 (11:46)", "body": "My dearest and loveliest Kimberly,may you have a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY"}, {"response": 1020, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 2004 (12:18)", "body": "Wot? Sure, I'm dressed and ready to go to Kimberly's birthday party! But I insist on being her date . . . We're going to do a litttle private transcribing and practice our kissing techniques Happy Birthday!!"}, {"response": 1021, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 2004 (12:59)", "body": "Heeeey theressss....we hurrrd it wassss your birshday! I seemed to be misshing my olive....did you get it Sharlettt? I might haff to move onto margarittaaas! Happy Birthday, Metro Gal! Party like you'll never run out of garnishes!"}, {"response": 1022, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 2004 (14:01)", "body": "Look, there's Kim--up in the balcony, the one with the red and white scarf. You must help me get a message to her. Tim: Whaaawhat shshould I I sssay? Colin: Repeat after me. Colin: Happy Tim: Happy Colin: Birthday Tim: Birthday Colin: Dearest, loveliest, Kim Tim: Could you repeat that? Colin: Happy Birthday, dearest, loveliest, Kim"}, {"response": 1023, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 2004 (15:27)", "body": "(Shoshana)L'Chayim and Mushimoko! I love your four cups of Colin! You even managed to show \"the simple son,\" \"the rebellious son,\" \"the wise son,\" and \"the one who does not know how to ask a question!\" ;-)))) Very well done, Shoshana, you clever girl. For my next birthday, can you put him in a kippah? ;-P Okay enough of Passover... Sophie, thanks so, so much for the animatronic Colin. It's an honor to receive one! It's terrific the way he counts and then blows out the candles with N-Lora and Ana-Kim by his sides! ;-) So glad to share one of Sophie's lovely creations with you,Kimberly (I'm working on my birthday wish to you, fellow Aries). Btw, Sopie, so glad you brought up Dorine's b-day since I totally missed it in December. I want to sneak in a very belated happy birthday wish to a very deserving firth fan."}, {"response": 1024, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 2004 (16:26)", "body": "I'm channeling someone having a birthday today. Just practicing a little Reiki ;-). Heard you know how to put some \"iggy\" on something you really want. Well, I'm doing the same because I really want you to have a very happy birthday! Happy Birthday, Kimberly!"}, {"response": 1025, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 2004 (17:35)", "body": "Sophie - I am in awe of your animatronicolins...have never seen them before and boy, did I enjoy 'em. This group is just amazing!!"}, {"response": 1026, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 2004 (18:41)", "body": "Hi all!! . .Been sooo swamped with work! Wanted to second with Lora . .v. nice montage Shosh . . . I\ufffdm belated with Passover wishes . .I hope all celebrating have a wonderful one;) Re: The many wonderful B'day wishes . . Sophie - yay an animitronicolin!!! . .I so love these!!!!! So glad that ODB, Laura . .(er I mean Norah ) and Ana could wish me & Lora a Happy B'day. And Yay . . v. happy to share it with Lora (hurrah to a fellow aries!). Liked that you used the SNL pic . .He's wearing that shirt . .*sigh* one of my SNL keeps. Leslie - Aww shucks, an Oscar? . .didn't think I'd get one this early in my career;) . .but well . .a nice little kiss from Colin is v. v. nice too! . .now would that be considered a fish kiss??? Moon - Oooh Colin, really? . .be a co-star in your next film?:) (Yes, please after The Nanny! - No offense to Emma) . . .Then I want it to be Toyer . .outta my way Juliette! My DH is the love of my life, but you will be \"My Darling\" forever . . . Mari - Hmmm . .I was wondering if he had opened that note I slipped him. . He must have if he found that gift certificate;) Memories . .*sigh again* of my first real sighting of \"Colin in the Wild\" . .just wonderful to relive Sonia - To Sonia, my dear I must stop now to say Many thanks for your poem That I received here today It was thoughtful and sweet And it showed lots of heart I know I\ufffdll never forget All the support from the start That I\ufffdve received from the Droolers Both near me and far So keep an eye out there girls For that next fancy car That ODB does step out from At his latest premiere You might just be surprised Can\ufffdt you see . .can\ufffdt you hear . . Standing by Colin\ufffds side ,who it might be? For as Sonia suggests As had others, you see Colin\ufffds next leading lady Well, might just be me;) Evelyn - Oh , Mr.Darcy . . . . did you say what I thought you did?:?? (*insert here one visceral groan ala SNL opening monologue*) .Birthday wishes from you I shall always treasure, down to my last days. . .I do know that look . .I know it\ufffds usually for Lizzie, but I\ufffdm happy to have it today on my b\ufffdday . . I\ufffdll sing to you too . .I know the same song . in Italian;) Karen - And you brought Mark . .! Mark, so glad you were able to make the party!:) Lovely just lovely. I do think you are awfully dashing in that tux. Now, don't over exert yourself, darling, chasing that nasty bastard Daniel all over the place . . . I need your rested and ready for that private transcription meeting . .ah . . .just whisper sweet nothings into my ear, my dear, and I'll take down all sorts of dictation;) . .of course then, a hot, sweaty out-of-breath Mark . .well I could find ways for you to relax . .wind down;) Don't pass out . .may just have to give you mouth-to-mouth. Tress - A v. squiffy Colin, I see . .and hello, Scarlett, glad you could join the party too . .Now you don't mind if I just squeeze in there between the both of you (* takes hip and body checks Scarlett out of the way*) . .Whoops! Clumsy me ! . .One too many martinis for me too I think . .are you alright? . .Just hold me up Colin . let me just place my arm around your waist to steady myself;) . . ..I think I have an olive somewhere for you . . . Leeenda - (whispering) Ooooooh nooooooo! Is my FP scarf giving me away?:) I wear it only so you can identify me from afar, Colin . . but if it's a bit too conspicuous, I may have to hide it for awhile . . Many thanks to Tim Calhoun to being our go between, in a matter of speaking. Lora - Ahhh are you a Reiki practitioner too?:) . . . . .well, would love to give Colin a private session . .do you think he'd lie still on the massage table for me?:) Must run . .my DH is taking me out for a b\ufffdday dinner . . will try to get back later to post more about Toyer on the Companion pieces . .if I\ufffdm not too squiffy by then! Thanks for the b'day wishes, everyone!"}, {"response": 1027, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 2004 (18:50)", "body": "Happy Birthday KIMBERLY! Hope the day is fabulous, you wild woman, you!"}, {"response": 1028, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 2004 (19:15)", "body": "Hey, Jimmy, who was that girl I just waved to up there? The one with the red and white scarf. Is she with that group that made that noise when I said, \ufffdDearest, loveliest Elizabeth\ufffd in the monologue? Seems like I had something to say to her. Oh, I remember! Happy Birthday mah bee-luv-ed, Kimberly!!"}, {"response": 1029, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 2004 (19:36)", "body": "(Lora)Heard you know how to put some \"iggy\" on something you really want. Let me tell you, from a front row seat, her iggy is hot stuff! Sophie, great job with animatronic Colin. You have out done yourself. It was fun reliving Dorine's animatronic Colin, too. (Kim)if I\ufffdm not too squiffy by then! It's your birthday, go ahead and get squiffy! Hope you have a great dinner."}, {"response": 1030, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 2004 (20:21)", "body": "Pssst, Darcy! You are in grave danger of being late to an important function! Blast! Must change for Kim's party! Ahh, now I'm ready. Where is that Darling Kim? I've been wanting to get a light from that lovely girl since I saw her Live that Saturday Night! Hope you had a BEE-utiful Birthday! Have some lovely Bee Cake!"}, {"response": 1031, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 2004 (21:57)", "body": "It was the White Rabbit returning, splendidly dressed, with a pair of white kid gloves in one hand and a large fan in the other: he came trotting along in a great hurry, muttering to himself as he came, \"Oh! the Duchess, the Duchess! Oh! won\ufffdt she be savage if I\ufffdve kept her waiting!\" There's to be a mad hatter party for Kim...it's not her unbirthday today! Hmph, she can wait, someone took my knife! Well I'll be there as soon as I finish my cigarette. I'm busy right now chasing after housekeepers...by the way, where's my mug? Tis better to be late than never arrive at all...here, go pay the taxi why don't you. I've been here, in the kitchen trying not to choke on my tie. And I'm here too...playing the piano. Are we all here, then? Some still missing, you say? I think we've got enough for tonight. Let's get squishy! Happy Birthday Kim! Hope you had a wonderful day!"}, {"response": 1032, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 2004 (22:57)", "body": "Happy Birthday Kim! Hope it's been a great one. Have a great year!"}, {"response": 1033, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 2004 (23:24)", "body": "My dear Kim, knowing your tracking and reconnaissance skills, I thought I\ufffdd just give you directions for a birthday treasure hunt! First, through the side door of Rockefeller Center (no, the other side door), down half a set of stairs, left of the security guard and not far from the planters of flowers, but not as far as the women\ufffds restrooms. You there yet? Good. Look down. Your first clue. Now, shout \ufffdAlert!\ufffd and run to the Nautica store\ufffd actually an AP building entrance in disguise. You may have missed the tall, long-legged stranger but what\ufffds that \ufffdwedged\ufffd in the revolving door? Your second clue. On the trail yet? If you need another hint, just step into the Borders\ufffd down the street and look at the special DVD sale item. OK. Got it? Just got to get though the door\ufffd Who\ufffds that inside? Oops. Well, as there are no photos available from inside the party, this guy was second in line and in desperate need of some energy manipulation. Hope he\ufffdll do. ;-) Happy Birthday Kim!!!"}, {"response": 1034, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 2004 (23:28)", "body": "Crikey! Dropped my lime! ;-)"}, {"response": 1035, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 2004 (11:43)", "body": "Never got back to the computer last night . .bit squiffy and tired . .DH took me and a friend out for Thai food and we were there all night. Also love lovely DH . .got me a copy of the book TumbleDown by Robert Lawrence . .sent to the UK for it;) . .nice pic of Colin & Robert Lawrence on the front . . TD now one of my tops faves list . . Eithne - many thanks for the b\ufffdday wishes . .did have wonderful day! Dorine - .I knew I was being a bit loud;) . .but to get a happy b\ufffdday from my own \ufffdbih-luv-ed\ufffd It was worth it. Will never forget him waving to us. And still will admit, loved that skit . .it was my favorite of them all (nice blond Colin!) Bee - Colin, I\ufffdll keep the party going until you show up . .never fear about being late! A light you say . .let me just get that for you (* sidles up, with a lighter, smiling*). Do love the smell of a good cigar. And bee cake! . .been craving one of those! Ada \ufffd Oh my, oh my, oh my . .so many faces of Colin . .so many keeps in my hope chest (so many tributes still owed!!) . .in every incarnation I do adore him. But the final one . .just as he is, I thnk is the best! Shosh \ufffd Hurrah! A treasure hunt! (* flips on Mission Impossible theme music to get in the mood*) This was just fabulous the clues were just right . .and the directions led me to the prize that was hidden at the back of the resturant . .my the stairs that led to the loos. .and what a prize at the end! . .Well, Richard Courtois . .Reiki you say? . .Let me just dim the lights, light a few candles, some incense . .get the Reiki oil. Now lie back and let me do all of the work . . . Love lovely Droolers for many wonderful b\ufffdday wishes! Thanks so much!"}, {"response": 1036, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 2004 (13:01)", "body": "Moon . . I forgot to add . .I hope your son had a v. happy b'day as well!!!"}, {"response": 1037, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 2004 (13:11)", "body": "Oops . .and a thanks to Barb S too for her b'day wishes!!!! (sorry for all of the posts, Karen!)"}, {"response": 1038, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 2004 (15:18)", "body": "More Bonds and Bond Girls and India? Kaun banega hamara Bond? NIKITA DOVAL TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ FRIDAY, APRIL 09, 2004 05:47:33 AM ] The name still remains Bond but the most loved spy in literature and celluloid history is undergoing an identity crisis. As the studio bosses deliberate on the new face, websites are conducting country-wide polls to find The Replacement. While USA votes in favour of Hugh Jackman, the Brits have placed their bet on Colin Firth. And India? It\ufffds a divided house, back home. Most of our desi Bond buffs would like purana Pierce to continue. Photographer Tarun Khewal feels Brosnan \ufffd\ufffdfits the bill perfectly.\ufffd\ufffd The fatigue factor does figure and so do the wrinkles, fast catching up with the 50-plus Brosnan. \ufffd\ufffdBut that\ufffds okay, even a master spy can grow old,\ufffd\ufffd feels Khewal. Sunny Sarid also gives his nod to Brosnan. \ufffd\ufffdHe\ufffds a cool, composed guy and that\ufffds an integral part of Bond\ufffds persona.\ufffd\ufffd Sarid feels that after Sean Connery, it\ufffds Brosnan who fits the image of the Ian Fleming spy! However, actress Amrita Rao would beg to differ. She feels Brosnan is \ufffd\ufffdsimply outdated.\ufffd\ufffd Her choice is Keanu Reeves. \ufffd\ufffdHis poker face which does not let on anything will be perfect for a spy!\ufffd\ufffd Another contender? Jude Law who could slip in beautifully in the spy\ufffds role, feels dress designer Mandira Wirk. \ufffd\ufffdHe has a \ufffdstiff upper lip\ufffd look about him and with his killer looks, he fits the role perfectly.\" But Brosnan still has some desi gals swooning. Monisha Bajaj and Shilpa Shetty give him a thumbs up. \ufffd\ufffdHe\ufffds perfect. Sean Connery made the character his, but Brosnan has managed to carve a niche for himself,\ufffd\ufffd says Shetty. And the Bond girl? \ufffd\ufffdThe only pre-requisite of a Bond woman is that she has to be really hot,\ufffd\ufffd says model Aparna Behl. Actor Himanshu Mallik has a definite choice. \ufffd\ufffdNo, not Kylie or Britney. They are both has-beens. It\ufffds got to be Charlize Theron. She\ufffds one hot chick!\" http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/608117.cms"}, {"response": 1039, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 2004 (16:08)", "body": "I would pick Jude Law over Keanu Reeves any day. Charlize isn't a bad choice, really. Thanks, Linda. I don't see the Heath Ledger thing either from that blurb that Karen mentioned from Z Review (and loved the pics of Christian Bale as the new Batman over at Z Review....Tress, looks like he lost some weight since Jan. Maybe it's just 'cause he shaved off that heavy beard. ;-))"}, {"response": 1040, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 2004 (16:38)", "body": "\"She feels Brosnan is ??simply outdated.?? Ditto. In fact, so is Bond, IMO TIME review of \"Dogville\" EMPTY SET, PLOT TO MATCH Dogville is a fascinating experiment, but it fails to produce any breakthrough in entertainment \"Actors are weird. It's part of their job description. What other trade compels a person to travel halfway around the world, get up at 5 a.m. each day, dress and talk funny, gain or lose 40 lbs. and make simulated love or war with a near stranger? \" Whole review: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101040412-607794,00.html"}, {"response": 1041, "author": "soph", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 2004 (06:49)", "body": "uhoh... guess what, there's more, well, i means it seems kim forgot something and we have a couple of leftovers from the party to attend to... how careless of you, kim !"}, {"response": 1042, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 2004 (07:41)", "body": "sophie!!!!!! How could I have not seen it . . ! I was just riding on such a Colin high that I plumb forgot it was lying there. Silly Kimberly . . . However, to be greeted this morning by that fellow at the door . . I love it! That animitronicolin is priceless! Woo hoo!!!! The after party continues! *waving dollar bills around, trying, not very discreetly, to tuck them in his towel*"}, {"response": 1043, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 2004 (11:36)", "body": "LOL, sophie! (Dorine), I would pick Jude Law over Keanu Reeves any day. Charlize isn't a bad choice, really. I agree. So Keith Ledger was a rumour? It's amazing that Colin's name is going around as the UK choice for Bond. Surely some Brocolli must be paying attention? Althought I see Colin more as a Mr. Bean type Bond. He is a bit clumsy. ;-) Thanks, Linda!"}, {"response": 1044, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 2004 (12:00)", "body": "A very Happy and Serene Easter to all! Don't overdo. :-D Or the hen will get mad. ;-)"}, {"response": 1045, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 2004 (12:33)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1046, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 2004 (12:56)", "body": "Happy Easter to all those celebrating!!! Five Second Delay Please: May you all get a little tail! BTW, Sophie! That Colinatron is hilarious!!!! Thanks!!!!"}, {"response": 1047, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 2004 (12:57)", "body": "oooppssss...hope that fixed it!"}, {"response": 1048, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 2004 (13:47)", "body": "Blast! I hope that got it! Sorry Karen!"}, {"response": 1049, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 2004 (14:34)", "body": "A little something from Paulie:"}, {"response": 1050, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 2004 (20:05)", "body": "LOL, Karen. I'm going to be thinking of Paulie and keesters in church, tomorrow. I just know it!"}, {"response": 1051, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 2004 (09:41)", "body": "Pauline pointed out this article from the Sunday NYT. I'll post the entire thing, just in case it goes behind the registration buffer at some point: April 11, 2004 Gore's Daughter Pulls the Sheet Off Washington By ALEX KUCZYNSKI LIFE as a Senate aide is grueling, sometimes mind-numbingly boring work. But to hear Kristen Gore tell it in her first novel, it can also be littered with cold-eyed romantic encounters, epic drinking, seedy campaign-trail sex, pot-smoking octogenarians and treachery worthy of the sudsiest soap opera. Ms. Gore, 26, one of Al Gore's three daughters, has written a novel from inside the political fishbowl. The book, \"Sammy's Hill\" \ufffd Bridget Jones in high-wonk Washington mode \ufffd is to be published on Sept. 1 by Miramax Books. And, yes, there is a fishbowl, that ubiquitous metaphor for any number of insular industries, on the jacket. Although Miramax has not yet released bound galleys, copies of a 486-page manuscript have been distributed to foreign publishers and movie producers. As outlined in one such copy of the manuscript, \"Sammy's Hill\" is the story of Samantha Joyce, a 20-something health-care analyst for the junior senator from Ohio. The first line reads, \"The party really started to rock when Willie Nelson and Queen Nefertiti began pouring shots.\" [Ed note: Is this indicative of the caliber of the writing? Gaah!] To insiders on the Washington-New York-Hollywood axis, however, the more compelling story may turn out to be the one about how \"Sammy's Hill\" came into being and what it reveals about the happy consequences of being connected and the calculations of publishers. The book was the brainchild of Harvey Weinstein, the co-chairman of Miramax Films, and Jonathan Burnham, the editor in chief of Miramax Books, who decided that what the world needed was a Bridget Jones-goes-to-Washington novel. \"Harvey and I had this idea that there is this gap in the, what, the chick-lit market,\" Mr. Burnham said, speaking in a crisp English tone not especially suited to the phrase \"chick lit.\" \"There was no, what we call in house, D.C. Bridget. All these chick-lit novels were set in Manhattan, usually in the office of a magazine or a publishing company. And somehow the trend missed Washington D.C.\" That may be because Capitol Hill, with its buttoned-down manner, is not the best setting for a story about a sexy young woman. Especially one who works as a \ufffd zzz \ufffd health-care analyst. Or as Jay Leno put it last year, announcing her novel, \"It's about a Capitol Hill staffer who works with a congressman on a health care subcommittee.\" Mr. Leno noted, \"Apparently, that boring gene doesn't fall far from the tree.\" Ouch, but nevertheless, last spring Mr. Weinstein and Mr. Burnham decided they must publish their brainchild Washington novel. But they needed a writer. And they also needed a manuscript. Three weeks later, in April, Mr. Weinstein ran into Ms. Gore at a reception for the Association to Benefit Children, Ms. Gore recalled. (Her sister Karenna Gore Schiff is the director of community affairs for the organization and is also writing a book \ufffd nonfiction \ufffd for Miramax.) Ms. Gore had been living in Los Angeles writing for the animated Fox show \"Futurama\" and was deciding whether to write for television or to try a novel. \"And suddenly there he was, and he said, `What are you doing?' \" Ms. Gore said last week. \"And I said, `Well, I guess I'm going to write television, but what I really, really want to do is write a novel.' And he said, `What a coincidence.' It was this great serendipitous moment.\" The novel's debt to \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" by Helen Fielding is evident in the first few pages. Samantha is late for work and hung over. She cannot find matching shoes. She is a touch neurotic. And the plot is familiar: girl meets boy, falls for boy, realizes boy is a loser and discovers another boy \ufffd the one who was under her nose the whole time. [Ed note: And they're giving Helen Fielding credit for the storyline?] But this time a vivid political backdrop colors the story. While working on a health-care bill, Samantha falls in love with Aaron, a dashing young speechwriter for a senior senator. Both the senator and Aaron turn out to be back-stabbing, mudslinging political operators. Samantha dumps Aaron. Briefly depressed by the breakup, she is cheered when Senator Gary, a clean-cut politician who evokes images of the writer's father and Senator John Edwards, is chosen to be the vice-presidential candidate for his party. (Ms. Gore avoids overt labels like Democrat and Republican, but it is pretty easy to figure out who the bad guys are.) On the campaign trail, she has an affair with Bob Espin, an older hotshot political consultant. But the affair sours. She falls in love with a Washington Post reporter. But he has a girlfriend. On election night, however, the reporter dumps his girlfriend. He and Samantha spend the night together. Her candidate wins. She has found love! She will go to work in the White Hou"}, {"response": 1052, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 2004 (11:27)", "body": "Here's hoping we hear some good news about interesting projects for ODB this year! Happy Easter!!"}, {"response": 1053, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 2004 (12:37)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1054, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 2004 (12:47)", "body": "On election night, however, the reporter dumps his girlfriend. He and Samantha spend the night together. Her candidate wins. She has found love! She will go to work in the White House! The end. Yeah...but does she run through the snow in her knickers to go after him? And where is her urban family? It's all about the friends! Thanks Karen....I think I'll pass on Sammy's Hill. Too many good books to read to spend time on chick lit knock-offs."}, {"response": 1055, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 2004 (15:04)", "body": "Geeze, Dorine! ROTF! Dam...now I've got to clean my keyboard again ;-) Do any of the rest of you find the term \"chick lit\" to be somewhat irritating? Think I'll join Tress and take a pass on Ms. Gore's book. Finally, hope all of you that celebrate are having a wonderful Easter, and those who don't are having a wonderful weekend."}, {"response": 1056, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 2004 (15:50)", "body": "Very interesting article, Karen. Some people get to win the lucky sperm contest and use another persons ideas too :-/ ************************************************** On a brighter note: Happy Easter to all who celebrate it today. Enjoy the time with family and friends (and chocolate too). LOL at your bunnies, Dorine!"}, {"response": 1057, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 2004 (19:44)", "body": "(NYT article)Both the senator and Aaron turn out to be back-stabbing, mudslinging political operators. Can't buy those as capital offenses. More like capital par for the course. Perjury, bribery,extortion, embezzlement--you know, something against the law, maybe but back-stabbing, mudslinging, and operating politically, nevah! Tress, you left your Lost Empires quote off your Easter greeting. Uncle Nick to Richard: \"You're just out of the egg, boy.\";-)"}, {"response": 1058, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 2004 (21:15)", "body": "I hope today has been a lovely Easter for all!!"}, {"response": 1059, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 2004 (21:21)", "body": "(Me)Tress, you left your Lost Empires quote off your Easter greeting. Sorry, Tress. I should have taken more time in composing my post. I did not mean to imply that your posting was in anyway deficient-quite lovely, actually. If I had it to do over, I would say: LOL! So cute, I'll picture that every time I hear Uncle Nick say to Richard: \"You're just out of the egg, lad.\" :-) :-) Happy Easter!"}, {"response": 1060, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 2004 (10:53)", "body": "(Eithne) Do any of the rest of you find the term \"chick lit\" to be somewhat irritating? Since there's another genre called \"lad-lit\" (with Nick Hornby being the most famous writer in it), I don't mind it as much as I do the term \"chick flick,\" which is never positive IMO and viewed as some sort of second-class material, aimed at soft-hearted, snively and weepy females. However, any fictiom aimed at a female audience is viewed as second class (chick-lit, romance novels, etc.), whereas I don't see the same aimed at readers of sci-fi, fantasy, pulp detective, westerns, etc. You may find this interesting because this site asks the authors of Chick Lit that same question. Interestingly, I've been reading quite a bit of Chick Lit lately. Some good. Some bad. Some hilarious. Some cringe-inducing. Right now, I've started \"Girls Poker Night\" by Jill Davis, a former writer on the Letterman show. v. funny, with LOL lines. She reminds me of Fran Lebowitz (\"Metropolitan Life\"), who was merely viewed as a best-selling humorous writer in 1978. Must have been a label-less time, which gave authors their due. ;-)"}, {"response": 1061, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 2004 (10:54)", "body": "Oops, forgot the url: http://www.authorsontheweb.com/features/0402-chicklit/chicklit.asp (haven't read any of the women on that Roundtable though)"}, {"response": 1062, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 2004 (12:01)", "body": "(Karen)I don't mind it as much as I do the term \"chick flick,\"... Vs. \"dick flick\";-/"}, {"response": 1063, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 2004 (12:40)", "body": "\"And suddenly there he was, and he said, `What are you doing?' \" Ms. Gore said last week. \"And I said, `Well, I guess I'm going to write television, but what I really, really want to do is write a novel.' And he said, `What a coincidence.' It was this great serendipitous moment.\" Yeah, right. Sounds a bit fishy to me. (Karen)(haven't read any of the women on that Roundtable though) Only one was vaguely familiar-Carole Matthews. I read her Bare Necessity a while ago. Not bad. (Eithne)Think I'll join Tress and take a pass on Ms. Gore's book. My thoughts, exactly. (Evelyn)Vs. \"dick flick\";-/ ROTFLOL."}, {"response": 1064, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 2004 (20:07)", "body": "Well . .for all in the Metro Area, the program for the Tribeca Film Festival is now up . . I can't recall if Dorine's already posted this . . . No Trauma . .boo hoo:( http://www.tribecafilmfestival.org/opencms/opencms/tff/home.jsp Stage Beauty looks like an interesting one, IMO"}, {"response": 1065, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 2004 (20:24)", "body": "Overheard in the Washington DC Metro (subway) this weekend.... A twenty-something girl talking to her twenty-something male companion. Both avidly discussing the Victorian authors. The girl states that she finds Austen's books repetitive but does like the films made from them because they frequently include (sic) Colin Firth. My young son who's been listening in turns to me and asks quite earnestly, \"Mom, do all the woman in the world take a Colin Firth pill or something?\""}, {"response": 1066, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 2004 (20:28)", "body": "(Leslie)\"Mom, do all the woman in the world take a Colin Firth pill or something?\" Yes dear . .yes we do;) . .actually it disolves well in our cups of Free Trade Coffee that we imbibe every day. Your son is adorable!"}, {"response": 1067, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 2004 (09:50)", "body": "Fab Five to Channel Four By Steve Brennan British TV viewers will be getting a triple scoop of Bravo's hit makeover show \"Queer Eye for the Straight Guy\" with a licensing deal for Channel Four to air all episodes of the U.S. show beginning in June. This comes on top of an existing deal with Flextech-owned LivingTV for a cable outing in the United Kingdom for the U.S. episodes as well as for a local British version of the reality series to begin airing next month (HR 2/22). The Channel Four deal was confirmed Monday by an NBC Enterprises spokesman. NBCE is distributing the reality series and the format worldwide. In addition to the Channel Four deal, NBCE also confirmed a sale of \"Queer Eye\" to South African cable and satellite outlet MNET that involves a pan-African broadcast arrangement for the U.S. episodes. A new deal with Hong Kong's TVB for all episodes of the series also was confirmed Monday. \"Queer Eye\" has now been cleared in almost 50 territories worldwide, said Leslie Jones, vp international sales and format production at NBCE. Although Jones declined comment on the latest U.K. deal, it is known that Channel Four begins airing the U.S. episodes next month on Fridays, while LivingTV will broadcast the local U.K. version of the show on Thursdays. At some point both outlets will be airing the U.S. episodes, but they will not overlap. NBCE also is understood to be negotiating deals in France and Spain for local versions there of the \"Queer Eye\" format."}, {"response": 1068, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 2004 (09:54)", "body": "April 13, 2004 Teaming up for laughs at the BBC By Steve Brennan Award-winning American comedy writer-producer Fred Barron is heading up a highly successful venture to introduce the American studio production system to the British comedy process. His hit BBC comedy \"My Family\" has now led to a second sitcom, \"Everything I Know About Men,\" which is heading into production at the network under Barron's oversight. The new sitcom represents the second phase in a most unusual move by the BBC to have Barron pioneer American team comedy writing there, something entirely new in Britain, where TV sitcom writers usually work solo. Barron, whose executive producer credits include \"Seinfeld,\" \"The Larry Sanders Show\" and \"Caroline in the City,\" has been headquartered at the BBC for the past four years, charged with developing and showrunning new team-written sitcoms. But it's only now that he feels comfortable declaring the experiment a success. With \"My Family,\" the first comedy in the United Kingdom to use team writing, he believes he has proved how successful the \"table writing\" system can be. His show is known as the \"Friends\" of the United Kingdom, with an average audience of 8 million, often peaking at 10 million. It debuted in the United States this month on BBC America. The comedy centers on the antics of the Harper family, which is headed up by a harassed dentist whose character is based on Barron's late father. Barron insists that he did not move to London to overturn the British production process. \"I am not looking to replace great solo writers like David Renwick ('One Foot in the Grave,' 'Jonathan Creek') and John Sullivan ('Only Fools and Horses'), who are creating one classic series after another, or Ricky Gervais ('The Office'). \"But I felt (the U.S.) system was a good way to have young writers come up through the ranks here, and I also felt the U.S. system is very important if you want to produce episodes in volume. For instance, (the British comedy) 'Only Fools and Horses' is a terrific show, but it took them 11 years to get 40 episodes. We now have 50 episodes of 'My Family' (which is in its fifth season). Last year alone, we did 26 episodes with six writers working together.\" In the Uk a writer typically delivers a package of completed scripts ready to go directly into production. In the US The writing team, led by a showrunner, is in place throughout the entire production period, constantly rewriting up until the recording of the show. Barron and the BBC came together more by chance than by design. \"At the time, the BBC wanted to try something new and to experiment with ways to produce in greater volume,\" Barron says. At the same time, Barron was becoming frustrated with the American networks, which had passed on his series idea based on his father called \"My Family\" because, as they put it, \"Nobody wants to see a show about a dentist.\" A native of Boston, Barron had recently overcome cancer and was still mourning the death of his dentist father when he came up with the idea for \"My Family,\" based on his own memories. \"The U.S. networks loved it but said the central character should not be a dentist because dentists are not popular,\" Barron says. \"I said, Yes, he does have to be a dentist because that was the reason I wrote it.\" Unwilling to compromise, Barron headed for Britain and the BBC with his idea, his craft and his reputation. \"I was expecting greater differences between the British and American production systems,\" he says. \"But there were far more similarities than I had expected. I think I learned more from the writers I was teaching than they learned from me. I would say, We need more jokes here, and they would say, 'No, let the moment live.' It was a learning curve for all of us.\" \"My Family\" was produced with the BBC by DLT Entertainment U.K. in association with Rude Boy Prods. Now that he is moving on to his next BBC project utilizing the table writing system, Barron has handed over the showrunning duties of \"My Family\" to the two British writers whom he brought on board and trained into the U.S. writing system, James Hendrie and Ian Brown. \"I have my fingers crossed that the show succeeds without me and that this will open the door for this method of bringing people up so they can in turn bring up new showrunners,\" Barron says. \"Of course, the overall goal is for the BBC to create multiple episodes and get longer-running series that people can embrace.\" For his new BBC sitcom, due to go into production next month, Barron says he has hired a team of writers who have not previously worked full time in television. The new show will focus on twentysomething secretary Rebecca \"Bex\" Atwell, who is struggling to understand her boyfriend, boss and father. \"I have a young team, mostly from radio,\" he says. \"The goal is to get as many talented people as possible and to bring them in. I am not saying that my way of doing it is better than anybody else's, whether it's 'The Office' or 'Fawlty To"}, {"response": 1069, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 2004 (11:53)", "body": "hit BBC comedy \"My Family\" I caught my boys watching this show and they say it's the funiest thing on TV. Have been after me to watch. The accent is American, but it's done for the BBC? (Leslie)\"Mom, do all the woman in the world take a Colin Firth pill or something?\" LOL! I'm sure mine would be looking for the antidote. ;-)"}, {"response": 1070, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 2004 (12:23)", "body": "'I genuinely feel the work could all dry up tomorrow' He has been nominated for a Bafta next weekend and f\ufffdted for his portrayal of Gordon Brown, but even on the eve of a new project, David Morrissey, Britain's least-known best actor, still panics if the phone doesn't ring Simon Garfield Sunday April 11, 2004 The Observer Eating dinner at a Turkish restaurant not far from his house, David Morrissey does not yet look much like an archetypal owner of a Lancashire amusement arcade, the role he is to start filming this week in a BBC comedy series called Blackpool. Then again, a week or so before he started filming The Deal, I saw him walking around and he didn't really resemble the Chancellor, and a few days before he flew to Cephalonia to appear in Captain Corelli's Mandolin he didn't strike me as much of a Nazi captain. The part he most resembles over stuffed green peppers in north-west London is that of potential Bafta winner for his portrayal of the MP Stephen Collins in the thriller State of Play, although he does his best to hide it. Occasionally, he says, people smile at him in the street, perhaps because they have recognised him from something on television, or possibly because he has a nice, open face and looks unthreatening, despite his height and outhouse build. At 39, he may be our least-known best actor and the most infrequently rewarded by the industry that, by consensus, adores him. Until he was given a Royal Television Society award for best actor in The Deal last month, Morrissey had never won anything in his 24-year career; he claims not to have cared. Bill Nighy, a fellow Bafta nominee for his role as the newspaper editor in State of Play that every journalist wishes they had in real life, told Morrissey he'd always been down on awards until he'd won one. This, Morrissey concludes, 'is something I can quite understand'. A few weeks ago at the National Film Theatre, director John Madden, who directed Morrissey in Captain Corelli, told an audience that, even though he had worked with him three times, he really had 'no idea how he does it'. Madden said that Morrissey was admired by even the most envious of colleagues: 'You won't find a more sceptical audience for an actor's work than another actor, because when they watch other actors work they're looking for the tricks, which, of course, they all know, and they're looking for the wheels turning. With David, you can't see the wheels turning and it's a pretty extraordinary compliment.' I've known Morrissey as a friend for a few years and I've always been struck by his modesty, which I think comes across in his professional career, and his humour, which I'm not sure always does. On television, he tends to choose roles with a certain amount of desperation and crack-up involved - sympathetic but conflicted men with broken careers and ruined marriages, or with dilemmas beyond their experience and ambitions beyond their station. Only the last of these may be said to be drawn from Morrissey's life. Born in Liverpool to a father who worked as a cobbler and engraver and a mother who worked at Littlewood's catalogue company, he was the youngest of four children. His father died when Morrissey was 15 and a year later he left school with two O-levels and only one career opportunity beyond shelf-stacking. A cousin encouraged him to try out for the Liverpool Everyman Youth Theatre. He remembers standing around being intimidated by the self-confidence of his peers. The golden period in the main house - Willy Russell, Julie Walters, Alan Bleasdale - was soon mirrored in the junior house, and Morrissey was struck by the impact on the local community of a play he appeared in about the Liverpool riots; most of his friends were forming bands, but acting also appeared to have some sort of social value and appeal to women. Willy Russell him alongside his pal Ian Hart for a successful television series about two Scousers on the lam, and from there it seemed a fairly uncluttered path along grand thespian way - Rada, the RSC, the National. But in 1991, he hit a period he shudders to recall. 'I did a version of Robin Hood, and it wasn't a bad film,' he says. He played Little John; a little-known Uma Thurman was Maid Marian. The problem was that Kevin Costner's Robin Hood came out just before it, so it got buried. 'I didn't work for eight months after that, and I remember thinking, \"That's it; I will never work again.\" The auditions dried up and those I did get I was increasingly nervous at. I didn't know what had gone wrong. It panicked me.' He had just used the Robin Hood money to move from the White City estate to a flat in Crouch End, north London, and had a film actor's mortgage. 'The most significant part of my day was coming back from going to the shops or a walk and seeing if the answermachine was flashing, wondering if that was my agent. It never was. I didn't have anything else in my life - the job informed me totally. Bugger all else I can do - work in a bar pe"}, {"response": 1071, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 2004 (12:36)", "body": "(Morrissey)'You're constantly vulnerable,' he says. 'I've hardly met an actor who doesn't think the current job might be the last.' I raise my eyebrows. 'No. I genuinely feel all the time that it could all dry up tomorrow.' Ain't that the truth. Thanks for posting the article, Mary!"}, {"response": 1072, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 2004 (05:39)", "body": "hit BBC comedy \"My Family\" Moon: I caught my boys watching this show and they say it's the funniest thing on TV. Have been after me to watch. The accent is American, but it's done for the BBC? The BBC \"My Family\" is all-English-accents (Robert Lindsay, Zoe Wanamaker, Kris Marshall) and, IMHO, very feeble. If this is meant to be a superb advert for teams of UK comedy writers, yuck! But then again, I haven't watched it in the last year... Moon, I hope your boys were watching a better American version..."}, {"response": 1073, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 2004 (08:41)", "body": "From the UK Times: \"...The Duke and Duchess will now be hoping that association with Brideshead will have the same magic on visitor numbers at their home. They will be hoping to cash in on the \"Colin Firth\" factor. This was observed after a BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice showed the actor emerging dripping wet from a lake. Visitor numbers at the National Trust property, Lyme Park, Cheshire, where the scene was filmed, immediately soared.\" Whole story here: http://murphsplace.com/crowe/uktimes6.html"}, {"response": 1074, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 2004 (10:17)", "body": "A list, a list, a veritable list! Of the 100 greatest movie characters, according to Premiere magazine: http://www.premiere.com/article.asp?section_id=6&article_id=1539&page_number=12&preview ="}, {"response": 1075, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 2004 (10:31)", "body": "From The Independent, this is one way to transition to a younger Bond, though Heath Ledger may be a bit too old for this one. *snort* Bond is back - as a teenage agent By Jonathan Thompson 11 April 2004 There will be no vodka martinis and no Pussy Galore. James Bond is to reappear in a new adventure next year - as a teenager. Penguin Books, the publisher of Ian Fleming's original Bond series, has commissioned two prequels on the nation's most celebrated spy. Written by the actor and novelist Charlie Higson, they will tell the story of a 13-year-old Bond and his escapades while a pupil at Eton. Higson, 45, is best known as the co-creator of BBC2's The Fast Show, but has a number of adult thrillers and screenplays to his name. He described the chance to write about a teenage James Bond as \"too good an opportunity to turn down\". He said: \"I've grown up with Bond, and while I've had to finally accept that I'll never play him in the films, writing about him is even more exciting.\" Higson has already begun work on the first book, which is due for publication in March next year. Set in the 1930s, it will see the future 007 travel to a remote Scottish castle, where, according to Penguin, a wealthy American has been conducting \"some very disturbing experiments\". The book will also describe the young Bond's struggle to come to terms with the premature death of his parents in a skiing accident - a tragedy often cited as the driving force behind his later evolution into Fleming's ruthless government assassin. Penguin hopes that the prequels, published under its children's arm, Puffin Books, will capitalise on the success of series such as JK Rowling's Harry Potter - which saw an increase in boarding school applications - and Anthony Horowitz's tales of the boy spy Alex Rider, which have sold more than 1.1 million copies. http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/books/news/story.jsp?story=510459"}, {"response": 1076, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 2004 (10:36)", "body": "Anyone want to get tix? ;-) 'Hamlet' gets a makeover By Charlotte Cripps 14 April 2004 Trevor Nunn returns at last to Elsinore with a youthful cast and a fresh approach In Trevor Nunn's new production of Hamlet, Gertrude (played by his wife, Imogen Stubbs) carries a Gucci handbag and has make-up by Mac and Est\ufffde Lauder on her dressing-table. The majestic set is almost operatic in scale, and the invasion of Denmark by Norway not only features guns and swords, but helicopter sounds. This is Trevor Nunn's first Hamlet since his RSC production of 1970, which starred Alan Howard as Hamlet and Helen Mirren as Ophelia. His latest prince is played by a 23-year-old Ben Whishaw, who was Brother Jasper in Nicholas Hytner's His Dark Materials at the National Theatre. Ophelia is played by a 19-year-old Samantha Whittaker, who is reading English at UCL, but is taking a break to make her stage debut although she has appeared on television, in Casualty (as Kirsten) and The Bill (as Amber). \"Something extraordinary happens when the characters who are students in Shakespeare's story are being played by people of student age,\" says Nunn. Tom Mannion is playing Claudius and The Ghost of the King. \"Playing a younger Claudius, young Hamlet's uncle, means that the sexual tension is heightened. He and Gertrude still have a voracious sexual appetite, and that will perturb the young Hamlet even more. \"And when I appear as the Ghost of the King to tell young Hamlet to take revenge, it isn't a spooky scene with scary lights, rather a father and son farewell, warm and tender.\" How are rehearsals going? \"It has been fantastic so far,\" says Mannion. \"But that is the idealist in me speaking. It is running far too long. This is a week of major surgery to try to cut it down. But I'm glad we have done all the work first so that we know what we are losing.\" Rehearsals of Hamlet are taking place in the top rehearsal rooms at the Old Vic, which \"look like a big, old church hall,\" explains Mannion, \"and there are lots of friendly ghosts around there - the room has echoed to Hamlet's words many times, from Richard Burton to Laurence Olivier\". Indeed, when the National Theatre began in 1963, the company was based at the Old Vic and its opening production, directed by Olivier, was Hamlet, starring Peter O'Toole. The tragedy also featured a 23-year-old Michael Gambon as a spear-carrier. Other great Hamlets at the Old Vic include John Gielgud, Michael Redgrave, Alec Guiness and Derek Jacobi. \"I have never actually been in Hamlet before, and I acquired rather an aversion to the play at school,\" admits Mannion, \"but I have always wanted to work with Trevor Nunn, and it has been a fantastic learning process. \"For the first few weeks, it was a bit like living in an Open University programme. There are so many famous phrases that I never even knew came from Hamlet - such as 'caviare to the general' and 'to the manner born' - so the whole experience has been very illuminating.\" 'Hamlet', Old Vic Theatre, The Cut, London SE1 (020-7928 7616), from 17 April"}, {"response": 1077, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 2004 (11:00)", "body": "Sigh . .wish Colin would try again to do Hamlet . .would pay quite a bit to fly over to catch him to do it . . .;) In Trevor Nunn's new production of Hamlet, Gertrude (played by his wife, Imogen Stubbs) carries a Gucci handbag and has make-up by Mac and Est\ufffde Lauder on her dressing-table. The majestic set is almost operatic in scale, and the invasion of Denmark by Norway not only features guns and swords, but helicopter sounds. Sometimes it does marvel me at the spins people take to make Shakespeare \"fresh and new\" Where do they come up with some of the ideas?:)"}, {"response": 1078, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 2004 (11:20)", "body": "Thank you so much for all the wonderful info/pics you have provided in the past! The gallery is still there."}, {"response": 1079, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 2004 (11:54)", "body": "(Kimberly) Sigh . .wish Colin would try again to do Hamlet . .would pay quite a bit to fly over to catch him to do it . . .;) He had his chance! Silllllly boy. I actually got to hold a ticket for the defunct production in my hands. Was a bit exciting and sad all at the same time. :-( (Kimberly) Sometimes it does marvel me at the spins people take to make Shakespeare \"fresh and new\" Where do they come up with some of the ideas?:) I dunno, but I'll admit I loved Baz' version of Romeo and Juliet. Thought Harold Perrineau Jr was fantastic as Mercutio (and he looked lovely in that dress)."}, {"response": 1080, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 2004 (13:35)", "body": "90. John Malkovich of Being John Malkovich Wow! That's an honor. I'm happy to see Dude from The Big Loboski. I love that movie!"}, {"response": 1081, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 2004 (13:38)", "body": "(Mark), Moon, I hope your boys were watching a better American version... Thanks, Mark! The show my boys watch is called Family Guy. My mistake. Thank you ladies for the articles."}, {"response": 1082, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 2004 (13:42)", "body": "The Duke and Duchess will now be hoping that association with Brideshead will have the same magic on visitor numbers at their home. They will be hoping to cash in on the \"Colin Firth\" factor. Did I miss something? Does this mean that CF will star in the remake of Brideshead? All detectives on the case!"}, {"response": 1083, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 2004 (14:40)", "body": "(Moon)Did I miss something? Does this mean that CF will star in the remake of Brideshead? LOL, I got all excited, too until I read the article. I think they want the Firth factor to spill over to Chatsworth a la Law and Bettany. Chatsworth, which each year attracts 600,000 paying visitors as well as several royals, will be hosting Jude Law and Paul Bettany, who play Sebastian and Charles respectively, for a five-day filming session in June Thanks Murph."}, {"response": 1084, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 2004 (18:51)", "body": "A very belated happy birthday Kimberley."}, {"response": 1085, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 2004 (18:52)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1086, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 2004 (10:47)", "body": "Guys, I have a bit of a problem and I need to give a warning. In the last couple of days I've been getting some emails from people I never heard of thanking me for my email. I've also been getting returned emails I never sent and notices from Norton Antivirus that my message to this and this person was infected, etc. I have virus protection, it's up to date, but I thought maybe it's a new one, one that sends out an infected email to everyone on one's contact list. But no one I'm in touch with ever received one. So it seems to me that someone's sending out infected emails using my email address to people. How does this concern anybody here? Recently I got a notice that my mail to Moon was undeliverable (never sent her anything), and most returned mail was from the UK. So I'm wondering if these mails with my addy in the address box were sent to people on this board. So I have to say this: if any of you guys get an email from zgiczi@sympatico.ca please don't open it. It won't be from me, and most likely will contain a virus. I'm sorry for the inconvenience this might have caused to some, I wish I knew who's responsible for it. Unfortunately these a**holes are never caught."}, {"response": 1087, "author": "LauraS", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 2004 (13:23)", "body": "Actually IIdiko, I've been getting these for the last few weeks. Anything in the header starting with Re:, and has no text and only an attachment I immediately delete. I've even got some mail from myself - don't know what's causing this, but its a real nuisance."}, {"response": 1088, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 2004 (13:46)", "body": "Recently I got a notice that my mail to Moon was undeliverable (never sent her anything) The same is happening to me. I am also deleting them. I wonder if this has anything to do with the black-out at Spring? Any ideas Terry? I ask this because my password to check my mail at spring.net has been erased and I am not able to check the mail."}, {"response": 1089, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 2004 (14:42)", "body": "I've been having the same problem but it has been going on for longer than a few days. My antivirus program is up-to-date too."}, {"response": 1090, "author": "locarol", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 2004 (16:56)", "body": "IMO, it's all to do with supposedly clever spamming programs and nothing more. We are all registered at myriads of sites where our email addresses are no doubt accessible to those who do this sort of thing. I have been getting hundreds of emails a day for months now and probably 95% of them are as you described. I just delete them. In fact they are so numerous now that I filter all my known emailers to their own boxes and simply delete the remainder in the IN Box. It's annoying, time wasting and will never go away. It's the strange attachments that annoy me the most. I don't use a Microsoft email program and use a Mac so I know I'm not infected with the usual junk. There's no reward in writing a virus for a minority!"}, {"response": 1091, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 2004 (17:33)", "body": "I believe this is a virus that is making the rounds. I get several of these daily, always with subjects \"Re: Your [letter, document, website, whatever]\". These always have an attachment (NEVER EVER open unexpected attachments especially ones with .exe, .zip and a few other extentions) and it's the attachment that contains the virus. I've gotten bounce notices from mail I've supposedly sent out (I didn't, of course)from all over the US and Europe. The best thing you can do is RELIGIOUSLY keep your virus protection up to date, scan your machine regularly (weekly is good), use a firewall if you have one (and consider getting one if you don't, especially if you are on a cable ISP)and DON'T open attachments that you're not expecting. And, if I have a file (attachment) that I want to send you, I will send you an email first, asking your permission before I send the attachment. It's a dirty world out there, dearest Drooleurs, so practice safe computing!"}, {"response": 1092, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 2004 (02:09)", "body": "Not sure how many will be interested in this... Saw Kill Bill, Vol 2 earlier tonight (or last night as the case may be ;-)). I LOVED it, more than the first one which I liked, but took me 2 viewings to appreciate and enjoy it more. More exposition and background into characters relationships in Vol 2. Less comic book-y, which I did like in Vol 1, but I enjoyed this much more. Many amusing bits, reminded me of Pulp Fiction in that respect, but not as much so (guess that would only apply to those who found PF funny at times. Depends on your sense of humor and the absurd, too). Only one portion in the last quarter that almost brought it to a screeching halt, though a necessary piece. Both volumes seem very separate in tone, though I've read of a screening or two where they were played together and it was reported that they played very well as a whole. David Carradine fantastic, I thought. Soundtrack well done as always, though not as many catchy tunes as his other films. I must see it again. I taped, but haven't seen The Apprentice finale yet. Trying to avoid seeing who won on the internet news, though I'd bet it was Bill. After the screening tonight, went out for a snack with someone else who was there and totally by chance found ourselves sauntering on 5th Ave across the street from Trump Tower where there was a premiere/party setup and crowd for The Apprentice people. We stood there for 5 minutes or so, but as it was 10:30 and we figured the show wasn't over yet, no one would be showing up for a bit. We went back by an hour later and apparently Omarosa had just gone in as she was at the beginning of the step and repeat line. Also saw Kwame and I can't remember the other girl's name, will have to look on Wireimage or ET. I was guessing Kwame didn't win as he was smiling, but didn't appear to be beaming or more animated, as I would think he would be if he won. We were across 5th Ave, so it wasn't overly close to really tell."}, {"response": 1093, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 2004 (18:41)", "body": "Women's rites For strong women characters, you simply can't beat a dollop of Trollope, top TV writer Andrew Davies tells Brian Case Jealousy, marriage on the rocks, financial chicanery and divorce \ufffd all the ingredients of the 21st-century soap opera are present and correct in the BBC\ufffds latest literary adaptation of Anthony Trollope\ufffds sprawling novel He Knew He Was Right. The man charged with condensing the original\ufffds 930 pages for the small screen is Andrew Davies, whose adaptation of Trollope\ufffds The Way We Live Now added yet more awards to a mantelpiece already groaning with Baftas and Emmies. He Knew He Was Right tells the story of a marriage that founders on the baseless jealousy of Louis Trevelyan over his wife Emily\ufffds gentleman caller, Colonel Osborne. Few Victorian novels deal with marriage, particularly marriage on the rocks, but Trollope also delves into the morbid obsession that started the rot. The novel owes its origin equally to the Divorce Bill of 1857 and Othello. \ufffdI do sympathise with the husband because he\ufffds trying to be a Victorian tyrant and he hasn\ufffdt got what it takes,\ufffd Davies explains. \ufffdHe does more harm to himself.\ufffd Emily was raised in the distant colonies, far from the strictures of London society, which she refuses to recognise. She is contumacious. He fails to dislodge the insidious Colonel from his wife\ufffds drawing room, they separate, he employs an odious private detective to watch her, snatches their child, and heads off to Italy, where his mind crumbles. The novel took Davies six months to adapt. \ufffdWhen I first start, I don\ufffdt even know if I\ufffdm going to do it or not. There\ufffds a very basic nitty gritty of dividing the number of pages into the minutes you have, and seeing how it comes out. With endings of episodes it\ufffds how you cut the pack.\ufffd Colin Firth, who played Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, remarked that Davies didn\ufffdt have \ufffdthat absurd, academic reverence that people have for a great work of literature\ufffd. Indeed not. He adds, subtracts, makes the text speakable. Sometimes he\ufffds bawdy. In the field of TV classics, the 67-year-old Cardiff-born writer has cornered the market in strong women. Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Vanity Fair, Moll Flanders, Middlemarch, Tipping the Velvet, Boudica. He laughs. \ufffdThe British television drama world is dominated by women. They are strong and they\ufffdre certainly interested in tasty geezers, and they\ufffdre very interested in choosing strong, independent women.\ufffd Which he duly delivers. \ufffdThe unifying theme of He Knew He Was Right is women who are quite strong and decide for themselves, and men who can either cope with that or can\ufffdt.\ufffd Trollope\ufffds novel offers a spectrum of women\ufffds prospects. The self-sufficient Priscilla, with whom the estranged Emily ends up lodging, wants nothing to do with the male sex. \ufffdShe\ufffds almost deliberately withdrawn from the cattle market thing,\ufffd says Davies. Her expectations are frugal indeed. An old gown, a pair of gloves for church, bread and cheese. Thirty per cent of Victorian women would remain unmarried, a solitary condition that Priscilla\ufffds sister, Dorothy, dreads. \ufffdThey are not anything particular to anybody, and so they go on living until they die . . . a man who is a nobody can perhaps make himself somebody . . . but a woman has no means of trying. She is a nobody, and a nobody she must remain.\ufffd The quotation is close to John Stuart Mill\ufffds treatise, The Subjection of Women, and though Trollope favoured the right to work, he opposed the vote, likening fem nists on the American model to \ufffdunclean animals\ufffd. There is a superb part for Anna Massey as the unmarried, meddling Aunt Stanbury, who is exasperating, endearing, and a somebody. She thoroughly disapproves of chignons, pipes, penny newspapers \ufffd and holds the purse strings. And, struttingly, Bill Nighy plays Colonel Osborne as a sexual predator. With his walk, the tilt of his topper and cane, he is altogether priapic. \ufffdI think he greatly enjoys the notion that people think he\ufffds actually having sex with Emily,\ufffd chuckles Davies. \ufffdAnd that man knows how to operate a walking stick, doesn\ufffdt he?\ufffd It\ufffds a performance that makes explicit what Trollope merely hinted at. \ufffdMy instinct is to push things forward a bit. People always accuse me of churning up sex, which I don\ufffdt mind really. Bill Nighy was giving me just what I was hoping for.\ufffd Trollope wrote more than 50 novels. Davies must be approaching that with screenplays. \ufffdI like to keep busy, certainly, but he must have been really driven. He did 3,000 words every morning before going to work. He set himself targets. He\ufffdd take a day or two off between novels. There aren\ufffdt many novels around now that give you a deep satisfaction to read. Maybe it\ufffds a sign of getting old, but I don\ufffdt find many that stand up to the big Victorian writers. Trollope understood the world, how things work, how you get into debt, how you get into Parliament, the whole range of society. There is no one today you could compare him with.\ufffd The same might be said of "}, {"response": 1094, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 2004 (21:28)", "body": "(Andrew Davies) \ufffdAnd that man knows how to operate a walking stick, doesn\ufffdt he?\ufffd ... \ufffdMy instinct is to push things forward a bit. People always accuse me of churning up sex, which I don\ufffdt mind really. Hmmm. Remind anyone else of another actor's performance in an Andrew Davies television drama? ;-) Thanks Linda!"}, {"response": 1095, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 2004 (22:22)", "body": "(linda)Am looking forward to State of Play Sunday night, BBC America. I'm looking forward to this one, too. Anyone know when it will be seen, here? According to BBC America Sundays at 9 starting this Sunday the 18th or April http://www.bbcamerica.com/genre/drama_mysteries/state_of_play/state_of_play.jsp"}, {"response": 1096, "author": "Zing", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 2004 (23:18)", "body": "Any Helen Mirren/Jane Tennison fans out there? PBS will be showing the new \"Prime Suspect\" Sunday night at 9. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/primesuspect6/index.html I caught it when I was in London last November -- gave up two nights on the town to watch TV in my hotel room, that's how gripping it was. Now to figure out which one to watch (Prime Suspect? State of Play?), and which to tape..."}, {"response": 1097, "author": "socadook", "date": "Sun, Apr 18, 2004 (16:10)", "body": "(Zing) Now to figure out which one to watch (Prime Suspect? State of Play?), and which to tape... PS is being shown in 2 parts so taping sounds like the better option. BBCA usually repeats its program overnight so SOP will end up on tape as well. Besides, I hate sitting through commercials."}, {"response": 1098, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Apr 18, 2004 (17:23)", "body": "(Kim)According to BBC America Sundays at 9 starting this Sunday the 18th or April Thanks, Kim, I have that info since I'm a BBC American;-) I was wondering if there was any programming info on He Knew He Was Right. I hope our UK friends will share their opinions if anyone happened to watch this evening. Thanks Zing I am a huge HM/JT fan. I think I will tape both--just in cases."}, {"response": 1099, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 2004 (09:24)", "body": "\"State of Play \"was excellent. Even though I had the usual problem with Kelly Mac Donald 's Scottish accent. But why does BBCA have to give a summary of the story every half hour, at least. Give the viewer a little more credit for memory! They announced an encore on Friday evening. The surprise of the evening was \"Spartacus\" on USA channel.(To be completed tonight) Wow! Brilliantly done. James Frain (as in \"Sunshine\")is Jewish again! Don't know many of the TV actors but they seem to have it all together. And no eyeliner on the slave girls; a plus. Some of the dialogue is spotty...\"You don't make the moment,the moment makes you\" Please."}, {"response": 1100, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 2004 (09:39)", "body": "(Evelyn) The surprise of the evening was \"Spartacus\" on USA channel.(To be completed tonight) Wow! Brilliantly done. James Frain (as in \"Sunshine\")is Jewish again! I'm sorry, were there other people in it besides Goran V (aka Dr. Kovac on ER)? ;-) Whoa baby in those little shorts!! :-P"}, {"response": 1101, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 2004 (10:00)", "body": "(Dorine) I'm sorry, were there other people in it besides Goran V (aka Dr. Kovac on ER)? ;-) Whoa baby in those little shorts!! :-P Well, there was Ian Mc Neice ,thankfully, not in shorts;-/ Actually,(like Conspiracy) it was a Euro/American-pudding cast, with the ususal conglamoration of accents. Which bothers me."}, {"response": 1102, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 2004 (10:02)", "body": "lindak: I was wondering if there was any programming info on He Knew He Was Right. I hope our UK friends will share their opinions if anyone happened to watch this evening. I saw very little of this, but my DW said it was absolutely gripping; one of the best period pieces on for ages (that was once it was over, she flat out refused to talk to me from when I came in until it finished)."}, {"response": 1103, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 2004 (10:45)", "body": "It was very well done. Excellent casting. The attitudes of the couple at the centre of the plot were rather dated. Kept thinking, why don't these two people just talk to each other? But had me and my DH gripped. Defintely have my place on the sofa booked for next Sunday."}, {"response": 1104, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 2004 (10:45)", "body": "This seems fairly timely: Gervais crowned 'king of Baftas' Ricky Gervais has been crowned King of the Baftas for the third year running. The comic won best comedy performance and best sitcom for The Office Christmas Special. And the victory was all the sweeter because Gervais was almost missed off the shortlist after an administrative error by BBC bosses. Gervais, who stars as David Brent, has won the same two awards for the past two years. His rivals for best comedy performance included Office co-star Martin Freeman, who plays lovelorn Tim. Jonathan Ross was another double winner, taking home prizes for best entertainment performance and best entertainment programme, both for Friday Night With Jonathan Ross. Coronation Street was named best continuing drama, beating The Bill, Casualty and Holby City. Rival soap EastEnders did not even make the shortlist. Comics Matt Lucas and David Walliams were celebrating after their sketch show Little Britain won best comedy. Love Actually star Bill Nighy won best actor for his role in political thriller State of Play. Julie Walters was named best actress for her performance as a bawdy actress bedding a toy boy in The Wife of Bath, part of the BBC's modern ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Seems like Bill Nighy is \"catapult to stratosphere\" now. ;-)"}, {"response": 1105, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 2004 (11:14)", "body": "Well Bill deserves it. Good for him. (Evelyn), why does BBCA have to give a summary of the story every half hour, at least. Give the viewer a little more credit for memory! LOL! Can you not think why? ;-) I stuck in a tape thinking I was taping He Knew He Was Right, instead got State of Play. :-( Does anyone know when He Knew He Was Right will play here?"}, {"response": 1106, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 2004 (12:00)", "body": "From Sunday's Observer: Blue-stocking author storms America with historical tale Film-makers vie for rights to British novel by highbrow TV arts pundit Sarah Dunant Vanessa Thorpe, arts and media correspondent It was a city of opulence and breathtaking craftsmanship, but also a repressive city, where murder and sexual deceit lurked around every corner. This is the Florence recreated in a British novel that has conquered America and is about to be made into a lavish film. Dominating the bestseller lists across the Atlantic, it is already repeating the extraordinary international success of Tracy Chevalier's historical hit novel Girl With A Pearl Earring and it has even been tipped to achieve the enduring status of Umberto Eco's haunting whodunit, The Name Of The Rose. The title of the book is The Birth Of Venus, but the real surprise is the identity of the author. Writer Sarah Dunant is better known in this country as a highbrow arts pundit on BBC2's The Late Show in the early Nineties. The sudden success of her new book has transformed Dunant's life: she is expected to be a millionaire by the end of the year. As a writer, she had quietly established herself with a series of acclaimed, small-scale works of crime fiction. Her first historical novel has changed all of that, reflecting the current vogue for literary costume drama. US publisher Random House has just signed the author up for two more books in a 'substantial' six-figure deal, while two Hollywood film companies are jockeying for lead position in the race to produce a big screen version. The book remains at the top of the New York Times bestseller list and is dominating West Coast lists too, running at number two in San Francisco this weekend. 'I was really surprised,' said Dunant this weekend. 'I just thought about how I could write something serious in quite a compelling way. That is perhaps what I have learned from thriller writing.' Dunant believes part of her success is due to the fact the US reading public has no preconceived ideas about her. Caricaturing her British image as that of 'an intellectual harridan', she said: 'In this country people are slightly suspicious of me as some sort of high-brow commentator, whereas in America, they don't know me.' Her book tells the story of a teenage girl's love for a mysterious painter who comes to work in her father's family chapel. It is set in the late fifteenth century during a period of religious persecution in the era of Savonarola, the zealous and malevolent Dominican monk. The 15-year-old heroine, who film executives suggest might be played by the young British actress Keira Knightley or by Penelope Cruz, undergoes an arranged marriage to a distant older man. [Ed note: with a Fabio wig] However, the pattern of all their lives is altered by the turbulent political and religious climate. 'It is the original 'Bonfire of the Vanities' story,' said Clare Alexander, Dunant's literary agent, who points out that the book, which has been bought up for translation in 17 countries, is doing increasingly well in Britain too. The paperback edition has sold an unexpected 75,000 copies in a two-month period. Alexander believes the British public will have to forget its image of 1980's Dunant as 'the blue-stocking in the big red glasses'. She believes the popularity of The Birth of Venus can be put down to the creepy atmosphere of Florence and the character of Alessandra, the heroine who, at the macabre opening of the novel, we meet as an old nun at the end of her life. 'The heroine feels very modern,' Alexander said. 'So women are able to imagine themselves into her life. Sarah has always done feisty heroines; she has just taken this one into the context of an historical novel.' The book has accidentally capitalised on a growing trend for historical novels and films. The film version of Chevalier's Girl with a Pearl Earring was a box office hit and not as expensive to make as the traditional costume extravaganza. A Ridley Scott version of Patrick S\ufffdskind's bestseller, Perfume: The Story Of A Murderer, set in eighteenth century France, is also now in production. British film makers were initially wary of buying the rights to Dunant's book because of the cost of recreating Florence on the big screen, but its impact on US readers has sparked a bidding war this month. Dunant ascribes her success in the US to the power of independent bookshops there. 'They don't have the kind of domination that we do from just a few chains of bookshops,' she said. 'Local bookshops in the states are also the heart of bookclub country, and they are very powerful now.' Dunant also recognises resonances in her book with the political mood in America. She believes the fact that publication coincided with the release of Mel Gibson's film The Passion Of The Christ has helped too. 'It has rung bells because of the debate about Christian fundamentalism that The Passion has provoked,' she said. 'People have been looking at what Christianity "}, {"response": 1107, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 2004 (12:31)", "body": "(MarkG) but my DW said it was absolutely gripping; one of the best period pieces on for ages (that was once it was over, she flat out refused to talk to me from when I came in until it finished). . I don't blame her, I hate answering questions in the middle of period pieces;-) Thanks, Mark, your DW, and Allison...I hope we get it soon on this side of the pond. (article and Karen)undergoes an arranged marriage to a distant older man. [Ed note: with a Fabio wig] Oh this could be perfect. He's already had the art lessons and the wig already falls correctly. They can save a ton of money."}, {"response": 1108, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 2004 (12:43)", "body": "\"Love Actually star Bill Nighy won best actor for his role in political thriller State of Play.\" So far he's not in it that much. I think the young journalist (John Sim) is better. Neither A&E or BBCA have He Knew He was Right listed yet. Probably in the autumn. Late in the season now. Trollope/Andrew Davies...sounds like a winner."}, {"response": 1109, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 2004 (16:01)", "body": "Weinstein Honored by Queen Elizabeth II LONDON - Miramax Film chief Harvey Weinstein has been awarded an honor by Queen Elizabeth II. Weinstein was named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, or CBE, in recognition of his contribution to the British film industry, the British consul-general in New York, Thomas Harris, said Monday. The British consulate said Weinstein's honor would be bestowed at a ceremony in the coming months. Miramax, founded by Weinstein and his brother, Bob, has co-funded many British productions, including John Madden's \"Shakespeare in Love\" and Stephen Frears' \"Dirty Pretty Things.\" In 2002, the Weinsteins were awarded the British Film Institute's highest accolade, the bfi Fellowship. \"My life and my career have been greatly influenced and enriched by great British filmmakers and authors, and so I am especially honored and humbled to be receiving the CBE,\" Weinstein said."}, {"response": 1110, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 2004 (16:34)", "body": "This is way too funny! If anybody read Biskind's book on how Harvey so totally screwed everybody with The Crying Game, they'd lock him in the Tower rather than give him a CBE. A joke. A total joke. Dressing up a pig..."}, {"response": 1111, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 2004 (17:14)", "body": "\" Weinstein Honored by Queen Elizabeth II \" Hard to believe. He is universally hated in the industry."}, {"response": 1112, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 2004 (02:33)", "body": "He is universally hated in the industry. Since when has that stopped anyone getting a gong in the UK? Our honours system is a very poor joke :-("}, {"response": 1113, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 2004 (04:21)", "body": "Anna was part of a group yesterday that tried out a local cinema that does Monday matinees for mothers-and-babies. They had a good time, and plan to go back next week - guess what's showing? So my 11-week old daughter Emma will see GWAPE before I do. Tchah."}, {"response": 1114, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 2004 (09:14)", "body": "(Mark) So my 11-week old daughter Emma will see GWAPE before I do Way t'go Emma!! I know she'll love it;-)) In fact, I propose Emma for Honourary Drool Darling!"}, {"response": 1115, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 2004 (09:16)", "body": "(Evelyn) He is universally hated in the industry. (Allison) Since when has that stopped anyone getting a gong in the UK? Our honours system is a very poor joke :-( Hatred isn't my point. It was his financial dealings with UK partners. As you'll recall, The Crying Game is what put Miramax on the map and that was one Harvey renegotiated after the fact in order to cheat them out of everything. And what has he done since? Yes, he's made a number of movies in England, about England, with English talent. But so many of those films had government financing. What are they rewarding? (Mark) So my 11-week old daughter Emma will see GWAPE before I do. She's smart enough not to wait for the DVD release. ;-)"}, {"response": 1116, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 2004 (09:55)", "body": "(From Karen)From Sunday's Observer: Blue-stocking author storms America with historical tale... The title of the book is The Birth Of Venus.. Thanks Karen. Very interesting. I recently read this and it was a fun read. Guilty pleasure and informative."}, {"response": 1117, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 2004 (11:35)", "body": "(Mark) So my 11-week old daughter Emma will see GWAPE before I do. Good training starts early! Brava, Anna. (Allison), Since when has that stopped anyone getting a gong in the UK? Our honours system is a very poor joke :-( Sad, but so true!"}, {"response": 1118, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 2004 (12:44)", "body": "(Mark) So my 11-week old daughter Emma will see GWAPE before I do Too funny! Hope Emma enjoys it (and your wife too!). (Mark) Anna was part of a group yesterday that tried out a local cinema that does Monday matinees for mothers-and-babies. BTW, this is a very good idea! They just took away all our cry rooms here and I have a friend who has an eight week old and she (my friend, not the baby...though the baby might actually like a film, we don't know yet!) is dying to see a film."}, {"response": 1119, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 2004 (14:44)", "body": "(Mark) So my 11-week old daughter Emma will see GWAPE before I do. It's never too early to start those mummy and daughter drooling sessions;-) Mark, is GWAPE still around or was that just for the matinee? It just left one of our local theaters this past Friday. It had been there since the first Friday in February."}, {"response": 1120, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 2004 (16:01)", "body": "Rafe wants to play Hamlet, again. I posted an April 5th Daily Mail blurb on #40, RF's topic."}, {"response": 1121, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 2004 (10:32)", "body": "No Colin, but they haven't announced the Directors Fortnight section, which is what Marc Evans had mentioned, as I recall: Cannes reduces Competition, includes toons By Stuart Kemp LONDON -- With a slimmed down Competition section and fewer French titles, organizers of the 57th Festival de Cannes on Wednesday unveiled an official lineup that carries a no-nonsense, solid feel to it. Cannes artistic director Thierry Fremaux has continued with his habit of selecting animated movies in Competition this year by selecting feature-length toons for not one but two of the slots in this year's 18-strong competition lineup. Dreamworks' \"Shrek 2,\" directed by Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury and Conrad Vernon has drawn a Competition berth alongside Japanese animation \"Innocence\" from director Mamoru Oshii. With the number of Competition slots this year reduced to 18 from 20 last year, Cannes is mirroring the decision by Venice International Film Festival organizers to cut the number of movies in Competition. One consequence is that the number of French titles securing a Competition place has fallen to three from the five in last year's edition. French titles securing a spot are Agnes Jaoui's \"Comme Une Image\" (Look At Me); Olivier Assayas' \"Clean\"; and Tony Gatlif's \"Exils\" (Exiles). Movies from the U.S. have a solid presence in Competition with the Coen brothers returning to the Croisette with \"The Ladykillers,\" and a visit by documentary maker Michael Moore to unspool \"Fahrenheit 911,\" in addition to the return of the green troll. The festival also closes with an Out of Competition screening for Irwin Winkler's \"De-Lovely\" on Saturday May 21 and the Palm D'Or prizes before Sunday's gala screening of the eventual winner. U.S. titles also have four Out of Competition slots set to guarantee powerful star wattage on the Riviera during the festival's run with Brad Pitt starrer \"Troy,\" and Uma Thurman and the cast of \"Kill Bill Vol.2\" all prospective visitors to Cannes. Also unspooling Out of Competition is Zack Snyder's \"Dawn Of The Dead\" and Terry Zwigoff's \"Bad Santa.\" This year also sees a return to the Croisette by a German title after an 11-year gap from the festival. Hans Weingartner's \"Die Fetten Jahre Sind Vorbei\" (The Edukators) marks the first time since 1993--when Wim Wenders took \"Far Away Is Close\"--that a German film has secured a competition slot. This year's jury, presided over by Quentin Tarantino, is made up of directors Jerry Schatzberg and Hark Tsui; writer Edwidge Danticat; actresses Emmanuelle Beart, Tilda Swinton and Kathleen Turner; actor Benoit Poelvoorde; and film critic Peter Von Bagh. Cannes runs May 12 through 22. OFFICIAL SELECTION: Opening (Out Of Competition) Bad Education--Pedro Almodovar Closing (Out of Competition): De-Lovely--Irwin Winkler IN COMPETITION: 2046 -- Wong Kar-Wai Clean -- Olivier Assayas Comme Une Image\" (Look At Me) -- Agnes Jaoui The Motorcycle Diaries -- Walter Salles Die Fetten Jahre Sind Vorbei (The Edukators) -- Hans Weingartner Exiles -- Tony Gatlif Fahrenheit 911 -- Michael Moore Innocence -- Mamoru Oshii La Femme Est L'Avenir de L'Homme (Woman Is the Future Of Man) -- Hong Sang-Soo La Nina Santa -- Lucrecia Martel Le Consequenze Dell'Amore (The Consequences Of Love) -- Paolo Sorrentino Nobody Knows -- Kore-Eda Hirokazu Old Boy -- Park Chan-Wook Shrek 2 -- Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury, Conrad Vernon The Ladykillers -- Joel and Ethan Coen The Life and Death of Peter Sellers -- Stephen Hopkins Tropical Malady -- Apichatpong Weerasethakul Life Is a Miracle -- Emir Kusturica OUT OF COMPETITION: 10E Chambre Instants D'Audiences (10th District Courts - Moments Of Trials) -- Raymond Depardon Bad Santa -- Terry Zwigoff Cineastes A Tout Prix (A Director At All Costs) -- Frederic Sojcher Dawn of the Dead -- Zack Snyder Five -- Abbas Kiarostami Flying Daggers -- Zhang Yimou Kill Bill Vol. 2 -- Quentin Tarantino La Porte du Soleil (The Door of the Sun) -- Yousry Nasrallah Mondovino -- Jonathan Nossiter Our Music -- Jean-Luc Godard Salvador Allende -- Patricio Guzman Troy -- Wolfgang Petersen"}, {"response": 1122, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 2004 (11:02)", "body": "Miramax Film chief Harvey Weinstein has been awarded an honor by Queen Elizabeth II. Weinstein was named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, or CBE, in recognition of his contribution to the British film industry, the British consul-general in New York, Thomas Harris, said Monday. Now I know why Thomas Harris (Consul Gen) and his wife had to cancel coming to the screening on Monday....they fainted away when they heard the news and hadn't sufficiently recovered that evening. ;-) (Evelyn) He is universally hated in the industry. (Allison) Since when has that stopped anyone getting a gong in the UK? Our honours system is a very poor joke :-( (Karen) Hatred isn't my point. It was his financial dealings with UK partners. As you'll recall, The Crying Game is what put Miramax on the map and that was one Harvey renegotiated after the fact in order to cheat them out of everything. And what has he done since? Yes, he's made a number of movies in England, about England, with English talent. But so many of those films had government financing. What are they rewarding? All I can say is that he's *very* supportive in many ways of BAFTA East Coast, at the least, both professionally and to some people there, personally. I can't speak to his involvement with the other branches. (Karen) No Colin, but they haven't announced the Directors Fortnight section, which is what Marc Evans had mentioned, as I recall: Yes, he did. Thanks for the update....was checking the Cannes site for this info a week and a half ago myself."}, {"response": 1123, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 2004 (11:32)", "body": "Oh my! There was just a clip of Colin being kissed by Aurelia in LA on Good Day Live on Fox! I think they were referring briefly to Kelly Clarkson at the end of a segment on American Idol (was barely paying attention to the show). I have to say I almost never watch TV in the daytime and especially this show. It's a live show like a totally entertainment/fashion/etc Today Show that comes on in LA at 9am. Saw it once or twice while visiting in LA and it's repulsive. The hosts are beyond campy. That chick, Jilian Barbieri from one of the NFL pregame show is on it and I don't like her any better on this."}, {"response": 1124, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 2004 (12:18)", "body": "(lindak) It's never too early to start those mummy and daughter drooling sessions ;-) What a wonderful choice Mark! She will have impeccable taste in films from the earliest age. We expect her to be an \"extra\" soon too ;-))"}, {"response": 1125, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 2004 (13:14)", "body": "Merci, Karen! Ze Frenchis vill luv Bad Santa. ;-)"}, {"response": 1126, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 2004 (08:29)", "body": "I saw 13 Going on 30 last night in class and *loved* it! Like WAGW, it did have the requisite group dance scene (to Michael Jackson's Thriller, same dance from the video), playground on the swings scene (though with a \"couple\" not father/daughter, even one of the same songs from WAGW (though I don't know the name of which one it is). Soundtrack is late 80's/early 90's pop/rock mostly. The music brought back lots of memories. Jennifer Garner was great, Mark Ruffalo v. good, also. It was fun and well done I thought. A few minor quibbles I won't bother talking about. I thought it had a bit more depth than many rom-coms. I could really relate to the 13 year old wanting to be 30. For our guests, the director Gary Winick (Tadpole)...kind of an endearing geeky guy you'd never think in a million years would direct a movie like this, the 2 women producers (who also have done Benny and Joon, America's Sweethearts, and one or 2 more big one I've forgotten at the moment), and as a surprise, the director brought Mark Ruffalo with him who is his longtime friend. Great interviews. Said the script was heavily reworked from when they first got it, and a lot of good ideas came out in rehearsal. The director was very open to suggestions from people during shooting, too. Gary Winick went from directing a $300K movie to a $37 million movie. His first big studio film. He started the company InDigEnt...they make small independent films, all digital. For Denzel fans, saw Man of Fire Monday night. Supposed to open wide tomorrow, but for some reason at last minute on Mon they decided to open NY/LA on Wed. Bunch of critics there. I was checking in at the door when Lisa Schwartzbaum of EW came up (always curious what she looked like). I wanted to ask I why I've never felt like we've seen the same movie after reading her reviews. ;-) For some reason, I was pretty excited to meet A.O. Scott of the NY Times. I like his writing/reviews.... but what a doof I am sometimes. :-P It was a great story and v. good acting from DW and the girl, Dakota Fanning, but it got lost somewhat in the length (easily 20 mins too long) and the frenetic stylishness the director seemed to feel the need to use. Was like a music video at times. Sometimes it was straight up shooting, other times, videolike. It was really unnecessary in my opinion. It stood on its own as a good story, I thought. 2nd half is pretty violent when he goes for revenge. An almost boring turn from Christopher Walken, he just had a pretty mellow character. And was surprised to see Mickey Rourke, almost didn't recognize him. Small part, but well suited to it."}, {"response": 1127, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 2004 (09:43)", "body": "Thanks, Dorine. I saw the previews of 13 going on 30 and it looks very entertaining. I am not a fan of Mark Ruffalo, though. Not man enough to tempt me. ;-) Am also looking forward to the Juliene Moore/ Pierce Brosnan film. What a fun preview that was!"}, {"response": 1128, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 2004 (10:00)", "body": "Gary Winick...started the company InDigEnt...they make small independent films, all digital. Works with Campbell Scott then, who has made a several films with him and I think Rebecca Miller's was an InDigEnt title too. saw Man of Fire Monday night. Supposed to open wide tomorrow, but for some reason at last minute on Mon they decided to open NY/LA on Wed. I saw trailers for this ages ago. Seems like one they've had doubts about and have pushed back more than once. when Lisa Schwartzbaum of EW came up (always curious what she looked like). I wanted to ask I why I've never felt like we've seen the same movie after reading her reviews. ;-) *snort* I wish you had. ;-)"}, {"response": 1129, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 2004 (11:01)", "body": "Am also looking forward to the Juliene Moore/ Pierce Brosnan film. What a fun preview that was! When is that out? I see it tomorrow night, Q&A with director after. Apparently it was shown in my class 2 weeks ago when I wasn't there. Didn't hear a great report about it, but will see for myself tomorrow. Was told JM comic timing not there."}, {"response": 1130, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 2004 (11:34)", "body": "(Moon)Am also looking forward to the Juliene Moore/ Pierce Brosnan film. Me too! It's called Laws of Attraction, opens next Friday. Great review in Variety: Attention Eve! Adam wants his rib back. \"Laws of Attraction\" plays by the rules sheet so gainfully employed in the battle-of-the-sexes comedy classics of Hollywood's golden age. Here, the sparring duo --- that once might have been played by Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn --- is essayed by Pierce Brosnan and Julianne Moore in enjoyably change-of-pace roles. While slight comic concoction is so airy it seems in danger of floating right off the screen, the pleasant retro vibe and a handful of effervescent moments carry this film no self-respecting heterosexual male would dare see except on a date. Opening April 30 after some fest dates, decent chick-flick coin should precede many court dates as a vid and tube staple. Audrey Woods (Moore), a high-profile Manhattan divorce attorney with a penchant for candy corn, believes divorce proceedings don't have to turn into nasty, name-calling free-for-alls. Daniel Rafferty (Brosnan), an even higher-profile lawyer with an impeccable track record, has a reputation for flying by the seat of his disheveled, roguishly charming pants. They meet cute when they find themselves representing opposing spouses in a divorce case. He invites her to dinner; she, thinking she can work the situation to her advantage, accepts. Then, in a moment of weakness, she ends up spending the night with him; the next morning, he shows up in court with case notes written on her missing panties. Woods and Rafferty continue to square off on a series of headline-grabbing cases, until they find themselves representing their highest profile clients to date: spaced-out rock star Thorne Jamison (Michael Sheen) and his tempestuous fashion-designer wife, Serena (Parker Posey). After initially courting Woods to be her advocate, Serena jumps ship and decides to go with Rafferty. Woods moves in and lands Thorne as her client. Thorne and Serena pretty much agree on who's entitled to what except, that is, for the sprawling Irish castle they call their home away from home. So, naturally, it's off to Dublin for our intrepid heroes, where they each plan to depose the Jamisons' servants in an effort to determine who deserves to keep the estate. \"Laws of Attraction\" is a welcome change-of-pace for Hollywood product; it runs under 90 minutes not including the lengthy main and end title sequences. Scripted by Aline Brosh McKenna and Robert Harling, \"Laws of Attraction\" desperately wants to approximate the sustained screwball rhythms of a Lubitsch, Hawks or Wilder farce and only very occasionally comes even close. But the charming chemistry of the leads and the lightness of tone achieved by director Peter Howitt (\"Sliding Doors,\" \"Johnny English\") keeps the whole enterprise afloat. Liberated from his usual brand of spygame skullduggery, the de-Bonded Brosnan appears wonderfully at ease, while Moore, relieved of the melodramatic burden of her best-known roles, positively sparkles. They're helped by Frances Fisher as Woods' conniving, botox-injecting, former-beauty-queen mother. In a brilliant perf, Fisher amps up the entire movie's energy level whenever she's on screen. Asked at one point if she's really 56 years old, she replies, in a Mae West-worthy retort, \"Parts of me are.\" Likewise, pic is appropriately polished in the tech department, with Adrian Biddle's widescreen lensing lending the Manhattan scenes a particularly glossy glow, while composer Edward Shearmur contributes a bouncy, brassy Gershwinesque score that sounds like an ode to skyscrapers and taxicabs."}, {"response": 1131, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 2004 (11:56)", "body": "Laws of Attraction being discussed on the Pierce Brosnan topic."}, {"response": 1132, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 2004 (12:56)", "body": "Sorry, I lose track of the myriad boards here. (Dorine)saw 13 Going on 30 last night in class and *loved* it! That one looks cute. I don't normally go for that genre, but occasionally they're well done and worth a look. Similarly, I rented Freaky Friday the other night and what a pleasant surprise that was. Smartly written, and Jamie Lee Curtis was great."}, {"response": 1133, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 2004 (13:18)", "body": "Yes, I was pleasantly surprised by Freaky Friday, as well. I was predisposed to like 13 Going on 30 as I love Jennifer Garner in Alias, but wasn't sure how she'd be in something with such a different tone. She looked like she had a blast making it. She was pretty funny on an episode of Dinner With Five, too. Surely, someone got this on their alerts, but thought it too embarrasing or ridiculous to post. I have no shame. ;-) *Interesting* (*cough cough*) choices, to say the least. Marsters, Knightley Voted Favorite Romeo and Juliet Thu Apr 22,10:44 AM ET LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. actor James Marsters (news) and British actress Keira Knightley (news) are favorites to play Romeo and Juliet, according to a poll by Britain's Royal Shakespeare Company on Thursday. The online poll on the eve of Shakespeare's 440th birthday asked visitors to the theater company's Web site who they would ideally like to see play the bard's most famous lovers. Marsters, who plays Spike in the TV series \"Buffy The Vampire Slayer\" was a clear winner to star as Romeo, the RSC said. Knightley, star of hit movies \"Love Actually\" and \"Pirates of the Caribbean\" pipped Kate Winslet (news), Nicole Kidman (news) and Scarlett Johansson (news) for the role of Juliet. Other contenders for Romeo included Orlando Bloom (news), Ewan McGregor (news), Jude Law (news), Johnny Depp (news), Colin Firth (news) -- and Ozzy Osbourne. More than 2,000 people voted for over 150 actors."}, {"response": 1134, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 2004 (13:31)", "body": "Colin Firth (news) -- and Ozzy Osbourne. LOL! You've got to be kidding! I'm not a fan of Keira and love Spike as a vampire, but really, R&J???? Kate W and Jude Law would work for me. (Mari), I rented Freaky Friday the other night and what a pleasant surprise that was. Me too! Was a vg laugh."}, {"response": 1135, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 2004 (13:37)", "body": "(Dorine) but thought it too embarrasing or ridiculous to post. I have no shame. ;-) And I have no shame in commenting! LOL....Love ODB, but he is a bit long in the tooth to be playing Romeo (though the SNL snippet was quite fun to watch). R & J were about 14 years old or something. Though...I'd love to see Ozzy doing Shakespeare (would you be able to tell if he was blowing his lines??)."}, {"response": 1136, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 2004 (14:55)", "body": "(Tress)....Love ODB, but he is a bit long in the tooth to be playing Romeo That was my first thought, too. Anyone over 20 would seem long in the tooth for two young lovers not being able to overcome parental restrictions. I thought the Talking Movies segment on Cinderella movies coming out like Ella Enchanted and The Prince & Me was interesting. LM seemed pretty favorable to both-bottom line about how young girls are portrayed in these films and how they emerge strong at overcoming a situation that is perhaps forced on them. I thought WAGW did an equally nice job of that. In the end both young girls end up with their man and one is getting married. She questioned how much independence that really showed... Daphne ended up with her boyfriend and was going to Oxford to boot;-) I don't quite remember what Talking Moives had to say about that. Laura Metzger takes a look at the new breed of \ufffdCinderella Stories\ufffd coming out of Hollywood. Recent films like ELLA ENCHANTED and THE PRINCE & ME that boast stars ANNE HATHAWAY and JULIA STILES have injected a feminist spin into the traditional princess fantasy. But critics ask will the mix work -- can these tales balance female independence and a true love fantasy? http://www.bbcamerica.com/genre/movies_specials/talking_movies/talking_movies.jsp"}, {"response": 1137, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 2004 (14:17)", "body": "There was a new book reviewed in this week's Entertainment Weekly (April 30)I would have posted it here, but the website is behind. The book is The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler. I found a review of it on Amazon: A sublime comedy of contemporary manners, this is the novel Jane Austen might well have written had she lived in twenty-first- century California. Nothing ever moves in a straight line in Karen Joy Fowler's fiction, and in her latest, the complex dance of modern love has never been so devious or so much fun. Six Californians join to discuss Jane Austen's novels. Over the six months they meet, marriages are tested, affairs begin, unsuitable arrangements become suitable, and love happens. With her finely sighted eye for the frailties of human behavior and her finely tuned ear for the absurdities of social intercourse, Fowler has never been wittier nor her characters more appealing. The result is a delicious dissection of modern relationships. Dedicated Austenites will delight in unearthing the echoes of Austen that run through the novel, but most readers will simply enjoy the vision and voice that, despite two centuries of separation, unite two great writers of brilliant social comedy. From EW...here is a bit of their review. If I can't find it online by Sunday, I'll type up the whole thing- \"The novel tracks the romantic escapades of these characters--and concludes with a marriage, the classic Austen finale. Appropriately enough, a tongue-in-cheek appendix lists discussion questions for book groups tackling both Austen and The Jane Austen Book club. Each character suggests topics... You may want to go back and read Austen after you put down this book. More likely, you'll want to track down more Fowler\". A- If you're intersted here is the Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0399151613/104-8825126-3799129?v=glance"}, {"response": 1138, "author": "soph", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 2004 (04:50)", "body": "time to celebrate, party and drink and drool (but not at the same time) happy birthday Eithne ! a very special occasion calls for a very special event. yes, you are about to witness a glimpse of mr. f's latest project. he was extremely eager to pay his respects by way of rehearsing his latest shtik just for you, oh well, you just see for yourself... animatronicolin, version 2.9 (how time flies !) : -the jobbing actor, or \"where have all the thespians gone ?\"- mode on. *warning to all slow connexions* : my biggest boy so far (!), this one weighs 820 ko nota bene : as you might have noticed, animatronicolins are very capture-consuming. the fact that i haven't been able to supply one to everybody in the past year is in part due to this simple fact (also, it takes a lot of time to build the animation loops, about a full day for each of them, and, mind you, i still have to work on a regular basis to pay the rent). plus, there's the inspiration, for some captures are better material (helloooo mushimokooo !). so, to make a long story short, i know there's a whole bunch of birthdays coming up in may-june, and i can't promise an animatronicolin for everyone, it all depends on my free time (very scarce these days). it is not case specific, meaning if you don't get one, it's not because of you, it's just... mektoub. since i hit my first drool anniversary a couple of days ago, i wish to thank all those who provide captures and photos : KathyC's excellent SNL set comes to mind as a real treasure trove... so, on behalf of \"free animators for drool\" (see last year's birthday extravaganza for details), thanks very much ! i also wish to say hello and welcome to all newbies, yeah, i know it's not the right topic but hey, i'm saving a precious entry here !"}, {"response": 1139, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 2004 (07:57)", "body": "ROTF, Sophie!! Capital! Capital! Thank you again for my animatronic, as well. :-) And (a very simple) Happy Drool Anniversary to you!!"}, {"response": 1140, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 2004 (08:22)", "body": "Eithne, I know you were going to try to knit this yourself. . but, well . . I thought perhaps you\ufffdd like me to bring over the real thing . .and give you both that and a birthday hug to keep you warm. Have a Happy Birthday today!"}, {"response": 1141, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 2004 (08:41)", "body": "CF: Do you know what, Scarlett . .I\ufffdve heard it\ufffds sophie\ufffds Drool anniversary . . CF: You know her . .she makes those funny little dancing images of me . .*hic* whater they called again??? SJ: Animitronicolins . .they\ufffdre awful cute . . CF: Wot? Ami-nal-oni-polins??? SJ: (snickering) Ani-mi-troni-colins CF: Hannah-me-polly-holland? SJ: (groans) Ani-mi-troni-colins. . .umm perhaps you\ufffdve had one too many of those martinis Colin . .I think you\ufffdre a bit squiffy. CF: Pffftt . .don\ufffdt be reeeediculous Scarlett. Never had a martini before in my life . . . sophie knows that;) SJ: Then what\ufffds that? CF: Oh nothing . . .nothing atoll . .don\ufffdt know wha\ufffdcher talkin about . . .Sophie, thanks so much for all the pani-mi-poli-me-thingys you\ufffdve made and for bringing so much laughter to the board! *hic*"}, {"response": 1142, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 2004 (09:20)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EITHNE You're next"}, {"response": 1143, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 2004 (09:59)", "body": "Bravo, Sophie. Simply amazing. Happy first anniversary!!"}, {"response": 1144, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 2004 (10:24)", "body": "So happy to have you with us, sophie, you rock! J'\ufffdsp\ufffdre bien pour mon anniversaire en juin. ;-D Happy Birthday, Eithne! Here I am in Dublin, waiting for you to start the celebration. Come quickly."}, {"response": 1145, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 2004 (11:18)", "body": "Fantastique Sophie!! Can't stop shaking it all about. ;-) I remember those animators very well from last year. Have they recovered? They were drunk and disorderly and most passed out under the table before the birthday cake was served. BTW, it would have to be a fictional Colin, as we know he only drinks white wine. ;-) Eithne!! Ooops! He's starting to shake his booty...must run! ;-)"}, {"response": 1146, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 2004 (13:10)", "body": "Wot?! Did I hear that right?? It's Eithne's birthday!??!! Well, let me get ready for the party! I'll be with you in a moment! Let me help you mix the frosting...we're going to be late!!! Eithne!!"}, {"response": 1147, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 2004 (13:19)", "body": "Sophie! Bravo!!! Too funny.....and a little something to go with it (This was written by Jeff Brechlin for a contest at the Washington Post. The contest was to write instructions for something in the style of a famous person and this was his entry) and since ODB is a \"classically trained actor\" to quote an SNLer, I thought this might be somewhat fitting: The Hokey Pokey O proud left foot, that ventures quick within Then soon upon a backward journey lithe. Anon, once more the gesture, then begin: Command sinistral pedestal to writhe. Commence thou then the fervid Hokey-Poke, A mad gyration, hips in wanton swirl. To spin! A wilde release from Heavens yoke. Blessed dervish! Surely canst go, girl. The Hoke, the poke -- banish now thy doubt Verily, I say, 'tis what it's all about. -- by William Shakespeare"}, {"response": 1148, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 2004 (13:47)", "body": "You are a bunch of very talented girls :-) Animatronics, pictures, witty dialogue, Shakespeare and what have you. Sorry to have missed so many birthdays, will try to pay more attention. But for now: Happy Birthday, Eithne. Hope you'll have a great day!"}, {"response": 1149, "author": "soph", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 2004 (14:05)", "body": "(kim) CF: Hannah-me-polly-holland? rahaahaaa-heehee, just as hard to say as Mushimoko, errr... wait: mishimoto, no that's not it... hahaw dang ! (polly-anna in holland park ? duh !) (tress) (quoting brechlin/shakespeare) A mad gyration, hips in wanton swirl heehheeheeee, that reminds me of something ... thanks everybody for the wishes, but \"Wait a minute, who's the star here ?\" a scowling Henry wants to remind you part of the burden of being in this family : \"Now you behave, and get going ! it's Eithne's birthday for Christsake !\""}, {"response": 1150, "author": "soph", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 2004 (14:07)", "body": "closing tags, sorry.... i'm off to bed, i can't even get my tags right !"}, {"response": 1151, "author": "soph", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 2004 (14:09)", "body": "can't believe i blurped again"}, {"response": 1152, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 2004 (18:58)", "body": "Aurelia, can you say Happy Birthday Eithne? Oh forget it, you can't understand a thing I say. I'll just have to go it alone Happy Birthday, Eithne!"}, {"response": 1153, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 2004 (19:07)", "body": "Sophie, I know you've gone to bed, but I'm still partying...In fact I can't quite remember what I had to drink, or where the hell I am, but just want to say \"Happy Anniversary\" to the woman who brings me to life."}, {"response": 1154, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 2004 (19:53)", "body": "\ufffdYes, Yes, Yes\ufffdIt\ufffds Eithne\ufffds Birthday!!! Hope today was filled with all sorts of wonderful things."}, {"response": 1155, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 2004 (21:09)", "body": "Where to start...I forced myself to wait all day before I checked the board, because I knew that I'd really need to laugh after I shipped the DH back to Florida this evening. Boy, am I glad I waited (also glad that I left the tea in the kitchen). Thank you all, so very much, for your wonderful birthday wishes! Sophie: Geeze, my very own animatronicolin! I'm deeply honored! And he's so cute, hokeying about (wanted to say pokeying, but I'm trying to behave myself now that I'm a year older). Thank you! And Henry, do chill! I'm very happy to share with the very talented lady who \"moves him\". Evelyn: What can I say? Next, indeed! Dare I risk it? Yes, yes, yes;-) Moon: Waiting in Dublin? Great! Let Colin know that I know exactly where the Aer Lingus gate is at BWI and I'm on my way, so start building that pint! Karen: Thank you for the lovely birthday wishes and for taking care of this wonderful group of people! Kimberly: Thanks for sending Colin *and* the sweater over. It is a bit chilly here, tonight and with the DH gone back home, I can use the hug! Tress: So nice of \"himself\" to get all cleaned up for me! I would've gladly lent a hand with the scrub brush, or with the wine ;-). And Johannes, no need to rush the frosting, perfection does take time. And Tress...Sophie's poem was truely hysterical. I\"m still laughing! Annette: Thanks for the lovely bouquet and birthday wishes! Linda: Thanks for sending Colin and Aurelia over with the birthday wishes. Aurelia can keep Scarlett company. Leslie: Yes, yes, yes! Even though I had to return the DH home today, it has been a wonderful day, made more so by my dear friends at Drool! If I have forgotten *anyone*, please forgive me. I really appreciate my first Drool Birthday party. So, let's load up some tunes, put the bartender to work, and parrr-teeee!"}, {"response": 1156, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 2004 (21:52)", "body": "(The Birthday Girl) So, let's load up some tunes, put the bartender to work, and parrr-teeee! I love that these pictures will never go away! LOL! Hope it was a good one! Have a great night!!!!"}, {"response": 1157, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 2004 (23:00)", "body": "My most sincere apologies, Eithne, on my late arrival to your party. It took me forever to find the perfect present (I hope) and then I was most distracted by Sophie's talented dancer! As you have claimed the position of official Cat Hair Custodian on any future Firth films, you might want an accessory to assist in the unfortunate but necessary job of removing cat hair. This item, specifically made for such a purpose, is marked under the name Love Glove . (I promise I am not making any of this up!) In case you are unsure how to use the Love Glove, instructions are provided in the package. Description One size fits all! Besides removing loose hair while gently massaging and grooming, Love Glove is also great for removing hair from furniture, carpet, upholstery and car interiors. Makes quick work of hard to groom areas like legs, tail, and underside. Technical Information To use, secure on glove with adjustable strap and gently stroke. Using slow and long movement, loose hair will cling to the Love Glove. Hair can easily be peeled off or rinsed away with cold water. Love Glove can be hand washed with warm water and soap. Rinse clean. Do not use hot water or place in dryer. Now that you are properly equipped, I'm sure you will be able to manage, in a most pleasant manner, any cat hair problems that might arise. I do have one question, though... did you offer to work with a black and white tuxedo CAT or artful, young CAD in a black tuxedo and white tie? These two were a bit confused. Happy Birthday Eithne!!!"}, {"response": 1158, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 2004 (23:13)", "body": "I\ufffdm beside myself that I almost missed your birthday, Eithne! Ok, well technically, I did ;-) So I thought I'd quickly whip up a present for you.... ....but, it didn't come out quite the way I'd planned. So I'll just send along my heartfelt birthday wishes! All the lovely Droolers and I will keep you company in your DH's absence. ;-)"}, {"response": 1159, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 2004 (23:20)", "body": "Eep, after midnight! Eithne, I'm so sorry I'm late but I hope you had a wonderful bithday. Hope this makes up for missing your day:-)"}, {"response": 1160, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (05:50)", "body": "Eithne WHAT A SWELL PARTY THAT WAS Hope ypu had a fantastic day popping by , belatedly , to say hope you have a great year ahead and lots of happy drooling to come."}, {"response": 1161, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (09:54)", "body": "Just read this at Dark Horizons: Ocean's 12: The sequel has been seen shooting at Chicago's Old Orchard Shopping Center, same location as Nic Cage's \"The Weatherman\". Oh man, that's the shopping center of my youth (though it's not in Chicago). I can't imagine anybody filming there. Parking situation is awful enough as is. ;-)"}, {"response": 1162, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (09:57)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1163, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (10:00)", "body": "The original Variety news item: Next tour of duty taking Mendes to Persian Gulf Sat Apr 24, 8:00 PM ET Michael Fleming, STAFF Sam Mendes (news)' next movie will be \"Jarhead,\" a Universal drama based on Anthony Swofford's Persian Gulf-set Marine Corps. memoir. \"Cast Away\" scribe William Broyles wrote the script, and Red Wagon partners Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher will produce. Shooting begins in the fall. Drawing on his own experiences as a Marine grunt in Vietnam, Broyles wrote a script that studio and producers felt captured Swofford's voice and vivid descriptions of war. While Mendes has no background in soldiering, he liked the script enough to commit after reading a draft and doing some work on it with Broyles. His production shingle Scamp also will be involved. \"This is new territory to me, but I hadn't spent two days in American suburbia when I directed 'American Beauty,' \" Mendes said. \"I only knew the script had an unusual and original voice and it was a challenge I wanted to take on. \"This is equal parts black humor, honesty, rage, lyricism, profanity and the mixture of machismo jarhead culture. With the exception of 'Three Kings,' this is a war that has been overlooked but which has a burning relevance to what is happening right now in the Middle East,\" he added. The producers said \"Jarhead\" raced to production faster than any project they can remember. U bought the book in a seven-figure deal last fall (Daily Variety, Oct. 24). Key was hooking Mendes, who is highly selective and takes his time between film assignments. \"Sam was our first choice,\" Wick said. \"This book creates such a completely distinct world, one that had a specificity of voice and contradictions everywhere you look.\" Fisher said they'll start casting and scouting locations right away, with the deserts of the Southwest a possible destination, after they made a convincing backdrop for \"Three Kings.\" To tackle \"Jarhead,\" Mendes will have to postpone film adaptations of Stephen Sondheim's musical \"Sweeney Todd\" and Khaled Hosseini's novel \"The Kite Runner.\" Mendes, who followed his Oscar-winning debut film \"American Beauty\" with 2002's \"Road to Perdition,\" hasn't made a film since. But he said he is still enthusiastic about the other projects and might accelerate his pace to make them in the near term. \"My process is slow and I enjoy it too much to rush,\" said Mendes. \"And I like to return to the theater between films. But after not doing any movies for a few years, perhaps I might do two in two years.\""}, {"response": 1164, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (10:08)", "body": "Frears stages Dench's saucy show 04/25/2004 Adam Dawtrey, STAFF In her 20 years as a grande dame among British producers, Norma Heyman has never had a project so hotly pursued by financiers as her latest, \"Mrs. Henderson Presents.\" Given its fruity cocktail of elements, it isn't hard to see why. Directed by Stephen Frears from a screenplay by Martin Sherman, the film will star Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins in the true story of how London's Windmill Theater began staging nude shows in the 1930s, and became famous during the Blitz as the theater that never closed. Hoskins brought the idea to Heyman, with whom he previously produced \"The Secret Agent,\" and they turned to former FilmFour topper David Aukin to share the producing chores. Pathe Pictures and BBC Films are in exclusive talks to bankroll the $15 million movie, although the Hollywood specialty arms are also banging at the door. \"It's nice to be wanted for once, instead of having to beg like we usually do,\" laughs Heyman. Shooting is set for September. Dench will play Laura Henderson, the extraordinary old lady who bought the Windmill after her return home after years in imperial India. Her manager (Hoskins) spotted a loophole in Britain's censorship laws that permitted stage nudity as long as the performers didn't move. He added naked tableaux to the bill of conventional variety acts and transformed the theater into a scandalous success. \"It's accessible, funny and moving,\" says one of the few execs to have gotten a peek at Sherman's closely guarded first draft. \"It's a celebration of the human spirit, and it's got Judi Dench and Stephen Frears for a good price.\" Contrary to one press report, however, Dench will not be baring all in the movie. After finishing \"Mrs. Henderson Presents,\" Frears will go straight on to shoot \"The Queen\" in early 2005, a followup to his recent political telepic \"The Deal.\" Where \"The Deal\" dramatized into the relationship between Brit prime minister Tony Blair and his chancellor of the exchequer, Gordon Brown, \"The Queen\" will delve into the reactions of Blair and the royal family to the death of Princess Diana. When the royals initially refused to make any ostentatious displays of grief, it was Blair who seized the public mood and forced them to open up. As with \"The Deal,\" script is by Peter Morgan for Granada Prods. Channel 4 bankrolled \"The Deal\" and is likely to do so again with \"The Queen.\" It's unclear at this stage whether the project will be made for TV or might have the prospect of a theatrical release. \"Man to Man\" survives It's been a scary couple of months for the producers of Regis Wargnier's \"Man to Man.\" But they finally learned last week that their project is safe. This $28 million Anglo-French co-production, starring Joseph Fiennes and Kristin Scott-Thomas, started shooting Feb. 18, despite having lost 30% of its budget a week earlier when the British government abruptly closed a tax loophole that was being used to finance its production. The producers -- France's Vertigo and the U.K.'s Skyline -- pushed ahead regardless with the first leg in South Africa, in the hope that they could plug the gap before the money ran out. Their plan was to combine a U.K. sale-and-leaseback deal with a bank loan against sales estimates. But crucially, this depended on getting the pic approved by the U.K.'s Dept. of Culture, Media & Sport as an official co-production. The DCMS, which recently rejected a similar application from the Anglo-Canadian project \"River King,\" initially raised doubts about \"Man to Man.\" But the greenlight finally came through April 20, just in time for the pic to start the British leg of its production in Cornwall and Scotland. \"Man to Man\" is an original screenplay by Brit novelist William Boyd (news), based on a idea by Wargnier, about a Victorian scientist who mistakenly believes a pygmy he discovers in Africa is the missing link between men and apes. Perry ruled out Contrary to a previous report, former British Screen topper Simon Perry is not a candidate for the chairmanship of the U.K. Film Council. He did put in an application -- but missed the deadline by two days and was therefore disqualified."}, {"response": 1165, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (10:13)", "body": "Older news, but I hadn't seen it: Inside Move: Elvis to leave building Wed Apr 21, 8:00 PM ET Pamela McClintock, STAFF In another shakeup for the New York Time's culture pages, A.O. Scott will ascend to Janet Maslin's former post and soon be named chief movie critic, while film reviewer Elvis Mitchell is expected to depart the Gray Lady altogether. Move downsizes the triumvirate that put Scott, Mitchell and Stephen Holden in charge of movie criticism when longstanding lead reviewer Maslin stepped down at the end of 1999. The Times declined any comment on the matter. There have been longtime rumblings of dissatisfaction at the Times with Mitchell, who was even rumored at one point last year to be among those under consideration to run the nascent Warner Independent Pictures. Mitchell, who cultivates a dude-about-town image, apparently irked some at the paper with his numerous outside activities, such as recently hosting Sofia Coppola and Bill Murray events. Mitchell also is a visiting lecturer at Harvard U.'s African and African American Studies Dept. There's some speculation that Mitchell has already turned in his resignation. He could not be reached for comment Thursday."}, {"response": 1166, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (10:25)", "body": "'Jumpers' Mixes High Jinks, Low Comedy Sun Apr 25, 9:30 PM ET By MICHAEL KUCHWARA, AP Drama Critic NEW YORK - Put on those thinking caps, folks, it's time to face \"Jumpers,\" Tom Stoppard's high hurdle of a comedy filled with dense philosophical discussion, impossibly clever quips, deliberately bad musical numbers and one dead gymnast. The revival, which opened Sunday at Broadway's Brooks Atkinson Theatre, comes from Britain's National Theatre, where it was a big hit last summer. Stateside, however, American audiences could be flummoxed by Stoppard's ornate wordplay that seems to be forever calling attention to itself and the play's very specific English references that will have non-Anglophiles scratching their heads. Along with all that dazzle, \"Jumpers,\" which had a short run on Broadway 30 years ago, exudes a certain smugness as Stoppard spins his rarefied tale of intellectual high jinks and low comedy. The plot is overstuffed with language and physical movement. Even designer Vicki Mortimer's intricate turntable setting never seems to stop moving. The story revolves around George, a rumpled professor of moral philosophy who is preparing a paper on the existence of God and who dictates his thoughts to a silent but efficient secretary. Stoppard's verbal dexterity is astonishing as he lays out George's argument for the presence of a higher power. These thoughts make for some lengthy monologues which Simon Russell Beale (as George) delivers with remarkable finesse. Beale is making his Broadway debut in \"Jumpers\" although the actor is known to New Yorkers from his sterling performances at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in such classics as \"Twelfth Night\" and \"Uncle Vanya.\" Here, perhaps to compensate for the esoteric material, Beale tries a bit too hard to be ingratiating. His portrait of the unraveling George is bigger, broader and filled with more bits of stage busyness than it was in London. That said, Beale does capture the essential sadness of a man desperately trying to repair a damaged marriage with the insecure, appropriately named Dotty, played by the voluptuous Essie Davis. It's the one note of humanity in a play that, despite the laughs, is cold and chilly. Among other things, \"Jumpers\" is a murder mystery: who killed the yellow-suited gymnast? The man, along with a squad of fellow philosopher-athletes, was performing at a party given by Dotty when he was shot. Dotty, of course, is the prime suspect. She is a promiscuous, mentally fragile woman who walked out on her musical-comedy career in mid-song. Now she's having an affair with Archie, a vice chancellor at the university as well as her psychiatrist. As the wanton \ufffd and often naked \ufffd wife, Davis is a comic delight. [Ed note: But, really, would anyone want to see Beale naked?] She's sexy and vulnerable, particularly when perched atop a crescent moon high above the stage and singing songs about the moon. The other supporting players are equally adept: Nicky Henson as the unctuous, urbane Archie; Nicholas Woodeson as Inspector Bones, a policeman right out of Agatha Christie by way of Monty Python; John Rogan as a doddering servant, and Eliza Lumley as the mute secretary. Director David Leveaux worked wonders with his recent Broadway revivals of \"Nine\" and \"Fiddler on the Roof.\" Both were carefully rethought. Leveaux is a smart, savvy director, and \"Jumpers\" never looks or sounds less than elegant. Yet Stoppard's metaphysical musings are hard to make theatrical. And for a lot of the time, they somersault right over the heads of the audience."}, {"response": 1167, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (11:50)", "body": "A rave from the New York Times: THEATER REVIEW | 'JUMPERS' Odd Brits A-Leaping With Bodies or Brains By BEN BRANTLEY NY Times Acrobatics aren't just for athletes in the high-flying revival of Tom Stoppard's \"Jumpers,\" which opened last night at the Brooks Atkinson Theater. Though the show features an enthusiastic team of bouncing gymnasts, everyone in \"Jumpers\" jumps in one way or another \ufffd verbally, emotionally, morally. Life is a state of unending, bounding restlessness in the world portrayed here. And with a cast headed by Simon Russell Beale, in a dazzling Broadway debut, such exertions turn this 1972 comic mystery of murder, marriage and metaphysics into one of the most entertaining exercise sessions available in a city that loves a good workout. Leaps of faith; back-flipping politics; somersaulting, self-inverting words and free-falling nervous breakdowns are all on offer in \"Jumpers,\" which depicts a quasi-mythical England where a group called the Radical Liberal Party has ushered in a new era of relativism. The director, David Leveaux, appropriately serves up a show that never seems to stop spinning, from its chic revolving set to the frantic, farcical movements of its characters. But at the same time, this luscious import from the National Theater of Great Britain, which also stars the divine Essie Davis, finds a wounded, hungry heart beneath the razzle-dazzle of wit and vaudevillian showmanship. And a play often dismissed as too clever by half now registers clearly as a poignant acknowledgment of the limits of cleverness. In summary, \"Jumpers\" can still sound off-putting. (It was given the nickname \"Sleepers\" during its first and brief run on Broadway in 1974 in reference to its narcotic effect.) Where's the excitement in a play about a bumbling, self-centered philosopher, one George Moore (Mr. Russell Beale), who spends much of his time dictating a lecture on whether or not God exists? Granted, the people around this hapless fellow (who is not, as he irritably explains, the more famous philosopher named George E. Moore) are a lively lot. Most of his fellow academics are acrobats, and even his secretary is first seen flying on a trapeze. But George belongs, as he puts it, to an old-fashioned school, \"which regards all sudden movements as ill-bred.\" Yet there is nothing static about the performance of Mr. Russell Beale, a London stage star of sharp inventiveness and peerless emotional depth. (He has been seen as Hamlet and Vanya in visiting productions at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.) Even as his George tries to make a case for a solid metaphysical core in a crazy, mixed-up universe, his hands rove to pick wax from his ears or to trace circles on his protruding stomach. He cannot complete a phrase, it seems, without doubling back to amend it or erase it or contradict it, while his sense of self slides between giggly complacency and pained doubts. His wife, Dorothy (Ms. Davis), a prematurely retired musical star teetering on the brink of madness, calls him \"the last of the metaphysical egotists.\" And in dealing with others \ufffd from the wife who keeps him from her bed to his beloved pet tortoise and hare \ufffd he winds up violating most of his stated principles. Still, there are moments when his fussy, stuffy professorial persona falls away, to reveal an achingly sincere faith in goodness. Mr. Russell Beale's performance beautifully mirrors the play as a whole. Like George, \"Jumpers\" can seem all too swept up in its own cerebral whimsy. But it is also like George in the seriousness that underlies its diverting surface. What keeps \"Jumpers\" from twirling off its shiny axis is its profound respect for what George calls the \"mystery in the clockwork\" of existence. In pursuit of this cosmic enigma, Mr. Stoppard has shaped \"Jumpers\" as a more mundane kind of mystery, the good old detective story. The play begins with a celebratory blowout for the Radical Liberals at George and Dorothy's lavish Art Deco digs, where one of the title characters, part of a floor show of academic acrobats, is shot and killed. Bones (Nicholas Woodeson), the delightfully inept police inspector who comes to call, confronts a Clue-game-like range of suspects: the high-strung Dorothy, who is called Dotty for a reason; her doctor, Sir Archie Jumper (played with superhuman glibness by Nicky Henson), who is also a government official, George's academic rival and possibly Dotty's lover; George's cryptically silent secretary (Eliza Lumley), and \ufffd a long shot \ufffd the building caretaker (and part-time metaphysicist, natch) Crouch (John Rogan). The antic criminal investigation is descended directly from the farces noires of Joe Orton, while the precocious schoolboy puns and self-congratulatory epigrams evoke a blend of musical hall routines and Oscar Wilde. But weaving these elements together is Mr. Stoppard's distinctive feeling for the shiftiness of all things human. Puns, for example, are words with more than one meaning. \"Jumpers\" itself elu"}, {"response": 1168, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (11:57)", "body": "\"American audiences could be flummoxed by Stoppard's ornate wordplay\" No kidding. I saw it years ago...have tickets for May. Tried reading it again. No comprendo . Am now reading a Drama Analysis on Stoppard's works. But he's worth it. Diana Rigg was the first Dotty. Since then , the role has not had any good actresses. I think Essie Davis either won or was short listed for an Olivier. Thanks Karen."}, {"response": 1169, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (11:59)", "body": "Dang, I almost forgot Eithne's birthday! Happy Birthday to mah beloved! Hope it was great!"}, {"response": 1170, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (12:08)", "body": "(Mari) A rave from the New York Times: THEATER REVIEW | 'JUMPERS' Odd Brits A-Leaping With Bodies or Brains By BEN BRANTLEY NY Times Ben Brantley doesn't throw around the accolades often. Looks like we have a Tony winner here in the Revival category. With the leads taking best actors. Hey Moon, this might even be David Leveaux's year!!"}, {"response": 1171, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (13:04)", "body": "\"American audiences could be flummoxed by Stoppard's ornate wordplay I hate it when Americans flummox so easily;-( Thanks Karen and Mari for the Jumpers reviews. Anyone catch the second installment of State of Play last night? It's really heating up, now. More Bill Nighy than last week. IMO, excellent show."}, {"response": 1172, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (13:54)", "body": "No, I watched last week, but couldn't get past David Morrissey's helmet hair, which looks like a cross between an '80s news anchor and Chad Everett in Medical Center.;-) Then Kelly MacDonald started to speak Martian and I went \"click!\" Seriously, I thought it was a one-off; can't make a commitment to any more continuing series right now. Speaking of which . . . Did anyone watch The Sopranos last night? LOL at Carmella reading her mother the riot act about \"cultured Italians.\" Can't believe she slept with Tony, though."}, {"response": 1173, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (14:03)", "body": "Was watching CNN last night and they had on a story about a new exhibit at the NY Metropolitan Museum of Art entitled \"Dangerous Liaisons.\" Seems they've taken elements of their 18th century costume displays and posed the mannequins in interesting positions. Think Valmont writing letters.;-) They did show a brief scene from the Frears version of DL."}, {"response": 1174, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (14:24)", "body": "(Linda)Anyone catch the second installment of State of Play last night? It's really heating up, now. More Bill Nighy than last week. Hmmmmm... getting a little soap opera-ish,IMO. I like \"Keen Eddie\" mobetta;-) Will check-out the Dangerous Liaison exhibit at the Met.Thanks"}, {"response": 1175, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (14:26)", "body": "Mari - re Dangerous Liasons exhibit. Hmm intersting . .do love the Met . .may make a trip for this one. Here is all that's on the Met webpage so far regarding this . . http://www.metmuseum.org/special/se_event.asp?OccurrenceId={9FA99BE0-39CD-48AF-9514-84531AF6C5A3 }"}, {"response": 1176, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (14:28)", "body": "Dang!!!! . .the link seems to not work . . Paste . .here is the main website: http://www.metmuseum.org/ After you enter, just go to: \"More special exhibitions\" and then \"Upcoming exhibitions\" And it is listed at the top: Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the 18th Century April 29, 2004\ufffdAugust 8, 2004"}, {"response": 1177, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (15:06)", "body": "OK, my verdict on Laws of Attraction....Eh! If it wasn't for Pierce Brosnan, it'd be right down with Two Weeks Notice for me, which *really* didn't do anything for me rom-com-wise. I really wanted to laugh more and sometimes I think I laughed at things on the sheer will of wanting them to be funny. Can't say I heard a huge amount of laughter overall. Thought JM was somewhat bland doing comedy...drama is definitely her strength. Frances Fisher was amusing as her mom, despite the one-note joke with her trying to look/act as young or younger than her uptight daughter (JM). Amazingly, I found Parker Posey pretty annoying, which is unusual, b/c I've liked her in everything else. In truth, I found the director, Peter Howitt (Sliding Doors, Johnny English) funnier during the Q&A than the movie itself. Kim was there. She may have a different opinion."}, {"response": 1178, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (15:27)", "body": "French and Saunders Return to BBC One Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders are returning to BBC One for what will be their first sketch show series together for six years. The show will feature not only their much loved sketches, but will also see these sketches bound together with a narrative thread (like the glue between objects that otherwise wouldn't be held together, unless you used sella-tape instead). This narrative backdrop will take the form of a behind the scenes documentary which takes a look at the duo working together to write their shows. Much of this behind the scenes action takes place in French and Saunders new private office which they now share at the BBC. (although due to not reading their contract properly they only have one parking space). We will see them arriving at the office, battling with security and hanging around studios and lifts watching for celebrities to persuade to be in their shows. There are also an 'above average' number of trips to the BBC tea bar. But don't think of this new series as a documentary (that's what the Discovery channel is for), as it is still a sketch show at heart. The series will have their usual brand of parodies and sketches which will include tributes to Cold Mountain, Girl with a Pearl Earring and Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ. http://www.funny.co.uk/news/art_72-2174-French-and-Saunders-Return-to-BBC-One.html"}, {"response": 1179, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (17:39)", "body": "Eithne, so sorry I forgot your birthday yesterday... But you see, the cat got my tongue and I just got it back! So now I can say, \"Happy Birthday, Eithne!\""}, {"response": 1180, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (18:16)", "body": "OMG!! Shoshana! Where did you find that? Just think of the possibilities...no, wait...better not (fanning self). By the way, the cat picture is almost the spitting image of my cat. Must get more ice for tea. Dorine, one can nevah have too many versions of ODB! I really must start charging royalties when they show that portrait of me. Oh! You didn't know I was the life model for that one and on one of my better days, too. I usually don't look that good ;-) Ada, thanks for the great picture of ODB. He just never looks un-delicious. Lizza, thanks for the kind birthday wishes. It continues to be a wonderful birthday! Mari, thanks to both you and \"Rhett\". It's been a wonderful day! Thanks, Drool! You ALL are the greatest! (of should I say Y'ALL?)"}, {"response": 1181, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (19:56)", "body": "Thanks for the birthday wishes, Lora! And that picture! Proof that he has one even if the cat did get it (talk to cat about bringing trophies to his \"Meowmie\" and not returning them to their \"owner\") ;-D"}, {"response": 1182, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (21:29)", "body": "The director, David Leveaux, appropriately serves up a show that never seems to stop spinning, from its chic revolving set to the frantic, farcical movements of its characters. (Evelyn), Hey Moon, this might even be David Leveaux's year!! My baby is doing very well. Now I must find a way to him. ;-) *smooch* (Dorine), my verdict on Laws of Attraction....Eh! How disappointing! :-( But you also kinda liked The Alamo, so... ;-) Thanks for the links and articles, ladies!"}, {"response": 1183, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (21:45)", "body": "From FL hot and sunny Now settled in Baltimore You\ufffdll need that nubbly cardy To keep you nice and warm. ODB and droolers Were there for the feast Which DVD was favored As your birthday treat? Happy Birthday Eithne So sorry to be late Wishes I send to ya Hope the day was great PS: everyone here make parties such a treat. Sophie - animatronicolin was AFGreat. Kimberly - Colin and Scarlett, too funny. Evelyn - your fault I missed the party. Showed up, saw Joe Prince, passed out, hit head on keyboard (I know that because I still have keys imprint on forehead.) Still recovering, and he wasn't even looking at me :-(. Eithne, you lucky girl! (Mari) ...Chad Everett in Medical Center.;-) LOL, you bring back memories. Then Kelly MacDonald started to speak Martian and I went \"click!\" ROTFLMAO."}, {"response": 1184, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (21:50)", "body": "(Moon) How disappointing! :-( But you also kinda liked The Alamo, so... ;-) Pfft! The only thing off the top of my head that I've enthusiastically liked (or not disliked in some major way) in the last couple of months was Kill Bill, Vol. 2 and 13 Going on 30. Surely there must be one or 2 more, but they aren't coming to me at the moment."}, {"response": 1185, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 2004 (22:40)", "body": "Durr . .forgot to say when I last posted . .as Dorine mentioned, saw Laws of Attraction w/ her & my DH. I liked it . .I enjoyed myself . .not saying I'd run out and buy the DVD and watch it over and over again. . .but I did not think it was wretched or anything. Pierce Brosnan was my favorite in it all . .charming, handsome . .a little scruffy at times w/ the longish hair and rumpled suits. . .I also liked Julianne Moore . .the last light fare I had seen her in was that god-awful one she did with Huge where she and he had the baby together . .this I liked 10 times over that one. My DH was more with Dorine . .he did not like it thought it was too predictible . .he did not like JM, did like PB . .and both he and I agree with Dorine . .the best part of the night was just listening to the director . .v. v. funny man! . .v. down to earth . .with whom Dorine did get to exchange a few words with;) . .would love to work with him in the future . . ."}, {"response": 1186, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 2004 (09:14)", "body": "(Mari) Then Kelly MacDonald started to speak Martian and I went \"click!\" Have to admit, of all the stuff being posted here over the past day or so, this line totally cracked me up too! RE: Laws of Attraction Most of the critics are saying that JM can't do comedy...but I'm not going for her. ;-) Before I toss it, ran across this interview with Helen Mirren in last week's TV Guide: Q: I interviewed Eric Stoltz, who played your young lover in Showtime's The Passion of Ayn Rand, and he said, \"I made love with Helen Mirren!\" [laughs] A: I made love with Eric! How lucky am I? Q: He said you asked specifically for sex scenes. A: Yes, I did. But often I'll say a sex scene isn't necessary. In fact, there was a sex scene in Prime Suspect that I didn't think was necessary. I said, \"Let's lose that.\" It didn't advance the character or the story. Q: You've always been comfortable taking your clothes off on screen. A: I don't care anymore. I'm a great admirer of Gerard Depardieu. I would see myself in a perfect world as a female Gerard Depardieu. He's very chunky, but he doesn't have that attitude of \"Oh, my God, I've got a nude scene. I've got to work out.\""}, {"response": 1187, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 2004 (09:33)", "body": "An article about the Dangerouso Liaisons exhibit at the Met: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=529&ncid=529&e=12&u=/ap/20040427/ap_en_ot/dangerous_liaisons"}, {"response": 1188, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 2004 (09:54)", "body": "From THR: FCC indecency has Bochco in 'Blue' mood By Ray Richmond A couple of seasons ago on \"NYPD Blue\" -- one of the few stable shows currently residing in the ABC universe -- the show's creator and executive producer, Steven Bochco, recalls that Susan Lyne (ousted last week as the network's entertainment chief) urged the show to try a little experiment. \"Susan wanted us to start using the word 'bullshit' in our episodes,\" Bochco said last week in a telephone interview. \"And so we did -- not gratuitously, but in character. We received not a single phone call. Not one little peep. No letters of protest. Nothing. Zero. \"I thought, what a nice sign that is, that a 10 o'clock drama can occasionally access some of the casual profanity that's absolutely familiar to anyone over the age of 7.\" It was yet another content victory for a series that had written the book on controversy, that had famously stood down the watchdog groups and affiliate rejection to survive its first season in 1993-94 and, more than a decade later, outlive virtually all of its critics. But as \"NYPD Blue\" rolls to the end of its 11th and possibly final season, the gritty cop drama has found a foe that it can't compete with in the federal government. The so-called indecency crackdown has hit \"NYPD\" hard, Bochco explains. At ABC's insistence, the show has been forced over the past two months to alter or eliminate visuals in four sex scenes. \"We've also had to dial back some of our language issues,\" he says. Mind you, Bochco relates these facts with more sadness and resignation than outrage, like a man who cannot believe he's still fighting the same battles nearly 25 years after bringing \"Hill Street Blues\" to NBC. He's philosophical about it -- but not at all pleased. \"We unfortunately live in a time where we no longer have broadcasting philosophies,\" Bochco believes. \"We have divisions of giant companies who do staggering amounts of business with the government. Because of their size and responsibility to shareholders, they're prepared to accommodate anything rather than take on the government in ways that could cost money and damage their relationship with advertisers.\" That's the new reality. And what upsets Bochco perhaps more than anything isn't the fact his show has to relinquish hard-won freedoms and water down his product 11 years in; it's that he's the victim of what he sees as mere political jockeying. \"I'd bet my house that the overwhelming majority of politicians banging this drum haven't watched us or anyone else who's being scaled back,\" he believes. \"In typical lemming fashion, it's just, 'Oh boy, here's an opportunity to get some ink, to get my face out there in an election year.' They get to take easy shots at a slow-moving target.\" Bochco suspects that the \"self-appointed cultural arbiters\" will move on to new issues and the crackdown will dissolve after November. \"Every election cycle, this issue rears its head,\" he says. \"But right now, it's as scary as it's ever been. If it doesn't dissolve, this will be 'NYPD Blue's' last year. If we have to keep reining ourselves in like this, it just wouldn't be worth continuing to do the show.\" Bochco perhaps states the obvious when he maintains that you couldn't put an \"NYPD Blue\" on the air today. \"Not a chance,\" he believes. The outrage is that the overwhelming majority of citizens in this country subscribe to cable, and many of those to premium cable. They don't make a distinction between what is free and commercial and what's fee and controversial. To insist otherwise is simply to delude oneself. Then again, they seem to be doing a pretty good job of that in Washington these days."}, {"response": 1189, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 2004 (10:23)", "body": "Thanks for the Met Review...Now if they only had featured YKW;-) \"Jumpers\" Yahoo report. \"Tom Stoppard's \"Jumpers\" opened Sunday at the Brooks Atkinson and has confused everyone I know who's seen it. But it has pulled in nothing but raves across the board, including ones from the New Yorker, the New York Daily News and the all-important New York Times......\" I'm telling ya', not an easy ride."}, {"response": 1190, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 2004 (10:46)", "body": "The US Fever Pitch looks to be a go. From the Boston Herald: Meanwhile, Mass. Film Bureau bigwig Robin Dawson reports Fox Pictures wants to shoot in and around Fenway Park in the late summer for \"Fever Pitch,\" a love story about a boy, a girl and a perpetual losing team! \"It's adorable, I can tell you that,\" Dawson said. The movie, based on the autobiography of \"About A Boy\" scribe Nick Hornby, first hit the big screen in England in 1997 and starred \"Bridget Jones\" stud Colin Firth. It was the story of a British teacher's obsession with his girlfriend and his local soccer team. In the American version, a Bostonian named Ben meets a gal named Lindsey. They fall in love and everything's hunky-dory until baseball season rolls around and Lindsey discovers the horrifying truth: Her boyfriend is a diehard, Nomar-lovin,' Yankees-Suck-chanting, Sox-obsessed psycho. But, as \"Still, We Believe\" so aptly illustrates, there's really no other kind . . . . http://thetrack.bostonherald.com/moreTrack/view.bg?articleid=543"}, {"response": 1191, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 2004 (11:35)", "body": "British teacher's obsession with his girlfriend Actually, wasn't the problem that he *wasn't* obsessed with his girlfriend? Barely had eyes for anything but soccer. The irony about this now is the Sox are in first now, I believe. Maybe they should make it about the Montreal Expos. They'd have a new excuse for having to shoot in Canada vs the US. ;-)"}, {"response": 1192, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 2004 (06:31)", "body": "I thnk this one has some real potential for Colin: Disney Mounting Swiss Family Robinson Remake Wednesday, April 28, 2004 Walt Disney Pictures is mounting a remake of its 1960 family film Swiss Family Robinson, which starred John Mills and Dorothy McGuire, says The Hollywood Reporter. The new project will be set in its original time period, around the beginning of the 19th century. The script will be written by Greg Poirier, whose credits include Rosewood, Gossip and See Spot Run. The classic story, which first originated as a novel by Johann David Wyss, finds the Robinson family washed ashore on an uncharted tropical island following a stormy shipwreck. ;-)"}, {"response": 1193, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 2004 (07:26)", "body": "LOL!!! Welllll.....if most, if not all of Colin's clothes could be washed away rather than washed ashore with them, I'd be *so* there! ;-D"}, {"response": 1194, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 2004 (07:35)", "body": "Dean Jones, here we come ;-)"}, {"response": 1195, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 2004 (10:17)", "body": "Shouldn't this be on CF News? ;-) Good one, Mari. Now, if there were an uninhabited island set somewhere off the District line, I'd say it was a done deal."}, {"response": 1196, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 2004 (11:22)", "body": "Oh, but there is Euro-Disney, a bullet train away. ;-) Good call, Mari! LOL!"}, {"response": 1197, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 2004 (11:53)", "body": "Heads up..... Tina Fey of SNL is being interviewed on NPR's Terry Gross show as I write. She has a new film out but is also giving a very interesting insiders view of the workings of SNL. Especially interesting to me is how decisions are made about what skits make it to the final show."}, {"response": 1198, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 2004 (11:59)", "body": "Check this out, a total hoot! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4146756343#ebayphotohosting goes to Mari's comment about Kelly MacDonald speaking Martian too. ;-)"}, {"response": 1199, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 2004 (12:10)", "body": "LOL! I saw that yesterday and passed it around at work. When we saw it his counter was at 18,000 (and the dress was selling for $241.00)! Today it's over 3 million hits (and $15,000)! Crikey! Was just informed by co-worker when I told her what the count was at that this auction was mentioned on the news last night...this guy is too funny! My favorite bits: I took the liberty of blacking out my face - not to protect the ex-wife but to protect me from my bar buddies and co-workers finding out about it. I would never live it down. Actually I didn\ufffdt think my head would fit in the neck hole, but then I figured she got her Texas cheerleader hair through there I could get my head in it. And this: Ladies, you won\ufffdt regret this. You may regret the dude you marry but not the dress. Thanks Karen! This is too amusing...glad to see the guy may be able to get season tickets to the Mariners (not just the two he was hoping for!)."}, {"response": 1200, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 2004 (12:15)", "body": "I heard this guy was on the Today Show this morning and had the hosts and crew in stitches. Wish I'd known."}, {"response": 1201, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 2004 (12:30)", "body": "(Dorine)LOL!!! Welllll.....if most, if not all of Colin's clothes could be washed away rather than washed ashore with them, I'd be *so* there! ;-D Well, than you for finding the silver lining."}, {"response": 1202, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 2004 (12:46)", "body": "(Beedee) She and Lorne Michaels were on Charlie Rose last night, too. Was too sleepy to listen by the time they got on in the second half. The first guy was too dull. ;-) The repeat is on in a few minutes, maybe I'll try to catch it. And Terry Gross puts her interviews on a web archive, too, I think, so I'll look for it there. Thanks. That ad on eBay is hysterical! Love his add-on posts."}, {"response": 1203, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 2004 (12:46)", "body": "Gah!! Hadn't done that in a while."}, {"response": 1204, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 2004 (13:37)", "body": "From an NBC station, make sure you click on the slide show to see him model the dress from all angles: Man Sells Ex-Wife's Wedding Dress For Beer Biker Tries On Gown For Cameras SEATTLE, Wash. -- An online auction is turning a burly, bearded Seattle biker into a blushing bride. Slideshow: Images Of Biker In Wedding Gown Larry Star is selling his ex-wife's wedding dress. But Star says he needed to show potential buyers what it looked like, so he tried the gown on. Star's wife left him two years ago. She kept the ring, but left the dress. Star was going to burn the dress. But instead, he decided the best way to get revenge was to put the dress up for auction on eBay and make some cash on it. Star has already received around 100 bids on the dress. Among those bids are a handful of marriage proposals. But Star says he will not accept any of those proposals. The gown is a size 12 and sleeveless, the best way to accent Star's tattoos. Star says he plans to use the money from the dress to buy some beer and see a Mariners game. http://www.nbc10.com/news/3245813/detail.html I couldn't find any video on the Today Show site. :-("}, {"response": 1205, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 2004 (13:38)", "body": "(Dorine)And Terry Gross puts her interviews on a web archive, too, I think, so I'll look for it there. Thanks. Fresh Air usually repeats at 3PM EST, as well. That bit about the skits for the final show would be interesting. I remember that was one of the questions I wanted to ask Colin...of course I didn't think of it until the train ride home;-("}, {"response": 1206, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 2004 (20:03)", "body": "Hysterical!!! Love the guy with the wedding dress. Dorine, if most of Colin's clothes washed away, I sure hope he's got some sunscreen (volunteering to administer sunscreen) because that fair English skin will peel off him in strips without something between him and the sun (also volunteering to sacrifice own body to protect ODB from sunburn and other assorted solar induced ills). Geeze, I love you guys!!"}, {"response": 1207, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 2004 (20:44)", "body": "Sorry for the double post... Durr! Almost forgot to thank Sonia for her great birthday poem! DVD of choice for the birthday evening was Advocate. (sigh)"}, {"response": 1208, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 2004 (10:51)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1209, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 2004 (10:54)", "body": "Check your email, Ada."}, {"response": 1210, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 2004 (11:28)", "body": "Before I get old and forget again, here's the birthday lists for May and June... May 2 - Me (yes I'm turning 40..and no I'm not happy;-)) May 7 - LindaK June 7 - Lizza June 14 - Moon June 17 - Beedee June 23 - Shoshana And somewhere in these 2 months is Annette's birthday but she's not saying when:-)."}, {"response": 1211, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May  1, 2004 (10:34)", "body": "40? Been there. Done that. Happy Birthday Ada!"}, {"response": 1212, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sat, May  1, 2004 (14:47)", "body": "Wait wait! I've still got 24 hours, thank you;-D!"}, {"response": 1213, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May  1, 2004 (14:55)", "body": "Ooops! Did I jump the gun again? Good, then I'll continue tomorrow."}, {"response": 1214, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, May  1, 2004 (20:02)", "body": "(Ada)May 2 - Me (yes I'm turning 40..and no I'm not happy;-) LOL, I'm turning 50 and really it isn't so bad. See you tomorrow Ms. Keeps"}, {"response": 1215, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sun, May  2, 2004 (01:40)", "body": "My Ada, my Darling The Mistress of Keeps To be 40 is charming Don't let it give you the creeps. I'd give you a poem if master the words I could but alas, no such talent I have, or I would. Hope your day will be merry with presents and joy so glad, we may share it along with \"our boy\". Ada - congratulations! I'll stick to what I know, and send you my best wishes along with these flowers:"}, {"response": 1216, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May  2, 2004 (10:00)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Ada Aw, you're a babe!"}, {"response": 1217, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May  2, 2004 (10:11)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1218, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May  2, 2004 (10:13)", "body": "Ada, one of your fellow mistresses wanted to wish you a happy birthday, but she was a little busy, tending to her duties: Instead, she's giving you her favorite pet to help you with your responsibilities:"}, {"response": 1219, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, May  2, 2004 (10:41)", "body": "Rupi has nothing on me now! ;-) Ada my dear you keep my things as you keep me: close to your heart. It is with heartfelt delight that I wish you a very Happy Birthday!"}, {"response": 1220, "author": "soph", "date": "Sun, May  2, 2004 (15:57)", "body": "hey ada: mistress of the keeps' not enough for you ? you're gone *spanking* now ? oh well, it seems consistent with the lint roller/rubber glove fad that has developed these past weeks, hey ? let's not rub in (with or without rubber glove) the fact that you turned 40 today. instead, let's celebrate your achievements and give a clear view of your duties to newbies, with a littel help from animatronicolin 3.0 (\"oh god, i'm gonna fail the test and get spanked\" mode on) (btw: forgive the master instead of mistress : it sounded more SIL that way... and i'm getting confused switching from french to english sometimes) **happy birthday Ada !** keep up the good work !"}, {"response": 1221, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May  2, 2004 (16:30)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1222, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May  2, 2004 (16:33)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1223, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May  2, 2004 (16:37)", "body": "His Lord Wessex proudly proclaims himself Defender of Our Lady Keepmistress and All Her Treasures Thou sottish plume-plucked rabbit-sucker! Nay, sir, you shall not toucheth Milady Keepmistress's treasures! One stepeth further and I shall slicest off thy bollocks, roast them til toasty and serveth them to my swine! Verily, though, I feareth they shall still be hungry. Thou mewling lean-witted flax-wench! Dust thou thinketh that thy can offereth up a bribe? A boon? Ye wish snother subject's keep?! Prithee, taketh this hag awayeth! Mayhaps, I must hieth to my sentry duty at the Drool vault: But not until I giveth all a peek at Milady's greatest treasure::"}, {"response": 1224, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Sun, May  2, 2004 (17:47)", "body": "Come along, Bridget! It's time for Ada's Birthday Party!! Happy Birthday, Ava!!! Hope you enjoy your cake! thanks to firth dot com for the picture"}, {"response": 1225, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Sun, May  2, 2004 (19:16)", "body": "Oh, bugger!!! I meant Ada. But you knew that...right?"}, {"response": 1226, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, May  2, 2004 (19:17)", "body": "Darling Ada, if you hadn't given my belt away I wouldn't have had to come to the party with my pants down. Happy 40th Birthday to the loveliest mistress of all."}, {"response": 1227, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, May  2, 2004 (19:26)", "body": "Ain't no river wide enough to keep me from getting to you"}, {"response": 1228, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, May  2, 2004 (19:26)", "body": "Darling Ada, if you hadn't given my belt away I wouldn't have had to come to the party with my pants down. Happy 40th Birthday to the loveliest mistress of all."}, {"response": 1229, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sun, May  2, 2004 (19:59)", "body": "Happy Birthday to the one who protects things most dear. Thank goodness you take better care of important notes than someone else we know\ufffd. Have a fabulous day, Ada!!! (Thank you, Firth.com for the great images)"}, {"response": 1230, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, May  2, 2004 (22:23)", "body": "Oh my goodness! Such a day...roses, chocolates, bare nekkid bums and spanking mistresses! ROFL! I never thought turning 40 would be so much fun! Annette, thank you so much for your lovely poem and roses. Hearing my name from those lips makes me smile too:-) Evelyn, are you sure you didn't you hear my bones creak this morning...my brother said he heard them all the way over in Italy;-)! Karen, ROFLMAO!! Oh wondrous boss...pray tell me where you found such a whip! I need a replacement for my old one;-DD! Moon, mmmm...I love that look of his..thank you. Sophie, I'm loving it..heehee..I got an animatron! Master, mistress, who cares. I got an animatron:-DDD! Thank you so much! Karen, Lord Wessex and a chocolatier?! Oooh, I've died and gone to heaven! Eithne, heh..I knew that...Thank you honey. Now give me back that cardigan;-P! Linda, now honey, I didn't give his belt away. Colin came with his pants down because he knew how much I love his knees;-)! Leslie, heh..if you only saw my notes! Ladies,you are all the wittiest lovliest and most caring Colin compatriots out there! Thank you so much for making my day so special:-)"}, {"response": 1231, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May  2, 2004 (22:36)", "body": "And the best of all possible worlds...a chocolate marble cheesecake with sprinkles! Hope you left room for this!"}, {"response": 1232, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Sun, May  2, 2004 (23:17)", "body": "Ada, As you do for others, I looked around trying to find one of your keeps in honor of your big day. Afraid I fixated on the spoon one: spoon, lips, lips, spoon, do you blame me? Searched high and low for it. My intentions were good, but I guess I got waylaid, didn't find the spoon but found this... Hope it was a happy day! Thanks for being the Mistress of the Keeps, you're a champ! Barb"}, {"response": 1233, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, May  3, 2004 (00:18)", "body": "Keepsmistress Ada, On this, the anniversary of your momentous entry into the world, I bestow unto you a tribute I composed while inspired by one of your keeps. It is but a trifling gift presented as a token of my high esteem. That which thy noble neck enclosed, Has now thy lovely throat exposed. Unrequited, rejected, cast down in dismay; Cravat is unbound and collar torn away. Thwarted passion moistens thy brow; A drop slowly wends its way, and now Near shirt half-shed in agitation Anoints thy suprasternal indentation. Far grander than famed chimney place Is strain\ufffdd emotion afflicting thy face; But shy from her Ladyship\ufffds rude attention Lest thy love meet her gracious condescension! Though thy unhappy repose en dishabille To baser feminine urges may appeal, Thy exposed body reflects thy agony; Both shirt and man are treasured by me! (by me I mean you, since this is a gift to you, though I like both as well!) Happy Birthday Ada!!! Please excuse the very silly, flowery, and overwrought language above. I've been reading far too many historical novels recently. ;-)"}, {"response": 1234, "author": "socadook", "date": "Mon, May  3, 2004 (00:31)", "body": "Surfing the net you\ufffdve found quite a lot Pics, reviews and I know not wot. Thanks for your efforts to search and delight Ada, keepsmistress, to me you\ufffdre alright. This year is Olympic, set your vcr Swimmers \ufffdn divers in speedos aren\ufffdt far. Til then you\ufffdll contend with boxers and tights On Essex and Ware, could more be in sight? Cheasecake \ufffdn chocolates, tomorrow you\ufffdll fast How great to be 40! I was in the past."}, {"response": 1235, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, May  3, 2004 (09:37)", "body": "So WAGW, a cute little 'tween rom-com, is now the epitome of its genre? Apparently Dennie Gordon seems to think so. ;-) Time Is Right for Olsen Twins' 'New York Minute' LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Dennie Gordon is happy to have made the Olsen twins' first major studio feature, \"New York Minute,\" which opens nationwide Friday, even if her joy took a minute or two to set in. \"I knew early on what I was getting into because there was a big huge twins backlash,\" says Gordon, whose credits include \"What a Girl Wants,\" starring Amanda Bynes (news), and \"Joe Dirt,\" starring David Spade (news). \"But there is also this unbelievable jinormous fan base. They are the 600-pound gorillas of all the other girls out there, the Lindsay Lohans, Amanda Bynes, Hilary Duffs and all these girls. They are in a league completely all their own, but there is a backlash.\" Gordon thinks the backlash can be turned around if \"New York Minute\" is a big hit. \"When I met them, they were extraordinary,\" she says. \"I thought this is the next Reese Witherspoon (news) and the next Cameron Diaz (news). If I play my cards right, and we get the script right, I will watch them become movie stars. And they already have a massive target audience and a massive built-in audience, and it's global.\" But, to get there, Gordon and her girls must help continue the return of teen girl movies, sparked by the current No. 1 showing of \"Mean Girls,\" starring Lohan. \"There has been this spate of teen girl movies that have tanked, and I'm sort of proud to say that they were recycled versions of 'What a Girl Wants.' I mean do we really need 'Ella Enchanted' and 'The Prince & Me?' I felt we said everything about that last year with 'What a Girl Wants.\"' Reuters/Hollywood Reporter"}, {"response": 1236, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, May  3, 2004 (09:57)", "body": "Ding Dang it! I missed it!!! So sorry Ada . .due to various technical difficulties at home, seems like I missed the party ! Hmph! Very sorry I missed your actual b\ufffdday. Hope this can make up for it . . . A belated tribute to you: She is mistress of the keeps generous kind wise with patience and foresight she doles out the precious items for our adoration our link to the man himself keeper of the treasures holder of the key to the vault of the items so desired by us all with reverence I write this and bow in supplication to you dear mistress on the occasion of your natal day Hope your birthday was just lovely darling!"}, {"response": 1237, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May  3, 2004 (10:32)", "body": "'Good' deal for Hornby bestseller 04/29/2004 Adam Dawtrey, STAFF LONDON -- Columbia has optioned the movie rights to Brit writer Nick Hornby's bestseller \"How to Be Good,\" for Laura Ziskin to produce. Columbia paid mid-six figures for the option. Ultimate purchase price if the movie is made reportedly exceeds the $3 million Hornby was paid for the film rights to his previous novel, \"About a Boy.\" \"How to Be Good,\" published in 2002, is a complex moral comedy about a couple on the brink of divorce. The wife is a well-meaning doctor whose sense of superiority to her angry, cynical husband is undermined when she has an affair, and he suddenly decides to become \"good\" in the fashion of the Gospels. When that turns out to mean redistributing the family's possessions to the needy and inviting poor people to live in their house, she discovers that she misses the man he used to be. Leslie Morgan, senior VP of production for Laura Ziskin Prods., will shepherd the development, together with Columbia exec VP of production Amy Baer and co-prexy of production Matt Tolmach. His bestselling \"High Fidelity\" was successfully relocated to Chicago for the eponymous Stephen Frears pic starring John Cusack (news); \"About a Boy,\" starring Hugh Grant and directed by the Weitz brothers, kept its original English setting. Hornby's autobio \"Fever Pitch\" was also turned into a low-budget Brit pic, and an American remake is in the works at Fox. Hornby is working on a new novel and is carving out a career as a screenwriter. His original script \"Fast Forward,\" co-written by Emma Thompson, is in development at Working Title, which co-produced \"High Fidelity\" and \"About a Boy.\""}, {"response": 1238, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May  3, 2004 (10:44)", "body": "His original script \"Fast Forward,\" co-written by Emma Thompson, ODB is in the \"click\". ;-)"}, {"response": 1239, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Mon, May  3, 2004 (12:00)", "body": "Ada, Hope you had just a wonderful day....... and here's another wish that you will have a superb year full of fun and frolic with ODB;-) BELATED BIRTHDAY WISHES"}, {"response": 1240, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, May  3, 2004 (15:47)", "body": "(Moon)ODB is in the \"click\". ;-) Yes he is-my thoughts,exactly. Isn't he usually on a movie set, a restaurant, his couch-when he hears about these things?"}, {"response": 1241, "author": "caribou", "date": "Mon, May  3, 2004 (15:57)", "body": "His original script \"Fast Forward,\" Must be a confessional about a Colin Firth fan who is called upon to use that button frequently.:-) It's brilliant really. I can see the sequels now. \"Pause\" -- the Firth Fan has an epiphany and stops using FF button and \"Slo Mo\" when the viewer tries to get on with life after said epiphany but can't.;-) Happy Belated Birthday, ADA! I had dreaded the big 4-0 for so long that it was quite a relief to be 40 and realize the big 5-0 was too far away to worry about.:-) Hope you have a great beginning to your new decade."}, {"response": 1242, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May  3, 2004 (18:29)", "body": "His original script \"Fast Forward,\" (Caribou) Must be a confessional about a Colin Firth fan who is called upon to use that button frequently.:-) It's brilliant really. I can see the sequels now. \"Pause\" -- the Firth Fan has an epiphany and stops using FF button and \"Slo Mo\" when the viewer tries to get on with life after said epiphany but can't.;-) LOL! Brilliant Caribou! You're likely correct. Nick met many of us FFs while on his book tour of the US. I think anytime a women showed up with a Fever Pitch anything, he'd ask, \"Are you a Colin Firth fan?\" OK, the neon sign on my forehead might have been slightly overboard. ;-)"}, {"response": 1243, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, May  4, 2004 (00:37)", "body": "Ohhhhhh noooooooooo...... I feel just awful.....I missed the party! Happy Belated Birthday Ada! I was all 'wrapped up' (seriously!) these past few days! Hope you can forgive me!"}, {"response": 1244, "author": "caribou", "date": "Tue, May  4, 2004 (09:30)", "body": "(Karen)I think anytime a women showed up with a Fever Pitch anything, he'd ask, \"Are you a Colin Firth fan?\" Did he say it in the very British way Peter Webber used to throw me off? \"So, you're a Colin Firth fan, are you?\" \"You like Pride and Prejudice, do you?\" And, don't forget Emma's recent experience with Fervent Firth Fans.;-) It was too hot to sleep last night and I entertained myself with thinking of more movies in the Remote Control Button Series: They could do one with Colin about a luvvie who puts together a perfect career by starting over after every stinker--\"Rewind\". Not sure of the storyline but I thought some might like \"Mute\". If it starred Colin and was NC-17, several might enjoy \"Display\".;-);-);-);-)"}, {"response": 1245, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May  4, 2004 (09:43)", "body": "(Caribou) Did he say it in the very British way Peter Webber used to throw me off? \"So, you're a Colin Firth fan, are you?\" \"You like Pride and Prejudice, do you?\" No, I think it was more direct and to the point: \"Are you a fan of Colin Firth?\" Nick is pretty soft spoken; he seems a man of few words, unlike Webber, who likes to yak, is more demonstrative. Right? Any ideas about a movie called \"Zoom In\"? ;-) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From Empire: New State of Play BBC drama leaps to the big screen 04 May 2004 Last year's essential TV viewing, State of Play is to make the leap from small screen to big. The BBC drama about press and political corruption was adored by critics and won itself a rabid fanbase \ufffd so much so that it sparked a bidding war for the film rights Scott Rudin, most recently the producer of School Of Rock, emerged victorious from the fray, clutching a contract signed by BBC Films head David Thompson. Rumour has it that the story will be Americanised (cue howls of British outrage) and made in the mould of All The President's Men. For anyone not in the know, the plot concerns the efforts of three journalists to uncover a political conspiracy while treading the fine line between fearlessly seeking truth and holding onto their jobs. Paul Abbott, who wrote the series, was initially reluctant to sell the film rights because of concerns that a two-hour adaptation of a six-hour series would be, well, a load of arse. Still, Abbott is now onboard as an executive producer, and he can take comfort from the example of Traffic, which managed to work in both formats. Meanwhile, fans can content themselves with the thought that State of Play 2 is on its way to a TV screen near you. Star Bill Nighy told us recently, \"It\ufffds almost written. I do know the plot and I am not at liberty to divulge it. It\ufffds a cracker, it\ufffds wild, and if it were anybody other than Paul Abbot you\ufffdd think they were insane, but you know that he\ufffdll pull it off.\""}, {"response": 1246, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May  4, 2004 (10:34)", "body": "\"The BBC drama about press and political corruption was adored by critics and won itself a rabid fanbase ..... \"fans can content themselves with the thought that State of Play 2 is on its way to a TV screen near you.\" Not near me. I must be missing something here. I could care less what happens to the disreputable characters in this series, except for Kelly Mac Donald and I can't understand a word she says."}, {"response": 1247, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May  4, 2004 (12:12)", "body": "LOL, Evelyn! I'm with you all the way. BTW, what I want are more period pieces. ;-D"}, {"response": 1248, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May  4, 2004 (12:23)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1249, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, May  4, 2004 (19:27)", "body": "I know that this is against the rules but I got *sasser wormed* this weekend and couldn't get out! So please forgive this late wish as I don't want Ada's cake to get too stale! Glad you had a great day Ada!!"}, {"response": 1250, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Wed, May  5, 2004 (16:17)", "body": "Attended a screening of Troy last night. First off, where was the nudity I was promised? I kept hearing and reading reports that there would be male nudity in this movie. I wasn\ufffdt expecting a full frontal, unless it would be some unknown extra, but at least a bare backside. What I saw was just a sliver of a bare backside, and with very poor lighting! I will admit that what I did see of Brad Pitt\ufffds Achilles, Eric Bana\ufffds Hector and Orlando Bloom\ufffds Paris was drool-worthy \ufffd they really worked out and were amazing looking, but that\ufffds nothing new. I apologize for my previous lackluster response to Brad Pitt \ufffd I guess I\ufffdll have to rent some of his movies. He owned this role. Eric Bana was at last night\ufffds Q&A. He is breathtaking. Very tall. Humorous. Self effacing. And well dressed! There was a teensy part of me that wanted to run my fingers through his thick hair, and telling him that needs a haircut \ufffd I must be getting old. \ufffd He joked about doing publicity with Brad, likening it to being in the Beatles, with him as Ringo Starr (if you saw Oprah on Monday, oh my poor baby Eric). \ufffd He spoke about being offered the role of Hector and how immediately he leapt at the role then seemed to back away thinking who does he think he is to be able to play that role. When he finally met with Wolfgang Peterson (mimicking a German accent), WP asked him which role he was interested in. EB said Hector, and WP replied that lucky for him BP wanted the role of Achilles. \ufffd He had to learn to ride for the role. WP said that Hector rides like the wind, and asked him if he too can ride like the wind. EB said that he thought of bluffing, but decided that he wanted Warner Brothers to pay for his lessons, and that he didn\ufffdt want to shame in his mother-in-law (a dressage rider) in front of her friends. \ufffd There were no stunt doubles for their fight scenes, and yes BP did have to pay him for every unintentional hit \ufffd he thinks it\ufffds $500.00 and that BP injured himself as well. \ufffd The moderator told EB that WP said he was comparable to a young Robert DeNiro and how did he feel about? EB was speechless, he would start to say something, catch himself, eventually saying that it was very nice. And if it were true, how come it wasn\ufffdt reported \ufffd He freely admitted that he doesn\ufffdt have anything lined up next, and has been just relaxing at home in Australia with his family and likes it that way. And did I mention he was great in this role? He is. All the other actors were wonderful. Orlando Bloom, Sean Bean, Brendan Gleeson, Brian Cox, and the brilliant Peter O\ufffdToole. Why doesn\ufffdt this man have an Oscar (not the lifetime achievement kind) or been knighted (is it cause he\ufffds Irish?)? I was crying at his scenes \ufffd well a lot of the scenes, but that\ufffds spoilerish. He has this wonderful line \ufffd and I hope I\ufffdm not mangling it cause I can\ufffdt quote it verbatim, too busy crying at the time \ufffd \ufffdEven enemies deserve respect.\ufffd The way he says it, the way he looks when he says it was just heartbreaking. I liked the fact that all the roles seemed fully realized. You didn\ufffdt have to guess at a back story."}, {"response": 1251, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May  5, 2004 (17:33)", "body": "Thanks, Marianne! I saw Eric Bana on Leno last night. He is easy on the eyes. I had rented a 4 hour Helen of Troy last year and liked it very much. So much, in fact, that I did not see the need to do another one, but I will take your word and see it. But first it's Van Helsing. :-)"}, {"response": 1252, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, May  5, 2004 (20:00)", "body": "Today's New York Times discusses 'Blind Flight' a film playing at the Tribeca Film Festival tonight. It tells the in-depth story of the relationship between Brian Keenan and John McCarthy during their 4 1/2 year ordeal as hostages in Beirut during the 80's. http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/05/movies/05NOTE.html If people remember, the film 'Hostages' was based on this story. Colin played the role of John McCarthy. Seems like this film goes into far grittier detail and may be v. interesting for those seeking more information. As to whether the film will ever make it to distribution.....who knows?"}, {"response": 1253, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, May  5, 2004 (22:14)", "body": "(Leslie)Today's New York Times discusses 'Blind Flight' a film playing at the Tribeca Film Festival tonight. Thanks Leslie, I'll look for that. I think that Hostages is a great film and as the review you pasted states, the subject is very timely. I also recently read Brian Keenan's book which was difficult but touching."}, {"response": 1254, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, May  5, 2004 (22:33)", "body": "Thanks Marianne. Am looking forward to Troy. Moon, did you rent the USA Network's series? I passed when it aired, the TV ads were tolerable I suppose but not handsome enough to tempt me. Leslie, thanks for the NYT article. Hope BF is distributed. (NYT) \"Whore\" (from Spain) is a forced, pseudo-serious study of the world's oldest profession that mixes the observations of (presumably real, mostly female) hookers with a dull fictional subplot starring Daryl Hannah. Something about this sentence just cracks me up. And for those of us Keen on Eddie, Bravo is airing a KE marathon this Saturday starting at 12:00n eastern."}, {"response": 1255, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, May  6, 2004 (01:18)", "body": "Saw it, too, on Monday with Kim and Little Bee. (Marianne) First off, where was the nudity I was promised? The 3 or 4 butt shots (side view mostly) were good for me. And was somewhat fond of the more frontal shots where the frame rested just below his hip bones and *just* above....well, you know where. ;-) More would've been good, too, but what was there was enough to tempt me. ;-) I'm not a particular BP fan, but it's rare to see a body that amazing. :-P And EB was pretty awesome looking, too. Eric Bana was at last night\ufffds Q&A. He is breathtaking. Very tall. Humorous. Self effacing. And well dressed! There was a teensy part of me that wanted to run my fingers through his thick hair, Mmmmm, sounds like my kinda guy, without the haircut. I'm soooooo jealous you had him there. We had WP and the one who played Helen. I remarked to the others that WP seems to have a man-crush on BP. ;-) (if you saw Oprah on Monday, oh my poor baby Eric). LOL, yes I did. He didn't get any time to talk. :-( Funny about the betting on getting hits. As far as the movie goes, I was getting worried by 45 mins that I wasn't all that compelled. Ok, there had to be some intro to the characters, but I couldn't believe I looked at my watch after about 30 mins, then looked again thinking another 45 mins had gone by and it was just 15 mins. :-( It picked up for me when the first major battle ensued between Greeks and Trojans. Virtually flawless CGI in the movie, IMO, esp in the big battle scenes. I was getting tired of all the closeups of BP glowering in or out of helmet in the first hour. I was beginning to think he had only one expression for the whole movie. He branched out later. I mentioned to the others that I wasn't sure if some parts were intentionally or not intentionally humorous. More than occasional and less than frequent snickering around the audience. Though Brian Cox as Agememnon was a hoot. Sean Bean was good and looking pretty good, too, except for an odd poofiness in the top of his hair at times. The best scenes for me were the fight between Hector and Achilles....excellent choreography and impressive that they did it all themselves; and the scene not long after with Peter O'Toole asking for Hector's body back that Marianne referenced. Heartbreaking scene. Oddly enough, many of P 'OT's scenes almost came off almost kinda campy because of his wide-eyed look. That got a few snickers at times. These are the 2 scenes that WP pointed out were his favorites before the film. the brilliant Peter O\ufffdToole. Why doesn\ufffdt this man have an Oscar (not the lifetime achievement kind) Funny, that's the exact conversation several of us were having in the bathroom afterward. WP was supposed to do a Q&A after but did a little one before instead as he had to go do a show on CNN or something, then catch a flight, I think. I found Helen insipid, self-absorbed, naive. Not sure if that's the intention of how Helen should generally come off, but she did to me. The Helen in the miniseries did, too. I asked her for clarification about her portrayal according to what WP wanted without coming right out and asking if she was supposed to be like that, but didn't get enough of the specifics I wanted. I found Saffron Burrows as Hector's wife a tad bit annoying also. Fortunately, she wasn't in it much. It runs 2:40 and I give it a thumbs up after the first 45 mins or hour."}, {"response": 1256, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Thu, May  6, 2004 (11:14)", "body": "I will admit it was a little too long. And that my high opinion of the film was most likely caused by Eric Bana. But yes, my friends and I were snickering over the fact that there were a few too many shots of BP, and why oh why did Paris do what he did, cause we didn't think Helen was worth it. ;)"}, {"response": 1257, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May  6, 2004 (13:19)", "body": "(Marianne), and why oh why did Paris do what he did, cause we didn't think Helen was worth it. ;) That's the question. ;-) (Dorine), The best scenes for me were the fight between Hector and Achilles....excellent choreography and impressive that they did it all themselves Then I guess I'bve seen the best scene already. That's the clip they are milking on the talk shows. (Sonia), Moon, did you rent the USA Network's series? I don't know, but it was 4 hours and I liked it. Do rent it."}, {"response": 1258, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May  6, 2004 (17:09)", "body": "I saw Helen of Troy TV mini with Rufus Sewell and \"Georgiana\" as Cassandra; it was excellent . As was Spartacus with Goran Visnjic:-)))"}, {"response": 1259, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, May  6, 2004 (19:04)", "body": "Here's someone who didn't like HKHWR-- ANDREW Davies had high hopes for his latest Trollope TV adaptation, He Knew He Was Right. There was even talk that it could reach six or seven million. But it managed only four million on Sunday, down 400,000 on the previous week, despite a star cast which included Anna Massey at her most splendidly disapproving of manipulative aunts and promising newcomer Laura Fraser as the suspected wife. It\ufffds a long way from Davies\ufffds Pride and Prejudice, with Colin Firth as Mr Darcy emerging dripping from the lake, which pulled in a massive 12 million. http://news.scotsman.com/opinion.cfm?id=512442004 ...and more on the P&P half-baked remake: Pitt to 'bend it' with Keira in Austen's Pride and Prejudice! New York May 06, 2004 4:04:35 PM IST Hollywood heartthrob Brad Pitt will play the role of the aristocratic Mr Darcy in the latest adaptation of the classic, Pride and Prejudice. Pitt will be seen in the attire of a typical English gentleman of the past, wearing breeches and a waistcoat, according to imdb. Keira Knightley of Bend It Like Beckham fame will star as Jane Austen's intelligent heroine Elizabeth Bennet. The 1995 BBC television adaptation was a huge success worldwide and launched Love Actually star Colin Firth to fame. (ANI) http://www.webindia123.com/news/showdetails.asp?id=37497&cat=Entertainment"}, {"response": 1260, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, May  6, 2004 (19:34)", "body": "http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/arizonaliving/articles/0506people0506.html Ever ready with a quip Hugh Grant was being his puckish self when he recorded the commentary for the newly released DVD Love Actually. Filmmaker Richard Curtis tells the LA Daily News that Grant showed up at the London recording studio \"in very wicked form. His primary aim was to be extremely rude about Colin Firth. \"When we see Colin wearing a turtleneck (sweater), he says, 'He's wearing that because his neck's gone, you know. He has a turkey neck.' And when we see Colin hailing a taxi, Hugh says, 'See, if you don't set him very complicated tasks, he's a wonderful actor.' \" Ed.note-I was really hoping to hear him say, \"bloody Colin\";-)"}, {"response": 1261, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May  6, 2004 (19:40)", "body": "\" Hollywood heartthrob Brad Pitt will play the role of the aristocratic Mr Darcy \" The guy is gonna be 41 in December, fergodsakes. He should be taking \"hunk daddy\" roles;-/"}, {"response": 1262, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May  6, 2004 (22:30)", "body": "LOL, Evelyn. Somebody quick tell Brad that his romantic lead days are over. BTW, that Pitt as Darcy story originated with the ever-reliable (*snort*) imdb and of course all the rags are dutifully regurgitating it. I don't believe it."}, {"response": 1263, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (00:16)", "body": "(Evelyn) I saw Helen of Troy TV mini with Rufus Sewell and \"Georgiana\" as Cassandra; it was excellent . As was Spartacus with Goran Visnjic:-))) Rufus Sewell was a more menacing Agamemnon than Brian Cox, I thought. No humor in RS's characterization if I recall correctly. Kim and I were wondering what happened to Cassandra in the film. And LOL about this thing you have with Mr. Spartacus, GV. Will say you have excellent taste. ;-)) In the miniseries, if I recall correctly, Paris didn't come off as such a cowardly fop and Menelaus wasn't a very strong personality or warrior as they were in the film. (Mari) Somebody quick tell Brad that his romantic lead days are over. OMG, if he's washed up as a romantic lead at 41, then ODB has no hope. ;-)"}, {"response": 1264, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (00:45)", "body": "It's Linda's Birthday!!! (better she than me) So let the festivities begin!"}, {"response": 1265, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (01:55)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Linda Your wish is my command: http://www.fan-sites.org/scans/itw0401-11.html A rose is a rose is a rose, but a Linda-rose should be perfect for you Henry is waiting to have breakfast with you Matt has promised to find a nice restaurant in the South of France, were you can have lunch and while you\ufffdre lunching with Matt, Earnest is getting ready to take you to a grand birthday dinner Hope you\ufffdll have a great day, Linda :-)"}, {"response": 1266, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (04:21)", "body": "Linda, I found this guy, who has something to tell you (I believe he borrowed his words from Shakespeare). LIVE with me, and be my love, And we will all the pleasures prove That hills and valleys, dales and fields, And all the craggy mountains yields. There will we sit upon the rocks, And see the shepherds feed their flocks, By shallow rivers, by whose falls Melodious birds sing madrigals. There will I make thee a bed of roses, With a thousand fragrant posies, A cap of flowers, and a kirtle Embroider\ufffdd all with leaves of myrtle. A belt of straw and ivy buds, With coral clasps and amber studs; And if these pleasures may thee move, Then live with me and be my love."}, {"response": 1267, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (06:02)", "body": "It may be my birthday, but I'm still hard at work trying to tack down this Pitt as Darcy nonsense. Mari, I think your observations are correct: It\ufffds been wall-to-wall Brad and Jen this week, with Jennifer Aniston sobbing over the Friends finale and Brad Pitt baring almost all to promote his new film, Troy, but showbiz insiders can feel a controversy coming on. What are all the Colin Firth fans going to say about Brad snaring his role of Mr Darcy in yet another big screen version of Jane Austen\ufffds Pride and Prejudice? Bend it Like Beckham\ufffds Keira Knightley will play the heroine, Elizabeth Bennet, and a jolly nice job she will make of it. But Darcy was the part that made Firth, who had women around the world swooning over his performance in the 1995 BBC adaptation. Brad is the producer\ufffds favourite, but hasn\ufffdt yet signed on. Perhaps he wants to check out how he looks in a tailcoat and britches.(ed note-quit while your ahead, Brad). http://breakingnews.iol.ie/entertainment/story.asp?j=103402172&p=yx34xz878"}, {"response": 1268, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (06:18)", "body": "I know this is the second double post in 24 hours, but what the hell, you only turn 50, once. Thanks, Karen, for the kick off of festivities. I think I shall go over the hill by rolling down it, slowly, with those gorgeous men who have come so early to take me to breakfast, lunch, and dinner...LOL, better me than you Annette, do you have ESP? How did you know I wanted that man in the grey shirt;-)?? Wow, wot a picture. ODB looks like he's going to jump right out of my computer. But, I must pull myself away so I will be on time to have breakfast with HD. Hmmm, I know what I want on the menu--and it isn't even fattening;-) Then lunch with Matthew in France-oooh la la. I hope I'll still be hungry for Earnest, uh make that hungry for dinner with Earnest... The roses are lovely, and I'd live and be Lord Wessex's love any day of the week."}, {"response": 1269, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (07:41)", "body": "Hey, Ms Crumb Cake.... May the next 50 be as much fun!"}, {"response": 1270, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (07:58)", "body": "\"YESSS! Linda is here! I knew this trip would be worthwhile.\" And here is what he wrote: \"Happy Birthday to Linda, a most devoted member of my fan base. Loyal, intelligent, discerning . . . and hot!\""}, {"response": 1271, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (08:18)", "body": "My dearest, loveliest Linda..... I just had to show up for your big day like you showed up for mine. Had to stop to pick up your present first. I tried to write a poem for you, but the one from Lord Wessex was much more eloquent. So here's a toast to the birthday girl! May you have plenty of your own Mishimooko....Mashimoto....Mati Hari....well, you know. ;-) Happy Birthday, Linda!!"}, {"response": 1272, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (09:15)", "body": "Happy Birthday Linda! I had to take a break from filming to be able to be here with you on your special day as I know you've done for me in the past. Love you lots."}, {"response": 1273, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (09:48)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1274, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (09:49)", "body": "Linda, I'm making up some coffee to start out the day. So grab your birthday mug and relax!"}, {"response": 1275, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (10:34)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Linda!"}, {"response": 1276, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (10:36)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1277, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (10:40)", "body": "Let's see if this works better for Mark's posting:"}, {"response": 1278, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (10:40)", "body": "ROTF! Mark, that is hilarious; let's see if we can get it to show up:"}, {"response": 1279, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (10:48)", "body": "\ufffdSorry Gwendolyn, it\ufffds been nice but today is Linda\ufffds birthday\ufffd: And we all know \ufffdwhat a girl wants\ufffd for her birthday is what she should have: \ufffdHow\ufffds \ufffdbout I pick you up, say around ten, for a late dinner and then some?\ufffd: Have a great day, Linda!!"}, {"response": 1280, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (10:57)", "body": "Thanks, boss"}, {"response": 1281, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (11:08)", "body": "Anytime. There are some pretty funny ones there and some not so funny."}, {"response": 1282, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (12:00)", "body": "Oh my Linda! It\ufffds your Birthday! A good day to remember special events and places of your year\ufffd * * It seems like yesterday that you were on patrol in Rock Center\ufffd * * and that we were wandering around the Rock lobby scoping out a game plan\ufffd. * \"> * and we were having such a good time that I fancy that we might have looked somewhat like this\ufffd * With lots of clothes of course as it was winter"}, {"response": 1283, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (12:01)", "body": "Opps! This is what we might have looked like;-))"}, {"response": 1284, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (12:15)", "body": "You guys are a riot. Evelyn, I can't wait till we break crumb cake together, again. Mari, I'm so glad Colin thought his trip to NY was worthwhile-after all I think Mr. Brown's role was hatched in Nanny's mind that evening...careful what I wish for--Next premiere-no more silly ass grins for me;-)I'll have to remember to be sultry. Dorine, SNL with you was probably the most outrageous night of my 49th year! Hope we have many more ahead. I can't wait to read Jamie's poem. In a few hours I'll be joining Colin for a few Very Dirty California Vodka Martinis-plenty of mishi moshi mashi for me!! Karen, I love my mug of coffee especially since it was prepared so lovingly by AFGMFT (Mr. Fair Trade) Moon, How wonderful that Mr. Brown decided to make his appearance today, and taking a break just for me. I'm so honored! It looks like he's looking for me, too. I think I'll join him for a stroll on that lovely beach. Mark, Oh holy Je--s! Please ask Colin to hang on, I'm on my way. I hope they aren't holding MDB in that shed. How in the world did he get there? Hey, now wait a minute... Actually, if he's being held hostage-he just might not be able to finish NMP? Hmmm. I may need to hold off a bit;-) Mark, you're amazing and I want to know the facts behind the photo. ROTFLOL. Thanks so much for stopping by...and to the boss for assistance. Leslie, Thanks for getting Ernest away from that prissy, possessive Gwendolyn. He's mine, today! And my Henry in those AFGBLP-you really do know what I want. Just imagining HD and me in the limo... Yes, this is turning out to be a pretty amazing day. Thanks so much for all your wishes."}, {"response": 1285, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (12:40)", "body": "BIRTHDAY GREETINGS FROM ACROSS THE POND Have a truly fabulous day Linda and here's to the next frenetic, fantastic fifty years of drooling (hey give that Brad a miss and go get some hunk daddy instead) Have a great day"}, {"response": 1286, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (12:41)", "body": "Knowing how much Linda likes a man in a kilt, it's time for her special birthday entertainment!! Grab your martoonis, here we go! Your own Kiltboy! Phew! I'm not sure how much a 50-year-old can take, but...."}, {"response": 1287, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (12:54)", "body": "That is too funny, Karen! Anyone you know? ;-) Mark, brilliant! And that soldier looks like Jim Caviesel too."}, {"response": 1288, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (13:01)", "body": "*hee hee hee* I think he Highland Flung it off! ;-)"}, {"response": 1289, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (13:51)", "body": "You probably thought I was waiting for the paint to dry before I wished you a Happy Birthday! Not so! I was waiting on this guy....the one you seem so fond of.... He was so busy 'taking care of business' we were a bit late! But then he realized what was truly important in his life and got his booty really in gear... So here we all are...to wish you a very.... ...and too funny Mark! ...and are you certain that that he is a true Scot Karen? I heard they don't wear white g-strings under those things! ;-)"}, {"response": 1290, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (15:08)", "body": "Bee, oh to live March 4,5,and 6th all over again. I'm kicking up my heels like a Rockette just thinking about it. I wonder if any Rockettes are Firthettes? And to think we were together November 5, 6, and 7th. What a year. Lizza, thanks so much for the wishes from across the pond--don't worry--I'll find some way to railroad Brad. Maybe I can offer him up in my hostage negotiations for Colin. You know, exchange The Pretender for the legitmate heir to the throne or vice versa. I'm a bit confused and bothered by that kilt guy! Karen, Oh my giddy Aunt! How on earth does one respond to that? LOL, I'm so discombobulated I just may be using improper english. Looks like he was going to take it all off...however, real men don't, you know. I'm sure Edward Pettigrew didn't;-) Tress, my one handed friend. So glad you could make it...and you brought Johannes and Henry what a combo. I don't know how I'm going to deal with those BLP...while I take care of Henry, eh business. Sorry;-))"}, {"response": 1291, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (15:28)", "body": "The FDA has completed its testing and confirmed that the sheer number of candles on your cake ensures it has no carbs and is South Beach Diet-compliant. So enjoy! You may want to check out this website: http://www.50plusfriends.com/ Please note: you can enlarge the text font size with just a click of the mouse. ;-)"}, {"response": 1292, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (15:38)", "body": "Linda, I wish I could be at your party today, but I\ufffdm filming \ufffdthat nanny movie.\ufffd As you can see, I\ufffdm very enthusiastic about making this film with seven adorable children, all of whom are riding the bus with me to the set. Wot? You don\ufffdt care? Why, surely you realize that the nanny is an archetype in literature, as well as the cinema and television --not that I ever watch television, of course. Here\ufffds a shot of the children with their nanny. Oh, hang on--wrong family! How in the #&*%! did that happen? Well, this illustrates my point of the timeless, universal appeal of a widower and his children in need of a nanny to put things right\ufffd.not to mention the timeless appeal of Julie Andrews. Here we have the uber-nanny, from which all other nannies spring\ufffdagain played by Julie Andrews. Why it\ufffds a veritable nanny leitmotiv: A nanny with magical powers who swoops in and saves the March family. Please don\ufffdt make me spell that super-cal-a-whosis word! Turning our attention to television, there was Phoebe Figalilly, played by Juliet Mills, on a short-lived comedy, The Nanny and the Professor. Perhaps you saw it as a child? No? Ah well, once in a while everyone makes a clinker. The nanny idea was sound. Must have been in a bad time slot\ufffd. With out further ado, I\ufffdd like to introduce Emma Thompson, screenplay adapter and star of Nanny McPhee\ufffd..Er, Emma? Hullo, Emma? Wot do you mean she\ufffds no longer playing the lead? Who could possibly replace her?\ufffd. Who? \ufffd. I have no idea who you are talking about? Fran? And my name\ufffds being changed to Sheffield? Sorry??\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd. Happy Birthday, Linda!"}, {"response": 1293, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (16:05)", "body": "Bridge, wot are you doing??? I\ufffdm just ringing Leenda up on my mobile . .just wanted to wish her the happiest of happy birthdays! Crikey . . .I almost forgot! I\ufffdll just head on over to the party for a bit. . . Hope you have a wonderful one!!!!"}, {"response": 1294, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (16:53)", "body": "I hope that you are having a lovely birthday Linda! I can\ufffdt get our last outing to NYC out of my mind and am amused remembering you thus\ufffd \"> calculating the exact place and positions that our group had to be in at every step of the NBC studio tour so we could be front and center at the window to be able to watch ODB rehearsing! How grateful I was to be the benificairy of your calculations! And then the ultimate prize!! But!!! I do have a great fear that our poor darling boy will look like this at the end of your birthday celebrations\ufffd Enjoy but leave a little for us!! Happy Birthday!"}, {"response": 1295, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (16:54)", "body": "Ach! Those cheap geocities folks! Hope the links works... http://www.geocities.com/thesciencefiles/scipgphoto2.JPG"}, {"response": 1296, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (17:09)", "body": "Linda, you must allow me to wish you a very happy 50th birthday! By the way, I have to agree, the actor they're suggesting for Darcy is the Pitts. ;-) Here's one for Ada. Sorry I missed your big day. You must allow me to properly pose a happy birthday wish to you, too!"}, {"response": 1297, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (17:51)", "body": "Before I continue my thank yous'...My step-son just stopped by and you won't believe it. I'm now the proud owner of a Colin Firth pillow case and T-shirt all the way from E-bay. He even bought a new pillow to display it! Like his dad, he's a gem. This could be the start of a new premiere tradition;-) I'm going out for a few hours with the other gem...the DH...must keep him happy as I will be v. busy later on with YKW. I will apologize in advance if, when I return, I'm a bit squiffy? squishy? Well anyway, I'm off to have those dirty mishi moshi mikooko martinis. See you all later, and party on party on. I will share ODB with all of you while I'm gone, but remember when I get back...off you go;-)Grazie and Ciao, for a bit, dahlings. LOL, Karen. I know you have such \"noble intentions\", but are you implying that I might need larger font because my eye sight has gone? (remember what goes round, comes round)*singing...I'll be with you in apple blossom time*.... And the cake, Lousia. I'm going to need NMP, Mr. Brown and all seven children to help me put out the fire on that one. Maybe I should blow out those candles before the martinis, no? But thank goodness it's South Beach approved...I'm dying for cake, literally! Lisa, our darling looks so depressed on the Nanny set...I'll think of something to cheer him up. Guess wot, being 50...I remembered everyone of those freakin Nannies. I can't believe another one is added to the mix. I wish to thank Julie for starting the whole mess and for stopping by.**sheesh** Kim, OMG. Mark Darcy-my all time favorite...and he's walking the walk to my party. Oh what that man makes me wanna do. Oh, and thanks to Bridget, too. But she'll have to move on for the evening as I'm going to be v. busy and important. Bee, Bee, Bee...let me tell you--getting Colin to look like poor tortured Ben will be my ultimate pleasure;-) I'm so glad you liked my little NBC tour within a tour. I sure hope all the old timers that we knocked over and that one little boy on crutches that Leslie mowed down are all in recovery. Is that cake carb-free? Well I'll have some anyway since the boss's cake is now barbecued with all those candles. Lora, OH my! Colin wishing me a happy day from Rome. Brava. Now I'll be able to have him whisper sweet Italian nothings in my ear all night long."}, {"response": 1298, "author": "sabineh", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (17:52)", "body": "LINDA ! *** Herzlichen Gl\ufffdckwunsch and Happy Birthday *** What a start: Yesterday I joined drool and today I can celebrate your birthday !!! Hurrahhh !"}, {"response": 1299, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (17:56)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1300, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (18:26)", "body": "Hmmmm...so it's the Troublemaker's birthday eh? And she's 50 not 40? Well for this extra special day I'd better get out the good pics;-)! You say it's Linda's birthday...do you think she'd mind if I came to the party all hot and sweaty? I'd be there already if I could just find my bloody robe! Uhm, Sammy...have you seen my ring? Lord, I have to play piano at ANOTHER birthday party? Am I going to get paid this time? ed note. Okay so this is my spoon but I couldn't find one with yours...deal with it;-)! I've lost my shirt! If he's coming without a shirt I'd better the smelling salts HAH! I've got my shirt;-)! Aurelia,I can't play with you anymore...I want to play in Linda's paddling pool now. And last but not least;-) Wot do you mean I can't have the coat? Ah, Linda has it. No? Karen does? No, Linda...no,Karen. Dammed coat..I'm getting dizzy..just tear the thing in two! Hope you've had a great day Linda! with very grateful thanks to Firthissimo,the Bucket and several other places"}, {"response": 1301, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (19:06)", "body": "Happy 50th Linda. You're not getting older you're getting better. Did you have a party like Oprah to celebrate?"}, {"response": 1302, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (20:23)", "body": "I've been toying with it all day... fingers on lens yearning...fantasizing And after much reflection Realize I can only be happy by spending this day with the special birthday girl Linda! Happy 50th Dear Leeenda!!!"}, {"response": 1303, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (22:28)", "body": "Ok, Ok, I'm back and feeeling quite squiffy and squishy. Bine, Welcome and thank you for the birthday wishes. You are so not a newbie in posting. It took me months to learn how to do that. I lost sleep over Colin's first birthday. Ada, yes it's the troublemaker's birthday...so what of it? huh? I can't believe you have chronicled all my keeps. I can't believe I'm still trying to spell after 3, count em, 3 dirty martinis and a port wine....Oh lord. I'm trying to be so good, here. All my keeps were trouble but legit. LOL, I've even forgotten a few of them, but nevertheless, I love Colin, FWD, Mark, Johannes, HD, Matthew, Peter and Ernest...all hot and sweaty, and that spoon is mine--all mine-so is the coat and the shirt and and...oh just wait till I wreak havoc on you in 2005. I'm claiming Mr. Brown--all of him. Remember, dahling--age before...well you know. Maria, oh wot can I say? Toying, Reflecting, Fantisizing, and Remembering. And the yearning, Lousia, the yearning...Actually, the yearing sums it all up!!;-)) Love your wishes, Lucie. Oprah can only hope she's had a birthday like this."}, {"response": 1304, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (22:29)", "body": "Annette, did you realize the significance of the poem you attributed to Shakespeare via Wessex? It was a hilarious and v. clever joke. The Passionate Shepherd to His Love was written by Christopher Marlowe, the rival of Shakespeare and the mistaken enemy of Wessex. I don't know if you did that intentionally, but it has delighted me all day! Linda, I just couldn't think of anything clever for your 50th birthday celebration. I wanted to find something that best expressed the excitement of the last year, but I think that's been done supurbly by the other DDs. A birthday cake from one of my baking idols seemed like a good beginning. And AFG pics of Colin are always nice. Then I tried to think about one thing that was particularly noteworthy and came upon an interesting fact that, I think, qualifies as one of what Kim would call a Karmic Colin Firth Sign. There was a full moon at the time of the LA premiere. There was a full moon for SNL. And this week has had this month's full moon, nearly coinciding with your birthday. So, it only seemed right to give you the full moon in all its glory... (Please forgive me, Boss, if I just broke Drool's rules of decency.) Happy Birthday Linda!!!"}, {"response": 1305, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (22:30)", "body": "Crap. Sorry."}, {"response": 1306, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (22:31)", "body": "Is that better? *Sigh*"}, {"response": 1307, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (22:54)", "body": "Is there decency here? If so, I'm in the wroonnnnng place. ;-)"}, {"response": 1308, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (23:00)", "body": "ARG! I'm following the full moon with simple wishes for (or at this point congratulations on) a very happy birthday! Sounds like it's been a good one, hope it will set the tone for an enjoyable year to come!"}, {"response": 1309, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (23:12)", "body": "Alert! It's Linda's B'day!!!! (OK . .now due to the time, it is just after her b'day) But I forgot to give you one of your gifts . . For the next time you are in NYC . .we can get come coffee right by 30 Rock . .perhaps you'll spot another tall, handsome stranger walking by!!!"}, {"response": 1310, "author": "socadook", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (23:23)", "body": "Out of the Blue in 2002 You decided to delurk It may seem insane yet we are the same For Matthew we go beserk Doing your part right from the start To bring Ernest some success Let it be known to those who are grown To you Darcys are the best The BLP kept you in a transe WAGW is on your shelf Live on a Saturday you found the way To see the man himself Go on celebrate (so sorry I'm late) Share with Peter your martini Happy Birthday Linda, as they say in Italia Ma? 50 anni!"}, {"response": 1311, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  7, 2004 (23:33)", "body": "The Passionate Shepherd to His Love Was the subject of one of my favorite Valentines. It had the requisite pastoral scene on the front, with the line, \"Come live with me and be my love. (yadda yadda) \" Inside it said, \"But you have to marry me first.\" ;-) (Shoshana) if I just broke Drool's rules of decency. Afraid so. It separates this place from *cough* other classless places. ;-)"}, {"response": 1312, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, May  8, 2004 (00:14)", "body": "Shosh, all full moons on those dates? Wow. A karmic Colin in all his glory is always in order;-)I've always believed that full moons were a sign. I just can't remember why?? Kim, Dean and Delucas is the new official Reiki headquarters! Dorine, is there decency anywhere? Sonia, such a verse...a true summation of all my days, here! Oh, having seen the man himself live on a Saturday Night still makes me tingle;-) And now, a party favor for each of you to take home and put under your pillow... And good night"}, {"response": 1313, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, May  8, 2004 (00:20)", "body": "Lets try that again,"}, {"response": 1314, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, May  8, 2004 (07:33)", "body": "(Linda) A karmic Colin in all his glory is always in order;-)I've always believed that full moons were a sign. I just can't remember why?? I thought it was rain that was the Karmic Colin sign. ;-)"}, {"response": 1315, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, May  8, 2004 (08:19)", "body": "Barb, I didn't mean to leave you out. Thanks for the wishes. I was a bit squiffy and squishy in the early AM. Hope you enjoyed your party favor."}, {"response": 1316, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, May  8, 2004 (09:05)", "body": "(Linda)Lets try that again, *Thud*! The face that launched a thousand....(oh millions!) posts! Thanks for the party favor!"}, {"response": 1317, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, May  8, 2004 (14:05)", "body": "Annette, did you realize the significance of the poem you attributed to Shakespeare via Wessex? It was a hilarious and v. clever joke. The Passionate Shepherd to His Love was written by Christopher Marlowe, the rival of Shakespeare and the mistaken enemy of Wessex. I don't know if you did that intentionally, but it has delighted me all day! Shoshana, I'm afraid I was mislead :-( But - it can't be all bad, having provided you with a days delight :-) I own the Stratford Shakespeare, but decided to search online, so not to have to type it all. This is were I found the poem: http://www.bartleby.com/70/index2.html Linda, it was a great pleasure to attend your birthdayparty. So many wonderful guests :-)"}, {"response": 1318, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sat, May  8, 2004 (15:31)", "body": "Anette . .as another intersesting aside to that wonderful poem by Marlowe . . Sir Walter Raleigh had written a response: The nymph's reply to the shepherd If all the world and love were young, And truth in every shepherd's tongue, These pretty pleasures might me move To live with thee and be thy love. Time drives the flocks from field to fold When rivers rage and rocks grow cold, And Philomel becometh dumb; The rest complains of cares to come. The flowers do fade, and wanton fields To wayward winter reckoning yields; A honey tongue, a heart of gall, Is fancy's spring, but sorrow's fall. The gowns, thy shoes, thy beds of roses, Thy cap, thy kirtle, and thy posies Soon break, soon wither, soon forgotten,\ufffd In folly ripe, in reason rotten. Thy belt of straw and ivy buds, Thy coral clasps and amber studs, All these in me no means can move To come to thee and be thy love. But could youth last and love still breed, Had joys no date nor age no need, Then these delights my mind might move To live with thee and be thy love. http://www.luminarium.org/renlit/nymphsreply.htm"}, {"response": 1319, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Sat, May  8, 2004 (23:20)", "body": "Oh, Gawd! I can't believe I missed Linda's Birthday! Please forgive me, Linda? You DO forgive me?? YES!! Hope it was a great one!"}, {"response": 1320, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, May  9, 2004 (10:11)", "body": "To all the Moms Enjoy the day!"}, {"response": 1321, "author": "lupa", "date": "Sun, May  9, 2004 (13:16)", "body": "this is a quickie - just wanted to wish all the moms on Drool a VERY happy Mother's Day. i'm grateful my own mom exposed me to you all! and most importantly: HAPPY MOMMALA DAY, BEEDEE"}, {"response": 1322, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Sun, May  9, 2004 (13:56)", "body": "Down With Love was on the TV last night and I was only half listening while busy with other things. I was ab-so-lute-ly stunned at one point when I could have sworn it was not Ewan McGregor but rather ODB doing his Cold Mountain skit from SNL. I think it was the best part of the movie!"}, {"response": 1323, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, May  9, 2004 (15:20)", "body": "Sandy - re: Down With Love I love that movie . .it's so so cute and kitchsy . .i got it on DVD b/c I loved EM & RZ performances . . . The outtakes were hilarious on the DVD as well as the cute little song/music video that RZ & EM do at the end . ."}, {"response": 1324, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, May  9, 2004 (18:23)", "body": "Thanks, Eithne Plese no tears from Colin Ware...can't have those gorgeous eyes all puffy and red. Happy Mother's Day, ladies"}, {"response": 1325, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May  9, 2004 (19:53)", "body": "Sandy - re: Down With Love (Kimberly)I love that movie . .it's so so cute and kitchsy Me too. But that makes only three of us;-(( I just saw \"Ella Enchanted\". The Guardian called Hugh Dancy \"the next Colin Firth\". Escapes me....but what do I know."}, {"response": 1326, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, May  9, 2004 (20:35)", "body": "Happy Mother's Day!! Some Tribeca FF notes..... Went to the House of D premiere Friday night, debut film from David Duchovny as writer/director. Have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Ironically I bought a ticket not expecting much. Turns out I liked it very much. I just read on the imdb message board that it was picked up by Lions Gate (or rather, Lyin Gate ;-)), grabbed before it was screened on Friday. It's the first film ever to be bought at the TFF in its 3 years of existence. Stars of the movie who were there.... DD (small role..in beginning and a little more at the end), Robin Williams and his daughter Zelda (very cute girl, decent little actress), Magali Amadei (I don't know her), Orlando Jones (chewing gum like a hyperactive cow). Tea Leoni was in it, but wasn't there. The story is about DD's character as a 13 year old. TL played the boy's mother and it was the first thing I've seen that I've ever liked her in. To kill time before it started, I went out to watch other stars arrive on the red carpet including Billy Crystal (posing for cameras like one does running stops at stop signs, never truly stopping completely, at least at the beginning...but not so bad as Rowan Atkinson at the LA premiere by blowing straight through. ;-)), Julianne Moore and her DH, Tim Blake Nelson, Tim Daly, and much to my surprise Christopher Reeve and his family. http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=GLS====61528&nbc1=1&str=&styp=&sfld=&sortval=3a&PageNum=1 One of my panels, Sex and the Cinema was good. Had John Cameron Mitchell (Hedwig and the Angry Inch), Kimberly Peirce (Boys Don't Cry), Steven Shainberg (Secretary), and Glenn Close subbing for Sharon Stone who didn't show for some reason. Moderated by someone at NY Times. Got into discussion of the totally arbitrary rulings by the MPAA. Steven Shainberg kept bringing up Young Adam as he'd just seen it the night before and was surprised at the rating it got for the little bit (not literally ;-)) that was shown of EM. Porn frequently popped up into the discussion, too. JCM talked about the film he's currently filming. I suspect it will end up Unrated, if not NC-17. My other panel on Creativity on Cable wasn't nearly as interesting, though had good people...Edie Falco, Kim Catrall, Tom Fontana (creator of TV shows Oz and Homicide), Tim Daly, and another guy who develops shows. The moderator, again from the Times, was awful. Almost as bad as Janet Maslin. The Sex panel made me late for another premiere of Stage Beauty with Claire Danes, Billy Crudup, and Rupert Everett. Got in the waitlist line and they let the last 12 of us into the theater, *then* told us there was no room, to go to the other theater showing it. I just went home. Long day, I was beat. Seems women's rooms are the place to talk about how amazing an actor Peter O'Toole is. Heard another one after a screening of a remastered print of Becket. I am aghast this man has never won a real Oscar. And what a film."}, {"response": 1327, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, May  9, 2004 (20:37)", "body": "(Sandy) - re: Down With Love (Kimberly)I love that movie . .it's so so cute and kitchsy (Evelyn) Me too. But that makes only three of us;-(( Make that 4. I just watched that again a few weeks ago. I love it...the music, the colors, the campiness."}, {"response": 1328, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, May  9, 2004 (22:29)", "body": "Dorine - thanks for the TFF update . .let me know how you like Stage Beauty . .that was the only one I was interested in seeing . .but my dang schedule is not permitting me to get down there . . Hurrah for fellow DWL fans!;) . .now it makes me want to watch my DVD again;)"}, {"response": 1329, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, May  9, 2004 (22:34)", "body": "(Sandy) - re: Down With Love (Kimberly)I love that movie . .it's so so cute and kitchsy (Evelyn) Me too. But that makes only three of us;-(( (Dorine) Make that 4. I just watched that again a few weeks ago. I love it...the music, the colors, the campiness. Me five!! Own DVD and watch it frequently! Great wardrobe! Cheeeeesy and funny!"}, {"response": 1330, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 10, 2004 (00:09)", "body": "Got into discussion of the totally arbitrary rulings by the MPAA. Arbitrary? Huh? I'd say they're totally predictable. Steven Shainberg kept bringing up Young Adam as he'd just seen it the night before and was surprised at the rating it got for the little bit (not literally ;-)) that was shown of EM. Yes, literally. It was a little bit and, if you blinked, you missed it."}, {"response": 1331, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, May 10, 2004 (01:31)", "body": "(Karen) Yes, literally. LOL, now I was trying not to sound insulting to EM. It wasn't that little of a bit. ;-) Arbitrary? Huh? I'd say they're totally predictable. You might not say that after hearing some of the reasons they each heard for getting or not getting certain ratings, or what they had to cut out or do to get a certain rating. Sometimes what one had gotten through, another didn't, with really no difference between them. Kimberly Peirce and Steven Shainberg both mentioned how they were told they had too many thrusts (she did) during sex or too many....\"uh's\" during the spankings (he did) and to cut one, or two, or etc out. They said they just turned down the sound a bit on those parts or cut a thrust and kept one as a fade out and got it through on the next MPAA viewing....then turned up the sound again on the final print, LOL! They also said the rulings are handed down not in writing, but by word of mouth. The board doesn't write anything down. If anyone saw this week's Ebert and Roeper, about halfway through they mentioned a film called Valentin (valenteen), a Dutch/Argentinian production, set and filmed in Argentina. I saw it in class a few weeks ago and highly recommend it. Subtitled. A real gem. The kid in it was fantastic, so endearing."}, {"response": 1332, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, May 10, 2004 (01:34)", "body": "(Kimberly) .let me know how you like Stage Beauty . .that was the only one I was interested in seeing . .but my dang schedule is not permitting me to get down there . . I didn't get in to see it Sat night and the Fest was over Sunday night."}, {"response": 1333, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 10, 2004 (11:12)", "body": "Tony noms arrounced. From Playbill: Wicked, Frozen, I Am My Own Wife, Caroline, Oz Among 2004 Tony Nominees By Kenneth Jones 10 May 2004 Wicked, the new musical about the origin of the Wicked Witch of the West, from the \"Oz\" tales, earned 10 Tony Award nominations, announced May 10. Honoring work on Broadway in the 2003-04 season, the 58th annual Tony nominations spotlighted (in Best Play category) two recent Pulitzer Prize winners: Nilo Cruz's Anna in the Tropics and Doug Wright's I Am My Own Wife (the former has closed), which were nommed along with Frozen and William Nicholson's now-closed The Retreat From Moscow. The Best Musical nominees include Wicked (in which the leading ladies who play witches are in competition as Best Actress), Avenue Q and Caroline, or Change (which both began life Off-Broadway) and The Boy From Oz (an Australian import retooled for Broadway and starring matinee idol Hugh Jackman). The 58th Annual Tony Awards will be presented Sunday, June 6 at Radio City Music Hall. The Boy From Oz's Hugh Jackman will return as host for the annual event, which will be broadcast live on CBS-TV, 8-11 PM ET. The nominees, announced approximately 8:30 AM (ET) from the Hudson Theatre in Manhattan, include: Best Play Anna in the Tropics Frozen I Am My Own Wife The Retreat from Moscow Best Musical Avenue Q Caroline, or Change The Boy From Oz Wicked Best Revival of a Musical Assassins Big River Fiddler on the Roof Wonderful Town Best Revival of a Play A Raisin in the Sun Henry IV Jumpers King Lear Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play Kevin Kline, Henry IV Frank Langella, Match Jefferson Mays, I Am My Own Wife Christopher Plummer, King Lear Simon Russell Beale, Jumpers Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play Eileen Atkins, The Retreat from Moscow Tovah Feldshuh, Golda's Balcony Anne Heche, Twentieth Century Swoosie Kurtz, Frozen Phylicia Rashad, A Raisin in the Sun Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play Essie Davis, Jumpers Sanaa Lathan, A Raisin in the Sun Margo Martindale, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Audra McDonald, A Raisin in the Sun Daphne Rubin-Vega, Anna in the Tropics Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical Hunter Foster, Little Shop of Horrors Hugh Jackman, The Boy From Oz Alfred Molina, Fiddler on the Roof Euan Morton, Taboo John Tartaglia, Avenue Q Best Director of a Play Doug Hughes, Frozen Moises Kaufman, I Am My Own Wife David Leveaux, Jumpers Jack O'Brien, Henry IV Best Director of a Musical Joe Mantello, Assassins Kathleen Marshall, Wonderful Town Jason Moore, Avenue Q George C. Wolfe, Caroline, or Change Total Tony Award nominations (by show): Wicked - 10 Assassins - 7 Avenue Q - 6 Caroline, or Change - 6 Fiddler on the Roof - 6 Henry IV - 6 The Boy From Oz - 5 Wonderful Town - 5 Frozen - 4 Jumpers - 4 A Raisin in the Sun - 4 Taboo - 4 Bombay Dreams - 3 I Am My Own Wife - 3 The Retreat From Moscow - 3 Anna in the Tropics - 2 Big River - 2 King Lear - 2 Never Gonna Dance - 2 Twentieth Century - 2 Little Shop of Horrors - 1 All noms here: http://www.playbill.com/news/article/86063.html"}, {"response": 1334, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, May 10, 2004 (13:32)", "body": "(Dorine)If anyone saw this week's Ebert and Roeper, about halfway through they mentioned a film called Valentin This is supposed to come to our little Princeton theater. I will see it if it makes it here. Thanks, Dorine for being our gal on the spot at TFF. Karen, thanks for the Tony noms."}, {"response": 1335, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 10, 2004 (14:25)", "body": "David Leveaux, Jumpers YES! I get to glimps my sweetie again. :-) He looks so hot in a tux. Thanks for the TFF update, Dorine!"}, {"response": 1336, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 11, 2004 (10:21)", "body": "I didn't see the first series, but I heard it was v.g. On Sundance though: Altman, Trudeau to Do 2004 Sequel to 'Tanner '88' NEW YORK (Reuters) - Director Robert Altman and Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Garry Trudeau will create a sequel to \"Tanner '88,\" their television series satirizing the U.S. presidential campaign, to run before the November election, the Sundance Channel said on Monday. The yet-to-be-named series of three episodes will reunite original cast members Michael Murphy, Pamela Reed, Cynthia Nixon and Matt Malloy, the cable channel said. Shot in a satirical faux-documentary style, \"Tanner '88\" followed fictional Democratic presidential candidate Jack Tanner, played by Murphy, against the backdrop of the actual 1988 presidential race. The show played up the seedy side of politics and the media, touching on such scandals as damaging sexual dalliances, political backstabbing and back-room deal-making. The new series, which is set to run in October, centers on Tanner's daughter Alex (Nixon), a documentary filmmaker seeking funding for a film about running for the White House and the toll it takes on those who lose. It promises to blur the line between factual and dramatic and will feature Tanner interacting with real candidates from the present day, the cable network said. Like the first series, the new shows will be written by Trudeau, who won the 1975 Pulitzer for his satiric comic strip \"Doonesbury,\" and directed by Altman, a five-time Oscar nominee for best director."}, {"response": 1337, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 11, 2004 (10:39)", "body": "A bit more detail from THR: Face time for 'Tanner' redo on Sundance By Andrew Wallenstein NEW YORK -- Sundance Channel has greenlighted an original update of Robert Altman's political satire \"Tanner '88.\" The director will reteam with cartoonist Garry Trudeau and actors Michael Murphy, Cynthia Nixon and Pamela Reed for three new episodes to air in October, just before the U.S. presidential election. Earlier this year, Sundance rebroadcast \"Tanner,\" a groundbreaking interweaving of scripted and reality storytelling that followed the fictional presidential campaign of the titular candidate. \"Tanner\" originally aired on HBO in 1988. \"Garry and Robert's renewed interest in this project is a testament to how well Tanner's story holds up almost 20 years later,\" Sundance Channel president and CEO Larry Aidem said. The new version will be directed by Altman and written by Trudeau, with the two serving as executive producers with Adam Pincus, senior vp on-air and original programming at Sundance Channel. Matthew Seig and Wren Arthur of Sandcastle 5 Prods. will produce. The untitled update will catch up with the original characters 16 years later as Tanner's daughter Alex, played by Nixon before she went on to fame on HBO's \"Sex and the City,\" shoots a documentary about the presidential campaign. Altman will shoot Murphy appearing in character as Jack Tanner at the actual Democratic National Convention in Boston in July. Production on the limited series begins next month. The actors had previously shot new footage for interstitials that ran on Sundance with the 1988 series. Also returning are Reed as campaign manager TJ Cavanaugh and Matt Malloy as Deke Connors."}, {"response": 1338, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 11, 2004 (11:37)", "body": "From THR: Warners sews up deal for 'Button' Warner Bros. Pictures has boarded Paramount Pictures' long-gestating adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's \"Benjamin Button.\" Warners will co-finance and co-produce the feature, with Paramount handling domestic and Warners taking on international rights to the film. David Fincher has a three-month holding deal to direct the project. But several producers around town are holding their breath to see which project Fincher actually directs next. The \"Fight Club\" helmer has been associated with a variety of projects, including Phoenix Pictures' film about the so-called Zodiac Killer, DreamWorks' \"The Lookout\" and the remake of \"The Reincarnation of Peter Proud.\" Eric Roth wrote the most recent draft of \"Benjamin Button\" with previous writers including Robin Swicord. The \"Button\" project has been in development for some time and has attracted the interest of several directors over the years, including Gary Ross, Spike Jonze, Ron Howard and Phil Alden Robinson. \"Benjamin Button\" follows an old man who starts aging b ckward. When he hits 50, he falls in love with a 30-year-old and must come to terms with the situation. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hmmm, probably something for Ashton Kutcher. ;-)"}, {"response": 1339, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Tue, May 11, 2004 (11:46)", "body": "Going back to the Tony awards discussion, have they had a nominee presenting before? Surely they knew HJ was going to be considered in his category? Oh dear SRB up against some tough opposition."}, {"response": 1340, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, May 11, 2004 (12:35)", "body": "Lizza, Hugh will be the master of ceremonies, and they'll have other people actually presenting each award. I think he's a shoo-in, and deservedly so--yummy! I think SRB's main competition will be Kevin Kline, who got raves, but then again so did SRB, so that's a tight race. Nice to see eileen Atkins in there, too. Here's Time mag's review of Troy--I am *so* there!:-) That's What You Call A Homer By RICHARD CORLISS Monday, May. 10, 2004 The Greeks had a word for it: hubris. But Brad Pitt's Achilles wears it well. Whether he slices through a horde of Trojan soldiers or blithely decapitates a statue of Apollo or struts naked through a tent \ufffd his elaborately muscled body a perfect subject for sculptor Praxiteles and already gold-plated by the sun \ufffd he gives a sense of the beast god luxuriating in his earned star quality. \"I've known men like you my whole life,\" says the defiant virgin Briseis (Rose Byrne). \"No, you haven't,\" Achilles replies, not as a boast but as a warning and a promise from a war stud. Some of Achilles' nerve comes in handy for anyone trying to make Homer's Iliad sing and swagger in a 2-hr. 40-min. movie. Director Wolfgang Petersen, writer David Benioff and their cohort just about pull it off. In this vigorous, stalwart epic, they blend martial breadth and emotional intimacy, honor and obsession, romance and machismo to show the glamour and folly of war. Old men plot; young men die; strong women weep. The old men are Agamemnon (Brian Cox), a greedy Greek with an addiction to regime change, and Priam of Troy (Peter O'Toole), whom melancholy has made too wise. Priam's younger son Paris (Orlando Bloom) has run off with Helen (Diane Kruger), legendarily gorgeous young wife of Agamemnon's brother Menelaus (Brendan Gleeson). Agamemnon and Odysseus of Ithaca (Sean Bean) lead a siege of Troy, and the kingdoms' best warriors \ufffd Achilles and Hector (Eric Bana) \ufffd are fated to fight it out. A war film needs battles, and Troy has nearly a dozen of them, employing arrows, spears, great balls of fire rolling down a slope to crush the enemy. The beach blitz has Achilles and his Myrmidons capturing the territory for Agamemnon in an Omaha Beach \ufffd like assault (Saving Priam's Rival). But thousands fighting thousands is war; man fighting man is drama. Troy boasts plenty of good old Hellenic fist power. Paris vs. Menelaus, Hector vs. Ajax the Great, Achilles vs. Hector \ufffd it's a dream card at Madison Square Garden, and the movie choreographs each set-to with burly ingenuity. This is The Iliad as a WWE SmackDown: violent fights, snappy insults and a connoisseur's idolatry of beautiful brawn. (Who knew Greece had so many blonds?) When Paris cringes from Menelaus and hugs Hector's sturdy leg, it's as if he thinks he can turn a one-on-one brawl into a tag-team match. In an outdoor epic, everyone has to look great, and everyone does here \ufffd fit for battle (the guys) or for bed (the women). Pitt and Bana carry the film on their dishy delts. Bloom is so winsome as Paris that he almost makes the cowardly girly-man a teen idol. And for echoes of epics past, Troy has David Lean's Lawrence and Lara: O'Toole, sere and majestic, and Julie Christie as Achilles' mother Thetis. What gives Troy its maturity is its refusal to take sides. Who's the hero here? Achilles? If so, he's a tragic one. Hector? He's on the losing side. For all its surface glorifying of war bravery and the brooding introspection it allows the leads, the film's view is from above, where the gods watch men kill one another for real estate and destroy the land they would occupy. This August, Greece, which gave birth to the poetics of war, will try to stage an athletic competition in which no one dies. But for a smart take on why men need to compete and combat, Athens won't be able to top TROY. And for movies, this is the summer game to beat."}, {"response": 1341, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 11, 2004 (12:47)", "body": "(Mari) Hugh will be the master of ceremonies, and they'll have other people actually presenting each award. Plus he's going to have to perform as well, with the Boy from Oz being nominated for Best Musical (won't win, of course), there will be a production number. *yippee* Poor Evelyn. She really wanted us to see Wicked and I wouldn't go. ;-)"}, {"response": 1342, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 11, 2004 (12:57)", "body": "(Karen)Poor Evelyn. She really wanted us to see Wicked and I wouldn't go. ;-) Aw, that's alright; I'm goin end of May. Big shut-out for Sly....LOL, I'm seeing it too;-)"}, {"response": 1343, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, May 11, 2004 (14:03)", "body": "Speaking of Troy, went to sidewalk gawk at the premiere last night with Risa (Little Bee). Risa was hoping to get some decent pics of Eric Bana. Many fans there for Orlando Bloom, including some git behind us (she's not a git just b/c she's an OB fan, she was just freakin' annoying with the crap she was talkin'). Risa told her she didn't think OB was coming. The girl insisted that OB would be there last night as she and her friends had \"just happened\" (*snort*) to run into him, *and* Brad Pitt downtown yesterday. Gee, surprise surprise, he didn't show. *snort* Poor Risa got the bulk of the git's ruminations in her ear. I could tune her out. If you follow the crowd along the rail to the way background of the pic, near where the distant security guys are, we appear to be just off the arm of the furthest guy. If I really squint and think real hard, I can see Risa all in black there. ;-) Fortunately it was a beautiful night. I have to say I was very excited to see Peter O'Toole. I know, very silly. ;) A small chorus of \"who?\" erupted behind me when Risa and I seemed excited to see him. None of his movies we mentioned rung a bell with them. *defeated sigh* They were a good 10, maybe 15 years younger than us (they were around 20ish maybe), but still.....I knew who P O'Toole was when I was 15 and it wasn't for his newer stuff at that time. Oh, well... :-( Other people from the movie who showed included Saffron Burrows, Brian Cox (Risa...how did we miss him...in a kilt no less, and with the dress his wife had on! Oh my, you must check out wireimage.com for that), Sean Bean, looking like a well dressed beach bum, with long straight, kinda stringy hair, really... Diane Kruger (Helen), Rose Byrne, and the guy who played Achilles cousin (Risa, *that* was the blond guy with the stylized mussy hair that we couldn't figure out), and of course EB, BP, and Wolfgang Petersen. When EB got there, he and his wife (in an absolutely fabulous dress not captured well on Wireimage) walked to the fans down from us so he could sign some stuff. He did that for a while....unfortunately going along the *wrong* direction from us! :-((( Risa could never get a good pic through the security guards milling around near him. :-((( Then Brad and Jen showed up, getting out of the Expedition on our side. I *cannot* emphasize enough how *stunning* a couple they are in person. It's disgusting! ;-) Pictures really don't do them justice...at least the ones I've seen from last night didn't. ;-)) They were the only ones I got a decent picture of while they stood alone for a sec trying to decide where to start signing autographs. And boy did the security swarm around them when they went over to the crowd. I saw one guard really snatch a poster out of someone's hand who was trying to hand it over some people to be signed. Don't know if he gave it back. Finally, after everyone had arrived and was doing press, we decided to walk down to the other end of the crowd to try to catch EB before he went in, so Risa could get a pic. We couldn't see him, so I went across the street to walk by to find out exactly where he was in the process as it was unlikely he was done yet, even after being there for at least 30 mins already. They would let people walk along the press tent side, but not stop, but I could get a good look. I found him being interviewed by Tom Brooks (BBC America) about halfway through, but Risa wouldn't be able to get a shot of anything but his back. We decided to walk around to the plaza next to the Ziegfeld, but they had it roped off about 3/4 of the way back. We could see him, but her zoom wasn't enough to get a clean shot. Sean Bean was just standing outside gabbing by the theater, too. Maybe having a smoke? Maybe just gabbing. Too hard to tell. Just as EB was leaving the press tent and getting ready to go inside, we let out a *really* loud \"Errrrrrriiic!!\" We couldn't tell if he heard it. I'm sure the rest of Manhattan must've. ;-) We decided that screaming Eric didn't have quite the same timbre or singsongy quality as screaming \"Colllllliinnnnn!!\" ;-)) I think one of the reasons they didn't come our way, is we were standing behind wooden police barricades that weren't very sturdy and the bulk of the crowd was behind those metal barriers which were much more secure. I think security steered them over near there. Plus, that where the bulk of the people with homemade signs and stuff to sign were. Some of the press did that thing, too, of having those people with the signs yell for the camera as the did at LA. Afterward we went for drinks in the bar at the Hilton that was closed during the LA premiere. We decided against waiting at the theater til they came out or going to the party place to try to get better EB pics for several reasons, including having to take care of some other obligations elsewhere. The movie is so freakin long, it would've been too long to wait. Oh and another LA connection of sorts, Rodrigo Santoro was there. It was funny bec"}, {"response": 1344, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, May 11, 2004 (14:10)", "body": "(Karen) Plus he's going to have to perform as well, with the Boy from Oz being nominated for Best Musical (won't win, of course), there will be a production number. *yippee* Mmmmmm, could we hope for one of the costume changing numbers? ;-P Or the butt shaking in I Go to Rio? ;-)"}, {"response": 1345, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Tue, May 11, 2004 (15:23)", "body": "Thanks for info on HJ Mari and Evelyn:-) Roll on June 6th. Agree that SRB and KK are a close call, luv 'em both."}, {"response": 1346, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, May 11, 2004 (15:37)", "body": "I would think Christopher Plummer as King Lear would be up high on that list, too."}, {"response": 1347, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 11, 2004 (16:18)", "body": "Great report, Dorine! I think you're going to need to do a John Madden on that pic if we're going to pick out Risa. ;-)"}, {"response": 1348, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, May 11, 2004 (16:22)", "body": "Dorine - thanks for the Troy premiere news . .sorry I couldn't join you:( Sounds like you had fun!"}, {"response": 1349, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 11, 2004 (16:23)", "body": "I second that! Thanks, Dorine. Why doesn't Jennifer Aniston wear a push-up bra?"}, {"response": 1350, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, May 11, 2004 (16:56)", "body": "Great reporting Dorine (and a big \"Hey\" to Little Risa Bee)! Like that you have become acquainted with photog (pays to have friends in high places...or at least friends who can wipe their muddy boots on the red carpet)! Good pic of the Pittage too!"}, {"response": 1351, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, May 11, 2004 (17:05)", "body": "(Tress) Like that you have become acquainted with photog (pays to have friends in high places...or at least friends who can wipe their muddy boots on the red carpet)! I figured out who he was, not acquainted with him....yet. ;-) (Moon) Why doesn't Jennifer Aniston wear a push-up bra? She looks amazing. She doesn't need one. Or at least it doesn't matter to me. Oddly enough, I didn't even notice until I looked at the pics this morning."}, {"response": 1352, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Tue, May 11, 2004 (17:25)", "body": "Wow, great premiere story, that must have been lots of fun! Did anyone get a look at Saffron Burrows? Is she really this skeletal? http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/040511/1889/fwd107b20040511jpg&e=8&ncid=707"}, {"response": 1353, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 11, 2004 (17:26)", "body": "Troy report terrific, Dorine....complete with the URLs. Where was the party? Did you get Mr Darcy vibes from Brad Pitt;-)"}, {"response": 1354, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, May 11, 2004 (18:33)", "body": "(Marianne) Did anyone get a look at Saffron Burrows? Is she really this skeletal? You know, I almost didn't recognize her, partially because we couldn't get a great look at her face til the last moment, but also because I was thinking the woman looked \"older\" than someone her age would look, then I realized who it was. She *is* thin, no wonder I didn't realize who she was. I was rather taken aback at those pics of her, too, this morning. (Evelyn) Where was the party? Cipriani's. Did you get Mr Darcy vibes from Brad Pitt;-) LOL, apparently not, because Mr. Darcy didn't once come to mind. Not sure if it occurred to Risa either. Neither one of us mentioned it. And Risa, I'm watching E! News and apparently the woman he and Diane Kruger were talking to rather at length, at the end while we were in the plaza, was from E!. They showed a snippet of them talking there. Poor BP, she brought up the stuff about the reports of him liking to go around his house naked, and he didn't want to go there. That doof, Billy Bush from Access Hollywood was there, too."}, {"response": 1355, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, May 11, 2004 (19:06)", "body": "(Dorine)I figured out who he was, not acquainted with him....yet. Just give her time, ladies, give her time (uh, do you think you could hurry and do it before TEOR)?;-) Thanks Dorine."}, {"response": 1356, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, May 11, 2004 (19:40)", "body": "(Dorine)If I really squint and think real hard, I can see Risa all in black there. ;-) Me too! Way down at the end, that's my baby! It sounds like it was a blast and it's always so much fun when you (any of you!) take the time to share your your experiences. Especially for us gimps in the back waters;-)) (Dorine)We decided that screaming Eric didn't have quite the same timbre or singsongy quality as screaming \"Colllllliinnnnn!!\" ;-)) Aw shucks, thanks for that:-))"}, {"response": 1357, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, May 11, 2004 (19:42)", "body": "That doof, Billy Bush from Access Hollywood was there, too. Oh yuk! Now that is a doof and makes me cringe! He is so full of himself:-("}, {"response": 1358, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, May 11, 2004 (21:16)", "body": "Loved the Troy reports, Dorine.....the next best thing to being there. (Dorine)I figured out who he was, not acquainted with him....yet. Just give her time, ladies, give her time (uh, do you think you could hurry and do it before TEOR)?;-) Gotta' love her moves. She really is amazing at these things IMO....' the High Priestess of Cool ."}, {"response": 1359, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, May 11, 2004 (23:05)", "body": "(Marianne)Did anyone get a look at Saffron Burrows? Is she really this skeletal? My DH and I thought the same thing when we saw the film . . V. scary how stick insect thin these actresses are getting (Evelyn) Where was the party? (Dorine)Cipriani's. What? . .Dorine . .you didn't get into the party????;) . .Was it the cipriani's across from grand central station? . . (leslie)gotta' love her moves. She really is amazing at these things IMO....'the High Priestess of Cool. She's got moxi that Dorine of ours;) . . I'm in high admiration of it;) Nice to start making aquaintatnces w/ photographers . .hope we meet the same one for TEOR . . .i'll start the iggy going . .let's see what we can make happen:) As an odd aside . .just finsihed watching Rebecca w/ Laurence Oliver. Loved it . .saw shades of Colin in LO's performance . .guess Colin must a picked up a thing or two while working w/ him on LE?;) . .Maxim DeWinter . .that may be an interesting role for Colin in the future . ."}, {"response": 1360, "author": "lupa", "date": "Tue, May 11, 2004 (23:11)", "body": "Hey Dorine - thanks for the update on who we missed! Brian Cox is short, so i can easily understand how we'd miss him. probably during one of the times we were chanting for the cars or vans (or buses) to move! and yeah, i have a picture of Peter O'Toole, and that's it. not even a good one, but you know, if i was going to get a picture of just one person that night, he's not a bad second runner up ;) also, my pic is slightly better than the pics on wireimage. i did have a fab pic of Eric's wife's dress, from the back! i definitely want one like that. everyone, it was this gorgeous purple and looked like something from the costumes of A Midsummer Night's dream. speaking of paparazzi pics, honestly, jennifer's cleavage did NOT look that droopy in the sunlight. she looked absolutely incredible. i think it's the flash casting shadows, i do. i didn't realize those papparaz pics were do dreadfully lit. and i'm disgusted, disgusted i am that brad had so many pictures and Eric had so few! (i love my aussie boys...) i was indeed the one who recognized Rodrigo - it made up for the other big mistakes i made... *blush* you and i were the only ones shouting out his name, though! even when the girls to the right of you finally knew who we were fussing over, they still didn't yell. anyway, i could chatter more about this but it's late, and thinking too much about that day makes me want to reach around and strangle that awful girl (\"i was with angelina jolie and she felt SOOO bad for me as i was bodyslammed against the wall by the cops!\") graaagh... ~lil bee, waving hi to everyone :)"}, {"response": 1361, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 12, 2004 (09:28)", "body": "Miramax pulling a Pixar? 05/11/2004 Miramax power duo Bob and Harvey Weinstein's fractious negotiations to renew their contracts at Disney beyond 2005 have hit a Pixar-like impasse. Should the two sides fail to extend their deal in the next few weeks, a private investor team -- backed by financier Steven Rattner and Comcast CEO Brian Roberts along with several Wall Street lenders -- is apparently prepared to back a new shingle for the Miramax founders. Current talks to extend the Weinsteins' deal for another four years after it expires in 2005 have no doubt been exacerbated by the current fracas surrounding Disney's refusal to distribute the Michael Moore (news) documentary \"Fahrenheit 911.\" Disney this week apparently rejected Miramax's proposal to buy Moore's controversial film back for $6 million plus costs in order to find a new distributor. Disney evidently preferred to keep any share of the upside with a third-party distributor. In the past, Miramax has been able to buy back similar \"too-hot-to-handle\" titles, as it did with \"Kids\" and \"Dogma.\" Miramax meanwhile is prepping for a legal battle on the pic and has retained high-profile attorney David Boies in an effort to resolve the doc's distribution fate. Case could go to arbitration in coming days. But the stalemate with Disney CEO Michael Eisner over future terms for the Miramax team dates back long before the Moore controversy. At the heart of the tussle with the Mouse House are differing philosophical views as to the right size and scope for Miramax: The unit's budget, for example, is currently capped at $700 million a year, an amount Eisner apparently is looking to scale back but the Weinsteins would like to see at least maintained. Disney brass last fall rejected a Miramax proposal to bring in $450 million in outside financing from Goldman Sachs (effectively setting up an equity fund with a revolving credit line) in a bid to both reduce Disney's capital exposure to Miramax's film slate while supplementing the company's budget beyond the level Disney was willing to commit to. If the two sides fail to agree, Miramax could theoretically try to buy back the company and its 500-title library from Disney (something Disney has repeatedly rejected) or indeed actively seek indie financing and distribution for future production. People close to Miramax insist the Weinsteins are looking only for the same terms in a new deal that they have under the current arrangement. [Ed note: Hey, you wanna buy the Brooklyn Bridge?] Disney made the terms an issue by trying to negotiate down key production terms and compensation. Banking sources said Tuesday that the two brothers would have no trouble drumming up financing to support a new shingle. Creatives would follow Key to a new partnership's ability to raise financing for a new Weinstein shop is the pair's track record and the loyalty of regular filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez, who might be expected to follow. Disney historically has minimized Miramax's relative contribution to its film profits when guiding Wall Street securities analysts, but lending sources believe Miramax has been one of the most profitable of Disney film units over the past five to 10 years. Miramax is believed to have generated a return of $5 billion out of $6.2 billion invested in its film slate, and last year, is believed to have generated as much as $200 million in profit to the Mouse. Bob Weinstein's Dimension is thought to be the big cash cow, delivering 20% returns over the past eight years. Miramax overall currently supplies around 40% of Disney's live-action releases. \"Bob and Harvey have done a great job, and they would be an asset to any company,\" said Terry Semel, CEO of Yahoo! and former Warner Bros. topper. \"Surely if Joe Roth (at Revolution) can raise $1.5 billion from Wall Street, Harvey and Bob with their reputation should have no trouble. All they need is a distribution deal,\" one film financier said. Street heat Disney would certainly feel heat from Wall Street if it lost another key creative contributor after Pixar slammed the door on its negotiations. Sources suggest the Weinstein brothers are willing to accept reduced salaries in exchange for more flexible production terms based on the success of released films and reduced Disney veto power (Mouse currently approves all projects over $30 million-$35 million). An already embattled Eisner apparently has refused to budge so far, but like the Pixar negotiations, he could be in a no-win situation. Wall Streeters say losing the creative contribution of the Miramax duo would be another headline blow to Disney's stock, indicating again that the company was unable to come to terms with its creative contributors. However, accepting a deal with Miramax that the Street perceives as overly generous could also smell foul to shareholders."}, {"response": 1362, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 12, 2004 (09:38)", "body": "I shall always be grateful to Disney. Without the Mouse, we never would have had TEP."}, {"response": 1363, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 12, 2004 (09:46)", "body": "Sorry, had to pick myself off the floor for this one. From Ananova: Keira says LA makes her feel fat Keira Knightley says spending too much time in Hollywood makes her feel like she's fat. The 19-year-old slender star of Pirates of the Caribbean actress has been spending time in Los Angeles for her work. Teen Hollywood quoted her as saying: \"I love LA, but I couldn't live there. If you're walking around LA, you're seeing all these perfect people and you start to think: \"I've got to be like that\". \"You have to be really strong to live there - to resist the fad diet and not get the biggest breast implants.\" She added: \"There are a lot of pressures to conform to type - to be thin, blonde and busty. I'm skinny, but even I couldn't fit into some of the clothes there. There are some ridiculously skinny people in LA.\""}, {"response": 1364, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May 12, 2004 (11:37)", "body": "(KK)I'm skinny, but even I couldn't fit into some of the clothes there Pfft! Honey, if you were any skinnier, you'd be a zygote. (She's awfully clever deflecting criticism from herself by launching a pre-emptive attack; this kid has a smart PR machine, I'll say that for her.) And we may have been hasty in judging her ability to play Lizzie Bennett. After all, she's playing King Arthur: Clive, could you move a a little to your right. A bit more, please . .. Ah, still more. Um, Clive, you're still in the picture . . ."}, {"response": 1365, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 12, 2004 (13:39)", "body": "Disney brass last fall rejected a Miramax proposal to bring in $450 million in outside financing from Goldman Sachs Doesn't Hugh Grant's brother work there? ;-) (Mari), And we may have been hasty in judging her ability to play Lizzie Bennett. For me the problem is who will be Mr. Darcy."}, {"response": 1366, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, May 12, 2004 (17:44)", "body": "Keira says LA makes her feel fat Oh honey, get over yourself already."}, {"response": 1367, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, May 13, 2004 (05:21)", "body": "Keira says LA makes her feel fat Dorine: Oh honey, get over yourself already Be fair, that was just the headline, not her words - amongst the very few quotes (presumably in response to questions not shown), she said \"I'm skinny...\" I even think she CAN act"}, {"response": 1368, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, May 13, 2004 (06:33)", "body": "Ok, in being literal, that is indeed fair enough. I know how things get distorted in interviews. (Mark) I even think she CAN act I admire you for admitting that. ;-)))) I'll get back to ya after King Arthur."}, {"response": 1369, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 13, 2004 (08:25)", "body": "The number one Mystery of the Universe continues. From THR: Affleck out on 'Town' with Binder By Chris Gardner CANNES -- Ben Affleck just might be working his way toward \"Man About Town\" status. The actor, who recently toplined \"Jersey Girl\" for Miramax Films and helmer Kevin Smith, is attached to star in the project, written and to be directed by Mike Binder. Media 8 is pushing the film with a one-sheet here at the company's Cannes Market booth. However, a company spokesperson declined further comment on the status of the project. According to sources, Media 8 is in advanced negotiations with DreamWorks for a domestic distribution deal for \"Town.\" The studio is already in business with Affleck on the upcoming holiday comedy \"Surviving Christmas.\" The Hollywood-centric project follows the life of a talent agent who is having an affair with a co-worker, sources said. Media 8 is repping international sales rights on the project, which reteams them with Binder, who directed the company's upcoming family drama \"The Upside of Anger,\" starring Kevin Costner, Joan Allen, Erika Christensen, Keri Russell, Evan Rachel Wood and Alicia Witt."}, {"response": 1370, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, May 13, 2004 (11:58)", "body": "(Karen)The number one Mystery of the Universe continues Amazing... Now, can he keep himself off screen?--that would be a plus."}, {"response": 1371, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, May 13, 2004 (12:11)", "body": "is attached to star in the project, written and to be directed by Mike Binder. Ben Affleck and Mike Binder! A dream project that is sure to do well! With Binder's witty way with words and Ben's delivery? An Oscar contender surely!! ;-)"}, {"response": 1372, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, May 13, 2004 (15:29)", "body": "Silly little thing . . . not really CF news . . .just an amusing blurb from an article on 5/7 . .that a critic wrote about movies she bonded with her mother over . . . and YKW was one of her favorites;) \ufffd \"The English Patient.\" This was the movie in which my mother and I bonded over that most British of actors, Colin Firth. Firth played Kristin Scott-Thomas' husband. He calls her \"Ducky,\" and she cheats on him with that cold, dislikable Ralph Fiennes. Halfway through the film, I turned to my mom and whispered: \"I like the husband!\" And my mother whispered back, fervently: \"SO DO I!!!\" Since then we have sought out Colin Firth films, including ... \ufffd \"Shakespeare in Love.\" \"I like Tom Stoppard. I've seen him interviewed,\" my mother says. This movie doesn't get a perfect rating - far from it - because you've got Gwyneth Paltrow jumping readily into bed with Joseph Fiennes, and face it, mothers were placed on earth to keep their daughters, even when their 20s are far behind them, away from this kind of thing. But the movie's cleverness made up for its faults. (My mom's favorite joke: when Shakespeare, discussing his wife, Anne Hathaway, says: \"She has a cottage.\") So did Colin Firth - who, by the way, again played the unwanted husband. \ufffd \"Girl with a Pearl Earring.\" My mother likes the paintings of Jan Vermeer for their lovely, sunlit domesticity. Plus, my mom and I both look like people out of his paintings. Plus, in this gentle, beautiful, sex- and swear-word-free movie, Vermeer is played by Colin Firth. (See \"The English Patient.\") http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20040507/1045876.asp"}, {"response": 1373, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 13, 2004 (15:31)", "body": "This is for Risa \"lil' bee\" :-) Newsflash, his real name isn't Bana. The man who battles Brad By JOE NEUMAIER NEW YORK DAILY NEWS FEATURE WRITER \"Troy\" star Eric Bana says he didn't hold back a thing when it came time to film the climactic, kick-ass, sword-and-slamdown fight with Brad Pitt. \"Brad and I had a pact: All bets were off,\" the 34-year-old Australian actor told the Daily News about his epic battle with Pitt in the blockbuster Greek warrior movie, which opens tomorrow. \"I just had to forget about the fact that I would upset billions of female fans around the world if I disfigured him,\" Bana said with a laugh. \"I had to somehow put that out of my mind! \"I got a little scar on my face, but Brad got nothing from me - I took good care of him. We were mates, and we decided that we weren't going to be offended by belting each other, so we absolutely went for it. \"There was no holding back,\" he said. In \"Troy,\" Bana - who catapulted to fame last summer in \"Hulk\" - plays the troubled Prince Hector, who defends his brother Paris (Orlando Bloom) and his city against the mercenary warrior Achilles (Pitt). First the Hulk, and now an ancient warrior - so what's next for Bana? Well, he insists that he definitely won't be the new Superman. There was speculation \"Troy\" director Wolfgang Petersen might tap him as the Man of Steel if the filmmaker rejuvenates \"Batman vs. Superman,\" which was to be Petersen's next film before he decided to tackle the Trojans. \"Even if Wolfgang ends up doing it, I will not be Superman,\" says the dark-haired, buff Bana. \"I'd definitely turn it down. It's not for me. One superhero in a lifetime is enough.\" Bana - who changed his name from Banadinovich when he began performing - comes to Hollywood blockbusters from an unlikely route. Growing up in Melbourne (where he still lives with his wife and two children, ages 2 and 4), he fell into standup and sketch comedy, eventually starring in his own hit Australian TV series, \"The Eric Bana Show Live.\" \"I dreamt of being a dramatic actor all my life, but I found my way into sketch comedy and absolutely loved it,\" he says. \"Every day I got to be five or six different characters. \"The leap from sketch comedy to drama is not that far removed. So when the opportunity came up in Australia to audition for 'Chopper,' I just went for it.\" For \"Chopper,\" a 2000 Australian drama, Bana packed on 40 pounds to play real-life ruffian Mark (Chopper) Read, who had a killer sneer and a nasty habit of serial slaying. It was that performance that got Bana a role in Ridley Scott's war drama \"Black Hawk Down\" and the starring role of Bruce Banner in last year's \"Hulk.\" Even though that big-budget film underperformed at the U.S. box office and got a critical flogging, Bana says the experience was a good one. \"People like to make 'Hulk' sound as negative as humanly possible,\" says Bana. \"Sure, it was darker than what people were expecting, but I'm really proud of it ... \"There was a luxury for me in that no one knew who I was. I wasn't on the poster, they weren't coming to see me. So there really wasn't pressure on me at all.\" Still, the extensive physical training, long shooting schedule and epic scale of \"Troy\" is making Bana hungry for comedy again. \"If the right thing came along, I'd be absolutely interested and tempted,\" he says. \"But to me, comedy is like a chocolate bar, and drama is like a smorgasbord - it tends to fill your stomach and stay there for a little bit longer. \"And as with 'Troy,' I enjoy that feast.\""}, {"response": 1374, "author": "katty", "date": "Thu, May 13, 2004 (15:44)", "body": "Be fair, that was just the headline, not her words I agree. The point of her interview is that LA and the whole Hollywood culture make its participants paranoid about their looks and conforming to a certain image. European actresses are much more comfortable with their age than Hollywood actresses, who are constantly under the gun to diet and go under the knife. There was an interesting article about Eileen Atkins, Colin's costar in WAGW and the lady with the goat in Cold Mountain. She said that the producers had to go to Europe to find a woman for her role because American actresses being considered had too much plastic surgery to look like a grizzled mountain woman. A movie comparable to Calendar Girls could not realistically be made in the US. Keira was just saying that even though she knows she's skinny, the extremes of LA make even her feel fat. Actually I have been a fan of Keira ever since I read her spontaneous praise of Colin after being asked about Hugh Grant: \"What about working with Hugh Grant? \"Our paths cross in the film, but we sadly don't have a proper scene together. I met him a few times, and I also did a few days with Colin Firth who I absolutely love! He's fantastic and really cool, and we had a real giggle.\" http://keiraknightley.free.fr/News/STORY9.html"}, {"response": 1375, "author": "sabineh", "date": "Thu, May 13, 2004 (16:10)", "body": "(Tress) Ben Affleck and Mike Binder! A dream project that is sure to do well! LOL -- *better* than Gigli and L\ufffddum ??? My suggestion for female cast: Heather Graham and Jennifer Rubin My worst nightmare: \"We are thrilled to announce that Colin Firth has joined the cast of \"Man About Town\""}, {"response": 1376, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 13, 2004 (17:10)", "body": "Theatre News from London: At the Almeida: \"The third show in the season will see Simon Russell Beale, perhaps the leading Shakespearean actor of his generation, appearing as Macbeth in John Caird?s new production. The same actor ? director partnership was responsible for the internationally acclaimed production of Hamlet at the National in 2000. Perhaps the most visceral of Shakespeare?s tragedies, Macbeth tells the tale of an heroic warrior who finds himself in thrall to his own lofty ambitious and the brainworming words of others. Macbeth will open on January 20 2005 after previewing from January 13.\""}, {"response": 1377, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 13, 2004 (17:14)", "body": "A movie comparable to Calendar Girls could not realistically be made in the US. Did Eileen Atkins say this or you? Because it's hardly accurate. There are plenty of out-of-work, post-40 actresses who could've done this, ones who are aging gracefully."}, {"response": 1378, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 13, 2004 (18:54)", "body": "How about actresses in their '50s, which is more Mirren's age? Diane Keaton, Meryl Streep, Susan Sarandon, Sigourney Weaver, Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates. That's just off the top of my head. Don't give them short-shrift, Katty, they're all very active, doing good work, looking great, and aging beautifully and naturally. As for Keira, sorry, IMO it's disingenuous for someone who is as painfully thin as she is to say she can't fit in the clothes, implying that she's \"heavier\" than the norm. Where is she shopping, Gap Kids?;-)"}, {"response": 1379, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, May 13, 2004 (19:21)", "body": "(Mari)How about actresses in their '50s, which is more Mirren's age? Diane Keaton, Meryl Streep, Susan Sarandon......... LOL!!! This was my developing list as I read Karen's post! And some of them are still doing sexy nudish scenes!;-))"}, {"response": 1380, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, May 13, 2004 (19:21)", "body": "I wish I could play hookey from work tomorrow and see this. \"Troy\" Greeks Bearing Immortality By A. O. SCOTT New York Times CANNES, France \"THIS war will never be forgotten. Nor will the heroes who fight in it.\" This line of dialogue expresses a thought that recurs frequently, with various inflections and in the mouths of various heroes, over the nearly two and a half hours of Wolfgang Petersen's \"Troy,\" which had its world premiere here last night and opens nationwide in the United States today. In one sense, it is less a prophecy than a statement of the obvious, since the names of Achilles, Hector, Odysseus and the rest have endured for 3,000 years. At the same time, though, the endless talk of immortality seems to express the picture's anxious, na\ufffdve ambition, which is to rise above the welter of summer blockbusters and ascend into the pantheon of movie classics. This is most unlikely. \"Troy,\" which cost something approaching the gross national product of modern Greece, will be lucky to survive the arrival of \"Shrek 2\" on Wednesday. But for what it is \ufffd a big, expensive, occasionally campy action movie full of well-known actors speaking in well-rounded accents \ufffd \"Troy\" is not bad. It has the blocky, earnest integrity of a classic comic book, and it labors to respect the strangeness and grandeur of its classical sources. Some moments may make you rue the existence of cinema, or at least of movies with sound, since the dialogue often competes with James Horner's score for puffed-up obviousness. But there are others \ufffd crisply edited combat sequences, tableaus of antique splendor, a hugely muscled Brad Pitt modeling the latest in Hellenic leisure wear \ufffd that remind you why you like movies in the first place. From its opening scenes, \"Troy,\" freely adapted by David Benioff from \"The Iliad\" and other sources, plunges you into a world shaped by complex codes of honor, loyalty and military virtue. Or, rather, it plunges you into a world where people talk about such things incessantly, and where every speech is punctuated by booming timpani and the ululations of an apparently tongueless female singer, her inarticulate moans announcing that this is not just a movie but an epic. Still, for once there really is a solid epic architecture underneath all the pageantry, and not just a very long movie set in the distant past. Mr. Benioff's script, for all its line-by-line infelicities, shows a real fascination with Homer's great characters, and with the nexus of divided loyalties and competing ambitions that led to so much death and destruction. Unlike movies that take war as a simple contest of good and evil, \"Troy\" remains faithful to Homer (and to human nature) by understanding war as a political event, with plenty of viciousness and virtue to go around. Like his screenplay for Spike Lee's \"25th Hour\" (based on his own novel), \"Troy\" is fundamentally a story about treachery and brotherhood \ufffd about the fallibility and fragile nobility of men. In other words, it was not all Helen's fault. Helen, played by Diane Kruger, a German model, is perfectly lovely, and it is easy to see why she prefers the boyish Paris (Orlando Bloom) to grouchy Menelaus (Brendan Gleeson), the ruler of Sparta. But their puppyish romance is the trivial pretext for the war rather than its true cause. Menelaus's jealousy is exploited by his brother Agamemnon (Brian Cox), who uses the insult to further his imperial ambitions. His chief weapon is the sullen Achilles (Mr. Pitt), who in an early scene strolls out of his love tent, like a petulant movie star summoned from his trailer, to dispatch an enormous Thessalonian warrior with a single stroke of the sword. Achilles' temperament \ufffd a volatile mixture of vanity, cynicism and sentimentality \ufffd is the key to the movie, and Mr. Pitt attacks the role with the same vigor and agility the character demonstrates in combat. Yes, his accent sounds a bit like Madonna's, perhaps in deference to the mostly English and Australian actors who make up most of the cast, but for once he does not seem embarrassed by his charisma, or driven to subvert it with actorish tics. Achilles' narcissism is like that of a modern celebrity: he fights because it will bring him fame, not to serve the gods or the glory of the Greek nation or, least of all, his corrupt king. His true loyalty is to individuals \ufffd his beloved cousin Patroclus (Garrett Hedlund), his ruthless Myrmidons and his love interest, the captured Trojan priestess Briseis (Rose Byrne) \ufffd rather than to causes. His Trojan counterpart is Paris's brother, Hector (Eric Bana), who is constrained by the bonds of kinship, duty and patriotism that Achilles disdains. If Achilles is a kind of existentialist rock star, Hector is a stoical family man, protective of his wayward brother, respectful of his father, Priam (Peter O'Toole), and devoted to his wife, Andromache (Saffron Burrows) and their infant son. The events leading up to Hector's duel with Achilles \ufffd a tempest of failu"}, {"response": 1381, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, May 13, 2004 (22:24)", "body": "Re: Troy....I liked it overall and it was well made, but not work-skipping good, IMO. (Karen) Did Eileen Atkins say this or you? Because it's hardly accurate. There are plenty of out-of-work, post-40 actresses who could've done this, ones who are aging gracefully. I got the impression from what she was saying that Eileen Atkins said it, and if not her, it was said or implied in the article vs being Katty's opinion. And I'm sorry, but again, IMNSHO there isn't one of those actresses you all mentioned above I could see as a \"grizzled\" mountain woman without having to add *much* makeup, which was the point of that piece of the article. If I understood it correctly, they were looking for someone already a bit more naturally weathered, not just \"older.\" I've seen Meryl Streep, Sigourney Weaver, Jessica Lange, Helen Mirren up close in the last year or so, and I'm telling you, there is nothing remotely \"grizzled\" about any of them. And my guess is that at least one of them is not aging gracefully....well at least naturally. ;-)"}, {"response": 1382, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, May 13, 2004 (22:28)", "body": "Oops, forgot to mention Calendar Girls. I do agree all of them could do Calendar Girls, though actually, they'd have to dowd those people up (or down as the case may be. Helen Mirren is better and younger looking in person. Maybe it was the way they shot it, the film stock, etc."}, {"response": 1383, "author": "lupa", "date": "Thu, May 13, 2004 (22:42)", "body": "thank you Mari! that was a great little article! there's a picture of EB that i love, which is him doing one of his sketches, and he's got a TERRIBLE 80s mullet. i couldn't stop laughing!"}, {"response": 1384, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 13, 2004 (23:36)", "body": "There are two separate statements being made, both of which I disagree with: (1) She [Eileen Atkins] said that the producers had to go to Europe to find a woman for her role because American actresses being considered had too much plastic surgery to look like a grizzled mountain woman. Baloney! The US has character actresses as well, i.e., ones who do grizzled easily. It's hardly as if the majority of the US public who saw Cold Mountain would know Eileen Atkins from the cashier at the local Target. (somebody, maybe Atkins again) A movie comparable to Calendar Girls could not realistically be made in the US. (again, referring to the dearth of normal looking older actresses) Horse hockey! See above list. However, such a movie would not likely be made in the US because movies about older people just aren't made, unless it would be for TV. But that is changing with the popularity of the last two (flabby) Nicholson vehicles. Please put Ellen Burstyn on the above list too."}, {"response": 1385, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, May 14, 2004 (00:25)", "body": "And Glenn Close, unless I missed her. Actually, I have to admit, I'm blanking on the US character actresses potentially in question. Though I did see one, Irma P. Hall, who was in The Ladykillers, in another movie tonight and she's great. Can't see her in the mountains, though. ;-) (Karen) It's hardly as if the majority of the US public who saw Cold Mountain would know Eileen Atkins from the cashier at the local Target. And unfortunately for the studio, it doesn't seem enough UK'rs or Europeans who would know who she is didn't see the movie. I don't think overseas box office was too hot, was it? It's late and am lazy now, don't want to look it up for sure. ;-)"}, {"response": 1386, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 14, 2004 (08:39)", "body": "(Dorine) And unfortunately for the studio, it doesn't seem enough UK'rs or Europeans who would know who she is didn't see the movie. Like I said before, given Eileen Atkins' lack of name/face recognition here, any nameless American character actress would likely have done for that role."}, {"response": 1387, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 14, 2004 (08:57)", "body": "(Tress) Ben Affleck and Mike Binder! A dream project that is sure to do well! Was away for one day and I come back to this! LOL! Talk about being in the \"in crowd\"? Or did he sell his soul to the devil? ;-) Also to add to the list, is the actress who plays Julienne Moore's mother in Laws of Attraction, she was excellent. I'm sure she can do anything."}, {"response": 1388, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 14, 2004 (09:05)", "body": "Frances Fisher (ex-wife of Clint Eastwood), but she's too well-preserved, which was the point of her character in Laws of Attraction. More dream casting! ;-D Girl' star will play twin role 05/12/2004 \"What a Girl Wants\" star Amanda Bynes is starring in an untitled pic being produced by Lauren Shuler Donner for DreamWorks. Film will be a contemporary take on Shakespeare's \"Twelfth Night\" -- a story about the comic and romantic complications that ensue when a teenage girl poses as her missing twin brother for two weeks."}, {"response": 1389, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 14, 2004 (09:12)", "body": "I was wondering what had happened to AB. She seems to be off the radar now. (Surely Colin is not responsible) ;-))) Lindsay Logan, the twins and Lizzy Maguire seem to be the hot ones. (Karen), Frances Fisher (ex-wife of Clint Eastwood), but she's too well-preserved, which was the point of her character in Laws of Attraction. True. And wasn't she great? Great actresses can do anything, IMO, especially now with the fantastic stage make up improvements. The grizzly look? Easy. ;-)"}, {"response": 1390, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 14, 2004 (10:29)", "body": "From the It-Pays-To-Be-Jude-Law's-Girlfriend Column...from Baz today: Sienna beats Scarlett to date with Casanova British actress Sienna Miller has beaten Hollywood star Scarlett Johansson to become the object of Casanova's desire. Sienna, 23, will be the leading lady - opposite Heath Ledger as the legendary lover and fighter - in a \ufffd40million drama about how Casanova finally met his match, in the shape of a woman apparently immune to his charms. \"She wouldn't give him the time of day,\" explained Casanova producer Mark Gordon, the man behind the thriller Speed and forthcoming summer special-effects extravaganza The Day After Tomorrow. Sienna and Scarlett, who won much acclaim for her perfectly pitched performance in Sofia Coppola's movie Lost In Translation, were among several actresses who auditioned for the part of Francesca, daughter of an impoverished Venetian aristocrat. \"The father wants to marry her off to a wealthy man she doesn't love; and then there's Casanova, who falls in love with her, but she's very resistant to his overtures,\" Gordon said. \"Sienna's going to be a star,\" he insisted. \"She's got the talent and everything else, but who knows about these things? We'll give her everything she needs and the rest is up to her. \"Scarlett was certainly someone we looked at, but she wasn't cast and anyway, we decided to go with Sienna,' added Gordon, who will oversee the movie which Lasse Hallstrom will begin directing on location in Venice from August 1. Sienna, who became more than just good friends with Jude Law after they met on the set of What's It All About, Alfie?, clinched the part even though her first two films haven't even been released yet. The aforementioned Alfie film, an update of the Michael Caine classic, comes out in early autumn while Matthew Vaughn's much-anticipated Layer Cake will be premiered at the Venice Film Festival in late August. If the extensive Layer Cake footage I have seen is anything to go by, both the picture and its leads - Sienna and Daniel Craig - will be big hits."}, {"response": 1391, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May 14, 2004 (10:36)", "body": "(Dorine)there isn't one of those actresses you all mentioned above I could see as a \"grizzled\" mountain woman Dorine, re-read my note. I was referring to the Calendar Girls type roles, i.e., actresses in their '50s, same as Mirren, et. al. Grizzled? Agree with Karen and Moon, anyone could have played that. Regional theater--and North Carolina has a very active one--is full of them. And as an aside, if Minghella were truly concerned with people looking the part, I have to wonder why he had Nicole Kidman in full make-up, hair just so, meticulous manicures, and costumes/hats that must have been Raleigh-Durham by way of the Milan catwalk.;-) This was a woman who suffered through 4 years of war, starvation, and hard times."}, {"response": 1392, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 14, 2004 (10:41)", "body": "*snort* BTW, I meant no disrepect to Eileen Atkins and her acting abilities. She's a marvelous actress."}, {"response": 1393, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May 14, 2004 (11:11)", "body": "BTW, I meant no disrepect to Eileen Atkins and her acting abilities. Same here, she's wonderful. And if Minghella got her to go to Romania by telling her no one else could play the role, well, what the heck.;-) I also don't want my comments misconstrued as whining about why an American wasn't cast. You know I despise that sort of thinking. The director liked her, she was cast, and she did a fine job, which is all how it should be. Was merely addressing the \"there are no age-appropriate-looking American actresses\" fallacy."}, {"response": 1394, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, May 14, 2004 (11:40)", "body": "Yes, I did notice I had melded what I was reading after I made my comments. Oh well. I still stand by some of my points though."}, {"response": 1395, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, May 14, 2004 (12:50)", "body": "(Moon) I was wondering what had happened to AB. She seems to be off the radar now. (Surely Colin is not responsible) ;-))) She's been pluggin' away at the WB on \"What I Like About You\" with Jennie Garth. Love Eileen...she was great in CM. Maybe she got the part cuz the UK is a shorter flight that the US. Needed to save moola for Nicole's Civil War baby blue frosted eyeshadow and couture. ;-)"}, {"response": 1396, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 14, 2004 (13:06)", "body": "Scarlett Johansson is on the cover of the June Elle mag.(Great picture and beautiful dress) She was asked about her favourite actors and did not mention Colin. Does want to direct one day. And is sometimes called Starlet Johansson because of her fits."}, {"response": 1397, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, May 14, 2004 (14:57)", "body": "(Moon) called Starlet Johansson because of her fits. LOL, a diva in the making. ;-) Did she mention John Travolta or whoever her current co-star is now as one of her favorites? ;-) Is that the article she admits to the fling with Benecio Del Toro in the elevator at Chateau Marmont or wherever it was? Whatever it's from, it funny to hear her say it was unsanitary. I kept wondering why she was doing it then if it was so bad. ;-)"}, {"response": 1398, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, May 14, 2004 (15:56)", "body": "(Moon)She seems to be off the radar now. Not too far off, though. She recently did a round of AM talk shows, (saw her twice in the same week) but as I only had them on in the background I didn't catch what she was promoting. (Dorine)LOL, a diva in the making. ;-) LOL. In the making?"}, {"response": 1399, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, May 14, 2004 (16:41)", "body": "She's young yet and not fully flexed her diva muscles, though true she's gettin' there fast. Give her time, just give her time. ;-)"}, {"response": 1400, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 14, 2004 (16:55)", "body": "(Dorine)LOL, a diva in the making. ;-) A diva in the mating. ;-) Did she mention John Travolta or whoever her current co-star is now as one of her favorites? ;-) No. Gary Sinise was one. I thought she could have been nice and mention Colin. The writer said he tried to contact some of her old co-stars to get a comment for the article, but they all declined. Is that the article she admits to the fling with Benecio Del Toro in the elevator at Chateau Marmont or wherever it was? Whatever it's from, it funny to hear her say it was unsanitary Yes. Re: Troy, I hate the fact that there is no Cassandra. The gods are ignored, and once you do that, well it's not the same story. I say, rent the 4 hour version!"}, {"response": 1401, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, May 14, 2004 (17:29)", "body": "(Moon) A diva in the mating. ;-) LOL. We all commented on how it seemed odd without Cassandra, too. The other gods didn't bother me so much."}, {"response": 1402, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sat, May 15, 2004 (00:17)", "body": "(Dorine)Re: Troy....I liked it overall and it was well made, but not work-skipping good, IMO. Pfft . . . must say I didn't like it at all, rather disappointed . . . found the writing/dialogue contrived, melodramatic . . . and the acting pushed to the point of being rather ridiculous . . And I wonder was it the script, the direction or the actors who were at fault . . . There were nice moments ( like Dorine had mentioned before - the one on one battle btwn hector and achilles; the scene when priam goes to beg for his son's body back . .heck, if your a BP fan . .I gotta admit, the man looks AFG . .and you have quite a few moments when you just say to yourself\"wow if that camera shot went any lower\" you'd see him in ALL his glory . .;) . .but overall as a cohesive film I found it very lacking . . . the sets and battles scenes didn't impress me . .saw better in LOTR films . . . Ehh . .wouldn't miss work over it . . . Missed the lack of Cassandra too . .now at least there would have been a female character in that movie I would have been interested in . .even Breseis got on my nerves after awhile . . Personally . .my fave actor in the whole film was Sean Bean as Odysseus . . Must give slight spoiler and funny part for me for Troy . . sorry . .during the end of the film . .the last battle in Troy . . . the minute I saw Orlando Bloom whip out that bow and arrow . .and there saw intercut scenes of Sean Bean running around wielding a sword and fighting. .I couldn't help but laugh and have a LOTR flashback and was wondering when Frodo would amble onto the screen;P"}, {"response": 1403, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, May 15, 2004 (11:06)", "body": "Thanks, Kimberly. I had a feeling it would be bad. I did love Van Helsing and highly recommend it. TROY / ** (R) BY ROGER EBERT \"Troy\" is based on the epic poem The Iliad by Homer, according to the credits. Homer's estate should sue. The movie sidesteps the existence of the Greek gods, turns its heroes into action movie cliches and demonstrates that we're getting tired of computer-generated armies. Better a couple of hundred sweaty warriors than two masses of 50,000 men marching toward one another across a sea of special effects. The movie recounts the legend of the Trojan War, as the fortress city is attacked by a Greek army led by Menelaus of Sparta and Agamemnon of Mycenae. The war has become necessary because of the lust of the young Trojan prince named Paris (Orlando Bloom), who while during a peace mission to Sparta, seduces the city-state's queen, Helen (Diane Kruger). This action understandably annoys Helen's husband, Menelaus (Brendan Gleeson), not to mention Paris' brother Hector (Eric Bana), who points out, quite correctly, that when you visit a king on a peace mission, it is counterproductive to leave with his wife. What the movie doesn't explain is why Helen would leave with Paris after an acquaintanceship of a few nights. Is it because her loins throb with passion for a hero? No, because she tells him: \"I don't want a hero. I want a man I can grow old with.\" Not in Greek myth, you don't. If you believe Helen of Troy could actually tell Paris anything remotely like that, you will probably also agree that the second night he slipped into her boudoir, she told him, \"Last night was a mistake.\" The seduction of Helen is the curtain-raiser for the main story, which involves vast Greek armies laying siege to the impenetrable city. Chief among their leaders is Achilles, said to be the greatest warrior of all time, but played by Brad Pitt as if he doesn't believe it. If Achilles was anything, he was a man who believed his own press releases. Heroes are not introspective in Greek drama, they do not have second thoughts, and they are not conflicted. Achilles is all of these things. He mopes on the flanks of the Greek army with his own independent band of fighters, carrying out a separate diplomatic policy, kind of like Ollie North. He thinks Agamemnon is a poor leader with bad strategy and doesn't really get worked up until his beloved cousin Patroclus (Garrett Hedlund) is killed in battle. Patroclus, who looks a little like Achilles, wears his helmet and armor to fool the enemy, and until the helmet is removed everyone thinks that Achilles has been slain. So dramatic is that development that the movie shows perhaps 100,000 men in hand-to-hand combat, and then completely forgets them in order to focus on the Patroclus battle scene, with everybody standing around like during a fight on the playground. Pitt is a good actor and a handsome man, and he worked out for six months to get buff for the role, but Achilles is not a character he inhabits comfortably. Say what you will about Charlton Heston and Victor Mature, but one good way to carry off a sword-and-sandal epic is to be filmed by a camera down around your knees, while you intone quasi-formal prose in a heroic baritone. Pitt is modern, nuanced, introspective; he brings complexity to a role where it is not required. By treating Achilles and the other characters as if they were human, instead of the larger-than-life creations of Greek myth, director Wolfgang Petersen miscalculates. What happens in Greek myth cannot happen between psychologically plausible characters. That's the whole point of myth. Great films like Michael Cacoyannis' \"Elektra,\" about the murder of Agamemnon after the Trojan War, know that and use a stark dramatic approach that is deliberately stylized. Of course, \"Elektra\" wouldn't work for a multiplex audience, but then maybe it shouldn't. The best scene in the movie has Peter O'Toole creating an island of drama and emotion in the middle of all that plodding dialogue. He plays old King Priam of Troy, who at night ventures outside his walls and into the enemy camp, surprising Achilles in his tent. Achilles has defeated Priam's son Hector in hand-to-hand combat before the walls of Troy, and dragged his body back to camp behind his chariot. Now Priam asks that the body be returned for proper preparation and burial. This scene is given the time and attention it needs to build its mood, and we believe it when Achilles tells Priam, \"You're a far better king than the one who leads this army.\" O'Toole's presence is a reminder of \"Lawrence of Arabia\" (1962), which I saw again two weeks ago, and which proved that patience with dialogue and character is more important than action in making war movies work. As for the Greek cities themselves, a cliche from the old Hollywood epics has remained intact. This is the convention that whenever a battle of great drama takes place, all the important characters have box seats for it. When Achilles battles "}, {"response": 1404, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, May 15, 2004 (11:46)", "body": "I was all set to see Van Helsing, but the reviews have been so abysmal. Troy's reviews seem more mixed, running the gamut from great to poor and everything in between. I guess I'll try to fit them both in and see for myself. Anyway. . . Apple? Poor kid. Almost 10 pounds . . . poor Gwynnie! Gwyneth Paltrow Gives Birth to Daughter Apple LONDON (Reuters) - Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow (news) has given birth to her first child, a daughter called Apple, a spokesman said on Saturday. Paltrow, 31, and her British husband Chris Martin, 27, lead singer of the band Coldplay, said they were \"ecstatic\" after the baby was delivered on Friday following a long labor at a London hospital. \"We are 900 miles over the moon,\" the couple said in a statement released by Martin's spokesman Murray Chalmers. \"We would like to thank everyone at the hospital who have looked after us amazingly.\" The couple named their first child Apple Blythe Alison Martin. She weighed 9lb 11oz (4.39 kg). \"Both mother and baby are very well,\" the statement added. Paltrow, who was once engaged to Brad Pitt (news) and dated actor Ben Affleck (news), met Martin backstage at a Coldplay concert in 2002. The couple married in a secret ceremony in southern California last December. Friends say Martin proved a huge support for Paltrow after the sudden death in October 2002 of her father, film director Bruce Paltrow (news). Martin and the quartet Coldplay have enjoyed huge global success since their acclaimed debut album \"Parachutes\" in 2000. They won a coveted Grammy Award for \"Clocks\" in February. Paltrow won a best actress Oscar for the 1998 film \"Shakespeare in Love\" and recently played the late poet Sylvia Plath."}, {"response": 1405, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, May 15, 2004 (13:08)", "body": "Thanks, Moon for Ebert's Troy review. I think it's the best and most accurate I've seen yet, for what he touched on. There were several other things/people I would've liked his comments on. I'm glad he mentioned the King Priam and Achilles scene. I was just thinking yesterday that IMO, it's the best performance that I've seen from P O'T in over 20 years, since My Favorite Year in '82. I, too was psyched to see Van Helsing, but will see it anyway despite the reviews. Oddly enough, I wasn't encouraged by the trailer either, esp with the SFX, but I'll overlook that, too. Apple...*shaking head*"}, {"response": 1406, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Sat, May 15, 2004 (13:24)", "body": "(Mari)Apple? Poor kid. So when will Peach and Pear be born? ;-)"}, {"response": 1407, "author": "sandyw", "date": "Sat, May 15, 2004 (13:26)", "body": "Can Peach, Pear, and Parsnip be far behind?"}, {"response": 1408, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, May 15, 2004 (13:28)", "body": "Can this be the British influence? I recently heard of a new baby in UK named Fennel."}, {"response": 1409, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, May 15, 2004 (13:35)", "body": "And here's a Troy review from the guy in AICN-Australia....I'm in total agreement with his \"What I like\" part TROY CHECK IT OUT! I'M AN EPIC! EPIC EPIC EPIC EPIC! LOOK! BIG! WOW! Yes, TROY, you are an epic. You are epic in scale and scope and general big-ness. But you suffer from the same affliction as GLADIATOR; you try to rush your story through like it's being told in real-time. Leave real-time for \"24\" or TIMECODE. It took a decade to wage war against Troy, yet thanks to Brad Pitt, the whole thing is over in a couple of days. Just one of the perplexing changes made to a great story. But I'm not going to focus on that. Because you NEED to change things to make an adaptation. What works on the page will not work on screen, and I'm not going to berate the filmmakers for making different choices to ones that, say, I would make. No, my complaints about TROY focus only on what falls between the opening and closing credits. I will admit, though, that I have softened on the film a lot since I saw it Wednesday night. I came out of it saying 'That was really dumb', and now as I think back on it I'm remembering things I liked. Things that worked. So, as I write this, I'm fifty-fifty on the film. It was a solid five out of ten. What did I have a problem with? - The clich\ufffdd dialogue. How stilted it sounds. Historical epics try so hard to write dialogue that could have been spoken thousands of years ago they inevitably lapse into Laurence Olivier doing HAMLET -'Sometimes you have to serve in order to lead. I hope you can understand that one day.' I hope I understand it some day too, Odysseus. I didn't like watching characters who are so aware of their place in history; it was one notch below Paris turning to Hector and saying, 'Isn't it great living thousands of years in the past?'. - I didn't like James Horner's score; when Horner is good, he's fucking good, but when he's bad, he's incredibly average... and here he was just re-treading Hans Zimmer's Lisa Gerrard stuff. [Ed note- Kimberly, when I asked if you knew who the group Dead Can Dance is and that the singer in the movie music sounds like the lead singer for that group, this is who I was speaking of, Lisa Gerrard.] - I'm sick of hearing the rousing speech to the troops, for all we ever get is a carbon copy of every other one that has come before. - Nearly everything that happened in the film has been done better in other films (we could have made TROY simply by editing a highlight package of LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, BEN HUR, LORD OF THE RINGS, GLADIATOR, and others). - The effects shots that looked like effects shots. - The running time, given so much of the film felt like padding (seriously, you could chop at least forty-five minutes out of the bastard). [Ed note- my thought exactly] - How desperate they were to hide Achilles's homosexuality (look! He likes women! And Patroclus is his... er... cousin! Yeah, that Achilles had to raise! How's that?). - Briseis is conveniently un-touched by Agamemnon or the troops, despite the fact that she's been in their hands for twenty-four hours; this may sound like a minor nitpick, but she is the typical Hollywood damsel-in-distress who will remain unsullied until our hero can have his way with her. - How anglo-saxon all the main characters look (especially given that the background extras actually look Greek, or Turkish). - Wolfgang's direction. I've come to the conclusion that DAS BOOT (cannot wait for the complete four-hour DVD, by the way) was a happy accident. Wolfgang has made some absolute shite lately, and though I wouldn't class TROY as absolute shite, I think the direction isn't completely up to scratch. Sure, there are some moments when he excels (more on that later), but when you consider Ridley Scott's work on GLADIATOR... Both TROY and GLADIATOR suffer, in my opinion, from pretty nothing scripts, but GLADIATOR at least had kick arse direction. Ridley may not be adept at choosing his projects, but his direction is always spot-on. The same cannot be said for Peterson. What did I like? - The Great Balls of Fire. - The fight between Hector and Achilles (the standout scene in the film, as it is thoroughly flawless). - Eric Bana, who comes off better than anyone in the film. - Seeing Peter O'Toole on screen again... in fact, in the scene between Priam and Achilles, there was a moment where I honestly thought Pitt was going to look down the lens and proclaim, 'Fuck, he's good'. - Achilles's fighting style; I honestly believed that he was the greatest warrior in the world. I liked Rose Byrne, despite her not having much to work with (Byrne played the lead role in what I consider the best Australian film ever made, THE GODDESS OF 1967). - Sean Bean's Odysseus; I could stand watching the sequel (although they'd probably change it so he takes five days to sail home). - And I liked some of the locations. TROY's biggest problem is its self-consciousness. How aware it is of the fact that it is an epic. And because of that, we'r"}, {"response": 1410, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 15, 2004 (14:27)", "body": "Ebert got some great lines in this one: - Homer's estate should sue. - when you visit a king on a peace mission, it is counterproductive to leave with his wife. - Heroes are not introspective in Greek drama, they do not have second thoughts, and they are not conflicted. - Pitt is modern, nuanced, introspective; he brings complexity to a role where it is not required. Hmmm, sounds like I should give this one a miss. The couple named their first child Apple Blythe Alison Martin. You really have to wonder why. :-("}, {"response": 1411, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 15, 2004 (14:28)", "body": "In keeping with Gwynnie's dietary quirks, I hope she names the next one Ricecake."}, {"response": 1412, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, May 15, 2004 (14:36)", "body": "This is probably the worst review I've read, really ripping the cast apart. Poor Orlando. Between this and some of the British reviews, I'd be hiding inside a horse right now if I were him.;-) TROJAN BORE By JONATHAN FOREMAN New York Post Clunky epic. IT'S perhaps unfair to expect contemporary Hollywood moviemakers to do justice to Homer's \"Iliad\" or the legends of the Trojan War that have inspired artists and writers through the centuries. And it is definitely unfair to expect Hollywood moviemakers to be comfortable with any notion of honor, even though the behavior of classical heroes like Achilles and Hector is inexplicable without it. But what really wrecks Wolfgang Petersen's \"Troy\" is some of the worst casting in recent Hollywood history: The lackluster ensemble hired by the director is overwhelmed by the generally impressive sets and crowd scenes (aided by computer-generated images), by the task of playing epic heroes and by David Benioff's rambling, tone-deaf screenplay \"inspired by Homer's 'Iliad.'\" In particular, Eric Bana in the key role of Hector, Achilles' fearsome but sympathetic Trojan antagonist, lacks the necessary looks and screen presence. And while Diane Kruger's Helen is pretty, you really need an actress to project great beauty of the kind that would make a prince violate the hospitality of his hosts and provoke the Bronze Age equivalent of a world war. There are a couple of affecting scenes in \"Troy,\" including one between Peter O'Toole's Priam and Brad Pitt's Achilles, as well as some superbly choreographed combat sequences. But, in general, \"Troy\" fails to arouse strong emotion of any kind. Instead, this is the kind of movie in which the director feels driven to spaghetti western-style sudden close-ups to evoke emotions that his actors fail to project, in which declarations of love and hatred provoke laughter from the audience - and in which the sun rises and sets in the same place. Even more than you might expect, \"Troy\" takes major liberties with the traditional mythology: In this version of the story, the war to rescue stolen Helen takes a few days rather than 10 years, Menelaus is killed at the beginning of the war, Achilles lives to hide in the Trojan horse, and Paris and Andromache survive the fall of Troy. The screenplay also leaves out the Gods - an understandable decision for any filmmaker anxious to avoid the laughable excesses of \"Clash of the Titans\" or extremely elaborate computer imaging. But \"Troy\" goes to the other extreme: Belief in the Gods is shown to be absurd, and whenever a character invokes them, he is making a ludicrous mistake. As a result, the film lacks any sense of fate, destiny or even why this war's heroes should be memorable. It's OK to create a political explanation for the Greek expedition, making punishment for Helen's abduction a convenient cover story for Agamemnon's imperial ambitions. But without honor as a primary concern, Achilles' fury at Agamemnon for taking away his lawful prize, the priestess Briseis, doesn't really make any sense. Brian Cox goes so far over the top as a thoroughly evil Agamemnon that you wonder if he isn't deliberately sabotaging the movie. His performance raises an interesting question: Which is harder to watch, a talented actor giving a performance way below his game, or a really dreadful actor demonstrating for all time his utter lack of talent? If \"Troy\" doesn't put an end to the movie career of Orlando Bloom, there is no justice in movieland. Yes, in his girlish way, Bloom bears a vague resemblance to Errol Flynn, but at a recent screening, the audience burst out laughing again and again as he arranged his eyebrows to express surprise. As for Pitt's Achilles, he does look the part of a hero in the Homeric sense, with his impressive musculature and flowing blond locks. But, more Steve Reeves than Russell Crowe, he cannot convey enough sense of an inner life to make corny or leaden lines sound believable. Like \"Gladiator,\" \"Troy\" puritanically abstains from dressing female characters in revealing tunics. Indeed, the abundance of bare, muscular male chests and the absence of naked female flesh make it clear the filmmakers are anxious not to alienate their core audience of violence-loving 9-year-old boys."}, {"response": 1413, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, May 15, 2004 (14:39)", "body": "I have to wonder if this guy saw the same movie; a real rave. I'm done, you can read more at metacritic.com. By Michael Wilmington Chicago Tribune Movie Critic 4 stars (out of 4) \"Troy\"--Wolfgang Petersen's spectacular, literate saga of the Trojan War -may have been preposterously expensive ($175 million or so), but it's also in a league with Hollywood's top historical epics, ancient or otherwise. It's stunningly handsome film, with an equally stunning cast and engrossing story-and a movie like this almost has to reach the top ranks in its class to succeed. With its outsize budget and dense, rich literary-historical source (Homer's \"Iliad\"), it's a huge gamble in today's youth-dominated blockbuster movie market. But like Stanley Kubrick's \"Spartacus\" or David Lean's 1960s epics \"Lawrence of Arabia\" and \"Dr. Zhivago,\" this is a prodigal-spending movie with prodigious rewards: a battle epic that laces spectacle with psychology, bloody warfare with eroticism, grand adventure with back-stabbing politics. Petersen follows the classic epic formula; he gives us a charismatic cast, headed by a quartet of talented hunks--Brad Pitt as Achilles, Eric (\"The Hulk\") Bana as Hector, Sean Bean as Odysseus (Ulysses) and Orlando Bloom as Paris. At the center of \"Troy\" is the conflict between the story's two great heroes: noble, self-sacrificing Hector and rebellious, egotistic Achilles, two great warriors who are caught in a political trap, subject to the whims and moral flaws of their leaders and peers. Hector is the brother of the impulsive, randy Paris, who steals away Helen (Diane Kruger), the beautiful wife of surly Menelaus (Brendan Gleeson)--thereby giving the Mycenaeans' wily king Agamemnon (Brian Cox) the excuse he needs to unite a huge army, crush Troy and give him dominion over the Aegean region. Achilles is Agamemnon's top warrior, seemingly invincible on the battlefield (save for his legendary \"heel\"), but unruly and disrespectful to his despised superiors Agamemnon and Menelaus. Seeing both for what they really are, he saves his loyalties for his faithful legions, the Myrmidons, his cousin-buddy Patroclus (Garrett Hedlund), his mother Thetis (Julie Christie) and Briseis (Rose Byrne), a lovely slave girl he steals from the Trojan Apollonian temple. Homer's Gods are absent here; amorality and power politics hold sway. (Writer David Benioff of \"The 25th Hour\" does borrow the Trojan Horse from Virgil's \"Aeneid.\") But Pitt's Achilles may be writer Benioff's most interesting conception. Whereas generations ago Achilles was damned as selfish, then, more recently, psychoanalyzed as a gay man in love with Patroclus, Pitt plays him as a rebel samurai. He's right to defy the liar-tyrant Agamemnon and save his truest respect for Hector, the man he must kill, and Priam, Hector's brave father. There is depth to the characters: Achilles' revolt, Hector's tormented loyalty, Paris and Helen's impetuous lust, Odysseus's cunning pragmatism, Agamemnon's evil bullying, Menelaus' cloddish jealousy. The single best-acted scene--Priam's moving appeal to Achilles after the battle with Hector--lays bare most of the emotions churning under the whole movie. Most of the acting, though, has a stark simplicity. And if Pitt tends to dominate the screen, it's because he's deified by Petersen and Roger Pratt's camera eye. Pitt's acting is often underrated because he's so photogenic; here his looks are integral to the role, the movie's whole sense of heroic beauty. Movie epics, from Cecil B. DeMille's on, often awe us with their logistic feats and battles and make us groan at their corniness. \"Troy\" is a movie that uses today's vast technological resources--digitized crowds and battles, computerized scenery--to stunning effect. Petersen and his technicians create the walled city of Troy, the oceanside beach front, the complex massed battles of thousands and the fierce individual fights with amazing effectiveness. But epics like this, especially DeMille's, were usually susceptible to the charges of historical travesty and \"Troy\" isn't immune. Benioff condenses the 10-year Trojan war into a few weeks and Petersen presents his armies of hunks with a near-homoerotic intensity that reminds you of both his World War II masterpiece \"Das Boot\" and his gay drama \"The Consequence.\" Pitt's Achilles is also handed some improbable romantic melodrama at the end. In a way, this nearly three-hour movie is a huge, all-star sword-and-sandals epic, but it has all kinds of compensating rewards: flair and sweep, raging excitement, intriguing characters, visual grandeur--and a scenic force and dramatic intelligence. Benioff's screenplay may not be up to its Homeric source, but what movie on this book could be? \"Troy\" pays dues to the great epic poem while generating some real cinematic martial poetry of its own--and never forgetting, as it does, that war is truly hell."}, {"response": 1414, "author": "Odile", "date": "Sat, May 15, 2004 (20:26)", "body": "Excerpts from an article about Vermeer and GWAPE: \"The book and movie about the 17th-century masterpiece, [...], has boosted the gallery\ufffds visitors by some 40 percent.\" \"The actors Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth studied the painting and listened to Duparc\ufffds explanation of Vermeer\ufffds genius with light and mood.\" \"Historians say 80 percent of the prosperous town of Vermeer\ufffds time still exists, its Gothic cathedrals and gabled houses set among narrow canals traversed by stone bridges. \" \"Visitors often seek out the canal-side spot where Vermeer sketched his \ufffd\ufffdView of Delft,\ufffd\ufffd [...]The skyline is still recognizable, but the two gates and the city wall prominently portrayed in the painting have disappeared. The canal has since been broadened. Today, massive barges churn past bearing garbage to a seaside incinerator in Rotterdam.\" \"The first record of [GWAPE's] existence is in 1882, when the collector Arnoldus Andries des Tombes bought it for 2.30 guilders, then a few days\ufffd wages for an average laborer. Twenty years later, when des Tombes bequeathed it to the Mauritshuis, it was valued at 40,000 guilders. Now, it has no price. The museum refuses to disclose its insured value.\" Full article here: http://www.iht.com/articles/520092.html"}, {"response": 1415, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, May 16, 2004 (09:12)", "body": "Thanks for the articles ladies! - Seeing Peter O'Toole on screen again... in fact, in the scene between Priam and Achilles, there was a moment where I honestly thought Pitt was going to look down the lens and proclaim, 'Fuck, he's good'. ROTF! In the Chicago Tribune's rave 4 star review, Peter is not even mentioned. How odd is that?"}, {"response": 1416, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 16, 2004 (11:13)", "body": "I don't know why everyone's all that upset about the film Troy deviating from Homer. As so many have said before with other adaptations, a film has to stand on its own. ;-)"}, {"response": 1417, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, May 16, 2004 (11:22)", "body": "And stand it does. If only the camera would just lower. ;-)"}, {"response": 1418, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sun, May 16, 2004 (11:55)", "body": "(Evelyn)Can this be the British influence? I recently heard of a new baby in UK named Fennel. Well . .in the Phillipines it's been like that for quite some time . .I have a cousin Apple . .she must be about 16 years old now or so . . ;) . .my aunt is named Adoracion . .that's really more spanish, but not your usual Love the WAGW references . . . Many thanks for the articles . . (NY Post)His performance raises an interesting question: Which is harder to watch, a talented actor giving a performance way below his game, or a really dreadful actor demonstrating for all time his utter lack of talent? Ouch! . .but rather fitting . . . Poor OB . .i really did like him in the LOTR, POTC . .but this film didn't do anything for him (AICN - Australia)- I'm sick of hearing the rousing speech to the troops, for all we ever get is a carbon copy of every other one that has come before. Hmm, will agree . .was getting Braveheart flashbacks with that scene of Hector rallying his troops (AICN - Australia)- How desperate they were to hide Achilles's homosexuality Risa was discussing this with us at the screening . ."}, {"response": 1419, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 16, 2004 (11:58)", "body": "I keep wondering about that, Moon. In a number of articles, it talks about how you see BP's naked butt in some shot. OK, fine. Then, I saw someone write that if it had gone a little lower, we'd have a full frontal. Has he had surgery, moving his butt to the front? Am I going to have to go see this movie to know what they're referring to? Anatomically speaking, it makes no sense to me."}, {"response": 1420, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 16, 2004 (12:03)", "body": "(AICN - Australia)- I'm sick of hearing the rousing speech to the troops, for all we ever get is a carbon copy of every other one that has come before. Why is this considered a cliche, when it is something that has always gone in battles of all kinds, including sports. Let's do this one for the Gipper! ;-)"}, {"response": 1421, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, May 16, 2004 (12:20)", "body": "(Karen) In a number of articles, it talks about how you see BP's naked butt in some shot. OK, fine. Then, I saw someone write that if it had gone a little lower, we'd have a full frontal. Has he had surgery, moving his butt to the front? Am I going to have to go see this movie to know what they're referring to? Anatomically speaking, it makes no sense to me. I don't see a winkie so..... Surely you don't think they shot him in or from one position. The first butt shot, his first shot of the movie period, was of him laying on his stomach naked...butt out there for all to see. There was one or two other shots of him from a side/back angle. Others were of him facing whoever he was talking to, hence the almost-full frontal. As far as going to see it, while I'm not a particular fan of BP that I feel compelled to see him sans clothing, for my particular tastes, I do have to say he was really easy on the eyes. ;-) For my personal taste, he has a perfect body.....of what I could see. ;-) Kudos to him and his personal trainer."}, {"response": 1422, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, May 16, 2004 (12:24)", "body": "(Emma) Sounds like it was a FP moment in Highbury today... http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/3718795.stm Wonder if Colin was participating in the \"carnival atmosphere?\" Good for them."}, {"response": 1423, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 16, 2004 (12:48)", "body": "(Dorine) I don't see a winkie so..... No, I meant it in all seriousness. From the account I had read, I got the impression she was only referring to that opening shot, where he's lying down, butt exposed, and it made no sense. So there's another, huh, where he's standing but nothing is seen? Ah, got it. BTW, I saw the movie that got Roeper aroused. ;-) It was an interesting movie; it held my interest."}, {"response": 1424, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, May 16, 2004 (13:10)", "body": "Which one? From this week's show? I was thinking earlier today that Roeper seems to be a movie \"misanthrope.\" He seems to almost always dislike movies that Ebert likes that any kind of element of fun or action in them. Sometimes I get the impression he always wants a movie to be arthouse or arthouse quality or sensibility. Sometimes he seems to have seen and interpreted a movie very different than Ebert, too. The review today for A Slipping Down Life with Guy Pearce and Lily Taylor was a good example of that. Should I go to Sundance next year and see him again, maybe I'll get bold and ask him about that. But then again, nothing wrong with people having differences of opinion. ;-)"}, {"response": 1425, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 16, 2004 (13:12)", "body": "Apple Blythe Alison Martin The baby was probably named after Gwynnie's grandfather. In the Jewish tradition, you name your children after a dead, close relative. Nowadays, they usually just go with the same initial. In Gwynnie's case, she had two people: her grandfather and father, but the grandfather had died first and, if there weren't any other children born into the family, she'd have been reminded that he needed to be honored. The grandfather was called \"Buddy\" but his real first name was Arnold. (Didn't take much Googling to find that.) Seeing \"Blythe\" in the mix is fairly strange, unless if refers to someone other than her mother. (You don't name after living people.) She could also be using the \"B\" in Blythe for her father Bruce. Still, she could've picked a better \"A\" name. But most interesting are the three initials: ABA, which in Hebrew is father. Can you tell I've been reading two of Dan Brown's books? ;-))))))))"}, {"response": 1426, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 16, 2004 (13:22)", "body": "(Dorine) Which one? From this week's show? Secret Things, reviewed last week or two weeks ago. He seems to almost always dislike movies that Ebert likes that any kind of element of fun or action in them. But, by the same token, Roeper has liked a number of inane movies, clearly aimed at the 13-year-old boy crowd, and he seems to always state that you can't take them for anything more than they aspire to be, which is brainless fun. I'm not sure if there's any rhyme or reason to Roeper's views, any more than you can now expect from Ebert. No consistency at all."}, {"response": 1427, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, May 16, 2004 (14:40)", "body": "I saw Troy last night, and I thought it very entertaining and well worth my 8 bucks. I'll be very shallow here, and say that Brad Pitt and Eric Bana are absolutely a pleasure to look at. Oh my. Lots of naked torso shots, especially of Brad, and we get the bare butt and almost full-frontal of Brad and also Orlando. I am getting this one on DVD as soon as it comes out.:-) Not a \"great\" film, but sitting there in the cool darkened theater, with my bag of popcorn and watching these sweeping vistas, casts of thousands, and great looking men scantily clad. . . what more could I want from a summer blockbuster. More later."}, {"response": 1428, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May 16, 2004 (18:43)", "body": "I saw TROY this aft and also found it v. entertaining. Yeah, yeah, the dialogue is wanting...gods are missing...but who needs them when you have Brad Pitt. But , of course, you know I belong to the \"Every- Film -doesn't- have- to- be- an- Oscar- nom- to- be- entertaining- Club\";"}, {"response": 1429, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, May 16, 2004 (22:58)", "body": "(Karen) I don't know why everyone's all that upset about the film Troy deviating from Homer. As so many have said before with other adaptations, a film has to stand on its own. ;-) (Moon) And stand it does. If only the camera would just lower. ;-) I kept thinking the same thing.....didn't see the big deal though in all the nudity talk (had the camera been a few inches lower I would have understood the fuss). If it had been women naked, it wouldn't have gotten a mention. Get Brad to show you the side of his butt (if I don't see crack, it's not a butt shot IMO) and it's front page news (okay, not front page, but really!). He does have a lovely upper body though....that was more thrilling than the side of his cheek for me. And the leather mini skirts Louisa (lovely gams)! GAH! Very nice. I thought it was okay (not great, not gawd-awful). The CGI was amazing. The 'first kill' by Achilles was intense and beyond brutal (but showed off some good leg work by BP). The script wasn't the best. The Troy boys looked great (Love the hair ornaments! Where can a girl get those?? ;-D). The blue and white tie dyed outfits were pretty amusing. Wondered where Hector and wife (Saffron) got the blue eyed, blonde baby...??? Enjoyed the fight between Hector and Achilles. Well done. Still, entertaining (this one was pure eye candy)....but could have been about a half hour shorter (trim a few burial burnings and some sand marching....and does one make that much noise marching on a beach?? It sounded like they were wearing ill fitting wooden clogs on a dance floor....)"}, {"response": 1430, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May 17, 2004 (08:31)", "body": "(Tress) Wondered where Hector and wife (Saffron) got the blue eyed, blonde baby... *snort* I thought the same...but as a matter of fact why didn't the leads look Greek. Only the slaves did. Helen of Troy looked more like Helen of Heidelberg."}, {"response": 1431, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 17, 2004 (10:07)", "body": "Rest assured that there are lots of Greek blonds, and Italians too. ;-D"}, {"response": 1432, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 17, 2004 (10:23)", "body": "From Empire, which strangely enough didn't mention Anthony Andrews, but is spot on with the Dickie Greenleaf suggestion. Fop Idols Connelly and Bettany revisiting Brideshead 17 May 2004 More quintessentially English than strawberries and cream, tennis and bulldogs put together (a messy combination, that), Evelyn Waugh's Brideshead Revisited is one of the classics of the last century. Little wonder then that it is finally getting the big screen treatment. We reported last year that work on the book was underway, but now star couple Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connelly have signed on for lead roles. Brideshead Revisited was previously made into a TV series in 1981, starring Jeremy Irons and featuring such giants of stage and screen as Laurence Olivier and John Gielgud. The book has remained untouched since, presumably because you need some considerable cojones to take on a cast like that \ufffd but obviously Mr and Mrs Bettany-Connelly are the people for the job, along with \"State of Play\" director David Yates. The book flits between the height of wartime in 1944 and the balmy summer of 1923. The narrator is Charles Ryder (Bettany), who studied at Oxford in the roarings twenties and befriended the aristocratic Flyte family of Brideshead. Originally forming a passionate friendship with the startlingly handsome Sebastian Flyte, Charles later falls for his equally attractive sister Julia (Connelly). The other lead part of Sebastian Flyte has yet to be cast, but they're going to need someone who can look as drop-dead gorgeous as Dickie Greenlaw (Jude Law) in The Talented Mr Ripley - while clutching a teddybear all the while. Until they find the right man for the job, let's all lay back and think of an England full of the dreaming spires of Oxford and cuddly toys named Aloysius."}, {"response": 1433, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, May 17, 2004 (11:13)", "body": "Helen of Troy looked more like Helen of Heidelberg. ROTF Ev! (Moon)Rest assured that there are lots of Greek blonds, and Italians too. ;-D True, but I still love Ev's line;-))"}, {"response": 1434, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May 17, 2004 (11:22)", "body": "(Evelyn)gods are missing...but who needs them when you have Brad Pitt. I didn't miss 'em.;-) (Tress)if I don't see crack, it's not a butt shot IMO) LMAO!! I guess I wasn't that plugged into the advance word on this one, and therefore didn't realize there was promised nudity, so was grateful for small favors.;-) Wondered where Hector and wife (Saffron) got the blue eyed, blonde baby... Wasn't he adorable? I assumed he took after grandpa, Peter O'Toole (who I thought was vg; I could almost hear him thinking \"*this* is how it's done, children.\") Did the Paris--Helen romance work for anybody? I thought Bloom and Kruger had zero heat."}, {"response": 1435, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, May 17, 2004 (11:52)", "body": "Jimmy Fallon Signs Off from SNL For Good I liked JF...even though I haven't become a SNL regular since, well since you know;-) Monday May 17, 2004 By Stephen M. Silverman SURPRISED: During this weekend's Saturday Night Live season finale (hosted by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen), Jimmy Fallon, 29, signed off from his Weekend Update anchor chair with a surprise announcement: \"This is my last show. Good night and have a pleasant tomorrow.\" Fallon, who had been with the series since 1998, had a contract that expired, say reports. He will next be seen in the movie Taxi, costarring Queen Latifah and due later this year. (Karen)but is spot on with the Dickie Greenleaf suggestion. Yes, I thought that was a perfect suggestion. Although Paul Bettany could probably have done the DG role, as well. I'm not sure about him as Charles Ryder. I guess I have Jeremy Irons stuck in my mind more than Anthony Andrews."}, {"response": 1436, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, May 17, 2004 (11:53)", "body": "Sorry, this link should have been in above post: http://people.aol.com/people/articles/0,19736,638549,00.html"}, {"response": 1437, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 17, 2004 (13:08)", "body": "Linda), I guess I have Jeremy Irons stuck in my mind more than Anthony Andrews. Anthony was so good as the Scarlet Pimpernel. :-) Is BV available for rental? I never saw that one. (Evelyn)gods are missing...but who needs them when you have Brad Pitt. (Mari), I didn't miss 'em.;-) I don't know about you but my gods are to die for. ;-D"}, {"response": 1438, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Tue, May 18, 2004 (12:51)", "body": "This is really off-topic, but somehow qualifies as O&E in my head. It's somewhat CF related ;-) Technical question about DVD players in PCs: Somewhere here in the last few weeks (discussion of GWAPE region 1 :-(, I got the impression that the player in my PC would be multi-region. Is that true? Don't have any non US DVDs to try in it, but was curious if I should pursue this. Begs the question, why are they bothering with \"regions\" if we can play them anywhere any time via multi-region players. Doesn't that whole release date/marketing thing go out the window? I don't understand the movie biz, can you tell ;-)"}, {"response": 1439, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, May 18, 2004 (13:17)", "body": "DVD-ROM drives installed in your computer are supposed to be region specific. For mine, when I installed it, I had a choice of what region I wanted to set it to. It allowed me to change my mind 5 times, I think, before it locked down to one region. However, there are plenty of cracks available for download that will make your drive region free."}, {"response": 1440, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, May 18, 2004 (17:53)", "body": "OHHHH, Grazie, Thank You, and Merci beaucoup! The \"Last 50 Responses\" page is back!"}, {"response": 1441, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 19, 2004 (11:06)", "body": "From THR, this should start the whining... 'Office' out of Emmy contention By Ray Richmond \"The Office,\" the critically lauded British-produced comedy/mockumentary series imported for U.S. TV audiences by BBC America, has rendered itself ineligible for Primetime Emmy Awards consideration this year because of a shortfall of qualified episodes during the show's second season. The show, which has been universally praised by the TV press on both sides of the Atlantic, has already won a Peabody Award and a pair of Golden Globes this year. The Globes wins came as something of an upset, with \"The Office\" taking the top TV series/musical or comedy statuette over \"Sex and the City,\" \"Monk,\" \"Arrested Development\" and \"Will & Grace.\" The show's creator and star, Ricky Gervais, also carted off the comedy acting trophy over the likes of Matt LeBlanc, Bernie Mac, Eric McCormack and Tony Shalhoub. Even with heavy competition this year in the outstanding comedy category from such perennial nominees as \"Friends,\" \"Sex and the City\" and \"Everybody Loves Raymond,\" it was thought that \"The Office\" stood a better-than-average chance of landing a series Emmy nom as well as one for Gervais among lead comedy actors. Essentially, \"The Office\" took itself out of the running by making a critical decision that seemed benign enough at the time: It entered its first episode of Season Two for International Emmy Awards consideration, thereby removing that segment from consideration for Primetime Emmy honors. Then, according to Jo Petherbridge, BBC America's acting chief operating officer, Gervais decided to use two specials that were produced following the second season and repurpose them into a single \"Office\" movie, which is now expected to air later this year. \"But it was really the fact that we used that one episode for the International Emmys that removed us from the Primetime Emmys,\" Petherbridge said. \"We didn't think there was much awards risk at the time, because that brought us down from six episodes for the second season to five -- and you needed eight episodes to qualify for the Emmys anyway.\" However, this year, quite coincidentally, it happens that the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences lowered the episodic requirement for Emmy series eligibility from eight down to six. And so \"The Office\" wound up missing by just the one. \"We were victims of timing, really, but there was no way around it,\" Petherbridge said. \"But we totally accept the situation, and it's actually been fantastic going back and forth trying to find a solution to this with the TV academy. It's disappointing. But quite frankly, we're all pretty thrilled to have won a Peabody, two Golden Globes and a massive number of BAFTAs lately.\" ATAS vp awards John Leverence stressed that \"The Office\" wasn't caught in any sort of qualifications or semantics snafu of the academy's creation. \"The last thing the TV academy wants is for the press, or the world, to think that once again we have some dumb Emmy rule keeping a great show like 'The Office' from getting in,\" Leverence said. \"In fact, that's not true. BBC America and Ricky Gervais made a choice that they knew might take them out of consideration and decided to make that particular move.\" NBC announced this week that it has ordered a U.S. adaptation of \"The Office\" for the network's 2004-05 midseason schedule (HR 5/18)."}, {"response": 1442, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 19, 2004 (11:09)", "body": "Since the most likely candidate Richard Branson isn't available because he'll be doing an American TV series ... BBC to mogul Sugar: You're hired! By Steve Brennan Self-made London millionaire Alan Sugar will step into the Donald's shoes for a British version of \"The Apprentice,\" it was announced Tuesday in London. Produced by Talkback, the U.K. production arm of FremantleMedia, the series will air this year on BBC Two. Sugar is described as an \"East End boy made good.\" He is chairman of consumer electronics giant Amstrad Plc. and has long been a major champion of promoting enterprise in the United Kingdom. The series for BBC Two will be based on the format that was created by reality British TV producer Mark Burnett and produced for NBC by Mark Burnett Prods. \"The Apprentice\" became a major hit for NBC, with developer Donald Trump overseeing teams of \"apprentices\" who must survive various business-related challenges as they compete for a top job with the Trump organization. The show has become most famous for Trump's dictate at the conclusion of each episode, \"You're fired!\" Sugar will take on the same role in the British version. \"My philosophy has always been to work hard, be honest, be frank, be credible and always learn from your mistakes,\" Sugar said. \"My good news/bad news approach to business has earned me a reputation for being blunt, but you've got to have what it takes to make it in business. I was delighted to be approached for this role. It sits perfectly with my long-held belief in the importance of promoting enterprise.\""}, {"response": 1443, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 19, 2004 (15:38)", "body": "While I'm doing homework for Professor Shosh's class on Darcy Drool, I ran across this pic of Alexandra Kerry, John Kerry's daughter. It was taken at Cannes: US film director Alexandra Kerry, daughter of US presidential candidate John Kerry, arrives for the official projection of the film 'Kill Bill 2' during 57th Cannes Film Festival in the French Riviera town(AFP/Pascal Guyot)"}, {"response": 1444, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Wed, May 19, 2004 (16:22)", "body": "Perky little thangs! At least she could have worn black bikinis."}, {"response": 1445, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 19, 2004 (16:45)", "body": "Putain! ;-) Kerry Heinz son was at the Troy premiere in NY. Democrats and glizt. ;-D"}, {"response": 1446, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Wed, May 19, 2004 (17:30)", "body": "( US film director Alexandra Kerry, daughter of US presidential candidate John Kerry, arrives for the official projection of the film 'Kill Bill 2' during 57th Cannes Film Festival in the French Riviera town(AFP/Pascal Guyot) This dress looks as though it could be like the skirts popular in Japan just a short while back- they looked like they were sheer and showing the body but were actully silkscreens...it if were really this sheer, wouldn't I see her arm in silhouette under the drape on her left shoulder ?"}, {"response": 1447, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May 19, 2004 (17:54)", "body": "I hope she wears that on the campaign trail this summer; will ensure big crowds.;-) Apparently she was done in by the flashbulbs; *always* check your dress undrer bright lights, ladies.:-) And at least she was there with her film, not just to party. From a wire service account: Alexandra Kerry, a 30-year-old filmmaker and actress, on Sunday walked on the Cannes Film Festival's red carpet for the premiere of Quentin Tarantino (news)'s \"Kill Bill 2\" wearing a black dress revealing her right shoulder. But photographers with powerful flashes ended up capturing more: her bra-less chest. Kerry was in Cannes to present her short film, \"The Last Full Measure,\" in the Short Film Corner section of the festival. The film describes the ravage wreaked on a US family by the Vietnam war. Her father is a Vietnam war veteran, but she said her movie's characters are fictional. John Kerry, a Massachusetts senator, will face President George W. Bush (news - web sites), a Republican, in the November 2 election."}, {"response": 1448, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 19, 2004 (18:02)", "body": "(Bonnie) This dress looks as though it could be like the skirts popular in Japan just a short while back- they looked like they were sheer and showing the body but were actully silkscreens That's one of those urban myths. I looked it up not too long ago for someone and it's a hoax. No such skirts ever existed in Japan. The pics were doctored."}, {"response": 1449, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 19, 2004 (18:11)", "body": "Papers Play 'Naked' Kerry Photo Differently By E&P Staff Published: May 19, 2004 NEW YORK It had to be the first time The Washington Post ever published a photo of the daughter of a possible future president with black bars covering her breasts. It was much ado about nothing, of course, but still \"revealing\" of how the press now handles risque photos in print vs. online. It all began on Monday, when Sen. John Kerry's daughter Alexandra, a film-maker, walked up the red carpet at the Cannes film festival. She was wearing a black dress, off the shoulder on one side, and apparently not much underneath. When the flash bulbs inevitably popped, her bare-naked upper torso was clearly visible through the fabric, if only for a second. Of course, photographers captured that second, perfectly. The highly revealing photo was published all over news sites on the Web, but newspapers in print have taken a varying approach. The New York Post published the shot with the headline \"Kerry's Daughter is in Top Form.\" The Washington Post, on the other hand, went the retro \"black-bars-across-breasts\" route, while the Boston Herald showed her only from the neck up. \"She seems to be doing her best Janet Jackson imitation,\" the wife a local pol told the Herald. Washington Times Editorial Page Editor Tony Blankley told Lloyd Grove of New York's Daily News, \"It was a lovely photograph,\" but doubted it would sway votes. Former Al Gore campaign manager Donna Brazile commented: \"Too much information! Whatever happened to earth tones?\""}, {"response": 1450, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, May 19, 2004 (19:23)", "body": "....wearing a black dress revealing her right shoulder. ROTFL... that's what they noticed? Looks like she has a belly piercing too."}, {"response": 1451, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, May 19, 2004 (20:44)", "body": "But photographers with powerful flashes ended up capturing more: her bra-less chest. Yeah, blame it on the paparazzi;-)"}, {"response": 1452, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, May 19, 2004 (22:26)", "body": "(Bonnie) ...it if were really this sheer, wouldn't I see her arm in silhouette under the drape on her left shoulder ? Not necessarily. The light and camera angle was such that it caught that particular area \"best.\" As you can see, the \"sheerness\" appears to decrease the further down you go. Just a different angle and amt of light on that area. Also, for the shoulder, there could be more than one layer so the light wouldn't penetrate as well, or a small chance it's a slightly different fabric or weight of same fabric. Remember that shirt Livia wore at the TIOBE premiere? At least she had on a (*white*) bra. ;-) Hollywood people wear those types of dress frequently knowing what will happen. Not saying Ms. Kerry did, though. Thanks for posting that Karen. Heard about it this morning on TV and was going to look it up, then forgot."}, {"response": 1453, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 20, 2004 (09:46)", "body": "(Dorine) Hollywood people wear those types of dress frequently knowing what will happen. Not saying Ms. Kerry did, though. ..Yeah, yeah...;-) Methinks Ms.Kerry makes J.Lo look like a nun."}, {"response": 1454, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May 20, 2004 (10:10)", "body": "(Evelyn), Methinks Ms.Kerry makes J.Lo look like a nun. LOL! Yeah, but can she sing? ;-) The fun thing about having the democrats in office is that you never know what will happen here. With the republicans you never know what will happen there. ;-)"}, {"response": 1455, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 21, 2004 (09:28)", "body": "It's good to see hypocrisy is alive and well in other countries. ;-) (although you do have to wonder why it was included anyway) From BBC News : Britain axes nipple from EU film British censors required a nipple shot cut from a breastfeeding scene A film advert encouraging people to vote in the European elections has been censored in Britain to eliminate a glimpse of a bare nipple. The European Parliament film depicts various choices being made by a jury, school pupils and a breastfed baby. Brief shots of the mother's nipple were cut from the version to be shown in 2,200 British cinemas, on the orders of the Cinema Advertising Association. The advert will be shown unedited in up to 24 EU countries. Labour MP Julia Drown said the move highlighted \"a real inconsistency\" in attitudes towards breastfeeding in the UK. \"There is a minority of people in the country who are somehow offended by breastfeeding in public, who somehow think it's a bit scary rude or unacceptable,\" she said \"But it just forgets the fact that millions of bosoms are thrust into people's faces every single day in the tabloids.\" Two versions of the promotional film have been made by the European Parliament's audio-visual department, lasting 45 seconds and 30 seconds. Both feature the breast-feeding scene, and Britain was the only country which required the nipple to be cut from both versions. The advert ends with the voice-over message: \"You've been voting since you were born: don't stop now - European Parliament elections, 10 June.\" Apart from the language of the final message, the advert was intended to be exactly the same for all European audiences. However, in addition to cuts demanded in Britain, French censors were uncomfortable about a brief shot of a stern-looking female judge receiving a jury's verdict. Ireland has reportedly decided not to screen the advert at all. The edited advert will be shown in British cinemas from 28 May. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/3735143.stm"}, {"response": 1456, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 21, 2004 (10:23)", "body": "I haven't paid much attention to Scott Turow's books after reading my third and last, but an excellent review for the upcoming miniseries \"Reversible Errors\" starting on Sunday from THR: Reversible Errors By Barry Garron Bottom line: A brilliant murder mystery filled with unforgettable characters. (9-11 p.m. Sunday and Tuesday, May 23 and 25, CBS) Finally, a murder mystery that is more than worth the four hours of time required to invest in it. It's not just that \"Scott Turow's Reversible Errors\" is an intriguing tale with more twists and turns than a Britney Spears video. What makes this mini so irresistible is that every single character is richly drawn, absolutely convincing and undeniably flawed. Although Turow uses the tale to raise questions about the death penalty, this is first and foremost a story of complex and basically decent individuals trying to find truth and justice but coming at it from different perspectives and with different motivations. It all begins with a triple homicide. A timely tip leads Detective Larry Starczek (Tom Selleck) to a mentally shortchanged petty thief, Rommy \"Squirrel\" Gandolph (Glenn Plummer), who quickly confesses and is sentenced to death. At the time, Starczek is having an affair with a novice in the District Attorney's Office, Muriel Wynn (Monica Potter). The case becomes the first step in her meteoric rise through the ranks. Of course, it's all too pat. Seven years later, Squirrel's last appeal is assigned to Arthur Raven (William H. Macy), a former lawyer in the D.A.'s office who could no longer stomach the work after his sister died of a drug overdose. Raven, with an assist from the judge who heard the case, Gillian Sullivan (Felicity Huffman), finds out enough to convince himself that Squirrel was wrongly convicted. Finding the truth and achieving justice turn out to be two separate journeys that converge only from time to time. Deliciously complicating things is the rekindling of romantic sparks between the detective and the prosecutor, now married and campaigning for the office of D.A. And then there's the smoldering attraction between Raven and the former judge, who has since served time for taking bribes and now sells perfume at a department store. Selleck gives perhaps his most nuanced performance, and Potter shows great dramatic range. Macy and Huffman always can be counted on for turns that dig far below the surface, and their work here as tormented souls struggling to reach out to each other is as solid as it gets. It's a story that demands attention but rewards those who give it. Alan Sharp, who adapted the teleplay from Turow's novel, made smart choices, finding the essence of the story and the relationships and recasting them for the miniseries. Mike Robe, who directed Turow's \"Burden of Proof\" for a previous CBS miniseries, is absolutely masterful here. He unfolds the story at a brisk and satisfying pace and deploys camera angles and lighting expertly enough to capture the angst and the conflicts that beset each of the richly textured characters. While HBO's \"Angels in America\" has a lock on the miniseries Emmy in September, it would be a shame if \"Reversible Errors\" was not among the nominees. Cast: Arthur Raven: William H. Macy Larry Starczek: Tom Selleck Muriel Wynn: Monica Potter Gillian Sullivan: Felicity Huffman Erno Erdai: James Rebhorn Collins Farwell: Shemar Moore Rommy Gandolph: Glenn Plummer Genevieve Carriere: Yanna McIntosh Talmadge Lorman: Nigel Bennett Judge Harlow: David Fox [BTW, if you close your eyes slightly when Monica Potter speaks--though might not even be necessary--you will hear Julia Roberts]"}, {"response": 1457, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May 21, 2004 (12:00)", "body": "Looks like Julia Roberts too: I saw her in \"Martha meet Frank, Daniel.....\" Scott Turow always comes through with a riveting story. I'll watch. This Sunday is the last episode of State of Play and next to last for Tony Soprano. Tony should say good night this season while he's ahead....IMO the story lines have been getting pretty thin. Who cares about Meadow's boyfriend's mother (Annette Benning!) Looks like all the episodes of Keen Eddie are re-runs. http://www.bravotv.com/Keen_Eddie/episodes_list.html"}, {"response": 1458, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, May 21, 2004 (13:35)", "body": "(Evelyn)Scott Turow always comes through with a riveting story. I'll watch. Ditto...and I can't wait for SoP's last episode. I almost lost the thread last week but was able to sort it out in the end. They are filming a second series. (Evelyn)Looks like all the episodes of Keen Eddie are re-runs I guess Bravo didn't order new episodes they only bought the existing series;-(("}, {"response": 1459, "author": "birdy", "date": "Fri, May 21, 2004 (13:42)", "body": "(Evelyn)Who cares about Meadow's boyfriend's mother (Annette Benning!) I may be in the minority here, but after being off the Sopranos the last year or so, I'm back on board. I thought this last episode was exceptionally well done. The whole dream-sequence - especially the part with Annette Benning as herself sitting at the family table with John Heard (whose character I think got whacked the first season)as the Dad and then with the line about \"he'll never amount to anything,\" the interchanging the image of Meadow's boyfriend with that of AJ was particularly telling. (And AB running after Tony with the crowd ala \"Frankenstein\" screaming \"Bugsy!\" was hilarious.) I've only watched the episode once, but I intend to again. There were so many in-jokes and I'm at a disadvantage because I've had gaps in watching the series. For legal thrillers, I always liked him head and shoulders above Grisham. At least early on. I haven't read Reversible Errors, but I'm looking forward to watching it too."}, {"response": 1460, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, May 21, 2004 (16:09)", "body": "Reversible Errors sounds good; thanks for the heads up or I'd have missed this one. Louise, I sort of agree with you about the \"dream\" episode of Sopranos. It was out there, but this series is never afraid to take chances and I thought it was a unique way to make its points, especially about Tony and his relationship with his father, which he's never been able to really address in a conscious way. The Frankenstein mob bit was too funny. I also think Tony Blundetto is not long for this world; too bad, I've really enjoyed Steve Buscemi's portrayal, but hey, if ya live by the sword . . .;-)"}, {"response": 1461, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May 21, 2004 (16:45)", "body": "This Sunday's Breakfast with the Art on A&E will have a feature with Wolfgang Petersen: \"WOLFGANG PETERSEN ON ?TROY? Josh Binswanger will speak to Oscar nominated director Wolfgang Petersen about ?Troy,? his highly-anticipated new film set in ancient Greece."}, {"response": 1462, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 21, 2004 (16:58)", "body": "The advert ends with the voice-over message: \"You've been voting since you were born: don't stop now - European Parliament elections, 10 June.\" Oh, yeah. Babies are voting on which breast is best? What kind of silly ad is that? They way it looks now it will be a big win for the left breast. ;-) Thanks for the Turow heads up, Karen."}, {"response": 1463, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sat, May 22, 2004 (17:15)", "body": "We are getting loads of press here on Troy, interviews, reviews etc Am I the only Brit unmoved by Brad..... in a skirt, without a skirt... any which way. Shall be wearing my \"I prefer Jennifer\" tee shirt instead ;-)))"}, {"response": 1464, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, May 23, 2004 (11:08)", "body": "For anyone interested in light of the recent Troy discussions, the USA miniseries is being rerun this afternoon, starting at noon, on A&E."}, {"response": 1465, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, May 23, 2004 (14:17)", "body": "(Lizza)Am I the only Brit unmoved by Brad I can only speak for myself, here in America, but he doesn't move me in the least;-)"}, {"response": 1466, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, May 23, 2004 (18:39)", "body": "on another note...doesn't Gael Garcia Bernal have the most gorgeous eyes? Okay, next to ODB;-)"}, {"response": 1467, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, May 24, 2004 (00:32)", "body": "Hey, do I remember correctly about a restriction of talking about HP on here? Went to the premiere this afternoon with Little Bee Risa and a couple of other friends, too. Won't say more if it's a no-no."}, {"response": 1468, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 24, 2004 (01:07)", "body": "The restriction was mainly aimed at talking about HP in conjunction with Colin. You know, the moaning and groaning for him to be cast in any of those movies."}, {"response": 1469, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, May 24, 2004 (01:54)", "body": "Oh right. Ok, I did have a quick comment about that, but it's unimportant. Anyway, I *loved* Prisoner of Azkaban. By far the best one IMO and my favorite of the 3. Not long and draggy like I felt the others were, though this one is about 2 1/4 hours. I wasn't bored once, like I was quite a bit after a while with the other 2. *Very* humorous, Hermione didn't annoy me at all this time...she's not snotty this time around. Doesn't act like she has to compete or show up the boys because she's the girl, she's just one of a group of friends, all helping each other out. Really loved the music in this one...I surprised myself saying I might buy the soundtrack. What a *hoot* Emma Thompson was! Sirius Black is in it less than I thought he would be. Talked about more than he's seen. Michael Gambon, an excellent choice for Dumbledore, though I sort of miss the kind of gravitas and even gentleness that RH brought to the role. MG is different, but I liked him. Risa pointed out something that was left out that would've been a great \"*Ooooo*hhhh,\" epiphany-like moment regarding a map HP used. Am curious if they even filmed that. I might buy this one when it's out on DVD vs the other 2 I've never watched more than once. What a crowd of teenagers outside...and what lungs they have! Could hear them screaming *alllll* the way over to the next block where we stood in line to get in. Think they were practicing for the cameras for at least 30 mins before stars started to arrive and they were probably doing it before that before we got there. It was so hot outside, and they were doing a live feed in the theater (Radio City) of the arrivals, so we went in to watch. Got free popcorn, sodas or water, and goody bags with fun stuff at our seats. Stars from the film who came included....The 3 main kids of course....(I'll use their character names, it's easier)....HP looks so overwhelmed by the huge crowd, the noise, and activity, we really thought he looked on the verge of hyperventilating, at least when he first arrived. I think he relaxed as he made his way down the step and repeat line. Hermione...v. v. cute, but I didn't like her dress much. Was cute to watch her pull it up (it was sleeveless and maybe she felt it slipping? ;-)). I loved Ron dressed like a little rocker...long hair, sneakers, some kind of navy uniform looking coat (?). Not a great description of that coat, but.... They were all too cute, esp the boys. AR (Snape) was there looking same as LA, not bad at all. Robbie Coltrane....must've been miserable in the heat, wasn't looking tip top shape inside as he walked by. He's a big guy. Some of the other kids were there....no idea of their names. Director Alfonso Cuaron and producers David somebody and Chris Columbus there, too. Non-HP stars there...Tim Robbins with SS and kids, Christy Brinkley looking younger than ever with her very handsome hubby and their kids, LL Cool J and family...who were mobbed at their seats by his fans, poor things..., Gina Gershon, Leelee Sobieski, Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20 and his wife who strongly resembled Angelina Jolie. We were seated all the way over to the left, so the stars ended up walking by us on the way to the stage for pre-screening intros. A lady made a comment like, \"Love you, Alan\" as he walked by on his way down to the stage *and* on his way back. He acknowledged her on the way back with a wave and forgot what he said. Risa and my other guest got a few good pics as they walked by. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=638&e=3&u=/nm/20040524/en_nm/leisure_potter_dc http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=529&ncid=529&e=2&u=/ap/20040524/ap_en_mo/harry_potter_premiere http://www.wireimage.com/default.asp Yahoo pics/slideshow is good, too. I give it 2 thumbs way up. :-) Well worth $10 bucks. Now to see Shrek 2."}, {"response": 1470, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, May 24, 2004 (01:56)", "body": "Oooh I forgot, the kid who plays Malfoy was there. Poor thing, having an acne attack."}, {"response": 1471, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, May 24, 2004 (14:37)", "body": "Thanks, Dorine. I'm waiting to see this with the little ones. Was the premiere at Radio City, or was there just a special screening there? Also, Alan Rickman...was he a bit more friendly than at the LA premiere?"}, {"response": 1472, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May 24, 2004 (14:42)", "body": "LOL, he could hardly be *less* friendly.;-) I saw bits from the HP premiere on the news; I haven't heard so much screaming since Colin Firth was in town.;-)"}, {"response": 1473, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, May 24, 2004 (14:59)", "body": "(Mari) I haven't heard so much screaming since Colin Firth was in town.;-) LOL, that's what Risa and I were telling my other friends. I have to admit I was floored we could hear them rather well all the way on the other side of the building. AR at least turned and acknowledged the woman who said, \"Love you, Alan\" both verbally and with a wave -- and he was already past her a couple of rows at that point."}, {"response": 1474, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 24, 2004 (16:20)", "body": "Thanks, Dorine. I look forward to it. I saw the closing ceremony of the Cannes FF on IFC. Tarantino says that Moore's film was the best in the festival and it's a documentary? Yeah, whatever. I am looking forward to seeing it and I'm glad it might get the distribution it needs, but frankly, the standing ovations he received at the many screenings were because Europeans are anti-Bush (that's how they hide their anti-Americanism now). But the fashion! The gowns were very beautiful. I liked them much better than the ones I saw at the Oscars."}, {"response": 1475, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, May 24, 2004 (16:47)", "body": "But the fashion! The gowns were very beautiful. I liked them much better than the ones I saw at the Oscars. I saw the show, too, and that's exactly what I was thinking. Thought they were unique, classy, *and* attractive. I'd say many Oscar gowns lack one or more of those qualities."}, {"response": 1476, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, May 24, 2004 (21:00)", "body": "Dorine - very jealous I wasn't able to make it . .my DH says hi . .he and I were wondering . .was there any sort of Q&A? . .or did any of the actors/director even speak a bit after or before the film? Saw Shrek 2 - thought it was adorable . .can't wait till HP;)"}, {"response": 1477, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, May 24, 2004 (21:25)", "body": "No Q&A. Just quick intros of about a dozen people before the film. I actually thought it was odd not more was said after they dragged all those people up there. I vaguely remember now maybe the director said literally a few words about hoping we enjoy the film. Wondered if they'd do one afterward, like they have at several smaller premieres I've been to (though granted a couple were during film fests, too), but they didn't. I think they were talked out by the time they got inside. ;-) We got to see them answer questions outside on the screen. They were all asked things like, \"Why do you think this appeals to so many people?\" (or similar).....blah, blah, blah. They basically all said the same thing.....the story."}, {"response": 1478, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, May 24, 2004 (21:28)", "body": "Now that I think of it, I doubt the kids would've been able to sit still through a Q&A. And I have to say, I was beyond impressed at the children of all ages in that theater. Virtually no fidgeting, noise, or talking the *whole* time (at least anyone remotely near us). I am all astonishment."}, {"response": 1479, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Tue, May 25, 2004 (13:13)", "body": "Dorine , thanks so much for all the HP info, so glad it's got thumbs up. We literally just had a news clip on our childrens' BBC channel showing it (but not you and your guests;-) ) Premiere here Sunday night. Apparently according to article in Saturday Telegraph the director set the three leads an essay to write before filming, about their character. Harry produced a page, Hermione about 14 sides and Ron didn't bother! They all acknowledged that in reality they were a lot like the characters they played in the film after all."}, {"response": 1480, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Tue, May 25, 2004 (13:14)", "body": "Check it out , \"Wizarding age\" www.telegraph.co.uk"}, {"response": 1481, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, May 26, 2004 (10:55)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1482, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, May 26, 2004 (10:56)", "body": "closing the bolds"}, {"response": 1483, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, May 26, 2004 (11:00)", "body": "Jude Law Joins Brideshead Revisited Adaptation The New York Social Dairy website reports that Jude Law will be joining Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connolly in the movie version of Evelyn Waugh's romantic novel Brideshead Revisited, from Warner Independent Pictures. The film will be directed by David Yates from a script by Andrew Davies. Set in the 1920s and '30s, it is the story of Charles Ryder (Bettany), an aspiring painter who gets mixed up with the aristocratic, beautiful, doomed Flyte family - sister Julia (Connolly) and gay brother Sebastian (Law). Law is expected to spend the summer in Derbyshire, England at the country seat of the Dukes of Devonshire, Chatsworth, filming the adaptation. The Sebastian Flyte role was made famous in the 1981 series by Anthony Andrews. The original series was filmed at Castle Howard in Yorkshire, starring Claire Bloom and Sir Laurence Olivier. The role of Charles Ryder, Sebastian's very romantic school chum who was infatuated but evidently straight was played by Jeremy Irons and made him a star."}, {"response": 1484, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, May 26, 2004 (13:35)", "body": "Another victim of remake ferver (or fever):-(: 2. WB ALTERS 'STATES' Scribe aboard for remake of '80 sci-fi pic Warner Bros. has set screenwriter Fernley Phillips to write a remake of \"Altered States,\" the 1980 Ken Russell-directed psychedelic sci-fi thriller. Greg Shapiro will produce I"}, {"response": 1485, "author": "socadook", "date": "Wed, May 26, 2004 (22:03)", "body": "(Beedee) Another victim of remake ferver (or fever):-(: Fever indeed! That movie's considered a joke in my family. The new version can only be an improvement, imo."}, {"response": 1486, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, May 27, 2004 (04:36)", "body": "For all you Tony Award fans, thought this was an interesting article about how they pick what numbers go on the show. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=529&ncid=529&e=7&u=/ap/20040526/ap_en_ot/tonys_backstage_song_picks Am posting the bit about Hugh Jackman on his board."}, {"response": 1487, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, May 27, 2004 (17:52)", "body": "I thought this was a trip. Hollywood Mystery Man 'Rance' Has Internet Abuzz Thu May 27, 2:52 PM ET By Dan Whitcomb LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - He skewers Hollywood and the cult of celebrity on an anonymous Web log that has spawned a cult following. He claims to be an A-list actor, writing under a pseudonym, but admits he may not be believed. Who, exactly, is \"Rance?\" Could he really be, as some believe, Owen Wilson, Ben Affleck, Jim Carrey or even George Clooney? The answer may perhaps be found somewhere in the entries on his Weblog -- or \"blog\" -- which applies a trenchant wit and jaundiced insider's eye in chronicling the life of a Hollywood celebrity. Then again, it could all be a hoax. Though Rance granted an interview with Reuters, he responded to questions only via email, using pseudonymous dead-end accounts for both himself and the reporter and never offering a glimpse into his real identity. Asked if he was, in fact, a well-known actor, he responded: \"Or a well-known actress perhaps. Just not Donald Trump.\" In the blog's first-ever post last December, Rance introduced himself this way: \"Suffice it to say I know what its like to see your picture on the magazine rack every now and again when you pay for groceries.\" Rance's blog has since spawned a furious guessing game on the Internet and beyond, becoming a regular topic at Hollywood parties. Xeni Jardin, a writer on the \"Boing-Boing\" blog, recently told her readers that Rance was rumored to be \"Starsky and Hutch\" star Owen Wilson, a claim that the actor's publicist has denied. BEN AFFLECK? GEORGE CLOONEY? JIM CARREY? The anonymous editor of Hollywood gossip site Defamer suggests it could be Ben Affleck -- a conjecture built around the supposed link between a cryptic quiz on Rance's blog and an Affleck tattoo. Others have surmised that Rance is Jim Carrey, George Clooney, Benicio Del Toro or Luke Wilson, Owen's brother. And one of Rance's readers recently sent him a comment that read simply: \"You are, in fact, Matthew Perry. Game on?\" Meanwhile, a Defamer reader tried to unmask Rance by researching the term \"Captain Hoof,\" which appears in the Web address. She came to the conclusion that he was a San Francisco man who worked at an ad agency and once ran a Web site with a similar name -- possibly dedicated to an imaginary horse. The man, who no longer works for the agency, could not be contacted for this story. For his part, Rance offers the electronic equivalent of a shrug to the endless chatter about his identity, saying that it was never his intention to play hide-and-seek with the world. \"The guessing game distracts from any message I might have,\" he told Reuters. \"Then again, I'm not yet sure I have a message and in any case the amusement makes it all worth it. More than once I've seen items that upon first glance suggested the game might be up and I felt my stomach plummet.\" Rance said he set up the Web site on a whim with help from a computer-savvy friend, seeing it as a \"really good way to bitch about my job\" without suffering any career repercussions. He chose the name \"Rance\" as a pun on \"rants.\" The diverse themes of the Web log revolve around pitch meetings and parties, the machinations of Hollywood at work and play and its fascination with sex and celebrity. Rance loves shrimp and logic puzzles. He's tolerant of paparazzi but tough on gossips. He's bored by Shakespeare and the summer blockbuster \"Troy\" but admires Joan Rivers. And through it all he's amused by life in Los Angeles -- the way a birthday party in the suburbs can turn into an unexpected meeting with a dominatrix and a late-night nude dip in the Chateau Marmont pool can be interrupted by an SUV crash on Sunset Boulevard. \"It is tough in L.,\" Rance says of the city. \"The good news is there are Fatburgers.\" Though he has received two \"serious\" proposals from people in publishing to turn his blog into a book, Rance said he has not yet pursued that idea, content for now to communicate to the outside world through the Internet. \"With no disrespect intended, media in general seldom if ever permits a person, be he actor or President, to present himself the way he would like -- and certainly not to the degree a blog does,\" Rance said. \"Still, there's a megabyte or two's worth of irony in my situation,\" he said. _________________________________ Here's the URL http://captainhoof.tripod.com/blog/ I've looked at a few going back (the first part of May 24 is pretty funny), but think I'll start from the beginning to get references in future posts. Some are funnier than others, possibly partly because I don't get references to previous posts."}, {"response": 1488, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 28, 2004 (08:49)", "body": "Intersting. Thanks, Dorine. What are DVP's? Do you know?"}, {"response": 1489, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 28, 2004 (08:59)", "body": "\"Suffice it to say I know what its like to see your picture on the magazine rack every now and again when you pay for groceries.\" Hoax! Since when do any of these people go to the grocery store? ;-) But that doesn't mean I don't intend to check out the blog. Thanks Dorine."}, {"response": 1490, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, May 28, 2004 (09:09)", "body": "(Moon) What are DVP's? Do you know? Not sure what you're referring to. Won't be around much for the next few days to see what you mean. In case I'm not around much, have a nice holiday all who celebrate! And those who don't have a nice weekend! :-)"}, {"response": 1491, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 28, 2004 (10:59)", "body": "DVP's is used by J on his site. (Karen), Hoax! Since when do any of these people go to the grocery store? ;-) Not true! When I lived in LA, I've grocery shopped with Clint Eastwood, Goldie Hawn, etc, car shopped with Barbra Steissand, flown with lots of celebrities. No camera in phone back then."}, {"response": 1492, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 28, 2004 (11:01)", "body": "And in Miami, Cameron Diaz was spotted at the supermarket, she's filming here."}, {"response": 1493, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, May 28, 2004 (15:58)", "body": "And we know Colin was shopping for toilet paper once. ;-)"}, {"response": 1494, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sat, May 29, 2004 (08:15)", "body": "\"Bog rolls\" Dorine, it's an important distinction for a Brit bottom ;-)) !!"}, {"response": 1495, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sun, May 30, 2004 (13:33)", "body": "Hopefully, here's a link to an interview in today's paper with Helen Fielding about her new novel. Points to ponder: --Does it contain a role tailor-made for Mr. Darcy? --Do I have more than a snowball's chance that ODB will come to the booksigning to support her dear friend? http://www.abqjournal.com/venue/books/181122books05-30-04.html"}, {"response": 1496, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sun, May 30, 2004 (13:36)", "body": "http://www.abqjournal.com/venue/books/181122books05-30-04.htm Sorry, this one should work."}, {"response": 1497, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 31, 2004 (09:49)", "body": "Does it contain a role tailor-made for Mr. Darcy? Not that I recall, certainly not either of the two male leads. Do I have more than a snowball's chance that ODB will come to the booksigning to support her dear friend? LOL! Keep wishing and hoping, m'dear. ;-)"}, {"response": 1498, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 2004 (09:15)", "body": "Updating June birthdays before I forget;-) June 7 - Lizza June 14 - Moon June 17 - Beedee June 22 - Leslie June 23 - Shoshana June 30 - Leah Again, if I screwed up..let me know;-)"}, {"response": 1499, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 2004 (09:52)", "body": "Moore Documentary Gets U.S. Distributor By GARY GENTILE, AP Business Writer Michael Moore's award-winning documentary \"Fahrenheit 9/11\" has picked up a U.S. distributor and will hit theaters June 25. The film will be released by a partnership of Lions Gate Films, IFC Films and the Fellowship Adventure Group, which was formed by Harvey and Bob Weinstein specifically to market Moore's film. Moore's film, which recently won the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival, criticizes President Bush (news - web sites)'s response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and connects the Bush family with Osama bin Laden's. The Weinsteins, who run Miramax Films, bought the rights to the movie from The Walt Disney Co., which owns Miramax and refused to distribute \"Fahrenheit 9/11.\" The Weinstein brothers will personally finance and control distribution and marketing, they said Tuesday. \"I am grateful to them now that everyone who wants to see it will now have the chance to do so,\" Moore said in a statement. \"On behalf of my stellar cast \ufffd GW, Dick, Rummy, Condi and Wolfie \ufffd we thank this incredible coalition of the willing for bringing 'Fahrenheit 9/11' to the people.\" Disney chief executive Michael Eisner said the company \"did not want a film in the middle of the political process\" because he believed that theme park and entertainment consumers \"do not look for us to take sides.\" In a settlement reached last week, the Weinsteins repaid their parent company for all costs of the film to date, estimated at around $6 million. Any profits from the film's distribution that go to Miramax or Disney will be donated to charity. ~~~~~~~~~ Empty gesture. With Harvey, there are never any profits. ;-)"}, {"response": 1500, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 2004 (11:12)", "body": "Article today in Backstage (NY issue) - Essie Davis talking about her role in Jumpers . .will try to type it up and post later;) article entitled: Tackling Singing and Nudity by Simi Horowitz"}, {"response": 1501, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 2004 (13:07)", "body": "(Kimberly)...- Essie Davis talking about her role in Jumpers ... I saw her last week in \"Jumpers\" as Dotty the Ditz. Lots of nudity (great bod!)and some singing (with those body- mics, anybody can sing on B'way nowdays). Acting wasn't extraordinary. She was better as Catarina."}, {"response": 1502, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 2004 (15:44)", "body": "Did anyone else here see Closer on stage, either NY or London? I saw it on Broadway with Ciaran Hinds, Rupert Graves, Natasha Richardson and Anna Friel. I believe Clive was in the original London cast. Anyway, from Jeff Wells's column, here's a test screening report on the film version which opens in December, or what I'll call \"Here's what happens when you appear in a real movie with a real director who's working from real source material from a real playwright.\" ;-) ************** Closer and Clive Curiously, weirdly, Upcoming Movies editor Greg Dean Schmitz has for the last few months continued to fail to create a page for Mike Nichols' CLOSER, an adaptation of Patrick Marber's play that Columbia will be opening on December 3rd. This despite the likely heat this thing will be bringing to the Oscar race, despite the obvious quality of the play (I wrote an admiring piece about it two or three months ago), and despite the implied promise of Nichols, a reliable actor's director, taking Jude Law, Julia Roberts, Clive Owen and Nathalie Portman by the hand. Well, perhaps intransigent Greg will change his tune after reading this report from a screening that happened last night (Tuesday, 6.1) at 7:30 pm at the AMC 7 in Santa Monica. It comes from a reader named Donlee Brussell. \"I just got out of the very first screening of CLOSER, and all I have to say is that the film is all you'd expect it to be and then some. Almost every single scene builds to astounding crescendos. \"Jude Law is good, but Clive Owen is the big scene-stealer. He steals every one he's in. The range he shows when he breaks up with Anna (Roberts' role)is amazing. Another scene he has with Portman in a strip club is just pitch perfect in the way he plays it. \"This film, more than CROUPIER or the upcoming KING ARTHUR, shows that Clive is really the Next Big Thing. \"And no, Julia Roberts does not fuck things up by relying on her usual tricks...laughing, flashing her teeth, the big smile, etc. \"After the film ended, there was some very long clapping. And for the first time ever at a research screening I've attended, not one person left before filling out the comment card. I wanted to be a part of the focus group afterwards, mainly to say that not a frame should be changed, but they already had enough yuppie couples. \"As is, CLOSER is the best thing I've seen all year. It's certainly the best thing anyone in the film, including Nichols, has touched in years. \"There are some little details from the play that have been changed. We see the opening car accident, for example. And while the film has a rep as being erotic on some level, the only person with a nude scene is Clive Owen. \"Natalie Portman is a revelation. Along with her work in GARDEN STATE, her transition from teen to adult films is now complete. \"The funniest thing in the movie is an online conversation between Owen and Law where there is no spoken dialogue between them. I worry though that this scene and the Owen-Roberts break-up one might push the film to an NC-17 for dialogue alone, like it did with CLERKS and YOUR FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS. \"What made me love the film so much was how realistic so much of it felt -- the dialogue, actions, reactions. Pretty much all the dialogue from Marber's play is intact. The scenes go on for five minutes and are enthralling every second. The blocking is very theatrical as well, and I think that only served to help. \"I can't stress how good this thing was. Expect to see some enthusiastic AICN reviews popping up starting on Wednesday. There's definitely a buzz on this thing because there was a line around the block when I got there at 6:30. By the time I got up front, the line was around the block again, and theywere turning away more than half the people. \"I can only hope they promote it properly.\""}, {"response": 1503, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 2004 (16:54)", "body": "How did Clive Owen manage to get so big in so little time? ;-) Thanks Mari! I look forward to this one."}, {"response": 1504, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 2004 (17:36)", "body": "\". I worry though that this scene and the Owen-Roberts break-up one might push the film to an NC-17 for dialogue alone,...\" The play certainly was. Review sounds like a die-hard Clive Owen fan wrote it. Thanks Mari. I saw the play;-)"}, {"response": 1505, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 2004 (18:11)", "body": "Excellent! I can't wait to see this one. (Mari) \"Here's what happens when you appear in a real movie with a real director who's working from real source material from a real playwright.\" ;-) Ditto. Couldn't have said it better myself."}, {"response": 1506, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 2004 (08:42)", "body": "The list of presenters for the 2004 Tony Awards continues to grow. Renee Zellweger , Edie Falco, Harvey Fierstein, Swoosie Kurtz, Victor Garber, Rob Marshall, John Rubenstein and Carol Channing are the latest additions to the ever-growing list. These artists join the previously announced Tony Bennett, Mary J. Blige, Sean Combs, Taye Diggs, Jimmy Fallon, Joel Grey, Ethan Hawke, Anne Heche, LL Cool J, Billy Joel, Scarlett Johansson, Nicole Kidman, Jane Krakowski, Peter Krause, Nathan Lane, Laura Linney, John Lithgow, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Dame Helen Mirren, Sarah Jessica Parker, Anna Paquin, Bernadette Peters, Phylicia Rashad, Chita Rivera, Carole Bayer Sager, Martin Short, Sigourney Weaver, Patrick Stewart and Marissa Jaret Winokur. The 58th Annual Tony Awards will be presented Sunday, June 6 at Radio City Music Hall. CBS-TV will broadcast the event live, 8-11 PM ET. The Boy From Oz's Hugh Jackman returns as host for the theatre's biggest night"}, {"response": 1507, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 2004 (08:48)", "body": "Anybody see \"Something the Lord Made\" on HBO? Terrific docu-drama . Excellent performance by Alan Rickman. Worthy of an Emmy nomination. Mos Def also outstanding. Have only seen him in hip-hop roles."}, {"response": 1508, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 2004 (09:59)", "body": "(Evelyn ) Anybody see \"Something the Lord Made\" on HBO? Yes, and I, too, felt both performances were exceptional. AR's accent was even believable. The story is amazing....it takes so much courage to stand up against the establishment like that....especially in a research institution (even Johns Hopkins) where they can cut the lifeline ( job) any time they choose if you displease them."}, {"response": 1509, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 2004 (10:06)", "body": "LOL! No different than her prosthetic nose. ;-) Nicole Kidman May Need Padding for 'Producers' Role Thu Jun 3, 6:49 PM ET NEW YORK (Reuters) - Rail-thin Nicole Kidman will need a little help making the transformation to a buxom Swedish secretary for her next role with Matthew Broderick, in the film version of Mel Brooks' stage hit \"The Producers.\" \"Mel says we'll pad her,\" said Broderick. \"I think we should pad her, I guess.\" Broderick also stars with Kidman in the updated, dark-comedy version of \"Stepford Wives,\" a film he was promoting on Thursday in advance of its opening next week. Kidman's slim, fashion-model frame is shown to advantage in her \"Stepford Wives\" role as Broderick's wife. For \"The Producers,\" she will be play statuesque Swedish secretary Ulla, whose bountiful bosom inspires numerous jokes in the Brooks farce. Broderick will be reprising his role as meek accountant Leo Bloom in \"The Producers,\" opposite Nathan Lane, who created the stage role of devious Broadway producer Max Bialystock. \"She could look like a Swede. She's psychotically tall, which I think will be good. I think it's a good part for her. I can't wait. I think she'll be great,\" Broderick said. Kidman said Broderick helped bring her into the project during their work together on the \"Stepford\" movie. The new Brooks film is set to begin shooting in February. Physical augmentation for a film role would not be entirely new for Kidman, who had a prosthetic nose put on her face for the 2002 movie \"The Hours.\" The Australian beauty won an best-actress Oscar for her portrayal of writer Virginia Woolf in that film."}, {"response": 1510, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 2004 (10:12)", "body": "What do Renee, Scarlett, and Jimmy Fallon have to do with Broadway/Tony's? A rhetorical question...I know they want star power, though Jimmy Fallon? ;-) (Evelyn) Anybody see \"Something the Lord Made\" on HBO? Not yet, but been wanting to see it. Will have to catch repeats. Did anyone see the new The Lion in Winter with Patrick Stewart and Glenn Close? I missed it, but will look for repeats. Saw a \"Making of\" show on Showtime with it a while back and wasn't overly enthused. Can't imagine it can compare, but I'd like to see it to make an informed opinion. Looking forward to Closer. Love the cast (though I could leave Julia Roberts) and director. Am frothing at the mouth to see Fahrenheit 9/11. Will give Lyins Gate a couple of points back for helping to get this out. ;-)"}, {"response": 1511, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 2004 (10:14)", "body": "She's psychotically tall LOL!!"}, {"response": 1512, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 2004 (11:19)", "body": "(Dorine)Did anyone see the new The Lion in Winter with Patrick Stewart and Glenn Close? I missed it, but will look for repeats. Saw a \"Making of\" show on Showtime with it a while back and wasn't overly enthused. Can't imagine it can compare, but I'd like to see it to make an informed opinion. I actually work across from the woman who produced that \"Making of Spot\" . .she enjoyed going on set and interviewing everyone . .she's a big fan of the original film. .and I think did like the new one . . . I think she was big fans of the actors who played the sons. I have a screener you can borrow if you want (I do have to return it after you're done). .haven't watched it yet so I can't comment fully . .do love the play and original film . .did a scene from the play in acting class some time ago . . .great stuff;) One of my favorite lines: Eleanor:\"I could peel you like a pear and God himself would call it justice . . \""}, {"response": 1513, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 2004 (13:09)", "body": "(Bonnie)AR's accent was even believable. Except that he sorta lost it half-way through. SPOILER: Something God Made The story is amazing....it takes so much courage to stand up against the establishment like that....especially in a research institution (even Johns Hopkins) where they can cut the lifeline ( job) any time they choose if you displease them. But to give them their due, Vivien did get a huge acknowledgement at the end. Johns Hopkins didn't have to go the whole way. A poignant film ."}, {"response": 1514, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 2004 (13:26)", "body": "(Ev)But to give them their due, Vivien did get a huge acknowledgement at the end. Johns Hopkins didn't have to go the whole way. A poignant film . And pretty amazing that I knew nothing of it. I remember enjoying *lost women* stories about amazing women in the past who got short shrift in the history books and this was a remarkable story about a *lost man*."}, {"response": 1515, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 2004 (16:54)", "body": "Saw \"Something the Lord Made\" and loved it! Rickman was perfect, the accent was excellent, and he played the part with subtlety and great dignity. I may make a trip by Hopkins next time I'm in Baltimore to see the portraits. Also saw the Stewart/Close \"Lion in Winter\". It was not the original film by any stretch (and how tough to follow the likes of Katherine Hepburn...sheesh), but Close seemed to grow into the part and by the end, was wonderful. Stewart gave a sound performance (IMHO)but lacked the sparkle of O'Toole. For some silly reason, I found the hair (though well executed) a bit distracting. The secondary characters (the sons) seemed weak to me, but how can you compete with Anthony Hopkins, Timothy Dalton, and the rest? For me, the original Hepburn/O'Toole film will always be the benchmark, but this was an excellent production and one I'd watch again"}, {"response": 1516, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 2004 (17:05)", "body": "Thanks for the Lion in Winter opinion. Funny, the hair was distracting me, too, in the \"Making of\" show. ;-) The sons weren't impressing me either, but I didn't see scenes of any length to judge enough."}, {"response": 1517, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 2004 (00:02)", "body": "Any Potter Heads here? I've just come home from watching HP3 and need to cry my heart out to someone. I'm so disappointed I can't believe it. I hated it, my kid hated it, and my husband hated it even more. So did all those people who walked out of the theatre in the middle of it. This was once again the classic situation of having had to watch a beloved book being butchered. I found myself wishing I never read the book, so I might enjoy the movie more, but it would've been no use: both my hubby and son - who never read the book - were totally confused. So many things were changed, so many didn't make sense, the whole outlook of the film so alien, the music absolutely unremarkable, the pace so fast and confusing you get dizzy... Never before in my life I loved a movie's trailer and hated the movie itself. How strange. Okay, I'm off to someplace quiet now, where I can cry my heart out without shame. Bloody hell..."}, {"response": 1518, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 2004 (09:27)", "body": "SPOILER!!!!!!!! The Prisoner of Azkaban (Ildiko) Bloody hell... My husband and I saw it last night, also..... all we did on the way home was voice the same feelings you have expressed. I had to wake him up three ( count them, 3, times). There was absolutely no continuity in the story-it looked as though they shot scenes independently of the book and then edited them together with no rhyme or reason. I thought Gary Oldman's part of Sirius Black seemed to be from another plot, and they completely forgot about connecting Professor Snape with Remus, Sirius,Peter and Harry's father(can't remember his name. They didn't explain why Snape showed up at the tree or how he had been helping Remus cover up his \"ailment\". They gave very scant background on the group's past together. I, too, read the book and thought it very well done. I went in expecting the movie to be amazing since every review I read stated it was the best of the three. I heartily disagree!!!!"}, {"response": 1519, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 2004 (09:41)", "body": "SPOILER!!!!!! The Prisoner of Azkaban We told both our son and daughter(adults), independently, to save their money and wait for the rental if they feel they must see it. ET in Professor Trelawny's role was under utilized in comparison to the role in the book-a waste for ET. Hagrid's part was, likewise, underplayed. I hope they don't make a movie of The Goblet of Fire if this is the best they can produce without Columbus. I have read that, also, and will be sorely disappointed. Now I must finish my current reading, and start The Order of the Phoenix to salvage my regard for Rowling. She should be very upset with this rendering of her excellent work- they didn't even bring out the lessons to be learned."}, {"response": 1520, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 2004 (10:00)", "body": "And I do remember seeing Julie Walters listed in the credits,while not recalling her in the movie...I suppose I was so discombobulated during the film I missed her. Or am I just totally discombobulated?"}, {"response": 1521, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 2004 (10:05)", "body": "(Evelyn) But to give them their due, Vivien did get a huge acknowledgement at the end. After twenty years of seemingly being invisible to the establishment. Better late than never, I suppose. At least he was still alive when they finally gave him recognition."}, {"response": 1522, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 2004 (11:36)", "body": "How odd that this Potter film is pleasing most of the critics? The Miami Herald says it \"sparkles with magic, wit -- finally\". \"Third time's the charm\" and praises the director. On another note, I saw Raising Helen last night and was surprised at how good it was."}, {"response": 1523, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 2004 (11:44)", "body": "(Moon)The Miami Herald says it \"sparkles with magic, wit -- finally\". \"Third time's the charm\" and praises the director. Alfonso Cuaron; that's the only reason I'm going to see it."}, {"response": 1524, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 2004 (12:23)", "body": "(Moon)How odd that this Potter film is pleasing most of the critics? In his column, Jeff Wells derided it the \"swooning-over-Alfonso syndrome.\" Some of my son's friends saw it last night and basically said the same things that Ildi and Bonnie are saying. Thank God Colin didn't play Sirius; apparently he doesn't show up until about 90 minutes in. There'd be no living with us.;-)"}, {"response": 1525, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 2004 (12:42)", "body": "\"Can we talk?? Those bastards cut me out! A shandeh un a charpeh . . .\" How Shrek 2 has been redubbed for the UK market By Leslie Felperin The Indpendent 04 June 2004 When Shrek 2 opens here in July, British viewers will see a different version from the one showing in American cinemas. No, there won't be an extended, extra-violent climax, \ufffd la the \"House of Blue Leaves\" sequence in the Japanese cut of Kill Bill Vol. 1. Nor will there be bonus explicit footage of Shrek and Fiona playing Pin the Tail On the Donkey for a \"European\" cut, in the style of The Man Who Fell to Earth. This is a children's film, for heaven's sake. No, Shrek 2's changes for the UK market are small but significant. Two of the characters have been revoiced for British prints, so that American celebrities doing walk-on (or should we say, \"talk-on\"?) parts have been replaced by British ones. The first switch involves Ugly Sister 2 (above), an obvious man in drag who runs the dive where Fiona's treacherous father goes to hire Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) to kill Shrek (Mike Myers). In the US version, Ugly Sister 2 is voiced by the CNN talk show host Larry King, whose gruff, grizzled tones are instantly recognisable to Americans, who see him grilling celebrities and politicians nightly on Larry King Live. UK viewers, however, will hear instead the distinctive, but decidedly less gruff, Jonathan Ross. Given that Ross, far from being a serious journalist, is famous for lisping and occasionally wearing skirts, the gag gains a very different kick. Perhaps Jeremy Paxman said no. This swap is at least more understandable than the later one, when the British showbiz reporter Kate Thornton replaces Joan Rivers in the role of The Red Carpet Reporter. As most Brits (however benighted) know, Rivers is the grande dame of trash talking, a 70-year-old former Borscht Belt comedienne whose stand-up material predates the French Revolution and whose face has been lifted more times than a Concorde flap. Every year, on Oscar night, she trawls the carpet outside the Academy Awards ceremony, caustically reviewing the frocks of the famous and dishing out insults. That's why her appearance in Shrek 2 - the character is even modelled to look like her - is one of the funniest moments in the American version. Plus, there's no mistaking her throaty, Brooklyn cackle. Thornton, on the other hand, with her giggly, girlish pipes, only works as a joke in the film (and a weak one at that) if you know that it's her doing the voice. And, sorry Kate, most people won't. Perhaps it's carping to single out the weaknesses of the voice substitutions, given that Shrek 2 is, by and large, hilarious, although perhaps a shade less charming and fresh than the first instalment. Whether the Ross and Thornton substitutions enhance or detract from the film as whole is ultimately less interesting than the fact that they are there in the first place. In a world of ever-increasing homogenisation and globalised cultural product, the attempt to redo bits of a movie to make it funnier for a specific market shows, if not a laudable sort of sensitivity then, at the very least, sound business sense. The quick-fire, wilfully anachronistic, pop-culture-savvy humour of the Shrek franchise draws mainly on American references to begin with - one could argue that these additions go some way to redressing the balance. Given that all cartoons are eventually dubbed for foreign territories, using different voice actors in cameo roles for the UK version is just taking it a shade further. A source close to the film explains the decision, \"was just seen as a fun opportunity for markets that don't normally get the chance to use local talent to participate, albeit for a couple of lines of dialogue only.\" The English-language versions for Australia, New Zealand and South Africa will do the same. It's as if we've come full circle, back to the earliest days of sound cinema when different versions of the same film were made for different countries using the same script, sets and costumes, but in some cases entirely different actors. Stars are integral to marketing a film, but with a cartoon like Shrek, the distributors are forced to think locally. It now looks quite canny of the producers to have cast Banderas as Puss in Boots, not just because his spot-on timing is one of the film's highlights, but also because he can do the Spanish-language dubbing himself. And if another actor is doing the voice of Donkey for all of Latin America, audiences there don't much care if Eddie Murphy was in the US version or not. Incidentally, the guy who does voice Donkey, the Mexican comedian Eugenio Derbez, dubs nearly all of Murphy's films for this market (in Shrek 2, so I'm told, he sounds like \"Donkey on speed\"). He even came to Cannes for the film's premiere, along with the Japanese actress who voices Fiona and the Norwegian actor who does Shrek, among others. Perhaps the most pressing questions of all are this: will the Japan"}, {"response": 1526, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 2004 (12:53)", "body": "Sorry to hear HP3 wasn't up to snuff for some. :-( I own, but haven't read the books yet. I still thought the first 2 had scenes that went on way too long and the movies were too long in general...like the first 2 LOTRs. In all of these, I was enjoying them mostly, but by the end I couldn't wait til they were over. They had in essence, overstayed their welcome with me, esp with those freakin' long scenes of Quidditch matches. Actually, I said the same thing in the last 20 mins of ROTK, too. I don't need every nuance of the book in the film, esp from a long book. The only consistent criticism of HP3 from critics and moviegoers is that there is some disappointment that somethings were left out. One told me about the backstory about the map and the people involved that I think indeed would have been very interesting to include. But overall, I didn't feel I missed much. My biggest question was why the Dementors were supposed to be guarding the school, but seemed to be dangerous to everyone, esp Harry. I loved the pace, the humor, and the changing and developing relationships between the kids the most. For those who read the book and wonder the reasoning behind the storyline, this week's Entertainment Weekly with HP on the cover has a story about the choices made by the director and writer on what was included and thrown out."}, {"response": 1527, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 2004 (12:56)", "body": "(Me) The only consistent criticism of HP3 from critics and moviegoers is that there is some disappointment that somethings were left out. I meant to specify that this is what I've seen and heard from people myself, not as a general assumption."}, {"response": 1528, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 2004 (20:34)", "body": "(Bonnie) She (J.K. Rowling) should be very upset with this rendering of her excellent work... I find it unbelievable, but she called it the best of the three. ***SPOILERS*** I thought the movie over while trying to forget what I read in the book, but even this way I find myself disappointed. Since I liked the first 2 movies I find myself unable to deal with the whole new look of the 3rd one. Nothing looks like before, the look of Hogwarts is different, the whole layout of the castle and the surrounding area is different, so is the Hogwarts train, and the way the kids are dressed (Where are the uniforms? Witches and wizards in muggle clothes all the time?). The new Dumbledore sounds like he is reading lines, and there isn't a hint of wisdom neither in his look not his voice. The Dursleys are flat and unfunny, and the musical score, oh, that beautiful score I learned to expect from John Williams..., what happened? At the end I would've been happy with only a few seconds of the familiar HP tune, but didn't even get as much as I heard in the trailer. It was probably made for the trailer only, darn them. Can you imagine watching Indiana Jones without the \"Indy theme\", with a totally different music? That's what it felt like. Looked and sounded all alien. I'll have to go see it again in a few days and see if I will warm to it. Maybe I just had too high expectations. But I don't think so. I'm sad. Very sad."}, {"response": 1529, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 2004 (21:21)", "body": "Bonnie) She (J.K. Rowling) should be very upset with this rendering of her excellent work... (Ildi) I find it unbelievable, but she called it the best of the three. In that EW article I mentioned, they say she had input into the changes and nixed some. He wanted to change a lot of things he didn't. It also says they left out some of the backstory about the map as they felt it would fit better in a future movie. You should check that article out. I'm actually fascinated by our polar opposite reactions. Many of the things you disliked is what I loved about it.... I've only seen the first 2 once, when they came out, and apparently I had no clue that the scenery had changed because all I focused on was how beautiful it all was, esp when HP was flying on the hippogriff, and I waited to read the credits to see where it was filmed (and as I suspected, there was some in Scotland). I have no opinion on the Dursleys or the clothes. None of that mattered to me apparently. I felt Dumbledore was different, but I didn't expect to just love him. I figured there'd be an adjustment period. He was in it so little comparatively anyway, much to my surprise. I think he'll grow into it and make it his own. (What will you do if and when they have to change the kids? ;-O) And funny too, I remarked to my friend during the movie that I *loved* the music (not having a clue who had done it), was considering getting the soundtrack , and also waited for that info in the credits, too. Truthfully, I couldn't tell you what the \"familiar\" HP tune is. But if I was as invested in HP as I have been with Indiana Jones and as familiar with \"his\" music, I might feel the same way. Along the same theme, though I hadn't read BJD prior to seeing the movie, I had high expectations of it just from the trailer. Turns out I found it to be a fairly mediocre rom-com and couldn't figure why a couple of friends, including a guy, liked it so much (I hadn't \"discovered\" Colin yet, despite seeing several of his movies). The thing that struck me most about it was how wonderfully HG had toned up after breaking up with EH. ;-) Well, good luck with another viewing if you go."}, {"response": 1530, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sun, Jun  6, 2004 (18:04)", "body": "Found another interview with Helen Fielding. This one is in Alibi, a free newspaper that is as liberal as the ABQJournal is conservative. I like the artwork and just noticed that in the drawing of Helen she is wearing Bridget's necklace. Seems Helen has coined new phrases with this book as well. \"Mentionitis\" is me to a T.:-) http://www.alibi.com Click on the headline to go to the article and artwork."}, {"response": 1531, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jun  6, 2004 (18:06)", "body": "Wasn't \"mentionitis\" in EOR? One of the things that fueled her jealousy of Rebecca, if I recall right."}, {"response": 1532, "author": "locarol", "date": "Sun, Jun  6, 2004 (21:38)", "body": "Just watching the Tonys and noticed that Scarlett J sure has lost a heap of weight. I never thought she needed to although she wasn't as thin as some out there. Now she has joined the ranks."}, {"response": 1533, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jun  6, 2004 (22:20)", "body": "Sorry Moon about David Leveaux. :-( Didn't HJ look stunning in that pinstripe suit?! And that tux?! Yum! Nice save with the mic in his number. And how hysterical he was with the audience participation part with SJP! Did you tape that Karen? I might have to go see his show again, though ignore the mediocre story. Wonder what it was like for all the other actors in the Lead Actor category have their names announced as nominees knowing there was *zero* chance of them winning. Takes the pressure off, I suppose. Saw Essie Davis interviewed on local red carpet show. Looked considerably younger and prettier than I have ever seen her anywhere. What was up with SJ's hair? :-/ I didn\ufffdt get past that to notice the weight, or the dress come to think of it. Helen Mirren looked about 15 years older. Kevin Kline is coloring his hair\ufffdmaybe for a role. What an upset by Avenue Q! It was pretty much consensus Wicked would win, though Ave Q was definitely the only other choice. I think Big River didn't get enough credit. Phenomenal performances with the sign language. It was *very* imaginative staging. Doesn't Harvey Fierstein sound more and more like Jack Klugman without benefit of surgery? Why do they cut to audience shots when things are happening on stage? Like when Carol Channing came out with LL Cool J. ______________________________________________ And now for something completely different ;-)..... While surfing the net, I came upon this gossip site\ufffd. http://www.geocities.com/mnussitch/gossip.html It has links to a couple of others. While ODB is not listed, several of his co-stars are....HG (pretty funny), ET, RZ, MD, HGm, AR, BZ, JA, GP, RE. SJ only mentioned as reference in Benecio Del Toro\ufffds entry, though she may be added if this person saw the item I saw about her the other day. In the feud section after the individuals, it lists, \"Rupert Everett vs Colin Firth (They just don't seem to get along)\" I found these interesting too.... \"Peter O'Toole vs Michael Caine (O'Toole agrees with Richard Harris that Caine frittered his talent away with booze).\" Maybe from before he did so many great things? \"Alan Rickman vs John Malkovich (JM, that pud, insulted AR's acting ability)\" Some pretty *in*-teresting stuff I have never heard about quite a few people. Some is old news, well known, has been written (and confirmed by the subject) in interviews and auto/biographies. Found Tom and Nicole's, Sharon Stone\ufffds, and Kevin Spacey's *quite* amusing. Harrison Ford's and Cameron Diaz's interesting for Lost in Translation info. And in other news\ufffd..how 'bout that JLo and Marc Anthony. Maybe 3rd time's a charm. :-("}, {"response": 1534, "author": "soph", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 2004 (05:32)", "body": "oh, linda, linda, i missed your birthday last month ! oh, lizza, lizza, it is yours today !! so, that makes two occasions to celebrate. please accept this sincere apology as a birthday prezzie linda. and lizza, it's your special day today, enjoy yourself. animatronicolin 3.1, he just can't help it now, can he ? sorry, pix were too tempting, i just couldn't resist..."}, {"response": 1535, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 2004 (08:57)", "body": "Oh my, the littlest diva strikes again....from the NY Post Page Six: June 7, 2004 -- SCARLETT Johanssen needs her space. While the star was preparing to meet the crowds gathered at the Gansevoort Hotel for the launch of Calvin Klein's new fragrance the other night, she had an officious minder scramble in the elevator and tell the operator to clear it out. \"Scarlett wants to be alone,\" the minder said, getting off at the 11th floor where Johanssen was hiding. \"We need this elevator empty for her!\" The cab was dutifuly cleared out and Johanssen rode alone to go see Big Boi perform."}, {"response": 1536, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 2004 (09:31)", "body": "Thanks for the article, Caribou. Helen Fielding's way with words are what draws me. Certainly not the plot in this case. Anyway, I remember having liked Undercover Bitch a lot. Maybe I'll skim through again if others are going to be reading it now. Re: gossip site. Will have to peruse later. Thanks Dorine. ************** And now moving along to one of my raisons d'etre: critiquing awards shows! ;-) After seeing the musical production numbers, I was hoping for Avenue Q to triumph over the heavily favored and thoroughly mundance looking Wicked. AQ looked very clever. Loved how Hugh got a standing O when he won. He absolutely deserved it and he *was* the entire Broadway season. I'd bet everyone there knew it too. Poor Sarah Jessica. ;-) Nicole Kidman is probably counting her blessings that Peter/Hugh didn't haul her up there to be mortified. But it was funny. RZ looked good (and wasn't a stick insect as one would expect by this time), as well as Sigourney Weaver. Scarlett? The hair, Louisa, the hair! The dress was nice, but I couldn't get past the hair. Destroyed it all for me. It's also apparent that there can't be any rehearsal for the presenters, as so many of the non-Broadway types (who had no place on stage) butchered people's names. As their nominations were announced, you could see them cringe. Among the true lowlights of the evening: NK's dress (though not nearly as bad as the costume shop number she wore to the GGs) and how Mary J. Blige sang \"What I Did for Love.\" I found it painful to listen to and I bet I could've randomly picked any person from the audience (or backstage surely!) and he/she could've done better."}, {"response": 1537, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 2004 (09:50)", "body": "(Karen)I was hoping for Avenue Q to triumph over the heavily favored and thoroughly mundance looking Wicked. AQ looked very clever. I didn't see Ave Q, but I did see WICKED and it was clever. Unfortunately they selected a scene that was dull...but featured Idina Menzel who won Best Actress. Methinks it was contrived. Scarlett Johanson's dress was stunning...but the hair! I bet a Soho hairdresser talked her into it.(I saw similar types in the neighborhood 2 weeks ago.) And \"Carmela's \" was done by a nursing home beautician. Well -at- least -he- was- nominated- dept: Simon Russell-Beale B'way debut wasn't as stellar as I had forecasted. Perhaps in a more intelligble play. \"Jumpers\" brilliant, but not a crowd pleaser...I found the plot a nightmare. But that says a lot more about me than about the play."}, {"response": 1538, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 2004 (10:09)", "body": "(Evelyn) I found the plot a nightmare. But that says a lot more about me than about the play. You and a lot of other people from what I've read. Re: Carm's hair, LOL!...must be a do she had to go to some swanky Carribean islands. Just read in Page Six today she spent $20,000 taking six friends for a week to some resort owned by Keith Richards(?), or something like that. Guess I'll have to check out Wireimage for Scarlett's dress since I was so distracted by the hair."}, {"response": 1539, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 2004 (10:11)", "body": "and it was clever. Unfortunately they selected a scene that was dull...but featured Idina Menzel who won Best Actress. Am not a fan of \"spectacle\" type shows, which owe more to makeup, aerodynamics and hydraulics, and smoke-making machines than to witty dialogue and lyrics. As for singing, I thought Idina Menzel sounded more like she was shreiking at the top of her lungs. Was there a melody to it? Were there lyrics? Dunno, couldn't tell for all the shreiking. Check out this recap by BBC News : http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/arts/3782869.stm Let's see, was it about the winners, the plays, Broadway? No. It was about gossip and politics. ;-)"}, {"response": 1540, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 2004 (10:13)", "body": "Re: Carm's hair Saw it before, when the entire Soprano's cast did Letterman's Top 10 List. A classic BTW."}, {"response": 1541, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 2004 (10:20)", "body": "\"Meanwhile , back in the city......listening...dreaming of Lizza, waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs in the lobby\".... HAPPY BIRTHDAY , LIZZA With apologies to Richard Greenberg."}, {"response": 1542, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 2004 (10:25)", "body": "From Variety: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1948&ncid=1990&e=9&u=/variety/20040606/va_th_ne/tony_lives_on__avenue_q As a telecast, this year's Tonys wasn't the snappiest of award shows. It opened on an appealing if odd note, with host Jackman high-kicking his way through \"One Night Only\" from \"Dreamgirls,\" accompanied by the three girl-group trios currently on Broadway (from \"Caroline, or Change,\" \"Hairspray\" and \"Little Shop of Horrors\"). They were subsequently joined by, apparently, everyone on Broadway who wasn't actually in the audience, with the Anatevkans from \"Fiddler on the Roof\" looking downright bizarre as they stood on the sidelines singing the disco pastiche number while Rockettes cavorted glitzily beside them. Unfortunately, Jackman's later, pelvis-twisting number from \"Boy From Oz,\" replete with lewd interplay with Sarah Jessica Parker, came across as rather messy -- and tacky, too. Most of the other musicals fared better, though, as always, the simpler presentations tended to come across more cleanly, notably Pinkins singing her big aria from \"Caroline, or Change.\" (The inclusion of Tony Bennett (news) and Mary J. Blige, singing \"Lullaby of Broadway\" and \"What I Did for Love,\" respectively, in their distinctive styles, seemed a little random.) The Tonys' ongoing search to find a proper way to showcase the play and play revival nominees certainly will go on: The decision to have Brian Stokes Mitchell and Laura Linney standing by odd assortments of gewgaws meant to represent the nominees while giving brief descriptions of the plays was a trifle bizarre (there was a little suitcase and a stuffed animal from \"Frozen,\" a wee dining table and chairs for \"The Retreat From Moscow\"; go figure). But there were bright spots: Cute interplay between Jackman and Rod from \"Avenue Q\" (on the arm of John Tartaglia, of course); the positively freakish pairing of presenters LL Cool J and Carol Channing (or a very skinny drag queen wearing the late Swifty Lazar's eyeglasses); Martin Short's witty speech: \"A musical is only as good as its director; same goes for the CIA\"; \"Directing a musical is not easy, but if you cast it properly, there's usually someone in the chorus who is.\" [Ed note: Funniest of the night IMO] A theater-biz in-joke found Donna Murphy trying to give nightclub fliers to Shubert topper Gerald Schoenfeld, Jujamcyn's Rocco Landesman and (why?) Liz Smith in the intro to the \"Wonderful Town\" number. And the telecast concluded on an up note, as everyone involved with \"Avenue Q\" swamped the stage of Radio City in their excitement, leaving presenter Nathan Lane (news) looking bewildered, Tony at the ready, waiting for someone to take the thing off his hands."}, {"response": 1543, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 2004 (10:35)", "body": "Movie pass gets younger teens into R-rated movies By AP BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- Still weeks shy of her 16th birthday, Sydni Norris caught the R-rated war epic \"Troy\" on the big screen last month while her parents stayed home. The teen-ager's ticket around the rating system's age limit was a parent-approved pass card that has started a debate over convenience vs. parental responsibility and raised fears that the government might jump in to settle the dispute. With the new R-card, supporters say, parents can sign off on movies for their kids without the time and expense of chaperoning them. GKC Theatres rolled out the card last fall in parts of its 22-city chain in Illinois and three other Midwest states. The card only works for the R-rating, which requires children under 17 to be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. \"I like it because now we don't have to wait until they come out on video,\" said Norris, a high school junior whose parents had to accompany her and sign for the $2 photo ID card. Critics argue that the cards amount to parents handing the delicate decision about what movies are appropriate to their kids, a shift they say violates the intent of the motion picture industry's voluntary rating system. \"All R-rated films are not alike. It is the parents' responsibility to make specific judgments about R films -- and wrong to give a blanket endorsement to all,\" said Jack Valenti, president and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America, which issues movie ratings. GKC, the nation's 15th largest theater chain with 255 screens, is the only theater network in the nation offering the card, said John Fithian, president of the National Association of Theater Owners. Some opponents fear that leaving movie choices to kids could taint the ratings system, which has been voluntarily enforced by theaters since 1968. They say that could open the door to government regulation that would stifle creativity and experimentation in film making. \"If parents lose faith in the system, the first thing they'll ask is 'What are our recourses?' Then, we could start hearing from every politician that wants to make a name for himself in the name of family values,\" said Dann Gire, president of the Chicago Film Critics Association. GKC has issued about 700 R-cards and plans to offer them throughout the chain by the end of the year, said James Whitman, the company's director of operations and marketing. Whitman said he came up with the idea after parents complained that they wanted to let their kids see R-rated movies but didn't want to sit through the films themselves. He said GKC encourages parents to give the cards to kids only after approving a movie. \"From what I can tell, the people who have them like them and the parents are trying to use them responsibly. We're not being inundated with kids whose parents are giving them access to everything that comes on the screen,\" Whitman said. Fithian, whose 500-member theater owners association includes GKC, thinks the cards invite abuse. \"The R-card is a way for parents to abdicate all responsibility in the entertainment choices of their children,\" he said. Joyce Needham of Peoria disagrees, saying she discusses every movie \"before and after\" when the 16-year-old grandson she's raising uses his R-card. With or without a card, she said, kids will find a way to get what they want, such as renting videos or sneaking into R-rated movies. \"I just think communication is the answer and trusting the child,\" Needham said. \"If you can discuss what's going on in this world, you're better off than letting them find a way to do it on their own.\" Motion picture and theater owners associations are pressing GKC to abandon the program. The Chicago Film Critics Association is considering a proposal to formally oppose R-cards, Gire said. \"What it is an easier way for them to sell tickets to kids,\" said the father of two daughters, ages 16 and 20. Whitman said the company has no plans to back away. \"You can't ever say never,\" he said. \"But at this point we're firmly in support of it.\""}, {"response": 1544, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 2004 (10:39)", "body": "Soemthing that looks fairly promising, amidst all the reruns: 5ive Days to Midnight By Michael R. Farkash Bottom line: The issues of destiny and love are ably explored in a compelling, greatly entertaining new miniseries. (9-11 p.m. Monday, June 7 9-10 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, June 8-10, Sci Fi Channel) Suspenseful and compelling, this new miniseries thriller from the Sci Fi Channel is the best kind of science fiction drama, focusing on character and delivering a roller-coaster plot. Love, murder and fate are central issues in this thoroughly entertaining five-hour production starring Timothy Hutton and Randy Quaid. With fine performances and a strong central mystery -- a man must solve his own \"murder\" before it actually happens -- \"5ive Days to Midnight\" seems destined to grab viewers' imagination. J.T. Neumeyer (Hutton), a university physics professor, is leading a quiet life with his daughter, Jesse (Gage Golightly, \"A Christmas Carol\"), and new girlfriend Claudia Whitney (Kari Matchett, \"Angel Eyes\"). On the 10th anniversary of his wife's death, while visiting her grave site, J.T. and his daughter discover a briefcase left for the physics professor. Inside is a police report, crime scene photos and newspaper clippings showing that the professor will be murdered in five days. Hutton's character figures the message from the future is a hoax, until details revealed in the file begin to come true. His life unravels as the people closest to him reveal dangerous secrets and J.T. races against the clock to forestall his own apparent homicide. The absolute horror of trying to escape one's fate gives this production some of the elements of a Greek tragedy. Visual effects spring in both sparingly and shrewdly, in one case showing, imaginatively, the mental prowess of J.T. and Jesse. The characters are solid and appealing. Hutton gives himself fully to the premise, playing disbelief and tender love for his daughter Jesse and, under director Michael Watkins, memorably portraying the ambivalence of a man whose romantic interest -- the enigmatic Claudia -- may have a dangerous agenda. Golightly as Jesse is ingenuous and inspired, playing an intelligent, thoughtful young girl who tries to help her father. Matchett as femme-maybe-fatale Claudia plays the role well. Quaid as Detective Irwin Sikorski is well-cast as a strong, thoroughly believable investigator. The script calls for him and other players to accept too quickly the idea of a message from the future, but we go along with this premise. After all, the series is booked on the Sci Fi Channel, and hey, we see the briefcase materialize from thin air at the graveyard. As a physics professor, Hutton's character should be able to figure out more of the possibilities instead of relying so much on quirky student genius Carl Axelrod (Hamish Linklater, \"American Dreams\"). Dramatic stakes rise as the men's ideas conflict and Carl decides that it's wrong to cheat fate. The fascinating idea could have been explored a little more -- will the universe itself unravel if J.T. refuses to follow his \"destiny\"? It's an idea as old as the Bible and Greek mythology, and a concept that never loses its fascination as a storytelling device, rendered here with gusto and great power."}, {"response": 1545, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 2004 (11:18)", "body": "For my dear Lizza And from your friends in Pilsen: a feliz cumplea\ufffdos! And, lastly, from your special friends who are missing you:"}, {"response": 1546, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 2004 (12:59)", "body": "Lizza, darling, won't you join me for some birthday bubbly? This birthday note entitles the bearer to one back scrub. Happy Birthday, Lizza, and a happy, Firth-filled year to you!"}, {"response": 1547, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 2004 (13:55)", "body": "Lizza, I ab-sol-ute-ly want to wish you a Happy Birthday!"}, {"response": 1548, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 2004 (14:28)", "body": "Dearest Lizza, I have just been used as an escort and not treated very well. I know that as your escort, I can count on you to mishimoto with me all night long in a very caring way. Happy Birthday Lizza!"}, {"response": 1549, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 2004 (16:48)", "body": "(Dorine), Sorry Moon about David Leveaux. :-( I know. But didn't he look cute? He got his haircut. It's nice when David comes up and everyone thinks of me. ;-) I thank you! The Tony's: HJ was great, muy sympatico. The direction was poor as stated. LL Cool J with Carol Channing vvg as was Martin Short. I too thought Wicked would take the big one. Sarah JP came off badly, she should have just played along. Scarlet was silly and Renee? If I have to see her pout one more time! Work on a new face sweetie. Of course, my biggest disappointment was not getting to see enough of my sweetie David. ;-D"}, {"response": 1550, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 2004 (17:39)", "body": "sorry, pix were too tempting, i just couldn't resist... ROTF Sophie! A wonderful display:-))"}, {"response": 1551, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 2004 (20:07)", "body": "Colin has been traveling the world, searching up and down and from the 17th century to the 21st, trying to find you the perfect birthday present. Sadly, the only whisk he could locate was this bizarre item Tanneke has been using. Would you accept a soulful, smouldering gaze in its stead? As Vermeer might have said: Van harte gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag, Lizza!"}, {"response": 1552, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 2004 (20:12)", "body": "Marketing pays off....shades of SIL winning the Oscar June 8, 2004 'Avenue Q' Tony Coup Is Buzz of Broadway By JESSE McKINLEY hen \"Avenue Q\" won the Tony Award for best musical on Sunday night, just how big a surprise was it? Well, even the technicians inside Radio City Music Hall apparently thought that another show, the popular hit \"Wicked,\" was going to win. In the moments after the announcement that \"Avenue Q\" had won, two giant video screens inside the hall read, \"Best Musical: Wicked.\" Embarrassed Tony officials said the mistake was a result of a \"technical glitch,\" but you could hardly blame them for it. For weeks \"Wicked\" had been considered a prohibitive favorite to win the award, the evening's top prize. The show, after all, had all the elements of a winner: box office success, respectable reviews, a spring 2005 national tour. Instead, industry analysts found themselves trying to explain how \"Avenue Q,\" a modest musical with singing puppets playing in a small Broadway theater, had pulled off what many in the business were calling one of the biggest upsets in Tony history. (Unfortunately for Tony organizers, if preliminary television ratings are to be believed, very few viewers got in on the drama.) There even seemed to be a sense of shock inside the producing office for \"Avenue Q,\" where some were nursing hangovers yesterday from a long night celebrating the show's three victories, which included awards for best score (the show's music and lyrics) and best book (its dialogue and structure). \"I was absolutely prepared to win best score and have a great party and say job well done,\" said Jeffrey Seller, one of the show's lead producers. \"Then after we won for best book, I said, 'I think we might win the big one.' \" The consensus around Broadway was that the show had run a clever campaign to woo voters, including full-page newspaper advertisements and a pizza party for out-of-town voters. (The Tonys are voted on by 735 theater professionals and journalists nationwide, of whom perhaps 80 to 90 reside outside the New York area.) The producers sent out hundreds of promotional CD's, with a new song, \"Rod's Dilemma,\" written especially for the Tony race, about a puppet voting in an election. The campaign, which one production member estimated cost about $300,000, also leaned heavily on political imagery: promotional buttons were handed out at the theater, and the box office was decorated to resemble a campaign headquarters. \"We were definitely running behind, so we wanted to remind people that we were a viable choice,\" said Drew Hodges, the creative director of SpotCo, the advertising company that devised the ads. \"And we wanted to keep everything in the tone of the show, which is irreverent and contemporary.\" The motto of the \"Q\" campaign, \"Vote Your Heart,\" seemed to many to be remarkably blunt. The message: vote for the little guy instead of \"Wicked,\" which, with a $14 million budget and weekly sales of more than $1 million had been given, fairly or not, an air of blockbuster invincibility. By comparison \"Avenue Q,\" playing in the 796-seat Golden Theater, generally grosses about $400,000 a week but has a much lower running cost. Mr. Seller, who made a fortune producing \"Rent\" on Broadway, said the campaign was merely trying to remind voters of \"Avenue Q,\" which transferred from a small Off Broadway house, the Vineyard Theater on Union Square, to Broadway last summer. \"I think we were able to get people thinking about 'Avenue Q' again,\" he said. \"We felt if we could get them to think about it again and see it again, we'll have a shot.\" Other theories and explanations were also being floated, including that perhaps voters had decided \"Wicked,' with an advance of more than $20 million, did not need the victory as much as \"Avenue Q.\" The result also seemed to give rest, for the moment at least, to the notion that the road voters and their allies ? a bloc of approximately 150 votes ? somehow control the Tony outcome. \"Wicked,\" after all, which starts a tour next March, is expected to be a much bigger earner than \"Avenue Q,\" which is a quirkier (read less mainstream) show and won't hit the road till fall 2005. For his part, David Stone, the lead producer of \"Wicked,\" said he never believed that his show was a slam-dunk to win best musical. \"We were never as certain about the outcome as the pundits were,\" he said, offering congratulations to \"Avenue Q.\" Mr. Stone added that his show, playing the 1,773-seat Gershwin Theater, had added an eight-week block of tickets yesterday and subsequently sold more than $1 million in tickets by noon, presumably on the strength of its televised production number. \"We're going to be here for a long time,\" he said. \"Avenue Q,\" meanwhile, was also having a record day at the box office, bringing in an estimated $500,000 in sales by 2 p.m. The show recouped its $3.5 million investment in April. Not all the numbers were good, however; an official for CBS, which broadcast the award"}, {"response": 1553, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 2004 (21:05)", "body": "Sorry, I must ask you to leave, it's Lizza's birthday and we're going to party all night long, actually."}, {"response": 1554, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 2004 (21:07)", "body": "Sophie, thanks so much for our Mr. Brown. LOL, looks like he should be auditioning for Lord of the Dance;-)"}, {"response": 1555, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 2004 (23:09)", "body": "Now I know how you girls feel when trying to find the right outfit for a special occasion. A \"birthday suit,\" if you will, for this occasion. Tried this first, but it\ufffds not quite what I wanted. This seemed a bit too.....too..... So I thought maybe this..... But it seemed a bit bright and I didn\ufffdt want to outshine the birthday girl. What's a guy to do besides strip down to the bare essentials and say....Happy Birthday, dearest, loveliest Lizza!"}, {"response": 1556, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 2004 (05:30)", "body": "I just wanted to let all the DDs out there that an cosmological event not seen since 1882 is occuring today. Venus will be passing in front of the Sun today in rare eclipse-like fashion. Of course, one should not look directly at the Sun (v.b. idea), but through welders glass, one will actuall be able to see Venus as a black spot moving across the Sun. The viewing will be best for those in Europe, north and east Africa, and Asia (except far east), where the entire transit will be visable throught the day. As Earth rotates, the Sun will set before the transit ends from Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Australia and easternmost Asia, so these regions will miss egress. Similarly, locations in western Africa, eastern North America, the Caribbean and northern South America will find the transit already in progress as the Sun rises. As a result, these locales will miss ingress. In contrast, none of the transit will be seen from western North America, the eastern Pacific (including Hawaii), southern South America (Chile and southern Argentina) and Antarctica. Western states in the U. S. which miss the transit include: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Montana, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Don't miss this once in a lifetime event! http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/sunearthday/2004/index_vthome.htm"}, {"response": 1557, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 2004 (11:21)", "body": "Ladies, thanks so much for all your good birthday wishes and fun yesterday brought such a smile to my face ;-)) Evelyn Loved my Donmar memory..... when I was close enough to run my fingers thro' those curls and of course the lobby! ;-) Karen How lovely to see my friends again in Pilsen and of course Walgreens!!! Luckily ODB doesn't shop there:-) Mari Mmmmm lots of birthday bubbly in the bubbles, Cheers ;-) Delicious. Tress How did you know my fave pic? The perfect pick, you have the knack. Moon No birthday is complete without ODB's dimples. Thank you Shoshana LOL! I think I'll go for a smouldering Dutch whisking anytime. Sure got me frothy ;-0 Linda Love to party all night long, but only if you all come along;-)) Dorine Hey those fashion stakes ..... birthday suit was soooo fetching! Once again thanks so much ."}, {"response": 1558, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 2004 (11:25)", "body": "Lizza! Ding Dang it . .I've been so busy I missed you're b'day!!!! Here's hopin' you got down and funky and had a blast!!!!"}, {"response": 1559, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 2004 (16:59)", "body": "Certainly had a blast with your pics Kimberly. Hunk daddy birthdays are the best ;-) Thank you."}, {"response": 1560, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 2004 (10:39)", "body": "Ahh! Mohammed is coming to the Mountain! Ealing Studios too... Far better than another Woodywannabe who shot in London. Inside Move: Allen sets up in London Mon Jun 7, 8:00 PM ET Adam Dawtrey, STAFF LONDON -- Woody Allen is making an extremely rare foray outside New York, as the Gotham-centric helmer readies to shoot his latest movie in London. Details of the project are shrouded in secrecy, but a production office is up and running at Ealing Studios, in West London, with shooting reportedly to start July 12. [Ed note: Could be a problem. Need to get in that all-important vacation time.] Sources said the movie, known only as \"Woody Allen Summer Project,\" is set in London's high society, with Kate Winslet possibly among the cast. Budget is said to be $15 million, although the source of the financing has not been revealed. In his 33-year career as a writer-director, Allen has hardly ever shot a movie substantially outside New York, and even more rarely grappled with storylines that take place outside America. His 1996 pic \"Everyone Says I Love You\" did include passages in Paris and Venice. His 1992 pic \"Shadows and Fog\" took place in an unspecified Middle European village, though it was shot Stateside. Before that, his last movie shot and set wholly in Europe was \"Love and Death\" in 1974. Allen is completing \"Melinda and Melinda\" for Fox Searchlight."}, {"response": 1561, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 2004 (11:39)", "body": "July would be perfect as Nanny wraps up. He must fight to get role in this. Maybe Woody will want Emma and by association... ;-) Thanks, Karen! Love then idea of Woody doing London."}, {"response": 1562, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 2004 (12:23)", "body": "He must fight to get role in this. I don't think being in a Woody Allen film is so \"all that\" as it used to be. His last several films haven't done as well, commercially or critically as they used to. But I'm sure it would be great for the experience vs. prestige."}, {"response": 1563, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 2004 (13:38)", "body": "(Dorine), I'm sure it would be great for the experience vs. prestige. That's what I meant. His last great film had Hugh Grant in it. Let's give the other British actor a shot. ;-)"}, {"response": 1564, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 2004 (19:22)", "body": "(Moon)July would be perfect as Nanny wraps up Oooh, that's cutting it really close. Almost 0 days down time? But no baby this summer so who knows?"}, {"response": 1565, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 2004 (09:53)", "body": "Picked up this charmer from today's Google-alert. I think there might be some out there who can relate... http://readthehook.com/stories/2004/06/10/essayMyGuysTheiotheriMenIn.html ESSAY- My guys: The other men in my life Published June 10, 2004, in issue 0323 of The Hook BY BETH LEVINE FEATUREWELL@FEATUREWELL.COM Don't get me wrong, I adore my husband. Bill is funny, kind, smart, and sexy. At our wedding, we danced our first dance to a song he wrote. Every day, he gets up at dawn to pack lunches for our son and me. When I decide to diet, he's by my side-- cooking the new light meals for us. This guy is a catch. At the end of the day, I don't want anyone else's size-12 Converses under my bed. And yet... I must confess that when I walked down the aisle, I never expected he'd be the only guy in my life. You can't have just one! So here's a toast to my \"other men\"-- who make life easier, fuller, more exciting, and more fun. The Safe Flirt Carlos is the guy who takes my packages and overnight letters at the post office. Probably all of 23, he's tall and cute with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. \"Hola, amiga! Where have you been? I've missed you.\" he shouts whenever I come in. I know he has no plans to make a move, and he knows I know. And so, as he's looking up zip codes for me, we flirt, happily but harmlessly. Remember flirting? Blushing? Giggling? Involuntarily grinning like a Cheshire cat? I speak my bad high school Spanish (\"\ufffdC\ufffdmo est\ufffd? M\ufffd es buena\"). He laughs at my accent, then bids me goodbye with a grin (\"Adi\ufffds, chiquita!\"). Okay, so I'm old enough to be his moth...um, older sister-- but since when has a little banter become a crime? And besides, with Carlos waiting for me behind the counter, I haven't forgotten to mail a birthday present in three years! My One-man Fan Club \"Are you losing weight? ....\" You look really sexy today.\" \"That was a great meal.\" Jeff is my husband's friend, and his wife is my good friend Joanna. Because I'm not his wife, he can be on his best behavior whenever we see each other. Whether it's my looks, my sense of humor, my cooking, or my career, he's always out to boost my ego, and I love it. (Joanna feels the same way about my husband, who is his most friendly and flattering self when in her presence.) Granted, Jeff doesn't have to think up compliments at 6am, when I arise from bed, my hair askew, drool stains on my schlubby pajamas, and my breath smelling like a toxic waste dump. But let's face it, for that, you'd have to give him combat pay. The Computer Guy \"John, when I turn on my Mac, why do I get a blinking question mark?\" \"John, why is my e-mail merging all my letters into one document?\" \"John, the little thingy is doing that thing again. Can you come over right now?\" John-- may his name be forever listed among the exalted-- is the neighborhood computer whiz, who is nice enough to share knowledge and parts (the computer's, not his). He'll be on my Christmas list until the day they pry my mouse out of my cold dead hands. Blasts From the Past My male friends from college are precious. They're nearly the only folks alive who remember me when I was young and stupid-- and thin! No matter how old, fat, or battered by life we become, we'll always see each other as 20-year-olds, full of promise. (Though any sexual tension that once existed between us has vanished, along with most of their hair. And let's face it, if we weren't swept away back when we were awash in teenage hormones, we sure won't succumb now.) When we get together, it's like coming home: We reminisce, catch up, and laugh, never having to explain anything. They just get me. It's the comfort level I have with my husband-- minus any wifely obligation to put on mascara and act like a grown-up. My Smarty-Pants Brother I'd never admit it to his face, but my brother is brilliant. He knows everything about everything. What he doesn't know, he convincingly makes up. He finishes the hardest crosswords, and he explains world events in a way I can almost grasp. And when my 11-year-old son asks me the kind of questions that make my head hurt-- \"Where do dreams come from?\" \"How does hydrogen stick to oxygen in water?\"-- I can say, \"Let's call Uncle Jonny!\" As he confabs with my kid, I finally forgive him for years of dinner-table torment. Fantasy hunks In no particular order: Colin Firth , George Clooney, Denzel Washington, Hugh Jackman, Antonio Banderas. (OK, I'll admit it: Hugh Jackman comes first.) They're smart; they're sexy; and I don't have to deal with their quirks or pick up their dirty laundry. Best of all, when I'm done with them, I just hit Eject. My Personal Shopper \"What did you pay for that? Why didn't you call me? I could've gotten you half off!\" My husband and I are money morons. Enter Jerold, the dealmaker. Whatever I need-- from long-distance plans to printer cartridges-- he knows where to get it cheaper. He's so hyper, I vibrate just being around him. But I'll never complain, because he's my money savio"}, {"response": 1566, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 2004 (09:59)", "body": "Fantasy hunks ... Best of all, when I'm done with them, I just hit Eject. ROTFLOL!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 1567, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 2004 (10:14)", "body": "(Leslie's Article)Fantasy hunks In no particular order: Colin Firth, George Clooney, Denzel Washington, Hugh Jackman, Antonio Banderas. ........They're smart; they're sexy; and I don't have to deal with their quirks or pick up their dirty laundry. Best of all, when I'm done with them, I just hit Eject Now here's a girl after my own heart! Great list!"}, {"response": 1568, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 2004 (10:48)", "body": "(Moon) His last great film had Hugh Grant in it. LOL! Moon, could you please define \"great\" for me? ;-)"}, {"response": 1569, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 2004 (10:52)", "body": "Cute article, Leslie, thanks. Aagree with Beedee--it's a great list! And some news on one of the guys on it; Moon, they're at Como now! Ocean's Twelve Update From Italy Source: Alex Thursday, June 10, 2004 'Alex' has another update from Italy on the Ocean's Twelve production, which he previously said was now shooting scenes at Villa Erba and around Lake Como. The following scene descriptions do contain spoilers; These are the plot of few scenes shot on the lake: - Interior scene between Vincent Cassel & Danny Mendez (ex miss Italy). Should be hot! - Dialogue scene between Cassel (He plays the role of an art dealer) & Clooney. Should be outside Villa Erba. - Speedboat chasing between Matt Damon & Cassel. - A dialogue between Clooney & Julia Roberts. The shooting are due to finish, then someone from the troupe will take some long shots of locations and Lake. Warner Bros. has the sequel scheduled for a December 10 release date."}, {"response": 1570, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 2004 (10:52)", "body": "Small Time Crooks was excellent. Woody's best in a long, long time."}, {"response": 1571, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 2004 (16:15)", "body": "(Mari), And some news on one of the guys on it; Moon, they're at Como now! That's my territory. Alas, I don't usually go till July. I bet George is having a grand time showing off \"his lake\". (Moon) His last great film had Hugh Grant in it. (Ildi), LOL! Moon, could you please define \"great\" for me? ;-) (Karen), Small Time Crooks was excellent. Woody's best in a long, long time. Exactly! Who could ever forget that toothpick scene."}, {"response": 1572, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 2004 (22:08)", "body": "Ugh... Lost in Damnation: Did Scarlett Johansson take a wrong turn on the way to a Flock of Seagulls concert and end up at the MTV Movie Awards? Or is she searching for the whip that will complete her naughty maid uniform? The actress slouches into Hollywood fashion infamy in this disastrous design, pairing her apron-like bandeau top with a racer-back yellow tank top and black short-shorts. Shudder. Sadly, despite Scarlett's gorgeous gams, the oddball outfit does not improve when viewed from the rear. And we beg the actress to give her over-processed locks a breather -- they're looking more fried than a bucket of the Colonel's finest \ufffd and about as healthy"}, {"response": 1573, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 2004 (23:34)", "body": "I vote for hideous, but then again it's fairly appropriate for the MTV crowd. Agree too about her overprocessed hair."}, {"response": 1574, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 2004 (23:41)", "body": "Working Title finds its Darcy Adam Minns in London 11 June 2004 Working Title Films has finally found its Darcy. The UK powerhouse has cast rising British actor Matthew Macfadyen as the arrogant but eligible male lead in its upcoming Jane Austen adaptation Pride And Prejudice. Macfadyen will star opposite Keira Knightley, who plays the central Bennet daughter, Elizabeth. The other Bennet sisters will include The Libertine and Die Another Day's Rosamund Pike as Jane, the oldest, and Jena Malone, the US actress from Cold Mountain, The United States Of Leland and Donnie Darko, as Lydia, the youngest. Macfadyen is best known as the star of hit British TV spy thriller Spooks, which aired successfully in the US as MI-5. Along with starring in high-profile TV productions such as The Project and Warriors, he recently wrapped his first starring role in a feature with In My Father's Den, the story of a disillusioned war reporter. His period credits include his TV debut, Granada Television's Wuthering Heights, and BBC2's recent Anthony Trollope adaptation The Way We Live Now. Shooting on Pride And Prejudice is scheduled to start next month, with Working Title co-chairman Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner producing with Paul Webster. Joe Wright, whose credits include BBC TV mini-series Charles II and Nature Boy, is making his directing debut from a script by Billy Elliot writer Lee Hall and Tulip Fever novelist Deborah Moggach."}, {"response": 1575, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (00:10)", "body": "Looking into those fine eyes: After writing the letter:"}, {"response": 1576, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (00:12)", "body": "Here's the new Mr. Darcy: Not only is he ugly, but he has bad skin too. The casting director must: 1. Be insane 2. Could find no one else, after every possible real candidate turned it down. This is a real turn-off. :-("}, {"response": 1577, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (00:14)", "body": "LOL! Nice try Karen. But no cigar. :-("}, {"response": 1578, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (01:13)", "body": "What I did last night ... ooh, sounds bad. Got to attend The Terminal premiere, then trapped Jason Isaacs into posing and signing some things for us. http://img12.photobucket.com/albums/v36/blisster/TheTerminal_JI7.jpg"}, {"response": 1579, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (06:43)", "body": "(Moon) 2. Could find no one else, after every possible real candidate turned it down. My first vote, though both are plausible and possible. ;-) I like him on MI-5. Maybe if he had a different wig it would help. ;-) Nice pic, Marianne. Me likee! Are his eyes really that blue? How was The Terminal, BTW? Was supposed to go next Thurs, but have a concert instead. Should I switch plans? ;-)"}, {"response": 1580, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (07:01)", "body": "In retrospect about the new Darcy, it could be a very smart move for him potentially as far as getting his name and face out there to a much wider audience. Not just in the UK but globally, regardless of the project, 'cause you know this will get lots of attention when it's released. I don't know how known or popular he is in the UK, but if it's not very, this certainly won't hurt...at least until his performance is seen. Though again, I'm sure he was way down on the totem pole of choices. I will have to see this anyway...must see what KK will do with it. ;-)"}, {"response": 1581, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (07:28)", "body": "LOL, Moon. Go here and let 'em have it: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/3797535.stm"}, {"response": 1582, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (08:47)", "body": "Great pic, Marianne, though someone looks cut off on the left side. ;-) Wonder if he's going to make a return to the West Wing. That was fun seeing him there. Go here and let 'em have it: Don't they post the feedback? Will have to keep checking back. I'm real curious as to what they'll get."}, {"response": 1583, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (09:16)", "body": "I hate to say, but you can get an inkling of how insignificant the new P&P movie will be over here. So far, none of the entertainment news sites has picked up the story. When Brad Pitt's name was bandied about, it was news. Now, it's a costume drama yawner. Even Empire (which is part of the same company as ScreenDaily) hasn't made it a story on its site. The Guardian didn't either. Nothing on the main news wires either."}, {"response": 1584, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (09:40)", "body": "There was more coverage with KK, so it won't be ignored in the long run I bet."}, {"response": 1585, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (09:44)", "body": "Nice pic, Marianne. Even Jason Isaacs with a wig would be a better Darcy! (Dorine), In retrospect about the new Darcy, it could be a very smart move for him potentially as far as getting his name and face out there to a much wider audience. It's a great move for him! But he better get ready for lots of critism too. Although, I bet all those male critics that were jealous of \"our\" Mr. Darcy, might be happy with this horrible one. :-( I want to know who will play Mr. Wickham, he couldn't possibly be this bad. Thanks for the link, Mari."}, {"response": 1586, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (09:49)", "body": "It's a great move for him! But he better get ready for lots of critism too. He'll be viewed as a TV actor in the US. But he has nothing to lose."}, {"response": 1587, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (10:01)", "body": "(Moon) Even Jason Isaacs with a wig would be a better Darcy! He's an excellent choice, actually. Shame he's not a tad younger for it."}, {"response": 1588, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (12:25)", "body": "Variety has it; nice mention of CF. Macfadyen is new Mr. Darcy Thu Jun 10, 8:00 PM ET Adam Dawtrey, STAFF LONDON -- Matthew Macfadyen has been cast in the iconic role of Mr. Darcy opposite Keira Knightley (news)'s Elizabeth Bennet in Working Title's upcoming version of Jane Austen's romantic novel \"Pride and Prejudice.\" This is the biggest movie role yet for the 29-year-old Macfadyen, who played the lead in the BBC spy series \"Spooks\" (broadcast Stateside as \"MI-5\"). He recently starred in the Kiwi movie \"In My Father's Den,\" currently in post-production. Also joining the cast are Rosamund Pike (news), as Elizabeth's perfect older sister Jane, and American actress Jena Malone (news) as the trou-blesome youngest sister Lydia. Production of the movie, directed by Joe Wright from a script by Lee Hall and Deborah Moggach, has been brought forward from late August to mid-July. Producers are Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner and Paul Webster. \"Pride and Prejudice\" is the classic tale of an opinionated young woman and an arrogant, rich snob who overcome their initial antipathy and various other social obstacles to fall in love. Colin Firth (news) became a star by playing Mr. Darcy in the BBC's 1994 TV series of \"Pride and Prejudice,\" a role so imprinted on the public consciousness that it features heavily in Helen Fielding's book \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" and led to Firth being cast as Mark Darcy in the movie version."}, {"response": 1589, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (12:35)", "body": "(Dorine) There was more coverage with KK, so it won't be ignored in the long run I bet. Agreed. KK's every breath is being recorded right now. But...depends too if King Arthur is any good. Audiences can be so fickle...she could blow it there and by the time P&P comes out??? I still think it will get press as the release draws near. The new Darcy? He's tolerable I suppose....ya'll know the rest.... ;-)"}, {"response": 1590, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (12:38)", "body": "Rather than compare it to King Arthur, I'd compare it with the coverage of Reese Witherspoon in TIOBE...unless Working Title puts some action and F/X sequences into P&P. ;-)"}, {"response": 1591, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (12:39)", "body": "She's \"below-the-radar\" right now with Vanity Fair."}, {"response": 1592, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (12:46)", "body": "Re the \"new\" Darcy - interesting to say the least . . . quite a job he's taken on and what a challenge to make it his own when it is rather obvious that the image of Colin's performance is so attatched to the role. Reading the comments on the BBC link Mari posted is interesting - the majority of which mentioned Colin's wonderful performance . . wonder if his people have read some of them;) . . . .great demand, strong fan base . .get him some pictures that help him showcase his talent! Dorine my DH and I will be going to the Terminal BAFTA screening on . .Monday . . . awww thought we'd see you there;) Jason Issacs is a cutie . . Jena Malone as Lydia - interesting - I've seen some good work from her when she was younger . . . .but haven't seen her in anything recent things . ."}, {"response": 1593, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (12:49)", "body": "I recognize a few names from the BBC comments. Good job, ladies. Anyway, there's only one thing I'd be looking forward to if/when this movie comes out, a lot of reviews that hold Colin up as the definitive Darcy, instead of the kind of reviews he gets, where he's called HG-lite."}, {"response": 1594, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (13:00)", "body": "(Kimberly) Jena Malone as Lydia - interesting - I've seen some good work from her when she was younger . . . Did you see Cold Mountain? She was the girl on the ferry (about a two minute part, but impressive). She's also in a film coming out (or out?) called Saved. She's all grown up! I remember seeing her in Bastard Out of Carolina and Contact...she was so wee then. Lydia will be fairly 'light' role for her from what she's done in the past. She'll have to get the accent down though..."}, {"response": 1595, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (13:05)", "body": "Tress - I saw Bastard out of Carolina too and Ellen Foster and was impressed at what such a young thing she was and her range . . . Haven't seen Cold Mountain:( . .will be on my netfilx list"}, {"response": 1596, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (13:06)", "body": "(Karen) Anyway, there's only one thing I'd be looking forward to if/when this movie comes out, a lot of reviews that hold Colin up as the definitive Darcy, instead of the kind of reviews he gets, where he's called HG-lite. Oh! Sorry for the double post, but I think you are right! And...I anticipate an increase in CF's fan base. Once a few have seen the new P&P and hear about the 'definitive' version they'll be renting it...and then you know, it's all a matter of time...CF will work his magic and then....;-)"}, {"response": 1597, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (13:09)", "body": "(Tress) And...I anticipate an increase in CF's fan base. But that's not important to me. I just want to hear/read important critics praising Colin for a change, when they're discussing Macfayden's performance."}, {"response": 1598, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (13:25)", "body": "And I have this amusing image in my mind of Macfayden having a wife/girlfriend/SO who is a huge P&P fan (and Colin as Darcy fan as well), and the scene plays out like the trial in Miracle on 48th Street, where the DA's son is on the stand and he's being questioned about the existence of Santa Claus. Sorry, but I can't quite explain it all that well. You'd have to be in my mind. ;-)"}, {"response": 1599, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (15:12)", "body": "(Kim) Dorine my DH and I will be going to the Terminal BAFTA screening on . .Monday . . . awww thought we'd see you there;) The other one is Monday, The Terminal on Thurs. Won't be at either. (Kimberly) Jena Malone as Lydia - interesting - I've seen some good work from her when she was younger . . . (Tress) Did you see Cold Mountain? She was the girl on the ferry (about a two minute part, but impressive). Apparently neither she nor the ferry left an impression on me. Can't recall either. But I do remember now that she's in Saved. I actually wanted to see that. Looks funny. Interesting comments on that BBC site. I found amusing... Keira Ubiquitous Knightly I don't see what was wrong in giving the part to Colin Firth. After all, he knows the part- Is there anyone out there who could provide her with a clue? ;-) But Keira Knightley is too attractive and rather bad at acting. He is much more animated than Colin Firth could ever be. Apparently I missed the version where Mr. Darcy is the social butterfly at the balls and skips merrily through the fields. ;-) Am curious if all the people who made comments about having another wet shirt scene realize it's *not* in the book? I thought the comments from the men were interesting, too."}, {"response": 1600, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (15:23)", "body": "Dorine: Are his eyes really that blue? How was The Terminal, BTW? Was supposed to go next Thurs, but have a concert instead. Should I switch plans? Yes. No. The Terminal was blah, nothing special, more manipulative and boring if that makes sense ... and I'm the type that likes everything especially if the stars of the movie are there. Karen: ...though someone looks cut off on the left side. ;-) Wonder if he's going to make a return to the West Wing. That was fun seeing him there. It was for the better ... we weren't expecting to actually to see the movie with all the celebrities. JI updates his fans on what's going on (and he answered all my Harry Potter questions and he loves to talk about his daughter). He sent this to the moderators of his fan sites: Then I did the West Wing - partly because I get the girl for a change, partly because it's a phenomenal show and just about the only articulate left-of-fascist agenda allowed on mainstream TV in the states and partly because, what the hell...I'm a huuuuge fan of it. I'm in Episode 1 of the new season and, I suppose, it's not inconceivable that I could be back but, to be honest, it was a hell of a lot like hard work for a lazy old film actor like me. They work like dogs till the wee hours then up and at it again - a horrifying shock to the system!"}, {"response": 1601, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (15:31)", "body": "I don't see what was wrong in giving the part to Colin Firth. After all, he knows the part- (Dorine) Is there anyone out there who could provide her with a clue? ;-) LOL! Dunno about you, but I wouldn't want Colin in this version....With KK??? Nevah! Besides...it would look more like \"What a Regency Girl Wants\" (she's a tad young for him...now, if they want to replace her...I'm all for that! Seeing ODB do Mr. Darcy on the big screen would be bliss)! (Dorine) Am curious if all the people who made comments about having another wet shirt scene realize it's *not* in the book? LOL...I bet not! And if they do do another wet shirt, it'll be a direct rip off (I hope they aren't that lame...)"}, {"response": 1602, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (15:32)", "body": "I'm in Episode 1 of the new season and, I suppose, it's not inconceivable that I could be back Excellent! He made a great foreign correspondent and love interest for Donna. (His character's name was Colin.) Actually, he'd be a good choice for the lead in Cause Celeb too. Can definitely picture him in that one. Marianne, did he say anything about having to learn his lines in both Arabic and Hebrew? His Israeli accent was v.g. to my ears."}, {"response": 1603, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (15:35)", "body": "Here's what The Times had to say: Hunt for Darcy nets star of TV spy drama By Dalya Alberge, Arts Correspondent COLIN FIRTH was considered such a hard act to follow as Mr Darcy in the BBC television adaptation of Pride and Prejudice that film-makers took eight months and held auditions with more than 100 actors, to find their man for the big-screen version. The hero of the Jane Austen classic will be played by Matthew Macfadyen, who made his name as an MI5 spy in the BBC spy drama Spooks.He has been cast alongside Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennet in a $25 million (\u00a314 million) film produced by Working Title, whose hits include Notting Hill and Bridget Jones's Diary. One of the co-producers, Paul Webster, said the casting had been very difficult: \"It's something to do with the iconic status of the character. Women particularly project their own impression of what a real man is, and Colin Firth cast a very long shadow.\" Firth set female hearts aflutter with his 1994 television portrayal. Colin Farrell, Orlando Bloom and Jude Law were reported to have turned down the part in the big-screen adaptation for fear of unfavourable comparisons. The film's leads are closer in age to Austen's characters than were the BBC's cast. At 19 Knightley plays a 20-year-old; Macfadyen, at 29, is a year older than Darcy. Mr Webster said that the difficulty of finding a Mr Darcy \"says something about the kind of men we breed\"."}, {"response": 1604, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (16:05)", "body": "Karen: ...did he say anything about having to learn his lines in both Arabic and Hebrew? His Israeli accent was v.g. to my ears. No, but he did live in Israel for awhile."}, {"response": 1605, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (16:24)", "body": "Great discussion everyone, thanks. I enjoyed Macfadyen's performance in Spooks very much but can't conceive of him in a period role. Of course it's Colin's strength that he can do any period! I know one of you will come up with the famous quote from the Making of P&P book. KK was in the Guardian recently as she is the new face of the posh jewellers (Garrads??) and is apparently \"perfect\" as the image of post-bling. How fitting that JE came to the role of Elizabeth without all the accompanying hype that follows KK. Don't somehow think that this EB will turn in a Bafta winning performance;-)"}, {"response": 1606, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (16:31)", "body": "Quien es Jason Isaacs? I don't watch West Wing;-) \"Mr Webster said that the difficulty of finding a Mr Darcy 'says something about the kind of men we breed' \". Not exactly a compliment. Good fodder for a dissertation, though;-)"}, {"response": 1607, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (16:33)", "body": "Closing, I hope"}, {"response": 1608, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (16:57)", "body": "Mr Webster said that the difficulty of finding a Mr Darcy \"says something about the kind of men we breed\". ROTF! Spread the word. They don't make them like they used to. Then again, women are so easy to please now. I think this new P&P will be more about Lydia and Wickham for me."}, {"response": 1609, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (19:09)", "body": "Rosamund Pike as Jane, the oldest I like RP as Jane, but I thought she'd make a better Rebecca in TEOR-not anymore, though, the more I hear about the Rebecca character. This whole project makes me sick. \"It's something to do with the iconic status of the character. Women particularly project their own impression of what a real man is, and Colin Firth cast a very long shadow.\" Exactly, and as one of the comments on the bbc entertainment site---they should have waited a lot more years before doing this again. Working Title just doesn't get it. BTW, I like MMacM in MI-5, but Mr. Darcy? Well, let's face it I'm the first to admit my failings--I wouldn't be happy with anyone in that role."}, {"response": 1610, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (19:51)", "body": "From the Telegraph Modern men make the search for Mr Darcy a struggle By Sam Leith (Filed: 12/06/2004) The perpetual adolescence of the 21st century male made casting Mr Darcy in a big-screen adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice - the first since Laurence Olivier took the role in 1960 - a uniquely difficult task, its producers said yesterday. It took Working Title, the British company behind Four Weddings and a Funeral, eight months - and auditions for more than 100 actors - before it settled on Matthew Macfadyen, the 29-year-old star of the TV spy drama Spooks. He will star opposite Keira Knightley, as Elizabeth Bennet. The former Bond girl Rosamunde Pike will play her older sister Jane. The process reflected the difficulty of finding an actor who combined the necessary personal qualities with the young age specified by Austen, said the film's co-producer Paul Webster. \"Mr Darcy is very much a man's man,\" he added. \"I don't think they make them like that any more - men don't become men these days until 35. \"Matthew is a big guy, lovely, macho and - I have to say - very sensitive, but he has a great power and ability to control the screen.\" The bodice-loosening effect of Colin Firth's performances in the role - in the BBC's 1994 production and in film of Bridget Jones's Diary - was also an intimidating influence. \"It was a long process to find our Darcy,\" said Mr Webster. Two other names touted for the role, Jude Law and Orlando Bloom, were \"unavailable\". Knightley was, however, easier to cast: \"Our first and only choice . . . we loved her from the start\". (ed.note: no keeding) Knightley is 19, a year younger than her character, Macfadyen is a year older than his and Elizabeth's sisters have been cast young. \"We're sick and tired of period dramas about first love but which feature actors in their late twenties or early thirties,\" said Mr Webster. (ed. note: Why?) Was Firth too old, then? \"I wouldn't say too old, because it was obviously a very successful piece of casting - but we're trying to look for something fresher, younger, more realistic.\" (ed. note: Why?) Elizabeth's younger sisters Kitty and Mary are played by two unknowns, Carey Mulligan, fresh from her A-Levels, and Tallulah Reily. The American actress Jena Malone will play the fifth Bennet sister, Lydia. Mr Webster said an emphasis of the film would be its truth to life. Jenny Uglow, a scholar on the 19th century, will be a consultant and the script has been written by Deborah Moggach, the author of Tulip Fever. Chatsworth, the Derbyshire seat of the Dukes of Devonshire, will be the location for Darcy's home, Pemberley. Filming is due to start mid-July. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/06/12/nausten12.xml&sSheet=/news/2004/06/12/ixhome.html"}, {"response": 1611, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (20:09)", "body": "\"I don't think they make them like that any more - men don't become men these days until 35.\" Which may explain why Colin was so scrummy as Darcy. I don't know if he would have had the same effect at 25 in the role (he would have done brilliantly, but there is a certain 'command' about him in the way he did Darcy that he may have lacked at 25....and his face hadn't lost that boyish look yet). The new cast will have to be careful...a 'boy' saying the line \"In vain I have stuggled...\" won't have the same feel about it. Thanks Linda... And here is the new Pemberley:"}, {"response": 1612, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 2004 (20:17)", "body": "I know, I know... What really makes me sick is this type of headline: SPY drama star is 'new Mr Darcy' There shouldn't be any new Mr. Darcy-not now, not yet."}, {"response": 1613, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 2004 (08:43)", "body": "(Webster) \"We're sick and tired of period dramas about first love but which feature actors in their late twenties or early thirties,\" said Mr Webster. (ed. note: Why?) Was Firth too old, then? \"I wouldn't say too old, because it was obviously a very successful piece of casting - but we're trying to look for something fresher, younger, more realistic.\" (ed. note: Why?) I echo your why's and it almost appears as though Working Title will be taking the offensive against the BBC version and, especially, Colin's association with the role. Not good. :-( BTW, was the book \"about\" first love, in the typical movie sense? I thought it was about manners. I shudder to think what Working Title will make of the film, and am reminded of one of the comments on the BBC website about the soundtrack. ;-)"}, {"response": 1614, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 2004 (10:07)", "body": "(Karen), I echo your why's and it almost appears as though Working Title will be taking the offensive against the BBC version and, especially, Colin's association with the role. Not good. :-( Most especially since Working Title work often with Colin. How dare they?"}, {"response": 1615, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 2004 (10:38)", "body": "Period drama with an all British cast.Realistically speaking, this will be a small art house movie. I know, I know, I said the same thing about SIL, but Gwynnie and Ben Affleck did all the heavy lifting and Harvey cracked the whip. IMO KK cannot carry a movie by herself. \"Bend it Like Beckham\" relied on the East Indian cast and the \"...Greek Wedding\" flavor of the film more than KK. \"Pirates ....\" was a Johnny Depp film. Let's see what success she has as Guenevere next month . WT is pouring $25 M. down the drain:-)))) They shudda gone with \"Northanger Abbey\"... I'm sure Patricia Rozema would have been happy to oblige;-)"}, {"response": 1616, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 2004 (10:47)", "body": "We saw \"Saved!\" last night and enjoyed it very much. Very witty and rather biting (Which we enjoyed...your mileage may vary ;-). Jena Malone was very good, but I can't picture her as Lydia--seems such a serious person. But that's what acting is all about, right?"}, {"response": 1617, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 2004 (12:10)", "body": "(Evelyn) \"Bend it Like Beckham\" relied on the East Indian cast and the \"...Greek Wedding\" flavor of the film more than KK. Yes, exactly like Greek Wedding...strictly word-of-mouth that it was funny. No one stood out as I recall from people telling me about it. It was just considered cute and funny overall. Actually, I remember being acutely aware of how much KK annoyed me in the movie. I wasn't impressed with her, though enjoyed the movie thoroughly. Thanks Meredith for your opinion about Saved. It looks cute to me. Mandy Moore looks funny in it. Love when she throws the Bible (I guess) at JM and says she's filled with the Lord with such an attitude, LOL. Actually, ODB may get more questions about the WT P&P than the Bollywood one now that I think about it. Poor guy. He'll hate all that...\"Do you think MM will be able to fill your shoes as Darcy? What do you think of the casting of MM as Darcy? How do you think this \"more realistic\" WT version of P&P will compare to the BBC version you were in?....and yada, yada...."}, {"response": 1618, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 2004 (13:59)", "body": "(Evelyn) Period drama with an all British cast.Realistically speaking, this will be a small art house movie. S&S did very well...but then I look at the cast. Emma, Hugh and Alan...with a pre-Titanic Kate. And a great adaptation...I think KK may be the sinker in this (and the screenplay will have to be better than Davies if she even has the smallest of hopes...IMO)...I'm waiting to see how she does in KA (DH doesn't want to see it as \"the girl who can't close her mouth bugs me...\" Wot are the chances I'll get him to see P&P in the theater? Zero. Unless Lizzy does some dueling and something explodes, he's not getting near it...if he won't see KA cuz of her, no way will he see her in a period drama w/o bloodshed)."}, {"response": 1619, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 2004 (17:18)", "body": "and the screenplay will have to be better than Davies if she even has the smallest of hopes... Poor Simon Langton...he never gets mentioned with the success of P&P. And I think he was pivotal. In \"The Making of P&P\" (book and film)he goes into great detail about his strategy in shooting the series. Esp first proposal."}, {"response": 1620, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 2004 (11:01)", "body": "(Karen)I echo your why's and it almost appears as though Working Title will be taking the offensive against the BBC version and, especially, Colin's association with the role. Not good. That was my first impression on reading the Telegraph article. Working Title, it seems, is going to pit the two Mr. Darcy's against one another. This is how they'll play it, but I can't imagine that A&E's adaptation won't win out. I'm just sad that Colin's owning the character for the past several years (whether he liked it or not)has not got to be shared. I think it's a lot of bunk out of Mr. Webster's mouth about first love in period dramas being played by older characters. That is just an excuse to get the ball rolling for public acceptance of this new P&P. Shame on you WT and Mr. Webster. Forget about the Darcy aspect...KK couldn't hold a candle to JE's Lizzy. IMO."}, {"response": 1621, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 2004 (11:10)", "body": "Despite Ms KK's involvement, IMO this will be nothing more on the filmscape as another Mansfield Park."}, {"response": 1622, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 2004 (12:30)", "body": "(Karen) IMO this will be nothing more on the filmscape as another Mansfield Park. LOL. Which played in about 6 cities. I attended the world premiere in London and the director was booed. The crowning blow was the African music during the credits. Jane Austen must have been turning...."}, {"response": 1623, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 2004 (15:16)", "body": "(Linda) KK couldn't hold a candle to JE's Lizzy. IMO Or much of anyone or anything else either, IMO. (Evelyn) the director was booed. Oh my. :-("}, {"response": 1624, "author": "soph", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 2004 (16:15)", "body": "what a weird match... what a weird, weird match... woohooo ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! who would have thought this only minutes before the end ??? reminds me of the 2002 final... errr, for those who might be lost, i'm talking football here.... france vs. england, etc. actually, i don't know if football qualifies as an odds & ends, does it qualify ? and anyway, half the arsenal roster was playing in the french selection, so there !"}, {"response": 1625, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 2004 (18:04)", "body": "\"The Stepford Wives\" : Supposed to be a parody,but it lost me there. A bit strained at times. Good jokes far and few. Wasted cast. Still I found it entertaining."}, {"response": 1626, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 2004 (22:29)", "body": "(sophie), for those who might be lost, i'm talking football here.... france vs. england, etc. I'm with you! Unbelievable! Tomorrow we have Italy vs. Denmark. :-)"}, {"response": 1627, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (01:18)", "body": "They're coming to get you, dear..."}, {"response": 1628, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (08:54)", "body": "Principessa, this is your day! .... your tiara..... Let the party begin....."}, {"response": 1629, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (10:31)", "body": "Karen, what a shocker! I didn't know you had that issue! Such invasion of privacy!!! All those carabinieri for me? I must be guilty as charged. LOL! Evelyn, tiara safely in place. Happy to see Colin as MC. I'm ready."}, {"response": 1630, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (11:44)", "body": "J: Algie would you . .stop! . .Get your hands off those muffins . . A: Hmm . . . but wouldn\ufffdt you rather have cake? J: I told you I don\ufffdt want any tea cake . . A: No no no . .some of Moon\ufffds b\ufffdday cake! J: Well . .that\ufffds different . . Moon, my darling, . .how about dinner at the Savoy and some cake for your b\ufffdday?;) I hope you have a happy one!!! ***Thanks to Firthissimo for the pic!"}, {"response": 1631, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (12:22)", "body": "This seem a little tame here and now that it is after noon where I am...time to pop that cork! If I had had orange juice, I might have done this earlier. ;-)"}, {"response": 1632, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (12:32)", "body": "Colin remembered that you liked martinis, so he brought some for your party (I think he got a bit of a head start) And I brought the cake (again with the head start thing...) Buon Compleanno, Moon!"}, {"response": 1633, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (12:37)", "body": "Buono Cumpleanno, Cara Mia http://english.pravda.ru/img/2003/07/berlusconi.jpg Prosecco...not French!"}, {"response": 1634, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (12:46)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1635, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (12:56)", "body": "There she is, David, your new leading lady and the Birthday Girl. Moonerella!"}, {"response": 1636, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (13:14)", "body": "\"You see, it's Moon's birthday and I'm putting together a plan.\" \"It starts with a quick jaunt.... ....to the site of our romantic Italian mini-break\" \"Where we'll toast to another drool-filled year.\" Buonno Compleanno, Moon!!"}, {"response": 1637, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (13:19)", "body": "Moon, cara, you know how I hate to drink alone. Come on out and help me celebrate your birthday!"}, {"response": 1638, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (13:33)", "body": "To sleep, perchance to dream of Moon . . ."}, {"response": 1639, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (13:44)", "body": "It's Moon's birthday today? I'm on my way!"}, {"response": 1640, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (13:50)", "body": "LOL, Mari! Everyone knows how much I enjoy coctails here. It's never to early to pop the champagne. I see it's Don Perignon 1992, a fantastic vintage. Merci, Karen. Just back from a lovely lunch at the Savoy with Jack/Ernest. Lovely cake too. Thanks Kimberley! Tress, saving that cake (love the candles), for the Martini happy later coming up later. Thanks! Evelyn, So Silvio wants me to drink Prosecco? He should know better. ;-) Karen, you have psychic powers! How did you know I would audition for David(my sweetie), in my Moonerella costume, wig and all? He loved the way I handled that long steady rod. ;-D Thank you for bringing him to my party. I'm off on romantic Italian mini break, that you Leslie for booking it. :-)"}, {"response": 1641, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (13:53)", "body": "To sleep, perchance to dream of Moon . . . He can dream all he wants with me but sleep? I don't think so. ;-) Thanks Ada! Happy to see my dear Henry is coming."}, {"response": 1642, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (14:26)", "body": "Ooooh yeah he's coming;-D Now, Mark didn't bring a change of clothes...thank god his shirt is drip-dry. Worthing's hat really isn't party wear but he knows you like it... Darcy needs put his shoes and stockings back on (had to have a pedicure) Colin is just sitting...doodling... Peter already started celebrating...hours ago And Vermeer can't get his hat off for some reason...must be attached to the wig. Hope you're having a wonderful day Moon!"}, {"response": 1643, "author": "soph", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (14:27)", "body": "hey Moon : i'm a little late to join the party, but i wanted to wish you a happy birthday ! and yes, i've been busy lately, with the football and all that, but i found this little guy on my doormat the other day, he really desperately wanted to give you a message.... here's animatronicolin 3.2 , -Moondance mode on- God, will they just *stop* *dancing* like *crazy* someday ? ***warning : a rather light one, but still 244 ko*** thanks Karen, i stole yours and decontructed it (deconstructing is my middle name, you know)"}, {"response": 1644, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (14:38)", "body": "(sophie) i stole yours Arrest this woman!!! And we have a confession. Will make it easier to prosecute this case to the highest court in the land. Naw, that's ok. Saves me the trouble of finding it in my files. ;-) As long as Geoffrey dances on Moon's birthday, all's well with the world."}, {"response": 1645, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (15:12)", "body": "How can I please the lovely Moon on her birthday? I've just thought of something...hope she'll like it. Some wine, bubbles, and me...will that do, Cara? And don't worry we can't run out of wine. I made sure we'd have enough to last the day."}, {"response": 1646, "author": "soph", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (15:16)", "body": "LOL karen ! i confess, but please don't torture me or anything, i'm rather weak and kinda squeal on such occasions... (and anyway, this is a personalized, party-boy version of geoffrey, so that doesn't count) and a drawing by marcel gottlib ! one of my heros ! good pick !"}, {"response": 1647, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (15:33)", "body": "Not too extreme..."}, {"response": 1648, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (16:20)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1649, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (16:24)", "body": "Madam Moon, my associate Dr Watson informs me that you wish to engage our services in a most delicate matter. You wish us to locate a missing person in London, without alerting your jealous husband, who has recently returned from abroad and will not countenance any mention of this party in his presence. I deduce this party is not a relation. (puffs away on pipe) Your motives are your own, Madam. From the description you have provided, does the party in question resemble this? Singular, Watson, singular. The most hunted man in England. Lestrade tells me that he's set his best agents, mainly well-seasoned female housewives, after this crafty rapscallion. And they've combed every shire from rook to rock with nary a sighting. Watson tells me you have some clues and some particular places you wish me to investigate. I see here that London playgrounds are very high on your list of places which should be kept under surveillance. Moreover, you have noted a number of music halls and cafes. I see, most singular. (puffs away) However, Madam, your request to accompany us, while in disguise, makes your request most interesting. With this disguise, your identity shall never be known: Quickly, Madam, the game\ufffds afoot! We\ufffdre off to unravel the Adventure of the Clueless Actor. No time to lose! He may sign for The Nutty Professor remake if we're not in time!"}, {"response": 1650, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (16:26)", "body": "Nothing but the best for your birthday, Principesa!"}, {"response": 1651, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (17:12)", "body": "Ada, I you brought out a few of my favourite things... I do love those hats. Thank you! Sophie, what would I do without my dear sweet Geoffrey's birthday \"martini\" dance. The banana one we'll do in private. ;-) Merci beaucoup! Je deteste le CT d'Italie. Il n'a pas port\ufffd en Portugal le meilleur \ufffdquipe. I'm still trying to figure out why I have the carabinieri and the gendarmerie after me? I don't recall performing as Moonerella in public? ;-) The guillotine is NOT too extreme? What have I done? ;-) You know I hate le 14 Juillet. Vive le Roi! Linda, those are some of my favourites. Hard to resist him in that worn black leather couch. And just knowing that we have our grapevine, we'll just have to bathe in wine. (There's a famous spa in Italy that offers just that). Thank you! However, Madam, your request to accompany us, while in disguise, makes your request most interesting. With this disguise, your identity shall never be known: ROTF! I am really in disguise if I wear that hideous outfit! Love the diamonds, thank you, Karen! I am wearing them and going for a swim. You are all invited. :-D"}, {"response": 1652, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (17:39)", "body": "Pass it along.....it\ufffds Moon\ufffds birthday. I\ufffdm so sorry...you were so sweet to get me that Norah Jones CD for my birthday and I managed to bungle her name on SNL....sheesh. At least I got it right the second time. Perhaps there is some way I could help you celebrate your birthday and plead forgiveness. Maybe sing you a song. Cara, I know you favor martinis, but why don\ufffdt we move on to margaritas next. They\ufffdre excellent for winding down after stressful live appearances. I only want you to have the happiest of birthdays, my dearest, loveliest Moon..."}, {"response": 1653, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (18:24)", "body": "Happiest of Birthday's, dear Moon. Sl\ufffdinte agus saol chugat!"}, {"response": 1654, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (18:37)", "body": "Thank you in Celtic to you, Eithne. Dorine, I love margaritas, but I am not responsible for what I do when I mix them with any other drink. Moonerella's secret is out. ;-) Happy to see Colin appreciate's my music gifts. Thank you! And yes, a song would be lovely, how about... I've Got You Under my Skin. :-)"}, {"response": 1655, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (19:46)", "body": "Moon, you're not getting older you're getting sassier! I've been saving this treasure for a year so I could send it back at you... It's well worth the recycling. I hope that you get a chance to shake it up on your birthday! Top 21 Reasons For You, Moon, To Be A Belly Dancer On Your Birthdays! 21. So you can subscribe to magazines with names like \"Wiggle Hips\". 20. It doesn't seem so much like \"exercise\" when you're wearing chiffon. 19. So you can entertain yourself at stoplights by practicing chest isolations. 18. The camel saddle you've had since the 60's now fits with your decor! 17. So you can leave a trail of beads, coins, and sequins wherever you go instead of bread crumbs. 16. You can name your cat Mizmar and lots of people you know will get the joke. 15. So you can fend off indecent advances from club owners at 2:00 in the morning. 14. So your spouse can whine to his friends about being a belly dancing widower. 13. So you can actually do something useful with what you learned in those sewing classes you took as a teen-ager. 12. So you can annoy your non-dancing friends and co-workers by begging them to come watch all your shows. 11. So strangers will tuck money into your clothing or shower it over your head. 10. So strangers will invite you to their parties. 9. So you can have a perfectly good reason to tote around a sword. 8. So you can enjoy the improvement in your sex life (ed. note: which we know must be good since you can write up kissing lessons that made even me warm;-)). 7. So you can finally learn how to work your CD/tape player. 6. So friends will start buying you little camel statues. 5. So you can have yet another excuse for rummaging through thrift shops in search of bargains. 4. So you can find yourself singing along to lyrics in a foreign language with no idea of what they mean. 3. So you can get a giggle out of watching people's expressions when you tell them what you do for fun. 2. So you can shock your old high school classmates by showing up in costume at the next high school reunion and doing a full show. And the Number 1 reason to be a belly dancer: 1. Costumes! Costumes! Costumes! Costumes! Costumes! Costumes! And of course..."}, {"response": 1656, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (19:49)", "body": "did I leave us .. blue? I don't think there's enough blue... Oh Karen, if this doesn't work do help;-))"}, {"response": 1657, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (22:38)", "body": "Happy Birthday Moon! Hope it has been a good one! Best wishes for the next year!"}, {"response": 1658, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (22:53)", "body": "Sorry for showing up so late for your birthday party, dearest Moon, but there was a Master Workshop this afternoon where a renowned Chef P\ufffdtissier from Cordon Bleu, Paris, showed us how to construct chocolate hazelnut tortes with praline on hazelnut daquiose disks. I hope this might please you. Oh, and I asked Chef Danniel to bring someone with him from Paris when he was last there to share the cake with you. You wouldn't want to disappoint the Vicomte, would you? He's brought Ch\ufffdteau d'Yquem Sauternes to share and a toast (and a festive and playful mood)! \"May you have warm words on a cold evening, A full moon on a dark night, And the road downhill all the way to your door. Joyeux Anniversaire and Sant\ufffd!\""}, {"response": 1659, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 2004 (23:11)", "body": "Thank you Shoshana, the Sauterne was delish with the cake and le Viscomte. ;-) 9. So you can have a perfectly good reason to tote around a sword. YES! LOL, Beedee. You must know I love to dance. In fact, I would like to suggest a Bollywood Theme Birthday Bash for ODB this Sept. Barb, thank you. I am looking forward to a great year. :-)"}, {"response": 1660, "author": "soph", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 2004 (02:01)", "body": "heehee, beedee ! (bee) And the Number 1 reason to be a belly dancer: also, you get to meet fun playmates... yeah, not a new one i know, but i just can't get enough of it"}, {"response": 1661, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 2004 (07:52)", "body": "(Sophie)yeah, not a new one i know, but i just can't get enough of it LOL! I know that I can't!"}, {"response": 1662, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 2004 (10:29)", "body": "New is not always better. That one's a winner and appropriate to take out for a myriad of occasions. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hypocrisy rears its ugly head yet again...Bet Janet Jackson's boob would've been alright. Moore Seeks PG-13 Rating on New Film By DAVID GERMAIN, AP Movie Writer LOS ANGELES - Distributors of Michael Moore (news)'s documentary \"Fahrenheit 9/11\" are appealing to get a PG-13 rating, instead of R. A screening by the Motion Picture Association of America's appeals board has been set for June 22, just three days before \"Fahrenheit 9/11\" hits theaters. But the film's distributors are trying to move that screening up to this week to expedite a decision, said Tom Ortenberg, president of Lions Gate Films, one of the companies releasing the film. An R rating means those younger than 17 cant' see the movie unless accompanied by an adult. The MPAA ratings board gave \"Fahrenheit 9/11\" an R rating for \"violent and disturbing images and for language.\" \"I think the message of the movie is so important that it should be available to be seen by as wide an audience as possible,\" Ortenberg said Monday. \"Frankly, I don't consider any of the images in the film any more disturbing than what we have all seen on the cable news networks and the gratuitous violence that fills the screen of so many PG-13-rated action pictures.\" In \"Fahrenheit 9/11,\" Moore depicts President Bush was asleep at the wheel in the months before the Sept. 11 attacks. The movie also accuses the White House of breeding fear of more terrorism to gain public support for the Iraq war. The film's images include a public beheading in Saudi Arabia, Iraqis burned by napalm and a grisly scene of an Iraqi man dumping a dead baby into a truckbed loaded with bodies. \"It is sadly very possible that many 15- and 16-year-olds will be asked and recruited to serve in Iraq in the next couple of years,\" Moore said. \"If they are old enough to be recruited and capable of being in combat and risking their lives, they certainly deserve the right to see what is going on in Iraq.\" \"Fahrenheit 9/11\" won the top honor at last month's Cannes Film Festival for Moore, who received the 2002 Academy Award for best documentary with \"Bowling for Columbine.\" Moore had to seek new distributors for \"Fahrenheit 9/11\" after Disney refused to let its Miramax subsidiary release it, saying it was too politically charged. Miramax bosses Harvey and Bob Weinstein bought the movie back from Disney and lined up Lions Gate and IFC Films to help distribute it. The film opens June 25 in 500 to 1,000 theaters in \"every major city in America,\" Ortenberg said. That constitutes an exceptionally wide release among documentaries, which typically play in only a handful of theaters. ~~~~~~~~~~~ From a Reuters article: MPAA spokesman Rich Taylor declined to specify how the 12-member board formed its judgment other than to say its \"sole function\" is to review films and assign ratings that enable \"parents to make informed decisions.\" An appeal review has been set for June 22 in Los Angeles. Ortenberg said Moore alone would to decide whether to edit the film to achieve a PG-13 rating if the appeal fails. Otherwise, the movie will be released with an R rating, he said. Although documentaries are routinely shown without ratings, and neither Lions Gate nor IFC Films belongs to the MPAA, Ortenberg said \"Fahrenheit 9/11\" is going through the ratings process because of its wide release. \"We certainly don't want to give theaters any reason not to play this picture,\" he said, noting that a newly formed organization opposed to the film was lobbying exhibitors to boycott it."}, {"response": 1663, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 2004 (10:49)", "body": "MM is used to this rating \"Bowling for Columbine\" MPAA RATING R, some violent images and language"}, {"response": 1664, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 2004 (10:56)", "body": "I didn't realize B for C was an R. With the new one, I'm less concerned with people 17 and under seeing it right now unless they will be of voting age by the election. The younger ones can see it on DVD later."}, {"response": 1665, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 2004 (11:06)", "body": "Why does this sound ominously like something out of the former CREP's dirty tricks bag? Drive puts heat on 'Fahrenheit' By Nicole Sperling A group opposing Michael Moore's documentary \"Fahrenheit 9/11\" is urging U.S. movie theaters not to screen the film, which is set to open June 25. The California-based organization called Move America Forward, which says its goal is \"supporting America's war on terrorism,\" has launched an electronic campaign, both via e-mail and through its Web site, encouraging theaters not to play Moore's film, which is critical of the war in Iraq. In addition to sending e-mails to exhibitors across the country, Move America Forward has listed on its Web site the movie theaters that either have agreed already to screen \"Fahrenheit 9/11\" or have not yet decided on a course of action. The Web site lists e-mail addresses of executives at 23 theater chains, both large and small, along with their business addresses, and it urges the public to contact them with their objections to the film. According to Sal Russo, chief strategist of Move America Forward and a partner in the public relations film Russo Marsh & Rogers, which started the organization last month, the group has heard anecdotally of some theaters that will not show the film. But he was unable to identify any of those theaters. \"Moore's credibility as a documentarian has been shattered,\" Russo said. \"Even supporters of the film say it is distorted.\" A spokesman for Moore's film did not return phone calls asking for comment. Tom Ortenberg, president of Lions Gate Films Releasing, which is managing the distribution of the film, said the company is still in the process of booking theaters. \"We are still finalizing our distribution pattern and we are still very much on target to open 'Fahrenheit 9/11' in something north of 500 theaters on June 25,\" Ortenberg said. \"I think the one message that everybody can take from 'Fahrenheit' -- whether you support the war in Iraq, oppose the war or are undecided -- is that we need less censorship in this country not more. For any organization to call for the censorship of this film is particularly distressing and misguided. If anybody wants to debate the issues raised in the picture, that is terrific, but to call for censorship of the film could not be more wrongheaded.\" It remains to be seen whether the effort by Move America Forward will affect the ultimate performance of the film. Unlike the usual specialty released documentary, which opens in limited engagements and then expands based on its performance, \"Fahrenheit\" will bow to a much wider audience. Said John Fithian, president of the National Association of Theatre Owners: \"Any time any organization protests against a movie, they ensure that the movie will do better at the boxoffice than it would have done otherwise. If they have any doubt about this, just ask Mel Gibson.\" Although it opened amid a firestorm of controversy this spring, Gibson's \"The Passion of the Christ\" has grossed more than $370 million domestically. \"The movie theater is a place of public discourse, and all views and philosophies are welcome,\" Fithian said. \"It's the right place for the public to debate public issues.\""}, {"response": 1666, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 2004 (11:15)", "body": "From THR yesterday: Warners nabs 'Vermeer'; Nix set to adapt By Borys Kit Warner Bros. Pictures has acquired Scholastic's best-selling children's' book \"Chasing Vermeer\" for Plan B to produce and has tapped writer Matt Nix to adapt. Described as a \"Da Vinci Code\" for tweens, \"Vermeer\" is a mystery adventure that revolves around a boy and girl who attend the University of Chicago's Laboratory Schools, a school for the gifted. The two sixth graders team up to solve the theft of a painting by 17th century painter Johannes Vermeer. The book was written by Blue Balliet, a former teacher at the Laboratory Schools, and featured codes and clues in the illustrations by Brett Helquist, artist of \"Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events.\" The book was acquired by Scholastic in a bidding war back in 2001. It was published in April and debuted at No. 5 on the New York Times children's best-seller list. Jeremy Kleiner brought it to Plan B. Alysia Cotter brought it into Warners. Jeff Clifford and Cotter are the execs on the project. Intellectual mysteries are quickly developing into their own niche, even in the movie world. Warners recently acquired the rights to the academic thriller \"The Rule of Four,\" and \"The Da Vinci Code\" is set up at Columbia Pictures with Ron Howard attached to direct. \"The appetite for imaginative stories is much more vast that what we give kids and adult readers credit for,\" Scholastic Children's Books president Barbara Marcus said. Nix did a rewrite for New Line Cinema's \"Grilled,\" which has Ray Romano attached, and he recently booked writing duties on the studio's \"Being Alexander,\" a Chris Rock vehicle. He also recently adapted \"Sensei,\" a novel by John Donohue."}, {"response": 1667, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 2004 (11:30)", "body": "\"Moore's credibility as a documentarian has been shattered,\" Russo said. \"Even supporters of the film say it is distorted.\" Yeah, that's why he is supposedly getting loooong standing ovations wherever he's been showing it. Happened in LA the other night and supposedly here, too. They had to move the screening here to the Ziegfeld from wherever it was originally to accomodate the large amount of industry people who wanted to see it. \"Any time any organization protests against a movie, they ensure that the movie will do better at the boxoffice than it would have done otherwise. If they have any doubt about this, just ask Mel Gibson.\" Exactly. You'd think these people would've learned by now. \"The appetite for imaginative stories is much more vast that what we give kids and adult readers credit for,\" Scholastic Children's Books president Barbara Marcus said. Yes, but strangely enough, they don't always make for good box office. Anyone see Alfonso Cuaron (dir. of HP3) on Charlie Rose last night? I very much enjoyed his interview and hearing his take on making HP3. Such enthusiasm."}, {"response": 1668, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 2004 (11:37)", "body": "A perfectly lovely celebration Accept my apologies for being a day late, my wishes are no less sincere :-) HAVE A FABULOUS YEAR"}, {"response": 1669, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 2004 (11:37)", "body": "(Karen) Why does this sound ominously like something out of the former CREP's dirty tricks bag? Yes, and I find it apropos that one of the films in the HBO free film series in Bryant Park this summer is All the President's Men. ;-)"}, {"response": 1670, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 2004 (11:38)", "body": "Oops Moon, I was told to leave your name out of it...... now you've been George's hot property it's all hush hush;-))"}, {"response": 1671, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 2004 (14:43)", "body": "As long as we're posting articles about MM. A UK friend sent me this from THE LONDON TELEGRAPH MOORE OR LESS (Filed: 19/05/2004) It must have been a gruesome sight: the elite of the Cannes film festival applauding someone even more self-regarding than themselves. Michael Moore, portly archpriest of the anti-Bush cult, premiered his film Fahrenheit 9/11 at the festival this week. The American documentary-maker sent three undercover film crews to Iraq; they returned with footage - included in the film - claiming to show US soldiers abusing Iraqi prisoners. If such abuse occurred, then it should be condemned. But no one should rush to judgment on the basis of allegations emanating from Mr Moore. Many of the claims made in Bowling for Columbine, his Oscar-winning film about America's gun culture, have unravelled spectacularly under scrutiny. His target audience of 20-year-old slackers will not hear a word against him, but many American commentators - including Left-wing ones - are embarrassed by the crudity of his rhetoric, the unreliability of his \"facts\" and the gulf between his claim to represent blue-collar America and his personal lifestyle. Mr Moore lives on New York,s Upper West Side and travels in corporate jets with a rock-star entourage. Asked about this by the Los Angeles Times, he implied that only middle-class journalists were bothered by the contradiction - \"the working class just thinks it's cool\". This concern for the working classes is touching: it was on display again at Cannes, where Mr Moore took time out from gobbling canap\ufffds to address a local protest over benefit cuts. \"I'm here to support workers in France, the United States and all around the world,\" he declared. This folie de grandeur might be forgivable if Mr Moore were funny. And, to be fair, some people think he is. In a recent live show in London, he suggested that, if the September 11 hijack victims had been black, as opposed to pampered whites, they would have fought back and overcome their attackers. His right-on audience lapped this up. Relatives of those who died might not have laughed so heartily. The simple truth about Michael Moore is that this self-righteous critic of corporate America is one of its most bloated beneficiaries. It is time someone made a film about him - and, we are pleased to report, someone is. Forget Fahrenheit 9/11: later this year, a young film-maker called Mike Wilson will unveil a documentary entitled Michael Moore Hates America, in which the self-proclaimed \"slob in a baseball cap\" will find his techniques turned on himself. Don't miss it. http://www.opinion.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2004/05/19/dl1902.xml&sSheet=/opinion/2004/05/19/ixopinion.html"}, {"response": 1672, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 2004 (15:48)", "body": "Thanks, Evelyn. I hope MM can take it as well as he can dish it. ;-) \"It is sadly very possible that many 15- and 16-year-olds will be asked and recruited to serve in Iraq in the next couple of years,\" Moore said. What bull crap is this? The man will do anything for publicity and getting into print. (as if he needed it) (Dorine), The younger ones can see it on DVD later. Exactly! \"Moore's credibility as a documentarian has been shattered,\" Russo said. \"Even supporters of the film say it is distorted.\" Except of you are French or a Hollywood celebrity. ;-) Oops Moon, I was told to leave your name out of it...... now you've been George's hot property it's all hush hush;-)) LOL! I appreciate your discreet charm. Thank, Lizza!"}, {"response": 1673, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 2004 (21:25)", "body": "I thought the sanitized SATC on TBS was supposed to start at the beginning. This episode (Fashion Roadkill) is from Season 4 or 5. One of my favorites."}, {"response": 1674, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 2004 (00:04)", "body": "THE LONDON TELEGRAPH What's its nickname? The Torygraph? I hardly think it necessary to comment on the absurdities in it. (Dorine) I thought the sanitized SATC on TBS was supposed to start at the beginning. It will, starting next week I think. I just read where they're doing \"memorable\" episodes back to back right now and will start from the beginning next week."}, {"response": 1675, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 2004 (09:05)", "body": "I was just glancing at the Rex Pictures website, and saw the red carpet photographs of Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor from June 14. She looked much healthier in Zoolander."}, {"response": 1676, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 2004 (09:06)", "body": "THE LONDON TELEGRAPH (Karen)What's its nickname? The Torygraph? *snort* You mean newspapers are partisan;-)) Naaaah.. LOL"}, {"response": 1677, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 2004 (09:32)", "body": "(Evelyn) You mean newspapers are partisan;-)) If it were good writing, then the jabs would be far subtler. But I'd never say that MM didn't have an agenda and that his documentaries didn't reflect that. I remember telling people, after I'd seen BforC that his case was rather scattershot and he didn't fully develop certain theories which I thought either most interesting or credible. Regardless, I found BforC entertaining, which works at cross-purposes with being a documentary."}, {"response": 1678, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 2004 (10:12)", "body": "Making art in tentpole times Mon Jun 14 Ismail Merchant, STAFF Imagine if the films of Sergei Eisenstein, Luis Bunuel, Rene Clair, Marcel Carne, Louis Malle, Francois Truffaut, Ingmar Bergman, Federico Fellini, Luchino Visconti, Satyajit Ray and the other giants of cinema had never been made. Or if the films had been made, but never seen. It seems unimaginable. Yet, if these directors were working today, the chances of their films being made would be very slim, and the opportunities for seeing them would be virtually nonexistent. The cultural climate that allowed these helmers to create their masterpieces has virtually vanished, and with it any expectations of cinema to exist as anything other than the basest form of entertainment. As a producer and director at the heart of the film industry for more than 40 years, I have experienced this decline and seen the devastating and tragic effects it has had, and continues to have, on cinema. My education in film began when I was a child in Bombay more than 50 years ago: I grew up with Bollywood musicals, classic Indian films and all the major American and English movies. But even in Bombay half a century ago, I had no difficulty in accessing Kurosawa's \"Rashomon\" and Clouzot's \"Le Salaire de la Peur\" (Wages of Fear). In New York, where I went to study in 1958, I discovered Italian neo-realist cinema, the French films of the New Wave, and even the films of Satyajit Ray: Within walking distance of my apartment there were half a dozen cinemas presenting these films. In London, too, there were a number of cinemas dedicated to art films, as well as the National Film Theater, which explored every genre of film from early cinema to the latest developments. What has happened to those cinemas now? Either demolished or converted into multiplexes. The Academy, a fine complex of three cinemas on Oxford Street that screened the best foreign films, is now a department store. Even the National Film Theater's programming has fallen to the agenda of market forces. When I began making films, cinema was a significant and vibrant art form, with both the space and the appetite for diversity. Film now is regarded as the product. In order to maximize profits, the distribution and exhibition of films have been brought under the control of industrial behemoths, and independent distributors and exhibitors have been obliged to fall in line in order to stay in business. Cinemas, too, have changed: from single screens to multiplexes -- more screens, more profits. Any film that doesn't perform in its first weekend of release is rapidly removed and replaced by another product. The kind of films that were nurtured by cineastes and given time in cinemas to attract an appreciative audience by word of mouth, that were discussed and argued over rather than instantly consumed with a bag of popcorn, have no place in this product-led industry. Film now exists almost exclusively as part of the business world. Non-mainstream films, which could never generate the kind of profit expected from product, became increasingly marginalized, and now have all but disappeared from cinemas. The cost of making a film can reach hundreds of millions of dollars, and much of that is eaten up by the salaries of the actors, who often are still in their teens. For as long as their films continue to make money, these actors and their demands (often on a level that would make the Mafia blush) are indulged. In order to make a profit, these films have to be hyped in the press, publicized lavishly and presented on thousands of screens, all at the expense of more modest films. The product, too, must have mass appeal and that, as we have seen, must descend to the lowest denominator. The key factor in film now is youth: The product must be geared to young audiences and must draw on the elements that appeal to them. The result is cinema as computer game; actors computer-generated to perform acrobatics across the screen, special effects, bloody violence and no plot or dialogue worth mentioning. The other extreme is crass teen comedies and slasher movies, and a prevalence of sequels and remakes that indicate a total absence of creativity in contemporary culture. Film executives claim they are obliged to make such films because of market forces; cinema audiences are youth-dominated and they demand them. But this argument is circular: Adult audiences are increasingly shunning the cinema because they have no interest in these kinds of films. As adult audiences diminish, fewer films are made that would draw adults to the cinema. [Ed note: exactly the argument I've always made.] Film is the most available, influential and popular of all art forms. It is also the most versatile: It can entertain and amuse; it can inform, educate and enlighten; it can open our eyes to other cultures and other worlds; it can provoke thoughts and inspire ideas. Why has such a powerful tool become the spearhead of junk culture? I believe we have entered a new D"}, {"response": 1679, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 2004 (10:47)", "body": "\"Any time any organization protests against a movie, they ensure that the movie will do better at the boxoffice than it would have done otherwise. If they have any doubt about this, just ask Mel Gibson.\" BUT, the difference there was that a key audience (thought not the only one)for Mel's film--fundamentalists and the Christian right-- are the people who usually do the protesting and the boycotting! If somebody wants to organize a boycott of this one, let them do it; it's their right. But don't try to restrict what I see. I'm capable of making up my own mind. The brouhaha over the R rating is a bunch of nothing. Few young teens would choose to go to see this on their own anyway. I'll go and I'll take my son. He's expressed an interest. He's grown up with political discussion, debate and argument in the home, and thankfully it's also encouraged at school. This is how kids learn to separate the wheat from the chaff, and grow into thoughtful, discerning adults who are willing to consider opposing points of view."}, {"response": 1680, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 2004 (10:51)", "body": "(Mari) BUT, the difference there was that a key audience (thought not the only one) for Mel's film--fundamentalists and the Christian right-- are the people who usually do the protesting and the boycotting! Exactly. The comparison was absurd. Logic no longer exists. :-("}, {"response": 1681, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 2004 (11:46)", "body": "(Mari)If somebody wants to organize a boycott of this one, let them do it; it's their right Re: boycotting I agree...it's their money. The market place rules."}, {"response": 1682, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 2004 (12:00)", "body": "The market place rules. But not if they threaten theater owners (and viewing audience) with violence and other strong-arm techniques. (see legal clinics performing legal procedures)"}, {"response": 1683, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 2004 (13:23)", "body": "Nothing like telling me not to see something, to make me want to see it. It will open here on the 25th. Cinema is not worried, apparently, they have been picketed before re: an NC-17 film. Hmmm...wonder if local news will be there doing live spots ;-)"}, {"response": 1684, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 2004 (13:28)", "body": "Oh methinks that is a marketing hype...it's going to open all over. Even my local museum is going to host an event."}, {"response": 1685, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 2004 (13:33)", "body": "The marketing hype is hiring Mario Cuomo to appeal the MPAA's rating. Is vintage Miramax. For The Advocate, it hired William Kunstler. ;-)"}, {"response": 1686, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 2004 (14:35)", "body": "Yet, if these directors were working today, the chances of their films being made would be very slim, and the opportunities for seeing them would be virtually nonexistent. The cultural climate that allowed these helmers to create their masterpieces has virtually vanished, and with it any expectations of cinema to exist as anything other than the basest form of entertainment. ...I believe we have entered a new Dark Age, a barbarous age dominated by greed and profit, by the mentality of lottery riches and cheap celebrity. The culture that once civilized us has been dramatically eroded over the past five decades, and soon it will cease to have any meaning because there will be no one able to appreciate or even understand it. This is a new dark age. And the above goes for music too, and art. (Mari), fundamentalists and the Christian right-- are the people who usually do the protesting and the boycotting! If somebody wants to organize a boycott of this one, let them do it; it's their right. In Europe it's the opposite. The left is always protesting and on strike. They block roads to hospitals, airports. The latest trick in Italy is to call an impromptu airline strike. Not a nice situation to be in. In any case, protesting, boycotting and srikes are preferable to the way Muslim fundamentalists act."}, {"response": 1687, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 2004 (14:41)", "body": "Moon and Lizza, so sorry I missed your birthdays. I was in and out of airports on the occasion of your celebrations. It looked like you had some great partying going on at drool. Hope you each had a great day! (thanks to firthissimo for photo) Moon, for your birthday I'm prepared and ready to audition for Woody when he comes to London ;-) (thanks to Karen for photo)"}, {"response": 1688, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 2004 (17:15)", "body": "Hi Lora! Glad to hear he's ready, but will he fight to get it? ;-) Welcome back!"}, {"response": 1689, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 2004 (23:51)", "body": "From the NY Post.... TONY GOES TO THE DOGS By MICHAEL RIEDEL June 16, 2004 -- 'I thought the Tony Awards had integrity,\" said Steve Wynn, the Las Vegas hotel and casino magnate. \"What I've learned today is that they're just as political as everything else.\" Wynn, in a phone conversation Friday, was responding to the brouhaha that erupted last week after the theater world learned that the producers of \"Avenue Q\" \ufffd who pulled off a stunning upset to capture the Tony for Best Musical \ufffd were shunning a road tour and opting instead for an exclusive, open-ended run at Wynn's newest casino, Wynn Las Vegas. Wynn, who's building a $40 million theater for the show, is said to have paid the producers $5 million for the North American rights to \"Avenue Q.\" The deal infuriated many road producers, whose Tony votes had been wooed by the \"Q\" producers with what turned out to be empty promises of a national tour. In interviews last week, many of those road producers pretty much acknowledged that they voted for \"Avenue Q\" not because it was the best musical of the season but because they thought it was going to play their markets. By giving the show a Tony Award, they were also giving themselves a useful marketing tool. That admission is what Wynn, a theater outsider, found so startling. \"Their votes can be bought,\" he said. \"The ding-dongs admitted it.\" The damage done to the integrity of the Tony Awards by the \"Avenue Q\" controversy is the topic of discussion on Broadway right now. It shouldn't be all that surprising that a showbiz award is, God forbid, political. And, truth be told, Tony campaigning \ufffd rounding up road votes, strong-arming friends and business partners, spending investors' money on voter schmooze fests and advertising \ufffd has been going on for years. One Broadway producer applauds the \"Avenue Q\" team for its chutzpah and craftiness. \"They know how the system works and they took advantage of it,\" this producer says. \"Everybody played right into their hands. And they won.\" But if, as many in the theater world are saying, the Tonys have been tarnished, the people who administer and promote the awards have only themselves to blame. They do, after all, present the Tonys publicly \ufffd and relentlessly \ufffd as awards for \"excellence in the American theater.\" \"I think we should ban the word 'excellence' when we're talking about the Tony Awards,\" says a veteran producer. \"We can't even say it with a straight face anymore.\" Hypocrisy is far from the only complaint producers have about the Tonys. The high cost to investors of chasing the awards \ufffd often with very little to show for it at the box office \ufffd is another. It is not unusual for a big-budget Broadway musical to spend $500,000 on advertising, promotions and parties in an effort to collect Tony votes. Producers even have to shoulder most of the cost of putting segments from their shows on the Tony telecast. CBS kicks in $10,000 per show, but, according to several producers, the total cost for a three-minute segment is around $100,000 \ufffd which comes out of investors' pockets. You wouldn't hear so much grumbling about all these expenses if the Tonys meant something at the box office. But, with the ratings for the telecast hitting historic lows, usually only the show that takes home the award for Best Musical comes out ahead financially. The losers go home empty-handed and, literally, poorer for the experience. \"We've created a winner-take-all system,\" says one top industry executive. \"The Tonys should be about celebrating Broadway, not killing the shows that don't win.\" The telecast itself also comes in for considerable drubbing. Even with a high-kicking Hugh Jackman as host this year, the ratings were in the basement. Theater people complain that the telecasts generally look like tacky, 1970s variety shows, and that the segments from the nominated musicals are poorly produced, often making sense only to viewers who've seen the shows. Voter apathy \ufffd even fraud \ufffd is also undermining the Tonys. Many Tony voters don't even bother to see all the nominated shows. Others quietly give away their Tony tickets. A few years ago, a Tony Award-winning show instituted a policy of requiring voters to present identification when they picked up their tickets. \"You wouldn't believe how many people claimed to be some very well-known theater people,\" the producer of the show says. There is talk of policing Tony voting in the future. But the subject has been brought up many times before and nothing's ever been done. Meanwhile, the man who was at the center of the \"Avenue Q\" storm last week \ufffd Mr. Wynn \ufffd says he'll continue to bring Broadway shows to the 35 million people who come through Las Vegas every year. Who knows? With the way things are going for the Tonys, maybe he'll snap them up, too. Live from Wynn Las Vegas, it's the 59th annual Tony Awards!"}, {"response": 1690, "author": "Ildi", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (00:01)", "body": "Orlando Bloom won a British Internet poll as the country's sexiest actor. I'm all astonishment."}, {"response": 1691, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (10:04)", "body": "In interviews last week, many of those road producers pretty much acknowledged that they voted for \"Avenue Q\" not because it was the best musical of the season but because they thought it was going to play their markets. By giving the show a Tony Award, they were also giving themselves a useful marketing tool. \"Their votes can be bought,\" he said. \"The ding-dongs admitted it.\" Wow! What an admission! \"We've created a winner-take-all system,\" says one top industry executive. \"The Tonys should be about celebrating Broadway, not killing the shows that don't win.\" And many of the shows (nonmusicals) typically have closed before the Tonys anyway, so they must be referring mainly to the musicals, Broadway's bread and butter. Theater people complain that the telecasts generally look like tacky, 1970s variety shows, and that the segments from the nominated musicals are poorly produced, often making sense only to viewers who've seen the shows. None of this has anything to do with the ratings IMO. Most of America cannot identify with a bunch of plays they haven't seen and, in many cases, have NO HOPE of ever seeing. The Tonys are meaningless to most of America. Why don't they realize this? Thanks, Dorine, for the article."}, {"response": 1692, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (10:36)", "body": "You have to wonder why they didn't just call the movie \"The Many Loves of an Ass-Kicking Guinevere\"? Ridiculous! From Variety: Inside Move: Knightley over knights Cathy Dunkley, Marc Graser, STAFF The movie's called \"King Arthur,\" but Disney is banking on Guinevere to open the pic. The Mouse House has made the character, played by Keira Knightley as a strong warrior queen, the star of its campaign for the Jerry Bruckheimer-produced actioner, as a way to lure not only young males but also female moviegoers, as \"Troy\" and \"Gladiator\" did. With the R-rated actioner originally marketed as a \"Gladiator\"-style epic about the \"real\" and magic-less story of King Arthur, early footage pushed the pic's swordplay and armies fighting violent battles. Campaign for the film, which opens July 7, now takes a different approach. The spotlight's on Knightley in posters and trailers. Film's love story, lush landscapes and legend of King Arthur and the Round Table are also emphasized. Knightley will also grace the covers of Vanity Fair, Entertainment Weekly and Premiere magazine. Recognizing that the pic's stars, including Clive Owen, who plays King Arthur, Ioan Gruffudd as Lancelot and Stephen Dillane as Merlin, are not household names, Disney also unveiled four 15-second spots this week devoted to each of the pic's central characters, who are more recognizable. The studio has already spent $3 million on foldout poster inserts in Los Angeles and New York newspapers. Disney did the same last summer to promote \"Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.\" Disney needs \"King Arthur\" to conquer the B.O. After a string of big-budget disappointments this year with \"The Alamo,\" \"Hidalgo\" and \"Home on the Range,\" the studio is eager for a hit. However, the spotlight on Knightley's Guinevere is a little ironic. In the original script, the character doesn't make her entrance until page 55. After changes made after test screenings, she now appears 40 minutes into the film, after seven other major characters have been introduced."}, {"response": 1693, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (10:43)", "body": "The new P&P will go beyond arthouse, I predict. They're putting big bucks into it. ****************** Keira Knightley becomes UK's second highest paid actress! Washington | May 22, 2004 3:16:10 PM IST Film actress Keira Knightley has signed a massive money deal to play the all time favourite romantic heroine. The 'Bend It Like Beckham\" actress will be paid a staggering eight million dollars to portray the character of the headstrong Elizabeth Bennett in the silver screen adaptation of Jane Austin's classic novel 'Pride and Prejudice'. According to TeenHollywood, the lucrative deal makes Keira Britain's second highest paid actress after 'The Mask of Zorro' star, Catherine Zeta Jones."}, {"response": 1694, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (10:51)", "body": "The studio has already spent $3 million on foldout poster inserts in Los Angeles and New York newspapers. They've gone beyond that; all the Philly papers had them too. Disney's total marketing costs for this one will be staggering. I'm guessing well over $50 million. I noted their emphasis on KK weeks ago when the first posters came out with her front and center. Anyway, I'll go see it; I love big, historical epic pics, especially in the summer."}, {"response": 1695, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (10:51)", "body": "From THR today: Woody Allen to shoot a film in the U.K. LONDON -- Filmmaker Woody Allen has collected together a who's who of youthful British acting talent for his next project with Kate Winslet, Emily Mortimer and Jonathan Rhys Meyers signed up to star, the film's producers said Thursday. The as-yet-untitled project is backed by BBC Films and will be sold internationally by London-based HanWay Films. It is scheduled to shoot entirely on location in and around London in July and August this year. No budget was given. Written and to be directed by Allen, the project marks the legendary New Yorker's first sojourn to the U.K. to shoot a movie, producers say. Letty Aronson, Lucy Darwin and Gareth Wiley will produce the film, which will be executive produced by Stephen Tenenbaum. Other financial backers alongside BBC Films are Magic Hour Media, Thema Production and Invicta Capital. The Bank of Ireland is the principal bank for the project. \"I'm very excited about the prospect of making a film in London. I have a great admiration for English actors and actresses and have used them at every opportunity over the years, but now I won't have to import them to New York,\" Allen said in a statement. \"My family and I love the idea of spending the summer here. I only hope I can live up to the high standards of British movies I grew up with.\" (Stuart Kemp)"}, {"response": 1696, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (10:56)", "body": "Thanks for the articles grisl . . Saw a trailer for KA on TV . .hasn't caught my fancy . .truly love the story and am wondering how this blockbuster has treated it . . . Hey Woody . .there's another rather talented English actor you should add to you list . .even lives in the area!!!!"}, {"response": 1697, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (11:26)", "body": "Woody Allen has collected together a who's who of youthful British acting talent Maybe one of the youthful characters needs a kindly uncle? Or a madcap middle-aged neighbor? Goofy 40-ish co-worker who says the darnedest things?;-) ;-)"}, {"response": 1698, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (11:37)", "body": "The buzz around is that it's Bee's Birthday!!"}, {"response": 1699, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (11:41)", "body": "From one of the skits that was cut on SNL"}, {"response": 1700, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (12:24)", "body": "As keeps mistress (such a hard job lately;-)), y'all know that whenever it's someone's birthday, I try to find pics to all her keeps. Well, it's BEE's birthday today...and lemme tell ya, her keeps have not been the easiest to find;-D! Take for instance Matthew's cup...searched 8 sites, only found 2 pics and 1 didn't even work hehheh..I did find one though;-) Fever Pitch....could not find Paul's fizzies anywhere ahhh but those lips on that bottle!! I know this one won't work but you know the thought is there;-D Henry's earring from the 80's! Oh, this one was fun...one brief shot..not even the whole earring... and OH, that wig, Louisa! Jaime's headset....ugh, no clear pic whatsoever.. \"Feliz Navidad, Bee\";-) And then...The infamous packet of Embassys! Those invisible ciggies that aren't even there...where was I going to find those! Ahh well, hopefully this pic makes up for it;-)! Then before I tore my hair completely out...Bee's keep from SNL! The cigar...that lovely cigar! Now that one was easy.... uhmmm, I think;-D! Hope you're having a wonderful day, Bee! Happy Birthday!"}, {"response": 1701, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (12:31)", "body": "very grateful thanks to Firthissimo, Firtheaven, Firthessence, Mr.Darcy, Faces and Firth.com! and ooh, before I forget;-) your cigar Bee"}, {"response": 1702, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (12:51)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1703, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (13:08)", "body": "I know this isn't your dilemma, but I couldn't resist: And a big happy birthday from Dr. Foot!"}, {"response": 1704, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (13:19)", "body": "Happy Birthday Bee! You know I love it when you buzz such sweetness in my ear, so, on this special day, I want to sing this special birthday song for you, I am joined by my rocker friend, I'm sure you recognize him. Here's to you my Queen Bee She's got my number, knows my favourite songs on the jukebox Goes to gettin' down like crazy and the whole place rocks We'll have a few and get to feelin' right She'll be my queen bee I'll be her neon knight I'm her big cat daddy, she's my little Miss Honky Tonk Oh oh I love her so Stand back give her room boys and watch her go... Brooks & Dunn Lyrics"}, {"response": 1705, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (13:38)", "body": "The 'Bend It Like Beckham\" actress will be paid a staggering eight million dollars to portray the character of the headstrong Elizabeth Bennett in the silver screen adaptation of Jane Austin's classic novel 'Pride and Prejudice'. I don't know of the word in the English language to express how absurd that is. Yet another slap in the face of all the hardworking, talented , and probably very attractive actors/actresses out there struggling to make a living. She's another Britney Spears....pretty, with mediocre talent, and good PR people."}, {"response": 1706, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (13:46)", "body": "Bee...Uh-oh! Colin got stung! Where you two making honey again? He did confide that it was such a messy, sticky business that he would be waiting for you here: So once you are all done partying...don't forget the gentleman in the tub...he's waiting for you (and we don't want him to get all shriveling now, do we??)!"}, {"response": 1707, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (13:53)", "body": "(Dorine) She's another Britney Spears....pretty, with mediocre talent, and good PR people. But check this out from AICN today: There he's picked up by a sympathetic chick named Jackie (played by Keira Knightley, who's severely uglied up in horrid stringy, dyed black hair, gloomy black eyeliner and uber white trash clothes and lifestyle).... I'll be the first to say Keira's sizzling (stringy black hair or not), and who wouldn't fall for her? From an early preview of Adrian Brody's The Jacket: http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com/display.cgi?id=17803"}, {"response": 1708, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (14:29)", "body": "Been searching the gardens here for Bee . . . The buzz around town is that it\ufffds her b\ufffdday and I certainly want to wish her a happy one ! Come now, take a sit here with me, darling . .I want to pamper you for your special day . . How about a nice foot rub . . Then a long soak in a hot tub \ufffd a glass of wine too, my dear? And just a little shiny bauble for you . . . .(rhinestones . .not real diamonds if that\ufffds ok . .) My dear Queen Bee . .I hope you have the best birthday ever! I\ufffdll see you for TEOR in the fall! Drinks will be on me!"}, {"response": 1709, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (14:31)", "body": "Dang . . . 2nd try. Was distracted w/ BJD playing in the background on the TV! **************************************** Been searching the gardens here for Bee . . . The buzz around town is that it\ufffds her b\ufffdday and I certainly want to wish her a happy one ! Come now, take a sit here with me, darling . .I want to pamper you for your special day . . How about a nice foot rub . . Then a long soak in a hot tub \ufffd a glass of wine too, my dear? And just a little shiny bauble for you . . . .(rhinestones . .not real diamonds if that\ufffds ok . .) My dear Queen Bee . .I hope you have the best birthday ever! I\ufffdll see you for TEOR in the fall! Drinks will be on me!"}, {"response": 1710, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (14:39)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1711, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (14:43)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1712, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (15:59)", "body": "LOL Karen! I just love my big juicy SNL bee with his little tongue sticking out. And I\ufffdm not Keeding! Perhaps we should look at the *size* issue the next time we discuss kissing issues;-) Oh dear Ada! I had no idea that my keeps hunt would be so tough but you did a wonderful job with my cup..so close to those lips or the bottle of fizzies being sucked by his lips or the earring at the same level of his lips or those ciggies which no longer touch his lips or the cigar that... Wait! I just realize I have an ODB oral fixation! Don\ufffdt know what that headset could mean but you were a dear to rummage for so long and come up with those beauties. Ahhh, love those boots Karen and maybe soon I can wear some! So tired of these goofy sneaks. Saw my own Dr. Foot today but yours has some scary tool in his hands.... Eeck! I can almost outrun him now;-) Oooo, thanks and I love that lounge Moon! Would love to be serenaded by my neon knight! My my, I\ufffdd love to be his little Ms Honky Tonk;-)) I feel royally blessed. Tress, I love the idea of *making honey* with that sweetie! LOL at the thought of the sticky mess but would love to end up in a tub...before the dreaded shriveling;-) You picked some of my favorite recent photos Kimberly. ODB in a comfy old chair, on a garden bench... You can set that boy down anywhere and he\ufffdll look AFG! And today he\ufffds mine and rubbing my feet! I\ufffdll wear my crown and sip some wine. See you in November if all goes well!"}, {"response": 1713, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (16:11)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1714, "author": "soph", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (17:15)", "body": "a small 96ko so i can post it straight on the board, yeepee ! the buzz says : now look who's been fooling around with mr. f ! happy birthday bee !"}, {"response": 1715, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (17:54)", "body": "Dear Bee Dee...Sorry I'm late...I've been shopping all day looking for a gift.... But nothing was worthy of you ....dearest So let's pop over to the park And have an evening picnic...."}, {"response": 1716, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (18:36)", "body": "Bee, So sorry I didn't have time to hunt up some CF graphics (work got in the way...dam!) but I do want to wish you a wonderful Birthday! Hope you are having a great time! Breit la sona duit!"}, {"response": 1717, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (19:06)", "body": "(Sophie)the buzz says : now look who's been fooling around with mr. f ! Fabulous Sophie! Love that Jamie Smooch! I just love buggin\ufffd that man! So much talent...you and our Darling;-) (Evelyn) So let's pop over to the park\ufffdAnd have an evening picnic.... You got it Evelyn! Those are ab\ufffd-so-lutely some of my very favorite things! Think I can get ODB to take *his* shoes off? I\ufffdm still keeping mine on;-) (Eithne)So sorry I didn't have time to hunt up some CF graphics (work got in the way...dam!) Ach, don\ufffdt worry, I had to slog away at work myself. Plan to party this weekend though;-) Such lovely prezzies from such lovely Droolers\ufffd thanks everyone for contributing to a lovely day."}, {"response": 1718, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (20:03)", "body": "Happy Birthday Bee, hope it's been a great one! Barb"}, {"response": 1719, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (20:07)", "body": "To be, or not to be! I say . . .To Bee! http://www.firth.com/images/gen/lamiki006w.jpg Have a happy, Firth-filled year, Bee, and see ya in November at the Hilton for drinkypoos before TEOR!"}, {"response": 1720, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (20:17)", "body": "To my dearest Aunt Bee, a few birthday wishes... Oops, no not that Aunt Bee! So, I hear that bees are attracted to the color violet, to specific alcohol aromas, and to elegant feet on AFG men... Wait a minute! That last bit isn't about bees; just Beedees!!! Could you ever have imagined what excitement this last year would provide on June 17, 2003? I'm so glad to have been able to share this year with you and hope for even more wonderful things to come! I know you are particularly fond of all his dimples, but I'm not brave enough to show the other ones again ;-) Happy birthday hugs, my dearest adopted aunt and great friend!!!"}, {"response": 1721, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (21:49)", "body": "karen, I have something to send to you but your mailbox is full! Please drop me a line when it is freed up again ok?"}, {"response": 1722, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (22:00)", "body": "Thanks for your good wishes fellow Barb..ara. Now back to your studies! I hope your tests went well. Oh my, the studies, you\ufffdre a better Barb than I. (Mari) Have a happy, Firth-filled year, Bee, and see ya in November at the Hilton for drinkypoos before TEOR! At least Mari! And thanks for the Martoonies. It will be fan-tas\ufffd-tic to *drink* with you (and as many of your lovely Droolers as may be) again. Can\ufffdt wait! (Shosh)Oops, no not that Aunt Bee! ROTFLMAO! And you know, I look like her more each day. Probably should have picked out a better moniker for the Web. Think it would have made a difference? We wear the same shoes;-) (Shosh again)Happy birthday hugs, my dearest adopted aunt and great friend!!! And you too kiddo! Such a sweetie you are and what a lovely cake. I\ufffdm booking a ticket to Peachland now so I can have some! Got milk? That fizzie stuff Paul\ufffds drinking will do;-)"}, {"response": 1723, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (22:30)", "body": "I've just gotten in and look at the time. I've almost missed your special day. Happy Birthday, dear girl"}, {"response": 1724, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (23:02)", "body": "(Linda)I've just gotten in and look at the time. I've almost missed your special day. Ahh, but you got me that lovely purple shirted darling. He's so AFG just leaning into that wall and protecting himself from our adoration;-) Ooops, I must have had too many sips of Paul's fizzies......"}, {"response": 1725, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 2004 (23:25)", "body": "Oh Bee, I\ufffdve missed your birthday by just a few minutes!! I hope it was as much fun as our SNL weekend......can\ufffdt wait to reprise the jubilations next November!!"}, {"response": 1726, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 2004 (03:10)", "body": "Dearest Bee! I\ufffdm so sorry to be late for your birthdayparty. And I know, I\ufffdm against guidelines, when I post a belated birthdaywish, but it can\ufffdt be helped. Happy Birthday!"}, {"response": 1727, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 2004 (08:22)", "body": "(Leslie)I\ufffdve missed your birthday by just a few minutes...can\ufffdt wait to reprise the jubilations next November Thanks Leslie and I'm looking forward to the jubilations too! (Annette)I\ufffdm so sorry to be late for your birthdayparty Ahh, but you brought such a lovely flower for me to dine on. Thank you Annette!"}, {"response": 1728, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 2004 (10:31)", "body": "As soon as I read the word maid, I knew it couldn't be Moon. ;-) Fan dresses as maid to meet George Clooney A George Clooney fan dodged 40 security men guarding the film star - by dressing as a hotel maid. The 22-year-old student, known only as Francesca, carried a tray of food up to the actor's plush sixth-floor suite in Rome. She was only rumbled as she went to knock on the door, and guards escorted her from the hotel, says The Sun. As security was stepped up, reports claimed CIA agents were now protecting the cast of Ocean's Twelve, which Clooney is filming in Italy. One Italian security worker said: \"This girl was very pretty and used her looks to the full. She wasn't a threat, but was taken away.\""}, {"response": 1729, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 2004 (13:42)", "body": "(Karen), As soon as I read the word maid, I knew it couldn't be Moon. ;-) LOL! You've got that right. \"This girl was very pretty and used her looks to the full. Is this the part that made you think of me? ;-D That are done filming on Lake Como. I happen to know the Hotel in Rome where the cast is staying. But I will have to pull a \"carol\". ;-)"}, {"response": 1730, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 2004 (06:54)", "body": "Well, this is a way for Disney to get back at them. Though Miramax has taken a couple of baths in the last couple of years with Gangs of NY and Cold Mountain, unless the DVDs had great returns. Miramax Weighing Budget Cuts, Layoffs Fri Jun 18, 7:13 PM ET By GARY GENTILE, AP Business Writer LOS ANGELES - Miramax Films is considering a number of cost-cutting measures, including layoffs, as it nears the end of its fiscal year, a source familiar with the studio's plans said Friday. Miramax is owned by The Walt Disney Co. and operates on a fixed budget of about $700 million a year to make and market films. With four months left to go in its fiscal year, much of that budget has already been spent on expensive projects such as Martin Scorsese (news)'s Howard Hughes (news) film \"The Aviator,\" the Johnny Depp (news) film \"Finding Neverland\" and two films starring Jennifer Lopez (news), according to the source, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Miramax spokesman Matthew Hiltzik said a Los Angeles Times report that as much as 20 percent of the studio's work force could be cut was premature. \"No decisions have been made,\" Hiltzik said. Disney chief executive Michael Eisner said recently he wants to reduce total funding at Miramax, which has gone in recent years from making inexpensive independent movies to larger Hollywood blockbusters. Disney is negotiating with Miramax founders Bob and Harvey Weinstein to reduce the studio's budget and the amount of compensation paid to the two brothers. The testy relationship between the Weinsteins and Eisner has reached new lows in recent weeks, with the two squabbling over whether Miramax is profitable for Disney \ufffd a tiff that led the Weinsteins to say they would be willing to buy the studio back. Eisner said it is not for sale. The studio crossed the $1 billion mark in revenue last year. While Disney might have been more flexible in expanding the studio's funding in years past, the current emphasis on cost-cutting precludes such a decision this year, the source said. Relations worsened even more recently over the Michael Moore (news) documentary \"Fahrenheit 9/11,\" which was funded in part by Miramax. Eisner told Miramax last year that Disney would not distribute the film, which is highly critical of President Bush (news - web sites). But that didn't stop Moore from decrying Disney's decision, suggesting it was an attempt to avoid angering Republican leaders and jeopardizing tax breaks Disney gets on its theme parks in Florida. Disney labeled Moore's statements a publicity stunt and agreed to sell the film back to the Weinsteins. The brothers formed a separate company and reached a deal to distribute \"Fahrenheit 9/11\" with Lions Gate and IFC Films. The film opens June 25. ___"}, {"response": 1731, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 2004 (10:10)", "body": "Maybe they should start by laying off the Weinsteins? Just a thought."}, {"response": 1732, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 2004 (10:55)", "body": "(Eithne) Maybe they should start by laying off the Weinsteins? Just a thought. ROTF. Oh Eithne, I wish I would have said that. There would be dancing in the streets of the industry...actors, producers etc. Universally disliked."}, {"response": 1733, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 2004 (12:21)", "body": "(Dorine) Though Miramax has taken a couple of baths in the last couple of years But Miramax makes it all up (and more) with its Dimension label. Dimension is the moneymaker; Miramax is the prestige label. Disney wouldn't want to lose either, but Harvey and Bob have contracts. Nothing says they have to continue to work for Disney or that Disney has to continue to employ them to run those studio labels."}, {"response": 1734, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 2004 (12:40)", "body": "From playbill.com June 18, 2004 -- The revival of Tom Stoppard's \"Jumpers,\" which yesterday posted an early closing notice, is the first show to bow to a frightening reality on Broadway right now: After July 4, ticket sales for all but a handful of shows are in the crapper. \"Jumpers\" ? a London import that pleased egg-headed critics but left audiences baffled (and heading out the door at intermission) ? was scheduled to run through August, but will now close July 11. Theater sources say virtually no tickets had been sold for August. \"We were going over the cliff,\" says a production source. They wouldn't have been alone."}, {"response": 1735, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 2004 (12:41)", "body": "\"Carmela\" goin back to Bway!! Playbill.com Edie Falco and Brenda Blethyn to Star in Broadway Revival of 'night, Mother By Robert Simonson June 17, 2004 Edie Falco and Brenda Blethyn will star in a new Broadway revival of Marsha Norman's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, 'night, Mother, a spokesperson confirmed.The casting was expected. Falco had recently mentioned that she would be returning to Broadway, and Variety reported the Norman play as a likely vehicle. Earlier Variety reports had a production of that drama coming to Broadway with Michael Mayer directing Camryn Manheim and Blethyn as daughter and mom. The bleak and humane play concerns a mother and her grown and ill daughter's wish to die. The last time Falco came the Broadway, in Terrence McNally's Frankie and Johnny, the result was a box office success. Mayer previously directed Falco in Side Man, the play that established the actress' theatre reputation. The production will begin in October. Opening is in November. Anne Pitoniak and Kathy Bates played mother and daughter in the original Broadway run of the play, which played the Golden Theatre March 1983-February 1984. Both actresses were Tony-nommed, as was the play and the director, Tom Moore. The production originated at American Repertory Theatre. The 1986 film starred Anne Bancroft and Sissy Spacek."}, {"response": 1736, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 2004 (13:59)", "body": "So David will have the summer off? I'm sure he's already knee deep into another project."}, {"response": 1737, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 2004 (14:23)", "body": "\"Jumpers\" , a London import that pleased egg-headed critics but left audiences baffled (and heading out the door at intermission) LOL.And the first act was easy...it's the second act that left me scratching my head!! It was still a brilliant production. David and Simon Russell -Beale were magnificent. I'd love to hear Tom Stoppard talk about this one."}, {"response": 1738, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 2004 (15:48)", "body": "(Karen) But Miramax makes it all up (and more) with its Dimension label. Dimension is the moneymaker; Miramax is the prestige label. Right, I know how the 2 divisions are different, but aren't they 2 divisions of Disney vs. Dimension being a part of Miramax? And do they want to get rid of Bob, too? Is he a big of a pain as Harvey is? Are they a package deal? Would make sense if so, I suppose. Miramax has been very profitable in the past for a few years, if I'm not mistaken, prior to the last couple of years as I mentioned. Chicago was a big help to dampen the money loss from Gangs of NY. Nothing says they have to continue to work for Disney or that Disney has to continue to employ them to run those studio labels. No, true. But they have to find someone to work with with large pursestrings. Evelyn, is Jumpers worth seeing? Maybe I can get a good discount now. ;-) Tom Stoppard was on Charlie Rose back when this opened."}, {"response": 1739, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 2004 (17:16)", "body": "(Dorine) is Jumpers worth seeing? Maybe I can get a good discount now. ;-) I'm sure they'd be thrilled to give you a seat, LOL. I'm a big Stoppard fan...and see/read his plays whenever I can. Always a challenge. This one more than others. Like I said, the fact that I didn't understand the second act speaks more about me than the play. It's a play that needs a second viewing, IMO. When his triology \"Coast of Utopia \" comes, I'll be first in line."}, {"response": 1740, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 2004 (19:28)", "body": "(Evelyn) Like I said, the fact that I didn't understand the second act speaks more about me than the play. But so many people didn't get it, which to me speaks more about the play. Like in school when most everyone got the same question wrong...often it was the teacher's issue for poor wording or whatever was wrong with it."}, {"response": 1741, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 2004 (20:13)", "body": "(Dorine) But so many people didn't get it, which to me speaks more about the play. Hey, I got the first act...that was progress;-) Stoppard doesn't write for the mass audience. In Michael Billinton's[ I think he writes for The Guradian] book on Stoppard he says: \"Tom Stoppard remains a witty, gifted complex dramatist. He writes about serious issues in a high-spirited way. He makes one want to argue with him. He constantly challenges one's notion of what a play can do. ...But the fascination of his work lies in watching progress from a drama of manipulative cleverness to one that is inhabited by real breathing suffering human beings.\" His plays are like a puzzle. Piercing dialogue. Try him...he's fun."}, {"response": 1742, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 2004 (00:09)", "body": "(Dorine) but aren't they 2 divisions of Disney vs. Dimension being a part of Miramax? No, they're \"Miramax\" to Disney. And do they want to get rid of Bob, too? They'd want to rid themselves of both brothers. Is he a big of a pain as Harvey is? LOL! Read the book. Sounds like they're equally insane and barely evolved from lower life forms. ;-) But they have to find someone to work with with large pursestrings. In most industries, guys like this would have noncompete clauses in their contracts but it doesn't appear commonplace in the movie industry. Studio bigwigs leave all the time and set up new companies. Harv and Bob would broker their own deals...unless someone offered them a Universal or similar to run."}, {"response": 1743, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 2004 (03:50)", "body": "When his triology \"Coast of Utopia \" comes, I'll be first in line And try very hard to stay awake when you get to see it. ;-) I slept through the first and passed on the others. My son thought it was something he should see so got tickets for all three plays. At the end of the third play, he and his friends decided that they had just lost several hours of their lives and one of his friends has a double first in english from Cambridge so if he could not understand it what hope the rest of us! I am a huge Stoppard fan generally but this was turgid. Or perhaps none of us is as clever as Stoppard ;-) I would recommend Jumpers BTW."}, {"response": 1744, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 2004 (09:06)", "body": "Someone sent me this from The Daily Mail SCARLETT WOMAN WITH BEDTIME BLUES by METRO 08:11am 18th June 2004 Hollywood It Girl Scarlett Johansson has an axe to grind - she no longer wants to film love scenes with wrinkly old men. The 19-year-old says she is fed up with being paired off with actors old enough to be her father. Since being catapulted on to Tinseltown's A-list, Johansson has starred alongside Bill Murray, 53, in Lost In Translation, with 43-year-old Colin Firth in Girl With A Pearl Earring and with Billy Bob Thornton, 48, in The Man Who Wasn't There. She said: \"I usually have love scenes with older men and, yeah, it would be nice to try it with a younger guy.\" Johansson won a best actress Bafta for her role as a lovelorn young wife in Lost In Translation. But friends claim her mother Melanie and her managers keep securing her roles with actors past their sell-by dates. \"They have been pushing her into larger roles traditionally played by more mature actors,\" said a source. \"They see her as a leading lady.\" ~~~~~~~~~`` Psst..hey, Scarlett, your mom and manager knew how to pick the good films. You would have been stuck in Teen Queen movies otherwise."}, {"response": 1745, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 2004 (09:14)", "body": "(Allison)I am a huge Stoppard fan generally but this was turgid. LOL. I never go to see a Stoppard play w/o doing pre-show reading. He's like Shakespeare ...one has to know the basic storyline or else they're snoozers. Looks like I'll have to work extra hard on this one too. Thanks for the tip. ...Or perhaps none of us is as clever as Stoppard ;-) Well, that applies to me, for sure!"}, {"response": 1746, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 2004 (10:01)", "body": "The 19-year-old says she is fed up with being paired off with actors old enough to be her father. Poor Cillian Murphy gets ignored. And he's the one she actually had any kind of real kiss or sexual interaction with. I'd bet my bottom dollar *she* isn't including about Colin for any reason no matter how old he is. She never looked too upset over him. ;-) The others I can see. Though I see she wasn't too upset about that IRL while she's hanging out with Benecio Del Toro in an elevator. ;-) (Karen) You would have been stuck in Teen Queen movies otherwise. Yes, she got such wide notice and acclaim for the 2 or 3 projects similar to that she did. Thanks for the Stoppard info and opinions."}, {"response": 1747, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 2004 (10:49)", "body": "(Karen) You would have been stuck in Teen Queen movies otherwise. That was Evelyn. ;-) I had ignored that news item as being the usual regurgitated stuff."}, {"response": 1748, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 2004 (11:27)", "body": "Note that *she* didn't say anything wrong. It's the Daily Mail that used the term \"fed up,\" \"axe to grind\" and \"wrinkly old men.\" All she said was yeah, I'd like to star with someone near my age. But these \"quotes\" will undoubtedly be repeated ad nauseum as if they were her own. Mighty fine journalism.:-( It's a wonder any of them speak to the press at all. Anyone else see The Terminal? I enjoyed it, a completely charming film. Tom Hanks is fantastic; he takes a character who could have come off as caricature in lesser hands, and breathes utterly believable life into him. Worth your 2 hours."}, {"response": 1749, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 2004 (12:19)", "body": "But friends claim her mother Melanie and her managers keep securing her roles with actors past their sell-by dates. Maybe she is right...who can forget those wonderful films she did with 'men' her own age....Eight Legged Freaks, The Perfect Score.... ;-) Did really like Ghost World though...and Scarlett must have felt very lucky not to have had the older love interest in that film...Thora got that plum part opposite Steve Buscemi (both were excellent in their roles). Scarlett just got a cafe job and an apartment (okay, and a few good lines too)....very memorable ;-) Anyway, I think she should continue to listen to her mum and managers advice.... LOL...at sell-by dates....Mari's probably right....that'll get repeated....with quotes next time, I'm sure. She may not be able to shag (or something) men in elevators if that goes around too much (who am I kidding...there will always be someone for her to shag in a lift)."}, {"response": 1750, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 2004 (12:29)", "body": "I wasn't sure Kevin could pull it off, but this is a fantastic likeness, IMO."}, {"response": 1751, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 2004 (12:32)", "body": "(Tress)LOL...at sell-by dates....Mari's probably right....that'll get repeated....with quotes next time, I'm sure. LOL! Given he's past the *sell-by* perhaps we can get him at a bargain! A girl can hope!"}, {"response": 1752, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 2004 (12:37)", "body": "Hey! Just a note. Risa and the DH gave me a zone free DVD player! She ordered from the place that Karen has posted (many thanks!)and it works great and easy hook-up. No sweat going from one range to another. Claims to play all manner of stuff. VCDs, CD-R etc. As soon as I can get myself away from my new GWAPE DVD I'll try some out! And that lovely DH gave me a gift certificate to Amazon-UK;-))"}, {"response": 1753, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 2004 (13:33)", "body": "(Mari) Note that *she* didn't say anything wrong. It's the Daily Mail that used the term \"fed up,\" \"axe to grind\" and \"wrinkly old men.\" All she said was yeah, I'd like to star with someone near my age. In fact I did notice that and thought about making the same comment that the paper used those terms, but just didn't bother. But she *did* say \"I usually have love scenes with older men and, yeah, it would be nice to try it with a younger guy.\" Technically, I don't recall actual love scenes with any of the men mentioned (though if she did with Billy Bob, I've forgotten any of it besides her playing the piano in that).....and she had her most extensive one with Cillian Murphy, such as it was. I guess the one in Lost in Translation was a chaste love scene...the talking in bed. *Great* scene though. And frankly I don't know that I wouldn't put it past her to say those things herself. Wasn't too impressed over her comments about what happened in that elevator with BDT. Tacky to talk about it publicly and say it that manner. And she did say that. Was publicly insulting to BDT. While she impresses me a great deal in many ways, sometimes I think she tries to hard to be hip or something with her new found popularity. Thanks for the Terminal opinion. Haven't read or heard more than fair to decent comments about it. Have heard it's ok, but nothing special. Which reminds me, I saw a new film with Kim Basinger and Jeff Bridges called The Door in the Floor. Think it's out in July sometime. It's a renter, though very good performances from Jeff Bridges and the teenager who plays his assistant (forgot his name). Kim had excellent work done....her face is *flawless* and she looks around 35. I have to say Jeff Bridges has *the* best hair in Hollywood. ;-) Had a Q&A with John Irving who's book (only the first 183 pages actually) the movie was adapted from. Director/writer there, too. Said not much of note. The little kid was played by Dakota Fanning's (I am Sam, Man on Fire, Cat in the Hat) sister. I found she and her character a bit irritating at times. A belated Happy Birthday, Beedee!! Awesome present. Enjoy! I just hooked my new one up last night to watch my Region 2 GWAPE. It's fantastic! Think Lyin's Gate will be getting another letter from me telling them what a stupid move it is to sell such a bare bones version and to take some lessons from Pathe...though I'm sure they don't care. They've probably done well enough selling the Region 1. I have to say the quality of the transfer is *unbelievable.* I presume all versions are the same in that respect. Could someone who's seen the Region 2 version email me, please? There seems to be a slight problem in the extras and am just curious if it's mine. I don't want to have to send it all the way back to Amazon UK. Everytime I glance at that pic Mari posted, I think it's Kevin Kline playing Cole Porter in DeLovely. Been seeing commercials for it, so guess that's why that sticks in my mind. Looking forward to the Bobby Darin one."}, {"response": 1754, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 2004 (13:34)", "body": "(Tress)Maybe she is right...who can forget those wonderful films she did with 'men' her own age Yeah, and just which men/pffff, boys her own age was she on the red carpet with last fall? ...and to the Daily Mail, I'll take that 43-year old wrinkly Colin Firth right here, right now. Bring him on;-) Lucky, Bee!"}, {"response": 1755, "author": "Tress", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 2004 (14:12)", "body": "(Dorine) While she impresses me a great deal in many ways, sometimes I think she tries to hard to be hip or something with her new found popularity. LOL....she is a bit \"mid-eighties-Madonna-esque\" in some of the things she does (like the Viper Room gig). I don't know if she is trying to appear older (but wanting to kiss boys her age) or if she just likes the attention/reaction she gets. *sniff*sniff* Little Griet is all grown up... ;-)"}, {"response": 1756, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 2004 (14:16)", "body": "(Tress), Scarlett must have felt very lucky not to have had the older love interest in that film...Thora got that plum part opposite Steve Buscemi My thoughts exactly! LOL! DeLovely is the one I want I to see. Thanks for headsup on The Terminal, Mari! I too got my zone-free DVD player and my GWAPE DVD but I have to wait for DH to go out before I can play it. :-( He has 0 CF tolerance."}, {"response": 1757, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 2004 (20:28)", "body": "RE: The code-free DVD players.... I ordered one that was 'VCR friendly' in addition to being code-free. It hooked up easily and works beautifully. I've played everything: Regions 1 & 2, + RW, and -RW. All play fine and transfer to VHS readily. Thanks for the tip, boss. BTW - I loved the region 2 GWAPE DVD. The extras were well worth having as I thought they added a great deal to the story. I repeat that I think it was a mistake not include at least some of them in the final cut."}, {"response": 1758, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 2004 (00:00)", "body": "Just started watching the ITAS 10th Anniversary special and I didn't realize James Lipton was the Barbara Walters of cable. Didn't know so many people cried or had to hold back crying."}, {"response": 1759, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 2004 (09:41)", "body": "(Dorine) Didn't know so many people cried or had to hold back crying. Now there was a segment they could've omitted. Did I need to see all those people breaking down? No. I would've rather seen more bad dance numbers. ;-) ~~~~~~~~ Noticed this comment at AICN by a regular submitter (Mr Beaks): There\ufffds so much more coming (reviews of FARENHEIT 9/11, THE LIFE AQUATIC, SPIDER-MAN 2 and the astoundingly awful KING ARTHUR) that my liver fails at the thought of all the whiskey I\ufffdll drain to get it all written up."}, {"response": 1760, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 2004 (09:47)", "body": "and the astoundingly awful KING ARTHUR) To think what that film could have been in our hands. ;-) But what do you expect when Hollywood changes the story. :-("}, {"response": 1761, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 2004 (09:51)", "body": "A little gift for Evelyn... ;-)))) Moore Aims to Oust Bush With 'Op-Ed' Film By The Associated Press FLINT, Michigan - Michael Moore's new movie \"Fahrenheit 9/11\" has raised temperatures in Republican circles \ufffd and that's intentional. \"I would like to see Mr. Bush removed from the White House,\" the filmmaker told the host of ABC News' \"This Week with George Stephanopoulos.\" \"It's an op-ed piece. It's my opinion about the last four years of the Bush administration,\" Moore said Sunday. \"I'm not trying to pretend that this is some sort of, you know, fair and balanced work of journalism.\" Moore's film charges that the Bush administration acted ineptly before the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, then played on the public's fear to gain support for the war against Iraq. The Bush administration denies the allegations. Moore bristled at the notion he is being unpatriotic. \"Everything I do, and this film in particular, says that I love this country,\" he said. \"Every day of my life, everything I do is about trying to make this a better country and trying to give voice to those people out there who don't have a voice.\""}, {"response": 1762, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 2004 (09:55)", "body": "Moore Film Title Angers Author Bradbury By PAUL CHAVEZ, Associated Press Writer LOS ANGELES - Ray Bradbury is demanding an apology from filmmaker Michael Moore for lifting the title from his classic science-fiction novel \"Fahrenheit 451\" without permission and wants the new documentary \"Fahrenheit 9/11\" to be renamed. \"He didn't ask my permission,\" Bradbury, 83, told The Associated Press on Friday. \"That's not his novel, that's not his title, so he shouldn't have done it.\" The 1953 novel, widely considered Bradbury's masterpiece, portrays an ugly futuristic society in which firemen burn homes and libraries in order to destroy the books inside and keep people from thinking independently. \"Fahrenheit 451\" takes its title from the temperature at which books burn. Moore has called \"Fahrenheit 9/11\" the \"temperature at which freedom burns.\" [yadda yadda stuff] Bradbury, who hadn't seen the movie, said he called Moore's company six months ago to protest and was promised Moore would call back. He finally got that call last Saturday, Bradbury said, adding Moore told him he was \"embarrassed.\" \"He suddenly realized he's let too much time go by,\" the author said by phone from his home in Los Angeles' Cheviot Hills section. Joanne Doroshow, a spokeswoman for \"Fahrenheit 9/11,\" said the film's makers have \"the utmost respect for Ray Bradbury.\" \"Mr. Bradbury's work has been an inspiration to all of us involved in this film, but when you watch this film you will see the fact that the title reflects the facts that the movie explores, the very real life events before, around and after 9-11,\" she said. Bradbury, who is a registered political independent, said he would rather avoid litigation and is \"hoping to settle this as two gentlemen, if he'll shake hands with me and give me back my book and title.\" [...] Bradbury's book was made into a 1966 movie directed by Francois Truffaut. A new edition of the book is scheduled for release in eight weeks, Bradbury said, and plans are in the works for a new film version, to be directed by Frank Darabont. [Ed note: Oh goodie! Another remake of a classic. Must be the reason why they're so concerned over the title.]"}, {"response": 1763, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 2004 (10:15)", "body": "(Mari)I wasn't sure Kevin could pull it off, but this is a fantastic likeness, IMO. Wow thanks. Funny but ever since I heard that KS was doing this I I've search his face when coming across his photo and wonder how they were gonna make it work, getting him to look young enough. They seem to have done it. (Linda)and to the Daily Mail, I'll take that 43-year old wrinkly Colin Firth right here, right now. Bring him on;-) Ditto ditto! (Leslie)I repeat that I think it was a mistake not include at least some of them in the final cut Right! Risa and I were incredulous."}, {"response": 1764, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 2004 (10:16)", "body": "Let's move the GWAPE Reg 2 DVD discussion to Firthology..."}, {"response": 1765, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 2004 (10:18)", "body": "That was fast;-))"}, {"response": 1766, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 2004 (10:30)", "body": "(Karen)A little gift for Evelyn... ;-)))) You *are* kind;-) Always thinking of me;-)) What a pal!!:-)))) ROTF I've been watching The Grand Messiah Michael Moore all weekend on the tube. Dateline's Matt Lauer (no lover of the Prez)didn't take kindly to him. Nor did Katie this morning All I can say is, had we had MM before WW2 , they'd be speaking German all across Europe. But he is entertaining."}, {"response": 1767, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 2004 (10:42)", "body": "Re: code free DVD players. Did anyone order the $99 special, and if so how is it? Or did you all go for the upgrade and what does that provide that's extra? Thanks!"}, {"response": 1768, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 2004 (10:52)", "body": "Doesn't sound all that different. I'd call and talk to the guys. Sounds like it's just a mnatter of paying for the manufacturer's name, that's all."}, {"response": 1769, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 2004 (11:01)", "body": "\"Go with the proven\", I say. I followed the crowd who said the $149 one \"worked\"."}, {"response": 1770, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 2004 (12:49)", "body": "Hand on heart, Evelyn, I swear I hadn't read this one...besides, it was only published on Friday. http://www.suntimes.com/output/entertainment/cst-ftr-moore18.html"}, {"response": 1771, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 2004 (13:01)", "body": "Was it yesterday?? Or is it today? I can never remember my own anniversary so ya can't expect me to remember theirs! But anyway, Happy Anni, Colin and Livia!"}, {"response": 1772, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 2004 (13:09)", "body": "Sadly, when I see a documentary on PBS...Frontline or Nova, I naively thought it was unbiased. Shows how easily we are manipulated."}, {"response": 1773, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 2004 (13:36)", "body": "Tress - You're a true die hard fan;) To Colin & Livia - May you have many many more years of happiness and joy together. Happy Anniversary!"}, {"response": 1774, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 2004 (14:59)", "body": "Here's the response I got from Nick on the difference in DVD players: *************** It is primarily brand name. The JVC is a slightly better finished product, meaning the menus are a little easier to use, and then picture is slightly better, the components within the player are also a bit better. I'm not saying that the International is not a good machine, it is definetly better than it's competition such as Daewoo or JWIN, however the JVC is a little better than that. If you are using it overseas go with the International as it is 110-240 volts, otherwise you can go with either one. ****************"}, {"response": 1775, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 2004 (16:27)", "body": "Kevin Kline is on Charlie Rose tonight. Yes today they celebrate 7 years. The seven year itch. ;-) Congrats to sophie for France passing the first round of the EU cup. And, England. I fear Italy will be out tomorrow. But, keeping fingers crossed."}, {"response": 1776, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 2004 (17:02)", "body": "(Mari) Re: code free DVD players. Did anyone order the $99 special, and if so how is it? Or did you all go for the upgrade and what does that provide that's extra? Thanks! (Karen)Doesn't sound all that different. I'd call and talk to the guys. Sounds like it's just a mnatter of paying for the manufacturer's name, that's all I started my conversation with that model and wanted to add the gadget to make it VCR firendly. Mike advised me that the name brand player was a far better quality player and that if I bought it outfitted internally as VCR friendly that it would wind up actually costing less. Who knows, though? VCR's have gotten so cheap that my 'home electronics guy' has gotten to call them 'disposables'. The only exemption he makes is for dubbing - says that's the only time it pays to have a quality player."}, {"response": 1777, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 2004 (18:58)", "body": "Ah, thanks for the photos, Tress. Happy 7th to the Firths. (Tress)Was it yesterday?? Or is it today? Today!"}, {"response": 1778, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 2004 (19:40)", "body": "Hi Mari, Tried to send an email. It came back. Could you send me one and I'll get back to you."}, {"response": 1779, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 2004 (20:53)", "body": "A special June wedding cake with pearls and roses for ODB and his very lucky DW! Happy Anniversary to Colin and Livia! Just a bizarre bit of info: Traditional 7th wedding anniversary gifts contain wool or copper. If you prefer to give contemporary 7th anniversary presents, consider desk sets. (Oooh, exciting and romantic!)"}, {"response": 1780, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 2004 (20:57)", "body": "Why the Europeans love Michael Moore: From the International Edition of NEWSWEEK \" \"The French used to think the average American guy was [wacky comedian] Jerry Lewis,\" says Gilles Delafon. \"Now they think he's Michael Moore. \" http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5251867/site/newsweek/"}, {"response": 1781, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 2004 (11:02)", "body": "Clive Owen is on the cover of two UK Magazines this month - Film Review and Empire, so I guess all the press is not about Keira - Though she has been most visible on the TV ads. I hope this is a half way decent film. I have been following it from the beginning. Have extra's reports on my forum. But with Bruckheimer, you never know, and I haven't seen any of Fuqua's action films. However, it has a great cast. Fingers are crossed. Covers Here: http://www.murphsplace.com/owen/arthur/mag-covers.html Will put this at the Clive Owen section in case I am in the wrong here, but I am interested in discussion on the film."}, {"response": 1782, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 2004 (11:10)", "body": "(Murph)Clive Owen is on the cover of two UK Magazines this month Gorgeous! Love the hair."}, {"response": 1783, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 2004 (11:29)", "body": "Murph, I'm looking forward to King Arthur. I love those big historical epics, and Messrs. Owen and Gruffudd are looking mighty fine.:-) Keira was on Jay Leno last night promoting it; she looked ridiculous. Bangs completely covering her eyes, hideous dress cut down to there on a chest like a boy's. Meeeow.:-) Bring on the two guys--enough of her! I've seen Fuqua's Training Day and Tears of the Sun, and liked them both, for what it's worth."}, {"response": 1784, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 2004 (11:34)", "body": "Reminder: the second season of Nip/Tuck starts tonight, 10 PM Eastern, on F/X. This is *don't miss* TV--smart writing, good acting, and lots of sex.;-)So if you missed it last season, now is the time to jump onboard. In some clever casting, Vanessa Redgrave joins for 3 episodes, playing Julia's mother (Julia is her real life daughter, of course, Joely Richardson)."}, {"response": 1785, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 2004 (12:13)", "body": "Thanks for the reminder Mari! Love Nip/Tuck...a show that both the DH and I enjoy watching (those are rare)."}, {"response": 1786, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 2004 (12:22)", "body": "Is this Leslie's birthday...or are we jumping the gun?"}, {"response": 1787, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 2004 (12:24)", "body": "Hey Leslie, I got that gig with Kevin Bacon thanks to SNL. Little did you and your friends know that it was an audition you were attending. You girls brought me luck and I will never forget it. So thank you from my heart and A Very Happy Birthday to You! See you at the TEOR premiere."}, {"response": 1788, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 2004 (12:27)", "body": "I saw Keira on Leno and agree with everything you said, Mari. Plus, she came off as an idiot. The film is not even ready!!! Last minute editing does not bode well. :-("}, {"response": 1789, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 2004 (12:32)", "body": "Last minute editing does not bode well. :-( Same thing with Gangs of NY and Troy. *Cannot* wait for Nip/Tuck! If I had the spare change, would've splurged for Season 1 on DVD already. Wonder if the psychologist is still there. Haven't seen her on any promos. Sorry I missed KK on Leno. *cough, cough*"}, {"response": 1790, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 2004 (12:33)", "body": "Mari and all - there is an excellent Ioan G site with updated info: http://www.ioanonline.com/"}, {"response": 1791, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 2004 (12:57)", "body": "There she is!! Leslie, honey, take a bow, it's your birthday! Now say, Happy Birthday to her, Colin! Happy Birthday, Leslie!"}, {"response": 1792, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 2004 (13:13)", "body": "BIRTHDAY GREETINGS FROM ACROSS THE POND Hope your special day is even happier than someone at a screening of EOR! Have fun Leslie."}, {"response": 1793, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 2004 (13:16)", "body": "Just thinking of a way to wish lovely Leslie a wonderfully Happy Birthday! My coat's not too red is it? Leslie, thank you for finding all the info on SLY...I was just too tired to find it last night;-)"}, {"response": 1794, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 2004 (13:54)", "body": "Leslie! Happy Birthday! You were there when it all got started!! Colin practicing at his lounge act for his upcoming project... Working with his dialect coach to get the accent just right! You must have some good iggy and now it has paid off! Hope you have an out of this world day!"}, {"response": 1795, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 2004 (15:14)", "body": "I have these birthday presents and popcorn here for Leslie. I hope she likes the chest hair I'm exposing for her. Now to sign her card. \"To Leslie, Happy Birthday to a lovely Metro Gal. Please come see me again in November, darling. Love Colin.\""}, {"response": 1796, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 2004 (15:39)", "body": "I\ufffdve just returned from a trip to my local Borders to pick up my copy of WTTL and found all these lovely salutations waiting for me. I\ufffdm not sure if the better gift was the wonderful news I woke up to this morning about ODB\ufffds next project or all these clever greetings you\ufffdve worked so hard to come up with. Aaah, Evelyn, Peter in RV. That wonderful campy performance is one of my faves. And Moon\ufffdwe all knew that night had a special magic and sensed it would serve as a catalyst for many good things to come. Karen \ufffd Yes, Yes! That was the moment of truth - we knew then that we\ufffdd officially made contact. A feeling I will never forget. Lizza \ufffd It\ufffds be pretty hard to beat being at a screening of EOR but this comes pretty close. Oh Ada \ufffd how wonderful of you to post my beautiful keep. My very first as a drooleur, you know. Tress- Do you think he can borrow that ruffled shirt from the SNL wardrobe room for WTTL? It\ufffds a ringer for the outfits I expect we\ufffdll see. But let\ufffds just hope he comes up with a better voice coach - although there will never be another one funnier than Seth. And Kevin Bacon?? What news that ODB is co-starring with another actor that \ufffdI hold in such high esteem\ufffd? Thank you, thank you, thank you for such great birthday wishes. I assure you I will savor them for far longer than I do my tails this evening. And thank you for making this such a wonderful, welcoming place to hang my hat!"}, {"response": 1797, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 2004 (15:41)", "body": "Hey Mari-- Chest Hair, black leather 'thingie', faded jeans, and a signed birthday greeting?? GAH! Who needs a premiere for thrills when you have all that?"}, {"response": 1798, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 2004 (15:48)", "body": "You....up there in the balcony... HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LESLIE"}, {"response": 1799, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 2004 (15:50)", "body": "Just began \"Bergdorf Blondes\" by Plum Sykes(where, oh where, is Peach?) A fun and light read-highly recommend for the summer!"}, {"response": 1800, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 2004 (16:22)", "body": "Ahem . . to my dearest Metro Gal Must practice my crooning, you see for SLY . . . great detective work on figuring out my next project . .couldn't hide a thing from you;) Shall I sing to you my darling? Here\ufffds a little Dean Martin diddy for you . . All I do is dream of you the whole night through Where the dawn I still go on dreaming of you You're every thought you're everything you're every song I ever sing Summer, winter, autumn and spring And where them all and 24 hours a day Let be spent in sweet content dreaming away When skies are gray when skies are blue Morning, noon and nighttime too All I do the whole day through is dream of you And where them all and 24 hours a day Let be spent in sweet content dreaming away When skies are gray when skies are blue Morning, noon and nighttime too All I do the whole day through is dream of you Happy B\ufffdday Leslie!!!"}, {"response": 1801, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 2004 (20:33)", "body": "Hey, Leslie, happy birthday from Somebody who Loves You! Can't you just picture me as the crooner? You know I've always had it in me!"}, {"response": 1802, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 2004 (20:47)", "body": "Playing tonight for one night only in Celebration of Leslie's Birthday! Live from New York it's Tuesday night I'm here to wish that wonderful Metro Gal Leslie a wonderful birthday and ask that she honor me with her company after the show I thank you Madam... I think I'm going to get lucky tonight..Happy Birthday dearest loveliest Leslie. ****** And from me..."}, {"response": 1803, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 2004 (20:49)", "body": "did I forget to uncenter myself again? Hope that you had a wonderful day today! I know I did;-))"}, {"response": 1804, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 2004 (21:13)", "body": "Happy Birthday Leslie! A most auspicious day for more than one reason! Here's hoping you have many more!"}, {"response": 1805, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 2004 (21:23)", "body": "Oh, but wait a minute....you did join me after the show! Sorry you had to wait outside so long in the cold. For your birthday, I thought we could celebrate at our own after-afterparty at my hotel.. Just as soon as I get rid of the rather too helpful help. I must be a better tipper than I realized. Happy Birthday, Leslie!"}, {"response": 1806, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 2004 (21:52)", "body": "Leslie, Happy Birthday!!! From standing on the sidewalk in cold rain at 6 in the morning to \"tactical touring\" of the NBC studios... From letting me squeeze your hand while waiting for the SNL dress rehearsal to start to screaming that you had just \"come out and were no longer a virgin\" in the hotel bar... From being a lurker to seeing TMH in the flesh... For all these amazing events and more, I congratulate you on one great year completed and wishes for an ever better one to come!!!!"}, {"response": 1807, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 2004 (22:05)", "body": "(Shoshana) to screaming that you had just \"come out and were no longer a virgin\" in the hotel bar... ROTFL! I'd forgotten about that!"}, {"response": 1808, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 2004 (08:40)", "body": "Never mind the hangover.... Time to get ready for Shoshanna's birthday"}, {"response": 1809, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 2004 (08:52)", "body": "Oh no! Not another. Why didn't anyone remind me of string when I set the date for the film discussion. ;-) Later gator...."}, {"response": 1810, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 2004 (09:04)", "body": "Wot?? Be still my heart. More birthday treats from the lovely DD\ufffds? To Kimberley \ufffd My very first \ufffdin the flesh\ufffd Drool girlfiend. Oooo baby, I feel a toe tapping, finger snapping, good time coming our way at the multiplex soon. Must have been that audition at the \ufffdShowbiz Grande Explosion\ufffd that turned the SLY producers on to his hidden talents. Oh yes, Lora \ufffd a wonderful crooner he\ufffdll be. Thinking something like \ufffdLove Me Tender\ufffd sung sweetly into my ear one night. (We can always dream, no?) Yes, we did get lucky that fateful night, didn\ufffdt we, Bee? Must have been all that diligent background work you and Risa were doing with the NBC pages while we were on line. Dorine \ufffd how I would have loved to be Keenan\ufffds stand-in during dress rehearsal for that skit. Who cares about how bad it was when taking off ODB\ufffds pants was on the agenda?? Shosh \ufffd Let\ufffds never again curse the cold and rain. It definitely worked to our advantage. And a mutual thank you to my hand squeezing partner \ufffd I\ufffdm sure I caused your hand to turn blue yet you never once complained. And an additional thank you for not telling me what a jerk I was when I screamed about losing my virginity in a crowded bar. If only the crowd knew that we weren\ufffdt gay \ufffd it was just a first ODB sighting that caused all the jubilations Now it\ufffds off to celebrate Shoshana\ufffds big day!!"}, {"response": 1811, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 2004 (09:25)", "body": "On the appointed day Darcy set out for London. His portmanteau was packed with his finest clothes: an apple-green coat, a lavender vest, breeches of black velvet, silk stockings with silver trees, buckled shoes, powder box, and a satin ribbon for his queue. Furthermore, the prudent traveler, not having a pistol to put in his holsters, had slipped in a little bottle of wine and several slices of almond birthday cake , in order to have something at hand to keep his courage up. For in reality now that the day had come he was in a very anxious state to see Shoshana. He had to be with her on her special day. Shoshana, I come with gifts. Remember our last conversation? You were infatuated with a certain part of me... ahem...well... I've brought some for you too. Happy Birthday Shoshana!"}, {"response": 1812, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 2004 (10:15)", "body": "Allo Shoshana! For your birthday, I have a full batterie de cuisine for you! The copper bowls are especially good for when you whip up the oeufs: But you must have your own sous chef, so I will present you with one, who is particularly good with a whisk. He has an agile wrist, among other things, you may appreciate. I baked all through the night to replace this delicious gateau which I made for you But your new assistant cannot be trusted either and would not leave your birthday cake alone for the presentation. :-( I did try....so you must too! Have a very Happy Birthday Shoshana!"}, {"response": 1813, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 2004 (12:30)", "body": "Shosh..I wanted to post your keep to wish you a Happy Birthday but I couldn't remember which t-shirt you claimed for LA? Was it this one? or this one? or maybe this one? Oooh I know, it was this one! Oh well whichever one it was, I hope you're having a great day!"}, {"response": 1814, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 2004 (12:32)", "body": "eep! didn't realize it was this big..but I'm sure you don't mind the size;-D!"}, {"response": 1815, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 2004 (13:22)", "body": "eep! didn't realize it was this big..but I'm sure you don't mind the size;-D! Not at 'awl'.... \"Size matters\":-))"}, {"response": 1816, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 2004 (13:30)", "body": "My dearest Shoshana, wish you were here... HAPPY BIRTHDAY"}, {"response": 1817, "author": "Tress", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 2004 (14:31)", "body": "Did I hear correctly? It's Shosh's birthday?? The woman who knows all there is to know about \"Regency Jollyhose\" and nether regions? Well, \">http://pages.prodigy.net/indianahawkeye/newpage15/8.gif\"> , kiddo! Here's lookin' at you!!!"}, {"response": 1818, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 2004 (14:40)", "body": "Hmmm . .I\ufffdm dying to have something sweet to go with my afternoon cup of free trade coffee. But since my favorite fan and baker hasn\ufffdt opened her own patisserie yet, I think I\ufffdll just whip something up myself . . . It\ufffds her birthday, I heard so here\ufffds little sweet for my sweet Happy Birthday dearest Shoshana!"}, {"response": 1819, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 2004 (15:20)", "body": "A truly happy and memorable day to you Shoshana Heard Sexy Rexy is a big fan of yours :-)) Enjoy."}, {"response": 1820, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 2004 (17:02)", "body": "Wow, more birthdays than I can keep track of... Hope you had a wonderful birthday, Leslie! You lucky girl. And Shoshana, Hope your day was exquisite! Slainte!"}, {"response": 1821, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 2004 (18:05)", "body": "Hey Shoshana, it\ufffds your birthday, and\ufffd\ufffd Yeah, baby, it\ufffds me!! Gotta\ufffd hand it to ya\ufffd!! You\ufffdre a heck of a gal! !! Have a great day, babe! !!"}, {"response": 1822, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 2004 (19:00)", "body": "Yeah, yeah, this is the film where Leslie played the dead chick. (so sorry I missed your day. Hope it was loads of fun)"}, {"response": 1823, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 2004 (19:05)", "body": "Wow, I knew Shoshana could cook, but this is fantastic Happy Birthday, dear girl!!"}, {"response": 1824, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 2004 (20:12)", "body": "Happy birthday Shoshana! Have a great one!"}, {"response": 1825, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 2004 (20:17)", "body": "This has been just a really fun day, and now coming home to see all your messages - lovely! Oh, I love you all so much! Evelyn- I'd love to picnic outside with HD, but the weather has been hot and sticky with occasional violent storms. :-( On the other hand, it looks like there's plenty of space next to \"Prince\" Joe... he looks like he could use some company. ;-)))) Moon- I love those knee breeches (especially if Darcy's inside them)! ;-) And I am trying to get my next lecture ready in the breeches series. I feel like I've left you all hanging. Just after I master the tourne potato and memorize the difference between white wine vinegar and Champaign vinegar and starch my cravat... gah! There will be more breeches soon no that I have been re-inspired by your pic, Moon! Lovely!!! Karen- ROTFL! I could use some help building muscle memory on my whisking skills... How about he helps me with that in exchange for all the sweets I can provide? Seems like a great deal to me!!! Thanks! Ada- The bigger, the better! What a wonderful smile to fill up my screen and make my day!!! Tress- You picked one of my favorite pictures for \"demonstrating the fit of fashionable pantaloons!\" Now, in this new year I just have to get that close to that face again! Truly an amazing experience, and twice!!!! *sigh* Such sweet memories of those trips (and seeing ODB was a nice extra)! ;-) Kim- Poor Colin! He looks like me when I have to wake up for school (only that's 5:30 am). But, I will whip anything up to put a smile on his face! ;-) And I always deliver my cakes personally so that I can keep the cake safest and see the happy recipient enjoy the first sight! BTW, I am looking seriously at an externship/continuing education program in London through their branch of LCB!!! Lizza- I just picked the book up from the library and can't wait to read more about Sexy Rexy/Vince! ;-) Who cares about the difference between fine julienne and julienne and batonette carrots anyway, especially when there are nicer thing to think about?! This has been a wonderfully memorable day! (And don't worry, the whisk is still very much yours; I just want the assistant!!!!) Eithne- Go raibh maith agat! (Is that correct?) Thank you for you lovely wishes!!! I apologize for having my birthday at such a busy time! ;-) Leslie- All I can say is the same right back at ya! And it's so mice to be (almost) sharing b'day parties!!! So, is it now time to practice playing a dead body in NJ? ;-) Linda- LOL! That\ufffds about my skill level right now\ufffdspreading butter on bread! I have to wait until Skills II until I get to fold it in half, though! ;-) And licking pinky fingers (despite how enticing HD\ufffds is) is a sanitary food service no-no!!! Thank you for the \ufffdsweet\ufffd birthday picture! Thanks everyone for sending birthday messages in the midst of all the SLY excitement and the MOTM discussion (both of which I hope to catch up with soon)!!!"}, {"response": 1826, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 2004 (21:40)", "body": "Ahhh, Shoshana. I haven\ufffdt been able to get you out of my mind since that wonderful morning that we met and touched. But what's this I've been reading about the research that you have been doing into my small clothes? But I'd take it all off for you my dearest, on your birthday. But here is a prezzie from your Aunt Bee who says you are the dearest and from the both of us we wish you a very, if late, Happy Birthday!"}, {"response": 1827, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 2004 (22:23)", "body": "Hey Shosh . . . . . .let's mosh! Have a very Happy Birthday and a Sexy Rexy-filled year!"}, {"response": 1828, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 2004 (22:28)", "body": "Go away ye bold!"}, {"response": 1829, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 2004 (22:29)", "body": "And big???"}, {"response": 1830, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, Jun 25, 2004 (05:23)", "body": "Ack! Not only am I over 100 posts behind in the last day and a half, but I never got around to thanking Barb, Bee, and Mari for their birthday wishes. Barb- With all the excitement here at Drool and all the excitement at schole, I have great hopes that this will be a wonderful year. Thank you so much for the thought!!! Bee- Yeah, I guess by that point in the party it had been morning for some while! ;-) And despite the clothes, he looked AFG!!! Thanks! Mari- You wanton tag-open-leaver (that didn't make any sense, but it's rather early right now)! ;-) I don't care to mosh, but any more \"intimate\" gatherings with Rex/ODB would be more that welcome!!! Grazie!"}, {"response": 1831, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Jun 25, 2004 (16:43)", "body": "Oh my, I can't believe I forgot Shoshana and Bee's birthdays. I'm so sorry for my tardiness to two very dedicated Metro gals! What's the one thing to do to cure a belated birthday wish (and breaking some O & E birthday rules as well) ? The rainbow picture, of course. Hope it was a joyous and happy birthday for you both."}, {"response": 1832, "author": "Lora", "date": "Fri, Jun 25, 2004 (17:00)", "body": "Here's your happy rainbow!"}, {"response": 1833, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Jun 26, 2004 (11:16)", "body": "Lora, that's one of my favorite pics. It's actually not my birthday, but I can always use a happy rainbow, so thanks!"}, {"response": 1834, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sat, Jun 26, 2004 (11:35)", "body": "(Mari)Lora, that's one of my favorite pics. It's actually not my birthday, but I can always use a happy rainbow, so thanks! Well it was mine and it's one of my favorites too so thanks Lora and great to have you in attendance over at film discussions!"}, {"response": 1835, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 28, 2004 (08:27)", "body": "From THR tody: Col, Ecosse team for Austen biopic Columbia Pictures is brushing up on its Jane Austen with \"Becoming Jane,\" a biographical feature about the British author. Developed by London-based period-piece specialists Ecosse Films, \"Jane\" will be produced by Graham Broadbent, co-founder and former partner at Mission Pictures. The project was brought to the studio by sales company World Films. Penned by Kevin Hood, the film is described as a biographical portrait of the British writer at around age 20, before she became famous, and involves a love theme with Austen falling for a young Irish lawyer. With the studio signing a development deal on the project, \"Jane\" is out to directors, with the studio looking to put the film into production next year. Born in 1775, Austen is best known for her books \"Pride and Prejudice,\" \"Mansfield Park,\" \"Emma\" and \"Persuasion.\" With a strong bent toward historical matter, London-based Ecosse's credits include \"Charlotte Gray,\" which the company co-financed with Warner Bros. Pictures, and \"Mrs. Brown.\" Warners recently signed a deal to produce and finance Ecosse's feature film version of the British TV classic \"Brideshead Revisited.\" At Mission, Broadbent was involved in such films as Danny Boyle's \"Millions\" and \"Picadilly Jim.\" Broadbent and Pete Czernin exited Mission in February."}, {"response": 1836, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Jun 28, 2004 (08:27)", "body": "A late Happy Birthday to Leslie and Shoshana! The NY Times: June 28, 2004 Laid-Back Jeff Bridges, Going Where the Spirit Takes Him By ANNE THOMPSON HOLLYWOOD \ufffd Jeff Bridges is changing his clothes in the green room of the \"Tavis Smiley Show.\" He is shedding his casual Santa Barbara persona \ufffd white Mexican shirt, gray linen slacks and loafers \ufffd for a leading man look: elegant black shirt, gray suit and suede shoes. He is in Hollywood to promote \"The Door in the Floor,\" Tod Williams's $7 million film adaptation of the 1998 John Irving novel, \"A Widow for One Year,\" co-starring Kim Basinger. He plays a children's book author, a blond, bearded, charismatic, womanizing narcissist whose estranged wife is still grief-stricken after the death of their two sons in a car accident. Early reviews of the film, which opens on July 14, positioned as relief for audiences sated by big action films, suggest it is the best role the actor has had in years. There is even some Oscar buzz about Mr. Bridges, 54, who has had three nominations for supporting roles and one for best actor in 1984 for \"Starman.\" This week he will finish filming \"The Moguls\" an $8 million indie gamble he calls \"a sweet Frank Capra-does-porn story.\" Leaving his beat-up brown leather briefcase behind in the green room, Mr. Bridges pops up on the television monitor. The actor adopts his familiar, affably goofy public persona with Mr. Smiley. But he takes care that the talk show host shows off to best advantage several panoramic black-and-white photographs from \"Pictures by Jeff Bridges,\" a 2003 collection of photographs he has taken over the years on film sets and on location. Though Mr. Bridges cultivates a laid-back manner and likes to fly under the radar of superstardom, he takes all of his art \ufffd acting, painting or playing guitar \ufffd quite seriously. Later, in an interview, it becomes apparent that he wants people to underestimate him so that he is free to go where the spirit takes him, guided less by big paydays or commercial prospects than by his own impulses and taste, which lean toward the offbeat. It helps that he has had more flops than hits. He has played leading men (\"King Kong\" 1975), villains (\"Jagged Edge\" 1985) and in the Coen brothers' 1998 cult comedy, \"The Big Lebowski,\" a pot-addled slacker known as the Dude. He played the portly racehorse owner Charles Howard in last year's \"Seabiscuit,\" which won a best picture nomination. He has slimmed down considerably since then and shows off his new form in \"The Door in the Floor,\" prancing around in the nude, scenes that Mr. Bridges plays with unabashed relish. He said, \"I've gone out of my way to not take baggage with me from film to film,\" to avoid the kind of type-casting that plagued his father, Lloyd Bridges, first with the television series \"Sea Hunt\" in the late 1950's and early 60's, then the 1980 disaster film spoof, \"Airplane.\" \"I keep mixing characters,\" he continued. \"I go from the Dude to the president of the United States. That way I get different scripts, and keep it more fun. I'm not locked into playing one guy.\" He made his screen debut in 1951 at four months, co-starring with his mother Dorothy and brother Beau in \"The Company She Keeps,\" and 20 years later had his break-out role in \"The Last Picture Show.\" Mr. Bridges is close to his mother, who is now 85. She reads all his scripts and approved of \"The Door in the Floor,\" though she prefers him to play presidents (he won a supporting actor Oscar nomination for playing one in \"The Contender\" in 2000) and doctors (\"K-Pax\"). \"She didn't like the Dude,\" he admitted. The Dude wasn't a stretch for Mr. Bridges, who has been open about past marijuana use. \"The Dude has a serious laid-back streak,\" Mr. Bridges said. \"I'm always busy, but I'm lazy as well. I wish I were more disciplined. \"I used to kinda worry about it being distracting to have so many interests,\" he continued. \"But I find that when I start to engage creatively, all my creative juices get stirred up and start to excite each other. And I end up making a drawing or playing music in the middle of studying for a scene.\" Mr. Williams, the writer-director of \"The Door in the Floor,\" likens his star to a creative child who has never had to face the embittering grind of reality. \"From Day 1 I don't think the guy ever tried to get work,\" he said. \"In a creative sense he is pure and undamaged.\" \"The Door in the Floor\" is based on the first 188 pages of Mr. Irving's 592-page novel (the title comes from one of the spooky children's stories written by Cole, Mr. Bridges' character). Mr. Bridges himself provided the pen and ink book illustrations. He also tried to produce for the movie the life drawings created by Cole, who seduces women by having them pose nude. But the actor gave up after lining a location house's empty ballroom floors and walls with explicit pictures he deemed unworthy. With \"The Door in the Floor,\" Mr. Bridges took a gamble on the second-time director Mr. Williams o"}, {"response": 1837, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Jun 28, 2004 (09:20)", "body": "Better do this before the week is over July Birthdays - July 1 - Annette July 8 - LisaJH July 18 - EmmaB As always, if I got someone wrong, let me know."}, {"response": 1838, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jun 28, 2004 (18:01)", "body": "All eyes on girl with cloudy past From The Sunday Times June 29, 2004 SECURITY guards will surround Sotheby's auction house in London next week when the first Vermeer painting to go on sale for 81 years comes under the hammer. The Girl in the Yellow Shawl \ufffd real title: Young Woman Seated at the Virginals \ufffd is not as famous as Girl With a Pearl Earring, which inspired the novel by Tracy Chevalier and the film starring Colin Firth as the artist and Scarlett Johansson as his 16-year-old muse. The rest is here: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,9980388%5E16947,00.html"}, {"response": 1839, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 2004 (11:00)", "body": "Risa and I saw Before Sunset last night...the sequel to Before Sunrise with Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. We both loved it! I would recommend seeing the first one before the second if you haven't seen it in a while and are foggy on it, though it's not necessary, I suppose. I was glad I did. Both actors seemed very natural and the dialogue was totally believable. There was a Q&A after with stars and director. The 3 of them wrote it. Said the story was completely outlined and all the dialogue/movements were scripted without deviation. It was heavily rehearsed as well, and as far as I'm concerned, you couldn't tell. There actually seemed to be much improvisation at times....more movements than the dialogue, but small bits of dialogue did, too. Apparently not. There were some scenes that were 10 min long one-shots....no editing. They said scenes like that were challenging, partially because of physical restrictions of the small streets and a cafe they filmed in. Had a stedicam operator for filming, to whom they pointed out and gave credit to at the theater. The movie was only 80 minutes long...happens in real time....but I can't imagine that the script was less than 100 or 120 pages (usually a 2 hour movie length...I should've asked that). They talked the *entire* time, non-stop, except for one pivotal scene near the end where they were quiet for a couple of minutes walking up stairs. It wasn't too much talk either. I found it interesting and compelling. I doubt everyone will though. Risa asked a very good question and got a very comprehensive answer from them all, which didn't happen for everyone. You go girl! :-D And Julie Delpy sang a very beautiful song (that she wrote and played guitar with) near the end of the film. She has a wonderful voice. Apparently she has a CD out in Europe. Must look it up. I never really had any affinity toward Ethan Hawke before, but I have to say I found him very entertaining. He's very articulate, intelligent, and amusing. There was a great rapport with all three of them. You can tell they're very good friends. I'd love to see it again. Quite a few lines I missed from laughing at the last ones. It reminded me of Lost in Translation in the manner of 2 people, strangers or virtually strangers, meeting up and sharing an intimacy through conversation, exploring and sharing their own lives and relationships with another person. I wondered to Risa whether people who liked LIT would like this and vice versa whether people who didn't like LIT wouldn't like this either. She said she didn't like LIT, but loved this. I think this is out Wed or Friday. At least here it is. Will be counterprogramming to Spiderman 2, but think it might get crushed under that and the other stuff that has just come out. Maybe it'll get good word-of-mouth and build slowly like LIT did. Unfortunately, these stars won't be a draw like Bill Murray was, IMO."}, {"response": 1840, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 2004 (11:02)", "body": "Forgot to say it was filmed in Paris, hence the small streets and cafe. Wonderful scenery. Made me want to go back in a big way. *sigh*"}, {"response": 1841, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 2004 (11:07)", "body": "Thanks Do! I was a fan of the first film and am very excited about seeing this one! So what was Risa's question?? And the answer?? Where is the Little Bee?? ;-)"}, {"response": 1842, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 2004 (11:08)", "body": "Before Sunset got fabulous reviews by Ebert & Doper, saying it was better than the first and they hoped the series would continue a la Michael Apted's \"Up\" documentaries."}, {"response": 1843, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 2004 (11:14)", "body": "Interesting... \"Scarlett Johansson is set to join the cast of Woody Allen's 36th movie, replacing Kate Winslet, who dropped out Friday. Winslet reportedly wanted to spend more time with her family. Johansson joins cast members Emily Mortimer and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers on the feature, which is due to begin production shortly at London's Ealing Studios.\""}, {"response": 1844, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 2004 (11:15)", "body": "Isn't she doing like 4 movies at once now? :-/"}, {"response": 1845, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 2004 (11:17)", "body": "\"Scarlett Johansson is set to join the cast of Woody Allen's 36th movie, replacing Kate Winslet, who dropped out Friday. Told you she wasn't \"youthful\" enough. ;-) So much for Woody wanting to work with all those British actors."}, {"response": 1846, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 2004 (11:26)", "body": "Wellll let's see, Woody was/is looking for a British actress who's young and can act... Keira?;-D!"}, {"response": 1847, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 2004 (12:35)", "body": "\"It's Good be Be Renee Zellweger\" (don't I know it!) will be on tonight on E! at 10 p.m."}, {"response": 1848, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 2004 (13:01)", "body": "Thanks, but will be taping the boys at Nip/Tuck while out listening to Mr. Clapton jam at the Garden. :-D You know I have to say, KK looked eerily like RZ did in Chicago with the stick figure physique."}, {"response": 1849, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 2004 (13:27)", "body": "So much for Woody wanting to work with all those British actors. Hey, she bailed at the last minute; he needs to start shooting next week. Here's how the DePalma website is reporting it, as it releates to Black Dahlia: SCARLETT RUNS WITH WOODY THEN WILL SEGUE IMMEDIATELY INTO DAHLIA Woody Allen was reported to be furious with Kate Winslet last week for dropping out of his new untitled film project at the last minute. The production was set to begin filming next week in London, but now Scarlett Johansson has agreed to replace Winslet on short notice. According to a report in today's Variety, the film will shoot in July and August in London, and then \"Johansson will segue immediately to The Black Dahlia, an adaptation of the James Ellroy novel to be directed by Brian De Palma.\" On a side note, Vilmos Zsigmond, who shot Allen's previous film, Melinda And Melinda (not yet released), will be the cinematographer on The Black Dahlia."}, {"response": 1850, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 2004 (13:30)", "body": "I think the time she spent on a three-page letter would have been better expended on one phone call.;-) Woody Furious with Winslet Hollywood legend Woody Allen is furious with British actress Kate Winslet after she pulled out of his forthcoming English film. The director is scheduled to begin filming on the untitled project in London next month and was shocked when the Oscar-nominated beauty announced last week she would be spending time with her family - daughter Mia and baby son Joe - instead of starring in the movie. According to British newspaper the Daily Mail, Allen was offended Winslet did not tell him of her decision face-to-face and opted to write a three-page letter to producer Nicky Barnes. A film source says, \"She wrote that she didn't want to be away from her children and she was feeling frazzled after doing lots of PR for her last film Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind. But if that's the case, why did she accept the part in the first place? She signed off by saying how miserable she was feeling about it all, which didn't go down at all well, given how much more miserable her decision has made everyone else involved in the picture.\""}, {"response": 1851, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 2004 (15:30)", "body": "(Dorine) Isn't she doing like 4 movies at once now? :-/ Were you counting SpongeBob SquarePants: The Movie in that total? I caught a bit on Cartoon Network (innocent bystander), she's voicing Mindy, Neptune's daughter."}, {"response": 1852, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 2004 (17:01)", "body": "(Dorine) Isn't she doing like 4 movies at once now? :-/ She's busy, busy...Mission Impossible 3???? By Liza Foreman LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Scarlett Johansson is set to join the cast of Woody Allen's 36th movie, replacing Kate Winslet, who dropped out Friday. Winslet reportedly wanted to spend more time with her family. Johansson (\"Lost in Translation\") joins cast members Emily Mortimer and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers on the untitled feature, which is due to begin production shortly at London's Ealing Studios. As is the case with Allen's movies, the story is being kept under wraps. Johansson recently signed on to do \"Mission: Impossible 3.\" Other projects in which she is involved include \"The Black Dahlia,\" \"The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie\" and \"A Good Woman.\" Reuters/Hollywood Reporter http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=entertainmentNews&storyID=5543760"}, {"response": 1853, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 2004 (17:06)", "body": "(Tress) She's busy, busy...Mission Impossible 3???? Wasn't it she who told Colin:\"Gotta strike while the iron is hot.\""}, {"response": 1854, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 2004 (17:16)", "body": "(Evelyn) Wasn't it she who told Colin: \"Gotta strike while the iron is hot.\" And Tom Cruise is still single...;-)"}, {"response": 1855, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 2004 (17:20)", "body": "I think she wants to move into directing by the time she's 21. ;-)"}, {"response": 1856, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 2004 (17:35)", "body": "Sort of tacked onto an article about the UK's distributor for Fahrenheit 9/11 (remember our friends at Optimum?): \"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason\" is not the only Working Title movie that Miramax has flipped back to Universal. The Weinsteins also have sold back Dimension's one-third equity stake in Richard Loncraine's tennis romance \"Wimbledon,\" starring Kirsten Dunst and Paul Bettany, as part of their wider effort to reduce their financial commitments. U toppers are more than happy to regain sole control of projects they were never desperate to share in the first place. In a familiar tactic, Miramax used its leverage with talent to get into the mix. With \"Wimbledon,\" Miramax's involvement was the price of making Dunst available, as she owed the Weinsteins a movie. In the case of \"Bridget,\" Miramax got North American rights to the original film in return for allowing John Madden to direct \"Captain Corelli's Mandolin,\" and then replicated that deal for the sequel. Meanwhile, Madden is lining up to direct \"The Amulet of Samarkand,\" which Mirage is producing for Miramax. \"The Amulet of Samarkand\" is the first book in the Bartimaeus trilogy, written by Jonathan Stroud, about a maverick genie and the upstart boy magician who summons him to wreak revenge on a powerful sorcerer. Regular Miramax scribe Hossein Amini is writing the screenplay. Madden is putting the finishing touches on Gwyneth Paltrow starrer \"Proof\" for Miramax and is in talks for \"Amulet.\" A Miramax insider says although there's no deal yet, \"He wants to do it and we want him to do it.\""}, {"response": 1857, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 30, 2004 (10:44)", "body": "From Variety: Indie gets fired up Despite the blockbuster buzz for its \"Fahrenheit 9/11,\" distributor Lions Gate Entertainment on Tuesday turned in a hefty net loss for its fiscal year as the company absorbed the costs of buying Artisan Entertainment and promoting a heftier-than-usual spring platter of wide theatrical releases. Investors, however, seem more than happy to wallow in the glow of \"Fahrenheit\" publicity, despite Lions Gate's only marginal upside exposure to the film's anticipated windfall. Company's shares rose to a six-year high of just under $7 on Monday, before settling back Tuesday to around $6.80. Lions Gate, a partner in the distribution of the snowballing political doc, reported total sales of $384.9 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004, compared to $293.1 million a year earlier. Much of the gain came thanks to one full quarter of sales from its $200 million acquisition of Artisan last December. Other fiscal 2004 drivers were theatrical releases of \"Cabin Fever,\" \"House of 1000 Corpses,\" \"Girl With a Pearl Earring\" and \"The Cooler.\" Company's $94.2 million net loss for the year was chalked up to some $36 million in film marketing expenditures on five back-to-back releases, plus hefty Artisan-related charges. Total expenses in fiscal 2004 rose to $474.9 million from $279.8 million a year ago. On the bright side, the new super-indie said it was upping its revenue guidance for its current fiscal 2005 to $680 million from $650 million, citing \"across-the-board\" growth in all its divisions, but particularly home entertainment and theatrical. [Ed note: Not if I have anything to do with it.] Company also reported a fourth-quarter loss of about $51 million on revenue of $159 million, with several films (\"The Punisher,\" \"Godsend\") hitting the expense line before their revenues will turn up on company's Q1 2005 income statement. Firm nevertheless said it was on track to deliver some $80 million in free cash flow for its fiscal 2005. Though limited to the rather fixed returns of a \"standard studio distribution deal,\" Lions Gate CEO Jon Feltheimer on Tuesday described company's \"Fahrenheit\" returns as \"a nice solid double.\" \"We had four weeks to work on this, and the prints practically went out wet\" said Feltheimer, adding the company recouped its P&A in the first weekend. \"Fahrenheit\" will expand to \"north of 1,500\" screens this weekend, with an estimated 2,000 expected for the following weekend. The docbuster will be \"solidly profitable\" for Lions Gate, though as a standard studio distrib deal its upside is limited. One Wall Street analyst estimated company's profit potential for the film \"in the $3-plus million range.\" While Lions Gate is essentially getting only a fixed distribution fee on \"Fahrenheit,\" the fringe benefits are considerable, Feltheimer reminded analysts and investors in the Tuesday conference call. He noted the sudden interest from filmmakers who now perceive Lions Gate as a company \"doing interesting, provocative projects\" and the extra promotional plug that will come virtue of embedded trailers for its August release \"Open Water.\" [Ed note: LOL! Fixed distribution fee. Oh those wonderful unquantifiables should impress the analysts!] Lions Gate has tried so far in vain to secure the video/DVD deal for the Weinsteins' hot doc, but now seems resigned that the rights are likely to go to a major studio. \"I've made it clear to Harvey and Bob (Weinstein) that we can do as well as any major,\" said Feltheimer. [Ed note: Still LOL! They're not getting bupkis!] Meanwhile, company has high hopes for \"Open Water.\" Sea-based thriller about stranded deep-sea divers will be released on up to 2,000 screens. Another unusual summer wager, \"The Cookout,\" an urban comedy staring Queen Latifah and Danny Glover, is slated for a wide, 1,000-plus-screen release for Labor Day weekend. Analysts at S.G. Cowen reckon \"Open Water\" needs to gross $18 million domestically for Lions Gate to meet its $80 million box office target for its four calendar-2004 wide releases. (\"Fahrenheit\" will make only a small contribution to that figure.) Company has already pre-sold foreign rights to \"Open Water\" for more than the $2 million the company paid to acquire the film. Six months into its integration of Gotham-based Artisan, company said it has completed most of its major structural changes and cutbacks. It insists that its balance sheet is in good shape, despite what some analysts described as higher-than-expected debt levels, and that it is now operating with the lowest proportion of general and administrative expenses of any major film company. Most investor eyes, however, are trained on 2005, its first full year operating with a fully integrated Artisan. Touting its low overhead and balanced mix of 15-18 franchise, arthouse, genre and urban/teen pics (half of which are acquired) Lions Gate is confident it can thrive in the Hollywood tentpole market, thanks in part to its cash-cow home entertainment catal"}, {"response": 1858, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 30, 2004 (12:40)", "body": "Check out the three galleries of gender bending (courtesy of Photoshop) here: http://www.worth1000.com/cache/gallery/contestcache.asp?contest_id=3053&display=photoshop"}, {"response": 1859, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 30, 2004 (15:17)", "body": "Just popping in to say... HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR LEAH"}, {"response": 1860, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Wed, Jun 30, 2004 (16:13)", "body": "(Tress) \"It's Good be Be Renee Zellweger\" (don't I know it!) will be on tonight on E! at 10 p.m. Yes, the captures they showed from BJD were only of RZ with Huge!!!!"}, {"response": 1861, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 2004 (08:34)", "body": "Happy Canada Day to my fellow Canadian drooleurs. I'm just off to Canada House in Trafalgar Square - it's actually a lot of fun spending it here in London, you should see the crowds and flags!"}, {"response": 1862, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 2004 (09:26)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1863, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 2004 (09:27)", "body": "Bollucks"}, {"response": 1864, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 2004 (09:28)", "body": "again?"}, {"response": 1865, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 2004 (09:47)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1866, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 2004 (09:49)", "body": "Beedee: repost your message and I'll delete the one in 1862"}, {"response": 1867, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 2004 (11:01)", "body": "Have a very happy birthday, Annette!"}, {"response": 1868, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 2004 (11:06)", "body": "ENJOY A REALLY SPECIAL DAY Have fun Annette"}, {"response": 1869, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 2004 (11:13)", "body": "A special party favor has arrived to light up your birthday Annette! And he's bearing gifts! I shall not be denied! To the lady Viola! I too brought a tasty favor! And I\ufffdd like nothing better than to share it with you, Happy Birthday Annette!"}, {"response": 1870, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 2004 (11:14)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1871, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 2004 (11:16)", "body": "Testing"}, {"response": 1872, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 2004 (11:20)", "body": "(Karen)Testing I would have put something in there but I was ROTF! After all of that work to reconstruct the message etc, to leave it blue...Thanks!"}, {"response": 1873, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 2004 (12:38)", "body": "I don't care if the fleet's in....I'm on my way to Annette's party...."}, {"response": 1874, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 2004 (12:57)", "body": "Hurray! It's Annette's Birthday!! Time to get ready to party...they're not my best ones, but I don't think she'll mind! Don't mind me...just trying to catch up!!"}, {"response": 1875, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 2004 (14:39)", "body": "Some people debunny and some people debold. ;-)"}, {"response": 1876, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 2004 (15:02)", "body": "Annette!!!! Sitting in the shadows thinking of you . . . Have a very Happy B'day! **Thanks to Firthissimo for the pic!"}, {"response": 1877, "author": "BarbS", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 2004 (15:26)", "body": "Happy birthday Annette! Best wishes for a rosy year! (hanging head in shame ;-) at the awful pun!) All the best!"}, {"response": 1878, "author": "Odile", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 2004 (17:12)", "body": "Happy birthday Annette. Best wishes!"}, {"response": 1879, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 2004 (17:26)", "body": "Thoughts of Annette on her birthday\ufffd. Have a lovely day!!"}, {"response": 1880, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 2004 (18:19)", "body": "Tillykke med fodselsdagen, Annette! I hear that your weather today has been cool with clouds and rain, which, although it seems more pleasant than the weather where I am (hot, humid, and overcast), does not befit your birthday. Instead, can I give you a sunny summer day in Yorkshire with Birkin? You can take home some lovely art to remind you of the countryside, the lovely gardens abloom with the fragrant roses of July, and the green apples from when the summer ends, still warm from the sun. I hope you had a wonderful birthday! May the next year bring even more excitement!"}, {"response": 1881, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 2004 (18:19)", "body": "Oops. Too much excitement! ;-)"}, {"response": 1882, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 2004 (19:42)", "body": "Hope your day was wonderful. Happy Birthday, Annette!"}, {"response": 1883, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 2004 (20:07)", "body": "I'll just have these wrapped, and we can be off to Annette's party Happy Birthday, Annette!"}, {"response": 1884, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 2004 (20:53)", "body": "Dear Annette, we returned home just in time to celebrate here with you. The hell with Europe Cup 2004 we said, Annette comes first. Happy Birthday, Annette!"}, {"response": 1885, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 2004 (23:02)", "body": "Annette, maybe after we celebrate your birthday, we can play in my paddling pool;-) Hope you had a great day!"}, {"response": 1886, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 2004 (09:40)", "body": "Rather than feed the coffers of Spidey, I recommend you either go see The Terminal (v.g.) or seek out The Mother. Think I'll probably fit in a De-Lovely screening, as a vote against comic books this holiday weekend. Remmeber, I vote with my pocketbook."}, {"response": 1887, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 2004 (10:33)", "body": "Jumpers to close on July 11 . . . Give my regards to Broadway By Rodney Dalton July 03, 2004 ESSIE Davis is happy but exhausted, revelling in being in a Broadway play but itching to get back in front of a camera, to travel to exotic locations and speak different lines every day. For the rest of the article . . http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,9989882%255E16947,00.html"}, {"response": 1888, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 2004 (10:39)", "body": "Marlon Brando has just passed away. . . Legendary actor Marlon Brando dies Considered greatest of all time NEWS WIRE SERVICES Marlon Brando, called by many the greatest actor of all time and best known for his roles in \ufffdOn the Waterfront\ufffd and \ufffdThe Godfather,\ufffd has died. He was 80. Brando died yesterday in Los Angeles, KPHO-TV reported. The cause of death wasn\ufffdt immediately known. Brando earned best actor Oscars for his performances as the ex-fighter in \ufffdOn The Waterfront\ufffd (1954) and as mafia boss Don Vito Corleone in \ufffdThe Godfather\ufffd (1972). Brando refused the second Oscar in protest of the federal government\ufffds treatment of American Indians. He sent Sacheen Littlefeather to the awards ceremony to give his refusal speech, and she was booed off the stage. He was born in Nebraska in 1924 and made his Broadway debut in \ufffdI Remember Mama.\ufffd Brando\ufffds big break came in his role as Stanley Kowalski in Tennessee Williams\ufffds \ufffdA Streetcar Named Desire\ufffd in 1947. He also starred in the film version in 1951. http://www.nydailynews.com/front/breaking_news/story/208465p-179750c.html"}, {"response": 1889, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 2004 (11:01)", "body": "Oh my, I hadn't realized he was 80. Should be lots and lots of coverage today."}, {"response": 1890, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 2004 (11:14)", "body": "\ufffdOn The Waterfront\ufffd (1954) and as mafia boss Don Vito Corleone in \ufffdThe Godfather\ufffd (1972). Oh my. What a contribution he made. Streetcar, Teahouse of the August Moon, Guys and Dolls... what a range and risk taking."}, {"response": 1891, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 2004 (15:14)", "body": "I thought he was older. Saw a tabloidish pic of him in the last couple of weeks, in a wheelchair and maybe oxygen on. Didn't look well. I think they said he wasn't well, too."}, {"response": 1892, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 2004 (18:11)", "body": "Have seen De-Lovely, along with local AARP chapter, many of whose members liked to talk loudly during the movie, despite the \"shushing\" from others. This movie screams AA noms and perhaps wins for costume, art direction and makeup (aging of main characters). Nobody looks better than Ashley Judd in clothing of that period IMO. And the jewelry, Louisa! What I wouldn't give for a couple of the necklaces she wears. The film has a gimmick, where you have the old Cole Porter looking back on his life, as if it were being done as a musical. Strange as it sounds, it does work. Most of the music blends very well, though a few renditions I found totally aggravating or just plain grating, most notably: Robbie Williams, Elvis Costello and Sheryl Crow. The first two were supposed to be singers in a band playing at a function, but they weren't in in the background. They were featured way too much. Sometimes the screen was just filled with Robbie Williams mugging it up. Ugh! The best numbers were of the old Hollywood/Broadway musical variety, where ordinary people just burst into song. At the beginning, there's \"Well Did You Evah\" and then much later \"Be a Clown\" with Cole and Louis B. Mayer. Terrific! The funniest part of the movie is when Cole and Linda are screening the movie Night and Day, which they do show. Afterward, Cole asks Linda why Linda came back to Cole and she replies because he's Cary Grant! That entire segment got lots of laughs. There were some very intriguing usages of songs like Love for Sale, where they showed you the alternate meaning. As for casting, I had some quibbles. First off, could they possibly have tried to get someone who looked like he danced for the Russian ballet dancer who was all decked out for the Firebird like a Nijinksy? Or what about somebody with a better voice for Nelson Eddy? Then, Alan Corduner as Monty Wooley didn't but it for me. Maybe it was the fact that the real one appeared in Night and Day and is fixed in my memory. I hadn't known the movie was made in England. Lots of British actors, even a very small bit part for James Wilby. Kevin McNally (from Conspiracy) has a big party. Kevin Kline is fabulous in it, especially as he's not supposed to sing well as Cole Porter. However, at a scene near the beginning, when he's supposed to be very young (which none of the oldies really achieves) and is in bed with Ashley, they should've paid a bit closer attention to the hair on his chest and at his temples. Can see gray. ;-) Beware of the *cough cough* The wife dies of TB, so the first time you get the telltale *cough cough* you do have to get a grip. Since there's no way to avoid it, I thought AJ did a very good job and didn't Camille it up."}, {"response": 1893, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 2004 (23:33)", "body": "Have seen Spidey 2. Not the run- of- the -mill action movie by a long shot. Special effects are spectacular. A sweet romance with Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunston (what a beauty!)."}, {"response": 1894, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 2004 (08:12)", "body": "I must admit to having indulged in Spidey myself. Enjoyed it and agree it was a definite cut above the usual Superhero flick. I'm a big fan of TM and thought he did an excellent job adding depth to the character. There was an interesting scene that I thought must have been an homage to all the work he'd done 'buffing up' for the role. Quite gratuitiously, a long shot zoomed into his apartment window while he was undresssing. He lifted his short and for a brief moment you got a glimose of a very sculted physique. Thought the image had no other purpose than to silence his critics."}, {"response": 1895, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 2004 (08:26)", "body": "Sorry for the double post but here's an article from this week's NY TImes I thought applied to a lot of the discussions we have here. http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/01/movies/01MEN.html Hollywood's He-Men Are Bumped by Sensitive Guys By SHARON WAXMAN OS ANGELES, June 30 \ufffd Once upon a time, and for a very long time at that, the American leading man had a square jaw, a glinty gaze and an imposing physique. But that has changed. The new generation of Hollywood's young leading men are soft of cheek, with limpid stares and wiry frames. Advertisement Tobey Maguire, who began swinging across thousands of American movie screens this week as the title character in \"Spider-Man 2,\" is only one of a new crop of leading men who are remaking the central-casting image of what a male film star should look like. The new hero is less Tom Cruise, more Jake Gyllenhaal, less \"Top Gun,\" more \"Bubble Boy.\" Casting directors, agents and movie executives say that the shift has happened during the last decade as a generation of romantic and action heroes have passed into middle age, among them Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Harrison Ford and Kevin Costner. They have been replaced by young men who look and seem very different. There is the thoughtful, vegetarian Mr. Maguire, who turned 29 on Sunday, and the lanky Mr. Gyllenhaal, 23, a star in \"The Day After Tomorrow.\" Other new-model leading men include Orlando Bloom, a slim British actor who stars in \"Troy\" this summer and was recently cast as the lead warrior in \"Kingdom of Heaven,\" a Crusader epic directed by Ridley Scott; the baby-faced Leonardo DiCaprio, who rose to fame as the artistic stowaway in \"Titanic\" and has been cast as Alexander the Great in a movie being developed by the director Baz Luhrmann; and the brooding Ryan Gosling, the romantic lead of \"The Notebook,\" which opened on Friday. While there is always demand for Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt, who are both over 40, Hollywood is an entertainment machine that is constantly hungry for new talent. When it comes to younger actors, studio chiefs and casting directors have begun to recognize that the traditionally masculine star has grown hard to come by. \"They are always looking for the macho man, but they are pulling from this other group, who are strong but more overtly sensitive and more emotionally available, because that's what there is right now,\" said Debra Zane, a leading casting director who has worked on films like \"American Beauty\" and \"The Terminal.\" \"There's always the desire for the sort of Russell Crowe types, which is to say a man's man,\" she added. \"They're always in demand. And in short supply. And why is that? I don't know why.\" These days Mr. Crowe, an Australian, seems to top the list of actors when studio executives cast about for big-screen virility. The others who make this shortlist also tend not to be American. \"When we want a tough guy, we go to Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman, Colin Farrell,\" observed Jim Gianopulos, a co-chairman of Fox. Mr. Jackman, this summer's vampire killer in \"Van Helsing,\" is Australian; Mr. Farrell, soon to star in another Alexander the Great film \ufffd this one directed by Oliver Stone \ufffd is Irish. \"Whether it's coincidental or otherwise, one thing that is apparent is there aren't as many macho-driven stars from here as there are from other parts of the world,\" Mr. Gianopulos said. The new crop of pure action stars, like Vin Diesel and the Rock, have drifted into niche movies; Mr. Diesel's would-be summer blockbuster, \"The Chronicles of Riddick,\" has been a bust. Some say the evolving style of the Hollywood leading man may reflect a more feminized American society, the rise of the metrosexual male and the absence, until recently, of war and true hardship in the last two decades of American life. Hollywood veterans draw a contrast with the generation of actors who came out of the Depression or wartime, when hardship could be read in the faces of stars like Humphrey Bogart and, later, Steve McQueen. \"We have a lot of pretty guys running around with six-pack abs, but they lack authenticity and credibility,\" said Robert Newman, a leading agent at International Creative Management. \"In the 1950's a lot of men had been in the war; some of them became actors. They lived hard lives. There was a weight that came out of it.\" He added, \"When Steve McQueen took his shirt off, he's thin, he's not ripped. There's a hardness and danger about him because of who he was.\" Now the search goes on for a new Bogart or McQueen, but they are not easily found. \"I'm casting a movie now and I need an 18-year-old Steve McQueen, and he doesn't exist,\" said Allison Jones, a casting director here. An actor like Mr. DiCaprio, she said, is \"not going to be in the remake of 'Bullitt,' \" referring to the 1968 crime film starring McQueen. \"I'm looking for that again. It's killing me. I can't find them. It must be hard to find them in life.\" Warner Brothers has spent more than two months con"}, {"response": 1896, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 2004 (09:18)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1897, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 2004 (09:28)", "body": "Others point out that with so many women running Hollywood studios, a more feminine sensibility may have crept into the casting decisions. Thought it hasn't affected *what* movies they make. :-( Thanks, Leslie, for posting the article, though I don't buy much of it. They cast what they want to cast and it has little to do with the pool of \"talent\" available. The writer seems to forget that many of her leading men didn't start out as rock-hard types. \"I'm casting a movie now and I need an 18-year-old Steve McQueen Maybe if she saw an 18-year-old McQueen, she would change her mind. They're superimposing mature men onto mere boys. There's the flaw."}, {"response": 1898, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 2004 (09:54)", "body": "(Leslie)I'm a big fan of TM and thought he did an excellent job adding depth to the character. Agree, though I'm not a fan of Toby Maguire. In this film he inhabited his character more than in any other film I've seen him in. Terrific supporting cast too; Alfred Molina ,great actor as Doc Oc. *Spoiler* Can't imagine what they'll do for Spidey 3 now that he has revealed himself to Mary Jane and Harry."}, {"response": 1899, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 2004 (10:34)", "body": "Haven't seen the movie yet but if Raimi is still following the comic books for Spidey 3, some things that could happen... -Peter and Mary Jane get married, she's stalked by some nutcase, who 'kills' her and then keeps her locked up in a luxury penthouse. -Harry becomes Green Goblin 2, gets addicted to drugs...goes insane...dies. -Curt Conners ingests some strange formula, becomes The Lizard, lives in the sewers. -Jameson's son gets a red gem stuck in his chest and becomes Manwolf. -Aunt May loses house..finds out Peter is Spidey..has innumerable heart attacks..dates Doc Ock (if he's not dead) -Spidey and Wolverine battle it out..also fights Hulk...Daredevil...Fantastic Four...everybody Don't think there'll be a problem finding a story;-) showing just how much I know about Spiderman;-P"}, {"response": 1900, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 2004 (14:29)", "body": "I also saw and enjoyed SM2. Did I feel sorry for Peter Parker! Looking forward to SM3. But De Lovely is on my list as soon as it gets to \"Versailles Town\". ;-) \"When Steve McQueen took his shirt off, he's thin, he's not ripped. There's a hardness and danger about him because of who he was.\" Definitely. Steve was one hell of a cool guy. He had the cool smarts and these young stars if you hear them on the talk shows are just boring middle of the road types. And those stories they think are funny or entertaining??? Plus, I can't undestand the attraction of Van Diesel and the Rock. I find Colin Farrell such white trash that it blocks me from believing any roles he's in. Ben Affleck, Matthew McConaughey, Matt Damon and Leo Di Caprio are not handsome enough to tempt me either. I will go with the foreigners, Hugh Jackman, Viggo M., Jeremy Northham and our very DB. Thanks, Leslie."}, {"response": 1901, "author": "anjo", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 2004 (17:37)", "body": "Sorry to be late for my own birthdayparty. I was away in the country - not as beautiful as in Yorkshire, but it was great anyway. Karen - you would know to give me that special rose. Thank you so much :-) Lizza, Odile and Eithne - thank you for your birthday wishes! Bee - thank you for posting my all time favorite picture. I can just imagine myself sitting opposite him, drinking some of your lovely champagne :-) Evelyn - I've been spending some time with Peter lately, as RV is being shown here on a regular basis. I'm very flattered he chose me over the fleet :-) Tress - bringing Paul (and his Arsenal-shorts) is such a great gift. Actually heard Alanis Morisette on the radio on my birthday. Must be droolvibes crossing the Atlantic :-) Kimberley - ODB in b&w and a lovely cake. Thank you :-) Barb - I love both the pun and the roses :-) Leslie - I'm sure I could fit right in with him in that comfy chair. Nice place to rest after a long day. Shoshana - I'm impressed!! Greetings in Danish. Very nice as are the gifts :-) Our weather was very good, despite of the weatherforecast. Nice with a little sunshine for a change :-) Linda - I just knew, you would bring HD to the party. No one has quite been able to take his place, have they ? :-) Thank you very much :-) Moon - Yes, Jon and Peter are back home, as am I :-). At least this way, you and I didn't have to be rivals at the finals :-))) Ada - would like nothing more than to play in the paddling pool. I'll start the water first thing in the morning :-) Thank you droolers, for this lovely party. I know I should have been here at the day of my birthday, but unfortunately I was without any internet-access during my vacation. It was great to come \"home\" and get all the greetings. Thank you!!!"}, {"response": 1902, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jul  4, 2004 (08:00)", "body": "Happy 4th to everyone who celebrates!!"}, {"response": 1903, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sun, Jul  4, 2004 (08:07)", "body": "Have a happy day however you celebrate"}, {"response": 1904, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Jul  4, 2004 (09:33)", "body": "From the review in the NY Times for De-Lovely: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \"...And two of Porter's closest friends, Gerald and Sara Murphy, the ur-Jazz Age couple, hang around in the background. They're so vapid that when one of their children dies, you have to strain your memory to figure out the reason for Porter's grief.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is unfortunate, since the real life Murphys (no relation) were vivid and the real muses behind many of Fitzgerald's books - They were characters in \"Tender Is The Night,\" and Porter depended on their friendship. For a wonderful book on the Murphys and their ultimately tragic life, borrow or buy \"Everybody Was So Young,\" by Amanda Vaill"}, {"response": 1905, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul  4, 2004 (09:41)", "body": "They're so vapid that when one of their children dies, you have to strain your memory to figure out the reason for Porter's grief.\" I suspect the reviewer has an attention deficit disorder. Don't believe everything you read. The child's illness (polio, see I remembered!) and death are not glossed over. In fact, they're the reason Cole attempts to have a child with Linda. the ur-Jazz Age couple Huh? They're very much the Jazz Age couple, as you brought up the Scotty and Zelda connection. They are in the movie all through it, beginning to end. I don't know what the reviewer wants. Giving them more time would take away from the central story of Cole and Linda and Cole and the others."}, {"response": 1906, "author": "poohbear", "date": "Mon, Jul  5, 2004 (22:13)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1907, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul  5, 2004 (22:56)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1908, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Jul  6, 2004 (07:23)", "body": "From Clive Owen topic: (MaryMurph)Mads Mikkelsen is a big star in Denmark (Karen)Have you checked with Annette Finally something to contribute to this forum :-) Yes - Mads Mikkelse is a big star here and has been for the last couple of years. He is very popular and is a household name, perhaps mostly for his part in \"Rejseholdet\" (Unit?), the show that won an Emmy a few years back."}, {"response": 1909, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Jul  6, 2004 (09:07)", "body": "Over the past two weeks we were apprised of a few changes in ODB\ufffds upcoming projects. First, Universal announced that along with the elimination of Miramax, it would be releasing TEOR on a worldwide basis on November 19th. Then we learned that the American lead in SLY, Vince, will be played by ODB, a British actor. Furthermore, the character\ufffds name has been changed to Rex who seemingly now originates from Britain. I never thought much of these two facts, nor did I think them connected until I read an article in yesterday\ufffds NYTimes business section. A long, but interesting read about the film industry\ufffds efforts to globalize the appeal as well as release schedules of films in order to assure box office success. I now wonder if this shift in marketing strategies factored into the changes we\ufffdve seen in ODB\ufffds current projects. Any thoughts?? http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/05/business/media/05world.html International Actors a Passport to Profitability By LAURA M. HOLSON Published: July 5, 2004 OS ANGELES, July 3 - When \"King Arthur,\" Hollywood's big-budget retelling of the legend opens on Wednesday, its main stars will not be American. Keira Knightley and Clive Owen, famous in their native Britain, play Guinevere and Arthur and share the Round Table with Til Schweiger, a popular German celebrity and television star who plays the knight Cynric. Walt Disney Studios, which produced the film, plans to open the movie in 53 territories, mostly in the weeks soon after its American debut. Given the price tag for \"King Arthur\" of nearly $120 million, Richard W. Cook, the chairman of the studio, said having stars who are popular abroad was more important than ever. \"If we thought it would only reach a domestic audience, we wouldn't have made it,\" Mr. Cook said. As Hollywood stakes more of its success on selling films abroad, filling starring roles with international celebrities is becoming more common. \"Around the World in 80 Days,\" which opened recently in a limited number of countries, is a United Nations of actors, including stars like Jackie Chan from Hong Kong and Steve Coogan from England, as well as cameos by the German film director Wim Wenders and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who plays a Turkish prince. The movie has failed to ignite with moviegoers here, making it even more critical for the movie's investors to recoup their investment abroad. \"Hiring international talent is a movie-making law,\" said Stephen Moore, president of international film and home entertainment for Twentieth Century Fox. \"It makes a great difference to us and certainly helps our ability to promote a movie.\" As recently as two years ago, international ticket sales were around 40 percent of the worldwide box office, studio executives say. Today, international sales more often account for 60 percent or more of box-office receipts. And as production budgets soar - some as high as $200 million - and the number of big-budget movies rises, the pressure on worldwide sales is growing. In \"Troy,\" Brad Pitt, whose movies have rarely earned more than $100 million at the domestic box office, was cast as Achilles largely because of his international appeal, studio executives at Warner Brothers Pictures said. He starred alongside Eric Bana, who plays the sympathetic Hector and is well known in his native Australia; the British actor Orlando Bloom, one of the latest heartthrobs for teenagers, played Paris. Consider, too, last December's \"The Last Samurai.\" That movie brought in $111 million at the domestic box office, which was disappointing given its $140 million production budget. Then, many in Hollywood predicted the movie would lose money. Instead the movie exceeded expectations in Japan, bringing in $127 million. That raised the worldwide total to $455 million, which the studio says, after adding in pay-television rights and DVD rentals and sales, made the movie profitable. Jeff Robinov, president of production at Warner Brothers, which is owned by Time Warner Inc., said the Japanese actor Ken Watanabe was hired for the film because he was widely recognized in Japan and would attract moviegoers there. \"Clearly, the market responded,\" Mr. Robinov said. But the changes in casting seem also to reflect an underlying shift in global attitudes toward American popular culture. In the 1980's and early 1990's, movies that sold well abroad starred distinctly American heroes, like Sylvester Stallone of the \"Rambo\" series and Bruce Willis in the \"Die Hard\" movies. Foreign stars were relegated to small parts, most often the villain who dies at the end. And American action films were popular because of little dialogue, lots of special effects and easy-to-follow plots. Many in Hollywood think that tastes shifted after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, and the subsequent invasion of Iraq. \"Anything with a U.S. bent won't get made,\" said Bill Mechanic, who worked at both Disney and Fox. Added the producer Graham King, who bought the overseas rights to \"Gangs of"}, {"response": 1910, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  6, 2004 (10:00)", "body": "(Leslie) Furthermore, the character\ufffds name has been changed to Rex who seemingly now originates from Britain. Strictly my own supposition. Nothing factual to base this on. A long, but interesting read about the film industry\ufffds efforts to globalize the appeal as well as release schedules of films in order to assure box office success. I now wonder if this shift in marketing strategies factored into the changes we\ufffdve seen in ODB\ufffds current projects. Any thoughts?? No, I don't think they're connected nor did I think this trend was anything terribly new. It actually started way back when with the big \"disaster\" films, where the casts were usually an international hodgepodge. Personally, I think the international actors, who can do American accents, get the parts because they're more versatile and believable. There are very few American actors who have been able to keep their celebrity image from taking over. No offense to anyone, but I don't think the numbers for The Last Samurai in Japan had anything to do with Ken Wantanabe's draw. The people went to see Tom Cruise first and a movie about their country. Any Japanese actor would've done, even if he were Japanese-American IMO."}, {"response": 1911, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jul  6, 2004 (11:50)", "body": "Well, at least we don't have to worry about the US distribution of TEOR getting messed up in this shuffle. NY Post Page Six..... July 6, 2004 -- MIRAMAX chief Harvey Weinstein is likely to bolt from the highly successful movie studio he founded as early as this week, PAGE SIX has learned. Weinstein has been negotiating an exit from the Disney-owned studio for months as relations with Disney chief Michael Eisner steadily deteriorated, sources told The Post's Tim Arango. The matter could be resolved as early as tomorrow. Weinstein's departure would mark another serious blow to Disney, and he would join a long list of talented execs alienated by Eisner over the years. Under the plan being considered, Weinstein would leave to start his own movie company and Miramax would distribute his films, sources say. Harvey's brother and Miramax co-founder Bob Weinstein is expected to stay at the company, where he runs Dimension Films, a Miramax division that focuses on medium-budget action and horror films. Another possible outcome is for the Weinsteins to buy the entire Miramax studio back, although Eisner has been telling associates he doubts the brothers would be able to raise the money. However, Hollywood and Wall Street have been salivating for months over the prospect of Harvey Weinstein walking away from Miramax, and he'll have no shortage of deep-pocketed moguls lining up to support him, say sources. As PAGE SIX previously reported, one scenario being discussed is for Weinstein and Pixar Animation Studios chief Steve Jobs to team up and make a run for MGM, the studio that is on the block for about $5 billion. Weinstein is also close to investment banker Steve Rattner, and many in the media industry have speculated that he may take a role in backing Weinstein. A Weinstein departure from Miramax is likely to put further pressure on Eisner, who has come under scalding criticism from shareholders this year \ufffd in part for alienating creative partners such as Miramax and Pixar. Earlier this year, Jobs walked away from a lucrative movie deal with Disney, and it is understood that he is unwilling to do business again with Disney until Eisner is gone. In his negotiations with Disney, Weinstein has been represented by famed Hollywood attorney Bert Fields and powerhouse lawyer David Boies."}, {"response": 1912, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  6, 2004 (11:59)", "body": "(Dorine) Well, at least we don't have to worry about the US distribution of TEOR getting messed up in this shuffle. Huh? Universal took over worldwide distribution months ago. Weinstein's departure would mark another serious blow to Disney, and he would join a long list of talented execs alienated by Eisner over the years. Oh, like Harvey had nothing to do with it. ;-) But I always thought he'd take over as head of a major studio. Guess no other corporation wants to deal with him either. ;-)"}, {"response": 1913, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jul  6, 2004 (13:46)", "body": "I misremembered. Thought it was domestic that just changed. Nevermind."}, {"response": 1914, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  6, 2004 (13:52)", "body": "True, it was domestic that changed because that was all Miramax had. Didn't I post another article about how Universal was happy to get back several projects that they'd split distribution on because Miramax had controlled the talent they wanted for several projects? Not a biggie."}, {"response": 1915, "author": "birdy", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 2004 (09:24)", "body": "Nip/Tuck recent episode on reconstucting femal circumcision: Christian argues with Sean as to who will do the micro-surgery. Christian's clincher? \"If I build it, she will come.\""}, {"response": 1916, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 2004 (16:00)", "body": "\"If I build it, she will come.\" Ewwwwwwwwww! You're not kidding? They really said that on TV? I'm shocked (and feeling more like my mother every day)."}, {"response": 1917, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 2004 (16:02)", "body": "Yes, it was a great line. (Dorine and Mari have not gotten me watching the show, though I do tend to leave the room when they operate.)"}, {"response": 1918, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 2004 (17:39)", "body": "Controversial Vermeer sold at auction for 16 million pounds LONDON (AFP) - A painting by Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer only authenticated at the end of last year went under the hammer at auction for over 16 million pounds (24 million euros, 30 million dollars), Sotheby's auction house said. The painting entitled \"Young Woman Seated at the Virginals\" which dates back to about five years before Vermeer's death in 1675 measures only 25 centimetres (10 inches) by 20 (eight). The sale figure far exceeded the reserve price of three million pounds when it went under the hammer at Sotheby's in central London. It is the first painting by Vermeer to be put up for auction in more than 80 years and is the only accepted work by the Dutch artist currently in private hands. A spokeswoman for Sotheby's said it was sold to an anonymous buyer for 16,245,600 pounds, including buyer's premium. There are just 35 other paintings around the world attributed to Vermeer, making auctions of his work an extremely rare event. The painting depicts a young woman playing music, with her face turned towards the viewer. Until last year, experts were divided about the significance of the work -- which had lost its Vermeer attribution after a forgery scandal in the 1940s. After more than 10 years of extensive research by a team of leading scholars, it has finally taken its place alongside Vermeer's other paintings. The old master has proved immensely popular with the public in recent years. A major exhibition in London sold out almost as soon as it opened and the film based on a Vermeer painting, \"Girl with a Pearl Earring\", starring Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson, was a world-wide hit."}, {"response": 1919, "author": "birdy", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 2004 (20:35)", "body": "(Deb)They really said that on TV? I'm shocked You're shocked? Do not, I say do not, under any circumstances tune in to basic cable."}, {"response": 1920, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 2004 (20:54)", "body": "LOL, Louise! For a moment there I thought you said: Do not, I say do not, under any circumcisions tune in to basic cable."}, {"response": 1921, "author": "birdy", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 2004 (21:01)", "body": "(Moon)For a moment there I thought you said: Do not, I say do not, under any circumcisions tune in to basic cable. LOL! How about: Under no circumstances tune your TV to cable circumcisions!"}, {"response": 1922, "author": "lindak", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 2004 (22:50)", "body": "Has anyone across the pond seen this one? Breathing life into Pompeii July 8, 2004 Pompeii is a hard-to-classify blend of period drama, science lesson and special-effects showcase. Name actors such as Tim PigottSmith (Remains of the Day), Jonathan Firth (Victoria and Albert, and brother of Colin), Jim Carter (The Madness of King George III) and Rebecca Clark (Silent Witness) portray witnesses to the Pompeii catastrophe, based on written records and skeletons found at the partially excavated site. The rest is here: http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/07/07/1089000210989.html?oneclick=true I visited Pompeii a few years ago and, for me, it was truly an amazing experience. I'm happy to see that it will air in the US, too."}, {"response": 1923, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 2004 (01:29)", "body": "OMG, it would take and armyful of Knights Who Say Ni! to keep me away from this.... http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=801&e=1&u=/nm/20040708/stage_nm/leisure_montypython_dc"}, {"response": 1924, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 2004 (03:41)", "body": "OMG, it would take and armyful of Knights Who Say Ni! to keep me away from this.... Sounds like a lot of fun. Pompeii is a hard-to-classify blend of period drama, science lesson and special-effects showcase I think I've seen it. Though at the time, it didn't seem like a period drama, more like a 'Discovery kind of thing'. But well... I suppose that is what they mean with science lesson. I just found it very funny, with all the English accents ;)"}, {"response": 1925, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 2004 (07:08)", "body": "(Dorine)OMG, it would take and armyful of Knights Who Say Ni! to keep me away from this.... Wow, what a cast. Almost doesn't matter if the play's a flop. Would love to see these three actors playing off one another."}, {"response": 1926, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 2004 (08:31)", "body": "(Dorine)OMG, it would take and armyful of Knights Who Say Ni! to keep me away from this.... Did I tell you I went to the auditions for that . .came so close didn't get in . .but to see what some people were coming up with . .especially the men . .one guy, came to audition in drag . .v. v. bad wig and dress . .so Monty Python apppropriate and hilarious!! Rumor had it they want to put Spamalot in the theater opposite Camelot when it finally opens;)"}, {"response": 1927, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 2004 (08:38)", "body": "Had fingers crossed we'd get the preview... The show is scheduled to have a world premiere engagement in Chicago from Dec. 21, 2004, to Jan. 16, 2005, before beginning Broadway previews on Feb. 7. OK, I'll be there!"}, {"response": 1928, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 2004 (09:43)", "body": "Thought you might. (Kimberley), Rumor had it they want to put Spamalot in the theater opposite Camelot when it finally opens;) That would make it all the more worthwhile. ;-)"}, {"response": 1929, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 2004 (22:26)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1930, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (06:58)", "body": "\ufffd Oh Jeez!! I forgot Lisa\ufffds birthday\ufffd..\ufffd \ufffdI\ufffdll get there first you SOB!!\ufffd \ufffdNow that the wanker\ufffds out of the picture, what do you say we settle down to a nice birthday toast?\ufffd \ufffdCan you ever forgive me, Lisa dear?\ufffd (Thanks, firthissimo)"}, {"response": 1931, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (08:08)", "body": "The Hollywood Reporter reports that \"Fever Pitch\" is heating up as Drew Barrymore is set and Jimmy Fallon is in negotiations to topline the Fox 2000 project based on Nick Hornby's book. The Farrelly brothers are in talks to direct, and if a deal can be made for the comedy duo, they will helm \"Fever\" first and then immediately segue to \"The Three Stooges\" for Warner Bros. Pictures. Hornby's book -- described by some as an autobiography and a soccer bible rolled into one -- centers on the British author's obsession with soccer, specifically the team Arsenal."}, {"response": 1932, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (08:36)", "body": "Here is the full article: Barrymore, Fallon hot with 'Fever' By Chris Gardner and Liza Foreman \"Fever Pitch\" is heating up as Drew Barrymore is set and Jimmy Fallon is in negotiations to topline the Fox 2000 project based on Nick Hornby's book. The Farrelly brothers are in talks to direct, and if a deal can be made for the comedy duo, they will helm \"Fever\" first and then immediately segue to \"The Three Stooges\" for Warner Bros. Pictures. Hornby's book--described by some as an autobiography and a soccer bible rolled into one--centers on the British author's obsession with soccer, specifically the team Arsenal. The comedy writing team of Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel adapted \"Fever\" and Americanized it, with the project now focused on baseball. The story line will see Fallon (\"Saturday Night Live\") star as a man obsessed with the Boston Red Sox and the woman (Barrymore) caught in the middle. Gil Netter and Flower Films toppers Barrymore and Nancy Juvonen are producing \"Fever Pitch.\" Also producing alongside them are Alan Greenspan, Amanda Posey and Bradley Thomas. At the studio, the project is being overseen by Maria Faillace for Fox 2000 topper Elizabeth Gabler. Barrymore is repped by Endeavor and attorney Steve Warren. She most recently starred opposite another \"Saturday Night Live\" alum, Adam Sandler, in \"50 First Dates\" for Columbia Pictures. Fallon is repped by CAA and Management 360. \"Fever Pitch\" would mark the second straight project for Fox following its recent teaming with Queen Latifah on \"Taxi\" for helmer Tim Story. The Farrellys are repped by CAA."}, {"response": 1933, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (08:41)", "body": "I didn't forget Lisa's birthday;-)...I've just been stuck in this rowboat and couldn't get out... I hope someone took lots of pics.... Lisa, I went to get your name tattooed... But the idiot slipped and I've been recovering from the pain;-D! Hope you had a happy day!"}, {"response": 1934, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (08:41)", "body": "From watching all the off-camera mugging at SNL it seemed that Jimmy Fallon and ODB actually had a pretty good rapport. I wonder if the two will confer on JF's reprise of Colin's role in the American FP?"}, {"response": 1935, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (09:02)", "body": "I can't really imagine that."}, {"response": 1936, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (10:15)", "body": "MD: What was that??? MD: It was Lisa\ufffds birthday, you say? And I missed it!!!! MD: Crikey . .can\ufffdt believe I did that. . . MD: Where is the b\ufffdday girl??? MD: There she is! Come on Bridge . .time to pop open the Chardonnay, break out the salmon pinwheels and crank up the karaoke machine! Let's get the party started! B: Karaoke, right . . Happy Belated B\ufffdday Lisa!!!!"}, {"response": 1937, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (10:24)", "body": "Lisa couldn't be here for her birthday because she was with me. Isn't that right, Lisa? We sure had a great time."}, {"response": 1938, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (10:47)", "body": "From AICN: Columbia Pictures, Ecosse Films and Mission Pictures are developing BECOMING JANE, a biographical feature about Jane Austen. Penned by Kevin Hood, the film is described as a biographical portrait of the British writer at around age 20, before she became famous, and involves a love theme with Austen falling for a young Irish lawyer. HAPPY Birthday to anyone I missed..."}, {"response": 1939, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (11:23)", "body": "Wot? I missed Lisa's birthday? Sorry, Lisa. I was stuck at this really boring dinner party where this woman just wanted to hold my hand. I've made my escape I'm on my way. Better late than never!"}, {"response": 1940, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (12:38)", "body": "(sorry, it isn't new, but it does bear reposting.)"}, {"response": 1941, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (13:13)", "body": "Karen, you did remember in time (was still my birthday). :-) Am delighted to continue the celebration today, as long as it doesn\ufffdt add yet another candle to the cake. (Which has reached the fire-hazard level, I\ufffdm sorry to say!) Leslie, am so glad that Mark can outrun that wanker Daniel Cleaver! Those scrummy long legs seem to come in handy. ;-)(I'll get to that in a minute.) Mmmm, a glass of Chardonnay with Mark makes me forget my own name! All is forgiven. ;-) Ada, fair Mistress of the Keeps, I\ufffdd forgotten I had the camera obscura! (From Ikea no less. ;-)) And as for the tattoo, would very much like to kiss it and make it better. Kimberly, am so glad Mark and Bridget could make it. And wot a lovely cake! Mmmmm. Thanks! Moon, the truth\ufffds out-\ufffdI finally got to match my long legs (36\ufffd inseam) to his. :-) But tell me, how did you find out what we were up to? I thought Mark was more discreet than that! :-) Linda, don\ufffdt tell Mark Darcy, but I actually spent the evening after dinner with Edward. Woof! Woofwoofwoofwoofwoof! All that moss\ufffd. Mary, on behalf of one of the birthday gals, I thank you. Thanks ladies!"}, {"response": 1942, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (13:22)", "body": "Wow...turn your back for two seconds... and Lisa goes and has a birthday! Guess I spent too much time getting ready ...making those important decisions that can make or break a good party But I finally made it here (Mark was thoughtful enough to bring flowers for the Birthday Girl)...and I think those granny pants may be working their magic!"}, {"response": 1943, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (14:42)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1944, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (14:43)", "body": "Hi all! Lisa here and I'm having a wonderful time at my birthday party. Here I am last night at my pre-birthday gathering. Just a few close friends, you know. But I am still waiting for, at least, one person to drop in... I believe someone is whisking up a cake for me. v.g."}, {"response": 1945, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (15:33)", "body": "(Lisa), Moon, the truth\ufffds out-\ufffdI finally got to match my long legs (36\ufffd inseam) to his. :-) But tell me, how did you find out what we were up to? I thought Mark was more discreet than that! :-) LOL! Well... he likes you Lisa but he also likes me. ;-) Good picture of HF, Karen. She looks very thin there."}, {"response": 1946, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (15:40)", "body": "That's Lisa, silly girl. ;-)"}, {"response": 1947, "author": "anjo", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (17:46)", "body": "Dearest Lisa Better late than never, right (just an old phrase to make me feel better, sorry). From one bird-lover to another, here\ufffds a little something from Denmark: And no birthday without roses: and a kiss: ps - just read your new story. V.v. good :-))))) Happy Birthday!!"}, {"response": 1948, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (18:59)", "body": "Ah, Karen, I never tire of hearing ODB say my name. (And I have the sound files to prove it.) And just think\ufffdVince will be saying your name soon. ;-) Terry, so glad Mark and Bridge were able to pop in again. And how lovely that Mark brought flowers. Scary pants aren\ufffdt necessary\ufffdwe like to be comfy here. ;-) Karen, how did you obtain those pics of me?:-) Ah, the magic of cyberspace where I can be as thin as I want and hang out with my Brit-lit buds. ;-) Dear Annette, how lovely: birds, flowers, and a lovely MD/BJ kiss. Thank you. (Moon) LOL! Well... he likes you Lisa but he also likes me. ;-) Okay, we\ufffdll have to share him, but not at the same time\ufffd.and definitely not at Disneyland! ;-) Thanks for the continuation of the celebration\ufffdwhat fun!"}, {"response": 1949, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (22:24)", "body": "Lisa, ever have one of those weeks where you just want to strangle some kitchen tools? I hope not. It can both ruin birthdays and cause frizzy hair. (Not to mention totally screwing up a person's sense of humor into a disconnected mishmash of captures with bizarre captions.) But the thing is, um, what I'm trying to say, very inarticulately, is that, um, in fact, perhaps despite appearances, and belatedness, I want to wish you Happy Birthday. I'm so sorry I'm so late. Gah. Sorry. Would another AFG picture make up for my total lack of logic? ;-)"}, {"response": 1950, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (23:11)", "body": "First things first! I baked this cake yesterday and must deliver it while it's fresh! And look who I ran in to looking very irate at my tardy appearance! Lisa.... Can you hear me? Are you there Lisa? thtom2.jpg\"> You are the dearest and loveliest and I hope that you had a lovely birthday! You make me look sooooo good"}, {"response": 1951, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (23:14)", "body": "Oh pooh bear! DH stayed up wayyyy tooo late tonight;-)"}, {"response": 1952, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (23:15)", "body": "?"}, {"response": 1953, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (23:17)", "body": "if this doesn't work what will I do?"}, {"response": 1954, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 2004 (23:51)", "body": "Wot's happening in here?!! LOL, Bee!! _______________________________________________ Oh crikey!! I missed Lisa's birthday?! Well, I tried to write a birthday story for you, but I've had a hard time collecting my thoughts. So I'll just say ..... Hope you had fun, Lisa!!"}, {"response": 1955, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 2004 (05:55)", "body": "Hope you had the most wonderful day Lisa. We certainly did, lots of lovely pics and goodies ;-) But can't help wondering if that cake suffered from an attack of Vermeer's dandruff.... linseed smelling of course:-))"}, {"response": 1956, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 2004 (09:19)", "body": "It seems the world went a little crazy in here late last night."}, {"response": 1957, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 2004 (09:54)", "body": "Shoshana, oh, I love it when Vermeer gets all worked up! And that last pic with his hands on the camera obscura. *sigh* And cake, too! Merci! Darling Bee, another cake (just call me Countess Chocula. ;-)) and FD to boot. And his descendant, Mark Darcy! Can\ufffdt have enough of those haughty Darcy gents looking aloof and snooty at a party. Mmmmm. Why it\ufffds enough to make one forget to close all of those HTML tags, LOL! (I\ufffdm sure I\ufffdll do it next.;-)) Jamie really needs to get a laptop, Dorine. ;-) I\ufffdll volunteer! (Sorry, couldn\ufffdt resist.) And I get all tingly whenever Mark Darcy says \ufffdcrikey.\ufffd Mmmmm. Lizza, thanks for your birthday wishes. It was a wonderful day. Thanks again all. Drool birthdays are the best!"}, {"response": 1958, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 11, 2004 (15:23)", "body": "*with clenched teeth* Sorry, I'm late.... H"}, {"response": 1959, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 11, 2004 (15:24)", "body": "(cont'd) Happy Birthday, Lisa...."}, {"response": 1960, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Jul 11, 2004 (23:25)", "body": "Aw, thanks, Ev. I love that darling Joe. (And am not even a succubus.;-))"}, {"response": 1961, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 2004 (08:32)", "body": "Going back to the old news posted on Friday about the announced cast for Fever Pitch. Doesn't Drew Barrymore remind you of Ruth Gemmell? She does for me."}, {"response": 1962, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 2004 (08:57)", "body": "I am shocked, incredibly shocked. De-Lovely is only playing on 24 screens? Can you imagine this kind of treatment for a Moulin Rouge? No wonder none of you guys has seen it. :-( From Variety: Arthouse biz 'De-Lovely' Sun Jul 11, 4:21 PM ET Even with numerous films crowding the megaplexes, there were several bright spots in the specialty market over the weekend, especially among the holdovers. \"Fahrenheit 9/11\" has a firm grip on numerous arthouse screens and \"Spider-Man 2\" is luring a broad aud into megaplexes, leaving some specialty distribs to worry that the summer's crop of niche pics could get lost in the shuffle. But even in the summer crunch, specialty pics seem to be finding their auds. The Cole Porter biopic \"De-Lovely\" from MGM grossed $355,000 from 24 screens in its second week, a very strong average of $14,808 per screen. Cume on the musical now stands at $864,000, with expansions planned in coming weeks. Warner Independent Pictures' Richard Linklater-helmed \"Before Sunset\" grossed $510,000 from 63 screens, an average of $8,100, after expanding by 43 screens for the frame. \"Our holdovers were down only 18% from the holiday weekend,\" said Warner Independent's distrib chief Steven Friedlander. \"We're expanding another 50 or 75 runs the next week.\" Fox Searchlight's more aggressive expansion of Robert Redford thriller \"The Clearing\" to 261 screens brought in $1.2 million for the weekend, an average of $4,559 per screen, pushing cume to $2 million. Distrib has also seen \"Napoleon Dynamite\" perform well in its five weeks of release. The quirky comedy played on 141 screens this past weekend and is prepping for its widest point of release on July 23. For the frame, it grossed $530,000, a $3,759 average. The weekend also saw two documentaries open well. IFC debuted \"Metallica. Some Kind of Monster,\" which grossed $49,453 from three screens in Gotham and San Francisco, posting some kind of screen average of $16,484. Sony Pictures Classics introduced surf doc \"Riding Giants\" on 26 screens and took in $142,468, or an average of $5,480."}, {"response": 1963, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 2004 (09:09)", "body": "(Karen) I am shocked, incredibly shocked. De-Lovely is only playing on 24 screens? Shocked? TIME called it:\"It's De-Pressing\", another ,\"De-Lousy\". Yours was the only good review I read. Still, I'll see it...I guess, now, on DVD."}, {"response": 1964, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 2004 (09:21)", "body": "(Evelyn) Yours was the only good review I read. That's right, you don't stay up for Ebert & Doper. They both loved it. The movie is playing in three theaters in my area. The reason you haven't read much is because local reviewers don't publish reviews until it comes to their towns. Apparently, it is only in a few of the major cities, like NY, Chicago, Boston, Washington, Philly, Seattle, and LA. You can tell by looking at the Tomato site, in the cream of the crop column, where there are only newspaper reviews from those place. The rest are national press or media outlets, plus the couple internet reviews that are deemed serious (Harvey and JamesB). I ignore all the other bozos."}, {"response": 1965, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 2004 (10:05)", "body": "(Evelyn), TIME called it:\"It's De-Pressing\", another ,\"De-Lousy\". They'll probably give Metallica a rave. ;-)"}, {"response": 1966, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 2004 (10:06)", "body": "Hmmm, I was hoping to see De-Lovely this week, and then saw this weekend in the paper that it hadn't opened. Now I know why. :-("}, {"response": 1967, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 2004 (20:31)", "body": "Philly Inquirer liked De-lovely, too. Am hoping to see it this wek. I bolded a quote I loved: Cole Porter still haunts, delights in life and song Carrie Rickey Philadelphia Inquirer Published: Friday, July 2, 2004 When Night and Day, the 1946 movie biography of Cole Porter, was released, William Bowers, one of the troika responsible for its hackneyed screenplay, apologized profusely to Porter for pasting movie platitudes onto the composer's complex songs. Night and Day is so howlingly bad that it enjoys the dubious distinction of being the worst biopic ever made. For most of the film, Cary Grant, who plays Porter, looks off-camera with such desperation that you'd think he was hunting for an emergency exit. Though Kevin Kline also does not resemble the squat, boyish Porter one whit, the lean, world-weary actor cuts a swellegant (as Porter might have said) figure in De-Lovely. This intelligent, postmodern biography from director Irwin Winkler and screenwriter Jay Cocks uses Porter's songs, by turns haunting and hilarious, to decode and reconstruct a life hinted at in the familiar words and music. \"Raising an heir / could never compare / with raising a bit of hell,\" runs the introduction to \"Where Is the Life That Late I Led?\" from Porter's musical masterpiece, Kiss Me Kate. These lyrics might have been his personal motto. Although married for 35 years to the lovely Linda Lee, Porter led a bifurcated life: He professed love for Linda (played by the incomparably lovely Ashley Judd) and acted upon his lust for whichever duke or chorus boy caught his fancy - and legions of them did. De-Lovely is matter-of-fact about Porter's liaisons, which is the most groundbreaking thing about it. Stylistically, the film never bursts over the top in the way Moulin Rouge does. Winkler goes more for the down-in-the-dumps-on-the-41st-floor Depression Modern irony, both in decor and mood, that Porter so carefully cultivated in his public life. Cocks structures the story as a musical revue that an impresario named Gabe (Jonathan Pryce) stages so the dying Porter can relive key moments of his life. To attract that sector of the movie audience born after Porter died (in 1964), Winkler has pop artists such as Elvis Costello and Natalie Cole sing such Porter songs as \"Let's Misbehave\" and \"Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye.\" Cinematically, this has mixed results, for it's the rare singer who is, like Cole, as mesmerizing before a movie camera as she is before a microphone. Musically, though, the film is a banquet for such diverse talents as jazz thrush Diana Krall and Brit popster Robbie Williams. With his reedy voice and genial generalissimo personality, Kline is magnificent as Porter, the Midwestern nobody who became a glittering cosmopolitan somebody with homes in Paris, New York and Hollywood. Porter's life was the stuff of fiction; indeed, had he not existed, F. Scott Fitzgerald would have created him. As the film shows, the composer lived large long before he made a living at his art. Kline is an extravagantly resourceful actor who has done three-dimensional work in any number of one-dimensional scenarios. Here he exults in variously playing Porter the socialite, the artist, the doting husband, and the queen bee of the Hollywood hive. Kline is better served by the screenplay than is Judd's Linda. She floats into Porter's life on wings of chiffon, but even though the helpmate accepts that her gentleman prefers gentlemen, after a while she looks as if she wants to strangle him with her rope of pearls. The film glosses over the give-and-take of their marriage, one in which Linda was the rock and Porter the butterfly. It is more interested in showing how Porter, who couldn't be open about his homosexuality because of the mores of the time, sublimated this conflict into some of the wittiest lyrics and most enchanting music of his day. Winkler is fascinated with mortality, as well as work as a metaphor of life. His last film was Life as a House, starring Kline as a dying architect who reconnects with estranged family members by building a domicile. With De-Lovely, Winkler gives us an artist at his iridescent twilight, one who inspired the world through song but was not always able to connect to the one who loved him most. Like a Porter song, De-Lovely has melancholy, wit and style to burn."}, {"response": 1968, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 2004 (22:19)", "body": "For most of the film, Cary Grant, who plays Porter, looks off-camera with such desperation that you'd think he was hunting for an emergency exit. LOL! But I couldn't take my eyes off the screen because of Cary. Don't see anything the matter with it. ;-)"}, {"response": 1969, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (10:08)", "body": "A Special Hello to One of My Biggest Fans!!"}, {"response": 1970, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (10:26)", "body": "ROTF....*gag*, *gag*...you are cruel;-)))) Ari will never be replaced;-)"}, {"response": 1971, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (11:57)", "body": "LOL! Don't tell me he went to UCLA?"}, {"response": 1972, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (12:05)", "body": "Have I gotten rid of the little font?"}, {"response": 1973, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (12:11)", "body": "Don't worry Evelyn. I'm here to rescue you on your birthday from the likes of MM. To take your cares away and make you think of nothing but me. So put on your sari, because we are going to Bollywood Baby ! Nice choice! I'm ready! Happy Birthday, Evelyn!"}, {"response": 1974, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (12:44)", "body": "Evelyn, I thought today was your birthday and so I cannot be stopped from making my way to you so I can wish you the happiest of birthdays. One way to have a happy birthday is feel light on your feet... ...or simply have a lie down with me! Evelyn, may all your wishes come true!"}, {"response": 1975, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (12:53)", "body": "Don't blame me! I didn't mention anything in my posting about it being your birthday. ;-)))))))))))))))"}, {"response": 1976, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (13:53)", "body": "Evelyn! I did not know it was your birthday today . . . . I couldn\ufffdt post this pic. .but go to this link . . http://colinfirth.casa-feliz.net/images/details.php?image_id=48 You know Armand was wishing it was you in his arms instead . . . And just another trinket for you . . . May you have a wonderful birthday!"}, {"response": 1977, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (14:23)", "body": "Happy Birthday Evelyn!!! hope it's a great one! :-)"}, {"response": 1978, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (15:51)", "body": "\ufffdAaaah\ufffdsweet dreams of Evelyn on her birthday\ufffd\ufffd.\ufffd Good \ufffdol Joe Prince - you know he\ufffdll always be there for you! Happy Birthday, Evelyn! (thanks, firthissimo)"}, {"response": 1979, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (15:59)", "body": "Hey HAPPY BIRTHDAY Know it will be special ;-))"}, {"response": 1980, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (16:00)", "body": "closing, darn it!"}, {"response": 1981, "author": "Lizzajaneway", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (16:01)", "body": "Ooops. Even Mike Binder can make Colin bolder than that! Hope Rafe will be dropping by later!"}, {"response": 1982, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (16:01)", "body": "What's with all these leftover little fonts? Fixing now."}, {"response": 1983, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (16:02)", "body": "Not quite fixed apparently"}, {"response": 1984, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (16:02)", "body": "Got it!"}, {"response": 1985, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (16:09)", "body": "Notice, I'm not saying what this is or who it is for... Please, I don't want to get involved. ;-)"}, {"response": 1986, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (16:14)", "body": "Evelyn, darlin', if that blowhard Moore can come to your party, then so can I. Now, what's Ari wavin' his arms around for? A man can't even have 7 minutes peace to think about what birthday present to buy? Evelyn, I hope you'll have heart-healthy snacks at your party . . . Evelyn, when I said to invite the Bushmen to your party, this is *not* what I meant."}, {"response": 1987, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (16:23)", "body": "Hey Good Buddy! I just put down my briefing materials to wish you Moore of the same"}, {"response": 1988, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (16:28)", "body": "Dearest, loveliest Evelyn, in the interest of equal time, I've invited a few others to your party. Evelyn, I want you to know that I voted *for* your birthday party, before I voted against it. Better let me handle this: Happy Birthday, Evelyn! And don't you be flushin' no Johns come November, ya heah?"}, {"response": 1989, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (16:29)", "body": "Crikey, it's Evelyn's Birthday! Two dozen roses, please, and this card.... I hope I'm not too late.... To wish you a very Happy Birthday! (from one Cancerian to another!)"}, {"response": 1990, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (16:35)", "body": "Please, I don't want to get involved. ;-) Yeah, sure...what a difference a year makes...last year I had Ari...this year, whatshisface!!LOL. And what's with that delapidated sponge cake left over from Passover!! (Thank you all. I took myself off the B'day list, hoping that if it wasn't celebrated on Drool, it wouldn't happen:-) Moon , Colin and I both like a good curry meal;next time, I'll wow him in that sari. Kimberly, the Lalique camelia is gorgeous..so like my darling Armand. And your cake beautiful. Not like....(Oh, never mind;-) Thank you Esbee and Lizza, my ole buddies, for your kind wishes. Of course, Joe Prince , with or w/o the baseball cap, is my hero. Thanks Leslie."}, {"response": 1991, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (16:37)", "body": "Keeping it simple after my last overly exuberant effort\ufffd This one\ufffds from me Evelyn! And now from The Man Himself! I want to wish you a very happy birthday and to tell you that I am proud that you have been such a wonderful and steadfast fan and that you are proud of me! Hey, me too!"}, {"response": 1992, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (16:46)", "body": "Hey...what a party... Mari, Karen,...at least you invited my friends...er, I mean some of them. \"Bushmen\", LOL And don't you be flushin' no Johns come November, ya heah? ROTF: Ya' learning the Republican line well, LOL. Lisa, as you said:\"We Cancerians are sentimental and irreverent\"! Thatsa' me! And my favorite barrister toasting me makes my day."}, {"response": 1993, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (16:47)", "body": "Come quick! We're already late for Evelyn's Birthday party! Do you think we should get her the Bollocks Brothers or something equally obscure? Look! Up there! Isn't that Evelyn hanging from the chandelier?? Surely not! Looks like she got started without us....oh well, we'll just have to catch up! special thanks to amandabynesnow.com"}, {"response": 1994, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (17:00)", "body": "Evelyn, for your birthday how about a little quiz? What do these three things have in common?"}, {"response": 1995, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (17:05)", "body": "I had to use force to get Ari here"}, {"response": 1996, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (17:19)", "body": "With this year full of precipitous projects for ODB, I figured you must've run out of candles by now. So here's a new supply.... And knowing that candles are burned here to ward off projects, as well as encourage certain ones, I got you these should you blow through the first set waiting for Toyer and you need something in a pinch should Nanny McPhee 2 come down the pike. Happy Birthday, Evelyn! I am hoping to bring a guest later, though he may arrive before me. ;-)"}, {"response": 1997, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (17:41)", "body": "Wrong!!...my Ari would always come to my rescue. (where did you get that ghastly get-up!);-) Thank you Bee Dee with your signature cake..and good wishes. Tress....Lord Dashwood in his blue shirt is always a welcomed guest. Linda..... Ah yes...the ole night table;-) Drats.Somehow McPhooey sneaked in ! ROTF. Mr. Brown looks almost as bad as MM;) Thank you all."}, {"response": 1998, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (17:45)", "body": "(Dorine)Happy Birthday, Evelyn! I am hoping to bring a guest later, though he may arrive before me. ;-) I know, I know....it's my friends from FOX;-) I knew *you* wouldn't forget!!;-))))) Candles will be stored for Toyer . Which currently lives in the garage. \"Just in cases...\";-) Thank you."}, {"response": 1999, "author": "anjo", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (18:11)", "body": "Evelyn, I guess candles are a hit as gift this year too. So \ufffd here\ufffds one, that has your name. Must be a good omen: And \ufffd no birthday without a rose: delivered to you by: Armand has already arrived at your party, so I asked Earnest Happy Birthday, Evelyn drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 191, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 192, "subject": "Odds & Ends - Part 9", "response_count": 347, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (21:13)", "body": "London Calling!!! Jeremy Northan on stage! Donmar Warehouse Box Office: 0870 060 6624 (No booking fee) Genre: Play Subgenre: Drama Age suitability: General In an isolated country house a husband and wife are visited by her friend who she hasn't seen for 20 years. During the course of the evening they reminisce about their earlier lives in London, but each remembers the events differently. In this darkly erotic drama, set around a triangular power-struggle, the past becomes present. Author: Harold Pinter; Director: Roger Michell; Designer: William Dudley; Lighting Designer: Rick Fisher; Cast includes: Helen McCrory, Gina McKee, Jeremy Northam Previews from: 1 July 2004 Opening night: 7 July 2004 Closing: 4 September 2004"}, {"response": 2, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (21:21)", "body": "Thanks Moon . .oh and Gina McKee too . . wish I could get over there to see it;)"}, {"response": 3, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (21:28)", "body": "Is this topic 43 now? Maybe I need my eyes checked. ;-)"}, {"response": 4, "author": "lindak", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (22:00)", "body": "Yeah, sure...what a difference a year makes...last year I had Ari...this year, whatshisface!!LOL Stop complaining--Last year you had dead people;-) Hope you had a fantastic birthday."}, {"response": 5, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (22:47)", "body": "Yeah, sure...what a difference a year makes...last year I had Ari...this year, whatshisface!!LOL Stop complaining--Last year you had dead people;-) LOL! Ohhhh, I forgot all about the dead people! Loved the dead people! Must be my age;-)) Things seem to be looking up and it must portend a very good year for our (*we* won't work will *our* fly?) most beloved Evelyn whose wry and dry and brief remarks are always a treat to read and give me a LOL on some of my most down days. For these and many other traits I thank you Ev!"}, {"response": 6, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (22:51)", "body": "Oh no, Evelyn, I think you missed my earlier message to you for a happy birthday. I feel terrible that you didn't receive it. I'm sure it was a one off, something to do with having \"Dubya\" at your party ;-) - note the formation of my hands ;). So, I'm just popping by to make sure you and your friends are having a great party and that you are having a very happy un-birthday! And I see you are having a happy day after all!"}, {"response": 7, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 2004 (23:40)", "body": "Sorry I'm so late getting back to your party? Is the bar closed? Only crumbs left? I would've been here sooner, but I was waiting for the guest I promised you to finish making your present. At the last minute, Jeremy decided to tag along, but we were late, too, as he's been at the Elton John concert with me. He was feeling insecure about the serenade he planned for you after hearing Elton, so we had to stop so he could practice a few numbers at the Rainbow Room. \"Everybody loves somebody....\" Happiest of birthdays to you, Evelyn!!! XOXO BTW, I have the receipt for the candles if you need to return the ones that won't fit on your nightstand because of all those books. ;-)"}, {"response": 8, "author": "Shoshana", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 2004 (05:49)", "body": "Dearest, lovliest Evelyn, You've been there for me personally through all of my triumphs, and tragedies (so sorry about the dodgy cinema, too). And yet I've been so busy \"studying\" for WTTL I completely missed your bithday; Crikey, that walk to Oklahoma from London took longer than expected. I've just only crossed the Mississippi..."}, {"response": 9, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 2004 (06:23)", "body": "Awhile ago, a certain someone who shall remain nameless asked me not to list her birthday...which I did...or didn't,whichever;-). At the time, I did mention that others would remember (Heh),which they did. And y'all notice that I didn't say a word about it yesterday... But today is Wednesday and it's no longer her birthday.... So I figure it's okay to celebrate her UN-birthday today. please notice there's no blue suit in sight;-D Have a great UN-birthday today, nameless one! thanks to Firthissimo"}, {"response": 10, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 2004 (08:42)", "body": "I give up....I can't have a Stealth Birthday!! All those Dead People ...how can I forget. And this year...poor Marlon Brando joined the club;-) Lora...I did get the previous greeting, but Dubya is always welcomed at my party (But hold Whoopi;-)! Shoshana...What? No cake? Only that wet dude who is too cheap to fly from London and has to take the shoe-string express;-) Thanks Dorine for Rafe...I'll take even the looney Spider! Ada, you wuz a good girl. Kept my b'day under wraps. Thanks for Un-Birthday greetings. But you know it's also Bastille Day...Ug.The French (French Droolies excepted) Dear Annette, you're the lady in the bunch.\"Evelyn Rose\"...I'm honored. But glad Earnest didn't bring the urn to the party....baaaad omen. Moon...did you send me a ticket to London and the Donmar to see my Mr. Knightley? Nooooo. Only a crappy announcement. And on the wrong topic, already;-) Thank you all..Gracias, Mahalo (where's Marcia? I want my lei!) Takes time to do all that HTML stuff. Lots of laughs; I loved them. You're kind to put with my irreverence. May we share many more years together on Drool. Roll On November!!"}, {"response": 11, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 2004 (09:44)", "body": "Moon...did you send me a ticket to London and the Donmar to see my Mr. Knightley? Nooooo. Only a crappy announcement. And on the wrong topic, already;-) ROTF! That's me always in a hurry and I forgot the tickets!"}, {"response": 12, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 2004 (11:33)", "body": "I taped Bravo's broadcast of the UK Queer Eye last night and haven't watched it yet. From THR: Taffners mastering art of Transatlantic Transfer By Steve Brennan It's safe to say that the Taffners -- Don Sr. and his son Don Jr. -- know a thing or two about the international TV trade that some are now calling The Transatlantic Transfer. TTT refers to the seemingly endless number of format deals bringing successful British sitcoms and other program genres to the States. The zany \"Fr. Ted,\" NBC's pending version of \"The Office,\" the failed \"Coupling,\" \"The Grimleys\" and \"The Royale Family\" number among the more visible British comedy formats to have been picked up here. DLT Entertainment, headed by the Taffners, was one of the first international companies to bring U.K. comedy formats to U.S. networks in the 1970s. \"Three's Company\" (\"Man About the House\"), \"Robin's Nest\" (\"Three's a Crowd\") and \"Too Close for Comfort\" (\"Keep It in the Family\") counted among the early format transfers overseen by DLT. Don Taffner Jr., vp worldwide sales and development and heir apparent at DLT, says that the company is now looking to move the process to a new level: to bring leading American showrunners to Britain in order to develop scripted comedies there. The ultimate aim, he says, is to make successful sitcoms in the United Kingdom that will also be suitable for international and U.S. formatting. DLT has already had one major success in this regard with the BBC hit sitcom \"My Family,\" created by Fred Barron (\"Seinfeld,\" \"The Larry Sanders Show\"). Barron, who now works at the BBC, introduced the U.S.' studio table writing system there -- a collaborative effort among a group of writers (HR 4/13). Previously, team writing had not been utilized by the pubcaster. Taffner says that DLT and Barron are discussing how best the hit BBC show format (currently on BBC America) can be served up to the U.S. networks. But additionally, using \"My Family\" as a model, DLT is talking with other American sitcom showrunners with a view to tempting them to develop \"ideas that they are passionate about\" for British TV, he says. \"The money in the U.K. does not compare to the money in the U.S., so in most cases it's a matter of the writer simply having a great passion and desire for a particular project. ... Writers in Britain typically have a much stronger voice in the process,\" Taffner says. \"Identifying (U.K.) formats that are suitable for U.S. audiences remains very much a part of our business, but equally as important now is bringing ideas to the U.K. and to do them there first and then bring them back to the U.S.,\" he adds. \"We are talking now to a number of people about duplicating what we did with 'My Family.' \" Taffner believes that \"some people are just getting caught up in the success of shows in the United Kingdom and mistakenly think that it's easy to translate what works there to the United States. It's just not that easy,\" he insists. \"A lot of comedies are just great shows in their own right and can actually lose in adaptation while others are perfect for adaptation,\" he observes. \"People are grabbing up rights willy-nilly. I think some companies are saying, 'Better for us to have (the format) than somebody else,' regardless of whether it really might have a chance.\" The trick, he insists, is in being able to figure out what formats can travel. \"That requires a combination of instinct and the ability to attach the most appropriate creative talent who have the experience to make it work,\" he says."}, {"response": 13, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 2004 (14:15)", "body": "In my house the guys have been watching the Copa America soccer championship games and I was not able to see that QE. I did see the previews last week and those UK guys looked rather too out there, IMO. (A bit pervy too). I love our QE guys because apart from Jay and Carson, the other three don't look the part. Thanks, Karen!"}, {"response": 14, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 2004 (14:17)", "body": "You won't think Kyan looks the part? *eyebrows raised* The UK one will be repeat several times over the course of the week, until the new one airs."}, {"response": 15, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 2004 (15:32)", "body": "Well Kyan a little but could go either way. My hair stylist is married with kids and he could go either way too. ;-) ANNOUNCEMENT: I have changed my email address here to a hotmail account. I apologize to anyone that had sent me emails in the past as I was not able to get through all that span on spring.net. My new address is now linked to my name. OK, now back to O&E. ;-)"}, {"response": 16, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 2004 (16:18)", "body": "(Evelyn)But you know it's also Bastille Day Yeah, I know cause it's also my son's birthday today;-). But glad Earnest didn't bring the urn to the party....baaaad omen. Heh...and I almost used that keep;-D"}, {"response": 17, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 2004 (08:01)", "body": "IMHO the UK Queer Eye is not really worth watching. Stick with the better version!"}, {"response": 18, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 2004 (09:21)", "body": "Hate to say that I agree. I watched it last night and found it lacking. However, the funniest thing was the subtitles Bravo added in for the American audience to either help with certain possibly unintelligible lines or to explain a British reference or slang, like chuffed or gobsmacked or Wallace & Grommitt and that Wurzil Grummidge (sp??) ref."}, {"response": 19, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 2004 (09:33)", "body": "The Emmy noms were done this morning: Angels in America' Leads Emmy Nominations (AP) \"Angels in America,\" the surreal HBO miniseries adapted from a Pulitzer Prize-winning play about New Yorkers affected by the AIDS crisis in the 1980s, received a leading 21 Emmy nominations Thursday. \"The Sopranos\" was the leading nominee among series, with 20. In a year that saw changes in Emmy rules intended to broaden the field beyond familiar nominees, newcomers included Fox's critically acclaimed sitcom \"Arrested Development\" and CBS' drama \"Joan of Arcadia.\" TV Academy members gave a fond farewell to HBO's \"Sex and the City\" with a best comedy series nod for its final season, but didn't nominate two other departing series, \"Friends\" and \"Frasier.\" Along with \"The Sopranos,\" which has yet to win a best drama series award, and \"Joan of Arcadia,\" other nominees in the best drama series category include \"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,\" \"24,\" and last year's winner, \"The West Wing.\" Joining \"Arrested Development\" and \"Sex and the City\" in the best comedy series category: \"Curb Your Enthusiasm,\" \"Will & Grace\" and last year's winner, \"Everybody Loves Raymond.\" HBO received a dominant 124 nominations, nearly twice that of runner-up NBC with 65 bids. CBS received 44 nominations; ABC had 33, Fox 31 and PBS 27. John Ritter, the \"8 Simple Rules\" comedy star who died last year, received a posthumous nomination as best lead actor in a comedy series. Also nominated in the category are Larry David of \"Curb Your Enthusiasm,\" Kelsey Grammer (news) of \"Frasier,\" Matt LeBlanc of \"Friends\" and Tony Shalhoub of \"Monk,\" who was last year's winner. Jennifer Aniston of \"Friends\" was nominated for best lead actress in a comedy series, along with Patricia Heaton of \"Everybody Loves Raymond,\" Bonnie Hunt of \"Life with Bonnie,\" Jane Kaczmarek of \"Malcolm in the Middle\" and Sarah Jessica Parker of \"Sex and the City.\" In the acting category for dramas, nominated lead actresses include last year's winner Edie Falco of \"The Sopranos,\" Jennifer Garner of \"Alias,\" Mariska Hargitay of \"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,\" Allison Janney of \"The West Wing\" and Amber Tamblyn of \"Joan of Arcadia.\" \"It's far too nerve-racking at this hour of the morning,\" said Falco, who got up in the middle of the night as she also announced the nominees Thursday morning. James Gandolfini of \"The Sopranos,\" who was named best lead actor in a drama series last year, was nominated again. He's joined by Anthony LaPaglia of \"Without a Trace,\" Martin Sheen of \"The West Wing,\" James Spader of \"The Practice\" and Kiefer Sutherland of \"24.\" \"The Reagans,\" which was bounced from CBS to cable's Showtime after some protested its portrayal of President Reagan, received seven nominations including outstanding made-for-TV movie. James Brolin and Judy Davis, who played Ronald and Nancy Reagan, received acting nods. Other nominees in the TV movie category: \"And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself,\" \"Something the Lord Made,\" \"Ike: Countdown to D-Day\" and \"The Lion in Winter.\" \"Angels in America,\" based on Tony Kushner's play which combines harsh reality and fantasy, was nominated as outstanding miniseries and earned acting nods for stars Emma Thompson, Al Pacino and Meryl Streep. Other nominated miniseries: \"American Family: Journey of Dreams,\" \"Horatio Hornblower,\" \"Prime Suspect 6: The Last Witness\" and \"Traffic: The Miniseries.\" Nominees for the reality series category were Donald Trump's hit \"The Apprentice,\" \"The Amazing Race,\" \"American Idol,\" \"Last Comic Standing\" and \"Survivor.\" \"I really didn't know\" the show would get nominated, Trump told cable TV's E! in an interview from Lake Tahoe, Nev. \"The show is just really good. The characters worked and 'Apprentice 2' is going to be equally amazing. It's something we all love very much \ufffd we worked hard on it and it hit a chord, it hit a note in the country.\" Nominees for best supporting actor in a comedy series include Jeffrey Tambor of \"Arrested Development,\" Brad Garrett and Peter Boyle for \"Everybody Loves Raymond,\" David Hyde Pierce for \"Frasier\" and Sean Hayes for \"Will & Grace.\" The comedy series supporting actress bids went to three \"Sex and the City\" stars, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon, along with Doris Roberts of \"Everybody Loves Raymond\" and Megan Mullally of \"Will & Grace.\" For supporting actress in a drama series, nominations went to Robin Weigert of \"Deadwood,\" Tyne Daly of \"Judging Amy,\" Drea de Matteo of \"The Sopranos\" and Janel Moloney and Stockard Channing (news) of \"The West Wing.\" Drama series supporting actors who received nominations include Victor Garber of \"Alias,\" Brad Dourif of \"Deadwood,\" Michael Imperioli and Steve Buscemi of \"The Sopranos\" and John Spencer of \"The West Wing.\""}, {"response": 20, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 2004 (10:21)", "body": "A very interesting article from the Guardian. 12% *shaking head* Here's a few you missed... According to Prospect magazine, men still dominate Britain's intellectual elite. Laura Barton asks why women didn't cut it Friday July 2, 2004 As a fitting hoopla to mark its centennial issue, Prospect magazine has this month unveiled its list of Britain's Top 100 public intellectuals - a regal procession of Graylings and Hobsbawms and Stoppards; Starkeys and Steiners and Braggs. An accompanying essay by writer and television producer David Herman admits that there have been omissions, and that \"we will all miss particular names, but the biggest surprises come from larger absences\". He cites the new left, the new right, literary and cultural theorists, emigres, politicians, theologians, ethnic minorities and the young. The most glaring absence, however, is that of women. Indeed, of the 100 worthies, there are only 12 women: religious historian Karen Armstrong, critic, essayist and novelist AS Byatt, historian Linda Colley, pharmacologist and director of the Royal Institute Susan Greenfield, writer and academic Germaine Greer, historian Lisa Jardine, moral philosopher Mary Midgley, philosopher Onora O'Neill, author and columnist Melanie Phillips, biographer Gitta Sereny, philosopher and public ethicist Mary Warnock and novelist Jeanette Winterson. Pondering the list's absences, Herman wonders, \"Is this the result of institutional ... sexism in the media and universtities? Or is it rather an acknowledgement that the big battles have been won, that sexism [is] no longer [one of the] key faultlines in our intellectual culture?\" This rather supposes that we would only see a large number of women on such a list if women's rights were still contentious - if we were still entitled to a sympathy vote. And if the good fight is over, then we ought to get back to the kitchen. We asked David Goodhart, editor of Prospect,what happened to all the women. \"We were just drawing up a list of the top British intellectuals,\" he says. \"We weren't trying to produce an exact replica of the gender split in the country. But we certainly weren't deliberately leaving women out - if anything, slightly the opposite. I mean we weren't positively discriminating, but if all other factors were equal, we would choose a woman.\" Thank you Mr Goodhart, how very chivalrous. Men, Goodhart argues, still dominate our intellectual and cultural lives, and this is, therefore, what the list reflects. \"Similarly, very few people on the list are under 45, and that's because in order to become a public intellectual you have to dominate your own field before starting a second career as a media commentator,\" he explains. \"And that takes a long time.\" He assures us that we will see more women public intellectuals in the future, just as we shall also see more women in the cabinet. \"Helena Kennedy almost made it,\" he says, consolingly. \"But she's not really a public intellectual, she's a politician - she doesn't have a body of thought behind her. And Polly Toynbee. But she's a social reform journalist and we had a lot of people in that category. And she is just a journalist, unlike Will Hutton, who has a great body of work behind him, and Melanie Phillips, who wrote that big book about ... er, was it Rathbone? That early feminist?\" He pauses. \"She's written a lot of pamphlets on a lot of subjects,\" he says, bolstering the Phillips argument. \"But she also represents an important strand of British culture, which embraced the 60s and then rejected it.\" Natasha Walter might make it in the future, he says, when she has graduated from journalism. Prospect has asked its readers to nominate by email those people they think should be on the list, but aren't. \"So far,\" says Goodhart, \"we've had 500-600 replies, and the only two women who've really cropped up have been Polly Toynbee and Marina Warner.\" And what of the prestigious 12? Jardine and Colley are both rather pleased to have made it, though quick to play down its significance. \"We live in such a list-making culture - the Top 10 of the Year, the Top 10 Buildings - and all such lists are random and arbitrary,\" says Colley. For Jardine, \"It's no better than The Big Read. It's a list of people in the public eye, the names they discuss at dinner tables, so it's a self-fulfilling prophecy.\" Colley thinks that her place on the list could be down to the fact that, in her writing, she ventures into male intellectual terrain. \"I write history books about war and nationalism and empire. And on the whole, that's not what women write about.\" She ventures that had Prospect included more novelists, there would have been many more women on the list. Steve Fuller, professor of sociology at Warwick University and author of How to be an Intellectual, to be published later this year, thinks that male intellectuals tend to reinforce each other more than women do. The old boy network permeates the intelligentsia just as much as any other aspec"}, {"response": 21, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 2004 (10:53)", "body": "Latest P&P casting news from ScreenDaily: Dench, Sutherland round out Pride cast Judi Dench, Donald Sutherland, Brenda Blethyn, Tom Hollander and Penelope Wilton have joined the cast of Working Title Films\ufffd Pride And Prejudice. ~~~~~~~ Sutherland and Blethyn are Mr and Mrs Bennet and Penelope Wilton is Mrs Gardiner. Don't you think they're all rather old for those parts, given the youth. Think about Judi Dench being Lady Catherine. Would she have a daughter eligible to marry her nephew Fitzwilliam?"}, {"response": 22, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 2004 (12:38)", "body": "Don't you think they're all rather old for those parts, given the youth. Think about Judi Dench being Lady Catherine. Would she have a daughter eligible to marry her nephew Fitzwilliam? These are all wonderful actors but I think that you are sooo right. JD was just skirting reality being Lady B;-) Mrs. Bennett was in her late 40s. But I don't think that this film is being directed at the crowd that pays attention to matters such as these;-)"}, {"response": 23, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 2004 (12:40)", "body": "If the producers are interested in having a \"more age appropriate\" cast as evidenced in their statements regarding the ages of Matthew MacFayden and Keira Knightley relative to that of their characters. It would seem that their concern with age is only valid in regard to the younger characters. If they wanted the actual ages of the entire cast to be closer to the ages of the characters in \"Pride and Predjudice\", Kiefer Sutherland would have made a more logical choice, agewise, than his father. It appears that Working Title's intent is to produce a starring vehicle for Miss Knightley, which will (hopefully) appeal to a young female demographic. Perhaps they have great hopes in making a successful \"date movie\". Then again, I'm probably being being too harsh and unduly judgemental in my assessement of the upcoming version of P&P. It might turn out to be quite watchable."}, {"response": 24, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 2004 (17:23)", "body": "I've been seeing the trailer for Vanity Fair quite a bit and even though Mira Nair has inserted from Indian extravaganza, it looks rather appealing to me. ;-)"}, {"response": 25, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 2004 (17:40)", "body": "Glad to see Alan Rickman and HBO's Something the Lord Made on the Emmy list. Great piece and it's true."}, {"response": 26, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 16, 2004 (08:46)", "body": "New Oscar Rules Ban Trash-Talking Ads Thu Jul 15, 8:50 PM ET LOS ANGELES - The Academy Awards (news - web sites) have some new rules, including a ban on ads by studios trashing the competition. In a decree released Thursday, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences formally banned studios from referencing rivals in ads aimed at voters. The new rule \"prohibits specific and disparaging references to other pictures or individuals competing in a given category in ads, mailings, Web sites or other forms of campaign communication,\" according to the Academy. It's an apparent response to DreamWorks' trade-newspaper ad last season that promoted best supporting actress contender Shoreh Aghdashloo from \"House of Sand and Fog\" in a way that was perceived as a slap at fellow nominee Renee Zellweger from \"Cold Mountain.\" The ad included clips from newspaper and TV critics saying that Aghdashloo deserved to win the Oscar, but that Zellweger was more likely to get it. The Motion Picture Academy denounced it as an \"attack ad.\" DreamWorks apologized and later bought a special ad congratulating Zellweger on her victory. Another new rule: some Oscar voters outside of Los Angeles and New York have complained that they have trouble seeing all the movies necessary for an informed ballot \ufffd so the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has authorized studios to send free coupons to them. The issue was part of last season's debate over whether studios should discontinue sending voters \"screeners,\" which are free tapes and DVDs of current movies."}, {"response": 27, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, Jul 16, 2004 (09:39)", "body": "If only we could ban trash talk about the competitor in politics ;-)"}, {"response": 28, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Jul 16, 2004 (09:47)", "body": "(Karen)If only we could ban trash talk about the competitor in politics ;-) You've got that right!"}, {"response": 29, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 16, 2004 (10:01)", "body": "And that would be Meredith's comment, not mine (though I agree)."}, {"response": 30, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jul 16, 2004 (17:36)", "body": "(Cheryl)It might turn out to be quite watchable. Anything is possible, but 6 hours wasn't long enough. Two hours won't be enough to tempt me;-) (Karen)Don't you think they're all rather old for those parts, given the youth. Yeah, especially since T Bevan (I think) said he was tired of costume dramas with actors in their 30's playing young lovers, or something like that. (Karen)Think about Judi Dench being Lady Catherine. Would she have a daughter eligible to marry her nephew Fitzwilliam? LOL, no. Her biological clock must have takin a lickin and kept on tickin;-)"}, {"response": 31, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 2004 (14:59)", "body": "What a nice movie De-Lovely turned out to be. I could see it again. Kudos to Armani for the wardrobe. I suspect that Kevin Kline will get nominated. And speaking of nominations, Napoleon Dynamite!!! What a brilliant little film! It will take the IFC awards, I'm sure. The lead actor too. An incredible performance. Go see them both."}, {"response": 32, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 18, 2004 (21:49)", "body": "What do you mean, the birthday girl wants to give me a kiss? Come out, come out wherever you are, Emma! and have a Happy Birthday!!!"}, {"response": 33, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 18, 2004 (22:45)", "body": "FELIZ ANIVERSARIO,EMMA"}, {"response": 34, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 2004 (03:38)", "body": "Ha ha! Thanks you two. Karen, if I had only gotten so close that day at the fountains! I was enjoying my GWAPE dvd extras yesterday, actually, and the Friday confirmation that I do have tickets for Trauma on the 22nd. Yippee!"}, {"response": 35, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 2004 (11:42)", "body": "Great news, Emma! Glad you got the tickets! Please accept my belated birthday wishes. Enjoying the extra scenes were you?"}, {"response": 36, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 2004 (11:43)", "body": "Great news, Emma! Glad you got the tickets! Please accept my belated birthday wishes. Enjoying the extra scenes were you?"}, {"response": 37, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 2004 (14:59)", "body": "In you go, Hugh. Emma came to see me! ...a day late. Great news about your tickets!!!"}, {"response": 38, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 2004 (15:30)", "body": "I was eavesdropping and thought I heard it was Emma's (belated) Birthday! Emma, I'll just chase off this guy and meet you in the hot tub for a little private party!"}, {"response": 39, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 2004 (15:37)", "body": "\ufffdCrikey! I missed Emma\ufffds Birthday!\ufffd Hope it was a happy one! ! (BTW \ufffd great score on the tickets!!)"}, {"response": 40, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 2004 (15:41)", "body": "Emma!!!! Missed your b'day, did I??? Betcha you don't know how that's been just weighing on my mind Perhaps a warm bath and a glass of wine shall make it all right?:) I hope you had a wonderful b'day!"}, {"response": 41, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 2004 (16:09)", "body": "Emma, I'm utterly Trauma-tised that I missed your birthday! Hope it was a happy one! How great about your ticket! Hurrah!"}, {"response": 42, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 2004 (16:10)", "body": "LOL, Kimberly, I didn't see your post before I did mine! Ooops. ;-)"}, {"response": 43, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 2004 (16:32)", "body": "Looks like SJ is going to be with yet another older man;-D Although, it might be a good vehicle for ODB.... Scarlett Johansson will star in Silent Star for director Kimberly Peirce and Columbia Pictures, reports Production Weekly. The film was written by Larry Gross. A former actor, [ed.note: William Desmond] Taylor became a director at Paramount, helming Mary Pickford in Johanna Enlists and the teenage beauty Mary Miles Minter in \"Jenny Be Good.\" In 1917 he became president of the Motion Picture Directors Association; by 1922 Paramount had made him head of his own production unit. On the night of Feb. 2, 1922, Taylor was found dead in his mansion. Rumors flew about the killer's identity and motive -- most of the rumors centered on Taylor's lovers, including Minter and Mabel Normand. Neither were formal suspects but both allegedly saw Taylor shortly before his death. Eek! If I keep forgetting birthdays I'm going to get so fired;-). So very sorry Emma. Hope this makes up for it:-). Hope it was a happy day!"}, {"response": 44, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 2004 (16:33)", "body": "(Lisa)LOL, Kimberly, I didn't see your post before I did mine! Ooops. ;-) Snort . .Tress beat us both! . .Great minds think alike!"}, {"response": 45, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 2004 (17:28)", "body": "(Kimberly) Snort . .Tress beat us both! . .Great minds think alike! Jeez, I give up! ;-) Must be the Drool collective unconscious. Images have been loading slower than usual for me today, and I guess I paid the price. ;-)"}, {"response": 46, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 2004 (23:20)", "body": "Linda/Dorine: emails to both of you at AOL have come back to me (from my Yahoo account) as a failure delivery. :-("}, {"response": 47, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Tue, Jul 20, 2004 (06:42)", "body": "Happy belated Birthday, Emma!! Congrats on your tickets for Aug. 22....(You lucky dog)"}, {"response": 48, "author": "emmabean", "date": "Tue, Jul 20, 2004 (07:00)", "body": "Thanks everyone - should have checked in again, missed the rest of the party!"}, {"response": 49, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Jul 20, 2004 (10:59)", "body": "Oops! i'm two days late - Hope you had a great Birthday Emma!!!! *big hug*"}, {"response": 50, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 20, 2004 (11:07)", "body": "An interview with Gurinder Chadha, who has made the Bollywood P&P: http://film.guardian.co.uk/interview/interviewpages/0,6737,1264310,00.html"}, {"response": 51, "author": "sabineh", "date": "Tue, Jul 20, 2004 (14:56)", "body": "Sorry, I am sooo late. Happy Birthday Emma!!!! See you on August 22nd !"}, {"response": 52, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jul 20, 2004 (20:04)", "body": "Emma, happy belated birthday! Congrats on the Trauma tickets you got for August! You lucky girl! (Am LOL at how there are 3 of the same Trauma pics for your birthday - so many minds on the same wavelength for you, Emma!) [and a very belated birthday to you too, Lisa!]"}, {"response": 53, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 2004 (10:32)", "body": "Truly an odd and end . . but for any West coast people . . . BackStage West is having a free screening of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind w/ a Q&A following w/ Jim Carrey and Charlie Kaufman Tues, July 27th @ 7:30 PM Harmony Gold Screening Room 7655 Sunset Boulevard, just east of fairfax Admittance is free, but reservations are required: rsvp: 310-652-6563 I recall Backstage West had that Q&A w/ Colin , Scarlett & Peter Webber for GWAPE - thought this might be nice to share too;)"}, {"response": 54, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 2004 (11:10)", "body": "Now *that* would be interesting with Charlie Kaufman. Saw him on Charlie Rose and found him very interesting."}, {"response": 55, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 2004 (09:08)", "body": "Can you imagine? 'Cholera' set to hit Village Dana Harris, STAFF Scott Steindorff's Stone Village Pictures has paid Nobel Prize winner Gabriel Garcia Marquez more than $1 million for feature rights to his 1985 novel \"Love in the Time of Cholera.\" With a production bonus, deal will net Garcia Marquez close to $3 million. It took Russell and Steindorff nearly two years to convince the Colombian author to license film rights to his epic love story. \"I think we called ... every day for 18 months,\" Steindorff said. He told Daily Variety they closed the deal Wednesday morning, with the payment in an escrow account and en route to Garcia Marquez. Agencia Literaria Carmen Balcells in Barcelona represented the author in the deal. Steindorff will produce and package the project before submitting it to studios and financiers. Stone Village exec Dylan Russell brought the book to the company. He and Stone Village's Scott LaStaiti will serve as co-producers. Stone Village produced \"The Human Stain\" with Lakeshore and Miramax and \"Empire Falls\" with HBO, Paul Newman and Marc Platt. Other Stone Village projects include Warner Bros. Pictures' \"The Risk Pool,\" with Lawrence Kasdan writing and directing and Tom Hanks (news) starring; the remake of Akira Kurosawa's \"Ikiru,\" with Richard Price adapting and Hanks starring; and \"Modoc,\" with Kevin Costner as director and star. Stone Village is out to directors on T.C. Boyle's \"The Tortilla Curtain."}, {"response": 56, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 2004 (10:45)", "body": "For UK Droolers . . Free tix to preview screening of Stepford Wives http://www.promotions.telegraph.co.uk/promotions/index.jhtml;sessionid=TNMSK5EEPJ0STQFIQMGSNAGAVCBQWJVC?pg=/ETHtml/content/promotions/2004/07/21/prmMoveMonthly.jhtml"}, {"response": 57, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 2004 (11:54)", "body": "\"Scott Steindorff's Stone Village Pictures has paid Nobel Prize winner Gabriel Garcia Marquez more than $1 million for feature rights to his 1985 novel \"Love in the Time of Cholera.\" Wish they'd do 100 Years of Solitude which I liked more. Still, it's time he had some recognition in films. Thanks.He's a giant."}, {"response": 58, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 2004 (12:05)", "body": "(Evelyn) Still, it's time he had some recognition in films. Recognition? Doesn't sound to me like Garcia Marquez wanted to sell the rights. I don't blame him."}, {"response": 59, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 2004 (14:07)", "body": "(Evelyn) Still, it's time he had some recognition in films. (Karen)Recognition? Doesn't sound to me like Garcia Marquez wanted to sell the rights. I don't blame him. \"It took Russell and Steindorff nearly two years to convince the Colombian author to license film rights to his epic love story. \"I think we called ... every day for 18 months,\" Aw..like a good socialist, he was probably holding out for more money;-)"}, {"response": 60, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 2004 (16:48)", "body": "Pics of the new Elizabeth Bennet. Check out the cleavage: http://www.thezreview.co.uk/news3/prideandprejudice.htm They could've at least tried those chicken cutlets or Kleenex. ;-)"}, {"response": 61, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 2004 (16:53)", "body": "Oh! My! No need for a corset! Lucky her! Does anyone recognize the actor behind her? He's got quite the crease in his boots (needs to break those in)...and that Col. Fitzwilliam snugness about his costume:"}, {"response": 62, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 2004 (17:12)", "body": "(Karen)They could've at least tried those chicken cutlets or Kleenex. ;-) LOL!! Is that an Empire waist? Hard to tell. I am not impressed."}, {"response": 63, "author": "locarol", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 2004 (17:20)", "body": "(Karen) Pics of the new Elizabeth Bennet. Check out the cleavage: LOL. She looks positively dowdy. I guess she fits the description of a light figure as JA stated it. Maybe her \"dress up\" scenes will have her in the latest push-up."}, {"response": 64, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 2004 (17:39)", "body": "(Carol)Maybe her \"dress up\" scenes will have her in the latest push-up. You still need something to put in the \"push up\";-) Drab, drab, and more drab--wrinkled and a v. bland shade of green, too;-)Just sums up how I feel about the whole thing, anyway."}, {"response": 65, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 2004 (17:52)", "body": "When Darcy says, \"not handsome enough to tempt me,\" you're going to believe it this time. ;-)"}, {"response": 66, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 2004 (21:52)", "body": "Thanks for the link . .I agree . .what a horrible shade of green . .she is a pretty girl though . .they could put her in something a leettle more flattering in shade and cut of the dress . .hmph my costume sensibilities are a bit miffed . . .we'll see . .we'll see . ."}, {"response": 67, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 2004 (00:42)", "body": "The Sun has 3 more pictures ... and Matthew MacFadyen is described as \"hunky\"?!? http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2004340667,00.html"}, {"response": 68, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 2004 (08:21)", "body": "Oh dear, as I said on Darcy Drool Lizzie looks like Jane Eyre. Mac Fadyen should have stuck with MI-5. He looks too contemporary ; like Hg in Sense and Sensibility."}, {"response": 69, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 2004 (08:24)", "body": "Ona brighter note....:-))))) London Theatre Guide reports: \"Star of the super-series Sex And The City, Kim Cattrall will star in a new production of Brian Clark?s Whose Life Is It Anyway? to be directed by Sir Peter Hall at the Duke Of York?s next January. Although the actress trained at LAMDA, the production marks her British theatrical debut.....\" http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/news/display/cm/contentId/81305 Whew ! With Sir Peter Hall and Samantha, the Duke of York theatre will be pretty steamy;-)"}, {"response": 70, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 2004 (09:08)", "body": "and Matthew MacFadyen is described as \"hunky\"?!? He looks pretty different with that longer hair and a little like a much younger Alan Rickman. Not bad though...maybe a little too sensitive (read, effeminate). Not hard or chiseled enough for me."}, {"response": 71, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 2004 (09:26)", "body": "If I hadn't been told that was him, I wouldn't have recognized him in a million years. And even though I knew who it was supposed to be, I still had to look at it for a good 30 mins straight to make sure The Z Review didn't have him ID'd wrong."}, {"response": 72, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 2004 (09:30)", "body": "Just another O&E - I'm particularly interested in the adaptation of this novel to film . . they start filming this Sept. ZHANG LANDS SPIELBERG LEAD Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon star Zhang Ziyi is set to star in Spielberg's adaptation of 'Memoirs of a Geisha'. http://www.worldmoviemag.com/index.php?request=News&key=394"}, {"response": 73, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 2004 (09:40)", "body": "Here's something to ponder and laugh about! ;-) Summer pics: A mettle detector for thesps Timothy M. Gray, STAFF GREGORY PECK ONCE SAID that actors do their best work with the worst material. That is why, ladies and gentlemen, we should applaud this summer's crop of films: They provide a master class in screen acting. Novices can study the work of terrific actors as they overcome dialogue that would make a lesser talent weep. Try saying the following lines out loud and making them convincing. Here they are: a salute to the summer movies. Keep 'em comin', Hollywood. OUR PLUCKY PROTAGONISTS \"We Transylvanians always look on the brighter side of death.\" -- Kate Beckinsale (\"Van Helsing\") \"I know now all the blood I've shed, all the lives I've taken, have led me to this moment.\" -- Clive Owen (\"King Arthur\") \"Unpack the snowshoes! We're walking from here!\" -- Dennis Quaid to colleagues after their snowmobile crashes in Philadelphia as they were heading toward Manhattan (\"The Day After Tomorrow\") OSCAR-WORTHY STRAIGHT LINES \"Nano wires feed directly into my cerebellum!\" -- Alfred Molina (\"Spider-Man 2\") \"The Underverse will be reached only by those who have embraced the Necromonger faith!\" -- Linus Roache (\"The Chronicles of Riddick\") \"Mr. Filch, round up the ghosts and ask them to search every painting in the castle until they find the fat lady!\" -- Michael Gambon (\"Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban\") IT'S EXCITING TO SPEAK EXCITING DIALOGUE \"We should get out of here! Should we run?\" -- Nicole Kidman (\"The Stepford Wives\") \"Run!\" -- Hugh Jackman (\"Van Helsing\") \"Run!\" -- Emma Watson (\"Harry Potter\") \"Keep moving!\" -- Vin Diesel (\"Chronicles of Riddick\") \"We have to get out of here now!\" -- Jake Gyllenhaal (\"Day After Tomorrow\") LOVE THAT TECH TALK \"I think we've hit a critical desalination point!\" -- Dennis Quaid (\"Day After Tomorrow\") \"Are you sure you can stabilize the fusion reaction?\" -- Tobey Maguire (\"Spider-Man 2\") \"When does the perceptual schematic become consciousness?\" -- James Cromwell (\"I, Robot\") DIALOGUE HELPS ESTABLISH TENSION \"A vast, terrible enemy is coming this way! They will show no mercy, spare no one!\" -- Clive Owen (\"King Arthur\") \"Don't try me, Aereon! I could plow you under with the rest of Helion Prime!\" -- Colm Feore (\"Chronicles of Riddick\") \"I can't live with turning people into monsters! You've got to let me pull the plug!\" -- Peter Wingfield (\"Catwoman\") SUMMING UP THE MOVIE'S MESSAGE \"I believe there is a hero in all of us.\" -- Rosemary Harris (\"Spider-Man 2\") \"Catwomen are not contained by the rules of society. ... By accepting who you are, all of who you are, you can be free. And freedom is power!\" -- Frances Conroy (\"Catwoman\") \"Alas, we are all but players in an ever-changing world!\" -- Ivano Marescotti (\"King Arthur\") CONVEYING SO MUCH WITH A SINGLE WORD \"Aaaaghhhhhhhh!\" -- Emma Watson (\"Harry Potter\") \"Hnnnnghhh!\" -- Woad warrior (\"King Arthur\") \"Aiiiieeeee!\" -- Kirsten Dunst (\"Spider-Man 2\") \"Nooooooooooo!\" -- Thandie Newton, in slo-mo (\"Chronicles of Riddick\") BUT ACTING REQUIRES more than dialogue. An actor has to find the inner logic of the scene, to discover what his character wants. Here are questions actors might ask themselves: [Unfortunately, the rest of the article was not uploaded.]"}, {"response": 74, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 2004 (09:46)", "body": "Joan, Melissa Rivers Sidelined for Emmy Red Carpet By Steve Gorman LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The stars of American television can breathe a little easier when they stroll down the red carpet at the Emmy Awards this fall. Fashion cops Joan and Melissa Rivers won't be there waiting to spring on them. Three weeks after the veteran comedian and her daughter announced they were leaving the E! Entertainment Television for a lot more money at the TV Guide Channel, it turns out E! still holds exclusive rights to red-carpet Emmy coverage under a contract with the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. As a result, TV Guide acknowledged on Wednesday that it will have to sit out the first big event that Joan and Melissa were hired to host for the cable channel as part of a three-year deal that has been valued at between $6 million and $8 million. E! does not have exclusive pre-show coverage deals for other major entertainment awards, such as the Oscars or the Grammys. TV Guide and the Academy said they were trying to reach an accommodation for the doyennes of the red carpet, but E! was not involved in those talks, officials for all sides said. \"Joan and Melissa have a great fan base -- they personify the red carpet, and their fans are not going to get to see them at the Emmys,\" said Chris Levesque, a spokeswoman for Gemstar-TV Guide International Inc., which owns the channel. \"We'd absolutely like to be covering the Emmys, and we'll continue to explore all of our options.\" The situation left Hollywood wondering who, if anyone, might try filling the high heels of the mother-daughter team famed for their tart-tongued critiques of celebrity designer debacles on live cable TV. Comcast Corp.-controlled E!, which had been home to the Rivers duo for the past nine years, said it plans to hire fresh faces to anchor its Emmy arrivals coverage on Sept. 19 ahead of the ABC network telecast of the awards show itself. [Ed note: Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!] A TV Guide insider, speaking on condition of anonymity, insisted that E!'s exclusive Emmy contract, which runs through 2005, was not overlooked by the channel -- a gaffe that would have been the business equivalent of a major fashion faux pas. \"We're TV guys. Our whole business is about promoting television and keeping viewers aware of television. So I think we were just optimistic that we could work something out,\" the source told Reuters. A spokesman for Joan Rivers said the comedian was away in Europe and not immediately available for comment. TV Guide, meanwhile, denied that this year's Emmy shutout had spoiled its plans for Joan and Melissa Rivers, whose deal was seen as a centerpiece of the channel's efforts to expand its original programing. \"The Emmys are only one part of our overall programing plans for Joan and Melissa,\" Levesque said. \"They're a huge brand, and we made a long-term relationship with them to develop a number of different programing offerings.\""}, {"response": 75, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 2004 (10:00)", "body": "(Evelyn), Oh dear, as I said on Darcy Drool Lizzie looks like Jane Eyre. You are so right!!! And doesn't Dame Judi look as if she's had a face lift?"}, {"response": 76, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 2004 (10:05)", "body": "Note to the Toronto gang, maybe Colin will do similar... ;-) Kiefer joins strippers Kiefer Sutherland apparently \"stunned\" a group of small-town women with an impromptu strip routine at a nightclub in New Zealand. According to Digitalspy the 24 actor joined a bunch of strippers called 'Men of Steel' on stage in a small bar in Raetihi, North Island after spotting them from an adjoining bar. Sutherland slipped out of his socks and whipped off his shirt, waving it above his head to the tune of the Tom Jones hit 'You Can Leave Your Hat On', according to the New Zealand Herald. \"Kiefer had a hell of a night,\" club President Danny Mills said. \"He had an enjoyable evening and so did everyone that was here.\" Mills added that he would like to see Sutherland back at the club for a repeat performance in the future. Sutherland is currently in New Zealand filming River Queen, about an Irish immigrant during the 18th-century wars between indigenous Maori and colonial settlers."}, {"response": 77, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 2004 (10:25)", "body": "(Karen)Note to the Toronto gang, maybe Colin will do similar... ;-) Woo hooo . .If so . .I am so there, with Candadian and US currency ready . . am thinking dollar bills, am thinking jolly hose . . .;)"}, {"response": 78, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 2004 (10:48)", "body": "Not that I think anyone here is racing out to see these, but I saw Catwoman and Bourne Supremacy this week. Catwoman- Take a pass. I only liked the soundtrack and Benjamin Bratt. An exercise in style. Plot holes the size of a barn. During fight scenes, she'd often jump up somewhere to get away....but her movements were a cross between a cat and Spiderman. Too unrealistic for a \"catwoman.\" The can't run along walls. Very distracting. Sharon Stone wasn't campy enough for me, but good God, she must have *the* best plastic surgeon there is! Not a flaw on her face in extreme closeups. Some filtering used at times, but still.... Halle Berry a bit too heavy handed with the mousy persona and a bit too much with the Catwoman persona, too, IMO. Have to say, boys/men will enjoy her Catwoman persona (and the outfit). She was sex on a stick. ;-) Bourne Supremacy- I enjoyed it very much...much to my surprise, actually, despite some predictability throughout. Hated the camerawork in the fight scenes. Was really annoying during one very interesting fight in another spy's apt. Very much liked the score, too.....very good at ratcheting up tension. Overall, I found it compelling enough. There was a really good car chase scene near the end, too. It was long, but didn't bore me like the one in the 2nd Matrix film."}, {"response": 79, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 2004 (11:01)", "body": "Thanks Dorine. Not that I'm gonna see Catwoman, but the word on the street is that it is \"laughable.\" As to the Bourne Supremacy, I didn't see the first because (a) action movies like this give me headaches, (b) I don't like Matt Damon, and (c) Matt Damon can never be Jason Bourne to me. However, the reviews were good, making it sound like an intelligent thriller."}, {"response": 80, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 2004 (11:06)", "body": "I meant to say I'd never seen most of the original either, though I do love a good action flick. Wasn't overly necessary to see the first, though some background may help for those who don't know the story at all from the books or other Bourne TV movies, etc. I kept thinking of Richard Chamberlin as Bourne at times while watching it. I'm not a real fan of Matt Damon (nor do I particularly dislike him...just apathetic about him), but thought he did very well here. No great range was required, but he was good for what he had to do."}, {"response": 81, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 2004 (12:01)", "body": "\"\"Joan and Melissa have a great fan base...\" Me:-)))"}, {"response": 82, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 2004 (13:01)", "body": "No one else will have the nerve to tell Kevin Costner what a small diamond he gave his fiancee;-)"}, {"response": 83, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 2004 (13:17)", "body": "Catwoman - eh . .I'm w/ Dorine . .wasn't too impressed . .thought the fight squences to rapidly edited - very MTV video like . . which led me to believe the cutting of the scene was done to hide flaws in the fight choreography or flaws in the fight performances . .and it basically gave me a headache . . ."}, {"response": 84, "author": "Tress", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 2004 (13:47)", "body": "(Kimberly) . .thought the fight squences to rapidly edited - very MTV video like . . Probably done because I heard that HB had a stunt double in all the fight scenes. A Hawaiian guy who is a martial arts expert. Guess he was the right size. They were just talking about it on the radio here. They said all they had to do was slap some lipstick and the cat suit on him....but I'm hoping thats not all they had to do! LOL! I won't go see it, but it makes me laugh thinking about all the men who will think how hot HB looks during those fight scenes when it's actually a slim man with (I hope) fake boobs! ;-D"}, {"response": 85, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 2004 (13:53)", "body": "I liked the fist Bourne movie and liked the previews to this one. I also don't care for MD but this isn't exactly a rom com. ;-) I did like the actress that was in Run Lola Run, she was in the first one. Is she also in this one? I've only seen clips wth the other actress, Julia S. I hope E gets Carson from QE to do the red carpet. He was vvg and funny too at the FC awards. We got the MTV Music Awards in Miami in Sept. I can do the red carpet here. ;-D"}, {"response": 86, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 2004 (13:55)", "body": "That should read the IFC awards. :-)"}, {"response": 87, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 2004 (13:57)", "body": "Here's the end bit to the article Karen posted above . .Found the rest of it in today's Variety . .just typed it up ************************************* Continuation of - Summer pics: A mettle detector for thesps Timothy M. Gray, STAFF BUT ACTING REQUIRES more than dialogue. An actor has to find the inner logic of the scene, to discover what his character wants. Here are questions actors might ask themselves: - Even though her coworkers evacuate the area, doctor Sela Ward in \ufffdDay After Tomorrow\ufffd remains with a sick little boy, waiting for the ambulance to arrive. But where is the ambulance gonna take him, since she and the kid are already in a hospital? - When Hugh Jackman (\ufffdVan Helsing\ufffd) grows into an oversized werewolf, the transformation rips off all of his clothes \ufffdexcept his trousers. So does he buy his pants at the same place as the Hulk? - In \ufffdThe Terminal\ufffd, Tom Hanks becomes a folk hero to the airport employees. But if they care so much about him, why doesn\ufffdt somebody put him in touch with an immigration attorney? - \ufffdKing Arthur\ufffd is narrated by Lancelot. Then Lancelot dies. And he\ufffds reincarnated as a horse. So was he reincarnated as a talking horse?"}, {"response": 88, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 2004 (14:08)", "body": "(Evelyn)No one else will have the nerve to tell Kevin Costner what a small diamond he gave his fiancee;-) LOL, and it was tiny indeed! I'm in their fan base; I enjoy seeing them cut some of these people down to size and their post-awards Fashion Police shows are always fun. I hope they'll be sxquared away by the Oscars. Bourne Supremacy--I thought the first one was very good and Matt Damon was good in the role. A very smart, taut, spy thriller. New pic is getting rave reviews; I'll definitely see it."}, {"response": 89, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 2004 (15:13)", "body": "(Evelyn)No one else will have the nerve to tell Kevin Costner what a small diamond he gave his fiancee;-) (Mari)LOL, and it was tiny indeed! If I remember correctly she said something like: \"How sweet\". Of course then she went on to tell other guests to make sure and look at KC's fiancee's sweet diamond ring ."}, {"response": 90, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 2004 (15:44)", "body": "Thanks, Kimberly, for typing up the rest. Actually, those are probably the best examples of idiocy ever. ;-) Instead of mindless mainstream, I cannot speak highly enough of Before Sunset. What a fantastic movie. Even better than the first, which you *do* have to see before this one; otherwise, it makes no sense. Yes, there are some flashbacks, but the first movie is critical. You can probably rent it somewhere. I'd give Julie Delpry an Oscar nom. This is an incredible performance, especially by her. She's a lifeforce. Plus she sings at the end, an absolutely perfect song, a waltz. I never stopped smiling throughout the film. It was perfection. I think I'm going to have to buy the two on DVD."}, {"response": 91, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 2004 (16:41)", "body": "Thank, Karen. The Miami Herald gave it 4 stars, the max. I want to see it very much. Loved the first one. It's only playing in Miami Beach, debating for tonight."}, {"response": 92, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 2004 (16:42)", "body": "And thank you, Kimberley for typing it up. Cute article."}, {"response": 93, "author": "Zing", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 2004 (18:41)", "body": "(Karen) I cannot speak highly enough of Before Sunset. What a fantastic movie. I loved it too! Funny and poignant all at once, yet without taking itself too seriously. Both Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy were superb. (Karen) She's a lifeforce. Plus she sings at the end, an absolutely perfect song, a waltz. Plus she WROTE the song (as well as two others in the movie)!! (Karen) Instead of mindless mainstream But I like the mindless stuff too -- thought Spidey2 was great, and will definitely be going to see Bourne Supremacy. Guess I'm just indiscriminate... ;-)"}, {"response": 94, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 2004 (18:57)", "body": "(Dorine)If I hadn't been told that was him, I wouldn't have recognized him in a million years. I know! and I watched him faithfully in MI-5. (Moon)I hope E gets Carson from QE to do the red carpet. Agree, I think he can achieve the same level of, of whatever Joan achieved. I will miss Joan, though."}, {"response": 95, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 2004 (22:25)", "body": "The Bourne Supremacy is good stuff....not all that mindless, IMO;-) Well constructed, edgy plot with twists and turns that races along at a frantic pace. Edge of seat throughout.Loved all the location shots in the capitals of Europe , plus Goa, India. Agree with Dorine that the score increased the tension.Good camera shots , ending!! The right and left hands worked together on this one. Bruce Cox turns in another excellent performance. And it might be Matt Damon's best."}, {"response": 96, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 2004 (00:24)", "body": "(Evelyn) And it might be Matt Damon's best. I'm watching Dogma right now and I was thinking this was his best. I guess he really did very well in both. Very different types of characters. One of my favorite Ben Affleck roles, too, along with Chasing Amy (both Kevin Smith movies). I agree Bryan Cox did very well. Didn't recognize him for a minute. He was very interesting on C Rose a week or so ago. Great Scots accent. Glad you liked Before Sunset. I thought it better than the original, too. Can't wait for the DVD, though would like to see it before that again. Was watching the first just before I left to see the second, though I didn't pay attention to almost half of it.... so while I may have missed something, apparently it wasn't enough to inhibit my enjoyment of the second, hence my saying previously that I didn't think seeing the first was totally necessary. Just knowing they spent the night together talking, then promise to meet up again later was enough info for me. They said at the Q&A, when talking about her songs in it, that she has an album out in France, but no distribution in the US. I did find it at Amazon a while back as an import.... http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00009LI6V/qid=1090646243/sr=8-7/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i7_xgl15/104-2126842-2623965?v=glance&s=music&n=507846 Unfortunately no sound samples. Thanks, Kim and Karen for the article. Funny. I'm a Joan and Melissa watcher, too. I was bummed when they left. No more fashion roundups after award shows. I guess they will at the new channel, wherever it is on the dial."}, {"response": 97, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 2004 (00:31)", "body": "(Moon) I did like the actress that was in Run Lola Run, she was in the first one. Is she also in this one? I've only seen clips wth the other actress, Julia S. Franke Potente was in just the first ~20 mins. I hope E gets Carson from QE to do the red carpet Yes! He'd be perfect. Can be as catty as Joan, though would recognize people better I bet."}, {"response": 98, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 2004 (10:06)", "body": "(Moon) hope E gets Carson from QE to do the red carpet He would be perfect, but didn't the article say E! was looking for unknowns? Besides, Carson is attached to NBC-owned properties, like Bravo. He did the Red Carpet for Access Hollywood, which airs on NBC. Thanks for the link, Dorine. One of the CD reviewers has said it will be a trilogy. Wonder how long before the third is made...How the film was made intrigues me. Those huge chunks of dialogue. How on earth did they do it? It doesn't look edited together to me. Even when you look at the cafe scene at the beginning. The dialogue flows seamlessly. They had two cameras and the actors took off. Before Sunset: If you go to this Julie Delpy site: http://home.no.net/site/delpyweb/ not only can you read the raves about her and the film, but there's also a link to read the script for Before Sunrise: http://www.geocities.com/joeyhuang2001/b4sunrise01.html and a link to hear music samples: http://www.fnac.com/Shelf/article.asp?PRID=1430985&SID=053112a6-5686-ac6f-989e-3ee8e0f821c8&UID=02560510f-eab4-6956-1b48-636a5ddc5324&AID=&Origin=FnacAff&No=1&Mu=-13&Fr=3&Mn=1&Ra=-28&To=0 Definitely click to hear Waltz for a Night. Amazon has a soundtrack CD for the film, which has three tracks by her. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0002C4JIA"}, {"response": 99, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 2004 (11:34)", "body": "(Karen) How the film was made intrigues me. Those huge chunks of dialogue. How on earth did they do it? It doesn't look edited together to me. Even when you look at the cafe scene at the beginning. The dialogue flows seamlessly. They had two cameras and the actors took off. At the Q&A, they all talked about doing heavy rehearsing and sticking to the script as written because many of the scenes would be filmed without editing...some scenes up to 10 mins. As I said before, I was amazed to hear this as some parts and movements seemed so natural and improvised. Parts of it were logistical issues with some of the narrow streets and passageways. They could only use so much equipment because of lack of space. They also had a very short shooting schedule and specific lighting requirements as their day progressed, so they had no time to waste with many takes from different angles. It was like filming a play at times. Thanks for the links, Karen."}, {"response": 100, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 2004 (11:40)", "body": "On the soundtrack... Love that Dido and Encas Overture. Don't like that version of Waltz for a Night. Prefer the version in the movie with acoustic guitar. And it says in the summary that the Nina Simone song is on it, but it's not listed on the track list. :-("}, {"response": 101, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 2004 (12:48)", "body": "At the Q&A, they all talked about doing heavy rehearsing and sticking to the script as written because many of the scenes would be filmed without editing...some scenes up to 10 mins. ...It was like filming a play at times. That's a great analogy, a play, yet far more naturalistic with the feel of improvisation. I'm sure having Delpy and Hawke contributed to the script helped tremendously, but her riffs (save one by Hawke) are stellar material. I'm telling ya, this is an Oscar-worthy performance and I hope the new Warners Independent div pushes it, so that it won't be forgotten."}, {"response": 102, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 2004 (19:20)", "body": "Here's a link to and snippet of a BBC News interview with Julie Delpy talking about making the film..... http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3907023.stm \"We sat down and talked about the concept and we decided it was going to be an hour-and-a-half in real time. \"We started writing the script in 2002 and finished it just couple of weeks before we started shooting, but I didn't let myself believe it was actually going to happen until Ethan literally arrived for rehearsals.\" Filming in real time on location proved to be \"fun but challenging\" for Delpy who says she needed \"two heads\" to tackle the technical and creative demands. Because the whole film was set in late afternoon, matching the light meant they were only able to shoot for a few hours every day. A tight three-week filming schedule also meant scenes had to be nailed quickly and a single take could last more than 10 minutes. It helped add to the \"realism\" of the film and complemented the natural feel and rhythm of the dialogue. But, as Delpy explains, the seemingly spontaneous conversations and mannerisms were carefully choreographed to be as natural as possible. \"Everything was written, even things like the hesitation in the dialogue. We spent time studying the way we speak because we wanted to make the dialogue very flowing.\""}, {"response": 103, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 2004 (09:27)", "body": "Thanks, Dorine, for the link. Fascinating stuff. Although Delpy says there are \"no plans\" for a third film, she is reluctant to rule out the possibility. Gaaah! But they must. This one had a wonderful ending, but I've gotten so attached to these characters. I want more."}, {"response": 104, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 2004 (12:01)", "body": "He won...He won!!!! Armstrong Wins Record Sixth Tour De France http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&e=1&u=/ap/20040725/ap_on_sp_ot/cyc_tour_de_france"}, {"response": 105, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 2004 (12:02)", "body": "getting rid of bold, hopefully."}, {"response": 106, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 2004 (12:51)", "body": "Yes, am very excited about that! Will be watching coverage on CBS at 2pm ET."}, {"response": 107, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 2004 (14:14)", "body": "Nice interview with Linklater: http://www.kamera.co.uk/interviews/a_quick_chat_with_richard_linklater.php Had no idea they also did a scene for Waking Life? Wonder if it was before/after I walked out. ;-) Actually, I think I did see it, as I remember the cartoon Ethan Hawke. Prefer the actors, obviously, than cartoons."}, {"response": 108, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 2004 (22:23)", "body": "Is anyone watching this new Denis Leary show, Rescue Me? About the NY firefighters? It's on after this week's repeat of Nip/Tuck. I like it so far, in the 15 mins it's been on. Irreverent like his other show, The Job, which at that time was probably in my top 3 shows on TV a few years ago. This one's a drama that has funny bits as opposed to the other which was a comedy. Damn shame they took that off. Too short a run like Soap, and just as hysterical to me."}, {"response": 109, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 2004 (09:39)", "body": "Missed it. I'll check for replays during the week. It's on FX, isn't it? Must be replays. On another note, I saw a trailer for a Scottish movie called \"Dear Frankie\" this weekend. It looks fairly cute, though it is in Martian (sorry, Janet *winkie winkie*) and stars Emily Mortimer and Gerald Butler. This is the second time I've seen her do a Scottish accent and you'd think she was. Butler was always one those names bandied about as a Bond and I've never seen him in anything. Looked interesting though: hair was close-cropped to be a tough kind of guy. He's also the Phantom (of the Opera). I want to see this one."}, {"response": 110, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 2004 (10:15)", "body": "(Evelyn)Well constructed, edgy plot with twists and turns that races along at a frantic pace. Edge of seat throughout.Loved all the location shots in the capitals of Europe , plus Goa, India. I enjoyed it, and I liked that we see a lot of Moscow. Until now, our view has generally been limited to onion domes and Volga Boatmen.;-) I still prefer the first Bourne, but this was entertaiing, fast-paced (blink and you lose out) and Matt D. has really grown into the role. He won...He won!!!! Thrilled for him! Nobody has worked harder or overcome more."}, {"response": 111, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 2004 (10:25)", "body": "I would've put it on Dillane's topic, but it had Jason Isaacs in it too. Garcia keeps track of indie 'Nine Lives' By Chris Gardner Helmer Rodrigo Garcia has his hands full with a big-name cast for his latest effort, the indie drama \"Nine Lives.\" The project, produced by Julie Lynn through her Mockingbird Pictures, is shooting in Los Angeles. The story is a series of vignettes, offering glimpses into the lives of nine women, played by Kathy Baker, Amy Brenneman, Elpidia Carrillo, Glenn Close, Lisa Gay Hamilton, Holly Hunter, Amanda Seyfriend, Sissy Spacek and Robin Wright Penn. Their stories are rounded out thanks to additional cast members including Stephen Dillane, Dakota Fanning, William Fichtner, Jason Isaacs, Joe Mantegna, Ian McShane, Molly Parker, Mary Kay Place, Sydney Tamiia Poitier, Miguel Sandoval and Aidan Quinn. Garcia is directing from his own script, with Lynn handling producing chores. Alejandro Gonzales Inarritu is serving as executive producer. \"We set out to do a rather unusual independent film,\" said Garcia, who has worked with Baker, Brenneman, Carrillo, Close, Hamilton, Hunter, Seyfriend, Sandoval and Place. \"The greatest gift has been to have actors of this caliber respond to the material -- it's just a fantastic experience thus far.\" The film is composed of nine Steadicam shots, each 10-12 minutes, to tell the women's stories by following the actors through various locations and situations. The low-budget film could wind up having a big payday for the crew: Every permanent member of the crew owns a piece of the film, from the grips and the production assistants to the producer and director. Garcia is repped by Endeavor, which is also repping the film. Lynn is repped by agent Lisa Callamaro and attorney Craig Emanuel at Loeb & Loeb."}, {"response": 112, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 2004 (11:57)", "body": "(Karen re: Rescue Me) Missed it. I'll check for replays during the week. It's on FX, isn't it? Must be replays. Actually, I discovered last night was the replay. It's on Weds at 10 ET. I very much enjoyed the rest of the show. A lot funnier than I expected, but irreverently so. I saw a trailer for a Scottish movie called \"Dear Frankie\" this weekend..... and stars Emily Mortimer and Gerald Butler. Actually, it's Gerard. I have a hard time with the name sometimes. Liked him in the few things I've seen him in. 'Nine Lives' The story is a series of vignettes, offering glimpses into the lives of nine women Jason Isaacs, Ian McShane, Aidan Quinn? I'm in! ;-) The low-budget film could wind up having a big payday for the crew: Every permanent member of the crew owns a piece of the film That's really awesome.....but, doesn't sound like big $$ to me."}, {"response": 113, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 2004 (12:02)", "body": "The low-budget film could wind up having a big payday for the crew: Every permanent member of the crew owns a piece of the film (Dorine) That's really awesome.....but, doesn't sound like big $$ to me. LOL! Does everyone remember their basic math? 8% of 0 is 0. ;-)))"}, {"response": 114, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 2004 (13:18)", "body": "Interview with Linklater in Filmmaker magazine. I'm not copying over the intro material, as I think it gives away much too much of the film's surprises, as do most of the reviews in print. Don't read them. So much of the film's delights are the character reveals, i.e., where they are in life, whta's happening with them, what happened after their Vienna encounter, etc. Filmmaker: I think this is maybe the first U.S. independent-film sequel ever made. Richard Linklater: [Laughs.] Yeah, and [Before Sunrise is] probably the lowest-grossing film to ever spawn a sequel! There\ufffds a lot to be proud of. Filmmaker: Why did you decide to make this film? And why now? Linklater: Well, it\ufffds something we\ufffdve talked about over the years. Julie, Ethan and I would get together, and I could tell there was something still stirring in all of us. An early idea was to shoot what happened six months later rather quickly and then wait a few years and shoot the other, say, hour that took place years later. But we didn\ufffdt quite get it together \ufffd everybody was busy. But there was this desire we all had, just some kind of need. It certainly wasn\ufffdt anything other than thinking there was maybe more to say. Filmmaker: How did it start this time around? Linklater: I think when they did their scene in Waking Life, that\ufffds when we all sat down and said, Okay, now definitely we have to do this. In an earlier form, it was much more of a traditional romantic comedy. It took place in four different locations, it was much more involved \ufffd a bigger-budget thing, probably about $8 or $10 million. And we couldn\ufffdt get financing. This was around 2000. So we totally reconceptualized it, and at that point Ethan, Julie and I had an idea to do what is the movie now. So Julie, Ethan and I actually just wrote a completely new movie. Filmmaker: What was that writing process like? Linklater: Well, it was a lot like the first one. We sat in a room and worked together in about a two- or three-day period, worked out a very detailed outline of the whole film in this sort of real-time environment. And then, over the next year or so, we just started e-mailing each other and faxing. I was sort of a conduit \ufffd they would send me monologues and dialogues and scenes and ideas, and I was editing, compiling and writing. And that\ufffds how we came up with a script. And then Castle Rock came aboard to do it for not much money \ufffd a couple million \ufffd about what we had the first time, actually. The three of us met in Paris, and in a couple of days we did a first rewrite and just worked on the scenes. And during rehearsal and preproduction we kept working on it. Filmmaker: What to me was one of the film\ufffds strong points is the affection that you clearly have for these characters, and the affection they have for each other. It\ufffds intimate. Linklater: It was just kind of magical, I have to say \ufffd a magical encounter between two old friends, two old lovers, that you might have. Unlike the first movie, where you\ufffdre whisked away with the possibility of a romance, or you don\ufffdt know where it\ufffds going to go happen, this is a little different. You\ufffdre older, wiser, and you know this person; you\ufffdve been through something, and you\ufffdve had a relationship, albeit very absentee, that is kind of profound. So it\ufffds one of those moments when your fantasies are right in front of you! You\ufffdre experiencing something that you\ufffdve thought about. Filmmaker: Would you say that the change in tone that you\ufffdve just described is reflected in the filmmaking itself, or would you say that the aesthetic of this movie is almost the same as the first one? Linklater: Oh no, to me the tone is different. The visual style is even more minimal. And in the first one there was a much greater time span, and they were actively seeking out Vienna. They had all that possibility and a lot of time to kill! That was at night too, very romantic and full of mystery and possibility. This one was just the opposite. This one is daytime, they\ufffdve both got earthly obligations. We\ufffdre in a town she lives in. We\ufffdre in a town he\ufffds basically working in. He\ufffds got real-life appointments. He\ufffds got to leave for the airport in 80 minutes or so. So the tone of it is very real-worldy. And because it\ufffds this sort of document of real time, I wanted it to be like an \ufffdeloquent documentary.\ufffd I didn\ufffdt think handheld 16mm, I thought Steadicams. Eloquent, but with a certain realness. You have these long takes, long Steadicam shots following them unobtrusively. You know, in the first film the camera really commented on [the characters] and enhanced their feeling. I\ufffdd pull back and you\ufffdd see them in th foreground with the opera house in the background. This was the opposite. I wanted it to seem like we were just following these people in as real a way as we could get and still seem like some kind of narrative fiction. I was just taking this idea that I\ufffdve often worked from in movies: make a documentary about characters acting out a fiction. It\ufffds this Godardian idea from a lo"}, {"response": 115, "author": "firehorse", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 2004 (01:53)", "body": "Wow! Amazing stuff. Thanks Karen - I really enjoyed reading that interview. It isn't very often that films have to face that \"real-time\" issue. And to rehearse it so well, so that it looks spontaneous - sounds like what Jodi Foster said about her role in Taxi Driver, that De Niro rehearsed with her so much that she got really bored because she knows the dialogue inside out. Then he'd throw her an off-line or use a different inflection/intonation, something that is not in the script, and because she knows her lines so well, she didn't have to worry about what to say next, and is able to respond/improvise on the spot. I'd read recently in a report of the 2004 Berinale a wonderful snippet about Before Sunset - where the writer mentioned Linklater and Chantal Akerman in the same breath! And what the writer (Kevin Lee) said \"I give Linklater a lot of credit for believing that a magical connection between two human beings as he depicts is possible, especially because in Before Sunset he shows why it must be possible\" Having read the interview, this really makes sense, since Delpy and Hawke did contribute to the script and you can read this as a kind of a continuation of their investment to the characters, and also, a continuation of their on-screen chemistry (if you like) from Before Sunrise. They did have a gap of 9 years IRL to \"line their faces\" and chalk up their own histories. I haven't seen the film as yet, - not shown at the film festival here, nor the one I attended earlier in Hong Kong. But, I can't wait to see it - especially after reading all your postings and this last bit from the Berlinale wrap-up \"And then there's the ending. Beautiful, startling, unbelievably perfect, so natural it's unreal. So fitting for a movie that plays it moment by moment because it understands that life, for better or worse, is about being in the moment one is in right now and making the most of it, now. It's all one really can do.\" Here's the link if you want to read more."}, {"response": 116, "author": "firehorse", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 2004 (01:56)", "body": "oops! here's the link :-) http://www.sensesofcinema.com/contents/festivals/04/31/berlinale_2004.html"}, {"response": 117, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 2004 (08:34)", "body": "Thanks for the link, Janice (firehorse). Wonderfully insightful and doesn't give away all the secrets of their lives. I rarely get so impressed by a film, but this one is so exceptional, from every standpoint."}, {"response": 118, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 2004 (09:01)", "body": "About the real man whose story \"inspired\" The Terminal...sort of: http://film.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,12589,1269788,00.html"}, {"response": 119, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 2004 (09:04)", "body": "I viewed Sunrise last night (too old for a rental, bought it used) *Shrugging shoulders* It's OK. Casablanca doesn't have to worry;-) Will see Sunset this weekend when it opens here."}, {"response": 120, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 2004 (12:51)", "body": "(Evelyn)I viewed Sunrise last night (too old for a rental, bought it used) After hearing all the raves on Sunset, I've been trying to get a hold of Sunrise before I go to the theater. All copies are out from my two video rental sources - my local Blockbuster holds 3 copies. Sunset must be generating a lot of buzz even though I've heard nothing of it outside drool. (I should qualify my statement - chauffering children all day doesn't actually count as travelling in an intellectual circle)"}, {"response": 121, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 2004 (17:34)", "body": "(Evelyn) *Shrugging shoulders* It's OK. I agree, esp if you watch the two one after the other. I did like the first one mostly because I saw quite a bit of myself in it from experiences I had backpacking around Europe years ago. But, I didn't find it completely compelling in and of itself. Matter of fact, when I watched it just before I went out to see the second, I was very easily distracted and doing other things. With Before Sunset, I was completely swept up in them and their conversation, the implications, their movements, everything. Maybe because I'm older (though can't say wiser necessarily ;-)), I can completely identify with the life dilemmas of them both, especially her. In many things she said, she could've been me. I found it thought provoking in relation to my own life, much as I did with Lost in Translation. I was really bummed it ended there, though I thought that was brilliant as it left me wanting more. And to know that every move was completely rehearsed makes it even more compelling and enjoyable to me. Very well done!"}, {"response": 122, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 2004 (17:52)", "body": "As I recall, the raves were for Before Sunset. Watching Before Sunrise was for background and to see how much more depth of experience is shown in the current phase of the story."}, {"response": 123, "author": "firehorse", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 2004 (23:09)", "body": "mmm, I have seen Before Sunrise quite a few times, but each time, the experience took me further away from my initial love of the film. And maybe I was younger then... :-( I think some of the scenes that I liked then seems a bit trite now. And for me, Ethan Hawke's character is definitely not as dreamy as his role in Reality Bites. Delpy is however, very talented and shows such diversity in the roles that she plays."}, {"response": 124, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (08:52)", "body": "This article in Sight and Sound says very highly, and beautifully, of Before Sunset. After reading it, I really can't wait to see this film. Enjoy! http://www.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/2004_08/debriefencounter.php"}, {"response": 125, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (09:18)", "body": "Watch out!!! Sight & Sound is notorious for big spoilers and this one is full of them."}, {"response": 126, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (10:04)", "body": "None of this guy's movies get released, yet he's still making more? The mystery of the century... Romijn-Stamos on the 'Town' Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, in front of the cameras on the Summit Entertainment/Endgame Entertainment production \"Alibi,\" is in negotiations to be the woman to Ben Affleck's \"Man About Town.\" The project is being eyed for a late-October start, with Mike Binder directing from his script. Individual producing credits also are still being worked out, with Media 8 producing and 3 Arts Entertainment likely to receive producing credit as well, according to sources. \"Man About Town\" is the story of a top Hollywood talent agent (Affleck) who seems to have it all -- success, money and a beautiful wife (Romijn-Stamos). But it all starts to unravel when he finds out that she is cheating on him and his journal has been stolen by a journalist who could expose him. ~~~~~~~~~~~ Am surprised Binder isn't playing the lead himself. Romijn-Stamos is just his type. ;-)"}, {"response": 127, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (10:19)", "body": "Mike Nichols Takes a Skinny Dip Source: Variety Wednesday, July 28, 2004 Mike Nichols (Closer) has bought screen rights to Skinny Dip, the new novel by Carl Hiaasen, and intends to direct and produce the adaptation. In the book, Hiaasen, a columnist for The Miami Herald, again finds comedy and mystery in South Florida, the setting of his past books, including \"Strip Tease.\" His new story is about a crooked bureaucrat/biologist in danger of losing his lucrative business when his wife finds out about his pollution scam. So he tosses her off the back of a cruise liner, far out in the Atlantic. Unfortunately for him, his curvy wife is surprisingly buoyant, and floats on a bale of marijuana until she is rescued by an ex-cop."}, {"response": 128, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (10:50)", "body": "(Karen) Sight & Sound is notorious for big spoilers and this one is full of them. Very true. A friend who teaches film theory explained to me why this is: \"Sight and Sound\" publishes film criticism, not movie reviews. (His words not mine.) A piece of film criticism should contain a synopsis of the overall plot and explore the pertinent action which occurs within a film. So - it would seem not containing \"spoilers\" a virtual impossiblity in a film critique. He suggested that I might want to read the \"Sight and Sound\" critiques only after I see the movies in question. Although, some people really don't mind knowing what's going to happen in a movie before seeng said movie. My big gripe with \"spoilers\" isn't so much reviews or critiques, but rather, trailers. There are so many trailers which leave me with the feeling that I've already seen the movies they're meant to be previewing. Sometimes the trailers are like a more entertaining \"Readers' Digest\" condensed version of the movies they advertise. Just the entertaining bits - a form of extreme editing in effect."}, {"response": 129, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (10:57)", "body": "(Cheryl) So - it would seem not containing \"spoilers\" a virtual impossiblity in a film critique. I can recall several of the critiques in S&S being prefaced by warnings about spoilers in the past. This one didn't, so maybe they no longer do so."}, {"response": 130, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (11:53)", "body": "Risa, of definite interest to you.... From AICN.... Sorting Out Those James Bond Rumors... Hi, everyone. \"Moriarty\" here with some Rumblings From The Lab... Evidently, the new ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY features Pierce Brosnan saying that he\ufffds done with the Bond franchise. Since their site is for subscribers only, I can\ufffdt confirm that, but I\ufffdm sure it\ufffdll be in this week\ufffds issue if they did run it. Makes sense. People in and around MGM have known that Pierce wanted out for a while now. He hasn\ufffdt been happy with the direction the films have taken, and he has been trying to steer the franchise in a riskier direction, back towards the original Fleming source material. As a longtime fan of the books who is ambivalent at best towards the movies (outright hostile, in some cases), I always liked the notion of Quentin Tarantino doing a straight adaptation of CASINO ROYALE. It\ufffdll never happen, though, and I\ufffdve accepted that. We\ufffdre not that lucky. The rumor that is being printed and reprinted this week, though, is that Orlando Bloom will be playing a young James Bond at school. For some reason, people are saying this is a Miramax project. There\ufffds a whole lot of stupid in that rumor. MGM/Eon owns Bond and isn\ufffdt about to give someone else a license to kill their franchise by doing some ridiculous \ufffdYoung Bond\ufffd series. And Miramax can\ufffdt just decide to make the films without that permission. Forget this rumor right away. It\ufffds just pointless noise and mumbles. You want some a real Bond tidbit to chew on? How about the name of the guy who MGM has already tapped to replace Brosnan? I first heard this name floated a month or so ago, but now I\ufffdve heard it from three fairly solid sources. No paperwork is signed yet, but it looks like they\ufffdve made their choice, and it\ufffds not the long-rumored Clive Owen, and it\ufffds not Hugh Jackman, and it\ufffds not Hugh Grant, and it\ufffds not any of the names I\ufffdve heard a dozen times before. Nope. Looks like the next guy to suit up and slip on the 007 moniker will be an actor who can really sink his CHOPPERs into the role. A guy who brings a certain HULKing charm to the role. A comedian-turned-action lead who... ummm... oh, how the fuck do I make a lame TROY joke here? Forget it. Bana. Eric Bana. You heard it here first. __________________________________________________ While I really like Eric Bana. I don't see it, unless he does a serious version. I'd still prefer Clive or HJ if they were going with the current set up."}, {"response": 131, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (12:21)", "body": "(Karen)None of this guy's movies get released, yet he's still making more? As long as daddy keeps bankrolling him. Talk about throwing good money after bad. Poor Ben Affleck; this is *not* the way to get your faltering career back on track. I can't see Bana as Bond either. For one thing, I thought for sure they'd pick an Englishman for a change. The one good thing about this rumor is that Colin's name is in every paper in America today.;-)"}, {"response": 132, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (13:38)", "body": "(Mari)As long as daddy keeps bankrolling him. Forgive me, but who's his daddy?"}, {"response": 133, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (15:40)", "body": "No one famous, Leslie, just a guy with big $$$ who we understand bankrolls his son's films. In other words, he doesn't have to worry that investors won't like his work.;-)"}, {"response": 134, "author": "OzFirthFan", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (17:24)", "body": "For those who are interested in the \"James Bond\" topic, here's the public confirmation that PB will no longer be doing anymore Bond flicks: http://www.yourmovies.com.au/main.cfm?page=news&i=40759 This movies site is pretty well-researched and tends to be quite accurate, so I'd say it's official... Personally, I'd hate to see CF take over as Bond, because I'm not a Bond fan. Doesn't sound like he's even in the running anyway. I don't see Bana as Bond at all... doesn't have the \"class\" of some others... I doubt that rumour is true..."}, {"response": 135, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (17:48)", "body": "Nothing's official until it comes from Eon, which makes the Bond movies."}, {"response": 136, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (18:50)", "body": "I thought Eric Bana was terrific in TROY."}, {"response": 137, "author": "JosieM", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (20:50)", "body": "I thought Eric Bana was terrific in TROY. Agree. Very impressive, and sexy. Though I couldn't relate him in TROY with the man in HULK."}, {"response": 138, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (21:28)", "body": "Not meaning to change the topic, but... I just came back from seeing Napoleon Dynamite. Really odd, somewhat dumb, but very funny. A refreshing change of pace IMO. Does anyone else have an opinion on the film? I gather it premiered at Sundance this year."}, {"response": 139, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 2004 (22:07)", "body": "I wanted to see it. Read lots of good things about it. Kinda quirky. Saw The Village tonight....a definite *must see*! IMO, by far the best thing M. Night has done since Sixth Sense. Risa thought it actually might be better. Bryce Dallas Howard (Ron Howard's daughter) as Ivy....*what* a find she is! The whole cast was v. good overall. Esp Adrian Brody, too. Interesting character. Actually, some people could say interesting character, others may say stock type of character. The story was an interesting comment on the methods used in maintaining a society. It was a compelling story, with twists, that people may or may not see coming. I had sort of guessed or suspected one thing, but totally missed another that Risa got. I did notice some other subtle things, but didn't consciously apply them to figuring out any twists. My favorite scene involved Joaquin Phoenix and BDH...wonderful lighting, staging, with emotional resonance. Neat little cameo for M. Night. Was really nice to see William Hurt in something again. He's been hard to find in recent years. I was reading M. Night reshot the ending. Am curious what changed. Will have to search the Internet for it. Supposedly there was a leaked script a while back. Sorry about being vague on so much, but am trying not to give much away to those, like me, haven't read much or anything about it. Also, v.v. funny discussion on that new Denis Leary show Rescue Me about defining and explaining metrosexuals. 2 of the newer guys try to explain it to the older ones. Hysterical!"}, {"response": 140, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 2004 (08:20)", "body": "I haven't seen Napoleon Dynamite yet, but it's on my list. ~~~~~~~~~~~ From Ananova: New Keira film set to stop traffic A new film version of Pride and Prejudice could prove a headache for motorists in a Lincolnshire town. Local tourism chiefs are delighted Pemberley Productions is using picturesque Stamford to shoot its version of the Jane Austen classic. It's a \"boost\" for the area, they said. However, Lincolnshire police today warned the production - starring Bend It Like Beckham actress Keira Knightley - will mean weeks of delays for drivers. The film company wants to recreate the 1790s in the town by erecting a covered walkway. It means traffic flow around the junction of St Mary's Street and St George's Square will be restricted to one lane until the road is closed completely at the beginning of September for final preparations and filming. \"Some effect on traffic is unavoidable,\" a force spokesman said. Due to the likely delays, he added, motorists are best advised to avoid the area altogether if possible - to reduce congestion. Lincolnshire was also used for filming of the acclaimed BBC version of Pride and Prejudice, which was shot on location at Belton House, near Grantham."}, {"response": 141, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 2004 (09:45)", "body": "Olympics shouldn't hurt August's youth appeal films By Martin A. Grove Olympics overview: The dog days of summer aren't prime playing time like June and July, but with schools still out and people still taking vacations August can generate good grosses. This summer, however, with the Olympics to contend with from Aug. 13-29, Hollywood is being careful to open films targeted to younger moviegoers who are the least likely to be glued to their TV sets watching the games. Indeed, after DreamWorks launches its adult thriller \"Collateral\" starring Tom Cruise Aug. 6 the pipeline for the rest of the month is filled with younger appeal product directed at teen or subteen girls and teen or young adult males. This wasn't the case year when Buena Vista/Touchstone was able to take advantage of the less-crowded late summer to open its adult male appeal western \"Open Range\" Aug. 15. This summer there aren't any films targeted specifically to adults coming into the marketplace after \"Collateral.\" \"The worst Olympics (impact is when) they're in Canada or the United States because then they're live,\" explains one marketing pro. \"That can impact (the boxoffice) as much as about 20%. When it's delayed (from Europe) it should diminish boxoffice in the vicinity of maybe 10 or 12%. You lose men, particularly older men and you lose some of the boys. Even though there are female events, you lose more men than women because it's sports. Mostly it's men over 25 (who are lost), but depending on the individual events you can also lose some of the younger audience.\" The impact at the boxoffice could be even worse if are any terrorist incidents at the Olympics because, he noted, \"it certainly would keep people glued to their television sets. Then it's people watching newscasts.\" Facing the reality of having to compete against the televised games, Hollywood has basically opted to counterprogram with less costly pictures targeted to younger moviegoers who are less likely to be devoting time to the Olympics. \"Once you reach Aug. 6, the $100 million pictures are over,\" he explained. \"They're already in the marketplace. From then on, you don't have any (really) big product until later in the year. \" What there will be on tap for most of August, this marketing executive points out, are films that are \"younger family kind of stuff. It's younger product, lower-budgeted product. The tentpole pictures are out of the way by then. The biggest budgeted picture (opening in mid-August) is 'Alien vs. Predator' (from 20th Century Fox and Davis Entertainment) and I don't think it's a $100 million (budget). It's definitely a younger (male) audience. Most of the product from Aug. 13 on is younger product because they're more inclined to go to the movies and not sit home and watch the Olympics.\" Indeed, that appears to be Hollywood's strategy when you consider what's in the pipeline for August. The suspense thriller \"Collateral,\" directed by Michael Mann and written by Stuart Beattie, opens Aug. 6, giving it one week of playing time before the Olympics hits. The R rated film revolves around a grey haired Tom Cruise playing a hit man, making it more adult appeal than the superstar's earlier PG-13 rated action films like \"Mission: Impossible\" and its sequel. Some reports put its budget at around $60 million, a relatively modest cost these days. Opening head-to-head with \"Collateral\" Aug. 6, but targeted to an entirely different audience, is Revolution Studios and Columbia's PG-13 rated romantic comedy \"Little Black Book.\" Directed by Nick Hurran, it stars Brittany Murphy, Holly Hunter, Ron Livingston and Kathy Bates. Its storyline about a talk show producer going through her fiance's Palm address listings to investigate his ex-girlfriends and then winding up becoming friends with one of them should play best to young women who could care less about the then Olympics. Buena Vista/Disney's G rated sequel \"The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement,\" directed by Garry Marshall and again starring Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews, arrives Wed., Aug. 11. Its primary appeal will be to teen and subteen girls and their mothers and grandmothers, again an audience that's not likely to be glued to the Olympics. Fox's horror thriller \"Alien Vs. Predator,\" opening Aug. 13, is directed by Paul W.S. Anderson and stars Lance Henriksen. With its roots in a hit videogame, it's clearly something that should play best to under-25 males. Here, too, these are moviegoers who should be available despite the hoopla over the televised Olympic Games. [Ed note: Why is this language not at negative as that describing women?] Even younger in its appeal is Warner Bros. PG animated family film \"Yu-Gi-Oh,\" also opening Aug. 13. It's based on a popular kids cartoon about Yugi and his pals, all of whom are into playing the game Duel Monsters. Its audience will be young kids whose moms are willing to sit through the picture. This, too, isn't a crowd you'd find obsessing over the Olympics results. Pa"}, {"response": 142, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 2004 (09:58)", "body": "Lido fest loves Hollywood, Japan By Peter Kiefer and Stuart Kemp ROME -- Hollywood will have its fingerprints all over this year's Venice International Film Festival with three movies in competition and an additional seven others receiving special screenings, as organizers announced this year's line-up Thursday. In his first outing as the artistic director of the event, Marco Mueller made good on his pledge to add more studio fare to this year's lineup, more so than in any other recent year. Three U.S. films -- Jonathan Glazer's \"Birth,\" Mira Nair's \"Vanity Fair,\" and Todd Solondz's \"Palindromes\" -- will vie for this year's Golden Lion. A total of 21 films are in competition, up one from last year's 20 films. An additional 16 films are set to receive a special screening. In addition to the three U.S. films in competition, six others will screen outside competition. The list includes a veritable who's who of Hollywood directors. Those scheduled to unspool on the Lido include: Steven Spielberg's \"The Terminal,\" Michael Mann's \"Collateral,\" jury-member Spike Lee's \"She Hate Me,\" Steven Soderbergh's \"Eros\" (co-directed with Michelangelo Antonioni and Wong Kar-wai), Jonathan Demme's \"The Manchurian Candidate,\" and Marc Forster's \"Finding Neverland\" which stars Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet and Dustin Hoffman. DreamWorks' \"Shark Tale\" is set for a special event screening. The announcement of the lineup for the 61st annual Venice Film Festival was made at a packed Rome's Excelsior Hotel Thursday morning. Umbrella organization Venice Biennale president Davide Croff, along with Mueller, made the presentation to a standing room only ballroom. Both Croff and Mueller repeatedly stressed the \"renewal\" of the Festival's spirit and character under Mueller's stewardship. \"I wanted to take the festival forward while also taking it in a completely different, 180-degree direction,\" said Mueller. Croff, along with Mueller, said he was hoping to pull off the best Venice Film Festival in ten years. \"We have all been working with great energy and enthusiasm,\" he said. This year's lineup also boasts a heavy Asian influence -- more specifically, Japanese. A total of three Japanese films are in competition, Hou Hsiao-hsien's \"Cafe Lumiere,\" Hayao Miyazaki's \"Howl's Moving Castle,\" and Jia Zhangke's \"Shijie,\" which is a joint Japanese/Chinese production. As expected by regular festival goers, there is also a strong dose of European fare, including German director Wim Wender's \"Land of Plenty,\" British director Mike Leigh's \"Vera Drake,\" Italian director Guido Chiesa's \"Lavorare con Lentezza\" (To Work With Slowness) and Spanish director Alejandro Amenabar's \"Mar Adentro\" which stars Javier Bardem. Also set for a special out of competition screening is Michael Radford's \"The Merchant of Venice\" which stars Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons and Joseph Fiennes. Other categories at the Venice Film Festival, which will run from Sep. 1 to 11, include The Venice Horizontal, Venice Midnight, the Venice Digital Cinema and Critics Week. Full listing here: http://www.labiennale.org/en/cinema/61miac/index.html"}, {"response": 143, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 2004 (10:06)", "body": "\"Nobody's going to make the mistake they made last year,\" my marketing source points out. \"A lot of the Academy pictures are going to be slotted earlier. I don't think anything of any consequence is going to open later than maybe the first week in December. They're not going to go out at Christmas (as distributors did in the past with awards contenders). The Academy's basically in New York and Los Angeles so if you platform (a picture) you can really accomplish what you want to accomplish.\" Thank God that they are moving things back some, because it's been exhausting and time consuming to go to literally 4 screenings a week between Thanksgiving and Xmas, because they have felt the need to cram the award contenders into such a late and short time period. Though I'm figuring, and have a fear, that the same will happen, just earlier. It's already busier for BAFTA sooner this year than it was last year, and judging by the release schedules for the rest of the year I was perusing at Comingsoon.net, it's going to really get hopping in Sept/Oct. And it's interesting that they feel platforming will now be considered the effective plan, when for so long, their view was that releasing so late, just before Academy voters got their ballots, was the way to go as the films would be fresh in their minds."}, {"response": 144, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 2004 (10:12)", "body": "Am very curious about... Michael Mann's \"Collateral, Steven Soderbergh's \"Eros\" (co-directed with Michelangelo Antonioni and Wong Kar-wai), and Marc Forster's \"Finding Neverland\" which stars Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet and Dustin Hoffman. Spanish director Alejandro Amenabar's \"Mar Adentro\" which stars Javier Bardem. Also set for a special out of competition screening is Michael Radford's \"The Merchant of Venice\" which stars Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons and Joseph Fiennes. I didn't realize Dustin Hoffman was in Neverland. I thought I read somewhere that SJ was to be on the jury there."}, {"response": 145, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 2004 (10:23)", "body": "(Dorine) I thought I read somewhere that SJ was to be on the jury there. Yep, and I would imagine the laps of several of the panel members, especially John Boorman, v. distinguished looking older man. Mushimoko y'all! ;-)"}, {"response": 146, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 2004 (11:10)", "body": "ROTFL!! *Me-ow!*"}, {"response": 147, "author": "lindak", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 2004 (16:43)", "body": "...should play best to young women who could care less about the then Olympics. ...Its primary appeal will be to teen and subteen girls and their mothers and grandmothers, again an audience that's not likely to be glued to the Olympics Sheesh! My daughter, my mother, and I are always glued to the Olympics. It's the DH who falls asleep;-) What? Did Mr. Grove write this article for 2004 or 1944 Olympics? (Karen)Yep, and I would imagine the laps of several of the panel members,...distinguished looking older man. Didn't she gave up on those \"older\" men of last year's red carpets?;-) Thanks for both articles, Karen"}, {"response": 148, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 30, 2004 (09:58)", "body": "What? Did Mr. Grove write this article for 2004 or 1944 Olympics? *snort* No, but that is fairly representative of the kind of comments made about the female audience component in all the trade publications."}, {"response": 149, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jul 30, 2004 (11:02)", "body": "When, and if, someone goes to see The Village, I want to know what you think. Am very surprised at the many negative reviews. Oddly enough, virtually all of the ones I've read so far, say the acting is good, it's suspenseful, then says the twist isn't good enough, or it's not scary enough like M. Night's others. I find that annoying that they can't seem to take it on it's own, though in fairness, I'll go see other people's movies on the expectations of previous work as well. And this did have a few issues for me, but still enjoyable. Still, this paragraph is quite telling from USA Today.... \"Shyamalan has painted himself into a corner. Audiences approach The Village wanting something more frightening than Signs and a plot with a more powerful twist than his masterful 1999 success The Sixth Sense. Though it's not as contrived as 2000's Unbreakable, The Village disappoints. \" I guess I was better off not expecting anything. Kinda reminds me of the possible reasoning behind some of the negative reviews of Trauma....because it wasn't a slasher-type horror movie that My Little Eye turned out to be. Also saw Manchurian Candidate last night. I liked it for the most part overall, though the first 30-40 minutes seemed a bit muddled for my taste. Good performances. Had a just-on-the-brink-of-too-campy scene with Liev Schrieber and Meryl Streep as his a-tad-too-devoted mom who was maybe a bit too helpful after a shower (or bath). ;-)"}, {"response": 150, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 30, 2004 (11:14)", "body": "(Dorine) Meryl Streep as his a-tad-too-devoted mom who was maybe a bit too helpful after a shower (or bath). ;-) In the original, Mom actually kisses sonny boy."}, {"response": 151, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jul 30, 2004 (11:41)", "body": "Never saw the original. She almost did, but they had her get as close as possible, pause, then cut to next scene."}, {"response": 152, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Fri, Jul 30, 2004 (17:56)", "body": "Though it's not as contrived as 2000's Unbreakable, The Village disappoints While I liked Unbreakable, I agree with the author; the Village did disappoint. I was hot to see it so I dragged my sis to a matinee. We both found it way too slow. And agreed that the plot twist was a let down. Even M. Night's cameo was a let down. You only get to see his full face in a reflection."}, {"response": 153, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jul 30, 2004 (18:32)", "body": "I was disappointed with Unbreakable. I agree The Village did get slow somewhere in the first third to me (reminded me of Trauma in that respect), but the rest picked it up enough for me. I thought that was a cool way to do his cameo. Different than just having him stand there and say something, though actually he was saying something when he wasn't really in the shot. Overall, I was just anxious for her to get back in time to save Lucius. The costume of that creature bothered me though....just a bit over the top...a cross between a huge porcupine and a wolf thing standing on 2 feet. I wonder if on the DVD, they'll include the original ending that he reshot."}, {"response": 154, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Sat, Jul 31, 2004 (10:13)", "body": "POSSIBLE SPOILER: Did anyone notice, in The Village, when she got to the \"Game preserve\" that the name of the company was Walker -also her last name? I wish they had explained that to us. My sis and I assumed that it was a front, created by her father, to keep them more secluded. It just seemed like they rushed through the editing of the ending and kind of let us down on that point. I agree with you, Doreen, about the costumes of the creatures. I chalked it up to the fact that they were primarily designed to strike fear into the hearts of children-not the adults. I didn't know there was an alternate ending out there. I'll just have to read about it though. Don't think I'll be investing in this one on DVD. I'm taping My Life So far right now. Thanks to whom ever posted the link for upcoming CF films on US TV!!"}, {"response": 155, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 31, 2004 (12:18)", "body": "I join Karen and Doreen in recommending Before Sunset! But it is critical to see Before Sunrise beforehand. Otherwise , you won't \"get it\"; even with the flashbacks from the first film. Like my local reviewer who gave it one star and said it was \"dull, with too much talking\". \" And then there's the ending. Beautiful, startling, unbelievably perfect, so natural it's unreal. So fitting for a movie that plays it moment by moment because it understands that life, for better or worse, is about being in the moment one is in right now and making the most of it, now. It's all one really can do.\" How true. A Droolie once told us the old hippie saying: \"When you get old, it's not the things you *did* that you'll regret, it 's the things you *didn't do*\". *Waving to Susan* And De-Lovely should be on everyone's \"must see\" list. Not just exquisitely done, but a joy as well."}, {"response": 156, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 2004 (00:40)", "body": "(Yvette) Did anyone notice, in The Village, when she got to the \"Game preserve\" that the name of the company was Walker-also her last name? I wish they had explained that to us. My sis and I assumed that it was a front, created by her father, to keep them more secluded. It just seemed like they rushed through the editing of the ending and kind of let us down on that point. Ivy's grandfather (William Hurt's character's father) was a billionaire. The news clippings her father pulled out at the end stated that in the headline about his father's murder. When his father was killed, I presume he inherited a good chunk of money. Either he or his father had created this nature preserve....then her father created this town and with all his money had the clout to keep it a secret. And gee, like that never happens IRL. ;-) As M. Night's character said at the end, they had the government reroute flight plans so no planes would fly over. Of course, if planes did fly over, the charade couldn't possibly be maintained. I chalked it up to the fact that they were primarily designed to strike fear into the hearts of children-not the adults. Yes, since the only adults there were the ones who started the village and created this creature in the first place."}, {"response": 157, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 2004 (10:25)", "body": "I was just on the IMDB site and came across a few links that are new to me. My appologies to Karen if they are old hat. If so, please feel free to delete this post. I especially like the pic of him on the cover of the AC program. http://home.att.net/~luvvie/cf/caretaker.htm http://home.att.net/~luvvie/cf/ http://home.att.net/~luvvie/cf/3DoR.htm Sorry, I'm not very adept at this cutting/pasting/linking stuff. :o{"}, {"response": 158, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 2004 (10:41)", "body": "Old hat? Well, this is Odds & Ends, but since it has to do with Colin, it would belong on Firthology. Besides, there's more on 3DOR on firth.com than Luvvie's site."}, {"response": 159, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 2004 (12:37)", "body": "(Karen)..there's more on 3DOR on firth.com than Luvvie's site. Yeah....'sides you even own a CARETAKER program;-)"}, {"response": 160, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 2004 (22:41)", "body": "Just got back from The Village. My three companions and I liked it very much. No, it's not as scary as his prior films but it's very clever and well done. Warning - SPOILER Ahead The accents and 19th century dialogue seemed forced, it just didn't flow as smoothly as heard in other period films. There were even some phrases and vocabulary here and here that were more on the contemporary side. My friends thought it was poor acting. I thought that it might be purposeful on the director's part - a clue to the fact that the situation wasn't real."}, {"response": 161, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 2004 (11:14)", "body": "Variety's summing up of the situation: New Bloom for Bond buzz Sun Aug 1, 5:19 AM ET Marc Graser, STAFF HOLLYWOOD -- Development hell is giving James Bond nightmares -- and the torment is largely self-inflicted. With six months to go before the 21st installment of the franchise should start lensing, MGM and Eon Prods. still don't have an actor to play the suave British superspy, a director or even a shooting script. And the lack of all three is fueling the rumor mill. For several months, Pierce Brosnan has been distancing himself from the project and pundits have taken that to mean he's retired as Bond. And complicating things, Orlando Bloom is being courted to play a teenaged 007, based on a series of books that Miramax will start publishing in the fall, and to replace Brosnan in the next adventure. But Brosnan, who is not under contract to play Bond for a fifth time, has not yet been made an offer to come back -- nor has any other thesp been offered the role. And Miramax's book deal does not include rights to make films based on the younger Bond's adventures. After 20 films, the franchise's producers are under pressure to take a risk and try something new, such as rely less on explosions and effects and go back to the earlier pics, which were heavier on character and plot. Brosnan has publicly said that the producers are in \"a state of paralysis\" as to which direction the next film should go. And with Brosnan's involvement a question mark and the thesp only getting older, producers are eyeing younger candidates, with names like Bloom, Hugh Jackman, Eric Bana, Clive Owen, Ioan Gruffudd, Colin Firth, Gerard Butler, Jude Law and Ewan McGregor said to be in the running. Going younger is especially enticing now that Matt Damon is generating B.O. coin playing spy Jason Bourne in U's emerging series. Bond's not the only franchise having development issues. Less than two months before it starts production, \"Mission: Impossible 3\" is still looking for a director, Warner Bros. has hired yet another team of writers, director and producers for its new \"Superman\" saga, and Indiana Jones is still waiting for a greenlight at Paramount. What is certain is that a new Bond film is in the works -- and that MGM is as dependent on the franchise now as in the past. Grosses from the last and most successful entry, \"Die Another Day,\" accounted for 42% of the Lion's domestic B.O take in 2002, when that pic was released. Next pic is being prepped to start shooting before March in order to bow Nov. 18, 2005. Pic's producers have agreed on a plot; scribes Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, who penned the last two Bond adventures, turned in the first draft of their script last week. ~~~~~~~~~ More about that last paragraph, from the Commander Bond Net via Dark Horizons: CommanderBond reports that they are now hearing from multiple independent sources close to the production that the current draft of \"Bond 21\" by Neal Purvis and Robert Wade is based on Ian Fleming\ufffds first James Bond novel, \"Casino Royale\". Whether or not the film will be called Casino Royale is still not known. Purvis and Wade last used the Ian Fleming novel \"Moonraker\" as the basis for \"Die Another Day\". 'Royale' was first published in 1953 and was most famously adapted as a 1967 satirical comedy starring David Niven and Peter Sellers - an adaptation that had no relation to the main 20 films produced under the Cubby Broccoli/Harry Saltzman Eon Productions banner. The rights to the novel reverted back to MGM in the late 90's. Set entirely in Royale-les-Eaux, a resort village in N.E. France, Casino Royale is a rather small scale Bond novel [Ed note: They all were.] which no doubt will be expanded by Purvis and Wade. Whilst those Prague location rumours may prove to be false, a Bond Girl named Vesper Lynd and a villain named Le Chiffre are apparently distinct possibilities. ~~~~~~~~ I would love to see the films go back to the novels, especially this one."}, {"response": 162, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 2004 (11:25)", "body": "v.g. article about how Focus Features is the new Miramax: Niche biz comes into Focus Sun Aug 1, 5:19 AM ET David Rooney, STAFF As uncertainty continues to cloud the future of Miramax in its ongoing battle with its Mouse House parent, 2-year-old Focus Features has emerged as one of the brightest stars of the specialty distribution arena. So will the company inherit the Weinstein brothers' mantle? Since being assembled out of Good Machine and USA Films in 2002, Focus has strung together an impressive roster of upscale hits like \"Far From Heaven,\" \"The Pianist\" and \"Lost in Translation.\" The company has developed a reputation for taking artistic risks: pairing Jim Carrey (news) with the idiosyncratic team of screenwriter Charlie Kaufman and director Michel Gondry in \"Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind\"; casting Reese Witherspoon in a period literary adaptation in Mira Nair's upcoming \"Vanity Fair\"; or enlisting heartthrobs Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger to play cowboy lovers in Ang Lee's \"Brokeback Mountain.\" It's also had a few misfires such as \"The Guys,\" \"Ned Kelly\" and \"Sylvia.\" While co-prexys David Linde and James Schamus bristle at any suggestion that Focus is the new Miramax, they do concede that the expansion of Harvey and Bob Weinstein's company from arthouse onto studio terrain has created an opening. \"I don't really want to take on any mantle,\" Schamus says. \"But the rise of Miramax as a studio did clear a space for a truly specialized but still aggressive independent studio, and that's where we like to be.\" While Focus does not have the same autonomy from its studio parent, Universal as, say, Sony Pictures Classics, the unit operates freely within an established (but undisclosed) budget, making movies for under $30 million that go through the same greenlighting process as those at U. Linde and Schamus say that not once has U stepped in to block a project. Like other studio specialty divisions, though, Focus had to walk away from the boffo opportunity of \"Fahrenheit 9/11,\" principally because Universal insisted on including DVD rights in the distrib deal. But the missteps are outweighed by a success rate that points to a young company with a clearly defined agenda. Like Miramax, Focus is one of the few production-based specialty companies that understand how to mine international to limit financial exposure on its features. \"One of the things we've done is to treat the specialized market as a business, not an excuse on one hand to throw parties and win awards and on the other, to try to get into the studio business,\" Schamus offers. \"We are extremely aggressive when we have to be, but we are never going to be aggressive to the point of taking ourselves out of this business.\" \"We have created a multifaceted business,\" Linde adds, noting it's a production-distribution company that distributes a variety of pictures \"all financed with a careful financial plan\" and it's an entity that manages a 300-plus library of specialty and genre movies via all media worldwide. Focus has pushed the boundaries of standard thinking in scheduling many of its 10-12 releases per year. The U division plunged into last year's July 4 weekend with French pickup \"Swimming Pool,\" grossing north of $10 million, and last month scored a promising start for Jeff Bridges starrer \"The Door in the Floor\" with some of the best reviews of the season. Focus also opted for a March release of \"Eternal Sunshine,\" despite long-established plans for a major end-of-year awards-season push, and will bow \"Vanity Fair\" on Labor Day weekend. \"The model is: There is no model,\" says Linde. Later this year, Focus bows the first titles from its genre division Rogue Pictures -- British zombie comedy \"Shaun of the Dead\" and deadly doll franchise update \"Seed of Chucky\" in the fall, and in early 2005, an updated remake of \"Assault on Precinct 13\" plus Jet Li starrer \"Unleashed.\" The establishment of the Rogue label stands to consolidate the distrib's position as the closest thing on the specialty scene to the Miramax/Dimension double-act. And, speaking of double acts: Focus has its own yin-yang pairing in Linde and Schamus, who bring together a complementary skill set of dealmaking and creative savvy. The professorial Schamus, who leans toward bow ties and cardigans, appreciates good horror films as much as classic literature. The deadpan Linde brings a pragmatic business savvy to Schamus' intellectualism. Linde's tenure at Miramax and later Good Machine helped hone his talent for assembling financing and spreading risk through foreign sales. Schamus came up as a producer of edgy indie fare before co-founding Good Machine, and in addition, is a respected screenwriter who teaches a Columbia U. graduate course in film studies. Says Linde: \"The two things that really served us to great advantage are those six years we had running a profitable business and the very specific talent relationships we learned to develop, primarily with writers and director"}, {"response": 163, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 2004 (11:38)", "body": "\"and will bow \"Vanity Fair\" on Labor Day weekend.\" . The trailer looks good. But VF in two hours????? Hmmmm"}, {"response": 164, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 2004 (11:54)", "body": "Thanks for the Focus article, Karen. They also have Jack Foley, head of distribution, who did a stint at Miramax, as well."}, {"response": 165, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 2004 (11:57)", "body": "From the NYT: August 2, 2004 A Coup de Hollywood at the United Nations By WARREN HOGE UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 1 \ufffd When it comes to the movies, the United Nations has long played hard to get. Filmmakers hoping to wrap their lenses around the cathedral-like spaces of this icon of midcentury aesthetic were always turned down, and that included Alfred Hitchcock, whose request to shoot \"North by Northwest\" on location in 1959 was rejected. Officials were not even swayed by the presence of Cary Grant, a leading man who could fill a pair of striped trousers more smartly than most. When the director Sydney Pollack came calling last year with his new $80 million film, \"The Interpreter,\" starring Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn, he too got the traditional veto. So he began work in Toronto on a soundstage lookalike of the grand meeting halls and the stylishly appointed lobbies, lounges and corridors, but it was a half-hearted \ufffd and ultimately unnecessary \ufffd effort. \"I got really upset at the whole thing because I would have had to use a partial set and do the rest with computer graphics,\" he said. \"And it sure wouldn't have looked like this.\" Eyes alight, he extended his arm in a possessive sweep across the modernist splendor of the General Assembly chamber with its green marble speaker's podium and giant golden screen bearing the United Nations seal, its horseshoe-shaped rows of desks in blond wood and canted walls with gilt fluting, and above, a powder-blue dome \ufffd all gleaming in the blaze of a dozen 20-kilowatt lamps. \"You know, they do a beautiful job with computer graphics \ufffd go see the tidal waves in `The Day After Tomorrow' \ufffd they do it very well, but in the end people aren't fooled,\" he said. \"They know when you're really there.\" To get there himself, Mr. Pollack had to go to the top. \"I was finally able to get an appointment with Kofi Annan right after the first of the year,\" he said, referring to the secretary general, \"and I was careful to be honest with him and say that this is not a commercial for the United Nations, it is a thriller, it is a Hollywood movie, but also there is nothing in this picture that will be embarrassing to the U.N., and in fact the story is an argument in favor of diplomacy over violence, of words over gunfire.\" Ms. Kidman plays a United Nations interpreter who overhears a death threat against an African head of state about to address the General Assembly, and Mr. Penn plays a federal agent assigned to protect her while harboring suspicions about her ideals and motives. \"She believes very much in the power and sanctity of words and thinks if they are used properly, they can be as powerful as bullets or weapons,\" Mr. Pollack said. \"Sean's character has the mentality of a cop, and he has a contempt for words, and that argument is at the center of their relationship.\" Mr. Annan was persuaded, but there remained the need to obtain unanimous agreement from a famously quarrelsome and self-regarding group \ufffd the ambassadors of the 15 member states of the Security Council. They turned into pushovers, however, when they learned that they might be able to play themselves. \"Inocencio Arias of Spain even sent me his reel,\" Mr. Pollack said. In the end, work rules came between the envoys and their cameos, but Mr. Pollack got his wish to make the first feature movie shot at the United Nations. The only restriction was that filming at the building be done on weekends. To get around any impression that the United Nations was for hire, the producers contracted to pay all expenses incurred in keeping the building functioning and staffed during what are normally down hours. In addition, Mr. Pollack said, they would be making a \"good will gesture\" donation to the organization. One recent Sunday Mr. Pollack, in jeans, a white T-shirt and sneakers, hurried up and down the terraced aisles of the General Assembly chamber, firing off directions to the 600 extras in dark business suits and colorful robes and headdresses in keeping with the wardrobe department's request for \"native dress.\" \"Where's China? Oh, there you are. Please, all of you, go wait in Ireland. What are those people doing in Kiribati? Get me the U.N. protocol woman. I don't believe people in Kiribati are black, are they?\" It was the sound of Hollywood merrily cascading into Turtle Bay. Mr. Pollack encouraged kibitzing because he wanted to make sure he got things right. \"People came running up to me saying, `You have a woman in that delegation, and that country doesn't have any women in its delegation,' \" he said. \"Then we had the scene of an emergency evacuation, and we were told that the only way the delegates would leave was if the General Assembly president told them to, so we had to write a quick speech for him.\" When it was pointed out that the actor playing the Spanish ambassador actually spoke with a Latin American accent, the script was adjusted to make him the Chilean ambassador. The sign identifying the delegation from Matobo, the fictional"}, {"response": 166, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 2004 (13:32)", "body": "I would love to see Jude Law as James Bond. He looks great in a 3 buttom suit. \"Everything was written, even things like the hesitation in the dialogue. We spent time studying the way we speak because we wanted to make the dialogue very flowing.\" And it worked so very well! Loved BS. Thanks for all the BS articles! I would like to know what you think will happen between them. spoiler look away My DH said it's all her fault because she was not romantic enough to skip her grandmother's funeral and run off to meet him in Vienna as planned. I think I would have skipped the funeral too. In any case, had she gotten there the day after she would have seen his notes at the station."}, {"response": 167, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 2004 (14:08)", "body": "Don't Look...BS Spoiler (Moon)I would like to know what you think will happen between them. Good to have you back , Moon. Been dying to talk about BS I think they keep meeting 2 or 3 X a year for the rest of their lives. Perhaps at Track 6 in Vienna.*sigh* He's too devoted a father to leave his family, and besides I don't think they would do well in a structured relationship. Agree with DH, I would have skipped the funeral. That part was not in keeping with the premise of the film: \"Do it\"!"}, {"response": 168, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 2004 (15:22)", "body": "if anyone's interested, there's new pics of P&P at comingsoon.net... http://www.thezreview.co.uk/news3/prideandprejudice2.htm"}, {"response": 169, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 2004 (16:20)", "body": "Spoiler...you've been warned! LOL! you ladies! Anyway, interesting take your husband had re: Celine's decision. That never even occurred to me. But was that not the point made at the very beginning, when the people are asking Jesse that question at the bookstore? Everything depends on whether you're a romantic or a skeptic. Jesse was the romantic; Celine was the skeptic. Therefore, her decision was IMO consistent with her character. ~~~~~~~~~~~ Thanks, Ada, for keeping your eyes open for new pics. I don't know what it is but Matthew's walk is reminding me of Groucho Marx. ;-)))"}, {"response": 170, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 2004 (16:29)", "body": "Thanks, Ada! If I didn't know who that was, I still would have a hard time recognizing him. That coat looks so thick. Hope there's not a heatwave there. Love the guy in the background with the cigarette."}, {"response": 171, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 2004 (16:53)", "body": "(Karen)Jesse was the romantic; Celine was the skeptic. Therefore, her decision was IMO consistent with her character. But in Sunrise she didn't need much convincing to get off the train. Of course , it was his suggestion."}, {"response": 172, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 2004 (17:10)", "body": "(Evelyn) But in Sunrise she didn't need much convincing to get off the train. Of course , it was his suggestion. But she was the one who was sticking to the only for one day, no exchange of phone numbers/addresses. A one-day lark. That's all it could be in her mind. It was killing her though. ;-)"}, {"response": 173, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 2004 (17:46)", "body": "Don't know how reliable all this is...but it is all over the web right now: Troy's Eric Bana to play Bond August 02, 2004 14:56 IST After he starred in the flop The Hulk last year Eric Bana's career was being given the thumbs down. Then came Troy and the critics said his performance as Hector was the only thing good about the film. Now comes news that the Australian actor -- who began his career as a comic on Aussie television -- may be the next 007. Pierce Brosnan, the Irish heart-throb who made the role all his own this last decade, gave up his license to kill last week. The folks behind the Bond franchise now want someone suitably modern for the 21st film in the series. British tabloids say the Bond producers want to 'modernise Bond and turn him into a youthful, suave and modern hero to compete with the likes of Spider-Man and Keanu [Reeves] in The Matrix.' Bana -- who has played an American soldier (Blackhawk Down), a superhero (The Hulk) and a hero (Troy) in his last three films -- is said to be well ahead of his closest rivals, Britons Jude Law, Ewan McGregor and Orlando Bloom (his co-star in Blackhawk Down and Troy) and fellow Aussie Heath Ledger in the race to play James Bond. But Aussies and 007 have not had good karma. The last Aussie to play Bond -- the brawny George Lazenby -- made just one 007 flick, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, after Sean Connery gave up the part. The franchise soon reverted to another Briton, Roger Moore. http://us.rediff.com/movies/2004/aug/02bana.htm Another article: http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/story_pages/showbiz/showbiz4.shtml"}, {"response": 174, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 2004 (17:54)", "body": "Nevermind....comingsoon.com had this to say: Eric Bana is Not the Next 007 Source: Coming Soon! Monday, August 2, 2004 ComingSoon.net has confirmed that The Hulk and Troy star Eric Bana has not been cast as James Bond in MGM's and Eon Productions' 21st film in the popular franchise, despite the rumors. UK tabloid News of the World said the actor was negotiating with the series producers and that he would take over the role from Pierce Brosnan and begin filming later this year. \"Eric is the guy they want but he has a reputation for being demanding,\" an \"insider\" said. News of the World went on to say that \"they want to modernise Bond and turn him into a youthful, suave and modern hero to compete with the likes of Spider-Man and Keanu (Reeves) in the Matrix.\" This story was picked up by numerous news outlets, including worldwide news agency AFP. But we have learned that Bana has not even been approached for the role of 007. Brosnan told Entertainment Weekly last week that he was done with the franchise after four films. \"I've said all I've got to say on the world of James Bond. Bond is another lifetime, behind me.\" Speculation has it, however, that Brosnan has simply started the negotiation process in the media, and may still be in the picture after all. In related news, Variety reported yesterday that \"James Bond 21\" is being set up to start shooting before March in order to be released on November 18, 2005. The film's producers have agreed on a plot and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, who wrote the last two Bond pics, turned in the first draft of their script last week. http://comingsoon.net/news/topnews.php?id=5812"}, {"response": 175, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 2004 (18:11)", "body": "Nothing that is attributed to News of the World should be taken for anything, especially since News of the World got it from Ain't It Cool News. ;-)"}, {"response": 176, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 2004 (18:18)", "body": "LOL....okay! But AFP was reporting it too...I can just say I'm a dork, what's their excuse? They should definitely know better!"}, {"response": 177, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 2004 (19:31)", "body": "(Tress)LOL....okay! But AFP was reporting it too...I can just say I'm a dork, what's their excuse? I saw it scroll across the bottom of E! over the weekend that EB was in final negotiations. LOL, this just gets better and better. (Dorine)Thanks, Ada! If I didn't know who that was, I still would have a hard time recognizing him I know, each time I see him as Mr. Darcy I can't believe it's the same guy. I didn't know drab came in so many shades! Thanks, Ada, and Karen for all the news."}, {"response": 178, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 2004 (19:57)", "body": "(Dorine) Thanks, Ada! If I didn't know who that was, I still would have a hard time recognizing him (Linda) I know, each time I see him as Mr. Darcy I can't believe it's the same guy. Yes! Thank you Ada! It must be humid out...everyone's locks are limp. I must say I fancy Mr. Darcy with ringlets. The straight, longish hair, parted like that, is too Shaun Cassidy for me..."}, {"response": 179, "author": "firehorse", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 2004 (20:54)", "body": "(Linda) I didn't know drab came in so many shades! (Tress)I must say I fancy Mr. Darcy with ringlets. The straight, longish hair, parted like that, is too Shaun Cassidy for me... LOL! I must say I have to agree, the hair is definitely wrong! That seems to be no spark in this version of P&P. Dullsville! And to think that I just had the pleasure of gazing at the one and only *Mr Darcy*, on Sunday night on the ABC. *Sigh!* Even MDH sat and watched with me and commented \"Mmm, I don't think they can find a better person to play Mr. Darcy!\" Imagine that! I nearly rolled off the lounge. To top it all off, he continued in the same breath \"I haven't seen him in any film roles for ages, what has he been in lately?!\" And I had to stop myself from rolling the list off my tongue and/or showing him the shelf in my study that is full of his DVDs (including P&P - which i'd convinced him to watch that evening!)... Really, it is a hard act to follow, I pity the new Mr Darcy, for comparisons would perhaps not be so favourable upon him."}, {"response": 180, "author": "firehorse", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 2004 (21:35)", "body": "Sorry I'm posting again, but because of the time difference, between Australia and the OTHER PARTS of the world... I seem to always be *talking to myself* after rushing to catch up on all the postings, when I'm on the computer during the day... Anyway, have kept my eye out for Bond stuff, but alas, no news on the new Bond http://www.bondmovies.com/news/072004.shtml is an interesting article on Tarantino called The Tarnatino Effect and http://www.bondmovies.com/ seems to be site that is updated regularly, whilst http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/thereview.cfm?id=879672004 this article appeared on Scotland on Sunday, saying that Clive Owens is top of the bill. In other words, anyone's guess..."}, {"response": 181, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  3, 2004 (08:31)", "body": "From Dark Horizons: DavisDVD reports that Warner Home Video will release a brand-new special edition of the MGM classic Gone With the Wind on November 9th. The four-disc set will feature over five hours of old and new documentaries, interviews and other bonus features. Digitally restored with Warner's \"Ultra-Resolution\" hi-def technology, the film's original three-strip Technicolor negatives were digitally separated, aligned frame-by-frame in a computer and scanned at high-resolution. And according to the studio, the results are nothing short of miraculous. The four hour film will be presented across two dual-layer discs in fullscreen and with Dolby Digital 5.1 and original mono audio tracks. A plethora of bonus materials include a new full-length audio commentary with film historian Rudy Behlmer, hour-long documentaries on actors Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh, \"Melanie Remembers: Olivia de Havilland Recalls Gone With the Wind\" 45min featurette (with a recent interview with 88-year-old star), behind-the-scenes footage, advertising materials and more. Incidentally, actor Christopher Plummer will narrate and introduce many of the bonus features. Also included with the set is a full-color reproduction of the original 22-page souvenir booklet that was sold during premiere road-show engagements from 1939 through 1941. Retail for the four-disc set is $39.92."}, {"response": 182, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  3, 2004 (08:36)", "body": "From Variety: Oscar braces for Cuban missile Could Fidel Castro affect this year's Oscar race? \"Fahrenheit 9/11\" was apparently shown last week on Cuban state-run TV. According to Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences rules, a feature is disqualified for a documentary Oscar if it airs on TV or the Internet anywhere in the world within nine months of its bigscreen run. While most documakers would be dismayed at the prospect of an Oscar nix, the backers of the Michael Moore-helmed pic might welcome it: The move could give the pic a stronger push in the best film race. Reps at French org Wild Bunch, sales agent for the pic overseas, aver that they made no television deal in Cuba. Piracy doesn't count If the screening was from a pirated copy or unauthorized, the film would not be disqualified. (Piracy last year made \"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,\" and virtually every other major Oscar contender, available on the Internet soon after their bigscreen debuts.) Even if the TV showing was unauthorized, the film has several other hurdles to cross before the Feb. 27 Oscarcast. Under the Acad's new rule for docus, \"Fahrenheit\" could not air on any TV until late March. U.S. distributors Lions Gate, Fellowship Adventure Group (spearheaded by Bob and Harvey Weinstein) and IFC have mulled a DVD release or a pay-per-view airing just prior to the Nov. 2 election. The PPV event would disqualify the film from a docu prize (though a DVD push wouldn't affect it). While a docu could be considered in both best pic and documentary categories, no film so far has made that double play. (A handful of pics, most recently \"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,\" have been nominated in the best pic and foreign-lingo categories). Unlevel playing field Though the docu branch has the nine-month holding pattern, that doesn't apply to any other Oscar categories. So, for example, \"Spider-Man 2\" or \"Shrek 2\" could air on TV within a week of their bigscreen bows and would still be eligible for Oscar consideration. So \"Fahrenheit,\" even if disqualified for docu consideration, could compete in other races -- picture, director, editing -- no matter what happens in PPV, or what happened in Cuba. The Cuban report originated in a Reuters story that ran late last week. The story also stated, \"Cubans have stood in long lines to buy tickets to see rough DVD copies projected at 120 cinema theaters across the island to unfailing applause.\" With a reference to \"rough DVD copies,\" it's unclear if even the bigscreen showings were authorized. The Reuters story had a Havana dateline but no byline."}, {"response": 183, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug  3, 2004 (08:40)", "body": "BS Spoiler , again: So you think that Celine (the Cynic!)went on to her grandmother's funeral because she didn't think Jesse would show-up . Had there been no funeral , she wouldn't have gone anyway ? Nah."}, {"response": 184, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Tue, Aug  3, 2004 (08:46)", "body": "Some interesting news : Nip/Tuck star Julian McMahon will play villain Dr. Doom in 20th Century Fox's adaptation of the Marvel Comics franchise, Fantastic Four, which starts production in Vancouver this month for a July 1 release. Doom, a crazed scientific genius who hides his scarred face behind a metal mask, goes up against the title quartet of Michael Chiklis (Ben Richards/The Thing), Jessica Alba (Sue Richards/the Invisible Woman), Ioan Gruffudd (Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic) and Chris Evans (Johnny Storm/the Human Torch)."}, {"response": 185, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  3, 2004 (08:56)", "body": "Spoiler (Evevlyn) So you think that Celine (the Cynic!)went on to her grandmother's funeral because she didn't think Jesse would show-up. Had there been no funeral, she wouldn't have gone anyway? Nah The word used was skeptic, not cynic, as there is a difference. ;-) But as a skeptic, she probably wouldn't have gone because she wouldn't think he would show and/or that the relationship had any real future."}, {"response": 186, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Aug  3, 2004 (09:21)", "body": "(Evelyn) So you think that Celine (the Cynic!)went on to her grandmother's funeral because she didn't think Jesse would show-up. Had there been no funeral, she wouldn't have gone anyway? Nah (Karen) The word used was skeptic, not cynic, as there is a difference. ;-) I didn't get the impression that Celine was a skeptic or a cynic, in general. Much of what she talked about with Jesse was how idealistic she had been, with her career and love life, then reality set in. That's one of the reasons she was so upset in the van. If I missed something, I might have to go see it again. Darn! ;-) (Ada) Nip/Tuck star Julian McMahon will play villain Dr. Doom in 20th Century Fox's adaptation of the Marvel Comics franchise, Fantastic Four Interesting choice. Wonder if the talkback geeks at AICN are up in arms. It'd be the equivalent of people here getting up in arms over the new P&P. ;-)"}, {"response": 187, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug  3, 2004 (10:13)", "body": "(Karen) The word used was skeptic, not cynic, as there is a difference. ;-) Sorry, about the misquote;-) . I don't want to nit-pick but my Thesaurus says: skeptic: rel:questioner, pessimist,disbeliever, cynic, agnostic. Anyway, I liked him more;-D"}, {"response": 188, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  3, 2004 (10:34)", "body": "(Evelyn) I don't want to nit-pick but my Thesaurus says Yes, you do. But I usually go to a dictionary for definitions. According to mine - and the way I always understood the difference - is: Cynic: a person who believes that only selfishness motivates human actions and who disbelieves in or minimizes selfless acts or disinterested points of view. Cynical: 1. like or characteristic of a cynic; distrusting or disparaging the motives of others. 2. showing contempt for accepted standards of honesty or morality by one's actions, especially by actions that exploit. [Synonyms given: distrustful, disbelieving, sneering, contemptuous, derisive.] Skeptic: 1. a person who questions the validity or authenticity of something purporting to be factual. 2. a person who maintains a doubting attitude, as toward values, plans, statements or the character of others. [Synonyms for skeptical: doubtful] The important difference between the two I was always taught from a personality standpoint is that it is better to be considered a skeptic because a skeptic can be convinced. There's nothing wrong with being a skeptic; you can work with them. But avoid cynics on your team."}, {"response": 189, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug  3, 2004 (12:59)", "body": "(Evelyn) I don't want to nit-pick but my Thesaurus says (Da Boss)Yes, you do LOL. evelyn*who is a cynic about skeptics*;-)"}, {"response": 190, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Aug  3, 2004 (13:53)", "body": "Spolier (Karen), Anyway, I liked him more;-D Me too! Loved the end when she says, \"You're going to miss your plane\", and he says, \"I know\". I just loved that moment. I also loved the emotional scene in the car. He just wouldn't let her out of the car. Also, I think that she told him then truth and was planning to meet him in Vienna before her grandmother died. I can't imagine Jesse going back to NY to his wife as if nothing had happened after this encounter. He still loves Celine. I'm sure with that bed in front of them they would make love, maybe even go to the outdoor party and eat. But would Celine be willing to leave Paris for him? Jesse said he wants to be with his son, at least in NY he'd see him often. Celine really turned everything upside down. Still, I can't see their future relationship like that Alan Alda Jane Burstin movie, where they meet every year in a hotel. I'd like to see the third part, perhaps call it: \"Before Happy Hour\". ;-)"}, {"response": 191, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Tue, Aug  3, 2004 (13:54)", "body": "A little more about the American version of Fever Pitch. I didn't realize it was being done by the Farrelly brothers and based on a Boston Red Sox fan. Hmmm....Boston and the Sox? I think that's close to as maniacal as you can get in the States for sports fans. But will the Farrelly brothers turn it into 'gross out' farce with no redeeming value? http://breakingnews.iol.ie/entertainment/story.asp?j=112944468&p=yyz945y74 03/08/2004 - 16:30:20 Film-making siblings Peter and Bobby Farrelly are devastated they can't film their upcoming baseball movie Fever Pitch in Boston after being ordered to film it in Toronto, Canada. A huge amount of Hollywood movies have been filmed in the Ontario city and the west coast's Vancouver over the past few years, due to the millions of dollars studios save in production costs, thanks to the generous tax breaks from the Canadian government. The directors begin filming next month the American version of British author Nick Hornby's best-selling novel Fever Pitch, about a man torn between his obsession with Arsenal and his girlfriend Sarah. The book was first adapted into a British film in 1997, starring Bridget Jones heart-throb Colin Firth, however the US version's lead character will be crazy about baseball team Boston Red Sox. Jimmy Fallon will play sports-nut Ben opposite Drew Barrymore's Lindsay. Peter moans: \"I want to shoot the whole movie in Boston. But as of right now, I'm only going to do seven days at Fenway Park (Red Sox's Stadium). \"It's criminal. This is the ultimate Red Sox movie, and we have to make it in Canada.\" Despite Barrymore and the Farrelly brothers offering to take a cut in pay, the producers still can't afford to film the whole romantic comedy in the US. Peter says: \"They have to pass some laws (in the US) to help people out or these jobs will keep going to Canada.\""}, {"response": 192, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug  3, 2004 (15:30)", "body": "(Karen), Anyway, I liked him more;-D (Moon)Me too! Psst. It wuz me who said that"}, {"response": 193, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 2004 (07:50)", "body": "(Moon) like that Alan Alda Jane Burstin movie, where they meet every year in a hotel. *Sigh* I love that movie. Same Time next Year I am dying to see it on stage. Has anyone here ever seen it performed live?"}, {"response": 194, "author": "Odile", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 2004 (12:42)", "body": "Another letter? http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3527532.stm Stars thank Blair for world aid The letter was signed by celebrities and charities Celebrities including Bono, Jude Law and Minnie Driver have signed an open letter to UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, thanking him for boosting overseas aid. [...] \"We're counting on you to lead rich countries to cancel Third World debts, deliver more and better aid that meets the UN target, and end unfair rules.\" The group had previously written a letter to the government urging them to commit more money to foreign aid. The open letter was also signed by Coldplay's Chris Martin and actors Colin Firth , Joseph Fiennes and Dame Helen Mirren. It was also backed by a number of charities. [...] Survival for 250,000 infants whose premature death can now be prevented Film director and co-founder of Comic Relief Richard Curtis said: \"Over the years, the British public has given hundreds of millions of pounds to charity to fight poverty and suffering abroad. \"At last, a government has matched the generosity and passion that people feel in the face of a world where 30,000 people still die unnecessarily of extreme poverty every single day. \"Now we all hope the UK will lead a massive crusade next year that could halve those deaths within a decade. It can be done. Bravo and onwards and upwards in 2005.\" The letter was backed by six of Britain's leading aid charities: Data, Oxfam, Plan UK, Tearfund, Unicef UK and WaterAid."}, {"response": 195, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 2004 (15:59)", "body": "[i]Yvette: I love that movie. Same Time next Year I am dying to see it on stage. Has anyone here ever seen it performed live? [/i] I saw a production with Kathryn Crosby (Bing's widow) playing the lead. It was well done, but I enjoy the movie version more. It's one of my fav's too!"}, {"response": 196, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 2004 (16:26)", "body": "(Yvette) Has anyone here ever seen it performed live? Yes, many moons ago on Broadway and Ellen Burstyn played opposite Charles Grodin in that production. I liked her in the role but found Grodin lacking. It was touching, though."}, {"response": 197, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (09:29)", "body": "Aww, thanks Bonnie and Deb for the STNY info. I will have to keep my eyes and ears open for future productions!!"}, {"response": 198, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (10:19)", "body": "'Last Comic' Host Jay Mohr Talks 'SNL' By LYNN ELBER, AP Television Writer LOS ANGELES - Looking ahead and looking back, Jay Mohr is satisfied with both perspectives. \"Last Comic Standing,\" the NBC talent contest he hosts and executive produces, gives comedians an \"American Idol\"-style shot at stardom \ufffd or at least steady nightclub work. \"Gasping for Airtime,\" Mohr's book about his two years as a writer and performer on \"Saturday Night Live,\" candidly details what it's like to be a blip on a pop-culture phenomenon, panic attacks and all. His new show has been instant gratification, a chance to help struggling comedians. The pungent \"Saturday Night Live\" experience had to age for nearly a decade before he could appreciate it. \"It was fascinating and I wasn't enjoying it, even when it was going well,\" Mohr said. \"I watched Nirvana perform, I talked to Kurt Cobain, I talked to (Eric) Clapton, I got to work with (Chris) Farley every day. \"But I was so self-obsessed with survival \ufffd survival on the show and then mental health survival and back to survival on the show \ufffd I certainly didn't take time to smell the roses,\" he told The Associated Press. The stellar guest musicians and colleagues including Farley, Mike Myers and Michael McKean were the roses; the thorns were his inability to make his talents fit a demanding monolith and insecurities that fed a panic disorder. (A few guests inflicted minor scratches: Mohr recalls a skit he'd written for Marisa Tomei being dumped after the actress realized he was merely a featured performer and not a cast member, while Roseanne Barr disrupted a cast meeting by deliberately and loudly belching.) Mohr, a 23-year-old standup hired as sketch writer and player, found sparkling ideas elusive. He was also confounded by a production style that, as he describes it in \"Gasping for Air\" (Hyperion), was haphazard and arbitrary. \"Saturday Night Live,\" a perpetual motion machine that turned out stars like John Belushi and Adam Sandler and serves as a cultural touchstone even when it's subpar, was impervious to a confused comic. \"That's what made it so frustrating, is realizing that whether you bang your head on the wall and scream like hell (to protect a skit) or whether you don't even show up, the show just sort of rolls effortlessly,\" Mohr said. \"Then you really get into this existential conversation with yourself, questioning your own worth and existence.\" Therapy and medication ultimately controlled Mohr's panic attacks, but consistent success on the show still eluded him. Conceivably, Mohr could have targeted Lorne Michaels, creator and acknowledged emperor of \"SNL,\" for the environment. The book, however, treats Michaels only with respect. \"I was the person not fulfilling my potential and having panic and stealing,\" Mohr told the AP, referring to an admission that he lifted a sketch from a fellow comic. \"Lorne hired me ... I got a great spot in my heart for somebody who hired me on the show that's probably the only show that's a piece of an American timeline.\" [About Last Comic Standing] \"I got a best-selling book out of it,\" Mohr says of \"Saturday Night Live.\" \"Hooray for me. So now I REALLY like Lorne.\" http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=529&ncid=529&e=15&u=/ap/20040804/ap_en_tv/tv_jay_mohr"}, {"response": 199, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (10:33)", "body": "Re: The Bourne Supremacy, which I've now seen: The real challenge, though, was telling a multilayered action-mystery centered around a hero, played by Matt Damon, experiencing an internalized battle. \"One of the inherent difficulties with this piece given the nature of the plot structure was that Bourne didn't have people to talk to for a great part of the film,\" Rouse says. \"Franka (Potente, who plays Bourne's partner, Marie) wasn't there for conventional dialogue scenes. We had to figure out how to tell a story where the protagonist's actions are somewhat cryptic in nature, and he's got waves of information from his past coming at him.\" ~~~~~~~ Internalized struggle? My ass! There were probably only 20 pages of dialogue in the whole movie, and Damon maybe had three of them. Pathetic. Worst parts of the movie: the car chase (my eyes glazed over) and the fight in the apartment, where he strangles the former Treadstone guy. About time he learned he was David Webb. That happened at the end of the Bourne Identity...but silly me, they're not following the book, especially as Marie shouldn't have been killed off. The miniseries was better. Yes, he was being pursued, but the characters had dialogue and weren't wooden action figures (seems oxymoronic though)."}, {"response": 200, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (10:34)", "body": "Link to full article about the filming/editing: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=598&e=2&u=/nm/20040804/film_nm/film_bourne_dc"}, {"response": 201, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (12:36)", "body": "Ack..completely forgot to do August birthdays. 8/15 - Maria 8/28 - Murph BTW, Boss, may I ask what is this year's theme for September? I must have many weeks to figure something out;-)"}, {"response": 202, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (12:53)", "body": "(Karen) the car chase (my eyes glazed over) and the fight in the apartment, where he strangles the former Treadstone guy. I loved the car chase!....sure as hell better than the one in the second Matrix. I was surprised I didn't get bored as I did with the latter since it was pretty long. I thought the fight itself was great......absolutely couldn't stand the way they filmed it though. Like someone was right there dodging them. Annoying. Fortunately I suppose, I haven't read the books. Only seen the miniseries and don't remember any of that. Probably the best fight scene I've seen all year was in Kill Bill, Vol 2 between Daryl Hannah and Uma Thurman."}, {"response": 203, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (13:48)", "body": "(Ada) what is this year's theme for September? I must have many weeks to figure something out;-) Nothing yet. If you want to toss out any ideas http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/110/new would be the place. (Dorine) Fortunately I suppose, I haven't read the books. Only seen the miniseries and don't remember any of that. Precisely. It all depends on what you want to see, a movie with a storyline about a person that is fully developed and interesting or a series of action sequences. Action sequences bore me to tears, like special effects. Am not into that stuff, which was probably why I found King Arthur lacking as well."}, {"response": 204, "author": "Tress", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (14:01)", "body": "(Dorine) I loved the car chase!....sure as hell better than the one in the second Matrix. I saw a \"making of\" thing on cable. Those cars were only going 35 mph (in Russia, in Berlin they were going as much as 100 mph). They had all sorts of permits, but were not allowed to exceed that speed. MD said it was a lot of fancy camera work and good stunt drivers making it look like they were racing around. I thought the film was just okay. I missed Franka Potente...wished she could have hung out a bit longer."}, {"response": 205, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (14:53)", "body": "(Karen) the car chase (my eyes glazed over) Right there with ya on that one Karen. I hated it. I liked the car chase scene in The Italian Job much better. My all time fav(comedic) car chase was in What's up Doc. OMG - I still laugh my arse off every time I see that one. Saw Young Adam today. Has anyone here seen it? Is there a discussion about it floating around somewhere? Ewan sure does have a lot of sex in it!!!"}, {"response": 206, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (14:55)", "body": "I thought it was a good, yet odd and very dark film. I think there's a Ewan McGregor topic with a slight discussion of it, maybe."}, {"response": 207, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (15:27)", "body": "No discussion there to read through, just a link to an interview w/ the director. Went to rent a copy of Before Sunrise to watch before seeing Sunset . Found a used copy for sale...Yippeeee :o)"}, {"response": 208, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (15:56)", "body": "Oh, then the little bit may have been on the O&E topic. I think there was a small discussion of it when I went to see it with a Q&A with EM, but I could be wrong."}, {"response": 209, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (17:44)", "body": "(Dorine)I loved the car chase!.... Me too. I liked the whole movie. Didn't read the book...don't want to. 'sides..a film stands on its own;-)"}, {"response": 210, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (18:00)", "body": "(Evelyn) Didn't read the book...don't want to. 'sides..a film stands on its own;-) Did I say I liked the book better? ;-) My criticism had to do with there being little, if any real story and no dialogue and little acting that I could discern. Car chases and fight scenes do not a movie make for me. I liked the miniseries better. ;-) It all depends on what you want to see, a movie with a storyline about a person that is fully developed and interesting or a series of action sequences. Action sequences bore me to tears, like special effects. Am not into that stuff, which was probably why I found King Arthur lacking as well."}, {"response": 211, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (22:32)", "body": "(Karen) About time he learned he was David Webb. That happened at the end of the Bourne Identity...but silly me, they're not following the book, especially as Marie shouldn't have been killed off. (Evelyn) Didn't read the book...don't want to. 'sides..a film stands on its own;-) (Karen) Did I say I liked the book better? ;-) But would you not consider this a negative implication that because it didn't follow the book, and you didn't like the movie, that you liked the book better? ;-) And presuming you'll protest that ;-).....it does kind of give that impression, IMO. My criticism had to do with there being little, if any real story and no dialogue and little acting that I could discern. I don't recall GWAPE being all so talky and some have said there wasn't much going on in it (though the acting was v. good). As I recall, you weren't so down on that. ;-) Or maybe you weren't so enamored and I forgot."}, {"response": 212, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (22:33)", "body": "(Karen), Marie shouldn't have been killed off. I agree. The first movie was better because he had Marie there to share the insanity. I did like it, but the car chase was a bit long."}, {"response": 213, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 2004 (23:24)", "body": "Anybody watching Leno tonight? Kim Basinger on. She looks incredible...as she did in The Door in the Floor (though a tad too much blush, IMO). Jamie Cullum is supposed to be on, too....the guy who is doing a song for TEOR that we discussed recently. Saw Little Black Book tonight. My tagline for it....when a bad movie happens to good actors. Well, that goes for probably everyone in it except Brittany Murphy. How does she keep toplining movies? Can't be for her comedic/acting abilities. Q&A after with the 2 women producers...they run Julia Roberts production company for her. Anyone that asked a question about it was rather effusive with praise (except me). Just asked my question. Had to be one for the dough for most of the actors in it. As I was leaving, someone pulled me over to whisper that Brittany Murphy was there (saying she looked very anorexic....I myself couldn't see her enough to tell). Apparently she was off to the side, just behind me. Not sure if she was there the whole time, or came with the producers later. When I looked over, some guy was sitting leaning over to her rather protectively, like she was upset (if she was there the whole time and noticed the marked absence of laughter, I could see why). But someone said they were just trying to keep her shielded so no one would know. Not like the bodyguard and PR looking person standing right there were obvious or anything. ;-)"}, {"response": 214, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (07:23)", "body": "(Dorine) I don't recall GWAPE being all so talky and some have said there wasn't much going on in it (though the acting was v. good). As I recall, you weren't so down on that. ;-) Or maybe you weren't so enamored and I forgot. Big difference there is that CF wasn't in Bourne. If he was, I think we would all be enamoured of it. Watched Before Sunrise last night. LOVED IT!! Can't wait to go to Sunset this weekend."}, {"response": 215, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (09:17)", "body": "(Dorine) But would you not consider this a negative implication that because it didn't follow the book, and you didn't like the movie, that you liked the book better? ;-) And presuming you'll protest that ;-).....it does kind of give that impression, IMO. I don't recall GWAPE being all so talky and some have said there wasn't much going on in it (though the acting was v. good). As I recall, you weren't so down on that. ;-) Or maybe you weren't so enamored and I forgot. Bwaaaaaaaaaaa!! Mom, Dorine's picking on me. ;-) Nevermind, I need to go rewatch the chase scenes in GWAPE to compare. ;-) (Yvette) If he was, I think we would all be enamoured of it."}, {"response": 216, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (09:20)", "body": "(Yvette) If he was, I think we would all be enamoured of it. You better hide before the \"we\" patrol comes for you. ;-) If *we* were all enamoured of everything he was in, all of us would have liked HS and L'dum, too, I'd presume. And for me at least, he couldn't save those, more dialogue or not. ;-) Also, Bourne is kinda Bond-like. I wouldn't necessarily want to see him in something quite like that. Glad you liked Sunrise. Will be curious to hear your thoughts on Sunset. I thought it was better."}, {"response": 217, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (09:20)", "body": "Oops! The \"we\" patrol beat me to it. ;-)"}, {"response": 218, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (09:24)", "body": "(Karen) I need to go rewatch the chase scenes in GWAPE to compare. ;-) Would the scenes where Vermeer is tearing throught the house looking for the comb and Pieter runs after Griet for a short bit in the field constitute chase scenes? ;-D"}, {"response": 219, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (09:28)", "body": "No, I was thinking about the barge chases through the canals. Did you forget about those? ;-)"}, {"response": 220, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (09:52)", "body": "Weren't those barge chases with the deleted scenes? Dorine would have missed them if she doesn't have the European DVD. ;-)"}, {"response": 221, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (09:58)", "body": "LOL!! You guys are such cards! *slapping knee* I do have the European version, but apparently have gotten stuck on the \"I'll paint you as I first saw you\" deleted scene. Haven't made it to those barge chases yet. ;-)"}, {"response": 222, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (10:08)", "body": "And who can forget the scene where Vermeer (in Oddjob fashion) threw his palette and sliced off that Maria Thinn' head. Oooh, the spurting blood!"}, {"response": 223, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (10:28)", "body": "Oooh, no....He threw his palette at Catherina when she came at him with the paint trowel! Maria Thins' is really sitting mummified in the attic and Vermeer is delusional that she keeps harping on him to finish those paintings so he can get paid."}, {"response": 224, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (10:31)", "body": "Sorry, I was mixing up GWAPE and GWAPE2. You know how it is with those sequels."}, {"response": 225, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (10:34)", "body": "Oh, I can't wait to see the pictures... ;-))) ROME -- Scarlett Johansson and Jeremy Irons will chair the AmFar Cinema Against AIDS event during the 61st Venice Intl. Film Festival. The annual dinner and live auction will be held Sept. 3 at the Giorgio Cini Foundation on the isle of San Giorgio."}, {"response": 226, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (10:38)", "body": "Well, when he was here for a time for a production last year, I did hear from someone who worked with him that he was a cad. And he's right up her alley, too! ;-)"}, {"response": 227, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (10:45)", "body": "\"ROME -- Scarlett Johansson and Jeremy Irons will chair the AmFar Cinema\", Aw, she'll piss 'n moan again about being paired with an old guy."}, {"response": 228, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (10:54)", "body": "(Evelyn)Aw, she'll piss 'n moan again about being paired with an old guy. Nah, she'll just have sex with him in a gondola;-)"}, {"response": 229, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (11:01)", "body": "(Linda) Nah, she'll just have sex with him in a gondola;-) *choking* Got to get that Windex out to clean off my monitor. ;-))"}, {"response": 230, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (11:57)", "body": "(Linda) Nah, she'll just have sex with him in a gondola;-) But wouldn't that be as unsanitary as an elevator? ;-)"}, {"response": 231, "author": "Kathryn", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (12:01)", "body": "(Linda) Nah, she'll just have sex with him in a gondola;-) (Dorine)But wouldn't that be as unsanitary as an elevator? ;-) Maybe, but the waves in the canals will have that same up and down motion. ;-)"}, {"response": 232, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (12:53)", "body": "Scarlett Johansson is one of the judges at this year's Venice Film Festival. The VFF will be quite different this year, they had a big controversy with last year's head who was Austrian. They had never had a foreigner head the festival and it did not go well. The new head is Italian."}, {"response": 233, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 2004 (13:18)", "body": "Lots of \"patrolling\" going on today :O) (Katheryn) Amscray, it's the trivia police!-- (Dorine) You better hide before the \"we\" patrol comes for you. ;-) Consider me properly chastised for the use of the W. word. *Hanging my head in shame* :o)"}, {"response": 234, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 2004 (18:05)", "body": "A blurb from the NY Post... East End sightings: * A svelte Renee Zellweger showing up at Citta Nuova with brunette hair and a healthy glow, causing Diary spies to remark that while her figure looks fantastic, her dark hair washes out her face."}, {"response": 235, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 2004 (17:55)", "body": "Jonathan Rhys Myers - long! The Sunday (UK) Times - Magazine - August 08, 2004 The sweet hell of success Dark. Decadent. Difficult. And that was before Jonathan Rhys Meyers became famous. Now as the lead roles and plaudits pile up, can the boy from Cork take the pressure? By Ann McFerran Jonathan Rhys Meyers has, he tells me, more than one personality. There's Johnny, the 27-year-old Irish actor with a string of glittering credits, who's highly temperamental but touted by directors as a stellar talent in the making, the next Johnny Depp. This one lives a slightly unreal life out of a suitcase and on film sets, creating a series of magnetic roles, most recently as George Osborne in Mira Nair's Vanity Fair, and Cassander in Oliver Stone's Alexander. Then, in contrast, there's the self-described \"stupid little imp\" who's most at home on a farm in County Cork. This personality goes for long walks in the countryside, talking silage and sick calves with his adoptive family who \"don't give a shit about Hollywood\". In the week we first met he was offered no fewer than six big roles. Then, when we last met, he was with Woody Allen in London, playing the lead in a typically top-secret Woody film with no title, opposite Scarlett Johannson. The first time we meet he is crouched in a corner of Soho House's upstairs bar, a wraith-like figure on his mobile to Christopher Crofts, the Cork farmer who has been a father figure to Rhys Meyers since he was 15. He has spent the afternoon being photographed and looks less like a film star than a fashionably wasted art student. When you take in the fine detail of this male beauty in all its androgynous splendour \ufffd the full red lips, the wide grey-green eyes, the chiselled features, an insouciant gaze \ufffd and Johnny Rhys Meyers starts talking in his husky Cork brogue, you start to understand what all the fuss is about. His legs entwined around each other, drinking alternately out of a glass of beer and an even larger glass of milk, he pushes two fish cakes around his plate before settling into a pack of Marlboros. At times he seems like a combination of the brilliant, tormented actor Daniel Day-Lewis (who also \"becomes\" every character he plays) and the super-shallow Graham Norton, camping it up outrageously, shrilly mimicking his fellow actors and directors and being very funny. Actually, Rhys Meyers doesn't do comedy. \"I've always played what I know: dark, intense, extreme characters. Besides, I'm not sure if people would get it if I played ...\" He unwinds his legs and goes into a verbal frenzy: \"... a shit, bugger, bugger, shit, f***, f***, terribly twee Hugh Grant sort of guy\". Listening to this colt-like creature embark on a fairly bonkers stream of consciousness, which appears to be fuelled by something other than a desire to emulate Joyce, can make you, if you're the maternal type, yearn to put your arms around him and say: \"Johnny, just relax, you don't have to try so hard.\" It can be a dazzling but confusing performance. His cheeky charm and self-possession also hint at the crippling insecurities \"everyone\" tells you about. Julian Fellowes, who wrote Vanity Fair's screenplay, says: \"Jonathan so evidently enjoys his own beauty, and boy, do I envy him! If only we could have all walked into parties at the age of twenty-something and know we're doing the room a favour!\" Saying goodbye after our first meeting, Rhys Meyers kisses me elaborately, all the while watching me, watching him, watching me \ufffd a mother of children his age \ufffd smile. I also faintly want to slap him as he drifts off, heels barely touching the ground like a centaur, to grace another room. His guardian, Crofts, tells me: \"Jonathan is entirely comfortable with his sexuality; he can camp it up openly and even kiss a man in a way which doesn't bother him at all.\" Later that week, in Ireland, Rhys Meyers told me: \"Sometimes I speak to girls at a bar or party and the question comes up, 'Are you straight or are you gay?' They can't really tell, so I tend not to protest my heterosexuality or my bisexuality. I give a bit of a wry smile and a little wink. It's more fun for them and for me that way.\" Has he ever been gay? \"No,\" he says. \"Never.\" You seem hetero but... I begin. \"That's showbiz!\" he smirks. Pretending to be someone else is what he loves to do more than anything else. \"Of course he's a brilliant actor,\" says Crofts, \"because he's acted all his life; it's the only way he could cope.\" Born Jonathan O'Keefe on July 27, 1977 (he changed his name to Rhys Meyers in 1992 \ufffd Meyers was his mother's surname), he grew up in a tiny council flat in a rough area of Cork. When he was three, his father left home with his two younger brothers. Crofts, an Anglo-Irish farmer, now 64, with a family of his own, knew the family. \"His mother drank a lot and didn't seem able to cope with looking after him properly,\" he recalls. On this subject, Rhys Meyers tells me: \"I had a lot of rejection in my childhood. And when you're rejected "}, {"response": 236, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 2004 (08:09)", "body": "From the Guardian: Author green lights Cholera film After denying Hollywood for years, Gabriel Garc\ufffda M\ufffdrquez agrees to sell the rights to his 1985 novel Jo Tuckman in Mexico City Monday August 9, 2004 Unswerving defender of Fidel Castro and Latin American literary patriarch he may be, but Gabriel Garc\ufffda M\ufffdrquez appears to have finally succumbed to Hollywood's call, signing over the film rights to Love in the Time of Cholera. The Los Angeles production company Stone Village Pictures is reportedly paying the Colombian Nobel laureate between one and three million dollars to make a movie of what producer Scot Steindorff recently termed \"the best love story ever told, next to Romeo and Juliet\". Despite selling millions of books around the globe, the 76-year-old novelist, who is battling with cancer, is said to be worried about the financial future of his lifetime partner Mercedes and their two sons Gonzalo and Rodrigo. Garc\ufffda M\ufffdrquez, who has lived in Mexico most of the time since 1961, reportedly sank substantial sums into a news magazine called Cambio that he started in Colombia before launching a Mexican version with mixed results. Born in Colombia in 1928, Garc\ufffda M\ufffdrquez spent years as a struggling journalist before making his name crafting fantastic tales told with breathtaking naturalness, often inspired by the lives of his own family and the turbulent history of his native country and continent. He shot to international literary fame with his 1967 novel One Hundred Years of Solitude, loosely based on the experiences of his own grandparents. In his recent autobiography Bill Clinton described the book as \"the greatest novel in any language since William Faulkner died\". Love in the Time of Cholera, published in 1985, follows the struggles of Florentina Ariza to win the heart of Fermina Daza. It takes the hero 51 years, nine months and four days, but he wins her in the end. The Colombian newspaper El Espectador quoted a triumphant Steindorff as saying it took him two years of constant badgering to persuade the novelist to agree to sell the rights. \"Like the main character in the book I persevered and never lost hope until I achieved my goal. We are going to work very hard to make the most beautiful film Hollywood has ever made.\" The project is an apparent about-turn for Garc\ufffda M\ufffdrquez, a veteran defender of Latin American independence under pressure from successive US regimes intent on imposing their political priorities and cultural trends on the whole hemisphere. The novelist has remained fiercely loyal to Fidel Castro, even after many others on the left distanced themselves from the Cuban leader because of his apparently indiscriminate crackdown on dissidents and political use of the death penalty. Last year this issue drew Garc\ufffda M\ufffdrquez into a bitter polemic with Susan Sontag, who publicly lambasted the author for not criticizing his old friend. Up to now Garc\ufffda M\ufffdrquez has always resisted the temptation to allow high-budget English language films of his work. The most commercial adaptation of his books to hit the screen so far was the 1987 Italian version of Chronicle of a Death Foretold, directed by Francesco Rosi and starring Rupert Everett. Details of who may direct or star in the movie have yet to be released, although the names of Nicole Kidman and Jude Law are already circulating. Steindorff himself has reportedly hinted that Garc\ufffda M\ufffdrquez could be persuaded to write the screenplay."}, {"response": 237, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 2004 (12:28)", "body": "From Variety, think I have found the perfect co-star for Colin: As a former Miss World, Bollywood superstar Aishwarya Rai has the looks, and judging from her performance in Gurinder Chadha's upcoming \"Bride and Prejudice,\" she has the talent to make the major Hollywood breakthrough she's seeking. But there's just one snag. Like Julia Roberts in \"Pretty Woman,\" Rai doesn't kiss. As a good Indian girl, she has never smooched onscreen, and she doesn't intend to start now. In Chadha's movie, the two \"kissing\" scenes involve Rai coyly pressing her forehead against co-star Martin Henderson's chin. Chadha did ask Henderson to plant an unauthorized smacker on Rai's lips when the pair were sitting atop an elephant in the climactic marriage scene, but when the cameras started to roll, Henderson chickened out. He later confessed to his director that he thought Rai would slap him."}, {"response": 238, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 2004 (12:41)", "body": "The latest speculation from THR: Disney in talks to let Harvey Weinstein leave NEW YORK -- Walt Disney Co. and its Miramax Films unit, which is run by Harvey and Bob Weinstein, are expected to meet this week to discuss letting Harvey Weinstein start a production company, and his brother remain at Disney to make movies, the New York Times said on Tuesday. Citing unidentified people involved in the talks, the newspaper said an agreement is not expected this week, and the sides are far apart on several big issues, but the progress shows that both sides recognize the importance of maintaining a successful relationship, the newspaper said. The two sides would like to reach an agreement before Disney's fiscal year starts on Oct. 1, it said, citing several people involved in the talks. Disney, based in Burbank, California, bought New York-based Miramax in 1993 from the Weinsteins, the studio's co-founders. Miramax's recent movies include \"Chicago,\" \"Cold Mountain\" and \"Kill Bill.\" Under an agreement being negotiated, Disney might give Bob Weinstein a four-year contract, a small staff and a $300 million to $350 million annual budget to make four to six movies under his Dimension Films banner, the newspaper said, citing two people involved in the negotiations. Dimension, a unit of Miramax, produces highly profitable film franchises such as the \"Scream,\" \"Scary Movie\" and \"Spy Kids\" series. Harvey Weinstein would become an independent producer, and secure financing for movies to be distributed by Bob Weinstein, the newspaper said. Disney might license the Miramax name back to Harvey Weinstein, but only for movie projects, it said, citing the two people. Miramax's film library would not be for sale. There remains a 60% chance the Weinsteins might leave Disney, the newspaper said, citing a senior person involved in the talks. Miramax plans to lay off at least 120 people as soon as this week, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday. The cuts reflect that the studio has too many people for a reduced number of projects, and are not being implemented at the behest of Disney, the person said."}, {"response": 239, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 2004 (14:33)", "body": "Re: the Miramax article....here's a longer, more detailed article of the possible deal and their options. Not sure if it can be accessed without registration.... http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/10/business/media/10miramax.html"}, {"response": 240, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 2004 (14:39)", "body": "Yes, it does require registration. So here it is: August 10, 2004 Disney in Talks on Independence for a Weinstein By LAURA M. HOLSON LOS ANGELES, Aug. 9 - Representatives for the Walt Disney Company and its subsidiary, Miramax Films, are expected to meet this week to discuss an agreement that would allow Miramax's co-founder, Harvey Weinstein, to start a production company, while his brother Bob remains at Disney to make movies, according to people involved in the talks. A deal is not expected to be reached this week, and Disney and the Weinsteins remain far apart on several important issues. Still, the progress so far indicates that despite past clashes, both sides recognize the importance of maintaining a successful relationship that has produced many award-winning films over the last decade. For Disney, an agreement with Miramax would be a bright spot in a year when another successful partnership, with Pixar Animation Studios, unraveled after 13 years. Harvey Weinstein, in turn, would have the freedom to pursue other entertainment-related ventures without Disney's approval and market movies using the Miramax name. Under a deal currently being negotiated, Disney would give Bob Weinstein a budget of about $300 million to $350 million a year and a small development and marketing staff to make four to six movies under Dimension Films, said two people involved in the negotiations. Bob Weinstein, who started Miramax with his brother and sold it to Disney in 1993 for $80 million, already runs Dimension, a division of Miramax, which has produced film franchises like \"Spy Kids\" and \"Scary Movie.\" Harvey Weinstein would become an independent producer, securing financing for movies to be distributed by his brother. Disney could agree to license the Miramax name back to Harvey Weinstein, but only for movie projects, the two people said. The two sides have yet to agree on a price. Harvey Weinstein is expected to discuss with Disney this week how many Miramax staff members he can take with him if he goes, as well as the fate of any movies now under development. Bob Weinstein's contract is likely to be for four years, but the two sides have yet to agree on several issues, the two people said, including how much he will make and what Dimension would be paid for distributing his brother's movies. One deal point not being negotiated is who would get Miramax's film library; Disney insists it is not for sale. But according to one person close to the Weinsteins, Harvey Weinstein would like to explore ways to exploit it, perhaps by re-releasing DVD's. An agreement is far from certain: a senior person involved in the negotiations said there was still a 60 percent chance that the Weinsteins would leave Disney altogether. Over the last several months, there have been bitter negotiations over whether to extend a four-year option on the Weinsteins' employment agreement, which ends in October 2005. Michael D. Eisner, Disney's chief executive, has complained that Miramax has strayed from its original mission of buying and marketing highly profitable art-house movies, venturing instead into money-draining enterprises like Talk magazine and expensive disappointments like \"Gangs of New York\" and \"Cold Mountain.\" The Weinsteins, for their part, contend that they have turned Miramax into an Oscar juggernaut worth many times what Disney paid for it. While there is no deadline, several people involved in the negotiations said that the two sides would like to broker a deal before Disney's fiscal year begins on Oct. 1. The Weinsteins suggested the new arrangement to Disney about a month ago through an intermediary who approached Disney on their behalf, according to a senior person involved in the negotiations. That person, according to two people involved, was Skip Brittenham, an influential Hollywood lawyer and power broker. Mr. Brittenham did not return a call for comment. Disney executives have declined to speak publicly about the negotiations, as have Harvey and Bob Weinstein. But it appears the two sides have, at least for the time being, called a truce. Matthew Hiltzik, a Miramax spokesman, said on behalf of the Weinsteins, \"The tone of our conversations has been extremely amicable.\" That has not always been the case. The relationship between Disney and the Weinsteins was at a low before the release of \"Fahrenheit 9/11\" in the spring, when Michael Moore accused Mr. Eisner of trying to block Miramax's distribution of the film. Two years ago, the two camps sparred when Disney sought an internal audit of Miramax's finances as part of a review of their bonuses. The Weinsteins, for their part, sought an audit of Disney's books last year. Recently, Disney threatened to audit the Weinstein's travel and entertainment expenses, said the senior person involved in the talks. Both sides agreed that they wanted to avoid the public embarrassment that would result if they were forced to arbitrate their dispute in court, the senior person said. But no"}, {"response": 241, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 2004 (17:07)", "body": "Short's 'Glick' to Close Toronto Film Fest Tue Aug 10, 2:13 PM ET TORONTO - Martin Short is taking Hollywood to task with \"Jiminy Glick in Lalawood,\" a comic tale of celebrity culture that will close next month's Toronto International Film Festival. Short plays the title character, an unknown entertainment critic for a Butte, Mont., TV station who comes to the Toronto festival and scores an unlikely coup: A rare interview with a reclusive movie megastar. Jiminy ends up in the middle of a tawdry sex scandal when a starlet turns up dead in his bed. Directed by Vadim Jean, the film was co-written by Short, who is also a producer on the flick. The movie is based on the character Short originated on his TV shows \"The Martin Short Show\" and \"Primetime Glick.\" Other high-profile films announced Tuesday by the Toronto festival include: _ David O. Russell's ensemble comedy \"I Heart Huckabees,\" featuring Dustin Hoffman, Naomi Watts, Jude Law, Lily Tomlin and Mark Wahlberg (news). _ \"Kinsey,\" starring Liam Neeson and Laura Linney in Bill Condon's film biography of Alfred Kinsey, the pioneer of human-sexuality research. _ \"Imaginary Heroes,\" a coming-of-age tale featuring Emile Hirsch, Sigourney Weaver, Jeff Daniels (news) and Michelle Williams. _ \"Head in the Clouds,\" a romantic drama starring Charlize Theron as a woman trying to maintain her hedonistic life against the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War and World War II. _ \"Sideways,\" Alexander Payne's road-trip story about aging pals (Paul Giamatti (news) and Thomas Haden Church) on a last joy ride before one of them gets married. _ \"Crash,\" a film about eight characters drawn together by a car wreck and a murder investigation. The cast includes Sandra Bullock (news), Don Cheadle, Matt Dillon (news) and Thandie Newton. _ Sean Penn and Naomi Watts in \"The Assassination of Richard Nixon,\" about a failed salesman who sets out to kill President Nixon in 1974. The Toronto festival, a key launchpad for Hollywood's big fall releases and Academy Awards (news - web sites) contenders, runs Sept. 9-18."}, {"response": 242, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 2004 (20:49)", "body": "(Karen), From Variety, think I have found the perfect co-star for Colin: ROTF! I'm a huge Bollywood fan as you know, but this actress does kiss, Lisa Ray is one of the best ones there. Thanks for the articles. I've always been a fan of Miramax because they were doing the kinds of films I liked, but that was in the beginning."}, {"response": 243, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 2004 (21:10)", "body": "(Karen), From Variety, think I have found the perfect co-star for Colin: ROTF! Too funny!"}, {"response": 244, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 2004 (09:06)", "body": "(Dorine) Glad you liked Sunrise. Will be curious to hear your thoughts on Sunset. I thought it was better. Saw Sunset yesterday. I liked it. I didn't love it the way I did the first time I saw Sunrise. I will have to see Sunset a few more times to find out if I can get over the disappointing sting of the ending. I just wanted to thank all of you ladies. If it weren't for this site, I never would have seen either of these films."}, {"response": 245, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 2004 (09:22)", "body": "(Yvette) the disappointing sting of the ending. Disappointing? I loved the ending. Thought it was adorable and just right. (trying my best not to be spoilerish)"}, {"response": 246, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 2004 (09:32)", "body": "A relation to the char-monkey, a Dancing Bear speaks out: Feud Casts Shadow Over California's Steinbeck Country By Adam Tanner SALINAS, Calif. (Reuters) - Controversy stirs in John Steinbeck country, an area of northern California where the great 20th century author has long ignited passionate opinions. The author of \"Of Mice and Men\" and \"The Grapes of Wrath,\" Steinbeck died in 1968, yet he and his work still spark debate. Last month, the author's only surviving son added dissonance by suing the heirs of his stepmother in a copyright battle. Since filing the lawsuit, Thomas Steinbeck, 60, has turned down interview requests. But he made an exception to discuss in a Reuters interview his father and his legacy, as well as the burden of being Steinbeck's heir in the land of Steinbeck. \"Being a Steinbeck here isn't all that fun, let me tell you, because you have no privacy,\" he said, sitting on a terrace off Cannery Row in the seaside town of Monterey, an area that loudly trumpets its link to the novel \"Cannery Row.\" \"People feel they have a right to access you any time they want, for anything -- to back something, to be against something.\" With a rich lode of amusing anecdotes and strong echoes of his father in appearance, the son -- who prefers to be known as Thom -- is a crowd pleaser at the annual Steinbeck Festival, the 24th of which was held last weekend in his father's birthplace of Salinas. \"I'm sort of the dancing bear. I'm more of an exhibit than anything else,\" he said with a laugh. \"They sort of bring me in to poke me with a stick, you know, like a bear on a chain and I turn around in circles and people clap.\" During Steinbeck's lifetime, many in Salinas, 100 miles south of San Francisco, criticized him for his sometimes unflattering portrait of hardscrabble life in the region. Today the city of 138,000, which produces 80 percent of America's lettuce, has embraced the writer; his boyhood house and a separate $17 million museum celebrate his work. \"He came from the ranching class. People thought he betrayed his class,\" said Thom, a writer who lives in Santa Barbara, California. \"The sentiment is gone because the world fell in love with the work.\" Monterey, 17 miles from Salinas, has long capitalized on its Steinbeck connections in everything from a wax museum named after him to hotel suites and conference rooms in honor of the man who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1962. \"If my father was alive he would insist that they burn it all down. He would have been terribly embarrassed by all of this,\" his son said. \"He would have thought that this is just terribly inappropriate. The work stands by itself. It doesn't need a restaurant named after it.\" TV SHOW BOOSTS POPULARITY Steinbeck's lasting literary as well as market pull was highlighted last summer when talk show host Oprah Winfrey recommended \"East of Eden.\" That recommendation sparked huge book sales and put the title back on bestseller lists. \"Do you know how much money that made?\" Steinbeck said. \"When she chose East of Eden, millions and millions of copies were sold, in 137 different languages.\" Such success proceeded the copyright lawsuit pitting the son against the estate of Steinbeck's third and last wife, Elaine, who died last year, as well as his longtime literary agency McIntosh & Otis. The suit alleges a \"30-year hidden conspiracy to deprive John Steinbeck's blood heirs.\" \"The decision to file a suit was not a happy one for my clients,\" said Steinbeck's attorney Mark Lee. \"They felt they had to file a suit to obtain the copyright interests to which they believe they were entitled.\" He said Thom Steinbeck had been deprived of at least $10 million in copyright interests and Steinbeck's granddaughter about $8 million. An official at McIntosh & Otis, which became the author's literary agent in 1931, declined comment. The dispute is complex even by the standards of copyright law and no court date has been set. Thom Steinbeck does receive income from some Steinbeck novels such as \"East of Eden\" but not others, Lee said. \"There are a lot of heirs and everyone gets a taste but I mean you couldn't live on it,\" Steinbeck said. He shied away from discussing the details of the lawsuit. \"It has nothing to do with money, let's put it that way,\" he said. \"It's more complex than you can imagine.\" Asked if he was a wealthy man because of his father, Steinbeck said: \"Hell no, man, I work for a living. You don't think I write because I think it's fun. I write because I'm very good at it and that's how I put a roof over my head.\" Following his 2002 collection of short stories \"Down to a Soundless Sea\" set in Steinbeck country in the 1930s, Thom Steinbeck is writing a new novel. Over the years he has also worked as a cameraman during the Vietnam War and a script doctor for Hollywood films. Steinbeck says his name does not magically open the portals of the literary world and notes he has received plenty of rejection slips. \"You either can write or can't w"}, {"response": 247, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 2004 (10:05)", "body": "v. long From THR's head flack: 'Vanity' first of fall awards contenders By Martin A. Grove \"Vanity\" viewpoint: With summer's big popcorn movies now fading into the sunset, fall will be here soon with its annual gift of likely Golden Globe and Academy Awards contenders. The first of these, opening Sept. 1 via Focus Features, is Mira Nair's \"Vanity Fair,\" starring Reese Witherspoon. Its screenplay by Matthew Faulk & Mark Skeet and Julian Fellowes, an Oscar and WGA winner for \"Gosford Park,\" is based on William Makepeace Thackeray's classic novel set in England from about 1802-33. The Tempesta Films/Granada Film production also stars Eileen Atkins, Jim Broadbent, Gabriel Byrne, Romola Garai, Bob Hoskins, Rhys Ifans, Geraldine McEwan, James Purefoy and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Produced by Janette Day, Donna Gigliotti and Lydia Dean Pilcher, it was executive produced by Jonathan Lynn, Howard Cohen and Pippa Cross. Faulk and Skeet, the first screenwriters who worked on \"Vanity,\" are also associate producers of the film. Thackeray's novel revolves around Becky Sharp, a lower class girl who despite the conventions of her day is determined to achieve a more glamorous life than her modest birthright would allow for. Wit, guile and sexuality are some of her key tools in trying to conquer English society of the time. Having greatly enjoyed talking to Fellowes when Robert Altman's \"Gosford Park\" opened to critical acclaim in 2001, I was happy to be able to catch up with him again Wednesday when he called from London to focus on what went into adapting \"Vanity\" to the screen. \"Gosford,\" of course, was an original screenplay while \"Vanity\" is based on a book of about 900 pages. We began by talking about the challenges of boiling a book of that size down into a screenplay. \"With any adaptation, a big element of it is selection,\" he explained. \"You can't make a 15-hour film so you have to leave out a lot. And with a book that is as well-known as 'Vanity Fair' the challenge really is not to leave out the iconic bits. In any novel, I suppose, whether you're doing 'Great Expectations' or whatever, there are certain sort of key moments that pretty well everyone knows. I always remember when I was doing 'Little Lord Fauntleroy' (the 1994 BBC miniseries based on Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic novel) they wanted him to be a more modern child and so on. And I said, 'Yes, but just once we have to put him in a velvet suit with a lace collar because that's all that anyone knows about 'Little Lord Fauntleroy.' And so I got my way. In one party scene he was there in his dark blue velvet (suit) with his lace collar. \"What happened with 'Vanity Fair' is that I came onto the project when Mira Nair came on. She decided that we would sort of start again and go right back to the beginning. It was Labor Day weekend in 2002 and I came over to New York and we just sort of sat and discussed this book and had the most delicious Indian food and just talked about the elements of the book that we were both interested in and that we thought everyone else was interested in and tried to sort of decide what our 'Vanity Fair' was. I think there are -- well, I hope there are -- kind of new elements in it.\" Reflecting on the book, he said, \"What a lot of people don't understand is that Thackeray in the novel uses India as a way of expressing his opinions about the Empire. He was writing in the 1850's about the Regency, which was 35 years before (when the Prince of Wales was named Regent to act for the mad King George III, succeeding him as King George IV after his death in 1820). So he was able to make certain points about the dawning Empire from what was effectively the peak of it. He uses India for that. This (kind of) world is normally abandoned in adaptations, but of course it was very interesting to Mira -- and, indeed, very interesting to me because I'm very fascinated by India as well as the whole imperial experiment -- and so we have an element of that in the film, which I found very colorful and kind of interesting. Mira's got this extraordinary visual imagination, which I loved.\" Some major challenges, however, were posed by the basic storyline of Thackeray's novel. \"When I sat down and read the book again,\" Fellowes said, \"I thought, 'Well, it's no good now pretending that our generation can dislike Becky Sharp because she wants to make her own life and because she wants to reinvent herself and she wants to have a better life than the one she's been for. We don't dislike those qualities. We like them. And it would be, I felt, completely false to the generation at the beginning of the 21st Century to try and imply that Becky's ambition and her desire to get on are in some way abhorrent. I mean, Thackeray plays a very complicated game because he certainly believed Becky was the true heroine of the novel. Of course, when he calls it a novel without a hero it's because he wasn't able to name who the hero was because according to Victorian morality th"}, {"response": 248, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 2004 (10:20)", "body": "Thanks, Karen for the extensive VF article. Seeing that tomorrow night, plus Q&A with Mira Nair and Julian Fellowes. Only time to skim now, will read whole article tomorrow when I have more time. (Yvette) I will have to see Sunset a few more times to find out if I can get over the disappointing sting of the ending. Was that because you really wanted them to get together and it ended rather suddenly and ambiguously?"}, {"response": 249, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 2004 (11:05)", "body": "(Dorine) Was that because you really wanted them to get together and it ended rather suddenly and ambiguously? Ambiguously? If you mean \"way after\" he misses his plane, then true. ;-) I'm hoping there will be another and that will fill in the blanks, as this one did."}, {"response": 250, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 2004 (11:44)", "body": "Fascinating article , Karen.Thank you. Lots of good stuff there. Hope it transfers to the screen. Trailer looks good. Thought Sunset ending was brilliant.V. unpredictable. I liked that. (John Steinbecks' son) \"I'm sort of the dancing bear. I'm more of an exhibit than anything else,\" he said with a laugh. \"They sort of bring me in to poke me with a stick, you know, like a bear on a chain and I turn around in circles and people clap.\" LOL. Goes for any celebrity. Only he's an honest one to admit it."}, {"response": 251, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 2004 (11:54)", "body": "(Karen) Thought it was adorable and just right. I thought THEY were adorable at the end. I just wanted more...I guess."}, {"response": 252, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 2004 (11:55)", "body": "(Karen), I'm hoping there will be another and that will fill in the blanks, as this one did. You are not the only one. JD did say that it would probably happen. I too loved the end, absolutely loved it! Thanks, Karen for the extensive VF article. (Dorine), Seeing that tomorrow night, plus Q&A with Mira Nair and Julian Fellowes. Please ask Mira if at any moment she had visions of the actors breaking into song and dance. VF does have what it takes for a great Bollywood version. Better than P&P, IMO. Enjoy, VF. I can't wait to see it. I do wonder at their casting Reese as Becky, she is not my ideal choice. Bet TIOBE helped her."}, {"response": 253, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 2004 (12:18)", "body": "(Yvette) If you mean \"way after\" he misses his plane, then true. ;-) I'm hoping there will be another and that will fill in the blanks, as this one did I don't think he'd technically missed it yet. He would've had to really rush to get there, but when they got to her apt, he still had a minimal amount of time as he told the driver to wait. Not sure he had planned to stay. And remember, this movie is supposed to have progressed in real time....80 mins. It's not that they were walking around for hours and hours. I think that's one of the reasons they talked so much and so fast....they had limited time. I, too, hope for another, though look how long it took them to get this part done...9 yrs! I don't want to wait that long, though if it comes out as good, it'd be worth it. I just wanted more...I guess. Me, too. But that's what I thought was so brilliant about it...you get so emotionally involved and interested in these two, then poof! it's over. Nothing like leave 'em wanting more. ;-)"}, {"response": 254, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 2004 (12:25)", "body": "Ummm, I said that, not Yvette. (Dorine) I don't think he'd technically missed it yet. He would've had to really rush to get there, but when they got to her apt, he still had a minimal amount of time as he told the driver to wait. Not sure he had planned to stay. Did you miss the last couple of lines? I plan to go back and see it again. But Celine says something to the effect of \"you're going to miss your plane.\" And Jesse just smiles and kind of mumbles, \"uh huh.\" He's not going anywhere, especially not rushing off to make that plane. ;-)"}, {"response": 255, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 2004 (12:26)", "body": "After reading the VF article, I was curious about ADR and found this: ADR Discussion -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- James Crocket to CAS forum: Approximately what percentage of the dialog in a movie is ADR? Is it reserved mostly for outdoor scenes or do unpaddable, large, live rooms demand ADR dialog as well? Is there a standard or well known system of processing the voices to fit the environment seamlessly? Is ADR an absolute last resort that should be avoided at all costs, or just an everyday reality of the job? If your sync audio is unusable, it is good to record the dialog wild, true? Is this almost always more successful than looping it in post? (Provided of course that the actor can duplicate his/her lines from the take) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carl Warner: ADR is a film technique that is much in heated debate. True film purists will argue that ADR no matter how technically correct can not give a scene the same punch, mood and realism that original production dialogue can. Those of us who have been around this business for a while generally agree with this philosophy. There are however, some situations where ADR is unnecessary evil that directors and sound editors have used effectively. Perhaps the best excuse for ADR is when an actors crews up a name, date or other important piece of dialogue. This screw-up can be corrected, of course by ADR. Sometimes a director likes the staging and visual part of a scene, but does not like the way the actor delivered his lines. Again ADR is a useful tool to get a better reading of the dialogue. Then, there is the situation when there is just too much background noise because of location logistics. A really good production sound mixers should generally be able to get al least 90% of the production sound on a feature film clean enough when no ADR is required. This is what separates the really great mixers from the ones with little experience and no talent. Some directors are very sensitive to the sound portion of a film and demand to use as much location production as possible. They really would like to have every word original production sound. Other directors, (especially new to the profession and those getting by with little or no real talent) are not as sensitive to the sound. They have not yet been able to understand the difference between original dialogue and ADR. Is hard to give you an exact figure on percentages, but in general most feature films today will have about 90% original production sound, the rest ADR. I have worked on features that were 100% production sound (including wild track dialogue recorded on location. Many of the spaghetti westerns were 100% ADR. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Randy Thom: I guess everybody knew I'd chime-in on this one. I agree with most of what Carl has said. But I'd tend to give a different estimate of the ratio of production dialog to ADR. Many of the films I work on are \"action-adventure\" movies which have notoriously noisy sets. So they tend to have a much higher percentage of ADR. The movie \"Contact,\" for example, was about 60% production and 40% ADR. \"Apocalypse Now\" was about 80 to 90% ADR. [ed note: a revelation!] Carl was right to point out that a significant amount of ADR is done in order to change the actor's performance. Sometimes lines are re-written, or the actor may have had a cold and sounded stuffed-up on the day they shot the scene, etc. The most difficult thing about integrating ADR into most films is that it is unusual for entire scenes to be ADRd. The poor dialog re-recording mixer is often asked by the Director to stick one or two words of ADR into the middle of a line of dialog which is otherwise \"production.\" This is probably the single most technically difficult process in all of sound mixing. There are lots of techniques used to make ADR sound more like well-recorded production dialog. The best way is to record the ADR in an acoustic situation as close as possible to the one on the set, except without the noise of the set. Using the same mic as the production mic helps. The re-recording mixer uses eq, reverb, digital pitch-changing devices, and lots of other boxes to try to make the ADR sound like production. The dialog and ADR editors have typically also used systems (like VocAlign, for ProTools) which compare an ADR line to a production line and alter the duration of each ADR word in order to bring it closer to perfect lip-sync. In addition, they've used many traditional techniques, including the one of extending the \"room tone\" or \"outdoor air\" under ADR lines so that the production ambience doesn't disappear whenever an ADR line is used."}, {"response": 256, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 2004 (12:27)", "body": "(Karen), But Celine says something to the effect of \"you're going to miss your plane.\" And Jesse just smiles and kind of mumbles, \"uh huh.\" He's not going anywhere, especially not rushing off to make that plane. ;-) Exactly! And the way he says it!!! I just loved it! He stays."}, {"response": 257, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 2004 (13:44)", "body": "(Karen) Did you miss the last couple of lines? Are you talkin' to me? ;-) Yes, I knew what was said, hence my basis for that post."}, {"response": 258, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 2004 (14:20)", "body": "(Dorine) Not sure he had planned to stay. You mean he really just wanted to go up to her flat to hear her songs? C'mon;-) Of course she does her share of seducing too. She made up that last song and then doing the little dance and Ella Fitz imitation. They were super together. Talk about chemistry! Whew! They had it in spades. Best film I've seen this summer."}, {"response": 259, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 2004 (14:44)", "body": "(Dorine) Are you talkin' to me? ;-) Yeah, I'm talkin' to you! ;-) I don't think he'd technically missed it yet. He would've had to really rush to get there, but when they got to her apt, he still had a minimal amount of time as he told the driver to wait. Not sure he had planned to stay. Once he'd fineagled his way into the apartment, I don't think a crowbar was going to get him out. Maybe he really just wanted the tea. ;-)"}, {"response": 260, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 2004 (17:30)", "body": "Managed to get my hands on a copy of \"Before Sunrise\" to view last night. Then today I rushed to the theatre to see \"Before Sunset\" before it closed tomorrow,to discover it was bumped by \"The Princess Diaries 2\" . Hurried home to research alternative theatres and was rewarded with a showing just twenty miles south....... Heavy rain ensued but I was triumphant. I liked \"Before Sunrise\" and loved \"Before Sunset\" . I did become very involved with Jesse and Celine. I found the ending totally appropriate and extremely hopeful. I'll be happy to see a third installmet!"}, {"response": 261, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 2004 (07:55)", "body": "(Evelyn) She made up that last song and then doing the little dance and Ella Fitz imitation. Do you really think she made up the song on the spur of the moment? I kind of thought that, like Jess writing his book, she wrote it a long time ago as a way to free her conscious mind of thoughts of that evening. Ella Fitz...Nina Simmone comme ci comme ca, non? Congrats, Bonnie! I'm glad you persevered and got to see them both!!"}, {"response": 262, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 2004 (08:04)", "body": ""}, {"response": 263, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 2004 (08:06)", "body": "(Yvette) Do you really think she made up the song on the spur of the moment? I kind of thought that, like Jess writing his book, she wrote it a long time ago Same here, though Jess had only just written the book. She probably wrote the song earlier. But the timeline isn't that important nor something we'd know precisely."}, {"response": 264, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 2004 (09:34)", "body": "Yeah, he said it took him...3 or 4 years(?) to complete the book."}, {"response": 265, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 2004 (16:13)", "body": "hi friends! I rarely find time to get over here on the boards... I miss you all! It's taken FOREVER to pass through all the old messages and finally get to the end of this thread... Anyway, I wanted to let you know I *finally* got married! The wedding was this past July, and was held in Quebec, Canada. You can see the wedding pictures at: http://photos.yahoo.com/jenniferesperanza Drool on! -winter"}, {"response": 266, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 2004 (16:54)", "body": "Congratulations, Winter! Thanks for sharing your pictures. Your new DH and you make a very nice looking couple. What a beautiful place to be married in, too. Nice to see you again!"}, {"response": 267, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 2004 (17:25)", "body": "Winter!!! How great to see you here to let us know and to share the pics. They're be-yew-tiful and you made a be-yew-tiful bride. Great dress and v. handsome husband BTW. ;-) Congrats to you both. Miss you lots, but be happy!"}, {"response": 268, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 2004 (17:44)", "body": "Lovely photos Winter! I remember you from past posts and wish you the best of luck! Speaking of luck, I'm soooo glad our dear Googlemeister Maria is now on the left coast out of Ft Myers and missing Charles. I hope that our dear Drooleurs in Fla and East coast will be safe!!"}, {"response": 269, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 2004 (18:05)", "body": "Thanks, Beedee! Congratulations, Winter! Nice to have you back."}, {"response": 270, "author": "lindak", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 2004 (20:26)", "body": "Congratulations, Winter. You and your new DH make a lovely couple. Beautiful wedding picutes. Don't stay away so long."}, {"response": 271, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 2004 (21:11)", "body": "The Pics are great Winter -looks like a beautiful wedding! :-) Come back and visit Drool again, we miss you!"}, {"response": 272, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 13, 2004 (23:31)", "body": "(Beedee) Speaking of luck, I'm soooo glad our dear Googlemeister Maria is now on the left coast out of Ft Myers and missing Charles. I hope that our dear Drooleurs in Fla and East coast will be safe!! Thought the same thing, when I saw how Ft Myers got hit. 150 mph winds! Whoa baby! How are the Sunshine State Droolers? Safe and sound?"}, {"response": 273, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 2004 (01:12)", "body": "Congratulations, Winter, and thanks for sharing those lovely pics! Wishing you and your new husband much happiness.:-)"}, {"response": 274, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 2004 (07:41)", "body": "A girl can dream someone else would do this ;-)...... From today's Page Six in the NY Post BRUCE Springsteen knows the best way to bond with his fans is over tequila shots. The Boss was shopping at Barneys yesterday when he ran into a group of very excited New Jersey housewives. \"Bruce took them all to lunch at Fred's,\" says our spy. \"They were just sitting there in the middle of the restaurant, having a great time and downing tequila shots.\" Jersey native Springsteen chatted with his starstuck admirers before paying the fat tab and leaving."}, {"response": 275, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 2004 (08:12)", "body": "Thanks for the wedding wishes, everyone. Can you believe I got most of the wedding party attire (my dress included) on EBay!? Amazing! I'd advise Ebay to anyone planning a wedding. Hubby and I are in North Carolina now (where he works), and are bracing ourselves for Hurricane Charley! Being new to these types of storms, I've been told that if a tornado were to come this way, \"head for the bathtub!\""}, {"response": 276, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 2004 (09:16)", "body": "(Dorine) A girl can dream someone else would do this ;-)...... Dreaming is good; I just wouldn't hold my breath. ;-) eBay? Incredible! Batten down those hatches BTW."}, {"response": 277, "author": "BonnieR", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 2004 (09:57)", "body": "(winter) \"head for the bathtub!\" Yes, and pull the mattress off the bed on your way....then pull it on top of the tub-will protectyour head and bod from possible flying objects!!!!! Jupiter, where I am, hardly had a drop-with only occasional wind gusts up to 40 mph..although we are still getting small bands of rain. I've been busy cleaning up my yard,and have not listened to the weather this a.m. just yet.I know most of Tampa and St. Petersburg were either mandatorial or voluntarally(sp?)evacuated. At least my namesake didn't cause too much damage in the Big Bend of Florida the other day."}, {"response": 278, "author": "Odile", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 2004 (10:49)", "body": "Re: Bruce Springsteen. Yep, and the other day, internet fans had decided to work on a Habitat for Humanity housing project on E Street (namesake of his band); they had sent a note about it and the cell phone number of one of the volunteers/fans to the Springsteen camp. Well, he called up himself and joined them for pizza, chatted for an hour or so, and left a $50 tip... Congratulations winter, and best of luck to those in hurricane country!"}, {"response": 279, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 2004 (12:36)", "body": "I am very thankful that Charley did not come around to Miami. I was here for Andrew and my thoughts are with the rest of FL. Brucie baby is a doll!"}, {"response": 280, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 2004 (13:47)", "body": "Glad to hear South Florida Droolers seem OK. I'm originally from near Jupiter...W. Palm Beach. The parents of a friend who lives in Wachula (middle of FL) still live in Jupiter. Nice to hear things alright there. Glad I no longer have property there while living here. I remember the fear of Andrew coming, but we just got wind up our way. I see Charley is right at ya, Winter. Stay safe! And what a guy, that Bruce! A decent all around guy and gives probably the most amazing concerts of anyone. Had people literally shaking the upper deck of Shea Stadium when he was here last year."}, {"response": 281, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 2004 (13:57)", "body": "Grrrr! Am surprised that NBC didn't censor the lighting of the phallic, sorry, I mean the Olymppic torch since cameras were held above the waist for these guys: There may be 4 channels or more covering the Olympics, but I still feel totally short-changed. :-("}, {"response": 282, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 2004 (14:23)", "body": "I think \"short\" may be the operative word.;-) Looks like they're wearing tight shorts and then long tights, with something sprayed over them--yet things are still hanging out. No wonder Katie Couric got so quiet on the broadcast.;-) Pop Pop is produing this; guess who won't be in it;-) Col, Calley page 'Austen Book Club' Michael Fleming, STAFF Sony Pictures Entertainment has optioned screen rights to Karen Joy Fowler's bestselling novel \"The Jane Austen Book Club.\" Former Sony topper John Calley will produce. Book centers around five women and a man who live in California and meet periodically to discuss Austen novels. Using Austen as the springboard, the book delves into the life of each club member. Published by the Putnam imprint Madian Wood, \"The Jane Austen Book Club\" has been on the bestseller lists for 13 weeks and has been selling briskly in foreign territories. Calley, always a fan of book adaptations when he was a film executive, is shepherding several as a producer. They include Dan Brown bestseller \"The Da Vinci Code.\" He's producing that project with Imagine's Brian Grazer; Akiva Goldsman is scripting and Ron Howard is planning to direct at Sony."}, {"response": 283, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 2004 (14:59)", "body": "(Mari) No wonder Katie Couric got so quiet on the broadcast.;-) LOL! That's true. ~~~ Empire had a pretty funny take on this, complete with a pic of asparagus: Pride And Pre-Production Jane Austen movie greenlit 13 August 2004 It is a truth universally acknowledged, that movies based on the works of Jane Austen, are big business. Her romantic tales have enough potential for smart laughs, female empowerment and snogging in the rain to make any Hollywood studio exec lunge for his Cliffs Notes. There have been a lot of takes on the canon of the nineteenth century novelist. Some are good, like Emma update Clueless. Some are useless, like Jim Abraham\ufffds misguided effort Jane Austen\ufffds Mafia! The latest attempt to cash in comes in the form of a forthcoming Sony adaptation of Karen Jay Fowler\ufffds hit novel The Jane Austen Book Club. The book is set in the present and features a group of Californians who meet periodically to discuss Austen\ufffds stories. It\ufffds been on best-sellers lists in the US for over a year. And that\ufffds all we know about it. Frankly, it\ufffds a marginally less interesting story than that one about Meg Ryan. In fact, the film sounds as dull as asparagus. Unless, of course, it turns out to be a naked book club or one that gets invaded by classic-literature-hating alien assassins. So, um... seen anything good recently? http://www.empireonline.co.uk/site/news/newsstory.asp?news_id=16089"}, {"response": 284, "author": "lindak", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 2004 (21:03)", "body": "Unless, of course, it turns out to be a naked book club or one that gets invaded by classic-literature-hating alien assassins. Trust me, it isn't. I think I would have liked the aliens better;-("}, {"response": 285, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 2004 (21:20)", "body": "Karen Jay Fowler\ufffds hit novel The Jane Austen Book Club. I've started the book (Lora lent it to me), but I am bored and skipping right along to the parts they actually do the book discussions. I'm a fan of Calley's past choices, but this one? Love those pictures! Thanks, Karen! I missed it."}, {"response": 286, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 2004 (23:01)", "body": "Am way behind on summer movie viewing, but did catch Collateral today. Anyone else see it? I thought it was terrific. Wickedly witty script, some great cinematography and lighting. Michael Mann is such a clever director. This turns the conventional \"buddy film\" genre on its head. Very good performances from Cruise and Foxx; great interplay between the two of them. Really enjoyed Tom as a baddie."}, {"response": 287, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Aug 15, 2004 (09:40)", "body": "Our websites were down for a while and I just rebooted the server. If you notice the site is down please call me (512-699-4000) and I'll attend to it as quickly as possible. I got the \"heads up\" this morning from karenr."}, {"response": 288, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (01:07)", "body": "Wot? It's Maria's Birthday?? I nearly missed it!!! I know she's always up for a little celebration so I'll just slip into my party hat and see if she'd like to do her favorite dance.... You put your right foot in, you put your right foot out....c'mon Maria...if you can get an entire subway car to hokey pokey, surely you'll do it with me?! Or maybe you'ld prefer something more intimate? After everyone leaves?? Would you like to Google me? With the lights off??? I'll save you a spot, right here, next to me... Happy Birthday Maria!!!"}, {"response": 289, "author": "anjo", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (08:12)", "body": "Dearest, loveliest Maria! I asked this guy to join the party and sing for you Hope you had the best birthday ever Tress - hilarious: Google me :-))))))"}, {"response": 290, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (08:57)", "body": "I'll dance with you anyday Colin, and we can try variations on the hokey pokey. And Googling you in the dark is my favorite thing, Throw in Excite with a big Yahoo at the end and I'd be set for life ! ;) Thanks Terry! And thanks for the song and the flowers Annette, being home is the best present I could have ever wished for. My prayers go out to all my friends and coworkers left behind in Ft Myers, I can't believe how fortunate I am..."}, {"response": 291, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (09:12)", "body": "Oh nooooooooooooo!!! Hope your birthday was very happy, Maria!"}, {"response": 292, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (10:26)", "body": "Bloody hell! I had a bit of an accident. Otherwise I would've been here to wish Maria a very Happy Birthday! Hope it was great!"}, {"response": 293, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (11:23)", "body": ""}, {"response": 294, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (11:24)", "body": "A little something for Maria on her birthday:"}, {"response": 295, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (11:41)", "body": "So, I'm gone for the weekend, and the rest of you can't remember yesterday was Maria's b'day? Sheech! What a bunch of deadbeats;-)) Happy Birthday, ole buddie Mimosas all around...."}, {"response": 296, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (11:47)", "body": "Dame Winter...what a nice surprise. Cute DH...congrats. So, are you selling all your old JN and Colin tapes;-)) Stick around...we miss you. For all newbies...Dame Winter was the Drool rep at the SIL premiere in LA. Way early, when no one knew Colin and he was so thrilled to find any fans there who recognized him. Winter had nice encounter with Livia too....in the loo;-) \"Former Sony topper John Calley will produce. \" Huh? I thought ole Pop-Pop was gone ...dead;-) Who's he working for to get such high-profile projects."}, {"response": 297, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (12:44)", "body": "Colin I hope the accident didn't hurt your boot and you only suffered a flesh wound! Why don't you get in the bath and I'll help wash you up? And thanks for the t-shirt Karen, I hope to need it again come November! :) (Evelyn)So, I'm gone for the weekend, and the rest of you can't remember yesterday was Maria's b'day? No worries Evelyn, poxy internet provider had me without service for the last 5 days so..grrr! The delicious mimosa is sure helping me forget that aggravation though, thanks!"}, {"response": 298, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (13:29)", "body": "Thought I'd move this in case this topic continues re: sequels... IMO, OT better variation of stories than NT (except Revelations was quite exciting ;-)), Liked neither Huck Finn nor Tom Sawyer Like both Godfather 1 and 2. Better sequel...The Empire Strikes back over Star Wars. ;-)"}, {"response": 299, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (13:31)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Maria! I feel less guilty because Maria was on my mind yesterday: But I hope you are ready to rock today Because we still need to get together and do some of these, remember? Hope you had a great one!"}, {"response": 300, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (13:32)", "body": "Closing tags sorry"}, {"response": 301, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (13:46)", "body": "(Me) Better sequel...The Empire Strikes back over Star Wars. ;-) (Tress)He forgot one...surely he knows that Empire Strikes Back is far better than Star Wars. By missing that obvious one you know he isn't an expert! ;-) LOL, great minds!.....we were typing the same thing on 2 different topics. ;-)"}, {"response": 302, "author": "Tress", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (13:46)", "body": "(Dorine) Better sequel...The Empire Strikes back over Star Wars. ;-) LOL...I wasn't quite as bright as you and put that response on the BJD topic.....eerie how we do that sometimes."}, {"response": 303, "author": "lindak", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (14:03)", "body": "Crikey, Scarlett. How can you stand there with that silly grin on your face? We've missed Maria's birthday. Hope you had a great day, Maria."}, {"response": 304, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (15:41)", "body": "(Tress)By missing that obvious one you know he isn't an expert! ;-) But, but, he was just giving his opinion."}, {"response": 305, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (16:11)", "body": "(Evelyn) But, but, he was just giving his opinion. Funny, I missed the words \"I think\" or \"In my opinion\" or similar. I *know* a declarative sentence when I see one. ;-) Give me good warning when you start citing Ben Affleck. ;-))"}, {"response": 306, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (16:15)", "body": "After watching and listening to him at the Dem Convention, would much rather listen to what BA has to say than MD."}, {"response": 307, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (16:59)", "body": "This way lies Madness... but a very fine madness! Here's looking at you kid! I hope you had a wonderful Birthday! And now one from Bee!"}, {"response": 308, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (17:01)", "body": "Oops! I was to smitten by that picture I forgot to uncenter;-))"}, {"response": 309, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (17:01)", "body": ""}, {"response": 310, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (17:02)", "body": "Help Karen!;-("}, {"response": 311, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (17:02)", "body": "Never mind..."}, {"response": 312, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (22:18)", "body": "Winter! . .Pleased to meet you! . .Congrats on your wedding . .lovely lovely pics! Glad to hear the FL Droolers are doing OK!"}, {"response": 313, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 2004 (22:31)", "body": "Maria! . .Seems like I missed your b'day! I hope you had the happiest b\ufffdday I know of someone that\ufffds got to practice his singing chops for his next role. So I talked him into singing a little diddy for you! From West Side Story . . Maria . . . The most beautiful sound I ever heard: Maria, Maria, Maria, Maria . . . All the beautiful sounds of the world in a single word . . Maria, Maria, Maria, Maria . . . Maria! I've just met a girl named Maria, And suddenly that name Will never be the same To me. Maria! I've just kissed a girl named Maria, And suddenly I've found How wonderful a sound Can be! Maria! Say it loud and there's music playing, Say it soft and it's almost like praying. Maria, I'll never stop saying Maria! The most beautiful sound I ever heard. Maria. Music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!"}, {"response": 314, "author": "poostophles", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 2004 (01:43)", "body": "(Moon Dreams)I feel less guilty because Maria was on my mind yesterday That was always my \"assumption\"...:) And as to the martinis - the mind is weak but the body is willing Moon, I know our time will come! Thanks a Mishimoto! And Colin don't be too harsh with Scarlett, I think she just got a head start on the party, or maybe the effect of your arm around her shoulders really is that intoxicating! Thanks Linda! Bee, no party would be complete with your famous cake! Thanks so much! And I would love to lead Colin down the path of madness, it's really quite lovely once you get used to it! Kimberly thank you for talking Colin in to practicing his singing for me...I was so named because of that song and yet to hear him sing it makes it sweeter still. ( I like it here in America when sweet boys sing to me! :)) I plan on feeding him a piece of the beautiful cake when he takes a break from his serenade..."}, {"response": 315, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 2004 (09:34)", "body": "From Sunday's Observer: You call it a blockbuster. I call it utter tripe. Jason Solomons I know it's the blockbuster season, a traditional wasteland, but has there ever been a less creative, less inspiring, less varied set of films available than those currently on display at British cinemas? After a summer of shiny green ogres, plastic-looking superheroes, bleating camels, dancing crabs and limping tigers, I'm on the verge of a Peter Finch-style Network breakdown. I can't take it any more. It started last month with the ridiculous hype surrounding Shrek 2. It had been in competition in Cannes and it did miraculous things rendering fur in CGI. But does it really stand for serious, adult thought? No. And it isn't all that funny, either - not when you look closely. There are so many gags that the good ones are choked by the bad and the vocal performances of the British cast in particular are maddeningly flat. For anyone over the age of 35, the film is shrill, short on logic and full of unfathomable references. Spider-Man 2 was also hailed as great. Yes, some jokes work nicely, the fight scenes have a certain zip and the villain is played to the hilt in the best panto tradition. But as for the film having 'heart and brains'? No. True, the film is faithful to the source material, so precious memories of Saturday mornings with your comics are preserved, but if anyone sheds a tear during Spider-Man 2 or better understands the human condition having seen it, then I'm a spider's aunt. Somehow, even I was caught in its web, admitting on national radio that there was something of the Hamlet about Tobey Maguire's Peter Parker. I was wrong but something is rotten in the state of cinema. A week later, sensible grown-up critics were lamenting the trampling of their collective cherished memories by the live-action Thunderbirds. For anyone who had to endure the film, it was obvious after five minutes that this was, as Tim Robbins says in The Hudsucker Proxy, 'you know, for kids'. But was the original template really that good? Surely not. The new film was supposed to be just as rubbish as those old shows. And, my word, it was. Similar confusion arose from the remake of Around the World in 80 Days. I hadn't seen David Niven's version for years, but I remembered it being thoroughly enjoyable when I saw it as a child. The new version, starring Steve Coogan and Jackie Chan, is tripe and I can't believe it would prompt anyone to do anything other than leave the cinema. In a dreadful summer, this should have been the low point. But along came Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, the richest twins in America, with their cinematic debut, New York Minute, a hopeless farce that reminded me of a night of torture I once spent being the only straight man at the Legally Blonde 2 premiere. We were expected to weep over the story of a pair of Mongolian camels (The Story of the Weeping Camel), reunited by some screeching musicians that even the organisers at Womad would have politely declined. Then we watched two tigers turn tables on dastardly hunters in IndoChina. Mind you, if I felt bad watching Jean-Jacques Annaud's Two Brothers, imagine how its star, poor Guy Pearce, must have felt when he saw his name take third billing behind the tiger cubs. This after the world cooed at the sight of Antonio Banderas's cute kitten face in Shrek 2. Then there were fish, crabs and penguins falling over in Deep Blue, a film about Garfield the Cat, a compendium of claymation shorts (though these were, admittedly, rather funny) and Julia Stiles, whom I thought had actually grown up by now, in The Prince and Me, in which she falls in love with the Prince of Denmark. Only the hype around Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11 masked the mess, but even that piece of event cinema could hardly be termed a great film. This month hardly gets off to a better start - King Arthur and The Stepford Wives simply retrace cinematic steps and make no improvements. Even Woody Allen's Anything Else is a pale shadow of former glories. Even more depressingly, there was not one British film available as alternative viewing. The dark, low-budget comedy One for the Road received a small release in July but you'll have found that hard to track down after one week. Why was there no British distributor prepared to step in and rescue us? What happened to counter-programming? Finally, Richard Jobson's 16 Years of Alcohol arrived last week and did rather well, critically and commercially, so desperate are adults (like alcoholics) for a drop of the cinematic hard stuff. From America, there's only Before Sunset, philosophical, adult and witty, that shines out like a beacon of sophistication in a sea of dross. Catwoman arrived. Another comic strip, another mess, albeit one in leather and Halle Berry curves. Will Smith could have cheered us up in I, Robot, but not even he is that funny. British cinema culture won't change. There are no television shows promoting or pointing to better films; few intelli"}, {"response": 316, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 2004 (20:49)", "body": "Wow, what a rant!! At least he recognized BS as a shining beacon :o) I saw \"The Door in the Floor\" this weekend. It was very Irvingesque; with quirky characters getting caught in some hillarious comprimising positions!! I liked it, though it's getting harder to watch Jeff Bridges play......Jeff Bridges over and over."}, {"response": 317, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 2004 (22:33)", "body": "I love Jeff Bridges. I don't think he repeats himself. Think Door in the Floor vs. Seabiscuit vs. Big Lebowski, just to name a few relatively recent ones. MARIA! Sorry to have missed the festivities. Hope you'll be there to greet me at those left-coast premieres, darling. Happy Birthday!"}, {"response": 318, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 2004 (22:59)", "body": "I snipped out the zzzzzzzzzzz-inducing charts, but some interesting stuff here on WT and Uni. Check out the price tag for TEOR; *somebody* should be able to afford a better looking pair of swim trunks.;-) Probing a Box-Office Crash Universal's Working Title Films went into unfamiliar territory with the big-budget 'Thunderbirds' By Claudia Eller, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer What were they thinking? Many in Hollywood wondered just that when the producers of such low-cost, grown-up hits as \"Fargo,\" \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" and \"Four Weddings and a Funeral\" decided to make a big-budget, special-effects-driven adventure movie for kids. Now that \"Thunderbirds,\" their $65-million version of a quirky British 1960s television series has crash-landed at the box office \ufffd grossing $6 million in the U.S. since its July 30 opening \ufffd longtime partners Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner of London-based Working Title Films are wondering the same thing. \"Of course, we'll go through the painstaking process of figuring out what went wrong,\" said Bevan, who for years had championed the movie as a pet project and had high hopes for it. For now, he said, \"you're left slightly scratching your head.\" Some say it shouldn't be too hard for Bevan and Fellner to sort out what happened with \"Thunderbirds,\" which was released and largely financed by Working Title's parent, Universal Pictures: The producers fell prey to an all-too-familiar Hollywood trap: veering from what they know best. \"They couldn't resist the siren call of a big-budget summer action flick,\" said Larry Gerbrandt, who heads the media and entertainment unit for Century City-based financial advisory group AlixPartners. Gerbrandt said that although he understood the urge to \"step up a career\" by taking a big gamble, when filmmakers do that, \"not only does the price of success go up, so does the cost of failure.\" Bevan acknowledged that he and Fellner were largely on unfamiliar turf when they tried to attract young audiences with \"Thunderbirds.\" Their only other similar attempt, with the $30-million family film \"The Borrowers,\" flopped five years ago. But the two producers are trying to keep \"Thunderbirds\" in perspective. \"When you make as many movies as we do, there's going to be a train wreck,\" Bevan said. \"It's unfortunate it was on one that cost a lot of money.\" Added Fellner, \"You haven't been in the film business until you have something like this happen.\" The producers and Universal executives said they believed unfortunate timing might have played a role in the movie's poor showing. Directed by Jonathan Frakes and starring Ben Kingsley and Bill Paxton, \"Thunderbirds\" follows the perilous exploits of five brothers who make up the International Rescue brigade and embark on lifesaving missions aboard their fleet of souped-up spacecraft known as Thunderbirds. Working Title bought the rights to \"Thunderbirds\" in the early 1990s \ufffd long before the creation of Robert Rodriguez's hugely successful family movie franchise, \"Spy Kids,\" about a brother and a sister who use an array of futuristic contraptions to save the day. By the time \"Thunderbirds\" made it to the big screen, the similarity between the two movies wasn't lost on film critics who largely panned it as a wannabe. Young audiences also thought it looked like a poor man's \"Spy Kids\" and stayed away in droves. \"Ours was not sufficiently original and fresh enough to get parents and kids in to see it,\" Bevan conceded. For Universal, the film's poor showing compounds what has been a rough summer. The General Electric Co.-owned studio's other misses have included \"The Chronicles of Riddick\" (which cost $110 million to make and has taken in $57 million at the U.S. box office) and \"Van Helsing\" (which cost $160 million and grossed $120 million domestically). Universal Chairwoman Stacey Snider, who gave \"Thunderbirds\" the green light, acknowledged that audiences perceived the film as derivative. \"It looked very much like movies that have come before,\" Snider said. The studio chief added that everyone involved made the wrong assumption that the film would not only draw 10-year-old boys but also appeal to the coveted teen audience. \"It didn't get the cool young teenager group,\" Snider said. Bevan also believes that a \"fatal error\" was made in releasing the film during a summer that featured two mega-budgeted, effects-driven family films: \" Spider-Man 2\" and \"Shrek 2.\" Both were instant blockbusters here and overseas. What's more, some industry insiders said, Universal was aware that it had a dud on its hands \ufffd so it decided not to put much marketing muscle behind it. Consequently, there was little audience awareness or anticipation created before the movie opened. \"The studio knew it had a dog,\" Gerbrandt said. \"The ad campaign was a short burst.\" Universal spokesman Paul Pflug disputed that the studio abandoned \"Thunderbirds,\" though he declined to disclose how much it laid out for advertising to support the film's opening on more"}, {"response": 319, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 2004 (23:15)", "body": "\"We can't just stay in the box of making only one sort of film,\" Fellner said. \"We have to try new challenges.\" To that end, Working Title's upcoming releases include \ufffd of all things \ufffd another kids' movie: \"Nanny McPhee.\" *snort* What was that word Snider used to sum up Thunderbirds? Ah yes, derivative. Take a spoonful of sugar to make the medicine go down... ;-)"}, {"response": 320, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 2004 (23:18)", "body": "I thought The Door in the Floor was well done, but a downer overall and thought the comic interlude of the lady chasing JB strangely out of tone with the rest of the movie. A very slapstick scene in an overall serious movie with some comic undertones. What a dysfunctional mess they all were, except the kid. He was just trying to cope. But JB has *the* best hair in Hollywood. Would *love* to get my hands in that. ;-) Saw Vanity Fair a week ago. I liked it for the most part. I thought RW was an excellent choice and did a very good job, but it was funny to watch her change physically back and forth in it due to her pregnancy. Sometimes her face and chest were fuller than at other times. Not necessarily coinciding with her pregnancy in the movie or in order. The cinematography annoyed me for the most part. I suppose one could say it looked lush, but I didn't like it. Felt it was apropos for some of the darker scenes though. I wasn't particularly fond of the casting of Rhys Ifans (who I really like otherwise and saw in a very cute movie 2 wks ago-Danny Deckchair) and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Bob Hoskins and Eileen Atkins were quite amusing. I'm curious if RW did her own singing in this...haven't bothered to look and it didn't sound much like her. But the song she sang near the end, I loved. Q&A with Julian Fellowes and Mira Nair was good after the technical difficulties at the beginning. Said a great deal of what was in that looooonnnng article was posted. Budget was $23 million. Added the very last scene in India after they had gotten the movie together and she thought the original ending was flat. Moon, there was a Bollywood number in it with RW. Last night saw Stephen Fry's directorial debut, Bright Young Things. He adapted from Evelyn Waugh's Vile Bodies. Didn't love it, didn't hate it. Great short scene with Peter O'Toole. Definitely some parallels to present day upper class social scene. It was set in the Jazz Age. Excellent Q&A with Stephen Fry! But good golly, he seemed a nervous wreck. Literally never stopped moving the entire time...hands in and out of pockets, adjusting his glasses, running hands in hair, other assorted touches of face. Poor thing was sweating a storm, too. Wonder if he's always like this at public presentations. He must be a wreck hosting the BAFTA Awards. He was extremely entertaining! Told a couple of great anecdotes about Peter O'Toole...in other social situations they've been in. Gave very loooonnnngg and comprehensive answers to every question. And boy, can he talk fast. Very interesting man."}, {"response": 321, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 2004 (23:20)", "body": "Title: 'Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason,' sequel to the 2001 hit starring Renee Zellweger, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth Estimated cost: $70 million That's an absurd budget for a rom-com."}, {"response": 322, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 2004 (08:43)", "body": "Title: 'Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason,' sequel to the 2001 hit starring Renee Zellweger, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth Estimated cost: $70 million (Do)That's an absurd budget for a rom-com. Have you bought a *lift ticket* lately? ;-)"}, {"response": 323, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 2004 (09:20)", "body": "I just had to click on a news item with this title: ;-) http://www.darkhorizons.com/news04/040817c.php"}, {"response": 324, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 2004 (09:26)", "body": "Evelyn So, are you selling all your old JN and Colin tapes;-)) LOL! No, but they have been collecting dust for quite a while now! :-) BTW, my best friend from University is currently working for Working Title, and Nanny McPhee. I'm bummed that I'm no longer in LA to take full advantage of this one degree of separation! Marianne and Jana-- Get to work! ;-)"}, {"response": 325, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 2004 (09:37)", "body": "Re: Dark Horizons peice: He's got a *point* there;-)"}, {"response": 326, "author": "cskerr", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 2004 (10:25)", "body": "About Stephen Fry: Just finished reading three of his novels. The man is astonishingly literate, He must be exhausting to be around. I enjouyed all three of the books. They are very different from one another. I would like to know how he works on them. This is probably off topic, but someone mentioned Fry and just thought I'd put in my two cents worth.AM going to watch his \"Wilde\" this evening. It is waiting for me at the library."}, {"response": 327, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 2004 (10:34)", "body": "(Carolyn) This is probably off topic... Then this would be the correct place to post it, i.e., the Odds & Ends topic. :)"}, {"response": 328, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 2004 (11:11)", "body": "(Mari),I love Jeff Bridges. I don't think he repeats himself. Think Door in the Floor vs. Seabiscuit vs. Big Lebowski, just to name a few relatively recent ones. So true! And he still looks quite handsome. TEOR Estimated cost: $70 million (Dorine)That's an absurd budget for a rom-com. (Beedee), Have you bought a *lift ticket* lately? ;-) LOL! Those huige salaries."}, {"response": 329, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 2004 (12:55)", "body": "Dorine, thanks for sharing all the info on VF and BYT. I, for one, love reading about all the screenings and Q&As that you are able to attend. Keep it up!! :o) (Dorine) JB has *the* best hair in Hollywood. Would *love* to get my hands in that. ;-) HHMMMM never noticed that about him. Will have to take a closer look... I am in the middle of watching The Tenant of Wildfell Hall RGs hair is very nice in this one! Also, there are several kissing scenes in this one that could be used as \"how to\" examples in CF's kissing tutorial,IMO...of course ;o)"}, {"response": 330, "author": "cskerr", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 2004 (14:40)", "body": "Is this an Odds and Ends question? Does William Joseph Firth have to belong to the union in order to appear and be listed as a nocredited performer. This is his second such appearance, Are we being introduced to the nexr generation of an acting dynasty or is it a summer vacation \"gotta do something while dad works\" kind of activity?"}, {"response": 331, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 2004 (14:46)", "body": ""}, {"response": 332, "author": "cskerr", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 2004 (14:53)", "body": "Well, I have done it once more. Shall return to Coventry and watch from afar"}, {"response": 333, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 2004 (15:00)", "body": "He's essentially been an extra. An under-five for Spiderman, so no, I don't believe the union is a factor."}, {"response": 334, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 2004 (15:33)", "body": "Technically, he was 11 and he does say one word or is it two? ;-) Some actors would fight for a SAG card with that alone."}, {"response": 335, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 2004 (17:41)", "body": "Yeah, but can they get it. I've forgotten what the criteria is. Kim would know, I bet. And what difference does his age make? Saying one word or two, makes him an under-fiver."}, {"response": 336, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 2004 (23:59)", "body": "From the She's Not Nearly As Smart As I Thought She Was Dept.... Page Six.... RENEE Zellweger in Toronto, sitting on the patio at a place called Amber and feeding hummus and pita to the joint's barfly raccoon. When Amber owner Toufik Sarwa pleaded, \"Renee, please don't do that, you'll just encourage it,\" the squinty-eyed screen queen replied, \"But it's soooo cute!\""}, {"response": 337, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 2004 (10:04)", "body": "Oh, this will be brilliant: Joan Rivers Starring on 'Nip/Tuck' NEW YORK - Joan Rivers, the fashion critic who has openly joked about her own cosmetic surgery, will guest star as herself on the season finale of the FX drama series \"Nip/Tuck.\" In the episode to air Oct. 5, Rivers will play herself and meet with the show's plastic surgeons, played by Dylan Walsh and Julian McMahon, for an unusual cosmetic consultation. It is so unusual that in the show, Rivers flies to the surgeon's Miami practice to avoid the glare of the paparazzi. Though FX is tight-lipped about the nature of the discussed procedure, Scott Seomin, a publicist for the cable station says, \"It's definitely not something she's had done before.\" Rivers is best known for her celebrity red-carpet coverage on cable's E! Entertainment network. In June, she and daughter Melissa joined the TV Guide Channel to cover the entertainment world."}, {"response": 338, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 2004 (10:24)", "body": "ROTFL!! That's hysterical! I can't wait for that one. Thank, Karen."}, {"response": 339, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 2004 (10:11)", "body": "Loving care for 'Tender' Wed Aug 18,11:14 PM ET Michael Fleming, STAFF Twentieth Century Fox is closing a deal with F. Scott Fitzgerald's estate to remake \"Tender Is the Night,\" a book it first adapted in 1962. Underlying U.S. rights to the novel had reverted back to the Fitzgerald estate, which is run by the author's granddaughter, Eleanor Lanahan. Fox has hired screenwriter Jesse Wigutow to adapt the novel. The studio's Robbie Brenner is steering the project. The estate will be paid a seven-figure sum if Fox makes it to production on the jazz-age story about apsychiatrist whose marriage to a wealthy patient ultimately destroys him. Deal is the first made since veteran film exec Don Laventhall took the reins of the film rights department at Harold Ober Associates. The Gotham-based lit agency represents many classic books, the rights to many of which have reverted back to the authors. The agency also reps the estates of James M. Cain, Nathanael West, Dylan Thomas, Agatha Christie and Langston Hughes, as well as writers Ira Levin, J.D. Salinger and Lois Lowry."}, {"response": 340, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 2004 (10:25)", "body": "Good article on Nip/Tuck, but major warning - it has big spoilers not only on this week's episode, which I haven't seen yet, but next week's: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=529&ncid=529&e=15&u=/ap/20040819/ap_en_tv/ap_on_tv_nip_tuck"}, {"response": 341, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 2004 (10:59)", "body": "Thanks. So you've gotten into watching it now? It was definitely an emotional storm and turning point for them this week. Hope this picks up something at the Emmy's. I mentioned before about that show Rescue Me that shows back to back with Nip/Tuck on some repeat nights. Best new show on TV, IMO. Great writing and acting. Hope it does well next year. Denis Leary should definitely get a nod for at least acting, as well as being one of the writers. Every bit as good as his last show The Job was."}, {"response": 342, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 2004 (11:20)", "body": "Nip/Tuck and Rescue Me are standards on the TIVO in my house. Agree w/Dorine - great new dramas. BTW - am I the only one growing a bit weary of the 'over the top' sex, psychosis, and family dysfunction in the Fisher family on Six Feet Under?"}, {"response": 343, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 2004 (11:37)", "body": "I have to say, as much as I love 6 FT Under the first couple of years. My interest waned last season and I think I've only caught part of one episode this season."}, {"response": 344, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 2004 (18:38)", "body": "(Dorine)My interest waned last season and I think I've only caught part of one episode this season. IMO, they continue to have some great ideas and storylines but in their quest to continually up the ante they're beginning to border on the absurd. And the new plot line w/Mena Suvari playing a domineeing lesbian strikes me as merely gratuitous. I can't help but think she took on the role to simply try and harden her image a bit."}, {"response": 345, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 2004 (18:47)", "body": "That was one of the bits in the one I saw, along with David's new difficulties with men. I didn't find her domineering, just bordering on pushy or just plain irritating."}, {"response": 346, "author": "lesliep", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 2004 (18:59)", "body": "(Dorine)I didn't find her domineering, just bordering on pushy or just plain irritating. Yeah, those are probably better adjectives but you might want to throw in manipulative as well after last week's episode."}, {"response": 347, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Aug 20, 2004 (23:23)", "body": "I only watched a total of 10 mins, so that may well be. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 193, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 194, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 195, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 196, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 197, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 198, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 199, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 2, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 20, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 200, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 201, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 202, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 203, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 205, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 21, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 210, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 22, "subject": "Kenneth Branagh", "response_count": 111, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 1997 (07:50)", "body": "Ok, Kenneth! I love everything I've ever seen this man in! Well, I wasn't too fond of Frankenstein , although I did appreciate the bare-chested scenes! ;-) I'm sure we'll mention other performances as we progress, but I want to just mention Dead Again. This was the first Kenneth movie that I really did some drooling over! He was utterly charming and winning as the PI, and incredibly tortured and overtly sexual as Strauss in the flashback scenes. Two completely different characters both wonderfully realized."}, {"response": 2, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 1997 (15:32)", "body": "Cheryl, I too loved DEAD AGAIN. It was the first movie I had seen after the birth of my daughter and I had to beg my mother to babysit. And beg my friend to see it. I had just seen Henry V, and totally fell in love with KB. Before RG before CF there was KB. I was so heartbroken when I heard that ET was separating from him, I was so shocked but happy because he's single. And to think he was in BOSTON just one month ago. He loves it here"}, {"response": 3, "author": "Susan", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (03:59)", "body": "I recently watched A Month in the Country to see CF and was surprised to also find Kenneth Branagh! Unfortunately, he doesn't do it for me. CF did and does but that's for the CF drool."}, {"response": 4, "author": "Karen", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (07:18)", "body": "I too love Kenneth but not for drool purposes (please forgive this sacriledge). I just enjoy his intelligence, wit and humor. 'Much Ado About Nothing' was great! Like Laura, I think I was as upset about the break up of his marriage as he was. I just loved them together because they aer such excellent actors and smart people."}, {"response": 5, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (14:44)", "body": "I loved A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY. All the actors were wonderful, I was very shocked when I saw KB in it. Kenneth Branagh to me can take on any role, he is very versatile. I particularly love his Shakespeare. I just taped Othello off of Showtime last nite. I've seen it 3x's."}, {"response": 6, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (18:26)", "body": "Wouldn't it be great if Kenneth, who appeared on the Rosie show, could (and would) convince Colin to do the same? 'Tis my hope. . . . . (sorry for the cross-over drooling)"}, {"response": 7, "author": "Mari", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (19:42)", "body": "Meggin; no apology needed. I believe that in the present company it may even be encouraged!"}, {"response": 8, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (20:04)", "body": "I wish I could watch Rosie. But, alas, Poor Yorick, I knew him when.... oops sorry, just a little peeved my Hamlet got deleted. Anyway, I work when its on."}, {"response": 9, "author": "Donna", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (21:15)", "body": "You could tape Rosie Laura."}, {"response": 10, "author": "Amy", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (22:03)", "body": "Actually, Roar, I think Henry just moved the topic to the more general favorite non-Austen movies, in the interest of topic non-proliferation."}, {"response": 11, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (07:25)", "body": "I first saw Kenneth in Henry V and was bowled over by the movie! What a remarkable talent. He was not particularily \"droolable\" in that film, but I made it a point to remember his name and began to drool in earnest in his next movie Dead Again , and the rest is Drooling History! I am drawn to his obvious talent, but also to his humor and intellegence...I absolutely love the scene from Much Ado About Nothing when as Benedick he is overhearing that Beatrice loves him...so, so funny!"}, {"response": 12, "author": "Mari", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (19:56)", "body": "Has the parallel of the couples in P&P and Much Ado ever struck you? The uncomplicated lovers, who allow the doubts and interference of other opinions to affect their fate, and the smarter couple, who are almost too clever, and have to learn to let their emotions have expression, as well as the intellect."}, {"response": 13, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (19:57)", "body": "Isnt great what he does with that folding chair ? numerous essays and falls from it and for her. Probably the movie I most enjoyed, so much light so bright, manificient rendition. Loved Othello but quite another mood, Henri V wonderful expecially his speach to rally the troups to battle and he tender pledge of love to his soon to be queen. They \"meshed\" so well ;) Intelligence, wit and humour are very appealing and lot more long lasting than some in-your-face sex-appeal. Give me a man who knows how to woo a woman, ohh baby..."}, {"response": 14, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (19:58)", "body": "Mari, How interesting :)"}, {"response": 15, "author": "Mari", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (19:58)", "body": "'I first saw Kenneth in Henry V and was bowled over by the movie! What a remarkable talent. He was not particularily \"droolable\" in that film...' - Cheryl I did think that the speech Ken makes as Henry to the French princess asking her to marry him was very romantic, though..."}, {"response": 16, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (20:38)", "body": "Mari: I did think that the speech Ken makes as Henry to the French princess asking her to marry him was very romantic, though... Oh yes! Very sweet, very charming!"}, {"response": 17, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (20:42)", "body": "Have any of you seen Hamlet ? It hasn't come here yet and I'm dying to see it! Tell me all about it!"}, {"response": 18, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (20:53)", "body": "Not yet, but first on my list."}, {"response": 19, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (22:06)", "body": "Hello!! But I SAW HAMLET, but noone said anything. I said it was the best thing to happen in Boston, MA in a long time. And that KB has been in Boston for the past two months, gone now. But. Anyway. I'm leaving for the weekend. Oh yeah, it was AWESOME, AWESOME!!!11"}, {"response": 20, "author": "Elaine", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 1997 (00:09)", "body": "Kenneth Branagh's acting abilities are truly amazing and they are certainly \"in your face\" in Hamlet. He can barely breath without your being aware of it given the extremely tight close-ups. However, I don't think of Branagh as drooling material. It's as though he is too clean cut or possibly too blond. It seems a hint of wickedness or potential wickedness under control is a key factor. Branagh has a respected talented brother image."}, {"response": 21, "author": "jaye523", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (20:15)", "body": "I too thought that Henry V was KB at his most droolable. Sorry to hear that He & ET have not been able to keep it together. I liked the thought of 2 intelligent equal partners able to keep a relationship going among the craziness of anybody's career."}, {"response": 22, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (21:30)", "body": "Here's a great page dedicated to Mr. Branagh and it's Midwinter's Tale : http://www.movienet.com/movienet/sonycl/midwinter/misc/branagh.html Check the magnificient interactive site at : http://hamlet-movie.com/cmp/netscape.html"}, {"response": 23, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 1997 (04:25)", "body": "I saw Branagh a few years back doing the plays Midsummer and Lear in Chicago. I was sitting in the third row center for Lear , in which at one point Branagh was wearing nothing more than a loin-cloth! For Dead Again fans: did anyone else notice that his prison number was 29101415, which if you take to be a date is 29 October 1415--Saint Crispin's day and the date of the Battle of Agincourt."}, {"response": 24, "author": "Inko", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 1997 (04:45)", "body": "That's clever, Ann. BTW I'm using quotes from Henry V in Little Fitz!"}, {"response": 25, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 1997 (07:54)", "body": "Re prison #--very cool, Ann! Such a clever man! Still no Hamlet in my town! I'm beginning to get desparate!"}, {"response": 26, "author": "Ann", "date": "Fri, Feb 21, 1997 (05:33)", "body": "Make that Oct 25! (Oct 29 is my brother's B-day, Oct 25 is St. Crispins day)"}, {"response": 27, "author": "Andee1", "date": "Fri, Feb 21, 1997 (07:46)", "body": "\"Isnt great what he does with that folding chair ?\" I have to say that that scene in Much Ado is my favorite. Especially when he says \"She, love me? Why?????????\" I too was broken up by their divorce. Mutual infidelities I heard. Anyone know the specifics?"}, {"response": 28, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Fri, Feb 21, 1997 (11:22)", "body": "Andrea: Anyone know the specifics? I'm not sure that I want to know...I like them both so much, I don't want to hear about the hurtful things they may have sone to each other...reality can be such a bitch, you know? and I get enough reality every day! ;-)"}, {"response": 29, "author": "Ann2", "date": "Fri, Feb 21, 1997 (21:25)", "body": "I get enough reality every day! ;-) // I'm with you there, Cheryl. Let's just leave it behind and throw ourselves into the pond of drooling and addiction."}, {"response": 30, "author": "Amy", "date": "Fri, Feb 21, 1997 (21:37)", "body": "Pond of drooling. That should be the name of this conference."}, {"response": 31, "author": "Ann2", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 1997 (15:12)", "body": "That which you call a pond, by any other name would be as wet..."}, {"response": 32, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 1997 (15:46)", "body": "I like the comment about his being too blond?!"}, {"response": 33, "author": "bplaroch", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 1997 (06:18)", "body": "RE: specifics on the KB and ET split up. I read three rumours (none of which I would like to believe) in fairly reputable magazines (not tabloids). One rumour said ET told him she liked women better. Another said they both admitted to each other they preferred members of the same sex. The third said she had an affair with the actor who played Willoughby in S&S I can't believe any of that! I love KB in everything, and can't wait to find four hours to see Hamlet! My favorites are Much Ado---adorable and made me laugh, and Frankenstein--didn't much like the movie, especially the gory parts, but was definitely drooling over KB!"}, {"response": 34, "author": "Ann", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 1997 (07:03)", "body": "Since I believe Thompson and Greg Wise (Willoughby) are still an item, you might have to accept that last reason."}, {"response": 35, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 1997 (12:41)", "body": "I, too, love Much Ado, though not for KB. On DENZEL comes much more to mind!"}, {"response": 36, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 1997 (12:42)", "body": "Obviously, I meant One Denzel, not on Denzel, tho' that could be an interesting Freudian"}, {"response": 37, "author": "bplaroch", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 1997 (06:18)", "body": "Cindy, you are right! Denzel is every bit as much of a reason as KB to watch Much Ado. By the way, how come there's no drool conference about Denzel, or did I miss something?"}, {"response": 38, "author": "kate", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 1997 (13:50)", "body": "]how come there's no drool conference about Denzel? Ditto."}, {"response": 39, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 1997 (13:54)", "body": "]how come there's no drool conference about Denzel? ]Ditto. There is now. (Your wish is my command)"}, {"response": 40, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 1997 (15:00)", "body": "I will never in my life believe that they both prefer the same sex. First of all Ann is right ET is still with Greg Wise and KB is now with Helena Bonham Carter. I will never understand why people make up such nasty rumours. Its disgusting."}, {"response": 41, "author": "bplaroch", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 1997 (04:34)", "body": "I agree that those rumours are disgusting and I don't believe them either. Has he been with Helena Bonham Carter since Frankenstein?"}, {"response": 42, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 1997 (19:06)", "body": "] I will never understand why people make up such nasty rumours. Way too much time on their hands and nothing else to do ;)"}, {"response": 43, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 1997 (21:47)", "body": "I found a wonderful sight for KB on the BBC Education page here are a couple of pics Branagh in wonderful 70 mm drool baby double drool"}, {"response": 44, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 1997 (08:53)", "body": "I cannot believe Hamlet is not in my town yet! Insupportable!"}, {"response": 45, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 1997 (17:51)", "body": "Oh Cheryl is it playing in another nearby town, believe me it's worth the trip, I was just telling Myretta how looking at Branagh and is slim-trim I immediately thought of how much you would appreciate it ;)"}, {"response": 46, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 1997 (18:47)", "body": "Thank you for thinking of me Johanna! I just found out that Hamlet will open here tomorrow! Yeah! :-)"}, {"response": 47, "author": "Andee1", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 1997 (06:28)", "body": "I must say that KB, no matter what the personal life is still a babe. A babe by any other name, would still smell as sweet. Cheryl, not wet pictures of KB??????"}, {"response": 48, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 1997 (06:43)", "body": "Andrea: Cheryl, not wet pictures of KB?????? Alas, no...shall have to remedy that, he was pretty WET in Frankenstein!"}, {"response": 49, "author": "Andee1", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 1997 (23:10)", "body": "Cheryl, I didn't see Frankenstein, but the bathing scene at the beginning of Much Ado is not bad either. Just don't see enough of him. It is also not a very erotic scene. Very playful."}, {"response": 50, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 1997 (04:57)", "body": "Well, I have finally seen Hamlet ! I was a little concerned that Ihad built up my expectations too high, but I they were certainly fulfilled! The cinematography was amazing! The vast, wide shots of the wedding reception, Fortinbras' army descending upon Denmark... and then the intimate, hand-held camera work that put you right into the scene, breath-taking! Kenneth was wonderful, THE Hamlet! I can never say how much I loved his performance, so it may be best not to try! But...Wow! Yes, Johanne, he looked very, very, very good. I found a picture of the fencing scene with Laertes for you all. If you have not been to see this movie, GO!"}, {"response": 51, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 1997 (05:01)", "body": "Here's another one I couldn't resist posting!"}, {"response": 52, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 1997 (05:07)", "body": "ok. Last one, I promise! \"Alas poor Yorrick! I knew him Horatio.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 53, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 1997 (18:59)", "body": "How in the world was this movie passed by re: Oscar nomination (or more then a few...)"}, {"response": 54, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 1997 (19:00)", "body": "So glad you liked it, Cheryl, have to see it again I'm afraid, yes definitely a masterpiece and will be appreciated more and more with numerous viewing"}, {"response": 55, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 1997 (21:08)", "body": "I am desperately trying to find another 6 hour block of time (when I include driving time) to see this again. An amazing experience!"}, {"response": 56, "author": "Mari", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 1997 (23:16)", "body": "Has anyone read where he and Helena are expecting a baby this fall? I tried to surf back and post it here for you all, but I couldn't find it again."}, {"response": 57, "author": "Elaine", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (20:30)", "body": "Hamlet was truly an awesome experience--I've seen it twice and can't imagine cutting a single piece. I simply can't understand its lack of recognition and can't wait for the tape."}, {"response": 58, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (22:32)", "body": "Elaine, you're exactly right. It wasn't just a movie, it was an experience. When I got home from seeing it, I had to talk, immediately, to someone who had seen it too and had been through what I had and go obsess over details (and T Shirts!). (Thanks Sister Myretta!) I can't wait to see it again in the theater..it will not be a good on the TV."}, {"response": 59, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 1997 (16:56)", "body": "Cheryl all I can say is YIPEE!!!!!!!!! I am so glad you liked it. Ken Branagh is the most amazing actor there is on the right side of the Atlantic. I have not heard about HBC having a baby, but keep us posted! I would definitely see it again, if there are any Boston people who would like a field trip to Kendall Sq theater and would like to go, email anytime. we could make a day of it and have a bite to eat after. Sounds like fun. Did you guys just think the costumes were INCREDIBLE!!!"}, {"response": 60, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 1997 (17:43)", "body": "Laura: Did you guys just think the costumes were INCREDIBLE!!! Fabulous! I loved KB's opening suit--everyone is celebrating the wedding, looking very festive, and there he is, all in black, the picture of stoic mourning. But my sister and I both agreed that his best outfit is in the fencing scene, the white sleeveless T-Shirt, the black pants, the suspenders...*sigh*"}, {"response": 61, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 1997 (18:03)", "body": "And that's where I was thinking of you Cheryl...:)"}, {"response": 62, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 1997 (18:50)", "body": "At first I cringed when I saw the blonde hair, but it did grow on me. I also really saw the comedy in this play too. I had only seen the Mel Gibson version once, but I've read the play several times. And the one scene that always gets me in the movie and play. Is the one when he is explaining who is mother and stepfather are. The scenes with Polonius were great. And when he is running away from the crowd I believe its after he has killed Polonius going thru all those doors without a misstep. The mi rors, Julie Christie, Sir Derek, even Kate Winslet, (who sang again, beautiful voice BTW) were perfect. Did you catch the end credits thanking the Tanning Co. everyone got a big laugh out of that one. Oh and before I forget PATRICK DOYLE's music is absolutely brilliant. I find myself looking specifically at the credits to see who has done the music. You cannot leave the theater after the movie is over you have to stay to LISTEN TO THE MUSIC!!!"}, {"response": 63, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (06:11)", "body": "Johanne! And that's where I was thinking of you Cheryl...:) Ah ma cher Johanne, you know me too well! ;-) Blenheim looked wonderful, loved the great hall and all the mirrors and the side rooms...and what an interesting and innovative way to do the \"To be\" soliquoy! And just how did they do that camera shot that brought on the intermission? Iknow special effects, and all that, but it was amazing! I've got to see this again! ;-)"}, {"response": 64, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 1997 (19:45)", "body": "Ok, I've done some research and found some more fab Hamlet pics. I have been unsuccessful in my main seaarch...the undershirt and suspenders fencing scene...;-) If anyone finds that let me know! IN the meantime... (to be)"}, {"response": 65, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 1997 (19:50)", "body": "and this one... yes, I like him with sharp pointy things...;-)"}, {"response": 66, "author": "Mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 1997 (21:06)", "body": "Oh my, my. More, Cheryl, more!"}, {"response": 67, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 1997 (23:18)", "body": "I'm not sure if Johanne did this one earlier, but it bears repeating if she did. ;-) Love that black mourning ensemble..."}, {"response": 68, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 1997 (03:50)", "body": "I saw a copy of the play Hamlet in Barnes Ignoble the other day. Branagh was on the cover, but the picture was from when he played the roll many years ago. He was sitting on the floor holding Ophelia in his lap. Ophelia was played by Sophie Thompson a.k.a. Miss Bates from Emma2."}, {"response": 69, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 1997 (05:35)", "body": "Miss Bates as Ophelia? The mind boggles..."}, {"response": 70, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 1997 (22:23)", "body": "Alright, a couple more I found today. Searching for the undershirt picture is turning into a bit of an obsession for me (I know you're all shocked to find that I am prone to such a thing!) Have not found it yet, but I know that it must be out there! Until then...what is Hamlet without the skull? ;-)"}, {"response": 71, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 1997 (22:25)", "body": "I really liked this Horatio as well, someone told me that he played Edmund in the old BBC Mansfield Park ? (H&H)"}, {"response": 72, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 1997 (23:04)", "body": "yes, I have been a busy bee...I found this interview with Kenneth about Hamlet for those interested. http://www.brandeis.edu/students/st931200/branagh.html Also found out that Kenneth will be a presenter at the Oscars...but will he wear the undershirt? ;-)"}, {"response": 73, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 1997 (03:54)", "body": "I heard someone saying during the intermission that they didn't understand what period the movie was supposed to be taking place in (oldish looking costumes with other more modern elements). What a limited mind she must have! It was out of time and trancending time. Why tie the story down into one historical time frame? Let it soar abve it all!"}, {"response": 74, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 1997 (04:35)", "body": "Ann: It was out of time and trancending time. Why tie the story down into one historical time frame? Let it soar abve it all! Beautifully put Ann dear!"}, {"response": 75, "author": "kate", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 1997 (16:53)", "body": "I gather the period is meant to be early- mid Victorian I just saw this last night and it was fantastic. I was fascinated that the little program leaflet had photos of all the well-known (to US audiences) in tiny roles like Billy Chrystal (who was good), Jack Lemmon (who was awful), Charlton Heston etc, with no photos of the actors who played Horatio, Laertes (WHO is this guy? he was in the Midwinters Tale, and Truly Madly Deeply and I think he's gorgeous), or Richard Briers as Polonius. Ah well, accomodating your audience I suppose. I was blown away by KB's performance. What an effort to direct and act in something like this when there is so much text to learn, and Hamlet is on in nearly every scene. I expected that he would be a little selfindulgent or self important, but except for one or two short bits (eg being carried off at the end) it was really impressive and I got so engrossed in him that I cried at the end, when he was talking with Horatio about how he would die if his time had come. I thought the Ophelia/Hamlet stuff was good, though unorthodox - I think I finally understood that he really did love her. I had a dream last night that he has written a second biography. Does anyone know if he has, or if there are any good recent biographies of him available. I read Beginning years ago."}, {"response": 76, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 1997 (20:06)", "body": "Michael Maloney is an old friend and confidante of KB. He was in Othello, Midwinters Tale, Henry V. They have been working together for the best part of 15 years. Cheryl I'm searching hi and lo for that picture you are craving if I find it what do I get?"}, {"response": 77, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 1997 (20:08)", "body": "Close?"}, {"response": 78, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 1997 (20:19)", "body": "Oh Laura! Very close indeed! If only he were turned around! Thank you for your efforts, dear, they are most appreciated. Myretta has been looking as well, but with no success. I did find this one that I like very much. It's such an incongruous sight to see him sitting up in the coffin and laughing with Billy Crystal! Such a cutie! *sigh*"}, {"response": 79, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 1997 (04:14)", "body": "re:#72 Kenneth will be a presenter at the Oscars...but will he wear the undershirt? ;-) and, Cheryl, will he have a sharp, pointy thing? ;)"}, {"response": 80, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 1997 (06:12)", "body": "Cindy: re:#72 Kenneth will be a presenter at the Oscars...but will he wear the undershirt? ;-) and, Cheryl, will he have a sharp, pointy thing? ooh, ooh! I hope so! ;-)"}, {"response": 81, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 1997 (06:23)", "body": "Well, you would not believe,or maybe you would! how many hours I have spent trying to track down this full-frontal undershirt picture! It is not to be found, Laura got as close as we're going to get until it comes out on video and someone takes a snappy of it. Oh well. In the meantime, I did find some more droolable pics that I shall post from time to time, to see us through this crisis!"}, {"response": 82, "author": "Amy", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 1997 (07:37)", "body": "Does he have a tad bit of a Sutherland look about him? Every time I see I picture of him begin to resolved on my monitor I think it's Donald or Kiefer, never sure which."}, {"response": 83, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 1997 (16:00)", "body": "Oh Amy Donald or Keifer??!! That is insupportable. KB is definitely CUTER than either of those two."}, {"response": 84, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 1997 (17:32)", "body": "Yeah, Amy,I can see a bit of Sutherland in there withthe blond hair, but I much prefer the resolved features of Kenneth. ;-)"}, {"response": 85, "author": "Inko", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 1997 (21:16)", "body": "Amy, it's only the blond hair that makes him look like Donald or Keifer - real KB is a lot cuter than either of those!!;-)"}, {"response": 86, "author": "Amy", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 1997 (22:53)", "body": "Oh, I agree. The Sutherlands have not become stars due their looks, that is for sure. I do like their voices. But isn't there something besides the hair? What makes me always think of them?"}, {"response": 87, "author": "elder", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (00:59)", "body": "Amy -- I agree with you, I have been reminded of the Sutherlands as well. Is it the eyes, do you think? (As well as the blonde hair, of course.)"}, {"response": 88, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (18:41)", "body": "Yes the eyes"}, {"response": 89, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (20:08)", "body": "Sorry for the repeat, but Johanne's comment made me do it! ;-)"}, {"response": 90, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (20:14)", "body": "Thanks Cheryl, yes definitely the eyes, especially when the pictures unfolds"}, {"response": 91, "author": "kate", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (23:02)", "body": "Cheryl, I spend about an hour in B&N today perusing the Hamlet book. It has a notated script which is really excellent - Branaghish comments on what people are thinking, feeling etc, that helps in understanding the text. Also a day by day shooting diary with witty recounts of on-set occurences (although I noticed that the bedroom scenes were not mentioned...) and PHOTOS. Including at least 3 of the bare armed fencing (bulging biceps and all...)"}, {"response": 92, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (05:17)", "body": "Kate: Including at least 3 of the bare armed fencing (bulging biceps and all...) Oh Kate! I am so glad I made you a part of the family last night! ;-) Myretta, did you hear? There are undershirt pics! *sigh* Laura said she saw this book, but didn't mention the UNDERSHIRT pictures! Teasing girl! ;-) I'll have to fit a trip to B&N into my schedule tomorrow...;-)"}, {"response": 93, "author": "Andee1", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (16:49)", "body": "Cheryl, just a reminder from last night. HE'S MINE! ;) I hope you find the undershirt pic!"}, {"response": 94, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 1997 (04:22)", "body": "Now Andrea, check the back messages in this topic, half of them are mine , ergo HE'S MINE!!! Buhwahahahaha!!!!! ;-) (right, like he's sitting around somewhere waiting for us to decide who be belongs to...well...just in case...HE'S MINE!!!!)"}, {"response": 95, "author": "Andee1", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 1997 (06:52)", "body": "Cheryl-One can hope, can't one!?!? ;-)"}, {"response": 96, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (06:56)", "body": ""}, {"response": 97, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (06:59)", "body": "Ilove the expression on his face, the anger, sadness, numbness, steely determination...so many emotions there."}, {"response": 98, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (18:03)", "body": "Thanks so much Cheryl, could'nt do without :) Isn't it the perfect movie !"}, {"response": 99, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (21:00)", "body": "I am in deep mourning! I was to see Hamlet again today, but it is not showing in my town anymore! It was only here for 4 weeks! And now is gone. Granted this is Las Vegas, not known for it's cultural acumen, but still! i am quite put out! So, I must talk about it. Shall we really discuss the film, and not just drool? Is that allowed here? ;-) What about the relationship with Ophelia? I always wondered if they had \"done the deed\" and now I know that at least Kenneth believes they have! ;-) I was never sure if Hamlet truly loved her, but it was very obvious in the \"Get thee to a nunnery\" scene, how much he cared for her. It was made clear that Hamlet knew they were being overheard and so had public, cruel words to Ophelia and then private, tender whispered words as well. Ophelia must have been very confused... I really like the use of the mirrored doors in this scene, with Claudius and Polonius looking on, and especially in the \"To be or not to be\" soliquoy. Anyone else? ;-)"}, {"response": 100, "author": "kate", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (05:50)", "body": "Cheryl It's a pleasure to discuss it with you!! I felt I understood the Hamlet/Ophelia relationship a lot better after seeing this: so many productions don't show anything except the point where he is rejecting her - I finally understood that he really loved her. He destroyed her family. and her. how awful. One scene I found so sad - at the end when Hamlet is sitting with Horatio before he goes to fight Laertes: he talks about the days of a sparrow, and you basically know that he is going to die, and that he knows and accepts that he is going to die. I cried. Will that do for the moment? How do you like the book?"}, {"response": 101, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (06:58)", "body": "Will that do for the moment? That does very well, Kate! ;-) How do you like the book? ;-) I like it very much and so will my sister when she gets hers...;-) The focus of the story is always on Hamlet's family, but Polonius's family were all killed as well, it is two family's tragedy and that sometimes gets lost in the shuffle. One of the most moving scenes for me was when Laertes learned of Ophelia's death. Julie Christie and Michael Mahoney were wonderful there."}, {"response": 102, "author": "kate", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (13:39)", "body": "I love the scene where Hamlet realises his friend Horatio is there - in the middle of all this misery, a good friend."}, {"response": 103, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (22:37)", "body": "Yes, and this was a great Horatio. He doesn't get to do much but stand around while Hamlet talks until the final scene \"Good night, Sweet Prince\", but this one (I've blanked on his name--wait! I have the book, let me go look!) Nicholas Farrell did such a good job of being \"in the moment\" and reacting to Hamlet."}, {"response": 104, "author": "Inko", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (22:48)", "body": "Cheryl, Nicholas Farrell was Edmund in the BBC Mansfield Park! He is a very good actor, usually in secondary roles."}, {"response": 105, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 1997 (04:07)", "body": "Do folks see a resemblance between Branagh and Laurence Olivier?"}, {"response": 106, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 1998 (16:04)", "body": "drool alert: Kenneth Branagh on \"The View\" on ABC TV (10:00 am CST)"}, {"response": 107, "author": "CatFan", "date": "Sat, Apr 25, 1998 (00:43)", "body": "So, why is it so quiet in Kenneth adoration land lately? He has a huge ego, but I think he's great. I loved Hamlet. My mouth dropped open and I audibly gasped when he was first shown standing, all in black, with that white-blond hair. Incredibly sexy. I'm not usually a fan of bleached blondes, but he looked fabulous. Pretty good physique, too."}, {"response": 108, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Jun 11, 2000 (23:37)", "body": "Has anyone sen the ads on tv for his new movie. A musical where he sings and dances. They are doing \"I Won't Dance.\" It looks like it is going to be a fun movie. I had to LOL at him when he was telling about doing it when he was on Rosie last week."}, {"response": 109, "author": "Ann", "date": "Mon, Jun 12, 2000 (00:01)", "body": "He was on Charlie Rose the other night, along with Nathan Lane and Alicia Silverstone (co-stars). THe movie is opening in a few cities first, then going a little wider. It's Shakespeare's \"Love's Labour's Lost\", which is a little-performed play. (I've aready heard a bad review of it, unfortunately.)"}, {"response": 110, "author": "Claptonia1", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (14:10)", "body": "I too have heard several negative reviews on \"Love's Labour's Lost), but it does not surprise me. Critics have been tearing Kenneth Branagh apart since the dawn of time. It is very uncommon for soemone so young to display such talent and charge onto the scene like he did with Henry V and critics have hated him ever since, especially in Great Britain where the critics deem young success unacceptable for some reason. I have heard wonderful reviews from many people who have seen the film. (If you want to see a great site, check out \"The Kenneth Branagh Compendium\")."}, {"response": 111, "author": "Taminar", "date": "Sat, Jul 29, 2000 (16:18)", "body": "I love the photos on this page, my favorite so far being the one of Ken & Billy Crystal behind-the-scenes in Hamlet. The Branagh Compendium, mentioned in an earlier post, is at www.branaghcompendium.com, BTW. Auriette drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 23, "subject": "Memorable TV Men from the 1960s (British & American)", "response_count": 59, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 1997 (12:15)", "body": "Here are some of my favorites, don't be surprise if you find a pattern :) I know he's a puppet but imagine the real thing : Spectrum's Number 1, indestructible agent. Six hours under the control of the Mysterons has given him the power of retrometabolism. From UFO, Colonel Paul Foster : also abducted from aliens for a while then returned with powers. Do they qualify as unnatainable fantasies ? anyone notice similarities between the two (outside the obvious) ? Here's one, both series had the same creators, Sylvia and Gerry Anderson"}, {"response": 2, "author": "Susan", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 1997 (22:03)", "body": "There was a Tony something (don't know if that was his character or real name) in The Time Machine or something similar. He really got me going with his curly black hair and intense scenes each week. I also had this MAJOR crush on Andy Griffith as Sheriff Andy Taylor. I thought he was the smartest man on earth."}, {"response": 3, "author": "panache", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (09:11)", "body": "I had/have? a crush on Captain Gregg in The Ghost and Mrs. Muir show (which until a while ago aired on Channel fx in the USA on the weekend). Another suave but crabby Brit male (alla Darcy, Prof. Higgins...). I envied Hope Lange her ghostly friend. ;-)"}, {"response": 4, "author": "Amy", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (09:45)", "body": "crabby Brit male (alla Darcy, Prof. Higgins...) __ Cecily, help me understand what it is about the Higgins character that is so appealing. I find him so, too, but don't get it. Why like a curmudgeon?"}, {"response": 5, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (09:48)", "body": "Why like a curmudgeon? Maybe it's the challenge."}, {"response": 6, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (11:20)", "body": "Well I am much young to remember anyone in the 60's, but my favorite show in the 80's was a British Show from the 60's. THE SAINT with Roger Moore. Now he was gorgeous."}, {"response": 7, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (12:01)", "body": "Susan, there was James Darren who played Tony Newman in Time Tunnel, a 20th Century Fox TV series in 1966-1967. He was the teenage idol starring in the Gidget movie series (1959, 1961 and 1963) as Moondoggie (Jeffrey Matthews) The props used in the Time Tunnel show, (such as the computers and guns) also were used in \"Lost in Space\" (1965), \"Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea\" (1964), \"Land of the Giants\" (1968), and \"Batman\" (1966)."}, {"response": 8, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (12:17)", "body": "Susan, there was James Darren who played Tony Newman in Time Tunnel, a 20th Century Fox TV series in 1966-1967. He was the teenage idol starring in the Gidget movie series (1959, 1961 and 1963) as Moondoggie (Jeffrey Matthews) The props used in the Time Tunnel show, (such as the computers and guns) also were used in \"Lost in Space\" (1965), \"Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea\" (1964), \"Land of the Giants\" (1968), and \"Batman\" (1966). Edward Mulhare played Captain Gregg opposite Hope Lange in this sitcom from 1968 to 1970. Loved Charles Nelson Reilly as Claymore Gregg, what a hoot!"}, {"response": 9, "author": "Amy", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (12:44)", "body": "Johanne, you know your 60s TV. Have they always shown American TV up there?"}, {"response": 10, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (13:09)", "body": "Johanne, thank for the pic of Captain Scarlet! You wouldn't have one of Scott,Alan and Dad Tracey from \"Thunderbirds\" as well, would you?And Lady P in FAB1? My hero from the sixties was Dr Who.From the seventies Han Solo and Michael York as D'Artagnan, Benvolio,etc."}, {"response": 11, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (15:01)", "body": "How a group portrait, there you go Caroline : and the jingle : http://www.ludd.luth.se/~kavli/Tbirds.html Han Solo is certainly a dish, is this how you like him served ? : Yes, Caroline, saw the Three Musketeers last week and its always nice to look at"}, {"response": 12, "author": "elder", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (20:04)", "body": "Caroline -- which Dr Who do you like the best? I didn't see this show until about 10 years ago. I like most of them, but I think Tom Baker is my fave -- all that curly hair and those big mischievous eyes. :-)"}, {"response": 13, "author": "summit", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (20:15)", "body": "Amy and Cecily- this AVENGERS site is for you! Enjoy :-) http://www.ee.ualberta.ca/%7Edawe/avengers/1avpix.html"}, {"response": 14, "author": "Susan", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (01:02)", "body": "#s 7, 8, & 11 Johanne: yep, that's my Tony -- thanks for the info! Also, the Han Solo entree is served just right !"}, {"response": 15, "author": "Kali", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (04:52)", "body": "I wasn't alive in the sixties, but I do have a crush on Dobie Gillis."}, {"response": 16, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (13:12)", "body": "Johanne I love you! All the T'birds team!!! I used to sit on my dad's knee and swoon over Scott and Virgil! Kathleen- did you know that Dr Who was always a kid's program(me)? I liked them all, but was especially fond of Patrick Troughton and his recorder and later, fell relly hard for Peter Davidson in his cricket sweater(still do, come to think of it!)Saw Tom Baker on stage once- in \"Educating Rita\" and thought he was really good."}, {"response": 17, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (15:04)", "body": "I loved: 1. David McCallum (i think) from The Man From U.N.C.L.E 2. The Monkees---especially Davy Jones (I was 10yrs. old) 3. Robert (his name was either Conrad or Vaughn) and the other guy on The Wild, Wild, West. ( I have and extremely poor memory for names, but I remember the faces quite well!) 4. Peter Graves on the original Mission Impossible."}, {"response": 18, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (15:27)", "body": "Regarding the Monkees, here's a wonderful link : http://tvnet.com/cgi-bin/utl?card+1149 use to watch it along with another singing sensation : the Banana Split David McCallum Webzine page : sorry it's now down for the moment) http://www.tezcat.com/~divozenk/mccallum/index.html As for Robert Conrad (aka Jim West), he recently played in Jingle All the Way (1996) as Officer Hummell"}, {"response": 19, "author": "Amy", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (15:57)", "body": "Davy Jones was my first celebrity crush. A Brit too, now what does that say?"}, {"response": 20, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (16:02)", "body": "A certain exotic charm, something out of the ordinary no? something unnatainable perhaps?"}, {"response": 21, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (19:39)", "body": "Davy Jones was my first celebrity crush. A Brit too, now what does that say? Shall I answer that?"}, {"response": 22, "author": "summit", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (19:46)", "body": "Meggin: THE WILD WILD WEST still airs every Sat. at 7 a.m. PST on TNT! Such a fun show and interesting combo-genre of western/scifi, etc. I love both James West and Artemus Gordon for their sarcastic interchange. For complete pix and data see: http://www.uvm.edu/~glambert/twww1.html"}, {"response": 23, "author": "Amy", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (20:35)", "body": "] Davy Jones was my first celebrity crush. A Brit too, now what does that say? Shall I answer that? ___ It's implied."}, {"response": 24, "author": "Susan", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (21:55)", "body": "I've forgotten half of these until you guys bring them up. Jim West -- yeeessss! I loved him! And Mickey Dolenz of The Monkees."}, {"response": 25, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (22:44)", "body": "Thanks so very much for the cool links, Johanne and Wendy! :-)"}, {"response": 26, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 1997 (01:03)", "body": "I will emerge form the closet and admit my crush on Davey Jones as well...such a little cutie! :-)"}, {"response": 27, "author": "Amy", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 1997 (01:16)", "body": "Oh, Cheryl. Thank you. It was hard to come out. But I was in 7th grade. Remember the Yardley commercials? Slicker lipstick, the \"Dune\" color? I swear it was greenish grey and everybody in my junior high wore it."}, {"response": 28, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 1997 (10:50)", "body": "Talking commercial, will always remember the Benson & Edges' one, specially the one with the elevator.... crush"}, {"response": 29, "author": "summit", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 1997 (16:10)", "body": "Update on my earlier post: WILD WILD WEST is on 8 a.m. PDT (West Coast, USA) on TNT channel (James West looked so gorgeous this morning!!) For those of us who like Patrick McGoohan in THE PRISONER (SciFi Channel runs this show), here's a site: http://www.retroweb.com/prisoner.html I found a BRAVO channel site (from Canada or USA? not sure) that lists 11:30 p.m. EST showings of \"TV too good to be TV,\" featuring different gems each night: Tuesday THE AVENGERS, Wednesday SECRET AGENT (Patrick McGoohan), and Thursday THE SAINT (Roger Moore). Thank heaven for retroTV like these and Nick at Nite, etc. :-)"}, {"response": 30, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (14:11)", "body": "Goes to show just how good the current ones are..."}, {"response": 31, "author": "elder", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (14:22)", "body": "The Prisoner is one of my all time fave shows -- I actually splurged about 10 years ago and bought the entire set. It's fun to try to match all the supporting actors/actresses with other movies and tv shows I have seen on US tv. McGoohan is another one of those incredibly intense actors. Even when his character appears to enjoying himself, you can practically see the gears of his brain working!"}, {"response": 32, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (15:20)", "body": "For the Patrick McGoohan fan : here's his home page : http://www.clark.net/pub/bjpruett/pmweb/pmhome.htm Not a bad one from his performance in Hell Driver (1957) : In the Three lives of Thomasina (1962) as Andrew MacDhui : The TV series : Danger Man (1960-61) ITC Danger Man/Secret Agent (1965-66) ITC The Prisoner (1967) ITC"}, {"response": 33, "author": "summit", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (16:17)", "body": "Kathleen: You have the set of THE PRISONER?! I'd give anything to know where it's available today to buy, since my child and husband only saw a couple of episodes several years ago on -where else?- A&E when they reran the series. It's so good (and he is so great) I'd recommend teaching it as a minicourse in scifi, existentialism, secret service, values, etc.!"}, {"response": 34, "author": "summit", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 1997 (20:46)", "body": "Another good family show (with cute guy(s) and compassionate plots) was BONANZA. For those who want to remember or know more: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/3611/bonanza.html My whole family used to sit around the one TV and watch this show faithfully every week...(how times and shows change! now it's sometimes a conflict to see whose show can be watched at which hour...)"}, {"response": 35, "author": "Susan", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 1997 (21:23)", "body": "Sorry to change the subject, but any Dark Shadows fans out there? I loved the original series and am watching it again on SciFi right now. One of the things I find interesting about it is that many of the actors and actresses were downright homely, even to snaggly teeth, much in contrast to current programming where everybody has to be gorgeous unless they're a real baddie. Anyway, some of my favorite cuties from DS are Don Briscoe (Chris Jennings), David Selby (Quentin Collins), and most of all, James Storm (Gerard Stiles). I have looked everywhere for information on the latter, but it really seems to be lacking. Even the DS lore barely mentions him. I know he went on to star on some other soaps -- anyone else have info?"}, {"response": 36, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 1997 (02:24)", "body": "Here are some links : 30 years of dark shadows : http://www.tvdial.com/dark.html DS image gallery : http://www.tvdial.com/dark.html the realms of DS : http://dsd.tchnet.com/ complete with sound and picture archive and summarie : http://www.epix.net/~jphill/shadows.html"}, {"response": 37, "author": "Hilary", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 1997 (19:22)", "body": "Amy, you didn't fall for any of the Beatles before Davy Jones? I liked George and John, and thought Davy was a poor imitation! I was biased, I know. And I liked David McCallum, too."}, {"response": 38, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 1997 (21:07)", "body": "Of course Hil, the Monkees are not worthy to even carry The Beatles empty guitar cases! I've vacillated over the years as to which is my favorite...probably Paul, but I appreciate John more and more all the time, George is certainly the best looking of the four, and I had a Ringo crush when I was a kid...;-)"}, {"response": 39, "author": "Amy", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 1997 (21:22)", "body": "I can't explain my taste at 12. Before the the Monkees TV show, I guess I just was not thinking of such things. And even at 12 most grownup men were not appealing to me. I think because Davy was small, junior high size, he had a safe appeal for me."}, {"response": 40, "author": "Ann2", "date": "Sun, Feb 16, 1997 (12:06)", "body": "I bet John was more fun than any of the other - and more trouble too perhaps."}, {"response": 41, "author": "breezin", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 1997 (20:50)", "body": "John Lennon - he of the flaring nostrils when some idiot particularly amused him - yes, that kind of Joycean mind would be more trouble, but worth every second (a firther ex. of Darcy's tough shell mayhap?)"}, {"response": 42, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 1997 (02:21)", "body": "Yes, John would most definately be considered \"high maintainence\"! ;-)"}, {"response": 43, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 1997 (22:53)", "body": "http://home.ican.net/~domenic/Sounds/ififell.au for you (and me) John's fan : ftp://www.moosenet.com/pub/scott/freebird.au"}, {"response": 44, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 1997 (01:57)", "body": "Thanks Johanne! Ah! My sweet baby boys! ;-)"}, {"response": 45, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Thu, Feb 20, 1997 (11:24)", "body": "only thought I posted one of the two : the first in the retouched/fake photo from the BBC session, second is the real source They had a good time, then ;)"}, {"response": 46, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 1997 (09:38)", "body": "I was such a tiny person during the Beatles heyday (and, of course, my parents wouldn't allow such filth - not Firth! - into our house, that it took me a loooong time to really appreciate them), but I do remember having had a crush on Ringo, too. Maybe it was from watching the movies on tv at my friends' houses during sleepovers? of course, that too was somewhat later It's funny, my boy knows him as Thomas' first Mr. Conductor! My DH and I are working on enlightening him!"}, {"response": 47, "author": "Amy", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 1997 (10:25)", "body": "] It's funny, my boy knows him as Thomas' first Mr. Conductor! __ That is like the old joke about the teenager who said \"I didn't know McCartney was in a band before Wings.\""}, {"response": 48, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 1997 (10:56)", "body": "Does anyone remember a show about a family of con-artist with branches of the family in USA, England and France? Does anyone remember \"When Things Were Rotten\"? It was a Robin Hood spoof."}, {"response": 49, "author": "Susan", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 1997 (19:57)", "body": "Carolyn, LOVED When Things Were Rotten (\"even the walls had ears\" and you could see them wriggling) -- never missed it! And I'm glad you got this thread going again, because I wanted to ask about Westerns. We talked about the Wild Wild West, but what about James Arness in Gunsmoke, James Drury as the Virginian, Rowdy Yates (Clint Eastwood) in Rawhide, etc., etc., etc. I'm sure there were many others."}, {"response": 50, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 1997 (22:25)", "body": "Westerns???!!! How about High Chapparal (I had a crush on the actor who played 'Blue' and I guess we shouldn't leave out Mr. Cartwright and his boys (doo-pee-doo doo-pee-doo doo-pee-doo-pee-doo dumdada dumdada dumdada dumdum!) ;-)"}, {"response": 51, "author": "elder", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 1997 (07:22)", "body": "Meggin -- I was thinking of High Chapparal as well, but I think I liked the actor who played Mano. I also like the love story between John & Victoria. As for Bonanza I remember having a crush on Pernell Roberts until I found out he was bald. (I was so shallow as a teenager!)"}, {"response": 52, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 1997 (19:32)", "body": "Kathleen, that's why I watched High Chapparal as well! Didn't dare tell anyone, tho'"}, {"response": 53, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 1997 (11:38)", "body": "I used to like Alias Smith and Jones."}, {"response": 54, "author": "Mari", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 1997 (17:19)", "body": "Yes, Carolyn, I loved that show too. I liked the mature love relationship in High Chapparal also, and any of those men did it for me in those days (adolescent hormone induced fantasies, of course, nothing like the ones we have now ;-) )"}, {"response": 55, "author": "summit", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 1997 (17:50)", "body": "For the fans of Alias Smith and Jones, try: http://www.xnet.com/~djk/AliasSmithandJones_2.shtml"}, {"response": 56, "author": "elder", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 1997 (17:53)", "body": "Mari: (adolescent hormone induced fantasies, of course, nothing like the ones we have now ;-) ) Could you explain this to me? I do not believe I understand you. : p What difference do you perceive -- is it in quality or quantity?!"}, {"response": 57, "author": "Susan", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 1997 (23:50)", "body": "Alias Smith and Jones -- I had completely forgotten about it, and man, did I love those men along about 7th grade... %-)"}, {"response": 58, "author": "Mari", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (13:58)", "body": "Kathleen - What difference do you perceive -- is it in quality or quantity?! Kathleen, it is the improvement that the quantity of lived and researched experiences make in the quality of the fantasy. Having a vast body of research materials such as this conference can only improve our performance. Adolescent hormone induced fantasies can be so indiscriminate, you know. Thank goodness I have this wonderful group of discriminating fellows with which to practice. Thank you all!"}, {"response": 59, "author": "elder", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (14:04)", "body": "Mari -- thank you for explaining it so well. I must now say that I agree with you, especially about the superior group of folks here. Quite an inspiring set of people. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 24, "subject": "Voices", "response_count": 51, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (16:56)", "body": "This is for me, too. James Earl Jones Patrick Stewart"}, {"response": 2, "author": "Amy", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (17:27)", "body": "Patrick Stewart! Yes..."}, {"response": 3, "author": "Inko", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (17:32)", "body": "Apart from Colin Firth - love his voice - there's Robert Donat, Valentine Dyall (from BBC radio plays), and James Earl Jones. JEJ has a great voice. Probably think of more later."}, {"response": 4, "author": "Mari", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (17:52)", "body": "Many in the drool topic have lovely voices; Alan Rickman, Colin, Irons come to mind."}, {"response": 5, "author": "Saman", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (19:39)", "body": "Colin Firth, Patrick Stewart, Sean Connery (getting sick of this yet?), Pierce Brosnan, Harrison Ford (always seems calm and reassuring), Sam Neill (as mentioned in the appropriate thread)...that'll do for now :)"}, {"response": 6, "author": "Saman", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (19:40)", "body": "Just saw Mari's comment about Jeremy Irons. I know I'm being picky and self-righteous but he (and many others I guess) have \"artificially good\" voices because they smoke so much! have you noticed that even in interviewswith Irons there's always a curl of smoke in the corner of the screen?"}, {"response": 7, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (00:03)", "body": "I do like you list Saman ;) Some like Patrick Stewart and Harrison Ford deserves our nomination to this Hunka-Hunka-Hall of fame"}, {"response": 8, "author": "Susan", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (01:06)", "body": "#4 Mari: We are of like minds. Those are my favorites, too."}, {"response": 9, "author": "mpk", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (02:44)", "body": "#5 Saman: They immediately came to my mind too!"}, {"response": 10, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (11:38)", "body": "Well I think David Duchovny has an awesome voice. He does the NYNEX (telephone co. in Boston and NY)commercials and I watch just to here his voice. I know he is American. But everyone else picked the British ones I like."}, {"response": 11, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (13:02)", "body": "I like Orson Welles' rumble."}, {"response": 12, "author": "Saman", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (15:50)", "body": "# 10 - David Duchovny - of course!! (Doh! - hitting my head a la bart Simpson). The only time I can't stand his voice is when he mumbles lines during the X-Files so I can't hear him. I guess the reason I didn't think of him (or George Clooney, who's voice I also adore) is that I drool over him for reasons other than his voice. My list is of people who I salivate over primarily because of their voice :)"}, {"response": 13, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (16:07)", "body": "Thank you Saman, at least someone here agrees with me. Did I tell you that I saw HAMLET"}, {"response": 14, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (22:58)", "body": "I get weak in the knees when I hear Donald Sutherland talking about Volvos.....or any other time I hear his voice!"}, {"response": 15, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 1997 (00:01)", "body": "Wasn't Donald Sutherland great in The Eye of the Needle? He was so sinister, but his voice was so soothing."}, {"response": 16, "author": "elder", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 1997 (09:21)", "body": "Donald Sutherland has improved in looks, as well as in roles played I think. I remember how strange he looked in \"The Dirty Dozen\" (I know, I know, he was supposed to look crazy, but he had some natural strangeness), and now he can look so very distinguished. He was very good as a Soviet bureaucrat suddenly out of the loop in a cable-tv movie (of course I cannot remember the title). His voice has gotten deeper and huskier sounding with age, I believe."}, {"response": 17, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 1997 (09:25)", "body": "How about Jonathon Pryce? Haven't seen Evita yet, but do know him from the Lexus commercials."}, {"response": 18, "author": "elder", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 1997 (09:25)", "body": "Another man whose voice I always enjoy is Sir Ian Richardson. He was in the House of Cards trilogy (seen on Masterpiece Theater in the USA), but I was first attracted to him in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. He can convey such a sarcastic, superior attitude just with his voice. I find his \"evil\" characters very attractive, and his foolish characters (small part in Monsignor Quixote) quite lovable."}, {"response": 19, "author": "Amy", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 1997 (09:31)", "body": "Kathleen, who did he play in Tinker, Tailor. I have been looking for the series for years. It is my favorite Le Carre."}, {"response": 20, "author": "elder", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 1997 (10:57)", "body": "Amy (#19) -- Richardson was the \"mole\" (can't remember the character's name) who had an affair w/ George Smiley's wife. All the little gestures he used were incredible in giving you a sense of who the character was. Also, in this videa, or else in the adaptation of Smiley's People, the Soviet spy (Karla?) was played by Patrick Stewart."}, {"response": 21, "author": "Amy", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 1997 (11:00)", "body": "Bill Hayden. Oh, now I have to find them if Stewart is in one. Karla was in T,T,S,S."}, {"response": 22, "author": "elder", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 1997 (14:52)", "body": "Amy -- yes, Bill Hayden. Thank you for saving my brain from constant spinning through various name combinations. I do not believe that Patrick Stewart's part was very big, but I recognized him the second or third time I watched the series on PBS. (ST:TNG must have been on tv by then.)"}, {"response": 23, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 1997 (15:36)", "body": "Oh, now I have to find them if Stewart is in one. Karla was in T,T,S,S. I think Stewart was in Smiley's People. It's been so long... If you find these videos, let me know. I have been searching for them since they were first broadcast, too."}, {"response": 24, "author": "Amy", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 1997 (16:18)", "body": "Very happy to meet other Le Carre fans."}, {"response": 25, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 1997 (19:23)", "body": "Very happy to meet other Le Carre fans. But not surprised."}, {"response": 26, "author": "mpk", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (13:46)", "body": "Richardson was superb in the House of Cards trilogy! I couldn't help but think that he was going to break out in his \"You might say that... but I couln't\" line in \"A Royal Scandal\". Actually, I think he might have done so!"}, {"response": 27, "author": "mpk", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (13:50)", "body": "Alec Baldwin also has a wonderfully deep, husky voice...The only time I'll listen to an automobile commercial."}, {"response": 28, "author": "Donna", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (14:41)", "body": "How about the A&E announcer he is doing many commercials now. Not just A&E anymore."}, {"response": 29, "author": "Amy", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (15:30)", "body": "Or the old NFL films announcer?"}, {"response": 30, "author": "Donna", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (16:09)", "body": "Oh yes, he talks about the teams winning history.How about the guy who would intro for the NBC Movie. Remember him. He would say his name,Don Rickles comes to mind, but not the comedian."}, {"response": 31, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (19:00)", "body": "\ufffd]Don Rickles comes to mind, but not the comedian. How come this makes me laugh :)"}, {"response": 32, "author": "Donna", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 1997 (14:14)", "body": "I can't deny this name or confirm it,only that this is what comes to mind. It is laughable, hehehehe.BTW I do agree with the above \"voices\". How about \"Shadow Stevens\" he is on the Harry Anderson Show \"Dave\". We must not forget the best \"Jimmy Stewart\"."}, {"response": 33, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 1997 (16:39)", "body": "The sexiest voice undoubtedly belongs to CF. However, I do have a slight preference for Jeremy Northam's Cambridge lilt.(Can't wait to get those Emma tapes).I also like Armand Assante and Charles Boyer-come with me to the casbah!. Historically, though my favorite is Ronald Colman-so deep, soft, resonant. I love him in the Prisoner of Zenda and Random Harvest."}, {"response": 34, "author": "Ann2", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 1997 (14:24)", "body": "Has anyone mentioned James Mason today? Think Amy and I agreed on his throat abilities long ago at Bluemarble Park (sigh). And if a man ever got me thinking of improper things on behalf of his voice alone, no matter what he said, it is James. They say Charles Boyer has bedchamber eyes, but bedchamber voice, now that's something. Now that I come to think of it my husband has a beautiful voice..."}, {"response": 35, "author": "Amy", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 1997 (14:29)", "body": "No, but thanks for bringing it up, Ann2. I think I will watch a Star is Born tonight. Wanna come over?"}, {"response": 36, "author": "Ann2", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 1997 (15:46)", "body": "If only it were in my power, I would not hesitate...Have a nice drool, mind your carpet."}, {"response": 37, "author": "kimmer", "date": "Thu, Feb 13, 1997 (09:09)", "body": "Timothy Dalton has a very sexy voice! I could listen to (and look at) him all day long."}, {"response": 38, "author": "maud", "date": "Thu, Feb 13, 1997 (15:48)", "body": "Jean--re: Firths related to Firths. I believe Colin's actor-brother is Jonathan--he is 8 years younger, but has some entries on the Intenational movie data web site (the correct name escapes me), but I can look it up. I saw a recent picture of him in which he looked alot like Colin--I'll try to remember where I saw it. Anyway, Peter Firth is older and I don't know if he is related to other firths who are actors."}, {"response": 39, "author": "maud", "date": "Thu, Feb 13, 1997 (15:51)", "body": "Whoops, sorry! The above response (#38) was supposed to be a follow up to a question in the Frith drool topic. Please disregard."}, {"response": 40, "author": "Kali", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 1997 (06:22)", "body": "I must agree that JN and CF have the nicest voices in the world! Patrick Stewart is a close third. However, Dave Duchovny isn't too bad himself, Laura...and Donna, Jimmy's voice is so wholesome and reassuring..."}, {"response": 41, "author": "Inko", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 1997 (17:14)", "body": "A voice from the past--one that I really liked--was Jack Hawkins. He was in \"Bridge over the River Kwai\" and lots of other British movies. He had throat cancer, had his larynx removed, learnt to talk again and was the judge in \"QB VII\" - a remarkable achievement."}, {"response": 42, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 1997 (15:30)", "body": "Inko sounds similar to Jack Klugman, he had a gruffy voice, had throat cancer had part of the voicebox removed, and pretty much had to relearn how to talk. Unfortunately, his gruffiness is gone, but he can talk. I guess that's what years of smoking does to a person."}, {"response": 43, "author": "Genette", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 1997 (19:01)", "body": "I'm delighted to see Patrick Stewart mentioned here. As so many have pointed out Darcy's voice as one of his admirable qualities, I was stunned to not see Mr. Stewart listed on the drool topic list. I've seen him perform live and am still recovering from the experience. His voice is incredible--- full of warmth, intelligence, assurance and sensuality. Who could beat that?"}, {"response": 44, "author": "Amy", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 1997 (20:39)", "body": "Two more votes and Stewart is a topic. One will be mine."}, {"response": 45, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 1997 (20:45)", "body": "I'll second!"}, {"response": 46, "author": "Fitzy", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (18:08)", "body": "Peter Firth is not related to C or J."}, {"response": 47, "author": "Anne", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 1997 (14:50)", "body": "What about Cary Grant? His voice can make me melt instantly! However, I have only been able to experience it on video. It must be wonderful to hear it in a theater with surround sound!!!!"}, {"response": 48, "author": "Kali", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 1997 (19:30)", "body": "Wow, March 12. That was a long time ago. Anybody figure out who was the dog's voice in those Red Dog beer commercials? ;-)"}, {"response": 49, "author": "Olivia", "date": "Wed, Apr 15, 1998 (20:56)", "body": "Greetings everyone, I have just arrived at this great location and noticed that it has been awhile since the last post. But just to see my words in print...here goes Do I hear any votes for Robert Mitchum. What a voice, what a man"}, {"response": 50, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Thu, Apr 16, 1998 (09:29)", "body": "I just read through this whole topic, and was surprised by the absence of any mention of Richard Burton! Now there was a voice! And, of course his Welsh colleague, Anthony Hopkins. I know I'm a tad biased, but I'm rather fond of Kevin Costner's voice, too. It's very comfortable. But if I had to choose someone to read the phone book to me, it would be Jeremy Irons. And if he was not available, it would be Donald Sutherland. You know, some women have interesting voices, too. I am particularly fond of Linda Hunt's."}, {"response": 51, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sun, Apr 26, 1998 (13:03)", "body": "...if I had to choose someone to read the phone book to me, it would be Jeremy Irons. LOL! I have to agree. I'm ashamed to say that I had never seen JI in anything until I watched The House of Spirits (at least I think it was that one -- Meryl Streep and Winona Ryder co-starred). I remember thinking, \"My God -- what a voice! Who is that?\" I've loved him ever since. I'm sure he's already been mentioned, but I also find Alan Rickman's voice peerless in every way, and I love Colin Firth's and Mark Strong's. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 25, "subject": "Sam Neill", "response_count": 54, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Mari", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (18:01)", "body": "Amy, the name is spelled correctly. Here is link that I just found thru the Internet Movei Database; hop it works http://kevin.net/~erika/sn.html"}, {"response": 2, "author": "Mari", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (18:01)", "body": "Amy, the name is spelled correctly. Here is link that I just found thru the Internet Movei Database; hope it works http://kevin.net/~erika/sn.html"}, {"response": 3, "author": "Mari", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (18:01)", "body": "Amy, the name is spelled correctly. Here is link that I just found thru the Internet Movie Database; hope it works http://kevin.net/~erika/sn.html"}, {"response": 4, "author": "Saman", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (19:35)", "body": "Thanks for that link Mari - I think I stumbled upon it a few years ago, but I'd forgotten about it - and I love the kakapo story . I should probably post this in the voices thread, but that's one of the things I love about Mr Neill (perhaps the hint of the familiar Kiwi accent :). And the fact that he \"scrubs up well\"."}, {"response": 5, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (21:52)", "body": "He's good at saving people from velociraptors too."}, {"response": 6, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (00:13)", "body": "Did'nt he turn up the Downunder charm in A Country Life http://www.miramax.com/dlpages/countrdl.html and loved his royal countenance in Restoration http://www.miramax.com/movies/restorat.html This looks pretty good : The Revenger's Comedies, directed by Malcolm Mowbray, with Helena Bonham-Carter, Kristin Scott Thomas, Martin Clunes, Steve Coogan, Rupert Graves, Liz Smith, Charlotte Coleman, John Wood, Anita Dobson, Adrian Scarborough: \"An eccentric heiress and a recently sacked middle manager formulate an insane plan to swap revenges.\" In post-production."}, {"response": 7, "author": "Kaffeine", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (17:51)", "body": "Thanks for this topic! Sam Neill is one of my very favorite actors. I have just about every film he's ever made - even popped for the boxed set of REILLY-ACE OF SPIES. For those who are interested, there's a Sam Neill mailing list (see the link above for more info). Its not very active anymore, since one woman started insulting people every time they started getting silly or going off topic - they all moved to an \"unoficial\" list. But they still post when there's some Sam news."}, {"response": 8, "author": "Ann2", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 1997 (14:35)", "body": "Oh Kaff I've not been thinking of Reilly for a long time, it was very good. And he is a dangerous man. You have no idea how I hang with my nose over the dictionary practically every evening in bed.(I have this tiny stool beside my bed with two thick volumes on it) Either translating my silly Darcy bits or trying to understand what it was all about here. Now I've got 'scrubs up well' and velociraptors, that last one sounds to me like something not altogether decent going on while on a bike?! ;=)"}, {"response": 9, "author": "Saman", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 1997 (16:05)", "body": "Sorry Ann - I keep forgetting about the silly phrases I use. \"Scrubs up well\" - I don't know if that's uniquely NZ, but it's used to describe men who look good when they are dressed in formal wear i.e. tuxedo. Probably most often used when you see the groom at a wedding and suddenly realise why the bride is attracted to him (you never realised before because you've always seen him with a can of beer, jeans, filthy t-shirt and 5 o'clock shadow ;). Hmm - CF scrubs up well! Velociraptor - now is that a type of dinosaur, or another word for a dinosaur? In any event it was used to refer to Sam Neill's appearance in \"Jurassic Park\"."}, {"response": 10, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 1997 (16:12)", "body": "Velociraptor : those cute and very agile little reptiles, scratching at the door to get a bit of those children"}, {"response": 11, "author": "Ann2", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 1997 (07:06)", "body": "Thanks alot Saman and Johanne. I did not mean to complain...my dictionary is very good and almost always gets my imagination going, and I occasionally learn a new word that stays in my mind..;=)"}, {"response": 12, "author": "Saman", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 1997 (14:03)", "body": "Ann - don't apologise please! The other day in chat we had a discussion because some of the Aussies and I didn't understand the expression \"go figure\". And I wouldn't expect any dictionary to have \"scrubs up well\" in it - mine doesn't!"}, {"response": 13, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 1997 (16:25)", "body": "Saman, Ann, you make me feel so much better knowing that I am not the only one who has problems with English around here. \"Scrubs up well\" , I assumed, had connotations of the speaker doing the scrubbing! And I didn't mean he looked like a velociraptor,Saman! I meant he did a good job of saving people...."}, {"response": 14, "author": "Saman", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 1997 (16:48)", "body": "I understood the Jurassic Park reference Caroline - I just wanted to make sure everyone else did. And \"scrubs up well\" does have to do with the object of the comment scrubbing - their face - so that they look cleaner/more attractive than you've ever seen them ;) It tends to be a comment made while watching awards ceremonies - \"Gosh, he scrubs up well - I never realised he was that handsome, even though I've seen him in [movie name]\"."}, {"response": 15, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 1997 (21:44)", "body": "I think \"scrubs up well\" should go in the dictionary along with \"daggy\" and \"mr Love-butt\".AnnH, are you up to a dictionary page after you have tidied up all our stories? ;-}"}, {"response": 16, "author": "Amy", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 1997 (22:19)", "body": "It could be done like the Hacker's jargon file: http://www.fwi.uva.nl/~mes/jargon/"}, {"response": 17, "author": "SamFan", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 1997 (18:35)", "body": "I see that back in February there was some discussion here about Mr. Neill. He is my favorite actor. Someone mentioned that the mailing list was inactive, but I can say that it has been quite active over the last several months that I have been a member. I invite any fans to email me at BetsyPear2@aol.com if they'd like to chat or would like any info on sites or the mailing list."}, {"response": 18, "author": "pip", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 1998 (21:58)", "body": "By the by...... Last months edition of Movieline has an excellent interview with Sam Neill. What a guy!"}, {"response": 19, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 1998 (23:13)", "body": "what is he up to lately? last thing i saw him do was Jurassic Park (and he was good)"}, {"response": 20, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Jan 12, 1998 (12:34)", "body": "Oh Geez! He's been very busy since Jurassic Park ! Horse Whisperer, The (1998) .... Robert Maclean \"Merlin\" (1998) (mini) TV Series .... Merlin Event Horizon (1997) .... Weir Grimm Brothers' Snow White, The (1997) .... Lord Friedrich Hoffman Revengers' Comedies, The (1997) Children of the Revolution (1996) .... Nine In Cold Blood (1996) (TV) .... Alvin Dewey Forgotten Silver (1996) In the Mouth of Madness (1995) .... John Trent Cinema of Unease: A Personal Journey by Sam Neill (1995) .... Restoration (1995) .... King Charles II Victory (1995) .... Mr. Jones Jungle Book, The (1994) .... Colonel Brydon Sirens (1994) .... Norman Lindsay Country Life (1994) .... Dr. Max Askey Jurassic Park (1993) .... Dr. Alan Grant"}, {"response": 21, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jan 12, 1998 (20:18)", "body": "Man talk about prolific!"}, {"response": 22, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Mon, Jan 12, 1998 (21:37)", "body": "have been under a rock, my goodness!"}, {"response": 23, "author": "Betsy222", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 1998 (18:45)", "body": "As far as I know, Sam is currently in the U.K.filming NBC's mini series \"Merlin\". He plays Merlin! There's a great picture of him in this week's Variety magazine, a full page ad for the show. Betsy"}, {"response": 24, "author": "Tia", "date": "Sun, May  3, 1998 (04:55)", "body": "Either this is a pretty exclusive site or there are not very many Sam Neill fans out there. Does anybody have background info on this bloke? I live in the \"outback\" or Great White North of Canada, so my resources are not infinite. I am also new to the internet. Pretty cool talking to people from all over the world. So, is anybody out there?"}, {"response": 25, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, May  3, 1998 (10:13)", "body": "We just had a major discussion in 'babes' about the women in the tv miniseries Merlin. Sam Neill did an excellent job in the lead role. Did you happen to see this?"}, {"response": 26, "author": "Tia", "date": "Sun, May  3, 1998 (17:37)", "body": "I saw the Merlin mini series. Pretty good two parter. I enjoyed Martin Short's (Canadian actor, eh) performance as well. Sam Neill does do well in this sort of genre. I really don't know what he was thinking when he accepted his part in Event Horizon. That was an awful picture and not worthy of his tallent. Tia"}, {"response": 27, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, May  3, 1998 (18:12)", "body": "Martin Short, Rutger Hauer, Neill, and an outstanding female cast (which I detail in babes), NBC has a pretty good website on this and you can get details and bios on Neill and the others. You can figure out the link by going the the link I use in 'babes' (if you can stand going there!). Neill is a master of expression and enigmatic feeling. He was well cast in the role or Merlin."}, {"response": 28, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Sun, May  3, 1998 (19:46)", "body": "I had one major problem with \"Merlin\". It was allegedly about Merlin, and yet Sam Neill seemed to walk on only occasionaly for a 2-minute cameo. Agreed, this was pretty much what he did in Arthur's life, according to myth, but oh how I hungered to see more and more of Neill's unique take on this legendary wizard. Not enough! Again I say, MORE! :)"}, {"response": 29, "author": "MaryBeth", "date": "Mon, Jun 22, 1998 (03:59)", "body": "I agree with Charlotte, there wasn't enough of Sam Neill in Merlin. He was popping in and out of scenes. I found out a little about him, his birthday is Sept. 14, 1947. (Pretty good-looking for his age, wouldn't you say?) His real name is Nigel Neill."}, {"response": 30, "author": "MaryBeth", "date": "Mon, Jun 22, 1998 (05:31)", "body": "I thought this was a nice pic of Sam Neill."}, {"response": 31, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jun 22, 1998 (09:37)", "body": "See my comments about 'Merlin' in the 'babes' conference. Babes is our response to drool."}, {"response": 32, "author": "MaryBeth", "date": "Fri, Jun 26, 1998 (22:14)", "body": "There ARE very few Sam Neill fans out there, huh?!? Man, people have lost their class. They have to learn who is respectable in movie land. Sam Neill is one of the better actors on television nowadays. (Not to mention one of the better looking older men in the movie business)"}, {"response": 33, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Jun 30, 1998 (17:10)", "body": "Don't feel bad, MaryBeth. Ralph Fiennes, in my opinion one the finest actors of all time, doesn't even HAVE a drool page. :)"}, {"response": 34, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Jun 30, 1998 (18:07)", "body": "(Charlotte) Ralph Fiennes, in my opinion one the finest actors of all time, doesn't even HAVE a drool page. :) Ralph Fiennes is topic #40...has been for quite a while, but it hasn't moved in ages. MaryBeth, don't listen to Charlotte. She hasn't yet forgiven me for removing Kevin Costner's photo from the main page ;-p Speaking of which, could I swipe one from your page, Char? I need to do the next montage (so that you'll talk to me again) ;-D"}, {"response": 35, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Jun 30, 1998 (18:39)", "body": "Damn. Who knew you'd be listening, Nan-love? SOrry about that, MaryBeth. I, for one, think Sam Neill is a supersexy, superclassy, superintellectual hunk. I just wish he would select more leading roles so that we can all have more drool time! Nannypoo, what is mine, is of course, yours."}, {"response": 36, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Jun 30, 1998 (18:42)", "body": "Nan, i'm putting my latest acquisition up on Kevin's drool topic. Maybe you should take a look. : )"}, {"response": 37, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Jun 30, 1998 (19:04)", "body": "(Charlotte) Damn. Who knew you'd be listening, Nan-love? I see all...ooooh, scary ;-) Well, not that scary really...it's my job. Nannypoo, what is mine, is of course, yours. Oh goodypoo! ;-D MaryBeth, I'd be happy to add a Sam photo to the montage if you think it'll help the drooling cause... (Charlotte) i'm putting my latest acquisition up on Kevin's drool topic. Merciful heavens, woman! What are you trying to do? Kill me? I know you're upset, but really! ;-p"}, {"response": 38, "author": "MaryBeth", "date": "Mon, Jul  6, 1998 (23:54)", "body": "Oh, please do Nan. There isn't enough of Sam on the web nowadays. :( \"I, for one, think Sam Neill is a supersexy, superclassy, superintellectual hunk. I just wish he would select more leading roles so that we can all have more drool time!\" I agree, Charlotte, boy, do I agree!"}, {"response": 39, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Tue, Jul  7, 1998 (21:55)", "body": "I'll add him when I change the photo next time, Mary Beth :-)"}, {"response": 40, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Jul  7, 1998 (22:47)", "body": "Who are you , Nan11? And what have you done with our sweet Nan?"}, {"response": 41, "author": "MaryBeth", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (19:32)", "body": "Great Nan. Now I'll have a reason for visiting the main page during every visit. :) You know, I was thinking to myself... Sam Neill makes a great doctor, of any sort."}, {"response": 42, "author": "MaryBeth", "date": "Fri, Jul 10, 1998 (08:36)", "body": "Great opening page Nan!! Sam really looks drool-worthy in that one."}, {"response": 43, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Jul 10, 1998 (18:00)", "body": "I found a site with great pics! There are some major Sam Neill fans out there. Maybe we can get some of them to come play with you :-)"}, {"response": 44, "author": "MaryBeth", "date": "Mon, Jul 13, 1998 (10:12)", "body": "Nan, What's the URL??"}, {"response": 45, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Mon, Jul 13, 1998 (17:01)", "body": "Here you go, honey: The \"Official\" Sam Neill Site The photos take a bit of time to load, but what a collection!"}, {"response": 46, "author": "MaryBeth", "date": "Wed, Jul 15, 1998 (18:29)", "body": "Thanks, Nan!!!!!!!!! There are sooo many pics...."}, {"response": 47, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (01:22)", "body": "And Sam Neill is the dino-man, right?"}, {"response": 48, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (11:07)", "body": "Yes, but that's only his most famous role, not his best. I liked him in The Piano , and he stole scenes from Sean Connery in The Hunt for Red October , and he was riveting with Nicole Kidman in Dead Calm . He is perhaps best known as Reilly, Ace of Spades."}, {"response": 49, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (11:13)", "body": "I'm still pi\ufffd$$ed off that The Piano won an oscar, and not Shadowlands - Anthony was so utterly . . . UTTER! . . . in that movie. He has such hypnotic eyes, that man, and the voice is enough to melt my stomache. But Sam Neill is okay - not ugly at all . I liked him in The hunt for Red October too. And those are the only three movies I saw starring him, I'm afraid."}, {"response": 50, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (11:17)", "body": "My theory? Shadowlands was too cerebral for the masses."}, {"response": 51, "author": "Divwife", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (11:41)", "body": "I just watched Martha Stewart doing a wedding show. I can't feed my cats let alone make windmills out of for my friends. zzzi'm a loser and so are my cats"}, {"response": 52, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (11:53)", "body": "Let alone make windmills out of your cats?"}, {"response": 53, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (12:08)", "body": "Can Sam Neill make windmills for his cats? :) Jeez, it's too early in the morning for me to be acting this silly. My apologies. :)"}, {"response": 54, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (13:30)", "body": "ha-ha! I think I found Shadowlands stunning BECAUSE it was so 'cerebral'. Hopkins always comes across as intellectual anyway, but what made this one special for me was that it was intellectual in an 'accessible' sort of way; but, and I hate to confess, it probably also had a lot to do with the woman who played Joy (sorry, her name is gone from my memory). She dealt with the intellectual aspects in such an intelligent, but utterly down to earth manner that it actually became very amusing in some parts. Her pe formance was for once just as wonderful as Anthony's . . . but DAMN her for getting to be so close to him! drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 250, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 26, "subject": "Harrison Ford", "response_count": 64, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (07:58)", "body": "This topic has a double purpose; to drool over Harrison (baby, baby!) and to talk about the rerelease of Star Wars. Drool: I've always been excessively fond of Harrison. My favorite movies are Witness (love the dance in the barn) the Indiana Jones movies (so charming...love that little \"I know what I'm doing\" grin that appears just before someone hits him over the head!) I also liked Regarding Henry (not his best, but he was so darn cute!) Star Wars: I finally saw it yesterday and it was fun to see it on a big screen again after all these years. I will make the confession that Star Wars came out the summer I graduated from High School (I can hear you all counting on your fingers!) and I spent the entire summer, it seems, in the movie theater watching Star Wars. I was flashing back big time! I could almost hear the disco music! ;-)"}, {"response": 2, "author": "Anna", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (10:13)", "body": "I saw star wars 3 times in 3 days the year it came out (remebrance of obsessions past), I was in 1st year uni Cheryl (no fingers necessary). Although I'd choose to drool over HF it's only because the Wookie is taken..."}, {"response": 3, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (14:19)", "body": "Anna, I think you and me are the same age!I too, saw it a million times.....And, when the video set came out I grabbed it-the first video set I ever bought.And, the only movie star I ever met was.....Darth Vader! Dave Prowse, in costume, in a promo at our local store. He was huge! and terrifying!"}, {"response": 4, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (18:44)", "body": "I went to see Star Wars last night. Really like the new special effects. When Stars Wars first came out I was 13. I originally had a huge crush on Mark Hamill, but by the end of the trilogy I had switched allegiance to HF. P.S.--For a birthday gift in '78 I got a pillow case with HF pictured on it. It must been of good quality fabric because it did not wear out til 1993!"}, {"response": 5, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (18:49)", "body": "Forgot to mention my favorite HF movie is The Fugitive. I loved the way he couldn't stop being a doctor, even though he was on the run from the law."}, {"response": 6, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (19:16)", "body": "Johanne has put a lovely pic of Han Solo all tied up on the 60's and &0's topic."}, {"response": 7, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (19:48)", "body": "For all of us who like to look at this gorgeous man, photos only link : http://www.cyberstation.net/~baburton/images.html Rediscovered him in Blade Runner (put 2+2 together with Star Wars), this was one of my all time favorite. Love his Indi character, lots of charm, wit and comedy. He does it very well indeed. We received a double dose of charm when he paired with Sean Connery, haven't we? He can catch me anytime..."}, {"response": 8, "author": "Mari", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (20:11)", "body": "Caroyln - 'It must been of good quality fabric because it did not wear out til 1993!' Depends on what you used it for, Carolyn! ;)"}, {"response": 9, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (20:30)", "body": "Thank you for the pics my dear...you are too good to us! ;-)"}, {"response": 10, "author": "Amy", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (21:58)", "body": "Isn't she a dear? Please let this be your job, Johanne."}, {"response": 11, "author": "Amy", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (21:59)", "body": "We can find gear heads to do the drugery of the spring cleaning work, but you know what we like to see."}, {"response": 12, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (22:09)", "body": "Just love it, tell me when I go overboard :)"}, {"response": 13, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (23:40)", "body": "I absolutely Loooooooove Harrison Ford! My favorites are all the ones you mentioned(Indy, Star Wars), plus Working Girl. I also have a fondness for the recent re-make of Sabrina. I'll always love the Hepburn film, but I really liked all of the Paris shots and Julia Ormond's French boyfriend Louis was kinda hot-let's just say the movie brings back a lot of memories. And HF-running for the plane and his Marry me, Sabrina Fair.....Sigh. Double sigh."}, {"response": 14, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 1997 (01:37)", "body": "Did you know Cassandra that Patrick Bruel (Louis) is actually THE major recording (pop-rock) superstar in France ? He fills the Bercy (major hundred-thousand seater) for weeks on. Love the casting of the Paris sequence : major knowned actresses, Val\ufffdrie Lemercier who was brilliant in Les visiteurs (with Jean Reno) and the wonderful Fanny Ardant (a french Sigourney Weaver may I dare). Loved Sabrina, got it on tape. Doen't he look dashing in his Cerutti pants and white shirt, bow tie the laters undone..."}, {"response": 15, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 1997 (02:51)", "body": "JOhanne-I've got it on tape too, plus I bought the soundtack. I love all the John Williams' music(especially Sabrina's theme) and the Moonlight song. And-of course-La vie en rose. HF really looked handsome in that movie, brought good, classic taste back to films. Didn't you love the way he rips off the bow tie as he runs for the plane? I loved all of Julia Ormond's clothes, too, especially the moonlight inspired dress that she wears to the party. So, what are your fav scenes? I love the Gatsbyesque party cenes, all of the Paris scenes, the finale, and of course Linus' and Sabrina's date. The close-up of HF reacting to her Paris stories, taking off the glasses is definitely swooning material!!! And-yes a friend told me about Patrick Bruel. More swooning material! I love the scene when he asks Sabrina out, camera cut to the cafe and then the disco. It really hits home. It reminds me of time I studied in France. I agree too about the French casting-you can really see the time and care they took getting it right. All of the beautiful shots-Centre Pompidou, Notre Dame, the Latin Quarter...."}, {"response": 16, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 1997 (17:07)", "body": "Wonderful wardrobe Cass (may I call you Cass, or tell me what you prefer), classic and very stylish. Her Moon Dress was a dream (once had the figure for it, but oh well...) HF is a great comedian. The kind that can play it all, drama, comedy and romance. But he excels in witty humour :) My favorite scene? so many, but one : when he ask her \"how to say I'm looking at what I want\" oohhhh The day in Martha's Vineyard (isn't it so gorgeous some might think it's named after Martha Stewart?), riding on bicycle, or when she plainly laught at him when he mentionned that he's lonely, love the phone call to his mother \"I'm more affected than she is\". I'm afraid to say Julia Ormond' performance sometimes got me jsut a tad cold, too goody-clean-virgin-like. But overall she's great, especially at the end, when she sees him across the street. He almost looks like a wet cat. Honestly, he looks older but boy does him getting older becomes him, another Sean Connery perhaps ? looks like it. He's one rare actor that you can lust after no matter what role he plays..."}, {"response": 17, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 1997 (17:16)", "body": "Here's the Sabrina Web page : http://voyager.paramount.com/sabrina/ Linus Larrabee (Harrison Ford), business magnate, romances Sabrina (Julia Ormond), the chauffeur's daughter, for business reasons. Linus (Harrison Ford, left), a corporate magnate consumed by his work, and his brother David (Greg Kinnear), a playboy who has never held a job, find their lives suddenly changed by their chauffeur's beautiful daughter. BTW Gregg Kinnear did a wonderful job for as new comer, his first major motion picture."}, {"response": 18, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 1997 (17:17)", "body": "Let me get the first one again :"}, {"response": 19, "author": "elder", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 1997 (20:49)", "body": "I do enjoy watching Harrison Ford in almost any movie -- he has such a little boy, mischievous, naughty but not nasty quality. I had some difficulty watching Sabrina, though, because I kept comparing it to the Bogart/Hepburn version. If the Ford/Ormond version had been the only one I had ever seen, I believe I would have liked it a lot more. [Agree about Julia Ormond seeming a little cold. Audrey Hepburn looked absolutely luminous as Sabrina.]"}, {"response": 20, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (00:54)", "body": "Johanne-Thank-you, Thank-you for the pictures!!!!!It seems we have the same taste in men(I believe you are a fellow Northam fanatic too). I agree about Greg Kinnear-he brought great charm to the David role, better than William Holden. And I also love HF's dry wit-one of my favorite scenes in the movie is when he asks his secretary to get tickets for some big musical. And, she asks him-does he realize that the actors will periodically break into song and dance. Love that scene too when he says I'm looking t what I want. He was so sweet-you could really understand how Sabrina fell in love with him. The romance seemed more believable than the Hepburn/Bogart one, although I love that film. Agree about JO too-she doesn't have Hepburn's magic, but I thought she shone in the movie in her own way, especially the latter scenes."}, {"response": 21, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (01:51)", "body": "I forgot-Cass is fine."}, {"response": 22, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (06:57)", "body": "*sigh* Love Harrison! *sigh* Saw star Wars again tonight! He was so young! Such a cute little baby!"}, {"response": 23, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (19:51)", "body": "yes Kathleen, I could not forget the Hepburn/Bogart one while watching the other during the first view. But after this ackward feeling, I must admit to prefer the later one. Hepburn was superb. I believe Holden and especially Bogart were miscasted, IMHO. HF mischievous is absolutely the word :) And yes Cass I like Mr. Northam very very much. Can't wait to see how his career will develop. \"I'm not a theater buff\" \"Buff?\" Love when his mumbling \"give it to the city as a half-way house\" This whole sequence his wonderful."}, {"response": 24, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (20:10)", "body": "Was it really two decades ago?"}, {"response": 25, "author": "elder", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (20:24)", "body": "It is so incredible how our favorite actors have aged (albeit gracefully), when we have all remained the same! (Or is that only when we visit Pemberly?)"}, {"response": 26, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (20:50)", "body": "Actors are forever \"preserved\" in time, and it's good to know that we too have a place were time stands still :)"}, {"response": 27, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (22:14)", "body": "It is so incredible how our favorite actors have aged (albeit gracefully), when we have all remained the same! They say we are all the same age on the inside, but it is hard to believe how many years have gone by since something like Star Wars. Oh well, as Mark Twain said, growing old is not so bad when you consider the alternative!"}, {"response": 28, "author": "Amy", "date": "Thu, Feb 13, 1997 (09:26)", "body": ""}, {"response": 29, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Sat, Feb 15, 1997 (23:36)", "body": "After reading Cassandra's post about Sabrina, I decided to purchase the soundtrack last night. I've already seen the movie twice but listening to that wonderful music has made me decide to purchase it. I too love Sabrina's theme. The music has a wonderful dream-like quality to it and I imagine myself in the title role, in that beautiful dress dancing with HF. I haven't stoped playing it since I bought it. The movie is so romantic, and I love all the Paris scenes especially since I went there last may. Wha a magnificent city! This movie has it all, comedy, romance, heartbreak and of course HF. Who wouldn't fall for him? Sabrina made the right choice, David who?"}, {"response": 30, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Sun, Feb 16, 1997 (00:29)", "body": "OH Lisa!!!Paris in the spring-wouldn't we all want HF waiting for us when we arrive? Save me, Sabrina Fair-you're the only one who can. SIgh. Triple sigh! But, hey I would even settle for Louis/Patrick Bruel. I love the soundtrack-one of the best. Sabrina's theme is heavenly-perfectly captures the cinderella story aspects and the feeling of being/discovering oneself in Paris. I love when the Sabrina music builds during the Eiffel Tower scene-all of the variations are perfect. I listen to it all the time-and Moonlight. What a Beautiful, romantic song. What were some of your favorite places in Paris?"}, {"response": 31, "author": "janea", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 1997 (12:10)", "body": "Another topic for girls with excellent taste! Harrison has been my favourite ever since I saw Raiders of the.... Here in Sweden the \"new\" Star Wars have not ben released yet. You who have seen them, was it wrong to make them \"better\" do you think? And what are your favourite scenes in the trilogy?"}, {"response": 32, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 1997 (12:55)", "body": "I took two boat trips (bateaux mouches) on the Seine, one in the day and one at night. The one at night was just breathtaking. Just looking at Paris at night all lit up was wonderful. We also took a sight-seeing tour (by van) of Paris at night and I just adored the Champs-Elysee. Now that's a grand boulevard! I don't think there was anything I didn't like, maybe Notre-Dame Church, I found it to be too dark and creepy, we didn't stay there long. I loved the view of Paris from Monmartre at Sacre-Coeur Church. I could stare at it forever. But I think my favorite would be Versailles. I couldn't get over that I was actually walking where royalty once did. It was so grand, so rich, so beautiful that it's fully understandable that there was a revolution. I think like Sabrina, I left my heart in Paris. No city compare to it!"}, {"response": 33, "author": "kate", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 1997 (18:11)", "body": "]was it wrong to make them \"better\" do you think? And what are your favourite scenes in the trilogy? Only Star Wars and ESB are out yet - Jedi comes out in a week or so. I don't think it was \"wrong\" to change them. If anything, all the hoopla is just going to introduce them to a new generation of kids who'll get to enjoy them. The changes aren't really substantial: better sound, more interesting view of some of the cities, locations, one or two restored scenes. It's nice to see some bits that were left \"on the cutting room floor\" I mean, imagine if Sue Birtwhistle decided in 10 years to rerelease P&P2 with a few scenes they left out the first time around.... I think I know a few people who'd be pretty happy!!!"}, {"response": 34, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 1997 (20:18)", "body": "]I mean, imagine if Sue Birtwhistle decided in 10 years to rerelease P&P2 with a few scenes they left out the first time around.... I think I know a few people who'd be pretty happy!!! Kate, I don't want to wait 10 years, 10 months, 10 weeks or even 10 days...I want them now. Ann, I saw the \"new\" SW, the new effects make it more visual interesting (especially MosEisley spaceport) but do not distract you from the story. I liked it very well indeed."}, {"response": 35, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 1997 (22:10)", "body": "Lisa-I know! Paris is truly the most beautiful, romantic city. I went on a bateau mouche cruise too-one of the best ways to see the city. And yes-Parisat night. They don't call it the city of lights for nothing-majestic, awe-inspiring! I think I could be perfectly content to stay along the Champs Elysses forever, or the Tuileries Garden, or the Latin Quarter. It's so peaceful, lovely. The French really know how to live;they take time out for themselves, sitting in a cafe or just walking in a park. Love Ve sailles too-Hall of Mirrors! Incredible! One of my favorite moments-I was on the Champs Elysses during a big celebration-Paris won a football match. Everyone was kissing, crying, screaming. It reminded me,in a small way, of what it must have been like when Paris was liberated. In Paris, you can say/do anything and no one notices. Best part-I turned and looked at the Arc de Triomphe just as the lights came on and it was bathed in all of its golden glory. I was practically sobbing like a baby! NO monument affects me like the Arc de Triomphe."}, {"response": 36, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 1997 (00:20)", "body": "Cassandra, you're right about the French, they know how to live, but who wouldn't in a city that offers so much not only historically but also architecturaly? I think that's why I loved it so much. It's the first European city I've visited (so far) and when I came back home (Montreal) I was so disappointed. We have nothing here that compares to the beauty, romance and feel of Paris (except the language) but even that isn't as rich here as it is there. I think Paris transformed me. It has given me a longin to see other places in the world, especially European cities. My next destination will most likely be Italy, home of my ancestors in the fall. I'm sure I'll be just as awed by Italy as I was by Paris."}, {"response": 37, "author": "elder", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 1997 (01:10)", "body": "Lisa: It has given me a longing to see other places in the world, especially European cities. Oh, Lisa, a kindred spirit (as Anne Shirley, of \"Anne of Green Gables,\" would say)! There are so many places I want to visit, and get to know. I remember one incredible moment in Rome (my first European city): We were touring the Coliseum and the guide was explaining how well the ancient Romans did crowd control -- they even used numbered gates. We turned to look at the arches and saw ROMAN NUMERALS. Roman numerals that were not just for effect. It really hit home how old and historic and important the city was to Western civilization. I really like London, too, which I have visited several times. I had best stop talking about all these wonderful cities, or I will want to hop on a plane tomorrow and begin a world tour! And then what would my poor students do -- no one to test their mathematics knowledge. ;)"}, {"response": 38, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 1997 (12:52)", "body": "Speaking of tours, I recall reading somewhere that there's a Jane Austen tour which includes the sights were P&P2 was filmed. Does anyone have any information on that? I would greatly appreciate it. P.S. from HF to touring, we sure have gone off on a tangent!"}, {"response": 39, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 1997 (12:52)", "body": "Speaking of tours, I recall reading somewhere that there's a Jane Austen tour which includes the sights where P&P2 was filmed. Does anyone have any information on that? I would greatly appreciate it. P.S. from HF to touring, we sure have gone off on a tangent!"}, {"response": 40, "author": "Gabrie", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 1997 (15:53)", "body": "Hey Jane, another Swede (t.o.m n\ufffdra mig, pluggar i Lund!:))!! I think Harrison in Star Wars was one of my first heroes! Adore it! Is it the 1st of April Star Wars is realeased here?"}, {"response": 41, "author": "elder", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 1997 (20:34)", "body": "An AP item (appeared in local newspaper Feb 27): Paris (AP) What men do French women find the sexiest? Here's a hint: He's not French. Actor Kevin Costner got the vote in a poll to appear Thursday in Paris Match magazine. Paul Newman came in second, followed by Mel Gibson and Tom Cruise. Harrison Ford rounded out the top five. How many Frenchwomen drool along with us here? :)"}, {"response": 42, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 1997 (00:34)", "body": "There's a great pic of Harrison Ford in biking leathers (he rode his bike to the interview) in the newest issue of Vogue -- and me without a scanner!"}, {"response": 43, "author": "elder", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 1997 (01:53)", "body": "So, I should by Vogue for the picture(s) of some man, huh? What a great idea. ;) I suppose I could just say that I buy it to read the articles!"}, {"response": 44, "author": "janea", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 1997 (09:38)", "body": "Hej Gabriella! I\ufffdm closer than you think, I live in Lund! About the release of Star Wars in Sweden, I`m not sure but I think the first is 21th March, The Empire strikes back 11th of April and Return of the Jedi 2nd of May. I can\ufffdt wait!"}, {"response": 45, "author": "Gabrie", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 1997 (17:22)", "body": "Jane!!! What fun!! Are you a student too? 21th of March isn't far away, great news! Can't wait either.. and now on friday the English Patient is opening too, isn' it.."}, {"response": 46, "author": "janea", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 1997 (10:56)", "body": "Hi Gabriella! Is there something wrong with your e-mail? Tried to send you a message (in Swedish...) but the Postmaster keep telling me that you are \"unknown\". Are you sure that your address is correct?"}, {"response": 47, "author": "Gabriella", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 1997 (14:21)", "body": "Jane.. strange.. looks correct to me....NO wait.. just saw it IS wrong!! now I'm \"home\" in Gothenburg for the weekend and using another mailing ad (not mine)... but the correct one in Lund is: kem96gwn@lustudat.student.lu.se hope it works!"}, {"response": 48, "author": "Opus", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 1997 (22:41)", "body": "saw the re release of Empire Stikes Back a few days and absolutely fell in love with HF in that movie. I always liked him, he is great in Star Wars, the fugitive etc, but in ESB, the way he persues Princess Leah, when he sort of grabs her and kisses her when that are leaving Hoth my heart just melted. I know ESB is a sci-fi action flick but the romance between Han Solo and Leah is to die for. SIGH!"}, {"response": 49, "author": "Andee1", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 1997 (23:24)", "body": "HF has been a babe since American Graffitti! He has truly become more attractive to me as he has gotten older. Han Solo was too young and brash. I like him in his more mature roles. Patriot Games, Sabrina (although Julia Ormond-YUCK). I thought I was going to like Regarding Henry, but the trailer was better than the movie. Don't forget Presumed Innocent!"}, {"response": 50, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 1997 (05:48)", "body": "Oh, I liked Regarding Henry. Granted it wasn't a very good film, but Harrison is so adorable and charming in it! I liked the scenes with his daughter when they are at the library and then when she is teaching him to read. Not his best, but certainly enjoyable from a Harrison point of view!"}, {"response": 51, "author": "Opus", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 1997 (06:14)", "body": "\"Young and brash\" maybe that's why I like him as Han Solo, I'm only twenty and still loking for that exciting, \"young and brash\" man, I suppose. I would die for a man who would be that blunt with me, and care for me as much as Han did for Leah."}, {"response": 52, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 1997 (19:24)", "body": "new pictures from the Devil's Own : a while (ES)back and in (one of) my favorite movie"}, {"response": 53, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 1997 (19:31)", "body": "my favorite again : and some less knowned : Col. Lucas in Apocalypse Now Tommy in Frisco Kid David Halloran in Hanover Street Ken Boyd in Heroes The motorist in Luv The bellboy in DEAD HEAT ON A MERRY-GO-ROUND"}, {"response": 54, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 1997 (19:57)", "body": "Wonderful pictures Johanne. I especially like the Hanover Street one. Great drooling material!"}, {"response": 55, "author": "Opus", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 1997 (20:07)", "body": "Great pics Johanne, thanks for the ESB pics. My young and brash Han Solo, I can now imagine my face where Princess leah's is. Sigh!"}, {"response": 56, "author": "Andee1", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 1997 (20:25)", "body": "Great Pics Johanne! I had forgotten about Frisco Kid-I love that movie. Cheryl, I think my main problem with Regarding Henry was that he didn't really do anything to change as a person. He didn't have to re-evaluate his life, and make an active change. He was just shot in the head, couldn't remember what a jerk he'd been, and then was a n. I like a character that makes an active role in changing their life. Not just have his previous life erased with little or no consequence."}, {"response": 57, "author": "Andee1", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 1997 (20:35)", "body": "\"then was a n\" should have been \"then was a new person\". OOPS"}, {"response": 58, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 1997 (21:29)", "body": "Ooh Johanne! What a gold mine of HF drool material you've discovered for us! Thank you. I didn't realize he was in Apocolypse Now. Andrea, I understand your hesitation about Regarding Henry and you have a valid point. I've been thinking about what a good thing it was for Henry to get shot in the head...I can think of a few that it wouldn't hurt to try the same cure on...pretty radical treatment, I know, but.....;-)"}, {"response": 59, "author": "Mari", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 1997 (23:24)", "body": "Cheryl, maybe we could add a page to Cyber-Smacks; The Regarding Henry Personality Treatment Candidates; What'dya think?"}, {"response": 60, "author": "Andee1", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (01:36)", "body": "Cheryl, Agreed!"}, {"response": 61, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (08:17)", "body": "Mari: The Regarding Henry Personality Treatment Candidates; What'dya think? I think I love it! LOL!"}, {"response": 62, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 1997 (17:54)", "body": "Harrison Ford will be interviewed by Barbra Walters on her annual Acadamy Awards night show on March 24 on ABC."}, {"response": 63, "author": "larryu", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 1997 (04:59)", "body": "I have to say he didn't come across very well on that interview--rather a money-seeking actor bitter at not receiving accolades for his work. He has had the tremendous luck to be in the biggest movies of our times."}, {"response": 64, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 1997 (04:41)", "body": "He oughta be filled with gratitude. What a lucky guy! drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 27, "subject": "Current TV cuties", "response_count": 134, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (19:40)", "body": "Who can I drool over? Willow Bay . . . Heather Locklear . . . one of the Baywatch women . . . Julia Louise Dreyfus . . . Jeanne Triplehorn is on the Hallmark Hall of Fame tonight in \"Old Man' (CBS) at 8 pm CST."}, {"response": 2, "author": "elder", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (20:09)", "body": "Excellent, Terry -- a gentleman drooler!"}, {"response": 3, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (22:21)", "body": "This is great, Terry! It's fun to see which women men think are the female equivalents of CF drool-wise. Two of my current favorites are Edmund Grey on All My Children (John Callahan, as I was so kindly informed by another fan here) and William Shockley (Hank on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman). I know the latter is not a conventional droolee, but there's something about him that really appeals to me. And he does generally do the right thing in the end, even though he may act like a jerk for awhile first."}, {"response": 4, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (23:36)", "body": "I was watching Keeping Up Appearances last night. The actor who played vicar would have me in church every Sunday morning. Jeremy Critten (I think) is his name."}, {"response": 5, "author": "alix", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 1997 (00:33)", "body": "Anyone out there think that Hugh O'Gorman fron AMC's Remember WENN is the cutest thing on cable- and on a show worth watching! Wanted to know if I wasn't alone out there."}, {"response": 6, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 1997 (03:48)", "body": "No, but I'm watching a show with Jeanne Triplehorn. They're out in the swaplands."}, {"response": 7, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 1997 (06:53)", "body": "The list goes on Tina Louise - Ginger on Gilligan's Island Emma Thompson Drew Barrymore Xena Elvira Karen Allen Cissy Spacek Helen Hunt Victoria Abril Maria Bartiromo"}, {"response": 8, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 1997 (12:46)", "body": "]Anyone out there think that Hugh O'Gorman fron AMC's Remember WENN is the cutest thing on cable- and on a show worth watching! Wanted to know if I wasn't alone out there. Oh definately not. I watch it every week. Hugh O'Gorman is a cutie."}, {"response": 9, "author": "elder", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 1997 (13:05)", "body": "Jimmy Smits: he can defend or interrogate me at any time!"}, {"response": 10, "author": "Anne3", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 1997 (13:48)", "body": "And Sam Waterston, ditto."}, {"response": 11, "author": "Amy", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 1997 (14:43)", "body": "Terry, Elvira? You are kidding -- right?"}, {"response": 12, "author": "Amy", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 1997 (14:44)", "body": "Mandy Patinkin?"}, {"response": 13, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 1997 (18:00)", "body": "Amy, I've always had a thing for Mandy Patinkin, myself! (I'm sure that comes as a surprise to you!) He is not really handsome, but there is an intensity about him that is very appealing. I miss Jeffery Geiger on Chicago Hope and love it when he makes an occasiaional appearance (as he did last week!) I really liked him in Yentl and in Sunday in the Park with George , but all time fave performance has to be in The Princess Bride! \"Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.\""}, {"response": 14, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 1997 (18:07)", "body": "Ok. I'm going to go out on a limb here and confess an attraction that I find slightly embarrassing...Malcom Gets, the man who plays Richard the tortured artist on Caroline in the City. I know, it's a pretty lame show, but I watch it just to see if Richard will ever get around to confessing his love for Caroline! There. Despise me if you dare! ;-)"}, {"response": 15, "author": "Saman", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 1997 (19:04)", "body": "Cheryl - indeed I dare not despise you (yeah, I persist in watching Caroline in the City too ;). I love Richard's neurotic behaviour (and therefore Malcolm Gets for portraying him so well). Maybe it's just because he stands out in an otherwise ordinary cast. The rumour is that something major is going to happen in the Richard-Caroline business in the Valentine's Day ep (funnily enough!)"}, {"response": 16, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 1997 (19:37)", "body": "Saman: The rumour is that something major is going to happen in the Richard-Caroline business in the Valentine's Day ep (funnily enough!) Ooh! Finally!!!"}, {"response": 17, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 1997 (22:10)", "body": "Cheryl-You are not alone. I too feel a slight attraction for Malcom Gets/Richard. He is the only reason I watch that show. I love his witty, satiricial sense of humor. Very endearing in a man! My all time favorite Richard show has to be the one where he and Caroline dance together, only her jerk/doctor boyfriend shows up. End shot-Richard wandering the streets of NYC, alone. Sigh."}, {"response": 18, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 1997 (23:15)", "body": "Cheryl, thanks for mentioning The Princess Bride! My favorite book in high school, read five or six, had to buy it 2 or 3 times because I gave it to friends and Never, Ever got it back. Also my favorite line: \"Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.\" Also liked Cary Elwes, very debonair, don't you think. \"Come sir, we are both men of action. Lying ill becomes us.\" And that mustache! Loved It."}, {"response": 19, "author": "Anne3", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 1997 (00:06)", "body": "Baseball announcer Tim McCarver can call me out any ol' tahm (love the accent, too)."}, {"response": 20, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 1997 (05:21)", "body": "He used to announce the Cardinals games with Harry Caray and Joe Garagiola. Being a catcher is hard on your knees."}, {"response": 21, "author": "Amy", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 1997 (05:24)", "body": "Speaking of Cardinal catchers, Ted Simmons was kind of a big cutie. Sure could block the plate too."}, {"response": 22, "author": "Susan", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 1997 (05:28)", "body": "...all time fave performance has to be in The Princess Bride! My favorite book in high school... Both the movie and the book have always been among my favorites, too. Jimmy Smits: he can defend or interrogate me at any time! Yes, and Dennis Franz is also very sexy. His struggle this last season has had me and a co-worker discussing his every move, and finding him well worth the conversation."}, {"response": 23, "author": "Amy", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 1997 (05:35)", "body": "Speaking of Cardinal catchers, Ted Simmons was kind of a big cutie. Sure could block the plate too."}, {"response": 24, "author": "Becks", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 1997 (06:30)", "body": "George Clooney."}, {"response": 25, "author": "Saman", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 1997 (22:07)", "body": "Thank you Becks! What's \"One Fine Day\" like? It hasn't been released here yet. I like Anthony Edwards too - but not in Top Gun as much as ER."}, {"response": 26, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 1997 (22:16)", "body": "A Cute 2 hour sitcom"}, {"response": 27, "author": "Anne3", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 1997 (23:44)", "body": "Saman: I like Anthony Edwards too - but not in Top Gun as much as ER. Have you seen him in the movie Mr. North ? Mid-eighties adaptation of the Thornton Wilder novel Theophilos North. Very droolable there. And no glasses."}, {"response": 28, "author": "alix", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 1997 (00:45)", "body": "Amy, what about Tom Pagnozzi? He could catch me anytime! :)"}, {"response": 29, "author": "Saman", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 1997 (00:51)", "body": "Anne3 - I like the glasses! No I haven't seen anything else featuring Anthony Edwards - I'm just a big fan of ER :)"}, {"response": 30, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 1997 (17:20)", "body": "Wow, Cheryl and I actually like the same person even if it isn't RG. Anyway. I LOVE Mandy Patinkin and saw him on Broadway when he played Che in EVITA with Patti Lupone. He has the most wonderful singing voice. Malcolm Gets, is very sexy. I love his pining after Caroline, so sweet. He has a wonderful sardonic humour. Matthew Perry has always done it for me. Ever since he played Carol's boyfriend in Growing Pains, the one who dies. And last but not least DAVID DUCHOVNY. As Lizzy says \"Beautiful\"."}, {"response": 31, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 1997 (19:19)", "body": "Alright Laura! Another Malcom Gets admirer! When are they gonna wise up over there and start calling it Richard in the City ? ;-) (Chandler is also my favorite \"friend\"!)"}, {"response": 32, "author": "Saman", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 1997 (20:04)", "body": "Yep - I love Chandler/Matthew Perry too - I think I identify with his sarcasm ;)"}, {"response": 33, "author": "Kaffeine", "date": "Thu, Feb 13, 1997 (03:44)", "body": "Well, as long as we're drooling over Malcolm Gets, have you seen one of the episodes where he has his shirt off? I thought he was intellectually attractive until I saw a shirtless episode and went YOW!! Who else... David Duchovny The guy who played Grace's boyfriend Ryan on GRACE UNDER FIRE a couple of seasons ago. Scott Bakula George Clooney and so on..."}, {"response": 34, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Thu, Feb 13, 1997 (07:22)", "body": "OOH Kaff-wasn't that the episode with Sharon Lawrence? I love Richard-glasses, no glasses-shirtless. I love his sarcasm best. Favorite line: (his retort to the ever cheerful Carloline's What did you do for New Years question)I rode down fifth avenue with Scott and Zelda drinking champagne out of her slipper. Ditto on Duchovny. Although I like Mulder better. I've been disapointed with the quality of the shows this year. Tuned in last week though and was hooked-DD in his leather jacket and black turtleneck, comforting Scully. Don't think I'm crazy but I also find Skinner sexy. I guess its the bald head-great chest!"}, {"response": 35, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Thu, Feb 13, 1997 (07:29)", "body": "Oh girls....Malcom Gets sans shirt! What a chestal region! Ooh baby, ooh baby! Favorite sarcastic line: \"Oh look. Girl talk and me without a uterus.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 36, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb 13, 1997 (15:55)", "body": "Your right Cheryl it should be Richard in the City. He is beautiful."}, {"response": 37, "author": "Kali", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 1997 (12:27)", "body": "David Schwimmer, David Duchovny, Anthony Edwards..."}, {"response": 38, "author": "Andee1", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (01:29)", "body": "David Duchovny, Mitch Pileggi, Anthony Edwards ditto ditto ditto!"}, {"response": 39, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (13:07)", "body": "He's not on a current TV show because the imbicile of a producer decided to fire him instead of giving him a raise. Ever since, I have boycotted Law & Order. I only watch the reruns on A&E to watch Chris Noth."}, {"response": 40, "author": "Susan", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (17:28)", "body": "This name keeps coming up -- anyone have pictures?"}, {"response": 41, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (19:36)", "body": "Chris Noth as his web page (unofficial of course) : http://users.aol.com/dwalheim/noth.html new film for spring : http://198.53.172.4/~corona/films/details/coldaroundtheheart.html"}, {"response": 42, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (19:37)", "body": "Oups"}, {"response": 43, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (19:46)", "body": "I'm with you-Lisa. I can't believe they got rid of Cris Noth! I never watch the new episodes of Law and Order. Once again, Thank-you A&E!"}, {"response": 44, "author": "Opus", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (19:47)", "body": "David Conrad, plays Leo on Relativity, which is off the air right now but is supposed to return soon. He is very sexy and sweet, and I love the show, can't wait for it to come back. Anyone else watch."}, {"response": 45, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (19:48)", "body": "NIce pics-Johanne! He is sooooooo handsome, great hair and sexy voice!"}, {"response": 46, "author": "Opus", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (19:52)", "body": "David Conrad, plays Leo on Relativity, which is off the air right now but is supposed to return soon. He is very sexy and sweet, and I love the show, can't wait for it to come back. Anyone else watch."}, {"response": 47, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (20:05)", "body": "yes, Suzanne, I watched Relativity when it was on, and liked it very much. I especially like how it is not just about the romantic couple, but about how the relationship affects both families. Hope it ocmes back."}, {"response": 48, "author": "Opus", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 1997 (04:09)", "body": "I especially liked the story line about her sister and his room mate I was so excited when they finally kissed."}, {"response": 49, "author": "Anne", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 1997 (15:45)", "body": "I am so glad to hear that Relativity is coming back! I have to admit that David Conrad was one of the main reasons I started watching, but now am captivated by the story lines as well. The guy who plays Isabelle's Old fiancee is pretty cute too, I used to like him in Christy. Anyone else ever watch that show? Since we are on the drool subject I have to add that Dean Cain can wear those blue tights and rescue me anytime!"}, {"response": 50, "author": "Anne", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 1997 (15:46)", "body": "I am so glad to hear that Relativity is coming back! I have to admit that David Conrad was one of the main reasons I started watching, but now am captivated by the story lines as well. The guy who plays Isabelle's Old fiancee is pretty cute too, I used to like him in Christy. Anyone else ever watch that show? Since we are on the drool subject I have to add that Dean Cain can wear those blue tights and rescue me anytime!"}, {"response": 51, "author": "Opus", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 1997 (23:03)", "body": "The ABC web site said that it was coming back but I can't make any promises, that site probably hasn't been updated in ages, but we can hope I suppose. Ya her fiance is pretty gorgeous as well."}, {"response": 52, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 1997 (14:49)", "body": "I used to like him in Christy. Anyone else ever watch that show? Yes, I used to like it. I loved Tyne Daly's character and the Scottish, was it, guy. Pretty interesting, actually."}, {"response": 53, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 1997 (05:29)", "body": "Am I truly the only one who finds these guys totally hunkable? I've mentioned Dr. Quinn,"}, {"response": 54, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 1997 (05:31)", "body": "Sorry, I accidentally submitted that before I was ready. What I was trying to say was that I've mentioned this show before and nobody responded. I thought some visuals might get you going. %-P\""}, {"response": 55, "author": "Inko", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 1997 (21:43)", "body": "Susan, I liked Dr. Quinn when it first started, and yes, I thought Joe Lando very hunky looking. This year, though, I haven't been watching it as much--I found the stories somewhat repetitive after a while. I really like the Indian, Dancing Cloud(?)."}, {"response": 56, "author": "Susan", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 1997 (03:33)", "body": "Inko, yes, that's Cloud Dancing, and I really like him, too. I didn't watch it at all until this December when I was home for three weeks recuperating from surgery, then I got totally hooked. I just joined their list."}, {"response": 57, "author": "Jess", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (14:21)", "body": "David Conrad is on Rosie O'Donnell this afternoon! Perhaps he will set the record straight on when Relativity is returning."}, {"response": 58, "author": "Jess", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (15:13)", "body": "I watched Rosie on Thursday but No David!!! The paper said he would be on but he wasn't. Needless to say I was very disappointed."}, {"response": 59, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (21:13)", "body": "I know he is not really a \"TV cutie\", but our local PBS station showed Lord of the Dance and Riverdance back to back. I found Michael Flatly to be gorgeous. Great smile, great body and he can DANCE. I went looking for pictures but couldn't find any:-("}, {"response": 60, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (23:57)", "body": "I hear you Carolyn! THE MAN can dance. Great personality too. And Those leather pants-he must have spray painted them on!"}, {"response": 61, "author": "Opus", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (01:28)", "body": "A follow up on our discussion of David Conrad, \"Leo\" on Relativity, I read in the paper today that the show will finally be returning. New time slot will be Monday's at 8pm on ABC, starting March 31. I can't wait!!"}, {"response": 62, "author": "LynnM", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (18:30)", "body": "I know he's not a TV star, but I saw the promo for \"The Saint\" this weekend - Val Kilmer is as gorgeous as ever. I think he is the only blonde that I am crazy about. Well, maybe its actually that body ;). I didn't see a category for him, but I wanted to mention it anyhow. Can't wait for the movie to open next week!!"}, {"response": 63, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (18:34)", "body": "The only blond - not even a soft spot for Robert Redford? Looking forward to he movie as well :)"}, {"response": 64, "author": "LynnM", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (21:55)", "body": "No, I must admit Robert Redford never did it for me. I even watched out of Africa again last night to try to see what I'm missing. I just don't see it. And when I saw \"A River Runs Through It\", I was amazed at how much Brad Pitt was photographed to look like a young Robert Redford. Wonder if it was done purposely or not? :)"}, {"response": 65, "author": "Susan", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (04:13)", "body": "Val Kilmer -- *SIGH* says it all!"}, {"response": 66, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (21:45)", "body": "New Topic needed, perhaps?"}, {"response": 67, "author": "crestgirl", "date": "Sun, May 25, 1997 (18:26)", "body": "JERRY O'CONNELL !!!! OH MY GOD! Have any of you ever seen SLIDERS? Oh, I'd do anything on earth for JERRY O'Connell! Check out some SLIDERS webpages, or some JERRY O'Connell pages if you want to see the best looking man who ever graced the planet! Become a JODSER! (Jerry O'Connell Droolers Society member)"}, {"response": 68, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, May 26, 1997 (19:13)", "body": "I take it you are partial to Jerry O'Conneell?"}, {"response": 69, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Wed, May 28, 1997 (22:03)", "body": "Hi there. Hey, I tried but couldn't start a topic for us Malcolm Gets lovers. My question was/is: what are your ideas for making Caroline in the City a better show? How would you change/develop the characters? Just what is it that makes the show (except the character of Richard) so painfully bad? Any ideas? I'd love to hear about some intelligent writing for that show! It bugs me to watch it, but I'm hooked on Gets!"}, {"response": 70, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 1997 (06:28)", "body": "Helloooooooo????? This is the second time that I've posted in a topic that's been dead for ages. The first was the Malcom Gets topic. THE current tv cutie is Paul Gross. I feel like I'm the only one who knows he's alive. He's in \"Due South.\" CBS cancelled that show TWICE and now it's back again but in syndication. I swear I am in LOVE with him. He is definitely the sexiest guy on television. I love that red uniform he wears with the hat. Every time I see him wearing it my heart goes pitter-patter. Red is such a suggestive color. I guess that is why it looks so great on him. Someone mentioned the guy on Christy. I loved that show and CBS yanks it out! I was sooooo mad when it got cancelled. That guy is so fine! Where is he now? Also I was very vexed when CBS pulled the plug on Northern Exposure. I really liked the actor who played Chris. He has a very sexy voice. Also, Remember WENN was mentioned here before. That is my favorite show in the world. Hugh O'Gorman is cute and so is Kevin O'Rourke. BTW, where's Victor??? They should put him on more often. This is it for now. I hope I'm not just talking to myself!"}, {"response": 71, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 1997 (13:42)", "body": "Now, is this the guy who was Michael Keaton's dad in Family Ties?"}, {"response": 72, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 1997 (06:09)", "body": "NOOOOOOOOO! That's another GROSS!!! I'm talking about Paul Gross . He's young, very young."}, {"response": 73, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 1997 (21:53)", "body": "Just to annoy you, Alicia, is this the guy from Starsky & Hutch? :-)"}, {"response": 74, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 1997 (00:59)", "body": "No! (I think) I never watched an episode of Starksy & Hutch. Paul Gross was in Ted Maupin's Tales of the City, a CBS movie \"20,000 Leagues under the Sea,\" in a Canadian series called \"Chasing Rainbows,\" and currently plays a mountie in \"Due South.\" He kind of reminds me of Colin Firth but w/o the accent. I knew nobody would know him! He's so obscure but he's amazing looking IMHO. Alicia , almost exasperated."}, {"response": 75, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 1997 (06:11)", "body": "Hey, now I saw Tales of the City and *recorded it* it I liked it so well. What role was he in that program? It is one of the few tapes that I may actually look at again someday. It was good!"}, {"response": 76, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 1997 (06:20)", "body": "Boo-hoo. Unfortunately I did not see Tales of the City. I just know that Paul Gross is in it. I'm waiting for the re-runs on PBS or maybe I can get tapes of it. I'm literally drooling as I think about him. If you want to see who Paul actually is, watch \"Due South\" on CBS Sundays at 2pm. That's when it airs in Southern California. You're going to have to check your local listings if you want to see it. He's the mountie in the red uniform. I wish I had a scanner! Alicia , drooling so much that I need a bucket."}, {"response": 77, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 1997 (06:30)", "body": "They *have* to re-run it, it was superb. Best thing I've seen on PBS ever in the way of a theatrical production."}, {"response": 78, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 1997 (01:41)", "body": "This may be way off the subject, but I would like to know if anyone has heard of the upcoming tv show called 'Tenant of Wildfield Hall' and pardon me if I mispelled this. Has anyone heard of this book?"}, {"response": 79, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 1997 (06:24)", "body": "I know \"Tenant of Wildfell Hall.\" It's going to be on Masterpiece theatre on October 26. And it's a book by Anne Bronte. I think Rupert Graves is in it. Does this help, Terry?"}, {"response": 80, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 1997 (07:59)", "body": "It helps immensely. I'll be looking forward to this show as I'm certain many of those in this conference will also."}, {"response": 81, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Sun, Oct 26, 1997 (07:05)", "body": "Thanks so much Lorie. I can't wait until I get the TV guide issue! Another TV person that I enjoy watching is David Hyde Pierce in Frasier. He is so adorably funny. I'm eagerly awaiting tomorrow night's MT's The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. Rupert Graves! BTW, I missed him today. Maurice was on E! tonight but I completely missed it. Cheerio! Alicia"}, {"response": 82, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 1997 (21:20)", "body": "Now that you've seen Tenant, are you happy that they added a bit of sexiness to Huntington? I didn't quite understand where that came from (Gilbert's imagination, no doubt, since Helen probably wouldn't have given him a diary with sexual descriptions of Arthur's prowess!), but I thought they explained his character a bit more, given the short time frame. Anyway, I expect all the RG droolers will have enjoyed it!"}, {"response": 83, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Tue, Oct 28, 1997 (07:00)", "body": "I taped Tenant, but I haven't seen it yet. I still have a ton of movies that I taped lined up for my viewing. But I saw a little interview w/ RG regarding the film and he looked mighty fine. I feel so relieved! for 24 hours I couldn't get on-line because something must have been wrong with the modem or something. I thought I was going to die. But anyway, now that I'm here, I'm OKAY. Yesteraday, I saw yet another episode of DUE SOUTH with PAUL GROSS, of course. It was an pretty good episode. The thing that got on my nerves is that he was temporarily paired with this rugged type woman that didn't seem to suit him at all. They had no chemistry. For one thing, she looked old enough to be his mother! He and this other girl on the show (the actress' name is Camilla Scott, don't know the character's name) have wonderful chemistry. The lady is his boss and she is definitely bossy to him. She is attracted to him, but she is in denial. But anyway, Paul Gross... (sigh) Has it ever been documented that a person could die of dehydration due to excessive drooling? NOW, MALCOM GETS (finally) Today's episode of CITC was a repeat. I like this episode. It's pretty funny compared to the other episodes. Another episode that I really like is when Richard adopts Annie's mother as his own and Annie gets jealous. Richard and Annie are always bickering at each other. IMHO, I think MG and Amy Pietz have more chemistry than MG and Lea T. Alicia"}, {"response": 84, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Tue, Oct 28, 1997 (23:25)", "body": "(Alicia) IMHO, I think MG and Amy Pietz have more chemistry than MG and Lea T. Oh, definitely. That show is really cast all wrong--LT must be good for something, but she's not leading lady material to me. The episode you mention with Richard calling Annie's mom \"Mom\" was very good, and made me want to see more of the two of them without Caroline in the middle. Of course, anything to see more of MG! In Chicago, Due South is being shown on Sunday afternoons or something like that -- I imagine in re-runs, tho the show doesn't seem old enough to be doing that. No, I still haven't caught any recent episodes (sorry), just have fuzzy memories of some I saw several years ago. Gosh, I guess if my memories are that fuzzy, the show has been on long enough to be showing reruns in syndication."}, {"response": 85, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 1997 (03:50)", "body": "I don't think the Due South episodes on Sundays are re-runs. Here in S. California, it airs on Sunday afternoons also. Or maybe I just have it all wrong. Yesterday, I did a search on Paul Gross on Yahoo and I found the official website for Due South. The show seems to be very popular in Canada (after all it is a canadian show!) He's won a Gemini Award for Best Actor. I also found out that he's quite multi-talented. He sings (album just released), he acts, and he is a writer! Also he's an executive producer. He's older than I thought, a lot older than I thought: 38! I wish I was in Chicago. Due South takes place in Chicago and it is close to Canada. But I don't think the show does much taping in Chicago. I think they mostly film in Toronto. sigh, Alicia"}, {"response": 86, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 1997 (01:35)", "body": "I GOT IT! Thank you so much Lorie! Paul Gross looks gorgeous in the article you sent me. I recently ordered a poster of him in his mountie suit. It's coming in a couple of weeks I hope. If only I had a SCANNER."}, {"response": 87, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 1997 (22:05)", "body": "Alicia: Great! I'm glad you liked the blurb. Now, now, about that age thing--yes, I thought he was younger, too, but since I'm 39, 38 isn't THAT old!:-o Is it?:-( Maybe it's just something about Mounties. I saw some tv show last night (a Hallowe'en episode) with someone I've never thought twice about. But in a Mountie suit woo-woo! It's great to discover new things to love about someone. Let me know if the album is any good."}, {"response": 88, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 1997 (02:12)", "body": "38 isn't that old. I was just surprised that he was that age because I always imagined he was twentysomething. Heck! I like Peter O'Toole and he's in his seventies I think. About the album: I'm going to Tower Records this weekend to get it. If it's not there I'm ordering it. I've heard him sing before in an episode and he's not bad at all."}, {"response": 89, "author": "Shade", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 1997 (22:55)", "body": "How come you people havent been posting on the Rupert Graves board?Come on come on!Come over!"}, {"response": 90, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 1997 (09:56)", "body": "TENANT OF WILDFELL HALL (Lorie)Now that you've seen Tenant, are you happy that they added a bit of sexiness to Huntington? I didn't quite understand where that came from (Gilbert's imagination, no doubt, since Helen probably wouldn't have given him a diary with sexual descriptions of Arthur's prowess!), but I thought they explained his character a bit more, given the short time frame. I finally saw Tenant. Yes, Huntington was definitely sexy. RG was so different from what I saw of him in \"A Room with a View.\" I liked Toby Stephens also. I know I've seen him somewhere else before. I thought the mix-up about Lawrence being the brother/lover was hilarious. Alicia REMEMBER WENN I missed it tonight. I'm so mad. I volunteer for the L.A. Phillharmonic and tonight I was in a hurry to get to the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion that I completely forgot to set the timer. I'll have to wait until Wednesday."}, {"response": 91, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 1997 (15:54)", "body": "It's on PBS again Wednesday? Really?"}, {"response": 92, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 1997 (07:20)", "body": "Do you mean is Remember WENN on Wednesday again on PBS? or Tenat? Well Tenant was repeated today at 1pm on PBS. Remember WENN is repeated on Wednesday 6pm PST on American Movie Classics. I taped MT's \"The Moonstone\" tonight. Greg Wise is in it. He was Willoughby in ET's S&S. The funny thing is that Moonstone is on the same time Greg Wise's other movie, \"House of Frankenstein 1997\" on NBC. Did anybody watch \"Cinderella\" tonight? I though it was very cute. Alicia p.s. I did a search on WENN on Yahoo! and it has several webpages. I explored a couple and they all seem to be well done. There's even a weekly chat on IRC."}, {"response": 93, "author": "Susan", "date": "Tue, Nov  4, 1997 (06:31)", "body": "Alicia, I have a Canadian friend who is also gaga over Paul Gross. I also thought Cinderella was great. I liked the way they used diversity in the actors. Tenant was very good. I thought all the actors did well. I didn't like The Moonstone much. It seemed a little disjointed to me, and it was hard for me to get involved with the characters. I liked the inspector the best. Any DQ fans here at all? William Shockley is gorgeous, but Joe Lando ain't too bad neither. ;-)"}, {"response": 94, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Tue, Nov  4, 1997 (21:41)", "body": "Hi Susan! Wow, we finally have someone else here. PAUL GROSS (due South) (Susan)I have a Canadian friend who is also gaga over Paul Gross. So far I've never met anyone in flesh who likes Paul Gross. I've only met fellow duesers on the 'net. This sunday's episode was a a little disappointing. The lighting was so dark. I could barely see his face! But he did have his red serge off for a scene and got to see him in a v-neck t-shirt that he wears underneath. So far, in this season, he's been in his civilian clothes in only one episode. DQ I haven't seen DQ for ages. I stopped after it got too popular and the show was evolving so much that I couldn't keep up. I'll have to check it out and see who William Shockley is. The Moonstone So it wasn't that great, eh? I still haven't watched it yet. What's on MT next week? Alicia"}, {"response": 95, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Wed, Nov  5, 1997 (21:23)", "body": "Hi! Didn't drop off the planet, just away for a few days having central heating installed in my home (which here in the Midwest is about 1 month too late). Didn't see The Moonstone either, but I read the book years ago and found it very complex. At the time I was a big mystery fan, and that is one of those \"firsts\" that everyone mentions. So I plowed through it, but didn't enjoy it much. Maybe I was too young, tho. Anyway, I'm going to try to catch the TV version when it's re-shown. Remember WENN was good, though not as good as I'd hoped from the previews. Maybe I'm just getting too critical, but re-working \"Casablanca\" into WENN terms should have been better. After all, you're working off a wonderful classic. Maybe I'm just not sarcastic enough about the original myself."}, {"response": 96, "author": "Susan", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 1997 (04:06)", "body": "Alicia, I haven't seen Due South myself, although the pictures of him are great! William Shockley on DQ is Hank, the barkeep -- a jerk but what a gorgeous jerk! That bod should be patented. I also meant to comment on your comment re Chris-in-the-Morning on Northern Exposure (John Corbett). I am currently watching this in reruns on A&E, and yes, I have always loved him and his silky-soft, philosophic voice. Ah, so many men, so little time! ;-)"}, {"response": 97, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 1997 (08:57)", "body": "(Susan)Ah, so many men, so little time! ;-) I couldn't agree more. Right now I'm trying to divide my time between Paul Gross, Colin Firth, among others. Aaaaah, I'm losing sleep. I'm a walking zombie these days. Too much time in cyberspace and not enought on Earth. Well, I can never get enough of the 'net so it's never too much. I MISSED IT AGAIN!!!!!!!! Someone shoot me and put me out of my misery. I missed WENN. I was looking so forward to watching it. But Lorie, I'm sad to hear that you were disappointed. I was so occupied with the PG poster I got in the mail today that I completely forgot all about it. So you've been without heating? Did you freeze half to death before? I mean after all you live in Chicago! Over here in S. Calif. it's been HOT! 90 degrees in November. I hate it! It feels so unnatural. Alicia"}, {"response": 98, "author": "karol", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 1997 (10:39)", "body": "I would not mind if november in POLand is warm. I got cold yesterday."}, {"response": 99, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 1997 (23:12)", "body": "(Alicia) RE WENN: Someone shoot me and put me out of my misery. I missed WENN. I was looking so forward to watching it. Oh, how sad! But there will be re-runs, the season is short! (Alicia) I was so occupied with the PG poster I got in the mail today that I completely forgot all about it. Well at least you had a good reason for missing it! (Alicia) So you've been without heating? Did you freeze half to death before? I mean after all you live in Chicago! Over here in S. Calif. it's been HOT! 90 degrees in November. I hate it! It feels so unnatural. (karol)I would not mind if november in POLand is warm. Truer words were never spoken, Karol! None of us who live where it's cold would mind warmer weather! Yes, my house was freezing for about a month while we attempted to revive our old furnace (which was the original with our 90-year-old house, converted from coal-burning to gas sometime in the 50's, I think.) A part had rusted out thanks to flooding this summer while we were away on vacation, and they no longer manufacture parts for 90-year-old furnaces!:-O How amazing, right? Anyway, we took our time looking for a new part rather than biting the bullet and buying a new one quickly. Then there were delays for estimates, etc. So finally I am back in a modern U.S. home with central heating. The only bonus is that we also got central air with this unit, so life should be very comfortable whatever the season. Now we just have to figure out how to pay for it!;-( Lorie"}, {"response": 100, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Sat, Nov  8, 1997 (05:47)", "body": "You wouldn't like the heat in S. Calif. It's a different kind of heat. It's sticky and smoggy and overall nasty. I don't mind the heat in places like Palm Springs or Phoenix, Az. BUT L.A. heat is the worst. It's oppressing. I'm just wishing for a cool fall breeze or better yet, a nice spring day. Alicia"}, {"response": 101, "author": "JanineB", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 1997 (19:43)", "body": "Does anyone else think that Joe Lando is a work of art? I find him to be absolutely breathtaking. Janine"}, {"response": 102, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 1997 (20:15)", "body": "I used to watch Dr. Quinn just to drool over Joe. But I guess I grew tired of him. Or something. Dunno. Boy does that sound dumb! Maybe I just got tired of watching the show itself. He is very attractive, expecially because of his hair. I wish long hair on men would come back into fashion. If they only knew how sexy it is! My roommate has a passion for another long-haired beauty: Adrian Paul. Other TV cuties worth mentioning: PO5's Jeremy London. Oh mama, those eyes! :)"}, {"response": 103, "author": "Susan", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 1997 (04:57)", "body": "Where were you guys when I was talking about William Shockley (Hank) on Dr. Quinn? Talk about gorgeous hunks with long hair. Joe's not too bad, either, though. ;-)"}, {"response": 104, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 1997 (17:17)", "body": "Hank! Oh god yes. If I had to choose (such torture!) between Lando and Shockley, those golden locks would probably win."}, {"response": 105, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 1997 (21:53)", "body": "Charlotte -- a kindred soul! Have you checked out the Shockley website at http://www.williamshockley.simplenet.com/ ? The main picture alone is worth the visit. Need new wallpaper? ;-)"}, {"response": 106, "author": "Lise", "date": "Sat, Jan 24, 1998 (20:23)", "body": "I only saw the last episode of \"Tom Jones\" :(, but Max Beesley is cute :)"}, {"response": 107, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Tue, Jan 27, 1998 (18:40)", "body": "Does anyone think Chris Noth is fabulous? I simply adore the man. Absolutely hunky and Law & Order has never been the same since they fired him."}, {"response": 108, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Wed, Jan 28, 1998 (21:03)", "body": "I enjoyed him on L&O, too, but wish to see more of him. Where is he? Has he dropped off the face of the earth? Is he on Broadway or at the Burt Reynolds dinner theater in FL? I'll have to confess that my weakness isn't just for Chris, tho -- I really like almost everyone on L&O (not terribly fond of the new \"young\" guy, tho)."}, {"response": 109, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 1998 (00:10)", "body": "My main tv cutie has to be Allie McBeal. How can folks say she isn't cute?"}, {"response": 110, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 1998 (17:50)", "body": "She is very cute, but kind of awkward in real life, I think. She looked wonderful at the Golden Globes, but didn't appear to realize it herself. But then, confidence isn't necessary for cuteness. And her character is a hoot. I've only seen it a few times, but it's really a silly show."}, {"response": 111, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 1998 (17:51)", "body": "And I mean that as a compliment."}, {"response": 112, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 1998 (00:58)", "body": "The characters are really well developed in Ally McBeal, and there are some choice \"drool\" candidates for the women here as well as the men. I like the other two women lead roles also, even Allies spacey secretary and the lady who married her ex-boyfriend."}, {"response": 113, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 1998 (00:58)", "body": "The guy who was on er last night was cute George Eads, the one who liplocked with Carol. very handsome indeed."}, {"response": 114, "author": "gazeboo", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 1998 (02:43)", "body": "hmm, I've just realised that Sean Pertwee is really really cute :) I'm just back from seeing the film \"Stiff upper lips\" which was great.. if you like that sort of humour.. which I do :).... and well.. Mr Pertwee certainly made an impact with those eyes.. beautiful eyes indeed! and.. well.. I realised I'd seen him somewhere els, and it's the guy who played Hugh Beringer in the first Brother Cadfael series... rather well I thought? anyone else remember this cutie??"}, {"response": 115, "author": "deweycat", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 1998 (13:58)", "body": "I've recently become hooked on watching The Nanny. I know that Fran Drescher has an annoying voice, but I'll put up with almost anything to watch Charles Shaughnessey (There's something about a British accent)... I have a series of downloaded photographs that I change in and out as the background for my PC. The list is all British actors, including Colin Firth, Alan Rickman, Jeremy Northam, Charles Shaughnessey"}, {"response": 116, "author": "CatFan", "date": "Sun, Apr  5, 1998 (05:18)", "body": "Okay, I know this sounds ridiculous, but I just love Niles on \"Frazier\" (have gone blank on his name). I keep rooting for him and Daphne to get together, but know that it would actually ruin the show if they did. And, of course, there's David Duchovny on X-Files, who is so sexy, if a bit eccentric."}, {"response": 117, "author": "Ruperbear", "date": "Fri, May 26, 2000 (00:34)", "body": "Let's talk seriously here....How about Ioan Gruffudd? Doesn't he turn you on?"}, {"response": 118, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, May 26, 2000 (00:39)", "body": "Any Welshman has the inate ability to do interesting things to me."}, {"response": 119, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, May 26, 2000 (00:41)", "body": "Not sure about Ioan Gruffudd...but with a name like that he has gotta be sumthin else! Shall I hunt him up or shall you post his picture?"}, {"response": 120, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, May 26, 2000 (01:16)", "body": "There is a smashing image of Ioan here http://www.ioan.palacecreations.com/articles/ispeech.html He is gorgeous!!!"}, {"response": 121, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, May 27, 2000 (21:32)", "body": "What about a guy from Philly, Marcia? Will he turn you on? (grant it, he is a bit on the young side for you;)) This is David Boreanaz. Or if you like bad boy types;) This is James Marsters I like the bad ones;)"}, {"response": 122, "author": "Ruperbear", "date": "Sun, May 28, 2000 (00:26)", "body": "The second one is rather spooky.. Albino?"}, {"response": 123, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, May 28, 2000 (00:36)", "body": "Bleach! Bad one is the better choice but I think Ioan (and they are NEVER too young for me...or too old, for that matter. Each individual I judge on his own merits...;)"}, {"response": 124, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, May 28, 2000 (00:40)", "body": "Sorry, thought the top one was the bad boy - nope! You can keep the creepy one at the bottom. Not my style, actually..."}, {"response": 125, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, May 28, 2000 (01:53)", "body": "Hmmmm. James Marsters is supposed to be a vampire (that is why he is creepy:)) One on top is Vampire w/ soul. If he finds true happiness, he loses it and becomes Angelus the evil vampire;)"}, {"response": 126, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, May 28, 2000 (02:54)", "body": "Hmmm... guess that means another virgin has to be bitten and smitten before he can be saved, huh?! Where would the myth-makers be without us!"}, {"response": 127, "author": "Ruperbear", "date": "Sun, May 28, 2000 (12:51)", "body": "Marcia, I am with you. No comparison. Ioan is IT!"}, {"response": 128, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, May 28, 2000 (16:55)", "body": "Excellent taste! Pleased to meet you and Aloha!"}, {"response": 129, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (21:12)", "body": "What is the exact English translation of \"Ioan Gruffudd\"? Would that be \"handsome Welsh actor\" or \"John Griffith\"?"}, {"response": 130, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (21:21)", "body": "You really want to know? Ioan = John and I'm gonna have to look up Gruffudd which is a variant of Griffith but is not translated in my Welsh dictionary (Yes, I do have one!) Will check on the Welsh surname website ... Perhaps Rupert knows?!"}, {"response": 131, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, May 30, 2000 (21:23)", "body": "Yes. I do want to know. Thank you for checking."}, {"response": 132, "author": "Ruperbear", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (01:01)", "body": "Yes, Marcia. Gruffud is pronounced Griffith."}, {"response": 133, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May 31, 2000 (02:39)", "body": "Ooh... Have we a genuine article here? (I am all anticipation at the thought!) http://www.crosswinds.net/~daire/names/welshsurs.html Griffiths - from the Old Welsh name Grippiud, which became Gruffudd. Modern Welsh is Gruffydd. It was frequented as a name of Welsh princes and leaders. Old documents show it commonly abbreviated as Gr'. Griffith, Griffin, Griffies, Griffis, Guto, Gruffydd, Gruffudd."}, {"response": 134, "author": "odessa", "date": "Sun, Jun 18, 2000 (09:49)", "body": "Somebody talked about Paul Gross (long) before and I agree! drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 28, "subject": "Tom Cruise", "response_count": 35, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Donna", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (01:12)", "body": "Amy, Amy I know I asked for a Tom Cruise drool in my e-mail message. Yes he a good actor and might just get the best actor nod this time. He is everything amiable and I highly esteen him. He is very much a gentlemen. Thanks Amy,now to find some pics."}, {"response": 2, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (08:50)", "body": "The Firm was on last night. Jeanne Triplehorn. Woooo."}, {"response": 3, "author": "Inko", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (13:56)", "body": "Somebody should tell Rosie O'Donnell to join the drool topic here!! I believe she is the ultimate Tom Cruise fan!! Then, maybe she'd see the drool on Colin Firth and get him on her show??"}, {"response": 4, "author": "elder", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (14:06)", "body": "Inko -- I like the way your mind works. Now, is there someone with an address out there (for Rosie's show, that is)?"}, {"response": 5, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (15:04)", "body": "You can have Tom Cruise sounds : http://www.thezone.pair.com/cruise/sounds.htm Here's a good one : That's the one I prefer : And for the period piece lover in us : For those who are not afraid of controversy, check this link : http://www.riotiym.com/features/cruise/cruise.html And the bio from Mr. Showbiz : Real Name: Thomas Cruise Mapother IV Profile: Actor Birthdate: July 3, 1962 Birthplace: Syracuse, New York Sign: Sun in Cancer, Moon in Leo Education: High school dropout Relations: Ex-wife: Mimi Rogers; current wife: Nicole Kidman; kids: Isabella, Connor Anthony (both adopted) Quote: Let's just say there's not a drop of Jewish blood in him. --Rob Reiner, on Tom Cruise"}, {"response": 6, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (16:26)", "body": "How did we forget him the first time around? The pics are great. My favorite TC movie is Top Gun (what a cocky little stud!)."}, {"response": 7, "author": "Becks", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (23:00)", "body": "You know girls, that I have heard Rosie say on her show that she does surf the net quite a bit, so it would be worth giving her this address."}, {"response": 8, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (23:19)", "body": "Y'all are headed for daytime tv fame. I can tell. Next, oprah, then Geraldo. Then Regis and Kathie Lee. This is just the beginning."}, {"response": 9, "author": "Elaine", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 1997 (15:09)", "body": "The million dollar Cruise smile says it all...Life is good, great and glorious and I'm enjoying every minute."}, {"response": 10, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 1997 (08:48)", "body": "All I have to say about TC is UGH!!!!!"}, {"response": 11, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 1997 (12:34)", "body": "Laura: All I have to say about TC is UGH!!!!! And what does that mean Laura? Is that an \"UGH\" of the gutteral, inarticulate, words fail me when I look at this gorgeous man variety? Or was is an \"UGH\" of distaste and disdain? If the former, I can relate...if the latter, be careful now; some of us expressed the opinion that your Rupert was too young, but none of us dared to revile him in your presence... ;-)"}, {"response": 12, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 1997 (14:54)", "body": "] Next, oprah, then Geraldo. Guess we'll make those shows when the topic is \"Women Who Have Checked Reality and Live In a Regency Dreamworld!\". What a wonderful way for all of us to get together at someone else's expense! :-)"}, {"response": 13, "author": "elder", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 1997 (15:29)", "body": "Meggin -- let's try to schedule this topic over the summer. Maybe we could all get together in Hollywood and go on the show in costume! [If we have \"Checked Reality\" can we also be younger, etc. like when we visit Pemberley? ;-) )"}, {"response": 14, "author": "Saman", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 1997 (16:09)", "body": "Margaret - do you reckon they'd pay for an addict from New Zealand? I could add the freak sideshow element - \"Hey guys, you know they actually have TELEVISION over there!\""}, {"response": 15, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Tue, Feb 11, 1997 (23:38)", "body": "[If we have \"Checked Reality\" can we also be younger, etc. like when we visit Pemberley? ;-) ) But of course! The main point of going on the show is to bust up CF's romance and we'll need to check reality to do that---at least I will! ;-)"}, {"response": 16, "author": "Saman", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 1997 (14:06)", "body": "Getting back to Tom Cruise (not that the interruption wasn't welcome :) - I think he's going to miss out on an Oscar again. I haven't see Jerry Maguire, but I have seen Shine and heard rave reviews about Ralph Fiennes in TEP. Was Cruise nominated for \"A Few Good Men\"? Who won Best Actor that year?"}, {"response": 17, "author": "Donna", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 1997 (14:42)", "body": "Rosie just said today that its in the bag and last night on Charlie Rose (his guest were movie critics) and they all picked \"Tom Cruise\". He was nominated for \"Born of the Fourth of July\" super acting on his part. \"A Few Good Men\" I don't know but you could search at the Internet Movie Database: IMBD http://us.imdb.com/search.html"}, {"response": 18, "author": "Karen", "date": "Wed, Feb 12, 1997 (20:41)", "body": "I always thought Tom was cute but not for me. I must admit I found him really endearing when he was being interviewed by Oprah. She started asking him personal questions and started to blush, smile and stammer (reminds me of Darcy). He was so cute."}, {"response": 19, "author": "Saman", "date": "Thu, Feb 13, 1997 (13:33)", "body": "How recently did Oprah interview him? We get the \"famous\" interviews in primetime but I haven't heard anything about it yet."}, {"response": 20, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Thu, Feb 13, 1997 (20:42)", "body": "I feel the need to congratulate Tom baby on his recent Oscar nomination. I enjoyed the movie Jerry MaGuire and his performance very much, lots of range and depth of emotion here, he really isn't just a pretty face! (but it is a very pretty face!) I shall be pleased for him if he wins, (didn't he already win the Golden Globe for this?) but I don't believe I can root for him...my heart is already spoken for by Ralph Feinnes...*sigh* ;-)"}, {"response": 21, "author": "Saman", "date": "Thu, Feb 13, 1997 (21:08)", "body": "Cheryl - LOL! Having not seen TEP or Jerry Maguire I can't make a judgement about whether Ralph Fiennes or Tom Cruise deserves an Oscar - having been saturated by our media with David Helfgott interviews I'm increasingly impressed with Geoffrey Rush's portrayal of him in \"Shine\". I hope that he wins. I guess we have to remember that Academy awards don't always go to the most popular choice - remember how long it took Steven Spielberg to get one?"}, {"response": 22, "author": "Becks", "date": "Thu, Feb 13, 1997 (23:35)", "body": "I'd be happy with either Rush or Fiennes. But I think Rush will get it."}, {"response": 23, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 1997 (00:37)", "body": "Rebecca: I'd be happy with either Rush or Fiennes. But I think Rush will get it. yeah, the Academy has a thing for awarding Oscars to those playing emotionally or physically handicapped roles..."}, {"response": 24, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Fri, Feb 14, 1997 (14:18)", "body": "One can't be more physically handicapped than RF was for most of TEP---I hope he gets it---In fact, I hope TEP wins every award. Colin Firth's stock as an actor cannot help but soar to be associated with such a movie and then maybe he will get roles where he plays the lead!"}, {"response": 25, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 1997 (15:35)", "body": "yeah, the Academy has a thing for awarding Oscars to those playing emotionally or physically handicapped roles... Speaking of which, Tom Cruise (Born of the Fourth of July) lost to Daniel Day Lewis (My Left Foot). Now both of them played handicapped people, and I rooted for TC, but after DDL won I saw MLF and thought that he really was suffering for CP. Stupid little trivia"}, {"response": 26, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 1997 (17:42)", "body": "I thought \"My Left Foot\" was a great movie."}, {"response": 27, "author": "Becks", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 1997 (22:21)", "body": "Now I know we all think Tomie is a cutie, but what about Cuba Gooding Jr? Now I think he is adorable!"}, {"response": 28, "author": "Anne", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 1997 (16:05)", "body": "Did anybody see the Tom Cruise clip with Lea Thompson, yesterday. He looked so young! I think it was from the movie All The Right Moves??? But I have to say I liked Rosie's reaction the best."}, {"response": 29, "author": "Anne", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 1997 (16:06)", "body": "Ooops! Forgot to tell you it was on Rosie's show. Duh!"}, {"response": 30, "author": "elder", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 1997 (14:38)", "body": "An AP item (appeared in local newspaper Feb 27): Paris (AP) What men do French women find the sexiest? Here's a hint: He's not French. Actor Kevin Costner got the vote in a poll to appear Thursday in Paris Match magazine. Paul Newman came in second, followed by Mel Gibson and Tom Cruise. Harrison Ford rounded out the top five. How many Frenchwomen drool along with us here? :)"}, {"response": 31, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 1997 (13:42)", "body": "Sexappeal has not boundaries"}, {"response": 32, "author": "IrishSpirit", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 1997 (21:38)", "body": "Tom Cruise is one of many Gods, he is the hottest thing that ever lived. TopGun was the best movie, and why is that?! Tom made the movie complete!! Oh, and you gotta give him credit to him for playing that awesome role in Jerry Maguire!!! Off to see my honey..."}, {"response": 33, "author": "Mavric", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 1997 (11:48)", "body": "I agree Caitlin. Top Gun is the best nad of course I don't have to tell you why! Has anyone seen Cocktail?"}, {"response": 34, "author": "Baily", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 1997 (22:08)", "body": "Amy I think he is a really good actor, but I mean,with that smile..."}, {"response": 35, "author": "EEK", "date": "Fri, Apr  3, 1998 (12:17)", "body": "Tom Cruise, what fabulous actor. He is a well-rounded, dwon to earth guy, look at him on talk shows, especially Rosie. He blushes because he is embarrassed, he is too cute! I love all his movies, the best has to be \"Top Gun.\" Or maybe he just looked the best in that! drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 29, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 3, "subject": "Rupert Graves", "response_count": 68, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 1997 (15:40)", "body": "Amy, I have to thank you. And I will convert how about we watch Maurice? Any takers"}, {"response": 2, "author": "Susan", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 1997 (00:10)", "body": "Still waiting for that picure!"}, {"response": 3, "author": "Susan", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 1997 (09:44)", "body": "One more thing: Laura, do you know when Tenant of Wildfell Hall will be shown in the US? I've been intrigued ever since I read that they gave your RP a 10 on the Darcy scale in that role."}, {"response": 4, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 1997 (15:39)", "body": "Susan I don't know when it will be on but it should be on PBS seeing that WGBH produced it with the BBC. Here is a picture of Rupert, susan he really is a cutie"}, {"response": 5, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 1997 (15:44)", "body": "Oh here's the other one"}, {"response": 6, "author": "Susan", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 1997 (22:17)", "body": "I agree, he's cute, but maybe a little too young looking for me. I'd like to see him in an actual role. I'll be on the lookout for him."}, {"response": 7, "author": "Ann2", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 1997 (17:43)", "body": "how about we watch Maurice?// Laura, good idea. It has been discussed earlier, but I for one think those discussions must be allowed to go on for a while, as not everybody has the time or money to watch a new movie every week, discuss on Sunday and then leave it. And it certainly fits into this topic as far as I can remember from earlier viewing..."}, {"response": 8, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 1997 (01:21)", "body": "hey everyone! though my heart belongs to jeremy northam, i thought i'd stop by and leave a quick note. i just got back from having dinner with a friend, whose actually an agent's assistant over at william morris. turns out rupert is one of william morris' clients!!! my friend doesn't work for him, but says the agent who represents our dear rupert (\"freddy my love\") also represents minnie driver, daniel day-lewis, ewan mcgregor, RUFUS SEWELL and a bunch more! anyway, i'm going over to william morris this week to meet my friend for lunch. hope to bump into someone! i'll keep you posted!"}, {"response": 9, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 1997 (07:43)", "body": "Having such connexion must highten your chances of meeting men of any consideration in the world of the movie business"}, {"response": 10, "author": "Ann2", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 1997 (14:53)", "body": "Winter!! I'll keep my fingers crossed or whatever is necessary for your good luck...Looking forward to your inside reports...imagine Daniel D-L, and Minnie Driver , only seen her in Circle o F, but she sure made you want to renew the accquaintance."}, {"response": 11, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 1997 (15:26)", "body": "I just saw Minnie Driver last night in the movie The Big Night and she was beautiful! I had read that she had gained a lot of weight for the Bernie role in Circle of Friends , but had never seen her in anything else. She was lovely and did a good American accent to boot!"}, {"response": 12, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 1997 (16:43)", "body": "She is absolutely lovely in The Politician's Wife. This three-hour drama tells the tale of a suave Tory minister (Trevor Eve) whose brief affair with a parliamentary researcher and former call girl (Minnie Driver) suddenly appears in the tabloids. His wife, Flora (Juliet Stevenson), is pressured to stand by her man to save his political career. on Mobil Masterpiece Theatre, in January"}, {"response": 13, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 1997 (21:02)", "body": "Odd you should mention Trevor Eve, Johanne. He was a hearthrob of mine twenty years ago, as Eddie Shoestring. He was even quite nice as that slimeball politician. And absolutely wonderful in Jamaica Inn!(dear me, I have Got to get this hormone thing under control.......)"}, {"response": 14, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 1997 (09:24)", "body": "Winter if you ever get to meet My Rupert. Tell him his biggest fan is in Boston, MA. I LOVE RUPERT!!!!"}, {"response": 15, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Feb  3, 1997 (21:31)", "body": "will do! by the way, i've heard he's a real sweetheart (very polite, etc.). Rumor is, that Minnie Driver IS NOT (A BIG complainer with her agent). (BTW, i was just in boston less than a month ago... cambrige to be exact)"}, {"response": 16, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 1997 (09:24)", "body": "I would absolutely die if he were come to Boston. I'd love to see him in the theater. Boston is where pre-Broadway shows come, so maybe."}, {"response": 17, "author": "Amy", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (16:13)", "body": "Oh no. Old is new has struck this conference now."}, {"response": 18, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 1997 (14:26)", "body": "Laura, had to tell you that I just finished reading Tenant of Wildfell Hall, and liked it very much -- in fact, much more than Wuthering Heights, which was never one of my favorites. So now I have to ask: did Rupert Graves portray Huntingdon? And who played Markham and Lawrence? Of course, I can't wait to see it now and hope it comes to the US soon."}, {"response": 19, "author": "bernie", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 1997 (12:45)", "body": "Yes, Rupert Graves plays Huntingdon. Toby Stephens is Gilbert Markham."}, {"response": 20, "author": "Ann", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 1997 (20:05)", "body": "There was an article in last Sunday's New York Times about Rupert Graves (Sept 28). The article should be up on the NYTimes site until the end of the week. The URL is http://www.nytimes.com/yr/mo/day/artleisure/28lyal-filmcol.html Registration for the site is required but very easy."}, {"response": 21, "author": "Theresa", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 1997 (07:55)", "body": "test"}, {"response": 22, "author": "Lillia", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 1997 (07:49)", "body": "Hey! I'm completely infatuated with Rupert Graves- the most brilliant actors of this generation. Do any of you have any personal info about him?:) Thanx"}, {"response": 23, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 1997 (21:50)", "body": "Emily, I see you started a topic for Rupert Graves. Since there was already a topic for him, I've moved your 2 posts to this board as it was the larger. ____________ Hi! I'm back! I just received some lovely info about our dear Rupert! At 15, he dropped out of school, and joined the circus where he was a tightrope walker and a clown. He was born June 30, 1963 in Weston-Super Mare, England. Have fun:) ____________ Good news gals in the U.S. :) Rupert will be appearing in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall on PBS, Sunday, October 26, at 9 p.m. ET Have fun watching it! (I know I will:)) ____________"}, {"response": 24, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Oct 25, 1997 (13:24)", "body": "Tomorrow night is the big night for Ann Bronte's \"Tenant...\" production on tv, so start warming up your vcrs. I will be poised by the record button for sure. Can we have a discussion of \"Tenant . . .\" without spoiling the ending along the lines of background and what to watch for, etc.? I'll surely want to talk about this next week, after seeing this Bronte tv dramatization firsthand!"}, {"response": 25, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Sat, Oct 25, 1997 (21:24)", "body": "Background tidbit for you that doesn't give away the show: Anne's views on religion are very central to the book -- so watch and see if TV feels that such topics are taboo. I'm willing to bet we'll be able to watch and never hear a word about God. Personally, I'm excited to see the landscape -- my imagination of Wildfell hasn't been satisfying, and I seem to confuse it with Wuthering Heights' house (although the two houses might have been based on the same place near the Brones-- other people here will know more about that than me). Plus, this is probably the only Bronte book that dwells on scenes set in \"high society\" of the 1820's, and I'm excited to compare the dramatization with those of the Austen novels. Oh, I know some movie versions of WH show scenes at the Grange, but they're just the glimpses that Heathcliff gets. Here, the charatcers live in that setting. Happy watching, Terry and everyone else. I can't wait!"}, {"response": 26, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Oct 25, 1997 (21:35)", "body": "Wow, this is like our \"pregame show\" without Dan, Al and Frank. Y'all are so much nicer."}, {"response": 27, "author": "Shade", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 1997 (18:27)", "body": "Im 17 and just saw Rupert in the tenant last week and Im in love!!!!!!!!!!!!I havent really been able to find out much about him though.But I have A room with a view on tape so I saw him in that.Could you all please please tell me every little thing you can about him?His movies his life everything!Someone on the web told me he was gay.I dont care if he is I was just wondering if it was true.Please please please e-mail me at Lutz3@Webtv.net and tell me all you know PLEASE!"}, {"response": 28, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 1997 (20:03)", "body": "Or better yet, tell all you know here and then, lutz, you can check back in from time to time and the whole world will know. Or at least the spring's little backwater part of the world."}, {"response": 29, "author": "Shade", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 1997 (11:16)", "body": "Has anyone here seen the movie Different for girls or know when it will be out on tape?I really wanna see it.There is a seen in it in which Rupert shows all!Well since no one else is posting I will tell all I know.Hes 34(twice my age!)he was born in Weston super-mare,he was in a punk band as a youth called new Lumbago,and he first started acting in the play The killing of mr toad when he was 19.Ok people come on!E-mail me and tell me some good stuff!!!!!"}, {"response": 30, "author": "pip", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 1997 (11:46)", "body": "Am I in the rupert graves page? If I am truly here, can anyone answer the sexual preference question, rupertwise? Its really paramount in my mind. After the other rupert (everett) came out, he became as appealing to me as paul lynde in drag. Which is to say, not at all apppealing. I really have to know about \"our\" rupert!"}, {"response": 31, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 1997 (23:31)", "body": "Two Rupert Graves topics seemed a little redundant to me, so I've moved the posts from topic 64 and have retired that one... ----------------------- Thu, Oct 23, 1997 (07:46) | Emily Roll (Lillia) Hey! Iv'e got some great news about our dear Rupert! He will be appearing in the BBC production of The Tenant of Wildfell Hall on PBS. It's showing on October 26 at 9 p.m. I've also aquired some great biographical information over the net. He was born June 30, 1963 in Weston-super-Mare (England). At the age of 15, Rupert dropped out of school and joined a local circus :) Have fun, and let me know if you have any other info on our Rupert! 5 responses total. Topic 64 of 66 [drool]: Rupert Graves Response 1 of 5: Nan (nan) * Thu, Oct 23, 1997 (10:38) * 6 lines Emily, I guess you didn't see my post at the other Rupert Graves topic (#3) and your listed email doesn't appear to work. I deleted the topic #63 you started the other day because there was already an existing topic for this actor. BTW, I found the following Rupert Graves site--there aren't many out there. Maybe that's a mission for you! ;-) But there are some very pleasant photos: Rupert Graves Topic 64 of 66 [drool]: Rupert Graves Response 2 of 5: Emily Roll (Lillia) * Fri, Oct 24, 1997 (11:22) * 26 lines Thanx a lot! I've had trouble with my e-mail. My new address is lillia333@yahoo.com Everyone, feel free to e-mail me (or write me here) if you find any info on Rupert or any other English god. Here are some pretty nice web sites that pertain to Rupert: www.qni.com www.ptw.com www.hollywood.com www.flp.com www.kstandard.com www.fabsites.com www.home2highway.or.jp/lucas/rupert/gallery.htm Have fun with these top of the line sites. I will (hopefully) be starting my very own Rupert Graves page soon :) Topic 64 of 66 [drool]: Rupert Graves Response 3 of 5: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Fri, Oct 24, 1997 (14:45) * 3 lines Do we have a volunteer to ask these sites to link to our Rupert topic here? (looks around to see if anyone raises their hand, don't be shy) Topic 64 of 66 [drool]: Rupert Graves Response 4 of 5: Laura McCarthy (LauraMM) * Wed, Nov 12, 1997 (12:58) * 1 lines So I see many people here have found MY Rupert. I was the original person who started the Number 3 drool with Amy's help. I tried clicking on the link but it said hostname unknown. Just thought I would let you guys now that I have and always will adore Rupert or as I affectionately call him My Rupert. Topic 64 of 66 [drool]: Rupert Graves Response 5 of 5: Laura McCarthy (LauraMM) * Wed, Nov 19, 1997 (14:49) * 1 lines Hello, has the Rupert fanaticism died down. How could it. Those eyes, that voice"}, {"response": 32, "author": "meegat", "date": "Wed, Nov 26, 1997 (02:58)", "body": "The world of Rupertdom shall not die - ne'er fear my fellow lusty girls (and boys)! Firstly - I dont make it into uni (where I have limited internet access) So I shall make this entry a heafty one! Some info for you all - Rupert is NOT gay He lives with his university attending girlfriend called Yvonne and dog Roland in Stoke Newington, London. He won best actor at the Montreal Film Festival in 1996 for his part in Intimate Relations and Different For Girls won Best film. In all the interviews I have read, he is funny, self depreciating and VERY charming. Although the name Rupert does conjure up images of poets and tea on the lawn, he was in fact names after a rather rough Welshman that his mum f ncied! He spent some of his youth in the Weston Super Mare circus before going into theatre and film . Room With a View was his first film and apparently he was initially very embarressed by the nude scene but after 3 days filming he felt liberated. He says that he doesnt have a preference for the gender of his love scene partner- its ALL just embaressing! I must get back to essay writing - someone please do email me; 9407707u@magpie.magill.unisa.edu.au Happy lusting xxx"}, {"response": 33, "author": "Lillia", "date": "Mon, Dec  1, 1997 (11:47)", "body": "That was sooooo relieving, thanx! Now we only have to do something about this Yvonne.............."}, {"response": 34, "author": "pip", "date": "Mon, Dec  1, 1997 (13:06)", "body": "THANK YOU MEEGAT!! (Magpie?) The world of Rupertdom is thankful and blessed by your knowledge, and yet there is still Yvonne. Oh well.....they're not married yet. He's still fair game!"}, {"response": 35, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Dec  1, 1997 (14:18)", "body": "His new movie just opened in Boston, BENT. Can't wait to see it. Missed Different for Girls when it opened here in October, but I was in Ireland. Oh yeah, he and Yvonne are no longer together."}, {"response": 36, "author": "babo", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 1997 (03:36)", "body": "hello everyone out there! i'm glad to see that there are so many fans....sadly, my friends have no idea who is he. i've seen a lot of rupert graves's movies,but i have to say that he will always be freddy honeychurch to me. by the way....any john cusack people?"}, {"response": 37, "author": "pip", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 1998 (22:09)", "body": "The other night on the Charlie Rose show (pbs), Charlie was interviewing Kevin Spacey. Mr Spacey will be starring soon in a 4 month London run of the \"Iceman Cometh\", with (tadah!) Rupert Graves. Oh you luck Londonites!"}, {"response": 38, "author": "crispie", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 1998 (21:13)", "body": "Hello folks ... as a long time Rupert fan, it was nice to find I am not alone! Have any of you seen \"Fortunes of War\" ... made for the BBC with a very young Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson (and our Rupert) in 1987 ... shortly after Room with a View and Maurice. He plays young Army officer in Egypt, who gets wounded and has to learn to walk again. It is very nice to see him in an early and rather intense role. He seems too cute for the part at first but he has an intensity that really hits in a one scene and it was then that I thought he was more than just a (very) pretty face and I began to follow his career. Worth looking out for ...and for Ken & Emm fans an absolute must! chris"}, {"response": 39, "author": "pip", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 1998 (11:09)", "body": "Chris- \"Fortunes of War\" is where I first discovered our dear Rupert. He actually looks alot like an old boyfriend of mine, so I think that was the initial hook. But then I saw \"Maurice\" and I was in lust forever. I didn't catch the ending to Fortunes. Can you tell me what happened to all the characters? Much thanks."}, {"response": 40, "author": "crispie", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 1998 (02:12)", "body": "Pip, (SPOILER for OTHER READERS ....in case you don't like reading the end of a book first) Well after much too-ing and fro-ing Emma and Ken get back together. In the middle of which Rupert ...looking marvellous in uniform, is badly wounded and spends a lot of time recuperating, with th aid of Ken. The final shot is wonderful, with Rupert, Ken and Emm sitting atop a pyramid with Ken asking Emm if she will stay with him ...and she says she is not sure...well is that too close to the truth or what! Meanwhile Rupert just stares off into the distance as the camera pulls back. Now I agree with your comments about Maurice ...but the Room with a View bathing scene was pretty enlightening as well. chris"}, {"response": 41, "author": "nink", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 1998 (02:12)", "body": "Hey! What a fun place to be! Thanks Crispie! ;) I just saw him in the HBO film \"Plot to Kill Hitler.\" He has such a small role, but he is so wonderfully intense, a German soldier talking about his unpardonable actions at a concentration camp, he agrees to do a suicide murder attempt on The Fuhrer. What a guy! And again - so young, so cute! If anyone's interested, you can check out my webpage at: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Delphi/7724/gravesindex.html Later! Nink"}, {"response": 42, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 1998 (07:52)", "body": "Nink, I checked out your page. Great job. I have been an intense RG fan for years now. Cool!!"}, {"response": 43, "author": "nink", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 1998 (09:49)", "body": "Laura, Glad you liked it! He's such a busy guy, it's hard to keep up with him! He's been nominated for an Olivier Award (British theater!) for the play Hurly Burly. Good Luck Rupert! Who thought he was just too cute with \"Darcy hair\" in Tenant? Nink"}, {"response": 44, "author": "AllisonM", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 1998 (07:04)", "body": "You might like to know that Rupert Graves will be appearing in the Iceman Cometh at the Almeida Theatre in London from 2 April to 23 May. Could be worth the air fare?"}, {"response": 45, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 1998 (10:42)", "body": "And with Virgin Atlantic practically giving airfares away it could indeed be worth the trip. Tho' I absolutely adore the radio commericials for this airline. Ha!!! too funny!!!!"}, {"response": 46, "author": "pip", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 1998 (13:19)", "body": "Hey y'all- If anyone wants to put together a trip, e-mail me (seriously - I'm due for my dose of London)."}, {"response": 47, "author": "crispie", "date": "Sun, Feb  1, 1998 (20:41)", "body": "ooooo ... you horrible people ... do realise how far it is from Oz to london! I hope you all get air sick!!!!!!! I hope you all go and have a wonderful time but remember all those poor RG fans who can't make it! cb"}, {"response": 48, "author": "pip", "date": "Mon, Feb  2, 1998 (09:34)", "body": "Crispie- Forgive me for being such a numbskull, but are you in Australia? I live near Philadelphia, so a trip over the pond isn't so far fetched. In fact, I've had a long, euphoric/tortured history with London,having worked there for a while. I'm thinking that I need to go over there to settle a score with an old \"crush\", and I figure, taking in a play with both Kevin Spacey and Rupert Graves would just be too wonderful!"}, {"response": 49, "author": "crispie", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 1998 (14:49)", "body": "G'day mates, Yes I live the loverly land downunder! All koalas and kangaroos and it is summertime down here!!! Chris"}, {"response": 50, "author": "waspfactory", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 1998 (16:17)", "body": "Forgive me, but don't you think this is all a little unfair. Surely Rupert, and every other actor, should be allowed a private life. Telling people the name of his girlfriend and his dog is surely an invasion of his privacy."}, {"response": 51, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 1998 (10:41)", "body": "Actually he said the name of his dog and girlfriend in a newspaper article which is where that information came from. So maybe you should question RGs motives:)"}, {"response": 52, "author": "pip", "date": "Fri, Feb  6, 1998 (08:31)", "body": "Here here, Laura! Whats said here is very benign stuff - curious, and adoring for the most part. Waspfactory - don't be such a party pooper."}, {"response": 53, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Feb  6, 1998 (10:17)", "body": "Obviously how is one going to know his girlfriends' name unless he is the one who tells the reporter. Most of us live in the states and he's in Blimey olde England, we're not stalking him. Don't you feel some people should just lighten up!! I mean one only lives once, unless your Shirley Maclain or Dionne Warwick! This is pure harmless fun. If she wants to get embarrassed or fed Waspfactory should check out the Colin Firth page, ha!"}, {"response": 54, "author": "waspfactory", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 1998 (13:00)", "body": "Part Pooper? Please! I have been friends of Rupert and his family for sometime now and know how hurtful assumption, lies and gossip can be. How do you think it feels for Rupert's girlfriend to read that she and Rupert have split up? This is an outright lie! Where do people get such information? Just for the record, this is very unlikely to happen - they are extremely happy together."}, {"response": 55, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 1998 (08:49)", "body": "And in the Arena he lives in; he would have to buck up and just let it flow right by. Obviously, if they are just rumors, they shouldn't bother him. But and Britain is most famous for this, the rag magazines will publish Anything , now whether fans accept what is written and what is passed around, should not be taken as the gospel truth. Somehow RG doesn't seem like a Computer kinda guy. Sorry."}, {"response": 56, "author": "pip", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 1998 (19:11)", "body": "Just have to say (to waspfactory) and any other indignant soul who passes through this way..... There is a difference between an on-line pajama-party and a malevolent cabal of libel-mongers, the latter being what you seem to think this is. But its not. Its an on-line pajama party, a little stress reliever on the job, a place to dish and have a little fun."}, {"response": 57, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 1998 (08:12)", "body": "sorta like tv. don't like it, don't watch it ;)"}, {"response": 58, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Thu, Mar 19, 1998 (23:34)", "body": "Any luck with ICQ Charlotte? When I was installing it I got so frustrated because I had gotten it installed, and even registered but I didn't know why my little daisy wouldn't come up green when I was online. Somehow I figured it out."}, {"response": 59, "author": "carly", "date": "Sat, Mar 21, 1998 (23:37)", "body": "I fell in love with Rupert in A Room with a View (along with Julian Sands, who is losing his hair), but I was disappointed with him in Tenant. I don't think he has aged well."}, {"response": 60, "author": "CatFan", "date": "Wed, Mar 25, 1998 (21:15)", "body": "I'll bet I'm older than all of you all (I'm older than Rupert), but he's my favorite actor! Even we career women/moms like him. The young girls can have Leonardo DiCaprio. I'll take Rupert's British accent and gorgeous smile any day! All the information that's been passed along here has appeared in his own interviews, so waspfactory's indignation is a bit misplaced (although as a proclaimed PERSONAL FRIEND of Rupert's, I guess she's watching out for him, as well as dropping his name). I'd guess that upert's girlfriend doesn't get \"hurt\" by reading some silly rumour that they've broken up, especially since it appeared here and not in a supermarket tabloid. In response to Carly, in my opinion Rupert is \"aging\" wonderfully. He's still a young guy, so aging is not really an issue until he hits 50."}, {"response": 61, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Mar 26, 1998 (10:23)", "body": "Welcome, Susan... I felt the same way about waspfactory's response. Name dropping, to me, just is sooo kitschy (and tacky!!). And when I babysat Joey McIntyre of New Kids on the Block, he really was a great kid!!!;)"}, {"response": 62, "author": "CatFan", "date": "Sat, Apr  4, 1998 (23:09)", "body": "Does anyone know how the reviews are for Rupert's new play with Kevin Spacey (The Iceman Cometh), which just opened in London? And does any lucky soul have the wherewithal to go to London to see it?"}, {"response": 63, "author": "CatFan", "date": "Fri, Apr 10, 1998 (20:45)", "body": "Where is everyone?"}, {"response": 64, "author": "Wanda", "date": "Sun, May  3, 1998 (23:23)", "body": "(Heide)Though it is also sad, it seems that John's survival tact was flippancy. This of course shows his type of humor too. (Jana) ...a quote from Terry Anderson's book. \"I think John, with his wit and ability to get along has been Brian's buffer, in turn Brian's steely integrity and toughness have helped John.\" I've read both Brain Keenan's and Terry Anderson's books and both men commented on the fact the John was the most easy going and likeable of all the men who were held together. Each felt that his humor and easy manner were invaluable to the group. The movie does make him appear a bit flip, but he doesn't come off that way in either book. John and Brain were held together during most of their captivity and had become extremely close. The Americans were a little jealous of their relationship when they firs met them. Anderson said that there was a lot more bickering among the Americans than they portrayed in the 1 1/2hr. movie and that John and Brian distanced themselves from that. After Brain's release, Terry and John grew closer and Anderson credits John with being a stabilizing force for the rest. Sounds like DB got to portray truly admirable man, not that they all weren't, but both Keenan and Anderson wrote of John McCarthy with great fondness. Sorry to go on so, just thought it provide a little insight into the character."}, {"response": 65, "author": "pip", "date": "Mon, Jun 22, 1998 (11:30)", "body": "Video release: \"Different for Girls\"; June 23, 1998."}, {"response": 66, "author": "CatFan", "date": "Fri, Jun 26, 1998 (20:22)", "body": "Yes, it's been released, but none of the stores in my city have it yet. The ones who plan to get it cannot explain why it hasn't come in yet. I'm anxiously awaiting."}, {"response": 67, "author": "pip", "date": "Wed, Jul  1, 1998 (13:28)", "body": "I can't find it either! My local video store (Hollywood video) doesn't have it, and I don't know who does. Very frustrating. If anybody out there knows where a copy of this video is in the greater Philadelphia region, please post it here!!!!"}, {"response": 68, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Tue, Aug 29, 2000 (21:47)", "body": "Hurrah for Rupert! drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 30, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 300, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 31, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 32, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 33, "subject": "Steven Waddington", "response_count": 48, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 1997 (10:56)", "body": "http://www.yearling.com/data/yearling/externals/ivanhoe-feat.html This is the link to Ivanhoe I have tried four times to get this right.This is the last time till tomorrow. SW-his name is spelt two ways on the net, it seems, has turned up a lot on my T.V. in the last year.RSC trained, great bod, ski-run nose( I like) and looks better scruffy, imho.No-one has to drool with me here, I'll be happy on my own, but if anyone can post some pictures, I'll be very grateful."}, {"response": 2, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 1997 (10:59)", "body": "It worked!Amy, I have already thanked you four times but they were lost in the ether. This time it should show."}, {"response": 3, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 1997 (12:22)", "body": "Caroline, is this the man who was seen in the Ivanhoe previews shown last night during Emma ? If so, I see some definate possibilites here! Scruffy indeed! ;-) Was also pleased to see that our Cairan Hinds will be in it as well! A twofer! ;-)"}, {"response": 4, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 1997 (13:26)", "body": "Cheryl, with Mr W, CH and Christopher Lee in it, I won't know whose side to be on!And if you are looking to see Mr W naked/wet/sweaty/ suffering then you should look up \"Edward II\" by Chris. Marlowe. It's a very nasty story, though and I wouldn't want to drool over his character at all!But a very well-done movie, nonetheless. Of course, he is also naked and wet in \"Carrington\"- even nearly falls in the river! Then he's a sailor in \"1492\" but there, Gerard takes over, I'm afraid. And if anyone saw \"Resort to Murder\", a modern thriller set in Brighton(yes) then he was Neville, the hero's cheeky sidekick with an expression like a labrador puppy up to mischief, and three-day stubble. A dark-eyed strawberry blond man. yummy. Yes, he's the lead in Ivanhoe too.Might even induce me to attempt to read Sir Walter Scott again."}, {"response": 5, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 1997 (14:48)", "body": "Caroline: Of course, he is also naked and wet in \"Carrington\"- even nearly falls in the river! well, I may finally have to break down and rent that movie! ;-)"}, {"response": 6, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 1997 (15:34)", "body": "I thought he looked a little like Errol Flynn. Did anyone else see this resemblence?"}, {"response": 7, "author": "maud", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 1997 (16:56)", "body": "Cheryl, I felt like I would never want to bother with Carrinton. Then I heard that Jeremy had a part in it. However, before we ever see Mr. Northam there is Mr. W, wet and naked. Drool indeed."}, {"response": 8, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Mon, Feb 17, 1997 (21:25)", "body": "I thought he looked a little like Errol Flynn. Did anyone else see this resemblence? No, Carolyn, I cannot say that I have.Please give me more directions on this. I will make it a project if you like;-)"}, {"response": 9, "author": "Ann2", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 1997 (12:33)", "body": "That Carrington stuff seems to be very nourishing...! My inclination to rent it gets stronger by the hour. And another Ivanhoe, never heard of it; we are a bit behind up north, have not had a chance to view The English Patient yet. But we have no polar bears on streets and we can read and write..."}, {"response": 10, "author": "Amy", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 1997 (12:44)", "body": "Ann2, dear, I heard you had polar bears who could read and write."}, {"response": 11, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 1997 (12:54)", "body": "I'm confused, which is not surprising. Did SW play Carrington's husband? The beefy, burly, brawny, adonis, the one who ended up hooking up with Alex Kingston? I have seen in twice, and very recently. Actually the most shocking scene was the one with JN and ET on the boat and he Behind her. I never expected to see ET do a role like that. She always seems so virginal."}, {"response": 12, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 1997 (15:40)", "body": "]No, Carolyn, I cannot say that I have.Please give me more directions on this. I will make it a project if you like;-) It may have been just the beard and the (short) haircut, but he reminded me of Errol Flynn in Robin Hood. I have never heard of him before seeing the A&E \"Behind the Scenes\" segment."}, {"response": 13, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Tue, Feb 18, 1997 (21:27)", "body": "Yes Laura, you have him nailed. He is the reason I watched Carrington, and the reason why JN didn't even register with me."}, {"response": 14, "author": "SYLVIA", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 1997 (10:08)", "body": "SW looked extremely sexy and i first took notice in Last of the Mohicans, however he kept his clothes on in that one."}, {"response": 15, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 1997 (12:31)", "body": "I knew I had a reason to watch thet movie again;-D"}, {"response": 16, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 1997 (22:15)", "body": "I come over here to drool quietly where no-one is looking. I actually have some pictures to put up now, but they don't seem to want to transfer, inspite of Donna's help. Oh, well, try again tomorrow."}, {"response": 17, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 1997 (22:49)", "body": "I come over here to drool quietly where no-one is looking. I actually have some pictures to put up now, but they don't seem to want to transfer, inspite of Donna's help. Oh, well, try again tomorrow."}, {"response": 18, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 1997 (13:10)", "body": "Pictures time : brought to you by Carolineevans, scriptor/researcher to the stars Ivanhoe Last of the Mohicans Carrington"}, {"response": 19, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 1997 (07:38)", "body": "Merci, mon ange, de mon p'tit gar!C'est dommage quand-meme que ces photos ne le flatte pas. Je ne sais pas pourquoi l'inforoute ne fait honneur a un homme si beau, mais au fond, c'est peutetre avantage de le garder chez nous!(je m'excuse de ne pas utiliser mes codes ascii, ils sont encore disparu.)"}, {"response": 20, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 1997 (01:03)", "body": "Pourrions-nous lui faire honneur? As mentionned, these pictures are not doing him honor at all, him being such an handsome man. Should anybody has some lovelier pictures, do not hesitate in sending them to me to be scanned and return. I'll gladly put them up on the board at your wishes. Pleasure love :)"}, {"response": 21, "author": "Amy", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 1997 (01:35)", "body": "Johanne, do you have a scanner?"}, {"response": 22, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 1997 (01:59)", "body": "Hubby at work does, and am in possession of zillions of regency costumes pictures to be shown in new page-now in the making :) May I be of any assistance in this department Amy, be glad to :)"}, {"response": 23, "author": "Amy", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 1997 (04:19)", "body": "Thanks, Jo, I can't think of anything at the moment, but it's nice to know you can do it. Can't wait to see the page. Hey, speaking of period clothing, are you aware of a device that was used a little later in the 19th century, when waltzing came in, to hook the skirt to the ladies wrist for better clearance from the floor?"}, {"response": 24, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 1997 (15:22)", "body": "Amy, I have seen such a device on victorian costumes in the V&A museum in London. Sometimes it's a little clip thing, like a clothes-pin, attatched to one glove, somtimes it hangs from the waist on a ribbon- not very satisfactory, i think. I know modern ballroom-dancers usually use just a loop of fine cord or ribbon, which can be quickly looped over a button-less obtrusive, easier to do."}, {"response": 25, "author": "Amy", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 1997 (16:49)", "body": "Oh, good. Caroline. Thank you. I thought I was dreaming it."}, {"response": 26, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (12:31)", "body": "Been doing a bit of checking around, Amy, most of the paper around 1880 til 1900 like the Moniteur de Paris mention that a lady holds her trained skirt in a very skilled manner but I've seen a loop of fine cord or ribbon before hidden under a row of frill. Have to look again for the clip"}, {"response": 27, "author": "churchh", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (13:06)", "body": "Is the thing at the bottom of the front of the lady's dress in this pic something like that? (It can't be the tip of her shoe...)"}, {"response": 28, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (13:44)", "body": "Looks more like where a shoe should be, this type of ball gown would not require an attachment of any kind. When the flaired gore skirt (re)appeared in 1879, usually as trained skirt, the hoop would have been on the back side, 3/4 in the back, I believe. Here is a two pieces evening dress from Worth, dated 1890 more like this 1875 morning dress : or this 1875-76 afternoon dress :"}, {"response": 29, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (13:56)", "body": "Meet me at ramble to continue this, shall we let this space to Mr. Waddington?"}, {"response": 30, "author": "churchh", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (14:00)", "body": "Johanne -- The Hippopotamus Polka thing is from about 1850, and the little pointy thing doesn't really look like the tip of her shoe to me.. Looks more like a little weight or something, hanging from the lower hem..."}, {"response": 31, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (14:12)", "body": "looks kind of square, yes, but what we are looking for should be in the back...or on the side..."}, {"response": 32, "author": "Amy", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (15:39)", "body": "I love that white morning dress from 1875, response #28. Johanne, let's start a new topic for this stuff in Austen. Now I really can't wait for you to get your page up. Maybe you ought to have your own conference, even."}, {"response": 33, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 1997 (12:40)", "body": "Happy thoughts indeed, Amy, way not enough time :) but nothing is impossible :)"}, {"response": 34, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 1997 (12:50)", "body": "BTW, for the die-hard fan, this white dress is for sale : #C2012. MORNING DRESS (C.1875) White batiste 2 piece \"breakfast\" dress. Trained underskirt & slightly bustled over-dress trimmed with self ruffle edged with handmade Valenciennes lace. Over dress has several ivory silk ribbon bows down front center & on sleeves. Very good condition. $575.00 Check the link for other pieces : http://www.victoriana.com/antiques/costum2.html"}, {"response": 35, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (21:52)", "body": "I don't dare check the link, Johanne, I'm looking for somthing to wear to a Mess Dinner, but I cannot afford that!"}, {"response": 36, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (22:23)", "body": "Do you have little mouses whom could sew for you or are you skillfull in the art of garment-making, if so let me share with you some of my regency patterns :)"}, {"response": 37, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (22:32)", "body": "little mouses? like Cinderella, perhaps? :)"}, {"response": 38, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (22:37)", "body": "like the tailor of Gloucester (recent acquisition for Laurence :) ) Don't you love Gus and Jack? Yes, those dress are not very afordable and would certainly not fit me ! Great to look at tought"}, {"response": 39, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (22:44)", "body": "I loved peeking at the link, Johanne! However, making it up would be expensive enough, eh?"}, {"response": 40, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (22:47)", "body": "Depends with what, if you use simple cotton muslin, would'nt be that bad, 5 or 6 meter possibly, nothing to extravagant. BTW Cindy, received your e-mail, glad you're interested, am now listing what is available and some pictures will be available too, I'll let you know tomorrow for sure"}, {"response": 41, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (22:55)", "body": "In the time of swords and periwigs and full-skirted coats with flowered lappets- when gentlemen wore ruffles, and gold-laced waistcoats of paduasoy and taffeta-there lived a tailor in Gloucester............ no more twist ......Ther is a video of this , read by Meryl Streep, with music by the Chieftains, produced by f.h.e, a company out of Montreal....... Johanne I make my own patterns, sometimes (comes of having a mother and gandmother both trained tailors) WE gotta talk about this.... when less teachers get sick, so I don't work every day:-)"}, {"response": 42, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (22:57)", "body": "Found a WONDERFUL muslin, yellow, $3.95 a metre tha other day in IKEA(quite made up for TEP, actually!)"}, {"response": 43, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (22:59)", "body": "BIG thanks, Johanne! I'll be anxious to see!"}, {"response": 44, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (22:59)", "body": "Yellow-taffeta, yellow taffeta and cherry colored twist Bought the tape when in Boston, a BBC version, to think there is one from around here !! So many things, so little time..."}, {"response": 45, "author": "Amy", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (16:02)", "body": "Johanne what do the patterns look like? How do they work? Are they drawings on a grid? How did they use them back then?"}, {"response": 46, "author": "Amy", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (16:28)", "body": "We can continue the discussion of dresses at a new topic in the Austen conference: New topic"}, {"response": 47, "author": "sherrysnow", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 1997 (00:57)", "body": "I know it's been a while since this topic on Steven has been addressed, but is anyone out there still interested? I just found this site. No one could possibly be as crazy for this most beautiful gentleman as I am!! He's been the center of my heart and my world since 1992. I own any movie and anything with him I can get my hands on. Like Sylvia, I too first fell for him in Mohicans. I know he's in the up-coming new Tarzan movie from Warner Bros. Does anyone have any photos or articles on him they c uld email me from any source? Has anyone heard of a fan club for Steven? Any info would be most appreciated! Or just email if you want a fellow SW \"drool\" partner to chat with!!"}, {"response": 48, "author": "crispie", "date": "Sun, Feb  1, 1998 (21:01)", "body": "Well hello .. a Stephen Waddington conf... luvverly .... He is so wonderful in Carrington ...but has anyone seen Edward II ...now that is something a little off the beaten track .... Actually when I first saw him in Carrington I thought ...,..aagh huh...another of those beautiful blond himbo types English period movies are renowned for but after his intial scenes he really becomes a dynamic character and he acts it sooooo well! Then I realised he was EII....and it clicked. His EII is pure theatre and under the late Derek Jarman's direction the film is quite extraordinary (not for the faint of heart though) and worth seeking out. Anyway just thought I would add my 2 cents worth! cb PS: For Carrington trivia fans Gerald Brenan (played by Samuel West) is still alive (or was at least until very recently)....and is a major and highly respected essayist on Spanish literature. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 34, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 35, "subject": "Ewan Macgregor", "response_count": 31, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Becks", "date": "Sat, Feb 22, 1997 (17:20)", "body": "CAN I JUST SAY THAT I LOVE THIS MAN! EWAN! EWAN! EWAN! EWAN! EWAN! EWAN! EWAN! EWAN! EWAN! EWAN! EWAN! EWAN! EWAN! EWAN! EWAN! EWAN! EWAN! EWAN! EWAN! EWAN! EWAN! EWAN!"}, {"response": 2, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Sat, Feb 22, 1997 (17:50)", "body": "ok...why?"}, {"response": 3, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Sat, Feb 22, 1997 (23:40)", "body": "ewww"}, {"response": 4, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 1997 (00:01)", "body": "double ewww!"}, {"response": 5, "author": "Becks", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 1997 (00:14)", "body": "Did you girls see Trainspotting? It was his role as a heroin junkie, and not as Frank Churchill that attracted me to him. I think it was his charisma, his youth, and his energy that made me drool. He is very decent looking without the bad Emma hairstyle. He may be no CF or JN, but he does it for me, girls. Maybe its the bad girl in me that likes actors who portray corrupted characters. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder..."}, {"response": 6, "author": "Kali", "date": "Sun, Feb 23, 1997 (02:52)", "body": "I was really attracted to Jeremy Northam as Jack Devlin...but he wasn't corrupted, he was just evil! I though Ewan made a great Frank...though i didn't like the hairstyle, I thought he was very charming...but I've always had a strange thing for Frank anyway (don't tell Mr. Knightley!)..."}, {"response": 7, "author": "Tracey", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 1997 (13:58)", "body": "Did anyone see him in the recent episode (U.S.) of ER? He did a very good job - yet another conflicted bad boy type - and his hair wasn't so bad. I'm one of those who find him attractive but find his hair annoying/off-putting."}, {"response": 8, "author": "Becks", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 1997 (17:05)", "body": "I like the way he looks in these pics:"}, {"response": 9, "author": "Becks", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 1997 (17:10)", "body": "And:"}, {"response": 10, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 1997 (14:42)", "body": "Becks, Trainspotting was awesome. I thought that Ewan Mcgregor was just incredible. The whole scene when he is withdrawing and his parent have locked him in the room was sooooo spooky, but not preachy. I was glad when he got away from the bad element, but suprised when the bad element found him. Oh god, he is just tooooo cute for words"}, {"response": 11, "author": "Becks", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 1997 (21:50)", "body": "Finally, someone I can drool with! He may not be your typical Hollywood babe, but he has a definite charm to him."}, {"response": 12, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 1997 (08:41)", "body": "I think Ewan is the greatest thing, now I will never totally leave CF or RG in the lurch, but there is just something about him a sexiness as well as a leeriness. I know that that is not the right word I'm looking for."}, {"response": 13, "author": "Kali", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 1997 (14:39)", "body": "I like his name. It's kind of cool and different. Like mine."}, {"response": 14, "author": "Susan", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 1997 (15:14)", "body": "You do have a cool name, Kali. I've thought about it before, just never commented on it."}, {"response": 15, "author": "Kali", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 1997 (19:35)", "body": "THanks, Susan."}, {"response": 16, "author": "Tracey", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 1997 (09:35)", "body": "Kali - Are you familiar with the goddess who shares your name? A Hindu deity, I believe."}, {"response": 17, "author": "Amy", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 1997 (09:47)", "body": "Oh-oh. Where is Henry? Well in case he does not happen to peek into the Ewan Mcgregor topic, I shall do what I know he would do."}, {"response": 18, "author": "Gabrie", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 1997 (09:58)", "body": "Anyone saw him in Shallow Grave? Liked it a lot.. scary in a \"dark\" way.. but I think I prefere Ewan in Trainspotting after all, great film indeed...I just adore the Scottish accent too :)"}, {"response": 19, "author": "Tracey", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 1997 (10:14)", "body": "Woah! That was some graphic.....I take it then that you are *all* familiar with said goddess. I saw a National Geographic Explorer dealing with Kali the other week: men on flesh hooks, women walking on coals, etc. Amazing stuff!"}, {"response": 20, "author": "Kali", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 1997 (17:31)", "body": "Poor Tracey...you're the second unwitting victim of the Bloodthirsty Hindu Goddess graphic this month. In the future, you may also want to avoid the subject of ailurogamy. Thanks, Amy, for doing Henry's dirty work. ;)"}, {"response": 21, "author": "Amy", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 1997 (17:57)", "body": "Ailurogamy? Did somebody mention something about a graphical representation of ailurogamy? cc: Henry"}, {"response": 22, "author": "Tracey", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 1997 (10:23)", "body": "Ummmmm - ailurogamy: should I be afraid in advance? :)"}, {"response": 23, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 1997 (11:46)", "body": "Ummmmm - ailurogamy: should I be afraid in advance? :) That would make you ailurophobic!;-)"}, {"response": 24, "author": "Tracey", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 1997 (15:01)", "body": "How about just ailuro - allergic?"}, {"response": 25, "author": "Amy", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 1997 (17:34)", "body": "As Henry's account exec for the Drool Reading Service, I have been asked to post the following: You can tell them over on that topic that my reaction is \"Who's Ian Macgregor?? Never heard of him.\""}, {"response": 26, "author": "Kali", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 1997 (00:48)", "body": "He's kidding...right?"}, {"response": 27, "author": "Amy", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 1997 (12:31)", "body": "I don't think so, Kal. I hadn't either."}, {"response": 28, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 1997 (13:05)", "body": ""}, {"response": 29, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 1997 (13:08)", "body": "might as well :"}, {"response": 30, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 1997 (13:14)", "body": ""}, {"response": 31, "author": "Becks", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 1997 (15:05)", "body": "Jo, you are such a dear! Thank you!!! drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 36, "subject": "What's your Favorite Color? ;-)", "response_count": 71, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "churchh", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 1997 (19:55)", "body": "(By the way, I posted this -- couldn't figure out how to create a topic except in the way I did it...)"}, {"response": 2, "author": "elder", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 1997 (19:59)", "body": "HC: I was wondering which Conference Administrator had set this up. I must confess I was skeptical, but my color code describes me perfectly (and no, I am not divulging which color it is)."}, {"response": 3, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Mon, Feb 24, 1997 (21:07)", "body": "Henry, why is there no turquoise?"}, {"response": 4, "author": "Kali", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 1997 (00:55)", "body": "No kidding, Caroline...I was looking for cyan...I refuse to be confined by such a limited color palette! (Do we count ourselves blue?)"}, {"response": 5, "author": "Amy", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 1997 (01:01)", "body": "Tiffany boxes?"}, {"response": 6, "author": "Kali", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 1997 (00:23)", "body": "Right on, Amy...does that give me the characteristics of cold, hard cash? Daisy Faye Buchanan? ;)"}, {"response": 7, "author": "Amy", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 1997 (03:01)", "body": "They are a beautiful color, I agree."}, {"response": 8, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 1997 (20:05)", "body": "Kali. I refuse to consider myself blue- I look terrible in it, andnever use iit in the house if I can help it. And trying to find a compromise between blue and green don't work, neither.;-) However it does sound like your colour dear, and I give you leave to like it if you wish!"}, {"response": 9, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 1997 (20:43)", "body": "Some (semi)serious afterthoughts..... That panel of Psychologists in 1975(bet they were all men,too) may have done the world a great disservice in omitting turquoise. After all, the colour is an essential component of colour/season psychology, is of great positive benefit in colour therapy, and is one of the most adaptable non-primary colours for painting. Is it due to this same panel of psychologists, the likes of which seem to be taken as gospel by those that try to make a science of mass-marketing that turquoise accessories are so very ha d to find? That it is only in the last year or so that Teal has been a colour option for cars(and has really caught on)? Or is it simply that turquoise people are so far from normal as to be beyond the effect of market forces? There's no turquoise in Henry's little squiggle at the top of this, either. I guess we shall have to make up our own assumptions about turquoise.Here's mine TURQUOISE.Women who like this colour are totally unpredictable in the sack. They don't like sacks much, actually, preferring tropical waters of the appropriate colour. Their approach to lovemaking could be described as heavenly. They have a very strong romantic streak, dislike having the air around them blue,and often find themselves the object of geen-eyed monsters. Diamonds and other precious stones have less attraction for them than for other women -they prefer something less costly but more original-like blue topaz, or Howlite. They have a sense of humour that is often misjudged by others. What say you, Kali?"}, {"response": 10, "author": "Kali", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 1997 (01:36)", "body": "Sounds right to me...add impeccable taste and an affinity for all that is classic and refined, and you got yourself a deal! We are unique in our powers of discernment, after all. ;)"}, {"response": 11, "author": "summit", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 1997 (19:51)", "body": "Survey: Guess CF's favorite color! I know, it depends on the role under discussion or his real life one, but... DARCY ? Blue (and brown's \"They need time & lots of privacy\") Men who love blue are like concert pianists, delicately ravaging their partner like they would play a baby grand...enjoy foreplay and the aftermath of lovemaking, as much as the sex act itself. In marriage a blue person is a wonderful mate -- never seeking outside interests.\" ????Other votes, other roles?"}, {"response": 12, "author": "Kali", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 1997 (20:16)", "body": "\"Ravaging\" and piano-playing? I'm having a little trouble with that image...;)"}, {"response": 13, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 1997 (22:08)", "body": "I am ridicuously proud of myself for doing something most of you would probably consider simple---I loaded a bunch of Darcy wav files and now my computer speaks to me in the language that I have so grown to love! Instead of hearing that most annoying AOL 'you've got mail', I now hear \"I've been waiting in the grove for some time in the hope of meeting you. Please do me the honor of reading this letter\". When programs load, Darcy says \"Hello there!\". When I misclick with the mouse, no more annoying dis ord---Darcy says \"What?\" My family is not as amused as I am, but they will have to figure out how to undo it themselves!;-)"}, {"response": 14, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 1997 (22:10)", "body": "How this got here I'll never know---I thought I was on Darcy's thread. But it does give you a good idea of just how inept I truly am!;_0"}, {"response": 15, "author": "Susan", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 1997 (00:07)", "body": "Meggin!!! How? Please post in the Help! area soonest."}, {"response": 16, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 1997 (11:44)", "body": "Thanks HC love it"}, {"response": 17, "author": "candace", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 1997 (19:16)", "body": "This color chart was excessively diverting! I am red and my husband green. Hmmmm, very interesting."}, {"response": 18, "author": "Inko", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 1997 (20:23)", "body": "Candace, excuse me for asking. How do the two of you get on at Christmas???"}, {"response": 19, "author": "Becks", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 1997 (00:17)", "body": "INKO: LOL!"}, {"response": 20, "author": "Ann2", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 1997 (09:24)", "body": "Giggle Inko !Does your imagination include mistletoe...? see Guild"}, {"response": 21, "author": "candace", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 1997 (22:59)", "body": "LOL -- very good Inko! -- Although, true to the color test, I am searching fervently under the tree, shaking presents, pine needles in my hair...Louie sits back calmly, tenderly witnessing my excitement. ;-)"}, {"response": 22, "author": "Andee1", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 1997 (23:30)", "body": "What if you think your color is one, but when you look around the scheme of your life is different? Do we portray different colors in different aspects of s? I think I'm a blue, but in reality I'm a green....does this mean I'm confused? Do I have an unrealistic vision of myself? Just a thought to ponder..."}, {"response": 23, "author": "Andee1", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 1997 (23:31)", "body": "the above post should say \"Do we portray different colors in different aspects of life?\" I don't know how that typo got made!"}, {"response": 24, "author": "Andee1", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 1997 (23:31)", "body": "the above post should say \"Do we portray different colors in different aspects of life?\" I don't know how that typo got Just being philosophical in my old age I suppose...."}, {"response": 25, "author": "candace", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 1997 (23:53)", "body": "Well, Andrea -- sometimes blue, sometime green? Wouldn't that make you Teal? ;-)"}, {"response": 26, "author": "Andee1", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 1997 (00:36)", "body": "Candace, I am pretty partial to Teal. A close cousin to turquoise, is it not?????"}, {"response": 27, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 1997 (16:12)", "body": "And almost as hard to find!"}, {"response": 28, "author": "Kali", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 1997 (01:47)", "body": "Ditto Caroline."}, {"response": 29, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (22:37)", "body": "Oh, alrighty, then... Now I've had the chance to go back and read it...BROWN it is! ...'specially if I can get a bag to go with the coat and hat! (I'll never admit what it used to be) :)"}, {"response": 30, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (22:43)", "body": "Response 12 of 29: Kali Pappas (Kali) * Thu, Feb 27, 1997 (20:16) * 1 lines \"Ravaging\" and piano-playing? I'm having a little trouble with that image...;) Kali, didn't we have this in FanFic today?"}, {"response": 31, "author": "Kali", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 1997 (00:32)", "body": "Har, har, Cindy...;-P"}, {"response": 32, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 1997 (00:34)", "body": "Kali, we need your FI review in Pemberley!"}, {"response": 33, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (19:56)", "body": "Oh well, mine is RED...always was and always will be... not surprised with the findings, somehow!"}, {"response": 34, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (20:01)", "body": "Why is this linked to drool? ;-D"}, {"response": 35, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (20:09)", "body": "Oh well, mine is RED...always was and always will be... not surprised with the findings, somehow!"}, {"response": 36, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (20:14)", "body": "Beats me, but the config file says Terry did it yeaterday. Have no idea why! Never saw it before!!!"}, {"response": 37, "author": "wolf", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (20:34)", "body": "ok, well, mine is green and red is a close second."}, {"response": 38, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (20:42)", "body": "Mine was green for most of my life until I was married for a while and came out of my shell...I still vacillate. Fascinating!!!"}, {"response": 39, "author": "wolf", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (08:33)", "body": "yes, and interesting still is that green and red are complementary colors! red was my fave color until i got married and settled into who i am *grin*"}, {"response": 40, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (13:14)", "body": "Nothing like a personality which is virginal but lusty...No wonder I keep getting myself into trouble...*grin*"}, {"response": 41, "author": "wolf", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (18:49)", "body": "tell me about it *wink*"}, {"response": 42, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (19:33)", "body": "*Big Gemini Hugs* *lol*"}, {"response": 43, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (14:29)", "body": "(Karen) Why is this linked to drool? ;-D Did you see the \"what color is CF/Darcy\" debate from a couple years ago, starting at response #11. :)"}, {"response": 44, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (15:19)", "body": "Which Topic, EsBee?"}, {"response": 45, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (15:30)", "body": "Ah yes...response 11 in this Topic. I saw. Hmmm...."}, {"response": 46, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (18:04)", "body": "Blue of course. My name is Colin, remember?"}, {"response": 47, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (18:12)", "body": "How could we forget...;)"}, {"response": 48, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (19:15)", "body": "(Colin) Blue of course. My name is Colin, remember? Ah, my favorite color is blue as well. As the mathematician Mr. Dogson wrote,\"Curiouser and curiouser.\""}, {"response": 49, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (19:46)", "body": "My is a slight variation on the theme, turquoise. The blue rather than green one. The colour of the clear Caribbean or my favourite Bora Bora. :-)"}, {"response": 50, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (20:03)", "body": "Moon, did you read Response 9 telling the story on those who prefer turquoise? Hmmm...!"}, {"response": 51, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (20:07)", "body": "Why is this linked to Drool? Please delink."}, {"response": 52, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (20:10)", "body": "I cannot telnet...I cannot do it."}, {"response": 53, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (20:13)", "body": "Karen, check your config file - it is not linked to anything. It is strictly a Drool topic!"}, {"response": 54, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (20:18)", "body": "I went back to 1997 for it thanks, Marcia. Or is it simply that turquoise people are so far from normal as to be beyond the effect of market forces? Yes, agreed. Their approach to lovemaking could be described as heavenly. Heehee :-D Diamonds and other precious stones have less attraction for them than for other women -they prefer something less costly but more original-like blue topaz, or Howlite. False! I do not wish to brag here. ;-) They have a sense of humour that is often misjudged by others. True, but the others are starting to get it. :-)"}, {"response": 55, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (11:14)", "body": "Karen, don't get your knickers in a twist. No one cares, remember?"}, {"response": 56, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (11:39)", "body": "Oh Goody...Drool with a sense of humor...just like back in the old days when we were all much younger and less jaded...*sigh* Have at it, ladies/laddies"}, {"response": 57, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (22:41)", "body": ""}, {"response": 58, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (22:48)", "body": "Angry dear??? Freeze the topic...kill the topic...but let me know if you are planning to do so and I will move it elsewhere. *lol* That is nasty blue lightning you have there. Looks scary and witchy - which I am sure suits the purpose you intend."}, {"response": 59, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Mar 22, 2000 (12:12)", "body": "ROTFLOL! But will lightning strike in the right place? Let's hope so"}, {"response": 60, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Mar 22, 2000 (12:26)", "body": "It stands a pretty good chance considering that it is a three-fold attack. And, considering Drool's very own Zeus (or ith the Thor? Really thore?!) doing the hurling of the bolts, they are likely to be right on target - all three of them!"}, {"response": 61, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Wed, Mar 22, 2000 (19:16)", "body": "No, not Thor. Drool has a goddess not a god."}, {"response": 62, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Mar 22, 2000 (19:29)", "body": "As do our volcanoes. What, pray tell, is this Goddess' name? After three years in Drool I have never heard it uttered. Or is it like the Ancient Hebrew God whose name was unutterable?"}, {"response": 63, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 22, 2000 (20:15)", "body": "As much as I like Thor, I tend to think of Karen more of a Sophia."}, {"response": 64, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Mar 22, 2000 (20:28)", "body": "Not Nan? Oh heavens, Karen is our goddess...*grovelling appropriately*"}, {"response": 65, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 22, 2000 (20:33)", "body": "Nan may take her place in the future, but I see her as Shiva. All the things she can do... ;-)"}, {"response": 66, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar 23, 2000 (09:12)", "body": "(Passionata)No, not Thor. Drool has a goddess not a god. Let's not be gender- biased here....god will do nicely;-)"}, {"response": 67, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Thu, Mar 23, 2000 (11:30)", "body": "Let's go for hermaphrodite."}, {"response": 68, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Mar 23, 2000 (11:50)", "body": "Hermaphrodites are hard to find these days. You would not know of one, personally, would you?!"}, {"response": 69, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar 28, 2000 (12:34)", "body": "I thought Drool's deity would be more in the line of \"There is no God but Colin Firth and the Droolers are his prophet(esse)s ;-)"}, {"response": 70, "author": "Ruperbear", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (19:29)", "body": "Thank you to whoever set this up. It describes me to a T."}, {"response": 71, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 25, 2000 (19:35)", "body": "It was set up a long time ago. What IS your favorite color (bearing in mind I can check up on you according to what color you choose...if you believe this stuff) Mine is posted somewhere back there, too. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 37, "subject": "Denzel Washington", "response_count": 23, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "elder", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 1997 (15:39)", "body": "OK, I'll go first: I've liked Denzel since St Elsewhere. He is terrific in movies, always a person you notice. Crimson Tide was a good movie for him, going up against Gene Hackman's captain. I also got to see him on stage once (I cannot remember the name of the play) in New York; it was a play about two married couples and the older couple was played by Ruby Dee and Paul Winfield. Not the greatest play, but incredibly well-acted. He has such a wonderful, expressive face, and (yes) intense eyes. And his body is not so bad either!"}, {"response": 2, "author": "Becks", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 1997 (21:54)", "body": "Mo' Better Blues.........oooooo BABY!"}, {"response": 3, "author": "kate", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 1997 (21:57)", "body": "Mississippi Marsala was the best ever. Devil in a blue dress. Crimson Tide. Much Ado About Nothing. Are there any Denzel sites, does anyone know?"}, {"response": 4, "author": "bplaroch", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 1997 (22:37)", "body": "Of all the guys we're drooling over, he is probably the best actor. Since I'm at least partly responsible for getting this conference topic going, I couldn't wait to comment. The Preacher's Wife was a so-so movie, but Denzel is in nearly every scene!"}, {"response": 5, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 1997 (22:46)", "body": "I will say only two words about Denzel baby, baby... Sleeveless T-Shirt. ;-)"}, {"response": 6, "author": "Susan", "date": "Tue, Feb 25, 1997 (23:36)", "body": "My friend and I were talking today about Philadelphia and agreed that Tom Hanks owes his Oscar for that movie at least partially to DW. Playing against him brought out the best in TH, and DW deserved one of his own. I think this was also the first movie, even with the grim story line, where I really looked at DW and just went, My God, this man is drop-dead gorgeous!"}, {"response": 7, "author": "bplaroch", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 1997 (00:03)", "body": "OK but really have you ever seen DW in anything where he wasn't drop-dead gorgeous?"}, {"response": 8, "author": "Susan", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 1997 (00:15)", "body": "No, Barbara, but apparently I was doomed to blindness up to that point!"}, {"response": 9, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 1997 (00:16)", "body": "and has anybody seen him in anything when he didn't do a FANTASTIC job? Absolutely agree with Barbara on his acting skill!"}, {"response": 10, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 1997 (06:07)", "body": "My favorite DW movie is \"Glory\""}, {"response": 11, "author": "Amy", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 1997 (11:43)", "body": "Glory is a wonderful picture. I watch it a couple times a year. Even thinking about the music makes me cry."}, {"response": 12, "author": "Susan", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 1997 (12:42)", "body": "Just read in the March issue of Cosmo that DW and his wife, Pauletta, are \"churchgoing, tithing Christians, sincerely endeavoring to live the commandments.\" Think he'd object to being a drool object?"}, {"response": 13, "author": "Amy", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 1997 (13:01)", "body": "Lots of times I wonder if we should think of what the objects of drool would want. Other times, I suppose the bitch in me thinks, \"It's about time we had a turn.\" Then I get all golden ruley. Then I think about the implicit waiver a public person must accept -- to a point. Good question."}, {"response": 14, "author": "bplaroch", "date": "Wed, Feb 26, 1997 (17:09)", "body": "DW was also excellent in Malcolm X. I don't know that he'd oject to this, it seems pretty harmless. So far there's nothing in this part of the conference that he would need to be embarassed about letting his wife read. I think one of the neatest things about him is his strong principles and those are reflected in the roles he has chosen to play."}, {"response": 15, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 1997 (23:19)", "body": "He was absolutely regal in Much Ado, no matter what role is plays he always strikes me as ultimately a decent good guy if not in his role at least inside. And being the good guy is most appealing coming from him, I would not find this that much appealing with many other. ;)"}, {"response": 16, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 1997 (13:19)", "body": "We needed something to gaze at : Courage Under fire ~ The Preacher's Wife Nomination aux Golden Globes - Homme le plus sexy du monde (People) Tel un roseau, rigide dans son succ\ufffds, souple dans son talent. Il est devenu le com\ufffddien noir le plus prim\ufffd et le plus oscarisable depuis Sidney Poittier. Remarquable, rebelle, moralement correct, ses interpr\ufffdtations impeccables le rendent encore plus attirant."}, {"response": 17, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 1997 (13:29)", "body": "loosely translated : Nominated for Golden Globes - World's sexiest man (People Magazine) Like a read, rigid in his success, souple in talent. He has become the african-american actor the most sought after at and most oscarable since Sydney Poitier. Remarkable, rebel, moraly correct, his impeccable performances renders him even more attractive (\ufffdcran noir : http://www.volute.qc.ca/cinema96/actr1.htm )"}, {"response": 18, "author": "kate", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 1997 (13:52)", "body": "] Homme le plus sexy du monde ABSOLUMENT"}, {"response": 19, "author": "bplaroch", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 1997 (16:51)", "body": "Johanne-- Merci pour la belle photo. Pourquoi rebelle, penses-tu? Tu as trouv\ufffd tout cela dans quelle revue?"}, {"response": 20, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 1997 (18:39)", "body": "Ahh c'mon, guys -- talk regular for us unsophisticates!"}, {"response": 21, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 1997 (13:06)", "body": "Barbara, dans un webzine qu\ufffdb\ufffdcois \ufffdcran Noir dont l'adresse internet est la suivante : http://www.volute.qc.ca/cinema96/actr1.htm Rebelle : this intrigued me as well, I would believe for his daring choices of different roles, not many can tackle Shakespeare as masterfully BTW quel fran\ufffdais! o\ufffd l'as-tu appris? et d'o\ufffd viens-tu? ma curiosit\ufffd est des plus aiguis\ufffde ;)"}, {"response": 22, "author": "bplaroch", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 1997 (00:28)", "body": "Johanne-- J'ai appris mon fran\ufffdais \ufffd l'universit\ufffd. J'enseigne en fran\ufffdais et mon mari est francophone. La prochaine fois qu'on est \ufffd Pemberley au m\ufffdme temps, parles-moi en fran\ufffdais! :} You're right about the Shakespeare! I just loved him in Much Ado About Nothing!"}, {"response": 23, "author": "Andee1", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 1997 (00:32)", "body": "Johanne, je suis tout a fait d'accord! Vraiment remarquable! drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 38, "subject": "What do women want ;-)", "response_count": 133, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 1997 (19:57)", "body": "Colin Firth, of course"}, {"response": 2, "author": "Kali", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 1997 (20:11)", "body": "By the ratio of posts in this little pool, it sure looks like it, Laura."}, {"response": 3, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 1997 (20:33)", "body": "Colin Firth, of course Ditto!"}, {"response": 4, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 1997 (21:22)", "body": "Darcy, of course"}, {"response": 5, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 1997 (21:27)", "body": "Hold on, I'm not finished :"}, {"response": 6, "author": "Amy", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 1997 (22:07)", "body": "What a gifrich envirorment this is."}, {"response": 7, "author": "elder", "date": "Fri, Feb 28, 1997 (22:23)", "body": "R E S P E C T (sing it, Aretha!) And Fitzwilliam Darcy would not be rejected, either! :p"}, {"response": 8, "author": "Ann2", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 1997 (01:04)", "body": "That IBM picture is new to me. I am soo grateful , Johanne. I can think of a few lines to go very well with it...like 'You were not leaving I hope?' or 'I must not judge on my own performance !'"}, {"response": 9, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 1997 (02:50)", "body": "re: HC's cartoon - Few things are constant. For women who do get flowers sent at every occasion, that becomes too commonplace to mark a truly special event. HOWEVER, for thse of us who count our wedding bouquets as the one time we've been given flowers (in over 14 yeears!), well, you get my point, I think. Somebody please tell DH"}, {"response": 10, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 1997 (02:57)", "body": "As he tried the Virtual Flower Shop ?"}, {"response": 11, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 1997 (03:01)", "body": "rest assured, he has not"}, {"response": 12, "author": "Kali", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 1997 (06:46)", "body": "While wanting Colin is all well and good, some women desire JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 13, "author": "Kali", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 1997 (06:47)", "body": "God, I'm obnoxious."}, {"response": 14, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 1997 (07:09)", "body": "Just dedicated, Kali. Even I must admit this is the best pic of him I've ever seen."}, {"response": 15, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 1997 (17:29)", "body": "JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY!"}, {"response": 16, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 1997 (17:31)", "body": "As I'm certain dearest, beloved JN knows: The way to handle a woman is to love her, LOVE HER! (Lerner/Lowe) All men could benefit from a closer inspection/understanding of the musical theatre."}, {"response": 17, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 1997 (18:24)", "body": "All men could benefit from learning to waltz, too."}, {"response": 18, "author": "Becks", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 1997 (21:27)", "body": "DARCY! DARCY! DARCY! DARCY! DARCY! DARCY! DARCY! DARCY! DARCY! DARCY! DARCY! DARCY! DARCY! DARCY! DARCY! DARCY! DARCY! DARCY! DARCY! DARCY! DARCY! DARCY! DARCY! DARCY! DARCY! DARCY! DARCY! DARCY! DARCY!"}, {"response": 19, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 1997 (22:08)", "body": "reg. the waltz-I completely agree. I was CRUSHED when I found out that Clark Gable's romantic, light as a feather waltz with Vivien Leigh in GWTW was largely a camera trick! And for good measure: JEREMY KNIGHTLEY! JEREMY KNIGHTLEY! JEREMY KNIGHTLEY! JEREMY KNIGHTLEY! JEREMY KNIGHTLEY! JEREMY KNIGHTLEY! JEREMY KNIGHTLEY! JEREMY KNIGHTLEY! JEREMY KNIGHTLEY! JEREMY KNIGHTLEY! JEREMY KNIGHTLEY! JEREMY KNIGHTLEY! JEREMY KNIGHTLEY! JEREMY KNIGHTLEY! JEREMY KNIGHTLEY! JEREMY KNIGHTLEY!"}, {"response": 20, "author": "Justagirl", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 1997 (22:19)", "body": "Johanne, your pictures are smashing!"}, {"response": 21, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 1997 (00:40)", "body": "What do women want? Simple: we want men that are like the men who appear in novels written by women!"}, {"response": 22, "author": "elder", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 1997 (01:49)", "body": "Susan -- I think you've got it. And then, for good measure, we want the version of those heroes played by actors who seem to have gotten the message."}, {"response": 23, "author": "Ann2", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 1997 (02:00)", "body": "And we adore men who can do Mr Beveredges(?) Maggot, either Darcy or Knightley style. And be civil to the tongue, and do an occasional hand kiss and wash up and talk about things and listen to and respect a fellow being and if necessary laugh at themselves."}, {"response": 24, "author": "Kali", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 1997 (03:23)", "body": "Go Susan. And yes, knowing Mr. B's Maggot is definitely a plus. Let's avoid the banality of drool...no cut-and-paste junk...it's all a phony trick, just like the revolving platform in the GWTW bazaar scene...;)"}, {"response": 25, "author": "Inko", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 1997 (03:30)", "body": "What Jane Austen wanted?? \"All I want in a man is someone who rides bravely, dances beautifully, sings with vigor, reads passionately, and whose taste agrees in every point with my own.\" Sense and Sensibility. On the other hand, \"What are men to rocks and mountains? Pride and Prejudice"}, {"response": 26, "author": "elder", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 1997 (03:55)", "body": "Inko -- you have challenged us to find other quotations! What an extreme range of choices we have if we only get Marianne's romantic wishes and Lizzy's post-Wickham, pre-Darcy love interest opinions."}, {"response": 27, "author": "Inko", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 1997 (04:01)", "body": "Kathleen, I cheated! I picked up \"Jane Austen's Little Advice Book\" today, and it's all in there under \"Men--Good\" and \"Men, not that big a deal\"!"}, {"response": 28, "author": "elder", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 1997 (04:05)", "body": "Inko -- cheating or not, I think those are marvelous quotes. How about what Charlotte Lucas wants: \"Without thinking highly either of men or of matrimony, marriage had always been her object.\""}, {"response": 29, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 1997 (05:14)", "body": "Let's avoid the banality of drool...no cut-and-paste junk...it's all a phony trick, just like the revolving platform in the GWTW bazaar scene...;) Kali, you are too cool!"}, {"response": 30, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 1997 (07:40)", "body": "I want to go to Brighton!"}, {"response": 31, "author": "Kali", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 1997 (08:06)", "body": "Love ya, Susan... I have to agree with Emma on the whole man thing... --- \"I do so wonder, Miss Woodhouse, that you should not be married, or going to be married - so charming as you are.\" Emma laughed, and replied, \"My being charming, Harriet, is not quite enough to induce me to marry; I must find other people charming - one other person, at least. And I am not only not going to be married at present, but I have very little intention of ever marrying at all.\" \"Ah, so you say; but I cannot believe it.\" \"I must see somebody very superior to any one I have seen yet, to be tempted...and I do not wish to see any such person. I would rather not be tempted.\" ---"}, {"response": 32, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 1997 (18:30)", "body": "Dearest Emma is definitely a kindred spirit. My Mother always tells me that it's going to take one helluva man to tame me, live up to my expectations. With much amusement and anticipation, she waits. Indeed, she is going to have a Long wait! In many ways, I fell like Charity in Edith Wharton's Summer. I am SO BORED, BORED, BORED, BORED!!!!!!!!!!! Like Lizzy in P&P2, only the very deepest love will ever induce me into matrimony."}, {"response": 33, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 1997 (18:33)", "body": "What do women want: to be able to respect our partner in life. We want to be proud like Lizzy; \"proud that in a cause of compassion and honour, he had been able to get the better of himself.\""}, {"response": 34, "author": "Kali", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 1997 (10:05)", "body": "That's what our daddies want for us, too, remember...;) --- One more thing: I am Emma!"}, {"response": 35, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 1997 (18:32)", "body": "Actually, my father is more like Gerald O'Hara, than Mr Bennet. As for my MOther..... I no longer know who I am. It changes with my mood."}, {"response": 36, "author": "Amy", "date": "Mon, Mar  3, 1997 (18:44)", "body": "My dad chuckles to himself sometimes as he reads, as Mr Bennet is shown doing in P&P2. I like them both a lot."}, {"response": 37, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 1997 (13:37)", "body": "I got a note from a new user, beverly, who says she tried to post a new topic here and it wouldn't let her. The topic is Kevin Costner and here's her text: This is her text: Kevin Costner got a standing ovation on a talk show the other night. He appeals to all women as a perfect husband and caring person. Not only do we love him for his mind, but we also love his appearace. Blonde, tan, hairy, blue eyed, looks good in tights too. Robin Hood is my favorite movie. It was the first movie I saw him star in. The male/female relationship he portrays is sooooo fine. She also looked for an introductions topic here but couldn't find one. Amy, can you help her by posting her topic or allowing her to herself?"}, {"response": 38, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 1997 (14:35)", "body": "Glad someone else likes Kev's Robin Hood.My personal favourite is \"Dances with Wolves\"."}, {"response": 39, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 1997 (19:24)", "body": "Kevin Costner can paint my toenails anytime !!!"}, {"response": 40, "author": "summit", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 1997 (02:51)", "body": "Amy: Amy, can you help her by posting her topic or allowing her to herself? I too have been curious and sorry about not being able to create new topics at this conference, unlike the Austen one. Is there some reason we cannot be allowed to here? It is most awkward. Can we apply for the right or password or... from the couple of you that seem to be permitted to here?"}, {"response": 41, "author": "Amy", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 1997 (03:08)", "body": "Wendy, I tried to set up the conference so it would be a little harder to get into -- and so that you have to be registered even to read here. Not much protection for minors, but a little extra trouble. Unfortunately that set up also means no topic creation except for hosts, me and Cheryl. Who else wants to be a host? No duties, except to welcome people and little power except abiltity to create topics and a few other little things."}, {"response": 42, "author": "summit", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 1997 (03:23)", "body": "Amy: Well, it's probably beyond a newbie's skills, but I would not mind helping you & Cheryl (and Terry?Lilian?Myretta?) with host duties. (And if it IS beyond my skills, thanks for thinking of inviting us, anyway, in your kindly above post.) :-)"}, {"response": 43, "author": "summit", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 1997 (03:37)", "body": "Oh, and something else women want - http://www.grin.net/~meluchie/firthlist/6aem2.htm"}, {"response": 44, "author": "Susan", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 1997 (04:10)", "body": "I thought that was a given! But thanks for the pic. :)"}, {"response": 45, "author": "Amy", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 1997 (05:05)", "body": "Amy: Well, it's probably beyond a newbie's skills, but I would not mind helping you & Cheryl (and Terry?Lilian?Myretta?) with host duties. (And if it IS beyond my skills, thanks for thinking of inviting us, anyway, in your kindly above post.) ___ Okay, Wendy. \"Pring!\" You are a host. Isn't that the sound a fairy's wand is supposed to make? Yes, I only mentioned Cheryl as the other sort of non-technical host. Others who can mess around behind the scenes in here are Myretta, Terry, Joan, and recently, Henry. There is some info on host powers in help. Why don't you read that first, then I will fill you in. You don't have any conf admin or sysadmin rights, so don't be afraid of doing anything wrong. The most destructive thing you are empowered to do is kill a topic."}, {"response": 46, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 1997 (19:25)", "body": "OOH baby OOH Baby Samooch as Cheryl says Can I have him please??????"}, {"response": 47, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 1997 (19:47)", "body": "Can I have him please?????? Yes, but only if you promise to share!!!!"}, {"response": 48, "author": "Kali", "date": "Wed, Mar  5, 1997 (19:59)", "body": "Oh, Laura! Your inflection on the \"ooh baby\"'s is all wrong! And the *samooch* is used entirely out of the proper context! Young lady, no more movie boys for you until you learn to \"speak properly\" (as Katharine Hepburn says in Morning Glory )...! ;)"}, {"response": 49, "author": "Dina", "date": "Fri, Mar  7, 1997 (17:54)", "body": "\"Long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last 3 days\" (I think I added some adjectives, but who cares!!) Crash Davis, who can paint my toenails and anything else he feels like painting ANYTIME!!!!"}, {"response": 50, "author": "Kali", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 1997 (10:50)", "body": "Wet? EEEWWWWWW!"}, {"response": 51, "author": "mpk", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 1997 (23:27)", "body": "COLIN! COLIN! COLIN! COLIN! COLIN! COLIN! COLIN! COLIN! COLIN! COLIN! COLIN! COLIN!"}, {"response": 52, "author": "Opus", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 1997 (06:34)", "body": "This is what I want, of course I would be the one in Colin's arms."}, {"response": 53, "author": "Opus", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 1997 (06:34)", "body": "This is what I want, of course I would be the one in Colin's arms."}, {"response": 54, "author": "Opus", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 1997 (06:35)", "body": "oops!"}, {"response": 55, "author": "Opus", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 1997 (06:36)", "body": "forget it, check out the picture youself, I'll have to practice my HTML http://www.grin.net/~meluchie/firthlist/aem05.jpg"}, {"response": 56, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 1997 (06:57)", "body": "Let me try that for you dear. ;-)"}, {"response": 57, "author": "candace", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 1997 (18:14)", "body": "I personally don't just want to be in his arms...I also want to be in his baahth"}, {"response": 58, "author": "Opus", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 1997 (20:09)", "body": "Thanks for the help Cheryl, I have to practice that."}, {"response": 59, "author": "Kali", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 1997 (04:46)", "body": "Oh my."}, {"response": 60, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 1997 (21:31)", "body": "Candace, you're so baaaad! ;-)"}, {"response": 61, "author": "Mari", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 1997 (23:37)", "body": "Suzanne; that does include being slowly twirled around before you sink onto the bed, does it not? I am excessively attentive to all of these details...."}, {"response": 62, "author": "Opus", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (01:30)", "body": "Of course Mari, we can't just stop at being in his arms, the bed is the key element."}, {"response": 63, "author": "Kali", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (03:28)", "body": "But arms are nice too..."}, {"response": 64, "author": "candace", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (05:06)", "body": "Candace, you're so baaaad! ;-) Takes one to know one, Cheryl my dear ;-)"}, {"response": 65, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (20:00)", "body": "reg. #63: Yes-arms are indeed nice! Such a strong, but tender embrace. And eyes and lips(THE MAN CAN SNOG-none of those sloppy kisses) and that VOICE!!!! And, Words can be just as effective. \"So I rode home, anxious for your feeings, keen to be near you. I rode through the rain and I would ride through a lot worse if I could just hear your voice....\""}, {"response": 66, "author": "Kali", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (21:33)", "body": "McGrath has a way with Austen, doesn't he? I actually like some of his variations better...(shock, horror!)"}, {"response": 67, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (21:45)", "body": "The man is a genius, such wit and perception. I am forever grateful. I want him to adopt me."}, {"response": 68, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 1997 (19:27)", "body": "The April edition of \"Chatelaine\" magazine, has an article by one Susie Maloney entitled \"A real woman's fantasy\". It's not at their on-line site(silly of them) and it's way too long to re-type, even if I had permission, but it's worth reading if you can get that magazine. The fantasy about the tool isle at Canadian Tire with the entire board of directors of General Motors was intriguing, but more so is one that involves Mel Gibson, Brad Pitt, very little clothing,chocolate and a vacuum cleaner. Ring any ells with anyone?"}, {"response": 69, "author": "Kali", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 1997 (00:30)", "body": "Fortunately not! ;)"}, {"response": 70, "author": "Susan", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 1997 (03:39)", "body": "more so is one that involves Mel Gibson, Brad Pitt, very little clothing,chocolate and a vacuum cleaner. Ring any ells with anyone? Goodness, my own fantasies sound pretty boring next to all that!"}, {"response": 71, "author": "lasalle", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (17:01)", "body": "I think what women want may have somthing to do with shopping."}, {"response": 72, "author": "Donna", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (18:25)", "body": "Do you think so Carl? Like in Trainspotting,\"What ya talkin about\"? the guys answer \"Football\" \"What you talkin about\"? the girls \"Shopping\"."}, {"response": 73, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (18:34)", "body": "Great scene LOL unless Carl meant Shopping around? sound advice :)"}, {"response": 74, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (20:32)", "body": "UGH! Can't stand shopping myself. Now buying I can get into, but just window shopping? Can't deal with it..."}, {"response": 75, "author": "Mari", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (23:39)", "body": "Vacuums? Did someone say vacuums? Another answer for Henry's questions ''What do women really want?'' - Boots to show off shapely calves (of men, of course). Please refer to the Mark Strong topic for further elucidation."}, {"response": 76, "author": "Kali", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (02:58)", "body": "Don't want the boots TOO tight, now...cut off circulation, ruin the seat...and the pain!"}, {"response": 77, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (03:40)", "body": "Mari, I think we've got something here---what we really want is men in boots!"}, {"response": 78, "author": "Kali", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (04:15)", "body": "And don't forget the cool waistcoat-vest thingies...and those cravats...those are important too..."}, {"response": 79, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (04:55)", "body": "Okay for: boots on, waistcoat-vest thingies on, but the cravats are off leaving collar cutely flapping (did somebody mention flap?;-0). I'm going for the rakish look!"}, {"response": 80, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (04:59)", "body": "Okay for: boots on, waistcoat-vest thingies on, but the cravats are off leaving collar cutely flapping (did somebody mention flap?;-0). I'm going for the rakish look!"}, {"response": 81, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (05:02)", "body": "I did not post that TWICE!:-("}, {"response": 82, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (05:33)", "body": "Margaret: I did not post that TWICE!:-( Yeah, sure Margaret, we know the word \"flap\" got you excited! ;-)"}, {"response": 83, "author": "Donna", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (05:36)", "body": "I always thought men liked women in \"boots\". I never thought about women liking men \"boots\".;-) I like Mr. Darcy when he finishes writing his letter just before he puts out the candle. White shirt and black pants. Mark Strong when he dances near the end of Emma3."}, {"response": 84, "author": "Mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (18:38)", "body": "Have been rewatching Emma3 lately, but went back to P&P today. What do you think I saw? The second \"Picard Manoever\"; in the piano scene at Pemberly after Lizzy and the Gardiners leave, after Darcy says \"What?\" sharply, and rises; execution of the manoever as he strides from the room (would not boots have been lovely here?) ;-)"}, {"response": 85, "author": "Mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (18:40)", "body": "PS to HC: What this woman would like is a jpg to represent each of our favorite things; DTBT, the Picard Manoever, daggy, the look; ladies, what else should be on this list? We could then use html to truly enchance our correspondence!"}, {"response": 86, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (19:38)", "body": "Cheryl: Yeah, sure Margaret, we know the word \"flap\" got you excited! ;-) just a wee bit:-) Okay, okay, now I've got it---we want boots, waistcoat-vest thingies, shirts with open collars, flaps , and the K-Tel button repair kit! ;-)"}, {"response": 87, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (20:26)", "body": "and this Thermos. ;)"}, {"response": 88, "author": "Kali", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (21:24)", "body": "I'm dyin' over here, Cheryl."}, {"response": 89, "author": "summit", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (22:00)", "body": "And filling these items we want a specific pair of fine eyes, caressable dark locks, perfectly chiselled features, taut torso, and... his complete and undivided attention for a private afternoon upstairs at the Ritz. %-)"}, {"response": 90, "author": "Donna", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 1997 (03:12)", "body": "the K-Tel button repair kit! ;-) is there such a thing? Meggin,That all sounds fine and dandy,but what buttons to you plan on repairing?"}, {"response": 91, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 1997 (17:05)", "body": "Donna, she means the ones that we have to put back on so we can rip 'em off again.Fast-fix on, so we can take our time ripping them off. Though, come to think of it, I wouldn't balk at repairing his shirts for him the slow way. And doing the fitting adjustments on other bits of clothing, if required."}, {"response": 92, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 1997 (19:09)", "body": "Meggin,That all sounds fine and dandy, but what buttons to you plan on repairing? Shirt buttons: ping, ping PING, waistcoat-vest thingie buttons: pring, pring, PRING, and pop, POP go the flap buttons! Mental imagery is running amok! ;-) about the button repair kit--there really was such a thing in the early 70's (might have been Popeil brand?). With it, you could re-attach buttons quickly with plastic doohickeys you poked through the fabric with a special tool. It was so stupid in concept that it was a joke! p op"}, {"response": 93, "author": "Kali", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 1997 (08:08)", "body": "Men's shirts didn't have buttons back then, did they?...only the vest-thingies..."}, {"response": 94, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 1997 (18:59)", "body": "Men's shirts didn't have buttons back then, did they?...only the vest-thingies... Didn't they? I know I saw collar buttons..."}, {"response": 95, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 1997 (19:54)", "body": "Buttons were used in XIe century, and before strings, pins or prickers (crochets were in use"}, {"response": 96, "author": "Susan", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (03:17)", "body": "And what, pray tell, is a pricker?"}, {"response": 97, "author": "Inko", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (05:00)", "body": "Susan, if you're talking about \"The Advocate\", I took the licensed pricker to be someone licensed by the church (or Inquisition) to prick people to discover whether they are witches - i.e. put needles into them for some reason. I know it had something to do with witchcraft and I'm sure it had to do with the Inquisition. BTW, I loved the little snort/laugh CF gave after the \"eating meat on Friday\" part!;-)"}, {"response": 98, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (17:55)", "body": "pricker = piercer, like a pin or needle ; \ufffdpinglette in French, fibules used in Roman Empire"}, {"response": 99, "author": "Kali", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (01:01)", "body": "One or two buttons, maybe...but shirts back then were mostly pullover, it seems...and tied at the neck, perhaps buttoned (didn't matter - everyone wore cravates)... My brother has an mid-19th century shirt that he wears with his mountain man garb and his Lakota dance garb, and it has a hook at the neck, and no buttons..."}, {"response": 100, "author": "LKenn", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (01:43)", "body": "Inko - I loved the snort/laugh scene in \"The Advocate\" as well. \"Madness!\" There were so many funny scenes it was difficult to stop laughing. How about when the cock crows after the \"bedding down\" scene with the chamber maid at the Inn? HA!!!"}, {"response": 101, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (04:15)", "body": "I loved the pig! She was so innocent and lazy, couldn't possibly have done it! It was this movie, more than any other, that convinced me that Colin should be given the chance to do a proper comedy."}, {"response": 102, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (04:25)", "body": "Hear, hear, Caroline, a proper comedy would be great indeed!"}, {"response": 103, "author": "Inko", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (04:27)", "body": "I think Fever Pitch is a proper comedy - a Romantic Comedy!!"}, {"response": 104, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (04:30)", "body": "Firth + Strong + Comedy = sound very good to me Hope we'll get to see it here ! Pining"}, {"response": 105, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (04:31)", "body": "Has anyone made the Jane Austen- Fever-Pitch connection yet? Arsenal are based at Highbury, a small village sixteen miles from London (and now swallowed up by the urban sprawl.)"}, {"response": 106, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (04:33)", "body": "I am so glad that someone other than me is NOT watching the Oscars! The only star I looked at tonight was Hale-Bopp!"}, {"response": 107, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (04:33)", "body": "I did'nt know, thnx Caroline, think MS made the connexion too?"}, {"response": 108, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (04:35)", "body": "]I am so glad that someone other than me is NOT watching the Oscars! Funny, just about to say the same :) BTW, am curious, anybody knows what's going on at it? Should we join the party with Cheryl at Pemberley?"}, {"response": 109, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (04:35)", "body": "Probably! He's a soccer fan as well, I think!"}, {"response": 110, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (04:36)", "body": "Caroline, you such a naturalist!"}, {"response": 111, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (04:37)", "body": "Johanne, I always regret going to the Chat room-Ialways end up being misunderstood by someone! Go though, with my blessing, dearest... I have to sign off soon anyway."}, {"response": 112, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (04:38)", "body": "Naturalist? Oh Gawd, what have I said now, Terry?"}, {"response": 113, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (04:41)", "body": "Know what you mean Caroline, but you, misunderstood? I'm surprised, maybe we can go together sometimes :)"}, {"response": 114, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (04:45)", "body": "Johanne, remember I'm the one who had to ask what the Superbowl was! Stopped the conversation dead for ten minutes! ( I know now though.And I still prefer footie.) Seriously, I've been working five days a week, and no let-up in sight, so it's unlikely I'll have time to chat for a while."}, {"response": 115, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (04:50)", "body": "Feel free whenever you want, have to problems with your conversation :) rather enjoy it very much :) BTW Outside knowing it's the big bash of the year, don't know more about the sport myself..."}, {"response": 116, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (04:51)", "body": "DTBT : have NO problems with your conversation Footie yeah, Aussie rule quite funny to watch too"}, {"response": 117, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (05:00)", "body": "Glad we connect, my kindred spirit! But seriously, must go now. Have left you a not with mon petit gar. Bonne nuit!"}, {"response": 118, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (05:01)", "body": "NOTE, not NOT! DTBT MYSELF!"}, {"response": 119, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (05:03)", "body": "Sweet dreams"}, {"response": 120, "author": "kate", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (05:55)", "body": "]And what, pray tell, is a pricker? LOL"}, {"response": 121, "author": "Kali", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (10:58)", "body": "Hale-Bopp is a comet and not a star, is it not? ;)"}, {"response": 122, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (17:23)", "body": "]]And what, pray tell, is a pricker? ]LOL Not what one would obviously think :) same here, LOL :)"}, {"response": 123, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (21:23)", "body": "Yes, Kali, Hale-Bopp is a comet. With two tails,no less.I was out with the Beavers(not the furry, buckteeth ones, but the 5-8year-old male kind) doing my volonteering-to-improve-the-lot-of-mankind bit last night.Some of them found it real hard to visualise it as anything more than a star. But they thought it was cool, and that's what counts, I suppose."}, {"response": 124, "author": "Kali", "date": "Thu, Mar 27, 1997 (07:58)", "body": "Indeed...;)"}, {"response": 125, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 1997 (01:22)", "body": "I'm taking a wild guess and saying that Marv Albert will never become a topic in this conference."}, {"response": 126, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 1997 (22:13)", "body": "Women DO want men in toupees, don't they? Or else why are the guys buying them?"}, {"response": 127, "author": "LaughingSky", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 1998 (02:05)", "body": "Maybe I'll just hang out in this little space and drool over Richard Gere... Richard Gere...Richard Gere...:)"}, {"response": 128, "author": "Margaret25", "date": "Sun, Mar 22, 1998 (23:55)", "body": "I'm drooling along with you, Annette! All I want is Richard, too!!! :-)"}, {"response": 129, "author": "aschuth", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (13:02)", "body": "Saw this and though of you people, and just *couldn't* refrain from posting it... On Women's Fertile Days, Supermacho Guys Look Best June 21, 1999 (Nature) - Many a woman will tell you that her taste for sweet and heavy foods varies according to her menstrual cycle. But now, researchers announce that there could be another preference that varies in line with women's' monthly hormonal fluctuations: their taste in men. Or, to be more precise, their taste in men's faces, say Ian Penton-Voak of the University of St. Andrews, Fife, England, and colleagues. Penton-Voak's group, who last year announced that, on the whole, women prefer more feminine male faces, now report in the June 24 issue of Nature that there are times of the month when they actually prefer masculine Clint Eastwood types over more feminine Leonardo DiCaprio lookalikes. The team questioned British and Japanese women as to which of a series of computer manipulated average Caucasian and Japanese male faces they found attractive. The women seemed to prefer more masculine male faces when they were in the middle of their menstrual cycle and hence most fertile. Just before, during and just after menstruation, on the other hand \ufffd that is to say, when they were least likely to conceive \ufffd the subjects were drawn to feminine male faces. A control group of women taking the contraceptive pill \ufffd who were therefore not influenced by estrogen/progesterone cycling \ufffd showed no such fickleness, and stuck by their taste in softer-faced men. Interestingly, the researchers found that this capriciousness was more marked when women were asked to pick the \"most attractive face for a short-term sexual relationship.\" When choosing for a fling, it seems, women opt for hunkier men even though, in other studies, they describe this physical type as less dependable, dishonest and \"cold.\" When they were given the task of choosing Mr. Long Term, however, their preference for \"feminized faces\" \ufffd faces which previous research has shown are associated with better parenting and fidelity \ufffd showed more stability. The researchers speculate that whereas females might choose a reliable, but not necessarily genetically optimal primary partner, they might, \"when conception is most likely, pursue extra-pair copulations with males with a more masculine appearance\" \ufffd males who, statistics show, have stronger immune systems. In other words, these cyclic preferences might be \ufffd in evolutionary terms, at least \ufffd allowing women to get the best of both worlds: a happy home and healthy children to put in it. Copyright 1999 Nature News Service. All rights reserved."}, {"response": 130, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (14:09)", "body": "University of St. Andrews, Fife, England Fife...ENGLAND How much credence can we give anyone with such a poor sense of geography!"}, {"response": 131, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (14:09)", "body": "University of St. Andrews, Fife, England Fife...ENGLAND ??? How much credence can we give anyone with such a poor sense of geography!"}, {"response": 132, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (14:10)", "body": "Ooops! How did that happen? Must be that time of the month..."}, {"response": 133, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 22, 1999 (14:13)", "body": "But that would just be the author of the article for Nature magazine and not the researcher. Did it say he conducted his studies on the golf course? ;-) drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 39, "subject": "Kevin Costner", "response_count": 456, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 1997 (16:57)", "body": "Okay Kev Costner, my favs 1. Dances With Wolves 2. Field of Dreams 3. No Way Out 4. Bull Durham 5. Robin Hood 6. The Big Chill(I know he wasn't in it, but he was the corpse)"}, {"response": 2, "author": "Amy", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 1997 (18:38)", "body": "The corspe? I did not know that."}, {"response": 3, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 1997 (18:43)", "body": "Yeah, I saw on Entertainment Tonight eons ago when Dixie Whatley and some other guy, can't remember his name, that he was the corpse, they did have a shot of him in the casket, but thought the allure of it all was that here they are talking about a guy who hung himself and to not show him."}, {"response": 4, "author": "Amy", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 1997 (18:47)", "body": "It was a powerful way to open a movie. And the song fit perfectly with the action of the friends learning of the suicide. No words!"}, {"response": 5, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 1997 (19:16)", "body": "Sorry he sliced his wrists. Not hung himself. My mistake"}, {"response": 6, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 1997 (22:53)", "body": "This week's Paris Match has a reader's poll of sexiest movie stars. Cotters romped in in first place, Paul Newman second, Harrison Ford fifth and Tom Crise and Mel Gibson also in the top five. What does that tell ya? Can't be the voices or the accent this time!"}, {"response": 7, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 1997 (07:22)", "body": "...appeals to all women as a perfect husband ... I don't think so - my perfect husband is going to stick around!"}, {"response": 8, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 1997 (07:25)", "body": "...appeals to all women as a perfect husband ... I don't think so..didn't he just go through a rather nasty divorce?"}, {"response": 9, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Thu, Mar  6, 1997 (07:55)", "body": "cheryl, I thought you were responding to me - LOL, no, My perfect husband (aka DH) has not been through anything of the sort!"}, {"response": 10, "author": "beverly", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 1997 (02:58)", "body": "Gee girls, I didn't mean to start a pissing contest here, you know what I mean? Your husbands are the best, \"wow\", I'm sure they get standing ovations all the time from you. Kevin has just returned from one whole year vacation with his beloved wife and family, after filming Waterworld and talked about his new movie, \"Tin Cup\" Soooo, for all us single women who want a Costner type, let's hear it girls. We love Kevin......I love Kevin.......We love Kevin.......I love Kevin"}, {"response": 11, "author": "Andee1", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 1997 (23:32)", "body": "I agree, Kevin is absolutely a good drool topic. Probably my favorite movie of all time is Field of Dreams, and I found Tin Cup charming (having accompanied my parents on golfing expeditions for my entire childhood). But, Beverly, I'm not so sure your facts are right. Mrs. Costner got a hefty divorce settlement from him. And he was supposedly fooling around the whole time during the filming of Waterworld. The adultery thing has really lessened him in my eyes, as it would any person, male or female. S as to the perfect husband angle, I am also a no vote! My DH may not look like Kev, but he'll always be there for me."}, {"response": 12, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 1997 (01:28)", "body": "I in no way meant to imply that my DH, or anyone's for that matter, was ideal ! He does intend to stick around through all my neuroses, however, and have a wonderful life in the mean time, in spite of it all. THAT I think is essential in any definition of the ideal mate."}, {"response": 13, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 1997 (02:20)", "body": "I'll stick with Jean Tripplehorn (Waterworld)."}, {"response": 14, "author": "LKenn", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 1997 (23:49)", "body": "Re: faithfulness - How many of you ladies would stay faithful to your mates given the chance to run away with Kevin, or Colin Firth, or Ralph Fiennes, or Tom Cruise, or Alan Rickman, or Mel Gibson, etc., etc., etc.??? Just some food for thought - mere mortals that we are......"}, {"response": 15, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (02:31)", "body": "Kind of like the scenario in the movie with Woody Harrelson, Demi Moore and Robert Redford? What was that called? You know, the one where Demi Moore had an offer of a million bucks to leave Woody and go with Redford."}, {"response": 16, "author": "Susan", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (04:25)", "body": "There's a cute fairy tale on the FOF site about a woman who accidentally meets CF, and she says something like, \"I was frantically trying to remember if there was a loophole in my marriage vows ... surely there must be a reprieve if you are knocked down by CF, especially when he's wet!\" It was really great and had me LOL."}, {"response": 17, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (04:45)", "body": "maybe we would or maybe we wouldn't, but NOONE calls me the ideal mate (well, not except Don) ;)"}, {"response": 18, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (05:07)", "body": "Re: faithfulness - How many of you ladies would stay faithful to your mates given the chance.... I prefer not to think that seriously about faithfulness while frolicking in firthian fantasies which may or may not feature footwear! ;-)"}, {"response": 19, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (18:23)", "body": "]Re: faithfulness - How many of you ladies would stay faithful to your mates given the chance.... It all depends on our definition of faithfulness and Should We or Not Should We, that is the question :)"}, {"response": 20, "author": "Mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (18:50)", "body": "Linda, I cannot answer your fidelity qeustion because I have lost my checkstub, and am unable to think in real terms in this conference. Why does this not bother me more?"}, {"response": 21, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 1997 (04:37)", "body": "LOL, Mari!! First one of the day, but hopefully not the last..."}, {"response": 22, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 1997 (23:10)", "body": "Okay ladies--I've decided that this topic has remained dormant far too long. Time to dust off the lovely Mr. Costner and have a go at him. I've had a horrible crush on him for years so it's only fair that I should start the drooling. The first time I saw him was in a movie called Fandango -- and he looked about 18 years old. And you know what? I like him better now. Aside from the obvious boyish good looks I find his Jimmy Stewart \"aw shucks\" kind of humility completely endearing. Very boy next door with an underlying naughty streak, hence the appeal of Bull Durham . Although that movie has a lot of things to recommend it. :-p I saw above that someone mentioned he was the corpse in The Big Chill . I read somewhere that they had shot all kinds of scenes with Kevin playing Alex. These scenes were to be shown in flashback throughout the film. In the end, the director decided not to go in that direction. Maybe he was right, but oh what I'd give to get my hands on all that stuff that was left on the cutting room floor. Come on ladies...talk to me!;-)"}, {"response": 23, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 1997 (01:52)", "body": "Sorry, Nan. I just found this page, or I would have talked to you sooner! :) I take a lot of heat from my friends over my C-O-S-T-N-E-R license plates, my poster-covered walls (only Kevin's movies), my web page, and his two biographies on my bookshelf. I just smile sweetly at them, aware that they would love him too if they had any sense. :) I urge Kevin's fans to grab the December issue of GEORGE magazine. He's on the cover. :) Best article I ever read about Kevin. It says all the things I wish I was articulate enough to say to my friends when I'm feeling defensive. Cannot WAIT until December 25!"}, {"response": 24, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 1997 (21:06)", "body": "Charlotte, let your friends laugh all they want...but you and I can still just stare at this...;-)...."}, {"response": 25, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 1997 (21:25)", "body": "omigod! That is gorgeous! May I put it on my Web page, Nan? my oh my oh my oh my gives new definition to the word 'drool', don't it?"}, {"response": 26, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 1997 (00:37)", "body": "omigod! That is gorgeous! Doesn't he make you just ache all over? *GROAN* May I put it on my Web page, Nan? Of course m'dear...my pictures are your pictures. I have another one at home that I must scan for you...you're gonna love it. BTW, that's from the October 97 Premiere Magazine. And missy, WHAT webpage? I must have the URL..."}, {"response": 27, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 1997 (00:46)", "body": "Ok, but don't expect too much. I'm trying to simplify my life. :) http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Set/4772"}, {"response": 28, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 1997 (04:54)", "body": "http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Set/4772 Oooh, Charlotte...you and I are gonna get along very well indeed ;-D I really love that \"No Way Out\" photo with the dogtags and the hairy chest. I'm feeling quite warm and fuzzy at present ;-)"}, {"response": 29, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 1997 (17:20)", "body": "You know...that is my least favorite photo. (I would post it here if I knew how!) He seems so miserable. As if he is saying \"this isn't me. why must i pose like this?\" It's as if his agent or the studio or somebody said \"this is what women want to see, so you'll do it\". My two favorites are the one from the Postman and the smiling one from Tin Cup."}, {"response": 30, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 1997 (17:21)", "body": "OOps. Correction. The one Nan gave me is now my favorite. :)"}, {"response": 31, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 1997 (17:57)", "body": "You know...that is my least favorite photo. (I would post it here if I knew how!) He seems so miserable. LOL! Yes, I could tell by the name of the photo, that you didn't love it :-) However, I must admit to being one of those women who wants to see it. I'm a bad girl ;-p So here a a few others to add to your collection. Very young Kevin, doin' the Fandango: The always lovely Field of Dreams: And that one I was telling you about yesterday, from the 3/7/91 issue of US Magazine where he is looking most studiously sexy: Whaddya think? ;-)"}, {"response": 32, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 1997 (18:11)", "body": "I think I love you, Nan."}, {"response": 33, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 1997 (18:23)", "body": "LOL Charlotte! Now, if you could only say that in Kevin's voice, we'd have something here...;-D"}, {"response": 34, "author": "Marilyn", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 1997 (18:32)", "body": "Hi Charlotte and darling Nan!! Oh, my! It IS slippery in here!! ;-) I can't resist putting my two cents in...I'd have to say the Premiere photo is my favorite for obvious reasons (lemme just say I prefer him in jeans ), but I'll take \"the obligatory funless pose\" Kevin any day - that photo says something else to me entirely, like \"take me here, Marilyn\"...LOL!!! Also, Charlotte, I always enjoy a good \"Crash\" photo - did he actually sign that \"Crash and the Shelby\" one for you?? I want details...;-) Oh, yes, the man can make me groan, ache, swoon - he can be wearing (or not wearing) that white uniform from NWO or the leather bomber and baggy pants from BD or that white t-shirt from TC or...well, you understand, and he does it for me every time. And, is there anything sexier than when he tells Sean Young in NWO \"You're pretty impressed with me\" - oh, okay, Crash's \"I believe in...\" mushes me up pretty good, too. ;-) Whew!!"}, {"response": 35, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 1997 (19:11)", "body": "Hi, Marilyn! I've added new photos to the gallery, ladies. Look for Elliott Ness, John Dunbar, and a color shot of The Mariner. I need one of those white uniform photos for the group!! Anybody got one? I, too, prefer him in jeans. Probably because I know that HE prefers him in jeans. :) Thus, (huge hugs to Nan!) the phot with the glasses, jeans and dog, is now my alltime, ALL TIME, favorite. The dog is lovely, but can't compete. Nice try, though."}, {"response": 36, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 1997 (19:23)", "body": "Oh. I have the Crash Davis with Shelby photo in a frame on my desk. It is an authentic autograph, but no...he did not sign it for me. It's one of those you can purchase from some firm in L.A. It comes with a certificate of authentication. I got it from the AuctionWeb (ebay). I did not buy it for the autograph, though...I just wanted the photo. So it doesn't matter to me if it's authentic or not. The way I feel about autographs is this: if he isn't standing in front of me, using my pen, then it's worthless to me."}, {"response": 37, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 1997 (19:40)", "body": "(Charlotte) I've added new photos to the gallery, ladies. Look for Elliott Ness, John Dunbar, and a color shot of The Mariner. Woman, you work a the speed of light! Oh, the Elliott Ness actually made me groan ;-p And I don't care what anyone says, I liked Waterworld ;-D I need one of those white uniform photos for the group!! Anybody got one? I don't have one, but if I come across anything I'll be sure to pass it on. I, too, prefer him in jeans. Probably because I know that HE prefers him in jeans. :) Thus, (huge hugs to Nan!) the phot with the glasses, jeans and dog, is now my alltime, ALL TIME, favorite. Clearly, I love that photo since I saved it for the last 6 years. And I thought I was being obsessive! LOL! I knew you'd get a kick out of it. FYI, the first photo I posted (the one from Premiere) was actually from an article that Marilyn sent me (via snail mail) and I just scanned it. So she really deserves the thanks, not me. BTW, Charlotte, do you have a scanner or do you want me to scan the cover of George for you? 'Cause I've got it ;-)"}, {"response": 38, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 1997 (20:16)", "body": "And you will want what in return...my first born child? I'm tempted, but she is 20 and might have a thing or two to say about such a deal. I do not have access to a scanner. I could buy one, but as earlier claimed...I am trying to simplify my life. It isn't the cover that appeals me, though, as much as the full page photo on page 2 of the article. With the cover, you get \"GEORGE\" and all that extra text. Could you scan the nonsmiling one for me? Is there anything I can offer you in lieu of my daughter or my framed Kevin photos?"}, {"response": 39, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 1997 (21:23)", "body": "And you will want what in return...my first born child? I'm tempted, but she is 20 and might have a thing or two to say about such a deal. Well, she's lovely but I'm afraid that with my new love of scanning, I have no time for children. Could you scan the nonsmiling one for me? Is there anything I can offer you in lieu of my daughter or my framed Kevin photos? Just come and drool and I'll be happy dear ;-) And even though you didn't ask for it, I couldn't help it. Besides, Marilyn would have been most put out had I not posted black-eyed Crash."}, {"response": 40, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 1997 (21:53)", "body": "...drool... drool... where is that towel!! oh I hope he never goes online. this would be sooooo embarassing for him! :)"}, {"response": 41, "author": "Marilyn", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 1997 (23:51)", "body": "Damn, Nan, that's good! No kidding, Charlotte, I had to brace myself for that one - got a little weak-kneed and overly drooly - and I assure you it's not a pretty sight!! :-D Btw, although I like the forearms on that first one, the sad, black-eyed Crash is what I want right now!! Oh, to be Annie to his Crash...(sigh)."}, {"response": 42, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 1997 (00:50)", "body": "Sure. I'm biased. But fair is fair. How long is Colin Firth's face gonna stay on our top menu? Who must I sleep with to get Kevin's there?"}, {"response": 43, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 1997 (01:04)", "body": "Sure. I'm biased. But fair is fair. How long is Colin Firth's face gonna stay on our top menu? Who must I sleep with to get Kevin's there? Weeeell...I'm afraid that would be me, Charlotte. Aren't you sorry you asked that question? ;-p Now you know how I feel about Kevin, but the Colin boards are, by far, the most popular in this conference. Fortunately, my drooling is multi-faceted so I can pop around with ease. :-) Besides, I happen to be extremely fond of Mr. Firth (big understatement). Hence, his picture at the main page. ;-)"}, {"response": 44, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 1997 (01:12)", "body": "I was ribbin' ya, Amy. I like Colin, too. And (don't tell Kevin) I have been known to also lust after Alan Rickman and Ralph Fiennes. Couldn't we have more than one photo maybe? No biggie. Thanks to you and Nan and the Marilyn, my Kevin gallery has nearly doubled in a day! I am happier than happy."}, {"response": 45, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 1997 (01:21)", "body": "Oops. S-O-R-R-Y! I said Amy. I meant, of course, the inimitable, brilliant, generous, gracious, and FORGIVING ..... NAN!"}, {"response": 46, "author": "eva", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 1997 (01:58)", "body": "help! i am computer illiterate!!"}, {"response": 47, "author": "eva", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 1997 (02:02)", "body": "am i the only one who is smitten with the most recent mr. rochester? do you know what it's like to be in love with a fictional character?"}, {"response": 48, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 1997 (02:47)", "body": "You're not so illiterate, eva! Ya done good except for posting lovenotes to Ciaran Hinds in Kevin Costner's drool pool. But hey...it's an honest mistake. They are both soooooo pretty!"}, {"response": 49, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 1997 (05:53)", "body": "Hi, I'm very new to this chat thing but could not resist your topic. I absolutely adore Kevin Costner. Your pics are great! I can watch his movies over and over. Dances is my personal fav. Can't wait for Christmas and The Postman."}, {"response": 50, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 1997 (18:51)", "body": "Any KC droolers in the southern California area? Maybe we should get together 12/25 and see the opening of THE POSTMAN together! Welcome aboard, Sheila!"}, {"response": 51, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 1997 (20:20)", "body": "YOU'RE DOIN' FINE (Eva) help! i am computer illiterate!! Well you can't be as bad as you think Eva--you were able to post, right? :-) am i the only one who is smitten with the most recent mr. rochester? do you know what it's like to be in love with a fictional character? Indeed I do! Even if you're not a Colin Firth fan you can go over and visit the topics devoted to him. Most of us there noticed him when we fell in love with his perfect Mr. Darcy. Colin Firth There is also a Ciaran Hinds topic which you should visit. There are plenty of others there who would be happy to discuss the Rochester with you. Ciaran Hinds HI SHEILA (Sheila) Hi, I'm very new to this chat thing but could not resist your topic. I absolutely adore Kevin Costner. Your pics are great! I can watch his movies over and over. Dances is my personal fav. Can't wait for Christmas and The Postman. I'm a Bull Durham girl, myself ;-) Very glad you found us, Sheila--feel free to plunge on in. THE POSTMAN (Charlotte) Any KC droolers in the southern California area? Maybe we should get together 12/25 and see the opening of THE POSTMAN together! Oooh, I'm so jealous--no where near CA ;-( But I'm sure I can convince someone to sit through another Kevin movie...;-)"}, {"response": 52, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 1997 (22:30)", "body": "This drooler is from the north-Canada Thanks for the tip on the article in GEORGE magazine, I picked it up today. The magazine was burning a hole in the bag under my desk this afternoon."}, {"response": 53, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 1997 (22:46)", "body": "Use asbestos bags. :) Cause it will continue to burn. I have read that article three times. I feel compelled to write to GEORGE and express my gratitude for such a positive perspective on Kevin, when so many are usually so quick to cut him down. And the photos are awesome, too!"}, {"response": 54, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 1997 (23:27)", "body": ""}, {"response": 55, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 1997 (00:19)", "body": "Yoo-hoo, Chaaaaarlotte...look at the main page ;-)"}, {"response": 56, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 1997 (00:44)", "body": "@}--->---->-- A rose for the genius! You are AWESOME, Nan! Man oh man...like we needed any more drool in this place! :) And as Leelu would say: DANKOO!!!"}, {"response": 57, "author": "Marilyn", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 1997 (00:52)", "body": "THE POSTMAN (Charlotte) Any KC droolers in the southern California area? Maybe we should get together 12/25 and see the opening of THE POSTMAN together! (Nan)Oooh, I'm so jealous--no where near CA ;-( But I'm sure I can convince someone to sit through another Kevin movie...;-) Charlotte, I may be the someone Nan is referring to as she knows you can convince me quite easily to sit through The Postman with you. I live in Orange County - are you anywhere near me? Can you e-mail me? Welcome, Sheila - looks like I'll have to pick up that George issue. It's been a while since I've seen Dances - do you have a favorite scene you'd like to talk about?? For pure sex appeal, it's hard to beat his Crash - but No Way Out gets honorable mention because he made the earth move for me - I REALLY WANTED HIM BAD - and that happened right about the moment he appeared in that white uniform...then the limo scene nailed it for me - what an exhausting movie! ;-)"}, {"response": 58, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 1997 (01:42)", "body": "I think another honourable mention should go to REVENGE! He took my breath away. What can I say, he rings my bell !!! I sort of have the best of both worlds-I'm married to a Kevin and am totally besotted with \"My other Kevin\""}, {"response": 59, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 1997 (01:52)", "body": "OH thank you, Sheila! I LOVE \"Revenge\"! It's the only film (so far) where Kevin's tongue is shown in a love scene. (blush) Plotwise, etc., there isn't much here, but acting wise, I rank this one right up there with PERFECT WORLD. When he sits on the steps at the end, with lifeless Madeleine in his arms...well, I cry every time. Just can't help it. But Cochran is Kevin's sexiest character, hands down."}, {"response": 60, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 1997 (02:02)", "body": "(Charlotte) A rose for the genius! While being called a genius gives me a cheap thrill, you should really thank the person who made Photoshop so easy to use...you hit a couple of buttons and voila' you've got a twofer ;-) THE POSTMAN (Nan)Oooh, I'm so jealous--no where near CA ;-( But I'm sure I can convince someone to sit through another Kevin movie...;-) (Marilyn) Charlotte, I may be the someone Nan is referring to as she knows you can convince me quite easily to sit through The Postman with you. ActuallyI was thinking about having to talk one of my \"real world\" friends here into going with me. But now that you mention it, it's not a bad idea babe! ;-) THE TONGUE (Charlotte) I LOVE \"Revenge\"! It's the only film (so far) where Kevin's tongue is shown in a love scene. (blush) I only saw Revenge once, a few years ago. Looks like I'll have to rent that one and refresh myself. But I have to differ about the tongue...Bull Durham, bathtub, just before the candles get extinguished...;-D"}, {"response": 61, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 1997 (02:12)", "body": "You sure? I'm poppin' Bull Durham into the ole VCR tonight to make sure!"}, {"response": 62, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 1997 (03:34)", "body": "For some reason one of my favourite scenes from Revenge is on the beach with Madeline and the dog. He is just so drop dead gorgeous - those twinkling eyes and that boyish grin. Anybody got any info about his next project - I've heard some rumours about a film called For the Love of the Game, another baseball flick"}, {"response": 63, "author": "Kate", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 1997 (09:11)", "body": "ok, I have to confess, I'm a Bull Durham fan too. And the limo scene from NWO has to be one of the sexiest scenes in a movie, ever."}, {"response": 64, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 1997 (17:08)", "body": "OK. I stand corrected. This morning (before breakfast!) I popped in Bull Durham and fast-forwarded to the candle/tub scene. And ohhhhhh... nothing like a little stimulation to get you going in the morning! Time to watch it all the way through again, methinks. \"For the Love of the Game\" will be directed by Sydney Pollack and will be released sometime next year. That's all I know right now."}, {"response": 65, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 1997 (18:21)", "body": "Charlotte, I found your website. Great job! Did you get my email? Your daughter is beautiful and talented-I'm a Mom too, my daughter is only 6 years old. She likes THE WAR, WATERWORLD and DWW. I am bringing her up on KC-a fan in training! Have to edit some of her viewing for the time being-some of his movies are just too HOT! The bathtub/candle thing gets her mother all hot and bothered - ohhh Kevin (hubby) where are you?"}, {"response": 66, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 1997 (18:37)", "body": "Charlotte-what biographies are on your shelf? please tell!"}, {"response": 67, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 1997 (18:43)", "body": "my 2 biographies: Kevin Costner, by Todd Keith, publ. 1991 Kevin Costner: Prince of Hollywood, by Kelvin Caddies, Publ. 1994"}, {"response": 68, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 1997 (18:48)", "body": "Fellow droolers, did you know that there is CD available by Kevin's band, Roving Boy? The CD title is \"The Simple Truth\". The CD is an import, available from Japan. I ordered it from CDNow.com. Kevin insisted that it not be released in the US because his notoriety was too distracting for the band, and not fair to the other members. It kinda burns me that only a small handful of us know how truly generous Kevin is. The music is good, but a little too much on the country side for my tastes. Kevin's voice, is strong, but not remarkable. Still...I would not trade this CD for all the gold in Fort Knox. Well, maybe I exaggerate. For that much gold, I could afford to buy another, no? :) Oh, and yes, I got your email, Sheila! I'll reply backatcha later today."}, {"response": 69, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 1997 (20:02)", "body": "Hi guys!! Found something that you might be interested in. Empire magazine has a website (www.erack.com). In one of the picks, you can get to movie sound files and TA-DA: Bull Durham awaits. So, when you want to hear Kev's \"I believe\" speech about kisses that last forever......it's there!!! FYI: Kev's sexiest scene has to be on the kitchen table in Bull Durham. No cryin' over spilt milk for me!!"}, {"response": 70, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 1997 (22:05)", "body": "I'll have to see if I can get a copy of the Roving Boy CD, I knew he had made the recording but I didn't think it was available in North America. Don't you get all quivery inside whenever you hear Whitney singing \"I Will Always Love You\". Tincup is a great soundtrack too! I really like the tunes Big Stick, Character Flaw and of course This Could Take All Night. I'd give him a Mulligan anyday- TEE IT UP!"}, {"response": 71, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 1997 (00:05)", "body": "AHA! I KNEW IT (Kate) ok, I have to confess, I'm a Bull Durham fan too. And the limo scene from NWO has to be one of the sexiest scenes in a movie, ever. Dearest Kate! How good to see you here. I had no idea you were even interested in Kevin. Delightful discovery ;-) THE TONGUE (Charlotte) OK. I stand corrected. This morning (before breakfast!) I popped in Bull Durham and fast-forwarded to the candle/tub scene. And ohhhhhh... nothing like a little stimulation to get you going in the morning! Time to watch it all the way through again, methinks. IMO, you can never watch that movie too many times. :-) This is why I like the bathtub scene so much...they actually look like their enjoying themselves ;-p I'M WITH THE BAND (Charlotte) Fellow droolers, did you know that there is CD available by Kevin's band, Roving Boy? The CD title is \"The Simple Truth\". The CD is an import, available from Japan. No idea! I've never heard of that before, nor did I even know that he was musically inclined. Does he just sing or does he play an instrument too? This is exciting! Learn something new every day... TALKIN' DIRTY (Karen) Found something that you might be interested in. Empire magazine has a website (www.erack.com). In one of the picks, you can get to movie sound files and TA-DA: Bull Durham awaits. So, when you want to hear Kev's \"I believe\" speech about kisses that last forever......it's there!!! Oh honey, thanks for the info--I promptly saved it and now Kevin talks dirty to me every time I shut off the computer! LOL! ;-)"}, {"response": 72, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 1997 (05:43)", "body": "I'm confused over a scene from Wyatt Earp. In the bathtub, just before the Sheriff halls him off for stealing the horse we get a great shirtless view. What's with the chest? Smooth as a baby's bottom! Every red blooded female fan knows Kev has a very MASCULINE chest. ???????????????????????????????????? Body double? Movie magic? Dedication to your craft? What's the story?"}, {"response": 73, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 1997 (17:40)", "body": "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow - it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! ( 3 inches this AM) 33 days till the postal delivery-but who's counting? Anybody read David Brin's Postman?"}, {"response": 74, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 1997 (17:51)", "body": "No, what's that about?"}, {"response": 75, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 1997 (19:30)", "body": "Costner's new movie is based on David Brin's book The Postman. Check out http://thepostman.com There is a brief summary of the story and some great pics from the film."}, {"response": 76, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 1997 (19:46)", "body": "Funny, there was a great foreign flick called the Postman (el postino)."}, {"response": 77, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 1997 (19:58)", "body": "There was some initial plan to change the title of Kevin's film, but it was felt that it would better honor David Brin to preserve his title. Besides that, the title is the essence of the plot. I cannot imagine a better title. In truth, the foreign film is titled \"Il Postino\", so there should be no confusion, but you know how we Americans like to Americanize everything. :) \"The Postman\" has long been one of my favorite novels. Post-apocalypse has always been my favorite SF genre, and this novel is a superb example. I have waited years for someone to film it, and when I heard that Kevin was doing it, I turned cartwheels."}, {"response": 78, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 1997 (20:32)", "body": "Can you post a picture of that? (you turning cartwheels)"}, {"response": 79, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 1997 (20:50)", "body": "Kevin's daughter Annie has a part in the film - character's name is PONYTAIL. I read the book a couple of months ago, it was a little bizarre for me because I kept visualizing Kevin in the role of Gordon Krantz and at the same time associating with the Gordon Krantz I know (a real person)"}, {"response": 80, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 1997 (19:55)", "body": "Marilyn, I tried to send you email, but it bounced! The original message was received at Thu, 20 Nov 1997 15:58:31 -0800 from esri [192.9.155.1] ----- The following addresses had delivery problems ----- (unrecoverable error) ----- Transcript of session follows ----- ... Deferred: Connection timed out during initial connection with 38.242.99.72 Message could not be delivered for 2 days Message will be deleted from queue Can you email me your correct email address? Thanks! Charlotte"}, {"response": 81, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 1997 (18:16)", "body": "... That rare, indelible smile..."}, {"response": 82, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 1997 (18:20)", "body": "Ok. Now I know how to display links. Now I gotta learn to display graphics. :)"}, {"response": 83, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Dec  1, 1997 (08:56)", "body": "(Charlotte) That rare, indelible smile... Oooh, Charlotte! *sluuuuuuurp* That is one vicious picture! Knock me down and pinch me in the mornin\ufffd ;-D"}, {"response": 84, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Dec  1, 1997 (19:23)", "body": "Charlotte, dear-- I found a little Postman photo in a magazine. Here you go..."}, {"response": 85, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Dec  1, 1997 (20:10)", "body": "What do you want for Christmas, Nan? I make lovely doilies. Thank you for this. I subscribe to that magazine, and I saw this photo...but it was so tiny and I have no scanner. :) It's going into my web page collection today! 24 days and counting! Charlotte"}, {"response": 86, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Dec  1, 1997 (23:33)", "body": "Here's an older photo. Must be...look at all that hair! :)"}, {"response": 87, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Dec  1, 1997 (23:45)", "body": "Merciful heavens, Charlotte!! What are you trying to do? Kill me? ;-D *pant* *pant* :-)...."}, {"response": 88, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 1997 (00:03)", "body": "Tit for tat, I always say. :) That one was especially for Sheila. She and I are at war over who is most obsessed with Kevin...myself or herself. :) So Sheila...do you have seven huge posters covering the walls of your den? :) oooooohhhh, I am sooooo cruel! Charlotte"}, {"response": 89, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 1997 (02:15)", "body": "Ohhh!!!!! What a beautiful man! Charlotte honey, you've got to be cruel to be kind, and you just made my day! Do I see freckles? How totally charming? OK-I concede on posters. How about trivia? Did you know he has a thing for Hostess Twinkies!!"}, {"response": 90, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 1997 (16:34)", "body": "Twinkies?? I gotta send that man some of my wheat germ cookies. :) OK. I'll give you a point for trivia. How many of his movies do you own?"}, {"response": 91, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 1997 (18:38)", "body": "We all need our fibre, but wouldn't you like to be Kevin's twinkie? My video collection stands at 16, still need to find the oldies; Fandango, Stacy's Knights, The Gunrunner, Testament etc... How about you?"}, {"response": 92, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 1997 (19:00)", "body": "I have 26. The only ones I don't have (besides Postman and For the Love of the Game, of course) are Shadows Run Black, which I don't think is available on video, and the documentaries (500 Nations, Beyond JFK, Century of Cinema). I have Testament. It's a fabulous film, and is dear to me because it also contains another of my favorite stars: Philip Anglim. We may just have to declare it a draw, dontcha think? :)"}, {"response": 93, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 1997 (23:02)", "body": "The Kevin Costner Filmography as per Tig Productions only lists 24 titles. Shadows Run Black and Sizzle Beach USA are not acknowledged. What have I missed? Surfing-I found another project title \"Message in a Bottle\" and one of my newsletters reports Warner Bros purchased \"Shank\" for Tig Productions to develop for Kevin. I think I agree, we are just going to have to share the position of BIGGEST FAN!"}, {"response": 94, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 1997 (23:29)", "body": "This is the Filmography that I use. It's from the Internet Movie Database and can be accessed from my Web page. Here is the text version. \"+\" indicates a video I have yet to acquire. + 1. For the Love of the Game (1999) + 2. Postman, The (1997) .... Gordon Krantz 3. Tin Cup (1996) (C:GGN) .... Roy 'Tin Cup' McAvoy 4. Waterworld (1995) .... Mariner 5. \"500 Nations\" (1995) TV Series .... Host 6. Wyatt Earp (1994) .... Wyatt Earp + 7. Century of Cinema, A (1994) .... Himself 8. War, The (1994) .... Stephen 9. Perfect World, A (1993) .... Butch Haynes 10. Bodyguard, The (1992) .... Frank Farmer + 11. Beyond 'JFK': The Question of Conspiracy (1992) .... Interviewee + 12. John Barry - Moviola (1992) .... Himself 13. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) .... Robin of Locksley 14. Madonna: Truth or Dare (1991) .... Himself 15. JFK (1991) (GGN) .... Jim Garrison 16. Revenge (1990) .... Cochran 17. Dances with Wolves (1990) (AAN) (GGN) .... Lieutenant Dunbar 18. Field of Dreams (1989) .... Ray Kinsella 19. Bull Durham (1988) .... Crash Davis 20. No Way Out (1987) .... Tom Farrell 21. Untouchables, The (1987) .... Eliot Ness + 22. Shadows Run Black (1986) 23. Silverado (1985) .... Jake 24. American Flyers (1985) .... Marcus 25. Fandango (1985) .... Gardner Barnes 26. Gunrunner, The (1984) .... Ted + 27. Table for Five (1983) .... Newlywed Husband 28. Testament (1983) .... Phil Pitkin 29. Chasing Dreams (1982) .... Ed 30. Frances (1982) 31. Night Shift (1982) .... Frat Boy #1 32. Stacy's Knights (1982) .... Will Bonner 33. Sizzle Beach, U.S.A. (1974) .... John Logan"}, {"response": 95, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 1997 (23:33)", "body": "Newsflash Charlotte! Just found on the upcoming guest list for David Letterman's Late Show Monday December 15, 1997 - KEVIN COSTNER"}, {"response": 96, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 1997 (00:06)", "body": "!!! Dec. 15 is my birthday!! Sheila, you are WONDERFUL! Thankyouthankyouthankyou!"}, {"response": 97, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 1997 (01:20)", "body": "Happy to be of service dear! Stayed tuned-he'll probably be making other appearances in New York around that date. Get the VCR serviced, you won't want to miss a moment!"}, {"response": 98, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 1997 (02:24)", "body": "New York? He lives HERE! Why not make some local appearances. Sheesh. Wasn't it nice of David to arrange such a nice birthday present for me? :)"}, {"response": 99, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 1997 (06:36)", "body": "Be sure to watch Leno's schedule - I think its highly likely we'll see him visit Jay too! Wish I could call him our native son, the chances he'd make an appearance anywhere near me are about next to none. Speaking of birthdays, Kevin's is not too far away, #43 I believe!"}, {"response": 100, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 1997 (07:31)", "body": "(Charlotte)New York? He lives HERE! Why not make some local appearances. Sheesh. Oh, didn't you know? He wants to be near me ;-p"}, {"response": 101, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 1997 (14:54)", "body": "Yup. #43. Jan. 18. Makes it real easy to remember my daughter's birthday, which is Jan. 17. :) Where are you, Sheila? Let's all stick our tongues out at Nan. :P :P :P I just ordered the novel \"For the Love of the Game\". Does anyone know who wrote \"Message in a Bottle\"?"}, {"response": 102, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 1997 (22:39)", "body": "Message in a Bottle-author Nicholas Sparks Storyline-A female journalist walking along a beach finds a bottle containing a love letter from a husband to his wife. Has such an effect on her-she falls in love with the writer and decides to track him down. For the Love of the Game-author Michael Shaara Storyline-A washed up pitcher pitches a perfect game while flashing back on what went wrong with his career. Charlotte, I live in an igloo near Toronto, Ontario CANADA (just joking) It is very WINTER here right now!"}, {"response": 103, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 1997 (22:48)", "body": "Come visit ME! I live in Southern California and it's around 68 degrees and sunny right now. We're hoping for rain on Saturday."}, {"response": 104, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Wed, Dec  3, 1997 (22:53)", "body": "Has this Message book even been published yet? I can't find it at Amazon!!"}, {"response": 105, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 1997 (18:16)", "body": "Good question Charlotte, found this information through Movietrack search at www.erack.com Film is being produced for Warner Bros. I'm sure I saw something else about the project (can't remember where) Demi Moore's name had been mentioned in connection with it???? Perhaps I will email them and see if I can get any more information. What is the time difference between us? Four hours????"}, {"response": 106, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 1997 (18:37)", "body": "P.S. The article was from Mr.Showbiz P.P.S.S. Love to visit CA someday! Planning a Florida vacation next month!"}, {"response": 107, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 1997 (21:53)", "body": "Charlotte--I've been hunting through old magazines (I'm such a pack rat) ;-) The following 3 are from US Magazine (July 1991): Too funny, yes? This one is from US Magazine (January 1991)"}, {"response": 108, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 1997 (22:32)", "body": "Nan, I really like the last one! Mmmmmmmmm good!!!!"}, {"response": 109, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 1997 (22:35)", "body": "Nan! I've run out of ways to say thank you! Did you notice that my Kevin page is now listed on the FanSite Kevin page? (I so proud) :)"}, {"response": 110, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 1997 (22:53)", "body": "So you should be!!! Phyllis has a great page but I like yours best!!!! Take a bow!"}, {"response": 111, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 1997 (00:05)", "body": "Did you notice that my Kevin page is now listed on the FanSite Kevin page? YAY! You go, sister! ;-) No thanks necessary...I just love lookin' at him ;-p"}, {"response": 112, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 1997 (03:00)", "body": "Oh NA-A-AN! There is a new photo of Kevin in this week's People magazine. Pg. 47. The accompanying story is about how Kevin tried to get a PG-13 rating for The Postman, but got voted down. Twice."}, {"response": 113, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 1997 (21:56)", "body": "So are you guys Kevin'd out, yet?? ;-) I hope you haven't missed Entertainment Tonight for about the past week. I think he's been on almost every day...and he will be again tonight, so head's up, ladies."}, {"response": 114, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 1997 (22:42)", "body": "Surely you jest! For some of us, getting \"Kevin'd out\" is patently impossible! :) I caught last night's EW. Thanks for the tip about tonight! I am sooooo happy that the preliminary feedback about the film is good. I take it so personally when Kevin has to take a lot of abuse. :)"}, {"response": 115, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 1997 (07:24)", "body": "Oh Nooooo!!!!!! I missed it! Please share all the details girls."}, {"response": 116, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 1997 (17:48)", "body": "Might be easier to send you the tape. :) Last night's favorite quote: re: kissing Olivia Williams... \"I kissed her once for the movie, once for all the men everywhere, and then I kissed her for myself.\" (paraphrased from memory...may not be exact wording)"}, {"response": 117, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 1997 (21:33)", "body": "Last week, there was a segment about directing his kids in the movie. On Monday, people from Michigan and NJ got to ask Kev questions. The first lady asked him to give men tips to be sexy. He got all embarassed and kept looking down and sort of smiling and was telling the lady to settle down (if I hadn't seen a picture of Nan....). Then the last lady asked him if he would consider doing a nude scene. Again, he got all embarassed and fumbled over his answer, which was that he didn't even think about d ing that kind of stuff. OUR LOSS. About the only one he was good on was the one a kid asked about what sports he played as a kid. Of course!! He was also on during the weekend...but I don't even know what day/time they broadcast ET on the weekends. I'd say Kev is being so accessible to ensure a good reception for his movie."}, {"response": 118, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 1997 (20:57)", "body": "Sorry for the delay, Charlotte--I've been a bit behind...;-)"}, {"response": 119, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 1997 (22:33)", "body": "Tin Cup was on last night on HBO: He said his inner child needed to be spanked. Where do I get in line??"}, {"response": 120, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 1997 (22:44)", "body": "Anybody pick up their January copy of PREMIERE magazine? Guess who is on the cover? Check out the cowboy boots and jeans on page 7. Yippy Skippy!!!!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 121, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 1997 (00:16)", "body": "Oh yes, I have seen the Premiere Magazine--and a bee-yew-tee-ful thing it is. My very splashy pal, Marilyn sent it in a package of juicy tidbits today ;-) And here he is... Oh my!! ;-)... I think this is my favorite... But this one doesn't stink ;-p"}, {"response": 122, "author": "Marilyn", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 1997 (01:24)", "body": "SLUUUUURP!!! ;-)...... He certainly knows how to wear jeans and cowboy boots - too beautiful for words. ;-)"}, {"response": 123, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 1997 (02:08)", "body": "My vote has to go for the jeans and boots."}, {"response": 124, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 1997 (04:36)", "body": "I wonder about those jeans........ Zip or button fly?????????"}, {"response": 125, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Sun, Dec 14, 1997 (18:59)", "body": "Oh Charlotte.... Another birthday present for you, make sure you catch Rose O'Donnell on December 15th too! Kevin Costner and Olivia Williams!"}, {"response": 126, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Sun, Dec 14, 1997 (19:00)", "body": "Oh Charlotte.... Another birthday present for you, make sure you catch Rosie O'Donnell on December 15th too! Kevin Costner and Olivia Williams!"}, {"response": 127, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 1997 (02:05)", "body": "Thanks, Sheila! I knew about the Rosie appearance, thanks to my trusty Entertainment Weekly! :) VCR is set up for both Rosie and Letterman. I got the Premiere mag, too. Read the article. Not as good as the George article, but not too terrible, either. Do you think, MAYBE, the press is beginning to respect Kevin? Nan, the photos are simply wonderful and I thank you. I can't wait until I can get to work tomorrow and upload them to my Web page. (I'm more comfortable doing Web work in Unix.) Ya know... he has been called \"extraordinarily handsome\", \"extremely good looking\", and \"rakishly sexy\". I say: he's simply beautiful."}, {"response": 128, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 1997 (22:39)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Charlotte ;-)"}, {"response": 129, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 1997 (22:58)", "body": "Oh. My. God. I'm starting to wonder if you are exceedingly kind or excessively cruel, Nan! I'm 52 today, and I'm not sure how much longer my old heart can take stuff like this. Forever, I hope. :) It's a great day, so far...thanks for thinking of me. I'm leaving work now so I can go home and watch Rosie's birthday present to me. Isn't she sweet? :)"}, {"response": 130, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 1997 (23:46)", "body": "Just watched Rosie, it's such a treat to see Kevin being Kevin. He seemed a little nervous to me. What did you guys think when he spoke about his wife? Can't wait till tonight. Can't wait till The Postman! CHARLOTTE-HOPE YOU ARE HAVING A GREAT BIRTHDAY. * * * * * * * * * * I I I I I I I I I I I [___________] (does that look like a birthday cake?)"}, {"response": 131, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 1997 (23:48)", "body": "OOOPS! it looked a lot better on my response screen, I'm still new at this stuff."}, {"response": 132, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Dec 15, 1997 (23:50)", "body": "It looks just fine, Sheila. It looks exactly how my own cake would look if i tried to put 52 candles on it. :)"}, {"response": 133, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 1997 (00:01)", "body": "Is no one going to comment on Kevin's Freudian slip on Letterman? ;-) I'm shocked."}, {"response": 134, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 1997 (06:19)", "body": "(Karen) Is no one going to comment on Kevin's Freudian slip on Letterman? ;-) Didn't see it...what did he say? He was too adorable on Rosie this week ;-)"}, {"response": 135, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 1997 (19:07)", "body": "The Rosie appearance was delightful. I've watched the tape 3 times already. My VCR screwed up and I missed the Letterman spot. Dammit. And today I overslept and didn't get to the TV until 7:30. I watched until 9, but Kevin never appeared, as scheduled, on Good Morning America. Maybe he was in the half hour that I missed? Tell us about the Freudian slip!!"}, {"response": 136, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 1997 (19:47)", "body": "Let's see, it had to do with the kind of swash-bluckling move of picking a woman up while on horseback (like in Valmont). Dave questioned him about doing that and he replied that \"throwing a woman on her back\" (something like that) was a fantasy we all have. The place went nuts!! They were both so red. Kev couldn't even look up. Obviously he meant on \"horseback\" but it just came out on \"her back.\" My oh my!! Maybe someone else can relate it better than I."}, {"response": 137, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 1997 (19:48)", "body": "Let's see, it had to do with the kind of swash-buckling move of picking a woman up while on horseback (like in Valmont). Dave questioned him about doing that and he replied that \"throwing a woman on her back\" (something like that) was a fantasy we all have. The place went nuts!! They were both so red. Kev couldn't even look up. Obviously he meant on \"horseback\" but it just came out on \"her back.\" My oh my!! Maybe someone else can relate it better than I."}, {"response": 138, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Fri, Dec 19, 1997 (06:08)", "body": "You pretty much got it covered Karen, Kevin was very embarassed. It's too bad you missed it Charlotte because the Letterman Show was really good. Don't get me wrong I like Rosie's show a lot but I just felt that he seemed a little nervous with her one on one. She did say that they hadn't met before. I felt the conversation with Dave was a little more spontaneous. Dave asked him who his idols were and he named McQueen and Newman and also admitted he was having discussions with Paul Newman about working together. Sounds intriguing! How did you hear about the Good Morning America spot Charlotte? I feel like I live in Timbuktu!!!! My Dec 19/97 issue of Entertainment Weekly arrived today-all the articles are a week old!!!! Do you know of anything else scheduled?"}, {"response": 139, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Fri, Dec 19, 1997 (06:37)", "body": "FYI ladies...... The Postman site has been updated."}, {"response": 140, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Fri, Dec 19, 1997 (16:09)", "body": "Yah! I noticed the new updated Postman site yesterday! I went looking for any possible pre-release dates...sneak previews and the like. Came up empty. Sheila, I did a search of the online tvlistings and found the GMA spots. Supposedly, he's on GMA again today, wrapping up from yesterday, and this time I'm ready. It's 7am as I type this and the VCR is rolling."}, {"response": 141, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Fri, Dec 19, 1997 (17:24)", "body": "Guess what I got for Christmas!! My 5 closest friends went in together and bought me the 8-tape complete boxed set of \"500 Nations\"! Sure is soft and fluffy up here in these clouds! :)"}, {"response": 142, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Sat, Dec 20, 1997 (03:54)", "body": "Charlotte, while you were busy typing at 7 AM my morning was already half over (3 hour time change between us) Not a chance to catch GMA :( I was up to my eyeballs with data entry and tax remittance returns - Christmas vacation deadlines!!!! As much as I enjoy the holidays with my children, it is definitely the SILLY SEASON. I get very stressed out! I did something however, for me... Treated myself to The Directors Cut of JFK and Beyond JFK-The Question of Conspiracy. Pretty serious subject matter, but my video collection is now 2 larger. I am fascinated with American history - JFK was assassinated the year I was born. 500 Nations is EIGHT tapes?????? WOW, how long till we get your review??"}, {"response": 143, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Sat, Dec 20, 1997 (21:54)", "body": "Oh now I'm jealous! I don't have Beyond JFK yet. It's my plan to get it after the first of the year sometime. (I was told I could not buy myself anything until after the holidays.) Please let me know if Kevin onscreen in Beyond JFK very much. It may be awhile before you get a TOTAL review of 500 Nations. But I can give you eight separate ones as we watch them. The 6 of us have agreed to get together each Monday evening to watch one tape. I think GMA was a bust. I saw neither hide nor hair of our man. Either I misread the listing, or the listing was wrong."}, {"response": 144, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Sun, Dec 21, 1997 (05:12)", "body": "Are you friends \"KEVIN\" fans too? Mine tease me about my \"infatuation\", I did something really dopey at work recently, I have been working on some golf course books so of course, what's on my mind....... GOLF.....TIN CUP.....ROY MCAVOY......KEVIN COSTNER!!!! The telephone rings...a guy named Kevin Bidwell for one of the accountants, but who does Sheila-head at the golf course say is calling....you guessed it! I got an amused raised eyebrow! JUST WISHFULL THINKING I GUESS :) !!! I shall watch Beyond JFK and give you a report, in fact I have to go wrap some Christmas presents now that the kids are in bed and I think I will pop it in the VCR"}, {"response": 145, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Sun, Dec 21, 1997 (05:57)", "body": "Charlotte, I was just browsing through Phyllis' guest book and found a posting saying Kevin will be on Regis and Kathie Lee Tuesday December 23, 1997. Their weekly schedule isn't posted till Monday, My guess is Regis and Kathie Lee are on vacation and this LIVE episode was taped this past week when Kevin was in New York. Reprogram that VCR!!!!!"}, {"response": 146, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Sun, Dec 21, 1997 (08:32)", "body": "OOoo! Thanks for the tip, Sheila! (Are we the only ones here?) No, my friends are not Kevin fans. They love me, though, so they are condescendingly tolerant. That's one reason why their gift means so much to me. It probably hurt them to buy the damn thing. :) I got this week's People magazine today. *sigh* They list The Postman as one of the worst films of the year. And it hasn't even opened yet. How can that be fair? And why should it matter to me what they think? But damn."}, {"response": 147, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Mon, Dec 22, 1997 (22:54)", "body": "No, you're not the only ones here, but you may be the only KC fans right now. I'm not exactly a fan, but I don't dislike Costner, either. My husband and I plan to see The Postman because we like sci-fi. Evidently, there are lots of negative reviews and rumors flying about the film right now. Today's Chicago Sun-Times reports that there's an Internet rumor that Costner forced Mikhail Gorbachev to watch a rough cut of the movie at a recent dinner, while a translator interpreted each line of the dialog. Costner says it's not true, that they only showed the preview trailer. Evidently there are also rumors that there was laughter during a sneak preview of the film (evidently at something that wasn't supposed to be funny). But don't let rumors, bad reviews, etc. stop you from seeing something you're interested in! I can't tell you how many films I've disliked that had rave reviews, and vice-versa. If seeing KC on screen gives you a thrill, go for it!"}, {"response": 148, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Dec 22, 1997 (23:15)", "body": "Hi, Lorie! Ya know...I'm beginning to think that Kevin has become the Michael Bolton of films. The critics hate him, but he has a huge loyal fan following and his films make money. Listen, I loved Waterworld. I even sat through Sizzle Beach, even though it was less exciting than watching grass grow. I even liked Wyatt Earp! Do you think I'll let the critics sway my opinion of The Postman? Not a chance. It is an adaptaion of one of my most favorite novels and I have been waiting for it to make it to film for many years. That it has Kevin at the helm only doubles it's value for me! Yoo Hoo, Sheila! Got your VCR set up for Regis tomorrow?"}, {"response": 149, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 1997 (08:27)", "body": "VCR-READY,SET,GO...... Charlotte, there is a babe of a Kevin picture in December 24\\97 issue of Entertainment Weekly page 8. All denim and barefoot.......GROOOAAANNN! Do you suppose if we got down on our knees and begged Nan would post it for us?"}, {"response": 150, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 1997 (09:26)", "body": "Oh golly, Sheila. YOU ask her. I'm already in debt to her up to my eyeballs. And she won't take bribes! :) Damn. I'll bet that's this week's EW. The one that has not arrived in my mailbox yet. It's usually always here by Tuesday, though, so I'll keep my fingers crossed. BAREFOOT, you say? Oh god, I've become so accustomed to those two-toned cowboy boots that seeing his actual feet might make me... well...it's not a pretty picture, I'll tell ya. :)"}, {"response": 151, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 1997 (20:44)", "body": "Okay Charlotte, tonight on Entertainment Tonight an interview with KC. Have fun ,girl and Merry Christmas everyone and Happy Hanukkah!!!!"}, {"response": 152, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 1997 (21:55)", "body": "You're right! I looked it up! But oh geez, they're gonna talk about his sex appeal. I hate it when they do that, cause it makes him so uncomfortable. Then again, it's high time he GOT comfortable with it, since it ain't going away. :) My VCR has seen more activity in the past month than in the past year! :)"}, {"response": 153, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Wed, Dec 24, 1997 (21:37)", "body": "So girls, who caught Regis & Kathie Lee? Does the man give turtleneck sweaters a new dimension or what?? I'll never think of a turtleneck in the same way again! How can I get a tour of his closet? ET- More please........ what a cutie patutie! Charlotte, did you get your EW mag yet? WHO IS GOING TO BE THE FIRST TO SEE THE POSTMAN? Happy Holidays Everyone!"}, {"response": 154, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Wed, Dec 24, 1997 (22:57)", "body": "I Am!! It's playing TODAY in Los Angeles. I am at the moment trying to pressure someone into going with me. It's a 2 hour drive and, while I will go by myself if I have to, company would be better. I saw the Regis bit. Loved it. Saw the ET bit. Loved it, too! He taped the Regis and Rosie shows on the same day. Just put on a sports jacket for Rosie. :) I like the new hairstyle. Finally. :) Couldn't you just listen to him talk all day long??? Oh...and YES! Got my EW mag. He has tiny ankles! But oh god, what being barefoot does do for a man, eh?"}, {"response": 155, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Thu, Dec 25, 1997 (19:38)", "body": "I'm hoping to make the movie this weekend, it will be the first chance I get. Simply too many Christmas commitments. My livingroom looks like a tornado went through this morning. I guess I will have to take my Kevin, and if I come out of the theatre all starry eyed he will reap the rewards :)"}, {"response": 156, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Fri, Dec 26, 1997 (18:56)", "body": "Well, I never made it to L.A. Christmas Eve. But I made the 10:30am showing Christmas morning. Cost me $3. :) Kevin is in nearly every scene. I wish he would keep the beard. Oh, my. :) It did not match my memory of the book, but it is grand and sweeping and very Dances-with-wolves-like. And did I mention that Kevin is in nearly every scene? :) I do not think it will sit well with the critics, however."}, {"response": 157, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Fri, Dec 26, 1997 (21:55)", "body": "Sheila, I just ordered BEYOND JFK. Should get to me early next week. I've been reading POSTMAN reviews all morning. Very depressing. I think maybe Kevin and I are living in the wrong decade. I found one guy who loved it, though, and he admittedly *hates* Costner. That brightened my day, somewhat."}, {"response": 158, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Sat, Dec 27, 1997 (08:09)", "body": "Charlotte, you are the best! Where are you Christmas morning? At Kevin Costner's latest film release! I simply am unable to top that! Grand and sweeping you say? I can hardly wait! I have this huge full page newspaper movie ad on my fridge, this is to discreetly inform my husband where we are going. Kevin is in nearly every scene ? Boy oh boy is my husband ever going to be glad he takes me to see Kevin instead of Jack Nicholson! $3 admittance?? Is that the regular rate? Don't ask what theatre's charge in Canada?"}, {"response": 159, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Sat, Dec 27, 1997 (08:12)", "body": "P.S. Have watched about half of Beyond JFK, so far Kevin's appearances are limited but it is interesting."}, {"response": 160, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Dec 28, 1997 (23:34)", "body": "Drool alert from a non-drooler Your boy Kevin made a great golf shot today on the Celebrity Golf tournament. Now showing on NBC. Matt McConnaughy and other objets de drool are also playing."}, {"response": 161, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Dec 28, 1997 (23:42)", "body": "\".. it was a sweet moment for me ...\" - Costner on his sensational golf shot. Just heard him say this on a live interview 30 seconds ago."}, {"response": 162, "author": "weesa", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 1997 (04:27)", "body": "I saw THE POSTMAN yesterday and thought it was FABULOUS!! I've been spreading the word at work today about how good it really is. I also watched two days of golf (much to my husbands surprise) and saw the double eagle Kevin made. I love the pictures that have been posted here. Can anyone tell me how to save them to a file? I'm pretty net illiterate. I don't understand why the critics have been so hard on Kevin's movie. It's humerous, grand, sweeping, touching, moving, stirring....not to mention the fact that Kevin is GORGEOUS!! Did anyone catch him on Hollywood One on One yesterday?"}, {"response": 163, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 1997 (18:42)", "body": "I caught Kevin's double eagle as well. It was adorable. We knew it went in the hole before he did, and the look on his face when they told him was just priceless. I only watched the first round, which he and his partner Jim Colbert won. Does anyone know if they also won the final round the next day? I know why the critics don't like Kevin's movie. Because they don't like Kevin. They don't like the kind of movies that Kevin makes. If someone were to make \"It's a Wonderful Life\" today, the critics would hate it, calling it sappy and sentimental and sweet. I just hope the negative reviews don't hurt Kevin too much. They sure don't hurt me. I mostly feel sorry for anyone who is unable to see the beauty in this film. My roommate hasn't seen it yet. She wants me to go see it with her. Damn. I'll have to go see it again. :)"}, {"response": 164, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 1997 (19:12)", "body": "Have been browsing Newsgroups and the reaction to the film is definitely not favourable-there were few positive comments. Did pick up some comments from someone who met Kevin in a Seattle bar weekend of December 20-21/97 claimed he was very cordial and just seemed to be hanging out (with a group of women of course). Quite by accident I found in my local television listings a program called \"Making of the Postman\" scheduled to be aired on the speciality SPACE chanel Friday January 2/98 5:00pm EST. My local cable company doesn't offer me this station so I will have to plead and beg a family friend who lives in a nearby city that offers it to tape it for me."}, {"response": 165, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 1997 (20:33)", "body": "I don't get that channel either. So I'll have to beg and plead with Sheila to make me a copy. :)"}, {"response": 166, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Dec 30, 1997 (21:01)", "body": "Sheila, I never heard of the Science channel. Could it be the sci-fi channel? on the E! channel, there is something called \"Behind the scenes\" which is about the making of the postman. I'm getting a friend to tape that for me."}, {"response": 167, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Wed, Dec 31, 1997 (05:54)", "body": "Probably the same program Charlotte, more hype for the movie. I just emailed my friend and called in a favour (he has been known to mooch jars of homemade chilli sauce) hopefully he'll come through and we can exchange notes. The station is called the SPACE-IMAGINATION channel? SCI-FI by a different name?????"}, {"response": 168, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Jan  6, 1998 (01:55)", "body": "Kevin Costner loaned his private plane to the Kennedy clan so they could get to the recent funeral of Michael Kennedy."}, {"response": 169, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Jan  6, 1998 (02:50)", "body": "Sounds like something Kevin would do. Of course the media will now claim that he did it to get attention for himself, and yada yada yada. Incidentally, there is lovely photo on the last page of this week's PEOPLE magazine of Kevin and his children. Where *are* you, Nan? :) Sheila, is there any info in your fanclub stuff that might tell us where we can send birthday greetings?"}, {"response": 170, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Jan  6, 1998 (17:35)", "body": "Incidentally, there is lovely photo on the last page of this week's PEOPLE magazine of Kevin and his children. Where *are* you, Nan? :) I'm here, dear...just been very busy with the Holiday stuff...is that this week's People? I don't subscribe so you have to let me know when there's a juicy photo (or mail them to me and I'll scan them in for you). I see that I missed a Kevin picture a couple of weeks ago in People...sorry :-("}, {"response": 171, "author": "Marilyn", "date": "Tue, Jan  6, 1998 (19:02)", "body": "Hi Nan - don't worry, sweetie, I'll mail them to you. I've been holding on to them for the next care package. Charlotte, are those children not gorgeous?! Little Joe is Kevin's clone ! As far as recent Kevin photos go, I have to say the Premiere black and whites are my favorites."}, {"response": 172, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Wed, Jan  7, 1998 (05:56)", "body": "Charlotte, I've seen nothing specific from the fanclub about Kev's birthday. I am expecting a winter newsletter though, so....who knows? I can pick up my videotape of The Making of the Postman anytime, Any luck with your pal Charlotte? If not, keep a close eye on television listings. I see it's being aired in my area again Friday night."}, {"response": 173, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Wed, Jan  7, 1998 (17:51)", "body": "I printed out a listing of showing times and gave it to my friend who gets the E channel. He's pretty scatterbrained, but I nag him every day about taping it. :) Sheila, did you and your Kevin go see The Postman yet? Good to see you, Nan! We missed you!"}, {"response": 174, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 1998 (00:34)", "body": "Charlotte!! I just paid you a little visit and saw that too-delicious-for-words photo at the bottom of \"t-shirt smiles\". Merciful heavens!! Where did you get that one? It's really too, too beautiful. Lots of heavy breathing going on in this office today, honey ;-D"}, {"response": 175, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 1998 (23:09)", "body": "I just gotta share this. A friend found it on some fan page and sent it to me. Ain't it purty?"}, {"response": 176, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Sat, Jan 10, 1998 (01:12)", "body": "Charlotte, did you get the current issue of Entertainment weekly yet? The Postman is really being bashed badly. I even caught Jay Leno making jokes about it the other night. Is it that bad? (I'll never get Kev there with all these poor reviews)"}, {"response": 177, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Sat, Jan 10, 1998 (17:22)", "body": "Well, Sheila. I can't be objective, but I did not think it was that bad. The critics want to pigeonhole Kevin into his most successful roles, Bull Durham and Tin Cup. Unfortunately, those aren't the kinds of films he enjoys making. If The Postman had been made 20 years ago, it would have walked off with 11 Oscars. But it is out of place in our Pulp Fiction society now. EW talked about his ego and how inflated it is, but I am unable to accept that. He merely wants to make the kinds of films that he enjoys and that he can share with his family. And he has the power to do so, and uses it. I don't call that ego. I call it courage. I've seen The Postman twice. I was even less bored the 2nd time. The 2nd time, I looked for the subtleties, the nuances, and I was delighted with the richness of the cinematography. Dances with Wolves was long and pretentious in many ways, and had as much of Kevin's \"ego\" involved in it as does The Postman. But they loved it because it came as such a surprise. Bull Durham DIRECTS?? Outrageous! Then came Waterworld, which was not a bad movie, either. It just wasn't Bull Durham, so they trashed it. Titanic cost over 200 million, more than Waterworld. Where is all the bad publicity? You won't see it, because Jim Cameron is SUPPOSED to make big-budget movies...it's what the critics expect. Kevin won't play, and so he must be punished. I wish you were here, Sheila. We'd leave your Kevin with the kids and I would take you to see The Postman. P.S. Forgive the ranting. But if I can't vent here, where can I vent?"}, {"response": 178, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 1998 (00:53)", "body": "Picked up my videotape this weekend of The Making of The Postman. The actual title of the program is The Postman-A Director's Diary. If you get a chance girls, don't miss it! There are some great segments featuring the Costner kids. EW now has a website. You are able to browse articles from the last couple of years issues. There are some articles about Tin Cup and Waterworld that may interest you guys."}, {"response": 179, "author": "weesa", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 1998 (04:12)", "body": "Sheila...GO SEE THE POSTMAN!!! I thoroughly enjoyed it. I love Kevin's humor. I REALLLLLY want to see it again. I don't think I can wait for the video to come out. Charlotte...I love your website. Kevin's pictures are to die for. I'm terribly jealous that you've seen The Postman a second time already. I agree with your thoughts on Kevin's movies. He has the guts to make the movies he wants to make and refuses to be put into a \"box\". Too bad the critics can't see that."}, {"response": 180, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 1998 (08:25)", "body": "Just for the record Charlotte, Pulp Fiction did nothing for me. I think you should post the very words you wrote here in response directly to EW's article POSTMAN MORTEM on their website. Did you see their latest? An editorial cartoon depicting precautionary measures for bird flu \"Stop Kevin Costner from making TURKEYS for awhile\" I guess the only positive thing about the response to The Postman is that we won't have to wait long for the video release. I found an interesting new website called \"JANET'S KEVIN COSTNER HOMEPAGE\" she has an interesting photo gallery - Have a look ladies!"}, {"response": 181, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 1998 (16:18)", "body": "If this is Janet Goh, she and I have been corresponding. She lives in the Philipines and is 17. She asked me, \"Do you think it's weird for a 17-year-old girl to love Kevin Costner?\" I told her that what I think is weird is that EVERY woman doesn't! Sheila, can you post the URL to Janet's page? And thanks for the compliment, Sheila, but I doubt that anyone would take my words about Kevin very seriously, given that I make it very clear I am unable to be objective where he is concerned."}, {"response": 182, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 1998 (00:52)", "body": "Try this URL: http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Boulevard/9332/"}, {"response": 183, "author": "janet", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 1998 (04:15)", "body": "hi ppl, wow..i did not know that there is such a great conference room about kevin costner. i'm more surprised to see that u ladies have found ur way to my website at http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Boulevard/9332 .gallery 3 is going to be up soon. btw , charlotte, i'm from Malaysia not the Philippines . can someone plz tell me what kev's favorite color is?"}, {"response": 184, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 1998 (21:20)", "body": "Here are some new ones ladies...(thanks Marilyn, dearest :-D) Isn't he lovely...."}, {"response": 185, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (06:03)", "body": "Is that the photo from PEOPLE? Looks like a proud papa to me! Hi Janet! Judging by your website you are going to fit right in here. As Charlotte would say...when it comes to KC we go off the chart. POSTMAN question: Does Kevin sing a duet with Amy Grant for the film?"}, {"response": 186, "author": "janet", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (09:26)", "body": "hi ppl, sheila, thanx for the warm welcome .to answer ur question i saw somewhere that the song that kevin's doing a duet with amy grant is called you didn't need to be so nice and i think it's in the postman soundtrack .hey does anyone here know what kind of instrument kevin plays besides the guitar? does he play bass , lead , rhythm or just the plain acoustic guitar.i dun have that roving boy cd yet. pls post an answer soon .thanx"}, {"response": 187, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 1998 (15:12)", "body": "Taken from The Toronto Sun..... \"YOUR BIRTHDAY TODAY: SUNDAY JANUARY 18 Your charm and your determination will make you hard to resist this year. You will be able to cross over the line when dealing with others and still get away with whatever you really want to do. If you follow your heart and intuition, you will find peace of mind and the happiness you're looking for.\" What more could we wish him?"}, {"response": 188, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 1998 (17:16)", "body": "Oh, Sheila, that's lovely! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KEVIN!! I am celebrating in my own little way today, since I am unable to send him my best wishes. Janet, I know very little about Kevin's personal life. Sorry. I'm funny that way where Kevin is concerned. But with other celebrities that I adore, such as Ralph Fiennes or Alan Rickman...I want to know EVERYTHING! :) Kevin is just too special to me. I want to give something back to him, and the only thing in my power to give him is my respect for his privacy."}, {"response": 189, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 1998 (18:38)", "body": "Is that the photo from PEOPLE? Looks like a proud papa to me! Yes, that's the one from People. His kids are very pretty...good genes! ;-) Now that I see it, I should have reduced the size a bit--looks a little blurry. No matter, Charlotte will reduce it before putting it in her archives ;-) (Sheila) \"YOUR BIRTHDAY TODAY: SUNDAY JANUARY 18 (Charlotte) HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KEVIN!! Is it really Kevin's birthday today? Get outta town! What a bizarre coincidence. It also happens to be the birthday of that big, bald hockey brute I've mentioned before...do I know my type or what? LOL! But with other celebrities that I adore, such as Ralph Fiennes Oh, I didn't know you liked Ralph, Charlotte. Go to the Feinnes board--I left you a little pretty there ;-) http://www.spring.com/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/40/new"}, {"response": 190, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 1998 (19:54)", "body": "Went there before I came here, Nan. (I always save the Kevin stuff for last.) Ralph is a lovely thing, and can act circles around my Kevin. But the heart knows no logic, does it? :) But hey, we're here to drool! And Ralph makes me need a bib. Yup! Kevin is 43 today! I wonder how he is spending his big day."}, {"response": 191, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 1998 (06:43)", "body": "Janet has Gallery 3 completed if anyone is interested! I must confess Charlotte, I think Alan Rickman stole the show from Kevin in Robin Hood. What a deliciously, wicked villain,"}, {"response": 192, "author": "janet", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 1998 (10:36)", "body": "hi ppl, sheila..gallery 3 is up but not completed. more pics r to come when i have time ..maybe i'll put them up tonight. my site is now listed under YAHOO do a search on kevin costner and u'll see it."}, {"response": 193, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 1998 (10:36)", "body": "Ladies, Janet sent me the most beautiful photograph. I love it so much it now reigns as the cover photo for my Web page. Go look. But remember to wear a bib! D-R-O-O-L!"}, {"response": 194, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 1998 (10:36)", "body": "I'm going to post this on all the boards since I know that many of you are having a problem with \"new\" posts... Sorry for dropping out if sight for a while--I've been remarkably busy this last couple of weeks. Hopefully, that is about to change for a while ;-) Anyone who had my office email may delete it from their address books as this is my last day at work (YAY!!) and that address will be disabled by the end of the day. I can now be reached at nan@ntr.net. You should use that one until Terry has a chance to change to the forwarding address on my Spring email (nan@www.spring.com) I'll catch up later people...sorry."}, {"response": 195, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 1998 (10:36)", "body": "I'll set it up now, Nan."}, {"response": 196, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Feb  1, 1998 (01:30)", "body": "Just doing a test, girlies...I'm sure you won't mind ;-)"}, {"response": 197, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Wed, Feb 18, 1998 (18:20)", "body": "Ladies, you see what happens when we don't keep our boy's drool conference busy? Nan takes his picture down! waahhhhhhh!"}, {"response": 198, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 1998 (00:45)", "body": "Nan takes his picture down! waahhhhhhh! LOL!! Actually I was working on a Kevin one for the front, but it didn't come out as well as Colin's so I have to put in a little more time on it. That picture out front isn't working anyway...takes too long to load. But I was tired of the b&w...I'll figure something out. Won't be long, dear. Do hang on! ;-)"}, {"response": 199, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 1998 (00:56)", "body": "I love you, Nan."}, {"response": 200, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 1998 (05:47)", "body": "You crack me up, Charlotte! ;-D"}, {"response": 201, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Sun, Feb 22, 1998 (06:27)", "body": "OK. I'll just talk to myself, if I have to. :) They aired BULL DURHAM on A&E tonight. A&E. Cable. QUALITY cable. And they cut it. Badly. REALLY badly. I couldn't watch. Well, I did watch for a few minutes. He is so achingly gorgeous in the bar by the pool table before Tim Robbins belts him one. Then I popped back to my new discovery on PBS: As Time Goes By, with Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer. (But that's for another conference.) Tomorrow, I will watch my OWN damn version of Bull Durham, and NOTHING will get cut. Makes ya drool just thinking about it, huh?"}, {"response": 202, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Sun, Feb 22, 1998 (21:33)", "body": "Charlotte, I caught A&E's Bull Durham too! I'd love to get hold of the %@&# who did the butcher job! I also caught Night Shift this week, it's just a brief appearance and Kev looks so young. Heard any buzz about his next project? Did I read Robin Wright is signed as the female lead for Message in a Bottle. Wasn't she supposed to originally play Marion in Robin Hood?"}, {"response": 203, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 1998 (17:46)", "body": "Thought maybe somebody might be interested in seeing the back end of my car:"}, {"response": 204, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 1998 (18:23)", "body": "LOL!! Oh Charlotte...you are faaaaaar gone! ;-D Too funny. Does Kevin know about you? ;-p"}, {"response": 205, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 1998 (19:18)", "body": "Heavens no! How could he? He's got a zillion fans, and I'm sure many of them are more fanatic than I am. I'd sure love to be able to thank him, though. He's added so much richness to my life."}, {"response": 206, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 1998 (02:58)", "body": "I LOVE IT CHARLOTTE!"}, {"response": 207, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 1998 (05:12)", "body": "Very nice job on the opening collage, Nan! Who's the semi-handsome hunk in the lower left?"}, {"response": 208, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 1998 (11:39)", "body": "Who's the semi-handsome hunk in the lower left? Hockey player...see the droolworthy sports figures board. He is to me what Kevin is to you :-) Droolworthy Sports Figures"}, {"response": 209, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 1998 (11:44)", "body": "Oh drat! That's what I get for trying to type a link at 6:25am...(sigh) Again: Droolworthy Sports Figures"}, {"response": 210, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 1998 (11:47)", "body": "That's it, I'm going back to bed ;-) Damned Droolworthy Sports Figures ;-p"}, {"response": 211, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 1998 (15:58)", "body": "That's Mark??? Holy Cow. I've been a Gretzky fan for 15 years, seen hundreds of photos of them together. Sure didn't recognize Mark from the above. wowweeeee! Got any photos of Marty McSorley? OOps! Sorry, Kevin! Wrong topic! :)"}, {"response": 212, "author": "janet", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 1998 (02:07)", "body": "Holy cow , charlotte ! You weren't kidding about those number plates ."}, {"response": 213, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 1998 (02:14)", "body": "I love my plates! :) Janet, I received the Premiere magazine, thank you!! I plan to mail your tape tomorrow."}, {"response": 214, "author": "janet", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 1998 (09:36)", "body": "u're welcome , charlotte .i hope u like the ralph pic attached to it .and something's on it's way too .u'll know when u receive it .thanx for the tape and can u plz send a photocopy of the inlay of he cd together with it plzzzzz? btw , have u managed to order ur calendar ? see ya later aligator .:-)"}, {"response": 215, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 1998 (18:16)", "body": "Janet, I ordered my calendar, and I have asked them TWICE to email me an acknowledgement of the order but they have not responded. :( I have a scanner now! So I can scan the lyrics for you!"}, {"response": 216, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 1998 (01:07)", "body": "I have a scanner now! Uh-oh...watch out--it's dangerous ;-) Everyone made fun of me because I'd scan anything that wasn't nailed down, but I loved it..."}, {"response": 217, "author": "janet", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 1998 (05:36)", "body": "Thanks Charlotte *hugs* :-D .i'm quite sure i ordered the calendar from that URL .i think they'll post u a respond soon ."}, {"response": 218, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 1998 (15:25)", "body": "Janet, did you get your calendar from YOURS DIRECT LTD in the UK?"}, {"response": 219, "author": "janet", "date": "Sun, Mar  1, 1998 (01:38)", "body": "i thought it was MovieWorld . http://www.btinternet.com/~movieworld/film/costner.htm if u don't trust it , i'll try to find another URL which sells this merchandize and get back to u ."}, {"response": 220, "author": "janet", "date": "Sun, Mar  1, 1998 (01:39)", "body": "i thought it was MovieWorld ,charlotte . http://www.btinternet.com/~movieworld/film/costner.htm if u don't trust it , i'll try to find another URL which sells this merchandize and get back to u ."}, {"response": 221, "author": "janet", "date": "Sun, Mar  1, 1998 (07:01)", "body": "oops , i mistook u for charlotte , sheila .a thousand apologies , ppl .i'm still half asleep when i replied this ."}, {"response": 222, "author": "janet", "date": "Sun, Mar  1, 1998 (07:22)", "body": "and yes sheila , the very same calendar can be obtained from Yours Direct LTD .here's the URL charlotte , in case u did not managed to get the calendar at MovieWorld . http://www.yoursdirect.com/Site/Catalogue/Calendrs/Film/kcos98.htm i think they have a Kevin Costner organiser too , right sheila ? good luck , char ."}, {"response": 223, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Fri, Mar 13, 1998 (02:53)", "body": "So. How ya doing, Sheila? (We gotta keep this topic active, or Nan'll take his picture off the door!) I'm thinking about bidding on a Robert Stephen Simon lithograph of Kevin that I saw on a Web auction. Think I oughtta?"}, {"response": 224, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Sat, Mar 14, 1998 (15:41)", "body": "I am rather attached to KC's picture smirking at me when I visit the conference! Lithograph sounds interesting, I prefer art over posters on my walls GO FOR IT! Stumbled across a copy of the golden oldie THE GUNRUNNER at the video store yesterday. There are not many KC movies I have not seen. It struck me while watching what a distinct not to mention sexy as hell voice Kevin has. Oh to have him whispering sweet nothings in your ear! Received my KCFC journal and newsletter this week. There were several articles from Australian sources, THE POSTMAN opened down under in February. I am due to renew. Did you ever decide to join? Somehow I have a few duplicate copies of some newsletters and a journal. if you'd like them just tell me where to send them. Heard anythng about MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE? Robin Wright Penn, Paul Newman, April shoot on the east coast......."}, {"response": 225, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Sat, Mar 14, 1998 (18:13)", "body": "Ooo! Paul Newman and Kevin? I may have to wear two bibs! I thought he was gonna do FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME next. I bought the book and read it. Can't imagine a film adaptation, since all of the drama takes place in the hero's head. But hey, that's why I'm not a moviemaker. :) I bought THE GUNRUNNER a coupla years ago, and remember the scene you refer to. I may have to rewatch that one. Speaking of voices, forgive me for being off topic, but I saw THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK yesterday, and lord help me but I had forgotten all about Jeremy Irons' voice! From the first words of the opening narration, which he voices, I was lost. So lost that I went out and rented THE FRENCH LEUTENANT'S WOMAN and DAMAGE so I could hear it some more. I'm so sorry, Kevin, but if I had to choose between your whisper in my ear and Jeremy's, I would have to choose the Brit. Do we even have a topic for old Jeremy?"}, {"response": 226, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Sat, Mar 14, 1998 (19:24)", "body": "Jeremy Irons is excellent. He did the voice for DISNEY'S villain Scar in THE LION KING. Such menace conveyed in just words. How about REVERSAL OF FORTUNE, another great performance. Didn't he get an Oscar for that one? Staying on topic in KC's drool pool...... Did you ever get to see THE MAKING OF THE POSTMAN-Director's Diary? How soon do you think we will see a video release?"}, {"response": 227, "author": "janet", "date": "Sun, Mar 15, 1998 (01:35)", "body": "the postman just opened in malaysia .hey did u guys get to see the whole of the end credits..went to see it but did not get to hear him sing . i'd like to post some pictures to this conference for u ladies but i don't know how to do it . can someone teach me ?"}, {"response": 228, "author": "jaol", "date": "Sun, Mar 15, 1998 (04:37)", "body": "hallo im from danemark"}, {"response": 229, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Sun, Mar 15, 1998 (23:46)", "body": "Janet, Just insert HTML tags as if you were posting the image on your web page. You know...angle bracket,IMG,angle bracket, etc. Put the images on your website first so that everyone can access the URL that you post here. I have received your gift, Janet, but have not yet been able to get to the post office to pick it up. I have not mailed your tape yet, I have been too broke! I will mail it this week, because I get paid soon."}, {"response": 230, "author": "janet", "date": "Mon, Mar 16, 1998 (05:56)", "body": "thanx Charlotte for the tip .u can mail the tape whenever u choose but plz don't send it in april because i'll no longer be around .so sorry for the trouble . really glad that the gift has arrived .hope u'll like it .i got it specially made for u . now for a test drive . ladies , plz don't kill me if the picture does not turn out right ."}, {"response": 231, "author": "janet", "date": "Mon, Mar 16, 1998 (05:59)", "body": "thank God it turned out well. here's another one ."}, {"response": 232, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Mar 16, 1998 (06:22)", "body": "Excellent job, Janet! Heaven help us, but he does dress up nicely, doesn't he? :) What was this Golden Globe for...Dances with Wolves?"}, {"response": 233, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Mar 16, 1998 (16:34)", "body": "Waterworld is on tv this week! On network tv no less."}, {"response": 234, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Mar 16, 1998 (22:00)", "body": "No big surprise there. They'll probably air The Postman next week. It's only the ones that the critics love that they make you wait for."}, {"response": 235, "author": "janet", "date": "Tue, Mar 17, 1998 (01:52)", "body": "i don't think the postman is as bad as the critics say , though it might be a bit too long ."}, {"response": 236, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Mar 17, 1998 (02:46)", "body": "Gene Siskel calls it the worst film of the year. I REALLY take offense to this, because I KNOW there were worse movies made last year. For me, it was not even too long. But then, I loved the book, and my only complaint is that Kevin left out too much of the book."}, {"response": 237, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Tue, Mar 17, 1998 (04:40)", "body": "Just bought my copy of The Saint (I've been lusting after Val Kilmer lately) and they had the greatest audience preview before the film... Picture this...dreamy music and slow sweeping shots of Hollywood's most popular leading men; Cary Grant, Harrison Ford, Robert Redford, Sean Connery, Val Kilmer, KEVIN COSTNER, Tom Cruise, Jeff Bridges, John Travolta, Mel Gibson, Jack Nicholson, Al Pacino, Paul Newman, Kurt Russell, Andy Garcia, Michael Douglas, Ryan O'Neal, Denzil Washington, Richard Gere, Patrick Swayze, Alec Baldwin, Warren Beatty, Gregory Peck, Steve McQueen...... The music fades and the words appear on the screen....... THE MAN OF YOUR DREAMS IS AVAILABLE..... AND FOR SALE ON VIDEO CASSETTE."}, {"response": 238, "author": "janet", "date": "Tue, Mar 17, 1998 (06:06)", "body": "i think u'll like this one too charlotte . speaking of the postman, i wonder if i'm the only one who is not able to see the webcast .anyone here witht eh same problem ?"}, {"response": 239, "author": "janet", "date": "Tue, Mar 17, 1998 (06:08)", "body": "hmm seems that the pic did not turn out well ."}, {"response": 240, "author": "janet", "date": "Tue, Mar 17, 1998 (11:04)", "body": "anyone interested to buy a copy of david brin's The Postman ? i have 2 copies ."}, {"response": 241, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Mar 17, 1998 (17:05)", "body": "I have 2 copies, too. Keeping both. :) Where are you going to college, Janet? What do you plan to study?"}, {"response": 242, "author": "janet", "date": "Tue, Mar 17, 1998 (22:43)", "body": "i'd still like to sell one of them . i've sold a lot of my stuff lately .i'm going to Prime College in about 2 weeks time .the semester starts on april 13 but my parents want me to go there about a week earlier to get me settled .The college is in Kuala Lumpur which is an island away from where i live .i'm planning to take up either computer science or computer engineering but i can decide that later this year because i have to sit for a programme called PAD .that programme takes about 9 months ."}, {"response": 243, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Mar 17, 1998 (23:48)", "body": "(Sheila) Just bought my copy of The Saint (I've been lusting after Val Kilmer lately)and they had the greatest audience preview before the film... Check out topic 89, honey ;-)"}, {"response": 244, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Sat, Mar 21, 1998 (15:54)", "body": "Jay Leno was cracking jokes last night about Paul Newman and Kevin Costner not being able to find a location to shoot their new film, the towns they have approached have rejected them!"}, {"response": 245, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Sat, Mar 21, 1998 (16:30)", "body": "Where is the humor in THAT? sigh. I'm waiting for the critics to express pity that Newman has sunk so low. You've depressed me, Sheila. I'm gonna have to go watch Tin Cup or something. :)"}, {"response": 246, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Mar 21, 1998 (16:59)", "body": "(Sheila) Jay Leno... Boo, hiss :-("}, {"response": 247, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Sun, Mar 22, 1998 (01:38)", "body": "Apparently Kevin has signed on to do another flick; THIRTEEN DAYS, a story set during the Cuban missile crisis. What year was that? 1961? Can someone tell me how to post in italics?"}, {"response": 248, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Sun, Mar 22, 1998 (01:51)", "body": "Oh, great. I can just hear Jay Leno now. :) Let's see, that's Message in a Bottle , For the Love of the Game , and Thirteen Days . I wonder if all three will shoot in 1998?"}, {"response": 249, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Sun, Mar 22, 1998 (21:06)", "body": "I am happy as long as we keep getting more....... Kevin Costner :)"}, {"response": 250, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Mar 24, 1998 (17:59)", "body": "If ever I hear anyone say again that Kevin takes himself too seriously, I will play them the opening from last night's Oscar ceremony. I give everyone fair warning."}, {"response": 251, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Mar 24, 1998 (18:24)", "body": "Was that not a hoot?! I was thinking the same thing, Charlotte...good for him! :-)"}, {"response": 252, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Tue, Mar 24, 1998 (18:34)", "body": "Didn't catch the first few minutes of the ceremonies, what did I miss?"}, {"response": 253, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Mar 24, 1998 (21:03)", "body": "Oh Sheila. I'll send you the tape. Is VHS format the same in Canada as here? You missed Kevin in full Postman costume hanging off the tip of the Titanic, while Billy Crystal asks him to deliver the Oscar envelopes if he makes it home safely. Kevin drops toward the sea, and Billy yells \"Are you alright?\". Kevin replies as he flails toward his doom, \"Yeah, I'm fine, but you still have three hours to get through.\" Or something like that. Oh, and the scene opened with Billy perched atop the bow of the sinking ship screaming \"Could there ever be a worse disaster?\" and a voice below yells \"Yes! There could!\", and it's Kevin. Maybe somebody else can describe it better."}, {"response": 254, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Mar 31, 1998 (17:17)", "body": "I'm posting this at all the most frequently used topics, so forgive my redundance but it has to be done... By the end of this week, the domain name for Spring will be changed to spring. net (instead of the current, spring.com) please change your bookmarks after the change takes place."}, {"response": 255, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Thu, Apr  2, 1998 (01:55)", "body": "Ladies, get out your bibs. Look what arrived in the mail for me yesterday."}, {"response": 256, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Thu, Apr  2, 1998 (02:10)", "body": "Rats. And I was being so dramatic. :) Let me try again. Keep the bibs on."}, {"response": 257, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Thu, Apr  2, 1998 (02:11)", "body": "Much better, huh? Now, if I was clever like Nan, I would know how to make it smaller so your browsers would not choke. But hey, he's a big guy. :)"}, {"response": 258, "author": "janet", "date": "Thu, Apr  2, 1998 (04:10)", "body": "ladies ..charlotte in particular , i think i have something that u'll like ."}, {"response": 259, "author": "janet", "date": "Thu, Apr  2, 1998 (04:14)", "body": "aaahhh !!!it has happened again ."}, {"response": 260, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Thu, Apr  2, 1998 (16:22)", "body": "Funny, of the three that you gave Sheila (and she passed to me), this is the one I like the least, Janet. Post the \"empire\" one and let the Drool ladies take a vote. This one makes him look mean, well maybe that's not the problem. Old. It makes him look old. I dunno. Maybe it will grow on me. I'm flexible. :)"}, {"response": 261, "author": "janet", "date": "Sat, Apr  4, 1998 (05:46)", "body": "ok ladies , tot he voting booth .here's the one from Empire magazine ."}, {"response": 262, "author": "janet", "date": "Sat, Apr  4, 1998 (05:49)", "body": "Charlotte .i got the tape yesterday .Thank u very much ."}, {"response": 263, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Sat, Apr  4, 1998 (06:01)", "body": "Oh goodie! I was starting to worry! What do you think of it? Thanks for posting this photo. I love that warm golden glow it has."}, {"response": 264, "author": "janet", "date": "Sat, Apr  4, 1998 (07:40)", "body": "here's a blond kevin costner for charlotte and sheila . another kevin costner picture . and another... another one again is this enough ?"}, {"response": 265, "author": "janet", "date": "Sat, Apr  4, 1998 (07:41)", "body": "here's a blond kevin costner for charlotte and sheila . another kevin costner picture . and another... another one again is this enough ? anyway , it's sufficient for the day ."}, {"response": 266, "author": "janet", "date": "Sat, Apr  4, 1998 (07:43)", "body": "the last one did not come out right .. here it is again ..."}, {"response": 267, "author": "janet", "date": "Sat, Apr  4, 1998 (07:44)", "body": "here's a blond kevin costner for charlotte and sheila . another kevin costner picture . and another... another one again is this enough ? anyway , it's sufficient for the day ."}, {"response": 268, "author": "janet", "date": "Sat, Apr  4, 1998 (07:51)", "body": "ooops , i think i over did it this time .Nan , can u please take down some of those .i'm really sorry ."}, {"response": 269, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Apr  4, 1998 (22:25)", "body": "(Janet) Nan , can u please take down some of those .i'm really sorry. Honey, you can never have too much Kevin ;-) Which brings me to the following... I made him a little smaller for you Charlotte... :-)"}, {"response": 270, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Sat, Apr  4, 1998 (23:07)", "body": "but still breathtaking. am i the only one affected by this photo?"}, {"response": 271, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Sat, Apr  4, 1998 (23:55)", "body": "I'm surprised you can't hear me slurping all the way from Canada."}, {"response": 272, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Apr  5, 1998 (00:17)", "body": "(Charlotte) am i the only one affected by this photo? Mercy, no! :-D"}, {"response": 273, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Apr  5, 1998 (01:09)", "body": "Thanks for using spring.net!"}, {"response": 274, "author": "janet", "date": "Sun, Apr  5, 1998 (01:44)", "body": "Thanks Nan for not dropping the nuclear bomb on me .I'll be leaving on April 8th so i won't be able to log on as often anymore .So here's some more Kevin Costner for everyone .i think it will last for a lifetime . and yes , pease don't send anymore e mail to janet@tm.net.my my new e mail address will be janet_g@hotmail.com or janet@eudoramail.com i think i prefer the eudoramail address ."}, {"response": 275, "author": "janet", "date": "Sun, Apr  5, 1998 (01:46)", "body": ""}, {"response": 276, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Apr  5, 1998 (02:49)", "body": "(Terry) Thanks for using spring.net! Sure thing. Janet!! That second photo (the one with the tux) is making me a wild thing! Scrape me off the floor! ;-)..."}, {"response": 277, "author": "janet", "date": "Sun, Apr  5, 1998 (07:03)", "body": "Nan , here's another for u .Charlotte , do u remember this one from \"his senior prom\"?"}, {"response": 278, "author": "janet", "date": "Sun, Apr  5, 1998 (07:12)", "body": "it takes time to load .but i think it's worth tha wait ..nan can u help me make it a little smaller ?"}, {"response": 279, "author": "riotgrrl", "date": "Fri, Apr 10, 1998 (15:41)", "body": "I hope this works. Here is the Kevin & Amy duet in Real Audio Kevin Sings!"}, {"response": 280, "author": "riotgrrl", "date": "Thu, Apr 16, 1998 (00:10)", "body": "Kevin hosted the Celebration of Life salute to Israel last night - more on that as I learn more, he was featured on tonights Access Hollywood. He looked god in a tux (next to Micheal Douglas onstage)."}, {"response": 281, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Thu, Apr 16, 1998 (01:21)", "body": "When does he not look good? :) Thanks for the tip. I never watch Access Hollywood, but I have time to catch it tonight."}, {"response": 282, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Thu, Apr 16, 1998 (20:08)", "body": "Wow! I watched the teeny snippet of Kevin on Access Hollywood. Then about an hour later, I switched channels and discovered that they were televising the entire Israel Birthday celebration, which the teeny snippet was from. :) I taped it so I could go to sleep. Can't wait to watch it tonight!"}, {"response": 283, "author": "janet", "date": "Wed, Apr 22, 1998 (16:22)", "body": "hi u guys what's up with kc now ? haven't got any news since i arrived at college . how r u guys doing ?"}, {"response": 284, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Thu, Apr 23, 1998 (03:29)", "body": "Street date for The Postman video-June 9/98"}, {"response": 285, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Jun 30, 1998 (23:47)", "body": "Not enough drooling in this topic lately. Maybe this will help:"}, {"response": 286, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Jun 30, 1998 (23:59)", "body": "Oooh baby! You've never seen someone hit that \"Save Picture As\" button so fast in your life! What a purty man, he is :-)~~~"}, {"response": 287, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Wed, Jul  1, 1998 (00:08)", "body": "Yeah. That's kinda been my impression for about 15 year or so. :) Oooo! Nan taught me to drool in ascii! :)~~~~~"}, {"response": 288, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (04:15)", "body": "A nice lady named Arlene stopped by my website Monday to leave me email, sharing the delicious story of how she met Kevin in a bar in Bath, Maine. He had just finished shooting in the small New England town, and had arrived at the bar with 3 friends. Arlene said he had to lean his ear very close to her mouth so that he could hear what she was saying above the noise of he bar. She said he smelled nice. (Please appreciate how calmly I am typing all this. What you do not know is that i am screaming here! But jealousy is an evil and nonproductive thing, so I will be calm.) :) They talked about, if you can imagine, frozen twinkies. I gotta hand it to Arlene. Inane as that subject matter may sound to you, at least she was able to articulate in some known language while his ear (and neck and cheek, etc!) were so close to her lips. I, you can be certain, would have turned to stone. Catatonic. He would have pleaded for someone to dial 911. :) Here's lifting a cool Corona to you , Arlene! And did everyone see that some auspicious and highly visible website of the stars had chosen our very own Janet's Kevin Costner page as the very best Kevin Costner page on the net? I could not be more in agreement. Here's a cool Corona to you too, Janet! And where are you, sweetie?"}, {"response": 289, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 15, 1998 (21:51)", "body": "Hey Nan!! Went cruising looking for Kevin, where I was told he would be filming and there was no evidence of a movie anywhere in the area. Bad info. Must get a new source, better source!! Sorry. Had my camera with as well. :-("}, {"response": 290, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Wed, Jul 15, 1998 (22:48)", "body": "(Karen) Sorry. Had my camera with as well. :-( Well, doesn't that suck wind?! At least you tried, babe ;-) Now, you will let me know if you stumble across him somewhere, won't you?"}, {"response": 291, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Wed, Jul 15, 1998 (23:14)", "body": "Went cruising where ? I think filming in Maine has finished. Not sure if the Chicago shoot has started yet."}, {"response": 292, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 16, 1998 (00:24)", "body": "Yes, am in Chicago. Was told filming was scheduled for a certain block on the 14-16th. Not a !@#$ \"no parking - movie location\" sign anywhere in the vicinity. Also, v. hard to miss all the vans. :-D Nan, you'll be first...or maybe the second. Got my long zoom lens out of its case raring to go."}, {"response": 293, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 17, 1998 (18:55)", "body": "NO!!!!!!!! Article in Chicago Sun-Times (7/14) showing Kevin in a light khakish suit with tie holding a microphone to mouth. Costner Q-and-A: Film star charms fans here, outlines upcoming projects \"This will be a very free exchange. Ask anything you want. I only ask that there be manners between us,\" said Kevin Costner Monday night to an overflow crowd of nearly 500 at the Chicago Historical Society. The event was sponsored by the Chicago Film Critics Association and benefitted its \"Send a Needy Kid to a Movie\" program. The Oscar-winning actor, director and producer proved prophetic as he charmed a roomful of people with personal anecdotes and quite serious statements of his philosophy about the business of making movies. After an opening montage of his films--ranging from \"Silverado\" to \"Dances with Wolves\" and even his recent critically panned \"The Postman,\" Costner appeared to enjoy the interchange as moviegoers and members of the media peppered him with questions. The entertainer made it clear that \"while people know a lot about me--too much even--they don't really know me.\" He said, \"Seeing me at premieres, or reading about me in magazines, or seeing me get out of a fancy car is no way to understand who I am.\" In addition to sharing personal stories from his childhood--including his disappointment upon learning he was too young to attend \"Ben Hur\" with his brother and being scared witless when his father took him to \"Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte\" and he didn't realize what it was about--Costner screened a short movie (\"one of my home movies\") he made while filming \"Waterworld.\" The audience included a fair number of film critics, and Costner pulled no punches in critquing that profession. \"If I criticized my children the way I have been criticized the past few years, they would never do anything ever again,\" he said. \"Constructive criticism is fine...but there is no room for cynicism or criticism as entertainment....Skepticism is important in this world, but not cynicism.\" When asked about the controversy that arose over a movie project he was planning with the late Princess Diana--something that came to light after her death--Costner confirmed the story. \"That is true,\" he said when asked if she had shown interest in starring in a sequel to the Costner-Whitney Houston hit \"The Bodyguard.\" \"We would have had fun....I would have treated her right,\" he said. Now that he ahs completed \"Message in a Bottle\" (partially filmed in Chicago), Costner said, \"I'm making my third baseball film...baseball is just the backdrop...it's about people's lives....Then I'm playing Kenny O'Donnnell in a film about [the Kennedys] and the Cuban missile crisis.\""}, {"response": 294, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (05:08)", "body": "Moved this conversation from the Fiennes board...seems more appropriate here: (Nan) You know, Charlotte...just got my Snappy...I hear Sixty Minute Man playing in my head...I see photos with lots of candles ;-) (Charlotte) Lemme see. Shall I let her know how retarded I am by asking her, \"What's a Snappy?\", or shall I prove how uncultured I am by inquiring about the performer(s) of Sixty Minute Man? Or shall I just bluster my way through my confusion by saying something banal like, \"oooo! candles!\" :) LOL! You could have said \"oooo! candles!\" and I wouldn't have known the difference. But your way was much more entertaining :-D A Snappy is a little whatchamacallit that allows you to \"snap\" still photos from a video source (VCR, camcorder...) 'Tis a lovely thing, honey! See... See what I mean? Is it not too fabulous?! :-) Oh...and Sixty Minute Man Is the name of the song playing in the background when this scene is taking place.... (BTW, \"Sith Minute Man' was recorded by \"The Dominoes\" - 1951)"}, {"response": 295, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (16:17)", "body": "Oh. My. God. Do you possibly have any idea how many still shots I need you to capture?? I need a Snappy. Does it connect to your VCR, or do you have to have your computer connected to your TV? I am sooooo ignorant, but soooo needy!"}, {"response": 296, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (19:36)", "body": "I have a used one for sale."}, {"response": 297, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (19:47)", "body": "Terry, I'm interested. But I need to more about how to use it. :) Shall we be nice to these people and switch to email? cbridges@esri.com"}, {"response": 298, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (20:08)", "body": "Sure, email me at terry@spring.net with all your comments/questions."}, {"response": 299, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (21:50)", "body": "(Charlotte) Oh. My. God. Do you possibly have any idea how many still shots I need you to capture?? I do, indeed! I knew you'd be pleased... :-) Does it connect to your VCR, or do you have to have your computer connected to your TV? I am sooooo ignorant, but soooo needy! It doesn't have to be connected to the TV--you can just connect the VCR directly to the computer and view the film through the Snappy window...too cool!! Until you and Terry get a chance to work something out for the used Snappy, feel free to let me know what photos you'd really love to have. Since it's my new toy, I'll take any excuse to play with it, baby :-)"}, {"response": 300, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (22:09)", "body": "I love you, Nan. But then...you already know that. :)"}, {"response": 301, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (22:12)", "body": "Awwww :-}"}, {"response": 302, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (00:15)", "body": "Charlotte, thank you so much for helping me find my way back here! I have missed the Drool Conference desperately!"}, {"response": 303, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (00:20)", "body": "Sheila! Where ya been? ;-)"}, {"response": 304, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (04:08)", "body": "Someway and somehow I lost you guys! Searched many times and always came up empty. VERY WEIRD! Charlotte gave me the new URL. What have I missed?"}, {"response": 305, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (04:11)", "body": "I'm a saint, I am. [*giggle*]"}, {"response": 306, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (04:18)", "body": "(Sheila) What have I missed? Oh, same old schtuff. I got a Snappy...:-D"}, {"response": 307, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (04:26)", "body": "Snappy as in digital????"}, {"response": 308, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (04:31)", "body": "Snappy in that she can freeze frame ANY scene in ANY video and turn it into a .jpg file. Like she just did. She's a show off. I love her. :)"}, {"response": 309, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (04:38)", "body": "TOO COOL! Any success over at ebay lately Charlove?"}, {"response": 310, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (04:55)", "body": "Any success over at ebay lately Charlove? Oh yeah! Just got two new photos. One arrived yesterday, and the other is on its way. I'm a big seller over there now, too! I currently have about a dozen VHS videos on sale, and one of my heirloom-quality baby afghans. :) This is the one that arrived yesterday. I posted it here a few weeks ago, but I'm sure Nanner won't mind if I replay it. It's a doozy!"}, {"response": 311, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (05:40)", "body": "Mercy! :-D"}, {"response": 312, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (05:51)", "body": "Hello, sailor!"}, {"response": 313, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (16:28)", "body": "Yeah. And get this: Kevin has said in interviews that he positively hates making love scenes. Not because of the intimacy, but because he hates taking off his shirt. He says \"I'm not buff. I don't work out.\" Well I say: \"Honey, with shoulders like those, you don't need to!\". But, I admit to being just a wee bit biased. :)"}, {"response": 314, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (18:33)", "body": "I don't like those obvious work-out chests anyway - they look like they might explode the minute you dig your fingers into them! Yuk!"}, {"response": 315, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (20:48)", "body": "Anyone for a swim? I need cooling off! That's a beauty pic Charlotte! Tell me more about the email you got from the lucky lady who had Kev whispering in her ear! (groan!)"}, {"response": 316, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (23:49)", "body": "Not much to tell, sweetie. I done told all there is. :) I have not heard from her since. By the way, your belated birthday present, and stuff for the kids, is on its way to you at last."}, {"response": 317, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sat, Aug 22, 1998 (21:44)", "body": "Yooo-hooo, Charlotte...Sheila...come out to play...;-)"}, {"response": 318, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Sat, Aug 22, 1998 (23:56)", "body": "Oooo! Nan's been Snappin' again! :) Thanks, Nan! And how come you never answer my email? :)"}, {"response": 319, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Aug 23, 1998 (00:40)", "body": "Which email, honey?"}, {"response": 320, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Aug 24, 1998 (17:02)", "body": "I sent you two emails at nan@spring.net asking you to snap from some movies for me. never heard nuttin. You've outdone yourself on the door collage this time, sweetie! I won't even whine about there being three photos of Colin to everyone else's one. :) Who is the dude in the lover left bubble?"}, {"response": 321, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Mon, Aug 24, 1998 (18:44)", "body": "Honey, I didn't see your emails :-( At least I don't remember them, if I did. I'll have to check. Who were you looking for? Sorry, not usually so flaky...:-/ Who is the dude in the lover left bubble? Brendan Fraser. SA-LUURP! ;-D Glad you like the main page, babe. Soon I'll have to go over to your page to swipe some more photos--I'm running out ;-)"}, {"response": 322, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Aug 24, 1998 (22:54)", "body": "All I asked in my email was if you could rent DANTE'S PEAK and snap a scene for me. I'd pay for the rental. :) Also need you to rent CONTACT. There is not a photo of William Fichtner ANYWHERE on this damn web!"}, {"response": 323, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Aug 25, 1998 (00:48)", "body": "Oh, okay...just email me with the scene you want and I'll get them for ya, baby ;-)"}, {"response": 324, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Aug 25, 1998 (00:48)", "body": ""}, {"response": 325, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Tue, Aug 25, 1998 (01:07)", "body": "Just finished reading \"Message In A Bottle\" last night, SOB! SOB! SOB! (thank you Charlotte) This will be a terribly romantic movie, has anyone heard a release date?"}, {"response": 326, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Aug 25, 1998 (01:18)", "body": "February 14, 1999."}, {"response": 327, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Thu, Aug 27, 1998 (22:21)", "body": "Time to defend my \"high priestess\" status. :) This is a 5-foot tall screen that holds 15 8 x 10 photos. I have two open spots left, which will be filled by next week. And I have no more wall space! :) and this is the wall opposite the screen. The top of the bookshelf holds all but 2 of Kevin's movies. I'll scan the other walls in this room as soon as the film comes back from being developed. :) So can I still keep my title? :)"}, {"response": 328, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Fri, Aug 28, 1998 (15:47)", "body": "Never questioned for a moment your \"title\" What could we promote you to? GODDESS ??? You are the best Char! They are fabulous displays!"}, {"response": 329, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Fri, Aug 28, 1998 (16:10)", "body": "Dont wanna be goddess. too much responsibility. :)"}, {"response": 330, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Aug 29, 1998 (00:02)", "body": "I was going to say the same thing as Sheila--was your title ever in question? ;-) It think it was the license plate photo that convinced me ;-p BTW, you did say \"Dante's Peak\", didn't you?"}, {"response": 331, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Aug 29, 1998 (00:03)", "body": ""}, {"response": 332, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Sat, Aug 29, 1998 (00:18)", "body": "Yes. Dante's Peak. I was never a big Pierce Brosnan fan until I saw that film. There is a scene about 30 minutes into the film where Pierce's character is in a bar, shooting pool. He has on a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows (a look that always makes me weak!) and he leans down to make a shot, and his shirt is unbuttoned about 37 buttons, and he looks up toward you, under the hanging lampshade, and ... well, it made me gasp in the theatre. at home, with the rental, it made me rewind and replay about 37 times. Let me know if anyone besides my crazy self was melted by that scene. My friend and I said, after seeing it in the theatre for the first time, \"A woman does the costumes for this movie. Only a woman would have dressed him like that\". :) Then again, was the DIRECTOR a woman? It was the director who asked him to lean over the table like that."}, {"response": 333, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Sep  8, 1998 (20:38)", "body": "September 1, 1998... We're scooped that Kevin Costner is having a little bit of hard time getting a female lead for his new baseball movie. According to our scooper, the female lead is a fashion photographer who falls for Kevin's character. Producers had originally approached Helen Hunt for the role, but she turned it down. They're now hoping that Natasha Richardson will give in and play Kevin's love interest. [Danka, 'adamcatilin'.] This is from a website I frequent called \"Upcoming Films\". I don't have the URL handy, but I can post it if anyone asks. Kevin has wrapped up his work on \"Message in a Bottle\", and is set to begin production of \"For The Love Of The Game\" this month. Sign the damn papers, Natasha!! :)"}, {"response": 334, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Sep  8, 1998 (20:45)", "body": "The URL is: Upcoming Films"}, {"response": 335, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Sep  8, 1998 (20:49)", "body": "OOps. This is a better URL: Upcoming Films"}, {"response": 336, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Sun, Oct 18, 1998 (20:21)", "body": "Did anyone happen to catch the commercial during last night's World Series game featuring some hockey greats on an ice rink built in a corn field asking for a \"puck\"? As the spot was sponsored by Labatts Blue (Canadian brewery in Toronto) it may have only been shown on Canadian Network TV. I just thought it was interesting that KC's Field of Dreams still has influence."}, {"response": 337, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Feb  1, 1999 (20:56)", "body": "I saw Message in a Bottle Saturday night. It is difficult to know how the critics will react (and frankly, I don't care), but in my decidedly biased opinion, it is a lovely film. Cinematography is breathtaking, and Paul Newman and Robin Wright Penn are superb. Kevin gets more gorgeous with each passing year, and if he is outacted by those two, they cannot hold a candle to his physical presence. I had read the book, so there were no surprises for me, but I am sure most of the audience was a bit unsettled by the ending. Go see it. It will make you love him all over again."}, {"response": 338, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Feb  1, 1999 (22:19)", "body": "(Charlotte)Go see it. It will make you love him all over again. Ah Charlotte, there you are. Haven't seen you around in ages. I saw the trailer a few times and was wondering how long it would take for you to show up, drooling all over the place. Mercy, but he's purty! ;-p~~~"}, {"response": 339, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  1, 1999 (22:41)", "body": "About time! I've been seeing those trailers for eons and can't wait to see this movie. Haven't read the book, but looks like another Bridges over.... but with a *better* cast. Love these kinds of movies (OK, that verifies how shallow I am!!)"}, {"response": 340, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Feb  2, 1999 (00:40)", "body": "The book was awful. Ending was awful. Movie much better, still hate the ending. Nan, I've been so confused! Did you give up droolmastership? The front door is missing your touch."}, {"response": 341, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Feb  2, 1999 (02:01)", "body": "(Charlotte) Nan, I've been so confused! Did you give up droolmastership? Indeed I did. I have school to worry about, ya know... The front door is missing your touch. LOL! You poor dear...surrounded by Colin, not a Kevin photo in sight ;-p"}, {"response": 342, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Feb  2, 1999 (02:48)", "body": "It's ok. I have about 8 photos in my office, and I've lost count in my house. Friends call my home office \"Kevin's Room\", ya know. You're in SCHOOL?? Dunno why, but I have always pictured you as an older, mature professional. But a STUDENT! Color me confounded! If ya get a minit, Nan...go see my kitten, Korben Dallas, who is now 10 months old and weighs in at 11 pounds. :) http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Set/4772 click on \"My new Ragdoll Kitten\""}, {"response": 343, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Feb  5, 1999 (00:00)", "body": "(Charlotte) Dunno why, but I have always pictured you as an older, mature professional. After living in the real world for 15 years I decided to go back to Graduate School. So, your vision of me as \"older\" is probably accurate, but my maturity level can certainly be questioned ;-p And I did go look at the new kitten...what a beautiful animal! What made you choose that breed? And I'm sure there's a story behind the name, so talk to me...;-)"}, {"response": 344, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (06:00)", "body": "Picked up the March issue of Redbook on Saturday. \"Climb in the backseat with Kevin Costner....\" They do love to tease a girl! I especially liked the cover shot!"}, {"response": 345, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (15:04)", "body": "Oh, it's out already?? duh. i was waiting for March! I'm on my way!"}, {"response": 346, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (17:48)", "body": "There is a three page article on Kev in the March issue of US magazine."}, {"response": 347, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (22:12)", "body": "Sheila, didja see the movie yet?"}, {"response": 348, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Thu, Feb 18, 1999 (04:07)", "body": "Not yet, have been really busy lately....work, kids, house for sale etc, etc.. I read it had a great opening weekend. My Kevin and I are overdue on a night out...they are promoting it as the ultimate date movie. How many boxes of tissues will I need? I sobbed my eyes out when I read the book."}, {"response": 349, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Thu, Feb 18, 1999 (15:23)", "body": "Well, the book did not make me cry, but the movie did. That ought to help you decide how many boxes you'll need. :) Your Kevin might even get a little misty."}, {"response": 350, "author": "janet", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (08:34)", "body": "Still remember me ?It's been ages since I last came here. How's everyone ? Anyway I hope you guys will like this wallpaper that I've made."}, {"response": 351, "author": "janet", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (08:36)", "body": ""}, {"response": 352, "author": "janet", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (08:38)", "body": "It seems I cannot submit it . Anyway you guys can check it out at http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Boulevard/9332/kcwallpaper.html"}, {"response": 353, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Sun, Feb 21, 1999 (20:45)", "body": "Hi, Janet! How's school? What are you studying? I'm glad you still find time for Kevin! :)"}, {"response": 354, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Feb 22, 1999 (17:37)", "body": "Janet, thank you so much! This wallpaper is now in both my home and office computers. It's gorgeous. I know you are busy, but thank you so much for taking the time to do this, and for sharing it with us!"}, {"response": 355, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Sat, Feb 27, 1999 (02:30)", "body": "I read, as reported on Entertainment Tonight, Kev will be a presenter at the Academy Awards March 21."}, {"response": 356, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Sat, Feb 27, 1999 (05:12)", "body": "AWESOME!! thanks for keeping me up to date, Sheila! I would never have known about the US and REdbook magazines without you!"}, {"response": 357, "author": "janet", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (03:00)", "body": "charlotte, i'm now studying chemical engineering. i had put aside my plans to study software engineering or computers because i think it's not as fun as i thought. this course is also very tough. there's tonnes of assignments and it seems we have a test every week. i get very little sleep every night. sometimes i only sleep for 2-3 hours of sleep. anyway, i'm now building a kevin costner webring.i hope u can add ur site to the ring, charlotte. good costner pages are hard to find. btw, has everyone got the r copy of redbook?"}, {"response": 358, "author": "janet", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (03:00)", "body": "charlotte, i'm now studying chemical engineering. i had put aside my plans to study software engineering or computers because i think it's not as fun as i thought. this course is also very tough. there's tonnes of assignments and it seems we have a test every week. i get very little sleep every night. sometimes i only sleep for 2-3 hours of sleep. anyway, i'm now building a kevin costner webring.i hope u can add ur site to the ring, charlotte. good costner pages are hard to find.the rul for the webring ho epage is http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Palace/5581 btw, has everyone got their copy of redbook?"}, {"response": 359, "author": "janet", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (03:01)", "body": "charlotte, i'm now studying chemical engineering. i had put aside my plans to study software engineering or computers because i think it's not as fun as i thought. this course is also very tough. there's tonnes of assignments and it seems we have a test every week. i get very little sleep every night. sometimes i only sleep for 2-3 hours of sleep. anyway, i'm now building a kevin costner webring.i hope u can add ur site to the ring, charlotte. good costner pages are hard to find.the URL for the webring ho epage is http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Palace/5581 btw, has everyone got their copy of redbook?"}, {"response": 360, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (04:52)", "body": "The April issue of In Style magazine has a feature article titled \"At Home With Nine Oscar Winners\" Guess who is included? There is a photo of Kev with his Oscars with a short write up."}, {"response": 361, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (14:41)", "body": "Amazing! How do you do it, Sheila? Do you get all this tasty info from the KC fanclub? I'm picking up In Style today! Thanks!"}, {"response": 362, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (18:48)", "body": "Always happy to share KC news with you Charlotte! This information came from the web (Redbook info came from fanclub) I am hearing a TENTATIVE video release date of Message in a Bottle for August-will keep you posted!"}, {"response": 363, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 20, 1999 (20:55)", "body": "Charlotte: I was just testing all the links on Drool's main page and the one for your Kevin Costner page does not work. If you would like to provide the new url, I will change it. Thanks, Karen"}, {"response": 364, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Mar 22, 1999 (18:37)", "body": "Hmmmm... It should be http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Set/4772/kevin.html"}, {"response": 365, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Mar 22, 1999 (18:39)", "body": "And did you SEE him at the Oscar ceremonies last night? He presented the award for Best Director to Steven Spielberg, and he looked FABULOUS! (OF course, I am in no way biased on the subject.) And his daughter Anne, who was his date, was elegant and glamorous and looked wonderful on his arm."}, {"response": 366, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (00:28)", "body": "(Charlotte) He presented the award for Best Director to Steven Spielberg, and he looked FABULOUS! (OF course, I am in no way biased on the subject.) Not you!;-p Honey, when he walked onstage, I actually groaned...he doesitto me everytime..."}, {"response": 367, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (04:24)", "body": "Did I see him at the Oscar's? Did I videotape him at the Oscar's? Yes! Yes! Yes! I was watching the broadcast in bed, and as it was getting quite late I was starting to doze off. However, even in my sleep my Costner antennae are ON and I was instantly alert the moment his name was announced. \" I have been know to like long...... \" grooooannn!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 368, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (04:28)", "body": "Sorry, typo \"I have been known to like long...\""}, {"response": 369, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 1999 (04:47)", "body": "Kevin Costner appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno February 19/99 will be repeated Monday April 19/99"}, {"response": 370, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 1999 (18:59)", "body": "http://www.freevote.com/booth/actorof1998 Vote for Kevin!"}, {"response": 371, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Apr 24, 1999 (01:57)", "body": "I saw Kevin in a golf tournament last weekend on tv, he was kidding around with Jack Nicholson, Will Smith, Joe Peshi (sp?) and they were all having a great time. What a contrast to the serious Masters tournament where the tension was thick, this was a bunch of big boys acting like little kids, having a great time."}, {"response": 372, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (16:22)", "body": "Guess who illuminates the July issue of Cowboys & Indians ? My friend just returned from Texas and spotted it in the airport and bought it for me. :) It's luscious! Shows off his freckles. :) Article title: The Resurrection of a Hollywood Golden Boy. Ahem, I don't recall his being DEAD! I'll try to get it scanned and post for y'all."}, {"response": 373, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (20:24)", "body": "Here it is! http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Set/Kevin/kevin_cowboy.jpg"}, {"response": 374, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (20:52)", "body": "Sorry. Try this one: http://www.geocities.com/hollywood/Set/4772/Kevin/kevin_cowboy.jpg"}, {"response": 375, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (20:56)", "body": ""}, {"response": 376, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (20:57)", "body": "sigh. i've been away too long. i had forgotten how to do that. thanks for your patience."}, {"response": 377, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (23:05)", "body": "Have you ladies seen the September issue of Biography magazine? Kevin's on the cover and there are a gazillion pictures from various movies. But the headshot on the Contents page is to die for. ;-D"}, {"response": 378, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 1999 (03:24)", "body": "I brought it home today. My best friend subscribes to Biography and gave it to me. Bedtime reading! :) Gotta find my old drool bib. Then man just keeps on getting hotter!"}, {"response": 379, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 1999 (04:23)", "body": "I thought you were Charlotte, the one who watches sci-fi when KC is not to be seen...Hi !"}, {"response": 380, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (03:52)", "body": "Yup! That's me! Don't watch much Sci-Fi these days, since Kevin is EVERYWHERE! :) Well, here in my house, at least. Hi backatcha, Marcia!"}, {"response": 381, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (04:10)", "body": "*grin* it is good to be in the safe confines of Drool where couthness reigns - or some such rot (they think that on the rest of the Spring, so we have to keep up appearances, dontcha know...*lol* Loved Field of Dreams. Every time it comes on I get hooked and watch it all the way through - AGAIN !"}, {"response": 382, "author": "mrchips", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (06:03)", "body": "How about Rapa Nui and Waterworld?"}, {"response": 383, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (06:08)", "body": "I love baseball. John, you above all should know that. That is why I love FoD. I never saw Waterworld nor Rapa Nui, but there are some pretty important people around here who post a lot who did love Waterworld. No accounting for taste!"}, {"response": 384, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (13:42)", "body": "Then Marcia, you do NOT want to miss next month's release of For Love of the Game , Kevin's third baseball film."}, {"response": 385, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (13:52)", "body": "I saw a trailer of For Love of Game months ago at the movies. What surprised me most was the use of The Natural's music and the stadium lighting shots as in that movie's climatic last at bat. What were they trying to do? Hope that they've reworked the trailers. Will make everyone think it's a ripoff."}, {"response": 386, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (16:30)", "body": "I saw just Message in a Bottle and liked him ,but not that Robin Wright-Penn..pretty...but she can't act . Unlike The Postman\" where I thought he had great chemistry with Olivia Williams. Yeah..I know...film too long. But lots of Kevin.:-)"}, {"response": 387, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (13:49)", "body": "From the NY Daily News : Kevin Costner has suffered the unkindest cut of all. Universal Pictures has circumcised his full-frontal shower scene in \"For the Love of the Game.\" The actor has been bad-mouthing the studio since he found out that it edited out his priapian moment in the shower, as well as other scenes \ufffd primarily in an effort to shorten the movie's running time. Even so, the movie is more than two hours long. Last week Costner griped to Newsweek that Universal execs \"don't want to talk to me.\" He accused them of lacking \"real courage\" by insisting that the baseball flick have a PG-13 rating. For Universal, he said, \"this movie has always been about the length and the rating,\" never \"the content.\" Although he insisted his complaints were not \"purely narcissistic,\" Costner joked that audiences would be \"hurt\" by not getting a gander at his manhood. Universal now appears to be retaliating. Execs are putting the word out that a test audience in Arizona virtually demanded that Costner get the John Wayne Bobbitt treatment. \"The audience giggled at Kevin's penis,\" one exec tells New York magazine. \"Then, in focus groups, they said, 'Do we really need to see Kevin Costner's penis?'\" New York women (and men) might have said, Yes! Alas, they'll have make do with rerunning a video of his young butt in \"Dances With Wolves.\""}, {"response": 388, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (16:09)", "body": ".....Do we really need to see Kevin Costner's penis?'\" ....New York women (and men) might have said, Yes! I'm from New York...so I concur.... ...pox on the test audience in Arizona!!:-D"}, {"response": 389, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (02:40)", "body": "Sheesh!! No one ever asked me whether I wanted to see So & So's breasts!"}, {"response": 390, "author": "mrchips", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (07:02)", "body": "Me either. Who is so and so? If you go to the internet movie database http://www.us.imdb.com you will see that all the early reviews by viewers, overwhelmingly male, love For the Love of the Game . That, despite KC's all too public sniping over the last several months with Universal, director Sam Raimi, and those who don't want/need to see his genitals. I am no fan of KC's alleged acting ability, but he sure does have an affinity for a great baseball movie. BTW, I love both Bull Durham and Field of Dreams . In fact, I show the latter to my English cla ses. Waterworld , Rapa Nui , and The Postman all basked in the mediocrity to ignominy those films deserve. All were Costner-driven vehicles. Dances With Wolves was wonderful, even if Kevin loves to lord his Best Picture (a director's award) over all who come in contact with him, and did not give his (former) good friend Kevin Reynolds the credit he deserved for assisting KC in the director's chair. Still, if KC made nothing but baseball movies, he'd be a consistent winner, eve as he grays (what the hell, Cal Ripken Jr. is gray). I guess if the new film is as terrific as its early reviews, there need be no bats visible that aren't woodburned with the \"Louisville Slugger\" brand. If Kevin really has the need to show the world his penis, he can pose in Playgirl , and those who drool can look as long as they wish without having to rewind *SMILE*."}, {"response": 391, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (13:18)", "body": "John, the issue to me has always been \"double standards.\" Showing any and all parts of a woman's body is rated PG-13 or R, whereas show a penis, and that gets you an NC-17 rating. Nudity in and of itself is not a draw for women (and I'm speaking very *broad*-ly here), but if the storyline calls for nudity by either sex, then sobeit. They shouldn't be discriminating by sex or favoring one over the other. Sometimes I wonder why there hasn't been a lawsuit, as female actresses are so regularly required t take it all off, whereas men never do. Blatant sexism. BTW, I will be seeing For Love of the Game tonight. I love Kevin's baseball films and many others. So what if he's not a great actor. He's very nice to watch."}, {"response": 392, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (16:13)", "body": "I quite agree with Karen. I have no desire to see Kevin's penis. It's his face that I go to his films to see. It's the same face looking at me right now from 42 8 x 10 photographs hanging on the walls of my computer room. Likewise, I have no desire to see Gwynneth Paltrow's meagre breasts, but I had little choice. Kevin's alleged \"sniping\" at Universal might just as easily spring from his dissatisfaction with the film's LENGTH, which makes much more sense, since Kevin is notorious for his dislike of films being truncated to appease an attention-span-challenged audience. I think he would have vented just as strongly if they had left in the penis and cut out something else. Will there EVER come a time when Kevin will NOT be Hollywood's whipping boy?"}, {"response": 393, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (16:21)", "body": "....I quite agree with Karen. I have no desire to see Kevin's penis. So...close your eyes. :-)"}, {"response": 394, "author": "mrchips", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (17:00)", "body": "Good one, Evelyn. Universal didn't want the movie to be rated \"R\" much less he dreaded \"NC-17.\" I understand their concern. They have coughed up millions just for Kevin's salary alone, and many millions more for production, and they want their product (a dirty word to some, especially those who would call it art) viewed by the widest possible audience. Field of Dreams is a family movie; Bull Durham is not. Both are terrific movies, but the former is a classic. But I think the double sta dard is much more insidious than just who gets rated what for displaying which gender's genitals. Most movie nudity is put in to appease a public appetite for sex, not because it makes for a better storyline. I don't care if a movie has nudity or not, except when I wish to show it to a high school classroom (most of whom have seen someone live of the opposite gender nude more recently than I have). If I really have to see someone nude in a film, I'll rent a porno video. There may or may not come a tim when KC will not be--as Charlotte puts it--Hollywood's whipping boy. But because he's a male star, he can go on his public ego rants--justifiable or not--as long as he wants, even through three big budget flops. Back in the 80s, Debra Winger got an equally publicized rap for being difficult. Despite the fact that she is a more talented actor than KC, and just like KC, believes that she was arguing for a better product, she's been ostracized and her career, if she still has one, has been in a tailspin."}, {"response": 395, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (18:04)", "body": "I don\ufffdt know about KCostner fans but if Colin Firth showed everything in a film I\ufffdd be very sad and wouldn\ufffdt want to see....it would probably be the end of my fan-aticism. I think it would only indicate that he has lost his self-respect as an actor."}, {"response": 396, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (18:54)", "body": "I don\ufffdt know about KCostner fans but if Colin Firth showed everything in a film I\ufffdd be very sad and wouldn\ufffdt want to see....it would probably be the end of my fan-aticism. I think it would only indicate that he has lost his self-respect as an actor. Oooo, Elena. As I read that, I came all over peculiar. You are so high minded. I think I shall have to rent out Playmaker and gaze through.....now which glass panel of the shower was it? Sorry .... wrong board.....but you provoked me;-)))"}, {"response": 397, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (19:03)", "body": "(John) Most movie nudity is put in to appease a public appetite for sex *cough* bullshit *cough* My opinion is that most movie nudity is due to the male director believing himself to be some kind of auteur artiste and wanting to see the actresses take it all off. They are pandering to the ticket-buying public of post-pubescent boys. not because it makes for a better storyline. I never said \"better.\" ;-D Debra Winger got an equally publicized rap for being difficult. Despite the fact that she is a more talented actor than KC You gotta be kidding! Or do you just like her deep voice? (Charlotte) Likewise, I have no desire to see Gwynneth Paltrow's meagre breasts, but I had little choice. Speaking of Gwynnie's pippins, I remember a lot of the press about her nudity in SiL. It was couched in words of praise, specifically mentioning the fact that now she had graduated into serious work by doing the nude scenes. Where was Joe's pip? I don't go to movies for nudity, but I'm an equal opportunity viewer."}, {"response": 398, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (19:05)", "body": "I like your choice of films, Allison. ;-D"}, {"response": 399, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (20:11)", "body": "....I think I shall have to rent out Playmaker and gaze through.....now which glass panel of the shower was it? It was artistically v. fundamental for Ross Talbott to take a shower in that movie and to come out in the buff.... of \"kolossal\" importance to the storyline too. :-D"}, {"response": 400, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (20:54)", "body": "You are so high minded. Oh, by all means have a laugh at my \"high-mindedness\" Allison but I meant sincerely what I said."}, {"response": 401, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (21:07)", "body": "Elena, I don't think Allison or anybody is laughing at your views. Actually, most of us would agree with you in many ways. A little mystery is always good. Like the Arizona test audience, we don't *need* to see Kevin's penis or anybody else's for that matter. (horrible images in my mind of Harvey Keitel in The Piano...can there be anything less sexy than a flaccid penis??) However, we do like to fantacize and catching glimpses (or imagining glimpses) can be better than the real thing. ;-D"}, {"response": 402, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (21:40)", "body": "horrible images in my mind of Harvey Keitel in The Piano I\ufffdve seen it at least twice but I don\ufffdt remember seeing any sort of penis in it, my mind must have deleted it?! imagining glimpses) can be better than the real thing In CF\ufffds case the real thing must be better than any imagined glimpses though :-D (Okay I\ufffdm badly off topic here, sorry Kevin fans!)"}, {"response": 403, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (22:47)", "body": "In CF\ufffds case the real thing must be better than any imagined glimpses though :-D Agreed, but I was pretending to be more couth than I actually am! ;-D You're talking to a member of the \"I've seen Nessie\" club!! I\ufffdve seen it at least twice but I don\ufffdt remember seeing any sort of penis in it, my mind must have deleted it?! It was very small, easy to miss. ;-D"}, {"response": 404, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (02:12)", "body": "Well, Elena. I think I was heartily agreeing with you when I said in an earlier post that I had no desire to see KC's penis. And yes, if it ever does appear onscreen, I will likely close my eyes, Evelyn, given enough warning. I believe it would be futile to debate in this forum the measure of KC's acting talent against Ms. Winger's or anyone else's. It's equivalent to debating if chocolate ice-cream is better than strawberry. Each viewer will formulate his own opinions. I have always maintained that KC is a mediocre, albeit an improving, actor. But it has never been his skill at the craft that appeals to me. Beyond the face, I admire his diligence, his integrity, his love for his children, his charisma and his courage. For skill, I go look for Ralph Fiennes or Anthony Hopkins. And I do miss Debra Winger. She isn't Meryl Streep, but she has her own flavor of charisma that was always a joy to watch."}, {"response": 405, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (02:33)", "body": "Evelyn, we have a date to see whatever there is of him. I am from New York (many years ago, now) and we never lose our need to know and see...and touch if we are lucky! ;)"}, {"response": 406, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (03:41)", "body": "Costner is in the groove!! Kev delivers the heat!! I've just come back from seeing \"For Love of the Game\" and it's a wonderful baseball movie and the love story portion worked for me. The audience adored it. You know when a sports film works when the audience is on the edge of its collective seat and breaks out in applause when various plays are made during the game. The movie is closer to The Natural with a lot of Bull Durham (although no kitchen table or bathtub scenes). While it came in at slightly over 2 hrs (maybe by 10 minutes), there wasn't a boring bit at all. Yes, of course, any and all baseball movies are formulaic, but this one had you wondering whether they were going to do something (but I won't say what). So they were successful in keeping up the suspense. I liked that the action basically takes place over the course of ONE game, with flashback sequences. That is one helluva game and Kev throws one helluva good game. Charlotte (and Nan, if you're out there), you are going to love it. Guys will love it as well because the baseball is great. Hey! The movie IS shorter than a baseball game!! ;-D"}, {"response": 407, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (03:51)", "body": "And I have a bunch of the posters (smaller sized)...."}, {"response": 408, "author": "mrchips", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (04:09)", "body": "See, I knew that Kev didn't have to deliver the meat to deliver the heat in a baseball movie. He played baseball for Cal-State Northridge...it's just a \"Natural\" (sorry, Roy Hobbs)."}, {"response": 409, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (04:14)", "body": "Wait until you hear question no. 3 (hee hee)"}, {"response": 410, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (04:15)", "body": "Oooh, I gotta see it. Love baseball, and loved FoD. As for Northridge, that is where O'O's brother and family lives...and the earthquake happened. hmmm...! (but it would have been interesting like in HOTPig and TA, if they had had two different versions for the truly curious and for the rest of you!)"}, {"response": 411, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (04:16)", "body": "Good Picture, Karen. Thanks!!! Can't wait to hear it all!"}, {"response": 412, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (04:17)", "body": "John, do you think O'O would let you go see it with me?!?"}, {"response": 413, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (04:18)", "body": "It was fun seeing the roles reversed from Bull Durham. At one point toward the end (9th inning to be precise), he's talking to himself about the batter and says something like \"don't think, just throw like you've done millions of time before.\" Remember Crash's words to whatshisname?"}, {"response": 414, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (04:20)", "body": "I can't figure out where the beef scene would have been. All evidence of it has been excised. Maybe when he gets his massage, the towel is lifted... ;-D"}, {"response": 415, "author": "mrchips", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (04:21)", "body": "Nuke Laloosh (played by the brilliant Tim Robbins). I'd love to go see the movie. Maybe I could go with both of you...I don't think that Ray would believe there's anything between us, but I haven't seen his \"O\" side, and don't want to."}, {"response": 416, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (04:21)", "body": "His best parts were left on the cutting room floor?! Alas! Auwe! How Ghastly!"}, {"response": 417, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (04:21)", "body": ""}, {"response": 418, "author": "mrchips", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (04:22)", "body": "It was supposed to have been a full frontal shower scene."}, {"response": 419, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (04:23)", "body": "I'm bummed!!!"}, {"response": 420, "author": "mrchips", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (04:23)", "body": "Nice pics, Karen. They don't want to make me drool, but do want to make me see the movie. It doesn't open here until Friday, and I'm broke until Monday (payday)."}, {"response": 421, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (04:24)", "body": "Nuke!! of course. Was going to get the tape out, but am lazy... Marcia, this isn't a FoD. It's a Bull Durham-The Natural crossbreed."}, {"response": 422, "author": "mrchips", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (04:24)", "body": "Nice pics, Karen. They don't make me want to drool, but do make me want to see the movie. Unfortunately, it doesn't open in this beautiful little one-horse town until Friday...and I won't have the $$$$ until Monday (payday for both my jobs)."}, {"response": 423, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (04:26)", "body": "I saw it for free. Shower scene? There weren't any. Wonder if it was a locker room shower scene or one with Kelly..."}, {"response": 424, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (04:27)", "body": "John, you convince Ray to let you take me and I pay for everything!"}, {"response": 425, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (04:27)", "body": ""}, {"response": 426, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (04:29)", "body": "OoooooooooooooooooooooooooOOOoooOOoooooooOoooooooooooHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Nice!"}, {"response": 427, "author": "mrchips", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (04:52)", "body": "Great pics!"}, {"response": 428, "author": "mrchips", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (04:53)", "body": "Would I have to convince him I'm gay? Maybe the \"Weird Walt\" would do that."}, {"response": 429, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (05:08)", "body": "Listen, if he thinks the seemingly never been anything'd forbidden fruit person is a threat, who knows. But, I am sure he would think you a friend rather than a threat...I think...(who knows?!) That man is so odd about these things."}, {"response": 430, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (05:10)", "body": "I could lend you a silky scarf with which to gesticulate as you read the Ballad of Weird Walt to him. You did thay you had a peech impediment, no?!"}, {"response": 431, "author": "mrchips", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (06:43)", "body": "If he considers someone as innocuous as Alton (brilliant yes, but no threat) a threat...I don't wish to risk his wrath. Remember, despite our friendship, I do like him, as well."}, {"response": 432, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (11:52)", "body": "I just saw the Postman, I liked it just like I liked Waterworld. It has kind of the same fascination. And Costner always has interesting female costars."}, {"response": 433, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (15:53)", "body": "Good pics Karen, thanks.He does look dreamy. So, you let the Arizona audience dictate what you can see in Chicago, uh? Too bad....we coulda'had a spirited discussion .....:-D"}, {"response": 434, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (16:23)", "body": "So, you let the Arizona audience dictate what you can see in Chicago, uh? Where'd you get that idea? ;-D I liked the movie \"as-is.\" Whether I thought the shower scene in full-frontedness worked is moot, as we will never see it. Come to think of it, I don't recall seeing any of the ballplayers *adjusting* themselves. Hey, this was a sanitized movie!!"}, {"response": 435, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (16:29)", "body": "Showing the beef...must be \"in\" This from Reuters review of SUNSHINE starring Ralph Fiennes..... Re: RF \"....Yet for all his physical fearlessness (two sequences include full frontal nudity, and some of the sex is rough), there are more sparks than fire, leaving an essential void and chill where the passion should be.\" (Wonder if the \"rough sex\" is with JE?)"}, {"response": 436, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (01:06)", "body": "Do you mean we have to look at more of RF than we have already seen in TEP? Yeesh!!!"}, {"response": 437, "author": "mrchips", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (01:24)", "body": "Not until it comes out on video. I'd bet that Sunshine , much like the solar commodity it was named after, doesn't even make it to Hilo. Haven't even heard of the movies, and Reuters is a European news service. Is \"JE\" Jenna Elfman?"}, {"response": 438, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (01:31)", "body": "Nope! Jennifer Ehle, CF's co-star in P&P2"}, {"response": 439, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (01:32)", "body": "(She is also Rosemary Harris' daughter)"}, {"response": 440, "author": "mrchips", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (01:39)", "body": "Didn't see P&P2 and don't know who either Jennifer Ehle or Rosemary Harris is. Am not much for Austen (or most Gothic novelists). My ignorance shows, but I did ask, so thank you for the answer."}, {"response": 441, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (01:44)", "body": "Evelyn will be delighted to get out her pictures! JE is not as rare in the theater and movies as one might think...and you missed something truly wonderful when you passed up P&P2. May I lend you the video? I would be delighted to, and it is not a chick-flick!"}, {"response": 442, "author": "mrchips", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (01:52)", "body": "That I WOULD have to see to believe."}, {"response": 443, "author": "mrchips", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (01:55)", "body": "BTW, before I get totally crucified here, I have seen WOMEN'S MOVIES and BOOKS that I HAVE enjoyed... Waiting to Exhale and The Joy Luck Club come to mind immediately. I generally find British romantic drama dreary, although I love their comedy, but if you recommend it, Marcia, I will rent or borrow it and try to view it with as open mind as possible (considering I am equipped with the \"dumb stick\")."}, {"response": 444, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (01:56)", "body": "OK, next volleyball game (if you do not sleep through it) I will hand one of my precious copies (I have many including an all Firth tape of DROOL passages from the movie.)"}, {"response": 445, "author": "mrchips", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (01:58)", "body": "I'll pass on the Firthian drool, but the movie itself, I'll watch."}, {"response": 446, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (03:19)", "body": "and btw, Austen is not a *gothic* novelist; just so you don't make that mistake in the future Trust me, you (Mr. Mariah Carey or was it Jennifer Lopez Fan??) will like Jennifer's assets. :-D"}, {"response": 447, "author": "mrchips", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (03:33)", "body": "Thank you for correcting my continued ignorance. I am truly humbled in your presence."}, {"response": 448, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (03:38)", "body": "Spring is very educational. We believe in having a well-rounded education, even if we hardly set foot outside the sacred halls of Drool. ;-D"}, {"response": 449, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (03:38)", "body": "Lizzie's attributes almost fall into your lap as you watch, do they not?! ('twas Mariah Carey)"}, {"response": 450, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (03:41)", "body": "Karen, it is not as user friendly \"out there.\" People attack one another and not always with a smile. I am always happy to retreat to the sanctity of Drool."}, {"response": 451, "author": "mrchips", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (06:14)", "body": "And I'll gladly retreat my ignorance outside the sacred sanctity of your hallowed halls. I was incorrect--check that--wrong to lump Austen with the other romance novelists of her period (whom she paroied in Northanger Abbey ), but beyond that, I don't know what made me think I might have something to contribute. Beyond my boot-licking, crow eating humility, my apologies as well. Aloha. :-)"}, {"response": 452, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (03:16)", "body": "If you're logged on to the Spring right now, go to our website and see a *live* video of Kevin Costner at his world movie permiere. I'm not kidding, we're webcasting this event as it occurs."}, {"response": 453, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (17:18)", "body": "Auggie Garrido, our UT baseball coach is responsible for getting Costner and this premiere to Austin last night. In the interviews, Garrido said Costner threw every pitch in the movie, and had no doubles. The movie got a great review in the morning paper and a mixed review on Sammy and Bobs radio show. Bob liked it, Sammy hated it. The paper said oddball, foreign movie enthusiasts will hate it, mainstream moviegoers will love it. It will have to be great to beat Bull Durham. Opening everywhere else tonight."}, {"response": 454, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (17:42)", "body": "Both Chicago critics (Ebert & Wilmington) gave it a bad review. Ebert hated the baseball and the love story; Wilmington, the love story. These guys are too jaded up there in Toronto watching festival films. Ha!!"}, {"response": 455, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (00:01)", "body": "Poor John Burnett! Come back....."}, {"response": 456, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Mon, Mar 26, 2001 (14:30)", "body": "The Oscars (impressions): First impression: J Lo's form fitting top was not quite see through. J. Lo on the red carpet: Angelina Joie looked cool but I expected her to be escorted by John Long for Billy Joe Thornton. What was Danny DeVito eating? A carrot? That was funny when Steve Martin sent him down some dip from the stage. Worst dressed and worst singer: Bjork, who wore a huge, limp swan. On second thought, wasn't that Kevin Costner sitting next to Angelina Jolie? Biggest dissappointment: Joan Allen and Ellen Burstyn not winning. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 4, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 40, "subject": "Ralph Feinnes", "response_count": 105, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 1997 (06:43)", "body": "Ok. A couple of pictures to start the drooling... And I like this one very well indeed! I'm counting on you Johanne to come up with some more! ;-)"}, {"response": 2, "author": "kate", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 1997 (16:35)", "body": "And about time we had this topic. those eyes...."}, {"response": 3, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 1997 (17:23)", "body": "Amen. I LOOOOOOOOOOVE RF. Thanks Cheryl. To help the drooling along(as if we needed the assistance-those eyes)-here's some memorable lines from TEP. Think of the gaze: \"I cut my heart out every morning, and the next day it was filled again..\" \"the heart is an organ of fire.\" (and my personal favorite): I will come Back. I'll never leave you. KATHERINE! OOOH Baby!! He'd better win the Oscar!"}, {"response": 4, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 1997 (17:24)", "body": "OH-how could I forget: I just want you to know, I'm not missing you yet. Sigh. Has everyone seen TEP screenplay book?"}, {"response": 5, "author": "Opus", "date": "Sat, Mar  8, 1997 (20:02)", "body": "Thanks for this topic Cheryl, as much as I love Darcy I also love to drool over Ralph too. that B&W pic is my favorite of all taht I have seen, oh so sexy."}, {"response": 6, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 1997 (06:24)", "body": "\"I cut my heart out every morning, and the next day it was filled again..\" Oh Cass! what a heart-wrenching line! Omigod! Yes, he will win the Oscar, I am convinced. Can't wait til his acceptance speech. What shall he wear? The tux or the leather jacket? ;-)"}, {"response": 7, "author": "Amy", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 1997 (13:08)", "body": "Leather tux?"}, {"response": 8, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 1997 (18:12)", "body": "Cheryl-I can't even entertain the notion that he won't win the Oscar! He must win! It's too unkind, too unjust. He gave the best performance of the year. And I'll cast my vote for the leather Almasy jacket! OOH Baby!! But, its not like I would be disapointed by RF arriving in a tux! Didn't you love the way he ran his arm along KST's face-Am I K in your book? I was swooning in the aisles!"}, {"response": 9, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 1997 (19:40)", "body": "how about a leather tuxedo, huuummm, Dolce&Gabana style"}, {"response": 10, "author": "elder", "date": "Sun, Mar  9, 1997 (20:56)", "body": "Parade magazine (supplement to some Sunday newspapers, Washington Post included) has a cover story on RF today. Nice pics -- I haven't read the article yet."}, {"response": 11, "author": "Inko", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 1997 (00:32)", "body": "The Parade article on RF is very good. He sounds like CF in some ways concerning fame and money - gets in the way of doing a good job. Maybe this is something all English actors think, because most of them start off in theatre where pay is low, work is continuous, and there's very little fame outside those people who've seen the shows they're in."}, {"response": 12, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 1997 (01:09)", "body": "Cheryl, I must say, your pictures are fabulous, favorite is the second, more alternative looking, nevertheless the first is very close behind. Thanks you :)"}, {"response": 13, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 1997 (20:30)", "body": "hmmm-a leather tuxedo, I like IT!! You know yet another thing I liked about TEP: the way RF/Almasy(the two have become one in my mind) constantly referred to Katharine as his wife. Sigh. The MAN can dance too. I wonder if KST could breathe-he was holding her soooo tight!"}, {"response": 14, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 1997 (21:39)", "body": "Can we also have him wear the shorts, he looked awesome in those Gap lookin Khaki Shorts."}, {"response": 15, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 1997 (21:40)", "body": "Entertainment Weekly had a special edition on the Oscar nominations and there is a delicious picture of Ralph in a three-quarter profile--lucious! The article on Kristen also had a picture of her with Colin from the movie, the TUX pic! Wish I had a scanner!"}, {"response": 16, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (05:18)", "body": "Bad news people: I heard that RF is not going to be at the Oscars. Though KST and Juliet Binoche will be there. (Yes, I sometimes watch The Gossip Show on E!)"}, {"response": 17, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (06:24)", "body": "Ann: Bad news people: I heard that RF is not going to be at the Oscars. *pout* why not? :-("}, {"response": 18, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (06:42)", "body": "I hope that is only a vile, insidious runour! I read that he's doing a Chekov play in Moscow, but is doing additional performances now, so that he CAN be at the Oscars. He has to be there!!"}, {"response": 19, "author": "Inko", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (23:48)", "body": "I thought he was doing Checkhov on the stage in London. And it's a long way and terrible time and jet-lag between London and LA. Can't blame him if he has nightly performances! And - maybe he thinks it will be like the Golden Globes, Geoffrey Rush will get the Oscar and he'll just be on TV as a disappointed also-ran!"}, {"response": 20, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 1997 (19:45)", "body": "Ralph Almasy will be there. He will come back and be at the Oscars. He would never \"leave\" us disappointed. I was watching Charlie Rose the other night and he interviewed Anthony Minghella and Michael Ondaatje. It was really interesting and they showed a lot of clips from the film-including my favorite. Yes-it deserves repeating! \"I promise. I will come back. I'll never leave.\" Ondaajte had only the highest praise for RF-\"incredible, multilayered performance, showing the tenderness beneath the cold exterior.\" And the man can sew!!!!!"}, {"response": 21, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 1997 (19:46)", "body": "REg the Charlie Rose show, he asked the two men an interesting question which kinda stumped them both? Why does K love Almasy? Any thoughts?"}, {"response": 22, "author": "Paola", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 1997 (22:22)", "body": "A friend of a friend who recently went to London attended the play that Fiennes is currently in and she found out that Fiennes won't be performing on the 23 and 24 because he will be attending the Academy Awards."}, {"response": 23, "author": "LKenn", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 1997 (23:38)", "body": "I thought RF was lucious in his EP khaki shorts! I've seen pictures of him, however, that appear somewhat effeminate. Please say it isn't so!?"}, {"response": 24, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (01:05)", "body": "Effeminate? No, no! Gorgeous!"}, {"response": 25, "author": "Opus", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (02:27)", "body": "Definately gorgeous! I didn't notice anything effiminate about him."}, {"response": 26, "author": "Susan", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (04:27)", "body": "I've seen pictures of him, however, that appear somewhat effeminate. I definitely agree, Linda. For some reason, he really gives me the creeps."}, {"response": 27, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (04:43)", "body": "You think it's the clear eyes? I feel like he could suck us all into them!"}, {"response": 28, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (05:17)", "body": "Then don;t look Susan, for here comes another..."}, {"response": 29, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (18:20)", "body": "Effiminate, certainly not, but his features do look more delicate in the B/W photo. I do like it very much, not the macho testosterone look, a more contemporary look well fitted for the next century"}, {"response": 30, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (20:47)", "body": "Has anyone else seen Strange Days ? Interesting concept..."}, {"response": 31, "author": "Mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (22:23)", "body": "Ah, yes the eyes...."}, {"response": 32, "author": "Mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (22:25)", "body": "The rest isn't too bad, either ........"}, {"response": 33, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (22:35)", "body": "OH MARI! Sigh. Double sigh. You really could drown in those eyes. He does look good in a tux. HE must win the OSCAR!"}, {"response": 34, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (22:36)", "body": "Didn't you think RF was brilliant in the \"drunk scene\" in TEP-his Manhattan song and dance? \"Dance with me. I want what's mine!\""}, {"response": 35, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 1997 (04:59)", "body": "mmmmmmmmmMMMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm ;-)"}, {"response": 36, "author": "LKenn", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 1997 (16:11)", "body": "I have a question about TEP. My impression of the scene where RF's plane is shot down is that he was trying to commit suicide. I haven't read the book so am not sure. Does anyone know or have an opinion?"}, {"response": 37, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (07:02)", "body": "CF's plane crash was a suicide attempt, RF's was hit by a ground attack. Yes?"}, {"response": 38, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (07:03)", "body": "here's another good TEP I found. It's no tux, but you know how I like 'em tortured! ;-)"}, {"response": 39, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (18:27)", "body": "OH CHERYL!!!!! The more tortured the better! Men should suffer over women! \"I tore my heart out every day, but the next day it was filled again.\" HIs eyes are so sad, but passionate. And yes-Cf wanted to kill them all. And-Ralph Almasy's plane was shot down, by a ground attack."}, {"response": 40, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (18:33)", "body": "]The more tortured the better! Men should suffer over women! What a masochistic-sweet thing to envision, agree most heartedly (sp?) :)"}, {"response": 41, "author": "Kali", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (00:55)", "body": "Effeminate, yes - sometimes...but that's not necessarily a cut. I referred to this quality down at the Strong topic as a \"posey air,\" but perhaps \"effeminate\" is a more accessible term. Whatever it is, he somehow shed it long enough to make his Heathcliff the raw, wild, emotional beast which vindicates the existence of the whole sorry book. Oh Cheryl? Where are your Ralph-as-Heathcliff fotos? ;) Where I live, the man is known as Ralph Fie-ie-iennes...my neighbor has seen TEP five times. She's insane! :)"}, {"response": 42, "author": "Kali", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (00:56)", "body": "Suffer, yes...but not in a dorky, puppylike sort of way. Women hate that."}, {"response": 43, "author": "LKenn", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (01:22)", "body": "Cheryl - I know that CF's plane crash was a suicide (& murder) attempt, but I also felt that when RF's plane was shot down by the ground attack it was a suicide attempt as well. Did he not know that the troops were on the ground below him, and did he maybe not care because the love (& lust) of his life was dead before him? I need to see the movie again before I can decide."}, {"response": 44, "author": "Susan", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (04:21)", "body": "]Effeminate, yes - sometimes...but that's not necessarily a cut. I referred to this quality down at the Strong topic as a \"posey air,\" but perhaps \"effeminate\" is a more accessible term. Kali, if you're saying what I think you're saying, them's fighting words, dearest! ;-)"}, {"response": 45, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (06:13)", "body": "RALPH ALMASY WAS ROBBED!!!!!!!!!! But, it was wonderful seeing him in a tux and he behaved like such a gentleman, getting up again and again from his seat to congratulate the winners. And RF is anything but effeminate. The man exudes passion: \"DAnce with me! I want what is mine!\""}, {"response": 46, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (06:17)", "body": "Did anyone manage to make out what the message was-the one RALPH held up during Saul Zaentz's speech?"}, {"response": 47, "author": "Inko", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (07:14)", "body": "Cass, I saw one of the signs and it said \"Ivanov\" and then something underneath. He was probably sending greetings to his fellow cast members - that's the play he's in in London and was given time off for the Oscars. Didn't have time to read the second sign and make it out!"}, {"response": 48, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (07:14)", "body": "ok. For Kali, a Heathcliff pic. http://www.littleduck.com/ralph/bigs/wh2.JPG"}, {"response": 49, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (07:19)", "body": "Duh! Sorry, try that again!"}, {"response": 50, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (07:20)", "body": "and one more:"}, {"response": 51, "author": "Kali", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (10:53)", "body": "No , Susan...rest assured, that's NOT what I meant. And yes, he was robbed."}, {"response": 52, "author": "Kali", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (10:53)", "body": "Thank you, Cheryl...;)"}, {"response": 53, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (23:07)", "body": "Anytime, my dear. ;-)"}, {"response": 54, "author": "rosarugosa", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 1997 (03:37)", "body": "RE RAFE: I agree with all of you. RF is the BEST. But of course, so is CF!!! That is only one of a million reasons why TEP is the greatest film I've ever seen, albeit one of the most tragic. He does look gorgeous in the 30s expeditionary threads, a la J. Peterman. Linen, leather, and silk tuxedos. Yummy. (But forget the red fez!!!) His Heathcliff is superb. Wish I could find a place to buy the WH video. I loved it. Haven't seen STrange Days, but he is altogether marvelous in Schindler AND in quiz show. I will never forget the tortured look in his eyes in both those films. Only CF can match him. I only wish I could have relished his live Hamlet performance.........."}, {"response": 55, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Dec 26, 1997 (20:48)", "body": "Non drool alert. I had the day off and saw and interview with Fiennes on some morning show. He's got about three new movies either showing or in the works. He says he's a lot more comfortable in \"tortured\" roles where he's resolving contradictions within himself. Sounded like some stuff worth seeing."}, {"response": 56, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 1998 (23:43)", "body": "What other movies? Haven't seen a thing. This man is powerfully moving and very good. He does the tortured thing well and one of these days, I hope he gets what he deserves--he should get the gal in the end, huh?"}, {"response": 57, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Jan 12, 1998 (01:31)", "body": "He got the girl in the end in Strange Days . :)"}, {"response": 58, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Mon, Jan 12, 1998 (05:11)", "body": "goodie! haven't seen that one yet....and in a way, he got the girl in the end of wuthering heights (postmortem"}, {"response": 59, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 1998 (18:40)", "body": "Here you go, Charlotte... Enjoy, honey ;-)"}, {"response": 60, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 1998 (19:52)", "body": "You're an evil woman, Nan. And on Kevin's birthday, yet. :) Thanks, hon."}, {"response": 61, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 1998 (03:29)", "body": "Look at him!!! Nice to see his smile *grin*. Thanks for the pics..."}, {"response": 62, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Wed, Feb 18, 1998 (17:58)", "body": "I just saw Oscar and Lucinda. He ripped my heart out. I cried for hours afterwards. It has been said that Ralph totally inhabits his characters. If it cannot be said of any of his other roles, it can most certainly be said of this one. He is skeletal. He must have lost 30 pounds for the role. And he is so timid and repressed that he is nearly unrecognizable from the Ralph we know. And what makes me really REALLY angry is that this film got ONE academy award (they don't even deserve capitalization) nomination, and that was for costume design."}, {"response": 63, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Wed, Jul  1, 1998 (00:13)", "body": "Ok. If I must drool alone, I'll drool alone. But you may wish to reconsider. This portrait is by Richard Avedon, for The New Yorker magazine."}, {"response": 64, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Jul  1, 1998 (00:38)", "body": "Damn! He ain't ugly either ;-) Personally, I like this one (from the LA Times, November 1997): See, Char...I'm with ya babe :-)"}, {"response": 65, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Wed, Jul  1, 1998 (00:44)", "body": "I always gotta lock the door to this topic whenever I come here. I can't have Kevin see the stuff I say here! :) Nan, did you see Oscar and Lucinda yet? This is most definitely a pretty man. He has the uncanny ability to be effeminate, yet masculine. Sexy, yet innocent. Strong in his portrayal of weakness. He knocks my socks off."}, {"response": 66, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Jul  1, 1998 (00:59)", "body": "Nope, I haven't seen O&L yet. I'm really lazy about going to the movies. Even renting movies seems to take more time than I have at present. But I agree...Ralph does me just fine. Not quite as nicely as Kevin does, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate him. He's got some set of eyes on him, dontcha think? All kinds of interesting things going on in there. Loved Quiz Show...he looked very clean in that one :-) Geez, Spring isn't back up for more than 2 hours and already I'm drooling all over the place. I should be ashamed. But I'm not ;-)"}, {"response": 67, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Wed, Jul  1, 1998 (01:06)", "body": "YEah, what was up with Spring, this weekend? Or should I say, DOWN? O&L is worth the trip to the rental store. Truly. Would I lie??"}, {"response": 68, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Jul  1, 1998 (01:28)", "body": "YEah, what was up with Spring, this weekend? Or should I say, DOWN? Root user problem. Feel much better now that it's up ;-) Would I lie?? Certainly not! i know that you'd rather walk on your tongue ;-p"}, {"response": 69, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul  1, 1998 (02:03)", "body": "Thanks Nan. That's a *wonderful* pic of the man. Can't wait to see him with Jennifer Ehle in \"A Taste of Sunshine\" starts shooting 15 July in Budapest.....till December!! Hear R. is a perfectionist. Nastassja Kinski is also in this. Don't know what role JE will play. Love interest, I hope.Jennifer always brings out the best in her leading men."}, {"response": 70, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Jul  1, 1998 (02:13)", "body": "(Evelyn) Love interest, I hope.Jennifer always brings out the best in her leading men. I should say so! ;-)"}, {"response": 71, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Fri, Jul 17, 1998 (21:05)", "body": "Here you go Ev ;-)"}, {"response": 72, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sun, Jul 19, 1998 (03:04)", "body": "Don't know what to make of this one, but I couldn't help scanning it ;-)"}, {"response": 73, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (01:07)", "body": "Looks like the infamous Vanity Fair shoot. When it's early in your career and you have not yet been nomitated for an Oscar, you'll just let them do anything to your hair. :)"}, {"response": 74, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (01:37)", "body": "When it's early in your career and you have not yet been nomitated for an Oscar, you'll just let them do anything to your hair. :) Aaah, is that why he's looking so...er...strange? ;-p You know, Charlotte...just got my Snappy...I hear Sixty Minute Man playing in my head...I see photos with lots of candles ;-)"}, {"response": 75, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (03:46)", "body": "Lemme see. Shall I let her know how retarded I am by asking her, \"What's a Snappy?\", or shall I prove how uncultured I am by inquiring about the performer(s) of Sixty Minute Man ? Or shall I just bluster my way through my confusion by saying something banal like, \"oooo! candles!\" :)"}, {"response": 76, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Fri, Dec 22, 2000 (13:07)", "body": "Ralph Feinnes is 38 today. Y'all have been been neglecting him! (I just heard this on NPR Morning Edition)."}, {"response": 77, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Fri, Dec 22, 2000 (13:08)", "body": ""}, {"response": 78, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Sun, Dec 24, 2000 (01:32)", "body": "Poor Ralph. Got pushed out of my consciousness by some brawny Aussie. Charlotte"}, {"response": 79, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb  9, 2001 (01:27)", "body": "Ralph Fiennes will be receiving the William Shakespeare (\"Will\") Award for Classical Theatre, \"in recognition for his contribution and commitment to classical acting in America,\" from the Shakespeare Theatre in Washington D.C. The award will be presented March 3rd at the Library of Congress."}, {"response": 80, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 15, 2001 (18:25)", "body": "From playbill.com 2/14/01 Ralph Fiennes to Receive \"Will\" Award at Shakespeare Theatre, March 3 14-FEB-2001 English actor Ralph Fiennes will receive this year's William Shakespeare Award for Classical Theatre (\"Will\" Award) from The Shakespeare Theatre of Washington, D.C. The ceremony will take place March 3 at the Library of Congress. Fiennes joins past British winners of the prize such as Anthony Hopkins, Maggie Smith, Patrick Stewart, Lynn Redgrave and Kenneth Branagh. American honorees include Kevin Kline, Hal Holbrook, Sam Waterston, Christopher Walken and Morgan Freeman. Fiennes has been seen on American stages almost exclusively in the works of Shakespeare. Last fall, he played the Brooklyn Academy of Music in Coriolanus and Richard II. He won the Tony Award for his performance in Hamlet. For information on the awards ceremony, (202) 547-3230, ext. 2330."}, {"response": 81, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 23, 2001 (14:34)", "body": "'Fear Itself' Strikes Ralph Fiennes NEW YORK (Variety) - Ralph Fiennes has committed to play a brilliant paranoid-schizophrenic in \"Fear Itself,\" a psychological thriller set to begin shooting in early April. Fiennes' character uncovers a conspiracy that leads to the White House, but he cannot persuade anyone to believe him. The project is out to directors, with a director expected to be signed shortly. Patrick Cirillo (\"Man of War\") wrote the script. Wolfgang Petersen, director of \"The Perfect Storm,\" will produce the independently financed film with his business partner, Gail Katz. \"Fear Itself\" is not aligned with a distributor. After producer Mandalay Pictures called an abrupt halt on \"Beyond Borders,\" in which Fiennes was set to star with Angelina Jolie for director Oliver Stone (who stepped away from the project), the actor became one of the few A-list male stars available in the run-up to possible writers and actors' strikes this summer."}, {"response": 82, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 23, 2001 (15:53)", "body": "Unusual for RF to sign up without knowing about the director. And all the big names seem to be working now. Sounds like an interesting story.Thanks Karen."}, {"response": 83, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb 23, 2001 (17:23)", "body": "This would have been a perfect part 2 to Apt. O. Should we blame the agent again? ;-)"}, {"response": 84, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 23, 2001 (18:34)", "body": "(Evelyn) Unusual for RF to sign up without knowing about the director. That's very true. In fact, it contradicts things he said recently while discussing Sunshine. The director is *everything* to him."}, {"response": 85, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Feb 23, 2001 (19:48)", "body": "But Ralph will very likely have a hand in selecting the director--common for an actor of his stature. Sounds like a very interesting project for Ralph. The guy has impeccable taste, as we've said here before. Should we blame the agent again? ;-) I don't blame the agent any more. I blame the client.:-("}, {"response": 86, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 26, 2001 (14:06)", "body": "Sounds like the other one was just a rumor, so maybe it is open! Or else he's doing both??? From Empire today: Fiennes Trapped In Web Of Horror Ralph Fiennes will star for director David Cronenberg in Spider. Unsurprisingly, given its director, the film will be a psychological thriller that focuses on a man's descent into madness. Spider was written by Patrick McGrath, and is based on his 1991 novel of the same name. Set in the 1930s and '50s in the East End of London, the story follows a man called Spider (his childhood nickname) as he tries to unravel the puzzle of his mother's death when he was a boy. Another of McGrath's novels, Asylum, is being adapted for the screen by none other than Stephen King. Filming on Spider is due to take place in the UK and Canada this summer. It will be Cronenberg's first feature as a director since eXistenz, although he starred as Dr. Wimmer in the recently completed Jason X (aka Friday The 13th Part 10)."}, {"response": 87, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Feb 26, 2001 (18:00)", "body": "Jason X (aka Friday The 13th Part 10). ] can I say it???? UGH!!!! :)"}, {"response": 88, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 26, 2001 (21:36)", "body": "Bet he's doing both ...the greedy b******."}, {"response": 89, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar  7, 2001 (16:02)", "body": "This is from THE WASHINGTON POST RF received an award on Friday March 3rd from the Shakespearean Society. Out and About (Washington Post) By By Roxanne Roberts Monday, March 5, 2001; Page C03 In Fiennes' Company First of all, it's pronounced Rafe Fines. (Don't ask; we don't know why.) Second of all, movie star Ralph Fiennes is a fabulous Shakespearean actor -- notable for his Tony-winning Hamlet -- which is why he was presented with the Shakespeare Theatre's Will Award at a black-tie gala Saturday at the Library of Congress. Third, one should never assume that an international sex symbol who plays intense, brooding characters (Heathcliff in \"Wuthering Heights,\" Count Almasy in \"The English Patient\" and Maurice Bendrix in \"The End of the Affair\") is -- in actual fact -- intense and brooding. \"I think a lot of actors don't want to be known,\" Fiennes said passionately, staring intently with those deep blue eyes. Fine. So we didn't ask the 38-year-old actor anything about the melodramatic private life that those British tabloids write so much about. No, this night was about art. And women admiring his . . . art. The Shakespeare Theatre's acclaimed artistic director, Michael Kahn, gives the Will to world-class actors who've never appeared on his stage in the hopes that they will fall madly in love and do a play here. This year's gala -- which included an elegant, Elizabethan-inspired dinner -- also celebrated the 10th anniversary of the \"Text Alive!\" program, which brings the Bard to local classrooms, and gave a belated Millennium Recognition Award to gracious alumnus Richard Thomas, who played the title role in \"Richard II\" at the theater and calls it \"the finest resident company in America.\" Reason enough for Fiennes to come to the nation's capital, which is the general idea after all. But which brooding, passionate role? \"Whichever one he'd like,\" said Kahn. **************************************************** Also this weekend at the UNICEF AIDS auction Ralph had his shirt from TEP, as well as some naughty drawings from Onegin and the quills he used in the film."}, {"response": 90, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  7, 2001 (18:09)", "body": "Reading stuff like this makes me so ashamed sometimes."}, {"response": 91, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar  7, 2001 (19:19)", "body": "Why?Is this it? The Shakespeare Theatre's acclaimed artistic director, Michael Kahn, gives the Will to world-class actors who've never appeared on his stage in the hopes that they will fall madly in love and do a play here. You think Michael Khan is sucking up to Rf? I think it's just the stupid woman writing the column.Trying to be 'clevah'..and doesn't know how."}, {"response": 92, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  7, 2001 (19:24)", "body": "Essentially, the stupidity of the woman writer, but not about what you highlighted."}, {"response": 93, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (11:06)", "body": ""}, {"response": 94, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (11:18)", "body": "Oops, sorry for the hiccup, a friend is visiting me and I've just kicked her off the keyboard. :-) This story from today's NY Post: Ralph Fiennes: \"American actresses seem ready to rip off their clothes with alarmingly little warning. One might say I've been compelled to steel myself against temptation.\" Not a very gentlemanly thing to say. We now feel compelled to review all his movies and list every American actress he has ever worked with to narrow down the possibilities."}, {"response": 95, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  8, 2001 (13:57)", "body": "Please let us know your results. ;-D"}, {"response": 96, "author": "ATURIA", "date": "Sun, Mar 11, 2001 (05:47)", "body": "Isn't he still with Franseca (sp?) Annis?"}, {"response": 97, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Mar 19, 2001 (20:05)", "body": "RF could possibly film both \"Fear Itself\" and \"Spider\" this year. \"Fear Itself\" was mentioned as staring production in early April. If that particular movie wraps in anywhere from late May to the (more likely) middle of June, then he could be free to work on \"Spider\". Then again, as noted by Karen, his working on \"Fear Itself\" could well be a rumor."}, {"response": 98, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 23, 2001 (15:51)", "body": "21 April 2001) Telegraph Ralph Fiennes, so long associated with the little Almeida Theatrewill not be doing his next stage play there. Last week the actor shot over to New York for a private reading of Private Lives with Natasha Richardson. Their chemistry was said to be \"terrific\" and the pair hope to appear in the Noel Coward classic on Broadway in the autumn. It should make its way to London some time afterwards."}, {"response": 99, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 24, 2001 (14:58)", "body": "Ananova says it's a done deal: Noel Coward's play Private Lives will be revived on Broadway later this year. British actors Ralph Fiennes and Natasha Richardson will take the leading roles. If the revival is a success, it will transfer to London some time next year. ~~~~~~ I may have to rethink that \"Fiennes\" scale thing... hmmmmm"}, {"response": 100, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 15, 2001 (13:30)", "body": ":-( Ralph Fiennes set for new Stephen Daldry drama Ralph Fiennes and Jennifer Connolly are set to star in Stephen Daldry's new Second World War thriller Hiding Room. The drama is based the novel by Frederick Raphael who created Eyes Wide Shut. Daldry, who made his debut behind the cameras with Billy Elliot, is to film the adventure in North Africa. The epic story involves a love affair between an English army intelligence officer based in Cairo and a mysterious beautiful Jewish woman fleeing the Nazis. An insider told Ananova: \"It is a fantastic love story and tale about the history of the region taking in the formation of the state of Israel. \"The film is of David Lean proportions.\""}, {"response": 101, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 15, 2001 (23:41)", "body": "Celebs Launch Esso Boycott Over Climate Stance ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Story Filed: Tuesday, May 08, 2001 6:54 AM EST LONDON (Reuters) - Environmental groups and celebrities Tuesday launched a UK boycott of Esso, the European brand of giant Exxon Mobil, over its support for Washington's withdrawal from the Kyoto climate pact. Activist and former model Bianca Jagger kicked off the ''Boycott Esso'' effort, which is also supported by pop star Annie Lennox and actor Ralph Fiennes. ``Often, we as individuals feel powerless in the face of this catastrophe that is unfolding. But with this campaign we can make a difference,'' Jagger, former wife of Rolling Stones rocker Mick Jagger, said in a statement. The Stop Esso Campaign, an alliance founded by Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth and People and Planet, is asking the British public to avoid Esso petrol stations until the company pledges support for the Kyoto Protocol. The Body Shop, another supporter, plans to publicize the campaign in its UK chain of shops selling organic cosmetics. Greenpeace has taken aim at five U.S. oil companies -- including Exxon Mobil -- for backing President Bush's rejection of the Kyoto accord, a move that frustrated and angered many of America's allies around the world. ``Esso are the world's number one global warming villains,'' said Greenpeace Executive Director Stephen Tindale. But the company says the drive will do little to change U.S. policy and could hurt local employees. ``The call for a boycott of Esso service stations can only be counter- productive,'' Esso said in a statement. ``We do not believe it will have any influence on the U.S. government -- but it could harm the thousands of independent British businessmen and women and their staff who operate their stations in partnership with Esso in the UK.'' The Kyoto Protocol calls for industrialized nations to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 5.2 percent from 1990 levels by 2012, but Bush pulled the United States -- the world's biggest greenhouse gas emitter -- out of the treaty. Exxon Mobil has not accepted scientific evidence that fossil fuel emissions cause global warming, campaigners say, and is a member of the Global Climate Coalition, an international business lobby set up to counter that view. The company says it supports the study of climate change and has invested over $500 million in renewable energy. Greenpeace is also targeting Chevron, Texaco, Conoco and Phillips in its efforts to influence consumers."}, {"response": 102, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 12, 2001 (13:23)", "body": "Ralph Fiennes is finding plenty of distraction in New York while his beloved, Francesca Annis, trots the London stage in Ibsen's \"Ghosts.\" From the Rush & Molloy column in the NY Daily News : The \"English Patient\" star has hit the town several times in the past few months. More often than not, you can find him out with Lisa Zane, sister of \"Titanic\" star Billy and ex-girlfriend of Heath Ledger. Fiennes has been to hear her sing at the Cutting Room. They also looked cozy the other night with a group at Lotus. A source vouches, \"They're really just friends.\" Fiennes' rep says he and Annis are still living together and that his New York trips should be less frequent now that he's set to star onstage in London opposite Anthony Hopkins in \"Retreat From Moscow.\" ~~~~~~~~ You'll remember, Lisa, don't you? ;-D Hmmm, wonder when this play is set to run...."}, {"response": 103, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 12, 2001 (13:55)", "body": "\"Fiennes has been to hear her sing at the Cutting Room\" Lisa sings? Shudda gone to hear her ;-D"}, {"response": 104, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 14, 2001 (14:51)", "body": "Spider with RF and Miranda Richardson will begin filming in July. It will shoot in Toronto and London. This is the only confirmed project, despite the slew of rumoured ones. Plot: from IMDb \"Dennis Clegg is in his thirties and lives in a halfway house for the mentally ill in London. Dennis, nicknamed \"Spider\" by his mother has been institutionalized with acute schizophrenia for some 20 years. He has never truly recovered, however, and as the story progresses we vicariously experience his increasingly fragile grip on reality. \""}, {"response": 105, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Thu, Jun 14, 2001 (20:21)", "body": "Sounds like a role RF can do in his sleep. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 41, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 42, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 43, "subject": "Jeremy Northam (from 3-8-97)", "response_count": 323, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Kali", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 1997 (14:06)", "body": "Relegated to the bottom of the pile...so much is our lot in life! Second-class droolers sacrificed to the larger numbers of that Firth Guy's following. It shall not be borne! Let's see if we can catch up...I know it's the whole ant-and-rubbertree-plant syndrome, but we can dream...part of the joy is in the toil! Oh, and in the pictures, too! ;)"}, {"response": 2, "author": "Kali", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 1997 (14:07)", "body": "Relegated to the bottom of the pile...so much is our lot in life! Second-class droolers sacrificed to the larger numbers of that Firth Guy's following. It shall not be borne! Let's see if we can catch up...I know it's the whole ant-and-rubbertree-plant syndrome, but we can dream...part of the joy is in the toil! Oh, and in the pictures, too! ;)"}, {"response": 3, "author": "Kali", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 1997 (14:09)", "body": "ARRRGGGGH!"}, {"response": 4, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 1997 (14:17)", "body": "Yes-Dearest-bring on the pics!!! The bottom of the pile! The HORROR! The HORROR!!"}, {"response": 5, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 1997 (14:24)", "body": "Believe me this is JN related: One of my profs asked me to read an obscure Louisa Mae Alcott book, LOng Fatal Love Chase, and review it. Little Women-this book is not!! It's, bizarre twisted! It centres on this beautiful, frustrated EW type heroine named Rosamond who is bored, bored, b ored; she loves storms. By page 3, enter Philip Tempest, an older, suave, seductive, rich enigma-a former pupil of her grandfather. Well, the obvious happens and Philip is more Jack Devlin, than Prince charming. Ans so the chase begins. It's really weird, but I admit I thought of Jeremy as Philip. WEll, Shall we contact his agent? I can't believe the MAN has never been more unemployed as an actor. SHOCKING!"}, {"response": 6, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 1997 (14:43)", "body": "unless the \"star wars\" rumors are true... then he could be employed over the course of three back-to-back guaranteed blockbusters and make millions over the profits (even more millions if he sells his likeness to toy manufactureres) think of it ladies, Jeremy Northam action figures!"}, {"response": 7, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 1997 (16:10)", "body": "Happy thoughts indeed! This board is starting to scream of money, MONEY!!! Let's get back to sex."}, {"response": 8, "author": "Kaffeine", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 1997 (17:05)", "body": "Jeremy Northam action figures! Let's get back to sex Would these be anatomically correct action figures? And what kind of action are we talking about? ;)"}, {"response": 9, "author": "Kaffeine", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 1997 (17:08)", "body": "I had a really weird dream last night. I don't usually dream about celebrities, but I had a dream about Jeremy last night. You would think that that would be a pretty good dream, but unfortunately, this one was rather unpleasant. I'm going to have to have a talk with my subconscious, and let it know that if its going to give me dreams about Jeremy they had darn well better be good ones!"}, {"response": 10, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 1997 (17:37)", "body": "]I'm going to have to have a talk with my subconscious, and let it know that if its going to give me dreams about Jeremy they had darn well better be good ones! Try reading Cassandra's Deja Vu before bedtime, that might help."}, {"response": 11, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 1997 (20:27)", "body": "hey all! if you haven't already read it, go to Kaffeine's site on JN and read Mrs. Penrose's forum post of her 'run-in\" with a JN lookalike at the grocery store. If it's possible, it may have been JN himself. It's a HEEEELARIOUS story, and she did what I would've done EXACTLY!"}, {"response": 12, "author": "Kali", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 1997 (21:25)", "body": "Would these be anatomically correct action figures? And what kind of action are we talking about? ;) I love you, Kaf! --- Yeah, Cass...sounds like definite Northam material...Do you own a copy of the book? And if so, may I borrow it? ;) --- I went through a period of about two weeks or so last month in which I had a series of VERY pleasant Jeremy dreams. But then again, nice dreams don't always equal nice karma...and sometimes, disturbing dreams protend wonderful realities!"}, {"response": 13, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Mon, Mar 10, 1997 (22:26)", "body": "Carolyn-I love you! I think Deja-vu started out as one of my dreams. And Kali-I borrowed the book from my professor. But, I liked it so much that I ordered my own. It should be here in a few weeks, and I would be happy to lend it to you. I couldn't put it down."}, {"response": 14, "author": "Kali", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (04:25)", "body": "Okay, we'll do a switch...I lend you Billington, you lend me Alcott...;)"}, {"response": 15, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (14:23)", "body": "Great!! I hope fame doesn't spoil Jeremy. I remember reading how he snuck onto the American President set during the filming of the NET. And how making one of those big Hollywood movies was such a happy surprise, a \"mad kind of adventure\". I'd like to have a mad kind of adventure with him! reg. Hollywood films..: \"It was something I never really sought, but at the same time, it was like fulfilling a fantasy that I'd never imagined would come true.\" Isn't he the most articulate, adorable, endearing MAN?"}, {"response": 16, "author": "Kali", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (15:31)", "body": "I'll bet he's hooked on movies now...didn't he recently say something somewhere about never getting back to England? I remember a time when he expressed extreme displeasure at leaving his home country for California...does this constitute a change of hea rt, and if so, is it a change for the better?"}, {"response": 17, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (20:40)", "body": "Good question. I too remember him saying how much he disliked LA-but he's certainly not alone there! But-that is where the work is. So, I don't know if that really consitutes a change of heart, maybe a change in priorites. He's pretty cagey about his ambi tions, although he definitely doesn't want to be another Hugh Grant. I think, though, that his heart will always be with the theatre. That's his training, where he is most comfortable. He seems to know who he is. But, I think he is hooked on movies. Its ard not to be-the celebrity, the easy money. A lot of actors manage to do both-theatre and movies-ET is a good example. She's even done a musical. How about Jeremy in a musical? I read somewhere that he has a good voice."}, {"response": 18, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (20:58)", "body": "jeremy's current acting status has been on my mind for a while too. i agree with the lure of hollywood and the huge movie \"arms\" industry, as he put it once. the cosmo interview mentioned that he has had such a busy schedule-- that he hasn't been able to get back to london, where his roots are. then it goes on to mention that once he does get back home, he was planning on selling that flat. my question is, \"selling the flat in place of what?\" is it possible that he'd actually move to the states to further his career? if so, i'd vote for NYC, where he still has the convenience of theatre, if he eer felt 'homesick' for acting onstage. because to tell you the truth, theatre in l.a. (and i live in l.a. BTW) is NOTHING compared to what's out there in new york or even chicago. but IMHO, i'd still like to keep our jeremy 'pure' and have him remain in england."}, {"response": 19, "author": "Kali", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (22:18)", "body": "Yeah, purity of heart, mind and career...I'm not sure that New York is an improvement on LA...lots of precocious brats there, as well...LA may be flaky, but it's not spoiled rotten."}, {"response": 20, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 1997 (19:09)", "body": "He walks in beauty, like the night Of cloudless climes and starry skies; And all that's best of dark and bright Meet in his aspect and his eyes: Thus mellow'd to that tender light Which heaven to gaudy day denies One shade the more, one ray the less, Had half impair'd the nameless grace Which waves in every raven tress, Or softly lightens o'er his face; Where thoughts serenely sweet express How pure, how dear their dwelling-place. And on that cheek, and o'er that brow, So soft, so calm, yet eloquent, The smiles that win, the tints that glow, But tell of days in goodness spent, A mind at peace with all below, A heat whose love is innocent!"}, {"response": 21, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 1997 (19:10)", "body": "That should have been HEART! Freudian slip."}, {"response": 22, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 1997 (19:12)", "body": "He walks in beauty, like the night Of cloudless climes and starry skies; And all that's best of dark and bright Meet in his aspect and his eyes: Thus mellow'd to that tender light Which heaven to gaudy day denies One shade the more, one ray the less, Had half impair'd the nameless grace Which waves in every raven tress, Or softly lightens o'er his face; Where thoughts serenely sweet express How pure, how dear their dwelling-place. And on that cheek, and o'er that brow, So soft, so calm, yet eloquent, The smiles that win, the tints that glow, But tell of days in goodness spent, A mind at peace with all below, A heat whose love is innocent!"}, {"response": 23, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 1997 (19:14)", "body": "I give up! At least-we are one message ahead."}, {"response": 24, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 1997 (19:42)", "body": "oh, Cass! gorgeous! (heat or heart)"}, {"response": 25, "author": "Yeago", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (15:59)", "body": "I can't remember where I saw it, but someone posted a pic of JN in a blue shirt. WOW HUBBA HUBBA Have been disappointed in some quotes attributed to CF, seems shallow (am I going to get beat up for this)? (I have bookmarked \"The look\") So thought I would take a took over here. Loved the pics at the EMMA2 topic - best line of the movie during the archery scene Mr Knightly pouts \"I want to stay here where it is cozy\" lovely little cottage in the background!:-)"}, {"response": 26, "author": "Amy", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (16:58)", "body": "Really, Anne? I don't know that Firth is shallow. I do suspect he is kind of a jerk. But! He made a great Darcy. That's enough."}, {"response": 27, "author": "Kali", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (18:29)", "body": "I think you summed it up quite well, dearest Amy. --- Is this the picture of which you speak, Anne? I slaved over a hot scanner for all of five minutes to produce it...;) My mom was skeptical until she saw this particular shot...now she heartily approves of my obsession..."}, {"response": 28, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (18:46)", "body": "oh, Kali, I was hoping you were on! OOH BABY OOH BABY OOH BABY"}, {"response": 29, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (18:47)", "body": "I really appreciate the touch of \"look, not a hairy beast\" that this gives us, too!!!!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 30, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (18:49)", "body": "guess we know that HE doesn't live in the Wookhouse!!! :)"}, {"response": 31, "author": "Kali", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (19:01)", "body": "ROTFLOL, Cindy! Wookhouse, indeed... Wanna hang out over at Pemberley for a bit?"}, {"response": 32, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (21:17)", "body": "Kal, still around?"}, {"response": 33, "author": "Kali", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (22:08)", "body": "I'm back again, Cindy...we seem to be missing eachother today... --- Here's my favorite sonnet...(also the favorite of the film Marianne) Let me not to the marriage of true minds Admit impediments; love is not love Which alters when it alteration finds Or bends with the remover to remove. O, no, it is an ever-fixed mark That looks upon tempests [I do believe it is 'tempests'...] and is never shaken; It is the star to every wand'ring bark, Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken. Love's not Time's Fool, though rosy cheeks and lips Within his bending sickle's compass come; Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, But bears it out to the edge of doom. If this be error, and upon me proved, I never writ, nor no man ever loved. --- I sent that to Cass, and she insisted that I post it! ;) Here's another I think is particualrly fitting for lame droolers like us... Farewell, thou art too dear for my possessing, And like enough thou know'st thy estimate. The charter of the worth gives thee releasing; My bonds in thee are all determinate. For how do I hold thee but by thy granting, And for what riches where is my deserving? The cause of this fair gift in me is wanting, And so is my patent back again is swerving. Thyself thou gav'st, thy own worth then not knowing, Or me, to whom thou gav'st, thy own worth then not knowing, So thy great gift, upon misprision growing, COmes home again, on better judgement making. Thus have I had thee as a dream doth flatter, In sleep a king, but waking no such matter."}, {"response": 34, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (22:09)", "body": "Hey, don't go yet!"}, {"response": 35, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (22:12)", "body": "Love the 2nd one, too"}, {"response": 36, "author": "Susan", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (23:24)", "body": "Beautiful, Kali!"}, {"response": 37, "author": "Kali", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 1997 (00:30)", "body": "Glad you liked 'em! You guys still around and wanna chat?"}, {"response": 38, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 1997 (00:39)", "body": "Kali, come....come...."}, {"response": 39, "author": "Kali", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 1997 (00:43)", "body": "Okay..."}, {"response": 40, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 1997 (11:13)", "body": "Looks like I missed a great chat at Pemberley! I love you guys!! We all lust from the same heart. AND Welcome Home Cindy!!!!! Thank you dearest. Lovely, lovely. Its a pity we can't have Pat Doyle's lush music as background. Life should be like the movies; our most intense/emotional moments heightened by his lush romanticism. That is my favorite S&S scene. And I love the second s onnet too-\"Thyself thy gav'st, thy own worth then not knowing..\" Beautiful. While me never equal Mr Firth, we can and do possess QUALITY! Quality. And WIT AND FEELING!"}, {"response": 41, "author": "Yeago", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 1997 (13:18)", "body": "yes Kali that is the one! I was kinda afraid to turn on my computer today, after what I posted yesterday. I had never laid eyes on CF until P&P2, but he blew me away! Like Gable playing Rhett Butler, there is no other to play Darcy. There is a lot to l ike about Colin Firth! JN looks very kind and natural in the pic above, rather appealing, don't you think? Maybe thats why I wanted to find out more!"}, {"response": 42, "author": "Kali", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 1997 (14:02)", "body": "Feeling, yes! Wit, occasionally! (Lovely, lovely, indeed, Miss Bates!) --- Glad you liked it, Anne..."}, {"response": 43, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 1997 (15:50)", "body": "Anne-Indeed, JN is the kindest and best of men! He is perfectly amiable."}, {"response": 44, "author": "Kaffeine", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 1997 (19:54)", "body": "Well, I've decided that the time has come to redesign my Northam site. I would really appreciate it if you guys would take a look at what I've done so far, and tell me what you think. http://www.worldrch.com/northam/test.html"}, {"response": 45, "author": "Donna", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 1997 (00:04)", "body": "Very nice Kaff, Very Merry UnBirthday to you."}, {"response": 46, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 1997 (13:33)", "body": "Beautiful KAf!!! Great job!! I really like the proposal pic and the Emma quotation: \"If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more.\" Sigh. I forgive Doug McGrath for leaving that one out. After all, this is the MAN who gave us: I rode through the rain and I would ride through a lot worse, if I could just here your voice telling me....MArry me, My wonderful, Darling(no one says Darling better than Jeremy!!!!!) friend.\" Anne-I loved that line too.\" I want to stay here where it's warm and cozy. I'd rather fetch that stick.\" I Loved it all!!!! Miramax is too cruel. It's probably only going to be in the video stores on the 15th."}, {"response": 47, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 1997 (13:37)", "body": "Kali-My mom heartily approves of my Jeremy obssession too. I took her along to see Emma and she sighed and swooned with the rest of us. She likes his eyes, calls him Monsieur KNightley. I like that."}, {"response": 48, "author": "kate", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 1997 (16:46)", "body": "Kaff I tried your link and nothing was there :-("}, {"response": 49, "author": "Kaffeine", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 1997 (16:55)", "body": "Kate - That's because I've already moved beyond the testing phase (am I quick, or what?!). I have redesigned the site, added an interview with Jeremy to my Press page, and updated the Photo page with the Cosmo and Details images. Please take take a look around, and let me know if anything is missing. I started by deleting all of the files, so that I wouldn't have junk that I don't need on the server. This means that I probably left out some that should belong there! http://www.worldrch.com/northam/index.html"}, {"response": 50, "author": "Kali", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 1997 (21:25)", "body": "Lovely, lovely, dearest sister Kaf...*sigh* indeed...truly the best of men...all that, a bag of chips, and Latin and Greek too...*swoon*!!!!"}, {"response": 51, "author": "Kali", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 1997 (21:26)", "body": "I was wondering when you were going to add my cosmo pic...the fruit of my scanning labors! ;)"}, {"response": 52, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 1997 (22:09)", "body": "thanks so much for the \"new look\" kaff! i agree kali! the new article has given more reasons to swoon. any man willing to study latin and greek to the A levels MUST be the best of men. and...i can picture him moving a little closer to the interviewer to make a point. such is the mannerism of so meone honest, open, but seductively discreet. not only is he all that and a bag of chips, he's all that plus tax!"}, {"response": 53, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 1997 (22:38)", "body": "KAff-I want to wallpaper my room with that article. Tha's the Jeremy Knightley we all love: devlish, playful, funny, intelligent, confident, self-deprecating, witty and sooooooooooooo CHARMING. I have a new reason for going to journalism school! My favorite line: he didn't \"want to be one of those actors who went around London with a leather jacket and a fake tan.\""}, {"response": 54, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Sat, Mar 15, 1997 (23:00)", "body": "Another fav line- reg. the Net: \"an abysmal smirch of big-budget buffonery..\" The man has a way with a phrase. That woman who interviewed him is obviously in love with him. She'd fit right in here at Northamland! All of her descriptions-\"conspiratorial whisper\", multiple leaning forwards..... Was it just me or could you almost hear his VOICE as you read that interview? God, I am gone, far gone!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 55, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 1997 (01:29)", "body": "cassandra, honey, if YOU'RE gone, I went and never came back!"}, {"response": 56, "author": "Kali", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 1997 (04:05)", "body": "Now, now...this isn't a competition! If it were, I'm sure we'd all be losers...well, aren't we anyway? ;)"}, {"response": 57, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 1997 (10:42)", "body": "hee hee hee... i plead guilty :)"}, {"response": 58, "author": "Yeago", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 1997 (13:36)", "body": "Beautiful Kathleen"}, {"response": 59, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 1997 (13:46)", "body": "just curious: since we happened to get a hold of a British Premiere article on JN (though not as recent), are there a whole lot of articles we State-sider fans have missed out on? i remember borrowing a bunch of british mags from a friend a couple of year s back, and observed how much more entertaining the mags were compared to \"people\" and \"entertainment weekly\" here. \"sky\" and i think, \"arena\" were pretty neat (there's an article re: fever pitch in this month's arena). still have yet to see a \"hello\" mag zine. is it any good? anything on dearest, loveliest, \"Jeremy Knightley\"? (off topic, but this reminds me of eddie murphy's joke on ron howard, observing that people would stop mr. howard and address him as \"opie cunningham\")"}, {"response": 60, "author": "kate", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 1997 (11:20)", "body": "I tried again Kaff - it's great."}, {"response": 61, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 1997 (12:32)", "body": "What a beautiful sight/site Kaff, love the new look"}, {"response": 62, "author": "Kali", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 1997 (21:08)", "body": "Cute pun, Johanne...;) --- Cass and I were discussing last night that part of Jeremy's boyish charm lies in the fact that he reminds us of Frank Churchill. Every girl needs a bit of that kind of thing, even if she knows she doesn't want to spend the rest of her life in its presenc e...okay, now you can throw things at us..."}, {"response": 63, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 1997 (23:37)", "body": "Throw things at us, if you dare!!!!! Look in his eyes-he's a little devil, and that knowing, disarming smirk. He's a charmer. But, there's obviously a lot of Mr Knightley too. Hence-the danger of this obsession! Interestingly, Jeremy was originally considered for \"another aprt\" in Emma; this was obviously Frank. Kali and I were also discussing how JN would have fared as Willoughby. Another suave seducer type. Greg Wise did a good job-he fit the bill physically. B Ut, whenever I watch S&S, I think of Jeremy and what he could have done with the part-especially if they had included the confession scene to Elinor. Any thoughts?"}, {"response": 64, "author": "Kali", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 1997 (00:22)", "body": "Oh my God! The confession scene...another Rhett-Melanie sort of hormone-and-dispair fest! I hate to admit it, but he'd probably make an endearing drunk...;{ The way we talk about the man, you'd think he was schitzophrenic! Maybe he is."}, {"response": 65, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 1997 (13:32)", "body": "\"maybe he is...\" Well, at least he's not boring!!! When Charles McArthur proposed to Helen Hayes, he told her that she might never be completely happy, but she would never be bored. This is also the same man who(upon offering her some peanuts) said \"I wis h they were emeralds.\" You know-I am still Marianne enough to fall for a line like that!! And yes-very Rhett and Melanie!! That is one of my all-time fav GWTW scenes. Melanie is repulsed and moved at the same time. I kinda feel the same way about Willoughby. JN: DRunk and Wet too after another ride in the rain! \"Marianne-looking like an angel! \" He would have made a great Willoughby!"}, {"response": 66, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 1997 (18:11)", "body": "Hi, all! Just got back this afternoon. Waiting in the mailbox: one A&E Emma tape, one Lions and Liquorice book, one A Fatal Inversion tape from Kathleen. Combine all this with Kaff's new site and a promise to Kali to read her Frank(ugh) and Jane fan fic. Hmmmm. Wonder what I'll be doing this evening! (Hint: Cassandra, I'll try to send you my FI review tomorrow. ;) )"}, {"response": 67, "author": "Kali", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 1997 (18:28)", "body": "Hiya Cindy...have a good time? Got your photos...may not be able to get to them for awhile...cute kitties/kiddies... Anyone else care for some peanuts?"}, {"response": 68, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 1997 (19:01)", "body": "Kali, had a GREAT time! No broken bones - just an extreme sunburn! Whoda' thought that the UV rays would reflect off all that snow?! DUH ?peanuts?"}, {"response": 69, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 1997 (19:08)", "body": "cindy, you'll LOVE Fatal Inversion, as the rest of us did. Like I said on my review, watch for the scene when he goes to the hospital-- i have never seen anyone look that good in a trenchcoat and suit. also, you WON'T miss the 'huntng scene\". Make you wis h you were the prey! ;) are you posting your review, or making it exclusive to cassandra? i wanna see your take on it. plleeeeeeeeezzzz?"}, {"response": 70, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 1997 (21:29)", "body": "(this was inspired from cindy's post over at the CF drool:) she thought about CF when listening to Sting's \"Englishman in New York\". Well, personally, that song reminds me of dearest JN. i then thought about songs which sort of bring out my... umm...feelings for JN. i think the most 'inspirational' song for JN day dreaming is either \"Have you ever really loved a woman\" (bryan adams) OR sting's 'when we dance\". how about you?"}, {"response": 71, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 1997 (21:53)", "body": "RE: Response 70 of 70: winter (winter) * Tue, Mar 18, 1997 (21:29) * 7 lines (this was inspired from cindy's post over at the CF drool:) she thought about CF when listening to Sting's \"Englishman in New York\"... winter, I am confused ! Sorry, not me"}, {"response": 72, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Mar 18, 1997 (23:16)", "body": "EEEK! sorry cindy! that was wendy's post that i had mistaken you for. i think i had scrolled too far up when i was looking back to see who was talking about songs and CF. all apologies..including wendy."}, {"response": 73, "author": "Kali", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 1997 (11:02)", "body": "Oh my."}, {"response": 74, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 1997 (22:11)", "body": "NOthing to say but: JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY!"}, {"response": 75, "author": "kate", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 1997 (22:41)", "body": "Cass, are you feeling a trifle hoarse after that? ;-)"}, {"response": 76, "author": "Kali", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (02:05)", "body": "Hey...cut and paste is CHEATING!"}, {"response": 77, "author": "Hollis", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (16:07)", "body": "You ladies are something else - I have had an enjoyable afternoon catching up on the JN drool. On another BB we discussed a Tickle-Me-Jeremy doll. I think I could make some big bucks if I could figure out a way to clone the gorgeous hunk. Would any of you buy one? :-)"}, {"response": 78, "author": "Kaffeine", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (17:08)", "body": "Okay - while I may not share the passion that others feel for Mr. Firth, I can certainly understand it. However, today I noticed a new topic that is an abomination. Mark Strong as Mr. Knightley - on a drool board?! Surely they jest!! Yes, yes, of cours e - that must be it. It is a poor attempt at humor...for nobody could possibly contest the superiority of Jeremy Knightley! To quote the REAL Mr. Knightley - \"Badly Done!\". (whew, I feel better now...) :)"}, {"response": 79, "author": "Kali", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (18:33)", "body": "I perfectly understand you, Kaf...Mark Strong, the man at whom everyone was laughing before the video came out. Oh well...I guess it's the whole functional feofdom thing...everyone feels that they have to create their own unique niches...to each her own. .."}, {"response": 80, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (18:35)", "body": "Kaff, ever since dear, dear Kali scanned in that wonderful Cosmo pic, I have had to reexamine all my former notions of how I appreciate goodlooking men. While I really do like the physical impression MS gives as Knightley, I'm pretty sure that's where it ends for me. My feelings for CF extend somewhat past the role, but are mostly Darcy-centric. However, this Jeremy creature gets my motor running, regardless of his dress, or lack thereof. I am willing to call my fascination for him \"True Drool\". ;-) Please don't hold my appreciation of the color Brown against me! I would never give up my citizenship in Northamland."}, {"response": 81, "author": "Kali", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (18:36)", "body": "Ack! Strong's brown dirt sprites are jinxing my html! The JPEG is supposed to be the REAL Mr. Knightley..."}, {"response": 82, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (18:38)", "body": "Amen Queen Kaf!!! Chacun a son gout, but there is only one Mr KNightley for me: JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY!"}, {"response": 83, "author": "Kali", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (18:39)", "body": "No offense taken, Cindy...I like and highly esteem Mr. Strong...however - he doesn't leave a trail of pixie dust in his wake as does our Tinkerbell- er, Jeremy!"}, {"response": 84, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (18:40)", "body": "AMEN"}, {"response": 85, "author": "Kali", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (18:40)", "body": "Sheesh, what is this, a UN Security Council vote? (Bullwinkle Moose voice)?"}, {"response": 86, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (18:41)", "body": "Heaven, I'm in heaven and my heart beats so that I can hardly speaaaaaaaak... Thank-you dearest."}, {"response": 87, "author": "Kali", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (18:42)", "body": "Or, how 'bout the Mercedes-Benz ads? Falling in Love again..."}, {"response": 88, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (18:45)", "body": "Like Marlene Dietrich? I like it!!!! We need to come up with some new ways to serenade dear JN."}, {"response": 89, "author": "Kali", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (18:46)", "body": "What'll I do when you Are far away And I am blue... What'll I do... What'll I do when I Am wond'ring who Is kissing you... What'll I do... What'll I do with just A photograph To tell my troubles to... When I'm alone With only Dreams of you That won't come true... What'll I do... Okay, that's Irving Berlin for Cass...and Cindy, who's so hot on my Cosmo pic...;)"}, {"response": 90, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (18:47)", "body": "Kali, you are SOOOOO good!"}, {"response": 91, "author": "Kali", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (18:48)", "body": "Damn straight..."}, {"response": 92, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (18:48)", "body": "pixie-dust... Jeremy Knightley sparkles, does he not?"}, {"response": 93, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (18:50)", "body": "yes, indeed, pixie dust"}, {"response": 94, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (18:50)", "body": "And more sonnets and poetry too!! Let try to refrain, if we can, from body disecting. Too much of that in CF and now MS. They lust over his hands!"}, {"response": 95, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (18:52)", "body": "shall we just over the man as a whole, then :)"}, {"response": 96, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (18:52)", "body": "There's something magical about him, a heavenly force as if he were just walking as a deference to convention...."}, {"response": 97, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (18:54)", "body": "Oh, I just love looking at him."}, {"response": 98, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (18:54)", "body": "Lets' keep going-almost at 100. Yes-Jeremy the whole man: articulate, impish, playful, witty, funny, sparkling, talented...."}, {"response": 99, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (18:55)", "body": "All thanks to my benefactor and idol!!!! psst, that's you, Kal"}, {"response": 100, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (18:59)", "body": "OH KALI DEAREST!!!!!! A Thousand thanks. ANd the Cosmo pic too!!! A beautiful song and such appropriate lyrics."}, {"response": 101, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (19:06)", "body": "There's a somebody I'm longing to see I hope that he turns out to be Someone to watch over me I'm a little lamb who's lost in the woods I know I could always be good To someone who'll watch over me Although some think he's too handsome To my heart, he carries the key Won't you tell him please To put on some speed Follow my lead Oh-how I NEEEEEEED Someone to watch over meeeeeeeee"}, {"response": 102, "author": "Amy", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (19:26)", "body": "] They lust over his hands! __ You guys are so funny. Can I ask something? I was interested in what Cindy said about Jeremy drooling as opposed to Knighley drooling? (And I am not necessarily a Mark Strong fan. Something has kept me from watching the new Emma all the way through even once.) Objectively, now, though. First. let's concede that Jeremy's physical person surpasses the term attractive, that he is smart and articulate and all that. Also sptipulate -- just for argument sake -- that he is a wonder actor, superior to anybody we ta lk about here. BUT, do you guys honestly, objectively think he is the definitive Knightley as Firth is the definitive Darcy?"}, {"response": 103, "author": "Kaffeine", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (20:05)", "body": "Okay. Yes, I do believe that he is the definative Knightley. However, I am the first to admit that there is no possibility of my looking at it objectively. But then again, who decided that Firth is the definative Darcy? Was that entirely objective? An d does it really matter? If you consider Firth to be the definitive Darcy and I consider Northam to be the definitive Knightley, then they are - because our opinions carry more weight with ourselves than anyone else's."}, {"response": 104, "author": "elder", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (20:15)", "body": "Conversation overheard somewhere in the Drool Conference: ;-p \"Do you prefer Emma3 to Emma2, ms elder? That is rather singular.\" \"Ms kathleen elder despises Emma2. She is an extreme Mark Strong fan and has no pleasure in any other actors.\" \"I deserve neither such praise nor such censure,\" cried ms. elder; \"I am not an extreme Mark Strong fan, and I have pleasure in watching many men.\" (and also in sharing with all of my friends at the Austen & Drool Conferences) _______________________________________________________________________ I would simply remind you all that the pleasure of watching a good actor (especially one with fine eyes) does not need to be limiting. :-)"}, {"response": 105, "author": "Kali", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (20:32)", "body": "Very well-put, Kathleen... --- Amy: YES! A thousand times, YES!!! However, I do admit that others' portrayals can be enjoyable and enlightening. Like Cindy and just about everyone else here, my admiration for Jeremy is twofold: part of me is grateful for his wonderful Mr. Knightley, and another part is entertained by the real Jeremy Northam. He's a cute little devil."}, {"response": 106, "author": "Kali", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (20:33)", "body": ""}, {"response": 107, "author": "Kali", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (20:34)", "body": "They're so CUTE!"}, {"response": 108, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (21:23)", "body": "\"Perhaps its our faults which make us so perfect for one another...\" Truly a striking couple! AHHHHHH!"}, {"response": 109, "author": "Kali", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (21:30)", "body": "I love Doug McGrath."}, {"response": 110, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (21:42)", "body": "It sorta' spills over to everyone around him, eh?"}, {"response": 111, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (22:00)", "body": "Again, I'm hardly an objective observer, but I do think Jeremy is the definitive Mr Knightley. MS's portrayal remained forever brotherly to me. I have already talked volumes about my admiration for his acting talent. Like Firth, he's a master at conveyin g so much with a subtle voice change or expression as in the pianoforte scene and the ball scene. His voice is incredible, a well-tuned instrument. His reading of the crucial \"whom are you going to dance with\" and \"brother and sister indeed we are not\" wa letter perfect. It was the way I had always imagined."}, {"response": 112, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (22:03)", "body": "I love Dough McGrath. I second that!!! Truly a brilliant writer."}, {"response": 113, "author": "Kali", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (22:12)", "body": "Spills over, indeed...! But Jeremy DOES add his own unique magic to the lines..."}, {"response": 114, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (22:20)", "body": "NO kidding. Magic is indeed the right word. Jeremy's instincts, reactions and interpretation of the Mcgrath script are so pure and endearing! He was vulnerable; he was charming; he was perceptive; he was protective and concerned: HE WAS MR KNIGHTLEY!!!!!! !"}, {"response": 115, "author": "Kali", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (22:25)", "body": "AWWW. No arguments here, Kittycat."}, {"response": 116, "author": "Kali", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (22:27)", "body": "We're really on a roll today, kids...shall we keep going?"}, {"response": 117, "author": "Kali", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (22:29)", "body": "I make a general point of avoiding these three words, but as always, Germy provides an exception to the rules...Isn't he CUTE???!!!"}, {"response": 118, "author": "Kali", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (22:31)", "body": "My father refers to him as \"Our God, Jeremy Northam\"...not quite accurate, but it does pay fitting tribute to our obsession."}, {"response": 119, "author": "Kali", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (22:32)", "body": "Okay, I'm going to stop now! :)"}, {"response": 120, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (22:42)", "body": "Keep going Dearest. SIGH. Double sigh. He looks sooooooo good in that vest, plus bow and arrow! Cute-is also a word I abhore, but it does suit. And yes-he is a GOD!"}, {"response": 121, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (23:53)", "body": "Good God! What a posting frenzy has occurred here today! When this topic forst came up and it said \"44 new...\" I thought Oldiznu had finally struck Drool! You ladies are absolutely mad! ;-)"}, {"response": 122, "author": "Kali", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (00:12)", "body": "Yeah, crazy is a fitting term..."}, {"response": 123, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (01:34)", "body": "Okay, guys, the movie is over. MMMMMM! oh, my oh, my This Jeremy dosage is quite something!"}, {"response": 124, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (01:36)", "body": "We sure did get to see quite a lot of him quite a lot of the time!"}, {"response": 125, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (01:38)", "body": "And even when he was wearing clothes, he sure looked nice! I don't think I'd want him for my GYN, though."}, {"response": 126, "author": "Kali", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (01:59)", "body": "I screamed through the whole film, Cindy...now do you understand why? ;)"}, {"response": 127, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (02:17)", "body": "Kali, I ermember you said something about feeling high - that's just it Dadgum, he's something!"}, {"response": 128, "author": "Donna", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (10:13)", "body": "I have read about Mansfield Park in the making. Could you beleve they ,would be smart enought to put the 3 too too Cute guys in this movie NOW THAT WOULD BE VERY SMART,VERY SMART INDEED! And I agree with Ms. Kathleen Elder.Re:#104 Yes Cass and Kali the archery scene is one of my favorites. \"Try not to kill my dogs, ouch Emmmma.(My JN/MrK answer) \"I think she is trying to kill me\". (that cute little devilish smile). I do love his facial expression."}, {"response": 129, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (11:32)", "body": "OH please, please-not Edmund. Jeremy as Edmund. UGH! My heart sinks at the thought. It is too unbelievable. HE's much too adorable, witty to be Edmund. Donna-his expressions are enchanting. I loved the way he said \"Mr Elton may talk sentimentally, but he will act rationally.\" ANd his \"NO MORE!\" I swear when I saw Emma3(especially the same scene/line)-I could only think: JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JE REMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! JEREMY! I'm certain that doesn't come as a shock. And just dedicated Cheryl. JN inspires such loyalty. There are not one and a hundred men with gentleman so plainly written across them. And the MAN CAN SNOG!"}, {"response": 130, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (12:01)", "body": "Cass, you definitely need to see A Fatal Inversion! It's a Jeremy overdose!"}, {"response": 131, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (12:03)", "body": ""}, {"response": 132, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (12:04)", "body": "yay! It worked! (he's my first!)"}, {"response": 133, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (12:13)", "body": "I've got you under my skin I've got you deep in the heart of me So deep in my heart that you're really apart of me I've got you under my skin I'd try so not to give in I said to myself this affair will never go anywhere But, why should I try to resist when BABY I know so well I've got you under my skin I'd sacrifice anything come what might For the sake of having you near In spite of a warning voice that comes in the night And repeats, REPEATS in my ear Don't you know little fool You never can win Use your mentality WAKE UP TO REALITY But each time that I do Just the thought of you Makes me stop before I begin Cause I've got you under my skin"}, {"response": 134, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (12:14)", "body": "HMMMM, CIndy sounds like you had a delicious, delightful, de-lovely evening! Have you seen the Net?"}, {"response": 135, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (12:17)", "body": "I know CINDY! I KNOW!!"}, {"response": 136, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (12:46)", "body": "I say Let's keep going... You're just to marvellous Too Marvellous for words Like Glorious, Glamorous, and that old standby AMOROUS It's all to wonderful I'll never find the words that say enough Tell enough I mean they're just not Sw-ll enough You're much too much And just too very, very To ever be in Webster's dictionary And so, I'm borrowing a love song from the birds To Tell you that you're marvellous Too marvellous for words"}, {"response": 137, "author": "Mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (13:01)", "body": "Congrats, Cindy; I know just how you feel! yay! It worked! (he's my first!) OH please, please-not Edmund. Jeremy as Edmund. UGH! My heart sinks at the thought. It is too unbelievable. HE's much too adorable, witty to be Edmund. Cassandra, I feel this to be an excellenct challenge to Jeremy. It makes me think of Alan Rickman, because I also never thought of Col. Brandon as a man that you could lust for as well as esteem and love, until I saw AR as the Col. I think Jeremy may we ll be up to the task of giving us a new, dare I say it, juicier, take on dear, dull Edmund."}, {"response": 138, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (14:19)", "body": "Cass, I have not seen The Net. I was a little bit apprehensive on this one, since I am such a weenie, but the murder thing was more like a detective-type thing rather than \"crazy-psycho-run-amok\". I'm not sure my feeble heart could take The Net, though. My husband went into the other room to catch the NCAA action, but admitted this morning that he really watched the video mostly the whole time. (Yes, he caught the full frontal, too.) (I'm grateful to him that he had the good sense to leave me alone, tho ugh!) Don said that he fell asleep before the end, so he wants to catch it before I send the video back to Kathleen. So, maybe I'll just have to have a second viewing. drat ;-)"}, {"response": 139, "author": "elder", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (14:47)", "body": "Cindy -- rewatch it as many times as necessary for the health of your obsession and your husband's curiosity!"}, {"response": 140, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (14:51)", "body": "maybe he'll fall asleep again, if I start it from the beginning!"}, {"response": 141, "author": "Kali", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (15:21)", "body": "Cass, if I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times: THERE IS NO \"ACROSS\" IN THAT LINE!!!! ;-P For the record: \"You might not see one in a hundred with gentleman so plainly written as in Mr. Knightley.\" ;) --- He fell asleep, Cindy? Well, we wouldn't want him to be TOO interested, would we? ;)"}, {"response": 142, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (15:42)", "body": "Kali-My editor! Now you know how my mother feels. She used to be a real MOmma Rose and when I was five, she put me into this kiddy talent contest. For weks, she made me recite over and over again-I'm a little teapot(I can't believe I'm admitting this) and practice a tea for two tap dance. The big night: I screwed up the words and made up my own steps. I've always been a stubborn wench. And Mari-if anyone could make Edmund Bertram \"juicy\", it would be Jeremy. He is a great actor. Still, \"there are better parts to play...\""}, {"response": 143, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 1997 (23:10)", "body": "WHAT?! NO Jeremy drooling today?! Alright, then, this is for me! me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me!"}, {"response": 144, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 1997 (23:11)", "body": "Damn, I'm good."}, {"response": 145, "author": "Kali", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 1997 (01:59)", "body": "I love that face, Cindy...the emoticon, I mean, though Germy's Cheshire Cat mug is indeed divine."}, {"response": 146, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 1997 (14:41)", "body": "Don't you want to kiss Jeremy Knightley's smirk away?? OOH BABY!!!"}, {"response": 147, "author": "Kali", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 1997 (15:47)", "body": "I'm too sexually aggressive for just a kiss..."}, {"response": 148, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 1997 (17:13)", "body": "Hi, y'all! I'm glad it's not all up to me today! Kali, I'm !"}, {"response": 149, "author": "Kali", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 1997 (19:23)", "body": "Like heck y'are, Cindy! ;)"}, {"response": 150, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 1997 (19:25)", "body": "I believe that the \"kiss\" is an underappreciated element. When done right, it is the most sexy, intimate bit of busineses. And Jeremy KNightley has got all the moves!!!!!! HE IS THE MASTER. All of that face caressing, forehead interplay, and head holding. ...A kiss really isn't just a kiss, when its Jeremy KNightley!"}, {"response": 151, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 1997 (19:25)", "body": "Is this psychic, or what??? I was homesick for Northamland!"}, {"response": 152, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 1997 (19:38)", "body": "Earth's Immortalities: Love So, the year's done with! (LOVE ME FOR EVER!) All March begun with, April's endeavour; May-wreaths that bound me June needs must sever; Now snows fall round me, Quenching June's fever- (LOVE ME FOR EVER!)"}, {"response": 153, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 1997 (19:43)", "body": "Kali, after having seen the scene in the movie (a time or two), as well as the still photos, I can say that it was MUCH improved by removing the chick on the bed!!!!!"}, {"response": 154, "author": "Becks", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 1997 (20:52)", "body": "I go away for a couple of days, and look what happens..........."}, {"response": 155, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 1997 (21:11)", "body": "Yes, Rebecca, yesterday was too sad!"}, {"response": 156, "author": "Serena", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (04:33)", "body": "155 new postings for being away from drool for 2 weeks!!! I've been in here for the last hr and half reading up. There's a serious need for some new pics of JN, the same ones get recycled once too often, though they still looks as good. A new Mansfield Park!! Here's hoping for Jeremy to play Henry. I can picture him, charm and all, hitting on the women."}, {"response": 157, "author": "Kali", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (18:36)", "body": "I hate to admit it, but yeah...I can picture Jeremy as Crawford (but Crawford was supposed to be ugly and kinda short...only 5'8\"!)... --- Sorry, Serena...there aren't that many pictures out there...have you checked out everything on Kaf's page and on my spring account ( http://www.spring.com/~dxiechkn/jeremy/ )? I scan 'em whenever I find 'em...the Saks-Details photos and the Cosmo pic are the ones I've done... --- Cindy...people don't realize how long I slaved over that one (ten minutes, max...it's all the power of Adobe, I'm tellin' ya!)...An hour would've been worth it, don't you think? ;)"}, {"response": 158, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (19:19)", "body": "you know, i just realized that i've got a photo of JN from the sept. issue of 'elle' that i haven't seen posted anywhere. it's a bit tiny, but if someone scnas it, i'm sure it can be enlarged. kaff? kali? anyone want me to mail it?"}, {"response": 159, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (19:43)", "body": "Right here winter"}, {"response": 160, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (22:00)", "body": "]An hour would've been worth it, don't you think? ;) I know I have gotten much more than an hour's worth of pleasure! and that's just little ol' me as for the Details photos - echh"}, {"response": 161, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (22:11)", "body": "oh, and Kali, one more comment re: the bed pic (but I reserve the right to add more later :) What was that?! Who lies on a bed making sure that the only thing covered is their crotch??????"}, {"response": 162, "author": "Kali", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (04:36)", "body": "...right, especially considering the fact that everything eventually gets revealed anyway, right Cindy? Winter, you can sen me the pic to scan...I'm going to be at the lab next week for Cindy's pix anyhow...I'll e-mail you my address..."}, {"response": 163, "author": "Serena", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (09:13)", "body": "Kali, Winter and Cindy - I'll be holding my breath."}, {"response": 164, "author": "Serena", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (09:16)", "body": "Kali, how did you figure out Crawford to be 5'8?? And what does JN stand at.. ie. his physical height.. but of course."}, {"response": 165, "author": "Serena", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (09:36)", "body": ""}, {"response": 166, "author": "Kaffeine", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (15:25)", "body": "I own a scanner and will be happy to scan anything people want. Just let me know! :)"}, {"response": 167, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (15:42)", "body": "kaff-- i just mailed the elle article/picture to kali. i guess she can scan it and then you can get a hold of it for your page."}, {"response": 168, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (18:18)", "body": "Jeremy as Henry Crawford in Mansfield Park. I don't know. I've never been fond of any of the men in MP. I think he would make a great Henry Tilney, though! How about this idea(YES I want to be JN's agent!): There is a book I am excessively devoted to; it is my favorite piece of Can lit-Bonheur D'occassion or the Tin Flute, by Gabrielle Roy. It has won numerous awards and the suave seducer type Jean Levesque has Jeremy written all over it. The novel is set at the beginning of WW2 and takes place in Montreal. The main character-Florentine is poverty stricken and helps her mother out by working as a waitress in this gaudy downtown diner. Her father is one of th se dreamer types and the mother is always struggling to find another place to live. Enter Jean Levesque-this handsome, charming, devilish enigma who is both attracted and repulsed by Florentine-the life that she represents. He's got his eye on MOnt Royal and the good life. Well, things happen as they tend to do, and Florentine is faced with a most serious matter....."}, {"response": 169, "author": "Kali", "date": "Thu, Mar 27, 1997 (01:43)", "body": "It's in the book...don't have my copy here with me (I'm at home home this week)...one of the Bertram crew (Aunt Norris? Can't remember...) says something about is undashing appearance, and the fact that he's shorter than \"5'9\", probably no more than 5'8\" ...\""}, {"response": 170, "author": "Jess", "date": "Fri, Apr  4, 1997 (09:13)", "body": "I have been counting down the days to Emma's April 15 release when I can own my personal copy of JN in action. But on the Emma board it says that the April 15th release price is like $100. Pray tell me this is not true. My obsession can only afford the $20 dollar range and does not like to wait. If someone knows for sure please tell me, good or bad news, I think I can handle it."}, {"response": 171, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Apr  5, 1997 (07:47)", "body": "Let us know when you find out ok?"}, {"response": 172, "author": "SweetB", "date": "Fri, Aug  1, 1997 (22:24)", "body": "Hey! Are you guys still out there? I haven't been able to check into the Drool conference for MONTHS! And boy, have I missed all you guys. It's been so fabulous checking out all the new pics of Jeremy that have been posted on the Internet. Anyway! H i . Any news on what Jeremy's been up to lately?"}, {"response": 173, "author": "Kali", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 1997 (19:27)", "body": "Sweet, it's good to see your name again. The main Austen board here at spring is no longer active. It's moved to its own server at www.pemberley.com . Drool originally went with it, but now Terry's graciously decided to take it back again so it can be administered more flexibly. Hope to talk to you soon!"}, {"response": 174, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Aug 17, 1997 (20:29)", "body": "I'm glad y'all are back, Kali, I've really missed you."}, {"response": 175, "author": "Kali", "date": "Mon, Aug 18, 1997 (23:59)", "body": "It was neat to go through all the previous messages here. We had a good time - Me, Cindy, Cass, Kaf, Sweet, everyone..."}, {"response": 176, "author": "SweetB", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 1997 (22:08)", "body": "Kali, I FINALLY found you guys again! Yeah! I'm not sure where you live, but Jeremy was on Conan O'Brien's show last Friday. He looked TERRIFIC, but Conan was pretty rotten to him. He had a good 5 minutes and the whole interview was terribly uncomfortable. I KNOW Jeremy is funny -- I've heard him interviewed before (radio and TV), but Conan was horrendous in his attempts to talk to him. Have you seen MIMIC yet? It's getting VERY good reviews here, although they aren't mentioning our Jeremy's performance. Sweet"}, {"response": 177, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 1997 (22:26)", "body": "I haven't seen MIMIC, how does it fit in with the plethora of sci fi movies this summer (eg. Contact)?"}, {"response": 178, "author": "SweetB", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 1997 (22:19)", "body": "Jeremy Alert -- This time he was on Jay Leno. Unfortunately, I flipped to that channel only to hear the last 2 minutes of his interview. He is VERY personable -- articulate -- in his very British way -- and of course quite sexy. Jay complimented Jeremy on his superb American accent in MIMIC. Hmmm....anyone have personal feedback on our guy's latest movie?"}, {"response": 179, "author": "jenk", "date": "Tue, Aug 26, 1997 (19:36)", "body": "Hello everyone. This whole Spring thing is new to me, so please forgive me if I violate some etiquette or other. However, Jeremy must be discussed, so here I am. I saw Mimic on Sunday with a co-worker, who went to see Mira Sorvino. Needless to say, neither of them were naked :( There were a couple of couple scenes and, once again, Jeremy has proved himself the SnogMaster. I think I went into the movie with too many expectations and was disappointed. Did JN say anything about practicing his American? I adore Jeremy, I am so fond of the man, I can hear his lovely voice echoing in my head, but, er, I don't think the film company spent as much money on a dialect oach as they should've. I am sorry to cause pain to anyone, and I hope it will be of short duration."}, {"response": 180, "author": "CK", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 1997 (10:28)", "body": "Does anyone know the status of \"The Moon and the Sixpence\"? Last I heard, JN was slated to be in the movie, but reports now state that he will be remaking \"Gloria\" with Sharon Stone and George C. Scott this fall in New York. Will \"Moon\" ever be made?"}, {"response": 181, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (08:27)", "body": "Winter, for you: British actor Jeremy Northam, currently starring in An Ideal Husband, is also under the Cannes spotlight. He was left stunned after a screening of his latest film, The Winslow Bow, received wild applause from a standing-room only audience. \"I am absolutely thrilled... dumbfounded. I've never been to a show with an audience quite like this.\" The Winslow Boy, which is showing out of competition, is director David Mamet's sixth film and is based on Terrence Rattigan's play. Northam had better get used to the reception - An Ideal Husband, which also stars Cate Blanchett, Rupert Everett and Minnie Driver, will be the festival's closing night film."}, {"response": 182, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (10:39)", "body": "What good news!!! I'm so glad it's done well at Cannes, though I'm not surprised. I saw \"The Winslow Boy\" a few weeks ago, and was really impressed by the whole production. Excellent at every level! Thanks for the blurb, Karen! Nice of you to remember that I have 2 DB's. Looks like things are picking up for MDB. However, over the years, I've learned to be cautious. There have been way too many times when we all thought, \"here's Jeremy's big break!\" (Emma; Amistad; Happy, Texas). We shall see..."}, {"response": 183, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (12:06)", "body": "Oh good, you saw it. Now I don't have to post it at VV. When is this blasted movie going to open here? It's only playing in NY & LA to my knowledge and I can't find it listed anything for wider release in the US. Argh!! I like JN too, but his part in Amistad was pretty small (but probably got him this role--judge/lawyer). This one really could vault him to the top. The boy is not bad looking and sounds so much better with his British accent."}, {"response": 184, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (12:52)", "body": "Winter: Time magazine last week referred to JN's performance in the Winslow Boy as Olivier incarnate . I can't wait to see it. Hey, I even liked him in The Net and Mimic....(so cute with those glasses)"}, {"response": 185, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (21:20)", "body": "For my fellow/sister JN fans... Jeremy Northam will appear on ABC's \"Politically Incorrect\" (with Bill Maher) this Thursday 5/20. Check you local listings!!! The show is being taped from London all this week. Curious to see how MODB (my other dear boy) will fare on this show. I've read past interviews, and he's a very thoughtful, insightful person (yeah yeah, we all say that re: whomever we admire). I'll actually be watching \"Phantom Menace\" that night, but the VCR will be good and programmed while I'm gone! Wonder how Colin would do on Politically Incorrect..."}, {"response": 186, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, May 19, 1999 (08:05)", "body": "The Winslow Boy has been playing at the Kendall Square Cinema (Fine Arts) for about a month now. I haven't seen it, but would like to. I've been a fan of David Mamet's for awhile."}, {"response": 187, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 19, 1999 (08:45)", "body": "Thanks, Jenn for the info about Politically Incorrect. I heard about doing the show in London, but didn't know when it was being broadcast. It's on so late here (not right after Nightline, like elsewhere), but I saw the show last night."}, {"response": 188, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 19, 1999 (14:09)", "body": "Thanks Winter..it's on late here too...but I'll tape it. Can't wait to see Winslow Boy and (don't tell Bethan) Notting Hill!! *** Please keep us up on JN doings. I don't have time to go to all the different websites. ** Wonder how Colin would do on Politically Incorrect.. He'd wear out his nose!! *** (Laura)I've been a fan of David Mamet's for awhile. I'm seeing two of his shows in NY next week. Apparently, he feels he was snubbed by the Tony's since he had 3 shows on B'way this year and did not merit even a nom.But what sells on Westend doesn't always make it on B'way."}, {"response": 189, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 19, 1999 (17:26)", "body": "(Evelyn), He'd wear out his nose!! ROTFLOL!! Thanks for the info on YODB Winter!"}, {"response": 190, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, May 19, 1999 (21:20)", "body": "ACK! Perhaps Jeremy Northam is not the virtuous, intellectual actor I'd thought he'd be. Scandal is brewing on the Northamboard... (the other Northam disc. board) It's a known fact amongst us JN admirers that he was asked out and went on a date with Debbie Matenopolous, formerly of \"The View\" (an American telly morning talk show). Well apparently, Debbie went on the Howard Stern radio show, and briefly talked about her date with MDB (Without revealing his i.d.--only as 'the guy from Emma'). Anyway, for some reason, they went to a strip club, she bought him a lap dance, and JN apparently dumped Debbie soon afterwards and took off with the lap dancer! Strange...this may be a rumor, or exaggerated story, but either way, I'm not as disheartened as some might be (let's say, if this were Colin). Has Lewinskygate just hardened me? ;-)"}, {"response": 191, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, May 19, 1999 (23:39)", "body": "Jeremy Northam will be on Politically Incorrect as a guest tomorrow night, May 20th on ABC (check your local listings)."}, {"response": 192, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, May 20, 1999 (08:04)", "body": "Ah, if I was JN, I'd leave with the Lap dancer too. Debbie M is too airheaded and flighty! ;-0"}, {"response": 193, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (10:18)", "body": "He did appear on Politically Incorrect and I taped it, I don't think he got a word in edgewise with this program live from England last night. He seems to be very shy."}, {"response": 194, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (10:40)", "body": "He said a few things, although the woman (Edwina Somebodyoranother) was dominating the conversation. In her defense, it was two against one, JN and the comedian guy, representing more liberal views vs. her conservative views. Surprisingly, Michael Moore tended to agree with her."}, {"response": 195, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (17:33)", "body": "AAAAAAAAA!!!!!! I forgot to set my VCR!!!!! I went and saw \"Phantom Menace\" last night and forgot to set the fu***** machine! Terry-- can you lend me the tape? Can someone? Please? Email me!"}, {"response": 196, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (11:27)", "body": "Here you go, Winter, the whole thing from Liz Smith's column: - -- -- HARVEY WEINSTEIN, the perennially high-energy movie mogul and his serenely beautiful wife, Eve, held an intimate soiree at the fabulous Hotel du Cap in Antibes last Sunday, celebrating the final night at Cannes. Miramax' sumptuous \"An Ideal Husband\" closed the festival. Rupert Everett and Julianne Moore of \"Ideal\" were on hand, along with Elle MacPherson, still accepting compliments on her American Foundation for AIDS Research (AmFAR) auction stint, and Kate Moss, who looked healthy and great, but must be weary of being stared at every time she lifts a glass of ginger ale to her lips (\"What's that she's drinking?\") Ah, the pitfalls of going public with rehab! Mr. Everett was a lot more playful, puppyish and amusing than he had been parrying with the press earlier that day. His jet lag had lifted. Jeremy Northam, the Ideal Husband himself, was not present. Was Mr. Northam's nose out of joint because Rupert received so much attention on the steps of The Palais, escorting Cate Blanchett through the paparazzi frenzy? Of course not. Northam is so good in this movie, and in others - \"The Winslow Boy,\" for example, and the upcoming \"Happy, Texas.\" He's no diva. He ha an early flight back to London and was exhausted. Harvey raised a glass to Rupert, toasting his performance and predicting an Oscar nomination for the actor. Rupert played against type, ducking his head and blushing. An even surer bet, however, for Oscar recognition is the delicious Julianne Moore, who plays the smiling, barracuda-like schemer Mrs. Cheveley, a woman of low character who almost ruins a decent man. (Miss Moore is a great chameleon. Last year she was nominated for her pathetic porn star in \"Boogie Nights.\") Her scenes with Everett crackle w th sly sexual tension. One almost wishes that this dazzling villainess might end up with Rupert. Julianne, one of the earthiest, most \"normal\" actresses you could ever meet, was giddy with excitement over her first trip to Cannes. Her main concern was that she was \"too fat\" in the movie, having given birth not long before shooting began. In fact, Moore is voluptuous and overflowing her bodice, as the period demands. Harvey Weinstein says this movie, and his studio's other lush period piece, \"My Life So Far,\" are \"films about forgiveness, which in light of our current mood, seems significant to me.\" Speaking of \"An Ideal Husband,\" on June 16, the movie premieres in New York at The Paris Theater, followed by a gala buffet at The Pierre. AmFAR benefits. Call 212-625-5104."}, {"response": 197, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (20:36)", "body": "THanks, Karen! You're a doll! Was Mr. Northam's nose out of joint because Rupert received so much attention on the steps of The Palais, escorting Cate Blanchett through the paparazzi frenzy? Of course not. Northam is so good in this movie, and in others - \"The Winslow Boy,\" for example, and the upcoming \"Happy, Texas.\" He's no diva. He had an early flight back to London and was exhausted. That's my boy! No diva stunts for him to pull! Glad to see him get the praise he so rightly deserves. I'm serious everyone-- go see 'The Winslow Boy' if you haven't already. It's wonderful, and I didn't mind Rebecca Pidgeon (the director's wife) all that much."}, {"response": 198, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (23:29)", "body": "We're chomping at the bit, Winter. The Winslow Boy is finally opening this Friday. Did you ever go to see eXistenZ? Saw preview of Three Seasons yesterday. It was OK, not great."}, {"response": 199, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (08:41)", "body": "Winter, cancel all your plans for Thursday!! From USA Today: Mel Gibson plans an outing Thursday to the L.A. premiere of a film he's not even seen in. This would be An Ideal Husband, the Oscar Wilde opus, which is distributed by Miramax but was made by Icon Entertainment, Gibson's company. Stars Jeremy Northam, Rupert Everett, Minnie Driver and Julianne Moore are due. The event benefits the LIFE foundation, aiding autistic children."}, {"response": 200, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (09:34)", "body": "Dame Winter, put on your lucky shoes and go to it! Call the Life Foundation and find out if there will be a reception too. And if you get to talk to JN, ask him if he will play Mark Darcy (only kidding!). :-D"}, {"response": 201, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (09:48)", "body": "Was rewatching Emma last night to pinpoint that same look he uses at the end of TWB. That little twinkle and smile are used in the \"please don't shoot my dogs\" line. ;-D He would be my second choice for MD."}, {"response": 202, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (10:21)", "body": "AAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!! On my way to make phone calls... Will let you know what happens. Jana2 and I are going to the Friday screening, though I doubt he'll show up for that one. He would be my second choice for MD. Glad you feel that way. JN is excellent with the subtleties of flirtatious glances (*sigh*). I think MD would give the same types of glances to our Bridge."}, {"response": 203, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (11:03)", "body": "Hey Northam could have a real legal career going: judge in Amistad, Sir Robert Morton, barrister, in TWB, and Mark Darcy, barrister, in BJD!! Glad you feel that way. JN is excellent with the subtleties of flirtatious glances (*sigh*). You don't I taped Emma because I admired Gwynnie's performance, did you? ;-p"}, {"response": 204, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (17:36)", "body": ""}, {"response": 205, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (19:08)", "body": "Any way to replace Rebecca Pidgeon's face with mine on this photo? ;-)"}, {"response": 206, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 1999 (08:26)", "body": "Didn't he say something about not wanting to do period pieces anymore? ;-) From today's Hollywood Reporter: Northam mixed in Ivory 'Bowl' for James tale NEW YORK -- Jeremy Northam, a fixture in art houses this summer with \"The Winslow Boy\" and \"An Ideal Husband,\" has joined the cast of Merchant Ivory's \"The Golden Bowl.\" The actor will star with Nick Nolte, Uma Thurman, Anjelica Huston and Kate Beckinsale in the adaptation of Henry James' classic 1904 novel about wealthy expatriate Americans trying to maintain a surface of propriety despite romantic betrayals. Miramax recently picked up domestic rights to the $20 million film, which director James Ivory i slated to begin shooting in August from a script by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala. Ismail Merchant will produce. TF1 International has foreign rights to the film, the first in a four-film deal between TF1 and Merchant Ivory. In addition to \"Winslow\" and \"Husband,\" Northam has starred in \"The Net,\" \"Emma,\" \"Gloria\" and the Sundance fave \"Happy, Texas.\" He is repped by Chris Andrews and Harriet Robinson of ICM. ******** Do you ever think Colin will get a full article like this when he signs for his next movie? :-("}, {"response": 207, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 1999 (08:51)", "body": "Hey, I read that story! I've decided that I am decidely NOT a James fan. However, The Turn of the Screw is undoubtedly the scariest story ever. Karen, maybe if Colin Firth was in a movie like that, he would get full article. JN is quite prolific these days, unlike CF."}, {"response": 208, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 1999 (10:01)", "body": "Yes, he has expressed the desire to stay away from period pieces. But, there are also two things to consider: 1) He also said he wouldn't pass up a good role either. Hence... 2) He's repped by ICM. They have a terrible reputation for relaying bad scripts to good actors. I've expressed this several times on the Northamboard, but I think he'd be better off at William Morris, with Hilda Quealey, who is a terrific agent for Brits in the States. Oh! How could I forget! A THIRD (though not least) reason: 3) Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, Ismail Merchant and James Ivory! (These guys are my heroes)"}, {"response": 209, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 1999 (10:36)", "body": "Lookie what I found. Miramax has added a bunch of pictures to its sites, but this is the only one with JN:"}, {"response": 210, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 1999 (11:04)", "body": "He looks puffy in that picture, must have been up all night drinking. ;-)"}, {"response": 211, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 1999 (11:19)", "body": "You know what happens when they put cheesy moustaches on these guys! ;-)"}, {"response": 212, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 1999 (14:03)", "body": "Males have been known to \"puff up\" when they are in their sexual prime ;-)"}, {"response": 213, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 1999 (14:27)", "body": "I thought that was when they were 17 yrs. old? ;-p"}, {"response": 214, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 1999 (15:08)", "body": "I thought that was when they were 17 yrs. old ROTFLOL, Karen!!!"}, {"response": 215, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 1999 (08:16)", "body": "HOW COULD OSCAR WILDE'S satirical 1895 play about a London society couple coming undone work on screen? At first, even director Parker (1995's ''Othello'') didn't know. \"I'm a big fan, but it seemed so quintessentially theatrical,\" Parker says, \"a curious mixture of melodrama and farce. Then I went to see it in London, and I was even more convinced it was a bad idea.\" After working for the next several months on a draft that was \"50 percent Wilde's language and 50 percent mine,\" Parker grabbed the attenti n of a stellar cast, including Driver and Everett, who signed on as high-society secondary characters, as well as Blanchett (\"Elizabeth\"), who stars as the wife. As for Northam (\"The Net\"), he isn't sure he was considered ideal for the husband. \"I was contacted two weeks before filming started, so I think I was an afterthought,\" Northam says. \"But it was someone offering me a job, and I was in the mood to work.\""}, {"response": 216, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 1999 (09:57)", "body": "There was a small interview with JN on the IFC and I caught it(totally by chance since it was used as a filler). It was done in Cannes, what looked like from his bedroom terrace. He was unshaven and puffy(!) and was not very cohesive or literate (I hate to say it, but there it is). Could JN be a party boy(animal), at heart? He seems to be an ideal character in need of becoming an ideal husband. ;-) My DH watched it too and it prompted his comment(which I have heard many times); Actors are all stupid!"}, {"response": 217, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 1999 (11:43)", "body": "barton:~ whois jeremynortham.com Registrant: Spring (JEREMYNORTHAM-DOM) Rt 2 Box 56R Cedar Creek, TX 78612 US Domain Name: JEREMYNORTHAM.COM"}, {"response": 218, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (00:45)", "body": "He was unshaven and puffy(!) and was not very cohesive or literate (I hate to say it, but there it is). Could JN be a party boy(animal), at heart? Party animal, perhaps, but far, far from illiterate. He majored in English Lit. at the Univ. of London, and his father is the world's leading scholar on Ibsen. Forgive the poor boy-- I'm imagining a scenario in which he's had a late night of interviews and public appearances forced upon him, and is rudely awakened at 6 am by a very imposing IFC camera crew. Gracious man that he is, he allows them to ask a few questions, despite the fact that he hasn't made himself descent. Bit of gossip for any other JN fans out there-- he's just bought a 300 yr. old house in Norfolk (wherever that is)."}, {"response": 219, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (01:04)", "body": "OK, I forgive him. :-) How about a trip to Norfolk Winter? I think the old boy could use a personal assistant. ;-)"}, {"response": 220, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (02:24)", "body": "(Moon)I think the old boy could use a personal assistant. ;-) You're telling me! He absolutely, definitely needs someone to get his ass up in the morning and help him look presentable to the camera crews. I'm very deft with a razor, you know! ;-) (\"Mr. Northam, if you can just hold still...\")"}, {"response": 221, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 26, 1999 (20:32)", "body": "(Karen)He would be my second choice for MD. Ditto. Hey, I even liked him in Mimic!!With those cute eyeglasses!! ****** I saw An Ideal Husband in London (along with 6 other people in a cavernous theatre...no kidding..on a Sunday afternoon!!.)IMO he was the only redeeming faction in that movie...Borrrring! But his speech to Parliament ...full of passion...was a winner. Plan to see The Winslow Boy next week."}, {"response": 222, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 26, 1999 (21:27)", "body": "He looked his Knightly-self in the flashback scene with the Baron. But oh yeah, the speech in Parliament. Nicely done. Now lose that moustache!!"}, {"response": 223, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 1999 (21:30)", "body": "Why doesn't anyone post news of JN? Winter???? I don't go to other websites....can you pl.share some stuff with us?"}, {"response": 224, "author": "SABINE", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 1999 (20:36)", "body": "Sorry, but I have no news from JN. I wrote to ICM and asked about his future projects, but I did not receive an answer jet. Will tell xou if I get a reply !"}, {"response": 225, "author": "SABINE", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 1999 (20:38)", "body": "Sorry, \"no news OF jeremy northam \" ! :-)"}, {"response": 226, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 1999 (23:57)", "body": "Sabine!! Where have you been? ;-D"}, {"response": 227, "author": "SABINE", "date": "Sun, Jul  4, 1999 (18:06)", "body": "Hi Karen ! Sorry, but I was in Brighton/England for 2 weeks. I am also a great fan of Jeremy Northam. I have seen AIH in England and bought the \"Emma\" video there and ordered \" The Net\", \"Mimic\" and an \"older\" film with JN from CCVideo recently ! Have seen \"The Net\" and \"Mimic\" in the translated version, it was ( as always ) very bad. I just hate the german versions because the voices of CF and JN are so GREATand the german voices are so terrible . Hope to receive the tapes soon :-)"}, {"response": 228, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul  4, 1999 (20:31)", "body": "Sabine...we've missed you . am having problems with my email...we're counting on you and Susan for January 15, 2000. We need you on #98; we're discussing FF starting tomorrow."}, {"response": 229, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, Jul  4, 1999 (20:50)", "body": "Haven't posted to this board as often as 1) I have no news 2) it takes forever to load all the messages on this board, and I have no idea how to keep it on my 'hot list' of topics. It appears and then disappears often. I do know, however, (as mentioned before), that he just bought a house in Norfolk, England. He mentioned in a recent interview that he's the youngest person his his village by about 30 years! Minimizes his prospects for meeting the future Mrs. Northam. (A good sign for us?) \"Voices from a Locked Room,\" a movie he did ages ago but was never released, has been televised on UPN network this weekend. I caught about the last hour of it and thought it pretty descent. It's about a man with split personalities-- one as Peter Warlock a composer, the other as a music critic who happens to be said composer's worst enemy. Sounds odd, I know, but it was done well. Jeremy also plays piano in real life, so we got to see a bit of that on screen."}, {"response": 230, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul  4, 1999 (23:09)", "body": "Since it was hot as Hades here, dragged my 18 yr old niece to a quality movie this afternoon: The Winslow Boy! She said she wasn't interested in any special FX garbage. The Summer of Sam was sold out, so TWB it was. Grabbed her arm and made her take notice of that last scene. I love it. She said the movie was unrealistic. Never mind that it was based on a real incident!! Oh well, I tried. ;-D Will have to look for that one Winter. UPN you say???"}, {"response": 231, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul  5, 1999 (17:21)", "body": "(Winter)Voices from a Locked Room,\" a movie he did ages ago but was never released, has been televised on UPN network this weekend. Gives us hope for SLOW :-)I don't know UPN...? **** (Winter).... I have no idea how to keep it on my 'hot list' of topics. It appears and then disappears often. I bet our knowledgeable hosts could instruct you how. **** I missed TWB in UK...it was gone...and then I missed it here too.... I hear it was excellent...got good reviews but did poorly at the box office :-("}, {"response": 232, "author": "SABINE", "date": "Mon, Jul  5, 1999 (17:56)", "body": "Haven t heard about TWB in Germany yet. So maybe I have a chance to see it. That s the film all about ?"}, {"response": 233, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (10:07)", "body": "(Winter) it takes forever to load all the messages on this board, and I have no idea how to keep it on my 'hot list' of topics. It appears and then disappears often. OK, on the main Drool page, make sure your setting is \"All New\" and use this url as your bookmark: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/drool/all/new or go directly to the new messages here (without having to load the entire topic) by using this url: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/43/new This should work. Let me know. You also might want to mark all the other nonactive topics on the main Drool page as \"read\" so they don't appear anymore, unless someone posts. Did you make that other phone call?"}, {"response": 234, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 1999 (01:21)", "body": "From The Independent (7/9): AN IDEAL HUSBAND? Jeremy Northam suffers from thesp rage. He calls in to deny that he loathes Cate Blanchett: \"She's got this special thing. It sounds like rabid fan mail, but she just kind of breathes in front of the camera.\" So you admit you said you \"can't stand her\"? Yes... but Pandora quoted him \"out of context\". OK, here's more on the context, darlings: Northam was talking to a drag queen at a post-premiere party. And when he said \"Can't stand her\", the drag queen said, he did so \"with a devilish gr n\". ************"}, {"response": 235, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 1999 (13:02)", "body": "....when he said \"Can't stand her\", the drag queen said, he did so \"with a devilish grin Well, Jeremy and I have something in common....I can't stand Cate Blanchette either. :-D(picture...devilish..)"}, {"response": 236, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 11, 1999 (16:00)", "body": "Finally saw TWB....this is JN's best....yep better than Emma IMO. He must be enormously proud of his performance in this. Did he do any promos in the US?"}, {"response": 237, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 11, 1999 (16:39)", "body": "I don't think so. What movie studio promotes its four-star films? Better to let them languish and quickly disappear from the theaters. ;-D"}, {"response": 238, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (17:16)", "body": "From This is London: Full speed on the Northam line by Toby Rose Jeremy Northam is apologising. Profusely. He confesses to being testy and terse when questioned about his string of girls. I only asked because they're not just any girls. Sharon Stone, Gwyneth Paltrow, Mira Sorvino and Sandra Bullock have all been leading ladies in his royal flush of Hollywood pictures. Most leading men would see this as amazing good fortune. But Northam objects to being defined in terms of his leading ladies, to being labelled as a mere on-screen walker - the movie equivalent of the man who lifts up the prima ballerina. 'Every time I do a TV show the researcher has looked up my credits, seen these big-actress names, and it's the first question. They want to know all about the actress. I should have a line worked out for that, but really I don't see why I have to talk about it all the time,' he groans. That is all about to change. We're on the paparazzi-infested beach at Cannes and he's splashing his feet in the surf as we talk. No celeb-mag cameras flash. No TV crews rush over. No autograph-hunter interrupts. But this year may be his last chance at sun, sea and tranquillity. Jeremy Northam is going big time. British cinema-goers (who saw him with Sandra Bullock in The Net, with Gwyneth Paltrow in Emma, with Mira Sorvino in Mimic and with Sharon Stone in Gloria) have most recently seen him with Rupert Everett in Oscar Wilde's An Ideal Husband. Now he's in the film of another classic British play, Terence Rattigan's The Winslow Boy, directed by leading American playwright-turned-film-director David Mamet. Next comes Happy, Texas. Also very much his film, it has been snapped up for international distribution by Miramax and is set to push Northam further into centre stage. Plus, he's just become the pin-up for Saks Fifth Avenue's new menswear campaign. In short, a CV any Hollywood hunk would die for. And, while he hasn't hopped aboard the celebrity bandwagon, he readily admits, 'This is what I've been waiting for.' So what do his friends think of his success? 'They probably despise me,' he replies. Such success has been coming for some time, and the 38-year-old, Cambridge-born actor wasn't necessarily expecting it. 'I could never have imagined that I would be performing opposite these icons, these movie stars. It came as a total surprise really,' he tells me. The films proved to be one smart career move after another for him, raising his ante in the industry even though none of them exactly set the box office ablaze. However, as he points out, 'I wasn't responsible in the public eye, because I'm not Sharon or Mira or Gwyneth. But, of course, you put a lot of time and effort into doing what you do, and you want it to work, and you would rather be associated with things which are happy successes.' His slew of forthcoming films look set for greater success. First up in British cinemas is The Winslow Boy, a costumed courtroom drama based on a real-life Edwardian episode in which a well-to-do naval cadet was accused of stealing a postal order. Northam's performance, alongside heavyweights like Sir Nigel Hawthorne, is being widely praised. He plays the accused boy's tough, but ultimately soft-hearted, defence lawyer. 'Those around him see him as a man without heart, ambitious, greedy, egotistical and o portunistic. A fantastic role!' In total contrast, next month's low-budget indie comedy, Happy, Texas, sees him as a con man, on the run and masquerading as a gay beauty-pageant meister. Happy, Texas wowed them at Robert Redford's Sundance Film Festival. In the back-to-front way films often get released, he actually shot it immediately before An Ideal Husband. 'I got back on the plane from LA and a day later I was in a read-through. I went from playing an escaped con man in Happy, Texas to a politician with a dodgy past.' His own past is far from dodgy. In fact, it's a copybook British theatre background, including the scene where he left drama school early (the prestigious Bristol Old Vic) after having landed a job at a provincial rep (the= Nottingham Playhouse). He says he's still too embarrassed to reveal the play in question, but the gamble paid off - since then he's been 'resting' for only three months. In 1989, when Daniel Day-Lewis had a breakdown and left the National Theatre stage, understudy Northam was ready to tep into his shoes as Hamlet. That same year he won the best-newcomer Olivier award for his performance in Richard Eyre's The Voysey Inheritance. 'I got into acting because I like plays,' he states. That was the motivation earlier this year when he was back on the London stage, playing gay again in Certain Young Men. The big names were in the wings here, too, because this was at Islington's Almeida Theatre, whose highly respected boards had just been trodden by such movie megastars as Kevin Spacey, Juliette Binoche, Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes. Though, as Northam points out, 'the people who do plays who are perceived"}, {"response": 239, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (17:48)", "body": "I vote for JN as the Bond. Yeah! Did you happen to read the interview from the Telegraph? It made me LOL. If it is true that CF shares his agent, I would consider a split."}, {"response": 240, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (18:13)", "body": "Happy Texas is getting fabulous reviews...with JN mentioned prominently. A far cry from Mr. Knightly.He can sure pick 'em...like you say, Moon. All winners. I even liked Mimic with those little glasses!!"}, {"response": 241, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Oct 19, 1999 (20:28)", "body": "(Evelyn) I even liked Mimic with those little glasses!! Thank you! Nice to know I'm not alone in this opinion. Have not seen Happy, Texas yet. this is how SWAMPED I am with work!"}, {"response": 242, "author": "Archer", "date": "Thu, Nov 25, 1999 (03:40)", "body": "I was wondering if any of you JN fans have seen 'The Tribe'? There is a shocking scene in it, where Mr K (as I and my friend Snoopy girl refer to him as) wears a ghastly light tan v-neck jumper. Its way too tight and makes him look like a banana. There are of course plenty of other interesting Mr K scenes in this otherwise appalling show. He looks VERY good in the opening scenes because he is sporting a very stylish well cut suit. But even this cannot make up for the tan jumper in the last scene. IT S SCARY."}, {"response": 243, "author": "farbarb", "date": "Thu, Nov 25, 1999 (07:56)", "body": ""}, {"response": 244, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 25, 1999 (09:16)", "body": "Hi Archer I've never heard of The Tribe so I looked it up. Apparently, it was a TV movie in the UK, so I don't think it's ever been shown in the US. Sounds fairly atrocious from the comments at the IMDb, such as: \"Normally I'd regard the critical mindset that a film is crap, but at least actress XYZ gets naked in it, as prehistoric, sexist bilge. But, for this one, I'll make an exception. Talented people (Eve, Costigan, Richardson) ambling about like zombies for two wasted hours. The BBC sat on this for about two years, then marketed it in a cold, calculating manner with tantalizing shots of Ms Friel about to disrobe. And disrobe she does. Pert, firm, frisky, if a little skinny for my tastes. Sorry, but if the scr pt and/or direction was any better, we might not have had to go down this alley... Was Jeremy Northam actually PAID for his performance?\""}, {"response": 245, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 25, 1999 (09:18)", "body": "And Barbara, if you're trying to post a response and are using Internet Explorer, you need to submit it twice. Helps to copy your text and then paste it in again. Netscape works much better here at Spring. ;-D"}, {"response": 246, "author": "LucyD", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (07:14)", "body": "Hi everyone, I'd just like to add a couple of comments to my friend Archer's about The Tribe. She loaned me her video of it the other day and after watching it I came to the realisation that its only redeeming feature is the fact that JN is in it. And he also manages to lose his shirt on several occasions! But as Archer said, some of the clothes he wears are absolutely shocking - particularly the skin tight V neck tan sweater - if only we had a picture for you all to see. However, at least he has redeemed himself or The Tribe by making Emma, The Winslow Boy and An Ideal Husband! I also read earlier that some of you were commenting on JN's moustache in An Ideal Husband. Well on one of the JN sites - http://www.jeremynortham.ndirect.co.uk/ (I am not too sure how the HTML works on this messageboard) in the Photographs section under the heading Various Stills, you will see our wonderful JN in 4 pictures from the Golden Bowl with a BEARD no less!!"}, {"response": 247, "author": "ArcherBow", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (20:08)", "body": "Dear all This is my second attempt to post something - the first didn't work, so I had to go and re think it all again. So hopefully the first post won't pop up somewhere. Yes, as pointed out by Snoopy Girl, The Tribe does indeed feature a lot of Mr K in what could only be described as \ufffdintimate relations\ufffd...so it is worth watching for this! Although the character that he plays is so far removed from his others (Emma, Ideal Hubby and Winslow) that you may not think it could be him! SG and myself have discussed some of the possible reasons for why he might have digressed and participated in such a show: 1) He lost his brain. Perhaps he left it on a bus, or maybe it fell out while he was playing archery or composing riddles 2) He was blackmailed. Although after seeing it, I think it would be more likely that he would blackmailed after doing it (ie he is going for a part in a big movie and a Mrs \"Cheesely\" type character pulls him aside and whispers to him \"I know that you did that Tribe movie Mr K, and I have a tape.....so you must co-operate with me and do I as say......or I could make things very unpleasant for you\") 3) He wanted to build on his skill level. No more Mr Charming-Handsome-Slightly Flawed -but Always Noble type characters for me - NO! I want to know what its like to play a Mr Weak-Willed- Two-timing-Low-life with no redeeming features whatsoever. Actually, that\ufffds not quite true. Even when he was trying to be dastardly, the noble streak still came through, although it was hard to stomach when one considered what his character was doing. For those of you who haven\ufffdt seen The Tribe...I will briefly fill you in. JN plays a character called Jamie. Jamie works for a property developer who is also a complete bastard. The property developer has recently purchased a building that is legally occupied by a semi-cult who dress in black and sell high-tec electronic gear to people on the street. Although Jamie is in a relationship (with a girlfriend/wife - its not made clear) and is very prudish and proper to begin with, he soon gets seduced by t e Tribe. Then before you know it, he is missing business meetings, eating bugs, having an AIDS test (I kid you not, its a very 90\ufffds show), having sex with a man and a woman at the one time, having sex in a linen closest, slinking around with ruffled hair and untucked clothes....etc. Through all of this he decides that he is in \ufffdlove\ufffd with the female lead of the semi-cult and so leaves his girlfriend/wife (although it isn\ufffdt clear how he does this, the woman just seems to disappear from his flat) for this cult woman. But (like the show itself) its doomed love. Basically, this is a male fantasy movie. Man can go out and have sex with people he hardly knows and somehow justify it to himself, because its work related. Not at all like his lovely female fantasy characters - Mr K being the most outstanding of them of course. So if you want to see Mr K with his kit off then I suggest you find a copy - but I warn you that the rest of the show is bad that you may end up laughing all the way through it. But i you are terribly attached to him as Mr K, then it might be a bit of a risk to see it! :)"}, {"response": 248, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (21:06)", "body": "LOL!! Archer. Your reasoning is beyond reproach. Every actor has been in movies that he/she wishes would quietly disappear off the face of the earth. Will have to keep my eyes open for this one...although I doubt it's around in the US. Besides, would I pay to see it? (another issue) Love to see all you new people posting here. If you're having problems posting, it is likely Internet Explorer. If you don't have Netscape (which works better here), then Control-C your text, hit submit, watch it disappear into nothing, then paste it down again and submit. I've been told this method works. ;-0"}, {"response": 249, "author": "ArcherBow", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (21:59)", "body": "Hey Karen Thanks for the tip re Explorer - I have access to both, so I will now stick with Netscape. I think the problem was that I lost my interent connection in the middle of writing, so that may have contributed to my troubles. I live in Australia, and I saw the Tribe on a cable channel. Well to be honest, I caught a preview of the film (it was only made for tv I think) and then plotted to tape it. It was on at some really weird times, like 5 o'clock in the morning - obviously because it was so bad. So I don't know what the tv is like in the States - it might be one of those shows that will just appear sometime - and you will catch a glimpse and go - ah, so there's the dreadful one. After seeing Tribe and seeing Ideal Hub again last night, I am of the conviction that its all in the man's eyes. I don't think it matters what the hell his character is doing, whether he's sporting facial hair, a bad haircut or a v-neck tan jumer (god I wish I had still shot of that!) - he manages to get away with it all by making his eyes go all 'milky' and 'shiny' and he does his \"I adore you\" gaze to his female lead and 'ka-boom' - he's redeemed himself. Of course, that was the other problem with Tri e, it was tv, so his eyes didn't sparkle as they do on the big screen in the movies. Now I must drag myself away from your lovely chat group. Snoopy Girl introduced me to this forum a few days ago - and I think I have got carried away - so I really must get back to writing my thesis - otherwise I will be in big trouble!!! :)"}, {"response": 250, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (23:44)", "body": "Has The Winslow Boy made it to your shores yet? If you think JN is something in AIH, you ain't seen nothing yet!! The final scene, the last line and his little smile...hon, it ranks right up there with Clark Gable at the foot of the stairs at Twelve Oaks in GWTW looking up at Scarlett. Major goosebumps."}, {"response": 251, "author": "ArcherBow", "date": "Sat, Nov 27, 1999 (03:29)", "body": "Hey Karen I am taking a break from the books... Yes the Winslow Boy has made it to Oz - and yes, the last scene was very tantalising.....Wonderful character he played. Although I really enjoyed the story (so I shouldn't admit to this), but it took AGES before he appeared in the movie - like his character didn't come up for a while. But it was worth the wait. So stern, so sincere, so steely, so serious and with all that emotion bubbling silently beneath..... The only one that hasn't made it here yet is Happy Texas. SG and myself are waiting patiently for it, but SG doesn't believe it will be here until Jan/Feb next year I think. Is that one out in the States and if so, is it good?"}, {"response": 252, "author": "LucyD", "date": "Sat, Nov 27, 1999 (07:30)", "body": "Oooh yes, The Winslow Boy - that was a great JN film. The only problem I have with it (like Archer) is that JN doesn't come in until about halfway, but when he does, he is fantastic, so it's definitely worth the wait. I certainly agree with you Karen about that last scene when he looks at what's-her-name - is it Katherine? - it's absolutely wonderful!! Don't you wish you could take a screen capture of it and insert your own face in place of Katherine's? Please fill us poor Aussies in on Happy, Texas - I discovered the internet site for it the other day and it looks really good - at least the couple of photos I saw of JN in it - he looked good!!"}, {"response": 253, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 27, 1999 (09:02)", "body": "Happy, Texas is a cute film. JN looks v. good once he gets out of the orange prison jumpsuit (no one looks good in orange), although he looks incredibly thin; his jeans are v. baggy. On to more substantive comments... In this comedy, the out and out hilarious bits are done by the other guy, Steve Zahn, who is a real wacko. As you might have heard, the two play prison escapees who assume the roles of beauty contest consultants for a little girls pageant and who are gay. Under the guise of doing the pageant consulting, JN tells SZ that he's planning a bank robbery, but really he's interested in the woman bank president. He becomes her friend (as in girlfriend), hearing all about her love life, etc. William H. Macy, the town's sheriff, is interested in Northam and there is one scene that I would've given anything to watch being filmed. The two go out on a date and they dance. They look like they're having a riot, whirling around. ;-D Anyway, it's a story of mistaken identities and what happens when their real identities surface. Downside: absolutely NO love scenes for JN if you catch my drift. I read that Happy, Texas opens in Britain in December. BTW, it was a low-budget independent film that scored well at the Sundance festival, so doing it was a risk for JN."}, {"response": 254, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov 27, 1999 (16:40)", "body": "AIH is back on Miami Beach! I wonder what the deal is on the re-release?"}, {"response": 255, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 27, 1999 (19:10)", "body": "It's here too! I can't believe it. The video will be out in December or January (can't remember which). These guys are trying to squeeze every last dime out of it."}, {"response": 256, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 27, 1999 (19:11)", "body": "And--more importantly--remind people of who was in the film. Remember, Harvey was going around boasting early in the summer about how many acting noms this was going to take!"}, {"response": 257, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Nov 28, 1999 (09:51)", "body": "Good point! But, do you think it will get nominations?"}, {"response": 258, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 28, 1999 (09:55)", "body": "But, do you think it will get nominations? No"}, {"response": 259, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 28, 1999 (09:56)", "body": "...maybe Julianne Moore in a supporting role"}, {"response": 260, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 28, 1999 (11:56)", "body": "(Karen)maybe Julianne Moore in a supporting role Agree....But RE has gotten a nomination from the European Film Academy. The European Film Awards will be announced on December 4th. I hope JN gets a nomination for The Winslow Boy.Probably not...it did not get a good reception at the box office...although stellar reviews."}, {"response": 261, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 28, 1999 (12:43)", "body": "(Evelyn) But RE has gotten a nomination from the European Film Academy. So? Does anyone in H-wood even know there is a \"European Film Academy\"? ;-D Sorry, but RE's role was way too lightweight to merit any consideration IMNSHO. Best Actor is usually the hardest category mainly because there are so many good roles for men. For women, it is easier to standout...the field has far fewer potential candidates."}, {"response": 262, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (09:02)", "body": "Not so hot review of The Golden Bowl at Variety, talks about \"miscast leads\": By EMANUEL LEVY, 5/15/00 A Miramax release (U.S.) of a Merchant Ivory Prods./TF1 Intl. presentation in association with Miramax Films. (International sales: TF1 Intl., Paris.) Produced by Ismail Merchant. Executive producers, Paul Bradley, Richard Hawley. Directed by James Ivory. Screenplay, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, based on the novel by Henry James. Charlotte Stant - Uma Thurman Prince Amerigo - Jeremy Northam Maggie Verver - Kate Beckinsale Adam Verver - Nick Nolte Fanny - Anjelica Huston Bob Assingham - James Fox Lady Castledan - Madeleine Potter Jarvis - Peter Eyre Vastly uneven, with some wonderful period touches but also more than a few tedious moments, \"The Golden Bowl\" is Ismail Merchant and James Ivory's third screen adaptation of a Henry James novel, following \"The Europeans\" (1979) and \"The Bostonians\" (1984). Like those efforts, new film is tasteful, diffident and decorous, and like them it suffers from lack of subtlety and miscasting, here in the case of leads Uma Thurman and Jeremy Northam, playing lovers whose adulterous affair entangles their lives in a complex, fateful web. Miramax faces an uphill battle Stateside in marketing a deliberately paced literary film that takes too long to build narrative momentum and explore its central dramatic conflicts. Over the last five years, James' work has enjoyed a resurgence in American cinema, with new textual readings in the daring but not entirely successful efforts of Agnieszka Holland (\"Washington Square\") and Jane Campion (\"The Portrait of a Lady\"). Iain Softley's \"The Wings of the Dove\" (released by Miramax in 1997), which deviated substantially from James but was true to its sophisticated, ambiguous spirit, was anchored by a terrific performance from Helena Bonham Carter, a Merchant Ivory vet who would have been much more effective than Thurman as \"Golden Bowl's\" protagonist. The first reel is particularly weak and diffuse: It takes the filmmakers a good half-hour to establish the historical milieu and dramatis personae, jumping around from 1903 to 1909 and moving back and forth between England and Italy. Story proper centers on Amerigo (Northam), the descendant of an illustrious but bankrupt line of Roman princes, about to marry Maggie (Kate Beckinsale), the loving daughter of America's first billionaire, Adam Verver (Nick Nolte), a retired tycoon who lives in Europe and who hopes to transfer his invaluable collection of art to a major American museum. Before his engagement, Amerigo had a passionate affair with Charlotte (Thurman), an American school friend of Maggie's who grew up in Europe. Too poor to marry, the couple parted, but Charlotte is still in love with Amerigo and hopes to rekindle their flame. Her reappearance just days before his wedding triggers a series of events that ultimately will damage two marriages and send four lives spiraling out of control. In a crucial scene set in a store, Charlotte and Amerigo discuss which present she should buy for Maggie \ufffd and then which presents they themselves should exchange. They set their eyes on an ancient golden bowl that store owner Jarvis (Peter Eyre) insists is flawless. When Charlotte is indecisive, Jarvis promises to keep the bowl for them, unaware of the symbolic importance and practical value the piece will later assume. When Charlotte announces her plan to marry widower Adam, it sounds like a good idea to everyone, particularly Maggie, who has been concerned about her father's loneliness. Scripter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala devotes the second, more involving half of the narrative to exploring how the four protags handle the secrets and lies that dominate their lives. A further complicating factor is Aunt Fanny (Anjelica Huston), who knows about the illicit romance but is trying to protect the innocent Maggie from being hurt. In his last completed novel, James showed in a masterful, ironic manner the facades and masquerades of the central characters, their power games in the name of love as well as survival. Unfortunately, James' deft portrait of human frailty and his experimentation in narrative mode only intermittently find vivid expression in the work of Ivory and screenwriter Prawer Jhabvala. Everything in the film, particularly in the last reel, is spelled out in an explicit, literal manner. With the help of lenser Tony Pierce Roberts, Ivory lovingly details the settings in which the psychodrama unfolds, with lavish re-creations of costume balls, demonstrations of Adam's architectural designs and inventive glimpses of the industrial revolution in America. But impressive and sumptuous as these reconstructions are, they serve to further weaken the storytelling, making the draggy pacing even more damaging to the central action. Film's most disappointing aspect is the work by the two leads. Thurman is effective at conveying modernist cool, but she is not particularly adept in period pieces. Burdened with an unconv"}, {"response": 263, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (09:10)", "body": "Mmmmm"}, {"response": 264, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (09:12)", "body": "Mmmm... Is right, where's Ethan??? They look chummy! :)"}, {"response": 265, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (09:22)", "body": "Who cares \"where's Ethan\" He doesn't look anything like JN! ;-D"}, {"response": 266, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (10:40)", "body": "yeah, which is why Ethan should be there!!! :)"}, {"response": 267, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (11:08)", "body": "JN can pass for an Italian. Why is he such a misscast? I saw the previews and was not impressed. I will see period pieces every chance I get, so I am happy they made it."}, {"response": 268, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (11:15)", "body": "(Moon) JN can pass for an Italian. Why is he such a misscast? \"Burdened with an unconvincing Italian accent, Northam lacks authority in portraying the conflicting emotions of a man who loves his wife but is passionately involved with another woman.\""}, {"response": 269, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (11:43)", "body": "The classic British stereotype. Upper class Italians with British nannies would speak English with a British accent. Why would he even have to attempt an Italian accent? This is another detailed missed."}, {"response": 270, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (12:55)", "body": "Good golly! Now *that* is a droolable man! Thanks, Karen. I don't care how bad it is, I'll be there when they open the doors for this one.:-)"}, {"response": 271, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (13:29)", "body": "I don't care how bad it is, I'll be there when they open the doors for this one.:-) So will I...though I can't stand Uma Thurmond or Nick Notlte. Why didn't they cast Helena BC? She's the Merchant & Ivory muse. Like Moon, I go to any costume-drama/ period piece...then I sit there and try to picture Colin in the lead role....*sigh*"}, {"response": 272, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (14:41)", "body": "(Evelyn) Why didn't they cast Helena BC? She's the Merchant & Ivory muse Seems that she wants to get as far away as possible from that image. But, I'll be there as well. Who could resist Mr. Northam? ;-)"}, {"response": 273, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (15:09)", "body": "Seems that she wants to get as far away as possible from that image. Jennifer would have done it...\"Bring on the Bonnets\", she says. But I bet they wanted an American actress to keep it out of the art houses..."}, {"response": 274, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (16:35)", "body": "It will be in the art houses nevertheless. It is Henry James. Say no more. ;-)"}, {"response": 275, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (17:59)", "body": "I really don't like Henry James (Portrait of a Lady was horrible!) Washington Square had Ben Chaplin as its only savior. Yep, don't like Henry James (or the American Authoress, jeez, what IS her name????? UGH, I feel like I can't remember anything of late!!!!) Well you know who I'm talking of. Wings of a Dove was okay. Definitely like Oscar Wilde MUCH better;)"}, {"response": 276, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, May 15, 2000 (18:58)", "body": "Edith Wharton, perhaps is the disliked American authoress? She was a friend and contemporary of James. One of her best known novels is \"The Age of Innocence\"."}, {"response": 277, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (05:17)", "body": "I'm sorry but JN does nothing for me, he's okay but that's it, I'm like Evelyn, I keep visualizing Colin in anything he does. I think also that all I think of is Mr. Darcy versus Mr Knightly and the Greg Wise character (forget his name) and Mr. Darcy wins hands down, Mr. Darcy has spoilt me. I know they are actors but CF rules for me, CF and no one else!(just wish he could get a really good role, one day!!)"}, {"response": 278, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, May 16, 2000 (06:51)", "body": "THat's it, Edith Wharton. HATED AGE OF INNOCENCE!! Hated movie as well. Total miscast. Definitely prefer the British equivalents. (which the Americans tried pathetically to copy!)"}, {"response": 279, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 24, 2000 (20:49)", "body": "From The Telegraph's Peterborough column on 7/25: Bowled over PARASOL and picnic-basket fanatics are waiting with baited breath for Merchant and Ivory's latest epic, an adaptation of Henry James's novel, The Golden Bowl, to come out in October. They shouldn't get too misty-eyed: horror stories from the set reveal that the film's hero and heroine - played by Jeremy Northam and Kate Beckinsale - found little love off set. \"It all started when Kate decided to drop a line from the text,\" says a film technician. \"Jeremy started shouting at her, complaining that she'd ruined his performance. He was so furious that he followed Kate to her caravan and started screaming abuse.\" This proved too much for Kate's husband, who hit his wife's tormentor. Northam is said to have run away with his tail between his legs. ~~~~~~~~~ Oh nooooooooooo!! Lapdancing I can believe, but this? ;-o"}, {"response": 280, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Jul 25, 2000 (17:13)", "body": "No... this can't be... sounds so unlike him...."}, {"response": 281, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct  4, 2000 (13:07)", "body": "This might blow your theory, Moon...or not??? From today's Daily Mail, Nigel Dempster's column: Seeing double... Her former fancy Salman Rushdie may have fled for New York and a younger model but veteran catwalk queen Marie Helvin still knows how to find an appreciative audience. Wearing the skimpiest of frocks Marie, 45, stole the show at a Dorchester Club party at the weekend--and by her side was award-winning actor Jeremy Northam. \"Marie's dress was pretty minimal, so it's a mystery how Jeremy could concentrate,\" says a fellow party-goer. \"They were in conversation at the back of the room when two girls tried to separate them. But Jeremy returned to Marie like a yo-yo.\" Earlier, Jeremy, 38, who has partnered Gwyneth Paltrow and Sharon Stone on-screen told friends he was looking for a new girlfriend following his split from supermodel Lisa Butcher, famous for her 15-week marriage to chef Marco Pierre White.\""}, {"response": 282, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct  4, 2000 (15:49)", "body": "This might blow your theory, Moon...or not??? As Popeye says, \"well blow me down!\" ;-)"}, {"response": 283, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct  4, 2000 (17:08)", "body": "Yeah, but now I've been reading that this Marie Helvin has been called a party girl. May be absolutely nothing here other than the obvious. ;-D"}, {"response": 284, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Tue, Oct 31, 2000 (08:07)", "body": "I saw Northam in a different kind of role the other night. He was a mob boss in a movie with Sharon Stone on the run with a little boy the mob was after because he had their disk. Forget the title. I didn't realize it was Northam till they flashed the credits at the end."}, {"response": 285, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 31, 2000 (13:37)", "body": "Check out this review of The Golden Bowl at Sight & Sound: And yet despite the sophistication of its spectacle, The Golden Bowl fails to be fully satisfying. The story drags at several points, notably in the initial exposition and then towards the end. Maybe they should've listened to Harvey? ;-D (can't believe I'm saying that! Performances are a mixture of the wonderful and the weak...Uma Thurman and Nick Nolte are typically brilliant...The problem is Jeremy Northam, underwhelming as the aristocratic Latin lover with a dodgy Italian accent. Surely, you're left thinking, Italy has actors as well as palazzi. Northam's weak performance unbalances the film as it becomes increasingly difficult to see why he should be the object of such passions. Phew!! Even Colin hasn't fared that poorly, as I recall, although this does harken back to some passionless RF performances... ;-D http://www.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/2000_11/goldenbowl.html"}, {"response": 286, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 31, 2000 (16:46)", "body": "I just rented that JN video. The film is called The Misadventures of Margaret. I plan to see it this week. I saw the previews of TGB a long time ago. Was not impressed. I will go see it anyway."}, {"response": 287, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 31, 2000 (17:11)", "body": "(moon) I will go see it anyway. I will too....I read where it's Merchant- Ivory's most opulent.... and somebody's got to support costume dramas!(But I wish they'd get off the Henry James kick...)"}, {"response": 288, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Nov  1, 2000 (19:25)", "body": "No-- the Sharon Stone-mob-boss movie is called \"Gloria,\" a remake of an early 80's flick with Gena Rowlands. It's a terrible movie, but I had to see it for JN's sake. Moon-- I saw Misadevntures of Margaret, which i thought was brilliant till about 3/4 of it through. It's got Parker Posey, whom I love, and though the storyline takes a weird turn somewhere in the middle, it's an OK film. I'll see GB too, just because I'm a big Ruth Prawer Jhabvala fan... She's really the machine that makes Merchany Ivory work (adaptation/screenwriter). Too bad they don't put her name in the company as well."}, {"response": 289, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (12:04)", "body": "(Winter), No-- the Sharon Stone-mob-boss movie is called \"Gloria,\" a remake of an early 80's flick with Gena Rowlands. It's a terrible movie, but I had to see it for JN's sake. I could not believe that they would do a remake. I do not think I could sit through it with or without JN. Moon-- I saw Misadevntures of Margaret, which i thought was brilliant till about 3/4 of it through. It's got Parker Posey, whom I love, and though the storyline takes a weird turn somewhere in the middle, it's an OK film. I just saw it last night and was going to post my mistake. It is an OK film with some attempts at good dialog. It also stars Elizabeth McGovern (very blond), and Brooke Shields. Parker Posey got on my nerves and in the end it falls apart. The big question is why would she be inventing or wanting to have an affair when she is lucky to be married to JN, who is a great guy in the film? It was a good idea that had good comedic potential but was never realized."}, {"response": 290, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (19:49)", "body": "It was a good idea that had good comedic potential but was never realized. Exactly. I agree. It could've been a 90's version of a screwball comedy, with a little racier material... but it just sort of flopped somwehere between that ridiculous trip to the French convent, and when she gets involved with that dentist."}, {"response": 291, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Nov  4, 2000 (12:22)", "body": "There was a pretty good flick on sat tv last night with Jeremy Northam about a couple of escaped cons who land up in \"Happy Texas\" running a child beauty pageant. It was fun to watch. Anyone seen it?"}, {"response": 292, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov  4, 2000 (13:56)", "body": "\"Happy Texas\" is one I still plan to rent. A gay JN is not my first pick at the video store. ;-) (Winter), It could've been a 90's version of a screwball comedy, with a little racier material... Why must we be the ones to see this? It really could have been brilliant."}, {"response": 293, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov  4, 2000 (14:04)", "body": "(Moon)A gay JN is not my first pick at the video store. ;-) It's funny....They really aren't gay guys...have to masquerade as such to pass off as being beauty contest consultants."}, {"response": 294, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov  4, 2000 (16:13)", "body": "Don't worry, Moon, nothing that will make you cringe. Steve Zahn does all the flamboyant stuff. But I have to admit that the scene of JN dancing with William Macy is a classic. What I would've given to have seen that filmed. Looked like they were having a great time. :-)"}, {"response": 295, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Thu, Nov  9, 2000 (20:10)", "body": "(Karen) But I have to admit that the scene of JN dancing with William Macy is a classic. I agree - this scene was hilarious. I just saw HT on cable a couple of weeks ago for the first time and really enjoyed it. Even the DH liked it and he usually rebels at anything with a gay storyline. (Just realized as I was proofing this that I had first typed this as \"a gas storyline\". Hmmm, I guess the DH doesn't like those either. ;-)) Anyway, you should rent Happy, Texas Moon. It's just a light hearted little romp, but lots of fun. There are actually some hetero kind of romantic parts with JN, although they are more of the longing looks variety. He's really attracted to a cute girl in Happy but can't act on it because he's pretending to be gay."}, {"response": 296, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Nov  9, 2000 (20:34)", "body": "I plan to rent it this weekend. Thanks, Jana!"}, {"response": 297, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 24, 2000 (11:32)", "body": "Having just seen the Misadventures of Margaret (a Blockbuster straight to vid presentation)...argh! The movie was absolutely pathetic and only one thing was worth viewing: JN! My oh my, did he look fabulous. Best ever IMO. I find I can barely tolerate Parker Posey in a supporting role and, in this, she is the lead. Does she have only one setting: neurotic? And this woman was dubbed the Queen of Indies? From what I've heard, Blockbuster had JN's nude scenes cut. But they left in the topless Posey, which is enough to make you want to run from the room screaming! Have you ever seen anything more horrifying in your life?"}, {"response": 298, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Nov 24, 2000 (12:06)", "body": "I agree... MofM was a nightmare. I read the novella it was based on (Rameau's Niece) and it was great... which made me think the film was going to be at least coherent! JN looked delectable....mmm... if no one ever understood my drooling before, the MofM explains it all. He also has this certain way of getting *right* under your skin when he his voice just lowers a register."}, {"response": 299, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 24, 2000 (12:34)", "body": "He certainly has a way with lines: She: You're aging. He: You're helping. Agree with you, Winter, about the voice. Mmmmmmmm And then there's the nicely trimmed stubble. Mmmmmm MOM is sort like JN's SLOW. He looks fabulous, but the movie is garbage. However, I think SLOW is actually better. It appears they were going for a screwball comedy but Posey is not at all appealing and her neurotic behavior doesn't give her the vulnerability that she should have. All you wanted to do is slap her silly. And that side thing with Elizabeth McGovern and Brooke Shields...words fail me. Her imagined story about the Philosopher and his Student was too obviously an exercise in being cute (the laptop, etc.). If this best-selling author wrote such a book, it could only be published by Harlequin. Or was this supposed to be a Perils of Pauline type thing? Now back to JN... ;-)"}, {"response": 300, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Nov 24, 2000 (19:41)", "body": "Or was this supposed to be a Perils of Pauline type thing? I think that was the initial idea. But somewhere after the first fifteen (or less) minutes of MofM, the script just died . I really thought they had something going on with a 90s version of screwball comedy-- unfortunately, it just didn't happen. Sad, because he's been wanting to do more work set in modern times, though there are slim pickins for him. BTW...Here's a parallel between JN and ODB, if any of you out there don't know-- he's the son of two academics (dad's an ex-Cambridge U Prof-- one of the foremost Ibsen authorities, and mom was teacher, though she's now deceased). ...Now, if only Jeremy could find it in himself to start dating grad students...hmm...just like...me, maybe? ;-P"}, {"response": 301, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 29, 2000 (12:19)", "body": "JN is certainly THE party animal. Can't begin to tell you how many times he's featured, but looks good! Shirt is open a little too much for my taste...in public. ;-)"}, {"response": 302, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 29, 2000 (15:10)", "body": "I agree, Karen. He wants to be the seaside latin lover indoors in England? Is that Salman Rs ex?"}, {"response": 303, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 29, 2000 (15:30)", "body": "No, this one is named Donna Aire and I've been told she's a TV presenter. Wonder what he's drinking. Looks like a coke to me. ;-)"}, {"response": 304, "author": "Echo", "date": "Wed, Nov 29, 2000 (17:40)", "body": "I don't want to know what she's drinking, though. Looks like .... to me. ;-)"}, {"response": 305, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Nov 29, 2000 (22:37)", "body": "ROTFLOL, Echo!!!! Hey Karen, it could be a rum and coke, for all we know. Where'd ya find the picture? Hmmm... presenter, eh? I don't like her. ;-)"}, {"response": 306, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Nov 29, 2000 (22:42)", "body": "*gasp* I did a quick search on her... SHE'S ONLY 19!!!"}, {"response": 307, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 29, 2000 (23:01)", "body": "Knock yourself out, hon! http://community.webshots.com/user/kathe001"}, {"response": 308, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 29, 2000 (23:02)", "body": "And could definitely be a rum & coke. Her drink looks like a pineapple thing. 19, huh? I'm sure they were just chatting."}, {"response": 309, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Nov 30, 2000 (07:27)", "body": "But are you quite sure? ;-) JN, the party animal. ;-))))"}, {"response": 310, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 30, 2000 (08:12)", "body": "It would appear that Enigma is to be screened at Sundance. From Variety: Other screenings Lukas Moodysson's \"Together\" is expected to screen, as is Newmarket Group's \"Memento,\" USA Films' \"Series 7,\" Fox Searchlight's \"Sexy Beast,\" Intermedia/Catch 23's \"AfterImage\" starring John Mellencamp (American Spectrum), Intermedia's \"Enigma\" and Good Machine's \"In the Bedroom,\" directed by Todd Field (competition). Full article http://www.variety.com/body.asp?HbkId=9439248&subcat=-1&ArticleId=1117789817"}, {"response": 311, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Dec  1, 2000 (03:26)", "body": "Donna Air(head) may have been 19 once, but the charming Geordie \"TV presenter\" is now 21 - for what it's worth."}, {"response": 312, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, Dec  3, 2000 (22:38)", "body": "MarkG is now 21 - for what it's worth. I still say that's much too young...;-)"}, {"response": 313, "author": "AnaR", "date": "Wed, Dec 27, 2000 (23:14)", "body": "I've just found you all! What a delight to discover so many keen Northam fans. Of which I am definitely one......Love all his films. Want him to take a break in the first part of the year and then to come back sparking on all cylinders with an Oscar-winning performance in something brilliant and modern, or perhaps a Golden Globe winning performance, as that has more cred. Whatever - we just need moremoremore of the Jeremy at his brilliant best!"}, {"response": 314, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 28, 2000 (12:34)", "body": "Ana! Yes, there are many of us who very much like Jeremy and enjoy his films. I for one cannot wait to see Enigma and the Golden Bowl to a lesser extent because the reviews have been...shall we say...not so hot. But it's always a pleasure to take in an eyeful of JN. We've been talking about the book/movie that he most recently did at a separate topic for Possession: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/137/new There are some great pictures taken on location of JN and his co-star Jennifer Ehle at Whitby. You might want to check out that other topic. But you can be sure, people will be talking about those other two films here when they get released. A shame, though, that Winter will be off soon for work, but I'm sure she'll find an internet connection in Bali. ;-)"}, {"response": 315, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Dec 28, 2000 (13:52)", "body": "welcome Ana! nice to have you here. do you know about kaf's northamboard? happy holidays everyone! and yes, internet connection is quite easy to find in bali. you can bargain down the price per minute (20,000 rupiah per minute!)"}, {"response": 316, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec 28, 2000 (15:44)", "body": "Welcome, Ana! And if you are like us who like both Jeremy and Colin Firth there is a topic in his name you may find of interest. ;-) When are you leaving for Bali, Winter?"}, {"response": 317, "author": "AnaR", "date": "Fri, Dec 29, 2000 (21:10)", "body": "Thankyou all for the welcome!! I'll check out the other sites you mention - [but who is 'kaf', please?] Mr N. is pure gold and he attracts the nicest people! Ana"}, {"response": 318, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Tue, Jan  2, 2001 (13:24)", "body": "I think Winter means the Jeremy Northam Discussion Board. Hope this link works ... http://www.hartfield.com/cgibin/northam.cgi"}, {"response": 319, "author": "AnaR", "date": "Sun, Jan  7, 2001 (05:54)", "body": "Thanks for the link. And I notice that Donna Air has ended their one-month 'relationship', citing the age difference and her busybusy developing career etc......[ref. London Sun] Here's hoping JN soon finds a fabulous woman who is more his kinda gal! I know I am just hanging out for the announcement here of the release date for The Golden Bowl, followed in quick succession by Enigma and Possession AND, even before that, of his next project. I read in today's on line London papers that a number of Hollywood actors are heading to do plays on the West End - I want JN to return to the stage *soon*, so I hope Pacino and co. don't gobble up all the parts! I see JN as a wonderful Benedict......!"}, {"response": 320, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan  7, 2001 (08:31)", "body": "I read on one of those film release schedule websites that The Golden Bowl was coming out at the end of March. Haven't heard anything on Enigma, other than it will screen at Sundance later this month, and Possession was supposed to be in the fall, but you never know. Just found out that JN was appearing on stage nearly at the same time as I was in London in 1999. According to some news items, he was at the Almeida in Jan-Feb 1999 and I was there in March. *bummer*"}, {"response": 321, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sun, Jan  7, 2001 (14:41)", "body": "(Ana R)...then to come back sparking on all cylinders with an Oscar-winning performance in something brilliant and modern, or perhaps a Golden Globe winning performance, as that has more cred... Ana, it is interesting that you metion winning a Golden Globe as having more credibility than an Oscar. I've always seen and heard it pharsed in the reverse. Still, there may be a change in the conventional wisdom. I hope that you get you wish that JN returns to the stage, and that he has a successful year."}, {"response": 322, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (09:49)", "body": "About his Italian accent: To prepare for his role as an Italian aristocrat, still with a heavy Roman accent, Northam spent some time with the real McCoy. \ufffdIsmael and James introduced me to a couple of genuine Roman princes, although one of them spoke slightly less good English than the other, and the other had learnt his English in America,\ufffd recalls 38-year-old Northam. \ufffdSo, in the long run, that wasn\ufffdt too helpful. Every Italian I spoke to said, \ufffdOh it\ufffds very difficult, the Roman accent.\ufffd So I just hope I\ufffdve cracked it. \ufffdOne person might think it\ufffds authentic, another will think it\ufffds pantomime. It is tricky, because the book suggests that he is an Anglophile without a trace of an Italian accent. But he is Italian in his gesture, and there\ufffds a phrase in James that says there\ufffds something inescapably Italian in his old Roman shrug.\ufffd Once Northam had donned those stiff wing collars and perfectly-tailored Edwardian coats, there was little room for much flexibility. \ufffdEspecially when you go to Italy and surround yourself with Italians,\ufffd he says. \ufffdThat was the preparation I set for myself. Unfortunately, I was doing re-shoots for the American picture Happy Texas, which had been put back, and The Golden Bowl\ufffds schedules were brought forward. \ufffdI ended up, instead of having a few weeks in Italy trying to soak up the local culture, with just four days. \ufffdAs a result, I only had 10 days in which to grow a beard before shooting, so the poor crew in hair and make-up used to stick extra bits of beard on my face, until my own facial hair grew a bit more.\ufffd ~~~~~~ More at: http://www.totalwales.co.uk/news/news_story.cfm?ID=199906318607&TYPE=NEWS&STYF"}, {"response": 323, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (11:52)", "body": "LOL! Thanks, Karen. It is tricky, because the book suggests that he is an Anglophile without a trace of an Italian accent. Just as I thought. And he probably had an English nanny, so there was no need for the Italian accent. Ismael and James blew it this time. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 44, "subject": "encounters with celebrity lusts", "response_count": 95, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Kali", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (03:30)", "body": "I met Phil Gramm on the Senate subway this summer. Does that count? ;)"}, {"response": 2, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (04:01)", "body": "Doesn't count."}, {"response": 3, "author": "Becks", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (04:20)", "body": "What, you mean like actually having the chance to sleep with JN or CF?"}, {"response": 4, "author": "maud", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (05:21)", "body": "While waiting to shake President Clinton's hand at a White House brunch I went up to James Taylor, Kevin Spacey and Jimmy Smits and got their autographs. I actually had a nice little chat with James T. I guess it was the great leveller of us all waiting in the same line to shake the President's hand that made me so brave."}, {"response": 5, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (05:35)", "body": "... met Phil Gramm... eww, Kali, as someone who has never voted for the man, yet continues to have him as her very own representative, let me say this definitely DOES NOT count! try again :) I like the actually having the chance to sleep with JN or CF? idea better!"}, {"response": 6, "author": "Kali", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (10:34)", "body": "BTW, Cindy...he's your SENATOR, NOT your Rep. ;) Okay...I'll be serious ...I met Al Gore when I was thirteen...and I spent much of this summer drooling over Jon Christensen during Ways and Means hearings..."}, {"response": 7, "author": "rlevy", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (15:10)", "body": ""}, {"response": 8, "author": "Anne3", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (16:18)", "body": "Wow, Maud! James Taylor, Kevin Spacey, Jimmy Smits and Bill Clinton, all in one shot! You must have gotten my share of the luck vibes in addition to your own--I've never met anyone both famous and lustworthy. I keep having this pesky vision of u nexpectedly being introduced to CF or some other to-die-for creature when I'm wearing baggy sweats and a cat hair-ridden sweater, my hair is all over the place and I don't have a jot of makeup on . . ."}, {"response": 9, "author": "Susan", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (17:40)", "body": "]I keep having this pesky vision of unexpectedly being introduced to CF or some other to-die-for creature when I'm wearing baggy sweats and a cat hair-ridden sweater, my hair is all over the place and I don't have a jot of makeup on . . . LOL, Anne3 -- that would certainly be my fate!"}, {"response": 10, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (20:08)", "body": "NO 3: OH MY!!!! A few weeks ago over at the Northam drool topic, I confessed to my long-standing passion for swashbuckling journalist par excellence: the \"scud stud\" ,or my personal favorite, \"desert shiek\"-Arthur Kent. I finally met the man, last year at his book signin g. Anyways, the illusion, in many ways, was lost. He treated me like a little girl-I thought he was going to pat me on the head!!!"}, {"response": 11, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (20:22)", "body": "Okay. My University Chamber Choir sang back up for Barry Manilow in his Las Vegas show during the height of the BarryMania days of the late 70's. On closing night he sent a bunch of food and drink to our dressing room and even came and visited us in per son, where he actually, yes he did, he rested his hand on my shoulder! *scream!*"}, {"response": 12, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (20:34)", "body": "Her name was Cheryl. She was a showgirl with feathers in her hair And a dress cut down to there. She would meringue and do the cha-cha And while the ohers stared, CF tended bar They were in love They had each other Who could ask for more At the Copa, Copacabana The hottest spot, next to Pemberley At the Copa, Copacabanaaaaaaaaaa Music and passion are always the fashion At the COPA-they fell in loooooooooove"}, {"response": 13, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (20:39)", "body": "ROTFLOL, Cassandra"}, {"response": 14, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (20:39)", "body": "What a hoot, Cassandra! You have made Cheryl so lucky---now she and Colin have their own song!!!!;-)"}, {"response": 15, "author": "Kali", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (21:29)", "body": "But the original song ends in disater for Lola and Tony..."}, {"response": 16, "author": "Inko", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (22:36)", "body": "Cass - great song! Here's one for both Kali and those who like music. I sat on the same sofa and talked to Hubert Humphrey (VP at that time) and Sarah Vaughan after the Inaugural Ball!!"}, {"response": 17, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (22:42)", "body": "I love it Cass! Thank you dearest! Cass, you can work out a happy ending for me and Colin, can you not? Thank you honey... (hummimg...\"Her name was Cheryl, she was a showgirl...\")"}, {"response": 18, "author": "Anne3", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (22:57)", "body": "Re #10--Cassandra, I too had a crush on Arthur Kent back in the Gulf War days. I was so upset when he quit NBC and disappeared from view! He was on CNN for a while but I haven't seen him lately. Do you know what he's doing? I read that he has an autob iography coming out soon and is trying to make it into a film. Not quite the modest fellow I'd had in mind. About the way he treated you--you may not like it now, but believe me, enjoy it while you can! For years I was young, now kids have started call ng me \"ma'am.\" Young is better."}, {"response": 19, "author": "Susan", "date": "Tue, Mar 11, 1997 (23:49)", "body": "Cheryl -- Barry Manilow? Really? EEWWWWWW! Cass -- love the song. If she gets to have Colin, then it's alright!"}, {"response": 20, "author": "Andee1", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 1997 (01:17)", "body": "Cass-EXCELLENT! What about a version of \"Frankie and Johnny\"? Cheryl and Colin were lovers..."}, {"response": 21, "author": "Andee1", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 1997 (01:19)", "body": "talked to Hubert Humphrey (VP at that time) and Sarah Vaughan after the Inaugural Ball!! Inko-My husband will be so jealous! He is probably the biggest Hubert Humphry fan alive! Still gripes about how JFK stole the presidency from him."}, {"response": 22, "author": "Inko", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 1997 (01:38)", "body": "Re: #21. I'm more upset about how Nixon stole the presidency from HHH in 1968!!"}, {"response": 23, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 1997 (01:44)", "body": "Kali, re:#6 no kidding? BTW, that's lower case r! Get it? you're SUCH a lawyer!!!!!"}, {"response": 24, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 1997 (02:05)", "body": "Cheryl darling-only the happiest of endings for you. How about this: His name was Wickham He wore a red coat He was escorted to his chair He saw Cheryl dancing there And when she finished, he called her over BUt, this time WIckham went too far HE admitted he had eloped with sister Lydia in his red car And SO Colin Darcy sailed across the bar Swords were drawn and chairs were smashed in two But just who struck who? Cheryl thought she'd lost her sister and her loooooove (Copa, Copacabana-like in Havana Music and passion. These kind of things never happen in EN-glannnnd) Her name is Cheryl She was a showgirl. But that was many years ago NOw she's mistress of Pemberley and all aglow For Colin baby proved himself to be the very best of men By picking up his checkbook and pen And paying off Wick-ham Now she sits there so refined and has the best time She's has it all-passion, love and money Who could ask for more At the COPA, Copacabana The hottest spot, next to Pemberley At the COPA, COPACABANNNNA Music and passion are always the fashion at the COPA That's where Colin and Cheryl fell in LOOOOOOOOOVE"}, {"response": 25, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 1997 (02:12)", "body": "I have no shame. BTW, ANNE. ARthur should have reason to be smug-he's a very rich man after settling out of court with NBC. HE can't disclose how much, but his smile said a lot. Apparently, he formed his own production company and is pitching his own weekly news show to C NN. He is CNN's London bureau chief, I believe. Sometimes he's on World View. His autobiography is really interesting and well-written. I recommend it."}, {"response": 26, "author": "Kali", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 1997 (02:29)", "body": "Yeah, I really met Al - at a fundraiser thrown for Mike Dukakis by my county central committee. I can't say I regard him with LUST, per se...but he's not a bad looking guy... Sorry, Cindy...I'm just a pedantic little lamer. Please forgive me! ;) BTW, ol' Phillie is a really personable guy (and hey, I can't blame the man for switching parties...bollweevils and blue dogs live a life of deceit...and did you notice that he also got honest about his real hair color about the same time he defected?)...thirty seconds with him was certainly more interesting than fighting over elevators with the congressional pages..."}, {"response": 27, "author": "candace", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 1997 (03:12)", "body": "Does this count -- I didn't exactly meet them, but I think that it may be a good story: I was 15 years old when I attended my first rock concert, The Who. They were late starting the show, while we waited, little did I know that my mother was the culprit for holding them up. She was a waitress in the hotel restaurant where they were stayin g. While taking their dinner order, she boldly asked them if they were \"The Who's\". They laughed and said \"yes\". She then began harrassing them, saying \"What the hell are you doing here? My kids are waiting to see you at the auditorium\" They stated t at they were on their way and if she would give them our names, they would dedicate a song to us. She did and they did...I was so shocked when I heard them announce my name! No other concert has ever been as good!"}, {"response": 28, "author": "Inko", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 1997 (03:18)", "body": "Kali - watch what you say about congressional pages. My oldest son and my daughter were both summer pages -- about 15 to 20 years ago!! Don't know what they are like today, of course. My daughter's claim to fame is that while sitting on the edge of the Senate podium, Ted Kennedy tripped over her!"}, {"response": 29, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 1997 (04:02)", "body": "Well, here's a tenuous grasp at association with a famous person.... Al Gore's father's cousin's wife was my adviser and one of my favorite professors at Austin Peay State University (Let's Go Peay!) when I went back recently to complete my undergraduate degree."}, {"response": 30, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 1997 (04:20)", "body": "Cass dearest, I knew you would come through for me! What a total hoot! Bless you child!"}, {"response": 31, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 1997 (04:22)", "body": "Candace, what a cool story! I can't imagine what it was like to hear Roger Daltry dedicate a song to you! Too cool."}, {"response": 32, "author": "Kali", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 1997 (05:38)", "body": "LOL, Inko...I never saw him trip over any pages, but he sure stumbled over his words at some of the hearings I went to..."}, {"response": 33, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 1997 (06:16)", "body": "well... as for me: as an undergrad, my friends and i were housesitting for our boss (we worked at a univ. dept.), who had gone off for a sabbatical to france for a couple of months. it was a GREAT house: pool (where my friends TRIED to teach me how to swim), lots of space, beautiful garden. etc... i think we spent about 5 months there; some stayed all the way through, while others like me kind of went between living on campus and staying there in the hollywood area. ANYWAY... to make a long story short, last fall, my boss decided to sell her house, as the kids were grown, she was travelling, etc... she then mentioned that she had sold it to ..\"some guy on ER (the tv show)\". well, i just about freaked and insisted on knowing who it was. turns out, it's noah wyle! the lunatic that i can sometimes be (as you may know by now) did a quick \"drive by\" a couple of weeks after finding out... and sure, enough... It's Noah Wyle's house!!!!"}, {"response": 34, "author": "Yeago", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 1997 (13:55)", "body": "I met Kevin Costner and Susan Sarandan at a James Taylor concert. It was while they were filming BULL DURHAM. Also this summer saw a scene from a TV movie of the week being filmed at Wrightsville Beach. Charles Shaunessy (SP) (the Nanny guy) and Michell e Pheiffer's (sp) sister. I'm not sure it made it to TV! I'm not really star struck, but it was wild to see all the effort put into one small scene. My oldest son wants to be a movie star now!"}, {"response": 35, "author": "brad", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 1997 (15:16)", "body": "Here's a thriller: about 10 years ago I saw Al Franken standing in line at a movie theater in South Portland, Maine. -We don't get a lot of celebrities up here. Do professional wrestlers count?"}, {"response": 36, "author": "Kali", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 1997 (15:27)", "body": "I met Emma Thompson whilst she was here at Cal filming Junior...she played frisbee with one of my friends..."}, {"response": 37, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 1997 (16:53)", "body": "]now kids have started calling me \"ma'am.\" Yeah, isn't it a shock, still sometimes look around to see at whom their talking to, when I then realize it's to me... Cass great song!"}, {"response": 38, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Mar 12, 1997 (18:58)", "body": "But Cheryl doesn't LIKE Disco!!(big whine like I want to go to Brighton!!)"}, {"response": 39, "author": "lindal", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (00:57)", "body": "When I was in highschool I worked as a costume seamstress for a summer theater in Sacramento. Some of the people I helped make costumes for were Joel Grey and Leslie Neilson. Both of them are really nice people."}, {"response": 40, "author": "summit", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (03:42)", "body": "Didn't meet but at close range: 1) Mayor Joe Alioto of San Francisco having his shoes shined at SF airport as we walked/gawked right by him on way to our flight; 2) my parents' offer on a house in ritzy Hillsborough, California beat out SF Giants' pitche r Willy Mays' bid on same; 3) Beatle George Harrison arriving and looking into buying a house down a block from us in same locale; 4) Robin Williams driving by in Calistoga, California, where he had a place; 5) Charles Aznavour, French singer, dropped lin n handerkerchief onstage by our front row seats and my brother snitched it away before Charles could retrieve it...[yeah, tiny items but they seemed important at the time of youth ;-) ]"}, {"response": 41, "author": "candace", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (04:01)", "body": "Linda -- you from Sacramento? That's where I am. Tell me more. OK here's another close encounter -- One of my friends is a sound engineer (currently for Marty Stewart) through him I have received back stage passes for and have met...Emmy Lou Harris, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and Crosby Stills and Nash. While back stage during a Mary Chapin Carpenter conce rt, she introduced me to a friend of her's. I smiled quite nicely, and shook hands oh so calmly, but inside was screaming \"Oh my god, it's Joan Baez! I'm not worthy!\". (You must remember that I am a child from the sixties)"}, {"response": 42, "author": "Becks", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (05:04)", "body": "While working at Muchmusic, our MTV channel here in Canada, I got to meet some famous stars--some were disappointing, others great! I met the lead singer of my fave band, Depeche Mode, who was so shy and sweet, but looked like he was on drugs (which he was at the time.) I kept looking at him in awe and big smile on my face, and they even used this face for a clip on their news show. I met the guys from Aerosmith, who kept referring to me as \"Babe.\" When I was really young, I loved \"Three's Company\", and had a crush on John Ritter, so I discovered he was filming at a restaurant, hung out, and talked to him for a while, he was great. I used to also have a HUGE crush on Canadian figure skater Kurt Browning, and I was 13 or something, I went to see one of his shows in Toronto. Being the naughty girl I am, I took off on my Mom, snuck backstage, and waited outside a sidedoor for his autog raph for two hours. Least to say my Mom was worried sick, but somehow knew I was chasing him..... I served Tim Allen and those annoying \"Full House\" twins at my work, Allen tips really well The latest run-in was with child star Ricky Shrouder (?), the kid from \"Silver Spoons.\" I was waiting in line at a club, and he was ahead of me, I recognized him right away, looks the same, but my friends were not convinced. They dared me to go up to him, so I did, and said as a joke, \"Can I ride your train?\" (remember the train he rode around the house) to which he replied, \"You are too cruel!!\" I was a little puzzled at the response, but a friend later informed me that he saw him on a talk show, and sai that he had to go through therapy to get through his childhood acting days. He was really tramatized, he almost had to black it out. So now it makes sense, and I may have sent him back to therapy......"}, {"response": 43, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (05:16)", "body": "these are NOT encounter with people is lust after, but they were celebrities: -sonny bono at the grocery store -julia roberts & lyle lovett (when they were still married) at the mall (looking at some puppies at the pet store) -one of my really good friends was the voice of linus in any peanuts cartoons done in the 80's -lived in the same dorm hall as the \"2 dollar\" newspaper boy from the john cusack movie \"better off dead\" -one of my friends goes out with nancy sinatra's daughter. we hung out at her house once-- nancy would not leave her bedroom. lived a lifestyle a la norma desmond."}, {"response": 44, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (06:47)", "body": "Becks-Kurt is Canada's Prince Charming, is he not? Didn't you love his Gene Kelly/Bogie special? He skates like Gene Kelly. I never met Kurt, but ran into Elvis, last year at Worlds. My sister and I just stared-it was like seeing God-a much shorter one!"}, {"response": 45, "author": "Kali", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (09:56)", "body": "Jeff Cohen, \"Chunk\" of The Goonies fame, was in classes with me until he graduated last May. Not a lust object, but marginally-famous. I met Conan O'Brien at Rockefeller Center in the summer of 1993, before he began his run on Late Night. While in utero, I was in a Jack Lemmon movie...my parents were the Greek band at the picnic in Alex and the Gypsy ...the Song the band plays was written by my father for me, though I was not yet born at the time of filming..."}, {"response": 46, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (18:24)", "body": "Kali I think you are the only one of us who is famous and wasn't even born yet!!! Okay I must tell you but I have had a huge crush on Michael Ondaatje and when I met him back in November he was so handsome I could not keep my eyes off of him, but then he probably thought I was some geeky girl who read the book because I knew that Colin was in the movie. Which wasn't so. I read it for a discussion group. I grew up with Joey McIntyre and his family (NKOTB). I met Nick Rhodes and John Taylor in Disney World, during my fanatic years when I LOVED Duran Duran!! Well that all folks"}, {"response": 47, "author": "cassandra", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (19:34)", "body": "Laura-Michael Ondaajte has the silkiest voice, doesn't he? I agree-he is handsome. My sister and I ran into Jon Secada at a hotel once-at the breakfast buffet table. I didn't even know who he was, but my sister did and got his autograph. He was really nice-gentleman-like manners. Since then, I'm a fan."}, {"response": 48, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (20:12)", "body": "danced with shannon lee (bruce lee's daughter) at a wedding"}, {"response": 49, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Thu, Mar 13, 1997 (20:50)", "body": "My grandmother was Katherine Hepburn's nurse maid, when KH was a little girl (@1916). Other than that I did see Shaun Cassidy during the height of his popularity (1978?). He was spokesperson for some sort march, so a bunch friends went walking and his limo stopped and a bunch of screaming girls surrounded it and he opened the window a cra ck. And I thought, I am walking 20 miles for this? End of major celebrity worshipping. Now I just drool, not worship."}, {"response": 50, "author": "Inko", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 1997 (00:05)", "body": "Met and talked to Robert Redford at his Sundance ski resort - he was having lunch with his kids and we were having lunch with ours (kids are about the same age!) That was the Christmas that \"Out of Africa\" opened in Park City, and we had already met him at the premiere. Then saw him in tight, stretch ski pants! Definitely drool material. Out daughter's mouth fell open and she just gawked; she was a teenager at the time! He's a really nice guy and very intelligent."}, {"response": 51, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 1997 (00:22)", "body": "carolyn! i thought I was the only one with a crush on Shaun Cassidy! nice to see another one who bought into that late 70's teeny-bop hype...:) umm.. here's another one: my uncle was the chef for william randolph hearst at hearst castle (here in calif.)"}, {"response": 52, "author": "Kali", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 1997 (00:34)", "body": "LOL, Laura... --- Joe MacIntyre? Wow...I know so many girls from junior high who would have KILLED to be in your shoes!"}, {"response": 53, "author": "lindal", "date": "Fri, Mar 14, 1997 (01:25)", "body": "Oh yes, Joel Grey and his wife Jo Wilder used to bring their daughter to the theater in Sacramento. They used to push her around in a stroller because she was too young to walk! He played Tom Sawyer and the lead in Stop the World... While he was playin g in STW he got the call to take the part in the stage version of Cabaret. Candace--I lived in Fair Oaks until I graduated from high school (San Juan--a long time ago). I worked at Music Circus 7 summers when they were still doing a musical a week. It was a lot of hard work, but great fun and we got to meet lots of famous peop le."}, {"response": 54, "author": "kimmer", "date": "Sun, Mar 16, 1997 (20:50)", "body": "I met the country singing group Richocet at the Opryland Hotel last Christmas. I have met several professional wrestlers through a friend of mine. My aunt worked for one of Elvis's shrinks. Does that count?"}, {"response": 55, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 1997 (03:39)", "body": "I got to chat with the very sensuous and lovely Joanna Going at the world premiere of Still Breathing last night. She looked so much smaller than she did on the big screen (I hear Heather Locklear is extremely tiny). It was really fun to get to talk wit h her. \ufffd Joanna Going (Roz Willoughby) Born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Newport, Rhode Island, Joanna Going is the oldest of six children. She entered Emerson College in Boston, then left after two years to attend the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. A year later, she made her television debut on \"Search for Tomorrow\" when she was cast, out of 400 contenders, as ingenue Evie Stone. Going went on to join \"Another World\", where she remained for two years in the part of Lisa Grady. She then starred as a prime-time series regular opposite Ben Cross in \"Dark Shadows\", playing the dual role of Victoria Winters/Josette Dupres. Most recently, she was featured in \"Children of the Dust\", a mini-series for CBS starring Sidney Poitier. Going's feature film credits include WYATT EARP, HOW TO MAKE AN AMERICAN QUILT, and Oliver Stone's NIXON. Later this year, she will be seen in the independent feature KEYS TO TULSA with Mary Tyler Moore, Eric Stoltz, and James Spader, and writer/director Howard Goldberg's EDEN, which was in the dramatic competition at the 1996 Sundance Film Festival."}, {"response": 56, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 1997 (06:00)", "body": "she's in this month's 'details' (in the same issue as the JN Saks spread). there's a one page q&A about her. she's in 'inventing the abbotts' with joaquin phoenix and liv tyler. she seemed a bit...annoyed, almost by being interviewed. i guess she just might have been shy, which she DID admit to being."}, {"response": 57, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 1997 (07:28)", "body": "i don't know what just happened, but i lost the message i had just posted. anyway, THE ACTOR WHO PLAYS J.PETERMAN ON SEINFELD HAS JUST ENT ME AN EMAIL TONIGHT!!!! I'm on the seinfeld newsgroup occasionally, and this past weekend, i noticed a post by a guy named j. O'hurley. well, the name sounded familiar because there was a short blurb on him in this weekend's mr. showbiz page. so i sent the guy an email asking if this was indeed THE j. o'hurley who plays j. peterman. i gushed like i normally do, and just a few minutes ago, i get this email: \"Yes that would be me. Thank you for the kind words.\" (winter doing cartwheels in her 9 X 13 bedroom)"}, {"response": 58, "author": "elder", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 1997 (11:31)", "body": "Winter -- be careful, watch out for the lamp . . . ohh no! What a fun email that must have been to read. I guess you never know who you're going to meet."}, {"response": 59, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Mon, Mar 17, 1997 (16:09)", "body": "The only real celebrities I have met are Darth Vader, up close and personal, and Princess Anne.Neither really count as lusts, though!"}, {"response": 60, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 1997 (02:36)", "body": "I am so psyched that I finally remembered that even I could come up with a second-hand encounter, tho' not particularly lustworthy. Mid-'80s, my mom was working in a clothing store. A lady was paying with a credit card which wasn't approved, or the system went down, or something. Anyhow, as she waited for the phone confirmation which never came, Ma noticed a youngish boy hanging around behind the customer. Dear Ma asked the lady if anybody ever told her that her son looked like the kid who had played in ET. With a funny smile on her face, the lady said \"Why yes, people often said that\" Since the card thing was taking so long, the lady eventually wound up just paying by check. As the lady and her son left, my mom noticed the name on the check...[someone] Thomas. Obviously, Henry Thomas' mother. I guess people did often tell her that!"}, {"response": 61, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Mar 19, 1997 (03:46)", "body": "For a long time I was chatting with Joanna out on Congress Av while she waited for her youngish companion to whisk her away (lucky guy). She was shy."}, {"response": 62, "author": "LKenn", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (01:12)", "body": "I've had a few encounters; none too terribly exciting: 1. Sat beside Roger Ebert at a theatre in London. Can't remember the name of the play but it starred Judy Dench. It was great but he fell asleep! Someone came over and asked him if he was Gene Siskel which pissed him off! Also got to meet Judy Dench. 2. Grew up in same home town as Meggan Gallagher (Millenium) & acted with same local theatre company with her in the late '70's. 3. Met Neil Schon (sp?), guitarist for \"JOURNEY\" back in the '80's at a concert. 4. My husband talked briefly with Huey Lewis in Philadelphia - I just missed him. 5. Was friends during high school with one of the \"Schick\" shaving commercial studs. 6. Met Robert Kline & got his autograph in NYC in the '70's. As I said, nothing too exciting. I'm sure there are more......my memory escapes me now. Oh yeah, one more: 7. Am friends with one of the trumpet players for Billy Joel & Liza Minelli. He also played with John Lennon & others. Haven't met Colin Firth - YET! -"}, {"response": 63, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (02:33)", "body": "I hear Siskel and Ebert have their own website now. Ebert was editor of the Daily Illini, my school newspaper."}, {"response": 64, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (03:24)", "body": "yeah-- i ran into it about a year and half ago. you know, they have an archive for most all the movies they've reviewed in their columns? went to the same high school as kirk hammet (sp?) from metallica, and grew up in the same suburbs as the members of \"green day\". what a metal/grunge/ska/punk childhood i had..."}, {"response": 65, "author": "churchh", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (18:52)", "body": ""}, {"response": 66, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (22:16)", "body": "THAT'S ME!!!!"}, {"response": 67, "author": "Kali", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (02:37)", "body": "Hypocrites, all..."}, {"response": 68, "author": "Mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (19:05)", "body": "hee hee... Who, me?"}, {"response": 69, "author": "valen", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 1997 (00:54)", "body": "Hey, cool topic. Just visited for the first time. LOL HC!!! You all have rubbed shoulders with some pretty cool folks. When I was young, 17, won a pageant sponsored by the USO overseas in Germany. (No, no, it wasn't a cheesecake deal, I swear. It was more an academic-poise--expression-appearance-talent sort of deal. There was an hour long exam just to qualify for the first round.) IAC, won the title Miss Teenage Germany, representing all military dependent teenagers over in Europe. Got to attend the Miss Teenage USA pageant in Tulsa, Oklahoma that year, and the host was Mac Davis, pageant to be aired on prime time live Saturday night. So naive was I, I had to ask, \"Who the heck is Mac Davis?\" The response was horror at my ignorance. (shrug) How was I to know he was as big as Glenn Campbell? Little did I know! In this big dance number, I got snagged for the job all the girls wanted. I had to look over at blue-eyed Mac at a certain point in his song, and he was supposed to wink at me! Big whup, thought I! Could never understand the jealous looks shot my way because I had no true appreciation for the honour bestowed upon me! Still, as I recall, he really did have a very fine pair of gorgeous blue eyes. ;-) Other Notables I Know/Have Met: Nora Roberts Judith McNaught Diana Gabaldon Linda Lael Miller Heather Graham Bertrice Small All the above are New York Times Bestselling Authors, and have met and conversed with them at writers' conferences and the Romance Writers Of America National Conference held every year in July. Pretty thrilling, to say the least, to hobnob with some of the greats in the genre, chatting up plot lines, character development, editors, publishing houses, etc! For a few brief moments, I wallowed in the aura of their celebrity!"}, {"response": 70, "author": "Kaffeine", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 1997 (20:53)", "body": "Okay - Let's see... I have one celebrity connection that I've known since I was born. My dad used to be a disk jockey, and his best friend was Casey Kasem. My dad still talks to him, but I only see him about once a decade. Last time was when my hubby and I vacationed in LaLa land. We ran into him in Beverly Hills, and he took us into Fred Hayman and introduced us to everyone he could find as his best friend's daughter and son in law. It was kind of a heady experience - normally the folks at Fred Hayman wouldn't even giv us the time of day - but they were fawning all over us! In the early 80's I dated a stand-up comic here in Detroit. Spent many an evening after the show hanging out with him and Tim Allen. We used to tell anyone who would listen that Tim was going to be famous some day - although we could never have imagined that he would be THAT famous! I had a friend in high school who had a summer job as a lifeguard at the Troy Hilton. Most of the bands that played at Pine Knob stayed there, so we met a bunch of people (I, of course, had to visit her at work quite a bit!). The most memorable was REO Speedwagon. They invited us down to their show in Toledo and we partied with them after the show. Actually, they partied, and we, in our innocence were shocked when they pulled out cocaine. Kevin Cronin got wasted and started destroying things in the otel lobby. The police were called - and that was the point at which Gary Richrath managed to remember to ask us if we were over 18 (we weren't). Oh - the same friend had a brother who was dating a woman who used to date Glenn Frye from the Eagles. She got us backstage passes to a concert in Ann Arbor. After the show, we went back to the hotel with them. It was only about Midnight, but the bar was closed - so the band asked if we would go out and get some booze. We didn't want to admit that we were only 17, so we said \"sure!\". After getting carded a few places, we noticed a couple that had gotten locked out of their car. We made a deal with the that if they would buy us the booze, we would give them a ride to pick up the spare keys!"}, {"response": 71, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 1997 (21:38)", "body": "God, what a boring life I've led. The biggest claim to fame I can come up with is that I once was friends with Ernest Tubbs's niece."}, {"response": 72, "author": "Kali", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 1997 (08:06)", "body": "Great connections, Kaf... Susan, welcome to life like the rest of us..."}, {"response": 73, "author": "kate", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 1997 (17:41)", "body": "Valen, I'm not a romance reader, but I have read Diana Gabaldon's books and loved them. What an imagination that woman has! Was she nice?"}, {"response": 74, "author": "mpk", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (12:31)", "body": "Ditto Susan...I can claim that I sat a seat away from Tim Reid on a plane back to the States from Central America. I complimented him on his work on \"WKRP\" and asked about his new projects. He told me that he and his wife would be working together on a sitcom which I later enjoyed (set in New Orleans, as I recall). Nice person..."}, {"response": 75, "author": "valen", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (18:21)", "body": "Yes, Kate! Diana is wonderful, though some others I know think she's a bit aloof. My personal opinion is that they live with the green-eyed monster. Diana's story is quite amazing, as most writers don't have such a Cinderella story to tell. Based on just a few excerpts from her first novel OUTLANDER, one of the biggest literary agents, Perry Knowlton with Curtis Brown Ltd., picked her up even before the book was completed! You Nevah hear of such things happening in the business. He just knew \"talent\" when he sa it. When it came time to sell that book, OUTLANDER, it went to \"bid,\" which means several houses were extremely interested and began jostling to buy it by offering different combinations of attractive packages. (This is a writer's dream, let me tell you!) Perry was able to negotiate a 3 book contract (because Diana knew even then there were at least 2 more to follow), and each book got a $150,000 advance! You rarely ever hear of a first time author getting a 3-book deal, much less =that= kind of mone for each book! IAE, you know there are 6 now, don't you? DRUMS OF AUTUMN is her most recent, but then you know that if you keep up. You can also check out her website which will keep you updated on where she's appearing for booksignings, etc., and she sometimes posts excerpts from her current project. Exciting indeed! Also, Bantam Doubleday Dell's site gives current info too. I think highly of Diana because she took me under her wing when I was just beginning in my writing endeavors. She'd already hit the NYT list, and still took the time to sit with me, a tongue-tied fan, and talk about anything I wanted, she in fact kept the whole crew of her publishing house waiting just ot talk to me. She was lovely. She also offered--something rarely done any more by big names--to critique my work, give pointers, and gave me the names of several agents I might query. That story she cr tiqued went on to win several contests. We keep in touch by email, though lately her schedule has been incredible with all the booksignings for her DOA. It hit the #2 spot, btw, on the NYT list! Go Diana! She is an incredible writer, able to weave a tale with so many story elements you have to read between the lines to make sure you don't miss a vital detail! She is my favorite author of all time, I like her earthiness, she never shrinks from =any= subject in her stories, and I like the knack she has of creating a story so believable, you're drawn in before you ever know what hit you. So glad to find a fellow fan, Kate! As I said, this mere mortal is grateful just to be able to have stood in the shadows of such celebrity!"}, {"response": 76, "author": "kate", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (06:08)", "body": "Valen, yes I've got DOA. and seen her website. She sounds great. I like the fact that her characters sound like real people (gritty, smelly, down to earth). And the women are strong and independent, not just sitting around waiting to be saved."}, {"response": 77, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (07:59)", "body": "does this count?: i live behind the shrine auditorium, and on my way home today, i had to move past a long line of limos on their way to the oscars. well, knowing SOMEONE nominated was going to be in at least one of the limos, i drove past each one, and gave a \"thumbs up\" to the limos, not knowing who was in any of 'em. :)"}, {"response": 78, "author": "valen", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (12:58)", "body": "You Go Winter! It counts! It counts! LOL! Ditto, Kate! Great characters, indeed. Don't you love her grand sense of humour, especially in those first love scenes with Jamie? I have literally shed tears, laughing so hard!"}, {"response": 79, "author": "kate", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (17:44)", "body": "Valen: yes. I like how she breaks all the \"rules\". Claire is older, more experienced, not very excited about marrying him. And I LOL a lot when I read her books."}, {"response": 80, "author": "Mari", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (19:28)", "body": "Love Diana Gabaldon, earthy and real women and men! How lucky you are, Valen! Winter, I looked and looked for a woman waving a muff from the roof of her house last night, but I did not see you. You were probably in the kitchen getting out the Cheez Whiz and crackers as they panned by....."}, {"response": 81, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Mar 28, 1997 (00:56)", "body": "Sure winter, 5 thumbs up!"}, {"response": 82, "author": "rosarugosa", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 1997 (03:55)", "body": "BRUSHES WITH GREATNESS: I have a long list of famous people I've seen up close and personal but it will definitely make me seem old. I saw Bob Dylan peek out of his dressing room back in 1963. I sat near Cary Grant in a theater. My husband got high with Spalding Grey (who?). I went to a Rolling Stones Press Conference in 1967. I sat with Timothy Leary in a Love-In, and met Allen Ginsberg at a poetry reading. I got onstage with the Stones at Altamont. Hey anyone want to ghostwrite my biography? As for lusts, I never got a chance to get it on with my main lust objects: Jimai Hendrix, Robert Plant, Jim Morrison, Roger Daltrey or Jimmy Page -- so I am very disappointed with my celebrity encounters. Right now, I'd settle for a weekend with Colin Firth. Oops, he's married...."}, {"response": 83, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 1997 (13:01)", "body": "I sat near Timothy Leary at Altamont."}, {"response": 84, "author": "pip", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 1997 (19:17)", "body": "My younger sister has had a much more active celebrity chasing career than I have. Particularly in her last year in high school ('78), she spent alot of time with her best friend, roaming the hinterlands of Philadelphia searching for Bruce (springsteen of course), Cheap Trick, and the mighty Elvis (costello). They actually managed to talk their way into Elvis and the Attractions hotel room, but once they got there (being the naive, relatively sheltered girls that they were), freaked out realizing how clos they were to living out the adage, sex, drugs and rock 'n roll. I believe they ran out of the room once one of the Attractions became more amourous than they expected. I myself met John Lithgow when I was fifteen (very cool guy), but other than that, the closest I've come to a collision with celebrity lust was having a misdirected dalliance with a british music video director. I saw Sam Shephard's first wife at a party a million years ago, but thats a fairly lame claim to fame."}, {"response": 85, "author": "autumn", "date": "Wed, Nov 26, 1997 (21:09)", "body": "How's this for lame? I saw George Will in National airport (DC political columnist) and met Jim Fowler (the younger guy who was always wrestling alligators on Wild Kingdom) at an amusement park grand opening. Cal Ripken's brother (NOT Billy) lives in my neighborhood, and his daughter attends kindergarten & Sunday School with mine."}, {"response": 86, "author": "CatFan", "date": "Sat, Apr  4, 1998 (05:03)", "body": "This doesn't qualify as a lustful encounter, but what the hey. I met Carly Simon at a book signing in New York (I was visiting). She was one of the skinniest human beings I have ever seen--truly alarmingly emaciated. I have also \"met\" (if you can call it that) several famous or semi-famous (but not sexy) men at the annual pro-celebrity golf tournament in my home town. But I have NEVER met any really sexy famous person. Sad, huh?"}, {"response": 87, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Apr  5, 1998 (01:09)", "body": "If I met Carly Simon I would *definitely* count that! Way to go! She's definitely on my hot list."}, {"response": 88, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, May  8, 1998 (20:07)", "body": "Well now we know why she was so skinny. Poor Carly;( I hope she gets better."}, {"response": 89, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Jan 15, 1999 (06:08)", "body": "Having lived in New York in the 80s I used to see quite a few celebs walking around town, but I only have spoken to one. I always felt the need to respect celebs' privacy, plus I tend to get shy about such things....Anyway, I was walking down a quiet street in the Village (Jones Street, I think), and a tall man was walking toward me. We looked each other in the eye, he smiled, and said: \"hello, how are you?\" I babbled something and continued walking. The man was Jeremy Irons."}, {"response": 90, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jan 15, 1999 (11:28)", "body": "That's awesome Lisa, I saw an epic movie with Irons but the title escapes me."}, {"response": 91, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (02:39)", "body": "Lisa, did you realize right away who he was?"}, {"response": 92, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (02:42)", "body": "An epic movie, Terry? Do you think The Mission would qualify? Takes place in 18th (I believe) century South America, co-star Robert DiNiro."}, {"response": 93, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (13:43)", "body": "I used to see JI quite often when he was living in London. He used to drive a cult car; a Morris Minor (the British version of the VW Beetle)convertable with split windscreen. He was almost invariably wearing jodpurs and riding boots! He was unmistakable."}, {"response": 94, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Jan 17, 1999 (00:21)", "body": "It was the Mission."}, {"response": 95, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Feb  2, 1999 (06:04)", "body": "Heidi Lisa, did you realize right away who he was? Sorry I didn't respond sooner; I was out of town on business and thereafter had a series of really bad migraines..... Yes, Heidi, I did recognize JI right away, and about floated down the street after he smiled and said hello. I probably have watched my videos of Brideshead Revisted as often as I have watched P&P. :-) JI was wearing a long loden coat the day I saw him... drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 45, "subject": "Mark Strong", "response_count": 73, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Amy", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (02:05)", "body": "------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 206 of 237 [austen]: Emma 3 (from Mar. 1) Response 227 of 239: Margaret Howard (Meggin) * Tue, Mar 18, 1997 (22:55) * 1 lines Boots=strong calves shown to best advantage!!!!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 206 of 237 [austen]: Emma 3 (from Mar. 1) Response 228 of 239: Susan (Susan) * Tue, Mar 18, 1997 (23:19) * 25 lines What a nice surprise to check in after two days and find so many wonderful messages! Where to begin? Mr. Knightly would understand Emma's innocence and be very gentle, but I do not think for a minute that he would not be passionate. Kim, yes, I have never for an instant doubted Mr. Knightley's passion, but then you already knew that, didn't you? #'s 201 and 203, Kathleen and Barbara -- beautiful interpretations of the proposal scene, with which ITA! #206, Kathleen -- When I first read the book I also didn't have a clue about Emma's feelings for Knightley until she finally realized them, and then I was very surprised later to find that he shared them. Kim, the first time I thought it really showed in Emma3 was in the scene where John and Isabella are visiting, and Emma and Knightley cannot bear to be at odds. Those looks! To me, Mark Strong is the perfect Mr. Knightly. I cannot help it; he does it for me. Especially in his hats! What you said, Kim! Kathleen, re #223 -- Good point regarding what happens to Harriet at Box Hill. I have always assumed that she eventually comes and gets in the carriage with Emma as she did in both other versions, but they do leave us hanging in this one, don't they? Dearest Kali, for dearest you will always be -- your posts are most welcome and eagerly received, even if you are fixated on that JN fellow! My point was that we shall never convince one another to change our point of view on who best portrays our most wonderful Mr. Knightley, but this in no way inhibits discussion, as Cass and I have discovered in chat. It places no limits whatsoever on general Knightley drooling! (Even if MS is infinitely superior!) ------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 206 of 237 [austen]: Emma 3 (from Mar. 1) Response 232 of 239: Donna (Donna) * Wed, Mar 19, 1997 (12:36) * 7 lines What new Mark Strong item can we discuss now? Did you notice that he has eyes when he is kissing Emma? Why do guys get these long eyelashes? I wonder if he had to use any eye make-up. Does anyone know? I doubt it very much. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 206 of 237 [austen]: Emma 3 (from Mar. 1) Response 233 of 239: Donna (Donna) * Wed, Mar 19, 1997 (12:37) * 1 lines DTBT- Did you notice his eyes when kissing Emma? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 206 of 237 [austen]: Emma 3 (from Mar. 1) Response 234 of 239: Kim (kimmer) * Wed, Mar 19, 1997 (17:17) * 1 lines LOL Donna. I wondered what you meant about him \"having\" eyes. I must admit I have not really noticed them while he is kissing. I will watch again to see. I have noticed his eyes in other scenes. They are beautiful, are they not? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 206 of 237 [austen]: Emma 3 (from Mar. 1) Response 235 of 239: kathleen (elder) * Wed, Mar 19, 1997 (18:42) * 1 lines Mark Strong's eyes are quite \"to lose oneself in\" I'd say. And his eyebrows are impressive as well -- I like the way they frame his eyes when KB/Emma tells him not to speak. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 206 of 237 [austen]: Emma 3 (from Mar. 1) Response 236 of 239: Kim (kimmer) * Wed, Mar 19, 1997 (19:23) * 3 lines I agree Kathleen. I love his eyes and his voice. I cannot tell about his body though. He is always covered up too much. However, I am sure it is as fine as the rest of him. As for his hair, it sometimes looks quite flat in some scenes and \"puffier\" in others. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 206 of 237 [austen]: Emma 3 (from Mar. 1) Response 237 of 239: kathleen (elder) * Wed, Mar 19, 1997 (19:30) * 5 lines Yes, Kim, the \"hair\" is occasionally a problem. What with the different takes, and editing of the film, you get different looks to the hair -- it even seems to be darker in some scenes and more reddish/brown in others. (Or do you suppose they had more than one hairpiece for him?) Have we discussed his hands, yet? You can see them in the anagram scene, and they seem very nice. Obsessions can be fun, especially when they're shared! ;-p ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 206 of 237 [austen]: Emma 3 (from Mar. 1) Response 238 of 239: Kim (kimmer) * Wed, Mar 19, 1997 (19:48) * 5 lines Kathleen, I noticed his nice hands in the dream of Emma's in which he is placing the ring on Jane's finger. "}, {"response": 2, "author": "elder", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (02:06)", "body": "Oh, Amy, this is not badly done! Indeed -- I have been wondering if I should request such a topic. But what will we do for pictures -- The Making of Emma book has some very nice shots, but I have no scanner. (I would gladly loan my book to someone who could help us out here.)"}, {"response": 3, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (04:26)", "body": "ok, I'll fess up. I have tried to be adult about this receding hairline(!) thing, but the man needs to keep the hat on. He looks GREAT with the hat on, but I gotta' have the hat on. (I'd just close my eyes if the situation arose where he would have to take it off)"}, {"response": 4, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (04:48)", "body": "The Fever Pitch photos on THAT OTHER TOPIC show him off to advantage"}, {"response": 5, "author": "bernhard", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (04:51)", "body": "yep, that's where my shallowness first hit me full in the face"}, {"response": 6, "author": "Susan", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (05:01)", "body": "Somebody read my mind -- I was too hesitant to ask for a drool thread for \"my\" Mr. Knightley. Those eyes, those eyes, those eyes! And his hands are very nice, too. (Actually, one of the first things I check out. I am very partial to nice hands on men.) Cindy, the receding hairline in Emma doesn't bother me in the least, although he is excessively cute in the hats. But the totally bald look in Fever Pitch -- I really don't know about this. I'm going to have to see it and judge for myself if those eyes can make me forget to look north. His hair in Emma3 does look different from scene to scene. Kim, I particularly like MS's body when it is silhouetted at Hartfield in his very first scene. Very sexy and mysterious. And Kim, may I also say that it is very nice to find another obsessive!!! I shall be first to post a picture, although ones of MS are maddeningly hard to find: Also on this site, MS says: \"It would be lovely if women found something in Knightly to fall in love with although there's nothing flashy about him and he's got none of Darcy's arrogance. In a series people can live with you and lose with you, but a two-hour film is a story in itself. What I find interesting about him is that there is a lot more to him that the headmaster figure I thought he was when I read the book for \"A\" level at school.\" We already knew that, Mark, but you made it very clear for us!"}, {"response": 7, "author": "elder", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (11:46)", "body": "In the video interview at A&E Behind the Scenes site, he is asked to compare Knightley to Darcy. He goes on to mention the other similarly strong Austen heroes: Wentworth & Brandon. (Actually, he first says Willoughby, but he later corrects that to Brandon -- that got my respect, even before I saw him in the movie.) Maybe my age is showing, but I don't mind his bald look. His eyes are gorgeous regardless, and his voice is beautiful. I quite like his nose and chin (well defined lines) as well."}, {"response": 8, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (13:05)", "body": "I was flipping channels last night and stopped (on TV Ontario) when I saw MS in a BBC drama called Our Friends in the North. I caught it at the end and was wondering if anyone had any information on this series."}, {"response": 9, "author": "kimmer", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (15:22)", "body": "Lisa, did he or did he not have hair in that one? I do not particularly mind the bald look, although I prefer him with hair."}, {"response": 10, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (17:05)", "body": "In need of some pictures : Emma this one is not doing him justice at all :"}, {"response": 11, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (17:17)", "body": "Fever Pitch"}, {"response": 12, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (17:30)", "body": "Review of M. Strong as Biff in Arthur Miller's play Death of a Salesman : http://www.londontheatre.co.uk/reviews/deathofsalesman-nat96.html"}, {"response": 13, "author": "elder", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (20:32)", "body": "Lisa: I saw MS in a BBC drama called Our Friends in the North There is an article at http://www.petford.demon.co.uk/kaleidos/ivmar96.htm about British tv programs which contains a review of Our Friends in the North. Johanne -- thank you for the pictures and the review of Death of a Salesman. I would have liked to have seen that production!"}, {"response": 14, "author": "Amy", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (21:33)", "body": "You know, I can't even bear to think about Death of a Salesman, ususally. It is so distrubing to me. Same with some of O'Neill's, Chekov's and Ibsen's stuff, though I do appreciate it so. Why can't we have screenwriters like them? Or would we if the Hollywood system encouraged it or even just let it happen. Some of the comments in the media about big studios sound like they are finally going to hit home now with this year's best picture nominees. It will be interesting to see if the Industry Establishment is willing to change. Anybody like The Player?"}, {"response": 15, "author": "bplaroch", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (22:16)", "body": "Amy--I did like The Player, although I saw it in a theatre while in Paris--a bit disconcerting for a comedy, as the audience does not always laugh when you think they should. I loved the comment it was making on the Hollywood system and lifestyle. BTW, is there any planned discussion of the Oscars this Monday? Since this is MS drool, I will not be remiss. I confess the first time I watched Emma3, I did not really like him at all, but I did like his voice. It took me about three more viewings before I began to appreciate the many subtleties he added to the role. As others have mentioned, I just melt when his voice falters during emotional moments, especially after Box Hill and during the proposal. I would love to see him in some other films. Does anyone know when the North American release date of Fever Pitch will be? Also, does anyone know if MS has done any live Shakespeare?"}, {"response": 16, "author": "Amy", "date": "Thu, Mar 20, 1997 (23:36)", "body": "We hadn't talked about an Oscar talk, but that is a good idea. It might also be fun to watch together in the drawing room."}, {"response": 17, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (00:13)", "body": "Kim, I only caught a glimpse of him but from what I saw he had hair."}, {"response": 18, "author": "elder", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (01:52)", "body": "Barbara: Also, does anyone know if MS has done any live Shakespeare? Can't answer directly, but the cast biography (from The Making of Emma)says: he has worked for the RSC, the National Theatre and the Royal Court Theatre."}, {"response": 19, "author": "Susan", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (05:49)", "body": "I really appreciate these links to info on MS. I have done search after search after search for him and generally turn up nothing. Please keep them coming! Barbara, MS's performance had to grow on me, too, but I like it more all the time. I really think he caught the flavor for me, and I can't wait to see him in Fever Pitch. The way his emotions get the better of him is so touching! Kathleen, he does have a classically handsome face, with the nose and chin so defined. It really shows in that Fever Pitch picture of him, since there's no hair to distract! ;-)"}, {"response": 20, "author": "elder", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (12:33)", "body": "His voice is so very nice -- I wonder how he'll sound with a different, more modern accent in Fever Pitch."}, {"response": 21, "author": "kimmer", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (15:06)", "body": "After seeing all the pictures of \"the ultimate Mr. Knightly\" in the Making of Emma book, I am in full drooling mode! What a man! I hope Fever Pitch comes to theatres where I live."}, {"response": 22, "author": "bplaroch", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (19:41)", "body": "If he worked for RSC, then he must have done some Shakespeare. I was wondering because that voice is just made for Shakespear. How I would love to o (sp?) in Twelfth Night or something similar! It would be fun to watch the Oscars together at Pemberley! We can try to get Cheryl and others in love with RF to keep control of themselves!"}, {"response": 23, "author": "elder", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (20:59)", "body": "Kim -- aren't the MS/Knightley pics in The Making of Emma superb? Two of my personal faves are page 46 (no hat though) and page 23 (the leading men). I also like the picture of Emma and Jane becoming friends on page 75 (a scene which didn't make it into the final cut). Barbara -- thank you for your info regarding doing Shakespeare at RSC. I don't know enough about these various groups (although I should have figured out that acronym, I suppose). What is it about his voice that makes you think of him in Shakespeare?"}, {"response": 24, "author": "Donna", "date": "Fri, Mar 21, 1997 (22:24)", "body": "FYI:I did put a topic in at the Movie Conference and the nominees are listed. We all know who we want to win,but the deal is who will win."}, {"response": 25, "author": "kimmer", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 1997 (01:02)", "body": "Kathleen, the picture on page 46 is wonderful! I alos like the page of the leading men. I made sure to check out the ones not wearing boots that you mentioned. The picture of Dominic Rowan in curlers is priceless. I love the look on his face.How about pages 20 and 120? Nice pictures including hats. Kathleen, it seems we share the same feelings about Emma 3 and MS, but I do not know very much about you. Would you mind telling me a little about yourself? You have probably already told this a million times before, but I have missed it along the way. I am a 35 year old married, children's librarian in Tennessee. And I looooooooooooooove Mark Strong and his portrayal of Mr. Knightly. Bet you didn't know that, did you?"}, {"response": 26, "author": "kimmer", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 1997 (01:04)", "body": "Susan, how are we doing keeping this going? Amy has already had to put our messages in the archives twice."}, {"response": 27, "author": "elder", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 1997 (01:48)", "body": "Kim -- I think you and I can start talking code, at least until we figure out how to get the pictures onto the Spring. Ahh yess, 120, mmmmm."}, {"response": 28, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 1997 (04:59)", "body": "Kim, you are all doing wonderfully, and I appreciate it more than I can say! I tried to find \"The Making of Emma\" locally, but no such luck...I plan to order it tonight here, though -- you guys are making me so envious! I want to know which pics you're talking about! I find myself wanting to watch at least part of Emma3 every night. It gets better every time!"}, {"response": 29, "author": "kimmer", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 1997 (05:25)", "body": "Kathleen, how about158? Susan, you will love it! In addition to pictures, it has all kinds of interesting tidbits. I have forced myself not to watch any of it all week. I think I will treat myself this weekend."}, {"response": 30, "author": "Inko", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 1997 (05:51)", "body": "I've ordered \"The Making of Emma\" from the IBS and it should be on its way by now. Hopefully I'll have it in another week. I also ordered \"Fever Pitch, the Screenplay\" but was later told that it hasn't been published yet - apparently I'll have to wait for an April publication date (presumably after the movie opens in England!)"}, {"response": 31, "author": "elder", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 1997 (08:37)", "body": "Inko -- be sure to let us know about the Fever Pitch screenplay (cost, ISBN, and of course how many pictures of CF and/or MS). Kim -- #158 is very fine. (That BROWN thing again!) I loved the comment in the screenplay directions after the kiss, \"to show the dynastic couple.\" #158 catches some of that. I must leave you now, for a few days, to visit friends. Please keep on talking, and I will catch up early Wednesday morning."}, {"response": 32, "author": "Gabrie", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 1997 (12:48)", "body": "I must admit that I did not see anything very special in Mark Strong in Emma except hi eye.. BUT ....before you all trash me to death :).. I think I could grew rather fond of him in Fever Pitch, much improved there, actually, I find that I _like_ him bald! And regarding Fever Pitch.. DO read the real book, it's truely great!!"}, {"response": 33, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 1997 (20:21)", "body": "Is there NO ONE who can scan in some of these pictures for those of us who don't yet have \"The Making of Emma?\" I can't seem to find any pics of MS on the Net, other than those a few of you have posted and some little tiny ones. HELP me, please, ladies, and put me out of my misery! I\"ll be eternally grateful! Kathleen, I hope you have a wonderful trip. Kim, I'll take up the slack while she's gone!"}, {"response": 34, "author": "kimmer", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 1997 (21:00)", "body": "Susan, I do not have a scanner, so I cannot put up any of the wonderful pictures of MS from the book. I must tell you, however, it will be well worth the wait.He is absolutely gorgeous, especially in those Kathllen and I have mentioned. I am glad you will take up the slack for Kathleen. We must have multiple messages for her to read when she gets back, Kathleen, have a wonderful trip!"}, {"response": 35, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 1997 (21:47)", "body": "Kim, I'm going to watch it again today (I have shown admirable restraint all week long, and I think I deserve it!), so will have more to say later. I'm so glad to find someone else as enthralled as I am (Nicole seems to have potential)! And did you see we already rival in number of posts some of the other drool threads that have been here a lot longer? MS=Mighty Superior; Mister Sexy -- your turn!"}, {"response": 36, "author": "LKenn", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 1997 (22:01)", "body": "Susan - How about MS = Male Succulence? What would CF stand for?"}, {"response": 37, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 1997 (22:39)", "body": "]Susan - How about MS = Male Succulence? Oh, Linda, I like it very well INDEED! Goodly done, Goodly done!! CF I'll have to think about, but I find the assignment very much to my liking! Maybe you should ask this on the CF drool?"}, {"response": 38, "author": "Inko", "date": "Sat, Mar 22, 1997 (23:45)", "body": "CF = Creating fervor; fever; frenzy; take your pick!!"}, {"response": 39, "author": "LKenn", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 1997 (02:39)", "body": "I like your \"CF = ....\" Inko. I had a few of my own but thought I'd better not mention them since they lean ever so slightly to the naughty side."}, {"response": 40, "author": "Inko", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 1997 (03:00)", "body": "Oh Linda, go ahead -- this is Drool after all - no censorship here!!!;-)"}, {"response": 41, "author": "kimmer", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 1997 (04:12)", "body": "MS=Manly Stride ,Major Sexy ,Masculine Superiority, My Sweetie. How is that Susan? I could probably go on, but I must control myself. The weather was so wonderful today, I had to get out in it, so I have not had a dose of Mark today.Will I watch it tomorrow? Perhaps. I have noticed that our postings are growing by leaps and bounds.\" Goodly done\"-I love it!"}, {"response": 42, "author": "LKenn", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 1997 (04:53)", "body": "Inko - Actually, what I had in mind for CF would probably get me kicked off the internet if I posted it here. HA! Susan - MS = Male sensuality, masterful seduction, marvelous specimen, melancholy soul, metaphysical sorcerer!!!"}, {"response": 43, "author": "Kali", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 1997 (08:03)", "body": "YUCK!!!!! You guys are way gone...(To quote Phoebe from Friends , \"Hello Kettle? This is Pot! You're black!\") ;) --- BTW, if you guys find good Emma3 pics that I don't have at my site, pleeze let me know!"}, {"response": 44, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 1997 (08:25)", "body": "I LOVE all the MS suggestions -- you guys are great! I'm intrigued, Linda -- e-mail me if you really can't restrain yourself and feel that you MUST share! Actually, just e-mail me anyway! Kim, you're doing wonderfully -- your MS ='s are some of the best. I watched my favorite parts tonight, but will post those comments on the Emma3 thread (even if they are mostly about MS!). Kali, I think we must like being \"way gone!\" Will forward any pics I find. Your Emma site is so cool!"}, {"response": 45, "author": "kimmer", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 1997 (20:45)", "body": "Kali, I know I am way gone,but I cannot help myself. He is Mucho Sexy! I expect similar behavior from you when Emma 2 comes out on video and you can have JN (unfortunately, not literally) whenever you want.. Strong. What an appropriate name!!"}, {"response": 46, "author": "LKenn", "date": "Sun, Mar 23, 1997 (22:16)", "body": "Susan - I tried e-mailing you earlier today and my message was returned to me. (I told you they would kick me off the internet if I posted what I was really thinking. HA!) Anyway, I'm not sure why the message did not go through. Is your e-mail address correctly entered for this conference? Would love to talk to you - Why don't you try e-mailing me & see what happens."}, {"response": 47, "author": "Susan", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (03:47)", "body": "Done, Linda. Let me know here if it doesn't work again. I'm starting to wonder, because I've never had any problem before, but I'm not getting my Austen-L digests, either (not since Thursday). I hope that whatever it is is temporary."}, {"response": 48, "author": "Susan", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (05:34)", "body": "]We can try to get Cheryl and others in love with RF to keep control of themselves! _____ Barbara, I just saw this -- dare I hope that I am not the only one who doesn't care for RF?"}, {"response": 49, "author": "kimmer", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (06:33)", "body": "If RF is Ralph Fiennes, I do not care for him either. Mark Srong is much better in drool-potential."}, {"response": 50, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (07:11)", "body": "Oh Puh-leeze!!! ;-p"}, {"response": 51, "author": "kimmer", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (19:14)", "body": "I cannot believe myself sometimes. All during the previews for Emma 3 and the first time I saw it, I kept thinking that they could have at least tried to get a more attractive man to play Mr. Knightly. Bernie told me that Mark Strong would grow on me, and boy was she right! Has anyone else noticed how his hair touches the back of his collars? Just made for fingers to run through it."}, {"response": 52, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (19:16)", "body": "Me want photo, me want photo..."}, {"response": 53, "author": "bplaroch", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (19:37)", "body": "I'm not crazy about Ralph Fiennes, but I do think he is a good actor. I didn't mean any offense by that previous comment Cheryl, only that I'm sure quite a few of you will be tuning in to the oscars just to watch him! Trivia question for Emma3 junkies--how many times in the movie does MS take a drink of something to hide his facial expression, prevent himself from saying something, etc. I don't know the answer either, but I thought you might all like to have permission to watch it again just to find out!"}, {"response": 54, "author": "kimmer", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (22:18)", "body": "Great suggestion, Barbara. Anything to watch again. Also, how about how many times he tugs at his sleeves or coats?"}, {"response": 55, "author": "Kali", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (00:46)", "body": "Thanks you, Sus... --- Oh, and Kim, Susan, et al., I was joking about the \"Way gone\" thing...if I had been serious, I would have made myself a hypocrite (JEREMY FOREVER!!!)! ;) --- As far as RF, he has a very interesting build...smallish on the top, with kind of a wide pelvis/butt complex. Generally, I think he plays his roles with too posey an air, but somehow he shed it long enough to make his Heathcliffe the raw, wild, emotional beast which vindicates the existence of the whole sorry book. I guess this is my cue to head over to the RF topic..."}, {"response": 56, "author": "LKenn", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (01:29)", "body": "Susan - I got your e-mail and have sent a reply. It should reach you this time. Address was inaccurate as posted on the conference. Let me know if it doesn't reach you - have much to \"chat\" about with you!"}, {"response": 57, "author": "LKenn", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (01:31)", "body": "Kali - Wuthering Heights a \"sorry\" book? Why so?"}, {"response": 58, "author": "Susan", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (04:59)", "body": "Mark Strong is much better in drool-potential. I cannot believe myself sometimes. All during the previews for Emma 3 and the first time I saw it, I kept thinking that they could have at least tried to get a more attractive man to play Mr. Knightly. Bernie told me that Mark Strong would grow on me, and boy was she right! Has anyone else noticed how his hair touches the back of his collars? Just made for fingers to run through it. Also, how about how many times he tugs at his sleeves or coats? Kim, you dearest, most darling girl -- I love ya! You are reading my mind. ]how many times in the movie does MS take a drink of something to hide his facial expression, prevent himself from saying something, etc. Also, how about how many times he tugs at his sleeves or coats? Enough to enthrall us all... Kali, you're welcome, dearest! I am honestly perplexed that I can be so mesmerized by MS's performance, and I had no desire to see Emma2 a second time. What did I miss? Linda, got your e-mail and sent my own -- am awaiting your reply..."}, {"response": 59, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (05:05)", "body": "]Enough to enthrall us all... Indeed, LOL"}, {"response": 60, "author": "Kali", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (10:48)", "body": "Perplexed? My situation exactly...I don't understand...Jeremy is so...so NOT Mark Strong! How could you resist? ;) DOn't get me wrong...Mark fits, but I do so wish he had more hair! Perhaps the rub lies in the fact that I am very young. Those who are over a certain age have trouble seeing Jeremy's Knightley from Emma's perspective because he's too young or too close to them in age...but remember, Jeremy isn't so far from Knightley's 37, and Mr. Knightley is supposed to be youthful-looking... --- As for Wuthering Heights, I couldn't understand the characters...their actions and avowed feelings didn't seem to fit with the tame character images Emily Bronte drew in my head. Ralph and Juliette brought their emotions to life for me...gave them a passion and ferocity I'd never imagined. That film greatly strengthened my appreciation of the story."}, {"response": 61, "author": "Serena", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (15:54)", "body": "Kali, why is Knightley supposed to be youthful-looking? Beacuse of his upright and firm figure that Emma notices at the dance (from the novel)? Does that imply youthful looking or just not pot-bellied yet? \"Those who are over a certain age have trouble seeing Jeremy's Knightley from Emma's perspective\" .. you are about Emma's age and I'm possibly half-way between yours and Knightley's age, (so unless you consider me to be over that 'age'), I cannot agree that JN only looks youthful because I'm closer in age to him than you are. He does look boyishly youthful in Emma, stop. In Fatal Inversion he plays a younger age (right?) and looks the part. Now MS looks more the respectable age that Mr Knightley might e. Perhaps because of his hat or his brown outfits or his 'hair'. or the combination of all of those. Is this going anywhere?"}, {"response": 62, "author": "kimmer", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (19:18)", "body": "I did not find JN too youthful for Mr. Knightly. I just think that Mark Strong is more attractive. Susan, if you and I start to get too carried awy in our praises of MS, I will gladly give you my e-mail so you can write me anytime the mood strikes you."}, {"response": 63, "author": "Kali", "date": "Thu, Mar 27, 1997 (07:56)", "body": "Thank you, Kim. Serena: First of all, the age factor in determining appreciation for JN is something that has been discussed here at the Spring over and over, long before you started posting here...it is a theory that Amy and several other women in middle age have brought up for discussion - so don't yell at me for it, even though I happen to agree with it in general...it seems to fit in most cases in which people don't like Jeremy's Knightley. Second: \"...so young as he looked!\" and \"...excepting her own partner, there was not one among the whole row of young men who could be compared with him.\" does not necessarily mean \"youthful,\" but it means youthful enough for an actor who looks over thirty to play a man who is 37. The point is that he doesn't look his age. THird: Fatal Inversion was filmed eight years ago. This means that he was salvagable for a role as a twenty-year-old (don't forget the wonders of hair, makeup, and wardrobe in film...) then, but may not be now... Cass is right...perhaps you should lighten up, Serena. I'll try to do the same. Kim, Susan, everyone, shut me up if I stray off-topic again..."}, {"response": 64, "author": "Susan", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 1997 (06:36)", "body": "Kim and Linda -- please e-mail me! I can't reach either one of you and I'm having drool withdrawals!"}, {"response": 65, "author": "Susan", "date": "Tue, Apr  1, 1997 (06:38)", "body": "Sorry -- I just clicked on my name and it won't give the right address. It's susan@kyeng.com"}, {"response": 66, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Apr  3, 1997 (05:54)", "body": "You can change your email address Susan."}, {"response": 67, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Sun, Aug 24, 1997 (21:57)", "body": "I was unable to retrieve some old Pond posts that Susan had requested. I thought this might help jump start this topic:"}, {"response": 68, "author": "Susan", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 1997 (04:27)", "body": "Thanks so much, Myretta! I think it was Inko who posted some info about an interview with MS about the time Emma came out, which talked about him living in Germany. Anyone else have this scuttlebutt, or any other?"}, {"response": 69, "author": "Bettina", "date": "Tue, Aug 26, 1997 (21:58)", "body": "Hi, ladies, I made it through registration! Myretta, thank you so very much for reviving this topic. I haven't been here last time and I am still keen on discussing all things MS! Susan, what exactly is a scuttlebutt?"}, {"response": 70, "author": "Susan", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 1997 (03:02)", "body": "Bettina, scuttlebutt is about the same as gossip, like maybe the inside scoop. :-) We're all good at this here! What shall we discuss first? Since Emma3 has been well discussed, how about Captives? I liked this role because it was such an unusual one for MS. Seeing him as a punk heavy (and mean to boot) just seemed so out of character, but an interesting departure from Mr. Knightley. Maybe he's like CF, and likes doing odd roles. Does anyone know what he's doing next?"}, {"response": 71, "author": "Bettina", "date": "Sun, Aug 31, 1997 (21:34)", "body": "Mark Strong Info Page now out! \"She really did it!\" Steve and Paul proudly announce that you can now visit the Mark Strong Info Page in the close neighbourhood of my German Jane Austen page. If you feel that there are some things missing on this page - that's right, I'm still working on it. If you want to give me another piece of info, please e-mail me , I will be delighted! Susan, If he was like CF, liking odd roles, he should have had playes Phil (Tim Roth's part) or Rachel, the dentist. I thought they looked quite insane against Kenny the brute. This part and the very short time in which he made sure that you'd better not fuck with reminded me of something that was written about Sean Connery: He does not have to be mean every time. It's quite alright because we already know he can be mean any time. I would love to see MS in a role like the Sherrif of Nottingham. Wouldn't you, too?"}, {"response": 72, "author": "Bettina", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 1997 (21:50)", "body": "Please forgive me for posting links that do not work. This one should be okay: Mark Strong Info Page"}, {"response": 73, "author": "elder", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 1997 (20:20)", "body": "Susan & Bettina -- hi, it's nice to see this topic (re)started! Bettina -- I can't seem to get to the Mark Strong Info Page, but I shall keep trying! Susan and I have felt MS-deprived for some time now. When I was in London at the beginning of August, the closest I got to an MS-sighting was an advertisement in the Underground (Tottenham Court station, as I recall). It was a scene from Fever Pitch, I imagine, showing MS disgusted with the team's performance. CF was in the picture, too, but only the top of his head. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 46, "subject": "Malcome Gets lovers .. making Caroline in the City better", "response_count": 126, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, May 29, 1997 (00:11)", "body": "So here's your topic. I'll fix it so you can start more topics here if you email me. Are you happy now?"}, {"response": 2, "author": "aubrey", "date": "Thu, May 29, 1997 (13:25)", "body": "So terry didn't actually start this one, eh? Well, mystery host, for starters, as much as I love Lea Thompson (which isn't much) she is a painfully bad actress and even worse, totally lacking in comedic skills. Her abilities seem limited to mugging cutely (flashing dimples) and pulling her eyebrows together in consternation (I believe that would represent the fabled emotional range from A to B). I thought she did surprisingly well in the SF. Dell is nice but too bland. Charlie (is that the rollerskat ng guy?) is cute, I'll keep him. The neighbor whose name escapes me needs her own show; she is not doing well as a sidekick. While I don't drool over Mr. Gets, he is the only reason I tune in (which isn't every week; if there's anything else competing I watch the competition). That sarcastic black wit is irresistable. So I'm sorry my suggestions are so unhelpful: can we make it Richard In The City? And can I just say how much I hate that Julia actress? She's worse that Ms. Thompson."}, {"response": 3, "author": "aubrey", "date": "Thu, May 29, 1997 (13:27)", "body": "Hope you read my tagline next to my name--obviously I'm in a cranky mood! It just makes me mad when a show is just a little not-right. It's like listening to the radio a little off station. Ya just wanna FIX IT!!!!"}, {"response": 4, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, May 29, 1997 (18:53)", "body": "Will the mystery host please pitch in some comments. You're right I just copied and pasted this from a previous item in this conf."}, {"response": 5, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Thu, May 29, 1997 (21:48)", "body": "Well, OK, I'll be non-mysterious host now. And yes, I'm happy -- thanks Terry! I have to agree with aubrey that Lea Thompson isn't terribly good. Even in the season finale, her bit on the phone was kind of cutesy-annoying, not exactly the kind of thing that makes me root for her to get Richard. I thought she was a better actress than she appears -- do you think it's just the writing? How can people be so good at writing nasty one-liners for Richard, and be so poor at making the lead woman believable? So my fix-up would involve giving Caroline some depth (maybe someone back home dies and we don't have her doing snappy one-liners five minutes later) to bring her closer to Richard, instead of such a stupid \"zap I love him!\" plot line."}, {"response": 6, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Thu, May 29, 1997 (22:00)", "body": "Continuing (aren't you sorry you asked?) with that idea, wouldn't it be interesting to see Richard trying to cheer up Caroline instead of vice-versa, for a change? I guess the only reason I'll watch this show is that I'm a hopeless romantic and those longing looks between characters get to me. Otherwise, I'm questioning my sanity. Anyway, I kind of like what they've done with Charlie (him saving the card company and thus, hopefully, changing his role & seeing some character development). But all the characters need depth. Any suggestions?"}, {"response": 7, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Tue, Aug 19, 1997 (22:03)", "body": "Malcom Gets was on Remember WENN last Saturday."}, {"response": 8, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 1997 (04:14)", "body": "I saw that, but unfortunately was in the North Woods without a TV set for the week. How was he? for that matter, what's the story with Victor on WENN? We were so upset to miss the season opener after waiting all summer to find out what happened."}, {"response": 9, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 1997 (11:05)", "body": "Lorie, Victor is alive, but is now a spy (for the allies), and is broadcasting in Europe for the Nazis under the name Jonathon Arnold. Eugenia has gotten her day job back. And Scott Sherwood is not an old friend of Victor's."}, {"response": 10, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Tue, Aug 26, 1997 (17:45)", "body": "Thanks! That explains a lot just from the episode I did see this weekend."}, {"response": 11, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 1997 (18:14)", "body": "Your welcome. I love watching Remember WENN, but I must admit I have never seen Caroline in the City."}, {"response": 12, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Sun, Oct 12, 1997 (07:40)", "body": "Wow, no one's posted here for ages. I like Malcom Gets and he deserves better than Caroline in the City. He sould perhaps be in, say... Remember Wenn? As a regular of course not as a guest star as he was in the first episode of the third season. I can't believe that I actually ran into people who like Remember Wenn in here! That show is such a gem. Thank God for cable. Hey, maybe there should be a Remember Wenn topic here at Spring. Anyonw care to start one? Just a thought. Alicia"}, {"response": 13, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 1997 (15:59)", "body": "Alicia, watch what you ask for! Before you know it, Terry will come in here and start a new thread and blame it on you. :-) That's actually how this one got started,when I whined about liking Malcomb G. in another topic. Yes, WENN is a wonderful show. I didn't get to see it until very late Saturday night, so I may have been too sleepy to judge, but I thought that was one of the nicer Hillary-centered episodes. (Though I love the show, I was getting too much Betty earlier this season. But on the Betty topic, how many letters were in the name C.J. chose for the person he loved? Told you I was sleepy--I didn't think about it until later.) Who are your favorites on WENN? Do you agree with me that they've neglected Mackie of late and let him be comic relief instead of the interesting guy we've seen in the past? Lorie"}, {"response": 14, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 1997 (18:32)", "body": "What topic would y'all like, you can create topics yourself if you like! More topics are good if they get responses!"}, {"response": 15, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 1997 (07:09)", "body": "REMEMBER WENN (am I being very naughty?) (Lorie)Alicia, watch what you ask for! Before you know it, Terry will come in here and start a new thread and blame it on you. :-) (Terry)What topic would y'all like, you can create topics yourself if you like! More topics are good if they get responses! So is it really okay if I talk about WENN for just a little bit? (Lorie) I thought that was one of the nicer Hillary-centered episodes. (Though I love the show, I was getting too much Betty earlier this season. But on the Betty topic, how many letters were in the name C.J. chose for the person he loved?) Yes, it certainly was a Hillary-centered episode. She was getting to be soooo annoying but she cooled off. And C.J. chose a name w/ 5 letters I'm pretty sure. Does every guy in Pittsburgh have a crush on Betty? (Lorie)Who are your favorites on WENN? I love them all. But I wish that Victor shows up more often. Do you know why the actor who plays Victor isn't regularly on WENN anymore? I really like (oh! I can't believe I forgot his name!) the old guy, Grandpa WENN. He is so adorable and he has very funny lines, but they can get old sometimes. Do you agree with me that they've neglected Mackie of late and let him be comic relief instead of the interesting guy we've seen in the past? YES!! I'd say the same of Scott Sherwood. Did you like it better when WENN was aimless and had no plot? I really liked the first season, but now...I don't know. I still love the show because it's the best thing on the air but I prefer when it was more of a family setting. OK, NOW MALCOM GETS I have to admit that I quit watching CITC this season after the first episode. I'm disappointed but maybe I'll give it one more chance. Did anyone notice his poofy hair? what is that, James Dean or something? I wanted to go see a musical that Malcom was in a couple of weeks ago at UCLA but it ran only a week and I didn't feel much like going UCLA and getting on the 405, the most hellish freeway in L.A.! Alicia"}, {"response": 16, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 1997 (19:22)", "body": "Alicia wrote: Does every guy in Pittsburgh have a crush on Betty? Yes, it sure seems that way from here. I'll admit she's more attractively portrayed than anyone else at the station -- Maple is kind of slutty-nice, but not what I'd imagine C.J. interested in. But they do seem to overdo everyone's protectiveness and admiration of Betty -- or at least they did in the first few shows this season, when she was pretty much systematically getting kissed by every guy in the joint! But I wish that Victor shows up more often. Do you know why the actor who plays Victor isn't regularly on WENN anymore? Sorry, I don't have a clue why Victor is gone. I've assumed the actor went on to other things, and I have seen him in either a movie or a guest shot on TV, but certainly not anything long-term. I really like (oh! I can't believe I forgot his name!) the old guy, Grandpa WENN. He is so adorable and he has very funny lines, but they can get old sometimes. Yes, he is adorable and no, I can't think of his formal name either. The switchboard lady refers to him as \"Tom,\" but everyone else calls him \"Mr. ?\" He's very sweet at times, and pretty silly at others. Do you agree with me that they've neglected Mackie of late and let him be comic relief instead of the interesting guy we've seen in the past? YES!! I'd say the same of Scott Sherwood. Yes, Scott has potential, but I think the show is as conflicted as the Betty character herself. For that matter, bringing back Victor this year -- what was that about? Did they decide Scott would never have a chance at viewers' hearts (and thus, Betty's heart) unless his rival was alive, not dead? Did you like it better when WENN was aimless and had no plot? I really liked the first season, but now...I don't know. I still love the show because it's the best thing on the air but I prefer when it was more of a family setting. I'll agree with that, but it does seem the opposite of most shows--usually that first season of getting to know the characters is kind of shallow and uninteresting compared to later seasons (I'm thinking of Star Trek The Next Gen and how painful I find first-season reruns). But WENN seems to get goofy more often now. Example, Hillary & Jeff are married--no they're not--yes, they are--oops, now they're divorced. What???? OK, NOW MALCOM GETS Did anyone notice his poofy hair? what is that, James Dean or something? I wanted to go see a musical that Malcom was in a couple of weeks ago at UCLA but it ran only a week. Yes, hate the hair and hate most of what I've seen this season, too. That man needs a better job! And he sings and dances? How exciting to live near LA and be able to hear about things like that. I'd never have guessed from his Caroline persona that the man does musicals. Now this isn't strictly drool, but have you seen Jason Alexander in any musicals? I saw him years ago on B'way in \"The Rink\" with Liza M. and Chita R., when he was a featured chorus boy. I cherish the memory, and imagining MG in a musical brought it to mind. How many people who know Jason A. only from movies and Seinfeld would guess he sings and dances? Enough rambling-- and sorry I'm not up on this cut-and-paste html stuff. Lorie Alicia"}, {"response": 17, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 1997 (19:24)", "body": "Gosh, that sure is a confusing bit of rambling! Sorry, everyone."}, {"response": 18, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 1997 (20:33)", "body": "No that's great!"}, {"response": 19, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Fri, Oct 17, 1997 (06:27)", "body": "JASON ALEXANDER (Lorie) How many people who know Jason A. only from movies and Seinfeld would guess he sings and dances? Actually, Jason Alexander is pretty well known for his singing and dancing. A couple of years ago he was in the TV version of Bye bye Birdie. Also, what's ironic is that Jason Alexander was in a musical in the same theatre as Malcom just prior to Malcom's musical! Talk about a small world! And Malcom was quite active on Broadway before CITC. I saw him do a musical number on the Rosie O'Donnell show when he was a guest there along with Cher! It's my favorite Rosie episode. And he smiled a lot! He barely does on CITC and only smirks occasionally."}, {"response": 20, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Fri, Oct 17, 1997 (16:45)", "body": "(Alicia wrote) what's ironic is that Jason Alexander was in a musical in the same theatre as Malcom just prior to Malcom's musical! Talk about a small world! And Malcom was quite active on Broadway before CITC. I've never been so depressed about living in the Midwest and not on a coast in my life. When we get Broadway shows, we get them minus the stars (or with sitcom stars from the 80's or something horrid like that). And no one who does current tv shows has time to come to Chicago to perform. Thankfully, I can keep admiring them from afar. And live performances don't have instant replay (or even reruns) so a cherished moment can be relived. Or, if you're like most of us here, videotaped and re-run again and again and again until every bit of drooling possible has been done!"}, {"response": 21, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Fri, Oct 17, 1997 (16:50)", "body": "Oops, I forgot. I checked with my husband, Master of Trivia, and he says that Grandpa WENN is Mr. Eldridge. Just thought I should clear that up since not being able to remember a name drives me CRAZY!"}, {"response": 22, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Sat, Oct 18, 1997 (00:49)", "body": "REMEMBER WENN (Lorie)Oops, I forgot. I checked with my husband, Master of Trivia, and he says that Grandpa WENN is Mr. Eldridge. Oh yes! Mr. Eldridge, of course. I can't wait until tomorrow night's episode. I still don't understand Jeff's \"other marriage.\" What in the world is going on? Is it a secret life or has he become an agent like Victor? It seems like it's just you and me here Lorie, and Terry occasionally. Alicia"}, {"response": 23, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Sat, Oct 18, 1997 (23:17)", "body": "Yep, and Terry is EVERYWHERE. Believe me, I've been in lots of other conferences and he's about the only regular there. I'm just checking in, killing time until tonight's episode of WENN. With the help of one of my cats, who keeps stepping on my keyboard (so ignore anything odd). Then I'll switch stations to drool a little bit at Highlander, one of the shows I look forward to on Saturdays. Take care, Alicia, and enjoy the show tonight!"}, {"response": 24, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 1997 (06:57)", "body": "(Lorie)Do you agree with me that they've neglected Mackie of late and let him be comic relief instead of the interesting guy we've seen in the past? Wouldn't you say last Saturday's episode was a Mackie episode? Jeff is gone and Betty was mostly gone during this episode also. Are all the actors taking there turns in vacations time or something? I mean the season just started for chrissake! I was going to give CITC one more try tonight but I completely forgot to watic it! Slipped my mind. But I really need a dose of Malcom. And when will they ever get rid of that Julia woman? She gets on my nerves! Alicia"}, {"response": 25, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 1997 (21:59)", "body": "Yes, Saturday's show was a Mackie show, but something about it still annoyed me. I haven't figured out what, so I'm going to try to see the rerun of it on Wednesday night. And I don't know what is going on with people's schedules on that show. My gosh, if anyone was willing to pay me to show up and act, I'd do it for more than 4 weeks in a row! Anyway, when I think of Mackie shows, I remember the one with the blind fan (who is someone well-known, but the name as usual slips my mind). That was a wonderful show about him, but not completely about him, either. And lately they seem to be trying too hard for that warm fuzzy feeling (or tieing everything up too neatly at the end). Speaking of trying too hard, CITC was pretty awful. You didn't miss much, although they did some nice stuff with Annie, the girlfriend from across the hall. But Leah Thompson is still very much on my nerves, and the show itself just seems to still be lacking in a \"touch\" or unified feeling. Sometimes it seems like it is written by committee, and the committee doesn't have time to talk to each other (or watch the shows, either). Lots of grousing today. Hope I'm not so grumpy I bring anyone else down! Lorie"}, {"response": 26, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 1997 (01:13)", "body": "(Lorie)Yes, Saturday's show was a Mackie show, but something about it still annoyed me. I haven't figured out what, so I'm going to try to see the rerun of it on Wednesday night. I know what you mean. It was a Mackie show but something was lacking. Maybe the writer(s) are getting lazy. And bringing out Mackie's \"dark\" past seemed to come out of the blue. And the show is kind of getting predictable. I just hope it doesn't lose touch with originality. Anyway, when I think of Mackie shows, I remember the one with the blind fan (who is someone well-known, but the name as usual slips my mind). That was a wonderful show about him, but not completely about him, either. I love that episode too. The blind girl was Molly Ringwald. That was such a sweet episode. My all time favorite episode is the first episode I ever watched. It's when that director comes to the station to finish a Rudolph Valentino silent film and he wants the staff to dub in the voices. Speaking of trying too hard, CITC was pretty awful. You didn't miss much, although they did some nice stuff with Annie, the girlfriend from across the hall. I like Annie. Amy Pietz plays her role pretty well. A lot better and funnier than Lea Thompson. Lots of grousing today. Hope I'm not so grumpy I bring anyone else down! No problem. I'm not so happy myself since no one at the \"Current TV Cuties\" Topic seems to know who Paul Gross is. :-) Alicia"}, {"response": 27, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 1997 (21:26)", "body": "So sorry, that was me just being a jerk over there. I know who Paul Gross is, I was just trying to be funny (since so many others don't seem to know who he is). He is a cutie, I've seen the show just a few times. I'd be making my entries easier to read, but I'm still having HTML hell. When I try to italicize, I get an error message when I submit my responses about \"missing closing I tag.\" Since I've been typing in what I think is the closing \"I tag\" (an i with a /, tho I've also tried an i with \\), I'm not pleased. Guess it's time to go back to RoP and re-read the tutorial. Lorie"}, {"response": 28, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 1997 (21:54)", "body": "Whew! Someone actually knows who my Paul is! For a second I was seriously doubting my sanity and that perhaps I was just hallucinating the whole thing."}, {"response": 29, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 1997 (00:55)", "body": "You're having italics problems. Tales of the City is in paperback too."}, {"response": 30, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 1997 (01:21)", "body": "(terry)Tales of the City is in paperback too. Yeah, I know. I checked it out at the bookstore today, but I bought a copy of Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass instead. I think I'll read Tales next. And I think I said it was by Ted Maupin. I made a boo-boo. It's Armistead Maupin. And there's also a sequel, More Tales of the City."}, {"response": 31, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 1997 (01:27)", "body": "Close, it was by 'tead Maupin."}, {"response": 32, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 1997 (17:35)", "body": "Alicia, Paul Gross your cutie was pictured in one of the recent TV Guides -- so everyone should know who he is now. I read the article (because of you) and they said that he will not be reprising his role in Tales of the City 2 (or whatever the sequel is called) because he's too busy with Due South."}, {"response": 33, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 1997 (20:12)", "body": "No WAY! He's on TV Guide???????? Which one? This week's? And he's too busy with Due South? That's good! That means that there's going to be more episodes. He's executive producer of that show. But too bad he's not going to be in \"More tales of the city.\" BTW, this Saturday's episode of WENN looks like it's going to be a Maple episode. Something about the way she talks. And you're right. They try too act to family-ish at the end of the episode. It was so syrupy sweet, almost corny. And I want Betty and Jeff back! Gosh the episode looked half empty. Thanks Lorie for the TV Guide tip :-) Alicia"}, {"response": 34, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 1997 (16:07)", "body": "Alicia--he's not the cover boy, he's pictured (a nice full page shot, tho) INSIDE what I believe is last week's issue (sorry, TV guide confuses me and I don't understand the issue numbering stuff. If you can't get this, e-mail me at Lorie945@aol.com with your address and I'll mail the page to you. Sorry I can't scan it in here, but I'm technologically far behind most of the people here. Re WENN: Yes, it would be nice to see some further development of Maple. And yes, it was the ending of the episode that rang false for me, too. And what is going on with the cast of this show? I can't believe they're all off making movies or something. What's the point of an \"ensemble\" show when you only get about 1/2 the ensemble at a time? Grouse for the day."}, {"response": 35, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Sun, Oct 26, 1997 (06:59)", "body": "Lorie, Did you watch tonight's episode of WENN? It was a riot, I thought, especially when Scott Sherwood tried to do a Maple impression. I was laughing my head off. I just couldn't stop laughing. Next week's episode looks real real good. Victor's BACK! and so is Jeff. The cast is all together now. Well, just for that episode, at least. Maybe it'll explain Jeff's second wife. But I'm so excited that Victor is going to be in it. Poor Malcom! We've abandoned him. But I can't wait until the rerun of his guest spot on WENN. Alicia"}, {"response": 36, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 1997 (21:25)", "body": "Yes, I think this is now the official WENN page. I thought \"A Girl Like Maple\" was one of the best shows this season. Funny, touching, everyone true to character and trying to help out a friend. Very nice. Maple's gargling had me giggling, but then everyone doing Maple was wonderful. Kind of lucky for Maple she didn't hear Scott's impression of her, though -- she'd never speak again! And that coming attraction was the BEST thing about the night. How wonderful to have the entire cast together, even if it's just in a play written by Gertie. I knew you'd pick up on Victor being there and be crowing about it today! Can't wait till Saturday (as usual, for more reasons that just WENN!)."}, {"response": 37, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Tue, Oct 28, 1997 (07:11)", "body": "Me neither, I can't wait until Saturday. And Sunday. I used to think that weekend tv was the worst, but now it's the best! On Sat. I've got WENN and on Sun. I've got Due South. I love the weekend more than ever. And it's only Monday today. I'm so disappointed that WENN doesn't ever get nominated for an Emmy other than for best costume/wardrobe. I know that last year it got nominated for best tv comedy ensemble for the SAG awards. It was up against these big name shows like Seinfeld, and it was the darkest horse in the category. Of course I was rooting for it. Probably 99% of the audience didn't even know WENN existed and were very puzzled that night. Alicia If anyone would like to speak up for Malcom, please do!"}, {"response": 38, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Tue, Oct 28, 1997 (23:31)", "body": "Even without TV, I'd be living for the weekends. But I agree, the quality of TV on weekends has improved. Or maybe my tastes are changing. Usually the PBS Masterpiece Theater stuff is interesting to me now, which wasn't always the case. As a kid my mom watched it and had me hooked on Upstairs, Downstairs; I, Claudius; and Duchess of Duke Street. But for years I hadn't paid any particular attention to it. Lately, it's been very enjoyable. Oh, just a program note. On the A&E Jane Eyre, I really liked Mrs. Fairfax. During the credits I noticed her name, Gemma Jones, and wondered why it sounded so famliar. She was the Duchess of Duke Street as mentioned above!"}, {"response": 39, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 1997 (03:54)", "body": "Gemma Jones is also in Sense & Sensibility. She's the mother of the 3 sisters. She's also in something recent too but I can't remember it. I'll probably stay up all night and won't be able to sleep until I get it."}, {"response": 40, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 1997 (22:09)", "body": "Is that the Emma Thompson S&S? Not that I can think of any others, but one never knows around here. I hope it didn't ruin your sleep!"}, {"response": 41, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 1997 (02:13)", "body": "Yes it is the Emma Thompson S&S. I love that movie. It's one of my favorites. Loved AR but did not like HG at all."}, {"response": 42, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Wed, Nov  5, 1997 (21:27)", "body": "I'll agree. That one really had me liking AR for the first time, since I'd only seen him play villains before. But I honestly haven't ever liked HG enough to think he was the \"only\" person for a part. He's fine, he's just not drool material to me. Competent actor, yes (just competent, not great). Heart-throb, no, definitely not. Unless someone has a \"hair-in-eyes\" fetish."}, {"response": 43, "author": "Susan", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 1997 (04:09)", "body": "I, too, find HG hysterically funny, but not in the least sexy. Isn't that funny? What do you think the beautiful Elizabeth sees in him?"}, {"response": 44, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 1997 (23:18)", "body": "What does any woman see in her man? Honestly, I have many friends and a sister-in-law who seem to find the strangest, worst-for-them men attractive. But since I dated a jerk for many years before finding my best friend-hubby, I can't criticize them. Just give them tissues when they cry, and grin and bear it when we socialize with the guys along. Of course, we'd like to believe celebrities are above all that, but sometimes I think it's worse for them. Added to the mix of sexual attraction and psychological needs are elements of publicity, even-more-intense-than-usual fears of aging, and probably elements of power, jobs, and prestige. I'd say it makes me glad to be a nobody, but I'd be lying. Unlike Emily Dickinson, I'm not proud to be a nonentity in the universe. Actually, I thin,k she was kidding herself, too."}, {"response": 45, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Sat, Nov  8, 1997 (05:53)", "body": "I have mixed feelings about fame too. I would love to be well-known but only without the tabloids and all the other bad stuff that comes with it. Nevertheless I think it'd be trippy to be well known.You know, you're siginificant, you're important. People know you. But I hate the fact that I would have no privacy at all. Privacy is something that I would not give up for fame. It's too big a price to pay. Alicia"}, {"response": 46, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Sun, Nov  9, 1997 (00:52)", "body": "I guess that's very true. I wasn't exactly thinking about my life and lack of privacy -- I was thinking more about being remembered or having an impact after my death."}, {"response": 47, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Sun, Nov  9, 1997 (08:35)", "body": "(Lorie)I guess that's very true. I wasn't exactly thinking about my life and lack of privacy -- I was thinking more about being remembered or having an impact after my death. Being remembered after death... I don't know if that concerns me much since I won't be around to experience it. Speaking of being remembered... Remember WENN I was confused by this episode. Perhaps you can enlighten me about Eugenia, her German friends, and the British counter-intelligence spy. How are all connected? And what's this thing about her music teacher and the operas \"Lohengrin\" and \"Tristan und Isolde?\" It seems that now each character gets their own episode. I guess they take turns. One aspect of the show that's been bugging me is how do these poor radio afford their wardrobes! They have a different outfit and hat during each episode. In the first season, you saw the same outfit at least more than once. Now, it's a brand new costume- more like costumes - for each episode. I guess the wardrobe budget for the show just got an influx of cash. Tomorrow: DUE SOUTH!!! Hoorah! Alicia ,DueSer"}, {"response": 48, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Nov  9, 1997 (16:34)", "body": "Due South? Time and station please?"}, {"response": 49, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 1997 (09:30)", "body": "Hi Terry, In Southern California Due South airs on KCBS on Sundays at 2pm. For local listings check out the official website: www.duesouth.com WARNING: The show gets pre-empted frequently. So if you miss it one week don't give up. Like today: on my station, it got pre-empted to 1:35 am Monday because of AUTO RACING! ARRRRRRRGH I hope you catch a show and enjoy it. Alicia"}, {"response": 50, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 1997 (01:30)", "body": "I'll check our local listings Sunday."}, {"response": 51, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 1997 (19:46)", "body": "Hi Alicia! Yes, Remember WENN was more than a bit confusing this weekend. I'm going to try to see the re-runs tonight (I'll be on the road, so I hope my hotel has AMC) and see if it makes any more sense to me. I'll agree that the characters each having such a \"spotlight\" show is a bit annoying. And yes, they seem to have found a bigger stash of vintage clothing for the war years. In the first season, Hillary's clothing in particular was often repeated. And since Betty was supposed to be a broke intern from the Midwest, she didn't have new and incredibly well-matched clothes every Saturday. Sigh for believability in TV. Hope you enjoyed your Due South fix! Lorie"}, {"response": 52, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 1997 (23:12)", "body": "(Lorie)Hope you enjoyed your Due South fix! Oh, did I ever! The last episode was hilarious. And Paul Gross' wife was in it. She played the villain, a Russian spy. I thought I would be seething with jealousy but I ended up liking her quite a lot. She and Paul have great chemistry. There was this one scene where he wrestles her to the ground! I'm going to try to catch a re-run of WENN, too, to clear up the confusion. I hope I don't forget. I'm so sleep deprived these days that I can't even see straight. Alicia"}, {"response": 53, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 1997 (07:33)", "body": "Malcom Gets Okay, I finally saw a full episode of Caroline today since the season premier. This one was okay but Malcom didn't figure in too much in this ep. I really enjoyed the little bit about Annie and Seth. Seth would be my sort of type of guy but only if he were less of a wuss. So Richard and Julia are still together. Does he really love her????? Charlie and what's his name (The Duo) are up to their antics as always. They always add comic relief to the eps. Lea Thompson still gets on my nerves. She is not funny. Is she even supposed to be funny? Remember WENN This episode was...all right I guess. It as so-so. I think the first season was the best, but the first time is of course always the best. Just wish that it was more of a ensemble show because the show doesn't hold that unity anymore with all these eps that now concentrate on just one character. Due South Since I'm in this topic anyway I might as well put in my $.02 worth. Sunday's episode was quite funny. Paul Gross gave an exceptionally great performance. This episode was written well and produced well. I just hope that the rest of the season remains like this because it's been quite finicky. Alicia"}, {"response": 54, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 1997 (23:04)", "body": "(Alicia) I finally saw a full episode of Caroline today since the season premier. Oh, it figures that you saw last night's episode. I didn't, so I can't comment! So Richard and Julia are still together. Does he really love her????? Your guess is as good as mine. The writers don't seem to have their minds made up, really. Supposedly she was his grand passion before he met Caroline. Doesn't have very good taste, does he? Lea Thompson's character is so obnoxious that I've stopped liking her-- I assume in person as a real person she's just as annoying! (Alicia) Remember WENN Oh, gosh, I missed this too! I was out of town for my union's convention all weekend, working on Saturday night -- and my hotel didn't have AMC, anyway. What a lousy trip it would have been if I'd had the time to watch TV. But I really didn't. I even missed Law & Order/Homicide's two-parter (and yes, the hotel did manage to have network TV). Lorie"}, {"response": 55, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 1997 (00:26)", "body": "CITC Julia's role seems to have been reduced a lot. She only appears in the episode and doesn't even have one line. Well, maybe she did but I don't remember. Oh yes she had a couple of lines during the credits. Actually the little bit they had during the credits were the funniest moments in the entire ep. So basically I had to endure 30 minutes of CITC until it got to the funny part in the credits of all places! It seems like they talk more about Julia than she actually saying something for herself. I doubt she's going to be a permanent cast member so I wonder how they're going to give her the ax. Early Edition I know I'm going to regret this a LOT but I watched an episode of Early Edition and I really like it but it's on CBS. I hate CBS because it cancels all my favorite shows. Early Edition is definitely going to be canned. It was supposed to during the 1st season but they gave it another chance. I like EE a lot. It sort of resembles Due South. They have the same charm. Alicia"}, {"response": 56, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 1997 (23:13)", "body": "Yes, I like EE, too. But it probably is doomed. Well, at least it proves that there are still people out there with good ideas for low-tech shows with interesting characters."}, {"response": 57, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 1997 (08:23)", "body": "Remember WENN Tonight's episode was GREAT! I absolutely loved it. It was like old times when it was an ensemble show. I especially enjoyed the scene between Hillary and Joseph Grayhawk (Rondo). They were hilarious. I was ROTFLMAO. I wish all the episodes were like this one. I also liked the very first episode of this season. I am definitely going to see the re-run again on Wednesday. Early Edition Another good episode. Chuck was his usual funny self. And Gary was his usual gorgeous self. Loved the football slapstick. **************** Can't wait for Due South tomorrow. Looks like it's going to be a good episode. **************** I'm going to check out CITC again this Monday. Hopefully, Malcolm will have more scenes than the last episode. Alicia"}, {"response": 58, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Wed, Nov 26, 1997 (07:50)", "body": "CITC I really liked last night's episode. It was a \"Richard\" episode just the way I like it. My favorite scenes are those with Marvin Hamlisch, especially when it's just Richard, Annie, and Marvin, but of course Lea Thompson intrudes and ruins it- party-pooper. I still say that it should be \"Richard and Annie in the City.\" I was glad that Julia wasn't in this ep. She makes me cringe. She wasn't even mentioned during the entire ep. Oh, I almost forgot. Malcolm is going to host this AIDS charity event at the Shubert Theater in L.A. It's a musical medley sort of show with the cast of Rent and Ragtime. I wish I could go but it's on Dec. 5 and I can't make it on that day. Tickets are pretty affordable too. I really want to hear him sing a little number or something. He'a a talented singer. Heard him sing on Rosie and of course during last night's ep. Maybe he should have stuck with musicals instead of going into tv. Happy Thanksgiving, Alicia"}, {"response": 59, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Fri, Nov 28, 1997 (21:35)", "body": "Hi Alicia! Hope your Thanksgiving day was great. It's my favorite holiday,and thus I was home all week cooking and cleaning to be ready. Just a small group this year, only six of us, but it still was very nice. I agree--last week's WENN was one ofthe best this season. Just like the old days. Did you see that AMC is selling videotapes of some first season episodes? The onewith Molly Ringwald was part of it, as well as the Christmas episode with Betty Buckley and PEter Noone. Didn't see CITC, sorry to say. I'd like to see Malcombe showing off some of his talents again. Isn't it funny how lame Lea T. seems? I originally didn't like the Annie character much, but now I much prefer her to Caroline. Have a great weekend."}, {"response": 60, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Mon, Dec  1, 1997 (04:22)", "body": "Thanksgiving This year Thanksgiving barely felt like it was there. It used to be a pretty big occasion but now it's almost nonexistent. Our family now lives pretty much apart so we don't have big gatherings anymore. We used to though and they were pretty fun. My cousin from Argentina came for a whole week and left yesterday. He's attending a boarding school in Tennessee (of all places!) so he had the whole week off for Thanksgiving. I finally got the chance to buy the Due South soundtrack during Thanksgiving while I w s taking my cousing around places. I'm listening to it right now! I think I might be making a little trip to Canada this summer for the DS convention in Toronto if everything goes right.(cross my fingers!) Remember WENN So they're selling tapes, eh? I guess it's getting to be real popular now or something. I missed yesterday's episode since I had to see my cousin off at the airport. I wonder wenn :) this season ends and if there is going to be another one. ~ Alicia"}, {"response": 61, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Tue, Dec  2, 1997 (23:03)", "body": "Good question. There was no WENN this weekend, just so you know you didn't miss anything. Some kind of Charlie Chan marathon was on instead! Yikes. On a typical Saturday, when my spouse is working and I'm home alone and bored, that would have been disastrous. Fortunately, hubbie was off this weekend and we were out of the house attending an anniversary party for his cousin. Very nice evening, lots of dancing and no chance to miss Betty Roberts and her gang. Going to Toronto for the convention sounds really fun. I hope you get to do it! I've been to a few fan conventions myself (one for Star Trek, which was a hoot, and one for silent movie affecionados). They can be very enjoyable, and maybe you'll get to meet PG in person? Or at least get an autograph?"}, {"response": 62, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 1997 (08:13)", "body": "You're a silent movie fan?!? I am! My favorite silent film star is Buster Keaton. I even belong to the Damfinos: The International Buster Keaton Appreciation Society. BTW, AMC is showing Chaplin movies this month. What a relief that I didn't miss anything on Saturday. Today, on WENN, it was a re-run of \"A girl like Maple.\" Which I remember as being quite funny the first time I watched it. I wanted to see it again but my sister was hogging the tv. ~ Alicia"}, {"response": 63, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 1997 (23:36)", "body": "Yep, I confess to loving silents. I saw the Chaplin business this month, just don't know how many I'll get to see. Oh, I've probably seen them already, but you know. My favorite silent film star is Buster Keaton Buster is great! I've probably seen fewer of his movies than Chaplin's, but I've liked them all. Also Harold Lloyd and Mary Pickford, who was featured at the above-mentioned convention. I hadn't seen many of her films until then, but was very impressed (particulary with seeing them on a large screen). I used to date a guy who loved silent films and showed 8 mm versions of them on a screen at home. Much better than watching them on TV. Have you ever seen any of these in a movie theater? I honestly think you get a better appreciation, even for something you've seen a million times. One year I saw \"It's a Wonderful Life\" at a revival house, and there were things in the frame that I'd never seen at home on TV (even tho that wasn't cinemascope). Sometimes TV screens are just too small. And sometimes i 's better to experience a film with other people around (the way it was originally meant to be seen). Don't mean to blab, just was excited that you like silent movies, too. A few years back AMC's film preservation festival was devoted to them (much better than the Tarzan theme this year). Some of the special effects in silents were amazing! And some, sadly, pretty lame. But when you consider how many years ago, and without computer assistance! And of course, Buster's stunts were amazing!"}, {"response": 64, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 1997 (00:10)", "body": "Have you ever seen any of these in a movie theater? Yes, I've seen some silent movies in theaters. There was this one great silent movie theater in L.A. but it's closed now because the owner was gunned down during a robbery. The scary thing is that the night he was murdered at the theater I was supposed to be there. I was planning to go see \"Sunrise\" and I was looking very forward to it. But when the day arrived I was just too tired to go out at night. Plus there was no one who wanted to go with me since I'm the only person I know that loves silent movies. Anyway I eventually got to see \"Sunrise\" a couple of days later on AMC. What a coincidence!Then a week later I happen to read a newspaper article about a guy who's trying to save the theater. I was so shocked. The people in the theater who heard the gunshots just ignored it at first until they saw the gunman run down the aisle. \"Sunrise\" wasn't even shown that night because the incident happened during a film short. Anyway that was the best movie theater in the world. It was very intimate and I have really fond memories of that place. I even got to meet Buster's widow, Eleanor Keaton, a few years ago when the theater celebrated Buster's centennial. Another place that I've been is the theater at the LA county museum of art. They ran an entire series of Buster's movies. I went to half of them. And on most nights it was packed which was encouraging to see. Watching silents in a movie theater is definitely an awesome experience. It's a 100% better than watching it on TV. A few years back AMC's film preservation festival was devoted to them (much better than the Tarzan theme this year). I watched it too. That's how I got into silent movies. It was the first time I saw BK and I instantly became a BK fan. I haven't seen all the Chaplin films. My favorite out of all the ones I've seen is \"The Gold Rush\" I even remember seeing it when I was a little kid, especially the scene where he's eating a shoe. I also really like \"The Kid\" the music is beautiful in that film, even though it is a bit lachrymose. I hope you enjoy your weekend. BTW, El Ni\ufffdo hit today. It's raining cats and dogs here. ~ Alicia"}, {"response": 65, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 1997 (21:44)", "body": "Snowing here this morning, but hopefully it's just becoming rain (thanks, el nino!) and I won't need these heavy boots again tonight. I'm sorry I've been very sporadic about checking in lately -- just backed up at home and at work. I'm doing props for a church pageant which has performances this weekend. So lots of late nights, glueing styrofoam and painting it to look like other objects (plum puddings, sword blades, etc.) And now I'll be out of town a few days for my real (daytime) job! Well, it's an honor to have a long-distance friend to discuss silent movies, Malcomb Gets, Paul Gross, and other topics with, even if I'm not here every day telling you so. I look forward to the times when I have the time to check in at the Spring (and lurk on some other boards, too). Take care. Lorie"}, {"response": 66, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 1997 (00:08)", "body": "El Ni\ufffdo is gone now and a freezing arctic wind has moved in. Wind wind wind blowing everywhere. There's trash all over the yard. I even found a pantyhose lying on the driveway. I'm feeling exhausted. I usually go on-line everynight but nowadays I'm so busy that I only go on every couple of days. I always look forward to loggin on to The Spring. I always enjoy reading your messages and it's an honor for me also to have you as my virtual friend. We really cover wide-ranging topics, don't we? I haven't been keeping up with Colin Firth for several weeks now so I was surprised when someone mentioned that he's in \"Good Will Hunting.\" Is this true? Happy Holidays! Alicia"}, {"response": 67, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Tue, Dec 16, 1997 (22:43)", "body": "Hi Alicia! I haven't been here very much, and I certainly haven't made it through all the Firth messages yet. I'll let you know what I do find out, though. Yes, you are a wonderfully diverse cyberfriend. It's amazing to me how we roam off topic. I hope your weather has improved again and that you are enjoying this hectic month of holiday madness. Today I spent my lunch shopping in my favorite place, a bookstore right near my office. The true purpose was to get a birthday book for my 5-year-old nephew, but I wound up getting my husband an audio book, getting myself a regular book, and just basically having a wonderful time. That's about the only kind of store I enjoy browsing. Oh, I used to enjoy the studio stores (like Warner Bros.) back when they were repositories of old videos. But now they are just full of clothing I'd never wear (logos, ca toon characters and the like). That's my off-topic digression for today. Take care. Lorie"}, {"response": 68, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 1997 (00:01)", "body": "Christmas madness Christmas is sooooooooooo beyond me right now. I barely bought any gifts yet. This year it's really going to be last minute. Oh the horror! I have 0 time. It's deadlines, deadlines, deadlines everywhere. I just feel an ulcer coming on. Okay, I should stop whining. That should be my New Year's resolution. I wish I can go into a bookstore now. Or at least the library. I have tons of reading to catch up on. I love being in the bookstore, It's truly one of my favorite places. I spend a lot of time in the Film/performing arts section and of course at the magazine rack. The weather here is pretty warm now. Take care, Alicia"}, {"response": 69, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Fri, Dec 19, 1997 (16:43)", "body": "Hi Alicia: I'm going to be away for a few weeks. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and a very happy 1998. Oh, and speaking of Christmas-y things, did you hear that WENN is showing their Christmas special from last year this week? It's a one-hour episode, it was very good as I recollect -- tho I hate re-runs mid season. Anyway, take care of yourself and don't get overly stressed about the gifts, etc. That's not what's important, really, and I'm not going to get religous. I just mean that spending time with people you care about is the real gift we all give at this time of year. Of course, when I'm bored and lonely in January, it doesn't seem fair that this month, I have multiple invitations for the same day. Oh well. Lorie"}, {"response": 70, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Sun, Dec 21, 1997 (01:18)", "body": "Dear Lorie, I hope you enjoy your trip even though it's for business. I really like the Christams episode of WENN. I must have watched it several times last year. You know this year I was so busy with gifts that I totally forgot about Christmas. You're right, it's about being with the people you love. I usually make sure to not have a skewed perception of Christmas but this year things wre so hectic that I could barely remember my name. Anyway, I hope you have lots of fun during the Holidays and receive lots of gifts that will cheer your heart :) Merry Chritmas and Happy New Year, Alicia"}, {"response": 71, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Mon, Dec 22, 1997 (22:58)", "body": "Merry Christmas to you, too, Alicia. I hope things have calmed down a bit and you're able to enjoy yourself now! I just grabbed a minute to sneak on-line and see what's happening, so take care and I'll be back in touch in the new year. Lorie"}, {"response": 72, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (06:33)", "body": "Happy New Year Lorie! I don't know if you're back from the trip yet, but Happy New Year anyway. Remember WENN's season just ended and you know what? I missed the season finale!!!!!! I forgot to tape it and they didn't have re-runs on Wednesday. Now on to another disaster. KCBS, the channel that airs Due South, just decided not to show DS anymore because they can't fit it in the first quarter of 1998. Well, can't they fit it even at 2am in the morning? How can they have no space????? They can get rid of some sports programming can't they? I wonder if they're going to fit it in the second quarter. Arrrrgh. Okay, some good news. I was able to relax for awhile this time. I went up north to Napa Valley, the Wine Country. It was pretty fun. I got to go on the Wine Train and everything. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to go on a Balloon ride because it's too expensive. But I don't think I would want to any way. Have a mild fear of heights. Caroline in the City has been interesting lately. Annie just blurted to Richard that Caroline loves him. They're going to confront each other on Monday. And nothing is going to happen. Hope you're enjoying yourself in Chicago. By the way, do you ever run into tv shows filming around town, like Early Edition? Alicia"}, {"response": 73, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Wed, Jan  7, 1998 (17:46)", "body": "Hi Alicia, and a happy new year to you, too. I'm so sorry to hear about DS not being aired on your station. And no, I don't understand how they do the programming decisions. Our cable provider has been promising us \"broadband\", purportedly the wave of the future, yet in the meantime they've cut our stations and some switch during the day from one network to another. Argh! Anyway, I'll hope for the best on DS coming back in April. Take heart -- you are not the only person who missed the WENN finale. Unfortunately, I've also been missing most of my TV shows - so I missed all the interesting stuff on Caroline, too. Well, I probably spend too much time watching TV anyway. And this means the reruns will be \"new to me\" as NBC advertised last year. Any resolutions for 1998? I haven't formalized them yet, but I am working on some self-improvement that doesn't involve TV! Best to you, Lorie"}, {"response": 74, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 1998 (03:48)", "body": "Hi Lorie! Good to hear from you again! I've been feeling pretty good lately. On Sunday, I rented \"Strictly Ballroom\" it's an Australian film. I am absolutely in love with it. You've got to see it! I've seen it four times already. I'm practically watching it everyday. I don't think I've loved a film before this much. The dancer/actor in it, Paul Mercurio, is absolutely amazing in it. I love watching him dance. Anyway, you've got to go rent it. CITC The end of Monday's ep was sort of sad. Richard and Caroline have moved on. I've been watching less tv these days, but I've been renting a lot of videos instead. And I'm too busy watching Strictly Ballroom to watch tv. Anyway, it seems that nothing pretty much is good anymore and now that DS is not on anymore, I don't see any point in watching tv. See you later, Alicia"}, {"response": 75, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 1998 (17:55)", "body": "Hi Alicia! Thanks for the recommendation. Next weekend I'll try to rent it. This weekend is already booked. I didn't get to see Caroline or much of anything else this week. When I was watching, everything was re-runs I'd already seen. I just don't understand TV schedules anymore. I never answered your question about filming that takes place in Chicago. Sadly, I've never run into any major stars while downtown. Usually I hear about them being here after the fact. But the union where I work isn't exactly int he hot part of town for movies, either. But the town where we live, Oak Park, is often used in movies. One Sunday we went out for brunch and realized something was up. Some baseball movie was being filmed, and they were actually using the exterior of the restaurant. Throu hout brunch, we watched crew people come in and use the restaurant's restroom facilities. The only recognizable person was the director, Daniel J. Stern. But knowing when DJS went to the restroom isn't exactly exciting, and we didn't ask him for an autograph or speak to him. I'm afraid that I'll always be too inarticulate when I meet celebrities in person to have any good stories. I once stood in line at a book signing to get Kenneth Branaugh to inscribe a book for my husband. When I was up there, all I could think of to say is \"my husband really likes your movies.\" Duh! Glad to hear you're feeling good. Stay healthy and happy, and have a great weekend! Lorie"}, {"response": 76, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Sat, Jan 10, 1998 (09:26)", "body": "You met Kenneth Branaugh! Wow. I absolutely loved him in \"Much Ado About Nothing.\" One of my favorite movies of all time. He is so charming and adorable. But it's sad that he and Emma broke up. They had such good chemistry together. I'm afraid that I'll always be too inarticulate when I meet celebrities in person to have any good stories. I totally understand this. I could NEVER approach them. I'm afraid it's going to ruin the whole celebrity persona thing. I only see them as imagages and in their character, so if I actually met them, it would be too bizarre. I guess I can't see them as real people. I'm even afraid to go backstage after an opera performance to meet my favorite singers. Even though I see them live on stage, I can't get them out of character, and actually meet with them and have a conversation. Anyway, I think I have a disease in my brain or something. I can't stop watching Strictly Ballroom. I have to watch it everyday. At least a part of it if not the entire film. I'm a sick person. It's almost as if I can't go through the day or my day isn't complete if I don't watch it. Maybe I should go a see a shrink. But I can't trust them. I hate talking about personal thoughts and problems with complete strangers. I'm afraind that I'm going to break down in front of them and just lose it emotionally. I'm going to see if I can go a day without watching Strictly Ballroom. Wish me luck! Alicia"}, {"response": 77, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 1998 (00:22)", "body": "Of course I wish you luck if you really want to go a whole day without the movie, but if you're enjoying yourself (and it's not unhealthy or fattening, right?), go for it. See it till you're sick of it. I'm gonna have to rent this movie. Anyway, I'm glad to hear you liked Much Ado. We saw that about 4 times in the theaters, and we own the video, too. My husband is the Branaugh fan, he loved Henry V, but when we saw this movie and the men came riding up and the music swelled -- he loved it, he laughed out loud for happiness (not humor), and that became his new favorite. We actually did make it through Hamlet, but that was harder. We enjoy Shakespeare in general and have gone to Stratford, Ontario for the festival a few times (wish we could go every year, but finances prohibit it). Anyway, that obsession with Much Ado should make you feel a little better about Strictly Ballroom. I hope. At least you're obsessed with a quality film. Sometimes I get on a kick where I keep watching a bad movie, over and over. But I've always loved re-reading books I enjoy, and seeing a movie to death. So I'm probably not the person to help you over your obsession! Lorie"}, {"response": 78, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 1998 (05:20)", "body": "It's funny about Much Ado because I watched that about a thousand times just like Strictly Ballroom. I bought the screenplay, have the video, but I don't have the soundtrack though. The first movie that I was really obsessed with was A Streetcar Named Desire. Couldn't stop watching it. Then, it was Much Ado and now it's Strictly Ballroom. But I think SB has been my strongest obsession yet. Anyway, yesterday I actually managed to not watch SB for the first time. But of course today I watched it again. So I guess I can't quit cold turkey. I'll have to start by not watching it every other day. Taking it one step at a time :) Someone asked me if he could borrow it so I'll have to part with my video for a couple of days. I wonder how I'll handle it. Anyway, to prepare myself for it I did something crazy. I recorded the entire movie on cassette tape. It's insane isn't it? I have a serious mental disorder. Anyway, I'm not watching CITC tonight. I don't think I'll watch it for a long time. I can only handle a couple of shows consecutively. I hope everything's going all right in Chicago. Here in Cali we had a small earthquake last night. I didn't feel it though. Cheers, Alicia"}, {"response": 79, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 1998 (22:20)", "body": "Glad to hear the earthquake wasn't too serious -- do you think it was a result of the built-up pressure of NOT watching SB? Anyway, I don't think movie obsession is a serious mental disorder. Maybe just a marginal one, one that so many of us here are prone to. Yet we all seem like nice enough people. And some of us are quite productive in the real world (I'm not included in that group, unfortunately). I myself was feeling a bit selfish with our ongoing dialog here on the Spring, but having added a few conferences to my list, I see that we aren't the only ones indulging ourselves off-topic. So I refuse to be guilty about it. My hubbie has performances of his shows this weekend, so I'm going to try to rent SB myself and have something fun to watch when I get lonely. I'll let you know what I think of it. Lorie"}, {"response": 80, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 1998 (07:14)", "body": "Can't wait to hear what you think of SB. I hope I didn't hype it up too much for you. I watched it completely not knowing what it was about. Those are usually the movies that I end up loving. If I know something about it or someone talked about it before, I usually don't like it as much as I should. On the night I rented SB I was supposed to rent Twelfth Night but it was out so I got SB instead out of the blue. I guess it's fate. Alicia"}, {"response": 81, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 1998 (20:07)", "body": "Well, my husband won't let me rent SB while he's unable to see it, but maybe I can talk him into it if I agree to watch it Saturday during the day while he's still home... Will keep you posted. On the topic of seeing and loving movies when you haven't heard word one about them, that's actually how I saw Star Wars for the first time (way back when). A girlfriend and I went to see it the night it opened, and before any of the magazine review hype had been read by me (I'm not sure if my friend was as innocent as I). Anyway, it blew me away. Nowadays that's harder, because my hubbie loves to read about coming attractions, and the films seem to be hyped more on TV before their release. Or maybe I'm just home watching more TV to see it (oh, for those college days when I didn't own a TV). So it usually happens with books, now, for me. I love discovering a new author and finding a place to go imagine in. Enough rambling for today. Hope everything is well with you and that you aren't experiencing aftershocks or anything nasty. Here, there's snow and it's finally behaving like January in Chicago. Lorie"}, {"response": 82, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (06:12)", "body": "Star Wars I was soooooo reluctant to see it. Everybody kept saying how great it was. I had absolutely no clue what it was about. I saw little snippets of it on tv but never long enough to see what the story was. I just had this prejudice against it that it was super-boring. However, when it was re-released last year, I finally went to see it. I was absolutely blown away. I watched all three movies within the same week on the screen. I guess that made the difference. If I saw it on tv maybe I wouldn't have been so impressed. I met George Lucas once before when I wasn't interested in Star Wars at all. He was the producer of that one tv show \"The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles.\" Remember it? Well, it used to be my favorite show of all time and of course it got cancelled! Anyway, despite that, it was featured in the Television Festival run by the Museum of Television and Radio. So I went to this seminar/forum/whatever, and he was there along with some actors, writers, and those type of people. We were supposed to ask questions a out the tv show but people kept asking question about Star Wars. They kept asking when it would be re-released and other things. I remember being so annoyed at that because I didn't care about SW at all back then. Now, I think back on it, and I regret not appreciating it as much as I should have. Oh well. Now if I met George Lucas again, I'd react not so indifferently as I did before. Okay, that was really long. Oh I have good news. DS is back on tv. It's now at 2:45 am! Well it's better than nothing. Alicia"}, {"response": 83, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 1998 (18:52)", "body": "Glad to hear your Boy is back on, even at that ungodly hour. Re Star Wars and other movies on the big screen-- usually when I see something on video, it just isn't terribly impressive. With some very violent films, that's a better way for me to see them since I don't enjoy graphic bloodshed much and don't need to feel that I was personally splattered. But for most films, new and old, the best way to see them is in a theater on the big screen. Something as oft-seen as It's a Wonderful Life or Citizen Kane had images I'd always missed when I saw them at a revival house in Chicago (The Music Box, a 1930's theater that has twinkly stars in the ceiling and was never cut into multiplexes). So I always try to get out and see movies I want to see while they're in theatrical release. Yes, that isn't cheap, despite matinees. And often I'm disappointed. (I think it was over on the movies conference where you were complaining about the quality of new films.) But you see so much more, and you judge more competently, on the big screen. Lorie"}, {"response": 84, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 1998 (00:32)", "body": "Glad to hear your Boy is back on, even at that ungodly hour. KCBS, the channel that airs DS is annoying me. The last episode I watched was the first of a two part episode. This Monday morning, I recorded the second part and it was not there! I'm left hanging in suspense. I guess KCBS is not going to air DS anymore. THANKFULLY, another local channel KCAL is airing DS but from the beginning, so I have to wait for 2-3 months until I can see the second part if KCBS doesn't show it. So I always try to get out and see movies I want to see while they're in theatrical release. But you see so much more,and you judge more competently, on the big screen. Yes,it is best to see a movie on the big screen. But who has the time? Actually even when I do have the time, I'm not in the mood to drive to a theater even though it's only 7 minutes away. I don't know. Movies don't excite me as much as they used to. Once in a while I run into a little gem like Strictly Ballroom (this time on video), Shall We Dance?, and Sense and Sensibility, among others. I guess I'm losing interest in movies because I'm getting more into concerts and opera. Also, I think I'm starting to enjoy foreign films more than American movies. Alicia"}, {"response": 85, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 1998 (21:21)", "body": "Alicia: Concerts and opera sound great to me. But don't you have an art house nearby that shows the foreign films? And what about more live theater? I have to ask because my husband acts and works for a community theater -- I know it's even more expensive than movies, but we still try to subscribe several places every year. No, we can't deduct it on our taxes, tho! Don't you hate having to find a show you missed in re-runs? It's great that stations will show them in order, but some of the shows I watch are run every day -- so it's even easier to miss it again and again (and wind up seeing the same shows you have seen day after day, instead of the ones you want to see). Anyway, I wish you better luck on catching up on DS. Lorie"}, {"response": 86, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 1998 (07:13)", "body": "And what about more live theater? I've been trying to get in to theater but it's been difficult. I probably see one play a year. Isn't that tragic? Last year I saw two plays and they were both great! I saw Neil Simon's Proposals and David Hare's Skylight. This year I'm planning to see a play on Oscar Wilde and his trial. I forgot what it's called. I think the title has the number 3 in it or something. I'm not a big fan of Wilde but the premise of the play seemed interesting. I don't know, but theater in L.A. just seems...blah. It's diffic lt to find a good company or production. Maybe I'm wrong since I haven't seen a whole lot of plays in L.A. I just can't seem to put any faith in L.A. theater. But this year I'm definitely going to make an effort to watch plays. There's an excellent theater company just 15 minutes away from where I live. I think I may go there once soon. I heard lots of good things about it. Re-runs I can relate to your problem. I must have seen the same show about 10 times during the re-runs while trying to catch a show I missed. I just discovered a little show on Comedy Central called The Kids in the Hall. I heard of it before and I just started watching it last week. They air the re-runs everyday. It's like SNL but condensed into 30 minutes instead of 1.5 hours. It's a troupe of 5 very funny Canandian comedian actors. They do hilarious comedy sketches. It's the only show I'm excited about these days since DS is only around sporadically and Remember WENN is in re-runs. Even Early Edition has been getting a little stale these days Talk to you later, Alicia"}, {"response": 87, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 1998 (18:08)", "body": "I just discovered a little show on Comedy Central called The Kids in the Hall. Yes, I've seen it too. Better than SNL by all means, particularly the new ones (I'm nostalgic to still enjoy the \"Best of\" oldies, at least those I haven't seen one million times). Other TV gems for you to try & see if you like: If you get cable, Nickelodeon (I'm sure that's misspelled) broadcasts re-runs as \"Nick at Night\" in the evenings. From 8 to 9 PM (central time) they are showing The Wonder Years , which I never saw when it was first-run and which is quite good. Of course, you're a little young for it to have the same emotional resonance that it does for me, but fashions aside, the themes are pretty universal. Have we already discussed Law & Order ? It's one of my favorites, and they are back to showing new ones on Wednesdays. A&E shows reruns on cable. Anyway, that's about it for TV. As for live theater, that can be difficult. Chicago is blessed with lots of quirky troups, as well as getting the road companies of Broadway shows. Those, no one can afford! At least, no one I know. But the smaller companies usually have ticket prices that are reasonable, if not pain-free. And despite both of us being interested in theater (it's how we met, I was doing tech work and he was acting in the same community show), we don't see as much as I'd wish. We subscribe to a local theater and a larger suburban mainstream theater. But those unique shows are very hard to get out and see, particularly when the husband is working in a show himself (so he's performing at the same time they are, and I live like a hermit!). Anyway, enough babble for today. Take care and I'll talk to you soon. Lorie"}, {"response": 88, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Sun, Jan 25, 1998 (03:36)", "body": "The Wonder Years! I love that show. I used to watch that show on syndication all the time. I never saw it when it was first-run either. I know a girl that went to the school that it was filmed at. It's strange now when I see Fred Savage in \"Working\" on NBC. He's so grown up. He's not the awkward teenager anymore. Now he's the awkward twentysomething. Another show that I absolutely treasure on Nick at Night is \"Taxi.\" That show is sooooooo hilarious. But it's too bad that it's so late at night. Another show that I used to really enjoy on Nick was \"Welcome Back, Kotter\" but it's not on anymore. I wonder if it's on TVLand. Law & Order Everyone tells me how good it is but I never got to see an entire episode. I don't know, I'm not into the lawyer stuff. That's why I can't watch other good shows like Ally McBeal and The Practice. But I really like Sam Waterston and A&E shows the eps with Chris Noth, right? I really like him too. I wonder if they could both be in the same ep. Fat chance. There was a Kids in the Hall Marathon last night. I am so addicted to that show now. Canadian tv rocks! :) Alicia"}, {"response": 89, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 1998 (20:45)", "body": "I used to really enjoy \"Welcome Back, Kotter\" but it's not on anymore. I wonder if it's on TVLand. That one I can't answer, because I don't have TVLand. Wish we did. Our cable company is always playing games with the lineup, usually dumping oddball things I enjoy (like Bravo). And of course, whenever they do that, the station seems to be showing stuff I'd like to see. I used to love Kotter, too, but haven't seen it in a long, long time. I guess it would be fun to see them all again. Law & Order The \"lawyer stuff\" is pretty intense, so maybe you wouldn't enjoy it. But it is a good (well-written) show, and I absolutely love Sam Waterson. Saw him as Benedick in a PBS \"Much Ado\" as a young girl and wanted to marry him ever since. He usually does fine quality work, and L&O is no exception. I wonder if they could both be in the same ep. Fat chance. Actually, they were both on the show for a while--I think it was only one season, but it might have been two. And some of those are shown on A&E, too. Chris Noth is another person that I'd like to see more of...wonder why he's kind of dropped off the TV radar. Maybe doing live theater? There was a Kids in the Hall Marathon last night. I am so addicted to that show now. Canadian tv rocks! Yes, it does. And I thought of another (I think Canadian) show I've only seen a little of, but would love to see more of: Forever Knight. Vampires! I know, you're revising your whole opinion of me. But it has been very good when I've seen it, albeit a little hard to follow because sometimes I don't understand the relationships (or who's a vampire, etc.) Geriant Wyn Davies (probably spelling him wrong) used to perform Shakespeare at Stratford, Ontario during those years we went regularly. Saw him as Henry V, for example (before the Branaugh movie version came out and spoiled us). He's a fine actor, maybe that's why I like the show despite the fang stuff. So now that you know I dig shows about immortals (Highlander) and vampires, will you still talk to me? Lorie"}, {"response": 90, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Mon, Jan 26, 1998 (20:49)", "body": "Oh, by the way, about Fred Savage: Now that I've been seeing The Wonder Years and Working, I think I'm developing into a dirty old lady. He's probably the only 20-something guy on TV that I drool over (probably because some of them could be younger than I'm thinking, since I'm firmly convinced I'm becoming delusional about my age. On Nothing Sacred this weekend, I was totally shocked when I realized the character of Sister Mo was supposed to actually be YOUNGER than I am! How dare they! I thought she was 40-something, and they'r saying she's mid-30's! Any Nun must be older than ME! Like I said, completely delusional.)"}, {"response": 91, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 1998 (06:44)", "body": "Bravo My cable didn't have Bravo and I suffered for years and now they were nice enough to add it the line-up. However, the downside is that they added just after Bravo stopped airing re-run of \"Tales of the City.\" So now, there's nothing to watch really. Their programming has been quite dull for the past weeks but I'm sure things will pick up. The last interesting thing I saw on Bravo was a profile on David Hockney who happens to be one of my favorite artists. Kotter \"Up your nose with a rubber hose\" Later, they had to change that line to \"garden hose\" because some idiots thought there was something inappropriate with the word \"rubber.\" I really miss Horseshack. L&O Sam Waterston and Chris Noth were in the show together? I thought SW replaced CN when CN dropped the show. Wow, I guess that means I should catch those eps on A&E. Forever Knight There's nothing with FK. I found out about the show through other DS fans and now I'm really interested in it. I haven't been able to catch an entire show yet. But one of these days... Same thing with Highlander. I saw a little bit of it on Saturday I think but it was late and I was getting sleepy. Take care, Alicia"}, {"response": 92, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 1998 (17:49)", "body": "Hi, Alicia. Glad to hear from you. Well, I'm fresh out of ideas for TV you should try to catch, so I think instead I'll rent some movies this weekend and particularly try to catch Strictly Ballroom so we can talk about it. (Your obsession seems to have died down a bit, so it's probably safe!) Law & Order: Sam Waterson replaced Michael Moriarty, who is still grumpy about it (I think he thought he was irreplaceable), and makes comments about such a \"lightweight\" playing the Assistant D.A. Personally, having seen both of them in a lot of movies, I think acting-wise, they are equals. Sex appeal wise, SW wins hands down. And just in the category of \"seems like a nice guy to get to know,\" Sam again comes in first. What else is going on in life? Oh, speaking of Sams, I used to love Quantum Leap and both Dean Stockwell and Scott Bakula. Scott is another of those multi-talented guys who can sing and dance, but woefully we don't see much of it. He did a special with Carol Burnett where he was wonderful, but seems to have dropped off the face of the earth since then. And Dean S. is always fun, tho he seems to get typed as nasty mafia guys instead of getting the opportunity to really show his acting talents. Always get back to that drooling, don't I? Well, this is the right place. Hope you're having a good day (and week). I'm about to leave work and go play with my guy for the afternoon. Lorie"}, {"response": 93, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 1998 (08:48)", "body": "Hi Lorie! Strictly Ballroom Yep I certainly watch less of it now. But I watched it yesterday for the tenth time. I couldn't watch it for an entire week because I let someone borrow it and it's going to be our of my hands again next week. I'm trying to get a hold of the screenplay now. I think I might order it from Amazon. They have everything. I rented Remeo + Juliet today because the director is the same guy who directed SB. I still don't like the movie from the first time but anything related to SB I'll watch. L&O That's right! It's Michael Moriarty! I got him mixed up with Chris Noth. MM made such a BIG deal about SW. Well, I'm not sure I like MM that much but I do like CN and SW. Quantum Leap That was such an awesome show. Unfortunately by the time I found out about it it was almost off the air. And I couldn't even watch it on cable because I didn't have sci-fi. A lot of people compapare EE to QL. Speaking of QL, doesn't the show sort of remind you of McGuyver? I used to love that show but I only got to watch it when I lived in Argentina. In the US, I barely saw it. I did a bit of drooling myself today. I rented Twelfth Night and Toby Stephens and the actor who played Sebastien were delightful to watch. Imogen Stubbs was in it to my surprise. A real contrast to her Lucy Steele role in Sense & Sensibility. That's all for now. Cheers, Alicia"}, {"response": 94, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Fri, Jan 30, 1998 (08:48)", "body": "Strictly Ballroom -- I let someone borrow it and it's going to be our of my hands again next week. Boy, I'm amazed at your generosity, knowing how much you love that film. I'm trying to get a hold of the screenplay now. I think I might order it from Amazon. They have everything. I've only been to their website once, but it was very exciting. I think the reason I haven't gone back is I'm afraid I'll enter my credit card number and never stop! Speaking of QL, doesn't the show sort of remind you of McGuyver? I used to love that show I have never seen any episodes of McGuyver, sad to say. I suppose this comes from not coming on-line in those days to hear about the good tv. Too bad about the QL re-runs all being on cable. Of course, they're not on at a time when I can watch, either. I thought the show was very good in the first seasons, and tho the later ones were probably more exciting, sometimes they changed the premise a bit from the first years. But always interesting. I did a bit of drooling myself today. I rented Twelfth Night and Toby Stephens and the actor who played Sebastien were delightful to watch. OK, SB and 12th go on the video store list for this weekend. Of course, I always say that and rarely get out to rent them! Imogen Stubbs was in it to my surprise. A real contrast to her Lucy Steele role in Sense & Sensibility. Cool. I always enjoy seeing actors in more than one memorable role. I am honestly going to try to get to a video store this weekend, although I probably should be concentrating on cleaning and fixing up my house. Have some projects on tap; one to recover the TV room chairs we always sit in -- boy, do they need it. Hope you have a great weekend. Wish me luck! Lorie"}, {"response": 95, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Sat, Jan 31, 1998 (20:24)", "body": "Strictly Ballroom Yep, I'm letting a lot of people borrow it because I want everyone to know how good it is. I like to share good things around. I just found out today that there's going to be an Australian Food and Film Festival in February. However, I think they're only showing new Australian films. I wish SB was on the screen again. I hate watching movies that were \"formatted to fit your tv screen.\" I don't think there is a wide-screen version of SB. Twelfth Night I really liked Toby Stephens in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall so after a long time of wishing to see him in other films I rented TN. It's not as hilarious as Much Ado About Nothing but it's still worth watching. It has it's hilarious moments. The only person that I think was miscast is Ben Kingsley. Anyhow, I really liked reading the play and I hope that some day I can see it on stage. Due South I'm finally going to see a new episode today! Very exciting!!!!!!!! And Early Edition has a new episode today also. Once the Winter Games start on CBS though, I won't see EE for three weeks! Pity! I hope you are successful in going to the video store! Alicia"}, {"response": 96, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Fri, Feb  6, 1998 (23:41)", "body": "Dear Lorie, I got the Strictly Ballroom screenplay today! It's wonderful. I ordered it on-line from Barnes and Noble. Got a pretty good discount, too. I saw Forever Knight for the first time this week. I really liked it. But the premise of the show is a bit confusing. Perhaps, you can enlighten me. The only thing is that it's on at 10pm. That's when I'm usually on-line. I've yet to catch an ep of Law & Order. I think Due South and I were never meant to be. I keep missing the episodes. Either the tv station doesn't air it or my VCR goes haywire. Anyway, I asked someone to dub the episodes I missed. There's a BIG rumor that Early Edition might be cancelled forever. And I think it's true. Well, I'm gonna have to start writing to CBS. Wish me luck! Alicia"}, {"response": 97, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Mon, Feb  9, 1998 (20:07)", "body": "Hi Alicia! Welcome back. Rented SB last weekend and loved it. Even my husband enjoyed it. However, I'm not sure how you were able to watch it so many times--the mother and the other nasty characters would get on my nerves too much! So you must have been using the fast forward button to get to the romantic stuff, right? Why haven't we seen more of those actors? You must know the low-down, so let me know. They were very wonderful together, and the dancing was beautiful to see. About Forever Knight , I'll tell you anything I know. Unfortunately, my own ability to see episodes has been limited and I don't know all the answers. If you have specific questions, I'll see if we can mutually enlighten each other. I'm not even sure about all the characters' names (so I think of them as woman-partner, romantic m.e., man-partner, older vampire, etc.) Too bad about EE! Sometimes it isn't the fault of the network or even the show itself. A show with a gimmick can be very repetitious, but if the writers are creative and move beyond the gimmick into complex, more interesting plots, then a \"casual watcher\" can't surf into the show and understand what's going on. (come to think of it, kind of like Forever Knight) Anyway, I hope it's just a rumor. When I think of the junk that stays on TV forever! Grouse for the day, Lorie"}, {"response": 98, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 1998 (06:41)", "body": "Dear Lorie, Good to hear from you again. I'm glad you liked Strictly Ballroom. And you know what? Even though the mother is annoying I never fast-forward through her parts. She's as annoying as the mother in Pride&Prejudice. I don't know which one gets on my nerves more. My favorite dance number in SB is when Fran and Scott dance the rumba to \"Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps\" backstage. It was very intimate and beautifully choreographed. My favorite song in the movie is of course \"Time after Time.\" It was very well chosen. The actors aren't around much. I did a search on Paul Mercurio and came up with several movies: \"Exit to Eden\" \"Joseph\" (TNT movie), \"Back of Beyond\" \"Dark Planet\" \"Red Ribbon Blues.\" Tina Morice (Fran) \"Hotel Serrento\" (?) and a sequel to that movie. Bill Hunter (Barry Fife): \"Muriel's Wedding.\" Pat Thomson (Shirley Hastings) passed away. That's all I know for now. Forever Knight I know that the vampire's name is Nick Knight. And how did he become a cop? And does he have a platonic relationship with his partner like Mulder and Scully in X-files? I have more to say but I'm pressed for time. Alicia"}, {"response": 99, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 1998 (22:10)", "body": "Hey Alicia: Yes, as far as I know the partner isn't the romantic interest in Forever Knight. His \"girlfriend\" for lack of a better word is the Medical Examiner, who you may not have seen depending on the episode. She's got darker, longer curly hair vs. the tall, thin, blonde partner. Knight has been a vampire for hundreds of years. The guy who \"brought him over\" is still around and involved in his life, too, tho I can't remember his name. On certain episodes he was a talk-radio personality (late night, of course). And Nick is a late-night cop for the same reason, I guess. At some point in his vampire life, he became so guilty over all the death and pain he'd caused that he got involved in \"good causes\" to help assauge the guilt. For example, I saw an episode that indicated he was a resistance fighter in France during WW2. Being a cop seems an extension of that. The other thing that's confusing is he's trying to be -- for lack of a better word -- celibate about drinking blood. That is, he's not doing it any more (usually) because he feels that the more you do, the more you need or something like that. Since sex and drinking blood are tied together, his ME and him have some interesting conversations but I've never seen a present-tense love scene. Just lots of flashbacks with heaving bosoms and white necks. So. There may be more I know, but I can't think of it right now. Strictly Ballroom: I think I did recognize Paul M. from that TNT Joseph movie. I suppose in Australia they're big-time, but we don't see them much. Anyway, I really liked the movie, too, and I do want to see it again. Ah, the romance of dance! In the meantime, tho, I'll just enjoy the romance of pairs figure skating. Take care, Lorie"}, {"response": 100, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 1998 (22:14)", "body": "Strictly Ballroom My favorite dance number in SB is when Fran and Scott dance the rumba to \"Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps\" backstage. It was very intimate and beautifully choreographed. My favorite song in the movie is of course \"Time after Time.\" Do you mind if I butt in? SB is one of my favorite movies. My favorite dance sequence is actually when Fran's father teaches Scott a true Pasa Doble (sp?). His willingness to learn from others was one of the things I liked about Scott. I like the Time after Time bit, and the homage ;-) to those old Coke commercials. Paul Mercurio in \"Joseph\" He is mainly in the second half of the movie, which is based on the biblical Joseph. I found the story to be very good, and PM spends most of the time dressed in an Egyptian style Loin cloth. Forever Knight I know that the vampire's name is Nick Knight. And how did he become a cop? I am unsure on he became a cop, but he chose to be a cop in order to compensate for the evil he had done previously. In the flashbacks, sometimes he is a cop, sometimes a doctor. And does he have a platonic relationship with his partner like Mulder and Scully in X-files? Skanky is his partner. However, the female coroner, who knows Nick is vampire, seems to have a similar relationship a la the X-files, though I can't say for sure, I have only seen 1 X-files episode."}, {"response": 101, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 1998 (07:25)", "body": "Carolyn! I'm glad you joined us. So you like SB also? Great minds think alike :) I watched FK again tonight. I'm starting to really get hooked on the show. Thanks Lorie and Carolyn for enlightening me about the show. So I guess in every episode Nick has flashbacks that parallel the present? And I figured out tonight while watching the show that the coroner lady knows Nick is a vampire. Is she a vampire also? And I guess the guy who brought him over is the guy who appears in his flashbacks and enjoys tormenting him. Poor Nick! Doesn't he wish to be a mortal? A vampire with a heart of g ld, think of that! There's going to be a FK marathon this Saturday. Perfect timing. Lorie, I don't know if the actors in SB are big in Australia. I know that PM is considered one of the top dancers and choreographers but someone told me that he's a bit over the hill now. And Tina Morice doesn't seem to be in a lot of movies. Maybe she's doing better in the music industry. She sang Time after Time in the soundtrack. Or maybe she's more into theater. She played Fran in the stge version of SB before doing the film. I wish I can be a dancer now. Maybe I should take up ballroom dancing lessons or tap lessons. Alicia"}, {"response": 102, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 1998 (03:08)", "body": "I guess in every episode Nick has flashbacks that parallel the present? Yes, and quite interestingly too. And I figured out tonight while watching the show that the coroner lady knows Nick is a vampire. Is she a vampire also? No, but there is a female vampire, the bar owner, Nicole, I think her name is. And I guess the guy who brought him over is the guy who appears in his flashbacks and enjoys tormenting him. I not sure who brought him over. I think it was the female vampire (bar owner)in cohoots with LaCroix. LaCroix gets some of the best lines in the series, too. Poor Nick! Doesn't he wish to be a mortal? A vampire with a heart of gold, think of that! And a cute one at that. Did you know the original movie-of the week that they based the series on starred Rick Springfield as Nick Knight"}, {"response": 103, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 1998 (23:46)", "body": "And a cute one at that. Did you know the original movie-of the week that they based the series on starred Rick Springfield as Nick Knight I didn't know FK was based on a tv movie. Did it air in Canada first or on some channel in the U.S.? Didn't USA use to air FK?"}, {"response": 104, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Sun, Feb 15, 1998 (10:20)", "body": "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!!!!!! I just found out the most exciting thing!!!!!!! I was planning to go see a play called Gross Indecency. I almost went on Friday but tickets were nearly sold out. About a few minutes ago, I just found out that Geraint Wyn Davies is in the play!!!!!!! I cannot believe this. Now I really MUST see this play. Today, I spent nearly all day watching the FK marathon. I'm a brand new fan and I already get the opportunity to meet the star of the show. This is all too much to contain. Alicia"}, {"response": 105, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Wed, Feb 18, 1998 (21:45)", "body": "Hi Alicia, and welcome Carolyn! Well, this is what I get for being away for a week or so. I was painting my kitchen, but I would have watched some of the FK marathon if I'd known about it. Which channel was it on? Did you learn more about it than I knew? Wish I could see some of the early, more expository episodes! Listening to you guys talk about SB makes me want to see it again. I, too, love the \"Time after Time\" music, but can't pick a favorite dance. They were all lovely, and I have to admit a hokey love for the ending, with \"Love is in the Air\" and everyone pairing off. (Do I sound too insane if I tell you I've been singing that song to my cat, and that he purrs when I do so?) It's very exciting that Geriant W-D will be performing live in your neck of the woods, Alicia. Having seen him at Stratford several times (best was as D'Artagnan in \"The Three Musketeers\"), I know you won't be disappointed. He's a lovely actor. Of course, when I was seeing him it was a good 8-10 years ago, so he's a little older now...Alas, so am I. Probably won't be checking in much this weekend, either, so you both have a good one and enjoy yourselves! I'll be painting in my TV room....sigh. Lorie"}, {"response": 106, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Thu, Feb 19, 1998 (07:38)", "body": "Lorie, The FK marathon was on the Sci-Fi channel. Currently, the third season is being aired on Sci-Fi and I must say that I like seasons 1 & 2 better than season 3. The FK marathon was great! It was hosted by GWD. He introduced each ep. So you sing Love is in the Air to your cat? I have that song in my head all the time. It's a catchy tune. I've been watching a lovely miniseries on Masterpiece Theater called \"The Wingless Bird.\" It's very entertaining. Sadly, the conclusion is this Sunday. All good things must come to an end, I guess. Have fun painting your TV room! Alicia"}, {"response": 107, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 1998 (22:58)", "body": "Hi Alicia: STill painting, still not having any fun. I'm really sorry I missed that Sci-Fi FK marathon. It would have been neat to catch up a little on the earlier seasons. I did catch a Quantum Leap marathon night on Sci-Fi recently, but who has time to watch (particularly with the TV room torn to pieces)? My body is covered in peach paint (dark, cantaloupe peach, not light peach) because I hugged a can of paint to my chest rather than spilling it on the floor. Yuch. And it's not washing off very well for latex paint, either. Tonight should finish the job, tho, and then I can concentrate on important things like good tv, surfing the net, and talking to you. Hope everything is well by you (and that you're having nice weather, not the rain that my friends in Palm Springs have been complaining about so much). Take care, Lorie"}, {"response": 108, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 1998 (19:23)", "body": "Hey, Terry, what are you doing here? Haven't heard from you for a while, and then when you do post, you don't say anything! Alicia, the painting is finally done (sound track of Halleluiah Chorus plays) and now I can get back to important things like renting videos and watching romantic TV. Have a good weekend and I'll talk to you next week! Lorie"}, {"response": 109, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 1998 (22:45)", "body": "And does he have a platonic relationship with his partner like Mulder and Scully in X-files? I just watched it last night, for the first time in awhile (olympics instead), when lo and behold, skanky was gone and Nick had a new partner. What ever I told you before was wrong, since this woman is completely new to me."}, {"response": 110, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 1998 (08:00)", "body": "Yep, Schanke is gone. He died in an airplane crash along with Cohen in the first ep of the 3rd season. Tomorrow, I'm going to try to catch Gerain Wyn Davies in his play. The show is doing very well now and it's hard to get hold of tickets so tomorrow with LUCK i'll be able to finally see it. And Lorie, we've been having terrible weather here. But yesterday it finally cleared up and we'll have a beautiful weekend until Monday - when the rains come down again. Yech. Alicia"}, {"response": 111, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Tue, Mar  3, 1998 (19:51)", "body": "Hello to Carolyn, Terry, Alicia, and any other lurkers out there, and happy March to you all. I'm only in such an enlightened mood because it's a short work week for me WITHOUT a painting project to fill the time. What a nice feeling. Of course, there are some little things to do like clean my house, recover a chair, etc. But still, compared to emptying and painting a room, it's nothing! Forever Knight is becoming clearer all the time, listening to you guys. Now if I can only start catching the shows again! I used to see it late night on a network. Now I gather it's on Sci-Fi, but I haven't figured out when exactly. best to you all, Lorie"}, {"response": 112, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Tue, Mar  3, 1998 (21:06)", "body": "Now I gather it's on Sci-Fi, but I haven't figured out when exactly. Lorie, On the East coast of the US it seems to be on Mon-Thurs at 9pm."}, {"response": 113, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Wed, Mar  4, 1998 (06:11)", "body": "Hello, Hello, Hello Over the weekend I saw Geraint Wyn Davies perform in the play, \"Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde.\" He played Wilde's lawyer, Clarke. The play was excellent. GWD gave an excellent performance. I didn't see a trace of Nick Knight in him. (I thought I would confuse the two roles since I've only seen him in FK). He disappeared into his character. The play is based on manuscripts, books, and letters. It barely has any original dialogue. The play was well directed. Very subtle directing. The play didn't even seem like a play but like a real trial. More real than our \"trial of the century.\" (ahem, OJ) It dealt with lots of issues that we still debate over today like the press/tabloid/media, homosexuality, artistic freedom, morality/immorality, and a slew of other topics. The production was seamless. The cast was very dynamic. Everyone complemented each other well. The actor who played Wilde delivered his lines as he were born to say them. I never was a fan of Wilde. In fact, I detested \"The Picture of Dorian Gray.\" However, this play (which is very sympathetic towards Wilde) made me have second thoughts on Wilde. I can identify with his infatuation with beauty, art - the aesthetics. Everything seems to be Wilde now. There are two movies on Wilde coming out and another play by David Hare opening in NY this April with Liam Neeson. Also, FK is aired Tue-Thu at 6pm and 10pm pacific. Season 3 is currently being aired. Check out www.scifi.com Cheers, Alicia"}, {"response": 114, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Mon, Mar 16, 1998 (18:24)", "body": "Hi! Thanks, Carolyn, for the info. And wow, Wilde does seem to be hot right now, doesn't he? (Kind of like Jane Austen was hot a year ago, eh?) Alicia, how soon in the next century do you think we'll have a \"trial of the century?\" I'm betting by 2002 someone will be calling something by that name. I'm glad you liked GWD in the stage show! I do miss having him available to do Stratford, altho I'm all for talented people making real money by doing TV. From what I can tell, even a minor-league TV show is good for more money than years of stage acting. See you! Lorie"}, {"response": 115, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Tue, Mar 17, 1998 (08:07)", "body": "Hi Lorie! It's been a long time. I enjoyed the play so much the first time that I couldn't resist and had to to see it again last Tuesday. I even have a copy of the play that was just published last month. Hot off the press! There's another production of Gross Indecency in San Francisco and I'm very curious about it. I'd love to see it if I had the chance. And Oscar Wilde does seem like the next Jane Austen. Except the only difference is that the movies are about him rather than his books. I'd say that his life is more interesting than his books. Tonight I watched my first episode of \"The Practice.\" My friend kept telling me how great the show is so I finally gave it a chance and I really liked it. John Larroquet was the guest star. Remeber him from \"Nighcourt\"? I used to watch that show all the time. It had a great ensemble of actors. The cast really hit it off together. The most exciting thing that happened to me this month was meeting Yo-Yo Ma in person. I recently became a fan of his and I was so lucky to actually meet him. He was at the museum promoting his new Bach album. I waited in line for 3 hours to get front row seats in the auditorium. Afterward, he signed CDs. Thank God I brought my CD! I told him how much I loved his tango album and that I was from Buenos Aires, Argentina and that whenever I listen to his tango music it takes me back there. He said that it's ery important to go back and forth from where you're from (or something to that effect, I don't quite remembered because I was just too stunned that I was actually speaking to him). I agreed with him and told him that I'm trying to visit there soon. Anyway, he shook my hand and wished me luck. He was VERY kind and generous. No prima donna. I'm planning to go to a concert of his at the Hollywood Bowl in September. Very exited! Until next time, Alicia"}, {"response": 116, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Wed, Mar 25, 1998 (23:06)", "body": "Hi Alicia! Nice to hear from you. Sorry I'm a sporadic cyberfriend now, but it's harder and harder lately to find time to come on-line. How thrilling to meet Yo-Yo Ma in person and be able to actually carry on a conversation with him! I'm quite impressed, since when I've actually met anyone in person I clam up like the shy thing I thought I'd grown out of. After all, when you're five years old and shy, it's cute. When you're pushing 40 and still tongue-tied, it's just pathetic. Wilde: I'd say that his life is more interesting than his books. Amen to that, I honestly don't like OW's writing much. But what a fascinating person. I'll have to try to catch The Practice, I haven't been watching much tv lately (or doing anything else exciting). Always up for a new show if it's worthwhile. I'm still doing home improvements and trying to get my life back on an even keel. Work has been very weird, too, so I'm at sea much of the time. Hope everything is going well for you. And about those plans to go home for a visit..when? Let me know details. Take care, Lorie"}, {"response": 117, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Sun, Mar 29, 1998 (19:21)", "body": "Hi Lorie! How's it hanging? I'm quite impressed, since when I've actually met anyone in person I clam up like the shy thing I thought I'd grown out of. After all, when you're five years old and shy, it's cute. When you're pushing 40 and still tongue-tied, it's just pathetic. Don't worry. I think the Yo-Yo Ma thing was a one time deal because yesterday when I met Esa-Pekka Salonen (music director of the L.A. Philharmonic) during a cd signing I just froze. Couldn't say anything except for \"thank you\" after he signed my cd. I had it all planned, what I was going to say and everything, but when I went up to him I just couldn't open my mouth. But he was nice nevertheless. I want to visit Argentina within this year if I'm lucky. Perhaps during the holidays. That would be nice since it'd be summer there. I miss having Christmas during the summer. Everything all right in Chicago? The L.A. Marathon is going on today. How can those people torture themselves like that? Alicia"}, {"response": 118, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Mar 31, 1998 (17:23)", "body": "I'm posting this at all the most frequently used topics, so forgive my redundance but it has to be done... By the end of this week, the domain name for Spring will be changed to spring. net (instead of the current, spring.com) please change your bookmarks after the change takes place."}, {"response": 119, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Fri, Apr  3, 1998 (20:55)", "body": "Hi Alicia: Things in Chicago are hunky-dory, tho the weather is schizophrenic. At home, hubby Rich was just given a new, nicely powerful computer for his birthday. And I came here just in time to read about the name change (thanks nan) which should keep me from panic when I try to come back. I'll bet it is weird to be used to a holiday coming at a particular season, and then to have it be just the opposite. For instance, Easter and Spring are so tied up in my mind I wouldn't know what to do with myself if it came in the autumn instead. Life is dull, tv is re-runs, and my enthusiasm for home improvement work is thin (tho there's still lots to be done). That's the update. Hope things are going better for you. Boy, you've been out to lots of cultural affairs lately (at least, compared to me). We did see a theatrical production called \"Loose Knit,\" story of five women in a knitting group and two men in all their lives. Good ensemble cast, no stars. Also found a magazine called \"In Theatre\" which is all about NY theater. Very fun read. Try to stay awake! Lorie"}, {"response": 120, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Sat, Apr  4, 1998 (22:15)", "body": "Dear Lorie, The weather in LA is schizo also. One day it's 90 degrees and the next it's raining cats and dogs in freezing temperatures. Currently it's been raining everyday. Rain, rain, and more rain. I'm very sick of it. I need a bit of sunshine. Yesterday, though, the sun did peek out for a couple minutes and I saw the most beautiful rainbow. Then it got all dark and the rainbow disappeared. Life is dull indeed. But I decided that instead of complaining about it and just waiting for something to happen to me, I'd go out there and do something about it. Trying to be optimistic for the first time in a real long time. TV is in re-runs but I barely watch regular tv so it doesn't concern me as much. I watch shows that are cancelled and are in re-runs like Forever Knight and The Kids in the Hall. But they're new episodes to me. Due South and The Practice are the only shows that are \"live.\" And soon Due South will have no more new episodes since it wrapped up last month and I doubt there's going to be a 4th season. But the loss is made up by Remember WENN whose new season should start by the time DS ends. Home Improvements I'm too lazy to start but I've been meaning to for a long time. First of all I need to clean out stuff. Yes that's it. I'll just clean out all the junk I've collected. That'll make things look a lot better and it'll look like I've just redecorated the entire place. In the LA times, James Cameron and the senior film critic, Kenneth Turan, of the Times have been in a little tiff lately. Turan has been making negative comments on Titanic since day one. And Cameron finally spoke up and wrote this huge letter to the Times defending his film and calling Turan names and saying that Turan should be fired for his lack of love for films. It was a ridiculous letter and it just made Cameron's hubris and overblown ego more evident. Today's paper printed some of the letters that readers responded. So far Turan has received more than two hundred letters siding with him and Cameron received 63 I belie e. It's a fun feud to observe. Usually Saturday's issue is quite dull but lately it's been spiced up by this episode. I'm on Turan's side of course. I've been reading his reviews for a couple years now and I tend to agree with him. The magazine \"In Theater\" sounds interesting. I read \"Opera News\" which is put out by the Metropolitan Opera. That's fun to read also. I hope you don't feel too bored. Alicia"}, {"response": 121, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Thu, Apr  9, 1998 (03:46)", "body": "Hi again Alicia: Things are dull, but I'm keeping my head up. I hate the time change, it just makes me wide awake at night and VERY sleepy all day long. The Titanic battle in the LA Times does sound like fun. How stupid for Cameron to be so petty when he's making beaucoup money AND got all that Oscar recognition. Of course, I'll agree with your critic -- I still haven't seen Titanic and I have no desire to do so. I don't like Leonardo (I know young women everywhere are waking up screaming) and I don't particularly think it sounds like a good movie. Saw \"The Man in the Iron Mask\" because I'm a Dumas fan and love the full, sad story of the 3 musketeers. Leonardo was the worst thing in that movie, not at all my idea of a king or a hero. The grownups in the film were good, thank heavens, so it wasn't a waste of money. The saddest thing for me, as a fan of the literature, was that many critics I read blamed anything they didn't like on the script for adhering too closely to the books -- which it didn't do at all. The books are completely different an probably unfilmable as written. It was a credible adaptation, a bit loose and Hollywood-esque with facts and national identities (I think if I were French I'd bomb theaters where it was showing). But good testosterone entertainment, meaning my husband liked it. I think I'm rambling, but I did want to mention one more thing to you -- I found a web site for searching out used books. It's called the Advanced Book Exchange, and the address is www.abebooks.com. Sorry, I'm not proficient enough to make a hyperlink. If TV is letting you down, why not get some good books? I love old books myself, I've been having a ball searching out hardcover editions of books I love. Take care, keep your head up despite the rains, and have a good week, Lorie"}, {"response": 122, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Thu, Apr  9, 1998 (03:51)", "body": "P.S. Alicia: Life is dull indeed. But I decided that instead of complaining about it and just waiting for something to happen to me, I'd go out there and do something about it. Trying to be optimistic for the first time in a real long time. Tell me more! I'd love to know what you are doing and what you are aiming for, too. First of all I need to clean out stuff. Yes that's it. I'll just clean out all the junk I've collected. That'll make things look a lot better and it'll look like I've just redecorated the entire place. Hope you don't think my book-buying suggestion was just another way to junk up the place! Cleaning is amazing, isn't it? But why is it always so hard to get started? For me, I think it's the endless repetitiousness of it all...no matter how nice it looks today, you'll just have to do it again tom rrow (or in my case, next month!). Good night."}, {"response": 123, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Mon, Apr 13, 1998 (06:12)", "body": "Dear Lorie, Finally I was able to get to Spring! The URL change was a real problem for me. Thanks for sharing the used books URL. I just started getting into used books. I rarely buy books because I usually borrow them from the library. But it's nice to own a book so a cheap way is to buy them used! I just discovered that. I mean I always knew that used books existed but I never realized their resourcefulness until just recently. Anyway, about Titanic: I doubt I'll ever see it. Unless someone ties me down and forces me to watch it. I just don't have the interest or the time to see it. I was a bit interested in watching the Man in the Iron Mask because of all the older actors like Jeremy Irons and Gabriel Byrnes. Leonardo DiCaprio has absolutely no appeal to me at all. The only time I enjoyed his performances were in \"What's eating Gilbert Grape\" and \"Marvin's Room.\" I wonder if his future performances will ever be as good as it was in those films. Today was a beautiful day! Thank God it was sunny for Easter Sunday. It was raining all day on Saturday. I just hate it when it rains during the weekend. I've been watching A&E's \"Tom Jones\" and I like it. It's hilarious and over the top at times. The actor who plays Tom Jones is very attractive. But he looks too boyish at times. I saw the musical \"Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk\" last week. And I enjoyed it. I don't enjoy watching musicals despite that I do enjoy the music . I don't get it. I hate watching it on stage but enjoy movie musicals. This was my 3rd musical. The first 2 were \"Miss Saigon\" and \"Phantom of the Opera\" and I didn't like those at all. I thought both productions were mediocre esp. Phantom. I'm planning to see \"Chicago.\" Cleaning out stuff was very futile. Everything's a mess again. Maybe except for my closet. But that'll change soon :) Cheers, Alicia"}, {"response": 124, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Fri, Apr 17, 1998 (02:38)", "body": "Dear Alicia: Hi! Good to hear from you. Sorry about the futility of cleaning -- I know how it goes. Our new computer was supposed to help my hubbie organize, but it has turned our office room into a nightmare of stuff that he won't put away and I can't put away. Sigh. You said Leonardo DiCaprio has absolutely no appeal to me at all Amen to that one, I don't find him attractive at all tho I suppose he's a good actor. But not a sex symbol unless you're only 11 years old. Gabriel Byrne was wonderful in Man in the Iron Mask, and so was John Malkovich, who I usually don't like. I've actually seen the movie twice now; it made more sense the second time around and I could get away from the books and be looking for things in the movie plot, not the book plot (if t at makes any sense to anyone but me). And the second time around was when I appreciated Malkovich, because the first time I was too upset at the casting choice to notice that he's actually very good. I've been watching A&E's \"Tom Jones\" and I like it. It's hilarious and over the top at times. The actor who plays Tom Jones is very attractive. But he looks too boyish at times. I only saw Part 3 of Tom and enjoyed it very much, but want to see it in its entirety. Even my husband got interested (probably because the protagonist is a man for a change). How did you like the female lead (whose name escapes me)? This is the third role I've seen her in (Emma as Harriet and starring in Jane Eyre), a d she's a chameleon with these roles. I wonder if there are no other actresses looking for work in Great Britian right now? I saw the musical \"Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk\" last week. And I enjoyed it. I don't enjoy watching musicals despite that I do enjoy the music . I don't get it. I hate watching it on stage but enjoy movie musicals At home or in a movie theater, in the dark, you can probably accept the fantasy easier than in a crowded theater. Besides, the fantasy is more complete -- in movies no one sweats or spits when they sing like they do live on stage. ... \"Miss Saigon\" and \"Phantom of the Opera\" and I didn't like those at all. I thought both productions were mediocre esp. Phantom. I too hate Phantom, at least the Andrew Webber version. There is a musical Phantom of the Opera with a better book (one that has a plot and makes sense, thank you) and a less repetitious score. I can't remember who it's by, tho. As far as disliking stage musicals, maybe you're just seeing ones that are too big. Most modern musicals are staged in large touring houses and you can't see the actors sing or feel close to the action. Perhaps seeing revivals in smaller houses would be more enjoyable. I know, above I said they'll spit on you when they sing. But when I'm at a show in a smaller theater, I usually get more emotionally involved than when I saw King & I at Chicago's Arie Crown, a theater the size of an airport. I was wat hing the actors with binoculars to see their lips move; from my seat they looked like ants. Same with Phantom, which in Chicago was staged with much of the music pre-recorded (not sung live) and with several doubles for Christine and the Phantom -- I didn't like it at all. Enough blather for tonight. Have a good weekend and I'll talk to yousoon. Lorie"}, {"response": 125, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Sun, Apr 19, 1998 (06:52)", "body": "Dear Lorie, Regarding the actress, whose name also escapes me, in the lead role in Tom Jones: personally, I think she was miscasted. She's a wonderful actress but I just felt she was a bit wee young for the part. I imagined Sophia as someone not more worldly and cosmopolitan. I think in May I might see a smaller production of Phantom. I don't know if it's the Andrew L. Weber one. All I know is that I'm volunteering for that event for a local theater. One of the things that bugs me about musicals is that they're overamplified. That's one of my biggest pet peeves. I'm used to opera where the singers aren't usually miked. I started this new thing that will hopefully help me have a more positive outlook on life. It's called a grateful journal. Each night I write down at least 5 things I'm grateful for from that particular day. The weekend is half gone so I hope you enjoy the last half. We're finally having beautiful weather here! Alicia"}, {"response": 126, "author": "vicky", "date": "Sat, Sep 23, 2000 (15:37)", "body": "Hey people, This place hasn't had any entries for a long time! I suppose its coz they have stopped making CITC but I still think Malcolm Gets is v. fit!!!! I'm glad Caroline and Richard finally got 2gether but they left at such a nasty cliff hanger and didn't make another series!!! Wot will Malcom Gets be in now? If ne1 knows write on t board. Vicky drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 47, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 48, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 49, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 5, "subject": "Ciaran Hinds", "response_count": 72, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Amy", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 1997 (16:01)", "body": "Hinds will be in Ivanhoe, a BBC production set to air in the US on A&E in April -- and he will play Rochester in the new Jane Eyre! Perfect, no?"}, {"response": 2, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 1997 (22:12)", "body": "Thank you, AMY!!!!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 3, "author": "Susan", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 1997 (00:11)", "body": "WHEN is the new Jane Eyre coming out????? Can't wait!"}, {"response": 4, "author": "Amy", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 1997 (00:17)", "body": "WHEN is the new Jane Eyre coming out????? __ In September in the US -- on A&E"}, {"response": 5, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 1997 (01:59)", "body": "Amy: Hinds will be in Ivanhoe, a BBC production set to air in the US on A&E in April -- and he will play Rochester in the new Jane Eyre! Perfect, no? Perfect YES!! Cannot wait! ;-)"}, {"response": 6, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 1997 (10:40)", "body": "As a matter of fact I am reading Jane Eyre right now for the first time. Only up to the part when she is meeting Helen Burns for the first time. So I am at the very beginning."}, {"response": 7, "author": "Amy", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 1997 (10:58)", "body": "You are in for a treat, Roar. I envy you."}, {"response": 8, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 1997 (11:07)", "body": "You are in for a treat, Roar. I envy you. My very thought."}, {"response": 9, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 1997 (13:09)", "body": "Exactly.And She(Jane E) is such a passionate lady."}, {"response": 10, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 1997 (14:03)", "body": "She's very passionate even for a 10 year old!"}, {"response": 11, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 1997 (15:18)", "body": "I will confess as well, that I have not read Jane Eyre. I know, you are all shocked! I promise I will read it after I finish Persuasion (again.) ;-)"}, {"response": 12, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 1997 (15:33)", "body": "Oh cheryl, or everyone we could do a virtual read of it in the near future. That is a definite oxymoron. NEAR FUTURE:-O"}, {"response": 13, "author": "Inko", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 1997 (15:35)", "body": "You must read Jane Eyre, Cheryl! It's grrreat and I always consider it as one of the first feminist novels--she won't compromise her principles for anyone else or even for her own comfort. A great character. I think Hinds will make a perfect Rochester!"}, {"response": 14, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 1997 (21:01)", "body": "Cheryl, I absolutely insist that you read Jane Eyre. I read it every year from 15 to 21 and still re-read it when I need a really good dose of romance."}, {"response": 15, "author": "Susan", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 1997 (22:20)", "body": "Yes, I can definitely see Hinds as Rochester. For those of you who love Lizzy, you will really love Jane. She is a ball of fire for such a little thing. Excellent reading!"}, {"response": 16, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 1997 (22:53)", "body": "So much good viewing coming, Feb, April, and in Fall. A vintage year! Mr. Hinds seems a very good candidate for Rochester indeed, great casting. And I can very well see him in this medieval story, won't seem out of place nor time. Who will play Jane, anybody?"}, {"response": 17, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 1997 (00:52)", "body": ""}, {"response": 18, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 1997 (01:25)", "body": "And the ever classic On location :"}, {"response": 19, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 1997 (01:39)", "body": "A little information page for your pleasure : http://www.ultranet.com/~luvvy/ch/chfaq.txt and another webpage : http://www.ultranet.com/~luvvy/ch/chinds.htm"}, {"response": 20, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 1997 (03:05)", "body": ""}, {"response": 21, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 1997 (21:59)", "body": "Johanne, thank you, thank you, thank you....... Now, in the words of the old music-hall song...... All the Nice Girls love a sailor......"}, {"response": 22, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 1997 (22:01)", "body": "And Benwick is such a lovely, scruffy teddybear......."}, {"response": 23, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 1997 (03:16)", "body": "#19: LOVE the beard! Thanks so much for the pics."}, {"response": 24, "author": "Ann2", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 1997 (15:01)", "body": "Thanks a lot Johanne, what a lovely picture of Anne..uhmm Amanda b&w! And Susan took my line, I never saw him with a beard before - utterly becoming...he is so lean and interesting, sculptural face. OOps hanky brought forward ..."}, {"response": 25, "author": "Inko", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 1997 (17:09)", "body": "He had a beard throughout \"Hostages\" where he looked really good, if somewhat dirty under the circumstances. I liked him even better in that than in Persuasion. It was just a terrific role for him."}, {"response": 26, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Sun, Feb  2, 1997 (20:54)", "body": "He had a beard throughout \"Hostages\" where he looked really good, if somewhat dirty under thecircumstances. I liked him even better in that than in Persuasion. It was just a terrific role for him. Ain't it amazin' what a little dirt and facefluff does to yer hormones? he is so lean andinteresting, sculptural face. Hmm. I am really going to think about that one, Ann. For a long, long, time. \" I have been meditating on the very great pleasure that a lean and sculptural face on the body of a healthy man can bestow\" ;-) And Hey, guess what! he's a happily attatched father of a little girl! This drooling object could turn out to be a perfect gentleman as well (sigh)!"}, {"response": 27, "author": "genie", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 1997 (17:25)", "body": "If you would like to see a lot of Ciaran smouldering, check out December Bride, a little known (in the US) anyway Irish film. Slow but interesting and lots of Ciaran."}, {"response": 28, "author": "Mari", "date": "Tue, Feb  4, 1997 (17:29)", "body": "Genie; can this be rented here in the states? What is his role; lead or supporting? I have seen him only a little (but have liked what I've seen ;))"}, {"response": 29, "author": "genie", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 1997 (15:11)", "body": "I got December Bride last SAturday from my local Blockbuster, in the romance section. He and Saskia Reeves have the biggest roles, althoiugh he isn't given top billing. Worth a look if you are a CH fan."}, {"response": 30, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (13:23)", "body": "What is it about a broken nose that makes a man so attractive?"}, {"response": 31, "author": "Amy", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (15:44)", "body": "Now what would Myretta say here? \"Maybe it's the reminder of a challenge?\""}, {"response": 32, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (16:01)", "body": "Amy-- hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee h ee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee ;-)"}, {"response": 33, "author": "elder", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (16:48)", "body": "Cheryl -- please stop and breathe! While laughther is good for one's health, I highly recommend an occasional break to catch one's breath. :-) Maybe CH has a combination of sensitivity and macho type -- he seems to have a strong physical presence when he appears on camera, but can also demonstrate a sensitive side. Anyway, he is just fine. IMO."}, {"response": 34, "author": "Susan", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (21:48)", "body": "In talking about Mr. Hinds with a friend today, I realized I'm not sure how to pronounce his first name. Help me, ladies!"}, {"response": 35, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 1997 (00:51)", "body": "Susan; I realized I'm not sure how to pronounce his first name. I asked this on the old BB, and I think it is pronounced \"Keer-en.\""}, {"response": 36, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sat, Feb  8, 1997 (12:00)", "body": "Thanks, Cheryl -- I knew somebody on here would know!"}, {"response": 37, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 1997 (13:46)", "body": "Okay guys, I finished JANE EYRE and would die to see CH in this role. The book was AWESOME!!!! Anyway, I just saw THE COOK, THE THIEF, HIS WIFE AND HER LOVER, what a strange and bizarro film. The ending was grotesque. What is it with the British sense of humour. On no, I'm writing like them now."}, {"response": 38, "author": "elder", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 1997 (19:55)", "body": "Yes, that was one very weird film. I rented to see CH, and I almost didn't finish it. The violent aspects of the movie really had me fidgeting -- especially when I knew something awful was about to happen. Helen Mirren was quite good in this, to the ex tent that I could figure out what her character was doing."}, {"response": 39, "author": "wayland", "date": "Wed, Feb 19, 1997 (10:55)", "body": "I also think that CH would be a great Rochester, but did anyone think that he looked rather overweight in the fleeting glimpses that we got from the Jane Eyre preview shown during the Emma3 telecast? I also recently rented December Bride and he was so handsome in that dark, peculiar and rather angular way of his. He was even a little too thin. He was of course just perfect as Captain Wentworth. My husband hopefully suggested that he gained weight f or the part of Rochester, but I never envisioned Rochester with a double-chin. What a shallow thing to dwell on, but I hope this is not a trend of his over time and I will continue to have reason to drool all over the place!"}, {"response": 40, "author": "LynnMarie", "date": "Mon, Mar 24, 1997 (20:25)", "body": "I was reading some reviews of Persuasion, and a couple of the reviewers (what do they know, anyway?) said that he was a terrible Wentworth, too rough and pockmarked! I didn't notice that, but even if he was, didn't they realize he was a SAILOR for cripes sake?!"}, {"response": 41, "author": "Amy", "date": "Tue, Mar 25, 1997 (16:37)", "body": "Yes, one must expect a Navy man to be a little weather beaten, to be sure."}, {"response": 42, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 1997 (08:05)", "body": "] ] ] * * * I'm waiting out here (in the steam room!) with lots of towels. Let him come out slowly. That way I can enjoy every delicious bit. Ooooh, this is getting raunchy again! ] ] Aahh, but we THRIVE on the raunchy bits do we not Jane? ] ] O.K., I'll let him out, but when I do, please don't towel him down, I'll do that. Well, all right, all right, you can towel him down but not completely, leave some damp spots for me. And you don't have to get anything for him, leave the requests for me. Well all right, all right, you can get his comb and any extra towels, but leave the rest for me. ] ] When he comes out of that bathroom though, it's every woman for herself!!! ] * * * I can see it now -- Traci swings in on the chandelier and attempts to whisk Ciaran and all his damp - er - parts -- off. Meanwhile Claire swings her saber and severs the chandelier swag, causing Traci to continue, right out the window. Claire throws the robe over HIS hairy head in hopes of abduction but is foiled whilst Evelyn and Rita thrust and parry, up over the sinks, across the back of the john and back out through the door. Intermittent shouts erupt, \"He's mine!\" \"You hag! Leave him to me!\" Out with you, you vermin!\" \"Back off, Tots!\" and so forth. Joanne is trapped in the shower because Sandy has thrust her lance through the door handles. As everyone is otherwise distracted, Sandy and I go for Edward's bathrobed figure and spirit him away up some winding staircase. Out on the roof he turns into Sir Brian and promises us books. \"No!\" say we. \"We've had enough books for one summer. We want you -- in the flesh!\" And then the pristine glove appears. He leans forward and murmurs, \"I tried to for et you. I thought I had. . .\" OOOOh, I'm blushing. Can't bear to go on. What became of the other Amazons in the bathroom below? Stay tuned! _______________________________________ Whew! Bloodied, exausted and a bit bruised, but nevertheless, still ready for battle. While in that bathroom, and held at bay with the lance, I reach into the medicine cabinet drink an entire bottle of Peptol Bismol, regain any lost strength, and as a result manage to pry myself out of the bathroom (sorry, I couldn't leave myself in there too long, I hope you don't mind). When out, I see Jane, Traci and Claire have managed to pin our man down while Rita is going for some rope to secure him. (Traci has com back in from the window, Claire has extricated herself from the chandelier, Rita......oh you get the general idea.) He IS tied down securely, and carried out to that roof. However, he somehow he manages to do away with his bonds, \"I'd give half my lands to see you in full health ladies!!\" he cries, and just as they're about to comply, he takes a step back, and to horror of Jane, Traci and Claire, accidentaly falls from the roof, where he is caught by the waiting arms of Evelyn, Sandy, and Joanne and spir ted away to the local airport. \"God's blood!\" they cry, and jump into the first cab to........................ Joanne ____________ ] * * * I can see it now -- Traci swings in on the chandelier and attempts to whisk Ciaran and all his damp - er - parts -- off. Meanwhile Claire swings her saber and severs the chandelier swag, causing Traci to continue, right out the window.[ Jane, I just stumbled down here and I have to thank you for letting me have first dibs on CH! I'm so flattered! But to have gone flying out the window on a chandelier! My, my, my.. I'd love to hear what my eulogy was: \"She was a swinger in her day...\" Oh my!!! My pastor will faint... Traci __________ (well done, Joanne!) * * * No sooner does the cab pull away from the curb than one of those motorcycles with a side-seat appears from behind the house. It is driven by -- yes, it's RITA! Jane, Traci and Clair spy her as she become mired in some mud. They take advantage of the delay and shinny down the drain pipe after her. Melissa emerges from the bushes and gives Rita the requisite shove. The motorcycle is released, Melissa and Rita tear off and leave the three frustrated maidens (never mind!) in a plume of smoke. Never ones to stand about wringing their hands, Jane, Trace and Claire abduct a beautiful English hunter from Mr. Rochester's stable. The three of them leap to his bare back and prod him (the hunter, not Mr. Rochester!) -- non too gently, I might add -- in the ribs. Soon the three bear down upon the two who are bearing down upon the unfortuante Sir Brian and the jubilant (but not for long!) trio. . . . Jane O ______________ ....the English hunter, however, constantly veers off the road, thinking he hears the call for the fox hunt instead, and as result the \"three frustrated maidens\" find themselves constantly going in the opposite direction looking for fox instead of the correct highway/turnpike for that eeever elusive airport. They soon dispose of him, so he can get himself a drink of water and to have his shoes shod. Meanwhile, at the airport, Evelyn, Joanne, Sandy and Susie have booked tic"}, {"response": 43, "author": "twinson", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 1997 (18:54)", "body": "Where is everyone? Can't all be watching Persuasion."}, {"response": 44, "author": "Nicole", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 1997 (20:27)", "body": "Nice to read all the old posts again and to think all this Ch drooling was going on before Ivanhoe was even televised. And nice to see those great persuasion picture. Where is Johanne? She is a source of so much great information."}, {"response": 45, "author": "sandy2", "date": "Fri, Aug 15, 1997 (21:07)", "body": "To all CH refugees from the Pond: Whew! I made it here! Hope you successfully navigated your way through all the unfamiliar twists and turns...I don't want to be without all of you for even one day!"}, {"response": 46, "author": "jazlott", "date": "Sat, Aug 16, 1997 (19:08)", "body": "Greetings to all CH droolers! I am not one of you yet, but expect to be this fall after Jane Eyre airs. Hope to have many discusions with you all here, since our beloved pond is soon to be only a fond memory."}, {"response": 47, "author": "AnneWentworth", "date": "Sun, Aug 17, 1997 (07:05)", "body": "I can't believe I made it over here. Yippee!!!!! Anne"}, {"response": 48, "author": "AnneWentworth", "date": "Sun, Aug 17, 1997 (09:12)", "body": "I just read En Guarde.....to all who've written on it: LOL!!!!"}, {"response": 49, "author": "Traci68", "date": "Mon, Aug 18, 1997 (06:11)", "body": "Ladies: Glad to see you're making it across to the Spring! Billy and I have been waiting for you anxiously. It's been difficult keeping him in line since he got a hold of that VO5 Formula, you know. Happy Monday, all! Traci (aka Brian Sheepshanks)"}, {"response": 50, "author": "sandy2", "date": "Mon, Aug 18, 1997 (07:56)", "body": "Traci I'm glad you made it here...where is everybody else? I hope they're here soon, but it's sad to realize all of our wonderful threads are lost forever."}, {"response": 51, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Aug 18, 1997 (08:10)", "body": "Can't you set them up as an archive here?"}, {"response": 52, "author": "AnneWentworth", "date": "Mon, Aug 18, 1997 (08:19)", "body": "Hello everybody. For those of you who may have missed the link...here's another one to the other Drool site....I just posted some JE pics so you should go se them. :-) Drooling and other Nonsense"}, {"response": 53, "author": "Melissa2", "date": "Mon, Aug 18, 1997 (08:29)", "body": "Sandy and Traci, Thank heaven I've found you both! Moving over here was a bit tricky but I'm glad it worked out. Let's hope the arrival of the rest of the ladies will be iminent. Melissa"}, {"response": 54, "author": "Traci68", "date": "Mon, Aug 18, 1997 (09:41)", "body": "Terry: We do want to express our appreciation for setting us up a place here. We're just finding it rather tricky to figure out. Thanks for making us feel welcome. Traci"}, {"response": 55, "author": "clare", "date": "Mon, Aug 18, 1997 (11:33)", "body": "Whew! I made it too! Good to see old Ponders (Hi, Traci, Sandy, Melissa!) and all the Springers!!"}, {"response": 56, "author": "Joanne", "date": "Mon, Aug 18, 1997 (15:35)", "body": "Claire Come over to the other board \"Drool and Nonsense\"; many are there already; here's the url: http://www.InsideTheWeb.com/messageboard/mbs.cgi/mb11068 Joanne"}, {"response": 57, "author": "amy2", "date": "Thu, Aug 21, 1997 (20:22)", "body": "HEY YOU GUYS!!! I had no idea you had moved these Boards onto the Spring until now... For those of you who love JANE EYRE (and I think that means -you-, Myretta!) please come & visit the Bronte Board located right here on the Spring! You can log in with the same password you're using now. Hey, we're not just literary snobs over there -- we talk about the film adaptations of JE, Wuthering Heights, you name it. Come on & see me, y'hear? So is it exciting that Ciaran is going to play Rochester OR WHAT? Could a more perfect choice be made in this world? I'm pretty partial to Timothy Dalton in the part, but I'm really anxious to see the new A&E production! Those who've seen it say that he & Samantha Morton are ab fab. One more short month!"}, {"response": 58, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 1997 (21:58)", "body": "Theresa, I've moved your post here because there was already a topic for Ciaran Hinds. Read the above posts--they are a hoot. And since you are a Colin Firth fan come over to topic 51--lots of stuff happening over there ;-) ___________ Wed, Oct 22, 1997 (21:03) | Theresa Griffith (tgriff) I have never been a big romance classic person, but after viewing Pride and Prejudice last year, (Colin Firth, Mr Darcy) I became one, I thought nothing could top that, but after watching Jane Erye on A&E with Ciaran Hinds, I am just amazed. Does anyone know anything about him?? How old is he? He is fabulous!"}, {"response": 59, "author": "panache", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 1997 (23:11)", "body": "http://members.aol.com/dramaddict/ch/pix/HOMEROCH.JPG not sure of his age, but he was also terrific in PERSUASION, the Austen film you can rent in many video stores (my daughter had a crush on him in that one but I think went headoverheels for Mr. Rochester, too!)"}, {"response": 60, "author": "AnneWentworth", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 1997 (10:41)", "body": "If you are looking for info check out the message board. If you have a question about CH just feel free to ask it on that board. Ciaran Hinds Drool Board"}, {"response": 61, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 1997 (11:11)", "body": "Oh I'm glad you gave that link Anne, I've been searching for it. Thanks."}, {"response": 62, "author": "AnneWentworth", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 1997 (20:02)", "body": "I forgot to add the link to my CH page. It's not close to be as nice as Hindsite but there are some great pictures. CH Anne"}, {"response": 63, "author": "arteest", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 1997 (01:19)", "body": "Hello all. I read that CH is 44, to answer the question up the Board aways. Anne, I put a link for your site in the Bronte board too, because I 'borrowed' one of your pictures. What is there about that guy, anyway?? (I just discovered him.)"}, {"response": 64, "author": "KateMcQ", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 1997 (11:10)", "body": "Hi, I hope this works. It's my first time to the drool board. Based on the previous discussions, I hope someone here will know what character CH played in the Cook, the Thief, his Wife and her Lover. Also, it's nice to find this site."}, {"response": 65, "author": "arteest", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 1997 (01:05)", "body": "ENJOY!"}, {"response": 66, "author": "clare", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 1997 (14:08)", "body": "Kathryn, I believe his character's name in \"the Cook, the Thief\" is Cory. He's one of the main character's croonies and spends must of his time just sitting around the dinner table--although eventually he gets thrown around a bit."}, {"response": 67, "author": "KateMcQ", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 1997 (16:00)", "body": "Clare - Thanks for the information. I guess I'll have to watch that film again to look for him. However, that is a disturbing film to watch. Does anybody know what CH is in next? Is it Oscar and Lucinda? Also, can is \"The Man Who Cried\" in video stores? My local didn't have it."}, {"response": 68, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Nov  8, 1997 (23:34)", "body": "Hinds is in one of the Tales From the Crypt episodes. (It is airing here in the Twin Cities at the moment.) He plays a police inspector trying to find a serial killer. He looks quite scruffy. The episode name is \"Confession\" and my paper describes the plot as \"A detective [Hinds] believes a screenwriter decapitated three women.\""}, {"response": 69, "author": "eva", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 1997 (20:11)", "body": "Ciaran Hinds was without question the best Mr. Rochester I have ever seen. He was born to play that part!"}, {"response": 70, "author": "Kate", "date": "Fri, May 22, 1998 (00:01)", "body": ""}, {"response": 71, "author": "Kate", "date": "Fri, May 22, 1998 (00:02)", "body": "oops! it wasn't supposed to be so big!"}, {"response": 72, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, May 22, 1998 (01:34)", "body": "Ooh, and just as I'm going through my Persuasion phase... (Kate) oops! it wasn't supposed to be so big! Big is good ;-p drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 50, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 51, "subject": "Colin Firth", "response_count": 607, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Aug 22, 1997 (21:18)", "body": "This is really ridiculous. I have no idea what's going on. Terry doesn't know what happened either. However, I'm finding it very hard to believe that only the Colin topics keep vanishing--as it turns out the missing Patrick Stewart topic was retired so at least that mystery was solved. This is very peculiar. Ladies, there is nothing I can say to ease your suffering. I am extremely sorry that all your juicy posts have blinked out of existence. But I assure you that I am incredibly upset...and I shall conquer this!! Nan, perplexed but determined"}, {"response": 2, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Aug 22, 1997 (22:27)", "body": "Here I post again my previos posts:: There you are! So my \"Tale of Sisterly Imagination\" (a title I did not like that much, but..) can be rightfully re-named as \"A Tale of Mystery and Imagination\", indeed! Seems \"The Firthlands\" are somewhat elusive islands that disappear and pop up unexpectedly in other places. ARAMI My dear Co-Loonie (ex-cel-lent, Arami), I like \"Colinson Firthoe\" very much. Ever met his friend Firthday? I don't think these islands are in the Southern sea, where you located them. I'd rather expect The Sea of Admiration off the British Coast, but since The Firthlands are moving permanently no one knows for sure. Probably the numbers \"42\" and \"50\" refer to the meridians? KATHY F, how is Oreo? Hope he's better? NAN \"Loch\" is a more appropriate name as (than? Oh, never mind) you ever imagined. Not only does it stand for a dark deep water and monsters, but in German \"Loch\" means a \"hole\". So the files probably disappeared into a \"Black Hole\" (closely related to washing mashines). For your info: I have printouts of most of the posts of the last few days. Just if you have a question... or a fax?"}, {"response": 3, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Aug 22, 1997 (22:56)", "body": "Oh, its still there, some fifteen minutes later.... promising ;-))"}, {"response": 4, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Aug 23, 1997 (00:01)", "body": "I may be suspected of cynicism again (and quite rightly so) but I find it extremely hard to believe it's just a coincidence... Besides, there is a fear that these strange goings-on may disappoint and scare a lot of droolers away. You may say good riddance to the faint hearted, but I think we must be more welcoming and encouraging to all real and potential Firthfans. We must cultivate all, even the smallest signs of Co-loonisation... and whilst all my sympathies and appreciation go to Nan, Terry and anyone else working towards repairing the damage, I cannot stop thinking WHO THE HELL IS TRYING TO SPOIL OUR FUN???"}, {"response": 5, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Aug 23, 1997 (01:33)", "body": "RENATE: Oh, its still there, some fifteen minutes later.... promising ;-)) Shhh...I don't want to jinx us :-.) I thought the second Colin board was fine until you informed me otherwise. Aaah!! ARAMI: I may be suspected of cynicism again (and quite rightly so) but I find it extremely hard to believe it's just a coincidence... I know what you mean, I've had the thought myself. I am ashamed of myself for thinking of it too. However, the truth is that no one has access to the conference except me and Terry...and I checked the logs myself--there is no evidence of any wrongdoing. Our dear man just vanished. *poof* as Valen would say. We've even contacted yapp to see if it's some weird software thing. Maybe they'll be able to shed some light on this. I've been getting those Internal Server Errors a lot--usually when I try to post. T ere were a couple of good replies that went the way of the wind. I believe Terry is going to be upgrading the server soon, so maybe it will clear up that problem. Besides, there is a fear that these strange goings-on may disappoint and scare a lot of droolers away. That is my fear as well. Unfortunately, technical problems are out our control. I hope they won't be frightened (or frustrated) away. but I think we must be more welcoming and encouraging to all real and potential Firthfans. We must cultivate all, even the smallest signs of Co-loonisation... LOL! I'm game for anything within reason--got any ideas? BTW, didja see that little Colin picture at the top of the main drool board? Makes it feel a little more like home I think.:-.) and whilst all my sympathies and appreciation go to Nan, Terry and anyone else working towards repairing the damage, I cannot stop thinking WHO THE HELL IS TRYING TO SPOIL OUR FUN??? Like I said, my intial reaction was similar. But near as either me or Terry can tell--this is one of those ghost in the machine things. Let's hope we figure it out--I'd hate to lose Renate's story, and Kathy's Keepsakes and the horses...:-.("}, {"response": 6, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Aug 23, 1997 (08:54)", "body": "\"This is not to be endured!\" I'm, worried - convinced - that it will happen again. In fact, I don't like to spend my time and brain cells for something that goes into the Great Beyond unread. ARAMI: Nevertheless I prefer to think that it is not the work of a hacker or any higher entity. But if this be the case we will have to take drool to a private listserv, and you will need an email address for it ;-)). My personal opinion is that it is the Ghost of Count Almasy who is taking revenge on Geoffrey Clifton aka Colin Firth. In addition to Murphy's Law I believe in a) unforeseeable coincidents b) human stupidity (does not apply to anyone present) c) neurosis in computer programs d) unexpected coincidents e) dysfunctional software families (f.e. Mike + Rose Oft) f) human intelligence (does not....;-)) ) to balance a)-e). k) censorship l) purpose z) malice NAN: I would propose to take a break for a while and play somewhere else until this all is cleared up. Might spend my time instead staring at 4xlifesize Darcy pin-up I had this morning in the snail mail... :-)) But then, I'm afraid, the problem cannot be solved if the topic is not alive...? I wouldn't be surprised if it were the sudden amount of traffic, or the file sizes, or the combination of both. Or the abundance of passion and admiration for Colin!!? We could make a controlled experiment -? (Rather than uncontrolled) Nan, any idea how long it might take to fix the bug? Oh, and while we are talking about bugs - what is it about \"cut-off\" of lines to be continued on the next and loss of one letter each time....? The Tiny Letter-Eating Monster of Loch Firth? The little friend of The Big Very Greedy Indeed Topic-Consuming Monster? To keep the frustration for would-be droolies as low as possible probably you/we should post and explain info/new trouble/move to topic #179 always in the same place, f.e. at the Help! Board in Pemberley, if they don't mind (I'm sure they won't. Thanks.). In fact, I have already dropped a message there. \"My courage always rises with every attempt to intimidate me\" - I think that is what we should call this topic.... :-)) I will save and keep my all my messages, and post them stubbornly, the same files again and again if required. Basta!"}, {"response": 7, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Aug 23, 1997 (09:08)", "body": "As of tonight, I'll be doing regular backups of this topic and conference till we figure out what happened. We've never lost a topic like this before in three years on the Spring. Dave Thaler, the author of the conferencing software we use, is looking into this as well."}, {"response": 8, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Aug 23, 1997 (12:11)", "body": "Comforting words, thanks, Terry. :-))"}, {"response": 9, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Sat, Aug 23, 1997 (12:17)", "body": "Incroyable, in the French sense! But many thanks to Terry and Nan for their sterling efforts in keeping us afloat. Maybe regular backups will help. But I do agree, Arami and Renate, - you can't help but wondering if we're jinxed! I hope we're not losing CFists along the way. I've noticed a few regular names from the Pond who don't seem to have made it to the Spring (holidays, moves, academic recess?). Perhaps a few more well publicised links with other welcoming websites would help. In this sea/spring of uncertainty it's difficult to drool! I think my most imaginative contribution so far (lost in the Black Hole) has been a reference to his (purported) Marks & Spencers underwear.:-) Oh well, my inspiration is obviously sadly lacking! Drool on, yes!"}, {"response": 10, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Aug 23, 1997 (12:30)", "body": "Holy Incoyable! There's a direct link from Pemberley to this place, did you see, Bethan, just as you wished, Arami? Have you been visiting the Wishing Well?"}, {"response": 11, "author": "Anne3", "date": "Sat, Aug 23, 1997 (13:14)", "body": "Sister Droolers (and brothers too, I guess--mustn't be narrow-minded): I posted this a few days ago when Colin was still Topic #42, but it got lost in the cybersmoke. Anyway, rush out and buy the September issue of American Vogue. There's an interview with Colin and a beautiful new photo, both done in Scotland at the time of the filming of A World of Moss. Warning: the magazine is 734 pages and weighs a ton. Also, the article is difficult to locate--it's on page 494. Happy drooling!"}, {"response": 12, "author": "mpk", "date": "Sat, Aug 23, 1997 (16:17)", "body": "Anne3! It's good to hear from you again! You have been a wealth of information of our beloved man, thank you again for keeping us updated as to the latest..."}, {"response": 13, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Sat, Aug 23, 1997 (17:20)", "body": "LOSING LETTERS The fact that ,once every while the software starts a new line and you lose a letter is just one little quirk of Spring- There's not much you can do about it, , just work around it. I think it's every umpteen letters it does it, it's not one particular letter, or any particular key that causes it to happen. Do not be discouraged, Ladies! This format is different, but it does work."}, {"response": 14, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Aug 23, 1997 (19:58)", "body": "Thanks, Caroline, for this information. But I'd never complain (just wondering) about disappearing letters, as long as the topic stays with us. :-))"}, {"response": 15, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Aug 23, 1997 (22:44)", "body": "We'll be doing regular backups so in the future we can restore this stuff, and I'll teach Nan how to back up things she considers important."}, {"response": 16, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Aug 23, 1997 (23:32)", "body": "Thanks, everyone, for the words of comfort. Back-ups seem the obvious necessity, but happy drooling will be hard with the thought of the Phantom of the Disappearing World Of Firth hanging over our heads... anyway, let's try: Bethan, what was that about his Marks and Spencer's underwear?"}, {"response": 17, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Sun, Aug 24, 1997 (00:52)", "body": "Posted by Stacey. on August 14, 1997 at 00:27:39: ] Okay ladies, the horse naming contest will now begin and I desperately need your help in naming all of the horses used by the carriages under my keepership. Here are the details about the different carriages and the different horses. ] 1. Merryton Assembly - A barouche with two rows of seats facing each other. It can be partially open in good weather and the driver sits on the \"box\" in front. There were four black horses used for this scene. ] 2. Ramsgate - A phaeton, a four-wheeled carriage completely open. One black horse was used for this scene. ] 3. From Pemberley to London - A Coach, a large, enclosed four-wheeled carriage, drawn by four or more horses. The driver sits on the \"coach box\" at the front. It was used by wealthy families and in long-distance travel. It was drawn by four brown horses for this scene. ] 4. From Netherfield to London - A barouche, different from the Merryton Assembly barouche. It was pulled by two black horses. ] 5. Wedding - A barouche, different from the above two. This carriage was drawn by four white horses. ] There are a total of 15 horses to name. The teams should have themes that the names come from or that they are related to. Examples - George and Georgiana, Salt and Pepper, etc..... ] I will take suggestions until Aug. 13th. I would be very appreciative of any suggestions if anyone has any! Thanks! ] Stacey _____________________ Posted by Stacey on August 14, 1997 at 00:33:45: I'm going to extend the deadline on the horse naming contest until August 24 because I'm moving on Friday and it will take me awhile to get my connection set up again. Hopefully there will be more suggestions and competition for Renate who started off the contest with wonderful ideas!!! How about Megan? Any ideas? _________________________ Posted by Nan on August 11, 1997 at 12:30:58: Stacey, Stacey, Stacey...I had to think so hard!;-.D Hope you get a chuckle... ] 1. Merryton Assembly - four black horses. This being the Meryton Assembly (the only time we see him in THAT HAT) I have to submit my first impulse. Beware, this is only a joke: Incroyable, Bicorne, Chapeau Bras and...Fred!!;-.D Okay, joke's over. My real suggestions--Theme: The Renaissance (as in the beginning of Darcy's \"rebirth\"): Dante, Michelangelo, Medici, and Leonardo ] 2. Ramsgate - One black horse. There is only one name that fits: Serendipity (One of my favorite words btw):-.) ] 3. From Pemberley to London - four brown horses. The Theme: Heroes If I remember my high school mythology right they would be: Perseus, Hercules, Atalanta, and Theseus ] 4. From Netherfield to London - two black horses. I cannot do better than Renate's Utterly and Completely Perfect!:-.) ] 5. Wedding - four white horses. The theme is clear--Poets (Particularly those guilty of writing love poems): Shakespeare, Pope, Burns, and Byron Okeedokee--that does it for me.:-.) ] _________________________ Posted by Renate on August 09, 1997 at 19:26:48: Here are my names for the Name-His-Horses-Contest: ] 1. Merryton Assembly - There were four black horses used for this scene. Passion, Desire, Admiration, and Regard ] 2. Ramsgate - A phaeton, a four-wheeled carriage completely open. One black horse was used for this scene. Golden Retriever or Just in Time or Untamed Beauty Of The Peaks? ] 3. From Pemberley to London - A Coach, .... It was drawn by four brown horses for this scene. As far as I remember they have already been named by the Swedish team: Shocked, Grieved, Nono, and ... ? I don't remember the fourth one, but what about Chestnut Season ] 4. From Netherfield to London - A barouche .... pulled by two black horses. It's very clear: they must be named Utterly, and Completely ] 5. Wedding - A barouche.... drawn by four white horses. Good Gracious! Dear Me! So Happy! Make Haste! Basta cosi! Das wars! That's it! ___________________ Posted by Stacey on August 10, 1997 at 01:07:51: In reply to Re: Horse Naming Contest posted by Renate on August 09, 1997 at 19:26:48 ] ] 3. From Pemberley to London - A Coach, .... It was drawn by four brown horses for this scene. ] ] As far as I remember they have already been named by the Swedish team: What Swedish team? ] Shocked, Grieved, Nono, and ... ? I don't remember the fourth one, but what about Chestnut Season I do love your ideas Renate, but I going to wait a few more days before I decide just in case anyone else has other suggestions. I really appreciate your effort at helping me to name all of the horses under my keepership! Thanks! __________________ Posted by Megan on August 10, 1997 at 16:09:03: ] ] What Swedish team? ] Ann2, all by her dear self, constitutes the Swedish team/jury Stacey. She was the one who came up with these names perviously, during the other competition. (If I remember correctly) ] ] ] Shocked, Grieved, Nono, and ... ? I don't remember the fourth one, but what about Chestnut Season ] ] I do love your ideas Renate, but I going to wait a few mor"}, {"response": 18, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Aug 24, 1997 (13:05)", "body": "MYRETTA, they are nice guys, ain't they. They are Darcy's, after all. I wondered all the time how you moved them here over the Sea of Admiration. I image a picture of you on a raft emerging from the fog, fifteen horses behind you, whickering impatiently (the horses), nudging your shoulder, you are bringing them safe to the shore one by one, turning your back, .... ..only to find all of them on the Pemberley lawn again after your arrival in Pemberley. Argh. :-)) (Thorry for being tho thilly.)"}, {"response": 19, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Sun, Aug 24, 1997 (14:30)", "body": "MYRETTA, they are nice guys, ain't they. They are Darcy's, after all. I wondered all the time how you moved them here over the Sea of Admiration. I image a picture of you on a raft emerging from the fog, fifteen horses behind you, whickering impatiently (the horses), nudging your shoulder, you are bringing them safe to the shore one by one, turning your back, .... ..only to find all of them on the Pemberley lawn again after your arrival in Pemberley. Argh. :-)) (Thorry for being tho thilly.) They were all very well behaved during our several journeys here. And we have blazed quite a useable trail between RoP and here which I am hoping will be named after me. ;-)"}, {"response": 20, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sun, Aug 24, 1997 (18:31)", "body": "Myretta, thanks so much for lending support to the cause over here. I hope the trail is not too untidy... ;-) Ladies, if you'll permit me, I'd like to switch gears here and drool a little over CF's upcoming debut as Jess in A Thousand Acres. I recently read the book and I can definitely see him in this role...the broad shoulders into trim waist, and looking better than all the other men thing. Then, yesterday I saw the promo clip on E! and he looks fine indeed! This picture was my wallpaper for a long, long time, and I think it perfectly captures the \"Jessness\" of CF. What think you all?"}, {"response": 21, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Sun, Aug 24, 1997 (21:19)", "body": "Susan I agree that the physical description of Jess in ATA seems tailor-made for CF. I'm looking forward to reading the reviews - it will be some time before we see it over here, unfortunately. It will be interesting to see what he does with the role - it's some time since he has taken the part of an active seducer of women! He's been showing a preference for cuckolded/uninterested husbands recently. Time for a change, I think!"}, {"response": 22, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Aug 24, 1997 (22:18)", "body": "SUSAN: This picture was my wallpaper for a long, long time, From which film is it? WOF? Just gorgeous!!! Wallpaper ...hmmmm Then, yesterday I saw the promo clip on E! and he looks fine indeed! Can't you be a bit more specific, please? We want EVERY detail!"}, {"response": 23, "author": "rosie", "date": "Sun, Aug 24, 1997 (22:53)", "body": "Renata, are you in the U.S.? If so, you may be able to see the 1000 Acres clips on E! in \"Coming Attractions\" during one of the repeats of the programs later this week at 2 a.m. or 5;30 p.m. Monday, EST, etc.,perhaps. (I'm not certain it will be on, mind you, but I saw a repeat earlier today.) I agree CF looks fine, but I am unable to express my impressions as wittily as most of you seem to be able to."}, {"response": 24, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Aug 24, 1997 (23:21)", "body": "RENATE: My personal opinion is that it is the Ghost of Count Almasy who is taking revenge on Geoffrey Clifton aka Colin Firth. LOL! I think the phantom has found a name! At least we'll know what to call the phenomenon from now on.;-.D I wouldn't be surprised if it were the sudden amount of traffic, or the file sizes, or the combination of both.(snip) Nan, any idea how long it might take to fix the bug? I have no idea, but fortunately Terry is far more knowledgable and experienced than I in these matters. I feel comforted knowing that he's trying his best to get to the bottom of it. Oh, and while we are talking about bugs - what is it about \"cut-off\" of lines to be continued on the next and loss of one letter each time....? The Tiny Letter-Eating Monster of Loch Firth? Loch piranha perhaps?:-.) Annoying little buggers, aren't they? I see above that Caroline was nice enough to share her old Spring experience so that saves me the trouble of checking the archives for an answer! YAY! Thanks Caroline. (BTW, any more hat names show up?) :-.) As if I needed any more!;-.D ARAMI: Bethan, what was that about his Marks and Spencer's underwear? Yeah, I missed that one. Do tell...:-.) MYRETTA: They were all very well behaved during our several journeys here. And we have blazed quite a useable trail between RoP and here which I am hoping will be named after me. ;-) ;-.D . For this I shall have to defer to Renate (grand creator of monikers for The Firthlands). Her creativity in such matters always exceeds mine. Many thanks for escorting the horses here (yet again). Our horse-mistress is away at present and she will be vastly relieved to see that they made the move safely.:-.) SUSAN: This picture was my wallpaper for a long, long time, and I think it perfectly captures the \"Jessness\" of CF. What think you all? Oh Susan! I can see why you chose that one for the wallpaper. Lord, what a beautiful man! The jawline alone is enough to make me a little tingly. And my favorite Colin look too--clean and curly and pensive...what a lovely Sunday jolt you've given me dear!:-.D *double sigh*"}, {"response": 25, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Aug 24, 1997 (23:32)", "body": "Renate: The pic posted by Susan is of Colin as Aston in The Caretaker (go bck to the official FoF site with all the links and do your homework properly, you naughty girl!) I cannot comment on the \"Jessness\" of Colin, but I'm sure, just like everybody else here, that we're in for another treat. Rosie: Renate, Bethan, myself and a few others are not in the US. Please oblige us and share your impressions without reserve - and don't worry about anything else: whatever you may think is lacking, will come with practice, and sooner than you think! It's the magic of Colin that makes you do it... Bethan, how about that underwear? I'm dying to know!"}, {"response": 26, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 1997 (01:21)", "body": "ENCYCLOPEDIARAMI: do your homework properly, you naughty girl! Never been a good pupil, I rely on you to help me along. And you always do! :-)) MYRETTA: And we have blazed quite a useable trail between RoP and here which I am hoping will be named after me. ;-) Originally I thought we might name the first Firthlands foal after you. :-)) -- \"Myretta's Blazing Trail\" in the Sea of Admiration sounds very good to me. On the other hand, I think this trail would deserve a more elegant name, because the new Quindexpage is very elegant, indeed, and the link incredibly quick and useful. \"Avenue de Myretta\"? Not yet right. Anyone any other ideas? NAN: And my favorite Colin look too--clean and curly and pensive If cleanliness is a major item for you, the (when?) upcoming World of Moss must be THE film for you, from all what I hear. :-)=) Have you read the book - (can't remember the title right now)? ROSIE: Renata, are you in the U.S.? I'm in Germany, Rosie. Never mind wittiness, truth and love for details is the best virtue when it comes to Colin. :-)) Please share what you remember, just describe the whole spot as detailed as possible. What does he say, do, look like? Does he smile? What does he wear? How long is he to be seen? etc. etc..."}, {"response": 27, "author": "KathyF", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 1997 (03:25)", "body": "To Renate: Oreo is doing fine! He eats way too much, and I'm surprised he hasn't gotten \"carpet burn\" on his belly, since it hangs down to the floor! ;-) \"The Tiny Letter-Eating Monster of Loch Firth? The little friend of The Big Very Greedy Indeed Topic-Consuming Monster?\" Exactly!! RENATE: My personal opinion is that it is the Ghost of Count Almasy who is taking revenge on Geoffrey Clifton aka Colin Firth. LOL! I think the phantom has found a name! At least we'll know what to call the phenomenon from now on.;-.D Agreed. Bethan, what is all this about underwear?! \"Let's have no secrets between friends. I shall winkle them out of you, you know.\" (from S&S, btw) LOVE the picture! |=|:-b.... (I'm drooling! emoticon) Kathy"}, {"response": 28, "author": "Elsa", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 1997 (04:29)", "body": ""}, {"response": 29, "author": "Susan", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 1997 (04:45)", "body": "Oh, Amy/Elsa, I like it VERY MUCH!!! Haven't seen this one yet. Keep them coming, but how 'bout an \"oldie but goodie?:\" I remember \"losing\" CF at least once when I was at Spring before; thought it was just me. Is it sheer volume? As far as the letter-eating thing, I've noticed that it usually happens just after the fifth line (not that that means I don't still have it happen to me)."}, {"response": 30, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 1997 (07:36)", "body": "BETHAN: I join into the chorus: UN-DER-WEAR, UN-DER-WEAR! AMY and SUSAN: AAAAAH!"}, {"response": 31, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 1997 (10:24)", "body": "KATHY F, RENATE, NAN, ARAMI chorus UN-DER-WEAR, UN-DER-WEAR ... oh dear, confession time! I think that I've whetted your appetites unnecessarily :-) It was just my little flight of fancy following on from his \"unkempt\" spotting pushing a luggage trolley. I just said (very wittily of course!) that he was obviously long overdue for a wife who would do his laundry and ironing and buy his Marks & Spencers underwear. The only shop Colin has ever referred to in interviews is M&S - the well known haven for all shopping-shy males! Sorry, VERY tame and undroolworthy. Keep the photos rolling...MMMMMM!"}, {"response": 32, "author": "Elsa", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 1997 (15:46)", "body": ""}, {"response": 33, "author": "Elsa", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 1997 (15:47)", "body": ""}, {"response": 34, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 1997 (17:21)", "body": "AMY: How very exciting to pop by and see another gorgeous picture of him! These are the ones from Vogue--yes? His cleft is looking particularly delicious in that photo. Thanks for sharing :-.) *sigh* RENATE: If cleanliness is a major item for you, the (when?) upcoming World of Moss must be THE film for you, from all what I hear. :-)=) Have you read the book - (can't remember the title right now)? Yes indeedy, cleanliness is the first thing I look for (well, that and the mouth). I haven't read the book (don't know the title either) but perhaps, I shall. Hmm..."}, {"response": 35, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 1997 (22:55)", "body": "Amy, something's gone wrong with Nos 32 and 33. What was it? Try again. Nan, No 29 is from Tumbledown! (Encyclopediarami...!) Bethan, do you really think that the willowy, model-like Mrs F. married him to wash and iron his underpants? Or that he married her to give up his bohemian unmade bed look when he's off-duty? I've noticed him make one concession once, when they were at the Baftas together. I can only guess she made him wear that dinner jacket and he still looked rather, hm, unkempt. He looked somewhat unkempt at his own wedding. I shall be inconsolable if he ever manages to look really really smart in private. (He looked ine at TEP premiere in LA, but only because he was dressed casually). I love his unkempt look! Renate, have you read the book? or fragments? Could you perhaps grace us with some examples?...;-D"}, {"response": 36, "author": "Elsa", "date": "Tue, Aug 26, 1997 (00:34)", "body": "32 and 33 __ 32 was a mistake, but 33 should work. It's only his hands, nothing maybe anybody but me finds especially nice."}, {"response": 37, "author": "Elsa", "date": "Tue, Aug 26, 1997 (00:35)", "body": "But here they are again, anyway."}, {"response": 38, "author": "Susan", "date": "Tue, Aug 26, 1997 (03:06)", "body": "My Vogue just showed up today, and yes, he looks gorgeous and it's a good article, and I LOVE the hands, Amy. A little Geoffrey Clinton, perhaps? Eat your heart out, Ralphie baby..."}, {"response": 39, "author": "Susan", "date": "Tue, Aug 26, 1997 (03:09)", "body": "Like oops: I mean Cli f ton!"}, {"response": 40, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Aug 26, 1997 (05:56)", "body": "Does the magnifier help? No! Topic 53 is gone - alas - and nowhere to discover.... ;-))"}, {"response": 41, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Aug 26, 1997 (06:08)", "body": "Ooops, false alarm! I looked again, and there it was, the No 53, back again, and all the horses!"}, {"response": 42, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Aug 26, 1997 (18:17)", "body": "Amy - ONLY his hands? ONLY???... Fascinating, beautiful, lovely, just like mostly everything else of his... BTW, popped in to check Fanfic and it's gone very quiet there. Not terrifically lively here, either..."}, {"response": 43, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Tue, Aug 26, 1997 (19:05)", "body": "This and the following are courtesy of rosie who made copies before the last topic disappeared Response 271 of 331: Donna ( Donna) * Thu, Aug 14, 1997 (15:27) * 3 lines This took forever to load? Anyhow when did this happen? The Pond said August the 10th. It is now the 14th and people are still posting? When exactly will it be closed? It is weird being back at Spring. ---------------- Topic 42 of 49 [drool]: Colin Firth (2nd 550) Response 272 of 331: Mari Topitzes ( Mari) * Thu, Aug 14, 1997 (17:18) * 1 lines Hey, Donna. Yep, it's de javu all over again.... ---------------- Topic 42 of 49 [drool]: Colin Firth (2nd 550) Response 273 of 331: Paul Terry Walhus ( terry) * Thu, Aug 14, 1997 (22:57) * 1 lines Wow, life! ---------------- Topic 42 of 49 [drool]: Colin Firth (2nd 550) Response 274 of 331: annm ( anniem) * Fri, Aug 15, 1997 (06:30) * 1 lines I'm new to this. Can someone explain how this will work? ---------------- Topic 42 of 49 [drool]: Colin Firth (2nd 550) Response 275 of 331: Cheer Me Up Thread ( mrobens) * Fri, Aug 15, 1997 (07:05) * 138 lines I am in exile again, while the next chapter of \"My Computer Has A Tendency To Some Particular Evil\" is written. No access to my mailbox. No dip into the pond before I go to bed at night. Sooo depressing. But \"I shall conquer this!\" (hope the link works) What about some nice juicy drooling to cheer me up? About his eyebrows perhaps? Renate _________ This sounds as if you were talking about my notebook. Could you check if you've recieved my e-mail after you've fixed your computer problems (I sent it out on Monday)? Thanks for drawing my attention to the eyebrows! Sylvia H __________ ] \"My Computer Has A Tendency To Some Particular Evil\" Sell it. Invest in a better one. No excuses. ] No access to my mailbox. Hm... ] What about some nice juicy drooling - about his eyebrows? I LOVE his eyebrows. Even though lightly defined, they're definitely there... Youthful. Innocent. Imagine brushing them with your lips, nibbling, pulling ever so gently, seductively... Arami ____________ Ach Arami, did no one ever tell you that an axe is not the best tool to comfort someone...? ;-)) That's better. Good job. I knew you would jump on his eyebrows (literally). IMO it's the lightness of his eyebrows and lashes as a contrast to those beautiful dark eyes that give him this vulnerable look that attracts so many of us... (I wonder, have you ever seen someone with dark, strong eyebrows look that adorably vulnerable, acting skills aside?) It's lightness also helps a lot in terms of versatile looks for different roles. And it's always easier to add some color, than to dye (facial) hair. With this I just want to state, that in spite of his own reported comments on his ows, they are a feature as admirable as the rest. Renate ____________ I have to admit, I've never considered his eyebrows before. We'll have to pick another drool-inspiring feature (which is as you intended, no doubt;-.p). Let's see...I rather like the dimple-y, thing that happens when he really smiles. Amazing how that changes his expression. On some people a smile is just a smile, on him it's like a flashbulb. Also, I loooooove that \"dent\" (where's Ann2?) Oh, how I adore a man with a cleft!;-.) Your turn!;-.) Nan __________ That's why I chose them ... they are usually only mentioned to state that they are not there.... it's a challenge for any advanced drooler! ;-)) (I'm in a hurry, or else I would try myself on it... ;-) ) Oh, very well put, Nan. Yes, and there is even a difference between the right and the left dimple, did you note? Renate ___________ Sounds like a crummy excuse to me! You couldn't even take your own challenge eh? ;-.) Cheer up will you? Here is your favourite 'beer' picture. Look at the eyebrows and tell me, is he not right about them needing more 'definition'? ;-.) Although..... if you fixate on them...... like I assume you do.............hmmmmmmmmmm.....I suppose one might enjoy feeling them brushing against...... ahem.... have to stop here. The eyes distract me too much anyway.. and the lips and the dent and the neck. What's that? Why is he wearing that black opaque thing? Where is the WET SHIRT? Ugh! Going back up to the dent again, and the lips and the... Here is a nice eyebrows and more picture for you. Too bad I can't put the killer raised eyebrow Darcy picture here. You'll have to do with this one... ] ] ...I rather like the dimple-y, thing that happens when he really smiles. Amazing how that changes his expression. On some people a smile is just a smile, on him it's like a flashbulb. ] ] Oh, very well put, Nan. Yes, and there is even a difference between the right and the left dimple, did you note? I did not notice this fact, I am ashamed to admit. I will have to invetigate this matter further. Megan ___________ Dearest Megan of the moist shirt, please 'splain to me the \"beer\" thing. Was that another chat conversation I missed?:-.( Oooooo, me toooooo. *pant* Ahh, the dent...I always have the"}, {"response": 44, "author": "Marilyn", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 1997 (00:33)", "body": "Hi Ladies! It's so great to be here and see some familiar \"faces\"...Nan found me wandering around aimlessly at RofP - wading through inexplicable posts from people who are so indifferent to the obvious charms and SEX APPEAL of our dear Colin (witness the new Vogue photo and Susan's \"Caretaker\" wallpaper - yum, yum) - so thank you, dear Nan, for finding me!! I've saved up so much drool since the Pond dried up, that I've nearly drowned, so I'm ready to play! Can I repeat one more time that Colin l oked downright edible in \"Valmont\"? I just loaned episodes 1 & 2 of P&P2 to my good friend who, as yet, can't see the attraction. She's basing it on his \"Circle of Friends\" performance, so I'll give her that he wasn't a \"good guy\", but certainly still drool-worthy, IMHO. Anyway, I can hardly wait till tomorrow when she begs me for the next 4 episodes! Glad to be back with my splashy friends - it feels good. :-)"}, {"response": 45, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 1997 (00:53)", "body": "ARAMI: \"World of Moss\" Renate, have you read the book? or fragments? Could you perhaps grace us with some examples?...;- Smelling Spring air, Arami? No, I will not step into these buckets you placed so carefully into my way....:-)) Though I admit it has to do with undies (yes!), their contents, and cotton .... oh, no, I will refrain from explaining further. The topic is such that I am afraid I would spoil the drooling fun for the most and frighten them away.... nor would you approve of it, Arami, I daresay. ;-)) For those whose hunger for knowledge is overwhelming and who are strong enough to face it I recommend to read the book \"Son of Adam\", on which \"A World of Moss\" is based. AMY: I suppose he was \"in character\" when he posed for this picture. For if the tortured expression of his hands was his \"private self\", he was in trouble and I hope he has recovered by now. :-)) Looking at all the topics, \"old\" and new ones, I think we might as well rename this topic \"Underwear and other amusement\". :-)) We're obsessed, girls! Are there any other things than male pants we are interested in?"}, {"response": 46, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 1997 (11:06)", "body": "ARAMI I love his unkempt look Oh, I love him unkempt too! The rest of my flight of fancy (swallowed into the Black Hole) was something along the lines of preferring his unmade bed look! Although I did rather like his TEP Premiere appearance - the short neat hair and sideburns looked good on him. Now if he'd looked like that at his wedding.. :-) It has gone rather quiet here, hasn't it? Welcome back Marilyn! And what's happened to Lucie - I spotted her in ROP Ramble the other day. Perhaps ATA will give a boost to drool! I did read one comment (in ROP) which made me think ... \"It seems that CF is so busy trying to make different worthy types of films that he misses the obvious\". The obvious may be that a lot of women want to see him again in a strong unashamedly romantic role, but I have a feeling that he will never take the obvious route. Sometimes I wish he would, if only to establish his international bankability. I know that there's no chance of a replay of Darcy ... Anyone have any views on his future career path?!! Serious stuff I know, but just until drool gets a re-charge! :-D"}, {"response": 47, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 1997 (13:39)", "body": "More from rosie: Topic 42 of 49 [drool]: Colin Firth (2nd 550) Response 280 of 331: Renate ( Renata) * Sat, Aug 16, 1997 (14:50) * 6 lines Hi, Kathy, you made it! How are the horses? BTW, what was the problem? - - - \" Weird little film, don't you think?\" Nan, I agree. I saw it 3 days ago, and I liked it, think it is one of his better ones, but somehow cannot remember much. (Ooops, did I have an accident, then?) Only that in the beginning I found it pretty scary to watch a film where a fan kills his admired star, being myself a fan and a member of a group of more than ordinarily devoted fans... could not help but to check my mind for (ab)normality - but think I am well balanced, between which extremes however. :-)) ---------------- Topic 42 of 49 [drool]: Colin Firth (2nd 550) Response 282 of 331: Kathy F. ( KathyF) * Sat, Aug 16, 1997 (22:32) * 7 lines First things firtht! The problem was that I was completely lost about what to do first. If I had taken the time, I probably could've figured out my problem, but I was kind of in a hurry, and my brain wasn't quite up to speed at the time--needing sleep, instead of drool. ;-) What about the horses? That's Stacey's department, isn't it? I don't think she gave it to me to decide. (BTW, should we download the names already submitted, or will they still be there even though the Pond is closing? Will the board become inaccessible, or will it just become impossible to post on it for a while, and then disappear?) Kathy |=|:-) [there, I feel more \"at home\", now that I've got the Top Hat on! :-D] ---------------- Topic 42 of 49 [drool]: Colin Firth (2nd 550) Response 283 of 331: Renate ( Renata) * Sun, Aug 17, 1997 (02:52) * 3 lines Sorry, Kathy, my apologies to you and to His Top Hat! Mixed it up somehow. BTW, does His Hat still try to settle on His Nose? You know, it has an alarming tendency to do so, as anybody can see who watches P&P2. I just had the picture in my inner eye of fifteen Horses With No Names impatiently waiting, beating and scratching their hooves on the Pemberley lawn, eager to make the jump to Spring! ---------------- Topic 42 of 49 [drool]: Colin Firth (2nd 550) Response 284 of 331: Myretta ( mrobens) * Sun, Aug 17, 1997 (06:45) * 1 lines I will move the horses over by tomorrow. ---------------- Topic 42 of 49 [drool]: Colin Firth (2nd 550) Response 285 of 331: Julia Smith ( JuliaSmith) * Sun, Aug 17, 1997 (12:47) * 1 lines Have any of you seen Fever Pitch??? ---------------- Topic 42 of 49 [drool]: Colin Firth (2nd 550) Response 286 of 331: Nan ( Nan) * Sun, Aug 17, 1997 (14:16) * 9 lines I'm just trying out the cut and paste here to see if I completely mess it up or not... Will the board become inaccessible, or will it just become impossible to post on it for a while, and then disappear?) -- Kathy F It is now inaccessible. I miss it already. I find myself more upset about this than I thought I'd be. :-.( But we must carry on I suppose...Somebody do some splashing to improve my mood...please... Also, what do we call this place? Somehow it seems inappropriate to call it \"The Pond\"."}, {"response": 48, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 1997 (13:51)", "body": "Topic 42 of 49 [drool]: Colin Firth (2nd 550) Response 287 of 331: Arami * Sun, Aug 17, 1997 (19:09) * 6 lines Hallooooooo...? Testing... testing... The Pond it ain't and the water seems to be a bit muddy at the moment. Any buckets ahead?...;-) It's taken ages to load and if it's not going to improve, I'll be very angry and disappointed. BTW, is Inquisitive and Anonymous here as well? We seem to have some unfinished business to attend to. ---------------- Topic 42 of 49 [drool]: Colin Firth (2nd 550) Response 288 of 331: spring's chief bottle washer ( terry) * Sun, Aug 17, 1997 (20:25) * 3 lines I just made a link to all the drool topics from http://www.spring.com , take a look and if you have any comments or ways to improve this lead-in, let me know. Glad everyone's using drool again. We're shopping for faster bandwidth now Fitzy, although we are running on a CRL T-1. We'll do the best we can o improve throughput. I haven't heard of the Pond, what is that? Water metaphors are certainly welcome here though. ---------------- Topic 42 of 49 [drool]: Colin Firth (2nd 550) Response 289 of 331: Susan ( Susan) * Mon, Aug 18, 1997 (00:49) * 3 lines Home again, home again, jiggety jig! What a delight to be back at the Spring drooling over our man. Many memories in scrolling to get to here. This is going to be so FUN!!!! To start us off down memory lane, how about: ---------------- Topic 42 of 49 [drool]: Colin Firth (2nd 550) Response 290 of 331: Renate ( Renata) * Mon, Aug 18, 1997 (03:02) * 10 lines Hi, TERRY, the Drooling Pond is where most of us Pemberloonies come from, before we were - ahem - moved to this place. Thanks for giving us a puddle to play in, but the loading times are frustrating. This morning 7 minutes, and thats fast, last night I gave up after 20 minutes. OPEN THE FLOOD DOORS, PLEASE! I wonder if snipping of messages olde than one week would help? I'm afraid the long loading times will scare away many potential participants. BTW, will the old messages be kept in an archive? Hi, ARAMI, there you are! How did you manage... never mind, but don't expect to be taken seriously with an alias like \"Fitzy\"! I am sure no one has to tell YOU where the buckets are - you are already standing in them right now ;-)) And I am not talking about a refreshing foot bath!"}, {"response": 49, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 1997 (13:55)", "body": "and yet more. . . Topic 42 of 49 [drool]: Colin Firth (2nd 550) Response 291 of 331: Sylvia H. ( SylviaH) * Mon, Aug 18, 1997 (06:33) * 2 lines Thank god, you are all here! I need some consolation because I watched Circle of Friends this weekend and I'm still suffering from the moustache and the socks. I don't know why I don't like the moustache. A question to those who have seen A Month in the Country: how does it fit him in this film? But I have to admit that the film has som very interesting CF moments! ---------------- Topic 42 of 49 [drool]: Colin Firth (2nd 550) Response 292 of 331: Bethan ( lizbeth) * Mon, Aug 18, 1997 (06:53) * 19 lines Just got in,inside a minute, very fast. I don't know if this helps but I go straight in at http://www.spring.com/yapp-bin/retricted/browse/drool/42/new and read the new messages. If I want to return to an earlier message, I use re-display. I've got a fast (33,600 baud)modem perhaps that helps loading times. I've also taken print outs of messages, as that seems faster than checking back. But late at night is very slow. Thanks Terry, for trying to improve the speed. Fitzy! Ha! Thanks Arami, my first LOL on the Spring :-D! Haven't quite got the hang of this. Being a very organised soul (I wish) I miss clicking on the subject threads. To get me going, I'll reply to JULIA. HERE GOES.. (JULIA) Fever Pitch/How well known is Colin in the UK FP is very enjoyable, endearing film, with an excellent(and completely different) performance from Colin. Deserves to be distributed in the US. For a much fuller review, check out Lisa's homepage at http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Academy/4558/ Is he well known? Colin is, I think, a 'name' in the UK in that most people (most women anyway) would know him as the actor who played Darcy, even if they didn't watch P&P. But he seems a very private and discrete man. Fame in the UK is often associated with notoriety - frequent appearances in the tabloid press, a messy private life etc. Colin gives interviews sparingly, normally to the quality press, and talks mainly about his work, although he does make intersting personal observations. And I've never en him in a talk show. He's not tabloid fodder. But he must have a high recognition factor now. Okay, a very undroolworthy start! Was interested to see in the LA Times article on WOM that Colin's character (Edward?) lusts after Irene Jacob. I was her in 'Three Colours Red' the other day, and I can see why she's described as the most beautiful actress in Europe. Juliette Binoche plus. A suitable match for Colin!! Look forward to the lust! Right, testing again. BTW, Nan, how do you cut and paste? ---------------- Topic 42 of 49 [drool]: Colin Firth (2nd 550) Response 293 of 331: marina pineda-kamariotis ( mpk) * Mon, Aug 18, 1997 (06:55) * 3 lines It does feel good to be back again...I shudder at remembering what I felt when Spring shut down a few months ago! I enjoyed *scrolling* down memory lane and drooling over the photos that were left behind. Susan, that photo always cracks me up! He is so un-Darcy like...rather, like \"Hey babe, what's your sign\" or some sort of modern cheesy line! ---------------- Topic 42 of 49 [drool]: Colin Firth (2nd 550) Response 294 of 331: marina pineda-kamariotis ( mpk) * Mon, Aug 18, 1997 (07:06) * 1 lines Bethan: About Colin's recognition in the UK...A few months ago I was browsing through a British magazine (Empire?) that listed 100 sexy people, but Colin WAS NOWHERE to be found on the list! I was shocked and grieved... ---------------- Topic 42 of 49 [drool]: Colin Firth (2nd 550) Response 295 of 331: Bethan ( lizbeth) * Mon, Aug 18, 1997 (07:09) * 2 lines (SYLVIA) His moustache in 'A month in the country' It suits him ... He looks very young and vulnerable - and you don't see his socks! Simon W. is a cad, and the moustache must have been intended to make him look raffish, which it does! ---------------- Topic 42 of 49 [drool]: Colin Firth (2nd 550) Response 297 of 331: Bethan ( lizbeth) * Mon, Aug 18, 1997 (09:43) * 3 lines EE-eeK! Major typo and Freudian slip in my Response 292... Irene Jacob - I was her the other day... should be saw her!! Wishful thinking:-) Loading time is very fast at the moment BTW. ---------------- Topic 42 of 49 [drool]: Colin Firth (2nd 550) Response 298 of 331: Nan ( Nan) * Mon, Aug 18, 1997 (10:15) * 29 lines ARAMI--you made it. I'm pleased. And quite impressed with your override skills I might add!;-.) I have no idea who Inquisitive and Anonymous is (I've been trying to figure it out myself), I can assure you it wasn't me. If I have something to say, I want my name attached to it--one of my little idiosyncrasies (among many I'm afraid!;-.) TERRY: I haven't heard of the Pond, what is that? Water metaphors are certainly welcome here though. Terry, I like you already!;-.) SUSAN--love that picture!;-.) Now Renate can drool over the eyebrows with a pictoral reference. MPK - \"Hey babe, what's your sign\" is killin' me! LOL!;-.) SYLVIA H: I "}, {"response": 50, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 1997 (13:57)", "body": "and more from rosie.... Topic 42 of 49 [drool]: Colin Firth (2nd 550) Response 304 of 331: Arami ( Arami) * Mon, Aug 18, 1997 (19:08) * 3 lines Right! That does it. It still takes AGES. Shocked and grieved. Will try other tricks, but at the moment there's no chance for a quickie before bedtime... must stay up all night! Weird arrangement, this style of conferring, but we'll manage, I'm sure. So, whilst I remember, I think I have registered myself three times! Terry, how do I delete the two oldest attempts? To all those killing themselves laughing at my firtht post here, I was using my old original alias here, and from the list of users I can see I was not the only one with a weird sense of an alter ego. E.g. Janet Aylmer (THE Janet Aylmer?...) logged in last February as \"fitz\"! There also is one other person who dared s p some \"essentials\"... I'd love to be a pioneer, but so far I'm only a follower... Renate, those buckets keep my feet warm;-)! Nan, I wouldn't even suspect you of wanting to burst MY bubble;-)... Not in such a devious manner, anyway. If Inquisitive and Anonymous wishes to continue tearing my disguise off, I hope it will be a fair affair...:-D. Finally, Julia (Smith), yes, some of us have already seen Fever Pitch, so back to drooling! ---------------- Topic 42 of 49 [drool]: Colin Firth (2nd 550) Response 305 of 331: Lucille Oftedahl ( alyeska) * Mon, Aug 18, 1997 (20:58) * 1 lines This is a new format for me, it seems to be more personal. There are getting to be so many Colin sites that it's hard to keep up with them. ---------------- Topic 42 of 49 [drool]: Colin Firth (2nd 550) Response 306 of 331: Chey ( chey) * Mon, Aug 18, 1997 (21:41) * 1 lines Hi all!! I managed to find you after I went through some problems with the computer, upgrading etc. This format is a little strange but after seeing that picture Susan posted, it gave me renewed strenght to try to figure this out. How do you respond to a particular post, rather than going all the way to the bottom of the list?? Glad to be back an REALLY looking forward to A Thousand Acres! Chey ---------------- Topic 42 of 49 [drool]: Colin Firth (2nd 550) Response 307 of 331: Renate ---------------- Topic 42 of 49 [drool]: Colin Firth (2nd 550) Response 308 of 331: Renate ( Renata) * Tue, Aug 19, 1997 (01:49) * 11 lines TO ALL and BETHAN: Bethan, the fastest access seems to be 'your' link, indeed, but one tiny spelling mistake: must be \"restRicted\". Since there are so many with problems how to handle this, here it is again: . PS: this does not work as a 'link'! And if you replace '/browse/' by '/read/' it should even bring you further... hope it works... will let you know if not. CHEY, this way you will be already on the bottom of the list, and don't have to scroll down. ---------------- Topic 42 of 49 [drool]: Colin Firth (2nd 550) Response 309 of 331: Bethan ( lizbeth) * Tue, Aug 19, 1997 (06:28) * 11 lines RENATE, Glad you found my link helpful. Sorry for the typo - but you've made one too! We're both obviously having problems with our new environment! Here goes again.. http://www.spring.com/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/drool/42/new Right, I checked it through and (I don't believe it!) I'd made two mistakes! But it is okay now. I seem to be all fingers and thumbs. I'm still finding it difficult to check back to earlier responses - is there any other way of doing this except through redisplay. Reading new messages is very fast but I'm on holiday at the moment and am checking in mid-morning/afternoon. Late evening (my usual time) is v-e-r-y s-l-o-w. I share Arami's frustration here and would probably give up at this time! I can see th advantages of longer postings on the Spring (and there are no PG13 restrictions!) but quick fire exchanges seem difficult. And so is referring back to earlier messages, unless you take a printout. And I'm so obsessed with loading times and typos that I'm turning into a geek and forgetting the drool! Colin who? :-D Great to see that so many are overcoming all technological odds and migrating from pond to spring. ---------------- Topic 42 of 49 [drool]: Colin Firth (2nd 550) Response 310 of 331: 'enate ( Renata) * Tue, Aug 19, 1997 (07:18) * 8 lines LOL, BETHAN! We are both \"R\"-challenged, appa'ently! Sping!!! Poo' D'oolies! If you replace \"browse\" by \"read\" - as follows - you will come to the latest messages directly! http://www.spring.com/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/42/new - - - Tonight Valmont is broadcasted on German tv, (Vox) hear, hear! And CoF, too (Premiere). SYLVIA, all VCR's programmed to record?!! And a picture of him in \"Spiegel\", as Valmont just before he is to spill (voc?) Mrs Bening with the bath. Ah, I like that! Speaking of bath's. ANYONE an idea for the naming of this Waterplace? ---------------- Topic 42 of 49 [drool]: Colin Firth (2nd 550) Response 311 of 331: Bethan ( lizbeth) * Tue, Aug 19, 1997 (09:34) * 2 lines Does anyone know how to print out responses? When I try to do this, all I get is"}, {"response": 51, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 1997 (13:59)", "body": "The end of rosie's saved posts (thanks to rosie for reading off line) Topic 42 of 49 [drool]: Colin Firth (2nd 550) Response 320 of 331: Bethan Morris ( lizbeth) * Wed, Aug 20, 1997 (10:17) * 15 lines \"lateral\" drooling over CF going on there, i.e. not only to do with his Darcy role, but also to do with him as he is in real life, e.g., someone has met him pushing a luggage trolley at the Heathrow airport... ARAMI AND JULIA Is this the inappropriate and rude thread for which Julia had her wrists slapped? (Oh dear, Julia!) If so, could one of you please, please repeat the gist of the thread for me. The mark of a true obsessive is wanting to get a secondhand account of a deleted comment about Colin wheeling a trolley!:-) The MISSED OPPORTUNITY OF MY LIFE was waiting in the queue in Waterstone's Bookshop with disgruntled husband and son. The lady at the head of the queue was buying 'The Making of P&P' and as she passed over payment she said (something like) \"I'm really pleased that it's been such a success... I WAS AT SCHOOL WITH COLIN FIRTH\". Gasp! And all the shop assistant (male, nerd-ish, bored) said was \"Uh-huh\" (UH-HUH!!! - not 'What's he like, did you sit next to him, did you go to his house for tea - UH-HUH!!) Ins nt conversation stopper. Lady disappears from shop. I fought the temptation make a total prat of myself by running after a complete stranger and interrogating her in the street, and stayed in the queue listening to my son whingeing about going to MacDonalds. AND THAT IS WHY I AM DESPERATE FOR ANY SCRAPS!!:-) Does anyone else have tales of close encounters, i.e. I saw the back of someone's head who may have sat next to CF when he was 15 (or 5) years old!! No ideas about a Pond substitute name. None of the suggestions seems quite RIGHT and I can't think of anything. RENATE?? Winner of all competitions .. something inappropriate and rude please! One idea (and I don't know if this is feasible) - but would it be helpful to create another Colin-y topic, adjacent (numerically) to this one. For example 'FUN COLIN' for Keepership type activities, Name his horse, and other flights of fancy. It's easy to move back and forth beween previous and next topic. It's just that it's difficult to keep up with the volume and flow of messages, and topics could be like different subject threads ( I think). Does anyone have any opinions. We would have to seek TERRY' advice on this (I know that in the Help menu there is something about creating new topics). ---------------- Topic 42 of 49 [drool]: Colin Firth (2nd 550) Response 321 of 331: Nan ( Nan) * Wed, Aug 20, 1997 (10:39) * 5 lines SYLVIA H. My own train of thought was spring, fountain, thermal spring, geyser but none of them hits the nail on the head. Oooooh, I like geyser! It's so...explosive!;-.D ---------------- Topic 42 of 49 [drool]: Colin Firth (2nd 550) Response 322 of 331: Lucille Oftedahl ( alyeska) * Wed, Aug 20, 1997 (12:04) * 1 lines All I can find are old messages how do I find the new ones ---------------- Topic 42 of 49 [drool]: Colin Firth (2nd 550) Response 323 of 331: Nan ( Nan) * Wed, Aug 20, 1997 (15:08) * 7 lines LUCILLE: All I can find are old messages how do I find the new ones When you enter Drool, under your name where it says \"Possible ranges\" you can hit \"new\". If the Colin Firth topic is listed under \"subject\" then there are new messages you haven't accessed yet. If his name is not listed, then there aren't any new messages. Also, you could hit \"Main Menu\" at the bottom of the Drool page and it gives you a list of the most recent postings in all the conferences. Hope this helps:-.) ---------------- Topic 42 of 49 [drool]: Colin Firth (2nd 550) Response 324 of 331: Amy ( Amy) * Wed, Aug 20, 1997 (15:23) * 23 lines Arami said: I've just been to the P&P2 addicts board at the Rep. of Pemberley and guess what, there's a lot of \"lateral\" drooling over CF going on there, i.e. not only to do with his Darcy role, but also to do with him as he is in real life, e.g., someone has met him pushing a luggage trolley at the Heathrow airport... I ask you, what on Firth are those people doing away from us??? There are puzzling deletions of apparently/allegedly \"unacceptable\" (?) posts about CF, but apart from curt admonitions, no further at e pts to direct CF addicts to here... Let's do something positive about it! I must have missed the trolley post, couldn't find it, anyway, or it's been archived; I've been out of town. I thought maybe since a lot of you are at Spring for the first time, you might appreciate pointers to some old threads. Here's an archived help topic http://www.spring.com/yapp-bin/public/read/austenarchive/6 starting from back in Nov. 96 when we first moved here from Bluemarble, and learned to come to terms with the differences between our old threaded boards and this more lateral format. It might help a little, probably has some stuff in there about the little Yapp tricks you come to learn after a while, like typing in /read/drool/"}, {"response": 52, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 1997 (15:11)", "body": "Just caught a glimpse of my last posting (No 46) and thought it was enough to make anyone Y-A-W-N!! Oh dear, talk about dull - \"Colin Firth- his future career path: describe and discuss. (Restrict your answer to one side A4 and remember to give your full name).\" Or should it be \"WILL HE GIVE WOMEN WHAT THEY WANT?\" Answer (No, probably!) :-) Right, more enthusiasm, more oomph! Am off on short holiday very soon, dragging reluctant family around the delights of Spanish Granada (Alhambra etc). The last time I went on holiday I discovered CF on the Internet. (Still remember the sheer elation of finding his FAQ - he actually exists, he has a birthday!)If we were off to Italy I might hope for a real-life spotting. Where is he now BTW? What is he doing?! The problem for wanabe droolies like myself is that the MAN is too damned elusive. I hope to com back to some real NEWS, something I can get my teeth in, like rave reviews and Oscar talk for ATA. I've just watched COF again (good movie). Interesting to think that he must have done this either immediately before or after P&P (based on fact that he was looking after Will during the shooting of both). A man of incroyably (again used in the French sense) versatile parts, Mr Firth, or is he too versatile for his own good? Ha! Another question to ponder whilst I'm away.:-D Has anyone read the very funny \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" by Helen Fielding (ISBN 0-330-33277-5) Colin gets a couple of mentions and one of the characters, Mark Darcy, bears a very strong resemblence to.. guess who?"}, {"response": 53, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 1997 (18:31)", "body": "Where is he now BTW? What is he doing?! BETHAN, THAT is the material point!!! (Just let this sentence roll on your tongue... I LOVE it how Colin-Darcy said it.) Should be back from honeymoon, but no time to attend any premiere in Sweden.... he must be working somewhere... on what? Where?"}, {"response": 54, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 1997 (19:22)", "body": "KATHY: |=|:-b.... (I'm drooling! emoticon) I just noticed that--too funny!!;-.D ARAMI: Nan, No 29 is from Tumbledown! (Encyclopediarami...!) No wonder I didn't recognize it. One day I shall gain access to that film, until then I will have to rely on all of you to describe it's beauty...and supply me with pictures. LOL! I should also like to mention that he is looking quite yummily clean in that photo;-.D BTW, popped in to check Fanfic and it's gone very quiet there. Not terrifically lively here, either... I've seen your head pop in and out of the RoP fan fic. You could always write a little something to get the flow going...so to speak. :-.p MARILYN: Can I repeat one more time that Colin looked downright edible in \"Valmont\"? Glad you found us m'dear and yes, you can repeat the edible comment as frequently as you like. There can never be too many mentions of his deliciousness to suit my taste. Sluuuuurp...:-.) I just loaned episodes 1 & 2 of P&P2 to my good friend who, as yet, can't see the attraction.(snip) Anyway, I can hardly wait till tomorrow when she begs me for the next 4 episodes! And you know she will. After the Netherfield Ball there's no turning back...he's just two big, hungry, dark eyeballs in those scenes. Great! You'll bring us another convert--we need all the splashers we can get!;-.) BETHAN: Where is he now BTW? What is he doing?! The problem for wanabe droolies like myself is that the MAN is too damned elusive. RENATE: he must be working somewhere... on what? Where? I agree--let's get him girls! Time for the warrior of the CF pond to resurface as THE FIRTHLANDS Guerrilla--RRRRLALALALALALALA!!;-.D As you can see above, Rosie had a copy of the first Colin topic, so it was possible to stick it back in here. I am very grateful to her for sharing the wealth. I know it's a little confusing to sift through both old and new messages, but at least we have them. If you can find your way to whatever you were talking about before \"Count Almasy\" took place, we can get down to some heacy drooling!;-.) or as Kathy would say :-b..."}, {"response": 55, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 1997 (21:06)", "body": "NAN, Re Fanfic: I simply amuse myself occasionally by sketching brief scenes... I've shared two or three with the ROP crowd, that's true, but I'm not so prolific and can't promise anything, although to tell the truth, I'm very tempted to produce my own version of the wedding night... on reflection, however, it might be a bit too... hm... And on another subject, I've noticed recently a remark on P&P2 board stating that Colin's Darcy was wimpy. Comments, anyone?"}, {"response": 56, "author": "Marilyn", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 1997 (00:54)", "body": "NAN: And you know she will. After the Netherfield Ball there's no turning back... he's just two big, hungry, dark eyeballs in those scenes. Great! You'll bring us another convert--we need all the splashers we can get!;-.) Nan, \"copy/paste\" suggestion worked - if you can train this computer dork, you can help anybody! Well, you know by now, she was quite taken by him at the Netherfield Ball, but still not happy with his treatment of dear Lizzie - but just you wait till she gets to the \"I will conquer this\", splash, \"...and, your parents?\", The Look...she will be nearly as smitten as the rest of us. No one can quite describe him as vividly as you, Nan...(LOL!) two big, hungry, dark eyeballs...how irresistable! ARAMI: And on another subject, I've noticed recently a remark on P&P2 board stating that Colin's Darcy was wimpy. Comments, anyone? Well, Arami, I find it hard to believe how anyone can criticize his performance, and maybe I lack a certain objectivity, but wimpy ?? I think it was Nan who said anyone who can resist his yumminess is \"hormonally challenged\"!! BETHAN: Where is he now BTW? What is he doing?! The problem for wanabe droolies like myself is that the MAN is too damned elusive. I hope to come back to some real NEWS, something I can get my teeth in, like rave reviews and Oscar talk for ATA. Bethan, he IS elusive. That may, in a twisted way, add to his allure - but come on, how long can we wait for any news?? I'll play the optimist and say that with ATA coming out next month, we'll be seeing more of him - although, here the leading ladies will get the attention. Since I haven't yet read the book, are we in for some REAL love scenes and with whom?? Michelle or Jessica or Jennifer? or all three???? Have a fun and safe holiday, Bethan!"}, {"response": 57, "author": "Susan", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 1997 (03:34)", "body": "CF/Jess gets around in the book version of ATA, so there should be plenty of good old-fashioned snoggin'. I, for one, am also looking forward to seeing him jog in nothing but a pair of shorts and shoes. Hubba, hubba!"}, {"response": 58, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 1997 (17:20)", "body": "ARAMI: NAN, Re Fanfic: (snip) to tell the truth, I'm very tempted to produce my own version of the wedding night... on reflection, however, it might be a bit too... hm... I say let the creative juices flow...Carolyn did and people seemed to really enjoy that one. Several of the fan fics are that way. Carolyn's was good for me in that it was just enough without crossing the border into the realm of \"more than I needed to know\". Someone at RoP posted a general fan fic link and I went to check out some of the Star Trek ones (yes, I know--I'm a little twisted). Some of them, not all, but some were so way over the top that they were digusting. Too disgusting for me to even get hrough them. However, I know that you would never put our dear Darcy in such an undignified position and I'm sure your version would be interesting. But no pressure you understand...;-.p And on another subject, I've noticed recently a remark on P&P2 board stating that Colin's Darcy was wimpy. Comments, anyone? I looked everywhere and I couldn't find that one. It's probably better because I'm a little defensive about his sublime Darcy. The epitome of manly perfection he is. BETHAN: Am off on short holiday very soon How short? We shall miss you dear. It sounds like a great vacation though. I'm jealous. :-.) SUSAN: CF/Jess gets around in the book version of ATA, so there should be plenty of good old-fashioned snoggin' . I love that word--Americans don't use it. Most don't know what it means. Fortunately I have a friend from England who does all the translating for me. I, for one, am also looking forward to seeing him jog in nothing but a pair of shorts and shoes. Hubba, hubba! Oooh, I haven't read the book. Are you saying that it's a possibilty? Maybe I need to take a little trip to Barnes & Noble. :-.) On another note, I forgot to thank Myretta for helping me stick all Rosie's saved messages back in here. Thanks pal. :-.)"}, {"response": 59, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 1997 (19:13)", "body": "NAN I say let the creative juices flow...Carolyn did and people seemed to really enjoy that one. Several of the fan fics are that way. Carolyn's was good for me in that it was just enough without crossing the border into the realm of \"more than I needed to know\". Thank you, Nan. I am glad you liked it. Hope you have had a chance to read some of the older stuff yet?"}, {"response": 60, "author": "Susan", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 1997 (20:24)", "body": "Nan, he does jog shirtless in the book, but we'll have to wait and see if the powers that be were smart enough to include that in the movie. I am assuming they know CF's sex symbol status and were trying to cash in on that by casting him as Jess to begin with. If so, they should play up that aspect of Jess, and the book certainly allows for that interpretation."}, {"response": 61, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 1997 (22:43)", "body": "ROSIE: We have not yet met, but let me thank you for doing what no one else thought of: save the files! Good work! (aside): Eat your heart out, Count Almasy! You will never succeed! You stole Geoffrey's wife, you stole the bathing scene in TEP - but you will never prevent us with your tricks to drool over Colin, as long as there are such circumspect women! Ha! CAROLYN: Something with a warm, soapy bath.... do I remember right? ARAMI: I'm very tempted to produce my own version of the wedding night... on reflection, however, it might be a bit too... hm... ...a bit too .... natural and just? I'm curious. And on another subject, I've noticed recently a remark on P&P2 board stating that Colin's Darcy was wimpy. Comments, anyone? (I have an idea what \"wimpy\" means, but cannot find it in my dictionnaries - can anyone help me?? Those who need to pick on Mr Darcy supposedly found something better.... probably they prefer Mr Collins. :-) > MARILYN, NAN: (snip)...Colin looked downright edible in \"Valmont\"? Glad you found us m'dear and yes, you can repeat the edible comment as frequently as you like. There can never be too many mentions of his deliciousness to suit my taste. Sluuuuurp...:-.) Oh, yes, he's our favourite dish, isn't he. What would you like as an aperitivo? 'Colin's Coctail' or 'Colin on the Rocks'? Any recipes?"}, {"response": 62, "author": "Elsa", "date": "Fri, Aug 29, 1997 (03:46)", "body": "The Pemberley Oz contingent actually did make -- and eat! -- a Darcy dessert inspired by Ann2's nomination when we were matching characters and desserts: Darcy suggestion: A dark chocolate form (very formal) containing the smoothest chocolate mousse , flavoured with tiny straws of orange peeling and Cointreau (you know that strong and sweet liqueur with orange flavour). To be enjoyed slowly licking it from a small spoon and wishing it would last for ever. Here's the address for the rest of the dessert thread from the archives here: http://www.spring.com/yapp-bin/restricted/read/austenarchive/93"}, {"response": 63, "author": "SylviaH", "date": "Fri, Aug 29, 1997 (10:04)", "body": "All your comments about ATA make me really hungry to see it. Unfortunately, german fans will have to wait until March 98 (six months, help!). Watched Playmaker last evening (many thanks to Renate for sending me the tape). Well, what can I say? I was forewarned and it wasn't as bad as I had expected. But I stopped the taped before he turns Jamie around to the mirror. I had the strange feeling that I would encounter Frankenstein's monster. Colin was easier to look at as in COF (no socks!) and it was nice to see him in as a man of the nineties. He looks absolutely gorgeous in jeans - and under the shower of course! The discussion about desserts reminds me of an article which appeared in Radio Times some weeks ago (I found it by chance in the library). I can't remember the name of author (a woman), she writes about having missed P&P and Darcymania in 1995 and that it is impossible to jump on the train now. At the end she says (I'm quoting from memory): \"It has to be said, that Colin smoulders like a chip pan with eyes that could burn a hole into a choc-ice at 50 paces.\" Good description, don't you agree?"}, {"response": 64, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Fri, Aug 29, 1997 (10:38)", "body": "Off on my hols very soon (just for a week). Thanks for your good wishes. Shall be on tbe lookout at the airport for all unkempt 6'1\" males pushing luggage trolleys and will attempt to establish eye contact. 'Eyes that could burn a hole into a choc-ice at 50 paces' should be easy to spot! You never know my luck :-) Look forward to hearing about ATA. RENATE and SYLVIA, hope that you enjoy Colin in FP!"}, {"response": 65, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Aug 29, 1997 (23:00)", "body": "RENATE: (I have an idea what \"wimpy\" means, but cannot find it in my dictionnaries - can anyone help me?? Wimpy: weakling, namby-pamby, nebbish, sissy, etc. -- Horrible, yes? Oh, yes, he's our favourite dish, isn't he. What would you like as an aperitivo? 'Colin's Coctail' or 'Colin on the Rocks'? I should prefer Colin \"straight up\" (does that translate?), but in a pinch I'll settle for a Tom Col(l)ins...;-.p AMY: To be enjoyed slowly licking it from a small spoon and wishing it would last for ever. Oh MY! Something tells me I've missed much of the good stuff...:-.( SYLVIA: All your comments about ATA make me really hungry to see it. As soon as it comes out I shall drag my lazy butt to it and give you a full report! Watched Playmaker last evening. Well, what can I say? I was forewarned and it wasn't as bad as I had expected. You are more charitable than I. Colin is a wonderful actor and he's very easy on the eyes, but that movie just makes me cringe..."}, {"response": 66, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Aug 29, 1997 (23:37)", "body": "NAN I should prefer Colin \"straight up\" (does that translate?),.. May I let my fantasy ramble? ... but in a pinch I'll settle for a Tom Col(l)ins...;-.p I always suspected that there are people who prefer Mr Namby-Pamby Collins over Colin, but I had not expected you to be one of them, Nan. ;-.))"}, {"response": 67, "author": "Elsa", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 1997 (02:11)", "body": "I should prefer Colin \"straight up\" (does that translate?), but in a pinch I'll settle for a Tom Col(l)ins...;-.p __ Well... all that really matters is that he is wet. How about just \"Colin With a Splash?\""}, {"response": 68, "author": "Elsa", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 1997 (02:25)", "body": ""}, {"response": 69, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 1997 (03:10)", "body": "RENATE: May I let my fantasy ramble? But, of course... ... but in a pinch I'll settle for a Tom Col(l)ins...;-.p I always suspected that there are people who prefer Mr Namby-Pamby Collins over Colin, but I had not expected you to be one of them, Nan. ;-.)) I see we've quickly picked up the correct usage of \"Namby-Pamby\" LOL! I can't believe I left you such an easy opening. I must have been tired when I posted that last one. Yeah, that was it....I was tired....Mr. Collins indeed! If the thought wasn't so preposterous I should be quite put out! ;-.p AMY: Well... all that really matters is that he is wet. How about just \"Colin With a Splash?\" Wicked! You've no idea what twisted directions that took me in...;-.D But you are correct, the wetness is a crucial element here...hmmm...There are always those drinks with the kinky names--\"Sex on the Beach\" (note: WET reference), \"Between the Sheets\"(which leaves you quite hung, so to speak), etc. :-.)"}, {"response": 70, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 1997 (12:46)", "body": "Well, it's taken me AGES to get through to here and now what I wanted to say sounds an old Incroyable...;-) Still, I must have my share in the conversation. RENATE: \"Underwear and other amusement\". :-)) We're obsessed, girls! Are there any other things than male pants we are interested in? LOL! You can always try embroidery and cooking... in the meantime, why not dip in our Fan Fic for some reassurance: following Carolyn's illustrious example, Lisa is now displaying a very robust line in the super-natural and totally unjust 8-D! I shall certainly stay out of the way whilst that particular fantasy lasts... Mr and Mrs D. as maniacal sex addicts! Stop it, I like it!!! Nan, Terry has washed his hands and pointed to you as responsible for all this permissiveness! ROTF! BTW, NAN, what do you ean by \"putting our dear Darcy in such an undignified position...\" Undignified? In bed (and elsewhere...) with his wife? Hmmm...;-) Re BETHAN's sober comments, I agree - I don't think Colin wants the burden of being \"internationally bankable\". In his eyes, being bankable is not preferable over being a respected actor. He will keep on making less obvious, but for him more satisfying choices and probably will never be one of the grand glittering Stars: just a modest, quiet and utterly dependable, brilliant professional - and we'll always love him for it... That's the wonder of Colin... I note that JULIA still hasn't revealed her reputedly \"naughty\" post - come on, girl, we're much more relaxed here, no slapping, except in playfulness! Right, Nan? And SUSAN, in view of the problem with random disappearing letters here, I'd be careful with words like \"shirtless\" ;-) Even now I can't be sure... but I'll risk it! Here we go!"}, {"response": 71, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 1997 (16:18)", "body": "ARAMI: Nan, Terry has washed his hands and pointed to you as responsible for all this permissiveness! ROTF! Yes, I noticed :-.) BTW, NAN, what do you mean by \"putting our dear Darcy in such an undignified position...\" Undignified? In bed (and elsewhere...) with his wife? Hmmm...;-) Nope, bed (or elsewhere) works for me as long as it's with his wife and not the entire population of Derbyshire together if you catch my drift. If you had read those hideous Star Trek fan fics I mentioned, you'd know exactly what I meant. Ugh! They were positively painful to see and very...well, undignified . :-.D I note that JULIA still hasn't revealed her reputedly \"naughty\" post - come on, girl, we're much more relaxed here, no slapping, except in playfulness! Right, Nan? You're just loving this, aren't you? :-.) Actually, I don't recall Julia's post being \"naughty\" in the way you mean--bummer, huh? :-.) BTW, isn't it cool the way this software corrects your tags? Groovy!;-.)"}, {"response": 72, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 1997 (21:17)", "body": "ARAMI: Well, it's taken me AGES to get through to here Which way did you try? Directly from the beginning? I usually enter through the \"back door\" (\"new\"), and then I use \"Redisplay\" to work the way back if I want. Much faster than to start from the beginning every time . re: Underwear obsession/ \" .... You can always try embroidery\" What about some nice embroidery on his boxer shorts? This gives me a nice transition to \"... his thunderous thighs,\" Ahhhh! Thunderous! Thunderous!!! Cannot calm down at all. You see, I've been to FanFic as recommended, and my eye caught his........\"thunderous thighs\"! LISA, if you read this, I hope you will not mind me picking this out... a strong expression, indeed, for a strong - eh - item? My fantasy runs wild! RRRRLALALALALAAAAAhhhhhaaaaa......olalala.... I've read Terry's post and my jaw dropped. No limits here to violate? How disappointing! What are we going to do? :-.) NAN: works for me as long as it's with his wife and not the entire population of Derbyshire together I'm getting curious about the Star Trek fanfic you mention so frequently...but I trust you if you say it's hideous. From what you say I get it's not just a romantic or passionate tete-a-tete of two but ......considering that Star Trek is not even limited to the population of Derbyshire, nor the milky way or galaxies, nor human beings, there's a whole lot of possibilites. :-))"}, {"response": 73, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 1997 (21:48)", "body": "RENATE: This gives me a nice transition to \"... his thunderous thighs,\" Ahhhh! Thunderous! Thunderous!!! (snip) RRRRLALALALALAAAAAhhhhhaaaaa......olalala.... ROTFLMAO!!;-.D Thank you dear looking glass lady--that was my first real happy laugh today!;-.) I've read Terry's post and my jaw dropped. No limits here to violate? How disappointing! What are we going to do? :-.) Goodness only knows...whatever shall you do?:-.p Don't worry dear, I'm sure something (eventually) will come up that'll cross the line and I shall be forced to do the distasteful policeman thing. However, the lines here are a lot farther away than they used to be. Perhaps this move was in our best interests after all? ;-.p I'm getting curious about the Star Trek fanfic you mention so frequently...but I trust you if you say it's hideous. From what you say I get it's not just a romantic or passionate tete-a-tete of two but ......considering that Star Trek is not even limited to the population of Derbyshire, nor the milky way or galaxies, nor human beings, there's a whole lot of possibilites. :-)) Precisely...but it's not the amount of creatures or the different types of beings, it's what they're doing (Ewwww!). In some instances it's violent...someone forcing themselves on someone else, etc. See what I mean? In fairness to ST fan fic, I should also say that most of them are NOT this way--they are perfectly good (in some cases, excellent) adventures about those characters. But there appears to be a market out there for the \"less dignified\" stuff which I am at a complete loss to understand."}, {"response": 74, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 1997 (21:53)", "body": "AMY, I was just pondering about that picture you posted, it's good to see it again - and now I know what irritated me a bit: he has unusual strong eyebrows on it - did you help along with a pencil? What about a drink called \"Sweet Eyebrows\": mix 3 parts very hot chocolate with 1 part white rum, 3 spoons of whipped cream on top, and apply just a trace of mocca powder over it in two light bows. Enjoy on a frosty winter night, and dream sweet dreams."}, {"response": 75, "author": "Elsa", "date": "Sun, Aug 31, 1997 (03:59)", "body": "No, Renate, I didn't add anything except the talk bubble and the light blue bg. I might have increased the contrast a little -- or maybe he was made up or in a dark hair role complete with darker eyebrows. I have fun rubbing my little paintbrush over him, but I wouldn't change a thing about him."}, {"response": 76, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 1997 (00:23)", "body": "Well, again it's been VEEEEEEERY slow. I had to give up a couple of times. And I thought I had it all sorted out - together with a back door route. It was very fast until about 24 hours ago. No problems last weekend, so what's the matter now? Anyway: NAN: as long as it's with his wife and not the entire population of Derbyshire together What on earth can you mean? Darcy - unfaithful? 8-O ! If you had read those hideous Star Trek fan fics I mentioned, you'd know exactly what I meant. Well, I haven't - maybe I should, as an educational measure ;-)? That way I'd know exactly what to avoid... I don't recall Julia's post being \"naughty\" so why was it deleted? RENATE: my eye caught his...\"thunderous thighs\"! My eye caught all sorts of other thunderous things, like that thunderous thrust for example - how is one to match that without dipping into the Star Trek fan fic, I ask you?...:-D"}, {"response": 77, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 1997 (00:48)", "body": "Renate: CAROLYN: Something with a warm, soapy bath.... do I remember right? Yes, but there is also a few further back--Mrs. Gardiners Gift, the Piano Lesson, and the original ending to Summer Picnic"}, {"response": 78, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 1997 (01:31)", "body": "ARAMI: What on earth can you mean? Darcy - unfaithful? 8-O ! Heaven forbid! :-.) If you had read those hideous Star Trek fan fics I mentioned, you'd know exactly what I meant. Well, I haven't - maybe I should, as an educational measure ;-)? That way I'd know exactly what to avoid... I would never insult you by even considering the idea that you might be capable of producing such trash. Yuck! I don't recall Julia's post being \"naughty\" so why was it deleted? I only read it quickly and frankly, don't even remember what it was about. But I don't recall it being \"naughty\" in the way you mean . (I noticed you snipped that part of my last comment--bad girl!;-.p ) Anyway, whatever."}, {"response": 79, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 1997 (01:58)", "body": "Renate, feel free to use THUNDEROUS THIGHS whenever, you like. In fact, if there's anything else that tickles your fancy, by all means go for it! Arami, I never thought about it that way: Mr & Mrs D. as meniacal sex addicts. What on earth have I done? For indeed that's exactly what I've portrayed them as being! But wouldn't you think that my perception on their married life is somewhat true because they had such tremendous passion for each other that they would engage in sex at almost every available opportunity or is that just wishful thinking on my part? IMO, If there's any Jane Austen couple that would have sex so often it would definitely be Li zy and Darcy."}, {"response": 80, "author": "KathyF", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 1997 (02:59)", "body": "Ahhhhhhhh! Slipping back into drool after almost a week, and splashing about!! Mean old real life is to blame! We had company who had to use the computer/spare room to sleep in--how dare they!! so I haven't been able to drool. But it's good to be back. I had to wipe down the screen two or three times. Thanks, ladies. :-) Kathy"}, {"response": 81, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 1997 (15:45)", "body": "KATHY: Slipping back into drool after almost a week, and splashing about!! Refreshing, isn't it? :-.) Dear lady of the |=|:-.) so glad to see you--any new takers on the those poor forlorn unclaimed keepsakes? Well peoples, I've finally seen the US release date for the video of TEP--September 23. That was somehow earlier than I had expected--and I'm delighted. I shall hover over the shelves at Tower Records, waiting to pounce on the first one out of the box. This is only four days after the supposed release of ATA too. I fear I shall be on a Colin rush that whole week, tingling and spinning and behaving in a most juvenile fashion...:-.)"}, {"response": 82, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 1997 (22:19)", "body": "NAN: ...the idea that you might be capable of producing such trash You never know... I wouldn't underestimate me, if I were you...;-) LISA: they had such tremendous passion for each other that they would engage in sex at almost every available opportunity... If there's any Jane Austen couple that would have sex so often it would definitely be Lizy and Darcy. LOL! I think we are each entitled to our views and yours are natural, healthy and very enjoyable! Wishful thinking also comes into it to a degree, but that's what FICTION is for, after all! BTW, don't be disheartened by your career choice : accountancy should comfortably pay your bills whilst you can write and work at developing a second career at leisure. And now let us have the remainder of the story without further delay!!! Any more such red-hot stories up your sleeve?;-D"}, {"response": 83, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 1997 (22:27)", "body": "ENCYCLOPEDIARAMI: Do you know what became of Robert Lawrence ? Are there any new information of his life after rehabilitation? Colin's performance makes me wonder what the real Robert Lawrence had to say. At Amazon bookstore I found \"When the fighting is over: A Personal Story of the Battle for Tumbledown Mountain and its Aftermath\" by John Lawrence, Robert Lawrence. With the remark \"hard to find\". Have you ever seen/read it? For those Colin fans who had not yet the privilege to watch \"Tumbledown\": Robert Lawrence, injured Falkland soldier, was the character Colin impersonated so well."}, {"response": 84, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 1997 (23:27)", "body": "Just had the pleasure of 40 seconds of Fever Pitch on German TV. It was - eh - fast and short. Colin running, shouting, escaping the camera lens, and, OH HORROR, his dubbed voice is much worse I ever imagined. Decidedly higher than his natural voice. If they don't show it in Original Version as well I will have to watch it with oropax!"}, {"response": 85, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 1997 (23:57)", "body": "RENATE: I have better information regarding the filming of Tumbledown and the reaction to it, but sadly no current news of Robert Lawrence. I guess he's much the same as he was portrayed at the end of the film. I haven't read the book, either. Also commiserations re the German dubbing of Fever Pitch. You'll have to buy a video."}, {"response": 86, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 1997 (00:09)", "body": "Arami, I think once the Darcy Diary that will be it for a while. I had thought about a third story called THE EXCHANGE where Darcy and Lizzy exchange their diaries, but I don't know what I could possibly write with that. I don't know maybe I just need some more time to think about it. I have to say that all this sex is not easy to come up with. Trying to come up with new, interesting encounters is quite a task, I don't want to repeat myself over and over again. I think you'll be in for a surprise with part 5."}, {"response": 87, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 1997 (01:46)", "body": "ARAMI: You never know... I wouldn't underestimate me, if I were you...;-) Oh I hardly think that there is ever a danger of that occurring. ;-.) That's what I get for trying to pay you a compliment! LOL! ;-.p RENATE: If they don't show it in Original Version as well I will have to watch it with oropax! Sorry dearest, \"oropax\" doesn't translate--do tell... Also, you'd think that they would have figured out that his voice is a crucial element! If ever there was a case in which to use subtitles...this is it. You're right, it is a HORROR!! Aaaaaaagh!;-.)"}, {"response": 88, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 1997 (07:13)", "body": "NAN: Sorry dearest, \"oropax\" doesn't translate--do tell... \"oropax\" resp. \"Ohropax\" is \"peace for the Ears\" - i.e. something you put into your ears not to be disturbed by sound. But there's always a fair chance that they will also release the Original Version. In approx. 60 hours I will know. ARAMI: Also commiserations re the German dubbing of Fever Pitch. You'll have to buy a video. You can bet on it, dear! The video I'll have to buy, anyway, but I am afraid, it will still be months, ARAMI, have you, by accident - or on purpose :-)) - heard anything about a release date? I have better information regarding the filming of Tumbledown and the reaction to it, YES, PLEASE?! I guess he's much the same as he was portrayed at the end of the film. Well, he was portrayed as GORGEOUS. Can't believe there is someone only half as attractive as Colin. But that's a standard nobody ever can meet, anyway. You see I am completely besotted by his performance. But apart from the film: I hope the real Robert Lawrence is doing fine."}, {"response": 89, "author": "SylviaH", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 1997 (09:32)", "body": "RENATE: Just had the pleasure of 40 seconds of Fever Pitch on German TV. It was - eh - fast and short. Colin running, shouting, escaping the camera lens, and, OH HORROR, his dubbed voice is much worse I ever imagined. Decidedly higher than his natural voice. If they don't show it in Original Version as well I will have to watch it with oropax! Did you watch RTL? I perfectly comprehend your feelings! It was too fast and too short but it looked promising (attractive and energetic). The dubbing is a crucial problem. So far his german voice in P&P is the best. Anyway, it is difficult to decide the case based on 40 seconds; I hope that he doesen't sound as bad as Patrick Stewart in Star Trek. We shall conquer this: a dubbed Colin is better than no Colin at all :-) The color of his hair surprised me a little bit, it looks darker than I had expected. Is this his natural hair color?"}, {"response": 90, "author": "SylviaH", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 1997 (10:11)", "body": "Good News! The Firth FAQ reports that the Fever Pitch video will be released on October 27th in Britain; there's also some information about a distributor in Canada."}, {"response": 91, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 1997 (20:16)", "body": "It was too fast and too short but it looked promising (attractive and energetic). YES! I think I like this energetic (and funny) Colin very much. a dubbed Colin is better than no Colin at all :-) ....we shall have to be philosophers.... The color of his hair surprised me a little bit, it looks darker than I had expected. Exactly my thoughts. But sooo nice. :-)) Less than 48 hours until Fever Pitch!!!"}, {"response": 92, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 1997 (22:32)", "body": "LISA: all this sex is not easy to come up with. Trying to come up with new, interesting encounters is quite a task ...And it's quite exhausting just reading it, too ;-)! NAN: trying to pay you a compliment No, my dear; you're trying to keep a lid on me;-)... SYLVIA: The color of his hair [in FP]... looks darker... Is this his natural hair color? It's definitely darker than his natural colour. RENATE: information re. filming of Tumbledown YES, PLEASE The screenplay was based on Lt. Lawrence's own story. The first choice to play him was Kenneth Branagh - Lawrence was not happy because he considered Branagh too \"common\". When Colin took the role, Lawrence was reported \"delighted\": Colin, fresh from The Lost Empires and A Month in the Country seemed an ideal choice as a dashing young officer with \"class\". Ironically, in private life, Colin has a rather unimpressive record of education, whilst Branagh is a real public (i.e. meaning private, in Britain) s hool boy! Of the original screenplay, 20 per cent was cut from the final version. The finished product caused protests from the army, the Scots Guards (Lawrence's regiment) and some politicians. Lawrence was described as biased and Ramboesque. The film was never released in the cinemas, as originally intended. However, it managed to earn the 1988 Prix Italia for TV drama, Best Drama and Best Actor from the Royal TV Society, Best Drama from the Broadcasting Press Guild and BAFTA (plus best actor nomination . Colin said that he had been haunted by nightmares for three years after working on the film, and is quoted as saying: \"I was worried about my sanity... It messed my head up a bit... Is acting worth it?...\" A photo of him and Lawrence together shows the latter a pleasant man, but not as handsome as his film image... Enough, madam?"}, {"response": 93, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 1997 (22:47)", "body": "PARANOIARAMI: No, my dear; you're trying to keep a lid on me;-)... Now you're underestimating me :-.p Which, somehow, doesn't surprise me in the least...;-.)"}, {"response": 94, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 1997 (23:14)", "body": "NAN, oh,Nan... Now you're underestimating me No, I'm just teasing you! I do so much appreciate your compliments and goodwill, believe me... (oh, ye gods, is it going to be another one of those thilly mithunderthandings? I'd better shut up, then...:-))"}, {"response": 95, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Sep  2, 1997 (23:45)", "body": "ARAMI: No, I'm just teasing you! Oh I know that, and I was teasing you right back! Obviously, we both suck at it...;-.D But I thought \"ParanoiArami\" was particularly inspired, if I do say so myself ;-.p I do so much appreciate your compliments and goodwill, believe me... Good, because the compliment was sincere. I've read your stories at the RoP fan fic and I know you are capable, that's all I meant. Actually, I think you really do need to check out that ST fan fic site (I'll have to find the URL) and you'll immediately understand why I said you weren't \"capable of producing that trash.\" oh, ye gods, is it going to be another one of those thilly mithunderthandings? Nope, no misunderstanding here m'dear--but I see you've also developed that nasty speech impediment!;-.) It follows us wherever we go..."}, {"response": 96, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 1997 (00:33)", "body": "NAN: speech impediment!;-.) I know you refer to the th, but I would like to thingle out the Spring-Software-Tom-Birkin-Memorial-Stutter-Bug as something quite human. ;-)) ut I thought \"ParanoiArami\" was particularly inspired, if I do say so myself ;-.p It was. :-)) ARAMI: a dashing young officer with \"class\" Though I can imagine Kenneth Branagh very well in that role I am happy Colin got it. Don't need to explain, do I? Of the original screenplay, 20 per cent was cut from the final version. aside: (Just like his brain, har har har har!) That may count for why I still have not yet got the complete story. I have some serious language problems here, and the storyline structure is rather complicated. However, it managed to earn the 1988 Prix Italia Ecco! Ha! Enough, madam? Not really, as you know very well, but I will have to be content for now. I know you appreciate Tumbledown very much, I'd like to hear your opinion on the film, now that I have watched it myself. Do you have favourite scenes?"}, {"response": 97, "author": "PaulaLovejoy", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 1997 (00:35)", "body": "What do others think about the article about Colin in this month's Vogue where it describes his looks as \"angelic?\" The writer thinks that Colin is better off now that's he older, because when he was younger, he was just too angelic-looking to be believable in films like \"Valmont.\" I'd have to agree. I think Colin was certainly good-looking enough to play Valmont but he didn't seem evil enough. Anyway I love the word \"angelic\" to describe his looks."}, {"response": 98, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 1997 (02:08)", "body": "RENATE: (Just like his brain, har har har har!) Evil, wicked, naughty--and still I'm ROTFLMAO! :-.D PIMP, Renate just PIMP!!;-.) PAULA: The writer thinks that Colin is better off now that's he older, because when he was younger I much prefer the older Colin than the little boy in Another Country . He is definitely improving with age. he was just too angelic-looking to be believable in films like \"Valmont.\" I don't really agree with that one though. I thought his \"Valmont\" was quite believable, if a little prettier than required. (But who am I to complain about that?;-.p) The screenplay was going in a different direction from Dangerous Liaisons. Malkovich not only looked more evil, but the script was far darker than \"Valmont\". Anyway I love the word \"angelic\" to describe his looks. Oooh, I like that too. But while his face is angelic, his eyes are the very picture of devilish mirth ;-.)"}, {"response": 99, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 1997 (07:01)", "body": ""}, {"response": 100, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 1997 (07:11)", "body": "Oooops! Don't laugh! Before you say anything: yes, the decision whether he looks more adorable as the angelic youth or the mature man was too much for me. I passed out, accidently hitting the response button before my fingers slipped over the edge of the table......"}, {"response": 101, "author": "Marilyn", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 1997 (22:01)", "body": "NAN: I much prefer the older Colin than the little boy in Another Country. He is definitely improving with age. So do I, Nan - I like the \"little boy\", but I looove the mature man. Not to sound like a broken record, but I think he's aging really well. Oooh, I like that too. But while his face is angelic, his eyes are the very picture of devilish mirth ;-.) Yeah, you know how I'd love to get in trouble with him...I'm glad he's not so angelic looking anymore. ;-) RENATE: Oooops! Don't laugh! Before you say anything: yes, the decision whether he looks more adorable as the angelic youth or the mature man was too much for me. I passed out, accidently hitting the response button before my fingers slipped over the edge of the table...... LOL! Completely understandable, Renate, what a delicious debate! I'm sorry to be leaving as things are getting very interesting, but tomorrow we're heading up to Monterey (CA) for a long weekend away. I'll be back and ready to drool with you on Monday!"}, {"response": 102, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Sep  3, 1997 (23:39)", "body": "NAN: I've read your stories at the RoP fan fic and I know you are capable Oh, I get it: you're a fan... Thanks. I AM capable, even if I say so myself (echoes of \"I don't have to try - I AM clever...\") Trouble is - I'm also lazy and disorganized. I'll try to produce something, but I can't say when. Might not be so soon. check out that ST fan fic site and you'll immediately understand why I said you weren't \"capable of producing that trash.\" You really think I'm not capable of producing whatever trash I might fancy? (All right: another elegant compliment, I grant you. Thanks, but try not to overdo it...;-)) RENATE: the 1988 Prix Italia - Ecco! Ha! Yes, I believe that also explains the firth L'Uomo cover Enough, madam? Not really I also remember that Lawrence's girlfriend was very incensed about the way she was portrayed. She insisted she had tried to help him but he was a changed man: he maintained it was she who had changed... all rather sad, really. your opinion on the film, now that I have watched it myself In a nutshell: a powerful, controversial, shocking anti-war piece. Do you have favourite scenes? Not really: watching the film gives me a cold, numbing feeling. I wouldn't want to return to it, if not for Colin - his performance is a masterpiece, he sort of cascades through it, tumbles relentlessly from top to bottom, so to speak. He said it had exhausted him mentally, but he'd love to play another role like that. the decision whether he looks more adorable as the angelic youth or the mature man was too much for me. I passed out... LOL! How very true, except I never faint. I've watched Dutch Girls again recently and , you know, oh, those eyes are just wonderful. He was beautiful when he was younger and he's exquisitely handsome as he's growing older. BTW, it's his 37th birthday next week, I hope everyone has sent him a card!"}, {"response": 103, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 1997 (01:36)", "body": "ARAMI: Trouble is - I'm also lazy and disorganized. I'll try to produce something, but I can't say when. Might not be so soon. As I said before, no pressure...whenever the mood strikes you dear. :-.) You really think I'm not capable of producing whatever trash I might fancy? Oh, no! I didn't say THAT! ;-.) The difference is that if you were to produce such trash, you'd do it on purpose. You'd know it was trash, which I don't think is the case with those ST fan fics...that's the scary part. :-.)"}, {"response": 104, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 1997 (11:22)", "body": "HURRAH! Only 2 hours anymore until Fever Pitch!!! ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ARAMI: In a nutshell: Who wants nutshells when it comes to Colin? Give us coconuts, nay, water-melons, huge and juicy... :-)) watching the film gives me a cold, numbing feeling. I wouldn't want to return to it, if not for Colin - his performance is a masterpiece, I have watched it now several times, and as it is when you know a film very well you start to see isolated scenes instead of the whole. So it has lost a lot of the gruesomeness in favour of my appreciation for Colin's - and other actor's - performance. F.e. I like to see \"Lady Catherine\" (Barbara Leigh-Hunt as his mother) in this sympathetic role, and I think Paul Rhys' performance was very good, and he has a VERY good voice. but he'd love to play another role like that. Wish he'll get some offers for stuff he can bite his teeth into.... I'd love to see him as a really evil and nasty character... such as Amon Goeth in Schindlers List, f.e.. I never faint. I only faint for Colin. Exclusively. He was beautiful when he was younger and he's exquisitely handsome as he's growing older. ...... where's my smelling salt!!? BTW, it's his 37th birthday next week, I hope everyone has sent him a card! Eeeek! Not yet!"}, {"response": 105, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 1997 (18:54)", "body": "...some hours later.... \"I HAVE SEEN IT! FEVER PITCH! , AND I LOVE IT, AND COLIN IS GORGEOUS!\""}, {"response": 106, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 1997 (19:04)", "body": "RENATE: \"I HAVE SEEN IT! FEVER PITCH!, AND I LOVE IT, AND COLIN IS GORGEOUS!\" No fair!! ;-.p So? Tell me more--I'm living vicariously through you at this moment. Details, we want details! ;-.)"}, {"response": 107, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 1997 (23:20)", "body": "NAN: whenever the mood strikes you It's not the mood, it's the time I need. RENATE: I'd love to see him as a really evil and nasty character That's precisely why I had unreasonably high hopes watching the first half of Playmaker - he had some brilliant moments there IMO. AND NOW TALK TO THE FIRTHSTARVED WORLD ABOUT FEVER PITCH!"}, {"response": 108, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Sep  4, 1997 (23:20)", "body": "You are completely right, I must share my pleasure with someone. As soon as I found time I sat down and wrote down my first impressions of Fever Pitch. It is a funny, intelligent, screwball comedy-romance. Colin - don't know exactly what I expected, but - - - I was stunned how gorgeous he looks, in a very unobtrusive way as the 'unmade bed', different again from any other of his roles I have seen. It was only a few minutes into the film that I caught myself contemplating if I should buy TWO tapes as soon as it comes out on video - anticipating that I would probably wear out the first one over the weekend. It will be a serious challenge for the \"rewind\" and \"freeze-frame\" function on your remote control. To see him on a large screen (for me the only time before was TEP) was a new and pleasant experience. His physical presence just renders (voc?) much better, if you get my meaning ...he's tall, he's energetic, he's badly shaved, has no haircut to speak of, but it's dark, and his eyebrows are too, and all those baggy shirts and trousers look so good on him - .... I'm afraid I've caught the Ashworth-fever. And what do you mean, Colin: \"Your thighs don't have the same impact in boxer-shorts?\" The camera just oes not leave time enough to allow a permanent impression... Colin's dubbed German voice was not so bad after all, didn't spoil the fun. And it is really strange to see Mr Knightley and Mr Darcy arm in arm together in the mad hooligan crowd or about to fall of the sofa and ROTF. As I said before, he looks different again, but I will try a description: Paul is visually and temperamentwise somewhere between Mr Darcy and Stephen Walby with much of the lighter note of Richard Courtois. He is a very gentle man, not too good to express his emotions verbally, but with the best intentions. He would be the perfect man of the nineties if it were not for his soccer-mania. Sarah and Paul have a lot in common with Elisabeth and Darcy. They are antagonistic. And they both have a long way to go to meet. Ruth Gemmell has a lot of good lines, is very sympathetic as Sarah, and easy to identify with. Particularly when they are snogging. Highly recommended. Because I liked the music in the film, I bought the soundtrack CD - the music is, honestly, rather underwhelming, but there are several passages of Colin speaking. Great."}, {"response": 109, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 1997 (00:10)", "body": "Heeeelllllllooooooo! Heeeelllllllllllllllllooooohooo! Anybody there????????"}, {"response": 110, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 1997 (01:08)", "body": "RENATE: I'm heeeeeereeeee!!! ;-.D"}, {"response": 111, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 1997 (13:26)", "body": "Well, I have to leave in some minutes, to watch Fever Pitch again. It's the third time. No, I have never denied I'm addicted. But then this is a kind of addiction that does not damage the health, at least. :-))"}, {"response": 112, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 1997 (15:02)", "body": "Lucky Renate! Is your perception changing with every new viewing? Are there any new impressions you'd wish to share? Or is it just sweet indulgence, pure and simple?..."}, {"response": 113, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 1997 (18:29)", "body": "ARAMI: It's not the mood, it's the time I need. I am in touch with that emotion...:-.) RENATE: It is a funny, intelligent, screwball comedy-romance. Screwball? Really, that's not what I expected either. I was stunned how gorgeous he looks, in a very unobtrusive way as the 'unmade bed', That jealousy thing of mine is starting again... It will be a serious challenge for the \"rewind\" and \"freeze-frame\" function on your remote control. THAT much droolworthiness exists? (angrily stomping my foot) has no haircut to speak of, but it's dark, and his eyebrows are too LOL! The eyebrows again...:-.) And what do you mean, Colin: \"Your thighs don't have the same impact in boxer-shorts?\" The camera just does not leave time enough to allow a permanent impression... Well, when you get that tape home and do the \"freeze frame\" thing, you can tell us about that. But I tend to agree with you, his thighs look fine, whatever he's wearing. Colin's dubbed German voice was not so bad after all, didn't spoil the fun. That's because your ears weren't working from all the blood rushing to your head! ;-.p If you liked it this much with someone else's voice, can you imagine how you'd feel if you could hear his glorious voice as well? *sigh* He is a very gentle man, not too good to express his emotions verbally, but with the best intentions. He would be the perfect man of the nineties if it were not for his soccer-mania. Actually the sports addiction is probably what makes him most like any guy I know. Then again, it is a common affliction in America--NY in particular. Particularly when they are snogging. I'll bet! ;-.D But is it really \"snogging\" or the usual film kissing thing. The meaning of the word \"snogging\" as it was related to me is a really deep, tonsil-touching kind of thing (Is that right Arami?) and too frequently I find movie kisses unsatisfying. I think that's why I liked \"Bull Durham\" so much--no pretty, fake, trick-the-viewer kind of kissing in that film! See, now that I know you liked it I'm even more jealous. Since our tastes in films tend to be similar, I know I'd like it now. Okay--who can I bribe to get it released in the US? :-.)"}, {"response": 114, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 1997 (23:02)", "body": "Nan, why do you seem to think I'm an expert on snogging :-)? Oh, all right, then. I've double-checked my sources (no, I didn't go snogging, I just looked it up) and it appears it simply means kissing and cuddling. Nothing about licking each other's tonsils, I'm afraid. As for film kissing/snogging, i can't remember ever having seen a real kiss on screen (I must have seen one or two, I just can't remember it) and especially not performed by Colin. Even when Darcy kisses Lizzy at the end of P&P, it's not \" eal\". And there are now trailers and various publicity shots from A Thousand Acres showing Colin kissing Jessica Lange - and again, you can see the detailed mechanics of a classic film snog: he invariably goes for her upper lip and she sucks on his lower one. Colin does it expertly (Ruth Gemmell had some praise for him on that count), but to a seasoned filmgoer it still shows. And now tell me the truth - WHERE IS EVERYBODY??? (Except for you and Renate, that is.)"}, {"response": 115, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 1997 (23:53)", "body": "ARAMI: #Are there any new impressions you'd wish to share? Or is it just sweet indulgence, pure and simple?... It's indulgence, sweet, yes, simple, yes, pure, no. :-)=)... Again: in none of his films I have seen he seemed so tall and 'physical' to me. And very 'real'. Arami, what was your impression then? How did you like him as Paul? Ah, and Arami, some time ago I said that he is bow-legged. I have to apologize. He is not. He just walks as if he were. I got this impression from how he walked from the parsonage back to Rosings, and he 'looked' really bow-legged. Meanwhile I have seen him in several other films, and particularly FP removed my doubts in this respect. His legs are fine, and I think he looks very good in his Arsenal boxer shorts. And by now I know what you mean with 'long strides' and gushing over his walk. Got it. :-)) This third time I went with two friends. They did not like the movie. The one hates soccer anyway (why did she come along at all?), and the other one said all was too predictable. To be honest, I have no idea how I would like the film if it were without Colin, but I am still amused by the story at the third time. NAN: #Screwball? Really, that's not what I expected either. Well, probably I got carried away a bit. It has elements of it, the witty dialogues, but I suppose it's not fast enough, if I get it right what a screwball comedy is. Let's call it a \"fussball-comedy\". (Fussball = 'soccer' in German) ## It will be a serious challenge for the \"rewind\" and \"freeze-frame\" function on your remote control. # THAT much droolworthiness exists? (angrily stomping my foot) (Don't hurt yourself, dear) Yes, but it has also to do with the brevity (alas!) of the love scenes. But there's a lot of close-ups and head-to-toe frames, droolworthy enough. # Actually the sports addiction is probably what makes him most like any guy I know. ...but he does not scratch his head nor his - eh - head. Not even if he has to recite Byron. #But is it really \"snogging\" or the usual film kissing thing. The meaning of the word \"snogging\" as it was related to me is a really deep, tonsil-touching kind of thing In this sense it is no snogging, I'm afraid. Understated. It's rather tender-passionate, at least what we get to see - what is not much. We have to use our imagination. And somehow I like that. Many film kisses I find not only unsatisfying (see below, :-) ) but rather embarassing, and seldom good to look at. I just wonder, did we ever see him doing that tonsill-thing? I cannot remember right now. # and too frequently I find movie kisses unsatisfying. They are, particularly as one is usually not one of the two persons actively involved. :-.))"}, {"response": 116, "author": "chey", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 1997 (01:01)", "body": "Hi Ladies, I am always here (except last week when I was in Wash.D.C.) but I must say this new format is somewhat confusing to a newbie such as I. I can't comment on Fever Pitch except to say that WHEN ARE WE GOING TO GET TO SEE IT IN THE U.S.??? I have been seeing some adds for Thousand Acres and there should be some interviews. I think Michelle P. is going to be on Rosie next week,don't know which day, and I am sure she is there to talk about the film. As for snogging, a term which I had never heard before recently, I thought it meant alot more than kissing. Anyway, Colin does a pretty convincing job of kissing and so much more in the Advocate. I wish he had shown more of that passion for Lizzy in P&P! Sorry to go on but I also wanted to say that after I read Colin's interview in Vogue, I thought it was neat that he said that he was more like Darcy than he had imagined. That Darcy stayed with him long after it was over. Still here, Chey"}, {"response": 117, "author": "rosie", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 1997 (01:02)", "body": "Arami, Renata--rosie's here! Have been for a while. Enjoying your posts quite a bit, wishing I had something as interesting to contribute. Memories I may have had to offer about the last thing I saw--previews of 1000 Acres--have totally vanished. Overall good impression left, however."}, {"response": 118, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 1997 (01:54)", "body": "ARAMI: Nan, why do you seem to think I'm an expert on snogging :-)? LOL! I asked you because you're actually here (unlike others!) and I remember you once mentioning that you were in England. But come to think of it, I expect that all us heavy droolers have done enough \"snogging\" (the tonsil kind) to be able to recognize a good one when we see it :-.D I've double-checked my sources (no, I didn't go snogging, I just looked it up) Bummer! First hand experience is always so much more fun :-.) and it appears it simply means kissing and cuddling. Nothing about licking each other's tonsils, I'm afraid. That's it--my friend Victoria is getting a call from me! Now I wonder if all those other British words she translated were accurate as well. As for film kissing/snogging, i can't remember ever having seen a real kiss on screen (I must have seen one or two, I just can't remember it) I'm tellin' ya, Bull Durham --bathtub scene...trust me. and especially not performed by Colin. Even when Darcy kisses Lizzy at the end of P&P, it's not \"real\". Yes, I've looked for that too. Never been able to find one either, not even Femme Fatale. And there are now trailers and various publicity shots from A Thousand Acres showing Colin kissing Jessica Lange - and again, you can see the detailed mechanics of a classic film snog: he invariably goes for her upper lip and she sucks on his lower one. I hate that! Really ruins a sexy mood. Colin does it expertly (Ruth Gemmell had some praise for him on that count), but to a seasoned filmgoer it still shows. Or to anyone who is as desperate as I am to see him slurp. :-.D And now tell me the truth - WHERE IS EVERYBODY??? (Except for you and Renate, that is.) Dunno. I think more people read than post. So what do we have to do to get a crowd in here anyway?"}, {"response": 119, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 1997 (02:21)", "body": "RENATE: Ah, and Arami, some time ago I said that he is bow-legged. I thought he was too. To be honest, I have no idea how I would like the film if it were without Colin, but I am still amused by the story at the third time. I assume these friends are not Colin fans? I think they need a heavy dose of P&P2 and then you can take them back to FP. I'd be interested to know their impressions then. :-.) if I get it right what a screwball comedy is. Yep, you got it right. When you said screwball I had visions of Laurel and Hardy! :-.D ##THAT much droolworthiness exists? (angrily stomping my foot) #(Don't hurt yourself, dear) Oh but I WANT to see it too! :-.D Don't worry, you'll stomp your foot too, after September 19th. :-.) Yes, but it has also to do with the brevity (alas!) of the love scenes. But there's a lot of close-ups and head-to-toe frames, droolworthy enough. I'll take what I can get. ## Actually the sports addiction is probably what makes him most like any guy I know. #...but he does not scratch his head nor his - eh - head. Not even if he has to recite Byron. LOL! That's good--shows he doesn't have to think too hard. :-.) In this sense it is no snogging, I'm afraid. Understated. It's rather tender-passionate, at least what we get to see - what is not much. *SIGH* Many film kisses I find not only unsatisfying (see below, :-) ) but rather embarassing, and seldom good to look at. I just wonder, did we ever see him doing that tonsill-thing? I cannot remember right now. See my post to Arami above. CHEY: I can't comment on Fever Pitch except to say that WHEN ARE WE GOING TO GET TO SEE IT IN THE U.S.??? AMEN! I have been seeing some adds for Thousand Acres I saw them too--only very vague snippets of Colin in the trailers. Very upsetting--though I'm not surprised since he is not very famous here. and there should be some interviews. I think Michelle P. is going to be on Rosie next week,don't know which day, and I am sure she is there to talk about the film. MP is on Rosie O'Donnell on Thursday--let's hope she brings a good clip. Also, I wouldn't put it past Rosie to have Colin on either--she had Jennifer Ehle on a while ago (I don't remember what for) and she's not any more popular than is Colin here. And this is a major release... after I read Colin's interview in Vogue, I thought it was neat that he said that he was more like Darcy than he had imagined. That Darcy stayed with him long after it was over. Did he say that? I haven't read it yet--some fan I am :-.O I'll pick it up tomorrow. ROSIE: Enjoying your posts quite a bit, wishing I had something as interesting to contribute. My dear, any mention of Colin is interesting to us. Please stay, take your shoes off, tell us your favorite Colin...feature :-.p Memories I may have had to offer about the last thing I saw--previews of 1000 Acres--have totally vanished. Overall good impression left, however. Ah, thanks for reminding me. I forgot to mention above that, although it was brief, he is quite alarmingly handsome...very clean. ;-.D"}, {"response": 120, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 1997 (23:19)", "body": "ROSIE, CHEY, everyone - hi! welcome back! Please do feel free to chip in anytime, this is a drool conference, remember? We need mass participation...:-) NAN, I have gone even further with my research on snogging. I've asked my English husband (yes, I forgot I had an expert at home...). In Jane Austen's words, \"he absolutely startled...\" and then he confirmed (verbally) that the word \"snogging\" does not convey any indication of intensity. It's just a slang word meaning kissing, so you have to use adjectives like \"heavy\" or \"serious\" etc. to describe tonsil licking. Bull Durham? Bathtub scene? Sounds intriguing... Checked my sources again, it's described as an o d-ball movie, but I suppose it's that one scene that really matters, huh? RENATE, I'm so glad to see you've converted. Colin is NOT bow-legged, he is merely loose-jointed and flops about when walking. Kinda bends his knees outwards. Quite sweet, really... I loved him as Paul Ashworth, I like chaps like that, chummy, unmade bed, bed and all... The evidence is that real life Colin is very much like that himself and I can easily relate to that image. I'd gladly drink beer and watched soccer matches with him (I did with my hubby before we got married...) As for the film itself (Fever Pitch), it was OK, quite amusing but a little too simple for my taste: I thought it would have benefitted from an additional subplot, like for example, some of the schoolgirls trying to flirt with Paul, causing him some embarrassment, etc. I just couldn't believe that such a sexy teacher would be left unmolested in a school full of teenage girls! Alarmingly handsome - yes, I like it."}, {"response": 121, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Sep  8, 1997 (23:36)", "body": "CHEY: ....... I must say this new format is somewhat confusing to a newbie such as I. I guess this is new to the most of us, and I feel myself not at all confident with it. But I think practice will make us true proficients. :-)) I can't comment on Fever Pitch except to say that WHEN ARE WE GOING TO GET TO SEE IT IN THE U.S.??? The video in PAL will come out end of Oct. - then it cannot be long until the NTSC version comes out, too? Or there must be a way to get it translated to NTSC? Anyway, Colin does a pretty convincing job of kissing and so much more in the Advocate. You remind me, it's quite a while since I lent it last.... think I have to refresh my memory. ROSIE: .... wishing I had something as interesting to contribute. Well, it does not happen every day that a new Colin-film comes to town - but all of us love to hear the good old reasons why we like him again and again.... :-)) NAN: .... Nothing about licking each other's tonsils, I'm afraid. ...... That's it--my friend Victoria is getting a call from me! . The term 'Victorian' does not apply to your friend, apparently, or does it? :-)) But talking about tongue-related matters: we get to see his tongue in \"Out of the Blue\". Nice shot. :-)) ... screwball comedy ... Love the old Mitchell Leisen films like \"Hands across the Table\" etc., but I am too tired now to remember the others. ...he is quite alarmingly handsome... Love these casual expressions.... but hey! The following line gets a completely new meaning: \"Don't be alarmed, Madam!\" :-.)=) ARAMI: Even when Darcy kisses Lizzy at the end of P&P, it's not \"real\". BTW, I think it must have been a darn difficult shot - with the vehicle shaking it must have been difficult enough for CF and JE to hit the target - and then make it look good and convincing, is hard work, I suppose. :-)) That's probably why they slowed it down in the end. And there are now trailers and various publicity shots from A Thousand Acres showing Colin kissing Jessica Lange - and again, you can see the detailed mechanics of a classic film snog: he invariably goes for her upper lip and she sucks on his lower one . I have very little illusions about the mechanic side of film making - but this is absolutely the most sobering description I have ever heard. Ugh. BTW, if I remember right, we witness a rather realistic passionate kiss with Harrison Ford and Kelly McGillis in - Witness. And, come to think of it, he did it in Blade Runner, too. Who would have thought it of good old a-bit-stiff Mr Forth - oops - Ford. (This was a genuine 'Sigmund'!)"}, {"response": 122, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 1997 (00:06)", "body": "ARAMI: Bull Durham? Bathtub scene? Sounds intriguing... Checked my sources again, it's described as an odd-ball movie, but I suppose it's that one scene that really matters, huh? A BASEball movie, dear, a baseball movie. :-)) And it is excellent indeed, and it helps also if you like Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon, and Tim Robbins. RENATE, I'm so glad to see you've converted. . Me, too! Quite sweet, really... I loved him as Paul Ashworth Me, too! (beam!) As for the film itself (Fever Pitch), it was OK, quite amusing but a little too simple for my taste: I thought it would have benefitted from an additional subplot, . The character played by Mark Strong might have benefited from a bit \"more meat on his bones\". There's no history to speak of. I just couldn't believe that such a sexy teacher would be left unmolested in a school full of teenage girls! Now you mention it - that's how it was at school.... but I think originally it was not written as such a sexy part . I'm afraid we owe that mostly to Colin, quel surprise....:-)) GAIL from Australia, if you are listening: please contact me, your email doesn't work."}, {"response": 123, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 1997 (09:44)", "body": "Back from my hols, having failed miserably to lock trolleys with anyone even remotely resembling Colin. Obviously I am not destined to have a Brief Encounter at Heathrow Airport! Oh well.. So much to catch up on and so here goes with a few random thoughts. Was hoping for news of What Is He Doing Now (I mean, I have been away for over a week!). Really hope he opts for projects and material which match his unique and considerable talent and doesn't sell himself short. I'm off to my usual serious start... okay, change of tone, KISSING/SNOGGING. I love the way Colin kisses on screen - gently and with great tenderness, almost caressing. But not real - as Arami says, the mechanics are always the same. Except perhaps for the mine scene in Nostromo, although that again is good professional acting. But I don't think I'd want to see him do it for real - Colin's approach (with something left to the imagination) is much more erotic. He's made some interesting comments on sex scenes \"I don't like sex scenes, infact I hate them. There's nothing worse than watching bums going up and down on screen. It's unnecessary and awful for the audience to watch.\" Colin has a very cute derriere, but I agree with him! I think that the positions he prefers to adopt are much more aesthetically pleasing! He's also said that the worst part of his job are the sex scenes \"because I enjoy sex too much to pretend to do it for a living\"!!!! Oh well, enough of kissing, snogging and sex - how about singing? I noticed in my quick Colin-y skims that one of the entries on the FOF Birthday Card greetings was from someone (Kirsten?) who had worked as an extra on ATA (nice work if you can get it:-)) who says that it was a thrill meeting Colin on his birthday last year on the ATA set. \"Thanks for singing with us - it was memorable and fun\". Mmmm.. lucky lady,I'd like to sing along with him too! I'd like to hear him sing - properly, not just a hum or few bars. BTW I can see why some of us may prefer to read rather than post here. I hadn't realised how much there can be to absorb if you haven't logged in for a few days and it can be difficult to work out where to respond, particularly in this format, without the subject threads. Keep us informed about ATA, pl-e-e-ase! Especially if he gives a television interview.(But if he's not attending the Premiere in LA, he can't be in the States, ERGO he must be working somewhere, but where and on what? The elusive Mr Firth! But that is one (of the many) reasons why I like him, so I guess I must contain my very considerable curiosity. :-) Nice to be back!"}, {"response": 124, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Sep  9, 1997 (22:47)", "body": "Me: the detailed mechanics of a classic film snog: he invariably goes for her upper lip and she sucks on his lower one. Renate: I have very little illusions about the mechanic side of film making - but this is absolutely the most sobering description I have ever heard. Ugh. I have no illusions whatsoever: I am a frustrated film maker..."}, {"response": 125, "author": "Marilyn", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 1997 (00:05)", "body": "BETHAN: Colin has a very cute derriere, but I agree with him! I think that the positions he prefers to adopt are much more aesthetically pleasing! He's also said that the worst part of his job are the sex scenes \"because I enjoy sex too much to pretend to do it for a living\"!!!! Welcome back, Bethan, and you're off to a great start! I have to agree with you here and love the quote - it got me all tingly . And you can never say too much about kissing, snogging, and sex when it relates to Colin! ;-) I love the way Colin kisses on screen... Yes! He's very tender and gentle...seemingly a very considerate lover - that is so sexy . But then (I have to bring it up, Nan, sorry), I also like the Colin in Playmaker that cuts up women's dresses and assaults them in showers! He was so, so naughty in that stinky movie! But if he's not attending the Premiere in LA Wait a minute, does this mean the premiere is in LA??? Oh my, I think I'll have to take a little trip up there sometime soon... And Renate, you're killing me over here with talk of Fever Pitch - but, please go on! What was it about his thighs in the movie?? He must be wearing those little shorts soccer players wear??"}, {"response": 126, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 1997 (04:50)", "body": "ARAMI: I've asked my English husband (yes, I forgot I had an expert at home...). In Jane Austen's words, \"he absolutely startled...\" Oh dear, what must he think of us? Did he ask why you were corresponding with a misinformed American pervert? ;-.) LOL! Hope he's got a good sense of humor... It's just a slang word meaning kissing, so you have to use adjectives like \"heavy\" or \"serious\" etc. to describe tonsil licking. I like the word \"wicked\" myself, as in \"Colin and I were doin' some wicked snogging!\"...oh yeah, living in a rich fantasy world I am...:-.) Bull Durham? Bathtub scene? Sounds intriguing... Checked my sources again, it's described as an odd-ball movie, but I suppose it's that one scene that really matters, huh? Well, it is a little quirky but it has a great, easy going feel to it...a really enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours--especially the last 20 minutes or so. YUM!! I don't know how you feel about Kevin Costner but if you don't like him now, you'll like him after that film. :-.) I can easily relate to that image. I'd gladly drink beer and watched soccer matches with him Me too, though I prefer hockey. During the season here you'll find me sitting in my local bar, drinking a Bass and staring at the tv--it's very Cheers :-) Unfortunately, the other regulars there (all male) look nothing like Colin and worse, have not one tenth of his charm. Pity. RENATE: The video (Fever Pitch) in PAL will come out end of Oct. - then it cannot be long until the NTSC version comes out, too? Or there must be a way to get it translated to NTSC? I don't know--the NTSC version will probably not here for several months. But if I can bribe one of the video places to convert a PAL copy then I will. The problem with that is most of them won't convert a copyrighted film. The term 'Victorian' does not apply to your friend, apparently, or does it? :-)) The term 'Victorian' doesn't apply to any of my friends--that's why they're my friends!;-.D But her accent is so incredibly, perfectly proper that even when she uses the most vulgar language under the sun, it still sounds like a compliment--it's a riot! ;-.) But talking about tongue-related matters: we get to see his tongue in \"Out of the Blue\". Nice shot. :-)) Huh? What's that? Did I hear \"his tongue\"? :-.) ...he is quite alarmingly handsome... Love these casual expressions.... but hey! The following line gets a completely new meaning: \"Don't be alarmed, Madam!\" :-.)=) Quite true! Glad both you and Arami agree that \"alarmingly handsome\" is not an exaggeration in his case. :-) BETHAN: Welcome back! He's made some interesting comments on sex scenes \"I don't like sex scenes, infact I hate them. There's nothing worse than watching bums going up and down on screen. Well, I don't know...an occasional \"bum\" going up and down works for me...if it's done well enough that is :-.p I think that the positions he prefers to adopt are much more aesthetically pleasing! Maybe, but have to say, I'm tired of seeing that position: \"been there, done that\" would rather see some other angles now. :-.) He's also said that the worst part of his job are the sex scenes \"because I enjoy sex too much to pretend to do it for a living\"!!!! Though I appreciate them, I can imagine that it must be somewhat humiliating and uncomfortable. Glad to know he actually likes the real thing though...not that I had any doubt mind you! ;-.) it can be difficult to work out where to respond, particularly in this format, without the subject threads. I think the solution to that is to respond very often, wouldn't you say girls? Keep us informed about ATA, pl-e-e-ase! Of course m'dear--I shall sit myself down at the computer the moment I get home from the theatre. It's so much fun to have someone to share these things with...my \"real world\" friends don't get it at all...not even a little... MARILYN: And you can never say too much about kissing, snogging, and sex when it relates to Colin! ;-) I second that! ;-.) (I have to bring it up, Nan, sorry), I also like the Colin in Playmaker that cuts up women's dresses and assaults them in showers! He was so, so naughty in that stinky movie! LOL! I'm perfectly willing to discuss Playmaker, though I think the poor man had a rough time of it. As others have pointed out in the past, there are quite a few good Colin moments...if you can get past the schtinkiness of the film that is."}, {"response": 127, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 1997 (22:52)", "body": "Nan and all, I endorse all that wholeheartedly! And now I'm signing off for a few days (a long weekend in France with my very English hubby, you see: BTW, yes, fortunately he appears to have a great sense of humour. He laughs strangely and clenches his fists every time he sees one of my numerous Colin pin-ups around the house...) So keep drooling, I want to see a lovely big puddle when I'm back. Ta-ta!"}, {"response": 128, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 1997 (22:57)", "body": "KISSING AND SNOGGING AND OTHER GOOD THINGS okay, change of tone, KISSING/SNOGGING. I love the way Colin kisses on screen - gently and with great tenderness, almost caressing. .......But I don't think I'd want to see him do it for real - Colin's approach (with something left to the imagination) is much more erotic. Fever Pitch is a very good example for this - and BTW you don't see him \"go for the upper lip\" - the actual snogging is 'invisible', you get to see more of Colin's curls and RG's arms. A very tactful camera. But suggestive. He's made some interesting comments on sex scenes \"I don't like sex scenes, infact I hate them. There's nothing worse than watching bums going up and down on screen. It's unnecessary and awful for the audience to watch.\" I agree wholeheartedly. Usually I prefer suggested sex over explicit sex (in films, that is). :-.) A THESIS: It is my belief, that the sexiness of his roles is reciprocal to the amount of clothes he wears....i.e. - the more he wears the more desirable he his.... Do you want proof? I can prove it, but I would like you, dear CoLoonies, either to confirm or contradict my thesis. MEN'S WEAR And Renate, you're killing me over here with talk of Fever Pitch - but, please go on! What was it about his thighs in the movie?? He must be wearing those little shorts soccer players wear?? Marilyn, you call what soccer player wear \"little\" shorts? I would rather suggest the word spacious. In FP he usually walks in jeans, or baggy training dress, but looks TERRIFIC in it (I'm in the Unmade-bed-department). at one time we get to see him in his red Arsenal boxer shorts - not baggy, very nice, and I don't understand what a problem Sarah has with it. ......And here we are again - our favourite obsession - Colin's pants. (pant, pant,,,,) MUTUAL SUPPORT I don't know--the NTSC version will probably not here for several months. So, if you don't get Fever Pitch, and we don't get ATA before long month's we will have to support one another verbally. STILL STRUGGLING WITH NEW FORMAT it can be difficult to work out where to respond, particularly in this format, without the subject threads. I think the solution to that is to respond very often, wouldn't you say girls? We might use a kind of subject line instead or in addition to the names. BTW, I am not so fond of the present use of the names because they suggest an uninviting personal/private conversation."}, {"response": 129, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Sep 10, 1997 (23:16)", "body": "COLIN's BIRTHDAY Crumbs! Nearly forgot! He's 37 today... Must dash, see ya."}, {"response": 130, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 1997 (00:01)", "body": "Happy birthday Colin Firth!"}, {"response": 131, "author": "mpk", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 1997 (06:00)", "body": "Happy Birthday to our object of admiration and drool! My kids screamed when \"ET\" mentioned his birthday tonight..."}, {"response": 132, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 1997 (09:57)", "body": "Marina: My kids screamed when \"ET\" mentioned his birthday tonight... Why? Because they are CF fans, too, or because they just realised that their mother's disease probably starts to spread all over the nation? :-))"}, {"response": 133, "author": "Marilyn", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 1997 (19:04)", "body": "PANT! PANT! PANT! Marilyn, you call what soccer player wear \"little\" shorts? I would rather suggest the word spacious. In FP he usually walks in jeans, or baggy training dress, but looks TERRIFIC in it (I'm in the Unmade-bed-department). at one time we get to see him in his red Arsenal boxer shorts - not baggy, very nice, and I don't understand what a problem Sarah has with it. ......And here we are again - our favourite obsession - Colin's pants. (pant, pant,,,,) Renate - you are so right - maybe it was wishful thinking, but I thought soccer players wore short clingy things. Then last night I caught ESPN and saw that they actually wore parachutes for shorts! Since I love the \"unmade bed\" (my girlfriend calls it the \"just had sex Colin\") look too, I'm sure I would love him in this movie, but (sniff!), I'll never know...boxer shorts you say?? How about those jeans, Renate, how'd they fit exactly ?? A THESIS: It is my belief, that the sexiness of his roles is reciprocal to the amount of clothes he wears....i.e. - the more he wears the more desirable he his.... Do you want proof? I can prove it, but I would like you, dear CoLoonies, either to confirm or contradict my thesis. I think there's quite a lot of merit in your thesis, Renate. I can give you one example - take Darcy (oh please!), you don't even see his neck for the first three episodes, however when you do...oh my, what a payoff! Of all the roles I've seen, he's sexiest as Darcy, with Valmont a distant second - and he's completely clothed! Maybe we need to credit our imaginations? I'm looking forward to seeing more proof! ;-)"}, {"response": 134, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Sep 11, 1997 (19:46)", "body": "A THESIS: (Renate) It is my belief, that the sexiness of his roles is reciprocal to the amount of clothes he wears....i.e. - the more he wears the more desirable he his.... Can't dispute it at all--very impressive oh observant Mirror Keeptress. You're absolutely right! There can be no other explanation for the fact that I find P&P2 completely sexual and The Advocate rather dull. :-) MUTUAL SUPPORT (Renate) So, if you don't get Fever Pitch, and we don't get ATA before long month's we will have to support one another verbally. And using many adjectives (preferrably WET ones). ;-p STILL STRUGGLING WITH NEW FORMAT (Renate) We might use a kind of subject line instead or in addition to the names. BTW, I am not so fond of the present use of the names because they suggest an uninviting personal/private conversation. I'm willing to give it a go. I know what you mean--some people feel that it would be intrusive of them to post because we appear to be having an intimate (LOL) conversation--which is certainly not the case. The more the merrier, I say. I do think we have to come up with something for the people who don't check in every day as we do. It's very hard to follow a conversation if you have no idea who said what. Maybe the incorporation of the names and a subject line (with the name not being so pronounced as be ore) might be the best way. In this post I've put the name of the original poster in parenthesis before their quote--what do you think? Or too much to have to type? PANT! PANT! PANT! (Renate) you call what soccer player wear \"little\" shorts? (Marilyn) you are so right - maybe it was wishful thinking, but I thought soccer players wore short clingy things. Then last night I caught ESPN and saw that they actually wore parachutes for shorts! LOL! That's just what they look like! I think you were thinking of those shorts they gave us to wear in gym in the 70's--the ones with the white trim. Now THEY were shorts.... (Marilyn) Since I love the \"unmade bed\" (my girlfriend calls it the \"just had sex Colin\") I love that line! ;-D She gets 3 snaps from me! (Marilyn) I'm sure I would love him in this movie, but (sniff!), I'll never know Don't despair dear! Renate will talk us through it until we can get our hands on a tape. ;-)"}, {"response": 135, "author": "mpk", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 1997 (03:28)", "body": "Renate: Unfortunately, my kids do not share my obsession! They have their crushes on other actors, but I just don't get why they do not feel the same way about CF! They screamed because they could not believe that CF was given airtime...GO FIGURE! BTW, did anyone watch/record the Rosie show with Michelle Pfeiffer today? Our power apparently went out so the VCR didn't record the show!!! I couldn't believe it...Did she give us any crumbs about CF before ATA is out next week? Jennifer Jason Leigh will be on Letterman Friday night...here's hoping the power doesn't go out!!!"}, {"response": 136, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 1997 (10:26)", "body": "STILL STRUGGLING WITH NEW FORMAT I'm having a shot at the subject approach suggested by Renate/Nan. I agree that use of names (on their own) could suggest a private conversation, and maybe other people are reluctant to jump in. I really don't know... anyway, here goes. SNOGGING/KISSING Colin described the kiss in P&P2 as \"chaste and matrimonial\" (he has a nice turn of phrase!)I think that Renate's \"tender-passionate\" description applies to all Colin's screen kisses - they are good to look at, not embarassing! IS HE BOW-LEGGED? Nope. He's very loose-limbed with an enormous stride, but the legs are fine! PLAYMAKER/SCISSORS SCENE Yes, Marilyn, I like that scene too! Must admit to watching it more than I should and to scutinising that frosted glass VERY carefully! But I'd cringe with embarassment for him if it went out on prime time TV. For private viewing only! OUT OF THE BLUE Arami, the only thing I've read about OOTB (never seen it) is that Colin deprives Catherine Zeta Jones of her virginity. And we also get to see his tongue, do we? Can you enlighten me - the two facts conjure up VERY colourful images :-) BTW, Catherine ZJ, says she informatively, is currently co-starring with Antonio Banderas in \"Zorro\", so she's moved on! FEVER PITCH FILM AND VIDEO Just got the latest catalogue from Video Plus Direct and saw that (goody, goody) both TEP and FP (late October) are soon available for sale. Still can't understand why FP wasn't shown in the US. I was flicking through the new issue of the New York Time Out (I read it at the news stand, never buy it!) and was surprised at how many British films are being shown in the US at the moment..even obscure badly reviewed movies like Trojan Eddie have opened..WHY NOT FP? Especially when most British films sell on th back of critical acclaim from the US. Oh well, that's life, but LIFE'S NOT FAIR! Nan, Chey, everyone.. I don't know if this is helpful, but in Ellen's FirthFAQ there is a section on where to buy Colin's videos, and there is a reference to Laughinghouse Audio Visual British Video Guide. Phone (714)956-9032. And (I quote) \"Ask for Mike Walsh. It is reported that they will make PAL to NTSC conversions without cost\". Might be worth trying! ROSIE Please keep us posted on any Colin-y comments. Hope you don't have any more power failures, Marina, and tell your kids that Colin's going to get a lot more airtime (if he wants it, that is (I don't think he does), but that's a whole new discussion area!) I'm exhausted :-)I'm not usually as systematic as this. What do you think?"}, {"response": 137, "author": "chey", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 1997 (14:30)", "body": "I saw Michelle on Rosie and sorry to say but she was boring. Rosie asked her what the movie was about and she just said \" you tell them\". She acted like she was VERY uncomfortable. She never mentioned Colin, or Jess. In fact they mostly talked about their children. She looked very plain with stringy hair, almost like she was ashamed of her beauty and was trying to hide it. At the end, Rosie asked her how she thought the interview went and she said she would give it a \"6\". I was really dissappointed and I don't think she will get people to go to that movie based on that interview. Also, today on GMA Joel Siegle listed ALL the new fall movies opening soon and did not even mention ATA. Bad sign?? I hope not. I just wish I had a fellow Colin lover to go to see it with. I have never gone to a movie alone. This will be a first! Chey"}, {"response": 138, "author": "Marilyn", "date": "Fri, Sep 12, 1997 (22:51)", "body": "NEW FORMAT Bethan - I like the bold subject line. Like Nan said, it may make it more inviting for others to join in our silliness...plus I like your subjects! :-) such as... COLIN'S LEGS He's very loose-limbed with an enormous stride, but the legs are fine! Indeed they are, Bethan! ;-) A THOUSAND ACRES I just wish I had a fellow Colin lover to go to see it with. I have never gone to a movie alone. This will be a first! Chey - Where do you live? Anywhere near Southern California?? I've lined up a new Colin recruit to see it with me (9/26?), but I would be going solo if I didn't have her. Nan, why can't you live about 3,000 miles closer??? Is it true TEP will be released during the same week (9/23)??? MARINA I must know who your children prefer over our lovely man?? :-) Actually, I'm with your kids in my surprise that Colin got a mention on ET. Now that ET is showing such good taste, maybe they'll interview him about the movie or go \"behind the scenes\" with ATA?? HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE!!!"}, {"response": 139, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Sep 13, 1997 (00:52)", "body": "NEW PIC Thank you very much for the new \"Pensive Colin\" picture! Terry, I suppose? Or Nan? However: so nice of you. PANT! PANT! PANTS! (Marilyn) .....they actually wore parachutes for shorts! LOL! Well observed, and well put. ...boxer shorts you say?? How about those jeans, Renate, how'd they fit exactly?? Sorry if I have to disappoint any expectations. The black jeans are wide, just very comfortable looking. No sneakers but very fine black boots. Good style. I think shoes define a character very much - not only in movies. (Nan) And using many adjectives (preferrably WET ones). ;-p I'm afraid Fever Pitch doesn't contribute much in the WET department. But there is another \"seen it before scene\": champagne (TEP) - or the Arsenal equivalent - gulped down directly from the bottle . But here for a happy event. ........ because we appear to be having an intimate (LOL) conversation Intimate yes, but not private :-.)) Renate will talk us through it until we can get our hands on a tape. ;-) I would, but I am afraid I will spoil your fun with the film when I tell you too much beforehand. I even have the FP Screenplay, could recite and describe scene by scene, do you really want me to do that? (Marina) .. They screamed because they could not believe that CF was given airtime... They better get used to it! (Bethan) FEVER PITCH FILM AND VIDEO Just got the latest catalogue from Video Plus Direct and saw that (goody, goody) both TEP and FP (late October) are soon available for sale. While Paul Ashworth lives from game to game, we live from release to release...what will come after October??? ....I'm not usually as systematic as this. Bethan, it does not show at all! Your thoughts seem always sorted out very nicely and put very well. :-)) (Chey) I saw Michelle on Rosie and sorry to say but she was boring. ........ She looked very plain with stringy hair, almost like she was ashamed of her beauty and was trying to hide it. I remember I read somewhere that she was already completely exhausted before she started ATA, but made it nevertheless because it otherwise would have been too difficult with the other participants time schedules. And then act, produce, probably involved in editing, too, do the promotion tours... Perhaps she is just completely groggy, tired, too exhausted and had nothing more to give. I have never gone to a movie alone. This will be a first! Chey It's not so bad, I think. In fact, I usually prefer to go to movies alone. No one nudges and talks and comments and distracts my concentration (on Colin, f.e.) in the wrong moments. :-)) Two days ago, in Fever Pitch, I had even THE WHOLE THEATRE FOR MYSELF ALONE! That was wun-der-bar!"}, {"response": 140, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sat, Sep 13, 1997 (03:43)", "body": "One week to ATA! I can't wait!"}, {"response": 141, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Sat, Sep 13, 1997 (05:16)", "body": "]No sneakers but very fine black boots. Good style. Boots! Did you say Boots?!?! And here you all are! Where's Megs? Sorry I haven't been about, but a new job has kept me too busy to get online. But I thought about Colin on his birthday (37---he's finally gaining on me!) I'll be stopping by (probably infrequently) now that drool is up and running. Perhaps we can start posting pics here like we did in the good old days!"}, {"response": 142, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Sep 13, 1997 (18:09)", "body": "SNOGGING/KISSING (Bethan) Colin described the kiss in P&P2 as \"chaste and matrimonial\" (he has a nice turn of phrase!) Indeed he does--very diplomatic way of saying \"dull\" LOL!! :-) PLAYMAKER/SCISSORS SCENE (Bethan) Must admit to watching it more than I should and to scutinising that frosted glass VERY carefully! But I'd cringe with embarassment for him if it went out on prime time TV. For private viewing only! We are in full agreement here. That frosted glass is so frustrating for me! I think that is why I prefer Femme Fatale--they leave the really heavy stuff to the imagination, but at what you do see of him is clear. OUT OF THE BLUE (Bethan) Arami, the only thing I've read about OOTB (never seen it) is that Colin deprives Catherine Zeta Jones of her virginity. And we also get to see his tongue, do we? Can you enlighten me - the two facts conjure up VERY colourful images :-) Okay, whoever knows the dirt on this one has to fess up because I am overcome with curiosity--help the poor Colin-starved American please? ;-p FEVER PITCH FILM AND VIDEO (Bethan) I was flicking through the new issue of the New York Time Out (I read it at the news stand, never buy it!) and was surprised at how many British films are being shown in the US at the moment.. I'm confused about that too. There are quite a few theatres that show nothing but quirky or european films...why not COLIN!!?!?!?!? Tis most vexing! It is reported that they will make PAL to NTSC conversions without cost\". Might be worth trying! Oooh, thanks for the info! :-) PFEIFFER ON THE TALK SHOWS (Rosie) She never mentioned Colin, or Jess. In fact they mostly talked about their children. Yeah, I saw that too and it was deadly dull...I also saw her on that new Barbara Walters talk show \"The View\" and it was about the same. No mention of Colin, not that I'm surprised but I was hoping. :-( NEW FORMAT (Marilyn) Bethan - I like the bold subject line. Like Nan said, it may make it more inviting for others to join in our silliness...plus I like your subjects! :-) Actually, it was Renate's idea...and a good one it was. I just added the part about the names in parenthesis. A THOUSAND ACRES (Chey) I just wish I had a fellow Colin lover to go to see it with. I have never gone to a movie alone. This will be a first! (Marilyn) Where do you live? Anywhere near Southern California?? I've lined up a new Colin recruit to see it with me (9/26?), but I would be going solo if I didn't have her. Nan, why can't you live about 3,000 miles closer??? I know, doesn't that stink. I can't get anyone here to go with me. I guess I could find some of the other New Yorkers at RoP, but truthfully I don't know them very well. Maybe Kate might like to go--she's a hoot. But I don't know how big a Colin fan she is. It would be great to go with all of you guys. Unfortunately, the thing which makes us such an interesting group is the same thing that keeps us apart :-( But that reminds me... SOMETHING SIMILAR TO VIRT VIEWS I've been thinking that perhaps we should borrow the idea from RoP and do something like that here. Frequently, when we discuss Colin movies, we are not all speaking with the same freshness of mind. If we all watched it at about the same time, I feel sure our discussions would be more...er, lively. Whaddya think? TEP (Marilyn) Is it true TEP will be released during the same week (9/23)??? That's what Tower Video told me and they're usually good with that stuff. BTW, have you had a chance to make the trek to the Tower nearest you? ;-) NEW PIC (Renate) Thank you very much for the new \"Pensive Colin\" picture! Terry, I suppose? Or Nan? However: so nice of you. Most welcome--I thought it was time for a change. And he's sooooo pretty in that one--dontcha think? ;-) (Nan) Renate will talk us through it until we can get our hands on a tape. ;-) (Renate) I would, but I am afraid I will spoil your fun with the film when I tell you too much beforehand. I even have the FP Screenplay, could recite and describe scene by scene, do you really want me to do that? I see what you mean. For myself, I have no problem with knowing everything before I see the movie. I'm notorious for reading the last chapter of a book before the first! But I know that most people don't like to know too much so perhaps you should just stick to general descriptions and an odd scene or two. ATA RELEASE (Susan) One week to ATA! I can't wait! Oh me either! To see something new, even if the movie bites... BOOTS!!! (Margaret) Boots! Did you say Boots?!?! Boot lady!! How good to see you...glad you stopped in. :-) And here you all are! Where's Megs? Not here, I'm afraid--she's still being responsible in the real world...but I have high hopes... I'll be stopping by (probably infrequently) now that drool is up and running. Whenever you get the chance we'd love to see you :-) Perhaps we can start posting pics here like we did in the good old days! Oh please...feel free. Nothing gets a conversation going like a good Colin photo! ;-)"}, {"response": 143, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Sep 13, 1997 (23:09)", "body": "PLAYMAKER/SCISSORS SCENE (Nan) That frosted glass is so frustrating for me! I think that is why I prefer Femme Fatale--they leave the really heavy stuff to the imagination, but at what you do see of him is clear. There are some more reasons to prefer FF over PM: though the story is hard to believe and apparently cannot decide what to be - a psychological drama or a suspense thriller - and fails on both, the PM story is simply crap, and has some scenes of bad taste. SOMETHING SIMILAR TO VIRTVIEWS / FILM DISCUSSION (Nan) I've been thinking that perhaps we should borrow the idea from RoP and do something like that here. Frequently, when we discuss Colin movies, we are not all speaking with the same freshness of mind. If we all watched it at about the same time, I feel sure our discussions would be more...er, lively. Whaddya think? Excellent idea, Nan! Do you think of an extra topic for that? I would suggest not only to limit it to CF films, (even if that must be the main focus...) but to discuss other favourites, too. BTW, Playmaker would be the first film to discuss here for me, because I would like to figure out what it is exactly that makes it such a bad film. OUT OF THE BLUE (Bethan) Arami, the only thing I've read about OOTB (never seen it) is that Colin deprives Catherine Zeta Jones of her virginity. And we also get to see his tongue, do we? Can you enlighten me - the two facts conjure up VERY colourful images :-) (Nan) Okay, whoever knows the dirt on this one has to fess up because I am overcome with curiosity--help the poor Colin-starved American please? ;-p Not much dirt in there, sorry to disappoint, ladies :-.)) Don't remember that virginity or loss of was an issue - but betrayal of trust. Colin's character, which name I just don't remember, is a director of video clips, who wears suspenders, and uses video material of Catherine without her consent that he filmed while courting her. He is a charming but notorious liar anyway, and betrays her - and his best friend - into the bargain with his best friends girlfriend. In the course of the latter action he picks up some white little dots and that is where the tongue eference comes in. She quits because he is too immature. Well, this summary may not be very coherent, but at least it is short. Arami, or anybody else who saw the movie, can you give a better summary?"}, {"response": 144, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Sep 13, 1997 (23:19)", "body": "NEW FORMAT (Marilyn) Bethan - I like the bold subject line. (Nan) Actually, it was Renate's idea...and a good one it was. I just added the part about the names in parenthesis. Only the subject lines were my idea, but to make them bold was Bethan's. I like it, too, but keep on forgetting the \"bold\" tags. :-))"}, {"response": 145, "author": "rosie", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 1997 (03:42)", "body": "Colin's Eyes SylviaH./Anyone: This is an old one, but please tell me what the words \"chip pan\" and \"choc-ice\" mean in the following context: It has to be said that Colin smoulders like a chip pan with eyes that could burn a hole in choc-ice at 50 paces.\""}, {"response": 146, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 1997 (16:35)", "body": "OUT OF THE BLUE SUSPENDERS! E--e-ech!!! In British parlance, suspenders hold up silk stockings! Shades of Colin in the Rocky Horror Show... and then I realised that suspenders can also hold up gents socks and (in the US) trousers (ie British braces). Oh, the confusion of our common tongue. We are talking about trousers, I hope!! COLIN QUOTES Have just been tidying up magazines including quite a stack bought pre-FP when Colin gave an abundance of interviews. Very interesting stuff. Incase you didn't have access to British mags, I'll give a few quotes. If you've heard it all before, just Y-A-W-N and let me know! \"He slopes into the room in an old brown sued jacket, a crumpled pair of brown trousers and a black T-shirt, untidy brown culs framing a pale face which looks younger and softer than on TV...Firth turns out to be completely unassuming, friendly and funny...the tall broad shouldered physique, the serious dark brown eyes that suggest hidden torrents of feeling. Others on Colin.. \" Brilliant actor..there's more to Colin than to most actors...(on his self-imposed exile in Canada with MT \"Colin has handled his career rather badly if you think that ambition is all that matters.\" Colin.. \"My family is pretty academic. I was the first in generations not to go to university. My parents thought (of Drama School) \"Thank God he's found somewhere where he actually goes to classes.* On MT and Will \"Fortunately I have avery good relationship with his mother\" Michael Wearing (Exec Producer of Nostromo/P&P, Head of BBC Drama) on Livia..\"She's a lovely girl, extremely bright. Their relationship flowere slowly and was delighful to see\" (M-m-mm...Tres romantique, n'est-ce pas?) Other snippets volunteered by Colin..Before he went out with JE he'd never been out with anyone younger than himself. Dislikes TV and does not own a set.. had a girlfriend who did nothing but watch television...when she left the TV set went too. Am now descending into the realms of idle gossip and so will stop! But just though I would throw out a few nice-to-know facts. :-)Done at speed, excuse any typos!"}, {"response": 147, "author": "Kate", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 1997 (21:08)", "body": "A THOUSAND ACRES Nan: Maybe Kate might like to go--she's a hoot. Why thank you, I regard that as the ultimate compliment ;-) I will definitely be going to ATA, but because I'm going on holidays on Sept 24 (to Australia ) I don't know if I'll have time next weekend - and I won't be back until October 7... and I doubt if you'll be able to wait that long!"}, {"response": 148, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 1997 (22:20)", "body": "OUT OF THE BLUE (Bethan) SUSPENDERS! E--e-ech!!! ........ We are talking about trousers, I hope!! Calm down, Bethan, yes, we do! They - the suspenders - are more of the posh, decorative kind as you may easily imagine, and they look good on him, as nearly anything does. Not even the pink t-shirt can do him any harm. I guess he would even make a monk's robe attractive or a pimp's suit look classy. There are only few exceptions such as blue suits, if you get my meaning. :-)) Out off the blue, Colin! COLIN QUOTES Have just been tidying up magazines including quite a stack bought pre-FP when Colin gave an abundance of interviews. Very interesting stuff. And you say it just so-so.....while elsewhere in the world Firthaddicts are starving for this stuff? In case you didn't have access to British mags, I'll give a few quotes. I suppose only few here have access to those mags, so please give us the FULL interviews, please! I expect you to talk us over the upcoming Firthless time until ATA release or the FP tape by posting one by one of these interviews.... there are things that cannot be said or read too often, such as the following: \"He slopes into the room in an old brown sued jacket, a crumpled pair of brown trousers and a black T-shirt, untidy brown curls framing a pale face which looks younger and softer than on TV... Are there pictures, too? Firth turns out to be completely unassuming, friendly and funny...the tall broad shouldered physique , the serious dark brown eyes that suggest hidden torrents of feeling . I've NEVER read it before. Where is it from? And the Others on Colin are by far too good and flattering to just being dumped into the recycling ton, or wherever you Brits dump your papers. :-)) But just though I would throw out a few nice-to-know facts. :-) Thanks, Bethan, that is great. BUT CAN WE HAVE MORE???! PLEASE!"}, {"response": 149, "author": "chey", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 1997 (01:57)", "body": "Just a quick message, ladies. Jessica Lange will be on Rosie this Wed. Maybe she will have something more to say (about Colin) than Michelle did. Also, Oh Woe is ME! I was ready to go to the movie by myself Friday but then my husband decided to take off work Friday! Now don't get me wrong, I love it when he stays home with me, but, I think I have gone a little over board on Colin! I think that I would be a little jealous if he were acting this way about some female star... so I thought I would go se it by myself. Now I will have to wait until Monday! I don't think I can stand it! BTW, when is that World of Moss coming out? Chey"}, {"response": 150, "author": "mpk", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 1997 (04:14)", "body": "Well ladies, Jennifer Jason Leigh had nothing to say about CF, in fact, when asked about who was in ATA, all she had to say was MP, JL, JR, she then paused and Letterman reminded her about her own starring role. She seemed nervous and/or ditzy while on the show...I just hope this isn't another TEP for CF, although, how much can his character really stand out when there's incest and sibling rivalry at the core of the story??? Here's hoping Jessica Lange gives us some crumbs... BTW, ET had a snippet interview with MP and JL and it featured some behind the scenes settings with CF in the background. However, no mention of him from either party! Marilyn: My kids love Mark Hamill and Bill Pullman...I think they think it's a bit silly for mom to swoon over someone other than their dad, so they go \"eckk\" over CF (pop psych?). Chey: I know exactly what you mean about hubby and the movie! Hey, lets see more pics of CF to swoon and drool over just as in the old Spring days!"}, {"response": 151, "author": "SylviaH", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 1997 (13:42)", "body": "New Format Thanks to Renate and Bethan for inventing it. It makes this board easier to read. Colin's Eyes Rosie: Do you want a translation or an interpretation? :-) My translation is that choc-ice is chocolate ice and chip pan a pan with fried potatoes. I have to admit that the latter doesn't sound very romatic to me, the german word for it is Bratkartoffelpfanne which is even worse but I like the choc-ice part of the quotation. Since reading the article I've been wondering why the author chose chocolate ice: her favorite ice-cream, color of Colin's eyes, is chocolate ice colder than others and therefore harder to melt? Any suggestions? Out of the Blue Not being a native speaker the disussion about trousers and their various forms confuse me. Or is it the MAN wearing all those different sorts of trousers and not the language? Please tell me what he picks up some white little dots means. Virtual Views Another beautiful idea. This would make the discussion about movies easier to follow and it would also focus our energies on one topic. Quotes and Gossip ... had a girlfriend who did nothing but watch television... I can't believe that. Strange things happen in the world outside."}, {"response": 152, "author": "Marilyn", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 1997 (18:31)", "body": "QUOTES AND GOSSIP (Sylvia)\"... had a girlfriend who did nothing but watch television\"... I can't believe that. Strange things happen in the world outside. Can you imagine?? I dunno, but I don't think we'd be watching too much TV if we were the lucky lady in his life! ;-) SOMETHING SIMILAR TO VIRT VIEWS (Nan) I've been thinking that perhaps we should borrow the idea from RoP and do something like that here. Frequently, when we discuss Colin movies, we are not all speaking with the same freshness of mind. If we all watched it at about the same time, I feel sure our discussions would be more...er, lively. Whaddya think? I think that's an excellent idea! What should we \"virtview\" first?? Oh, the possibilities... COLIN QUOTES (Bethan)\"He slopes into the room in an old brown sued jacket, a crumpled pair of brown trousers and a black T-shirt, untidy brown culs framing a pale face which looks younger and softer than on TV...Firth turns out to be completely unassuming, friendly and funny...the tall broad shouldered physique, the serious dark brown eyes that suggest hidden torrents of feeling . He sounds very \"unmade bed\" like here, oh yum! - and the \"eyes...hidden torrents of feeling\"...ahhh! Bethan, more please !! :-) SWOON (Marina) My kids love Mark Hamill and Bill Pullman...I think they think it's a bit silly for mom to swoon over someone other than their dad, so they go \"eckk\" over CF (pop psych?). Marina, I remember feeling the same way when my mom swooned over Paul Newman in \"Butch Cassidy...\" - anyway, it didn't take long for me to see Paul's appeal. :-) I have to agree with their love of Bill Pullman though - he was so dreamy in \"While you were Sleeping\". NEW PIC (Renate) Thank you very much for the new \"Pensive Colin\" picture! Terry, I suppose? Or Nan? However: so nice of you. (Nan) Most welcome--I thought it was time for a change. And he's sooooo pretty in that one--dontcha think? ;-) Nan, is the photo Renate refers to the one from Vogue?? If not, where is that pretty boy??? And one more thing, the local news said the ATA premiere is being held downtown in LA tonight - so maybe E! will cover it? I just can't go to something like that by myself, a movie yes, but not this unfortunately. And, speaking of premieres, I just noticed a gorgeous photo of Colin with the TEP gang at FoF - has anyone seen it?? Pssst, Nan, he looks really CLEAN! :-D"}, {"response": 153, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 1997 (18:52)", "body": "PLAYMAKER/SCISSORS SCENE (Renate) the PM story is simply crap, and has some scenes of bad taste. Agreed. As I've said before: Peeee-yeeeew!! ;-p FILM DISCUSSION (Renate) Excellent idea, Nan! Do you think of an extra topic for that? I would suggest not only to limit it to CF films, (even if that must be the main focus...) but to discuss other favourites, too. If it were just for Colin I'd say leave the discussion here, but if we're getting into other movies (which I'm all for, BTW) then yes, I think it should have it's own topic. BTW, Playmaker would be the first film to discuss here for me, because I would like to figure out what it is exactly that makes it such a bad film. Okeedokee! Let's choose a date for the discussion to begin and then one of us can start the new topic. OUT OF THE BLUE (Renate)In the course of the latter action he picks up some white little dots and that is where the tongue reference comes in. She quits because he is too immature. Ugh! Sorry I asked ;-D COLIN QUOTES \"He slopes into the room...the tall broad shouldered physique, the serious dark brown eyes that suggest hidden torrents of feeling. OH MY! What a vision that gave me!!!;-) \"Hidden torrents of feeling...\" *sigh* A THOUSAND ACRES (Kate) Why thank you, I regard that as the ultimate compliment ;-) Me too ;-) I didn't realize you were still lurking about in here...good to see you. :-) I will definitely be going to ATA, but because I'm going on holidays on Sept 24 (to Australia ) I don't know if I'll have time next weekend - and I won't be back until October 7... and I doubt if you'll be able to wait that long! Tis true...I shall indeed have a breakdown if I have to wait until October 7. However, I'm sure that I won't go only once so feel free to give me a buzz when you return and maybe we can do the movie and tie one on! ;-) JESSICA LANGE ON ROSIE (Chey) Jessica Lange will be on Rosie this Wed. Maybe she will have something more to say (about Colin) than Michelle did. Or anything at all for that matter. Also, Oh Woe is ME! I was ready to go to the movie by myself Friday but then my husband decided to take off work Friday! (snip) Now I will have to wait until Monday! I don't think I can stand it! Oh you poor thing...I feel for you, I really do. But we've all waited this long, Monday won't be so bad... BTW, when is that World of Moss coming out? According to imDb it's scheduled for Spring 98--no specific date yet. :-( NOT ANOTHER TEP!;-( (Marina) I just hope this isn't another TEP for CF, although, how much can his character really stand out when there's incest and sibling rivalry at the core of the story??? This is true. I finally read the book this weekend and Jess is pretty integral here...just not a big enough \"star\" I suppose. Hmmm... BTW, ET had a snippet interview with MP and JL and it featured some behind the scenes settings with CF in the background. However, no mention of him from either party! So, what else is new? It's very disappointing. And the reviews! This is not a good sign. CHOCOLATE EYES (Sylvia) I like the choc-ice part of the quotation. Since reading the article I've been wondering why the author chose chocolate ice: her favorite ice-cream, color of Colin's eyes, is chocolate ice colder than others and therefore harder to melt? Any suggestions? I don't understand the quotation either (cultural thing I suppose) but I can certainly relate to the \"chocolate\" eyes. I think it was Marilyn who called them \"Chocolate Pools\" LOL! :-)"}, {"response": 154, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 1997 (22:09)", "body": "Colin's Eyes (Rosie) SylviaH./Anyone: This is an old one, but please tell me what the words \"chip pan\" and \"choc-ice\" mean in the following context: It has to be said that Colin smoulders like a chip pan with eyes that could burn a hole in choc-ice at 50 paces.\" I don't know the origin of this quote, but it reminds me of another one I find very funny. (I don't know the exact source anymore, it's quite a while since I printed it out. It's a quote within a quote of 'Bernie' with the title \"Once more into the breeches...\", on 'Jane's page'. Hope I don't violate any copyright with this post :-)) ) Here it is: \"For all its multitude of merits, the BBC's P&P has created an unreasonable demand among the nation's women for men in mysterious trousers. Indeed, the day may not be far off when the prime requirement of any classic drama will be not so much fidelity to the text but the presence of a hero with all the necessary basic attributes: hot coal eyes (betraying the unseen blaze in the Aga double-oven of his breast), hair curly-going on-tousled and thighs that can grip a mettlesome mare like a denture-f xative.\" MP AND JJL ON TALKSHOWS As unfortunate it is for us, I somehow like it that MP and JJL seem to be talkshow-shy and insecure. It's all so human, and I can sympathize with it very much. I like to see the real people shine through the showbiz surface, even if - or because - they are less than perfect. It casts a light on how important the off-the-mainstream ATA must be for those who made it, that those publicity-shy people walk off their ways to promote it. Out of the Blue (SylviaH) ...... trousers and their various forms confuse me. Or is it the MAN wearing all those different sorts of trousers and not the language? It must be the man, Sylvia, because it's NOT the language, and the trouser thing is mysterious: like Ariadne's thread the trouser reference follows us wherever we go.. :-.)) Please tell me what he picks up some white little dots means. \"...er hat sich (bei einem Seitensprung) ein paar kleine wei\ufffde Punkte auf der Zunge eingefangen.\" :-)) But you will be able to find out yourself soon: the tape will go into mail these days. SWOON (Marilyn) I have to agree with their love of Bill Pullman though - he was so dreamy in \"While you were Sleeping\". And hysterically funny in \"Ruthless People\"! NEW PIC (Marilyn) Nan, is the photo Renate refers to the one from Vogue?? If not, where is that pretty boy??? I'm not sure if I understand what you are meaning: haven't you found the \"Pensive Colin\" pic (half profile in bw) on the Spring/Drool page that you find when you enter this place the \"official\" way, and want to know where it comes from, or do you refer to the much talked-of Vogue-pic with the read sweater? The latter one you will find if you go back on this topic - there are some very nice other pics, too. I wish I'd be better in HTML. I'll try in my next post. TUTORIAL? NAN, is there a kind of tutorial around here, how to link etc.?) I have some basic knowledge but keep on forgetting, so a place to check would be helpful. FILM DISCUSSION If it were just for Colin I'd say leave the discussion here, but if we're getting into other movies (which I'm all for, BTW) then yes, I think it should have it's own topic. I guess I got carried away a bit. Let's start with the Firth step first: Colin movies. When there's a request for other movies, we still can move.... PLAYMAKER DISCUSSION ...Let's choose a date for the discussion to begin and then one of us can start the new topic. Then go to it! You name the day. COLIN QUOTES ...the tall broad shouldered physique, the serious dark brown eyes...... Just to let this picture linger a while....."}, {"response": 155, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 1997 (23:40)", "body": "NAN, how can I repeat here the pictures of response no 20, 28, 29, 33 .... there must be a tag line how to do it? Particularly No 20.... ...the tall broad shouldered physique, the serious dark brown eyes...... (it cannot be said or imagined too often :-.) *Ach!* (=*Sigh*)"}, {"response": 156, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 1997 (00:51)", "body": "Renate~ Here you go sister friend #28: Hope that worked--new at this ya know... As for #s 20 and 29 I think they are Susan's photos so we have to ask her if she would post them again. Susan--you out there. Renate-check your email (but since I sent it aol this could take a while! ;-)"}, {"response": 157, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 1997 (00:55)", "body": "It worked! YAY! :-D The most ridiculous things excite me...:-p"}, {"response": 158, "author": "Susan", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 1997 (03:49)", "body": "Just happened to pop in, and noticed that #20 and #29 have been requested. Who am I to deprive? ;-) Here goes one, with the other to follow:"}, {"response": 159, "author": "Susan", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 1997 (03:52)", "body": "The \"Jessness\" photo (and mighty fine wallpaper it makes):"}, {"response": 160, "author": "Susan", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 1997 (03:54)", "body": "Sorry! I may not be able to access that one anymore because it was on AOL, and I ain't. Hate to disappoint!"}, {"response": 161, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 1997 (08:06)", "body": "MORE COLIN QUOTES Always happy to oblige! I'll continue with snippets from the Daily Telegraph article (very reputable quality press).Here goes... Interviewer (female) comments on his \"deep sexy voice\"and his ability to porteay vulnerability. \"As is well known, in fact, he has none of Mr Darcy's fastidious hauteur in relationships with the opposite sex. Film industry gosip suggests that his P&P co-star JE is not the only one of his leading ladies to have been involved with him off-screen. \"An aunt begged him to turn down the role of Darcy so that he wouldn't ruin her schoolgirl fantasies\" (Colin)\"Here's me working my socks off for 10 years or so and the response is fairly modest actually. Then something where I hardly open my mouth gets me noticed. I have to think it's to do with things other than me...(the character, wealth of Mr Darcy etc)...Elizabeth wouldn't have married me!\" (Colin on his disappearance to the Canadian backwoods) \"I don't recommend it as a career move. But I didn't want my whole life to be about my career\" (Colin on Hollywood... he's not keen)If I could find a fantastically intersting part that would make me rich and famous at the same time, I would probably take it. But there's nothing more embarrassing than selling out and nobody wanting to buy (Me on Colin..he should have more confidence in himself!) Anyway I've never been much good at strategy. I want to enjoy my life. It's as simple as that. \"The grandson of Indian missionaries and son of teachers he spent his childhood in Nigeria, St Louis (USA), Hampshire, Bath, Billericay and Winchester.\" \"When he was making Circle of Friends in Ireland he rented a flat for himself, his son and a nanny, cutting, colleagues remember, a rather poignant figure of lone parenthood.\" BBC producer on Colin .. He met Colin on a trip back home from Canada and \"encountered him looking miserable in a Soho bar. \"Colin said he didn't know what to do because Canada wasn't the right place for a British actor\" (Another producer) \"He's able to suggest a feeling of inner life in a way that most actors can't\". Okay, enough for starters, I think.:-) I'll dip into my treasure trove (not binned!) at regular intervals to fill the Colin vacuum. All part of our mutual support service! A THOUSAND ACRES BTW, ET had a snippet interview with MP and JL and it featured some behind the scenes settings with CF in the background. However, no mention of him from either party! So, what else is new? It's very disappointing. And the reviews! This is not a good sign. And the reviews! What does this mean? Does Colin not get a mention? My one fear is that although Jess is integral to the book and definitely a lead figure, his character may be marginalised in the script in favour of a three-hander for the leading ladies. Tell me it isn't so, please!!! Colin has commented a couple of times that he doesn't care where he is in the billing or even the size of the part (if the overall script is good) but I'm afraid I want to see him in starring roles! Oh well,I wait with bate breath to have my fears unconfirmed."}, {"response": 162, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 1997 (14:23)", "body": ""}, {"response": 163, "author": "chey", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 1997 (14:31)", "body": "Good News! I am watching Regis & Kathie Lee and they spent quite a while discussing ATA. Regis liked it very much and said he could not stop thinking about it. He said his wife,Joy, loved it! Regis said the only thing he didn't like was that all the men in the film were jerks! He said it was male bashing due to an all female production co. and writers. Also, Barbara Walters saw it and said she really loved it. So there is some good news! No direct mention of C. Regis didn't have any of the cast o so he had no reason to mention it. I am glad you all understand about the husband thing! Chey"}, {"response": 164, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 1997 (15:01)", "body": "A THOUSAND ACRES CONTINUED Forgot to mention, I found an interview with JL and MP in the on-line LA Times of Sunday 14 September, all about ATA. The URL for the LA Times is http://www.latimes.com/ You can get direct to the article (I hope!) on http://www.latimes.com/HOME/ENT/MOVIES/t000081608.html Quite a long,lively interview. ATA was very hard work (very tight schedule) and they were all exhausted. ATA is descibed as \"Shakespeare meets Oprah in a classic tear-jerker\". MP says that it's not a chick flick and that her husband thinks that this is the best and most malignant script he has ever read. No specific mention of Colin (surprise, surprise!) except as a member of the cast. The LA Times also listed other movies opening at the same time. There's a new Kevin Kline comedy and a new Kevin Spacey film, which both sound as though they'll clean up at the Box Office. I'm not sure how a serious drama based on King Lear will appeal to the masses!! FEVER PITCH Okay, back to my favourite topic! I see (courtesy of the aforementioned LA Times that yet another poorly reviewed UK movie (Intimate Relations) has opened in the US. I reckon that FP is just about the only recent British film not to get US distribution AND IT REALLY BUGS ME!!!! Have to let off steam! No wonder poor Colin always sounds so unconfident about taking on starring roles (and I don't want to see him ALWAYS in supporting roles!)Right, will never bring this up again!!!!I promise. MR DARCY Just read a lovely quote from Jane Austen in a recently published biography. About a ball.. \"There was a scarcity of men in general, & a still greater scarcity of any that were good for much.\" Poor Jane (I think we all can sympathise!) - no wonder she had to create Fitzwilliam! I think she would have approved of Colin, as Mr D and as himself. :-) My son has accused me of hogging the computer (this is true!)... over to the rest of you!"}, {"response": 165, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 1997 (15:30)", "body": "I have no idea what I did with that last post--don't remember hitting the \"submit response\" button--but who knows? :-) COLIN QUOTES (Renate)hair curly-going on-tousled and thighs that can grip a mettlesome mare like a denture-fixative.\" LOL I never saw that one before. Thighs like \"denture-fixative\"--I'm cryin'! :-D It casts a light on how important the off-the-mainstream ATA must be for those who made it, that those publicity-shy people walk off their ways to promote it. This is a really nice way to think about it Renate--almost made me feel guilty for thinking only of Colin...almost, but not quite ;-p NEW PIC (Marilyn) Nan, is the photo Renate refers to the one from Vogue?? If not, where is that pretty boy??? Yes, I believe the latest picture at the top of the drool conference was originally from Vogue. TUTORIAL (Renate) , is there a kind of tutorial around here, how to link etc.?) I have some basic knowledge but keep on forgetting, so a place to check would be helpful. There is no html tutorial around here that I could find. There's always Ann's Tutorial at RoP, which I always find helpful. If you want to get a little fancier you can go to the Webmonkey--I love that place--so groovy! Webmonkey html tutorial I also sent you an email about this last night but since I did it from home, it could take 2 days before aol gets it to you :-( PLAYMAKER DISCUSSION (Renate) Then go to it! You name the day. Okay, let's give people some time to get their hands on a copy since many don't actually own it--say over the weekend? Discussion begins Sunday, September 21. THE \"JESS\"NESS PHOTO Many, many thanks for posting again Susan...such a beautiful picture.:-) Where did you find it originally? MORE COLIN QUOTES (Bethan) \"Film industry gosip suggests that his P&P co-star JE is not the only one of his leading ladies to have been involved with him off-screen.\" Dontcha just love it? ;-D \"When he was making Circle of Friends in Ireland he rented a flat for himself, his son and a nanny, cutting, colleagues remember, a rather poignant figure of lone parenthood.\" Oh, poor thing! I love these little snippets Bethan, thanks :-) A THOUSAND ACRES REVIEWS And the reviews! What does this mean? Does Colin not get a mention? Oooh sorry, Bethan--I read one at imdb that was not good and Colin was mentioned only in that he plays the part of Jess. Here's another that is equally depressing: A Thousand Acres Review No mention AT ALL!! Aaaaagh! Is this a sign of things to come?"}, {"response": 166, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 1997 (22:26)", "body": "THANK YOU, NAN AND SUSAN, FOR THE PICTURES! (BTW, where did you get them from?) THE CARETAKER / ...the tall broad shouldered physique, the serious dark brown eyes...... (Susan) The \"Jessness\" photo (and mighty fine wallpaper it makes): Right you are, I have it already, and I had to tidy up my desktop to get the full look at him! :-)) THOSE PUBLICITY-SHY PEOPLE (Nan) This is a really nice way to think about it Renate-- You may call me Jane, if you like. *blush* almost made me feel guilty for thinking only of Colin... Stop it, Lizzy! (Feeling guilty, I mean). TUTORIAL (Nan) .... If you want to get a little fancier you can go to the Webmonkey--I love that place--so groovy! Thank you for the link.! Looks very promising. COLIN QUOTES (Nan) I love these little snippets Bethan, thanks :-) Anche io. Me too! (Bethan) ) I'll dip into my treasure trove (not binned!) at regular intervals to fill the Colin vacuum. Anticip - - - - - - - - - - - ation!"}, {"response": 167, "author": "Marilyn", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 1997 (22:38)", "body": "COLIN PHOTOS (Marilyn) Nan, is the photo Renate refers to the one from Vogue?? If not, where is that pretty boy?? (Renate) I'm not sure if I understand what you are meaning: haven't you found the \"Pensive Colin\" pic (half profile in bw) on the Spring/Drool page that you find when you enter this place the \"official\" way, and want to know where it comes from, or do you refer to the much talked-of Vogue-pic with the read sweater? The latter one you will find if you go back on this topic - there are some very nice other pics, too. Renate - I'm sorry, but I must come in a different way because I haven't seen any photo ops here except when they've been included in a message--where do I go from here to find \"Pensive Colin\", among others? BTW, thank you for the \"Jess\"ness photo, Susan, it's become a favorite of mine...and thanks, Nan, for the repeat of #28 - he's so manly here. PLAYMAKER DISCUSSION I'm game, too. Can I join in Sept. 22? You know how I hate having to watch that movie(LOL)!! BETHAN I'm fully enjoying your reports - it doesn't take much to satisfy my appetite for things Colin. I only wish I had something to share, but as you can see, we're pretty starved over here! ATA You know if you watch real close and don't blink you can actually see him in the recent TV promos - like when that board game is tossed in his direction. I suppose he's still our little secret, but it's a shame he's so under-utilized. NAN Hope you're feeling better dearest, please take care :-)"}, {"response": 168, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Sep 16, 1997 (23:16)", "body": "COLIN PHOTO AT MAIN DROOL (Marilyn)-where do I go from here to find \"Pensive Colin\"? Oh Excellent Copper Bathing Pitcher Person: Sorry, I must have given you the link which takes you directly to the Colin topic. You can go to the main drool conference board here: Mr. Sexy Pants Lookin' Pensive PLAYMAKER DISCUSSION I'm game, too. Can I join in Sept. 22? You know how I hate having to watch that movie(LOL)!! Oh, Marilyn--I'm sorry I forgot it had to be a weekday for you. Of course you can come in on the 22nd--we're not going anywhere, that's for sure...:-p And I am feeling better my friend, thanks for asking :-)"}, {"response": 169, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Sep 17, 1997 (19:56)", "body": "I'M BACK, BUT ONLY FOR A SHORT TIME Been to the Continent. On the way out I found some snippets of info in the papers. TEP video is on sale - obviously on both sides of the Pond simultaneously. And Colin is one of the actors being considered for the role of Prof. Higgins in the London grand stage revival of My Fair Lady in the year 2000. Can't say that I find the image of Colin prancing and singing his way through a soppy musical particularly appealing, so it's just as well that Ralph Fiennes is tipped as the producers' preferred choice. I'm off to California next week hoping to see lots of interesting sights, but most importantly - ATA! So, sadly, I'll miss the PLAYMAKER DISCUSSION - perhaps just as well, for what is there to discuss?... The film was a piece of crap because it had a lousy script (or rather none at all), but Colin was rather watchable and had a few rather interesting moments. Some film reviewers even praised the \"chemistry\" between him and his leading lady. The contrast between the sinister Ross and pathetic Michael was probably what ultimately lured Colin to play the part(s), but as for the outcome, IMO, actors cannot be blamed for the end result of any production. And I don't think we're likely to see Colin so carelessly bare and very nearly completely exposed ever again. And yes, Darcy fully clothed was far, far sexier. OUT OF THE BLUE For the curious - no, he didn't do it with his tongue! At least not with Catherine ZJ... :-) Renate's summary is about right.It was a fairly light-hearted TV play about some issues of human relationships. The significance of the white spots on his tongue (presented to the camera in all its impressive length) is that it is a symptom of thrush (Candida - a sexually transmitted infection). Alan's friend's girlfriend has previously casually disclosed the fact to the other women. When Alan mentions it, he does 't realize the connection, and that is how Catherine's character finds out by coincidence that he had betrayed her. A sort of yuck-natural justice, if you like... FUNNY... Have you noticed the date of the Response 108?... Should we worry or be afraid?..."}, {"response": 170, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Sep 17, 1997 (20:03)", "body": "P.S. Oh, I forgot to add that during my visit on the Continent I unexpectedly came across Circle of Friends on the French cable TV. Hubby was moaning that HE was following us everywhere..."}, {"response": 171, "author": "Marilyn", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 1997 (00:10)", "body": "COLIN PHOTO AT MAIN DROOL (Nan) Oh Excellent Copper Bathing Pitcher Person: Sorry, I must have given you the link which takes you directly to the Colin topic. You can go to the main drool conference board here: Mr. Sexy Pants Lookin' Pensive LOL!! Nan (fortunate Keeper of his magnificent INCROYABLE), thanks for the link - I finally found Mr. Sexy Pants , along with those other Colin pleasers. I know you gave me both links originally, but I chose to come straight here and forgot about the other link. \"Pensive Colin\" really showcases that beautiful face - that chin, the jawline, his perfect nose...ahhhh!! :-.) PLAYMAKER (Arami) And I don't think we're likely to see Colin so carelessly bare and very nearly completely exposed ever again. And yes, Darcy fully clothed was far, far sexier . Agreed, Arami. Although I'm embarassed for him, I can't say I'm sorry to have seen him so carelessly bare. :-) COLIN QUOTES, ETC. Bethan (or anyone) - sorry if this has been asked before - but is World of Moss scheduled as an exclusive UK/European release (a la FP)? Are we to be deprived yet again?? Here's another question I'm sure has been asked before...what exactly is WofM about?? Bethan, please throw us more crumbs - I'm enjoying every quote!"}, {"response": 172, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 1997 (00:37)", "body": "FUNNY...BACK FROM THE FUTURE! (Observarami) Have you noticed the date of the Response 108?... Should we worry or be afraid?.. . Ooooops! Here I am - back from the year 2036, Feb. 7! Sorry ladies, was just a little accident with my Flux generator - i.e. time machine. I didn't mean to let anyone know, but since I have told you so far I can admit as well that I am not from Germany but from far Arcturus, and my hat is way too flat! But one thing I must tell you: last year - 2035 - at the Oscar night Colin Firth was nominated Best Actor the 27th time and won his 16th AA for his role as King Lear in \"A Thousand Arcturians\". Now back to nonsense: PLAYMAKER DISCUSSION (Marilyn) You know how I hate having to watch that movie(LOL)!! Oh, I know what you mean. Fortunately I have lent my copy presently, so I have to rely on my memory. :-)) TEP VIDEO ON SALE? (Arami) TEP video is on sale - obviously on both sides of the Pond simultaneously. Yippeeeh! Have you already spotted it? THE RAIN IN SPAIN... And Colin is one of the actors being considered for the role of Prof. Higgins in the London grand stage revival of My Fair Lady in the year 2000. I can see him play Prof. Higgins but not in the year 2000, helping to celebrate the grand turn-of-millennium circus. Nevah! BTW, does your source know if he has actually been asked or was he just 'considered'? So, sadly, I'll miss the PLAYMAKER DISCUSSION - perhaps just as well, for what is there to discuss?... Ah, Arami at her best, indeed. Bye, bye, dear! Happy to see you again in a month! :-)) And don't forget your travel-buckets! (I don't want to put 3 smilies behind every sentence, but I think you know anyway that this paragraph is plastered with a bucket load of smilies? :-)) ) The film was a piece of crap because it had a lousy script (or rather none at all), For me, not being a film professional, it is not so easy to recognise what is to blame on the script, and what on the director, f.e.. Can't a good director save a weak script? Or does the script ruin the director? ..... Circle of Friends on the French cable TV. Hubby was moaning that HE was following us everywhere... But after all, he recognized him right away - good. :-.))"}, {"response": 173, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 1997 (00:54)", "body": "OUR COL'S LOVELY BOD (Marilyn) I can't say I'm sorry to have seen him so carelessly bare. LOL! Oh, no, of course not! He's got such a lovely body, it's such a joy to ogle!!! It's so pleasingly well proportioned, with superb, naturally broad shoulders and discreet, light and generally sparse body hair. And yet, endearingly, it is not quite perfect - e.g. his extremities are somewhat on the thin side and his skin seems prone to a variety of moles, bumps and spots, some permanent, some less so... Anyone care to continue?:-)..."}, {"response": 174, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 1997 (01:41)", "body": "TEP VIDEO ON SALE It's being advertized in Britain at \ufffd14.99 (PAL system)- about $24 - whilst in the US the full price (NTSC format) appears to be around $105 ($80 discounted)!!! THE RAIN IN SPAIN... Fiennes is in the front line for this job - Colin is also considered along with two or three other actors. I know he can play anybody and anything, but I don't want him to go into musicals! PLAYMAKER Can't a good director save a weak script? Or does the script ruin the director? Both, I imagine... There is a saying to the effect that even the epitome of wisdom, King Solomon, would find it impossible to pour anything out of an empty vessel... Sometimes a weak script might have to be extensively rewritten to be saved. A good director would probably be better off rejecting a weak story altogether, unless it is REALLY worth saving. Playmaker starts in a mildly interesting way and then suddenly goes off the rails. Perhaps it needed a different ending (could you propose an alte native which could have saved it?) P.S. No, my hubby didn't actually recognize Colin - but he guessed it was him judging from my frantic reaction...:-)"}, {"response": 175, "author": "chey", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 1997 (03:08)", "body": "There is someone in Ramble in RoP who has seen ATA. She said it was very sad. She also said Colin's part was rather small. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT! In the book, Jess is one of the main charaters and is on almost every page. They must have made his part small and explored the sister angle a lot more. RATS! I just can't get enough of him on screen! Chey"}, {"response": 176, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Sep 18, 1997 (03:40)", "body": "COLIN AS HENRY HIGGINS (Arami) And Colin is one of the actors being considered for the role of Prof. Higgins in the London grand stage revival of My Fair Lady in the year 2000. Can't say that I find the image of Colin prancing and singing his way through a soppy musical particularly appealing, Actually, Professor Higgins is a great part--the dialogue is wonderful. I love that show. If my memory of Rex Harrison is accurate, he pretty much talks his way through the songs (though I hear Colin likes to sing) and doesn't \"prance\" at all. LOL!! I don't know if Colin is cranky enough to play Higgins, but then again...Colin can do anything. :-) I'm off to California next week hoping to see lots of interesting sights, but most importantly - ATA! Oy, your poor haunted husband! ;-D He'll really think Colin is stalking you now. :-) PLAYMAKER DISCUSSION (Arami)- perhaps just as well, for what is there to discuss?... The film was a piece of crap because it had a lousy script (or rather none at all), I absolutely agree with that statement. What a horror! However, I haven't seen it in a while and I'm trying to keep an open mind. We're tryng to find out what makes it such a bad movie...which shouldn't be too hard. And yes, Darcy fully clothed was far, far sexier. Oh Yhess, he certainly was! *pant* OUT OF THE BLUE (Arami) The significance of the white spots on his tongue (presented to the camera in all its impressive length) Ooooooh, don't go there--I'm getting all hot and stuff!! ;-p FUNNY... Have you noticed the date of the Response 108?... Should we worry or be afraid?... I did and LMAO too! Renate: Time Trekker! ;-) Hubby was moaning that HE was following us everywhere... LOL! :-D At least he was moaning...0;-p COLIN PHOTO AT MAIN DROOL (Marilyn) LOL!! Nan (fortunate Keeper of his magnificent INCROYABLE), That's HIS INCROYABLE if you please...;-p \"Pensive Colin\" really showcases that beautiful face - that chin, the jawline, his perfect nose...ahhhh!! :-.) I know, isn't he just so beautiful it aches? God bless his little cotton socks...;-) COLIN QUOTES, ETC. (Marilyn) Is World of Moss scheduled as an exclusive UK/European release (a la FP)? Are we to be deprived yet again?? Actually I think it's scheduled only for US release at present, but I don't know what it's about. InformArami--how about you? BACK FROM THE FUTURE (Renate) I didn't mean to let anyone know, but since I have told you so far I can admit as well that I am not from Germany but from far Arcturus, and my hat is way too flat! Wiseguy!;-) But one thing I must tell you: last year - 2035 - at the Oscar night Colin Firth was nominated Best Actor the 27th time and won his 16th AA for his role as King Lear in \"A Thousand Arcturians\". From your mouth to God's ears...;-) OUR COL'S LOVELY BOD (Arami) He's got such a lovely body, it's such a joy to ogle!!! It's so pleasingly well proportioned, with superb, naturally broad shoulders and discreet, light and generally sparse body hair. Man after my own heart...;-p And yet, endearingly, it is not quite perfect - e.g. his extremities are somewhat on the thin side and his skin seems prone to a variety of moles, bumps and spots, some permanent, some less so... Aaah, to play connect the dots with Colin! What a naughty, lovely, moderately kinky thought. ;-) Anyone care to continue?:-)... Well, I don't know how I could possibly top that very eloquent \"endearingly, it is not quite perfect\"--great description...just exactly what I've thought myself. What I find attractive is the way he wears his clothes. You could put him in a sack and he'd look good. I think that is because of the naturally lithe, very manly V-shape of his body. Sorry...time to pop in a tape ;-).... ;-).... ;-)..... TEP VIDEO ON SALE (Arami) whilst in the US the full price (NTSC format) appears to be around $105 ($80 discounted)!!! I'm going to check again tomorrow, but last I heard it was being released on Tuesday, 9/23 and the price was $24.99. THE RAIN IN SPAIN... (Arami) Fiennes is in the front line for this job - Colin is also considered along with two or three other actors. I know he can play anybody and anything, butI don't want him to go into musicals! Why? Don't like musicals much? And, you know, as far as musicals go, My fair Lady is not very sappy. PLAYMAKER (Arami) Playmaker starts in a mildly interesting way and then suddenly goes off the rails. Perhaps it needed a different ending (could you propose an alte native which could have saved it?) I don't think anything could have saved that movie."}, {"response": 177, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 1997 (10:02)", "body": "A THOUSAND ACRES Just checked out a couple of reviews (male reviewers) on-line (LA Times, Boston Globe) Both quite favourable and considerable praise for the lead actresses, but \"the problem is how insubstantial the men come off the screen, as opposed to how they're presented in the novel.\" As Chey said \"Oh, rats!!!!\" No mention of Colin in the reviews (so, what's new!) I am waiting to hear a first-hand account(how's the accent?}....any snippets will do! But I was hoping that Jess would be more central and give him a Holl wood boost. SNIFF, SNIFF!! (And they are not showing FP.. Ooops! Sorry, wasn't going to mention that!!) BUT I have actually glimpsed Colin in ATA. British TV showed JL, MP, JJL, JR at the premiere and THEN, a clip from the film of Colin smiling and hugging JL and MP. Again no actual mention of Colin! By dint of ramming a cassette into the VCR I managed to record it. He looks very, very cute and I was absolutely delighted to have two seconds of him. But I do need more!!! Some leading roles, p-l-ee-ase!! 'ENERY 'IGGINS I think that Colin would make a marvellous Professor Higgins - along the lines of Rex Harrison. It's a masculine assertive role. But I suppose that RF will get it. RF has had (says she cattily) a gilded career whereas Colin has his blips and a tendency to be OVERLOOKED!. WORLD OF MOSS (Marilyn) What is WOM about? I'm much more hopeful about this. He has to top the billing here. It's based on an autobiography by Denis Forman and he plays Edward ,the husband/father in an eccentric aristocratic Scottish family. It's set in the 1930s and is about the young son's relationship with his parents and is supposed to have a dark, funny script. It has an excellent cast, including Irene Jacob (stunningly beautiful)with whom Edward (nearly?) has an affair. The Scottish setting alone should make it worth watching (spent a holida in that area a few years ago) and HE will be on the screen for more than five minutes!!! It's scheduled to open in the US, but no dates here. PLAYMAKER DISCUSSION I quite like PM because (and this is sheer desperation speaking!!)he is on screen for most of the movie :-)Sometimes I need more than five minutes quality time!! COLIN's BOD He's so endearingly un-vain. Quite lanky and athletic but obviously has no interest in working out for extra muscles and preening in front of a mirror. And I love the combination of lean hips and broad shoulders. (CASTING DIRECTORS, are you LISTENING?!!!) WHAT IS HE DOING NOW? A prize for the first to give the definitive answer:-) He's not in LA. MY bet is that he's filming Secret Laughter of Women (SLOW!!)in France. It sounds an interesting project and good location, The screen writer has a Nigerian name and I know that there's a lot of good African writing at the moment. But it's not a Hollywood-type project. Has anyone any REAL news as opposed to inspired guess work. (BTW - A Colin-link - he spent his childhood (until 4 years old) in Nigeria, we also worked in Nigeria and my elder son also spent his first four years there, very happily!) MORE COLIN QUOTES For all the Colin-starved, another stab at infringing copyright! Colin on TEP \"I found myself sitting there with this incredibly passionate love story unfolding and thiking to myself, well, I don't see what's so moving about it, it doesn't turn me on. My wife's shagging this other bloke, what's so special about him anyway.\" He laughs heartily and goes to the bar to buy me (Nick Hornby) a drink. Nick Hornby on Colin \"Of course, and doesn't it make you sick,CF is a genuinely nice guy, smart, funny, self-deprecating, complicated, good company. He even has exemplary taste in music and books\". Colin on P&P \"I was ready to run for cover incase it was scorned\" (ME -he is too unassuming!) Colin \"Engish people can be a bit churlish when they recognise you. They'll come up to you and want to show that they're not impressed and end up being rude. It's the opposite in America where - it doesn't happen to me but I've seen it happen to others - people say 'I like your work, can I have your autograph' and then they go away. In England, they say 'Are you that bloke from the programme. And if you say 'yes' they might say 'No, you're NOT'. Then if you say 'No you're right. I'm not' they'll say 'You loody ARE!' (ME - one-up for the US. Again note his modesty!) Will stop now. More next.. some very serious profound quotes by Colin on life etc. Now, someone put me out of my agony about ATA!!:-) I'm hoping for reasonably good movie, reasonably good (but short, SNIFF!)performance. No more!"}, {"response": 178, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 1997 (10:09)", "body": "LOST LETTERS What's happening to b (loody?) and y?"}, {"response": 179, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 1997 (11:36)", "body": "OUR COL'S LOVELY BOD (Arami) LOL! Oh, no, of course not! He's got such a lovely body, it's such a joy to ogle!!! .........It's so pleasingly well proportioned, with superb, naturally broad shoulders .....And yet, endearingly, it is not quite perfect - e.g. his extremities are somewhat on the thin side (Nan) What I find attractive is the way he wears his clothes. You could put him in a sack and he'd look good. I think that is because of the naturally lithe, very manly V-shape of his body. Nan, Arami, I've heard/seen:-) you and some others mention frequently that he is too thin - f.e. in Fever Pitch. I think he is just very slim, and the musles not prominent, or worked-out. I think we are so used to see gym-modelled muscles from most (American) actors, that we tend to forget that there is a diversity of natural condition of bodies as opposed to the studio-shaped ones (BWT, I don't mind muscles, f.e. Eric Roberts - Ouch, don't slap me!). It's rather unusual for actors nowadays to be not at a l \"beefed up\". That, BTW, makes our dear boy such a good dress model, together with his \"pleasing proportions\". And there are some things that you cannot get in a gym: f.e. his beautiful neckline. It would rather be spoiled by muscle training. What do you think: does he do anything but dieting (?) to keep in shape? Do you think he should do some workouts? (Yes, I know what you are thinking! :-.)) Ok, let's found 'Colin's Workout Studio', where we can exercise with him, CoLoonies! Any suggestions? *sigh*ned by VoyeuRenate .....and his skin seems prone to a variety of moles, bumps and spots, some permanent, some less so... ... MicroscopArami? THE 'AIN IN 'PAIN (Arami) ...I don't want him to go into musicals! As long as he does not play cute little choochoo-engines on roller blades he has my permission! But I'd prefer the original G.B.Shaw to the musical, too. COF No, my hubby didn't actually recognize Colin - but he guessed it was him judging from my frantic reaction...:-) Arami, oh, Arami! :-)) A THOUSAND ACRES (Chey) I just can't get enough of him on screen! Nor do I. When you read this you will probably have seen it already - a full steaming hot report please! :-)) I'm not afraid of spoilers! It's scheduled for Germany in March only!!! (Nan) I know, isn't he just so beautiful it aches? That's why ATA is called 'A 1000 aches'. (Not my invention, alas, but good, isn't it.) God bless his little cotton socks...;-) Socks? Though we seem to know about everything of him, here is a gap: what's the size of his socks and shoes? (ponder, ponder, - - - Do I really want to know? No. :-)) CONNECT THE DOTS (Nan) Aaah, to play connect the dots with Colin! What a naughty, lovely, moderately kinky thought. ;-) Oh, good idea, Nan. I have a mole on my right thigh pretty much on the same spot where he has one on the left thigh ..... thank you for fuelling my fantasies! :-)=)"}, {"response": 180, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 1997 (12:31)", "body": "LOODY LETTER EATER! (Bethan) What's happening to b (loody?) and y? No idea what happened to 'bloody andy', but this software by the name of 'yapp-bin' (sic!) is snipping letters randomly. I think this a very charming little bug, and very promising. :-))"}, {"response": 181, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 1997 (16:55)", "body": "A THOUSAND ACRES I am waiting to hear a first-hand account(how's the accent?}....any snippets will do! But I was hoping that Jess would be more central and give him a Hollywood boost. I will indeed post snippets as soon as I return from the theatre this evening, but I'm not hopeful about the outcome. All the reviews I've read are...er, mixed. they complain about the script a lot. Most of the (minimal) praise is directed at the women's roles (JL in particular) and barely any mention of Colin at all. Today's NY Post says this: \"...both Lange and Pfeiffer find themselves romantically drawn toward a curly-headed hippie prodigal (Colin Firth) who has returned after many years' absence to a neighbor's farm\". That's it--nothing about the performance. UGH! The nerve!! The NY Times was even worse: \"...various husbands and boyfriends (Keith Carradine, Kevin Anderson, Colin Firth) who barely register here\". AAAAAGH! I fear I shall have to savor every Colin moment because they are sounding few and far between. WORLD OF MOSS He has to top the billing here. And it's about time too! You're right, that sounds much more promising. PLAYMAKER DISCUSSION Bethan) I quite like PM because (and this is sheer desperation speaking!!)he is on screen for most of the movie :-) Desperation indeed :-p MORE COLIN QUOTES (Bethan) \"My wife's shagging this other bloke, what's so special about him anyway.\" (Snip) 'You bloody ARE!' I just love it when he gets all British. For an American, words like \"shagging\" and \"bloke\" and \"bloody\" are tremendously charming...perhaps because we cannot use them with the same gusto. You have to have a British accent to get away with words like that. I'm so jealous. :-) LOST LETTERS What's happening to b (loody?) and y? Just a software quirk for which there is apparently no cure. It's kinda cute though :-)"}, {"response": 182, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 1997 (17:10)", "body": "OUR COL'S LOVELY BOD (Renate) I think we are so used to see gym-modelled muscles from most (American) actors, that we tend to forget that there is a diversity of natural condition of bodies as opposed to the studio-shaped ones I'm not big on muscles (well not very prominent ones I mean) but perhaps his height, coupled with the natural slimness gives him the impression of being \"skinny\". (BWT, I don't mind muscles, f.e. Eric Roberts - Ouch, don't slap me!). LOL! I rather like Eric Roberts--all those little facial scars really turn me on!;-) What do you think: does he do anything but dieting (?) to keep in shape? Do you think he should do some workouts? He probably doesn't even diet--looks like one of those people who can eat anything and stay thin. But I would never suggest his working out--just fine the way he is (thin and all) ;-p THE 'AIN IN 'PAIN (Renate) As long as he does not play cute little choochoo-engines on roller blades he has my permission! This would be a little tough to take ;-) A THOUSAND ACRES (Nan) I know, isn't he just so beautiful it aches? That's why ATA is called 'A 1000 aches'. (Not my invention, alas, but good, isn't it.) Yeah, I've seen that one too. I'll let you know later this evening if I think it applies :-) (Nan) God bless his little cotton socks...;-) (Renate) Socks? Though we seem to know about everything of him, here is a gap: what's the size of his socks and shoes? (ponder, ponder, - - - Do I really want to know? No. :-)) Well, you know what they say about big shoes! ... BIG FEET! LOL ;-D CONNECT THE DOTS (Nan) Aaah, to play connect the dots with Colin! What a naughty, lovely, moderately kinky thought. ;-) Oh, good idea, Nan. I have a mole on my right thigh pretty much on the same spot where he has one on the left thigh ..... thank you for fuelling my fantasies! :-)=) Anytime m'dear. :-) I've got plenty of those moles to play with, but alas, none on my face...;-.)"}, {"response": 183, "author": "Marilyn", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 1997 (18:34)", "body": "ALL THAT BEAUTY AND HUMILITY, TOO?? (Arami) He's got such a lovely body, it's such a joy to ogle!!! (Nan) What I find attractive is the way he wears his clothes. You could put him in a sack and he'd look good. I think that is because of the naturally lithe, very manly V-shape of his body. (Renate) That, BTW, makes our dear boy such a good dress model, together with his \"pleasing proportions\". And there are some things that you cannot get in a gym: f.e. his beautiful neckline. (Bethan) He's so endearingly un-vain...And I love the combination of lean hips and broad shoulders. We are sooo of like minds, ladies! And Arami, \"ogle\" is such a great word! Not only is he my idea of masculine perfection - the height, long legs, broad shoulders (Nan's \"manly V\" fits beautifully) - but he has that face that makes you want to cry and such humility! There are few things more attractive than a handsome man who is unassuming. As his \"casual\" photos suggest, the man hasn't a vain bone in his entire edible body! ;-) And I loved that quote you gave us, Bethan: \"...It's the opposite in America where - it doesn't happen to me - but I've seen it happen to others...\". So sweet, it makes me want to take him right here, right now! ;-)...;-)... WORLD OF MOSS (Bethan) It has an excellent cast, including Irene Jacob (stunningly beautiful) with whom Edward (nearly?) has an affair. The Scottish setting alone should make it worth watching. Bethan, thanks for the summary - I had no idea what it was about or whether he had a \"starring\" role in it. And I agree, Irene Jacob IS stunning. I last saw her in Othello. Do you know who play's Colin's wife? Oh, and my \"date\" for ATA was postponed till Monday (if I can wait that long). It looks like Nan will be reporting first - in fact, she's probably at her local cineplex as I write!"}, {"response": 184, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 1997 (18:37)", "body": "Been away for a day again - and you've said it all, dear CoLoonies, there's not a lot I can add to the above! Except two things, perhaps: my info about seemingly outrageous prices for TEP video in US comes from an otherwise very reliable source... but on this occasion something must have gone wrong, and I cannot discount my own failure either... And I happen to know his shoe size!!! But I'm not telling you! Naah-naah-nah-nah-naaaah! Wanna have a guess?..."}, {"response": 185, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Fri, Sep 19, 1997 (19:05)", "body": "A THOUSAND ACRES Oh, thanks for going to see ATA, Nan - I'll eagerly await your report. But I'm prepared to be very disappointed. :-( I really thought that Jess would be a major dramatic role for Colin! Scanned some more on-line reviews on the Net - they're very much in the loved it/hated it mode (about 50/50, no middle ground). But even the 'loved-its' (and there are some very good reviews) only refer to the leading ladies and dismiss the men as peripheral to the script (unlike the novel). One interesting, but rather depressing, fact is that apparently the director Jocelyn Morehouse and the screenwriter Laura Jones have both asked to be disassociated from the movie. At the behest of Disney and JL/MP, the film was re-edited to focus primarily on the three sisters. Morehouse did not agree with this interpretation and said that she did not recognise the final version as hers. She and Jones did not attend the Premiere. Does this make any sense, Nan? Did the men end up on the cutting room floor? Is that why the movie is called \"choppy\"? Oh well, it doesn't help Colin. Go for the starring roles, laddie, and stuff Hollywood!! I just hope that the movie is ok (not outstanding, but watchable) and that Colin makes some impact.I was hoping for an Oscar, but I've revised my hopes:-):-((!! Why is it R rated BTW? MP was asked in an interview about the nudity (she said she used a body double). Are the two facts related? One review said that there was strong sex, another said there was \"understated sex\"!!! Are they watching the same film? Over to you, Nan. There's not even a release date for the UK, so all snippets are welcome! At the moment, the only advantage that I can see in ATA is that (like TEP) it may be a film that a lot of women around the world (not men, although for MP, perhaps yes) will want to see (not everyone analyses reviews!)and so women will be reminded that Colin exists!"}, {"response": 186, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Sep 20, 1997 (05:40)", "body": ""}, {"response": 187, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Sep 20, 1997 (20:30)", "body": "I took the Vogue pic that was posted earlier, shrunk it and airbrushed out the words ( Also check out two pics together ):"}, {"response": 188, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Sat, Sep 20, 1997 (21:10)", "body": "A THOUSAND ACRES Ouch, Nan! That hurt! Sent me straight to raid the cookie jar for comfort food! It's made worse because I had such high hopes of ATA and particularly for the role of Jess. LONG S-I-GH!!!But many thanks for sharing your impressions so promptly -can I just ask one or two more questions before I hit the cookie jar again. :-) Just how cameo is cameo? Jess is so central to the novel that I can't see how his role was reduced. What about the long conversations with Ginny on his mother's death etc. How does he tell Ginny he doesn't love her, react to his father's blindness? And what about his relationship with Rose? Even if Jess's role is cut back he stll has to be in the background in several scenes - the courtroom, playing monopoly ets. For just how much of the movie is Colin a visible presence? 10 minutes? 20 - I daren't ask for more!! Actually the more I think about the novel, the more disappointed I feel. RATS!!! But (TRYING TO LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE) he seems very good to look at, his accent is OK (I mean, I can't imagine Hugh Grant doing \"American\"!), he sweated, he jogged,he took off his shirt... BTW why did women gasp and GIGGLE? I hope that despite the limitations of the part his Mr Sexypants image shone through!!"}, {"response": 189, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Sep 20, 1997 (22:32)", "body": "A THOUSAND ACHES Well, there's a surprise... But I'm not surprised. Sad, disappointed, but not surprised. It proves yet again what we all know and hate to admit: women make lousy organizers and sloppy artists. All right, there are exceptions of course, but it only reaffirms the general rule. As soon as I heard the news of the rift between the scriptwriter, the director and the two main producers who happen to be the stars of the movie - all bloody bitches, some probably in the middle of menopause and behaving stupidly, I knew it would look ugly. Sorry, Colin..."}, {"response": 190, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 1997 (01:41)", "body": ""}, {"response": 191, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 1997 (02:14)", "body": "CONNECT THE DOTS (Nan) Aaah, to play connect the dots with Colin! What a naughty, lovely, moderately kinky thought. ;-) (Renate) Oh, good idea, Nan. I have a mole on my right thigh pretty much on the same spot where he has one on the left thigh ..... thank you for fuelling my fantasies! :-)=) (Nan) Anytime m'dear. :-) I've got plenty of those moles to play with, but alas, none on my face...;-.) Hey, only now I understand what was meant with \"Connect the dots\". I misunderstood gloriously: my mind was still more agreeably engaged. I did not get that it means to connect the dots on one body with a pencil or whatever, but I thought the task is to connect the dots in body-to-body-contact...... and yes, it's a pity in this case, too, if you don't happen to have dots on the upper lip. Anyone here with this feature? BLESS HIS LITTLE COTTON SOCKS (Arami) And I happen to know his shoe size!!! LOL!!! I knew there are only few bits about Colin that are not yet researched. (Bethan) Why is it R rated BTW? MP was asked in an interview about the nudity (she said she used a body double). For close up of mastectomy scar, I suppose. Are the two facts related? One review said that there was strong sex, another said there was \"understated sex\"!!! Are they watching the same film? Many of the reviews I've read are contradictory, and controverse. As you say, you get the impression, the people saw different films. There's no other way but to wait until I get to see ATA myself. ATA First: Nan, thank you very much for your full report. His fans are some of the severest critics for sure ..... I can hardly reply to any of your points, since I have no first-hand knowledge about it. All second-hand information are highly contradictory, as mentioned above. For sure, it is a disappointment that this will not be his major break through in the US, but lets put this into perspective. Even if ATA is going to be one of the most scolded and criticized films of this season, it is still a high quality production that gets a lot of attention. It's one more step for Colin to be recognised in the US. And anybody who saw this film admits that he looks gorgeous. It that nothing? The film industry will know his reputation as an excellent dramatic actor, even if he could n t prove it here. But from what I hear, he has created again a figure different to any of his former roles, accent and voice included. (There are many actors - and good ones - who mostly look and talk the same in every film - 3 films and you know the face complete; of Colin I have seen at least 10 films, most of them more than once, and he still has the power to surprise me f.e. in FP). We know he is a master of diversity and of the subtle shades and colours. And many of those you only discover with repeat d viewing..... it took even some time to warm up to Mr Darcy, and he had much more screen time... :-)) A GAME BTW, in which big American production would you like to see Colin? Describe 3 films you would like to see him in! TIME FLIES (Nan) 1) Colin is lovely to look at 2) Facially, he looks older than I remember--which I like very much; jolly laugh lines and happy little crow's feet. Made the same observation FP - and then I realised it was the first film (except TEP) with him I saw on the big screen, where the reproduction quality is definitely much better and - larger! The small tv-screen 'swallows' a lot of visual information. Ann, thanks for \"time flies\" pictures! It does, indeed. A THOUSAND ACHES (Arami) It proves yet again what we all know and hate to admit: women make lousy organizers and sloppy artists. All right, there are exceptions of course, but it only reaffirms the general rule. I contradict. There have been MUCH more bad films (and any kind of art) made by man up to now than by women. But apart from that women are entitled to make mistakes, errors and being incompetent, too, without being disqualified in a lump. BTW, women are excellent organizers. No advertising agency I know - and there are many - could survive 2 weeks without the organizing skills of the women employed."}, {"response": 192, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 1997 (05:48)", "body": "ATA RATING (Bethan) Why is it R rated BTW? MP was asked in an interview about the nudity (she said she used a body double). (Renate) For close up of mastectomy scar, I suppose. Very good Renate! Also there is a considerable amount of cursing...and maybe the subject matter too (incest, etc.)? CONNECT THE DOTS (Renate) I did not get that it means to connect the dots on one body with a pencil or whatever, but I thought the task is to connect the dots in body-to-body-contact...... Oooh, I like your version much better! ;-D and yes, it's a pity in this case, too, if you don't happen to have dots on the upper lip. Anyone here with this feature? Well now, if we play the game your way wouldn't it be better to have the dots on the er,...body? ;-p I have several in choice places :-D SEX IN ATA Are the two facts related? One review said that there was strong sex, another said there was \"understated sex\"!!! Are they watching the same film? (Bethan) One review said that there was strong sex, another said there was \"understated sex\"!!! Are they watching the same film? There are no sex scenes at all. ATA REVIEW Renate, I very much like your optimistic take on this whole thing. I was thinking today that I would likely go see it again to give it a fair shake. I don't know...perhaps I was too critical of the film in my frustration on Colin's behalf. Then again, maybe not. :-) it took even some time to warm up to Mr Darcy I have to disagree with you here m'dear--I was quite warm by the time he said, \"I rarely dance\"...I was positively hot by \"on foot?\"---In fact, I'm kinda flushed just thinking about it ;-p A GAME (Renate) BTW, in which big American production would you like to see Colin? Describe 3 films you would like to see him in! Ooooh, good one Renate! I have to think about this one. Are there any other rules here? Any time period or just current movies?"}, {"response": 193, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 1997 (12:15)", "body": "A GAME (Renate) BTW, in which big American production would you like to see Colin? Describe 3 films you would like to see him in! (Nan) I have to think about this one. Are there any other rules here? Any time period or just current movies? Don't feel limited in any way. :-)) To support your memory, here are some genre categories: Action, mystery, history, western, sci-fi, drama (oh, please...not :-)) ), italo-american :-.)) ), comedy, romance, tarantino/ferrara, ...:-)) And you may plan remakes of already existing movies, or invent them yourselves....... only rule is: describe Colin's part, performance, and looks as detailed as possible. :-))"}, {"response": 194, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Sep 21, 1997 (18:01)", "body": "BLESS HIS LITTLE COTTON SOCKS (Arami) And I happen to know his shoe size!!! (Renate)I knew there are only few bits about Colin that are not yet researched. Yes, whatever precious little of himself he managed to save from the camera lens... A THOUSAND A C H E S (Arami) women make lousy organizers and sloppy artists... there are exceptions of course (Renate)I contradict. There have been MUCH more bad films (and any kind of art) made by man up to now than by women. That's because many more men have been active in these - and other - fields than women. women are entitled to make mistakes, errors and being incompetent, too, without being disqualified in a lump. Wrong. Due to the centuries of male domination, women have an obligation to prove to men and to themselves that they are at least just as competent but preferably better . women are excellent organizers. No advertising agency I know... could survive 2 weeks without the organizing skills of the women... We are talking services and support here - I want to stress art and creativity. Women are overall weaker in these fields. I'm in no humour at present to give consequence to any ladies who are slighted by other men... you are wasting your time with me..."}, {"response": 195, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 1997 (00:01)", "body": "A THOUSAND A C H E S (Arami) you are wasting your time with me... Am I? oh. Here we go: \"Generalization of every kind is my abhorrence\" (Renate) ....women are entitled to make mistakes, errors and being incompetent (as individuals), too, without being disqualified (as \"the\" women) in a lump. (...in brackets added later for clarification) (Arami) ... women have an obligation to prove to men and to themselves that they are at least just as competent but preferably better. That's reciprocal dependency. ......I want to stress art and creativity. Women are overall weaker in these fields. While I agree about women being not equally represented in these fields, I am uncomfortable with this kind of generalizations: women are not \"overall weaker\" but: there are less women in the respective fields, still much less women with outstanding work. But when they are good or excellent they are as good or excellent as anyone in their class, and not \"overall weaker\"."}, {"response": 196, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 1997 (00:03)", "body": "A THOUSAND A C H E S (Arami) you are wasting your time with me... Am I? oh. Here we go: \"Generalization of every kind is my abhorrence\" (Renate) ....women are entitled to make mistakes, errors and being incompetent (as individuals), too, without being disqualified (as \"the\" women) in a lump. (...in brackets added later for clarification) (Arami) ... women have an obligation to prove to men and to themselves that they are at least just as competent but preferably better. That's reciprocal dependency. ......I want to stress art and creativity. Women are overall weaker in these fields. While I agree about women being not equally represented in these fields, I am uncomfortable with this kind of generalizations: women are not \"overall weaker\" but: there are less women in the respective fields, still fewer women with outstanding work. But when they are good or excellent they are as good or excellent as anyone in their class, and not \"overall weaker\"."}, {"response": 197, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 1997 (00:05)", "body": "Oooops. Good night. :-))"}, {"response": 198, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 1997 (01:19)", "body": "A THOUSAND A C H E S Yes, yes, YESSS!!! You're right (=politically correct), of course. But privately I'm terribly old-fashioned and anti-feminist. Anti-myself, really...:-)"}, {"response": 199, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 1997 (08:56)", "body": "Arami, do you never sleep? :-))"}, {"response": 200, "author": "chey", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 1997 (14:55)", "body": "Nan, Thanks for the indepth report on ATA. I still haven't seen it yet. I just cannot understand why anyone would make a movie of a book and COMPLETELY change the important elements that made the book famous(even though I personally didn't like the book either). I thought Jess Clark was very important to the story, in fact he seemed to me to be the main element that brought the tension between the sisters to a head. I just can't figure out who decided to change the story. Do you think it was the lead ng ladies' egos? MP said she and JL both wanted Colin for the part of Jess, so they had to know what a capable actor he is, so why would his part become so unimportant that anyone could have done it. Jess really needed to be someone who was so wonderful that he could cause the sisters to have a serious split(enough to want to kill the other one.) One last thought, when I read the book I pictured MP as Jenny and JL as Rose. I just can't think of them the other way. JL is always so much more powerful t an MP. ( I hope I got the names right, can't remember)"}, {"response": 201, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 1997 (16:07)", "body": "ATA REVIEW (Chey) I thought Jess Clark was very important to the story, in fact he seemed to me to be the main element that brought the tension between the sisters to a head. I just can't figure out who decided to change the story. Do you think it was the leading ladies' egos? I really don't think it was about their egos (or menopause LOL!). I'm sure they both had the best intentions and wanted to produce a quality product. Incest is a far more dramatic and shocking topic than is two women fighting over the same man. Supposedly MP & JL wanted to concentrate on the relationship between the women and it was probably the studio that chose the incest as the second most important element. Perhaps two hours was not sufficient to properly tell the story, so they chose to minimize Jess involvement. Of course, the fault in this logic is that Jess is a tremendously important part of that equation. He is the proverbial \"straw that broke the camel's back\". The character of Jess is not given enough screen time for the audience to fall in love with him. If the audience is not in love with him, how can it possibly sympathize with Ginny? This is in no way an insult to Colin, just an observation. We all know how charming he can be, but we are not the general public, we're a group of Firth fan . If I had never seen Colin before, I wouldn't be able to understand what these two women found attractive in him. MP said she and JL both wanted Colin for the part of Jess At least they have taste :-) And they are right, he was the perfect choice. I can't even say that he wasn't utilized properly because I still have that gut feeling that his part was much larger when they were filming and the larger (most important) part of it was edited out. when I read the book I pictured MP as Jenny and JL as Rose. I just can't think of them the other way. JL is always so much more powerful than MP. I thought the same thing when I was reading the book. It wasn't until I got to a part I recognized from the trailers that I knew I was wrong. Then I had to go back and start all over."}, {"response": 202, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 1997 (18:12)", "body": "(Renate)Arami, do you never sleep? :-)) I've slept all through my bloody life and now it's too late... (sorry, you've caught me in one of my bad moments... and perhaps Reisefieber auch.)"}, {"response": 203, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 1997 (18:27)", "body": "(Nan) I still have that gut feeling that his part was much larger when they were filming and the larger (most important) part of it was edited out. You see, this is what I can't understand: they get a script written, presumably agree on the story and the way it's told, get down to planning and filming it and then, ONLY THEN, all of a sudden start having second thoughts... What a bloody, stupid, unprofessional, destructive waste of time and effort. What a disappointment. If that's the way they treat directors here, I am thankful that I've failed in my youthful dream to be one."}, {"response": 204, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 1997 (18:49)", "body": "ATA CORRECTION (Bethan) react to his father's blindness? (Nan) Ditto the above. Sorry, I mislead you with this answer...I just re-read my post and I didn't really make it clear--there is no mention of the accidental blindness in the book. For reasons which I am unable to explain I understood your question as figurative rather than literal \"blindness\"....DUH. Must have been late when I posted that :-) DIRECTORS IN AMERICA (Nan) I still have that gut feeling that his part was much larger when they were filming and the larger (most important) part of it was edited out. (Arami) You see, this is what I can't understand: they get a script written, presumably agree on the story and the way it's told, get down to planning and filming it and then, ONLY THEN, all of a sudden start having second thoughts... I think the key word here is \"presumably\"...somehow I don't believe that it always happens in such a neat and orderly fashion. I've heard many actors complain that scripts are sometimes significantly re-written as they are filming. Also, it depends on who has the contractual agreement for approval of the final cut, which frankly could be anyone (producer, director, starring actors), etc. Since JL & MP are the stars in this one as well as the producers they (and the studio) are to blame for the final resul . But you know what? People appear to be divided about this movie--some people like it, I just can't say that I'm one of them. PLAYMAKER Okay, who's starting this mess? ;-p It's got to be someone more objective than I because it seemed even worse to me this time (if that's possible) ;-)"}, {"response": 205, "author": "Marilyn", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 1997 (20:59)", "body": "ATA (Nan) Though we see no actual sex he is lying down, barechested after the romp with JL--so that was a cheap thrill. But ladies there is another LITTLE scene when he's putting on his shirt (this time he's standing) and he gives JL a sort of mini-\"LOOK\"--it was nice to see him do that again. Also, I noticed that the 2 times we see him without a shirt, there were several women in the audience who gasped, then giggled. I was tempted to go over and give them our URL because they were clearly there for the sa e reason I was-- Mr. Sexy Pants ! ;-) LOL!! Well, Nan, I actually expected worse - but (trying hard to find the good in such disappointing news), at least we get to see him barechested and fetching apres sex...and we get a mini-\"LOOK\"!! And I really love that there were other women out there in the audience who appreciated his \"Jess\"ness. Even with the terrible reviews (Entertainment Weekley gave it an \"F\"), I'm still incredibly anxious to see him, er, the movie. Wouldn't it be wonderful if his next movie could be equal in worth to his tal nts?? DARCY (Nan) I have to disagree with you here m'dear--I was quite warm by the time he said, \"I rarely dance\"...I was positively hot by \"on foot?\"---In fact, I'm kinda flushed just thinking about it ;-p Oh, the memories of the Meryton assembly...thanks, Nan. There was a nice mini-\"LOOK\" there after the insult, too - made me wobble - I was his from that moment on. ;-) PLAYMAKER (Nan) Okay, who's starting this mess? ;-p It's got to be someone more objective than I because it seemed even worse to me this time (if that's possible) ;-) Nan, you're breaking my heart!! LOL! Okay, let me dive right in...first a disclaimer: I am in no way advocating the merits of this movie , only the presence of Colin which is this film's only redeeming quality. I think he is seriously sexy here - when he toys with her scarf toward the beginning, the seductive smiles, the piano (I won't EVEN get into the scissors scene here), the shower, his naked derriere...Okay, I was also really turned on by an overly-clothed Darcy, too. Anyway, yes, it's a terrible, stinking excuse of a movie and, as we all love Colin, we never want to see him sink so low again (although, there are benefits...), no, no, we never want to see him waste his talents on any sub-B movies again. B t there's a cheesy earthiness to his acting here that is simply irresistable. :-)...."}, {"response": 206, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 1997 (21:23)", "body": "PLAYMAKER Okay, who's starting this mess? ;-p It's got to be someone more objective than I because it seemed even worse to me this time (if that's possible) ;-) Lets exorcise it! Here's my contribution to the mess (LOL!), some thoughts on the unhappy topic \"Why is Playmaker such a bad film?\", not necessarily in a logical or connected context: Ok, the story is hard to swallow. But there have been films before, based on unbelievable stories, which are not necessarily disgusting. For me the story already begins to fall apart when Jamie is tied to the wheelchair - what's the justification for that scene but to make the audience cringe? What I mean: if C's character turned out to be a madman, it would make sense. But no normal, intelligent person - and in particular not the soft character Michael (?) behind \"Ross\" could stand to watch it - ok, maybe for a lot of money.. But the Ross/Michael character is not very convincing: the miraculously successful coach is not a part anyone could *play* - how would Michael - a loser himself - know how to play a winner, let alone teach to be it? (But then, it would explain why the lessons are so hard to believe, but the film does not go for that) The film does not go into the characters, at no point, but shows them only from the outside, and leaves the audience to deduct himself - but gives no hints or false ones. When the now successful actress is asked it is such an untrue hint - it suggests that she's been through something dreadful - and we're in to discover what that may be - but this question is never answered. Disappointment is the result. It is directed like a cool, rational story, but the story would only work on the \"thriller/mystery\" level because of it's many implausablilities. Or probably it might have worked as a farce, or a comedy? This film has no humor whatsoever. BTW, I find films of the film industrie about themselves always strangely unsatisfying. As if there are no real persons but concepts. No life in PM. There's one scene I found rather convincing: in the kitchen with the pearls in the sink, a kind of peak in an elsewhere flat desert. I tried to make a SHORT summary that covers all relevant facts - I tried but got tied up with this confusing story. It's a nice revealing exercise that exposes the weaknesses of the script..... I lost track approximately when she calls the police.... don't have the tape here presently, so I cannot check myself."}, {"response": 207, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 1997 (21:35)", "body": "ATA (Chey) MP said she and JL both wanted Colin for the part of Jess, so they had to know what a capable actor he is, so why would his part become so unimportant that anyone could have done it. Chey, Do you remember where you heard/read it? Did she say anything more about that?"}, {"response": 208, "author": "Megan", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 1997 (22:14)", "body": "HELLO HELLO!!!! Looks like you've all settled in nicely here....Nice place, oh Nan oh Nan of the irreplaceable, the adorable, the one, the only INCROYABLE! ;-.) You seem to be doing a great job! I see Nan has already written an excellent review of ATA. I think I'll just add a few of my own, to hers...(Her post #186, that is...) Overall I am disappointed. Not only am I in agreement with most of the unfavorable reviews, but I think some of them were too generous. For starters, there were 47 people in a theatre that seats over 500 (on opening night in the middle of NYC)--this was a bad sign right from the beginning. Generally speaking, I didn't think it was THAT horrible. I thought it was just kind'a ....flat, like the land. It's hard to say if I would have been able to tell what was really going on with each character, if I hadn't had read the novel first. But there are two things about the movie that I am sort of pleased with: They were quite faithful to the book unlike most screen adaptations I've seen and I like the fact that they didn't overdramatize anything or they didn't try to present it as more of a tearjerker or a melodrama, than the book already suggests. This could have easily been the case with this book IMHO. For that (and for that alone!) I thought it was tastefully done. I agree with Nan about the editing, but I thought Emma2's editing was much worse than this one. The movie was sort of boring to watch, and defin tely not captivating. If they didn't cut as much as they did, it was probably going to be more boring. Although I agree that because of the cuts, things just sort of hang...period. I saw it in a small theater... and it was half full. The average age of the audience was around 60! 80% women. Nobody cried! Including me.... and I am a softie! When the movie was over, I glanced at some faces around me and didn't see any signs of emotions. Couldn't tell if they enjoyed it or if they were moved by it. Everybody just left very quietly, not really speaking to one another. 1) Now I understand why the screenwriter and director both want no association with this movie--if I were either of them I'd be crawling into a hole until the storm blew over. It makes neither look very skilled. I think that not wanting to be associated with this movie is a bit extreme. Surely it is not a masterpiece and they probably are not going to be receiving any awards for the movie but still, it wasn't that bad, I thought. .... 4)They barely touched on the importance of Jess. In the book he is a far more pivotal character. It didn't seem to me that either JL or MP were particularly in love with him (or even very fond of him for that matter). So it's quite difficult to believe that MP's relationship with him would create tension between the two sisters. They removed the entire part about the poisoned sausages. The impact of emotions created by 2 sisters being in love (or lust :-p) with the same man is virtually avoided. YES! Also, the tomato planting scene, the scene when Ty brings Jess to dinner unannounced (I read the book back In March. If I remember correctly there had to be a seen like that, which could have helped people understand at least part of Ginny's attraction to Jess), and the scenes when Ginny is \"aware\" of HIS presence at all times and her having a separate eye for HIM only, were all eliminated. There is one scene where Jess softly touches her skin at the back of her neck (Yes!!!!! It was somewhat electri ying to watch! But only because it was CF and I have an active imagination!!! And if I hadn't known who it was, the scene would have done nothing for me....the two had no chemistry at all) in the kitchen. I don't remember reading something like that in the book. Is there such a scene? Somebody pray tell.. 5) Jason Robards is imposing for all of 5 minutes...then he just needs to be slapped. :-) Same for JJL I though JR did a great job with the character. JJL spooked me out though. She is weird! 6) Poor Colin is relegated to what amounts to a cameo in a role that could have (and should have) been able to at least get him noticed. That's the problem...you almost don't notice any of the men. Pete (MP's husband) is supposed to be volatile, but charming--all you get is a half-hearted attempt at both of those qualities. Ty (JL's husband) is supposed to be dependable and likable in an easygoing fashion--he just comes off as whiny and self serving. Dear Colin seems like just a little diversion a oppo ed to the object of lust he was in the book. I simply couldn't understand why any of these people would be attracted to any of the others. Ain't that the truth! I also didn't like the joke Pete told everyone during the the monopoly game. In the book, Pete had to be very likeable and fun to be with and this comes out mostly during the monopoly games. To handle this (I suppose!), they wrote this dirty joke for him to tell and for all the other characters in the room to laugh out loud and for the audience to go \"Oh I "}, {"response": 209, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Sep 22, 1997 (22:29)", "body": "Beloved Megan of the WET SHIRT!! :-.) ;-.) ;-.D How glad I am to see you dear!! I'll come back to answer later (I want to get out of my office while I still can). Just wanted you to know that I'm quite tickled! ;-D"}, {"response": 210, "author": "Megan", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 1997 (05:13)", "body": "Glad to be here dearest! Thanks for the warm welcome! BTW, sorry for the mess I made out of this first post. I guess I should have done some editing before hitting that ol' submit button eh? Will do, next time..."}, {"response": 211, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 1997 (09:22)", "body": "Welcome, Megan! Glad to \"see\" you again , and you started in a really impressive way. Thanks for your review on ATA. What do you mean: a mess, and about editing? Do you refer to the inadvertent jumps into the next lines combined with a loss of a letter? That's a charming little software bug :-.)) Yapp-bin has a speech impediment: it stutters now and then and swallows letters. I only mention it to remind you to be careful with what you write about certain pieces of Regency swim suits, ....if you get my meaning?! ;-*))"}, {"response": 212, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 1997 (11:51)", "body": "ATA This is going to be rather rushed, so much to say, so little time! Here goes, a hotchpotch of views, mainly other people's! From my extensive net surfing, a few points. Jason Robards commented that they were re-writing throughout the shooting and no-one knew which scenes were being left in/out. Jocelyn Morehouse (Director) complained to the Directors Guild that control of the movie had been taken away from her, and had her complaint upheld. On the website for ATA, there is extensive background information on the actual production. JM comments on her choice of Colin for the role of Jess. She liked him in Valmont and Appartment Zero, and thought that he could portray inten ity and an unusual troubled quality.She also said that he has a very strong physical presence. Her comments on the casting of other male roles are also very thoughtful. Which leads me to think that her interpretation of male roles may have been much more complex. . I would love to see the Director's cut. Reaction to ATA. Only going on the reviews obviously - they seemed to be very good or very bad. But there were several favourable reactions. I found one which referred to \"Oscar awards abounding for the multi-talented cast..incredible performances in a dreamlike cast which included in the subordinate roles CF,KC and KA\" (mention for Colin, Hooray!) But this review also says \"When I saw it, it was a rough cut\" - was this the final cut? We shall never know! Anyway I'll wait to see it. But to put this in perpective, I think that part of the problem (and sense of disappointment) is that of great expectations not met. Very few movies are really good, most get a critical panning. Airforce One and My Friend's Wedding have both just opened here with mixed to indifferent reviews. If I'm honest, there are very few movies that I really love - I just want to really like everything with which Colin is associated. But maybe that's not possible. But I have to say, NO more cameos please, particularly after Darcy! I can't take it any more!! :-) Hopefully, his next roles seem to lead roles. Overall, on ATA I can't see it boosting his Hollywood career, but it surely won't damage it. It would seem to demonstrate his good looks and some versatility, and at least it's a straightforward masculine role. So many British actors end up playing deranged terrorists, or exploding aliens or over-the-top camp roles... or butlers! As to a Hollywood career, I'm rea ly very doubtful if he wants one. He has said that he only got the part in ATA because he happened to be in LA visiting his son Will (not casting directors!).Re cameos - another comment of his that I distinctly remember reading is that he told some reporters at an Awards Ceremony that he was rather worried after completing P&P2 because for the first time in ten or eleven years, offers of work actually dried up on him and he was concerned incase he was typecast. Perhaps his range of choices hasn't been as extensive as we would imagine - and expect. WHAT SIZE ARE THEY (his shoes!) (Arami) I guess size 13! BTW how do you know this?!:-) Enjoy your trip to the States! WOM (Marilyn) His wife in WOM is played by Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, whom I've only ever seen in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, opposite Kevin Costner. If he's filming Secret Laughter of Women, his co-star would be Teresa Randall who was in Spike Lee's Girl 6. I like Spike Lee's movies, but haven't seen this one. Enough.. must get back to work!"}, {"response": 213, "author": "SylviaH", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 1997 (14:12)", "body": "Oh my god, I'm totally exhausted reading more than sixty messages after having been absent for eight days. ATA Should I feel sad or furious about the waste of skill, time and money? I have to agree with Bethan that it's hard to meet high expectations and that there are only a few really good movies. I had some hopes that this film would push Colin's career forward. The reports of changing the script during filming remind me of Billy Wilder, who decided to direct his own movies because he hated what producers and directors did to his scripts. And he made some of the best movies I know, but I'm a little of topic now. (Bethan) So many British actors end up playing deranged terrorists, or exploding aliens or over-the-top camp roles... or butlers! I don't dare to think of the roles german actors play in Hollywood -- Armin Mueller-Stahl being an exeception. I'm joining the chorus: could someone please offer Colin a leading role in a movie! Playmaker As Renate is doing I'm still trying to figure out why this film is so bad. Generally speaking I don't like movies which get a totally different meaning in the middle or at the end of the plot. There are no rewind buttons on the seats in a cinema. At home watching a video you can take a second look, but Playmaker fails here giving no hints that things aren't quite the way they seem. The two story lines (teaching how to act and the mystery story) don't fit together and contradict themselves. \"Witness for the prosecution\" (Billy Wilder again) is a good example for a film with an unexpected story twist that works. It's good to see Colin in so many scenes and I like his way of portraing the two different characters. What I really hate about the movie is the mental violence or should I say mental rape shown in the first part. It makes me feel sick and I don't think that it is a convincing method to teach acting. Some minor things which seem odd to me: 1. The Lois Lane syndrom: why doesn't Micheal recogize Jaime earlier? 2. Blindfolding: when Ross tells Jaime to kiss him she must know that he isn't there, she certainly can hear that his voice comes from a speaker. 3. Why does the barkeeper chooses such a difficult method to kill Ross? I'm astonished how much I have to say about a bad movie, it's like a grain of and in a mussel."}, {"response": 214, "author": "Megan", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 1997 (15:53)", "body": "Yapp-bin has a speech impediment: it stutters now and then and swallows letters. I only mention it to remind you to be careful with what you write about certain pieces of Regency swim suits, ....if you get my meaning?! ;-*)) LOL! Uh-oh! What's one to do then!? Count the lines? It seems to pick on the sixth line of each paragraph. I'll just watch out for that but if I know you, you'd make an attempt to put my beloved item or my name on the sixth line on purpose ;-.)"}, {"response": 215, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 1997 (17:48)", "body": "I'VE GOT TEP! Have to watch it now, come back later! :-))"}, {"response": 216, "author": "chey", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 1997 (17:49)", "body": "Renate, I am sorry but I can't remeber where I got the info about Michelle and Jessica selecting Colin, maybe I just assumed it since they were the producers and obviously had a huge say in who would be in the movie. I am just dying for Colin to do another \"Darcy like\" role. I don't care if it is type-casting...GIVE US A BREAK, COLIN!! DO ANOTHER LEADING MAN SEXY HISTORICAL COSTUME DRAMA! There, I got that out. Now back to P&P tapes."}, {"response": 217, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 1997 (19:20)", "body": "Test"}, {"response": 218, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 1997 (19:24)", "body": ""}, {"response": 219, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 1997 (23:18)", "body": "Wonderfully exhaustive - and exhausting - posts, ladies. I'm leaving in a few hours, can't stop. No, they're not size 13 (his shoes)! LOL! I know from looking at his soles... Any more guesses? (Renate, did you get die Mitteilung?) Will talk to you when I'm back. Two and a half weeks! I shall go distracted... Bye!"}, {"response": 220, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Sep 23, 1997 (23:56)", "body": "SHOE SIZE (Arami) No, they're not size 13 (his shoes)! LOL! I know from looking at his soles... Any more guesses? Have to check all his films mentally (or actually) to find out where you probably got it from.... (Renate, did you get ..........) No! I shall go distracted... Bye! Remember, there's something like Internet caf\ufffds....."}, {"response": 221, "author": "Marilyn", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 1997 (00:16)", "body": "RENATE'S MOVIE GAME First of all, I think Colin would have been great in \"Jack and Sarah\", Nan - good call! Richard E. Grant bothered me too much in \"Pret A Porter\" for me to like him in J&S - aha! a movie that's stinkier than Playmaker!! I would love to see Colin play a Daddy - I've not come close to seeing all his movies, but has he ever played one?? Anyway, Renate, this is a wonderful game...let's see...he's too handsome to play Rochester, but so was Timothy Dalton (sigh) and I would rather see him in this new \"Jane Eyre\" adaptation than Ciaran Hinds (although I think he's a wonderful actor - he doesn't make me drool). I really want to see him in a Darcy-like role, BUT with more passion! This is just my opinion, but he could do most any Cary Grant remake, like \"To Catch a Thief\" or \"An Affair to Remember\" - really any movie with love scenes and \"LOOKS\". Oh, I just remembered, it has to be an American movie - assuming he's not required to lose his adorable accent - how about \"Sleepless in Seattle\" (sort o \"An Affair to Remember\")? - I'm a sucker for that one - or \"Nine Months\", but he can't be as big a jerk as HG. I'll have to think on this some more... ANOTHER GAME?? Can we play another game in conjunction with Renate's?? I was mulling over leading man roles that Colin could play and there were some that were just too perfectly cast in the original (i.e., Kevin Costner in Bull Durham), but the actor in that role made you weak, faint, sigh...you get the picture. Anyway, the obvious one is Colin as Darcy, and (personally) Jeremy Northam as Knightley makes me pretty swoony - do y'all have any favorites??"}, {"response": 222, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 1997 (01:02)", "body": "MOVIE GAME (Nan) I've been thinking about this (snip) and I know I'll have all kinds of others popping up over time. I imagined it to be an easy game, but I have discovered myself that it is not .... I have to think really hard if I don't just refurniture my favourite movies. Romance: \"Sabrina\" was such a film I was not at all happy with. I think it could be much improved by the presence of the Firth brothers and Juliette Binoche. Western: In the Seventies there was a Sergio-Leone-Italo-Western - don't know it's Original title - with Klaus Kinski as the killer Loco and Jean Louis Trintignant as Silence, the quiet, tortured, mute anti-hero. Guess as whom I would like to see CF? GHOST (Nan) But my very first thought was the Patrick Swayze part in \"Ghost\"--think about all that anguish and tell me that Colin wouldn't have been perfect for that role. \"Ghost\" disappointed me. Too much special effects, not enough truth. Particularly the ending turned me down, when the ghosts - woooosshhh - come or go like in Indiana Jones. Have you ever seen A. Minghella's attempt at the same topic: 'Truly, Madly, Deeply'. Much less state of the art in terms of cinematography and special effects, but deeply human and with a lot of truth. It deals seriously with grief and loss, but is nevertheless very funny. One of my all-time-favourites. I would not want to see anyone o replace Alan Rickman as Jamie. He was perfect. (Though, come to think of it.... :-)) ) Also, there's a sweet little movie (but it's not American) called \"Jack & Sarah\" Agreed!"}, {"response": 223, "author": "Megan", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 1997 (17:21)", "body": "ATA (Nan): I think I didn't cry because I didn't feel at all close to these people so my compassion was limited. My sentiments exactly. But maybe it was better this way. Otherwise it could have been yucky. (Nan): Bottle of Bud dear, I looked real close-like ;-p BTW, he's also holding a plastic cup of beer in the first scene we see him (hereafter to be known as the \"back like Texas scene\") :-p There goes another side of his character then. Guess they couldn't make a deal with Coca Cola ;-) , hence Jess becomes a beer drinker. never mind the novel.... (Megan): ... back of his neck, slightly above the collar of his shirt, there seems to be another mole. Has this mole been discovered before? If not, I claim all rights to it! ;-.) (Nan): LOL! Starting soon, you are! ;-D I can't say that I noticed it (I was delighted just to see him at all) so I guess it's yours m'dear--first come, first served ya know? ;-.p It's settled then. That one is mine girls ;-.) BTW, how do you ladies get here? \"New\" does not seem to be working for me. Neither does 'since -7'...Although 'since -7' seems to be better than 'new' even though I see responses dated Sep 6, 7 etc..."}, {"response": 224, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 1997 (18:36)", "body": "BTW, how do you ladies get here? \"New\" does not seem to be working for me. Neither does 'since -7'...Although 'since -7' seems to be better than 'new' even though I see responses dated Sep 6, 7 etc... Generally I come in through new drool. If I'm in a rush I come \"through the back door\" as Renate says, meaning new Colin then I back up using the redisplay if I need to refer to anyone else's message. When you day the \"New\" isn't working--what do you mean? Here's a few places for you to try: New Drool New Colin New Keepsakes Hope this helps my little poochie-pie! ;-D"}, {"response": 225, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 1997 (18:39)", "body": "Oh another thing...obviously that New Colin wll do nothing but refresh the page you're on but I stuck it in anyway...;-.)"}, {"response": 226, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 1997 (20:32)", "body": "MOVIE GAME (#193) (Marilyn) .let's see...he's too handsome to play Rochester, but so was Timothy Dalton (sigh) Liked TD, too, but the bad mask where you see his eye move under the supposed-to-be-terrible-scar in the last scene turned me down! Physically I imagine Rochester much more like Ciaran Hinds than as TD or William Hurt, f.e. (who did a good job also, IMO). But I'm ready to switch to a lanky Rochester with brown chocolate eyes! In terms of looks I am convinced that CF would be much more fitting as the scruffy, torn, moody, darkly brooding, exccentric Rochester than TD, who has a completely other kind of good looks. What I mean: TD will ALWAYS look dashing, whatever he does, because of his features - he's the opposite of the unmade-bed. But Colin's attraction comes from an \"inner light\" (how pathetic of me!) which he can switch on and off, which is exactly the quality I imagine for Rochesters abrupt moods and strange behaviour. Though I don't want to see Colin as the old gypsy! \ufffdh! ..., but he could do most any Cary Grant remake......... I'm with you! What about 'Notorious'?! .... \"An Affair to Remember\" ..... \"Sleepless in Seattle\" Have you ever tried these both films as a Double Feature on your couch on a rainy Sunday afternoon? Highly recommend, but don't forget your handkerchief. :-)) Oooops, looks like I have violated my own rules in my last message with bringing in an obsure italo-western. ! I said, major American productions, and: describe Colin's attitude and looks as detailed as possible. I mean, DROOL! If we don't actually get to see him in big parts, at least we can imagine! SABRINA Linus: we - at least I - have not yet seen Colin as businessman. In a dark, very well cut 3-piece-suit, elegant shoes, his hair cut short, neatly combed, no hair out of place! - Bethan and Nan, I think you can contribute more to this picture! He is cold and unimpressed with women (Oh, well, we HAVE seen him do that before: Darcy!), but knows how to seduce a business partner into what he wants. That's his approach to the poor Sabrina. He uses his confidence and calculating charme to make her fall in love w th him. (Oh, that's Valmont!). But then he cannot help but gradually, reluctantly falling for her fine eyes :-) - imagine his glances when he takes her out to dinner, dances with her, and discovers he enjoys her company more than anything before in his life - and then faces the fact that he has to betray her trust - I think I have to get the Sabrina tape and then rearrange scene by scene in my mind...... :-)) WESTERN Two of my favourites have leads that are simply perfect, and should not be replaced, not even in our imagination. It's Costner in Dances with Wolves, and Eastwood in Unforgiven. MARILYN, it looks like your game is inseparable linked to 'mine', and you are absolutely right about Bull Durham! Have to think more about Western and Colin (strange, I know). \"Pale Rider\"? He would look good in every Woody Allan movie, don't you think? Well, I needed a little pleasing stuff after such a lot of Playmaker and ATA, but will return to it ... later. :-)) HOW TO GET HERE (Megan) BTW, how do you ladies get here? \"New\" does not seem to be working for me. Neither does 'since -7'...Although 'since -7' seems to be better than 'new' even though I see responses dated Sep 6, 7 etc... Do you come in through the drool menu or do you type in the URL? Fastest and most reliable way for me is to type in the URL (resp. it's bookmarked in my browser): http://www.spring.com/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/51/new then I go to \"Redisplay\" for the last so-and-so messages. You just have to keep in mind at what response # we are approximately. This way you can avoid unnecessary long loading times. Don't know if this answers your question?"}, {"response": 227, "author": "Megan", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 1997 (21:33)", "body": "Thanks Nan and Renate! Redisplay approach, I like the best so far... :-.) Why Renata, Re ate? ;-.))))))) Just a typo?"}, {"response": 228, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Sep 24, 1997 (22:33)", "body": "WHY? WHY AN \"A\"? WHY NOT AN \"E\"? Why Renata, Re ate? ;-.))))))) Just a typo? n, Mega, n! nnnnnn! ....About \"Renata\": No typo. It happened when I tried to register first time - Tom Yapp-bin did not accept my first attempt with \"Renate\" - so I had to try something else. It's the first time I have accepted a variation of my name - in fact I like it - it's Italian, you know ;-.))."}, {"response": 229, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Sep 25, 1997 (16:57)", "body": "Sorry...litte swamped that last few days ;-.) RENATE'S MOVIE GAME (Marilyn) I would love to see Colin play a Daddy - I've not come close to seeing all his movies, but has he ever played one?? I don't think so...Renate--how about you? This is just my opinion, but he could do most any Cary Grant remake, like \"To Catch a Thief\" or \"An Affair to Remember\" Of course!! Cary Grant works for me. Though I can't say I'd want to see him do anything but the very romantic ones like \"An Affair to Remember\". I can't see Colin in \"Bringing Up Baby\". :-p \"Sleepless in Seattle\" (sort of \"An Affair to Remember\")? - I'm a sucker for that one I'm strangely ambivalent about that movie: some days I like it, others it bores me. Dunno. SABRINA (Renate) \"Sabrina\" was such a film I was not at all happy with. I think it could be much improved by the presence of the Firth brothers and Juliette Binoche. Though I could see Colin in that movie, I've never seen his brother in anything so I can't form an opinion. But I liked \"Sabrina\", not in love with it though. I thought it was a nice, pleasant way to spend 2 hours. Also I'm a sucker for any movie with Edith Piaf songs on the soundtrack :-p I thought Julia Ormond was very likable (but I often confuse her with Juliette Binoche--so, funny you should mention her). (Renate) Linus: we - at least I - have not yet seen Colin as businessman. In a dark, very well cut 3-piece-suit, elegant shoes, his hair cut short, neatly combed, no hair out of place! - Bethan and Nan, I think you can contribute more to this picture! Aaaaah to see him so clean!! *sigh* Do I get to pick out his tie? ;-p He is cold and unimpressed with women (Oh, well, we HAVE seen him do that before: Darcy!), but knows how to seduce a business partner into what he wants. That's his approach to the poor Sabrina. He uses his confidence and calculating charme to make her fall in love with him. (Oh, that's Valmont!). But then he cannot help but gradually, reluctantly falling for her fine eyes :-) - imagine his glances when he takes her out to dinner, dances with her, and discovers he enjoys her company more than anything efore in his life - and then faces the fact that he has to betray her trust - I think I have to get the Sabrina tape and then rearrange scene by scene in my mind...... :-)) Ohh, Renate---that was good ! That just got me all excited. I have to get more descriptive in my next suggestion... In the Seventies there was a Sergio-Leone-Italo-Western I have a problem picturing Colin in a western..then again, I don't really like westerns very much so I haven't seen that many. Two of my favourites have leads that are simply perfect, and should not be replaced, not even in our imagination. It's Costner in Dances with Wolves, I know this is sacrilege, but I don't really love DWW. Don't get me wrong, I own it and all (because of the glorious bare-butted Kevin Costner), but I do think it's dreadfully long and I can't get past Mary McWhatever's hair...also she reminds me of my former sister-in-law :-p and Eastwood in Unforgiven. I can never argue with Eastwood...great movie too. (Renate) ooops, looks like I have violated my own rules in my last message with bringing in an obsure italo-western. ! I said, major American productions, American movies are hard to come up with. Since seeing ATA and concluding that he needs to keep his British accent, it considerably limits the parts he can play in American films...or at least the ones I could think of...;-p MARILYN, it looks like your game is inseparable linked to 'mine', and you are absolutely right about Bull Durham! Oh to have a man named \"Crash\"! LOL! WOODY ALLEN (Renate) He would look good in every Woody Allan movie, don't you think? Hmmm...that's interesting. What roles would you imagine him playing? I love a good Woody Allen movie. He's too young to play the Michael Caine role in \"Hannah\". And although I adore the movie, there are no flattering roles at all in \"Love and Death\". ;-) \"Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex\"--there's got to be a part for him in there somewhere!;-p GHOST (Renate) \"Ghost\" disappointed me. Too much special effects, not enough truth. I know what you mean, it's not one of my favorites. That could be because Demi Moore irritates me, but Whoopi Goldberg makes up for it ;-) Particularly the ending turned me down, when the ghosts - woooosshhh - come or go like in Indiana Jones. Ooooh I like that part. I love that supernatural, science fiction kinda ghostly stuff. Guilty pleasure of mine ;-p Have you ever seen A. Minghella's attempt at the same topic: 'Truly, Madly, Deeply'. Much less state of the art in terms of cinematography and special effects, but deeply human and with a lot of truth. It deals seriously with grief and loss, but is nevertheless very funny. One of my all-time-favourites. I have seen it and I loved it. But I think that, even though the subject matter is similar, the movies are very different and are purposely going in two different dir"}, {"response": 230, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Sep 25, 1997 (23:18)", "body": "RENATE'S MOVIE GAME / DADDY? (Marilyn) I would love to see Colin play a Daddy - I've not come close to seeing all his movies, but has he ever played one?? (Nan) I don't think so...Renate--how about you? Fever Pitch - he plays a man soon-to-become-a-daddy - very cute! - and, from all what I hear we will see him in 'World of Moss / My life so far' where he plays a father with rather exccentric habits. BTW, I tried to get the book on which it is based \"Son of Adam\" (by Sir Denis Forman (sp?))- they told me it's out of print since 1991 or so. No paperback yet. Has anybody else ever checked or ordered it? (Ok, I have not yet tried Amazon). SABRINA (Nan) I thought Julia Ormond was very likable (but I often confuse her with Juliette Binoche--so, funny you should mention her). Please don't mix them up anymore. Take a look. Much as I respect JO, JB plays in another league. I think of JB as the original and of JO as a copy - still fairly good, but no comparison. And in Sabrina JO had a VERY silly ennerving laugh. COLIN AS LINUS *sigh* Do I get to pick out his tie? ;-p His tie and whatever you want ;-.)=) (Nan) .... I have to get more descriptive in my next suggestion... Yes, please! Dances With Wolves ........and I can't get past Mary McWhatever's hair...also she reminds me of my former sister-in-law :-p Donnell. Mary McDonnell. I don't think either she was all that perfectly cast, but I liked her and her character very much, so it worked well for me. The whole film had such an \"honest\" feeling about it that I perhaps would even have accepted your sister-in-law as Stands-with-a-Fist. :-)) (Nan) American movies are hard to come up with. Since seeing ATA and concluding that he needs to keep his British accent, it considerably limits the parts he can play in American films...or at least the ones I could think of...;-p That is what makes this game interesting! WOODY ALLEN (Nan)\"Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex\"--there's got to be a part for him in there somewhere!;-p I cannot imagine him as a sperm or any other Woody Allen character, but since he is so good at playing tortured and/or neurotics there should be a heap of roles for him in WA films. ANOTHER GAME?? Oh, Robert Redford in \"The Way We Were\".. I'm afraid I will never understand what anybody can find in this film. Nan, are you a Barbra Steisand fan? I mean, with Funny Lady and so... Richard Chamberlain in \"The Thornbirds\" (priestly clothing and all). I confess: Many year ago I had a crush on Richard Chamberlain - still like him today. There was a TV Miniseries of \"Portrait of a Lady\" and he was the cousin whats-his-name. Does anyone remember - the series, not the name? BTW, in the novel the cousin was described as lanky, his limbs loosely put together... doesn't it remember you of someone? Or did anyone see the new version with Martin Donovan in that part? After all, MD is not only a vey good actor, but also a gifted director - for those who don't ha e the whole Colin encyclopedia in their head: he directed Apartement Zero."}, {"response": 231, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Sep 25, 1997 (23:59)", "body": "JO VS. JB (Renate)Please don't mix them up anymore. Take a look. Much as I respect JO, JB plays in another league. I think of JB as the original and of JO as a copy - still fairly good, but no comparison. Sorry, I should have been clearer--I was talking about visually (the have the same \"look\"), not comparing them as actresses. In fact I don't think I've seen enough of the work of either to comment with any accuracy. Dances With Wolves (Nan)........and I can't get past Mary McWhatever's hair...also she reminds me of my former sister-in-law :-p (Renate) Donnell. Mary McDonnell. I don't think either she was all that perfectly cast, I also thought she was too old (or looked to old) to play that part--or rather too old for Kevin :-) but I liked her and her character very much, so it worked well for me. The whole film had such an \"honest\" feeling about it that I perhaps would even have accepted your sister-in-law as Stands-with-a-Fist. :-)) Well, I don't know about that--she was quite flaky and insincere...again, she just looks like MM. WOODY ALLEN (Nan)\"Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex\"--there's got to be a part for him in there somewhere!;-p (Renate)I cannot imagine him as a sperm or any other Woody Allen character, No, me either. Actually I was thinking of the Gene Wilder part with \"Daisy\"...LOL!! ANOTHER GAME?? (Nan)Oh, Robert Redford in \"The Way We Were\".. I'm afraid I will never understand what anybody can find in this film. Nan, are you a Barbra Steisand fan? I mean, with Funny Lady and so... Not particularly, though I do think she was wonderful in \"Funny Girl\". It's Robert Redford that I like...;-p (Renate) I confess: Many year ago I had a crush on Richard Chamberlain - still like him today. There was a TV Miniseries of \"Portrait of a Lady\" and he was the cousin whats-his-name. Does anyone remember - the series, not the name? I don't remember that at all. And I just love Richard Chamberlain--he's getting better with age. BTW, in the novel the cousin was described as lanky, his limbs loosely put together... doesn't it remember you of someone? Aha! You've found another part for him Renate-- you should be his agent. :-0"}, {"response": 232, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Sat, Sep 27, 1997 (08:24)", "body": "Still here, but it's very difficult for me to get on the computer these days so whatever I say will have to be short! ATA Still have to stress how incredibly difficult it is for any British actor to break into mainstream Hollywood. At least he's in there with an A'list cast and looks good! RENATE's MOVIE GAME Any role as played by James Stewart or Henry Fonda (decent, caring, masculine), I'm a fan of old movies. Would also like to see him do a strong, contemporary, film,dealing with social, moral issues. And how about a stage revival of Pygmalion (not My Fair Lady) with Jennifer Ehle as Eliza! My guess is that he may do some theatre - he said he wanted to. TEP VIDEO Have loads to say on TEP, but not the time! Have studied Colin's role and as ever he does a lot with very little. Video playbacks have made me aware of lots of subtleties which you don't catch on screen - it's two roles in one - schoolboyish socialite and intelligence officer, Looks very robust and masculine in some shots - I like the first shots when he introduces himself and comments \"broken car\" etc. Have to say I have many reservations about the script - really overrated. The ending is trite and unconvincing. And I don't find blatant adultery \"romantic\" or particularly moving!"}, {"response": 233, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 1997 (00:00)", "body": "RENATE's MOVIE GAME (Nan) It's Robert Redford that I like...;-p Now you mention RR - I remember there was a RR/Demi Moore film about 2 years ago, where he paid a million dollar or so to spend a night with DM. Oh dear. Refurniture THIS film the right way, and it will improve TREMENDOUSLY. But I'm afraid the plot would not work at all, because no one would understand why Colin would have to pay for a love night, and anyway why with DM at all? To compare muscles? She does not even have a mole in the right place. You'd have to make it the other way around. Let's say ... Linda Fiorentino, or, still better, Kristin Scott-Thomas would play the milliardaire who meets Colin in a shop where he tries on a new t-shirt and jeans. When he smiles at her, she coughs up a million dollar .... That's what I call a credible script! (Nan) Aha! You've found another part for him Renate--you should be his agent. :-0 Well, that's a good idea! Believe me, he could have no better or more caring agent :-))!!!! First I would see for the remakes of: The 4 Musketeers (Athos, and the story told - for a change - from Athos pov) The Fisher King (both leading parts) Nine and a half week (with me) :-.)=)..... (Bethan) Any role as played by James Stewart or Henry Fonda (decent, caring, masculine), I'm a fan of old movies. Gary Cooper!!! (Bethan) Would also like to see him do a strong, contemporary film, dealing with social, moral issues. Good point. We've never seen him up to now in a movie like this - and it's no use to look for it in Hollywood. I'd love to see him opposite Helen Mirren or Robby Coltrane in Prime Suspect resp. Cracker. Wouldn't that be great? My guess is that he may do some theatre - he said he wanted to. How I wish you were right! Tell me it is so and I'm on the plane... TEP VIDEO And I don't find blatant adultery \"romantic\" or particularly moving! Except when with Colin ----- :-)) (Sorry, Bethan, there a situations where moral issues must come second)"}, {"response": 234, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 1997 (17:09)", "body": "Just checking in on my way out...I have a birthday party to attend for my godson. As soon as I get back I'll get to posting--I'm feeling quite drooly today :-)"}, {"response": 235, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 1997 (17:58)", "body": "drool alert!"}, {"response": 236, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 1997 (01:08)", "body": "ATA (Bethan) Still have to stress how incredibly difficult it is for any British actor to break into mainstream Hollywood. At least he's in there with an A'list cast and looks good! I guess we have to take what little we can get, but it is all the more frustrating because our desperately handsome man is so very talented. It's a shame that the glorious accent that attracts many of us to him is also the thing that hinders him. It doesn't help either that Colin appears to be drawn to quirky roles. Perhaps they are more interesting to play, but they apparently don't do much to further your career. RENATE's MOVIE GAME (Bethan) Any role as played by James Stewart Just love Jimmy Stewart. I've heard people say that Kevin Costner reminds them of JS (that sort of \"aw shucks\", small town humility) and I can see it too. I can't really picture Colin in any JS roles that I can think of only because JS is so...I don't know...American (for lack of a better word). What did you have in mind? And how about a stage revival of Pygmalion (not My Fair Lady) with Jennifer Ehle as Eliza! My guess is that he may do some theatre - he said he wanted to. If Colin did something on Broadway I'd probably lose my mind from being in the same room (however large and crowded). If we're going to wish, how about something really unlikely--a one man show! :-) Did you ever see Leonard Nimoy do that show about Theo Van Gogh? Or Patrick Stewart doing \"A Christmas Carol\"--it was amazing...and wonderfully fulfilling being a Patrick Stewart fan to have 3 hours of just him. Oh to imagine Colin alone on stage for that period of time with no other distractions...aaaaaaaah! -.D TEP VIDEO (Bethan) Have loads to say on TEP, but not the time! Have studied Colin's role and as ever he does a lot with very little. Video playbacks have made me aware of lots of subtleties which you don't catch on screen - it's two roles in one - schoolboyish socialite and intelligence officer, Looks very robust and masculine in some shots - I like the first shots when he introduces himself and comments \"broken car\" etc. I haven't had the time to rent it yet (bad Nnan!!) but I have every intention of doing the \"nuance\" search this week. BTW, I went back to Tower and checked on the price (Arami heard that it was $99.95, I heard $24.95) it seems that we are both right. At present it's \"priced for rent\"--which means $99.95 (in the US) because they're trying to make more millions from the rental market before releasing it at a reasonable price. I was told that eventually it will be \"priced to buy\" at $24.95 but that wo 't be for several months. BTW, for anyone who doesn't own Femme Fatale Amazon.com has it on sale for $6.99. RENATE'S MOVIE GAME (Nan) It's Robert Redford that I like...;-p (Renate) Now you mention RR - I remember there was a RR/Demi Moore film about 2 years ago, where he paid a million dollar or so to spend a night with DM. Oh dear. Refurniture THIS film the right way, and it will improve TREMENDOUSLY. LOL!! Tremendously is right! I couldn't understand the appeal of that movie myself. Even RR did nothing for me :-( But I'm afraid the plot would not work at all, because no one would understand why Colin would have to pay for a love night, Oooh, but he could make a wonderful tortured, jealous husband (the Woody Harrelson role)...yes, I think that would do very nicely indeedy! :-) and anyway why with DM at all? To compare muscles? She does not even have a mole in the right place. LOL! :-) No moles that I can see, but otherwuse she fits into the \"type\" I guess. You'd have to make it the other way around. Let's say ... Linda Fiorentino, or, still better, Kristin Scott-Thomas would play the milliardaire who meets Colin in a shop where he tries on a new t-shirt and jeans. ;-D I like the idea of Linda Fiorentino--she has a rawness that I find very attractive. She and Colin together could be a very, very um...intense thing :-) When he smiles at her, she coughs up a million dollar .... That's what I call a credible script! ...and a bargain too! ;-) (Nan) Aha! You've found another part for him Renate--you should be his agent. (Renate) Well, that's a good idea! Believe me, he could have no better or more caring agent :-))!!!! First I would see for the remakes of: The 4 Musketeers (Athos, and the story told - for a change - from Athos pov) What a great idea!! There are so many versions of this story--personally I happen to like the most recent, silly one (and little ashamed I am) ;-p But how wonderful would he look in one of those fabulous Musketeer outfits with the knee-high boots and a goatee. I just love a man with a goatee! So pirate-y abd naughty...YUM! ;-) The Fisher King (both leading parts) I never would have thought of that one. I haven't seen this one in years so I can't really remember much. Refresh me babe...;-p Nine and a half week (with me) :-.)=)..... LMAO!! You GO sister-friend--Break out the honey...Renate's comin'--LOL!! ;-D (Bethan) Any role as played by James St"}, {"response": 237, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 1997 (01:12)", "body": "$$$$$ LOL! I forgot about the chat font! Those little smiley faces are really supposed to be dollar signs!! Jokes on me...;-)"}, {"response": 238, "author": "Marilyn", "date": "Mon, Sep 29, 1997 (21:38)", "body": "TEP (Nan) I'm with you on this one Renate--all my moral scruples go out the window when thinking of Colin (not that I have all that many mind you ;-p) LOL! It's going to be interesting to see this movie now that I've \"discovered\" Colin - when I first saw it in the theaters I was dying to see KST leave her hubby (that Colin what's-his-name) for RF (I apparently have no scruples either!) - so this time around I'm probably going to despise RF for stealing her from our boy! My, how much I've changed since seeing a little thing called P&P! :-D Anyway, since I'm on a morally bankrupt roll, I would have paid for a romp with RR, especially if I had the misfortune to be married to that dim-bulb Woody Harrelson. I thought RR looked especially good, old, but good in that one. (Renate) You'd have to make it the other way around. Let's say ... Linda Fiorentino, or, still better, Kristin Scott-Thomas would play the milliardaire who meets Colin in a shop where he tries on a new t-shirt and jeans. When he smiles at her, she coughs up a million dollar .... That's what I call a credible script! LOL! You know it, Renate, now that's believable! I'd take out a loan - seeing him in jeans and T-shirt makes me pretty frisky! ;-) ATA I finally saw it and all I can say is BLAH. Like Nan said, there just isn't enough of Colin to redeem this movie. He's riveting when he's there, but I needed/wanted more romance - more of our lovely Colin - and WITH his normal speaking voice, which I know would have been impossibly out of character. He looked divine in his cuddle (post romp) with JL - really fetching without his shirt, all dimpled and smiling, I just needed MORE. And, I don't want to spoil anything here, but what was with those men the sisters married?? Ty in particular - he knows Ginny had a fling with Jess and yet it's business as usual. I guess I should read the book. RENATE'S GAME You all are playing so well! Okay, this is fantasy here - but I can see him as Robin Hood to my Maid Marian, Caesar to my Cleopatra, Romeo to my Juliet - LOL!! Or he can be the next Don Juan - don't you think he was born to play the greatest lover of them all?? ;-) Notorious, Somewhere in Time, Sabrina, The Way We Were, Funny Girl (loved Omar Sharif) - all great choices - he can do just about anything, but I prefer that he keep the accent, the unmade bed look, and stick to breeches or tights. LOL!"}, {"response": 239, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Tue, Sep 30, 1997 (12:57)", "body": "WHAT IS HE DOING NOW? I win the prize (awarded by me!)! He IS filming The Secret Laughter of Women in the South of France. It's a contemporary romantic drama about a writer who falls for a Nigerian widow, played by American actress Nia Long (who was in Boyz-in-the Hood, Made in America, Love Jones, Soul Food). AND IT'S NOT A CAMEO!I think we all agree that MORE COLIN is in order. his accent It's difficult for him really. English Home Counties accents just don't seem to fit into the Hollywood scheme of things. Scottish/Irish accents seem OK, but otherwise British actors (like Tim Roth, Garry Oldman) make it in LA by becoming American. (BTW what happened to Hugh Grant?!) QUIRKY ROLES (Nan) From my extensive reading on Colin (Mr Darcy would have approved!) I get the feeeling he's a bit ambivalent about acting - seems to have to justify it to himself and try something different all the time. When all he really has to do is go into handsome, masculine, slightly scruffy mode and stay there!!! TUMBLEDOWN Glad you're getting to see this, Nan. I'm saving it for a rainy day (first saw it absolutely ages ago). But I did come across the screenplay in a secondhand bookshop last week. Stirring read in its own right. BUT, lowering the tone CONSIDERABLY, what exactly does the Swedish girl Ingrid do to him under the coverlet when he's in hospital? (I can guess!)Don't remember that bit!!!! Squeezed in some time, but it's difficult! WHERE IS EVERYONE - thinking back to the days of the Keepership! Reinforcements needed? Or are we becoming TOO SERIOUS?!;-)"}, {"response": 240, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Sep 30, 1997 (16:44)", "body": "TEP (Marilyn) LOL! It's going to be interesting to see this movie now that I've \"discovered\" Colin - when I first saw it in the theaters I was dying to see KST leave her hubby (that Colin what's-his-name) for RF Tsk, tsk, tsk Marilyn ;-p But you have seen the error of your ways so I suppose we'll have to let you slide. Just between you and men--I thought RF was quite tempting myself (shhhh) ;-) Anyway, since I'm on a morally bankrupt roll, I would have paid for a romp with RR, especially if I had the misfortune to be married to that dim-bulb Woody Harrelson. I thought RR looked especially good, old, but good in that one. But not as good as he did in The Way We Were ;-) He ain't Colin, but he'll do in a pinch... ATA (Marilyn) I finally saw it and all I can say is BLAH. Like Nan said, there just isn't enough of Colin to redeem this movie. He's riveting when he's there, but I needed/wanted more romance At least that's what I was expecting (hoping?) But alas, they chose to go in the other direction...most disappointing! :-( And, I don't want to spoil anything here, but what was with those men the sisters married?? Ty in particular - he knows Ginny had a fling with Jess and yet it's business as usual. I guess I should read the book. Ty is definitely better in the book (as is Pete). Again, they just grazed over the men. Truthfully, I didn't love the book either, but that's just me being cranky I suppose. RENATE'S GAME Okay, this is fantasy here - but I can see him as Robin Hood to my Maid Marian, Caesar to my Cleopatra, Romeo to my Juliet - LOL!! Oh so that's what we're doing? He gets to star opposite me! In that case I shall reconsider my earlier \"Bull Durham\" statement --he can be Crash if I get to be Annie. Then again, I do so love KC in that role...Kevin or Colin--Kevin or Colin...who to choose? This is stressful ;-p WHAT IS HE DOING NOW? (Bethan) I win the prize (awarded by me!)! He IS filming The Secret Laughter of Women in the South of France. It's a contemporary romantic drama about a writer who falls for a Nigerian widow, played by American actress Nia Long (who was in Boyz-in-the Hood, Made in America, Love Jones, Soul Food). AND IT'S NOT A CAMEO!I think we all agree that MORE COLIN is in order. Now THAT'S promising :-.) Very good Bethan--I'm impressed! Did you find out anything about the eventual release date? And more importantly does anyone know if Nia Long has a mole? :-p HIS ACCENT It's difficult for him really. English Home Counties accents just don't seem to fit into the Hollywood scheme of things. Scottish/Irish accents seem OK, but otherwise British actors (like Tim Roth, Garry Oldman) make it in LA by becoming American. Yes which, of course, means that it loses all its charm. Hmmm.... (BTW what happened to Hugh Grant?!) \"Nine Months\" followed by the little incident in the car with that woman whose name I can never remember. ;-p QUIRKY ROLES From my extensive reading on Colin (Mr Darcy would have approved!) I get the feeeling he's a bit ambivalent about acting - seems to have to justify it to himself and try something different all the time. When all he really has to do is go into handsome, masculine, slightly scruffy mode and stay there!!! I don't get the impression that he's ambivalent about acting, just the fame that is caused by it. I always feel that his choice in roles is his way of holding back the fame. I'm sure there is some ego in there that finds the fame amusing, but I really believe that he doesn't seek it. The chances of his becoming very famous while doing the kind of \"quirky\" work he does, are not very great. TUMBLEDOWN what exactly does the Swedish girl Ingrid do to him under the coverlet when he's in hospital? (I can guess!)Don't remember that bit!!!! Oooh, I haven't gotten to that part yet!! Had a busy weekend. Let you know...;-O Squeezed in some time, but it's difficult! WHERE IS EVERYONE - thinking back to the days of the Keepership! Reinforcements needed? Or are we becoming TOO SERIOUS?!;-) I don't think there is a danger of us ever becoming too serious--I think the real world had hindered us the last week. It happens. ;-)"}, {"response": 241, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Oct  1, 1997 (16:29)", "body": "I've received several emails from people who want to participate in this splashy conversation but are having problems posting. For anyone who hasn't contacted me but are experiencing the same problem, I just wanted you to know that we're working on it and I'll keep you posted...sorry for the trouble :-("}, {"response": 242, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Oct  1, 1997 (22:01)", "body": "QUIRKY ROLES / FORGET MAINSTREAM HOLLYWOOD (Bethan) ..... and try something different all the time. When all he really has to do is go into handsome, masculine, slightly scruffy mode and stay there!!! All his impressive characters he got praise for were of the dramatic kind.... (Darcy included, though P&P2 was rather a comedy IMO) To have \"only\" ( 8-)) ) his looks without the drama is apparently not enough for his fans - see ATA. Even FP's Paul Ashworth has a dramatic side (but comedy, too!). I have my doubts if he would really fit into the - lets say: Tom Hanks mould. (Philadelphia? Sleepless?) Too British for American mainstream audience. I could imagine him in such a position as Harvey Keitel, f.e. who is definitely quirky, and has become - over the decades! - a kind of quiet superstar of the quirky movies. I can also see our dear boy in those independent off-beat productions as from Hal Hartley (Martin Donovan!), Jim Jarmusch, Alexander Rockwell etc.. TUMBLEDOWN Nan, have you watched it completely by now? I want your comments! And anybody else's, BTW. I'll watch it again myself, then. (Bethan) ...... I did come across the screenplay in a secondhand bookshop last week. Stirring read in its own right. Bethan, can you give me the exact title, author, editor and ISBN-no? I'm trying to track Robert Lawrence's original book down, or anything related. And would like to know where he is today, and what/how he is doing. BUT, lowering the tone CONSIDERABLY, what exactly does the Swedish girl Ingrid do to him under the coverlet when he's in hospital? (I can guess!) Don't remember that bit!!!! Sorry to disappoint. There was no Ingrid in the film .....but the film was in trouble, anyway, without any Ingrid performing performing any kind of personal service. (Nan) especially if I had the misfortune to be married to that dim-bulb Woody Harrelson. LOL!"}, {"response": 243, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 1997 (14:00)", "body": "TUMBLEDOWN Nan, are you so overwhelmed by the dashing Colin/Robert that you have gone speechless? Would like to have your opinion on him! (ok, ok, I know you are very busy - well, everyone needs a break now and then). DARCY DROOLING I have observed that in our neighbouring country Pemberley some nice CF drooling is going on... not only in VV and Ramble, but also on the serious P&PBB. Looks as if there is a new generation of Colin/Darcy fans. And I definitely got the impression that the drool-level is rising. Wouldn't be surprised if we get some new visitors soon... when the technical problems are solved.... I wonder if anyone of the lurkers here would welcome a special Darcy topic? Just to remind you of what I am speaking about (Courtesy of Pemberley Picture Gallery): http://www.pemberley.com/photos/firth/headshot.jpg (Will it work?)"}, {"response": 244, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 1997 (16:42)", "body": "Well, well, well.... looks like I have this place for myself, at last. All tactics, harharhar! Now, with everyone playing somewhere else, and no interruptions anymore by silly responses, I finally can start to write my memoirs here, undisturbed. (extended limb stretching) Ah, ja. How do I begin? Hm. Yes. Well..... It happened one ... No. Wrong. I always wanted to become a - or, no: - Way back when - too ...eh ...what's the word? Hm. HmmmmHmmm. I guess I'll get myself at first a cup of tea before I actually start to write the great epic novel about my life and loves...... BACK IN A MINUTE DO NOT DISTURB"}, {"response": 245, "author": "Marilyn", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 1997 (17:35)", "body": "(Renate) Now, with everyone playing somewhere else, and no interruptions anymore by silly responses, I finally can start to write my memoirs here, undisturbed. Oh, Renate, you are too funny!! :-) Not that I wanted to interrupt your memoirs (LOL!), but I wanted you all to know I haven't been playing elsewhere - this splashy place is my only playground these days - nope, I've been home (where I don't have access to my Firthlands friends) with sick children this week. So I'm here for a brief drool... RENATE'S GAME (Nan) He gets to star opposite me ! In that case I shall reconsider my earlier \"Bull Durham\" statement--he can be Crash if I get to be Annie. Then again, I do so love KC in that role...Kevin or Colin--Kevin or Colin...who to choose? This is stressful ;-p Dearest Nan, this is your fantasy - why choose? - I say get a bigger tub! :-D NEW COLIN TOPIC? Can I introduce a new topic?? I would like to know at what moment (scene, photo, look...) you were hooked by Mr. Sexy Pants? More description, the better - I want all the drooly details!! :-) HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE!"}, {"response": 246, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 1997 (20:52)", "body": "MY HOW HE'S AGED! (rather nicely of course!) I don't know if links work automatically, but check this out: http://members.aol.com/Dg1257/dutchgirls.html He must have been 24 but he looks all of 17! I love his sweet schoolboy look but am fascinated by how well he is ageing! The features are the same... what's the difference? RENATE's MOVIE GAME Hollywood are apparently thinking about a major movie on the life of Elizabeth the First, with Nicole Kidman as the redheaded Queen. Colin would make a superb Earl of Essex - the Queen's lover (historically unconsumated!) - tall, dashing, excellent horseman, ambitious, ruthless and ultimately sent to the gallows by the Queen, whose heart (in true Hollywood style) was broken forever!! BUT, I suppose the part will go to Tom Cruise, or Robert Downey Jr, or 'ugh Grant, or (by George, I've got it!) R. Fiennes. . I can dream though! Hollywood take note!"}, {"response": 247, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Oct  4, 1997 (21:29)", "body": "So, back from the tea bar. Not too crowdy here. Ok. Lets start. Here it comes: \"I CONFESS\" or \"My Life so Far\" A great novel in 19 or so chapters. It is a truth universally acknowledged that a woman possessed by an actor with a great talent must be in want of an internet connection. Once she has managed to figure out how search engines work there's nothing to stop her but a complete hard disc crash or a national power breakdown. Ever since ...- Hmmm. Scratch, scratch. Hmmmmmm. Sip. \"Where is everyone? No mail. No posting. Has a worldwide power breakdown taken place?\" Sip. \"Let's see. Where's the remote control? - Oh, migawd!!\" DO NOT DISTURB - BACK SOON. - - -"}, {"response": 248, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Oct  5, 1997 (18:07)", "body": "Okay ladies--Sorry, I've been terribly remiss in my posting the last week. I've been busy at work (blah blah blah) and I hate posting from home because the response box is so large that I have to scroll horizontally to read everything I've pasted and it makes me wild! Rant over. On to the important things... QUIRKY ROLES / FORGET MAINSTREAM HOLLYWOOD (Bethan) ..... and try something different all the time. When all he really has to do is go into handsome, masculine, slightly scruffy mode and stay there!!! (Renate) his looks without the drama is apparently not enough for his fans - see ATA. (snip) I have my doubts if he would really fit into the - lets say: Tom Hanks mould. (Philadelphia? Sleepless?) Funny you should mention Tom Hanks as I was considering Colin for those two roles while playing your game and finally came to the same conclusion that you did: Too British. Certainly there are exceptions to that rule but they were different types of roles (Cary Grant for instance). Then again, look at Mel Gibson. I first saw him in \"Tim\" maybe 15 years ago and while I thought he was stunning, I never would have believed that he would eventually fit so easily into the Hollywood mainstream. He is certainly o more talented than Colin, but perhaps his more classically handsome face had something to do with it ;-p Too British for American mainstream audience. I could imagine him in such a position as Harvey Keitel, f.e. who is definitely quirky, and has become - over the decades! - a kind of quiet superstar of the quirky movies. This is a good example of how an actor can thrive out of the mainstream. I'm always impressed by Harvey Keitel (though he does give me the creeps now and again, like Christopher Walken) and I can easily see Colin being an underground star. But I have to say that Keitel's choices seem to be a little better than our beloved's :-( See now if you were his agent I could rest easy ;-) TUMBLEDOWN (Renate) Nan, have you watched it completely by now? I want your comments! And anybody else's, BTW I'll watch it again myself, then. Are you so overwhelmed by the dashing Colin/Robert that you have gone speechless? Would like to have your opinion on him! (ok, ok, I know you are very busy - well, everyone needs a break now and then). LOL! Your enthusiasm is heartening my pal :-) I did finally watch the whole thing, though I did it in shifts which is perhaps, not the best way to watch a film. I also did a lot of rewinding because I was having a problem hearing some of the dialogue. This is not fault of the tape, just a common problem of mine when watching a movie where people have British or Irish accents--particularly when they are using slang. The fact that Colin is half paralyzed doesn't help either because he had to mumble. Anyway, my first impression is that Colin is justified in being proud of that performance. For sheer acting it's right up there with \"A Month in the Country\" Granted, material like that lends itself to drama but not any actor could have been so convincing. I was particularly impressed with the physical elements of the performance: the learning to walk part, the way one side of his face actually looks paralyzed (how did they do that?), the shaking from pain and frustration. Really good. I was surprised to ee \"Lady Catherine\" as his mother--hard to imagine she could be so nice ;-) They really got the feel of that time period right as well: the \"Human League\" t-shirt (geez, remember them?), that red and white scarf he wears in the bar (I still have one of those!) watching \"Can't Stop the Music\" on tv in the hospital (love those Village People!). I also liked the scenes where the camera was moving in such a way that it almost looks like news coverage. However, it's not an easy film to watch (especially for a olin fan) because poor fellow is in a lot of pain and it is a bit gory...but I guess it could hardly be otherwise considering the subject matter. It's painful to see him that way, which is just confirms that his performance really is very good. Here's my problem: I don't know if I like Robert Lawrence. Isn't that terrible? I felt more compassion thinking of CF in that situation than I did for the character. There is an arrogance about him (even before the war) that doesn't seem to fade even after he's gone through this terrible experience. Certainly there is something uplifting about a person being able to overcome that kind of injury (or at least learn to make the best of it)--it shows a strength of character and determination. But if I underst nd it right, the shot in the head didn't come in the middle of battle, but as he was gloating (or crazed from the battle itself, I'm not sure). This is another problem, solely with the film itself, not Colin: it's all flashbacks. You start at the end and keep flashing between the present, the past before the war, then the present, then after the injury, then during the battle, then the present again, etc. I found it hard to keep up. This is def"}, {"response": 249, "author": "Ann", "date": "Mon, Oct  6, 1997 (03:54)", "body": "(Bethan) ..... and try something different all the time. When all he really has to do is go into handsome, masculine, slightly scruffy mode and stay there!!! He doesn't want to become bored with doing the same role over and over again. I don't blame him; I wouldn't want to either. I sense that he doesn't have the best feel for scripts. Some actors can read a script and know that the movie will be great, others rely on their agents, and others punt. I think Colin is a bit in the last category. He seems to do a lot of mediocre movies. With all of the problems with ATA, it seems obvious that the script had major problems that he didn't see. Of course I also don't know what kind of parts he is being offered. I am looking forward to WOM. I think that should be interesting."}, {"response": 250, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Mon, Oct  6, 1997 (08:11)", "body": "Just to say I'm still here but having problems actually logging in and submitting. Very quickly.. TEP Was the Cliftom marriage supposed to be a fiction - I think it was in some respects. Katherine had obviously had several affairs before falling back on good old Geoffrey who loved her but must have been unable to satisfy her sexually - (like brother and sister). And that is the part that Colin played= good old Geoffrey, and played very well. But he obviously must have been unaware of the impact that Darcy was going to make or else he wouldn't have chosen to be a foil to RF who had all the best lines and a tion! (although his legs are thinner than Colin's!!) Or perhaps he have still have gone for the part - what do you think? I would say he's more conscious of the actor than the image. As to Colin punting for roles (ANN), I agree (I think), but I think it must be very difficult sometimes to know what will/will not be a success. ATA had all the right ingredients, including a good director. Will try to submit!!"}, {"response": 251, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Oct  6, 1997 (15:25)", "body": "TEP (Bethan) .... But he obviously must have been unaware of the impact that Darcy was going to make or else he wouldn't have chosen to be a foil to RF who had all the best lines and a tion! (although his legs are thinner than Colin's!!) Or perhaps he have still have gone for the part - what do you think? Don't get me wrong: I think RFdid a good job as Count All-mushy, in particular the injured one. But there is something about TEP that allways irritated me, kept me away from getting involved into the Almasy/Catherine love story, while I felt very strongly with the husband even when I had not yet discovered Colin at that time! I think now I can name it: RF is too young for this role, and has not the stature, both physically and spiritually for what I expect of this man the strong and beautiful Catherine fa ls for. I would have expected to be Count Almasy more mature. The early Count All-mushy behaves rather like a spoiled brat than a man with weighty and probably hurtful experience of life. I think I would rather have bought Sean Connery in this role. But CF would have been the very perfect cast: though just a few (2 years, 3 month) years elder than RF, he appears at least a decade more mature. And he has MUCH more of this dark, brooding quality, he suggests more physical strength and spiritual depth. What pity he did not get to play the Count. Had P&P happened a bit earlier, probably we would have seen another TEP..... (Just for your info: RF height: 5,11, CF: 6,1...)"}, {"response": 252, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Oct  6, 1997 (15:38)", "body": "RENATE'S GAME (potentially adult version) (Marilyn) Dearest Nan, this is your fantasy - why choose? - I say get a bigger tub! :-D (Nan) Brilliant idea Marilyn! Big tub, Kevin, Colin--what more could I ask? Well, maybe that big hockey player with whom I am so madly in lust ;-p Can you imagine? I would probably need constant mouth to mouth just to keep from fainting---hyperventilation does that to you...;-p Kevin, Colin AND still more? (me, Renate: shaking her head, with a worried look, seriously)... - you're in trouble, Nan, if these two are not enough in one tub. When this game continues in this direction do you mind if I remove my name from it? :-)) Might be bad for a serious career in another business than personal entertainment... :-)=)"}, {"response": 253, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Mon, Oct  6, 1997 (15:41)", "body": "Carrying on ...apologies for all the typos, but when done at speed...!! TUMBLEDOWN NAN and RENATE I think that Robert was supposed to be portrayed as arrogant, but perhaps that's what got him through his terrible ordeal. From what I recall, he married and went to live in South Africa - somewhere warm anyway. He continued to suffer a lot of pain as a result of his injuries, and a warmer climate (I sincerely hope) helped him. Colin said that they became friends during the filming. The ISBN of the screenplay is 0-14-011198-0 but it may well be out of print. I bought it in a secondhand bookshop (it's on some university literature syllabi now). HIS LEGS! (NAN) Wonderful big shoulders and teensy legs Oh Nan, you're too hard on him! I think he's filled out a bit since Tumbledown! Have a look at your favourite film again (yes, Playmaker!) - legs look OK there. His arms, I grant you, are rather slender - but I like them :-) Colin is just not famous enough for it (NAN) The role of Earl of Essex, that is... Aye, there's the rub. It's a bit of a Catch 22 really. To get the really good parts you've got to be famous, and it's the really good roles which boost fame. I actually don't think that choice of role can be all that easy for him - we don't really know what scripts he is offered. I still think (my favourite gripe!!!) that it's a shame (for him) that FP didn't make it to the States. Hopefully his next three roles should be lead roles so ther will be some more \"meat\"! B t I still see him as an actor, not a movie star. When he was being interviewed about FP back in April he was driving a 15-year old Nissan car - even older than mine! One of the (many) reasons I like him! Another snippet, on role choice, he was offered the lead role (the Jack Nicholson role) in a major US TV re-make of The Shining, but turned it down even though (I quote him) \"he could have done with the money\" because he didn't think he could match JN. Was that a good career decision? It must be awfully d fficult to decide sometimes. Don't envy him:-) Will submit again... Fingers crossed!"}, {"response": 254, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Mon, Oct  6, 1997 (15:54)", "body": "TEP Renate, I agree with you about Al-Mushy (love that!)'s relative youth and immaturity. He was much older in the book. Maybe that's why K went back to dependable Geoffrey when war was imminent. What did you think of the ending (in the desert)? Just didn't ring true for me."}, {"response": 255, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Oct  6, 1997 (15:56)", "body": "NAN'S MOVIE GAME (not to be confused with \"RENATE'S MOVIE GAME\" which is the more respectable and dignified, though less drooly, version of the two) ;-p (Nan) Brilliant idea Marilyn! Big tub, Kevin, Colin--what more could I ask? Well, maybe that big hockey player with whom I am so madly in lust ;-p Can you imagine? I would probably need constant mouth to mouth just to keep from fainting---hyperventilation does that to you...;-p (Renate) Kevin, Colin AND still more? (me, Renate: shaking her head, with a worried look, seriously)... - you're in trouble, Nan, if these two are not enough in one tub. Oh, but you don't know my big, beloved, brutish, bald hockey player...;-p In fact, I'd be quite content with just him...:-D When this game continues in this direction do you mind if I remove my name from it? :-)) Might be bad for a serious career in another business than personal entertainment... :-)=) LOL! We certainly wouldn't want to hinder your career dearest--well...okay. I'll take the blame (credit?) for the truly twisted games...;-p"}, {"response": 256, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Oct  6, 1997 (22:12)", "body": "QUIRKY ROLES / FORGET MAINSTREAM HOLLYWOOD (Nan) Then again, look at Mel Gibson. I first saw him in \"Tim\" maybe 15 years ago and while I thought he was stunning, I never would have believed that he would eventually fit so easily into the Hollywood mainstream. He is certainly o more talented than Colin, but perhaps his more classically handsome face had something to do with it ;-p Wasn't \"Tim\" adorable?!!! BTW, I don't think MG \"classically handsome\". If you look at his features - his face only comes to life with his eyes, but then-!. Without their expression he wouldn't look so dashing at all - the shape of his face or his mouth is nothing to get mad about (don't talk about his body here :-)) ). In respect to facial proportions IMO Colins features are much more classical (AND he has those dimples!) - but I agree with you that MG looks more mainstream handsome. And I think he's a g fted actor, but he seldom makes full use of his talent; a good director, too. But, the main reason why MG is so successful in Hollywood is IMO because he is determined - he went straight into that direction, full energy, even if it took quite some years to get into his mega-star position. (See what determination can do for you if you look at some of the present super-stars... talent and success are not necessarily in the right proportion) I'm always impressed by Harvey Keitel (though he does give me the creeps now and again, like Christopher Walken) Did you mention CW by accident, or did you know I am one of his biggest fans? For a long time he was rather alone on top of my personal list of \"World's Best Actors\", until you know who came along :-)) And in his case it is so, too, that he seems to make often choices not easy to understand. and I can easily see Colin being an underground star. But I have to say that Keitel's choices seem to be a little better than our beloved's :-( But then - we don't know what the options were to choose from. And Keitel has been around for a long time - and for many years not at all successful. RENATE'S MOVIE GAME (Nan) See now if you were his agent I could rest easy ;-) Slumber, dear maid! If I were his agent I would talk to Peter Weir next, Ridley Scott and Nora Ephron. It seems to be a bit quiet presently around Peter Weir. I used to like his movies very much. He has the talent to put together efficiently a great emotionally moving theme with a wonderful love story and male leads I particularly liked, and female leads I could identify with easily. Remember \"Witness\", Fearless, The Year of Living Dangerously, just to name a few. 'Green Card', a likeable story, could be improved by another cast. I was disappointed, thought GD and AMcC had no chemistry. But make it CF an ..... Juliette Binoche? :-)) Well that's THE idea - turn the Green Card story around... though I would not seriously recommend a remake of anything. I'd talk to Ridley Scott because all of his films turn out to be almost perfect. And Nora Ephron for her witty and romantic scripts. (Sleepless, Harry and Sally) TUMBLEDOWN (Nan)...... I also did a lot of rewinding because I was having a problem hearing some of the dialogue. This is not fault of the tape, just a common problem of mine when watching a movie where people have British or Irish accents--particularly when they are using slang. The fact that Colin is half paralyzed doesn't help either because he had to mumble. And I thought only I had this problem. I am relieved. :-)) I am determined to get the screenplay somehow. I was particularly impressed with the physical elements of the performance: the learning to walk part, the way one side of his face actually looks paralyzed (how did they do that?), the shaking from pain and frustration. Really good. And though he looked definitely paralyzed and injured I thought he was the most attractive victim of war in a film I ever saw.... I think I got the nurse-syndrome instantly. (Guess my middle name? :-)=) ) BTW, I think he had some help from the mask department. His left upper lid was \"immobilized\" with something. BTW, I really wanted to know more at the end. They don't tell you anything about what's happened to him or Hugh, whom I didn't like but wanted to know about just the same. It is not the worst reaction to a film of this kind of subject, to get curious. It has actually raised my interest for something I did not care about at all before, the Falkland war, the riot about the \"Tumbledown\" film, and what became of Robert Lawrence. BTW, I thought the actor (who?) who played Hugh has a very good voice. ...... there are quite a few drooly moments where Colin is looking most handsome ............ I really like the running scene--looking most yummy he is! Wouldn't it be great to get something more of this energetic Colin? I confess: after I had overcome the first shock with the subject of the film, so after the second or third viewing, I found it is a real Colin-drool-movie for me, and started rewinding for other purposes than just to under"}, {"response": 257, "author": "Marilyn", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 1997 (00:30)", "body": "BALDING BRUTES (Renate) Kevin, Colin AND still more? (me, Renate: shaking her head, with a worried look, seriously)... - you're in trouble, Nan, if these two are not enough in one tub. (Nan)Oh, but you don't know my big, beloved, brutish, bald hockey player...;-p In fact, I'd be quite content with just him...:-D Oh, but I know your beloved balding brute and I'd have no problem making room for him in my tub (she says very respectfully) - LOL!! ;-D TEP (Nan)Long as it is, I really enjoyed TEP (even without enough Colin). I can't believe I'm saying this, but I was once again rooting for RF getting the girl. He's not CF, but he is mighty attractive...something about the eyes I think. Yes, indeedy, Nan - the man IS attractive!! RF oozed sex appeal as Almasy - the eyes did it for me, too! - but when he touches Catherine's face for the first time, ooooh, I was a goner. I have to see it again to remember moments better, but I recall their dance being particularly seductive, as was their rub-a-dub-dubbing. I can remember the anguished look on Geoffrey's face - even then I felt he needed some comforting (yoohoo, over here Colin!). And, Renate, I agree with your opinion of JB - she's a go geous, talented actress. BTW, I read that the RF/JB version of Wuthering Heights will be available to rent Oct. 14! BACK TO MR. SEXY PANTS (Nan)Actually I liked him quite well when I saw Valmont, several years before P&P2. But I think the \"Darcy moment\" for me was \"On foot?\". Of course, I was thinking he was very lovely before that moment, but something about that little scene flipped me on: the small, dimpled smile of amusement, dark perfectly placed ringlets, eyes squinting from the sun, the little \"right this way madame\" gesture, long coat billowing in the wind and then...the walk...aaaaaah. Yes, that did it. Your turn...;-) Oh, that was good, my splashy friend. I was predisposed to falling for Darcy after hearing the raves in the Pond - but I wasn't prepared to fall to my knees!! I first saw the potential at the Meryton assembly after he'd insulted Lizzie - she walks by barely able to contain her laughter as he watches her with those melty eyes and eyebrows ever so slightly furrowed - only to look away ever so briefy - but he can't help but look again - oh, and at that moment I somehow managed to notice the whole package: the chin, the jawline, that perfect nose, the curly mass of hair, those sexy sideburns - add the voice, those LEGS, shoulders, neck, and voila! I have to admit to liking that \"On foot?\" scene quite a bit, Nan, and he's so brilliant during the Netherfield ball scene - so smug and lovely at the same time - I think that was what pushed me over, although I got the big nudge at the Meryton assembly just minutes before. ;-)"}, {"response": 258, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 1997 (09:52)", "body": "BALDING BRUTES (Renate) Kevin, Colin AND still more? (me, Renate: shaking her head, with a worried look, seriously)... - you're in trouble, Nan, if these two are not enough in one tub. (Nan)Oh, but you don't know my big, beloved, brutish, bald hockey player...;-p In fact, I'd be quite content with just him...:-D (Marilyn) Oh, but I know your beloved balding brute and I'd have no problem making room for him in my tub (she says very respectfully) - LOL!! ;-D please post picture! . Stop - very curious - preferably in tub - stop"}, {"response": 259, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 1997 (10:02)", "body": "TEP RF - the man oozed sex appeal (MARILYN) But CF would have been perfectly cast as Count A. He suggests more physical strength and spiritual depth. (RENATE) RF had every opportunity to ooze sex appeal - scenes in the tub,seductive dances etc! I must admit to a feeling of regret at times that Colin was scripted to play (and play very well, even to the way he sits down) the slightly buffoonish 1930's ex-public school boy type who probably couldn't satisfy his wife. Whilst Count A gazes soulfully at K, Geoffrey dances and sings silly songs, whilst Count A makes passionate love to K, Geoffrey plays Santa Claus. (Although I think there is great tenderness and sadn ss in this scene between husband and wife - the only chance for Colin's fine eyes to come into play, and surely he realises that she has been unfaithful at this point). And there are very few scenes where you can physically contrast CF/RF. CF is actually taller and more broad shouldered, and much stronger and more robust in build than RF, who has a very slight, skinny build. Geoffrey would dominate Count A physically but you never see this. There's a hint in the opening scene where Geoffrey pokes fun at the Count (\"broken car - not much good\") and looks at him quizically. This is how I would have liked to see Colin throughout!! And when they both walk towards the plane w en Geoffrey leaves for Cairo, you can see the physical contrast - but then the camera switches to Count A gazing at K, and re-engages sympathy for the K/Count A relationship. I suppose I really want to see Colin in roles in which he allows his masulinity to dominate (like a more mature Count A) and doesn't downplay it!! Brings us back to the question of going for the right roles. Although I would be interested to hear Colin's views..I don't get the impression he sees himself as romantic hero!! Shame!! BTW, why does K return to Geoffrey? Is it because she loves him,she feels remorse, she recognises that her relationship with Count A is against the social mores of the time, she just needed a sexual fling, war is imminent and Geoffrey is dependable and English??? And again why do our sympathies have to be directed always towards K/Count A and away from poor old Geoffrey(their love matters, is romantic, his isn't. You can see I don't really like the script!!:-) TUMBLEDOWN The screenplay by Charles Wood is an excellent read (only 50% is dialogue, the rest is background scene/ character setting). I've posted the ISBN earlier.Publisher is Penguin Books but could be out of print."}, {"response": 260, "author": "TessT", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 1997 (13:04)", "body": "test"}, {"response": 261, "author": "Stace", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 1997 (14:12)", "body": "This is actually Nan doing a rather bizarre test ;-p"}, {"response": 262, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 1997 (14:16)", "body": "It works!!! :-) Well, hot damn! Thanks Terry ;-) Okay all you lurking droolers--you can post now!"}, {"response": 263, "author": "Stacey", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 1997 (15:40)", "body": "I'm back! Now I know that all of you missed me so much but you'll have to control your excitement!!! I am going to try and finish my carriage horse naming contest and I desperately need all of your help! Please check the details on the keepsake board and post suggestions there if you have any! Your help will be greatly appreciated!! Thanks! Now I can finally start drooling again!!!"}, {"response": 264, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 1997 (17:23)", "body": "COLIN'S ROLE CHOICES (Ann) He doesn't want to become bored with doing the same role over and over again. I don't blame him; I wouldn't want to either. I sense that he doesn't have the best feel for scripts. Or a lousy agent. ;-) Doing many different types of roles would certainly be my goal too if I were an actor, so I understand his impulse. However, I think the way to get really good roles is to \"go mainstream\" if given the opportunity (even if it is a \"type\" you've already played) after which your choices could significantly increase. I read an interview with Kevin Costner once where he said that people were critical of his choice to do 2 baseball movies back to back (Bull Durham and Field of Dreams). hi answer was someting like \"why shouldn't I play two parts that I like just because the movies are about the same sport?\" It may not have seemed like a good idea to his agent, but look what those two movies did for his career. Some actors can read a script and know that the movie will be great, others rely on their agents, and others punt. I think Colin is a bit in the last category. He seems to do a lot of mediocre movies. Yes he does. We adore the man, but the movies are usually unsatisfying--for me anyway. I agree--I think he wings it a lot. (Bethan) As to Colin punting for roles (ANN), I agree (I think), but I think it must be very difficult sometimes to know what will/will not be a success. ATA had all the right ingredients, including a good director. This is true. If he had read the book (and I imagine the original script was similar--before they chopped his part to hell) he surely saw that Jess was a perfect part for him. Hmm... (Bethan) Another snippet, on role choice, he was offered the lead role (the Jack Nicholson role) in a major US TV re-make of The Shining, but turned it down even though (I quote him) \"he could have done with the money\" because he didn't think he could match JN. Was that a good career decision? I don't know--I think he's got a point there. It could be just an endearing bit of humility (or insecurity) but I really think Jack Nicholson was perfect for that role. He's so creepy to begin with and that movie is probably the scariest I've ever seen. There is something so frightening (to me anyway) about being trapped in that huge place in the dead of winter with a psycho husband chasing you with an ax. I think Colin was right about that decision. There are some roles that don't need to be redone. POSTING PROBLEMS? (Bethan) Just to say I'm still here but having problems actually logging in and submitting. You should be okay now--let me know if you're still having trouble. TEP (Renate) Don't get me wrong: I think RFdid a good job as Count All-mushy, in particular the injured one. But there is something about TEP that allways irritated me, kept me away from getting involved into the Almasy/Catherine love story, while I felt very strongly with the husband even when I had not yet discovered Colin at that time! That's it! Maybe that's why I didn't weep. I really didn't feel that this was a grand scale love story but more like lotsa good sex--LOL! I did feel badly for the husband because he seemed to be the only character really in love with anyone else. I think now I can name it: RF is too young for this role, He does have a rather youthful feeling about him, but it didn't really bother me. BTW, Sean Connery can do anything he wants as far as I'm concerned! ;-p What pity he did not get to play the Count. Had P&P happened a bit earlier, probably we would have seen another TEP..... Oh can you just imagine the beauty of that? You've got my mind going in all different directions... (Bethan) Renate, I agree with you about Al-Mushy (love that!)'s relative youth and immaturity. He was much older in the book. Maybe that's why K went back to dependable Geoffrey when war was imminent. What did you think of the ending (in the desert)? Just didn't ring true for me. BTW, Renate--I thought Count Al-Mushy was quite inspired ;-p I didn't read the book so maybe that's why I accept RF in that role. That whole ending part didn't really work for me either. I had my Kleenex all ready too ;-( I still liked the movie, but I would have enjoyed a big, juicy cry at the end...oh well. TUMBLEDOWN (Bethan) The ISBN of the screenplay is 0-14-011198-0 but it may well be out of print. I bought it in a secondhand bookshop (it's on some university literature syllabi now). It's not likely that I could find that, but thanks for whatever information you can pass along. I really am very curious to know more. I still feel like they left a lot unanswered. HIS LEGS! (Nan) Wonderful big shoulders and teensy legs (Bethan) Oh Nan, you're too hard on him! I think he's filled out a bit since Tumbledown! A very little bit ;-p You know why Darcy's thighs are so appealing? The clothes. Colin's body was made to wear those clothes: broad shoulders, narrow hips. breeches that show only thighs and then the boots (where's Margaret for this?"}, {"response": 265, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 1997 (17:45)", "body": "BALDING BRUTES (Renate) Kevin, Colin AND still more? (me, Renate: shaking her head, with a worried look, seriously)... - you're in trouble, Nan, if these two are not enough in one tub. (Nan)Oh, but you don't know my big, beloved, brutish, bald hockey player...;-p In fact, I'd be quite content with just him...:-D (Marilyn) Oh, but I know your beloved balding brute and I'd have no problem making room for him in my tub (she says very respectfully) - LOL!! ;-D (Renate) please post picture! . Stop - very curious - preferably in tub - stop Oh...okay Renate--for your edification then...but I want you to remember that he's MINE! I'll gladly share Colin with each and every one of you, but this one belongs to me ;-p This photo is, coincidentally, called \"The Look\": Doesn't he look like he'd eat you alive--wicked brute that he is...*sigh/grunt*"}, {"response": 266, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 1997 (17:52)", "body": "Okay...I clearly did something wrong. Here's the link... Messier"}, {"response": 267, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 1997 (19:24)", "body": "Before I go nuts, writing till my fingers fall off, this is a test."}, {"response": 268, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 1997 (19:51)", "body": "TUMBLEDOWN (nan) I never saw him before in a pair of jeans that did him justice (not even in ATA). I really like the running scene--looking most yummy he is! You even get a pretty bare butt shot--more flattering than the one in \"Advocate\". But I say again Renate--he's too thin LOL!! I can't help it--he's got these wonderful big shoulders and teensy legs--needs some pasta ;-p Thanks, Nan, for your persistence...I'm finally here. Now about that physique of his. Nice legs, nice butt...but he needs some upper body work. I've recently rented both the Advocate and Femme Fatale, which uncover a lot of his hidden talents, and I really do think he needs to enlist a personal trainer to build up that chest and those scrawny arms. I mean, pretty soon, he will get to a place in his career where he won't do any those types of scenes (like the big stars), so in the mean time, I want to ee him realize his potential. The frame is there, but there needs to be some muscle on those bones. Since you mention the jogging scene in ATA, I was ticked off. Since when would someone jog in Iowa's 90+ degree summer in long sweatpants. He should have been wearing thin nylon shorts. Much better. TEP I really disliked that movie, perhaps, because CF was playing a cuckholded husband. Totally unrealistic to me. RF reminds me of a lizard, those sharp angular types do nothing for me. Give me the cherubic any ol' day. BASIC DARCY DROOL Definitely had me hooked when he said \"on foot,\" and gave that wonderful little smirk. Since I've seen CF in a few roles so far, I must admit that he really needs to keep his hair dark. He looks too young when he goes au naturel. Thank goodness his hair was dyed for Jess. MOVIE GAME Anything in costume. That's why I'm glad that someone earlier suggested Robin Hood. It had occurred to me that CF would have been great (not that Kevin didn't look good--he always does). Now, my suggestion: I can see him in espionage/thriller types of movies. JKust recently, I've seen trailers at the movies for a new movie about the Jackal starring Bruce Willis (the Jackal) and Richard Gere (an IRA terrorest who helps the authorities). That got me to thinking about those types of movies, and I can CF as either of the two characters. I also go back to a TV movie of the Bourne Identity with Richard Chamberlain. While Jason Bourne was American, who would have cared if he were British!! All for now. Thanks again, Nan, I'll try to live up to the high standards all of you have set for his board ;-) Karen"}, {"response": 269, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 1997 (23:24)", "body": "NAN'S MOVIE GAME (Nan) (not to be confused with \"RENATE'S MOVIE GAME\" which is the more respectable and dignified, though less drooly, version of the two) ;-p I bet, your's is more - eh - satisfying? :-)) (Renate) When this game continues in this direction do you mind if I remove my name from it? :-)) Might be bad for a serious career in another business than personal entertainment... :-)=) (Nan) LOL! We certainly wouldn't want to hinder your career dearest--well...okay. I'll take the blame (credit?) for the truly twisted games...;-p \"You cannot do your job honestly, if you are having a career.\" Colin Firth (Probably badly paraphrased) Adieu, career, welcome twisted games! :-)=) TEP (Bethan) What did you think of the ending (in the desert)? Just didn't ring true for me. Now you say it .... I always wondered how beautiful and tidy Katherine looks in death after how many? days in a dark cave. I would look ten times as messy after only one afternoon in a tourist bus. All-mushy's timing of the last days is too unclear, it distracts a bit from the emotional issue. (Bethan) I must admit to a feeling of regret at times that Colin was scripted to play (and play very well, even to the way he sits down) the slightly buffoonish 1930's ex-public school boy type who probably couldn't satisfy his wife. Whose fault was this???!!! :-)) The more I think about the more I appreciate Colin's performance. The 'buffoonishness' and his clumsy costume, singing silly songs and playing Santa, and unflattering haircut (and hat), might have easily led to a somewhat ridiculous figure, but Colin gave him a quiet dignity (By the way, that is what all Colin characters have in common: dignity). With just a few scenes he suggests a depth none of the others in the desert story line has. The Tuscany characters seem to be deeper. Strange. Or not so strange. Come to think of it, these characters have each and everyone a history, the desert characters have not. Although I think there is great tenderness and sadness in this scene between husband and wife - Beautifully said. I think it is one of the strongest and most important moments of the film. I suppose I really want to see Colin in roles in which he allows his masculinity to dominate ......... and doesn't downplay it!! Oh, yes, please.... Hhhhmmmmmmm TEP is a case for fanfic! 'GEOFFREY'S STORY'! Anyone here who dares? (Oh, the time, dear, the time!) Whilst Count A gazes soulfully at K, Geoffrey dances and sings silly songs, whilst Count A makes passionate love to K, Geoffrey plays Santa Claus. Hey, if there are any guys lurking!!! Here's Auntie Renate speaking, and here you can learn a lot about women! :-)). It's ususally the quiet, cold, unapproachable, even unpolite or snobbish men that women dream of (Mr Darcy, Count Al-mushy, Rick Blayne, any Western hero), while the sociable, socially responsible, friendly, nice guys come second or never (no pun intended) (Charles Bingley, Geoffrey Clifton, Victor Lazlo - exception: Mr Knightley). What a pity. Silly women. What a waste. (What are we to do? My solution: keep both; Nan, I think you are on the right way. Probably we should create a kind of pr miscuity board here. When Arami returns and finds us here straying around in foreign tubs she will set us straight, you bet!) Can anyone here think of more examples (not of foreign tubs, silly!), or contradict me? TUMBLEDOWN SCREENPLAY (Bethan) The screenplay by Charles Wood is an excellent read (only 50% is dialogue, the rest is background scene/ character setting). I've posted the ISBN earlier.Publisher is Penguin Books but could be out of print. Bethan, do you know by accident the name(s) of the biggest London bookstore(s)? I tried to check out online, but was not yet successful. A name would be very helpful."}, {"response": 270, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 1997 (23:40)", "body": "BALDING BRUTES - THE MORE, THE MESSIER! ;-) (Renate) please post picture! . Stop - very curious - preferably in tub - stop (Nan) Oh...okay Renate--for your edification then...but I want you to remember that he's MINE! I'll gladly share Colin with each and every one of you, but this one belongs to me ;-p This photo is, coincidentally, called \"The Look\": Doesn't he look like he'd eat you alive--wicked brute that he is...*sigh/grunt* Okay...I clearly did something wrong. Here's the link... Messier ...- and I thought you like the tidy type - ? The linked page enfolded slowly ... seven, fourteen, twenty... thought at first which of these approximately 50 hunks does she refer to, or is it the whole team she longs for? And then came .....THE LOOK! .... LOL! Quite a difference, ladies. Nan, don't worry, but I think I will stick to Colin, or just in case I should long for the hard stuff I can still turn to Christopher Walken. ;-)) Thanks for sharing. Good to get to know each other. LOLOL! PS: Don't you like Willem Dafoe? He has quite a brutish chin, too. BTW, another interesting example how an actor bridges the gap between mainstream Hollywood and offbeat theater. The Wooster Group is definitely strange and experimental, but his Scorsese Jesus was a powerful screen performance. Saw recently a short interview with him, and he seems to be a very normall, honest, nice kind of person. HORSES, HORSES, HORSES, HORSES (Stacey) I'm back! .......... Now I can finally start drooling again!!! GOOD! WHEEEEHEEEHEEE! BBBRRRRHH! Snicker! TEP (Nan) I did feel badly for the husband because he seemed to be the only character really in love with anyone else. Good point. BTW, Sean Connery can do anything he wants as far as I'm concerned! ;-p Truth is truth. ... What about Colin in the Connery role in \"Marnie\"? Not possessive enough? (Renate)What pity he did not get to play the Count. Had P&P happened a bit earlier, probably we would have seen another TEP..... (Nan) Oh can you just imagine the beauty of that? You've got my mind going in all different directions... Could you please specify which directions you have in mind? Pleeease! More upward? Or rather down? OTHER ACTORS WE LIKE (Renate) Did you mention CW by accident, or did you know I am one of his biggest fans? For a long time he was rather alone on top of my personal list of \"World's Best Actors\", until you know who came along :-)) That was indeed an accident, I had no idea you were such a big Walken fan. Have you ever seen The Deer Hunter? Or Heaven's Gate? King of New York, Communion. The Comfort of Strangers? (Creepy!) He is - like Colin - intense and minimalist at the same time. And though he has never had THE breakthrough there can be no doubt that he is one of the most respected actors around. TUMBLEDOWN He was looking mighty pleasant even when they are showing the less than pretty right side of his head. I remember thinking (as he was laying on the hospital bed weeping and mumbling) that his lips looked much fuller than I thought they were. Geez, this is sick...;-D LOL! My sentiments exactly. Wonder all the time: there's something about his lips. I think it depends how much he allows his lips to relax, or puts them tightly together. And then there's the camera ankle: when the camera looks upward into his face his lips are ......ehemm..... *samoooch*. Remember one of the first shots in Tumbledown when he gets out of the car? so after the second or third viewing, I found it is a real Colin-drool-movie for me, and started rewinding for other purposes than just to understand the lines. :-)) Yes, me too. And I feel a little guilty about it ;-) That gets better with every viewing ... (probably the guilty feeling is the reason why I hope that the real Robert Lawrence is happy now. :-) )"}, {"response": 271, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 1997 (23:41)", "body": ""}, {"response": 272, "author": "Claudia", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 1997 (00:59)", "body": "This is my first time posting here. Was led here from RofP. Just discovered P&P2 (and CF) a month ago, so I've missed alot of good discussion. Had some questions: - What is TEP? - What is a Picard Manoever (after CF says, \"What?!\")? - What is a \"vest-thingie\"? - What does DTBT mean? Thanks."}, {"response": 273, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 1997 (04:23)", "body": "NAN'S MOVIE GAME (Nan) (not to be confused with \"RENATE'S MOVIE GAME\" which is the more respectable and dignified, though less drooly, version of the two) ;-p (Renate) I bet, your's is more - eh - satisfying? :-)) And exhausting dearest--just exhausting! ;-D (Renate) Adieu, career, welcome twisted games! :-)=) Hallelujah! She's seen the light...;-p TEP (Bethan) What did you think of the ending (in the desert)? Just didn't ring true for me. (Renate) Now you say it .... I always wondered how beautiful and tidy Katherine looks in death after how many? days in a dark cave. I would look ten times as messy after only one afternoon in a tourist bus. LOL! I was thinking the same thing--it was like a 50's sitcom; not a hair out of place, wearing lipstick...then again, I guess they couldn't make her look all \"Tales from the Darkside\" (does that translate Renate?) otherwise it could be quite ugly... (Bethan) I suppose I really want to see Colin in roles in which he allows his masculinity to dominate ......... and doesn't downplay it!! (Renate) Oh, yes, please.... Hhhhmmmmmmm Oooh, we're breaking out the testosterone! YAY! (Renate) Hey, if there are any guys lurking!!! Here's Auntie Renate speaking, and here you can learn a lot about women! :-)). :-D (Renate) while the sociable, socially responsible, friendly, nice guys come second or never (no pun intended) LOL!! I guess we feel the nice guys are boring. Men do the same thing--I've often found that they seem to be inexplicably attracted to the shall we say, snappy women of the world. (Charles Bingley, Geoffrey Clifton, Victor Lazlo - exception: Mr Knightley). What a pity. Silly women. What a waste. (What are we to do? My solution: keep both; Nan, I think you are on the right way. Probably we should create a kind of promiscuity board here. Works for me--where do I sign up? ;-p When Arami returns and finds us here straying around in foreign tubs she will set us straight, you bet!) Tis true...she will not be happy with us ;-) On the other hand she is a seasoned drooler and I'm sure appreciates men other than Colin--though I've never seen her mention it ;-o Besides, bringing in other droolees is always a good way to liven up the Colin droolfest--get to compare them and all. (Renate) BALDING BRUTES - THE MORE, THE MESSIER! ;-) ROTFLMAO!! :*-D (cryin' I'm laughing so hard). As you are well aware (being far more lingual than I), it is pronounced \"Mess-yay\", but you may refer to him as Mark, Mess or Moose as the mood strikes you. I prefer \"Mess\" myself...;-p Messier ...- and I thought you like the tidy type - ? Only the name is dirty (well that and his mouth;-p). Honey that's only the face--you gotta see the rest! ;-) (Renate) The linked page enfolded slowly ... seven, fourteen, twenty... Sorry I should have warned you that it was a slow one. However, I notice that the long wait did not curb your curiosity ;-p thought at first which of these approximately 50 hunks does she refer to, or is it the whole team she longs for? Well, now that you mention it...(I'm kidding, just kidding) ;-D And then came .....THE LOOK! .... LOL! Quite a difference, ladies. He's looks like the anti-Colin, don't you think? Nan, don't worry, but I think I will stick to Colin, or just in case I should long for the hard stuff I can still turn to Christopher Walken. ;-)) Thanks for sharing. Good to get to know each other. LOLOL! I somehow knew you'd have that reaction. Mess has that effect on women...either they are madly in lust (like myself) or they can't imagine what I see in him. No matter--that's my ideal, scars and all. Also, unlike Colin, I've actually seen him in person quite a few times--even walked past him on the street--I assure you, I know what I'm talking about. ;-)... ;-)... ;-)... See now, dear Marilyn got the hots for Mess the moment she saw that picture...win some, lose some :-p Tell you what, if I can have Mess I will relinquish all claims to the Master (inclusive of HIS INCROYABLE) in a New York minute ;-D Love the Master, but gotta have Mess ;-p PS: Don't you like Willem Dafoe? He has quite a brutish chin, too. Geez, you really have a thing for the quirky men don't you? LOL! I never really thought about him if you want to know the truth. OTHER ACTORS WE LIKE (Nan) BTW, Sean Connery can do anything he wants as far as I'm concerned! ;-p (Renate) Truth is truth. ... What about Colin in the Connery role in \"Marnie\"? Not possessive enough? I never saw it--I know...sacrilege. (Renate)What pity he did not get to play the Count. Had P&P happened a bit earlier, probably we would have seen another TEP..... (Nan) Oh can you just imagine the beauty of that? You've got my mind going in all different directions... (Renate) Could you please specify which directions you have in mind? Pleeease! More upward? Or rather down? South dear, always South ;-p I should rather like to see Colin as Almasy (not Almushy in this sequence or else that would defeat the purpose) in the scene in the kitchen--now THAT'S"}, {"response": 274, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 1997 (04:54)", "body": "TUMBLEDOWN (Nan) I never saw him before in a pair of jeans that did him justice (not even in ATA). I really like the running scene--looking most yummy he is! You even get a pretty bare butt shot--more flattering than the one in \"Advocate\". But I say again Renate--he's too thin LOL!! I can't help it--he's got these wonderful big shoulders and teensy legs--needs some pasta ;-p (Karen)I'm finally here. Glad you made it! Sorry for the trouble... Now about that physique of his. Nice legs, nice butt...but he needs some upper body work. I've recently rented both the Advocate and Femme Fatale, which uncover a lot of his hidden talents, Indeed they do...you chose 2 good ones for drooling. and I really do think he needs to enlist a personal trainer to build up that chest and those scrawny arms. I mean, pretty soon, he will get to a place in his career where he won't do any those types of scenes (like the big stars), so in the mean time, I want to see him realize his potential. The frame is there, but there needs to be some muscle on those bones. Well I certainly agree about the legs (as everyone knows by now ;-p) But I'm just fine with the rest of him. A few weeks ago Arami (who is away from her computer for a bit) said something like his body was \"endearingly imperfect\" and I liked that. There is something so accessible about someone so normal-looking. As we've been discussing this last week, I think Colin has no interest in either being a \"romantic hero\" or even very famous. He just wants to do good work. his choices are sometimes strange, but hat's another story. My point is that I can't picture his being \"buff\"...I'm just intimidated by men whose thighs are thinner than mine! ;-p Since you mention the jogging scene in ATA, I was ticked off. Since when would someone jog in Iowa's 90+ degree summer in long sweatpants. He should have been wearing thin nylon shorts. Much better. Oh please--you're too cruel!! Thin legs and all, if I had gotten to see him running in shorts I would not have left the theatre in such a testy mood. I too couldn't understand why they thought sweatpants were necessary--unless they thought his legs were too skinny too--LOL! TEP (Karen) I really disliked that movie, perhaps, because CF was playing a cuckholded husband. Totally unrealistic to me. Spoken like a true Colin fan ;-) BASIC DARCY DROOL (Karen)Definitely had me hooked when he said \"on foot,\" and gave that wonderful little smirk. So...I'm not the only one? ;-p Since I've seen CF in a few roles so far, I must admit that he really needs to keep his hair dark. He looks too young when he goes au naturel. Thank goodness his hair was dyed for Jess. I agree--I like his hair better dark too and Renate has a thing for his eyebrows ;-D I don't know if it's about youth or about his coloring (skin and eyes) are flattered by the darker hair. What I really think is important is the dark Darcy lashes (that were dyed to match his hair)--made those big chocolate pools (I love that Marilyn!) so very prominent. MOVIE GAME (Karen) Now, my suggestion: I can see him in espionage/thriller types of movies. Just recently, I've seen trailers at the movies for a new movie about the Jackal starring Bruce Willis (the Jackal) and Richard Gere (an IRA terrorest who helps the authorities). That got me to thinking about those types of movies, and I can CF as either of the two characters. Now that you mention it--I could picture him in a \"No Way Out\" kind of movie, I'm too big a Kevin Costner fan to suggest that he be replaced entirely ;-) How about \"The Net\"? (sorry Marilyn, don't mean to push aside Jeremy;-p) I also go back to a TV movie of the Bourne Identity with Richard Chamberlain. While Jason Bourne was American, who would have cared if he were British!! I've never seen that...and I love Richard Chamberlain... Thanks again, Nan, I'll try to live up to the high standards all of you have set for his board ;-) You can thank Terry--he did the work. I just whined like the frustrated female that I was (am?) ;-D"}, {"response": 275, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 1997 (05:09)", "body": "Thank Dave and Kaylene Thaler, Dave installed his newest release and fixed the permissions problem."}, {"response": 276, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 1997 (07:41)", "body": "Thanks Nan, Terry, Dave and Kaylene for solving all the problems!! Much appreciated. BTW, if I have difficulty in submitting, how do I let you know... By e-mail? (If so, where.) Or could I post somewhere in ROP (Ramble?) which I still check regularly. Too much to catch up with now - I WILL BE BACK!"}, {"response": 277, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 1997 (14:11)", "body": "Bethan~ Rather than posting a Spring problem at RoP, I would prefer if you emailed me at either nan@www.spring.com or nan@ntr.net the ladies at RoP have enough going on over there. ;-)"}, {"response": 278, "author": "Marilyn", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 1997 (19:31)", "body": "Welcome Karen, Claudia, and Stacey - so happy you've found our silly, drooly group! ;-) \"MESS\"... (Nan)Only the name is dirty (well that and his mouth;-p). Honey that's only the face--you gotta see the rest! ;-) LOL!!! Renate, see the \"rest\" - believe me, you won't look at this beautiful, balding beast the same way again. ;-).... (severe drool dribble) DARCY DROOL (Karen)Definitely had me hooked when he said \"on foot,\" and gave that wonderful little smirk. (Nan)So...I'm not the only one? ;-p Heavens, no, dearest!! In fact, I visited the smirk again last night - oooh, yessss - and the glances at Meryton and Lucas Lodge - Nan, he's got huge, melty Hershey bars for orbs, I tell ya!! :-D Speaking of smirks, here's a good one - back at Meryton (sigh) when Bingley is dancing with Jane, he looks over at Darcy with that goofy grin - you see the corners of Colin's lovely mouth curl ever so slightly as he shakes his head in amusement - then he prowls the dance floor, ahhhh, the walk...I haven't even come to the Netherfield ball yet and I'm jello. ;-) RENATE'S GAME (Nan)Now that you mention it--I could picture him in a \"No Way Out\" kind of movie, I'm too big a Kevin Costner fan to suggest that he be replaced entirely ;-) That limo scene is right up there with Crash's \"long, slow, deep, wet kisses that last three days\" (am I close?) in the \"oh, my\" category...;-) How about \"The Net\"? (sorry Marilyn, don't mean to push aside Jeremy;-p) That's okay, Nan, Colin can seduce with the best of 'em and it would be fun to see him smooch and snarl. So...can I be Sandra on that boat with both Colin and Jeremy?? I mean, since you're sharing your Olympic-sized-pool of a tub with Colin, Kevin, and Mess...?? :-D heeheehee!!!"}, {"response": 279, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 1997 (20:24)", "body": "Thanks Nan, Terry, Dave and Kaylene for solving all the problems!! Too all of you, my thanks as well!! BASIC DARCY DROOL (Nan) I don't know if it's about youth or about his coloring (skin and eyes) are flattered by the darker hair. I read somewhere that his looks were described as angelic or cherubic, whatever, but doesn't that bring to mind those two angels (Raphael's ???) that are on all manner of commercial items these days? When I watched \"Another Country\" and \"A Month in the Country,\" all I could see were those angel faces and how much CF resembled them (even though he tried to hide it with a moustache). Permanent dye for all future roles. Light-haired guys are rarely taken seriously, I give you Robert Redford as an example. TUMBLEDOWN (Nan)A few weeks ago Arami (who is away from her computer for a bit) said something like his body was \"endearingly imperfect\" Is that a reference to his moles and the \"connect the dots\" game you've all been drooling about?? Being a person with moles in many of the same spots as CF, the connect the dots game could have two participants!! Believe me, I'm no \"hunkist.\" I would rather cut my toe nails than go to an Arnold Schwartzenegger movie; however, a little definition wouldn't hurt. I like the long, lean look of his legs and behind. Reminds of long-distance runners. In FF, he picks his wife up out of the wheel chair. How did he do that with those stringy arms of his? Speaking of gross things, on my second viewing of FF, did you notice that in the opening sequence--the wedding--they put CF in a short-sleeved shirt!!! Can you imagine a man getting married with a short-sleeved shirt under his jacket. I looked diligently for cuffs, but they were no where to be found. What a turn off!! From the fashion-impaired Joseph Prince...to the impeccably dressed Darcy. (Nan)Colin has no interest in either being a \"romantic hero\" or even very famous. He just wants to do good work. his choices are sometimes strange, but hat's another story. Who cares what he wants!! I followed the discussion of how he appears to be taking the Harvey Keitel quirky role route. I tend to think that, especially in the past, after Valmont, he took roles for money...when he needed some, he would do something. I don't think this guy really has a roadmap for his life/career. Too bad! After reading all sorts of articles on FoF, I'm amazed at his naivete with taking the role of Darcy. One of the greatest male roles of all time, comparable to Rhett Butler in appe l IMHO. My point: we all see him as having greater potential than he does. I, for one, would not like to see him taking the HK route...unless it delivered a full frontal as in \"The Piano.\" (Nan)I'm just intimidated by men whose thighs are thinner than mine! ;-p Who isn't!!! (Renate)What about Colin in the Connery role in \"Marnie\"? Not possessive enough? Not possessive enough for who??? He can play possessive types, he was certainly possessive in FF. Oh I need to find tapes of his other parts (oops, I mean roles). I'm going through withdrawal...perhaps if I go looking for Mel around town, I'll get a fix. Oh where could those vans be today?"}, {"response": 280, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 1997 (13:17)", "body": ""}, {"response": 281, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 1997 (13:23)", "body": "What's that? I did not hit \"submit response\". Buzz of, Count Allmushy!"}, {"response": 282, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 1997 (13:33)", "body": "I've tried several times before to post this, here we go again: NAN'S MOVIE GAME (Nan) Hallelujah! She's seen the light...;-p A MAN! AMEN! TUB (Renate) Probably we should create a kind of promiscuity board here. (Nan) Works for me--where do I sign up? ;-p And the name for the new wet board: \"The Tub\". BALDING BRUTES - THE MORE, THE MESSIER! ;-) (Nan) Only the name is dirty (well that and his mouth;-p). Honey that's only the face--you gotta see the rest! ;-) I haven't seen the 'rest' yet, but I can imagine where you got the idea from that our dear boy's limbs are too thin. Why don't you compare him to RF, f.e.? ;-)) TUMBLEDOWN Really, they looked so much fuller than they normally do that I was wondering what happened to them. Have checked again: I suppose its mainly the camera angle and the light. And the fact that he allows his lower jaw to drop a bit now and then, lips half open - yummy! (Renate) Remember one of the first shots in Tumbledown when he gets out of the car? (Nan) No I don't. I have to check again. You mean I missed another good lip shot? Above mentioned \"sexy lower lip\" from a low camera angle. Nan, you asked about one line Robert Lawrence mumbled when he laid there injured. (don't find the right message, here are some people on this topic - I have two in particular in mind - who write these terribly long messages ..:-)=) ) Could it have been: \"The boys think I'm dead, the boys think I'm dead\"? Would make sense, because they left him lying there on the rock, exposed, while they had to duck and cover, and he thinks they will leave him there for dead. All this dirt and blood and noise - pretty realistic, but I feel drooly..... you are right - this is SICK! :-)) WELCOME From me, too, Claudia and Karen, and Stacey, welcome back. (Nan) Oh, but there's so much more to come! (stop it Renate!) Wot? Moi? I would never dare to suspend any pleasure..... ;-)) BASIC DARCY DROOL (Nan) I agree--I like his hair better dark too and Renate has a thing for his eyebrows ;-D I like them also when they are in 'invisible mode'! It's just that I like his varying looks, his diversity. It's so exiting what he will come up with next. Cannot wait for the first pictures of Secret Laughter of Women. \"MESS\" (Nan)Only the name is dirty (well that and his mouth;-p). Honey that's only the face--you gotta see the rest! ;-) (Marilyn) LOL!!! Renate, see the \"rest\" - believe me, you won't look at this beautiful, balding beast the same way again. ;-).... (severe drool dribble) (Before the two of you get completely carried away: much as I respect your Mess-ieur, Mesdames: just a little hint - here's the COLIN drool ) :-)) But then I don't really mind - leaves more space in the Darcy tub. \"Fitzwilliam, my soap just slipped! Is it here..? Got it! There is something - oh, no, a soap is it not, alas...\" DARCY DROOL (Marilyn) Speaking of smirks, here's a good one - back at Meryton (sigh) when Bingley is dancing with Jane, he looks over at Darcy with that goofy grin - you see the corners of Colin's lovely mouth curl ever so slightly as he shakes his head in amusement - Love that one, too! It shows that there is also a private, sweet Mr Darcy, for those who want to see it. RENATE'S GAME (Marilyn)....... \"long, slow, deep, wet kisses that last three days\" (am I close?) For your benefit I hope you are...:-)) THE TUB So...can I be Sandra on that boat with both Colin and Jeremy?? I mean, since you're sharing your Olympic-sized-pool of a tub with Colin, Kevin, and Mess...?? :-D heeheehee!!! And me in a tub with Colin, Christopher, Willem, Alan, Antonio, Jeff, Sean, Harvey, Kenneth, Harrison, Ray, Jon, Jeremy, Kevin, Ciaran, Jonathan, and - - - the Greater London *and* the L.A. telephone directories.... The marketing people for bath tubs will have to review their construction and sales concepts, if this trend spreads. DUMB BLONDES? (former BASIC DARCY DROOL) (Karen) I read somewhere that his looks were described as angelic or cherubic, whatever, but doesn't that bring to mind those two angels (Raphael's ???) that are on all manner of commercial items these days? Nothing to tempt me . I've known these cherubs for many years now, but they never made me drool.... :-)) There must be something more to CF. (Karen) Permanent dye for all future roles. ... Light-haired guys are rarely taken seriously, I give you Robert Redford as an example. ???????! ??????? Why do you think that RR - of all actors and directors - has difficulties to be taken seriously, in life or in his roles? CAREER AND FAME (Nan)Colin has no interest in either being a \"romantic hero\" or even very famous. He just wants to do good work. his choices are sometimes strange, but that's another story. Who cares what he wants!! Wot! I call that selfish! Is that love?! I followed the discussion of how he appears to be taking the Harvey Keitel quirky role route. I tend to think that, especially in the past, after Valmont, he took roles for money...when he needed some, he would do something. He "}, {"response": 283, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 1997 (15:07)", "body": "DON'T THINK THIS GUY HAS A ROAD MAP FOR HIS CAREER I think he has - it's just that sometimes he falls in love and disappears to the wilds of Canada or Rome, when maybe (only maybe!)he should be hanging around in agents offices in LA!:-) And don't forget he's a very accomplished stage actor - He's always got an alternative road! AND, I've said this before, but sometimes I think we overestimate his choices. Someone asked him in an interview what happened to his career after Valmont and he replied (smiling!) \"F*ck all happened!\" Ditto, post Darcy, he said th t work actually (incredibly!!) petered out for him for a while. NOT WEARING NYLON SHORTS IN ATA! Some compensation - in WOM he apparently dives into an icy lake and presumably will be wearing a 1930's type bathing suit, knitted jersey wool, rather clingy, guaranteed (shall we say) to distinguish the men from the boys! But my bet is that we'll only get a rear view followed by a waist high shot of him emerging (as in P&P). But I'm only guessing! :-)BTW in P&P Andrew Davies' script has Darcy diving in naked, but Colin apparently said \"no\"! The fully clothed dive was his idea - very spontaneous but infin tely less revealing. But then we got the wet look! HIS LEGS,ARMS etc Oh, too, too critical!! He's got the build of an endurance athlete (distance runner, soccer player)- no surplus flesh! I've posted on this before (it's worth repeating!) but I've got a friend who saw Colin perform on stage in the lead role in Chatsky (about a Russian intellectual returning home) three to four years ago (and she was sitting very near the stage) She said that he looks very powerfully built on stage (some actors look puny in the flesh) and has a strong physical presence. Plus, he's got a m rvellous deep voice voice, is an excellent actor and he's v. v. handsome. Definitely worth repeating!!!! So there's my claim to fame.. I know someone who has sat within 10 yards of CF for two hours (and wasn't disappointed!!) TUMBLEDOWN Renate, you got the words right! To try for a copy of the screenplay you could email the Ann Day Booksearch (Address: Mary Meadow Cottage, Farnborough Hill, Farnborough, Hants GU14 8AT U.K. Email 101550.1723@compuserve.com) HIS Middle NAME May be able to shed some light on this, says she tantalisingly, but only if Arami gives on his shoe size! (Fair exchange:-)So we'll all have to WAIT!!"}, {"response": 284, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 1997 (16:27)", "body": "DARCY DROOL (Marilyn) I visited the smirk again last night - oooh, yessss - and the glances at Meryton and Lucas Lodge - Nan, he's got huge, melty Hershey bars for orbs, I tell ya!! :-D LOL! More chocolate comparisons ;-) Speaking of smirks, here's a good one - back at Meryton (sigh) when Bingley is dancing with Jane, he looks over at Darcy with that goofy grin - you see the corners of Colin's lovely mouth curl ever so slightly as he shakes his head in amusement - then he prowls the dance floor, ahhhh, the walk...I haven't even come to the Netherfield ball yet and I'm jello. ;-) I haven't watched P&P2 in so long that I'm getting antsy for it...I think I'll take a break from the usual stuff tonight and watch tape 1 of P&P2. The only problem is that it's like potato chips...one is not enough--I always say \"just one more\" and before I know it, it's 5 hours later... RENATE'S GAME (Nan) Now that you mention it--I could picture him in a \"No Way Out\" kind of movie, I'm too big a Kevin Costner fan to suggest that he be replaced entirely ;-) (Marilyn) That limo scene is right up there with Crash's \"long, slow, deep, wet kisses that last three days\" (am I close?) in the \"oh, my\" category...;-) \"Oh my\" is right! And yes, you were very close m'dear (left out only \"soft\" between deep and wet) ;-p So...can I be Sandra on that boat with both Colin and Jeremy?? I mean, since you're sharing your Olympic-sized-pool of a tub with Colin, Kevin, and Mess...?? :-D heeheehee!!! But of course pal, know yourself out ;-D BASIC DARCY DROOL (Karen) I read somewhere that his looks were described as angelic or cherubic, Yeah I remember that too--I think it was here actually ;-) When I watched \"Another Country\" and \"A Month in the Country,\" all I could see were those angel faces and how much CF resembled them (even though he tried to hide it with a moustache). He does have quite the innocent, boyish face in those--in \"Dutch Girls\" too. So sweet. I much prefer the older Colin...yummy masculine thing that he is. Permanent dye for all future roles. Light-haired guys are rarely taken seriously, I give you Robert Redford as an example. Yep, Colin looks better with the dark hair IMO. But I happen to be very fond of Robert Redford, for many reasons. The fact that he's blond doesn't bother me in the least. In fact, blonds used to be my type ;-) CONNECT THE DOTS (PART II) (Karen) Is that a reference to his moles and the \"connect the dots\" game you've all been drooling about?? Being a person with moles in many of the same spots as CF, the connect the dots game could have two participants!! It is indeed a reference to that conversation--and a fun one it was. But I liked Renate's version better--where the dots on two bodies have to meet. Sounds like you're perfect for that one Karen ;-p Believe me, I'm no \"hunkist.\" I would rather cut my toe nails than go to an Arnold Schwartzenegger movie; LOL!! I love Arnold--but not for drooling...I would like to just stand next to him and see if he's real, that's all. ;-) however, a little definition wouldn't hurt. It wouldn't hurt any of us. Since I am constitutionally opposed to the whole fitness craze I have no right to tell him to work on his six pack, when I refuse to myself...;-D I like the long, lean look of his legs and behind. Reminds of long-distance runners. In FF, he picks his wife up out of the wheel chair. How did he do that with those stringy arms of his? I never thought of that! Actually I'd never really thought about his arms. I guess that I concentrate on the legs because we seem to see them more often. (Nan)Colin has no interest in either being a \"romantic hero\" or even very famous. He just wants to do good work. (Karen) Who cares what he wants!! Well...I do. Regardless of the fact that we all break him down into little parts (like the legs) and talk about him as if he was an object of art, I always remember that he is a person with a right to choose his weird roles. Even if I don't approve of them I will always defend his right to make them. I followed the discussion of how he appears to be taking the Harvey Keitel quirky role route. I tend to think that, especially in the past, after Valmont, he took roles for money...when he needed some, he would do something He did mention somewhere (I think Bethan knows the whole quote) that he did the hideous \"Playmaker\" because he needed the money and was \"desperate\" to spend time with his young son (who lives in LA). Gotta pay the rent ya know... My point: we all see him as having greater potential than he does. I, for one, would not like to see him taking the HK route...unless it delivered a full frontal as in \"The Piano.\" LOL!! How often do you see that? Anyway, I'm sure he realizes what he can do--especially after his definitive Darcy. But he always strikes me as a very laid back sort, not overly ambitious or driven until he has to be...quite like myself come to think of it. We, as fans, see what we want to see--his Darcy was so perfect and he can d"}, {"response": 285, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 1997 (16:51)", "body": "POSTING PROBLEM (Renate) I've tried several times before to post this, here we go again: I've had some problems myself last night and this morning. Fortunately, it appears to be only the common server thing (whew!) NAN'S MOVIE GAME (Nan) Hallelujah! She's seen the light...;-p (Renate) A MAN! AMEN! Sometimes you really kill me Renate! PMP!!! ;-D TUB (Renate) Probably we should create a kind of promiscuity board here. (Nan) Works for me--where do I sign up? ;-p (Renate) And the name for the new wet board: \"The Tub\". Perfect--as always...I'm gonna use that one ;-) BALDING BRUTES - THE MORE, THE MESSIER! ;-) (Renate) I haven't seen the 'rest' yet, but I can imagine where you got the idea from that our dear boy's limbs are too thin. Why don't you compare him to RF, f.e.? ;-)) 'Cause I don't have the hots for RF ;-p TUMBLEDOWN (Renate) Nan, you asked about one line Robert Lawrence mumbled when he laid there injured. (don't find the right message, here are some people on this topic - I have two in particular in mind - who write these terribly long messages ..:-)=) ) Waaa, waaa, waaa--okay I'll cut them down to more digestable chunks if it makes you happy. Don't worry old friend, I often think they are too long myself--it's just easier for me to do it all at once... Could it have been: \"The boys think I'm dead, the boys think I'm dead\"? That's the one! Couldn't figure that out for the life of me. I had the same problem with about 30% of the dialogue. \"MESS\" (Nan) you gotta see the rest! ;-) (Marilyn) (severe drool dribble) (Renate) Before the two of you get completely carried away: much as I respect your Mess-ieur, Mesdames: just a little hint - here's the COLIN drool) :-)) Well I'd give him is own topic, but I think only me and Marilyn would be in there slipping on the floor wet from drool. Also, I don't really want to encourage too much feminine adoration of my guy because he's MINE!! And you thought Megan was bad with the WET SHIRT-LOL! You ain't seen nothin' yet. ;-) But then I don't really mind - leaves more space in the Darcy tub. \"Fitzwilliam, my soap just slipped! Is it here..? Got it! There is something - oh, no, a soap is it not, alas...\" LOL! ;-D THE TUB (Marilyn) So...can I be Sandra on that boat with both Colin and Jeremy?? I mean, since you're sharing your Olympic-sized-pool of a tub with Colin, Kevin, and Mess...?? :-D heeheehee!!! (Renate) And me in a tub with Colin, Christopher, Willem, Alan, Antonio, Jeff, Sean, Harvey, Kenneth, Harrison, Ray, Jon, Jeremy, Kevin, Ciaran, Jonathan, and - - - the Greater London *and* the L.A. telephone directories.... Now THAT'S the spirit Renate! Go to it sister. You can have all of the above (even Colin and Kevin) as long as I get the brute ;-p"}, {"response": 286, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 1997 (18:08)", "body": "DARCY DROOL (Marilyn) Speaking of smirks,...when Bingley is dancing with Jane, he looks over at Darcy with that goofy grin - you see the corners of Colin's lovely mouth curl ever so slightly as he shakes his head in amusement - then he prowls the dance floor, ahhhh Boy, oh boy, do I know what you mean. I saw that scene for the first time during the A&E classroom showing. Loved it. What that man can do with his face!! RENATE'S GAME (Marilyn)....... \"long, slow, deep, wet kisses that last three days\" I don't know about you guy, but I wouldn't mind having some breakfast cereal with Kevin after he paints my toenails, if you know what I mean ;-) I can't believe this--I've only posted twice and in both I've referred to toenails, can't help this one, but I promise no more. DUMB BLONDES? (former BASIC DARCY DROOL) (Renate) Nothing to tempt me. I've known these cherubs for many years now, but they never made me drool.... :-)) There must be something more to CF. I totally agree, that's why he's sooooo much more droolable with darker hair. Perhaps, subconsciously, we picture him as a little more devilish than his cherubic face would connote. Dark-haired guys seem to have more mystery to them...now that I've made some ridiculous generalizations...I'll go on to explain my Redford comments!!!! (Renate) ???????! ??????? Why do you think that RR - of all actors and directors - has difficulties to be taken seriously, in life or in his roles? Don't get me wrong, I have drooled over RR for many years. However, for most of his career, he was typically cast as the pretty boy and he tried and tried to pick roles that would be a significant departure from what was usually offered. The only director to truely appreciate him is Sidney Pollack. After Redford gained famed and fortune (Butch Cassidy), he was able to exploit other abilities on acting, directing and social causes. I have lots of RR films on tape at home...from \"Barefoot in the Park\" here he displays his great comedic timing to \"Out of Africa,\" where you can't get more droolable (except, perhaps, \"The Way We Were\") and was underated for his performance. Oh, how I would've loved RR to take a grimy handkerchief out of his pocket and dab at my lips :-) BTW, he too has a small butt and lean legs, maybe that's what's so attractive.... CAREER AND FAME (Renate) He's back on track. The Harvey Keitel route, hopefully, and not the Albert Finney route (we wouldn't get to see much of him). Do you really see him mainstream Hollywood? No, not mainstream Hollywood...probably, more like a Kenneth Branagh. Since my viewiing of him in contemporary pieces is pretty limited, I've kind of gotten used to him in period, costumey roles. Especially, those costumey roles where he loses the costume, period!! (Renate) In which position would you like to see him? (Nan! Don't say it! Or, no, please do!) OOOOOOOOOOOhhhhhhh!! Are we going to vote on this???? (Renate) Don't you know those famous quotes: \"You can't do each job honestly if you are having a career\" and \"You have to be deranged if you want to be famous.\" CF. No, sorry. Never read those famous CF quotes. But they sound very typical of most actors before they hit it big. Granted, fame and derangement are closely linked; however, most actors would agree that the more famous actor gets the better role!!! Didn't I read some supposition here about CF getting RF's role in TEP had P&P aired a little earlier--when the casting was being done and Darcy Mania had taken over England. ;-) (Renate) How would you define his actual potential? And potential as what? As an actor? As a star? In the US, or in the rest of the world? Oh my!!! This is getting way too deep. All I want to do is see him in good roles, either as a \"Seducer\" or \"Conqueror\" makes no difference to me. If he's a good actor, he should be able to do both creditably. So far, I would agree, he has been playing the seducer (except in the Advocate, where he was the one being seduced!!). I think he just needs a good Miramax film under his belt and then the better offers would roll in. ATA A 1000 ACRES (Renate) What about a bit of a nice little drool on Jess? Yes, I saw it. Went the very first day it was out. I wanted to see it before I read the reviews in the paper, before Siskel and Ebert panned it, etc. I wanted to form my own opinion. I think Nan did an excellent job when she reviewed it several weeks ago. At that time, I was dying because I couldn't throw in my two cents. But, let's see...what was droolable...ah yes!!! I've got it. I loved the part where Jess runs his hand across JL's back in the kitchen. There is positively the same electricity that you can feel when Darcy and Elizabeth's hands meet (in close up) at the Netherfield Ball. In the book, here were a couple of other such gestures that didn't make it to the film (most notably, the ass pat at the freezer)--too bad, would have made the attraction between Jess and Rose more believable. Oh yes, what was it? The \"back as big as Texas\""}, {"response": 287, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 1997 (22:43)", "body": "CAREER AND FAME (Renate) In which position would you like to see him? (Nan! Don't say it! Or, no, please do!) Geez, I don't know how I missed this one before...tsk, tsk, tsk (must be slipping...) But to answer your question dear Renate of the Looking Glass, I should be quite content if he just picked something comfortable...he doesn't even have to pay attention to me if doesn't want to ;-p COLIN TALKIN' DIRTY (Bethan) Someone asked him in an interview what happened to his career after Valmont and he replied (smiling!) \"F*ck all happened!\" I just love those British expressions...the all part is not common here ;-) NOT WEARING NYLON SHORTS IN ATA! (Bethan) Some compensation - in WOM he apparently dives into an icy lake and presumably will be wearing a 1930's type bathing suit, knitted jersey wool, rather clingy, guaranteed (shall we say) to distinguish the men from the boys! Oh yum!! BTW in P&P Andrew Davies' script has Darcy diving in naked, but Colin apparently said \"no\"! The fully clothed dive was his idea - very spontaneous but infinitely less revealing. But then we got the wet look! I think he was just tired of showing his bare butt--does that often I've noticed. HIS Middle NAME (Bethan) May be able to shed some light on this, says she tantalisingly, but only if Arami gives on his shoe size! (Fair exchange:-)So we'll all have to WAIT!! I wasn't even aware that he had one...hmmm...\"Fred\"? ;-p"}, {"response": 288, "author": "Claudia", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 1997 (01:44)", "body": "Thanks for answering my questions. I had stumbled across archives during that frustrating time when I couldn't post anything to this board. Although it's an unhappy thought to see how much good stuff I've missed in the past, the one good point is that so many people said exactly what I would have said anyway. So I just couldn't experience it in \"real time.\" I can deal with it. Getting back to the CF/P&P2 experience, the \"On foot?\" scene had a huge impact, as well as the prowl at the Neth. ball (and, of course, the first couple minutes of their dance together). On repeated viewings, I noticed more good stuff: the little \"Hmmm\"s, the walk, little rolls of the eyes now and then, all the things that so many others have detailed in their posts. Also compelling to me are the scenes where he is searching the streets of London. It's a nice piece of film making, Elizabeth safe at ho e with her family, Darcy dealing with the dirt and scum of the world to protect her. (But maybe I just like the way his pants fit in those scenes .... ok, I admit it.) What is so compelling about this actor playing this character? I haven't figured it out (and do I really care?). But he is so expressive in such a subtle way. Even, just after \"On foot?\", when Mrs. Hurst says, \"She looked almost WILD\", you could get CF's impression from just a one quarter view. It's amazing how he can express so much without saying anything."}, {"response": 289, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Sat, Oct 11, 1997 (15:02)", "body": "DARCY DROOL Have to join the \"On foot\" brigade - I really sat up and took notice! I like the way his pants fit (CLAUDIA) Tut! Claudia, do you mean to say you weren't debating whether Andrew Davies's use of flashbacks was true to the spirit of Jane Austen - like the rest of us!!:-) And talking of tight pants, has he ever worn them, apart from in P&P? This is not a rhetorical question - I am genuinely seeking information!:-) All I can recall are on a scale from normal to baggy. And even when he gives interviews, references to his trousers are distinctly unexciting - \"brown corduroys\", \"crumpled trousers\" (can crumpled be tight?) and (E-e-e-K!!!)even \"jogging bottoms\" (the favorite resort of all fashionably challenged males - or perhaps he had actually been out jogging!) I rest my cas ... He can express so much without saying anything (CLAUDIA) Oh so true - even in smaller roles like TEP this is very apparent. The eyes always have it!"}, {"response": 290, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Sun, Oct 12, 1997 (04:51)", "body": "Someone (sorry, too lazy to go back up and look) wanted to know what a \"vest-thingie\" is. This reference came up in conversation last spring, when someone commented on how attractive Darcy looked in his vest-thingie (his waistcoat) when Elizabeth burst on on him while he was playing billiards. (An early sign of keepership?);-) About his movies~~~ I have a fondness for The Wings of Fame . He's at his lanky best---so much so that my DH will be getting a blue shirt like the one he wore in the movie! I love his long-legged strides, Boots or not, and he's very active in this movie---lots of walking! I don't understand, however, why this director and the director of Femme Fatale favored an upright lovemaking position. . . . This is my meager contribution. Those of you who parse so wonderfully for pages and pages, you have my admiration and my respect! Meggin"}, {"response": 291, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Sun, Oct 12, 1997 (07:07)", "body": "Hi! This is my first time posting here. I've been reading for a couple of days. I tried posting before but their were problems. BTW, thank you Nan for your e-mail. I found about this place from RoP. I usually hang out at the P&P2BB. Wow, this place is for me. Usually, I can't talk about my obsession with actors with friends because they just don't understand. Well, I just tell them that they are missing out. I saw ATA a couple of days ago. I must say that I was disappointed in the movie overall, but it was a nice treat seeing CF in something new. I've realized now how much make-up they put on him in P&P because he barely had any on in ATA. Makes a huge difference, this make-up business. This is it for now. I'll be posting more in the future. Alicia, glad to be here."}, {"response": 292, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Oct 12, 1997 (18:36)", "body": "Sorry ladies, it was having some posting problems this week (it was my turn I guess ;-p) DARCY DROOL (Marilyn) you see the corners of Colin's lovely mouth curl ever so slightly as he shakes his head in amusement - then he prowls the dance floor, ahhhh (Karen)Boy, oh boy, do I know what you mean. I saw that scene for the first time during the A&E classroom showing. Loved it. What that man can do with his face! I find it really interesting that his expressions are so subtle (the tiny blink after \"had you behaved in a more gentlemanlike manner\", the little eye roll after \"what are you telling Miss Bennet?\") Then again, once you're hooked, you watch that film so closely that nothing escapes your notice. RENATE'S GAME (Marilyn)....... \"long, slow, deep, wet kisses that last three days\" (Karen) I don't know about you guy, but I wouldn't mind having some breakfast cereal with Kevin after he paints my toenails, if you know what I mean ;-) I can't believe this--I've only posted twice and in both I've referred to toenails, can't help this one, but I promise no more. LOL! We forgive you the toenails dear ;-) Kevin is a big favorite around here...especially the Bull Durham role. I wonder why that is? All of us Colin fans seem to have a little thing for Kevin Costner as well...do they have anything in common you think? DUMB BLONDES (Renate) ???????! ??????? Why do you think that RR - of all actors and directors - has difficulties to be taken seriously, in life or in his roles? (Karen) Don't get me wrong, I have drooled over RR for many years. However, for most of his career, he was typically cast as the pretty boy and he tried and tried to pick roles that would be a significant departure from what was usually offered. I agree. I don't think he really got the opportunity to take control of his career until after he directed \"Ordinary People\". BTW, I really did not like that movie at all, but I understood why everyone else did. I was (and still am) upset that it won the Oscar that year instead of the far superior \"Raging Bull\"...just my opinion. The only director to truely appreciate him is Sidney Pollack. After Redford gained famed and fortune (Butch Cassidy), he was able to exploit other abilities on acting, directing and social causes. I have lots of RR films on tape at home...from \"Barefoot in the Park\" I have that one too--you can't help but love it. Even Jane Fonda, who normally irritates me, is quite adorable. \"Out of Africa,\" where you can't get more droolable (except, perhaps, \"The Way We Were\") See Renate? ;-p In case you missed it Karen, I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I thought RR had been perfectly cast in TWWW. I don't think Renate likes that movie very well. I weep like a big idiot every time ;-) BTW, he too has a small butt and lean legs, maybe that's what's so attractive.... I've never been enough of a RR fan to really pay attention, but I hear that he's quite a small man--not that it takes away from his appeal for me at all. ;-) CAREER AND FAME (Renate) He's back on track. The Harvey Keitel route, hopefully, and not the Albert Finney route (we wouldn't get to see much of him). Not to get off track here but what do you guys think of Albert Finney? I thought that he was the most sympathetic character in Nostromo, but I haven't seen him in many other films. Although \"Scrooge\" is one of my favorite holiday films. I'm big on Christmas anyway, but if I don't watch that particular version of A Christmas Carol every year, I don't feel like it's Christmas...know what I mean? Well that was a weird tangent ;-p (Renate) Do you really see him mainstream Hollywood? (Karen) No, not mainstream Hollywood...probably, more like a Kenneth Branagh. Since my viewiing of him in contemporary pieces is pretty limited, I've kind of gotten used to him in period, costumey roles. Especially, those costumey roles where he loses the costume, period!! LOL! There are a few of those aren't there? Not nearly enough for my taste, but you take what you can get I suppose. ;-) I think Kenneth Branagh as a completely different animal. (No offense Cheryl dearest, just an expression ;-p) He may not be as commercially successful as say Mel Gibson, but he is very well respected and known for quality work. Also, he gets involved in all aspects of a film (in fact I don't really think of him as just an actor or just a director--there's a whole package thing happening there). If Colin were half as well known and respected in the US as KB, I should be very pleased indeed. (Renate) In which position would you like to see him? (Nan! Don't say it! Or, no, please do!) (Karen) OOOOOOOOOOOhhhhhhh!! Are we going to vote on this???? Feel free--I already gave my answer ;-.) ATA A 1000 ACRES (Renate) What about a bit of a nice little drool on Jess? (Karen) I loved the part where Jess runs his hand across JL's back in the kitchen. There is positively the same electricity that you can feel when Darcy and Elizabeth's hands meet (in close up) at the Netherfie"}, {"response": 293, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Oct 12, 1997 (19:48)", "body": "FAVORITE DARCY MOMENT (Claudia) Also compelling to me are the scenes where he is searching the streets of London. It's a nice piece of film making, Elizabeth safe at home with her family, Darcy dealing with the dirt and scum of the world to protect her. (But maybe I just like the way his pants fit in those scenes .... ok, I admit it.) LOL! I saw a conversation in the archives about whether Darcy \"dresses\" more often to the left or the right. Too funny! ;-.D Isn't it nice to know that you are not alone Claudia? ;-p (Yoooo-hooo, Cheeeeryyyl--where are you for this conversation?);-) (Claudia) What is so compelling about this actor playing this character? I haven't figured it out I think we've all tried to figure this one out, but never really came to anything conlusive except perhaps the obvious answer of perfect casting. If you come up with anything, please share it. Apparently Colin was not overly enthusiastic about this role and had never even read the book before being offered the part. He also said that his aunt begged him not to take the role because she didn't want him to destroy her girlhood Darcy crush. Even his brother said, \"Isn't Darcy supposed to be sexy?\" LOL! As if Colin isn't. Anyway, if he can do this with a role he wasn't thrilled about, can you imagine what he could do with a role he desperately wanted? ;-) TIGHT PANTS :-D (Bethan) And talking of tight pants, has he ever worn them, apart from in P&P? This is not a rhetorical question - I am genuinely seeking information!:-) ;-D The only one I can think of is the running in jeans sequence in Tumbledown. I really liked that part ;-p FAVORITE COLIN ROLES (Margaret) I have a fondness for The Wings of Fame. He's at his lanky best---so much so that my DH will be getting a blue shirt like the one he wore in the movie! Excellent Boot Lady!! So good to see you dear ;-) I like WOF too, for completely drooly reasons of course. That is one strange film. I really liked the premise but I felt they didn't do very much with it. Somewhere in the middle it just gets weird. However, he is looking quite delectable throughout. ;-.p I love his long-legged strides, Boots or not, and he's very active in this movie---lots of walking! And he's got another one of those long coats flowing behind him as he takes those yummy long strides. I don't understand, however, why this irector and the director of Femme Fatale favored an upright lovemaking position. . . . LOL! I've often wondered that myself.:-) The director of The Advocate has him in the same position. I know nothing about filmmaking but I would take a guess that it must be a flattering angle from which to film. WELCOME ALICIA! Hi! This is my first time posting here. I've been reading for a couple of days. I tried posting before but their were problems. BTW, thank you Nan for your e-mail. Ah, you got it. Good. Thank you for sticking with us through the technical problems. Wow, this place is for me. Usually, I can't talk about my obsession with actors with friends because they just don't understand. This is indeed the place for you then! In addition to Colin there are plenty of other actors who have their own topic here. Feel free to dive into those boards too."}, {"response": 294, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Oct 12, 1997 (23:16)", "body": "HIS LEGS,ARMS etc (Bethan) Oh, too, too critical!! ....... She said that he looks very powerfully built on stage ......... and has a strong physical presence. Plus, he's got a marvellous deep voice voice, is an excellent actor and he's v. v. handsome. Definitely worth repeating!!!! This comment makes me all weak ........flutters all over me!.. :-)) Please repeat it at regular intervals! TUMBLEDOWN Bethan, thank you very much for the book search address! BTW, Bethan, I tried to email you, but it came back twice - email me? HIS Middle NAME - ANOTHER GAME (Bethan) May be able to shed some light on this, says she tantalisingly, but only if Arami gives on his shoe size! (Fair exchange:-)So we'll all have to WAIT!! So we have to pass away our time...another opportunity for a game: Everyone has 5 guesses, within the next 3 days.: What's his middle name? (Nan) ........ Regardless of the fact that we all break him down into little parts (like the legs) and talk about him as if he was an object of art, I always remember that he is a person with a right to choose his weird roles. Well spoken, Nan! TUMBLEDOWN (Renate) ... (don't find the right message, here are some people on this topic - I have two in particular in mind - who write these terribly long messages ..:-)=) ) (Nan) Waaa, waaa, waaa--okay I'll cut them down to more digestable chunks if it makes you happy. Don't worry old friend, I often think they are too long myself--it's just easier for me to do it all at once... DON'T you dare to cut them down!!!!! I love your long posts. I'm not afraid of long texts! :-.)) CAREER AND FAME (Karen) No, not mainstream Hollywood...probably, more like a Kenneth Branagh. Since my viewiing of him in contemporary pieces is pretty limited, ... Contemporary makes a big difference, IMO, but not less attractive. MOTM (terrific!) is not yet available on NTSC, as far as I know, but 'Hostages' is. And FP (a must!) he's just......just.......just..... irresistible. When it's out on PAL on Oct 27, it cannot be too long until it will be available on NTSC, hopefully, for you. I would say Kenneth Branagh is not the best example, because he is at least as much a director (and producer (?)) as an actor - he usually creates his own roles. I think that make a big difference. I keep on thinking in which position I would like to see him (\"On top! On top!\") :-)) Probably Jeremy Irons is a good example how an English actor can become a big star on both sides of the pond, and not getting used up by the Hollywood machinery. He was in big epic roles as well as in smaller and even quirky m vies. But it took many years to become the icon he is now. PANT, PANT, PANT! (was before A 1000 ACRES) Jeans could have been tighter!! The other guys' were. Oh, dear. This obsession again. :-)) Every conversation about CF seems to run into the topic of pants after a while...... NOT WEARING NYLON SHORTS IN ATA! ...see what I mean? And now for something completely different: DARCY DROOL I like the way his pants fit (CLAUDIA) And talking of tight pants, has he ever worn them, apart from in P&P? This is not a rhetorical question - I am genuinely seeking information!:-) ............?!!! :-)) VEST OF THE SUN... (Meggin)...... how attractive Darcy looked in his vest-thingie (his waistcoat) when Elizabeth burst on on him while he was playing billiards. ......-so much so that my DH will be getting a blue shirt like the one he wore in the movie! This is my meager contribution. Welcome here, Meggin. Don't call it meager. It's pretty rich! You have brought in - for a change :-)) - a T-SHIRT, and spoken about the VEST! And you introduced the elementary question we have never really answered before - though this is dangerously close to the former item again (remember that tiny little grey-blue triangle in left lower corner of screen?) : .... why this director and the director of Femme Fatale favored an upright lovemaking position. . . . Which I, BTW, would not want to have changed! You don't like it? What do you think, did the actors have a word on it? Probably they tried to avoid the clich\ufffd. It must be pretty difficult to find some new aspects for the camera of a too-well-known subject. MAKE UP (Alicia) I found about this place from RoP. I usually hang out at the P&P2BB. Wow, this place is for me. Welcome, Alicia! (Alicia) I've realized now how much make-up they put on him in P&P because he barely had any on in ATA. Makes a huge difference, this make-up business. Do you remember enough, that you can describe the difference more detailed? Since I will have to wait for the treat of Jess until March 1998, I need to know every detail! Was he absolutely cleanly shaved or had he a dark shade on his chin? Had dark or light eyebrows, lashes? And, BTW, did you recognise any of the Darcy gestures, such as back-of-hand-to-mouth, clearing his throat etc.? CAREER AND FAME AND SANTA (Nan) I'm big on Christmas anyway, but if I don't watch that particular version of A Christmas Carol every year, "}, {"response": 295, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Oct 12, 1997 (23:32)", "body": "Ooops, Meggin, did not recognise you as Margaret the Boot Lady, but you are? How are the boots, clean and shiny? Or did they fall victim again to the cute little Pemberley pups?"}, {"response": 296, "author": "chey", "date": "Mon, Oct 13, 1997 (03:49)", "body": "I've seen about 12 of his movies (and own most of those) and I always go back to P&P2. Others have their moments, but P&P2 is the only one that has true magic throughout. I agree! I just can't get enought of that man! I think the reason I keep watching it over and over (besides the obvious) is that I keep hoping that I will see something I missed, or that there will be a whole lot of scenes that weren't there, like the wedding night for instance. I just want there to be MORE of their relationship. Can't we BEG Andrew Davis to write more, with our guidence or course! :) And it is on tomorrow night YEA!!!"}, {"response": 297, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Mon, Oct 13, 1997 (03:52)", "body": "]Ooops, Meggin, did not recognise you as Margaret the Boot Lady, but you are? I am. (I've always loved the way CF speaks those 2 words, as Darcy, during the dance at Netherfield). I began here as Meggin, but went to my real name when the Republic left Spring. Why? Because a new member of the Republic, impressively smart and funny, had a similar name (Megan, of course) and I did not wish to cause confusion. However, I had not reckoned that so many would keep referring to me as Meggin when I'm in chat---so, maybe I'll go back to being Meggin as there is little danger that someone will mistake me for that wonderful soul, Megan. ]How are the boots, clean and shiny? But of course! They're all ready for Megan to use in November when she defends her thesis. With His Boots, the WET SHIRT, and Lesley's waistcoat (the vest-thingie ;-)), Megan will be soooo spiffy! And, for the record, let me state emphatically that I very much appreciated the scenes where CF makes love in a sitting position. However, it's not usual to make love that way and I found it odd that it occurred in more than one movie!;-) Later......Meggin"}, {"response": 298, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Mon, Oct 13, 1997 (06:35)", "body": "MAKEUP (Renate)Do you remember enough, that you can describe the difference more detailed? Was he absolutely cleanly shaved or had he a dark shade on his chin? Had dark or light eyebrows, lashes? And, BTW, did you recognise any of the Darcy gestures, such as back-of-hand-to-mouth, clearing his throat etc.? I don't know if this will be much help because I practically forgot half the movie. He wasn't very cleanly shaven. His eyelids looked different. I think they looked puffier. And I looked very hard for Darcyesque gestures but barely found any (or maybe I wasn't looking very hard enough). I tried to find a hint of \"The Look\" but didn't succeed. There was this one scene in which he touched the back of Jessica Lange. It was subtle and it reminded my of his subtlety in P&P. Overall, he looked younger. PANTS Pants seem to be a big topic here so I'll put in my thoughts. In P&P, I thought he looked best at Pemberley when he's in the outfit he changed into right after the pond scene and runs down to meet Elizabeth. He was wearing khaki colored pants and a dark top. His hair looked gorgeous. And he keeps fidgeting with that ring of his. I always watch the Pemberley scene the most. Alicia"}, {"response": 299, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 13, 1997 (20:30)", "body": "POSITIONS (Meggin) I don't understand, however, why this director and the director of Femme Fatale favored an upright lovemaking position... Haven't we all agreed that CF is multi-faceted!!! I seem to recall that in FF, a lot of the love-making is pretty horizontal. The most memorable being where she is on top and his face is perfectly expressing a \"near-out-of-body\" experience!!! He almost seems to be mouthing \"oh....stop.\" Oh, gee, I wonder what she is doing???? Maybe this belongs on the \"promiscuity\" board. RENATE'S GAME (nan) Kevin is a big favorite around here...especially the Bull Durham role. I wonder why that is? All of us Colin fans seem to have a little thing for Kevin Costner as well...do they have anything in common you think? Definitely, a boyish look and both are pretty lean in the leg department. Are they interchangeable though? Not really, KC was ok as Robin Hood (wouldn't wear tights though) and IMHO he can't do period English roles; I mean, could you see him as Darcy. I think not!! However, there is an undercurrent of sensuality beneath those boyishly good looks. Kevin has been one of my favs for a long time...Since he's such a big star he doesn't bare the bod anymore. Our loss! DUMB BLONDES (nan) ...from \"Barefoot in the Park\" I have that one too--you can't help but love it. Even Jane Fonda, who normally irritates me, is quite adorable Isn't she?? And then, he made another film with her...The Electric Horseman..I'm so glad she isn't making movies anymore!!! (nan) ...I thought RR had been perfectly cast in TWWW. Perfectly, cast. Does he not exemplify the ultimate, rich WASP guy, as a contrast to Barbra. Total opposites that do attract--for a time--but that cannot forever. OLIVIER (nan) No offense the marvellous LO, but that version has so little relation to the P&P I know, that I can't even watch it. I know what you mean. When I saw it many, many year ago, I hadn't read the book. But I just loved LO (an early crush of mine) and it was reinforced by his Heathcliff (I still think his is the best--I can't countenance RF's mean mad Heathcliff), Hamlet, Maxim DeWinter (need I go on). I just saw the old P&P again on TV and was totally disgusted by what they did to the story. However, I will never be disgusted by LO's portrayal of Darcy--despite the script!! Signed a \"loyal lord larryite.\" FAVORITE DARCY MOMENT (Claudia) (But maybe I just like the way his pants fit in those scenes .... ok, I admit it.) (nan) whether Darcy \"dresses\" more often to the left or the right. Oh, my!!!! And I thought I was the only one who noticed that switcheroo, but was too ladylike to bring it up. Since it's up, I mean the topic can't be kept under wraps anymore, I didn't think men did this? It is one side or the other? I mean a tailor will ask so that he knows how to deal with the inseam length for one leg vs. the other. Ok, what's the deal here. From what I've seen, he usually dresses to the left (his left), except after leaving Pemberley for London. CAREER AND FAME (Renate) Contemporary makes a big difference, IMO, but not less attractive. MOTM (terrific!) is not yet available on NTSC, as far as I know, but 'Hostages' is. And FP (a must!) he's just......just.......just..... irresistible. I just saw \"Hostages\" and you are so right!!! He was great and, while I know I have been critical about his body in all those other films, I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO COMPLAINTS ON THIS ONE!!! I just thought I'd emphasize that fact. OK, I'm uyp to 11 CF films now and, with the exception of \"Another Country\" and \"A Month in the Country,\" this guy has been taking off his clothes in every one. Granted, he is only in the tub in P&P, but I'm amazed...maybe that's why he didn't want to dive into the pond in the bu f. He has certainly exposed himself more than most other actors. But I definitely liked him in Hostages and it gave me a new perspective on possible roles for \"Renate's Movie Game\"!!! While the hairy look isn't my cuppa, he was certainly appealing when he was allowed to shave...and then wearing those \"little nylon shorts.\" I loved the line when he wakes up in the new cell and barely takes a look at the other occupants and says: \"Don't they ever kidnap women around here?\" CF looked especially good in comparison to Ciaran Hinds. He was soooo flabby looking (I know th t will offend many who liked his Captain Wentworth. I liked his Captain W, but he is better clothed.) (Renate) Probably Jeremy Irons is a good example how an English actor can become a big star... I thought about using him as an example, and for the most part I would agree. He started out in BBC period pieces (Brideshead) and has now graduated to action villain (Lethal Weapon 3). But there's one disgusting role of JI's that keeps coming back (and up on me) that I can't forget. The name of the film eludes me, but it was about twins. I really hated that movie. MAKE UP (Renate) Re: Jess I need to know every detail! Was he absolutely cleanly shaved or had he a dark shade on his"}, {"response": 300, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 1997 (01:50)", "body": "No need to apologize for long messages on this board. They are welcome! Or does anybody mind? Speak now or be silent on this subject forever! THE BOOT KEEPER I am. On foot? Wot? Ah, I love them all, these shorties (? :-) ). Ok, Margaret-Meggin, I think I've got it. :-)) A name for every boot. (Meggin) And, for the record, let me state emphatically that I very much appreciated the scenes where CF makes love in a sitting position. Oh, do you, indeed? I second that statement. And Joe Prince apparently did, too. :-)) MAKEUP (Alicia) I don't know if this will be much help because I practically forgot half the movie. I know what you mean. I have seen Fever Pitch 4 times, but it is simply difficult to recall particular scenes exactly RENATE'S GAME (nan) All of us Colin fans seem to have a little thing for Kevin Costner as well...do they have anything in common you think? (Karen) Definitely, a boyish look and both are pretty lean in the leg department. Are they interchangeable though? Not really, KC was ok as Robin Hood (wouldn't wear tights though) and IMHO he can't do period English roles; He was just ok, (Loved Rickman!) but I always imagine Mel Gibson in that role, but he made Hamlet at that time. And I thought, it would be interesting to see a completely American version of Hamlet with KC. (I have so many unmade films in my head). But with King Lear in Iowa not really taking off I'm afraid we will have to wait for that a while. But back to Colin. Would he have made a better Robin Hood? Silly question, surely he would. But somehow, strangely, I cannot see him in that role. (Karen) However, there is an undercurrent of sensuality beneath those boyishly good looks. KC is so quintessential American, I don't see him in anything non-American. He is good at quiet, low-key acting. And, speaking of \"Undercurrents\", he reminds me a bit of Robert Mitchum, another one of these quiet, low-key actors. BTW, that would be a wonderful role for Colin, the Mitchum role in \"Undercurrents\". OLIVIER (Karen) (I still think his is the best--I can't countenance RF's mean mad Heathcliff) His hair, Louisa, his hair! Sorry Rafe. The HAIR and the EARS. They stuck terribly out in one scene, and I got never over it, though I liked the film alltogether, and Colins little brother, too, a sickly creature, but cute. Love Olivier, too. For many years he was for me the incarnation of male beauty (Hamlet). In fact, I thought, when I discovered CF first in P&P, that he reminded me uncannily of LO. Imagined him in every LO role, in particular as Maxim de Winter, imagined him playing LO's life. FAVORITE DARCY MOMENT / DISGUISE OF ANY KIND IS MY ABHORRENCE :-) (nan) whether Darcy \"dresses\" more often to the left or the right. (Karen) Oh, my!!!! And I thought I was the only one who noticed that switcheroo, but was too ladylike to bring it up. Since it's up, I mean the topic can't be kept under wraps anymore, I didn't think men did this? It is one side or the other? ........ From what I've seen, he usually dresses to the left (his left), except after leaving Pemberley for London. He was upset, a bit beneath himself then .... :-)) But no, there are essentials a man would never forget, I suppose. Probably it had something to do with the fashion of the time, and what we see is just the shirt not properly tucked in... . For they did not wear underpants in those times, but long shirts which tails they wore between the legs ... and probably used to show off (But never Mr Darcy!). BTW, a statistic: only 20% of men prefer the left side, and 80% right, or was it the other way round? CAREER AND FAME (Karen)OK, I'm uyp to 11 CF films now and, Now that two of you mentioned it, I have counted the number of CF films I have seen, too. It is 18. Wouldn't have thought it. with the exception of \"Another Country\" and \"A Month in the Country,\" this guy has been taking off his clothes in every one. ATA, too? But I definitely liked him in Hostages and it gave me a new perspective on possible roles for \"Renate's Movie Game\"!!! And? (Renate) Probably Jeremy Irons is a good example how an English actor can become a big star... I thought about using him as an example, and for the most part I would agree. He started out in BBC period pieces (Brideshead) and has now graduated to action villain (Lethal Weapon 3). Wasn't he in 'Die Hard with a Vengance', too? Hope he takes this direction only for a change, and not permanently! :-)) MAKE UP Gee, I guess I didn't focus on his being made up in P&P. Yes, his hair was dyed and permed (I think) I think he has natural curls, at least wavy, and there is reason to believe that he considers himself to be dark-haired. He should know. It's been a couple of weeks, but I don't remember the \"five o'clock shadow\" look on his face as was so prevalent as Darcy. Do you mean the growing facial hair with \"five o'clock shadow\"? Another hint that he is rather dark. Has anyone ever checked if - oh, I not ask here - check myself. Means Playmaker and HOTP, ag"}, {"response": 301, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 1997 (04:09)", "body": "PLEASE SIR, I WANT SOME MORE... (Chey) I keep hoping that I will see something I missed, or that there will be a whole lot of scenes that weren't there, like the wedding night for instance. I just want there to be MORE of their relationship. Can't we BEG Andrew Davis to write more, with our guidence or course! :) Much as I love P&P2, I will never forgive Andrew Davies for leaving out the most juicy parts...not only between L&D, I would have really loved to see Mrs. Bennet lose her mind over L&D's engagement. A QUESTION OF POSITION (Margaret) And, for the record, let me state emphatically that I very much appreciated the scenes where CF makes love in a sitting position. However, it's not usual to make love that way Well...I dunno ;-p and I found it odd that it occurred in more than one movie!;-) I think that maybe it is more flattering to the male involved. Didn't Colin make a comment something like, \"who wants to see bums moving up and down\"? LOL! Let's take a vote--just raiser your hands ladies ;-p (Karen) his face is perfectly expressing a \"near-out-of-body\" experience!!! He almost seems to be mouthing \"oh....stop.\" Oh, gee, I wonder what she is doing???? Maybe this belongs on the \"promiscuity\" board. Oh honey, regardless of what any one says, this is the promiscuity board! LOL! Yes, his face is looking mighty convincing in that scene. However, the little shot when they land on the floor and you see his little blue underwear, ruins the mood for me. ;-( (I had to get that in somewhere Renate!) PANTS (Alicia) In P&P, I thought he looked best at Pemberley when he's in the outfit he changed into right after the pond scene and runs down to meet Elizabeth. Agreed! But I really think that those boots (yes Margaret, THOSE boots) make that whole outfit. Gives him legs like a comic book hero! LOL! RENATE'S GAME (Karen) Definitely, a boyish look and both are pretty lean in the leg department. Are they interchangeable though? Oh no, I don't think so. Not really, KC was ok as Robin Hood (wouldn't wear tights though) and IMHO he can't do period English roles; I mean, could you see him as Darcy. Never. In fact I don't think he was a very good Robin Hood either. Not a very convincing accent a'tall.... However, there is an undercurrent of sensuality beneath those boyishly good looks. Oooh good line Karen. That about sums it up. OLIVIER (Karen) I will never be disgusted by LO's portrayal of Darcy--despite the script!! Signed a \"loyal lord larryite.\" :-D It's not his portrayal that upsets me, it's the mutilated script. I have nothing but good things to say about the excellent LO's performance--it's not his fault that Darcy was a little too cheerful in the script. FAVORITE DARCY MOMENT (nan) whether Darcy \"dresses\" more often to the left or the right. (Karen)Oh, my!!!! And I thought I was the only one who noticed that switcheroo, but was too ladylike to bring it up. Pffft!! ;-p Since it's up, I mean the topic can't be kept under wraps anymore, I didn't think men did this? It is one side or the other? Not always if I understand correctly ;-) From what I've seen, he usually dresses to the left (his left), except after leaving Pemberley for London. I would vote for the left too, but I think there are those at RoP who decided on the right. I'd have to watch the whole thing over and take notes if I were to be completely accurate (oh damn!) ;-D (Renate) Oh, do you, indeed? I second that statement. And Joe Prince apparently did, too. :-)) What I like about that scene and the oft-mentioned dance in the market is the way he's always playing with her hair. *BIG SIGH* ;-) RENATE'S GAME (Karen)KC was ok as Robin Hood (wouldn't wear tights though) and IMHO he can't do period English roles (Renate) He was just ok, (Loved Rickman!) Agreed. KC (love him though I might) was just okay and Rickman was great! (Renate) Would he have made a better Robin Hood? Silly question, surely he would. But somehow, strangely, I cannot see him in that role. Me either. I wonder why that is? I really liked your Athos idea--that I have no problem seeing Colin do very well. But Robin Hood...nope. OLIVIER (Karen) (I still think his is the best--I can't countenance RF's mean mad Heathcliff) (Renate) His hair, Louisa, his hair! Sorry Rafe. LOL!! :-D Unfortunately, this is very true. FAVORITE DARCY MOMENT / DISGUISE OF ANY KIND IS MY ABHORRENCE :-) (nan) whether Darcy \"dresses\" more often to the left or the right. (Karen)Since it's up, I mean the topic can't be kept under wraps anymore, I didn't think men did this? It is one side or the other? ........ From what I've seen, he usually dresses to the left (his left), except after leaving Pemberley for London. (Renate) For they did not wear underpants in those times, but long shirts which tails they wore between the legs ... and probably used to show off (But never Mr Darcy!). Stuffing? Darcy? ;-D BTW, a statistic: only 20% of men prefer the left side, and 80% right, or was it the other way round? I believe you've left"}, {"response": 302, "author": "Claudia", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 1997 (06:44)", "body": "Karen R: From what I've seen, he usually dresses to the left (his left), except after leaving Pemberley for London. Could you be more explicit as to which scenes you've seen him dressed to the left? I've only noticed \"the right\", and I must know. - I am excessively attentive to all those things. Regarding the 20%-80% breakdown between men who dress to the left vs. the right, wouldn't it have to do with being right-handed vs. left-handed? I'd guess dressing to the left would be easier for a right-handed person. Nan, where is that thread on dressing to the right vs. left? I came across a mention of it in the last few days of RofP's P&P, but it was only alluded to and didn't catch their drift (like I do now!) I thought that the \"vest-thingie\" might be that little strap that hangs down from something under the vest on the men's front right. Is it a watch? And, not to be crude, but when Darcy is coming down the stairs of Netherfield just before giving Bingley his \"approval\" in B's marrying Jane, well, just what is in there, anyway? I mean, it's not like it's an appropriate moment or something."}, {"response": 303, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 1997 (07:49)", "body": "BOOTS (Nan)Agreed! But I really think that those boots (yes Margaret, THOSE boots) make that whole outfit. Gives him legs like a comic book hero! LOL! Oh yes! The BOOTS!! How could I forget them? They really emphasize that he's got a fine pair of legs. PLEASE SIR, I WANT SOME MORE... (Chey) I keep hoping that I will see something I missed, or that there will be a whole lot of scenes that weren't there, like the wedding night for instance. I just want there to be MORE of their relationship. Can't we BEG Andrew Davis to write more, with our guidence or course! :) (Nan)Much as I love P&P2, I will never forgive Andrew Davies for leaving out the most juicy parts...not only between L&D, I would have really loved to see Mrs. Bennet lose her mind over L&D's engagement. These missing scenes were discussed at RoP recently. What I really wanted to see was Elizabeth struggling with her new-found appreciation of Darcy. In the book, after the Lydia fiasco is over, and Bingley and Darcy come back to Netherfield, both men are invited to Longbourn (I think) for dinner. Elizabeth is trying to make eye contact with him and even get a moment's conversation with him but the ladies and the men were split into separte parties. I would have loved to see that in the A&E miniseries. It c rtainly would shown that that the tables were turned by the end of the book. Plus, it would have meant more CF scenes! Can you just imagine all the sexual tension going on if Andrew Davies did include that scene? (sigh, oh well) Nothing's perfect. Good night everyone, Alicia"}, {"response": 304, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 1997 (13:47)", "body": "COLIN QUOTES - THE SEQUEL Lovely to see that more droolies are making it to the spring! I promised ages ago to carry on with selections of Colin quotes from his FP interview fest. If you've read them before, just tell me to stop being so BORING!!!! Okay, from the Radio Times, all very serious stuff! He's usually sounds very friendly and funny but I think the interviewer was asking the wrong questions! His level headed approach is probably genetic, with grandparents who were missionaries in India and parents who are both academics. \"It never occurred to me to act until my teens when I was part of an amateur group. My parents were a little alarmed because it was uncharted territory. They assumed it was a pipe dream and an excuse to turn my back on academic responsibilities. They were absolutely right...I wasn't expecting success and it took me very much by surprise (ACCLAIM FOR STAGE PERFORMANCE IN AC).. (ON GOING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA WITH MT) \"I didn't make a conscious decision to leave England..I felt I was cutting off but that was fine by me. There's a side which perpetually wants to withdraw from the arena for a while.\" He dislikes talking about his private life and says pointedly that he choose to talk to people who won't ask about it \"I've had reporters outside my house and found it surprisingly uncomfortable\". (THE INTERVIEWER THEN ASKS HIM ABOUT LIVIA} \" She's studying English in Rome. By the way she's not 22 or 19 as as been written. The implication that I go round with a bimbo on my arm is not correct. That sort of publicity presents even more of a challenge in a job where it's already difficult to have a steady relationship.\" (RATHER TERSE AND DARCYISH!) (HE'S THEN ASKED ABOUT JENNIFER AND LOCATION ROMANCE - PERSISTENT INTERVIEWER!) \"It wasn't just a location romance. It continued for a year. I don't wish to imply that my idea of a steady relationship is one which lasts just for a year - but these things only happen when I'm single and it's appropriate. I have never found myself leaving one relationship for another. Acting is not very nice when it affects your personal life or you're being slagged off.\" Enough for now..strict rations! THE CUP AND SAUCER (Nan) You'd better check The Advocate .. You'll find what you're looking for there..I did! Talk about close studies, or am I missing the point here? Continuing on a downward tangent, one scene which really repays close scrutiny is the second shower scene in Nan's favourite movie. Am I the only one who has noticed? Or it may be that I'm more keen eyed through frosted glass and know where to look (not so much left or right, more centre!).Or it may be that you ladies are just TOO well-bred to bring it up! OLIVIER I'm in no way detracting from his marvellous performances - but what a portfolio of THE best roles for an actor - Hamlet, Henry V, Darcy, Heathcliffe and Max de Winter. Would love to see CF in another really choice role (but not Heathcliffe!)"}, {"response": 305, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Oct 14, 1997 (19:57)", "body": "THE CUP AND SAUCER (Nan) You'd better check The Advocate .. You'll find what you're looking for there..I did! (Bethan) Talk about close studies, or am I missing the point here? No, I think you've got it ;-) Continuing on a downward tangent, one scene which really repays close scrutiny is the second shower scene in Nan's favourite movie. Am I the only one who has noticed? Hmmm...noticed what? Or it may be that I'm more keen eyed through frosted glass and know where to look (not so much left or right, more centre!).Or it may be that you ladies are just TOO well-bred to bring it up! I'd be most happy to bring it up if I noticed it (Somehow that sentence didn't come out quite they way I'd planned ;-p) I think you must be really gifted at seeing through the frosted glass, because much as I try, I never see anything that interests me very much. Oh, okay...I'll go home and look again ...;-p OLD THREADS (Claudia) Nan, where is that thread on dressing to the right vs. left? I came across a mention of it in the last few days of RofP's P&P, but it was only alluded to and didn't catch their drift (like I do now!) I have seen the topic slyly mentioned at RoP now and again, but the old thread ? I don't know. I remember reading it months ago when I first found the Spring. In fact, I think it was on the old Colin topic which mysteriously vanished last August. If that's true then it is gone forever I'm afraid ;-( No matter, you get the gist. I think we've covered the issue as well as possible--and a lot less delicately I imagine ;-p So, on to other things... MOVIELINE MAGAZINE There is a lovely photo of Colin in the above-mentioned magazine (November 97 issue). He's dressed in all black and is decidedly cheerful. Lots of dark curls too. :-.) There is a nice little article as well in which Colin mentions ATA and some other things. Someday when I finally get the scanner working I will be able to slap the photos right here. But until that day comes I shall have to point you to your local magazine shop. Sorry ladies."}, {"response": 306, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 1997 (05:58)", "body": "FUTURE PROJECTS I'm in the dark. Can someone tell me what CF will be in the near future? Is he working on anything now?"}, {"response": 307, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 1997 (18:11)", "body": "RENATE'S GAME (Renate) But back to Colin. Would he have made a better Robin Hood? Silly question, surely he would. But somehow, strangely, I cannot see him in that role. What part of him can you not see in that role? He can be dashing. He can wear tights or no tights (and it would have been his backside we saw at the bathing scene not a body double). We've seen him shoot an arrow (Valmont), ride horses, duel; everything and anything required physically for this role. Oh yet, he would have made a wonderful Robin Hood. Too bad there was another TV version at the same time with Patrick Bergin (I think). It seems highly doubtful that anyone would want to do another ver ion for quite a while. (Renate)KC is so quintessential American...And, speaking of \"Undercurrents\", he reminds me a bit of Robert Mitchum, another one of these quiet, low-key actors. The usual comparison is with Gary Cooper. Mitchum is way too much of a tough guy type. Coop was a good old American hero. He was extraordinarily good looking in his 30s. OLIVIER (Renate) Imagined [CF]in every LO role, in particular as Maxim de Winter, imagined him playing LO's life. Oh, I think you've got it!! CF playing LO. Now, who is going to adapt his autobiography?? I'd volunteer to play Vivien Leigh. FAVORITE DARCY MOMENT / DISGUISE OF ANY KIND IS MY ABHORRENCE :-) (Renate)...what we see is just the shirt not properly tucked in... . For they did not wear underpants in those times, but long shirts which tails they wore between the legs ... and probably used to show off LOL!!! Disguise.... I read that article too about the use of shirt tails, but I prefer to think it was all CF (check him out in the saddle before he jumps in the pond). BTW, I think your statistics are reversed. Based on my own statistical sampling :-)) (nan) I believe you've left out the middle men dear ;-p Do you mean those guys who are just hanging around? ;-p CAREER AND FAME (Renate) [re: taking off his clothes] ATA, too? Just see the top half after his assignation with Jessica Lange at the dump. (Renate) ...Jeremy Irons...Wasn't he in 'Die Hard with a Vengance', too? Sorry, I realized that I had the wrong series of action flicks when I got home. Of course, it was Die Hard with a Vengance, where JI played Alan Rickman's brother. If Bruce Willis likes classic British actors to play bad guys, may be there's hope for CF in the next Die Hard!!! MAKE UP (Renate) I think he has natural curls, at least wavy His hair looked pretty straight and strawberry blondish to me in \"Another Country\" and \"A Month in the Country.\" (Renate) and there is reason to believe that he considers himself to be dark-haired. He should know. Considers or is???? (Renate) ...facial hair with \"five o'clock shadow\"? Another hint that he is rather dark. Has anyone ever checked if - oh, I not ask here - check myself. Means Playmaker and HOTP, again. Alas. :-)) Based on chest hair and armpits (sorry to be so crude), I'm voting on light, kind of in the strawberry blond category . But then again, maybe I should adjust the color setting of my TV!!! CUP AND SAUCER (nan) You'd have better luck checking \"The Advocate\" I think. Bathing scene, sitting down with a towel loosely draped over his thigh. I think you'll find what you're looking for there--I did ;-D Question: Are there European versions of these movies, where more is revealed? Or am I just blind???? And what movie has a shower scene?? A QUESTION OF POSITION (nan) However, the little shot when they land on the floor and you see his little blue underwear, ruins the mood for me. ;-( (I had to get that in somewhere Renate!) Oh no!!! I didn't see that. Of course, I know that actors are usually clothed when they do those types of scenes, but deep down inside I want to believe otherwise!! COLIN QUOTES - THE SEQUEL (lizbeth) THE INTERVIEWER THEN ASKS HIM ABOUT LIVIA}...The implication that I go round with a bimbo on my arm is not correct. LOL!!! It would appear he uses his movie sets as a dating service. I mean, where did he meet the bimbo--uh, I mean, his wife. Why, on the set of Nostromo where she was employed as a gopher. Gee, why on earth would he use the term \"bimbo\"? If it walks like a duck...."}, {"response": 308, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 1997 (22:57)", "body": "Wot?!"}, {"response": 309, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 1997 (23:03)", "body": "The last one was a test. Thought the Count dropped in again. A QUESTION OF POSITION (Karen) his face is perfectly expressing a \"near-out-of-body\" experience!!! He almost seems to be mouthing \"oh....stop.\" Oh, gee, I wonder what she is doing???? Maybe this belongs on the \"promiscuity\" board. (Nan) Oh honey, regardless of what any one says, this is the promiscuity board! AHHH! That's why! (Nan) .... and you see his little blue underwear, ruins the mood for me. ;-( (I had to get that in somewhere Renate!) Ja, ja, I know.... just wait until FP, and you will be a sucker for his underpants! :-)) FAVORITE DARCY MOMENT / A COMPILATION AND A THESIS (Claudia) Regarding the 20%-80% breakdown between men who dress to the left vs. the right, wouldn't it have to do with being right-handed vs. left-handed? I'd guess dressing to the left would be easier for a right-handed person. (Claudia) Could you be more explicit as to which scenes you've seen him dressed to the left? I've only noticed \"the right\", and I must know. - I am excessively attentive to all those things. LOL! I'm not sure, but try the beginning of the second proposal scene. I'm usually completely hypnotised, and only recover to focus on the faces and dialogues and when they approach so far that the camera only shows the upper bodies. (Karen) From what I've seen, he usually dresses to the left (his left), except after leaving Pemberley for London. (Nan) I would vote for the left too, but I think there are those at RoP who decided on the right. I'd have to watch the whole thing over and take notes if I were to be completely accurate (oh damn!) ;-D (nan) whether Darcy \"dresses\" more often to the left or the right. (Karen)Oh, my!!!! And I thought I was the only one who noticed that switcheroo, but was too ladylike to bring it up. (Nan) Pffft!! ;-p Love it! (Karen) Since it's up, I mean the topic can't be kept under wraps anymore, I didn't think men did this? It is one side or the other? (Nan) Not always if I understand correctly ;-) Since there is apparently such a great need for an explanation I have been doing a bit of thinking on this topic, and I have a new theory: what if it is not a matter of left/right, but a relative size (sic!), such as the compass directions, or the sun-dial kind, or more maritime: lee-side resp. weather-side (my fav)? That would explain the change of sides best. But, if this theory does not hold, it can't be helped: We will have to call in expert's advice. Should we post this question to the gentlemen at R P? :-)=) RENATE'S GAME (Renate) Would he have made a better Robin Hood? Silly question, surely he would. But somehow, strangely, I cannot see him in that role. (Nan) Me either. I wonder why that is? I really liked your Athos idea--that I have no problem seeing Colin do very well. But Robin Hood...nope. Apparently we see something more aristocratic in him. And he has not yet made any action movie, I suppose that is why we can't see him in this kind of role. But just think. Buckskin breeches (no tights!!!), leather outfit, wild hair, racing around on a horse, meet Little John and take a bath in the river, writing letters to Maid Marian.... DISGUISE OF ANY KIND IS MY ABHORRENCE :-) (Nan) You'd have better luck checking \"The Advocate\" I think. ...........you'll find what you're looking for there--I did ;-D Can't you be more specific - I don't remember, and don't owe the Advocate (here: Hour of the Pig) - but seems to be time to rent it again. BTW, the staff at my Video store invariably keeps on pointing out that I have had this or that film before - they just don't get it that there are people who watch the same films over and over! THINGIES (Claudia) I thought that the \"vest-thingie\" might be that little strap that hangs down from something under the vest on the men's front right. Is it a watch? That thingie you mention must be The Infamous Watch and Fob, Arami's Keepsake. And, yes, it has a story of it's own, AND an essay..... Just want to seize the opportunity to remind that there's still the Keepsake Essay Contest pending.... I am still thinking on \"What the Mirror saw\" :-)) (Claudia) And, not to be crude, but when Darcy is coming down the stairs of Netherfield just before giving Bingley his \"approval\" in B's marrying Jane, well, just what is in there, anyway? I mean, it's not like it's an appropriate moment or something. Do you mean the \"Then go to it!\" scene? :-)) COLIN QUOTES - THE SEQUEL Enough for now..strict rations! Ooooh. 8-/ Moooooore pleeeeease! MOVIELINE MAGAZINE (Nan) Someday when I finally get the scanner working I will be able to slap the photos right here. Does this mean you *have* already a scanner? Wow! FUTURE PROJECTS (Alicia) I'm in the dark. Can someone tell me what CF will be in the near future? Himself, I hope, and happy. ;-)) Is he working on anything now? Presently he is working in Southern France on \"The Secret Laughter of Women\" opposite Nia Long. And his latest production is still not yet out: 'World of Moss"}, {"response": 310, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 16, 1997 (20:41)", "body": "FAVORITE DARCY MOMENT / A COMPILATION AND A THESIS (Claudia) Regarding the 20%-80% breakdown between men who dress to the left vs. the right, wouldn't it have to do with being right-handed vs. left-handed? I'd guess dressing to the left would be easier for a right-handed person. That was my thought too. It must have something to do with being right or left handed. From various scenes in the movies, CF is right-handed (quite unusual because there are a disproportionate number of actors who are left-handed, i.e., more creative). Therefore, he would dress to his left. (Claudia) Could you be more explicit as to which scenes you've seen him dressed to the left? I've only noticed \"the right\", and I must know. - I am excessively attentive to all those things. Yes, when it's on the right, it does seem more noticeable. Other than in the saddle before he jumps in the pond, I can't cite chapter and verse, but it is evident that he is dressing to his left in most all the scenes prior to walking the streets of London in search of Wick ham. (How appropriate to bring him in during this lewd and crude discussion.) RENATE'S GAME (Renate) Would he have made a better Robin Hood?...I cannot see him in that role....Apparently we see something more aristocratic in him. And he has not yet made any action movie. I don't think he sees himself as aristocratic in anyway. Didn't he make the remark in Vogue that he wasn't one of those \"Brideshead\" Brits?? When you see him, Renate, as Jess Clark--farmboy, then you may change your view. But just think. Buckskin breeches (no tights!!!), leather outfit, wild hair, racing around on a horse, meet Little John and take a bath in the river, writing letters to Maid Marian.... Yes, I can see it and I want it (to paraphrase Meggie Cleary). (Renate) All the time I say he should make a Western! Directed by Clint Eastwood. Urghhhhhh. Then he wouldn't have an accent. It is so rare to find an English cowboy. Besides, I've never particularly liked Clint. I could never get over his treatment of women in his early films and in his personal life. RICKMAN ALERT I realize this is not the right drool topic, but several of you have expressed some \"appreciation\" for him, so I just thought I'd mention that tonight they are screening a film he directed called \"The Winter Guest.\" Many times the directors will show up, answer questions, etc. I waited too long to get my tickets to the film festival and this one, which is only being screened once, sold out quickly. I did buy a ticket for another being shown at the same time. So I will either keep my eyes open for him r try to get in to the other theater."}, {"response": 311, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Fri, Oct 17, 1997 (16:57)", "body": "(Renate) All the time I say he should make a Western! Directed by Clint Eastwood. (KarenR) Urghhhhhh. Then he wouldn't have an accent. It is so rare to find an English cowboy. Not exactly the right drool topic for this, either, but how about Errol Flynn? He made Westerns, and they only took time to explain away the accent in the first. Of course, back in those days they had Humphrey Bogart playing an Indian, too. Maybe I should start a topic on Dead Guys Drool. Old movie stars like Flynn, Jimmy Stewart and Jimmy Cagney make my heart go pitter-pat. Always have. Not that Mr. Firth doesn't make many parts of me do many different things."}, {"response": 312, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 17, 1997 (19:24)", "body": "MAKE UP (Renate) I think he has natural curls, at least wavy ...and there is reason to believe that he considers himself to be dark-haired. He should know. ...facial hair with \"five o'clock shadow\"? Another hint that he is rather dark. The quote [considers himself to be dark-haired] is not soo clear. Try to get the Movieline issue Nan wrote about. Well, I did. I can't believe that I actually purchased a magazine like thatd!! I haven't done anything like that since I was probably 14 or 15!! My, oh my, did you say wavy??? It's practically Shirley Temple-like!! Guess it was just the modern-day miracle of blowdrying it straight. As for the color, it does look dark...kind of auburnish. What is it with this guy?? What color hair do his siblings have? I shall conquer this! Did you notice the wedding ring? I did. Did you also notice how big his feet look in those Hush Puppies??? If you catch my lacivious drift.... DEAD GUY DROOL (Lorie) Maybe I should start a topic on Dead Guys Drool. Old movie stars like Flynn, Jimmy Stewart and Jimmy Cagney make my heart go pitter-pat. Always have. I think there already are some dead guy droolers around here. I noticed a topic for James Dean (a long-time fav of mine) and Monty Clift among others. They don't look too \"active.\" ;-) SMOLDERING VS. PETULANCE CF said in the Movieline article that smoldering charm is a \"byproduct of having dark hair....If you scowl a lot and you've got blonde hair, usually you're petulant.\" Gee, and I thought one's eyes smoldered. I'm racking my brain (should take about another minute or so) to come up with a blonde who smolders. The only ones I can think of are all women, usually from 1930s-1940s movies."}, {"response": 313, "author": "Claudia", "date": "Sat, Oct 18, 1997 (02:24)", "body": "Thanks for the input on additional scenes showing dressing to the left or right. Some are more subtle than others. I'm still a bit confused as to what the story is in the \"Then go to it\" scene. Maybe the long shirt-tails are bunched up or something. Since I'm a newbie on this and have only seen CF in P&P2, what other movie of his would you recommend next? What's your absolute favorite besides P&P2? I want to go through these slowly and carefully. Oh, and how do you find out how to make copied text italicized here? I can copy, but how about those other niceties to make my responses more cogent? I came across intructions once but can't find them now. :("}, {"response": 314, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Sat, Oct 18, 1997 (07:28)", "body": "TO SMILE OR NOT TO SMILE? I prefer it when CF does not smile, but I like it when he looks amused and cracks a tiny little smile. When he's grinning from ear to ear at the end of P&P2, I just have to cringe. It doesn't suit him. (Claudia)Oh, and how do you find out how to make copied text italicized here? Visit the new user's help topic. It's number 61. I got help from there. Alicia"}, {"response": 315, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Sat, Oct 18, 1997 (14:54)", "body": "HIS HAIR MY DEAR, HIS HAIR Definitely curly - dark brown with auburn tints which are highlighted in the sun (Master of the Moor, Nostromo). There's a rather blurred photo of Colin aged about five years at the end of an article at: http://members.aol.com/DJohn10589/Kate_Colin.html Curly, yes! FUTURE PROJECTS Alicia, you probably already know these sites but Ellen's FirthFAQ at: http://www.teleport.com/~kenellen/firthfaq.htm is an excellent way of keeping up to date with Colin's work (past and present). Updated every month. And there's the Friend of Firth's site at: http://www.grin.net/~meluchie/firthlist/index.html FAVOURITE AFTER P&P I haven't seen everything Claudia, but my favourite ( for sheer acting power) is A Month in the Country. CUP AND SAUCER Have I noticed what? Incroyable, Nan! You're not looking properly!! Now I'm short-sighted and I can see... Focus on the centre of the screen about half way through the shower scene..Slow-mo may help!!! Just a flashing glimpse but, shall we say, interesting!:-) MOVIELINE PHOTO (Karen) Wedding ring?!! Now he's got something to fiddle with!:-) This must be the first photo since the wedding... tell me now, does he look as though married life agrees with him?!! If you catch my lascivious drift Mmmm!! :-) WOM (Renate) Opening SEPTEMBER 1998!!!! E-e-ekk!!! Really BAD NEWS. Why so long...does anyone know? NEARLY A WHOLE YEAR!! Need some good news to compensate for this!!"}, {"response": 316, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Oct 18, 1997 (19:03)", "body": "ENGLISHMEN IN WESTERN? (KarenR) Urghhhhhh. Then he wouldn't have an accent. It is so rare to find an English cowboy. If you can imagine a Western with more characters than just cowboys and John Wayne ;-)) there is a way to make English accent believable: don't forget that the most Western are supposed to take place in the last century, when many future Americans just arrived from Europe, and with them their accents, why not from England? Imagine a younger son from the English gentry like Col Fitzwilliam, (or even Heathcliff! - \"The Lost Years\" :-)) ), who would be a good horseman and a hunter, would leave his country be ause of a duel, or whatever, to become a gambler but converts to simple life when his good old friend is killed in a saloon, only to become a stable hand on a farm where a young widow with a young son+wild horse lives, who tries to defend her thousand acres and honour against the evil cow baron and his dirty dozen, and she nurses him when the Sioux take his eyebrows for a scalp, and they make love in an upright position aka 'Sitting Bull' (Scusi! couldn't resist :-)) ) followed by a showdown in buckskin t ousers with bow-legged walk, two-horse carriage ride of happy family into sunset while the end titles roll. Sniff. 7 Oscars, one for Best Actor and one for Best Original Script. (I am already rehearsing my Oscar speech) ;-))"}, {"response": 317, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Oct 18, 1997 (20:48)", "body": "HTML BASICS (Claudia) Oh, and how do you find out how to make copied text italicized here? I can copy, but how about those other niceties to make my responses more cogent? I came across intructions once but can't find them now. :( Look for 'Ann's Toot' at the Pemberley Board, it works the same way here. :-)) It's the HTML basics, how to italicize , write bold , and colour ful ."}, {"response": 318, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Sat, Oct 18, 1997 (23:23)", "body": "Ilove the western plot! Get me in the Academy and I'll vote for your Oscar. Can we get CF and some other fav Brits to be in it? Perhaps an entirely British settlement? Or set the whole thing in Australia?"}, {"response": 319, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Oct 18, 1997 (23:42)", "body": "And so at last I'm back. Barely finished reading EVERYTHING that has been posted since last time I looked: listed over 30 items I wanted to comment on, like: no, I didn't find his shoe size in any of his films; yes, I also had a crush on Richard Chamberlain (among many others!)but nowadays I seem to be the only one Colin fan who doesn't care much about other actors - don't get me wrong, I like a lot of them, but I can love only one at a time; yes, ATA script and editing were well and truly messed up; no, I don't think Clifton in TEP was impotent; I'll try to find out what he's mumbling in Tumbledown (just tell me where exactly to look for the scene); his car, a Nissan Maxima automatic is a \"C\" registration which makes it about 12 (not 15) years old (but he probably doesn't use it an awful lot); have the old manure buckets resurfaced as \"foreign tubs\"(???); I quite like his matchstick arms and legs; I also believe that Darcy's breeches in certain s enes are padded with shirttails (plus, Crispin Bonham-Carter has once hinted in an interview that the two leading gents of P&P had some sort of \"male fullness\" contest going on... also conducted some highly scientific enquiry on behalf of my researcher colleagues here - but my left-handed right-dressing hubby denies any conscious association of the facts...); will have to check that second shower scene in Playmaker again (interesting? How? Is there something unusual...? Hm...); and... no, I can't possib y, it'll go on forever... so I'll just fall in! Hi, everybody! Particularly warm welcome to all newcomers. (Nan, you should have warned them that my middle name is Trouble...;-)) (P.S. Renate, can I direct that western with your absolutely LOL-ly script? Please? That'll be another Oscar...)"}, {"response": 320, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Oct 19, 1997 (13:09)", "body": "And another question: what the Firth is Topic 59? It seems to be simultaneously active. Do we BEHAVE over there and are NAUGHTY here, or what?"}, {"response": 321, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Oct 19, 1997 (17:36)", "body": "FAVORITE DARCY MOMENT / DISGUISE OF ANY KIND IS MY ABHORRENCE :-) (nan) I believe you've left out the middle men dear ;-p (Karen) Do you mean those guys who are just hanging around? ;-p Yes, for lack of a better explanation ;-) THE ADVOCATE (Karen) Question: Are there European versions of these movies, where more is revealed? Or am I just blind???? And what movie has a shower scene?? The European version of \"The Advocate\" is called \"Hour of the Pig\" and, as I understand, has additional sexy scenes which we prudish Americans cannot view for fear of turning into stone ;-p There is a shower scene (2 actually) in the dreadful \"Playmaker\". A QUESTION OF POSITION (nan) However, the little shot when they land on the floor and you see his little blue underwear, ruins the mood for me. ;-( (I had to get that in somewhere Renate!) (Karen) Oh no!!! I didn't see that. Of course, I know that actors are usually clothed when they do those types of scenes, but deep down inside I want to believe otherwise!! Me too...it burst my bubble :-( COLIN QUOTES (lizbeth) THE INTERVIEWER THEN ASKS HIM ABOUT LIVIA}...The implication that I go round with a bimbo on my arm is not correct. (Karen) It would appear he uses his movie sets as a dating service. I read one of his quotes somewhere (don't remember, sorry) in which he answered a question about your above statement. He said, (and I'm paraphrasing here so be kind ;-p) \"You fall in love with people you meet, simple as that...I don't think actors have a greater predilection for bonking eachother than anyone else\". Someone here knows the correct wording I'm sure, but you get my gist. (Karen) I mean, where did he meet the bimbo--uh, I mean, his wife. Why, on the set of Nostromo where she was employed as a gopher. Gee, why on earth would he use the term \"bimbo\"? If it walks like a duck... Now, now Karen...tsk, tsk, tsk. None of us are too happy that he's taken, but anyone who could catch him is my kinda gal. Not that she'd care, but Livia gets my vote...if for no other reason than out of respect for him. THE THEORY (Renate) I have a new theory: what if it is not a matter of left/right, but a relative size (sic!), such as the compass directions, or the sun-dial kind, or more maritime: lee-side resp. weather-side (my fav)? LOL!! That explanation is the best I've heard...and the most pleasing ;-D That would explain the change of sides best. But, if this theory does not hold, it can't be helped: We will have to call in expert's advice. Should we post this question to the gentlemen at RoP? :-)=) I think that would be more than I needed to know about our gentleman Pemberleans...;-p DISGUISE OF ANY KIND IS MY ABHORRENCE :-) (Nan) You'd have better luck checking \"The Advocate\" I think. ...........you'll find what you're looking for there--I did ;-D (Renate) Can't you be more specific - I don't remember, and don't owe the Advocate (here: Hour of the Pig) - but seems to be time to rent it again. Since there are even more nude scenes in HOTP than in Advocate I think it should be even easier to spot. The scene I'm talking about is after the bare butt walking into the water scene, they are sitting down talking. Colin has a towel loosely placed over his thigh (the right I think). Maybe it's an editing thing, but in my version (and on my screen) you have proof of your \"dark\" theory. ;-D THINGIES (Claudia) I thought that the \"vest-thingie\" might be that little strap that hangs down from something under the vest on the men's front right. Is it a watch? (Renate) That thingie you mention must be The Infamous Watch and Fob, Arami's Keepsake. And, yes, it has a story of it's own, AND an essay..... Just want to seize the opportunity to remind that there's still the Keepsake Essay Contest pending.... I am still thinking on \"What the Mirror saw\" :-)) Go to it sister! I think maybe we should post something about that contest again...it's been a while. Alas, I am no author myself...I shall have to rely on the wit of others ;-) Speaking of Keepsakes...have you read Carolyn's hysterical \"Elizabeth's Tour of Pemberley\" at RoP fanfic? It's a hoot. She's managed to incorporate many RoPers and their keepsakes into the story. It's fun to figure out who everyone is and spot all the keepsake references. And yes, the infamous humpy hat has made an appearance ;-) (Claudia) And, not to be crude, but when Darcy is coming down the stairs of Netherfield just before giving Bingley his \"approval\" in B's marrying Jane, well, just what is in there, anyway? I mean, it's not like it's an appropriate moment or something. LOL!! Claudia, I've noticed it (many times) and was quite fascinated. I hope that, in this instance, Renate is wrong--that it is not his shirt...:-p MOVIELINE MAGAZINE (Nan) Someday when I finally get the scanner working I will be able to slap the photos right here. (Renate) Does this mean you *have* already a scanner? Wow! Yes I have one at the office--supposed to be a really good one too. Since it didn't have a home,"}, {"response": 322, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Oct 19, 1997 (18:13)", "body": "MOVIE RECOMMENDATIONS (Claudia) Since I'm a newbie on this and have only seen CF in P&P2, what other movie of his would you recommend next? What's your absolute favorite besides P&P2? I want to go through these slowly and carefully. Hmmm...not an easy question Claudia dear--depends what you're looking for I think. ;-) For his acting ability I would go with \"A Month in the Country\" or \"Tumbledown\" . Unfortunately, the latter is virtually impossible to find in the US if that's where you are ;-( For sexy scenes : \"Femme Fatale\" (movie isn't great but he is most pleasant) or \"The Advocate\"--not one of my favorites either--so much dirt everywhere! ;-p But I think the best one to start with is \"Valmont\"--that is where he s the most charming and the movie itself isn't bad. Which reminds me... Isn't it about time to tackle another movie for the COLIN FILM DISCUSSION? Anyone have a preference? Since there's a larger group now, I'd like to do one that we could all get our hands on (that leaves out Tumbledown or 1919 or Camille) And speaking of Camille...anyone see it? I haven't been able to find it (which doesn't really surprise me). I've not heard good things about it--too bad too because I love the story, though I prefer the Verdi version ;-) ANOTHER COUNTRY TANGENT I originally saw AC when I rented it last Spring. I just bought a copy and I noticed something strange...they cut out the part at the end which tells you what happened to the main characters, etc. Anyone know why? TO SMILE OR NOT TO SMILE? (Alicia) I prefer it when CF does not smile, but I like it when he looks amused and cracks a tiny little smile. When he's grinning from ear to ear at the end of P&P2, I just have to cringe. It doesn't suit him. He looks like a different person when he smiles I agree. This is not always the case with everyone...frequently a smile is just a smile. I too, prefer the brooding Colin but I also like to see the wide smile in moderation. That Movieline picture (where he is absolutely ear to ear smiling) is really very charming. CUP AND SAUCER (Nan) Have I noticed what? (Bethan) Incroyable, Nan! You're not looking properly!! Now I'm short-sighted and I can see... Focus on the centre of the screen about half way through the shower scene..Slow-mo may help!!! Just a flashing glimpse but, shall we say, interesting!:-) Okay, if you say so I'll go and sift through that painfully bad movie--but if I don't see IT, you're in big trouble missy! ;-p ENGLISH WESTERNS (Lorie) I love the western plot! Get me in the Academy and I'll vote for your Oscar. Me too Renate. Too funny! :-) Inspired too...I never would have thought of the early settlers. But alas, I do not think the Americans would accept the fact that we didn't just sprout from the ground here ;-p To the general population Western means Wayne or Eastwood--at least in the major roles. Hmm... SHE HAS RETURNED Welcome back--nice trip? ;-) yes, I also had a crush on Richard Chamberlain oooh, but I like him so much! I saw an interview with him last week--what an eloquent, handsome, altogether charming man he is... yes, ATA script and editing were well and truly messed up Thank you...I thought I was overreacting. I'll try to find out what he's mumbling in Tumbledown (just tell me where exactly to look for the scene) The one I was asking about was the \"the boys think I'm dead scene\"--which Renate and Bethan cleared up. But there were several others...I'll let you know. I also believe that Darcy's breeches in certain scenes are padded with shirttails Shhh! I'M HAVING A FANTASY ;-p but my left-handed right-dressing hubby denies any conscious association of the facts...) LOL!! Poor man...definitely thinks we're nuts now. ;-) Particularly warm welcome to all newcomers. (Nan, you should have warned them that my middle name is Trouble...;-)) I thought I'd leave that to you dear...;-p And another question: what the Firth is Topic 59? It seems to be simultaneously active. Do we BEHAVE over there and are NAUGHTY here, or what? LOL!! Certainly not. Corrupt us...please ;-) It was started one night when we thought Colin had vanished again. Our concern was premature so rather than delete it, I decided to just let it be and see what happens."}, {"response": 323, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Sun, Oct 19, 1997 (19:42)", "body": "WELCOME BACK ARAMI! Again, welcome back! Now to more serious matters.. I also believe that Darcy's breeches in certain scenes are stuffed with his shirttails Oh, SPOILSPORT!! Ruining my fantasies! But, I think you're wrong (not that I have conclusive proof, unfortunately:-) ) If you look at his shirt as he strides through the daisies, it's long at the back but quite short at the front, just slightly below the waist, and it's made of thin gossamer-like material. Now, I'm not very good at the technicalities, but even if the front of the shirt was all scrunched up I don't think it would convey such an impression of..weightiness! And the back won't reach! I rest m very badly argued case. I think it's for real!! And talking of IT ...(Nan) If I don't see IT, you're in big trouble.. You will see IT, Keep looking!! ATA A full report Arami, please. What about Colin's actual performance within the limitations of the script, and could it stall his career a bit? It's just that I had such high hopes, and the timing (for him) was quite crucial as a Darcy follow-up in the US."}, {"response": 324, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 1997 (02:55)", "body": "WESTERN (Lorie) Can we get CF and some other fav Brits to be in it? Which one, f.e.? I sense you are highly qualified for the casting director's job. Or set the whole thing in Australia? Ever seen 'Quigley Down Under', with Tom Selleck and Alan Rickman? I like it a lot. OH, NO! no, I don't think Clifton in TEP was impotent; Terrible thought. We know better :-)) Katherine just did not get it. She must have read P&P, and was probably waiting for smoldering Mr Darcy, and did not realise how near he was.... have the old manure buckets resurfaced as \"foreign tubs\"(???) \\::&::&::&::&::/ Much more volume. Go to it! OH, YES! (P.S. Renate, can I direct that western with your absolutely LOL-ly script? Please? That'll be another Oscar...) Perfect. Now we have a star, a director, a casting agent, a writer, the production design should go to Nan..... anybody else? And another question: what the Firth is Topic 59? It seems to be simultaneously active. Do we BEHAVE over there and are NAUGHTY here, or what? That is why here are about 323 responses, and only about 7 over there.... :-)) DISGUISE OF ANY KIND IS MY ABHORRENCE :-) (Nan) The scene I'm talking about is after the bare butt walking into the water scene, they are sitting down talking. Colin has a towel loosely placed over his thigh (the right I think). Maybe it's an editing thing, but in my version (and on my screen) you have proof of your \"dark\" theory. ;-D Nan, what's your TV brand? It shows definitely more than mine on the bottom of the frames! Both in FF and in HOTP/Advocate. May have something to do with PAL/NTSC? (Karen) Did you also notice how big his feet look in those Hush Puppies??? If you catch my lacivious drift.... There's no such drift that escapes our notice. :-)=) But were not you one of those who complained about the thin-ness of his limbs and suggested that he might need some workout? I think I already offered my services before as a personal trainer for his daily workout. (BTW, what's the icon for a really really very big very dirty grin?) MOVIE RECOMMENDATIONS (Nan) For his acting ability I would go with \"A Month in the Country\" or \"Tumbledown\" . Unfortunately, the latter is virtually impossible to find in the US if that's where you are ;- Same goes for Master of the Moor, with Tumbledown my favourite, because it is a really good mystery, and the whole cast simply terrific, an impressive TV production. There is also Hostages, hard to watch because of the topic, but worth watching. (Nan) \"The Advocate\"--not one of my favorites either--so much dirt everywhere! ;-p Butt - I would recommend it nevertheless. :-)) But I think the best one to start with is \"Valmont\"--that is where he s the most charming and the movie itself isn't bad. Agreed. And go on with Advocate, because it's also a period piece and easy to watch. TO SMILE OR NOT TO SMILE? (Alicia) I prefer it when CF does not smile, but I like it when he looks amused and cracks a tiny little smile. When he's grinning from ear to ear at the end of P&P2, I just have to cringe. It doesn't suit him. But, but, but...... you can't say that a man's smile does not suit the man! :-)) CF always emphasized in all his interviews that he is not at all Darcy. He is an incredibly versatile actor who lent only one of his many faces to Darcy. But I know what you mean. As Nan mentioned, he suddenly looks a completely other type of person with his \"too toothy grin\" (Michele), a blessing for an actor, I suppose. By now, after months of closest studies, I find his other faces (f.e. MOTM or FP) more fascinating than arcy's, but I suppose I am in minority here. http://www.pemberley.com/photos/firth/twofer.jpg (from Pemberly Photo Galerie)"}, {"response": 325, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 1997 (18:51)", "body": "...IF I WERE SISKEL OR EBERT (Claudia) Since I'm a newbie on this and have only seen CF in P&P2, what other movie of his would you recommend next? What's your absolute favorite besides P&P2? I want to go through these slowly and carefully. Given the difficulty of finding CF films, you may just want to start with whatever you can find. When P&P2 came out last year, I rented Valmont. I too would recommend it. He gives a very good performance and, as Annette Benning says, \"Monsieur Valmont is quite the letter writer.\" :-)). Since finding this site and RoP, I have been on a binge in finding his other movies. I definitely liked his performance in \"Hostages.\" and \"The Advocate\" or HOTP, as it is known in Europe. Femme Fatale has its moments but it is pretty cheesy insofar as films go. Obviously his first role in Another Country shows great merit/potential as well as A Month in the Country. Leave Circle of Friends, where he plays the nasty Simon Westward for later. I remember being quite excited by Nostromo being on TV, but I must admit that after the disappointment of his role in TEP...my interest began to wane. Just my humble opinions!!! TO SMILE OR NOT TO SMILE? (Alicia) I prefer it when CF does not smile, but I like it when he looks amused and cracks a tiny little smile. When he's grinning from ear to ear at the end of P&P2, I just have to cringe. It doesn't suit him. Oh, but he has such a nice little smile and laugh. I know I will break the reverse on my VCR, every time I back up to watch many of those scenes where he breaks into a grin. I've done it quite a bit on the walk to the carriage schene and just to see that rare grin. (Rare, especially if you had only seen the A&E broadcast from Jan.'96 and not the 18 minutes that had been edited out. There were other smiles that never made it to my tape. Oh, woe is me.) (nan) That Movieline picture (where he is absolutely ear to ear smiling) is really very charming. Agreed. MOVIELINE PHOTO (lizbeth) first photo since the wedding... tell me now, does he look as though married life agrees with him?!! If you catch my lascivious drift Mmmm!! :-) Hard to tell...he has his hand in his lap!! ;-D ENGLISHMEN IN WESTERN? (Renate) don't forget that the most Westerns are supposed to take place in the last century, when many future Americans just arrived from Europe, and with them their accents, why not from England? I loved your outline for C olin O ut W est!! I can just hear the cattle mooing on the great plains. However, having a degree in history (with some background in early American immigration history), he would more likely have a Scandinavian, German or Slavic accent as an immigrant in the frontier. But that doesn't mean it couldn't happen!!! We historians have absolutely no imagination. I hope that doesn't mean I couldn't work on your film. I volunteer to be Wardrobe Mistress and all that entails...I'm not looking for glory, just some \"hands-on\" experience!! ;-) COLIN QUOTES (Karen) Gee, why on earth would he use the term \"bimbo\"? If it walks like a duck... (nan) Not that she'd care, but Livia gets my vote...if for no other reason than out of respect for him. I think my point is \"why would he refer to her as a bimbo\"? I read the funniest article, probably from something on Friends of Firth, that quoted his future mother-in-law. She was saying what an absolute gentleman he was and that he brought Livia home before 11:00 p.m. and he never stayed over at their home. It must be nice to live in a fantasy world. They were both on location in South America (unchaperoned) for the filming of Nostromo. Maybe there's more to this bimbo thing than meets the eye... SMOLDERING VS. PETULANCE (Karen) I'm racking my brain (should take about another minute or so) to come up with a blonde who smolders. The only ones I can think of are all women, usually from 1930s-1940s movies. (nan) I can't think of one either--not a male any way. The researcher in me is going to have to open up some boxes to unearth my movie books...\"Immortals of the Silver Screen\" comes to mind...as well as \"A Pictoral History of the Talkies.\" One of these days I'm going to have to build some shelves!! COLIN FILM DISCUSSION (nan) Isn't it about time to tackle another movie for the COLIN FILM DISCUSSION? Anyone have a preference? Since there's a larger group now, I'd like to do one that we could all get our hands on (that leaves out Tumbledown or 1919 or Camille) I suggest you add \"Wings of Fame\" to your list of near impossibles. I've never seen it at a rental place and the going rate to buy is about $90.00. Dutch Girls is unavailable/discontinued. As to my preference, I don't know which ones you have already discussed. I assume it would be easiest to discuss one with widespread availability, like a Valmont. (Renate) Agreed (on Valmont). And go on with Advocate, because it's also a period piece and easy to watch. Besides the naturalistic scenes, he does some great things with his face in this one!! And speaking of Cam"}, {"response": 326, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 1997 (20:02)", "body": "(KarenR)I loved your outline for Colin Out West!! I can just hear the cattle mooing on the great plains.....(edited roughly)... I volunteer to be Wardrobe Mistress and all that entails...I'm not looking for glory, just some \"hands-on\" experience!! Now why didn't I think of that? Of course, as casting director (thanks!), I suppose there's always that casting couch method of finding the other handsome British men (and I DO have a list of those I want to audition). Honestly, it's a good thing my husband doesn't browse on the Spring."}, {"response": 327, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 20, 1997 (21:00)", "body": "MISTRESS OF ALL I SURVEY Lori: I think I was prompted to volunteer for this menial job by the article that described the \"pond scene\" in P&P2. Supposedly, they wanted CF to do in the buff, he refused and then they started toying around with the idea of underwear. But men didn't wear underwear in those days. So, the idea of fitting CF for underwear sort of appeals to me. How better than to put some closure on the right-left argument, shirt tail stuffing, etc. I mean somebody has to do these menial things!!!"}, {"response": 328, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 1997 (01:51)", "body": "STUFFING (Bethan) If you look at his shirt as he strides through the daisies, it's long at the back but quite short at the front, just slightly below the waist, and it's made of thin gossamer-like material. Now, I'm not very good at the technicalities, but even if the front of the shirt was all scrunched up I don't think it would convey such an impression of..weightiness! Brava Bethan! I'm impressed by the amount of time and consideration you've given this very crucial question. Nothing like a good rationalization...;-) SUFFERING THROUGH PLAYMAKER (Nan) If I don't see IT, you're in big trouble.. (Bethan) You will see IT, Keep looking!! Damned glass bricks! They distort everything. I think I've found the part you mean (shower #1, 20:48 according to my counter ;-p) Just the briefest of instances, but at least it further validates Renate's \"dark\" theory. ;-.o The second shower scene is just a big ol' mess--can't see a blessed thing. OH, NO! (Arami) no, I don't think Clifton in TEP was impotent; (Renate) Terrible thought. We know better :-)) Katherine just did not get it. Or didn't get it well enough ;-p WESTERN (Arami) (P.S. Renate, can I direct that western with your absolutely LOL-ly script? Please? That'll be another Oscar...) (Renate) Perfect. Now we have a star, a director, a casting agent, a writer, the production design should go to Nan..... anybody else? Oh good--I got the fun part! (and the only one I'm even vaguely qualified for as well) :-) (Arami) And another question: what the Firth is Topic 59? Do we BEHAVE over there and are NAUGHTY here, or what? (Renate) That is why here are about 323 responses, and only about 7 over there.... :-)) I'm very jealous that I didn't think of that answer myself. Priceless dear, ;-) DISGUISE OF ANY KIND IS MY ABHORRENCE :-) (Nan)Maybe it's an editing thing, but in my version (and on my screen) you have proof of your \"dark\" theory. ;-D (Renate) Nan, what's your TV brand? LOL!! Mitsubishi, if that makes any difference. It shows definitely more than mine on the bottom of the frames! Both in FF and in HOTP/Advocate. May have something to do with PAL/NTSC? It could be either I guess. Bethan, Arami--do you guys know what I'm talking about or does it drop off your screens as well? That schtinks! Renate, you poor dear. :-( I promise you're not missing anything stupendous, just enough to prove your theory. ...IF I WERE SISKEL OR EBERT (Karen) I remember being quite excited by Nostromo being on TV, but I must admit that after the disappointment of his role in TEP...my interest began to wane. Did you wind up watching Nostromo? I felt like it went on forever and I wasn't sure which character (if any) deserved my sympathy. ENGLISHMEN IN WESTERN? (Renate) don't forget that the most Westerns are supposed to take place in the last century, when many future Americans just arrived from Europe, and with them their accents, why not from England? I hope that doesn't mean I couldn't work on your film. I volunteer to be Wardrobe Mistress and all that entails...I'm not looking for glory, just some \"hands-on\" experience!! ;-) Are you very good with inseams dear? ;-p COLIN QUOTES (Karen) Gee, why on earth would he use the term \"bimbo\"? If it walks like a duck... (nan) Not that she'd care, but Livia gets my vote...if for no other reason than out of respect for him. (Karen) I think my point is \"why would he refer to her as a bimbo\"? I think he was only quoting some rumor(s) he'd heard. There was some early speculation that she was much younger than Colin (some reports said as young as 22 I think). So he was saying that 1) she is not 22, but 27 and 2) she's not a dim little girl which he wears on his arm for show. I'm not quite sure why being 22 is synonymous with the word bimbo in the minds of some people, but whatever... (Karen) I read the funniest article that quoted his future mother-in-law. She was saying what an absolute gentleman he was and that he brought Livia home before 11:00 p.m. and he never stayed over at their home. It must be nice to live in a fantasy world. That's just an old-fashioned Italian thing. My grandmother was the same way. We behaved in front of her and did what we wanted when she wasn't looking. This was convenient, because she believed only what she saw with her own eyes. They were both on location in South America (unchaperoned) for the filming of Nostromo. And having a grand old time I imagine. ;-) COLIN FILM DISCUSSION (nan)I'd like to do one that we could all get our hands on (that leaves out Tumbledown or 1919 or Camille) (Karen) I suggest you add \"Wings of Fame\" to your list of near impossibles. I've never seen it at a rental place and the going rate to buy is about $90.00. I was able to rent WOF at Tower Video (do you have one there?) I like Tower because they tend to be more quirky in their selections than say Blockbuster, which is purely mainstream. Also if you can't find something at Tower to rent, you can request it and they'll order it and add it to thei"}, {"response": 329, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 1997 (06:47)", "body": "WESTERN (Lorie) Can we get CF and some other fav Brits to be in it? Mr. Rickman, Mr. Branagh, Mr. Everett (a gay cowboy, perhaps? ;-P)Mr. O'Toole, Mr. Hinds, Mr. Northam, and the list goes on and on. TO SMILE OR NOT TO SMILE? (Renate)But, but, but...... you can't say that a man's smile does not suit the man! :-))By now, after months of closest studies, I find his other faces (f.e. MOTM or FP) more fascinating than Darcy's, but I suppose I am in minority here. I've just realized that I've seen him so much in P&P that I've forgotten about his other roles so I'm just used to the Darcy face. So I guess I should rent some videos and watch his other roles. Maybe I'll get used to a smile on his face. MOVIE GAME (Karen) Don't laugh because I know you guys are, but couldn't you see CF as the Richard Gere character in \"Pretty Woman\"??? Yes!! I absolutely love that movie. Puh-lease, will someone please be kind enough to make a British version of it with our Colin? Alicia"}, {"response": 330, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 1997 (17:35)", "body": "DISGUISE OF ANY KIND IS MY ABHORRENCE :-) (nan) It could be either I guess. Bethan, Arami--do you guys know what I'm talking about or does it drop off your screens as well? Maybe the solution is a bigger TV. Magnification with slo-mo (frame-by-frame advancement) could be the answer. This could be quite an investment. ...IF I WERE SISKEL OR EBERT (Karen) I remember being quite excited by Nostromo being on TV, but I must admit that after the disappointment of his role in TEP...my interest began to wane. (nan) Did you wind up watching Nostromo? I felt like it went on forever and I wasn't sure which character (if any) deserved my sympathy. Oh, yes, I watched the whole thing. Nostromo is the more interesting character. I don't quite remember all that much of it though, except that CF didn't look like Darcy and I was bummed out with the facial hair. Don't particularly care for it on him. I am rather surprised that I didn't tape it for further review and reflection.....oh, more is coming back to me... Sympathy? I would say that I felt more sympathy for Nostromo--he was constantly being asked to perform the extraordinary for those interlop rs. His honor/reputation was everything. Couldn't say that about anyone else. Actually, this is sounding more interesting than it appeared previously. Maybe I'll rent the thing and watch it again! ENGLISHMEN IN WESTERNS? (Karen) I volunteer to be Wardrobe Mistress and all that entails...I'm not looking for glory, just some \"hands-on\" experience!! ;-) (nan) Are you very good with inseams dear? ;-p As with your assignment for production design, I have some familiarity with the job's requirements. In my youth, I did quite a bit of sewing. I would imagine it's like riding a bicycle, something you just don't forget!! Being a person of short stature, inseams are my speciality. Just let me get my tape measure out!! ;-p (Lorie) Can we get CF and some other fav Brits to be in it? (Alicia) Mr. Rickman, Mr. Branagh, Mr. Everett (a gay cowboy, perhaps? ;-P) Mr. O'Toole, Mr. Hinds, Mr. Northam, and the list goes on and on. Must add Timothy Dalton to this list. Those guys with indentations on their chins. I'll second the Rupert Everett thing. Wasn't he a riot? I just read something about a couple of his upcoming movies...that he will be openly gay in them as well. COLIN FILM DISCUSSION (nan) I was able to rent WOF at Tower Video (do you have one there?) Yes, we do have Tower but I've never gone there. I've got a Blockbuster and a Video Update (a fairly new chain here) within a couple of blocks of where I live. (Being in the city, I hate to drive anywhere--no parking!) Blockbuster is useless, but VU has been a gem. Not only do they stock a lot of \"old\" films, on Tuesdays, the \"old\" films are 2 for 99 cents and you get to keep them for like 3 days!!! I'll have to hop in my car and check out Tower (though, sometime during the week, when there might be treet parking, although I doubt it). (nan) I liked Apartment Zero--not at all droolworthy, but I liked it anyway. Nice and creepy. Not droolworthy??? Oh well, they can't all be gems. MOVIE GAME (nan) I don't think Julia Roberts would be the right leading lady for Colin though...have to come up with someone else (JB Renate? :-p) Julia would be fine; she wouldn't have to slouch all the time and wear flat shoes when she is in close up scenes with him. CF is tall enough for her. Perhaps, as a variation on these various movie games (Marilyn's and Renate's), I'd like to imagine what kind of movie Pretty Woman would have been (1) with CF in the Richard Gere role and (2)it was not made by a Disney company. First off, we'd get to see a lot more of our lead characters. That scene in bed would not have been shot through a room divider. And since positions have been brought up, how shall I describe what took place while Lucy was crushing grapes!!! or on that piano!!! What or who is JB?"}, {"response": 331, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 1997 (20:33)", "body": "My scanner works!!!! Are you jealous? ;-.D"}, {"response": 332, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 1997 (20:51)", "body": "CONGRATULATIONS, NAN!!! Wow! And no, I am NOT jealous, because I know you are generous and will share your treasures.....BEAUTIFUL!"}, {"response": 333, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 1997 (21:35)", "body": "FATHER FIGURE Surfing the net (officially part of my work programme, so it's VERY tempting to make CF digressions!) I found a nice resume of \"Secret Laughter of Women\". \"A Nigerian single mother is caught between the customs of her people and the amorous interest of an English writer who has befriended her eight year old son.\" More or less the same age as Colin's own son - he must be attracted to this kind of role at the moment (ditto, in WOM he has a 10 year old son!) I've always thought that he acts very convincingly with children -AMITC and more recently FP - although I'm pleased he's still got amorous interests,:-) SLOW (great acronym!) has a March 98 delivery date. Also, (Y-E-SSSS! Renate) WOM has been bought by, amongst others, Spain and GERMANY! And FP received a very favourable review at the Vancouver Film Festival and so hopefully it will be shown in Canada, and be available on video in the US... soon! What a clever little surfer I am!! CUP AND SAUCER Nan, oh Nan!! You're looking at the wrong shower scene. Now this is my last word on the subject, so pay attention! Shower scene 2. Approximately 28-29 seconds into the scene, focus on the middle row of glass panels, third panel from the right. I cannot be more explicit without blushing :-)!! But once you've seen it, you see it every time! And I don't even scrutinise these kind of scenes very carefully :-) MASTER OF THE MOOR Have to agree, Renate - I love some of the full face close-ups of Colin - it's those marvellous eyes. He doesn't need words. NOSTROMO Karen, \"Nostromo\" deserves a second viewing, although it needed some tighter editing. And you do end up liking the beard (I did!)."}, {"response": 334, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Tue, Oct 21, 1997 (22:11)", "body": "(KarenR)... the idea of fitting CF for underwear sort of appeals to me. How better than to put some closure on the right-left argument, shirt tail stuffing, etc. I mean somebody has to do these menial things!!! How very big of you to stoop down, be ready to get your hands dirty, and do such a horrible task!:-) Nan, thanks so much for the great smiling CF! He's lovely. Oh, and to many above who added Brits to the Western cast, mustn't forget Mark Strong. Emma was rerun on A&E this weekend before Jane Eyre (AND CUT, DAMN THEM), so I got a MS fix and am determined that he, too, should be in the Western and in a brown hat!"}, {"response": 335, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 1997 (00:38)", "body": "Thanks for the rapturous welcome, dear Co-droolers, I'm truly moved. The trip was super, we're already thinking of going back - wish it could be now, for the weather here is getting cooler. ATA Can't really add much more to what has already been said generally. I wish I could see and compare the director's cut or at least read the original script, to see how the adaptation was first planned. You can't hope to transfer a book to the screen in its entirety; moreover, an adaptation often makes not only cuts but also changes, sometimes quite substantial. I understand that Jane Smiley wasn't exactly happy with what was happening in the process, and also a little disappointed not to be invited to co aborate on the script, but had to concede that, once the film rights were sold, the story didn't belong to her anymore. The bottom line is that the two primadonnas - JL & MP - were apparently exceedingly enthusiastic about exploring merely one aspect of the story, namely the relationship between the sisters, and sacrificed everything else in Smiley's mini-saga for that purpose. The result is that the whole background is blurred: there are some other people there (including Colin), but they don't really matter, and if the audience is discerning, it can't help wondering why (or if it isn't, it just doesn't care). It is all indeed a bit melodramatic and soapy, much too oversimplified. In the book there was an interesting little story behind Jess's character: in the film none of that is even mentioned. He's just a stud, that's all. But what a stud!!! Colin looked extremely edible, although I'm still puzzled why both sisters were immediately so eager to bed him - Catherine Clifton's syndrome, I guess... on y less interestingly presented. There was precious little there to showcase Colin's range and abilities, but I don't think it will damage him in any way. I suspect that, as far as Hollywood is concerned, he is quite content to jog along (like Jess!) as a reliable and capable supporting actor until maybe he gets something he really likes. It is frustrating for us that he seems in no hurry - in three years he'll be 40! but personally I'm a loyal fan and accept his choice. Remember, according to his own words, he isn't having a career - h 's simply doing a job honestly and as well as he can... BTW, one of the signs of his approaching middle age is his suddenly hairier chest: I'm sure it wasn't so hirsute in earlier displays... My hubby's chest was almost hairless until his early 40's! Now he's sprouting it everywhere! PLAYMAKER Can anyone describe EXACTLY what it is you think you can see? I've slo-moed back and forward until the tape started wearing thin and if you really think what I think you think you see through that thick distorting glass, then he's also got a pair of horns and she a tail... THE ADVOCATE (THOTP) Now I suspect there may be different takes incorporated in the American cut. Mine shows exactly what Renate describes about hers. He is sitting and towelling his upper thighs (or... whatever!) - but you can only see him down to his waist. Can't see his lap at all. Waaaaaaaaaaah! TEP She married him on the rebound - she just didn't love him. Surely, a lot of \"it\" is not enough? CAMILLE He was very young, quite a solid performance, but not too powerful - and the adaptation was a little watery, perhaps. Not a lot to talk about, unless one is a real enthusiast...;-) BIMBO Karen, what do you understand by \"bimbo\"? According to my Oxford Dictionary, the English language has adapted the word to mean a young empty-headed woman. The original Italian meaning is literally \"little child\". In the quote from the interview Colin was speaking against the impression given by tabloids that Livia was as young as 19, so that he was a cradle-snatcher - and in this context he seemed to be flaunting his (obviously!) intimate knowledge of Italian... Livia is actually about 28 now, and (assumi g she's now completed her studies) a doctor of English literature - so neither meaning would be approriate anyway... ONCE MORE INTO THE BREECHES... As to the contents of Mr Darcy's breeches, you can all have all sorts of fantasies, but the simple truth is that his groin seemed to have been in the same league as the moon - there were phases... And the shirt in which he walks from the pond is not necessarily the shirt he was wearing earlier. There were several shirts made for different scenes and Crispin Bonham-Carter confirms that he had to wear his \"like a nappy\" (diaper in US-speak) AND that Colin was jealous of the shape of his (Crispin's)groin... But perhaps his face is more interesting... Love his toothy-goofy-grin with an overbite, matchstick limbs, pimply chin... Does it sound like the emperor has no clothes?... But, hey, he's HUMAN! And he's never denied it... (But not huge feet. Oh, no. His feet seem in very reasonable proportion. But he loves wearing wide fitting, comfortable shoes or boots...) And I'm sorry, but Colin's chest NEVER look"}, {"response": 336, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 1997 (01:26)", "body": "WESTERN (Arami)Is Mr Northam a Brit, then? What do you mean? He's not British!? He seemed to have a convincing accent in Emma, the Net, and etc. Also, for the western film, can I be the director of photography (cinematographer)? Photography is my hobby anyway. Alicia"}, {"response": 337, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 1997 (19:12)", "body": "WESTERN Is Mr Northam a Brit, then? (Alicia)He seemed to have a convincing accent in Emma, the Net etc. Seriously, I have always assumed he's American or Canadian. To my knowledge he's never worked on this side of the pond (or I haven't noticed him, is it possible?...) Any Jeremy fans out there to put us right on this one?"}, {"response": 338, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 1997 (22:27)", "body": "WESTERN (Arami) Is Mr Northam a Brit, then? (Alicia)He seemed to have a convincing accent in Emma, the Net etc. (Arami) Seriously, I have always assumed he's American or Canadian. To my knowledge he's never worked on this side of the pond (or I haven't noticed him, is it possible?...) Any Jeremy fans out there to put us right on this one? Since there's a link at the beginning of drool to a Jeremy Northam home page, I thought I'd check it out. He's a Brit all right. Born in Cambridge, majored in English at London U, studied theatre at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Has appeared in many Royal Natl Theatre and RSC productions. I did like him in Emma. Size of One's Feet (Arami) But not huge feet. Oh, no. His feet seem in very reasonable proportion. I'm just guessing, then, you've never heard what they say about the size of one's feet relative to other appendages ;-)) It was not meant to be critical, probably from some guys standpoint, it would be enviable. Is that a uniquely American observation? BIMBOS In addition to the brainless aspects, the American definition includes a certain laxity in morals. That's probably what I found most unusual for him to use in an interview. If I were he and a reporter used that term in referring to my fiance, I don't think I'd explain it away. I'd deck him. SQUISHY CHEST It's all a matter of degrees and I'm not saying where he ranks on the continuum of Pillsbury Doughboy (sorry, I couldn't think of anything else) to Arnold Schwartzenegger. Hey, I'm here, aren't I? I must think that there is something right with him, it's just not his upper body in most movies. As I said before, we get accustomed to seeing male bodies on TV/movies in the US look a certain way, except for on NYPD Blue when Dennis Franz bares his butt!!"}, {"response": 339, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 1997 (23:37)", "body": "NORTHAM Well, I never. I haven't heard of him working in films/TV over here at all. Obviously he belongs to Hollyweird now - a sort of duty Englishman, I guess...:) BIMBO As you can see, neither Colin nor I had any knowledge of the additional aspect of the American meaning of the word. In the interview it was he and not the journalist who apparently came up with the word first. FEET In the European tradition - at least in my case - it's the size on a man's nose... and Colin's isn't that huge after all... and in any case, they say it's not the size that matters, it's what he does with it... and none of his women close acquaintances have ever been heard complaining yet... HIS SQUISHY (?) CHEST... ...is quite enough for me. I definitely do not wish to see his pretty head perched on top of a beefy neck, monstrous arms and unnaturally overblown shoulders... He is totally from a different mould, a different category altogether... As Anthony Minghella said, Colin is delicate..."}, {"response": 340, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 1997 (01:30)", "body": "Okay, I must confess. I've done an extremely bad thing today. I went to the bookstore to buy a copy of Movieline. I looked through it and it was only one page! I was so disappointed. And I was very surprised to find out that he and Meg Tilly were an item once. I always assumed it was a brit. Then I saw a copy of Los Angeles magazine with the face of Ralph Fiennes plastered on it. I couldn't resist. Ralph Fiennes was my first love (well, the first time I fell hook, line, and sinker for an actor). I bought that instead of Movieline. I thought that I was over Ralph a long time ago but I guess it's a relapse now. I feel so guilty! I deserve to be stoned in the marketplace. I must have a Colin fix now to make up for my sin. Alicia , poor stupid girl. P.S. I mentioned before that I didn't like CF's smile, but the one in Movieline was great! And his feet are HUGE."}, {"response": 341, "author": "Marilyn", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 1997 (01:58)", "body": "HIS SQUISHY (?) CHEST... Oh, I've missed so much - I've only been able to quickly scan the posts so I don't know where this topic started - but squishy ?? I thought he looked pretty good in ATA, but then I'm pretty easy to please when it comes to his body. COLIN'S WESTERN Since I know nothing about makin' movies, can I be Colin's personal assistant, or personal photographer, or personal trainer??? :-D Karen, I think \"JB\" refers to Juliette Binoche - a fave of Renate's - guys let me know if I'm wrong. THE ADVOCATE AND PLAYMAKER I'm obviously watching the sexed-down versions of these movies (no fair!) - but with Bethan's very precise instructions, I'll try Playmaker again. ;-) SISKEL & EBERT I can't remember who asked about a post-P&P recommendation, but I'd also suggest Valmont for starters - someone also mentioned they didn't like his big toothy grin - as much as I love the Darcy brood, I dare anyone to complain about that smile after seeing Valmont - so sexy and playful - or Nan's Movieline photo (thank you, dearest!)! I'm with Nan on the next suggestion - Femme Fatale - there's so much to like about his performance here. He's positively edible, and then there's that scene in the grocery store...okay, and you all know I like the sex scenes in Playmaker, so there!! ;-p COLIN MOVIE DISCUSSION I'd also like to go along with Valmont as the next movie to discuss - I'm happy for any excuse. NORTHAM I couldn't resist - he's my second favorite Brit. You're right, Arami, he's not been in much. He was in a few obscure English things - A Village Affair, A Fatal Inversion - I even saw him on an old Poirot episode not long ago - before The Net. I'm extremely prejudiced, but he's been yummy in everything I've seen. COLIN'S \"NOSE\" (Arami) In the European tradition - at least in my case - it's the size of a man's nose... Well, I think his nose is perfect... and in any case, they say it's not the size that matters, it's what he does with it... and none of his women close acquaintances have ever been heard complaining yet... I find that very easy to believe, Arami, uh-oh, I feel a fantasy coming on...sigh!"}, {"response": 342, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 1997 (03:43)", "body": "CUP AND SAUCER (Bethan) Nan, oh Nan!! You're looking at the wrong shower scene. But...but...butt, how can it be the wrong shower scene if I actually saw something? :-.O Now this is my last word on the subject, so pay attention! Shower scene 2. Approximately 28-29 seconds into the scene, focus on the middle row of glass panels, third panel from the right. I cannot be more explicit without blushing :-)!! Well, I have followed your directions exactly and I still cannot see a blessed thing! I give up. I'll just have to take your word for it I'm afraid. NOSTROMO (Bethan) Karen, \"Nostromo\" deserves a second viewing, although it needed some tighter editing. And you do end up liking the beard (I did!). I liked the way he looked in Nostromo, especially the beard in his natural color no less. Which, not to confuse the \"dark\" issue appears quite light. PLAYMAKER (Arami) Can anyone describe EXACTLY what it is you think you can see? I've slo-moed back and forward until the tape started wearing thin and if you really think what I think you think you see through that thick distorting glass, then he's also got a pair of horns and she a tail... LOL! This is very true. See, Bethan I'm not the only one... THE ADVOCATE (THOTP) He is sitting and towelling his upper thighs (or... whatever!) - but you can only see him down to his waist. Can't see his lap at all. Waaaaaaaaaaah! Oh that isn't very fair, is it? But you guys got all the juicy stuff which I would very much like to see. CAMILLE He was very young, quite a solid performance, but not too powerful - and the adaptation was a little watery, perhaps. Not a lot to talk about, unless one is a real enthusiast...;-) Well, I hate to leave a stone unturned. Your comments are similar to what I've read about it, but I guess it couldn't be any worse than the \"P\" movie. ;-p SCANNER Congrats, Nan - can this thing enlarge?... Oh yeah, but that was just my first try at the scanner so I wasn't really sure what I was doing. I think it's one of those things you learn by trial and error. So when I get better at it, I'll be able to do all kinds of bee-yew-tee-ful things. FOR SHAME ALICIA! ;-p Movieline. I looked through it and it was only one page! I was so disappointed. Then I saw a copy of Los Angeles magazine with the face of Ralph Fiennes plastered on it. (snip) I bought that instead of Movieline. LOL! I think I can forgive you considering my propensity to bring up Kevin Costner and my lovely, balding brute of a hockey player. Glass houses you know...;-p COLIN'S WESTERN (Marilyn) Since I know nothing about makin' movies, can I be Colin's personal assistant, or personal photographer, or personal trainer??? :-D LOL! Doesn't matter what it is as long as it's personal, huh Marilyn? I say go for the masseuse job...;-D Karen, I think \"JB\" refers to Juliette Binoche - a fave of Renate's - guys let me know if I'm wrong. Yes, that's correct. COLIN MOVIE DISCUSSION I'd also like to go along with Valmont as the next movie to discuss - I'm happy for any excuse. Okeedokee. Valmont it is. Discussion begins next week--say Wednesday October 29. NORTHAM (Marilyn) I couldn't resist - he's my second favorite Brit. LOL! I was waiting for you to pounce on this. ;-D"}, {"response": 343, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 1997 (19:02)", "body": "TRUE CONFESSIONS (Alicia) Then I saw a copy of Los Angeles magazine with the face of Ralph Fiennes plastered on it. I couldn't resist...I bought that instead of Movieieline.... I feel so guilty! I deserve to be stoned in the marketplace. I must have a Colin fix now to make up for my sin. Well, if that's the worst thing that you've done, your penance is to watch \"Playmaker\" (is that the bad one??) three times!!!! BTW, no one gets over their first idol. Actually, I don't think I've ever lost my interest in any of them. It's just a question of intensity. THE ADVOCATE AND PLAYMAKER (Marilyn) I'm obviously watching the sexed-down versions of these movies (no fair!) OK, I know there are differences between American and European cuts of films. And there are different videotape protocols (PAL, NTSC). Does anyone sell the European versions here to buy? Or do they have to be converted? Now, I'm certainly not complaining about what I have seen so far in CF's movies because it's all quite nice and he obliges us so frequently, but if there is more, I hate feeling cheated!!! SISKEL & EBERT (Marilyn) I'm with Nan on the next suggestion - Femme Fatale - there's so much to like about his performance here. He's positively edible, and then there's that scene in the grocery store...okay, and you all know I like the sex scenes in Playmaker, so there!! ;-p Edible...grocery store LOL!!!! How many degrees do you think the temperature rose in the freezer compartment after he pushed her up against it!! CUP AND SAUCER (Bethan) Nan, oh Nan!! You're looking at the wrong shower scene. (nan) But...but...butt, how can it be the wrong shower scene if I actually saw something? :-.O I gotta get this movie and a bigger TV set!!! NOSTROMO (nan) I liked the way he looked in Nostromo, especially the beard in his natural color no less. Which, not to confuse the \"dark\" issue appears quite light. Which is it, ladies? I originally thought he was in the strawberry blond family. You have all convinced me that he is naturally dark and curly. Now we are talking about a light beard? Now, who was it that was measuring the lengths of shirt tails and rationalizing their stuffing power? Perhaps, we could have a theory that hair grows in different shades on different parts of the body!!! And I'm not talking about grey hair. I'm getting so confused!!"}, {"response": 344, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 1997 (19:39)", "body": "I'm doin' a little test thingie--"}, {"response": 345, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 1997 (19:43)", "body": "CACA!! Again..."}, {"response": 346, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 1997 (19:46)", "body": "I shall conquer this!!"}, {"response": 347, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 1997 (19:48)", "body": "This is getting humiliating ;-.("}, {"response": 348, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 1997 (19:50)", "body": ""}, {"response": 349, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 1997 (19:54)", "body": "Well, that was worth the trouble now wasn't it? :-D I have no idea what happened to the bottom of the photo, but I'm getting closer anyway ;-p"}, {"response": 350, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 1997 (20:20)", "body": "THE FIRST (Karen)BTW, no one gets over their first idol. Actually, I don't think I've ever lost my interest in any of them. It's just a question of intensity. You're right,Karen. It is a matter of intensity. There are so many actors that I adore but I can only take one at time. I sometimes feel that I can't like real men because my head is in celebrity-dom. Anyway, this weekend I'm going to indulge myself in Colin videos (hopefully I'll have the time). Alicia"}, {"response": 351, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 1997 (21:18)", "body": "Nice work Nan, certain worth it!! Karen"}, {"response": 352, "author": "Marilyn", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 1997 (21:47)", "body": "MOVIELINE COLIN Ooooh, Nan, he's so pretty !! Thank you, dearest, it's workin' for me!! ;-) FEMME FATALE (Karen) Edible...grocery store LOL!!!! How many degrees do you think the temperature rose in the freezer compartment after he pushed her up against it!! Oh, Karen, I'd guess everything melted - the heat that man generates!! ;-D I know I felt feverish and sweaty watching that little freezer dance! \"OTHER\" MEN (Nan) LOL! I think I can forgive you considering my propensity to bring up Kevin Costner and my lovely, balding brute of a hockey player. Glass houses you know...;-p Oh, my! Colin, Northam, Fiennes, Coster, and Nan's (yes, he's YOURS!) hockey beast - such lovely, happy thoughts!! Alicia, I'm finding Los Angeles AND Movieline tonight - I can think of few things more pleasing than spending an evening with Colin and Ralph - yummmm! COLIN'S WESTERN (Nan) Doesn't matter what it is as long as it's personal, huh Marilyn? I say go for the masseuse job...;-D LOL!! Oh, you know me too well, sister friend! ;-)"}, {"response": 353, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 1997 (21:57)", "body": "NAN... OOOOH, NAAAAN...!!!...."}, {"response": 354, "author": "chey", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 1997 (22:08)", "body": "Welcome back, Arami, we have missed you and all your jucy tidbits. Now, does anyone know Jennifer Ely? She would have first hand information about the shirttale issue.; ) !!"}, {"response": 355, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 1997 (16:14)", "body": "(KarenR)Perhaps, we could have a theory that hair grows in different shades on different parts of the body!!! OK, I'm probably being an idiot, but for people with hair that tends to blonde or red, doesn't exposure to the sun have an effect on the color? And some parts, no matter how many nude scenes you do in movies, don't get as much exposure as others. Anyway, my husband has dark brown hair, but his mustache comes in red. So there is room for debate here. Whatever color is \"natural,\" the man is a babe. Thanks for the photo, Nan."}, {"response": 356, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 1997 (16:43)", "body": "\"OTHER\" MEN (Marilyn) Oh, my! Colin, Northam, Fiennes, Coster, and Nan's (yes, he's YOURS!) hockey beast - such lovely, happy thoughts!! mine, Mine, MINE!! ;-D MOVIELINE PHOTO (Arami) NAN... OOOOH, NAAAAN...!!!.... Big enough for you pal? ;-p THE HAIR COLOR ISSUE (KarenR)Perhaps, we could have a theory that hair grows in different shades on different parts of the body!!! Well now that's true. I know a couple of men who have dark hair, but light beards. I'm leaving for a little weekend trip...see you all on Monday. ;-)"}, {"response": 357, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 1997 (20:14)", "body": "LET THERE BE LIGHT (Lori) And some parts, no matter how many nude scenes you do in movies, don't get as much exposure as others. Toooo funny!!! So, all our future cinematic hopes for him are not going to result in lighter hair? ...So there is room for debate here. Whatever color is \"natural,\" the man is a babe. I don't think anyone here will take the opposite side of a debate on your last comment. NOT IN YOUR THEATRES YET... A while ago, I said I found it kind of difficult recasting movies because I have a tendency to identify actors with their roles. If an actor was miscast, then then the movie was probably bad and, hence, forgetable. So, I came up with a role for Colin based on a book that has not been made into a movie yet (but they gotta...it's soooooo good). The book is called Rose and its by Martin Cruz Smith, the author of Gorky Park. This one takes place around the turn of the century (could be on the 19th C part though, I'd have to go back and check). Colin would play Blair, a world-weary, malarial geologist type who had come back to England from Africa and then would engage in some Sherlock Holmesian activities in a coal mining town. While the Blair was born in this coal mining town in England, he was taken to America as a child. I don't think this is critical to the story. But Nan said I should explain why I would put Colin in the role, so here goes: A Bathing Scene!!! Which was true, although Blair was sure that she was far more attractive undressed than he was. He pulled off his boots and socks and stood shakily, supporting himself with the table to unbutton his shirt. Looking down, he saw how coal dust had collected down the center of his chest. He opened his pants and long johns and stepped out of them, feeling not so much bare as embarrassed. In the Gold Coast he had always been aware of how pale and scrawny he appeared. In Wigan, too, as it turned out. ***** Although her hands weren't broad, they were strong, and when she washed his neck he let his head loll back drunkenly. In the mirror by the stairs he saw himself, tub and her. Her hair was loose and wild: all she needed in it, he thought, was a briar rose to be a muse of summer. Add a lute and a silvery stream and she could be a model. Between the steam and and washing him, she was almost as wet as he was, damp muslin clinging to her arms. Her hair brushed his cheek. It was the sort of deep brown tha became red with the looking. No fizzy orange but threads of sable, copper, sienna, gold. She poured more water over him to sponge his chest. It was the heat of the water combined with the gin in his veins, but he felt himself start to harden. The tub water wasn't so soapy that she couldn't see. He was astounded and ashamed. The rest of him was bruised and dead, yet this single part was unmistakably alive, rising like Lazarus, a traitor from the water. He shifted on his side to make the physiological fact less evident. Rose washed around the bruise on his hip, a circular motion repeated by her breasts against his back. From their friction he became aware that they had stiffened, too. Can't you just see him in that tub? Does anyone want to hear more????? (I hope there aren't any 12-year olds around.) Actually, you've already seen the most graphic description!! But the rest, hmmmmmm"}, {"response": 358, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 1997 (21:05)", "body": "CAREER CHOICES There was precious little there to showcase Colin's range and abilities, but I don't think it will damage him in any way. I suspect that, as far as Hollywood is concerned, he is quite content to jog along (like Jess!) as a reliable and capable supporting actor until maybe he gets something he really likes. It is frustrating for us that he seems in no hurry - in three years he'll be 40! but personally I'm a loyal fan and accept his choice. Remember, according to his own words, he isn't having a career - hs simply doing a job honestly and as well as he can... (Arami) I meant to comment on this earlier, Arami. I agree with you.. I REALLY want to see him in the roles he deserves (no more cameos, please, my fast-forward button will be worn out!) but I sometimes wonder what sort of offers he's had from Hollywood, and what his range of choices is like. I still get the feeling that he continues to be underestimated as an actor, even, or perhaps especially, in the UK. I want to see MORE, much MORE of him, and in strong dramatic roles which really stretch him and allow his ta ents as an actor to be fully recognised. Maybe more work in television/theatre? I think that he's trying his best to be involved in high quality work, but it must be difficult always to make the right choices. Perhaps his \"career\" will follow more along the lines of Ian Holm - King Lear and lots of good supporting roles in quality movies. I think that Colin said somewhere that his favourite American actor was Robert Duvall - again an excellent supporting actor rather than a movie star. BTW why does it always say in Colin's FAQ that Hollywood is interested in him for the role of Sherlock Holmes. Is this true? It has possibilities. A QUESTION OF POSITION What exactly is in the missing 15 minutes in the Advocate, which audiences in the US are deemed too delicate to see. I suppose I can guess! The Advocate is very versatile! I remember watching HOTP and being momentarily shocked :-) Now nice Mr Darcy would never have done anything like that (or would he?)!!! SHOWER SCENE I see what I see. And if I'm the only one, well tough luck!! The rest of you will have to carry on gazing at his nose or his feet, or whatever... :-) I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR HIM Nowadays I seem to be the only Colin fan who doesn't care much about other actors (Arami) I am very telescopic in my obsession - only HIM! And I won't change my loyalties Have a nice weekend, Nan, and thanks for the photo! Well scanned!"}, {"response": 359, "author": "Claudia", "date": "Sat, Oct 25, 1997 (17:59)", "body": "(Bethan) I remember watching HOTP and being momentarily shocked :-) Now nice Mr Darcy would never have done anything like that (or would he?)!!! Can you give us a little hint as to what Mr. Darcy might not have done? Is there a US source to buy these European versions of films? Karen R, the book Rose (no pun intended) by Smith sounds absolutely delightful! I could vividly imagine CF in that scene. Has this book been out very long? (Arami) There were several shirts made for different scenes and Crispin Bonham-Carter confirms that he had to wear his \"like a nappy\" (diaper in US-speak) AND that Colin was jealous of the shape of his (Crispin's)groin. They must be jesting! CF jealous of CBC? Well, that was before they saw the final cut! As in everything else, they (Davies & Co., plus JA) made Darcy superior to Bingley; there'd be no way they'd let it be otherwise in this sense! If CBC was, the camera didn't catch it or it was left on the cutting room floor. The light pants that CF wore helped alot, too. With dark fabric, any shadows created by \"form\" disappears. Love those light pants!!! (Bethan) Nan, oh Nan!! You're looking at the wrong shower scene. Now this is my last word on the subject, so pay attention! Shower scene 2. Approximately 28-29 seconds into the scene, focus on the middle row of glass panels, third panel from the right. I cannot be more explicit without blushing :-)!! But once you've seen it, you see it every time! And I don't even scrutinise these kind of scenes very carefully :-) Exactly what kind of equipment are we talking about .... It must have to do with size and heads. Bethan, how many heads does your VCR have? Is it VHS or what? What size is your TV screen? This discussion (some see it, some don't) is all very vexing. It motivates me to drastically upgrade my electronic equipment rather getting the cheapest things at CostCo. Has anyone seen CF in \"The Secret Garden\" (Hallmark Hall of Fame version)? It was filmed 10 years ago, and there are shades of Colin in that boy (for the two minutes he was in it, all at the very end), but it was positively painful to watch him walk, as he was hobbling from a war wound. Painful because we know just how delectably he can walk naturally (e.g., downhill after the pond scene in P&P2). He was very \"clean-cut\" looking, in uniform, and reminded me of The Jock in \"The Breakfast Club\" (Emilio E tevez). His hair was a non-descript shade of brown. It was cut fairly short, but had definite hints of waviness, not curly, but I imagine it could get a little curly when long enough and humid enough. But, he was wearing light pants with high boots, and his voice, definitely CF. The whole scene consisted of him kissing Mary, proposing to her, and kissing her again. End of movie. He must have been 26 or 27 at the time. How did he support himself with these few and tiny little roles early in his care r? (Oh, sorry, with this \"job\".) Thanks for the info on how to do italics, etc. I'll see if I did it right."}, {"response": 360, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Sun, Oct 26, 1997 (00:26)", "body": "(Arami) It is frustrating for us that he seems in no hurry - in three years he'll be 40! I just saw \"A Month in the Country\" and Colin must have been 26 in it. And I must say that he is aging rather well. Other actors growing handsomer by the minute: Sean Connery, Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson, and Jeff Bridges. Alicia"}, {"response": 361, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Oct 26, 1997 (01:09)", "body": "Claudia: How did he support himself with these few and tiny little roles early in his career? Who said they were few and tiny? He has been in virtually constant demand since leaving drama school in 1983 and has always been busy, even if not always taking leading roles. Have you seen Friends of Firth web site, Claudia? Such links as FAQ or Internet Movie Database also give lots of useful info."}, {"response": 362, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 1997 (16:25)", "body": "Is he just too stunning for words, or what? ;-D"}, {"response": 363, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 1997 (16:28)", "body": ""}, {"response": 364, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 1997 (16:29)", "body": "So lovely, isn't he? At some point I will get used to the syntax and I'll get it right the firthst time ;-)"}, {"response": 365, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 1997 (18:33)", "body": "BTW, I should like to say that I did not scan the above 2 photos. The excellent Renate was good enough to send them to me...are they not toooooo gorgeous? ;-)"}, {"response": 366, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 1997 (18:52)", "body": "Bravo."}, {"response": 367, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 1997 (19:33)", "body": "I had to take a break for some days, but now I'm back and I hope you like what I brought along.... do you like it? These both portraits are my top favourites, together with the \"beer-picture\" and the \"Happy Man in Black\"! I'll try the beer-pic. (Courtesy to Picture Gallery of Republic of Pemberley) BTW, today is Fever Pitch Day! Oct. 27 is release date of the PAL videotapes."}, {"response": 368, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 1997 (20:11)", "body": "TRUE CONFESSIONS (Alicia) ...I bought that instead of Movieieline.... I feel so guilty! I deserve to be stoned in the marketplace. I must have a Colin fix now to make up for my sin. (Karen) Well, if that's the worst thing that you've done, your penance is to watch \"Playmaker\" (is that the bad one??) three times!!!! Penance indeed. Ugh! BTW, no one gets over their first idol. Actually, I don't think I've ever lost my interest in any of them. It's just a question of intensity. I agree, I still have a little Shaun Cassidy thing going ;-p THE ADVOCATE AND PLAYMAKER (Karen) Does anyone sell the European versions here to buy? Or do they have to be converted? They have to be converted I'm afraid--can't buy the European versions here. ;-( SISKEL & EBERT (Marilyn) He's positively edible, and then there's that scene in the grocery store...okay, and you all know I like the sex scenes in Playmaker, so there!! ;-p ...she said defiantly. LOL! ;-) (Karen) Edible...grocery store LOL!!!! How many degrees do you think the temperature rose in the freezer compartment after he pushed her up against it!! Oh that scene just makes me wild!! Yooo-hooo, Colin--come push me against the frozen peas...;-) NOT IN YOUR THEATRES YET... (Karen) The book is called Rose and its by Martin Cruz Smith, the author of Gorky Park. (snip) A Bathing Scene!!! Which was true, although Blair was sure that she was far more attractive undressed than he was. He pulled off his boots and socks and stood shakily, supporting himself with the table to unbutton his shirt. Looking down, he saw how coal dust had collected down the center of his chest. He opened his pants and long johns and stepped out of them, feeling not so much bare as embarrassed. In the Gold Coast he had always been aware of how pale and scrawny he appeared. In Wigan, too, as it turned out. Oh my Karen!! This is tooooo juicy...I just love the coal dust collecting on his chest--yum! Although her hands weren't broad, they were strong, and when she washed his neck he let his head loll back drunkenly What a vision that gave me!! (snip) Between the steam and and washing him, she was almost as wet as he was, damp muslin clinging to her arms. (snip) She poured more water over him to sponge his chest. It was the heat of the water combined with the gin in his veins, but he felt himself start to harden. The tub water wasn't so soapy that she couldn't see. He was astounded and ashamed. The rest of him was bruised and dead, yet this single part was unmistakably alive, rising like Lazarus, a traitor from the water. He shifted on his side to make the physiological fact less evident. Rose washed around the bruise on his hip, a circular motion repeated by her breasts against his back. From their friction he became aware that they had stiffened, too. Merciful heavens...don't stop now ! \"Lazarus\" - LOL! ;-) I think we shall have to build a dam somewhere on the firthlands to hold back to the rising drool flood... Can't you just see him in that tub? Does anyone want to hear more????? Not only can I see him in that tub, but I see ME in that tub as well...;-D A QUESTION OF POSITION (Bethan) What exactly is in the missing 15 minutes in the Advocate, which audiences in the US are deemed too delicate to see. I suppose I can guess! I heard that there is a beach strolling scene and that the scenes with the gypsy (I can never remember her name--my short term memory is shot ladies) are longer. SHOWER SCENE (Bethan) I see what I see. And if I'm the only one, well tough luck!! The rest of you will have to carry on gazing at his nose or his feet, or whatever... :-) Or his \"horns\" as the case may be ;-p GREEN-EYED COLIN (Claudia) They must be jesting! CF jealous of CBC? Well, that was before they saw the final cut! I've read that quote too and I cannot imagine what Colin meant. I never even noticed CBC's breeches. Thought never even crossed my mind to look... (Claudia) Exactly what kind of equipment are we talking about .... It must have to do with size and heads. Bethan, how many heads does your VCR have? Is it VHS or what? What size is your TV screen? This discussion (some see it, some don't) is all very vexing. It motivates me to drastically upgrade my electronic equipment rather getting the cheapest things at CostCo. LOL!! I think that whoever mentioned the difference in PAL vs. NTSB format was correct. It's probably something inherent to those formats. The things I mentioned (the swatch of blue underwear in Femme Fatale and the er...treasure trail in The Advocate) can be seen in the US versions but apparently not in the European. I think that whatever Bethan is seeing in the shower scene in (ugh!) Playmaker is just her excellent eyesight! ;-) Has anyone seen CF in \"The Secret Garden\" (Hallmark Hall of Fame version)? I have seen it and he is such a little cutie. You know you're a Colin fan when you go to the trouble of renting a movie in which he appears for all of 2 minutes. :-) but it was positively painful to watch hi"}, {"response": 369, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 27, 1997 (21:47)", "body": "PICTURES Oh, what a cutie!!! especially those b&w ones. Keep'm coming!! Why can't the American media see what we see? They must be blind as bats. BTW, should I be able to print from here? All I ever get is the little response box. CAREER CHOICES (lizbeth) I want to see MORE, much MORE of him, and in strong dramatic roles which really stretch him and allow his talents as an actor to be fully recognised. Maybe more work in television/theatre? I think that he's trying his best to be involved in high quality work, but it must be difficult always to make the right choices. He's seems to have the right stuff upstairs (just look at how this guy interprets his roles--right on the money), so I don't think that it's a question of his choices. Maybe he's just not getting the right offers. He needs a better agent!!! ...that Hollywood is interested in him for the role of Sherlock Holmes. Is this true? It has possibilities. I hope not. Anyway, is there a need? Who was it? Jeremy Brett, I think, was just plain marvelous in the last series. THE STUFF DREAMS ARE MADE OF (Claudia) If CBC was, the camera didn't catch it or it was left on the cutting room floor. The light pants that CF wore helped alot, too. With dark fabric, any shadows created by \"form\" disappears. Love those light pants!!! I hope nothing else of such significance was left on the cutting room floor!! Hmmmmmm...the color of the pants...a new theory. Definitely better than diapers or nappies!! Although, I do like the stuffing contest. What article described the stuffing contest between CF and CBC? I must read it. Does it have any pictures? measurements? materials used? NOT IN YOUR THEATRES YET (Claudia) The book Rose (no pun intended) by Smith sounds absolutely delightful! I could vividly imagine CF in that scene. Has this book been out very long? I believe it came out either at the end of last year or at the beginning of this year. I think it is now in paperback. It is actually quite good and quite different from his other novels. (nan) Not only can I see him in that tub, but I see ME in that tub as well...;-D Ok, here's the rest of the bathing scene. Go get the book, there are a couple of other scenes, which in \"drool parlance\" could potentially be called the \"yarn dance\" scene!! Oh yeah, another reason CF would be great in this is that he could do it with the Darcy five o'clock shadow. and now back to our story... He felt his blood pound, but Rose didn't break contact, as if they were both mesmerized and complicit in the steady rhythmic motion of the sponge in her hand and the heat of the stove. ***** He felt her breath on his neck as her hand came to a stop. He was amazed that through the pain and gin he could be so aware of her touch, of her heartbeat through the slight tremor of her breast, the very air of her. ***** They were trapped like two people who had encountered each other in the dark, neither wishing to back away. He felt her soft exhalation and the brush of her hair on the side of his cheek. The sponge in her hand rest motionlessly on his thigh. He didn't know who would have moved first if Flo hadn't returned. \"Success,\" she announced as she marched down the stairs, oversized pants hanging from one hand and cap and shapeless jacket in the other. \"Everythin' but a silk scarf.\" Immediately Blair felt himself subside into uncomplicated pain. Rose sat back silently and wiped her brow while Flo bustled around the kitchen. Blair didn't understand what had transpired, but he did know that the moment was gone and that without its tension he was progressively more drunk. Rose got to her feet and gave the sponge to Flo. \"Dry him, dress him, take him back t'his hotel.\" She untied her apron and went up the stairs that Flo had just come down. \"Sure.\" Flo was surprised by Rose's retreat but still full of momentum. She said to Blair, \"Your shoes are full o' muck, but you can wear clogs.\" \"Great.\" It was his last coherent word."}, {"response": 370, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Oct 28, 1997 (03:06)", "body": "SISKEL & EBERT & FROZEN PEAS (Karen) Edible...grocery store LOL!!!! How many degrees do you think the temperature rose in the freezer compartment after he pushed her up against it!! (Nan) Oh that scene just makes me wild!! Yooo-hooo, Colin--come push me against the frozen peas...;-) Playing with food again? :-)) A QUESTION OF POSITION (Bethan) What exactly is in the missing 15 minutes in the Advocate, which audiences in the US are deemed too delicate to see. I suppose I can guess! (Nan) I heard that there is a beach strolling scene and that the scenes with the gypsy (I can never remember her name--my short term memory is shot ladies) are longer. I have only seen the European Version, and the only scene I thought rather explicit is the romping around with Maria (BTW, did I already mention that my middle name is Maria? No kidding! :-))) and ruining the bed in the course of their activities. Other potential for editing, I list some scenes, you say if you remember: There was the dream sequence, when a young couple, stark raving naked, tied to each other, are attacked and hunted down by horsemen or something. * When Courtois wakes up, and Maria comments on his nice dream, before she undresses and then joins him, and they exercise some \"positions\". Explicit noise to hear outside of the house. * Courtois signing Marias bare butt. * Several bare butts, male and female in the bathing house scene. * Full frontal nudity of the daughter with the hysteric laughter (can' remember her name) * Bare breasts in close up on the party on the castle. * Bare breast of Jeannine the witch. Come to think of it, quite a lot of skin in this film, indeed, and nothing obscured by glass bricks. :-) Did I forget something important? The scenes with Samira were rather tame, IMO, as far as I remember. . And the nude scene by the river: what would they want to edit: miles away, and branches and leaves obscuring the sight. Anything that you NTSCler did not see? PICTURES (Karen) BTW, should I be able to print from here? All I ever get is the little response box. ???? Don't understand your question. Can you explain a bit? LIFE IN DOWNING STREET NO 10 ? \"Sure.\" Flo was surprised by Rose's retreat but still full of momentum. She said to Blair, \"Your shoes are full o' muck, but you can wear clogs.\" \"Great.\" It was his last coherent word. before he left to meet Helmut and Bill for an agrarian summit."}, {"response": 371, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Oct 28, 1997 (03:11)", "body": ".....butt. * Several bare butts, male and female in the bathing house scene. * Full frontal nudity of the daughter with the hysteric laughter (can' remember her name) * Bare breasts in close up on the party on the castle. * Bare breast of Jeannine the witch. No, I can't!!! Don't argue with me, Tom Yapp-bin!"}, {"response": 372, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Oct 28, 1997 (04:06)", "body": "PICTURES (Karen) Oh, what a cutie!!! especially those b&w ones. Keep'm coming!! I really, really like that dark, serious one. I was getting all goosebumpy just playing with the picture in photoshop (blowing it up, making it sketchy). Oh just peel me off the ceiling!;-) (Karen) BTW, should I be able to print from here? All I ever get is the little response box. Yes, you should be able to print them. If you can't get it to work, I can send them via email and you can try printing from that if you'd like. CAREER CHOICES (Karen)Maybe he's just not getting the right offers. He needs a better agent!!! I nominate Renate! ;-) NOT IN YOUR THEATRES YET (nan) Not only can I see him in that tub, but I see ME in that tub as well...;-D (Karen) Ok, here's the rest of the bathing scene. Go get the book, there are a couple of other scenes, which in \"drool parlance\" could potentially be called the \"yarn dance\" scene!! Damned straight I'm getting the book! ;-D The sponge in her hand rest motionlessly on his thigh. He didn't know who would have moved first if Flo hadn't returned. \"motionlessly on his thigh\"--oh sure, maybe I might stop moving at a time like that.;-p Rose got to her feet and gave the sponge to Flo. \"Dry him, dress him, take him back t'his hotel.\" 'Strip him, bathe him and bring him to my tent' ;-p Oooh I really liked that one Karen. Good choice! SISKEL & EBERT & FROZEN PEAS (Nan) Oh that scene just makes me wild!! Yooo-hooo, Colin--come push me against the frozen peas...;-) (Renate) Playing with food again? :-)) It's the same as the ice cubes ;-O A QUESTION OF POSITION (Renate)I have only seen the European Version, and the only scene I thought rather explicit is the romping around with Maria That scene was kind of explicit, but too comic to be really hot I thought. There was the dream sequence, when a young couple, stark raving naked, tied to each other, are attacked and hunted down by horsemen or something. I don't think I recall that one, but it's been a while. * When Courtois wakes up, and Maria comments on his nice dream, before she undresses and then joins him, and they exercise some \"positions\". Explicit noise to hear outside of the house. * Yep, that one made it in to both versions I guess. Courtois signing Marias bare butt. Don't remember that one, but again, I haven't seen it in a while. * Several bare butts, male and female in the bathing house scene. * Full frontal nudity of the daughter with the hysteric laughter (can't remember her name) * Bare breasts in close up on the party on the castle. * Yes to all. The scenes with Samira were rather tame, IMO, as far as I remember. . And the nude scene by the river: what would they want to edit: miles away, and branches and leaves obscuring the sight. Hmmm...there is no scene by the river. The only scene with Samira is very tame--so tame it's dull. LIFE IN DOWNING STREET NO 10 ? (Renate)...before he left to meet Helmut and Bill for an agrarian summit. LOL! Wiseass...;-p"}, {"response": 373, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Tue, Oct 28, 1997 (07:37)", "body": "THE PICS Absolutely delicious! Oh, baby, he looks sooooooooooo good. Where do the B&W photos come from? FIRST IDOL BTW, no one gets over their first idol. Actually, I don't think I've ever lost my interest in any of them. It's just a question of intensity. (Nan)I agree, I still have a little Shaun Cassidy thing going ;-p ROTFLMAO! :-P"}, {"response": 374, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Oct 28, 1997 (15:55)", "body": "THE PICS (Alicia) Where do the B&W photos come from? They are from the April 97 issue of Empire...I can't take the beauty, tis too much! ;-)... ;-)..... ;-)........ FIRST IDOL (Nan) I agree, I still have a little Shaun Cassidy thing going ;-p (Alicia) ROTFLMAO! :-P Oh yeah I laugh about it now, but he was the living end when I was 12! My first true lust obsession. 1978, Madison Square Garden, Shaun wearing all white satin doing his best to look sexy--ooh it was too much for my blossoming hormones! The beginnings of drooldom ;-D BTW, Shirley Jones sobbed through a good portion of that show; at the time I had no idea why--now it's just too cute ;-) Okay ladies, spill it--I've confessed my shameful teeny bopper secret--your turn..."}, {"response": 375, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 28, 1997 (21:26)", "body": "opic 51 of 64 [drool]: Colin Firth Response 370 of 374: Renate (Renata) * Mon, Oct 27, 1997 (21:06) * 41 lines FROZEN PEAS (Karen) Edible...grocery store LOL!!!! How many degrees do you think the temperature rose in the freezer compartment after he pushed her up against it!! (Nan) Oh that scene just makes me wild!! Yooo-hooo, Colin--come push me against the frozen peas...;-) (Renate) Playing with food again? :-)) Do I have my choice as what I want to play with? ;-D A QUESTION OF POSITION (Bethan) What exactly is in the missing 15 minutes in the Advocate, which audiences in the US are deemed too delicate to see. I suppose I can guess! (Renate) There was the dream sequence, when a young couple, stark raving naked, tied to each other, are attacked and hunted down by horsemen or something. * When Courtois wakes up, and Maria comments on his nice dream, before she undresses and then joins him, and they exercise some \"positions\". Is this different from the naked people being hunted dream scene at the beginning? (Renate) Explicit noise to hear outside of the house. * What explicit noise? I haven't received my own personal copy of The Advocate yet, otherwise, I'd just do a FF. (Renate)The scenes with Samira were rather tame, IMO, as far as I remember. . PRINTING Nan, maybe this belongs on your \"Drool Help Topic\" because nothing except the little response box ever appears when I hit Print. I'm talking about not just pictures, but text as well. Also, if there aren't any \"new\" messages and I want to get into the topic, I change the instruction to Last 7 Days, but it reloads back to the beginning of September, which means it takes forever with all those full-color pictures in there. Am I the only one with this problem? Am I doing something wrong? I mean this is not the end of the world because I can't print (it will save some trees though). I view it as a mere inconvenience. Go ahead and e-mail them to me, Nan, but what do I need to view them in?? What app? LIFE IN DOWNING STREET NO 10 ? \"Sure.\" Flo was surprised by Rose's retreat but still full of momentum. She said to Blair, \"Your shoes are full o' muck, but you can wear clogs.\" \"Great.\" It was his last coherent word.... before he left to meet Helmut and Bill for an agrarian summit. Oh, dear Renate. Does this mean that they won't make this wonderful book in to a movie starring CF because of his name because the same as the PM's :-(( Time for a reelection, then. Priorities, priorities!! Here in the US, we don't give a damn about such stuff....\"Primary Colors\" should be in theaters soon. BTW, I saw some clips of that and Travolta is amazing...so Clintonlike. And Emma, could she look more like Hillary, I think not!! NOT IN YOUR THEATRES YET (nan) \"motionlessly on his thigh\"--oh sure, maybe I might stop moving at a time like that.;-p Actually, my thoughts were: Damn that Flo, why did she have to show up!!! And Then that last line: \"Great.\" It was his last coherent word. Yours too!!! Huh, Nan???? :-)))) 'Strip him, bathe him and bring him to my tent' ;-p Precisely!! (nan) Oooh I really liked that one Karen. Good choice! Nan, do you need a cold towel? a shower? more buckets? So glad you liked my excerpts. I think I'll have to check what other \"great\" books of literature are lurking in those boxes in my living room. Let me know what you think about the book. Whether you agree with me that CF would be great in that role. FIRST IDOL (Nan)I agree, I still have a little Shaun Cassidy thing going ;-p (Alicia) ROTFLMAO! :-P (nan) Okay ladies, spill it--I've confessed my shameful teeny bopper secret--your turn... Shaun Cassidy kind of dates you. How about Paul McCartney???? (I was a preteeny bopper, but had an older sister...when they first landed on our shores.) He was the one!! I found boxes of stuff about the Beatles and especially Paul in the basement of my parents' home when we sold it. I didn't throw it away. Then, there were the dead guys, like James Dean and Clark Gable, and the James Dean lookalike Christopher Jones (bet you never heard of him). I've never outgrown this kind of stuff!! But, as a m ture adult, my interest in a cutie like Colin would only manifest itself in watching one of his movies if I saw it listed in the TV Guide or such...until I landed here, that is!! Let's hear'm, ladies."}, {"response": 376, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 28, 1997 (21:59)", "body": "LEST YOU FORGET... Tomorrow, we begin our Valmont droolcussion. Dust off the old tape or run out to the video store."}, {"response": 377, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Oct 28, 1997 (22:26)", "body": "PRINTING (Karen) maybe this belongs on your \"Drool Help Topic\" because nothing except the little response box ever appears when I hit Print. I'm talking about not just pictures, but text as well. Yes, I've heard of other people having the same problem. We were never really able to determine the cause. However, if you just want to print text the easiest thing would be to copy and paste onto a word document or notepad and print from there. Also, if there aren't any \"new\" messages and I want to get into the topic, I change the instruction to Last 7 Days, but it reloads back to the beginning of September, which means it takes forever with all those full-color pictures in there. Oooh, I hate when that happens! ;-) In order to avoid the long loading time we usually come in through \"the back door\". On your address/URL line change change the \"browse\" to read and change \"all\" to 51. That will get you into the topic but you'll only see a response box. From there you can back up using the redisplay. The problem with this is you have to remember the approximate number of the last response. NOT IN YOUR THEATRES YET (nan) \"motionlessly on his thigh\"--oh sure, maybe I might stop moving at a time like that.;-p (Karen) Actually, my thoughts were: Damn that Flo, why did she have to show up!!! And Then that last line: \"Great.\" It was his last coherent word. Yours too!!! Huh, Nan???? :-)))) Tis true--grunting in frustration I was! ;-D Flo needs a smack for ruining my fun ;-p (Karen) Nan, do you need a cold towel? If I were to wish for something, I don't believe a cold towel would be my first choice ;-) a shower? Alone? more buckets? One can never have too many buckets...speaking of which, where's Arami? So glad you liked my excerpts. I think I'll have to check what other \"great\" books of literature are lurking in those boxes in my living room. Oh please do--that was a splashy one! ;-D Let me know what you think about the book. Whether you agree with me that CF would be great in that role. I already agree. I'm just going to read the book for a cheap thrill. ;-p FIRST IDOL (Karen) How about Paul McCartney???? (snip) He was the one!! I found boxes of stuff about the Beatles and especially Paul in the basement of my parents' home when we sold it. I didn't throw it away. Good decision--valuable stuff. I understand the Paul McCartney attraction, though I can't say I ever felt that way about him myself. I never really drooled over anyone that was too popular (Elvis, The Beatles, David Cassidy--seems a sacrilege to include DC in that list, but he was enormously popular at one time). Shaun was only a little famous and for a very short time. I like the quasi-popular treasures, hence my devotion to Mr. Sexy Pants. ;-) Then, there were the dead guys, like James Dean and Clark Gable, and the James Dean lookalike Christopher Jones (bet you never heard of him). Well, you've got me with Christopher Jones. ;-)"}, {"response": 378, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Tue, Oct 28, 1997 (23:46)", "body": "Shameful but true...at a time in life when I should have been idolizing Bobby Sherman or some such person, I had a bad crush on Jack Lord (of Hawaii 5-0 fame). Now that everything old is new again, that show is on in reruns on Family channel. And yes, I watched, and AAARGH! The show itself is embarrassingly bad, Mr. Lord's hair is embarrassingly bad, and his acting when tisn't wooden is just plain laughable. Will you guys ever allow me to come here again?"}, {"response": 379, "author": "Marilyn", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 1997 (00:19)", "body": "FIRST IDOLS Okay, this is gonna date me, too, I'm afraid - and I've already admitted this guilty pleasure to Nan - but my first love was Joe Namath. His \"fu-manchu\" moustache did for me what Shaun's white satin did for Nan. ;-) Embarassingly enough, I still get swoony whenever I see one of his Desinex ads on TV - now that's devotion!! Karen - Who's Christopher Jones? I'm stumped! BLACK & WHITE COLIN He's so devastingly beautiful - smooches to Nan and Renate for sharing such lovely photos - they actually made me whimper! TEP Did Colin's Geoffrey not make your heart ache?? Ralph was beautiful, but Colin's performance seemed even more brilliant to me the second time around. MISC. STUFF I'm still trying to track down the 1992 Wuthering Heights - Blockbuster must only have one copy and it's been out since it was released and my trusty local video store doesn't even carry it. Anyway, does Jonathan Firth have a substantial role? I read the book ages ago, but saw both the Timothy Dalton (sigh) and Laurence Olivier versions fairly recently, and still can't recall the character JF plays. Looking forward to our Valmont discussion tomorrow...I have to say he's pretty darn sexy from start to finish - whether he's composing letters, or dancing, or sweeping Meg up in his arms - yes, he earns his Mr. Sexy Pants moniker in this one!! ;-)"}, {"response": 380, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 1997 (01:09)", "body": "(Karen) Why can't the American media see what we see? They must be blind as bats. And yet his best new photos are in the American publications, vide Vogue and Movieline... I liked their reference to him as The Patient Englishman... Is this true that Hollywood is interested in him for the role of Sherlock Holmes? So they say. However, I reckon HE is not interested in that role. The book Rose by Smith sounds absolutely delightful! Couldn't someone scan the rest of those particularly juicy pages here ;-)? (Renate)did I mention that my middle name is Maria? No kidding! :-))) Really?... You don't say...;-) (Nan)The only scene with Samira is very tame--so tame it's dull. It's the only sex scene I recall in which Colin is seen in the missionary position... Boooooriiiiiiiing! In order to avoid the long loading time we usually come in through \"the back door\". On your address/URL line change change the \"browse\" to read and change \"all\" to 51... Or try this: http://www.spring.com/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/51/new it will also show new (unread) posts - then you can \"redisplay\" back to whatever number you wish. (Nan)One can never have too many buckets...speaking of which, where's Arami? Lurking, mostly. Avoiding buckets..."}, {"response": 381, "author": "Amy", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 1997 (01:54)", "body": "Erections, anyone? We had to take this thread off the P&P board to keep our PG-13 status. Nan, I hope you don't mind my exporting it here. Please accept my apologies if I'm imposing, and get rid of it -- or pass it on again! Please don't respond at Pemberley, anybody. Our teacher friends thank you. Have fun. . Firth/ Darcy categories - Jane 5 11:34:18 10/25/97 ( 20) More suggestions - Heide 16:59:58 10/26/97 ( 0) Scenes - Dave 01:37:29 10/26/97 ( 2) Ah, yes! - Katherine 22:50:32 10/26/97 ( 0) Hi Dave - Helen 03:43:04 10/26/97 ( 0) re:Darcy to punch out someones lights - Kitty 23:56:57 10/25/97 ( 0) It depends upon what you mean... - Patrick 22:40:07 10/25/97 ( 3) Possible explanation? - MB 17:16:53 10/27/97 ( 1) Davies' Words - Claudia 15:23:48 10/28/97 ( 0) As the stereotypes say... - Helen 03:37:05 10/26/97 ( 0) Darcy would like... - Alicia 20:08:43 10/25/97 ( 2) Not just sex... - Haru 21:24:42 10/26/97 ( 1) Sex - Bill K 15:35:00 10/28/97 ( 0) \"The Look\" scene - Shannon 18:59:17 10/25/97 ( 0) Scenes - Claudia 14:47:17 10/25/97 ( 0) The dog scene, perhaps? :D - Luisa 12:00:36 10/25/97 ( 5) The Dog Scene (2) - Andrea H 11:16:11 10/26/97 ( 4) Not un-Austen - Amy 09:32:52 10/27/97 ( 2) Puppy Scene in Emma? - Trina 10:44:12 10/28/97 ( 0) Jane Austen heroine plays with dog in book.... - The Mysterious H.C. 13:48:03 10/27/97 ( 0) Critics, schmitics! (or whatever) ;-) (Nfm) - Luisa 12:45:53 10/26/97 ( 0)"}, {"response": 382, "author": "Amy", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 1997 (01:56)", "body": "Sorry. That was really stupid. Those links won't work at all. I don't know what I was thinking."}, {"response": 383, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 1997 (01:58)", "body": "Ooh Amy, I was just about to get all excited about that too...;-p"}, {"response": 384, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 1997 (02:00)", "body": "Ooh Amy, I was just about to hit those links...bummer, I was looking forward to some good erection stories too;-p"}, {"response": 385, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 1997 (02:02)", "body": "Well that was weird...the first time it didn't work, so I decided to change my wording and try again and then both of them showed up. Bizarre. See, even the software got all excited about the erections..."}, {"response": 386, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 1997 (02:03)", "body": "Ooh Amy, I was just about to hit those links...bummer, I was looking forward to some good erection stories too;-p"}, {"response": 387, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 1997 (02:04)", "body": "Getting stranger and stranger--I did not submit that last one. ;-("}, {"response": 388, "author": "Amy", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 1997 (02:05)", "body": "Good. Glad you don't mind. This should work: Firth/ Darcy categories - Jane 5 11:34:18 10/25/97 ( 20) More suggestions - Heide 16:59:58 10/26/97 ( 0) Scenes - Dave 01:37:29 10/26/97 ( 2) Ah, yes! - Katherine 22:50:32 10/26/97 ( 0) Hi Dave - Helen 03:43:04 10/26/97 ( 0) re:Darcy to punch out someones lights - Kitty 23:56:57 10/25/97 ( 0) It depends upon what you mean... - Patrick 22:40:07 10/25/97 ( 3) Possible explanation? - MB 17:16:53 10/27/97 ( 1) Davies' Words - Claudia 15:23:48 10/28/97 ( 0) As the stereotypes say... - Helen 03:37:05 10/26/97 ( 0) Darcy would like... - Alicia 20:08:43 10/25/97 ( 2) Not just sex... - Haru 21:24:42 10/26/97 ( 1) Sex - Bill K 15:35:00 10/28/97 ( 0) \"The Look\" scene - Shannon 18:59:17 10/25/97 ( 0) Scenes - Claudia 14:47:17 10/25/97 ( 0) The dog scene, perhaps? :D - Luisa 12:00:36 10/25/97 ( 5) The Dog Scene (2) - Andrea H 11:16:11 10/26/97 ( 4) Not un-Austen - Amy 09:32:52 10/27/97 ( 2) Puppy Scene in Emma? - Trina 10:44:12 10/28/97 ( 0) Jane Austen heroine plays with dog in book.... - The Mysterious H.C. 13:48:03 10/27/97 ( 0) Critics, schmitics! (or whatever) ;-) (Nfm) - Luisa 12:45:53 10/26/97 ( 0)"}, {"response": 389, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 1997 (04:10)", "body": "BROODING BLONDES I think I may have found a brooding blonde. I just saw \"A Room with a View\" and Julian Sands seemed to be brooding quite a bit. I really like this movie. It's got 3 of the most good-looking Brits: Julian Sands, Rupert Graves, and Daniel Day Lewis. If only Colin Firth were in it!"}, {"response": 390, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 1997 (08:41)", "body": "FEVER PITCH - THE VIDEO Lack of time is turning me into a lurker, but I must say that I have just got the video of FP. I normally find that I prefer watching movies as videos, and this is no exception. So much that I missed! Perfectly charming, funny and very well acted. Lots of favourite scenes but I have to mention the scene in the car when he smiles at Sarah. Not a half smile, not a broad grin, just a lovely warm smile, which I haven't seen before in any of his movies. Worth the \ufffd14.99 for that alone!"}, {"response": 391, "author": "Claudia", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 1997 (16:42)", "body": "Oh, my!! Did I cause that thread to be thrown out of RofP? All I did was give a more precise explanation to answer Patrick's and quote Davies, who used the word \"er*****n\", which is how I tried to delicately put it. I was having some hesitation about that thread from the day it appeared, but everyone was getting on a roll. Gosh, I'm really sorry. Couldn't they have just deleted my post? Tell Amy I'll really try to be more careful over there in the future. My apologies."}, {"response": 392, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 1997 (16:58)", "body": "Okay ladies...today we talk about... VALMONT Go to it ;-.)"}, {"response": 393, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 1997 (19:23)", "body": "TEP (Marilyn) Did Colin's Geoffrey not make your heart ache?? Ralph was beautiful, but Colin's performance seemed even more brilliant to me the second time around. Maybe, I'll have to give this another try, probably on a Tuesday night when rentals are 99 cents! I am on record (and I shall not back off) of not liking this movie, thinking it was way, way, way overrated, and RF does absolutely nothing for me. I look at him and see a lizard. yuck! And then, the role that CF played. Fantasy, pure and simple. That anyone would cheat on him and with a lizardy person like RF???? Pure fantasy!!! NOT IN YOUR THEATERS YET (Arami) The book Rose by Smith sounds absolutely delightful! Couldn't someone scan the rest of those particularly juicy pages here ;-)? Just so you guys don't think that Rose is some kind of cheap Harlequin romance, here is Time's review from June 3, 1997 (reprinted without permission). Since most of us got here via P&P, I would think this review (which, for some reason, overlooks a droolable bathing scene, naked clog-clad kick boxers--good alliteration--or yarn dancing) would be intriguing enough!! \"It is no surprise that Martin Cruz Smith, author of the Soviet-era Russia cop novel Gorky Park, has the most interesting and richly textured crime story of the season. What is unexpected about Rose is its setting: not the disorder of present-day Russia but the rigidly stratified society of a Welsh coal-mining town toward the end of the 19th century. As must be true in a period thriller, the setting drives the plot and makes the crime--in this case, the disappearance and presumed mur er of a young and idealistic clergyman--seem inevitable. As Smith tells it, the town of Wigan is a place of impacted resentments on the part of the miners and supercilious contempt on the part of the clan that owns the mine workings, ruled by a righteous and merciless cleric, Bishop Hannay. Into this nexus of bitterness and coal dust comes Jonathan Blair, a penniless, malarial and more than slightly gin-sodden African explorer. Blair, who was born in Wigan, would rather be anywhere else, but the wealth bishop, whose hobby is African exploration--this is the era of Burton, Speke and the Mountains of the Moon--has promised Blair a place on his next expedition if he finds the missing clergyman, who is also the fianc\ufffd of the bishop's daughter. It won't escape the notice of a modern reader that this overabundance of plot is appropriate to a Victorian novel, not merely to a tale set in Victorian times. So is the central puzzle, which involves not only the story of the naive young cleric but also the distinctly unusual relationship between snobbish Charlotte, the bishop's chilly daughter, and Rose, a lusty \"pit girl,\" or woman miner. It should not be overlooked that Rose is the novel's title figure. Smith ending is not quite a hanky dampener, but it does bend a hard tale of murder and mine disaster a long way toward the never-never of historical romance. BTW, we shouldn't be too mad at poor ol' Flo. She was the one who brought Blair home so that he could be ministered to by our little Rose. I think Flo may have even drawn the water. But Blair undressed himself. Now, if I had been there, he wouldn't have had to do that himself. I could have lent a helping hand or two!!! See how perfect I would be for Wardrobe Mistress...me and articles of clothing--on or off, makes little difference to me. Now I think we have a potential rival bath scene for KC's in Bull Durham (which I too have watched over and over and over again)--the best--until maybe this???? He shifted on his side to make the physiological fact less evident. Rose washed around the bruise on his hip Wrong direction, dear!! Do you need glasses??? ...Blair felt himself subside into uncomplicated pain. Who else could do justice to this one?? Femme Fatale's near out-of-body experience would do nicely here. FIRST IDOL (nan) Well, you've got me with Christopher Jones ;-) (Marilyn) Who's Christopher Jones? I'm stumped! I knew that would stump you!!! I love it, a mystery man. (nan) I never really drooled over anyone that was too popular If you've never heard of him, then I guess he would meet your criteria. BTW, I do remember David Cassidy, but he never did anything for me...sort of reminded me of Davy Jones (no relation to my mystery man above). Oh, I got another one: Dean Martin, Jr. of Dino, Desi and Billy fame. Oh, that Dino, he was such a cute boy. I can't even remember when I last thought about these people. BROODING BLONDES (Alicia) I think I may have found a brooding blonde. I just saw \"A Room with a View\" and Julian Sands seemed to be brooding quite a bit. Not bad!! Got me thinking about Charles Dance, particulary in \"Jewel in the Crown\" and \"White Mischief.\" FEVER PITCH - THE VIDEO (Lizbeth) I have just got the video of FP...So much that I missed! Perfectly charming, funny and very well acted. Lots of favourite scenes but I have to mention the scene in the car when he smiles a"}, {"response": 394, "author": "Amy", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 1997 (21:38)", "body": "Claudia, actually it was the direct reference to having an erection that Myretta and I felt put the thread over the PG limit, but don't feel bad about it. We used to have such lovely daggy talks in the early days that I rather long for them sometimes, but we don't want to get put on the NetNanny lists. Kathleen (Kaf's) whole domain -- including our chat room in the early days -- was blocked by SurfWatch for a time because of some of the Banderas material, and so we try real hard not to give the sex police any shred of ammunition. Anyway, your post may have put it over the top, but the thread, as a whole, was just itching to go that way. But, Karen, nothing was missing from the thread until last night at the moment I put the links over here instead."}, {"response": 395, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 1997 (22:54)", "body": "FROZEN PEAS (Renate) Playing with food again? :-)) (Karen) Do I have my choice as what I want to play with? ;-D :-) Such as? A QUESTION OF POSITION Is this different from the naked people being hunted dream scene at the beginning? No, I meant that scene. Sorry, I apparently mixed it up. I don't owe the tape, and cannot check. (Renate) Explicit noise to hear outside of the house. * What explicit noise? (in synch) ouhh - ouhh - ouhh - ouhh - ough - ough - oooouuoohh aaaaaaahhhhhhh I haven't received my own personal copy of The Advocate yet, otherwise, I'd just do a FF. I'd love to do a bit of FF myself :-)). FIRST IDOL (Nan) ..... I like the quasi-popular treasures, Oh, yes. It's fun to make discoveries - spot the future star before the mass audience does. And then you sit there, lean back to cover your exitement, nod calmly, and say in a low voice with a weary expression: \"Remember what I recommended 3 years ago, when we watched ................ together? You laughed about my Internet addiction? You have seen him before\" \"No, never!\" \"You did. The English Patient, Fever Pitch, A Thousand Acres...\" \"????\" Ahhhh - I am waiting for that moment...... :-)) MOVIELINE (Arami) ...... I liked their reference to him as The Patient Englishman... Loved that, too. We should all mail to Movieline for a 'thank you'. (Renate)did I mention that my middle name is Maria? No kidding! :-))) Really?... You don't say...;-) Envious? :-)=) (Nan)The only scene with Samira is very tame--so tame it's dull. (Arami) It's the only sex scene I recall in which Colin is seen in the missionary position... Boooooriiiiiiiing! Samira is supposed to be a pagan, hence the missionary .... FEVER PITCH - THE VIDEO Not a half smile, not a broad grin, just a lovely warm smile, which I haven't seen before in any of his movies. Can't wait - can't wait ...to see it again ......... I have ordered it, but it will take some days..... While I write this I watch \"The Prophecy\" on TV. Scary film, with Christopher Walken as Archangel Gabriel and Eric Stoltz as Simon - it draws me in. Anyone here seen this strange movie?"}, {"response": 396, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Wed, Oct 29, 1997 (23:12)", "body": "MISC. STUFF (Marilyn)I'm still trying to track down the 1992 Wuthering Heights - Blockbuster must only have one copy and it's been out since it was released and my trusty local video store doesn't even carry it. Anyway, does Jonathan Firth have a substantial role? I read the book ages ago, but saw both the Timothy Dalton (sigh) and Laurence Olivier versions fairly recently, and still can't recall the character JF plays. No kidding! JF was in Wuthering Heights? I taped it and it's been ages since I've seen it. I'm guessing that JF plays Hareton Earnshaw, Hindley and France's only son. He becomes Heathcliff's servant later. But I'm going to have to watch it again to make sure."}, {"response": 397, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 1997 (05:52)", "body": "(Amy) Good. Glad you don't mind. Mind? Certainly not. In fact, I encourage it. Anyone who starts out a post with \"Erections anyone?\" has my full cooperation ;-) BROODING BLONDES (Alicia) I think I may have found a brooding blonde. I just saw \"A Room with a View\" and Julian Sands seemed to be brooding quite a bit. Oooh, good one Alicia--that's a brooder if ever I saw one. I really like this movie. It's got 3 of the most good-looking Brits: Julian Sands, Rupert Graves, and Daniel Day Lewis. If only Colin Firth were in it! I haven't seen it in a few years but I remember liking it very much. Handsome men with lovely accents, beautiful scenery, operatic score...you're right, the only thing it's missing is Colin. FEVER PITCH - THE VIDEO (Bethan) Lack of time is turning me into a lurker :-( FP. Lots of favourite scenes but I have to mention the scene in the car when he smiles at Sarah. Not a half smile, not a broad grin, just a lovely warm smile, which I haven't seen before in any of his movies. Worth the \ufffd14.99 for that alone! I'm jealous... and counting the days until I can get my greedy hands on it.;-) I'm relying on the generosity of those who have seen it to give me more juicy tidbits...please ;-} TEP (Marilyn) Did Colin's Geoffrey not make your heart ache?? (Karen) I am on record (and I shall not back off) of not liking this movie, thinking it was way, way, way overrated Unfortunately that happens to me as well (I still don't understand the Forrest Gump thing) but I really did like this movie. It might have been too long perhaps and I was concentrating more on Colin than the rest of the cast, but I liked the feel (whatever that means). However, I do agree that it wasn't the masterpiece everyone kept talking about. and RF does absolutely nothing for me. I look at him and see a lizard. yuck! LOL but I do have to disagree with you there. He's not Colin, but he does me just fine (it's the eyes!) ;-) And then, the role that CF played. Fantasy, pure and simple. That anyone would cheat on him and with a lizardy person like RF???? Pure fantasy!!! Aha! You didn't like it because Colin was misused...well that's okay then ;-p NOT IN YOUR THEATERS YET (Karen) Just so you guys don't think that Rose is some kind of cheap Harlequin romance, here is Time's review from June 3, 1997 If the bathtub scene was not enough of a reason to get the book, then that review nails it. Though I was kinda hoping for some more \"cheap Harlequin\" moments ;-p BTW, we shouldn't be too mad at poor ol' Flo. She was the one who brought Blair home so that he could be ministered to by our little Rose. She still needs a smack ;-p But Blair undressed himself. Now, if I had been there, he wouldn't have had to do that himself. I could have lent a helping hand or two!!! Hell, just use velcro like those clothes the Chippendales wear ;-) Now I think we have a potential rival bath scene for KC's in Bull Durham (which I too have watched over and over and over again)--the best--until maybe this???? Oooh, I dunno...that's a tough decision. You know how much I love that 60 minute man thing...We're back to that choice again: Kevin or Colin, Kevin or Colin. Then again, we could just go with Marilyn's suggestion--get a bigger tub! ;-p \"He shifted on his side to make the physiological fact less evident. Rose washed around the bruise on his hip\" (Karen)Wrong direction, dear!! Do you need glasses??? Oh I hope not ;-p FIRST IDOL (nan) I never really drooled over anyone that was too popular (Karen) If you've never heard of him, then I guess he would meet your criteria. Very likely. Know anywhere I can see a picture? BTW, I do remember David Cassidy, but he never did anything for me...sort of reminded me of Davy Jones (no relation to my mystery man above). He never did anything for me either. When I was 12 they had to be blonde ;-) Oh, I got another one: Dean Martin, Jr. of Dino, Desi and Billy fame. Oh, that Dino, he was such a cute boy. I can't even remember when I last thought about these people. A little bit of nostalgia is pleasant every now and then. Now Dino, there's a handsome blonde one, poor fellow. Wasn't he married to Dorothy Hamill? FEVER PITCH - THE VIDEO (Bethan) I have just got the video of FP... (Karen) This is torture!! Please make them stop, Nan!! Don't look at me, the more they talk about it the easier it will be to bear the wait ;-) (But it is unfair ;-p) VALMONT Just a little drool for now--more later!! Can I be his pen pal???? Huh, pleez!! Line forms to the right... Write me a letter, any time, any place!!! That's okay Colin, keep writing...just ignore me ;-p THE \"E\" THREAD (Claudia) Oh, my!! Did I cause that thread to be thrown out of RofP? (Amy) We used to have such lovely daggy talks in the early days that I rather long for them sometimes Well you're certainly welcome to let loose here when the mood strikes you. Anyway, your post may have put it over the top, but the thread, as a whole, was just itching to go that way. Yes Claudia, don't worry "}, {"response": 398, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 1997 (07:08)", "body": "FIRST IDOL (Renate) Oh, yes. It's fun to make discoveries - spot the future star before the mass audience does. And then you sit there, lean back to cover your exitement, nod calmly...(snip) You have seen him before\" \"No, never!\" \"You did. The English Patient, Fever Pitch, A Thousand Acres...\" \"????\" Ahhhh - I am waiting for that moment...... :-)) (Nan)You know, in a way I hope that never happens. I usually lose interest the moment someone becomes too popular. I thought Brad Pitt was beautiful until he became BRAD PITT. I guess it's also good that Colin doesn't seem to have any interest in being so very famous, so perhaps this one will last a good long time. I know what you mean, Nan. I also lose interest in someone when he becomes too popular. Funny that you mention Brad Pitt. I thought he was the best looking thing, esp. in \"A River Runs Through It.\" But now he's become such a public figure and actors seem to get less attractive when they just get too much overexposure. That's why I don't talk much about Colin Firth to my friends. I don't want him to be abducted by the public and transformed into something else. I want to keep him to myself as much as possible. (My, I'm selfish!) ;-)"}, {"response": 399, "author": "Claudia", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 1997 (07:09)", "body": "(Arami) It's the only sex scene I recall in which Colin is seen in the missionary position...Boooooriiiiiiiing! (Renate) Samira is supposed to be a pagan, hence the missionary .... (Nan) As far as the missionary position--I thought it was a nice change of pace considering he's always upright (no pun intended). Yeah, right... you guys are SO BAD! Okay, who knows the answer to this one: Which movie is this dialogue from (it's from a sound file)? CF: Why did you come? What do you think you'll find here? Girl: That you love me. CF: Do you want me to lie to you? Girl: ....... Yes. This is so well done, I just have to see the movie. I've been practicing saying yes like she does; it's wonderful. Oh, and I'll keep that NetNanny thing in mind for RofP."}, {"response": 400, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 1997 (08:01)", "body": "Okay since you're all too shy ;-p (and I can't sleep), I'm going to plunge into Valmont... I remember seeing this on Bravo several years ago (well before I saw P&P2) and I thought \"that Firth guy is mighty cute\". Yes, cute. I wouldn't really describe him that way now, but in Valmont he is devilishly cute. I particularly like the first time we see him (at the opera) when he asks AB \"How old did you say she was?\" mumbling a little with the one-eyed squint. Delightful! Another thing I noticed this time around is that he is, like Mrs. Fezziwig, \"one vast substantial smile\". After P&P2, where you don't even know he has teeth until after the wedding, this is really charming. As Marilyn would say \"edible\" ;-.D Now I'm going to say something not pleasant here but I can't help it. IMO, not only was Meg Tilly dreadfully miscast but she's just...well...wrong somehow. She certainly has that naive sweetness thing down, but there is something about her diction that is not very reflective of the period. Also, she always looks like she just woke up. Bad Nan! I thought Michelle Pfeiffer was a much better choice (in DL). And no, this opinion has nothing to do with my horrible jealousy over the r past relationship ;-.p For Renate and Arami--I still think his hair (after he comes out of the water) looks like a big jellyfish LOL! ;-D However, I was comforted by the appearance of yet another wet shirt. Poor Megan is missing this conversation :-.( Is it me or does MT's character do a complete 180 in 2 seconds flat? (Not that I blame her, mind you) One minute she's saying \"No, no\" and the next she's hopping onto his saddle (oh baby!). All he had to say was \"You're a brilliant archer\" and bang, her demeanor changed instantly. Interesting pick up line, don't you think? ;-.p A few great Colin lines: -\"Would that make you jealous?\" (with the most adorable hopeful grin) -\"Anything you want\". (YUM!!) -\"You lost your bet\" (CF) \"No\" (AB) \"Yesss\" (gleefully--too delicious!) A few random thoughts: -His face is as cute as a button (all youthful exhuberance). -The \"walk\" gets better and better (particularly when he walks away from MT after she reads the accusatory letter to him). -In the following scene, when he sees Cecile in the carriage--I love that little tolerant smile he gives after AB says \"Look who I brought with me\". -Do you think Fairuza Balk had a butt-double? ;-.p -He is just too desirable when he is brooding (after AB refuses to honor the bet) I can't take it! Poor Colin needs some lovin' ;-.D AB's knees in the tub scene: I finally noticed it Renate! It is a little distracting. It starts with the garment covering her left knee, then her right, then both, etc...but frankly I was more concerned with looking at CF--surprise surprise ;-.p And here you go... Okay ladies...your turn ;-.)"}, {"response": 401, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 1997 (08:06)", "body": "(Claudia) Okay, who knows the answer to this one: Which movie is this dialogue from (it's from a sound file)? CF: Why did you come? What do you think you'll find here? Girl: That you love me. CF: Do you want me to lie to you? Girl: ....... Yes. Valmont! Go get it and join the discussion. Make haste! ;-D"}, {"response": 402, "author": "SylviaH", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 1997 (14:38)", "body": "Since my last post is 188 messages ago I have to appologize for neglecting my drooling duties. After being away for a holiday of two weeks I try to conquer the floods and fountains of drool on the Spring. Thanks to Nan and Renate for scaning all those gorgeous pictures. FEVER PITCH Yesterday was my lucky day because FP was shown in my part of Germany. It's a funny movie and Colin has so many lovely scenes in it, e.g, his reaction to Sarah's invitation and sleeping on the bench in the park. I even like Colin's beard in this movie and hope that I'll get the video soon. A question to the experts: during the decisive last Arsenal game Sarah's girlfriend switches the channels and you see a guy whom I suspect to be the one who won the BAFTA instead of Colin. Am I right or wrong? FIRST IDOLS (LorieS) Shameful but true...at a time in life when I should have been idolizing Bobby Sherman or some such person, I had a bad crush on Jack Lord (of Hawaii 5-0 fame)...(snip) Lorie, I'm so happy that I'm not alone with this problem. Today I really don't know what attracted me! But things are getting worse. JL is the reason for a creepy experience with CF because my first thought after seeing the picture in USA Today, May 19, 1996 was: there he looks like... I don't dare to finish the sentence. (I guess the hair-style is the crucial point.) All we can say is that our taste has improved since then! VALMONT To describe Colin's performance in this movie I have to borrow Nan's cute and Marilyn's edible . I prefer Forman's lighter version of Dangerous Liasons. Valmont is lavish of colors, landscape, costumes but what is the story all about? About Meg Tilly (Nan) One minute she's saying \"No, no\" and the next she's hopping onto his saddle (oh baby!). Yes, exactly my thoughts! Colin's hair and wig Does anyone know what they did with his hair? During the opera scene in Mme de M.'s box his hair looks smooth but in the following scene outside the box his hair looks curly and this gives him a very boyish look. In the pond scene he enters the boot with curly hair and has a very strange hair style during his talk with Mme. de T. To me it looks as if longer hair was connected with his own hair but it was not done well enough. You can see that after his jump into the pond! Renate and Arami discussed this p int some time ago. Pride and Prejudice Which member of the P&P team was so fond of Valmont that he included the pond, the bath-tub, the candle and the ring? My guess is Andrew Davies. Favourite scene CF: Why did you come? What do you think you'll find here? Girl: That you love me. CF: Do you want me to lie to you? Girl: ....... Yes. I just had to repeat this dialogue, because this is my favourite scene, starting with Valmont lying on the bed and ending with Valmont lying in the bed."}, {"response": 403, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 1997 (19:55)", "body": "FEVER PITCH - THE VIDEO (Nan) I'm jealous... and counting the days until I can get my greedy hands on it.;-) Anybody know anything about when (notice I didn't say \"if\") we will get to see it here?? I did some on-line searching at a video site and didn't see it listed even in the \"future\" release category, which went through about Thanksgiving. TEP (Nan) LOL but I do have to disagree with you there. He's not Colin, but he does me just fine (it's the eyes!) ;-) What??? You like small, beady eyes??? Not for me. Give me big eyes that you could drown in, big pondlike eyes!!! How's that? ;-)) NOT IN YOUR THEATERS YET (Karen) Now I think we have a potential rival bath scene for KC's in Bull Durham (which I too have watched over and over and over again)--the best--until maybe this???? (Nan) Oooh, I dunno...that's a tough decision. You know how much I love that 60 minute man thing...We're back to that choice again: Kevin or Colin, Kevin or Colin. Then again, we could just go with Marilyn's suggestion--get a bigger tub! ;-p Splish, splash...and out go those candles!! \"He shifted on his side to make the physiological fact less evident. Rose washed around the bruise on his hip\" (Karen)Wrong direction, dear!! Do you need glasses??? (Nan) Oh I hope not ;-p Her, not him. (Nan) Though I was kinda hoping for some more \"cheap Harlequin\" moments ;-p Your wish has been answered. My poor fingers have been busy (no scanner for me) and I couldn't be that heartless to leave you hanging there, on the edge of the bathtub wondering when and if Lazarus would rise from the dead again!! But it's going to be on the installment method. ROSE, PART II He pounded her door to b heard over the downpour. When Rose finally opened, he hobbled through and leaned against the jamb, resting his weight on one leg....Her hair was wild, spilling from a comb. Skin olive from coal dust...There was no sign of her friend Flo. \"I told you not t'come back,\" she said. \"I didn't want to, but ...\" ***** Blair started when the sound of the rain on slate roofs accelerated to a drumming that drowned out his words, and without thinking he moved away from the open door. Without conscious intent, he found his hand on her waist. By itself, it drew her close. Rose could have hit him or driven her comb into his hand. Instead, she raised her mouth to his and gave him the taste of coal. ***** Through his hand he felt her heart, beating as hard as his. He couldn't hear the clock over the rain, but he saw the pendulum stirring by the grate. If he could have stepped back in time a mere minute and undone his touch, he would have. He couldn't. Besides, at a moment when her usual coquetry could have been expected and would have set him free, Rose seemed as astonished as he was. Or she was a better actor. Upstairs, her room had an unlit lamp, the shadow of a chest of drawers, a bed with cotton sheets as worn as cambric. In his arms she was more slender than he had expected, and paler. He caught a flash of her back in a long mirror. A year of deprivation made the slightest touch feverish, as in a reverie. Need was a form of insanity, he thought. He entered her with desperation, as a drowning man rises to the surface. She couldn't have been more than nineteen or twenty, but she waited for him with patience. He felt like a satyr upon her younger body, until, when he was firmly set, her face colored and he felt her legs around his back. What would the first drink of water in a year be like? What is water to the soul? What is astonishing about a primal act is the wholeness of the two bodies, as he was astonished to find himself in a bed and made complete by a mere pit girl. He was aware of her sooty hands and face, and of his hands and face growing as dark, but mostly of her eyes, which watched him with a glow of triumph. Sweat shone on her brow and welled around her eyes, making the lids darker, the whites brighter, avenues to gaze that drew him in. Should an ignorant girl be shallow? There was a depth to Rose he was unprepared for, but now had fallen into. More than fallen: plunged. Pain washed away. Or he had gone to a level where pain could not follow, a level that was all Rose, where he felt himself gladly disappear, then reappear, his whole body hard as a stone she clung to, then shudder and dissolve from stone to flesh. ******Afterwards.... Talk died for a second because they didn't know each other, he thought. They had nothing in common, had gone through no period of wooing, only found themselves impelled toward each other, like planets falling into a mutual gravitational pull. ****** \"I haven't had all that many women, but all were different.\" \"How?\" \"Touch, smell, taste, motion, heat.\" \"God, you're a scientist. And what do I taste like?\" He ran his hand over her flank and across her belly, then licked his palm. \"Rose. A slightly burnt rose.\" She shifted to one elbow....She ran her hand up his leg and held him there. \"I see you're alive again.\" Rose was no ordinary girl, Blai"}, {"response": 404, "author": "MarSea", "date": "Thu, Oct 30, 1997 (21:18)", "body": "I'm over here with the experienced droolers and feel *way* over my head in this room, but you did put a link from 59 .... then you put up a pix from Valmont (give him credit - with all that in front of him he looks in her eyes! \"That's a Gentleman for you!\" Now I will have to scratch around this backwater and see if I can find a copy of V to beg, borrow or steal (only till I can make a copy) and admire his ruffles and flourishes. I have been forwarned that he meets a less than happy outcome, but we ust suffer for art's sake and plunge in with mega-boxes of tissues ever at the ready for whatever moisture emanates from wherever. Please don't stone the really neophytic - you've been my sustenance for many months and I couldn't handle it =) My first idol was Lord Olivier (yes, I'm in 11 also) with minor lapses, he still was until....Marcia in Hawaii"}, {"response": 405, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 1997 (00:31)", "body": "When I should have watched Valmont I've been busy creating my Firth page (takes a minute to load): Who? IN FAVOUR OF DUBBING And yes, I found some time to watch Valmont - and it was a kind of subtle torture for me, again. Because, whatever I try (relax......... your are very calm...) I still cannot stand AB's drawl, and MT is not too pleasurable for my ears either. BUT! I never thought I would ever be happy about a German dubbed version. And since the translation was rather good, and Valmonts voice only a bit too dark, but ok, I have found a way how I can watch this film without getting aggressive. :-))"}, {"response": 406, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 1997 (00:36)", "body": "Again: Who?"}, {"response": 407, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 1997 (00:40)", "body": ":-)) Thank you, Nan, for converting the picture so beautifully! How do you like it?"}, {"response": 408, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 1997 (01:38)", "body": "Purple Colin. Loads in seconds. Congrats - spread the gospel of Colin!"}, {"response": 409, "author": "cutie", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 1997 (01:39)", "body": "What is this all about? I accidently stumbled upon this site, do not ask me how, but what am I supposed to do? What is this whole thing about Colin Firth? What do you want me to say?"}, {"response": 410, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 1997 (01:41)", "body": "Purple Colin. Loads in seconds. Congrats - spread the gospel of Colin!"}, {"response": 411, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 1997 (01:49)", "body": "what am I supposed to do? What is this whole thing about Colin Firth? What do you want me to say? Hi, Cassie! What do you mean - accidentally? Oh, never mind. The best thing you can do is NOT to ask \"Who is Colin Firth?\"... The second best thing is - DO ASK if you really don't know... And stay awhile, maybe you'll like it here. We're very glad of your company."}, {"response": 412, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 1997 (02:14)", "body": "Purple Colin. Loads in seconds. Congrats - spread the gospel of Colin!"}, {"response": 413, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 1997 (02:17)", "body": "Hey, this thing's gone mad. It's repeating my Purple Colin message over and over. I swear I have posted it only once."}, {"response": 414, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 1997 (03:35)", "body": "(Arami) Hey, this thing's gone mad. It's repeating my Purple Colin message over and over. Spread the gospel - spread the gospel - spread ......... To all: PS to my new page: ( Who? ) The names are supposed to MOVE! It was created in MSIE, but now I have heard that with Netscape they don't move, and about 90% of the effect is gone. Would like to know what you experienced with your browsers. Thanks."}, {"response": 415, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 1997 (05:21)", "body": "SYLVIA!! Where have you beeeen? We quite despaired of you. ;-p Since my last post is 188 messages ago I have to appologize for neglecting my drooling duties. After being away for a holiday of two weeks I try to conquer the floods and fountains Oh my! You have a lot to catch up on dear ;-) VALMONT (Sylvia) Does anyone know what they did with his hair? See...Sylvia thinks it looks like a big ol' jellyfish too ;-) To me it looks as if longer hair was connected with his own hair but it was not done well enough. You can see that after his jump into the pond! Renate and Arami discussed this point some time ago. Yes I think there is some strange combination of his hair and a lame wig that looks fine when it's dry, but kinda scary when it's wet...kind of like \"Day of the Triffids\" ;-p Favourite scene CF: Why did you come? What do you think you'll find here? Girl: That you love me. CF: Do you want me to lie to you? Girl: ....... Yes. (Sylvia)I just had to repeat this dialogue, because this is my favourite scene, starting with Valmont lying on the bed and ending with Valmont lying in the bed. LOL! Though I still think MT was miscast, I agree that her \"yes\" is really perfection. Then again it could just be that I wanted to be her in that scene...;-p FEVER PITCH - THE VIDEO (Karen) Anybody know anything about when (notice I didn't say \"if\") we will get to see it here?? There was a rumor about Spring 98 :-( TEP (Nan)He's not Colin, but he does me just fine (it's the eyes!) ;-) (Karen) What??? You like small, beady eyes??? Not for me. Give me big eyes that you could drown in, big pondlike eyes!!! How's that? ;-)) Oh but the color Karen, the color! BTW, I never thought his eyes were beady. Nope, I'm afraid you won't be able to discourage my hormones on this one. He's not my first choice, but he's in the top 10. ;-) NOT IN YOUR THEATERS YET (Karen) \"He shifted on his side to make the physiological fact less evident. Rose washed around the bruise on his hip\" (Karen)Wrong direction, dear!! Do you need glasses??? (Nan) Oh I hope not ;-p (Karen)Her, not him. That's what I meant--if she needs glasses to notice then we're in trouble here ;-p (Nan) Though I was kinda hoping for some more \"cheap Harlequin\" moments ;-p (Karen) Your wish has been answered. (snip) A year of deprivation made the slightest touch feverish, as in a reverie. Need was a form of insanity, he thought. He entered her with desperation, as a drowning man rises to the surface. Well now...rising to the surface is good ;-D And you thought the last excerpt was steamier than that? ;-p What would the first drink of water in a year be like? What is water to the soul? What is astonishing about a primal act is the wholeness of the two bodies, as he was astonished to find himself in a bed and made complete by a mere pit girl. This is not the time to get analytical ;-p He was aware of her sooty hands and face, and of his hands and face growing as dark, but mostly of her eyes, which watched him with a glow of triumph. Good for her! There was a depth to Rose he was unprepared for, but now had fallen into. More than fallen: plunged. Hmmm...I'm wondering which way I should take that ;-p Pain washed away. Or he had gone to a level where pain could not follow, a level that was all Rose, where he felt himself gladly disappear, then reappear, his whole body hard as a stone she clung to, then shudder and dissolve from stone to flesh. Oh, this is one of those out of body Femme Fatale moments! \"I haven't had all that many women, but all were different.\" \"How?\" \"Touch, smell, taste, motion, heat.\" \"God, you're a scientist. And what do I taste like?\" I'm getting antsy now--why are people compelled to ask those questions after sex... He ran his hand over her flank and across her belly, then licked his palm. \"Rose. A slightly burnt rose.\" And he answers her no less! :-( Rose was no ordinary girl, Blair thought. He had brought a year's hunger to her bed and yet her passion matched his, as if a single night would have to feed the rest of her life, too. Well geez, whaddya expect after a year? ;-p Their bodies beat together with a ferocity more like anger, Okay, now this I can relate to... like crazed, sweating cymbals. Where oh where is my hockey player when I need him? ;-D Okay now, I really have to get this book now, just for that last line alone. Karen, did you like the rest of it? Or do you just want to give me the page numbers of all the good parts ;-p A QUESTION OF POSITION (Renate) (in synch) ouhh - ouhh - ouhh - ouhh - ough - ough - oooouuoohh aaaaaaahhhhhhh (Nan)LMAO!! ;-D (Karen) Where's my tape!!! I'm calling Amazon today. How long can it take them. They have a lot of nerve! Keeping you from the groans...;-p VALMONT (Nan) \"that Firth guy is mighty cute\". Yes, cute. I wouldn't really describe him that way now, but in Valmont he is devilishly cute. (Karen) What's wrong with cute? Especially, devilishly cute!!! Not rugged enough?? I like the boyishly, good looking. I think I'm over"}, {"response": 416, "author": "MarSea", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 1997 (06:50)", "body": "With freeze-frame at the ready, the largest non-projector TV made, and my bonus-sized Magnifying Glass, I am about to tackle the steps at Netherfield plus the pre-plunge stretch (from a distance) at the pond to check for evidence of shirttails or something more substantial. Your comments made me take notes, and since I still do not have Valmont to put on my Firth-sized TV, I shall peer even deeper into P&P2 than ever before. Will check out all of the \"thingies\" and left-for-right items if I can EVER tea my eyes away from his face! A report will by made as soon as I can stop looking...."}, {"response": 417, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 1997 (08:49)", "body": "Oooh, very nice, Renate. I really like \"Who?\""}, {"response": 418, "author": "SylviaH", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 1997 (13:55)", "body": "Question to Sylvia (KarenR) Hi!! Since you mentioned you are in Germany, I was just wondering about Til Schweiger (forgive the spelling)? Is it true that he is considered Germany's answer to Tom Cruise? ... (snip) I'm afraid I'm of little help here. All I can remember having seen with Til Schweiger are some ads for his movies. This is no basis to decide the Tom Cruise question but a hint that he has not made an impression on me. But perhaps this is not TS's fault since my thoughts were occupied with someone else. We should pass this question to Renate. BTW, where are you Karen? Renate's homepage Go to it, Renate! I hope you can conquer the problem with Netscape. (Very selfish wish, because Netscape is the only browser I have.) In favour of dubbing (Renate) And yes, I found some time to watch Valmont ... (snip)... I never thought I would ever be happy about a German dubbed version...(snip) I'm very happy to hear that. I consoles me a little bit since I haven't seen the original version and I long to hear HIS VOICE speaking my favourite dialogue."}, {"response": 419, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 1997 (14:59)", "body": "Delurked to post a long, long message and the server was down, so couldn't submit! Very frustrating! Repeat (shortened) version follows! (Nan)I guess it's good that Colin doesn't have an interest in being famous.. I really agree here. I like the fact that Colin continues to be unassuming and normal. He still hasn't moved from his Hackney flat and seems to avoid show biz-type publicity. The first comment I ever read about him was by Sue Birtwistle, the producer of P&P, (who must know him well), who said that he was \"quiet, sweet and academic\". I remember thinking \"He looks like THAT and he's still NICE?!!\" I don't think quiet means inarticulate - he expresses himself too well - but maybe he's not an obvious candidat for talkshows and show biz parties! A QUESTION OF POSITION The missing 15 minutes of The Advocate - perhapse they cut the court scenes - all that boring Latin! But I always assumed that it was the fourth position in the scene with the servant girl, which I must admit to never having seen on screen before! But then I'm a fan of old movies!! And don't ask me what's the fourth position - all that's needed is a little imagination!:-) FEVER PITCH - THE VIDEO Marvellously cheerful opening, very well acted, good script, funny, very good on screen chemistry beyween Colin/Paul and Ruth/Sarah. Colin looks like an unshaven scruffy Darcy in jeans and baggy sweaters (from his own wardrobe?) He kisses very tentatively though - Sarah shows much more enthusiasm! But he's good at hugging and caressing! More next.. NOW WILL THIS POST?!!!"}, {"response": 420, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 1997 (20:48)", "body": "Just lovely, Renate, can't wait to see what you do on your home page next!! FEVER PITCH - THE VIDEO (Nan) There was a rumor about Spring 98 :-( Don't frown. ATA will probably beat it to the video stores and then we can fast forward past all that crumby story stuff to the good parts."}, {"response": 421, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Fri, Oct 31, 1997 (21:15)", "body": "SUCCESS!! TEP (Marilyn) Colin's performance is even more brilliant second time around It needs to be viewed on video. A very subtle performance. As ever he does a lot with very little material. Who? Very impressive Renate! I thought you'd been quiet this week! Hairy chest The hair on his chest seems to wax and wane, or wax and wax. Sometimes more luxuriantly! Serious stuff (Marcia) Your comments made me take notes Welcome to another serious student :-) Sometimes you have to tear your eyes away from his face - in the interests of scientific evaluation, of course! BAFTA winner Sylvia, well spotted. It is Robbie Coltrane in FP. An in-joke perhaps? Repeat performance Hello there Arami. Yes we do know that Purple Colin loads in seconds. Loads in seconds. Loads in..Hello there Arami.. FP the video More...he has a distinctive South London accent throughout (is there a N.London accent) which I like. He plays an English teacher (teaches American literature actually - Steinbeck et al) who also coaches soccer. Romantic comedy with soccer obsession at its core, but even if you're indifferent to soccer, you'll still enjoy it - WHEN you see it! Not an Oscar winner, but good value for money. Made for under 3 million dollars. Depends on charm rather than huge special effects."}, {"response": 422, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 1997 (00:32)", "body": "VALMONT (Nan) I think there is some strange combination of his hair and a lame wig Oh, God, not another small budget production... the waistcoat is toooooo long in front! ...how are we ever to settle the east/west question while he's wearing clothing like that? Uh-huh, it's the raise the subject time again... all of a sudden, this guy has big thatch of dark hair on his chest!!! It's been there all the time - smaller and lighter in his twenties and now thickening as he approaches middle age. On occasions it's been dyed to match his darkened hair, e.g. as Darcy.(Lord, things they make me reveal... all in the name of art...) ROSE There was a depth to Rose he was unprepared for, but now had fallen into. More than fallen: plunged. (Nan)Hmmm...I'm wondering which way I should take that ;-p LOL! It must be a universal thing - to me it definitely has comical undertones... a valuable lesson how NOT to compose your passionate love scene musings... (Marcia) I am about to tackle the steps at Netherfield plus the pre-plunge stretch (from a distance) at the pond to check for evidence of shirttails or something more substantial. Don't forget the London street scenes (Darcy in search for Wickham) - most intriguing. Not only shirttails, but his winter coat, a small carriage and a pair of horses, I'd say... Renate will tell you their names, too. FEVER PITCH - THE VIDEO The pic on the cover is somewhat weird: he was obviously told to make \"loutish\" faces and gestures - raised eyebrows, eyes almost popping out, wide open mouth as if yelling, clenched \"yesss!\" fist gesture... he is practically unrecognizable... another one for the chameleon collection."}, {"response": 423, "author": "Amy", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 1997 (01:31)", "body": "Renate. I have MSIE, and it looks so cool. Really hot. I envy the work. Makes me want to stay up all night and make something bright."}, {"response": 424, "author": "MarSea", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 1997 (02:07)", "body": "Something's at Netherfield. Perhaps athletic underequipment? Thanks for the suggestion I check the London scenes...and not for the netherworld but rather for the Netherregions? Back to the video......!sigh! Suffer....Suffer..."}, {"response": 425, "author": "MarSea", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 1997 (02:09)", "body": "BTW, may I claim a lap robe from one of his many carriages? Pleeeeeeeeeease?"}, {"response": 426, "author": "zai", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 1997 (03:17)", "body": "i donno what to say can someone help me I am still new to this stuff:))))"}, {"response": 427, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 1997 (14:01)", "body": "SYLVIA!! Where have you beeeen? We quite despaired of you. ;-p Since my last post is 188 messages ago I have to appologize for neglecting my drooling duties. After being away for a holiday of two weeks I try to conquer the floods and fountains Oh my! You have a lot to catch up on dear ;-) VALMONT (Sylvia) Does anyone know what they did with his hair? See...Sylvia thinks it looks like a big ol' jellyfish too ;-) To me it looks as if longer hair was connected with his own hair but it was not done well enough. You can see that after his jump into the pond! Renate and Arami discussed this point some time ago. Yes I think there is some strange combination of his hair and a lame wig that looks fine when it's dry, but kinda scary when it's wet...kind of like \"Day of the Triffids\" ;-p Favourite scene CF: Why did you come? What do you think you'll find here? Girl: That you love me. CF: Do you want me to lie to you? Girl: ....... Yes. (Sylvia)I just had to repeat this dialogue, because this is my favourite scene, starting with Valmont lying on the bed and ending with Valmont lying in the bed. LOL! Though I still think MT was miscast, I agree that her \"yes\" is really perfection. Then again it could just be that I wanted to be her in that scene...;-p FEVER PITCH - THE VIDEO (Karen) Anybody know anything about when (notice I didn't say \"if\") we will get to see it here?? There was a rumor about Spring 98 :-( TEP (Nan)He's not Colin, but he does me just fine (it's the eyes!) ;-) (Karen) What??? You like small, beady eyes??? Not for me. Give me big eyes that you could drown in, big pondlike eyes!!! How's that? ;-)) Oh but the color Karen, the color! BTW, I never thought his eyes were beady. Nope, I'm afraid you won't be able to discourage my hormones on this one. He's not my first choice, but he's in the top 10. ;-) NOT IN YOUR THEATERS YET (Karen) \"He shifted on his side to make the physiological fact less evident. Rose washed around the bruise on his hip\" (Karen)Wrong direction, dear!! Do you need glasses??? (Nan) Oh I hope not ;-p (Karen)Her, not him. That's what I meant--if she needs glasses to notice then we're in trouble here ;-p (Nan) Though I was kinda hoping for some more \"cheap Harlequin\" moments ;-p (Karen) Your wish has been answered. (snip) A year of deprivation made the slightest touch feverish, as in a reverie. Need was a form of insanity, he thought. He entered her with desperation, as a drowning man rises to the surface. Well now...rising to the surface is good ;-D And you thought the last excerpt was steamier than that? ;-p What would the first drink of water in a year be like? What is water to the soul? What is astonishing about a primal act is the wholeness of the two bodies, as he was astonished to find himself in a bed and made complete by a mere pit girl. This is not the time to get analytical ;-p He was aware of her sooty hands and face, and of his hands and face growing as dark, but mostly of her eyes, which watched him with a glow of triumph. Good for her! There was a depth to Rose he was unprepared for, but now had fallen into. More than fallen: plunged. Hmmm...I'm wondering which way I should take that ;-p Pain washed away. Or he had gone to a level where pain could not follow, a level that was all Rose, where he felt himself gladly disappear, then reappear, his whole body hard as a stone she clung to, then shudder and dissolve from stone to flesh. Oh, this is one of those out of body Femme Fatale moments! \"I haven't had all that many women, but all were different.\" \"How?\" \"Touch, smell, taste, motion, heat.\" \"God, you're a scientist. And what do I taste like?\" I'm getting antsy now--why are people compelled to ask those questions after sex... He ran his hand over her flank and across her belly, then licked his palm. \"Rose. A slightly burnt rose.\" And he answers her no less! :-( Rose was no ordinary girl, Blair thought. He had brought a year's hunger to her bed and yet her passion matched his, as if a single night would have to feed the rest of her life, too. Well geez, whaddya expect after a year? ;-p Their bodies beat together with a ferocity more like anger, Okay, now this I can relate to... like crazed, sweating cymbals. Where oh where is my hockey player when I need him? ;-D Okay now, I really have to get this book now, just for that last line alone. Karen, did you like the rest of it? Or do you just want to give me the page numbers of all the good parts ;-p A QUESTION OF POSITION (Renate) (in synch) ouhh - ouhh - ouhh - ouhh - ough - ough - oooouuoohh aaaaaaahhhhhhh (Nan)LMAO!! ;-D (Karen) Where's my tape!!! I'm calling Amazon today. How long can it take them. They have a lot of nerve! Keeping you from the groans...;-p VALMONT (Nan) \"that Firth guy is mighty cute\". Yes, cute. I wouldn't really describe him that way now, but in Valmont he is devilishly cute. (Karen) What's wrong with cute? Especially, devilishly cute!!! Not rugged enough?? I like the boyishly, good looking. I think I'm over"}, {"response": 428, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 1997 (14:22)", "body": "Okay, the Almasy Ghost is really starting to tick me off. I absolutely did not post Response #427. I sat down, turned everything on and there is was...again! Grrrrr ;-("}, {"response": 429, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 1997 (14:44)", "body": "FEVER PITCH - different versions I'm in a hurry but I have to let you know: Just bought my FP tape today - and this is an edition with a \"special 2 sided sleeve\" featuring the \"boy's side\" (with Colin on the cover - and if you think the picture of the poster or the Australian flyer was strange, look at this), and the \"girl's side\" (with Ruth Gemmell, strange, too.). There were four copies in the shop, and each one somehow different. It took three of us to figure it out. There are: - a widescreen version with a cover \"The boy's side\" - a normal version with the same cover - a widescreen version with a cover \"The girl's side\" - a normal version with the same cover So take care that you buy the right version!"}, {"response": 430, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 1997 (16:43)", "body": "MAGNIFYING GLASS (Marcia) I am about to tackle the steps at Netherfield plus the pre-plunge stretch (from a distance) at the pond to check for evidence of shirttails or something more substantial. See, I knew you weren't far behind...;-p THE ACADEMIC (Bethan) The first comment I ever read about him was by Sue Birtwistle, the producer of P&P, (who must know him well), who said that he was \"quiet, sweet and academic\". I read all the same interviews as everyone else, but I don't think they really give you an accurate reflection of his eloquence or charm. The only televised Colin interview I've ever seen is the tiny little piece from Making of P&P. He certainly seems to be all those things that Sue Birtwistle mentioned. It's not anyone who can use phrases like \"utterly and unreasonably dismissive\" in everyday conversation without sounding haughty or obnoxious. Then again, it could just be the magnificent voice ;-p FEVER PITCH - THE VIDEO (Nan) There was a rumor about Spring 98 :-( (Karen)Don't frown. ATA will probably beat it to the video stores and then we can fast forward past all that crumby story stuff to the good parts. Not that there are many of those either, but I'll take what I can get ;-) KEEPSAKES (Marcia) BTW, may I claim a lap robe from one of his many carriages? Pleeeeeeeeeease? Marcia, please see the Keepsake board (topic #53) for this answer."}, {"response": 431, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 1997 (17:13)", "body": "MYSTERY MAN Oh drats, I checked through my boxes of junk rescued from the basement of my parents house to see what I could find of my adolescent crushes. All the Beatles stuff was there, as well as the James Dean, but no Christopher Jones. I thought that I might be able to somehow get it scanned in so that you could see what he looked like, but.... I've checked all over the Internet to no avail. Your best bet is to rent Ryan's Daughter or Three in the Attic (he looked really good in that one, but the story is pr tty lame about two women who keep him locked in an attic, actually that doesn't sound too bad)--if they are available on video."}, {"response": 432, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 1997 (19:42)", "body": "FEVER PITCH - THE VIDEO COVER (Arami and Renate) Didn't even recognise him on the cover! He doesn't look like himself, he doesn't even look like Paul Ashworth! I must say that I think that the whole marketing concept behind the cover is weird! Rather silly, really. Why not just use one of the many attractive shots of Paul and Sarah from the actual movie. But he certainly can manage to look different. Even in Nostromo, TEP amd FP. the changes are quite striking. And what colour is his hair, naturally? Fair, mid-brown, dark brown, dark,vermillion? I've gi en up!!!"}, {"response": 433, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 1997 (19:59)", "body": "I DONNO WHAT TO SAY (Zaher) Can someone help me? Zaher, all you have to do is talk about Colin, himself, his movies, anything really. Or you can pick up on what the rest of us are saying. We usually use bold subject headings to make things clearer and italics if we are quoting from earlier messages. But it's not necessary! Just go ahead and say what you think!"}, {"response": 434, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Nov  1, 1997 (23:24)", "body": "Nan, where are your cats? + + +"}, {"response": 435, "author": "MarSea", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 1997 (00:13)", "body": "After three trips to London, which were wonderful in *almost* every way, I just discovered Darcy found it even more enjoyable than I. Wish he'd written a guide book if it was that good for him =) I sure hope that didn't starch those shirttails. If that were the case it explains his irritability and perhaps those contours. ....I hope they didn't discover starch till way later!"}, {"response": 436, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 1997 (00:26)", "body": "QUESTION TO SYLVIA / TIL SCHWEIGER (Karen) Hi!! Since you mentioned you are in Germany, I was just wondering about Til Schweiger (forgive the spelling)? Is it true that he is considered Germany's answer to Tom Cruise? Who said that? ! ????? I am all astonishment! What can they mean? The reason I ask is that I just saw his new movie called \"Knocking on Heaven's Door\" and he was there to answer questions since he was also the producer. How did you like it/him? Personally, I didn't see any resemblance Nor do I. I would rather compare him to Brad Pitt. except in that they are both kind of stocky. TS stocky? I always thought he is rather tall, but I may be wrong. Is it the kind of roles he is in? He became a star in Germany with comedies. I wondered all the time when he would be recognised outside of Germany. I think he has the potential to become an international star, like Antonio Banderas, f.e. INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE Remake? Speaking of AB, BP and TC. There is just \"Interview with a Vampire\" on the tv - I like all actors but one. It is one of those films which would improve TREMENDOUSLY (cannot be shouted out loud enough!) with guess who as Lestat........... Renate's homepage (Sylvia) I hope you can conquer the problem with Netscape. (Very selfish wish, because Netscape is the only browser I have.) As far as I know, Netscape just cannot do it. I suppose you cannot see the 3 cats move? What about downloading MSIE? FEVER PITCH Spent the evening so far with my new FP tape - there are many scenes for walk/run drooling in this - besides others! COLIN CHAMELEON? Bethan, I did not forget your promise to reveal CF's middle name...... what about it?"}, {"response": 437, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 1997 (01:20)", "body": "SHE IS A GEEK AFTER ALL! Nan, where are your cats? Oh honey, you're picking up steam now...:-D I first viewed it in Netscape (where my chat font is enabled)--I was wondering what was so funny. The + sign in chat font is \"lol\" -- something told me that's not what you meant ;-p So I went in through Explorer and voila' , the plus signs were moving...groovy! :-) But now that I've read your comment to Sylvia ( I suppose you cannot see the 3 cats move? ) I'm a little confused...are they supposed to be graphics of cats or plus signs? Please 'splain ho ey. Either way, I'm just tickled it moves...;-)"}, {"response": 438, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 1997 (02:47)", "body": "Nan, where are your cats? Yes, where are they? I have to apologize. The \"+\" signs are cats only when you have the respective software residing on your pc (Corel Draw 5). I thought everyone would see thess, because I could see them. Amy explained why it cannot work. Don't know if the following will work. But if so, everyone here can make a marquee by copying the source code and putting in their own text. Let me know if you want to know more. + + +"}, {"response": 439, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 1997 (02:50)", "body": "No, that was not at all what I wanted. LOL! Had another text in mind. More Colin related. OK, I have to work on it a bit off public."}, {"response": 440, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 1997 (15:46)", "body": "(zaher) i donno what to say can someone help me I am still new to this stuff:)))) Welcome zaher :-) Feel free to comment on any of the conversations that you see on this board (or any of the others for that matter). Since you found your way here I assume you're a Colin Firth fan. So let's start at the beginning...how did you find us and how did you discover Colin? INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE Remake? (Renate) Speaking of AB, BP and TC. There is just \"Interview with a Vampire\" on the tv - I like all actors but one. It is one of those films which would improve TREMENDOUSLY (cannot be shouted out loud enough!) with guess who as Lestat........... You come up with the best roles for him Renate...I'm convinced that you've missed your calling. ;-p Colin would make an excellents Lestat--all sexiness he is, though not blonde..."}, {"response": 441, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Nov  2, 1997 (20:59)", "body": "INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE Remake? (Nan) You come up with the best roles for him Renate...I'm convinced that you've missed your calling. ;-p Colin would make an excellents Lestat--all sexiness he is, though not blonde... I guess that would be the smallest problem for our dear boy....:-)) Have we ever seen him really BLOND? Might be interesting. Probably we would see a blond man smouldering, after all. Come to think of it: Why would Lestat have to be blond?"}, {"response": 442, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov  3, 1997 (19:26)", "body": "TIL SCHWEIGER: GERMANY'S ANSWER TO TC?? (Renate) Who said that? ! ????? I am all astonishment! What can they mean? It was in the Film Fest booklet that described all the movies being shown. Evidently, the person who wrote it didn't know what he or she is talking about. However, it intrigued me enough to want to go see it!! How did you like it/him? Let's see, the movie was pretty good. A road movie about two terminally ill cancer patients. \"Pulp Fiction\" meets \"Thelma and Louise.\" Have you seen it? TS stocky? I always thought he is rather tall, but I may be wrong. I don't mean that he is short, but solidly built a la TC. Not the lean and mean type. I wondered all the time when he would be recognised outside of Germany. I think he has the potential to become an international star, like Antonio Banderas, f.e. His movie was shown at a film festival, so whether he achieves large scale reknown, who knows?? He did mention that he just finished doing an American movie, so maybe the unveiling will occur shortly. Banderas was in lots of Spanish movies (Aldomovars--spelling???), but most Americans wouldn't have had a clue as to who he was until Hollywood cast him in something. Sorry, but most Americans view subtitled movies as too much work and won't even make the effort!! So sad for us. Interesting though...at t e end of \"Knocking,\" when Rutger Hauer shows up, they speak English."}, {"response": 443, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Tue, Nov  4, 1997 (11:12)", "body": "THE PATIENT ENGLISHMAN I like this! As long as he doesn't have to wait 18 years! Eight-ee-en years!! But he still hasn't had the opportunity to realise his FULL potential on screen. HIS MIDDLE NAME Oh well, I was going to do some bartering here, his middle name for his shoe size (Arami?) but I've got a very weak hand! There's an entry for Colin in Debrett's People of Today, which lists 30,000 plus prominent people in the UK today - a mixture of lawyers, academics, politicians, writers, people from the arts. 95% have middle names, 95% have \"recreational interests\". Colin has neither. Draw your own conclusion! He has no middle name, he has no hobbies, he doesn't like his middle name, he didn't submit ull details... There you are, not worth his shoe size! OLIVIER Marcia, in \"Lost Empires\" (details on The Friends of Firth site) a youmg Colin takes the lead and one of the character roles is played by Laurence Olivier. So they would have acted together. Someone suggested that Colin would be ideal to play the part of Olivier, if ever they make a biopic about him. What do you think? TROUSERS Are the grey corduroys he wears in FP the same ones he wore in Master of the Moor? (He wore both brown and grey cords). They look similar but shabbier! DARCY/COLIN Interesting to read in the other thread (59) how Darcy fans convert to Colin, usually via AMITC. The eyes don't change, nor does the way he moves. It's fascinating to see in FP - even when he moves all of five yards from the sofa to the kitchen, he still looks as though he's heading for Rosings!"}, {"response": 444, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Nov  4, 1997 (14:53)", "body": "CF Alert!!! - Tumbledown on Canadian Vision TV Thanks to a friend I got the following information: Tumbledown - the most sought after rarity of all Colin Firth films, and one of if his best - will be on the Canadian 'Vision TV', on Thursday, Nov 6, at 8:30 pm ET and 1:30 am ET. Vision TV has also a web page, URL to follow. Set all VCR's available!"}, {"response": 445, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Nov  4, 1997 (23:59)", "body": "HIS MIDDLE NAME (Bethan) Oh well, I was going to do some bartering here, his middle name for his shoe size (Arami?) but I've got a very weak hand! That's a fair trade: no middle name for no shoe size..... :-)) He has no middle name , he has no hobbies, he doesn't like his middle name , he didn't submit ull details... There you are, not worth his shoe size! Ehhh - I'm confused. PS: \"dull\" or \"full\"? TROUSERS (Bethan) Are the grey corduroys he wears in FP the same ones he wore in Master of the Moor? (He wore both brown and grey cords). They look similar but shabbier! You are not the first one to suspect him to wear his old favourite clothes on screen whenever he can :-)) BTW, there is one scene in FP I love in particular: he is with Sarah in the kitchen, and he draws his baggy and apparently too wide trousers up, and pulls his shirt down - such a nice and untheatrical gesture. Did anyone recognise it too?"}, {"response": 446, "author": "Marilyn", "date": "Wed, Nov  5, 1997 (00:25)", "body": "OLD CRUSHES, cont. (Nan)I think I'm over the boyishly cute thing (Shaun, etc.) and have moved on to \"masculine\" and sometimes even \"brutish\" (you listening Marilyn?) ;-p Yes, dearest, I'm listening and in total agreement - nothing boyish about that beast!! ;-) COLIN AND RALPH... (Karen) What??? You like small, beady eyes??? Not for me. Give me big eyes that you could drown in, big pondlike eyes!!! How's that? ;-)) (Nan)Oh but the color Karen, the color! BTW, I never thought his eyes were beady. Nope, I'm afraid you won't be able to discourage my hormones on this one. He's not my first choice, but he's in the top 10. ;-) I've gotta preface my Ralph comments by admitting I wanted to see TEP again to drool over both men, that I slobbered over the recent \"Los Angeles Magazine\" Ralph cover and article (thanks for the tip, Alicia!), and that I swooned over his Heathcliff last night in Wuthering Heights. As much as I'd prefer to swim in Colin's chocolate pools (they're gooood, aren't they Karen?) - I'd take a dip in Ralph's beautiful baby blues any day!! ;-) VALMONT Colin is such a yummy and mischievous Valmont (Malkovich repulses me) - I adore those naughty smiles and twinkling eyes. As much as I don't like MT, I do love some of their scenes together - how he sweeps her up on the horse and then later in his bedroom. I liked seeing him dance (could he be more anti-Darcy??). I want him most when he's composing letters and brooding (the rejection) - yeah, Nan, Colin needed some lovin'!! NOSTROMO What is it about Colin and wet shirts ?? Where are you, Megan?? I've only seen the first two hours, and that took me three hours with all the rewinding over and over to see him all wet and hungry in the silver mine!! ;-) WUTHERING HEIGHTS & BABY BROTHERS I hadn't seen Jonathan Firth in anything until last night - in spite of his minimal role as Heathcliff's sickly son, you can see some Colin in him - he's very adorable."}, {"response": 447, "author": "MarSea", "date": "Wed, Nov  5, 1997 (02:03)", "body": "Oh yes! Bethan, you're a genius for suggesting CF playing LO in a Biopic. They're bound to make one with all of the too juicy stuff with Vivien Leigh. but I will about drool myself to a shrivel! No divided loyalties here. Just hunker down with the buckets and towels and...........!SIGH!"}, {"response": 448, "author": "MarSea", "date": "Wed, Nov  5, 1997 (06:39)", "body": "Have there been any known drownings on the CF rooms? It has been a close call at times. Has anyone gone blind?! Just curious.."}, {"response": 449, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Wed, Nov  5, 1997 (07:54)", "body": "WUTHERING HEIGHTS & BABY BROTHERS (Marilyn)I hadn't seen Jonathan Firth in anything until last night - in spite of his minimal role as Heathcliff's sickly son, you can see some Colin in him - he's very adorable. Ah, so he played the sickly son. I thought he played Hareton's son. Oops. I'll have to fast forward to the part when he shows up."}, {"response": 450, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Nov  5, 1997 (16:58)", "body": "SEXIEST MAN ALIVE I'm a little swamped at present ladies, so my drooling will have to wait. However, I have to take time to give you the following link so that you can vote for People Online's Sexiest Man Alive. Currently Brad Pitt is leading with 42 votes--this will not do...make haste ladies: http://www.pathfinder.com/people/sp/sma97/smapoll/index.html Go to it! ;-)"}, {"response": 451, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Wed, Nov  5, 1997 (21:58)", "body": "FIRST IDOLS (LorieS) Shameful but true..I had a bad crush on Jack Lord (of Hawaii 5-0 ame)... (SylviaH)Lorie, I'm so happy that I'm not alone with this problem. Today I really don't know what attracted me! But things are getting worse. JL is the reason for a creepy experience with CF because my first thought after seeing the picture in USA Today, May 19, 1996 was: there he looks like... I don't dare to finish the sentence. (I guess the hair-style is the crucial point.) All we can say is that our taste has improved since then! Thanks for posting, Sylvia! I was afraid I was the only person who ever thought that man was attractive! Everyone else here is politely ignoring me (which is much better than posting hoots of laughter at my past taste). Lorie"}, {"response": 452, "author": "MarSea", "date": "Wed, Nov  5, 1997 (23:38)", "body": "(LorieS) I remained out of the topic of Jack Lord because he was so special to you and not very special for those of us who live where he worked. I don't like to disillusion people about their first crushes. However, just so you know we care that you liked him (while I was adoring Olivier), over here (Hawaii) he was referred to as Jack Lord God Almighty (sorry !) due to him imperious air. HE was the star and don't you forget it. Perhaps one can be too close to some people!"}, {"response": 453, "author": "SylviaH", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 1997 (11:44)", "body": "First Idols (LorieS) Everyone else here is politely ignoring me (which is much better than posting hoots of laughter at my past taste). Yes, I appreciate that very much. Polite ignorance is a virtue indeed! (Marcia) I don't like to disillusion people about their first crushes. Don't worry, in this case the disillusion has already taken place. DARCY/COLIN (Bethan) Interesting to read in the other thread (59) how Darcy fans convert to Colin, usually via AMITC. The eyes don't change, nor does the way he moves. I'm on the edge of buying the video of AMITC. On the edge because I'm still suffering from a moustache shock after viewing COF. But all I need is a little more encouragement, a little push rep. It's fascinating to see in FP - even when he moves all of five yards from the sofa to the kitchen, he still looks as though he's heading for Rosings! Sometimes in FP Colin looks like Darcy in Jeans, with a light beard (no problems with that) and a gorgeous leather jacket. My favourite picture is the Guardian picture on the FoF site! The scene in which he wants to leave his flat during the last Arsenal game but can't do it and paces behind the sofa reminds me very much of Darcy, especially the look when he realizes that Sarah rang the doorbell. BTW, did they put soap on the step at the front door or is it made of slippery marble? Colin's tries very hard to keep his balance after rushing done to see Sarah and it doesn't look naturally to me. New pictures Yesterday I found pictures of the TEP premiere in Los Angeles at the FoF's site. Colin looks different on each of them, varying between something like \"what am I doing here?\" and an ernest, focused look (perhaps writing something). Hair color Even if his hair isn't dyed, his hair color on pictures depends on the light and I think on the length of his hair. The only chance to find out is a visit to Hackney! Now I'm going to vote for the sexiest man alive!"}, {"response": 454, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 1997 (19:42)", "body": "HIS MIDDLE NAME (Renate) He has no middle name, he has no hobbies, he doesn't like his middle name, he didn't submit What are we to make of that?? Wants his privacy, perhaps?? TROUSERS Since trouser color has surfaced again, I thought I would tell you the results of my scientific analysis of P&P (remember the theory about light colored pants????) If they are as dark as the ones Darcy frequently wears, then there is absolutely no way you can see anything, make heads or tails of any sausage stuffing contests, etc. But there is another factor out there. The existence of flapless pants. Several of the pairs of pants (full length type, not the breeches sort) appear to have no flaps. Th refore, they are flatter and smoother against the ab section. Any and all lumps are quite evident, even if the slacks are of a darker dove grey color. Oh my I've spent way too much time inventorying the pants wardrobe of both CF and CBC. BTW, there is a definite stuffed look for him that was not left on the cutting room floor. One is when he gets up from the dining table at Netherfield when Lizzy enters the room after checking on Jane. Another one is the \"what\" scene (not in the edited A&E version) and Bingley is standing next to Georgiana at the piano. He looks stuffed on both sides!!! I think he pulled out all the stops to win the contest with CF in that one!! OLD CRUSHES, cont. (Nan) I think I'm over the boyishly cute thing (Shaun, etc.) and have moved on to \"masculine\" and sometimes even \"brutish\" (you listening Marilyn?) ;-p (Marilyn) Yes, dearest, I'm listening and in total agreement - nothing boyish about that beast!! ;-) Well, my growth has certainly been stunted. I've always be attracted to the same type when it came to crush material. Real world, that's different!! COLIN AND RALPH... (Marilyn) As much as I'd prefer to swim in Colin's chocolate pools (they're gooood, aren't they Karen?) - I'd take a dip in Ralph's beautiful baby blues any day!! ;-) So far RF has not been in one role that has caused me to change my mind. As far as Wuthering Heights??? No way, Josefina!! That's Sir Larry's domain and shall always be (of course, I haven't seen the Timothy Dalton version, so I reserve judgment. VALMONT (Marilyn) Colin is such a yummy and mischievous Valmont (Malkovich repulses me) - I adore those naughty smiles and twinkling eyes. Isn't that true about Malkovitch. One can't be sympathetic to his Valmont. CF's adorableness made his Valmont likeable and you felt sorry for him in the end, much more so than AB (she got hers alright). He's got so many smiles as well, from that naughty one to pure playfulness when he is fencing with Cecile outside. I think his reactions are just priceless!! how he sweeps her up on the horse Should we vote? Is this everyone's favorite romantic scene of the movie?? Oh to be sitting in his lap as the horse goes up and down and up and down. Whoa, I've got to cool down here!!! ;-p I liked seeing him dance Perhaps, we could submit his name for \"Dirty Dancing, Part 2\" ??? CASUALTIES IN THE WAR ON DROOL (Marcia)Have there been any known drownings on the CF rooms? Has anyone gone blind?! You might want to review your insurance policy's coverage. BTW, CF does a LO in a P&P2 scene that was snipped out of the A&E run. So start eating those beans and whatever so you can get the other one (too bad you didn't tape it off of the Classroom showing which I did because it had the other 18 or so minutes. The scene you need to look for is after the Meryton Assembly when the group is back at Netherfield and Darcy makes his comment about Mrs. B being a wit. There's a little more that A&E decided to snip out. They talk about how wicked his comment is and th n Mrs. Hurst boldly says (in jest) \"I am not afraid of you\" to Darcy. His reply is \"I would not have you so\" and he does this in a really foppy voice that sounds just like Olivier. SEXIEST MAN ALIVE I have voted, my dear. As they say in my hometown, vote early and often. I shall follow that dictum. FIRST IDOLS (LorieS) Everyone else here is politely ignoring me (which is much better than posting hoots of laughter at my past taste). You're so right. It was the hair. That greased back look, arghhh!!! To each his own. DARCY/COLIN (Sylvia) On the edge because I'm still suffering from a moustache shock after viewing COF. I've found that he looks better with a full beard than he does with a moustache. He has a full beard (all caveman-like) in Hostages and I think he looks pretty scrumptious in that one. But a moustache alone, like in COF and AMITC, just doesn't do it for me. Clean shaven or full caveman--that's the ticket!! Nothing in between. New pictures (Sylvia) Yesterday I found pictures of the TEP premiere in Los Angeles at the FoF's site. Colin looks different on each of them, varying between something like \"what am I doing here?\" and an ernest, focused look (perhaps writing something). Hmmm, going to have to take a look!!! Thanks for the info. HAIR COLOR (Sylvia) Even"}, {"response": 455, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 1997 (21:14)", "body": "INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE Remake? (Renate) I guess that would be the smallest problem for our dear boy....:-)) Have we ever seen him really BLOND? Might be interesting. As you know, I am very fond of the \"Darcy\" colored hair. I don't think I could ever get used to him if he was really blond. Come to think of it: Why would Lestat have to be blond? I have a vague recollection of Anne Rice being all bent out of shape because Tom Cruise was chosen for the Lestat role. This was not only because she was thinking of someone entirely different, but because she insisted that Lestat must be blond. HIS MIDDLE NAME (Bethan) He has no middle name, he has no hobbies, he doesn't like his middle name, he didn't submit full details... There you are, not worth his shoe size! Bummer! I was waiting for that info too ;-p OLIVIER (Bethan) Someone suggested that Colin would be ideal to play the part of Olivier, if ever they make a biopic about him. What do you think? Oh how perfect! Who can we harass to both make the film and cast Colin? DARCY/COLIN (Bethan) The eyes don't change, nor does the way he moves. It's fascinating to see in FP - even when he moves all of five yards from the sofa to the kitchen, he still looks as though he's heading for Rosings! LOL! I love that sort of long-stride strut, mixed with the Darcy arrogance. Very, very sexy ;-) VALMONT (Marilyn) I want him most when he's composing letters and brooding (the rejection) I think I mentioned to you before that I would be more than happy to let HIM write the letter...;-p CPR (Marcia) Have there been any known drownings on the CF rooms? It has been a close call at times. Has anyone gone blind?! Just curious.. We have, on occasion, be known to gasp for air...but usually we get to eachother before the victim collapses altogether... SEXIEST MAN ALIVE Did everyone vote? Here's the link again if anyone missed it: http://www.pathfinder.com/people/sp/sma97/smapoll/index.html AMITC (Sylvia) I'm on the edge of buying the video of AMITC. On the edge because I'm still suffering from a moustache shock after viewing COF. But all I need is a little more encouragement, a little push rep. So, what can we say to encourage you? ;-) Personally, it's one of my favorite--for sheer acting. I can't say I like the moustache very much either, but he's not to be drooled over in that film anyway...just sympathized with ;-) TROUSERS (Karen) Another one is the \"what\" scene (not in the edited A&E version) and Bingley is standing next to Georgiana at the piano. He looks stuffed on both sides!!! I think he pulled out all the stops to win the contest with CF in that one!! I can't say I ever noticed that one! Gotta go look--what a hoot! ;-D VALMONT (Marilyn) Colin is such a yummy and mischievous Valmont (Malkovich repulses me) - I adore those naughty smiles and twinkling eyes. Isn't that true about Malkovitch. One can't be sympathetic to his Valmont. CF's adorableness made his Valmont likeable and you felt sorry for him in the end, much more so than AB (she got hers alright). He's got so many smiles as well, from that naughty one to pure playfulness when he is fencing with Cecile outside. I think his reactions are just priceless!! I'm jumping on the anti-Malkovich Valmont bandwagon by saying that he just gives me the shivers (an not good ones either). CF's Valmont is so much more endearing and therefore, charming--a quality which Valmont absolutely must possess. (Karen) Should we vote? Is this everyone's favorite romantic scene of the movie?? Oh to be sitting in his lap as the horse goes up and down and up and down. Whoa, I've got to cool down here!!! ;-p LOL! :-D Let's see...I like the \"yes\" scene (but that's really more about MT's delivery--her only shining moment). I also like the one where he visits AB and asks her if she thinks a man can change. TO BEARD OR NOT TO BEARD (Karen) I've found that he looks better with a full beard than he does with a moustache. Agreed! I particularly like the Nostromo beard."}, {"response": 456, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 1997 (21:39)", "body": "COLIN TO PLAY MR DARCY AGAIN Now, that's got your attention! The current runaway bestseller in the UK bookcharts (for the last 3 months) is \"Bridget Jones' Diary\" by Helen Fielding. Very, very funny. About a 30 something single girl in London who has a hate/love relationship with a rich successful barrister (lawyer) who at first seems very aloof, but turns out to be warm, caring etc. The lawyer is called Mark Darcy and is rather similar to another Mr D! To confuse things further, Bridget also has a crush on Mr Darcy in the P&P TV movie. Report in The Daily Telegraph says that Colin is to play the modern Darcy in a movie to be made by Working Title (they made Moonlight and Valentino, Bean, many others). I loved the book, and rather liked Mark Darcy (actually thought of Colin when I read it!). Good choice for him.. shows he has a nice sense of humour! Colin Firth as Mr Darcy, 1990s version!"}, {"response": 457, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 1997 (22:26)", "body": "COLIN TO PLAY MR DARCY AGAIN (Bethan) Report in The Daily Telegraph says that Colin is to play the modern Darcy. I loved the book, and rather liked Mark Darcy (actually thought of Colin when I read it!). Good choice for him.. shows he has a nice sense of humour! Colin Firth as Mr Darcy, 1990s version! How reliable is this \"Daily Telegraph\"??? Much as I/we would all like him to reprise his role as Darcy, I find it a little unbelievable, given all the comments he made about the \"stir\" he caused playing Darcy the first time. Well, here's hoping it's true. A modern Darcy...a Regency Darcy....who cares!!! A Darcy for all ages!! And with CF??? A no brainer. VALMONT (Marilyn) I want him most when he's composing letters and brooding (the rejection) Writing is definitely his strong suit!!!"}, {"response": 458, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 1997 (23:30)", "body": "(Marcia-MarSea) I remained out of the topic of Jack Lord because he was so special to you and not very special for those of us who live where he worked. I don't like to disillusion people about their first crushes. However, just so you know we care that you liked him (while I was adoring Olivier), over here (Hawaii) he was referred to as Jack Lord God Almighty (sorry !) due to him imperious air. LMAO, Marcia! That's a hoot. When I've watched the shows recently, in re-runs, that's part of what I find so off-putting about him. Of course, it's just a gawdawful show, but his attitude is pretty stuck-on-himself. (Marcia) Perhaps one can be too close to some people! Oh, definitely. While I like to believe the best about people I admire, sometimes just reading an article and hearing how dopey someone sounds can make me an ex-drooler. But as for JL, don't worry, Marcia. Today you can say anything bad about him, and I'll laugh and believe it. But when I was 10 or so-- Well, maybe as a kid I had an authority fixation or something. (KarenR) Writing is definitely his strong suit!!! His \"suit\" could be improved only if he were as unclothed as his paper!"}, {"response": 459, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 1997 (00:12)", "body": "COLIN TO PLAY MR DARCY AGAIN (Bethan) ....... \"Bridget Jones' Diary\" by Helen Fielding. Very, very funny. (Bethan) Report in The Daily Telegraph says that Colin is to play the modern Darcy. I loved the book, and rather liked Mark Darcy (actually thought of Colin when I read it!). Good choice for him.. shows he has a nice sense of humour! Colin Firth as Mr Darcy, 1990s version! (Karen) How reliable is this \"Daily Telegraph\"??? Much as I/we would all like him to reprise his role as Darcy, I find it a little unbelievable, given all the comments he made about the \"stir\" he caused playing Darcy the first time. Well, here's hoping it's true. I agree with you that it is very unlikely to see him do *that* Mr Darcy again - but a Darcy spoof, why not. Kind of exorcism. :-)) Though I am only halfway through the book, I think Mark Darcy's is rather a cameo role in terms of quantity of appearance. . The book is very funny indeed, and I find it a kind of counterpart to Nick Hornby's Fever Pitch. I hope the DT report is correct. VALMONT (Marilyn) I want him most when he's composing letters and brooding (the rejection) (Karen) Writing is definitely his strong suit!!! I like him even better at dictation ;-))"}, {"response": 460, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 1997 (09:14)", "body": "COLIN TO PLAY DARCY How reliable is the Daily Telegraph? (Karen) Very reliable, I would say. It's in the Peterborough column.I quote: \"Now, I learn, the book's author Helen Fielding has been telling friends that Firth is to play Darcy (the modern one) in the forthcoming film of her work...fans of both Darcys are confident their hopes will be rewarded. I think that Mark Darcy is rather a cameo role in terms of appearance (Renate) Renate, if you've only read the first half so far, he figures much more strongly in the second half. (I say \"only read\" - that was incredibly quick off the mark!! Were you already reading it? Telepathic?) I also think that when the book is scripted as a film, it will obviously have to be condensed, and will focus on a few main characters, so that a lot of the incidental comic episodes (in which Mark Darcy doesn't figure) may be pruned/cut. Although arguably, there are long stretches in P&P in which Darcy is absent! BTW (and it IS a very funny book) did you find quite a few parallels with P&P - harebrained mother, refusal to dance, even a Miss Bingley figure!!? The book is a counterpart to Nick Hornby's FP More to Nick Hornby's \"High Fidelity\". Also very funny. Anyway, I think that Mark Darcy is a very good role for CF, although decidedly tongue in cheek! I look forward to seeing him as a smart, rich (but nice!} lawyer. I like him scruffy, but am also quite partial to him in a dinner jacket!"}, {"response": 461, "author": "Claudia", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 1997 (20:58)", "body": "Fever Pitch (Renate) BTW, there is one scene in FP I love in particular: he is with Sarah in the kitchen, and he draws his baggy and apparently too wide trousers up, and pulls his shirt down - such a nice and untheatrical gesture. So has this movie ever been shown in the US? The Renate gesture sounds very endearing. NOSTROMO What is it about Colin and wet shirts?? ... took me three hours with all the rewinding over and over to see him all wet and hungry in the silver mine!! ;-) Talk about wet and hungry, how about with the coal mine and Rose? Perfect casting in those scenes.... ROSE (Karen) \"He shifted on his side to make the physiological fact less evident. Rose washed around the bruise on his hip\" (Karen)Wrong direction, dear!! Do you need glasses??? (Nan) Oh I hope not ;-p (Karen)Her, not him. (Nan)That's what I meant--if she needs glasses to notice then we're in trouble here ;-p Needing glasses? NEVER!! Unless seeing through slightly soapy water is like seeing through frosted glass; maybe there's something in the water...or the wine...do you think French grapes improve one's eyesight? AMITC (KarenR) But a moustache alone, like in COF and AMITC, just doesn't do it for me. Oh, but he was just SO CUTE in AMITC. BTW, cuteness is fine before age 35 (CF must have been about 27 when AMITC was made.) After that I find it's a turn-off, which is why George Clooney has no appeal at all for me. CF is maturing in a very scrumptious way. (I've already used edible, yummy and delectable in the past. Had to find a new word.)"}, {"response": 462, "author": "Claudia", "date": "Fri, Nov  7, 1997 (22:16)", "body": "Essay Contest (Renate) That thingie you mention must be The Infamous Watch and Fob, Arami's Keepsake. And, yes, it has a story of it's own, AND an essay..... Just want to seize the opportunity to remind that there's still the Keepsake Essay Contest pending.... I am still thinking on \"What the Mirror saw\" :-)) Just where are these essays? I checked the Keepsake topic; did I miss something in there? I Only Have Eyes For Him (Arami)Nowadays I seem to be the only Colin fan who doesn't care much about other actors. (Bethan)I am very telescopic in my obsession - only HIM! And I won't change my loyalties. You can include me in this boat(tub?), too. All Time Favorite Line (Nan)Yooo-hooo, Colin--come push me against the frozen peas...;-) OK, so it isn't from a movie, but all this drool stuff could be made into a movie, perhaps a documentary: how to dissect every move an actor makes, how he can show emotion and intent by slight changes in expression, the effects of the movements of a certain actor on a segment of his audience .... Valmont I actually DID like this movie, except for Annette Bening (overkill on the vicious simpering) and Meg Tilly (didn't seem to fit in there) and the main storyline (the idea of seducing the little girl before her wedding). Other than THAT, the movie was fun and CF was just wonderful! Yes, I am now sold on those smiles, though I'm tempted to say that \"he smiles too much\", but I know that was the script. MY favorite line: (at breakfast) \"And Ma-ma' will have a HUGE scandal on her hands!\" I keep rewi ding to hear how he says \"huge\", it's just so cute! I shouldn't take these films so seriously; gosh, I know they're just stories, but I keep thinking about that poor little girl; I'm sure Valmont was very tender with her, but what about her wedding night with that pig, who's obsessed not with her but with the idea of purity, and she's pregnant already, no less? I have to make my own ending to this; she goes to live with Valmont's old aunt and has a baby boy who inherits the aunt's estate when she dies. BTW, my movie book says that the aunt really did die shortly after the film was made. And, that cute harp teacher is really Elliot from ET!! He really did turn out well. Wonder what he's doing now?"}, {"response": 463, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Nov  8, 1997 (00:19)", "body": "how he says \"huge\", it's just so cute! He has a special way with his u's, he sort of wraps his lips around them..."}, {"response": 464, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Nov  8, 1997 (00:44)", "body": "BRIDGET JONES' DIARY / COLIN TO PLAY DARCY (Bethan) Renate, if you've only read the first half so far, he figures much more strongly in the second half. I just came to the scene where he appears again at the Not-tart-and-vicars party. I think there is a bit of Frederick Wentworth in that gesture how he helps her out of an embarrassing/uncomfortable situation. It reminded me a lot of that scene when FW takes away that little boy from her back when she is nursing the other boy. (Bethan) (I say \"only read\" - that was incredibly quick off the mark!! Were you already reading it? Telepathic?) I bought it some two weeks ago, read a recommendation somewhere in RoP or Firthland... I also think that when the book is scripted as a film, it will obviously have to be condensed, and will focus on a few main characters, so that a lot of the incidental comic episodes (in which Mark Darcy doesn't figure) may be pruned/cut. BJD it is very funny written, but the story and scenes are not at all funny in themselves. So I think it would have to be pretty thouroughly re-created to make a funny film. BTW (and it IS a very funny book) did you find quite a few parallels with P&P - harebrained mother, refusal to dance, even a Miss Bingley figure!!? It is particularly refreshing how Fielding does NOT try to follow the P&P storyline, and if there are resemblances they are VERY casual and unobtrusive. I make a guess: it was not written with the purpose of a P&P resemblance in mind, but the opportunity probably turned out later .......... I keep on wondering about the names, if there are some hidden hints in it. Daniel is Wickham, no doubt, but there is also a character named 'Wicksy'. Ok, final review when finished. The book is a counterpart to Nick Hornby's FP More to Nick Hornby's \"High Fidelity\". Also very funny. You are so right! I read some chapters only of both books, and mixed it up. Response 461 of 462: Claudia Braden (Claudia) * Fri, Nov 7, 1997 (14:58) * 28 lines Fever Pitch So has this movie ever been shown in the US? No. But it was for 3 days on the Vancouver Filmfestival. As far as I know an NTSC video version is planned for Canada - but no idea as to when. BEYOND DESCRIPTION? CF is maturing in a very scrumptious way. (I've already used edible, yummy and delectable in the past. Had to find a new word.) My favorite expressions when referring to his looks are \"irresistible\" and \"devastatingly\" charming. Anyone other words? Essay Contest (Renate) That thingie you mention must be The Infamous Watch and Fob, Arami's Keepsake. And, yes, it has a story of it's own, AND an essay..... Just want to seize the opportunity to remind that there's still the Keepsake Essay Contest pending.... I am still thinking on \"What the Mirror saw\" :-)) Just where are these essays? I checked the Keepsake topic; did I miss something in there? You cannot find them. Mine is not yet written (I'm still waiting for an hour when time and inspiration meet), but Arami's Infamous Essay was posted for a few hours only before it was deleted because it hurt the particularly high moral standards of that place...... we don't have such superior standards here :-))"}, {"response": 465, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Nov  8, 1997 (02:09)", "body": "BTW, I don't know if it's absolutely clear: THAT PLACE is the Republic of Pemberley site, whence we have been evacuated, since drooling doesn't become them."}, {"response": 466, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Sat, Nov  8, 1997 (06:12)", "body": "COLIN TO PLAY MR DARCY AGAIN (lizbeth)The current runaway bestseller in the UK bookcharts (for the last 3 months) is \"Bridget Jones' Diary\" by Helen Fielding. Is this book available in the U.S.? I really do hope CF plays the modern Darcy. It would be a feast for my eyes and heart. Oh, oh, oh... I'm dying with impatience. I wonder how long it will take to make the film."}, {"response": 467, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Nov  8, 1997 (13:23)", "body": "Don't die just yet - the whole thing is still in the sphere of wishful thinking..."}, {"response": 468, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Nov  8, 1997 (19:02)", "body": "COLIN TO PLAY MR DARCY AGAIN (Bethan)Report in The Daily Telegraph says that Colin is to play the modern Darcy in a movie to be made How wonderful is that?! ;-) I would love to get excited about this, but I fear I shall be setting myself up for a great disappointment. When I hear that he's signed the contract, that's when I'll rejoice. By the things I've read he seemed quite perplexed by the popularity of his Darcy and wanted no part of the P&P success (at least that's how it seemed to me). If that's true, I would be very glad to hear that he had moved past his initial wariness of it and is able to find humor in it no less. Excellent! I Only Have Eyes For Him (Arami)Nowadays I seem to be the only Colin fan who doesn't care much about other actors. (Bethan)I am very telescopic in my obsession - only HIM! And I won't change my loyalties. (Claudia) You can include me in this boat(tub?), too. Well I can't damn any of you for your loyalty, that's for sure! I'm afraid that my affection for Colin does nothing to dampen my hormonal urges when seeing other attractive men. Since they are all unattainable anyway, I might as well wish big ;-p All Time Favorite Line (Nan)Yooo-hooo, Colin--come push me against the frozen peas...;-) (Claudia) OK, so it isn't from a movie, but all this drool stuff could be made into a movie, perhaps a documentary LOL! So glad you like the line Claudia. And I think a documentary is an excellent idea. I believe Arami must do this...she can let loose all those pent up movie making juices of hers ;-) (Claudia) how to dissect every move an actor makes, how he can show emotion and intent by slight changes in expression, the effects of the movements of a certain actor on a segment of his audience .... Well we've certainly analyzed it enough. She'll not lack for material and witty comments. Whaddya say Arami? Valmont (Claudia) I shouldn't take these films so seriously; gosh, I know they're just stories, but I keep thinking about that poor little girl; Yes, you mustn't think about it that way--takes all the joy out of it. While it would be considered quite horrific right now, you must remember that the girls was about to get married. Therefore, she was considered old enough for sex. All in all, I'd say that there are worse ways of losin' it--it could have been at the hands of her husband ;-p I have to make my own ending to this; she goes to live with Valmont's old aunt and has a baby boy who inherits the aunt's estate when she dies. Works for me honey! ;-) DICTION (Arami) He has a special way with his u's, he sort of wraps his lips around them... Ooooh \" wraps his lips around them\"...*BIG SIGH* BEYOND DESCRIPTION? (Claudia) CF is maturing in a very scrumptious way. (I've already used edible, yummy and delectable in the past. Had to find a new word.) (Renate) My favorite expressions when referring to his looks are \"irresistible\" and \"devastatingly\" charming. Anyone other words? I like \"alarmingly handsome\", \"deliciously wicked\" (ref. to Valmont) and the ever popular \"chocolate puddles\"... Essay Contest (Claudia) Just where are these essays? I checked the Keepsake topic; did I miss something in there? (Renate) You cannot find them. Mine is not yet written (I'm still waiting for an hour when time and inspiration meet), I rely heavily on those of you who have the ability, because it's out of my realm. Let's see 'em ladies... but Arami's Infamous Essay was posted for a few hours only before it was deleted because it hurt the particularly high moral standards of that place...... we don't have such superior standards here :-)) At least we try very hard not to ;-) (Arami) BTW, I don't know if it's absolutely clear:THAT PLACE is the Republic of Pemberley site, whence we have been evacuated, since drooling doesn't become them. Actually, drooling becomes them quite well (and many there are most adept at it). They just don't do it in public very often, that's all. Personally, I thought the \"Watch and Fob Essay\" quite inspired and hysterically funny. However, it was out of the PG-13 realm...that was part of its charm. I've said it before and I'll say it again...I'd love to see it on the Keepsake board ;-)"}, {"response": 469, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Nov  8, 1997 (19:51)", "body": "I would like to see anything Arami has written before we became conversant. Is it possible to rerun it without being banned from the Internet forever? My curiosity is piqued....just as it peeked in the \"undo the breeches....\" or was that unto??? Anyway, please consider putting it on the Keepsake board."}, {"response": 470, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Nov  9, 1997 (00:29)", "body": "You're talking a lot about me these days. I like that. Regarding film making, Nan, let me see the script firth. Or the script and Firth. Or let me get my hands on the script and Firth and I can promise you the film of films. Lights, camera, action! Ooooh, baby! No, the script wouldn't even be necessary - we'll improvise... two talented people that we are... ;-) As for the essay... yes, that can be arranged, too, I think, but I'll have you writhe at my feet and beg for a litte longer. In the meantime, Marcia, have you seen the Derbyshire Writers Guild at the RoP site? Mostly tame stuff, but there are some quite enjoyable pieces to do with P&P missing scenes there... including two or three very short sketches by yours truly."}, {"response": 471, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Nov  9, 1997 (09:35)", "body": "Not so much about you, but with you. I'd like to apply for fly-on-the-wall status in the above endeavor. However, not one for group participation, might I take a turn (rehearsal, perhaps?) alone with Him? I'm a lady at all times.....Oh Yeah!!!!! Shall I bring my scissors? OooooooH.......AaaaaaaaaHaH! It has been some time since I have been to RoP's DWG. Now that I know you have something there I shall go straight away. I enjoy your writing and appreciate the suggestion."}, {"response": 472, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Nov  9, 1997 (17:54)", "body": "Sorry, Marcia, no flies on our Colin...;-) But I'll let you have a go with the scissors if you promise to be EXTREMELY careful when you snip those buttons off (he'll be wearing Levi's with button flies for that scene...) I forgot to mention Renate's pieces in DWG whilst blowing my little trumpet. They are much more imaginative than mine. And longer. (I'm the master of the mini-essay, really...)"}, {"response": 473, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Nov  9, 1997 (20:21)", "body": "Oh! My dear! Button-flies? OOOOOOOoooooooh!........I was momentarily overcome with the very idea. You may be assured all he will feel is pleasure. I am very deft and adroit and clever. And I know all of the good things to do.....Whew, it's getting very warm in here....! He will be none the worse for my snipping, and when I tell him it was my pleasure snipping, he will reply that it was HIS pleasure!!!......I need to get something cool to press against my brow... (I'll not be a FLY when I am rehearsin !)"}, {"response": 474, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Nov  9, 1997 (20:47)", "body": "Golly, and all that with only a pair of scissors?"}, {"response": 475, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 1997 (00:51)", "body": "I told you I was clever! And, I have developed a vivid imagination through years of studious reading of the best sort. You should imagine what my adept fingers can do without scissors in them!!!!"}, {"response": 476, "author": "KathleenP", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 1997 (04:55)", "body": "Hello everyone!! I've been lurking here since the end of September. I couldn't find my way on and then I was away for awhile. But I have been having a droolingly great time enjoying your downright deliciously horny talk. Its time I dive in and add my drool to the pond. Call in the Red Cross, there may be some flooding! COLIN FIRTH, COLIN, COLIN, COLIN. Good God what a rush just saying his name. You are the only creatures I know who share this obsession. I am completely out of control, my family a d friends think I've lost my mind. Your talk of Colin's pants and their contents, his kissing, sex, the positions he uses most and just all the talk about his gorgeous face and his incredible edible body, let's me know I'm not alone. We may be hopelessly, pathetically out of our heads residing in Colin Heaven but at least we're not alone! You may wondered when I first fell in love with Colin. It was while watching P&P2 but it wasn't at first sight. When I first saw him it was like, \"Hmm interesting\". Then at Lucas Lodge when he commented on Elizabeth's \"fine eyes\" I thought, \"Oh, he's cute.\" With each close-up of his gorgeous face I was falling deeper and deeper. Until the wet shirt scene, My God, I never felt like that or had such a physical reaction (I hope you know what I mean) to anyone other than my husband. It was really quite rightening. I thought \"Oh My God, what's going on here!?\" Then I was just hopelessly lost because what happened next--THE LOOK--. I swear to you my husband that night said, \"Wow, what got into you, don't get me wrong it was great, but what happened?\" The whole time I was thinking, \"COLIN, COLIN, OH DEAR GOD, COLIN!!! OK, let me compose myself. Now, OK, PHEW!! I'm ready to continue. I've watched P&P2 almost 200 times and each time I find myself glaring at Colin's body, how he moves it and uses it. It just drives me wild! Its amazing how just standing there he can be thrilling. He uses everything he's got (and boy he's got everything) his eyes, his mouth, his hands (I have never taken notice of a man's hands before) his legs (you can imagine what I dream about them). You know what I think would be the ultimate fantasy? Virtual Reality! Can you just imagine if you could \"be with\" Colin and have him hold you and EVERYTHING!!! I have just enough sanity left to know that's the only way that would appen. But that would do, right? Sorry this was so long, but once those flood gates open--Watch out!"}, {"response": 477, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 1997 (09:49)", "body": "FLOODGATES Keep those flood gates open, Kath!!! And you don't need virtual reality. Your imagination has taken you there already!! COLIN TO PLAY DARCY AGAIN?? Don't die yet - the whole thing is still in the sphere of wishful thinking (Arami) More than that, I hope. So little news about Colin and his projects filters through to the press that when I do see something in print, I'm inclined to believe it. :-)"}, {"response": 478, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 1997 (16:28)", "body": "OOPS..FORGOT TO SAY Close scrutiny of FP has led me discover something we haven't drooled about yet (if that is possible!). He has very clear, smooth, almost transparent skin, so that more delicate skin hues and a very attractive 5 o'clock shadow always show through. (I'm confining my observations to his face).In marked contrast to the leathery perma-tans of most Hollywood stars. Something to be said for staying out of the LA sunshine!"}, {"response": 479, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 1997 (21:16)", "body": "I don't know what it is with 51 but it is weird today. Anyway, to the lady (no name on my computer)who just discovered how potent the feelings are that our Lovely Darcy/Colin awkens...my husband had the same reaction and offered to buy me several copies!! The feeling he (CF)(and my husband) arouses is almost visceral and I get the squinges every time I run the video - which is at least once daily. Besides that I have made several soundtrack audio tapes, one of which I am listening to right now. There ar in fact many flood-prone places and it is not due to El Ni\ufffdo! I previously had a silent computer without wallpaper. I now have Darcy-collage wallpaper, and all of the noises a computer event causes is from him. He says \"You have to marry me\" on quarter hours, his name on the hour, \"Hangon,Hangon\" whenever hit a function I'm not supposed to, etc. When I get mail he says \"Hello there!\" YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!! A true fellow drooler of the incurable sort."}, {"response": 480, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 1997 (22:55)", "body": "Wow, ladies... I am positively revitalized! Wonderful! I thought Marcia was bold, but, oh, my, KATH! Welcome, fellow sufferer! Pour out your troubles... I fell in love with Darcy almost exactly in the same way, except that the wet shirt scene didn't register so strongly with me. Maybe I'm not so sensuous???;-) The Look, yes! And by the time of the second proposal I was his! Bethan - it's all very true about Colin's skin, except it's prone to minor blemishes. (Marcia, another imperfection!) We are lucky to have such understanding partners/husbands, too..."}, {"response": 481, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 1997 (23:05)", "body": "Oh, and Kath, have you found the Friends of Firth Official Page yet? Full of delicious photos, articles, info, numerous links... A must for a Firthfreak!"}, {"response": 482, "author": "StefanieB", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 1997 (07:10)", "body": "I have been lurking in RoP for several weeks and just found you all. I too love Colin, and I believe the Netherfield Ball sent me over the edge. It reminded me of Phantom of the Opera, (Michael Crawford only). It was so predatory. I was introduced to P&P2 in July of this year and have not been the same. I have watched P&P2 probably 300 times and have the tape set and laser discs. I have edited down my own tape of 2hrs15min. of just D&E, no mother, no Mr. Collins, no Wickham. I also have several other mo ies of his. Valmont, Nostromo, Apt. Zero, Advocate, of which I am trying to obtain the Euro version. I can not seem to get enough of him. I love his eyes, the intensity of that gaze- I could die and go to heaven. I was very disappointed with ATA, he was window dressing only. But he did look great in all those colored shirts, red, teal, purple, wow!! too bad they did not use his considerable talents. I have read all the Fanfic on RoP and at the Firth site, but they don't go far enough. They tend to leave me salivating for what next. Just thought I'd share!"}, {"response": 483, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 1997 (17:55)", "body": "KATH'S FLOODGATES (Kath) Its time I dive in and add my drool to the pond. Call in the Red Cross, there may be some flooding! COLIN FIRTH, COLIN, COLIN, COLIN. Good God what a rush just saying his name. You are the only creatures I know who share this obsession. I am completely out of control, my family and friends think I've lost my mind. LOL! You haven't lost your mind...we are all in the same boat. So glad you decided to come out of hiding. I just love that Colin enthusiasm...you are very welcome here. ;-) We may be hopelessly, pathetically out of our heads residing in Colin Heaven but at least we're not alone! Oh no, we're not alone at all. There are many Colin lovers out there...we're just the naughty ones ;-p Until the wet shirt scene, My God, I never felt like that or had such a physical reaction (I hope you know what I mean) Indeed we do. That scene is a beautiful, beautiful thing--the manly stride, shirt sticking to him, the collar open just enough to see is beauty marks, thick boots accenting his rock-like thighs. I swear to you my husband that night said, \"Wow, what got into you, don't get me wrong it was great, but what happened?\" The whole time I was thinking, \"COLIN, COLIN, OH DEAR GOD, COLIN!!! LMAO! At least you didn't say it out loud (you didn't slip, did you?) ;-D Virtual Reality! Can you just imagine if you could \"be with\" Colin and have him hold you and EVERYTHING!!! I have just enough sanity left to know that's the only way that would happen. But that would do, right? You, woman, are a hoot! If this is the first message, I can't wait to see what kinky tales come out in the future. LOL! Good for you honey...you found the rest of us. ;-) MARCIA'S GETTING FRISKY The feeling he (CF)(and my husband) arouses is almost visceral and I get the squinges every time I run the video - which is at least once daily. LOL! \"Squinges\"--I love it ;-D I previously had a silent computer without wallpaper. I now have Darcy-collage wallpaper, and all of the noises a computer event causes is from him. He says \"You have to marry me\" on quarter hours, his name on the hour, \"Hangon,Hangon\" whenever hit a function I'm not supposed to, etc. When I get mail he says \"Hello there!\" Too funny! My incoming mail says the same thing. Of course, everyone in my office thinks I've finally fallen into the abyss...but they'll get over it. ;-) WELCOME STEFANIE (Stefanie) I have been lurking in RoP for several weeks and just found you all. I too love Colin, and I believe the Netherfield Ball sent me over the edge. It was the nail in the coffin for me...;-) It reminded me of Phantom of the Opera, (Michael Crawford only). You know, I missed seeing that one ;-( My mother swears he's the only phantom worth watching. . I have edited down my own tape of 2hrs15min. of just D&E, no mother, no Mr. Collins, no Wickham. Oh boy, you are in deep. Excellent! We love the obsessed here ;-D I can not seem to get enough of him. I love his eyes, the intensity of that gaze- I could die and go to heaven. Oh the big, dark, velvety pools...*sigh* I was very disappointed with ATA, he was window dressing only. But he did look great in all those colored shirts, red, teal, purple, wow!! too bad they did not use his considerable talents. Wasn't that a sin? Couldn't you just slap them? There was so much potential in that role too. ;-( I have read all the Fanfic on RoP and at the Firth site, but they don't go far enough. They tend to leave me salivating for what next. Just thought I'd share! Please, continue sharing...I'm loving this ;-D In terms of fan fic, there are some stories here at the Spring fan fic, but the juicy ones were removed at the request of the authors. Sorry ;-( Every so often a racy one pops up though, so stick around. Glad you found us. :-)"}, {"response": 484, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 1997 (19:47)", "body": "Oh wait a minute...I forgot some of the old stories at the Fan Fic board here...there are some quite interesting spicy things still on that board. There's one story in there in particular (by Carolyn) that I like very well and the comments are a riot! ;-) Go look: Spring Fan Fic"}, {"response": 485, "author": "KathleenP", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 1997 (19:56)", "body": "Arami, yes I have been a most attentive visitor to the Friends of Firth Page. I've copied photos from there and had them laminated and carry them with me always. I have some in my purse, my coat pocket and use them as bookmarkers. All throughout the day I take them out when I need a Colin fix and each and every time I get that pit of my stomach (Oh, yeah Colin baby you do it to me every time) sensation! I was thinking about my comment about Colin's hands. I guess I noticed his hands because I was ima ining what he could do with them! There is a scene in \"Valmont\" when he dictates the letter to the young girl on the bed. He plays with her legs and her derriere(politest word I could think of) caresses and kisses them so slowly and sensually, he lays his face on her and then he parts her legs!!!...I lose it everytime! That is my favorite love scene with my most delectable Colin! Of course, I haven't seen all of his films. But, the thought that there's even more delights waiting out there for me give me a most warm and tingling feeling! I hope I'm not being too out of line with my licentious thoughts and comments but I seem to lose all sense of decorum when it comes to my passion for my most beloved Colin!! Nan, I'd like to thank you personally for e-mailing me about this outrageous place, I'm sorry it took me so long to get here. No, I haven't called, yelled or screamed out Colin's name yet! Although I think I've moaned it nice and low and softly. Oh yeah, that I've done!!"}, {"response": 486, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 1997 (20:12)", "body": "my favorite love scene with my most delectable Colin Have you seen the lovemaking scene from Femme Fatale? We're talking almost hardcore here, and yet it's so well and tastefully done... Mmmmmmmmmmm....."}, {"response": 487, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 1997 (03:45)", "body": "Just about the time I begin to feel warped and jaded with my constant Firthilizing, some lurkers come out of the beyond and give voice to what has happened the first time one of us (ME~!) got Darcy into focus. I was a victim of the Netherfield Ball but didn't know it till much later when I was pried off of the TV screen. (It took lots of soap and water.) I still get unglued and the pit-of-my-stomach thingy and palpitations when I go through the whole Pemberly episode. I often find that I've forgotten to breathe and my heart is pounding. Oh dear....I hope it never ends and that fresh droolers will continue to keep our lust ever brugeoning (or whatever)."}, {"response": 488, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 1997 (23:01)", "body": "Hey, guys, I'm a self-confessed cyberdumbo, so who's gonna tell me how you make your computer say things in Darcy's voice :-)?"}, {"response": 489, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 1997 (00:53)", "body": "I will tell you how I did it. I went to Marilyn's web page and downloaded all of the Darcy and CF .wav files into C:\\windows. Then when you go into Control Panel in the Main program icon you will find Sounds. In there you highlight the function on the left (as in start Windows, exit Windows, default, question, asterisk,). Each time you have one highlighted on the left, go to the right side and chose the wav file you want then go to the next you can test them to be sure then hit the ok button and exi . You're in business with Good Sounds! If you use Eudora you can do the same under tools/attention/sound. Mine says \"hello, there!\" as in the Lambton Inn. If you choose \"Come back to bed\" be aware of who may overhear it! Hope that helps. http://www.ualberta.ca/~marilyn/wavpc.html http://www.ualberta.ca/~marilyn/wavnew.html"}, {"response": 490, "author": "KathleenP", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 1997 (05:34)", "body": "I've seen \"Femme Fatale\" and I enjoyed it immensely. BUT, my \"Valmont\" scene is still my favorite. I think watching Colin's foreplay is much more erotically stimulating(Oh Colin Baby OOOOH YES!!!) than watching the act itself. You can be much more versatile before than during. It makes me weak just thinking about it. I wonder if he was directed in that scene or if he improvised. I like to think he just did what he would normally do. Oh, the thought of it! I make myself crazy!! I wish I could put all those fabulous Colin things on my computer, but alas it's not just my computer. I share it with the 4 men in my life(5 if you count Colin) my husband and 3 sons. They would never go for it, they go nuts every time I put P&P2 on!"}, {"response": 491, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 1997 (07:02)", "body": "Hi Kathleen! I like (oh boy. DO I !) Colin as Darcy and clothed and smouldering. To me it is just plain embarassing for me to see him naked to the world where everyone can see him doing It. I much prefer the gauzy, ocean-crashing, sweeping music. The I can close my eyes and I am there! Foreplay is great, but no Doing It for me (to watch!). You are in the company of many crazed- by-the-very-sight-of-him Firthophiles. What we need is your Virtual-Firth - one at a time, I might add. I'm not into grou s for that, either. I share the computer just with Darcy/Firth and send Jpgs to my son to show him what he got me into when he bullied me into getting onto the Web. Now he just says he's glad if it makes me happy. My husband is thrilled with the smouldering repressed feelings in the movie because I take out my frustrations on him and it is GoooooooooooD! But, I never pretend it is Firth rather than a dear understanding husband. (That's sort of like cheating, isn't it?) I put P&P2 on an audio tape s I can run the video in my head when it isn't \"convenient\" to do my drooling in the Living room. But, when I can....and I get to bed very late some times.....I look v e r y hard at the man to engrave his fantastic self on my brain. Should make for a curious shaped wrinkle on the surface with all of the button snipping and contour investigation I've been doing.....whew....warm in here again! Sorry about the sounds - they really are lovely!"}, {"response": 492, "author": "Claudia", "date": "Thu, Nov 13, 1997 (09:13)", "body": "I've seen \"Femme Fatale\" and I enjoyed it immensely. BUT , my \"Valmont\" scene is still my favorite. No pun intended? That is a really different kind of scene. (I guess having little girls of my own made me dislike the plot; having kids sometimes changes how we feel about things. Beyond that, CF did a marvelous job.) (Marcia)But I never pretend it is Firth rather than a dear understanding husband. (That's sort of like cheating, isn't it?) Nahhhhhhhhh!!! Sounds The first time I downloaded those sounds, they disappeared after a short time and I discovered they had been saved in a cache file. So I downloaded them again and then copied them to a regular file. Works fine now. Saving Pictures Okay, so how do you save those great CF pictures on your hard drive. I have Win95. Bulge contest Re: the CBC vs. CF dual, the effect seems to be different on CBC, maybe because he doesn't have those long lean luscious legs that CF has; somehow whatever happened in the scenes mentioned (the \"WOT?\" scene and with Lizzie right after the \"Her hair, Louisa!!\" scene) makes CBC look kind of pudgy. Where is that wardrobe person? Must be spending too much time on CF at the expense of the rest of the boys!! Oh, but I must say, you're right (Marcia?), the officers beat everyone hands down. Those pants look ike form-fitting knits. Was that even invented in those days?"}, {"response": 493, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 1997 (06:20)", "body": "Oh, Claudia, You mean I can and it isn't? (Cheating, that is) All Riiiiiiiight. I refuse to admit that I am guilty anyway as that might incriminate me. =) Glad you have all the neat sounds now. Did you like CBC's wedding double-knits? No, they didn't have knitting that fine back then, but how the heck did they get those grey pants on CBC unless they used a paint roller?! Good grief, and what we see is after they modified him a bit so as not to be too obvious. Yeah! Sure. The problem with the officers' wadding is that it isn't defined. No good contours to follow. It's like it's stuffed with cottage cheese! Bulge isn't good till you can tell what's causing it! Now, how I save all those pix of CF: use the right hand mouse button. Put the pointer on the picture, push the right side button on your mouse and you get a menu including \"save this image.\" Highlite that and your files will show up. I switch to a:\\ and save them on floppies (which are up to CF 12 right now). Hope this helps."}, {"response": 494, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 1997 (06:21)", "body": "Whoo! Is this place H O T or what? I'm away for just a couple of days and I come back and nearly drown in all this drool. Man! I've been missing out here. This place is alive and kicking more than ever! Hello to Kath and Stefanie, hope to see you often here. I Only Have Eyes For Him (Arami)Nowadays I seem to be the only Colin fan who doesn't care much about other actors. (Bethan)I am very telescopic in my obsession - only HIM! And I won't change my loyalties. (Claudia) You can include me in this boat(tub?), too. I wish I can stick with one obsession. I have too many. It'd make my life a lot easier if I only stuck with Colin. But my hormones won't allow it so I have my own personal little library of fixations. Spend many sleep-deprived nights lurking in cyberspace pursuing all the actors I adore. I can prove it with the bags under my eyes.I make my rounds and now it's time for Colin. Then I'll move on and then come back to him again. It's a big rotation. My new addition is Toby Stephens and who knows who will be n xt. Probably another Brit. Don't go for too many Americans these days. Alicia , keep on droolin'!"}, {"response": 495, "author": "KathleenP", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 1997 (14:30)", "body": "Claudia, I guess having only sons I didn't give much thought to the young girl other than I wished it was me there instead of her. But I'm glad you agree about our (Oh, you take my breath away) Colin! Marcia, Cheating? I don't think so, its just another enhancement, another form of arousal except its mental instead of physical. I don't remember the exact number but I read somewhere that a large percentage of successful, satisfying, just plain HOT lovemaking is in your head. Although I haven't exactly discussed it with my husband, I really, really don't think he minds abit. In fact, I know he doesn't! I don't think he wants to \"look a gift horse in the mouth\". As for which way I like my Colin best ANY WHICH WAY!!! Clothed, unclothed, smiling, serious, arrogant, pleasant, sitting, lying down, dry, WET,WET,WET(especially good one)standing still, walking, on horseback(OH my, yes). I could go on and on. And I haven't even mentioned what his voice does to me!! When I am able to express myself in a more genteel manner I will attempt that one! Yeah right, there's nothing genteel about my thoughts and feelings about Colin! I even shock myself sometimes!! I'm blushing right now. I'm about to have complete meltdown! Hmmm, I wonder what my husband is doing right now? I'll talk to you gals, later..."}, {"response": 496, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 1997 (21:36)", "body": "Good to hear! I read somewhere it was more like 90% in the mind - and I had a really serious attack last evening of which my husband was the happy beneficiary. It's all that repression!!!....Whew.... He is still offering to buy me a full set so I can get even more repression cut by A&E's wretched ads. I'm presently working on my next serious repression....it works wonders for everybody involved! I highly recommend it. I am sure, btw, that it isn't a \"good thing\" to check it out with your husband. ust gaze glazedly into his eyes for a few long moments....! Someone has mention his long legs....ah yes! They will do just fine. I can imagine how they'd wrap around and clasp....anything he wanted to ride! And how do I like him? Is there ANY way to not like him? Nevah! Not for me. Not in this lifetime. He is absolutely enchanting wet and wetter yet. The director allowed us all to participate - each in our own way....yes, wet anytime. But, I don't think I'll try that here. Did once and nearly froze! Gads, I wish I could say what I'm feeling, but this is the public I am writing to, and they should not know everything! You droolers know exactly what I am feeling =) Ahhhhhhhh! The voice. How could anyone who looks like *that* Sound that great? His voice.... I have the same problem here. The old visceral urges just at the sound of it - even being arogant. He sounds soooooooooo gooooooood! Very primal - nothing genteel about it! Melt down time!"}, {"response": 497, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 1997 (00:34)", "body": "Marcia, you posted your question on one of the other boards, but since I am here.... as far as I am concerned, yes, the real life holds me in it's cold, painful, merciless grip. But I lurk, I need it! And I rely on you all, to keep the Spring steaming hot, that I may find it the right temperature when I get back! Which reminds me of Richard Courtois, as he went into the public bath house ..... just imagine you could have been one of the ladies to join him in the pool - oh, where was I ....... oh, yes, I k ow..... keep up the high drool level! It's a delight listening to you! And Claudia, as for downloading of pics, have you ever tried the other mouse button? It took me month's to find it out :-))."}, {"response": 498, "author": "Claudia", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 1997 (02:34)", "body": "Great Story Alert I know alot of us have been keeping up with Fanfic at RoP. For those who haven't, Lisa C., who has been writing \"The Trip\", a current day version of P&P, is planning an e-mail version (a/k/a doesn't meet the high moral standards of RoP) of a wedding night for Darcy and Lizzy. She won't be continuing until December, when her exams are over, but her stories are great! E-mail her to get on her list of recipients. Also, why were some of the juicy stories in this web site deleted? I know that one author wanted it to disappear because a simple Alta Vista search on her name led to her story(!), but why not just post the stories without their real names? People could just have aliases. Circle of Friends Saw some \"Darcy\" moments in this video: - Nan:\"This is my first time. Do you mind?\" CF: \"Not at all.\" The way he said this really reminded me of how he said the same line when Darcy was at the Inn at Lambton. - When his mother(?) was going over the list of girls, commenting on their looks and money, CF gives her an appalled look and walks away. Reminds me of the look Darcy had when appalled by the Bennet family's behavior at the Neth. Ball, or when Mrs. B contradicts D when she comes to visit Jane sick at Neth. Favorite line from movie: Eve: \"OK, I'll hold it, but don't expect me to jiggle it around, understand?\" I didn't realize that Andrew Davies did the screenplay on this. Another problem Sometimes, when someone posts a picture, all I see is a small box with a ? and 2 triangles in it. Why would that be? I use Netscape 3.0, if that matters. I know it happens when I check out the archives here; I'd have to double-ck to see if it happens in the active pages. An Interesting Web Site Saw on article in today's Wall St. Journal (p. B1) about \"a movie-industry web site that has developed a fanatical following among Hollywood insiders and movie fans.\" It's www.aint-it-cool-news.com. Checked for things re: CF, but nothing yet. They're still working on the search function. Actually, it doesn't seem that CF's stuff is really \"Hollywood\", but, for what it's worth. Plus, the web master lives in Austin, TX. Isn't that home of Spring? This guy sounds great; he gets hundreds of e-mails a d y, from grips, prod. asstants, etc."}, {"response": 499, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 1997 (08:55)", "body": "Aloha Renate! It is a real joy to hear from you, since yours were some of the Firthst comments I read when I found the Spring which hit me where I live. I promise to do my utmost to keep the spring steaming and to Firthilize it regularly with musing from my Firthilizer ( somewhere between my head and my heels wherein lies the OooooH's and Squinges I get for The Man."}, {"response": 500, "author": "KathleenP", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 1997 (17:00)", "body": "To my dear British droolers, my nephew is attending the University at Hull for a year. He arrived there Sept. 16th. I asked (actually, I commanded) him to find me anything about Colin, magazines, books, posters, pictures, videos. He's been there two months now and tells me he hasn't found anything yet! Is that possible? I realize he's only 19 years old and has other things on his mind but could it be that difficult to find something of my precious Colin? So, I would greatly appreciate it if one of y u could tell me where I should send him to look. He'll be coming home for the Christmas holidays and I told the poor boy, for his own health and safety, he better bring me something! I'm particularly interested in videos that are not available in the U.S. but really anything will do. OK, here's a thought to keep a smile on your face all day. Colin baby on horseback, his legs(clothed in tight-fitting light colored breeches) flexed,so as to see every line and contour, pressing against that most fortunate horse. He sits high and nobly in his saddle, a saddle that cradles the very essence of my dreams. Maybe he'll shift alittle to the right and then alittle to the left, there, that's it, Oh, yeah that's it! Now hold on tight Colin, my love, as we, I mean, as you go up&down and up&down and up&down... OOOH, that's soooo nice!!!"}, {"response": 501, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 1997 (19:09)", "body": "Talking about racy and too hot... ask Lisa for a copy of The Experiment and Darcy's Diary..."}, {"response": 502, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 1997 (19:22)", "body": "THINGS TO BUY IN HULL Kath, I hope your nephew is enjoying life in Hull - he's probably very busy! Actually he's probably right in saying that he's not found anything yet - it's certainly been quiet on the Colin front in terms of magazine coverage etc. for the last couple of months. But videos available (in W H Smiths or somewhere similar) should include Fever Pitch, Nostromo and The English Patient.. all in VHS PAL format of course. I don't think format is as much of a problem as I thought it was. I've nerver seen Valmont and so (in desperation at the long bleak spell before ATA and The World of Moss comes out!) I'm ordering it from Critics Choice in the US and have found a video firm locally who will convert it to PAL for me for under \ufffd25, which I thought was worth paying! Not as expensive as I thought. You could ask your nephew to buy a few books for you from his local Waterstones. Helen Fielding \"Bridget Jones Diary\" (Picador) (to be made into a movie in which Colin will, I think, appear) Denis Forman \"Son of Adam\" (Abacus Books). World of Moss is based on this. Sue Birtwistle \"The Making of Pride and Prejudice\" BBC/Penguin You may well have all these, of course!BTW I did see somewhere on the Internet (in Dejanews (Colin Firth), under the item titled 1998)that there is a Colin calendar available in the US (not in Hull!)for next year!!"}, {"response": 503, "author": "KathleenP", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 1997 (20:26)", "body": "Bethan,Bethan,Oh please, oh please tell me more about this COLIN calendar! I must have it! Tell me exactly what I must do, where I must go, to the ends of the earth if I must! OK, I'm overreacting abit, but seriously where on the Internet will I find it?"}, {"response": 504, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 1997 (20:40)", "body": "NEW DROOL All new droolees...please keep it up!! Great fun to read :-). I'm always at risk of having my sons reading over my shoulder, so my contributions are very circumspect (dull!!). But I lurk vicariously!! CIRCLE OF FRIENDS Claudia, I've always rather liked Colin in this! I thought I was the only one! I like the way he says \"not at all\" and the way he sits on the bed without taking off his socks. And the way he kisses Nan as they go into the cottage.. oh so sweet! But then I'm biased - I'd like him in anything! (I even like his moustache!) ATA/BAD REVIEWS Colin and Hollywood.. I still feel really MIFFED that Colin was only \"window dressing\" in ATA (although I've not seen it yet). Just can't understand why Hollywood don't realise his potential. But yet when I read the reviews of Hollywood movies opening over here, two things strike me - I can't think of one recent movie which would have been a suitable vehicle for Colin (I can't imagine him killing anyone or being in a violent action movie for example). And also all Hollywood movies (with the exception of L Confidential) seem to get indifferent to bad, really bad reviews. The reviews for GI Jane were REALLY, REALLY BAD, .. makes ATA look marvellous by comparison. But no doubt GI Jane, unlike ATA, will be a major SUCCESS! Why?!!"}, {"response": 505, "author": "KathleenP", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 1997 (02:06)", "body": "\"Circle of Friends\" is my least favorite Colin film. I had thought the first time I saw my sumptuous Colin was in P&P2. I was reading an article about him and they mentioned he was in \"Circle of Friends\", I thought, No way, what character I would have remembered him I'm sure. So, I went out and rented the video. I was so disappointed when I realized what part he played. I absolutely hate Simon Westward! He is such a cad and a wimp, too! Nothing honorable about in the least. I own the tape now beca se I'm building a Colin film library, I hope to have them all someday, but I never watch it. It pains me to see my Colin act like that, he's my love, my dream, my hero, the fantasy fulfilling master of my heart and soul! Oh please, let's not talk about Simon Westward again. Although I must commend my beloved Colin on his acting in that part, he certainly portrayed that miserable character brilliantly. We all know what a stretch it was for him. So out of his realm of the perfect man."}, {"response": 506, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 1997 (20:20)", "body": "(Kath) I'm sorry it took me so long to get here. I\ufffdm glad you stuck with us through all the posting problems. I\ufffdm enjoying your enthusiasm very much ;-) No, I haven't called, yelled or screamed out Colin's name yet! Notice she says \ufffdyet\ufffd ladies :-p (Marcia) Just about the time I begin to feel warped and jaded with my constant Firthilizing, some lurkers come out of the beyond and give voice to what has happened the first time one of us (ME~!) Isn\ufffdt it great to be among the kindred ;-) CLOTHED OR NEKKID (Marcia) To me it is just plain embarassing for me to see him naked to the world where everyone can see him doing It. I much prefer the gauzy, ocean-crashing, sweeping music. The I can close my eyes and I am there! Foreplay is great, but no Doing It for me (to watch!). LOL! I have to be honest here...doesn\ufffdt bother me in the least. As long as I don\ufffdt feel like he\ufffds being degraded (like in the wretched \ufffdP\ufffd movie). My husband is thrilled with the smouldering repressed feelings in the movie because I take out my frustrations on him and it is GoooooooooooD! But, I never pretend it is Firth rather than a dear understanding husband. (That's sort of like cheating, isn't it?) LMAO! What your husband doesn\ufffdt know won\ufffdt hurt him. Especially because he benefits by it ;-p THE FICKLE WOMEN OF FIRTH (Alicia) I wish I can stick with one obsession. I have too many. It'd make my life a lot easier if I only stuck with Colin. But my hormones won't allow it so I have my own personal little library of fixations. I\ufffdm with you pal. I don\ufffdt feel in the slightest bit guilty because I find several men just as attractive as Colin. In fact, while many of you have Colin wallpaper, I have my big brute. But my sounds are all Colin. Why can\ufffdt I have both? As Marilyn says, just get a bigger tub! ;-) DEEP IN THE THROES (Kath) As for which way I like my Colin best ANY WHICH WAY!!! Clothed, unclothed, smiling, serious, arrogant, pleasant, sitting, lying down, dry, WET,WET,WET(especially good one)standing still, walking, on horseback(OH my, yes). I could go on and on. Please do dear, you have me LMAO ;-D Personally I prefer the very clean, short-haired Colin (Femme Fatale, Wings of Fame, etc.) or the drippy, clingy-shirted Darcy all WET, WET, WET (Oh where is Megan for this?) And I haven't even mentioned what his voice does to me!! Well then I think you need to dear...don\ufffdt mince words, tell us how you really feel ;-p (Marcia) He is still offering to buy me a full set so I can get even more repression cut by A&E's wretched ads. And you haven\ufffdt taken him up on it yet? ;-) (Renate) as far as I am concerned, yes, the real life holds me in it's cold, painful, merciless grip. But I lurk, I need it! Oh, me too honey. It\ufffds been very difficult to get into drooling mode while the real world has been demanding all my attention ;-( Great Story Alert (Claudia) I know alot of us have been keeping up with Fanfic at RoP. For those who haven't, Lisa C., who has been writing \"The Trip\", a current day version of P&P, is planning an e-mail version (a/k/a doesn't meet the high moral standards of RoP) of a wedding night for Darcy and Lizzy. She won't be continuing until December, when her exams are over, but her stories are great! E-mail her to get on her list of recipients. Just so you don\ufffdt go searching for the rest of the story at RoP, Lisa requested that it be removed so that she could work on it some more. But she may still be emailing it--I don\ufffdt know. (Claudia) Also, why were some of the juicy stories in this web site deleted? I know that one author wanted it to disappear because a simple Alta Vista search on her name led to her story(!), but why not just post the stories without their real names? People could just have aliases. They certainly could use aliases--I\ufffdm not sure why they don\ufffdt. To answer your question, any story that has been removed was done so at the request of the author. Circle of Friends Favorite line from movie: Eve: \"OK, I'll hold it, but don't expect me to jiggle it around, understand?\" LOL! I\ufffdm not overly fond of this movie (having nothing to do with Colin\ufffds smarmy character), but I do thank them for the \ufffdNan, oh Nan\ufffd line. I think I should sample that and make it my mail notification sound...whaddya think?;-) Another problem (Claudia) Sometimes, when someone posts a picture, all I see is a small box with a ? and 2 triangles in it. Why would that be? I use Netscape 3.0, if that matters. I know it happens when I check out the archives here; I'd have to double-ck to see if it happens in the active pages. It\ufffds not you, that means there is something wrong with either the syntax when it was posted or the link to the photo. If it\ufffds only happening with the archives I imagine that the links to those photos no longer exist. In Netscape that would show up as a broken photo with a question mark in it. In Explorer it\ufffds just a little box with a red \ufffdx\ufffd in it. Have you checked the active boards yet for the same thing? CAMILLE A good pal was nice enough"}, {"response": 507, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 1997 (21:22)", "body": ""}, {"response": 508, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sun, Nov 16, 1997 (22:27)", "body": "The Colin Calendar I second the request for more info. I'd love to have this! Circle of Friends I really liked this film and thought CF did a great job, but I don't like him much with a mustache. For me, his hair needs to be a little long -- not too long or it's too curly -- a little mussed, and the face cleanshaven. Simon was smarmy, but it's surprising to me how often I hear how awful he is without also hearing how awful Nan is. He didn't rape her, ya know -- she played him like a violin. She set him up, she used him, and when her scheme didn't work and he wasn't willing to fall into her trap, she moved on to ruining her best friend's chance for happiness by screwing, both literally and figuratively, that friend's boyfriend and then setting him up. Just who was the real villain here? No offense, real Nan! And just who is this big brute on your wallpaper? Separate Colin Boards It might be interesting to do this here for a while and just see how much traffic each gets. That could be a determining factor. R of P and Spring Admittedly, I don't get in here that much, but I didn't realize the R of P was getting trashed. I started out here at the Spring, transferred over to Pemberley, and came right back here with Drool. I still like to play in both playgrounds by whatever rules are laid down for us. I'm sure I don't say it often enough, but I really appreciate all the hard work going on behind the scenes in both places."}, {"response": 509, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 1997 (06:28)", "body": "So many goodies to respond to...and I still haven't had the time to check out the bullet and i for italics. Sorry. Tomorrow. Nan! My favorite place to get elevated and educated is RoP and I would miss them sorely if they werent there. They are a tremendous resource of things Austen and have my greatest respect and gratitude. Back to why I am *here*. Glorious Drool (and we know whose eyes are peering through those oo's.) May I be an inanimate object? I'd like to be his saddle. Any time. All of the time he's using it. back'n'forth, up'n'down, front'n'back...I'll bring the lubricant to keep our gentleman from chafing...It'd be like being his personal \"jewel\" box....which makes me think of...(let me turn on the fan! Whew!) They DO have fitted jewel boxes, don't they?! That's me!!! And, your next million can be had for the invention of a Virtual Colin who can assume whichever character you're in the mood for. Then people like me who don't *mind* the man nekkid...I just don't like to share him....can have him that way. Dear Husband, that is what I want, but will take you up on any Firthly offer you'd care to make. And, just between us (no one but us ever see these, Right?) I have thought of Him on occasion...lots of occasions....LOTS of the time...UMmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!"}, {"response": 510, "author": "KathleenP", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 1997 (06:56)", "body": "I've been trying to put my thoughts and emotions into words concerning Colin's voice and its effect on me. I am at a loss. Its such a glorious reaction. I would like you all to do a little experiment with me. Close your eyes(after you read this, of course), imagine you're in some secluded spot like a private beach or remote mountaintop, you're sitting all alone watching a beautiful sunset when all of a sudden someone comes up behind you and puts his hands over your eyes. He whispers, \"Guess who?\" Th re's no mistaken who's voice it is! He says your name lovingly and longingly(dearest, loveliest_____), then proceeds to kiss your neck and shoulders, his hands are now running through your hair and then he whispers in your ear exactly what he'd like to do to you right then and there!! OK, tell me your physical reaction. I'll be back in a minute, I have to go and change an article of my clothing. BTW, in my fantasy he does do IT right then and there!"}, {"response": 511, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 1997 (07:41)", "body": "You and every one else in this drool conference topic have just changed the same article of clothing - and this has become routine precaution: have extras handy because the feeling you evoked proceeds directly from the eyes, by-passes the brain's reasoning center, and heads straight south. Will pulsations do for my reaction. (NOT in my wrists!) If no one gets more graphic I shall continue...but I know there are gifted and lusty ladies out there primed for this situation. Great topic!!! ... where IS that husband of mine....."}, {"response": 512, "author": "Claudia", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 1997 (20:20)", "body": "There's no mistaken who's voice it is! He says your name lovingly and longingly ..then proceeds to kiss your neck and shoulders, his hands are now running through your hair and then he whispers in your ear exactly what he'd like to do to you right then and there!! ... I'll be back in a minute, I have to go and change an article of my clothing. BTW, in my fantasy he does do IT right then and there! ...the feeling you evoked proceeds directly from the eyes, by-passes the brain's reasoning center, and heads straight south. Where IS that husband of mine.. Yes, and let's get right to the point; no further foreplay needed ....."}, {"response": 513, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 1997 (20:41)", "body": "I'm afraid we are all primed and ready for whatever His voice requests....we have been for a long time and now breathlessly await His desire...No winning over the enemy here! I am ready and eager to capitulate. Shall I assume the position? This is the best way to spend Monday I've ever found. With good companions and CF!"}, {"response": 514, "author": "Claudia", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 1997 (21:07)", "body": "Spring Cleaning Someone made a suggestion that it would be easier to follow conversations if there were additional Colin boards with more specific topics. For example a board just to discuss Darcy, a board just for Valmont, a board just for his thighs (;-p) or whatever. What do you think? Will this help you or just be more confusing because we'd have too many topics? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. I don't think it would be a good idea to have too many CF topics, as topics such as thighs would be brought up in other topics/movies. If anything, I could see one topic for Darcy Drooling and another for general CF drooling. RoP I went through the last 90 posts and could not see how anything was construed as trashing RoP. Anything mentioned was meant seriously, e.g., their having high moral standards (because of NetNanny, which I most thoroughly learned recently), and was not at all meant to trash them. Gosh, I just LOVE RoP and the first things I do as soon as I get on my computer is check out FanFic and the status of the \"Darcy at the Pond\" graphic at the top of the P&P page. I most ardently regret that I didn't disco er these sites until 2 months ago, long after the Pond moved to the Spring. There was such heavy-duty Darcy drooling going on amongst so many participants, which I could tell from the parts of it kept in the archives. I am most seriously jealous! Having Drool separate from RoP seems natural to me. Once a person understands how the \"rating\" systems work (PG-13 vs. non-PG-13), it makes perfect sense and is appreciated especially by those of us that have younger children."}, {"response": 515, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 1997 (22:52)", "body": "Would you just look at this man...;-)..."}, {"response": 516, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 1997 (01:51)", "body": "... Yes, even the best, expensive clothes by Armani hang on him like a sack...;-) Love it! RoP I suspect that Nan's very serious tirade above might be a result of my occasional jokes re \"having been evicted...\". I am sorry that you take the flak, Nan, but I really don't intend to keep apologizing for having a sense of humour which is not to everyone's taste."}, {"response": 517, "author": "KathleenP", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 1997 (03:04)", "body": "OH MY GOD!, Nan, where is that picture from? I'm dying here! I've been staring at his divine face and body for over 15 minutes now, indulging in the moist and magical sensations they cause. Its absolutely amazing, as the picture scrolled up on my screen the reaction was instantaneous. I was a gushing mass of desire! Nan Oh Nan, I can't print the picture! Help! I can't sit here staring at my computer screen all night. I've printed your other magnificent pictures, why can't I get this one?"}, {"response": 518, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 1997 (03:36)", "body": "...Thank you, Nan!....Monday has been a Very Good Day, and what a way to end it! Kathleen, I'm using Netscape. If you are and have saved it with your right-side mouse button, open the file bring up the image....and when you can tear yourself away from it hilight the Print option. (Turn on your printer first) Then wait for him to show up!"}, {"response": 519, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 1997 (00:28)", "body": "CIRCLE OF FRIENDS (Susan) Simon was smarmy, but it's surprising to me how often I hear how awful he is without also hearing how awful Nan is. He didn't rape her, ya know -- she played him like a violin...(snip) Just who was the real villain here? No offense, real Nan! LOL! No offense taken dear. She was a wicked, evil creature (even if her name was Nan...) ;-p And just who is this big brute on your wallpaper? Answer your question? :-p Separate Colin Boards (Susan) It might be interesting to do this here for a while and just see how much traffic each gets. That could be a determining factor. (Claudia) I don't think it would be a good idea to have too many CF topics, as topics such as thighs would be brought up in other topics/movies. If anything, I could see one topic for Darcy Drooling and another for general CF drooling. I agree that a board for thighs is, perhaps, a little extreme ;-) The person who suggested it thought that it would make it easier to follow the flow of a conversation, plus we wouldn't have to do all that bolding and italicizing to make sense. I certainly see her point. It's a good suggestion. Either way, this board is a getting a little large for my comfort level (I'm afraid of the Ghost of Count Almasy). Maybe we should continue general CF conversations on topic #59 starting next week and set up a few more categories to see how it goes. We can always get rid of them if it doesn't work. (Kath) then he whispers in your ear exactly what he'd like to do to you right then and there!! OK, tell me your physical reaction. I'll be back in a minute, I have to go and change an article of my clothing. (Marcia) Great topic!!! ... where IS that husband of mine..... (Claudia)...the feeling you evoked proceeds directly from the eyes, by-passes the brain's reasoning center, and heads straight south. Where IS that husband of mine... ROTFLMAO!! Kath, I don't know if you realize how hysterically funny (and accurate) you are! ;-.D I just love a dirty talkin' man! Where is that guy I met at the bar last week... RoP (Arami) I suspect that Nan's very serious tirade above might be a result of my occasional jokes re \"having been evicted...\". I am sorry that you take the flak, Nan, but I really don't intend to keep apologizing for having a sense of humour which is not to everyone's taste. No one is looking for an apology...least of all me. Call your comments \"jokes\", if it gives you comfort. I consider many Pemberley dwellers my friends and I will continue to defend them, just as I have defended you. There's nothing more for me to say about this subject on this board . Since you are email-shy, I suppose that we will both just have to continue to misunderstand eachother. Oh well, that's always been the nature of our relationship anyway...;-p THE PRETTY PICTURE (Kath) OH MY GOD!, Nan, where is that picture from? UK Vogue, April 97. Lovely, yes? I'm dying here! I've been staring at his divine face and body for over 15 minutes now, indulging in the moist and magical sensations they cause. Oooh a WET reference ;-p Nan Oh Nan, I can't print the picture! Help! I can't sit here staring at my computer screen all night. I've printed your other magnificent pictures, why can't I get this one? Oh honey, I don't know. But your anguished plea is too much for me to bear, so I'm emailing it to you. Hold on, you poor feverish dear, I'm on the way...:-)"}, {"response": 520, "author": "Marilyn", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 1997 (01:39)", "body": "'Tis too much, Nan!! First the lovely \"UK Vogue\" Colin, then you splash that oh-so-beautiful Messier beast across our screens!! What's next? \"Crash\" in a tub??? Brendan swinging from a vine??? Ahhhh...thank you, dearest!! ;-) By the way, isn't it about time for another movie discussion? We've covered Nan's favorite (LOL!) and Valmont, what next?? Have we done Femme Fatale? Kath, Marcia, and Claudia...the Spring has gotten WET, WET, WET since your arrival--thanks for the many yucks!! ;-)"}, {"response": 521, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 1997 (04:41)", "body": "BRUTE then you splash that oh-so-beautiful Messier beast across our screens!! Marilyn! Wouldn't you know that it'd take a pictue of Mess to get you to post ;-p Don't go there honey...he's mine ;-D We've missed you! What's next? \"Crash\" in a tub??? Oh if I could only find one! Go check out the Costner topic...me and Charlotte are slipping on the drool-slicked floor. As you can see, I put your article to good use ;-) MOVIE DISCUSSION (Marilyn) By the way, isn't it about time for another movie discussion? We've covered Nan's favorite (LOL!) and Valmont, what next?? Have we done Femme Fatale? I'm okay with FF. I think we should hold off until next week, after I've done the Spring cleaning. I'll start a board for the movie discussions."}, {"response": 522, "author": "SylviaH", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 1997 (14:42)", "body": "Seperate Colin boards (Nan) I'm okay with FF. I think we should hold off until next week, after I've done the Spring cleaning. I'll start a board for the movie discussions. Nan, can you read my mind? I just wanted to suggest a board for the movie discussions. Since I'm still missing the threads I appreciate different boards. Let's try and see how it works. BTW, the last time I've seen the ghost of Count Almasy he was lying on a large heap of stolen letters and broken sentences desperately struggling to free himself from a large bar on his chest consisting of the letters olin_Firt crying \"I shall conquer this, I shall!\" We have to keep an eye on him! The Advocate After watching The Advocate I'm growing quite fond of Colin's not clean shaven appearence as in Fever Pitch. But he looks so thin in that one! Especially in those large boots! Circle of Friends When I watched CofF for the first time I was astonished how this attractive, sweet, cute, gorgeous looking, sexy ,....(insert your favorite adjectives here) man manages to look so unattractive and fishy, that's acting ability I think."}, {"response": 523, "author": "KathleenP", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 1997 (23:23)", "body": "My Colin film library is coming along quite nicely. I now own 10 films: P&P2 Playmaker Femme Fatale The Advocate Circle of Friends Nostromo Apartment Zero A Month in the Country Valmont Wings of Fame I have \"Hostages\" on order and my nephew hopefully will get \"Fever Pitch\" for me for Christmas while he's in England. I watch a film depending on my mood (usually horny). I most times start out with P&P2. Darcy drives me wild so, when I can't take it anymore and I just have to see him naked, I put on \"Playmaker\"(I know, I know) or \"Valmont, Femme Fatale\" or \"The Advocate\". I fast forward and rewind to my heart's (and you know whatelse's) content. I love to see him lying in bed, the sex is nice to wat h its like I have to watch it just to get to that point of satisfaction, but seeing him lying in bed, I imagine myself in the afterglow with Colin snuggling with me, naked of course, his broad beautiful chest against my back so I can feel his heart beating. His strong smooth arms engulfing me while his divinely masterful hands caress my breasts. His long muscular legs are entwined with mine and his gorgeous face and sweet breath are on my neck. Oh, to sleep in such an embrace! Can you just imagine it! Believe it or not, but I really only started out to tell you about my library. I got to thinking about the films and got carried away. The thought of my sweet, sweet Colin does it to me everytime. I have become so amorous (OK, horny) that my poor darling husband can get no rest neither night or day!!"}, {"response": 524, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 1997 (00:03)", "body": "LOL! Kath, I just don't know what else to say to you. I'm LMAO over here ;-D"}, {"response": 525, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 1997 (03:35)", "body": "Thanks, Kath, for saying what we just dare to think. My cpu is already smouldering and two floppies melted. Keep it coming....."}, {"response": 526, "author": "chey", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 1997 (05:10)", "body": "Kath, now that is what I call REALLY DROOLING! Keep it up girl, I am using your fantasy ...Ahhh me and Darcy in a big fluffy canopied bed with his soft, fluffy shirt hanging over the end of the bed and his boots dropped on the floor because he couldn't wait to get into bed naked with me!"}, {"response": 527, "author": "KathleenP", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 1997 (14:16)", "body": "I think I've finally cracked-up! I was looking at my husband across the dinner table last night and he had a certain expression on his face. He reminded me of Colin! Now, my husband, God bless him, does not look like Colin. He has blonde hair, blue eyes and a full beard. But he had this look in his eyes that actually made my heart skip a beat. Losing one's mind isn't all bad, I guess, if I start to see Colin everywhere I look. Who would have thought insanity was such bliss!"}, {"response": 528, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 1997 (19:25)", "body": "Kathleen, what about a bit of fanfiction? Pretending to be Samira, Maria, Mme de Tourvel, the other Mme or Cecile, Lisa.............."}, {"response": 529, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 1997 (19:48)", "body": "I guess most of you visit RoP now and then, and perhaps you have seen the following. It promises some fun, IMO: *S* . This sign that I used is just an action thing that is quite often seen in the CP's. (chatrooms, I suppose, R.) *_____* mean that you are doing an action. *S* means that you are smiling. *T* is: I am typing this message. *k* is: I am kidding.... Let me hear girls, which actions YOU are taking *...?....*"}, {"response": 530, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 1997 (20:32)", "body": "*F...f...f...* for goodness' sake, ladies it's like in an oven here!"}, {"response": 531, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 1997 (21:57)", "body": "...there, too? In Hawaii we start the day steamy and work from there to sultry to sexy then to a carpentry objext *S_________*"}, {"response": 532, "author": "KathleenP", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 1997 (22:01)", "body": "Oh, my dear Arami, goodness as nothing to do with it! Its more like a sauna here, I like my fantasies to be hot and wet, oh yeah, real wet and steamy and wet and sweaty and wet and wet and Oh, please somebody stop me!! I'm *C* right through my jeans!!!"}, {"response": 533, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 1997 (22:20)", "body": "WEARING HIP WADERS How on earth am I going to catch up on 75+ drools on this topic alone!!!! Well, I've spun them off to disk and will review them at home...at my leisure. Sounds like a lot more people have joined in and that Femme Fatale is our next cinema treat. How nice, because mine just showed up in the mail. However, it has tracking problems and will have to be replaced. But, I can make out enough to comment on the action!! ;-p BTW, I looked for the hint of blue and couldn't find it. Need directions. BEEP, BEEP, WARNING Nan, why didn't you warn me??? I also received \"Apartment Zero.\" Creepy. Not the Colin we've been drooling over. It came in the mail about an hour before I left town, so what did I do???? I ripped it open and put it into the old VCR and, boy, did I get a surprise. Fortunately, I had an 11 hour plane ride with ongoing access to TEP for the entire time. (The other movie choices didn't interest me in the least.) So, I probably watched TEP about 4-5 times; only the first time in its entirety. The oth r times only for CF scenes. Well, my opinion of RF hasn't changed one iota: he's a beady eyed, pencil-legged lizard. However, my view of CF's role has changed a bit. I noted quite a change in his character when he is \"on the job.\" When he's with her or just being the husband, it hurts to watch him play the buffoon. But at the office, he's soooo much more palatable!!! You may add that word to our growing vocabulary of edible synonyms!!! Anyway, I'm pretty well TEP'd out. If and when it shows up on cable, I'm only going to do a \"Best Of\" tape and you know who will be on it. I don't think I can bear having to watch the whole movie again...but it did make the flight go much quicker!!! HOUSE CLEANING I hope that doesn't mean that any of the posts will be removed??? I better read fast."}, {"response": 534, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 1997 (22:49)", "body": "THE NEW TREND (Renate) I guess most of you visit RoP now and then, and perhaps you have seen the following. It promises some fun, IMO: (snip) *T* is: I am typing this message. *k* is: I am kidding.... Let me hear girls, which actions YOU are taking *...?....* Oh Renate this is really dangerous--I love it! :-D I intend to use it often as the mood strikes me... Oh, please somebody stop me!! I'm *C* right through my jeans!!! You're killin' me here! ;-D WEARING HIP WADERS (Karen) How on earth am I going to catch up on 75+ drools on this topic alone!!!! Welcome back, dear. As you can see we're moving right along. Remind me to send A&E a thank you note for that rebroadcast--they've sent us some hysterically funny new droolers :-) BTW, I looked for the hint of blue and couldn't find it. Need directions. When they roll off the bed and onto the floor, in the bottom left corner you can see that he is wearing something blue :-( BEEP, BEEP, WARNING Nan, why didn't you warn me??? I also received \"Apartment Zero.\" Creepy. Sorry, I thought you knew he was a little left of center in that one. It is creepy, but I liked it anyway and thought Colin was really very good. He does have a knack for playing rather, er...offbeat roles (okay, kooks) doesn't he? Not the Colin we've been drooling over. It came in the mail about an hour before I left town, so what did I do???? I ripped it open and put it into the old VCR and, boy, did I get a surprise. Completely different Colin than the one we talk about. Then again, that versatility is part of his charm (though not the part on which I'm concentrating at present) ;-p TEP (Karen) Well, my opinion of RF hasn't changed one iota: he's a beady eyed, pencil-legged lizard. Oh well, you say tomato...;-) When he's with her or just being the husband, it hurts to watch him play the buffoon. Strange. I've heard others use the word \"buffoon\" when describing the character of GC, but I've never really felt that way myself. Yes, the singing makes me a little squeamish, but it was necessary to help the audience feel sympathy for KC's upcoming affair. I was more upset after the Santa scene. Poor man ;-( HOUSE CLEANING (Karen) I hope that doesn't mean that any of the posts will be removed??? I better read fast. Not to worry, I wouldn't dare touch the Colin topics, but I will add some more. I think we should retire only the topics which haven't had any action since last Spring. If there's anything that someone wants to keep (or add) just let me know."}, {"response": 535, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 1997 (23:53)", "body": "TEP (Karen) Well, my opinion of RF hasn't changed one iota: he's a beady eyed, pencil-legged lizard. Nan) Oh well, you say tomato...;-) Now, are you sure that isn't a Long Island potato? Of course, CF has no bananas today. Last one I saw him with was when he was roaming the streets of London in search of Lydia and Wickham!!! And it was soooo carefully hidden!! ;-p When he's with her or just being the husband, it hurts to watch him play the buffoon. (Nan) Strange. I've heard others use the word \"buffoon\" when describing the character of GC, but I've never really felt that way myself. I should know this movie by heart now, but I think that Katherine says something to that effect to RF when they are looking at the stars. She says he's not really a buffoon, that he's not a photographer, etc. And RF asks her if the marriage is a fake...something like that. Yes, the singing makes me a little squeamish, but it was necessary to help the audience feel sympathy for KC's upcoming affair. I was more upset after the Santa scene. Poor man ;-( In the car....by far, worse and sadder than Santa. Of course, it was nice having Colin at my beck and call for all that time. Kinda compensated for having to watch that other one through most of the movie. TEP (Karen) Well, my opinion of RF hasn't changed one iota: he's a beady eyed, pencil-legged lizard. Oh well, you say tomato...;-) When he's with her or just being the husband, it hurts to watch him play the buffoon. Strange. I've heard others use the word \"buffoon\" when describing the character of GC, but I've never really felt that way myself. Yes, the singing makes me a little squeamish, but it was necessary to help the audience feel sympathy for KC's upcoming affair. I was more upset after the Santa scene. Poor man ;-( HOUSE CLEANING (Nan) Not to worry, I wouldn't dare touch the Colin topics, but I will add some more. More!! In addition to 53 and 59??? This is getting so confusing. My head hurts. ;-p"}, {"response": 536, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 1997 (23:54)", "body": "TEP (Karen) Well, my opinion of RF hasn't changed one iota: he's a beady eyed, pencil-legged lizard. Nan) Oh well, you say tomato...;-) Now, are you sure that isn't a Long Island potato? Of course, CF has no bananas today. Last one I saw him with was when he was roaming the streets of London in search of Lydia and Wickham!!! And it was soooo carefully hidden!! ;-p When he's with her or just being the husband, it hurts to watch him play the buffoon. (Nan) Strange. I've heard others use the word \"buffoon\" when describing the character of GC, but I've never really felt that way myself. I should know this movie by heart now, but I think that Katherine says something to that effect to RF when they are looking at the stars. She says he's not really a buffoon, that he's not a photographer, etc. And RF asks her if the marriage is a fake...something like that. Yes, the singing makes me a little squeamish, but it was necessary to help the audience feel sympathy for KC's upcoming affair. I was more upset after the Santa scene. Poor man ;-( In the car....by far, worse and sadder than Santa. Of course, it was nice having Colin at my beck and call for all that time. Kinda compensated for having to watch that other one through most of the movie. HOUSE CLEANING (Nan) Not to worry, I wouldn't dare touch the Colin topics, but I will add some more. More!! In addition to 53 and 59??? This is getting so confusing. My head hurts. ;-p"}, {"response": 537, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 1997 (00:00)", "body": "Whoops!!!! Sorry about that mess. Hit Control-C one too many times and thenm a double post. I must be really rusty!!"}, {"response": 538, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 1997 (00:18)", "body": "HOUSE CLEANING (Nan) Not to worry, I wouldn't dare touch the Colin topics, but I will add some more. (Karen) More!! In addition to 53 and 59??? This is getting so confusing. My head hurts. ;-p Actually we're hoping to decrease the confusion by breaking up the topics (Darcy Drool, Movie Discussions, General Colin, etc...) It can always be changed if it doesn't work. There are a nice (and lusty) group of us now so I feel sure that we'll be able to fill up just about any Colin topic :-)"}, {"response": 539, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 1997 (08:08)", "body": "Nan, is it possible to talk about Colin without drooling? I haven't seen any evidence of it. Three or four \"serious\" contributions will be entered then something sets someone else off on a prolonged drool....Our Man is just too delicious. Perhaps more than Darcy Drool (I go for that straight away!) how about Colin Drool?! I do believe I have progressed to where I want to see more of him in more things and fewer things...and you have provided me with the determination not to be left behind...Hmmmmmmmmm ..not a bad thought...See. it happens every time!"}, {"response": 540, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 1997 (09:59)", "body": "I can't keep up with all the postings! Great stuff! I was going to comment on Colin in heroic/non heroic roles, but now I can't even remember who said what (and it was only a couple of days ago!) Suffice to say, he has a very extensive range as an actor and if he is to explore that range, he must, of necessity, play roles that are less than heroic, more flawed. But I can always sympathise with the characters he plays - there's always some underlying decency and vulnerability. But (romantic fantasy) I woul love to see him play both Charles Darnay and the lookalike Sydney Carton in A Tale of Two Cities. Handsome aristocrat AND dissolute but ultimately noble (It is a far, far better thing that I do..)lawyer! Ye-s-s! Hollywood, do you hear me?!!! BRIDGET JONES' DIARY Renate, have you finished reading this yet? The story of Mark and Bridget is continuing in the Daily Telegraph (Helen Fielding has a new column) There was also an intervening year when she was writing in the Independent. So there's a lot more of Mark Darcy! Am probably getting carried away by enthusiasm here ( and the part will go to Hugh Grant, just to spite me!) but I think Colin will be an ideal Mark Darcy. If I can't have a replay of Mr Darcy, circa 1813, I'll settle for Mr Darcy, circa 1997( ie a rich handsome sexy barrister)!! Nan, many thanks for all the work you put in here. I've been meaning to thank you for ages!"}, {"response": 541, "author": "SylviaH", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 1997 (14:37)", "body": "It's hard not to be enthusiastic about Colin playing a modern Mr Darcy. About this project I'm feeling like Paul Ashworth during Arsenal v Liverpool trying to convince himself and the rest of the world that Arsenal has no chance to win and still hoping that they'll do. But Hugh Grant as Darcy - NEVER! This role must be played by the one and only Colin Firth. I started reading Bridget Jones' Diary a few days ago and imagine Colin wearing those bumblebee socks :-)."}, {"response": 542, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 1997 (19:49)", "body": "THE ENVIRONMENT TAKES A BIG HIT: DEFORESTATION CONTINUES Well, I couldn't wait to read the postings, so I printed them off so I could read them on my bus ride home. Hope the guy sitting next to me wasn't reading over my shoulder--although I did notice that the windows were getting a little steamed up. I attributed it to the cool weather outside and the hot bodies inside that were getting hotter and hotter as I turned the pages faster and faster... COLIN TO PLAY DARCY (Bethan) I think Mark Darcy is a very good role for CF...I look forward to seeing him as a smart, rich (but nice!) lawyer. I like him scruffy, but I am also quite partial to him in a dinner jacket! I look forward to seeing him, period. Remember, some of us sat through the ever-dismal ATA. Dinner jacket, sans dinner jacket. Clothed or nekkid...real or virtual...big screen or small screen...it's just seeing that face, watching that walk and and hearing that talk. AMITC (Claudia) cuteness is fine before age 35 (CF must have been about 27 when AMITC was made.) After that I find it's a turn-off... As Tina would say: \"What's age got to do with it, got to do with it????\" Cute is cute--regardless of age in my book. ;-)) BEYOND DESCRIPTION (Claudia) scrumptious...edible, yummy, and delectable I'm getting hungry. Try these out when you feel the need to expand your vocabulary: succulent, mouth-watering, tempting, tantalizing, provocative, full-bodied, lip-smacking. All courtesy of Mr. Roget. mmmm-good!! (courtesy of Campbell's Soups) (Nan) the ever popular \"chocolate puddles\" Yo, wadaminute!!! Is that variation on his pondlike eyes??? VALMONT (Claudia) I actually DID like this movie, except for...the main storyline (the idea of seducing the little girl before her wedding). LOL!!!! But it was a 1000x better than Dangerous Liaisons. I wish I had seen Valmont first. I saw DL first and was totally turned off to the story. At least with CF, it was plausible. BTW, I meant to bring this up before--does any one think that AB was wearing body stocking in her nude scenes. Looked that way to me, especially the first one with Jacour (sp??) when she is lying on the bed, then again in the bathtub. I know you all have eagle eyes...spotting all sorts of swatches of clothing that shouldn't be there!!! the aunt really did die shortly after the film Oh, that's too bad. I liked her in Jewel in the Crown. Elliot from ET!!...Wonder what he's doing now? Well, three years ago he was Brad Pitt's brother in \"Legends of the Fall,\" the one who brings home Julia Ormand. Movie is on this Saturday night (11/22) for those who want to see a more mature version of the harp teacher. I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR HIM (Arami) Nowadays I seem to be the only Colin fan who doesn't care much about other actors. (Bethan) I am very telescopic in my obsession - only HIM! And I won't change my loyalties. (Claudia) You can include me in this boat (tub?), too. (Nan) I'm afraid that my affection for Colin doesn't dampen my hormonal urges when seeing other men. Since they are all unattainable anyway, I might as well wish big ;-p That's the ticket, Nan!!!! There are many I have and do admire and have fantasized over. But and this is a big BUT...CF is the only one that I have bothered to take the time todrool over on the Internet. Anybody want to talk about Timothy Dalton????? Devilishly handsome and another wonderful voice. Agewise, it's a better fit. Wouldn't feel like I was robbin' the cradle. Another wonderful actor who needs a better agent (The Beautician and the Beast--need I say more). HELLO...KATHLEEN!!! My, oh, my. Does the Spring have a catch basin??? After reading your firth and foremost testimonial or confession, I craved a cigarette--and I gave up smoking about 7 weeks ago!! Horny, you call us horny???? Naw!! This is just what happens when we see a pair of \"fine eyes.\" And fine legs, and fine buttocks, and fine lips, and fine hands, and fine...OOOOhhh, where are those cigarettes?????. You described the process of falling for him. Mine was very different. At first, I was appalled at his portrayal of Darcy. All that smouldering in the corners. All that lurking and pacing and staring. Who did he think he was? Heathcliff? Like Arami, the wet shirt scene--nada, zippo. But he kept growing on me. That smouldering was catching. I would rewatch each of the segments and see the little expressions, the eye rolls, the tilts of the head, the smart-ass comments, his anger building up, and hey hooked me. He--better than any of the actors who have been in recent BBC, A&E, big screen, little screen adaptations of classics--has given the role a passionate center. The volcano within--ready to erupt!!! (Read that how ever you will ladies!!) ;-)) The caged animal. That's not to say that he's not easy on the eyes. ;-p Are you sure your husband wants you to let off steam this way?? Sharing with us? He may unplug your computer or at least cancel your ISP. Hope I'm not being too out of line with my licentious thoughts and com"}, {"response": 543, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 1997 (19:52)", "body": "I've just ordered Bridget Jones' Diary from Waterstones. I cannot wait. I would die to see CF as an updated Darcy. I think I'll screen test for Bridget!!! Watching CF movies while horny, now there's a thought8-) NO HUGH GRANT AS DARCY!!! ugh!! I like HG but it certain roles."}, {"response": 544, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 1997 (00:19)", "body": "THE EYES (Nan) the ever popular \"chocolate puddles\" (Karen) Yo, wadaminute!!! Is that variation on his pondlike eyes??? Howdya guess? ;-p VALMONT (Karen) BTW, I meant to bring this up before--does any one think that AB was wearing body stocking in her nude scenes. I hadn't noticed. While we're discussing it, can someone explain the purpose of body stockings? If it looks like you're nekkid, then why bother wearing it at all? OTHER OBJECTS OF DROOL (Karen) Anybody want to talk about Timothy Dalton????? Devilishly handsome and another wonderful voice. Yoo-hoo, Maaaarilyn...I think you've found a kindred spirit here ;-p Another wonderful actor who needs a better agent (The Beautician and the Beast--need I say more). Is this the same agent who got him that role in Flash Gordon? If so, I need to thank that person because, regardless of it's campiness, I watch it every time it's on ;-) (Karen) I just may have to check u out your KC drool. With the exception of that Water movie last year, I've probably seen everything he's done (even Fandango). That's impressive--not many people have seen Fandango. Why didn't you see Waterworld? Regardless of its bad reputation, I liked it very well. Though I admit to being a little biased. ;-) Saw the pix you've scanned in. Is Kev left handed, if you catch my drift???? Always seemed like a middle man to me, until I saw that picture ;-D SOUND FILES (Karen) Oh, yes, Nan. How could you pass up the opportunity to have a customized CF greeting for your mail notification. I just may have to change my name!!! I feel so lucky! I must apologize to my mother for all the times I complained about the name she chose for me ;-) HOSTAGES (Karen) Oooh, I think you're going to love \"Hostages.\" He looks really good in that one--even when he's all dirty and hairy. (snip) but mostly all he ever wears are some little loose gym shorts, low on the hip bone. I must admit, I kept wishing they would fall a little lower.....bad me. ;-p OK, Nan, you can slap me. For wishing to catch a glimpse? Never, dear! ;-)"}, {"response": 545, "author": "KathleenP", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 1997 (00:40)", "body": "(Karen)- Are you sure your husband wants you to let off steam this way? Let off steam?! Oh honey, I build UP steam this way!! It gets to geyser-like proportions, I guess for that analogy to work he'd have to hold me upside down(ooh, that might be nice). If I could be serious for one minute, its really quite amazing the effect Colin Firth has had on me. I have never been infatuated with anyone, celebrity or otherwise, like I am with him. He has awakened in me such passions and desires which I had long thought were buried and gone forever. So, when I say my husband doesn't mind, I truly believe it. Of course, he doesn't read these posts and isn't fully aware of my obession with Colin. He just knows our sexlife is better than it ever was! OK, minute's up! I'm trying to decide which I'd enjoy more, me giving Colin a massage or him giving me one. My hands all over his body (Oh, dear God!) or his A L L O V E R mine!!! Damn, this is too much to even think about. The thought of us rubbing oil onto every part, every limb, each and every \"muscle\" of each other's bodies!! Oh boy, I better stop now, I think this one could be just alittle too graphic, even for me!"}, {"response": 546, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 1997 (01:44)", "body": "Nan, would it be possible somehow to have direct links between all CF topics? It appears some people keep losing themselves among them and I'm sure any newcomer wouldn't even know there's more..."}, {"response": 547, "author": "Marilyn", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 1997 (01:58)", "body": "OTHER OBJECTS OF DROOL (Karen)Anybody want to talk about Timothy Dalton????? Devilishly handsome and another wonderful voice. (Nan)Yoo-hoo, Maaaarilyn...I think you've found a kindred spirit here ;-p Karen - Colin, Kevin, and now Timothy ??? We most definitely are kindred! Where to start?? Well, the man knows how to kiss, doesn't he?? I give you his Heathcliff in the barn (well, anywhere), his Rochester (he just envelopes Jane with his body and those huge hands!), and, as corny as \"The Beautician and the Beast\" is, he does deliver a most romantic smooch in the end--yes, I swooned along with Fran... ;-) (Karen) Well, my opinion of RF hasn't changed one iota: he's a beady eyed, pencil-legged lizard. Ouch! Oh, well, I guess we can't agree on everything ! ;-p HAPPY BIRTHDAY! She's gonna hate me for this, but our dearest Nan is another year older tomorrow - happy birthday, sweetie! :-)"}, {"response": 548, "author": "chey", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 1997 (03:33)", "body": "Happy Birhtday,Nan!! I think I know what (or who) you would like to have for your birthday! Maybe HE will e-mail you. ;-) WHERE is Colin these days? I just got back from Barnes&Noble searching every magazine for some small sign of him and his doings, but alas, nothing. Surely some of you ladies have an inside track....Arami?"}, {"response": 549, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 1997 (04:11)", "body": "LINKS BETWEEN TOPICS (Arami) Nan, would it be possible somehow to have direct links between all CF topics? It appears some people keep losing themselves among them and I'm sure any newcomer wouldn't even know there's more... I've been thinking the same thing. Hell, I'm lost myself. I think it can be done when you start a topic, but I don't know if it's possible to change the header on an existing topic. If there is a way, it's one of those technical things which I'll need help to accomplish. I'll start asking around so that we can do everything at once when Spring cleaning starts next week. BTW, have you ever tried the \"Next Topic\" feature? I find it easier to get from one topic to the next , but I can't figure out how to go back to the previous topic. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! (Marilyn) She's gonna hate me for this... Grrrrrrr! I'll deal with you later missy ;-p (Chey) I think I know what (or who) you would like to have for your birthday! Maybe HE will e-mail you. ;-) From your mouth to God's ears ;-D"}, {"response": 550, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 1997 (13:41)", "body": ""}, {"response": 551, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 1997 (13:41)", "body": ""}, {"response": 552, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 1997 (18:24)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NAN Consider the sound file only the first installment!! But I don't think I could do any better than that card from Myretta and Cheryl. What do you think they meant by \"work me hard\" and \"make me sweat\"??? ;-p Got to run..."}, {"response": 553, "author": "Kate", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 1997 (19:02)", "body": "Nan: BTW, have you ever tried the \"Next Topic\" feature? I find it easier to get from one topic to the next, but I can't figure out how to go back to the previous topic. have you tried using the \"prev topic\" button ;-)"}, {"response": 554, "author": "cookie", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 1997 (19:29)", "body": "Hi I am new here can anyone help me?*S*"}, {"response": 555, "author": "cookie", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 1997 (19:30)", "body": ""}, {"response": 556, "author": "cookie", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 1997 (19:32)", "body": "So what is up in here?"}, {"response": 557, "author": "cookie", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 1997 (19:35)", "body": "Anyone want to talk?"}, {"response": 558, "author": "cookie", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 1997 (19:37)", "body": ""}, {"response": 559, "author": "hailn", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 1997 (19:44)", "body": "Hi, everybody. I want to make friend with you. I am a new user on this forum. I come from Ha Noi, Vietnam. I'm a software engineer. I need to know how to build a web server and some technical around that, such as: how to make index to search on a web, and how to organise a database on it, and so on. Who can help me. Beside, I also need source of program files as good as more. Please help me ! Thank you for advanced ! My adress: hailn@hotmail.com"}, {"response": 560, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 1997 (19:46)", "body": "We can help you with all that stuff. Glad you're here with us. Let's discuss it in the web conference, ok? Meet you there?"}, {"response": 561, "author": "KathleenP", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 1997 (20:37)", "body": "My dear new friends, I want to thank you all for being there so I can talk with someone about my obsession with Colin. I just had a very sobering conversation with my younger sister. She came across a copy of the very mild and tame post I sent to RoP where I first told of my passion for CF/Darcy. She was shocked! Can you just imagine how she would have reacted if she read some of my contributions here!? You see, to my family and friends I am a most sensible, level-headed respectable woman. In some circles, the men won't even tell an off-colored joke in my presence. I'm sure if they ever saw this other side of me, they would think I was taken over by aliens. When you talk about other actors, I become impatient I don't see the attraction I'm my old self thinking, \"How foolish, grown women acting like a bunch of teenage girls, ridculous!\" I still haven't figured out why Colin does this to me. To be sure, there have been actors just as handsome, talented and sexy as he is. So, why him? In the mea while, I shall continue to revel in the very great pleasure he gives me. P.S. Has anyone else experienced this, Colin being your first encounter with obession? And if he is, do you know why?"}, {"response": 562, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 1997 (23:06)", "body": "Oh, Kathleen, join the group! I'm one of those pedestal dwellers (put there by son, husband and others who value my judgement). I dread the thought of someone from that group finding my contributions...on all of CF's boards! I'm pretty sure None of us has figured why Colin does this to us. I am still in the Darcy thrall and I alsolutely cannot keep from re-running P&P2 - daily! I have had a life-long (and it's longer than most of you here) passion for Lord Olivier, but it was nothing like this. That was adoration. Very pure and very simple. This is complex, very physical and WET...sweaty palms, palpitations, heavy breathing, all of it. My once very tailored computer (no wallpaper - no sounds) now has Darcy Wallpaper and his voice saying various things for computer events. I love it! And, when I read something like you wrote, or watch him, or hear his voice, I get a *very* special smile that we all expreience. No explaining - no dissection- just enjoy it. You're in good company. Now, drool some more =) (Brandi Harding) Hi I am new here can anyone help me? Hi and welcome. There is nothing special to do except drool about Colin Firth. Since you have found us, you must find that easy. Share your feelings with us!"}, {"response": 563, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 1997 (23:33)", "body": "A Pathetic Computer Well, this computer will not let me cut and paste (that's what you get when you use one at the library on the weekends), so here goes from memory... Use of Body Stocking Purely for the pseudo-modest IMO. Waterworld I've always been a major film person, but even I have my standards!! No, the bad reviews and the genre didn't appeal to me. Never been much of a sci-fi or futuristic person. Also, if one of my favs appears in a particularly embarassing role--I don't want to see it. I prefer my memories to be of GOOD things. And that's why this Postman thing bothers me...another one of those weirdo movies, why????? Timothy Dalton Marilyn, oh Marilyn, how nice to find you!!! Can we talk??? BTW. when you said Flash Gordon, did you meet the Rocketeer?? Actually, that one wasn't too bad. Did you ever see him in Brenda Starr??? I guess I'm going to have to put a bad over my head and go to the video store to rent the Beautician and the Beast. Or maybe I could borrow someone's children and pretend the video is for them!!! Which do you think would be more convincing? Like I said, I have standards even where my boys are concerned. ;-) I was going to wait until it showed up on cable. Olivier Marcia: I may be more of your contemporary. He caught my eye and a lot more many a moon ago. My, he was handsome...and talented. Marcia, do you see any evidence that our CF is following LO's lead in altering his face to suit the character? Olivier would regularly don different noses, etc., for each part. I keep looking very critically at CF because he looks so different in some of his movies, e.g., Apartment Zero, TEP, and it's not just the hair and/or its color. Gotta go now."}, {"response": 564, "author": "KathleenP", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 1997 (23:41)", "body": "OOPS!!! I certainly didn't mean to display my full name in my previous post. There goes my anonymity! I sincerely hope and prayer no one I know stumbles upon this. For as much as I adore Colin and the immense pleasure I get from thinking about him and talking to you about him, it embarrasses me to death to think someone who doesn't \"understand\" should read all of this. Is there some way we can delete my last name?"}, {"response": 565, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 1997 (00:57)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, NAN!!!! Hope this works somehow, if not - take my best wishes the conventional way."}, {"response": 566, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 1997 (00:59)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, NAN!!!! Do you see at least a bit, Nan?"}, {"response": 567, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 1997 (03:54)", "body": "(Kate) have you tried using the \"prev topic\" button ;-) Tthhpphhtthh! Yes, I did, but it didn't work. It appears that once I've read the messages I can't get back to them using the \"previous topic\" button. :-( Renate, it did blink! Many thanks m'dear ;-)"}, {"response": 568, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 1997 (07:59)", "body": "After watching P&P 30 or 40 times, I felt so unfulfilled by the ending, that I began writing my own endings. Then I found RoP and then you guys. Anyway, I wrote about their first nights together, including a scene which I later saw in Nostomo, (Mine scene). I also wrote a massage scene, he to her, because she was so sore from all that vigorous exercise and could barely walk, and then a her to him massage a few days later. I think I also wrote a very seductive piano scene. Darcy keeps asking her to play fo him as he drives her to distraction and undresses her, then she gets him back. They are definitely at laest R and occasionally X? They also have a snowball fight/seduction at Netherfield. Makes me feel good. Though I am having fun writing the G stuff too."}, {"response": 569, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 1997 (20:09)", "body": "(Karen)...do you see any evidence that our CF is following LO's lead in altering his face to suit the character? Olivier would regularly don different noses, etc., for each part. I keep looking very critically at CF because he looks so different in some of his movies, e.g., Apartment Zero, TEP, and it's not just the hair and/or its color. Absolutely! I mentioned this on the Olivier Board (11), which would really appreiate your postings. Check it out! It is the way LO had of putting on the character of the new role he was developing - to hide Olivier! CF is gifted in this way, too, and only their soul-stirring voices betray them. Perhaps this is why CF has affected me so much....but then, some of these stirrings I never would have felt in a million years for someone so distinguished as Olivier. I put him on a high pedestal, indeed! Un ortunately, I have seen just P&P2 and none of the other CF films due to our proximity to absolutely Nothing! (Kath)...it embarrasses me to death to think someone who doesn't \"understand\" should read all of this. Is there some way we can delete my last name? I had the same problem, and the kind ladies here suggested that I go into spring.com and poke the registration button. There you will reregister with just a first name in both blanks (Kath, eg.) requiting names. Then I used the same password, wrote it down, and got rid of my last name! If you want to be even more indefinable, put \"none\" where they ask for your Email address. (StefanieB) I felt so unfulfilled by the ending, that I began writing my own endings. They are definitely at laest R and occasionally X? Don't do this to us...we droolers want to read your R-and-X-rated endings. Please tell us where we might enjoy them, too!"}, {"response": 570, "author": "Kate", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 1997 (22:18)", "body": "(Kate) have you tried using the \"prev topic\" button ;-) (Nan)Tthhpphhtthh! Yes, I did, but it didn't work. It appears that once I've read the messages I can't get back to them using the \"previous topic\" button. :-( Yeah, what it does is takes you back to any previous topics on the board (like KC for example). The only way you can see the messages you've read is to redisplay, I think. But then, you're the expert!"}, {"response": 571, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 1997 (23:44)", "body": "(Kate) Yeah, what it does is takes you back to any previous topics on the board (like KC for example). Actually, it won't even let me \"press\" the button...nothing at all. The only way you can see the messages you've read is to redisplay, I think. But then, you're the expert! LOL! I should be so lucky. If I were an expert I would know how to use everything--which I clearly don't. Some day I hope to catch on to this geek thing ;-)"}, {"response": 572, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 1997 (01:53)", "body": "OK. Here's the way it works. The Prev. Topic (and for that matter, The Next Topic) button will allow you to use them if there are readable messages under whatever option you have chosen to read. For example, if you choose \"ALL\" you should be able to Prev. Topic and Next Topic to your heart's content. If you choose \"NEW\", you can only use these buttons if there is something new in one or more of the previous or next topics. If change your URL to something like http://www.spring.com/yapp-bin/restric ed/browse/drool/all/since/-1 , you will see everything that has been posted in the past day and can use your redisplay button to back up any number of previous messages. For example, if you want to go back three messages, just type -3 in the redisplay box and click the Redisplay button. By using the all/since/-1 URL you can move back and forth between topics because the system isn't looking for posts you haven't seen as it does when you use new ."}, {"response": 573, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 1997 (06:46)", "body": "Myretta, sometimes you really scare me :-p Thanks for the clarification. I'll try my hand at it this week. And what are you doing up at this hour? Oooh, I'm gonna tell..."}, {"response": 574, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 1997 (06:49)", "body": "And what are you doing up at this hour? Oooh, I'm gonna tell... Well, DUH! :-( I just checked the time again, and the joke's on me--it's not you who's up late, it's me. When my eyesight starts to go I know it's time to go to bed. ;-)"}, {"response": 575, "author": "StefanieB", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 1997 (09:24)", "body": "They are not posted anywhere, there is no place I know of to post the R rated ones, I really do not know if any are X I am not sure what X entails. They are I am not sure how to describe. I suppose I could e-mail potions to you."}, {"response": 576, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 1997 (16:19)", "body": "(Stefanie) They are not posted anywhere, there is no place I know of to post the R rated ones, I really do not know if any are X I am not sure what X entails. They are I am not sure how to describe. I suppose I could e-mail potions to you. Stefanie, there is a fan fic topic in this conference where it can be posted. But, before you do, please email me at nan@ntr.net and can tell you if they are R or X."}, {"response": 577, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 1997 (21:44)", "body": "BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO NAN! I've been away for a couple of days again and missed the big day... Hey, so that's Nan on that baldie's T-shirt, yes? Hm, somewhat younger than I expected - or is that a very old photo;-)? Oh, and a Scorpio - just! My dear, now I'm sure we do not \"misunderstand\" each other (re a previous exchange), we simply disagree...:-D For those who hope I might know where Colin is these days - sorry, folks, still no news. (I also rely on other sources, you see... they don't always tell me...) Looking forward to Stefanie's stories... Can she match Lisa in the X department?"}, {"response": 578, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 1997 (22:03)", "body": "Male (sic) Order (Marcia) Unfortunately, I have seen just P&P2 and none of the other CF films due to our proximity to absolutely Nothing! Even on the mainland, it's not that easy finding CF movies. That's why I've started ordering them from video places. Amazon.com sells and ships videos and there are others. Go to Colin Firth FAQ and the Merchandise topic. It will give you the 800 number or web site address for a number of places. Unfortunately, there are still a bunch of movies (especially British TV movies that I think we will never see here). I can't believe that I didn't tape Nostromo when it was broadcast. Where was my mind???? Fan Fiction Stephanie, there's a place for all!! If it falls into the NC-17 (come on, we don't want to brand her ;-p) category, I believe e-mail is the method. Please put me on your mailing list! I also wrote a massage scene, he to her, because she was so sore from all that vigorous exercise and could barely walk, and then a her to him massage a few days later. What you described, sounds like fun. Of course, she would need a message after all her exercise and he after all that horsebackriding? I know my derriere gets real sore when I ride? I think I also wrote a very seductive piano scene. Darcy keeps asking her to play for him as he drives her to distraction and undresses her, then she gets him back. Much better than the piano scene in Pretty Woman. They also have a snowball fight/seduction at Netherfield. Before they were married???? When was it snowing? Or do I need to use my imagination here?? ADDITIONAL TUB OCCUPANTS Will Harrison Ford fit too?"}, {"response": 579, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 1997 (23:01)", "body": ""}, {"response": 580, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 1997 (23:13)", "body": "Bloody hell, that took me by surprise - that wasn't supposed to happen. The pic is quite innocent, rather nice and reminds me of... No, I can't believe it! That's it, I'm disconnecting from the net and selling this stupid computer. Sorry, everyone. I resign forthwith."}, {"response": 581, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 1997 (23:16)", "body": "P.S. Nan, remove the link, please. I should read the net handbook more often... Sorry. Bye."}, {"response": 582, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Nov 24, 1997 (23:24)", "body": ""}, {"response": 583, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 1997 (00:01)", "body": ""}, {"response": 584, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 1997 (00:09)", "body": "At your request, Arami, 579 is deleted."}, {"response": 585, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 1997 (00:14)", "body": "One last word - I think it would be better to remove the other link as well, Nan, NOW, please. It seems I've been well and truly duped. This is unbelievable. I've heard of such stories but never believed one can be fooled so easily. Well, I've had enough of the web for a long time. There's a lesson for everyone here: never, NEVER trust anyone, especially when they do you a favour... I am absolutely boiling with anger."}, {"response": 586, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 1997 (00:25)", "body": "Thank you, Myretta. I now have a confirmation that the other link is also poisoned and must be got rid of entirely."}, {"response": 587, "author": "KathleenP", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 1997 (00:27)", "body": "Arami, I don't understand. Please explain to me what happened so I can avoid whatever it was! I'm very new to the Internet and can very easily be duped as well. It bothers me greatly to see you so upset!"}, {"response": 588, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 1997 (01:16)", "body": "I made a casual contact with someone (outside this circle) - something I don't usually do! - and they passed me a link to an innocently looking image which I thought might liven up our chat here. Unfortunately I failed to vet this connection and it turned not very nice."}, {"response": 589, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 1997 (01:56)", "body": "Just stick with your circle of friends, we'll be nice!"}, {"response": 590, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 1997 (06:14)", "body": "(Arami)BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO NAN! Thank you m'dear, it was a very pleasant day--especially after I got Myretta and Cheryl's card. LOL! I will never get over it. ;-D Hey, so that's Nan on that baldie's T-shirt, yes? Hey, no pickin' on the baldie! :-p Hm, somewhat younger than I expected - or is that a very old photo;-)? LOL! Why is that the first question everyone asks? ;-D Yes, I freely admit the photo is about 10 years old. I used the original one for a little Photoshop test in which I am draped on Colin's shoulder--it was too funny, so I had to share it. Myretta and Cheryl, quite cleverly, cut out Colin and stuck my head on the big brute's chest. And a beautiful thing it is ;-) Oh, and a Scorpio - just! By about 2 hours according to my chart. An astrologer told me if I had been born in the middle of the month, \"it wouldn't have been a pretty sight\" LOL! I never asked why... My dear, now I'm sure we do not \"misunderstand\" each other (re a previous exchange), we simply disagree...:-D Tis true...and we do it so well ;-) NOSTROMO (Karen) I can't believe that I didn't tape Nostromo when it was broadcast. Where was my mind???? You can buy Nostromo from several online stores, but it's a ridiculous price for a mediocre film. ADDITIONAL TUB OCCUPANTS (Karen) Will Harrison Ford fit too? You know, I really like Harrison Ford, but I just can't drool over him. I don't know why either. But, what the heck, bring him on in...;-D \"NAUGHTY\"? P.S. Nan, remove the link, please. I should read the net handbook more often... I think it would be better to remove the other link as well, Nan, NOW, please. It seems I've been well and truly duped. This is unbelievable. I've heard of such stories but never believed one can be fooled so easily. Geez, what happened? I see Myretta has anticipated me and removed whatever it was that you wanted removed (thanks, dearest). Don't worry about it, Arami--it happens. I made a casual contact with someone (outside this circle) You?! something I don't usually do! Certainly not. I can vouch for that. and they passed me a link to an innocently looking image which I thought might liven up our chat here. Unfortunately I failed to vet this connection and it turned not very nice. As I said before, these things happen to all of us at some point. I hope you will not allow the experience to make you mistrust everyone...There are some wonderful people out there to be met, I think. But you're usually so cautious, I can't imagine what happened."}, {"response": 591, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 1997 (17:40)", "body": "So where is this fanfic page. and how does one get to it????? I'm curious."}, {"response": 592, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 1997 (18:33)", "body": "Are you in suspense Laura? Will they link to our discussion from the fanfic page?"}, {"response": 593, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 1997 (20:27)", "body": "(Terry)Just stick with your circle of friends, we'll be nice! Thanks, pal. (Nan)you're usually so cautious, I can't imagine what happened. Too much watching/talking Playmaker ;-)!"}, {"response": 594, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 1997 (21:09)", "body": "(Laura) So where is this fanfic page. and how does one get to it????? I'm curious. You can go to: http://www.spring.com/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/34 It's a long loader--starting from last winter, but it's a hoot. (Arami) Too much watching/talking Playmaker ;-)! Well, that'll do it to ya' ;-)"}, {"response": 595, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 1997 (21:10)", "body": "NOSTROMO (Karen) I can't believe that I didn't tape Nostromo when it was broadcast. Where was my mind??? (Nan) You can buy Nostromo from several online stores, but it's a ridiculous price for a mediocre film. I know. I'm waiting for the price to come down--significantly--or be rebroadcast. So, if anyone sees that it's going to be on PBS, or A&E or anything else, please let me know!!! I just may have to rent it though because of all the references to the WET mine scene. I don't remember it :-( and now I am sooo curious . ADDITIONAL TUB OCCUPANTS (Nan) You know, I really like Harrison Ford, but I just can't drool over him. I don't know why either. But, what the heck, bring him on in...;-D Agreed, not a drool. He's just getting better as he gets older...in the Sean Connery vein. COSTNER SOUND FILE I do hope that you didn't test it at work!!! I guess I should have warned you. ;-p FANFIC (Laura) So where is this fanfic page. and how does one get to it????? I'm curious. It still is topic 34, isn't it?? Of course, with all the people pulling their stories, is anything left in there? Oh, yes, someone had mentioned (was it you Arami?) that Lisa would e-mail her Darcy Diaries and The Experiment. I sent her a couple of e-mails a few months ago (after the big to do) and she never replied. Also, she appears to be on hiatus (another word for studying) from her writing, so I don't think now is the time to bother her. If anyone else has copies of her stories, we wouldn't have to bother her. What has happened to the CF drool? Is everyone out of town for Thanksgiving?"}, {"response": 596, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 1997 (21:27)", "body": "I have copies of Lisa's stories... :-P"}, {"response": 597, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 1997 (21:55)", "body": "Can you e-mail them?"}, {"response": 598, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Nov 25, 1997 (23:58)", "body": "Ah, there's a crunch... well, maybe, but not just yet. I may be able to pass them to you, but you'll have to wait a while until it's sorted."}, {"response": 599, "author": "Claudia", "date": "Wed, Nov 26, 1997 (05:27)", "body": "Playmaker After following Bethan's incredibly explicit instructions, I SEE WHAT SHE SEES!!! I can't believe I didn't catch it before, but, well, there it is... However, I have a hard time believing they would do this. I mean, I always thought they would be wearing beige swimsuits or something. Just like, when Darcy gets out of his bath, I'm SURE Colin is wearing something, esp. with that freaky valet around with the bad wig. So, being an analytical Virgo (oh, my claim to fame: CF and I have the same birthday!! , I thought, perhaps it's just an illusion with that wavy glass block, it does seem to \"extend\" images. However, the way that THIS image is extended, well, it's much too realistic. Femme Fatale I'm having a difficult time locating this, at least locally. Are there, well, just certain \"types\" of video stores that have this? No luck with Blockbuster or Tower or Hollywood Video."}, {"response": 600, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Nov 26, 1997 (06:06)", "body": "SPRING CLEANING Ladies, I think it's time to give this poor old tired board a rest... Topic #59 is now the General Colin Drool (to replace this board) Go to: http://www.spring.com/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/59/new Topic #53 remains the \"Colin Firth - Keepsakes and other amusements\" board Go to: http://www.spring.com/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/53/new Topic #67 is now the \"Colin Firth - Film Discussion\" board Go to: http://www.spring.com/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/59/new Topic #68 is now the \"Colin Firth - Darcy Drool\" board Go to: http://www.spring.com/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/68/new If there are any other Colin topics you'd like to see added, please tell me."}, {"response": 601, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Nov 27, 1997 (22:08)", "body": ""}, {"response": 602, "author": "Wanda", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 1998 (00:04)", "body": "Test"}, {"response": 603, "author": "Layla", "date": "Mon, Mar  2, 1998 (23:48)", "body": "Nan, (or anyone), is there a way of \"logging out\" of drool? It occurs to me that on this public terminal, anyone who wants could discover what I've been up to here by going \"back\" on the computer when I leave. Can I close my \"restricted\" drool area's somehow when I finish?"}, {"response": 604, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Mar  2, 1998 (23:51)", "body": "You need to go in to the browser settings and clear your cache and also clear your history. That's the only way to leave no trace."}, {"response": 605, "author": "Layla", "date": "Tue, Mar  3, 1998 (00:55)", "body": "I'm on a public terminal though. I don't have access to the browser settings. Do I??? Also, I'm a bit confused. This here is the page I get when I ask for \"activity within the last 7 days\", but this board seems pretty empty. When I do this exact same topic, but ask for \"new\" (or maybe it was \"all\"), there is lots of activity - even right up to today. Why isn't that stuff poping up here? Did the computer goof and make 2 topic 51's ?"}, {"response": 606, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Mar  3, 1998 (04:37)", "body": "We're going to have some funny stuff happen for a short time while Kaylene's mod takes effect, it's only temporary. Long term, it should be a great fix. I went through this too, you're not alone. And I think you just may be able to get to those settings unless your library is doing heavy blocking and filtering. Poke around some."}, {"response": 607, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Mar  3, 1998 (22:54)", "body": "(Layla) Nan, (or anyone), is there a way of \"logging out\" of drool? (Terry) You need to go in to the browser settings and clear your cache and also clear your history. (Layla) I'm on a public terminal though. I don't have access to the browser settings. Do I??? I\ufffdve never used a public terminal, so I wouldn\ufffdt know. Have you tried just closing Netscape completely then reopening. If you did that, the next person would not be able to use the \ufffdback\ufffd button to get to drool. They could use the pull down window to see the list of the sites you visited, but they would not be able to access drool without your correct log in and password. (Layla) Also, I'm a bit confused. This here is the page I get when I ask for \"activity within the last 7 days\", but this board seems pretty empty. We no longer use this board. We continued the discussions here on topic 59. In fact, in a couple of days I\ufffdll freeze this topic so that there won\ufffdt be any confusion in the future. Just check the email I sent you that lists the active Colin boards. When I do this exact same topic, but ask for \"new\" (or maybe it was \"all\"), there is lots of activity - even right up to today. Why isn't that stuff poping up here? It depends if you used new or all. New would give you just the messages me and Terry have posted to you in the last few days. All would give you everything, from the beginning of the board last summer. As I said, you should just ignore this board. Lat me rephrase that...you can feel free to read anything on this board, but please post only on the active Colin boards (53, 59, 67, & 68). BTW, Layla...you couldn\ufffdt have known this board was inactive, it\ufffds my fault. I should put the above information in a place where everyone can see it when they arrive at Drool so there\ufffds no confusion. So sorry ;-) drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 5159, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 52, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 53, "subject": "Colin Firth - Keepsakes and Other Amusements", "response_count": 5, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 1997 (17:48)", "body": "I think since this board is clean it's the best place for the \"Keepsakes and whatever\" stuff we spoke about last week. The poor, tired horses will be added below and when I find Kathy I can ask her to post the Keepsake List again. And then, we're off!!;-.)"}, {"response": 2, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 1997 (17:52)", "body": "Posted by Stacey. on August 14, 1997 at 00:27:39: ] Okay ladies, the horse naming contest will now begin and I desperately need your help in naming all of the horses used by the carriages under my keepership. Here are the details about the different carriages and the different horses. ] 1. Merryton Assembly - A barouche with two rows of seats facing each other. It can be partially open in good weather and the driver sits on the \"box\" in front. There were four black horses used for this scene. ] 2. Ramsgate - A phaeton, a four-wheeled carriage completely open. One black horse was used for this scene. ] 3. From Pemberley to London - A Coach, a large, enclosed four-wheeled carriage, drawn by four or more horses. The driver sits on the \"coach box\" at the front. It was used by wealthy families and in long-distance travel. It was drawn by four brown horses for this scene. ] 4. From Netherfield to London - A barouche, different from the Merryton Assembly barouche. It was pulled by two black horses. ] 5. Wedding - A barouche, different from the above two. This carriage was drawn by four white horses. ] There are a total of 15 horses to name. The teams should have themes that the names come from or that they are related to. Examples - George and Georgiana, Salt and Pepper, etc..... ] I will take suggestions until Aug. 13th. I would be very appreciative of any suggestions if anyone has any! Thanks! ] Stacey _____________________ Posted by Stacey on August 14, 1997 at 00:33:45: I'm going to extend the deadline on the horse naming contest until August 24 because I'm moving on Friday and it will take me awhile to get my connection set up again. Hopefully there will be more suggestions and competition for Renate who started off the contest with wonderful ideas!!! How about Megan? Any ideas? _________________________ Posted by Nan on August 11, 1997 at 12:30:58: Stacey, Stacey, Stacey...I had to think so hard!;-.D Hope you get a chuckle... ] 1. Merryton Assembly - four black horses. This being the Meryton Assembly (the only time we see him in THAT HAT) I have to submit my first impulse. Beware, this is only a joke: Incroyable, Bicorne, Chapeau Bras and...Fred!!;-.D Okay, joke's over. My real suggestions--Theme: The Renaissance (as in the beginning of Darcy's \"rebirth\"): Dante, Michelangelo, Medici, and Leonardo ] 2. Ramsgate - One black horse. There is only one name that fits: Serendipity (One of my favorite words btw):-.) ] 3. From Pemberley to London - four brown horses. The Theme: Heroes If I remember my high school mythology right they would be: Perseus, Hercules, Atalanta, and Theseus ] 4. From Netherfield to London - two black horses. I cannot do better than Renate's Utterly and Completely Perfect!:-.) ] 5. Wedding - four white horses. The theme is clear--Poets (Particularly those guilty of writing love poems): Shakespeare, Pope, Burns, and Byron Okeedokee--that does it for me.:-.) ] _________________________ Posted by Renate on August 09, 1997 at 19:26:48: Here are my names for the Name-His-Horses-Contest: ] 1. Merryton Assembly - There were four black horses used for this scene. Passion, Desire, Admiration, and Regard ] 2. Ramsgate - A phaeton, a four-wheeled carriage completely open. One black horse was used for this scene. Golden Retriever or Just in Time or Untamed Beauty Of The Peaks? ] 3. From Pemberley to London - A Coach, .... It was drawn by four brown horses for this scene. As far as I remember they have already been named by the Swedish team: Shocked, Grieved, Nono, and ... ? I don't remember the fourth one, but what about Chestnut Season ] 4. From Netherfield to London - A barouche .... pulled by two black horses. It's very clear: they must be named Utterly, and Completely ] 5. Wedding - A barouche.... drawn by four white horses. Good Gracious! Dear Me! So Happy! Make Haste! Basta cosi! Das wars! That's it! ___________________ Posted by Stacey on August 10, 1997 at 01:07:51: In reply to Re: Horse Naming Contest posted by Renate on August 09, 1997 at 19:26:48 ] ] 3. From Pemberley to London - A Coach, .... It was drawn by four brown horses for this scene. ] ] As far as I remember they have already been named by the Swedish team: What Swedish team? ] Shocked, Grieved, Nono, and ... ? I don't remember the fourth one, but what about Chestnut Season I do love your ideas Renate, but I going to wait a few more days before I decide just in case anyone else has other suggestions. I really appreciate your effort at helping me to name all of the horses under my keepership! Thanks! __________________ Posted by Megan on August 10, 1997 at 16:09:03: ] ] What Swedish team? ] Ann2, all by her dear self, constitutes the Swedish team/jury Stacey. She was the one who came up with these names perviously, during the other competition. (If I remember correctly) ] ] ] Shocked, Grieved, Nono, and ... ? I don't remember the fourth one, but what about Chestnut Season ] ] I do love your ideas Renate, but I going to wait a few mor"}, {"response": 3, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Nov  9, 1998 (18:02)", "body": "I would imagine that with the showing of P&P again this site will be a little busy. I hope I still have the carafe"}, {"response": 4, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Nov  9, 1998 (18:03)", "body": "I would imagine that with the reshowing of P&P this site will be pretty busy. I hope I still have the carafe"}, {"response": 5, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Nov 11, 1998 (18:57)", "body": "Ladies, we're going to move this discussion over to Topic 113. Oh Marcia? Are you there, dear? Oh new administrix of Keepsakes. Care to get us started there? drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 54, "subject": "Sean Bean", "response_count": 16, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 1997 (17:00)", "body": "Caroline, See, I am here! And I am willing to talk Sharpe/Sean with you."}, {"response": 2, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 1997 (17:02)", "body": "The following is a story I wrote for a writing contest sponsor by an orange juice company & romance magazine. It is not difficult to see who I chose for the hero. Writers Block Terry stared at the blank computer screen and sighed. The fragrance of fresh orange filled the room as Sean entered, eating an orange. \"Story giving you trouble?\" he asked, offering her a segement of orange. \"Yes,\" Terry replied, the luscious fruit exploding in her mouth. The tang of the citrus made her lips tingle. Sean fed her another segment. She noticed a drop of juice running down the side of Sean's mouth and unable to resist, kissed it away. Their lips met. The taste of orange sweetened the kiss. An idea sparked in Terry's mind. \"Shouldn't you be working?\" Sean questioned as they come up for air, wiping her juice soaked fingers with his tongue. \"I have an idea, but it can wait,\" she replied."}, {"response": 3, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 1997 (17:07)", "body": "My favortie Sharpe picture From the Sharpe info page To get things started, how about saying what is your favorite Sharpe episode?"}, {"response": 4, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Mon, Aug 25, 1997 (21:18)", "body": "Hmm- nice pic! At least he looks fairly clean in this one! I've seen very few of the \"Sharpes\"- only \"Company\" and \"Honour\" in fact.Not much to choose from, really, though I find myself watching the last one a lot!I enjoy the bit about Ramona and the baby- corny, but fun, and also the walk over the mountains in the snow! I also like the the portrayal of Napoleon in this one. What really haunts me though, is the Music. It's Dominic Muldowney again, and I find I go around humming it all the time. Anyone know anything about it?"}, {"response": 5, "author": "Susan", "date": "Wed, Aug 27, 1997 (22:55)", "body": "I just came in here out of curiosity... WHO IS THAT GORGEOUS GUY? And what does he star in? I think I'm already a fan..."}, {"response": 6, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 1997 (17:03)", "body": "Caroline: I've seen very few of the \"Sharpes\"- only \"Company\" and \"Honour\" in fact.Not much to choose from, really, though I find myself watching the last one a lot!I enjoy the bit about Ramona and the baby- corny, but fun, and also the walk over the mountains in the snow! Company is one of my favorites! And I like Honour very much too (I like it better than book, actually.) It took me the longest time to figure out Cooper was saying \"He's as glum as an Old Bailley(sp?) judge\" what I heard was \"He's as glum as an Old baby duck\" What really haunts me though, is the Music. It's Dominic Muldowney again, and I find I go around humming it all the time. Anyone know anything about it? I also find the music haunting.... Here is some info on ordering the Sharpe CD A Collection of Twenty Songs, Orchestral Themes and Regimental Marches Featuring John Tams (Rifleman Hagman), Dominic Muldowney and the Band of the Light Division Specially recorded, the album features old favourites and original songs, including the Sharpe theme song \"Over the Hills and Far Away\" (Supposedly available in record stores, but I have never seen it--) Also available to buy from Direct Home Entertainment. They can be contacted on 0181 207 4066. (Please dial +44 181 207 4066 if outside the UK) Some further info here . From the Sharpe Info Page"}, {"response": 7, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 1997 (17:12)", "body": "Susan: I just came in here out of curiosity... WHO IS THAT GORGEOUS GUY? And what does he star in? I think I'm already a fan... Susan, would you believe that is the most common response I get whenever I put his picture up in Chat? The best place I can direct to is The Compleat Sean Bean . He is most to known to American as Agent 006 in Goldeneye or the Irish terrorist in Patriot Games. He is also known for the Sharpe series which has been on PBS (and is coming to the history channel in Sept--watch for it, if you have cable)"}, {"response": 8, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 1997 (17:14)", "body": "PS--Susan, this my favorite picture of Sean from the photo gallery on at the CSB."}, {"response": 9, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Thu, Aug 28, 1997 (21:45)", "body": "Where did you unearth that pic, Carolyn? I mean, he's got no cuts and bruises, no fancy period costume, no villainous leer.....just joking. He looks a bit like David Bowie's little brother here, don't you think? One thing I really like about his \"Sharpe\" is the Yorkshire Accent. Gives a certain ironic touch to immortal lines like: \"Aye, Pat. So it is.\" and \"I never met the Marquessa!\""}, {"response": 10, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sat, Aug 30, 1997 (17:04)", "body": "Carolyn, thanks (I think!) for the pics and the info. And Caroline, ( I mean, he's got no cuts and bruises, no fancy period costume, no villainous leer ), you are intriguing me GREATLY! Now I will have to watch for him. Truly, is there no END to these eminently droolworthy men??!!! ;-)"}, {"response": 11, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Sep 14, 1997 (17:37)", "body": "FYI: Sharpe's Tiger is in American bookstores. I just picked up my copy today. :-)"}, {"response": 12, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Mon, Sep 15, 1997 (06:21)", "body": "Thank you, Ann, I know where I am going after work."}, {"response": 13, "author": "CAO", "date": "Thu, Nov  6, 1997 (16:36)", "body": "I came in here by accident but am truely captivated by that georgeous hunk of beef up there. Where can I see more?"}, {"response": 14, "author": "Clarry", "date": "Wed, Mar  4, 1998 (18:02)", "body": "I'm not really sure what I'm doing in here, but I'm glad I'm here all the same. Please tell me, is he married????"}, {"response": 15, "author": "ekelley", "date": "Sun, Jan 10, 1999 (23:12)", "body": "have any of you ever seen Masterpiece Theatre's Clarissa??? Sean Bean was Lovelace, and quite the convincing rake, I must tell you..."}, {"response": 16, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 11, 1999 (12:10)", "body": "No, I don't recall that even being on. However, I've wanted to see his Lady Chatterley and can't find it at any video stores, except to buy at an exhorbitant price. Did you see that? Was it any good? drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 55, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 56, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 57, "subject": "Anthony Calf (Col Fitzwilliam)", "response_count": 31, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Amy", "date": "Thu, Sep 25, 1997 (23:11)", "body": "Here's his IMDb listing: http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?Calf%2C+Anthony"}, {"response": 2, "author": "Amy", "date": "Thu, Sep 25, 1997 (23:28)", "body": "Well, here's one, though it's not just the way I like to think of him."}, {"response": 3, "author": "Amy", "date": "Thu, Sep 25, 1997 (23:37)", "body": "Well, I tried to fix that but I guess I am not allowed to edit these topic files anymore. Trying again."}, {"response": 4, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Sep 26, 1997 (00:06)", "body": "I've been a little disappointed to find no new messages here the last couple of days, then, as I was making my 3rd pot of coffee today, You too? ;-p I thought, well, it isn't fair for a handful of people to be expected to post something everyday just for the amusement of the rest. So I resolve to say something every once in awhile. Well thank you Amy, always a pleasure to see you. Now... I'm afraid I had a thought about the dear Colonel that I hesitated to post on the P&P board. Well? You're not going to leave us hanging are you? Let's hear that none too ladylike thought...:-D"}, {"response": 5, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 1997 (08:29)", "body": "(Amy) I'm afraid I had a thought about the dear Colonel that I hesitated to post on the P&P board. (Nan) Well? You're not going to leave us hanging are you? Let's hear that none too ladylike thought...:-D Well, that's going to be interesting! Please, Amy, share your thought! :-))"}, {"response": 6, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Sep 28, 1997 (17:58)", "body": "Let it hang out Renate!"}, {"response": 7, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 1997 (01:30)", "body": "While Renate gathers herself together...let me admit (after all that Darcy Drooling I've been doing) that I found him to be much more attractive than JA described. I would have gone for him in a minute if I had been Lizzie. Which makes me wonder why did he not pursue Lizzie and why did she not at least show a livlier interest in him. I would have if I'd have disliked Darcy as much as she pretended to."}, {"response": 8, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 1997 (01:42)", "body": "Amy, thanks for the lovely picture. Why do you not perfer to think of him this way? He looks wonderful! How do you prefer him!?"}, {"response": 9, "author": "AllisonM", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 1997 (15:56)", "body": "(Marcia)Which makes me wonder why did he not pursue Lizzie and why did she not at least show a livlier interest in him. If I remember correctly, J A wrote that though Elizabeth was attracted to the Colonel, she understood all to well that as the younger son of an Earl i.e. lots of social status but no cash, he would have to marry an heiress! Therefore he was out of bounds for Lizzie. With all these complications, it is a wonder that anyone ever found the right person to marry."}, {"response": 10, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 1997 (21:12)", "body": "You're right, of course. JA did state that he needed to marry a woman on means because his commission salary would be meager indeed - but by whose standards? The son of an Earl must have been used to the finer things in life, but without the love of a woman he in turn could love, what's the point?! Or am I putting 20th Century ideas into an 18th century head? I think it must have been very difficult to keep a marriage going. They likely had the heirs, then did \"their own thing\" - discreetly, of course. Do you wonder if he was told by Darcy to bug-off?"}, {"response": 11, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Dec 11, 1997 (22:01)", "body": "Actually Marcia I think that would be Bugger off!!!"}, {"response": 12, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 1997 (03:22)", "body": "Odds Bodkins, Of Course! How silly of me not to think of it ;)"}, {"response": 13, "author": "AllisonM", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 1997 (09:39)", "body": "(Marcia)The son of an Earl must have been used to the finer things in life, but without the love of a woman he in turn could love, what's the point?! You are a great romantic, Marcia. JA was up to a point but she was usually careful to ensure that there was love AND money combined. I think life for most people was very hard. Beautiful carriages and fine clothes and servants were expensive. Life without them was difficult and probably very limited and boring."}, {"response": 14, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 1997 (22:37)", "body": "...I know...even those of us with English ancestors - most of us are in the USA because life was short and often brutal over there. Very few sons of Prominent wealthy families emigrated. The starving youngest titled men married the newly rich daughters of the Robber Barons here to keep their vast estates from falling into ruin - and to keep from starving. The unflux of new genetic material might also have saved their dynasties, though they were unaware of that! Life for the working classes and rural t pes began at sunup or earllier and ended at sundown. Very little break - no vacations - children often died very young - and life expectancy was very low. Harsh, indeed! But that's why we escape into novels. I still think with the intelligence and charm and wit of Col Fitzwilliam, he would have done well in the world. And, I still think AC is a very attractive man!!"}, {"response": 15, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 1997 (23:05)", "body": "I thought I'd check out this board because I've seen about one and half episodes of a British show called, Tanamera - Lion of Singapore, and Anthony Calf is listed as being in it. (I think he might have been in the half of the first episode that I missed, but I'm sure he'll be back.) Does anyone know anything about this series (6 episodes). The IMDB has it listed as \"Year Unknown.\" When I looked at the copyright info at the end it looked like about 1989ish if I counted the roman numerals correctly. Was this ever broadcast on PBS or A&E? It's about the British in Singapore before WWII. It stars Christopher Bowen (the flyboy in Cold Comfort Farm) who is in love with the daughter of a prominent Chinese family. Anthony (I think) plays his brother. Now, don't be searching for this on your TV. It is being broadcast locally in Chicago on the City College station."}, {"response": 16, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Dec 13, 1997 (05:40)", "body": "I'm a devotee of PBS and A&E and I've not heard of the show. Please watch and tell us about him in it: How does he look? What is he doing? How does modern clothing look on him? Haircut? Etc? I am very curious!"}, {"response": 17, "author": "Kate", "date": "Sat, Dec 13, 1997 (06:39)", "body": "Tanamera - I think it was made in Australia, or had a largely Australian cast and crew.... from memory it was late \"80s"}, {"response": 18, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 16, 1997 (00:32)", "body": "I taped the episode that aired on Saturday night, but haven't watched it yet. I'll do that tonight and then I can count up the Xs and Is and Vs to figure out when it was made. It was made in Australia, Singapore and England. No matter what you do, you can't duplicate Raffles. I'll get back to you all tomorrow, Tuesday. Kate: You certainly get around. I don't see you posting regularly here, but you seem to just pop in on various boards. Do you have radar or some kind of filtering program or what??"}, {"response": 19, "author": "Kate", "date": "Tue, Dec 16, 1997 (00:47)", "body": "KarenR Kate: You certainly get around. I don't see you posting regularly here, but you seem to just pop in on various boards. Do you have radar or some kind of filtering program or what?? No. I just spend too long surfing when I should be doing other things. And speaking of popping up in various places - who would think that such a commited literary type as yourself would also be such a determined drooler ;-)"}, {"response": 20, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 16, 1997 (22:45)", "body": "Sorry, guys, but the episode that I taped was the replay of the one from last Thursday, so that means no sighting of Anthony Calf...but if he is the brother, then he might be playing a gay guy, uh oh, by virtue of something the father said that I hadn't quite put together. The father was yelling at Christopher Bowen about disgracing his friend's daughter and he said something about \"at least it was another woman!!\" I'll update you on Friday after the next episode airs on Thursday night. BTW, I counted up my roman numerals and it was made in 1989. Kate, sometimes you just want to express yourself in different ways!! Maybe I should post under an alias here? Too late!!"}, {"response": 21, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Dec 16, 1997 (22:49)", "body": "I saw Anthony Calf on an episode of Inspector Frost this past fall. And wow!!! did he look really cute. I felt bad for him because he was the murder suspect!!!!"}, {"response": 22, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 16, 1997 (23:14)", "body": "Kate: BTW, I am prepping for NA. I will need to reread it and then there are a few other things I need to look at first!! Karen"}, {"response": 23, "author": "AllisonM", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 1997 (09:35)", "body": "If you want to see MORE of Anthony Calf, then you should watch out for \"My Nights With Reg\". This was one of a series of hit stage productions which was filmed for television. It concerns a group of gay men, at a wake for Reg, who, we assume has just died of AIDS. It also stars David Bamber (Mr Collins). Towards the end of the film, there is a lingering shot of A.Calf - completely naked. On second thoughts perhaps this won't make US television."}, {"response": 24, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Dec 23, 1997 (23:23)", "body": "Allison, you are a cold-hearted person to tell us on this side of the Pond about full frontal (?) of All of AC, then tell us we probably won't see it. You can bet on it. We get everything unredeemable and disgusting, but nothing nature-made. Do a snappy and post it!!! Joy to us all!"}, {"response": 25, "author": "AllisonM", "date": "Wed, Dec 24, 1997 (10:09)", "body": "I am afraid I did not tape it. However, I think it might be better in your imagination. I have to say that Lizzie Bennet chose the right man. Col Fitzwilliam sans cullottes is not a very appealing sight."}, {"response": 26, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Dec 24, 1997 (21:31)", "body": "Whyever not? What is missing? Not enough muscle, as it were? Come on, be specific. I KNOW Lizzie chose the right man - That's what all of the CF Drool I've been emitting is about. Still, I'm curious...Hmmmmmmmmmmm! Not very appealing??? Can't believe it!"}, {"response": 27, "author": "AllisonM", "date": "Sat, Dec 27, 1997 (16:38)", "body": "Well... First it was quite a surprise. Even late at night on terrestrial television in the UK, it is unusual to see the Full Monty. 'Fraid to say AC is rather .. podgy.. Do you remember the scene in P&P2 when he meets Lizzie in the grounds of Rosings? Not very firm thighs and absolutely no interesting shapes in those Regency pants. Well in \"My Nights With Reg \", he looks the same, just flabby. and no I can't recall the shape, size, colour or anything!! Now if it had been CF.......I should probably not have urvived the pleasure."}, {"response": 28, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Dec 27, 1997 (22:15)", "body": "Thank you. I thought about the flatness of his breeches when I was watching my tape yesterday and wondered about that. Not a sign of anything - alas. Perhaps leading to Lizzie's indifference earlier than we had anticipated?! If it had been CF, we'd have raised Holy whatever if you hadn't taped it and made it immediately available for giga-drooling. None of would have survived, but what a way to go!!!"}, {"response": 29, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Tue, Feb  3, 1998 (20:24)", "body": "I just saw an episode of a Touch of Frost with AC playing the prime suspect. I noticed Laura has seen it too. I didn't recognise him at first. He looks so different, but really cute:-) I just knew he couldn't be the murderer, no not our colonel!"}, {"response": 30, "author": "luvvy", "date": "Fri, Jul  3, 1998 (22:15)", "body": "Well, girls, I saw Calf in the stage production of \"...Reg\" and the sight of that gorgeous naked man (nothing left to the imagination) so close took my breath away. I was lost and have had to see all of his work since then. Unfortunately he never looks as amazing on film as he did in person. He's married to an actress, Susannah Harker, I think?"}, {"response": 31, "author": "Lise1975", "date": "Mon, Jul 13, 1998 (08:55)", "body": "I saw that Touch of Frost episode too last night, and I have to agree with Tineke. I just knew he couldn't be the murderer, no not our colonel! Me too, he looked much too nice (and of course I'd already heard from Tineke that he didn't do it ;D) drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 58, "subject": "Spring proposal to PBS", "response_count": 8, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Oct  2, 1997 (23:17)", "body": "wdf | people | guidelines | how to apply Deadline: Sunday, November 2, 1997 Midnight (New York Time) What kinds of projects will be supported? Only single websites will be supported by the WDF. (However, if you have ideas for \"series\" of web-only projects that are thematically linked, or for projects that combine broadcast and online elements, please send email to:stories@pov.org.) Sites may be about: - a specific public issue (e.g. abortion, immigration, culture wars), - private issue (e.g. self-esteem, divorce, addiction), - problem (e.g. race, war, acne), - or other subject of public discussion (e.g. media, paparazzi, Barbie Dolls) but they must bring fresh perspectives, giving participants opportunities (and encouragement) to go well beyond spouting, posturing and flaming. Although WebLab, the organization sponsoring the WDF, is a spinoff of P.O.V. Interactive, we are not simply trying to create a Web equivalent of P.O.V., the public TV series of independent documentaries \"with a point of view.\" We are very open to approaches that use humor, fiction (even science fiction!), in addition to straight-ahead non-fiction. As noted elsewhere on these pages, we're also much more interested in multiple perspectives that take advantage of the Web as a participatory medium, rather than one perspective. Sites may be linked to a particular event or date if appropriate (e.g. the anniversary of Jackie Robinson's first major league season; an election; a TV broadcast; the 4th of July, etc.) Projects may originate anywhere in the world, but English must be a primary language and the subject should be of interest to participants in North America. Since innovation is the goal, there are no categories, and we look forward to seeing at least a few proposals for projects unlike anything that's been done before! However, we have developed some \"model\" websites -- and identified others -- that encourage story-telling, substantive dialogues that continue over time, and other strategies for involving a range of people in exploration of public or personal issues. We encourage you to spend some time exploring these sites, not with the idea of duplicating them, but with the idea of thinking in new ways about the potential of the web as a social medium. Examples: Regarding Vietnam: Stories Since the War Hong Kong '97: Lives in Transition Ready to Live: Art and Life Beyond Street Violence Jerome B. Wiesner: a Random Walk through the 20th Century gURL Who is eligible to apply? Individuals and organizations may apply. Proposals are welcome from seasoned Web designers and developers who have project ideas that they've always wanted to do Individuals who have a compelling idea but have no experience in Web design Everyone in between. What kinds of support will be provided? In the first round, the WDF will provide selected projects with funds, guidance, technical support, design and programming services (if needed) and PBS Online will provide a host server with a variety of licensed technologies, including threaded discussion, forms submission, Java, streaming audio/video, and Shockwave. Support will average $25,000 or less but may run as high as $50,000 in cash and services for particularly exciting projects. You are expected to provide matching funds toward the total project cost, which may be some combination of cash and in-kind contributions. Finalists will be asked to document their ability to supply matching funds. We will also promote each site launched with WDF support, coordinating with each site producer. Because project funds are limited, organizational overhead costs cannot be covered by the WDF. What's the time frame? Because it will take several months to complete the selection and contracting process, we expect projects will begin in the early part of 1998. While the time to \"launch\" will vary depending on the complexity of the project, and we will want to schedule public launches of WDF sites so they will not conflict or compete with each other for attention, we expect most sites to take between 1 and 6 months to develop. Evaluation Criteria Project Purpose Potential for breaking new ground Feasibility Potential for stimulating involvement by a diverse group of people Appeal to a wide audience - potential for generating some excitement and energy Review/Selection Process Selection of projects will be made by the Executive Producer, in consultation with the Advisory Committee. Eligible proposals will first be reviewed by outside readers, who will evaluate them based on the evaluation criteria provided in these guidelines. WebLab staff will also read and evaluate all eligible proposals. Based on reader and staff evaluations, staff will prepare a list of finalist proposals. Finalists will be contacted for further information if it's needed at this stage. The WDF Advisory Committee will meet to review the finalist proposals and recommend projects for support. The Executive Producer and staff will then contact project directors"}, {"response": 2, "author": "donnal", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 1997 (08:37)", "body": "I'm interested in healthcare and in healthcare information. You probably think that everything that can be said about healthcare has already been said, but think about this as a novel approach. I believe that one of the things that is yet lacking is a good conceptual model of healthcare that takes into account information theory and knowledge management. How about putting up a web site that describes the problem domain, lays out an initial structure, and allows contributors from many different disciplines to help construct the model? When I say different disciplines, I mean a wide base of subject areas, including topics as diverse as linguistics, mathematics, computer science as well as medical science, psychology, sociology and economics."}, {"response": 3, "author": "donnal", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 1997 (08:40)", "body": "I tried to put some pseudo html tags in front of and after the previous post. These were apparently stripped off. I had hoped for it to say: \"brainstorming\" ... text ... \"/brainstorming\" except angle brackets in place of the quotes. :-)"}, {"response": 4, "author": "donnal", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 1997 (13:17)", "body": "What about the issue of providing matching funds?"}, {"response": 5, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Oct  3, 1997 (23:12)", "body": "I don't know how they count this, the Spring has an operating budget of about $800 a month a pretty substantial investment in equipment. I'll have to research this aspect more. I could approach DELL, IBM, Apple and other local companies about providing matching funds possibly."}, {"response": 6, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 1997 (11:16)", "body": "Terry, it sounds to me like parts of the Spring already fit the criteria above. Do you have to launch a new conference to apply for this? You already have so many set up for discussion of personal issues -- and perhaps some publicity to get new people posting and talking is all that's required."}, {"response": 7, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Oct  8, 1997 (00:06)", "body": "I'd like to get folks ideas on where we can go with this Spring. Give me you wildest, dreamiest ideas on what you'd like to see happen here."}, {"response": 8, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 1997 (20:49)", "body": "treatise on cross-platform DHTML: http://developer.netscape.com/news/viewsource/goodman_cssp/goodman_cssp.html drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 59, "subject": "Colin Firth", "response_count": 12, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Oct  5, 1997 (22:18)", "body": "(Amy)Looks like the main CF topic is gone again. :-o Amy, did you come in from the main Spring page? I hope so, otherwise something really strange is happening in here. If you hit the Colin Firth topic under \"Celebrity Lusts\" on the main Spring page it takes you to the infamous missing topic #42--the original Colin topic. Perhaps Terry hasn't had a chance to change it yet. Topic #51 is still here--I was even able to post. Oooh, pretty little variation on the look, thanks :-) Nan, maybe you should start a help topic in here. Probably others came in while the topic was gone and had something to say but didn't know how to start a new one and didn't have a place to ask. Good idea--I'll start it tonight. Though with the mysterious posting problems we're having it's unlikely some people would be able to post a question :-( I'd start it, but I don't want it to look like I'm the help guy; :-D this Yapp thing, it's too maddening. You're telling me..."}, {"response": 2, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 1997 (11:00)", "body": "Yapp might be maddening to you intelligent types who know how to program in it but to a person like me who just reads and occasionally posts, it is the best bulletin board program I've been in. Other places I go (like Pemberley), I spend more time bouncing around between menu pages and posts than actually reading (which is the main reason I don't go there often, I find it very frustrating). I love being able to read, undistracted by anything except my paying job."}, {"response": 3, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Oct  7, 1997 (15:15)", "body": "THE TRIALS OF YAPP (Lorie) Yapp might be maddening to you intelligent types who know how to program in it but to a person like me who just reads and occasionally posts, it is the best bulletin board program I've been in. Actually I have no idea how Yapp works (I rely on others who do) but I guess it is probably better if you are mostly reading, not posting. Other places I go (like Pemberley), I spend more time bouncing around between menu pages and posts than actually reading (which is the main reason I don't go there often, I find it very frustrating). Since I post often I find that I miss the threads in the old pond--it was so much easier to follow a flow of conversation and it was far less typing. In order to make yourself clear here you have to make the topics bold, italicize the message to which you are responding, remember to close your tags, put the name of that poster in parentheses and then type...at RoP you just snip and type. However, I've grown used to Yapp and have even developed a weird kind of affection for the way it eats a letter (usually in the most inappropriate spots). I feel equally comfortable in both places now...but I still miss the threads ;-)"}, {"response": 4, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Oct  9, 1997 (17:51)", "body": "Discovered this additional topic only now :-)) I think for every disappeared Colin board we should install a new one.... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzCount Almushy! Vade retro! Away with you! Probably we could start an exclusive Darcy Drooling here - for the newbies to keep up, and the oldies to dwell ..... :-)) and let the general Colin drooling go on on topic \"51\". And then the horses - on \"53\"!"}, {"response": 5, "author": "TessT", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 1997 (19:02)", "body": "test"}, {"response": 6, "author": "chey", "date": "Sun, Oct 12, 1997 (22:10)", "body": "Amy, I love the shade. I wish I knew how to do that! I haven't posted in a while, it is kind of confusing to me to answer a particular person or comment. All I know to do is go to the bottom of the page. Anyway, what has happened to ROP? Everytime I try to go there I get an error message that says it is not on my server (AOL). Now, back to my favorite topic, Colin. I can't believe I did not see ATA and now it is gone!!! Everyone said is was terrible so I guess now I will have to wait for the vide . But ALAS!! last week I got up early to watch P&P again and everytime I just love it more. There is sooo much chemistry between D & J and I think C and J. They seem so meant for each other. Does anyone know why their relationship in real life didn't work out? I read it was J who broke it off. Maybe Colin went to Livia on the rebound??? Can't wait to watch it again tomorrow night! L O V E T H A T M A N!!!"}, {"response": 7, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Wed, Oct 15, 1997 (11:14)", "body": "Since reading here, I think I was more verbal in my drooling during the ruruns on A&E this week. Unfortunately, my husband does not appreciate having a lusty wife screaming out things like \"propose to ME, Darcy!\" while she rides her exercycle in her tattered sweat pants and stained tee shirts. CF, of course, would appreciate me anyway, since the exercise would make my fine eyes shine."}, {"response": 8, "author": "panache", "date": "Fri, Oct 17, 1997 (19:54)", "body": "And a very merry Austen evening to everyone present here! Hello, this is Cecily after QUITE a time away from good olde drool ...I confess to getting lost on another thread where several magnificent photos of CF shimmered in this conference, but now I made it here... It's been a year since I first saw PP2, and I've wafted to and fro betwixt Pemberley and here, trying to keep the torch aflame...I admit that it (my crush on Darcy/Colin) nearly died this summer, BUT the wholehearted admiring love expressed by a friend who just discovered the show and this week's re-viewing of it after months away has again ignited the glow, in fact the affection and wish to see it over and over again...I've never known an actor or a story to have such a powerful effect as this ne can!...So I laugh with delight when I read what you've been writing here, and hope to return more often myself...maybe Santa will get me a computer/video-snap gizmo that I can use to capture more favorite scenes from PP2 to post here and elsewhere..."}, {"response": 9, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Sat, Oct 18, 1997 (01:32)", "body": "Cecily, I'm glad to hear that you've been redeemed before you completely abandoned our Colin. I, too, skip back and forth from here and RoP. I've been at the other Colin topic for a couple of days now. I hope to hear more from you. :-) Alicia"}, {"response": 10, "author": "tgriff", "date": "Wed, Oct 22, 1997 (21:09)", "body": "Colin Firth is definetely someone to be quite taken with, in fact after watching P&P for the fourth time this week, I too renewed my crush of CF, I though no one could take his place until after watching Jane Erye and being introduced to Ciaran Hinds"}, {"response": 11, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 1997 (01:27)", "body": "I haven't watched Jane Eyre yet, but I taped it. How was it?"}, {"response": 12, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Oct 23, 1997 (09:22)", "body": "drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 6, "subject": "Mel Gibson", "response_count": 55, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Karen", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 1997 (01:06)", "body": "This topic has been empty for a while and I had to mention something about the man who was one of my object of lust as a teen. I saw him in 'The Year of Living Dangerously.' There was this scene with Mel and Sigorney Weaver when he is trying to entice her to go home with him and he kisses her twice. I would have fainted after the first kiss and can't imagine being conscious after the second. That was the first time I can remember when I was actually envious of an actress. Needless to say, that movie and that man) made quite an impression on me. 'Tim' and 'Gallipoli' were also very good. My non-Austen side has also enjoyed his turns in action films. His directoral efforts have been great also - 'The Man without a Face'and 'Braveheart.'"}, {"response": 2, "author": "Kali", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 1997 (04:48)", "body": "No kidding, Karen...the man's a babe...one of the few truly beautiful men in existence..."}, {"response": 3, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 1997 (13:18)", "body": "Agreed. Even though Braveheart was such a twisted misinterpretation of History that it disgusted half of Scotland."}, {"response": 4, "author": "Inko", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 1997 (17:05)", "body": "But he did look very good in a kilt, Caroline!!;-)"}, {"response": 5, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 1997 (20:32)", "body": "Yeah. ooooh, yeah........"}, {"response": 6, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 1997 (20:34)", "body": "Mad Max.all,that leather. oooh, yeah!"}, {"response": 7, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Wed, Feb  5, 1997 (23:09)", "body": "that man is just a babe-a-rama-lama-ding-dong! ;-)"}, {"response": 8, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (15:09)", "body": "Mad Max, the first one, definitely. When I was a teenager and enjoyed those very syrupy romantic novels for teens I stumble on one of his first, Tim. I haven't seen it in the past 15 years so can't comment on how I'd feel now. But seen the made-for-tv-movie with Candice Bergen, and it was terrible in the bad sense. Just hawfull."}, {"response": 9, "author": "alix", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (18:29)", "body": "You know, after seeing Braveheart for about the tenth time, I realized that Mel can look good even with long hair and covered head to toe with dirt. Perhaps it is his \"fine eyes\"!"}, {"response": 10, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (20:54)", "body": "Laura: Mel can look good even with long hair and covered head to toe with dirt. Perhaps it is his \"fine eyes\"! It's his fine \"something\", alright! ;-)"}, {"response": 11, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (21:01)", "body": "Mel has never been a droolee of mine, but I do have to admit that when he beds the princess in Braveheart, I noticed!"}, {"response": 12, "author": "Amy", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (21:06)", "body": "Bravehear is the only thing I have seen him in that I really like a lot. Maybe it's the dirt itself."}, {"response": 13, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 1997 (00:14)", "body": "Amy: Bravehear is the only thing I have seen him in that I really like a lot. Maybe it's the dirt itself. you like 'em dirty, eh Amy? ;-)"}, {"response": 14, "author": "Elaine", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 1997 (09:18)", "body": "About three months ago, I sat next to a reporter who had interviewed Mel Gibson just after the release of Braveheart . She claimed that he was a chain smoker, never finished a cigarette before lighting the next one. Also, very fidgety, couldn't sit still."}, {"response": 15, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 1997 (14:23)", "body": "Now I did'nt forget so here it is, drooling material : and a few links : Oscar Guide Nominees Bio : http://oscars.guide.com/nominees/bios/gibson.html Filmplex interview : http://www.gigaplex.com/celebs/gibson.htm A page from a fan in Oz : http://www.mania.com.au/~slatts/louise.html Trouble's world's page : http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/7505/ and 13 more links here : http://www.tnef.com/mel_gibson.html"}, {"response": 16, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 1997 (14:25)", "body": "That he could'nt stand still, cannot believe anyotherwise"}, {"response": 17, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 1997 (15:03)", "body": "Oh Johanne! I actually gasped when I saw that first pic! Ooh baby, ooh baby! And again I say ooh baby! Thank you my dear! *samooch*"}, {"response": 18, "author": "Carolineevans", "date": "Mon, Feb 10, 1997 (21:08)", "body": "[Oh Johanne! I actually gasped when I saw that first pic! Ooh baby, ooh baby! And again I say ooh baby! Thank you my dear! *samooch* Ditto ditto ditto."}, {"response": 19, "author": "alix", "date": "Thu, Feb 13, 1997 (20:14)", "body": "Elaine, what's your point? ;-)"}, {"response": 20, "author": "Elaine", "date": "Thu, Feb 27, 1997 (08:34)", "body": "Laura, not sure what your question is. I, myself, have never met Mel Gibson."}, {"response": 21, "author": "elder", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 1997 (14:29)", "body": "An AP item (appeared in local newspaper Feb 27): Paris (AP) What men do French women fin the sexiest? Here's a hint: He's not French. Actor Kevin Costner got the vote in a poll to appear Thursday in Paris Match magazine. Paul Newman came in second, followed by Mel Gibson and Tom Cruise. Harrison Ford rounded out the top five. How many Frenchwomen drool along with us here? :)"}, {"response": 22, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 1997 (18:31)", "body": "Kevin Costner? Never considered him particularly sexy -- kinda wimpy, actually!"}, {"response": 23, "author": "Cheryl", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 1997 (20:55)", "body": "Now he was very sexy in Bull Durham and No Way Out ...hasn't been very sexy lately I'm afraid..."}, {"response": 24, "author": "Amy", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 1997 (20:57)", "body": "I like him in cute roles, like Field of Dreams."}, {"response": 25, "author": "Inko", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 1997 (21:24)", "body": "I heard that he used a body double in a nude scene in \"Dances with Wolves\" under the waterfall (rear view). Do you think CF had a body double in \"The Advocate\" when walking into the bath? I've long wondered about that."}, {"response": 26, "author": "kate", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 1997 (22:44)", "body": "No Way Out. Now that was a sexy movie...in the back seat of the limo. ..."}, {"response": 27, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sat, Mar  1, 1997 (23:11)", "body": "Do you think CF had a body double in \"The Advocate\" when walking into the bath? Definitely not! I saw that very pleasant rearview again not too long ago in Playmakers -- it's for sure all CF!"}, {"response": 28, "author": "Inko", "date": "Sun, Mar  2, 1997 (15:17)", "body": "Whew! Susan, I'm so glad!!!;-)"}, {"response": 29, "author": "rosarugosa", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 1997 (04:52)", "body": "Well, I agree that Mel Gibson is pretty doggone close to the perfect man. I loved Braveheart, especially. As for \"a twisted version of history,\" I can't agree. I read up on William Wallace all over the net, and while I agree there was artistic license in the film, it was true to the spirit of the age and of William Wallace's deeds, where rendering the details of time and place into very real depictions of battle. Mel has always seemed to me to be a very bright, self-effacing, funny guy, with a wholesome and balanced life, and a romantic view of life. And A SUPER MEGA-HUNK TO BOOT! Grin... Something jut came over me. Oh well"}, {"response": 30, "author": "Mari", "date": "Tue, Mar  4, 1997 (13:17)", "body": "Rhea - as long as it wasn't a sense of reality, you're OK (you did keep your stub, did you not?) ;}"}, {"response": 31, "author": "JuliaSmith", "date": "Sat, Aug 16, 1997 (14:32)", "body": "Mel is my favorite object of drool. I haven't seen Conspiracy Theory yet (dying to!) but I almost started yelling at Julia through the TV when (on the preview) he said, \"kiss me for luck\" and she hesitated! I can bearly remain consious thinking of him paranoid and scared. He locks his refrigerater-how cute! So far, I think he was the best in Forever Young, but Conspiracy Theory might change my mind. Remember when he put the salt over his shoulder in the diner? And when he was at Jamie Lee Curtis's house and \"The Very Thought of You\" came on and he started crying?\" And when he ran through the rain and then he had his tank top on??? Oops, I'm going on forever, I'd better shut up!"}, {"response": 32, "author": "JuliaSmith", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 1997 (07:23)", "body": "I feel that this is a topic which must be revived. I am a die-hard Mel fan, so bear with me. Having seen Conspiracy Theory (twice) and Ransom within the same month, I am definately worse than ever! I am going to drag, so hang in there! Here are the Mel films in order of how much I would like to marry the character depicted therein in real life. To my mind, Conspiracy Theory was the ultimate Mel. Or should I say Jerry? By the time the film was over I was just as in love with Jerry as Alice. The \"Kiss me for luck\" scene, the \"I believe you\" scene, and of caurse the end, were right up there with \"Cat!\" and \"If you can paint, I can walk!\" in the classic romantic lines hall of fame. Not to mention his little stocking cap, or his hospital gown, or when he tells Alice he loves her! \"Love gives you wings, love gives you insight, love lets y u see things you wouldn't normally see-I just know that I've loved you since the first time I saw you\". The second best ultimate Mel movie was Forever Young. \"The Very Thought of You....\" the restuarant, the salt, the shoulder... The Man Without a Face-Mel without a face is still Mel, and just that half of him we had added to his character in the film makes him a guy I would more than go for in real life. Mel reading shakespeare!! Braveheart-\"I don't want to wake-I want to stay here with you!\" Sitting through hours of gore is fine with me as long as I get my fill of Mel in a kilt with a Scottish accent. Maverick-Mel is the epitamy of cuteness in every single scene. I particuarly enjoy the carriage scene where Mel is trying to stop the horses. Heck, I like every scene in this film, except the one where that tricky Jodie Foster is all over him. Ransom-Mel's ordeal was heart-breaking in this film. Unfortunately, I feel that we don't see enough of him in this film. Gary Sinise seems to dominate the film. Not that he didn't do a great job, but Gary and Mel are not interchangable. The balcony scene and the final sequence were classic Mel, and the film was worth seeing. The Lethal Weapon series-I know this series has a following, and I enjoy them for what they are. but it has to be said, this genre of basically plotless, bloody, swear-filled cop films seems like a waste of time for Mel. He is the best American actor of the 90's without question, and he could be doing better things. Early Mel-I never cared for the Road Warrier films and the rest of his earlier career were full of fair to midlin movies such as Attack Force Z. There is one other Mel flick I must see, \"Tim\". Sadly, the idea of Mel playing a man named for a guy I adore in real life makes me a tad bit shaky. I plan to rent it soon, however. Oh, and on a final note, I just want to make it clear that in denying Mel a bigger singing part in Pocahontas, Disney disapointed me big-time, however, there are still benefits to owning the soundtrack, as the one song, (\"Mine, Mine, Mine\", and a tiny part in \"The Virginia Company\") is still very pleasant. Whether he can sing is beside the point. Anyone wish to discuss my Mel? :)"}, {"response": 33, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Sep  1, 1997 (11:04)", "body": "Anyone wish to discuss my Mel? :) Okay, I'm game--then again, I'm game for any drooling today. I'm in a playful way ya see... I think the first time I saw Mel was in Tim I was a young teenager at the time and it made quite an impression on me. It's a sweet film--sad and tender. A real \"chick film\". Also, he was very young and remarkably handsome. Although, I have to say that I prefer him now, he's aging well. I saw him on Oprah a while ago and he's still stunning. Generally I don't go for men who are too handsome...too much to worry about in terms of competition. But he is so normal and accessible that I can't help but g t caught up in it. While watching Oprah I noticed that his Australian accent is almost non-existent now. It's a pity too, because I liked it. :-( I haven't seen \"Conspiracy Theory\" yet, probably won't until it hits video, but I have seen all the others you mentioned. Gotta say...love that Mad Max stuff. He's so...dirty. In all the right places too! I liked Braveheart well enough, but I don't believe it was the best movie that year. Then again, his competition wasn't really great. I was glad for his win as best director though, because he's earned the title--if not for that movie then for his career as a whole."}, {"response": 34, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 1998 (17:10)", "body": "Oh dear, it seems that Mel has been out of favor for a while :-( Is anyone out there? Did you see him a while ago in Tequila Sunrise? Cos if you didn't, go rent it, will you? Then let me hear from you :-)"}, {"response": 35, "author": "meldarcy", "date": "Sat, Jan 31, 1998 (22:27)", "body": "Gi....Mel is NEVER out of favor...I have seen him in EVERY movie he has been in! He has 2 movies coming out this year...Payback & lethal weapon 4...I can't wait..."}, {"response": 36, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Feb  5, 1998 (11:19)", "body": "I almost despaired... I like your pseudonym, meldarcy, are you around in topic 68? I haven't heard of Payback."}, {"response": 37, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (17:29)", "body": "Who's that hiding behind the curtain? ;-)"}, {"response": 38, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (17:30)", "body": ""}, {"response": 39, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (17:32)", "body": ""}, {"response": 40, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (17:34)", "body": ""}, {"response": 41, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (17:35)", "body": ""}, {"response": 42, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (17:37)", "body": "Aha Karen found you -I wondered what had happened to those photos you were tormenting us with.I know a lot wouldn't agree with me but he leaves me cold."}, {"response": 43, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (17:41)", "body": "As they say...\"different strokes for different folks...\" ;-) I enjoy him, especially his earlier work. Ever catch \"Tim\"? *hee hee* What that boy can do in pair of cutoffs!! And he has a marvelous sense of humor when he's on talk shows."}, {"response": 44, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (17:51)", "body": "A good actor and a level-headed man. I like him."}, {"response": 45, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (17:53)", "body": "Karen agree about his sense of humour-I've seen him doing a few interviews this week to promote his latest and he wasn't a bit perturbed about being in another English-bashing film in fact he told the Mayor of Liverpool to phone Sony in Japan to complain and not him. I had the pleasure of hearing him in the Chicken Run earlier this week and much prefered him incognito but like you said \"different strokes for different folks\""}, {"response": 46, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (17:54)", "body": "(Judy).I know a lot wouldn't agree with me but he leaves me cold. Me too . But the pics are terrific, Karen. I gasped....in that 2nd and 3rd pic...the guy in the red shirt whose back is to us.... looks like Colin's back and back of his head! .(I always seem to be looking for him in other actor's movies....wishful thinking, I guess :-("}, {"response": 47, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (17:56)", "body": "Karen, I thank you, my mother thanks you, my sisters thank you, my aunts thank you, my nieces thank you, I'll bet Gi thanks you too. As long as Mel doesn't hit me over the head with it, I can overlook his politics. It's that beautiful face I adore. Sadly, his recent pictures are proof that he's been out in that hot Aussie sun too long. But oh, I love that boy's look in films like Mrs. Soffel, Gallipoli and The River. Just a beautiful man. Is he even better in real life? What's he filming right now?"}, {"response": 48, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (18:01)", "body": "(Evelyn) the guy in the red shirt whose back is to us....looks like Colin's back and back of his head!. Ha ha!! Naw, his hair is too straight. Needs some waviness. These pics are from the movie \"What Women Want\" and Helen Hunt is in it, although she wasn't there. All he did was go up the stairs and knock on the door. Couldn't see if door was opened because of those gizmos to bounce light at the sides obstructed my view, along with all those nasty, self-important people whose job it is to harrass onlookers. ;-)"}, {"response": 49, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (18:07)", "body": "(Karen)his hair is too straight.Needs some waviness -and a bald patch too."}, {"response": 50, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (20:57)", "body": "(Karen)his hair is too straight.Needs some waviness His hair isn't always curly...me thinks he might have it straightened at times. Look at the high school pic in the 3 DOR program."}, {"response": 51, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 19, 2000 (21:16)", "body": "That's when he used to blow dry his hair. Now lets it air dry."}, {"response": 52, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jul 20, 2000 (03:07)", "body": "Thank you, thank you, thank you, Karen :-) Like Heide, I don't care about his political (or religious) beliefs. He is a good actor, a great looking man and a very funny one. He has a marvellous voice - I realise voices are a turn-on for me ;-)- and incredible blue eyes. I didn't like his latest films (Payback, Conspiracy Theory) and wish he would do things like Man without a Face more often... but I guess these won't support his seven kids... I loved to see this topic come to life again, although I'm sure it will be for a short time ;-)"}, {"response": 53, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jul 20, 2000 (18:54)", "body": "Most of the talk here seems to be about CF's hair, anyway... Come on, gals, back to where the real drool flows... ;-)"}, {"response": 54, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (19:02)", "body": "TIME FOR A CHANGE Copyright (c) 2000 Premiere Online They didn't know it, but they needed an attitude adjustment What Women Want THE PITCH: A male-chauvinist ad exec (Mel Gibson) gets electrocuted in his bathroom and is suddenly blessed with the power to hear women's thoughts. Or is he cursed? While his X-ray hearing enables him to sabotage the career of his \"you go, girl!\" boss (Helen Hunt), it also forces him to consider the inner musings of his lover (Marisa Tomei), his ex-wife (Lauren Holly), and his shrink (Bette Midler). THE BIG PICTURE: What director Nancy Meyers (1998's The Parent Trap) wanted was Gibson in the lead. \"I always thought he should do romantic comedies,\" she says. Gibson, whose Icon Pictures coproduced, says it was \"an interesting exercise to react to outer and inner voices at the same time.\" Coming out of the testoster-zone of The Patriot, he suddenly found himself surrounded by women and experimenting on- camera with mascara, panty hose, and leg-waxing. Not that any of that softened him, of course. \"I'd come back from a nice lunch at the commissary and there would be Mel, basking in the sun, eating a raw steak,\" says Mark Feuerstein (Rules of Engagement), who plays Gibson's coworker. \"He's an animal. The most charming animal of all time.\" (\"I get free-range, no-hormone beef and eat that raw,\" Gibson explains. \"I've been doing it for months now and I haven't been food-poisoned or sick once.\") Meyers says that the actor promised to spare her from his infamous on-set pranks, but he quickly reneged. \"The freeze-dried rat in a [bakery] bag at the monitor next to my cranberry juice was the least of them,\" she says. (\"I did that trick to Julia Roberts years ago,\" Gibson reports. \"I've had that rat forever. He's at home-he's like one of the kids.\") So, what do women want, besides not being the butt of practical jokes? \"Sigmund Freud was asking that question his entire working life and died without anything near an answer,\" Gibson says. \"But I'm convinced it's somewhere between conversation, chocolate, and dancing.\" (Paramount, December 15) If you would like to read the article in its entirety, pleas go to Premiere Online at http://www.premiere.com"}, {"response": 55, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (03:54)", "body": "somewhere between conversation, chocolate, and dancing I wonder? At least he *knows* it's not raw beef :-) drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 60, "subject": "Daniel Day-Lewis", "response_count": 44, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Oct  5, 1997 (21:58)", "body": "Ooh Marie! So good to see you dear :-) At the top of the list has to be those beautiful, expressive eyes. I also love his tall, slim physique and his long, artist's hands. I agree about the eyes (I think that prominent brow has something to do with it too). How tall is he? I wouldn't mind taking another look at that Dublin photo ;-p I don't think we ever got around to having the discussion about your favorite DDL role. My Left Foot is obviously the most impressive, closely followed by In The Name Of The Father but Last of the Mohicans is the most droolworthy (personal opinion of course). Like talk to me honey...BTW, I visited that site--laughed my tail off;-D"}, {"response": 2, "author": "wicklow", "date": "Fri, Oct 10, 1997 (09:19)", "body": "Nan, Daniel is 6'2\". I think Mohicans must be the one I love best, since I've seen it so many times. I've visited the locations in North Carolina more than once, doing what my sister called \"communing with his spirit!\" I forgot to say in the first post how intelligent he is. Any interview with him shows an articulate and reflective man. Libby, the reviewer for Premiere magazine, put it best: \"Daniel makes American actors look like giggly junior high school boys playing Nintendo during the prom.\" Amen!"}, {"response": 3, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Oct 12, 1997 (00:49)", "body": "OH...HE'S A BIG ONE! (Marie)Nan, Daniel is 6'2\". I had no idea he was that tall. May not sound like much to all you leggy women out there, but for me 6'2\" is quite a climb! ;-) FAVORITE DDL MOVIE I think Mohicans must be the one I love best, since I've seen it so many times. I've visited the locations in North Carolina more than once, doing what my sister called \"communing with his spirit!\" What--the visit to Dublin wasn't enough communing for you? :-p You are a hoot! I haven't seen Mohicans in a couple of years so I think I'll put that on my \"rent\" list and watch it again soon. As I mentioned before I think it's certainly the most droolworthy of his roles (that hair alone!) but I find myself far more emotional about ITNOTF. I don't know--there is something about the injustice of that situation that gets me every time. And he is so wonderfully real in that film too. Funny, I don't remember f eling drooly though. Wonder what that means? ;-p DDL-THE PERSON I forgot to say in the first post how intelligent he is. Any interview with him shows an articulate and reflective man. He does strike me as being that way--it's what I expect. I also think there is really something to be said for someone that famous who just goes about his business. I feel that he is sincere in his desire to be an actor and really could care less about the fame (like Colin, come to think of it). I have yet to see a DDL movie in which I am disappointed by him. Though \"Unbearable Lightness...\" just confused me. Libby, the reviewer for Premiere magazine, put it best: \"Daniel makes American actors look like giggly junior high school boys playing Nintendo during the prom.\" Amen! No kidding! I don't remember ever reading one of his interviews so I'll have to take your word for it. That's a great line BTW--gave me a vision ;-D"}, {"response": 4, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Sun, Oct 12, 1997 (13:19)", "body": "I think this topic deserves a little illustration. How about Marie and the object of her fascination..."}, {"response": 5, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Oct 12, 1997 (14:54)", "body": "Myretta! I knew you'd pop in with that photo sooner or later. ;-) Don't you jsut love how calm Marie looks?--like it's an everyday occurrance that she should run into DDL on the streets of Ireland. BTW, I really like that \"normal-guy\" windblown look he has in this photo. And I say again Marie--he's a big one!! ;-D"}, {"response": 6, "author": "wicklow", "date": "Sun, Oct 12, 1997 (18:33)", "body": "As for being calm, I think 'stunned' would be a better word! And happy, of course. He was every bit as wonderful as I knew he'd be, and then some! We'd been talking for a while by the time this was taken and were very comfortable in each other's company. I think it shows in the picture. What do you guys think? Myretta, a big thank-you hug for putting up the picture!..:-)"}, {"response": 7, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Oct 12, 1997 (19:15)", "body": "As I've said before Marie--doesn't matter what you were feeling inside because you look perfectly composed. We'd been talking for a while by the time this was taken and were very comfortable in each other's company. I think it shows in the picture. What do you guys think? I'll bet you were comfortable! I don't think you ever answered my question in chat--where exactly is your left hand in that picture missy? ;-p I just went and checked out the old DDL topic. If you haven't already seen it, it's #17. There is some really priceless stuff there about dear Daniel and one post from Cheryl (reponse #3) that had me PIMP!;-D Go take a look..."}, {"response": 8, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 1997 (12:25)", "body": "Dearest Marie! Looky what I found... He's looking so edibly scruffy ;-)...."}, {"response": 9, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 1998 (17:33)", "body": "I must say, this man is fine......can't wait to see The Boxer. He is beautiful! Loved Mohicans too......So glad you gals posted pics *drooly grin*"}, {"response": 10, "author": "kathyddl", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 1998 (19:17)", "body": "i am new to this board, is daniel day lewis a current topic, if so how do i get to see the newest postings???? i would love to drool with the rest of you about this particular actor."}, {"response": 11, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 1998 (19:24)", "body": "i am new to this board, is daniel day lewis a current topic, if so how do i get to see the newest postings???? You've reached it Kathleen ;-) Unfortunately, DDL tends to be a rather slow topic and there haven't been any recent postings. However, do feel free to give some opinions about him and I'm sure you'll hear from someone (probably me or Marie). Glad you found us ;-) Have any other favorites? There are plenty to choose from. Go to: http://www.spring.com/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/all Enjoy!"}, {"response": 12, "author": "kathyddl", "date": "Tue, Feb 17, 1998 (19:38)", "body": "i'm afraid i'm a \"one\" man woman, and i have chosen the \"elusive\" daniel day-lewis. it dosn't surprise me the topic goes slowly, i also indulge in two other ddl sites, and they are also a bit slow, but not this slow. I found the picture of Marie and Daniel to be of much interest. He looked so good, (circa ITNOTF, by the hair). What a lucky individual to have actually met him. I have 10 of his movies on tape, and it always amazes me that he can look so different. I saw My Left Foot first and was shocked to learn that it was the same actor in LOTM. Therefore, i had to check out the rest of his ventures into film. Most have been very rewarding, only a few \"dogs\" along the way \"Eversmile, New Jersey and Stars and Bars\". Although, S&B had one of the funniest funeral scenes i've ever seen. Will check in here periodically to see if anything is new and will inform those of interest if i find something new that will interest you. al"}, {"response": 13, "author": "fanny", "date": "Wed, Feb 18, 1998 (18:00)", "body": "Have you all heard about the DDL chat room. It is on Wednesday evenings at 10 p.m. Eastern time. Go to Hollywood on-line back lot. Chat is for one hour every week."}, {"response": 14, "author": "kathyddl", "date": "Wed, Feb 18, 1998 (18:39)", "body": "yes, i have belonged to this chat room for 6 weeks now, a great group of people. it's a small group, but we have lots of fun and share a lot of news. the olympics has put a little damper in the size the past few weeks as it will do tonite, but come join us if you haven't tried it yet. also there is another ddl site on the web, you can obtain by danielday:a place for daniel day-lewis fans. the webmistress is lucy, we have some fun there too."}, {"response": 15, "author": "kathyddl", "date": "Tue, Mar 10, 1998 (16:06)", "body": "is anyone out there????? you said this site was a little slow, but is it really this slow or am i missing something on how to look up postings???"}, {"response": 16, "author": "dt", "date": "Mon, Mar 23, 1998 (12:16)", "body": "DDL is, in my opinion, one of the best actors there are today. I absolutely loved him in LOTM (not to mention Eric Schweig, who played Uncas). DDL was also great in The Crucible, and The Boxer. He looked fabulous in The Boxer; I think I prefer him with a little weight on. Anyone else agree?"}, {"response": 17, "author": "kathyddl", "date": "Tue, Mar 31, 1998 (16:00)", "body": "i can't believe someone fell off the planet and actually posted at this site. i do agree that ddl is one of today's finest actors, but unfortunately, not enough people know who he is and are aware of just how good he is. HE DOES NOT 'ACT' ENOUGH!!!!! he takes much too long between films, as much as three years, and that can be a death sentence in \"marketability\" in the film industry, probably why \"the boxer\" has not done well at all. Yes, i thought he looked great in the film, inspite of having a broken nose. he's on the mend from making this movie, (back surgery, broken jaw, etc, etc) and now has no plans to even read scripts, so another long dry spell of \"no acting\" from ddl once again. another reason this site seems to be in rigor mortis, when someone isn't in the public eye very often, i guess there's nothing much to talk about. but if you have a big desire to learn more about this actor, try his homepage, they are constantly chatting about something."}, {"response": 18, "author": "maryw", "date": "Tue, Jan  8, 2002 (08:23)", "body": "As it has been generally quiet on the CF-front, I'm very curious to see whether anyone else from Drool will \"drop in\" - when this Topic appears with \"new\" on the main page - throwback to current discussions on Topic 98 - am just being cheeky, don't smack ;-) I rented some oldies but goodies of one of MODBs (My Other Dear Boys - there are 2 others - fickle me? - DDL and JN). Watched Last of the Mohicans with my 17 y.o. daughter who was recipient of Cupid's arrow at sight of DDL - whom she had not seen before. At end of film - she turns to me and says : \"DDL is to me what CF is to you!\" Next thing I know she's watching ITNOTF and AOI. I did a \"google\" search to see whether DDL has as many sites as CF has and to learn a bit more about him as I know zilch. I did not get to count how many sites there were because I was fascinated by the first one I came upon. I found out that ... 1. He is equally, if not more, elusive and publicity shy as ODB. 2 His fans group him with [quote] such great actors [unquote] as K Branagh and even Alan Rickman. It made me sad that ODB has been ignored yet again - considering that he made one of his early stage appearances in a supporting role to ODB in AC. 3 Despite his reclusive nature, great roles, scripts and directors continue to pursue him and apparently with big paycheques. How come ODB does not seem to have this fortune (but we'll never know, I know). Well, at least, we know DDL never appeared in a MB production..but ODB did!! 4 Just like ODB - enjoys Rome (and Florence) with family. 5 Recent photos in NY show how lovey-dovey he is with his wife...just like ODB and Livia too. and...on the scary bit 6 there are photos of his house in Ireland taken from all angles complete with maps of the area and a diagram of how to get there. I am sure his fans have all gone temporarily insane for DDL just like we have for ODB and like us are hungry for any bit of info on ODBs without meaning any harm or malice. But I wonder whether they realise that they are jeopardising the security and safety of their DB and family by publishing such info. I am so proud that Droleurs and most CF admirers have refrained from doing anything like this. Except for career trajectory - seems like lots of parallels between ODB and MODB! I look forward to next Northern summer when GONY opens - a drama/action movie - at about the same time as TIOBE - a romcom ;-( possibly followed by NC - yet another romcom ;-(( Oh ODB - how many candles must we light for you so you can get/accept at least one real meaty role in manner of DQ for example but for big screen????"}, {"response": 19, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan  8, 2002 (08:30)", "body": "3 Despite his reclusive nature, great roles, scripts and directors continue to pursue him and apparently with big paycheques. How come ODB does not seem to have this fortune (but we'll never know, I know) Actually, this is quite easy. ODB didn't do a My Left Foot. That's what catapulted DDL into the realm he occupies."}, {"response": 20, "author": "maryw", "date": "Tue, Jan  8, 2002 (09:08)", "body": "Karen - what I meant was - we'll never really know whether he does indeed get good offers which he prefers to mysteriously turn down. And wow - you did drop in to this farflung place! But then again - you're exluded from my experiment - you're the boss and you know how to navigate Spring ;-)"}, {"response": 21, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan  8, 2002 (09:20)", "body": "we'll never really know whether he does indeed get good offers which he prefers to mysteriously turn down. By he, you mean ODB. First, you have to mark your mark before they coming begging after you. However, in the case of DDL, we read about this and that role being offered him and how this or that director/studio wants him badly. It makes the trades."}, {"response": 22, "author": "rachael", "date": "Tue, Jan  8, 2002 (10:02)", "body": "hey Minkee! what's DDL up to just now? I used to really like him but haven't seen anything recently - or have I missed something?"}, {"response": 23, "author": "maryw", "date": "Thu, Jan 10, 2002 (04:20)", "body": "LOL - 2 days later and only the boss, rachael and I have dropped in to see what's happening with DDL - probably because my post was really not about DDL but just an excuse to discuss more ODB. Rachael - the only thing I've seen about DDL is that it is rumoured that GONY is *definitely* his last film. Another rumour (reported in Sept 2001 by Hollywood Reporter) is that he is being courted to appear in U.S. director Michael Cimino' s \"Man's Fate,\" a drama set in Shanghai against the backdrop of the Chinese revolution, based on French author Andre Malraux's 1933 novel \"La condition humaine\" (The Human Condition). To be shot in Shanghai from July 2002 - tentatively. 2 sites I visited : http://kathyddl.tripod.com/den.html http://www.dd-l.net/index.html Both have nice pics of him, his wife and son - shades of ODB playing happy family really. I know. I know. This is DDL topic not but can't get away from ODB, can I? Samples : taken in NY recently : during their wedding anniversary (kinda sweet!) and during the Sept 11 crisis (kinda brave!) This is a direct quote from http://www.dd-l.net/LINKS/SIG/SIG01.html Pax found this item at peoplenews.com. Thank you Pax. \"Irish actor Daniel Day-Lewis, who is staying in New York at the moment, immediately offered his help to the Emergency Services on Tuesday after the terrorist attacks. Day-Lewis tried to give blood but was turned away due to impossibly long queues. He then made himself useful by transporting boxes of ice to hospitals to keep the donated blood cold. He said: 'I had to help in some small way, anyway I could. This whole situation is so awful, it cannot be described in words. We hope to go back and give blood when we can. But for now this is the most useful thing I can do.'\" ************** Oh no - I finally get to learn how to do fancy html tags for images etc...and who do I splurge my newfound skill on? Not the primary DB but MODB...gaahhhh!!! slaps forehead Hope these all works!"}, {"response": 24, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jan 10, 2002 (08:14)", "body": "v.g. Minkee. Not your fault that the tripod site won't cooperate."}, {"response": 25, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jan 10, 2002 (11:23)", "body": "Thanks, Minkee! I wonder how long he will stay away from Tuscany? ;-)"}, {"response": 26, "author": "freddie", "date": "Fri, Jan 11, 2002 (02:26)", "body": "OK! Couldn't stand it and had to post SOMETHING. Came over here from, yes you guessed it, the CF homefront. Don't post there, just enjoy reading from everyone else. At least you know that others have been here. By the way, I have to say the Last of the Mohicans was, when I viewed it, a most impressive film and for some reason I remember it as being pulse racing and , ahem, very enjoyable. Madeline Stowe was v. good too, if I am thinking coherently. Anyways, cheerio!"}, {"response": 27, "author": "maryw", "date": "Fri, Jan 11, 2002 (04:11)", "body": "Oh thank you thank you - such venerable visitors! Now I need to find the source for those animations that you guys put on your lovely posts. Karen - what do you mean the tripod sites won't cooperate? Didn't the images work for you? Moon - forget Morocco next northern summer - am off to Italia instead. Was in Florence 2 years ago - no one I saw looked remotely like DDL. Am not complaining about the Romeos parading around the piazzas though ;-) Lisa - yes you remember correctly TLOTM is not for gals with high blood pressure due to, ahem, very enjoyable scenes."}, {"response": 28, "author": "rachael", "date": "Fri, Jan 11, 2002 (14:44)", "body": "Minkee - when will you be in Italy? I'm going in the summer (fingers crossed) re Last of the Mohicans - I love that film, I think the music is very stirring and really contributes to the atmosphere, especially when they're escaping. BTW Stephen Waddington who played Duncan also played one of the lovers in Carrington, along with Rufus S, and the ever adorable Sam W"}, {"response": 29, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jan 12, 2002 (08:15)", "body": "..and let's not forget the always effervescent Jodhi May as Alice. How the screw turns. I like DDL too much to be annoyed at how Mohicans sexed up one of my favorite literary characters, Natty Bumppo. I suppose there was as much complaining about Nathaniel's bare chest as there was about Darcy's wet shirt. Not from us though, ladies, eh? Is DDL's wife the daughter of Arthur Miller? Just think, had she lived, Marily Monroe could have been his ex-step-mother-in-law. ;-)"}, {"response": 30, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 12, 2002 (08:19)", "body": "I suppose there was as much complaining about Nathaniel's bare chest as there was about Darcy's wet shirt. You mean that wasn't in the book? ;-) I can't complain either, as DDL certainly got real fit to play the role."}, {"response": 31, "author": "maryw", "date": "Sat, Jan 12, 2002 (16:48)", "body": "(Karen)...as DDL certainly got real fit to play the role Yup...another parallelism to ODB. I read that as soon as DDL signed up he got a personal trainer...not same one as ODB's. But soon after had a female trainer with whom he had an affair. (Heide) Is DDL's wife the daughter of Arthur Miller Yes - she also directs feature films if I remember correctly. If DDL indeed retires - will she be able to support him in the lifestyle to which he is accustomed? ;-) Karen - when GONY publicity gets going can we have those discussions here rather than O&E? Then we'd have another DB's board active and might attract more people. whaddyathink?"}, {"response": 32, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 12, 2002 (17:15)", "body": "Re discussion. Yes, that's fine with me. (BTW, I remember the personal trainer thing too, but DDL needed muscles for that part, not just toning, plus all the running he had to do.)"}, {"response": 33, "author": "LauraT", "date": "Sat, Jan 12, 2002 (17:16)", "body": "Sign me up as another LOTM lover - the movie was mucho superior to the book(s), I thought - gimmicky early-American potboilers. :) Jodhi May, Russell Means, and Eric Schweig were all great and underappreciated. So, when is GONY coming out? I normally have a moral obligation to avoid films with Leo DiCaprio in them, but I might make an exception for a Scorsese film..."}, {"response": 34, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 12, 2002 (17:24)", "body": "June"}, {"response": 35, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jan 13, 2002 (10:22)", "body": "(Karen) but DDL needed muscles for that part, not just toning, plus all the running he had to do.) And let's not forget shooting a rifle in each hand while running. ;-) Funny that LOTM was just on TV last night. I watched a little of it. (Laura T) - gimmicky early-American potboilers. :) LOL! An interesting assessment of the Leatherstocking Tales. '-) Anyway, I do like DDL and he has been much missed. Glad he's a happy family man but get back on the screen, dammit."}, {"response": 36, "author": "maryw", "date": "Sun, Aug 18, 2002 (08:22)", "body": "a little something about our other DB... DDL, of course, not LdC nor MS http://www.ew.com/ew/report/0,6115,337609~1|18755~0~,00.html Tough Turf Martin Scorsese talks about his controversial saga ''Gangs of New York,'' which stars Leo DiCaprio and Cameron Diaz and took 25 years to finish -- an excerpt from the Aug. 23, 2002, cover story of Entrtainment Weekly by Chris Nashawaty 'GANGS' ALL HERE DiCaprio, Diaz, and Day-Lewis, the stars of ''New York'' Martin Scorsese was 34 in 1977. Confident, talented, and seemingly unstoppable. After the gritty and dazzling one-two punch of ''Mean Streets'' and ''Taxi Driver,'' he figured it was the ideal time for his most ambitious New York story yet -- a sweeping 19th-century epic about warring immigrant groups. It would have a marquee name in the lead role of an Irish-American roughneck named Amsterdam, who'd set out on a hero's quest to avenge his father's murder at the hands of a bloodthirsty political fixer named Bill the Butcher. There'd be a love interest -- a sassy pickpocket -- and a hugely expensive battle scene at the climax. In other words, it would be big. Scorsese didn't have a script yet, but he knew it would cost a fortune. So in June 1977, with the cocksure certainty of a man on an unbroken winning streak, Scorsese took out a two-page ad in Variety trumpeting his next project: ''Gangs of New York.'' But within a few years, a string of big-budget, big-ego productions from similarly hot young auteurs like Francis Ford Coppola (''Apocalypse Now'') and Michael Cimino (''Heaven's Gate'') ran aground. Studios panicked. Checkbooks snapped shut. And mavericks like Scorsese saw their green lights turn red. ''It was the end of the power of the director,'' says Scorsese 25 years later. ''It was the end of making films that were big and provocative. There was just no way 'Gangs of New York' could get made after that.'' Scorsese is almost 60 now. And he's two weeks away from finishing postproduction on ''Gangs.'' With the help of Leonardo DiCaprio, Daniel Day-Lewis, and Cameron Diaz, the movie it has taken him 25 years to make is almost done. But rather than triumph, his weary eyes bring to mind the old saying ''Be careful what you wish for?.'' After all, judging from the dire dispatches from the ''Gangs'' set in Rome last year -- the out-of-control budget, the script being tapped out as they went along, the clashes with his bristling financier, Miramax chief Harvey Weinstein -- making his dream film may have at times resembled a horrific nightmare. ''All I know is I did the best I could,'' Scorsese says, shrugging. ''If people are watching the movie 20 years from now? Who knows? I'll be dead.'' When Daniel Day-Lewis showed up on the ''Gangs'' set in Italy in September 2000, he was already Bill the Butcher. He spoke with Bill's broad New York accent and already carried around Bill's rage -- a mental state he would trigger each morning by blasting Eminem while he worked out. One other thing: Everyone had to call him Bill too. ''I just met Daniel recently,'' says Cameron Diaz, more than a year after ''Gangs'' wrapped. ''The whole time he was Bill. Never Daniel. Always Bill.'' Day-Lewis lowers his head and laughs when he hears this. Then I ask if he thinks his costars were intimidated by him. ''I suppose it's a little strange. You'd have to ask them.'' Diaz: ''Yes.'' DiCaprio: ''You just become used to it after a while. I've heard stories about Method actors...and at the end of the day when the director calls 'Cut,' they're still that character and they go home and beat the s--- out of their wives. But if I had something I wanted to collaborate on, I never felt like he was going to pull a butcher's knife on me.'' Cameron Diaz remembers being terrified as she left the set of ''Charlie's Angels'' to fly to New York for her ''Gangs of New York'' audition. She knew going in that the role of Jenny Everdeane -- the street-smart love interest of DiCaprio's Amsterdam -- was being read by virtually every important young actress, even the ones like her who'd graduated past reading for parts. ''I just didn't want to make a total ass out of myself,'' Diaz says. Plus, she says that she was just looking forward to gobbling up whatever morsels of direction Scorsese would toss her way: ''I didn't care if I got the job -- I got to read for Marty Scorsese.'' Scorsese remembers being impressed by Diaz in Oliver Stone's ''Any Given Sunday'' and the few bits of ''There's Something About Mary'' he caught on TV one night. But it's what she did for DiCaprio's performance that ultimately sold him. ''When she came in, something happened. He kind of brightened up,'' Scorsese says. ''There was some sort of chemistry between the two of them, and I thought then that she could do it -- the way she was affecting him.'' Then he begins to laugh. ''None of the dialogue they were reading wound up in the script.'' Leonardo DiCaprio had no idea what ''Gangs'' was about. He just knew he wanted to be in it. He "}, {"response": 37, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep  7, 2002 (14:31)", "body": "I saw the preview for Gangs last night and was not impressed. :-( Everyone looked very cartoonish (it would be the right word, does it exist?)"}, {"response": 38, "author": "maryw", "date": "Mon, Sep  9, 2002 (12:28)", "body": "Oh - that's a pity Moon. How did MODB fare? Cartoonish - was it overstaged then?"}, {"response": 39, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  9, 2002 (10:17)", "body": "From the Sunday Observer: Age of experience He's spent the last five years chopping trees, making shoes and not making movies. But then Martin Scorsese made him an offer he couldn't refuse. In a rare interview, Daniel Day-Lewis tells Burhan Wazir why he's back in front of the cameras Sunday December 8, 2002 Over the course of a drizzly afternoon, in a room in Dublin's Clarence Hotel, Daniel Day-Lewis leaves his chair on only four occasions. He briefly visits the bathroom; orders a tomato sandwich; opens the door to room service; and answers the telephone. In all, the stoppages take no more than five minutes. But for most of the afternoon, Day-Lewis, dressed simply in a dark pullover, black trousers and combat boots, displays unending reserves of quiet steeliness. His head is cleanly shaven; his muscular features lend him the appearance of a boxer preparing for a bout. His dark, deep-set eyes look ever attentive. They flash wildly when, occasionally, he laughs. His concentration never drops below an unnerving intensity. And by the end of our three hours together, I am astounded by his composure and single-mindedness. It's all too easy to forget that Day-Lewis is one of the most prodigiously talented actors of his generation. He remains easy to overlook since he is notoriously work-shy: he has only managed 15 movies in 20 years of professional acting. His last big-budget role was eight years ago in The Age of Innocence. And since then, apart from his split with the French actress Isabelle Adjani, and his subsequent marriage to Rebecca Miller, the daughter of American playwright Arthur Miller, whom he met while filming The Crucible, he has kept himself out of the press and shielded himself from the film industry. His stage career ended 12 years ago when during his performance of Hamlet he walked off the stage claiming to have seen an apparition of his father, the late poet laureate Cecil Day Lewis. He is an acting enigma: someone who won a Best Actor Oscar, and has seemingly never recovered from the experience. Day-Lewis, 45, who won the Oscar in 1989's My Left Foot, is giving a rare interview to promote his first film in more than five years. A method actor - a technique also used by Marlon Brando, Robert De Niro and Dustin Hoffman - Day-Lewis is regarded as perhaps the finest of his generation. He avoids all contact with the press; this interview has been months in the arranging. This afternoon, however, he has left his home in County Wicklow, Ireland, to discuss Martin Scorsese's much-delayed and much-troubled period piece, Gangs of New York. For Scorsese, the lavish $97.5m venture, based on Herbert Asbury's acclaimed 1927 book, Gangs of New York: An Informal History of the Underworld, has taken a decade to bring to the screen. Throughout its protracted making, there were rumours of bust-ups and difficulties on set, and so far the movie hasn't been screened to the press - a sign of the distributor's nervousness about its critical reception. But while Scorsese, Harvey Weinstein - the garrulous and larger-than-life boss of Miramax films - and the film's financier Graham King have been doing some light firefighting, Day-Lewis has been keeping himself to himself, enjoying the Irish countryside. 'The filmmakers have me over a barrel,' Day-Lewis laughs. 'I feel sorry for the other actors in the film. Cameron Diaz, Leonardo DiCaprio and Liam Neeson. They'll have to take the brunt of the questioning. I can pretty much get away with just doing a few things. Although I do realise that the interest in this film will go on for some time.' Does he enjoy any part of the film industry? 'Not really, no,' he admits. 'I know this is part of what we have to do. But I really have to be forced. I just want people to go and see the film. And I hope that they like it. I have done my part. And once I'm finished, I always feel a little empty inside. \"Is that all there was to it?\" I always think. So, to be honest, I'm not sure it's something I'd like to do again in the near future. I certainly have no plans to work in a film at any point soon. I've managed to avoid it for the past five years.' A five-year break from acting would be considered career suicide by most actors. Day-Lewis, however, has shown a selfish approach to his natural talent for most of his professional life. His last film was The Boxer, directed by Jim Sheridan in 1997. After that film's box-office failure, Day-Lewis - then deemed a talent at the height of his acting powers - abruptly threw in the towel, despite a long run of critically acclaimed performances in My Beautiful Laundrette, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, The Last of the Mohicans and My Left Foot. As an actor, he specialises in roles of tortured intensity - outsiders and outcasts. But after The Boxer, he abandoned it all and moved to Florence with his then new wife, Rebecca Miller. Stories emerged of him spending his days cobbling. While he never admitted he'd retired, Day-Lewis showed few intentio"}, {"response": 40, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec 22, 2002 (17:27)", "body": "I'm not a fan of DDL, but I do respect his enormous talent. GoNY showcases this talent in spades. His portrayal of Bill the Butcher is a marvel.I did not realize he was a real person before I read the article above; I thought the character was a composite.One reviewer called the character \"Shakespearan in tone\". I would have to agree and only a classically trained actor could make it happen. The NY accent: I found it distracting. He seemed to give it more of a nudge at times...uneven. And if everyone in Five Points was supposed to talk like that how come he is the only one.The other actors spoke in a more subdued NY accent. I have not seen the films of the other GG nominees, but this guy would be difficult to beat. Last night Julianne Moore and Nicole Kidman were interviewed on the Larry King show.To the question: Which actor would you like to work with the most...they both answered DDL."}, {"response": 41, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 22, 2002 (22:01)", "body": "Not everyone even in his gang was native born, as he was. He took in immigrants as well. McGoin (?), played by the Scot Gary Lewis, was one of his gang."}, {"response": 42, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jan  3, 2003 (06:41)", "body": "This was moved her from the old server: Topic 60 of 172: 'Daniel Day-Lewis' Resp 42 of 42: Karen (KarenR) Thu, Jan 2, 2003 (10:30) 39 lines Moved from 168 and posted by Murph: And this from USA Today.... Day-Lewis inhabits his roles -- Andy Seiler USA TODAY NEW YORK -- Daniel Day-Lewis (news), whose murderous William ''Bill the Butcher'' Cutting is the most memorable performance in Martin Scorsese (news)'s Gangs of New York, took five years off from acting before taking on the role. And for good reason: When the Oscar winner accepts a part, it's full time, for months on end. Scorsese and the cast were instructed to refer to Day-Lewis as ''Bill.'' Never stepping out of character, he didn't socialize with co-star Leonardo DiCaprio (news). ''We had an unspoken understanding between us that the work demanded that we maintain a certain distance, which we did,'' says Day-Lewis, who plays a gang leader in 19th-century New York who brutally murders DiCaprio's father. The work paid off: Day-Lewis has won the best-actor awards from the New York and Los Angeles (in a tie) film critics. He has been nominated for a Golden Globe and is a shoo-in for an Oscar nomination. According to Gangs cast member John C. Reilly (news) (who plays Happy Jack), Day-Lewis got quite sick at one point during the shooting in Italy, refusing to trade his character's threadbare coat for a warmer coat. The warmer coat would not have existed in the 19th century, he explained. Finally, doctors forced Day-Lewis to take antibiotics, O'Reilly says. When asked about that, the notoriously private Day-Lewis makes a face that indicates the tale is preposterous. Told Reilly was the source, he changes his tune. ''Maybe I did take antibiotics,'' he says. ''I got very sick at one time.'' But wait! Surely taking antibiotics was out of character? ''You got me!'' he says with a laugh. The actor, 45, won't confirm reports that he studied how to make shoes from a master cobbler in Italy during his screen absence. He will say that the only way he can act is if he takes long breaks, and that this happened to be the longest break yet. ''I didn't intend to stay away this long,'' says Day-Lewis, whose previous film was The Boxer. ''People keep reminding me it was five years, but I've got a very loose understanding of the passage of time. It passes, and I'm not aware of it.'' The actor, who describes himself as ''a lifelong study of evasion,'' says he is ''so bloody-minded'' that he never reveals anything accidentally to anyone, especially journalists. Case in point: He eloped with Rebecca Miller, playwright Arthur Miller's filmmaking daughter (Personal Velocity), days after doing interviews for The Crucible in 1996. Since he didn't tell reporters about the impending nuptials, most of them had to throw away their suddenly obsolete notes. \"Nobody knew we were getting married,\" says Day-Lewis, who had previously been romantically linked with many women and has a son by French star Isabelle Adjani (news). (He also has two sons with Miller.) When asked to guarantee that he will not divorce, remarry or do anything else drastic before this article appears, Day-Lewis says there are no plans in his future except one. ''I can say that, this summertime, Rebecca will be making another film,'' says Day-Lewis, who lives with Miller in Ireland and also has a place in New York City. ''So our lives will be taken up with that for a few months. Beyond that, I don't know.'' In other words, don't be surprised if we have to wait another five years to see the actor on screen again."}, {"response": 43, "author": "bayouvetty", "date": "Tue, Jul 20, 2004 (10:03)", "body": "I just love DDL. Until reading this board, I had forgotten how many of his films I have enjoyed. While I found LOTM to be the most visually droolworthy, I can't help melting every time I hear him say \"take off your clothes\" in TULOB. When I was managing the Ziegfeld, we hosted the premier for AOI. Most of the principals attended. Michelle Pfeiffer, Winona Ryder and even Joanne Woodward looked lovely. But my heart almost stopped when DDL entered the foyer. He was dressed in a dark green velvet vest and trousers and a white \"blousey\" top. (if memory serves) Has anybody got any pics from that premier? I'd love to see those long legs clad in those velvet trousers again. :o)"}, {"response": 44, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jul 20, 2004 (12:36)", "body": "If you look at www.wireimage.com or one of the other photo sites, you might find some pictures from that premiere. When I saw him at a Q&A a year and a half ago for Gangs of NY, he had his head shaved and kind of looked like a thug...though the multicolored sweater he had on kinda softened that look a bit. ;-) drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 61, "subject": "Help for Drool Conference Users", "response_count": 391, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Amy", "date": "Mon, Oct  6, 1997 (08:43)", "body": "Nan, you asked how I came in that I couldn't see the Firth topics. Here's the link I used to come in: http://www.spring.com/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/drool/all/new then I edited off the \"new\" to make it: http://www.spring.com/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/drool/all and I still can't see it. Oh. I just had a thought. Maybe it popped into the realm of the \"forgotten\" on its own. That used to happen sometimes."}, {"response": 2, "author": "Amy", "date": "Mon, Oct  6, 1997 (08:58)", "body": "Yup that was it. And the \"remember\" key actually worked. Sometimes it sticks."}, {"response": 3, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Sun, Oct 12, 1997 (02:32)", "body": "I'm brand new here and I need help. I'm used to how you post at RoP and I definitely noticed that it's done different here. How do you include part of a previous message from another person in your own message? Can you snip or something?"}, {"response": 4, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Oct 12, 1997 (15:10)", "body": "COPY & PASTE (Alicia)How do you include part of a previous message from another person in your own message? Can you snip or something? Unlike RoP where the previous message is automatically given to you in the response box, here you have to put the message in the box yourself. You should highlight the message to which you want to respond, hit Ctrl+C, put the cursor in the response box and hit Ctrl+V. What I usually do is just copy and paste anything that's been posted since my last response and do all the snipping in the response area. That way you don't have to go back and forth, searching for other people's comments. Since we have no threads like RoP, we try to keep the flow of conversation easy to read by putting a topic in bold capital letters and italicizing the previous poster's comments. It's just very basic html. If you don't know any html, feel free to email me and I'll give you the basics you'll need or you can visit \"Ann's basic tag tutorial\" at RoP which is very clear and easy to use. Let me know if you have any problems. ;-)"}, {"response": 5, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Mon, Oct 13, 1997 (01:16)", "body": "Thank you very much for the help, Nan. You have been most kind. :-)"}, {"response": 6, "author": "churchh", "date": "Fri, Oct 24, 1997 (16:42)", "body": ""}, {"response": 7, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Oct 26, 1997 (20:25)", "body": "Too funny Henry! ;-)"}, {"response": 8, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 1997 (10:48)", "body": "Okay here is my problem. Every time I go into topic 59 I start out back at number 1 again. Now how many times can I watch the shade go up and down, well all day if I could but, I really would like to read the newer posts. What am I doing wrong."}, {"response": 9, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 1997 (12:08)", "body": "(Laura) Okay here is my problem. Every time I go into topic 59 I start out back at number 1 again. Now how many times can I watch the shade go up and down, well all day if I could but, I really would like to read the newer posts. What am I doing wrong. Your bookmark is probably set at ALL which takes you to the main page at drool and gives you a list of all the topics. However, it also shows you ALL the messages when you enter a topic. Very tedious, I know. To see only a list of the topics that have new messages since you last checked in, you can go to the main drool board here: http://www.spring.com/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/drool/all/new If you just want to check topic 59 for new messages you can go here: http://www.spring.com/yapp-binn/restricted/read/drool/59/new If you want to refer back to something you read at an earlier time, just use the redisplay button to back up to the number of the post you want to see. Hope this helps. :-)"}, {"response": 10, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 1997 (12:11)", "body": "Well, I screwed up that second link somehow (not surprising). So here we go again: http://www.spring.com/yapp-bin/resricted/read/drool/59/new"}, {"response": 11, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 1997 (12:14)", "body": "You see what I did, don't you--spelling error. Not once, but twice! UGH! ;-( http://www.spring.com/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/59/new"}, {"response": 12, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Fri, May  8, 1998 (16:14)", "body": "Where is the Nicolas Cage drool conference!!"}, {"response": 13, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, May  8, 1998 (17:11)", "body": "I don't think there ever was one. You interested, honey? Did you just see that angel movie or something? ;-p"}, {"response": 14, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Fri, May  8, 1998 (17:26)", "body": "Well, I saw it a coupla weeks ago. Wasn't great, but he was gorgeous !! Needed to download an image to put in a frame for a friend of mine, and said to myself, I'm sure I can get one from the Drool Conference! But noooooo! I had to go someplace else and feel like a traitor! :) I think he's a hot item right now, so maybe his page will get some action. Hard to say, though. Seems if your name isn't Colin around here, you are simply yesterday's news. :)"}, {"response": 15, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, May  8, 1998 (22:25)", "body": "I think he's a hot item right now, so maybe his page will get some action. Well, few pages get action unless you hunt down people and let them know the boards are there for their use. Hard to say, though. Seems if your name isn't Colin around here, you are simply yesterday's news. :) LOL! Yes, it must be hard for you, honey. All that Colin talk and so little Kevin. See, I knew where to look to find the Colin people, but where would I look for Kevin people? Obviously we welcome all legal drinking age droolers. Any suggestions? Do you know where the Kevin fans congregate?"}, {"response": 16, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Fri, May  8, 1998 (22:31)", "body": "don't feel bad, my david duchovny topic isn't very popular, but hey, more room for me!"}, {"response": 17, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, May  8, 1998 (22:36)", "body": "(Wolf) don't feel bad, my david duchovny topic isn't very popular, but hey, more room for me! Hee hee...but it's so much more fun with a few friends to fuel the drool. How about you, Wolf? Do you know where the DD fans can be found? Have you had anyone promising sign your guestbook who may want to join you here?"}, {"response": 18, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Fri, May  8, 1998 (22:42)", "body": "no, but my dddp site is pretty new. the places where everybody goes to drool over him are at the david duchovny estrogen brigade, and that's not my style (seems so cheap or something). will have to see how to add my site to some of their links! if folks do a search using his name, my site does show up."}, {"response": 19, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, May  8, 1998 (23:20)", "body": "if folks do a search using his name, my site does show up. Cool! If anyone shows up there and you need a place to let it go, you know where to come babe ;-) In the meantime, I'll look around and see what I can come up with for droolees other than Colin..."}, {"response": 20, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, May 10, 1998 (12:59)", "body": "Nan, I am not able to do italics or bold. I have searched here and beyond but to no avail. Why is it different than at RoP? Please help!"}, {"response": 21, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, May 10, 1998 (15:59)", "body": "For italics use an i an angle brackets followed by a slash i in angle brackets . Standard html code is what's used here. Bodl is a b in angle brackets then type the text then put a slash b in angle brackets. OK?"}, {"response": 22, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, May 10, 1998 (16:58)", "body": "Nan, I am not able to do italics or bold. I have searched here and beyond but to no avail. Why is it different than at RoP? I see Terry beat me to it :-) Was that helpful?"}, {"response": 23, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 11, 1998 (09:12)", "body": "Thank you Terry and Nan! I hope this works."}, {"response": 24, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 11, 1998 (09:17)", "body": "It did! Now for another question: Where can I find Stefanie B.'s continuation of Concessions here? I have been meaning to read it, but can no longer find it."}, {"response": 25, "author": "AllisonM", "date": "Mon, May 11, 1998 (14:59)", "body": "Nan. I have E-mailed you with a problem. I was trying to put in my new E-mail address. I resigned and then re- registered into the drool topic. I have 2 problems. 1. I seem to be registered twice (not a problem for me, except I do not know now which registration has the correct E-mail. and 2. much more urgent - I am having to read through all the Colin topics again and I shall have to stay on line all night to get through them all. What do I do?"}, {"response": 26, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, May 11, 1998 (16:42)", "body": "(Moon) Now for another question: Where can I find Stefanie B.'s continuation of Concessions here? I have been meaning to read it, but can no longer find it. Any story which was posted by Stef would be a the Fan Fiction topic (#34)... Fan Fic at Spring (Allison) I have E-mailed you with a problem. I didn\ufffdt get the email, honey :-( 1. I seem to be registered twice (not a problem for me, except I do not know now which registration has the correct E-mail. You can check the which logon has the correct email by going back to your post and hitting the link to your email addres--the blue one in parenthesis which follows your name. 2. much more urgent - I am having to read through all the Colin topics again and I shall have to stay on line all night to get through them all. What do I do? At the bottom of the main drool page, under the topic listing, click on the link that says \ufffdMark everything as read\ufffd. Then you should make sure that your main page is set to \ufffdnew\ufffd. This way you will only see new posts the next time you access the page. Hope this helps."}, {"response": 27, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, May 11, 1998 (16:46)", "body": "Sorry, Moon the link above didn't work (I'm a lousy typist ;-p). Let me try that again: Fan Fic at Spring"}, {"response": 28, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 11, 1998 (20:20)", "body": "Thank you Nan! With your added link I was able to get there, but, I am not able to enter from the main menu. Is it because there are no postings at FF Spring of late?"}, {"response": 29, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, May 11, 1998 (20:30)", "body": "(Moon) Is it because there are no postings at FF Spring of late? Probably, yes."}, {"response": 30, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, May 12, 1998 (02:46)", "body": "Test"}, {"response": 31, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, May 12, 1998 (02:53)", "body": "Thanks for your help, Nan. I seem to have solved most of my problems, thanks to your help. Now I just hope this new E-mail address works :-)"}, {"response": 32, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, May 18, 1998 (16:56)", "body": "Nan, today is Marty's birthday!! Are you doing anything special to celebrate? Didja send him a card? (didn't know where else to post this. :)"}, {"response": 33, "author": "arra", "date": "Sun, Dec 13, 1998 (06:46)", "body": "Just testing"}, {"response": 34, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Dec 16, 1998 (15:49)", "body": "Hello, hello Goodbye"}, {"response": 35, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Dec 16, 1998 (15:50)", "body": "Thanks Nan and Terry!!"}, {"response": 36, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (11:22)", "body": "Hiya, ladies! Can anyone provide me with a complete list of Rutger Hauer films? Thought this would be the best place to ask..."}, {"response": 37, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Sat, Jan  9, 1999 (13:09)", "body": "The prolific Rutger Hauer: New World Disorder (1999) .... Marx Simon Magus (1999) \"Merlin\" (1998/II) (mini) TV Series .... Lord Vortigern Bone Daddy (1998) .... William H. Palmer ... aka Palmer's Bones (1998) (USA) Tactical Assault (1998) .... Captain John \"Doc\" Holiday Deathline (1997) .... John Anderson Wade ... aka Armageddon (1997) ... aka Redline (1998) (USA) Hemoglobin (1997) .... Dr. Marlowe ... aka Bleeders (1997) Hostile Waters (1997) (TV) .... Capt. Britanov ... aka P\ufffdril en mer (1998) (TV) (France) \"Lexx: The Dark Zone\" (1997) (mini) TV Series .... Bog ... aka \"Lexx: I Worship His Shadow\" (1997) (mini) ... aka \"Lexx: The Dark Zone Stories\" (1997) (mini) (UK) ... aka \"Tales From a Parallel Universe: I Worship His Shadow\" (1997) (mini) (USA) Knockin' On Heaven's Door (1997) .... Curtiz Call of the Wild, The (1997) (TV) .... Thornton ... aka Jack London's The Call of the Wild (1997) (TV) Eating Pattern (1997) .... Bog Ruby Ring, The (1997) (TV) .... Patrick Collins Blast (1996) .... Leo Crossworlds (1996) .... A.T. Mariette in Ecstasy (1996) .... Chaplain Omega Doom (1996) .... Omega Doom Precious Find (1996) .... Armond Crile Mr. Stitch (1995) (TV) .... Doctor Rue Wakeman Fatherland (1994/I) (TV) .... Xavier March Nostradamus (1994) .... The Mystic Monk ... aka Nostradamus - Prophezeiungen des Schreckens (1994) (Germany) Amelia Earhart: The Final Flight (1994) (TV) .... Fred Noonan Beans of Egypt, Maine, The (1994) .... Reuben Bean ... aka Forbidden Choices (1994) Blood of the Innocent (1994) .... Dr. Lem ... aka Beyond Forgiveness (1994) Surviving the Game (1994) .... Burns Voyage (1993) (TV) .... Morgan Norvell ... aka Cruise of Fear (1993) (TV) Blind Side (1993) (TV) .... Shell Arctic Blue (1993) .... Ben Corbett Split Second (1992) .... Stone Beyond Justice (1992) Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992) .... Lothos Past Midnight (1992) (TV) .... Ben Jordan Deadlock (1991) .... Frank Warren ... aka Wedlock (1991) Blind Fury (1989) .... Nick Parker \"Principe del deserto, Il\" (1989) (mini) TV Series Bloodhounds of Broadway (1989) .... The Brain In una notte di chiaro di luna (1989) .... John Knott ... aka As Long as It's Love (1989) ... aka Clair (1997) (France) ... aka Crystal or Ash, Fire or Wind, as Long as It's Love (1989) ... aka On a Moonlit Night (1989) Blood of Heroes, The (1988) .... Sallow ... aka Salute of the Jugger (1988) Leggenda del santo bevitore, La (1988) .... Andreas ... aka Legend of the Holy Drinker, The (1988) Escape from Sobibor (1987) (TV) .... Lt. \"Sasha\" Pechersky Wanted: Dead or Alive (1987) .... Nick Randall Hitcher, The (1986) .... John Ryder Ladyhawke (1985) .... Etienne Navarre Flesh & Blood (1985) .... Martin ... aka Rose and the Sword, The (1985) Breed Apart, A (1984) .... Jim Malden Osterman Weekend, The (1983) .... John Tanner Blade Runner (1982) .... Roy Batty Eureka (1982) .... Claude Maillot von Horn Inside the Third Reich (1982) (TV) .... Albert Speer Nighthawks (1981) .... Wulfgar ... aka Hawks (1981) Chanel Solitaire (1981) .... Etienne de Balsan Spetters (1980) .... Gerrit Witkamp Grijpstra en de Gier (1979) .... De Gier ... aka Fatal Error (1979) ... aka Grijpstra and De Grier (1979) ... aka Outsider in Amsterdam (1979) Vrouw tussen Hond en Wolf, Een (1979) .... Adriaan ... aka Femme entre chien et loup (1979) (France) Begon bij Tiffany, Het (1978) .... Ryder Mysteries (1978) .... Johan Nagel Pastorale 1943 (1978) .... August Schultz Soldaat van Oranje (1977) .... Erik ... aka Soldier of Orange (1977) ... aka Survival Run (1977/I) Max Havelaar (1976) .... Duclari Amulett des Todes, Das (1975) ... aka Cold Blood (1975) Wilby Conspiracy, The (1975) .... Blane Van Niekirk Donneuse, La (1975) ... aka Naked and Lustful (1975) ... aka Tremblements de chair (1975) Jaar van de kreeft, Het (1975) .... Pierre ... aka Cancer Rising (1975) Keetje Tippel (1975) .... Hugo ... aka Cathy Tippel (1975) ... aka Girl Called Katy Tippel, A (1975) ... aka Hot Sweat (1975) ... aka Katie's Passion (1975) Pusteblume (1974) ... aka Dandelions (1974) ... aka Wilde Blonde mit der hei\ufffden Maschine, Der (1974) Turks fruit (1973) .... Eric ... aka Turkish Delight (1973) Repelsteeltje (1973) ... aka Rumplestiltskin (1973) (Europe: English title) \"Floris\" (1969) TV Series .... Floris Monsieur Hawarden (1968) By the way, all this and more can be found at The IMdB"}, {"response": 38, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Mon, Jan 11, 1999 (22:31)", "body": "Thanks! (see, I knew it was a good place to ask...)"}, {"response": 39, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Jan 11, 1999 (22:49)", "body": "William! Good to see you out and about, dear ;-)"}, {"response": 40, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Tue, Jan 12, 1999 (21:31)", "body": "And where have you been? (well, except for your own private puddle... hey, can you get me a menu from Union Square Cafe? I bought their cookbook and wanna check their prices...)"}, {"response": 41, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (15:57)", "body": "Oh, I've been around. School starts again next week, so I'll be in and out until May :-/ I bought their cookbook and wanna check their prices...) Fairly expensive...that's all I know. I'll swipe a menu for you when I get a chance, m'dear ;-)"}, {"response": 42, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Wed, Jan 13, 1999 (16:05)", "body": "have you learned anything useful and/or cool yet? and thanks = D"}, {"response": 43, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (01:00)", "body": "have you learned anything useful and/or cool yet? Honey, I think everything about that program is useful and cool--just love it. The first semester was basically core classes. This upcoming semester starts the really cool stuff ;-)"}, {"response": 44, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (23:27)", "body": "are you going to show and tell?"}, {"response": 45, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Jan 15, 1999 (00:38)", "body": "Oh, yeah...catch me in a couple of months when I've learned Director ;-)"}, {"response": 46, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Fri, Jan 15, 1999 (09:13)", "body": "until then! *keeping fingers crossed*"}, {"response": 47, "author": "livamago", "date": "Mon, Jun 28, 1999 (17:38)", "body": "Testing..."}, {"response": 48, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 28, 1999 (17:46)", "body": "Eliminate the space after the first \"<\" Then it should appear. ;-)"}, {"response": 49, "author": "livamago", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (20:37)", "body": "Testing again...thank you Karen!"}, {"response": 50, "author": "livamago", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (21:43)", "body": "Grrr..."}, {"response": 51, "author": "livamago", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (21:46)", "body": "SIGH..."}, {"response": 52, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (23:50)", "body": "Oooh Lovely, Lidya! Is it not magic when it finally goes through correctly and the picture shows up?! Can anyone tell me why, when I post a picture here I do not have to use the \" \" around the URL but anywhere else on Spring I do?"}, {"response": 53, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (15:44)", "body": ""}, {"response": 54, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (15:48)", "body": "Hey....I did it....First Try. Next I'll try colors and then links to another website!"}, {"response": 55, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (15:59)", "body": "HAPPY WEEKEND"}, {"response": 56, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (16:00)", "body": "You, too!"}, {"response": 57, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (16:01)", "body": "(and, congratulations!)"}, {"response": 58, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (16:05)", "body": "First try...blinking and color....am I a genius, or what? NASA ...here I come!! JENNIFER ELHE'S FAN PAGE"}, {"response": 59, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (16:12)", "body": "Ok...( with sweaty palms) ...I quit ...enough success for one day.. THANKS"}, {"response": 60, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (16:17)", "body": "guess I can quit watching then..."}, {"response": 61, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (16:34)", "body": "Congratulations, Evelyn"}, {"response": 62, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (16:41)", "body": "*lol*"}, {"response": 63, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (16:49)", "body": "You're getting very good dear! Congrats, Evelyn"}, {"response": 64, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (17:34)", "body": "Marcia...Karen..... Don't know how to do that . Must be the post graduate course!! :-)"}, {"response": 65, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (17:41)", "body": "Just like the pictures...find the gif you want (loads of files if you do a search for them - or use greeting card sites like Blue mountain) copy the url, and put it in the command string I sent you. Try it with this url! \\ http://www.icq.com/images/index-icons/icon-anim.gif remember to put all the stuff"}, {"response": 66, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (17:43)", "body": "Lose that stray \\ that got misplaced in front of the URL, but just cut and paste the rest to where the dotted line is now."}, {"response": 67, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (17:44)", "body": "Try again http://www.icq.com/images/index-icons/icon-anim.gif"}, {"response": 68, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (17:46)", "body": "Use then use the one I sent on post 67"}, {"response": 69, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (17:48)", "body": "OK evelyn.... \"img src=.........url here\" with the pointy brackets around it"}, {"response": 70, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (18:06)", "body": "Animated gifs are posted no differently from the pictures. When you find them, you just copy the location (url) and plug them into your img src string. It's as easy as:"}, {"response": 71, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (18:09)", "body": "yup - it is just getting that framework to her and a separate url only to find I mistyped it and on and on. Same frame command."}, {"response": 72, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (19:49)", "body": "Thanks ole buddies....I shall practice animation tomorrow. Can't go from kindergarten to post grad in one day!! I do find that Explorer 4 is a bust for image transference....I'm having to use Netscape...which I only normally use for Drool only. Thanks for the gifts URL.....gotta get ready for The Big Day."}, {"response": 73, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Aug 14, 1999 (19:54)", "body": "Anything we can do to make the day special for ODB we shall do =) Glad you are making so much progress. It is like magic seeing it happen when it unfurls after you hit the submit button and hold your breath, is it not?!"}, {"response": 74, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Aug 15, 1999 (08:28)", "body": "WoW! This practice ground is a good place to visit ;-) CONGRATS, EVELYN!"}, {"response": 75, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug 15, 1999 (15:06)", "body": "OK...a new day...now I'll try this one...."}, {"response": 76, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug 15, 1999 (15:18)", "body": "One more time:"}, {"response": 77, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Aug 15, 1999 (15:19)", "body": "So cute!!!!"}, {"response": 78, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug 15, 1999 (17:16)", "body": ""}, {"response": 79, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (21:46)", "body": "I shall conquer this....one more try...."}, {"response": 80, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (22:05)", "body": "You're going to have to ask her why that appears. I can't bring it up either. I know which one you are going for."}, {"response": 81, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (22:06)", "body": "You are not doing anything wrong."}, {"response": 82, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep  6, 1999 (12:48)", "body": "Funny ...that picture was there last night when I tried it....I tell ya' it's the ghost of Count Almasy."}, {"response": 83, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (23:10)", "body": "I want to try this too. Remember: total amateur: (Here goes nothin!)"}, {"response": 84, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (23:11)", "body": "Hey! It works! Thanks, Karen! 8-D"}, {"response": 85, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (23:14)", "body": "I'll have you know that I'm using my Boss's Bookmarks for this! How do I transfer records to floppy? (BTW Did you ever follow up that reference I sent? Is it the right one?)"}, {"response": 86, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (23:22)", "body": "No, KJ, it didn't work. What appeared is a xoom logo, so I assume it was from Meluchie's site and the name that showed was mlsfpost. I don't know if it is because of the frames or what, but this happens a lot at her site. Perhaps she doesn't want linking or downloading??? Wer, do you know what the problem is? KJ, please post the url with the \"img src\" part, so we can click and go to it. And yes, I did check out the one you sent. It was the one. Thank you, dear. :-) I'm using my Boss's Bookmarks for this! How do I transfer records to floppy? I've never tried to do that. The only method I can think of is slow. Go to each bookmark place and copy the url from window above into a Word document. Maybe there's another way. Yoohoo Tech boys!!"}, {"response": 87, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (23:40)", "body": "Is this is? and will it work? http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/firth_place/mlsfpost.jpg"}, {"response": 88, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (23:40)", "body": "Hmmm, it worked for me. Most perplexing."}, {"response": 89, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (23:54)", "body": "Yup, that's it! Only it worked the first time for me. (I.E. : Got the image, not the URL.) Also worked the second time when you did it, but it had the U.R.L. link above it. Intentional?"}, {"response": 90, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (23:58)", "body": "(Gee, I hope it works for 121. My browser shows the images, but maybe it depends on the recipient's browser??) (Mine's Netscape Communicator) (Actually, my BOSS's is Netscape Communicator!)"}, {"response": 91, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  8, 1999 (07:44)", "body": "KJ, I specifically put the url there for you. Just to verify whether that's where you are getting the images. Now all images have disappeared and been replaced by revolving xoom gifs. What I think is happening is Xoom has very restrictive Terms of Service (TOS), which I perused. Anything displayed must have its xoombar (form of frame). When we link to images stored at xoom, we don't use the xoombar and that constitutes a violation. That's what that xoom gif represents - a TOS violation. Also would be another way of preventing what's called \"bandwidth theft.\" Many clipart websites warn you NOT to link to th ir site, but to download the image. I'm going to check with Meluchie since it is her site that you've been using."}, {"response": 92, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Sep  8, 1999 (14:21)", "body": "Just practising....."}, {"response": 93, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Sep  8, 1999 (14:24)", "body": "YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! I did it I did it I did it! :-)) Aaah nothing like first time....."}, {"response": 94, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Sep  8, 1999 (14:39)", "body": "Here goes....?"}, {"response": 95, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Sep  8, 1999 (14:40)", "body": "Hehe. Cool"}, {"response": 96, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Sep  8, 1999 (20:35)", "body": "The interesting thing is that I bookmanrked these two Ad images. I went back to the mlsfad one and got the ad image. Went off somewhere else. came back to it and got the revolving Xoom thing. Went away and got the image back when I returned again. I also have the strong suspicion that not everybody's browser responds to the IMG SRC code the same. The first time I tried here, you said it didn't work, when the image was quite obviously up on my screen. Then today when I reread 121 one of the images w s there and one not, though both showed up when I posted. ????????????? So I'll try to post the mlsf ad image here again, and I would like to find out what you see as well as what I see! Again: Any and all feedback will be quite welcome! (I think I will see if can get this image from another source as well.)"}, {"response": 97, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Sep  8, 1999 (20:42)", "body": "I just got the poster image pop up, not the logo. Anyone else??? (BTW , Elena, I got the \"torn corner\" logo on Resp. 94, though your first try came through blinking like crazy!) It is a comfort to know I'm not alone with all these posting puzzles... :-)"}, {"response": 98, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  8, 1999 (21:20)", "body": "KJ and everyone else: Do not attempt to post images from Meluchie's site if they are resident on her xoom pages. Images warehoused there cannot be accessed from outside the site. It is a violation of xoom's terms of service and reverts to that revolving logo you now see. Meluchie also uses geocities and tripod. Those will be ok. **It has nothing to do with your browser.** If there is something you really want to post and you can't find it at another site, let me know. I can deal with it another way for you. ;-D"}, {"response": 99, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (08:49)", "body": "Thought I'd better brush up on my 'skills' *snicker* before the big bash tomorrow. Since we're bringing regional food, would anyone care for some breakfast?"}, {"response": 100, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (08:59)", "body": "Trying another:"}, {"response": 101, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (09:01)", "body": "*Cracking my knuckles* OK, no problems. BTW, I don't add \" \" around the URL--just and it works."}, {"response": 102, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (09:02)", "body": "What I meant was img src= surrounded by ."}, {"response": 103, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (10:59)", "body": "testing"}, {"response": 104, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (11:02)", "body": "testing"}, {"response": 105, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (11:15)", "body": "Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday!"}, {"response": 106, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (11:22)", "body": "Happy Birthday!"}, {"response": 107, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (13:05)", "body": ""}, {"response": 108, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (13:20)", "body": "Let's keep that *blinking* to a minimum, ladies. It is generally acknowledged to be obnoxious. ;-D"}, {"response": 109, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (13:23)", "body": ""}, {"response": 110, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (14:06)", "body": ""}, {"response": 111, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (15:16)", "body": ""}, {"response": 112, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (15:33)", "body": ""}, {"response": 113, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (15:37)", "body": "sori vaan, mun harjottelu taitaa roiskua yli laitojen!"}, {"response": 114, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (15:46)", "body": "Is this big enough?"}, {"response": 115, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (15:52)", "body": "This is complicated"}, {"response": 116, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (15:59)", "body": ""}, {"response": 117, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (15:35)", "body": "Not bad, Dear!!!"}, {"response": 118, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (15:39)", "body": "Moon pl. explain to newbies that capturing images will only work with Netscape..not Explorer. At least for me. Anything I do on Drool has to be via Netscape only.Anybody have luck with Explorer?"}, {"response": 119, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (15:45)", "body": "Love it Renate! Such anticipation! Moon pl. explain to newbies that capturing images will only work with Netscape..not Explorer. Evelyn, I'm not that geeky! I'm just a beginner. Karen or Heide can probably explain it."}, {"response": 120, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (18:53)", "body": "If you post with Explorer (which many people can't do), then you should be able to post images with said browser. I just find that Netscape doesn't have any issues with Yapp. Hey, Renate, why are you practicing? You know how to do this? ;-D And, claaaaasssss, please try to keep the \"kilobyte\" size of your images to 40-50K or under. With all the images that will be posted, we will be in ILH (Image Loading Hell) tomorrow."}, {"response": 121, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (19:07)", "body": "So, that means start early? (heehee)"}, {"response": 122, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (19:13)", "body": "Yes, I've just dropped off a present. More later."}, {"response": 123, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (19:45)", "body": "Happy 39th Birthday Colin! I have come in mongolfiere from my castle in Umbria to attend your party. Richard Branson was quite put out when I left him and the rest of my guests. He was in the middle of explaining how it all started thanks to Mike Oldfield\ufffds Tuberlar Bells, Virgin Records that is, and since I had heard the story before, I took my leave. But it could not be helped, I simply had to come to your festa. Ciao, ciao! As promised, I have brought lots of vini italiani for the celebration. Cheers! Colin, there\ufffds nothing better that I could wish for you than to have a very musical birthday, so, please accept as gifts two of my favourites. I trust you own an amplifier. The classic Fender Stratocaster. And, the classic Gibson Les Paul. Tanti Auguri! Saluti anche a Livia."}, {"response": 124, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (19:48)", "body": ""}, {"response": 125, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (19:50)", "body": "Hey my guitars are not showing up! I don't know what's wrong. :-("}, {"response": 126, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (20:05)", "body": "Because there's that extra .jpg on the url. It ended with .gif.jpg Which is very wrong. It's one or the other. If you are right-clicking on the image, you will copy its address and there won't be any need to add anything except the stuff."}, {"response": 127, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (20:07)", "body": "Shoot, it thought my explanation was an image. Anyway, Moon, DON'T ADD the .jpg to the url. The image is a .gif, which is acceptable too."}, {"response": 128, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (20:47)", "body": "I did not add it, that is the weird thing! Ahh! I want my guitars!"}, {"response": 129, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (21:27)", "body": "Then just double check when you paste your urls to make sure the ending has only one extension. If there are 2, then delete the second one. OK?"}, {"response": 130, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (21:29)", "body": ""}, {"response": 131, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (21:30)", "body": ""}, {"response": 132, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (06:51)", "body": "Happy 39th Birthday Colin! I have come in mongolfiere from my castle in Umbria to attend your party. Richard Branson was quite put out when I left him and the rest of my guests. He was in the middle of explaining how it all started thanks to Mike Oldfield\ufffds Tuberlar Bells, Virgin Records that is, and since I had heard the story before, I took my leave. But it could not be helped, I simply had to come to your festa. Ciao, ciao! As promised, I have brought lots of vini italiani for the celebration. Cheers! Colin, there\ufffds nothing better that I could wish for you than to have a very musical birthday, so, please accept as gifts two of my favourites. I trust you own an amplifier. The classic Fender Stratocaster. And, the classic Gibson Les Paul. Tanti Auguri! Saluti anche a Livia."}, {"response": 133, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (06:53)", "body": ""}, {"response": 134, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (07:00)", "body": "Happy 39th Birthday Colin! I have come in mongolfiere from my castle in Umbria to attend your party. Richard Branson was quite put out when I left him and the rest of my guests. He was in the middle of explaining how it all started thanks to Mike Oldfield\ufffds Tuberlar Bells, Virgin Records that is, and since I had heard the story before, I took my leave. But it could not be helped, I simply had to come to your festa. Ciao, ciao! As promised, I have brought lots of vini italiani for the celebration. Cheers! Colin, there\ufffds nothing better that I could wish for you than to have a very musical birthday, so, please accept as gifts two of my favourites. I trust you own an amplifier. The classic Fender Stratocaster. And, the classic Gibson Les Paul. Tanti Auguri! Saluti anche a Livia."}, {"response": 135, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (08:18)", "body": ""}, {"response": 136, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (08:20)", "body": ""}, {"response": 137, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (08:25)", "body": ""}, {"response": 138, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (10:03)", "body": "Imagination is rampant and training intensive here! :-)"}, {"response": 139, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (10:27)", "body": "Harvey the Pokemon piggy!"}, {"response": 140, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (10:44)", "body": "Moon, you go to it with a vengeance! :-) How do you like this pig?"}, {"response": 141, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (10:46)", "body": "or this one?"}, {"response": 142, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (10:49)", "body": "If you're using disk space here, please cut back so we can have more room for conferncing. I can forward your email if you provide me with an address. Biggest users of disk space for email: nan 1015892 amy2 251644 amy 55184 mrobens 26060 quimby 24855 martin 23768 kerry 20563 aubrey 17812 kim 17649 spew 12443 beverly 12407 kaffeine 10653 kymc 10615 staceyh 10129 heather 8912 cortex 8307 jenny 8056 kelly 7760 austen 7744 nancyw 6856 sharon 6694 lafn 4959 anneh 4605 sonja 2633"}, {"response": 143, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (10:56)", "body": "Aha!! Looks like you've found my source for many animations, Gi. I've got lots of the piggies. Used the first one when Evelyn successfully posted an image. ;-D"}, {"response": 144, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (14:39)", "body": "True, Karen... I've been hunting all over the Web since I started work on the DH's webpage - I don't think it will remain long as it is and where it is ;-)"}, {"response": 145, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (15:13)", "body": "Karen, I've copied and pasted the urls, and they showed on my browser - do you think it's something like the Xoom problem? By all means delete the posts if the images don't show up."}, {"response": 146, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (15:23)", "body": "Try it again here. When you posted it, it showed up? It kept calling on the server and finally gave up. I did delete the three. It wouldn't be like a Xoom thing."}, {"response": 147, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (16:53)", "body": ""}, {"response": 148, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (13:43)", "body": ""}, {"response": 149, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (13:44)", "body": "ACK! help...?"}, {"response": 150, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (14:09)", "body": "When I click on the picture, I got the webpage--not the image url. Right click on the pic of London and select the one to \"copy image location\" and then paste here, surrounded by the appropriate stuff."}, {"response": 151, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (15:39)", "body": "thanks Karen, will try again. :)"}, {"response": 152, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (15:44)", "body": ""}, {"response": 153, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (15:45)", "body": "Yea! it worked :) btw- that's Cheapside, London in the 1800's"}, {"response": 154, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (16:09)", "body": "*clap clap* :-D"}, {"response": 155, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (20:07)", "body": "EsBee, you're becoming a nerd too?! Congratulations!"}, {"response": 156, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Sep 18, 1999 (15:10)", "body": "Funny, I never saw this version of the Telegraph photo (You know, the one just after he got bopped by the speakers and just before Donmar)... I think I like it better than the other one. :-)"}, {"response": 157, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Sep 18, 1999 (16:40)", "body": "Thanks, Karen, lovely photo. He looks more like the Real Colin in it than in most pics I\ufffdve seen. Funny really, in photos he very seldom looks like he really does!"}, {"response": 158, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Sep 18, 1999 (18:48)", "body": "That is probably the best picture of him I've seen in a long time. Very non-chalant."}, {"response": 159, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Sep 18, 1999 (22:54)", "body": "The other one posted was much bigger, so looked impressive, but I suppose because it uses the same three-quarter angle and expression as so many of the other ones of him, I didn't like it as well ...But maybe it's just me ... (An unfair comparison, size-wise): http://www.iinet.net.au/~bunyip/DailyTelegraph.html"}, {"response": 160, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Sep 18, 1999 (23:27)", "body": "Oooh, lovely, Karen! Thanks! He is cute even with dings...does he need us to kiss them to make them feel better?!"}, {"response": 161, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Sep 19, 1999 (17:10)", "body": "If not in body, then in spirit ... pass on those good vibes!!"}, {"response": 162, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Sep 19, 1999 (18:32)", "body": ""}, {"response": 163, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Sep 19, 1999 (18:39)", "body": "That's a fantastic picture, Karen. Tell the other girls where it is. Ifi any of them are like me, they don't come here too often."}, {"response": 164, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Sep 20, 1999 (19:34)", "body": "in photos he very seldom looks like he really does! That's because of his job... he usually wears make-up, mascara, hair colour, etc for it. :-) Truly private shots are rare."}, {"response": 165, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Sep 20, 1999 (19:41)", "body": "Like Olivier, who never just went with his own nose. The first part of getting into a new character was to change the nose - for him. Perhaps ODB uses some magic of his own devising which we may never know..."}, {"response": 166, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Sep 21, 1999 (01:52)", "body": "(Arami)That's because of his job... Arami,I was talking about the off stage shots, obviously. True, even in them he often has his hair dyed because of a recent role or another but I don\ufffdt think he\ufffds vain enough to put on mascara when photographed in the Colin Firth role! Btw he seemed to have a ton of make-up on his face as Darcy and I remember an interview right after Darcy where he was being a \"real queen\" about his yebrows.:-D"}, {"response": 167, "author": "nky", "date": "Tue, Sep 21, 1999 (12:43)", "body": "Hi all! Thanks for the picture, CF looks good to me no matter how much or how little make up he has. His eyes says it all, yyyyuuummm!"}, {"response": 168, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Sep 21, 1999 (12:49)", "body": "I don\ufffdt think he\ufffds vain enough to put on mascara when photographed in the Colin Firth role! No, not for incidental snaps, of course: but he, as many other actors, often poses at specially pre-arranged publicity and fashion shoots, and that's obviously where he gets to be \"a real queen\"."}, {"response": 169, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Sep 22, 1999 (21:47)", "body": "Hi! I found the BIG version of that other small goodie: http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/firthfiles/articles/et22599a.jpg"}, {"response": 170, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Sep 22, 1999 (22:09)", "body": "I apologize. ...I didn't try to post the pic, so thought all would be OK like it was for me yesterday. Just now, found out I was wrong. The site I visited yesterday is completely altered and no longer contains the picture. Mea Culpa!"}, {"response": 171, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 22, 1999 (22:31)", "body": "What picture are you looking for, KJ?"}, {"response": 172, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Sep 22, 1999 (23:06)", "body": "It was a larger version of the one I posted at #156. I didn't like it as well, as the color was off a bit blueish, but it was the same size as the second Telegraph photo I gave the URL for. I really feel rotten, because I printed it down and wanted so to share the goodies, but now it's gone... (*SOB*)"}, {"response": 173, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 22, 1999 (23:28)", "body": "Nothing is ever lost. I have the larger version and will upload it tomorrow."}, {"response": 174, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Sep 23, 1999 (16:36)", "body": "Oh, Goody!!!! (***commence drool secretion***)"}, {"response": 175, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 23, 1999 (16:50)", "body": "Get your bucket, KJ ;-D"}, {"response": 176, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Sep 23, 1999 (21:05)", "body": "..... and the mop ... ;-P~~~~~~~~~~~~ (*****Actually, I refuse to represent uncouth noises at this point ... I shall just quietly and couthly faint dead away ... ) ( ... Heeheeheeheeheehee ... sorry, irrespressible giggling ... I shall behave, I shall ..... )"}, {"response": 177, "author": "LynnR", "date": "Thu, Sep 23, 1999 (21:23)", "body": "I'm just testing.....anything I should know if I just want to write plain responses, no fancy things?"}, {"response": 178, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Thu, Sep 23, 1999 (21:25)", "body": "Oh dear, I believe I shall faint...or, as Lizzy's mom would say, \"I have such tremblings and flutterings all over me!\" Oh Karen, this picture is dee-lish! It's almost like being in the same room with him! I just want to say, \"Oh lovey-dear, how did you get that widdle scratch on your nosey-wosey?\" (Okay, so maybe I wouldn't.)"}, {"response": 179, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Sep 23, 1999 (21:34)", "body": "(Lynn) .....anything I should know if I just want to write plain responses, no fancy things? Assuming you are one of the anointed with a password and dialog box at the bottom, you just type in your message, read it carefully to make sure it says what you want (use those word-processing tricks if it doesn't), and press the \"submit\" tab on the lower left."}, {"response": 180, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Thu, Sep 23, 1999 (21:36)", "body": "Karen, could you PLEASE PLEASE email me a copy of that picture?"}, {"response": 181, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 23, 1999 (22:13)", "body": "Lynn - you were successful in writing your question to us. So you've mastered the fine art of Drooling. See ya at other topics. ;-D Amy - the boo-boo on the nose was the result of attempting to hang some speakers on the wall as I recall. Our boy is quite the *hand*yman, isn't he?"}, {"response": 182, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Sep 24, 1999 (22:38)", "body": "Thanks, Karen. You've made my day."}, {"response": 183, "author": "livamago", "date": "Sat, Sep 25, 1999 (10:10)", "body": "(Karen) Our boy is quite the *hand*yman, isn't he? I am willing to find out, on behalf of all of us, just how handy he really is...sigh..."}, {"response": 184, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 25, 1999 (17:04)", "body": "This is gonna be real boring folks....I'm gonna practice making a link which I have never tried. ******* My Life So Far Click Here"}, {"response": 185, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 25, 1999 (17:09)", "body": "This is a new one: SUNSHINE POSTER"}, {"response": 186, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 26, 1999 (00:09)", "body": "*clap, clap, clap* ;-D"}, {"response": 187, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Sep 26, 1999 (08:21)", "body": ""}, {"response": 188, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Sep 26, 1999 (08:33)", "body": ""}, {"response": 189, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Sep 26, 1999 (08:35)", "body": "Sorry, I'm intentionally deleting my posts. Just practicing."}, {"response": 190, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Sep 26, 1999 (08:38)", "body": ""}, {"response": 191, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 26, 1999 (11:50)", "body": "HEY!!! NO FAIR!!!I OBJECT!!! You guys get to see our miserable mistakes 'n we don't get to see yours??? Ten Lashes :-))"}, {"response": 192, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Sep 27, 1999 (19:24)", "body": "I'll take your ten lashes only if they're long and curly. How do you know I made a mistake, Evelyn? Pfwaah! I just didn't want to unveil my talent until another day! ;-)"}, {"response": 193, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (09:41)", "body": ""}, {"response": 194, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (20:31)", "body": ""}, {"response": 195, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (08:37)", "body": "testing italics italics over"}, {"response": 196, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (08:39)", "body": "good start still working?"}, {"response": 197, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (08:41)", "body": "increase font size by one return to original size reduce font size by one return to original size"}, {"response": 198, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (08:42)", "body": "teeny font size return to original size"}, {"response": 199, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (08:44)", "body": "larger fonts appear bold"}, {"response": 200, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (08:46)", "body": "bold, blinking italic text Thank you for your indulgence, she said normally."}, {"response": 201, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (08:48)", "body": "used the wrong abbreviation for italic Did I close all my tags?"}, {"response": 202, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (08:50)", "body": "Pretty good, but you missed a bold closing tag. Practice makes perfect...and none of us are perfect! Now try some pictures!"}, {"response": 203, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (08:51)", "body": "Blinking text should be used sparingly. It can get a bit obnoxious."}, {"response": 204, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (08:54)", "body": "Your're right. I missed the bold tag. How about this time?"}, {"response": 205, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (09:10)", "body": "Perfect! A+."}, {"response": 206, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (12:04)", "body": "Do not be scare!"}, {"response": 207, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (12:14)", "body": "Moon--hope you don't mind. I tried to copy your image to practice inserting a graphic. I don't know the addresses of many graphics yet."}, {"response": 208, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (12:18)", "body": "Do you mean I can just splash these around wherever I want? Dynamite, huh!"}, {"response": 209, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (12:25)", "body": "Question for lurking experts: Some graphics load and some don't when I go on to a topic. Any reason for this--limitations of my system, one-time glitches? From the responses that come after some of these, it seems that at least some people are getting them. Thanks for any help available."}, {"response": 210, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (12:45)", "body": "Cymbeline, if your html is correct and the pics are online to be accessed, the only problem I've heard of is when the site won't allow the pic to be used, like Xoom, for instance."}, {"response": 211, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (12:48)", "body": "I also tried to post some graphics that took forever to load and finally wouldn't (for Colin's birthday party)and Karen had to delete those posts :-("}, {"response": 212, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (17:07)", "body": "Some of the unloadable graphics are replaced by that xoom logo thing and some are replaced by that rectangle with the broken up picture in the upper left corner if you know what I mean--the one that means a pic hasn't loaded. I'm sure it has some technical name, but I don't know what it is."}, {"response": 213, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (17:26)", "body": "some are replaced by that rectangle with the broken up picture in the upper left corner if you know what I mean Yes, I know what you mean. The technical name for that image is \"should be a pic here\"!! ;-D When that appears, it usually means that something is wrong with the url or the image is no longer residing at that address."}, {"response": 214, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (18:12)", "body": "Don't forget to put the \"url\" quotes around the url...I did that twice because you used to get away with not putting them in when you post a picture in Drool. Now I do it as a habit wherever I am posting pix. (Don't feel bad, it even happened to Terry yesterday!)"}, {"response": 215, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (18:15)", "body": "(Karen)The technical name for that image is \"should be a pic here\"!! Techno-jargon is such a turn-on, especially when they are so imaginative with the name - like this one. =P *lol*"}, {"response": 216, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (18:37)", "body": "I want to try something:"}, {"response": 217, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (18:43)", "body": "Yes! It worked!"}, {"response": 218, "author": "baine", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (19:59)", "body": "img src=\" http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/4144/values/Rv4.jpg \""}, {"response": 219, "author": "baine", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (20:00)", "body": ""}, {"response": 220, "author": "baine", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (20:05)", "body": ""}, {"response": 221, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (04:01)", "body": ""}, {"response": 222, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (13:34)", "body": "Testing, testing, 123!"}, {"response": 223, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (23:04)", "body": "Eileen, are you joining the Firth Page Fanciers??? Yippee!"}, {"response": 224, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (18:53)", "body": "GEO"}, {"response": 225, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (23:29)", "body": "Never try this when your IO is trying to drag you out the door..."}, {"response": 226, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (23:30)", "body": "GEO"}, {"response": 227, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (23:32)", "body": "Yahoo!!! Yippee!!! I dood it!!!"}, {"response": 228, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (23:34)", "body": "Hey, there's a question for you on keepsakes. :)"}, {"response": 229, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (23:50)", "body": "Thanks - going (was away for a while fixing seats for the tournament - coming to you on spring cam this weekend!!!"}, {"response": 230, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (23:52)", "body": ""}, {"response": 231, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Dec 11, 1999 (22:14)", "body": "Testing..."}, {"response": 232, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Dec 11, 1999 (22:15)", "body": "The source is animated but this isn't. Hmmmmmmmm"}, {"response": 233, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Dec 11, 1999 (22:26)", "body": "I is animated for me!!! Really cute."}, {"response": 234, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (05:38)", "body": "Testing this italics mallarkey"}, {"response": 235, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (05:39)", "body": "COOL!"}, {"response": 236, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (06:02)", "body": "Testing this italics mallarkey GIF?"}, {"response": 237, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (06:04)", "body": "Testing this italics mallarkey GIF?"}, {"response": 238, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (06:06)", "body": "Testing this italics mallarkey GIF?"}, {"response": 239, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (06:08)", "body": "Testing this italics mallarkey GIF?"}, {"response": 240, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (06:10)", "body": "Oh I give up I'm clearly destined to only ever use italics !!"}, {"response": 241, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (08:05)", "body": "To make that or any image work: (1) eliminate space after first pointy bracket; spacing always counts (2) first part of code is \"img\" not \"imc\" (3) MOST IMPORTANT: your url must end in .gif or .jpg NEVER, NEVER .html, which would try to bring up a whole webpage (4) To get the image, right click on it and scroll down to the \"Copy Image Location\" option, then you can paste here. Got it? :-)"}, {"response": 242, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (10:37)", "body": "Karen, don't forget to tell them about Vroom or whatever that domain is that will not allow images to be transferred. Meluchie has some of her stuff on it"}, {"response": 243, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (10:40)", "body": "And I can't seem to make Explorer4. to work taking images either. Yapp is definitely anti-Gates! Netscape is the easiest."}, {"response": 244, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (10:51)", "body": "One step at a time..."}, {"response": 245, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (03:01)", "body": "(Evelyn)Karen, don't forget to tell them about Vroom It is Xoom, actually. Also, I think the url must be enclosed in inverted comas, am I right? It would have to be: imc src=\" http://www.animfactory.com/whatever.gif\" , with the whole thing now enclosed in the pointed brackets."}, {"response": 246, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (07:42)", "body": "Gi: Yes, how did I miss that the quotation marks. Thank you. A must, Tracy."}, {"response": 247, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (07:43)", "body": "Not only Xoom, but also Tripod, doesn't allow its content to be viewed from outside its home space."}, {"response": 248, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (12:50)", "body": "Actually, I posted loads of pics in the past without quote marks around the URL. Seemed to work, but agree it is best to avoid possible frustration and use 'em. Evelyn's right, you can't do this with IE 4 (or 5, as I use). Image URL's don't show up and there's no 'copy img location' choice on the drop-down menu. Early on, I tried following Anne's directions from her HTML guide but it didn't work. Stick to Netscape."}, {"response": 249, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (13:06)", "body": "Eileen, thanks for the advice. I've been tempted to forgo Netscape for IE (a few Mb less in my hard drive), especially since they now look so similar, but that's a good reason not to :-)"}, {"response": 250, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (13:36)", "body": "Ok you chaps thanks for all your advice I think I've got it..here goes"}, {"response": 251, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (13:37)", "body": "Yahoooooooo!!"}, {"response": 252, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (13:46)", "body": "Well done, Tracy!"}, {"response": 253, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (14:06)", "body": "There you go! Now, you've got the hang of it and of italics. Just no blankety-blank blinking text, please. ;-)"}, {"response": 254, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (14:09)", "body": "no blankety-blank blinking text, please I wouldn't know how even if I wanted to ;-D"}, {"response": 255, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (14:10)", "body": "Karen, don't forget to give Tracy her 'get out of jail free' cards in case she forgets to close the tags...as do the rest of us..."}, {"response": 256, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (14:14)", "body": "That's right. I'll banish you to Siberia or worse for leaving the closing tags off. (Let that put the fear of God into you) Must be off to strangle a stupid brokerage office employee or two like poor little Miles. ;-)"}, {"response": 257, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (17:45)", "body": "Great goin, Tracy. There's no stopping you now!! Isn't it fun?"}, {"response": 258, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (12:22)", "body": "(Tracy)no blankety-blank blinking text, please I wouldn't know how even if I wanted to ;-D Ah, but if you go to http://www.spring.net/~anneh/toota.html you'll find out..."}, {"response": 259, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (13:47)", "body": "Ha!! That url isn't good anymore...all the better for keeping that obnoxious coding hidden. ;-)"}, {"response": 260, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (13:52)", "body": "Too bad! I must hunt for its new location again :-("}, {"response": 261, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (15:28)", "body": ""}, {"response": 262, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (22:31)", "body": "Poof! *blowing on nails* I like my powers here. ;-)"}, {"response": 263, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (07:25)", "body": "*You are worthy*, as Wayne and Darth say. ;-)"}, {"response": 264, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (09:00)", "body": "I can help anyone set up a new location for their old stuff, but today is the last day the old server will be up and running. So get your requests in today and save anything you want off the old server."}, {"response": 265, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (09:04)", "body": "(Karen)Poof! *blowing on nails* I like my powers here. ;-) Huh... You wait....comes the revolution! ;-)"}, {"response": 266, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (09:11)", "body": "*shivering in my boots* ;-)"}, {"response": 267, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (12:02)", "body": "Karen, makes one superior to the lowly posters by having access to rc and making it work...but, Sweetie, always be 'umble...it fools them every time ;)"}, {"response": 268, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (12:12)", "body": "Aw c'mon, Marcia. You know Evelyn and I are kidding around."}, {"response": 269, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (13:25)", "body": "I have no idea what you ladies are talking about, but frankly, as Rhett Butler would put it... ;-)"}, {"response": 270, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (14:01)", "body": "(that makes two of us, Gi...)"}, {"response": 271, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Mar 11, 2000 (16:04)", "body": "Can anyone help with an annoying problem? When I access a few conferences I seem to get all the posts going back to the year dot (notably 80 and 98) which takes eons to display. I have the range setting as Activity in the last 7 days but this doesn't help, strangely 129 works like a dream, any ideas anyone??"}, {"response": 272, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 11, 2000 (16:28)", "body": "Use this setting all/new and you shouldn't have this problem. If you want to see older messages, use the Redisplay box and put in a number to go back, like -30 will get you the past 30 messages. The last 7 days can be affected by something I don't want to discuss for fear of bringing it back. *throwing salt over shoulder and shaking my voodoo doll* ;-)"}, {"response": 273, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Mar 11, 2000 (16:38)", "body": "Thanks for the tip ... I must admit there was something odd about the early messages on the conferences I mentioned but I wouldn't want your voodoo doll to fall apart through the vigorous manhandling or your carpet to decay under mountains of salt so I'll say no more!!"}, {"response": 274, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Apr  7, 2000 (20:14)", "body": ""}, {"response": 275, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Apr  7, 2000 (20:47)", "body": ""}, {"response": 276, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Apr  7, 2000 (20:52)", "body": "oops, that second section was supposed to posted at 130. *pulling hair in frusteration* that bleach is starting to effect more than just my roots. :-)"}, {"response": 277, "author": "Donna", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (10:35)", "body": "Topic 98 of 131 [drool]: Colin Firth - Film Discussions PART II Response 704 of 1653: Evelyn (lafn) * Thu, Feb 7, 2036 (05:42) * 5 lines I thought someone would like to know thisabout the above message thread. First it asked for my username and password, it went to the messages which didn't fully load. When I clicked the drool conference it reloaded the main drool conference and made it all new again! Thanks Donna"}, {"response": 278, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 12, 2000 (11:15)", "body": "I don't understand what happened, Donna."}, {"response": 279, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Apr 21, 2000 (16:44)", "body": "An experiment. 'Scuse' (tto ambitious, too many variables...) Advice to the wise... Don't get too excited celebrating the delights of this Vernal Season. One can overdo having a joyous.... Next thing you know you'll be running out of... duckies, bunnies, and chickies... Kinda spoils the symbolism don't it?... Happy Easter/Spring to All anyway!"}, {"response": 280, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (07:01)", "body": "testing"}, {"response": 281, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, May 12, 2000 (12:13)", "body": "test"}, {"response": 282, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, May 14, 2000 (18:52)", "body": "To All you Mommies Out There ... HAPPY MOTHERS DAY! ... And for good measure ... Love, KJ"}, {"response": 283, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Wed, May 24, 2000 (20:55)", "body": "test"}, {"response": 284, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Thu, Jun  1, 2000 (15:59)", "body": "test"}, {"response": 285, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (17:46)", "body": "test"}, {"response": 286, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Jun  2, 2000 (17:59)", "body": "test"}, {"response": 287, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (15:08)", "body": ""}, {"response": 288, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Jun  4, 2000 (15:10)", "body": ""}, {"response": 289, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (22:54)", "body": ""}, {"response": 290, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (22:56)", "body": ""}, {"response": 291, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (23:02)", "body": ""}, {"response": 292, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (23:02)", "body": "test"}, {"response": 293, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (23:03)", "body": ""}, {"response": 294, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (23:04)", "body": "test"}, {"response": 295, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (23:06)", "body": "testy"}, {"response": 296, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Jun  7, 2000 (23:06)", "body": "Aaarrrgh!!!"}, {"response": 297, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Jun 10, 2000 (16:22)", "body": "Thank you for erasing all that. Now you must explain why it happened. I think I'll e-mail, you, Karen, once I get my head together. KJ"}, {"response": 298, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Jun 14, 2000 (11:40)", "body": "test"}, {"response": 299, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 15, 2000 (16:50)", "body": ""}, {"response": 300, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun 15, 2000 (17:23)", "body": "*sigh*.........not as cute or as hairy as the one I hoped to see, but only I could see him attired like this and I would have to kill you all *grin*"}, {"response": 301, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun 15, 2000 (18:05)", "body": "ROTF! Thank you for keeping him away from my birthday party, Karen! And if the title says Ball & Chain, I will know where to send Rupi.;-)"}, {"response": 302, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 15, 2000 (20:56)", "body": "I *really*like....the tatoo on his upper right arm.... Nice ball....(s) too;-) (LOL, Karen...I bet the folks at the scanning place must think there is a side of you they don't know.)"}, {"response": 303, "author": "odessa", "date": "Fri, Jun 16, 2000 (10:31)", "body": "italic bold link red"}, {"response": 304, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jun 17, 2000 (07:52)", "body": "Here's a way of doing colors , t o: (font color=red)word(s) of your choice(/font) and change the parentheses to pointy brackets. By the way, do you prefer we call you t o or Odessa or perhaps you'd just prefer being called Darcy's Honey ;-)?"}, {"response": 305, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Jun 17, 2000 (08:03)", "body": "Heide, thank you so much for the colors. I always used Anne's codes from Pemberley and if i didn't have them around didn't know any better. This is fantastic ! Can I also specify dark and light colors, and hues like turquoise or salmon?"}, {"response": 306, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Jun 17, 2000 (08:04)", "body": "You made my day :-)"}, {"response": 307, "author": "odessa", "date": "Sat, Jun 17, 2000 (11:05)", "body": "thanks for that color code! And you can call me Darcy's Honey well, maybe Odessa is better :D"}, {"response": 308, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jun 17, 2000 (16:49)", "body": "I don't know if light or dark colors work the same way and I've never tried exotic colors. Let's see if this works..."}, {"response": 309, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jun 17, 2000 (16:51)", "body": "Interesting. I tried light blue and got black and dark blue and got dark red. ;-) \"Exotic\" worked though. I used teal. How about turquoise ?"}, {"response": 310, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Jun 18, 2000 (05:31)", "body": "Hey, this is very good !"}, {"response": 311, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Jun 18, 2000 (05:32)", "body": "I used gold for very and bronze for good. Silver would probably be too pale ?"}, {"response": 312, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Jun 18, 2000 (05:32)", "body": "Hehehe!"}, {"response": 313, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jun 18, 2000 (11:42)", "body": "COOL!! Gi, I'm having fun with this. We're like two kids in a c a n d y shop."}, {"response": 314, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Jun 19, 2000 (03:31)", "body": "Eating M & M 's , I guess, or do you remember S m a r t i e s ?"}, {"response": 315, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Mon, Jun 19, 2000 (12:10)", "body": "Please see my appeal in the porch and austen conferences for help with Jane Austen University. Like William Shattner says, this cold be be big, REALLY BIG."}, {"response": 316, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Jun 20, 2000 (09:15)", "body": "Test"}, {"response": 317, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Jul 11, 2000 (18:00)", "body": "For anyone who doesn't have these yet: sites to help you use online color : COLOR CHART with color codes: http://www.austen.com/tutorial/colorchart.gif OR: http://www.sbu.ac.uk/guides/authoring/colors.html Several TEXT COLOR GUIDES at: http://felix.scvnet.com/~weber/ ColorServe Java : (enables you to experiment with many color applications:) http://www-students.biola.edu/~brian/csapplet.html And a couple of good HTML Guides (Ann's moved at the beginning of this year): Ann's Basic HTML Tutorial: http://www.austen.com/tutorial/index.html NCSA's HTML Primer (choose the printable version): http://www.ncsa.uiuc.edu/General/Internet/WWW/HTMLPrimer.html"}, {"response": 318, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jul 13, 2000 (10:13)", "body": "It's been awhile since I had access to Netscape...better practice. Here goes..."}, {"response": 319, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Jul 14, 2000 (01:47)", "body": "Thanks, KJ. Will check those urls out."}, {"response": 320, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 23, 2000 (15:03)", "body": "Test: Trying to see if I can post with Explorer 5. Usually post with Netscape."}, {"response": 321, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, Jul 24, 2000 (10:51)", "body": ""}, {"response": 322, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (11:26)", "body": "Testing...posting a pic with Ex. 5....I've done it previously with Netscape, but not with Ex...."}, {"response": 323, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (11:28)", "body": "Hey success...guys Yapp took Ex.5 We also can post on Drool with Ex. 5 as well as Netscape. NOT Ex. 4. [Techie evie]"}, {"response": 324, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (13:37)", "body": "OK, Tech Evie, tell me how you did it. Since the right click drop-down menu is still the same as it was with IE4 (there's no 'copy image location' choice) did you copy to Notepad and then to yapp? I tried that last year and only got the cute little box with the red x. Since then I only use Netscape for pics. I've always used IE at drool and have never had a problem posting text."}, {"response": 325, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 19, 2000 (10:26)", "body": "test"}, {"response": 326, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 24, 2000 (22:18)", "body": "song"}, {"response": 327, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 24, 2000 (22:18)", "body": "song"}, {"response": 328, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 24, 2000 (22:24)", "body": "http://www.cdnow.com/cgi-bin/mserver/SID=498278539/pagename=/RP/SHARE/soundclip.html/UPC=8122711072/disc=01/track=1/source=ENSO"}, {"response": 329, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 24, 2000 (22:28)", "body": "http://www.towerrecords.com/ra/hurlPNM.exe?/towerlink/~m-450351/1577525912000a01.ra"}, {"response": 330, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Sep  8, 2000 (17:25)", "body": "I just realized that I have a very serious problem: To whit: Sept. 10 --THE DAY --falls on a Sunday. I have no access online on a Sunday as the local Library is closed and the college computer labs closed for summer break. -- So I have no means of joining the celebration of the Firthst Anniversary of his 39th Birthday. As I see it, I must: a) post earlier b) post after the fact, or c) post through someone else who can be online on Sunday. Experiment: I've been hemming and hawing -- to try to overcome my dilemma."}, {"response": 331, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (12:41)", "body": "testing"}, {"response": 332, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (13:33)", "body": "Can't do background colors (only font colors) or post html files."}, {"response": 333, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (14:10)", "body": "Karen, I see those magic mushrooms are helping you read my mind. ;-)"}, {"response": 334, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (17:27)", "body": "Happy Birthday, COLIN!"}, {"response": 335, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Sep  9, 2000 (17:29)", "body": "Happy Birthday, COLIN! Also have a look at http://www.colinfirth.com/index.html"}, {"response": 336, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (04:45)", "body": "face=\"Tempus Sans ITC\"> Happy Birthday Colin! You're src=\" http://website.lineone.net/~turnip/s20.gif \" width=\"216\" height=\"216\">"}, {"response": 337, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (04:47)", "body": ""}, {"response": 338, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (04:53)", "body": "Test Test2"}, {"response": 339, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Sep 10, 2000 (05:21)", "body": "Happy Birthday Colin You know what they say, \"Life begins at.... blah blah"}, {"response": 340, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 12, 2000 (17:05)", "body": "Testing Ex.5 transferring to Netscape:"}, {"response": 341, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (15:19)", "body": "Does anyone know why I have to log in whenever I change topic?"}, {"response": 342, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (15:42)", "body": "No, what urls do you use? And how do you change topics? Also, what browser do you use (Netscape or Explorer)?"}, {"response": 343, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (16:28)", "body": "At the moment www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/all/ since/-0 then last 50, but if I click on a name I have to log in again,it also happens when I reload last 50 I've never had this problem before,I just log in once & can flit about to my hearts content:-) (Netscape or Explorer)? go on ask me another-D Thanks for your time Karen,I'm always asking you for help"}, {"response": 344, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 14, 2000 (16:43)", "body": "I've never seen nor used a since/-0 setting. Also \"read\" doesn't usually go with with \"all\" (usually, it is \"browse\" with \"all\"). \"read\" goes with a specific topic number. Try the \"new\" setting. http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/drool/all/new (Netscape or Explorer)? go on ask me another-D Tough one, eh? Is there an \"e\" in the upper left-hand corner of your screen or something that looks like a navigational wheel? What does it say, way up at the top? Conference Center - Netscape or Conference Center - Internet Explorer?"}, {"response": 345, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (13:38)", "body": "Karen thanks for the new setting ,that works better. As for the other I'm still in the dark,there's no\"e\" or navigational wheel & nothing about conference centre ,I'm beginning to wonder whether I'm here at all-D. I'm not using a PC,would this explain any of it?"}, {"response": 346, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (13:41)", "body": "What are you using? Telepathy?"}, {"response": 347, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (13:50)", "body": "LOL maybe I should try it ,it might be a lot easier Its a Dreamcast & my server is Sega."}, {"response": 348, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (13:55)", "body": "Haven't a clue as to what that is. Sorry"}, {"response": 349, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (13:59)", "body": "Aah! So you're hooked into Drool with a Gameboy? ;-D Someone in your house must be into games."}, {"response": 350, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (15:18)", "body": "yes I'm into adult games but I don't think you mean that. So it must be my son"}, {"response": 351, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (15:35)", "body": "Karen when I go to all or activity today why doesn't 134 show up?"}, {"response": 352, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (15:38)", "body": "Activity today? Don't use that setting...but if nothing shows up there, you may have hit the \"Forget\" button on the top of that topic. Go there manually: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/134/new see if there's a button called \"Remember\" that will wipe out the forget setting and should return it to your menu."}, {"response": 353, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Sep 15, 2000 (15:47)", "body": "Thank you, that worked, til the next time-)"}, {"response": 354, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (03:34)", "body": "okay its the next time-P Its happening again,I have to log in everytime I go to a new topic and even when I refresh on last 50."}, {"response": 355, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (08:06)", "body": "I really have no answers for you, Judy. Can't understand what is going on."}, {"response": 356, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (10:21)", "body": "Since you're not using a standard browser, Judy, I was wondering if you see the url (website address, whatever you want to call it) on your screen when you're in a topic. If you do, have you tried just changing the topic number to the next topic number you want to visit? For instance, you're in \"61\" now so you could change the number to read \"112\" for Darcy and hit Enter. Sorry, if that's already been suggested or has already been your standard practice."}, {"response": 357, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Sep 16, 2000 (13:37)", "body": "Thanks Karen & Heide the problem seems to have sorted itself out again. No the url doesn't show up when I'm in a topic I either have to jump or go back to last 50 & click on the next response.Thats what you get for using such a poxy system but at least it gets me here now & again-)"}, {"response": 358, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Mon, Sep 18, 2000 (11:19)", "body": ""}, {"response": 359, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 23, 2000 (13:31)", "body": "HA HA HEE"}, {"response": 360, "author": "aishling", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (05:57)", "body": ""}, {"response": 361, "author": "aishling", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (05:59)", "body": "Well blow me. Cracked it first time. Thanks for the tutoring Evelyn. I've given myself a gold medal!!!!"}, {"response": 362, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (08:20)", "body": "Well done Aishling 10 out of 10, so it really works. Maybe I will give it a go!! (BTW Aishling did you get my email, are you receivng them now?)"}, {"response": 363, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 27, 2000 (08:21)", "body": "Congratulations Aishling!! Somehow when I saw your name listed as having posted here, I immediately thought: Evelyn was giving personal lessons. :-D"}, {"response": 364, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Sep 30, 2000 (08:53)", "body": ""}, {"response": 365, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Sep 30, 2000 (08:55)", "body": "Same here,......Evelyn the personal tutor in Henfield!! Will travel:-)))"}, {"response": 366, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 30, 2000 (08:58)", "body": "Bravo! Well done! Author Author!! (*lots of whistling going on*) ;-D"}, {"response": 367, "author": "aishling", "date": "Mon, Oct  2, 2000 (04:07)", "body": "Well done Ann. Isn't it easy for us dibs when you have a patient tutor."}, {"response": 368, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Nov  1, 2000 (21:16)", "body": "For some reason (through my Library online connection) I am getting no headings to any of the posts (blank on screen) but when printed, the headings are in the teeniest print I've ever seen, (Need a magnifying glass) Your machine or mine?"}, {"response": 369, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov  1, 2000 (21:21)", "body": "Your machine's settings. Check Preferences/fonts and possibly other things. Betcha some kids have been messing around."}, {"response": 370, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Nov  1, 2000 (21:32)", "body": "I'm down in the lab now, and this machine works fine... My only puzzlement is that there isn't a heck of a lot those machines will let you do to them (ex; right-clicking anything is out, no disks, no downloads, etc.), so it will take some research to figure out what might have been done within the limitations to cause it. Thanks for the prompt attention. KJ"}, {"response": 371, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (05:53)", "body": "music"}, {"response": 372, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (07:25)", "body": "I'm down in the lab now, and this machine works fine Just Allison trying out her pasting! The ctrl buttons work, Karen. Thanks! I should have thought of that myself so thank you again for taking the trouble to help this cyberdunce."}, {"response": 373, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (18:53)", "body": "http://www.animfactory.com/animations/music/misc/maracas_notes_flyout_md_wht.gif I have a question. Has anyone been able to see the images I posted at Odds & Ends today? Someone very kindly told me that I was posting the HTML incorrectly, so I thought I would practice here."}, {"response": 374, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (18:54)", "body": "Nope, I just made a link to the image."}, {"response": 375, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Nov  3, 2000 (00:02)", "body": "Can you see my dancers?"}, {"response": 376, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Nov  3, 2000 (00:13)", "body": "How about this armadillo sniffing rocks?"}, {"response": 377, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Nov  3, 2000 (00:14)", "body": "Make that grass...:-)"}, {"response": 378, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Nov  3, 2000 (00:44)", "body": "One last try:"}, {"response": 379, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov  3, 2000 (08:26)", "body": "Yep, can see them all. Congrats!!"}, {"response": 380, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Nov  3, 2000 (13:02)", "body": "My PC and I thank you, Karen.... :-)"}, {"response": 381, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Nov  3, 2000 (17:54)", "body": "**Applause** Lisa. However, 376 is an aardvark (a type of anteater, true), but not an armadillo \"> Which CF will, we hope, personify soon. Ooo I like an excuse to exercise my zoology!! ;-D KJ"}, {"response": 382, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Nov  3, 2000 (17:55)", "body": "I see them too, Lisa."}, {"response": 383, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Nov  3, 2000 (17:56)", "body": "Where is my Armadillo?"}, {"response": 384, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Nov  3, 2000 (18:01)", "body": "I wonder why he didn't show up the first time. Hmm Try again... **Applause** Lisa. However, 376 is an aardvark (a type of anteater, true), but not an armadillo Which CF will, we hope, personify soon. Which CF will, we hope, personify soon."}, {"response": 385, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Nov  3, 2000 (18:11)", "body": "Test"}, {"response": 386, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Nov  3, 2000 (18:13)", "body": "Hmmmm again. Oh well, I give up. That is the 86th unexplained glitch today and I am oversaturated. ENOUGH!!"}, {"response": 387, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Nov  3, 2000 (18:45)", "body": "Thanks, KJ. I thought that armadillo looked kinda funny. :-) Perhaps I will email the clip art people so they can correctly rename it. I have actually seen real armadillos before -- sadly, they were all dead on the side of the road."}, {"response": 388, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov  3, 2000 (20:45)", "body": "KJ, right click on your first attempt at the armadillo. You will see the problem. A appended to the url."}, {"response": 389, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov  3, 2000 (20:46)", "body": "*hee hee* the problem child didn't show up in my message because of the brackets. Instead it \"broke\" the line as the html told it to do."}, {"response": 390, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Nov  4, 2000 (16:42)", "body": "Thanks, OtherKaren . I saw that too, upon clicking. You gotta use \"Ampersand, Hash mark, 60, semicolon\" if you want the \"open tag\" and \"Ampersand, Hash mark, 62, semicolon\" for the \"close tag\" marks in this conference. I was tired I guess..(or lazy) ... And Lisa, taking a second and closer look, I'm not sure what that thing is. Real aardvarks ( Orycteropus afer ) aren't as furry as the drawing in the previous post(s) implies, and that animated creature sure is built like one, but it is shown with plates in its skin, so although it isn't our nine-banded one, it could be one of the exotic So. America brands, but like none I ever saw. The Giant Armadillo, Priodontes maximus for example is stouter and \"plate-ier\". I suspect our animator crossed the two to produce an \"Aardadillo\". **Heehee** KJ"}, {"response": 391, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov 11, 2000 (13:52)", "body": "Testing \" http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=193234&a=9696152&p=32079960&Sequence=0&res=high\" > drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 62, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 63, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 64, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 65, "subject": "Droolworthy newsmakers", "response_count": 53, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Nov 18, 1997 (13:58)", "body": "Too funny Amy. Where does that wicked sense of humour come from. actually can we include Saddam Hussein and Boris Yeltsin:)"}, {"response": 2, "author": "Amy", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 1997 (09:41)", "body": "No, no. I am honestly seriously attracted to those two I mentioned. They could be a subgroup of this brainy geeky Jeff Goldblum type I tend to be attracted to. Or maybe it's because Barry Scheck's nose looks like a...."}, {"response": 3, "author": "pip", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 1997 (14:22)", "body": "Amy, I agree. Ben and Barry are both interesting, attractive men. My complaint about them is that they've used their considerable smarts and passion towards very questionable ends, ie., defending O.J. and implementing the right wing agenda in Israel. Geeklike? I would'nt use that term. I think Jeff Goldblum is divine!"}, {"response": 4, "author": "Kate", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 1997 (03:02)", "body": ""}, {"response": 5, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (03:04)", "body": ""}, {"response": 6, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (03:14)", "body": ""}, {"response": 7, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (10:49)", "body": ""}, {"response": 8, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (12:51)", "body": ""}, {"response": 9, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (12:56)", "body": ""}, {"response": 10, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (13:03)", "body": ""}, {"response": 11, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (13:05)", "body": ""}, {"response": 12, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (13:05)", "body": ""}, {"response": 13, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (13:09)", "body": ""}, {"response": 14, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (13:19)", "body": ""}, {"response": 15, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (13:20)", "body": ""}, {"response": 16, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (13:33)", "body": ""}, {"response": 17, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (13:39)", "body": ""}, {"response": 18, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (14:08)", "body": ""}, {"response": 19, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (14:19)", "body": ""}, {"response": 20, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (15:46)", "body": ""}, {"response": 21, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (16:07)", "body": ""}, {"response": 22, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (17:28)", "body": ""}, {"response": 23, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (17:42)", "body": ""}, {"response": 24, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (17:46)", "body": ""}, {"response": 25, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (17:55)", "body": ""}, {"response": 26, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (18:09)", "body": ""}, {"response": 27, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (18:13)", "body": ""}, {"response": 28, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (18:23)", "body": ""}, {"response": 29, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (18:29)", "body": ""}, {"response": 30, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (18:35)", "body": ""}, {"response": 31, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (18:37)", "body": ""}, {"response": 32, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (18:38)", "body": ""}, {"response": 33, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (18:51)", "body": ""}, {"response": 34, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (18:51)", "body": ""}, {"response": 35, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (18:52)", "body": ""}, {"response": 36, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (18:57)", "body": ""}, {"response": 37, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (19:10)", "body": ""}, {"response": 38, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (19:20)", "body": ""}, {"response": 39, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (19:24)", "body": ""}, {"response": 40, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (19:27)", "body": ""}, {"response": 41, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (19:33)", "body": ""}, {"response": 42, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (19:38)", "body": ""}, {"response": 43, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (19:43)", "body": ""}, {"response": 44, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (19:49)", "body": ""}, {"response": 45, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (20:00)", "body": ""}, {"response": 46, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (20:05)", "body": ""}, {"response": 47, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (20:13)", "body": ""}, {"response": 48, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (20:15)", "body": ""}, {"response": 49, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (20:23)", "body": ""}, {"response": 50, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (20:27)", "body": ""}, {"response": 51, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (20:36)", "body": ""}, {"response": 52, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Jan  4, 1998 (21:53)", "body": "Since none of the 40+ posts above has anything to do with Droolworthy Newsmakers, I can only assume that your email is on the blink again. I think the two of you are prime candidates for ICQ. You can go their homepage at: http://www.mirabilis.com Once you both download it and register you can always tell when the other is online and you can have your own, private chats (or just send messages back and forth) even if your email is not working."}, {"response": 53, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 1998 (08:53)", "body": "Check out the new Golden Globes award topic in the movies conference and see if any droolworthy newsmakers won any of these coveted awards. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 66, "subject": "Toby Stephens", "response_count": 72, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Arnessa", "date": "Mon, Nov 10, 1997 (22:31)", "body": "True Confessions Til I saw Tenant of Wildfell Hall, I knew nothing of Toby Stephens. I was but half alive. But from the moment I saw him onscreen, I felt as though my life would never be the same. Here was an actor whose face, presence, and general character caused my heart to skip many a beat. The feelings this wonderful actor has awakened in me are unlike anything I have felt since I first saw the glorious CF many a moon ago. And once again I am drawn to the drool pond, hoping to find some kindred spirits to share in y utter distraction. Say there is someone out there who understands me!!!!!"}, {"response": 2, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 1997 (02:58)", "body": "I understand you Arnessa! I really liked Toby in Tenant also. I didn't notice him until then. I know I've seen him somewhere else before but can't recall. Will anybody be so kind as to enlighten me with his filmography? For some odd reason, I had a very strong feeling that someone would create a Toby Stephens topic here at the Spring. Thank you kindly, Arnessa."}, {"response": 3, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 1997 (12:32)", "body": "Hi Arnessa! I first saw Tenant in June when it was broadcasted here in Canada on the CBC and immediately fell head iver heels for Toby. The man is absolutely scrumptious! I especially replay the scene over and over again when he kisses Helen... Oh to die for! To be on the receiving end of one of his kisses.. wouldn't that be heavenly! I immediately went searching on the net for pages dedicated to this hunk of burning love but found nothing to my great chagrin. From articles I've read, I found out that he's the son of Dame Maggie Smith and starred in the Camomile Lawn along with Jennifer Ehle and even had an affair with her. Does this girl have great taste or what? He was also recently in a movie called Twelth Night with another favorite actor of mine Helena Bonham Carter, who just happened to play Maggie Smith's cousin Lucy in A Room with A View. Anyway, there's a scene in Twelth Night where Toby is taking a bath, no excuse me, being given a sponge bath by the woman who's in love with him and well... let's just say it puts me over the edge! He's an up and coming star, gorgeous and talented. Here's hoping his future projects will reveal more and more of his magnificently built form!"}, {"response": 4, "author": "Arnessa", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 1997 (18:35)", "body": "Thanks Alicia and Lisa for letting me know I am not alone. In Tenant, I also love the scene where he kisses Helen. The way he just quiets all her protestations. \"Do you know what love is?\" Yeah, I bet he does.... Anyway I loved the weird camera tricks and closeups, like one time Mr. Markham is walking to Wildfell Hall and all the camera focuses on is his lips!!!! I love that. I love it. I love it. I wish I had a picture of just Toby's lips to scan in here. \"Here's hoping his future projects will reveal more and more of his magnificently built form!\" I'm with you on that, Lisa. I will definitely see Twelfth Night when it plays here. Toby getting a sponge bath! I wouldn't miss it for the world. I like Helena, too. She's in a new movie out now. I forget the name, but I saw it. And it's really deep. I wish there were more on the net about Toby, too. There must be a site somewhere. I'll keep looking. -Arnessa"}, {"response": 5, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 1997 (19:36)", "body": "(Lisa)I first saw Tenant in June when it was broadcasted here in Canada on the CBC and immediately fell head iver heels for Toby. So you're in Canada? Do you watch \"Due South\"? It's my favorite TV show. Paul Gross is in it and he is absolutely marverlous in it. I especially replay the scene over and over again when he kisses Helen... Oh to die for! To be on the receiving end of one of his kisses.. wouldn't that be heavenly! I love that scene too. It's very gratifying. From articles I've read, I found out that he's the son of Dame Maggie Smith and starred in the Camomile Lawn along with Jennifer Ehle and even had an affair with her. So he's Maggie's SON! I loved her in \"A Room with a View.\" It's the most romantic movie. Love everyone in it. He and Jennifer Ehle! She's a lucky... He was also recently in a movie called Twelth Night with another favorite actor of mine Helena Bonham Carter, who just happened to play Maggie Smith's cousin Lucy in A Room with A View. So that's where I've seen him. I haven't seen the movie but I saw posters for it all over the place when it was released in the US. (Arnessa)Anyway I loved the weird camera tricks and closeups, like one time Mr. Markham is walking to Wildfell Hall and all the camera focuses on is his lips!!!! Yes, I love that close up of his mouth. He does have wonderful lips! Perfect for kissing, I say. So what's his next project? Alicia"}, {"response": 6, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 1997 (21:57)", "body": "Alicia, I LOVE DUE SOUTH!!!!!!!! Finally, a Canadian TV show I am proud of. It's so funny and Paul Gross in that mountie uniform..... Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!! Delectible! I think he could have played a great Darcy. He's the right height, and drop dead gorgeous too! They replay the old episodes on a channel here called Showcase every week-end and I'm still waiting to see the \"All the Kings Men\" when he's traveling on the train with Leslie Nielsen. I couldn't stop laughing when all those mounties started singing that song, (I forget which one) just too damn funny! I especially loved the part where he kissed Meg Thatcher. It was so unexpected, so hot, so rewarding! I just hope they kindle it this year. Did you see the episode where Thatcher is a witness to a crime alon with \"Ray\" and the police captain? I loved it when she was recounting how Frasier was running, you could feel her want of him. Terrific episode. I also love Francesca's desire for him... she kills me! I also love the use of names on this show, from Diefenbaker ,(a dead Canadian prime minister), a deaf wolf who reads lips.. hillarious! to his new partner, Stanley Kowolski and his ex-wife Stella (too funny!). I miss David Marciano though. He and Paul had great chemistry together but so far the new guy's not too bad. Arnessa, Twelth Night is out on video. Go to blockbuster and get it and forward to that scene... you wont be disappointed! I think I should go rent it again.... I need a Toby fix!"}, {"response": 7, "author": "Arnessa", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 1997 (22:43)", "body": "I found a filmography of Toby here I copy it, in case that doesn't work. 1.Photographing Fairies (1997) 2.Twelfth Night: Or What You Will (1996) .... Orsino ... aka Twelfth Night (1996) 3.\"Tenant of Wildfell Hall, The\" (1996) (mini) TV Series .... Gilbert Markham 4.Orlando (1993) .... Othello 5.\"Camomile Lawn, The\" (1992) (mini) TV Series .... Young Oliver"}, {"response": 8, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 1997 (22:49)", "body": "(Lisa)I LOVE DUE SOUTH!!!!!!!! Finally, a Canadian TV show I am proud of. Paul Gross in that mountie uniform..... Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!! Delectible! I think he could have played a great Darcy . He's the right height, and drop dead gorgeous too! Hoorah! I've met another Due South fan. How funny that you should mention that Paul Gross would have made a great Darcy. I posted in another topic that one of the reasons that I really like PG was that he reminded me of Colin Firth but w/o the accent. \"All the Kings Men\" is actually \"All the Queen's Horses\" my FAVORITE episode. And the song that all the mounties sang and also sung beautifully by PG is \"Ride Forever.\" The song is in the DS soundtrack and also in PG's new album,\"Two Houses.\" I especially loved the part where he kissed Meg Thatcher. That's my favorite scene along with when PG and Leslie Nielsen talk through the toilet. It was so passionate. I love it when he says \"It's a runaway...\" Aaaaahhhh, sigh. Did you see the episode where Thatcher is a witness to a crime alon with \"Ray\" and the police captain? I loved it when she was recounting how Frasier was running, you could feel her want of him. Terrific episode. Yeah, I love that episode too (Seeing is Believing). It's one of the best of season 3 along with Bounty Hunter. MT wants him soooooo bad but she's in denial. I wonder if he still has feelings for her. I miss David Marciano though. He and Paul had great chemistry together but so far the new guy's not too bad. Yes, I definitely miss Dave too. But Ray/Stan is a good replacement.I love the whole Marlon Brando thing. Not to abandon Toby altogether. I am going to rent Twelfth Night. Helena Bohem-Carter is one of my favorite actresses. BTW, is she related to Crispin? So that BATH scene is that good? Can't wait to see it. Maybe it's sexier than Darcy's bath in P&P2? Alicia , DueSer"}, {"response": 9, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 1997 (22:55)", "body": "Thank you Arnessa for the filmography. So Toby was in \"Orlando\" too? Billy Zane is in that movie, that's how I know it. I used to really likey Billy Z but I haven't seen him around these days. I guess I'll have to wait until \"Titanic\" comes out. \"Photographing Fairies\" sounds very familiar. I think I read a review or something somewhere. Is this movie out yet? Lisa, if you're in the Toronto area, I think Paul Gross is going to be signing copies of his new album in a new music store that's opening. I forgot the name of the place. I'll try to get more info on it if I can. Alicia"}, {"response": 10, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Tue, Nov 11, 1997 (23:25)", "body": "Unfortunately, I live in Montreal and Toronto is too far by car, about 8 hours... Canada's a big country! Apparently, the week before Due South premiered, PG was on a Canadian talk show called \"Pamela Wallin Live\" for the whole hour and I missed it. I'm still upset about that! I hope they replay it soon. I was also annoyed that this past Sunday Due South wasn't on... they showed figure skating instead. As much as I love figure skating (Skate Canada International) and could watch Elvis Stojko land that quad many many times, I missed not seeing my mountie. I hope he'll be on this weekend! Alicia, there are a lot of Due South pages on the internet and a few have fan fiction as well. My favorite are the romance ones involving Meg and Benton... so so satisfying! I haven't saved the page so I'll have to look around to give you the right address. I really have to practice that html stuff to respond more clearly here but HBC is a distant cousin to CBC, I remember reading that somewhere, I think on the A&E page for P&P. Go rent Twelth Night, you won't be disappointed. I would love to see the Camomile Lawn. Apparently they ran it on the CBC a few years ago... I wish I had known about it then and watched it, I have to try and get a copy somehow."}, {"response": 11, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 1997 (00:47)", "body": "Yes, I heard about CTV pre-empting DS for skating. There was a LOT of complaining going on in the DS discussion list and in the newsgroup. Where I live in California, the show gets pre-empted frequently and this time twice in a row! I'm dying here. I was wondering about the DS fan fic. I'm curious about those but I haven't visited many DS sites except for the official one. So are they really good? Could you recommend me some? I'm really curious about the Camomile Lawn too. Toby and Jennifer. Hmmmm, interesting pair. Alicia"}, {"response": 12, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 1997 (11:30)", "body": "Alicia here's a Due South fanfic page. Beware, there are some stories that are a little to much for me, but overall they're pretty good. I read the Romance ones. Here's the Link: Due South Fan Fiction"}, {"response": 13, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 1997 (11:32)", "body": "Let me try this again! Here's the Link: Due South Fan Fiction"}, {"response": 14, "author": "LorieS", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 1997 (14:18)", "body": "Hi guys. I think the above movie \"Photographing Fairies\" is now called \"Fairy Tale\" and is currently in release (at least in Chicago)."}, {"response": 15, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 1997 (14:56)", "body": "Can you tell us about it's contents Lorie?"}, {"response": 16, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 1997 (15:18)", "body": "I think the above movie \"Photographing Fairies\" is now called \"Fairy Tale\" and is currently in release (at least in Chicago). They are 2 different movies. I just saw \"Fairy Tale: A True Story\" and no Toby Stephens I'm afraid. \"Photographing Fairies\" is not out in the US yet--imdb just gives \"Fall 97\" as the release date. Arnessa, glad to see Toby caught on so quickly. ;-) I was looking for some photos to post here for you, but he's not an easy one to find! ;-("}, {"response": 17, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 1997 (17:21)", "body": "\"Thank you kindly\" Lisa for the the DS Fan Fic link. I checked it out but havent't read any stories yet. I'll take some time off this weekend to read some of the stories involving Fraser and Meg Thatcher. So \"Photographing Fairies\" and \"Fairy Tale: A True Story\" aren't the same movie? Well I'll have to wait longer than I thought. (Patience!)"}, {"response": 18, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Wed, Nov 12, 1997 (19:19)", "body": "Anybody know how old he is? My guess late twenties. I think I'd better go and put on the first hour of Tennant, that's the only part worth watching anyway, since he's barely in the rest of the movie. I need to fill up on him, it's been a while since I've watched it."}, {"response": 19, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 1997 (14:41)", "body": "You rang?"}, {"response": 20, "author": "Arnessa", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 1997 (22:25)", "body": "Myretta, you are an angel of sweetness and light! Where did you find those photos?"}, {"response": 21, "author": "Arnessa", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 1997 (22:28)", "body": "And thanks Nan for letting us know that Toby is not in Fairy Tale: A True Story. I was about to go sit through that. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure it's a lovely film and all, but it I was expecting Toby and there was no Toby, I'd have been fighting mad."}, {"response": 22, "author": "larryu", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 1997 (22:32)", "body": "So dangerous-looking. Jennifer E. was a lucky wench!"}, {"response": 23, "author": "Arnessa", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 1997 (22:43)", "body": "Ok, let's try and join our interest in Toby with our interest in JA. (Not that we have to, but it could be fun.) Question: Which JA character would you like to see Toby play and why? As for myself, I'd like to see him as either Henry Tilney or Mr. Bingley. Ok, or Capt. Wentworth. (did I say we had to pick one? oops! make that character or characters.) Because I think Toby can REALLY carry off that quality of being a likeable nice guy without being perfect are without being a pushover. Like he did in Tenant. True, Bingley was sort of a pushover, but if Toby played him, we'd probably see a stronger Bingley, who gave into his sisters just because he thought that Jane didn't love him, don't you think? Toby probably would be a perfect Capt. Wentworth, too, because of that hot-headed quality. And now that Myretta has put up pics of Toby in uniform, I defffffinitely like what I see. But probably since on S&S board a while back we were talking about how hard it would be to find just the right Henry Tilney, Toby immediately sprang to mind for that role. Can't you just imagine him being all witty and sweet and gentle with Catherine? I'd melt."}, {"response": 24, "author": "Arnessa", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 1997 (22:46)", "body": "Larry, You think Toby is dangerous-looking? Or did you mean JE, the lucky wench is? I think Toby looks sweet, boyish-really."}, {"response": 25, "author": "larryu", "date": "Fri, Nov 14, 1997 (23:14)", "body": "Very dangerous-looking. That lip curl, that arched brow is enough to send any fair maid's bosom a-heaving! I certainly hope that the release of \"Fairy Tale\" won't keep \"Photographing Fairies\" out of theaters in the U.S. I would like to see Toby in glasses on the big screen..."}, {"response": 26, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 1997 (06:35)", "body": "Myretta, you are an angel of sweetness and light! Where did you find those photos? Right here , my dear."}, {"response": 27, "author": "larryu", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 1997 (17:44)", "body": "toby.GIF"}, {"response": 28, "author": "larryu", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 1997 (17:44)", "body": "oops"}, {"response": 29, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Sat, Nov 15, 1997 (19:11)", "body": "Question:Which JA character would you like to see Toby play and why? I pick Wickham! I could definitely see Lizzy falling for him if he played Wickham. Adrian Luckas (sp?) just didn't do it for me. W is supposed to be handsome and charming and I think he could have easily pulled that off. Imagine JE acting with both TS and CF in the same movie...... sparks would fly!"}, {"response": 30, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 1997 (01:53)", "body": "Question:Which JA character would you like to see Toby play and why? I pick Wickham! I definitely agree with you Lisa. I was about to say that he might make a good Willoughby but I change my mind. Wickham is the role to play! I still haven't seen Twelfth Night. One of these days I'm going to take a day off and just vege out in front of the tv. Alicia"}, {"response": 31, "author": "Arnessa", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 1997 (22:15)", "body": ""}, {"response": 32, "author": "Arnessa", "date": "Mon, Nov 17, 1997 (22:20)", "body": "\"Imagine JE acting with both TS and CF in the same movie...... sparks would fly!\" You are soooo naughty, Lisa. So if Toby is Wickham, who would get to be the Lucky Lydia? Pick me! Pick me!! I liked Adrian Lukas well enough Lisa, but I know what you mean. If Toby were in the role, we'd see in a minute why Lizzy wanted to believe everything he said."}, {"response": 33, "author": "Arnessa", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 1997 (04:09)", "body": "Who's got a better body? Toby or Colin? So, what do you think? I think Toby. I tend to like more muscular guys. Not that CF doesn't have GREAT thighs, but I think for the whole package, Toby wins..."}, {"response": 34, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, Dec  7, 1997 (21:36)", "body": "TOBY! TOBY! TOBY! i really need a scanner... i've got a GREAT picture of him from Empire Magazine"}, {"response": 35, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Dec  8, 1997 (12:34)", "body": "The question should be: Who's got the best Swagger??? Right back at you Arnessa, you know I will say Rupert Graves. LOL!!!"}, {"response": 36, "author": "larryu", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 1997 (01:24)", "body": "Oh Winter! You have that Empire Magazine? I didn't find out until too late that he had a feature in it, and I drove around like a droolin' fool to find it in early November...umm, don't you have a friend with a scanner? Failing that, can't you give us a few quotes from the article? I've rented TWF, 12th Night, and Orlando (don't bother, he's in it for 5 seconds) recently for a Toby fix, but I could always use another. I found Camomile Lawn, too, but only in the European format, and the rental place do sn't rent the machines for it.(Sigh) Toby is also going to be in a new Jessica Lange version of Cousin Bette, but since he's not listed on the web site for that movie, it's probably a small role. Still waiting for Photographing Fairies to come out Stateside, at least on video. ANY OTHER PROSPECTS?"}, {"response": 37, "author": "larryu", "date": "Fri, Dec 12, 1997 (01:32)", "body": "Did anyone else slo-mo on the bath scene in 12th Night like I did? (Heavy Sigh) Come on, someone out there is holding out!"}, {"response": 38, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, Dec 14, 1997 (00:29)", "body": "this is for you, madeline... and yes i will try to find a scanner (and learn how to use one) and get his pic on the screen: Toby Stephens An new theatrical thoroughbrd finds his feet in film. Look out Daniel and Ralph... \"I have a terrible problem reading most scripts,\" Toby Stephens admits. \"I find them very boring and one dimensional. But this one floated through my door and really stood out as it was intruiguing.\" He is talking about the romantic supernatural tragedy Photographing Fairies, in which Stephens plays a widowed World War I survivor who makes a strange jounrey into the unknown. \"He's somebody going through a lot of suppressed pain. He's in denail and very sceptical about everything and then through his experience he changes quite dramatically.\" Stephens was destined for things dramatic. His father was the late Robert Stephens, his mother is Dame Maggie Smith. Neither parent pushed him but he thinks his career path was inevitable because he saw so much theatre as a young child. \"Afterwards I would meet the people and see them as normal people, which was extraordinary. There was something fascinating about the whole method of it, why people dress up as different people and pretend to be other personalities.\" On TV, he has made an impresion in The Camomile Lawn and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. After leading roles with the Royal Shakespeare Company, a West End run as the Stanley Kowalsi to Jessica Lange's Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire and his casting as Orsino in Trvor Nunn's Twelfth Night, his stage standing is secure-- but he has found screen acting something else again. \"The thing about film is you're hanging around for hours chatting away to peoplr and suddenly you've got to turn it on. I thought doing Twelfth Night was quite a good Segue from stage work into film because I was confident in Shakespeare, but I had to tone down enormously. You have to learn very quickly what difference different lenses make and where the camera is by observing very experienced film actors, sich as co-star Ben Kingsley. \"Working with him has been brilliant because he's incredibly focused and knows exactly what he's doing...\" -Angie Errigo, for Empire Magazine (Toby is wearing a tight-fitted sky blue t-shirt with a big red star in the middle. ... sorta communist-chic meets rocker fashion)"}, {"response": 39, "author": "larryu", "date": "Sun, Dec 14, 1997 (20:21)", "body": "Thanks so much Winter! I've read reviews of his stage work--very positive for Coriolanus and adequate for Stanley Kowalski (but how could anyone compete with the Brando legacy?) and was even flirting with the crazy idea of trying to find out if he's doing any theatre soon, and dragging my husband to London for vacation. Finances dictated sanity, however!"}, {"response": 40, "author": "Arnessa", "date": "Wed, Dec 17, 1997 (23:16)", "body": "Thank you winter!!! I'm going to try to find out how hard it is to get back copies of Empire."}, {"response": 41, "author": "crispie", "date": "Sun, Dec 21, 1997 (23:48)", "body": "Now folks ... who has seen Camomile Lawn ....now that is when you get to see Toby in full flight!!!! He is very sexy and intense and seems only to want to #$@!! one of the charming young ladies ...who happened to reappear in Pride & Prejudice as a certain Miss Bennett. It is really worth searching for!"}, {"response": 42, "author": "gazeboo", "date": "Sat, Dec 27, 1997 (22:01)", "body": "Just thought I'd join the Toby-adoring circle.. I saw Camomille lawn a few year ago on the telly and loved it (eventhough it certainly is rather \"risqu\ufffd\".. got the book too and it has a tiny photo of Toby on the back) and then Twelfth Night came and renewed my interest.. and then the Tenant... oh dear... then I found I wasn't the only one interested.. I happend to read the english magazine \"Company\" where he was a \"watch this space\" ...adorable.. those lips.. well as usual it's always nice to see that o e isn't alone :) wish I could go to London soon.. bit closer as I live in Sweden.. but still the money question.. anyhow.. hope for more news about Toby!"}, {"response": 43, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Dec 29, 1997 (15:20)", "body": "We \"Americans\" are not privileged enough to see Camomile Lawn. Sometimes being an American can be quite detrimental. I would love to see every CF, RG, RE, TS, and whoever is a big British star over here in America. I see it now, who wants to put up capital and we can start an all British TV Network?????? Any takers????"}, {"response": 44, "author": "crispie", "date": "Wed, Dec 31, 1997 (22:26)", "body": "To those our US cousins who haven't seen \"Camomile Lawn\" I would check your local PBS station....it was a joint UK Channel 4/Australian Broadcasting Corp. production. maybe if enough people request it they will track it down....GOOD LUCK! It is a very adult black comedy. But it is worth it ... if only for the sequence where Toby is seen totally (and I mean totally naked) For any Toby fan it is essential to have in you tape collection! Anyway greetings all from down under ...welcome to 1998! (PS: I have just been dusting the house ... including my lovely autographed pic. of Paul Gross ...drooooool ...for all you DS fans out there)."}, {"response": 45, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 1998 (18:47)", "body": "TV Alert for UK Viewers: The Camomile Lawn will be shown on Tuesday January 6th at 10 PM. Each episode will be repeated on Sunday at 10.PM. For more information and summary of the story click on the Jennifer Ehle website: http://web.mit.edu/djwan/www/ehle.html which also includes a link to the Carlton Select website. This is a terrific minseries produced in 1992 . A TV debut for both Toby Stephens and Jennifer Ehle. She subsequently won the Radio Times Award for the Best Newcomer."}, {"response": 46, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jan  6, 1998 (11:54)", "body": "UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tape it please, then we can have it sent to the states to be converted. Please."}, {"response": 47, "author": "Jenny", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 1998 (10:44)", "body": "I really don't recommend the Camomile Lawn as good watching material for Toby Stephens fans because after all, he is a bit chubby in it to say the least. Nope, as somebody who was obsessed with Toby for about 12 months (and I mean obsessed) I would recommend something with a bit more of the real Toby in it like the RSC video which came out in 1994/95. It has clips of Toby strutting his stuff in Coriolanus and in A Midsummer Night's Dream as well as a little interview with darling Toby himself. Anyway, I don't think that any of you are PROPER Toby fans anyway. For instance, did you know that his date of birth is 21/04/1969? Or that he doesn't like dark chocolate? Or that he calls his birth father (who has now sadly passed away) Robert, but his mother Mummy? And what are you all doing talking about the Camomile Lawn? Didn't any of you see The Tenant of Wildfell Hall in 1996? If not, go and buy the video now! But anyway, if I were you I'd go and see Toby in the flesh because a picture or a video can never give you a taste of how gorgeous he really is! Oh, and he's really sweet and nice too!"}, {"response": 48, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 1998 (11:46)", "body": "But we still want to see Camomile lawn regardless of pudgy TS. We just want to see the movie:)"}, {"response": 49, "author": "gazeboo", "date": "Sat, Jan 10, 1998 (13:29)", "body": "hm hm hmm.. YES \"the Tenant of Wildfell Hall\" IS the ultimate Toby at the moment.. and one of the reasons I again became a toby-natic :) It's superbly done and made me realise once and for all that I prefere Anne off all the Brontees... _but_ Toby isn't bad in \"Twelfth Night\" either.. very nice indeed... But as you said, no I didn't actually know his birthday.. eventhough I think I remember reading about him calling his mum Mummy... :) So, I suppose you after all is the worst toby-natic of us Jenny! :) Hope to actually catch him live when I next go to London (whenever that is.. this summer?? .. is he playing anything now?.."}, {"response": 50, "author": "crispie", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 1998 (20:54)", "body": "Folks, I was just visiting the Twelth Night site at Fine Line movies in the US (....pardon me if this is really old news).... nice pics, trailers and stuff from the film. Twelth Night has been released on tape for the unbelievable price of $99.98 eeeek! But you can buy the film poster (27\"x41\") for $12.95 The site is http://www.flf.com/twelfth/index.html Unfortunately they sell only to the US. Anyway, thought I'd pass it on. chris PS: I know Toby is a little pudgy in Camomile (who can talk ???) but his scenes with Jennifer Ehle are such fun ....especially when they get caught out making love! cb"}, {"response": 51, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 1998 (11:16)", "body": "Laura McCarthy pl contact me with postal address and telephone . Your email won't go through.Am trying to get a TS video to you"}, {"response": 52, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 1998 (12:18)", "body": "Evelyn I just emailed you. l"}, {"response": 53, "author": "Arnessa", "date": "Thu, Jan 29, 1998 (01:03)", "body": "Laura, dear friend. When you get the TS video, can I borrow it? PULEEEEEZZZZE!"}, {"response": 54, "author": "Arnessa", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 1998 (22:30)", "body": "Ok, Toby fans, all we've got is each other. I haven't heard anything about Toby's upcoming works... and The Fairy Tale (or whatever that film was) hasn't opened here. I'm going into serious Toby withdrawal. Anyone with any scrap of info, please alleviate my suffering!!!!!"}, {"response": 55, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 1998 (22:49)", "body": "hey! i just realized! i still have that copy of empire with that gorgeous picture of him! i'll bring it over to boston with me! maybe we can get it color copied and scanned for public drooling!"}, {"response": 56, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 1998 (22:51)", "body": "oh... and the movie is called Photographing Fairies . He plays a widower.. poor darling!"}, {"response": 57, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Fri, Mar  6, 1998 (19:00)", "body": "Courtesy of Jennifer via Arnessa (and Myretta's scanner)"}, {"response": 58, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Mar  7, 1998 (00:51)", "body": "AAAAH!!!!! (pant, pant pant... *big sigh*!) what a gorgeous man! thanks for scanning him in myretta! it's nice to see this pic finally up on the web. i saw \"THe Camomile Lawn\" (finally!)... he does appear rather \"chunky\" there. but his performance was GREAT! Poor Oliver, Calypso (JE's character) was such a tease! (BTW, i LOVE that shade of blue on him...)"}, {"response": 59, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar  7, 1998 (20:03)", "body": "From last Wednesday's VARIETY: \"TRIO JOINS \"ONEGIN\" CAST LONDON (Variety) - Martin Donovan, Lena Headey and Toby Stephens have joined the cast of \"Onegin,\" which stars Ralph Fiennes and Liv Tyler and starts shooting March 7. The pic marks the directorial debut of Martha Fiennes, Ralph's sister. It's a tragic romance set in 19th-century Russia, adapted from Alexander Pushkin's classic verse novel \"Eugene Onegin\" Looks like TS is in good company. Will this be his first Big Screen role?"}, {"response": 60, "author": "salla", "date": "Wed, Mar 18, 1998 (12:18)", "body": "Hei ! I\ufffdd like to join you all Toby-fans! This was the first time I\ufffdd heard anything about him. I saw him at the Tenant of Wildfell Hall!!! And he was fabulous!!! I don\ufffdt know anything about him so I look forward to reading your news!!"}, {"response": 61, "author": "dt", "date": "Thu, Mar 19, 1998 (09:12)", "body": "Hi! I'm new too. I've liked Toby a while, but especially since Tenant. I love the photo of Toby from Empire magazine. Also, I have a book called Shakespeare in Performance that contains photographs of stage and screen productions of Shakespeare's plays. There are 3 pics of Toby from a 1994 production of Coriolanus, and one from a 1992 production of All's Well That Ends Well. They are fabulous! One more thing: I have another pic of Toby, his mother, and his brother from an old Vanity Fair magazine (1995, I think). Can't find it at the moment but am seriously looking!"}, {"response": 62, "author": "marshA", "date": "Thu, Apr 16, 1998 (00:40)", "body": "Oooh, how nice! At last a drool-topic in which I can really participate. I saw him recently in 12th Night, and I agree, that sponge-bath is definitely something to see :-) Speaking about \"Onegin\" I presume Rafe is going to play the lead, so Toby will probably be Lensky, O's friend who has a thing for the heroine's sister. Don't want to give away too much of the plot. Never liked that poem, but with Rafe & Toby in the cast, this will definitely be a must-see"}, {"response": 63, "author": "Arnessa", "date": "Mon, May 25, 1998 (21:15)", "body": "More Toby pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 64, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Jul  9, 1998 (01:56)", "body": "Arnessa, dear...looky what I found! ;-) Okay, so they're small ;-p"}, {"response": 65, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Fri, Jul 17, 1998 (16:06)", "body": "Arnessa, don't say I never gave ya nothin' ;-p"}, {"response": 66, "author": "Arnessa", "date": "Fri, Jul 17, 1998 (16:43)", "body": "You're the best, Nan! BTW, love how you've redecorated the place."}, {"response": 67, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sat, Jul 18, 1998 (22:06)", "body": ""}, {"response": 68, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Sep 10, 1998 (20:27)", "body": "http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/linked/hottickets/theatre/tobystephens_180x259.jpg go here... I have no idea what i'm doing... but this is a lovely new pic."}, {"response": 69, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 16, 1998 (12:22)", "body": "Toby is getting rave reviews for his role in PHEDRE at the Alberoy theatre in London's Westend. His co-star is Diana Rigg."}, {"response": 70, "author": "SABINE", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (06:31)", "body": "Hello !! I am a fan of CF, but I have seen Twelfth Night recently and I love that movie !!! So please HELP ME !! Where can I find more information about Toby Stephens ? Thank you, Sabine"}, {"response": 71, "author": "claire", "date": "Sun, Sep 24, 2000 (01:55)", "body": "I'm a HUGE TS fan too! Well there are some sites on the web about him, but not a lot... http://icdweb.cc.purdue.edu/~bennetta/royaltoby www.fansites.com/toby_stephens.html www.geocities.com/FashionAvenue/Agency/7670/stephens.html http://icdweb.cc.purdue.edu/~samuel/ailis/royaltoby He's going to star in the new movie, Space Cowboys, as the young Clint EASTWOOD!!"}, {"response": 72, "author": "Sabine", "date": "Thu, Nov  2, 2000 (16:50)", "body": "Dear Claire, thank your very much for the information. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 67, "subject": "Colin Firth - Film Discussions", "response_count": 12, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Nov 26, 1997 (00:20)", "body": "So, what shall we do next ladies? We've done (ugh!) Playmaker and Valmont, how about Femme Fatale or Apartment Zero? Whaddya think?"}, {"response": 2, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Wed, Nov 26, 1997 (03:47)", "body": "How about A Month in the Country? I recently re-watched it from start to finish and again found it very moving and with a marvellous performance by Colin. I sometimes find it very difficult to understand why, given all the first rate stage/film/television performances he'd given by the time he'd reached his late twenties, his talent was (generally) under-recognised. Still is, perhaps. He acts more in the opening sequence of AMITC than some actors do in their entire highly lucrative careers! BTW Nan,I think that having four separate topics is an excellent idea. Again, many thanks to you and Terry."}, {"response": 3, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Wed, Nov 26, 1997 (09:32)", "body": "I have just ordered Feem Fatal, Playmaker (have to see it if only because of the discussions), Hostages (I have a taped cppy but wanted the real one) and one other, can't think of the title right now) and I am still waiting for a previous order of the one he plays a traitor in. So could we start with Apartment Zero? I have that one and I love it. Nan thanks for your advice. I still have not decided what to do. Maybe I will tone them down a bit. Stefanie"}, {"response": 4, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Nov 26, 1997 (12:02)", "body": "I have been reading an AS Byatt book, The Virgin in the Garden and if they made this into a movie I could see CF playing Alexander Wedderburn. Very sexy, erotic, erudite, well-spoken. He oozes sexuality. I would love to see him have sex up against a tree :)"}, {"response": 5, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 26, 1997 (14:17)", "body": "Laura Did you get hooked on Byatt from reading Possession like I did? Anyway, I've read the trilogy (and I hear she is writing a fourth). After three books, I'm still a hopeless romantic and have my fingers crossed for Alexander Wedderburn. Yes, CF would be wonderful in that role. What school girl wouldn't develop the kind of crush/infatuation with him as Frederica did. Oooh, I wish I had the book around. Maybe I'll go get it and reread it with CF in mind. Thanks for the tip. A tree...hmmmm...better go et the book. MOVIE CHOICES Any of those would be fine with me: AMITC or Femme Fatale or Apartment Zero (I just shudder to think of that one though)"}, {"response": 6, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Nov 26, 1997 (20:45)", "body": "Ladies, I think it's about time I joined you. I've been reading you for a couple of months now and have enjoyed every entry but now that Nan has expanded the board (even more to read!), it's time to put my two cents in. First movie I ever see Colin is was Hostages, years ago when it first was shown on HBO. I thought he was a cutie then but the rage didn't start until P&P2, like most of you. I just saw Apartment Zero. I got it from amazon.com. Stefanie, it's so wierd! I love that he can change characters but my best friend (another CF lover) said, \"Oh no, shades of Psycho\" while we were watching it and she wasn't far off. One scene I did love though was when he quit tailing Jack(? I forget) and walked away. That gorgeous, lanky stride of his. AGGH! I'm waiting for Femme Fatale but amazon says 4-6 weeks. I loved Month in the Country but felt really sad by it. Why couldn't he just grab Natasha and run away with her? Even a kiss I would have settled for. Hope I'm not giving everything away so I better stop for now."}, {"response": 7, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Dec  1, 1997 (03:00)", "body": "NEXT DISCUSSION (Bethan) How about A Month in the Country? I recently re-watched it from start to finish and again found it very moving and with a marvellous performance by Colin. I\ufffdd just love to do AMITC--that\ufffds one of my favorites. I believe that is the one that several people haven\ufffdt seen yet--is that right people? I think more of us have seen Femme Fatale. Let\ufffds say discussion begins on Wednesday, December 3 for FF and we\ufffdll do AMITC after that to give people some more time to get their hands on it. (Stefanie) So could we start with Apartment Zero? I liked AZ too (some people find him too creepy--not a very drooly movie I\ufffdm afraid) We will get to it, for now let\ufffds stick with Femme Fatale. The discussion will go on for a while so I\ufffdm sure you\ufffdll get it while we\ufffdre still talking about it. (Stefanie) Nan thanks for your advice. I still have not decided what to do. Maybe I will tone them down a bit. Oh, I have no problem with the content and I seriously doubt that any of us droolers here will be offended. If you want to tone it down because it's a public board, that's up to you. ;-) APARTMENT ZERO (Heide) 0I just saw Apartment Zero. I got it from amazon.com. Stefanie, it's so wierd! LOL! It is weird, but I can\ufffdt help myself--I like it. ;-) And though Colin was not so drooly in this film, Hart Bochner made up for it with those magnificent lips! ;-p I'm waiting for Femme Fatale but amazon says 4-6 weeks. I see from the other board that you did receive FF--excellent! Now you can join the film discussion on Wednesday, when we will pick that movie apart, piece by piece and shamelessly drool over Joe Prince. ;-)"}, {"response": 8, "author": "AllisonM", "date": "Mon, Dec  1, 1997 (03:25)", "body": "I have been lurking here for a while and thought I should speak up for Fever Pitch. It is the most droooooly film. Lots of wonderful Colin moments and LOOKS. Aaargh. Pause while I catch my breath. Has anyone managed to convert it from PAL? Incidentally it is much better on video."}, {"response": 9, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Dec  1, 1997 (12:00)", "body": "(Laura)Did you get hooked on Byatt from reading Possession like I did? Anyway, I've read the trilogy (and I hear she is writing a fourth). After three books, I'm still a hopeless romantic and have my fingers crossed for Alexander Wedderburn. Yes, CF would be wonderful in that role. What school girl wouldn't develop the kind of crush/infatuation with him as Frederica did. I absolutely adore Alexander and am reading Babel Tower now. Struggling is more like it. What pisses me off tho is that why can't she put Frederica and Alexander together. They are so meant for each other. Colin Firth has just the right sensibilities for this role and he's the right age. I think he would also age well with the character. I would have to say AMITC and Valmont."}, {"response": 10, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Dec  1, 1997 (14:40)", "body": "Fever Pitch hasn't yet spread far enough in the NTSC world, but it's making inroads, albeit slowly (sometimes through unofficial channels...)Give it time."}, {"response": 11, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Dec  1, 1997 (17:38)", "body": "Fever Pitch hasn't yet spread far enough in the NTSC world, but it's making inroads, albeit slowly (sometimes through unofficial channels...) Give it time. I really liked FP, though it took me a couple of viewings. I'm afraid we can't talk about it yet because not enough of us have seen it. Arami's right--we have to give it some time."}, {"response": 12, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Mon, Dec  1, 1997 (20:09)", "body": "drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 68, "subject": "Colin Firth - Darcy Drool", "response_count": 24, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Nov 26, 1997 (00:17)", "body": "To start us off ;-)"}, {"response": 2, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Nov 26, 1997 (01:15)", "body": "Nan! Thanks for finally letting us have our own Darcy Drool. It is the most prolific stuff, and I think it resembles the fountain of youth as it makes me feel very young and brash sometimes (as in when you caught me trying to be a proper lady in one sentence but trying to check for buttons and contours in the next.) Oh well...for all the panting and damp Darcians out there, we can have a discussion of when he most evidently manifested his passion ( funny that she couldn't tell!), and why did some of th men dress to the left and later to the right. Don't ask me to explain it - go study the movie and figure it out. It took me two days to finally see what they were seeing. Anyone? Let it pour!"}, {"response": 3, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Wed, Nov 26, 1997 (09:36)", "body": "Dress to left or the right? For a long time, well a few days, I had no clue what you were talking about. I guess I am dumb. However when you mentioned specific scenes I watch and it dawned on me!!! How ever I think the second proposal is the only place you see \"it\" nothing else is too identifiable."}, {"response": 4, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Nov 26, 1997 (12:04)", "body": "Oh Nan I just love that picture!! He looks left though!!!!!"}, {"response": 5, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 26, 1997 (14:26)", "body": "LEFT, RIGHT OR IN THE MIDDLE IMHO the best left shot is when he is riding the horse (not this scene that Nan kindly posted) to the pond--just before he gets wet and wild!!! You have to be fast though (or, conversely, use that slo-mo feature). To me this would be the true indication of which way this guy goes. Does anyone remember a scene from Urban Cowboy--it is forever etched in my brain and probably the first time I ever thought about the need to dress one way or another--where Scott Glenn is about to ride a bucking something an he reaches down and in to \"adjust\" himself. Does anyone remember this??"}, {"response": 6, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Nov 26, 1997 (17:37)", "body": "(Stefanie) Dress to left or the right? It took me *forever* to figure what they were talking about was into which side of the trousers gentlemen put their \"equipment\". I didn't know they had a system until I asked my husband, and he said yes, they find the most comfortable place early on and they don't change sides. The interest in this is because one gentleman changes sides after Pemberley. Not the Padding/sash wieghts/Subway sandwiches they apparently store there from time to time - this is he real stuff as you mentioned in the 2nd proposal, and \"it\" appears to be in the middle coming down the Netherfield steps as he apologizes to Bingley... I'd like to know why everyone is looking elsewhere while I can't tear my eyes off that fantastic face of his. If I do study other things, I have to rewind and watch the scene again for Him! He does make the *cutest* faces!"}, {"response": 7, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Nov 26, 1997 (22:28)", "body": "(Laura)Oh Nan I just love that picture!! He looks left though!!!!! I noticed that, too. On MY tv he is going from right to left! And, he doesn't look like Clint Eastwood. I think this is an imposter. Has anyone tried to figure out why the last glimpse we have of Him before he asks Lizzie to dance with him at the Netherfield Ball is so odd? It has taken me 2 months to get it in my mind's eye that it truly IS him. Another imposter perhaps?"}, {"response": 8, "author": "Claudia", "date": "Thu, Nov 27, 1997 (17:25)", "body": "HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE! Gosh, I'll feel guilty if I'm the only one posting on Thanksgiving, but I needed a fix. (Had to check out FanFic, too, at RoP; thank you, Stef, for another wonderful episode of \"Concessions\". PLEASE continue it on this board, without the PG-13 restrictions. I can imagine how painful it must have been for Darcy to sit through a wedding dinner; he probably already found out from Bingley where their new bedchamber was so they could race up there at the first chance.) Pre-Pond I've heard so much that this is a great right vs. left scene; somehow I just don't \"see it.\" When he's sitting in the saddle, there are so many folds in the material, can't determine what's real. Pre-Dance MarciaH: Has anyone tried to figure out why the last glimpse we have of Him before he asks Lizzie to dance with him at the Netherfield Ball is so odd? You mean when he turns to look at her dancing with Collins and that portrait with the backside of a horse (how appropriate) is right behind him? I thought this was the extreme look of lust; he's trying so hard to resist her by walking around looking at others, but in vain .... That particular shot of him may have been filmed on a different day or month even; his appearance did change alot at times. Where the eyes fall Has anyone noticed where he's looking at times when he's with L? During the first proposal scene, in the first few minutes he does look down her body somewhat, I guess to help shore up his courage and remind him why he's there. Then, during their argument he only looks at her face. At the very very end, before leaving, he looks her up and down like, well, it's the last time."}, {"response": 9, "author": "StefanieB", "date": "Thu, Nov 27, 1997 (20:26)", "body": "Hey, I've been checking the boards every couple hours for some posts, but nobody's here 'cept you and me. Well, now there is a thought, continuing Concessions here, heck I could just e-mail it to you, I don't know that anybody here would care about the storry. Thank you by the way for your comments. As for that weird scene at the ball, I think he looks hung over, his eyes are all puffy/swollen. In the Making of P&P2 book it says that the Rosings scenes, the first proposal , Netherfield and I think Pemberley were done early in the filming, then CF was gone for 2-3 months while everybody else stayed. Then he returned to film the Meryton dance, London and the second proposal were done at the very end. The last scene filmed was Lady C's visit to Longbourne. I've heard so much that this is a great right vs. left scene; somehow I just don't \"see it.\" When he's sitting in the saddle, there are so many folds in the material, can't determine what's real. Well, if you go really slow you can imagine it's there! It might be, but it is hard to tell. Only place I am sure is proposal #2. That is a definite."}, {"response": 10, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Thu, Nov 27, 1997 (21:42)", "body": "Has anyone tried to figure out why the last glimpse we have of Him before he asks Lizzie to dance with him at the Netherfield Ball is so odd? I, too, always thought he looked odd until I noticed that it was because he is looking in a mirror in order to covertly watch Lizzy. Can this be what you mean?"}, {"response": 11, "author": "flowerchild", "date": "Thu, Nov 27, 1997 (22:41)", "body": "i didn't watch, so i'm not sure what the odd look is about"}, {"response": 12, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Nov 28, 1997 (18:27)", "body": ""}, {"response": 13, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov  2, 1998 (10:59)", "body": ""}, {"response": 14, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov  4, 1998 (15:33)", "body": "HOORAH!!! A&E is rebroadcasting P&P in its entirety on Sunday, November 29, from 1:00 pm-7:00 pm Eastern Time. Get your hipwaders out, ladies. I feel a tide of drool about to overtake us. Let your friends know, this is the place to luxuriate in Colin adoration and plain old lust! ;-D"}, {"response": 15, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov  4, 1998 (16:50)", "body": "I'm gettin the popcorn ready. Thanks Karen and I love the new P&P picture."}, {"response": 16, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Nov  4, 1998 (17:17)", "body": "There seems to be something odd going on with this topic. It never shows up under the \"New\" listing. The only reason I knew that people had posted was by looking at the list of recent postings. Only 15 responses! That cannot be right. There seems to be a year missing when I replay the responses. Does anyone else have that problem?"}, {"response": 17, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov  4, 1998 (18:05)", "body": "You're absolutely right Allison, I had the same problem. Karen, isn't that Thanksgiving weekend? Just think, we will all be watching at the same time!!! What thoughts will go out to the Universe that day. I wonder if Colin we feel our vibrations?"}, {"response": 18, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov  5, 1998 (10:16)", "body": "Will let the powers that be know. However, we may have to start a new topic."}, {"response": 19, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov  5, 1998 (11:19)", "body": "SALE!!! For those of you who don't have the boxed set or would like a backup, Sam's Club has it for about $35 and the same has been reported for Costco/Price Club. Of course, those would be in addition to the copies taped off the TV. Can't have too many."}, {"response": 20, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Nov  5, 1998 (19:29)", "body": "It's great to see Spring come up so fast. Biography Magazine lists P&P's showing the end of this month but nothing in the classroom yet. The complete tapes are shown there, with the missing scenes but maybe since they are showing 6 hours straight we will get the classroom version , HOPE springs eternal"}, {"response": 21, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov  6, 1998 (11:54)", "body": "(Lucie) but maybe since they are showing 6 hours straight we will get the classroom version , HOPE springs eternal Hate to be a pessimist, but A&E has to get in all those commercials, so I doublt that this will be the complete version."}, {"response": 22, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Nov  8, 1998 (01:00)", "body": "Most disturbing to find my $104.00 (including tax) Darcy is now selling so cheaply...but delighted to think it will encourage new people to watch what they have been missing with the cut-for-ads A&E version. My main complaint is that even with the expense of over $100, I had to have that diaphanous A&E logo lurking in the lower right corner of absolutely every frame!!!"}, {"response": 23, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Nov  9, 1998 (17:44)", "body": "Ladies, since we're missing so many responses on this board, we think it's better just to start a new topic number. Darcy Drool is now at Topic 112. Hopefully, we'll be able to bring the old comments back onto this topic. See you at 112!"}, {"response": 24, "author": "Hanne", "date": "Sat, Nov 14, 1998 (09:22)", "body": "I once entered a response under the \"penname \" Toots, but it seems to have disappeared. So here we go again. In addition to the other examples, I love the scene when after the wedding Lizzy touches Darcy's thigh in order to steady herself. But I'm not sure that it is the only purpose. The question is which?? drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 69, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 7, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 70, "subject": "David Duchovny", "response_count": 59, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 1997 (09:33)", "body": "What can I say he's perfect."}, {"response": 2, "author": "Suzanne1", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 1997 (11:04)", "body": "I whole heartily agree!"}, {"response": 3, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Tue, Dec  9, 1997 (12:49)", "body": "Thanks for posting the pic--WOW"}, {"response": 4, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 1997 (22:12)", "body": ""}, {"response": 5, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Wed, Dec 10, 1997 (22:40)", "body": "guess no one heard what i said that time! well if you're curious, i did this: *sigh*"}, {"response": 6, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Thu, Jan  1, 1998 (14:34)", "body": "Just had to take another looooonnng look at David to get my New Year off to a good start. You guys need to take a break from firth-ing and admit to yourselves that DD is a Fox (haha). Basically, that's the extent of my celebrity lust. It's that monogamy thing."}, {"response": 7, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 1998 (10:02)", "body": "Should we call you the Xgirl?"}, {"response": 8, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 1998 (23:18)", "body": "That has an interesting ring to it."}, {"response": 9, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 1998 (19:33)", "body": "Nan, please don't remove this topic! *grin* Just love DD.....course, he's not quite as popular as firth, but that just means more room for me to drool! PS: no offense meant in the porch conference. did feel that Mike had a point, that's all. PSS: I lied back on #6. Do have other celebrity lusts *blush* Anyone else have engaging thoughts about Christopher somethin or other (from Greystoke, and the Highlander movies)??"}, {"response": 10, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 1998 (20:27)", "body": "No problem, Wolf...it happens ;-) I'd never remove him--you can't be the only one who wants to drool over him, the thing is to find them. I'll see if I can hunt up some photos for you ;-) Christopher Lambert? The one married to Diane Lane? As I recall, he has some serious lips--I'll look for him too ;-)"}, {"response": 11, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 1998 (20:57)", "body": "YES!! Thank you, he's married???!!! Figures........ About DD, feels like the only folks who drool over him are teens (besides me). He's got plenty of sites dedicated totally to him (like the ddeb). Thanks Nan, you're great!!"}, {"response": 12, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 1998 (22:32)", "body": "YES!! Thank you, he's married???!!! Figures........ Sorry, didn't mean to burst a bubble...but you know what? This his fantasy...he doesn't have to be married here ;-) About DD, feels like the only folks who drool over him are teens (besides me). He's got plenty of sites dedicated totally to him (like the ddeb). Hmmm...now how do we get them here? That's the question. Though no young teenagers should really be in drool--I wouldn't want to be accused of corrupting anyone. So not only do we have to find people, we have to make sure they're old enough. Let's hunt 'em down and get this topic moving...;-)"}, {"response": 13, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 1998 (23:22)", "body": "I always get Mulder and Scully mixed up. Can someone suggest a way to remember which is which? I mean the *names* mixed up, that is."}, {"response": 14, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 1998 (19:33)", "body": "Mulder-M is for Male. David plays Fox Mulder and Gillian plays Dana Scully."}, {"response": 15, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 1998 (20:33)", "body": "Here you go, Wolf..."}, {"response": 16, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 1998 (20:35)", "body": "Well, that was a mistake, now wasn't it...trying again"}, {"response": 17, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 1998 (21:20)", "body": "oh thanks Nan! I'm in overload mode right now. don't know why i find him so attractive...who cares, look at him! *giggle*"}, {"response": 18, "author": "Suzanne1", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 1998 (22:19)", "body": "Dont't worry Wolf I will drool over David with you. Did you watch X-Files this Sunday, isn't he fabulous. They have this billboard with his picture in the Subway that I pass every day and I have a tendency to linger a few extra seconds every time I walk bye his beautiful face :)"}, {"response": 19, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 1998 (23:14)", "body": "I guess I'll have to start a Scully (s for sexy) in the 'babes' conference!"}, {"response": 20, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 1998 (20:18)", "body": "LOL!! M for manly man, *giggle* Thanks for joining me in my cyberlust, Suzanne. Yup, watched the episode and he is, woohoo."}, {"response": 21, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Mon, Mar  9, 1998 (22:03)", "body": "had to come back and look *sigh* (figured out why this topic is so quiet, y'all are too busy staring at the pics)"}, {"response": 22, "author": "CatFan", "date": "Fri, Apr  3, 1998 (22:36)", "body": "I'm a David Duchovny fan. X-Files is one of my favorite shows. I saw him in Playing God and liked him (if not the movie). But there was no love scene, darn it, even though the trailers indicated there would be one. Not that I would go see a movie just for the expected love scene. Oh, no, I would NEVER do that! David has great lips--lucky Tea Leoni gets them all to herself! He's a bit unusual, but very sexy."}, {"response": 23, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, May  4, 1998 (11:38)", "body": "Yooo-hooo...Wolf...looky what I found: And the large version of the photo from the main page:"}, {"response": 24, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Mon, May  4, 1998 (12:30)", "body": "Hello Nurse!! what a babe-a-rama!! (God bless you Nan) btw: added a david drool page to my website: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Oracle/7059/dddp.html"}, {"response": 25, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, May  4, 1998 (12:56)", "body": "I didn't know you had one...cool! ;-) BTW, feel free to use the photos above, if you want."}, {"response": 26, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Mon, May  4, 1998 (19:04)", "body": "ohhhhh thank you nan!"}, {"response": 27, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, May 30, 1998 (21:22)", "body": "Wolf, found another...(sorry about the wife ;-p)"}, {"response": 28, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Sun, May 31, 1998 (02:55)", "body": "Thanks Nan. Hope he's happy...."}, {"response": 29, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (06:12)", "body": "That woman is SUCH a bore! Could the guy not have married someone a tiny bit more charismatic like . . . . well, ME. I went to see the X-files movie (which has finally come to Switzerland) last Friday, and absolutely loved it! David is so dry and funny in it - he's such a treat in that role!"}, {"response": 30, "author": "wolf", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (21:16)", "body": "wasn't that good? and it was so true to the series. you guys, come to my david duchovny drool page: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Oracle/7059/dddp.html when you're done drooling, click the icon to go back to my main page and sign the guestbook! (there's also a cool link on the drool page to a david site)"}, {"response": 31, "author": "riette", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (02:58)", "body": "Cool! Will do as soon as my day's work is done! Was going to say it'll be a nice way to relax and cool off after sweating my butt off painting, but that'd be a lie. Relaxed and cool is the last thing I feel when I look into that face."}, {"response": 32, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (03:01)", "body": "hey, Tea has her adorable moments..."}, {"response": 33, "author": "riette", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (03:30)", "body": "???????"}, {"response": 34, "author": "riette", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (03:31)", "body": "Like WHEN?!?!?!?!?"}, {"response": 35, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (03:32)", "body": "Now, for one..."}, {"response": 36, "author": "riette", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (03:36)", "body": "Think what you need is a glass of warm milk and some sleep!"}, {"response": 37, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (03:38)", "body": "maybe I just need a little more Hot Tea!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 38, "author": "riette", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (03:42)", "body": "YOU ARE FEELING SLEEPY . . . YOUR EYES ARE GETTING HEAVY . . . YOU FIND IT DIFFICULT TO KEEP THEM OPEN . . . THOUGHTS FLOW FROM YOUR MIND LIKE TOO MANY PEANUTS FROM YOUR STOMACHE . . . YOU ARE HEAVY, YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO SLEEP . . ."}, {"response": 39, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (03:48)", "body": "and dream about more Hot Tea?"}, {"response": 40, "author": "riette", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (08:23)", "body": "Did you manage to get ANY sleep in the end, muffin? You poor thing."}, {"response": 41, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (12:40)", "body": "been awake about thirty minutes..."}, {"response": 42, "author": "wolf", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (20:47)", "body": "must be nice to sleep in *grin*"}, {"response": 43, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (21:33)", "body": "4:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. wish sleeping in meant oh, say, ten to twelve hours..."}, {"response": 44, "author": "wolf", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (21:53)", "body": "me too! i've been doing OT at work and will be at it til mid-October. it's nice to see you!"}, {"response": 45, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (22:20)", "body": "and you, as well..."}, {"response": 46, "author": "riette", "date": "Thu, Aug 13, 1998 (06:26)", "body": "Know the feeling, Wer. I never get in more than five hours - if I'm lucky. And I don't even worry about anything. I JUST CAN'T SLEEP for long stretches at a time. It is pleasure and pain."}, {"response": 47, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Thu, Aug 13, 1998 (15:12)", "body": "sleep=lust?"}, {"response": 48, "author": "riette", "date": "Fri, Aug 14, 1998 (03:49)", "body": "no-sleep=lust"}, {"response": 49, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Fri, Aug 14, 1998 (11:10)", "body": "I thought that was lust+action=no-sleep"}, {"response": 50, "author": "riette", "date": "Fri, Aug 14, 1998 (12:49)", "body": "You don't speak the female html very well, so let me give you a lesson: lust=action=no-sleep but can also be: lust=no-action=no-sleep sleep=joy sleep=no-action but can also be: sleep=lust"}, {"response": 51, "author": "wolf", "date": "Fri, Aug 14, 1998 (17:42)", "body": "no-sleep=no-action=no-lust=no-joy"}, {"response": 52, "author": "riette", "date": "Sat, Aug 15, 1998 (02:06)", "body": "ha-ha! no-sleep=foul-temper=no-lus=angry-hubby"}, {"response": 53, "author": "wolf", "date": "Sat, Aug 15, 1998 (11:17)", "body": "oh yeah, know that one *grin*"}, {"response": 54, "author": "riette", "date": "Sun, Aug 16, 1998 (10:18)", "body": "ha-ha! Wonder if David's wife's always in the mood..."}, {"response": 55, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sun, Aug 16, 1998 (23:42)", "body": "she is in my dreams... dreams of hot TEA..."}, {"response": 56, "author": "wolf", "date": "Mon, Aug 17, 1998 (11:16)", "body": "here we go again....you really think she's hot, huh?"}, {"response": 57, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 18, 1998 (13:24)", "body": "As boring, charmless and bad hairdo goes, I'm sure she's hot as hell!"}, {"response": 58, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Wed, Aug 19, 1998 (22:26)", "body": "no, I just like getting ya'll riled up..."}, {"response": 59, "author": "riette", "date": "Fri, Aug 21, 1998 (07:30)", "body": "Bah! I'm not riled up! Calm as the storm in my brain! drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 71, "subject": "Hugh Jackman", "response_count": 123, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 1998 (00:41)", "body": "Not familiar with the name (sorry). What does he do?"}, {"response": 2, "author": "ahugefan", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 1998 (00:51)", "body": "He began his career in the series CORELLI as a prisoner. Then he played Gaston in the Melbourne season of the musical Beauty and the Beast. He then got the lead role of Joe Gillis in the brilliant Andrew Lloyd Weber hit Sunset Boulevard. He also hosts infashion on Foxtel."}, {"response": 3, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 1998 (00:56)", "body": "I must live in a cave, because I still haven't a clue. Got a pic?"}, {"response": 4, "author": "ahugefan", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 1998 (01:04)", "body": "No, I don't have a pic that I can put on the computer. Let me try and jog your memory more. Umm.. He is married to Deborra-lee Furness who has appeared in Angel Baby. He sang the Australian National Anthem at the Bledisloe Cup last year (1997). He also sang Waltzing Matilda at the Melbourne Cup in 1997. He hosted In Melbourne Tonight once whilst Frankie J. Holden was away. He also sang at Carols in the Domain in Sydney and he opened Carols By Candlelight in Melbourne - both were this year!"}, {"response": 5, "author": "ahugefan", "date": "Sat, Jan  3, 1998 (01:06)", "body": "I'm living in a time warp!! Carols in the Domain and Carols By Candlelight were last year (1997)! Oops!!"}, {"response": 6, "author": "Kate", "date": "Wed, Jan  7, 1998 (22:46)", "body": "Ann, Wolf might be having a problem because everything you have mentioned is entirely unknown outside Australia, and Wolf appears to be American...."}, {"response": 7, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Wed, Jan  7, 1998 (23:08)", "body": "Thanks, Kate. I'm here in the US. Has he done anything we might be familiar with?"}, {"response": 8, "author": "Kate", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 1998 (14:19)", "body": "I suspect not. The only thing the Internet Movie Database has him listed for is \"Corelli\", which is an Aust. series, also with Deborah-Lee Furness. It does not appear to have been released in the US."}, {"response": 9, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 1998 (09:36)", "body": "Ok: !whois hughjackman.com No match for \"HUGHJACKMAN.COM\". Anyone want to start a fan site here?"}, {"response": 10, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 1998 (12:23)", "body": "yeah, and post a pic for those of us who live under rocks *smile*"}, {"response": 11, "author": "GPAC", "date": "Wed, Mar  4, 1998 (22:55)", "body": "There are 2 huge Hugh Jackman fans here in this Box Office. We are both very dissappointed that \"The man from Snowy River\" seems to have been dropped from the Sunday eve 6.30pm slot. We went up to the Forum a few weeks ago to see him in Summa Caberet and he was just fantastic. I guess our loss is England's gain, he'll make a great Curly in \"Oklahoma\". We'd love to be part of a fan club if anyone wants to start one up."}, {"response": 12, "author": "manders", "date": "Mon, Apr 13, 1998 (09:02)", "body": "Here's a nice pic, from Sunset, if you're curious...he is pretty darn good looking. mmm. What is it about those theatre guys?"}, {"response": 13, "author": "Jean", "date": "Sun, Apr 19, 1998 (22:16)", "body": "I too am a fan of Hugh Jackman, and am missing his constant presence on the television. I was wondering if anyone has his appearance singing the Anthem at the Rugby on video tape? Or for that matter the time he hosted IMT? I have a couple of interviews and various other TV appearances he has done but unfortunately didn't have access to a video recorder at those times."}, {"response": 14, "author": "sonia", "date": "Fri, Apr 27, 2001 (08:44)", "body": "Iv'e just gotten into Hugh Jackman since seeing him in X men as Wolverine. Dodgy sideburns though but gorgeous voice et al. I've been letching at pictures of him on the someon like you site of the film. If anyone's starting a fan club you can't be wrong, the guys gonna be HUGE."}, {"response": 15, "author": "RebeccaC", "date": "Fri, Apr 27, 2001 (10:18)", "body": "Oooo wonderful - I'm glad I'm not the only one salivating over this particular dish. Have you seen 'Someone Like You' horrible, BJD rip-off plot but worth my $$ just to see those perfect abs and smile! Yum!"}, {"response": 16, "author": "crashdancer", "date": "Sat, Jun 16, 2001 (16:30)", "body": "Okay fans! He's in \"Swordfish\" now with John Travolta so he won't be your little dishy secret much longer. He's probably going to skyrocket now. I just saw the movie and looked him up here didn't I? He is a hunk and a half."}, {"response": 17, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Wed, Dec 26, 2001 (07:29)", "body": "Just saw Kate & Leopold. HJ is definitely drool-worthy IMO. V.g."}, {"response": 18, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 26, 2001 (08:48)", "body": "...but the movie sucked IMO. ;-)"}, {"response": 19, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 27, 2001 (15:15)", "body": "I liked Kate & Leopold . Cute Nora Ephron-like movie. Fairy tale with a sci-fi twist. (patti)He is a hunk and a half. Definitely. Don't think I've seen him before.Will get \"Someone Like You\". Hope he doesn't give -up on romantic leading -man roles.*sigh* So many actors get ideas of grandeur."}, {"response": 20, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Thu, Dec 27, 2001 (17:36)", "body": "I didn't much care for \"Someone Like You\", but it had nothing to do with HJ. Perhaps I was worried that it would be competition for Bridget Jones's Diary, coming out the next week. Needn't have worried ;-) Evelyn, I liked it too. ;-)"}, {"response": 21, "author": "maryw", "date": "Thu, Dec 27, 2001 (20:14)", "body": "HJ might be my countryman but I still think \"Leopold\" was ODB's. What is it with this antepodean exports - HJ here and RC on #92. They seem to be hogging the good parts and nothing much is left for THE Brit that make the blood rush to our heads? Ev - good luck with SLY - it was painful to watch. As Meredith said - not HJ's fault. He tried his best - especially in the midnight snack in the kitchen scene;-)"}, {"response": 22, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 27, 2001 (22:45)", "body": "I found the movie terribly boring, not funny (very few laughs in my entire audience), lacking any magic which one would expect from this genre, and sloppily made for a time travel movie. Frankly, I didn't think HJ looked all that great in knee breeches (reminded me of Colonel Fitzwilliam) and now that I think about it, did men--other than footmen--wear breeches in 1876. Seems he was dressed more appropriately for 1776 than 1876 (conjuring up images of V&A now...) OK, I like Meg's clothes, but am wondering about the industrial strength shellac that must've been used to put her hair up. ;-)"}, {"response": 23, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Dec 28, 2001 (09:24)", "body": "I too was disappointed in K&L but I like HJ. Meg looked so old, too old for the part, IMO. I bet she'll be running to the plastic surgeon once she sees herself on screen. This was a film I was very willing like, but all those historical innacuracies got in the way. Who are these ignorant people that don't know that La Boheme did not come out till 1896? Don't they check their facts? They could have used Verdi instead. OK, I like Meg's clothes, but am wondering about the industrial strength shellac that must've been used to put her hair up. ;-) I only liked her b&w office outfits. Her scarecrow straw hair looked terrible."}, {"response": 24, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 28, 2001 (09:35)", "body": "(Moon) Meg looked so old, too old for the part, IMO. Double standards from women! tsk tsk tsk She was being made SVP for this market research firm. What age should she be? 27? That's only in Hollywood studios where people have those titles at that age. Besides, what's the big deal of an older woman and a younger man? Not like they tried to pawn off Jeanne Morreau with Hugh Jackman, now, did they? ;-)"}, {"response": 25, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Dec 28, 2001 (12:07)", "body": "You mistake my meaning. I know older women that look much younger than they are. Meg looked older than she is. I have nothing against older women with older men. More power to them. (Or maybe looking younger for their age is more of a latin thing) ;-)"}, {"response": 26, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Dec 28, 2001 (12:08)", "body": "I meant I have nothing against older women with younger men."}, {"response": 27, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, Dec 28, 2001 (12:18)", "body": "Being rather a neophyte in the hair styling arena, I was intrigued by Meg's hair. How do they make it do that: mousse? gel? And it stayed in those interesting clumps ;-) Regardless of MR's hair, enjoyed the movie. Must now make it a point to watch \"X-men\"."}, {"response": 28, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 29, 2001 (08:44)", "body": "For me, it's too soon to render any decision on HJ as I've only seen him in this . His other work isn't going to do it (SLY, Swordfish & X-Men). But I'll wait until he does some more quality work. Meg's ex-hubby is more to my taste ;-)"}, {"response": 29, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 29, 2001 (08:47)", "body": "According to the IMDB, he was also in that Snowy River: McGregor series for one season from Downunder. I can't remember him being in it (although Guy Pearce is), but it shows on one of the family-type cable channels all the time (Odyssey, Hallmark???)"}, {"response": 30, "author": "odessa", "date": "Sat, Dec 29, 2001 (09:44)", "body": "Oh, HG! I just saw one of his movies yesterday: paperback hero or-what-was-it-called. It was dull, but I too like HG. And I do remember him in McGregor series,he played Guy Pearce`s charachter`s friend who falled on love with his girl friend. I haven`t seen any other of his movies."}, {"response": 31, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec 29, 2001 (10:26)", "body": "HJ has a good screen presence IMO. He's had romantic leading roles so far. Hope he gets a dramatic one . I liked K&L because it was simple fluff. The premise was different and charming. It won't make an impact in the History of American Films ,or win any awards.But...I didn't have to work at it like many of the recent films...Grab a bag of popcorn, Diet Coke ,rest my weary chrostmas feet and go into a fantasy mode:-)) And...Suprise , suprise, Time magazine's Richard Schickel who never likes anything mainstream (except for obscure indies) gave it a good review.\"Excellent jokes about everything, from television to pooper scooping\" \"..but it is as a comedy of manners (the duke has them;Kate needs them) ..that the film works best\"."}, {"response": 32, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Dec 29, 2001 (12:31)", "body": "I thought Kate & Leopold was truly awful. When Jackman was offscreen, the movie was dead on arrival. IMO, it's not funny, not even a little. Aside from being tedious, the script is downright sloppy. HJ comes from 1876. We're told he goes on to discover the elevator. Well, the first passenger elevator was invented in 1857--almost 20 years earlier! Also, in one scene he's singing songs from The Pirates of Penzance. Ooops--it wasn't written until 1879--3 years later. Ditto the scene where he's discussing La Boheme in detail--as Moon wrote, not performed until 1896! I confirmed this all in about 4 minutes research on the Internet--time the writers were obviously too lazy to take. Hugh Jackman is very good; he does what he can with the material. Was disappointed, though, that the tub scene that they keep showing in the commercials was nowhere to be found.;-) I thought Meg was ok; it's the material here that sucks. IMO, she looks good and is a very pretty 40. And even if she wasn't, so what? We've seen great looking young actresses paired with godawful old farts for too long!;-) I do agree, however, that her hair has a life of its own.:-) (Minkee) What is it with this antepodean exports - HJ here and RC on #92. They seem to be hogging the good parts And let's not forget Guy Pearce in Memento! Terrific movie and performance, IMO; rented it on DVD the other day and after watching it, tried playing the scenes in backwards order. Thought I was being clever, but it didn't come out right.;-) \"I have this condition . . . \" Loved it. As to your question, Mink, aside from being talented, they're smart, aggressive, and fearless. They also, IMO, generally play American better than the Brits, which broadens their opportunities. That goes for the Aussie women, too. More power to them."}, {"response": 33, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec 29, 2001 (19:05)", "body": "Oooh...I guess I missed it...I didn't know K&L was a docu-com;-) Songs in Moulin Rouge weren't 19th C. either....I ...don't...think....;-)"}, {"response": 34, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Dec 29, 2001 (19:25)", "body": "Oooh...I guess I missed it...I didn't know K&L was a docu-com;-) Songs in Moulin Rouge weren't 19th C. either....I ...don't...think....;-) You're right, Evelyn, a night at the movies now means to suspend all beliefs. Funny how sci-fi comes up ahead. ;-)"}, {"response": 35, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Dec 29, 2001 (19:26)", "body": "PS. Glad to hear you loved Memento, Mari. Me too as you all know."}, {"response": 36, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 29, 2001 (21:37)", "body": "(Evelyn) Oooh...I guess I missed it...I didn't know K&L was a docu-com;-) When it comes to time-travel films, fans insist on that type of thing. You will not believe the number of criticisms this film has gotten for each of those little details. As far as Moulin Rouge is concerned, it was intentional as is done in many plays, operas, musicals, etc. There's no comparison. K&L's makers were sloppy and couldn't care less. They insult their audience's intelligence but then again, some audience members don't seem to mind. ;-)"}, {"response": 37, "author": "maryw", "date": "Sat, Dec 29, 2001 (22:03)", "body": "Moon, Mari - I liked Memento too - even if it did go over my head first time. I rented it today coz I really want to crack it this time...I have this condition, you see ;-) As for MR - Karen, I was too busy shelling out money for many trips back to BJD that I gave it a miss on the big screen. Saw it last night on video - whew!What sort of acid was Baz L on? ;-) I'm not sure yet whether I like it or not - it's one or the other, no in-betweens. I'm probably in the minority here but EMcG doesn't do anything for me and NK although always technically close to perfection just misses out on \"it\" - whatever that is."}, {"response": 38, "author": "maryw", "date": "Sat, Dec 29, 2001 (22:42)", "body": "I just realised that I carried on with Memento and MR responses in the HJ topic. Should have been O&E but it gets difficult to preserve the flow if one does not respond \"on the spot\" even if the \"spot\" is wrong ;-)"}, {"response": 39, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Dec 30, 2001 (10:53)", "body": "You are spot on with your MR comments, Minkee. ;-)"}, {"response": 40, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Feb 13, 2002 (18:05)", "body": "On the subject of the elevator, if you click on the link below you can learn fun facts such as: Elisha Graves Otis didn't invent the elevator, he invented something perhaps more important-the elevator brake... http://www.invent.org/book/book-text/81.html As for that other question concerning an application of physics, or whatever: How did they get Ryan's hair to look like that? The answer: Hair extentions and liberal use of various and sundry styling products. One reviewer noted that her hair looked like nothing so much as a pre-washed dog. Ouch! That was a little too harsh."}, {"response": 41, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Feb 13, 2002 (18:17)", "body": "In an earlier post someone had noted that Colin Firth should have been the choice to play Leopold. I can certainly agree with that, although I find Hugh Jackman quite a good actor. Several years ago when the movie was first in development, Hugh Grant was considered for the role of Leopold and showed some interest in doing it. James Mangold originally wrote the screenplay for Sandra Bullock and it was seriously being developed with her mind around 1996/1997. It has been suggested that Mangold was influenced by Bullock's earlier movie, \"While You Were Sleeping\". Anyway, the following is a snippet from a website with more information about the development of \"Kate and Leopold\": October 14, 1997... From someone who's read the script and is able to give us some more detail about its storyline comes this: \"I read an early draft of the script and it is a very interesting piece for a Romantic Comedy. Leopold is a viscount from the 1890's who walks into his garden and was trapped in an energy field that transported him to the 1990's, where Sandra Bullock and her team of scientists are conducting a secret time travelling experiment. With the equipments busted and the viscount trapped. Sandra takes nim home and romance ensues between the leads who lived a century apart. They even went to see a movie about the Viscount's mysterious disappearance filmed in the 30's starring Ronald Colman, to which the Viscount shouts 'my hair is not that horrible!' in ths theater. The time comes when they have one last legitimate crack at bringing the Viscount back, Sandra's character is pregnant with his child. They transport him back but Sandra could not make it because it is risky for the baby. Years later, she and the baby transports back in time and the last scene is to feature old photographs with the Viscount and Sandra and the baby happily back in the 1890's in London. They almost greenlit the movie when Hugh Grant showed some interest in making it but when he balked, and Sandra's career management team goes into a wild tailspin, the script falls into the trenches of Development Hell.\" The link for the site is: http://www.corona.bc.ca/films/details/kateleopold.html"}, {"response": 42, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, May  7, 2003 (09:57)", "body": "Hi: I have just started a message bord forum for Hugh Jackman at EZ Board. http://pub23.ezboard.com/fcreativecreationsfrm10 You have to register at EZ boards first. It is free: http://www.ezboard.com/ Hope you can join us there, and post here as well! Lots of news on Mr. Jackman these days. Murph http://www.murphsplace.com/"}, {"response": 43, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (10:32)", "body": "In case there is anyone at this forum who's a HJ fan, check out the pics of him in the Interview Mag with Scarlett Johansson on the cover. Phwoar!! I *love* the long hair and stubble. Gets me almost as much as CF's InStyle picture. Saw another awesome pic on the cover of The Advocate mag as I walked by yesterday. Shame he won't look like that in his new play. If he looks like that in Van Helsing, multiple viewings are in order, unless the story really reeks. :-)"}, {"response": 44, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (13:39)", "body": "He's also featured in the new Vogue with Nicole Kidman on the cover. I too think he looks great with long hair. It's shorter now for the musical."}, {"response": 45, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Sep  7, 2003 (18:42)", "body": "Thanks, Moon. Ignored VF, will have to check it out."}, {"response": 46, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (13:08)", "body": "For any Hugh Jackman fans: The Soundtrack from the Boy From Oz and The DVD of Hugh's performance in Oklahoma is now available in the stores! Also Oklahoma will be aired this Sat, 11/22 @ 7PM & 11PM EST on PBS http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/ I happen to have the soundtrack . .Hugh sounds great . .lovely singing!"}, {"response": 47, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (14:57)", "body": "Gorgeous Man. Three of us saw Boys from Oz during Colin Week. Not to be missed. Thanks for the heads-up on the soundtrack."}, {"response": 48, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Nov 19, 2003 (15:09)", "body": "Guess I'll get tix again.....and actually remember to go this time before it starts. ;-)"}, {"response": 49, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (15:23)", "body": "(Dorine)Guess I'll get tix again.....and actually remember to go this time before it starts. ;-) hee hee . .take it the show was long??:) Haven't seen it yet . . ."}, {"response": 50, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (16:09)", "body": "Have no idea how long. Having a holiday off threw me off. I forgot that day I was supposed to go that night, but remembered at 8:30 when it started at 8. Could have made the second act, maybe, if I didn't change clothes, etc, but why bother. If I understand correctly, at one point he doffs his shirt, so will make concerted effort to get there. ;-)"}, {"response": 51, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (22:04)", "body": "Ahhh . .thought umm . .well, I guess I read the post wrong . .thought you had to make a pit stop in the middle of the show!;) I heard about the shirt taking off scene too . .apparently a crowd pleaser with the girls!"}, {"response": 52, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 20, 2003 (23:52)", "body": "If I understand correctly, at one point he doffs his shirt, so will make concerted effort to get there. ;-) He most certainly does and he enjoys every single minute of it. There was some hooting from ladies in the audience. It kind of took me back to going to Bachelorette parties many years ago."}, {"response": 53, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (00:16)", "body": "(Kimberly) Ahhh . .thought umm . .well, I guess I read the post wrong . .thought you had to make a pit stop in the middle of the show!;) LOL!! Until you pointed it out, didn't see that meaning what I said, but you're right, it did sound like that. :-D"}, {"response": 54, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (08:55)", "body": "Just a reminder, PBS is showing Hugh Jackman's Oklahoma on Great Performances. Fro me, it will be broadcast Saturday night."}, {"response": 55, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (09:32)", "body": "Daily Variety - 11/20/03 Hugh's the man for Tony - Robert Hofler Having already done his part for the Tonys, Broadway Cares and the Actors Equity protest, the busy boy from Oz was enlisted to host Friday's Tony Honors. From the stage of the Lyceum, League prexy Jed Bernstein introduced Hugh Jackman. \"Many stars come to Broadway,\" Bernstein said, \"but no one has given more tirelessly.\" Or with more self-deprecating panache. Jackman entertained with an anecdote about his recent Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids curtain call speech, during which someone yelled from the audience, \"We could take you seriously, Mr. Jackman, if you zipped up your fly.\" Following Jackman's lead, \"Hairspray\" wig maker Paul Huntley acccepted his honor with the event's best one liner: \"I'm glad you think Mr. Huntley gives good head.\" Also w/ small article, cute pic of Hugh mugging for the camera with some chorus girls from Hairspray. Am eager to catch Oklahoma this Sat on TV . .I listen to the soundtrack quite a bit and was very impressed. . .now there's a man I'd like to sing with!"}, {"response": 56, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (16:21)", "body": "(Variety)\"Many stars come to Broadway,\" Bernstein said, \"but no one has given more tirelessly.\" And he committed for a year too; none of this 8 weeks crap. Good one, Kimberley."}, {"response": 57, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (16:25)", "body": "(Variety)\"Many stars come to Broadway,\" Bernstein said, \"but no one has given more tirelessly.\" (Evelyn)And he committed for a year too; none of this 8 weeks crap. And I'm willing to bet he doesn't pull a Bernadette Peters . .and he actually shows up to all of his performances that he says he will do . . ."}, {"response": 58, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Fri, Nov 21, 2003 (16:26)", "body": ""}, {"response": 59, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Sat, Nov 22, 2003 (22:19)", "body": "Just saw the PBS Oklahoma. Nice production, but I thought the scenery was a bit spare. I'd never heard HJ sing before and was very, very impressed. Wish I was closer to NYC so I could see BFO. Will have to satisfy self with X-2 thats being released on DVD on Tuesday."}, {"response": 60, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (09:06)", "body": "(Eithne)Will have to satisfy self with X-2 thats being released on DVD on Tuesday. But does he take off his shirt, wiggle [read:grind] and sing...;-) I liked the production, but it wasn't \"live\". They added the audience shots separately; the cheats. Also was it my screen or did it seem that the lips, in the dialogue, were not in sync with the voices. I saw the NY RSC stage production but without HJ, and it seemed dated. I'm not keen on warm-overs."}, {"response": 61, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (10:55)", "body": "NYC is a long way from Florida and DH would NOT appreciate me taking off and spending vast sums to see HJ shake his tailfeathers. I hear (as I did not see it in theatrical release) that there is a scene in X-2 where HJ runs down a corridor without the benefit of clothing. I also understand that on the day they filmed that sequence, every woman in the production and crew was waiting for him at the end of the corridor, all waving money and cheering. Evelyn, I agree with your assessment of the \"dated\" aspect of the production and don't care much for them, myself."}, {"response": 62, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (11:53)", "body": "(Eithne) but I thought the scenery was a bit spare. Not that I've seen Oklahoma all that many times, but I think that's how it is typically done, fairly spare. It is the wide open prairie, you know. ;-) (Evelyn) But does he take off his shirt, wiggle [read:grind] and sing...;-) I think his abs are better now, but I'm not complaining. Also was it my screen or did it seem that the lips, in the dialogue, were not in sync with the voices. I thought I noticed it a few times myself and wondered if the audio track was off somehow. and it seemed dated I loved the ballet sequence, as I do in all the old R-H musicals (like Carousel); they're my favorite parts. Once I got off the phone with you (*winkie winkie*), I was completely engaged by it since it's been such a long time since I'd seen one. You have to remember OK is considered the first American musical of its type (an American operetta) and, even though Susan S got credit for choreography, there's still a lot of Agnes DeMille in it."}, {"response": 63, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (12:28)", "body": "Wasn't the guy who played Jud excellent? I liked the darker vision in it, and I'm in love with Hugh Jackman -- all over again! What glorious music, too."}, {"response": 64, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (15:01)", "body": "Review at THR: The Rodgers & Hammerstein musical classic \"Oklahoma!\" is as timeless as they come -- and it's a good thing. This one is actually more than four years old, having been filmed in 1999 at Shepperton Studios in London from a Royal National Theatre stage production that had its run in 1998. If lanky Aussie hunk Hugh Jackman, as cowpoke Curly, looks even younger than he did in \"X-Men,\" it's because he was. Be that as it may, this \"Great Performances\" entry feels somehow fresh as a daisy, directed with invigorating skill by Trevor Nunn and Chris Hunt and performed with vibrancy and daring by the entire cast. A magical time is guaranteed for all. Somehow, Nunn and Hunt are able to transcend most of the usual televised limitations of the stage play to craft something that looks more like an involving film. The cameras travel closer to the middle of the action than we're accustomed to. And Jackman -- as well as his fellow castmates, including Josefina Gabrielle (as the headstrong Laurey), Shuler Hensley (as grizzled outsider Jud Fry, a role that would win him a Tony during the show's 2002 Broadway revival) and Maureen Lipman (as Aunt Eller) -- are simply splendid. Jackman in particular is a towering presence, his charisma pouring through, his melodic voice booming to the heavens. It sounds almost weird to say this with a foreign cast devoid of yanks, but the numbers in this \"Oklahoma!\" have never sounded better. From \"Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin' \" to \"Surrey With the Fringe on Top\" to \"People Will Say We're in Love\" to the rousing signature tune \"Oklahoma!\" it's all very vibrant and triumphant. Significant credit has to go to five-time Tony winner Susan Stroman for doing such an astute reconception of the original Agnes de Mille choreography for such classics as \"Kansas City\" and \"The Farmer and the Cowman.\" Small wonder that critics fell all over themselves to praise this \"Oklahoma!\" rendering for the way it was able to peer beneath the story's sunny exterior and examine the emotional depth lurking within. It sounds a little silly, but it's true: This \"Oklahoma!\" rocks. What's most amazing about all of this is that this first musical collaboration between Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II is now 60 years old, having originally premiered on Broadway at the St. James Theatre on March 31, 1943. The pair would follow up \"Oklahoma!\" with \"Carousel\" (1945), \"Allegro\" (1947), \"South Pacific\" (1949), \"The King and I\" (1951), \"Me and Juliet\" (1953), \"Pipe Dream\" (1955), \"Flower Drum Song\" (1958) and \"The Sound of Music\" (1959). Rodgers & Hammerstein's creation has rarely, if ever, been realized as perfectly as it is here. The costumes and sets from Anthony Ward, the photography from Paul Wheeler and his team -- it's all just kind of perfect. It's easy to see why PBS would see fit to plug this in as a \"Great Performances\" entry. As an adaptation from the big stage to the small screen, it's about as great as they come."}, {"response": 65, "author": "lisamh", "date": "Sun, Nov 23, 2003 (21:22)", "body": "I watched Oklahoma last night. I've always thought HJ was gorgeous, but I had no idea he had such a beautiful voice. I love that producers are exploring the darker side of Rodgers and Hammerstein's works. Would love to see a revival of Carousel. Seeing Boys From Oz is now on my list of things to do in 2004."}, {"response": 66, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Nov 30, 2003 (21:23)", "body": "Long hair alert;-)"}, {"response": 67, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, Nov 30, 2003 (21:37)", "body": "Ada! Gotta warn me in the post before! ;-) Really looking forward to this one. Saw him on a show on the Discovery Health channel where they were talking to his physical trainer about the regimen Hugh was on to prepare for X-Men 2. Interviewed HJ, a bit, too...medium long hair. Scrummy!...as Emma would say. And let me tell you what a hardship it was to see repeated shots of him with just a tank top or shirtless in X-Men 2. ;-)"}, {"response": 68, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Sun, Nov 30, 2003 (21:51)", "body": "Sorry Dorine, I'll do better next time;-)! Here's the link for the article accompanying the pics. http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-10/420008/hugh_helsing2.jpg http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-10/420008/hugh_helsing1.jpg"}, {"response": 69, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Sun, Nov 30, 2003 (22:13)", "body": "Thanks Ada! Lovely hair........ Scrummy is right Do! Some cross bow."}, {"response": 70, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec  1, 2003 (12:24)", "body": "How did you guys see the pics, I'm denied access. Can you copy/paste?"}, {"response": 71, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, Dec  1, 2003 (14:25)", "body": "(Ev)Can you copy/paste? Yes..."}, {"response": 72, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Dec  4, 2003 (11:24)", "body": "Just checked the Charlie Rose website (inspired by you, Evelyn) Hugh is listed as an upcoming guest this Friday, 12/5"}, {"response": 73, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Dec  5, 2003 (22:06)", "body": "Well, it will be a Happy Birthday to me in a few weeks (one day removed, they weren't performing on my bday)....Hugh Jackman on stage....me, 4th row center!! My bday present to myself. Now if I can just remember to go this time. ;-D Looking forward to Charlie Rose tonight, too. :-)"}, {"response": 74, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (13:27)", "body": "Really enjoyed seeing him on Charlie Rose last night. It was serendipitous as we had just been watching our tape of Oklahoma again last night and was just passing through the channel on my way back and forth between Dustin with Dave and Nicole with Jay. A very busy evening on the late night talk show circuit. I liked his ready smile. Was very good with the humorous antecdote and also competent with the heavier questions. And, of course that Australian accent! You're in for a treat, Dorine. Enjoy and let us know what you yell out at him.;-)"}, {"response": 75, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (19:30)", "body": "Happy early b'day Dorine . .let me know how it looks from the 4th row when that shirt comes off!!!!;)"}, {"response": 76, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (20:12)", "body": "LOL, I will!! And, I'll compare notes with Mari, Karen, and Evelyn. ;-)"}, {"response": 77, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (21:31)", "body": "Hate to brag....but we saw him without the shirt from Row A, center. (Thank you Mari) He looked right down at us and flashed that smile. *sigh*."}, {"response": 78, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (21:55)", "body": "I knew you were up close and personal, but couldn't remember how close. I'm so happy b/c this ticket is quite a bit closer than the last one I had. ;-) I sat in the first and second row for something recently and wasn't fond of being *that* close, really. A couple of rows may make a difference. Hmmm, maybe I can use that bday angle to get something from HJ later in the evening. ...and no, sadly, nothing so exciting....I know your minds all just went to the gutter. ( Ok, so did mine. But not what I meant. ;-))"}, {"response": 79, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 2003 (22:12)", "body": "We were in the second row. It wasn't too close at all. I'd say, put a candle on your head and ask him to blow it out. ;-)"}, {"response": 80, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Dec 18, 2003 (08:45)", "body": "Another pic: You can dl it as wallpaper from here: http://www.uip.nl/vanhelsing.html"}, {"response": 81, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Dec 26, 2003 (23:21)", "body": "They should just give him the Tony now. :-D Very slight story, phenomenal performance by HJ. Loved to hear him sing with the guy who played his partner. Really liked the Judy Garland character, too. Needed to tighten up the story though. Waiting for autographs after, the girl in front of me got knocked in the head by HJ's waiting SUV when the driver raised the door up, then looked at her and virtually ignored her when she said something...and I was getting crushed (pushing me into that same poor girl) when he got over to our side."}, {"response": 82, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 27, 2003 (09:35)", "body": "They should just give him the Tony now. :-D LOL! It just doesn't seem possible that anyone else could top this. Isn't amazing how he plays to the audience and seems to lap it up? Any reaction when he's changing his shirt?"}, {"response": 83, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 2004 (00:10)", "body": "Oops, went out of town when you asked this and never went back.... (Karen) Any reaction when he's changing his shirt? LOL! You are kidding right? ;-D Oh, *yeah*! He spoke back to a couple of them in character. V. funny and quite endearing. Isn't amazing how he plays to the audience and seems to lap it up? Yes, I was fascinated by a couple of girls (ok women in mid 20s maybe) he kept playing to in the first row allllll the way over on stage right. Kept wondering if they were fan club members or something. By or at the end, it almost seemed as if he knew or were familiar with them. Also did a fairly long riff with a young couple in the front row just before or just after intermission. Esp with the guy. V funny. Periodically would go back to him with comments. Was curious if he was so chatty with your audience."}, {"response": 84, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 2004 (00:13)", "body": "Oops! Forgot I had that URL at the bottom of my last post. From Interview Mag and People 50 Sexiest Issue. A friend pointed out the People issue to me at the gym Saturday. Seems he and I have the same taste. ;-)"}, {"response": 85, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 2004 (09:11)", "body": "He was born to be on stage. Glad you finally got to see it. Hang the reviewers. Was curious if he was so chatty with your audience. Don't think he was with anyone in particular. He did lock eyes with us several times...but hey we were 2nd row center:-))) I was mesmerized. Who cared about the crappy story."}, {"response": 86, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 2004 (09:46)", "body": "Oooh Dorine, thanks for the wake-me-up:-)!"}, {"response": 87, "author": "firthworthy", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 2004 (10:11)", "body": "OMG, Dorine! What a great photo -- love the haircut, and though I'm not a fan of stubble, I will make an exception here. Wish I could get up there to see him."}, {"response": 88, "author": "Tress", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 2004 (10:25)", "body": "GAH! I think that's probably the best pic of HJ I've ever seen.....must forward it on to my mum. She'll die (big fan)! Was disappointed not to have seen it (as my DH knows as I still go on and on about it). Now really wish I had seen it, would have been a blast!"}, {"response": 89, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 2004 (11:01)", "body": "Tress (and other HJ fans)- your mom may like this site. I've always found nice pics of Hugh here: http://jackmanslanding.com/"}, {"response": 90, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 2004 (11:40)", "body": "Just for your enjoyment:)"}, {"response": 91, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 2004 (12:05)", "body": "Lovely picture, Dorine, thanks! Am surprised Karen hasn't commented on his brows. Do they need plucking, Karen? ;-)"}, {"response": 92, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 2004 (15:49)", "body": ""}, {"response": 93, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 2004 (18:13)", "body": "Have the pictures left you speechless, Evelyn? ;-D (Ada) Oooh Dorine, thanks for the wake-me-up:-)! (Deb) What a great photo -- love the haircut, and though I'm not a fan of stubble, I will make an exception here. Wish I could get up there to see him. (Tress) GAH! I think that's probably the best pic of HJ I've ever seen.. (Moon) Lovely picture The *big* pics in the Interview Mag with SJ on the cover were to die for, too. Slightly longer hair, and still stubble. Yum-my!! Doesn't look quite as hot in the play as in the pics, but that's being nitpicky. ;-) Hmmm, didn't notice the eyebrows in the whole scheme of things. Don't want them thinner or to much thinner anyway, or I'll start to think he's emulating PA a bit *too* closely. ;-) Thanks for the pics and website, Kimberly."}, {"response": 94, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 2004 (21:17)", "body": "Moviebox.net has the VanHelsing trailer up: http://www.themoviebox.net/movies/2004/STUVWXYZ/Van-Helsing/trailer-page.html"}, {"response": 95, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (12:20)", "body": "For you fans in the NY Metro area! Hugh Jackman to Sign The Boy From Oz Cast Albums in New York City Feb. 20 By Ernio Hernandez Playbill.com - 10 Feb 2004 Hugh Jackman, star of the new Broadway musical, The Boy From Oz, will be on hand to sign copies of the cast album at Borders in New York City Feb. 20. The event is set to start at 12:30 PM in the Borders Columbus Circle (10 Columbus Circle in Manhattan). Jackman will only be signing copies of The Boy From Oz cast album. The new musical began on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre Sept. 16, 2003, and opened Oct. 16. The Boy from Oz is \"a musical true story\" of the late entertainer Peter Allen who was a protege of Judy Garland \ufffd and briefly married to her daughter Liza Minnelli. Martin Sherman (Bent) provides the libretto for the score which features the music and lyrics of the pop superstar. Philip Wm. McKinley directs Jackman (as Peter Allen) in The Boy From Oz and a cast that includes Stephanie J. Block (as Liza Minnelli), Beth Fowler (as mother Marion Woolnough), Isabel Keating (as Allen's mentor and mother-in-law, Judy Garland), Jarrod Emick (as Allen's companion, Greg Connell), Mitchel Federan (as the young Peter) and Michael Mulheren (as father, Dick Woolnough, and the manager promoter Dee Anthony). For tickets to The Boy From Oz at the Imperial, 249 West 45 Street, call (212) 239-6200 or click here. For more information, visit the show's website at www.theboyfromoz.com. http://www.playbill.com/news/article/84328.html"}, {"response": 96, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (16:19)", "body": "Some new pics of Van Helsing at Zreview - http://www.thezreview.co.uk/news2/news537.htm"}, {"response": 97, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (16:27)", "body": "Thanks, Ada! Dying to see this despite the cheesy looking special effects I've seen on the trailer. Can't pass up HJ with the long hair. :-P And speaking of long hair, who's this honey? It's definitely not HJ. All these men in long hair. *sigh*"}, {"response": 98, "author": "shdwmoon", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 2004 (16:43)", "body": "His name is Will Kemp...plays Kate Beckinsale's brother with \"a terrible secret\"! Heh...he's gotta be the Wolfman. Here's a link to the website: http://www.vanhelsing.net"}, {"response": 99, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (10:05)", "body": "Anybody watch Hugh on Inside the Actors Studio last night? Good show. Loved how they showed the \"Rio\" clip from Boy from Oz; that might be worth keeping on tape. ;-) It was really cute when he asked for volunteers from the audience to form his line of Rockettes. Those women couldn't have jumped up fast enough. Re: Boy from Oz, I thought it interesting how he mentioned Peter Allen's appeal to both sexes, and how during his performances Allen kind of \"cruised\" the audience. That would explain the way Hugh was making eye contact with audience members during the show."}, {"response": 100, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Mon, Mar  8, 2004 (12:55)", "body": "Loved it, but he looks like he's lost too much weight. Face is too thin. Looks just like his mum though. His enthusiasm is infectious. OMG, LOL! That one girl jumping up like a shot! Was waiting for her to literally jump up and run across people's laps. She had the higher kick out of the 2 girls, too. Hugh so works the crowd in that show, so I did find that interesting."}, {"response": 101, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 2004 (21:29)", "body": "http://www.aintitcoolnews.com/display.cgi?id=17342 A *very* funny, yet somewhat unfavorable review of Van Helsing. Scroll down halfway. A couple that stood out... a preponderance of villains tends to overwhelm the protagonist, but that hasn\ufffdt stopped Sommers from dangling Universal\ufffds horror library upside down and shaking out every last icon. Dracula, Frankenstein, the Werewolf\ufffd we\ufffdre but a Mummy and a Gill Man short of a Bobby \ufffdBoris\ufffd Pickett novelty hit. Roxburgh\ufffds portrayal..... He\ufffds awful throughout, thundering out his lines like some third-rate community theater ham essaying Lear. Drunk."}, {"response": 102, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 2004 (08:48)", "body": "Roxburgh\ufffds portrayal..... He\ufffds awful throughout, thundering out his lines like some third-rate community theater ham essaying Lear. Drunk. I'm smalling an Oscar nom in manner of Johnny Depp... ;-)"}, {"response": 103, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 2004 (10:12)", "body": "Ahh for anyone that gets Interview magazine . .Mr. Jackman is on the cover of the May issue . . some nice nice pics in side and a nice interview on pg 99 . .skimmed it quickly talks about BFO, Van Helsing & X Men, as well as his acting background, his studying at The School of Practical Philosophy. . A bit of silliness . .HJ was asked about a possible 3rd X-men and if he'd play Wolverine again . . Interviewer: Is there any place you'd like to see that character go? HJ: Um, how about a warmer climate? You didn't know that Wolverine was a good surfer, did you? Will see if I can type up interview . .It's not online yet, unfortunately."}, {"response": 104, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  5, 2004 (09:12)", "body": "Hugh's been out there promoting Van Helsing. On the Tonight Show they played a clip of him shaking his booty in \"Go to Rio.\" That made my evening. ;-) But he also mentioned on either ET or AH that he's signed for a sequel to Van Helsing, so IMO that might would rule him for Bond. Bond can't played by a actor with another recurring role. Not only is he Wolverine, but Van Helsing too. They'd never let him be Bond, while he continued doing those movies. On ET/AH, he was asked about being Bond and he responded with the standard \"I hear these things too and have asked my agent, but he hasn't been approached either\" kind of answer."}, {"response": 105, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Thu, May  6, 2004 (12:54)", "body": "Hugh's reaching for the stars Sydney Herald Sun 06may04 HUGH Jackman may be set to join Russell Crowe and Mel Gibson as Australia's biggest Hollywood earners. Jackman, who has the starring role in action-adventure movie Van Helsing, which opens today, was reported to have received $10 million for the role. Crowe reportedly received $27 million for his role in the new boxing drama The Cinderella Man, while Gibson is part of a group of Hollywood's elite who command $35 million a film. Depending on Van Helsing's success at the box office, Jackman could expect to receive twice or three times his original fee in any sequels. That would place him right in the middle of the elite club. Jackman's reputation has been rising since his breakthrough performance as Wolverine in 2000's X-Men. And if he proves he can carry a true blockbuster, the sky is the limit. \"We were adamant about getting Hugh from the start,\" Van Helsing director Stephen Sommers said. \"He is the only guy we wanted.\" http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,9481561%255E2902,00.html"}, {"response": 106, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sun, May  9, 2004 (19:29)", "body": "I saw him on Leno, too. Very cute. I can't imagine people check out Bob Costas' show on HBO, but he was on there last night. HJ was hilarious, esp when he started talking about how he won a burping contest on a Nickelodean award show....then Bob had him demonstrate, LOL. HJ said his 4yr old thought it was the greatest thing. ;-) It repeats at various times throughout the week. You should check it out. Actually the whole show was pretty funny last night. It is on a regular basis. Moon, seen Van Helsing yet? I'm again waiting for crowds to go down in a few weeks."}, {"response": 107, "author": "Beedee", "date": "Mon, May 10, 2004 (11:31)", "body": "(Dorine)I can't imagine people check out Bob Costas' show on HBO, Saw that too and thought it was a fun interview. I prefer BC's interviews. They are usually so much more thoughtful and are less to do with Bob and more to do with the guest. Thought he was great on that very late show on NBC some years ago. I'm tired of Jay Leno and David L's love afffairs with themselves:-("}, {"response": 108, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 10, 2004 (14:14)", "body": "(Dorine), Moon, seen Van Helsing yet? Yes, and I loved it! The script is fun, well written and part spoof (you will know when you see it). Oh baby that howling wolf!!! ;-)"}, {"response": 109, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May 10, 2004 (16:03)", "body": "Hugh Jackman nominated for Tony. Best Actor in Musical. According to USA Today, he's a shoo-in. LOL. We all said that way back in Nov. right aft it opened."}, {"response": 110, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Tue, May 11, 2004 (09:34)", "body": "Totally agree, but will say I'm surprised the play itself was nom'd."}, {"response": 111, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, May 12, 2004 (18:30)", "body": "It sounds like Hugh will be hosting the Tony show too."}, {"response": 112, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, May 12, 2004 (18:30)", "body": ""}, {"response": 113, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, May 14, 2004 (16:39)", "body": "He got a Drama League Award today.... http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=89&e=1&u=/playbill/20040514/en_playbill/86177"}, {"response": 114, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, May 27, 2004 (04:38)", "body": "For \"The Boy From Oz,\" the musical about Australian entertainer Peter Allen, the question was how to best showcase its star, Tony nominee Hugh Jackman (news), who plays Allen. \"Hugh was keen to do something that is up tempo, kind of Peter Allenesque, rather than one of the more downbeat ballads,\" Ben Gannon, one of the producers of \"The Boy From Oz,\" said. The \"Oz\" number will feature Jackman and the band on stage with a couple of the female singers, warbling \"Not the Boy Next Door,\" which was Allen's signature song. \"The song gives Hugh a chance to play around with the guys in the band and with the backup girls in the same way Peter used to do in his act and in the way Hugh does in the show,\" Gannon explained. Jackman also is host of the awards show. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=529&ncid=529&e=7&u=/ap/20040526/ap_en_ot/tonys_backstage_song_picks"}, {"response": 115, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 27, 2004 (09:08)", "body": "Shoot! I had my fingers crossed for another number and would've taped it. Thanks!"}, {"response": 116, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Thu, May 27, 2004 (09:47)", "body": "I Go to Rio, perhaps? That was my bet, though that's a very cast heavy number. The set could have been an issue, too."}, {"response": 117, "author": "kimmerv2", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 2004 (09:18)", "body": "From Backstage - http://www.backstage.com/backstage/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000522985 Jackman Wins Astaire Award for Dancing By The Associated Press New York (AP) -- They may not be known for their dancing, but Hugh Jackman and Donna Murphy have all the right moves on Broadway. Jackman, who plays Australian entertainer Peter Allen in \"The Boy From Oz,\" and Murphy, star of \"Wonderful Town,\" have won the 2004 TDF-Astaire Awards as the best male and female dancers in theater, it was announced Tuesday. Kathleen Marshall, who directed and choreographed \"Wonderful Town,\" was named best choreographer. The prizes are given each year by the Theatre Development Fund and Robyn Smith Astaire, widow of the legendary dancer Fred Astaire. The awards will be presented at a ceremony later this month. A panel of dance and theater critics chose the winners. Among previous winners are dancers Chita Rivera, Gregory Hines, Bebe Neuwirth, Savion Glover, Charles \"Honi\" Coles, Charlotte d'Amboise, Ann Reinking, Ann Miller and Donna McKechnie. On the Net: www.tdf.org"}, {"response": 118, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Fri, Jun 25, 2004 (23:14)", "body": "From the Dark Horizons website... Meanwhile according to Newsday and Coming Soon, Director Darren Aronofsky's \"The Fountain\" will start filming on November 1 in Montreal. In the Warner Bros film, starring Hugh Jackman, a quest for immortality - via a \"tree of life\" found in Central America - is attempted in three different centuries, the ultimate lesson being that death, as part of the process of rebirth, is to be embraced, not feared. Jackman is committed to his Tony-award winning role as Peter Allen in the Broadway musical \"The Boy from Oz\" through til September 12th. _______________________ This is the movie Brad Pitt dumped to go do Troy, I believe. And who was it that wanted to see Boy From Oz, but wasn't sure how long he was in it? Seems this gives the answer. I saw a guy last week at a show in the park where Broadway people sang classic Broadway tunes. One guy I saw, Raul Esparza (who was *amazing*...will see him anywhere he sings), who was Tony nom'd this year, was there and for some reason as he sang, I thought he would be good in Boy From Oz. Wonder if the requirement for the star is to be Australian?"}, {"response": 119, "author": "kasey", "date": "Sat, Jun 26, 2004 (07:41)", "body": "And closing notices have been posted for September 12th for The Boy Frpm Oz. Producers are saying that they always intended for the show to run for only one year. Yeah, right! The show itself wasn't worth seeing other than for his performance and it seems that everyone is admitting it."}, {"response": 120, "author": "gomezdo", "date": "Sat, Jun 26, 2004 (07:47)", "body": "I agree and the other guy I mentioned was the only one I've ever seen that I thought could even remotely do it, too. I know he wouldn't have been quite as good, though."}, {"response": 121, "author": "Eithne", "date": "Sat, Jun 26, 2004 (08:58)", "body": "I was the one who wanted to see Jackman in \"Boy\". Oh, pooh. Always a day late and a dollar short. Thanks for the update, though."}, {"response": 122, "author": "DianeLund", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 2004 (00:59)", "body": "Heard in the radio that, there has been some sort of wote among the brits, about who they want to play the next James Bond (when Pierce stops), and apparently HJ won."}, {"response": 123, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 2004 (09:00)", "body": "Seems there are constantly polls going on about this subject, none of which means a thing. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 72, "subject": "Odds and Ends", "response_count": 1999, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jan  5, 1998 (16:55)", "body": "Hi StephanieB, and Thank you Nan for setting this up. I'm here - will it be easier for you or shall we keep to the other?"}, {"response": 2, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jan  6, 1998 (14:25)", "body": "Particularly bad Kona winds today preclude breathing. All awake with a head full of exasperated sinuses due to VOG (volcano smog)and mean dispositions. Much like the Santa Ana winds in So. Cal. Watering becoming necessary as cracks are forming in the yard and the grass crunches when walked upon. We need rain. Of course, HNL is getting all of our rain, and it is flooding because it is flat and no drainage."}, {"response": 3, "author": "Critter2", "date": "Tue, Jan  6, 1998 (17:16)", "body": "I don't know about those winds, but the Earthquakes we had here years ago split open the earth swallowed a herd of cattle and slammed shut again. Fortunatly nothing like that has happened lately. However, one never takes cracks in the ground lightly anymore!"}, {"response": 4, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Tue, Jan  6, 1998 (20:32)", "body": "There seems to be a conversation of the worst events in your areas of the world. Hurricanes, anyone?"}, {"response": 5, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 1998 (00:02)", "body": "How about AOL e-mail going down?? And I can't e-mail my friend. Hang in there friend, I'm here, I'm writing, just can't send. But I am a willing recipient from you my dear!"}, {"response": 6, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 1998 (02:08)", "body": "That is a disaster, indeed, but I'll bet your friend is stacking up things to talk about later. AOL will cause a world crisis if it goes down for very many others."}, {"response": 7, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 1998 (09:21)", "body": "How about forgetting that your 7 y.o daughter lost a tooth and the toothfairy forgot to pay a visit. Happened to me. When I realised that I forgot, I was mortified. But I saved face hopped in the shower told the little one to eat breakfast and quietly slipped in a left $1. Good or what???"}, {"response": 8, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 1998 (10:31)", "body": "Yes, very good. job of sneaking in the back door!"}, {"response": 9, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 1998 (14:35)", "body": "Ah, the ingenuity of Motherhood. Laura, I'm impressed. That's the the saying Necessity is the Motherhood of Invention?! Good morning all!"}, {"response": 10, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 1998 (15:05)", "body": "StephanieB, are you still having trouble with AOL, or is this just an abberation? With AOL world-wide, that beats cracks in the ground and other assorted calamities. The AOL mess means the world cannot talk with one another. Let us know how you are doing!"}, {"response": 11, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 1998 (15:06)", "body": "Aren't you right. Luckily she was too tired this morning to realise what I had done."}, {"response": 12, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 1998 (15:42)", "body": "(Marcia) StephanieB, are you still having trouble with AOL I am convinced that AOL is responsible for all the evils of the world...well, at least the cyber world ;-)"}, {"response": 13, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 1998 (17:38)", "body": "(Nan): I am convinced that AOL is responsible for all the evils of the world...well, at least the cyber world ;-) When my son dragged me kicking and screaming onto the Internet so I could talk to him more frequently (he'd just moved from Hawaii to California), he signed me up with a private server. He chose the largest in the state, and there have been no glitches. Eudora is still the best Email handler, etc. He had said I could use AOL, but begged me not to; then he rattled off all the reasons why I should spurn their attempts to gather me under their huge cumbersome wings. I have been so glad I listened to him And, I am equally sorry for those still hampered by their idea of what an Internet server should be."}, {"response": 14, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 1998 (17:42)", "body": "Nan, to answer your question, she has been comandeered by the hospital whose ER is not Email friendly, but she can access the Boards at The Spring from there."}, {"response": 15, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 1998 (18:29)", "body": "MarciaH: It is so nice to eavesdrop when there are people talking about you. Perhaps we could write a story about this? I am here and can run in and out (to see you) every few minutes. MedPartners made the business section of the paper, or if you want the scoop, can go to www.medpartners.com. The company that was going to buy them backed out because of their debt load, and their stock has dropped by about 40%. S:-)"}, {"response": 16, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 1998 (18:36)", "body": "I didn't know you were a lurker. Interesting comments you make. Perchance another disaster? Is your location now any saner than perviously?"}, {"response": 17, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 1998 (18:59)", "body": "I'm on business line, so until later or the boss goes out, I'll have to check in as I can. Found the url. Very curious. Take care, dear!"}, {"response": 18, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 1998 (19:15)", "body": "Checking? I'm here!"}, {"response": 19, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 1998 (19:20)", "body": "Let's see...Darcy's Cyber-Space Courtship. Lizzie has an antiquated cpu but a n up-to-date modem, so downloading files and jpgs of her beloved takes up more room than she has. He sends her a wonderful map of exactly where he lives, but every time she tries to see the fine details by moving the slider across the bottom and down the sides, it freezes up. Then she has to reboot the whole computer and hope her half-written letter of appreciation back to him is still there. Alas, it is not, so she tries to remember the clever wording of the missing missle and writes another..."}, {"response": 20, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 1998 (19:31)", "body": "No pic's today.I checked @ home!! Disappointment abounds!!:-( Sorry I was gone so long taking care of a Critical pt. Delivered her to ICU just now!!! Now if the rest will behave! Me:-)"}, {"response": 21, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 1998 (20:12)", "body": "I am severly disappointed, also. It was the \"best\" one of me I had. Next I take them to be copied so I can send them Priority mail and assure you of an image. I'm going to check through my Email files to see when I sent it. Sorry about your Critical, but that's your kuliana, and that's why you're there. Tell them it is siesta time...=)"}, {"response": 22, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 1998 (20:19)", "body": "I'm sitting here looking at your computer wallpaper, and it's driving me crazy...very pleasantly. Does it do that to you, too. Do you have nose print on your screen?"}, {"response": 23, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 1998 (21:25)", "body": "yes. i'm ready to go home,yeah!!!!"}, {"response": 24, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 1998 (21:28)", "body": "Switching over!!!"}, {"response": 25, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 1998 (21:40)", "body": "See you in a bit. Glad to be leaving now, bye! S:-)"}, {"response": 26, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 1998 (04:04)", "body": "I saw STRICTLY BALLROOM recently and now I'm really interested in Paul Mercurio who's the actor/dancer in it. Does anyone know anything about him? I can't find any PM webpages so I can't get any info. All I know is that he's Australia's top dancer and choreographer and he has children and owns a house. Is he making any more movies? Someone HELP!"}, {"response": 27, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 1998 (08:19)", "body": "Maybe you should register http://www.paulmercurio.com ? Sounds like a fan page waiting for a creator."}, {"response": 28, "author": "Cachet", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 1998 (10:00)", "body": "Meow, I'm feeling a little catty today. The GB Packers shall save the day!!! Hopefully so will the Bronco's on their end of town. Hope you had a good night, didn't let the BB bite!! See you when you roll out of the hay! Love ya! Just me!"}, {"response": 29, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 1998 (10:36)", "body": "Found this at work, thought you might like it! The Golden Years The Golden Years, Have Come at Last, I cannot See, I Cannot Pee, I Cannot Chew, I Cannot Screw, My Memory Shrinks, My Hearing Stinks, No Sense of Smell, I look Like Hell, My Vody's Drooping, Got Trouble Pooping, The Golden Years Have Come At Last The Golden Years Can Kiss My A__! Good Morning to you all!"}, {"response": 30, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 1998 (12:50)", "body": "Good morning. That's an amazing little poem to begin a Sunday! Is it still raining (in that case you should have some flooding) or is it sunny and everything is turning green? I hope the second to allow you a better day. But, why the Bronco's over a good Pennsylvania team??? All is quiet here. I shall be in and out depending on how busy away from me the man of the house gets. Hope hope !!! Later!"}, {"response": 31, "author": "Cachet", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 1998 (13:35)", "body": "Good morning Nittany, that is a cute thing someone put on here about the Golden Years. Hey I'll change my loyalties for you anyday, Go STEELERS!!!!! No rain tonight but someone in Hawaii is sending storms our way. The Pineapple Express we call it! There was one here Friday & Sat. am=nother coming tonite and tomorrow, and then another on Wed. You know we have to blame someone for our troubles. First it was el nino, now the pineapples, You can't win!! Do people in Pennsylvania balme California and Washington for their weather. Look forward to talking to you whenever possible, Did you have a good sleep?? Had ikimail this am. Was not very prolific in my answer at 0430!!!! bye, see ya later.MEOW!"}, {"response": 32, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 1998 (15:19)", "body": "Thank you for your loyalty to me amd for rooting for the Steelers, but if God doesn't also, Denver is going to grind them into iron filings! Elway and his linemen are just too good! Loved Stephanie's poem. I'll have to thank her for it - but what does a young thing like she is know about these things...=P The Pineapple Express isn't my fav Wx either. It brings the dry air and I have problems from that. And Honolulu gets the rain and they have no idea what to do with it - that is if HNL is as I remember from living there years ago. I made and cleaned up a big breakfast just now, and broached the 52 days from now event to R. Said ok. No enthusiasm, but no anything else other than ok Guess we can keep counting =) Take care !"}, {"response": 33, "author": "Cachet", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 1998 (15:23)", "body": "Will try for food at 1300.! See you then at the regular spot!"}, {"response": 34, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 1998 (16:07)", "body": "I'll be there - 1100 here! I've been learning how to do your wav files with the family Geek. I'll print out the relevant info and bring it along. We'll get HIM talking for your computer, yet! Trav Ag tom'w for sure. Oooch!"}, {"response": 35, "author": "Cachet", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 1998 (16:10)", "body": "Scratch above message, I went to lunch. Could not connect w/my ISP, so unable to talk!!! Whine, whine, whine, meeeooooowwww! Sorry about the Steelers, I switched alliances, and was rooting for them in the last few minutes while trying to connect! Love ya, Cachet!"}, {"response": 36, "author": "Cachet", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 1998 (17:02)", "body": "For some reason, this is not showing new messages, when you post. I have to keep going out and coming back in (sounds like something else, huh?) this computer is very slow. Glad you suffered no flak, yet. Will keep holding my breath for you. Well the GBpackers are playing and it is very quiet here, We will experience the afternoon rush post game!! Still sorry the Steeler's lost. But I guess it was a great game. Will check this again at 1400, (1200) if it remains calm. Meow!"}, {"response": 37, "author": "Cachet", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 1998 (17:03)", "body": "If you are there, I shall actually check in 15 minutes, This day is dragging, since you are being so wifely!"}, {"response": 38, "author": "Kate", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 1998 (17:04)", "body": "PAUL MERCURIO Does anyone know anything about him? I can't find any PM webpages so I can't get any info. All I know is that he's Australia's top dancer and choreographer and he has children and owns a house. Is he making any more movies? Someone HELP! First of all he's NOT Australia's top dancer and choreographer. Australia has many excellent dancers, and Paul is simply one of them (and getting a little over the hill...). He does some choreography - he had a group going for a while called Australian Choreographic Ensemble which I saw perform in Melbourne - very interesting modern dance, very different to SB!. He's certainly not our top choreographer - Graham Murphy would make that claim I think. In real life he is taller and much more muscular than he appeared in SB. He is the son of an expat American actor who lives in Australia called Gus Mercurio, and is married to another dancer (Andrea Toy). They live in Sydney. He must have a bad agent - since SB he has been in some stinkingly bad movies, notably \"Exit to Eden\" and \"Joseph\". You can find his filmography at http://us.imdb.com/cache/person-exact/a114402 Hope this helps."}, {"response": 39, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 1998 (17:15)", "body": "Cachet, was wondering where you were. I've been watching Steelers play poorly and GB seems to be doing OK. Am I getting though. Family Geek-son has been writing out how to help you put wav files into your machine. We'll di it!!!"}, {"response": 40, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 1998 (17:22)", "body": "C: Are you going to stay on this for the rest of the afternoon? As soon as the game is over, I'll be here full time. Sometime during your drive time he wants to disconnect my CPU and put the new line in then replace the old line so I can talk to you till the Phone Co puts the new line in service. Help me to remember to tell you the number of this new line for emergencies - and please tell someone in your family to Email me if anything happens to you! Heaven forbid..! I'm sort of a captive audience in LR - he's a bit out of joint today, so I'm helping him assemble something. It is hurting my hands (the old C-T again)."}, {"response": 41, "author": "Cachet", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 1998 (17:35)", "body": "I already thought of your request and have asked B or mom to let you know if something untoward happens. Yes, I would like a number I could reach you at if needed. Yes, I will probably be on this the rest of the afternoon. But once I am home will return to the usual format. Please tell iki, (if that is who is helping w/the WAV files) I was not very oriented this a.m. and will write to him later. 0430 is not my best thinking time, even writing to you was somewhat difficult, my mind is still sleeping . . .I hope what I wrote makes sense to you! Go be with R. tell him it hurts your hands, and don't do it. Wouldn't want your paws to be raw, 52 52 52 52 52 52 52 and counting . . . ."}, {"response": 42, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 1998 (17:50)", "body": "Iki is indeed my Geek, and I have the printed copy in my achy - breaky hands. I will also fwd it to you and perhaps you and/or B might work on it. Or, you can wait and watch me fumble with it. I did mine from scratch, and the MIDI files. This is going to be sooooo neat, I can hardly stand it =) Numbers will be forthcoming - usual format. You were perfectly understandable to me - you always are =) Take care!!!"}, {"response": 43, "author": "Cachet", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 1998 (18:01)", "body": "Good. I was thinking so long about what to write that time slipped away and I had to rush thru it. It is still \"Q\" here, but that will change after GB game, I am sure. Newest rumor about FH: They are going to deliberately fail the inspection so they will be closed by the bigwigs, and then they won't have to pay comp to staff. Isn't business wonderful!!! They are also not well looked upon in finance market, due to big drop in stock price, 50%!!!"}, {"response": 44, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 1998 (18:21)", "body": "That irritates me in places I cannot reach. The dedicated workers take the fall and the shysters take a tax write-off. It's the spiral-threaded wood fastener time again. I am so sorry; too bad there is not some way to put a lien against everything they have so you are compensated. Grumble here. I finished then he complaind I do everything in a big hurry then complain it hurts my hands. Well, that's just too bad. I told him I was sorry I had done them at all! Grumble grumble. I'll be glad when we're on the old format!!!"}, {"response": 45, "author": "Cachet", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 1998 (18:47)", "body": "Ah, well what goes around . . .I keep saying. Relax, take a deep breathe and have him scratch behind your ears. . . that will make it all better. If you purr nicely, it will make him feel better! Tell him he can do the screws himself! Don't worry 'bout me, I shall survive, My partner and I will write a book, and invite a curly redheaded guy to star in the movie version . . .now won't that be fun?"}, {"response": 46, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 1998 (19:19)", "body": "That's the first real smile inducer I've had all day. Thanks for that! I seem to be making lunch now...GB is gonna win this game. YEAH!!! talk to you in a while...=)"}, {"response": 47, "author": "Cachet", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 1998 (19:35)", "body": "Look on #59, nice pic of our friend!!! That will bering a smile to your face!!!"}, {"response": 48, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 1998 (19:51)", "body": "Thank you, I shall go check. The phone work I told you about is commencing now so I'll check back when I can - don't know how long I'll be off, but I will check Email when I can get back up. Then here if you are not there. Bye for now! N =)"}, {"response": 49, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 1998 (19:59)", "body": "I can't get into 59 without it downloading the entire file. m It must be tired today. So, I'll check when the Pacific Lineman is done with my dedicated line! Take care and talk at you as soon as I can..=)"}, {"response": 50, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Sun, Jan 11, 1998 (21:23)", "body": "I am back on line. Are you???"}, {"response": 51, "author": "Alicia", "date": "Mon, Jan 12, 1998 (00:55)", "body": "First of all he's NOT Australia's top dancer and choreographer. He's certainly not our top choreographer - Graham Murphy would make that claim I think. Sorry Kate about that. I meant to say \"ONE of the top dancers and choreographer\" but I was too lazy. He must have a bad agent - since SB he has been in some stinkingly bad movies, notably \"Exit to Eden\" and \"Joseph\". I agree with this. I haven't seen any of his other movies because they all seem to quite bad. Thank you kindly Kate for the info!"}, {"response": 52, "author": "Cachet", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (09:29)", "body": "Met someone from Fairfield, this a.m. Said to go to Zuni's next visit, world famous????"}, {"response": 53, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (11:49)", "body": "How, \"met?\" For real or cyber-spacically? Never heard of Zuni's. Is it a place to eat or to see something??? Good Morning!"}, {"response": 54, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (12:35)", "body": "I was a little slow this morning, and you have given up waiting for me. I was answering Email when it occurred to my numb little mind that they could not be read for many hours. Silly me!!!"}, {"response": 55, "author": "Cachet", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (12:45)", "body": "A relative of a patient I took care of, he was telling me about this little town he lived in outside Sac. I asked where he said Fairfield. Told him I knew someone there. Zuni's is world famous for Sushi!! That is what he said. Says all theJapanese pilots go there for real Sushi!!! I have not given up!!"}, {"response": 56, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (12:58)", "body": "Sorry for the double post. I did not do that!!! Do you mean to tell me there are two people living in Fairfield?! Over here people amke their own sushi and \"sushi bars\" as such are nonexistant ( at least here ). All bars serve it as do lunch wagons and restaurants of all types. How's the flu?"}, {"response": 57, "author": "Cachet", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (13:00)", "body": "I have a sore throat, that is all so far, and an occasional catch in my throat, which makes me cough!! I feel all right so far. How's the back and shoulder????? Better I hope!"}, {"response": 58, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (13:11)", "body": "Well, I think! At least so far. I have been pondering how to get out of tonight, but as Sec of the Club, I had better be there. Glad you are not worse, but wish the throatwere better. You do wear a mask and wash your hands often, so that should minimize your exposure...hope...hope!"}, {"response": 59, "author": "Cachet", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (13:25)", "body": "no to the first, yes to the second. You go and have fun, but if you get home early, you can write!!"}, {"response": 60, "author": "Cachet", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (13:39)", "body": "going to lunch at 1200, now just have to get B off the net, so I can get on it!!"}, {"response": 61, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (13:40)", "body": "Is that \"no\" a personal preference? Would it be locking the barn door after the horse has gotten away to start now? I shall go as required, but you know where my heart will be."}, {"response": 62, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (13:50)", "body": "I find that we will not be going till about 10:30pm your time to set up the after-game hospitality. So I can commune till about 10pm or so your time. Will regale you with the abysmal story attached to tonight's \"festivities\" another time."}, {"response": 63, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (15:53)", "body": "Things must be frantic there or all connections are down. You are not here. I am and it is lonely."}, {"response": 64, "author": "Cachet", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (15:56)", "body": "hooray!!!! I shall rush home to spend my time with you!! Did you get my meesages?? the laptop spent 10 minutes just loading the first message, then 10 sending a reply!!!!! Then it went down. I only have 30 min, so I was very frustrated!!! Meeeeooooowwwww!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 65, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (16:01)", "body": "I got three messages the last of which were about how slow your laptop was."}, {"response": 66, "author": "Cachet", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (16:10)", "body": "I tried to answer all Q's in one message!!!"}, {"response": 67, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (16:11)", "body": "Make that 2 messages."}, {"response": 68, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (16:14)", "body": "Ok I got the all-Q's message. Thanks. My Email is full of strangers. Bummer!"}, {"response": 69, "author": "Cachet", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (16:21)", "body": "well the first one was the one that took so long to gooooooo toooooo youuuuu!!! so, the second one was where I tried to ans all! Remember, I want him to tell you he loves you many times, not just once!!!!\\ You like him better'n'me, or you'd have MY voice calling when I send you mail!!!!"}, {"response": 70, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (16:27)", "body": "Not true, and you know it...Snitty person =p I have wav files of him and none of you....sniff....sob...=( I make do...with what I have..."}, {"response": 71, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (16:49)", "body": "R brought home 2 embroidered sweatshirts for us to wear!!! Looking Good!"}, {"response": 72, "author": "Cachet", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (16:55)", "body": "us=you and I or you and he??? You know I was teazing you about the wav's??? My throat hurts, I want to go home!!!!"}, {"response": 73, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (16:55)", "body": "Yes, Dear, I knew!!! \"Us\" does not include him! They are for you and for me =)"}, {"response": 74, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (16:55)", "body": "Sorry about your throat...Really really so sorry...How much longer do you have to work. Bet you have a fever, too! Poor Dear!"}, {"response": 75, "author": "Cachet", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (16:55)", "body": "til 6pm my time. I haven'y taken my temp. but maybe I'll get to go home if I do!! Tell me what they look like (the sweatshirts. Does this mean he likes me????? Or at leasdt tolerates me???"}, {"response": 76, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (16:55)", "body": "He accepts that you are somebody special to me and when I told him I needed to find matching shirts to wear for you and me, he surprisd me with them. He MUST like you....he'd never done this kind of gesture before =) Our colors are red, white and Navy blue. The white Sweatshirts get dirty easily. The nave and Red ones ran in the wash. So, they went to ash (a sort of oatmeal looking color) which is my least favorite, but.... Across the chest it reads in Navy blue embroidery: University of ..... at ..... (spelled out) (big letters - the team name) in red Softball (in Navy)"}, {"response": 77, "author": "Cachet", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (16:55)", "body": "Sounds Cool. I think I shall like it, and to match as well. I'm glad he doesn't hate/mistrust me anymore!!"}, {"response": 78, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (16:55)", "body": "How could he??? With all of the good vibes in here about you!!! Do you think Jeans would be good with it? Twins, you know =)"}, {"response": 79, "author": "Cachet", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (16:55)", "body": "definitely! but you in jeans, does not fit the image!! But. . .we'll alter the image, huh???"}, {"response": 80, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (16:55)", "body": "You don't think I wear hiking boots without wearing jeans out onto Lava flows, do you!! It'd rip everything else to shreds. For outdoor sports I wear jeans. Whether I'm watching or playing. I think I may just surprise you after all."}, {"response": 81, "author": "Cachet", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (16:55)", "body": "True, never thought about that!! Sorry! I have a fever, they won't let me go home. Only 99.3, but going up, I'll feel better when I'm home . . .and talking"}, {"response": 82, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (16:55)", "body": "That must be an interesting image you have of me. Love to hear about it. S]Was it from what I wrote, what my pic told you or iki?"}, {"response": 83, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (16:55)", "body": "I am so sorry your fever has become apparent to you. I will feel better also when you are home safely. I have turned down dinner out to be here with you."}, {"response": 84, "author": "Cachet", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (16:55)", "body": "You shouldn't do that. I'll buy you dinner when you're here to make up for it. How about the Bonaventure? It rotates. I don't know where the image comes from, but I should kow better cause iki told me you hike, and so di you. You can't do that in slacks and sandals, huh?"}, {"response": 85, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 1998 (21:01)", "body": "I am here and I rebooted and everything, but still no incoming. Are you there??"}, {"response": 86, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 1998 (21:14)", "body": "I am trying telepathy....please try 72....seventy-two! I am here!!!"}, {"response": 87, "author": "Cachet", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 1998 (21:22)", "body": "I am here!"}, {"response": 88, "author": "Cachet", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 1998 (21:25)", "body": "It has taken me 15 minutes to get here I kept getting an error message, but persistence pays off! Where's Nan, she needs to know that it is not always AOL's fault!!! I shal;l be here tomorrow too! Someone asked me to work for them and I agreed, just because I hate being a slug! And 2 days off in a row makes me feel like a slug!!"}, {"response": 89, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 1998 (21:44)", "body": "As I am...This time I guess Friday night is swamping everyone's lines...but you are right, this time the fault is not with you!!! Shass we go back and keep this in reserve?!"}, {"response": 90, "author": "Cachet", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 1998 (21:50)", "body": "I . . .don't know! Can you not receive e-mail again?? We can talk here or via other lines, tele . ..pathy??? or something else???"}, {"response": 91, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 1998 (22:20)", "body": "I am on both this and Email now!!!"}, {"response": 92, "author": "Cachet", "date": "Sat, Jan 24, 1998 (18:14)", "body": "Nittany, I can not send or receive e-mail. please look for me here!!!"}, {"response": 93, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Sun, Feb  1, 1998 (12:48)", "body": "Dearest, are you here?"}, {"response": 94, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Sun, Feb  1, 1998 (12:59)", "body": "I am cooking in the kitchen and didn't hear your announcement on IM...Then I sent 2 or so Emails and no response - now I will put this here. Did you call and get the answering machine? I was listening for who was on there but they hung up. So here I am...i'll be beck in 1/2 hour as soion as I feed to beast this freaking breakfast which I won't be able to eat. Please Call back - I'll answer!!!"}, {"response": 95, "author": "Nittany", "date": "Sun, Feb  1, 1998 (20:47)", "body": "Please try again - I am here"}, {"response": 96, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 1998 (14:49)", "body": "Regarding the problems we've been having, I got this from Kaylene Thaler, the wife of Dave Thaler (who wrote the software that we run on): Terry, I am not sure how you managed to get items dated Feb 7, 2036. Using the messages in /usr/bbs/errorlog I can tell you that something happened on Sept 4 1997, Jan 17 1998, Jan 22 1998, Jan 27 1998, Jan 30 1998, I also verified that this same date problem was recorded in you system logs. For example when running last you can see the following: jyerby ttyp2 flex.com Fri Jan 30 15:50 - 15:50 (00:00) date { Fri Jan 30 15:10 date | Thu Feb 7 08:39 terry ttyp0 ns2 Thu Feb 7 08:30 - 20:30 (12:00) tedchong ttyp0 apso.djmarkets.com.sg Thu Feb 7 05:31 - 05:32 (00:00) geoff ftp tcnet01-62.austin.texas.net Thu Feb 7 05:20 - 05:59 (00: 39) terry ftp cool.spring.com Thu Feb 7 04:40 - 19:45 (15:05) lafn ttyp2 hot Thu Feb 7 03:29 - 03:36 (00:07) geoff ttyp0 tcnet01-22.austin.texas.net Thu Feb 7 02:33 - 05:17 (02: 43) spew ftp knife-ppp.mesas.com Thu Feb 7 02:24 - 02:25 (00:01) geoff ttyp2 tcnet01-22.austin.texas.net Thu Feb 7 02:13 - 02:30 (00: 16) stacey ttyp0 164.92.70.230 Thu Feb 7 01:48 - 02:26 (00:37) terry ttyp3 hot Thu Jan 29 19:31 - 20:34 (1+01:02) terry ttyp2 hot Thu Jan 29 18:37 - 20:58 (02:20) (you can see a stripped version of the last.log file on www.spring.com ~kaylene/last.log to see more examples of Feb 7 showing up where it shouldn't ) It seems that somebody was playing with the system time on your computer. The all/since/-7 routine seems to be \"broken\" because of these entries made during the time when your computer reported the date to be on the year Feb 7, 2036. Yapp searches through a current item, and finds the first entry that has a time that satisfies the restriction, then displays all the rest of the responses to the most current response. This means that for the drool conference item 67 everything after the entry on Feb 7, 2036 is considered since -7. To \"fix\" this problem requires fixing the item file itself. (Or freezing all affected items, restarting them, and hoping that nobody sets the date to Feb 7, 2036 again. This approach will take 7 days after freezing the item before it is really seems to be fixed.) The real solution that is probably most appropriate to look for the items with the \"bad\" dates, and then set the dates to be the same as whatever the next \"valid\" date really is. I can't think of a nice way to do this, so make sure you create a backup copy of the item before you begin to edit anything. The other option is to simply replace all the Feb 7, 2036 with some fixed date in the past, instead of in the future. The lines that need to be updated in the _* files are the ones that begin with ,D7C5 I ran the command: find . -name '_*' -exec grep -l \"^,D7C5\" >> ~kaylene/fix.files {} \\; And you will find the output on www.spring.com in ~kaylene/fix.files. This contains the files that have \"bad\" timestamps in them (that I had read access to). I didn't have read access to all the items in all the conferences, so I might be missing a few items that need to be updated. The lines that start with \",D\" are the date lines in the item entries. The information that follows is the number of seconds elapsed (since the start of computer time), displayed in hexidecimal. You must leave the ,D on the line when you update it. If you want me to do the work to write a script that can be run to fix the problem (for all/since) , it would not be considered part of your existing Yapp package. The problem is not in \"Yapp\" but with your system. I don't know who or what is causing your date to change, so I don't know if it will happen again. If I do the work, I estimate that it will cost about $200 to fix the problem with the most appropriate solution (finding the next appropriate date, and replacing the bad date) or about $100 to just replace all the bad dates with some fixed time in the past. I would also need to have cfadm access to the files. Kaylene"}, {"response": 97, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 1998 (19:22)", "body": "From Kaylene: \"I have a script that should update the item files and fix the problems you are having with all/since.\" It's costing me $200, but it should fix the problem we've been having with all/since. It was that date being 2036 that caused all the havoc. And that was due to CMOS problems on the server."}, {"response": 98, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 1998 (01:24)", "body": "So, have all the problems in drool ceased to be problems? Has anyone noticed the change?"}, {"response": 99, "author": "kaylene", "date": "Mon, May  4, 1998 (19:36)", "body": "I just recieved a report that Nan is having a hard time entering responses in this conference. I am entering a response using Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 to see if I can duplicate the problem."}, {"response": 100, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, May  4, 1998 (19:47)", "body": "Thanks Kaylene!"}, {"response": 101, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Tue, Sep 29, 1998 (07:36)", "body": "Just added heidi and karen as hosts of Drool... if I spelled the names incorrectly or they need to be capitalized or changed, please let me know..."}, {"response": 102, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Sep 29, 1998 (14:36)", "body": "Heide is spelled like this and Karen is spelled like that"}, {"response": 103, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 29, 1998 (16:45)", "body": "Congratulations again, Heide and Karen. We have resources for the support of hosts, and one of the best of these resources is Kitchen Manager. There is also an online guide for hosts accessible from the Spring's main page. We'll be happy to happy you and the drooleurs."}, {"response": 104, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 29, 1998 (16:46)", "body": "\"happy you\" sb \"help you\""}, {"response": 105, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Tue, Sep 29, 1998 (16:49)", "body": "and, they have now been listed as hostesses as Heide and Karen, again if this is wrong, let me know..."}, {"response": 106, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep 29, 1998 (19:05)", "body": "Let the hosting begin!"}, {"response": 107, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Sep 29, 1998 (20:14)", "body": "Amen to that!!! Welcome again, Karen and Heide, may you the drool last forever!! hee hee:)"}, {"response": 108, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  2, 1998 (11:44)", "body": "Thanks, Terry and Kitchen Manager, but nothing looks any different. Checked out the Web Hosting section from the Home Page, but didn't see anything about how to delete messages, start new topics, etc. Need help :-( SOS"}, {"response": 109, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Fri, Oct  2, 1998 (16:20)", "body": "okay, heide and KarenR are now listed as hostesses of this here conference... if things don't look different now, please let me know..."}, {"response": 110, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  2, 1998 (16:34)", "body": "OK, I see a retire and kill button at the top. What about to start a new topic? Two other things: email and a place to load pictures that will be linked to various Drool topics. Don't we need a subdirectory? or access to an existing one? *pushy, aren't I?* (that's rhetorical)"}, {"response": 111, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  2, 1998 (16:41)", "body": "Also something called a public_html file????"}, {"response": 112, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Fri, Oct  2, 1998 (16:59)", "body": "okay, okay...you should already have a Create Topic button... the rest I'll set up as soon as I can..."}, {"response": 113, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Fri, Oct  2, 1998 (17:01)", "body": "the Creat Topic button is the fourth button, first row..."}, {"response": 114, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Fri, Oct  2, 1998 (17:01)", "body": "Oh, e-mail me a password to use when I create your requested directories..."}, {"response": 115, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Jan 19, 1999 (11:58)", "body": "(LisaJH) The party was great: drag queen heaven, if you know what I mean. :-) Indeed, I do ;-) There's nothing like the Halloween parade in NY--absolutely nuts. It was fun being the token straight female. *sigh* I know the feeling. It seems to be my lot in life ;-p I was having a wonderful time until I realized the \"girls\" (as they called themselves) all looked better in their dresses than I did in mine\ufffd..::sigh:: LOL! The trick is to hang out with guys who know they can't look like Marilyn Monroe. One of my best friends is the possessor of an unusual face and a wicked sense of humor. Instead of going for pretty, he goes for hilarious. I think my favorite was the year he dressed up as Baby Jane and carried around a nearly life sized, soft sculpture Joan Crawford doll he made. Honey, I was cryin'! ;-D I have a picture of that somewhere, I should really try to find it--you'd love it."}, {"response": 116, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Jan 19, 1999 (17:29)", "body": ""}, {"response": 117, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (16:55)", "body": "(LisaJH)But isn't it also great to have friends who are fun to be with, possess great style AND can cook? Hey, I can cook!!! (LisaJH)LOL! Oh, Nan, you MUST find the picture! ditto..."}, {"response": 118, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Jan 21, 1999 (00:07)", "body": "(LisaJH) But isn't it also great to have friends who are fun to be with, possess great style AND can cook? Let's not forget the part where you don't have to worry about what you look like ;-) am trying to remember the name of the documentary about the drag sceen in NYC. I have never seen it, but have heard it is really good. Have you seen it? For some reason I think it has the word *wig* in its title.... Wigstock? I haven't seen it, but I do have a couple of friends who were there for the filming. Since everything is fun for them, it's hard to tell when something is especially good...bless their happy hearts ;-) (LisaJH)LOL! Oh, Nan, you MUST find the picture! (wer) ditto... I'm looking...I'm looking..."}, {"response": 119, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Jan 23, 1999 (23:46)", "body": "Hey you guys, I found it ;-)"}, {"response": 120, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sun, Jan 24, 1999 (13:50)", "body": "my online life is now complete... thanks, Nan!"}, {"response": 121, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jan 24, 1999 (16:38)", "body": "Damned attractive!! ;-p"}, {"response": 122, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jan 24, 1999 (18:02)", "body": "What a pair of Dolls.....They sure hid the\" kitchenette\"."}, {"response": 123, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Jan 24, 1999 (20:41)", "body": "Isn't he a hoot? You have to be a brave man to walk around like that ;-p"}, {"response": 124, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Mon, Feb  1, 1999 (23:44)", "body": "Nan, I have been out of town on business for the past week, and I must say that seeing this photo was well worth the wait!!! LOL! What a screamola! :-P Ah, now I MUST rent Wigstock (yes, this was the movie to which I was referring). Thanks for the laugh, Nan."}, {"response": 125, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (01:39)", "body": "Anytime, m'dear. Now, I think I'll disable that link. He wouldn't be a happy camper if he knew the whole world could see it...or maybe he would. It's hard to tell, ya know? ;-p"}, {"response": 126, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Wed, Feb  3, 1999 (16:02)", "body": "I knew I should have copied it for a rainy day... :-("}, {"response": 127, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May  3, 1999 (07:32)", "body": "Read this: http://www.telegraph.co.uk:80/et?ac=000576481449931&rtmo=Q9SOxzxR&atmo=Q9SOxzxR&pg=/et/99/5/3/nmel03.html You'll get a laugh!"}, {"response": 128, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May  3, 1999 (07:46)", "body": "Incroyable! I wonder how big the cucumbers are?"}, {"response": 129, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May  3, 1999 (07:56)", "body": "Ladies, we will be using this Topic for Gi's Bridal Shower. I will ask everyone to bring a dish that you think CF might have eaten that we might enjoy as well. All the preparations will be done here and I look forward to hearing from the firthettes. We want all the gifts listed here too. We may be able to coordinate a chat time as well for the shower as soon as we set a date. Gi, where are you planning to honeymoon? If it's Spain be careful, they're growing \"one size fits all\" vegetables. ;-))"}, {"response": 130, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, May  3, 1999 (10:23)", "body": "Yippee!! \"A party is a party, but a bridal party...Ummh?\" I have no idea what i'm bringing yet, this will require serious thought... how does a life size cardboard cut-out of Colin sound? Or are you more a china girl? BTW- Karen that was SO FUNNY!!!! :)"}, {"response": 131, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May  3, 1999 (12:35)", "body": "I always wondered why I avoided the melons altogether and went for the grapes, instead! It had nothing to do with flavor, I gather =P"}, {"response": 132, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, May  3, 1999 (12:45)", "body": "Now we know the *real* reason Pamela Anderson Lee had her breast implants removed. Now I can sleep at night she says with tongue planted firmly in cheek . Sorry, Moon, this has nothing to do with Gi's shower (or does it? I'll bring the melons)."}, {"response": 133, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May  3, 1999 (13:00)", "body": "This is just the kind of spirit I look for when organizing a party."}, {"response": 134, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May  3, 1999 (13:53)", "body": "Other than Spam Pate' (I actually got the recipe yesterday during the softball game!) and Poi, what else would you like me to bring? How about fresh white pineapples? These are very mild and sweet and are never commercially exported. Flowers? We have over 22,000 varieties of orchids and leis in anything from exotic protea to Plumeria and tuberose and gardenias."}, {"response": 135, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May  3, 1999 (14:51)", "body": "Hi Everybody...Glad we are getting started...lots to do. Talked to Nan this weekend...(we're meeting for lunch end of May in NY)I told her about the shower. She is willing to do anything **after** Tuesday when finals are over. I feel she'll come up with something clever on the day of the party....maybe she should be in charge of the cake...!! **** No Poi , Marcia :-) But how about a pikaki lei . V. dainty. Second, a plumeria one . I bet you can find a pic of these to show the firthettes. We should have a theme for gifts.... (Moon).... bring a dish that you think CF might have eaten Maria...in THOTP. Actually, I want to \"have what she had\"...."}, {"response": 136, "author": "livamago", "date": "Mon, May  3, 1999 (15:13)", "body": "SB: I have no idea what i'm bringing yet. Or are you more a china girl? I read somewhere that in England one could buy P&P (and Darcy) related china, pot holders, coasters and other things. Does anyone in Britain know anything about this? Maybe I could bring a wet linen shirt (sorry, no CF inside though!)"}, {"response": 137, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May  3, 1999 (18:03)", "body": "Evelyn, Pikake it is. several strands like the lady in front of me wore yesterday. It looked like ivory and smelled like heaven. Actually, they make lovely bridal leis, or garlands to drape over a prayer book or altar. And Plumeria. Plumeria was my first lei, and just inhaling the fragrance makes the original feeling of really being in Hawaii come back to me Deep red ones smell like cinnamon! I choose the yellow with white tips because they are the most fragrant. Oh, and we must have white ginger leis, too. The most ezquisite fragrance a flower ever had. Lovely and feathery, they tend to bruise, but would be lovely on the tables around the candles or down the center."}, {"response": 138, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May  3, 1999 (18:09)", "body": "Yes, Ma'am, No poi. I agree, Nan should have the cake to play with, clever and creative computer lady that she is. Perhaps the outfit du jour for the event would be a damp linen see-thru shirt?!"}, {"response": 139, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May  4, 1999 (07:55)", "body": "So happy to hear that Nan will be free to join our party. I'm looking forward to all her creative ideas. :-) Marcia, I love the idea of all of us wearing leis. I can just close my eyes and smell them. Very festive indeed! Ladies, we must continue working on the menu. I'll be researching \"la cucina Umbra,\" for those dishes he probably enjoys. Of course, with desert we will have his favorite amontillado to drink."}, {"response": 140, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, May  4, 1999 (16:36)", "body": "Hallo ladies, glad to meet you here ;-) Please pretty please, no eels or oysters, spam or poi... Or I'll hurry home and eat my dog's food :-( I love the leis idea! Lidya, your wet shirt will be a treat- even without him in it! (S B Robinson)Or are you more a china girl? Ummm...I don't know... Which would fit better inside Lidya's shirt?"}, {"response": 141, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, May  4, 1999 (18:20)", "body": "I promised you on 113 that we would not dreamof corrupting your taste buds with things unmentionable and/or inedible. Only the finest for our lovely Gi =)"}, {"response": 142, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (07:54)", "body": "Gi, it's so nice to have you drop by. We still want to know where you will be honeymooning."}, {"response": 143, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (08:39)", "body": "Hmm... the life size cardboard cut out of Colin it is! And since Lidya's bringing the shirt, I'll make sure its the shirtless version. Er... is anyone planning on bringing a pair of Darcy Breeches? ;)"}, {"response": 144, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (14:03)", "body": "(Moon Dreams)We still want to know where you will be honeymooning. So do I! So far, it's a mystery.I'd like somewhere in Europe, Italy or Scandinavia. Antonio wants Thailand or Brazil [I don't mind either :-)], but we haven't decided yet."}, {"response": 145, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (14:31)", "body": "How about Italy? Umbria, perhaps? Whoops, it's your honeymoon! That will not do! Never mind!"}, {"response": 146, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (15:33)", "body": "(SBR)And since Lidya's bringing the shirt, I'll make sure its the shirtless version. I gotta tell you, SB, that is about as nekkid as you can get. A shirtless shirt. Hmmmm...Who shall model this item. Is it like the Emperor's New Clothes? =P"}, {"response": 147, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (15:38)", "body": "Yes...yes...I know!!! He is going to be a cutout with a bare torso? Could we bear to cover it - even briefly - with a shirt of any kind?!"}, {"response": 148, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (07:43)", "body": "Maybe Nan can do a trick or two. It is a happy thought indeed to have a cutout of ODB at the shower. Let's all wear indelible lipstick. I still need to hear more food suggestions. Gi, your honeymoon ideas all sound great."}, {"response": 149, "author": "livamago", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (09:37)", "body": "Moon: I still need to hear more food suggestions. What sort of food do you have in mind? Darcy related or contemporary food?"}, {"response": 150, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (09:59)", "body": "Yes fill us in on the \"Foodie theme\" and we are more than happy to oblige."}, {"response": 151, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (10:00)", "body": "BTW do we also have a colour scheme in mind , to co-ordinate everything or did I miss that bit?"}, {"response": 152, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (11:14)", "body": "Haven't been to a bridal shower in years, but there used to be *themed* showers? One involved having to get something for different rooms of a house or hours in a day. Do people still do those types of things? Could be interesting. Will think about menu items later. Something Colin has likely had? hmmmm. We know he visits the Colonel! ;-D"}, {"response": 153, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (12:22)", "body": "Hmm... menu item... Chocolate flavored condoms? or, would that be catagorized under 'gifts'? :)"}, {"response": 154, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (14:38)", "body": "Chocolate flavored condoms? or, would that be catagorized under 'gifts'? :) Kitchen gift"}, {"response": 155, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (14:41)", "body": "(Lydia), What sort of food do you have in mind? Darcy related or contemporary food? We have a theme for the food. We will have food that Colin might eat. That's why I'm checking into Umbrian cuisine but there is still so much left. Think of his movies and the UK, Calif. (might he like sushi?), etc. Go to it!"}, {"response": 156, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (14:42)", "body": "I just got here for that CC, we were all posting at the same time! Somehow, I doubt he has tasted those."}, {"response": 157, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (14:45)", "body": "Oops, meant to write \"kitchen appliance\" ;-)"}, {"response": 158, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (14:56)", "body": "(Moon) Somehow, I doubt he has tasted those. Didnt he buy some a couple of years back? or is that just a rumor? (Karen) Kitchen Appliance LOL! And ever so much more exciting than a toaster! :)"}, {"response": 159, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (15:19)", "body": "Yeah, Susan, but he still wouldn't have \"tasted\" them! hee hee:) Or else, we hope not;p"}, {"response": 160, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (16:17)", "body": "ROTFLOL!!! Anyway going on with the theme---- Paul Ashworth likes curry (great scene , you will love it when it comes) so we should have some of that for sure!!"}, {"response": 161, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (16:19)", "body": "But of course NOT Vindaloo, because as we all know, you can't use certain \"kitchen appliances\" when you've had one!!!"}, {"response": 162, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, May  7, 1999 (09:42)", "body": "(Karen) Oops, meant to write \"kitchen appliance\" ;-) (Moon) Somehow, I doubt he has tasted those. Too funny. (Lizza) But of course NOT Vindaloo What's that? (I do get the drift of its effects). Colin liked shellfish when he lived in Canada."}, {"response": 163, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May  7, 1999 (11:42)", "body": "Colin liked shellfish when he lived in Canada. But I thought we were picking out food that he ate in his films. In 3DOR Walker had \"tirami....squid\" in his rucksack. Think anybody will have seconds?"}, {"response": 164, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May  7, 1999 (14:25)", "body": "But I thought we were picking out food that he ate in his films. Not only, also what he might in Umbria, UK, LA and his films. We know he loves cr\ufffdme brul\ufffde, I think we can skip the tirami squid. ;-)"}, {"response": 165, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, May  7, 1999 (17:14)", "body": "(Moon) I think we can skip the tirami squid. ;-) We have a tasty dried variety of squid over here called Tako. When someone asks you if you like it, better be sure of how they are spelling taco / tako. It is very chewy and tasty on hiking trips, but in closer quarters it is pungent. I send my son \"Care\" packages of such things for holidays and his office mates have forbidden him to bring it to work. They do not like the fragrance, apparently =P I also am curious about Vindaloo. Sounds like a port-a-potty!!!"}, {"response": 166, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, May  7, 1999 (17:44)", "body": "but in closer quarters it is pungent...I send my son \"Care\" packages of such things The same son to whom you send care packages of Spam? He must have *some* sense of humor :-D"}, {"response": 167, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May  7, 1999 (18:11)", "body": "Vindaloo is just a spicy Indian stew. What are it's side effects that would be problematic? ;-)"}, {"response": 168, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May  8, 1999 (13:15)", "body": "Karen, thank you for the Vindaloo definition. Come to think of it, there might be some connection between a spicy stew and the need for relief from its outcome ;) My Son is a Geologist. They eat weird stuff. On one hike he backpacked tins of Beenie Weenie (Thinly sliced vienna sausages in baked beans) which he heated for supper for us over a lava flow (Jiffy-Pop Popcorn also works well on lava flows!). It sits on my shelf as \"disaster\" food in the event we are without electricity for a period of time and cannot cook. It is not something one would just open for lunch when other things are available. He really likes that smelly tako. Like Limburger cheese, it smells terrible but tastes good. My favorite nasty to send home to the most refined people is little elegant rice crunchies mixed with tiny dried whole fish (sunken eyeballs and all). My sister used to have me send her some whenever she was entertaining folks whom she did not care for much, but were in the business. Its dish usually emptied last, and she found the little fishies in all sorts of odd places the next morning!"}, {"response": 169, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May  8, 1999 (13:20)", "body": "Don't you wonder what surprise he has in store for me for Mother's Day?! Speaking of which, Happy Mother's Day to all who have little ones (two or four legged varieties included)."}, {"response": 170, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, May  8, 1999 (17:13)", "body": "(Marcia)... tins of Beenie Weenie Yuck!!....Right down there with Spam and Poi. Hey...how about teriyaki beef jerky, that's not half- bad. (Esp. washed down with a MaiTai!!!)"}, {"response": 171, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May  8, 1999 (17:40)", "body": "ROTFLOL... (Evelyn)Right down there with Spam and Poi. You're right about that! Especially the direction of the place on the list of edible items. He is also into \"tuna pucks\", which is a flat tin of tuna whacked onto a plate and eaten as is. He ate fried chicken and pot roast when I fed him. Where did he go wrong?! =P Hey...how about teriyaki beef jerky, that's not half- bad. Turkey jerky is also good. Ummmm....!!! They make fish jerky. I cannot get that stuff past my nose let alone into my mouth. A wad of that stuffed into your cheek ought to keep wayward strangers from sneaking up to steal kissses! MaiTai's are good for any excuse you need. Vitamins from the fruit juices =) Especially if it is made with the blackest molasses obtainable. But don't try too many during an evening cruise on choppy seas. Maitai's are not as good coming back as they were going down! (That's what the big boys told me!)"}, {"response": 172, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, May  9, 1999 (06:18)", "body": "Karen, have you ever had Vindaloo? It's not JUST spicy but damn damn hot and spicy and it's a big joke over here, because you would NEVER order one unless, you were a) a culinary retard b) you were senseless from alcohol c) you loved the recent pop hit (\"Vindaloo\")and had no musical taste either! but of course Paul Ashworth is not any of these!!"}, {"response": 173, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, May  9, 1999 (06:19)", "body": "So how's our \"menu\" looking ladies?"}, {"response": 174, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May  9, 1999 (07:51)", "body": "No, I've never had vindaloo. Not a big fan of Indian food. In the US, Chinese food is like your Indian food, much more prevalent especially as takeout or takeaway. However, I love *damn damn hot and spicy food,* the hotter the better. I must have a cast iron stomach lining. Will have to check out this vindaloo stuff, sounds interesting! BTW, isn't anyone who eats KFC a culinary retard? ;-)"}, {"response": 175, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, May  9, 1999 (16:31)", "body": "(Lizza)So how's our \"menu\" looking ladies? As far as I can tell, all we know about the menu is what is Not going to be included. (Karen)...isn't anyone who eats KFC a culinary retard? ;-) I thought Spam-eaters held that distinction ;)"}, {"response": 176, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May  9, 1999 (18:14)", "body": "Lizza)So how's our \"menu\" looking ladies? (Marcia)As far as I can tell, all we know about the menu is what is Not going to be included. Weeellll..we do have champagne (Moon)....and the cake (Nan). I thought you were bringing the Creme Brulee, Lizza. Shellfish (Eileen...but\"I read somewhere\" he bought that for MT ..cause she liked sushi)"}, {"response": 177, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 10, 1999 (09:21)", "body": "I hope he likes sushi too because it goes very well with champagne. It can be our appetizer. The Umbrian region has some of the best tartuffe ( a rarety which by ounce can cost more than gold), so it is very likely he has eaten \"Penne ai funghi e porcini con tartuffi.\" Which could be our entr\ufffde. For desert we have his favorite \"cr\ufffdme brul\ufffde\" plus Nan's mega-surprise cake. ;-)) With his favorite Amontillado of course. This is as official as it gets. Now for the other dishes ladies let's hear it."}, {"response": 178, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, May 10, 1999 (12:35)", "body": "My mouth is watering just at the thought of it------ And the food sounds pretty good too!!"}, {"response": 179, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, May 10, 1999 (12:36)", "body": "Karen, next time you're over we can try a vindaloo!!"}, {"response": 180, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May 10, 1999 (15:55)", "body": "(Lizza)Karen, next time you're over we can try a vindaloo!! Hey, me too. I like Indian food. Tried to get K&H to go for an Indian meal in Notting Hill. No soap. But then that was D-Day ( of 3 DOR) and no one was eating."}, {"response": 181, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 10, 1999 (17:11)", "body": "Karen, next time you're over we can try a vindaloo!! OK, Lizza, you're on!! But if doesn't make my scalp sweat, then I'll be very disappointed! ;-) Maybe I'll just mozey (sp??) on up to Devon Ave. in the meantime..."}, {"response": 182, "author": "Darlene", "date": "Mon, May 10, 1999 (17:18)", "body": "Gi, finally located your shower topic. Do we have a date selected for this shower? After reading the menu suggestions, we really need to allow time for dear Gi to recover. Let's hope she has a cast iron stomach."}, {"response": 183, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (08:59)", "body": "We'll ply her with so much champagne she won't know what she's \"eating!\" Karen and Evelyn, just don't eat that spicy food before getting back on the plane. There's nothing *quite* like taking an international flight while having an emergency of the intestinal kind! Ugh!"}, {"response": 184, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (09:51)", "body": "The date of the shower will be the first week in June, before Evelyn and Co. leave for London, and after Nan is free to frolic with us once again! Will be setting the definite date soon. Must hear from Gi first."}, {"response": 185, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (14:52)", "body": ""}, {"response": 186, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (14:54)", "body": "Whoops. Evelyn you're on, I look forward to it!!! I am afraid I am not around in the first week of June, so I will lend all my support leading up to it!"}, {"response": 187, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (15:36)", "body": "Lizza, there is no set date yet, we want you to come so maybe we can do it on the last week in May. We just need Nan to be free to join us too. Nan?"}, {"response": 188, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (16:27)", "body": "(Moon)Nan? Nan is slaving away as we speak...finishing up her exams. I will be in NY last week in May. But Nan will be around..'cause we're having lunch on the 28th.Go ahead and have it end of May...I've already sent my gift via Karen!!"}, {"response": 189, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (16:31)", "body": "...and I've received it. Gi is going to be mad!! ;-)"}, {"response": 190, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (16:33)", "body": "Think I need one of those animation programs for the other one. Could be part of the entertainment."}, {"response": 191, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (17:10)", "body": "Hallo ladies I seem to be back on line with different ISP, different e-mail address, and the same trouble staying connected :-( Anyway, please let me know if I'm supposed to visit this topic (great fun)or keep away from it (as in: surprise). Having very little experience of bridal showers, virtual or otherwise (not a Portuguese tradition, unfortunately)I do not really know what to do. (Darlene)After reading the menu suggestions, we really need to allow time for dear Gi to recover. Let's hope she has a cast iron stomach. I have not! And I'm on a diet...So the last week of May seems the better date (except for the 26th, when I'll be on Emergency duty)so I'll have time to recover... I want Lizza with us too! (Karen)Gi is going to be mad!! ;-) Am I really? I can't wait! ;-)"}, {"response": 192, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (20:34)", "body": "(Evelyn)I've already sent my gift via Karen!! (Karen)and I've received it. Gi is going to be mad!! ;-) (Gi)Am I really? I can't wait! ;-) I don't know why Karen said this.....I paid a lot of\" virtual money\" for that\" virtual gift!!\"And had to go all the way to LA to get it!!!!"}, {"response": 193, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (09:06)", "body": "I too am curious, Evelyn. Gi, feel free to stop in anytime, we want to hear from you. How about Thursday, May 27, for the Bridal Shower? Can someone please confirm with Nan? Please R.S.V.P. as soon as possible. :-)"}, {"response": 194, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (09:11)", "body": "What time are you contemplating?"}, {"response": 195, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (09:15)", "body": "Messages can be posted throughout the day so we can all be here at various times."}, {"response": 196, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (09:20)", "body": "And, there will be plenty of Dom Perignon, food and cake at all times. ODB should make an appearance thanks to Nan, and we will have live music playing from The Solisti Venetti with lovely Baroque music to a special appearance by the \"Living the Vida Loca,\" cutie pie.;-))"}, {"response": 197, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (13:47)", "body": "Thursday, May 27, for the Bridal Shower? Can someone please confirm with Nan I'll let Nan know. But she will be in town, because we are having lunch that day in New York. So she will relay my good wishes :-) ***** Would be nice if Gi could be in Chat to greet some of the guests.... set up a time.Evenings in Europe is good...gets the aft. in the US"}, {"response": 198, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (15:17)", "body": "For me, May 27 will be fine, and I'd be delighted to meet all who can be at Chat in the evening (European). We can adjust the time nearer to the date. Evelyn, maybe you and Nan can be at the shower together?"}, {"response": 199, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 12, 1999 (17:01)", "body": "Evelyn, maybe you and Nan can be at the shower together? Thank you Gi....an error on my part....I shall see Nan on the 28th. But I shall make sure she knows about the shower.And her responsibilities. Anyway, I sent my gift....hope you like it...:-) (No hints...it's a surprise, Moon)"}, {"response": 200, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May 13, 1999 (07:55)", "body": "Thanks, Evelyn! Ladies please R.S.V.P."}, {"response": 201, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 13, 1999 (11:25)", "body": "I have just spoken to Nan.I updated her on all the Spring news. She's got the date of Gi's shower and \"The Cake\" assignment. Hey, we're rolling."}, {"response": 202, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 13, 1999 (13:27)", "body": "Moon, I'll be there, but I am not sure how we are doing this. I have never been to a virtual party. Since I will be providing the flower leis for guests and Bride, shall I send pictures? That day or the day previous since we are so far behind you? I think you will get better response from the ladies if we know what is going on. Cannot imagine what Evelyn sent, so I do not know what I am supposed to do. Please help!!!"}, {"response": 203, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 13, 1999 (14:33)", "body": "Marcia)Cannot imagine what Evelyn sent, so I do not know what I am supposed to do. Please help! Evelyn sent a \"virtual\" gift (think picture) to Karen who has kindly consented to send it on (think scan). Comprende?"}, {"response": 204, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May 13, 1999 (17:20)", "body": "(Marcia), Since I will be providing the flower leis for guests and Bride, shall I send pictures? That day or the day previous since we are so far behind you? Yes, Marcia, do send the pictures the day before. We can not do this without your lovely flowers. For those who have scanners, that is the best way. We will be posting all day here for Gi's Shower on May 27. Thanks Evelyn, I feel better knowing that Nan's on the assigment. ;-)"}, {"response": 205, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 13, 1999 (17:48)", "body": "(EvelynEvelyn sent a \"virtual\" gift (think picture) to Karen who has kindly consented to send it on (think scan). Comprende? Aha! Thought so. Thank you. The wheels in my head are spinning in anticipation and with great vigor. I shall not let you down!"}, {"response": 206, "author": "livamago", "date": "Thu, May 13, 1999 (19:54)", "body": "May 27th, any time? Count me in!"}, {"response": 207, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (10:53)", "body": "And I can \"attend\" as well. I've never done this before either, Marcia."}, {"response": 208, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (11:32)", "body": "I'll be here too! In truth, I am greatly looking forward to my first virtual party. :) I would bring something, but I dont have a scanner :("}, {"response": 209, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (17:52)", "body": "Esbee, do not let the lack of a scanner deter you. I went flower \"shopping\" yesterday and what success I had. I stored the picture locations (use your right hand mouse button then bring up a wordpad page and paste it there)of centerpieces, leis and lovely other things which I will forward to Karen if I cannot manage to post them myself (but, I think I can!). So, look for something you would like to give her...copy the url and get on with it. Fun!!! BTW, those who have done this, feel free to correct ny mistakes in the above directions. I know you will ;)"}, {"response": 210, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, May 15, 1999 (06:13)", "body": "Ladies , I feel AWFUL now because in going for the last week of May we are not able to include Evelyn. I did not mean to \"set\" the date by virtue of my comment, but it seems to be going very smoothly. I have just booked up the hotel I need for 28th , so 27th will be perfect. I am another complete novice at all these things but AM so looking forward to it and will be preparing (or trying to) my virtual contribution. As luck would have it , I have a hair appointment and manicure already booked for that date, just like you would before a special occasion, so Gi I will be all ready and waiting for the funn to begin!!!"}, {"response": 211, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sat, May 15, 1999 (06:14)", "body": "BTW Marcia , I will come to you for help, you've got it all down to a fine art and Karen too."}, {"response": 212, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May 15, 1999 (15:52)", "body": "Let us have a dry run on my \"art\" and see just how fine it really is!"}, {"response": 213, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May 15, 1999 (15:53)", "body": "Aha!!! Ididit Ididit Ididit !!! Now, if I could only include the fragrance..."}, {"response": 214, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (10:34)", "body": "Just Gorgeous Marcia, I can smell the heavenly perfume from here!!!"}, {"response": 215, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (14:44)", "body": "Thank you, Lizza Dear. I wonder if we should make them smaller for the party? However, If I do you will not be able to enjoy the detail. Hmmmm... anyone?"}, {"response": 216, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (17:03)", "body": "Marcia, I like them just the way they are, we love detail. I too can smell them all the way here. Well done girl!"}, {"response": 217, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (17:15)", "body": "Thank you for imagining the heady fragrance. 'Tis there. I shall not shrink my pictures, then, but I also wanted to check lest I use up more than my share of bandwidth. We are going to have many types of leis available for your selection, since I do not know preferences or what you will be wearing =)"}, {"response": 218, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (17:19)", "body": "By the way, that is a Plumeria Lei (known as Frangipani in French Polynesia). It was easy to post, thanks to my printing out Ann's excellent HTML tutorial."}, {"response": 219, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (17:22)", "body": "My Frangipani trees are in bloom, one white, one pink. I look forward to seeing the rest of your selection."}, {"response": 220, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (17:44)", "body": "Marcia, you did a fine job. No need to change anything. With the method you used, you wouldn't be able to shrink the picture unless you designated in the string the image's height and width in pixels. (Just for your info) I've been collecting some images for Gi's gala gift. (Shush! Don't tell Evelyn that I haven't done anything with hers yet) Gi, you're going hate us. ;-) But then again I always hated showers... Used to sit in the back and make snide comments with my friends as the bride-to-be oohed and aahed about towels or electric can openers or something even more boring. And god forbid, if they made you play games!! As I recall, the number of snide comments had a relationship to venue (church social room) and use of a microphone. Hon, you're not missing anything if \"showers\" are not traditional in Portugal. But this virtual one will e a riot!!"}, {"response": 221, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (18:01)", "body": "I didn't have one either, but this one as Karen said will be a riot!"}, {"response": 222, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (18:38)", "body": "Karen, I understand the difficulties of shrinking pix with HTML. What I was considering doing was posting the thumbs of the \"click here to see what you are really getting\" larger pix. However, thanks for the warning. I shall add it to Ann's notes. I had 'um all. My baby shower was on St Patrick's day and I was told it was a costume party. I came as the Jolly Green Giant (7 1/2 months into the pregnancy), and I knitted my husband the nastiest Kelly green bow tie you ever saw. Do I need to tell you we were the only ones wearing green?!"}, {"response": 223, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (19:54)", "body": "(Karen) (Shush! Don't tell Evelyn that I haven't done anything with hers yet) I HEARD YOU....Oh fearless leader.....I'm at the front of the queue!! And tomorrow I am sending you some food that I want you to bring. Sadly, I won't be able to attend.But I wanted to be included.I am bringing Beef Wellington, Lobster Stuffed Tenderloin,& Beluga Caviar.Somebody better go to Glascow and bring back some Scottish Smoked Salmon...(none of that Canadian or Maine one for us!!) Marcia...how about some pupus!!"}, {"response": 224, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (20:07)", "body": "We have lovely pupus here. I shall begin the list with mounds of fresh chilled fruit: white pinealpple which is sweeter and less acidic than the exported yellow sort, and mangoes. Had I been the creator of the Garden of Eden, I would have made mangoes the forbidden fruit - it is sinfully delicious. Of course, plenty of Litchee and white strawberries (they taste just like the red ones).... off I go to get my pics. Thanks, Evelyn! Hmmm...fresh water prawns, pipikaula, taro chips...."}, {"response": 225, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (20:11)", "body": "Posting the thumbnails will work too, Marcia, but the one you did looked fine and didn't take much to load. Size in inches isn't everything. Kilobytes are! ;-) Evelyn, what did you do? Rip the photographs out of a cookbook? Hey, I've got about 15 years worth of Bon Apetit's here. Should be lots of possibilities..."}, {"response": 226, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (20:13)", "body": "Of course, I shall bring freshly ground Kona Coffee for those partaking. Anything else? Guave juice? Passion fruit?"}, {"response": 227, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (21:15)", "body": "We are Soooo lucky! I did a food search for pictures and I came across wondrous stuff. I have the lovliest Jellyfish salad ready for your consumption. Just in case you wondered, it *is* made from real jellyfish! Bon Appetite =)"}, {"response": 228, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (00:57)", "body": "(not going to tell them it's made with dried jellyfish that's been reconstituted?)"}, {"response": 229, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (09:53)", "body": "Marcia, you were on such a delicious roll until the jellyfish. Ugh! Put that on the same table as the Spam and that other icky dish you mentioned! LOL re: your baby shower. At bridal showers around here they save the ribbons, bows, etc. from the opened gifts, tape 'em all to a paper plate and make the bride wear the blasted thing as a hat for pictures. I tried, but couldn't escape this tradition at my shower. I was 34 when I got married and lobbied for a \"pigs flying\" or \"hell freezing\" shower theme, but my sisters wouldn't go for it. See what you're missing, Gi?"}, {"response": 230, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (11:24)", "body": "make the bride wear the blasted thing as a hat for pictures. From where I usually sit (in the rear), that's usually the highlight! ;-P \"pigs flying\" or \"hell freezing\" shower theme, but my sisters wouldn't go for it. LOL!! Sometimes you just gotta put your foot down. I shall file those away for future use."}, {"response": 231, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (12:38)", "body": "What could be better than to come home and read 72!!! LOL!! These things are new to me too. For sure a riot!!! Lucky Gi."}, {"response": 232, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (13:56)", "body": "welcome, wer! Good to see you =) About those tasty and chewy jellyfish...they are reconstituted from a salted state then cut into strips. Yummy brown sauce consisting of peanut butter(!), shoyu, sake vinegar, and chili oil is used to coat them thoroughly. Arrange on cucumber slices and top with cilantro. Never had the pleasure of tasting them. Have you, wer? I just think if you have to hide the flavor under peanut butter and chili oil, it must be pretty bad. Over they go with the Spam and poi and r w sea urchins. It was just such a pretty picture..!"}, {"response": 233, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (16:34)", "body": "I've consulted my caterers and have made my selections for food to bring to the shower. For an an appetizer, there will be crostini topped with crab and spiced shrimp salad. A main course of whole roasted salmon. I have a lovely tiramisu for dessert with cappucino. Did someone need a creme brulee? I have one available. Also, did you want a layered smoked salmon and shrimp mousse terrine, Evelyn? Been slaving over a hot stove all day...whew... :-)"}, {"response": 234, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (16:35)", "body": "And Moon, why Umbrian food?"}, {"response": 235, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (17:17)", "body": "We mustn't (grammarians, I never use that contraction [or any contraction] in written English!) forget to also offer KFC in case \"you-know-who\" happens to drop in!!"}, {"response": 236, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (17:45)", "body": "We didn't [always use contractions, especially when in labor] forget. KFC was mentioned early on as a food we know he's had. What do you expect from Livia, after a grueling day at the hair salon? ;-D"}, {"response": 237, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (19:09)", "body": "(Karen), And Moon, why Umbrian food? I was just thinking about something he might eat there. Remember the theme: Food that Colin might have eaten, in films or in life. For now every food item listed he has probably eaten, although, crostini topped with crab is an original (not sure about that one). I see that far table where marcia is placing all those (un)delectables is getting bigger."}, {"response": 238, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (23:49)", "body": "Oh no, Moon, I promise to put only the most tasty and recognizably edible items on the table from here on in. It was just that I thought it was a joke, or made from gelatin shaped into fish. When I read the recipe and saw the picture, I just could not resist posting it. (Lashes with wet noodles are in order for the miscreant!)Besides, I am a dear friend of the Bride's."}, {"response": 239, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (07:58)", "body": "Marcia, I must tell you that I am tempted to taste that jelly fish dish and I must thank you for bringing it to my attention."}, {"response": 240, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (09:41)", "body": "Karen, what about that chocolate and vanilla creme brulee we had at Spagos? I think THAT would be a big hit!"}, {"response": 241, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (09:43)", "body": "I've had much better creme brulees than that one."}, {"response": 242, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (09:49)", "body": "Wow, that was a quick response! I had a wonderful vanilla creme brulee on Saturday night. It was like heaven!"}, {"response": 243, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (13:29)", "body": "Another question from the newbie - Me =) Are we all going to try to post pictures on the day of the event or shall the flowers be delivered ahead, and the fruit, too? I think there will be serious overload if all of these things show up on the day of the shower! When shall I begin to send my things? BTW, it is exceedingly difficult to find pupu pictures on the internet. Words will not suffice?"}, {"response": 244, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (13:53)", "body": "Good questions Marcia. Karen, what do you suggest?"}, {"response": 245, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (15:00)", "body": "It's only going to be a problem for those who check this topic out once in a blue moon. They will bring up this topic and there will be a jillion new messages, many with images, and they will go through \"loading image hell.\" Mr. T used to have a good expression for this situation: \"I pity the poor sucker...\" ;-) For all of us shower attendees, I don't think it will be too overwhelming. But if you want to get the place all decorated beforehand with the flowers, go right ahead. Also, some of mine will be links, requiring an offsite visit. Any of you tech guys out there feel differently about it?"}, {"response": 246, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (18:07)", "body": "Would you rather I post the pictures here, or post links. I think the flowers should be here...! I have leis for everyone, table decorations and floor-standing large displays to greet you when you enter =) However, whatever works best, I will follow the advice of the more technical of you wizards. WER?"}, {"response": 247, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (19:47)", "body": "(let me think on it unobtrusively over here in the corner...)"}, {"response": 248, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May 19, 1999 (00:35)", "body": "Tuberose and rosebud lei. Exquisitely fragrant."}, {"response": 249, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May 19, 1999 (01:10)", "body": "As a thumbnail it would look like this:"}, {"response": 250, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 19, 1999 (07:46)", "body": "I am wild about tuberose, Marcia, that, is the one I will wear. You should definitely post the bigger size, we get all the details. There's nothing like sensory overdose: the champagne, the food, the music and the fragrance."}, {"response": 251, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May 19, 1999 (13:18)", "body": "Moon, you do not have to decide yet...I have several tuberose keis combined with other flowers, and one which is totally tuberoses. They are a big favorite of mine, too, and though they get a little bashed, they still smell wonderful. I agree on the pic size. The tiny ones look like they are made from rags! This particular site where I am getting these pictures has done an especially good job with their graphics. Wait till you see the great floor-standing 5'tall arrangements. Spectacular!"}, {"response": 252, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, May 19, 1999 (13:28)", "body": "Oh it's beautiful Marcia!!! I vote for the larger one as well, the rose buds are so charmingly displayed between all that lovely white tuberose. I think I'll wear my lai on my head like a wreath, and tell myself I look like an Aurthurian maiden. (Just call me Gweneviere) :) *oh dear, i think i'm feeling the effects of to little sleep*"}, {"response": 253, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 20, 1999 (20:10)", "body": "For those wishing to wear the lei in their hair, we have haku wreaths made just for that purpose."}, {"response": 254, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May 20, 1999 (22:18)", "body": "Marcia, love those treats. Just found out what the menu at the Amfar gala was: (asparagi in salsa al cerfoglio, noce di vitello con polenta e cipolle, fragoline di bosco): Asparagus in a chervil sauce, veal with onions and polenta, and wild strawberies for dessert. We can add this to our food that Colin has eaten.:-)"}, {"response": 255, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (12:33)", "body": "Smells totally divine Marcia, you are our fantasty florist, I mean virtual, but you know dear."}, {"response": 256, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (13:43)", "body": "Important date change, please mark your calendars. Gi's Bridal Shower will be on Thursday June 3. I hope this is not an incovenience to anyone and Evelyn will now be able to join the fun. I will also take this opportunity to announce two upcoming birthdays: Marcia on May 31, and Heide on June 4. It would be fun to celebrate their birthdays right here as well."}, {"response": 257, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (13:54)", "body": "No problem. More time to shop. It would be fun to celebrate their birthdays right here as well Great idea! (Marcia) For those wishing to wear the lei in their hair I'll wear one if you promise me I'll look like her!!"}, {"response": 258, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (14:16)", "body": "Eileen, consider it yours, and I *know* you will out-do her anyday of the week. Her flowers are bouganvillas. You may have any shade of them you like from white through ivory, yellow, orange, coral-salmon, pink, rosy red, through the fuchsia she is wearing. Silver fern will back it and I will see that maile is tucked in for frangrance. Just wait till you see the bridal leis I have chosen for Gi and Antonio. Not flashy but terribly lovely! (I am all chicken-skin!) BTW, bouganvillas dry just the color they are when they are picked. Take care of your Haku lei and it will be beautiful around a larve pillar candle on your table!"}, {"response": 259, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (14:18)", "body": "Oh yes, here is another sort - I love the colors of this one - but only one small picture of it was found."}, {"response": 260, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (14:51)", "body": "Oh That's Lovely Marcia! I'll take that one :) (Although, I suspect that it will make my pink cheeks look even pinker) Unfortunately I'm going to be out of town on June 3rd. :( But... I'll take along my laptop and try to check in for the shower- It promises to be great fun! And Happy Birthday Heide and Marcia! xoxox to you both! :)"}, {"response": 261, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (15:49)", "body": "EsBee, you will be the St Pauli Girl come to life! Yours is red roses, stephanotis and tuberoses with local greenery and pods and wee filler flowers to make it full. It is my favorite, also. Thanks for the Hauoli Na Hanau ;)"}, {"response": 262, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (16:22)", "body": "Marcia, are you also looking for arrangements for the table? If so, may I put in a request for birds of paradise, anthurium, ginger, orchids, et al. Love them exotics... Am also developing an affinity for flexed roses too!"}, {"response": 263, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (17:04)", "body": "Marcia, wonderful flowers, I am anticipating my lei(?). Esbee, I'm glad you have the laptop, I'd hate to exchange one of you for the other :-( Will Lizza be here on the 3rd? RE:birthdays: I now see a wonderful succession of online parties ;-P This is getting better and better!"}, {"response": 264, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (17:04)", "body": "Thank you everybody for accomodating me.... it was kind of you Moon to re-arrange the date.I shall notify Nan. **** Centerpiece: I once went to a wedding in Hawaii and the centerpiece was white birds of Paradise and white orchids.Very dramatic. *** Wonderful idea to celebrate Heide and Marcia's B'days here. Better you than me:-)) **** And this year, we can really have a BIG party for Colin's B'day!!"}, {"response": 265, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (17:24)", "body": "White birds of paradise and white orchids?!! Wow! That's a must. Thanks for moving the date, Moon. Evelyn went all out on Gi's gifts. She's a big spender. ;-)"}, {"response": 266, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (18:29)", "body": "Karen), birds of paradise, anthurium, ginger, orchids, et al. Love them exotics... Mixed with old oaks and some splendid palms and you are chez moi! So glad the date change was not a major disruption. I agree with you Marcia, we will have a big bash for Colin too.:-D"}, {"response": 267, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (19:16)", "body": "Karen), birds of paradise, anthurium, ginger, orchids, et al. The very large white B of P are from a palm-tree-sized plant called a traveller's palm. Hunting commencing as soon as I post Karen's table decor."}, {"response": 268, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (19:22)", "body": "Could someone please tell me what flexed roses are? We have wood roses....!"}, {"response": 269, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, May 21, 1999 (20:22)", "body": "(Karen) Evelyn went all out on Gi's gifts. She's a big spender. ;-) Aw...it was nothin' (**blush**,**blush**..[like Dopey of the 7 Dwarfs]) Nothin' is too good fer 'r girl...!!"}, {"response": 270, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 22, 1999 (00:20)", "body": "Lovely, Marcia. I think I've had similar arrangements made up. Now you need to get some close-ups of those naughty anthuriums! :-0 Flexing is what they \"do\" to roses; it's a arduous process of manually opening them to achieve a certain look. I'll see if I can locate one out here someplace."}, {"response": 271, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, May 22, 1999 (11:34)", "body": "Juen 3rd is okay for me, but I won't be around until late afternoon or early evening. I start jury duty that day :-/"}, {"response": 272, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May 22, 1999 (14:43)", "body": "Here are the Anthuriums. One baby shower I attended used them as a centerpiece. They were much smaller than these, and had white bracts (the heart-skaped part) and rosy-pink infloresences (the erect oblong item arising from the center of the bract) The Mother-to-be was hoping for a son, so we carefully tied blue bows on each and every one of the erect items - about 24, as I recall."}, {"response": 273, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 22, 1999 (15:47)", "body": "LOL!! Gives new meaning to the \"language\" of flowers!! Simple and beautiful arrangement. (still haven't gone looking for those flexed roses yet)."}, {"response": 274, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May 22, 1999 (16:21)", "body": "Karen, I searched for flexed roses. They must be something new, because the net came up empty. Will try again...I can always use the flowers for CF's Birthday and Heide's and mine =) I think everyone should get virtual flowers on their birthdays, don't you?! I take requests. Still looking for the Traveller's Palm cum White Bird of Paradise. Twice the size of the regulars, but the colors are sooo dramatic...sigh! Both are Strelitzia...so I should be able to find them somewhere...looking!"}, {"response": 275, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May 22, 1999 (16:34)", "body": "And, in honor of Laurence Olivier, Baron of Brighton, on the anniversary of his Birthday, I present his memory with Cattleya velutina"}, {"response": 276, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 22, 1999 (17:57)", "body": "My mouse is thoroughly tired and I'm putting him to sleep, but here's what I could find without having to resort to cutting out pictures and scanning. And last, but not least (although these roses look a tad too open)..."}, {"response": 277, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 22, 1999 (17:58)", "body": "Let me try that one again. It's too pretty to lose."}, {"response": 278, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May 22, 1999 (17:59)", "body": "Oh Karen, How very lovely!!! Thannk you! BTW, should anyone want to know, I have wheedled out of the Bride elect that her wedding colors are Salmon and green. The shade of green I do not know, but I think a silvery green would be lovely...=)"}, {"response": 279, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 22, 1999 (18:01)", "body": "Copied the wrong thing. Here it is:"}, {"response": 280, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May 22, 1999 (18:02)", "body": "Oh Karen, How very lovely!!! Thannk you! BTW, should anyone want to know, I have wheedled out of the Bride elect that her wedding colors are Salmon and green. The shade of green I do not know, but I think a silvery green would be lovely...=)"}, {"response": 281, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 22, 1999 (18:03)", "body": "Hey, there's lots of salmon on our shower menu ;-)"}, {"response": 282, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May 22, 1999 (18:06)", "body": "Don't know how that happened, but the sentiment is there. both times. I saw your cesterpiece before you posted it. I used the right mouse button and arrow on the missing pic icon, view image, and there it was - the comment with the picture is that they are blown open. I would guess with careful use of air guns."}, {"response": 283, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May 22, 1999 (18:09)", "body": "(Karen)Hey, there's lots of salmon on our shower menu ;-) Happy thought! Alas, there are very few salmon-colored flowers in Hawaii. Can only think of Protea. And, it is about impossible to find any orchids that precise color. Any species! Still looking!"}, {"response": 284, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 22, 1999 (19:26)", "body": "Yes, that was the webpage vs the pic itself. Anyway, most of those roses were a bit too open. Flexing roses requires putting closed ones in warm water the day before and then coaxing them open by hand. Perhaps blow dryers are used. ;-p You can usually tell them by the fact that the petals are still curled inward but they are full and arranged as these are above...all bunched together."}, {"response": 285, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, May 22, 1999 (20:00)", "body": "Beeeeuuuuutiful, ladies. A feast for the eyes. BTW, Marcia...great idea to have Colin's birthday on #110... his very own real estate."}, {"response": 286, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, May 23, 1999 (13:36)", "body": "I wish I could copy flowers too! What exactly must I do? What equipment should I have? This is so great, so beautiful! Of course we will have his birthday on #110. It is a tradition started with the birth of www.cf.com last year. It would be great to have a direct link to #110 from cf.com so anyone who may wish to comment can. Maybe Nan or Renate can set it up."}, {"response": 287, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, May 23, 1999 (14:32)", "body": "Moon, I sent you an Email explaining how I do it - straight from Ann's HTML tutorial."}, {"response": 288, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, May 23, 1999 (15:19)", "body": "Time to offer pupus for the early arrivals. Just the foretaste of things to come. I give you Ceviche, Sashimi, Smoked Marlin, King Crab & Bay Shrimp. served with a Thai Peanut Sauce & Sweet'n sour Sauce."}, {"response": 289, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, May 23, 1999 (17:32)", "body": "Beautiful roses, Karen! I don't think they are too open at all, this is exactly how I like them. And Marcia, I'm not sure that you'd call salmon the hue that I call by that name... It is a sort of delicate orangey pink, think the fresh fish, not the smoked one... But I like most pastels. As for the green, the small round green thing at 4 o'clock on the pupus dish is more or less it... To the American ladies, I have a favour to ask: we still haven't decided where to go for our honeymoon because Antonio would really love a cruise but apparently European cruise companies will not accept dogs. Does anyone know, or could any of you get the information, on whether there are any american cruise companies who would accept a small (3 kilos) yorkshire terrier to travel in the cabin? The three of us thank you in advance."}, {"response": 290, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May 23, 1999 (17:40)", "body": "(Gi)whether there are any american cruise companies who would accept a small (3 kilos) yorkshireterrier to travel in the cabin? I shall call tomorrow and report before I leave. But I know Karen has a good cruise contact.Happy to do it:-) ***** Marcia...such goodies you are giving us. Now, don't work too hard...."}, {"response": 291, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, May 23, 1999 (19:37)", "body": "This is a hungry business. I hope the weight gain is all in the cyber-area because I keep dashing off to the kitchen to see what is edible and quick so I can get back to posting. I have a whole page of location URLs for pupu photos and one for flowers, and they just keep getting longer. Wait till you see the choice of leis. Some are so fancy they cost upwards of $80 - and I buy the $2 kind or make them myself from my own flowers. This in not work, Evelyn, I am having such a good time. Can you not t ll?!"}, {"response": 292, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 23, 1999 (20:03)", "body": "Good thing I just had dinner. That pupu platter looked very good. I'll check into the cruise thing for you, Gi. If anyone is having any trouble or doesn't know how to post pictures, contact Marcia or me. You don't necessarily need any special equipment. Glad you liked the roses, Gi, but I'm not sure those were of the flexed variety, but as close as I could come without scanning them in! ;-)"}, {"response": 293, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (09:32)", "body": "Ladies the flowers look gorgeous! (Marcia) EsBee, you will be the St Pauli Girl come to life! LOL, oh dear... did the St Pauli Girl wear a wreath of flowers? didnt remember that :) (giggle giggle) I'll definately bring my laptop and demand my fair share of phone line access on the day of the party! Wouldnt miss this for anything! :)"}, {"response": 294, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (12:14)", "body": "Karen, I'd never heard of flexed roses before... Thanks to you and Evelyn for checking with the cruise companies... Marcia, don't bother, poor Patas can't go, so we are not going either. We'll think of something else. I have to admit that a caribbean cruise is not my idea of a perfect vacation... I'm afraid I'd feel trapped and bored in a ship with 5000 other people, but Antonio is very keen to go sometime. A cruise in the Eastern Mediterranean might be interesting because there is a lot to see, but not a very good choice now because of the Balkans war."}, {"response": 295, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (14:02)", "body": "jpg I hope this works!"}, {"response": 296, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (14:03)", "body": "I will have to try again when I have more time."}, {"response": 297, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (14:06)", "body": ""}, {"response": 298, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (14:07)", "body": "(that's what you wanted right, Moon Dreams?)"}, {"response": 299, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (14:33)", "body": "I have to admit that a caribbean cruise is not my idea of a perfect vacation... I'm afraid I'd feel trapped and bored in a ship with 5000 other people My DH and I took a Carribean cruise for our honeymoon and thought it was great. After the hustle and bustle of putting on a wedding, it's very relaxing. They do all the thinking for you. But 5,000 other passengers? Yikes! I don't blame you! Nice pics, everyone."}, {"response": 300, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (15:07)", "body": "Oh William, thank you! This man never sleeps...must be all of that Kona coffee he has been ingesting ;) Bouquets to you this morning, too."}, {"response": 301, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (19:36)", "body": "JPG img src= http:// etc"}, {"response": 302, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (19:37)", "body": "I blew it again!"}, {"response": 303, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (19:55)", "body": ""}, {"response": 304, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (19:56)", "body": "That was your doing Marcia, BEAUTIFUL!"}, {"response": 305, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (20:01)", "body": ""}, {"response": 306, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (20:02)", "body": "Yes! This worked! Thanks Marcia! I was looking for a salmon colored orchid. :-D"}, {"response": 307, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (20:07)", "body": "I think I have created a flower monster! No, not at all. Our chairlady *must* have the thrill of posting her first picture and watching - as her heart stops beating - as the photo emerges like magic. Congratulations, dear!"}, {"response": 308, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (20:12)", "body": "The lovely let above is the most incredibly scented one there is. White Ginger. My alsolute for fragrance, but is not as showy nor as crush-proof as others. But the fragrance more than makes up for it. Heavenly... Thank you, Moon!"}, {"response": 309, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 24, 1999 (22:39)", "body": "Lovely, Moon. You did it! BTW, saw white anthurium on TV tonight. No baby blue ribbons on the whatchmacallits though. ;-D"}, {"response": 310, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (04:41)", "body": "Moon, congrats, and the salmon coloured orchids are beautiful! Thank you, and Marcia, and all, for this very beautiful thing you are preparing"}, {"response": 311, "author": "livamago", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (11:41)", "body": "I've been away for a few days, but I can see that the preparations are going full steam ahead. Great work! June 3rd sounds good (one day after my DH's b'day). BTW, my own birthday is January 10. Gi, am I right in thinking you live in Portugal? I thought I read so in an old post."}, {"response": 312, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (13:23)", "body": "I appreciate your kindness. Cheers!"}, {"response": 313, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (13:25)", "body": ""}, {"response": 314, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (13:26)", "body": "What the ..... I did everything the same! (????)"}, {"response": 315, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (13:39)", "body": "I had tried ballons first. I hope this works!"}, {"response": 316, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (14:32)", "body": "I think I am being pre-empted by the newly successful Moon. I'll peddle my flowers elsewhere....;)"}, {"response": 317, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (15:18)", "body": "DON'T YOU DARE!!! I bow to you, Marcianess."}, {"response": 318, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (15:34)", "body": "January 10 Wot!! Ya gotta get with the program. Two days after Elvis' B-Day."}, {"response": 319, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (16:33)", "body": "(lidya maccarthy)Gi, am I right in thinking you live in Portugal? I thought I read so in an old post. Yes, you are right, I live in Lisbon, Portugal."}, {"response": 320, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (16:41)", "body": "Gi: I've tried to reply to your last email and it came back twice as undeliverable????"}, {"response": 321, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (16:58)", "body": "Gi's email is broken right now. All of my things have come back to me as undeliverable - and we commune daily. Gi, dear, if you are reading this, anything I have just been saying about you and your credentials is taken from your own posting on 113. Sorry if I embarrassed you :("}, {"response": 322, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, May 25, 1999 (21:36)", "body": "Moon dear, how about our transportation to the party? Planes? Trains? limos? bicycles? Dogsleds? How about pix of the site. Grand ballroom of the...? etc etc must be pix out there of some of this... ;)"}, {"response": 323, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (07:48)", "body": "Oh!!! Now you're making me nervous. As always, the teacher should give the examples Marcia. :-)"}, {"response": 324, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (08:53)", "body": "We can all meet on the SS Jolly Roger."}, {"response": 325, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (09:11)", "body": "I think it would be nice to have the shower on the above ship, in 18th Century dress. The ship can stop and pick everyone up. Hawaii, LA, Miami, NY, Boston, UK, and dock in Lisbon for Gi."}, {"response": 326, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (09:12)", "body": "Oh! Excellent idea Moon! :) And is she captined by a certain Fitzwilliam Darcy, by any chance? We could have a mutiny amougst the guests, and overthrow the dear Capt, making him a prisoner in the captin's chamebers. Of course, to ensure that he doesnt escape we would have to tie him down to the bed... * ahem * ...maybe i should go post this at 34... ;)"}, {"response": 327, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (09:14)", "body": "Think how beautifully the leis will adorn our clevages, and our hair!!"}, {"response": 328, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (09:23)", "body": "SB, why would he want to escape such lovely company?"}, {"response": 329, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (09:33)", "body": "Okay, I was born exactly 7 years and 7 months after Colin Firth. But yet, we share the same number of the month;) For those of you who know my bday, don't give it away, please. Have fun!"}, {"response": 330, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (10:00)", "body": "...and I was going to volunteer my house for the shower. Here are a few pics:"}, {"response": 331, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (10:01)", "body": "BTW, I posed for the statue. ;-)"}, {"response": 332, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (10:36)", "body": "LOL!!!! Karen, that's not what I saw when I was there;) I saw more statues!"}, {"response": 333, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (12:48)", "body": "Didn't I see that house in one of the Godfather movies? Really, Karen!"}, {"response": 334, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (13:06)", "body": "You ladies never let me down. Whenever I post a thought then go to bed, when I awaken and reboot, you have taken it and run in all directions. Brava! Now, to find me a dogsled...to retrieve Helena, of course ;)"}, {"response": 335, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (13:08)", "body": "Putting Laura down as April 10. If that is incorrect, we will celebrate then, anyway. Elvis' birthday? You might have just as well suggested your milkman's."}, {"response": 336, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (13:35)", "body": "Good job, Marcia! Indeed you are correct! Now figure out the year and you'll know how old I am;)"}, {"response": 337, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (15:10)", "body": "That is easy! Not a one of us is more than \"thirty-something\" with a few a decade or so younger ;) - despite the Volvo and Lab comment from London !"}, {"response": 338, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (15:24)", "body": "May is nearly over and June is hard upon us. I am on my way... the first leg of my journey:"}, {"response": 339, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (15:32)", "body": "(Karen)Gi: I've tried to reply to your last email and it came back twice as undeliverable???? (Marcia)Gi's email is broken right now. All of my things have come back to me as undeliverable It is working again today, I think. (Marcia)... anything I have just been saying about you and your credentials is taken from your own posting on 113. Sorry if I embarrassed you :( Actually, I embarrassed myself at the time <-o (Moon Dreams)I think it would be nice to have the shower on the above ship, in 18th Century dress. The ship can stop and pick everyone up. What a beautiful thought! Considering that I will not have a cruise for my honeymoon, it is \"the thing\" for the shower! Although Karen's suggestion of a house looks like paradise, but we would have to drive there in Volvos each and everyone ;-)"}, {"response": 340, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (15:32)", "body": "LOL! Marcia, which one of those hardy rowers is you? Or are you kicked back at the bottom of the boat, enjoying a tropical drink, while your nubile young friends row at your command? :)"}, {"response": 341, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (15:36)", "body": "ROTFLOL. Marcia! You are brilliant."}, {"response": 342, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (15:42)", "body": "(EsBee) which one of those hardy rowers is you? With a straight line like that I cannot resist saying that I am the Cox'un ;)"}, {"response": 343, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (16:28)", "body": "(Marcia) Now, to find me a dogsled, to retrieve Helena of course Lol.....no need for dogs, you\ufffdre welcome to pick me up with the ship in Helsinki harbour, the sea isn\ufffdt frozen at the moment. If more salmon is needed for the dinner table, I can take some freshly caught ones with me. And bunches of lilies-of-the-valley from my garden, they will start to bloom in a few days and I love the scent."}, {"response": 344, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (16:56)", "body": "Glad to hear you can see the ground once again, and that your lillies-of-the-valley are blooming again. I wanted them for my wedding bouquet since I was a very young girl, but I was married in August...there were none to be had anywhere on earth! That clipper ship will be hovin-to in order to take you to our party. Bring plenty of fresh salmon...I am bringing an Hawaiian version of the same =)"}, {"response": 345, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (18:05)", "body": "You ladies are too funny. More, please!"}, {"response": 346, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (18:16)", "body": "The Godfather???? Next time you're in Vence, drop in. ;-)"}, {"response": 347, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (19:19)", "body": "Vence as in Venche? (It.pronounciation) ;-))))) Marcia, have you reached the SS Jolly Roger yet? I hope your lap top did not get too wet. Elena, I am sorry to have left Helsinki out. Please let me know if we should make a stop anywhere else. Right now it is: Hawaii, LA, Miami, NY, Boston, UK, Helsinki, Lisbon. We are doubling up on the champagne at each stop. I hope that is agreeable to all. :-)"}, {"response": 348, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (20:08)", "body": "Moon, we sent the tallest guy up the mast to look for your ship. As you can see, I have transferred to a larger vessel to reach you sooner. Have a goodly stock of handsome, young, well-muscled, sun-bronzed men willing to join us. Will be able to assist in anything you might like to suggest. These guys would give you the lava-lava off their loins =)"}, {"response": 349, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (20:14)", "body": "Is that Jonathan Seagull flying besides you?"}, {"response": 350, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (20:26)", "body": "Have you not read \"The Rime of the Ancient Mariner'? That is an albatross! He was going to a wedding, too, as I recall (not the albatross)."}, {"response": 351, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (21:41)", "body": "Moon Dear, could you please remind us when the shower is. Which date. I remembered June 3 but it has been suggested that it be changed to May somethingth. If it is in May, I'm gonna have to whip those rowers a little or get out my 007-inspired jetboat to reach the Jolly Rodger in time."}, {"response": 352, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (21:51)", "body": "To answer my own question, I had it straight from Moon that June 3 is Gi Day =)"}, {"response": 353, "author": "livamago", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (22:13)", "body": "I want to know if we can bring a gift. I have something in mind (a picture) and wonder if I should first send it to one of the organizers, or if I should just post it the day of the shower."}, {"response": 354, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (22:37)", "body": "If you are sure you can post it, do it yourself on the day of the party. otherwise I will help you. Do not send me the picture - send me the location URL which is found by using the right mouse button after you have placed the pointer of your mouse in the middle of the picture. Scroll down till you have location of image highlighted. let go then go to the email you will send me and putting the mouse pinter on the body of the letter hit control+V. there will be the url for the picture you want to post OK??"}, {"response": 355, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (02:01)", "body": "Anyone interested in Belgian chocolates?"}, {"response": 356, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (02:04)", "body": "Or Crepes Suzette for dessert (pancake flamb\ufffd)."}, {"response": 357, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (07:41)", "body": "Gi's Bridal Shower is on June 3rd Please mark your calendars. Tineke, we will stop in Holland for you. Belgian chocolates go very well with champagne. Yum!"}, {"response": 358, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (07:42)", "body": "Sorry, I did close the tags."}, {"response": 359, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (07:43)", "body": "testing"}, {"response": 360, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (08:03)", "body": "Mmmmm, chocolate. Now you're talking my language! Make that Belgium for Tineke and her case of chocolates!"}, {"response": 361, "author": "livamago", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (10:03)", "body": "Thank you Marcia."}, {"response": 362, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (13:24)", "body": "This morning finds me enroute to Samarkand to fetch the finest things the Orient has to offer our honored Gi. The canoes are behind me for the moment and I am in transit. More as I get the chance post from the Silk Road...aloha"}, {"response": 363, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (13:36)", "body": "Marcia, you're supposed to be on your way to Miami to pick me up!!! Have you commandeered the SS Jolly Roger? Are you having too much fun with the crew? Turn the ship around and get back on schedule. ;-)))"}, {"response": 364, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (13:59)", "body": "I thought you were steering the Jolly Rodger! I am about finished on the silk route...hurying back with the goodies"}, {"response": 365, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (14:08)", "body": "See, I am about to disembark - I do not have ship - tis on the high seas wherever you left it. Shall I intercept and bring it to Miani without a stop at the west coast? Here is my treasure-laden camel ready to take me back to civilization as we know it"}, {"response": 366, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (14:12)", "body": "Is this bridal shower in Morocco?"}, {"response": 367, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (14:15)", "body": "Marcia, I wish you a safe journey back to the ship. Can't wait to see the goodies. The Silk Road is one of my future trips, I assure you. You may be giving Gi ideas as to where to go honeymoon.;-) I think Winter is waiting in LA, so do pick her up."}, {"response": 368, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (16:04)", "body": "Winter, JanaJH in LA; a quick trip up to SF to pick up EsBee. Can anyone tell me the closest port to Kansas...That's where Stacey is and next door is OK and TX with Evelyn and Rita. I may have to get the camels out again. Just got away from the Jewel house in the Kremlin with a few goodies on my way to the coast. We Have 6 days - we can do it =) was not in Morocco - it was Mongolia!"}, {"response": 369, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (16:57)", "body": "This is not a shower, this is a deluge of wonderful things and dreams. Indeed, this is almost poetry. (Tineke, I love cr\ufffdpes Suzette, and yours look delicious) :-)"}, {"response": 370, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (17:03)", "body": "LOL! Marcia, if those camels are on the ship when it gets here to pick me up, i'll have to do something drastic! (Camel races on the deck of the SS Jolly Roger?) Moon- see you when we get to FL! :)"}, {"response": 371, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (17:24)", "body": "I trust all of you with your new Real Playera are glued to http://208.226.146.66/video/live.rpm to watch the space shuttle live. Wave at me as I pass!!!"}, {"response": 372, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (17:34)", "body": "Marcia, you come right back this instance! The crew of the SS Jolly Roger are waiting! Where on earth will we find you? Does Ray know about this? He will never let you leave Hilo again. ;-) I think I will email Captain Ahab to go on to California. SB get ready you will be next. The ladies from the midwest please chose your port on the east coast."}, {"response": 373, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (17:43)", "body": "Marcia, you can pick up Evelyn and Rita in Galveston or they might choose to meet me in Nawlins and you can pick us all up there. I'll take the Delta Queen down, but I'll be broke when I land. Come on seven. Come on seven. Mama needs a new roof and sewer work!!"}, {"response": 374, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (17:47)", "body": "The camels are left behind and I took to Yak-back to travel to Siberia where I picked up transport to MIR. The Space Shuttle is due by in a few orbits so I must repack. You would not believe this state-of-th-art laptop I am using. You have seen those yellow waterproof watches, cameras, flashlights? I have the prototype yellow waterproof laptop - and it is fortunate, as my Yak backfired several times on the way, and it was not a *good thing.*"}, {"response": 375, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (17:57)", "body": "Shall pick up the Jolly Roger upon my landing at Edwards AFB and gather the California ladies. Then it is off for Galveston - or should i intercept at Nawlins? Does Ray know? He does indeed. He just sits there shaking his head in bewilderment as I read these postings and ROTFLOL. I think he has a suit with v e r y long sleeves standing by, just in case...=) Our Yak caravan crossing the sturdiest bridge seen all day. Will write next from ^up^ there."}, {"response": 376, "author": "samiam", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (18:52)", "body": ""}, {"response": 377, "author": "samiam", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (18:54)", "body": ""}, {"response": 378, "author": "samiam", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (18:55)", "body": ""}, {"response": 379, "author": "samiam", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (18:57)", "body": ""}, {"response": 380, "author": "samiam", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (19:00)", "body": ""}, {"response": 381, "author": "ommin", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (21:23)", "body": "Ladies, I don't know what your views are on censorship, but our government is bringing in draconian measures. Small servers like mine are going to be forced out of business and arrangements made to watch everything being sent out, or at least that is what our government is hoping to do. Appreciate your views on it. I know this is serious business but could eventually apply to all."}, {"response": 382, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (22:09)", "body": "Anne, that is frightening. You will find images of blue lapel ribbons (like the aides awareness ribbons) which are symbolic of free speech all over the net. What is so terrible that net nanny or adult watch could not keep you from learning? Bomb making? Just go to the magazine store and buy a hunting-type magazine. There will be plenty of leads to follow in the back of those. If we protect everyone from every perceived danger, we will soon have no rights at all. How does this draconian measure sou d to you?"}, {"response": 383, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (23:24)", "body": "Whew, I am back on solid ground again and the shuttle is back up there. What a trip. Mt luggage is a little heavy...wonder if that left-over Yak is till in there? stopping just long enough to order pizza and let me off...."}, {"response": 384, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (08:06)", "body": "WOW, Marcia, you did it! I never thought I'd say this, welcome back to planet earth ! You certainly have a lot to tell us. Did you happen to see the Starship Enterprise? Hans Solo? I hope the WWF don't make a case of that yak. We did get some rather strange messages last night from some derranged alien, and I'm glad you're alright."}, {"response": 385, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (14:07)", "body": "Happily, the derranged alien, he has been nuked thanks to Heide's swift expertise. I have been thinking...always dangerous first thing in the morning...about the JoRo. Went aboard and thinking of the week aboard that fetid ship with the only \"facilities\" being a board suspended out over the sea with a hole in it. What do you say to hiring a crew to scrub and paint her and upgrade the plumbing as they take her to Europe for us? We will gather the US ladies in the Concorde and jet them over in comfort and much more fragrant surroundings - complete with gourmet meal and champagne. We c n all join the newly refurbished ship in Southampton and take it up to Helsinki and Bremerhaven finally resting at berth in the port of Lisboa. Let me know...am about to hire on the nicest-looking eager, curly-haired hands I could find. Each in a tight-fitting tee shirt and Levi's which look painted on them...!~sigh~!"}, {"response": 386, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (14:28)", "body": "Shocking! I thought the ship was in top shape! Maybe we should change Captain Ahab for Captain Hornblower.:-) I would stay away from curly-haired hands Marcia, sounds dangerous. Thanks Heide, I'll know who to call in case of YK2 problems."}, {"response": 387, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (14:41)", "body": "Hmmm, something like this? [Hope this works...thanks, Marcia, I think I figured out a work-around]"}, {"response": 388, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (14:42)", "body": "Grrr, guess I didn't....mumble, mumble...*(&^%MS Explorer...."}, {"response": 389, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (15:00)", "body": "I shall conquer this...let me try again. If we're not going to take the JoRo, I would prefer something like this: Lots of sailing comfort, but no atmosphere! There's something to be said about the JoRo after all!"}, {"response": 390, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (15:03)", "body": "Aargh!"}, {"response": 391, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (15:28)", "body": ""}, {"response": 392, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (15:31)", "body": ""}, {"response": 393, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (15:40)", "body": ""}, {"response": 394, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (15:44)", "body": ""}, {"response": 395, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (15:47)", "body": ""}, {"response": 396, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (15:47)", "body": "(finally...)"}, {"response": 397, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (15:53)", "body": "(Moon) Maybe we should change Captain Ahab for Captain Hornblower.:-) Excellent idea Moon! :) and as a lovely little side topic; Costco has H.H. the complete set for only $34.95!!!! ....in the words of a fellow cubicle dweller here in my office, \"he's no Mr. Darcy, but * sigh * -Horatio.\" (Marcia) am about to hire on the nicest-looking eager, curly-haired hands I could find. Each in a tight-fitting tee shirt and Levi's which look painted on them...!~sigh~! Now that's something I wouldnt mind viewing... perhaps we should keep them on to provide -er 'entertainment' for Gi's party. ;)"}, {"response": 398, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (15:53)", "body": "WER, I try out the dialog string (before I paste it here to submit) on the location bar of Netscape. I got \"file not found\" from the home1 url. So I backed up the location and got in the front door, found the boat she intended to post and sent her the difference, after testing it, of course. No typos if you paste the location url...! Thanks for the scribble url. I just might need it. We are very glad you are out there watching over us =)"}, {"response": 399, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (15:59)", "body": "EsBee, count on it. We will spend our Concorde hours thinking up fun jobs for these under used and over muscled way too handsome guys. I was thinking we could nip around Gibraltar after we pick up Gi and cruise the Mediterranean as we party and admire the lap-dancing deckhands...!!!"}, {"response": 400, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (17:37)", "body": "all join the newly refurbished ship in Southampton and take it up to Helsinki and Bremerhaven finally resting at berth in the port of Lisboa I do hope you'll be able to make a quick stop in Ostend or Zeebrugge, whatever suits you best."}, {"response": 401, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (17:49)", "body": "Thanks for checking in, Tineke, the port is your choice. Considering where I have been in the past few days, nothing should impede our progress. Getting a little hungry again - time for a light snack of pickled seaweed and tofu and a bottle of something light and refreshing..."}, {"response": 402, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (17:53)", "body": "oh yes, and some fresh pineapple!"}, {"response": 403, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (21:11)", "body": "I saw Evelyn today. We had lunch at Sardi's (the first time for both of us--can you imagine?) and it was a lovely afternoon. Did all our Colin gossiping, looked at photos from your meeting in England, ate some wicked food and giggled like idiots. All in all, the perfect afternoon ;-) I think it's probably better that we don't live closer or we'd do that far too often. She says hello to all and is looking forward to getting back to Drool. I think her mouse finger is getting itchy..."}, {"response": 404, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (21:32)", "body": "...and I spoke to her a little later to send her shopping again! I think her mouse finger is getting itchy... I think she needs a laptop to take with her on her little trips!!"}, {"response": 405, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (22:25)", "body": "Michael says that the crabbing is very good. How about some fresh Alaskan crabmeat and shrimp cocktail."}, {"response": 406, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May 29, 1999 (00:49)", "body": "I am watching the Space Shuttle connect with the International Space Station. It is hard to believe I was up there just a few hours ago. Lucie, have Bob get the seafood to our pilot, but be sure it is securly wrapped and put into a chill box. I do not want any of it to go missing before we get to Lisboa. I am not sure, but I do not think Gi has had seafood from the icy Alaskan waters. There is none better that I have tasted =)~~~"}, {"response": 407, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 29, 1999 (07:59)", "body": "If you're still looking for a few good crew, I nominate this guy. He looks particularly fit, but no curly hands; just riply chest. ;-p"}, {"response": 408, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, May 29, 1999 (10:32)", "body": "I, will stick with Captain Hornblower. :-) Marcia, where are you today? Is that Yak still around?"}, {"response": 409, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, May 29, 1999 (12:48)", "body": "Should we dip the king crab in melted butter and eat it like lobster (since the taste is so much the same) or shall we eat it with a seafood sauce."}, {"response": 410, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May 29, 1999 (17:17)", "body": "I vote for Brawn Butter for the King Crab and cocktail sauce for the shrimp. Yak began to smell like his name so he is gone. Am gathering the last of the food and flowers for the flight and voyage to our party to tide us over till the Alaska contribution arrives...with shoyu and chinese mustard...Ummm!"}, {"response": 411, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May 29, 1999 (17:21)", "body": "Hey, a second helping of something good is not all bad....sorry, and make that Drawn Butter...=P Love the crew - bring 'um along. I trust you have tweaked their muscles and checked those abs to be sure they are good and hard =) Munchies to go with our seafood???"}, {"response": 412, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 29, 1999 (17:31)", "body": "I trust you have tweaked their muscles and checked those abs to be sure they are good and hard =) In god we trust, all else must be done personally. ;-)"}, {"response": 413, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May 29, 1999 (20:12)", "body": "My Yak is back! Bathed and beautiful He pined for me and would not eat so I had to keep him with me Hope you do not mind...?!"}, {"response": 414, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May 29, 1999 (20:13)", "body": ""}, {"response": 415, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, May 29, 1999 (20:25)", "body": "I will like you all to come for tea on May 31, in celebration of our dear Marcia's Birthday. I promise the Yak will stay outside. :-)"}, {"response": 416, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, May 29, 1999 (20:26)", "body": ""}, {"response": 417, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, May 29, 1999 (20:27)", "body": ""}, {"response": 418, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, May 29, 1999 (20:28)", "body": ""}, {"response": 419, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, May 29, 1999 (20:28)", "body": ""}, {"response": 420, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, May 29, 1999 (20:33)", "body": "I shall not drink anymore champagne. ;-)))"}, {"response": 421, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, May 29, 1999 (21:30)", "body": "Moon, honey, drink up! You got your picture up there and it is purty! Thank y'all for the invite. Nice little cottage. I Have sent the Yak back to his homeland. Far too hot in Hawaii for all that hair. Besides, those deck hands will need massaging for those aching muscles and I do not want to be kept from doing my share of the kneading. BTW, my sister just sent me a Victorian-type 4 tier birthday card and it is of a wedding of a couple straight out of JA, doeskin breeches and all (he is dressed on t e right.) How ever did she know?! I need a scanner!"}, {"response": 422, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 29, 1999 (23:38)", "body": "Is that the boat house, Moon? :)"}, {"response": 423, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, May 30, 1999 (08:24)", "body": "A very extravagant one, don't you think?"}, {"response": 424, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 30, 1999 (09:16)", "body": "All depends on the boat I would imagine."}, {"response": 425, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, May 30, 1999 (13:16)", "body": "Nan - shouldn't you post your Evelyn-Colin-Drool message on 118, rather than here? (Just wondering... :-)"}, {"response": 426, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, May 30, 1999 (13:28)", "body": "Sorry - I see you all practise posting pretty pictures - I must have my share. Can I do it? http://www.british-airways.com/flights/factfile/airfleet/images/m747-400s.gif"}, {"response": 427, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, May 30, 1999 (13:40)", "body": "Ha! It's not quite working... Funny - I used to know how to do it. http://www.british-airways.com/lsp/wgallery/images/celtic/art.gif"}, {"response": 428, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, May 30, 1999 (13:45)", "body": "Can anyone remind me, please? :-)"}, {"response": 429, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sun, May 30, 1999 (14:53)", "body": "Arami, type img src= then the URL between \"\" . And of course, you have to put the entire thing between these . I hope that helps."}, {"response": 430, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, May 30, 1999 (15:18)", "body": "Finally! Someone is on their way...Good! Bringing your carefully-wrapped goodies, too?! I love the tail decorations on that plane. Hardly the way British Airways used to look! Tineke, are you off on gift buying or shall we still yacht you to Lisbon?"}, {"response": 431, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, May 30, 1999 (15:22)", "body": "Floral pieces need to be put in place. Starting with the largest of the pieces for the entry"}, {"response": 432, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sun, May 30, 1999 (16:03)", "body": "That was Arami's plane, Marcia. I think I'd better take the boat, since my public-transport-jinxed brother is in the country! Whenever he comes near a train station, all trains are delayed. Last time he came home (he studied and now works in Japan), his flight was cancelled. Now yesterday, he flew back home again. His plane had a 29 hour delay!!"}, {"response": 433, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, May 30, 1999 (17:00)", "body": "Eat, drink, drool and be merry!!! You will all lookm and smell goregeous and have the most wonderful Wedding shower ever. Sending love and good wishes your way and looking forward to catching up on my return next week."}, {"response": 434, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, May 30, 1999 (17:02)", "body": "Whoops, !! How could you all be anything but gorgeous? Type in haste-----repent in Drool."}, {"response": 435, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, May 30, 1999 (17:09)", "body": "Pack your jammies and a sandwich when you travel with your brother! I am not sure which way around the world he goes to get back to Belgium, but it has to be as long as my travels to London from Hawaii. BTW, stuff some chocolates in your pocket before we pick you up at Ostend (thense on to Helsinki). We just might have to bribe the deck hands with it ;)"}, {"response": 436, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, May 30, 1999 (17:10)", "body": "Lizza, we shall miss you!! Full report on your return. God Speed, Dear!"}, {"response": 437, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, May 30, 1999 (19:55)", "body": "To start your Birthday celebration a day early, 3 Cheers for Marcia!!!"}, {"response": 438, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, May 30, 1999 (21:06)", "body": "Thanks, Tineke and Marcia. OK, here goes. If this one works, it's for Marcia, of course. Have a great day - and all the best."}, {"response": 439, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, May 30, 1999 (21:27)", "body": "Wow! ...I am speechless...and delighted. I see you learned your lessons well. But I did not know I was teaching you (either of you!) for my benefit. Mahalo, thank you, and I have no idea how to say it in Aramic ;)"}, {"response": 440, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 30, 1999 (22:41)", "body": "I was asked to forward this to you, Marcia!"}, {"response": 441, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, May 30, 1999 (23:48)", "body": "Thank you for the comming attraction. When does HE arrive?! oh man...gotta get this hair fixed...this thing I'm wearing is not fit for....Oh, sorry! Yes, thank you for the lovely card...from CF himself, I wish to presume;)"}, {"response": 442, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, May 30, 1999 (23:51)", "body": "...such lovely hands....this man has not one flaw! sparkling eyes, dimpled smile, boyish charm...oh help...!"}, {"response": 443, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 30, 1999 (23:56)", "body": "Of course, it's from the man himself. (he's afraid of the internet)"}, {"response": 444, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (01:57)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Marcia!! Are you going to share your gift ;-)?"}, {"response": 445, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (02:11)", "body": "Hrrm, I'm late again! Sorry! Happy Birthday, Marcia! I hope you had a wonderful day."}, {"response": 446, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (03:04)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Dear Marcia!"}, {"response": 447, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (08:35)", "body": "are you going to share Tineke's present? Please!"}, {"response": 448, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (09:01)", "body": "Happy Birthday Marcia! From my orchid garden to you."}, {"response": 449, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (09:20)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Marcia, I hope you have a lovely day."}, {"response": 450, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (09:22)", "body": "Only for you, Marcia, on your birthday: Hope you have a wonderful day"}, {"response": 451, "author": "livamago", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (09:54)", "body": "Happy Birthday Marcia!"}, {"response": 452, "author": "livamago", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (10:08)", "body": "For you Marcia...(I hope I did this correctly)"}, {"response": 453, "author": "livamago", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (10:11)", "body": "Well! Now if I can only learn how to make it bigger... BTW, this collage was taken from Murph's Firth Appreciation Pages."}, {"response": 454, "author": "livamago", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (10:22)", "body": ""}, {"response": 455, "author": "livamago", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (10:24)", "body": "Yes!!!"}, {"response": 456, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (12:18)", "body": "Wrinkle...crumple...*untie*...opening box...wrinkle...Please have a lovely Godiva chocolate...thank you, Tineke. Shall I share the DB? These pages would not be half the fun if we did not share. Besides, I like living too much to keep this wonderful man away from his erudite and gracious adoring fans. I should not like it if someone else did that to me...so, one at a time, you may look at the picture, copy it to disk, make wallpaper, and Drool copiously as I am presently doing. If you can figure how t make him less virtual and more actual...please let me know!!! And, do not spoil your appetites on those lovely chocolates. Save space for Spam! With all of that, I can make all sorts if pupus for the party (and some of you will be amamzed how palatable it can be.)Karen, only you!!! It is not yet 7am on my Birthday and I am already wiping my eyes and ROTFLOL at your imaginations and creativity. Ladies, take a bow. And you all get gold stars to posting pictures without one nasty pink and blue didn't-wo k square which tells God and everybody you goofed! My congratulations and appreciation for the good work and for thinking of me =)"}, {"response": 457, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (12:26)", "body": "Now let me see... Happy Birthday Marcia! \"I read somewhere\" you wanted a new SUV... After all the travelling you've been doing, you need a very comfortable, topclass car. So this one is waiting for you when you dock in Lisbon. It is a city with many hills (seven, according to tradition) and the streets are not very well paved; also, there is a lack of parking space so we all park half on the sidewalk... SUVs are your best bet!"}, {"response": 458, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (12:30)", "body": "...unless you prefer this one:"}, {"response": 459, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (13:34)", "body": "In case British Airways is on strike, and there are terrible storms on sea, and the camels have run out of water, there are always other methods to fly to Lisbon! I'm an expert;-)"}, {"response": 460, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (13:37)", "body": "I am speechless - *again*. Large flashing colored letters?! I am impressed more than I can say. I Love Range Rovers. The Original Safari wagons made to last and last in the most inhospitable places. Decisions...decisions...decisions sigh! In the interest of Coolness, I shall opt for the bottom one, but my heart loves the red one. Thank you Gi, dear! You are quantum leaps ahead of me in HTML, but I shall catch up by the 3rd =) Lidya, AnnW, JanaJH, Elena, Arami, Moon, Barbara, and other lurkers, thank you! You have made this Birthday the best one ever."}, {"response": 461, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (13:49)", "body": "Tineke, shall we be dropping in on Gi? Literally?! No fuss, no traffic tie-ups, no tempers to worry about. You have the spefect solution. How big a bore does that little beauty have? By the time we get done consuming all the goodies we are bringing, we shall need a bigger cannon on the return flight!"}, {"response": 462, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (13:50)", "body": "Tineke, shall we be dropping in on Gi? Literally?! No fuss, no traffic tie-ups, no tempers to worry about. You have the perfect solution. How big a bore does that little beauty have? By the time we get done consuming all the goodies we are bringing, we shall need a bigger cannon on the return flight!"}, {"response": 463, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (13:54)", "body": "..if i said it once, I've said it... sorry! Ladies, a cautionary tale. I checked the web for Portuguese Sailors just in case we needed a few more hands...and this is what I got. I am all disappointment."}, {"response": 464, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (14:46)", "body": "I have just been in contact with JR and it is undersail again completely refurbished and beautiful for us Here are a few pictures to dream about: Under way Young rigger under sail."}, {"response": 465, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (15:48)", "body": "Your birthday ain't over, yet, Marcia. Here's a little something for your Keepsakes. (And if this doesn't work, I shall try, try, again.) Happy Birthday!"}, {"response": 466, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (15:50)", "body": "grumble, grumble"}, {"response": 467, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (15:52)", "body": "Can anyone help? I don't want to waste any more space and must have this mastered by June 3."}, {"response": 468, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (16:01)", "body": "Marcia, the SS Jolly Roger is looking mighty pretty, can not wait to bord. Captain Hornblower has done an excellent job! Tineke, you will not have to hold on to that canyon much longer, we are on our way!"}, {"response": 469, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (16:28)", "body": ""}, {"response": 470, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (16:36)", "body": "Oooh Heide, Lovely! If at first you don't succeed....suck somthing else! (Lemons?!) Thank You, Dear!"}, {"response": 471, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (16:46)", "body": "Did I do that? Remember, it's for your keepsakes - all of them. Happy birthday, dear."}, {"response": 472, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (16:54)", "body": "Happy BIrthday, Marci!!!. Many more to come. Thank you for all the great gifts that you give us with your presence. I hope you have a wonderful day. Love, Rita"}, {"response": 473, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (16:59)", "body": "Brava Heide! It is the most incredible feeling any time you hit the submit button and watch breathlessly until you see an image downloading. Magic! Will He fit into my heart? Count on it! =)...and his little grey underwear set...and his University notebooks...and his ring and codpiece...and that silver mine,\"Here? Here...Now\" aka the HHN...his fisherman-knit sweater..."}, {"response": 474, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (17:07)", "body": "Thank you, Rita. It is rarely that you get time to post anymore. Thank you for the good wishes and kind compliments. Now, for you all, my gift:"}, {"response": 475, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (17:12)", "body": "It's great to see you posting again Rita, its good to have you back. Take Care"}, {"response": 476, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (18:02)", "body": "Wouldn't you know! When I asked if there was anything I could do to help, they sent me up here to look for mermaids. It is not my favorite place. Notice the gang on deck partying? They are getting in shape for the 3rd."}, {"response": 477, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (18:27)", "body": "Marcia, just tell them the mermaids arrive on the 3rd and to be prepared, we like to be served well. ;-) Besides you should never work on your Birthday. The flowers are lovely."}, {"response": 478, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (19:25)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Dear Marcia! Everyone else has sent you great pics that I possibly cannot compete! hope your day was memorable!"}, {"response": 479, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (19:51)", "body": "Thank you, Laura, it was - being here with good people and out for the evening with my DB. It hardly gets any better than that! Just brush up your posting skills for the 3rd."}, {"response": 480, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (20:43)", "body": ""}, {"response": 481, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (20:49)", "body": "Or..."}, {"response": 482, "author": "livamago", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (20:52)", "body": "Wow, Arami! That looks great!"}, {"response": 483, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (21:28)", "body": "Oh Arami, you clever girl. Thank you for the Manitee (the sailors were at sea a l o n g time if they thought that looked like a mermaid) and the \"real\" Mermaid. Fantastic! I am totally amazed and delighted. The ship sails on..."}, {"response": 484, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Mon, May 31, 1999 (23:20)", "body": "Marcia: I hope that you had a wonderful birthday. I love all the pics that everyone posted especially the swimming fish. Gee, I wish that I was that talented. One day, I will make myself learn all this computer has to offer. Ann: Thank you for the kind words. I am glad that I am back. I did get to log on and twice today!!!!"}, {"response": 485, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (07:40)", "body": "Loved it Arami! If the crew is spotting manatees, you must be in Florida! I am packing the trunks as we speak (all according to Lady Catherine):-)"}, {"response": 486, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (11:37)", "body": "All right, Marcia, here's another attempt, as per your instructions: What a party you had! Sorry I missed it! I see Karen and I had the same idea about including Spam...no party's the same without it (*cough*) :-)"}, {"response": 487, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (13:26)", "body": "We are sailing briskly before the wind and all is well. Have gathered a good group and a few playful dolphins are acting as escort this morning."}, {"response": 488, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (13:44)", "body": "All is peaceful on deck. Even the ship's cat is taking a holiday."}, {"response": 489, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (14:19)", "body": "Naturally the Library would be closed on such an important day, so my wishes must be belated. But considering how much you've cleaned up already, I can wish you a Happy Belated Birthday with the full confidence that it was!"}, {"response": 490, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (14:46)", "body": "I cant believe I missed it! *beating myself over the head with the laptop I forgot to take* Belated Happy Birthday Marcia! I hope you had a Wonderful, Wonderful Day! :) Everything looks so beautiful- flowers, young sailors... I'm leaving again first thing in the morning, but I shall make every effort to ensure that the laptop goes with me this time!!! I fully plan to be here on the third! xoxo all -see you then!"}, {"response": 491, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (14:48)", "body": "It was, and thank you dear! We missed you. We need a telethon to get you caught-up cyberwise. It is not fair that you should have such limitations on your time here. However, you are not getting that grey look from hanging around indoors all the time, and the circulation in your legs much be much better than mine, too ;)"}, {"response": 492, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (14:51)", "body": "EsBee, your social life is getting in the way of Drooling? Heaven forbid. How could you! I just may forgive you - if you show up for Gi's Shower. We are counting on you Darcy life-sized cutout, you know! Have a great time, Dear, and keep in touch."}, {"response": 493, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (15:07)", "body": "A Belated Happy Birthday, Marcia...sorry I'm late....been trying to play catch-up on all the boards.You kids have gone visual while I was away. Have to practice now. Had a great time with Nan...gave her hugs from everyone....she's a doll!! Hey, how about goin on Chat on the 3rd....is 9-10 PM GMT OK with you, Gi? If it is,....it would be 4PM ET, and 3 PM CT."}, {"response": 494, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (17:34)", "body": "Let's see, 9pm=2100 Zulu which is 11am HST. I can do it! Thanks for the Birthday wishes, Evelyn. You did notice we have been practicing to heap best wishes and goodies on our most favored Gi. The ship is approaching Europe and the forward greeting committee is already hard at work, I see. Thank you all for the lovely welcome. Southampton, Ostend, Helsinki, we are on our way."}, {"response": 495, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (18:20)", "body": "Note to Flower Person: Flowers sent ahead - especially the hardy Protea. Must not leave everything for the last moment..."}, {"response": 496, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (19:26)", "body": "I love the animated graphics, Arami, Marcia... Evelyn, I'll do my best to be in Chat at the appointed time :-)"}, {"response": 497, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (19:49)", "body": "Memo - Anthuriums on all tables..."}, {"response": 498, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (20:01)", "body": "What a gorgeous arrangement of anthurium! Ohhh OK, Marcia, have you been practicing (in my best Lady Catherine)? You are going to provide some indigenous entertainment aren't you? And for you ladies, without whom a party wouldn't be a party without Spam, here's a little animated version!"}, {"response": 499, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (20:24)", "body": "So much colour and movement - my eyes are hurting - LOL! Memo - Anthuriums on all tables... Another splendidly phallic image... very appropriate, I dare say. Is the bride-to-be blushing yet? ;-)"}, {"response": 500, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (20:27)", "body": "You girls are too much.....love the animation.... OK CHAT ROOM Thursday June 3rd...... To personally Greet our Gi!! 9PM GMT 4PM ET 3 PM CT 2PM MT 1PM PT 11AM HST"}, {"response": 501, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (20:35)", "body": "OOps make that 10am HST - we are 6 hours behind the ET. I was figuring hours zulu (GMT) without accounting for DST or ST in Europe."}, {"response": 502, "author": "livamago", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (20:38)", "body": "Where is the chat room? Can I come?"}, {"response": 503, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (20:45)", "body": "Ok...I am halucinating. Ray is right. I should not spend all day and night at the computer. Now I am seeing Spam cans doing the Hula! It is enough to sober up the proverbial Drunken Sailor! A lei of orchids to inspire you - and if it is moving when it shows up, there is more to Yapp Software than even I want to admit!"}, {"response": 504, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (20:48)", "body": "Where is the chat room? Can I come? Everyone is welcomed.....go to colinfirth.com and click on to the Chat Room. Oops, I forgot.....is it all right to use it, Nan? (We discussed it during lunch and I assumed we had permission.....sorry)"}, {"response": 505, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (20:51)", "body": "all who wish to come to chat - use this direct URL http://firth.com/chat/talk.cgi"}, {"response": 506, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (22:09)", "body": "Time to get the leis out...a few at a time. This one is rosebuds and pearls. Never saw a traditional lei with anything artificial in it. But here it is.."}, {"response": 507, "author": "livamago", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (22:17)", "body": "Evelyn, someone at the P&P board at the RoP says that JE was in the movie \"The last days of disco\". Is it true? I thought maybe they are confusing her with Kate Beckingsale..."}, {"response": 508, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (22:56)", "body": "I am going to try and come to chat on Thursday. GI, Evelyn, Ann and Marcia I am really looking forward to it. I cannot wait . Maybe Charles will be napping fo rI am off that day. I must go for some pre op. I am having my second surgery on Tuesday of next week."}, {"response": 509, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (07:44)", "body": "Rita, I hope you get well soon. Marcia, the Anthuriums are devine! I have seen them in pink, white and red but never in mauve. That pearl and rose lei would make a perfect birthday present for us June babies, the pearl and the rose and the flower and gem of June. :-) Karen, too funny! I'm going to try my luck with annimation next. This is such a peer pressure group! ;-))) I'll pop in to chat as well."}, {"response": 510, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (10:53)", "body": "Marcia, don't forget to tie little bows on those Anthuriums to match Gi's wedding colors! Speaking of flowers, here's a rose from my garden: It's called 'Jayne Austin,' naturally (yep, that's really the way it's spelled)."}, {"response": 511, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (11:54)", "body": "Whew! Marcia, I finally found an arrangement best suited to decorate the food table on the far side of the room...you know, the one with the Spam, poi, jellyfish salad, etc."}, {"response": 512, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (11:58)", "body": "Byooo-ti-ful, isn't it? Hee hee! And for a little atmosphere to go with all these flowers..."}, {"response": 513, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (13:07)", "body": "LOL! You clever ladies. The Butterfly is so sweet! And I think we can hide all of the less glamorous food items under your table bouquet. Looks like there is room for the jellied eels, too. Poor Gi, who has been on emergency call for the past 24 hours, will have the download from Hell (Karen's suggestion)tomorrow if she does not do it till then. More flowers today. We have all of the Aussies, Americans, and Europeans onboard. Partying in anticipation of our arrival in Lisbon's fair harbor. Anyone we have missed? Another Tropical mix for the entry table with guest book."}, {"response": 514, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (13:23)", "body": "For the other side of the entry"}, {"response": 515, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (13:45)", "body": "More little proteas for the tables with some chocolate dipped Macadamias for the peckish."}, {"response": 516, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (14:26)", "body": "Evelyn, someone at the P&P board at the RoP says that JE was in the movie \"The last days of disco\". Puhleeze...\"Backbeat\" was bad enough. I'll run over and correct it. Thanks Lidya. **** Glad so many are coming to Chat. I'll alert Nan of the Cake!!"}, {"response": 517, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (15:54)", "body": "I'll alert Nan of the Cake Please do, Evelyn. Hmmm. I'm having a craving for some icing..."}, {"response": 518, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (18:21)", "body": "(Evelyn) Oops, I forgot.....is it all right to use it, Nan? (We discussed it during lunch and I assumed we had permission.....sorry) Any Colin fans are always welcome to use the chat room, no permission required honey. But, if you need my blessing, then go to it ;-p"}, {"response": 519, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (18:58)", "body": "Time to begin planning your outfit and flower selection. I offer the following for your rumination."}, {"response": 520, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (19:01)", "body": "Or these, Pehaps."}, {"response": 521, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (20:00)", "body": "I am overwhelmed by these beautiful flowers. How can a girl begin to choose? I am still busily wrapping my present for tomorrow but may I offer my food selection now? In honor of Gi's color scheme salmon and green and in honor of Coolin's home away from home (Scotland), I've brought an appetizer. (I hope.)"}, {"response": 522, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (20:09)", "body": "I hope there's enough. I brought an extra fish if we need more. ;-) Coolin ? Hope you get a chance to recover before the shower, Gi."}, {"response": 523, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (20:15)", "body": "Coolin? Yes - that's just what we all need... ;-)"}, {"response": 524, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (21:13)", "body": "Coolin is like Groovin? Aren't we all? Meanwhile, busily making sure there is enough water in the vases and the leis are fresh and fragrant... Ti and Umberella tree lei"}, {"response": 525, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (21:18)", "body": "More bouquets...tropical mix...with white dendrobium orchids (which smell like cinnamon)"}, {"response": 526, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (21:30)", "body": "Carnations and Plumeria... Double carnation (also comes in red, white, pink or dyed to your specifications)"}, {"response": 527, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (00:27)", "body": "The beautiful lei for our guest of honor, The Bride-to-Be. Her choice of fragrant maile leaves twined with ilima ropes or Maile twined with rosebuds"}, {"response": 528, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (00:31)", "body": ""}, {"response": 529, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (00:45)", "body": "Nan, please remove that stephanoitis which did not fully download. I will never try that again - don't care what the occasion. This is it's thumbnail"}, {"response": 530, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (01:07)", "body": "All gone, Marcia. :)"}, {"response": 531, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (01:16)", "body": "Heide's first course for all us earlier arrivals is just crying for something to go along with it. Somewhere in the world it's the right time for a little champagne: Let's start this party right!"}, {"response": 532, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (01:18)", "body": "or for those with more $$$$$ tastes:"}, {"response": 533, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (07:50)", "body": "Ladies, this Bridal Shower is performing art as it happens, Warhol would be proud! Marcia, I'm already wearing that beautiful tuberrose and rose lei, that first one I saw way back then. The champagne is perfect with the salmon, thanks Karen and Heide. Lisbon, what a city! Now Gi dear, for my present, I thought you might enjoy having your Biorhythm chart done so you can have an idea what your wedding day vibes will be in the Universe. You will also be able to check your compatibility with Antonio (to play it safe);-) as well as Colin (ahem), just put in their birthdays. Enjoy! http://www.facade.com/attraction/biorhythm/"}, {"response": 534, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (07:56)", "body": "Goody, the champagne's popped! Time to get started! I'll be back later with my gifts but right now I have a friend with me. He's a busy guy so I had to grab him while I could. Mel says: Gi, my love, my one true love! You're getting *married*? How could you do this to me? I'm just an ordinary guy from Poughkeepsie-by-way-of-Australia. You know you're the only one for me. You're beautiful, a doctor, an artist, a dancer...you have such impeccable taste in actors! Never mind Antonio! Never mind my wife and seven kids--the new baby keeps me up all night anyway. Now my life is over. I'll never be the same again. *Sob* I'm out in the rain, drowning my sorrows. No more movies for me. I'm handing all my roles over to that English guy--that Colin Firth."}, {"response": 535, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (07:57)", "body": "And, I have also set up a little table for those of you who may enjoy a card trick. Welcome to the Cave of Magic! Please tell Captain Hornblower to give someone else a chance to play. He'll get his turn again later. ;-) http://www3.mcps.k12.md.us/users/rsfay/magic/index.html"}, {"response": 536, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (08:04)", "body": "\"Gi, you shaggadelic babe, I will miss you!\""}, {"response": 537, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (08:41)", "body": "I've been drinking champagne all night (still haven't wrapped Gi's present yet). Send Mel over to me. I'll lift him out of his \"Gi's Getting Married\" Depression. A little Levitas never hurts! ;-) Tip for Shower Goers: When you go to one of the posted links you will lose the remaining messages and need to go back. Another way to do this is to open new Netscape or Internet Explorer Window and copy off the URLs to the second active window to check out. Back to my champagne and party games... :) Oh how did Simon do that????"}, {"response": 538, "author": "livamago", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (09:29)", "body": "I am grooming myself to attend your shower, my beloved Gi...You have broken my heart. I will now leave town and head to Hertfordshire to heal my wound."}, {"response": 539, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (09:34)", "body": "Is he not amazing???? I believe he is never wrong, play on!"}, {"response": 540, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (10:54)", "body": "With all this champagne, I'm feeling a little tipsy: and could use a little snack before our main courses"}, {"response": 541, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (10:56)", "body": "Grab a few crostini off the platter, Moon. Not your traditional ones. These have crab on them."}, {"response": 542, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (11:12)", "body": "OOooooh Lidya, that pic makes me dizzy, and with all this champagne........what else in this world could a girl want??"}, {"response": 543, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (11:27)", "body": "Now Ladies, to add some more beauty and intoxicating fragrance to our party.....(I deeply hope this works, I\ufffdm trying it first time ever!)"}, {"response": 544, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (11:27)", "body": "Champagne and appetizers, Karen, this party will be in full swing before it's even started! ;-) Moon, I peeked at your present and bookmarked it for later. I'm going to have a lot of fun trying the most improbable combinations! Eileen, thanks for bringing our friend, what a great idea! Mel, don't be so unhappy, I've known you a married man all these years ;-)Sorry, Karen, you can share him but not monopolize him!"}, {"response": 545, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (11:28)", "body": "Oh dear!! What\ufffds that? :-( Sorry, gonna try again.....contacting my consult."}, {"response": 546, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (11:29)", "body": "It took me a while to get here because I took the tram: http://home.sol.no/~igaarder/lisgal2/p2-02min.jpg"}, {"response": 547, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (11:32)", "body": "Damn, that's what comes from doing 3 things at the same time!"}, {"response": 548, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (11:38)", "body": "Moon, Austin Powers here? Do you think he won't be depressed in the company of Colin or Mel? Lidya, that's one of my very favourite pics of Colin... I've had it often as wallpaper in my PC :-)"}, {"response": 549, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (11:41)", "body": "Elena, hallo! I think you must have got the frame instead of the pic. I had the most difficult time getting it right for Marcia's Range Rover."}, {"response": 550, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (11:45)", "body": "These guys I sent out to look for your ship:"}, {"response": 551, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (11:49)", "body": "This you will see when you come into harbour:"}, {"response": 552, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (11:53)", "body": "This is the old Lisbon with the Castle of St. George:"}, {"response": 553, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (11:57)", "body": "Good morning Gi! How lovely is the morning in Lisbon. All sunny and warm as is our Lady of the Hour. Your and Antonio's leis for the party/ wedding Topic 72 of 118 [drool]: Odds and Ends Response 541 of 550: Karen (KarenR) * Thu, Jun 3, 1999 (10:56) * 1 lines Grab a few crostini off the platter, Moon. Not your traditional ones. These have crab on them. Topic 72 of 118 [drool]: Odds and Ends Response 542 of 550: Elena (Elena) * Thu, Jun 3, 1999 (11:12) * 2 lines OOooooh Lidya, that pic makes me dizzy, and with all this champagne........what else in this world could a girl want?? Topic 72 of 118 [drool]: Odds and Ends Response 543 of 550: Elena (Elena) * Thu, Jun 3, 1999 (11:27) * 4 lines Now Ladies, to add some more beauty and intoxicating fragrance to our party.....(I deeply hope this works, I\ufffdm trying it first time ever!) Topic 72 of 118 [drool]: Odds and Ends Response 544 of 550: Gi (patas) * Thu, Jun 3, 1999 (11:27) * 3 lines Champagne and appetizers, Karen, this party will be in full swing before it's even started! ;-) Moon, I peeked at your present and bookmarked it for later. I'm going to have a lot of fun trying the most improbable combinations! Eileen, thanks for bringing our friend, what a great idea! Mel, don't be so unhappy, I've known you a married man all these years ;-)Sorry, Karen, you can share him but not monopolize him! Topic 72 of 118 [drool]: Odds and Ends Response 545 of 550: Elena (Elena) * Thu, Jun 3, 1999 (11:28) * 4 lines Oh dear!! What\ufffds that? :-( Sorry, gonna try again.....contacting my consult. Topic 72 of 118 [drool]: Odds and Ends Response 546 of 550: Gi (patas) * Thu, Jun 3, 1999 (11:29) * 2 lines It took me a while to get here because I took the tram: http://home.sol.no/~igaarder/lisgal2/p2-02min.jpg Topic 72 of 118 [drool]: Odds and Ends Response 547 of 550: Gi (patas) * Thu, Jun 3, 1999 (11:32) * 2 lines Damn, that's what comes from doing 3 things at the same time! Topic 72 of 118 [drool]: Odds and Ends Response 548 of 550: Gi (patas) * Thu, Jun 3, 1999 (11:38) * 2 lines Moon, Austin Powers here? Do you think he won't be depressed in the company of Colin or Mel? Lidya, that's one of my very favourite pics of Colin... I've had it often as wallpaper in my PC :-) Topic 72 of 118 [drool]: Odds and Ends Response 549 of 550: Gi (patas) * Thu, Jun 3, 1999 (11:41) * 1 lines Elena, hallo! I think you must have got the frame instead of the pic. I had the most difficult time getting it right for Marcia's Range Rover. These guys I sent out to look for your ship:"}, {"response": 554, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (11:57)", "body": "Try again:"}, {"response": 555, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (11:59)", "body": "Sorry Gi..... My consultant is in despair on the phone and I\ufffdm seriously thinking of hiring a better one. Trouble is, I\ufffdm married to him. Btw, he\ufffds watching #72 at work right now and telling me that the pic I posted can be seen in his computer screen!! Is he kidding me or does someone else see a bunch of flowers in the place of a XOOM advertisement in response 543?!?! I don\ufffdt. I\ufffdll be back."}, {"response": 556, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (12:07)", "body": "Marcia, whatever happened in your post? Good morning to you!The lei is wonderful, as were the others you posted recently. I'd wear any of them gladly. Elena, this Xoom post is a mystery! This is another sight of Lisbon with the acqueduct built in the 18th century:"}, {"response": 557, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (12:08)", "body": "Elena, your DH/consultant is halucinating. Unless it has not yet gotten to Hawaii?! Gi, at a loss for what to wear to the party? Here is something to wear to get you started"}, {"response": 558, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (12:10)", "body": "Sorry, wrong pic. This was the bridge built over the river 30 years ago, and the monument to the nautical discoveries of the 16th century, built however 50 years ago. The acqueduct is here:"}, {"response": 559, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (12:15)", "body": "Whoa mama!! That's some little trinket, Marcia. Do you have a spare or is it one of a kind. Do you think that would go with my pjs?? Elena, no can't see the picture. Just the xoom logo. Your DH is definitely hallucinating, all the better when he sees my present to Gi!! Later. We're going to have a great time in Lisbon, I can tell!"}, {"response": 560, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (12:15)", "body": "Karen, the crostini are delicious! And they go so very well with the champagne! Gi. Austin Powers doesn't mind Colin or Mel, he does not even see them. We are all he sees. ;-)"}, {"response": 561, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (12:17)", "body": "Good Morning Dear Gi, I posted a close-up of the stephanotis lei which is quite remarkable - will send you the url to look it up! Any way, It did not download all the way and all we had were blurry pixels on and on. Thus I put the small one up for you. Plus the bridal ones this morning. Maile is most fragrant, and after receiving one, people usually hang it in the closet or in the linens to make them smell nice. It is a cumerin (anise) smell - faintly and is sacred to the Hawaiian gods for good luck It is used to open buildings - we do not cut ribbons here, we untie (never cut) maile. The tuberoses intertwined have an incredibly gardenia - jasmine fragrance. You will not need to add the bottled stuff today. Next postings when those guys in their canoes find us and bring us safely into harbor...Gifts!!!"}, {"response": 562, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (12:19)", "body": "I'm jumping overboard to meet them."}, {"response": 563, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (12:19)", "body": "I'm still in the Cave of Magic trying to figure out how he does it! Austin??? I look forward to our tour of Lisbon, but first, more champagne!"}, {"response": 564, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (12:23)", "body": "Karen I brought enough riches from Samarkand to bedeck the entire group I think. Three massive gems...some crown jewels...wait and see. Perhaps I can break Gi of not wearing jewelry very often. She loves jewels, but hardly ever wears them. We'll see about that. The assortment of food is lovely, but as is sip and snack, my typing gets worsse. Blame it on the food ;)"}, {"response": 565, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (12:26)", "body": "Lisbon is getting rather crowded... ...everyone stopped working... ...the party is about to start!! I'm on my way!! (My scanner isn't too good)"}, {"response": 566, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (12:28)", "body": "So, that's where Austin came from! I didn't have the time to go there yet. Marcia, that necklace is superb!Did you get my e-mail? Can you believe I've been online for 1 1/2 hour now without being disconnected once? This pic is a bit wide, but I want you all to have a general view of Lisbon:"}, {"response": 567, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (12:32)", "body": "Beautiful postcard, Gi! Hey, y'all!! Recognise that canon? I just love Lisbon!"}, {"response": 568, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (12:33)", "body": "Tineke, great pics! Were you here before? :-)"}, {"response": 569, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (12:38)", "body": "Were you here before? :-) Me and a bunch of friends from Uni went to the EXPO in September. We were in Lisbon for a week, spent three days at the EXPO and 4 days exploring Lisbon. We had a grand time. We all loved Lisbon, it's a beautiful city and the people are very nice."}, {"response": 570, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (12:40)", "body": "You were! I knew I knew that cannon! You came here last year and went to the Expo and we didn't know each other at the time, what a waste!"}, {"response": 571, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (12:54)", "body": "I must leave now, because my DF (dear fianc\ufffd)will be in shortly, and I must not spend all my time here. See you all in Chat later, I hope!I'll pop in here too, to see what's been happening. This has been lovely. I enjoyed the research to find some pics for you too, although I didn't have much time for that. In the meantime I even changed ISP again, couldn't stand the other one any more.:-))"}, {"response": 572, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (12:54)", "body": "Gi, you were right about that canon being in Lisbon! BTW, opened private room at Chat for those wishing to check it out before the hour arrives"}, {"response": 573, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (13:24)", "body": "While things are quiet, I think I shall begin putting out my treasures from Samarkand for the Bride to be, but first, my trip to the silk weavers to make my choices..."}, {"response": 574, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (13:24)", "body": "I love all these posts! I've been giggling over ever so many things; dancing cans of spam, hoola dancers and champaigne. And Tineke I cant believe you were all but hanging over the ledge when you were wrapped around that cannon! Will try to make it to chat at the appointed time, but if I cant, have a lovely time. And Gi -give yourself lots of xoxo's from me :)"}, {"response": 575, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (14:03)", "body": "Whence I brought brocades for wardrobe befitting the glamorous new life she will leas on the arm of the Handsome and Attentive Antonio Accessory from the shores of the Baltic - Amber in Sterling"}, {"response": 576, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (14:09)", "body": "For her smaller but very important pieces of Jewellry I brough back a collection of naturally coloured diamonds, each a very rare piece. And a large Sapphire for her to wear on alternate days"}, {"response": 577, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (14:17)", "body": "For truly important occasions, I brought back stones with histories which read like fables. None are cursed, but all have the most interesting histories: The spoonmaker's Diamond, traded for three silver spoons before it was cut From the Crown Jewels of Portugal I brought you a 127 carat Diamond And a stunning Pink Diamond"}, {"response": 578, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (14:23)", "body": "Lastly, for those more casual occasions, an Imperial Topaz ring And a selection of Faberge eggs to admire"}, {"response": 579, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (14:26)", "body": "Lastly, and Orchid Bouquet to set before our Queen"}, {"response": 580, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (14:45)", "body": "Marcia!!!! You are amazing! What gifts you bring! Diamonds are a girl's best friend and we can see why. :-D"}, {"response": 581, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (14:57)", "body": "I know you don't wear red much, but this one time might you change your mind?"}, {"response": 582, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (15:05)", "body": "OK, check this out: A Gift for Gi and Antonio Marcia, save me a few of those sapphires. They're MY birthstones and I love them (and the other pretty baubles too) ;-) Off to chat..."}, {"response": 583, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (15:11)", "body": "Karen! ROTFOFL!!! Now I know why you raved on your return from Turkey. :-)"}, {"response": 584, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (15:19)", "body": "Gi, I also bought for you his and hers flipflops to wear at your exclusive Spa adventure. (you really never know what you can pick up in the showers there. icky stuff)"}, {"response": 585, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (15:38)", "body": "Best wishes Gi....Karen, pl. give Gi the gift I sent you...I can't figure out right now how to do this...am multi-tasking all over the place!! **** When I went to Turkey that landscape was termed \"chimneys\". ROTFLMAO. Little did they know about \"Kreative Karen\". *** Elena...I got your pictures loud and clear."}, {"response": 586, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (15:47)", "body": "At bridal showers in the US it's customary to give china ...and crystal ...but this is always my favorite part of the shower: the honeymoon lingerie! The best part is watching the bride-to-be's reaction in the presence of her mother. See what you're spared of, Gi? Since you're bound to get duplicates (I've been to Karen's gift page), remember, you can't wear the same one twice! All the best, Gi and Antonio! XOXO"}, {"response": 587, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (15:47)", "body": "evelyn come to Chat reception"}, {"response": 588, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (15:47)", "body": "Karen -- What a great gift for the loving couple!!! The gift that keeps on giving, for sure! ROTFLMAO!!! :~D"}, {"response": 589, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (15:50)", "body": "Gi, this is from Evelyn. She went to great expense to buy this from the LA County Art Museum. It is an oil on canvas by Ed Ruscha, done in 1964:"}, {"response": 590, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (15:52)", "body": "Hey, I could have done a lot worse on the men's wear section. What I've seen out there!! ;-)"}, {"response": 591, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (15:57)", "body": "From Darlene for Gi's and Antonio's Formal Garden"}, {"response": 592, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (16:00)", "body": "Also from Evelyn, originally commissioned jewelry for for Gi: 18K gold inlaid with lapis and other precious and semiprecious gems. For Antonio: A handpainted and hand loomed silk tie."}, {"response": 593, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (16:05)", "body": "Evelyn brought some caviar to start us off... Wonder if we'll get to dessert (before falling over)?"}, {"response": 594, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (16:07)", "body": "I thought I'd check in on Mel...he was quite despondent this morning. Oh dear! Mel says: I'm gonna stop this wedding if it's the last thing I do...I've got my troops with me now!"}, {"response": 595, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (16:10)", "body": "Can't have too much drinking on an empty stomach. Evelyn is serving beef wellington or Lobster-stuffed tenderloin"}, {"response": 596, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (16:12)", "body": "some Macadamias to snack on, too"}, {"response": 597, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (16:16)", "body": "Can't have too much drinking on an empty stomach. Evelyn is serving beef wellington or Lobster-stuffed tenderloin"}, {"response": 598, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (16:29)", "body": "Whew! I managed to divert Mel and his lads. I sent them over to the Firths and told them to chase C&L over to Newport ASAP! Mel says: *Sniff* I suppose it's all for the best. I wish you all the happiness in the world, my beloved Gi. Now let me get outta this &^$#@ costume and get back to Robin and the kids...the baby needs a fresh diaper."}, {"response": 599, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (16:29)", "body": "Wot! Leftovers already??? For those craving a sweet bite (where IS that frosted image?) variously coated macadamias for your savoring."}, {"response": 600, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (16:38)", "body": "Time for:"}, {"response": 601, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (16:41)", "body": "Would one drink white wine or red wine with the Lobster-stuffed tenderloin?"}, {"response": 602, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (16:41)", "body": "Hey, something cropped up and I'm late with my offering. It's only very modest compared to all the riches displayed here, but I hope you will find it interesting. There's even a little story attached to it. A short while ago the British Airways redecorated the tails of some of their aircraft using a selection of international motifs. One of them comes from the country of my birth, Poland. It's an example of simple folk art: a paper cut-out made with sheep shears and traditionally used to decorate country homes during Christmas and Easter. Framed, it would make an intriguing splash of colour on the wall of your kitchen or study. And the cocky cockerels may even remind you of that memorable relevant scene fr m The Hour Of The Pig (aka The Advocate)... I hope you like it."}, {"response": 603, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (16:42)", "body": "I think Lizza said she was going to bring the creme brulee: I think we can hold off the thundering Scots with our tiramisu and creme brulee! Any pictures of Mel's kilt flying in the breeze??"}, {"response": 604, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (16:42)", "body": "Thank you all for a very memorable shower. I had a lot of fun. I am not sure when I'll be able to log in again, because I'm going away from Lisbon for a few days (to Albufeira, to check on the wedding preparations), so here's wishing Happy Birthday Heide!"}, {"response": 605, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (16:44)", "body": "Heck! I'll stick to champagne! Karen, it's still early, don't you dare have a cappucino now! I'm waiting for Nan's cake. :-)"}, {"response": 606, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (16:46)", "body": "I think Lizza said she was going to bring the creme brulee: I think we can hold off the thundering Scots with our tiramisu and creme brulee! Any pictures of Mel's kilt flying in the breeze??"}, {"response": 607, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (16:48)", "body": "Heck! I'll stick to champagne! Karen, it's still early, don't you dare have a cappucino now! I'm waiting for Nan's cake. :-)"}, {"response": 608, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (16:48)", "body": "Why are these things being posted twice? Yapp is getting a little drunk. (can't be me...oh no) I'll check back later for Nan's cake and Heide."}, {"response": 609, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (16:49)", "body": "Ooops, no more champagne for me! ;-)"}, {"response": 610, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (16:59)", "body": "(Moon)Would one drink white wine or red wine with the Lobster-stuffed tenderloin Be gross...have a sip of each!!"}, {"response": 611, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (17:08)", "body": "I believe champagne goes with (hiccup) everything!"}, {"response": 612, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (17:24)", "body": "I love it Karen! As I was rereading the chat and your honeymoon, and the postings here in 72, I came to the conclusion that I have never had such a good time at any \"real\" shower, and I never learned so much in so short a time. We did it, and we outdid anything I could have dared imagine. Ladies, you never cease to amaze me with your creativity. Spam Lives!"}, {"response": 613, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (17:45)", "body": "Arami, your Polish sheep-shears cutout art is absolutely beautiful. Each Christmas I fold and cut large 6-sided intricate snowflakes which I use to decorate the civic auditorium for the holiday tournaments. Some are still up there right now. I will take them all down and begin again in the fall. I use the sharpest scissors I can find which are also strong. I cannot imagine how those cockerel cutouts could have possibly been done with sheep shears!!!"}, {"response": 614, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (18:32)", "body": "\"Where is everybody? Join the dance babes, the night is still young!\""}, {"response": 615, "author": "Darlene", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (18:37)", "body": "Gi, sorry I'm so late, is there any wine left? Best wishes to you and Antonio. BTW, I'll be happy to wash David down from time to time for you."}, {"response": 616, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (19:07)", "body": "...I'm running upstairs to get my disco boots...be back later! (Have you already bought your tickets to the new Austin Powers movies, Moon?) Too funny. Some guests have yet to make it to the party...so it's not over till....whenever!"}, {"response": 617, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (19:15)", "body": "Karen! Austin has invited me to the premiere! Would you like to come? I can arrange it. ;-)"}, {"response": 618, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (19:31)", "body": "Marcia - they're obviously very sharp sheep shears! (Try to say that fast after all this champaigne...)"}, {"response": 619, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (19:32)", "body": "CONGRATULATIONS GI! Yikes! Hope I'm not too late! I'll take whatever leftovers there are...I've started on a new diet, so it's a good thing I wasn't around for the beef Wellington... ...wishing you lots of happiness, Gi and Antonio! (BTW-- where's the honeymoon going to be?)"}, {"response": 620, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (20:01)", "body": "Honeymoon - we are still working on the special-needs aspect of it. I from here because my time is available and my internet hours are unlimited for the monthly fee of $20.78 US. Will tell you when things are firmed up and she thinks it is as she wishes it to be...she will announce it. How could she possibly resist a trip to those naughty monks in Turkey? Moon, You may have Austin Powers all to yourself. He makes my skin crawl. I am vienese waltzing with (where *is* that cutout?!)Darcy...=)~~~"}, {"response": 621, "author": "livamago", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (20:05)", "body": "Marcia: I am vienese waltzing with (where *is* that cutout?!) Darcy...=)~~~ The cutout, my dear, is presently being lavished with luuve by moi!"}, {"response": 622, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (20:06)", "body": "(Winter)(BTW-- where's the honeymoon going to be?) This aft in Chat Gi said the wedding would be on July 3rd and they would probably honeymoon in Brazil. Don't know why they don't go to Turkey...and take Karen up on that tremendous package!!"}, {"response": 623, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (20:09)", "body": "Of course, that is Viennese Waltzing...abd I just found a few left over flowers to tuck behind your ears (left if you're taken, right if you're not, and if you are just looking, in your teeth?! Hibiscus for your enjoyment: This one is stunning! Never saw one quite like it!"}, {"response": 624, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (20:16)", "body": "Now, what do we get her for wedding presents?! I have something in mind...;-)"}, {"response": 625, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (20:24)", "body": "About that Austin Powers thing, I prefer the Real Thing: Click Here and Wait Another but Shorter I have no idea whether this will work or will blow this place up?!?!"}, {"response": 626, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (20:30)", "body": "Congratulations Gi! You have Mel, Austin, Darcy, the whole population of Lisbon, not to mention the Spa girls, all here to wish you and Antonio the best. All this eating and drinking and hula-ing has made me quite dizzy. Can't quite compare with these adorable, naughty gifts but heck, you have to put your eggs and toast on something: Sshh, don't tell anyone where I \"borrowed\" this."}, {"response": 627, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (20:35)", "body": "Karen, there is no one like 007! (Sean of course);-) I enjoyed that thanks! Still got your go-go boots on?"}, {"response": 628, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (20:35)", "body": "Oops, it's not gonna work. I'll try again later. It's the thought that counts, right? ;-)"}, {"response": 629, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (20:37)", "body": "Ok Karen, which Bond-James-Bond is that? Heide, they won't hear it from me! ;)"}, {"response": 630, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (20:38)", "body": "Heide, so glad you made it! Nan should be here with the cake soon. We have been drinking champagne all day so you have a lot of catching up to do. ;-)"}, {"response": 631, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (20:40)", "body": "Marcia that Bond sounded like the latest one (forgot his name)."}, {"response": 632, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (20:42)", "body": "Heide, make sure you stop by here tomorrow."}, {"response": 633, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (21:06)", "body": "Timothy Dalton? or newer than that? Not enough to tell, really."}, {"response": 634, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (21:10)", "body": "I am a little surprised and more than a little delighted that we did not bring down this Topic or then entire Drool Conference with our hot postings this morning. It was a BeeYouuuTeeFyul thing to see =)"}, {"response": 635, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (22:40)", "body": "Same Guy"}, {"response": 636, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (22:44)", "body": "Congratulations Moon and Marcia for this wonderful shower. It has kept me busy and entertained for some time now. Had a great time and our chat was also great fun. Bravo ladies. (Now if I had some hands clapping, I'd post them.)"}, {"response": 637, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (00:06)", "body": "Let's see. Heide is in Bed and it is already her birthday so I can sneak some flowers out just for her to see in the morning. HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEIDE"}, {"response": 638, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (00:15)", "body": "...a lei to greet you in the morning of Tuberoses and Dendrobium orchids"}, {"response": 639, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (00:21)", "body": "OOOH this just in!!! A gift for Gi from Downunder in Australia, Fror AnneH, a nice assortment of didgeridoos which she has promised to teach you to play."}, {"response": 640, "author": "ommin", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (00:26)", "body": "Patas, I hope you enjoyed them. They make an interesting sound. Being rather ignorant of things 'spring' I thank Marcia for sending them through - they are rather than bagpipes."}, {"response": 641, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (09:16)", "body": "Happy Birthday Heide!!! Look who I ran into on my morning walk. He asked me to bring him to you. (courtesy of Murph's page)"}, {"response": 642, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (09:17)", "body": "testing"}, {"response": 643, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (09:24)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEIDE, And thanks Moon , Marcia 'n Karen for all the festivities and Gi'n Antonio for giving us an occasion for celebration. ***** Since #72 is \"This 'n That\".... here is a quote from the Telegraph... Quote from Telegraph: There is a terrific sexual charge between these two in David Leveaux's absorbing production, with Henry's formidable articulacy coming into thrilling collision with Annie's more instinctive approach to life. Dillane delivers Stoppard's marvellously eloquent, unashamedly elitist speeches about life, art and language with virtuosic assurance, while Ehle offers a performance of warm humour, glowing sensuality and sudden rage that electrifies the house. ***** Alas Stephen Dillane is 40, married with two kids....:-(( **** DAILY MAIL: big heading!! OUT TO CATCH A SLIPPERY EHLE got 4 stars!!! \"...and the delectable Miss Ehle - glistening and slippery like her name- plays Annie....\""}, {"response": 644, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (09:25)", "body": "Nan, we could use that cake you've been working on for Heide. ;-)))"}, {"response": 645, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (09:28)", "body": "Time to get rid of the bolding, in case it wasn't done."}, {"response": 646, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (09:33)", "body": "Ladies, there's no need to thank, it was a wonderful group effort. BTW, I have already told Marcia she will be co-planning our DB's birthdate on September 10, so it should be a bang! (hip lingo);-) Evelyn, so happy for JE, I'm going to try to see it this summer, since I may be in London for a week. It will be a last minute thing, I hope I will be able to get a tix."}, {"response": 647, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (10:25)", "body": "(Moon) Ladies, there's no need to thank But I'll do it anyway. Thanks to you and Marcia for your coordination and getting our creative juices flowing! On to the next party... **Happy Birthday, Heide** Since Marcia's taken care of the flowers, let me handle the cake (sorry, there's no CF inside--I'm leaving that one to Nan). I hope you're having a great day!"}, {"response": 648, "author": "livamago", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (10:25)", "body": "Happy Birthday Heide!"}, {"response": 649, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (10:49)", "body": "Gi, here is the Millenium Knive set, a must for a new bride. Sorry, it's a bit late;( And here is the car of the future!"}, {"response": 650, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (11:07)", "body": "Would you please, please, please tell me why no one !@#$ing didn't tell me it was Heide's birthday?"}, {"response": 651, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (11:09)", "body": "Uh, Karen, it was just listed in the birthday section about three days ago! Happy Birthday, Heide."}, {"response": 652, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (11:11)", "body": "\"I feel just awful...not being able to see Heide today on her very special day. What can I do to make up for it?\" Happy Birthday, dear, more present to come!!"}, {"response": 653, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (11:13)", "body": "Uh, Laura, I know. Those were from Colin."}, {"response": 654, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (11:55)", "body": "Heide, I just received a fax from Modena, Italy and your present has arrived! It will be waiting for you this summer for you to cruise around Umbria, enjoy!"}, {"response": 655, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (12:04)", "body": "Karen.....we've only been talking about Heide's birthday for two days!! Poor Karen....she's been focused on Gi's Honeymoon all week!!! **** (Moon)Evelyn, so happy for JE, I'm going to try to see it this summer, since I may be in London for a week. It will be a last minute thing, I hope I will be able to get a tix. Week nights and matinees are best.And if you just need a single...no problem. Also if they are sold out...give your name to \"James\" ..there's always returns. didn't we get one for Jana for 3 DOR that way? ****** I just called the Donmar Organization and the Donmar publicist to congratulate them....I'm not the only one who is excited about the rave reviews....those guys are swingin from the chandeliers!!"}, {"response": 656, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (12:07)", "body": "\"...but they are one of my presents to you, Heide.\" xoxo Colin"}, {"response": 657, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (12:15)", "body": "\"and for later, I thought we might just use this...\""}, {"response": 658, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (12:53)", "body": "I heard it was unseasonably chilly where Heide and Colin are trysting. I caught them incognito. Happy Birthday Dear Heide!"}, {"response": 659, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (13:11)", "body": "And I was in a nearby jewellers when he slipped in and purchased this little bauble for her - a rare Lavender Spinel set in engraved Platinum"}, {"response": 660, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (13:39)", "body": "Hey Karen....how about a little animation in those Arsenal shorts,,,,,:-)"}, {"response": 661, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (13:39)", "body": "He has a sleigh ride planned for you (love the hat!)Hint: It snowed several inches of the white stuff in the Sierra northeast of LA. Might be a good place to look for them."}, {"response": 662, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (13:43)", "body": "For my gift to you, a silver-gilt and enamel Kvosh. Anyone know what she will do with this? It was made in Russia at the turn of the last century. Again, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HEIDE"}, {"response": 663, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (13:50)", "body": "This little gift is just to let you know we *really* do love you!"}, {"response": 664, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (14:31)", "body": "how about a little animation in those Arsenal shorts,,,,,:-) LOL!! That's going on off line. hee hee"}, {"response": 665, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (20:27)", "body": "To all those who celebrate this week - From AnneH who cannot post it because of browser problems, the player of yesterday's didgeriedoos"}, {"response": 666, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 1999 (10:02)", "body": "Happy Belated Birthday, Heide! How about a nice cruise on a sailing yacht?"}, {"response": 667, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 1999 (10:19)", "body": "Hey gang...just spoke to Nan...who sends her apologies...she has been quite ill with flu.Sounded awful. She has the** cake **ready...told her to send the URL to Karen for viewing.....yep , it's one of those...it will be circulated via emails only.I can't wait!!"}, {"response": 668, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 1999 (11:21)", "body": "Happy Belated Birthday, from me too Heide, I hope you will be coming to London to see 3DOR, so that we can meet up again."}, {"response": 669, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 1999 (11:32)", "body": "Both reviews Variety and Harvey Karten's are now listed at the MRQE, apparently he is film critic at compuserve?"}, {"response": 670, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 1999 (13:27)", "body": "You girls sure know how to spoil an old lady. Sorry I'm late for my own birthday party. Had just a little too much fun last night to be able to log on. My cake was delicious, Evelyn, and how kind of you to make one that was calorie-free! Thanks so much to everyone for your kind wishes and fabulous gifts. I've taken my new car (Ferrari? I'm ignorant but it looks fast) out for a spin already, Moon. I'll miss somebody if I list everything but the Arsenal boxer shorts, I must admit, outdo even the dancing Spam. Now if I could only have what's in them. No smirking, Evelyn. And Karen, I hope you got a deal on that duvet cover. It is a double, isn't it? Moon, Marcia you ladies were inspirational in what you did in this topic. I was a little too dopic to participate much but the posts kept topping the previous one. I had a ball. Gi, you're a lovely, gracious lady and I'm glad you were feted so regally."}, {"response": 671, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 1999 (18:10)", "body": "Nan's cake for Gi's Shower has been delivered. If your *slice* hasn't been delivered, please contact me."}, {"response": 672, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 1999 (19:34)", "body": "Nan, baby!!! What a cake! If only that one cherry.... Thanks to Karen and Marcia who was able to catch me as logged on(and my DH was not home!). Perfect timming, it was delicious. ;-) Glad you liked the Ferrari Heide, watch those speed traps."}, {"response": 673, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 1999 (19:51)", "body": "I apologize for missing the festivities everyone. As Evelyn mentioned, I'm not feeling very well. I was so looking forward to getting a buzz on, too :-/ I'll get back to you in a bit (when I'm feeling human again). Just wanted to poke my head in and say I'm sorry..."}, {"response": 674, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 1999 (20:01)", "body": "Nan..Oh Nan! You did *that* while under the WX? Cannot imagine what you would have thought up had you been in full form...gasp! Get well, soon, Dear!"}, {"response": 675, "author": "livamago", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 1999 (23:50)", "body": "Wow! What a cake, Nan! I have a stupid grin on my face I cannot remove...Sigh! And, I just watched ATA!"}, {"response": 676, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun  6, 1999 (13:08)", "body": "More JE News on The Real Thing.... Long article in Sunday London Times under Culture..... \"The price of love\" Ehle's performance is the most luminous, the most sensitive, the most intelligent and deeply observed of her career. She understands that Annie is the most mature of this quartet, and therefore has the most to lose. Her body moves, at first as if repressing something and anxious that his should not be observed. It is an English woman's body, voluptuous but diffident,with a sense of dignity and apprehension. Later, in the air of freedom called love, this body relaxes, subtly, quietly, but joyously. This is acting of a very high order, the actress's technigue is completely absorbed in a sense of warm, unostentatious life. It is clear from the start that, in any relatkionship with Henry, Annlie will have to be the protector, the kindly one, the sustainer.\" From theIndependent on Sunday \"This review can hardly to justice to J. E's physical appeal. Someone will need to write her a sonnet. But her luminous performance is fascinating for the way it walks a tightrope between smiles and tears without turning cute. As Annie, the actress moving between husbands, Ehle is eloquent and forceful. Even in her extreme emotional moments, she never loses her resonance.\" Also ...\"Leveaux has cast his rivival very cleverly with two enormouslty atrtractive actors in the leads \" **** I'm otta' here....en route to London ..and that standing ovation...On second thought maybe I should just bring some Roman candles.:-) (Hey....and don't talk about me when I'm gone...:-))"}, {"response": 677, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Jun  6, 1999 (13:23)", "body": "Yummy cake, Nan. But are you sure one cherry on top is quite enough? I reckon it should be a plum. Better still, make it a fruit salad. Two plums and a peach on a genetically modified stalk. (But no cream, I beg you...) ;-)"}, {"response": 678, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jun  6, 1999 (14:50)", "body": "Wot! No Banana?"}, {"response": 679, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Jun  6, 1999 (17:26)", "body": "(Arami)fruit salad...Two plums and a peach on a genetically modified stalk. (But no cream, I beg you...) ;-) LOL! I quite agree...;-)"}, {"response": 680, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (07:44)", "body": "Happy Birthday Lizza! I hope these reach you in time. :-)"}, {"response": 681, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (10:29)", "body": "ROTFLOL at your \"Colin wishes Heide a Happy Birthday\" series, Karen. Bravo, Nan! Great cake! Wait until Gi sees it... Hope you're feeling better. Force those fluids! If you've not left quite yet, have a safe trip, Ms. Evelyn \"Donmar\" B. So glad to see more raves for JE. Happy Birthday, Lizza! I can't wait to see what treasures Marcia has in store for you. In the meantime, here's a little something for you to enjoy. Smell the flowers, crack open those cheese and crackers and curl up with some juicy fan fic! Have a great one!"}, {"response": 682, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (13:20)", "body": "HAUOLI NA HANAU, LIZZA"}, {"response": 683, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (13:21)", "body": ""}, {"response": 684, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (13:31)", "body": "Happy Day! I found Lizza and her own DB hiding out on a tropical island, but we have her here bedecked for the luau being held in her honor"}, {"response": 685, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (13:39)", "body": "We found the lei makers busy sewing haku wreaths for her head Dancers were practicing their Hula skills And there is that Imu I told you about where they put the pig and hot rocks and fish and veggies to cook"}, {"response": 686, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (14:00)", "body": "Oh, Lizza! Great Birthday!! Onnellista syntym\u00e4p\u00e4&iv\u00e4\u00e4 ja kaikkea hyv\u00e4\u00e4 tyylikk\u00e4\u00e4lle leidille. I\ufffdd love to post a pic here for you but I\ufffdm still plucking up my courage to try that again after my total xoom recently. (I shall conquer this!)"}, {"response": 687, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (14:15)", "body": "Our most intimate friends await their arrival on the lawn The blessing is offered for the food The Pig is removed from the Imu Our friendly wait-staff await our commands Lizza showing off her new Hula techniques while wearing her coconut shell top While her DB shows off his newly-learnt skills ALOHA !!!"}, {"response": 688, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (14:18)", "body": "and just to show I did have the invocation of the gods for blessing of the food"}, {"response": 689, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (15:43)", "body": "Lizza showing off her new Hula techniques while wearing her coconut shell top very funny! How'd you manage to catch a shot of her? All these birthdays this week!! Sure did a lot of good for you to have emailed them to me, so I could file them away and do nothing. I'd better get shopping! It's getting late in the UK. Catch ya'll later."}, {"response": 690, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (16:33)", "body": "Lizza wished me Birthday good cheer and blithely announced she would not be here for hers - something about private celebration with her own DB. Perhaps she was hoping to avoid being Spammed?! Not our Lizza, we will await her return and give her what she so richly deserves =P None of our clever ladies shall go unfeted, unacknowledged or un-lei'd ;)"}, {"response": 691, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (17:41)", "body": "LOL, Marcia! You must tell us of your own experience with the hula and coconuts dear. :-D"}, {"response": 692, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (18:01)", "body": "It's close to six o'clock here, so it's time to break out the bubbly for Lizza's birthday: HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIZZA!!!"}, {"response": 693, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (18:03)", "body": "Sorry, I've already had a glass or two to get me in the right frame of mind ;-D"}, {"response": 694, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (18:07)", "body": "Since everyone is a little Spam-shy, I've found another highly desirable and valuable gift item: His and hers Star Wars The Phantom Menace watches, featuring Jar-Jar and Darth Maul (perhaps, you know which is which) ;-D"}, {"response": 695, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (18:12)", "body": "\"What do you mean, Lizza's not going to attend her own birthday party?\""}, {"response": 696, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (18:50)", "body": "Decisions...decisions...! Spam or the Phantom Menace. I prefer Spam! As for the coconut shells, the only thing I thought they were good for was hoof beats of horses on a Foley stage. But, out here, we don strange things and with enough MaiTai's inside, we do not even embarass very easily. I do not drink (makes me sleepy!) so I just make these observations and take the furtive pictures =D"}, {"response": 697, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (08:04)", "body": "Happy Birthday KJArt! \"Having fun with Colin\" (the title grabbed me) I know you're an artist, I hope you like it!"}, {"response": 698, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (08:57)", "body": "WOW! What a party! :) and all these Birthdays! I return home to find Gi has been properly showered, and to laugh myself silly over all the hysterical posts! How I wish I could have spent the day online and enjoyed everything, as it occured. Meanwhile, Happy Belated Birthday Heidi and Lizza- and Happy, Happy Birthday KJArt! :) Have a wonderful day!"}, {"response": 699, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (09:33)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAREN J!!!"}, {"response": 700, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (14:07)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAREN J!!! Here's the lei for your luau - it goes on for days!!! and here they are arriving.. and her escort gets into the act and as the sun sinke slowly into a molten sea, let the party begin!"}, {"response": 701, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (14:11)", "body": "Birthday-o-Rama! Happy, happy, KJ! Hmm, what to give? Moon's got the art area covered, Karen's got your cake and no doubt Marcia will get jewels or a lovely coconut bra...oh, I know. How about some dee-lightful articles of clothing from the Regency period? A must for every Darcy fan! And since we know loose clothes=loose morals, you've got to have this as well: Enjoy! ;-)"}, {"response": 702, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (14:13)", "body": "Oh, I see Marcia has outdone herself again. No coconut bra for you, KJ! Why do you need one of those when you've got such a fun-loving escort? BTW, he told me he's got a thing for corsets..."}, {"response": 703, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (17:28)", "body": "\"Mmmm, those artists have such good hands, lower dear...\""}, {"response": 704, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (17:30)", "body": "Sorry, KJ, couldn't find any pictures of the scene I wanted. Maybe by next year, someone will have comprehensive Snappying!!"}, {"response": 705, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (17:35)", "body": "Too much, Eileen! LOL! What I neglected to tell you is that when I snapped the picture of her happy escort, he was on his way up the palm tree to fetch down a KJ-sized coconut for carving the rest of her outfit. Luckily, you arrived in time to preserve her modesty. In that spirit I brought her jewels which will be lovely with your dress...for a mere $19,000 these can be yours, too. Natural Black South Seas Pearls from the Cook Islands."}, {"response": 706, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (17:39)", "body": "Karen, I guess you cannot use the HOTPig snappy I sent you - but how much better a gift could you get the dear lady?! *sigh* indeed!"}, {"response": 707, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (17:49)", "body": "Actually, the scene I was looking for was not from HOTPig, which has been Snappied quite a bit. This is from one of the crappy films being mentioned on 118. ;-)"}, {"response": 708, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (19:15)", "body": "I've missed Lizza's birthday but since she has missed it too, romping away in the islands, I can not berate myself too much. Lizza, did you get my message? Happy Birthday Karen J Like to keep your nails long, KJ? Those gashes on our DB's back say it all. A little birdie told me you may need new wheels soon...hope this helps:"}, {"response": 709, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (19:21)", "body": "Not the *P* one?! It would be a labor of some sort to wade through that to snappy the \"good\" parts...Yak!!!"}, {"response": 710, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (21:04)", "body": "--Marcia--Actually there's a lovely one near the beginning that I'd settle for, and finding it wouldn't require being exposed to the whole *P* thing, but it really shouldn't be broadcast onto a public board...we don't want to be accused of corrupting the morals of minors, majors, and the elderly!! :~D Up with Levitas say I!!! WOW!!! What a fabulous party and so many useful and aestheticly-pleasing gifts. Moon, that's a lovely painting, but after studying it, I don't think that's OUR Colin. It'll go up on the wall anyway...What lovely edibles, Marcia and Karen...I've always wanted my very own luau, topped off by birthday cake!! Yum!! Eileen, I really love the dress, but even with article clothing 2 applied to the max, it will still need a little alteration. Anybody know where Yards of printed muslin can be obtained? And, dear Karen, you aren't so far off...I DO have VERY good hands in that department and YEARN to apply their skills to ODB, but alas, the opportunity hasn't presented itself yet...but I can fantasize can't I? I'm not sure what \"comprehensive\" Snappying means, but if it means what I think it does, then I also hope so eone has it. ;-D Oooo, Marcia, how did you know I love pearls...Our birthstone according to some...Lovely! And Heide, those marks have to be Livia's...I wouldn't DREAM of discommoding the Dear Boy so I keep them short just for such occasions (Don't worry, Livia dear, it's all very chaste and comfortable......darn!) Heide, I'd LOVE one of those, but I'm not sure I could afford the insurance on it =~0. I must save up my pennies, but I'm afraid the top wouldn't be down as much here...it's been a very wet spring!! THANK YOU ALL for your wonderful gifts, and good wishes. This has been the best 55th Birthday I ever had!!! ;-D"}, {"response": 711, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (22:43)", "body": "Poor KJ - I wondered how you would fare in the library with our postings and your lack of time on the computer and need to not LOL! Bet you did, anyway! Happy Birhtday, again!"}, {"response": 712, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (01:43)", "body": "Sorry KJYArt, if I am late but Happy Birthday from me too."}, {"response": 713, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (10:46)", "body": "Karen, cold you email me please, I am having trouble with my emails, and let me know if it gets returned and with what message. Thankyou very much."}, {"response": 714, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (12:00)", "body": "Ann, I did receive two emails from you. One with nothing and another with the words testing inside. I will reply."}, {"response": 715, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (12:53)", "body": "Thanks Karen, I seem to be able to send emails but am not receiving them, any ideas, its so annoying as I was hoping to hear from Tineke re the play tomorrow night."}, {"response": 716, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (13:10)", "body": "Have you contacted your ISP? Seems strange that you can send but not receive. I have sent a reply to you, maybe a half hour ago. In the meantime, you can set up a free email account at yahoo.com or hotmail.com. For now, I'd go with the former."}, {"response": 717, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (14:15)", "body": "Planning my Umbrian trip and thought you might like to see this. I shall be there the first two weeks of July. Scampering around the countryside. ;-)"}, {"response": 718, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (14:31)", "body": "Here is an ancient view of Florence:"}, {"response": 719, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (14:43)", "body": "Of course the favorite Italian passtime is:"}, {"response": 720, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (14:47)", "body": "This little angel always tells me where to go. ;-) Maybe he will help me find DB on my travels. :-)"}, {"response": 721, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (19:20)", "body": "Moon, how i envy you! I was in Italy about a year and a half ago, and loved it :) I bought the most beautiful tapestries in Florence! and of course glass galore in Venice! :) My cousin was in Italy for the past two weeks, he just arrived home last night. -and of course had a wonderful time. He was touring with a Bach Choir, and they sang in a bunch of Cathedrals - even St. Peter's! (hey- i was impressed) ;)"}, {"response": 722, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 1999 (01:09)", "body": "This little beauty was taken out on the open road for the first time in its life. It is our first new New car in over 17 years, and how great it feels =) Ray Drove us up to the summit of the volcano (Kilauea) and down the other side where the lava is flowing. We could see it coursing down the hill and it and emptying into the sea. The superheated rock was making the ocean boil and was sending up a thick white rope of cloud and noxious gases into a cobalt sky. We stopped at the Volcano House for a prime rib dinner on the way back. Our table overlooked the summit caldera where the only activity was many funeroles wafting white plumes into the air like so any Indians making smoke signals in the old cowboy movies. E Komo Mai !"}, {"response": 723, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 1999 (08:37)", "body": "Marcia, that was a fantastic first trip. Nothing like breaking in a car with a trip to the summit of an active volcano! :-) See what you have to look forward to Karen when you visit Hawaii? SB, music is such a part of Italy and in the summer, we always catch the most amazing concerts outdoors or in churches. Last year we went to Umbria Jazz in Perugia and to Spoleto for their festival. It is always such a treat. I know how lucky I am to be able to do it every year."}, {"response": 724, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 1999 (09:01)", "body": "I know how lucky I am to be able to do it every year. And I'm green with envy but shall suffer through it. That photo of the Umbrian countryside was exquisite. Went to the Lago Maggiore area years ago but who could appreciate it at age 17? A lovely evening for you, Marcia, with your new baby. And no diapers, all night feedings, and crying jags. Now if Ray could only behave as well... ;-) Another birthday coming up on the 14th!"}, {"response": 725, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (09:54)", "body": "Ann, I don't know if you're able to receive e-mails now. As promised, a quick note to let you know I arrived safely. Now, I'm trying to plan another trip...I want to see the play again!! BTW, time to show off your HTML abilities, be it italics , bold or changed font , just try!"}, {"response": 726, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (10:03)", "body": "Hi, this is the last paragraph of one of many wonderful reviews for The Real Thing and sums up exactly what I thought of this wonderful play, thrilling performances, it was absolutely spell-binding and definitely the best thing Jennifer Ehle has done since P&P. Stephen Dillane was also absolutely amazing and if I wasn't a fan before I certainly am now and anyone who is a JE fan I definitely urge you to get tickets for this fantastic play, probably only equalled by one I saw a few months ago!! from Theatreworld Internet Magazine:- http://member.aol.com/mouseuk/stage/off.htm and scroll down to the Donmar \"Dillane & Ehle act each other off the stage, Dillane's wonderful timing and expression, Ehle's sincerety and sex appeal. I still feel that I need to read the play or see it again in order to understand it more fully, I think I'll need to book it very quickly because everyone will want to see it, after all this is The Real Thing.\" the chemistry between the two was electrifying but not at all embarassing for the audience because it felt so natural, they were so good together. Ben if you are in London you must get a ticket!! It was also good to meet fellow droolers, Kirsten, Aishling and Tineke, its so nice to put faces to namesand of course Evelyn. Unfortunately Lizza could dnot make it as she was not well, hope you are feeling better today Lizza and if you can I urge you to see it as soon as possible. Sorry for going on for so long, Evelyn says \"hi\" to everyone, thanks."}, {"response": 727, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (10:08)", "body": "Hi Tineke, I too have just got home, I am so glad you got back to your hotel safely and I too want to see the play again, maybe I will go on the 23rd if they are not sold out, as I believe Evelyn will be there. BTW I think I need a bit more time before i show off my HTML abilities. Thanks again for you note as my email is still not working properly. It was lovely to meet you and perhaps we will meet up again in January. Sorry everyone for this one to one message but as I said I am unable at ther momen to receive emails."}, {"response": 728, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (10:10)", "body": "Hi, this is the last paragraph of one of many wonderful reviews for The Real Thing and sums up exactly what I thought of this wonderful play, thrilling performances, it was absolutely spell-binding and definitely the best thing Jennifer Ehle has done since P&P. Stephen Dillane was also absolutely amazing and if I wasn't a fan before I certainly am now and anyone who is a JE fan I definitely urge you to get tickets for this fantastic play, probably only equalled by one I saw a few months ago!! from Theatreworld Internet Magazine:- http://member.aol.com/mouseuk/stage/off.htm and scroll down to the Donmar \"Dillane & Ehle act each other off the stage, Dillane's wonderful timing and expression, Ehle's sincerety and sex appeal. I still feel that I need to read the play or see it again in order to understand it more fully, I think I'll need to book it very quickly because everyone will want to see it, after all this is The Real Thing.\" the chemistry between the two was electrifying but not at all embarassing for the audience because it felt so natural, they were so good together. Ben if you are in London you must get a ticket!! It was also good to meet fellow droolers, Kirsten, Aishling and Tineke, its so nice to put faces to namesand of course Evelyn. Unfortunately Lizza could dnot make it as she was not well, hope you are feeling better today Lizza and if you can I urge you to see it as soon as possible. Sorry for going on for so long, Evelyn says \"hi\" to everyone, thanks."}, {"response": 729, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (10:10)", "body": "Thank you, Ann and Tineke. We are very envious of all of you being able to get together. Am so thrilled that the play and JE's performance lived up to your expectations and probably even beyond. Say hi to Evelyn for me."}, {"response": 730, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (10:27)", "body": "Third play in a row at the Donmar the reviewer can not rate too highly? Gee, I wonder what the first one was. Thanks for the info, ladies. I'd love to hear more. Was the audience as enthusiastic as the reviewer? Where did you sit? Did it feel just as intimate as March? Do JE's eyes really shine? Were you surprised by her performance or did you expect it? What did you do after the show? Did you dine at Nuova Luna again? Sorry Lizza couldn't make it. Sounds like a wonderful time. Echo Karen's hello to Evelyn for me. You guys might want to hang out at the Islington Sainsbury's if you don't have anything el e to do. ;-)"}, {"response": 731, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (11:27)", "body": "I might be in London between July 22-28 as soon as these dates are confirmed, I will call them and get a tix. They should be able to keep it at will call for me. I can not wait to see it. Lizza, Ann, Tineke, how about a July date? How about it Karen and Heide?"}, {"response": 732, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (11:41)", "body": "Hi Heide, the audience was very enthusliatic indeed and Evelyn, well we had to tie her to her seat, she wanted to give them a one-woman standing ovation.There was also quite a long queue for returns, I could easily have sold Lizza's ticket. Jennifer's performance far exceeded my expectations, she started slowly but jut got better and better and I think Tineke will agree with me that we were sorry when the play finished. However, a lot of the credit must be given to Stephen Dillane, the looks between the were wonderful, oh also there was one time when there was a hint of \"Lizzie\" and the first marriage proposal when Jennifer was speaking, both Evelyn and I looked at each other and said \"Lizzie\". Jennifer's eyes certainly sparkle and when she was being emotional her eyes filled with tears, as I have said her best performance since P&P, I hope she and Colin continue to do stage work they both have such stage presence and it is such a thrill to see them \"live.\" If she isn't offered loads and loads of work in the future then there is no justice, however, she certainly couldn't do Bridget Jones as she has lost so much weight!! Yes we did dine at the Luno Nova, so convenient for the theatre and I told Evelyn about Colin's trip to the Islington Sainsbury's. Hope I have answered everything. gb"}, {"response": 733, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (11:44)", "body": "Moon I certainly wouldn't mind going again and again, Tineke youy exams will be finished by the end of July??!!"}, {"response": 734, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (11:45)", "body": "My impressions of the play: I LOVED it! It's a fantastic play. I really, really want to see it again! My mother mentioned last month that she feels like going to England. I'm thinking of phoning her and ask her if she feels like going to London to see a play, and persuade her to take me with her (there's no way I can pay for another London trip myself). It's such a witty play, full of funny one-liners. Just like Ann, I'm now a Stephen Dillane fan! He was brilliant! And so was Jennifer! I can't add much more to what has already been said. I'm just really glad I went. Was the audience as enthusiastic as the reviewer? It seemed to me that everyone in the audience was having a great time. Where did you sit? I sat in the stalls, third row. The others (except for Kirsten) all had front row seats. Do JE's eyes really shine? She never looked straight at the audience. During the play, she was looking at the other actors, obviously. And when she bowed, her gaze was fixed on the balcony above us. One comment in one of the reviews astonishes me though. Was it in the financial times that the reviewer said he had a small problem with 'too modern phones'? The telephone was the only not-so-very-modern object (along with the typewriter). But for the rest, the entire set design was very modern, modern couch, cupboards, lamps, they all wore modern clothes, definately nothing 80's about it. I liked the clothes Jennifer wore in this play, I especially liked her in these grey pants with a light gray V-neck t p with elbow lenght sleeves. I really liked the music as well. After the very last scene, at the very end of the play, they were playing \"believer\" and I noticed that Jennifer, just before she left the stage, was singing along \" I'm a believer\", with great ssshwwung! That wasn't Annie, that was Jennifer! I don't know if Ann or Evelyn noticed this, it was right before she disappeared through the door. I thought it was pretty funny:-)"}, {"response": 735, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (12:03)", "body": "Tineke youy exams will be finished by the end of July??!! Of course! By all means, let's plan another July meeting! I think we'd better hurry, before the tickets are sold out! (maybe we'd better go on a weekday) I'll be in Ireland the first week of July. July 22nd to 28th shouldn't be a problem. she wanted to give them a one-woman standing ovation But I had promised Evelyn that if she was going to stand up, so was I. I think Tineke will agree with me that we were sorry when the play finished. Definately! I certainly wouldn't have complained, had the play been 5 hours longer! and when she was being emotional her eyes filled with tears Oh yes, how could I forget to mention this? My mind's a bit blurry at the moment, gradually everything will come back (I hope!). she has lost so much weight!! You must think I'm anorexic!;-) And Ann, I forgot to tell you how thrilled I was meeting you all. I'm usually very shy when meeting new people, but I felt very much at ease talking to you all yesterday. I truly had a wonderful evening."}, {"response": 736, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (12:03)", "body": "James noticed that Tineke, I didn't though. BTW Moon I would advise that you book your tickets as soon as you know your dates as they are going very very fast, I believe most of June is sold out."}, {"response": 737, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (12:59)", "body": "My impressions of the play: I LOVED it! It's a fantastic play. I really, really want to see it again! My mother mentioned last month that she feels like going to England. I'm thinking of phoning her and ask her if she feels like going to London to see a play, and persuade her to take me with her (there's no way I can pay for another London trip myself). It's such a witty play, full of funny one-liners. Just like Ann, I'm now a Stephen Dillane fan! He was brilliant! And so was Jennifer! I can't add much more to what has already been said. I'm just really glad I went. Was the audience as enthusiastic as the reviewer? It seemed to me that everyone in the audience was having a great time. Where did you sit? I sat in the stalls, third row. The others (except for Kirsten) all had front row seats. Do JE's eyes really shine? She never looked straight at the audience. During the play, she was looking at the other actors, obviously. And when she bowed, her gaze was fixed on the balcony above us. One comment in one of the reviews astonishes me though. Was it in the financial times that the reviewer said he had a small problem with 'too modern phones'? The telephone was the only not-so-very-modern object (along with the typewriter). But for the rest, the entire set design was very modern, modern couch, cupboards, lamps, they all wore modern clothes, definately nothing 80's about it. I liked the clothes Jennifer wore in this play, I especially liked her in these grey pants with a light gray V-neck t p with elbow lenght sleeves. I really liked the music as well. After the very last scene, at the very end of the play, they were playing \"believer\" and I noticed that Jennifer, just before she left the stage, was singing along \" I'm a believer\", with great ssshwwung! That wasn't Annie, that was Jennifer! I don't know if Ann or Evelyn noticed this, it was right before she disappeared through the door. I thought it was pretty funny:-)"}, {"response": 738, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (17:48)", "body": "Moon, Tineke and I would love to meet up with you in July, will you let us know as soon as you know when will be going so that we can order our tickets."}, {"response": 739, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (18:02)", "body": "\"I'm a Believer\" ??? As in the song by the Monkees?"}, {"response": 740, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (21:22)", "body": "Bravo, ladies, your enthusiasm is infectious! So glad such a good time was had by all. I hope you're feeling better, Lizza. Too much birthday party? Marcia, can you drive your new SUV to London in January? They're doing such wonderful things with automobiles these days! Just tell Ray you're ducking out to pick up some milk. :-)"}, {"response": 741, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (02:09)", "body": "(Karen) As in the song by the Monkees? Yes. Lots of Sixties pop, it's all part of the play."}, {"response": 742, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (04:55)", "body": "Moon & Tineke, I telephoned the Donmar today and they have no tickets for June, beginning of July and only single seats for the end of July, including 22-28th July. I was wondering about Tuesday 27th July, and I would be pleased to get your tickets Moon and Tineke, but please let me know as soon as possible, like yesterday."}, {"response": 743, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (05:31)", "body": "I'm coming!! Do you think I should get a frequent traveller card for the Eurostar?;-)"}, {"response": 744, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (07:28)", "body": "Ann, I still need DH to confirm the dates, I should know this week. I look forward to meeting both of you and I thank you for volunteering to book the tickets. I will let you know as soon as possible. :-D Tineke, where in Ireland will you be? I love it there and know the country quite well."}, {"response": 745, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (07:58)", "body": "Moon, the man at the Donmar did urge me to book them today as they are going very fast. Would you mind if I book ours today for the 27th July and hopefully you will be able to go that date too. I shall of course, still be pleased to get your tickets for whenever, how many do you require and do you realise they won't be together, for that week there are only singles left, hence the urgency. If I don't meet up with you I can always ask the Donmar to hold on to your tickets for collection by you. Please le me know as I would like to book up this afternoon, I hope you don't mind but I am afraid they will be sold out."}, {"response": 746, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (08:20)", "body": "Donmar ladies, did JE \"work the lobby\" in the same manner as ODB after the performance?"}, {"response": 747, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (08:27)", "body": "Hi Eileen, no that was the only disappointing thing about the evening, I think she is very shy and we were told that she actually left the theatre before the audience straight after taking her bows.(sp?) Makes me realise what a tremendous thing CF did, it must have taken him at least 20 mins to run the gauntlet of Firth fans in the lobby."}, {"response": 748, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (08:43)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOON!!!! Have I got some presents for you!"}, {"response": 749, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (09:04)", "body": "Thank you Karen! :-D A Tiffany Box! I wonder what's inside?"}, {"response": 750, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (09:05)", "body": "Moon, update: 27th July is sold out there is a Donmar Friends thing on that night. However, apparently there are tickets available for the Saturday the 24th so we are going then, do hope that ties in with you. Tineke is also going to the Matinee on the 22nd. Happy Birthday Moon."}, {"response": 751, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (09:13)", "body": "Ann, I'm afraid I can't confirm that date yet. I am waiting for DH to set up his meetings so that I can be free to go by myself (he would be a party pooper). I realise that the tickets are single but it does not matter because we would be able to meet before or after the play. I would hate to miss you, but I will probably have to try my luck once I know the dates."}, {"response": 752, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (09:19)", "body": "My horoscope says that during July I will encounter individuals who are natural entertainers. Let's see...hmmm..."}, {"response": 753, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (09:29)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Moon! Here's a little something imported from Italy. If that's not to your taste, feel free to return it. However, you'll have to scour all the antique shops in the Italian countryside...you never know who you might run into. Or, you can be a \"re-gifter\" and pass it on. There's a family in Umbria who enjoy religious art!"}, {"response": 754, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (09:43)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Moon!!!!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 755, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (09:53)", "body": "Tiffany? I would have thought you'd be expecting something from: A small trinket like this: Or a small bauble like this:"}, {"response": 756, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (10:46)", "body": "\"I'm not pretty enough to tempt you, Moon. Really?\""}, {"response": 757, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (10:49)", "body": "\"Are you sure? After all, it is your birthday. And I can make an exception for a birthday girl...\""}, {"response": 758, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (10:52)", "body": "\"Last chance, dear Moon... ...and the cow jumped over the moon...could be interesting\""}, {"response": 759, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (11:00)", "body": "LOL!!! oooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhh, if only he weren't...... the dreams I will now have;)"}, {"response": 760, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (11:30)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Moon!! (Ann) I think she is very shy and we were told that she actually left the theatre before the audience straight after taking her bows I don\ufffdt mean to criticize her but it makes one wonder why she doesn\ufffdt want to encounter her fans face to face. Bad experiences perhaps? Ann, were there a lot of male fans in the audience like there were *some* female fans in March?? JE\ufffds conduct really makes me appreciate Colin even more than before, if possible. Btw I\ufffdd understand it quite well if Colin wouldn\ufffdt do the signature show every single night from November to January!"}, {"response": 761, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (11:59)", "body": "Another thing, can an actress be that \"shy\"?! .......No, I think it just takes some guts to meet one\ufffds audience right after a performance, to break all illusions and reveal one\ufffds real face to people as a mere mortal."}, {"response": 762, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (12:21)", "body": "Wow! thank you ladies for the lovely reports on JE's play. It sounds like you had a wonderful time! :) Happy Birthday Moon! If I had any html skills a'tall I'd present you with a visual delight or two myself. As it is, I shall have to be content myself with merely urging you to have a lovely day. :)"}, {"response": 763, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (12:25)", "body": "ROTFLOL! Karen! With that jewelry as a gift, I guess even he(!) could tempt me. Maybe he could come with Greenberg too. (to pun or not to pun...) Love the presents, you know my taste in jewelry. :-D Eileen, Grazie per la Madonna con Bambino. It will go very nicely next to my African fertility statues. ;-) Thank you Laura, Ann and Elena for your birthday wishes."}, {"response": 764, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (12:25)", "body": "OOPs! almost forgot! Marcia, that SUV looks devine! How jealous I am! I'm longing for a Dodge Durango myself. ...Well, to be perfectly honest I'm long for a Hummer, but somehow a Durango seems a much more realistic wish. :) Your little road trip sounded lovely- Is Ray handing out cigars? ;)"}, {"response": 765, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (12:27)", "body": "Thank you SB, the thought is appreciated!"}, {"response": 766, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (12:27)", "body": "A quick whirlwind trip to Italy Presents picked out especially for you. To always remind you of Shakespeare in Love, a capodimonte figurine of Romeo & Juliet. For Valmont, we have two--the first called \"The Courting Cavalier\" and the second called \"The Seduction\" And, since flowers are a tradition, some capodimonte orchids."}, {"response": 767, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (12:32)", "body": "So glad you like, Moon. Am not finished yet. I did go way over the duty-free limit. Yikes! And I did not leave anything on the shelf for Marcia to pick up. ;-p Yes, Rupert and Greenberg. Made for each other."}, {"response": 768, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (12:52)", "body": "Moon, please try to come on Saturday the 24th, at the moment there are quite a few still available expecially if you only want one but let me know as soon as you know when you can go, I would hate you to miss it it is a thrilling experience. We have seats in the Circle , please try to make it we could have a meal in the Luna Nova before the Show. You should definitely be able to get a ticket for the matinee on the 22nd when Tineke is going but again don't leave it too late. re Jennifer not coming do n to the lobby, I don't blame her for not coming, I think Colin was exceptional in doing so and actually she is quite sweet because she wrote a very nice note to Evelyn thanking her for her flowers, but I will let Evelyn give you all the details."}, {"response": 769, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (13:23)", "body": "(Karen--or should I say Rupert)...and the cow jumped over the moon...could be interesting\" Too funny. (Moon)I guess even he(!) could tempt me Alas, you shall not tempt him... (I don't think even Richard would--have you seen his picture?) ;-P Re: TRT Was Ben there?"}, {"response": 770, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (13:36)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Moon! re Jennifer not coming do n to the lobby, I don't blame her for not coming, Neither do I. This play will be running for nearly two months, it must be very tiring! BTW Moon, I'm probably going to the South West of Ireland, region of Cork. I've never been to Ireland before. My friend and I are planning a biking trip."}, {"response": 771, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (14:36)", "body": "Thank you Tineke! I hope you are as lucky as I was and not get a drop of rain in Ireland, especially since you will be on bikes. The Ring of Kerry is wonderful to do and I recommend visiting Killarney as well. Dublin is a very happening City. U2 own the Clarence Hotel and they often stop at the bar. And, do visit Trinity College and their library. Ann, I will try to go on either the 22nd or 24th, I just need to hear from DH. Will be v. soon now. Karen, I love all the figurines! Since you are so very good to me and so very generous with your reminders of SIL and Valmount, can I count on receiving something with Darcy, the Advocate or my darling lost boy Geoffrey? ;-)"}, {"response": 772, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (14:52)", "body": "can I count on receiving something with Darcy, the Advocate or my darling lost boy Geoffrey? ;-) Wait until you see the finale. My lips are sealed and my fingers are bound. ;-D Must go wrap up the next box."}, {"response": 773, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (14:53)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOON, FROM ALL OF US http://conference.rheingold.com/icons/anin.gif"}, {"response": 774, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (14:53)", "body": "BTW, Rupert is most upset that you are not satisfied with him. I think this may *cause* him to turn to boys now! ;-)"}, {"response": 775, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (14:56)", "body": "Never mind them - they are very shy. On to the gifts. Your Lei is Mauna Loa style http://www.royalhawaiianleis.com/images/leis/vm198_sm.jpg And this little fellow does not swear like a sailor nor do you have to line your jewel box with newspapers. Totally trained! http://www.defactoasia.com/ef/ef12/efb1-6.jpg"}, {"response": 776, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (15:02)", "body": "Oh boy, can you tell I woke up with a killer headache and it is still here? Flowers? and the little house-trained bauble Happy Birthday, Dear - I am going to go lie down."}, {"response": 777, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (15:04)", "body": "Aaaaaaaaa!"}, {"response": 778, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (15:14)", "body": "Moon Dear, I am going to take a huge aspirin and come back with something worthy of you. I cannot stand this. Anyway, I'd love to own this, so I thought you might like it too. (please let this go through...!)"}, {"response": 779, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (15:16)", "body": "I know this one works =)"}, {"response": 780, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (15:28)", "body": "Marcia, I hope you are rid of your headache soon. I love the lei and that sneak preview of those very worthy trinkets. :-) Thank you! (karen), Rupert is most upset that you are not satisfied with him. I think this may *cause* him to turn to boys now! ;-) He should have known he was not handsome enough to tempt me! My heart belongs to another. ;-)"}, {"response": 781, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (15:28)", "body": "As my shopping trip has gotten very tiring, thought it was time to break out the bubbly and Toast to Moon's Birthday Also here are some glasses I picked up in Murano for you. But since you know I have no shopping discipline, I picked these up as well because they were so cute. You might have seen them from the deck of the Jolly Roger. am going to take a nap now"}, {"response": 782, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (15:30)", "body": "Those wonderful eggs! Beautiful! Thanks Marcia"}, {"response": 783, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (15:38)", "body": "Karen, are you taking a nap because of the spumante? Come back soon! Love the murano glasses and dolphins. Grazie sono bellissimi. Sei stata molto carina!"}, {"response": 784, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (15:45)", "body": "Regarding the new SUV-child in our family, Ray is handing out candy bars with nuts in them - he is sure it is a boy...I told him he was looking at the exhaust pipe. Maybe he knows something I have not yet discovered?! It *is* airtight so I imagine it would handle a heavy downpour, but think of the barnacles we would accumulate driving to London. How embarrassing. The next comment would include the oddly bedecked barnacle-wagon with the Volvos. Think of the humiliation! Moon, do you think that little Faberge bauble with the solid gold coach could carry you in style to the Donmar? You might entice the DB into a ride afterward downm Rotten Row?! ...in the moonlight..."}, {"response": 785, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (15:57)", "body": "You might entice the DB into a ride afterward But Marcia ODB is picking me up, always the gentleman. :-)"}, {"response": 786, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (16:47)", "body": "For a lady who paused to think of her Keepsake by reading Beaudelaire and drinking fine wine by Moon-light...how else could it be? Never Cinderella - always the queen. *sigh*"}, {"response": 787, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (16:59)", "body": "which one do you think suits her best...? I rather like this last one"}, {"response": 788, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (17:16)", "body": "Marcia I just slipped that last one on. We are on our way! I will be back later and let you know how it went. ;-)"}, {"response": 789, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (17:19)", "body": "I agree the last is very nice. Could wear it almost anywhere! Grocery store, laundramat, McDonald's drive-thru... ;-D ************* One last message from Rupert: \"The last woman I loved was named Moon and she spurned for another with a minimally hairy chest. I don't think I'll ever get over it.\""}, {"response": 790, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (17:43)", "body": "(Warning: This one could take a while to load. Sorry, but I hope it's worth it.) ******************* YEAH BABY!! SHAGADELIC!! I got my mojo working, but it just don't work on you I got my mojo working, but it just don't work on you I want to love you so bad, 'till I just don't know what to do I'm going down to Louisiana, to get me a mojo hand I'm going down to Louisiana, to get me a mojo hand I'm gonna have all you women, get you under my command"}, {"response": 791, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (17:51)", "body": "Yeah!! Cool, Karen :-D"}, {"response": 792, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (18:01)", "body": ".....sometimes I really do wish that Geoffrey would visit here!"}, {"response": 793, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (18:29)", "body": "You ladies have good taste - that was a replica of Diana's favorite tiara."}, {"response": 794, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (18:38)", "body": "Karen, you are Bad in the finest sense of the word. Whatever you ate for breakfast, you should have the patent and we all need truckloads of it. LOL dear!"}, {"response": 795, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (18:42)", "body": "I missed you all... Was away for more than a week right after the shower, to make wedding preparations. Antonio had ordered a computer for me. I asked to use an old one from the hotel, that was being discarded, but he sent it in to be upgraded for me :-)Only problem, it wasn't ready yet, so I was offline for all this time... It took me a while to read all the posts in this topic, haven't gone to the others yet... I see the party still went on for awhile, has indeed been going on with so many birthdays... I only had the chance to wish Heide a happy one just before I left. So: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOON! ...and belated Happy Birthday wishes to Lizza, Winter and KarenJ too! Of course I didn't have time to choose gifts for you, which I am sorry for, especially because I enjoyed mine so much! I haven't seen Nan's yet, nor Renate's, but am dying to! I was glad to read of the new reunion at the Donmar. That must have been great. We have finally decided where to spend our honeymoon. Taratata! And the winner is...Italy! Moon, we shall not be too far from each other...I'll e-mail you about it, shall I? ;-)"}, {"response": 796, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (19:16)", "body": "Welcome back Gi dear- you were missed! Karen -ROTFLOL! that clip is hysterical! what movie is that from? (yes, yes. I realize i'm showing my ignorance... ) Marcia- actually i like the middle crown, with the slightly crooked tip and blue and while floral design. It looks like a cross between a viking helment and Waverly curtain. :)"}, {"response": 797, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (19:24)", "body": "The English Patient was the movie from which ODB is doing his campfire entertainment segment. I do like Karen's better than the real \"Yes, We Have No Bananas\", but there you are...!"}, {"response": 798, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (19:25)", "body": "Now I am showing my ignorance, what is a Waverly Curtain?"}, {"response": 799, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (20:04)", "body": "Waverly is a company that provides interior decotating items, such as wall paper, fabric, window coverings and an assortment of accesories. (an alarming number of which seem to be in a floral patterns)"}, {"response": 800, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (20:40)", "body": "ah so, like Laura Ashley...That is a very old and ugly crown considering how wealthy is the head it sits upon. It was a crown worn by King Fassil, a 16th Century Ethiopian King. Now we all learned something today;)"}, {"response": 801, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (20:52)", "body": "Considering what Ethiopia has been throught in the past century, I am amazed that the crown is just a little crooked at the top. I am surprised that it exists at all!"}, {"response": 802, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (21:15)", "body": "A small voice among the many: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOON ! ! ! I haope I am not too late...Love, etc, KarenJ"}, {"response": 803, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (22:12)", "body": "I'm latest. Happy Birthday, Moon I found a mode of transportation for you to let you slip quietly away from DH to wend your way to the Donmar, be it in July or January. Not as stylish as your gilt carriage, but think about it."}, {"response": 804, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 1999 (07:43)", "body": "To my wonderful friends for such a great party and gifts. Grazie del cuore! Moon spurned for another with a minimally hairy chest. I don't think I'll ever get over it.\" LOL! It seems Rupert knows me very well. ;-) Karen, I am speechless, you even managed to give me darling Geoffrey doing his mojo dance. For some reason that Doors song comes to mind, you know the one: \"keep that mojo rising, rising, rising\ufffd\" I absolutely loved it, thank you! Heide, great idea! That balloon will come in handy this summer in Toscany on my moondreams escapade. ;-) Thank you KJArt and Gi for your birthday wishes. Gi, do email, maybe we could meet at the enoteca in Montalcino for a little Brunello tasting.:-)"}, {"response": 805, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 1999 (10:47)", "body": "Happy belated birthday, Moon!!!!! I am, unfortunately, HTML illiterate when it comes to posting presents, though you do have some goodies on their way to your mailbox as we speak! love, winter/jennifer"}, {"response": 806, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 1999 (14:27)", "body": "Thanks, Jenn! I can't wait see them. :-)"}, {"response": 807, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 1999 (16:30)", "body": "Welcome back, Gi. Hope all your plans and preparations are coming together nicely."}, {"response": 808, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 1999 (17:52)", "body": "If you ladies want to make Antonio feel welcome, his Birthday is June 17, Thursday. He may not resent the time she spends with us if Gi can download fun wishes for the event. I am planning already. Then there is C+LF's anniversayr which is either cotton or china according to the books, but that should not limit your imaginations. Shall we do it here or over on 110?"}, {"response": 809, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 1999 (19:17)", "body": "It will be their second anniversary on June 21. Do you think the will stop be and pick up their gifts?"}, {"response": 810, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 1999 (19:27)", "body": "Oh, I surely hope so! I am purchasing mine with that in mind. I am counting on it, in fact."}, {"response": 811, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (10:00)", "body": "Ann, I will be in London from July 21st to July 27th. I will be ringing the Donmar today. It looks like I will be able to attend on July 22, Tineke lets meet before maybe for lunch? Is there anyway you can make it on July 22nd Ann? I would love to meet you."}, {"response": 812, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (10:15)", "body": "I have just booked my ticket, and it was the last one left on the front row. I will be in row A seat 17. Where are you sitting Tineke?"}, {"response": 813, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (10:19)", "body": "Hi Moon, I'm glad you are going to be able to make the Matinee on the 22nd, sorry thought that you can't make the 24th, as I am afraid I can't get up to London on the 22nd. I shall look forward to hearing what you think of the play, I think it is both thrilling and funny. You should be able to get quite good seats for the Matinee,I was able to get Tineke the front row in the stalls and that was only on Monday, try and go for the stalls in the centre rows A,B,C or D but ask for the centre not the side. B st of luck."}, {"response": 814, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (10:21)", "body": "Tineke is in A18, how about that!!!"}, {"response": 815, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (11:05)", "body": "lets meet before maybe for lunch? Definately!! I'm so glad you can come! row A seat 17. I'm in A 18. We'll sit next to each other, just perfect!!"}, {"response": 816, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (11:41)", "body": "Ann and Tineke, thanks for your reports on TRT. I saw this play many years ago and loved it. In addition to the Monkees, do they also play \"I'm into Something Good\" by Herman's Hermits? One of my all-time favorites (showing my age:-) Sounds like Stephen Dillane may give Colin a run for his money if both are nominated for Oliviers. How would you rate Dillane's performance vis-a-vis Colin's in 3DOR? Did Dillane come down to sign autographs after the performance? Were there any celebrities in the audience?"}, {"response": 817, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (13:08)", "body": "Hi Susan, it is difficult to compare Colin's performance and Stephen's because the plays are so different. I must say I was very impressed with SD., the chemistry between him and Jennifer was wonderful, and of course a lot of the credit has to be given to Jennifer, I always she brings out the best in her co-stars. This was, also, in my opinion the best thing she has done and she could be competing with Cate Blanchett for an award."}, {"response": 818, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (13:45)", "body": "to continue, sorry I got called away. Neither SD or JE came down to the foyer like Colin did, but then this is a longer run and perhaps they will do later on, I wonder if Colin will this time as it is a much longer run. They both put so much energy into the play that I can quite understand if all they wanted to do was to go home, the play was reward enough. As far as I could see there were no celebrities in the audience when we were there on the Saturday but Evelyn saw John Boorman in the audience on the Wednesday and also Tom Stopppard as there. I wouldn't like to judge between Colin & SD, but I do think I liked the play TRT better than 3DOR, it was passionate, thrilling and also very funny, Stoppard at his best."}, {"response": 819, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (14:30)", "body": "Antonio's Birthday is tomorrow, so I am getting a start on his gifts. This one got too heavy to haul around, so I thought I'd put it up today. It is in the spirit of equal play since Gi has gotten Michelangelo's David as a gift for his garden, I thought a fountain might be nice."}, {"response": 820, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (15:03)", "body": "Gi mentioned he had a pool, so I imagined his gardens might look something like this And for those chilly evenings, another sort of fountain"}, {"response": 821, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (16:02)", "body": "Marcia, I don't think the Mayor of Rome is going to let you cart that fountain off. ;-) Tineke, where shall we meet for lunch? Is 1:00 or 1:30pm a good time since the play starts at 3pm? We should set it up now, since I am leaving for Italy on June 28th and will be lost in the countryside till then. What luck with the tickets, I can't believe it! I wonder if Lizza or anyone else might make it to the Matinee as well, or perhaps just meet us for us for lunch. :-)"}, {"response": 822, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (16:04)", "body": "Sorry to miss you Ann. :-("}, {"response": 823, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (16:06)", "body": "I understand Antonio and Gi will have a new neighbor. I am sure they will be entertained most happily...I heard this pond was good for the occasional swim. Perhaps they will be invited over to join the Host in a quick dunk."}, {"response": 824, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (16:22)", "body": "His lei - early so he may begin celebrating the eve of the big day in style. HAUOLI NA HANAU, ANTONIO"}, {"response": 825, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (16:23)", "body": "Rome has so many fountains, you'd think they would not miss this one..."}, {"response": 826, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (18:07)", "body": "Me too Moon, but there may be another time, who would have believed a year ago that I would have met Evelyn twice in three months."}, {"response": 827, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (06:40)", "body": "Moon, I tried sending you an e-mail, but couldn't get through. But anyway, I would love to meet for lunch around 1 pm or even sooner. Where shall we meet? At the Donmar entrance or the Luna Nova? You can always send me an e-mail."}, {"response": 828, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (13:01)", "body": "On this, the anniversary of his Birth, Happy Birthday, Antonio Many Happy Returns of the Day !"}, {"response": 829, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (13:35)", "body": "HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANTONIO!! Dare I ask how many?"}, {"response": 830, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (15:27)", "body": "Same as his bride =)"}, {"response": 831, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (15:46)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANTONIO!! And I got you a little present: Yes, they're Arsenal boxer shorts. Gi has indicated an interest in those. ;-)"}, {"response": 832, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (17:21)", "body": "Oh Karen, You dear!!! The Handsome and Gracious Antonio will be adorable in them. I know these are the gift that keeps on giving ! I am sure his bride will appreciate your gesture =) Besides, with his new neighbor having that pond in front of his \"house\" he might be able to use them when he takes a dip."}, {"response": 833, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (17:22)", "body": "Meanwhile, Gi will be rustling about in the trees looking for the host to emerge with wet shirt untucked...;)"}, {"response": 834, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 1999 (07:46)", "body": "JE In The Real Thing, Karen it looks as if you and anyone else will be able to not only see 3DOR in January, but also The Real Thing and if you are unable to see it in the UK, if all goes to plan it could be showing on Broadway. from the Baz Bamigboye column in today's Daily Mail:- \"WATCH OUT FOR ..Jennifer Ehle and Stephen Dillane who are simply sublime in David Leveaux's superb re-defining of Tom Stoppard's play The Real Thing - currently playing to packed houses at the Donmar Warehouse Theatre in London's Covent Garden - are negotiating to move the production into the West End in January. Stoppard's breath-taking examination of love, marriage and infidelity was a hit 20 years ago and remains just as vital now. Producers from Broadway are mad keen to get it into New York after t e proposed West End run\" WOW"}, {"response": 835, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 1999 (09:45)", "body": "Excellent news, Ann!! We may be able to *squeeze* a showing of TRT in during our annual pilgrimage. But do you think Evelyn will be sick of show already? ;-) With the raves reviews and all the hype about Oliviers, I'm beginning to worry about Colin getting beat out. They had better pull out all the stops when the show reopens in November. Maybe they should look into having it rain on stage too! (and they could replace EMcG and rethink how Morrissey is playing Pip, just a few suggestions from a nobody)"}, {"response": 836, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 1999 (09:54)", "body": ", I'm beginning to worry about Colin getting beat out. My feelings too. TRT is certainly a better play than 3DOR. I fear the usual Colin backlash when 3DOR replays if they compare the two plays and ignore his performance. I am feeling gloomy again."}, {"response": 837, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 1999 (10:17)", "body": "Oh, no! Poor Colin! It does not look good. :-( I am happy for you Karen et al. A double treat!"}, {"response": 838, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 1999 (10:27)", "body": "Having seen Jennifer in TRT, I think she should replace E.McG, she could certainly do an American accent and there was chemistry once there could be again. BTW knowing Evelyn now I don't think she will ever tire of seeing TRT!!"}, {"response": 839, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 1999 (10:28)", "body": "chemistry betwen CF & JE, I meant of course."}, {"response": 840, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 1999 (10:30)", "body": "Also he could still be in contention for Awards next year, what about a TV BAFTA for Donovan Quick and a BAFTA for best British Actor and Best British Film for My Life So Far, if it ever get shown in the UK."}, {"response": 841, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 1999 (10:31)", "body": "chemistry betwen CF & JE, I meant of course."}, {"response": 842, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 1999 (10:31)", "body": "Having seen Jennifer in TRT, I think she should replace E.McG, she could certainly do an American accent and there was chemistry once there could be again. BTW knowing Evelyn now I don't think she will ever tire of seeing TRT!!"}, {"response": 843, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 1999 (10:32)", "body": "oops. don't know why that happened."}, {"response": 844, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 1999 (10:38)", "body": "(Karen) and they could replace EMcG Absolutely. What were they thinking when casting her anyway? I hope she\ufffds not reading this (!) but I really think she\ufffds not in her right place in it. But I really like Morrissey."}, {"response": 845, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 1999 (10:43)", "body": "It does sound like you've already awarded the Olivier to Dillane, Ann, and are handing out door prizes. (or as we old Cubs fans are wont to say, \"There's always next year.\") It will be a shame if that were the case. Yes, Jennifer would have been far better than McGovern (but then again who wouldn't?). She could have done the accent at least, having grown up North Carolina. Could they have made her a world-weary 30-something Lina? Actingwise, yes. But lookswise? I don't know."}, {"response": 846, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 1999 (11:58)", "body": "That is the path I would have liked to have seen 3DOR take -- Donmar to West End to Broadway. I wonder why they decided to return to the Donmar rather than take it to the West End? (Not that I'm complaining, mind you;-) Oh dear, I know Stephen Dillane is totally deserving of all the praise he's getting, but I would so love to see Colin win the Olivier. His decision to return to the play at the end of the year must not have been an easy one, conflicting as it does with the holidays and his son's winter school break."}, {"response": 847, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 1999 (12:36)", "body": "Susan, do you think the only reason he has returned to do 3DOR because he hopes to win an Award, I felt it was more because he seemed to be really enjoying himself and honestly having seen TRT, I wouldn't be at all suprised if it won best play, best actor and best actress!! Sorry Colin."}, {"response": 848, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 1999 (13:27)", "body": "......Do you guys really think that Colin cares very much for awards & stuff? I believe (judging from quite a lot of things) that he\ufffds the sort of person who does mainly what he finds interesting, rewarding and worthwhile regardless of pay or nominations....of course he\ufffds human and loves praise like everybody but I\ufffdm sure he keeps making his own incorruptible choices in just about anything. (Yes I know, this IS pure idolization & idealization!!:-)"}, {"response": 849, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 1999 (20:34)", "body": "Elena, I think he is mostly a craftsman who is his severest critic. It is nice to be appreciated, but only he knows when he has done something \"right\" - the way he invisioned it. Join the large group of the IOF - Idolizers of Firth. It is almost time to celebrate!"}, {"response": 850, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 1999 (20:37)", "body": "Has anyone figured out why he wanted to be married on the longest day - and shortest night! - of the year?!"}, {"response": 851, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 1999 (21:16)", "body": "The Top 10 Reasons why he wanted to be married on the longest day - and shortest night! - of the year! #10 He needed time to meet the extended Italian family. #9 His tailor needed the extra time to finish his suit, and he still got it wrong! #8 Livia is afraid of Vampires and Vampires love Colin ;-) #7 Needed time to get over a hangover. #6 Needed the extra-time to pick out a tie, and he still got it wrong! #5 Wanted to give Livia plenty of time to change her mind. #4 Brother Jon needed the time to go through immigration at the airport with a group of illegal immigrants, all guests of the groom. ;-) #3 La torta non era pronta! #2 Needed the time to confess all his sins and swear off the Arsenal boxers. #1 It took him that long to say farewell to his adoring Firthettes! :-D Karen, to fully explain # 6 & 9, could you please post that wedding picture. ;-)"}, {"response": 852, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 1999 (21:29)", "body": "LOL Moon! I just might move that list to 113. You are so clever at this late hour on a Friday afternoon (here)...I am all amazement =)"}, {"response": 853, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 18, 1999 (22:56)", "body": "Oh Moon, you are so good with these Top 10 Lists! Very funny! (Just guessing, but is #3, the cake wasn't ready? ;-) ) Who went shopping with him? Or more importantly, who dressed this boy?"}, {"response": 854, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (00:22)", "body": "What does Colin have in his hand? Road map? He looks puzzled!"}, {"response": 855, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (12:25)", "body": "Congratulations to the new Earl and Coubntess of Wessex"}, {"response": 856, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (12:53)", "body": "The Earl of Wessex is too funny! Colin must be very honored!"}, {"response": 857, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (13:01)", "body": "Thanks for posting the pix, karen. You are quite right about #3. Marcia, I believe you might be confusing his hand with his (gulp!), tie! Poor boy really showed no sense for fashion on that day, and, his hair!!! (I guess Louisa, the hairstylist was late). ;-))"}, {"response": 858, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (13:14)", "body": "I just finished watching the Wedding. When I heard he was given the honor of Earl of Wessex, I nearly tossed my Earl Grey! hee hee;)"}, {"response": 859, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (14:02)", "body": "Ah Edward was destined to be an earl: E dward A nthony R ichard L ouis Now Sophie can fantasize about life with Wessex without fear of feeling unfaithful. ;-p"}, {"response": 860, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (14:44)", "body": "Checking back, it might be his tie - inside out - but it is a very long one if it is. But, then, isn't everything connected with him that way?! ;) Edward fell heir to the Mountbatten earldom at least in Louis name. Interesting that Wessex does not actually exist, though every one of us could show you the territory on the map. They must have run out of Duchies?! I enjoyed the wedding, though it was 5am that I had to start watching it. Imagine having the queen take one of the tiaras from her collection and having it refitted for you. Sorry, Moon, I tried!"}, {"response": 861, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (17:21)", "body": "Ok, all of your pagans at heart and sun worshippers in general, it is almost time to party!"}, {"response": 862, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (17:28)", "body": "Lots of commentary by the official \"talking heads\" about Edward only being made an earl, not a duke. Remember what the Python boys always said? No, it's not \"no one ever expects the Spanish Inquisition,\" but \"always look on the bright side of life.\" There's definitely an upside to being named earl of a nonexistent region. Like: 1) Less grass to cut. 2) No worries about a peasant revolt. 3) No need to employ a sheriff to collect taxes. 4) Equal to Peter Pan of Nevernever Land. 5) Perfect icebreaker for when he meets Colin Firth. Those immediately came to mind. I'm sure you all can do better!!"}, {"response": 863, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (17:51)", "body": "6)Perfect icebreaker for when he meets Gwynnie. 7)No ancient family curse on the house. 8)Can sue Miramax for the unlawful use of his title. 9)Or, can insist on playing himself in the SIL sequel. 10) Can create his own motto: My kingdom for a Wessex! Next? Marcia, thanks for trying to get me another tiara. This could turn out to be an expensive habit. ;-)"}, {"response": 864, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (19:00)", "body": "Moon and Karen, you two! You two are absolutely hysterical and where do you come up with them?????????"}, {"response": 865, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (19:33)", "body": "11)His title is the only one from Old Norse in the immediate family, including his wife. The rest are from French/Latin. (I cannot be the only one of norse descent amongst the Droolians of Firthdom.)"}, {"response": 866, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (19:35)", "body": "Earl of Wessex. I nearly fell out of my chair. I wonder what the people of Mirmax think of that. Too bad ODB wasn't invited to the wedding, the Earl of Wessex invited to the mariage of the earl of Wessex. It would seem here though that the earl is the one with acting aspirations in this case."}, {"response": 867, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (19:54)", "body": "In the Telegraph, they talk of the title and well, they mention Colin Firth (alas, no pic) Here is the URL"}, {"response": 868, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (19:54)", "body": "Uh, sorry;( http://www.telegraph.co.uk/et?ac=000772005502828&rtmo=VwqsVSDK&atmo=HHHHHHxL&pg=/et/99/6/20/nroy620.html"}, {"response": 869, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (20:50)", "body": "Laura, thanks for that. I had not searched except for the BBC and there was nothing but that she was radiant in Ivory...which we already new ;) I think it would have been appropriate for the New EoW to invite the original EoW to his bash. Both actors, one more successful than the other. I did note the lack of codpieces on this new Earl. Cannot be the real thing, can he?! Look at the little Knights and Dames of the Garter she had as her attendants - he should have been required to dress for the part. I'll say nothing of a three-piece formal morning suit in grey tweed...eeeeesh!"}, {"response": 870, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (21:45)", "body": "Countess of Wessex's wedding gown was absolutely stunning. I loved it! Much more elegant than Diana's or Fergie's!"}, {"response": 871, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (21:52)", "body": "Laura, a full grown mature woman was in that wedding gown. That is why it had so much class and style. I loved it, too, but my all time fav was Princess Anne's. The Times' account is http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/Sunday-Times/frontpage.html?1319194 Apparently the Wessex girl jokes have started though none have come to my inbox. From The Times: I say, I say, I say, how many Wessex girls does it take to change a light bulb? Three. One to fetch a new light bulb and two to pitch for the old light bulb's PR account."}, {"response": 872, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (22:58)", "body": "True observation, Marcia. She is an adult and I think the marriage has the chance of working. If people leave here alone!"}, {"response": 873, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Jun 19, 1999 (22:59)", "body": "I meant if people leave them alone! It's late!"}, {"response": 874, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 1999 (06:28)", "body": "I didn't watch the wedding on tv and found out about the new title from Marcia's and Moon's posts. What a laugh! How is it possible? Did the Queen not know? Did the prince have no idea? Will they have to sail to Virginia? Is there a Shakespeare in her life? >-D On the other hand... will this give our DB more visibility? :-o Marcia, KarenJ, KarenR, Moon, thank you so much for your birthday wishes for Antonio. He finally got a moment to look at them and was touched (and embarrassed). His best friend (and best man) is staying with us and saw the presents too; neither of them of course had had virtual cards and presents before. They are both football fans - their club is called Sporting Club de Portugal, known as \"Sporting\". I don't think they'd wear Sporting boxer shorts, though ;-) BTW, the house next door, which is called \"Bennett's\", is empty... They do have a pool which is crying out for one handsome guy to jump in, in his white shirt preferably!;-)"}, {"response": 875, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 1999 (08:11)", "body": "From the This is London website (naturally written by a woman), an article entitled \"Why Sophie got the title of Wessex\": Perhaps as a sop to critics who decried her wish to use her maiden name for her public relations work, the bride will use the name Sophie Wessex in her professional life. It will mean a change in the name of Sophie's company, currently called R-JH Public Relations, and will doubtless provoke a torrent of Wessex girl jokes. Officially, the titles have lain vacant for many centuries. But cinema aficionados will know that the last Countess of Wessex was Gwyneth Paltrow and the last Earl, Colin Firth in the Oscar-winning film Shakespeare In Love. While Sophie will no doubt be pleased to tread in the delicate footsteps of the beautiful countess as played by Ms Paltrow, Prince Edward may be less keen to take on the mantle of his caddish, bullying and villainous namesake."}, {"response": 876, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 1999 (13:36)", "body": "...and a cuckhold before he was even married..."}, {"response": 877, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 1999 (15:43)", "body": "LOL ladies! I think Miramax should have gotten them a print Video tape to play on their wedding night. What else did they have to use up their time away from the Queen and the adoring masses?! I am delighted that Antonio enjoyed his \"presents\" and cards. I predicted that he would be embarrassed =) How enchanting! Too bad we did not know about his sports team before. Oh well, there is always his wedding gift...!"}, {"response": 878, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 1999 (15:46)", "body": "And, for the men in our lives with children, HAPPY FATHER'S DAY"}, {"response": 879, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 1999 (16:41)", "body": "I wonder if HRH saw SIL. I wonder if she is a fan of ODB."}, {"response": 880, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 1999 (16:48)", "body": "I think she would have invited him to the wedding had she been a fan! Perhaps he was not able to attend."}, {"response": 881, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 1999 (18:30)", "body": "I wonder if HRH saw SIL. I wonder if she is a fan of ODB. I see we are all having the same thoughts. I posted mine at 118 because I went there first. What an unexpected coincidence! It was very gracious of Her Majesty to throw some publicity Colin's way ;-D"}, {"response": 882, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 20, 1999 (23:51)", "body": "A columnist at the Independent was going on about the title of Wessex: \"More to the point, what is the Queen doing handing out titles to places which do not exist? Wessex is not a place with any real geographical meaning, like Sussex or Rutland or Ashby de la Zouch or Popocatepetl.\" \"But really, if Her Majesty starts a trend of ennobling people with fake place-names, I fear their currency will swiftly decline. Any minute now there will be a Duke of Borchester. Some hobbit-loving courtier will have a word in HM's ear and become the Marquess of Middle Earth. The Earl of Gormenghast is a title that will be snapped up faster than a W-reg licence plate. Mark my words, the advent of the Count of Brobdingnag is only a matter of time.\" ***** Too funny :-)"}, {"response": 883, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 1999 (06:09)", "body": "HAPPY ANNIVERSARY COLIN AND LIVIA! According to Marcia, this is your cotton or china anniversary. Here's my present to you, and may it always be sweet for you: img src=\" http://www.cotton-candy.com/bag1.jpg \""}, {"response": 884, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 1999 (06:11)", "body": "Oops! Try again:"}, {"response": 885, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 1999 (08:35)", "body": "I second that Gi, Very Happy Anniversary to Colin & Livia."}, {"response": 886, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 1999 (09:41)", "body": "Alright, count me in as one of the well wishers. But, what I would really like to do is give ODB a great big anniversary kiss and Livia, well, we can just shake hands. ;-)"}, {"response": 887, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (01:17)", "body": "Moon - But, what I would really like to do is give ODB a great big anniversary kiss Oh Yum! Me too! :) Happy Aniversary Colin and Livia!"}, {"response": 888, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (01:44)", "body": "Since China is appropriate for the second wedding Anniversary, my gift, with love is HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, FIRTHS!"}, {"response": 889, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (01:46)", "body": "Since it is also Solstice Day, I give you our remotest evidence of our wisdom HAPPY SAMHAIN,All"}, {"response": 890, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 1999 (19:34)", "body": "I am sure they will thank you for the above gifts. Gi, do you think they will share the cyber cotton candy, I love it. This kind will be much less fattening helping me to keep those 100 lbs off."}, {"response": 891, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 1999 (21:21)", "body": "Oh, Frabjous Day!!! Just wanted to say (possibly last, but certainly not least): ********** HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, COLIN & LIVIA!! ********** with my Sincere Wishes that your hearts grow ever closer with the years, and that there be many years to share and celebrate your love for one another!! (Sorry, guys, but I really wax sentimental over CF & LF, especially on special days like this...May I give as their gift the hearts of all us CF fans? Possibly overgenerous, but well earned, I think.) :-D"}, {"response": 892, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun 21, 1999 (22:19)", "body": "OK, why did none of you correct my Drudic Holiday? It is not Samhain (\"sawen\") which is Halloween. But, on a New Age website where I was searching for appropriate pics to post I found that notation. I wonder if the rest of that site is as erroneous?!"}, {"response": 893, "author": "aishling", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 1999 (03:55)", "body": "I'm a bit late with my comments on TRT due to work overload. Ann and Tineke have summed it all up. I just wanted to say though how much I thoroughly enjoyed the play and in fact the whole evening. JE and SD's performances were brilliant. I was quite mesmerised by SD. The time just flew. It was lovely to meet Evelyn, Ann and James, Tineke and Kristen."}, {"response": 894, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun 23, 1999 (21:49)", "body": "I am soooo jealous! Where is the picture???!!!"}, {"response": 895, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 1999 (01:33)", "body": "Prince Andrew is going to be dedicating the Gemini Telescope tomorrow atop Maun Kea. He will most likely visit their base facilities in a beautiful new building adjacent to the UH Hilo campus - which is about a mile from my home. http://hephaestus.gemini.edu/gallery/daily_pic.html has cameras which update themselves (inky black due to it being night or they have removed the cameras for some reason) As I write this, as 8pm Hawaiian Standard Time, it is 3.27\ufffd C (about 38\ufffdF) up there with 20 knot winds. I hop he brought his anorak! This is the summit camera which just might carry the event live tomorrow http://www.cfht.hawaii.edu/misc/summitview.html"}, {"response": 896, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 1999 (01:38)", "body": "The foreground observatory is the new Gemini North to be dedicated tomorrow."}, {"response": 897, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jun 24, 1999 (02:29)", "body": "Awesome!"}, {"response": 898, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 25, 1999 (17:56)", "body": "Hi Everybody....Good to be back with Firth Friends... Really have missed you guys..... Happy Belated Birthdays to...Lizza, KJArt, Moon and Antonio.... What gifts you laid out....took 10 minutes to access this board. Gi...Glad you're goin to Italy for honey,honey....definitely superior to Thailand or Brazil.... Will do comments later on UK Trip. Will say, however, that the UK papers did comment on the Earl of Wesswex/ SIL and the Telegraph even had a pic of Colin. Glad Moon, Tineke and Ann are going to get together for TRT.I saw it 4 times and all performances were excellent...Wednesday night audience most responsive. All performances are sold out for the entire run except for only a few matinee seats.Box Office reports that TRT is going to the West End in January...no dates or venue yet...but I hope we get to see it when we go for 3 DOR. Then going on to Broadway... Critics are running out of superlative adjectives...I walked around the Donmar during intermission listening to all the audience comments and glowing!!And to think that I was worried..... All I can say is: \"Move over Judi Dench....Here comes Jennifer Ehle\"!!! More later....am wee bit jet- lagged!!"}, {"response": 899, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 25, 1999 (19:25)", "body": "Welcome back Evelyn! You are unpacking and I am packing. Evelyn, would you say all the performances were the same, or did you notice some changes? I am really looking forward to seeing such marvelous performances. Have we seen the pix of Colin from Telegraph, or is it new?"}, {"response": 900, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Jun 26, 1999 (14:22)", "body": "*****WELCOME HOME, EVELYN***** Sounds as if you had a wonderful time...Now get some sleep!"}, {"response": 901, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 26, 1999 (15:01)", "body": "(Moon)Evelyn, would you say all the performances were the same, or did you notice some changes? I was amazed that all the performances were the same replete with the same hand, body action etc.(SD runs his fingers through his hair at the same word in the dailogue...but it always looks so uncontrived). Notice JR's body...how her motions change from the 1st scene when she is the lover to the next when she is the wife of 2 years...v. subtle. You are in for a magnificent performance in the British theatre....far superior to anything I saw on Broadway last month. (Moon)Have we seen the pix of Colin from Telegraph, or is it new? Same ole Lord Wessex pic...The one at the wedding with the hat and plume. I sent Karen all the cuttings I found. One in a TV Guide of the South where they feature P&P as one of the sexiest movies...\"where the people had their clothes on\"."}, {"response": 902, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 26, 1999 (15:02)", "body": "Sorry for the italics....I guess I'm not as awake as I think I am!!"}, {"response": 903, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun 27, 1999 (11:58)", "body": "Since this seems like a sleepy Sunday on #72 I thought I would comment on my trip to UK and answer some questions about TRT and the min-spring Reunion I must start out by saying that getting together with Spring Friends made the evening special.There were seven of us : Ann W. , James, Aishling, Kirsten, Tineke,Kimiko ( A JE fan who flew in from LA with husband just for the play!!)Sadly Lizza was ill.Special treat to meet Aishling, Tineke and Kirsten. Funny that when Firthettes meet...we embrace each other and no one feels like a stranger. Conversation takes off and you\ufffdve got to fight to get a word in!!. *** We met at the Luna Nuova. I had contacted the publicist at the Donmar to see if we could meet JE, and she said any other day but the two performances days...she is worn out. And after seeing this play one can see why...physically and emtionally draining.I was disappointed...but understand.She is also terribly shy. I did send programs for her to sign which she did . I had sent flowers that afternoon from **everybody**. ....Spring, JE Fan Page, the List...lurkers too. I selected a basket similar to the one Lizzie and Jane carried when they were drying flowers at Longbourne in Episode 6.I selected pale pink roses, pink mini- carnations and several star-gazer lilies (pink) and babies breath. This is how I envision her...a real English rose On the card ( a cute Mary Engelbreit one I had taken over) I wrote: \ufffdWe are so proud of you. Congratulations (Break-a-Leg- or what ever they say in this country...)From Your Friends on the World Wide Web.\ufffd When I received the signed programs there was a note on the envelope: \ufffd Thank you so much for coming. Hope that you enjoyed the show and have a safe flight home. The flowers are gorgeous. Thank you. Jennifer\ufffd I had not signed my name...don\ufffdt know how she knew we sent the flowers...unless Kate (stage mgr.) or James told her. The florist asked me to come and approve of the arrangement on Sat. morning ( I\ufffdm a real pain...you see!!)and I took a pic . Karen has kindly consented to scan it on. More later."}, {"response": 904, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun 27, 1999 (12:34)", "body": "Correction:\" baby's breath\" I just hope the Olivier Awards have a separate category for new plays and revivals and they both can win. Each time I saw it (4) the audience reacted differently. The audience was mixed in age...resident Brits, not tourists. I saw a few Americans the last night. The first night one man stood and I joined him.... The last night\ufffds audience seemed to be \ufffdindustry\ufffd people who knew each other..There were several bravos and extended applause. It is the hottest ticket in London and everyone commented how lucky they were to be there. It was thrilling. Box Office told me it will move to the West End in January...Venue not decided yet. I will keep in touch ...perhaps it will be on when we go in January. I also went to the Globe Theatre and saw \ufffdComedy of Errors\ufffd with a hilarious Italian actor who I swear is a Roberto Begnini clone. I passed by the Rose theatre. ..which is only in an excavating form. The Globe is an exact replica ...just like SIL...The \ufffdgroundlings\ufffd stand in the front and talk to the actors. I sat on a bench on the First Tier. I also attended a performance of \ufffdMid -Summer Night\ufffds Dream\ufffd at Stratford with the RSC Company. Hey kids....I\ufffdve never seen such acting. I can see why that company is so renowned. The Millenium Dome is in full view...thrilling to see it as the plane approaches London. We\ufffdll have to go when we go in January.Correction: that should be\ufffd baby\ufffds breath\ufffd I can\ufffdt add more about the play than Tineke and Ann W. told you. TRT is Tom Stoppard at his best...Henry is a terrific male role and SD plays it with great energy, tenderness and humor...\ufffddevoid of physical or vocal glamor\ufffd. He and Annie (JE) have a tremendous on stage chemistry. It\ufffds a thrill to watch them on stage just looking at each other. Could Colin have played this role ?....Sure! Better than SD? You betcha\ufffd. Forgot to add that I also got SD autograph for Jana C.....anything for a Firthette!! London is still the most exciting city in the world....can\ufffdt wait to go back."}, {"response": 905, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun 27, 1999 (12:41)", "body": "Sorry about the disjointed paragraphs....we must completely confuse the \"English-as-a-second-language fans\". Did this on Works...and sometimes these paragraphs take on a life of their own.... I apologize."}, {"response": 906, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Sun, Jun 27, 1999 (13:08)", "body": "Evelyn, thanks for your report. What a wonderful trip!! So glad to hear JE is so sweet and considerate of her fans. That was so nice of you to get the flowers on behalf of us all. Did you notice any celebrities at any of the performances you attended? Ann said John Boorman was in attendance at one performance (getting to be a habit with him!). What did you think of the music -- did they play that Herman's Hermits song \"I'm into something good\"? I believe that was in the production I saw years ago."}, {"response": 907, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun 27, 1999 (20:40)", "body": "(Susan MC)Did you notice any celebrities at any of the performances you attended? Ann said John Boorman was in attendance at one performance (getting to be a habit with him!) Yes, I saw John Boorman the first time I went. There was another familiar face...but I couldn't connect a name. ( I wished for Karen who has a memory like a steel trap!!)Lots of people who knew each other...tv, theatre?, film?..definitely entertainment industry types. ***** What did you think of the music -- did they play that Herman's Hermits song \"I'm into something good\"? I believe that was in the production I saw years ago. It's a lovely touch that Stoppard does in this play...very inventive...he frequently let's Henry's favorite pop songs speak for him: his first marriage fails to the tune of the Righteous Brothers \"You Lost that Loving Feeling. His second marriage's survival of his wife's infidelity is announced with a burst of The Monkees' \" I'm a Believer....I thought love was only in fairy tales.\"Very clever.At the end of the first act Annie ascends the stairs to the tune of \"I'm into Something Good\"..The light continues fading on her til the stage is dark. She looks luminous ."}, {"response": 908, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Jun 27, 1999 (20:57)", "body": "Is it any wonder that ODB is so much in demand. I have been watching some of my C.F tapes and just sit there thinking this is one h--- of and actor. The little things he does like the way he keeps saying hmm when he is talking to her after his dip in the pond. The way he drops his eyes to her cleavage for just and instant in the scene at Rosings at the piano when he says :You are perfectly right, no one who has the privalage of listening to you could find anything wanting. The silly look he gets on his face in FP when she tells him he can't smoke but he can stay the night. His facial expressions in TEP when he is sitting there in the taxi and it gradually dawns on him that she is cheating on him. I could go on and on. I WANT TO SEE MY LIFE SO FAR!!!!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 909, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jun 27, 1999 (23:50)", "body": "Oh Lucie, how poignant are your pleadings and observations. We too want to see MLSF and could (and actually do!!) go on and on about the wonder of this man of so many talents and such God-given gifts as a voice which will melt sheet steel, chocklit-pool eyes which can cloud with thunder or sparkle with boyish glee, or stare intently and most passionatley until there in not a woman in the place who can withstand him. I am just amazed that when I mention him to someone I have not seen for a while, that I ave to say more than his name. Does not every woman in the known unmiverse understand and feel his appeal?! Are the rest dead or just immune =P"}, {"response": 910, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 28, 1999 (11:01)", "body": "Some pictures you all *might* want to check out! From an ROP tea in NYC. There are more pics, plus names, in separate posts by Linda. These are but two of the messages and pictures. http://www.pemberley.com/bin/meetings/meetings.cgi?read=603 Picture on the left??? ;-) http://www.pemberley.com/bin/meetings/meetings.cgi?read=609"}, {"response": 911, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jun 28, 1999 (14:59)", "body": "Well, well, well, if it's not the long-lost Ben! Thanks for the details of your trip, Evelyn. The flowers were v. generous of you. Glad JE communicated her appreciation. I heard they were changing the Donmar's name to \"Evelyn's Place\" ;-)"}, {"response": 912, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 28, 1999 (15:10)", "body": "(Eileen) I heard they were changing the Donmar's name to \"Evelyn's Place\" ;-) I know they're tired of my face...and I'm tenacious too.!!All is forgiven, though, I joined \"Friends of the Donmar\"...least I could do. ***** Nice pics of the ROP Reunion...Nan said I had missed it by a week or so...but But I don't know any of those people 'cept Nan. I better stick to Spring...they put up with me:-) BTW Tineke scanned a photo of our Spring Reunion at the Donmar...she'll post the URL on Springfolks."}, {"response": 913, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (01:00)", "body": "Evelyn, I have just visited Virtual Views and apparently Tom Stoppard and Steven Speilberg where at the Donmar last Friday, WOW. TS seems to be taking quite an interest."}, {"response": 914, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (01:04)", "body": "Someone who just attended a performance of TRT posted this on Virtual Views ! And Tom Stoppard and Steven Spielberg were in the bar chatting - a bonus! What's goin on here? These guys must be scouting!! I tell ya' it's the hottest ticket in London this summer!! Allison...bring your binnocs !!"}, {"response": 915, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (01:06)", "body": "LOL Ann...Great minds....we seem to be on the same track!!"}, {"response": 916, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (09:47)", "body": "Allison...bring your binnocs !! Will do my best, though I am not very good at spotting film directors (Spielberg excepted). I would never have recognised John Boorman!"}, {"response": 917, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (10:06)", "body": "What IS so special about Feb 7th 2036?"}, {"response": 918, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 30, 1999 (15:59)", "body": "(Allison) I would never have recognised John Boorman! But you recognized Alan Yentob....I was impressed m'dear :-)"}, {"response": 919, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 1999 (17:46)", "body": "Don't know about Feb 7, 2036, but today is Canada Day. Have a good one!"}, {"response": 920, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 1999 (18:24)", "body": "Yes, have a good one, ay? This is one of my Canadian favorites: Butchart Gardens, Victoria And this is my husband's"}, {"response": 921, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 1999 (12:42)", "body": "And this is Gi's Wedding Day...we all send you lots of love Gi..."}, {"response": 922, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 1999 (15:40)", "body": "Here's a pretty good article about all the movies that are being adapted from classic lit for the teen audience. There are more than I realized. http://www.filmunlimited.co.uk/Feature_Story/feature_story/0,4120,62392,00.html BTW, this was not going to be my rant. It was going to be on Sean Connery and Catherine Z-J and what the male reviewers in England have had to say about this February-December romantic entanglement on the screen. I'm going to put Mel G up on a pedestal because he's sworn never to do this. Need to go find the quote about \"curling one's toes.\""}, {"response": 923, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 1999 (16:25)", "body": "I didn't forget that this was Gi's wedding day but thanks for bringing it up, Evelyn. Ladies, I wish you all had met Antonio, now Gi's husband. Wishing both of you the very best. Kudos to Mel. And I trust Colin will do the same (if he had the same power). Now if only Mel would make a pact not to make so many violent films."}, {"response": 924, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 1999 (16:48)", "body": "***** BEST WISHES FOR A LIFETIME OF HAPPINESS!! ***** ***** To our well-feted couple, Gi and Antonio *****"}, {"response": 925, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 1999 (21:32)", "body": "Gi and Antonio, Best wishes from Hawaii and from Me"}, {"response": 926, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Jul  4, 1999 (09:14)", "body": "Gi, I hope the Wedding Night was something to remember;) I'm just back, well a couple of hours from seeing Pride & Prejudice at the Shakespeare Festival in Stratfod. That is Stratford, Ontario, Canada, not London! And what a magnificent performance it was! The person playing Lizzy was beautiful, witty, funny, well-spoken. However, they had her in black for the first act. I would've put her more in a blue. Mr. Darcy, hmmmmmmmmmm......... YUMMMYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!! He really came into the role during the second act (of course). He was very good. HOWEVER, the best was the actor who played Collins, he had us laughing in the aisles, holding our bellies. He had these grasshopper skinny legs and used them to the full effect! Oh he was brilliant! the woman who played Caroline Bingley was equally excellent. She seethed with want of Darcy and ill-like of Elizabeth, but was funny when trying to get Darcy to notice her. The actress playing Mrs. Bennet was performed by a well-respected Canadian actress, Lally Cadeaux, some of you may or may not have he rd of her, she was very good, but I suspect she watched the A&E version, because she sounded a lot like Alison Steadman's, Mrs. B. The girl who played Lydia was the tallest and well-endowed person, I've ever seen on the stage! But she was amazing. Lady Catherine De Bourgh, think Carol Kane playing her. She was hysterical! The girl who played Jane B, reminded me too much Kathy Griffin from Suddenly Susan. Mr. Bingley was a fairly extremely small role. Mr. Bennet, ah, save the best for last. He hit he nail on the head with this role. A dramatic pregnant pause just before he tells his wife of Collins' letter, had us in stitches. as the whole family waits to be told who is coming to dinner, he reads and rereads the letter, and two (TWO) minutes later while the family are craning their necks in anticipation, does he mention the \"odious\" Mr. Collins. The actor was brilliant! Teg will have production values of the play. I could tell you the stage was minimally set, but you really felt as though Meryton, Derbyshire or even outside. the way they handled the Picture Gallery at Pemberley was priceless! For those of you who can see this production, please do so. You will be glad you did!"}, {"response": 927, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul  4, 1999 (10:14)", "body": "HAPPY FOURTH!!"}, {"response": 928, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jul  4, 1999 (15:52)", "body": "HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, AMERICA!"}, {"response": 929, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Jul  5, 1999 (18:32)", "body": "My best wishes to Gi and Antonio too."}, {"response": 930, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  6, 1999 (17:14)", "body": "Here's a picture of the flowers Evelyn sent to Jennifer: And here's the Donmar entrance. Evelyn said that a notice for 3DOR is behind the door, but it's hard to tell."}, {"response": 931, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul  6, 1999 (20:43)", "body": "Thanks Karen... There were no pictures or notices of 3 DOR inside the lobby. It is illegal to take pictures inside the lobby...I found that out when I took pix of SD and JE that were displayed. **** Also thank you Laura for the review of P&P in Stratford, Canada. Did they compress the whole 6 Episodes into 2 hours? Did they play it the same as our P&P?"}, {"response": 932, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (12:34)", "body": "They compressed the whole novel into 3 hours. It was an amazing production, truly. For those of you who check the Austen.com Tea Board there is a longer, more involved review. Teg does Stage manager work, so she was really good about describing the production values. For a minimalist stage, you really did think you were in the houses and town square."}, {"response": 933, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (20:54)", "body": "There were no pictures or notices of 3 DOR inside the lobby. It is illegal to take pictures inside the lobby... You mean all those photos we took inside the lobby in March are contraband? Well, I always wanted to be a bad girl. Seeing that entrance again sure took me back.... Beautiful (and expensive looking) flowers for Jennifer. Laura, the P&P play sounds like a lot of fun. I'd be interested in seeing it staged but closer to home."}, {"response": 934, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (21:03)", "body": "(Heide)..You mean all those photos we took inside the lobby in March are contraband? No...but taking pics of the copyright photographers pics of the play on display is illegal. .. Beautiful (and expensive looking) flowers Neighborhood florist...who were v. enthusiastic about sending the flowers to JE...not that expensive either...by London prices...which are astronomical."}, {"response": 935, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (10:31)", "body": "I realize I'm a day early, but I won't be anywhere near a computer tomorrow so... Happy Birthday, Winter! From one great teacher to another... (hey, teaching was temporary for Paul, too). And some words of wisdom in case things don't work out with Miramax: Have a great one!"}, {"response": 936, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (11:12)", "body": "For those of you who don't get by the Tea Room on Austen.com, here is our review. It does include spoilers for those who are going to see the production. Laura and Teg Ah, the weather, the shopping, the swans, the production!!! Returning rather late last night, we didn't feel quite up to posting this at that time. Stratford's production of our beloved story was a joy to see. The stage was set with the bare minimum of set pieces and very few props were added to effect scene changes. For eg... for Mr. B's study it was simply a chair and side table to the stage right side of the main playing area. A large set of double doors directly upstage centre dominated the stage. These were used to full advantage throughout the show. Fabric banners were used frequently as special effects for scene changes or, the most surprising of all, to represent the gallery of portraits at Pemberley! That one was priceless! Lighting was dramatic indeed. A number of gobos (pattern projections) really helped to establish the outdoor scenes, and the dramatic casting of window lighting on the floor. Of course, the Darcy portrait was well lit indeed!! :) By far, Teg was most amused by the representation of the trees for several scenes. We both derived great entertainment from the transformation of umbrellas, coats and hats into dance partners, as well as the 'horses' (two men) pulling Lady Cat's carriage. The advancement of plot was achieved in a couple of different ways. Some scenes were combined as one. For eg. the first evening at Netherfield and the 'walk about the room' scene were portrayed as the same evening. Also, characters provided narration in many areas to communicate happenings and speed up the story. (\"Elizabeth spent four days at Netherfield!\") Costumes appeared more Edwardian in design than Regency. Of course, Darcy looked good in any of them! ;) However, Elizabeth's lack of colour in her outfits (primarily black in the first act, and white in the second) was disconcerting. Especially since Darcy was prinicipally in black and white as well. Most of the extras were in dark greys, the only coloured costumes being worn by Mr and Mrs B, the other four Bennet sisters, and Lady C. Caroline Bingley and Louisa Hurst in RED!! Caroline seemed to have the most costume changes. The officers were, of course, in red as well. Bingley, who's part was actually rather small, also had colour. Mr. Hurst matched his wife. hee hee The cast was excellent. Elizabeth was beautiful, with a clear, strong voice that could be heard in the far corners of the House. Darcy, who took a bit of time to warm up to, really came to life in the second act. Mr. Collins. hee hee hee... He really deserves a Genie for this role!! His physical portrayal, with flourishes, bows, and costume swishing made David Bamber's performance pale in comparison. The entire audience was in stitches, especially at the Netherfield Ball. :D Caroline Bingley was wonderful! Just the right mix of cattiness and snobbery. Mrs. Bennet (portrayed by Lally Cadeau) was very much like the A&E version. Mr. Bennet, a true joy to watch. His slow, deliberate delivery of his lines, with very pregnant pauses at just the right moment had the audience waiting with bated breath for him to continue. We waited, I swear, a full minute for him to announce that Mr. Collins was coming for dinner. He read and reread the letter while the rest of the cast was leaning forward in anticipation and the audience began to wonder if someone was missing something....(well, Teg was wondering anyway. that's what I get for working in theatre) Lady Catherine was most imperious. The biggest surprise came when she spoke.... in a very high-pitched 'Carol Kane' type voice. hee hee hee (and her horses were excellent) Oh, we simply must add that Mary Bennet's singing at the Netherfield Ball was truly something to hear... or not! hee hee It's rather difficult to deliberately sing off key, but she did a great job! Be not alarmed, dear Dwiggies, when Darcy's letter is placed into Elizabeth's hand. This scene was very nicely done, as Elizabeth began the read, Darcy picked it up and the other characters appeared as required to add the detail. Take special note of Kitty when the Bennet's are circling together.... she keeps tugging on the bodice of her gown to show more cleavage as she wiggles her shoulders to show it off to advantage! And at last we come to the end. A few very pleasant surprises here! Teg waited with anticipation to hear what Darcy had to say when Lizzy finally said yes! Then she was bug-eyed when there were no words spoken but rapid lip movement. hee hee hee A tidy little scene here all around. The rest of the cast appears to fill us in on what happens with each of them. Here the narration effect comes into full play. The last part of the scene, just before curtain, has Darcy and Lizzy appearing through the doors, a little girl in white with them. Darcy shows the most animation here as he swoops down and picks her up"}, {"response": 937, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (12:43)", "body": "Sounds absolutely wonderful, Laura and Teg! How I envy you your delightful evening! :) Now Teg, ...about that date between Dr Laura and Richard.... :)"}, {"response": 938, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (15:34)", "body": "By-the-bye, might i highly recommend this delightful topic? :) *hee hee* http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/babes/45"}, {"response": 939, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (17:55)", "body": "Thanks Laura and Teg.... It was v. brave of that company to undertake this production...sounds as if they were most successful. I wish I could see it. But your splendid descriptive narrative helped me **see** it . Nice to have gifted writers on Spring!!"}, {"response": 940, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (18:42)", "body": "EsBee, I'm gonna get you for that!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY KJART"}, {"response": 941, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (18:45)", "body": "EsBee, I'm gonna get you for that!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY KJART"}, {"response": 942, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (18:52)", "body": "And, for that little niche for which you needed something really special..."}, {"response": 943, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (18:54)", "body": "ME!?! It's wer who is to blame- I'm just enjoying his handywork! :P"}, {"response": 944, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (19:32)", "body": "Your welcome, Evelyn! It was a pleasure to see! Happy Bday to KJ and Winter, tomorrow!!!!! Many happy returns of the day!"}, {"response": 945, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (21:13)", "body": "Thanks for the birthday greetings, Laura and Eileen! Love that pic of ODB, Eileen!!!! (that's his writing in the background, isn't it?)"}, {"response": 946, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (21:22)", "body": "Happy Birthday KJArt..... Enough loafing :-) Get thee to #98 we need your comments on FF."}, {"response": 947, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (21:50)", "body": "Pictures of JE and Interview from the new issue of HARPER'S QUEEN UK http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/Alley/4820/ehle_int/harper.html"}, {"response": 948, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (21:58)", "body": "I just realized KJArt's listed as JUNE 8th?! She will be amazed! I suppose it would not be nice to take our things back, huh?!"}, {"response": 949, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (22:16)", "body": "Yup, missed it by a month...but you really didn't miss it...you gave me a neat luau and Heide a car, and Karen my favorite back, as I recall. So I don't mind if you take these back and give them to someone more deserving :-).! BTW...we are all complaining because our talented idol keeps getting his name off the cast lists and thus all that good and hard work goes unacknowledged. Having heard what marvelous performances they are giving for P & P, I think the CAST deserves their due, too, don't you think?! Remember: It's nice to be appreciated"}, {"response": 950, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 1999 (10:44)", "body": "Happy Birthday Winter! and KJArt, a very late Happy Birthday. :) I lack sufficent talent to post any gifts for your viewing pleasure, but feel free to imagine a lovely image of ODB posted [HERE] -with my compliments. :)"}, {"response": 951, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 1999 (12:56)", "body": "Happy Birthday , Winter....I too am \"image-posting-challenged\"... but you know we send our v. best wishes and love you :-)))"}, {"response": 952, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 1999 (19:20)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY WINTER!! Had a few leftovers from Sunday and you know they don't keep ;-p"}, {"response": 953, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 1999 (19:23)", "body": "Also been shopping for that *PERFECT* gift, when I remembered something you had asked for...hee hee Remember, it's the thought behind the gift that counts"}, {"response": 954, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 1999 (19:28)", "body": "And one last thing...Harvey has agreed to have a smoke with me next time we're on a plane together to discuss your future employment. (gonna be a tight squeeze in those lavs)"}, {"response": 955, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 1999 (20:40)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY WINTER Our Dame of the Day with her floral tribute from Drool and Fellow Firthians"}, {"response": 956, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 1999 (21:03)", "body": "ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!! Thanks everyone! SB-- Am imagining that you've posted the FP pic where he masterfully takes the mugs from what's-her-face's hands-- only it's my picture superimposed! Evelyn-- I am gif challenged as well. Thanks for remembering my Bday! Karen-- how DID you find that picture of MDB and I together? Don't I look so enthusiastic?! The flowers are beautiful. Thanks, Marcia. Now, if only Mom and Dad will finally retire to Hilo like they've been planning to, I can get a hold of the real ones... OK-- this is turning out to be a good bday so far, despite the fact that I had a workday from hell, and \"casual Friday\" didn't make any difference at all. I still managed to get your nice virtual gifts, I got a microwave from the ex-boyfriend, and am going out to dinner at my fav. restaurant. Ooo.. and Women's World Cup Soccer is on tomorrow!"}, {"response": 957, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 1999 (22:10)", "body": "Happy Birthday Winter."}, {"response": 958, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 1999 (23:07)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Winter. In honor of your status, I thought it's time you received the full Dame regalia. I bow before you."}, {"response": 959, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 1999 (01:54)", "body": "Thanks so much, Heide! (My word--- you've even given me the waistline I wished for!) Thanks for the birthday greeting and card, Lucie! I'm so glad to have such thoughtful friends in this community of ours..."}, {"response": 960, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 1999 (03:43)", "body": "Dearest winter, I hope you have the happiest of birthdays! We were supposed to be seeing FP today to celebrate, but I refuse to depress myself by going there. I keep telling myself it will be here soon enough. I hope you had a great day, and BTW, you and JN make an extremely cute couple ;-)."}, {"response": 961, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 1999 (10:33)", "body": "Allison, I was wondering if you have seen The Real Thing yet, if so I would love to hear what you thought of it, I loved it and am seeing it for the second time at the end of July. Happy Birthday, Dame Winter."}, {"response": 962, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 11, 1999 (23:54)", "body": "Monday Times: Archer plans new Arsenal stadium BY ANDREW PIERCE JEFFREY ARCHER is brokering a deal to bring Arsenal to a new stadium at King's Cross, next to a \ufffd150 million conference centre. Lord Archer of Weston-super-Mare, the Tory frontrunner to be mayor of London, is preparing to head a consortium to try to raise the finance for the centre, and has discussed a joint development plan with the North London club. He will hold talks this month with convention centre developers and tourism groups. Arsenal will be formally invited to join the scheme. A senior director has already expressed interest in the move. Arsenal have been seeking ways to increase the 38,000 capacity of their Highbury ground, which is hemmed in by housing, and have fought a long-running battle with Islington council over redevelopment plans. The club wants a capacity of about 60,000. Talks will begin before the end of the month, when Lord Archer plans to present the proposals. One option is for a purpose-built centre where delegates could eat, sleep and talk in one venue. The cost would be raised from the \ufffd300 million urban regeneration fund, which will be controlled by the new London authority, and the private sector. Arsenal's move would be partly financed by the sale of Highbury, which is worth more than \ufffd30 million. The site identified by Lord Archer is the hundreds of acres of semi-derelict land at the back of King's Cross railway station. The location would provide excellent travel links for supporters. It is next to the planned site of the London terminal for the Channel Tunnel rail link and in 2001 it will be the site of the BAA rail extension from Heathrow. It is also the favoured option of the Business Tourism Forum, whose members include the BAA, Confederation of British Industry and Virgin Rail. The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry is supporting the proposals."}, {"response": 963, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (03:56)", "body": "Allison, I was wondering if you have seen The Real Thing yet Yes, Ann, I did and enjoyed it very much. I had seen the original productionand had not liked it much. This was much better IMHO. However my enjoyment was slightly dampened by the fact that our seats were in the first row of the circle, at the side. I have never sat there before and the view is not good. The production is best viewed from the front IMO and is certainly better seen without a large wooden bar across one's line of vision! However the performances were very good. I thought SD was particularly fine as I do not remember having seen him before."}, {"response": 964, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (05:08)", "body": "Oh no, Allison, that's where our seats are Row A, 8,9 & 10. not bothered for myself as I have already seen it but am taking a friend who has not seen it, but had good seats the first time round so can't complain. Did you see anyone you recognised in the audience and how did the audience respond, they were very enthusiatic when I went in June? I quite agree about SD, I am definitely a fan now and will look out for other things that he may be in but I do think that the chemistry between him & JE was a big lus to the whole production."}, {"response": 965, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (05:10)", "body": "\"was a big plus\"to this production."}, {"response": 966, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (06:35)", "body": "Did you see anyone you recognised in the audience No. I looked hard but nobody I recognised. how did the audience respond, they were very enthusiatic when I went in June? It was warmly received. Nobody leapt out of their seats or anything but, in London, I often think that is a symptom of fandom rather than an appreciation of the play. When I saw \"Plenty\" there were people standing and applauding CB when her performance was, frankly, shrill and OTT. Do I sound grouchy today? It must be the heat. I wonder is ODB's makeup is running? It can be no fun filming in Londinium in this humidity."}, {"response": 967, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (13:46)", "body": "Happy Birthday again, KJ Art! *Grunt* *virtually moving the gifts over from last month* Thanks for the JE interview link, Evelyn. I can see why she and ODB were attracted to one another. It seems they're alike in many ways. I hope there's many great things in her future. (Winter) Ooo.. and Women's World Cup Soccer is on tomorrow! And they gave you a birthday present too! U-S-A! U-S-A! What a torturous game. So glad to see 90K people there, TV ratings up...wonder if Phaedra will do more FP advertising (in addition to that which is already planned on Fox Sports). [From 119] Karen, I also saw 'Son of Sam' and caught the musical montage. FP's was better. I didn't care for SoS--way too long. (Allison) I wonder is ODB's makeup is running? It can be no fun filming in Londinium in this humidity Reminiscent of 'Nostromo', no? Hope he has a 'waterperson' this time, too."}, {"response": 968, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (14:21)", "body": "**GROAN** If you guys keep inventing virtual birthdays for me every the 8th of a month crops up I will be aging even faster than I am now!! Thanks for the thought, but..... <8-{"}, {"response": 969, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (15:51)", "body": "(Allison)I thought SD was particularly fine as I do not remember having seen him before. SD was in Mrs. Holyroyd. If you want to see him in a splendid film...check out FIRELIGHT. It is out on video. Fantastic love story. **** Sorry your seats were poor for TRT. The sides at the Donmar are losers. For one of the performances I sat in the first row stalls side and I could not hear some of the dialogue.Even center circle is better than side stalls. **** Glad to hear CB got a standing O....deservedly or not.....London audiences are getting exhuberant. ****** BTW THE REAL THING segment of JE's website is now complete. For pictures go to: http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/Alley/4820/real_pics.html For reviews: http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/Alley/4820/real_art.html ****** (Eileen)...Re; JE....I can see why she and ODB were attracted to one another. It seems they're alike in many ways If those two would have stayed together they would have gone to live in a cave in the Hebrides and we never would have seen either one!!"}, {"response": 970, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (16:23)", "body": "(Allison) I wonder is ODB's makeup is running? It can be no fun filming in Londinium in this humidity Have you found the set? Are they shooting out of doors? Have you brought a folding chair to watch? Fess up. (Eileen) So glad to see 90K people there, TV ratings up. Heard this morning that the ratings were higher than for the NBA finals this year (pffft, wonder why) (Eileen) I also saw 'Son of Sam' and caught the musical montage. FP's was better. OK, take Colin out of the scenes and put some ordinary everyday actor in it. Now, re-rate. ;-)"}, {"response": 971, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (17:56)", "body": "OK, take Colin out of the scenes and put some ordinary everyday actor in it. Now, re-rate. ;-) Well, that changes everything. You can't compare CF-less Highbury to Yankee Stadium (even if they just dropped 2 out of 3 to the Mets)!"}, {"response": 972, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 1999 (02:36)", "body": "(Karen)Have you found the set? Are they shooting out of doors? Have you brought a folding chair to watch? Arghhh! You know my guilty secret. I have been marching around London, chair in hand, on the off chance I might stumble across a film set. So far no luck:-) But does anyone know who is actually producing this film? Does it have a distributer? What happened to Mike Binder's previous film with MH?"}, {"response": 973, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 1999 (12:23)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVELYN, hope you are having a lovely day"}, {"response": 974, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 1999 (12:30)", "body": "HEY GANG, IT'S EVELYN'S BIRTHDAY!!!"}, {"response": 975, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 1999 (12:52)", "body": "Many happy returns of the day, Evelyn. Hope it's extra special! *must be if you get a dancing frog;))"}, {"response": 976, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 1999 (13:23)", "body": "\"Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday dear Evelyn, Happy birthday to you. How... oh, ok, I won't do that verse.\""}, {"response": 977, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 1999 (15:22)", "body": "Hi Gang, Thank you Ann....Karen ...and Laura.... For all the good wishes., the dancing and singing!! Almost worth being a year older.....to get such a reception:-)) I esp. liked the cowboy, Karen. Love y'all, Evelyn....the Dancing Frog"}, {"response": 978, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 1999 (15:57)", "body": "Happy birthday Evelyn."}, {"response": 979, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 1999 (16:06)", "body": "Happy Birthday Evelyn, you've been so good for this place!"}, {"response": 980, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 1999 (16:34)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVELYN From Darcy's Hands to your head, the only fit headwear for your exaltedness And, Fresh from me to you for a lovely evening - orchids and rosebuds"}, {"response": 981, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 1999 (16:52)", "body": "oh...there's more (irreverancy begins now) ;-D \"Miss Bennet, please pardon my forwardness, but I fear I may have given you the impression that my feelings remain unchanged from last April. They are not. I have met another woman, who sets my soul on fire with her wicked humor and sharp tongue. We met in the lobby at the Donmar and I have not been able to forget her. Alas, her name is Evelyn...\""}, {"response": 982, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 1999 (16:56)", "body": "I walk the streets of London in vain. Where oh where is Evelyn to be found?"}, {"response": 983, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 1999 (17:02)", "body": "\"I pond-er whether Evelyn has crossed this vast ocean before me. My life would have no meaning if she had.\""}, {"response": 984, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 1999 (17:07)", "body": "\"Will we ever meet again?\" I know you're going to kill me *hiding from view*"}, {"response": 985, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 1999 (17:09)", "body": "closing all the tags that I was sure were closed. *slapping myself silly*"}, {"response": 986, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 1999 (17:17)", "body": "LOL Karen."}, {"response": 987, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 1999 (17:22)", "body": "BTW we seem to have had some visitors to CHAT tonight by the name of FIRTH!! not our DB I am sure!!"}, {"response": 988, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 1999 (17:54)", "body": "Great photos, Karen. I wanna be in the one by the lake. He *needs* me!"}, {"response": 989, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 1999 (18:59)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Evelyn!!!! (a fellow Cancer, I see!) With much love, Jennifer"}, {"response": 990, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 1999 (19:04)", "body": "Happy, happy birthday, Evelyn! To the gal who always sends flowers...here's some for you. It's the \"spring mix.\" I thought it fitting. Thanks for all your info sleuthing and enthusiasm for all things Firth (and Ehle)! BTW, what's that Darcy's got in his pocket, Evelyn (in the searching London pic)? Something for you, perhaps? ;-P"}, {"response": 991, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 1999 (20:15)", "body": "***** HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EVELYN!! ***** *****And many, many more!***** *****May your generous nature be returned to you ten times over!*****"}, {"response": 992, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 1999 (20:19)", "body": "The sound you hear is me laughing uproariously!!! LOL Karen....You really outdid yourself.But how can I compete with Lizzie??? ****** (Eileen)BTW, what's that Darcy's got in his pocket, Evelyn (in the searching London pic)? Something for you, perhaps? ;-P What can I say? (Blush, blush....) \"The Best of all Gifts\":-D **** Thank you Lucie, Winter...and Eileen's Spring bouquet....how apropos! What a crowd!! You really know how to make a gal happy...."}, {"response": 993, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 1999 (20:34)", "body": "Nobody does it better at making things happen. Heartfelt thanks to you for all you do for us, both at the Donmar and here at the board. Looks like Lizzie can't compete. Much love and Happy Birthday. And my gift to you is a reminder of what you said to us at the Donmar after telling Colin we were from the Spring. \"He probably thinks we're all from a spa.\" Here's your very own. Long live the Spa girls!"}, {"response": 994, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 1999 (21:30)", "body": "WOW!!Thanks a Bunch.... KJArt, Heide....you're all tops!! (Gee Heide...the spa reminds me of the one at the Thanet!!, hee, hee) What a Party!!:-D"}, {"response": 995, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 1999 (10:30)", "body": "HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVELYN!!!! Hope you had a wonderful day! As usual, I must ask the recpient of my good wishes to envision her own gift. However, I am sure that your imagination is fully capable of producing a vision of splendor and artistry... (by which of course I mean a scantily clad Darcy) ;) Karen -ROTFLOL!!! those pics and accompaning story line were great -how I envy our birthday girl! I wish Darcy would seek me out with such diligence! :)"}, {"response": 996, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 1999 (11:53)", "body": "(Eileen)As usual, I must ask the recpient of my good wishes to envision her own gift. I've got a great imagination.... Pemberley will do :-) (Eileen)how I envy our birthday girl! I wish Darcy would seek me out with such diligence! :) It was an \"out of body experience\"...."}, {"response": 997, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 1999 (12:41)", "body": "I just realized that I forgot the serve the cake. Good thing, the candle is one those that never goes out! Glad I could amuse you all...and especially Evelyn (at Jennifer's expense)!! ;-D"}, {"response": 998, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 1999 (16:47)", "body": "Such a sweet cake.... Ilike the black frosting...For mourning over b'day? ...especially Evelyn (at Jennifer's expense)!! ;-D Don't think ole Jenn has to worry :-D Loved all my gifts...can't wait til next year....!!"}, {"response": 999, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 1999 (21:17)", "body": "Loved the pics, Karen. Thanks, I really needed them today."}, {"response": 1000, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (09:17)", "body": "Yooooooo, Winter, honey... Have I got a weekend lineup for you to go see!! And of course report back to all of us. Read at the LA Times about the lineup at Outfest '99. In addition to Bedrooms & Hallways (with JE), which will have a normal release next month, there are two others of interest: \"The Sex Monster\" - the movie with Mike Binder and Mariel Hemingway, CF's co-stars in Londinium. Also, Binder is the writer-director of Londinium. \"Man Is Woman\" - French film about gay French jewish guy who has to marry (a hassidic girl) so that rich uncle won't disinherit him. Saw it last fall. Really cute. Great klezmer music. Antoine de Caunes isn't too bad to look at. Just my picks for the weekend. ;-D"}, {"response": 1001, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (11:58)", "body": "Lucky Winter.....Wish I lived in LA :-("}, {"response": 1002, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (16:35)", "body": "I've just been reviewing my gifts again..... Wrote a thank you to Marcia and Terry ...but must not have tapped the submit tab.... Anyway...thank you Terry....as ever, Our Knight in Shining.... And Million Mahalos to Hilo-Marcia**for the special lei (hey, white orchids aren't cheap!!)and the tiara from \"The Man Himself\".You sure know how to make a gal feel special. **there used to be a song \"When Hilo-Hattie does the Hilo-Hop..\"Is it still around. (Songs in Hawaii never fade away:-) )"}, {"response": 1003, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (19:08)", "body": "yipppeeee!!!! And I thought my weekend was only going to be limited to do some plant-shopping! (anyone know if I can grow a hefty sized bouganvillea (sp?) from a pot alone? I want something for my patio, which is entirely paved over)"}, {"response": 1004, "author": "livamago", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (20:14)", "body": "(anyone know if I can grow a hefty sized bouganvillea (sp?) from a pot alone? Winter, I have a bouganvillea (sp?) in a large pot, and it is flowering beautifully. I just take care to keep it moist (but not soggy) and in a sunny spot. I have it climbing on a trellis. It is gorgeous."}, {"response": 1005, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (23:57)", "body": "Indeed, even little kids do Hilo Hattie's Hula Hop! Thanks Evelyn =) My Bougainvillas are growing in cinder from a recent eruption. Mine like to be drained well. Sand is good - beware of too much mulch and peat moss. They do not like wet feet. And, to bloom well, the more sunlight the better."}, {"response": 1006, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Jul 16, 1999 (19:03)", "body": ". And, to bloom well, the more sunlight the better. REALLY?! my patio faces West, and has full-blown sunglight for the better half of the day! I'm so excited...But does it shed many petals? I don't want to have it shedding on my neighbor's patio."}, {"response": 1007, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 16, 1999 (20:33)", "body": "Oh my, a courteous neighbor! I wish mine (the ones with the big messy tree that covers my backyard) thought the same or at least cleaned up after it... ;-D Can't help with bougainvilla. Only summer time potted pots on patios here like my hibiscus. Can't hand the snow."}, {"response": 1008, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 16, 1999 (23:08)", "body": "For a little smile, from the Guardian: A disappointing Affair? The Coming Attractions web site has posted a first review of Neil Jordan\ufffds adaptation of Graham Greene\ufffds classic romance The End of the Affair. While the critic, called Cichlisuite, announced \"I love Neil Jordan, Julianne Moore, Stephen Rea and especially Ralph Fiennes\", he/she wasn\ufffdt impressed by the Irish director\ufffds spin on this WW2 love story: \"Well, folks, simply put this film is a world-class snoozer\ufffd A story so dull that even the actors looked bored as hell on screen\". The story, laden with Greene\ufffds hallmark Catholic guilt, calls on Fiennes, Rea and Moore to play the three corners of a love triangle between two old friends and the woman they both love. According to its first reviewer, the stars don\ufffdt cut the mustard. \"Ralph Fiennes is a fine actor,\" we\ufffdre helpfully told, \"but here he is going through the motions, as are the other actors, and it feels like they are all reading off of a tele-prompter (advice guys: drink some coffee before shooting your scenes). \"What this film is,\" concludes the reviewer, \"is a serious bid for Academy attention come Oscar time, that will fall flat on its face unless it's fixed up big-time. This film tries so hard to be the next English Patient\ufffd\""}, {"response": 1009, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Jul 18, 1999 (12:09)", "body": "My popular request, I unlinked topic 120 in drool from the news conference and now it exists only in news, there was a fear that the conspiracy theorists might spill over in to other topics and I respect that! But you can still pay homage to John John in the news conference."}, {"response": 1010, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (00:05)", "body": "Just so there are no loose ends...from The Times: London filmed top to bottom BY DALYA ALBERGE, ARTS CORRESPONDENT LONDON is about to be seen in a new light, from angles that few of its inhabitants will recognise. Camera shots will plunge down the heights of buildings such as St Paul's Cathedral, hurtle along the tracks of a Tube train and travel through the maze of sewers under Ludgate Circus, using cinematic technology that can create the sensation of being there. A \ufffd3 million film offering the new look at the capital is to be made for the new \ufffd20-million Imax picture palace on the South Bank, near Waterloo station. Stephen Fry is co-writing and starring as a tour guide in a film that will be screened at Imax cinemas worldwide. Fry acknowledged the challenge of making a film that is intended to excite Londoners as much as its tourists. The fact that London has been \"blitzed and bombed and developed makes it a multilayered place\", he said. Filming will begin this summer. It is being produced by Peter and Marc Samuelson, who have been commissioned for the project by the British Film Institute."}, {"response": 1011, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (01:59)", "body": "Dearest Evelyn, I hope you had a great birthday! Sorry to be tardy with my wishes (and wish I could come up with something really creative to post for you!) Karen, I am LMAO at your gift of Darcy."}, {"response": 1012, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (09:42)", "body": "(Terry) I unlinked topic 120 in drool from the news conference and now it exists only in news, there was a fear that the conspiracy theorists might spill over in to other topics and I respect that! Thanks. BTW, I saw last night (it could have been on MSNBC; my nose has been glued to the set and various channels for most of the weekend) a brief piece about the internet and conspiracy theories. Was that the Spring they flashed, by any chance???"}, {"response": 1013, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 1999 (12:39)", "body": "*******Please Read********* If topics are not showing up when there are new posts (and we have not had a date problem), then you might want to check on the main Drool page if you have accidentally designated a topic to \"Forget.\" That is one of the settings above the listing with All, New, Activity Today, and Activity within 7 Days. Click on \"Forgotten\" to see if any of your current topics is there. Allison, who was having this problem, has figured it out. She said that: \"All you have to do, is then list all those topics which are \"forgotten\" and there will be a \"remember\" button at the top of the page. If you do not want to remember all topics, I think you should be able to list only all/119/fogotten and then you can just remember the topic you interested in.\" Thank you, Allison, for figuring this out."}, {"response": 1014, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (13:07)", "body": "Thank you, Allison, for figuring this out. ] Geez, I figured that out months ago and posted it when I had the same problem!"}, {"response": 1015, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (16:22)", "body": "I have just discovered that Austin, Texas - the home of our beloved Spring and Drool's parent - has an annual SPAM festival...Oh my goodness!"}, {"response": 1016, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (16:47)", "body": "Oh my poor nerves! :-)"}, {"response": 1017, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (16:48)", "body": "When is it? Maybe we can have our next reunion there? ;-)"}, {"response": 1018, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (17:04)", "body": "Still checking on that. When I found out it was strictly LOLROTF time. Winter, yes, Bougainvillas they shed their pretty bracts) which are the pretty parts...and some leaves."}, {"response": 1019, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (17:45)", "body": "I asked William about it and he replied: Spamorama. A few years back, we made a decent (or so I was told by the customers who tried it!!!) a Spam Parmesan. I am still waiting for when it happens."}, {"response": 1020, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (22:12)", "body": "He thinks it was April Fool's Day...it figures!"}, {"response": 1021, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (02:14)", "body": "Oh, alright... Maybe we can start a festival ourselves!"}, {"response": 1022, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (13:54)", "body": "Oh, alright... Maybe we can start a festival ourselves! Just gather up your shower gifts and you've got one! Marcia, tell William that the words \"decent\" and \"Spam\" can't be used in the same sentence!"}, {"response": 1023, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (15:41)", "body": "Too late...he suggested and I complied and now there is a place far from the lofty heights of Drool: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/food/54/all Oh, and btw, the gentleman who used decent and Spam in the same sentence is a professional. If he says it that way, it iS that way. Now, join me down below."}, {"response": 1024, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (15:43)", "body": "Spam memorabilia should be posted there as well. Thanks one and all."}, {"response": 1025, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (16:04)", "body": "Thanks Jana for your good wishes... I'm still smiling :-)) ****** (Karen)Re; London Imax film of London to be narrated by Stephen Fry. Filming will begin this summer. It is being produced by Peter and Marc Samuelson, who have been commissioned for the project by the British Film Institute. They were the producers of WILDE, but also....PLAYMAKER!!"}, {"response": 1026, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (16:05)", "body": "Sorry about the italics...the last sentence is my comment."}, {"response": 1027, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (21:26)", "body": "They were the producers of WILDE, but also....PLAYMAKER!! What a riot! This looks like one travelogue that shouldn't be missed. Can just picture it: Bosie and Ross come out of the glass shower... ;-D"}, {"response": 1028, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 30, 1999 (19:31)", "body": "From my London Theatre Newsletter: \"BBC TV are producing a new 4 million ukp tv adaptation of Charles Dicken's \"DAVID COPPERFIELD\" and is expected to feature some of the UK's best known actors including DAME MAGGIE SMITH, ZOE WANAMAKER, BOB HOSKINS, DAWN FRENCH, SIR IAN McKELLEN, TREVOR EVE, MICHAEL ELPHICK, CHERIE LUNGHI, IMELDA STAUNTON, PAULINE QUIRKE, and NICHOLAS LYNDHURST.\" ****** Oh yeah...there's no one there I wanna see!! Stuff it!!"}, {"response": 1029, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jul 30, 1999 (21:23)", "body": "Geez, Evelyn, I could have come up with a better list than that under heave sedation. Oh well...Stuff it, like you said!"}, {"response": 1030, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jul 30, 1999 (21:26)", "body": "Oh yes, another thing. Got a lovely post card from Moon Dreams in Italy. She says hi to everyone from Tuscany and Umbria. She is looking out for DB and says it is lovely in Siena. Arrivederci!"}, {"response": 1031, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jul 31, 1999 (02:13)", "body": "Where's Jennifer, I would love to see her back on TV. Did Moon say if she liked JE in TRT and what she thought of it, Evelyn."}, {"response": 1032, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (01:17)", "body": "But Trevor Eve, Evelyn? Yummy!"}, {"response": 1033, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (01:54)", "body": "(Laura)But Trevor Eve, Evelyn? Yummy! From whence is Trever Eve yummy? Pray tell. **** I have not heard from Moon....look forward to her comments on TRT. ****** (Marcia)I could have come up with a better list than that under heavy sedation. Hey,Marcia...that's a good line...mind if I copy it? I'd like to send it to BBC casting..."}, {"response": 1034, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (02:10)", "body": "Trevor Eve is 101, I remember him in \"Shoestring\" and that was yonks ago."}, {"response": 1035, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (02:11)", "body": "sorry about that but it is so hot here 31degrees, unheard of and set to continue."}, {"response": 1036, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (02:24)", "body": "At the end of a week of defending JE on the Pemberley Board re: being fat...awkward running etc ..(Great fun, really, no one takes it seriously...) Some guy posted this today: \"All the criticisms of JE are well put... but I am simply unable to see anything wrong with Jennifer Ehle in any way, at any time, ever, period, nor do I ever intend to!\" { LOL **** it is so hot here 31 degrees, unheard of and set to continue. I don't know what 31 degrees C. is..but we were 104F. yesterday....that's not just heat index...that real temp!! Can anybody top that? Makes one want to go and cool off on the Isle of Man!!"}, {"response": 1037, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (03:11)", "body": "Human body temp is 37 C. (98.6 F). 31 C is ONLY"}, {"response": 1038, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (03:16)", "body": "Human body temp is 37 C. (98.6 F). 31 C is ONLY about 88 F, but with their humidity, it's probably smothering!!!! ( For those interested: C X 1.8 + 32 = F) (If you remember your algebra, you can reverse that formula if you want to go from Fahrenheit to Celsius.) (I know, I know...SHEESH!)"}, {"response": 1039, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (03:28)", "body": "I got this today from Breakfast with the Arts on A&E - maybe you could pass it on to Spring. They tried to get Colin but he was on location. Silvie Hey there Sunday Morning Music Lovers, This Sunday morning (8/1) starting at 9am/et on BREAKFAST WITH THE ARTS on the A&E Television Network, join me for: My interview with actress MARY ELIZABETH MASTRANTONIO talking about her new movies MY LIFE SO FAR and LIMBO . . . and my conversation with actor and writer BUCK HENRY talking about his current Broadway role in the play ART. Also . . .A Concert of the Berlin Philharmonic Concert at Waldbuhne: Russian Night. The annual summer concert set in the grand outdoors at Waldbuhne. Includes selections from Tchaikovsky's \"The Nutcracker\", Strauss's \"Radetzky-March\", and Stravinsky's \"The Firebird Suite\". See you Sunday morning,"}, {"response": 1040, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (03:31)", "body": "Evelyn, feel free to use that comment (and thanks for cleaning up my typo.) Is that A&E Sunday morning with the arts a rerun? I don't think I will get up at 4 to watch it is ODB is amongst the missing!"}, {"response": 1041, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Jul 31, 1999 (15:21)", "body": "Didn't you guys see the miniseries that bested P&P at the Baftas three years ago? The Politician's Wife? That was an amazing series and TE was the husband. Minnie Driver the mistress and a dazzling turn by Juliet Stevenson. Then there was the Taster's Choice commercial where he played the long-forgotten husband to the woman who was falling in love with now Buffy's Giles;) And Trevor Eve was also in a recent mini-series, The Heat and the Sun???? (or heat and dust) something like that. He is very yummy."}, {"response": 1042, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jul 31, 1999 (17:36)", "body": "Whatever you say Laura, but not to my taste but I did enjoy Shoestring the series and although I can't think who the mistress was in TPW, I am sure it wasn't MD, will have to look it up."}, {"response": 1043, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Jul 31, 1999 (17:42)", "body": "I be your pardon Laura, MS was indeed the mistress, sorry."}, {"response": 1044, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 31, 1999 (18:17)", "body": "We were just doing C to F and back conversions, as we were with relatives who live outside the US today. It is about 37-38 C. here base temp, without taking into account the humidity (which is abominably high). Here in the city it is hotter as the concrete canyons retain heat. So if I've done my math correctly, we had 43 C. yesterday. But I hear a break is coming. Marcia, you might tell Silvie that she can post her information to Springfolks. I would expect MEM to talk about MLSF and Limbo."}, {"response": 1045, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jul 31, 1999 (19:11)", "body": "I must give Trevor Eve a thumbs up for sex appeal. If you saw Heat of the Sun, you saw Jonathan Firth in it as well. Poor baby brother has yet to set my hormones buzzing but Trevor did a fine job. (Susannah Harker was in Heat... too.)"}, {"response": 1046, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Jul 31, 1999 (20:46)", "body": "I must give Trevor Eve a thumbs up for sex appeal. ] I knew I wouldn't be alone!"}, {"response": 1047, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (07:19)", "body": "31 C is ONLY about 88 F, but with their humidity, it's probably smothering!!!! And we do not have air conditioning! But I am not complaining - I love it. Come on Ann, it has to be better than continuous grey skies 8-))"}, {"response": 1048, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (08:30)", "body": "No air conditioning! :( You have my sincerest apologies and condolences."}, {"response": 1049, "author": "Teg", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (08:35)", "body": "Sorry Laura, can't picture Trevor Eve, but DAME MAGGIE SMITH, DAWN FRENCH, SIR IAN McKELLEN, and NICHOLAS LYNDHURST. I would definitely tune in for! Oh, btw... Hi everyone!! Karen, I heard that Chicago hit the world high temp the other day at 44 C. Not pleasant at all!!"}, {"response": 1050, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (09:28)", "body": "Nice to see you join us on other topics Teg! ;-D Re Temperature: Didn't realize that it was record-setting, but couldn't possibly be for the world. There are places in US that regular go up into the three digit area all the time. Bull Head City, AZ, for one. Hotter than Hades most of the time. Likely just a record for us. Coolness here or coming!! [haven't been outside yet] Electrical power is the issue for the last couple of days. Big outages, covering areas near me and tons of customers it includes many lakefront high rises (tower blocks). Com Ed is going take major HEAT on this from mayor and all the influential people who live in affected areas. Thank goodness, I've had no problems. *knock on wood* ;-D"}, {"response": 1051, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (11:13)", "body": "(Allison).....And we do not have air conditioning! May you rest in peace!! ******* Nice to have you with us, Teg... Now get back to work and finish that story!!:-D ***** Like I said....can anyone top 104 degrees??!!"}, {"response": 1052, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (11:33)", "body": "Yep, it hit 109 in Attleboro on July 5!!!! (well with the humidex;))"}, {"response": 1053, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (13:00)", "body": "100 degrees F yesterday for me (without humidex) and don't know where it's going today. And I don't have air conditioning either."}, {"response": 1054, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (13:55)", "body": "Yes sorry to whinge (sp)Allison, its just that it goes from one extreme to another and I agree it is better than grey skies and wind and rain. I actually hope it continues for a while as we are having the outside of the house painted from tomorrow. Don't tell me I know the weather is going to change in the middle of the week!!"}, {"response": 1055, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (15:53)", "body": "I say get thee to a cooling center or store and purchase one! My daughter has severe asthma during this weather, it's hell! *pun not intended!* WHAT is up with the weather pattern????? It's totally screwy!"}, {"response": 1056, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (16:19)", "body": "Pop over to http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/Geo/14 and find out. Link are there for your specific area of the world."}, {"response": 1057, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (20:05)", "body": "I sympathize with all of you that are having such hot weather. In the inland L.A. areas we typically have long spells of beastly 100 to 110 degree weather throughout the summer (although with low humidity)but the last few weeks have not been bad at all. It only got into the 80's today - I think all of you are getting our heat. I have only seen Trevor Eve in Heat of the Sun, but he did make my heart beat a little faster. Had sort of a charisma thing going on :-). But AnnW, your comment about him being 101 made me LOL! He did have a bit of an older man's paunch starting (well hidden by his costume)."}, {"response": 1058, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (20:38)", "body": "..but didn't you like that ending? Dancing under the African stars? A bit bizarre, given but I'm a sucker for happy endings like that. He did have a bit of an older man's paunch starting (well hidden by his costume). I'd call him stocky. Very square-like in construction. :-0"}, {"response": 1059, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (22:38)", "body": "This was in Sunday's paper: BY ROGER EBERT Q. My father, who is 6-foot-4, insists that today's movies are populated by dwarves. The sight of Tom Cruise or Dustin Hoffman sets him into apoplexy. He says tall actors are discriminated against because of some sort of Hollywood conspiracy. I try to tell him that there are plenty of tall actors and that the proportion of tall, short and average height is probably no different among movie stars than in the rest of the country. He tells me I'm not paying attention. Mike Holtzclaw, Daily Press, Newport New , Va. A. You are basically correct; actors come in many shapes and sizes. Closeups are a great equalizing device (consider what an amazing impact Danny DeVito has in anything he does). Actresses who are taller than average (Sigourney Weaver, Saffron Burrows ) sometimes have trouble getting cast opposite insecure stars, but it says something for Tom Cruise (who is of average height) that he loves to work with his taller wife. Here's a theory to try out on your dad: Stars of both sexes tend to have larger h ads, in relationship to body size, than the average person. That allows them to dominate in closer shots. ************ Am going to have to rewatch Circle of Friends to check on this height thing relative to Colin. Also relative to Minnie; I've seen how tall she is too!"}, {"response": 1060, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 1999 (11:20)", "body": "Am going to have to rewatch Circle of Friends to check on this height thing relative to Colin I watched this last week because I was reading the book (which, as usual, was much better than the movie although Simon is described as \"small and dark\" --yuck). Simon has only about two inches on 'Nan-oh-nan'. You can see it best in the breakup scene. At one point he puts his hands on her shoulders and says \"you're really something\" and they're nearly eye level with one another."}, {"response": 1061, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 1999 (13:43)", "body": "But doesn't Nan-oh-Nan look like she towers over dumpy Minnie? And Minnie is likely about 5' 10\"!"}, {"response": 1062, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 1999 (14:52)", "body": "Yes, to my recollection. She must be about 6'. She was probably barefoot in her standing scenes with CF and had heels on next to Minnie. Just read over at TV Now that CoF will be rebroadcast by NBC (tame version) on 8/14."}, {"response": 1063, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 1999 (15:23)", "body": "CoF will be rebroadcast by NBC (tame version) on 8/14. Sheesh!! Those non-rumpy pumpy versions aren't hardly worth one's effort, when you can buy a brand new CoF at Best Buy for $6 these days. ;-D"}, {"response": 1064, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 1999 (15:43)", "body": "...when you can buy a brand new CoF at Best Buy for $6 these days. ;-D That's one we haven't done either...CoF."}, {"response": 1065, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  3, 1999 (22:05)", "body": "Thought this column from The Independent was pretty cute: Terence Blacker - Modern football: think Emma Bovary in a replica shirt 'Read books? Visited the Tate? Modern football is just another enriching cultural experience' You have held out for years. Your first memory was not sitting on your father's shoulders to watch the game against Preston North End. You were not given a rattle for your 10th birthday. The idea that true emotion can only be understood in the context of watching a game has always seemed idiotic. You are cultured, an intellectual. Football means nothing to you. But now you can no longer resist the pressure. The game is everywhere. No academic, artist or Cabinet minister can expect to be taken seriously if he does not support a team. Simply to prove that you are not socially inadequate, you need to become a fan. It is not as difficult as you might imagine. You have been to the National Theatre, haven't you? Read books? Visited the Tate? Well, modern football is just another enriching cultural experience. The game involves teams. Modern fans choose their teams on the basis of intellectual compatibility. If you enjoy jazzy, self-important glitter - you read Tom Wolfe, you genuinely enjoyed Starlight Express - you will support Chelsea. More introvert and complex fans - Paul Auster, Larry Sanders, Leonard Cohen types - might choose Spurs, while the kind of traditionalist for whom the revival of An Inspector Calls is a great night out might prefer Sheffield Wednesday or Ipswich. For this essential decision, yo should invest in The Cultural Guide to English Football Clubs, published jointly by the FA and Prospect magazine. At the game itself, you will notice an older man on the pitch, who runs backwards in a self-important manner, occasionally waving coloured cards. This is the referee. Until recently, referees used to wear black, but the FA decided that too many were suffering from Hamlet complexes and now put them in a dull, neutral colour. You should regard the referee as an alienated figure, like a sad yet faintly comic Chekhovian scholar: it is his inescapable fate to be part of - yet essentially dislocated from - the rama over which he officiates. He can allow a goal, or disallow it - but he can never actually score it himself. That is the tragedy of his existence. It is no more necessary to understand tactics, formations or positions of play than it is essential to appreciate the thematic structure of Wagner's Ring cycle in order to enjoy the music. Concentrate on the various actors and archetypes playing their parts in the drama. Your team may contain a want-away striker. For all his brilliance, beauty and flair, the want-away striker, like Emma Bovary or Nicola Six, has become restlessly aware that his destiny is elsewhere. The playing out of his inner conflict - every goal he scores makes his escape less likely and is, in a very real sense, an own goal - is one of the game's most gripping dramas. A more homely and recognisable character is your team's resident psycho - a term which only coincidentally has Hitchcockian connotations. The psycho is on the pitch to represent the spiritual bond between players and spectators. As he charges about, swearing at the referee, trying to break the legs of better players, he is a much-loved embodiment - somewhere between a medieval Everyman figure and Shakespearean clown - of the spirit, ambition and futility of the ordinary fan. In the centre of the drama, you will see a midfield dynamo, who propels the action forward with the driving, slightly dull relentlessness of a Steve Reich symphony, and a playmaker, the team intellectual who, like a Stoppard character, can put his foot on the ball and redefine the essential nature of human experience with a perfectly judged cross-field pass. Most teams have a doughty veteran, a Polonius figure who, at the end of each game, seems to be flat out behind the arras yet never quite dies. Occasionally, a callow teenager from the youth team might take the field to be described as one for the future, particularly if he has a football brain or a cultured left foot. Inevitably, the dark side of humanity will be evident in your team's troubled star. Like Jimmy Porter, or a Graham Greene whisky priest, or the minotaur in Maggi Hambling's \"Minotaur Surprised while Eating\", this character is highly volatile, a prey to inner demons, and more often than not has been to hell and back. There are attendant sub-plots: the existential agony of the back-me-sack-me manager on the bench, the ever-changing Greek chorus of the crowd and, above all, the subtleties of the post-match interview. To be fair. To be honest. All credit to the lads. Very much so. Soon these words will speak to you with the cutting, understated eloquence of a Harold Pinter play."}, {"response": 1066, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (02:39)", "body": "LOL, Karen! It shames me that you are the person who brings us selections from the British broadsheet press. All the way from the US. Here I am in the land of Firth and I only seem to find things in the tabloids! What does that say about my real reading habits."}, {"response": 1067, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (07:23)", "body": "Hey, if the tabloids were on line, I'd be there also...seeking out info on ODB or visiting aliens. Just every once and a while, an article jumps out at me. Believe it or not, this article actually has some relevance to Colin, but maybe belongs on the film discussion topic. To wit, and a playmaker, the team intellectual who, like a Stoppard character, can put his foot on the ball and redefine the essential nature of human experience with a perfectly judged cross-field pass."}, {"response": 1068, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (08:51)", "body": "a perfectly judged cross-field pass. Now I shall have to watch the dreaded P film:-)"}, {"response": 1069, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (10:06)", "body": "a perfectly judged cross-field pass. When he emerges from the shower. Doesn't get more perfect than that!! :)"}, {"response": 1070, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (15:54)", "body": "Thanks Karen...that article is a winner...Kudos to the author for alluding to literature..feel he was stretching it a bit.. purposely, of course ...but all v. amusing. I esp. liked: Until recently,referees used to wear black, but the FA decided that too many were suffering from Hamlet complexes and now put them in a dull, neutral colour. LOL I bet none of our sport writers could write a column like that!!"}, {"response": 1071, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (15:55)", "body": "Sorry forgot the tags. Last sentence is mine."}, {"response": 1072, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (17:51)", "body": "Re: referee Hamlets loved the part about \"He can allow a goal, or disallow it - but he can never actually score it himself. That is the tragedy of his existence.\" Shame that the Arsenal suppporter is not defined. I'll leave that to you Allison or Bethan. Much to ponder as am going to a baseball game tomorrow. Will be on the lookout for the team psycho and back-me-sack-me manager and never-say-die Polonius characters."}, {"response": 1073, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (21:07)", "body": "Poor MIRAMAX can't win..... This posted at the INDIE- WIRE website: \"Posted By: Dave Nicholls (Cultural Studies Yr.III, University of Portsmouth, UK) (nicholls@bigship.freeserve.co.uk) I have no objection to (and indeed, am not peeved by) US money financing essentially British/ European projects, it is just that other, often better, films cannot compete with the promotion and hype the US companies can generate, however much the British budgets are rising. There is no easy solution to this, my previous mail concerns rather that these 'other' films often necessitate interested members of the audience to search harder than merely their nearest Odean or UCI. In this way, you don't so much c eate an elite, as an enthusiastic community - and this is surely at the heart of the success of independent cinema, for which there will always be an audience. International cinema is alive and well, it just requires a bit more enthusiasm from it's audience than the general yearly output of Miramax, 20C Fox et al As for the PaintballerIV project - sounds ineteresting - but we students can't really afford to finance anything. Oh for my premium bonds to come up trumps... I can only hope that Labour do not deliver false promises, with regard to their film funding policy.\""}, {"response": 1074, "author": "quimby2", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (03:59)", "body": "I cannot remember laughing so hard in my life. Well, maybe once or twice. I mean the shower you put together. Marcia, would that I had your wit. Everyone was hysterically funny but when you started with the camels I lost it. Then the space shuttle and all. The rowers, the ships. The whole thing was truly amazing. You could not all have been chemically altered for all that time, so I see that you are all breathtakingly funny. And the food! And the parties! And to think I happened to try this topi on a lark, not expecting much, except that there were so many posts. The honeymoon (was that you, Karen?) I'm glad I was able to read it all in 1 sitting. I was afraid to skip even one post; they were all that good."}, {"response": 1075, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (09:46)", "body": "Mustn't forget Moon was our chief hostess for the shower. She and Marcia did a fantastic job stirring up the fun. BTW, where is Moon? Shouldn't she be back yet? Maybe I'll give her a call."}, {"response": 1076, "author": "quimby2", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (11:27)", "body": "So true. She was (is?) an excellent hostess."}, {"response": 1077, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (13:57)", "body": "(Karen) BTW, where is Moon? Shouldn't she be back yet? Maybe I'll give her a call. Pl. do...time to start planning for Colin's birthday....only a month away."}, {"response": 1078, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (09:47)", "body": "Isn't Moon in Lake Como? I think she said she always goes there in August."}, {"response": 1079, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (09:54)", "body": "They were there already. Maybe they returned after London?"}, {"response": 1080, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (00:03)", "body": "Since Julie Andrews is somewhat relevant, thought you might find this interesting from your Times tabloid: ;-D The racy past of Mary Poppins by Paul Ham FANS OF Mary Poppins will be shocked to learn that the creator of the magical nanny was a sensual Australian woman who wrote erotic verse and took a string of lovers during her long life. Pamela Travers, or P L Travers as she preferred to be known, is portrayed in a new biography as a pleasure-loving, bohemian young woman who later tried to conceal her Australian past. Like Mary Poppins, Travers travelled the world. But unlike her prim heroine, who has delighted millions of children, Travers preferred the company of rebellious Irish poets and eastern mystics. In Out of the Sky She Came, published next month by Hodder Headline, Valerie Lawson traces the character of Mary Poppins to Travers's own nanny, Helen Moorhead, a matronly Australian spinster. In her will Moorhead left Travers and her sisters little trinkets and baubles, including Sunlight soap, flannel nighties and a tape measure - items that would emerge, miraculously, from Mary Poppins's carpet bag. Moorhead was even said to have owned a parrot-headed umbrella, the design Travers chose for Poppins's magic brolly. When she was in her late twenties, Travers knew W B Yeats and fell in love with his friend, the poet George William Russell who was 40 years her senior. Travers was born Helen Lyndon Gough 100 years ago tomorrow in the small Queensland town of Maryborough, where her father, just like Mr Banks in the Mary Poppins stories, was a bank manager. He died when Travers was seven and she moved with her distraught mother and two younger sisters to Bowral, New South Wales, where she had a difficult adolescence. At one point Travers's mother, depressed by her husband's death, threatened to drown herself. To calm her sisters, Travers started inventing stories about a winged horse which turned into a headstrong young nanny borne along by a magic umbrella. In her early twenties she fell out with her mother and left home to become an actress and dancer. The heroine immortalised on film by Julie Andrews was conceived in 1926 during a visit to New Zealand. By then a 25-year-old travelling actress, she fell in love with a young reporter on the Christchurch Sun who encouraged her to write for the paper. The result, the first Poppins story, related the scene in which Mary and the Banks children leap through the pavement to a fantasy world beyond. The story was published but Travers's nameless lover disappeared from her life and she left for Britain, never to return. Before her departure Travers wrote poetry for The Bulletin, then Australia's most eminent literary magazine, and for Triad, another journal. Much of it was too explicit to be published. \"She wrote very erotic poetry,\" said Lawson. \"It contained much overt phallic symbolism and sexual references to swords, hooped skirts and the joy of losing her clothes.\" In one poem she wrote: Again feel your fingers in my hair Bending my half unwilling back . . . and back . . . Until the fortress of my womanhood Is shattered by your crushing, conquering arms. \"She was a little nymph to look at,\" said Lawson. \"She had red springy hair and blue eyes - an Irish look. She was slender, but not a beautiful woman. But she had so much vivacity.\" Her love for Russell, a father figure, is documented in effusive letters and it was she who alerted Yeats as Russell lay dying in 1935. In 1934 she had completed her first book of Poppins stories. Their success was not immediate, but she was slowly recognised as a gifted storyteller and her fame spread. In 1939 Travers adopted a son, Camillus, who became an antiquarian bookseller. She sought solace in eastern religions and became involved in the Krishna Murty sect. In later life - she died in 1995 aged 96 - she affected a grand manner and took the title doctor after an American university where she was writer-in-residence gave her an honorary doctorate. Travers was opposed to the Disney version of Poppins. According to Lawson, she accused the film company of producing a \"saccharine version\" of her book which failed to reveal the darker side of the heroine."}, {"response": 1081, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (04:50)", "body": "Thank you, Karen, I never thought I might be interested in Mary Poppins again, but a \"darker side\"... I may look up those stories."}, {"response": 1082, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (08:48)", "body": "Looks like a remake of Mary Poppins is in order but will Cate Blanchett be available? ;-)"}, {"response": 1083, "author": "Teg", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (09:24)", "body": "I heard that one of the spice girls is up for the role... :p"}, {"response": 1084, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (09:49)", "body": "LOL!! Puts me in mind of the Tom Lehrer lyric: \"When correctly viewed, everything is lewd. I could tell you things about Peter Pan and the Wizard of Oz was a dirty old man.\""}, {"response": 1085, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (16:02)", "body": "Today is Kirsten's Birthday: HAVE A HAPPY ONE!!"}, {"response": 1086, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (16:04)", "body": "One more time :-D Have a Happy One!!"}, {"response": 1087, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (17:56)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Kirsten! Now be a good girl and stay off those cannons...;-D"}, {"response": 1088, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (19:44)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Kirsten. I don't know how many it is,but you look 21!!"}, {"response": 1089, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Aug 11, 1999 (19:50)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KIRSTEN!! Have an ice cream on me and give that Firth spoon an extra lick. Yum yum!"}, {"response": 1090, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (02:43)", "body": "HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, KIRSTEN!"}, {"response": 1091, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (03:48)", "body": "Happy Birthday Kirsten!!!"}, {"response": 1092, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (18:55)", "body": "Kristen is not on my list...I need all the help I can get...Happy Birthday, Kristen, and I am sorry for the oversight."}, {"response": 1093, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Aug 12, 1999 (19:02)", "body": "Quimby, dear, thanks for the comments on my travels in behalf of Gi's shower. Now go to 113 and read about SPAM. That is terrific, and I was just a contributing poster on that one. Enjoy!"}, {"response": 1094, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Sun, Aug 15, 1999 (02:54)", "body": "Ooops, I nearly missed my own party here! Sorry, grils! I needed a little hint from Renate to take a look at #72 because I do not often check this board. Thanks a lot for all your good wishes. Evelyn you're flattering me! But thanks anyway, you made my day! (May I quote Mme de Merteuil: \"More! I want more!\" ) (Heide) give that Firth spoon an extra lick. Yum yum! You bet! And more than one, I can tell!! Karen, I couldn't see your little pic, but I suppose Eileens mentioning of those cannons has something to do with it?"}, {"response": 1095, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 1999 (00:37)", "body": "For you, Marcia, this is our Hawaiian cow on Michigan Avenue:"}, {"response": 1096, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 1999 (00:40)", "body": "And here's London cow:"}, {"response": 1097, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 1999 (01:13)", "body": "I had no idea there were Hawaiian bovine specimens in Chicago. (Who says the internet will rot your brain?! *lol*) I note the London one is a female as is the Hawaiian one. Have you no Chicago Bulls in your collection?"}, {"response": 1098, "author": "mrchips", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 1999 (03:32)", "body": "Marcia, They had to retire Michael Jordan to stud!"}, {"response": 1099, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 1999 (12:07)", "body": "THAT is where he went?! What a retirement package That must have been!"}, {"response": 1100, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 1999 (23:31)", "body": "Your cow for the evening is PiCOWsso:"}, {"response": 1101, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 1999 (23:39)", "body": "And one more... this is Muddy Holly and Peggy Moo:"}, {"response": 1102, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Aug 16, 1999 (23:49)", "body": "How long have you been collecting these bossy specimens? No Bossy Tweed??? *lol* they are so funny!!!"}, {"response": 1103, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (00:32)", "body": "Marcia, they are on display all over Chicago. There are more than 200 of them and they've become a huge tourist attraction. Go see the one I put at 98."}, {"response": 1104, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (00:46)", "body": "How big are they??? I think they are very clever for a town whose existance is due to the stockyards."}, {"response": 1105, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (00:56)", "body": "About as large as a real one would be. I'll find a pic of one with people standing around for a little perspective. I think they're just here until the end of September or October and then they'll be auctioned off for charity. Companies and organizations sponsored them."}, {"response": 1106, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (01:00)", "body": "This Sunday, there was a picture of Hugh Grant in a brightly colored shirt standing next to one of the cows on the front of the paper's arts section. He was in town a couple of weeks ago doing promotion for Mickey Blue Eyes. Evidently, he thought the pattern on the cow and his shirt matched and he wanted a pic for Elizabeth Hurley, who he said bought the shirt for him. They did go rather nicely together. ;-D"}, {"response": 1107, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (09:18)", "body": "Trib posted the pic and the interview of Hugh and the cow entitled \"Dottie Moo\" Here's a link to the article: http://www.metromix.com/h_article/0,1156,303,00.html"}, {"response": 1108, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (11:31)", "body": "Thanks Karen..... Can't wait to see them. Hey gang... FYI...Tineke and I are meeting up with Karen in Chicago end of Sept. Tineke will be on a US trip and will visit Laura in Boston previously."}, {"response": 1109, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 1999 (02:52)", "body": "Evelyn, Karen and Tineke... have fun! :-) Karen, these cow pics are great, I've been loving them. The cow and bull... sorry, cow and boy are a hoot! ;-)"}, {"response": 1110, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 1999 (07:59)", "body": "I forgot to post one last night. Will go looking for another later. Saw one you might like, Gi. Not Portuguese, but close. ;-D"}, {"response": 1111, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 1999 (10:26)", "body": "Cows with an Iberian inspiration: First, Guernsica And Toreador's Song"}, {"response": 1112, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 1999 (22:08)", "body": "Since Murph has unveiled her new English Patient pages, I thought Moo-Glyph would be appropriate tonight. Maybe Mary will want to use this?? I doubt it ;-D"}, {"response": 1113, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (11:18)", "body": "LOL, Karen...the one I like is \"Rhinestone Cowgirl\". It's me...I keep telling ya':-)"}, {"response": 1114, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (11:25)", "body": "You'd nevah dress like that! ;-D"}, {"response": 1115, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (11:45)", "body": "(evelyn)the one I like is \"Rhinestone Cowgirl\". It's me...I keep telling ya':-) (Karen)You'd nevah dress like that! ;-D No, but I wish I had the nerve!!"}, {"response": 1116, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 19, 1999 (11:49)", "body": "That's a real purty one. Would like to see if there are rhinestones set into the gold part in the front as it kind of looks in the picture. Need to go back and look up her address."}, {"response": 1117, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Aug 21, 1999 (03:00)", "body": "Karen, perhaps we could round up all these cows and offer them in exchange for Colin...like in African tribes. If Livia won't sell, perhaps she at least will lend him for his party! :-)"}, {"response": 1118, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Aug 21, 1999 (19:18)", "body": "Karen, how about the Cubs today. Sammt Sosa 8 homeruns in his last 7 games."}, {"response": 1119, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Aug 22, 1999 (11:42)", "body": "You'll have to give Sammy his own drool topic?"}, {"response": 1120, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 23, 1999 (13:19)", "body": "Thought this was pretty funny. From the NY Daily News (Saturday, August 21, 1999) Blah Witch Project Good morning, ladies and gentleman. Our special guest today is the title character in a movie that has become the phenom of the summer. Yes! It's the actual Blair Witch of \"The Blair Witch Project,\" a film that was made on a total budget of $221.53 and that grossed $177 billion last weekend alone! Welcome, Ms. Witch. Witch: BOO! Did I scare you? KZ: No. Witch: Then I just saved you $8.75 or whatever they're charging for tickets now. BOO! is a lot scarier than anything in the movie. KZ: You mean you didn't like it? Witch: I haven't seen anything this bad since \"Santa Claus Conquers the Martians,\" and at least that was in focus. KZ: Have you heard about Blair Witch Sickness? Apparently, some moviegoers are throwing up because the jumpy camera technique nauseates them. Witch: I suspect it's more than just the camera technique. KZ: Then why is \"The Blair Witch Project\" so popular? Witch: Hype. The lemming mentality. The inability of American youth to make rational judgments independent of their peers. The fact that a lot of American youths are as obnoxious as Heather, so they relate. Plus, the eternal truth of P.T. Barnum: \"There's a sucker born every minute.\" KZ: But \"The Blair Witch Project\" has been described as a watershed moment in film history. It is unique in that, unlike other examples of the genre, its horror depends not on gory special effects, but on the audience's imagination. Witch: It depends on the audience's high gullibility and low IQs. KZ: You do realize the movie was a hit at this year's Sundance Film Festival? Witch: Oh, well, then, what do we mere mortals \ufffd so to speak \ufffd know? KZ: Let me quote you a review from there: \"This is bone-chilling, soul-stirring, cardiac-arrest-styled terror, made all the scarier by its exacting authenticity.\" That authenticity is what has some moviegoers actually believing the story is true. Witch: Exacting authenticity? (Witch collapses in helpless laughter and is shocked back to sensibility when someone shines a flashlight in her eyes.) Look, you got these three kids wandering around in the woods, shooting film \ufffd which they continue to do no matter what the circumstances. It's like, \"I've just awakened screaming in the middle of the night, and must flee from some demonic terror, but being a third-year film student and totally dedicated to my craft, I will first get the camera and lights and sound ready so I can record our possible deaths.\" Gimme a break. KZ: Anything else? Witch: What's the first thing you learn about hiking in the woods? If you ever get lost, find a stream and follow it. These three have a perfectly nice stream right there, but do they follow it? No. They just keep walking around in circles. Gives new meaning to \"survival of the fittest.\" KZ: What about the way you yourself were depicted? Witch: That's the worst part. The filmmakers would have you believe that I've got nothing better to do with my time than mope around the forest and hang stick figures from trees. I have a nice little business going. I sell those figures on eBay. You think I'm going to give them away for free? KZ: But you must admit the film has made you famous. Witch: How would you like your name attached to something that makes \"Bride of Chucky\" look like Oscar material? I was the laughingstock at the last coven. Besides, I'm not getting any royalties. KZ: Anything else you would like to say to our audience? Witch: Yeah. This way to the egress."}, {"response": 1121, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Aug 23, 1999 (14:24)", "body": "Blah Witch Project, huh? Too funny. I admit I'm intrigued by the movie (my DH is put off by reports of nausea but young sis says it's a \"must see\"). I might just wait 'til it comes to cable. Funny cows, Karen! I esp. like the pic of Hugh and Devine (oops, Dotty). So this is what they do to pass the time in Chicago these days? Heck, in NYC we had a magician buried alive in plexiglass! Heehee"}, {"response": 1122, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Aug 23, 1999 (15:29)", "body": "Witch: Hype. The lemming mentality. The inability of American youth to make rational judgments independent of their peers. The fact that a lot of American youths are as obnoxious as Heather, so they relate. Plus, the eternal truth of P.T. Barnum: \"There's a sucker born every minute.\" The sad reality to an otherwise v. funny piece. As for the camera work, been to film school, it is the been there/done that film, only no one thought it would sell before because the youth was a notch above in intelligence and much more indepedent."}, {"response": 1123, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 24, 1999 (21:33)", "body": "Adi went to a baseball game in Chicago, paid a lot of money for the tickets...but when it started to rain, they cancelled the game....she wants to know...\"what are baseball players made out of...sugar???\" LOL. Now's there's a thought.....they play football in rain, snow, sleet etc...How about football in UK? Do they cancel for rain??"}, {"response": 1124, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 24, 1999 (22:39)", "body": "Might have something to do with the ball. A baseball can give someone a concussion or worse. Don't think the same happens with a football (US or other). Also, would you like to be holding a wooden bat during a thunderstorm? ;-D"}, {"response": 1125, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Aug 25, 1999 (02:34)", "body": ".How about football in UK? Do they cancel for rain?? No. But cricket...that is another story......they cancel for rain, bad light and they stop for tea."}, {"response": 1126, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Aug 25, 1999 (11:54)", "body": "they play football in rain, snow, sleet etc... Having sat through many of these weather conditions, I often wonder at the logic (I've such fond memories of sitting in a torrential downpour on my 40th birthday watching the Jets beat the Ravens--it was as though someone turned on a garden hose over the stadium). Games have been stopped for thunderstorms, though. and they stop for tea. Hee hee!"}, {"response": 1127, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 25, 1999 (12:23)", "body": "....they cancel for rain, bad light and they stop for tea Now, that's being civilized."}, {"response": 1128, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Aug 25, 1999 (14:43)", "body": "....they cancel for rain, bad light and they stop for tea Now, that's being civilized I love it too!"}, {"response": 1129, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Aug 25, 1999 (19:40)", "body": "It is just like Cricket...they break for tea, lunch and drinks (whatever they are). BTW, this is the first time I have telnetted a post in Drool...so I am guessing that you are discussing filming. Sorry if my comment was untoward."}, {"response": 1130, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 25, 1999 (21:23)", "body": "I think we need a topic for \"Sex in the City\"...I want to scream \"nooooooooo\" :("}, {"response": 1131, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Aug 25, 1999 (22:16)", "body": "sorry....May I join you? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 1132, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Aug 26, 1999 (04:04)", "body": "I'm lost :-("}, {"response": 1133, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 26, 1999 (08:13)", "body": "Gi, it's a cable television show in the US and I think it's now being shown in Britain. The main character, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, just broke up with her boyfriend, played by Chris Noth. And he was making such progress... :("}, {"response": 1134, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Aug 26, 1999 (19:41)", "body": "I love Sex in the City. I have a friend tape it for me since I dont' get HBO anymore but I haven't seen last week's episode yet. They broke up again? Mr. Big is way too good for Carrie. The woman works much better as a single."}, {"response": 1135, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (01:19)", "body": "Back to my cows... walked by this one the other day. She's a beaut. Looks just like Marilyn. Maybe this belongs on Geo, Marcia. ;-D"}, {"response": 1136, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (01:30)", "body": "And for the arty crowd, one more tonight... Odalisque (Reclining Nude)"}, {"response": 1137, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (08:25)", "body": "Love them, Karen! Did you take those pictures in Moo York?"}, {"response": 1138, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (09:14)", "body": "Oh no, the city and a newspaper have sites devoted to them here in Chi-cow-go. If you go back a couple of weeks I started to post a number of them. There's one in honor of your contribution to 3DOR on 98. ;-D"}, {"response": 1139, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (12:56)", "body": "And don't forget my fave:\" Rhinestone Cowgirl\". Hope I get to meet her in person when I'm there next month."}, {"response": 1140, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (12:56)", "body": "I think I *shall* go back and collect them :-)"}, {"response": 1141, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (15:55)", "body": "Moon, when you get caught up pl. give us a report of The Real Thing aft. with Tineke and your sighting of Colin's look-a-like at the Luna Nuova.( A relation perhaps?"}, {"response": 1142, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (16:29)", "body": "It\ufffds great to hear that you will be meeting Tineke soon. She is very sweet and also quite shy. She loves to talk about Fan Fic and we had such a riot with a CF look-a-like at the Luna Nuova. \ufffdCould it be?\ufffd \ufffdNah\ufffd \ufffdWell maybe\ufffdlook at the profile\ufffdnah\ufffdhe\ufffds heavier\ufffd \ufffdBut, maybe, let\ufffds ask the waiter to find out.\ufffd Waiter was much to busy but in the end he said he did not think so and he knows who CF is. (Colin has probably eaten there many times while rehearsing for 3DOR). I was expecting Tineke to look like the picture she posted of herself hanging of a canyon in Lisbon, longish brown hair\ufffdbut she now has short light hair. She said I looked very Italian with my long dark hair, just as she thought I would. We found a cyber cafe, it was actually a gambling place with slot machines, video games and pool tables\ufffdwe were the only girls there!!! And, we sent our greetings. I enjoyed TRT very much. The actors were all wonderful and I was very impressed with Stephen Dillain (sp?), which I had seen in the film Firelight(I recommend renting it). It will be interesting to see what happens at the Oliviers this year. Let\ufffds not forget that Peter O\ufffdToole is getting rave reviews in his play too. I\ufffdm not sure if TRT is a better play than 3DOR. I do get tired of people whining for no real reason and I felt that JE character did quite a bit of it. She looks great and I still think she would make a great Bridget."}, {"response": 1143, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (16:35)", "body": "I loved the line when JE greeted Charlotte in the play, it brought back P&P memories. :-D"}, {"response": 1144, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (16:40)", "body": "Thanks Moon....I though SD was terrific too. (Moon) Let\ufffds not forget that Peter O\ufffdToole is getting rave reviews in his play too. Giving Peter O'Toole another Olivier is like cheering for Microsoft. The guy's an icon in the British Theatre:-) *** Funny story about the Luna- Nuova -Colin.I guess all the Donmar actors eat there.Beats KFC....but not by much."}, {"response": 1145, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (16:44)", "body": "Try the vegetarian pizza next time you go. They have a wood burning oven. :-)"}, {"response": 1146, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Aug 28, 1999 (10:41)", "body": "I've enjoyed your cows, Karen. Did you see the spread in People Magazine, August 30, 1999? The one with Julia Roberts and Richard Gere on the cover."}, {"response": 1147, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Aug 29, 1999 (02:14)", "body": "(Karen) Sex and the City is a cable television show in the US and I think it's now being shown in Britain. The main character, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, just broke up with her boyfriend, played by Chris Noth. And he was making such progress... :( Sorry to be a day late and a dollar short, but I couldn't let this go buy without adding my own NOOOOO!!! I was really enjoying the gradual unbending of Mr. Big (Chris Noth) and he was my favorite character. An example, SJP: \"What do you want from this relationship?\" Mr. Big \"Why don't we just save an hour and you can tell me what I want.\" Too funny. I should have known you guys would like this show. It's a bit on the raunchy side, but the writing is so witty it kills me. It's becoming the new \"water cooler\" show since everyone at work is gradually admitting they watch it and discussions abound on Monday mornings."}, {"response": 1148, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 29, 1999 (08:20)", "body": "I only watched one show in its first season, but I've sort of been watching its new season. The SJP-CN relationship is what I've really enjoyed so far. Going off to Paris! HA! Another Mark Darcy. But then again, I don't know anything about their relationship before other than she was dumped. Oh well, rumor has it that there will be a string of new loves played by celebrities like Jon Bon Jovi. :-( A bit on the raunchy side?! hee hee"}, {"response": 1149, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 30, 1999 (11:12)", "body": "FYI, could be why many of the big adaptations are being done by ITV and not BBC these days: BBC1 seeks \ufffd100m for top drama Janine Gibson, Media Correspondent Monday August 30, 1999 The Guardian BBC1 needs a cash injection of \ufffd100m if it is to combat its falling ratings and fulfil its aim of reaching the hearts and minds of viewers, controller Peter Salmon said yesterday. In an effort to counteract criticism that the channel has been lowering its standards, Mr Salmon revealed at the Guardian Edinburgh International Television Festival that he would ask BBC new director-general Greg Dyke for a large increase in the channel's \ufffd585m budget to fund ambitious plans to broadcast quality drama every Sunday night. He said that BBC1, which is currently under a review led by BBC director of television Alan Yentob, needed to produce more \"resonant\" comedy and quality drama, adding: \"We've got to fight for a bit more cash. BBC1 is stretched at the moment.\" Emphasising the BBC's aim to take the high ground and make the flagship channel distinctive from its commercial rivals, he said: \"I want BBC1 to remain popular but I wouldn't sacrifice its essential values to make it more popular. BBC1 is still about educating.\" The channel was criticised earlier this year by the corporation's board of governors in an annual review which said too many programmes on the channel, including its dramas, resembled ITV formats. Governors also bemoaned the lack of sitcom hits of the stature of Only Fools and Horses or One Foot in the Grave. Mr Salmon emphasised the importance of both genres to the success of the channel. His plan is to make sure that every Sunday night, at 9pm, he can air a \"top class\" drama. \"There have been parts of the [last] year where I've felt the drama has been pretty thin. And comedy is always expensive and dangerous,\" he said. BBC1, attracts a 28% share of the viewing audience. It fell beneath what is perceived as the crucial 30% barrier for the first time last year. But Mr Salmon, who has been controller for 17 months, issued a plea not to be judged by BBC1's ratings. He said: \"I think the most important thing for BBC1 is to touch the hearts and minds of as many viewers as possible. Audience share is just one of the factors. The most important thing is that BBC1 offers range. \"Viewers must feel their views and interests are reflected fully in the schedule.\" Interviewed by the Radio 4 Today programme host John Humphrys, Mr Salmon said that the key measure for BBC1 is that 90% of the British viewing public watch BBC1 at some stage every week. Mr Humphrys responded: \"Aren't you redefining the measures by which we assess BBC1?\" But Mr Salmon argued that ratings are \"only one flavour in the stew of how you judge a channel\". \"The cynical pursuit of ratings on BBC1 is dangerous,\" he continued. \"It's important that licence fee payers feel they're getting value for money.\" He would not, he added, broadcast ITV's hit gameshow Who Wants To Be A Millionaire on BBC1, saying the series would be inappropriate for the channel. \"It's not a price worth paying for ratings,\" he said. Other BBC programme-making departments such as news and sport operate using their own budgets, but drama and comedy have to be funded by commissions from the channel controllers. Mr Salmon admitted that drama had suffered from too many factual programmes in the heyday of the docu-soap, saying \"the mix of fiction to factual on BBC1 could be better\". But he pointed out that drama costs considerably more than a documentary series. A flagship documentary would have a budget of around \ufffd150,000 per hour, while a costume drama such as last year's Vanity Fair costs about \ufffd1m an hour. Mr Salmon said: \"A \ufffd585m budget seems like a lot of money but it's not a lot in drama terms. And drama and comedy are the things that distinguish BBC1.\""}, {"response": 1150, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 30, 1999 (12:36)", "body": "Thanks Karen, interesting article... ...BBC1, attracts a 28% share of the viewing audience. I'm impressed with the British viewing public....if this channel aired in the US, I bet they wouldn't get 5%. Masterpiece Theatre gets a paltry percentage of PBS viewers. Sadly, however, according to the article the British viewer's taste is also changing.They even have Jerry Springer now ! A sign of the times...everyone is dumbing down."}, {"response": 1151, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 31, 1999 (08:57)", "body": "From Variety: Miramax Films is negotiating with Rachael Leigh Cook to play the lead role in \ufffdNorthanger Abbey,\ufffd an Andrew Davies-penned adaptation of the Jane Austen novel. Austen\ufffds first novel is about the sexual awakening of a young woman with a passion for Gothic fiction. The film\ufffds a coproduction between Miramax, Granada Films and London Weekend Television, and it will become the second film in a two-pic deal Miramax signed with the actress after she toplined \ufffdShe\ufffds All That\ufffd with Freddie Prinze Jr. Cook is currently starring for the studio in \ufffdNever Better,\ufffd a black comedy about the tress biz also starring Alan Rickman and Josh Hartnett; and she\ufffds recently finished the teen western \ufffdTexas Rangers\ufffd for Dimension. Austen adaptations \ufffdSense and Sensibility\ufffd helped launch Kate Winslet, and \ufffdEmma\ufffd was a starmaking vehicle for Gwyneth Paltrow."}, {"response": 1152, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Sep  1, 1999 (12:02)", "body": "Well, i'm off to Washington State for a week, and shall be laptopless this trip. :( I look forward to all the exciting plans for ODB's party that should be in place when i return :) BTW- if were going to play 'pin the tail on Colin' i call 1st in line ;) EsBee"}, {"response": 1153, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  1, 1999 (13:09)", "body": "(EsBee) BTW- if we're going to play 'pin the tail on Colin' i call 1st in line ;) Am thinking that the game would be far more pleasurable if the roles were reversed! ;-o Have a nice weekend, EsBee. Maybe AnnW will have more news when you return. Dry spell, Ann? Did you burn out your search engines? Or are they in for their 2 million mile tuneup? ;-D Moon, I have prepared all the best food from Chicago for the party and have picked up one itsy bitsy present. When does the Marcia global express take off?"}, {"response": 1154, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep  1, 1999 (13:23)", "body": "Karen, I miss Marcia too. I hope she hurries back to us here. :-D And do not forget to book the best Chicago Blues Band in town. Maybe we can Collin to sing a few tunes. ;-) Have fun EsBee. BTW, the pool temp. is 90 degrees. Perfect for nighttime dipping."}, {"response": 1155, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  1, 1999 (13:37)", "body": "Oh dear!! Now I need to book entertainment. OK, will work on that."}, {"response": 1156, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Sep  1, 1999 (18:45)", "body": "I thought we were going to do all this on #110. Or is it preparations on #72 and the actual party on #110?"}, {"response": 1157, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  1, 1999 (19:21)", "body": "Exactly! Party on #110 and prep here. Our party coordinator has thus decreed. ;-D"}, {"response": 1158, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep  1, 1999 (20:04)", "body": "Adi says\" hello \" to everybody....will join in the Firthday Festivities. I have been keeping her up on plans(?).Has her tickets for 3 DOR in January. Still visiting the US."}, {"response": 1159, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Sep  2, 1999 (04:21)", "body": "Good for Adi! Say hallo to her :-)"}, {"response": 1160, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  3, 1999 (10:07)", "body": "I've put up a page with some of Moon's pictures from Umbria. Check it out! ;-D Moon's Italy"}, {"response": 1161, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Sep  3, 1999 (10:59)", "body": "*Sigh* Very nice, Moon. Thanks for sharing. Thanks to Karen for posting. Where, indeed, are Flick and Flock? ;-)"}, {"response": 1162, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep  3, 1999 (12:13)", "body": "Believe me, I looked all over for Flick & Flock. ;-) Nicely arranged Karen, you're getting to be such a wizard. :-D"}, {"response": 1163, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Sep  3, 1999 (12:46)", "body": "My god how skinny and girlish she looks in that pic. (AAARRGhhhh)"}, {"response": 1164, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Sep  3, 1999 (12:57)", "body": "But *very* interesting to see the church, it\ufffds not exactly what I expected. I suppose you didn\ufffdt have a chance to peek inside, Moon?"}, {"response": 1165, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep  3, 1999 (13:30)", "body": "It was a miracle my DH agreed to take me there again!!! I could not believe my luck! I'm afraid he would not have agreed to search out the parish priest in Moiano at pasta time. I can safely say that the interiors must be very plain indeed, nothing worth stealing inside."}, {"response": 1166, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  3, 1999 (16:34)", "body": "nothing worth stealing inside LOL!! That sounds like something our Flashy would say. ;-D"}, {"response": 1167, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  3, 1999 (16:37)", "body": "fixing the italics *bad me* ;-p And thank you for the compliment Moon. I was going to add a big steaming bowl of pasta, but thought it might look a tad undignified."}, {"response": 1168, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Sep  3, 1999 (16:59)", "body": "Well she really should eat more. No wonder you thought of a big bowl of food, looking at that wedding pic Karen.....Colin obviously likes very very slim women."}, {"response": 1169, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Sep  3, 1999 (17:09)", "body": "Thanks for posting the photos. What a romantic atmosphere. Picturesque countryside and inaccessibility. Can't get over that wild hair on his wedding day. You don't only see it on his head, you see it's shadow on his suit too. Ack! Patron Saint of the Throat? I'm not ridiculing the faith...this is just the first time I've heard of this one."}, {"response": 1170, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep  3, 1999 (17:40)", "body": "The story goes that San Biagio saved the life of a little boy who had a fishbone stuck in his throat. He performed the miracle, and the boy lived. I have a book on Saints, and, would you believe me if I told you there is one for diarreah. Changing the subject, did anyone notice the little blond boy standing behind Livia and in front of (I think), Colin's father? It might be Will, the eyes look a bit like Meg's."}, {"response": 1171, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep  3, 1999 (18:47)", "body": "Thank you Moon for the great pics and Karen for the lay-out... I too think the little blond boy must be Will...looking up at his dad adoringly. Eyes and mouth look like Meg's. Heide I think the shadow on his coat is from her veil. I bet that church roof leaks when it rains! (Moon)I have a book on Saints, and, would you believe me if I told you there is one for diarreah. Pl. share name of said saint....always like to be prepared when I don't have Immodium around on a trip :-))"}, {"response": 1172, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Sep  3, 1999 (19:08)", "body": "Where is the picture of the little blond boy? All I get is the pics of the church and one of Colin and Liva's wedding."}, {"response": 1173, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  3, 1999 (19:35)", "body": "I never noticed the little boy before!! It could be Will. (doesn't seem like he's from Livia's side of the family) I don't think the man would be Colin's father. Doesn't look old enough (sheesh, how can anyone tell from the rear? hair) The white-haired man looks like he may be the priest though. We need some digital enhancement. Lucie, look at the bottom left-hand corner. saved the life of a little boy who had a fishbone stuck in his throat Are there different saints for other items that could be lodged in other places? If they named the church St. Heimlich, we'd all understand."}, {"response": 1174, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep  3, 1999 (19:48)", "body": "Party Planning HQ: When will the festivities begin on 110? Renate will put up a link going to that topic for the party, starting with whatever message we want. What say you all?"}, {"response": 1175, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep  3, 1999 (20:04)", "body": "Great news Karen! Let's hope we all pass the 9-9-99 scare. ;-) Renate should write a birthday message for Colin on the 10th her time as early as possible and link it then. We will all be posting throughout the day. Thank Renate for us. Changing the subject, I thought the white haired man was Colin's father. I don't think he's the priest. We all agree on Will I think he's got his nose. Evelyn, FYI, it's Saint Guido."}, {"response": 1176, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep  3, 1999 (20:43)", "body": "....I thought the white haired man was Colin's father. I don't think he's the priest. We all agree on Will I think he's got his nose. Someone sat in front of the Firth Folks at 3 DOR...Sabine? Emma? They could tell us if any of the men are relatives.The child must be Will. His almond shaped eyes just like Meg's.And wasn't Colin a blond when he was a child?"}, {"response": 1177, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (04:48)", "body": ".......are you all talking about that wedding pic or is there some other pic I haven\ufffdt seen? I certainly don\ufffdt see anywhere a pic with \"Will looking up at his dad adoringly\". (Evelyn)Someone sat in front of the Firth Folks at 3 DOR I sat in front of an old couple who talked about Colin behind me in 3DoR. It was only my guess that they could be the Firths because they talked about him and looked like the description of his parents that somebody posted here in March. That white haired guy in the wedding pic is the same type but I don\ufffdt think he\ufffds the same person, as far as I can tell."}, {"response": 1178, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (08:17)", "body": "Great pics, Moon and Karen! But where did you get the wedding photograph from? It is different from any of the others I have seen. BTW IMHO that child does not look like Will. He (or she) is very fair. Even as a child, I do not think Colin would have neen that kind of blond and Meg is dark."}, {"response": 1179, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (08:18)", "body": "Look at the wedding pic again (I never noticed it before) - the lower left-hand corner you will see a little boy. I thought Colin's aunt and uncle were at the Donmar that weekend. Were his parents there too? Have I forgotten something?"}, {"response": 1180, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (08:21)", "body": "The wedding picture was in People magazine (July 7, 1997). Someone with Colin's hair color could IMO be that light as a child. My mother had white blonde hair until she was about 10, then it went darker. While Meg's dark hair genes would be dominant, it is certainly possible for Will to have that coloration. :-)"}, {"response": 1181, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (08:57)", "body": "It's fun to speculate on who the little boy is. It certainly could be Will. Then again, it could be one of any number of children running around who like to hog in on a picture whenever a camera is present. (Evelyn) Pl. share name of said saint....always like to be prepared when I don't have Immodium around on a trip :-)) LOL, Evelyn! Thanks for the prompt answer, Moon. Is there a patron saint for nervous conditions in case I ever see DB again?"}, {"response": 1182, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (09:14)", "body": "From The Hollywood Reporter about this weekend's holiday box office expectations: [Re Miramax and the movie it chose to back vs. MLSF: Ha ha!! Serves you right!] \"Providence\" is a coming-of-age comedy about a working-class teenager (Shawn Hatosy) whose extracurricular shenanigans get him packed off to prep school, where he must use his considerable wits to survive among the privileged. Alec Baldwin and George Wendt co-star in the film directed and co-written (with Peter and Bobby Farrelly) by Michael Corrente. Young males are the intended audience for \"Providence,\" but even these hot-for-toilet-humor teens are essentially exhibiting indifference at this juncture. n fact, young women are the most intrigued market segment, but their mild interest will not be sufficient to fill the breach. Making matters more difficult for \"Providence\" is its R rating. If the age restriction is strictly en-forced, a good share of potential patronage will be excluded. *********** Playing New York only is First Run's gay romantic drama \"Bedrooms and Hallways\" starring Kevin McKidd, Hugo Weaving and Jennifer Ehle. *********** Phaedra's \"States of Control\" plays Los Angeles today. The psychological drama about a woman made paranoid by a series of random events stars Ellen Greene and Stephen Bogardus. Zack Winestein wrote and directed. Phaedra's \"Floating\" opens in Boston. Writer-director William Roth's drama details the life of a young former swimming champion whose lifestyle of burglarizing homes of summer residents in a coastal town is called into question by a chance meeting with a homosexual fellow swimmer. [Where is Fever Pitch?]"}, {"response": 1183, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (09:43)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1184, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (09:46)", "body": "Where is Fever Pitch? I believe it's with the rest of our tapes, by the TV. ;-) ( Heide), Moon. Is there a patron saint for nervous conditions in case I ever see DB again? I'll have to look that one up, but I know the condition is called \"Colinitis.\" I agree with Karen and say the boy is Will. The haircolor will change, but the eyes have it."}, {"response": 1185, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (09:49)", "body": "[Where is Fever Pitch?] Perhaps straight to video? At this point, I'll take it. My PAL-converted copy is getting quite washed out. I know we like to bash Miramax but I wonder...would MLSF have even been made without them? Their distribution strategy for this film angers and puzzles me but I hope Colin continues to make films with them. After they fire their current marketing team. I'd hate to see Miramax in trouble."}, {"response": 1186, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (10:23)", "body": "I'd hate to see Miramax in trouble. No need to start scheduling a telethon for Miramax. MLSF has been left to make it on it's own. I see more advertising for Illuminata, which the critics thought was OK and doomed to failure at the boxoffice, and which is playing at about the same limited number of theaters. The difference is in the distribution. In the case of Illuminata, you have people who WANT it to succeed badly. In the case of Miramax, it could care less. I read this in the Guardian the other day: There's something about marketing Peter Farrelly is reported to object to a misleading marketing campaign behind his and his brother's new film, Outside Providence. Miramax Films are advertising the coming-of-age story as \"the new outrageous comedy from the guys who did There's Something About Mary\". Peter is afraid that audiences will be disappointed when they discover \"it's more in the vein of Good Will Hunting\". Miramax are unrepentant. LA President, Mark Gill argues, \"The first job is to get an audience in and the second thing is for them to feel that they got something good out of it\". Gill certainly has no qualms about deceiving his audiences. \"Is it a little bit different from what we told them? Sure, but that's common.\" ******** I have never read anything so irresponsible as Gill's comments. Also indicates to me that they haven't learned anything from EWS. The marketing campaign emphasized the sex angle and everyone went expecting to see some big old sex orgy. That backfired big time. Raise people's expectations like that and don't deliver spells huge failure and negative buzz. What a bunch of idiots!!"}, {"response": 1187, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (10:43)", "body": "What a bunch of idiots!! You're not really surprised are you Karen? What do you think the Oscars are about now? There is no more merit, it's all marketing. BTW, EWS which got mixed reviews at the opening of the Venice Film Festival is being shown without the video fuzz orgy scene in Europe. They expect it to bring in lots of millions and save it from the 60 million it made in the States (so far), it's all greed. This year's Venice Film Festival is all about sex. That's the theme. A sad state of affairs."}, {"response": 1188, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (12:01)", "body": "You're not really surprised are you Karen? No...but I like expressing outrage. ;-D What does tick me off is that Miramax has planted the seeds (in a variety of gossip columns) for a best supporting nom for Alex Baldwin. I know, that's par for the course (as was done for AIH) and may amount to nothing."}, {"response": 1189, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (15:02)", "body": ".... (as was done for AIH) BTW did anybody see the TV interview with Rupert Everett last night on \"ET\"? Wasn't that embarassing? See Rupert jogging... See Rupert in church talking about mortality... (the best one)...See Rupert dancing at some Senior Citizens gathering with old ladies. God...I'll take Colin...\"the non-TV-interviewer\" any day."}, {"response": 1190, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (15:13)", "body": "Under Theatre news....Big Fire on Earlham St.Covent Garden last night.... Took 100 firefighters five hours to get fire under control. The fire started in some offices on Earlham St. Theatres and surrounding restaurants and bars were evacuated. \"At the 250 seat Donmar Warehouse, located in Earlham Street itself, soul diva Sam Brown was due to start her concert just as the alarm was raised - but in true 'the show must go on' style, the concert went ahead after a short delay.\""}, {"response": 1191, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (15:27)", "body": "That Rupert thing on ET is for a Ruby Wax show on Lifetime (aka victim television). Will be checking my TV Guide to see when it's on. ;-D"}, {"response": 1192, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (15:54)", "body": "Is Rupert tempting you again Karen? ;-)"}, {"response": 1193, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (16:33)", "body": "Big Fire on Earlham St.... You startled me, Evelyn. Oh god, I mean thank God Donmar didn\ufffdt burn, tis a sacred place."}, {"response": 1194, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (18:41)", "body": "Is Rupert tempting you again Karen? ;-) Good thing you reminded me. I forgot he's yours! ;-D"}, {"response": 1195, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Sep  4, 1999 (19:49)", "body": "(Karen) In the case of Illuminata, you have people who WANT it to succeed badly. How does one \"succeed badly\"??"}, {"response": 1196, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (04:52)", "body": "From Evening Standard Friday September 3, 2:32 PM, \"Actors flee West End fire\" http://www.yahoo.co.uk/headlines/19990903/london/newsstory169089.html"}, {"response": 1197, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (08:21)", "body": "Thanks, Renate. So Belgo's is no more. Didn't realize the fire was that close to the Donmar."}, {"response": 1198, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (08:40)", "body": "Topic 119 of 121 [drool]: Colin Firth (Part 5) Response 1196 of 1202: Karen (KarenR) * Sat, Sep 4, 1999 (18:58) * 3 lines Oh yes - baseball is incredibly easy: one, two, three strikes you're out. four balls and you take a walk to first base. A home run is when a ball is hit way out (usually into the stands in fair territory or outside the stadium) and the runner can run around all the bases to home. Football - a team gets four chances to advance 10 yards. If it keeps going, it will eventually get into the end zone. If not, the other team gets to try the same going in the other direction. Simple, is it not? Topic 119 of 121 [drool]: Colin Firth (Part 5) Response 1199 of 1202: anne hale (ommin) * Sun, Sep 5, 1999 (00:43) * 2 lines I used to play cricket years ago. My favourite game, I spend hours in the summer watching it. The pitch is between two wickets - 22yds long. The aim to bowl out the batsmen any way possible by hitting the wicket, by lege before wicket or by a catch. The batsman's aim is to score as many runs as possible. A ball running to the boundary is a four, a ball going high over the boundary is a six. All the other runs are scored by two batsman running between the wickets and score as many runs as possible without eing run out by the ball being thrown at the wicket. In a test match they play for five days, two innings each. The other is a one day match with 50 overs bowled - they hopefully the bowlers that is try to bowl maidens!!!!! I will carry on if any one is interested. Average scores can go from 400 to 100 or until all batsmen are out or at least 10 of them. Topic 119 of 121 [drool]: Colin Firth (Part 5) Response 1200 of 1202: Gi (patas) * Sun, Sep 5, 1999 (05:57) * 2 lines This would be more informative if you would translate wickets, overs, innings, ecc...:-)Thank you, AnneH, Karen :-) I don't want to bore everyone else with my questions, especially because I don't see any of those games often and will probably have forgotten the details when I do...But, Karen, what happens if they run 20 yards? Do they *all* have to move or can just one grab the ball and run? Can they not pass the ball and keep going, like in european football? Topic 119 of 121 [drool]: Colin Firth (Part 5) Response 1201 of 1202: Arami (Arami) * Sun, Sep 5, 1999 (06:56) * 6 lines Thanks, Anne! That's the best intro to cricket I've heard for 25 years! My hubby once tried to explain it to me, and all I can remember is that \"when they're in the're out, and when they're out they're in...\" Topic 119 of 121 [drool]: Colin Firth (Part 5) Response 1202 of 1202: Allison M (Allison2) * Sun, Sep 5, 1999 (07:21) * 6 lines Botham is but he was one of our greatest all-rounders, could bat bowl and field brilliantly, could probably score a 100 runs on his own!! And like Flashman he could bowl a maiden over (cricket joke for UK and Aussie droolers):-) Best thing about cricket are the names given to places on the field: silly mid on, short square leg, fine leg, etc, etc. It's a life time study!"}, {"response": 1199, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (09:00)", "body": "I was looking for a sports-related topic (there was one where Nan used to drool over her hockey player Mark Messier??), but it's nowhere to be found. Football: (Gi) what happens if they run 20 yards? That is better! 10 yds is the minimum required. If it is not met, then the ball goes over to the other team or the team on its last try (4th) will attempt a field goal (kicking the ball over the goalposts) if it is within a reasonable distance of say 30-40 yds. A football field is 100 yds. long. Do they *all* have to move or can just one grab the ball and run? Once the ball is snapped (picked up by the Center--big hulking linesman protecting the pretty quarterback to whom he is giving the ball through his legs) everyone on both teams is in motion, i.e, running and tackling other players depending on position. The offensive players are running to get into position to receive the ball or to block defensive players who might get in the ballcarrier's way. Defensive players are defending their endzone. They are trying to get the ball away from the team on offense or merely to ensure the plays are not completed. Can they not pass the ball and keep going, like in european football? Passing is one method of advancing the ball and, yes, if a ball is passed and caught, the receiver can run as far as he is able...all the way into the endzone, where it is customary to do a little dance. ;-D Other methods of advancing the ball would be (1) handing it off to a running back (a player who specializes in running fast) or (2) the quarterback can run it himself. There are two kinds of passes: forward and lateral. Forward means the QB throws it forward and lateral means to the side, in which case that player has the option to run it himself or to pass it to another. Cricket: So the scores have to do with where the ball lands. A variation on a three-point shot. However, if it is caught, the batsman is out. Correct? Why are not more balls caught? In American baseball, a very respectable batting average is in the low 300s, which means the batter hits successfully one of every three balls. Only superplayers get into the high 300s."}, {"response": 1200, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (12:46)", "body": "Thanks Renate: Too bad about Belgo's....didn't wish a fire on them...but I hope they don't re-build...they have lousy food, IMO. Like Elena said...glad the Temple of Donmar was not affected. ***** At the risk of sounding subversive... I HATE BASEBALL....S L O W. (Pl.don't send the FBI after me :-)"}, {"response": 1201, "author": "ommin", "date": "Sun, Sep  5, 1999 (21:32)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1202, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Sep  6, 1999 (09:33)", "body": "Karen, The reason more balls aren't caught in cricket is that the batsman doesn't have to run when he hits it. So they normally hit it downwards. This way they can stay in for ages while amassing big scores (a 5-day \"test match\" is thirty hours of play (for a maximum forty outs!). Incidentally in Flashman's Lady the umpire doesn't reverse his call, an appeal is a request rather than a complaint. But don't get me started, I'm a major cricket bore."}, {"response": 1203, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Sep  6, 1999 (09:51)", "body": "\"What I really hate about cricket is, it's such a damned good game\", Tommy Judd. (Karen) There are two kinds of passes: forward and lateral. Forward means the QB throws it forward and lateral means to the side, in which case that player has the option to run it himself or to pass it to another. The quarterback can also toss the ball behind him to a running back but it has to be an under-handed toss. And it doesn't get counted as a pass. Gets more and more complicated, doesn't it? Jeez, I hope the Belgo had a decent fire exit. I shudder to think of everyone trying to cram into that rickety elevator."}, {"response": 1204, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Sep  6, 1999 (15:07)", "body": "I never thought I'd have fun reading about sports that I am not familiar with ;-) Thank you! Karen and Heide, I think I got the basics of football and next time I see a game I'll pay more attention to it. Anne and Mark, please go on about cricket bearing in mind that the jargon is indecipherable if unexplained :-)"}, {"response": 1205, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Sep  6, 1999 (15:11)", "body": "Please spare a thought for the people of East Timor who are being terrorized and massacred by the pro-Indonesians after a UN-sponsored ballot where they voted in for independence. It really grieves me to see all the savagery that manking is capable of, and to feel absolutely impotent before it."}, {"response": 1206, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Sep  6, 1999 (15:21)", "body": "To Evelyn and other JE fans, another good review for Jennifer and hopefully the first of many for Summerfolk - from today's Times, too long to post it all but here is the last paragraph \"Jennifer Ehle, whose misfortune is to possess a social conscience yet be married to insensitive Allam is as near to a protagonist and moral centre as the play offers. She suggests vulnerability, pain and disappointment behind the dreamy exterior. Like everyone else in this stunning revival, she wins your belief.\" She oes vulnerability so well."}, {"response": 1207, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep  6, 1999 (17:10)", "body": "Thanks Ann..Most of the reviews are pretty good....it's a real stretch for her.Maxim Gorky had an agenda in mind when he wrote Summerfolk. I am currently reading it....hard going.Takes a feel for Russian history that I don't have. **** Yes, Gi...we all commiserate with the people of E. Timor."}, {"response": 1208, "author": "ommin", "date": "Mon, Sep  6, 1999 (21:18)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1209, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (11:11)", "body": "Just getting myself caught up here... I agree with Karen and say the boy is Will I've got the hard copy People picture. I hate to tell you...but that boy is a girl. Unless they dress their boys in pink trimmed with lace. IMO it's a flower girl/bridesmaid. She's probably got hold of the train from Livia's gown. (Karen) picked up by the Center--big hulking linesman protecting the pretty quarterback Pretty? You must be thinking of Troy Aikman ;-P (Heide) Gets more and more complicated, doesn't it? And we haven't even gotten to special teams (kickoffs, punts)! (Evelyn) I HATE BASEBALL....S L O W I don't hate the sport but I can't watch a game live (I groan every time there's a full count and the hitter fouls the ball--it's endless). Give me the highlights. Evelyn, we'd never last through a cricket match: (AnneH) But if you can imagine it they play for five days - from 11 - 6 in the evening - and it will finish as a draw if they are not all out! Saw the ad (tiny, tiny) for Bedrooms and Hallways in last Sunday's NY Times. At first I didn't recognize JE due to her hairstyle (bangs?)."}, {"response": 1210, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (12:17)", "body": "I agree with Karen and say the boy is Will I've got the hard copy People picture. I hate to tell you...but that boy is a girl. Unless they dress their boys in pink trimmed with lace. IMO it's a flower girl/bridesmaid. She's probably got hold of the train from Livia's gown. I thought Karen copied it from the People picture? I don't think she left anything out. In Europe, at weddings, we do dress the page boys very fancifully indeed, ruffles silk and pink if that is the color combination the bride chooses."}, {"response": 1211, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (13:12)", "body": "I scanned the picture right out of People's pages and didn't leave anything out. It could be a girl, but there's nothing to indicate. Whatever clothing shows at the neck looks white to me, not pink. Now, back to studying my cricket... ;-D"}, {"response": 1212, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (13:14)", "body": "Another thought: Will would certainly be given a role in the wedding, but no way would a little boy from LA (let alone the woods of British Columbia) get dressed up in ruffles and lace or wear pink. I don't care what the customs are in Europe. He probably wore those baggy shorts hanging off his butt!! ;-D"}, {"response": 1213, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (13:31)", "body": "Hee hee! OK, maybe my copy has aged and perhaps the dress is not pink, but there's no mistaking the lace (...I beg you, no lace). And I just put a fresh pair of contacts in this a.m. 8-D"}, {"response": 1214, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (13:37)", "body": "(Moon)In Europe, at weddings, we do dress the page boys very fancifully indeed, ruffles silk and pink if that is the color combination the bride chooses. (Karen)...no way would a little boy from LA (let alone the woods of British Columbia) get dressed up in ruffles and lace or wear pink. I don't care what the customs are in Europe. He probably wore those baggy shorts hanging off his butt!! ;-D Well, I am from Europe and would never dare dress a boy in ruffles and lace for my wedding - nor did I! I actually thought it was the American custom, not European, to dictate what colour and style the bridesmaids wear. Either cuatoms are different in Portugal and in Italy, Moon, or I am very ignorant of the whole system - which I probably am anyway!:-D"}, {"response": 1215, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (13:38)", "body": "Read \"customs\", not \"cuatoms\" - sorry."}, {"response": 1216, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (14:31)", "body": "(Eileen)Saw the ad (tiny, tiny) for Bedrooms and Hallways in last Sunday's NY Times. Weeeellll, First Run Films doesn't have too much $$$for ads like Miramax!! But this is from today's VARIETY via Sue. \"Also off to a good start was First Run\ufffds Brit comedy of manners \ufffdBedrooms and Hallways\ufffd with a single Gotham screen gross of $17,000. \" Not bad....only one screen in one city. ....At first I didn't recognize JE due to her hairstyle (bangs?). Wig."}, {"response": 1217, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (15:12)", "body": "Boys of Will\ufffds age are absolutely NOT dressed in lace in weddings in Nothern Europe. The difference of sexes is usually emphasixed in that occasion even in little childrens\ufffd outfits. Boys are dressed like little men. But these customs can of course be quite different in the south."}, {"response": 1218, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (15:15)", "body": "sorry, emphasized"}, {"response": 1219, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (17:23)", "body": "(Karen), He probably wore those baggy shorts hanging off his butt!! ;-D That fashion faux pas arrived later. ;-) I have been to weddings in Italy, Spain, France and Belgium and the little pages wore from silks to satins to velvets to ruffles etc. It is accepted. And you should see the cute shoes that go with the outfit! Will was 6 years old then, hopefully, he does as he's told."}, {"response": 1220, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (18:50)", "body": "This is the best I could do without it getting totally washed out: Also here's the man in the back: doesn't it seem like he's wearing a robe?"}, {"response": 1221, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (21:33)", "body": "sheesh....the late Marcia H is posting way later than normal, but I adore cricket. However, the nearest cricket match I can get is Australia (or NZ) and they play all night under my pillow as I sleep (via short wave.) I would adore being \"stuck\" in a stalled elevator with MarkG, the self-proclaimed Cricket Bore. Try me...*smile* looks like a girl to me, and pink..."}, {"response": 1222, "author": "ommin", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (21:47)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1223, "author": "kcjones", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (21:58)", "body": "Eileen re:\"Bedrooms and Hallways\"...I also saw the ad in the Sunday NYTimes...I want to fly to NYC just to see it!!! I need to do some investigative work to see if it will make it's way to good old Cleveland, Ohio.... I've made it a \"hobby\" to see films of just about all the stars of P&P, (besides Colin!!), and a friend helped me out with a recently re-run episode of the \"Highlander\" series that starred Crispin Bonham Carter (just for one episode). He was great! He is also in a new video release called \"Basil\", but it's only for a few minutes (bummer!)...he was such a perfect \"Bingly\"!"}, {"response": 1224, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (22:34)", "body": "More, Anne, More! They are not playing cricket under my pillow of late! Anne Hale, Cricket play-by-play with Mark on the side...yippee!"}, {"response": 1225, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  7, 1999 (23:11)", "body": "Puzzled!!!!!!!! Yes!!!!!! So there's something on top of this stick thing called a wicket and the bowler tries to knock it off somehow? And the batter is essentially trying to protect the wicket thingee and he swats away at the balls bowled at it. Everytime he hits the ball, depending on how far it goes, counts for points and that's how their number of runs gets so high. Sounds like batting practice to me. I think I need to see this game. Thankfully, all the cricket scenes in Flashman's Lady may be over...at least for a while The one-on-one game he played with Solomon lost me toward the end. Karin, Crispy is also in a Cadfael episode too."}, {"response": 1226, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep  8, 1999 (08:01)", "body": "Ladies the countdown to Firthday has started! Evelyn has knidly issued an invitation to Colin through his agent. He has been invited to his \"virtual\" birthday party at cf.com (topic 110), let's hope he checks in. :-D If you want to try out any images please do so here. All the practice should be done here and then post your birthday wishes plus gifts at topic 110. Remember friday Sept. 10th is Firthday! PS. Thank you Heide and Evelyn!"}, {"response": 1227, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep  8, 1999 (09:11)", "body": "Come ladies, it's time to prepare for Colin's party! I'll just play a few tunes to get everyone in the mood. ;-)"}, {"response": 1228, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep  8, 1999 (09:15)", "body": "Having momentary lights problem, I hope!"}, {"response": 1229, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep  8, 1999 (09:28)", "body": "That's why we must practice here! I don't know what went wrong! But the concert's off. :-("}, {"response": 1230, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  8, 1999 (09:37)", "body": "Your concert headliner has returned, Moon: At the end of the string, I saw this which is likely the problem: ..gif.jpg (or something like that) I just took out one dot and the nonessential .jpg because the image was a .gif. Don't you think practice should be 61? That way it will be new and fresh and a surprise for everyone when it is posted at 110. Most people don't read 61, but over there people who want to help out (like wer or Marcia) will do so."}, {"response": 1231, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep  8, 1999 (10:46)", "body": "This is the New York Times ad that people are talking about.... So far, Cleveland is not on the schedule. Watch JE's website for locations"}, {"response": 1232, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep  8, 1999 (12:49)", "body": "Thanks Karen! Don't you think practice should be 61? That way it will be new and fresh and a surprise for everyone when it is posted at 110. Most people don't read 61, but over there people who want to help out (like wer or Marcia) will do so. Good idea! It was sweet of Eric to remind us. Maybe he can jam with Colin, with the Firthettes as back up singers. That is a cute poster Evelyn. How is the film? did you see it in London?"}, {"response": 1233, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep  8, 1999 (13:04)", "body": "(Moon) Re: Bedrooms and Hallways... How is the film? did you see it in London? No , sadly we missed it. But Tineke saw it and said it was funny. Has several comments about Jane Austen. And in one scene one of the characters after reading P&P, dresses in Regency drag and falls in love with Mr. Darcy. It is out on video in UK...Don't think I will ever see it on big screen.Will have to get it on vid."}, {"response": 1234, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep  8, 1999 (14:29)", "body": "Poor Mr. Darcy! Poor JA!"}, {"response": 1235, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (12:05)", "body": "Someone once noted that JE resembles Meryl Streep -- especially seems so in that Bedrooms and Hallways ad. While we're on JE films, Evelyn, have you heard anything about when The Taste of Sunshine will be released in the U.S.? I'm very intrigued to see Jennifer and Ralph Fiennes act together."}, {"response": 1236, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (14:12)", "body": "(SusanMC)Someone once noted that JE resembles Meryl Streep -- I had never noticed but that is true - high cheekbones, thin nose, something in the eyes... Jennifer's face is fuller, at least in P&P2. Is that what makes her prettier? She seems altogether sweeter than Streep, whom I am not very fond of. AnneH, are people in Oz getting as worked up about Timor as we are in Portugal? We're on the second day of peaceful, country-wide demonstrations. Yesterday people stopped working for 3 minutes at 3 in the afternoon, then later (6p.m.) we made a human link between the embassies os the US, Russia, China, UK and France. Today people wore white and hung white draperies from their windows. A woman from Timor works for me and she told me yesterday \"I still have family there - or had. Probably haven't any more\". This is all very sad."}, {"response": 1237, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (15:54)", "body": "SUNSHINE is currently opening at the Toronto Int'l Film Festival. Don't know when it will open in the US. Jennifer plays RF's wife and Rosemary Harris plays the same character older. We're all anxious to see her with RF too. She has often been likened to Meryl Streep...esp. now that she's thinner. (Alas Gi, that round face is gone) UK Harper's Magazine July 1999"}, {"response": 1238, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (20:10)", "body": "What a fantastic picture of Jennifer! Pretty in pink."}, {"response": 1239, "author": "ommin", "date": "Thu, Sep  9, 1999 (20:37)", "body": "Patas, yes we are. Unions are refusing all goods going from and to Indonesia, people are on a hunger fast outside U.N. headquarters, 4000 troops are on standby and we all feel helpless as the Christians are being slaughtered in East Timor, Priests have been martyred there, news this morning. Bishop Bello is here in Darwin and our Prime Minister is angry with the little help coming from anywhere else. Yes we are angry. Anne"}, {"response": 1240, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (08:44)", "body": "Testing - Hello"}, {"response": 1241, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (08:46)", "body": "Testing again - Happy Birthday"}, {"response": 1242, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (08:47)", "body": "very good, Ann. Feel free to try out your newly acquired HTML skills over at 61 - our new little sandbox. ;-D"}, {"response": 1243, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (09:27)", "body": "From today's NY Post, thought you might find it interesting: But Stallone isn't afraid to lash out at those he holds responsible for his demise, including Miramax chair Harvey Weinstein and super-agent Arnold Rifkind. He calls Weinstein \"the Don King of cinema,\" comparing him to the controversial, electric-haired fight promoter. \"Instead of making good on his promise to cast Stallone in ensemble films, Weinstein had bought the rights to the 'Rambo' series and seemed mainly to want to know if the actor would appear in the fourth sequel,\" reports Faludi. Stallone als says he fired Rifkin: \"He sold me out.\" [...] Rifkind declined to comment. Weinstein was unavailable."}, {"response": 1244, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (09:46)", "body": "Stallone wants ensemble films? Poor baby! Try Woody Allen first. Harvey is the piggy that's building his brick house. who would him anyway?"}, {"response": 1245, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (10:04)", "body": "He calls Weinstein \"the Don King of cinema Hee Hee :-D ! I see I'm not the only one who's catty! IMO Sylvester ought to stick with action films. Copland was watchable but he was like a slab of granite."}, {"response": 1246, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (11:24)", "body": "Ann/Bethan...Miramax London is right.... There is no firm date to release MLSF yet in UK... \"Why, it's still playing in the US\",the person said. \"Yeah...where?\" sez I. I called corporate Miramax in NY yesterday and spoke to someone in the International Division. Sorry:-("}, {"response": 1247, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (13:51)", "body": "It sounds as though Miramax is going to keep those 22 copies circulating around the US for awhile. They they'll give one to Gwyneth or Malcolm to carry along next time they're flown over on the Concorde (got to watch that budget, you know!) ;-P On a more generous note, for our Jewish friends, Have a Happy New Year!"}, {"response": 1248, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (13:56)", "body": "Yes, Happy Rosh Hashana!"}, {"response": 1249, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (14:31)", "body": "Thank you, Eileen and Moon. (see, Moon, that's honey and apples, signifying a sweet new year!!) ;-D"}, {"response": 1250, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (14:44)", "body": "Happy New Year, Karen!"}, {"response": 1251, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (15:06)", "body": "I just realized: Colin is a New Year's baby (at least he is this year)! :-)"}, {"response": 1252, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (15:24)", "body": "Any ideas for a honey and apple cake, Karen? Yum!"}, {"response": 1253, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (15:27)", "body": "There are usually slices of apples to dip in honey sitting around as an appetizer before dinner. If we liked it, there would be a honeycake. ;-D"}, {"response": 1254, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (15:29)", "body": "This sounds good! I love apples.Have to try them in honey :-)"}, {"response": 1255, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (15:33)", "body": "All this talk of food, I think we'll go out for dinner.;-) (ofcourse, what I really want to do is drink that marvelous bottle of port with a certain b.day boy) ;-))) Where is Marcia? Surely she's not done with the festivities?"}, {"response": 1256, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (16:34)", "body": "We're eating out tonight also. After viewing party fare at 110, will change reservation from local restaurant to Chicago."}, {"response": 1257, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (16:48)", "body": "(Karen)There are usually slices of apples to dip in honey sitting around as an appetizer before dinner. Comin' Up!!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS,DEAR KAREN"}, {"response": 1258, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (17:02)", "body": "Awwwww! That's so cute. Thank you all. Eileen, most of the places I've used here do a big business shipping their food out of town! The ribs fly and the pizzas go out half-baked next day air. hee hee"}, {"response": 1259, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (17:22)", "body": "Renate...Thank you for \"baking\" the beautiful cake on cf.com. I think Nan would be proud of all of us. She sent her best to everybody... poor baby has a ton of school projects due right now, so she couldn't join in. But is with us in spirit. **** I will say this is hard work... I've learned a lot about Netscape."}, {"response": 1260, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (17:44)", "body": "Evelyn, thank Nan for me and tell her I'm glad to hear she's OK."}, {"response": 1261, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (17:55)", "body": "(Karen) most of the places I've used here do a big business shipping their food out of town! And in this franchise day and age, I can go down the street here in NJ and eat Chicago-style pizza (I'm sure it's not quite the same)."}, {"response": 1262, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (00:09)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1263, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (00:10)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1264, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (00:12)", "body": "someone stole the leis..."}, {"response": 1265, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (00:16)", "body": "And for good luck AHUOLI NA HANAU, RITA"}, {"response": 1266, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (00:29)", "body": "When you use very large letters check your spelling first... HAUOLI NA HANAU RITA and to match her eyes, the Bismark Sapphire set with Diamonds. Weighing 98.6 carats, it is the world's largest."}, {"response": 1267, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (02:47)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY RITA!"}, {"response": 1268, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (07:40)", "body": "Marcia, I removed the two that didn't show up. They slow things up, looking for the images. BRB with my gifts for the Birthday girl and I have to get something out of the oven. :-D"}, {"response": 1269, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (07:53)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY RITA!! Relax and Have a Wonderful Day"}, {"response": 1270, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (09:31)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Rita. When you wear that sapphire, make sure you have good back support. That thing looks like it weighs a ton. Happy New Year, Karen! Eat plenty of apples and honey now. When do you fast?"}, {"response": 1271, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (09:54)", "body": "Happy Birthday Rita, and the start of a wonderful new beginning"}, {"response": 1272, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (09:57)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1273, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (10:06)", "body": "Ladies, I overslept, what a party!!! You were all fantastic! Now for a well deserved rest. ;-) Happy Birthday Rita! Heide, why did you not join our party?"}, {"response": 1274, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (10:31)", "body": "Heide, thanks. I was going to do the same, but the computer froze, and by the time I got done defragging and rebooting it was so late that I just went to bed. I will know better (and do better) next time."}, {"response": 1275, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (10:47)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY RITA Relax and Behave... ...Aw, just relax!"}, {"response": 1276, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (10:50)", "body": "Moon...Karen...What a Party!!Proud of you Both!!THANKS! And everyone who participated... Can't wait til next year!!!!"}, {"response": 1277, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (15:00)", "body": "I admire very much what you've all done for Colin's birthday...what little I've seen of it. Latestarters like me were overwhelmed by the traffic jam only our DB could cause. Congratulations all. Marcia, I think it is Karen you meant to thank. ;-)"}, {"response": 1278, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (16:12)", "body": "Heide, we missed you. Hope you're getting caught up ... it was quite a blast! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RITA!"}, {"response": 1279, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Sun, Sep 12, 1999 (00:06)", "body": "Thank you so much for the wonderful party. I have enjoyed it tremendously. Yes, I have had a rough year and I adore each and everyone of you. I am so glad that I have made it this far.Thank you for your love, prayers and support. I know that I could not have done half of this without your guys. You are great!"}, {"response": 1280, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Sep 12, 1999 (18:25)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Rita! I hope your next year will be a happy one and will make up for the difficulties in the year past."}, {"response": 1281, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (13:15)", "body": "A belated happy birthday, Rita. I'm sorry to have missed it--was away from computer witnessing a gridiron tragedy. *Sniff* I hope this year has only good things in store for you."}, {"response": 1282, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (13:42)", "body": "nyk ,We like to keep #119 strictly for CF ...#72 is more of a catch-all. And even though JE is \"one degree of separation...\"we use this topic for non-CF info. JE website is: http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/Alley/4820/ Bedrooms and Hallways is just playing in NYC. You are v. lucky to be there!!It opened a week ago and is only playing in one theatre, the Cinema Village. You'll find the reviews at her website: http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/Alley/4820/bed_art.html Pictures from the film are on the website under images. There are several around here who also admire her work."}, {"response": 1283, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (13:52)", "body": "And even though JE is \"one degree of separation...\" we use this topic for non-CF info. Lots of good intentions, but Jenn seems to show up wherever. ;-D There was another pilgrimage (led by our scoutmistress Evelyn) to see Jennifer on stage in London in Stoppard's The Real Thing. And Jennifer is currently performing in Gorky's Summerfolk."}, {"response": 1284, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (14:02)", "body": "....And Jennifer is currently performing in Gorky's Summerfolk. As we speak, Jennifer (JE) is attending the Toronto International Film Festival with mum ,Rosemary Harris(RH), for the gala presentation tonight of SUNSHINE her new film with Ralph Fiennes (RF). JE plays Valerie RF's wife and RH plays the same character older. (See, Nancy now you have been initiated to several of our acronyms.)"}, {"response": 1285, "author": "nky", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (14:13)", "body": "Oh my gosh, I'm still getting use to all this and it took me forever to get here. What's the title to the movie? Did I miss any conversations on \"Bedrooms & Hallways\" (Thank you Evelyn)"}, {"response": 1286, "author": "nky", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (14:15)", "body": "Forget what I just wrote, I'm not paying attention."}, {"response": 1287, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (14:18)", "body": "(Nancy)..Did I miss any conversations on \"Bedrooms & Hallways\" No. We only discuss CF films and those on topic #98. Hang in there, Nancy , you're doing fine and it will gradually become clear."}, {"response": 1288, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (22:38)", "body": "From The Independent: I'M AN INTERNET VIRGIN, SAYS BLAIR TONY BLAIR'S modernising image was dented yesterday after he admitted to suffering a \"sense of humiliation\" when watching his children and his wife, Cherie, surfing the Internet. The Prime Minister may be a political moderniser but he is a self-confessed computer dinosaur. He announced yesterday he would be taking a short course in surfing the Net as part of a drive to increase awareness of the benefits of the world wide web among British businessmen. Mr Blair's children may help their father with some homework studies. His wife is also said to be a \"whiz\" at computers, according to the Prime Minister's official spokesman. \"I would encourage others of my generation to do the same - both because there's no shame in admitting the need to retrain and because my children assure me that it is not that difficult,\" Mr Blair told a conference on information technology. And No 10 was pulling no punches about the Prime Minister's problems with computers. \"It's his age,\" said the spokesman. \"He has been now for sometime in a job where there is human support around that does things like type.\" Alex Allan, a former principal private secretary at No 10, is being appointed as the Government's \"e-envoy\" to increase the use of the Web in British business. Mr Blair said he is the only civil servant whose website includes a comprehensive guide to the lyrics of the Grateful Dead. [tsk tsk] ;-D"}, {"response": 1289, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (04:23)", "body": "Great! I just pasted this onto an e-mail to my DH - hope you don't mind, Karen :-)"}, {"response": 1290, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (08:20)", "body": "Of course, I don't mind. Paste away!! ;-D"}, {"response": 1291, "author": "livamago", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (10:13)", "body": "Moon, I hope you are all bundled up in preparation for (Pink) Floyd (that was funny!). Keep yourself out of harm's way."}, {"response": 1292, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (13:11)", "body": "Karen and Marcia, perhaps Tony will sign up for your personal HTML tutorial. Can't wait to see him posting pics here or at 110!"}, {"response": 1293, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (14:10)", "body": "We might have to start a Deadhead topic though... ;-D"}, {"response": 1294, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (14:56)", "body": "We might have to start a Deadhead topic though... ;-D Just keep your eyes on the road and your hands upon the whe-el..."}, {"response": 1295, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (15:06)", "body": "Just keep your eyes on the road and your hands upon the whe-el... Hey, Eileen, that's the Doors! Let's get our Sugar Magnolias straight, you know, riding that train high on ...I bet you better watch your speed. That's just what I'm doing now, watching (Pink) Floyd's speed, from my cozy bunker. It looks like we will feel it all through the night. It is gigantic and I live 2 miles from the ocean. Thanks for all the well wishes, our collective prayers seem to be working. :-)"}, {"response": 1296, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (16:10)", "body": "Yes, I hear Floyd is headed up the seacoast toward the Carolinas."}, {"response": 1297, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Sep 14, 1999 (19:49)", "body": "(Evelyn) As we speak, Jennifer (JE) is attending the Toronto International Film Festival with mum,Rosemary Harris(RH), for the gala presentation tonight of SUNSHINE... You mean that girl still can't get a date? Moon, if only Evelyn were with you. She always manages to avert near catastrophes."}, {"response": 1298, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (09:26)", "body": "Hey, Eileen, that's the Doors Oops! Ah, well, it's all before my time anyway ;-P"}, {"response": 1299, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (10:06)", "body": "Pursuant to comments made at 112 the other day, I read a piece in New York Magazine last night while sitting in the beauty salon with a headful of glop. I couldn't tear out the page so I'm paraphrasing: Kevin Costner is drawing attention through recent comments he made in Newsweek Magazine. Kevin claims that Universal, the studio which released his latest baseball flick For Love of the Game, agreed all too quickly when the ratings board mandated they remove a shower scene, thus making the movie PG-13 instead of R rated. Kevin was angry that Universal didn't fight harder to retain the scene, claiming that audiences would be hurt by its absence. Universal has responded to Kevin's complaints by asserting the scene was yanked after test audiences \"giggled when they saw Kevin's penis.\" Indeed, focus groups wondered \"why do we need to see Kevin Costner's penis?\" *LOL!*"}, {"response": 1300, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (10:21)", "body": "Check out Topic 39. We've been having a discussion about that. Besides, I saw the movie last night... good b-ball flick!! :-D"}, {"response": 1301, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (10:52)", "body": "Sorry for the duplication. As I'm not a KC fan, I don't visit 39."}, {"response": 1302, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (16:09)", "body": "(Eileen)\"Indeed, focus groups wondered \"why do we need to see Kevin Costner's penis?\" Is not the usual answer to that one, \"Because it is there!\""}, {"response": 1303, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (17:24)", "body": "Is not the usual answer to that one, \"Because it is there!\" LOL!! But of course. Usually, at focus groups, a moderator has a list of questions. Can you picture this: \"Ok, folks, question number 43, \"how did you like seeing Kevin Costner's penis?\" Please rate on a scale from 1 (definitely did not like) to 10 (best thing in movie) with 5 being neutral (seen one, seen them all)! ;-D"}, {"response": 1304, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (17:30)", "body": "(KarenR)Can you picture this Yes I can and it has me ROTFL!"}, {"response": 1305, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (18:58)", "body": "\"why do we need to see Kevin Costner's penis?\" \"Because it is there!\" Hm... We all know it's there, but why does it need to be viewed? The sight of bare female breasts was once the \"forbidden\" thing, and now that it's quite normal, acceptable and virtually expected, apparently it's time for men to seek parity with women, and the penis seems the only male item suitable for the challenge. I'm certain that the sight of male appendages will soon become just as normal, acceptable and expected as female breasts. Eventually we may grow indifferent to what is still sometimes descri ed as exhibitionism. I'm not wholly against it - but can't stop wondering what might be the next step in this somewhat pointless rivalry? A puritanic backlash? ...or a contest for the most outstanding assholes? ;-)"}, {"response": 1306, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (20:10)", "body": "Oooh, I like the comment about the ar$eholes...too clever. But, my above statement only points out the dichotomy of taste. Men rule the world and what we get to see. Period. I am plain bored to death from having to see gratuitous breasts. Sorry, but I thought equal time would be appropriate."}, {"response": 1307, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Sep 15, 1999 (20:16)", "body": "I know that the talk here is of penises and KC, but I can't post on IE (damn yapp program!) Tineke is here in Boston, has been since last Friday. She's having a great time. Tonight was Flemish Stew and it was delicious! Anyway, you guys in Chicago are in for a treat. She's a doll!"}, {"response": 1308, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (02:58)", "body": "Sorry, but I thought equal time would be appropriate. Ah, Marcia, I TOLD you you are a f.......and you are right!! :-)"}, {"response": 1309, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (03:54)", "body": ".......But equality is shit if it means being equally exploited. Honestly I don\ufffdt care what KCostner does to give a boost to his career but I hope that Colin\ufffds career will never (again?) sink so badly that he would have to expose his genitals for money."}, {"response": 1310, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (10:29)", "body": "What gets me is Kevin expects audiences to be \"hurt\" from being deprived of viewing 'willie the one-eyed worm' (which would be something to see if it were as big as his ego *snicker*). Awww--it's probably all a publicity stunt anyway!"}, {"response": 1311, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (14:38)", "body": "(Elena)I hope that Colin\ufffds career will never (again?) sink so badly that he would have to expose his genitals for money. I have nothing against seing Colin's genitals or anyone else's if it makes sense to the story, but have everything against it if is just part of the usual receipe (sp?)for making money."}, {"response": 1312, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (19:40)", "body": "I hope that Colin\ufffds career will never (again?) sink so badly that he would have to expose his genitals for money. It has been hinted on several occasions that even when he is seen naked, he always refuses to expose himself wholly. E.g. in The Playmaker, where it would indeed make a perfect sense to the story, he was framed within several pubic hairs' breadth of his crown jewels. The swim in the pond scene in P&P was originally going to show Darcy in his birthday suit until Colin flatly refused."}, {"response": 1313, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (02:06)", "body": "Mmmm....but what about HOTPig? There is a full frontal view there albeit from about 2 miles away. Sadly my magnifying glass was not strong enough;-)"}, {"response": 1314, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (07:24)", "body": "The US version (a) didn't contain that scene at all and (b) there was some very obnoxious plant life obscuring the view, except for one brief second."}, {"response": 1315, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (08:07)", "body": "This was in the NY Post today. Could someone check out the October issue of W? Maybe she mentions Colin. (she mentions everybody else) Kiss and tell WHILE Kristin Scott Thomas comes across as a bit of an ice princess in some of her movies, she'd like us to know that she often gets the hots for her male co-stars. She took a bit part in \"Mission Impossible\" because \"I loved working with Tom Cruise. He's a dream. I have kissed SUCH exciting men.\" The 39-year-old, happily married mother of two is on the cover of the October issue of W magazine, looking incredibly sexy for someone who thought she was ugly and fat as a teenager. \"I suppose all of this attention is what I've always wanted, for people to think I'm far more interesting than I actually am,\" she says. Oscar-nominated for \"The English Patient,\" she recalls that some on the set of that film thought there was no chemistry between her and Ralph Fiennes. \"Luckily, I didn't hear that unt l afterward,\" she says. \"I knew Ralph and I were working well together - there's a buzz that happens, a kind of electrical thing. It doesn't happen very often. But it did happen with Ralph; it happened with Harrison [Ford], and it happened with Sean Penn, too.\" (Kristin stars with Ford in the upcoming \"Random Hearts\" and with Penn in the recently completed \"Up At the Villa.\")"}, {"response": 1316, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (11:32)", "body": "Varvara Mikhailovna... A review from The Daily Mail last Sunday Sept. 12th A GRIPPING GORKY WITH REAL SPARK \"......Jennifer Ehle has the hardest role as the young woman devastated when she discovers her idolised writer is no better than the rest. Looking very Slav very Meryl Streep , she is in what is very much the Streep part, the one with much hand-wringing, arm-folding and endless gazing at the sky on the brink of tears, or-as the doctor puts it-a 'cosmic question mark in her eyes'. A less magnetic actress would have left me unmoved\" (My italics) ***** At last a role for a fair blonde. Full review will be posted next week on her website...."}, {"response": 1317, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (12:07)", "body": "More Streep comparisons! I wonder how JE feels about that. I would imagine it's both flattering and rather irritating, especially for a young actress looking to establish her own identity."}, {"response": 1318, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (12:45)", "body": "Very nice pic, Evelyn. (Susan) I wonder how JE feels about that. I would imagine it's both flattering and rather irritating, especially for a young actress looking to establish her own identity. What an opportunity though! Somebody needs to step in and take over. Meryl's playing grandmas already. :-("}, {"response": 1319, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (13:39)", "body": "Great pix Evelyn. Good for Jennifer, this can only help her career. Maybe now her agent can push for BJD. ;-)"}, {"response": 1320, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (15:47)", "body": "Forgot to mention that the pix is from the Royal National Theatre Press Kit. And the Daily Mail review is through the kindess of Aishling who sent it. Ironically...the Friday before, Michael Coveney reviewed Summerfolk and referred to \"..the slightly irritating Jennifer Ehle..\"( Ann wouldn't buy that paper! and you can be sure we wouldn't post it.) So two days later another critic (woman,same paper!) sees that it is Jennifer's character that is a discontent type...So take that Michael Coveney!! (But all is forgiven...he gave her a glowing review for TRT)"}, {"response": 1321, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (15:53)", "body": "I know i've been compared to Meryl Streep - physically - by none other than my DH, and hate it . wonder does JE feel the same..."}, {"response": 1322, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (16:03)", "body": "there was some very obnoxious plant life obscuring the view, except for one brief second. And what could be seen during that one second from all that distance was more to do with the viewer's feverish imagination than reality."}, {"response": 1323, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (17:11)", "body": "Ok, Elena, I am a f......! You are right, and the very thought of intruding on someone's personal self is repugnant to me. How did they manage to make those great old movies with no explicit sex and no nudity?! Not a prude, mind you...just not into gratuitous scenery on the screen. I have all I need at home, where it belongs! TA's (and HOTPig's) bath scenes are as close to \"it\" as I need to be."}, {"response": 1324, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Sep 18, 1999 (03:20)", "body": "I recently saw, and enjoyed, The Thomas Crown Affair. Pierce Brosnan is great looking - what am I saying, he is good enough to eat. But the main sex scene... It wasn't erotic at all. It was plain funny. But then again, maybe that's what it was meant to be."}, {"response": 1325, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Sep 18, 1999 (08:47)", "body": "Haven't seen ..Thomas Crown... yet but I thought that lovemaking on the marble stairs scene was supposed to be very sexually charged. But that was probably from a man. I doubt a woman who had to have cold hard marble stair edges poking her in the back and PB poking her in the front might not find it erotic either. (Sorry, cheap shot, Pierce is looking fine.) Is that Charlie Holroyd sitting to the far right in that stage picture?"}, {"response": 1326, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 18, 1999 (09:13)", "body": "(Gi) I recently saw, and enjoyed, The Thomas Crown Affair. Pierce Brosnan is great looking - what am I saying You're not saying anything wrong. He is, at least IMO and I'll bet Moon would never be the same after seeing that chest...just her type of chest. ;-D The movie was fun, stylish (lovely to look at) and could be appreciated by a mature audience. What a change of pace. yeah, the love scene was ridiculous, but who cares (Heide) Is that Charlie Holroyd sitting to the far right in that stagepicture? Do you mean two over from young Michael Caine?"}, {"response": 1327, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Sep 18, 1999 (23:15)", "body": "(heide)I doubt a woman who had to have cold hard marble stair edges poking her in the back... My thoughts exactly! I hope the marble was at least heated ;-)"}, {"response": 1328, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Sep 24, 1999 (04:58)", "body": "Evelyn has asked me to post my comments on Jennifer Ehle and Summerfolk. I went to see the play on Saturday and really enjoyed it. JE was excellent and played the role of Varya perfectly. She had the major role, her character being linked in some way to all the other characters (and I felt somewhat cameo parts). She was the centre of the curtain call. The response from the audience was wonderful. I thought there might have been a standing ovation, the applause was so rapturous, but no."}, {"response": 1329, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 24, 1999 (10:56)", "body": "Thanks Aishling... Summerfolk has been extended to November 23.Originally slated, it was only til Oct. 6 then Nov.11....The Olivier Theatre at the National holds 1,250 people....if it's selling out....that's a big success:-))"}, {"response": 1330, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep 24, 1999 (12:37)", "body": "Please join the fun here for Karen's Birthday Party on tuesday Sept. 28! I have been shopping all day! :-D"}, {"response": 1331, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 24, 1999 (16:04)", "body": "Alright a party! I got an email a little while ago from Karen and said folks couldn't post, upon investigation I found out that our server had completely run out of disk space. I've just about run out of files that I can delete. So I'm going to look on the newsgroups in Austin for a hard drive to add to www.spring.net. And I'm going to try and get it installed as soon as possible. So for now, store your graphics files on the firth server (access.spring.net) and reference them from there. We'll watch this machine and keep looking for things to delete to free up more disk space. I just freed up 136 megs, which is a lot. I moved this stuff over to firth till I can get another hard drive mounted. Don't worry, there's lots of room to post!"}, {"response": 1332, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 24, 1999 (16:15)", "body": "Thanks, Terry. My graphics files are on Spring, not access.spring.net. Do I need to change anything?"}, {"response": 1333, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Sep 24, 1999 (16:23)", "body": "No, we have a lot of space for now. I found a couple of 9 gb hard drives on the local newsgroup for sale for $225 each and I'm going to go pick them up and isntall them on www and access. I'll post a notice in the pledge drive topic to try and get some contributions towards these drives. But we're at 92% full on this machine now, down from 102% full (yes Unix machines can be 102% full!). I freed up at least 150 megabytes in the last half hour."}, {"response": 1334, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 26, 1999 (15:10)", "body": "Got the catalogue from the Chicago Intl FF and quickly checked it out. No SLOW!! boo hiss Mansfield Park is the opening night movie on 10/6 and it will be its US premiere, and Cider House Rules (Lasse Halstrom) closes the fest, another US premiere. Most of the Cannes stuff is here. Will definitely check out \"Dreaming of Joseph Lees,\" which is directed by Eric Styles of Relative Values and was also filmed on the Isle of Man. Is described as \"Cinderella meets D.H. Lawrence\"!! Another interesting looking one is the \"Wisdom of Crocodiles,\" with Jude Law. Now must figure out how many more I *have to* see. ;-D"}, {"response": 1335, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Sep 26, 1999 (15:27)", "body": "HAUOLI NA HANAU, QUIMBY !"}, {"response": 1336, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Sep 26, 1999 (15:29)", "body": "This one you can read what it says and it matches the script!"}, {"response": 1337, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep 26, 1999 (15:59)", "body": "Happy Birthday Quimby!"}, {"response": 1338, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 26, 1999 (16:20)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY QUIMBY"}, {"response": 1339, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 26, 1999 (18:23)", "body": "Quimby, Quimby, Quimby!! You must have a Happy Birthday!! I would do anything to make it so. - Love Michael"}, {"response": 1340, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 26, 1999 (18:26)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY QUIMBY!!"}, {"response": 1341, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 26, 1999 (18:30)", "body": "Michael dropped these off for you, Quimby. They are from Ross. ;-D"}, {"response": 1342, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Sep 26, 1999 (19:20)", "body": "QUIMBY!"}, {"response": 1343, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Sep 26, 1999 (19:30)", "body": "(Well practice makes almost perfect. Try again.) Happy Birthday, Quimby! Dance the night away!"}, {"response": 1344, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Sep 27, 1999 (02:03)", "body": "Am off on holiday, so just wanted to say an early Happy Birthday, Karen and thanks for all you do to make this such a fun place. Sorry, no dancing men but have had the busiest week of my life! No time to take up all your kind offers to turn me into a cyber expert...but when I get back, I must try and learn."}, {"response": 1345, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 27, 1999 (09:15)", "body": "Thank you, Allison. Have a lovely holiday and we'll teach you some cybertricks that will amaze your friends and family when you return. :-D"}, {"response": 1346, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Sep 27, 1999 (12:48)", "body": "A belated happy birthday, Quimby! Here is your very own copy: Wot?? You *didn't* like this one? Well, enjoy a good laugh at the ridiculous video cover. Hope you had a good day."}, {"response": 1347, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Sep 27, 1999 (20:40)", "body": "Quimby: Let me attempt to clarify what Heide was trying to say the first time back there, by way of * * * * * * * Happy Birthday! wishes... * * * * * Sorry to be so late with it."}, {"response": 1348, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Sep 27, 1999 (22:09)", "body": ". . . . And be aware that we are all eagerly awaiting the wonderful * * * * * * * BIRTHDAY BASH ! ! ! * * * * ... ...on the morrow:"}, {"response": 1349, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 27, 1999 (22:26)", "body": "*hee hee* I've got my party hat sitting next to the computer awaiting tomorrow too! ;-D down, boy, down"}, {"response": 1350, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (05:55)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Karen. I sent one of my cats over early with a present."}, {"response": 1351, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (06:06)", "body": "But before you open it, I thought you might like some breakfast in bed -"}, {"response": 1352, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (06:07)", "body": "Hope this works!! H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y, K A R E N What are you doing the rest of your life? The east and north and south and west of your life? Song HERE Have a brew on me, Luv, and thanks for being such a SLEUTH for yours truly..."}, {"response": 1353, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (06:11)", "body": "Breakfast doesn't look appetizing? How about this for breakfast then?"}, {"response": 1354, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (06:16)", "body": "Sorry - I'm trying again. Should have practiced! *********************** H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y, K A R E N What are you doing the rest of your life? The east and north and south and west of your life? Song HERE Have a brew on me, Luv, and thanks for being such a SLEUTH for yours truly..."}, {"response": 1355, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (06:29)", "body": "Karen: The song (above) apparently won't work here, but the spirit is still the same. Thanks for your kindnesses, your Firth sleuthing, and your generosity. Murph"}, {"response": 1356, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (07:09)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAREN! Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Karen, Happy Birthday to you! Dear Karen, my gift to you is a trip to Bologna, to pick up your gift at one of the most fabulous Italian jewelry designers\ufffdshop. I hope you like it. Afterwards, my very dear Rupert insists on inviting you to his country home in England. \"Hello Karen baby! Moon has told me so much about you, that I just have to meet you. Happy Birthday baby!\" \"Don\ufffdt be shy about tying me up, it\ufffds one of my favourite games.\" Now Karen let\ufffds go over to the Dome opened especially for you tonight where Arsenal will sing Happy Birthday to you. There\ufffds Thierry Henry now\ufffd \"Karen, I dedicate my Champions League winning goal to you!\" Now put on your stiletto heels and dance the night away!"}, {"response": 1357, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (08:10)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1358, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (08:14)", "body": "Heide: Lovely, dear. I'll opt for Breakfast No. 2 if they're the same price. On second thought, I'll pay extra. (even the cat's in a hat) Mary: Thank you for the question to ponder and the brew to hoist with everyone's favorite and most talented and gorgeous beer drinker. am humming the song anyway Did I mention he was gorgeous? ;-D The Revenge of the Ruperts!! Argh!! Moon!! How could you tempt me like that? I'm pretty good at knots from my girl scout days. Perhaps he has a neighbor... ;-D Bologna, huh? (hmm, she must think I'm full of it) Thank you for all the gifts. I shall put the necklace to good use."}, {"response": 1359, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (08:33)", "body": "I forgot to mention Karen, that I have ordered a full moon tonight to go with the Dome opening. Rupert of course will be there. ;-) Mary and Heide, such wonderful pictures of ODB, I admit, put Rupert to shame!"}, {"response": 1360, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (08:34)", "body": "And while in Bologna, we will try all their local dishes, so do not wear tight clothes. :-)"}, {"response": 1361, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (08:41)", "body": "Did you know you share a birthday with Lord Cockfield and Brigitte Bardot?"}, {"response": 1362, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (08:55)", "body": "BB, yes. People mix us up all the time. But who is Lord Cockfield? Poor guy, can you imagine his nicknames!!"}, {"response": 1363, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (08:58)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAREN, I HOPE YOU ARE HAVING A REALLY LOVELY DAY, THANKS FOR THE SLEUTHING AND LONG MAY IT CONTINUE,LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN JANUARY Hope this works as my son as gone back to University today!!"}, {"response": 1364, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (09:00)", "body": "yippee!!!perhaps it should have been a bit smaller!!?? was it a bit over the top!!"}, {"response": 1365, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (09:01)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAREN, I HOPE YOU ARE HAVING A REALLY LOVELY DAY, THANKS FOR THE SLEUTHING AND LONG MAY IT CONTINUE,LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN JANUARY Hope this works as my son as gone back to University today!!"}, {"response": 1366, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (09:05)", "body": "Who said the English were understated? ;-) The bigger the better for Karen. BB, yes. People mix us up all the time. Is it the long blond hair or the sultry lips? But who is Lord Cockfield? Poor guy, can you imagine his nicknames!! Le us hope Colin will never star in the movie of his life."}, {"response": 1367, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (09:24)", "body": "yippee!!! perhaps it should have been a bit smaller!!?? was it a bit over the top!! Over the top? Puh-leez!! Thank you, Ann. Your message was lovely. See you in January. :-D Let us hope Colin will never star in the movie of his life. Amen"}, {"response": 1368, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (10:06)", "body": "STOP THE PRESS CLEAR THE DECK Fed Ex has just delivered a message for Karen R. CLICK HERE"}, {"response": 1369, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (10:09)", "body": "Evelyn, he looks so devishly good in that picture! Which film is it from???"}, {"response": 1370, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (10:24)", "body": "To the Gal with Many Hats Top Drool Cop... The Super Sleuth..... The Relentless Recruiter.... Cyber- MentorFilm discussion Editor Media-Watcher Did I forget anything? WE LUV 'YA,....YOU'RE FIRTHRATE"}, {"response": 1371, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (10:24)", "body": "Ooooo ... The partying's started already! So ... . . . . . . . . Let the Good Times Roll! . . . . .: . . . . . He's cute, but I hope he hasn't gotten into your gift and hogged all the ... : . . . . . . Tuck those away before anybody knows you got 'em ... otherwise I suspect they'll disappear pretty quickly! . . . . . * * * * * * Happy Birthday, Karen! * * * * * * * * * From the Other Karen! * * * * *"}, {"response": 1372, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (10:26)", "body": "(Moon)Which film is it from??? Not a film ....US Harper's interview, I think."}, {"response": 1373, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (10:45)", "body": "Have a very Happy Birthday, Karen with my sincerest thanks for all you do for us Firth Fans. Enjoy your special day!"}, {"response": 1374, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (10:59)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KAREN! I have brought a special guest. He told me he's been looking for you! Mi bonita Karen, I will dedicate my next home run to you! No, that will not do. I must dedicate my record-breaking 71st home run to you. This is how I will look when I hit it while thinking of you, cara Karen!"}, {"response": 1375, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (11:27)", "body": "Come on, Karen, Let's get it on!! Ain't no need to beg, sweet darlin' Yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssss!! Any time, any place. Whatta picture!! yowza!! That was incredible, Evelyn (and Mary, you outdid yourself!!) Other Karen: *yum yum* If I eat anymore of those truffles, I'll be round enough to roll too! ;-D Thank you, Lynda, for your kind wishes. \"A Firth fan's gotta do what a Firth fan's gotta do\" are words I try to live by. Eileen, if Sammy gives me his record-breaking homerun ball, I'll charter a plane to take everyone to London!! Twice!! That ball will be worth millions to somebody, but seeing Colin with all my friends here is worth more to me. :-D"}, {"response": 1376, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (11:30)", "body": "Wot! You prefer stupid, poxy baseball to football ? How could you do that to me? We must discuss this problem. Karen! Come here. I want to talk to you. I was thinking we might try something like...this, to change your mind. No? Well then, perhaps my man Jess can convince you with his tried and true methods. Aargh! You will not relent? I must now bring out my secret weapon--Viscount Valmont. Ha! I knew his whirly-twirliness would get to you! Oh, and have a very happy birthday"}, {"response": 1377, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (11:44)", "body": "Sorry I'm not so talented with computer graphics and stuff, so I'll just have to send you my most sincere birthday wishes. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KAREN, and thanks always for inviting me here!!! P.S.--If anyone wants to make me a spicy Colin Firth birthday card, my birthday's in May....hee, hee"}, {"response": 1378, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (11:49)", "body": "* * * * Eileen: . . . . .Haven't laughed so much in an age...."}, {"response": 1379, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (11:55)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1380, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (11:56)", "body": "Sorry about that (Hee hee)"}, {"response": 1381, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (12:34)", "body": "Wow! Karen! What a night you will have! Of course, you must first beg forgiveness of your baseball sin, but it looks like Colin is more than willing to forgive. The guys with Arsenal might also be upset. You are a very lucky girl! And, do not forget Rupert is waiting for you too. ;-) Now pass the chocolates!"}, {"response": 1382, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (12:41)", "body": "Karen, I bring good tidings for your birthday from our favorite bounder, Flashy: There's no better chap to play me than that Firth bloke. Ain't that the truth? Tall, broad shoulders...put a fine set of whiskers on him and viola! Perfection. Here I am with my kolossal cucumber--er, wicket. Care for a game of cricket, Karen? Never mind those other women in the picture. I only have eyes for you!"}, {"response": 1383, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (12:45)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAREN, I too am not learned in the computer graphics art. But if I had learned, like Lady C., I would have been a true proficient."}, {"response": 1384, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (12:47)", "body": "Happy happy birthday, Karen! Thanks for everything you do for the sisterhood of Firth. Have a [insert alcoholic beverage of your choice] on me:-) Susan (the HTML-challenged)"}, {"response": 1385, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (12:47)", "body": "Love the Sammy Sosa pics, Eileen."}, {"response": 1386, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (13:03)", "body": "The Queen of all this virtual art, The sharpest wit, the warmest heart: No other drooler can compare With Karen, sleuth extraordinaire."}, {"response": 1387, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (13:09)", "body": "Clap* Clap* Clap* you are too cute Mark! Glad you joined the party. :-)"}, {"response": 1388, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (14:16)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Karen!"}, {"response": 1389, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (14:28)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Karen!!!! 29 again, simply amazing;) Hope today is good!"}, {"response": 1390, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (14:39)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KAREN! One from Colin and one from me: That should have you in the spirit for the next phase of your gift. The gentlemen are taking you to your birthday festivities: You change ships and head for your own private island where the holder of the other lei awaits your arrival:"}, {"response": 1391, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (14:52)", "body": "While on your way to this Island, he has sent ahead a gift selection for you to choose your favorite colour pearls for his gift to you: Meanwhile he has sent along a token of his esteem for you to slip onto your left ring finger An elegant bauble to dangle in your cleavage for him to admire:"}, {"response": 1392, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (14:53)", "body": "trying the last one againa;"}, {"response": 1393, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (14:58)", "body": "And altogether they look like Arriving at your destination - you and his own private island... Later in the evening...after all the words have been said and you lock eyes... HAULOI NA HANAU, KAREN!"}, {"response": 1394, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (15:32)", "body": "Karen dear - a Very, Very, Very Happy Birthday! Thank you SO MUCH for all the wonderful sluething you do for us! Life at Spring would be very dull indeed without your presence. xoxoxo EsBee"}, {"response": 1395, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (15:43)", "body": "KAREN THERE IS ONLY ONE OTHER WHOSE IMAGINATION AND ARTISTRY SURPASSES YOUR OWN BUT HE COULDN'T BE HERE ... ...But he did advise you to take an occasional break fom all that research ... ... (Not to mention partying)... . . . . .But we'll clean up the mess later . . . . ."}, {"response": 1396, "author": "nky", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (15:50)", "body": "Karen, Happy, Happy Birthday! Hope you have a wonderful day. Thanks for the drool introduction. Its been fun! Nancy"}, {"response": 1397, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (15:55)", "body": "Oh, Eileen, what a selection!! Way too funny. Must huddle with Simon and pick out something from his little book. Do you think there is a Kolossol cucumber position? Oooh, my little sniveling reprobate Flashy!! He's so bad. His Whirly-Twirliness could lead me astray any old time, but must stop eating those chocolates... Thank you, Amy. We are very happy to have you here and entertaining us with your oh-so stimulating prose. ;-D (What date in May? Our Marcianess will want to enter it in her little book.) Thanks Lucie, Elena, Laura and Susan. Will definitely have a little cocktail (or two) this evening in celebration. Moon, I've got Rupert in the apartment downstairs waiting for me. Maybe Jeff can entertain him? ;-D And MarkG, our newest resident poet, thank you for the lovely lines. And for you, a token of my appreciation: Marcia, what can I say! I'll take the lei from Colin!! Ya ha!! And your jewelry selection is fabulous. Maybe I'll wear them later. Don't want to be too ostentatious. Wonderful little sojourn. Thank you so much. *smooch*"}, {"response": 1398, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (16:02)", "body": "Thanks, Esbee and Nancy. KJ, don't be silly!! Although \"Rosie45 in Love\" does have a certain ring to it... and one by any other name would smell as sweet ;-D I would look really bad in those pouffy pantaloons."}, {"response": 1399, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (16:26)", "body": "How much I ardently wish you a Happy Birthday... My dearest and lovliest Karen See ya' at the Donmar, Karen All of us wish you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY\""}, {"response": 1400, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 28, 1999 (16:30)", "body": "Moon, I've got Rupert in the apartment downstairs waiting for me. Maybe Jeff can entertain him? ;-D A menage a trois in a kolossol cucumber position...I see it all now! ;-) What a party girl!!!"}, {"response": 1401, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Sep 29, 1999 (10:02)", "body": "Maybe Jeff can entertain him? ;-D ] that is so funny! (um, I met Jeff;))"}, {"response": 1402, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 29, 1999 (10:14)", "body": "www.spring.net is alive!"}, {"response": 1403, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Sep 29, 1999 (10:51)", "body": "Yeah, so like, what happened, Terry??? :)"}, {"response": 1404, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 29, 1999 (10:55)", "body": "I don't know yet, Mel and John went downtown and rebooted the servers this morning, both barton and www went down. It was some kind of server crash, I'll look at the logs."}, {"response": 1405, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 29, 1999 (13:46)", "body": "Hey, I noticed I'm the last one to have posted...before the crash!!!sorry :-(( ~~~~~~~~ Anyway...I forgot to give everyone a favor at the end of the party for their \"goodie\" bag.... Here it is... hope this works"}, {"response": 1406, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 29, 1999 (13:49)", "body": "Now...don't ever say I didn't give everyone a \"pressie\".... Always thinking of you,:-))) evelyn"}, {"response": 1407, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Sep 29, 1999 (14:07)", "body": "Aaaaccccckkkk, Evelyn! Here, you can have mine! [LOL] BTW, I think Karen's party was too wild for the Spring server ;-P"}, {"response": 1408, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Sep 29, 1999 (14:22)", "body": "ROTFLOL! Evelyn what a wonderful idea for party favors! Karen, can i trade it for one of your chocolates? :)"}, {"response": 1409, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Wed, Sep 29, 1999 (14:42)", "body": "At last, I managed to fix my computer (it's only a temporary solution though. I'm afraid I won't have my computer next week). So sorry I missed the birthday party. Karen, you got so much jewelry for your birthday, you could use this. (and you can paint it in any colour you want) And how about this? I've seen nicer ones, but this was the only I could find on the net As a Dutch girl would say: Gelukkige Verjaardag, Karen! Ann, congrats!! Your big red font looked very big and red :-)"}, {"response": 1410, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Sep 29, 1999 (14:59)", "body": "Having just returned from Tunisia, I tried to join the party and could not... So frustrating! Although there isn't that much to choose from in the desert, I managed to bring a present for Karen, and was hoping to give it to her here. Instead, I had to e-mail it to her, and from her answer, it scared the s*** out of it! but since it was Quimby's birthday a few days ago, I also brought one for her:"}, {"response": 1411, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Sep 29, 1999 (15:00)", "body": "..smaller, but multiple... should eat the same amount :-)"}, {"response": 1412, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Sep 29, 1999 (16:15)", "body": "thanks for the Spam, Evelyn. LOL, haven't seen animated spam since last time...what a fun picture that is...may have to borrow it."}, {"response": 1413, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 29, 1999 (16:56)", "body": "Naturally Spam had to rear its ugly head for my party. Evelyn, you are too funny!! Tineke!! Thanks for the furniture (she knows I could use it! Surprised you didn't wrap up some bookshelves for me) (Gi) and from her answer, it scared the s*** out of it! Actually, what I said was \"I wasn't going to clean up after it\" but if it's not going to leave me any unwanted presents, then it can stay. ;-D For everyone: The ice cream melted during our outage, but I have to thank each and every one of you. It's been a grand grand party!! And for leaving this wonderful present outside my house:"}, {"response": 1414, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Wed, Sep 29, 1999 (17:46)", "body": "Dearest Karen, So sorry to have missed your big day. I logged on last night to send you a birthday wish, but alas poor Spring was ailing. From the looks of it, you had a great day :-). I am still laughing at all the creative gifts you received (and MarkG - excellent poem!) Since learning HTML is still on my ever-lenghthening to-do list, I will just have to extend my best wishes that you had a wonderful birthday. I so appreciate everything you do to help make Drool such a fun place to visit. Happy Birthday!!"}, {"response": 1415, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Sep 29, 1999 (18:10)", "body": "Just thought I would like to share this, especially for Evelyn and Ben - I watched the video of Bedrooms & Hallways last night and although I didn't think I would like it I actually thought it was very funny especially Tom Hollander and Jennifer was excellent as Sal, she looked great, lumionous was how a couple of critics described her, definitely worth a look Ben and any other JE fans. Here is a very good review and especially for JE. http://www.splicedonline.com/99reviews/bedrooms.html Tineke thanks for the lessons, perhaps it is a bit big but what the heck it was a Birthday celebration."}, {"response": 1416, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Sep 29, 1999 (21:03)", "body": "... Terry. . . Thank you so much for your efforts to get rid of the bugs in Spring ... I'm sure she will feel so much better now after a little rest: * * * * And the bug says it's sorry * * * * *"}, {"response": 1417, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Sep 29, 1999 (21:58)", "body": "And now the party's over. But wait!! I hear a knock on the door!"}, {"response": 1418, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Sep 29, 1999 (22:01)", "body": "Oh, it's just that damn FTD. But that delivery boy is something else. What kind of tip are you going to leave him, Karen?"}, {"response": 1419, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Sep 29, 1999 (22:08)", "body": "I know we said we'd party hearty for Karen until the cows came home. Well, I think I just saw one winging her way back to the barn. Happy Birthday, Karen, our Spa Girl Extraordinaire"}, {"response": 1420, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 29, 1999 (22:38)", "body": "I'll take flowers any day of the week...especially when the delivery boy looks like that! (knees just buckled) Should we start airlifting our cows to needy cities? Funny thing, I was going to post that pic on the main Drool page for our next film discussion...doesn't get much better than that. Thanks, Jana, your email made it through. See how easy it is to send it to bill_g@msn.net. He will always forward it to me. ;-D (Ann) perhaps it is a bit big but what the heck it was a Birthday celebration. Quite right. Always have to put these things in the proper perspective. :-D BTW, am looking forward to seeing B&H. Evelyn tells me it will be here next month, I think??"}, {"response": 1421, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Thu, Sep 30, 1999 (05:20)", "body": "(Karen)Surprised you didn't wrap up some bookshelves for me What did you think that last pic was?"}, {"response": 1422, "author": "livamago", "date": "Fri, Oct  1, 1999 (10:18)", "body": "Happy Belated Birthday dear Karen! I'm sorry I'm late, but the Spring crash and a calculus exam kept me from coming to your wonderful party. I've had so much fun with all the goodies everyone posted! Why, even Sammy Sosa joined in!! I bring some gifts with me...I hope you like! and something sweet for a sweet lady..."}, {"response": 1423, "author": "livamago", "date": "Fri, Oct  1, 1999 (10:28)", "body": "I am desperately trying to hang on to the sweets, but since it's your birthday, I shall have to relinquish them..."}, {"response": 1424, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct  1, 1999 (11:49)", "body": "Surprise!"}, {"response": 1425, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  1, 1999 (13:29)", "body": "Lovely flowers and sweets, Lidya. Thank you and hope you did well on your calculus exam. (pssst...now we know what to get Lidya for her birthday!) OK, I give up, Moon. What's the significance of the Genoa website? BTW, I forgot to mention how taken Tineke was with a certain British schoolboy and field hockey player... ;-D And she could translate the Dutch dialogue for me when she wasn't laughing too hard!!"}, {"response": 1426, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct  1, 1999 (13:47)", "body": "OK, I give up, Moon. What's the significance of the Genoa website? Does Columbus Day ring a bell? He was from Genova. ;-) I know, getting sillier by the minute Would love to know what some of that dutch dialog meant Tineke, when you get a chance. :-)"}, {"response": 1427, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct  1, 1999 (13:58)", "body": "(Karen)OK, I give up, Moon. What's the significance of the Genoa website? (Moon)Does Columbus Day ring a bell? He was from Genova. ;-) I know, getting sillier by the minute And you guys complain about my Spam favors???"}, {"response": 1428, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct  1, 1999 (14:40)", "body": "Well, Ben started that firth of Firth puzzle, so I thought I would startan odd one here. We just happen to be a bit more surreal. :-) Your Spam favors were great Evelyn, my cat really enjoyed it. ;-)"}, {"response": 1429, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct  1, 1999 (16:27)", "body": "Hey...did you notice that they now make a Spam lite ......As if being on a diet isn't bad enough!!!"}, {"response": 1430, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  1, 1999 (16:57)", "body": "The problem with Tineke doing the translations is that she watched the tape at my house. She had never seen Dutch Girls before. Maybe she remembers some of it. Most of it was by Anna, the little sister, talking about how Lyndon was a pig. Then there was a bit by the DJ announcing the slow dance... argh... don't remember much more. Interestingly, Tineke had never seen the actress who played Romelia before, so she went nowhere; however, she immediately recognized the slutty one and said she was a very good actress on Dutch TV. Tineke, feel free to jump in whenever your computer is working again. :-D"}, {"response": 1431, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  1, 1999 (16:59)", "body": "and about that Spam lite...what is it lite of? Real, edible food? ;-D"}, {"response": 1432, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Oct  1, 1999 (19:00)", "body": "salt, supposedly! Edible food? Are you kidding...it does not exist in the same can with Spam!"}, {"response": 1433, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Oct  1, 1999 (21:26)", "body": "This is a really terrific thing. The Hunger Site at the U.N. This is a really cool website. All you do is click a button and somewhere in the world some hungry person gets a meal to eat at no cost to you. The food is paid for by corporate sponsors. All you do is go to the site and click. But, you're only allowed one click per day so spread the word to others. Visit the site and pass the word. http://www.thehungersite.com"}, {"response": 1434, "author": "livamago", "date": "Sat, Oct  2, 1999 (09:20)", "body": "(Moon) Does Columbus Day ring a bell? He was from Genova. ;-) Isn't it interesting how perspectives change across cultures? In Latin America Colombus Day is the day of our race (Dia de la Raza)..."}, {"response": 1435, "author": "livamago", "date": "Sat, Oct  2, 1999 (09:21)", "body": "Oh, and dear Marcia, thanks for the link to the Hunger site. I just went over and did my bit..."}, {"response": 1436, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Oct  2, 1999 (09:39)", "body": "Have just got back from seeing Summerfolk, it was wonderful, terrific cast and JE was excellent in a very difficult part, being miserable nearly all the time (31/2) hours is difficult to sustain. Surprisingly though the time went very quickly unlike the night before when we went to see Eyes Wide Shut, as my hubby said Summerfolk was 31/2 hours long and didn't feel like it but EWS wasn't and did feel like it, what a boring pointless and overlong film. sorry I might be a bit biased I am not a TC fan, no I' not being biased it was boring!! Sorry Karen, I know you liked it but what was the point of it. Anyway back to Sum merfolk, I highly recommend this play, the audience loved it and clapped loudly at the end, JE took centre stage at the end with Roger Allam and got any extra lound clap, honestly. The Olivier Theatre at The National holds over 1000 seats and was nearly full except for a few seats in the Circle, the scenery changes were amazing and I just have to go again it was a fantastic experience. In identally for those who don't know and I didn't, The National Film Theatre is right next door to the National Theatre."}, {"response": 1437, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct  2, 1999 (10:05)", "body": "That's OK, Ann. Everyone's entitled to an opinion. What exciting news about Summerfolk! Evelyn, have you started packing? ;-D Little tidbit about Stephen Dillane (TRT). Article in The Times about Kerry Fox mentions that she completed work on: \"four major films - The Wisdom of Crocodiles, a vampire story set in London, with Jude Law and Jack Davenport [which I will be seeing I think next week], To Walk With Lions about the life of George Adamson, with Richard Harris and Honor Blackman, The Darkest Light, about a child with cancer, with Stephen Dillane, as well as Fanny and Elvis. \"The Darkest Light\" is being shown at the Leeds Intl Film Fest, which runs from October 7-23, and features cult movies and exclusive previews of this autumn's blockbusters. The highlight is a nine-part extravaganza of the newest and most exciting British films, which include the British premiere of Fanny and Elvis; Phil Davis's Hold Back the Night; newcomer Christopher Nolan's Following; East is East with Om Puri; The Darkest Light, also starring Kerry Fox; Michael Winterbottom's Wonderland; Weak at Denis , starring Craig Fairbrass; The Tichborne Claimant with Sir John Gielgud and a new programme of shorts. * metro is offering readers two tickets for the price of one (usual price \ufffd4.50) to any of the nine films. Simply produce this copy of metro at either the Virgin Megastore in Leeds or the Civic Theatre Box Office (0113-245 5505) to qualify. Information line: 0113-247 8398."}, {"response": 1438, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Oct  2, 1999 (11:21)", "body": "Wow! It appears JE is being celebrated as a stage actress now just as her mother has been. I hope to see her one day in NYC. BTW, almost bought tickets for the Lauren Bacall/Rosemary Harris play opening on Broadway in December. (Of course I forget the name. Jeez.) I still may go but Bacall is not a draw for me and the prices!!"}, {"response": 1439, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct  2, 1999 (11:50)", "body": "(Heide)..almost bought tickets for the Lauren Bacall/Rosemary Harris play opening on Broadway in December. (Of course I forget the name. Jeez.) \"Waiting in the Wings\"by Noel Coward starring RH and Lauren Bacall.Opens on B'way on dec. 16th which coincides with NC's 100th Birthday (Should we have a party for him??:-) The play will have a previous run in Boston Nov. 13-28th at the Colonial Theatre ~~~~~~~ Thank you Ann for the review...I have tickets for Nov.11th. Two performances... Seven hours...that's loyalty. But it plays in repertoire and will not play after that day for another week. ~~~~~ Karen...told you...Stephen Dillane is \"purdy cool\"...but who is Kerry Fox?"}, {"response": 1440, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct  2, 1999 (12:22)", "body": "Evelyn, you are the gal!!! It is time you and JE became pals. Will you attend the Donmar Benefit Party after 3DOR on Nov. 9th too? SD, IMO looks better in person than on film."}, {"response": 1441, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct  2, 1999 (15:14)", "body": "(Moon) Will you attend the Donmar Benefit Party after 3DOR on Nov. 9th too? Haven't gotten **my invitation**...but sadly, I plan to get there on the10th:-( ...SD, IMO looks better in person than on film. Agree...though he was pretty dishy in Firelight with Sophie Marceau. IMO a part made for Colin:-) ( Sorry, Jana C) OK, while I'm at it....I also think Colin could have played the role of Robert in The Winslow Boy (Sorry, Winter).And any of the two male roles in AIH (Sorry, Moon) I said it and I'm GLAD :-)"}, {"response": 1442, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct  2, 1999 (17:16)", "body": "(Evelyn) OK, while I'm at it...I also think Colin could have played the role of Robert in The Winslow Boy (Sorry, Winter). And any of the two male roles in AIH Of course, he *could* have played any of the roles, that's never been a point of disagreement. ;-D"}, {"response": 1443, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct  2, 1999 (19:00)", "body": "Ditto! :-)"}, {"response": 1444, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Oct  2, 1999 (19:13)", "body": "Might I interject my little facts and figures from Terry as to the needs for the The rest of the year as regards Spring and Drool (including cf.com and austen.com)according to Terry: Figures: $1288 quarterly colocation fee charged by ddc.net $602 quarterly SW Bell bandwidth fee $125 purchase of 9 gb hard drive to ease disk space shortage $??? upgrading of machines for y2k (1800-2000 approx) $300 Yapp licensing fee for the quarter So that's about $4,000 to get us through till the end of the year. Please help if you can...much appreciated by me and all the rest of those who who really NEED this place! Thanks!"}, {"response": 1445, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct  2, 1999 (19:42)", "body": "(Marcia)So that's about $4,000 to get us through till the end of the year. How many hits does Spring get a week....I'm curious. There must be a counter some place."}, {"response": 1446, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Oct  2, 1999 (21:11)", "body": "Kerry Fox is a young Brit Actress she was in the first of the Danny Boyle trilogies:) Shallow Grave, (awesome movie btw), the next one was Moon's favorite, Trainspotting;)"}, {"response": 1447, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Oct  3, 1999 (08:43)", "body": "The counter, which anyone can see, is at: http://www.spring.net/stats/stats.cgi We get 400,000 to 600,000 individual page impressions (hits?) a month."}, {"response": 1448, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct  3, 1999 (11:46)", "body": "(Terry)We get 400,000 to 600,000 individual page impressions (hits?) a month. Those are v. impressive figures...plus austen.com and cf.com... I would think any advertiser would be willing to have a banner touting his wares. I know it's lovely to be exclusive....but it would help pay for the real estate. If anyone has a better idea, let's hear it. Individual fundraising is the ideal...always, of course....but in reality it doesn't often cover the cost.Of course, there are other boards beside Drool in Spring."}, {"response": 1449, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Oct  3, 1999 (12:59)", "body": "Well, we're already getting at least $100 a month in visto clickthroughs, and that figure is exclusive of the other Spring websites, Spring now owns 175 domain names. Austen.com, firth.com, repeater.org, and others generate a lot of traffic. We do need sponsorship! Can we set up a sponsorship committee? Any volunteers?"}, {"response": 1450, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct  4, 1999 (00:01)", "body": "For those losing sleep because they don't understand cricket, I found this website that looks incredibly comprehensive. There is actually a diagram of a googley, among other strange things. Can't wait to study this one. http://www.ozsports.com.au/cricket/cricket_exp.html"}, {"response": 1451, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Oct  4, 1999 (00:04)", "body": "and for those (thanks Karen!) who want the facts and figures about Spring see Terry's link! Our stats, for anyone interested, are at http://www.spring.net/stats/stats.cgi Visto is supposed to pay quarterly, but we haven't seen our first check yet. We may be stepping up our shopping areas and going after more clickthrough revenue."}, {"response": 1452, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Oct  4, 1999 (00:09)", "body": "and,if there is any other cricket sharing, could you please check into Sports Conference http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/sports/47/all"}, {"response": 1453, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct  4, 1999 (15:11)", "body": "Miramax Films is starting the Big Push for \"Happy Texas\"...starring Jeremy Northam....Sweepstakes..the works. Including \"Own a Piece of Movie History\" promo.. they're giving away props of the film...including Harry's (JN) pants and shirt!! Disgusting.... (get over there Winter... http://www.happytexas.com )"}, {"response": 1454, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct  4, 1999 (16:45)", "body": "including Harry's (JN) pants and shirt!! Is it with or without JN in them? Makes a difference... ;-D"}, {"response": 1455, "author": "kcjones", "date": "Mon, Oct  4, 1999 (22:02)", "body": "Tee-Hee..... I found the Miramax site and put my entry in to \"win\" the mobile home that JN and his co-star escape in....(did not see the offer of the clothing!) - supposedly, you win the Winnebago and some traveling cash.....I forgot to ask if JN is my travelling companion..!! I hope that Happy Texas is shown in the \"mainstream\" theaters. The managers of the local \"art\" theaters are sick of me asking when \"Fever Pitch\" is coming...although I did just find out that the Jennifer Ehle fim \"Bedrooms and Hallways\" will be here (art house) in December...yippppeeee!!! It's been in NYC for awhile, so that's something to look forward to.. A friend of mine owns a video store here in Cleveland, Ohio that specializes in in not only the \"hot new releases\", but in many other, more OBSCURE titles... He was looking for some counter help, and I told him that if I ever worked for him, every film made by: Colin Firth Jennifer Ehle Jeremy Northam Jonathan Firth Would constantly be out on rental because I would be recruiting new members of the club!!! Hmmmm.....perhaps I should just buy him out...!"}, {"response": 1456, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct  4, 1999 (23:33)", "body": "LOL!! I've got the manager of the local Blockbusters really interested in seeing FP. You go, girl!! Win that Winnebago. but where would you park it?"}, {"response": 1457, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (10:50)", "body": "*venting* Another film title that makes me want to scream. First there was \"Coyote Ugly,\" which is terribly demeaning to women if you know what it refers to and now there is \"Buying the Cow\" based on the old question. *screaming wildly*"}, {"response": 1458, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (15:16)", "body": "Heard the buzz...it's ESBEE's birthday today! Happy Birthday, Es !"}, {"response": 1459, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (15:21)", "body": "Just poking my head out, to wish Esbee, the Happiest of Birthdays!!"}, {"response": 1460, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (15:23)", "body": "CELEBRATE!!!"}, {"response": 1461, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (15:35)", "body": "Thank you Karen :)"}, {"response": 1462, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (15:36)", "body": "HAPPY BIETHDAY ESBEE"}, {"response": 1463, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (15:40)", "body": "Thought this little item might go with something in your wardrobe...if not, I shall be delighted to wear it for you...*smile* (Actually it is my birthstone, but could not find one I liked in opal.)"}, {"response": 1464, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (15:43)", "body": "I'm always thinking of you..."}, {"response": 1465, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (15:52)", "body": "Brought him along to play your song for you since I cannot sing all that well: Note the fine Sporran he is wearing...standing in front of your getaway place where you will be entertained by toe-sucking Darcy... This is the view out of your bay window: ENJOY!!!"}, {"response": 1466, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (16:00)", "body": "*virtual party commences* Inspired by her creative works posted in FanFic, SB is in fast pursuit of Darcy, her ideal man. First she will make a spectacle of herself... Now she embarks on an exciting carriage ride... Better put the top up, if you know what I mean--people will stare! Ohh, SB! When will you find me? We meet at last! Wot? It's the wet shirt, you say? Er--um, come with me, and we'll celebrate your birthday!"}, {"response": 1467, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (16:05)", "body": "LOL, Karen! Here is the pic (I hope) that didn't come out in my last post. Hurry, SB! He's in agony!"}, {"response": 1468, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (16:06)", "body": "Oh, well. Anyway, you get my drift! Have a great one."}, {"response": 1469, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (16:19)", "body": "LOL! You guys are a hoot! :) LOVE the pics!!! Karen- nearly choked on my gum when i saw that Foot Worship pic Eileen- The carriage top will go up directly! (afterall, cant have everyone watching while i have Darcy trying on all those specticals you've provided!) ;) Marcia- SCOTSMEN!!!!! Yipee! Get me near red headed man in a kilt and i put Kitty and Lydia's retcoat chasing to shame :)"}, {"response": 1470, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (16:50)", "body": "Why don't we just go over to the mine, Esbee"}, {"response": 1471, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (17:05)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY,FROM ALL THE GANG"}, {"response": 1472, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (19:12)", "body": "Hey Esbee, you do remember what Darcy said in that picture I posted, don't you? ;-D"}, {"response": 1473, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (20:26)", "body": "Has 72 gone on the fritz again? All the print is large and bold. These birthday parties are sure rough on this conference!!"}, {"response": 1474, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (20:30)", "body": "Whew! That's better. (For me anyway!) Happy Birthday esbee!!! Have a ball!"}, {"response": 1475, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (20:43)", "body": "Happy Birthday Esbee! Have some bubbly while you're getting your tootsies ready for all that toe hanky panky."}, {"response": 1476, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (20:49)", "body": "* * * * * Oh, and Esbee: Thank You for Sharing Your Wit and Vivacity With All the Firthettes! Happy, Happy Natal Day!"}, {"response": 1477, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (23:31)", "body": "Love the bees!! I can handle them on the monitor. :-D"}, {"response": 1478, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (23:32)", "body": "Thank You One and All- I had a lovely, lovely day and your gifts were divine :) XOXOXOXOXOX"}, {"response": 1479, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (07:09)", "body": "Happy belated Birthday SB! I hope you can use these. :-D"}, {"response": 1480, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (07:28)", "body": "If she can't, send them my way. ;-D"}, {"response": 1481, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (08:55)", "body": "Thanks Moon! :) Emerald cut diamonds are my favorite- and that top one is a beaut! Maybe i'll hock the others and finance a trip to 3DOR in Jan :)"}, {"response": 1482, "author": "livamago", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (09:19)", "body": "Wot? I missed the party again? 'Tis too much to be borne! Happy Birthday SB!!!!"}, {"response": 1483, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (12:59)", "body": "I'm very sorry I'm late for your birthday, Esbee. My camels had to contend with the first autumn rains for which they were not prepared..."}, {"response": 1484, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (13:01)", "body": "But they did not lose their cargo. I thought you might like these... food for the Bees ;-)"}, {"response": 1485, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (17:05)", "body": "...and, for really hungry bees: Happy (belated) Birthday, Esbee!"}, {"response": 1486, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (17:21)", "body": "LOL! Love the flowers Gi! :) Sun Flowers are one of my favorites I had a Wonderful Birthday you guys - thanks So Much for making it special *virtual hugs all around* (and your so clever with the bee thing -hee hee) ;)"}, {"response": 1487, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct  7, 1999 (08:15)", "body": "Since Valmont et al. were just mentioned, funny that this should turn up. BTW, you can't get much \"odder\" than the last sentence! ;-D Class Dismissed At Fox's 'Manchester Prep' HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - School's out for Fox Broadcasting's troubled teen drama series \"Manchester Prep.\" The network pulled the plug on the series Wednesday, apparently deciding the show simply had no long-term prospect for survival. \"Manchester Prep\" was a small-screen version of last spring's modestly successful feature picture \"Cruel Intentions,\" which revolved around a handful of devious, privileged teens. Both the series and picture were designed as younger takes on the classic French novel \"Les Liaisons Dangereuses.\" Fox had ordered 13 episodes of \"Prep,\" but shot only two full episodes, including the pilot. Production had been halted several weeks ago amid reports of creative conflict between Fox and producer Columbia TriStar. Fox executives were worried about the show's edgy content, which included explorations of incest and teen sexuality. Rupert Murdoch, chairman of Fox parent News Corp., was said to have been outraged after seeing a syndicated newsmagazine story that previewed a \"Prep\" scene in which one of the young female characters is sexually aroused by a horse."}, {"response": 1488, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct  7, 1999 (08:26)", "body": "From Empire: Has the world gone Noel Coward crazy? Following last night's Film 99 on-set report from Relative Values, starring Julie Andrews, Jeanne Tripplehorn and William Baldwin yet another Coward play begins the inexorable climb to the big screen. But what makes Quadrille more than just another Coward comedy of manners is that the canny production company Alibi Films International has managed to nab Madge [Madonna] in one of the leading roles. Screen International reports that she will play the wife of an aristocrat who leaves her for the younger wife of an American industrialist. Quadrille will be the biggest budget film to be backed by the National Lottery to date. Alongside Madonna, the production company hopes to bring in three more A-list stars. It's already secured the services of Forrest Gump's Steve Tisch as executive producer."}, {"response": 1489, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Thu, Oct  7, 1999 (10:08)", "body": "Happy Belated Birthday Esbee!! Karen, that foot pic, ROTFLOL!! Moon: Would love to know what some of that dutch dialog meant Tineke, when you get a chance. :-) Like Karen said, I don'r remember much. There's Anna saying \"Mam, hij is vies, hij eet als een varken\" (Mum, he's dirty, he eats like a pig) The boy's name 'Kees' is one of the most common, most typical Dutch (not Flemish) names. Whenever we imitate the Dutch, we always use the name 'Kees' because it's so very Dutch (we say 'Hollands'). Ann, thanks for the Summerfolk review. I'm considering making a birthday trip to London to see Summerfolk and 3DOR of course. I've come to realise that I probably won't make it to London in Januari:-("}, {"response": 1490, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Thu, Oct  7, 1999 (10:55)", "body": "Karen, I just saw that Madonna blurb as well (posted it on 119 -- sorry for the duplication). All I can say is, gag me. I can see her buddy Rupert doing Coward quite well, though. The Boston papers have started running ads for \"Waiting in the Wings.\" Rosemary Harris looks lovely in her photo. JE looks so like her."}, {"response": 1491, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Oct  7, 1999 (11:03)", "body": "(Susan) All I can say is, gag me Aargh, me too. I was channel surfing last night and watched part of Madonna's interview on Bravo Profiles. There she was in all her glory, legs wide open, answering most questions by merely repeating the question back to the interviewer. She's 100% hype, IMO. Casting her in a period piece should be interesting."}, {"response": 1492, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct  7, 1999 (11:51)", "body": "(Susan) All I can say is, gag me Not over the posting, surely! Re the casting, we are all gagging. ;-D"}, {"response": 1493, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Oct  7, 1999 (13:41)", "body": "She DID do a period piece. It was called EVITA , and she got really good reviews. Don't dismiss her. She may pleasantly surprise us all."}, {"response": 1494, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Oct  7, 1999 (14:50)", "body": "I am aware she did EVITA. *IMO* this new project will be very different from EVITA."}, {"response": 1495, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct  7, 1999 (16:05)", "body": "I saw EVITA....actually the reviews were v. mediocre.Antonio Banderas got all the raves. IMO Madonna can sing and dance....Period."}, {"response": 1496, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Oct  7, 1999 (19:44)", "body": "I can't win. You will dismiss every female actress that isn't so and so and who and who. I personally think this will be a challenge for Madonna (and who isn't up for a challenge?) She's evolved so much in recent years, that you're dismissal of her is totally biased because of what she represents or represented. She has much talent and I'd like to see her succeed. She was very good in Evita . I was pleasantly surprised by her. I've liked Antonio Banderas since I saw him in The Mambo Kings u>, so I knew he'd do a good job. Jimmy Nail is another actor who was really good (albeit brief role. I believe he's a very well-known singer/stage actor in London.) I say, just give her a chance and don't knock her down for trying something that people would not necessarily associate Madonna with. What would you guys say if Colin Firth ended up on say, Buffy the Vampire Slayer as her new watcher? \"Brilliant casting.\" \"he'll certainly get noticed now.\" \"ewwwwww, that Sarah Michelle Geller, sh 's too young to be his love interest.\" You get the idea. (I know BtVS is way off, but it was just a analogy.)"}, {"response": 1497, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Oct  7, 1999 (19:45)", "body": "UGH!"}, {"response": 1498, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Oct  7, 1999 (19:50)", "body": "(is it ok if we don't underline everything from here on out?!)"}, {"response": 1499, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct  7, 1999 (22:33)", "body": "Hey, I didn't say anything bad about Madonna. I loved the movie Evita; thought it was fabulous. She did a very good job, as did Banderas and Alan Parker. (Think I'll play the music) ;-D Beside, Madonna did fine in A League of Their Own and going way back to Desperately Seeking Susan."}, {"response": 1500, "author": "Teg", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (05:44)", "body": "Re: Jimmy Nail.... Yeah, he's quite a dab hand at most everything over 'ome. Writing, producing, acting, directing, composing, singing, playing.... But he's not quite the 'popular' lad personality-wise. He's a bit full of himself... and after the above resume is taken into account, who wouldn't be?? I agree. He's quite the talented man. And I like him immensely. Bought another of his cd's while I was over there, too. :) Laura.. that Buffy idea.. hee hee.. I might tune into the show if CF appeared as a watcher. (or did you perhaps mean 'voyeur' ;) )"}, {"response": 1501, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (10:48)", "body": "(Evelyn) IMO Madonna can sing and dance....Period. Just wanted to make sure that I said **IMO**.... Excuse me...is it okay if people have opinions around here....even if we don't underline them? :-D BTW I didn't say I didn't like the film. EVITA was v. close to an opera and brilliantly directed...haunting music ( I saw the show). Madonna belted out the songs with gusto.Danced a mean tango Argentino with Antonio. If only she hadn't spoken ;-D"}, {"response": 1502, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (11:33)", "body": "The underline was an accident!!! :) Of course you can opinions, I can too;)"}, {"response": 1503, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (12:40)", "body": "This is from today's Times, which I thought was interesting, wasn't it Handmade Films who were responsible for SLOW languishing in the Bank Vault for so long? - \"Key role for Alibi in Madonna film. Alibi Communications, the British film and television group quoted on the Alternative Investment Market, has won the worldwide distribution rights to a new film starring Madonna. The company, which is headed by former management team of George Harrison's HandMade Films, is understood to have paid several million pounds for the rights. The film is called Quadrille and is a remake of the Noel Coward play of the same name. Alibi will start reselling the rights immediate y to local distributors around the world. The film is the first to be distributed by Alibi's films division.Filming of Quadrille, funded and produced by both British and American companies, will begin in February. The film is abodut a philandering English aristocrat who elopes to the South of France with the wife of an idustrialist. Madonna will play the philander's spurned wife. The rest of the cast is not yet complete, although Alibi says that it will include \"A-List\" Hollywood actors and actresses. Qua rille, which will be shot on location in both Britain and France, has secured a 1million pound grant for the Arts Council of England. Alibi shares were barely changed yesterday at 801/1p.\""}, {"response": 1504, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (13:15)", "body": "(AnnW) wasn't it Handmade Films who were responsible for SLOW languishing in the Bank Vault for so long? Yes, Handmade's bankruptcy caused the lockup. However, that probably has nothing to do with its showing at the film fest. One of two things has happened: (1) Somebody has bought the film or (2) the bank is actively trying to do so. The first is more likely. This Alibi group consists of the \"former\" management team of Handmade. Nothing prevents those guys from starting up a new company, but they do not own the assets of Handmade, which underwent a Chapter 10 type bankruptcy (liquidation of assets). If it had tried a Chapter 11 type (reorganization), then it would have had the same name and some of its assets. At least, this is my interpretation. ;-D"}, {"response": 1505, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (15:12)", "body": "One of two things has happened: (1) Somebody has bought the film That must have happened after that someone read that we were going to organize and buy it ourselves, set up distribution, promotion...I guess they beat us to it, to good a deal to pass up. ;-) Laura, that comment you made about wanting Madonna to succeed! PLEASE! Does she need any more success? She has already made more films than most and sold quite a bit of records too. I pity her not!"}, {"response": 1506, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (15:23)", "body": "(Laura) I can't win. You will dismiss every female actress that isn't so and so and who and who. This is about winning? There are plenty of actresses I admire (BTW, who exactly are so and so and who and who?). Madonna doesn't happen to be one of them. More power to you if you like her. You must be very excited about this project. Uh-oh, I suppose this means Madonna's not going to be Bridget Jones :-P"}, {"response": 1507, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (15:30)", "body": "Eileen - I suppose this means Madonna's not going to be Bridget Jones neither is Cate Blanchett I think, I read today that she has joined the cast of Lord of The Rings? or something like that, unless thats why they posponed things until next year."}, {"response": 1508, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (15:39)", "body": "(Eileen) I suppose this means Madonna's not going to be Bridget Jones Casting against type? ;-D Madonna as the mousy Bridget, interesting. Read the same, Ann, about Cate Blanchett. Everybody, but everybody, is going to be in Lord of the Rings and they are shooting three films simultaneously. Don't know how big a part this will be though. She's also doing Faulks' Charlotte Grey among others... Tags all fixed."}, {"response": 1509, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (16:44)", "body": "...I suppose this means Madonna's not going to be Bridget Jones :-P Good idea....Let's start a petition....:-D"}, {"response": 1510, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct  9, 1999 (08:51)", "body": "Bedrooms & Hallways is playing at: Alliance Cinema 927 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139 305-532-9710"}, {"response": 1511, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct  9, 1999 (10:14)", "body": "Bedrooms and Hallways also playing at The Egyptian Theatre , Seattle, Coolidge Corner Theatre , Brookline, Mass Towne Cinema in San Jose, Ca. Atlanta, Portland and Oklahoma City Gay & Lesbian FF. On the 14th it will be released at Reel Affirmations FF in Washington, DC That's it for this week. Tune in later for the rest of the schedule."}, {"response": 1512, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct  9, 1999 (11:07)", "body": "Well, I did drag my DH to see B&H last night. After 3 minutes into the film and two men kissed, he gets up and tells me he will wait for me at the bookstore nextdoor. He would not have liked the film and with good reason, it is terrible! Once again, we get to see another contemporary British film with no redeeming value about characters that seem to think only about their sexual relations. JE comes in about an hour into the film and her role was not believable (why would she want to sleep with a gay guy?). She is very pretty and that comes through, although her wardrobe was...ugh! MLSF should be in Miami at the end of October, and it can not be soon enough for me. I just have to figure out how I will manage multiple viewings."}, {"response": 1513, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Oct  9, 1999 (12:56)", "body": "I'm sorry you didn't like B&H Moon, I thought it was very funny, I must admit I didn't like the male kissing but I thought JE was excellent and I also liked Tom Hollander when he wasn't kissing!, as to Jennifer's wardrobe I thought it was fine especially the dress she wore in the last scene. I don't think my hubby would have liked it either but I got over that problem by renting out the video whilst he was away taking my son to Uni. I really only rented it for JE and didn't think I would like it but if ou don't take it too seriously then I think it is fine. It has actually received very good reviews, I think I have read only one bad one. Glad you will finally be getting to see MLSF, if only we were getting it then, oh hum."}, {"response": 1514, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Oct  9, 1999 (18:20)", "body": "Evelyn, B&H only got two stars from the reviewer here in Boston. He did say that it had an interesting ending. From reading the review, it sounds like a confused story line! But interesting nonetheless!"}, {"response": 1515, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 10, 1999 (00:11)", "body": "OUTRAGEOUS FORTUNES Flashman and the Tiger by George MacDonald Fraser HarperCollins \ufffd16.99 pp320 Peter Kemp In the late-1960s, George MacDonald Fraser had a brainwave. What better way to cast a quizzical eye over the swagger of Britain's imperial past than by following the military career of the man who was the most disreputable schoolboy in Victorian fiction: Flashman, the cowardly bully in Tom Brown's Schooldays. From 1969 onwards, 10 novels - purportedly instalments from the memoirs of Sir Harry Flashman VC - have provided an exuberantly deflationary view of momentous episodes in the annals of the empire. Flashman has been seen behaving like a cad on the North-West frontier, in the Punjab, in South Africa and Borneo. Occasionally, he has also fetched up in regions as far-flung as the Wild West and China's Celestial Empire. Although resolutely craven and unswervingly self-interested, Flashman always emerges bathed in glory from the perils into which fate keeps pitching him. The blind funk to which he instantly succumbs when in danger inspires feats of ingenuity that not only save his skin but enhance his reputation. Accidentally earned medals are pinned on to his corpulent bulk. Doted on by his admiring monarch, he is a favoured guest at her court. As his memoirs bear witness, Queen Victoria isn't the only regal female to look fondly on Flashman. During his service overseas, the Empress of China, an Apache princess, the Queen of Madagascar and a nymphomaniac Maharani have all found cause to express their approbation in more palpable ways than tea and crumpets at Windsor. Shirking military skirmishes, Flashman is a seasoned veteran of amorous ones. The lengthy tally of gratefully satiated females strewn throughout his reminiscences testifies to the v gour and dash with which he deploys his \"Adam's arsenal\". Flashman and the Tiger, which consists of a novella and two stories, affords an opportunity of watching him operate outside his usual arena of reluctant participation in military events. These three tales respectively display him embroiled in an intrigue concerning Bismarck and the Austro-Hungarian emperor, Franz-Josef; trying to puzzle out the truth behind a baccarat scandal that embarrasses the Prince of Wales; and struggling to save his granddaughter from a fate worse than death in an 1890s London patr lled by Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson. Although these stories aren't set, like the Flashman novels, against a backdrop of thrilling military action, they are far from short of the sensational. There is a duel to the death with sabres in an icy salt mine, an assignation with a voluptuous Middle European royal in a sleeping car on the Orient Express, and a deadly tussle with a villain hell-bent on exacting vengeance for a long-resented injury. These excitements are zestfully unrolled, but what most energises the pages is Fraser's virtuoso historical expertise. His prose is constantly perked up by lively use of period slang: people don't knock on doors but \"knuckle the walnut\", characters don't die but \"have their gas turned off'\". Vitalising substance is given to scenarios of tongue-in-cheek melodrama by a wealth of know-how about 19th-century military, political, social and cultural life. Co-existing subversively with this meticulous re-creation of the 19th-century scene are the 20th-century-sounding tones of cynicism and scabrousness let rip by Flashman's narrative voice. There is a further jolting juxtaposition, too. Although Flashman is shamelessly devoid of Victorian virtues - patriotism, duty, courage, fidelity - he bristles with prejudices of his era. International relations, for him, are a matter of distrusting the Frogs and Square Heads, keeping down the Fuzzy-Wuzzies, groaning whe \"some daft fakir\" stirs up the natives, and taking to his heels when \"monstrous black-limbed savages\" start brandishing their assegais as the war drums beat. Sexual attitudes are correspondingly unreconstructed. Women who feature in Flashman's gamey recollections tend to take the form of a \"fascinating Balkan bint\" or \"a delightful little spanker\". Their attributes that stand out in his memory are \"a fine full rump\", \"jutting young bumpers\" or noteworthy \"bouncers\". \"I slipped the flimsy stuff aside to get a proper grip of the meat,\" he typically recalls of one encounter. But, eluding his grip in other ways, women prove slippery customers. \"Would it surprise y u to learn that she is a trained criminologist, speaks fluently four languages, rides, fences and shoots, and is a valued member of the d\ufffdpartement secret of the Ministry of the Interior?\" he is asked as he ogles a slave girl naked but for ankle-fetters and a turban. Each of these stories ends with a twist that gives a tantalising glimpse of female tricksiness. Farcically outrageous and disgracefully entertaining, they show no diminishing of Fraser's comic verve and constitute a vintage 30th-anniversary addition to his Flashman Papers."}, {"response": 1516, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Oct 10, 1999 (01:03)", "body": "Thanks, Karen. This sounds like a fun book. But I'm not sure I liked this part :-0 \"Accidentally earned medals are pinned on to his corpulent bulk Haven't all the bits we've seen of Flashy made him appear svelte? I suppose I shouldn't worry. If ODB decides to play him, we know there's no way he could be described as corpulent!"}, {"response": 1517, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 10, 1999 (08:38)", "body": "That must have happened much later in life...way after all these adventures. The Flashman Papers are put forward as memoirs. So far (and I've just finished Flashman's Lady), he's still one good looking stud (literally, as the Queen of Madagascar's boytoy). ;-D"}, {"response": 1518, "author": "Irishprincess", "date": "Sun, Oct 10, 1999 (11:18)", "body": "(Karen)\"a delightful little spanker\". I love it, I love it! LOL!"}, {"response": 1519, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 10, 1999 (18:17)", "body": "I have just seen BEDROOMS& HALLWAYS at the OKC G&L Film Festival.. LOL Moon, I'm sure your DH might have been upset with same-gender kissing..Don't take him to see Wilde with same-gender graphic sex scenes between Oscar Wilde(SF) and Bossie(Jude Law). I thought it was v. funny...and I don't think it was ever mean't to be taken seriously by the director or author.Simon Callow was a hoot.I thought JE , who looked as beautiful as ever, played her role well. Even though it was not a major part. The clothes...were v. English- Camden -Town variety.In UK , and in some sections of US nothern cities, the 20 somethings dress like that.... Trainspotting(which you liked) was about drugs....B&H is about sex.....\"Different strokes, for different folks\"Who am I to judge? I found it entertaining....whether one approves of that lifestyle or not... It has received generally good reviews....including the Philly Inquirer. Is it Oscar/BAFTA worthy? No...but hey, it's making money. Took in $17,000.first weekend in NY. (Bless those gays). It is now playing in mainstream cinemas across the country and Australia. I understand even in Brazil. In all fairness, it is a film for the younger generation.It's difficult for the rest of us to reconcile ourselves to alternative lifestyles."}, {"response": 1520, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (10:04)", "body": "From Empire: Hugh Grant's Hornby Lead? 09/10/1999 After several months of unsuccessfully courting Hollywood actors like Brad Pitt, Robert de Niro seems set to sign up Hugh Grant for the lead role in de Niro's production of the Nick Hornby novel About A Boy. A report published in the Telegraph that the two are 'close to a deal' will please fans of Hornby who were, to a man, upset by the Americanisation of the author's last novel High Fidelity, which was optioned by John Cusack. The role of Will Lightman seems perfect for Hugh - he's a thirty-something, child/man, commitment-phobe whose search for the right woman leads him to adopt a child (a scheme which bears some resemblance to Adam Sandler's recent hit Big Daddy. ********* I think it's a riot that they are still calling the character Will Lightman, when it was changed to Will Freeman just prior to publication."}, {"response": 1521, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (10:47)", "body": "\"Adam's arsenal\" LOL! There's a new one! \"jutting young bumpers\" or noteworthy \"bouncers\" Hee hee! The best was from Flashman (first book of the series)--Karen, you e-mailed it to me--something about \"her utters nearly fell into her soup.\" Outrageous! (Jana) Haven't all the bits we've seen of Flashy made him appear svelte? Of the books I've read, he's the oldest (53) in the second half of Flashman and the Redskins--and he prides himself on his 'pancake flat' stomach. He is described as tall and wide-shouldered, though (remind you of anyone?). Perhaps that's what was meant by \"bulk.\" Hugh Grant's Hornby Lead? If I *ever* read that Hughie's going to play Flashy, I'll need to be sedated...then put into a rubber room... That's a good point about AAB and Big Daddy, though. They'll have to work to avoid another 'EdTV vs. Truman Show' problem."}, {"response": 1522, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (11:09)", "body": "Eileen, what about \"rogering\"? Shagging has become so commonplace these days, think I'll use the 19th century equivalent. ;-D Started to read, \"Flashman and the Mountain of Light,\" last night which starts out during 1887, with the preparations for Queen Victoria's Jubilee Year, but flashes back to Harry's years in India during 1845-6. He's an old man and Sir Harry already, but no physical description is given. Had to put the book down as pages are torn out again! Maybe I'll go back to reading them in the order of publication, because it's getting too confusing when Fraser refers to later adventures in previously published books. Ann, you got a kick out of \"spanker\"! ;-D"}, {"response": 1523, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (13:21)", "body": "Whose \"spanker\", sorry you have lost me!!"}, {"response": 1524, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (13:37)", "body": "Sorry, Ann, I misread. It was Amy who seemed to like \"spanker\"!"}, {"response": 1525, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (23:12)", "body": "Karen, I thought Flashman and The Mountain Of Light was hilarious. From the beginning when he and his wife are having tea with Queen Victoria ( she's lacing her tea with whiskey). Him shagging Mrs Madison under the pool table when his commander walks in with another officer to have a game. His escape from the bath and the falling ceiling. Hanging under the balconey while his the assasians are looking for him. Thats just the first few chapters. It's great so you'll enjoy I know."}, {"response": 1526, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 13, 1999 (12:51)", "body": "Mike Binder's The Sex Monster will be shown on Cinemax this Friday for the first time. This little capsule review is from Entertainment Weekly and does not bode well for Londinium. :-( WAS IT BAD FOR YOU, TOO? 8-9:45PM THE SEX MONSTER (Cinemax, TV-MA) This is what happens when you spend too many hours watching Neil LaBute movies and listening to Howard Stern. Writer-director Mike Binder (''Blankman'' -- ha!) stars as an L.A. contracting exec who finally talks his wife (Mariel Hemingway, left with Binder) into a m\ufffdnage \ufffd trois, only to see her ravenously embrace her sapphic side, often to his exclusion. But he's not half as frustrated as we are. Thanks to Binder's leaden script and a per ormance suggesting Paul Reiser at his whiny, flailing worst (now, that's saying something), you find yourself wondering less why Hemingway's character takes to lesbianism and more why she ended up with this clich\ufffd-spouting jerk in the first place. D"}, {"response": 1527, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Oct 13, 1999 (13:00)", "body": "Ouch! I hope Mike was just getting his practice shots in with this one..."}, {"response": 1528, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 13, 1999 (13:07)", "body": "Sounds like another one destined for the bank vault..."}, {"response": 1529, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Oct 13, 1999 (16:26)", "body": "Do not worry.If there is a lesbian theme it will probably be shown."}, {"response": 1530, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 13, 1999 (23:41)", "body": "There's another review of the Sex Monster out there! From Todd McCarthy of Variety and he liked it. Must appeal to some very base level. Also says that it would have very limited appeal and not enough titillation for cable! ;-D http://www.variety.com/cannes99/cannes/subsequent_pages/review.asp?recordID=1117499874"}, {"response": 1531, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 14, 1999 (10:37)", "body": "Low- brow -audience-pleaser, indeed. But mild-mannered??A little oxymoron here. The whole premise sounds sick to me....give me some good ole titilation any day :-)"}, {"response": 1532, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (16:33)", "body": "Translation request: I saw Ratcatcher last night and, as some know, it takes place in a real slummy area of Glasgow. With the accent being as heavy as it is, the entire film is subtitled, with good reason, for our American ears.* Most of the slang I could handle, but there were a couple of words that I hadn't a clue. Unfortunately, the only one I remember was \"pong\" and I don't remember the context. What does it mean? (other than it being an old video arcade game) *I could understand more of the spoken dialogue in an Israeli film without reading the subtitles than in Ratcatcher."}, {"response": 1533, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (16:35)", "body": "P.S. Shame I didn't get to hear a whole lot of Finnish, Elena. The film I saw \"Juha\" is done as a silent film. ;-D"}, {"response": 1534, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Oct 16, 1999 (07:01)", "body": "Unfortunately, the only one I remember was \"pong\" and I don't remember the context. pong = bad smell at least it does in english. Cannot answer for scots."}, {"response": 1535, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 16, 1999 (08:18)", "body": "Thanks, Allison. Makes sense, as throughout the film, a major garbage strike is taking place and it's piled up everywhere."}, {"response": 1536, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (06:36)", "body": "\"Rules for Writers\" 1. Verbs HAS to agree with their subjects. 2. Prepositions are not words to end sentences with. 3. And don't start a sentence with a conjunction. 4. It is wrong to ever split an infinitive. 5. Avoid cliches like the plague. (They're old hat.) 6. Also, always avoid annoying alliteration. 7. Be more or less specific. 8. Parenthetical remarks (however relevant) are (usually) unnecessary. 9. Also too, never, ever use repetitive redundancies. 10. No sentence fragments. 11. Contractions aren't necessary and shouldn't be used. 12. Foreign words and phrases are not apropos. 13. Do not be redundant; do not use more words than necessary; it's highly superfluous. 14. One should NEVER generalize. 15. Comparisons are as bad as cliches. 16. Don't use no double negatives. 17. Eschew ampersands & abbreviations, etc. 18. One-word sentences? Eliminate. 19. Analogies in writing are like feathers on a snake. 20. The passive voice is to be ignored. 21. Eliminate commas, that are, not necessary. Parenthetical words however should be enclosed in commas. 22. Never use a big word when substituting a diminutive one would suffice. 23. Kill all exclamation points!!! 24. Use words correctly, irregardless of how others use them. 25. Understatement is always the absolute best way to put forth earth-shaking ideas. 26. Use the apostrophe in it's proper place and omit it when its not needed. 27. Eliminate quotations. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, \"I hate quotations. Tell me what you know.\" 28. If you've heard it once, you've heard it a thousand times: Resist hyperbole; not one writer in a million can use it correctly. 29. Puns are for children, not groan readers. 30. Go around the barn at high noon to avoid colloquialisms. 31. Even IF a mixed metaphor sings, it should be derailed. 32. Who needs rhetorical questions? 33. Exaggeration is a billion times worse than understatement. 34. Avoid \"buzz-words\"; such integrated transitional scenarios complicate simplistic matters. And finally... 35. Proofread carefully to see if you any words out."}, {"response": 1537, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (09:06)", "body": "In the Sunday Times: The limping progress of Captain Corelli's Mandolin towards being made into a feature film continues, despite the fact that its would-be director, Roger Michell, has suffered a heart attack. Presumably he is overcome by the success of his latest film, Notting Hill. Happily, according to sources at Working Title Films, Michell is now said to be \"doing fine\", and shooting on Captain Corelli will start as planned in the spring. There is also an article about P&P, the novel, by Fay Weldon. so so and no mention of Darcy as a character by name."}, {"response": 1538, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (13:07)", "body": "Wasn't it Fay Weldon who adapted a previous TV version of P&P? Is she still sulking that it has now been completely overshadowed?"}, {"response": 1539, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (13:38)", "body": "Oh Karen, I didn\ufffdt notice your comment about Juha before but now I did and I\ufffdm all amazement, is the film being shown in Chicago??!! Please please please tell me honestly what you thought about it. It\ufffds a strange movie and somewhat ridiculous too, isn\ufffdt it. I can\ufffdt imagine what it looks like to Americans, really can\ufffdt. The reason why I\ufffdm so interested in this is that the director if the film lives here in this town, Karkkila I mean. The film was also shot in this town and surroundings and there are the local theater folks in small roles. I also eat often in the restaurant that\ufffds portrayed in the film (in the \"brothel\")!"}, {"response": 1540, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (14:28)", "body": "Hey..gang...we have a celebrity in our midst... Pl. tell us Elena...did you see the movie being filmed? Do you know anyone who is in the film? Wish I could see Juha..."}, {"response": 1541, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (14:52)", "body": "Not a celebrity I\ufffdm afraid, unfortunately I\ufffdm not in the film but there are many people I know in it. It\ufffds a real village movie. Evelyn, I\ufffdm really not sure you\ufffdd like to see it, like I said it\ufffds a strange one and I\ufffdm sure Karen can confirm this!! It\ufffds a silent b&w tragicomedy. The director Aki Kaurism\u00e4ki has made much better movies than Juha. Btw he often uses some excellent foreign actors in him films, like Andre Wilms in this one."}, {"response": 1542, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (16:31)", "body": "Juha had a couple of showings at the film fest, so it doesn't have a regular run. I thought it was an interesting exercise for Kaurismaki and one in which he succeeded in recreating the mood/feel of silent films, with the actors overemoting (wish you could see the faces I'm making right now like the ones they did for shock, surprise, happiness!!) and a classic good vs. evil storyline. Loved the silly, mechanical waving by the villagers (did you know those people??). I did wonder why he chose to have th singer at the brothel (your restaurant) actually sing and then, in french. Also, why he chose to date the story in the '60s, I think. Also, was Karkkila the big town he takes her to? Or was that supposed to be someplace else?"}, {"response": 1543, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (16:34)", "body": "Thanks for the list of rules, Arami. I shall stick to them like peanut butter to an aspidistra (sp?). Hee."}, {"response": 1544, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (03:25)", "body": "Karen, I appreciate it that you got the basic idea of Juha exactly! It\ufffds an old tragedy told again and again in different forms over here. Originally the old and ugly seducer of the innocent wife of Juha is a Russian salesman (and Finland is traditionally portrayed as a young blond maiden). There\ufffds even an opera about the same story but I don\ufffdt think anybody has tried to make it comical before. The big town was Helsinki I think but all the indoor shots and the villagers are from Karkkila. And why 60\ufffds....Kaurism\u00e4ki often dates his films in the fifties or sixties, it\ufffds one of his personal trade marks. This also has something to do with the problem of innocence that\ufffds very important in all his movies."}, {"response": 1545, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (08:29)", "body": "Elena, that's fascinating. I hadn't taken it to a symbolic level (Finland vs. Russia), although it does make sense historically. The innocence of Juha and his wife (back on the farm) comes through in the scenes where they're going to bed. I remember the biggest laughs (tragic in retrospect) were, after the stranger left and the wife is becoming disillusioned with her life/role on the farm--putting on the makeup and when she serves him that dinner. Overall, I thought it was an interesting film."}, {"response": 1546, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (14:45)", "body": "Overall, I thought it was an interesting film I promise to tell that to Aki next time I see him in the local bar!"}, {"response": 1547, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (20:53)", "body": "And tell him I really liked the mechanical waving! ;-D"}, {"response": 1548, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 19, 1999 (16:25)", "body": "Karen...I thought for sure you would have posted..... Rupert Everett has been nominated for the European Oscar for AIH , Moon ..along with RF for Sunshine."}, {"response": 1549, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 19, 1999 (17:42)", "body": "Karen...I thought for sure you would have posted..... Rupert Everett has been nominated for the European Oscar for AIH *am still in shock* (Rupe, hon, I'm just kidding) Ashame this didn't happen about a week ago, huh, Moon? ;-D"}, {"response": 1550, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 19, 1999 (17:42)", "body": "Karen...I thought for sure you would have posted..... Rupert Everett has been nominated for the European Oscar for AIH *am still in shock* (Rupe, hon, I'm just kidding) A shame this didn't happen about a week ago, huh, Moon? ;-D"}, {"response": 1551, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 19, 1999 (20:04)", "body": "Will you still be my friend, Moon, if I root for Rafe? After all, I've got a vested interest in this film....Sunshine also nominated for cinematography and screenwriting awards by the Euro Film Academy. What? They're gonna give it to a guy that wrote a 4 hour script before the cut? Ten lashes."}, {"response": 1552, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Oct 20, 1999 (09:02)", "body": "Karen, too bad you don\ufffdt live in Spain!!! :-) I just heard that nineteen of Kaurism\u00e4kis movies are to be shown in the Gijon film festival in the end of November."}, {"response": 1553, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 20, 1999 (09:23)", "body": "Elena, I'll check to see if any of his others are available on video. BTW, tell him that if he submits any of his films to the Chicago fest next year, he should visit. Lots of directors do. Last night, Scott Hicks (director of Shine) was there, with Ethan Hawke for \"Snow Falling on Cedars.\" The night before, the director of Tumbleweeds (highly recommended) was there with Janet McTeer, who BTW I think would have been perfect for Nan/Lina in 3DOR. Tumbleweeds was picked up by Fine Line and will open in NY/LA right before Thanksgiving and other markets in mid-December. A Chicago reviewer called McTeer's performance a dark horse candidate for an Oscar. She mastered a southern accent (said she orked very hard with a coach, watched every movie she could find, listened to every country album in the world, and hung out in NC)--perfect for Lina. As her real self, I could visualize her as Nan."}, {"response": 1554, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Oct 20, 1999 (09:50)", "body": "Karen, Kaurism\u00e4ki\ufffds attitude to publicity is exceptional. For instance in the Berlinale last spring he was reported by the British press to have behaved amazingly badly = drunk and totally uninterested in their questions. He very seldom gives interviews. Typically, he also recently refused to attend our annual meeting of journalists in this area (taking place next Friday). We\ufffdre gathering in that very restaurant/brothel in Juha to discuss the Finnish film industry today, and naturally asked him to come and give his views, but he\ufffds \ufffdnot interested\ufffd!"}, {"response": 1555, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Oct 21, 1999 (08:12)", "body": "Arami, loved yout \"Rules for writers\". This is the kind of stuff that Marciaposts in her topic in \"Screwed\", have you checked it out? (Evelyn)Rupert Everett has been nominated for the European Oscar for AIH Forgive the ignorance, what is the \"European Oscar\"? (Elena)Karen, too bad you don\ufffdt live in Spain!!! :-) I just heard that nineteen of Kaurism\ufffdkis movies are to be shown in the Gijon film festival in the end of November. Nineteen! Do you think anybody will watch \"all\" of them? :-)"}, {"response": 1556, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 21, 1999 (09:38)", "body": "This was in THR today: Sliding to TV's door CBS may look to develop a small-screen version of Miramax-Paramount romancer and Gwyneth Paltrow starrer \"Sliding Doors,\" sources said. The script is from Paramount Network TV and Sidney Pollack's Mirage, which produced the film in 1998. It is unknown whether Pollack would direct the project, should the eye order the pilot. \"Sliding Doors,\" penned by writer-director Peter Howitt for film, focuses on two divergent directions a woman's (Paltrow) life would take if she did or did not catch her commuter train ********* Are they kidding? This I gotta see! ;-D"}, {"response": 1557, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Oct 21, 1999 (11:29)", "body": "Nineteen! Do you think anybody will watch \"all\" of them? Ah, dearest Gi! You\ufffdre JUST the right person to ask this, considering your geographical location. Start packing! :-D"}, {"response": 1558, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 21, 1999 (16:38)", "body": "(Gi)Forgive the ignorance, what is the \"European Oscar\"? The European Film Academy...given for European films and European actors only Last year the awards were presented in London ( to Roberrrrrto) and this year will take place in Berlin on December 4th. http://www.europeanfilmacademy.org/ ~~~~~ (Karen) It is unknown whether Pollack would direct the project, \"Sliding Doors,\" penned by writer-director PeterHowitt I liked Sliding Doors...thought it was brilliant. Better they should keep Howitt as the director...Sidney Pollack pulled a loser with Random Hearts..."}, {"response": 1559, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Fri, Oct 22, 1999 (02:46)", "body": "(Evelyn) I liked Sliding Doors...thought it was brilliant. Me too. I really liked this film, mostly because of it's clever script. I loved the parallel story lines and the way they made it clear which life story you were watching. But I can't imagine how they'd make this into a decent weekly TV show. I will reserve judgement, but it's hard to imagine how this could work!"}, {"response": 1560, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Oct 22, 1999 (05:50)", "body": "Irene Jacob was in Helsinki yesterday promoting a movie where she stars with Bill Pullman. The film opened here today and it\ufffds directed by the Finnish Ilkka J\u00e4rvi-Laturi, and it was also filmed here. Irene is a KGB agent in it!...Unfortunately I don\ufffdt know what\ufffds the English name, in Finnish it\ufffds \"History is made by night\" and it\ufffds been sold to many countries including the US."}, {"response": 1561, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 22, 1999 (08:53)", "body": "\"History is made by night\" That's the title being used. If you go to this ink at the IMDB, there is a user comment from when the film was screened at Toronto. http://us.imdb.com/Title?0170107 Re: Sliding Doors I can't imagine how it could be turned into a series, but then again I don't have as much imagination as those TV people. ;-D Since one of the characters dies at the end and the other chucks off slimey Jerry, what are they going to do follow long-haired Helen while she has chance meetings with James? I too like the movie and the music."}, {"response": 1562, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 22, 1999 (09:34)", "body": "The LA Intl Film Fest opens tonight and there are a number of interesting films to see. This article at the LA Times links to the AFI's website with a full info. However, I did notice that \"Dreaming of Joseph Lees\" is playing I think on the 28th. Eric Styles will likely be there, so time to ask about Relative Values and Colin! http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/lat_afi991021.htm"}, {"response": 1563, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct 22, 1999 (11:57)", "body": "You are making me nostalgic, Karen. I always attended the LA Film Fest when I lived there. Got to meet lots of \"new\" directors including Aldomovar before anyone knew who he was. \"History is made by night\" is one film I will see, I also like Irene J. very much. \"Slidding Doors\" I also enjoyed. I did not like the leading actor. I would have liked to see Jeremy N. instead. :-)"}, {"response": 1564, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct 22, 1999 (13:29)", "body": "Karen, this is a little present to you. For all your hard work, always digging up the scoop. To our chic-cow-girl, that wonderful town. :-D ;-) http://www.cowdance.com"}, {"response": 1565, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 22, 1999 (13:31)", "body": "Yoohoo, Moon. Just read in today's paper that your honey (Rupe) is in town filming \"Unconditional Love.\" Are you jealous? Also a little blurb that location scouts are out for the Kangaroo's next film called \"What Women Want\" or some such thing to shoot here next spring. ;-D"}, {"response": 1566, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 22, 1999 (13:34)", "body": "Love the cowdance page! I changed the moosic to \"Stayin Alive.\" Moooooch better. ;-D"}, {"response": 1567, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct 22, 1999 (13:43)", "body": "Yoohoo, Moon. Just read in today's paper that your honey (Rupe) is in town filming \"Unconditional Love.\" Are you jealous? LOL! Maybe you can bump into him at a restaurant this time. Keep me posted.;-)"}, {"response": 1568, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 22, 1999 (13:53)", "body": "It did say he was spotted at Gordon (which I thought was closing). So I know where he's been, but not where's he's going. :-("}, {"response": 1569, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Oct 22, 1999 (14:17)", "body": "The Kangaroo in town? And he's going to give us \"What Women Want\"? Well, he doesn't have to go far to look for it, does he?;-) And now for something completely dofferent: read in the October issue of InStyle: C'mon, tell us What cheers you up when you're in a bad mood? Colin Firth , actor, my Life So Far \"Rome, Italy. All I have to do is head to Rome and walk around.\" :-)"}, {"response": 1570, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Oct 22, 1999 (14:18)", "body": "The Kangaroo in town? And he's going to give us \"What Women Want\"? Well, he doesn't have to go far to look for it, does he?;-) And now for something completely dofferent: read in the October issue of InStyle: C'mon, tell us What cheers you up when you're in a bad mood? Colin Firth , actor, My Life So Far \"Rome, Italy. All I have to do is head to Rome and walk around.\" :-)"}, {"response": 1571, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Oct 22, 1999 (14:19)", "body": "Sorry for the double post. Karen, please delete posts #1569 and 1571, will you? Thanks..."}, {"response": 1572, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct 22, 1999 (14:49)", "body": "Thanks Moon...Those dancing cows are priceless!! They thought of you Karen...when they put up that website:-D"}, {"response": 1573, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Oct 22, 1999 (16:56)", "body": "Moon, you spend almost as much time online as I do, but I will never know how you found that fantastic cow page. Too good!"}, {"response": 1574, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct 23, 1999 (08:38)", "body": "Moon, you spend almost as much time online as I do Marcia, I share with DH, so it is not always me. I have three boys and they take up most of my time. I loved that cow page (I have my secret internet agents out there), and immediately thought of our Chicago girl."}, {"response": 1575, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (00:07)", "body": "From the Sunday Times: Spam surprise - it's sushi On Tuesday Britain's leading authority on food sat down to a celebratory lunch. Alan Davidson, the former British ambassador to Laos who has spent the past 23 years compiling The Oxford Companion to Food, had prepared a special treat for his assistant Helen Saberi to toast the success of her book on Afghan food. The fare was corned beef and salad cream. Davidson, 75, may know more about food than anyone else in Britain, but two decades of unearthing details on how best to cook anteater, or the true origin of the croissant, have failed to influence his eating habits. \"My tastes have remained pretty simple,\" he says. \"I have fond memories of the food on the lower deck of a naval ship during the war. Institutional food seems to me much better than it does to other people. I like things such as toad-in-the-hole and stew.\" This, however, is gourmet fare compared with some of the meals he has eaten. These include \"white trash cooking\" - he has a cookbook that features illustrations of the contents of fridges in American trailer parks. \"I do have pretty depraved tastes,\" he says. Davidson has also been seduced by the Elvis Presley cookery book. \"The reader is meant to be horrified by the food. But I thought 'wow, it sounds quite good' - things like sweet potato pie and fried potatoes with lots of ketchup. Elvis was keen on ketchup and I like it too.\" When he is looking for something extra special, he goes for Spam. \"I enjoy it,\" he says. \"We tend to have it as a treat.\" His research led him to discover that the world enthusiasts for Spam are Hawaiians, who enjoy Spam sushi, Spam won tons and Spam tempura. It comes as no surprise to learn that Davidson hails from the land of the chip buttie. Although born in Northern Ireland and raised in the north of England, he considers himself Scottish and his formative food memories revolve around his grandmother's Bearsden kitchen, where high tea was a particular delight. Unlike other food writers, he does not dismiss Scottish cuisine as second rate. The Oxford Companion to Food, a 900-page, 5lb tome featuring 2,650 entries detailing the culinary habits and preferences of 120 regions and countries, gives Scottish fare a reasonable billing. \"Scotland, to venture an understatement, is not at all difficult to distinguish from England,\" he writes. \"In food and cookery . . . the people of Scotland have closer links with Scandinavia and France than do the English. Geographical differences have tended to give them different staple foods, especially in the northern part of the country; a lower level of prosperity in the past has imprinted a certain frugality on their kitchens.\" Scottish fare such as the bannock, black bun, clap shot, cullen skink, kale haddock and stovies all receive separate entries, as does the cuisine of Orkney and Shetland. Davidson establishes Scotland as the home of marmalade, describes the contents of a bottle of Irn Bru and advises that Scotch pies must be eaten piping hot. He gives a Scotch broth recipe from 1755 that includes marigolds and records Dr Johnson's fondness for the national soup. Davidson has lived and eaten all over the world. To some extent he can be seen as an apologist for inferior cuisines. \"It's true to say that some countries have a much stronger reputation for food than others,\" he says. \"The reasons for this are quite complex. Factors of geography and history come into play as does transportation and links with other places. It is not so much a difference in quality; that is a very subjective thing.\" He claims never to have visited a country where the food was truly dreadful but admits that, because he likes outlandish food, he has a tendency to confuse interesting food with food that is good to eat. It was while serving as a diplomat in Tunis that his interest in researching food took off. His wife, Jane, whom he had met while he was third secretary at the British embassy in Washington, asked him to find a book on Tunisian fish as she found it difficult to identify the varieties at the market. Discovering there was no such publication, Davidson set about writing it himself with the help of a visiting Italian authority on Mediterranean fish, Professor Giorgio Bini. The result was Seafish of Tunisia and the Eastern Mediterranean, published to critical acclaim from Elizabeth David, among others. He followed this up with Mediterranean Seafood, described by Auberon Waugh as \"the best book ever written on this, or possibly any other, subject\". He managed to produce a book on the fish of Laos, despite it being a landlocked country, while he was an ambassador there. It was, he says, a delightful posting. The British ambassador had his own aircraft, and British interests in the country were slight, so the workload was pretty light. With ideas for several more books, he left the foreign office to write full-time. He co-founded the annual Oxford symposium on food and, along with his wife, set up a"}, {"response": 1576, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (09:45)", "body": "Last sports item of the day: NEW WORLD RECORD!!! 2:05:42 by Khalid Kannouchi"}, {"response": 1577, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (14:51)", "body": "Someone is going to have to call Marcia with that Spam news! LOL! Karen!"}, {"response": 1578, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (15:01)", "body": "(Moon)Someone is going to have to call Marcia with that Spam news! Yeah...if Hawaii is the Spam Capital of the World......looks like Marcia is the\"Queen of Spam\".:-))"}, {"response": 1579, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (20:49)", "body": "It's October 25 in Portugal so to one of our favorite party girls - HAPPY BIRTHDAY GI!"}, {"response": 1580, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (20:59)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1581, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (21:04)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY GI, DEAR! I think this is really what she needs but I did want to get her something frivilous and frothy and feminine..."}, {"response": 1582, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (21:07)", "body": "and many fragrant flower leis to go with whatever you are wearing for your big night out with Antonio"}, {"response": 1583, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (21:09)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1584, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (21:11)", "body": "We have been working our fingers to the bone making them just for you and found a little guy to present them to you..."}, {"response": 1585, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (21:13)", "body": "I was gonna send his daddy - a really good looking hunk - but you being married and all...I though it would not be proper...! HAUOLI NA HANAU"}, {"response": 1586, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (21:27)", "body": "Forget the leaping frogs...just picture yourself on the divan..."}, {"response": 1587, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (21:29)", "body": "Is someone coming to suck her toes??? Thanks, Heide, for the early warning...she will arise in about 2 hours. It is nice to have some things here for her to awaken to...!"}, {"response": 1588, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (21:34)", "body": "Not toes, though that's a thought. Let's just say there's someone who wants to admire her fine eyes."}, {"response": 1589, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (21:36)", "body": "I think she will be most happy with that...!"}, {"response": 1590, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (23:38)", "body": "EVERYBODY REJOICE! It's Gi's Birthday! A BEAUTIFUL ROSE FOR A BEAUTIFUL LADY . . ."}, {"response": 1591, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (23:44)", "body": "Those hopping frogs...!!!"}, {"response": 1592, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (00:05)", "body": "What hopping frogs??? ... (Weren't we supposed to forget about those LEAPING frogs??!) Oh ... and Gi ... Happy Birthday from me ... the other Karen ..."}, {"response": 1593, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (00:28)", "body": "The ones Heide was having so much trouble with earlier? Don't know, actually!"}, {"response": 1594, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (00:37)", "body": "For your birthday, Gi, I'm going to paint your picture"}, {"response": 1595, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (01:49)", "body": "Happy Birthday, dearest Gi Love, Patas P.S. Jana2 taught me how to type."}, {"response": 1596, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (07:11)", "body": "Many Happy Returns of the day, Gi. From your friends:)"}, {"response": 1597, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (07:15)", "body": "Happy Birthday Gi! Something a girl should never do without, the pearls! I hope you wear them when DB paints your picture. Just think, you can take tuns painting each other. ;-) Tanti Auguri!"}, {"response": 1598, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (08:55)", "body": "Gi, you didn't show everyone pictures of your tour group leader in Tunisia: Keeping him all for yourself? ;-D"}, {"response": 1599, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (08:57)", "body": "I just don't see the resemblance! ;-D"}, {"response": 1600, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (09:14)", "body": "Where is that lovely Latina from the Donmar lobby? I would love to dance with her... ...and then maybe end the evening with..."}, {"response": 1601, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (09:29)", "body": "Colin, Peter and Mel are all tempting! But when I see Geoffrey..."}, {"response": 1602, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (09:31)", "body": "How are your tango lessons coming, Gi? Is Antonio up to step? ;-)"}, {"response": 1603, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (10:06)", "body": "Happy Birthday Gi! I hope you have a wonderful day!!!!"}, {"response": 1604, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (10:41)", "body": "Am still trying to find that *perfect* matchup!! Might be getting close. What do you think? ;-D"}, {"response": 1605, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (10:44)", "body": "But... you just can't beat these for all-time sexiness! ;-D"}, {"response": 1606, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (11:38)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GI Celebrate the New Millennium on January 15,2000 A Trip for Two...... From all your Friends at Spring"}, {"response": 1607, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (11:48)", "body": "WOW 'em at the Halloween party......"}, {"response": 1608, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (12:34)", "body": "LOL, Karen! your above rear-view post reminded me of Rupe. I do not remember noticing that giant suppository on Max before. ;-)"}, {"response": 1609, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (13:10)", "body": "I saw the way he looked at you in the lobby. You better stay far away... I may be shorter, but my nails are longer"}, {"response": 1610, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (14:06)", "body": "What a handsome couple....love that pic, Karen.... The one with the \"borrowed\" tux!"}, {"response": 1611, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (14:25)", "body": "Just a little bauble, we all chipped in to get you, Gi...."}, {"response": 1612, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (14:56)", "body": "ROTFLOL, everyone. Karen, you're (as usual) *too much*. And Moon! I do not remember noticing that giant suppository on Max before. Wait until Gi sees 8-D !"}, {"response": 1613, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (15:06)", "body": "Jana2 wanted to include my picture with my birthday message to my mom. Gee, I think I'm *much* cuter than this. Happy birthday, mommy! Thanks for taking me along on all your trips! Love, Patas"}, {"response": 1614, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (15:13)", "body": "Awwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!! How cute!!!!! Now, where's the birthday girl? (I looked and looked, but couldn't find the Braveheart picture I wanted...it preceded one battle scene, hint hint, wink wink)"}, {"response": 1615, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (15:20)", "body": "Dear Gi, What can I say that Mel, Max, Colin, Darcy, Geoffrey, Joe Prince, Livia, the tango dancers, frogs, Hawaiians, Patas, your Spring family et. al haven't already said? Here's something! Happy Birthday, Scorpio! I hope you're having a fantastic day!"}, {"response": 1616, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (17:05)", "body": "and after a long hard day of partying, it's time for: HAPPY BIRTHDAY GI!!!!"}, {"response": 1617, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (18:40)", "body": "Ladies, you are the most awesome in the whole world! Thank you very much. Wow! I'm really at a loss for words. You gave me all the presents I wanted and more... I wanted to be here before, but \"real life\" engagements wouldn't allow it... But I couldn't let the day end without saying all my thanks to you. :-)"}, {"response": 1618, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (20:05)", "body": "Karen, I am LMAO at #1604! That angry kanga really does have a Road Warrior look about him :-)"}, {"response": 1619, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (22:38)", "body": "Can you believe there's a dearth of kangaroos on the internet? Am so glad to have found that one. ;-D"}, {"response": 1620, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (22:52)", "body": "No!!! Cannot be! Humph...did you do an altavista photo search? Next one I see I shall send to them!"}, {"response": 1621, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (05:50)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jana! I won't mention which birthday this is."}, {"response": 1622, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (05:55)", "body": "But it's getting to the time where we have to think of one of these -"}, {"response": 1623, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (06:08)", "body": "- to see one of these - I think you get the picture."}, {"response": 1624, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (06:18)", "body": "At least we don't have to watch our weight. Here's a cake - I hope you like the taste of rose petals."}, {"response": 1625, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (07:20)", "body": "Happy Birthday Jana! Here is a little nymph I found for you. You are not getting older, you are getting better and better! ;-) Have a wonderful day!"}, {"response": 1626, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (08:34)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Jana! I hope you have a great day! Here's something to keep on hand whenever you feel an ECC attack coming on: :-D"}, {"response": 1627, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (08:36)", "body": "Time does not really pass... it turns over! HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANA! And here's something to keep you company late at night: although maybe you will rather have this for company (hehehe):"}, {"response": 1628, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (09:20)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Jana! And Gi.....sorry I\ufffdm late but I hope you had a *MAGNIFICENT* Birthday!!"}, {"response": 1629, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (09:30)", "body": "Happy Birthday Jana - have a great day and eat lots of cake!!!! :) Heidi- that pic of Darcy is SO yummy! *slurp!*"}, {"response": 1630, "author": "livamago", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (09:41)", "body": "Much happiness to the birthday girls, Gi and Jana!"}, {"response": 1631, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (10:54)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANA"}, {"response": 1632, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (16:22)", "body": "A little birdy told me that what you really wanted for your birthday was a vacation. So off you go.... to a nice secluded beach on a secluded island. Enjoy!!"}, {"response": 1633, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (16:25)", "body": "JANA!!!!!"}, {"response": 1634, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (16:27)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1635, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (16:29)", "body": "Just for our \"Hollywood\" gal:"}, {"response": 1636, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (17:12)", "body": "How did you do that Karen? Brilliant! LOL! And that airplane!"}, {"response": 1637, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (18:30)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANA"}, {"response": 1638, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (18:33)", "body": "And, of course, A Lei from Hilo"}, {"response": 1639, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (18:38)", "body": "Karen, you are too good at this! Wonderful!:-)"}, {"response": 1640, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (18:47)", "body": "Jana, I found something else for you: Yes, it's the very speaker responsible for ODB's nose scratch..."}, {"response": 1641, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (18:48)", "body": "Marcia, I cannot wait for your birthday to give you this for your conference:"}, {"response": 1642, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (18:51)", "body": "And Karen, this one is for you:"}, {"response": 1643, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (19:09)", "body": "Fabulous stuff, ladies, and two days in a row! That Hollywood Jane/Jana was a riot. Jana, I'll probably be in beddy-bye when you log in, so I'm afraid I'm going to blow the candles out now. Then again, you can always relight them. Happy Birthday, sweetie."}, {"response": 1644, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (19:29)", "body": "Karen...you must have taken a graduate course in this stuff.... the Darcy one is the winnah!!Thank you everybody...I have certainly enjoyed Jana and Gi's birthdays.But no food?...Not even a glass of bubbly? What an abstemious bunch:)D"}, {"response": 1645, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (19:31)", "body": "Sorry for the commercial...ya' get what ya' pay for:-)"}, {"response": 1646, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (20:08)", "body": "Oh my ladies, what spectacular birthday treats! You have really made this a special day. Thanks so much Heide, Moon, Eileen, Gi, Elena, Esbee, Lidya, Evelyn, Karen and Marcia. Wow! What a great group you are. Heide, I do appreciate the timely reminder that it's time for my optometrist check-up :-). Having the vision go is a bit depressing, but it will be worth the new specs if I get to look at that gorgeous man on a horse. My oh my, I do love that picture. Lots of thigh - 'nuff said. Moon, thanks for the lovely little nymph. If only I could remain so thin and sprightly, but she will give me something to shoot for. Will have to go easy on Heide's cake - can I share it with you all? I'll make sure you all get a rose on your piece :-). Eileen, I am LOL at the Purina kitties. This will definitely be a handy item when I feel compelled to spout my next ECC. And knowing me, it won't be long ;-). Thanks also for the formula-writing squirrel(?) I spend most of my day involved in such math-related activities, and come to think of it, am not shaped unlike that little creature. Did you raid our home movies for that one :-)? Gi and Evelyn have provided the necessary refreshments. Really, what more could a girl want than a snack of hot tea and Spam? And since Gi has kindly supplied the Darcy to cuddle up with, well let's just say my mouth is watering! And Karen, thanks for remembering how stressed I've been lately. I am posting from my laptop now at my secluded island retreat. Marcia's lei is around my neck, a glass of Evelyn's champagne is at my side, John, Paul George and Ringo are providing the entertainment (they borrowed DB's speaker for the occasion but I wouldn't let them touch the sacred corner that touched ODB), the pork is roasting on the spit.... I'm a happy girl. And Karen, the piece de resistance - I am LMAO! JA goes Hollywood. You are too clever. Jane looks so relaxed by the pool amidst the palms, ogling Mr. Darcy. Think Jane is going to call FD to the casting couch later to work on his lines ;-)? Think she'll share with a birthday girl who has been really, really good? As if!"}, {"response": 1647, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (20:12)", "body": "Gi!! I'm going to have to put the little roo in my collection. :-D And, everybody, much as I would like to take credit for the Hollywood P&P image, I didn't do it."}, {"response": 1648, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 27, 1999 (13:35)", "body": "IT'S REBECCA'S TH BIRTHDAY!!!"}, {"response": 1649, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 27, 1999 (13:38)", "body": "We're wishing you the best birthday ever!"}, {"response": 1650, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 27, 1999 (13:40)", "body": "Everybody and thing wants a little birthday cake!!"}, {"response": 1651, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 27, 1999 (13:42)", "body": "You're having a birthday, Rebecca, really slays me!!"}, {"response": 1652, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 27, 1999 (14:02)", "body": "When you can tell the difference between THIS... and THIS I just might let you come back!! ;-D"}, {"response": 1653, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 27, 1999 (14:07)", "body": "REBECCA Love, Aunt Karen"}, {"response": 1654, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 27, 1999 (17:11)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, REBECCA Up, Up, and Away! Love, Auntie Evelyn"}, {"response": 1655, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 27, 1999 (17:58)", "body": "Why are there mice by all those cakes? Somebody call an exterminator!! :-o"}, {"response": 1656, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Wed, Oct 27, 1999 (18:51)", "body": "Hi Rebecca!! Hope you have a really happy birthday. I'm not clever enough to post a picture for you, so I will just pass on some auntie advice. When you look at post #1652, choose bachelor #2! Love, Auntie Jana2"}, {"response": 1657, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Oct 27, 1999 (19:08)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY REBECCA - HAVE A SPOOKTACULAR DAY! ALOHA, AUNTIE MARCIA"}, {"response": 1658, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct 27, 1999 (19:27)", "body": "Happy Birthday Rebecca! Have fun on Halloween... auntie Moon"}, {"response": 1659, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct 27, 1999 (19:29)", "body": "The spooks are out! They have witchnaped the witch!"}, {"response": 1660, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Oct 27, 1999 (19:30)", "body": "Is this what you wanted, Moon?"}, {"response": 1661, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Oct 27, 1999 (19:36)", "body": "thankyou all :) :P :0"}, {"response": 1662, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Oct 27, 1999 (19:36)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY REBECCA! from Auntie Gi"}, {"response": 1663, "author": "Teg", "date": "Thu, Oct 28, 1999 (05:32)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Rebecca! Hope it was great! Tom, Christopher and Bandit send their best wishes, too. :)"}, {"response": 1664, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Oct 28, 1999 (08:42)", "body": "Happy birthday Rebecca."}, {"response": 1665, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Oct 28, 1999 (09:06)", "body": "Happy Birthday Rebecca! :) (do i get to be an auntie too?) Esbee"}, {"response": 1666, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Oct 28, 1999 (09:14)", "body": "Oh, one thing, Rebecca said if you're all her aunties, where are the cards loaded with cash????? She really appreciated all your gestures yesterday. By the time we finally logged on she was so tired (we have VERY long days) that she wasn't up to responding. But I'll see if she can post something more elaborant tonight. Thank you. You made it a very special birthday for a very special girl."}, {"response": 1667, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Oct 28, 1999 (14:22)", "body": "(Laura)Oh, one thing, Rebecca said if you're all her aunties, where are the cards loaded with cash????? Not done in this part of the world. She should look for Chinese aunties for that.;-P"}, {"response": 1668, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 28, 1999 (15:42)", "body": "Great answer, Gi. I didn't get those envelopes either as a kid. LOL!! I remember getting for jr. high school graduation a half slip from some relative though. :-("}, {"response": 1669, "author": "baine", "date": "Thu, Oct 28, 1999 (20:53)", "body": "I haven't been able to get to Murph's site all day. Geocities won't respond. Are they down, or is it something I said? Anyone else having trouble?"}, {"response": 1670, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 28, 1999 (21:56)", "body": "No, haven't had any problems getting in. It does take a long time to load. Did you use this url? http://www.geocities.com/firthfan/index.html These others work as well: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/4144/index.html http://www.geocities.com/~murphyat65/index.html If you want to bypass the first page, change the last part to news2.html"}, {"response": 1671, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (08:29)", "body": "This was in Entertainment Weekly. A Fan's Quotes The ''Being John Malkovich'' stars discuss the smaller perils of fame. Cameron Diaz, John Cusack, and John Malkovich explain what it's like to be constantly bugged by fans by Josh Wolk Sure, it seems like celebrities have it all, but after seeing ''Being John Malkovich,'' you might gain a little more sympathy for stars who can't shop for toilet paper without being slapped on the back and hounded for autographs. The surreal comedy is about a puppeteer (John Cusack) who discovers a portal into Malkovich's brain where anyone who enters can experience the celebrity's life for 15 minutes. In the film, Malkovich is constantly being approached by people who want to talk about his past roles, u ually ones he didn't actually do, a situation that reflects his real life. ''It doesn't matter whether you're trying to have a conversation, have a nervous breakdown, get divorced, or get married,'' says Malkovich, 45. ''They don't care. They just come up and say, 'You were great in that jewel thief movie!' But I wasn't in a jewel thief movie, I say. 'Sure you were!''' Of course, Malkovich has had 15 years in movies to get used to the loss of privacy. His costar, Cameron Diaz (who plays Cusack's unrecognizably frumpy wife), is relatively new to fame and is still adjusting to having fans. ''When it first starts happening to you, you can get really frantic about it,'' says Diaz, 27. ''But I'm fortunate that the people I have coming up to me are nice and want to say good things. But if I end up with a complete jerk, I have no problem saying, 'You're a complete jerk, get ou of my face.''' Usually any fan approaching does so out of respect for an actor's work. However, if a star is even slightly insecure, the most well-meaning comment can ruin his or her day. ''When a cab driver says, 'You were good in that one movie,' he's putting out something really positive,'' says costar Catherine Keener. ''But what you hear is, 'Jesus, and I was so bad in my other 50.''' But the biggest lesson celebrities learn is that once they make a popular movie, they'll hear about it for the rest of their careers. Take it from John Cusack, 33, who's still reliving 1985's ''Better Off Dead.'' ''I've been in a deep conversation with a woman, and a guy will come up and say, 'I really don't mean to bother you, I can see you're having a romantic dinner, but I just gotta say... I want my two dollars!' And they start feeding me these lines from movies I did when I was 17.'' This actually gives some actors incentive to make another hit, if for no other reason than to hear different lines parroted back. ''Now for a couple of years,'' says Malkovich, ''instead of people coming up and going, 'Hey, Cyrus the Virus!' [His ''Con Air'' character] they'll go, 'I loved you in the jewel thief movie!'''"}, {"response": 1672, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (10:59)", "body": "stars who can't shop for toilet paper Hee hee! Or bin bags...or vacuum cleaners...they can't pick their nose by the window, either ;-)"}, {"response": 1673, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (11:05)", "body": "they can't pick their nose by the window, either ;-) Hopefully, you don't do it either! Remember that Seinfeld in his car episode? ;-D"}, {"response": 1674, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (12:03)", "body": "Poor John Malkovich... ....but he doesn't have to worry as far as I'm concerned..."}, {"response": 1675, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (20:42)", "body": "Happy Birthday to Gi, Jana and Rebecca. Sorry I missed the festivities but my husbands surgery kept me away from my pc for a few days."}, {"response": 1676, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Oct 30, 1999 (03:16)", "body": "Lucie, I hope your husband is recovering well."}, {"response": 1677, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Oct 30, 1999 (21:42)", "body": "Thank you Gi. We were a little frightened for a while. He came through the surgery just fine but they gave him a shot of Morphine for pain when it was over and it made his heart stop. He gets better day by day. I hope you had a great birthday."}, {"response": 1678, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 30, 1999 (23:45)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1679, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (08:54)", "body": "It's Go here for your trick Click Here and if you can figure it out, then you'll get a TREAT"}, {"response": 1680, "author": "baine", "date": "Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (08:58)", "body": "Very nice, Karen and Sparky! Happy Halloween to one and all."}, {"response": 1681, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (09:52)", "body": "Poor Sparky! He should know better. Heeheeheehahaha............ Beware the night everyone, remember, there is someone behind you."}, {"response": 1682, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (10:33)", "body": "Especially for my co-host ;-D"}, {"response": 1683, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (11:34)", "body": "Wow, Karen....how did you and Sparky do that? Am I impressed!!"}, {"response": 1684, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (17:05)", "body": "I figured it out ... what's my treat?"}, {"response": 1685, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (17:31)", "body": "You're going to have to tell me the answer to get your treat. ;-D"}, {"response": 1686, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (17:36)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1687, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (17:38)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1688, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (17:44)", "body": "Adorable! I'm sitting here with a big bag of peanut butter cups being royally entertained by y'all. The heck with the doorbell."}, {"response": 1689, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (19:22)", "body": "OK, I'll email you. Wouldn't want to spoil it for all these nice folks!."}, {"response": 1690, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov  1, 1999 (07:27)", "body": "A belated Happy Halloween to Eileen, whose Birthday is tomorrow!!"}, {"response": 1691, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Nov  1, 1999 (19:35)", "body": "Happy Birthday Eileen"}, {"response": 1692, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (05:48)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY Eileen! The Drool Girls get dowwnnn for your birthday"}, {"response": 1693, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (05:50)", "body": "I picked up this guy in Montclair the other week. Thought he might put a smile on your face -"}, {"response": 1694, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (05:54)", "body": "Gee, he looks about as happy as you do on a Sunday afternoon these days. Do you know how long I've been waiting for this? Thirty-one years! Thirty-one f**king years!"}, {"response": 1695, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (07:24)", "body": "Hey there Jersey girl! Happy Birthday! Wear this aquamarine parrure on New Year\ufffds Eve and be the talk of the town. Now off you go little dove to spread the news of Eileen\ufffds birthday!"}, {"response": 1696, "author": "livamago", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (08:10)", "body": "Eileen! I hope you enjoy your day."}, {"response": 1697, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (09:30)", "body": "Have a Wonderful Birthday Eileen! Hope your day is perfect in every way- xoxox EsBee"}, {"response": 1698, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (10:04)", "body": "We're off duty now, so it's time to PARTY...for Eileen's big day"}, {"response": 1699, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (10:12)", "body": "Eileen, put down that copy of A Thousand Acres, I've another book we can both read..."}, {"response": 1700, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (10:16)", "body": "We're going to get down and boogie for Eileen!!"}, {"response": 1701, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (10:21)", "body": "Wot!! Nobody told me it was Eileen's birthday! I've got to get her something... I got it. How 'bout some nice flowers?"}, {"response": 1702, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (10:28)", "body": "*sigh* I keep waiting by the stage door, night after night, waiting for Eileen to come see me in Three Days of Rain... What good was it to send Livia back to Italy when my true love isn't here... *sigh*"}, {"response": 1703, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (10:49)", "body": "I feel guilty interuptting birthday celebrations. Happy Bday All!, but just wanted you guys to know that Jonathon Firth will be in the NBC movie Leprechauns on Sunday night. You probably already knew that, but thought I'd add it in. Continue on with Bday celebrations!"}, {"response": 1704, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (12:15)", "body": "Eileen, they say that Scorpios are the super sleuths of the Zodiac, so I sleuthed around for something for your birthday..."}, {"response": 1705, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (12:22)", "body": "I found these:"}, {"response": 1706, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (12:23)", "body": "Thanks so much for your kind wishes, Lucie, Lidya and Esbee! Heide, so *that's* where you went while I was in the ladies room! I thought I noticed that whistle around your neck... Won't you please, please, please, please, please ask Paul whether life is sh*t because the Jets are sh*t or if it's the other way 'round? Bollocks! What beautiful (or as we say in Joisey, boootiful) sparklies, Moon! And that dove is welcome to spread the news as long as he doesn't spread anything else. Karen, Karen, Karen! It's about time Chicowgo gave those bovines some time off. Love the penguins! Simon, darling, we don't need the book. I'm a qualified medical consultant :-P Love the Monty Python pics. He's not looking for my present but for an albatross. Or where the Ministry of Silly Walks is located. Or where the Twit Olympics are being held. Thanks for the flowers, though! Love the hat! Brian, so glad to see you don't have a gun...no, I won't be there to see Walker or Ned with their NY accents this time, either :-( but I shall live vicariously through my fellow droolers. Thanks, all!"}, {"response": 1707, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (12:32)", "body": "Happy Birthday Eileen!"}, {"response": 1708, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (12:48)", "body": "Damn! What happened here?"}, {"response": 1709, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (12:49)", "body": "Sorry..."}, {"response": 1710, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (12:51)", "body": "May you have many happy ones!"}, {"response": 1711, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (13:03)", "body": "Thank you, Gi! Hmmm, that big brown eye looks vaguely familiar..."}, {"response": 1712, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (14:05)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1713, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (14:06)", "body": "you didn't think I was done yet, did you? ;-D I need some tender loving care. Won't you lay your qualified medical consulting hands on me, cara mia?"}, {"response": 1714, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (14:15)", "body": "EILEEN'S BIRTHDAY?! and no one told me???? You know what that means, don't you? Yes, the Spanish Inquisition!! Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!! Now fetch the Comfy Chair: We're really going to have a good time on your birthday, Eileen!"}, {"response": 1715, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (14:27)", "body": "You can't keep a good sow down when there's a party!"}, {"response": 1716, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (14:31)", "body": "Bruuuuuuce just might show up later, but I found all your *other* favs to provide the entertainment"}, {"response": 1717, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (14:41)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY EILEEN to be washed down with a little"}, {"response": 1718, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (14:46)", "body": "C'mon, Eileen, how long do you think I can wait for you?"}, {"response": 1719, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (15:27)", "body": "Awww, Adrian, baby, who put in your sutures? He did a great job! Wot? Now he wants to cut the girl in half?! Time for a new roomie. IIInnnnqui sition ! Now let me take my seat. BTW, how'd you get my picture? What's a drool party without Spam? Piggy better stay away from that can. Not that any meat'll end up in there--just, well, *other* things. Love the musical entertainment. Hit it, fellas! Coming, Paul! And that's how I reacted when Ray Lucas threw an interception in the end zone to lose the last home game. Thank you, Karen! LOL! Am off to have cake and bubbly... [hic]"}, {"response": 1720, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (15:38)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EILEEN"}, {"response": 1721, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (16:03)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY EILEEN Don't let this fool you on election day. You won hands down - everyone voted you most likely to have a happy Birthday today. I add my vote to theirs!"}, {"response": 1722, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (16:12)", "body": "LOL! Another great party! How did you ever survive the Spanish Inquisition, Eileen? Feliz Cumplea\ufffdo! ;-)"}, {"response": 1723, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (16:14)", "body": "Thank you, Evelyn and Marcia! And thanks for the reminder, Marcia. Let's see, that's Colin Firth for president, right? No? Not an American citizen....Senator, then? Congressman? Mayor? Chairman of my neighborhood association? On second thought, he smolders too much for politics!"}, {"response": 1724, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (16:26)", "body": "Of course, you get Lei'd just like the rest. I secured the services of Colin for this honor...( actually, private advisory position or under secretary of something seems appropriate *grin*"}, {"response": 1725, "author": "livamago", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (22:28)", "body": "C'mon Eileen! I came by to wish you a happy birthday, love...don't I get some of the bubbly?"}, {"response": 1726, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (22:29)", "body": "Eileen!! Happy, happy birthday. I hope you had a great day. I am racing to get here at the 11th hour as usual, but technically it is still 11:30 p.m. in NJ as I post this so I hope this can count as a bona fide birthday greeting. I know it's not nice to ask the birthday girl to share, but would mine hurrying Paul along to the cities that haven't seen him yet? He seems to have gotten stuck sightseeing in NYC. Surely he must be ready to see a bit more of the U.S. by now? We're certainly ready to see im :-)."}, {"response": 1727, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Nov  3, 1999 (09:54)", "body": "Thanks, Marcia, Lidya and Jana. Jana, Paul's in NYC because we football fans need his counsel in the worst way. He might be heading to Cleveland or Atlanta next, though :-D Heck, even they won last week... OK, Lidya, you've stumped me. Who is that? And what's he wearing on his head?"}, {"response": 1728, "author": "baine", "date": "Wed, Nov  3, 1999 (10:29)", "body": "OK, Lidya, you've stumped me. Who is that? And what's he wearing on his head? Looks like a cross between Eric Idle and Rufus Sewell on a very bad day."}, {"response": 1729, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Wed, Nov  3, 1999 (12:19)", "body": "Happy (Belated) Birthday, Eileen. Sorry I missed the party. Hopefully by next year's I'll have mastered html images -- wishful thinking, indeed:-) Want the Jets to win again? Get ridda Parcells. Worked for the Patriots:-D"}, {"response": 1730, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Nov  3, 1999 (12:40)", "body": "Okay, gossip queen here, but did anyone know that Emma Thompson is pregnant? There is a pic of her on the London Times looking very preggers? So Willoughby is to be a daddy! And KB and HB-C are history, oh joy!"}, {"response": 1731, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov  3, 1999 (13:06)", "body": "Laura, you are sooooo behind in your gossip. ;-D However, the notice about Leprechauns was appreciated. Wonder if Jon will be third leprechaun from the left? ;-D"}, {"response": 1732, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Nov  3, 1999 (13:48)", "body": "(Karen) Laura, you are sooooo behind in your gossip. ;-D However, the notice about Leprechauns was appreciated. Wonder if Jon will be third leprechaun from the left? ;-D UGH! I AM THE LAST ONE TO KNOW ANYTHING!!! I didn't know ET was preggers, not one iota. Happy for her though! It's gonna be a beautiful baby;)"}, {"response": 1733, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Nov  3, 1999 (14:06)", "body": "Thanks, Susan. Images are easy if you use Netscape. Re: football--IMO it has more to do with the quarterback than the coach. And you know where Pete Carroll used to work, don't you?"}, {"response": 1734, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov  3, 1999 (16:58)", "body": "Eileen, that's the Irish guy who sing the song \"Come On Eileen,\" you must remember it! On Gossip: Rupe has bought a 2 bedroom condo in South Beach. (Thought you might like to know this Karen ;-)"}, {"response": 1735, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov  3, 1999 (18:39)", "body": "Why? Has he advertised for a flatmate? ;-D Actually, he should be here filming now. Am on the lookout. No Parking Movie Location signs are posted around the corner for four blocks. Will find out tomorrow what that is all about. BTW, I read that Jocelyn Moorhouse is a producer of the film. Should I go looking for her to ask about ATA? ;-D She must love being back in Illinois, but at least she's in the city this time!"}, {"response": 1736, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov  3, 1999 (18:49)", "body": "Should I go looking for her to ask about ATA? Yes! And when you find her, throw a few rotten tomatoes, or eggs.... ;-D"}, {"response": 1737, "author": "livamago", "date": "Wed, Nov  3, 1999 (20:38)", "body": "(Eileen) OK, Lidya, you've stumped me. Who is that? Sorry! I should have explained! Moon is right. It is the guy who sings that song named after you. I tried to add sound but alas, I could not. Now I think I sould have gone with this guy... much better, mmmm... Meet me at The Cottage, dearest Eileen..."}, {"response": 1738, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov  3, 1999 (21:52)", "body": "Do you have the sound file, Lidya, or know where it is on the web? It can be done."}, {"response": 1739, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Nov  3, 1999 (22:18)", "body": "Next Birthday is for Nan on Nov 22, if we can get her to lurk..."}, {"response": 1740, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (07:18)", "body": "Sad news to report. Ian Bannen of Waking Ned Devine (and my fave The Flight of the Phoenix), has died in a horrible car crash in Scotland. He was a wonderful actor and will be missed."}, {"response": 1741, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (08:58)", "body": "Yes, sad news, Laura. Here's some news that should make Evelyn ecstatic. Sunshine is nominated for Best European Film...although I don't understand how a film that hasn't been shown yet anywhere in Europe and I thought was really Canadian qualifies?? ;-D From the Guardian: The contenders for this year's European film of the year - a title won in London last year by Roberto Benigni's Life is Beautiful - have been announced, with among them two British-made films. The winner will be revealed at the 12th European Film Awards in Berlin on December 4. The eight nominated films are Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts' Notting Hill (UK); Dogme love story Mifune (Denmark); Pedro Almodovar's All About My Mother (Spain); Istvan Szabo's Sunshine (Hungary) with Ralph Fiennes; Cannes winner Rosetta (Belgium); teenage lesbian romp Fucking Amal, aka Show Me Love, by Lukas Moodysson (Sweden); Moloch by Alexandr Sokurov (Russia); and Tim Roth's attention-seeking child abuse drama The War Zone (UK)."}, {"response": 1742, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (10:40)", "body": "Yeah...I am delirious ...now all we need is a distributor for the US!! I don't understand how a film that hasn't been shown yet anywhere in Europe and I thought was really Canadian qualifies?? ;-D SUNSHINE opens in Germany in December.UK in March. However....among the strange provenance for films... NOTTING HILL, a British Film? Since when? Isn't that stretching it a bit? Let's see now... Does this mean that SLOW is a French/Nigerian film?:-D"}, {"response": 1743, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (11:17)", "body": "NOTTING HILL, a British Film? Since when? It is. I didn't think there was any disagreement about this one."}, {"response": 1744, "author": "baine", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (14:25)", "body": "Which character was Ian Bannen?"}, {"response": 1745, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (14:31)", "body": "NOTTING HILL, a British Film? Since when? It is. I didn't think there was any disagreement about this one. I thought it was a Paramount film....with British co-star and director,located and filmed in Britain ,.... but American-produced. Was SIL a British film too?And The Winslow Boy? What's the criteria? I thought it was the producers.I can see that MLSF is a Scottish film OK.As was Mrs. Brown."}, {"response": 1746, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (15:53)", "body": "Ian Bannen was most recently in Waking Ned Devine. He was the \"other\" guy, not the skinny little guy pretending to be Ned. NH was definitely British - produced by Working Title Films. On this one there is no quibbling. SiL was not. I don't think anyone has mentioned TWB being British and might account for the lukewarm reception it is getting. ;-D"}, {"response": 1747, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (16:01)", "body": "NH was definitely British - produced by Working Title Films. On this one there is no quibbling. Sorry. A thousand apologies to you and the British film industry. I even liked it...but \"Best Picture\"? Non."}, {"response": 1748, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov  4, 1999 (21:09)", "body": "FOR COLIN, LIVIA AND ALL OUR BRITISH FRIENDS"}, {"response": 1749, "author": "livamago", "date": "Fri, Nov  5, 1999 (08:52)", "body": "Do you have the sound file, Lidya? Karen, I found a sound file through Altavista, but it was not available when I tried it, so I gave up. Thank you for asking."}, {"response": 1750, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Nov  5, 1999 (10:23)", "body": "that's the Irish guy who sing the song \"Come On Eileen,\" you must remember it! But of course! *hits self on forehead* Thanks, Moon...and thank you, Lidya :-) Meet me at The Cottage, dearest Eileen... Be right there! *blushing furiously*"}, {"response": 1751, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (10:45)", "body": "As I was humming Eileen's song while doing my laundry this morning (!), I finally remembered who did it. Dexie's Midnight Runners. Am I right?"}, {"response": 1752, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (16:01)", "body": "Yes, Heide, you are correct. You must've been watching VH1's Where are they now;)"}, {"response": 1753, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov  8, 1999 (22:38)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TINEKE!! We're ready to party here so I'm serving up the pizza... without pineapple ;-D And you can bring the beer. Any of these will do..."}, {"response": 1754, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (02:06)", "body": "Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Dear Tineke, Happy Birthday to you I hope you have a lovely day Tineke, see you on Thursday."}, {"response": 1755, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (07:12)", "body": "Buon Compleanno Tineke! Joyeaux Anniversaire! Happy Birthday! Have a Rune reading before going to that special party tonight. http://www.facade.com/attraction/runes/index.facp"}, {"response": 1756, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (07:14)", "body": "It must be too early for the fireworks. (I know I did everything right!)"}, {"response": 1757, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (07:53)", "body": "happy birthday to you tineke ,,,, miss you hope to see you ssssssoooooooooooonnnnnn!"}, {"response": 1758, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (09:48)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TINEKE, See ya' on Thursday"}, {"response": 1759, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (11:05)", "body": "Happy Birthday Tineke! (I wish I was going to see you on Thurs!) * Whaaa !* Have a wonderful time- xoxox EsBee :)"}, {"response": 1760, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (11:20)", "body": "Happy Birthday Tineke! Here's something for breakfast: Also, some treats for lunchtime dessert: Some sweet things for your tea: And after dinner you might like: And this is to take before bedtime: Just make sure you don't have them all in the same day! ;-)"}, {"response": 1761, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (12:26)", "body": "Thanks all!!!:-) Karen, the pizza looks delicious (pineapple's not that bad!!) and I now know it tastes just as good as it looks. As for the beer; I think I'll have a Kwak:-) Moon, I can see the fireworks!! I could use them half an hour ago. We had no electricity for about an hour. (I was convinced that after all my computer problems -first computer itself, then network card, then internet connection- nothing more could possibly go wrong!) I was reduced to candle light studying. Gi, I could easily eat all of that in one day! YYUMMMMMMM! And thank you Ann, Evelyn, Esbee and Rebecca!!"}, {"response": 1762, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (13:07)", "body": "Happy Birthday Tineke You cannot imagine how difficult this is in telnet to properly celebrate the festivities."}, {"response": 1763, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (13:42)", "body": "Tineke, I've come all the way to the Netherlands looking for a nice Dutch girl... ...only to hear that you're not going to be here much longer? That you're on your way to London? Aargh! *sigh* The least I can do is wish you a very happy birthday!"}, {"response": 1764, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (13:50)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Tineke!"}, {"response": 1765, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (13:52)", "body": "Oops, fix that font color! That's what I get for trying to be fancy."}, {"response": 1766, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (18:47)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Tineke! We're counting down the hours with you 'til your London trip. Have a wonderful time."}, {"response": 1767, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (19:29)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Tineke! I hope you have a great time in London, and thanks in advance for your detailed report for we, the Firthless few :-)."}, {"response": 1768, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (20:28)", "body": "Have a Joyous Natal Day Tineke! Isn't it nice to have friends to help you celebrate? From the *Other* Karen"}, {"response": 1769, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (20:43)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TINEKE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Are you going to TDOR this time."}, {"response": 1770, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (23:03)", "body": "Boo hoo... many of the cows were auctioned off for charity today. Some on the internet and some at a live auction conducted by Sotheby's. My baby, Ferragamoo (the Marilyn cow) went for $70,000! On the news tonight, they said the Uncle Sam cow went for the most: $90,000. I think the total amount raised for charity was about $4 million. Now 34 other cities are planning to do cows or other animals as a public art showing next year."}, {"response": 1771, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Nov  9, 1999 (23:11)", "body": "I thought of you Karen, when I saw on the news that chicago was auctioning off the cows."}, {"response": 1772, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Nov 10, 1999 (16:27)", "body": "They gave us all a great time, didn't they? :-)"}, {"response": 1773, "author": "baine", "date": "Wed, Nov 10, 1999 (16:31)", "body": "Who got Odalisque?"}, {"response": 1774, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (08:27)", "body": "Perhaps, there's something of Wessex's for sale (a sparkling codpiece)? Somebody ring for the catalog and let us know. From Empire: Shakespeare For Sale 12/11/1999 Finally we have the answer as to what to get the person who has everything - a swan-shaped bed. No? Then what about a life-sized stuffed bear? All this and more is on offer in an unusual auction taking place later this month. A British company, Shakespear 2U Limited is selling off a bunch of theatre props, including items used in Shakespeare in Love and the upcoming Kenneth Branagh opus Love's Labour's Lost. Amongst the items on sale are a couple of punts (that's flat-bottomed boats to those of you who didn't go to Cambridge) that were used in our Ken's flick and a series of scrolls, papers and swords that were probably handled by Gwyneth Paltrow. The sale takes place in Chorleywood, Hertfordshire on 20 November and anyone interested can get hold of an auction catalogue by calling 0171 405 5501. Film fans have another sale to look forward to on 9 December when Christies auctioneers in London have their annual Film and Entertainment auction. The most popular items are likely to be that blue door from Notting Hill (a snip at \ufffd4000), a bullwhip from Indiana Jones and the famous checked gingham dress worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz."}, {"response": 1775, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (16:08)", "body": "Sounds like fun! Go for it, British Firthfans! :-)"}, {"response": 1776, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (08:58)", "body": "From The Times today The Big Play SUMMERFOLK IT IS almost closing time for the year's finest production, Trevor Nunn's revival of a worthy sequel to The Cherry Orchard. While Chekhov's masterpiece ended with the destruction of both the trees of its title and the genteel way of life they represented, Gorky's Summerfolk involves the new middle classes living in the villas where blossom and aristocratic maidens once bloomed. Unlike Chekhov, Gorky had a communist agenda to promote. Hence, the summer residents, played by Jennifer Ehle (above, with Michae Bryant) and Patricia Hodge, find themselves delivering righteous orations. Yet this hardly matters, given their fine acting and that of a top-rate cast which includes Roger Allam and Henry Goodman. Gorky's view that a self-indulgent bourgeoisie is betraying its proletarian roots is severe, but the cast manage to humanise the restless, sometimes hilariously quirky characters they play."}, {"response": 1777, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (10:44)", "body": "How satisfying it must be for Jennifer's mother to see how talented her daughter is. I hope to see this play when it comes to Broadway. Do I see an Ehle get-together taking place?"}, {"response": 1778, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (13:28)", "body": "I hope so Heide. My only worry is that it will lose some of the intimacy of the Donmar, do you know the theatre where it will be playing in New York, Heide? How big is it?"}, {"response": 1779, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (16:39)", "body": "Don't know yet, Ann, but I'll find out."}, {"response": 1780, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (09:29)", "body": "But Summerfolk isn't playing at the Donmar."}, {"response": 1781, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (10:31)", "body": "Got some info on The Real Thing, Ann. It was in the NY Times Friday. I think we knew it was going to be at the Belasco, didn't we? As reported back in July, the hit Donmar Warehouse revival of Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing will come to Broadway in early spring. After a Jan. 13-March 18, 2000 stint on the West End, the comedy-drama arrives at the Belasco Theatre in March 2000 and opens there in April 2000 for a 20-week limited engagement, according to the Boneau/Bryan Brown press office."}, {"response": 1782, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (10:32)", "body": "The Real Thing was, though!!"}, {"response": 1783, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (10:34)", "body": "Twenty weeks should be all summer. Plan your holiday!"}, {"response": 1784, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (10:34)", "body": "Thanks Heide for the above. We hope to come over in July, hope we can meet up with everyone.(and hope it will still be playing!!,I'm sure it will)"}, {"response": 1785, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Nov 14, 1999 (10:35)", "body": "The Real Thing was, though!!"}, {"response": 1786, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (10:43)", "body": "Ann, the Belasco Theatre is mid-size, about 1,000 seats, I'd say. Certainly not the intimacy of the Donmar, but any port in a storm, I suppose. I have a NY Times article from last Friday in which it was announced. Much praise for Jennifer and Dillane, citing their \"immaculate\" reviews in London. Stoppard is quoted briefly. If you all haven't seen, let me know and I'll post."}, {"response": 1787, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (10:56)", "body": "Changing the subject--I found this amusing. From this week's Newsweek Magazine, Buzz section: Ridiculously Premature Oscar Predictions In a big studio year with no Shakespeare in Love lurking about, where's your surest bet for Oscar nominations? The best-actor category: Spacey, Carrey, Russell Crowe and Denzel look like shoo-ins. What's the buzz on the other noms? Out with the Old Warhorse directors (Kubrick, Scorsese, Reiner) struck out. New talents (Spike Jonze, David O. Russell, Sam Mendes) earned respect, and maybe a shot at noms. Which Tom Cruise? Eyes Wide Shut: Shut out. But don't pity Tom--he'll get a supporting nom for his saucy turn in the upcoming Magnolia. Big Guns American Beauty nailed the Zeitgeist--it'll rack 'em up. The Insider skews old and serious, perfect for the Oscar crowd. Big Guns to Come Angela's Ashes screams Oscar movie, if it delivers. Star Emily Watson could finally get a win. Anna and the King: Testing great, with lots of custumes--Oscar loves that. I See Little Statues Sixth Sense was a hit so huge it'll be hard to ignore. Expect a nom for the screenplay, plus one for the kid star."}, {"response": 1788, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (11:09)", "body": "Thanks Mari, for the information on the Belasco, it doesn't sound too big. I wonder if it is near the theatre where her mother will be playing , I have temporarily forgotten the name of the play. Also thankyou Mari for the offer of the article but I think I have seen it on the JE web page but if it i sa different one I would love you to send it to me."}, {"response": 1789, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (12:08)", "body": "Ann, the play with Rosemary Harris is \"Waiting In The Wings.\" Starts previewing early December at the Walter Kerr Theater, which is only about 5 blocks from the Belasco! Not sure if the two play runs will overlap in dates, but wouldn't it be nice for our favorite mother/daughter duo if they did? Also, I just checked the JE site and the article is the same one. Sorry, thought I had a scoop. Eileen, handicapping the Oscar race is one of my favorite useless activities!;-) Will be glad to speculate along with you. As usual, it seems as though anything released early in the year has no shot. I am still holding out hope for noms for Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio (for Limbo) and Jeremy Northam for Winslow Boy. Long shots both, and I think Sony is too cheap to run decent campaigns for them."}, {"response": 1790, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (13:31)", "body": "(Mari) As usual, it seems as though anything released early in the year has no shot. I am still holding out hope for noms for Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio (for Limbo) Usually true, except for Best Actress noms. For those, they have to scour the barrel dregs. Angela's Ashes screams Oscar movie I'll reserve judgment until I see it. I can *smell* Oscar at 40 paces. So far, only American Beauty gave off that scent."}, {"response": 1791, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (19:17)", "body": "Totally off the current subject, I just heard from Gi. Darlene has made it to Lisbon and they have hugged and all that good stuff, I am so envious! I will let them tell you the rest of the story...some of it is very funny!"}, {"response": 1792, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (21:27)", "body": "Thanks Heide, Karen and Mari for all the Jennifer sleuthing. A dream come true for mum and daughter to be playing on Broadway. I can tell you Summerfolk was a great moment in the British theatre. It was really the reason I went to London...SLOW was ancillary and 3 DOR was an accident. The ensemble cast was superb,the director, Trevor Nunn (Les Miz) was brilliant....the 4th Act belonged to Jennifer...from the searing, passionate discourse she delivers to the summer people on their complacency to the fracas between her husband and brother....she was on target. The dramatic climax occurs when she says to her husband: \" I'm...(beat,...[voice drops])...going...to ..leave....you\". One could hear a pin drop in that 1250 seat theatre!!.She had the audience right in the palm of her hand. At curtain call, the ensemble came first, an enthusiastic audience applauded...then when Jennier and Roger Allam stepped forward there was a ground swell in the applause. It was a thrilling, exhilarating moment for me."}, {"response": 1793, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (09:06)", "body": "Oh no... another remake and I loved The Prisoner and have all of them on tape! Signed, Number 2 ;-D NEW YORK \ufffd Director Simon West moved from the video/commercial world to studio features and responded with two hits in \ufffdCon Air\ufffd and \ufffdThe General\ufffds Daughter,\ufffd which each grossed $100 million domestically. Now, he hopes to bank on that track record to make two films he has dreamed of directing for 30 years. Universal has just completed a deal to turn the 1960s cult TV series \ufffdThe Prisoner\ufffd into a film, and West has signed to develop it as his next feature. He\ufffdll follow with an epic romance called \ufffdShelley\ufffd Garden,\ufffd which he has set up at Paramount with screenwriter Lloyd Fonvielle (\ufffdThe Mummy\ufffd). \ufffdShelley\ufffds Garden\ufffd is based on the life of his grandmother, who had a direct impact on West\ufffds passion for \ufffdThe Prisoner,\ufffd the series about a spy (played by Patrick McGoohan in the original series) kept captive in a village while the government tries to deprogram him. \ufffdMy father turned me on to the series in the late \ufffd60s, and I was so obsessed that when I visited my grandmother in Wales, I made her drive me four hours to the set,\ufffd said West. \ufffdIt was this village constructed by Lord William Clough Reese Ellis in North Wales that replicated these buildings in Italy. Here\ufffds this woman who could hardly walk or see, and I\ufffdd make her walk around this village with me over and over again.\ufffd West sparked to the project while rights were owned by Propaganda. They passed to USA ilms and just moved to Universal, which bested several other interested studios. The project will be supervised by U prexy Kevin Misher. West said he has worked off and on with Larry Konner and Mark Rosenthal for several years to ensure the film won\ufffdt be a cheesy remake. The writing situation is unclear, however, because the project just took root. \ufffdI want it to be as radical as that series was back then, with the theme of a man fighting the system after he\ufffds fallen down the rabbit hole.\ufffd"}, {"response": 1794, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (11:01)", "body": "Thanks for your report on Summerfolk, Evelyn. Sounds like this performance makes JE a shoo-in for an Olivier nomination, if she isn't nominated for TRT. Or can an actress be nominated in the same category for 2 different roles? Was Roger Allam's performance worthy of an Olivier nom? (More competition for Colin.) Did you have a chance to speak with Jennifer at all? Did you notice any celebs in the audience? I think Tineke mentioned spotting Toby Stephens. BTW, Rosemary Harris opened in \"Waiting in the Wings\" in Boston this weekend, pre-Broadway. Haven't seen any reviews in the local papers yet, just a couple of interviews with Lauren Bacall."}, {"response": 1795, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (13:12)", "body": "(Susan)Sounds like this performance makes JE a shoo-in for an Olivier nomination, if she isn't nominated for TRT. Or can an actress be nominated in the same category for 2 different roles? Was Roger Allam's performance worthy of an Olivier nom?(More competition for Colin.) Don't know if one can be nominated for two roles, but it would make one a better candidate.I shall be disappointed if she isn't nominated for TRT. I have always liked her best in period roles, but I must say Tom Stoppard's Annie is my favorite after Lizzie.No I did not get to see her...she was already at the theatre when I arrived and we did not go to the stage entrance afterwards. Roger Allam is no competition for ODB or SD. The NY Times had some pretty weighty comments about SD from TS: \"Stoppard said the Donmar production had a more intimate feel from the play's showier incarnation on Broadway. \"The Donmar is more on the scale of an Off Broadway house,\" he said, speaking from London, \"and I think this production took its characteristics from that.\" That includes Dillane's performance, which Stoppard said had \"such integrity as to scare the life out of an author.\" Having seen 3 DOR three times and TRT four..I think Ned/Walker would take it...although I would like to see SD nominated."}, {"response": 1796, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (14:08)", "body": "(Evelyn) That includes Dillane's performance, which Stoppard said had \"such integrity as to scare the life out of an author.\" I saw that--talk about high praise. From all you've said and the reviews, it's well deserved. I can't tell you how over the moon I am that TRT will be on to coincide with the trip. (Evelyn) Having seen 3 DOR three times and TRT four..I think Ned/Walker would take it...although I would like to see SD nominated. You're giving me goosebumps here, Evelyn. My first thought when they announced the return 3DOR engagement was \"Olivier time!\" Now if only Richard Greenberg would say something nice. And carry the clout that Stoppard does! ;-)"}, {"response": 1797, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (15:37)", "body": "Now if only Richard Greenberg would say something nice. And carry the clout that Stoppard does! ;-) It would help if Richard Greenberg was a Brit too.:-D However, TRT is a revival and 3 DOR is a first-timer.That might carry some weight...So unusual for an actor to play a dual role in one play....and so well. BTW Donmar Box Office told me that TRT will play at the Albery Theatre on St. Martin's Lane...nr. Leicester Sq.Tickets should go on sale any day....Stay tuned."}, {"response": 1798, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (17:15)", "body": "I had a feeling it might be The Albery Theatre when I read today that Quartet was to close on the 8th January. According to my Theatre Book The Albery Theatre holds 876 seats, has a Grand Circle, Royal Circle and Stalls as well as a Balcony which must be way up in the gods. Not quite as intimate as the Donmar but perhaps like The Theatre Royal in Brighton, they do not use the Balcony unless the play is particulary successful. Also they are not going to have much time to adjust to The Albery before the Fi st Night."}, {"response": 1799, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (18:09)", "body": "Major excitement and relief for me. I'm glad I can actually tell people I'm seeing a *different* play than last time. ;-D (while not fibbing too much) I think the panel of Olivier voters should recognize the difficulty of playing two roles and playing them as well as Colin does."}, {"response": 1800, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (10:09)", "body": "A bit OT... oh dear, the Boston critics don't much like \"Waiting in the Wings.\" They thought R. Harris and the rest of the cast was fine, but Bacall \"sticks out like a sore thumb\" and the play itself is one of Coward's weaker efforts. Unless some major tweaking takes place, seems doubtful it will still be playing B'way when TRT arrives."}, {"response": 1801, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (10:06)", "body": "I am too evil and cannot resist. ;-p 'The End of the Affair' By Kirk Honeycutt (11/19/99 - Variety) Neil Jordan, a novelist and short story writer-turned-acclaimed filmmaker, is capable of poetic, erotically charged explorations of the dark worlds of fantasy (\"The Company of Wolves\"), crime (\"Mona Lisa\"), doomed romance (\"The Crying Game\") and violence (\"The Butcher Boy\"). But he is also capable of making inchoate, tone-deaf works such as \"High Spirits\" and the recent \"In Dreams,\" where he appears clueless as to the film he wants to make. \"The End of the Affair\" falls decidedly among the latter works. A lugubrious romantic tale adapted from one of Graham Greene's religious novels, the movie contains too many scenes that invite chuckles if not downright laughter at the misguided melodrama. This Columbia release has little hope of reaching much of a theatrical audience. Feeling like a stodgy drama from the 1950s despite several graphic sexual encounters, \"The End of the Affair\" may fit more comfortably into the venues of pay and cable TV. Greene, one of the century's finest writers, was a convert to Roman Catholicism who penned novels he called \"entertainments\" along with more serious works such as \"The End of the Affair\" (1951), arguably his most autobiographical work, that examined moral and religious issues. The story concerns an adulterous affair during the London Blitz between a moody novelist (Ralph Fiennes) and a lapsed Catholic (Julianne Moore), who is trapped in a polite though loveless marriage to a career civil servant (Stephen Rea). Two years after the affair ends, the film begins with a chance encounter one rainy night between the writer and the husband of his ex-mistress that causes the writer to re-enter her life and learn why she broke off with him. Without revealing too much here, that reason revolves around the question of the existence of God. Jordan films all this dreary unhappiness in dark streets and brooding interiors backed by a lush, overwrought string section. Scenes such as the lovers making love in his dowdy flat with German bombs rocking the walls and debris falling from the ceiling are so patently comic that one wonders why no one on the set was able to protect Jordan from his own worst instincts. You half expect Monty Python's Flying Circus to burst through the door, crying out: \"Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!\" Jordan is further hampered by flat-footed performances from two of his three leads. Fiennes, easily one of cinema's most self-absorbed actors, provides absolutely no sparks in his romantic trysts with Moore. He makes love the way most men would open a tin of meat. Jordan favorite Rea sets off on the wrong tack in the first scene and never recovers. Playing the cuckold as a morose, disconsolate and beaten man in every moment, he excites disdain rather than pity. Only Moore fills the bill here, bringing sexual energy and a tragic awareness of betrayal to her portrait of a woman torn between physical and spiritual love. The look of the film is clearly hampered by budgetary restrictions, leading to a paucity of locations and sets. But Roger Pratt's cinematography and Anthony Pratt's production design nicely evoke the grim atmosphere of wartime London and the dampened spirit of its beleaguered populace. The lighting and design have a professional vitality that embarrasses the muddled dramaturgy. For the record, Greene's novel was unsuccessful filmed once before in 1955 with Deborah Kerr, Van Johnson and John Mills. And Jordan's film further underscores the autobiographical nature of the story by having the writer take his lover on a date to see one of \"his\" movies, which is in fact \"21 Days Together\" (1938), a Laurence Olivier-Vivien Leigh drama written by Greene."}, {"response": 1802, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (10:07)", "body": "Sorry, thought I had closed that bold. Will do so now."}, {"response": 1803, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (11:08)", "body": "Well so much for that Oscar nomination. Roll on SUNSHINE."}, {"response": 1804, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (13:02)", "body": "From the article one would guess it's a difficult book to turn into a film..."}, {"response": 1805, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (14:00)", "body": "LOL, Karen. Ho-hum, here comes the Spanish Inquisition again! He makes love the way most men would open a tin of meat. Woo-ooo, low blow :-P"}, {"response": 1806, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (11:07)", "body": "From the \"go figure\" department: There's an excellent review of The End Of The Affair from yesterday's Variety, this one written by Emmanuel Levy. He calls it \"brilliant,\" \"better than The English Patient,\" etc. I loved your Spam art, Karen, but I have to wonder if these two guys saw the same movie. Here's what Levy says about Rafe: \"In his most accomplished screen perfromance to date, Fiennes shines as the disenchanted, skeptical and hate-ridden novelist, who gropes his way toward faith and deeper comprehension of the meaning of love.\" About Moore and Rea: \"Sporting a spot-on English accent as she did in An Ideal Husband, Moore also excels in revealing the depths of emotions of a woman who, after her mystical union with God, is blessed with miraculous powers, both physical and spiritual. Jordan regular Rea plays the civil servant in a dignified manner that defies sterotypical cliches in portraying a cuckolded husband.\" All I can say at this point is, I'm glad CF didn't get the Rea part. ;-) Mari"}, {"response": 1807, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (11:14)", "body": "Two reviews in Variety? How strange. But as you'll come to see, Mari, I *enjoy* Rafe-bashing and will use any ammunition I can find (true or not true) and will likely see the film too! ;-D"}, {"response": 1808, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (11:54)", "body": "(Karen) But as you'll come to see, Mari, I *enjoy* Rafe-bashing and will use any ammunition I can find Then move over, honey, and make room for me! IMO, this guy is so frosty he could start his own cryogenics lab.;-) There's a big spread on \"Affair\" with huge photos of Rafe and Julianne in the latest issue of EW. She looks gorgeous; he looks like he just got back from the taxidermist's.;-) See how easily led I am? ;-D"}, {"response": 1809, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (12:03)", "body": "\"I like Rafe\"...she said timidly ~~~~~~ Evening Standard reports that Jennifer Ehle is among the actors attending the ES awards lunch on Monday. I am not making any predictions for fear of jinxing the outcome :-)"}, {"response": 1810, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (21:47)", "body": "Nan's Birthday is on Monday, November 22nd. Your presence and presents are requested here on Drool 72. Let us honor the lady, without whom we would not be as special as we are. See you (saddling up the Yak and I's gone...) on Monday!"}, {"response": 1811, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Nov 21, 1999 (17:12)", "body": "Have you remembered to invite her, too? She's still up to her eyeballs in her studies, poor thing, and I wouldn't be surprised if she forgot her own birthday. **** Oh, goody! I was hoping for a spot of Rafe bashing! Listen to this: \"Ralph Fiennes should stick to the desert when it comes to angst-ridden, soul-searching romantic heroes. In The English Patient, his sun-blasted looks earned a swoony following that his cold character didn't deserve. His Onegin is a similarly chilly, enigmatic soul to whom it's hard to respond warmly. Where he's really at a disadvantage is in his looks. [...] pasty and sallow, as if he's just woken up [...]; his hair [...] worn in an odd, curly mop with vast sideburns. When he ends up agonised and lovelorn, it's a struggle to be moved by his tragedy.[...]\" (from the Express, 21 Nov. 1999) Enough, madams?"}, {"response": 1812, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Nov 21, 1999 (17:39)", "body": "Yes, Evelyn spoke to her (IRL via telephone)and told her we were going to have a party for her on 72. I also emailed her to tell her to make herself available to us or we'd play with the toys we are bringing to her. I think she will show up when she can spare a moment or so. How often does a gal turn 30 anyway ;D On with ole Lizard-Lips bashing. The Family Fiennes does nothing for me (or for CF's fortunes, unfortunately) You cannot imagine how delighted I am to see you so active on Drool again. Brava, My Dear! Keep up the Good Fight..."}, {"response": 1813, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Nov 21, 1999 (19:31)", "body": "You cannot imagine how delighted I am... Whoa! And where have you been? And I should really be doing something very different somewhere far far away from here..."}, {"response": 1814, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 21, 1999 (19:40)", "body": "On with ole Lizard-Lips bashing. Let's get those features right! It's lizard-eyed and pencil-legged. Got it. BTW, I have no problem with his \"simian-faced\" brother. ;-D 30!! Really? Why was there a smirk..."}, {"response": 1815, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Nov 21, 1999 (19:57)", "body": "Well, isn't she 30 yet? Am I the only one that old amongst us?! (the smirk was for my duplicity in presuming to pretend I was not yet that old...) Watch out for lightning bolts in Hilo! *lol* I have been around. Check just about any conference, I have been keeping Spring flowing almost single fingered these weekends with the exception of the ladies of Drool, who have always kept the place full of fluid and brimming with enthusiam. I do play about in Geo from time to time, as well...!"}, {"response": 1816, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Nov 21, 1999 (22:24)", "body": "It is the zero-hundred hour of Nan's Birthday. That means time to get out my goodies... HAUOLI NA HANAU Spring's traditional Birthday Tiara with CF to present it to you... Your Ilima and Tuberose Lei Some guys to escort you to your party:"}, {"response": 1817, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Nov 21, 1999 (22:29)", "body": "A computer worthy of your talents A house worthy of your Cray and of you - next door to Pemberley And, a few more guys to wrestle that Cray into your mansion and to party with you afterward. Celebrate, My Dear Nan!"}, {"response": 1818, "author": "baine", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (06:47)", "body": "Happy Birthday to Nan! I guess this is the place for this post. I'm just back from a long weekend in Philly where I had an out-of-body experience that only Firthettes would understand. Walking along 2nd Street there when I came to the Arden Theater and saw that the marquee said Now Playing - Three Days of Rain!!! Good thing I was alone, Firthettes. I got light-headed. I thought I've finally done something right and the gods have rewarded me with a space-warp wormhole to London. Alas, the mist cleared momentarily, but I went in to the box office and asked them for a program. So now I have a memento for a run in which ODB is not appearing-the core of my collection of nonFirthiana. And of course it said nothing about concurrent runs elsewhere. However, it turns out that there are many touches of CF in Philly. The place where I ate breakfast Sunday had a lovely color poster of him as Wessex next to Dame Judy. The Free Public Library dug out all the reviews of AC from 1984 for me (Vincent Canby said it was insufferably smug but CF and RE gave good performances). I bought the screen play of SIL (one tiny pic of ODB vs many of that skinny Fiennes the Younger). For the dedicated Firthette, ODB is never far away. And now I have four days of lovely posts from all of you to catch up with!"}, {"response": 1819, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (07:10)", "body": "Nan, Nan, we have missed you dear. You are too dedicated to your career. All your snappies and your quick remarks I am sure you employ in your Arts. So today on your Birthday I find pleasure, In letting you know you\ufffdre a treasure. Tanti Auguri a Te! Now let\ufffds do the \ufffdGo Go Rangers\ufffd dance!"}, {"response": 1820, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (07:57)", "body": "LOL Cymbeline! And you didn't go see the play? Just think what an experience you could have had...channeling Colin into the lead. And I was so eager to hear your comparison of the Philly Walker/Ned with what you imagine Colin's to be. ;-D So talented a poetess, Moon. (my sister's been bugging me to write a poem for a shower invite... please ;-D"}, {"response": 1821, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (08:06)", "body": "So talented a poetess, Moon. (my sister's been bugging me to write a poem for a shower invite... please ;-D Would you believe I have never been to a shower. I refused them for my wedding and babies too. Of course, Gi's was different, what an international blast!"}, {"response": 1822, "author": "baine", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (08:12)", "body": "(Karen) And you didn't go see the play? Just think what an experience you could have had. Think of the experience the rest of the audience would have had as I burst into loud sobs when pseudoWalker appeared and had to be carried out screaming, \"Where's Colin? Why are you wasting our time? No, officer, it isn't I you should be arresting but that man up there impersonating the greatest actor now working in the English language!\""}, {"response": 1823, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (10:32)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY , NAN"}, {"response": 1824, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (10:37)", "body": "Nan, Oh, Nan....."}, {"response": 1825, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (10:45)", "body": "Another friend wants to say .... HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NAN (Sorry, couldn't resist...hee, hee)"}, {"response": 1826, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (11:37)", "body": "WIN TICKETS TO AN ADVANCE SCREENING OF \"MAN ON THE MOON\" Reel.com and Universal Studios invite you and a guest to a special advance screening of \"Man on the Moon\", starring Jim Carrey official opening 12/25). If you live near one of the cities listed below, you can win passes to a special advance screening for Entertainment Weekly readers and NewsReel subscribers. The tentative date for the screening is 12/16/99. The special advance screenings will take place in the following U.S. cities only: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York, Ph ladelphia, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. To qualify, your entry must be received by November 29, 1999. Winners will be selected at random and your passes will be mailed to you. For complete details, go to: http://www.reel.com/content/other/forms/moon_sweep.asp"}, {"response": 1827, "author": "Darlene", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (12:03)", "body": "Nan, Happy Birthday from a semi-lurker."}, {"response": 1828, "author": "nky", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (12:12)", "body": "Happy Birthday Nan! Sorry I'm not as creative as others and do not have a clue how to download pictures. Anyway have a great one. Hi Evelyn, I made it! I LOVE that picture of CF, how do you do it?"}, {"response": 1829, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (12:44)", "body": "It's Nan's birthday May I say, dear Nan, that you're number One?"}, {"response": 1830, "author": "nky", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (13:18)", "body": "Reminder for P&P fans: For those of you that does not have \"Pride & Prejudice\" tapes, A&E will be airing P&P this Sunday, 11/28/99 starting 2PM (Eastern standard time) and will show all parts. I'll be watching!"}, {"response": 1831, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (15:33)", "body": "(Nancy)Hi Evelyn, I made it! I LOVE that picture of CF, how do you do it? WELCOME NANCY to Drool... Hey Gang...Nancy is a big JE fan of the library....I told her we wanted her here with all of us. Nancy, all I did was carry that picture home (brute strength!).Karen does all the brain labor!!"}, {"response": 1832, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (15:47)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Nan from your neighbor across the river *waving to you from Joisey* Isn't grad school the pits? It's an endurance test. I hope you're taking some time to enjoy your day."}, {"response": 1833, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (16:02)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1834, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (16:04)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1835, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (16:09)", "body": "(BTW, Nan, those were Hockey players on Summer Holiday I chose for your escorts) Aloha Nancy!! I do have a JE Keepsake list...on 113 Moon, you are too much...love your poem! Darlene, wow!!! An actual post from you?! Must be a special occasion (and it is) Cymbelline, Dear, Join the close encounters with CF but not quite close enough...club We all have double takes like that from time to time. I know how embarrassing it can be when you are not alone when they occur!"}, {"response": 1836, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (16:37)", "body": "Have a great Birthday Nan! *consider yourself sung at by me* (and be grateful i'm not there to do it in person, and risk inflicting permanet damage to your delicate ears) :)"}, {"response": 1837, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (16:38)", "body": "NAN!!! Hope you are having a great day! :-D"}, {"response": 1838, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (17:32)", "body": "Once again, Happy Birthday, Nan... Enjoy your day, your year, your life... Forgive me for coming here empty handed, but I've searched all the obvious places for some newer pics of ODB and couldn't find any. Maybe it's because I'm a cyberdumbo! So you'll just have to wait until we get our cf.com archives up and running again and one day every pic worth having will be in there, I promise. Well, nearly. xxx 3:=8) 3:=8) 3:=8) P.S. 30 years old??? Delicate...? Ppppppppppfffffffffft! ;-)"}, {"response": 1839, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (17:41)", "body": "WOW! Where else can you find Colin Firth, Mark Messier, and a surfing pig all on the same page? ;-) Topic 72 rules! ;-) A very happy birthday to you, Nan. Murph says you and I are a lot alike. (Please don't be too upset with her.;-) Have a wonderful year, dear! Love the Italian flag, Moon. Baci e abbracci! Evelyn, that's a gorgeous poster for Sunshine. But who's the guy? ;-) Cymbeline, Philly is even more Firthful than you thought; MLSF is still playing in the far northern 'burbs. Glad you had a nice visit."}, {"response": 1840, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (19:07)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY Nan!"}, {"response": 1841, "author": "baine", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (20:32)", "body": "BTW we got our weekly Ebert tonight, and he loves Mansfield Park. Thinks it's great that they've changed Fanny's character and made her an alter ego of JA's. Didn't mention the sex."}, {"response": 1842, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (21:40)", "body": "Nan, long time no see ;-D"}, {"response": 1843, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (21:45)", "body": "I forgot to say, \"Welcome, Nancy!\" I'm a newbie also and a fan of JE's. Sorry to do this but, I hate to see someone miss out. To the person who e-mailed me about specifics on MLSF in the Philly 'burbs: my messages to you keep bouncing back, so I have to do it this way. It's the County Theater in Doylestown, PA. I just checked their website and it looks as though it will be there at least through Sunday. There are good directions there as well, from various points. Go to: http://www.countytheater.org"}, {"response": 1844, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (22:03)", "body": "Great, Mari. I've also emailed the info to Cymbeline. She has one of those addresses that don't come through here correctly, proxies, or some such. One way or another, she will get the info...but will she want to make the long journey??? BTW, has everyone read Cymbeline's Wife of Wessexland's Tale? She posted it at 34, but not everyone reads the fan fic (or do they??) It is sheer brilliance and I am still waiting for the bawdy part. Mr. Chaucer will not rest until it is finished. ;-D Here it is, for those who haven't read it: ********** This isn't exactly fiction, but I post it here b/c calling it a poem is really rather fictional. Shudder, Firthettes and gallant Firthians, wring hands all. For Eros, chestnut-eyed and auburn crown-ed bright Hath bent my humble keyboard to his call. Wherefore I wing you, though my words be trite, That which we long for, e'en with rhymes that pall -- A little touch of Colin in the night: The Wife of Wessexland's Tale When that November with his shoures raw The fevered pitch of summer hath perced down the maw And bathed every veyne in swich licour Of which women's secret laughter is the flour; When Edward eek with his mossy breath Inspire-ed hath in every loft and heeth By his video new; And the younge sonne Hath in the low countries from his truelove yronne, And small pigges haven their houre Wherein the cock crows twice albeit the sun do towere. (So pricketh him Maria in her corages) Thanne longen Firthettes to go on pilgrimages And droolers for to seeken straunge strondes Of another country cometh from sondry landes. And specially from every shires ende of Englande to Donmar they wende The father, son, playmaker for to seke Whose velvet voice hath laid us all in ecstasy when that he did speake."}, {"response": 1845, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (22:19)", "body": "I'm here! I finally made it home from class and then my roomie was on the phone so I couldn't log on... You are all excellent creatures for going to so much trouble for me...especially since I never have the time to stop by anymore. Things have been a bit nuts these last few months. I'm looking forward to winter break (a whole month!) so that I can have some drool time (or sleep time, not sure which is more critical at present) :-/ I'm writing more. I just wanted to let you know that I've arrived. I need to read through the messages. Be right back..."}, {"response": 1846, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (22:57)", "body": "[BETTER BELATED THAN NEVER] GET YOUR NOSE OUTTA THE BOOKS LONG ENOUGH TO ENJOY IT!"}, {"response": 1847, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (22:57)", "body": "Well, I got a Yapp error when I posted that last message. Aaaah, the comforts of home...;-) It's comforting to know that some things never change, even Yapp quirks. (Marcia) How often does a gal turn 30 anyway ;D (Karen) 30!! Really? Why was there a smirk... (Arami) P.S. 30 years old??? Delicate...? Ppppppppppfffffffffft! Well, thanks for clearing that up, Arami ;-p But alas, she speaks the truth. though I'm not all THAT removed from 30, actually calling me 30 is starting to sound delicate ;-D And honey, you never go anywhere empty handed. Any photo you posted couldn't possibly be any more intriguing (or entertaining, depending on your mood) ;-}. (Arami) 3:=8) 3:=8) 3:=8) LOL! I forgot that one. Too funny! ;-D Renate, deer--something about that photo looks familiar ;-p Oh, how I miss those days when we'd spend hours figureing out the best way to touch up a Colin photo. BTW, all those hours did come in handy...I kick some serious Photoshop butt at school. It gave me something to barter with when I needed programming geeks to help me with projects ;-) And my beloved Messier! Man of my dreams, keeper of all things testosterone...:-)~~~ (But couldn't you find him in a Rangers jersey? ;-p) Evelyn, you crack me up. I notice how you just plopped me smack in the middle of the great Ralph debate. I'll admit that some of the comments about him on this board are...er...creative, I also have to say for the record that I like him. Don't misunderstand, he's no Colin and he's certainly no Messier. But a man with such eyes cannot be completely devoid of attraction for me. Besides, I like saying \"Rrrrraafe!\"...rolls off the tongue, don't you think? ;-D Moon! I thank you for the poem. I'm flattered you'd take so much time to create something like that for me. Love the animated flag too, since we have that paisana thing happening ;-) (Mari)A very happy birthday to you, Nan. Murph says you and I are a lot alike. (Please don't be too upset with her.;-) Mari! I'm very glad to see you here. I had no idea you had joined the fun. Murph has said the same thing about you. And of course I'm not upset with her. As far as I can tell your only flaw is that you're not a Ranger fan ;-p Then again, considering their current record, you can't expect anyone to be a Ranger fan. Hope your Flyers are doing better than we are... Marcia, I do so love to be wished a happy birthday in another language. Makes me feel real continental-like ;-) BTW, I notice that everyone is posting photos of men. Does this say something about me, do you think? ;-p (Eileen) Happy Birthday, Nan from your neighbor across the river *waving to you from Joisey* Wavin' back atcha from the city, babe! ;-) Isn't grad school the pits? It's an endurance test. And it feels like a Pap smear...:-/ Whoa! Did I say that? Well, if nothing else grad school has taught me to cut to the chase. I'm sure that line gave you all an instant vision of my semester thus far ;-) (SB) *consider yourself sung at by me* Okeedokee ;-) (and be grateful i'm not there to do it in person, and risk inflicting permanet damage to your delicate ears) :) Honey, there ain't a delicate thing about me...and I'm getting less and less delicate all the time ;-p Karen and Heide, thanks for welcoming me back. BTW, naughty Karen-girl...where did you get that flasher? Not that I object, mind you, I was just curious as to where you've been surfing ;-p I must return to work (have a 3D project due on Wednesday *sigh*) but I thank you all, old friends and new, for taking time out of your lives to celebrate my birthday. You have no idea how much I needed a boost and this was it ;-D When the semester is over and the dust settles, I'll come back wearing my big rubber boots. So get ready to lay it on thick, ladies. I'll need the diversion by then... Many thanks again. Much love, Nan (La Gardienne du Bicorne Incroyable, not to be confused with HIS INCROYABLE, devoted friend of the WET SHIRT, yada yada yada...) Geez, it's been ages since I typed that. It felt GOOD ;-D"}, {"response": 1848, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (23:15)", "body": "Happy Birthday Nan."}, {"response": 1849, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (00:08)", "body": "Happy birthday Nan!"}, {"response": 1850, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (01:20)", "body": "Happy Belated Birthday, Nan!!"}, {"response": 1851, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (08:47)", "body": "For those who have been wondering how High Fidelity is being done, here's a paragraph from the AICN site (and I didn't even need to edit out the \"so-called\" more colorful language): Stephen Frears' \"High Fidelity\" with John Cusack completely pulls off something that is rarely done well: Cusack talks to the camera. A lot. And it works. Perfectly. Shoving a novel into a film is frequently a hard thing to do, and for most filmmakers use voice over as a cheap cop-out that means they don't need to do the real work of trying make external the internal. Breaking the fourth wall and talking directly to the audience is risky, and can leave you with the worse of both worlds. But here, it's per ect. It's something this character would do, not something the filmmaker put in his mouth. And on top of it all, this film of Cusack's character looking back at failed relationships is really, really funny. Smart funny, not this \"Big Daddy\" crap that pollutes the multiplexes these days. (Not that Cusack would have gotten near a project like that.) Watch the ads blow the best jokes, though."}, {"response": 1852, "author": "nky", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (09:07)", "body": "Mari, Happy Belated Birthday! When was it anyway? Welcome to drool, love to see other newbies as well. Nan, where are you in the city and where do you go to school? I'm also in the city (work in midtown), its good to know that we have something in common in this big apple. Eileen, hello to you from this side of the river."}, {"response": 1853, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (09:34)", "body": "Tineke! Long time no see...;-) (Nancy) Nan, where are you in the city and where do you go to school? I live in midtown and go to NYU. It's a schlepp, but I've grown used to the subway...:-/ I'm also in the city (work in midtown), its good to know that we have something in common in this big apple. We have all kinds of things in common...even our names ;-) Tell me, did you have a hard time finding a license plate for your bike as a child? It was always sold out around here... Once again, thanks everyone for the good wishes (both here and in email). You made my day ;-)"}, {"response": 1854, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (10:23)", "body": "NANCY!! Forgive me for not welcoming you properly before, but I had thought you posted before--after I emailed you the instructions. Make yourself comfortable and enjoy all our topics. :-D"}, {"response": 1855, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (10:24)", "body": "(Nan) But couldn't you find him in a Rangers jersey? Ahhh, the good old days... BTW, naughty Karen-girl...where did you get that flasher? Not that I object, mind you, I was just curious as to where you've been surfing ;-p Scroll up to Esbee's birthday party. Note the pic with the foot. Sorry, Karen, I couldn't resist! Nancy, hope you can leave work early tomorrow--worst travel day of the year in these parts. Ugh."}, {"response": 1856, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (11:48)", "body": "(Nan) BTW, naughty Karen-girl...where did you get that flasher? Not that I object, mind you, I was just curious as to where you've been surfing ;-p In answer, well... we all can't be as good and wholesome as you, Nan! ;-p I am learning so. Feet and their adornments, including rubber boots, are a major fetish area!!"}, {"response": 1857, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (12:59)", "body": "(Karen)BTW, has everyone read Cymbeline's Wife of Wessexland's Tale? Yew sweet thang! You should be ODB's agent. At the least you would bring him out of his bad humor of last week. In the interests of even more ego-feeding, I'm posting the revised version, slightly more referential. I knew I should have let it simmer a couple more days -- Shudder, Firthettes and gallant Firthians, wring hands all, For Eros, chestnut-eyed and auburn-crowned delight, Hath bent my humble keyboard to his call, Wherefore I wing you, though my words be trite, That which we long for, e'en though the rhymes may pall, A little touch of Colin in the night - The Wyfe of Wessexland's Tale When that November with his shoures raw The fevered pitch of summer hath per-ced down the maw And bath-ed every veyne in swich licour Of which women's secret laughter is the flour; When Edward eek with his mossy breath Inspire-ed hath in every loft and heeth By his video new; And the yonge sonne In the low countries from his truelove yronne; And small pigges haven their houre Wherein the cock crow'th twice although the sunne do towere (So priketh hem Maria in her corages); Thanne longen Firthettes to go on pilgrimages, And droolers for to seeken straunge strondes Of another country tumbledown from sondry landes. And specially from every shires ende of Englande to Donmar they wende, The father, sonne, playmaker for to seke Whose velvet voice doth hold us hostages to ecstasy when that he do speake."}, {"response": 1858, "author": "nky", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (13:36)", "body": "Karen, thank you for the welcome sign. Now I really feel like I belong. I also thank you for bringing me into drool, I love the topics of discussions but of my favorite is about our CF. Eileen, do you work in the city? I actually live out in Westchester and my commute shouldn't be too bad. Gettingout early tomorrow? Out of all days, I have to take a client out to lunch!! AAgghh!! Nan, NYU! you must be having a great time. I have some friends that went to NYU undergrad and some on grad school and they all loved it. Just love the village. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you out there!"}, {"response": 1859, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (14:54)", "body": "(Nancy) Eileen, do you work in the city? Heaven forbid! Love the poem, Cymbeline. Wherein the cock crow'th twice Heeheehee"}, {"response": 1860, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (15:44)", "body": "Cymbeline... the poem is marvelous! *clap clap* You should pop over to 113 and pick out some keepsakes -then favor us with more poetry *hee hee* ;)"}, {"response": 1861, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (15:49)", "body": "OH - and welcome Nancy!!! (cant remember if i ever offically welcomed you) I'm so glad you've joined in the idolizing of ODB! EsBee :)"}, {"response": 1862, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (15:56)", "body": "Nancy, where is Westchester? I grew up and graduated from New Rochelle HS as did my sisters. Small world and all that...(so what am I doing in Hawaii?!)"}, {"response": 1863, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (15:57)", "body": "113 ia open for business...just make a request and I shall enroll you there, providing that your item has not been taken by another worthy Firthette (yeesh!)"}, {"response": 1864, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (18:08)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARLENE Your lie for your birthday... http://www.leisofhawaii.com/d.jpg (YOU'LL HAVE TO WAIT TILL TOMORROW FOR THE REST...)"}, {"response": 1865, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (18:10)", "body": "...and that is a LEI...."}, {"response": 1866, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (18:57)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARLENE! HOPE YOU LOVED LISBON! We're sure you loved Gi."}, {"response": 1867, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (19:41)", "body": "Happy Birthday Darlene! Have a wonderful day and eat lots of cake and ice cream xoxox EsBee"}, {"response": 1868, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (20:28)", "body": "Can't remember on which topic I put my Thanksgiving greetings, but I put my solipsistic American foot in my narcissistic American mouth, so will revise by saying Happy Thanksgiving to all on the west side of the pond who live north of the Mexican border and south of the Canadian not forgetting those in Alaska and on outlying islands even unto Guam where America's day begins and of course all Americans living abroad."}, {"response": 1869, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (22:26)", "body": "Are you sure you got everybody, Cymbeline? ;-D"}, {"response": 1870, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (00:14)", "body": "Thank you, from the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Cymbelline!!!"}, {"response": 1871, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (00:16)", "body": "Darlene's lei for when she awakens"}, {"response": 1872, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (00:18)", "body": "A little something to slip into for Breakfast..."}, {"response": 1873, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (00:21)", "body": "Something for dinner, a canary diamond of \"important size\" Something to soothe your eyes..."}, {"response": 1874, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (06:58)", "body": "Marcia, is that eye-soother an opal? Loved the canary diamond ring. ;-) Happy Birthday Darlene! Welcome to our v. merry group, Nancy!"}, {"response": 1875, "author": "nky", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (08:51)", "body": "Happy Birthday Darlene! Its the newbie. Thanks for your welcome, moon. I'm getting hooked! HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!"}, {"response": 1876, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (10:02)", "body": "Happy birthday, Darlene! And if you fall within Cymbeline's comprehensive turkey day boundaries.... Happy Thanksgiving!"}, {"response": 1877, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (11:19)", "body": "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DARLENE, HAVE A BALL"}, {"response": 1878, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (14:36)", "body": "Happy Birthday, Darlene. It's been a while!!!!"}, {"response": 1879, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (15:23)", "body": "Un Tango I couldn't get Jorge and Nelida, the tango dancers in your painting, to come and dance for your birthday, so I asked another couple, Leo and Eugenia, who agreed: And here's a little something to toast your birthday: and someone to toast it with: Happy Birthday, Darlene!"}, {"response": 1880, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (15:25)", "body": "I meant Colin's pic to be larger!"}, {"response": 1881, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (19:16)", "body": "Happy Thanksgiving! I could not resist the cow-thing! ;-D"}, {"response": 1882, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (19:30)", "body": "What's with this 'Moo' thing? I hate tomorrow. Happy Thanksgiving Everybody!"}, {"response": 1883, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (19:34)", "body": "...they're gaining on me..."}, {"response": 1884, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (21:51)", "body": "Happy Thanksgiving everybody!"}, {"response": 1885, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Nov 25, 1999 (02:53)", "body": "From my desk ... at work ... with barely a hint of envy: HAPPY YANKSGIVING also Happy Birthday (belatedly) Nan & Darlene"}, {"response": 1886, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Nov 25, 1999 (08:21)", "body": "Thanks, Mark. We Yanks appreciate the sentiment. Think of us tomorrow too. Most of us will not be at our desks at work then either - traditional start of the Holiday shopping season, you know.;-) Other ladies above - why are you not busy peeling potatoes? I am heading to MaMa's with my peeler as we speak. Meanwhile the men are exercising their thumb for heavy remote control action today. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!"}, {"response": 1887, "author": "Darlene", "date": "Thu, Nov 25, 1999 (08:23)", "body": "I want to thank all who send me birthday greetings. Eileen the dancing turkeys were so clever. Evelyn, yes I did have a ball last night, without seals yet! (we will meet in London, right?) It was good to hear from Laura again, it has been awhile, your daughter is probably old enough to vote by now. Mark, I am always happy to accept belated greetings. Marcia your lei was lovely, should I keep it in the refrig? Gi, I was really impressed with the dancing couple, especially the music, I think my Tango painting kinda glowed when I played it. Of course it was sooo nice to share all this with Darcy. This might be a good time to share some of the trip to Lisbon. On our first day there (after 36 hours with no sleep), Gi, Antonio and Patas pick us up at hotel to have lunch at at beautiful seaside restaurant. I brought a couple of small gifts for Gi, and the timing was great. On the ride Gi explained to Jim (my SO) about her virtual bridal shower. She told of the dancing Spam cans, Spam jewelery etc. Well, her first gift was a real can of Spam in a satin drawstring bag. While she was opening her sec nd gift, Antonio was muttering something about going to London in Jan. to see some actor. Of course her second gift was an autographed picture of CF as Darcy. We had great fun. If any of you get a chance to visit Lisbon, please do. It is a delightful city. It has something of the feel of Paris, but much cleaner, and more afordable. The scenery at times was breathtaking. People are very friendly, and the food is terrific and so inexpensive. They have castles,palaces and lovely old streets to walk. One afternoon Gi took us to see her art show (I was lucky enough to have one of her Tango paintings waiting for me to take home),then we toured an old church which housed the tomb of asco da Gama and Camoes, then off to a quaint tea. I've traveled quite a bit since I retired early this year, and Lisbon is on the top of my list to revisit. Of course the Gi,Antonio and Patas connection made all the difference. I want to thank them for all they did for a couple of strangers."}, {"response": 1888, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 25, 1999 (11:17)", "body": "No Captain For 'Corelli' Director quits because of illness. Perhaps Nicolas Cage should be getting worried at the moment. Not only has his role in the ill-fated 'Superman Lives' apparently disappeared, but work on an adaptation of Louis de Bernieres' novel 'Captain Corelli's Mandolin' has suffered a setback. The reason? 'Notting Hill' director Roger Michell recently suffered a heart attack and as a result has decided to pull out of the project. It's well known Michell was keen to make 'Corelli' - it was his decision to have Hugh Grant reading the novel at the end of 'Notting Hill'. Cage is due to take the lead in the story of an Italian soldier and his company who are drafted to a Greek island during the Second World War. The locals are mistrustful but Corelli's happy-go-lucky attitude to their occupation of Cephalonia and his growing love for one of the local girls soon breaks down barriers."}, {"response": 1889, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Nov 25, 1999 (11:25)", "body": "Thank you very much for your kind comments, Darlene. But how can a fellow Firthian consider herself a stranger, especially after taking part in my bridal shower? Actually, it was a pleasure to meet you and Jim, and fun to try to be your guides without imposing our presence - which we couldn't do anyway because we had to work. We are looking forwards to meeting you again and sharing some foraging for art and antiques :-)"}, {"response": 1890, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov 25, 1999 (12:20)", "body": "Thanks Darlene for sharing your Lisbon holiday. Portugal is a beautiful country...but its greatest asset are the incomparabe friendly and generous people."}, {"response": 1891, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (10:36)", "body": "That was a delightful story, Darlene. We know Gi and Antonio must have been generous hosts. I envy you your freedom to travel but love to hear your stories. Hope to see you continuing to post."}, {"response": 1892, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (17:55)", "body": "About TWINE, the critics were split. There were those who criticized it because it had recycled material in it (i.e., the remote-controlled car, although it was the brand-new Z8 this time); too much M (Judi Dench), who goes out into the field; Brosnan was too slight of build, etc. Nearly universal (except Ebert as I recall) was criticism re: Denise Richards, to which I wholly agree. Denise Richards actually made Lana Wood (Plenty O'Toole) look good! Robert Carlyle had the most bizarre accent, sort of ransylvannia-like. He was not a particularly good Bond villain. That being said, Sophie Marceau was excellent. She had the meatiest Bond woman role I think that's ever been written. Bond movies are based on a known formula. A villain, a sacrificial lamb woman, and another woman who goes with him. The innuendo, gadgets, and locations have become standard. In TWINE, there's a turn toward the serious. They went light on the jokes (which is good IMO). The opening sequence that everyone is raving about, well, it was OK and little too long. I was fortunate that a guy sitting behind me was really into all the innuendo comments. He was loudly laughing at them and they were pretty good. Hey, Bond movies are Bond movies and thank god that Roger Moore is no longer in them! :-D"}, {"response": 1893, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Nov 30, 1999 (00:30)", "body": "A very belated Happy Birthday Darlene."}, {"response": 1894, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Nov 30, 1999 (22:18)", "body": "Oh, I have to share this. Guess who was on The View this morning? No, not *him.*;-) RALPH FIENNES! Too bad I didn't see the listing until tonight or I would have taped it. For anyone not familiar with The View, let's just say that this is the oddest possible combination of guest and talk show. He was on with Stephen Rea; I assume they're promoting The End Of The Affair, which I think opens here on Friday. I do give credit where it's due, however; Ralph is out there, backing his projects. Good for him. And what classy projects they are! I'd better not say any more.;-)"}, {"response": 1895, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 30, 1999 (22:38)", "body": "Evelyn said he was great on the show. Has definitely been taking lessons in having a personality. Barely cringed when one of them brutalized her pronunciation of Onegin (you can imagine)."}, {"response": 1896, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (08:53)", "body": "Rafe was also on the Today Show yesterday. Julieanne Moore was on this morning. He is really doing PR these days. Let me tell you he looked v. comfortable with that group of women on The View...laughed, joked...at one point gave Star a big smooch... no kidding. I saw him on the Today show three years ago plugging TEP and he couldn't even look at Katie Couric in the eye. Defintely has been coached since then. Obviously he has caught on to the fact that the industry has changed. Actors can no longer walk away from a film when the director says the last \"cut\". A film is a product that h s to be marketed.And what better sales persons than the cast."}, {"response": 1897, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (08:54)", "body": "Was also on Charlie Rose last night."}, {"response": 1898, "author": "baine", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (09:28)", "body": "The thing about RF--the three things actually. 1. He makes serious movies. 2. He stars. 3. His roles usually encompass more than the male sexual lead. 1.Either they are about issues: Quiz show--TEP--Schindler's List Corruption, scandal, war, and of course the Holocaust. You can't get much more serious than that. So people think they've done something important when they've seen them. Or they are classics--TEOTA--Onegin. And note that he didn't make either of these until he had established himself as a Serious Person with the issue ones. IMO Onegin is pure oneupmanship. It's right up there with Hamlet, the Iliad, and the Odyssey as one of the greats of all time. So you did a classic, I'm doing an epic; you did prose, I'm doing verse; you did an English work, I'm doing a Russian, you did Austen, I'm doing Pushkin. Who's cooler now? 2. He stars. His name precedes the title. He gets the fame and the interviews and the talk shows. He doesn't support; he's not a character actor; he gets the girl, he doesn't lose her. 3. His heroes do more than provide the sexual attraction. Although P&P is my favorite novel, and I am second to none in my adoration of Darcy, he really doesn't do much besides be rich and handsome. His transformation is effected in the cause of winning the girl. No larger outside issues intrude. So people don't realize the importance of what Austen was trying to say and don't think they've done anything but enjoy themselves after seeing P&P. You can think of CF movies that could have been made those ways. A0 could have dealt with the question of the Argentine disappeareds. Tumbledown could have dealt with the issue of colonialist war. FF could have dealt more seriously with drugs, mental illness, or the art scene. We know the objections re SLOW. Even FP could have dealt with sports obsession and violence on both public and family levels. But those aren't the kind of movies they are. And in the ones that do deal with bigger issues--SIL, TEP, ATA--he supports. OK, wake up, everyone. Just a little midmorning drone. Even"}, {"response": 1899, "author": "livamago", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (10:08)", "body": "(Cymbeline). His heroes do more than provide the sexual attraction. Although P&P is my favorite novel, and I am second to none in my adoration of Darcy, he really doesn't do much besides be rich and handsome. His transformation is effected in the cause of winning the girl. I think there is nothing deeper than the transformation of the self. Darcy may be rich and handsome, but he changes and manages to create change in another person, Elizabeth. I always take offense when critics dismiss Austen as a \"woman novelist\", or her works as \"feminine literature\". I don't even consider her novels as being of \"manners\" as many people call them, but novels about the essence of humanity, about how to reconcile one's beliefs with society. Pardon me, but it sounds to me as if you are find ng fault with CF's choice of works in comparison with RF. Have I misinterpreted your post? I have no problem with RF, but the merit of a certain film has nothing to do IMO with whether it is a classic, an epic or a simple comedy. There are lots of so-called 'epic' movies that are pure trash, while there are others that have no such pretentions but are more deserving. So you did a classic, I'm doing an epic; you did prose, I'm doing verse; you did an English work, I'm doing a Russian, you did Austen, I'm doing Pushkin. Who's cooler now? I don't understand why he is cooler. Are you implying that Austen is a bit of fluff? Every work is different, and in truth, RF would have made a horrible Darcy, but I can well imagine CF as the soldier in Schindler's List. Everyone has his or her place. CF is a classically trained actor and he can do Shakespeare as well as RF can, so I do not see why the derision. He stars. His name precedes the title. He gets the fame and the interviews and the talk shows. That does not make RF a better actor, or his movies better. If he had not been in Schindler's List (in which he had a supporting role, and played a villain), he would be just another English actor. Sometimes it is just a matter of chance. May I ask you to elaborate on your comments? I don't know whether you are blaming CF because he is not as famous, or being sarcastic about RF's success."}, {"response": 1900, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (10:11)", "body": "That must be the reason he does not promote. And to think he also did Londinium! But it is the season to be jolly and I refuse to be brought down. ;-)"}, {"response": 1901, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (10:42)", "body": "I do not wish to interrupt the interesting discussion...however I just want to say that: Tickets for THE REAL THING with JE and SD go on sale today. Book through the Donmar or The Albery Theatre where it will play from January 13th to March 18th. Thereafter transferring to the Belasco Theatre on Broadway. Stay tuned for that info later. ~~~~~~ Also read in the newspaper today...AP Wire: SPAM MUSEUM; \"Hormel Foods Company maker of the famous canned meat product released an announcement on Monday about the SPAM museum, visitors' center, diner and offices to be built next year in downtown Austin, Minnesota. The museum will also feature a gift shop where tourists will be able to buy SPAM merchandise , and sit down for a nice SPAM meal.\" Now ...Gi and all of you who have received SPAM memorabilia...don't you feel \"ahead of the curve\"? :_D ~~~~~ Now pl continue the excellent discussion...I'm listening."}, {"response": 1902, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (11:44)", "body": "I'm also going to interrupt. Long article about Andrew Davies from the Birmingham Post (11/29)...complaining about the scheduling of W&D against OT (wouldn't survive long in America) but talks about some of his future assignments. You're not going to like it... (BTW, this is v. long - sorry) THE PRINCE OF PERIOD ADAPTATIONS ISN'T HAPPY They call him the prince of period adaptations, the man with the Midas touch, releasing classic literary tomes from the cobwebs of dusty library shelves to a whole new sofa-bound, soap-addicted television audience. From the cosy confines of his home-based office in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, Andrew Davies turned Pride and Prejudice into a sexy Sunday-night romp (thanks largely to Colin Firth's wet shirt) and now he is about to do to Elizabeth Gaskell what he did to Jane Austen - make her a household name for the country's ever-growing costume drama fan club. But Andrew Davies is far from a happy man at the moment, and that is because the powers-that-be, in their infinite wisdom, scheduled his four-part adaptation of Wives and Daughters on BBC1 last night slap bang up against Alan Bleasdale's four-part version of Oliver Twist on ITV. It's like waiting for a bus; you wait all year for a decent costume drama, and then the two big guns finally come out in a head-to-head battle that will have families squabbling over the remote control every weekend until Christm s. 'Being up against Oliver Twist is just AWFUL!' says Cardiff-born Davies, before taking another sip of red wine and really getting started. 'It's the same audience, and Alan and I have the same agent, so I happen to know he's hopping mad too. He's been writing desperate pleading faxes off to the BBC and ITV, but we can't do anything. 'As they're now going head to head, I just hope everyone had their videos whirring - because both will suffer, and looking at it rationally, we're likely to suffer more than ITV, because Oliver Twist is a famous book, and lots of people's favourite book. Wives and Daughters, though, is an unknown quantity for many, and I feel like we're introducing them to a whole new world of literary excellence.' Davies is the ultimate in laid-back confidence and easy-going charm. He holds court like a benign uncle, revelling in his new-found fame and fortune, and occasionally letting slip the odd indiscretion; this is the man, after all, who has made bustles and bonnets the new black of the millennial television era, thanks to the phenomenal performance of his adaptations of Middlemarch, Pride and Prejudice, Moll Flanders, Emma and Vanity Fair. So he can afford to have the odd pop at some of his associates or the management men-in-suits at Television Centre. On several occasions those cliquey literary purist groups - the Jane-ites, for example, who hold Austen in awe and beyond - have taken exception to his liberties, when Davies might have changed the odd plot route or character development for the sake of his small-screen art. But no such fears should abound with Wives and Daughters. 'Relations with The Gaskell Society have been enitrely cordial,' he smiles. 'There are some rival versions about how this serial got under way. I think Sue Birtwistle, who produced Pride and Prejudice, claims that she discovered this book - she comes from that part of the world. 'But the way I remember it, several years ago The Gaskell Society wrote to me, saying that they had enjoyed my versions of Pride and Prejudice, and Middlemarch, and had I ever read Wives and Daughters? Because they regarded it as a neglected masterpiece. Eventually I got around to reading it, and I absolutely agreed with them.' More wine passes lips, and those fruity indiscretions are now just bubbling underneath. 'There was a funny interim period,' he recalls, 'when one of those idiots at the BBC in a high position said 'Could you do a two-hour version of Wives and Daughters?' I said, 'You must be crazy - have you read it?' Of course they hadn't, those kind of people never read anything, they have other people to read for them. 'I said I could possibly do it in four hours. At that point they also approached Sue, and asked her about a two-hour version. She said to me, you can't, can you? So we made a deal to do it in four hours. It's still been a monumental task. I wrote a first draft of the first episode, trying to get a quarter of the book into 50 minutes, and it was all plot - it went like an express train, but it didn't feel like Elizabeth Gaskell. 'You've just got to take your time and get to know the people, and take the risk of people saying 'Well, this isn't developing as fast as EastEnders, I'm going to switch over.' 'That's why I'm surprised, but delighted, that it is on BBC1. That's quite an interesting and brave decision. Ten years ago, it would have been on BBC2. 'The scheduling choice might be more to do with the amount of money they've spent on the series - it looks fantastic. But you've got to be seriously interested in the story, an"}, {"response": 1903, "author": "baine", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (14:07)", "body": "Karen - Thanks for that interesting article. Lydia - I didn't make my ironic detachment clear enough. What I meant to express was not what P&P is about but what it is perceived to be about by people who only know the TV adaptation. Personal transformation is not considered serious; big social issues are considered serious. So a movie about saving people from the Holocaust is considered more significant than one about P.T. That is, as I said, people think they have done something important after they have seen the former; after they have seen the latter, they just think they've had a good time. So the star of the former takes on more serious stature from the role he's played, and the star of the latter is viewed mainly as a hunk who hasn't proven himself capable of playing an important role. (For the ultimate example of RF syndrome, look at how Charlton Heston's been viewed in the decades since he made the Ten Commandments and Ben Hur.) People ignore what JA is trying to say, complain that she didn't deal with the important issues of her day like Napoleon, war, and revolution, and the movie is made to appeal to the \"growing costume drama fan club\", as it says in the article Karen posted, as though JA and George Eliot were just early Danielle Steeles. (These are probably the people who think Strictly Ballroom was just an airy comedy about dancing). And the respective stars reflect these perceptions which have implications for their futu e roles. In my nasty little attribution of petty motivation to RF for choosing Onegin (which of course is all in my own mind) I was hinting that he might have chosen it out of an insecure need to show up CF and thus to buoy himself up to himself (everyone following this?) This is only what we Firthettes would like to think and bears no necessary resemblance to reality. You are right that the starring role does not make RF a better actor, and IMO, he is not b/c of Firthette rule #2, which should actually be rule #1 but I just thought of it, ODB IS THE GREATEST LIVING ACTOR WORKING IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE (AND SOMETIMES FRENCH). But my point is precisely that factors 1-3 contribute to making an actor more famous and getting him juicier roles above and beyond simply his acting ability . Add to this a big promotional pitch, and it's about unbeatable. I was trying to say that any given one of CF's movies in which he did star could have been made from a different angle to enhance the serious issue possibilities, and they then would have been perceived differently and in turn he would be perceived differently and would probably then be getting different roles than he does now. Finally let me remind all that I know nothing about the real motivations and constraints of either RF or CF in their choice of roles, but for what do we live but to speculate groundlessly about ODB and be misunderstood in our turn. Also, I should probably use more emoticons, but then I wouldn't get the chance for so many theme and variations which of course are endlessly fascinating to me."}, {"response": 1904, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (15:19)", "body": "Thank you Karen for the article. I found it enlightening and depressing at the same time.For some reason ODB doesn't seem to be in the loop. And someone should tell Mr. Davies to latch on to Simon Langton for his director. BTW, I noticed in IMDb that Simon Langton has been directing a project in Germany!! Do you think he has fallen out of favor with BBC? The latter sounds v. political. ~~~~~ Thank you Cymbeline for your opinion....I followed you and found the concepts v. intriguing.And could v. well be valid. What do we know for sure?"}, {"response": 1905, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (15:27)", "body": "but for what do we live but to speculate groundlessly about ODB and be misunderstood in our turn The world according to Mr. Bennet? ;-) No need to resort to emoticons. I understood the purpose of your original post. Colin just hasn't had \"that\" role on the big screen that would bring him to the forefront. I was just looking at (please don't strike me dead, God) Ralph Fiennes' filmography at the IMDB. He did a couple of TV things (Prime Suspect), then his hideous Heathcliff, another bit of TV, a German film and then bang-zoom-to-the-moon, he was in Schindler's List and then big movies (pretty much) thereafter. Also, he really hasn't a peared in all that many films as has Colin. Colin is not only appearing in lesser-stature films, but many more of same said lesser films. There is probably a corollary in all of that, but I shall end in a disclaimer as well. I know nothing, I hear nothing, but I continue to type out drivel. ;-)"}, {"response": 1906, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (15:37)", "body": "(Murph)I heard a radio ad today for \"Waiting In The Wings,\" Noel Coward's play starring Bacall and Rosemary Harris. I was thinking that Jen might come to the opening, Evelyn? It's on December 3, I think. Thanks Murph for the tip. I shall look for the reviews. I thought it was scheduled to open on the 16th...Noel Coward's birthday. Jennifer might v. well be there, since Summerfolk closed last week. However, she is scheduled to participate in the Noel Coward \"do\" on Sunday December 6th, along with Elizabeth McG. and a slew of other celebrities."}, {"response": 1907, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (17:27)", "body": "I hate emoticons but they are useful little buggers and probably should be used more often, at least by me. I am NEVER serious here, except for now.;-) And I am horrified sometimes when people don't see the joke or irony. I'm sure it's in the delivery. Anyway, can't help but enjoy your wicked humor, Cymbeline, as well as appreciate Lidya's earnest defense of our boy."}, {"response": 1908, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (17:40)", "body": "Simon Langton directed a Rosamunde Pilcher film for German TV station \"ZDF\". It's a series (can't warm up to it inspite of beautiful English landscape), and usually the actors are German, but this one has almost only English names on the casting list. - According to Langtons filmography he's not a workoholic, no more than one film every two to three years. http://us.imdb.com/Credits?0164112"}, {"response": 1909, "author": "baine", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (20:00)", "body": "(Karen)(please don't strike me dead, God) Don't you mean Charlton Heston?"}, {"response": 1910, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (20:36)", "body": "I think people see Colin in a movie but they don't see him. He has the uncanny knack of looking entirely different in each part. Geofrey bore absolutley no resemblence to Darcy. Valmont the same. How many people would say that Wessex looked at all like Simon in Circle Of Friends or Charles in Nostromo, or Paul in Fever Pitch. No matter what role R.F playes he still looks the same. Ralph Finnes playing a role. No other actor I have ever seen has the ability to change his looks that Colin has. That is one of the reasons I look for his movies I want to see what he is going to look like in each role. I want to see MLSF so much, he looks so great in the publicity pics. Edward bears no resemblence to any of the other characters either."}, {"response": 1911, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (20:52)", "body": "Don't you mean Charlton Heston? No, I was talking to the burning bush next to him. ;-)"}, {"response": 1912, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (21:54)", "body": "(Evelyn) He is really doing PR these days. Let me tell you he looked v. comfortable with that group of women on The View...laughed, joked...at one point gave Star a big smooch... no kidding. I would have paid to see that! I'm glad to hear it, seriously. Good for him for getting behind his projects. He has three good ones coming out, and they deserve to be seen by as wide an audience as possible. I noticed a thaw at the Oscars the year he was nommed for TEP--remember the little homemade sign he held up to the camera, saying hello to \"the Ivanov girls\"? Also, someone mentioned Ralph's \"big break.\" He was doing a play in London when Steven Spielberg spotted him and cast him in Schindler's. Now if we could only get Steven to the Donmar.;-) Or Sam Mendes. Anybody want to donate her ticket for the cause? ;-) Evelyn, Waiting In The Wings opens \"officially\" on December 16 (press night), but performances start December 3. I just looked at the website, and they are only getting two days off--Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. So, I'd bet Jennifer will be back here at some point this month to be with Mom and Dad at the holiday. (Cymbeline) Don't you mean Charlton Heston? (Karen) No, I was talking to the burning bush next to him. ;-) LOL! Or should I say, Holy Moses!;-)"}, {"response": 1913, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (02:01)", "body": "Lucie I asbsolutely agree with everythign you say, a chameleon among actors, the best in my humble opinion. I am sure 2000 is going to be a good year for him and by the end everyone will know him."}, {"response": 1914, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (04:39)", "body": "I'm late with my comments, but there, I've been so busy with email I couldn't make it to Drool before... (KarenR)About TWINE...Brosnan was too slight of build, etc. I think so too... On the other hand, he was perfect as Thomas Crown. How come we don't have a Drool topic about him? Would it be dead after a few posts, like Mel's? (Evelyn)SPAM MUSEUM...The museum will also feature a gift shop where tourists will be able to buy SPAM merchandise , and sit down for a nice SPAM meal.\" Now ...Gi and all of you who have received SPAM memorabilia...don't you feel \"ahead of the curve\"? LOL! I must visit it sometime."}, {"response": 1915, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (07:51)", "body": "Someone at Ramble in Pemberley posted the RF interview on the View. http://www.pemberley.com/bin/ramble/ramble.cgi?read=11509 He also comments on TEP."}, {"response": 1916, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (08:27)", "body": "(Gi)How come we don't have a Drool topic about him? Would it be dead after a few posts, like Mel's? That is surprising, I thought there would have been, but no. If there is enough interest, it could be started. I have a feeling that Brosnan listservs already exist, as well as message boards elsewhere."}, {"response": 1917, "author": "aishling", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (08:35)", "body": "Another interruption. (Karen)But Andrew Davies is far from a happy man at the moment, and that is because the powers-that-be, in their infinite wisdom, scheduled his four-part adaptation of Wives and Daughters on BBC1 last night slap bang up against Alan Bleasdale's four-part version of Oliver Twist on ITV. Just to mention that each episode of W&D is repeated on BBC2 on the following Saturday."}, {"response": 1918, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (08:44)", "body": "from what we've heard, it wasn't worth watching the first time! ;-)"}, {"response": 1919, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (08:58)", "body": "(Karen) I have a feeling that Brosnan listservs already exist, as well as message boards elsewhere. Indeed. There are a few good sites about him and a fan club at least, I think. But \"we\" aren't there :-)"}, {"response": 1920, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (09:42)", "body": "(Gi) But \"we\" aren't there :-) Very true. Do you want a topic to be created? BTW, everytime one of Brosnan's female co-stars is interviewed, we always hear what a \"good kisser\" he is. CF's co-stars only seem to mention that he's funny and tells amusing stories. :-("}, {"response": 1921, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (10:06)", "body": "Saw this at AICN: The oft delayed THE MAN WHO KILLED DON QUIXOTE now looks like it is back on the rails with money from Pathe in France. Gilliam has co-written the script with Tony Grisoni who worked with him on FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS. Can\ufffdt give too much detail on the story aside from saying it is very Pythonesque and covers a lot of ground previously seen in other Gilliam movies (madness, Knights, time travel, lavish visuals, etc.). Johnny Depp is attached to star as Sancho Panza. The film could go ahead as soon as next spring."}, {"response": 1922, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (10:54)", "body": "A little marketing news item placed by Disney/Miramax with THR: Special DVD editions help explain a lot. The deleted scenes, audio commentary and documentary on Miramax's new collector's series edition of \"Shakespeare in Love\" help the viewer better understand how the original vague connection to Shakespeare's \"Twelfth Night\" was made stronger after initial test screenings with a rewritten and reshot goodbye scene between Shakespeare and Viola in the theater; the deletion of a follow-up scene outside the theater; and an altered voice-over as Viola is flailing underwat r. The edition also shows how the removal of two Native Americans who come to greet Viola on the beach in the final scene makes Shakespeare's imagined image of Viola reaching America more vague. ******* (Ordered yesterday as present from family member; couldn't trust her to get right edition) ;-)"}, {"response": 1923, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (11:08)", "body": "HAPPY HANUKKAH, Karen, Adi And all the Firth Fans who celebrate this holiday"}, {"response": 1924, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (11:13)", "body": "Have a good holiday...Karen...Care to tell us what special goodies you're fixing? ~~~~~ Thanks Gi for commenting on the SPAM MUSEUM news item. Hey, I thought that was cute and close to our celebration legacy. Was feeling \"put out\" that no one commented on it....:-D"}, {"response": 1925, "author": "baine", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (11:33)", "body": "CF's co-stars only seem to mention that he's funny and tells amusing stories Perhaps they know better how to behave in public than PB's co's. It seems to me that, unless we enlist a large contingent of Firthettes for a long-term prospective participant-observer study on this vital topic, only Little Cecile can get to the bottom of it."}, {"response": 1926, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (11:36)", "body": "Thanks, Evelyn. Holiday starts tomorrow night. Am fixing absolutely nothing special, as the only dish associated with this holiday (potato pancakes) would leave an indeliable odor in the house. ;-)"}, {"response": 1927, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (11:39)", "body": "Little Cecile only?! Well, she did get the most interesting of all nuzzles and that's the bottom line. However, CF has had many a leading lady who could, if she so desired, elaborate on his other than standup [comedy] talents. ;-)"}, {"response": 1928, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (11:40)", "body": "Hmmmmmmm. A Spam Mueseum. I will have to go there when I visit Minnesota next summer. Ran into another disbeliever last night. She would not believe that the same man played Darcy (who she was still drooling over, having watched P&P Sunday) is the same actor who played Geoffrey in TEP and Wessex in SIL. Even though Jean tried to tell her it was, I don't think she believed us and won'yuntil she checks the credits. Grrrrrrrrrrr"}, {"response": 1929, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (12:48)", "body": "LOL about the Spam Museum, Evelyn (have just read your post). and sit down for a nice SPAM meal *whoosh!* That was me, running for my life away from the Spam museum. (Karen) 'There was a funny interim period,' he recalls, 'when one of those idiots at the BBC in a high position said... Andrew better watch his mouth. Re: the great Rafe debate He's a good actor but I don't find much variation among his performances. He's a brooding SS guard. He's a brooding map maker. He's a brooding British secret agent who carries an umbrella and hangs around with a girl who wears a really tight black jumpsuit. Last Sunday's NY Times had a long article about him. He met the reporter at his hotel (Four Seasons). Their dining reservation was screwed up and they had to wait at the bar. Ralph's attempt at humor: He told the maitre'd \"you mean you're not g ing to clear out the restaurant?\" Heh heh heh :-P Am seeing lots of TV commercials for TEOTA now and the superlatives ('the best movie ever made') are choking me, considering how the movie was ripped apart in Britain. (Cymbeline) only Little Cecile can get to the bottom of it (Karen) Little Cecile only?! Well, she did get the most interesting of all nuzzles and that's the bottom line LOL! (Karen) However, CF has had many a leading lady who could, if she so desired, elaborate on his other than standup [comedy] talents. ;-) Keep going...you're on a roll!"}, {"response": 1930, "author": "cbrugette", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (15:51)", "body": "Wishing a Happy Chanukah to all those on this list who celebrate the holiday. (Hope the spelling isn't incorrect.)"}, {"response": 1931, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (20:10)", "body": "(Eileen) Ralph's attempt at humor: He told the maitre'd \"you mean you're not g ing to clear out the restaurant?\" Heh heh heh :-P Yep, that's a real knee-slapper, alright.;-) Ralph would never make it in the Catskills.;-) (Eillen) Am seeing lots of TV commercials for TEOTA now and the superlatives ('the best movie ever made') are choking me, considering how the movie was ripped apart in Britain. Really? I'm disappointed--have actually been looking forward to this one. I like Julianne Moore a lot. I didn't think it opened in Britain yet."}, {"response": 1932, "author": "baine", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (20:48)", "body": "[RF]'s a good actor but I don't find much variation among his performances That's why he's well known; he stars like all those Americans. Perhaps this is the real reason CF is ignored and overlooked. He's too good an actor; he forgets to play himself playing a part. Who's going to equate Darcy-Adrian LeDuc-Jess Clark-Lord Wessex-Geoffrey Clifton-Edward Pettigrew if she isn't paying attention? Look at KB, who's also a good actor, but who certainly makes sure everyone knows who it is in those films. They got their careers started at the same time in the same production, yet look at the difference in notariety (suddenly none of the spellings of that word looks right)"}, {"response": 1933, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (21:27)", "body": "(Cymbeline) Look at KB, who's also a good actor, but who certainly makes sure everyone knows who it is in those films. They got their careers started at the same time in the same production, yet look at the difference in notariety I agree he can be a good actor in the right material and has done some fabulous work (for example, AMITC, HenryV) but he's also done some amazingly bad projects. I was recently stuck on a 12 hour plane flight, was too tired to read, had seen all the other films so turned to Wild, Wild West as a last resort. Oh my, words fail me. I can't say that KB was any worse than the rest of the production but I wonder what posessed him to play this over-the-top villain complete with black, stringy hair and moustac e, twangy Southern accent and no body below the waist . I missed the beginning of the movie so assume this deformity was some type of war injury, but it necessitated that he navigate around in either a wheeled contraption or something that looked like a giant metal spider. It was so mortifying I had to turn it off after about 20 minutes. I guess that's one of the risks of achieving the big name in film - when you're in a piece of crap there's no hiding it. The fact that CF would most likely not choose to do a piece like this is one of the reasons we love him so, IMHO. While I too would like CF to get all the accolades he deserves for his amazing talent, I think a little less notoriety might be a good thing if it can save him from projects like WWW!"}, {"response": 1934, "author": "baine", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (21:57)", "body": "Jana - I believe you are conflating two K's - B and K. And that's interesting b/c I've been thinking recently that Kevin Kline is the US answer to CF, that is, as close as we come. I've always liked him a lot, and he's done some really good stuff--have you seen Pirates of Penzance in which he outshone everyone IMO. Plus he sings. But you're right that he makes some dogs and particularly this latest WWW thing which I couldn't bring myself to watch, and coming right on the heels of the lovely MND. None heless the viewer always knows that Kevin Kline is in the film and everyone is familiar with him. Same with old Ken. So why not CF? Intriguing. And now I shall conquer this obsession and go to bed! And you can spell notoriety!"}, {"response": 1935, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (22:26)", "body": "Love Kevin and he outsang Linda by miles...and he is so much nicer on the eyes... Cymbeline, I agree! ...have no idea how to spell notoriety...;)"}, {"response": 1936, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (23:44)", "body": "(Cymbeline) Jana - I believe you are conflating two K's - B and K. And that's interesting b/c I've been thinking recently that Kevin Kline is the US answer to CF, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but actually, they're both in WWW! Kevin Kline is one of the heroes (along with Will Smith) and Kenneth Branagh is the villain. KB is almost unrecognizable with his long, black hair (head and facial) and sans lower extremities so I'm not surprised you didn't notice him in any of the adverts. Can you believe this drivel attracted such talented actors? (Cymbeline) I've always liked him a lot, and he's done some really good stuff--have you seen Pirates of Penzance in which he outshone everyone IMO. I agree, I love K. Kline - he is so versatile! I had the good fortune of seeing him in Pirates many moons ago (gosh, I think it must be approaching 20 years if memory serves.) I recall that KK absolutely stole the show and was such fun to watch as the Pirate King. However I am ashamed to admit that my main memory of the production is being devastated that Andy Gibb was sick and we only got to see the understudy :-). My only defense is that I was a sniveling teenager at the time and thought AG was pret y cute stuff. But after seeing Pirates and getting my first taste of KK, I've been a fan ever since. (Cymbeline) And you can spell notoriety I made sure to spell check it in Word first so you can now call me a big fat cheater :-)"}, {"response": 1937, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (23:52)", "body": "Sorry, gang. I screwed up the closing tag. I hope this fixes it :-(."}, {"response": 1938, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Dec  3, 1999 (07:49)", "body": "I agree with all you have said regarding KK, and was surprised to see that he had landed that role in WWW because I knew the studios were pushing it to be the the hit of the summer. But I must add that even he was not temptation enough for me to see WWW, whereas, had Colin been in it I would have. ;-D"}, {"response": 1939, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  3, 1999 (08:02)", "body": "Andy Gibb? He must have replaced T Rex or Rex Reed or (oh yes) Rex Smith. Or was it the other way. Kevin Kline was an incredible Pirate King. I'll never forget him bounding all over the stage. And I'll never forget Linda Ronstadt not being able to sing Gilbert & Sullivan."}, {"response": 1940, "author": "baine", "date": "Fri, Dec  3, 1999 (16:06)", "body": "Well, Jana, blow me over with a feather. I went down to the video store today, and there was Ken on the cover of WWW big as life, and what was he thinking? I deliberately ignored this movie as hard as I could b/c it hurt me so much to see Kevin in it, and now I feel *much worse*. And Rupert's done Inspector Gadget, and if this trend continues, ODB *will* be the next 007. Well, everything I said about Kevin still goes--as close as we're going to get to CF, and please don't throw your career away on junk. Finally--saw WOF for the first time, and (SPOILER ALERT!) isn't that a poignant little speech he makes about good acting, etc., etc., not being enough, you need to be famous too. And btw how about FP where he's asking Sarah if there isn't anything she's wanted for 18 years, like--an Oscar."}, {"response": 1941, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Dec  3, 1999 (16:44)", "body": "To the powers that be: The response numbers of this topic are rapidly approaching the millenium. May I suggest creating a new one tres pronto?? (Pardon my ???)"}, {"response": 1942, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Dec  3, 1999 (20:14)", "body": "Second millenium, surely."}, {"response": 1943, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Dec  3, 1999 (20:38)", "body": "I grant you, I didn't specify which millenium; and the second has much more significance than the first, at least as far as Spring Topics are concerned. I'd hate to have someone lose a witty and information - packed entry just because the Drool Topic runneth over. ;-)"}, {"response": 1944, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Dec  3, 1999 (20:48)", "body": "In every conference but Drool I can create new topics...guess you are going to have to wait for Karen to get on this evening or for Heide to see it. I will email them with your suggestion in the meanwhile."}, {"response": 1945, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Dec  3, 1999 (21:52)", "body": "If everybody keeps cool and is distracted elsewhere, no rush. But if we engender one of those hot and heavy debates here, the thing could fill up in no time. So I'd better stop using up valuable responses in order to make commentary about the dirth of responses and just leave it for the other debaters, right? ... ;-)"}, {"response": 1946, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Dec  3, 1999 (22:04)", "body": "Sent the letter to both of them - should have it rectified by morning. *grin*"}, {"response": 1947, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Dec  3, 1999 (22:22)", "body": "(Cymbeline)...and if this trend continues, ODB *will* be the next 007 LOL! I would love to see that! And since Pierce apparently wants to do theatre now, why don't they exchange roles for a while? ;-D"}, {"response": 1948, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Dec  3, 1999 (22:29)", "body": "(KarenR)Do you want a topic to be created? Not if I'll be the only one to post on it..."}, {"response": 1949, "author": "livamago", "date": "Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (10:00)", "body": "Cymbeline, thank you for explaining. I misunderstood the tone of your post. On the subject of RF, I have to say that I think he is sucessfull media-wise, but not with the general theatre-going public, because most of his movies have not done very well financially (Oscar & Lucinda, The Avengers, etc.), and even though he is always working, his movies are always small independent films, even those that do well, like TEP. IMO, his success is just a matter of luck, and I am glad that CF does not have to subje t himself to the mindless chatter of tv people like the insufferably conceited Star Jones and the hopelessly insipid Meredith Viera of The View. I like CF well enough to search for him, however scarce the coverage he receives. People ignore what JA is trying to say, complain that she didn't deal with the important issues of her day like Napoleon, war, and revolution This criticism always rattles me, and I think it is levelled at her because she was a woman. Not every contemporary novel deals with the war in the Balkans, or environmental disasters, or all the other social evils of this age, so why is she expected to have done it in her time? Anyway, I think that her choice of themes is one of the reasons why she has remained popular, because they transcend time. In my most recent meeting of JA Society (JASNA), we were discussing the interesting fact that JA's works ha e outlived those of the authors that did write about war and revolution. Jane said herself \"Let other pens dwell on guilt and misery\". \"The quarrels of popes and kings, with wars or pestilences, in every page; the men all so good for nothing, and hardly any women at all-it is very tiresome.\" (Northanger Abbey). I quite agree, but now I shall end my digression lest I bore you all beyond endurance. Happy Hanukkah Karen!"}, {"response": 1950, "author": "cheryl", "date": "Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (10:08)", "body": "Oh no, no, no! Not Colin Firth as James Bond. That would be just too depressing. Bond is dreck, it's silly, it's CRAP. \"The World Is Not Enough\" -- a more appropos title would have been \"The World Has Had Enough\". To paraphrase e.e. cummings, \"james bond's defunct...\" The only way I'd watch CF in a James Bond flick would be if played a genius villain opposite Rupert Everett as a gay Bond. Just think of it RE could cavort with his boy(toys) and ofcourse the theme song would be sung by his good friend Madonna."}, {"response": 1951, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (10:17)", "body": "Thank you, Lidya, for the holiday wish. However, I have to take issue with a couple of comments you made: his movies are always small independent films On the contrary, most if not all of his films are financed by established companies and have been large-budget with known directors and casts. Independent films are just that - done without studio/established financing before production starts, often costing less than $2 million. Onegin, which has had trouble finding a distributor, is probably the only one that qualifies as an indie. JA's works have outlived those of the authors that did write about war and revolution. Rather a broad statement IMO. All depends on the author. Theme is not the crucial thing. The writing is."}, {"response": 1952, "author": "livamago", "date": "Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (10:35)", "body": "It seems to me that I'm always reading that Miramax films are considered independent, even though Miramax is owned by Disney. My meaning was that RF's movies are not in the same league as the movies of Tom Cruise or Tom Hanks. They seem to me to be made outside of the Hollywood establishment, and the themes are not necessarily mainstream. It is just my personal opinion, but I am sorry if I offended anyone."}, {"response": 1953, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (10:57)", "body": "(Cheryl), The only way I'd watch CF in a James Bond flick would be if played a genius villain opposite Rupert Everett as a gay Bond. Just think of it RE could cavort with his boy(toys) and ofcourse the theme song would be sung by his good friend Madonna. LOL! Please do not ever let that happen!"}, {"response": 1954, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (11:06)", "body": "Moon, which is upsetting you the most: Colin Firth as a Bond villain, Rupert Everett as 007, or Madonna doing the theme song?"}, {"response": 1955, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (11:18)", "body": "Lidya, you are not offending anyone. My comments were offered for clarification, as the term indie is bandied about, many times incorrectly. Miramax films are considered independent, even though Miramax is owned by Disney. Miramax buys many independently produced films and distributes them after they have been made. It is due to that that Miramax got its start and reputation. Miramax continues to do that, but also produces its own films like SiL in conjunction with Universal. Miramax also has the Dimension Films division, run by brother Bob, which makes all those Scream films, and the London-based HAL, which produced Mansfield Park. Nothing produced by Miramax should be considered an indie film, with or without Disney a tached. RF's movies are not in the same league as the movies of Tom Cruise or Tom Hanks Both of these actors have made all sorts of films during their career. I'm not sure what you mean by \"league.\" They are offered the \"best\" of all scripts, many due to their ability to bring in the audiences. They are among the most bankable actors working today. RF is bankable, but not to the same degree. They seem to me to be made outside of the Hollywood establishment RF's films are mainly financed by Hollywood and its establishment. He usually does not elect to be in ones you would consider \"mainstream Hollywood\" but you can't get much more Hollywood than Schindler's List (Spielberg), the Avengers, or Prince of Egypt voice."}, {"response": 1956, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (12:10)", "body": "The new Odds and Ends topic has been created (#127). So whenever this gets filled up (i.e., whatever you attempt to post will not be accepted), we can go there."}, {"response": 1957, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (12:34)", "body": "(Lidya)It is just my personal opinion, but I am sorry if I offended anyone. Gee....I'm glad to see someone else apologizing...Im always the one, it seems. :-D Lidya, Reminds me of what our former host Nan used to say... \"If we all thought alike, we wouldn't have anything to talk about.\" I disagree constantly with some of my best friends here.... Re: Ralph Fiennes...as you all know...I admire his acting.... So let me say...that I would give anything if Colin could get the roles he's getting. They might not be blockbusters...but they have substance ..scripts, directors, and casts are are all outstanding. I read that next year he will start filming Emile Zola's \"Therese Racquin\" with Kate Winslett. And what are we doing... \"Londinium\" with Muriel Hemingway. Rafe has luck? Whatever...we need a dose of it."}, {"response": 1958, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (13:09)", "body": "I also like the films RF has done. Hollywood is always looking for the token English actor, ODB has not had the luck and he does not care to. Moon, which is upsetting you the most: Colin Firth as a Bond villain, Rupert Everett as 007, or Madonna doing the theme song? Rupi as JB. Unlike you Cheryl, I still like JB."}, {"response": 1959, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (20:08)", "body": "What was the last thing going through the mind of a fly as it hit the windscreen at 90 mph? ;-)"}, {"response": 1960, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (22:12)", "body": "What was the last thing going through the mind of a fly as it hit the windscreen at 90 mph? Oh s---t"}, {"response": 1961, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (22:50)", "body": "...or...That's me, all over!"}, {"response": 1962, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (22:52)", "body": "ROFLOL Marcia, I like that one."}, {"response": 1963, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (22:54)", "body": "'tis a very old joke, but I think of it every time one hits just where my focal point is on the window...!"}, {"response": 1964, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Sun, Dec  5, 1999 (00:49)", "body": "What was the last thing going through the mind of a fly as it hit the windscreen at 90 mph? } His butt. ;-)"}, {"response": 1965, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Dec  5, 1999 (05:29)", "body": "I had to find out what labradors look like. I did a search, and came across a pondsides labrador: http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Park/1924/labworld.html"}, {"response": 1966, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec  5, 1999 (08:18)", "body": "Liked this image from that site! ;-)"}, {"response": 1967, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Dec  5, 1999 (09:49)", "body": "I had to find out what labradors look like. I did a search, and came across a pondsides labrador: http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Park/1924/labworld.html"}, {"response": 1968, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Dec  5, 1999 (12:51)", "body": "Yes, thank you, Renate, we've heard you the first time... ;-P ************** And the first prize goes to Meggin. (Hi! Is it a chance return visit, or do you always lurk here? ;-))"}, {"response": 1969, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Sun, Dec  5, 1999 (19:20)", "body": "(Hi! Is it a chance return visit, or do you always lurk here? ;-)) } Hi! Uh, a combination of both, I suppose. Our blocking software at work won't let me get to this site and family concerns don't allow me the opportunity to get on-line very often at home. I usually get here about one weekend a month and wade through several hundred messages, keeping up with ODB. And the first prize goes to Meggin. Can't wait to hear what it is! ;-)"}, {"response": 1970, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Dec  5, 1999 (19:47)", "body": "Blocking software??? You mean we are Net-Nannied? Adult-checked? And the first prize goes to Meggin. Can't wait to hear what it is! ;-) uh...maybe you don't want to know...there is not a list for that, yet..."}, {"response": 1971, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Dec  5, 1999 (19:51)", "body": "...but, yours was the best answer...LOL !"}, {"response": 1972, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Dec  5, 1999 (23:04)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1973, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Dec  5, 1999 (23:07)", "body": "I agree Meggin. SLOL"}, {"response": 1974, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Dec  6, 1999 (01:53)", "body": "(Arami) Yes, thank you, Renate, we've heard you the first time... ;-P Grrrrrrrrrrrr ....wuff... SNAP! :o)=)"}, {"response": 1975, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  6, 1999 (07:50)", "body": "Emma Thompson had a baby girl. This was in the notice: \"The parents had no immediate idea of a name for the child. 'At the moment we are calling her Jane.com,' Wise said in a statement.\""}, {"response": 1976, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  6, 1999 (08:08)", "body": "Interrupted Evelyn's breakfast with this news : Ralph Fiennes has won the best male actor award at this year's European Film Awards held in Berlin on Saturday. The British thesp was rewarded for his portrayal of three generations of Jews in A Taste of Sunshine. The Hungarian film, which will be released in the UK early next year, also won best screenplay for writers Istvan Szabo and Israel Horowitz."}, {"response": 1977, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  6, 1999 (08:48)", "body": "Cute article about the new millenium dates (2000 vs 2001) comparing it to the controversy in newspapers in 1899. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/dynamic/lifestyle/top_review.html?in_review_id=234362&in_review_text_id=182982 A couple of funny lines: The New York Times, too, thundered away in 1899. Of the Kaiser, who had decided Germany would inaugurate the 20th century at the beginning of 1900, it remarked: \"The German Emperor, apparently, must stand in solitary grandeur as the only man of any prominence who cannot count up to 100.\" For my part, I side with an anonymous correspondent of the Literary Digest on 30 December, 1899. \"The disquieting thought is that in 100 years it will all be forgotten, and some 'letter to the editor' will start the whole whirl ... going again.\""}, {"response": 1978, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec  6, 1999 (11:31)", "body": "Interrupted Evelyn's breakfast with this news : Ralph Fiennes has won the best male actor award.... Isn't that nice news to wake up to?....I'm happy for \"Sunshine\"... Hey, we're close to a distributor in the US.This news might just max it. also won best screenplay for writers Istvan Szabo and Israel Horowitz. I guess in Europe they don't mind if a screenplay goes three hours . That's been the big hang-up in the US."}, {"response": 1979, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Dec  6, 1999 (14:29)", "body": "Emma Thompson had a baby girl. This was in the notice: \"The parents had no immediate idea of a name for the child. 'At the moment we are calling her Jane.com,' Wise said in a statement.\" ] I sorta like it. Jane.com, it's very Millenialish. Well they could name her Darcy Wise? on second thought, perhaps Jane.com Wise is better;)"}, {"response": 1980, "author": "baine", "date": "Mon, Dec  6, 1999 (15:48)", "body": "Well they could name her Darcy Wise? And Ken Foolish--he lost her."}, {"response": 1981, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Dec  6, 1999 (16:03)", "body": "Evelyn, I don't know if Ralph Fiennes necessarily has had better luck than Colin Firth, but he (Fiennes) apparently has a better agent."}, {"response": 1982, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec  6, 1999 (17:28)", "body": "Evelyn, I don't know if Ralph Fiennes necessarily has had better luck than Colin Firth, but he(Fiennes) apparently has a better agent. Allison tells us that in the UK agents have a different role...they negotiate and finalize contracts...but do not solicit projects for the actors. The actor does that through his own connections."}, {"response": 1983, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (04:48)", "body": "I know I'm hopelessly late, but I tried to watch The Avengers two evenings ago... What crap! I rewound it after the (first?) storm hit Steed. On the other hand, saw TWINE last evening and enjoyed it. I know it's the same ol'tricks, but well made, and Pierce is great. Lightly built? Nah!"}, {"response": 1984, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (10:13)", "body": "Lord Puttnam is all over the news with his campaign to save historic cinemas. No mention whatsoever of his \"final\" film....anywhere..."}, {"response": 1985, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (10:15)", "body": "(Gi) I know it's the same ol'tricks, but well made Title song was truly forgettable though. Wasn't Sophie's part great? Denise Richards didn't look old enough to have a college degree let alone have a Ph.d."}, {"response": 1986, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (12:19)", "body": "(Karen) Denise Richards didn't look old enough to have a college degree let alone have a Ph.d. LOL! to true - I really liked the movie (what can i say, i'm a Big 007 fan) and found DR to be really distracting in the movie. Poor thing just cant act. Sophie, and her part, were great. But PB was definately what kept my attention during the movie. High Droolablity factor there. :-)"}, {"response": 1987, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (15:08)", "body": "Evelyn, my emails not working at the moment, did you know that Summerfolk is to returning to the National for a short run of 16 performances only, from February, 10th. (by public demand) I wonder who will play Varvara? unless Jennifer is managing to do two plays at once. (from Albermarle Theatre Website)"}, {"response": 1988, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (15:42)", "body": "FLASH S"}, {"response": 1989, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (15:54)", "body": "FLASH SUNSHINE NOMINATED FOR 14 AWARDS The Genie awards of the best in Canadian films were announced today. \"Sunshine\" -- 14 nominations: Picture, actor, two for actress, two for supporting actor, two for supporting actress, director, art direction/production design, costume design, original score, overall sound, sound editing . Jennifer Ehle and Rosemary Harris were both nominated for Best Actress. http://www.canoe.ca/JamMovies/dec7_genies.html) . ~~~~~ Big Chardonnay night for evelyn! ~~~~~~~~ Don't know how Jennifer can be in two productions at once...and no one can play Vavara like she!! Big year for ODG..when plays are closing left and right for \"lack of interest\". (the latest Anna Weiss with Catherine Mc Cormack..closing after four weeks.Was scheduled to go til the end of Feb)....hers are returning my popular demand. GO JENN!"}, {"response": 1990, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (16:22)", "body": "Sure enough....The Albemarle website says: SUMMERFOLK returning \"by popular demand\" Feb. 10th for 16 performances only. They include Jennifer in the cast. How can she perform in two plays at once? I'd like to see Jamie Dee (who won ES award do that!!) (evelyn....who is still bitter)"}, {"response": 1991, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (17:45)", "body": "Great News Evelyn, I am really looking forward to seeing this film, it sounds wonderful. The whole cast sound wonderful!! You said 2000 would be Jennifer's year!! I am so pleased."}, {"response": 1992, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (18:08)", "body": "(Evelyn)...in the UK agents have a different role...they negotiate and finalize contracts...but do not solicit projects for the actors. The actor does that through his own connections. In which case, Ralph Fiennes may well have better connections."}, {"response": 1993, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (20:00)", "body": "(Evelyn)...in the UK agents have a different role.. I was quoting Allison."}, {"response": 1994, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (21:56)", "body": "What great news about JE and RH! Now if we could just see them get some Oscar noms. With all the noms/awards Sunshine has received in Europe and now Canada, I would have thought it would be getting a Christmas release in the U.S. and a big Oscar push. That pic of JE and RF in the bath with the children looks interesting. Wonder if she had any better luck igniting some sparks with him than his other recent leading ladies have;-)"}, {"response": 1995, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (22:38)", "body": "Before everyone gets so excited as to forget where they are, a reminder: Don't try to post response #2000 -- you will probably lose your message unless you've backed it up!!!"}, {"response": 1996, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  7, 1999 (23:08)", "body": "(Susan) Wonder if she had any better luck igniting some sparks with him than his other recent leading ladies have;-) LOL!!"}, {"response": 1997, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (04:43)", "body": "I was quoting Allison. Who is NOT an expert on these matters:-)"}, {"response": 1998, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (07:18)", "body": "Evelyn, great news for Sunshine and JE! When will be it released? If they do it quickly, it may have a chance at the Oscars."}, {"response": 1999, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  8, 1999 (09:09)", "body": "You might be interested to see some of the behind-the-scenes doings for the Oscars. Here are the important dates: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/oscar/calendar.asp And here's the weekly guide to viewing films that the studios WANT to be considered for Oscars in ANY category: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/oscar/ drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 73, "subject": "Leonardo DiCapro", "response_count": 33, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jan  8, 1998 (21:08)", "body": "Okay Heidi, remember the kid is about 14 years old. Yes, he is extremely handsome and young and when they are generally better... well you know... but his age. But that hair and face and sneer and .... Oh no!!!!"}, {"response": 2, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 1998 (01:52)", "body": "On the flip side, where will these children learn , if not from us wise and experienced older women, eh? Oh, wait...I'm supposed to be helping you, right? :) Make ya a deal: you talk me out of hankerin' for Elijah Wood, and I'll see that you get free of Leo."}, {"response": 3, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 1998 (09:31)", "body": "Is there anyone out there who knows for a fact that in real life he's a fool and there is no real reason for a sensible, intelligent older woman like myself to have a hankering for this talented stringbean? well.. a good friend of mine went to LACES High School (Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies) with him... says he was in fact, a big jerk, pretty immature and goofy most of the time. Also, i read on people online today that he was down in South Beach Miami during New Year's, hanging about with an entourage of models (BLAH!). does this help? but in all honesty, i even have to admit the guy is good looking. he struck me as an incredibly talented actor when I first saw him in \"What's eatin Gilbert Grape?\" and to be honest, i thought he was mentally retarded in real-life!"}, {"response": 4, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Fri, Jan  9, 1998 (18:07)", "body": "i thought he was mentally retarded in real-life! There is no greater compliment for an actor."}, {"response": 5, "author": "Stacey", "date": "Mon, Jan 12, 1998 (18:07)", "body": "Helpful hint**** You might want to check the spelling of his name. DiCaprio!"}, {"response": 6, "author": "pip", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 1998 (17:21)", "body": "Typo, stacey, typo. Geez, cut me a break will ya? I was typing fast during a 5 minute drool break at work. Fellow leophiles, thanks for your comments and info. Charlotte - I wish I could talk you out of the Elijah Wood thing, but I can't. He's real cute too. And yes, younger men do need to learn from us more mature gals. Winter - he's probably still a jerk (how could he not be with all this media attention and every female from here to Mars in lust with him). However, it will be interesting to track him over the years to see if he manages to grow up any. Can't wait to see \"The Man in the Iron Mask\" in February. A very good cross section of extremely appealing male stars; Leo (of course), Gerard Depardieu (did I spell that to your satisfaction stacey?), Jeremy Irons (love those brits!), and John Malkovich (creepy, but attractive)."}, {"response": 7, "author": "Stacey", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 1998 (19:29)", "body": "Heide, Calm down!! I wasn't trying to hurt your feelings, I just noticed and thought that I would point it out!! Sorry!!!!"}, {"response": 8, "author": "Amy", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (18:15)", "body": "He was perfect for Rimbaud. It was him, wasn't it?"}, {"response": 9, "author": "pip", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 1998 (16:23)", "body": "Amy- The name of the picture is \"Total Eclipse\", and was directed in 1995 by Agniezka Holland. I just read a review of it (which wasn't very flattering), however it sounds interesting just the same. AND there are apparently, lots of rather racy scenes so this is a must rental!"}, {"response": 10, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 1998 (05:41)", "body": "you may/may not already know this... leo's on the cover of People Magazine this week! if you don't want to buy it or hang out in the bookstore to read the article (as i did), then check it out on http://www.pathfinder.com and click on the people online link. enjoy! p.s.: an old high school acquaintance described him as a \"dork\"! but isn't that practically the prerequisite for all hot stars/supermodels nowadays? (i wonder about those of us who really were dorks in high school... myself included!)"}, {"response": 11, "author": "pip", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 1998 (17:46)", "body": "Well winter, I just had to get that People issue! His gorgeous countenance is now staring up at me from on top of a zillion state legislature health care bills. It really is refreshing to be able to take a drool break in the midst of being swamped with work. In response to the dork issue- well, I think it may well be true that hot/stars (but no, not supermodels) were dorks in high school. I say this from my personal experience of knowing an extrodinarily good looking man whose hormones didn't kick in until his twentys. The transformation was incredible. He went from a scrawny guy with crossed eyes and bad teeth to a super hunk fashion photographer. It can happen. In fact, we all get better after high school."}, {"response": 12, "author": "pip", "date": "Sun, Jan 25, 1998 (23:30)", "body": "Video alert! Just finished \"Total Eclipse\" and I highly recommend it. Now its for not everyone as it is by no means mainstream entertainment. The main characters are miserable, selfish and cruel to the point of being repellent. However, I found it to be very interesting - emotionally informed, raw and quite erotic. I can see why it sank like a stone when it hit the theatres here. Lets face it, we live in a country of prudes, and a film that doesn't shy away from the sexual relationship of two 19th century male poets is not exactly on the average joe's must see list. Just the same, it has an edgy, passionate quality to it that really engages you. The sex (which is central to understanding the relationship)is not explicit, but handled in such a way that it is at once enormously powerful, brutal, and delicate. I found Leo's performance in particular to be astonishing for someone his age, and a testament to how fearless a good actor can be. A fearlessness that is quite enviable and I suppose thats' one reason why I found this film so compelling and Mr. DiCaprio in general, so intriguing."}, {"response": 13, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Mar  7, 1998 (05:58)", "body": "As you requested Heidi...have fun ;-)"}, {"response": 14, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Sun, Mar  8, 1998 (02:35)", "body": "what a sweetie!"}, {"response": 15, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Mar 10, 1998 (18:17)", "body": "very handsome; tho' my 7 y.o. tells everyone that she is destined to marry him! As long as I can marry my Mr Darcy;D"}, {"response": 16, "author": "EEK", "date": "Fri, Apr  3, 1998 (18:13)", "body": "Hi, I was looking for someone to talk about Leo! He is one of my favorites, as well as Tom Cruise is! I think he was so handsome in \"Titanic\" and he did an wonderful job in \"What's Eating Gilbert Grape.\" I think he is a good actor, he can change characters easily. On the bad side, I heard he only dated pretty girls, mostly models and he did not attend the Oscars because he was not nominated, kind of bratty. I also heard a big rumor that he was gay. I can't believe it though, but a lot of gay guys ar very good looking! I stiil love him and have pictures of him everywhere and have seen all his movies more than 3 times!"}, {"response": 17, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, May  4, 1998 (19:50)", "body": "Pip, I found some more... Enjoy!"}, {"response": 18, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, May  4, 1998 (19:53)", "body": ""}, {"response": 19, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, May  4, 1998 (19:56)", "body": "Sorry for the double post, but I suppose you don't really mind ;-p"}, {"response": 20, "author": "pip", "date": "Tue, May  5, 1998 (17:29)", "body": "oooooh......... yummy. Thanks! (These get printed out and shared with my 14 year old fellow leophile)"}, {"response": 21, "author": "Arnessa", "date": "Tue, May 26, 1998 (02:18)", "body": "LEO ROCKS!!! And I'm not so young either. Should I be ashamed?"}, {"response": 22, "author": "pip", "date": "Tue, May 26, 1998 (17:04)", "body": "NO! Absolutely not! Nothing to be ashamed of. Leo is a babe, plain and simple."}, {"response": 23, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Tue, Jul  7, 1998 (13:17)", "body": "Sorry to but in, ladies, but I thought you all would appreciate the following: My daughter, who will be five in November, has three Leonardo posters up in her room, and made her mommie go on the net the other day and find her pictures of Mr. DiCaprio and put on a diskette for her..."}, {"response": 24, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (02:10)", "body": "Oy, she's starting early! Well, she has taste. My only problem with Leo is that he's just too darned young for me...makes me feel all cheap-like ;-p"}, {"response": 25, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (05:41)", "body": "And when people come over, if she shows them her posters, she tells them \"these make my Daddy nervous\"..."}, {"response": 26, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (23:36)", "body": "LOL! Five year olds scare the bejeebers out of me...they are way to smart these days. It makes the coming teen years that much more terrifying."}, {"response": 27, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Thu, Jul  9, 1998 (03:32)", "body": "amen, sister!!!!!"}, {"response": 28, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (11:16)", "body": "Leo is lovely, but too young for my taste to be really sexy. But he is one hell of an actor - I'll watch any of his movies any day. I think he's going to be like Al Pacino or Robert de Niro or Anthony Hopkins (gasp!! hardly able to say that beautiful name); he's just going to get better, and be around forever."}, {"response": 29, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (13:02)", "body": "Joy!"}, {"response": 30, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (16:04)", "body": "No, I'm her little sister, Lust."}, {"response": 31, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (07:33)", "body": "which means you could also be her Mother, or verse vices..., as I thought lust often produces joy..."}, {"response": 32, "author": "riette", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (08:03)", "body": "In my experience Lust produces babies . . . Joy AND Pain, that is. Damn, that DOES make me the mother. Forever doomed to motherhood, that's me!"}, {"response": 33, "author": "samiam", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (00:03)", "body": "drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 74, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 75, "subject": "news babes and hunks", "response_count": 24, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 1998 (13:15)", "body": "Like Peter Jennings"}, {"response": 2, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 1998 (14:21)", "body": "Like Peter Jennings Wonderful voice."}, {"response": 3, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 1998 (21:29)", "body": "OK. I'll go with Catherine Crier for openers. With Diane Sawyer and Paula Zahn tied at second place. Locally, it would have to be Channel 24 KVUE's Judy Maggio. And KEYE's Christie Fletcher and Teri Chapelle (sp?) would be tied for second place. Too bad Kate Kelly moved to SF, she was the hands down leader locally for a while. SF's good fortune I guess. Did you know they had to abandon her real name after her first show because it was so suggestive? Any ideas as to what it was? Come on, take a guess."}, {"response": 4, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Tue, Jan 13, 1998 (21:39)", "body": "Debbie Dallas?"}, {"response": 5, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 1998 (16:39)", "body": "Guess again."}, {"response": 6, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 1998 (22:37)", "body": "Like the young man who plays the lead in Amistad, I can't pronounce or spell his name."}, {"response": 7, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Jan 14, 1998 (23:00)", "body": "It was Kate Supple. The crew broke up in hysterics the first time they heard it and the producer said she'd have to change it."}, {"response": 8, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Jan 15, 1998 (04:35)", "body": "Here is an excellent news babe central page: http://www.redblazer.com/news/babeindex.html"}, {"response": 9, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 1998 (14:04)", "body": "Now linked to tpic 4 in the 'babes' conference."}, {"response": 10, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Mar  1, 1998 (10:12)", "body": "I think Gloria Borger, from Face the Nation, is cute."}, {"response": 11, "author": "zx6rider", "date": "Wed, Mar  4, 1998 (17:20)", "body": "Angelina Jolie, Gillian Anderson, Peta Wilson ... a blond, a brunette, and a redhead. I have well-rounded star-lusts! Never let it be said that I have a type..."}, {"response": 12, "author": "zx6rider", "date": "Wed, Mar  4, 1998 (17:21)", "body": "whoops... i thought the topic read \"NEW babes and hunks\" not NEWS. So sorry. I'll be visiting the optomatrist now... and the spellchecker"}, {"response": 13, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Mar  4, 1998 (20:41)", "body": "Nope, it's news, and you're pretty on target with Gillian. I'm not that familiar with the other two. Please describe?"}, {"response": 14, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Mar  4, 1998 (20:45)", "body": "I mean that Gillians so cool we'll have to let it slide. But these are babes that are newscasters/weatherwomen/commentators. Who's your favorite news person of the female gender (babe or not)?"}, {"response": 15, "author": "zx6rider", "date": "Wed, Mar  4, 1998 (21:59)", "body": "Jodi Applegate, weekend anchor of the TODAY show... she's kinda 'girl next door' cute, but mostly she's fun. I get the impression she's the one that'll try anything once, even if its gooey."}, {"response": 16, "author": "zx6rider", "date": "Wed, Mar  4, 1998 (22:04)", "body": "As to the other two I mentioned, Angelina Jolie (or is it Angelica...my mind is going) is the daughter of Jon Voight and recently starred in GIA, the movie about the supermodel who died of AIDS in the 80's. Movie is really good, her performance incredible. Peta Wilson plays Nikita on USA's La Femme Nikita based on the movie. And now I will get back to the news..."}, {"response": 17, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Mar  5, 1998 (04:17)", "body": "Austin's top ten newsbabes preliminary results are in, send in more emails as we're going to go through one more round of judging before the final results are posted. http://www.spring.com/newsbabes"}, {"response": 18, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Mar  8, 1998 (19:39)", "body": "Some feedback on http://www.spring.com/newsbabes THANKS FOR THE HEADS UP ON THE NEWSBABE WEBPAGE. WE APPRECIATE IT AND ARE PROUD TO BE INVOLVED. THANKS..FOX 7 This is from the local Fox affiliate!"}, {"response": 19, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (16:32)", "body": "(Terry) http://www.spring.com/newsbabes THANKS FOR THE HEADS UP ON THE NEWSBABE WEBPAGE. WE APPRECIATE IT AND ARE PROUD TO BE INVOLVED. THANKS..FOX This is from the local Fox affiliate! OK Terry, here's your first advert ...go after them!!"}, {"response": 20, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Aug  1, 1998 (06:10)", "body": "I'm getting \"Motorblade Postering Service\" to put out hundreds of Spring flyers all over town to try and generate some local, Austin traffic. We'll see if it picks up."}, {"response": 21, "author": "riette", "date": "Wed, Aug  5, 1998 (13:07)", "body": "Good luck! I do hope more people will come. We have so much fun here, and more people will make it even merrier."}, {"response": 22, "author": "samiam", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (19:06)", "body": ""}, {"response": 23, "author": "wolf", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (17:51)", "body": "ok, sam youare....just browsin' huh?"}, {"response": 24, "author": "riette", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (15:17)", "body": "Well, Sam iam, if you are after bare legs on Pam, you will find them here and there, you will find them anywhere ... and you WILL in the dark.... drool conference | Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 76, "subject": "John Cusack", "response_count": 14, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 1998 (01:50)", "body": "those of you who know me know that my heart belongs to jeremy northam. but lately, i'm feeling that john cusack has taken the place of runner up. anyone share those feelings? i don't know what it is about him. maybe i'm just an 80's gal deep down inside!"}, {"response": 2, "author": "Suzanne1", "date": "Fri, Jan 16, 1998 (16:45)", "body": "I can't agree with you more, Winter. John Cusack is such a cutie. The black hair, I love it. As well he is funny, witty and smart (a perfect combination). When I saw Grosse Point Blank I fell in love with him all over again! :)"}, {"response": 3, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 1998 (14:26)", "body": "I haven't seen Grosse Pointe Blank, but I love John Cusack. He was also awesome as Dmitri in Anastasia granted he was animated, but the voice. oh god!!!!"}, {"response": 4, "author": "MEC", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (21:29)", "body": "I thought he was rather nice in \"Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil\""}, {"response": 5, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (22:40)", "body": "(MEC) I thought he was rather nice in \"Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil\" I haven't seen it, should I?"}, {"response": 6, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Aug  1, 1998 (19:48)", "body": "I think anything w/ John Cusack is worth viewing!!!"}, {"response": 7, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (02:16)", "body": "Personally, I've seen Eight Men Out about 20 times, and still can't tear my eyes away when it comes on cable. John is definitely the major attraction for me. Although I could do without The Grifters. His acting was great, but it's so depressing. Does anyone know when High Fidelity is supposed to be coming out? It was a great book and I can't wait to see John in it!"}, {"response": 8, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (03:55)", "body": "A very minor little blurb about High Fidelity at: http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com/display.cgi?id=3381"}, {"response": 9, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 1999 (20:18)", "body": "Yo, Winter!! Johnny boy is going to on Letterman on Friday night, plugging that cowboy film his dad wrote. It will be on HBO...Saturday(?)"}, {"response": 10, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 1999 (22:36)", "body": "OOOOOHHHHH NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! I'm going to be in Atlanta tomorrow...I can certainly try to watch it from my cousin's place, but I'll be there for a family reunion. No doubt my Friday night will either consist of a late night watching my uncle monopolize the karaoke machine, or a garage full of relatives in an all-out mah-jong match! ;-) Will set the VCR, and catch it when I get back. Thanks for the tip Karen!"}, {"response": 11, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 1999 (23:37)", "body": "OOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!! Mah-jong!! bams and cracks. Brings back old memories. Do your relatives play fast and slam the tiles down on the table? Back to Johnny, the other film opening shortly \"Pushing Tin\" looks interesting, with Cate Blanchett as a Long Island housewife and Angelina Jolie."}, {"response": 12, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (12:40)", "body": "Back from Hotlanta... Anyone else catch MDB on Letterman Friday night? He was frighteningly pale-- unless the makeup dept. had run out of Bronze Foundation no. 17, or whatever shade I thought he'd be. You'd think after filming \"The Jack Bull,\" he would've aquired a tan or at least, some coloring. Not that it matters anyway-- he's still a charming and quirky actor. Will play hooky from school today and maybe catch \"Pushing Tin\" if it's out in theatres."}, {"response": 13, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (14:28)", "body": "Yes, I saw him on Letterman. Definitely looked like he was supposed to be the grungy 30-something Rob character for High Fidelity. A used record shop owner who probably doesn't see the sun too much! ;-) His hair looked a little greasy and was it thinning as well??? BTW, Jack Bull would have been made quite a while ago. Who knows how many things he's done since! Tans don't last all that long here."}, {"response": 14, "author": "samiam", "date": "Thu, May 27, 1999 (19:10)", "body": "drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 77, "subject": "Cary Grant", "response_count": 14, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (16:16)", "body": "Poor Cary was one of the victims of my \"Spring cleaning\" frenzy last November. The old topic had no movement for something like 9 months, so he got the boot ;-) But since you've resurrected him, I must admit that he is mightily good looking..."}, {"response": 2, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 17, 1998 (16:19)", "body": "Always was and always will be. ;-) Picture would be better without that homely Bergman woman!!"}, {"response": 3, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 1998 (07:05)", "body": "Where did the famous line \"Judy, Judy, Judy\" come from?"}, {"response": 4, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 1998 (11:21)", "body": "All right. I'll confess. Cary could give Kevin a run for the money in my heart. But don't tell anybody. :) Nan, our Drool Conference poster boys are looking fine !"}, {"response": 5, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 1998 (12:43)", "body": "All right. I'll confess. Cary could give Kevin a run for the money in my heart. But don't tell anybody. :) Charlotte!! I am shocked!...;-p"}, {"response": 6, "author": "amy", "date": "Sun, Jan 18, 1998 (21:06)", "body": "Well, these old guys or dead guys... you can't really have any mean ingful fantasies about them. So, I'm 5-6 years older than Colin and he's married and usually in Europe and in a way different world anyway, putting us at quite a distance. But he is alive and real. And heterosexual."}, {"response": 7, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 1998 (13:52)", "body": "And heterosexual. And that means, what??"}, {"response": 8, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 1998 (13:56)", "body": "Not that it matters, but Cary grant was heterosexual. I'm not sure what her message meant, but I hope it was not an implication. :)"}, {"response": 9, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 1998 (16:52)", "body": "Yes, that's what I was trying to pin down. I had never heard that about him."}, {"response": 10, "author": "Suzanne1", "date": "Mon, Jan 19, 1998 (23:34)", "body": "One of my favorite movies is \"Charade\"-Cary Grant/Audrey Hepburn. Cary is a little older in this one but he aged quite nicely :). It was just on TV this weekend, the chemistry between them is wonderful. I could watch it over and over, check it out if you get a chance."}, {"response": 11, "author": "Amy", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 1998 (09:40)", "body": "Not that it matters, but Cary grant was heterosexual. I'm not sure what her message meant, but I hope it was not an implication. :) ____ I don't know if I ever knew one way or another, and don't know why I even mentioned it, except that I have this history of falling for dead gay guys, then feeling disappointed and a little foolish. No, it doesn't or shouldn't matter. But honestly, finding out that some men I've admired are gay has gotten in the way of my drooling. Maybe I should adopt a new style of fantastising that doesn't get in the way. In some cases it's bothered me more than in others. Awful stereotyping, I know, but for example, I can work with Montgomery Clift being gay, not so easy with Rock Hudson. Also, I can grow to embrace it. I think when I first learned that Walt Whitman was gay, when I was a teenager, I was upset at having to look at his work in a different way. At some point I think I think I realized that I didn't have to do any such thing. In cases of other writers, like Somerset Maugham, I think his orientation did impact his writing (treatment of women characters) and it becomes useful to factor in some biography."}, {"response": 12, "author": "pip", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 1998 (11:02)", "body": "Amy- I completely agree with you. Sexual orientation does shade one's ability to drool (see my various posts re; Rupert Graves). And I have heard vague rumblings about Mr. Grant and Tyrone Power (or was it Errol Flynn?). However, CG was and/or is(perhaps with the exception of Kevin Kline)the king of urbane, and whatever happened under the sheets doesn't affect my opinion of him. Since he's an historical figure at this point, I prefer to think of him as the sultan of suave. So in terms of drooling, I guess I can handle Cary swinging both ways,(if thats true -I'll have to read the bio) but I can't with others (i.e; Rupert)."}, {"response": 13, "author": "Kate", "date": "Tue, Jan 20, 1998 (19:30)", "body": "I do recall reading/hearing somewhere that CG was gay. I wasn't going to mention this and spoil the drooling, but since someone already did...."}, {"response": 14, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Wed, Jan 21, 1998 (09:32)", "body": "He may have been bisexual, but personally, I have my doubts. He was never seen in public without a woman on his arm. His daughter alone offers some credence to my claim. Either way, though, doesn't affect his drool power. What I've always wondered about Cary had nothing to do with his sexual orientation. I've always wanted to know if his charm was innate, and did he have it offscreen, or was he just a damn fine actor, and the Cary we know is just a composite of the roles he played? drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 78, "subject": "Rupert Everett", "response_count": 14, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 1998 (10:29)", "body": "Anybody got any photos? I mean, I know that he looks like (yum!), but it helps with the drooling. :)"}, {"response": 2, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 1998 (11:23)", "body": "Well, ladies these are the only RE photos I have. They are old and not very flattering, but you get the idea :-)"}, {"response": 3, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 1998 (12:19)", "body": "How about THIS one! You ladies might be interested in where I found it: Rupert Everett Home Page"}, {"response": 4, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 1998 (13:42)", "body": "Charlotte awesome!!!!!!!!!!!he is absolutely breathtaking!!!!!!!!!11"}, {"response": 5, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 1998 (13:47)", "body": "Yeah. I sure wouldn't mind being that cigarette for a day. (I sure hope Kevin isn't reading this.) :)"}, {"response": 6, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 1998 (15:38)", "body": "I was thinking that too, poor Kevin"}, {"response": 7, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 1998 (15:48)", "body": "I love Kevin for his mind. :) I got some cheap land in the swamp to sell y'all, too. :)"}, {"response": 8, "author": "nink", "date": "Thu, Jan 22, 1998 (15:48)", "body": "Hey ladies! I just found this place, and I am impressed! I know some other people you may want to join up with to talk Rupert - The Two Ruperts Mailing List. I can sign up anyone who's interested. It's a small list, but we have fun! I am the woman who scanned the above beautiful photo of Mr. Everett with the cigarette - that's from my page, Forever Everett! And I am so glad that I am helping to spread the beauty of Rupert to others! He's done so many great films, it's hard to say what's best, isn't it? The man makes my blood boil! Anyone interested in getting on the above mentioned list, write to me at: janicece@hotmail.com Talk to you later! Nink/Janice"}, {"response": 9, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Fri, Jan 23, 1998 (11:10)", "body": "Cool, Janice! Thanks so much for the loan of your photo. GREAT photo! And your web page is super, too."}, {"response": 10, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Fri, Jul 17, 1998 (16:00)", "body": "A little something to munch on :-)"}, {"response": 11, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Fri, Jul 17, 1998 (16:02)", "body": "Again...*sigh*"}, {"response": 12, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (06:19)", "body": "Afraid I have to sit out on this guy. I just find him strange looking, nothing else."}, {"response": 13, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (19:33)", "body": "(Riette) Afraid I have to sit out on this guy. I just find him strange looking, nothing else. That's okay, honey...he has no interest in us either ;-p"}, {"response": 14, "author": "riette", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (03:04)", "body": "ha-ha!!! How very sadly true! NONE of them do! drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 79, "subject": "Tom Berenger", "response_count": 1, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Sat, Jan 31, 1998 (20:47)", "body": "Really liked him in Betrayed. Don't know if I'm mesmerized or not, but.....is he in anything new? drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 8, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 80, "subject": "Bridget Jones' Diary", "response_count": 1999, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "chey", "date": "Tue, Feb 10, 1998 (01:39)", "body": "I have been away for a long time and just read some discussions. What is Bridget Jones' Diary? Does it have anything to do with Darcy or Colin? Thanks, Chey"}, {"response": 2, "author": "Kate", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 1998 (14:43)", "body": "It's a novel in the form of a diary, set in London in 1996. The every day life of a London yuppie. Among other things, she get's a bit obsessive about P&P2. It's not available in the US, but Bookserve is getting copies of it for Pemberlians. Let me know if you are interested."}, {"response": 3, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 1998 (16:19)", "body": "I thought I would start this board, just as a way to discuss the current week's installment and when we finally get the book we can talk about it here."}, {"response": 4, "author": "AllisonM", "date": "Wed, Feb 11, 1998 (22:48)", "body": "As \"Clueless\" is to \"Emma\", so \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" is to P&P (or P&P2 in particular)."}, {"response": 5, "author": "Kate", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 1998 (15:18)", "body": "Bridget Jones is now available at Bookserve! They have it especially for Pemberley people, and you will need to order by phone or email - it's not on their database. Here is the message from our man Doug \"We now have copies of the book by Helen Fielding in our possession and ready to ship for $10.18 (plus S + H). Please notify your people that they may place their orders with me via email (doug@bookserve.com) or by phone (615) 287-4205.\" Apparently there are about seven or eight copies left right now, so hurry! Please say that you are from Pemberley. Pemberley will receive a small percentage of your purchase price to help keep us going. I'm hanging out for my copy...."}, {"response": 6, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 1998 (20:54)", "body": "Well I think the NY Times is monitoring this website because today, in the Arts section is an article entitled, \"Men as Oafs, a Genre with 17th Century Roots.\" A title like that is bound to catch my attention!! Anyway, it mentions Bridget and, according to the publisher Viking, the book will be out in July. I wonder if it will have a glossary in the back. I have a hard enough time reading the weekly installments at the Telegraphs. I don't have a clue as to who many of the people she mentions are. Fo those who have read the book, is it as topical?"}, {"response": 7, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Thu, Feb 26, 1998 (21:27)", "body": "I read the book in about three hours. I think I'm going to go back and reread it, since I tend to skim things the first time. Anyway, I think the \"Men as Oafs\" refers to the relationship she has with her boss. It starts off with really cute flirting via office e-mail about the length of Bridget's skirt and develops into a sexual relatioship with her getting hurt in the end. I too was lost to some TV show references and so on, but all in all it was a great read. Bridget's extremely paranoid, thinking that everything is her fault, and she's worthless. Very neurotical but extremely funny. Especially the part about her mother leaving her father and having a fling with a younger Spanish man (I think it's Spanish, it's been a while since I read it), who turns out to be not as nice as originally thought."}, {"response": 8, "author": "Kate", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 1998 (02:18)", "body": "Just a follow up, on the BJ at Bookserve post. Unfortunately, and this arose because of a miscommunication with bookserve, although the price of the book is $10.18, they are charging $10 shipping and handling because they imported them from england. I hope this doesn't cause disasters for anyone - if we'd known about it we would have let you know earlier."}, {"response": 9, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 1998 (14:27)", "body": "actually julio was portuguese. I loved when the police were after them. and mark darcy comes to the rescue. Daniel was a CREEP!!!! love jude, sharon (reminds me of you Karen!) and Tom!!!"}, {"response": 10, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 1998 (16:05)", "body": "Didn't you love it when Tom went missing and they freaked out about him only to find out he had a nose job? Very entertaining."}, {"response": 11, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 1998 (16:31)", "body": "Oh yes!! Poor Bridge, and to be jealous that Jude called the police and Bridge is his best friend!!! Actually, I loved Perpetua well after she told Daniel that she was quitting. Oh And now back to the studio;) LOL!!!!!"}, {"response": 12, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 1998 (19:37)", "body": "Uh oh, I remind you of Shazzer!! Since I don't have the book in my hot little hands--that is, yet--I'll have to go back through the Telegraph installments to see what I think of that!! ;-)"}, {"response": 13, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 1998 (21:42)", "body": "she's great karenr she speaks her mind, is tough and lovable at the same time!!!!"}, {"response": 14, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 1998 (21:49)", "body": "So why doesn't Mark D go after her?? She wouldn't care if she noticed a little bald spot starting out. I just love those little bits he's been doing in the weekly installments...."}, {"response": 15, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 1998 (03:51)", "body": "Because he's involved with Natasha? and I think he was a little put off by her at their first meeting. Plus everybody was pushing for them to get together and maybe it annoyed him."}, {"response": 16, "author": "Kate", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 1998 (05:40)", "body": "Ok. I got my copy today and devoured it in one sitting. What a HOOT!. I found the Telegraph site, but the earliest diary entry I can find is from November 1997, when BJ is missing the plane.... are there any between the end of the book and this, and if so, where would I find them?? And I agree, CJ would be ideal to play Mark. I very much suspect he won't however. He's too determined to throw the Darcy monkey off his back..."}, {"response": 17, "author": "Kate", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 1998 (05:40)", "body": "Ok. I got my copy today and devoured it in one sitting. What a HOOT!. I found the Telegraph site, but the earliest diary entry I can find is from November 1997, when BJ is missing the plane.... are there any between the end of the book and this, and if so, where would I find them?? And I agree, CF would be ideal to play Mark. I very much suspect he won't however. He's too determined to throw the Darcy monkey off his back..."}, {"response": 18, "author": "Kate", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 1998 (05:41)", "body": "Doh! I thought I'd stopped the first post. oh well."}, {"response": 19, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 1998 (22:43)", "body": "No, Kate, that's the beginning--in November (around the 8th as I recall). I can't remember if the early ones had the links going all the way back, but there were links entitled \"What's Happened So Far...\" or something like that. You may want to do the Search thing for Bridget Jones and all the installments will be listed. That's how I got to the beginning. Boo hiss, I haven't received my copy yet. BTW, I can't figure out what happened to Rufus and Kim Bassinger was supposed to be on!! Totally different lineup. :-("}, {"response": 20, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Mar  2, 1998 (14:03)", "body": "Natasha what a B*#@h. But you do get the feeling that MD is interested in BJ. As he said, what he was wearing wouldn't exactly score any points with many people. I find myself agreeing with things that BJ does. Like standing MD up because she is blowdrying her hair. I've done that!!! well don't want to give too much away for the nubiles who haven't read it;)"}, {"response": 21, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  2, 1998 (22:11)", "body": "Kate: Didn't you post the address of a website that dealt with British slang? I've got a few words that I need translated and I have a feeling that one of them couldn't be explained adequately here or at Ramble!!"}, {"response": 22, "author": "Kate", "date": "Tue, Mar  3, 1998 (01:10)", "body": "KarenR: here it is http://www.dur.ac.uk/~dgl3djb/ukus.html"}, {"response": 23, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  3, 1998 (20:32)", "body": "Thanks, Kate. I'll give it a go. Started reading Bridget last night, but am only about 100 pages into it. So, if Natasha our Caroline Bingley character or what?? I really can see the P&P now with the book. The weekly installments don't do it. Can you believe the e-mailing between her and Daniel? Naughty naughty!"}, {"response": 24, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Mar  3, 1998 (20:53)", "body": "i didn't see the connection until towards the end of the book. i don't think there is a big one during the beginning or even the middle. so karen what do you think of Sharon?????"}, {"response": 25, "author": "TrinaH", "date": "Fri, Mar  6, 1998 (18:34)", "body": "What a great book! I was laughing hysterically the whole time I was reading it. I kept reading my husband passages outloud--he didn't find them quite as funnt as I did, but he thought they were pretty humorous. I was suprised at how much Bridget worried about her weight--I thought that was much more of an American than a European thing. One of my favorite passages: \"Wise people will say Daniel should like me just as I am, but I am a child of Cosmopolitan culture, have been traumatized by supermodels and too many quizzes and know the neither my personality nor my body is up to it if left to its own devices. I can't take the pressure. I am going to cancel [the date] and spend the evening eating doughnuts in a cardigan with egg on it.\" Favorite phrase that hasn't made it to America: her discussion of men's emotional f*ckwittage. What a beautiful phrase! Question for you Brits out there: what they heck does she mean when she talks about being eaten by an Alsatian? I was also very excited when she started mentioning Pride and Prejudice and had the idea of interviewing the stars. I thought the interviews with Colin Firth would be there, but I guess those appeared later in the newspaper column? I'll have to go to the link and check them out."}, {"response": 26, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Mar  6, 1998 (19:55)", "body": "Alsatian it is a german shepherd;-)"}, {"response": 27, "author": "Kate", "date": "Sun, Mar  8, 1998 (02:40)", "body": "Did anyone read today's installment. LOL! especially about men thinking they've done SO MUCH housework if they pick up a dish and carry it into the kitchen! But poor BJ now has bigger problems on her mind....."}, {"response": 28, "author": "scave", "date": "Sun, Mar  8, 1998 (04:01)", "body": "ain't that typical of men?"}, {"response": 29, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar  8, 1998 (22:13)", "body": "Yes, quite funny and true to life. Must take my teaspon to the sink and run it under the water... Ah, so much hard work to do. Liked the Jodie Foster comment as well!"}, {"response": 30, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Mar  9, 1998 (14:39)", "body": "Kill all jellyfishers in the world!!!"}, {"response": 31, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  9, 1998 (18:13)", "body": "Oooh yes, what is that Rebecca up to??? Had another thought about Kate's comment, could you ever imagine a Darcy or, any Darcy for that matter, doing such menial things as washing dishes? Nevah!! But that doesn't explain Jeremy! ;-("}, {"response": 32, "author": "Kate", "date": "Mon, Mar  9, 1998 (18:27)", "body": "could you ever imagine a Darcy or, any Darcy for that matter, doing such menial things as washing dishes? Nevah!! All I can say is, a Darcy or any Darcy would be much more attractive if they did ....\"Put your feet up, darling, and let me deal with this\".... now that is the way to my heart. ;-)"}, {"response": 33, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  9, 1998 (18:33)", "body": "I much prefer the Fed Ex'd Valentine's Day instructions with a driver to whisk me off to wherever....although the too-small red slip...was a waste!!"}, {"response": 34, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Mar  9, 1998 (19:17)", "body": "KarenR: Oooh yes, what is that Rebecca up to??? She really wants to become friends with Bridget Jones now that her star is shining and she wants someone really beautiful to play her in the upcoming movie!!!! She's so jellyfishing jealous that BJ has gorgeous Mark Darcy and interviewed Colin Firth that she just want to get the IN on everyone that BJ is around. Now back to the studio......;-)"}, {"response": 35, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  9, 1998 (19:29)", "body": "Did you see that article about Ruby Wax? I nearly fell off my chair when it said right at the beginning that she was from Evanston, where I grew up. So far, all I've found is her parents' address/phone number. I can't visualize the street though. Does anyone know how old she is? Must check to see if my HS has an alumni database on the web? ;-)"}, {"response": 36, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Mar  9, 1998 (21:01)", "body": "Ruby wax is in her mid 50's i believe she's quite famous in uk and had a show on fox last summer it was okay but she interviewd people like pamela anderson lee who would flash her fake breasts for ruby. RW also was script supervisor for ABFAB."}, {"response": 37, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 10, 1998 (16:54)", "body": "Thanks, in the picture she didn't look like mid-50s. Is this just another case of you youngins just thinking that anyone older than you is over the hill?? ;-)"}, {"response": 38, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Mar 10, 1998 (17:25)", "body": "hmmm your right she doesn't look that old, but on her tv show she was fat! and not pretty at all! And I would hope you know that i don't think anyone over 40 is over the hill yet;D Ruby looks like she lost a bit of weight maybe a couple of stones;D maybe she's only mid 40's, but wow she looked old on her tv show, honestly."}, {"response": 39, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 10, 1998 (18:03)", "body": "OK, OK you're forgiven!! I remember seeing little bits about the TV show, but never watched it. Did you see the mention about making the movie of BJD on one of the other topics? It will certainly be interesting to see who they will cast. A complete unknown for Bridget? Too bad, I could really see her as an Ally McBeal type person, although Bridge is horror on horror the big 3-0!!!"}, {"response": 40, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Mar 10, 1998 (18:15)", "body": "Touche! Karen Touche! hows the snow by the way. I'm unknown, thirty and singleton tho' singleton with child; with the pretty little girl that Bridge wants so bad. I refuse to have my colours done and i hate my mother. Oh no! I AM BRIDGET!! So where's my Mark??????????"}, {"response": 41, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 10, 1998 (19:08)", "body": "The snow was hideous because most of it wasn't snow, but slush. Weighed a ton!! I cleaned off my steps early in the morning and pushed the junk off, but when I left later on there was about 3 inches. Good thing I wore my wellies because it was a wet mess. My car is frozen shut--even though the doors are unlocked--I can't open them!! Hopefully, within a couple of days this mess will go away. Then to see all my dead little plants underneath!! BWAHHH!"}, {"response": 42, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 12, 1998 (17:50)", "body": "#17 Reprised (Kate) I found the Telegraph site, but the earliest diary entry I can find is from November 1997, when BJ is missing the plane.... are there any between the end of the book and this, and if so, where would I find them?? After having read the book and figuring out that there were *indeed* a number of missing months from the Bridget saga, I decided to check into it in my usual pitbull fashion! Using the awesome power of the web, I e-mailed the Telegraph and yesterday received the following answer from etcetera's features editor: \"As to what happens between the end of the book and the start of the columns, Im afraid only Bridget Jones knows. Maybe Helen Fielding could bring out 'Bridget Jones's Diary: The Wilderness Year (or so)'. In any case, If I hear anything to help you, I shall let you know.\" So there you are. Those missing months do no exist, so we're not likely to know what happened between her and Mark that broke them up. :-( OK, so who's going to e-mail Helen?????"}, {"response": 43, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Mar 12, 1998 (18:29)", "body": "i will, just get her email address and i'll email her."}, {"response": 44, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 12, 1998 (19:06)", "body": "Why is this my job???? I'd suggest her UK publisher. What was it? Picador or something?"}, {"response": 45, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Mar 12, 1998 (21:41)", "body": "because karen you get the job done and the publisher will most definitely NOT give me her email address. you have your ways;-) i mean you emailed the telegraph:) in the words of Fitzwilliam Darcy, 'Go to it!'. hahahahahahaha!!!!"}, {"response": 46, "author": "Kate", "date": "Thu, Mar 12, 1998 (22:45)", "body": "Reading the recent posts, they seem to assume that there is no gap - she has only been going out with Mark for a short time - months, not one and a half years - so it's almost as though she picked up the story where she left off."}, {"response": 47, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 13, 1998 (21:58)", "body": "I don't have my book here with me, but it ended around the holidays, Christmas, right?? The columns start at the beginning of November, which I believe is November of the following year because in Week 7 (Christmas Day), she and Mark are together at her parents home and she says: \"Is always thrilling when there is something going on between you and someone else and no one else knows. Two Christmas days ago exactly it seemed as though Mark and me were going to start going out, then it all went wrong and Mum and Una were furious but now they do not know we are back together....\" \"Two Christmas days ago\" is two years ago, when Mum and Una were plotting to introduce Bridge to Mark and then they met at Una's Turkey curry dinner. Something happened between when the book ended and November, when the diary picks up, and they broke up. That's just how I read it."}, {"response": 48, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Tue, Mar 17, 1998 (10:31)", "body": "Will BJ's Diary be hugely popular in the US, as it is in the UK? Or will the cultural allusions (TV shows, personalities etc) cause a problem? Perhaps, some slight re-editing is needed. Do you have Blind Date and Gladiators on US TV?"}, {"response": 49, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Mar 17, 1998 (13:58)", "body": "We have singled out and gladiators on tv here stateside. similar to your blind date and gladiator show. And she is fairly popular already. I read an article in NYT that states that booksellers have been deluged with orders for this book. Viking Press has picked it up and will release it hardback in August."}, {"response": 50, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 17, 1998 (19:35)", "body": "I think some of the people she refers to will be a problem, but we'll muddle through. I do hope it isn't changed. Maybe a glossary at the back would suffice, but then again, when you have to explain jokes, they lose something. Even though I didn't *get* all the pop/political culture references, I still enjoyed the book and don't think I missed all that much."}, {"response": 51, "author": "Kate", "date": "Wed, Mar 18, 1998 (03:21)", "body": "I don't have my book here with me, but it ended around the holidays, Christmas, right?? The columns start at the beginning of November, which I believe is November of the following year because in Week 7 (Christmas Day), she and Mark are together at her parents home and she says: \"Is always thrilling when there is something going on between you and someone else and no one else knows. Two Christmas days ago exactly it seemed as though Mark and me were going to start going out, then it all went wrong and Mum and Una were furious but now they do not know we are back together....\" \"Two Christmas days ago\" is two years ago, when Mum and Una were plotting to introduce Bridge to Mark and then they met at Una's Turkey curry dinner. Something happened between when the book ended and November, when the diary picks up, and they broke up. That's right, and yet, when the column entries start, she talks about the relationship as though they've just started going out together.... maybe we'll have to email Helen F and ask her!"}, {"response": 52, "author": "Kate", "date": "Wed, Mar 18, 1998 (03:27)", "body": "I think some of the people she refers to will be a problem, but we'll muddle through. I do hope it isn't changed. Maybe a glossary at the back would suffice, but then again, when you have to explain jokes, they lose something. Even though I didn't *get* all the pop/political culture references, I still enjoyed the book and don't think I missed all that much. I hope they don't change it (other than to add a glossary.... f***wittage might need some explanation?? ;-) ) but otherwise they should just leave it. It's good for people to have to try to understand each other - it's just that americans in general (please note - no disparaging comment intended here - just a comment on my experience as a non-american in the US) are less used to accomodating other cultural and linguistic experiences than people from other places. I mean, if we could watch Bull Durham and Major League, and be able to work out what was going on without any understanding of baseball, or read a book like Primary Colors, with a fairly minimal understanding of the ins and outs (gee, that was freudian...) of American politics, and get it, then I think you all will be able to deal with the odd inexplicable cultural reference. (Not being british, they were inexplicable to me too, though the language was probably more accessible)"}, {"response": 53, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar 18, 1998 (21:58)", "body": "Maybe, those of you who have British Cultural Backgrounds could help construct a glossary of terms right here.It would be a great contribution.towards cultural communication. I had no problem with the terms..or with the culture which, incidentally, I admire tremendously,.....it was the proper names ...political? televison personalities? pop stars? Anyway, it's a great read."}, {"response": 54, "author": "Kate", "date": "Wed, Mar 18, 1998 (22:20)", "body": "Why don't you post the names and we'll see if we can identify them?"}, {"response": 55, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar 19, 1998 (03:00)", "body": "Kate Why don't you post the names and we'll see if we can identify them? Thank you for your kind offer. Unfortunately,my copy of the book is on loan, but as soon as it is returned I shall take you up on your offer."}, {"response": 56, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 19, 1998 (20:43)", "body": "That's right, and yet, when the column entries start, she talks about the relationship as though they've just started going out together.... Didn't it also mention that Mark had recently come back from being in Japan. Maybe there wasn't a *real* breakup or anything, just that work took him out of the country for an extended time???? maybe we'll have to email Helen F and ask her! Better yet, Kate, Helen F is bound to come here when her book is published to do some promotional stuff. Maybe you and Jane E can go to a book-signing and ask her THE QUESTION!! Just be sure to put lots and lots of Post-It Notes of various colors in the book!!"}, {"response": 57, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Mar 19, 1998 (21:44)", "body": "i want to know why was he in Japan. what is he doing???? and wasn't he living there also. so bj only saw him sporadically."}, {"response": 58, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 19, 1998 (21:59)", "body": "Isn't he described as some big-time human rights lawyer? And wasn't he in the4 US before the book started?"}, {"response": 59, "author": "Kate", "date": "Fri, Mar 20, 1998 (03:38)", "body": "Better yet, Kate, Helen F is bound to come here when her book is published to do some promotional stuff. Maybe you and Jane E can go to a book-signing and ask her THE QUESTION!! Just be sure to put lots and lots of Post-It Notes of various colors in the book!! LOL!. Regrettably, I suspect I will no longer be here when she arrives.... so someone else may have to do the job!"}, {"response": 60, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Fri, Mar 20, 1998 (12:42)", "body": "Just read through all the postings here. Thanks everyone for your replies to my question about whether BJ's Diary will be as popular in the US as it is in the UK. I think it's a really great book - and so do all my friends at work!!We've started quoting from it to each other....\"very Bridget Jones\". :-) Karen, I think the Daily Telegraph installments are intended to be partly a social commentary on the week's events in the UK, and so a lot of the references are topical (the Millenium Dome, Campaign for the Countryside etc). Laura, HF is supposed to have two sequel novels in the pipeline. I know that she wrote the Diary in the Independent for a couple of years before joining the Telegraph, and that is where you might find out about the missing year(s) in Mark & Bridget's relationship. But if there are a couple of sequels due, then HF must take us on from Christmas 1995! We can't just jump to November 1997! Kate, I really do think CF will play Mark Darcy. I don't think he's determined to \"get the Darcy monkey off his back\". He has said in interviews that he really appreciates the attention which Darcy has given him, and I'm sure he must see that the Mark Darcy role is one that most actors would covet, and should be his by right. Who else would play it? The book is very \"hot\", and the movie is being made by Working Title who made \"Four weddings and a Funeral\" - it's a plum role, and surely one that he can't r fuse! :-) Trina, the interview between Bridget and CF is given in full in one of the new websites listed in Ellen's FirthFAQ. I think it's called Colin's Timeline (the word \"timeline\" is mentioned, anyway. Just scroll along to BJ's Diary. Thanks, Laura, for starting this topic! I love the book (so many favourite bits, like when she tries to set the video recorder!) and the CF connection (hopefully!) is an added bonus. BTW Does everyone on the other topics (#67,69,59 etc) know about this?"}, {"response": 61, "author": "Kate", "date": "Fri, Mar 20, 1998 (15:58)", "body": "she wrote the Diary in the Independent for a couple of years before joining the Telegraph, oh my goodness. I'll have to go looking for that. The book is very \"hot\", and the movie is being made by Working Title who made \"Four weddings and a Funeral\" - it's a plum role, and surely one that he can't refuse I hope you're right. I keeping checking on IMDB for it, and it's not there yet, so if you hear anything definite, please let us know! I was chatting to an acquaintance the other night and we were talking about the old britsh/american language divide and she mentions \"f***wittage\" and I knew immediately she'd read it! She picked it up in London, and loved it.... so the word is getting out here."}, {"response": 62, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Mar 20, 1998 (16:59)", "body": "i used f***wittage all the time even before I had heard of Bridget. I use that and f***wit to refer to my ex-boyfriend:) I think he's the biggest one!"}, {"response": 63, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 20, 1998 (19:50)", "body": "Thanks, Bethan, for all the additional info. The local events--even if explained to us--would likely not add all that much to our understanding. Thankfully, Bridget doesn't let us out by including the Clinton refs and the celebrity skiing accidents!! ;-) Kate, I looked ALL OVER the electronic Independent a while ago and its achives don't seem to have anything by Helen Fielding. (When are you going home?) I did find an interview somewhere in which Helen F explained f***wittage, but I didn't print it or write it down. I shall go looking for it again and post later. The features editor at the Telegraph didn't have a clue as to the missing time period, so it probably wasn't in the Independent either."}, {"response": 64, "author": "Kate", "date": "Sat, Mar 21, 1998 (00:48)", "body": "Kate, I looked ALL OVER the electronic Independent a while ago and its achives don't seem to have anything by Helen Fielding. I couldn't even find the archives, so you were doing better than me. (When are you going home?) some time in August I think. The features editor at the Telegraph didn't have a clue as to the missing time period, so it probably wasn't in the Independent either. Yeah, but they're competitors - it wouldn't be in his/her interest to know anything about it... s/he isn't going to send you off the Independent, is s/he?? ;-)"}, {"response": 65, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 21, 1998 (17:27)", "body": "some time in August Then, unless you are traveling far and wide (i.e., outside of Manhattan), you m might be around when Helen comes to promote the book! I think it's going to come out in July. ;-) Re: Competitor's motivations. The features ed seemed quite nice and if HF isn't working for them now then what's the big deal??? he/she didn't even have to respond to me and even offered to get back to me if and when he/she found out anything."}, {"response": 66, "author": "TrinaH", "date": "Sun, Mar 22, 1998 (17:46)", "body": "(lizbeth) Trina, the interview between Bridget and CF is given in full in one of the new websites listed in Ellen's FirthFAQ. I think it's called Colin's Timeline (the word \"timeline\" is mentioned, anyway. Just scroll along to BJ's Diary. Thanks! Trina"}, {"response": 67, "author": "TrinaH", "date": "Mon, Mar 23, 1998 (20:51)", "body": "Thanks to Lizbeth's directions, I just went back and re-read that hysterical interview that Bridget did with CF. Sorry if this has been asked before, but was there ever any talk about whether CF actually read that when it appeared in print, and if so, what did he think? I thought she painted a flattering portrait of him myself--ever charming in the face of zealous drooling!"}, {"response": 68, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 23, 1998 (21:35)", "body": "Anglo-American Translation Time I don't have my Bridget here with me, but Rebecca is supposed to be wearing \"snookerball-bottomed\" jeans or something like that. I know what snooker is. So would this be what we called bell-bottomed pants? Strange, I would never described them as ball-shaped if that's what is meant. Anyway, I was sooo upset after this week's installment that I wanted to slap Bridget for being so dumb. How wrong she was about not cancelling out on the weekend. The jellyfisher is her acquaintance and why should she care if she cancelled out at the last minute. It isn't like Mark is going to go without her. Loved the line about Rebecca's bathing suit being cut up to the chandelier!"}, {"response": 69, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Wed, Mar 25, 1998 (10:40)", "body": "Snooker is the UK equivalent of pool. I took it to mean that Rebecca has a pert bum (UK)/ass(USA)! Yep, Bridget has been incredibly dumb. She should have been struck down with an imaginary virus. But it makes the next installment very interesting... will he/won't he?"}, {"response": 70, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Mar 25, 1998 (14:18)", "body": "HE BETTER NOT!!!!! hee hee;)the he'd would join the world class of f***wit's;)"}, {"response": 71, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 25, 1998 (22:12)", "body": "I hadn't heard that line about sitting on a radiator since I was in high school, which was quite a while ago. Didn't think girls pulled that kind of schtick anymore?? ;-)"}, {"response": 72, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  1, 1998 (20:20)", "body": "What!! No one has anything to say about last Saturday's installment?? Incredible! After the dismal feeling I had when that jellyfisher sicced her brother after Bridget the week before, I thought things were looking up. I mean who wouldn't with Mark strutting around the bedroom in barrister mode clad only in a towel!! ;-) Oooowwweeee!! So what's with Mark? Are they breaking up? Is he recalling his first marriage tand the other woman who cheated on him? Is he afraid of his own feelings? What is this yutz doing??? Signed, Nurse Shaz"}, {"response": 73, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Wed, Apr  1, 1998 (21:19)", "body": "Ah, but as he drove away he (angrily) wiped a tear from his face (didn't he?). Maybe he's just insecure! Bridget should never have mentioned those dire words \"splitting up\"! Long interview with Helen Fielding in this month's UK Vogue. There are two sequels (already in the pipeline)to BJ's Diary. HF is currently writing the screenplay for the movie (or was when interviewed for the article. Hopefully it is completed by now) It must be VERY tempting to introduce wet scenes, scenes in showers, scenes clad only in towels, scenes not clad in towels, scenes clad in wet towels etc, etc, etc!"}, {"response": 74, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  1, 1998 (22:29)", "body": "Anger or sad that he was, in fact, going to split up with our neurotic girl? Terrible! Sinjun, a world famous eye, ear, nose and throat man!!"}, {"response": 75, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Apr  2, 1998 (13:45)", "body": "I think that BJ has it all wrong. He is just hurt. His pride was hurt because he thinks she doesn't trust him. IMVHO, of course;)"}, {"response": 76, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Thu, Apr  2, 1998 (14:24)", "body": "I agree. I think Bridget just aggravated the situation by trying to \"explain.\" And what was he going to say? \"But maybe we should.... (trust each other more?). Love the way BJ & co always turn to Thelma and Louise for comfort!"}, {"response": 77, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Apr  2, 1998 (15:51)", "body": "\"But maybe we should.... (trust each other more?). Love the way BJ & co always turn to Thelma and Louise for comfort! Exactly!!! Although, I think he would've proposed marriage \"But maybe we should get married!!!\" okay wishful thinking on my part. Bridget is an obsessive/compulsive paranoid. After a while, it does get tiresome. We know and Mark knows how crazy he is about her, but she doesn't... She feels with his good looks and her mediocre looks (she thinks) that he will up and leave her for a Rebecca type. But Mark probably sees right past Rebecca and her shallowness, he is not stupid."}, {"response": 78, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Apr  2, 1998 (15:53)", "body": "I never understood why they would use Thelma and Louise, i mean they die at the end!!! how empowering of a movie is that????"}, {"response": 79, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  2, 1998 (18:24)", "body": "So, in your VHO, Mark is ready to settle down? He's tired of playing the field and can see that Rebecca is probably like that Natasha is the book? All flash and no substance. OK, but then where would Helen go with the columns? Will this turn into Ozzie and Harriet? or Mad About You (which wouldn't be bad)?"}, {"response": 80, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Apr  2, 1998 (19:31)", "body": "no, but i think he is trying to stabilise bridget. mad about you, oh please! ozzie and harriet, i'll throw up!!! I think mark is looking to settle down. why do you think he is sticking around in london and not taking the job in japan????? i think bridget would be another lucy actually!"}, {"response": 81, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Apr  2, 1998 (19:37)", "body": "i made absolutely no sense. what i am trying to say is that mark is looking to stabilise bridget. mark does see thru rebecca because he is a smart man. if he was just a man he would be taken in with her. he loves bridget unconditionally. and he trusts bridget. she doesn't trust him. part of her obsessive/compulsive paranoia."}, {"response": 82, "author": "Kate", "date": "Fri, Apr  3, 1998 (00:04)", "body": "But this is basically about real live human relationships.... women who feel they are too unattractive for the Mark Darcy's of this world, and that legs that go to the ceiling are more important that anything else.... men who don't communicate... women who worry about every little thing... men who don't understand what the problem is. That kind of stuff."}, {"response": 83, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Apr  4, 1998 (14:50)", "body": "I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS. I FEEL LIKE CRYING!!! THIS IS HORRIBLE!!!! AS IN THE WORDS OF BJ GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I say that we boycott Helen Fielding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is too much, way too much. How dare she do this to us pariahs!!!!! Karen, that's it I can't take the emotional rollercoaster. I feel like he is cheating on ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I say kill the commie B*****D!!! I hope HF sees this!!!! Oh, can you tell i'm quite pissed!!!!"}, {"response": 84, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Apr  4, 1998 (15:05)", "body": "Laura: that's it I can't take the emotional rollercoaster. I feel like he is cheating on ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I say kill the commie B*****D!!! I hope HF sees this!!!! They open-neck white shirt tells it all. So out of character for him. I can't stand it!!! How can we survive another week!!"}, {"response": 85, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr  4, 1998 (17:03)", "body": "AAARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!! I hate this story. (Kate) But this is basically about human relationships Shall we add *assholes* to your list of human foibles?? Laura re: rollercoasters Remember the lust that was in his eyes when he saw Rebecca in that high-cut bathing suit. Sometimes they just can't get beyond those urges. Smartness has nothing to do with it--most of the time--and that goes both ways. Evelyn Why can't this be a daily column! This waiting until Saturday is killing me. I'm soooo trying to be rationale here, but I tooo can't stand it. Where is the \"and they all lived happily ever after\"!! :-("}, {"response": 86, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Apr  4, 1998 (19:42)", "body": "If it was Happily ever after, then it would be Ozzie and Harriet, your words Karen;) I, too, am trying to be rational, am introducing my Irish friend, Helen to BJ and she will soon enough become quite addicted because i will make her!!! Helen P. my friend says hello!!!!!! Sorry, drinking wine due to totally depression for Bridget!!!! am abouyt to leave to go to liquor store for more!!! Karen call me tomorrow!!! we must talk!!!! this is ridiculous!!!!"}, {"response": 87, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Sat, Apr  4, 1998 (21:38)", "body": "Voice of reason here! Remember there are two sequels to the book and Mark and Bridget have broken up before. The relationship is rekindled when he asks her to join him in Paris for the weekend (and she accidently sets fire to the flat!). And premature happy endings could mean that we would lose interest in HF's column! BUT.....what a downer. I much prefer it when he's buying her tight red nighties and calling her \"darling\" and being sweet. Maybe he's got a good excuse...a business meeting with Rebecca? Or maybe Rebecca is comforting him and he really wants to have Bridget back. Why the open necked shirt though? Wait until next week!!"}, {"response": 88, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr  4, 1998 (22:19)", "body": "I knew you would come through, Bethan--or should we call you Miss Optimism!! Why the open necked shirt though? The \"white, undone shirt\" likely resulted from Rebecca attacking him in the back seat of the cab. But will we *really* ever know??? Re: the two sequals Any news on when at least one of them will be published? You know we want to know why they broke up the first time and how Bridge and Thelma and Louise got along. Would be terrible if Mark brought Rebecca to any neighborhood family Easter egg hunt or some such thing!! Ultra tacky."}, {"response": 89, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Apr  5, 1998 (03:11)", "body": "(Karen) What!! No one has anything to say about last Saturday's installment?? Incredible! After the dismal feeling I had when that jellyfisher sicced her brother after Bridget the week before, I thought things were looking up. I mean who wouldn't with Mark strutting around the bedroom in barrister mode clad only in a towel!! ;-) Oooowwweeee!! Oh dear! I haven\ufffdt been keeping up with the diary lately...obviously I\ufffdm missing some seriously juicy stuff. Gotta get there..."}, {"response": 90, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Apr  5, 1998 (16:05)", "body": "(Bethan) Voice of reason here! Remember there are two sequels to the book and Mark and Bridget have broken up before. The relationship is rekindled when he asks her to join him in Paris for the weekend (and she accidently sets fire to the flat!). And premature happy endings could mean that we would lose interest in HF's column! Voice of Reason, Puhleeze!!!!! WHY OH WHY IS HE WITH HER!!!!! Okay to get back to some semblance of sanity here, granted they have broken up before, but we do not know the reason why??? and Why would he be so distraught last week and with the jellyfisher this week???? It just doesn't make any sense. Now, my question is: Does Bridget just let it happen??? or does she go all Fatal Attraction and hop out of the car and confront them??? I can tell you that Rebecca would have no more long legs after I got through with her!!!! hee hee;)"}, {"response": 91, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr  6, 1998 (22:27)", "body": "(Nan)Oh dear! I haven\ufffdt been keeping up with the diary lately...obviously I\ufffdm missing some seriously juicy stuff. Gotta get there... Where you been?? Yes, you are missing some great stuff!! Mark has done some ooo-soo-meltingly stuff lately and seems to be in heat quite often!! Indicated by lots of \"mmmmmmms\" interspersed. (Laura) or does she go all Fatal Attraction and hop out of the car and confront them??? Interesting choice of movie analogies...Like a bunny rabbit? a boiled bunny rabbit? Or perhaps like an attendee at a Tarts and Vicar party who has a bunny tail pinned on her arse? ;-) Definitely time to get Tom, the fag hag involved. Bridget needs serious direction now. A dumb Bridget would show up drunk on his doorstep, no wait, I did that many years ago. Forget I typed that!!"}, {"response": 92, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Tue, Apr  7, 1998 (00:42)", "body": "Nan will back. She is fighting with her suicidal computer."}, {"response": 93, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Apr  7, 1998 (14:54)", "body": "Well Myretta nothing like bringing us back to real life;) I forget that Bridget is NOT a real character. But, like her, this has happened to me. I was in a restaurant and my boyfriend told me he had to go to graduation party. I saw him with another girl. I was soooo devastated;( hell, I was only 19! but boy did I confront him!!! hee hee:)"}, {"response": 94, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr  8, 1998 (01:31)", "body": "Point of information, Please. In last week's installment: What is; Jaffa Cake, who is Jarvis Cocker, and are 1471 calls like caller ID. But it doesn't make sense with \"1471 - calls: 12 (better)\" Will some friend across the Pond pl. explain . Thank you."}, {"response": 95, "author": "AllisonM", "date": "Wed, Apr  8, 1998 (07:18)", "body": "What is; Jaffa Cake Revolting sweet thing, a cross between a cake and a biscuit(cookie). Chocolate covered. Translating cooking terms into American is difficult but in English english, I would describe it as made of sponge, filled with jam and topped with chocolate! who is Jarvis Cocker Pop singer. Skinny, bespectacled. But it doesn't make sense with \"1471 - calls: 12 (better) She calls 1471 which tells her the number of the last caller. I presume she keeps dialling every time she thinks she has been out of earshot of the 'phone just in case?? Hope that helps."}, {"response": 96, "author": "AllisonM", "date": "Wed, Apr  8, 1998 (07:19)", "body": "BTW jam = jelly!"}, {"response": 97, "author": "Kate", "date": "Wed, Apr  8, 1998 (13:26)", "body": "and the jam is orange flavoured, yes? hence the jaffa...."}, {"response": 98, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Apr  8, 1998 (13:33)", "body": "I had a jaffa cake and it is sickly sweet. sorta like our twinkies only covered in chocolate with jam instead of cream. But when depressed, it is the most wonderful thing to eat!!! And poor Bridget is very, very depressed:( I think Mark needs to get off his high horse and run back to her and explain everything!!! And Bridget needs to become the ice woman once again and make him beg to come back!!!!"}, {"response": 99, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Apr  8, 1998 (13:33)", "body": "ooh i meant to say in ireland when in ireland! i had jaffa cake but it was called something else!!!!"}, {"response": 100, "author": "Kate", "date": "Wed, Apr  8, 1998 (16:16)", "body": "Is it just me, or have all the other boards gone dead? When are we moving to spring.net, or have we already done it and all the conversation is going on somewhere else??"}, {"response": 101, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Apr  8, 1998 (17:04)", "body": "kate, i've been using the spring.net since late last week! but my browser seems to be a little screwy lately. very bizarre."}, {"response": 102, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  8, 1998 (19:05)", "body": "Thanks for the cake details. I just figured it was a basic orange cake from the Jaffa designation as that is a distinct type of orange propagated in Jaffa, Israel. Sorry, Laura, dear, but with all that cream and filling...yuck!! If I'm depressed, just give me chocolate in any semisolid form...ice cream to semisweet morsels to heavenly Nutella!! Evelyn, I believe there is a whole big discussion about the 1471 feature of their telephone system in the book. Not quite Caller ID. Can't give you page and verse as have just lent my book to my local librarian!! Re: Dead Boards And where have you been, Kate? And where are the pictures that you took of your tea party? Haven't seen them posted at Meetings!! Did Nan escape your camera's lens as well? ;-)"}, {"response": 103, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Apr  8, 1998 (22:59)", "body": "What's so screwy Laura?"}, {"response": 104, "author": "Kate", "date": "Thu, Apr  9, 1998 (01:14)", "body": "And where have you been, Kate? And where are the pictures that you took of your tea party? Haven't seen them posted at Meetings!! Did Nan escape your camera's lens as well? ;-) I've been right here. And yes, Nan is not in any photograph. Although mine are still in my camera. So does that mean that nothing has been happening on the Firth boards for the last couple of days???"}, {"response": 105, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Apr  9, 1998 (13:06)", "body": "Ah, Terry:) well sometimes, not all the time, when I log in everything blurs together! I reload and it is fine until I try to drag the mouse to move down the page and it blurs again. very annoying! it also happens on the ramble page at Pemberley. I think its just my browser, but if you could check into it. Would be very very helpful!"}, {"response": 106, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  9, 1998 (18:54)", "body": "Well, *some* of the lack of activity could be Nan's absence as well but you'll have to e-mail me for other possibilities."}, {"response": 107, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  9, 1998 (20:56)", "body": "I'm sure Laura would be too modest to say anything but she's been writing a modern-day Darcy and Elizabeth story at Pemberley and within the last few chapters, she's included references to the Bridget Jones story. Apparently, Caroline and Bridget are friends, so she has just heard about Bridge and Mark breaking up. Caroline of course knows the jellyfisher, but the best is in today's posting (Chapter 10) where we get a certain person parading around in a towel!! Do check it out."}, {"response": 108, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  9, 1998 (20:57)", "body": "I forgot to mention its title, \"Second Chances.\""}, {"response": 109, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Apr  9, 1998 (21:05)", "body": "*blush*"}, {"response": 110, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Apr 11, 1998 (15:09)", "body": "Okay, the deal is Bridget has to dump her friends!!!!! I've only glossed over while trying to use up my whole hour on the computer! Bridget, darling, we thirtysomethings must stick together!! Hee hee I'm finally 30!!! dump the fuckwittage friends and I'll steer you in the right direction!!!!"}, {"response": 111, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 11, 1998 (15:09)", "body": "Oh yeah, and what advice would you have given her after that pathetic phone message he left for her??? Miss *now-that-she's-30-she-thinks-she-knows- everything*??? But I am dying to hear his explanation!!"}, {"response": 112, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Sat, Apr 11, 1998 (15:09)", "body": "Ah, I told you that he'd have an \"explanation\"! But I think Bridget should ignore Shaz and Jude's advice, for a day or so, anyway. I mean, he did ring TWICE and he was sounding \"anguished\". (I'm a sucker for \"anguished!).BTW shades of Mr Darcy in \"all right, you've said enough\", although not as cutting as \"you have said quite enough, madam\"! :-)"}, {"response": 113, "author": "AllisonM", "date": "Sat, Apr 11, 1998 (15:09)", "body": "I think BJ is pathetic. She is, after all over 30 years old and should have enough sense to make up her own mind. I think Mark Darcy could do MUCH better. He must surely see what an airhead she is now. BTW I rather hope Helen Fielding treads carefully. I would hate her to spoil the story before the film, particularly if CF is playing MD."}, {"response": 114, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Apr 11, 1998 (15:09)", "body": "Listen to your heart, Bridget, not your friends. Everyone has a different agenda. Think long term. A classic case of Men are from Mars...Women are from Venus."}, {"response": 115, "author": "AllisonM", "date": "Sat, Apr 11, 1998 (15:09)", "body": "Bridget Jones is from .......... PLUTO"}, {"response": 116, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Apr 11, 1998 (15:09)", "body": "Poor Bridget, she's honest...artless. Hasn't learned how to be devious and calculating. Part of her charm. Sadly, she'll grow-up."}, {"response": 117, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 12, 1998 (02:46)", "body": "I see the dates have gone nuts again here at Drool. Ah to be the same age in 2036!! Well, after my quickie read this a.m., I reread and now am dying to find out what on earth could Mark have as an explanation. Like Bethan, those \"miserables\" and \"anguished\" descriptions now have me thinking along some new lines. But what! I won't buy that he was sooooo hurt by the Sinjun thing. That was laughable. It couldn't possibly have reminded him of the first wife incident. My advice: Slip into bedroom to call Mark without loyal, witty, caring girlfriends around. Say you want to talk and that he should come over. If he agrees, throw Jude and Sharon out and make lots of strong coffee. But then again, what do I know?????"}, {"response": 118, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Apr 13, 1998 (12:48)", "body": "WHAT DID HE DO????? Now, talking to Karen I think that when he says we have lost touch. I think it means communication wise, obviously. But then again, I don't think Mark treats Bridget all that well to begin with. He laughs at her. He doesn't think she says anything brilliant. He uses her like the dumb blonde to his gorgeous person. I think he needs to treat her better. Personally."}, {"response": 119, "author": "TrinaH", "date": "Mon, Apr 13, 1998 (16:37)", "body": "I think Helen Fielding has tapped into something really important with BJ's character. If you think about it, most of her problems stem from her very low self-image. She's been told by popular culture (i.e., Cosmo and Vogue) that she's not worth anything because she's not super skinny with big boobs and long legs. A lot of her problems with men (especially Mark) stem from the fact that she doesn't think she's worthy of him, so she always thinks the worse. If she had more confidence in herself, she wouldn't let her friends push her around and she'd give Mark a chance to explain himself. If you remember in the book, he says a few things that show that he really likes Bridget, but she just doesn't see it. Sorry to get on my soap box, but I think a lot of Western women (especially American women) are devastated by hatred of their bodies and their looks, and it really wreaks havoc on their relationships with men."}, {"response": 120, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 13, 1998 (18:48)", "body": "Yes, Trina, that is a major problem with Bridget. She has a very poor self image and doesn't believe that anyone could love her for herself. I suspect from a physical standpoint there is absolutely nothing deficient about Bridget. She may not be as tall as Rebecca and therefore her legs may not be as long, but I'm sure she is just fine. In the book, when she lost 7 pounds, everyone said she looked terrible. Even though Mark is \"amused\" by her, he does love her. She is not like the other women who throw themselves at him (shades of Fitzwilliam Darcy), Bridget is not from a long line of Caroline Bingleys. Is he \"slumming\" it by going out with her, no I don't think so. He really enjoys her unique outlook on things. But onto what should she do. Another assignment for Tom. Obviously, Mark's message was written in some secret code that only men can understand. Since Tom is a man who has really gotten in touch with his feminine side, he will be the only one who can translate the message for Bridget!!"}, {"response": 121, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Apr 13, 1998 (19:32)", "body": "but to be just amused by someone. I think bridget is probably the most realistic looking person. Rebecca is a fantasy nobody has legs that long and is that gorgeous naturally. plastic surgery helps:) he does belittle her observations as not realistic and maybe they're not, but at least she is trying to partake of whatever conversation is being had. Rebecca just flaunts her good looks and people automatically thinks she is witty."}, {"response": 122, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Apr 16, 1998 (14:54)", "body": "okay question for all you across the pond or those over the pond here who can answer this question: Who is Delia Smith and is he like Jenny Craig????"}, {"response": 123, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Apr 16, 1998 (23:58)", "body": "Delia Smith is a popular cookery writer and presenter of cookery shows. She's not a he. Who's Jenny Craig????"}, {"response": 124, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Apr 17, 1998 (13:05)", "body": "i meant she thank you arami. Jenny Craig is a dietician sort of on the Weight Watchers or Overeaters Anonymous schpiel. Jenny Craig has her own line of diet meals that you pay an arm and a leg for and while doing her dieting you can ONLY eat her food."}, {"response": 125, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Apr 18, 1998 (00:21)", "body": "Oh, no, Delia is not like that at all. Healthy and nutritious, but I don't think she's heavily into dieting."}, {"response": 126, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Apr 18, 1998 (17:35)", "body": "Okay I just clicked into Electronic Telegraph and it said Page no longer there or something like that!! what happened????? NO BRIDGET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 127, "author": "Kate", "date": "Sat, Apr 18, 1998 (19:27)", "body": "I CAN'T FIND BRIDGET! and for some reason, I haven't been getting this page for the last few days. The electronic gods are against me."}, {"response": 128, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 18, 1998 (21:29)", "body": "There's another way, ladies. From the etcetera index page, pick the story just before Bridget, then scroll down to the end and the link to \"next story\" will get you to Bridget. You've just got to be creative!! Kate, when you get there (to this week's installment), do the previous week thing to get last week's *killer* episode. This week's no biggie (i.e., Mark Darcy's not in it); just some vague references to more English baked goods!! ;-) If you are still having problems with these instructions, let me know. On Monday, I do a cut & paste for someone who can't get into the Telegraph site. I'd be more than happy to e-mail it."}, {"response": 129, "author": "Kate", "date": "Sat, Apr 18, 1998 (22:18)", "body": "Thanks Karen. I had even sent a desperate message to ET.... And not being able to get this page referred to THIS page, the BJ page of drool... it doesn't show up on my new list. There has obviously been some big feature on Diana-grief being fake, and how we all need to be more self-disciplined...."}, {"response": 130, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Apr 19, 1998 (02:27)", "body": "yah, kate i did too:-) pathetic isn't it. Karen, as always the lifesaver;)"}, {"response": 131, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 20, 1998 (19:44)", "body": "Aw shucks, just a little septic tank ingenuity!"}, {"response": 132, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Mon, Apr 20, 1998 (20:35)", "body": "I'm happy to hear that you can still access the Diary. Very ingenious! But this week was all social commentary (some professor has published an article criticising Diana). My mother,a regular Daily Telegraph reader, has quite independently (without any prompting from me!) become addicted to BJ's Diary. She said the latest episode was \"very boring...it's not the same without Mark Darcy\". I agree!!"}, {"response": 133, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 20, 1998 (20:54)", "body": "(Bethan) it's not the same without Mark Darcy\". I agree!! No quibbling here either!! I've decided that Helen Fielding has painted herself into a corner. She cannot come up with a plausible excuse (i.e., one that we would buy) for Mark's having broken up with Bridget. Nothing makes any sense. What kind of second thoughts could be possibly be having...Bridget is getting too serious...what???? BTW, I had lent my book to the branch librarian and she returned it this weekend. When I told her the story was continuing online, the first thing she asked me was what was going on with Mark Darcy. Yes, he is an addicting character!!"}, {"response": 134, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Apr 20, 1998 (21:47)", "body": "i thought this installment was quite funny, actually!"}, {"response": 135, "author": "Kate", "date": "Mon, Apr 20, 1998 (23:06)", "body": "Aw shucks, just a little septic tank ingenuity! Every board needs its seppoes. I actually got an email back from the ET. Dear Kathryn, Please accept our deepest apologies for the trauma you and thousands of others have suffered - this was due to a faulty link on our side. However, we have corrected this problem and Bridget is now waiting for you on the Etcetera home page. Happy reading. . . Yours, etcetera I thought that was very thoughtful of them, particularly as there were obviously quite a few emails to respond to!"}, {"response": 136, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Tue, Apr 21, 1998 (12:21)", "body": "Kate, I'm impressed! Full marks to the ET for good customer relations. There must be a lot of BJ addicts out there!"}, {"response": 137, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Apr 21, 1998 (13:47)", "body": "Especially in the States!!! I emailed them and got nothing in return:( Oh, well, Kate did you threaten them with legal action;)"}, {"response": 138, "author": "Kate", "date": "Tue, Apr 21, 1998 (23:41)", "body": "Maybe it was because I sounded so desperate!"}, {"response": 139, "author": "Kate", "date": "Sat, Apr 25, 1998 (04:43)", "body": "omigodomigodomigod it's a super installment... sisterhood is powerful - not only do they kidnap Rebecca, but they give BJ a superb ego boost as well and the CHEST.....and the gentle hand on back of neck... while he escapes to Bhutan (typical man!)"}, {"response": 140, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Apr 25, 1998 (16:14)", "body": "But why Bhutan???? And I ADORE that he left Rebecca there to \"deal\" with the problem. hee hee!!! But he does still have some 'splaining to do!!"}, {"response": 141, "author": "Kate", "date": "Sat, Apr 25, 1998 (18:21)", "body": "Why Bhutan??? Because I suppose it's the most remote and inaccessible place he can think of!"}, {"response": 142, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Sat, Apr 25, 1998 (20:32)", "body": "Good one! Back on course again!! But why is he still hanging round with Rebecca? Bhutan - highly remote, rugged and detached from the world."}, {"response": 143, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 25, 1998 (21:14)", "body": "Shazzer jumped to her feet...grabbing Rebecca by the ear...twisting Rebecca's arms behind her back now...jerking on the armlock like something out of LA Confidential Now, who was advocating dumping the true and loyal friend depicted here? I couldn't have put it better than Jude though: Rebecca is a \"rubbish girlfriend.\" hee hee There are moments in life...when women are best left to sort things out between themselves...and a man's place is somewhere remote in the Bhutanese highlands Sorry, Markee, that won't cut it!! Is he playing Mr. Innocent here? Men belong in the Bhutanese highlands when women are fighting over a 75% markdown on a Prada bag! Why does he *think* that R&B need to sort things out?? She's rubbish; chuck her out!! Now, Mark and Bridget are the ones who need to sort things out. He hasn't convinced me that he doesn't deserve that f***wittage speech...yet!! Next I felt him touch me on the back of my neck Ooooooohhhhhhh, can't you just feel the electricity! Helen must have just seen ATA and was inspired. ;-)"}, {"response": 144, "author": "lizbeth", "date": "Sun, Apr 26, 1998 (14:52)", "body": "Sorry, Markee, that won't cut it!! Is he playing Mr. Innocent here? Or Mr Rather Enjoying the Situation! Two women fighting over him, and all he does is smile sweetly, say \"talk to you soon\" (when is \"soon\"? )and swan off. And did Rebecca see him touch Bridget on the back of the neck? Talk about fanning the flames....!!!"}, {"response": 145, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Apr 27, 1998 (12:43)", "body": "Now, who was advocating dumping the true and loyal friend depicted here? I couldn't have put it better than Jude though: Rebecca is a \"rubbish girlfriend.\" hee hee It wasn't planned and the advice they normally give, I wouldn't give a dog! Yeah, they came thru in the end. But with girlfriends like that who needs enemies;) Sorry, Markee, that won't cut it!! Is he playing Mr. Innocent here? Men belong in the Bhutanese highlands when women are fighting over a 75% markdown on a Prada bag! HEE HEE!!! But I don't see Prada EVER marking down 75%;p"}, {"response": 146, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 28, 1998 (19:45)", "body": "Question: Thought I'd just throw this one out and see what everyone had to say. Well, did Rebecca shag Mark (as true and loyal friends wanted to know)? Please remember that Mark doesn't seem to have a great deal of self-control in this area. I've seen lots of \"mmmmmms\" throughout and Mark and Bridget did on their first date in the book, when he whisks her off on Christmas Day."}, {"response": 147, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Apr 28, 1998 (19:58)", "body": "As Karen knows my answer, here it is for the rest of you. I say no. Because, the way Rebecca says quoting from memory here, \"We have a peculiar relationship.\" Meaning, I'm trying, haven't quite succeeded yet. I think Mark is totally nuts about Bridget, but hell, she can be trying at times. This time away from each other is a good thing. Although, its driving us nuts!!! He doesn't save Rebecca from the *women*, and he is enjoying this little scene. What guy wouldn't actually? He does tell Bridget he'll talk to her soon. How soon. who knows, but he's mad about her. He figured out Rebecca and realised that was NOT what he wants. Sorry for ranting;p"}, {"response": 148, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Apr 30, 1998 (10:57)", "body": "Well, did Rebecca shag Mark (as true and loyal friends wanted to know)? Well, they have been swimming together, and he was looking at her lustfully, and why was his shirt undone in the taxi? And his taste in women (pre-Bridget) has been rather suspect.....a wife who slept with someone else two weeks after the wedding, and the terribly elegant but not-so-nice Natasha!! Doesn't look good! BUT, BUT, BUT, I think he's remaining true to BJ, although perhaps tempted to do otherwise! :-)"}, {"response": 149, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 30, 1998 (19:38)", "body": "(Bethan) why was his shirt undone in the taxi? We better find out what was going on in this scene!!! BTW, I do tend to agree with you that nothing has happened between Mark and Rebecca, even though she is giving it ALL she's got!! I was just interested in others' opinions."}, {"response": 150, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May  2, 1998 (21:10)", "body": "\"Garrrrr! You black-livered devils from hell, I'm gonna eat yer kidneys.\" I've had it with that woman (i.e., Helen Fielding). This roller-coaster ride is driving me nuts! Has everyone seen the May Vogue (U.S.) with the Bridget excerpt? Only a couple of paragraphs introing the BJ phenomenon. I did a quick scan of the article and as had been pointed out to me, the only changes were from stones to lbs. and the use of lottery tickets for 'instants.' Like, duh, we couldn't figure that one out, although multiplying by 14 is rather a pencil-and-paper-type thing!! ;-) Now, I think I've figured out this week's installment. Helen has been v. sly here. Using the name Rebecca must have some significance. First thought was Ken Follet's Key to Rebecca. Ah-ha!!! The columns have been written in code!! So I've consulted the original and (much better) Du Mauier Rebecca and have come to the conclusion that Mark=Maxim and Rebecca=you know.... So Mark/Maxim is taking Rebecca up to Scotland, where there are lots of lochs and he will put her in a boat, drive lots of holes thr ugh the planking and sink the Jellyfish!! Well...at least it stopped me from ranting about what a f***wit Mark still is!!"}, {"response": 151, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, May  4, 1998 (13:44)", "body": "Hee Hee, Karen, very funny indeed!!! Now, why didn't I think of that!!! But you are right, HF and MD are playing head games here. And it's getting old AND to true to life!!!! Gaaaaaahhhh!!! Bridget needs to find NEW BULL and throw away OLD BULL. Maybe, and this would be wonderful, albeit, childish, \"I'll get you back, you sod!\" Bridget it's time to call Daniel and show up in Scotland looking all luvvy, duvvy. And totally pissing MD off!!!! Bridget has to stop feeling sorry for herself and DO something. Like dump him!!! He's not worth it, actually. He's got too many problems."}, {"response": 152, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May  4, 1998 (16:11)", "body": "...but I like OLD BULL...lots! Major melting factors at work here. ;-)"}, {"response": 153, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, May  4, 1998 (17:21)", "body": "...but I like OLD BULL...lots! Major melting factors at work here. ;-) OLD BULL has way too many problems and is not healthy to OLD COW and NEW COW is a jellyfisher!!! hee hee. Karen nobody has any clue what we are talking about!! hee hee."}, {"response": 154, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  6, 1998 (00:58)", "body": "From the Desk of Dr. Marie Goodall Cofounder and Director of the Institute for the Study of Pathological Narcissism Subject M is a physically superior male of the species, dominant in class structure and much sought after by highly overbred females. Tested monogamous relationship with female member of cruel species that did not last since such permanent-type pair bonding only successful in 3% of animal kingdom. Current relationship cycle falls into parameters for annual monogamy, in which a pair stays together for only one breeding season and then finds new partners. Additional Study Needed: 1. Is Subject M ddriven by insecurity and low self-esteem and acting out of the fog of his own confusion? (Myth of Male Shyness) Initial meetings between Old Cow and Subject Bull may support; empirical evidence that Subject admitted his insecurity and was convinced that Old Current (was then potential New Cow) was not interested in him. Would indicate latent narcissism, fear of rejection compelling him to seek attention from New Cow ad mauseum et infinitum. 2. Does Subject M's behavior show evidence of the Coolidge Effect? \"A male, after engaging in a romantic and sexual relationship with a female for a period of time...grows increasingly bored with his previously New Cow...usually referred to as the 'itch'....At present writing there is no cure....\" 3. Is Subject M's Current Cow relationship a manifestation of gynogenetic reproduction, wherein a male services females of another species in order to become more attractive to females of own species? Initial Conclusions: Subject M exhibiting classic signs of nonempathetic sociopathic behavior Prognosis: Ass-holicism Next stage: Imminent appearance of Old Cow bovine-icide. Moo"}, {"response": 155, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, May  6, 1998 (12:46)", "body": "Nah, subject M is just an arsehole! hee hee."}, {"response": 156, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  6, 1998 (14:57)", "body": "Could anyone explain or describe what is meant by \"terraced\" houses. To me, a terrace is a balcony, but I know this is not how it is being used. Is it just a multilevel house? In case anyone is wondering what Laura and I are talking about, it comes from the book Animal Husbandry by Laura Zigman. It came out at the beginning of the year and is really funny and a natural for all of us Bridget fans. What you have in this book, is a young woman who gets taken in by this guy at work, he abruptly dumps her, she loses her apt in NYC because she had agreed to live with the guy in a new apt, and moves in with another guy from work who is a well-known womanizer. She begins to n tice certain behaviors and starts doing research into psychology, zoology, you name it to better understand the male animal. She comes up with the Old Cow-New Cow theory. She starts documenting the various phases in relationships and cites analogous behaviors from the animal world, eventually becoming in her own words a \"crazy monkey scientist.\" Highly recommended reading. Should only take a couple of days. BTW, no other insights on Bridget? or Mark? Or is everyone just toooooo disgusted for words?"}, {"response": 157, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  6, 1998 (15:55)", "body": ""}, {"response": 158, "author": "AllisonM", "date": "Wed, May  6, 1998 (16:21)", "body": "(Karen)Could anyone explain or describe what is meant by \"terraced\" houses. A terrace of houses is a row of houses, each joined to the next. In a very densely populated country like England, it is a very common form of housing. London is full of terraced houses built in the last century. Bridget assumes that Mark Darcy will live in a terraced house in Holland Park (a v expensive area of London). That would still be a very desirable home but in fact he lives in the Boltons or somewhere, a small area of Holland Park where the houses are HUGE and magnificent and cost lots and l ts of millions of pounds (even more dollars)! I hope that was the reference to terraced houses that was worrying you."}, {"response": 159, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, May  6, 1998 (16:23)", "body": "And he has a detached house to boot!! Karen, similar to row houses here!!"}, {"response": 160, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  6, 1998 (17:14)", "body": "Thanks, Allison, I can understand row houses. We have them here too, but why they are called terraced houses shall remain a mystery. ;-)"}, {"response": 161, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May  9, 1998 (21:16)", "body": "Initial Reaction: Can anyone be THAT stupid? Does Helen Fielding really expect us to believe that Mark Darcy is as insecure as Bridget? He has asked her if she *cared* for him before (remember his job offer in Japan). As far as I can see, nothing occurred before the country home weekend that would lead him to believe Bridget didn't *care* for him. Which leaves us with the Weekend from Hell. What really set him off on this path of self/Bridget doubt? It can't be Sinjun--that would be an insult to our collective intelligence. What was it? Perhaps, that Bridget just left him in Rebecca's clutches. Maybe he thought that a sign of caring should be to be more possessive of him in the face of the enemy. He expected a woman in love to claw the eyes out of another female who tried to encroach on her territory. That might explain why he felt his place was in the Bhutanese Highlands--although from there, he would not have a good ringside seat at his desired catfight. Hmmmm, was Mark Darcy forcefed a diet of Dynasty in his childhood. Does he picture himself as Blake Carrington, with Bridget as the wonderful C(K)rystal and Rebecca as Alexis? Is there a swimming pool or a fountain nearby? But, this afternoon, whilst cleaning tree debris off my *rooftop terrace,* the thoughts of Daniel Cleaver kept haunting me. Yes, Mark Darcy is as insecure as Bridget but he has a polished facade--necessary for his profession--that rarely gives him away. He was incredibly hurt by what happened with his marriage and like good old Fitzwilliam William there will always be the nagging question of whether a woman loves him or his wealth/social position. He needs that constant reinforcement because he was hum liated and cuckholded just after the wedding. How would that affect you. Then he goes out with a stream of women who are as real as a three dollar bill and have the emotional depth of a kiddie wading pool. He's insecure and he's been insecure since the first time we've laid eyes on him. He admitted it in the book to Bridget. He didn't think she liked him because he looked dorky at the Turkey Curry Buffet at the beginning. Now, Laura keeps berating me, calling me a Darcy Apologist. Now who needs to apologize for someone who's *perfect.* It's the Lizzy character who's a huge dummy IMO. Kate: I've got a question for you. Mark is a human rights barrister. What would that be equivalent to in the U.S. Is he a defense attorney? Civil or criminal? Is it more in the vein of a Constitutional Lawyer who concentrates on Bill of Rights matters?"}, {"response": 162, "author": "Kate", "date": "Sun, May 10, 1998 (05:03)", "body": "Kate: I've got a question for you. Mark is a human rights barrister. What would that be equivalent to in the U.S. Is he a defense attorney? Civil or criminal? Is it more in the vein of a Constitutional Lawyer who concentrates on Bill of Rights matters? Yes, well, I don't know that Helen Fielding really understands the English legal profession, but anyway. In England (among other places) the legal profession is divided into solicitors and barristers. Barristers basically do work in court - they are the ones who wear wigs and gowns and stand up questioning witnesses in episodes of Rumpole...They also do court-related paperwork. Solicitors do everything else - write wills, draft contracts, draft pleadings in cases, etc etc. Barristers are not able to deal directly with clients. If you have to go to court in england, you consult a solicitor, who then retains a barrister on your behalf. Solicitors work in partnerships - often very large, whereas barristers work solo - they share chambers, but their practices are quite separate, and they are entirely dependent on their own skills. Barristers tend to develop specialist skills, so they might specialise in criminal defence, or patent work, or negligence or whatever. But, strictly speaking, they are obliged to take whatever case is offered to them, providing they have time. This is called the \"cab rank\" principle, and it is meant to ensure that everyone, however unsavoury, gets legal representation (assuming he or she can pay!) So, what's a human rights barrister? Well, given that England doesn't have a bill of rights, this is a fairly rare breed. The example whom I think MD is modelled on is Geoffrey Robertson, who is a barrister who often takes on cases involving human rights issues. \"Human Rights\" is what you in the US would understand to be first amendment issues (freedom of expression, freedom of religion, association), as well as fourteenth amendment issues (equality, privacy). In some cases it would involve criminal l w issues, but mostly to do with punishment (eg anti death penalty - although there is no death penalty in the UK, the Privy Council, which is a British court, hears death penalty cases from Jamaica, and Geoffrey Robertson and others have been involved in these) and the treatment of prisoners. It might also involve wider human rights issues such as access to education and health, the protection of children, the disabled, homeless rights etc. So the rough US equivalent would be an attorney who does mostly court based work in Bill of Rights matters, but other human rights issues too. What I don't understand is when Helen Fielding spoke of MD being offered a job in Japan. First of all, it's virtually impossible for foreign lawyers to practice law in Japan - apart from the language issues, they are very resistant to giving foreigners licences to practice. And secondly, barristers don't really have \"a job\" - they work for themselves. As such, they are very dependent on maintaining good and continuous relationships with solicitors - and heading off overseas for long periods would not b a good way of doing this, unless one had a very well established reputation, which I think MD is a bit young to have established."}, {"response": 163, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, May 10, 1998 (13:01)", "body": "Karen, just a hurried posting to say I agree with your \"insecure MD\" analysis. A bad marriage must have left him prone to self-doubtand with a need for reassurance. And in the book, doesn't Bridget's mum say that Mark works all the time and is very lonely (ie not a womaniser) But what exactly is he DOING with Rebecca? Holding hands, discussing whether Bridget loves him? Is he rather enjoying the situation, instead of resolving it? BTW, what do you think HF will do with the screenplay for the movie? Do you suppose she will base it directly on the book, with the P&P parallels, or will she move the story-line forward into different territory? I would think they must be starting filming soon if it's to be this year. Most London based location movies have to be shot in the summer because of the climate and lighting. Unless you want grey days and pouring rain!"}, {"response": 164, "author": "Charlie1", "date": "Mon, May 11, 1998 (10:24)", "body": "Hallooooooo!. Is this a girls only thang, or is there room for a blokey who's just got hooked on BJD? Ho hum, top notch book anyway - kept me up til 5am. Which paper is the diary printed in??"}, {"response": 165, "author": "Kate", "date": "Mon, May 11, 1998 (12:58)", "body": "Charlie, you will find that much of our discussion relates to our mutual obsession with the OTHER Darcy, but feel free to join in. Helen Fielding has a weekly BJ's Diary column in the Telegraph, in the etcetera page every Saturday. If you check their archives on the web, you can read previous weeks' installments too, Here's the web address for etcetera http://www.telegraph.co.uk/et?ac=000126890151976&rtmo=99999999&atmo=99999999&pg=/etc/etchome.html Scroll to the end, and you find a link to BJ"}, {"response": 166, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, May 11, 1998 (13:44)", "body": "(Karen)Now, Laura keeps berating me, calling me a Darcy Apologist. Now who needs to apologize for someone who's *perfect.* It's the Lizzy character who's a huge dummy IMO. I'm sorry guys, but this man is an idiot!!! His line to Bridget is too ambiguous. What does he want her jumping up and down telling him she loves him? Okay, I will allow that she thinks things more than she actually comes out and says them. But, what I see here is a definite breakdown in communication. Had they just took the time to ask the relevant questions, this could have been avoided. (Kate)So the rough US equivalent would be an attorney who does mostly court based work in Bill of Rights matters, but other human rights issues too. This is something right up my alley. I studied Con Law when Pre-Law at Suffolk University which, btw, has a wonderful Law School. I remember watching a Dalziel and Pascoe show and one of the characters pleaded the 5th amendment,and I distincly remember yelling at my television that HE couldn't plea the 5th!"}, {"response": 167, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, May 11, 1998 (15:19)", "body": "(Charlie) Is this a girls only thang, By no means, Charlie. Please do join in...and glad welcome :-) I'm behind on my BJ reading...gotta check out etcetera. Get back to you later."}, {"response": 168, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 11, 1998 (16:58)", "body": "Thanks Kate for the info. That Japan thing really threw me as well. What would he do in Japan...but then again he didn't get real specific...maybe he would be doing what you're doing!! ;-) Nan, get cracking!!"}, {"response": 169, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, May 11, 1998 (17:07)", "body": "Who else thinks this Gary person is just the person to help Bridget overcome Mark? Well, maybe not overcome him, but shake Mark up a bit. I've been telling Karen that this Gary person has come around for a reason and why else would he show up unexpectantly? I think he likes Bridget."}, {"response": 170, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 11, 1998 (19:45)", "body": "Re This Supposed Ambiguity I really didn't think any other than Mark meant that he didn't know whether Bridget cared for him NOT that he didn't know whether Bridget cared whether he messed around with Rebecca. But shouldn't he have known after the restaurant incident and WHY didn't he call her as he said. Of course, Bridget should not have waited a week to finally call him. She could have nipped Scotland in the bud. Gary Helen is going to have to give a description of him because the picture I have in my mind is not conducive to being a *love* interest or *jealousy* interest!"}, {"response": 171, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, May 11, 1998 (19:54)", "body": "But shouldn't he have known after the restaurant incident and WHY didn't he call her as he said. Of course, Bridget should not have waited a week to finally call him. She could have nipped Scotland in the bud. And that be where the trouble lies. She isn't overtly saying to him that she wants him. So he feels it may be better to be with someone who at least tells him what he wants to hear. Bridget internalises everything. She needs to open up more. I am over analysing this to death!!!! UGH!!! Get thee(me) a life!!!! I imagine Gary to be around mid-30. Short dark hair, tall about 6' body that looks like he goes to the gym everyday, but alas, the guy has no brains all brawn! Well, a girl can drool can't she? hee hee"}, {"response": 172, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, May 16, 1998 (01:51)", "body": "Laura-- I remember watching a Dalziel and Pascoe show and one of the characters pleaded the 5th amendment,and I distincly remember yelling at my television that HE couldn't plea the 5th! } I noticed the same thing!! ----- Karen--Helen is going to have to give a description of him because the picture I have in my mind is not conducive to being a *love* interest or *jealousy* interest! } I'm seeing a refrigerator repair man with a butt-crack!"}, {"response": 173, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, May 16, 1998 (02:14)", "body": "Toooooo painful! MD needs a good pummeling after this latest stunt! Jerk! (and Magda isn't far behind, b---h!)"}, {"response": 174, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, May 16, 1998 (15:52)", "body": "I figured it out!!! Mark was a test subject for Viagara!!! And its finally catching up to him. Personally, I think these two people are sluts!!:) Sorry, Karen, I know you're a Darcy apologist, but this is completely out of hand!!!! Bridget, dump the guy and find someone nice. That is my advice."}, {"response": 175, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 16, 1998 (16:49)", "body": "(Ann) I'm seeing a refrigerator repair man with a butt-crack! Same here. :-)"}, {"response": 176, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May 17, 1998 (17:04)", "body": "Re: Saturday's Installment: This is a relationship?? The guy is looking for a cheap lay..fergawdsakes!! Doesn't even have the decency to Buy her flowers...has to steal 'em en route. Give that girl a \"Rules\" book."}, {"response": 177, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, May 18, 1998 (02:56)", "body": "Okay, I'm all caught up with my reading. Of course, I would catch up at a time when it's particularly juicy. Next Saturday seems like eons away :-("}, {"response": 178, "author": "Ann", "date": "Mon, May 18, 1998 (04:46)", "body": "I just read it this week for the first time. It was so nice to be able to read 67 pages straight, without waiting for the next installment. The waiting is going to drive me nuts!"}, {"response": 179, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 20, 1998 (19:37)", "body": "This week's took me a little longer than most to figure out. OK, here goes...ARE YOU LISTENING, HELEN? Mark did tell Rebecca that he's back with Bridget, but she got all teary and lied that she had already made plans to have a dinner party. Being the *sweetie* that he is, he agreed to play along and then she wouldn't have to call off the party and be humiliated in front of her friends. BTW, the Washington Post article on Helen Fielding imminent arrival (officially) on our shores mentions that Kate Winslet is being considered to play Bridget, both having weight problems. Argh, but better than Gwennyth!!"}, {"response": 180, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, May 20, 1998 (20:50)", "body": "I DO NOT THINK MARK AND BRIDGET ARE BACK TOGETHER!!! He came (pun intended) for one thing and one thing only!!!"}, {"response": 181, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, May 20, 1998 (20:57)", "body": "Kate Winslet is being considered to play Bridget What a cop out. Bridget is a thirtysomething, Kate Winslett is a hardly twentysomething. What would she know of rejection, heartache and parents desperate to marry her off."}, {"response": 182, "author": "Ann", "date": "Wed, May 20, 1998 (21:09)", "body": "I agree with you, Allison. Bridget is absolutely 30 something. That's half the point. To have an ingenue play the role would be silly. Bridget's clock is ticking, and she's been scarred by years of dating failures. Having a sweet young thing play her would be ludicrous! Karen-- Stop being a Darcy apologist!!!"}, {"response": 183, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 21, 1998 (15:48)", "body": "Darcy POV I prefer to view it as *the other, more rational POV*!!! ;-) Are we supposed to really take Bridget's alcohol-pickled peabrain as capable of discerning anything. All we have to do is go back to the source. Elizabeth Bennet, a major peabrain. She didn't deserve Darcy. If she hadn't stumbled into him at Pemberley, she wouldn't have gotten together with him. On the other hand, he was perfect. She was just too proud (and stupid) to see it. American Edition I also noticed that the publishers have changed the use of her calling 1471 to voice mail. Winslet Agreed. No way."}, {"response": 184, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, May 21, 1998 (15:56)", "body": "I prefer to view it as *the other, more rational POV*!!! ;-) Are we supposed to really take Bridget's alcohol-pickled peabrain as capable of discerning anything. All we have to do is go back to the source. Elizabeth Bennet, a major peabrain. She didn't deserve Darcy. If she hadn't stumbled into him at Pemberley, she wouldn't have gotten together with him. On the other hand, he was perfect. She was just too proud (and stupid) to see it. I think Karen needs therapy to stop being a Darcy Apologist!!! hee hee. Karen, give it up. The guy is scum!!!! No lower than scum!!!"}, {"response": 185, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 21, 1998 (22:50)", "body": "Karen: Elizabeth Bennet, a major peabrain. She didn't deserve Darcy. If she hadn't stumbled into him at Pemberley, she wouldn't have gotten together with him. On the other hand, he was perfect. She was just too proud (and stupid) to see it Hey , Karen...Marry a guy who doesn't respect your family (I didn't say like) And doesn't respect you and you're in for it ...Big Time. Lizzie put him in his place and he loved her more for it."}, {"response": 186, "author": "Ann", "date": "Fri, May 22, 1998 (05:15)", "body": "Nick Hornby, author of \"Fever Pitch\", was on line earlier today in the Barnes and Noble chat room. I asked him what British authors currently writing were worth the difficulty to procure from America. He only gave one title: \"Bridget Jones' Diary\". I had to laugh, because he named probably the only title that I was already familiar with."}, {"response": 187, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, May 22, 1998 (10:08)", "body": "On Mark Darcy...I think he's great in the book, and in most of the weekly installments, but I'm not sure what HF is doing to him at the moment. His shirt is always open, and he runs to Bridget's flat, and picks flowers from the garden????!! What's happened to the seriously sexy, dark-suited, rich and successful barrister? Kate Winslett...NO! NO! But, she's mega box office and that's what oftencounts in casting, even if the essence of the book is destroyed. I hope they do what HF wants and cast a relative unknown, who's right for the part, (and CF, of course!)"}, {"response": 188, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 22, 1998 (15:11)", "body": "I knew after I wrote the comment about Elizabeth Bennet that you (Evelyn) might take umbrage. Of course, I'm only referring to the fictional character and not the brilliantly talent actress who played her. ;-) But her family was the pits! Yes, he got put down a bit and corrected the *minor* flaw he had, but she made *major* errors in judgment. She should have listened to big sister who could really peg them. I do have to agree with Bethan. HF's characterization of MD has thus far only been favorable. She has had him rush over on numerous occasions when he sensed Bridget was feeling badly, not only when he wanted a little roll in the hay. She adores him, just like she adores Darcy and Colin. The part that bugs me is that we don't hear what MD has had to say to Bridget. That mysterious explanation. What were those *moonie* things that were going on in their last phone call. Remember, we are only seeing things through Bridget's eyes. I thought we needed another possible POV. Casting Choices I kind of like that Helen Baxendale (???) the only who is playing Cordelia Gray in the Mystery series, \"An Unsuitable Job for a Woman\" and is the woman that Ross is to marry in \"Friends.\" She is very average looking, but has the potential to be pretty. Also, she is not anorexic. The only thing is I wonder how she would do playing a major ditz. Saying that an \"unknown\" is being sought is often a ploy used to get major stars to take less $$$$$ for a part, BTW. Gwynneth Paltrow I think is suffering from the opposite of Colin. She is overexposed."}, {"response": 189, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, May 22, 1998 (21:51)", "body": "I've often thought that Mr Darcy (P&P model) must have been absolutely besotted with Lizzie, to take on Wickham and Lydia as in-laws (feckless, always in need of financial support), two unmarried sisters-in-law (in need of doweries), a dreadful mother-in-law, and, if Mr Bennet died, a family without a home. Although I guess that Pemberley was large enough to accommodate Mrs B. And he already had Georgiana to provide for. and he'd parted with \ufffd10,000 to save Lydia's honour. He got Lizzie, but he's paying h avily! BTW, confirmation that BJ's Diary is shooting this summer...see my message on #59. No mention of casting as yet. How about Jennifer Ehle as BJ? She must be 28 or 29 by now, so an early thirties role would be OK for her. Better than Kate Winslett!"}, {"response": 190, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, May 23, 1998 (01:39)", "body": "(Bethan) I've often thought that Mr Darcy (P&P model) must have been absolutely besotted with Lizzie...... He got Lizzie, but he's paying heavily He got his $$$worth....or I should say UKP!!! (Karen) but she made *major* errors in judgment. She should have listened to big sister who could really peg them. True. Esp. on Wickam. ."}, {"response": 191, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, May 23, 1998 (01:46)", "body": "(Bethan) How about Jennifer Ehle as BJ? She must be 28 or 29 by now, so an early thirties role would be OK JE is 28; but she starts filming \"Sunshine\" with Ralph Fiennes and her mum on July 15th and the shoot goes through December \"98!! (IMDb) RF is a perfectionist!!! The woman must be worn-out...has shot two films this spring!!"}, {"response": 192, "author": "Kate", "date": "Sat, May 23, 1998 (02:56)", "body": "Well, there you have it. No excuses for MD any more. He was cheating on Rebecca with Bridget, not the other way around, or so he would have her believe. Can someone explain the Mary Bell reference?"}, {"response": 193, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, May 23, 1998 (08:32)", "body": "Disappointing, especially with the movie about to roll. Maybe MD isn't such a great part after all! Is HF killing off the goose that laid the golden egg?"}, {"response": 194, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, May 23, 1998 (15:53)", "body": "Any reference HF makes she takes, I'm finding right out of the London Times newspaper. I believe Mary Bell was in Tuesday's paper. I think that Mark Darcy is totally screwed up right now and he's taking Bridget and Rebecca with him. He wants his cake and eat it too. Men love the idea of two women wanting them, and it is feeding his ego. Which has now become the size of Ireland! Fuckwittage isn't his problem its who he wants that is his problem."}, {"response": 195, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, May 23, 1998 (15:56)", "body": "Mary Bell is a convicted child killer. she was 19 or 20 when she did it in 1978. she sold her story and a couple of weeks ago there was a big uproar that she was getting money for her crime. Mary Bell has 14 year old daughter who had no clue that she was a convicted killer and recently found out. It destroyed her."}, {"response": 196, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, May 23, 1998 (19:50)", "body": "(MD) \"I'm involved in this mess with Rebecca. I can't make another mess so soon\". (Kate) He was cheating on Rebecca with Bridget, not the other way around, or so he would have her believe. What a rat. He deceived ALL OF US!! Am I glad he isn't on my list of Freebies!!"}, {"response": 197, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 23, 1998 (20:20)", "body": "I will need sometime before I can respond intelligently, rationally, etc. (hee hee). On the way home, I nearly took out about a dozen rollerbladers who began to look like Helen Fielding as I got closer and closer to them with my car.... But NOW, she's going to start making a plan? Is her mouth sewn shut? What about LOVE???? Doesn't she SEE the openings?? Come on, guys, Rebecca is just plain smarter than Bridget. Mark is your basic insecure type. We've been through this before. He *thinks* he is doing the honorable thing staying with Rebecca because SHE is putting something into their relationship, not like Bridget who is tooo insecure to do anything herself. The blind leading the blind. I am betting that there's a big showdown a Jude's wedding. Can't you just see Bridget pushing Rebecca's head into a bowl of punch or something??"}, {"response": 198, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 23, 1998 (20:23)", "body": "Another P&P Observation: Remember at the end which of Lizzy's relations visited them at Pemberley. I seem to recall only the Gardiners and Mr. Bennet. So, while he may have accepted her family, they didn't become frequent Derbyshire drop-ins. ;-) HELEN FIELDING, YOU RUINED MY WEEKEND!!"}, {"response": 199, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, May 23, 1998 (20:54)", "body": "I think HF has (temporarily, I hope) lost the plot. But BJ does seem very wimpish...why doesn't she fight back instead of day dreaming about marrying Mark? Why didn't she throw the glass of wine in his face and show some character for once? He's a rich successful Cambridge-educated barrister....perhaps the equally rich Cambridge-educated Rebecca is more suitable for him... she's good at organising dinner parties and holidays, she moves in the same social crowd as he does, she's always there to give him su port and she must make it very obvious that she wants him!!! Who can blame him for feeling attracted and obligated.......and BJ just let it happen. What does BJ do for Mark (apart from the obvious)? Has that cheered you up, Karen? :-)"}, {"response": 200, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 23, 1998 (21:36)", "body": "Good try, Bethan, but only Mark Darcy huffing and puffing at my door, shirt undone, dying to come in would brighten my day. On surface, it would appear that Rebecca is more suitable for him, but she is only interested in him because he is successful barrister and is in with all the right people. At some point, Mark is going to realize that Rebecca doesn't really love him and he certainly doesn't love her. But it better be soon!!"}, {"response": 201, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, May 23, 1998 (23:00)", "body": "How's this for a scenario: CF has turned down the MD role and HF is mad as hell. \"Oh yeah. I'll fix you. He's not such a nice guy, after all.\""}, {"response": 202, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, May 23, 1998 (23:07)", "body": "\"Oh yeah. I'll fix you. He's not such a nice guy, after all.\" LOL!! Evelyn, I think you've got it!!"}, {"response": 203, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, May 24, 1998 (01:26)", "body": "\"Oh yeah. I'll fix you. He's not such a nice guy, after all.\" LOL!! Evelyn, I think you've got it!! ] That is the only possible reason for doing this. I don't think Rebecca is better or worse for Mark. He's just an idiot!! Karen, are you saying that you don't like MD anymore???? Hmmmmm......"}, {"response": 204, "author": "vlyne", "date": "Sun, May 24, 1998 (14:03)", "body": "I hope it's OK for a newbie to join in. I've been addicted to BJD since February and I'm very glad to find others. I have to admit that I'm a chronic Darcy Apologist, but after this week I'm not so sure I want Bridget to take him back. I've heard that HF is going to be in New York on June 8th. Are there any New Yorkers willing to go to the B&N at 4 Astor Place and find out why HF decided to ruin Mark Darcy? ;)"}, {"response": 205, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 24, 1998 (15:14)", "body": "Valerie: The more the merrier. Addiction, yes it certainly is and I was so proud of myself that I had given up smoking last fall. I didn't realize that I had replaced it with something else. Do go to B&N and do a Jude and Shaz on her? We need to know why she has turned MD into an invertebrate. (Laura) Karen, are you saying that you don't like MD anymore???? Hmmmmm No way, Josefina! I'm not as fickle as you. ;-) There's an explanation out there. I know it. I feel it in my bones. Translation Time Now that I can see straight, it's that time of the week: 1) That whole Loaded magazine, Which Car, What Car thing???? 2) What are 'furnishing fabrics'? 30 Where's Ubud? In case, you're wondering where I am, Laura, I'm downstairs at *my Gary's*!!"}, {"response": 206, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, May 24, 1998 (19:24)", "body": "\"Ruining\" Mark Darcy just when the movie is just about to roll is rather like throwing the baby out with the bathwater! We all need a happy ending......at least in the movies! But I reckon that true love can't be smooth, not when you've got a weekly column to write. I predict that Bridget will fight back (she still loves him) and he will redeem himself (he still loves her, sort of ), but not for several weeks.:-) Dunno where Ubud is. Furnishing fabrics=curtain/drapes material. Can't remember the references to Loaded etc, but Loaded is a laddish magazine. Is BJD on sale yet in the US?"}, {"response": 207, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May 24, 1998 (19:58)", "body": "Casting for Bridget: How about Minnie Driver with 30 Lbs (don't know that in \"stones\") Or Holly Aird (Sarah's flat-mate, Jo in FP) For Rebecca: Saffron Barrows (Nan, in CoF) Translation Time : ( a few weeks ago) \"munching on a fairy cake\" Worzel Gummidge \"slag off Princess Diana\" ( Valerie) Are there any New Yorkers willing to go to the B&N at 4 Astor Place and find out why HF decided to ruin Mark Darcy? There's one here in exile who would love to....... Go Valerie!!!"}, {"response": 208, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, May 24, 1998 (21:15)", "body": "In case, you're wondering where I am, Laura, I'm downstairs at *my Gary's*!! ] That's okay, I'm down the Cape at my Aunts house. At least you have a Gary. Who doesn't do much anyway;p I think that Minnie Driver would be a good Bridget. But I'd be better. I'd have to put some weight on, but one stone shouldn't kill me;p"}, {"response": 209, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 24, 1998 (21:51)", "body": "Minnie Driver would be good, but would she put the weight back on??? And, of course, Mark will redeem himself. He doesn't love Rebecca; he loves Bridget. It's just this godawful wait until he gets to be dreamy again!! Isn't \"slag off\" putting down? I'm pretty sure I looked it up, but can't remember!! :-("}, {"response": 210, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May 24, 1998 (22:11)", "body": "(Laura) I think that Minnie Driver would be a good Bridget. But I'd be better. I'd have to put some weight on, but one stone shouldn't kill me. Aw, shuddup!! Besides, it can't be anyone beautiful like Kate Winslet, or Jennifer Ehle(who were previusly mentioned) orYOU!"}, {"response": 211, "author": "Ann", "date": "Mon, May 25, 1998 (04:18)", "body": "Minnie Driver is too young for the part. Her b-day is 01/31/71 which makes her 27. Bridget it decidedly 30-something. I don't think the part should go to anyone under 32, and 34-36 would be preferable."}, {"response": 212, "author": "vlyne", "date": "Mon, May 25, 1998 (15:43)", "body": "Thanks for making me feel welcome! I would love to attend the BJD book reading, unfortunately, I don't live in NYC. There is a web site that lists upcoming author tour dates, but I'm not counting on a book reading near me. :( I shouldn't have said that MD is completely ruined for me, but he is definitely flawed. I've been making excuses for him week after week. I even accepted his \"I didn't know you cared\" excuse, but after this week he knows he is hurting Bridget but he won't stop doing it. It is going to take several 'romantic mini-breaks' before I feel he's made it up to her. ;) Here is who I would like to see in the movie: Imogen Stubbs (Lucy Steele, Sense & Sensibility) as Bridget; Greg Wise (Willoughby, S&S) as Daniel Cleaver; Patsy Kensit (Angels & Insects) as Rebecca; and Jane Horrocks (Ab Fab) as Sharon. I really hope this will be a British production. I was a little disappointed when I found out John Cusack is doing Nick Hornby's \"High Fidelity\"."}, {"response": 213, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, May 26, 1998 (04:47)", "body": "(Valerie) I hope it's OK for a newbie to join in. But, of course! Glad you found us ;-) (Bethan) We all need a happy ending......at least in the movies! But I reckon that true love can't be smooth, not when you've got a weekly column to write. This is a very good point, Bethan. I agree with Karen\ufffdthere *is* an explanation of some kind, but I don\ufffdt believe it will be one which completely exonerates him. I think it very likely that the situation is exactly what it appears to be; a stupid mistake brought on by miscommunication between M & B. The most appealing part of the book (for me, anyway) was how real it seemed. How many of us have thought or said things similar to some of the entries in B\ufffds diary? Life is messy and complete harmony is borin . In keeping with the spirit of the book, HF is creating some real life turmoil. If M & B were together and blissfully happy, who would bother to read the entries? I predict that Bridget will fight back (she still loves him) Well, it would be about time. Frankly, this whining, wounded, waiting-for-the-phone-call crap is getting on my nerves. Geez, woman! If he\ufffds that important to you then open your mouth, find out what\ufffds really going on (don\ufffdt just assume). Squeaky wheel gets the grease. Until she has a full conversation with Mark about it (not just one line of dialogue and a paragraph of mental suppositions) we\ufffdll never know why he\ufffds with Rebecca. and he will redeem himself (he still loves her, sort of ), I don\ufffdt know if he\ufffdll be able to redeem himself. Bridget got no explanation for the break up. Then again, I wasn\ufffdt entirely sure he wanted to break up, she said the words, not him. Then her insecurities got going and he went along with it because he\ufffds a fool. That didn\ufffdt make much sense, let me try that again ;-) Have you ever said something to a close friend and they completely misunderstood your intentions? You are so hurt that the friend doesn\ufffdt know you better--that they assume the worst of you. So y u just shut off, rather than correct the mistaken idea. Then you think to yourself, \ufffdFine. If that\ufffds what you think\ufffd and walk away. This is what that whole break up scene seemed to me. I can easily see a proud man walking away, rather than admit he\ufffds hurt. So now things are all screwed up because he\ufffds a jerk and she\ufffds a wuss. However (and this is a BIG however), there is nothing that can justify involving himself with one of Bridget\ufffds \ufffdfriends\ufffd. It was cruel, disrespectful and showed a tremendous lack of judgement (especially if he still has feelings for Bridget). So, IMO there is no way of redeeming himself there, but perhaps she could forgive him (more clutching for realism). Someone hurts you, you forgive him (for whatever reasons) and, hopefully, move on. Of course, I\ufffdm assuming that both parties are adults ;-p (Laura) I think that Minnie Driver would be a good Bridget. But I'd be better. I'd have to put some weight on, but one stone shouldn't kill me;p Laura, on behalf of all the women in the world who could not be considered skinny, I would just like to say: Tthhpphhtthhpphhtthh!!! ;-p"}, {"response": 214, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, May 26, 1998 (09:51)", "body": "Some translations that were requested: munching on a fairy-cake = eating a small cakey delicacy (v bourgeois) Worzel Gummidge = children's fictional scarecrow character (i.e. a mess) slag off = criticise Mary Bell & those nurses = Mary Bell, a convicted child-killer now receiving payment for contributing to psycho-book; two Brit nurses in Saudi jailed for life for killing Aussie flatmate, but now released in curious political deal Loaded/What Car etc = there are several magazines called \"What HiFi\", \"What Camera\", \"Which Car\" etc advising purchasers. Since the main feature of lads' magazine Loaded is scantily-clad semi-celebrities, Bridget thinks it could be called \"What Cleavage\". Hope nobody minds a contribution from another male"}, {"response": 215, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, May 26, 1998 (16:17)", "body": "(Mark) Hope nobody minds a contribution from another male Of course we don't mind! It's not your fault MD is a fool ;-) Thanks for the translations, especially the \"What Cleavage\" LOL! So, Mark--what do you think of all this? It's not often we get the opportunity to hear a man's POV."}, {"response": 216, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 26, 1998 (16:59)", "body": "(Valerie) There is a web site that lists upcoming author tour dates Could you post it here? I'm dying to know if HF will be coming to my city. (Nan) However (and this is a BIG however), there is nothing that can justify involving himself with one of Bridget\ufffds \ufffdfriends\ufffd. OK, even if we start with the premise that Rebecca isn't really a \"friend,\" it does happen in real life. I agree, it is despicable of him and shows he has little if any judgment. Then, the question becomes \"should\" Bridget take him back if and when he comes to his senses, finds out what boyfriend-pinching jellyfisher she is and that she does this only for sport? It's going to be interesting to see how HF brings B&M back together. Will we buy it? How did Rebecca do it? That boy was 100% primetime in love with her. (Mark) Hope nobody minds a contribution from another male Not at all!! Does the \"G\" stand for \"good\" Mark as opposed to the \"bad\" Mark under discussion? ;-)"}, {"response": 217, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, May 26, 1998 (18:30)", "body": "A defence of MD (I think!) He's rich and successful but deeply scarred by his wife's unfaithfulness and his failed marriage. When he sees Bridget kissing Sinjun (and that is what he sees), he is deeply hurt and his pride is wounded. Bridget makes matters worse by mentioning \"breaking up\". He retreats, hurt, but does eventually phone her. BJ, encouraged by her idiotic friends, harangues him a la Linda Florentino (?) and refuses to listen to his (so far) innocent explanation. His pride deeply wounded (\"I will not pester you again\"), e seeks solace (no longer innocent) in Rebecca, who promptly ensnares him in her social network ( along with Magda and Jude). He is now in a mess but is still in love (deep down) with Bridget. BUT (the defence falters) he is basically insecure (his wife cheated on him, great dent to male ego) and he starts to enjoy the fact that two women want him (wife and mistress scenario), and ,like all males, he also wants to avoid confrontation (with Rebecca). But. MD, be warned, I agree with Karen, Rebecca does this for sport. Once she's got her trophy, he'll be dumped, and more insecure than ever. MD has little if any judgement . Perhaps not with women... a cheating wife, the elegant bossy Natasha, and the man-eating Rebecca. We need a male POV on this. How about it, Mark?"}, {"response": 218, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 26, 1998 (19:51)", "body": "Yeah, Mark. We need your POV on the BJ &MD situation. And while you're at it.... (Mark) munching on a fairy-cake = eating a small cakey delicacy (v bourgeois) I'm a little dense...what is the \"cakey delicacy\" and Why is it Bourgeois? (This is turning into a FAQ on British pastries!!) Thank you for coming to our rescue on the translations."}, {"response": 219, "author": "Kate", "date": "Tue, May 26, 1998 (20:57)", "body": "HF's tour. I am HOPING to be at Astor Place B&N on June 8 to get the dirt but I am on a plane that day which is scheduled to arrive at Kennedy at 5:45. Baring late aircraft, and traffic jams, I should make it, at least in time to get my copy signed and ask some key questions. (it's just around the corner from my place) So, what should I ask? 1. Who is going to play MD in the movie? 2. What the hell is MD up to? 3. Where did the column appear before the Telegraph, and how can we get to it? Any others? (KarenR: this has a certain deja vu about it: remember AS Byatt?? ;-)) There is a post on Pemberley about a book reading time and date in DC (see ramble). I checked the book reading site, and no other times/locations are listed yet. However, will keep you posted."}, {"response": 220, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 27, 1998 (02:09)", "body": "(Kate) Re: HF Booksigning on 6/8 what should I ask? Who is to play Bridget.? When will the film start shooting? Be released? I envy you . Wish we could all accompany you. Will be eager to get your report......that night.......no rest for the weary!! Someone pl explain: \"AS Byatt\""}, {"response": 221, "author": "Kate", "date": "Wed, May 27, 1998 (03:43)", "body": "Someone pl explain: \"AS Byatt\" AS Byatt, author of \"Possession\". We discussed Possession (a great book, BTW) in the Library at Pemberley. We had a big debate about whether one of the characters was, or was not, a lesbian. So when she came to do a reading of her latest book in NYC, I went along to ask the question.... So you can see I'm experienced in the dirt digging role!"}, {"response": 222, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, May 27, 1998 (08:17)", "body": "Male POV - Bethan is spot on: MD would have to be superMAN to see easily through blonde, long-legged, organiser-of-social-life, especially when feeling dumped by confused and confusing BJ. Are you girls taking the P&P analogy too far in your expectations of this Darcy? *Fairy-cake* - used for a variety of small, often home-made, sponge-cakes - I think they have overtones of middle-class people imagining they mimic upper-class people's taste for dainties - other Brits may disagree. Who should play BJ and MD? Isn't Colin Firth a cert? I am so impressed by US knowledge of suitable British actresses, but I would like to suggest Louise Lombard (known to UK for The House of Eliott, but poss unknown enough to the rest of the world to suit HF)"}, {"response": 223, "author": "Kate", "date": "Wed, May 27, 1998 (12:39)", "body": "Louise Lombard Louise Lombard worried about being over 9 stone??? I don't think so!!!"}, {"response": 224, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, May 27, 1998 (12:44)", "body": "(Mark G)Are you girls taking the P&P analogy too far in your expectations of this Darcy? YES!!! I don't think she is following the P&P thing anymore. It was just for the book!!!"}, {"response": 225, "author": "vlyne", "date": "Wed, May 27, 1998 (14:45)", "body": "(Karen) \"Bookwire.com\" is the web site that lists upcoming author tours. When you get to the site click on \"Authors on the Highway\". I wish I could say Bookwire had a complete listing, but I think it leaves out some of the smaller venues (and a few of the not-so-small venues). Questions for HF: I don't know if this has already been discussed, but I'm curious about whether that interview with Colin Firth actually took place? Also, does HF feel that Bridget has to remain a singleton? (Maybe this is why she split up BJ & MD?) Of course, you can't forget Bridget's standby questions: What is your favorite color? & What is your favorite pudding? ;-) Louise Lombard as Bridget? Great idea!"}, {"response": 226, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 27, 1998 (15:12)", "body": "Media Alert: New York Times Book reviewed BJD and related article yesterday, but it is still on today. Good picture of HF. URL: nytimes.com/books/ Thanks Mark.for all the translations."}, {"response": 227, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 27, 1998 (16:24)", "body": "Bethan's Defense Ah hah, so I can't be labeled the *only* Darcy apologist here anymore!! But I must add something funny that I saw recently in the trailer to the new Harrison Ford movie, Six Days Seven Nights (?) which also goes to something Mark said about our, perhaps, too lofty expectations for Darcy. In the trailer, Harrison Ford asks Anne Heche 'what does a woman have to do to turn a guy on.' I don't remember if she answers or not, but his answer is 'Just show up. We're very basic, not complicated.' Louise Lombard Oh, I remember her from House of Eliot. Has she been in anything lately? Must check the IMDb. (Valerie) I wish I could say Bookwire had a complete listing, but I think it leaves out some of the smaller venues (and a few of the not-so-small venues). Thanks for the info, but have no fear, I'm not in one of the smaller venues. A.S. Byatt How could I forget, Kate!! But I know deep down that, if I had posed the question to Byatt, we might have had a different response! ;-) And we would have known the mystery man's identity!!"}, {"response": 228, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 27, 1998 (17:34)", "body": "Are you girls taking the P&P analogy too far in your expectations of this Darcy? Yes and No. Plotwise, it is basically over. But in terms of characters, it would be inconceivable to me that their P&Pness wouldn't carry over into the columns. An author does not change a character. If Mark Darcy is supposed to be like Fitzwilliam Darcy (as played by Colin Firth) then it would continue."}, {"response": 229, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, May 27, 1998 (18:48)", "body": "I've just posted on a very recent radio interview with HF, in which she mentioned Mark Darcy and CF. See #59. Mark, I think that Louise Lombard is the best suggestion so far for BJ (although I agree she is rather slim...no obvious weight problem!). I'm surprised we haven't seen more of her since the House of Elliot."}, {"response": 230, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May 27, 1998 (19:52)", "body": "Bookwire gives NYC as the only destination for HF. There must be other cities. Kate, could you ask her,pl. what other cities she will be appearing at? If she gets CF to play MD, she can get an unknown actress to play B.(Like FP) But two unknowns.....won't be too profitable."}, {"response": 231, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 27, 1998 (19:52)", "body": "Bookwire doesn't have all the appearances. I checked under Nick Hornby and noticed it was very incomplete. So let's not fret too much. Did you see, Helen will be on 20/20 and the Today show. Crank up the old VCRs!!"}, {"response": 232, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 27, 1998 (19:52)", "body": "Some needs to call the publisher to get a run down on the promotional tour. They will give it out!! :-)"}, {"response": 233, "author": "Kate", "date": "Wed, May 27, 1998 (19:52)", "body": "But I know deep down that, if I had posed the question to Byatt, we might have had a different response! LOL!! It's all in the way you pose the question! HF is appearing in DC - there's posts on Ramble at RoP about dates and locations. We shouldn't assume that she'll have ANY say over casting - most writers sign over everything when they sell their book to a production company, and control over casting is something she wouldn't have any say in at all. BJ is being published (hard back = $16 plus) by Viking. I've emailed them for info, but don't hold your breath."}, {"response": 234, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, May 28, 1998 (12:35)", "body": "The BJ Diary book will be on bookshelves next Tuesday at it is $22. Cover art is ok."}, {"response": 235, "author": "vlyne", "date": "Thu, May 28, 1998 (13:46)", "body": "I found another book reading location. June 16th at The Booksmith, 1644 Haight St., San Francisco. I e-mailed Viking, but so far I've only received a sort of standard reply. The audiobook is being published by Random House so I wrote to them as well. Random House has been very responsive in the past so I'm hoping we'll hear something soon."}, {"response": 236, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, May 28, 1998 (18:41)", "body": "Okay, BJD is at the Bookstores!!! I was in Borders today just a little while ago and I saw it for 30% off it was $20.65."}, {"response": 237, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, May 28, 1998 (19:13)", "body": "(Mark G)Are you girls taking the P&P analogy too far in your expectations of this Darcy? Only as it relates to Colin. We are all so set on CF as MD that we already think of them as one and the same. The problem with this is that we cut MD more slack than we normally would, I think."}, {"response": 238, "author": "vlyne", "date": "Thu, May 28, 1998 (20:56)", "body": "Here is the response I've received from Random House. I'm just going to \"paste\" the entire response. I apologize for the length. Hi. Thanks for writing about BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY. We have published this on audio - read by actress Tracie Bennett - and it's available at bookstores nation-wide. For more information regarding the audio, please visit: http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.cgi?0375404783 MEDIA 06/08/98 NBC/The Today Show 06/08/98 ABC-TV/20/20 04/27/98 Newsweek 06/01/98 Marie Claire 06/01/98 Jane 06/01/98 Harpers Bazaar 06/01/98 Detour 06/01/98 Cosmopolitan 06/01/98 Glamour 06/22/98 Women's Own 07/01/98 Vogue - 1st Serial 07/01/98 MS. Magazine 07/01/98 Mirabella TOUR 06/08/98 Barnes & Noble Astor Place New York, NY - Reading & Signing 06/09/98 Waterstones Boston - Reading & Signing 06/11/98 Olsson's Books and Records Washington DC - Reading & Signing 06/12/98 Book Stall Winnetka, IL - Reading & Signing 06/15/98 Tattered Cover Denver, CO - Reading & Signing 06/16/98 Book Passage Corte Madera,CA - Reading & Signing 06/18/98 Borders Los Angeles - Reading & Signing I hope this helps - and please let me know if you have any questions."}, {"response": 239, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, May 30, 1998 (01:12)", "body": "Thanks Valerie for all the media info on BJD. They miss the Southwest again. It's like we don't read in this part of the country. All we do is listen to Garth Brooks!! Latest BJD: 2.15pm: Was Gary. \"Morning dear,\" he said to me with a leery smile. \"Thanks for last night. Brought you a cappuccino. Can I come in?\" Oh my God, what did I do? You're right, Laura, Gary is the new love-interest.Competition for MD??"}, {"response": 240, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, May 30, 1998 (04:44)", "body": "Still no progress on the MD-Rebecca-Bridget triangle!!!!"}, {"response": 241, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, May 30, 1998 (17:36)", "body": "Like I'm ever wrong:) hee hee. Ann called me last night and read it to me and I was grinning!!! Now, if she'd only describe him!!! Personally, I think Bridget would not just sleep with anyone, he'd have to be somewhat cute."}, {"response": 242, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, May 30, 1998 (18:15)", "body": "I would like to hear Mark's reaction to her sleeping with Gary. I hope that whatever plan BJ comes up with she develops a spine!!"}, {"response": 243, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, May 30, 1998 (22:39)", "body": "I thought Bridget had a plan.....all she's doing is making a reconciliation with Mark impossible! Don't forget they have already split up once and he went off to work in Japan. Then he asked her to spend the weekend with him in Paris...and she was pleased because this meant he had forgiven her. For what? (this is the lost year in the MD/BJ relationship). Is that why he was so upset about Sinjun? Had it all happened before? Is it happening again? Someone ask HF about the missing year, please!!"}, {"response": 244, "author": "vlyne", "date": "Sun, May 31, 1998 (01:15)", "body": "(Evelyn)Thanks Valerie for all the media info on BJD. It was my pleasure. I wish HF was making an appearance in my area too. I noticed that the information that I received from Random House is not consistent with the dates posted on Bookwire. I think the book signing dates are OK, but I'm not sure about the television interviews. I'm sorry I didn't check the info before passing it on. :("}, {"response": 245, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  1, 1998 (15:59)", "body": "Thanks, Valerie, for all your effort. We shall figure out the TV appearances. Anyway, great idea for a question, Bethan. The infamous \"missing year\" and why they broke up. OK, HF's in my neck of the woods 6/12 so if the question hasn't been asked by then, I'll do it. Right now, I'm working on my Nick Hornby questions for tomorrow! ;-) My reaction to this week: wake me up next Saturday morning. Boooring! What would you expect from me: No Mark!! :-("}, {"response": 246, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jun  1, 1998 (16:44)", "body": "Karen, but Jude cancels the wedding. Shazzer is shagging Simon, again. Tom's chasing twins that are having an affair with each other (What's up with that?) And Bridget, the tramp she is, shags Gary the builder. Not boring in the least!!! And Vile Richard show up with fake Irish sounding 22 yo babe and Shazzer decks him!!! Would call this one of the better ones!!!!"}, {"response": 247, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jun  1, 1998 (22:02)", "body": "Karen, you could ask NH if he has any plans to work with CF again! I think he's working on a film script at the moment. The movie rights to \"About a boy\" were sold to Robert de Niro's company."}, {"response": 248, "author": "Ann", "date": "Tue, Jun  2, 1998 (04:47)", "body": "I'm now one degree of separation from CF!!! \"For Ann, Best Wishes, Nick Hornby\" That's what he signed in my copy of \"About a Boy\" tonight. As for the films: High Fidelity is being done by the people who did \"Grosse Point Blank\", and will have John Cusak in it. About a Boy is being adapted by the guy who did \"What's Eating Gilbert Grape\" and is being done by deNiro's company. Hornby is listed as one of the Exec Producers, but he isn't sure what that means. He figures that if any conflict arises between himself and the others, he'll be overruled. BTW, he's a cutie! (And we made eye contact several times. Hee hee hee.)"}, {"response": 249, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jun  2, 1998 (12:42)", "body": "Why can't Nick Hornby be loved for himself. WHO CARES ABOUT THE COLIN FACTOR??? Don't you think he wants to move on with his career? I don't think CF is that important of a person to him. NH is very talented on his own!!!! Sorry, I'm done ranting now!!! I secretly trying for the Shazzer role in Bridget;)"}, {"response": 250, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  2, 1998 (15:31)", "body": "(Bethan) you could ask NH if he has any plans to work with CF again! I heard somewhere that Colin would've liked to do Will (Boy) but that since it's going to be Americanized, they probably wouldn't offer it to him. Which of course is total and absolute tripe!! All we've seen over here is Britisha nd Australian actors wonderfully playing Americans. Emma as the first lady, Branagh over and over again, Guy Pearce and Russell Crowe in L.A. Confidential. Not to mention, CF in that farm flick!! Another thing Hornby mentioned elsewhere is that one of the original scripts he's working on now for his production co. with Evans and Posey is about a 21 year old and that Colin *might* be a little old to be in that one. Besides, I think I would be too embarassed to ask NH about CF!! I will try to pose insightful, thought-provoking questions. hee hee!! (Laura) Would call this one of the better ones!!!! Well, I guess that's why there are sooo many books on the shelves at the bookstore. Although I do want to know how many people participated in that tent. Was this a group effort? When Bridget woke up, Shaz was there fully clothed as was Simon. So were Gary and Bridge going at it with the others in attendance? Hmmmm Not only is she a tramp, she is a tramp without any sense of propriety. Ha!!"}, {"response": 251, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  2, 1998 (15:32)", "body": ""}, {"response": 252, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  2, 1998 (16:07)", "body": "Gaaagh!!! Helen Fielding is scheduled to be online with Barnes & Noble on Wednesday, June 10 at 9:00 EST."}, {"response": 253, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  2, 1998 (16:08)", "body": "ooops, that would be EDT."}, {"response": 254, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  5, 1998 (16:23)", "body": "Hornby in Chicago The side door opened slowly as the restless crowd's low murmurrings and twentysomething laughter were finally quieted. He saw the dark-haired, blue-eyed beauty in the first row and their eyes met. She smiled and he smiled back. Up onto the raised platform he climbed, only to be introduced by a baggy-shorts-clad store clerk with large horn-rimmed glasses. Looking embarassed by the unvarnished praise, he spoke softly about his new book and then began to read the first of three excerpts. A reading made ery difficult by his attempts to sneak glances at the mysterious woman in the first row with the eyes that said everything but when. He tried to clear his mind, his throat but all in vain as his thoughts would not be tamed.... Ooops, maybe this belongs on Topic 34."}, {"response": 255, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jun  5, 1998 (16:25)", "body": "HEE HEE HEE HEE. Karen, You saw me there. I was trying to be discreet!!! But alas, my beauty could not be detained from him:) hee hee hee. Very funny indeed!!! Keep going, I wonder if Hornby and I ever connected;) hee hee."}, {"response": 256, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  5, 1998 (16:32)", "body": "In your dreams you were here! You want more!! Come on he's a respected writer. That would be so disrespectful!!"}, {"response": 257, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  5, 1998 (16:33)", "body": "Anyway, isn't your hair blonde now, v. blonde???"}, {"response": 258, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jun  5, 1998 (16:37)", "body": "No, not v. blonde, sorta ash blonde:) But you are NOT a respected writer;-p hee hee. hee hee. Good Job, Karen!!!"}, {"response": 259, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  5, 1998 (19:16)", "body": "Nick was here on Tuesday night. I got there well ahead of time and most of the seats were taken, except one in the front row. I set my stuff down and went to buy High Fidelity and then settled in for the wait. He came out of a little door next to where I was sitting and I was probably the first person he saw. Our eyes met and I smiled in recognition and he smiled back. (That part really happened.) He went up on the raised area, which is the \"kiddie korner\" of the store (I'm smiling inwardly a how appropos this is) and was introduced by a store guy and then he read three selections from AAB. Audience reaction was very good. He was wearing this \"comfy-type\" outfit. Something one would wear on a plane to be comfy. No jeans. No leather jacket. Even though the weather had taken a dive and has been cool for several days now. He is short to medium height, very nondescript (i.e., you wouldn't notice him on the streets) and unassuming looking. Of course, bald with stick out ears. When he finished his read and after the thunderous applause, he took questions from the audience. Took a while for someone to break the ice, but then there were a lot. A sampling of those I remembered. (Sorry, I should've taken notes.) Are changes made in his books for the American audience? Yes, some but not significant. He's very sensitive to pop cultural differences and wants to get them right. Does he listen to music when he writes? Not the stuff he listens to at home. At his writing flat, he might listen to contemporary classical, whatever that is. Will he always be writing novels? Does he want to get into film? Already has. He did the adaptation for FP, which will be shown here in ltd release later this year or next year, and is now writing an original screenplay. How long did he teach and was there a prototype for Marcus (AAB)? He didn't teach for very long and yes there was a Marcus. He then went on to describe this loner of a kid who wasn't nerdy like Marcus, but stood out for other reasons, which he went into in detail. How do his various audiences get along (i.e., the football types vs. the literary types)? Nick said there is a third audience: the music types. He said at first that the football types would interrupt and take over the Q&A sessions at his promotional tours with football questions, but now they all seem to get along just fine. Then it was signing time. Since I was in the front row, I *could* have been up there rather quickly, but instead I went to the back of the line. It was a long line. People had jillions of copies of his books. I now am familiar with all editions from both sides of the Atlantic. But I am pretty sure I was the only one with a FP Screenplay!! OK, I'm finally at the front of the line and the view of Nick is unobstructed. He looks at me approach and he smiles broadly. I can read on his face: \"So there she is, the one from the front row!!\" (Well, maybe not, but that's how I like to interpret it!! Everyone has to have their fantasies.) I plopped down my three books; don't know why I didn't bring regular FP to complete the set. As he looks at it, I said, \"Probably don't see too many of these around?\" To which he replies: \"No (with a twinkl ). Are you a Colin Firth fan?\" I quickly say yes and turn the subject back to him and how much I enjoy his work. How I loved the movie and how much it made me want to read the book as well as High Fidelity in order to better understand the characters for my film discussion group. How I thought the two had to be taken together. He looked pleased, especially when I said he did a \"Brilliant job.\" Now, it's all downhill as I turn into a babbling moron. I asked him if he wouldn't mind answering some truly trivial and boorish questions. No problem. He was very amused, listened politely to my questions, and answered them when I would give him half a chance to speak. At this point, he must have thought me a raving idiot with a pea brain, unable to ask any halfway intelligent questions. He would have been right. So ends the nightmare. I need counseling before Helen Fielding shows up. I'm likely to throttle the poor woman because of what she is doing to a fictional character!! :-) OOhhhh tomorrow.......what horrors shall be in store?"}, {"response": 260, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jun  5, 1998 (19:24)", "body": "Actually, Karen hop on your Gary's computer tonight around 8pm your time and you'll find out!!!"}, {"response": 261, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jun  5, 1998 (20:50)", "body": "I loved your account, Karen! Great stuff! By the time you meet Helen Fielding you'll be a seasoned babbler! But you chickened out on Colin-questions! (I would have, too :-) ) BTW how come NH is popular in the US.....he seems to have quite a following. I didn't think that FP had taken off in the US, although I can imagine that High Fidelity would be successful. I'm really looking forward to hearing about your meeting with HF. Maybe Mark will have redeemed himself by then (he really does love her, you know!) My prediction for tommorow's episode...........BJ finds herself embroiled with Gary against her better judgement. They go out somewhere together and are seen by Mark who looks at her in horror and disappointment! She realises she still loves him, but will he still love her now?!!!!"}, {"response": 262, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jun  5, 1998 (21:07)", "body": "NO COLIN QUESTIONS TO NICK HORNBY !!!!"}, {"response": 263, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun  5, 1998 (21:29)", "body": "Thanks Karen for the Nick Hornby report. Never heard of the guy till FP. I do think he should stick to novels and skip the screenplays. IMHO the weak link in FP was the screenplay."}, {"response": 264, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jun  5, 1998 (21:37)", "body": "Evelyn, The novel FP was autobiographical, NH did a good job turning it into a fictional movie!! honestly."}, {"response": 265, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun  5, 1998 (22:26)", "body": "(Laura) Evelyn, The novel FP was autobiographical, NH did a good job turning it into a fictional movie!! honestly. Okay, fearless leader.....if you say so."}, {"response": 266, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Jun  6, 1998 (01:21)", "body": "*Bridget Jones is away AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!! What happened with Gary!!! Karen, you're Hornby reading went much like mine: I got there about a half hour before, but most of the seats were taken--except for the front row, where I sat. When he came in, he walked right past me, our eyes met, as they did several times while some bloke from the store introduced him (he has a cute smile, which he seemed to flash my way once or twice). Even the questions he was asked were similar: Do you listen to music when you work (contemporary classical means Philip Glass, who he mentioned at the St Paul reading)? Did you get the prototype for Marcus from your teaching? What's up with the movies of your books? Probably half or more of the questions were about film adaptations, which must be discouraging for a writer--as if you haven't succeeded until you have movies made of your work, then the movies take precidence over your writings."}, {"response": 267, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Jun  6, 1998 (02:47)", "body": "Okay, Nick Hornby is ADORABLE . He was on time. My friend Lynn came and I will kill her later for the big mouth that she has!! Anyway, I asked the first question! (of course) and it was Rob and will are Self-centered, manipulative and Childish. Is Nick Hornby? He got a big laugh out of that one and adored me for it!!! I gave him a New England Revolution T shirt and he was sooooo happy. He is great!!!! He told me that Jonathan Firth lives downstairs from his working studio. See When I gave him the T shirt, Big mouth Lynn said I wanted it signed by COLIN FIRTH!!! I said Absolutely not. Then she offered that I was a big fan of Jonathan Firth and he said that he lived downstairs!!! I handed him a yellow piece of paper and he was very excited by it. I can only h pe girls!!! Second question was. You have been quoted as saying that you would like write screenplays for small British films, yet your novels have been bought by American studios. Does the Americanization of your films bother you as it seems to go against your grain? Because of my first question, his next book will be about a woman who is self-centered, manipulative, and childish. He was looking dead at me when he said that. All in all, I made an impression on him. I told him I was a single mum and he was quite shocked. I don't look like a single mum? Or whatever a single mum looks like!"}, {"response": 268, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun  6, 1998 (04:02)", "body": "Thanks Laura ,m'dear for your prompt report. You made my weekend! (Laura)He got a big laugh out of that one and adored me for it!!! And so do we!!! And three cheers for\" Big Mouth Lynn\". Did he sign your books?"}, {"response": 269, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Jun  6, 1998 (09:37)", "body": "Laura. Brilliant. It is so intersting that JF lives in the flat below. So that probably means that the hype about CF and NH being such good friends while making FP was really true. Otherwise it would be too much of a coincidence for Jon F to have found a flat there of all places. BTW he was living in Colin's flat while he was flat hunting. QED. (Evelyn)IMHO the weak link in FP was the screenplay. I am afraid I agree with you. That and the TV style cinematography. I watched it again the other day. The more I watch it, however, the more I adore Colin's portrayal of Paul."}, {"response": 270, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun  6, 1998 (15:24)", "body": "(Bethan) But you chickened out on Colin-questions! Told you I would. :-) But have absolutely no fear, it is far easier asking a woman about Colin than another man. Helen would *understand.* ;-) BTW how come NH is popular in the US.....he seems to have quite a following. I didn't think that FP had taken off in the US, although I can imagine that High Fidelity would be successful. You're right, FP was not all that popular in the U.S. If and when they ever show the movie, maybe people will be interested enough to read the book, which I adored. High Fidelity has a more universal appeal because music transcends national boundaries for the most part. That being the case, I just gave my autographed HF to my brother-in-law to read. He is a committed audiophile. Maybe Mark will have redeemed himself by then Alas it was too much to hope for. You better believe I'll have the first question out to the gate for Helen!!! (Ann) Probably half or more of the questions were about film adaptations, which must be discouraging for a writer--as if you haven't succeeded until you have movies made of your work, then the movies take precidence over your writings. That's where yours was different. At my signing, there weren't many questions about the film adaptations. He actually volunteered this info, and from the way he sounded he appears more interested himself in film/movies. He is part of the Wildgaze production company with David Evans, the director, and Amanda Posey. I do not get the impression that his main goal in life is to get the Booker!!"}, {"response": 271, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Jun  6, 1998 (17:45)", "body": "He said that HIGH FIDELITY will take place in Chicago or Boston. I was in the ladies room when that question was asked. Big mouth Lynn told me. I am soooo mad at her. When I handed him the t shirt he really was excited and asked if the REVOLUTION were any qood. I told him because of damn Alexi Lalas, which brought a big grin to his face. (He HATES Alexi Lalas!!) They weren't doing to well. ALAS, I'm going tonight to a book signing that is INVITATIONAL only. Karen ask how I managed THAT one:) Hee He !! Will tell you how all went again!!! BTW, did I tell you the Nick Hornby is ADORABLE !!!!!"}, {"response": 272, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Jun  6, 1998 (17:46)", "body": "What's up with the tagging:(((( Anyway, Helen Fielding will be in Boston on 9 June, AND I will DEFINITELY ask why MD is a jerk, creep, FUCKWIT!!! And will post ASAP!!!"}, {"response": 273, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Jun  6, 1998 (17:47)", "body": ""}, {"response": 274, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun  6, 1998 (18:24)", "body": "...and you've been keeping that information to yourself, i.e., about the invitational appearance....see if you get the book back!! BTW, the fuckwit is Bridget. She's the commitmentphobic. Mark was always the one who tried to find out from her how she felt."}, {"response": 275, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Jun  8, 1998 (08:34)", "body": "!!! Bridget Jones is away !!! If this is because a certain HF is doing a certain promotional tour in the USA, then I suggest the whole thing be called off. Ha! Meanwhile, at least we have The Tracking of Nick Hornby around the Nation to divert us. Does the poor man know he's being targeted?"}, {"response": 276, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jun  8, 1998 (14:47)", "body": "My invitational went Wonderfully splendid. It was at this Bookstore in Brookline. Nick Hornby looked quite dashing in Black pants and maroon button-down silk shirt! Because a lot of trade people were there the section he read from had more colorful language. Okay, get there at 7.00pm, my date was my 20 y.o. brother who I have turned into a Nick Hornby fan. He did the reading. Noticed me and smiled. When Tim, my brother, went up to have his book signed, Nick said \"Hello, Laura.\" and I smiled sheepishly. Didn't want him to think I was stalking him:) Anyway, I told him that Tim was my kid brother. Tim wanted to ask him questions not related to the book because he thought he's sick of answering. The question my brother asked? \"What cereal do you eat?\" I aughed. Nick looked right at me and said \"Laura what is it in your family with these questions?\" He answered. In England, a raisin weetabix? in the States he's been eating a lot of granola. After the book signings, he mixed and mingled and came over to talk to me. We chatted for about 8-10 minutes. Which is a long time, actually. He asked me what I would do with the information about JF living downstairs and I told him that my ticket was already bought. \"Your serious?\" he said incredulously. I said yeah. Then explained how I was going to Ireland in three weeks:) He told me he loved Ireland and I offered the same. I told him now I have incentive for going to London and checking out Hi hbury;) said it very cheekily. I apologized for the self-centered, manipulative, childish question. Told him the reason why I asked was because that seems to be the type of men, I'm attracted too. My brother said that sounded like I was asking him out on a date! I mentioned my daughter and being a single parent. He asked how old she was and I told him 7. \"How old are you anyway?\" I stared at him. Then told him 30. He said he wouldn't have believed it. I do look young and not old enough to have a 7 y.o. who will be 8 in October. His son is 5. And that is the long and short of it. Did I do well?"}, {"response": 277, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun  8, 1998 (17:30)", "body": "Very well, indeed. Don't know if I could have chatted for 10 minutes and not even mentioned \"FP...and oh, incidentally...about Colin Firth....\". I admire your restraint. Saw HF on the Today Show this AM. She is v. attractive. Katie Couric interviewed her and unfortuately had not read the book....yet; \"I plan to read it this summer\"she said. So the interview was v. general and she did not get into the Bridget and MD relationship. Had she read the book she would have. On the question about the film, HF commented that they are looking for an actress.But nothing definite. \"The other day at the gym I saw this young woman on a stationary bicycle just reading a magazine. I said that's her !!"}, {"response": 278, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jun  8, 1998 (17:32)", "body": "BTW how come NH is popular in the US.....he seems to have quite a following. I didn't think that FP had taken off in the US, although I can imagine that High Fidelity would be successful. } HIGH FIDELITY which is a cult classic here in the States garnered the most questions. Also, someone asked him about his popularity here in the States and he thought it quite odd in a country of 200mm people where 100mm people are writers! He said he was chatting with Helen Fielding recently and they were perplexed by it all. One thing else about Nick Hornby he is very unassuming and gentle. I adored him!!! Ok??? hee hee"}, {"response": 279, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jun  8, 1998 (17:35)", "body": "Very well, indeed. Don't know if I could have chatted for 10 minutes and not even mentioned \"FP...and oh, incidentally...about Colin Firth....\". I admire your restraint. Well, I was known as the Jonathan Firth fan. So telling NH that CF is my wallpaper on my computer at work, wouldn't have gone over too well!!!! hee hee. I wanted NH to know that I liked him for him and not CF. Although, many other CF fans there made it known that they were there for the CF connection only. Which I think is in poor taste!"}, {"response": 280, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jun  8, 1998 (21:39)", "body": "http://reports.guardian.co.uk/papers/19980606-39.html Mark Darcy's Diary"}, {"response": 281, "author": "Kate", "date": "Tue, Jun  9, 1998 (01:48)", "body": "Ok, I did the Helen Fielding thing tonight. She read a longish excerpt from May, in which MD does not appear once. She has the most gorgeous RP accent which is BJ to a tee. I asked her about casting for the movie. She said she wanted an unknown for BJ and told the stationery bike story.... but didn't mention MD!!! When I got my book signed \"v.g. wishes\" ;-) I said I REALLY wanted to know about CF... she said \"I hope so, I really hope so...\"... and it all sounds very far off. She said the book was a total rip off of P&P, because it's had centuries of market research. When she first started writing the column it was anonymous... she used it to support her \"serious\" writing. The column was the basis of the book, but she rewrote it quite a lot so it had a beginning middle and end. There is a sequel in the works, but don't hold your breath. And some other things too, but I can't remember right now....."}, {"response": 282, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun  9, 1998 (02:33)", "body": "Thanks Karen for your report. I waited- up for it!! A pity she could not be more specific on CF playing MD. But at least it was not a definitive \"no\". HF has had a long day!!She was interviewed this am in New York. Tonight in Chicago!!! I read on the other board that she will be interviewed on CBS This Morning on Wednesday the 10th. Ann previously said that she would also be on 20/20. Does anyone know when?Must be this Friday. Wow, what a week."}, {"response": 283, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun  9, 1998 (02:36)", "body": "Correction: I just realized Kate is in New York City . So HF is still in NYC, It's still a whirlwind-week."}, {"response": 284, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jun  9, 1998 (07:33)", "body": "I love the Mark Darcy Diary in the Guardian....well spotted Laura! On the movie, it would have been reassuring to get some more positive information. HF told that story about casting an unknown and seeing someone in a gym a couple of months ago, but there have been subsequent reports of looking at high profile actresses like KW, MD, GP. They won't use an unknown, surely. Probably HF isn't in a position to release any info, until Working Title are up and running. This summer has been mentioned a couple of times in the press as the starting date. There are a couple of othe \"single girl\" type movies also being filmed, so Working Title can't afford to delay too long. Even BJ can become old news. As to MD, I do hope that HF isn't dangling CF's name as a carrot, like the story of the unknown. (I'm being cynical here!). But she is reported to have told friends that he has agreed. But I have nticed that with CF projects there tends to be no news until filming has virtually started."}, {"response": 285, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jun  9, 1998 (12:39)", "body": "Helen Fielding has been quoted as saying NO Gwynneth Paltrow!!! Karen read me the Entertainment Weekly article last night. HF is in Boston today!!!! Kate, how is it that your memory falters so quickly??? And why should we not hold our breath about the sequel??? Did you ask as to why she is making Mark Darcy into such a FUCKWIT!!!! These are hard hitting questions, that I guess I'LL have to ask! Hell, if I can ask Nick Hornby if he is self centered, manipulative and childish, this should be a piece of cake!! hee hee. You want to see Bridget!!! I'll give her Bridget!"}, {"response": 286, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jun  9, 1998 (15:35)", "body": "Laura, ask her if they are starting shooting the movie this summer as reported,and if not, when?. And when there will be definite news of the casting. I'm fed up with all this will he/won't he stuff! This surely can't be confidential!"}, {"response": 287, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  9, 1998 (15:40)", "body": "Bethan: Entertainment Weekly this week (6/12 issue) has a two page article about both Bridget and AAB. In it, Helen states, \"absolutely, positively NOT GP for Bridget,\" with a shudder!! Hoorah!! Then, there is a little blurb where she asks \"how old is Calista Flockhart?\" who plays Ally McBeal. Nick Hornby stated that he though Jerry Seinfeld would be a good Will Freeman for AAB, of course he has no real say on that as it is being made by De Niro's film company. Helen Fielding is also supposed to be on Charlie Rose on 6/10. What happened to 20/20?? Did she get bumped by one of those other *hard-hitting* stories? Yuck!!"}, {"response": 288, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jun  9, 1998 (16:03)", "body": "It should definitely be a British woman who plays Bridget. No Americans!! Pretty bad coming from an American!"}, {"response": 289, "author": "Kate", "date": "Tue, Jun  9, 1998 (23:13)", "body": "Laura, the Barnes and Noble was packed. I asked two of about the ten questions they allowed (one about casting the movie, to which she replied ONLY about BJ, and not about MD, one about basing the book on P&P). I was fourth in line to get my book signed, and there were about 200 people after me, so I squeezed in my question about CF being cast .... but it was impossible to ask more without being a total f***wit and holding up the line. One person (our Marisa in fact!!!) asked about why there was no column in etcera this week - HF seemed very surprised to discover we could get it at all. And since most of the audience were completely new to BJ, it hardly seemed fair to say \"why has MD turned into such a bastard??\" Lame excuses I know. But I had also literally just got off a plane, and I was a little out of it."}, {"response": 290, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jun 10, 1998 (01:49)", "body": ""}, {"response": 291, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jun 10, 1998 (01:53)", "body": "Okay, Helen Fielding was here today. I mean she checked out this Board!!! she mentioned today how she was surfing the net typed in BJD and it brought her here. I had printed out the URL for her earlier and when I handed it to her, I told her I created the topic!! She was amazed and said it was great. She said we've come up with better scenarios then she has!!! Okay, I told her to describe Gary and she will (He is gorgeous!!) Bridget did NOT sleep with Gary!!! I took pictures and will post a more detailed version tomorrow. Want to go home. brought up CF and JF and told her that if CF turns the part down to go with JF and she thought the same thing!!!! well, enjoy she will probably post something in the future here!!!"}, {"response": 292, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 10, 1998 (03:01)", "body": "WELL DONE, LAURA AND KATE.!!! You do us proud.!!Can't wait for more postings .Thanks a bunch!!"}, {"response": 293, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Jun 10, 1998 (03:15)", "body": ""}, {"response": 294, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Jun 10, 1998 (04:03)", "body": "(Laura) I mean she checked out this Board!!! Oh, the poor woman! :-O Can you imagine the shock? ;-p I told her to describe Gary and she will (He is gorgeous!!) What? No refrigerator repairman crack? ;-p . brought up CF and JF and told her that if CF turns the part down to go with JF and she thought the same thing!!!! Oh, dear! Laura, this sudden preference for JF is really starting to worry me... To be perfectly honest, we all searched the UK bookstores for BJD months ago simply because of the Colin connection. The fact that the book was such a hoot was just icing on the cake. I howled through the whole thing. I'd like to think that Colin has a sense of humor about the Darcy thing and would be willing to do the film. IMO (and no offense to JF), if it ain't Colin, it ain't Darcy (either one)."}, {"response": 295, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jun 10, 1998 (12:45)", "body": "Okay, I tried to post something yesterday BUT because I used the word Fuckwit it censored me:( I was at kinkos last night. Helen Fielding read from the May chapter. She says bloody bastard awesomely!!! she is absolutely GORGEOUS!!! Made me feel like sh-t! Anyway, she said these booksigning were always nervewracking because you never know if ppl will show up! She read for about 20 minutes:( Took questions, I asked two. She had not seen the Mark Darcy's Diary and I was kicking myself for not printing it and bringing it to her! Oh yeah, big mouth Lynn came with me:) She was on her best behavior!!! Helen F. is obsessed with CF. She went to Arsenal game with NH, CF, JF. She said the similarity in the two brothers is amazing, she kept calling them both Mr Darcy! I told her MD was a fuckwit and she had some 'splaining to do. I think she hasn't put her heart and soul into it recently??? She was supposed to turn in the sequel three weeks ago, she said the publisher should expect it in six months:) very Bridgetesque;p I was talking to Lynn when I asked her to describe Gary because I wanted to know what this guy that Bridget slept with looked like. \"SHE DID NOT!\" Helen F. says, smiling. \"She didn't? What happened in that tent?\" She smiled sneakily. Damn! Well No Bridget this Sat. But next week when on Cape, (Nan, are you going?) Ann will bring her computer so we can log into BJD. It comes out aroun 9pm edt. I think that is all for know."}, {"response": 296, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 10, 1998 (14:44)", "body": "(Laura) Helen F. is obsessed with CF. She went to Arsenal game with NH, CF, JF. She said the similarity in the two brothers is amazing, she kept calling them both Mr Darcy! What a lucky girl!!!! Laura you were great! Thanks for the info. If her book tour turns out to be a big success, maybe, she will convince Colin to do the movie. Keeping my fingers crossed."}, {"response": 297, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jun 10, 1998 (16:02)", "body": "Laura) Helen F. is obsessed with CF. She went to Arsenal game with NH, CF, JF. She said the similarity in the two brothers is amazing, she kept calling them both Mr Darcy! (Moon) What a lucky girl!!!! Mmmm!! I second that!"}, {"response": 298, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jun 10, 1998 (16:10)", "body": "Well I could be on my way to Highbury!!! Now that I know that Jonathan lives downstairs from NH's writing flat and he does live within spitting distance of the stadium. BTW, Brazil is leading Scotland. Scored in the fourth bloody minute!!!!!"}, {"response": 299, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 10, 1998 (18:14)", "body": "OK, I'm making up my list of questions for Friday. Somehow I can't imagine that there will be over 200 people at the store she will be at. I mean it is not in the downtown area or a Notting Hillish area, but in a suburb packed with beyond Smug Marrieds. That area is definitely NOT her audience. I'm wondering what clueless person booked her into that store. However, I shall be there with my questions and my scenarios for her future colums!! ;-)"}, {"response": 300, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 10, 1998 (20:42)", "body": "HF was interviewed on CBS This Morning by Jayne Robileaux (sp )who unfortunately had not read the book. They had a bunch of British props on the desk. Things that Bridget refers to : Milk Trays, British cigarettes, lottery tickets (alas no Fairy Cakes) . She denied being like B. but admitted to be a \"forty-something\" (doesn't look it). Repeated some of the same comments. Did she mention MD or CF...NO.!! She is scheduled for Charlie Rose tonight. Good for you Laura, for bringing up CF.(Nan, Laura's fascination with JF is only a passing fancy. And there is this about it...he is single. And CF is taken!! What's a girl to do!!)"}, {"response": 301, "author": "Ann", "date": "Wed, Jun 10, 1998 (23:04)", "body": "Only an hour until Fielding is in the Barnes and Noble chat room (take the \"Book Talk\" link in the banner at the top of the page). I've been asked to keep a transcript of that page, like I did with NH, and I'll try."}, {"response": 302, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Jun 10, 1998 (23:33)", "body": "(Laura) But next week when on Cape, (Nan, are you going?) Sure am :-) (Evelyn) Laura's fascination with JF is only a passing fancy. And there is this about it...he is single. And CF is taken!! What's a girl to do!! There is no such thing as \"taken\" when I'm having a fantasy. Unless, of course, he's \"taken\" by me ;-p"}, {"response": 303, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 11, 1998 (02:13)", "body": "Okay. Tonight on the Helen Fielding Chat Room Baarnes & Noble Book Talk , I asked The Question I knew you all wanted to know: Here it is: Evelyn from Oklahoma : Wish you were coming to the SW. We never get to meet an author...it's like we sit around listening to Garth Brooks all the time! Loved your book . But many of us are eager to know about the film....Mark Darcy ...any luck that Colin Firth will take it.? After all, he IS Darcy .HF: Which I was coming too, do they have cowboys there? Saw Colin Firth at a party and he agreed to keep the next three years free for the film. Stop. I think. Stop."}, {"response": 304, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Jun 11, 1998 (02:14)", "body": "Congratulations ladies! Ann, Karen, Kate, Laura did you get on too? You all asked probing questions and managed to get Colin into the conversation. Mission accomplished! One question, who is this Mr. Dawcey? Guess the typist never heard a Brit speak before. Well done."}, {"response": 305, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Jun 11, 1998 (02:16)", "body": "Oops, I knew it was you too Evelyn. Good question. What did she mean though?"}, {"response": 306, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Jun 11, 1998 (02:19)", "body": "Congratulations ladies! Ann, Karen, Kate, Laura did you get on too? You all asked probing questions and managed to get Colin into the conversation. Mission accomplished! One question, who is this Mr. Dawcey? Guess the typist never heard a Brit speak before. Well done."}, {"response": 307, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Jun 11, 1998 (02:25)", "body": "Oh shit."}, {"response": 308, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Jun 11, 1998 (02:32)", "body": "I have the transcript up and running! The Transcript From Helen Fielding's B&N Chat"}, {"response": 309, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 11, 1998 (02:45)", "body": "This is the answer I didn't understand: I interviewed Colin Firth in Rome. I was pretending to be Bridget and he was pretending to be Mr. Darcy. We endeed up in front of the statue of Moses, who we both agreed he was clealry gay, murmuring Mr. Darcy, Mr. Darcy. It was weird but strangely delicious."}, {"response": 310, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 11, 1998 (02:50)", "body": "Heide, I think Re: Colin Firth taking the MD role...she didn't want to appear too definite. Of course, I think his answer was facetitous too. .Still, it was encouraging and positive...no? Happy?, Bethan?"}, {"response": 311, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 11, 1998 (02:53)", "body": "Sorry for the misspelling: facetious"}, {"response": 312, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Jun 12, 1998 (08:06)", "body": "Thank you all for all the wonderful snippets from Helen Fielding and Nick Hornby. I have really enjoyed hearing what they had to say. It is so good to hear things like- \"I met CF at a party\" or \"I went to arsenal with CF\". It gives a small (very small)insight into his real life. Great."}, {"response": 313, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 12, 1998 (13:39)", "body": "Rof P Ramble Board has a posting by CK \"HF in DC\" posted on 6/11 in which she comments on the reading and booksigning in Washington DC last evening. Worth reading. I was particularly interested in the comment that HF is still early in the process of writing the BJD screenplay!!! I thought it was ready to go into production this summer!! So, that gives us hope..\".....where we dared not hope before....\""}, {"response": 314, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jun 12, 1998 (19:33)", "body": "I interviewed Colin Firth in Rome. I was pretending to be Bridget and he was pretending to be Mr. Darcy. We endeed up in front of the statue of Moses, who we both agreed he was clealry gay, murmuring Mr. Darcy, Mr. Darcy. It was weird but strangely delicious. Evelyn, I think CF must have taken Helen on a tour of Rome's famous sights. Didn't she mention the Colisseum and Moses in the BJ/CF interview? (Glad to hear that was real!) Moses must be Michelangelo's statue of Moses in the Church of St Peter in Vinculis, Rome. There's a photo of the statue in our home encyclopaedia, and, I do agree, from his posture and expression Moses does look exceedingly gay!!.......although I must say I think it was highly irreverent of CF and HF to think along these lines! Tut! : ) Thanks for all the news of HF/BJ and CF/MD. I think I'd be reasonably confident now that he will do it, but I was rather disappointed to read that the BJ script was still in the early stages. There's no way they can be shooting this summer...more like next. :-( :-( Didn't NH write about FP that he had to do 6 drafts of the screenplay? It must take quite some time) The sequel sounds interesting .....MD the Avenging Angel (again)."}, {"response": 315, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jun 12, 1998 (19:50)", "body": "I think we were pushing it along further than they were. Helen Fielding comes across as a bit lazy when it comes to deadlines. So.... Next summer sounds more reasonable. The question I asked her was \"Everyone knows that BJD is in preproduction.... I am interuppted..\"yeah, pre-preproduction!\" lots of laughs and some people saying I didn't know that!!! So, if not next year the year after that!! she did ask CF to keep his calendar for three years!!!"}, {"response": 316, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Jun 12, 1998 (20:28)", "body": "By which time he will no longer be a thirtysomething - perhaps MD doesn't have to be?"}, {"response": 317, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jun 12, 1998 (20:44)", "body": "IMO I think the real positive outcome of these two book tours (NH &HF) is that they now realize (and hopefully tell CF) that there is an audience throughtout the US awaiting his next project. And you can be sure HF will tell him that wherever she went people asked for CF to play MD!! BTW is Winter going to check out the booksigning in LA? Or JANA?"}, {"response": 318, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jun 12, 1998 (21:59)", "body": "By which time he will no longer be a thirtysomething - perhaps MD doesn't have to be? Well, CF doesn't look his age, so a just forty will be okay! But not three years ple-e-ase! The newspaper reports certainly created the impression that the movie was about to roll......,sigh! So, what is he doing NEXT then, if it's not MD. Any predictions? :-)"}, {"response": 319, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jun 12, 1998 (22:35)", "body": "Does this work? Moses in Rome http://familiar.sph.umich.edu/cjackson/michelan/p-michel22.htm"}, {"response": 320, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 13, 1998 (00:50)", "body": "I see in www.bookwire.com that Helen Fielding will be on line on Tuesday June 16 at 8pm: Yahoo National On-Line at the Time Auditorium. Would someone please tell me where the H--- Time Auditorium is? I can't find my way. If I can get there Bethan, I'll ask what the expected timeline is for this film. If she was smart she would get crackin' on that screenplay and strike while the book is Hot."}, {"response": 321, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 13, 1998 (00:55)", "body": "Moses' pose is quite compromising alright. But then Michelangelo was gay. Doesn't mean poor Moses (who isn't around to defend himself) is gay.!!"}, {"response": 322, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 13, 1998 (15:21)", "body": "As they say, inside every grey cloud is a silver lining. Last night, Helen Fielding was in town and the turn out was positively pathetic. First off, she appeared at a bookstore in the suburbs and, second, there was a possibility that the Bulls would wipe out the Jazz last night and everyone was fixed to their TV screens. I got there early (fighting Friday night city traffic) and couldn't quite figure out where they would hold the reading. A clerk pointed to a small settee and 4 chairs. I gasped and said \"There!!?? You must be joking!\" The person said, \"Well, it's up to the author and how she wants it set up. We can bring in a few more chairs.\" I replied that she had huge turnouts in the other cities she had been in. The clerk said, \"Well, there is the Bulls game, you know.\" Yes, dear, I know but that is not until ater. When Helen arrived, there were about 6 people. As she read, several more showed up and there may have been about 20 at the most. I'm pretty sure I was the only one there who knew about the column and was asked by several of the people there for the url. Helen read several selections, the pregnancy, getting dressed and no pantyhose and dieting, as well as a few of the New Year's resolutions at the beginning. Helen volunteered most information as few had even read her book yet. She mentioned our site's discussion and I chimed in with the fact that I am part of it and most often known as the \"Darcy Apologist.\" In response to a question about British newspaper columns, she said that others had done takeoffs of Bridget and there was one recently by Mark Da cy that she hadn't read. I then gave her the copy and said I thought she would probably like the end part. She was quite surprised I had it for her. Anyway, the intimacy of the group allowed me to talk to her quite a bit. But reverting to my true nature (a babbling idiot), I did forget to ask the most important questions (i.e., what did Mark mean when he said 'it's not what you think, what was he trying to say on the phone when he left Bridget the message, and what even got him thinking that it was OK to go out with that piece of rubbish!!). We did discuss the Mark-Bridget relationship and she did assure me that things would be resolved, but that ev n when two people love each other things don't always go smoothly. Life intrudes. She said that Rebecca is bossy and just took over Mark's life. He being such a busy barrister type allowed it to happen. I was arguing that Mark knew what Rebecca was (Bridget told him), but Helen said why should he believe it. Of course I maintained that Bridget was an idiot and that she should never have gone to Rebecca's parent's county home. Helen talked about the Colin interview and reiterated that it did indeed happen. She said that Colin really got into it. She explained to the group about the impact of P&P in Britain and how everyone had the obsession with the wet shirt and how Bridget kept working it into the interview. I told her I liked the questions about having a younger, foreign girlfriend and others. She talked about casting the movie and mentioned she saw someone like Omar Sharif playing Julio. (Sorry, I know this is all disjointed.) She wrote the greatest stuff in my book and on one of the columns. In the book, she wrote \"I'll be watching you on the net. vg best wishes from ....\" Then I gave her a copy of the column with Mark strutting barrister mode clad only in a towel and I told her that was an image that is permanent etched in my brain. She said, \"Do you want more sexy scenes?\" I smiled and said but of course. SO when she signed that column, she wrote something to the effect (I don't have it in front of me--sorry): \"Mmmmmmmm More sexy Mark scenes for you.....\" It was great!! I do agree that the screenplay and the sequel are a ways off. SHe mentioned how the new book would pick up where the other left off and she did talk about the Bangkok drug smuggling and Mark rescue. Someone asked her if after all the popularity of Bridget would she be able to write a serious novel or has she been stereotyped now. Her answer: She has no complaints. This is just fine. Hmmmmmm OK, got to go. Jana or Jennifer: It's up to you or someone in Denver (if you're out there)"}, {"response": 323, "author": "Kate", "date": "Sat, Jun 13, 1998 (16:15)", "body": "*sigh*... that was great Karen, you were lucky that so few people turned up! But I am glad for her sake that so many people came to her NYC reading which was the first one, even though it made it impossible to talk to her at all - it must have given her a real boost. And then small discussions like yours would make her know that she has some devoted fans!! One thing I forgot to mention in my report was that a fair proportion (maybe one quarter) of the people at the reading had the british paperback edition - and had obviously read it. So maybe she had more import/traveller penetration in this market."}, {"response": 324, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 13, 1998 (16:35)", "body": "(Kate) But I am glad for her sake that so many people came to her NYC reading which was the first one She definitely understood the significance of what was going on relative to the Bulls and even mentioned that the same is quite common for football in England. At that, I did bring up how I had seen Nick last week and so thoroughly enjoyed his book FP. yadda yadda yadda However, I do believe location also played in to it. Those bookstore people were pretty smug. Before she got there, they were saying how they get all the *biggies* and get *exclusives.* V. typical attitude for that area. They did serve wine and snacks. A minor plus. fair proportion (maybe one quarter) of the people at the reading had the british paperback edition There was only one other person with the British paperback edition at the signing and she said she picked it up at the airport. There were two Brits at the signing, neither of whom had read the book yet. The younger woman identified herself as British and Helen commented that she sounded more American to her, but I said, to an American she didn't. Then I added that one would never know she herself was from Yorkshire because of her accent. The other woman was surprised, saying she herself was from Shef ield. Helen said that she just lost her Yorkshire accent...it just happened."}, {"response": 325, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 13, 1998 (19:42)", "body": "Karen....What a TREAT you have given us. A real gift. I read your posting twice! HF was probably not disappointed to have a small group for a change. She has been\" on the go\". And to find someone as knowledgeable as you; she must have been pleased. Thank you, thank you, for taking the time, You , Kate &, Laura , to share your experiences with us less fortunate . And Ann for giving us the on-line transcript. I downloaded the latter and am sending it to a friend in UK!!At her request. How's that for a turn-about!!"}, {"response": 326, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jun 13, 1998 (19:42)", "body": "Great report, Karen! I'll wait quite happily for the movie (with CF, of course)......although not YEARS and YEARS! (Evelyn, try for an approx. date...1999, 2000, 2007???) I also like the image of MD strutting in barrister mode clad only in towel. All credit to you if we get more! And thanks for the news about the Rome interview. How is BJD selling....I really hope it takes off for Helen. There was an article in the Telegraph last week about her increasing worldwide popularity......I think 700 people (women? or does Bridget have male supporters) turned up for a book signing session in Norway. BTW I thought Mark Darcy's Diary was very, very funny! Bridget could have a rival! :-)"}, {"response": 327, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 13, 1998 (19:48)", "body": "(Bethan I also like the image of MD strutting in barrister mode clad only in towel. All credit to you if we get more! My personal favorite was CHRISTMAS DAY,( 3 January 1998.) I'm going to ask her if she'll include that episode in the screen play."}, {"response": 328, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 13, 1998 (20:14)", "body": "Okay, I found the TIME Chat Room Auditorium : Helen Fielding Tuesday, June 16 pm ET /5PT Yahoo & Time Magazine On-Line URL http://www.pathfinder.com/time/community/index.html (sorry,I'm not v. good at creating links...Renate...where are you?) also: here are the rest of the dates: 6/15 Denver Tattered Cover Bookstore 6/16 Book Passage, Corte Madera, Ca. (where is that?) 6/18 Borders, LA I shall alert Jennifer in LA. Anyone want to alert Jana?"}, {"response": 329, "author": "Kate", "date": "Sun, Jun 14, 1998 (01:35)", "body": "Regrettably, BJ seems to have dropped off the NY Times bestseller list. ;-("}, {"response": 330, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Jun 14, 1998 (04:42)", "body": "It's wierd, one Barnes Ignoble near me has About a Boy, but not BJD, and another (larger one) has BJD, but not AAB."}, {"response": 331, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Sun, Jun 14, 1998 (04:51)", "body": "Ann, my local Books-A-Million insisted that BJD wouldn't be released until August! I got my copy at WaldenBooks (which is a much smaller store). Thanks to everyone who posted accounts of HF's booksignings and readings. I really enjoyed them!"}, {"response": 332, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Jun 14, 1998 (14:52)", "body": "Margaret! Where have you been, hiney? ;-p Did you lose ICQ again?"}, {"response": 333, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 15, 1998 (18:50)", "body": "Ladies in yesterday's New York Times, in the Style Section, there was a horrible review of BJD. She called it passe and said basically that women in the UK are to be pited if they indeed are like B. The NYT is on-line so you may wish to check it out. What says you Laura? If Colin reads it he may not be interested in MD any longer. YIKES!"}, {"response": 334, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Mon, Jun 15, 1998 (19:06)", "body": "Margaret! Where have you been, hiney? ;-p Did you lose ICQ again? } Sweatie, I've been right here! ;-b I still have ICQ but it never shows your status. ;-( Are you still active?"}, {"response": 335, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Jun 15, 1998 (19:22)", "body": "(Moon) If Colin reads it he may not be interested in MD any longer. If Colin took all the media criticism of his various projects too seriously, he'd have to change his profession."}, {"response": 336, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jun 15, 1998 (20:14)", "body": "Arami, I think that is the MOST cogent thing I've ever heard from you;) Personally, not every review is going to be a great review. Take it with a grain of salt. Was it a man who reviewed the book? If that is the case, then he is a fuckwit and has no clue about women at all! Bridget is me, you, Arami, and Karen R. Nan is perfect so it can't be her;) hee hee. Colin will PLAY MD because he wants to be famous and this will make him famous!"}, {"response": 337, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jun 15, 1998 (21:41)", "body": "We've just acquired Ally McBeal. Women reviewers gave her the thumbs down (very emphatically). Men like her. Draw your own conclusions! Arami, I think that is the MOST cogent thing I've ever heard from you;) Sabbaticals sharpen the mind! :-)"}, {"response": 338, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 15, 1998 (23:51)", "body": "Laura, it was a woman who also quoted lots of her female friends: they all hated it! I hope you're right about CF wanting to MD. I just want to see him more often."}, {"response": 339, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Jun 16, 1998 (16:11)", "body": "(Margaret) Sweatie, I've been right here! ;-b I still have ICQ but it never shows your status. ;-( Are you still active? When I got the new computer I had to re-register at ICQ...I sent you an authorization request but it never went through. I'll try it again, baby ;-) (Laura) Nan is perfect so it can't be her;) Well, I'm glad you're finally catching on ;-p Actually, there are many things about Bridget which remind me of myself. Unfortunately, they seem to be her more negative qualities (or what *I* perceive to be negative qualities). This could be why I sometimes want to crack Bridget upside the head...because I've made similar mistakes."}, {"response": 340, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jun 16, 1998 (17:32)", "body": "Ah, Nan the truth comes out!!! I think Bridget is everywoman and everywoman is Bridget!!! Just this morning it took me at least thirty minutes looking for decent hose to put on with a run."}, {"response": 341, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 16, 1998 (18:43)", "body": "I have contacted Jennifer (Winter) and Jana. They will try to attend the HF Booksigning in LA at Borders. Both concur that CF must play the role of MD. (Actually, I'm getting a little paranoid about this.) Tonight is the Yahoo/Time On-Line with HF at 8PM , ET. I shall try to get on, if I can navigate my way through that Chat Room; it looks involved."}, {"response": 342, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jun 16, 1998 (23:05)", "body": "(Laura)Colin will PLAY MD because he wants to be famous and this will make him famous! Oh, dear... I'm trying to think of something to say about it and can't. Maybe it's best left without a comment...;-)"}, {"response": 343, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jun 16, 1998 (23:10)", "body": "...Not so sharp then, Bethan, huh? Well, that's emotional fuckwittage for you, baby ;-P"}, {"response": 344, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 17, 1998 (01:26)", "body": "The transcript of the Yahoo/Time Chat Room will be on-line soon, they say. It was an interesting chat. Sadly, I could never get my browser to accept the Java software and was not ablel to ask the question. But other people asked our questions. CF's name was mentioned several times in connection with MD. The most interesting fact is that HF said she expected the film would be out in 18 months. And she hasn't decided whether B and MD will marry!!!"}, {"response": 345, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Jun 17, 1998 (03:56)", "body": "(Laura)Ah, Nan the truth comes out!!! I think Bridget is everywoman and everywoman is Bridget!!! Yes, I think we all have our bursts of Bridget, though most of mine happened in my early 20s. (Evelyn) The most interesting fact is that HF said she expected the film would be out in 18 months. Oh my! That sounds like a long time. I'm afraid my interest will be gone by then...well, unless Colin decides to take the part ;-) (Laura)Colin will PLAY MD because he wants to be famous and this will make him famous! (Arami) Oh, dear... I'm trying to think of something to say about it and can't. Maybe it's best left without a comment...;-) Well said, m'dear ;-)"}, {"response": 346, "author": "Kate", "date": "Wed, Jun 17, 1998 (13:28)", "body": "The Yahoo chat was kind of weird. I was in this small chat room with five others all of whom had weird handles, and some of whom had no idea about HF and were only there to ask questions like \"are you sexy?\" BLERK. Makes me realize how civilized our little corner of the web is. But the HF part was very interesting, and they picked a couple of the six or seven questions I posted, including the \"will they ever get together?\" one. She said that she never really knows what is going to happen until the Friday morning when she starts writing the column (leaving it till the last minute - woman after my own heart), but that she likes MD very much as a character and would be sad to lose him. She also said at one point that not all the columns will end up in the book - some that get written very late are \"absolute drivel\" or words to that effect!"}, {"response": 347, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jun 17, 1998 (13:44)", "body": "Bull crap that was well said!!!! Its the truth!!!!"}, {"response": 348, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 17, 1998 (18:07)", "body": "(Kate) She said that she never really knows what is going to happen until the Friday morning when she starts writing the column (leaving it till the last minute - woman after my own heart All procrastinators unite!! But that also supports something I think that Bethan or Allison have been mentioning for quite some time: the fact that Helen doesn't really have a plot well-established in her mind for the columns. I would expect that, when she has to turn the columns into the sequel, she will once again have to come up with a \"beginning, middle, and end.\" ;-) but that she likes MD very much as a character and would be sad to lose him. So do we and IF she loses him, how many others will defect!!"}, {"response": 349, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jun 17, 1998 (19:53)", "body": "I was cheered to read that HF expects the movie to be out in 18 months. I think that's quite a reasonable timescale and could indicate that they may start shooting soon. A lot of British movies take over 18 months from the first day of the shoot to actually hitting the screen. If (:-( ) MLSF had opened in July, the timescale would have been just over 15 months. But obviously movies can be rushed through as well......SIL seems to be opening quickly. Anyway I think 18 months is positive news...I was worried that HF might take another 2 years to finish the script, by which time it would be a case of Bridget Who?!!! If you're interested in checking out info on BJD (or absolutely anything/one else!), one metasearch engine I use at work is www.askjeeves.com/ It pulls up quite a few articles about BJD in the US (although you also have to sift through the irrelevant stuff). The movie seems to have Hollywood backing."}, {"response": 350, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Jun 18, 1998 (00:40)", "body": "(Laura) Bull crap that was well said!!!! Its the truth!!!! I still don't agree. We've had this discussion about Colin and fame (or lack thereof) so many times that I've run out of things to say--apparently, Arami has as well ;-) Sorry dear, all the exclamation points in the world will not convince me that Colin would accept a role simply because he craves fame."}, {"response": 351, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 18, 1998 (01:56)", "body": "but that she likes MD very much as a character and would be sad to lose him. Actually, last night at one point , she casually said ;\"I coud live without him\". I will let you know when Time posts the transcript. They seem to be behind."}, {"response": 352, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Jun 19, 1998 (02:03)", "body": "Has no one mentioned the People magazine article on Helen Fielding this past week? Wot?! Kate Winslett and Minnie Driver being considered as Bridgets? What bitter irony to have a mint fresh, shiny new ingenue playing 30-something, battered-a-bit Bridget. Let's hope the people with influence will see the light."}, {"response": 353, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jun 19, 1998 (08:11)", "body": "It's Hollywood star power. If Hollywood have a vested interest in BJD - The Movie, then they will go for names rather than verisimilitude. If Working Title want to be true to the book they should cast someone who is relatively unknown, but if they want the movie to be promoted and successful in the US (and without this exposure, a movie cannot be deemed a success )they'll have to go for names. I'd lay even money it is KW or MD. Does CF have Hollywood star power?!!!"}, {"response": 354, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 19, 1998 (17:55)", "body": "(Heide) Kate Winslett and Minnie Driver being considered as Bridgets? Kate Winslet has the heft, but Minnie Driver has the face of averageness. However, I can't see Minnie putting on the pounds to play the role after having taken up the anorexic/bulimic lifestyle and hanging around with a convict druggie. Of course they are both way too young. (Bethan) Does CF have Hollywood star power?!!! This is a rhetorical question, isn't it? ;-)"}, {"response": 355, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Jun 19, 1998 (20:59)", "body": "What about Kristin Scott Thomas as Bridget. She is a) British, but is b) known well enough in the US, c) has the right age, and d) she's a very good actress. That she is very thin doesn't matter, IMO, since this dieting-mania has nothing to do with the actual weight, but is a state of mind, and would be emphasised in its absurdity by a very slim actress. If it had to be an American actress there can only be one: Jeaneane Garofalo (Help! How do you spell her first name!?). Come to think of it, she's exactl the person who could bring BJ's character across...."}, {"response": 356, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 19, 1998 (21:42)", "body": "What about Meg Ryan? She is also the right age."}, {"response": 357, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Jun 20, 1998 (02:27)", "body": "unbelieveable... so exactly 24 hours ago, Jana and I actually saw Helen Fielding! She made an appearance at the Borders Bookstore at the Santa Monica Promenade (same setting as Colin's interview a while back), and just our luck: we sat right in front of HF's podium!!!!! She read the pregnancy test excerpt from her book, which drew lots of laughs.OH oh! oh!!!! AND she enlightened us (me at least) on the correct pronunciation of \"fuckwittage\": [fuck-wit-ahh-zsh] very shi-shi and French for a cuss word, if you ask me ;-) anyway, she's really very beautfiful in person, taller than i had imagined, so she sort of looks statuesque in an un-Bridget sort of way.But she's so down to earth, and answered all the questions, and didn't mind the 2 colin questions i asked her. -she didn't get specific about whether or not he'll be marck darcy, but she's run the idea past him, he hasn't committed to any other films for the next 3 years, and ... well, she's hoping for him to sign off to do it. -i asked her about the interview she did in rome with him. she had a good time with him, and they kept staring at a statue somewhere in rome, and she kept thinking \"mr. darcy, mr. darcy..\" anyway, i also hit her up for a part in the movie.. since i'm considered an 'ethnic type' in Hollywood, i figured the only part i was good for was Elena Rossini (was that her name?).. the woman accused of murdering her employer, and who was defended by mark darcy in trial. (Bridjet gets an exclusive interview with her). HF drew a complete blank when i told her i wanted to be Elena Rossini-- really dumb question on my part, but hey-- i had to ask. she'll be living in LA now, for the time being, as she writes the screenplay. I'm so excited! Jana and I had a lovely talk after the booksigning (i'll try to scan our picture!).. and it's so amazing how much we have in common and can talk about, though this was the first time we've actually spoken to one another. Anyway, i'm neglecting someone in the other room right now... so i have to sign off. but i just wanted to share our little encounter with HF. winter (jennifer)"}, {"response": 358, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jun 20, 1998 (02:34)", "body": "There has to be actresses out there not only the right age but also the right look. Kristen Scott Thomas? I wonder if she can get past her \"classy dame\" typecasting; Janeann Garofalo, oddly enough, looks like the Bridget in my mind - that's a possibility; Meg Ryan? IMO, too blonde and bubbly. Surely there are other Brits out there who can do this? How about Emily Watson?"}, {"response": 359, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jun 20, 1998 (07:41)", "body": "he hasn't committed to any other films for the next 3 years E-e-ech! I want him to do MD...but not THAT much! Commit, Colin, commit!"}, {"response": 360, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Jun 20, 1998 (22:18)", "body": "Commit, Colin, commit! Ditto here. This must be some misunderstanding, surely. Perhaps at the time they talked he had no other plans and tentatively agreed to keep BJD in mind."}, {"response": 361, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, Jun 21, 1998 (00:19)", "body": "on casting bridget: I always thought that actress from \"Friends\" should play Bridget. I don;t remember her name, but she playerd Ross' finacee, and sh's been on a PBS series for a while now. can someone gimme her name?"}, {"response": 362, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun 21, 1998 (21:02)", "body": "Thank you Winter and Jana for attending the LA Booksigning. You did us proud!! And we appreciate your efforts. , he hasn't committed to any other films for the next 3 years, and ... well, she's hoping for him to sign off to do it I am in shock .Why, Why is he doing this?? Casting Bridget: Tara Ftizgerald ( Brassed Off, Tenant of Wilfell Hall). Kate Beckinsale, Samantha Bond (Rebecca), It can't anybody too beautiful...they wouldn't be out there looking for a husband. The guys would be lining up for them!! As for CF's Star Wattage ...if it's a well-known Bridget, MD's role would not need a megastar. (Sliding Doors with GP and John Hannah...an obscure Scottish actor...has been on the top 10 films in the US) I hope they don't cast Jennifer Jason Leigh...I read she is eager to do a role with a British accent!!! If HF is to live in LA for the duration of the screenplay writing...will she continue the weekly BJD installments in the Telegraph.??"}, {"response": 363, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Jun 21, 1998 (23:51)", "body": "Sorry I'm tardy with my report on the Helen Fielding book signing, but thanks for sending me. Jennifer and I had a great time! I have to admit I hadn't read any of BJD before I went, but enjoyed the reading and meeting her in person. As others have said, HF is quite attractive, witty and charming. I'm not sure I have a lot of news to report. Most of the comments and anecdotes that HF shared I have already (or since) read in other interviews with her. For example, we got the \"looking at the Moses statue in Rome and moaning Mr. Darcy\" story, for example. There was a pretty large, appreciative crowd there who laughed in all the right places during the reading. Winter (jennifer) was brave and asked if CF would consider playing Mark Darcy. HF related the story I've read before about her asking him to do it at a party and him saying he'd save the next three years. Hearing her say it in person however, I got the distinct impression it was just teasing banter between them, not a real type of commitment. She had quite the twinkle in her eye and she phrased it so carefully, I would bet that there is no real understanding yet that CF will in fact play M.D. This is ertainly only IMHO and I will happily eat my hat later if it turns out to be true. Someone asked if she would be returning to London since this was her last signing, and she said no, she was staying on in LA to work on the screenplay. The crowd oooohed in unison to this for some reason, and we all laughed, HF included. I think we were just so happy that she was sticking around our little world for awhile. (She didn't say for how long though, Evelyn. Sorry, I should have asked.) It sounds like there is still quite a bit of work to be done on the screenplay. Maybe HF will snag tha CF commitment yet! Someone asked what she thought about the different places in America that she'd visited. She really liked New York and thought it looked like a movie set. She didn't see much of Washington DC or Boston other than the hotel rooms. She liked Chicago and thought it looked like a perfectly designed, imaginary city one would create in the SimCity game. She didn't think the Denver reading went particularly well. There was a lot of shifting about uncomfortably when she used the first swear word (I think it as F**kwittage) and she said she felt a bit like she was heading towards Niagara Falls in a barrel because she knew she had to read the \"B**stards, B**stards\" part shortly. Jennifer asked if HF had really done the CF interview in person, and she said yes. HF said CF was a delightful person and that he really got into the spirit of the interview. (or maybe she said he was charming. I can't remember exactly, but she clearly likes our DB. :-) We had just a brief, private moment to speak with her when she was signing our books. The book store folks were moving the line along quickly. Jennifer told HF we were from the internet group and she brightened up and said something like \"You folks have been at almost every signing. There was a woman in Chigaco, I remember.\" (so you see K, you made quite the impression) I said, \"Oh yes, that would be Karen. And the ladies at the net made sure we were attending tonight so that we would definitely have LA representation.\" HF just laughed. Then Jennifer had a moment with her, we got our picture taken and were whisked out of the way. So, as I said, not a lot new to report, except that she's currently doing the Hollywood thing. My journalistic skills are a bit lacking, I fear. Anyway, thanks ladies, for suggesting a lovely evening. Far and away the best part was meeting Jennifer, real live and in person :-)."}, {"response": 364, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Jun 21, 1998 (23:56)", "body": "(Bethan and Arami) Commit, Colin, commit! Ditto here. This must be some misunderstanding, surely. Perhaps at the time they talked he had no other plans and tentatively agreed to keep BJD in mind. My impression of CF's comment that he'd wait three years to play MD was that it was something flip he threw out at a party to hush up HF, not that he really had no plans in the works for the next three years. I could be wrong, but I thought HF made it sound that he was just teasing about waiting the three years for this part. Only MHO, but there you are."}, {"response": 365, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 22, 1998 (04:04)", "body": "Jana, you have excellent journalistic skills. And we thank you for going.to the LA Booksigning I, too, am glad that we had representatives all over (except Denver...which didn't go well. Maybe, that's why!! ) Thanks to all The Spring Reporters, the rest of us got to find out some good stuff.Thanks for sharing guys!! BTW USA TODAY list of the Top 50 Best Sellers in the US ranks BJD as 42. (Last week it was 58). I noted at Borders that it is a Book of the Month Club Selection. Way to Go, HF!!"}, {"response": 366, "author": "Kate", "date": "Mon, Jun 22, 1998 (13:36)", "body": "Have you seen HF's diary of her trip around the States? It's hilarious, especially the account of her media training (no wonder the poor thing answered all questions the same way!) and the sound-bite-esqueness of the whole interview process... I LOLed at this... \"Go to Central Park, first removing all jewellery and stuffing money and credit cards cunningly into bra. Assume will be murdered on arrival but find ambrosia-like Utopia - children playing ball games, gay lovers canoodling, smiling grandpas etc.\" since I did exactly the same thing when I first came to NYC."}, {"response": 367, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 22, 1998 (16:32)", "body": "Thanks Jennifer and Jana for the great reports. I remember in one of her interviews, she said that she bought a book in true Bridgetesque fashion on how to write a screenplay. Guess that it didn't do the trick!! Needs private tutoring from the pros. Either that or wants to go to Disneyland. Loved her *Report* from the States. I seriously doubt that the sign she posed with in Chicago said \"Haircolouring by Bridget\" unless signmaker is time-served graduate of Chicago Public School system and therefore cannot spell. Too bad she went to eat at the 95th. Is only good for the view and for having a drink on a clear day. Have found inverse relationship between altitude of restaurants and quality of food. Starting, though, to notice absence of anything old Hmmm, Chicago call boy escort must failed to have told her that city burned down in the 1870s. Another CPS graduate. BTW, call boy did not look like Richard Gere. v.disappointing. You're quite right, Kate, about that media training. She certainly learned her bullet points well. OK, big question: What is a twin set? The only association I get from twin sets are those sweater sets that were worn in the '50s and '60s and might be worn today by those shopping at Talbots or readers of Town & Country. Retro fashion????"}, {"response": 368, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 22, 1998 (19:47)", "body": "(Winter) I always thought that actress from \"Friends\" should play Bridget. I don;t remember her name, but she playerd Ross' finacee Her name is Helen Baxendale. I'm glad you agree. She is playing Cordelia Gray in the Mystery series, \"An Unsuitable Job for a Woman.\" She is average looking (i.e., not perfect), but has the potential to be pretty. The only thing is I wonder how she would do playing a major ditz. Renate: While Janene Garafalo (sp.?) might look right and definitely played a woman who is insecure in \"The Truth About Cats and Dogs,\" I've heard her being interviewed and she is way too intelligent. I couldn't imagine her playing a ditz."}, {"response": 369, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Jun 22, 1998 (20:27)", "body": "I've heard her being interviewed and she is way too intelligent. I couldn't imagine her playing a ditz. LOL! So much for your knowledge of acting skills..."}, {"response": 370, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jun 22, 1998 (20:33)", "body": "Congrats Karen on getting recognition for the Chicago ladies! Yes, it does sound as if HF was repeating (as per her orders) the same sound bites. I think it's interesting that she's staying on in LA to work on the screenplay.....maybe it's reached the \"knocking into shape\" stage! I'm repeating what I've just said on #59, but I think that Emma Thompson's younger sister Sophie (she was in Emma) would make a good Bridget..she usually does comedy."}, {"response": 371, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 22, 1998 (21:53)", "body": "Yes, it does sound as if HF was repeating (as per her orders) the same sound bites. The media-managers didn't count on us who followed all her television interviews and on-line chats....AND the reports from The Spring Reporters. I would have liked to have heard what HF herself would have answered. Instead of scripting her."}, {"response": 372, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 22, 1998 (22:18)", "body": "(Maria) LOL! So much for your knowledge of acting skills... She is primarily a comedienne and I wouldn't think she would want to play a ditz. That's just my take on her. It has nothing to do with obviously my inferior knowledge of acting."}, {"response": 373, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jun 23, 1998 (17:17)", "body": "To end the casting question once and for all. Hello all I am back from the Cape and cannot believe that Renate was left in charge. Hee hee. Anyway. For Bridget: Imogen Stubbs aka Lucy Steele Claire Rushbrook aka I have no clue. Janeane Garofalo is too intelligent to play Bridget and too American!!! And can we please be civil here. I understand everyone has their own opinion as to who should play what and whom, but when everyone starts getting testy it makes for a nasty page ESPECIALLY when we now know that Ms Fielding can jump on this page whenever she wants. Thank and now back to the studio."}, {"response": 374, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jun 23, 1998 (20:22)", "body": "(Karen)She is primarily a comedienne and I wouldn't think she would want to play a ditz. That's just my take on her. It has nothing to do with obviously my inferior knowledge of acting. I am sorry if you feel offended, but it seemed that you were questioning an actor's ability and/or willingness to stretch. That's typecasting. (Laura)And can we please be civil here. Are you taking over from Renate?"}, {"response": 375, "author": "Kate", "date": "Tue, Jun 23, 1998 (23:11)", "body": "Ms Fielding can jump on this page whenever she wants. I have to confess that this is not something that fills me with joy and delight (much as I love your books, Helen). If someone is going to hand over the url to a subject of our discussion, could you at least give us some notice, if not actually discuss it with us?"}, {"response": 376, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 24, 1998 (01:43)", "body": "Kate: If someone is going to hand over the url to a subject of our discussion, could you at least give us some notice, if not actually discuss it with us? I was under the impression that this is a public board. Anyone can access it through The Spring. No one invited me!"}, {"response": 377, "author": "Ann", "date": "Wed, Jun 24, 1998 (05:06)", "body": "Kate: If someone is going to hand over the url to a subject of our discussion.... I thought that she found it on her own, and that she mentioned having found the website before anyone had told her about it. I know I've done a couple of web searches on my name, and it's not surprising that other people do as well. Now, if only HF will join us in the chat room some time!"}, {"response": 378, "author": "Kate", "date": "Wed, Jun 24, 1998 (13:44)", "body": "I was under the impression that this is a public board of course it is. But that does not mean we actually have to tell the objects of our discussion about it - if they find it on their own, well and good. I thought that she found it on her own Oops! in that case I was mistaken. I thought Karen or Laura gave her the url."}, {"response": 379, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 24, 1998 (13:48)", "body": "TIME MAGAZINE has posted the transcript of the June 16th interview in the TIME/Yahoo Chat Room with Helen Fielding. http://pathfinder.com/time/community/transcripts/chattr061698.html"}, {"response": 380, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 24, 1998 (16:07)", "body": "HF found this site by doing a search, but I did not get the impression that she comes here very often and only to get a feeling of our reaction to her columns, i.e, why there isn't a lot of discussion when she focuses on news items v. the Bridget-Mark relationship. She has not intention of posting. I gave the Electronic Telegraph url to several people, but not this place. So I suggest that we just continue as before...saying what we want to and forget the fact that HF *might* read it. However, I might tone down my threats of bodily harm a bit...or maybe not!! :-) Speaking of Time magazine, the cover this week is entitled \"Is Feminism Dead\" and depicts Susan B. Anthony to Ally McBeal. I had a feeling that BJD might be mentioned and she is...about three paragraphs trashing the so-called British version of AMc. Ah yes, where has feminist literature gone? To compare BJD to the 60s and 70s seminal works of Germaine Greer, Kate Millet, Betty Friedan, et al. is positively absurd. Time: lighten up!!@ BTW, Kate, I was surprised that Bridget in America didn't note the absence of pavement folk art (chalk outlines of people) in NYC which, if one believes all one sees in movies/TV, should be all over the place. Perhaps, Bridget/HF thought Central Park was a violent place because Kennedy hunks might be assaulted by their fiancees! ;-)"}, {"response": 381, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jun 24, 1998 (17:45)", "body": "Thanks for the transcript of the HF interview! Actually, talking about searching on names, if you search on \"Colin Firth\" on some search engines you come straight into the Spring (Drool), and the same must apply to a search on HF!"}, {"response": 382, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 24, 1998 (22:03)", "body": "Evelyn, read the chat transcript and thought the session had some great stuff in it. More than the usual answers we heard everywhere else. Her comment about whether Bridget and Mark are EVER going to get it together was definitely optimistic. \"But I really like Mark Darcy as a character and I'm not sure I could live without him.\" Was that your question, Kate? Does no one know what a \"twin set\" is? Am on the edge of my chair and have bitten my nails down to the quick! ;-)"}, {"response": 383, "author": "Kate", "date": "Wed, Jun 24, 1998 (22:34)", "body": "Her comment about whether Bridget and Mark are EVER going to get it together was definitely optimistic. \"But I really like Mark Darcy as a character and I'm not sure I could live without him.\" Was that your question, Kate? yes. ;-) Does no one know what a \"twin set\" is? Am on the edge of my chair and have bitten my nails down to the quick! ;-) A twin set, as I understand it could mean either a sweater and cardigan set or a dress and jacket set. I don't think it refers to a suit, but I'm not claiming to be an authority on english fashion terms, and I could have this complelety wrong."}, {"response": 384, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 25, 1998 (01:41)", "body": "Karen: To compare BJD to the 60s and 70s seminal works of Germaine Greer, Kate Millet, Betty Friedan, et al. is positively absurd. Time: lighten up!! Why don't you write a letter to the TIME editors and tell them that. Someone should come out in defense of Bridget and HF. (I feel as if they're part of my family!!....or at least good friends!!) BTW twin-sets are the short sleeve and cardigan matching sweater sets. They're hot now...a little retro."}, {"response": 385, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 25, 1998 (15:41)", "body": "Re: Twin Sets ...but didn't she mention a gingham one in the Denver section? I've never seen a gingham sweater set, but then again I've never seen a purple cow either. ;-)"}, {"response": 386, "author": "CatFan", "date": "Sat, Jun 27, 1998 (01:35)", "body": "I have nothing enlightening to say, but just wanted to join in the enthusiasm over THE BOOK. I have just read it (twice) and am passing it around to my single friends (I am a smug married). My husband asked what I was laughing so much about. I have a question to those of you who are \"in the know\". Why is there this backlash against Mark Darcy in these postings? Has Ms. Fielding continued the story and turned the dashing man from the book into something else? Does she continue writing for the newspape (or wherever this story started) and if so, which one, and can I access it from my computer? I'd love to read a continuing saga. Thanks."}, {"response": 387, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul  1, 1998 (01:54)", "body": "(Susan) Does she continue writing for the newspaper (or wherever this story started) and if so, which one, and can I access it from my computer? I'd love to read a continuing saga. Welcome , Susan. Yes HF writes a weekly column in the Saturday issue of the Electronic Telegraph (only it stays on all week) www.telegraph.co.uk Click on \"Etcetera\" Scroll down to the bottom. And as a bonus, The Telegraph gives you all the back installments too. You'll be as hooked as the rest of us. And hey, we all like Mark Darcy....on account of we expect Colin Firth to play the role in the forthcoming film. So ,start reading and then, by all means tell us what you think every week.."}, {"response": 388, "author": "Kate", "date": "Wed, Jul  1, 1998 (02:18)", "body": "I have to say that this was one of the funniest columns HF has written recently. First of all the recitation of the famous people: \"gay\". And the description of Jerome's poetry reading had me ROTFLOLing.... And it ties up so neatly at the end: Jerome: straight."}, {"response": 389, "author": "Ann", "date": "Wed, Jul  1, 1998 (02:46)", "body": "I couldn't help but think of HF's book tour when she started talking about book groups. I was just waiting for her to mention someone named Karen or Laura."}, {"response": 390, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul  1, 1998 (16:45)", "body": "I thought last week's column was a hoot too, Esp. the ladies of the Lifeboat Book Club sitting on their faux regency chairs listening to Pretentious Jerome!! What a picture! BTW I wrote to Time Magazine and explained that HF did not write BJD to be a feminist treatise to be compared with Germaine Greer or Gloria Steinem as the writer intimated in last week's cover story. Anyone else want to email: Letters@time.com Give name, address and daytime phone.."}, {"response": 391, "author": "Ann", "date": "Wed, Jul  1, 1998 (17:13)", "body": "CNN is doing a piece on Helen Fielding and Bridget Jones. It will be on their Entertainment Weekly/CNN show Thursday night at 10 PM Eastern ."}, {"response": 392, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul  1, 1998 (17:48)", "body": "THERE'S only one explanation,\" declared Jude. \"Mark Darcy's gay.\" Quite right!! Only one explanation that a scorned woman could accept. One that would make her feel better as though the breakup had nothing to do with with her!! So, that would...what...make Rebecca a transvestite, right? ;-O She's v.tall and has a pert bum. Could only be a guy. Is biologically against laws of nature!! no. of days since saw Gary the Builder, who...pretended something had happened between us, then disappeared again: 13 So much for the grand passion, Laura. He's a wolf in sheep's clothing. How better than to get Bridget than to put Mark down and pretend to be the sensitive Alan Alda-ish male and bring her capuccino in the a.m.!! Can spot a skunk at 1000 yds.) (Ann) I couldn't help but think of HF's book tour when she started talking about book groups. I was just waiting for her to mention someone named Karen or Laura. Yes, I was starting to get uncomfortable, myself!! :-) Hmmm Does HF think we should, perhaps, get a life? FYI, there is a great interview with HF at amazon.com. It has some of the pat answers we've all seen plus a few of the things that were in her \"Bridget in America\" column, but other new comments. The url is really long, but you can access from the home page. There's a ref to HF and Bridget and there are three link options. I'm sure you can figure out which one to go to. :-)"}, {"response": 393, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul  1, 1998 (17:48)", "body": "Hmmm Does HF think we should, perhaps, get a life? Nevah!"}, {"response": 394, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jul  1, 1998 (17:48)", "body": "Susan, welcome to our nightmare!!! hee hee. Regarding the why I hate Mark Darcy. Well read the columns and you'll see;) Hee hee. I really have noting to add, sad isn't it! I've been gone for a week or so and can't think of one bloody thing to say:)"}, {"response": 395, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul  1, 1998 (17:48)", "body": "Welcome Back, dear leader....we have missed your pithy remarks!! Thank you, Ann for the info on HF to be featured on CNN tomorrow night What would we do without Ann who keeps us posted on the BJD promos. . And Karen, that interview with HF on Amazon.com is great. Mobetta' than some of the Chat Rooms where they often ask inane question. (Like mine!)"}, {"response": 396, "author": "Ann", "date": "Fri, Jul  3, 1998 (04:11)", "body": "On the CNN/Entertainment Weakly show, the bozo bloke said that Bridget should be played by Christina Ricci! Excuse me! Yes, let's have a 30-something, with biological-clock ticking, woman who is reaching her sell-by date played by a 19 year old. EXCUSE ME!!!! I really fear that Hollywood is going to do this sort of thing to BJ."}, {"response": 397, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul  3, 1998 (14:13)", "body": "(Ann) I really fear that Hollywood is going to do this sort of thing to BJ. I do too. I just hope they keep the cast British.. But if they do I lay bets GP gets the role...she was mentioned in the CNN /Entertainment Weekly Show. Along with Toni Colette, and Heather Locklear (sp?)Also Minnie Driver with 20 lbs.( I said that months ago). No mention of MD in the interview.CF still has a shot...esp. if they cast it with a well-known Bridget. Two unkowns in a $$$ film...uh,uh."}, {"response": 398, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul  3, 1998 (19:07)", "body": "Wednesday Addams!!! Are those people out of their minds? Definitely agree with you, Ann, Christina Ricci is TOO young. That list of possibles they came up must have really taxed their little pea-brains. Not one new name that we haven't already heard bandied about. All pretty mainstream choices. No one who would really qualify as an unknown. BTW, Looked like the outfit HF was wearing in Chicago. Dark pantsuit with a white bodysuit underneath. The one here had little subtle pin stripes. Couldn't tell if this one did as well."}, {"response": 399, "author": "Kate", "date": "Fri, Jul  3, 1998 (22:02)", "body": "I just hope they keep the cast British.. But if they do I lay bets GP gets the role.. ?? last time I checked, GP wasn't British...."}, {"response": 400, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul  4, 1998 (02:27)", "body": "?? last time I checked, GP wasn't British... I knew someone was going to get me on that the minute I hit submit!! But you know what I mean...I don't want them to Americanize Bridget (keep London locale etc.). And GP's British accent is \"flawless\" (London Times) Aside from the fact that she is too skinny and too beautiful...I wouldn't have a problem with GP. She was great in Sliding Doors."}, {"response": 401, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Jul  4, 1998 (06:04)", "body": "He's BACK!!! Yea! Markie is back in the story! Laura and I thought the line about needing more communication sounded an awful lot like things we have said in here. HF is using our ideas!!!"}, {"response": 402, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul  4, 1998 (16:44)", "body": "When Mark Darcy appeared at door, lungs got in throat. Always forget how tall, strong yet kind, and irresistible he is. Pffft!! Not me, honey, you don't deserve him. ;-) At this he sprang to his feet and started pacing. He was still in his work suit, with top buttons all undone showing his hairy chest: all hot and rumpled and manly. Mmmm....Ask and ye shall receive. Thank you. :-) I'll sort everything out. I never realised you felt so...so much. Oh darling. Sort what out? He's clueless. He thinks that Bridget's all upset about the match. But if that gets the two of them back together, who am I to complain?"}, {"response": 403, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jul  4, 1998 (22:00)", "body": "Happy Fourth of July and welcome back MD! Mmmm....Ask and ye shall receive. Thank you. :-) Reader power, y-e-ess! Great episode. HF is spot-on. The David Beckham sending off transfixed the nation. At work, the next day, my male colleagues acted as though someone had died. Talk about morose! And I love the bit about the Queen. A journalist asked her if she was going to watch the match and she replied \"what time is it?\" And I'm v. happy to see the reurrn of MD! He walked in purposefully like he always does, inspecting everything But, yes, what/who is he going to sort out? David Beckham? Is Rebecca dumped? Can't see her giving up MD without a fight!"}, {"response": 404, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul  4, 1998 (22:44)", "body": "Bridget calls him on Tuesday night at 9PM. He is going to \"call back\". Then he prances in on Thursday at midnight . Sheeeesh!!"}, {"response": 405, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jul  6, 1998 (17:10)", "body": "Okay, Bridget is a doormat and needs a friggin' spine!!! What COMMUNICATION???? She didn't talk; she internalised. Mark D. has no clue, yes it was a wonderful episode, but what is he going to fix. Try Hoddle for Treason no, no, better yet, Beckham for treason for getting the damn red card and getting tossed out of the game. Or the Argies by winning in pathetic PKs? Can't say that too loud as brother in law is an Argies;) Thank God, Hollan beat the crap out of the Argies!!!! Oh yeah, Go Croatia!!!! And Holland!! (I always root for the underdog!) Now back to Bridget. Hole is becoming a great conversation piece, should keep it. Mark leaves Bridget all hot and bothered and goes back to Rebecca, because as Tina Turner said \"he is a typical male\":) Something about this leaves a definite bad taste in my mouth. Oh yeah, I'm back;) hee hee."}, {"response": 406, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jul  6, 1998 (19:01)", "body": "Yes, the air was hardly cleared. And what is Rebecca going to do....she's not going to say \"Go back to Bridget darling, with my blessing. You two are meant for each other\". Hasn't Mark seen \"Fatal Attraction\"? I hope he doesn't have a pet rabbit! Or maybe R. is just a trophy hunter....but I would have thought MD would be a trophy for keeps."}, {"response": 407, "author": "Ann", "date": "Mon, Jul  6, 1998 (23:43)", "body": "I was surprised to have just found a copy of Fever Pitch at a Barnes Ignoble here in Minneapolis. I'm happy. :-)"}, {"response": 408, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Jul  7, 1998 (04:03)", "body": "hi... i've been lurking over the past few weeks...sort of pissed and sort of happy that bridge and mark shared that intimate, hot and bothered moment. i asked my sports-fanatic boyfriend whether or not a man would actually be attracted to a woman even more, were she to show as much emotion over a game as a man did. to my surprise, he told me that a mutual friend of ours stayed with his girlfriend as long as he did (he lost interest WAAAAY before the eventual break up) because she was just as interested an knowledgeable in football he was. AGH! BTW, have worsened my eyesight due to the fact that last weekend, i bought both about a boy and high fidelity. read both in the course of three days. i have lost ability to see anything past sundown, but oh.... these two novels are so well worth it! (anyone know how i can get a hold of nick hornby? i want to wite him a letter)"}, {"response": 409, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Jul  7, 1998 (06:07)", "body": "(Winter) BTW, have worsened my eyesight due to the fact that last weekend, i bought both about a boy and high fidelity. read both in the course of three days. i have lost ability to see anything past sundown, but oh.... these two novels are so well worth it! I just finished About a Boy last weekend and High Fidelity not long before that. I agree with you Winter, both were hilarious and a fabulous read! I'm just beginning my HF autographed copy of BJD - am trying to catch up with all of you. So far it's vg :-)"}, {"response": 410, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jul  7, 1998 (18:21)", "body": "i asked my sports-fanatic boyfriend whether or not a man would actually be attracted to a woman even more, were she to show as much emotion over a game as a man did. I watched a game on TV in a pub and a young boy actually insisted on buying me a couple of drinks when he saw me jumping up and down and yelling... I don't know about \"attraction\" as such (or perhaps it happens as a bonus), but there is strong cross-gender bonding emerging over shared interests. The problem is, people still do not \"expect\" women to like sport (=butch), or men to get excited about, say, cookery (=sissies), but there's less and less of that. Our modern times actually encourage equalization in these areas, stereotypes are disappearing."}, {"response": 411, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Jul 11, 1998 (06:14)", "body": "Hmmmmm..... This installment has left me feeling a bit empty inside. I know I should be glad that Mark dumped Rebecca, but for some reason I'm not terribly thrilled. I think perhaps I've thought him a total spineless dweeb for so long, that I no longer want Bridge to be stuck with him? Maybe I don't believe him when he says he is through with the Jellyfisher--and she certainly won't give up that easy. Maybe I'm still wondering about Gary (who apparently does not have a refridgerator-repairman's butt-crack). And why does Bridget sabotage herself at every opportunity? \"Are you a man,\" I said, turning to face him belligerently, \"or a mousse?\" I know the answer to that--she keeps listening to the Shazzer even when she's been giving bad advice from the outset."}, {"response": 412, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 11, 1998 (17:00)", "body": "Are you a man...or a mousse? LMAO!! If of the chocolate variety, then who cares!! All that matters is that Mark is back!! He's pried the Jellyfisher's tentacles off him. Hoorah!! Agree though that Rebecca will not let this stand. She doesn't strike me as the type who could live with being the *dumpee* Can't decide against whom she will strike out. sabotage herself Naw! Just Bridget finally speaking up for herself like we've been wanting her to do for months. OK, so's she's a little soused. She could've said \"hair gel.\" ;-) wondering about Gary Sorry, but I don't think he's going to be the Prince Charming that Laura has fantasized. for the first time ever with Mark nothing seemed to be well...happening Just stress. Purely temporary condition. Emotionally drained. No need for Mark to make an appointment at the doctor's yet. Not my Markeeeeee!!"}, {"response": 413, "author": "Kate", "date": "Sat, Jul 11, 1998 (20:35)", "body": "HF responds to feminist critique in US by incorporating it into story line!! Yay HF! I think this is v. funny and moderately post modern. HF, having dealt with all the flak in the press about BJ being a product of too many self help books and beauty magazines, incorportates this into her story line: BJ is attacked by friends and self for being insufficiently spineful. I love it! And I'm glad she turned around and told him off. Just to take him back without a murmur would be ridiculous. And as its obviously going to be shortlived (they can't stay together for long or HF will run out of story) maybe MD's \"little problem\" is going to be the source of the next split?"}, {"response": 414, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jul 11, 1998 (20:53)", "body": "The mousse that roared! Good on you, Bridget! Nothing seemed to be well....happening And no wonder. Obviously the stress of maintaining a dual relationship and a high powered job, not to mention all these midnight dashes to Bridget's flat, dinner parties and mini-breaks, have taken their toll of MD. What he needs is an early night with a good book and a mug of Horlicks. The next stage.....well, I still foresee a Fatal Attraction scenario with the dumped Rebecca striking back. And when is Bridget going to get a foot in Mark's door (ie huge detached house in posh Holland Park)!"}, {"response": 415, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 12, 1998 (16:30)", "body": "(Ann) This installment has left me feeling a bit empty inside. This one hit me after the fact!! LOL!! A little *unsatisfied* perhaps. (Kate) HF responds to feminist critique in US by incorporating it into story line!! Hmmmm Didn't she get any flak in the UK? Where've you been, girl? Post-modern, indeed. Don't want to get tooo deep here. ;-) (Bethan) I still foresee a Fatal Attraction scenario with the dumped Rebecca striking back. V. possibly. We all know how good your eyes are. ;-) Another Tarts and Vicars party with Bridge wearing a bunny tail, perhaps!!"}, {"response": 416, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Jul 12, 1998 (17:18)", "body": "WALL STREET JOURNAL BEST SELLING BOOKS FICTION 4. ``Bridget Jones's Diary'' by Helen Fielding (Viking) PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BEST SELLING BOOKS HARDCOVER FICTION 3. ``Bridget Jones's Diary'' by Helen Fielding (Viking) USA TODAY BEST SELLING BOOKS 20. ``Bridget Jones's Diary'' by Helen Fielding (Viking) (F-H) Key: F-Fiction; NF-Nonfiction; H-Hardcover; P-Paperback USA Today's list is based on a computer analysis of retail book sales nationwide last week. Included are more than 1 million volumes from approximately 3,000 large-inventory, diverse-content bookstores."}, {"response": 417, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jul 12, 1998 (20:04)", "body": "HF in the charts........is this good/v.good/exceptional for a first novel by an unknown in the US? How did Nick Hornby do with \"About a boy\"? It probably also means that there will be more interest in getting the film version up and running......hopefully!"}, {"response": 418, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 12, 1998 (21:56)", "body": "About A Boy never hit the bestsellers' list. My Sunday paper showed BJD dropped from fourth to seventh this week nationally, although I don't know its source."}, {"response": 419, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 13, 1998 (01:43)", "body": "This week's New York Times Best Sellers List: BJD is #4 up from #8 last week after only 4 weeks on the list."}, {"response": 420, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Jul 13, 1998 (08:29)", "body": "Awful few weeks - lost my way here. What use is BJD without the BJD discussion group? Twin set - as understood in UK, believe twin set is jacket and skirt in same material (often tweedy?), associated with middle-aged women pre-WW2 (though am man, and therefore not fashion expert). Can confirm woman showing genuine interest in sport increases attraction levels dramatically - difficult to rationalise, but true. Also can confirm GP's accent in Sliding Doors was so flawless as to spark several arguments about whether she wasn't English or resident. Surprised by HF staying in LA, I actually thought I saw her in a restaurant here in London on Friday."}, {"response": 421, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 13, 1998 (19:29)", "body": "(MarkG) Awful few weeks - lost my way here. What use is BJD without the BJD discussion group? v. true. Felt same when site down for four days. twin set is jacket and skirt in same material (often tweedy?) Work for British Vogue? Can confirm woman showing genuine interest in sport increases attraction levels dramatically - difficult to rationalise, but true. Why difficult? Evidence of shallowness. ;-) Also can confirm GP's accent in Sliding Doors was so flawless as to spark several arguments about whether she wasn't English or resident. Scary, isn't it. Apparently, she thinks self is also. Should talk to parents more often."}, {"response": 422, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Jul 13, 1998 (20:01)", "body": "Work for British Vogue? Mark, you cannot be English and definitely do not work for Vogue if you think a twin set is a skirt and jacket made of tweed!! Also can confirm GP's accent in Sliding Doors was so flawless as to spark several arguments about whether she wasn't English or resident. In a recent interview she said she hated bubble and squeak, therefore there is no doubt. She cannot even be even an honourary English woman!!"}, {"response": 423, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jul 13, 1998 (21:15)", "body": "Okay, I've been fairly silent of late and would like to change that:) First of all, so Mark FINALLY leaves Rebecca!!! But, and I mean but, how long does he stay with Bridge and does he, in essence go back to Bridge. I mean with mum on the answerphone talking about Viagara and he can't quite get it up; should prove quite interesting:) I betcha anything she is reading this"}, {"response": 424, "author": "Kate", "date": "Tue, Jul 14, 1998 (00:50)", "body": "I betcha anything she is reading this oh puhleeze.... don't you think she has better things to do? as in, a life? ;-) and if she is reading this, don't you think she would find our analysis of her column down to the tiniest detail, a mite pathetic ;-) (as in, get a life?)"}, {"response": 425, "author": "Ann", "date": "Tue, Jul 14, 1998 (01:11)", "body": "She found the site on her own and said that she would check it again, so what's so far fetched, Kate? Do you think famous people don't surf the net? Only people like us?"}, {"response": 426, "author": "Kate", "date": "Tue, Jul 14, 1998 (04:45)", "body": "I wasn't clear that she found it on her own - I thought one of us gave it to her, but I'm happy to concede the point. However, if she is in Hollywood working on a screenplay (though that may not be the case!) she probably doesn't have time, given that she's also writing her column and keeping up with events at home sufficiently to make it current. Also, to be honest, I think repeatedly saying \"she's reading this\" not only makes us more self conscious about what we post, but also perhaps gives us an inflated idea of our own importance in her universe. I'm sure famous people surf the net. I just think BUSY people don't - or not as often as the rest of us do. I know I am nostalgically surfing madly at the moment, knowing that when I start a real job again in a month or so, time to surf is simply not going to exist."}, {"response": 427, "author": "Ann", "date": "Tue, Jul 14, 1998 (04:58)", "body": "Keep in mind that she doesn't start writing the weekly column until Friday (and it shows up here in the states around 8:30pm Friday night), I think you might overrate the ammount of time that she spends on it. Concidering how disjointed and incoherent it is at times from week to week, I wish she would spend more time on it."}, {"response": 428, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Jul 14, 1998 (07:43)", "body": "Apologies for ignorant definition of twin-set. I do not work for Vogue. I have little fondness for bubble and squeak, so maybe I'm not even English. I feel if the column is ever disjointed and incoherent, this is quite deliberate from HF, and totally in keeping with Bridget. I thought this week's was one of the best ever, with Bridget even in her moment of triumph jeopardising the relationship with feminist sensibilities, and then the great MD falling down on the job!"}, {"response": 429, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jul 14, 1998 (13:42)", "body": "Kate, Helen Fielding has told everyone that she is the biggest procrastinator on the other side of the pond! Surfing is better when at work! hee hee. Anyway, she came across this quite on her own because in Boston she said that there was a board where women from the States discuss BJD. My hand immediately went up and I told her that I created the topic. AND I also invited her to join in the conversation at times. She was quite ecstatic that \"Americans\" were discussing this little British book!!! I ex lained that we said what we felt and that there were \"no holds barred\"; especially, when I told her the numerous times I called Mark Darcy a F-ckwit! She was pleased that-- well, I was honest in my opinions!"}, {"response": 430, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 14, 1998 (21:19)", "body": "Let's just forget that HF might occasionally visit here. Saw a number of doctors being interviewed last week at the BMA convention in Cardiff. Amazingly high numbers being bandied about for men needing Viagra. If what I hear about the waiting list situation is true, would be criminal if NHS provided Viagra, a medically sanctionaed recreational drug in the US. ;-) Of course, it has been the substance of most talk show comedians' standup routines since coming out. Do you think there's an official Viagra joke book out here on the Web?"}, {"response": 431, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jul 15, 1998 (22:09)", "body": "Has anyone seen the readers' reviews of BJD at amazon.com Bestsellers - all 113 of them? Mostly 5 star raves. There seem to be a lot of Bridget Jones out there!"}, {"response": 432, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 16, 1998 (01:19)", "body": "I was disappointed in this week's TIME letters to the Editor that no one took up for Bridget (alas, I wrote, but it was not published ). However, one letter should make HF feel good: ...\".It seems a sad state of affairs when every young woman who writes about culture is judged on whether she is a \"good feminist.\" Women should be judged for the individual voices we are not for whether we conform to an outdated vision of what a good feminist is. It is a sign that feminism has not died, but has succeeded....young women don't have to be as single-minded or rigid as Gloria Steinem or Germaine Greer.....\" Keep going, Helen. Don't capitulate to your critics."}, {"response": 433, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 16, 1998 (19:34)", "body": "This morning on CBS This Morning the book reviewer from USA TODAY gave BJD a glowing review for a summer read...\"a must for your beach bag...\" She called Bridget one of the most* endearing* modern day heroines . (Imagine... our B.!) \" She loves everybody, is kind to family and friends. Looking for love....painfully insecure...but we all end up cheering up for her!\" I think Our Girl has made it!!"}, {"response": 434, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Jul 18, 1998 (17:35)", "body": "I cannot believe that no one posted regarding today's/last night's BJD. Ok, personally, I didn't think Rebecca would deign to show up the next day! after being chucked by Mark. I thought she was more in control, but I guess not:) hee hee. And to accuse Bridge of pinching Mark, hee hee, what a joke. Someone give this lady therapy!!!! Mark telling Rebecca that he wants to LIVE with Bridget, hmmmm... The house smelled... mmmmm... like sex no doubt!! I think Pam Jones is much better than Viagara...... And I don't think we've seen the last of Rebecca or Gary for that matter. I envision it now... Bridget is in the shower there is a knock on the door Mark (in towel, no less) opens door to see two cappuccinos being thrust at him. It's Gary!!! hee hee."}, {"response": 435, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Jul 18, 1998 (20:25)", "body": "(Bethan)Yes, the air was hardly cleared. And what is Rebecca going to do....she's not going to say \"Go back to Bridget darling, with my blessing. You two are meant for each other\". Hasn't Mark seen \"Fatal Attraction\"? I hope he doesn't have a pet rabbit! Or maybe R. is just a trophy hunter....but I would have thought MD would be a trophy for keeps. How prophetic!! Do you think that Rebecca in sleek, black convertible will park outside of Bridge's flat every night that Mark decides to stay the night??? And why the hell didn't Bridge SLAP her!! Did anyone learn anything from Dynasty and Alexis and Krystle??"}, {"response": 436, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jul 18, 1998 (21:50)", "body": "Wasn't Mark there for a whole week - or have I misread something? I actually think that Mark got off rather lightly! Perhaps Rebecca will plan some dastardly revenge!"}, {"response": 437, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 18, 1998 (22:02)", "body": "Laura I cannot believe that no one posted regarding today's/last night's BJD. Saturday's Electronic Telegraph didn't come on last night as usual. I bet they were waiting for HF !! This is one of my all time favorites...next to the Christmas Dinner. I wonder if it's part of the screenplay. ...can contribute suitable insights ... ..to football. I think HF must have read Winter and Mark G's posting re: men get turned on to women who are interested in sports. Anyway...Bridget 5....Rebecca 0 7/17/98 Publisher's Weekly Hard Cover Best Sellers List: BJD is # 3 (6 weeks on the list)"}, {"response": 438, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 18, 1998 (22:18)", "body": "Wasn't Mark there for a whole week - or have I misread something? I was confused about that myself. When they left the flat, it was after being together for 14 hours. Other entry was current or one week later, i.e., Mark wanting to watch the next match with his friend. I loved this installment. I always knew that, if Mark dumped Rebecca, Bridget's self-esteem would rise. How else to account for her having the guts to actually say something in the presence of the Rebecca. Although I too wish she had slapped her!! ;-D Ah Mark! Loved how he took charge and told her off. What can I say about our wonderful boy! Knew the *problem* was only temporary. Although it was pretty funny when he said he couldn't be pinched and was own man. Yeah, sure, if you want to believe it. So Bridget feels safe and secure with Mark, and Mark doesn't feel like he always has to be proving his love to Bridget because she is so insecure and neurotic. What will they do? Enter Gary, with or without the cappucino. No!! The adventures of them living together at Mark's house!! Yes, that where she's going with this. (Bethan) Perhaps Rebecca will plan some dastardly revenge! Agree. Need either Fatal Attraction scene or catfight from Dynasty to make complete. Rebecca leaving Bridget's flat in tears wasn't enough. She deserves far worse."}, {"response": 439, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 19, 1998 (20:59)", "body": "Oh yes, meant to ask what news story in Britain triggered this column with its focus on racist language carryovers?"}, {"response": 440, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jul 19, 1998 (21:25)", "body": "No news story that I'm aware of! I agree that it's time Mark invited Bridget over to his place. Bridget's tiny flat seems to be a cosy love nest (they don't seem to go out much except for disastrous weekends at Rebecca's). A move to Holland Park would be a real test of their relationship....but would BJ still be a singleton? Perhaps they could take a long holiday together (to the US?)"}, {"response": 441, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (01:50)", "body": "Re: Brigid's move to Mark's house.... Bethan....but would BJ still be a singleton? Right. What does a singleton become once she hooks up with a guy in a relationship? Let's see what term HF coins."}, {"response": 442, "author": "Kate", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (02:31)", "body": "What does a singleton become once she hooks up with a guy in a relationship? Let's see what term HF coins. But I gather that in \"the missing Independent year\" they did actually hook up...and break up....and hook up...and break up.....so I don't think we should hold our breath!"}, {"response": 443, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (16:04)", "body": "You're right, Kate. Shortly after the book, HF said in an interview that BJ would probably never live \"happily ever after\" as she wasn't at her best in a relationship. But it's great to just enjoy the moment! Clearly an onside penalty thrust-out."}, {"response": 444, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (18:13)", "body": "Does anyone have access to the columns for those *Wilderness* years. They would be in The Independent. Can't wait for her to write the sequel that would incorporate those columns. HF said in an interview that BJ would probably never live \"happily ever after\" as she wasn't at her best in a relationship. Don't people grow? I think Bridget showed much more self-confidence and maturity when she told Mark to have a good time watching the match with the boys. She's a person who's been conditioned to feel inadequate by Cosmo, television, movies, self-help books, etc. Mark's chucking of Rebecca was a major ego boost. Perhaps, it will stay with a while before she slides back into her neurotic self. ;-) Laura: Have you checked The Times?"}, {"response": 445, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (18:32)", "body": "I did check the Times. Why????"}, {"response": 446, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (18:39)", "body": "Can't wait for her to write the sequel that would incorporate those columns. Didn't HF tell someone when she was on tour that BJ falls for a handsome villain when on holiday in Banghok, gets arrested for drug smuggling and is rescued by MD. Sound as though they have a turbulent history! (Or did I dream this?) I would like to see Bridget meeting \"Malcolm and Elaine\" (or should it be \"Elaine and Malcolm\"?), MD's parents. Could be some comic potential there! Competition for Pam Jones?! (BTW why is Bridget's dad called Colin?)"}, {"response": 447, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (18:50)", "body": "Yes, that's right. I forgot about the drug-smuggling story."}, {"response": 448, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (18:53)", "body": "Well, Bridge has already met Malcolm and Elaine:) at their Ruby Wedding anniversary. She gave Elaine the Bodyshop Terra Cotta essential oils burner, (which I have too, should check to see if it does indeed take in milk:))"}, {"response": 449, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (21:04)", "body": "(Bethan) (BTW why is Bridget's dad called Colin?) Oh no.......here we go again with John the Baptist!!"}, {"response": 450, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (22:49)", "body": "(Evelyn) Oh no.......here we go again with John the Baptist!! Too funny!! Because she couldn't call him Fitzwilliam Jones:)"}, {"response": 451, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (23:29)", "body": "She could, but Colin sounds better."}, {"response": 452, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jul 21, 1998 (13:15)", "body": "Okay a couple of things to note: Headline of Stinky fish smelling Boston; Boston Herald: FEVER PITCH alas, it is about Pedro Martinez, Bosox pitcher extraordinaire and over-zealous fans. Tho' always thought the field was called the green and not the pitch:) And thinking about what terminology HF could come up with in regards to MD and BJ living together why: Smug Singleton, of course. v.g. I thought:)"}, {"response": 453, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 21, 1998 (21:02)", "body": "(Laura) in regards to MD and BJ living together why: Smug Singleton, of course. Yeah...I like that. Let's see what Helen thinks of it!!"}, {"response": 454, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Wed, Jul 22, 1998 (04:49)", "body": "Helen Fielding appeared on The Weekend Edition of All Thing's Considered on National Public Radio. You can hear the interview (but you must have a Real Audio Player) at: http://www.npr.org/plweb-cgi/fastweb?getdoc+npr+npr+31904+1+wAAA+Helen%26Fielding It's nearly 8 minutes long. She does not mention Colin Firth. It's more about how darned rich she's getting from BJD, now published in 22 countries. :-)"}, {"response": 455, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Wed, Jul 22, 1998 (04:52)", "body": "Forgot to say---scroll down to the bottom of the page and hit the hypertext link with her name."}, {"response": 456, "author": "Kate", "date": "Wed, Jul 22, 1998 (13:12)", "body": "Thanks for the link Meggin. At least we know she's still in LA and hopefully working on that screenplay!"}, {"response": 457, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (07:37)", "body": "At least we know she's still in LA and hopefully working on that screenplay! And also, according to the Times Diary, hanging out with Helena Bonham-Carter. The Times suggests that Helena may be first choice to play Bridget."}, {"response": 458, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (09:36)", "body": "Allison, I saw the Times Diary item and I must sayt that my gut feeling now is that it will be Helena B-C. The Times (for those of yoy who didn't see it) said that HF was hanging out at a Health Farm in LA with HBC and Keneth Branagh and they seemed very friendly. One thing that struck me though, gloomily,........the Times called the film \"the Hollywood version\" of BJD. Hollywood is all about bankability. BJD is no longer a little book that was popular in the UK. It's big business. HB-C is bankable. KB seems very Hollywood now.....in a recent interview he said he didn't want to do any more theatre and he's playing the baddie in a huge special effects movie with Will Smith. So how about a power couple for BJ and MD?. Or Rupert Everett for MD?. Sometimes I get the odd twinge of doubt about the casting......the money men must have the last say. Just hope some of CF's current batch of movies start being released in the US, soon! I wonder if CF is in LA......his son must be on summer holiday from school now. Or are the school terms different in the US?"}, {"response": 459, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (12:09)", "body": "(Allison) The Times suggests that Helena may be first choice to play Bridget. Ick!"}, {"response": 460, "author": "Kate", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (13:23)", "body": "Or Rupert Everett for MD?. since RE came out, Hollywood has not cast him in a straight role (all power to the British film industry for managing to recognise that actors do act!). I think it very unlikely he'd be cast as MD in a Hollywood-produced BJ. Sad that Hollywood seems to have got its claws into this - I was hoping for something small budget and british, like Brassed Off or the Full Month. Oh well... And actually, I don't think HBC would be that bad. At least she's the right age!"}, {"response": 461, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (13:25)", "body": "Helena B-C is too skinny:) And too beautiful. I think Bridget should be rather plain looking. Now, I don't see how every person that HF says hello to is destined to be the next Bridget. HF has said she wants and \"unknown\" for the role. She may still get that. They need massive casting call, say women btw the ages of 32-38, and must be British!!!"}, {"response": 462, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (13:30)", "body": "Let's not let our imaginations run amok here re: HB-C as BJ. I would not find it unusual for HF to be hanging out with HB-C and KB as this is v. common for an ex-pat crowd. HB-C is so totally associated with costumes dramas, Merchant-Ivory productions here, but she's appeared on the late night talk shows and portrayed a v.different image. Some of her less refined roles (like Margaret's Museum) hardly anyone would have seen. Or Rupert Everett for MD LOL!!"}, {"response": 463, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (14:26)", "body": "I'm about to do some anti-Mark Darcy ranting, so forgive me. And please indulge me. What right does Mark have to worm his way back into Bridget's life!!! And why Bridget didn't put up more of a fight is beyond me? He dumps (chucks) her goes with Rebecca who tangles him in tissue of engagements all the while, Bridget should be inducted into sainthood for being a martyr!!!(I'm joking, of course:)) She never once cheated on MD!! She stayed faithful, while he was lollygagging in Scotland, Majorca or whereever Rebecca would take him, forcefully, of course(what the hell is up with that!). He is NOT his own man!! (Why did it take months and months for him to finally realize that all this was done without any reference to him!) How many times is MD going to indecisive and changeable? He wants to \"live\" with Bridget. But can he really \"live\" with her? This reconciliation is just too \"pat\"; too easy. Bridget fell into bed with him, I don't call that being a \"strong\" woman. Telling him to really, truly decide what he wants. (Yes, I \"know\" he wants Bridget, but he has to decide if it is longterm that he wants.) Okay, enough of my ranting. I wanted to say something that was cohesive and made sense."}, {"response": 464, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (20:45)", "body": "Mobetta' HBC than GP for Bridget. And I agree with whoever said that authors have no say in casting. It's up to Directors and producers. the money men must have the last say. Unlike many European countries the US film industry is not government- subsidized. These producers must answer to the company shareholders....people like you 'me!! If the company continuously loses money on films, the CEO soon finds himself tanked."}, {"response": 465, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (21:02)", "body": "Evelyn, you have nothing to say re: my rant???? I'm shocked:)"}, {"response": 466, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (00:30)", "body": "(Laura )Evelyn, you have nothing to say re: my rant???? I'm shocked:) Moi?? I'm leaving it to Renate. :-) In truth,\" Markee Baby\" has lost ground with me. If he cheats on you now, Bridge, when love is in full bloom.... .....wait til the seven-year- itch hits."}, {"response": 467, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (12:58)", "body": "If he cheats on you now, Bridge, when love is in full bloom.... .....wait til the seven-year- itch hits. ] Exactly!!!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 468, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (21:05)", "body": "HBC for BJ - on reflection I think that not only is this very likely, but also HBC isn't such a bad choice. She's the right age, she can do comedy (not just the period stuff) and as she is small, she could probably, with the right (or wrong) choice of clothes, be made to look dumpy. I could actually imagine HBC and CF playing opposite each other, and having the right sort of chemistry. But I have difficulty seeing this with Kate Winslett or GP or whoever."}, {"response": 469, "author": "Ann", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (21:39)", "body": "as she is small, she could probably, with the right (or wrong) choice of clothes, be made to look dumpy. } Who said Bridget it dumpy!!! Part of the point of her obsession with her weight is the fact that she is not over weight ! Fielding was touching on the problem most women have between their perceptions of their bodies, and the reality. Bridget thinks she is fat, but when she got down to her goal weight, everyone told her she looked sick. She is, after all, about 125-130 lbs. In order to be overweight, she would have to be around 5' tall, and since Fielding never says that she is short, I think we can assume that Bridget i a size 6 or 8 (US)--hardly dumpy!"}, {"response": 470, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (22:37)", "body": "Bridget...5' tall...130 lbs......? She's got a roll here n' there. Stay on the diet, Bridge."}, {"response": 471, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (23:15)", "body": "Quite true, Ann. Nowhere and no place is it stated that Bridget is dumpy, frumpy or homely. She just can't be *drop dead gorgeous* or as thin as a supermodel. Her problem is self-image and what TV, movies and magazines (Cosmo) parade around as the *ideal*. HBC is not a bad choice from the standpoint of age and her beauty is v.unusual. (BTW, Bethan, she was extremely dumpy in Margaret's Museum)."}, {"response": 472, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jul 25, 1998 (12:45)", "body": "\"I may have briefly mentioned to Giles that there'd been a ground swell in the frilly blouse department\" Love it! Great episode....HF is back on form. And I must admit I prefer the rather badtempered dominant Mark to the soppier Mark who picks flowers from public gardens!"}, {"response": 473, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Jul 25, 1998 (18:38)", "body": "I'm 5'2\" tall, 125 lbs, and I wear a size 8. No one who wears a size 8 should be concidered dumpy! I've got news for you--I haven't got a 'roll in there'! According to the latest US government weight data, people should have a body-mass index of between 19 and 24 (less than that is too skinny!). My BMI is 23, so I'm right where I should be. (Weight in pounds) BMI = -------------------- X 709.95 (Height in inches)^2"}, {"response": 474, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Jul 25, 1998 (19:23)", "body": "Oh, oh, she pulled out the weight chart!!! Helen, what the hell are you doing to us!!!! hee hee."}, {"response": 475, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 25, 1998 (19:43)", "body": "Ann is showing us all up. She is obviously happy with herself. Good for you! :-) I'm 5'2\"...weigh 117 Lbs.....take a size 4 on top....8 on bottom.. Have big thunder thighs.Cellulite all over the place. Hate Myself!!:-( I like this Chapter too. Have we ever met Giles before? And I don't like badtempered Mark.IMO, I think he has to get in touch with his feminine side!"}, {"response": 476, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Jul 25, 1998 (19:57)", "body": "What does \"there has been a ground swell in the frilly blouse department\" mean? Is he making reference to Rebecca maybe being a bit larger than Bridget? I would think that is a horrible remark? I still think MD needs a good swift kick in the A--!!!"}, {"response": 477, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sat, Jul 25, 1998 (20:07)", "body": "You're kidding me with that chart, right Ann? You guys have been reading too much Bridget...she's making you obsessive, too."}, {"response": 478, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Jul 25, 1998 (20:52)", "body": "We are obsessive!!! (I will readily admit to it, and only this:))"}, {"response": 479, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jul 25, 1998 (22:03)", "body": "What does \"there has been a ground swell in the frilly blouse department\" mean? Bit of a mixed metaphor I think. \"There's been a ground swell\" is nautical, meaning a bit of turbulence. \"Frilly blouse department\" ia a very Hooray Henry (upper middle class public schoolboy type)reference to women. ie his love life has been rather unsettled. I'd like to see more of Giles. Sounds like the sort of friend Mark would have. I think the contrasting friends/lifestyles/attitudes of Bridget and Markee could be v. amusing! Looks like Rebecca is out of it, though. And I don't like badtempered Mark Oh, but I do! Shades of Fitzwilliam Darcy. Not so much bad tempered, more terse and slightly arrogant!"}, {"response": 480, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 25, 1998 (22:53)", "body": "Thanks Bethan for the translation of the \"frilly blouse dept.\" And now I also know the meaning of the reference to Mark as a bit of\" Hooray\". Was Henry a fictional character...or just alliteration ...like we refer to a Mr. Fixit as \"Harry-the- Homeowner\". Didn't you love the reference to Martha Stewart when she went to get the dishes for the carry-out !!"}, {"response": 481, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Jul 26, 1998 (04:18)", "body": "You're kidding me with that chart, right Ann? You guys have been reading too much Bridget...she's making you obsessive, too. } That is the correct chart, Nan. This happens to be one of my pet peeves--women who are incapable of seeing themselves as they really are, but as they are + 10-20 pounds. I believe in being a healthy weight, not a bean pole! Unfortunately that's not what most women aim at."}, {"response": 482, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sun, Jul 26, 1998 (05:37)", "body": "That is the correct chart, Nan. You misunderstand my meaning. I have no doubt of the chart's accuracy. My point was that comments made by a fictional character actually inspired you to go find that and post it. Don't you see the humor in that? ;-) women who are incapable of seeing themselves as they really are, but as they are + 10-20 pounds. I agree with you that, as a general rule, women are too concerned about being rail thin (brought on by having to stare at photos of Kate Moss, no doubt). Personally, I couldn't give a rat's ass. I am what I am--hasn't kept me from having the same experiences (both good and bad) as women who are 100 lbs. Then again, most of it is because of my attitude. This is, perhaps, why I find Bridget's insecurities so irritating. At first they were funny, because we all have them to some degree...but, really! Get ove it, already. Get some therapy :-)"}, {"response": 483, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 26, 1998 (13:27)", "body": "Thought this column was a riot, and everyone said that a reconciled Bridget and Mark would be boring!! ;-) Should be like I Love Lucy if and when they ever move in together. Love Mark when he's *in control.* I don't think of his no-nonsense approach as bad tempered. (miming throat slitting, indeed!!) But isn't it all just a facade. Look at what he does at the end, he hands the phone over to Bridge. The best has to be the interchange when Bridget can't believe he didn't discuss his relationship problems with his friends. \"How do you know what to do?\" \"I work it out for myself.\" Thanks, Bethan, for the explanation of the phrases; they had me in a quandary (sp?) as well. One thing nags at me is the \"Bill\" thing and its parallel with Bridget and Mark. A guy dating one friend and then calling another ostensibly for innocent reasons. Then Mark's advice to Shaz: Don't have anything to do with him. I'm getting the idea that Mark was the one who called Rebecca in the first place not the other way around. In last week's, Rebecca is referred to as \"the arch-queen of Rules-style behavior.\" From what I know, she would certainly be manipulative, but she would NEVER CALL Mark. The Rules state a woman doesn't call a man; they don't even return their phone ca ls. They give all appearance of being the pursued. *Just another reason for you to despise Mark, Laura!!"}, {"response": 484, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jul 26, 1998 (14:22)", "body": "Should be like I Love Lucy if and when they ever move in together. This could be a show (Bridget and Mark?) that could run and run. I thought more \"Philadelphia Story\"...Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant) :-) (My kind of movie by the way, but they don't make them anymore!)"}, {"response": 485, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 26, 1998 (15:22)", "body": "I thought more \"Philadelphia Story\"...Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant) :-) Bridget a Tracy Lord type?? I think she's too strong a character, self-assured and all that even though she can't see True Love living right next door. Reason I used Lucy is (1) first thing popped into head and (2) all those shows where she messes up in the kitchen. Can see Lucy with foot in pot of mashed potatoes. ;-)"}, {"response": 486, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 26, 1998 (16:48)", "body": "\"....ground swell in the frilly blouse department\".... I'm curious Bethan....(and pl. answer my question: Who is Hooray Harry?\"..a few posts back) ....if a guy says the above quote re: a relationship \"going south\"...... what does a gal say......\"ground swell in the tight breeches department\"?"}, {"response": 487, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Jul 26, 1998 (17:31)", "body": "My point was that comments made by a fictional character actually inspired you to go find that and post it. } Actually, I opened Excel, used the spread sheet to make the calculations, copied the chart over into Paint Shop Pro, saved it as a .gif, uploaded it onto my account, and then posted it here! My point was not so much about what Bridget might or might not think about her own weight, but about how too many women are deeply screwed up about their body image. I wanted to prostelitize for being a healthy weight, istead of a bean pole. I'm just trying to counteract the messages many women absorb about their weight out there."}, {"response": 488, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jul 26, 1998 (18:32)", "body": "\"Hooray Henry\" is just an expression, used to describe upper middle class public schoolboy types who still perhaps use the slang they learned at school and haven't completely grown up. There's no such actual person , except that I suppose Henry is a typical name of that social class. Geoffrey Clifton was described in some reviews as a Hooray Henry type, which infact he wasn't, although he pretended he was! Male equivalent of \"frilly blouse department\"? Well, I guess \"tight breeches\" would be fine! :-)"}, {"response": 489, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Mon, Jul 27, 1998 (03:24)", "body": "(Ann) Actually, I opened Excel, used the spread sheet to make the calculations, copied the chart over into Paint Shop Pro, saved it as a .gif, uploaded it onto my account, and then posted it here! And she admits it! ;-D Mercy, woman, this is even worse than I'd imagined. You've fallen into the abyss ;-p (Ann) My point was not so much about what Bridget might or might not think about her own weight, but about how too many women are deeply screwed up about their body image. You're right...she could not be considered overweight by any stretch of the imagination. My original point was that body image is all about attitude. If you think you look bad, then you do. If you think you look good, then you do. It doesn't matter what the reality is because most people will unconsciously pick up on the fact that you are comfortable with yourself and forgive you your \"faults\". And if they don't then they probably aren't the kind of people you would want around, anyway."}, {"response": 490, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Jul 27, 1998 (07:37)", "body": "(Evelyn)(and pl. answer my question: Who is Hooray Harry?\". To expand on Bethan's description - The term Hooray Henry was coined by a journalist(?) called Peter York in Harpers and Queen originally, I think. A Hooray Henry is the male equivalent of a Sloane Ranger, a young upper/upper middle class woman whose London life revolves around Sloane Square(near the King's Road - remember that?). They would be preppies I think in US speak. There way of life was explained in a v funny book called the Sloane Ranger handbook."}, {"response": 491, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 27, 1998 (16:30)", "body": "Allison...... Sloane Ranger, a young upper/upper middle class woman I remember HF describing JE with the \"Sloaney blond hair\". I knew about Sloane Rangers...now we know Hooray Henry the male counterpart...thanks.!"}, {"response": 492, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Jul 27, 1998 (19:45)", "body": "There way of life I am not really illiterate!!"}, {"response": 493, "author": "susanne", "date": "Wed, Jul 29, 1998 (19:12)", "body": "Hi y'all I've been lurking here a few weeks catching up on all the responses. I read 200 of them yesterday and while my head was spinning,I know much more about Bridget than before. Thanks to my internet friend, Evelyn,for recommending BJ to me and also directing me to these boards (also CF boards). I just want to say if CF is not cast in this part, I don't know if I can watch the movie as he is fixed in my mind as MD. He's so adorable in his diamond pattern sweater and ducky socks. CF is Darcy, MR. or Mark. HB-C is a pretty good choice for BJ, but is v. tiny and doesn't seem that she has 5 lbs to lose. Can we even come up with 5 actresses in their early 30's that have any weight to lose? I think they must all starve themselves. Yesterday, I was thinking maybe Jane Leeves from Fraiser would work. She's the right age, attractive but not beautiful, British, a recognizable name but not a superstar, and already plays a slightly Bridget-like character as Daphne."}, {"response": 494, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jul 29, 1998 (20:16)", "body": "Hi Sue, 200 posts in one day!! yowser!! Jane Leeves, hmmm... now there's a thought:)"}, {"response": 495, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 30, 1998 (00:57)", "body": "I want you all to be real nice to Sue. She and I have been sluggin' it out with triple digit heat for over 20 days now. And we don't need any additional stress. Besides, I told her how charming you all are!!"}, {"response": 496, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Thu, Jul 30, 1998 (04:23)", "body": "Welcome, Sue :-) (Sue) I just want to say if CF is not cast in this part, I don't know if I can watch the movie... I like you already, honey! :-) (Evelyn) I want you all to be real nice to Sue. And just what are you implying, missy? ;-p"}, {"response": 497, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Jul 30, 1998 (05:05)", "body": "Jane Leeves, hmmm... now there's a thought:) } And a pretty darn good one too."}, {"response": 498, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 30, 1998 (05:09)", "body": "Hi ya Sue! Any friend of Evelyn's is most definitely welcome here. Just don't let her current views on MD affect you. ;-D I've been lurking here a few weeks catching up on all the responses. I read 200 of them yesterday Don't sound so bad when the alternative might be going outside!! ick Welcome aboard, Sue. Always like to hear new points of view."}, {"response": 499, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Jul 30, 1998 (05:13)", "body": "Hey Karen, say hi to your Gary for me while your in his flat!"}, {"response": 500, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 30, 1998 (13:08)", "body": "say hi to your Gary for me while your in his flat! hee hee hee!! Didn't she tell you he went back to his wife? Of course, I will have to deal with Trampetta when she shows up!"}, {"response": 501, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 30, 1998 (16:38)", "body": "(Evelyn) I want you all to be real nice to Sue. (Nan) And just what are you implying, missy? ;-p Just a friendly remark.Not trying to be devious:-)"}, {"response": 502, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jul 30, 1998 (18:44)", "body": "We are all very friendly, Sue. Just follow along and have a minor problem w/ Mark Darcy and you'll be my best friend;-)"}, {"response": 503, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 30, 1998 (21:19)", "body": "Did anyone else notice that Bridget didn't smoke last week?? Think Hilary has gone after HF like she did all the Hollywood stars?"}, {"response": 504, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 30, 1998 (22:57)", "body": "Did anyone else notice that Bridget didn't smoke last week?? Yes, or at least on the diary entry date. Has Bridge gone cold turkey? Think Hilary has gone after HF like she did all the Hollywood stars? I don't quite catch your drift. Need more. Isn't the Horse Whisperer opening in Britain? Will Bridget comment on the May-December thing again (like for As Good as it Gets)? With Redford, however, I had no problem. She could also comment on ATA, with *her* Mr. Darcy semistarring as an Iowa farmboy. Could be funny."}, {"response": 505, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (01:12)", "body": "(Karen) Didn't she tell you he went back to his wife? Of course, I will have to deal with Trampetta when she shows up! I have no idea what this means, but it sounds really juicy! ;-) (Evelyn) I want you all to be real nice to Sue. (Nan) And just what are you implying, missy? ;-p (Evelyn) Just a friendly remark.Not trying to be devious:-) Of course not, honey! Just tuggin' your Murphy ;-p"}, {"response": 506, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (02:46)", "body": "Think Hilary has gone after HF like she did all the Hollywood stars? I don't quite catch your drift. Need more. Remember last summer Hilary Clinton took Julia Roberts on for smoking in \"My Friends Wedding and enjoying it !! Oh, furgeddit!"}, {"response": 507, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (07:48)", "body": "Bridget will be back on the ciggies this week as sure as a sailor returns to the sea. The blissful period must end soon. Incidentally, Jane Leeves would make a great Bridget for all Sue's reasons, unless her Manchester accent is her own and unchangeable, in which case it will sound as wrong to a British audience as an American accent."}, {"response": 508, "author": "susanne", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (17:01)", "body": "Thanks guys for the words of welcome and for not ridiculing my JR suggestion. It's just so hard to come up with the right casting. I hope they make casting announcements soon so that we can be put out of our misery. I don't think it will be an unknown which I think would really be best in this case. Hollywood is always more concerned about the $$$ than the artistic make-up of a movie. Just don't cast John Travolta as MD! I've only read BJD a few weeks ago,but am already addicted. I'm glad I missed the parts in which MD was being a jerk. I hope he's on the road to recovery. He'll prob. backslide sooner or later (he's a man afterall :) ) or else it will boring and then what would talk about."}, {"response": 509, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (17:22)", "body": "Oh, he'll definitely backslide. He hasn't been properly humbled, yet!!! And a man who cheats once will cheat again. John Travolta!! Well that would be odd casting:)"}, {"response": 510, "author": "susanne", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (17:59)", "body": ""}, {"response": 511, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug  1, 1998 (14:02)", "body": "Oh Lucy... Yes, Ricky. 'splain to me those police cars. Well...promise me you won't get mad. Just 'splain, Lucy. Well, ok, um, ya see it was like this... 'splain. It was Ethel, not me Ricky. It was Ethel. She did it!!"}, {"response": 512, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Aug  1, 1998 (23:15)", "body": "Hee hee, hee hee. Very funny!! However, this Bridget episode was not. The funniest thing was the phone ringing at 10.30pm; I'm asleep on the couch and answer the phone \"Which One!!!\" hee hee. Ann or Karen usually phone me w/ Bridget!!"}, {"response": 513, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug  3, 1998 (22:13)", "body": "So, how do you think poor Bridge is going to make out.? Will she get busted ? Do you think the leering Lizard Executive is an American:? \"Nice goin' , babe\" BTW. This really did happen. Story was in last week's London Times. A British Airways pilot detained the passengers on the tarmac for 3 hours...waiting for the smoking culprit to fess-up.Passengers were livid. Pilot got in trouble! Don't think they ever found the stealth smoker."}, {"response": 514, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  3, 1998 (23:55)", "body": "Oh, I suspect that's the last we hear about it. She's bound to get herself into more trouble on her miniholiday in Strasbourg. Perhaps, she will get arrested protesting the inhumane treatment of geese there (force fed) in order to satisfy the world's craving for foie gras. That is the place, isn't it?"}, {"response": 515, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (22:24)", "body": "Oh so it was topical then. Although that was one news item that didn't make any impression on me. BTW I'm beginning to see the Lucy/Ricky parallels! Why are they always either in Bridget's flat or on mini-holidays. Is Mark's place out of bounds? He's a non-smoker isn't he....maybehe's afraid that Bridge will set the place alight!"}, {"response": 516, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  5, 1998 (00:05)", "body": "BTW I'm beginning to see the Lucy/Ricky parallels! Having grown up with Lucy and Ethel's exploits, everything is beginning to take on a Lucyesque feel. Perhaps, they could go stomp on some grapes next. Is Mark's place out of bounds?..maybe he's afraid that Bridge will set the place alight! LOL!! Didn't she start a small fire in Paris when they got back together? Mark's house is described as a \"wedding cake\" house. What is that? Do you think there's an image of one somewhere on the web?"}, {"response": 517, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Aug  5, 1998 (01:01)", "body": "Karen, I have a picture of a \"Wedding Cake\" style house for you when I come to Chicago. (Can't type all the red wine I'm drinking tonight:)) It has decorations on the side that resemble the frosting on the side of a wedding cake. Sort of loopy loop and roses or what kind of flower one likes. you will see on. In Massachusetts we have a TON of them!!!"}, {"response": 518, "author": "susanne", "date": "Thu, Aug  6, 1998 (16:19)", "body": "After this experience maybe Bridget will give up cigerettes for good."}, {"response": 519, "author": "susanne", "date": "Thu, Aug  6, 1998 (16:39)", "body": "Oops! Can you tell that I am a non-smoker and also in serious need of a spell-checker since I cannot even spell cigarette properly."}, {"response": 520, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Aug  8, 1998 (06:05)", "body": "She's a bum! She just took a couple of weeks off!!! I suppose she intentionally left us with Bridge and Mark being chased down by the cops--a cliffhanger of sorts."}, {"response": 521, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug  8, 1998 (14:59)", "body": "Bad week to take off...Monica before the grand jury, DNA dress, etc. Could have been a riot. ;-D"}, {"response": 522, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug  9, 1998 (01:31)", "body": "(Ann) She just took a couple of weeks off!!! Who said \" a couple\"? I thought just one. (Karen) Bad week to take off...Monica before the grand jury , DNA dress, etc Unfortunately, this stuff will be around for more than a week. HF will have many opportunities to take some shots at it."}, {"response": 523, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Aug  9, 1998 (03:51)", "body": "She took two weeks off, I think during her book tour. She told one audience that she didn't even begin to write the column until Friday, then spends one day on it, so why does she need so much time off!!!"}, {"response": 524, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (05:58)", "body": "To paint her toenails."}, {"response": 525, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Aug 15, 1998 (03:21)", "body": "All right, if I were Bridget and Mark showed such trust and faith in me, I would have gotten out of the car and fumed for a while and let him know fully and loudly that I expected some respect and trust from him! He's known her for, what, 2 years now? Is she that untrustworthy? or is he that insensitive? or has she never stood up for herself in her life? It is getting harder and harder for me to be sympathetic to our Bridge!"}, {"response": 526, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Aug 15, 1998 (04:33)", "body": "I have come to the conclusion that MARK DARCY is a FUCKWIT!!!! And Bridget needs to move on without him. Bridget had been the epitome of the classic emotionally scarred girlfriend!! Mark takes advantage of her and its disgusting!!! Let's see how quickly Markee runs back to the Becks:) Fuckwit!!!!"}, {"response": 527, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Aug 15, 1998 (04:54)", "body": "I think Bridge is a fuckwit!"}, {"response": 528, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 15, 1998 (19:09)", "body": "( Laura)...(.Ann)....I think Bridge is a fuckwit! And so do I!!!! Why, does this woman just sit around and wait for Mark's telephone call!! I 'd tell him to go and stuff his legal profession....and his detached house in Holland Park up his.... Bridget is a world- class- doormat.!!!"}, {"response": 529, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Aug 16, 1998 (04:46)", "body": "Bridget is a world- class- doormat.!!! } YES!!"}, {"response": 530, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Aug 17, 1998 (09:15)", "body": "What I'm hearing, then, is this: MD is somewhat insensitive/thinks Bridget probably smoked in the toilet/doesn't phone often enough. Therefore demands should be made, and/or he should be dumped and Bridget should move on. To what? Do we assume that Mr Even-more-right is just around the corner waiting to be discovered? Or is sisterhood enough and to hell with men? Hmmm .... I can't help thinking Bridget would be plunged into a bigger whirlpool of self-doubt if she took this advice."}, {"response": 531, "author": "susanne", "date": "Mon, Aug 17, 1998 (16:21)", "body": "MD might v. well be a fuckwit, but to give him the benefit of the doubt, he could be reacting to Bridget's general lack of self-confidence and self-esteem. She should stop comparing herself to media images and girls like Rebecca and tell herself that MD is lucky to have a girl like her. BJ should realize that she is pretty enough, thin enough, and so what if she smokes a few fags a day-if MD doesn't like it he can go bugger off. BJ is turning into a bit of a wimp and she should cut it out."}, {"response": 532, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 17, 1998 (20:31)", "body": "But, Sue, that is the Bridget character!! She is a real wimp, a doormat, whatever. She has no self-confidence or self-esteem. Given my *role* as the Darcy apologist, he does have some basis for believing Bridget capable of smoking in the lav. She has done lots of stupid, idiotic things. She is Lucy Ricardo, who was always getting into trouble. However, I don't like what is going on here. Bridget and Mark can still be together with funny columns. Helen Fielding does not have to split them up to make it interesting. The phone call one two weeks ago is a prime example of where she could take this. This airplane one and the followup were just plain stupid."}, {"response": 533, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Aug 17, 1998 (21:23)", "body": "I completely agree with you on this Karen...the last two installments were not up to standard. I think HF feels obliged to work in topical references, to give the column some sort of social commentary slant. But she's at her best with MD and BJ together, but slightly at odds with each other. My mother (who absolutely loved the book) has lost patience with the column. She thinks that Bridget should move in with Mark (\"why is she still so involved with her mother? Time she grew up\")and HF should write about their new relationship as live-in lovers (how would they get on with each other's friends, work colleagues, share the bathroom, wash up etc (or does Mark have domestic help?) I think my mother's right! Lots of comic potential to be explored!"}, {"response": 534, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 17, 1998 (23:46)", "body": "The two of us are on the same wavelength. There would be a lot of comic potential with the two of them living together as we saw with the telephone call column. MD was reacting to the endless calls and consultations that went on with Jude, Shaz and Bridge. Bethan, your mom is right! Tell her to submit a column to the Telegraph! ;-D"}, {"response": 535, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Aug 22, 1998 (02:03)", "body": "\"Well, they do have newspapers in the Mediterranean,\" I whispered. \"So what do you think about the Villa Lucia,\" he whispered back. \"Mrs Darcy?\" } Oh Helen, we do love you after all:) This was brilliant!!!! I mean keep them like this and we'll love ya forever;) Karen, are you smiling into your coffee and floating through the air???"}, {"response": 536, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Aug 22, 1998 (04:32)", "body": "A lack of fuckwittage in this episode!"}, {"response": 537, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Aug 22, 1998 (11:14)", "body": "HF is back on top form! \"Oh hello Mrs Darcy, it's Yolande here from Something Special holidays\" Loved it...laugh-aloud-funny, as they say! I even hooted at the Nigel bit. Stick to Bridge and Mark, Helen, backed up with Shazzie and co, Bridget's mum and Tom! :-)"}, {"response": 538, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Aug 22, 1998 (15:53)", "body": "Stick to Bridge and Mark, Helen, backed up with Shazzie and co, Bridget's mum and Tom! :-) } And Gary."}, {"response": 539, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Aug 22, 1998 (19:54)", "body": "Uh oh, what about Gary??? Is he going to mysteriously reappear to fix the gaping whole in the wall? Will Mark ever ask Bridge to marry? Will Clinton strike again? Ah, we must wait for next week. Hee hee:)"}, {"response": 540, "author": "susanne", "date": "Sun, Aug 23, 1998 (15:17)", "body": "I loved the Mrs. Darcy thing in this week's column. It's like being caught in a private fantasy. MD demostated why women love him so much (even the times when there is some fuckwittage going on). Quiz on current events was priceless. Would we all pass? :-)"}, {"response": 541, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug 23, 1998 (16:53)", "body": ", but sometimes I think I have got involved with a member of a brigade of lunatics.\" LOL....... \"You just catching on, Markee? And dear ole Bridget is taking a tip from Rebecca ........don't let a relationship get stale, Bridge.......bring on the Villas....with a small double -bed!!"}, {"response": 542, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 24, 1998 (01:42)", "body": "Haven't known quite what to say. Initially thought it was v.funny, then starting thinking that Helen was doing a v.cruel stereotyping thing with Bridget and that Mark was being v. cruel in ridiculing the way her mind works. If it were me and someone were quizzing me like that I'd strike back with the sort of stuff only guys *care* to remember, like who scored what and when with how much on the clock back in 1967. Arrrgh!! Another thing. What kind of office does she have Mark working in. Isn't he supposed to be some bigtime barrister. His office sounds more like a Dilbertville or cubicle farm. Isn't Nigel a colleague? What high-priced lawyer is concerned with people thinking he's at his desk. I doubt a Mark would even be cognizant of two women talking about anything in the outer office area. Or just maybe I'm in a bad mood???? Or maybe the use of *Mrs. Darcy* hit me right in the forehead because earlier that day I had used something similar in something I was writing, but my inspiration was an old Doris Day-Rock Hudson movie!"}, {"response": 543, "author": "KateMcQ", "date": "Wed, Aug 26, 1998 (00:08)", "body": "Having the experience of working at a big time law firm, I can attest that keeping a jacket on a chair is common practice. You always want others to think you are always working, even if you are not. If you're not around, tongues will wag. While it is unlikely that MD would get too interested in the office gossip, trust me, even the big partners want to hear the gossip when it's good. Life is not that different at a law firm than at other companies. I would be interested to hear the thoughts of any o her attorneys or law firm employees on whether MD's law office is typical. Also, when Bridget used \"Mrs. Darcy\" I thought - I may have wanted to do that on occasion, but never would have the guts for fear of being caught. My worst fear happened to Bridget! But, I've got to hand it to her - a real fast come back."}, {"response": 544, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 26, 1998 (02:58)", "body": "Thanks, Kathryn. Your experiences reminded me that HF said she gets a lot of real life ideas from friends, who pass on funny stories that have occurred to them. So likely, someone told her about a guy who had two jackets made for each suit in order to keep one on the back of his chair."}, {"response": 545, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 29, 1998 (01:37)", "body": "Really think we have found outselves in LA and are not going to drink or smoke but be relaxed modern women of substance. Finally, Lucy and Ethel go to Hollywood. Some of the all-time best Lucys. Whose cement hand and footprints will they try to steal from Mann's? Will they go cruising looking for stars? Loved the description of \"thin orange young people lounging all over a giant Bacchanalian mattress talking on mobile phones.\" LOL!! And the bit about smoking! Banish thee to a leper colony. What in God's name are you doing?\" But Markee, bwaaa, I was finding inner peace! ;-) About time Helen brought Bridge over here."}, {"response": 546, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Aug 29, 1998 (04:02)", "body": "OOH, but a Baccanalian orgy with Mark sounds soooooo delicious or is that Colin Firth:) Lucy and Ethel go to Hollywood, good one, Karen:)"}, {"response": 547, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Aug 29, 1998 (04:16)", "body": "Forgive me for barging on in here but I have been a faithful reader for some time now, thanks to Karen, so I feel perfectly justified in whining \"What is Helen doing to Mark Darcy?\" He's so predictable, he's become a cartoon. Who couldn't guess Mark would show up all cold and stuffy? \"What in God's name are you doing?\" he said coldly. \"I thought this was a respectable bar, and I come here to find you unprotestingly participating in a sordid Bacchanalian orgy.\" Where's the understated, sexy barrister who only needed to arch an eyebrow or make a snotty, but witty remark? This entry was hilarious until the end. I hope this isn't the means to the end for BJ and Mark."}, {"response": 548, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Aug 29, 1998 (14:13)", "body": "You know I was just thinking this over. In June when HF was here, I had asked her if she would be bringing BJ to the States, she said no. But BJ is here, strange......"}, {"response": 549, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Aug 29, 1998 (14:14)", "body": "Ricky Ricardo stayed with Lucy. However, we do know what happened to Desi and Lucy:)"}, {"response": 550, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 29, 1998 (15:45)", "body": "(Heide) Forgive me for barging on in here How many times have you been invited? ;-) Glad you finally showed up. \"What is Helen doing to Mark Darcy?\" He's so predictable, he's become a cartoon. Absolutely agree. Didn't I say something about Dilbert last week when I was ranting and raving and generally out of my mind???? About the only thing she appears to be changing is the animal noise Mark makes!! This week he barked. Most time he growls (although I do *like* the growl). He has probably roared as well. Where's the understated, sexy barrister who only needed to arch an eyebrow or make a snotty, but witty remark? Ooof! Front door bell. Fingers crossed. Is Mark!! Hurrah!"}, {"response": 551, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (01:50)", "body": "(Heide) \"What is Helen doing to Mark Darcy?\" He's so predictable, he's become a cartoon. She's making him the British stereotype male ( according to American perception). But who is the little oriental man? I thought Mark was working on some hispanic case. The description of the bar is too funny....think Helen was a participant in a similiar event?"}, {"response": 552, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (01:50)", "body": "If I were Bridge I would have gone over the edge long ago about Mark's continuing condesension. He doesn't come close to seeing her as an equal, but lords himself over her. I hate the fact that she lets him do it."}, {"response": 553, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (07:11)", "body": "(Evelyn) The description of the bar is too funny....think Helen was a participant in a similiar event? I was thinking the same thing too. I wonder if HF has had to endure the Hollywood social whirl while she's been in LA? That should give her enough material for a lot of columns! And I agree with the comments many of you have made. HF hasn't made our Mark too appealing in the boyfriend department, has she? Unless you go for the judgmental, parental type I guess."}, {"response": 554, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (08:33)", "body": "I think you're all being rather hard on Mark! He's always been slightly stuffy, part of his charm, (Mark \"Perfectpants\" Darcy, as Bridget called him!),a non-smoking, non-drinking workaholic! Takes his work v. seriously. Doen't like being embarassed in public or with colleagues (in private may be okay!) A cold comment is quite consistent with all this.......or do you think he should fling off his jacket and join the snogging session on the mattress? :-)"}, {"response": 555, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (15:38)", "body": "(Evelyn) But who is the little oriental man? We'll probably have to wait for next week's column to find. (Bethan) Mark \"Perfectpants\" Darcy...a cold comment is quite consistent with all this True, true, true. But totally unnecessary in loose L.A. Get down on that mattress, Mark!! ;-)"}, {"response": 556, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (18:47)", "body": "Americans do perceive Britons to be stiff; however, I honestly believe that men aren't like that anymore. Let say Mark is to be around 35, so why he is so stiff is beyond me. Here's hoping that Bridget can loosen him up. I wonder what a wild Mark Darcy would be like....hmmmmm...."}, {"response": 557, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (19:32)", "body": "(Laura( Americans do perceive Britons to be stiff; however, I honestly believe that men aren't like that anymore. (Jana) HF hasn't made our Mark too appealing in the boyfriend department, has she. (Bethan) I think you're all being rather hard on Mark! He's always been slightly stuffy, part of his charm I wonder if that is how British women prefer their boyfriends to act.....hmmmmm? How's that for a Sunday Bombshell!! :-)"}, {"response": 558, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (20:46)", "body": "yeah, I guess you're right, Evelyn. I do like my men to be stiff too:)"}, {"response": 559, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (21:18)", "body": "(Laura) I do like my men to be stiff too:) Bad girl!! I'm going to call your mother and tell on you...or I'll just have R do it. ;-D"}, {"response": 560, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (22:20)", "body": "(Laura) yeah, I guess you're right, Evelyn. I do like my men to be stiff too:) Did Ken Starr make you say that???"}, {"response": 561, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Aug 31, 1998 (20:28)", "body": "Did Ken Starr make you say that??? Well it depends in what context you take the meaning stiff;-) And because I neglected to before: WELCOME HEIDE TO BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY PAGE!!!!"}, {"response": 562, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Sep  5, 1998 (00:44)", "body": "Okay, today's was all right. But Bridget weighing 110lbs is ridiculous:) hee hee. At least she knew he was wrong:) Counselling Recommended. It took an American police officer to tell her that???? hee hee."}, {"response": 563, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep  5, 1998 (01:19)", "body": "It was cute. Bridge and Shaz aka Thelma and Louise. Hmmm Probably looking for Brad Pitt! Watch out for dem truck stops. What on earth do they want to go driving in the desert now? Isn't it like 125 degrees now?? This is going to be tough: Trouble magnet or Love pariah??? Only those two could see a compliment (110 lbs) scrawled on a speeding ticket."}, {"response": 564, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Sat, Sep  5, 1998 (02:32)", "body": "Wasn't \"counselling recommended\" just the cop's way of setting up a date? Maybe I read this wrong..."}, {"response": 565, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Sep  5, 1998 (05:09)", "body": "I think the cop thought she was crazy! -- He must have been part-phychic. I liked the fact that Helen softened Mark's reaction from the end of last week's, and made him more understanding. And she also seemed to have made Bridge a little stronger this week--which I am happy about. She was really sinking into a piece or worthless jello there for a while."}, {"response": 566, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Sep  5, 1998 (16:54)", "body": "Yeah, a little bit stronger, Ann. She could have followed Shazzer's advice, bought a gun and driven off from the cop. But she's still eager to take everybody's advice under consideration. Okay, that's Bridget. I liked this weeks. At least we didn't have to watch Mark be a prig. I want him stuffy and I want him a little condescending but I don't want him to be a pompous ass. Actually, what I really want of him is for him to growl more. More sexy Darcy."}, {"response": 567, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Sep  5, 1998 (19:32)", "body": "Actually, what I really want of him is for him to growl more. More sexy Darcy. ] Hmmm, Heide, I can just imagine what you would like MD to growl to you too:) Margaret, a date??? Hmmm.. I think if that is what he wanted she should go for it!!! Let MD know that other men find BJ attractive also. With those bluish-grey(gray?) eyes;)"}, {"response": 568, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep  5, 1998 (21:37)", "body": "(Laura) Hmmm, Heide, I can just imagine what you would like MD to growl to you too:) I'd put money on: \"Here?\" \"Yes, here.\" Two of my all-time fav lines. ;-D (Heide) She could have followed Shazzer's advice, bought a gun and driven off from the cop.\" How would she explain driving Mark's car off the cliff to Mark? He being a lawyer, you know. :)"}, {"response": 569, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Sep  5, 1998 (22:40)", "body": "WHY IS BRIDGET IN LA? I mean the people there are soooo plastic (Not you, Jen:))I don't see the plot in this at all."}, {"response": 570, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Sep  5, 1998 (23:00)", "body": "(Karen) I'd put money on: \"Here?\" \"Yes, here.\" Two of my all-time fav lines. ;-D Took the words right out of my mouth. And of course, \"You have to marry me.\" Actually, I kind of like Margaret's take on the counseling. Would that be plot enough to satisfy you, Laura? (Laura) WHY IS BRIDGET IN LA? I mean the people there are soooo plastic Ouch, I almost winced but I know you'd never be guilty of such a gross generalization, my dear. ;-)"}, {"response": 571, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (00:49)", "body": "(Laura) Why is Bridget in LA? Reason #1: Why not? Bridget wants to go on miniholidays with Mark. Mark cancels out on Corfu villa. OK, LA is not Corfu but he is risking his professional career inviting her to accompany him and to bring one of her partners in crime. Reason #2: Helen Fielding's been in LA. It's a goldmine, a veritable treasure trove of people, places, things to amuse her readership. Reason #3: (I know this is before your time, Laura, but...) HF's in LA and is no different than Charlie McCarthy and Edgar Bergen, Shari Lewis (RIP) and Lambchop, Paul Whosits and Jerry Mahoney. Get the idea!! :) I mean the people there are soooo plastic Are you implying Bridget has the depth of character of a Mother Teresa? ;-D Didn't the two of them just admit they had come into their own element??"}, {"response": 572, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (02:11)", "body": "Sorry, just depressed for some strange reason today. Bridget is British and I like her in London, not LA. It will make her too American;("}, {"response": 573, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (03:17)", "body": "My take on the \"Counseling\" recommendation is the near-universal perception that everyone in California has a therapist. HF's audience would likely share that perception. (Of course, I'm not saying that its true or not true!!) ;-D Where I live they just want you to pay the lousy fine. Counseling is not an option for a speeding ticket, although I beat two in court!"}, {"response": 574, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (03:20)", "body": "This is one funny installment. Again I wonder if this happened to HF or to a friend. Discriptions are too accurate...esp. the policeman. Love the confused look on his face when she went into the stones bit re: her weight.....imagine how he would have reacted if she said she needed a fag \"right now\".....!!"}, {"response": 575, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (07:22)", "body": "(Karen) Reason #2: Helen Fielding's been in LA. It's a goldmine, a veritable treasure trove of people, places, things to amuse her readership. This was my take on it as well. I thought the LA junket was sort of an inside joke to her readers who know she's been here doing the Hollywood shuffle. I am enjoying the LA storyline quite a bit, but maybe I'm biased being born and raised in LA. And BTW, I don't have any plastic parts that I'm aware of :-)"}, {"response": 576, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (15:55)", "body": "(Evelyn) .imagine how he would have reacted if she said she needed a fag \"right now\".....!! Oh yes!!! LOL!! And HF is very aware of how Americans would react. She mentioned it at her booksigning. Yes, time to bring on the fags and why not see what kind of reaction she'd get to \"pissed.\" Such an uncouth word to us. ;-D (Jana) And BTW, I don't have any plastic parts that I'm aware of :) So glad to hear that. And you say you were born and raised there??? Ah, so plastic is embedded for non-natives, then???? :) Just kidding. Another perception."}, {"response": 577, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (19:49)", "body": "why not see what kind of reaction she'd get to \"pissed.\" Such an uncouth word to us. ;-D New one on me too. Karen, you are a walking dictionary. Pray tell...what means \"pissed \" in merry ole' England. (Jana) And BTW, I don't have any plastic parts that I'm aware of :) Droolers are excepted, Jana. You 'n Winter :-)"}, {"response": 578, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (20:15)", "body": "One use of pissed (aside from the various ways we use is) is to be drunk. Too bad Bridget didn't plead the \"Kase for Kilometric Konfusion\" to his officership. He might have bought it. Would've been going near real speed limit then. Stones, pounds, kilometres, miles, whatever. ;-D"}, {"response": 579, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (21:41)", "body": "Too bad Bridget didn't plead the \"Kase for Kilometric Konfusion\" to his officership. He might have bought it. } Yes after all 100 KPH is 60 MPH, so Bridget could easily have claimed to have mixed the two up."}, {"response": 580, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (07:06)", "body": "(Jana)This was my take on it as well. I thought the LA junket was sort of an inside joke to her readers who know she's been here doing the Hollywood shuffle. I am enjoying the LA storyline quite a bit, but maybe I'm biased being born and raised in LA. See, this is where I'm going to have to disagree. As much as I like this town (not a native) I don't want to see Bridget stuck here for the next few weeks. I really miss seeing Bridge in action in familiar surroundings--- f***ing things up with people and settings she's accustomed to. Here, it's like \"Lucy goes to Hollywood\" (which were the episodes I didn't think were as funny as when she was her bumbling-self back home)."}, {"response": 581, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (08:16)", "body": "Though \"pissed\" and \"having a fag\" are understandably vulgar-sounding in the US, this works the other way round sometimes: Possibly Bridget would be as shocked as I was a few years ago in NY to hear several people described as \"anal\" - or maybe I'm just too stuffy/pompous. Also Bridget would never have thought of the clever MPH/KPH thing, as we still use those old miles in Britain."}, {"response": 582, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (13:08)", "body": "(MarkG) Possibly Bridget would be as shocked as I was a few years ago in NY to hear several people described as \"anal\" Have you never heard of anal-retentive, a psychological condition? I merely thought it would be funny for HF to play up the (s)language differences for a couple of columns. BTW, \"pissed\" is crude here as well, especially when referring to bathroom functions. :) MPH/KPH thing, as we still use those old miles in Britain. On your speedometers? On the road signs? Hmmm, I haven't driven in your country for over quite some time, but things change. Well, at least I didn't refer to your driving on the \"wrong side of the road\" (as HF did for ours). I've always tactfully referred to this aberration as the \"other side of the road.\" :)"}, {"response": 583, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (15:04)", "body": "I still think Helen Fielding will Americanize Bridget. I wish she would develop some sort of plot line. Even in sitcoms, we have some semblance of a plot. And they at least answer questions we might have. Like what about the damn gaping hole that is a wonderful conversation piece, but has since disappeared. Much like the originator of the gaping hole. What happened to Simon that Shaz was shagging? or Tom? Where has he been? and I hate this LA mini break. How much time does Bridget get off from work? not very realistic, imvho, of course! She's all over the place and it's driving me absolutely bananas!! I'm a little disconcerted with what's been going on with everything. Sorry if I'm sounding a little blase. It's how I feel:("}, {"response": 584, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (22:12)", "body": "Where has Tom been? I agree with you, Laura. I wish sometimes that the \"story line\" flowed rather than jumped. For instance, I would have liked to have heard some more about Mark's bossy friend Giles whose wife had left him. Or what else happened to Bridget and Mark on their minibreak in Strassbourg (?), apart from being \"chased\" by a police car. And, yes, there's the hole. And did Rebecca just fade away. Sometimes I would prefer that HF wasn't writing in weekly column format. I'm looking forward to The Diary 2!! Mark, I'm all in favour of the occasional show of stuffiness! I'm in the minority here, but I find MD rather endearing when he's being pompous! :-) (Strange looking word, \"pompous\"....what's its origin?)"}, {"response": 585, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 12, 1998 (16:09)", "body": "Thought this was a riot!! I don't care what some of you think, the fish out of water (i.e., Bridget in LA) is a tried and true comedic genre. Traffic School as an encounter group!! Too funny (although I did see it coming)! \"My name is Bridget and I am a traffic violator because I am a trouble magnet!\" Say it, Bridge and you'll be cured. If not, put a couple of crystals under your pillow, wear a few magnets and start chanting. ;-D Loved the \"whatevers\" she came up with for Mom. \"Madly over-confident nightmare\" \"Lump-free grasvy obsessive adultress\" \"Girl-child torturer\" Musn't forget the *growl* Yes!!"}, {"response": 586, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Sep 12, 1998 (17:04)", "body": "Yes, he is growling again. \"Com'ere\". Ummmmmm. This was terrific starting with Mom's advice to Monica that she should be \"riding high on her triumph\" and it just got better and better. Kudos to those of you who guessed the counseling/encounter session. Priceless. Bridget really is a trouble magnet though, isn't she. How else to explain Alexander?"}, {"response": 587, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 12, 1998 (20:16)", "body": "Musn't forget the *growl* Yes!! \"Com'ere\". Ummmmmm. Let's hear it for that growl...... Can just hear CF saying that as Mark!! And that would be a good opening audio for the new website......"}, {"response": 588, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 15, 1998 (17:16)", "body": "\"Com'ere\". Ummmmmm. (Evelyn) Can just hear CF saying that as Mark!! And that would be a good opening audio for the new website...... What an idea!! Now, I know you want him saying something from Rupert Brooke, Bethan, but this does sounds soooooo delicious and, since the site sprung from the loins of Drool, it shouldn't be toooooo hoity-toity. :) Were Evelyn, Heide and I the only ones to have read the column this week? Yeah, I know there was competition on the lurid and licentious front, but really that was soooo boring and repititious. ;-D"}, {"response": 589, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Sep 15, 1998 (18:08)", "body": "Nope, I read it as well! Is Mark becoming a \"new man\"......cooking meals for Bridget, calling her \"sweetheart\" and giving (sorry, not giving) good-night kisses."}, {"response": 590, "author": "susanne", "date": "Wed, Sep 16, 1998 (16:01)", "body": "I can't see Mark changing into a \"new man\" for any length of time, but it was a nice change to see him laugh at Bridget's antics. She truly is a trouble magnet just the same way some people are naturally clumsy. Evelyn- I hope this will do. I'm waiting for BJ to get back to her home turf. Hopefully,then I will have more to contribute"}, {"response": 591, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 16, 1998 (17:18)", "body": "a nice change to see him laugh at Bridget's antics. She truly is a trouble magnet just the same way some people are naturally clumsy. I think Life with Bridget would be a lot of fun....unpredictable,yes..but never boring. Doesn't that make a better relationship?"}, {"response": 592, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 16, 1998 (18:11)", "body": "(Sue) but it was a nice change to see him laugh at Bridget's antics. He's been amused at her antics since the beginning. Even in the book. At that cocktail party he attends with the other ice queen (whatshername? Natasha??). I suppose it could just be a matter of how much work pressure he's under. As Bethan has mentioned before, Mark is serious and a workaholic. But I do love when he's not so serious and *growls* ;-)"}, {"response": 593, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Sep 17, 1998 (01:04)", "body": "Hi all, remember me? Well, personally, I didn't really care for this epi at all. Of course Bridget would start showing how truthful she could be to a SEX ADDICT ; Come to think of it. Maybe she should send Alexander over my way:) Have we ever heard Mark or Bridget say I love you ; I wish they would open up more to each other. It's that damn communication thing."}, {"response": 594, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 17, 1998 (01:37)", "body": "( Ahuntie Laura) Mark or Bridget say I love you; I wish they would open up more to each other. It's that damn communication thing Or that \"commitment-phobic\" thing....."}, {"response": 595, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Sep 17, 1998 (22:53)", "body": "Remember the book, Laura! Page 306 \"..and he (Mark) told me all this stuff how he loved me: the sort of stuff, to be honest, Daniel was always coming out with.\" Mark does try! But Bridget doesn't always seem to be listening properly. :-)"}, {"response": 596, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 18, 1998 (00:51)", "body": "( Bethan) Laura! Page 306 \"..and he (Mark) told me all this stuff how he loved me: Actions speak louder than words, folks."}, {"response": 597, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Sep 18, 1998 (03:29)", "body": "Bullcrap!!! Sorry, guys. But the book was YEARS ago!!! This is now and they haven't said I love you EVER!!! I'm sorry just disillusioned lately. End of summer depression and lack of a certain domestic felicity that both M&B seem to be sharing lately:( as wellas C&L."}, {"response": 598, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Sep 18, 1998 (03:30)", "body": "Actions speak louder than words, folks. And sex is just sex."}, {"response": 599, "author": "Ann", "date": "Fri, Sep 18, 1998 (05:41)", "body": "And sex is just sex. } Tell that to Clinton."}, {"response": 600, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Sep 19, 1998 (17:16)", "body": "Hello my name is Laura and I am a ________aholic. I am not a trouble magnet nor am I a cheating wife. But I do covet my girlfriend's husbands, mother's sons and girlfriend's boyfriends. I understand where Mark is coming from it is human nature. (Get this, I am actually defending the dog!) Like I said earlier, sex is just sex. Making love is something entirely different."}, {"response": 601, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 19, 1998 (21:06)", "body": "Thought this was hysterical...except for the very ending...kinda flat. But anyway, back to the good stuff: \"You stretch the rubber back and grip it nice and hard. That's the way! Then squeeze and stroke, squeeze and stroke, and off it comes in your hand! Super! Ouch, mind the overspray!\" \"...But they're just like little animals. Our job is to train them up so they can perform some sort of useful role in society\" ROTFLMAO!!!! Oh, Pam dear, you are a riot. Thought Mark's answers to Bridget's ill-advised questions were great. Shows he's not such a humorless character (e.g., the comment about no one else would imagine sleeping with Nigel or Giles)."}, {"response": 602, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 19, 1998 (21:06)", "body": "Must have forgotten something....:("}, {"response": 603, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 19, 1998 (21:07)", "body": "Out I say!! Now!!"}, {"response": 604, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 19, 1998 (21:07)", "body": "I give up"}, {"response": 605, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Sep 19, 1998 (22:28)", "body": "Nice one! But what sort of relationship do Bridge and Markee have? He stayed in her flat (when it had the hole in the wall), they're always taking mini-breaks together, but now it seems it's Home alone at the end of a telephone...again. They're like yo-yo's. When is Bridge going to get an overnight(or longer) invite to Mark's mansion in Holland Park?"}, {"response": 606, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Sep 19, 1998 (23:07)", "body": "Everyone should be happy now that they're back home. This was another good one. Okay, is there really a book called \"What Men Want?\". Remind me not to read it thought I'll probably agree with everything they say. Love the idea of Mark imagining sex with Shazzer: \"Do you want to have sex with Sharon, and Jude?\" \"Well,\" he said, \"obviously I'd be delighted to oblige. Do you think he was getting excited about a possible foursome? And I don't mean golf. And dear Pam, squeeze and stroke, squeeze and stroke . This woman keeps getting all the best lines. I agree with Bethan about the separate abodes. How long do they have to date? (Laura) But I do covet my girlfriend's husbands, mother's sons and girlfriend's boyfriends But they at least have to be cute or something. And I draw the line at my mother's sons. ;-)"}, {"response": 607, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Sep 20, 1998 (00:13)", "body": "And I draw the line at my mother's sons. ;-) I should have said other mother's sons:) I don't think I'd like shagging my brother either:)"}, {"response": 608, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Sep 20, 1998 (07:23)", "body": "\"Do you want to have sex with Sharon, and Jude?\" \"Well,\" he said, \"obviously I'd be delighted to oblige. I realise women have their needs. Did you mean both at the same time?\" This part slayed me. I like to see Mark getting the funny lines on occasion."}, {"response": 609, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 20, 1998 (18:59)", "body": "I think Mark and Pam had the funniest lines in this episode. Then squeeze and stroke, squeeze and stroke, and off it comes in your hand! An all time classic..... Helen Fielding is getting salty.... Do not ask your boyfriend if all this is true or he will just lie through his teeth.\" Husbands too. Save your breath. Oh God! Maybe Mark was lying and the truth is actually worse than he said. Or maybe he is telling the truth. But that, then, must surely call the whole premise of the book into doubt? Do not know what to think or do now. Agree with everyone who said the ending was flat. My theory is that Helen F. didn't know what to do either and the deadline was looming....."}, {"response": 610, "author": "susanne", "date": "Tue, Sep 22, 1998 (17:04)", "body": ""}, {"response": 611, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Sep 26, 1998 (02:17)", "body": "On vacation AGAIN??????"}, {"response": 612, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Sat, Sep 26, 1998 (03:35)", "body": "In my next life, I want to be a syndicated newspaper columnist."}, {"response": 613, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Sep 26, 1998 (05:24)", "body": "In my next life, I want to be a syndicated newspaper columnist. } LOL Cuz! The good life, indeed."}, {"response": 614, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Sep 26, 1998 (20:41)", "body": "Very possibly she's under pressure to finalise the screenplay. I have a hunch that the movie could be very imminent. And don't forget the book sequel."}, {"response": 615, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 26, 1998 (21:47)", "body": "In my next life, I want to be a syndicated newspaper columnist Here, here I have a hunch that the movie could be very imminent. And don't forget the book sequel I bet she knocks these columns off in a half-day....she says she does them on Friday."}, {"response": 616, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct  1, 1998 (22:41)", "body": "Ran across another Time magazine dig at Bridget. Was in the \"Technology\" section. Tom Clancy's new book is more than just another tale of antiterrorism. Rainbow Six is a new brand. Clancy's idea for the book grew out of a PC game out of the same name (due out Aug. 27) from Red Storm Entertainment--a company Clancy founded two years ago. Game players will face the same sort of predicaments that befall John Clark, the novel's hero. Next we'd like to see the game that inspired Bridg t Jones's Diary. Do you think it is corporate policy for all contributors to hate BJD? ;-)"}, {"response": 617, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct  3, 1998 (21:51)", "body": "Yessss! \"So much easier if you lived here!\" Hurrah..Bridge!! :-))) Just in time...Markee...my hotel next week is in Kensington..only down-the- road- a- piece from Holland Park and I was goin' to go over and give you a piece of my mind!!"}, {"response": 618, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Oct  4, 1998 (01:37)", "body": "You go girl!!!! Hee hee. BUT wait, doesn't the sitcom end when they move in or get married? I see that there is not silver lining in the near future for these folks. ALSO, What the hell kind of job does Mark do? Why would a human right lawyer really give two beans about the stability of the yen? Why would a human rights lawyer care if the NYSE Market crashed? Helen, is Mark SUPERMAN and can and will do everything? Will he protect President Clinton next because his human rights are being exploited. Give the guy ONE job and ONE job and one job only. (Coming from somebody who works in the markets:) Market are not crashing; it is a long overdue correction!"}, {"response": 619, "author": "Adi", "date": "Mon, Oct  5, 1998 (10:50)", "body": "Hi, my name is Adi and I'm from Israel. Some of you may remember me from the early days of the RoP. I want to thank you for introducing Bridget to me. I first \"bumped\" into her here. Because you were all very excited about the diary, I got curious, searched and read all the installments in the Telegraph, which led me of course to order the book. It's such fun to read a great story and know it's not going to end in the end of the book. Every Saturday when I wake up I know there is something nice waiting for me in my computer, and it really makes my weekend. The only thing I'm sorry about is that the diary isn't published in Israel, so no one knows about it. There was an interview with Helen Fielding in one of the newspapers - but that's it. I tried to make my friends read the book, but they don't seem to be interested. Well, I'll just keep trying. BTW, when I ordered the book from \"Bookpages\" I noticed that they have another title by HF: \"Bridget Jones: I Will Survive\". It\ufffds supposed to be published in October 98. Do you think it\ufffds the new book HF is currently writing?"}, {"response": 620, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Oct  5, 1998 (13:24)", "body": "Hmmm.. Very interesting news Adi, thanks a bunch!!! Will check it out ASAP!!!"}, {"response": 621, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Oct  5, 1998 (13:27)", "body": "Bridget Jones: I Will Survive by Fielding, Helen Price: \ufffd6.99 Bookpoints: 35 Availability: This book will be sourced from the publisher, so may take a little longer to arrive. Format: Paperback No. of Pages: 320 Publisher: Picador Date Published: Oct 1998 Category: Fiction, General"}, {"response": 622, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct  5, 1998 (15:13)", "body": ""}, {"response": 623, "author": "susanne", "date": "Mon, Oct  5, 1998 (15:18)", "body": "Bridget should set her sights higher than moving in with Mark. I say go for an engagement. That way there will be endless possibilites for funny columns. Bridget could get herself in some hilarious situations since planning a wedding is rather stressful. HF could solicit funny engagement stories from her friends and incorporate them into the column. If B & D lived together now it would prob. kill the romance entirely. I think they are already on shaky ground. They seem more married than most married coupl s. Where is the romance in their relationship? Evelyn, You might want to drop by and visit Mark anyway because after all he does look a lot like CF. Tell him to buy his poor girlfriend flowers once in awhile."}, {"response": 624, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Oct  5, 1998 (15:29)", "body": "Oh it looks as though it will only be published in the UK for now. Evelyn look sharp in bookstores you may have to purchase a bunch of copies!!!!"}, {"response": 625, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct  5, 1998 (15:33)", "body": "After a few minutes of calm meditation phone itself responded to meditative vibes and rang bearing forth Mark. Hmmm. Knew I was doing something wrong. ;-) Yessss! \"So much easier if you lived here!\" Watch, Mark's overtired and doesn't know what he's saying. (Laura) BUT wait, doesn't the sitcom end when they move in or get married? Mad About You.... HF doesn't have to fall into the boring syndrome. There could be lots of interesting (funny) stuff happening and WHO said anything about getting married??? What the hell kind of job does Mark do? Why would a human right lawyer really give two beans about the stability of the yen? Well, we've already determined how unlikely it would be that he could practice law in Japan and the US...maybe he's just concerned about his personal investments as many of us watch our paper profits swirling down the drain. :) (Adi) Every Saturday when I wake up I know there is something nice waiting for me in my computer, and it really makes my weekend. Welcome Adi. Unfortunately, the way the columns were going this spring-summer (with the Rebecca thing) they also ruined a number of my weekends. ;-) I tried to make my friends read the book, but they don't seem to be interested. Well, I'll just keep trying. I've experienced the same thing with my sisters, college-age niece and several friends. I think you have to start with a P&P base to truly get into it and be hooked by the characters and their exploits. Do you think it\ufffds the new book HF is currently writing? Thanks for the information about the other book. Haven't heard anything about it and it hasn't been mentioned anywhere. Surprised that the Telegraph hasn't added anything to the little blurb at the bottom of the column. Strange that it's being released in Paperback. I wouldn't expect that for her sequel. Bethan, time to get on the phone again!! Anything in the Times Book section?"}, {"response": 626, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Oct  5, 1998 (15:44)", "body": "I check the Times Book section faithfully on Sat, Sun, and Thursday's nothing!!! Hey I'm glad it's in PB it's cheaper!!!! $11.53USD:)"}, {"response": 627, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Oct  5, 1998 (15:45)", "body": "(Karen)HF doesn't have to fall into the boring syndrome. There could be lots of interesting (funny) stuff happening and WHO said anything about getting married??? I also mentioned moving in with each other!"}, {"response": 628, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct  5, 1998 (15:49)", "body": "Am assured, mature and accomplished woman. I am able to control my emotions, my impulses and my thoughts. Am assured, mature and accomplished woman. I am able to control my emotions, my impulses and my thoughts. Am assured, mature and accomplished woman. I am able to control my emotions, my impulses and my thoughts. Am assured, mature and accomplished woman. I am able to control my emotions, my impulses and my thoughts."}, {"response": 629, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Oct  5, 1998 (16:23)", "body": "uhoh!! Karen, have I reduced you to chanting this mantra:) hee hee."}, {"response": 630, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct  5, 1998 (20:35)", "body": "(Laura) Evelyn look sharp in bookstores you may have to purchase a bunch of copies!!!! I'll be there for most of October. Going to Waterstone's on Kensington High Street next Monday to pick up my two copies of A Month in the Country. (They had two on the shelves)Will inquire about Bridget. Welcome Adi...you sure made a splash with the latest Bridge news.Thanks. (Sue)Evelyn, You might want to drop by and visit Mark anyway...... Tell him to buy his poor girlfriend flowers once in awhile. Yeah, instead of stealing them from the \"common -ground \" park on the way to see her."}, {"response": 631, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Oct  5, 1998 (23:38)", "body": "Very interesting! Is this the sequel? I read that HF is appearing as a guest at the Cheltenham Literary Festival mid-October (I think). It's the UK's premier literary festival and would be a good launch pad for a new book. Why paperback though? Although to be honest it's the paperbacks that sell and if they want to sell another million it might be a good sales ploy to jump straight in with the p/b version. Oh well, sounds promising (who said that?) Perhaps (true to form!)I should ring Picador! I agree with Laura about Mark's job! So very versatile! Although perhaps, as Karen suggests, he's worried about his investments. (Aren't we all :-) )Perhaps he'll lose all his money, sell his big white house and move in with Bridget and the hole in the wall!"}, {"response": 632, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Oct  6, 1998 (12:47)", "body": "Yeah, but, he still has work to do and doodling with his investments should NOT be permitted on work time:) They guy is just a superman! :) NOT!!!"}, {"response": 633, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct  6, 1998 (15:20)", "body": "(Bethan) Although to be honest it's the paperbacks that sell and if they want to sell another million it might be a good sales ploy to jump straight in with the p/b version. Didn't do that in the U.S. though. BJD was put out in HB and made the bestsellers' list nonetheless. These days there's not that big a difference in price between HB and quality (trade) PBs, especially at the discount chains where bestsellers are always 30% percent or better. Perhaps he'll lose all his money, sell his big white house and move in with Bridget and the hole in the wall! Then I guess we'll see if the Lizzy Bennet comment at the Meryton Assembly is true or not regarding rich men. ;-) (Laura) Yeah, but, he still has work to do and doodling with his investments should NOT be permitted on work time:) You wanna tell us what other golden rules you follow whilst at work? ;-) Evelyn, You might want to drop by and visit Mark anyway...... Oh yes, this reminds me. I still don't know what a wedding cake house looks like. Take a picture and send it to me, puh-leez."}, {"response": 634, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Oct  6, 1998 (16:35)", "body": "Laura) Yeah, but, he still has work to do and doodling with his investments should NOT be permitted on work time:) You wanna tell us what other golden rules you follow whilst at work? ;-) TOUCHE!!!"}, {"response": 635, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Oct  9, 1998 (00:01)", "body": "I rang Pan Books (Picador is one of their imprints). \"Bridget Jones: I will survive\" will be published in April 1999. Sorry! I thought that October was unlikely in that there's not been any \"buzz\" or build-up. Oh well, we've still got the weekly installments to look forward to!"}, {"response": 636, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Oct  9, 1998 (00:53)", "body": "Thanks Bethan, I was getting all excited. Could you also find out if Nick Hornby has another book out. I was at a lunch meeting with a magazine advertising sales person, and we started talking Britlit and I mentioned NH and she said he had a new book out called \"Steel...\" something or other. Golancz is his British publisher. Any and all info is very welcome!"}, {"response": 637, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Oct  9, 1998 (09:57)", "body": "For desperate addicts like us, the UK shops do now have: \"The Bridget Jones' Diary 1999 Diary\". Each week begins with a Bridget thought, lifted from the book or the columns, and the days of the year have little handwritten notes from Bridget, example: Friday March 23 Spring Breaks 99 Exhibition, Horticultural Halls, Westminster Hurrah, whole exhibition on mini-breaks! Yesss! Saturday March 24 FA Cup, 4th Round Date? Forget it! You get the picture. BTW, Evelyn, most hotels in South Kensington would be closer to Waterstone's in Old Brompton Road, which has plenty of copies of \"About A Boy\". I have not seen a new Nick Hornby book yet."}, {"response": 638, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Oct  9, 1998 (17:15)", "body": "Whoops! I now see that Evelyn is in fact purchasing \"A Month in the Country\". I must have got confused with the other Hornby stuff."}, {"response": 639, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Oct 10, 1998 (04:05)", "body": "A good one. Yea!!! Great ending. LOL."}, {"response": 640, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 10, 1998 (15:40)", "body": "(MarkG) \"The Bridget Jones' Diary 1999 Diary\". Each week begins with a Bridget thought, lifted from the book or the columns, and the days of the year have little handwritten notes from Bridget Mark, meant to ask, did you see on what day the \"alien shag-beasts\" will descent on earth?"}, {"response": 641, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Oct 10, 1998 (16:12)", "body": "There does seem to be a new BJ book out...priced \ufffd10.99 and published by the BBC (it's new in the Times Bestsellers list). I phoned the local Waterstones and they weren't sure what it was...possibly a tie-in with a Bridget Jones evening on BBC2 this month. But it's not the new Helen Fielding..\"BJ:I will survive\". This is listed against October, but the sales assistant (v. helpful) I spoke to said that publication had been put back until next year. She said that there had been \"difficulties\" and that \"the lot had had to be altered\". Wot plot?!!"}, {"response": 642, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Oct 10, 1998 (16:15)", "body": "Oops!! For \"lot\" read \"plot\"!"}, {"response": 643, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Oct 10, 1998 (16:50)", "body": "Oh my God! I had forgotten Bridget actually had a job. And of course she wants to direct! Singers want to act, models want to act, but actors want to direct. As do \"feature\" reporters, I suppose. I'd love to have that 1999 diary."}, {"response": 644, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Oct 10, 1998 (18:25)", "body": "(Heide) Oh my God! I had forgotten Bridget actually had a job. So didn't Helen Fielding:) He splashed out on a dress; that is so, like, five minutes ago! hee hee. Too Funny!!! and So true!!! I think we should be paying attention to what is going on in Kosovo, the Prez thing is just a glorified Witch hunt!!! (Spoken from someone in Boston!)"}, {"response": 645, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Oct 11, 1998 (06:32)", "body": "Well, it was sort of fun to see Bridget back at work, but what's up with her Dad and that speech impediment? It seems sort of odd to throw his probibombom out there and just leave us hanging...."}, {"response": 646, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 11, 1998 (20:05)", "body": "I was wondering about that speech thing too! Is that the new hip talk (that has to date me) that spreading like wildbittybombomtabombomfire throughout London? Hope not. Also, was there a similar event on British TV or do you think this is a parody of our ancient astronaut (John Glenn) going up in space imminently? Bridge is just trying so hard to be taken seriously. Keep trying. ;-)"}, {"response": 647, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Oct 11, 1998 (23:40)", "body": "I didn't understand the speech thing...couldn't see the point at all! So, is Bridget moving in with Mark? Do we get to know?"}, {"response": 648, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 12, 1998 (15:21)", "body": "Now that I think of it, Dad's speech problem sounds v.much like some of the slang my nieces use and I just ignore. There's bom or bomb and bitty-bom or some such thing. Can't remember what they mean though. Will have to ask."}, {"response": 649, "author": "susanne", "date": "Mon, Oct 12, 1998 (17:39)", "body": "If that speech thing is a sign of hipness, I just hope he doesn't start wearing those wide pants that slide down the teenagers bums these days."}, {"response": 650, "author": "Adi", "date": "Tue, Oct 13, 1998 (22:52)", "body": "it was a good one, but I always feel after reading the weekly installment that it was too short! I always want more. What I really want to know is what's going on with Tom? Are we going to hear anything about wicked Rebecca? What happened to the hole in the wall? and more important - where is Mark?"}, {"response": 651, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 24, 1998 (21:54)", "body": "Again??? No comments??? Thought this week's travelogue was a riot. Can you picture HF up on a stage doing Bohemian Rhapsody? (Would need a chorus behind her though.) I'd pay to see it. Didn't it seem like she was fighting back against the \"insult to feminism\" attacks? Hey, what's irony? ;-D Perhaps, I should go off to Japan where will feel like giant, but do not like eating squishy centipedes and toilets that play music. To quote Freddie Mercury: Nothing really matters, Anyone can see Nothing really matters to me. BTW, it's Akihito. And no wonder this woman has an obsession with Beelzebub and his subdevils!!"}, {"response": 652, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Oct 25, 1998 (02:52)", "body": "Well I'm speechless."}, {"response": 653, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Oct 25, 1998 (07:46)", "body": "I adored the travel logue, I must say. Maybe it's because I'm leaving for Japan on business on Monday and it helped put me in a better mood about it! Really, her comments are right on. I was in Tokyo in April (my first trip ever to Japan) and the three big things that stuck with me were the food, the endless business card ritual (I ran out long before everyone else, ah - the shame) and the toilets. The one at the hotel had a control panel with all kinds of... ahem, washing devices with temperature and pressure controls. The one at the office had a seat warmer and I read in a magazine that the real high end toilets also have controls for music (to mask sound) and for scent. Goodness, such high tech conveniences. Her comments about jet lag hit home too. Our trips are usually fairly short - a week or so, and they go by in a blur because of sleep deprivation. All this while you're trying to be on your toes at a meeting. Poor Helen - I pity her trying to field questions in that state."}, {"response": 654, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Oct 25, 1998 (20:27)", "body": "Happy birthday in Japan, Jana. Does this mean you'll actually miss your birthday because it will really be Tuesday on Monday? ;-) Guess I better run over to the Telegraph and read about these centipedes and toilets."}, {"response": 655, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Oct 26, 1998 (06:50)", "body": "Thanks for the good wishes, Heide. Yes, I'm hoping that missing the day over the international date line means I don't have to add another year to my age!"}, {"response": 656, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 26, 1998 (17:04)", "body": "Happy Birthday Jana!! Quite the theory. Bridget would buy it!"}, {"response": 657, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct 30, 1998 (16:09)", "body": "(Mark) BTW, Evelyn, most hotels in South Kensington would be closer to Waterstone's in Old Brompton Actually, I was close to the Waterstone's on Kensington High Street (nr. Holland Park) Yes, I did get A Month in the Country, but did not see the BJ date Diary. Waterstone's is great about mailing though. And yes, Bethan, I inquired about \" BJ I Will Survive \"and was told it has bee rescheduled for March. It was fun to read Bridget in hard copy. Sent one to our Leader. I was surprised to see that it receives such high visibility in the Saturday Daily Telegraph. Some of my friends who normally buy The Times purchase the Telegraph on Saturday for Bridget!! We're not the only nuts!!"}, {"response": 658, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Oct 30, 1998 (18:41)", "body": "Evelyn, welcome home!!!!! I missed you soososososososososo much!!!!! Do I owe you any money btw;P hee hee."}, {"response": 659, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Oct 30, 1998 (23:05)", "body": "Laura, you asked me ages ago if there was a new Nick Hornby novel coming out. I did check, but couldn't find anything. Isn't he currently writing a screenplay?"}, {"response": 660, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Oct 31, 1998 (02:24)", "body": "Gee, what a surprise. No column again this week."}, {"response": 661, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Oct 31, 1998 (02:54)", "body": "I just checked myself!!! nothing!! UGH!!! how does she expect loyal followings if she doesn't write!!!!"}, {"response": 662, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 31, 1998 (16:14)", "body": "(Laura) how does she expect loyal followings if she doesn't write!!!! You aren't putting yourself in *that* category, are you? ;-p Was thinking, however, the exact same thing. Bridget who???"}, {"response": 663, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Oct 31, 1998 (18:51)", "body": "Sitting here impatiently tapping my foot..."}, {"response": 664, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 31, 1998 (22:41)", "body": "And the acronym for that would be...A most common urban phrase. ;-D"}, {"response": 665, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Nov  7, 1998 (19:21)", "body": "This was not a Bridget Jones' Diary column, this was a Helen Fielding feminist ranting column. Although the British Government may think it would be better the citizens of Great Britain were to marry, they cannot make people marry. Although I did like MD going down on one knee to propose because he'd get a tax break. That WOULD be the only inducement to marry BJ!"}, {"response": 666, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov  7, 1998 (19:57)", "body": "I agree, Laura, this was not Bridget. Helen Fielding on her soap box. Giving us the advantage of being a Singleton. ( But what about the cold feet on a winter night?, Helen.)"}, {"response": 667, "author": "susanne", "date": "Sat, Nov  7, 1998 (21:27)", "body": "Definitely not the Bridget that we know and love. More advantages to being smug-married: -being brought hot-tea when we've got the sniffles -having shoulders rubbed on a stressful day -being loved even on a bad hair day -constant companionship -Mr. Fixit around the house when we're an idiot about that stuff -Computer wiz when we're an idiot about that -regular shagging :-)) Lots more when the marriage is good and isn't a good marraige to what most would aspire. I think BJ would give her eye teeth for it. It's not like her life is all the great as a singleton. I will grant a good live-in relationship can also do the trick."}, {"response": 668, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov  8, 1998 (19:53)", "body": "You got a winner, Sue....\"regular shagging\" is what most girls get. I do think the installment this week was a bit strident. Bridget is usually teflon-like...things roll off her. She is jovial and accepts the lumps in life. (While eating another Jaffa cake!) Is there a psychologist among us? I think this tells us a lot about Helen Fielding....sour on marriage and relationships? The pre-marriage compulsory reading of Men are from Mars...is a hoot. (Though not a bad idea for high school.) The only true Bridget-line , IMO, was the last....\"tell government to shuddup and get on with it\""}, {"response": 669, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov  8, 1998 (21:19)", "body": "(Evelyn) Is there a psychologist among us? I think this tells us a lot about Helen Fielding....sour on marriage and relationships? Not a psychologist, but maybe she's just saying there are GOOD things about being a singleton and that \"marriage\" is not the be all and end all. I didn't see where she ruled out relationships at all. Regarding the Top 10 list of Why Husbands Are Useful, those are certainly not givens with ALL men. The Mr. Fixit type occurs less and less these days. In my family (growing up) I was the one who put together everything (shelving units, etc.). My dad was handy but would never do anything. My brother-in-law hires someone to program his universal remote and I wonder if he knows how to change a lightbulb. I'll never forget the day the home security company sales rep came out to my house and was talking d wn to me. My boyfriend showed up and the guy got all excited because he was going to talk to a man. My boyfriend told the guy I knew more about telecommunications and electronics than he did!! (BTW, I wrote a letter to the company about their sales staff's patronizing attitude and got several free months of monitoring.) Regarding keeping one's feet warm, a good down comforter works even better. OK back to Bridget. I liked this week's column. It was well thought out and had some great lines. My favorite has to be: ...you have to go on at least 12 government-arranged dates before you can declare yourself a Singleton; and only then if have reasonable grounds for rejecting all 12. If unreasonable, then have to declare self a fuckwit. Too funny!!"}, {"response": 670, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov  9, 1998 (02:55)", "body": ". (Karen) Regarding keeping one's feet warm, a good down comforter works even better Or in a pinch....socks. Karen; I didn't see where she ruled out relationships at all. I really mean't to say that I wondered if a relationship that has gone sour precipitated this sudden antipathy to marriage...under the guise of the Green Paper. On the contrary, one of the positives of being a Singleton she says is: always the possibility of thrilling new liaisons without being slyly adulterous"}, {"response": 671, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Nov  9, 1998 (03:44)", "body": "The only true Bridget-line , IMO, was the last....\"tell government to shuddup and get on with it\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nah, that was all Helen Fielding! bridget was not around this column!"}, {"response": 672, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov  9, 1998 (16:02)", "body": "Laura, didn't you say the Green Paper thing had to do with Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles?"}, {"response": 673, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Nov  9, 1998 (17:04)", "body": "No, some British Bishop gave the green light for Prince Charles and CPB:) Green Paper is a tax I believe on single people. White paper is a tax on Married??? I remember seeing the definition on CSPAN, but can't remember."}, {"response": 674, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Nov  9, 1998 (18:46)", "body": "A green paper is a government consultation document. A green paper may become a white paper which is a provisional piece if legislation. Ask Ben. He used to be a Mandarin."}, {"response": 675, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Nov 11, 1998 (04:18)", "body": "Allison is right. A green paper is purely consultative; a white paper is consultative too (comments are invited from interested parties), but it includes specific policy proposals. Anyone may respond to either. The next step is a Bill, which goes before parliament; it has to pass through various committees, and it gets three \"readings\" (debates, votes, and chances for amendments) in the Commons; the final approval by the Lords is nearly always a rubber stamp....Often, when the House of Lords objects, it i with good reason (c.f. recent case about charging non-Scots for Scottish Universities). If the Lords object, they can send it back to the Commons with suggested ammendments. Not all legislation gets presented as green or white papers before going to parliament. Anyone still awake?"}, {"response": 676, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 11, 1998 (19:08)", "body": "This was from booksigning."}, {"response": 677, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Nov 11, 1998 (20:06)", "body": "Hmmm... She has my hairstyle and color!!! I should sue;)"}, {"response": 678, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 11, 1998 (23:32)", "body": "Thanks Ben. Interesting to see how Parliament bills originate. So who writes the original Green Paper.? Some MP? Or does it come out of committee. Anyone may respond to either. The next step is a Bill, which goes before parliament; Who is anyone ....MPs? Good picture of HF, Karen. I assume it was in Chicago.Thanks for sharing."}, {"response": 679, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Nov 14, 1998 (02:38)", "body": "Okay, HF is back in top form!!! it is about time!!! this one is brilliant and brilliant is what I needed because I have flu and pneumonia:(!! THANK YOU HELEN FIELDING"}, {"response": 680, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Nov 14, 1998 (20:23)", "body": "So how many calories? How many cigs? How many stone? How many alcohol units? Inquiring minds want to know! I wonder why she changed the format and dropped those. Other than that, I liked this one."}, {"response": 681, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Nov 14, 1998 (21:38)", "body": "I didn't even notice that was missing! Must be the horrible headache:("}, {"response": 682, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 14, 1998 (22:30)", "body": "I haven't been able to get into Telegraph all day. :-("}, {"response": 683, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Nov 15, 1998 (08:32)", "body": "Hope you're over the flu, Laura! Karen, have you established contact yet? This week was good, but what's happened to the passion and the romance?!!! MD is \"post-work exhausted, giving perfunctory kisses, having sleep problems (camomile tea?)... sleeping like a baby\"?!! And's what's this about Bridget not being \"allowed\" to turn up at his house when she's had a bad day. She has to wait for an INVITATION? Or does he set the dogs on her, or ask his housekeeper to eject her from the property?"}, {"response": 684, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Nov 15, 1998 (17:13)", "body": "She has to wait for an INVITATION? Or does he set the dogs on her, or ask his housekeeper to eject her from the property? } She's always been a bit of a wimp when it comes to standing up for herself and taking initiative."}, {"response": 685, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 15, 1998 (22:00)", "body": "....and what's this about Bridget not being \"allowed\" to turn up at his house when she's had a bad day. She has to wait for an INVITATION? Yeah, that's what I was thinking...what's goin on here? Is this an Equal Opportunity Relationship, or what? \"You eat 'n drink 'n sleep 'n...(you know what else).. in my house why can't I eat in yours..?\" Unless, of course HF has a surprise in store for us along those lines.... The sentence seemed too cryptic....sneaked in.... And talking about sneaking in....have you noticed that The Telegraph now promotes amazon.co.uk as their book distrb? Amazon is moving out...c'mon Waterstone's get rollin!!"}, {"response": 686, "author": "susanne", "date": "Wed, Nov 18, 1998 (18:01)", "body": "I really loved the new kick-ass Bridget, but I know she will only be around until the next self-help book. Evelyn, I never felt that the BJ/MD relationship was an Equal Opportunity Relationship, but maybe if BJ keeps some of her new attitude it can turn into one."}, {"response": 687, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Nov 21, 1998 (05:05)", "body": "Well, I like the idea of Mark trying to help Bridge gain a back-bone! And I like that the calorie counter etc is back, but it was a bit of a slow episode."}, {"response": 688, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Nov 21, 1998 (05:05)", "body": "Yes it was slow and I hope it doesn't go too far on the Jude storyline. I mean anytime I hear about a lump, my hand automatically goes up and starts palpating. Suspect HF is just using this as a device for Bridget to get \"nicer\" again."}, {"response": 689, "author": "susanne", "date": "Sat, Nov 21, 1998 (05:05)", "body": "It didn't take Bridget long to confess to Mark about her recent evil ways. I knew she wouldn't last too long. I rather liked evil Bridget."}, {"response": 690, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Nov 21, 1998 (05:05)", "body": "I was kinda hoping maybe she did ring Daniel. I think Markee needs to realise how important BJ is to him. RE: Lump, sad way of making BJ feel bad!!! It was low. Gary, What is up with him? HF, make BJ sorta nice, sorta bad and tell us why she can't pop over Mark's whenever she wants??? Hmmmm.. suspicious minds want to know!"}, {"response": 691, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Nov 21, 1998 (05:05)", "body": "HF, make BJ sorta nice, sorta bad and tell us why she can't pop over Mark's whenever she wants??? Hmmmm.. suspicious minds want to know! He's secretly co-habiting with Rebecca and needs time to pop her in a cupboard! But, seriously, seriously, when will they really get it together (minibreaks and overnight stays in Bridget's flat don't count!) I was listening to an entertainment-type programme on the radio...all about books being made into movies. BJD was mentioned as \"soon\" to start shooting. But no cast/director details were given. And how soon is \"soon\"? I predict CF and Helena BC for the leads. How about Alison Steadman (Ma Bennet) for Bridge's Mum? Any other casting suggestions? Daniel? Jude? Perpetua? Anglo-American cast permitted!"}, {"response": 692, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Sun, Nov 22, 1998 (12:08)", "body": "Story from the radio: Apparently Cherie Blair sped over to HF at a Downing St reception to say how much she had loved BJD, having read it in three nights while her husband was away \"..which was handy, because Tony's normally very demanding in the bedroom.\""}, {"response": 693, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 22, 1998 (21:34)", "body": "Re; Cherie Blair on reading BJD \".......Tony's normally very demanding in the bedroom.\" LOL Good for Tony 'n Cherie.At least he's demanding with his wife! I liked this week's installment. Poor Bridge couldn't keep the the New Evil Behavior wave crest going for long...had to confess to Mark. I liked what Mark told her: \"...stop worrying about getting everything right...\" Bridge is the perfect daughter,friend, girl friend ('n ex-girlfriend), employee, tries in vain to be the perfect hostess and cook. So, like she says: \" Bad is the new good in parts. Maybe now she wont' be the ole doormat."}, {"response": 694, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 22, 1998 (21:53)", "body": "I liked this week's too. See how old Markee just puts in all in perspective! Poor Bridge is still in a muddle."}, {"response": 695, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Nov 23, 1998 (18:43)", "body": "Hmmmm.... This is what I wrote when I started this blasted topic. Funny how things come back to haunt you. Mon, Feb 2, 1998 (13:29) | LauraMM (LauraMM) Well someone had to create this topic. As we all absolutely adore it. I would like to start by saying that I think a man who has a little insecurities is extremely sexy. And Mark Darcy, who comes a cross as a strong-headed male, just proved to the female race that he does indeed have some insecurities. Now will it scare Bridget away;)"}, {"response": 696, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 29, 1998 (00:09)", "body": "As Richard would say: \"Boring, boring...bloody boring\". HF on her soapbox. Took on the NHS, doctors examining women in a demeaning way,scans (mammograms?) of breasts make one feel like a meat package at the supermarket....(\"2lbs of tripe sqashed between to tin plates\"). C'mon Helen...you can do better than that."}, {"response": 697, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Nov 29, 1998 (00:12)", "body": "Maybe HF had a mammogram, her first one. She around the age to start having them. I thought it rather lame too! What the hell is up with her father???"}, {"response": 698, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Nov 29, 1998 (10:20)", "body": "I think there could be an underlying personal agenda, but I agree that it was lame and rather dispiriting."}, {"response": 699, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 29, 1998 (17:36)", "body": "I think there could be an underlying personal agenda As I told Laura, it perfectly related the entire humiliating and painful experience of having a mammogram and the pathetic way women are treated when *something* out of the ordinary is seen. If you've ever gotten a call from some office person telling you you have to come back because the radiologist wants to look at something again, then you can't relate. You go out of your mind like Jude, only to find out that it was nothing. I've always maintained that if this test were performed on men, you can be sure that a better, less painful and easier to read test would be developed. Didn't they just develop a *blood* test for prostrate cancer? I hope Helen mounts a campaign and screams from her soapbox!!"}, {"response": 700, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 30, 1998 (01:32)", "body": "(Karen)If you've ever gotten a call from some office person telling you you have to come back because the radiologist wants to look at something again, then you can't relate. You go out of your mind like Jude, only to find out that it was nothing. You wouldn't go out of your mind....I've had a masectomy and I'm still sane (no remarks!)The whole thing is overblown. Lots of worse things in life."}, {"response": 701, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Dec  2, 1998 (00:15)", "body": "Am I hallucinating or is there really a 1999 Bridget Jones calendar/diary out there somewhere in the shops? I read this somewhere but don't know if my leg was being pulled. Have checked amazon, borders, and barnesandnoble but no dice so far."}, {"response": 702, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec  2, 1998 (02:08)", "body": "I think one of the UK fans told us that. Try Waterstones or amazon.co.uk, or Dillon's"}, {"response": 703, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  2, 1998 (19:18)", "body": "Heide, they probably wouldn't sell the same version here because of the holiday differences."}, {"response": 704, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (17:07)", "body": "I called Waterstones re: The Bridget Jones' Diary . It is a diary and not a calendar...the latter does not exist. Waterstones has it: Hardback, ( the size of a paperback) 9.99 UKP postage to US 4.88 UKP Total 14.87 UKP Order online through their website email."}, {"response": 705, "author": "Ann", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (17:07)", "body": "I was surprised Helen Fielding didn't take the week off. Isn't she about due for some time off--after all she's written a few weeks in a row now! 1) Laura should be happy that Tom is back 2) I'd kill Mark after that last comment 3) Bridget would probably, instead, notice that he actually referred to their relationship going somewhere, and take it as a positive sign. Might be a good time for her to get Mark to expand their relationship--like maybe actually ask her over to his house for once!"}, {"response": 706, "author": "Ann", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (17:07)", "body": "Does anyone know why this topic is not showing me on the index when there are new messages here? It is not set ast frozen or forgotten, but it never tells me when there have been new posts. When I actually come in, it does show me the new ones since my last visit though, so it is keeping track somewhere."}, {"response": 707, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec  5, 1998 (16:15)", "body": "Everything is acting up again, Ann. Must be the February 2036 syndrome. Topic 97 isn't showing up for me as having anything new, but I can see people have posted. The only way I know of to fix it (for yourself) is to manually open all the topics you frequent, by typing in the URL. That seems to reset everything after a date-induced bout of amnesia. ;-)"}, {"response": 708, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Dec  5, 1998 (17:16)", "body": "Today's episode....I agree with Ann. I think HF is in danger of throwing the baby out with the bathwater! We're just limping along....I'd much rather see a stronger narrative framework (and some movement in the BJ/MD \"relationship\") or a complete break. The sequel to BJD is coming out in April and then there's the movie....it's better perhaps to build in some \"space\". BTW I can sympathise with MD for losing patience with BJ's theories!"}, {"response": 709, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec  5, 1998 (22:50)", "body": "I liked this week...we have our old Bridget back...indecisive , insecure...hey Mark loves her that way. What the hell. BTW I looked up pashmina : made of pashm Don't know what that is?..... pashm.. a kind of fine wool for making shawls obtained from Tibet Your fact for the day:-) My new topics aren't showing up either. But I just delete the number up in the URL and type in the topic number I want. No need to type the whole URL. (Brought to you by evelyn, the Computer Pro..who still can't figure out the chat room procedure!!)"}, {"response": 710, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Dec  6, 1998 (01:12)", "body": "Mark Darcy is a definite PASHMASTER. And Bridge really needs to TELL HIM OFF REGARDING HIS LAST STATEMENT. She's too, smooshy! And sad to say I have a Pash Married and an ex-Pashspurt!"}, {"response": 711, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Dec  6, 1998 (01:12)", "body": "If Jesus had known how much heartache his birthday was going to cause Singletons, surely he would have shut up about same, especially being Singleton self. I thought this bit was pretty darn funny. It reminded me of what I enjoyed when I first read BJD(the book)."}, {"response": 712, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Dec  6, 1998 (16:53)", "body": "Bravo Mark! Bridget's insecurities and self-help books would have driven me out long ago. Then again, if he is a Pashmaster, guess that's why he's still with her. Jana, maybe you've got it. Screw the relationship - what I love are Bridget's observations. Remember Rhoda Morgenstern? She got boring too after she got married."}, {"response": 713, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec  6, 1998 (22:13)", "body": "Mark really knows how to push her buttons!"}, {"response": 714, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Dec  7, 1998 (13:22)", "body": "10pm: Oh my God. Mark just called. Told him about pashmina conversation at which he went quiet. \"What? What?\" I said. \"It's just strangely prophetic.\" he said. \"With Christmas coming round again, I've been thinking. . . look this is not going anywhere, Bridget. I think it might be betterif we were just friends.\" Cannot believe it. Am cast out again on sea of singleton Torture Season at mercy of pashminas and Gaah! phone again. \"Just kidding.\" (Was Mark.) \"Can I come round?\" Okay, I'm gonna go on my damn soapbox here and scream bloody murder. Why the hell, must HE always come round her place. What is WRONG with his place. What is he hiding? Who is he hiding? And who the hell does he think he is!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am getting more and more disgusted with this controlling freak of a boyfriend! He may be sympathetic sometimes , but generally he's out for himself and only wants to get his rocks off!"}, {"response": 715, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec  7, 1998 (22:20)", "body": "Re: Markee: He may be sympathetic sometimes, but generally he's out for himself and only wants to get his rocks off! So...what else is new?...he's just like most other men, no different. That's the nature of the beast."}, {"response": 716, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Dec  8, 1998 (00:08)", "body": "(Laura) He may be sympathetic sometimes, but generally he's out for himself and only wants to get his rocks off! You may be right. Why does she put up with it? 'Cause Bridget's Bridget. I see this all the time and have been guilty of it myself. You're an independent woman, then you get a boyfriend and all of a sudden you sit and wait for him to make all the moves, so afraid if you do the wrong thing, you'll lose him. What's wrong with THAT picture?"}, {"response": 717, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Dec  8, 1998 (13:49)", "body": "I see this all the time and have been guilty of it myself. You're an independent woman, then you get a boyfriend and all of a sudden you sit and wait for him to make all the moves, so afraid if you do the wrong thing, you'll lose him. What's wrong with THAT picture? The thing is WE need to let THEM know who's in charge. It sure as hell isn't them!!! We shouldn't allow them to walk over us, we are much more stronger than they are. Heck, they couldn't deal with childbirth!"}, {"response": 718, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (02:10)", "body": "You're an independent woman, then you get a boyfriend and all of a sudden you sit and wait for him to make all the moves, so afraid if you do the wrong thing, you'll losehim. What's wrong with THAT picture? We shouldn't allow them to walk over us, we are much more stronger than they are.... At the risk of losing my dear friends...I'll tell you what's wrong with that picture.....you don't have to show \"all your cards at once\". You can coast a little ...that's not being a hypocrite ...just astute. The important thing is to have a plan. Maybe two. A&B. ( And not every relationship is alike.) After you assess the situation , hell, you might decide it's not worth the effort. But if you do...then go for it."}, {"response": 719, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (02:14)", "body": "Wise woman!"}, {"response": 720, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Dec 12, 1998 (14:32)", "body": "There seem to be some problems with the Electronic Telegraph...but just I've read this week's BJD in the paper....and it's VERY funny. Back to \"I love Lucy\" territory - \"Mark and Bridget go Christmas shopping.\" Mark is v. organised - shopping list for four- his Mum, Dad, his secretary, and Giles (he's obviously an only child with a not very extensive emotional life!) He also manages to find pressies for Nigel, Jude and Shaz, whilst Bridget is yet to leave the starting blocks! Good fun! Hope the Electronic Telegraph soon connects."}, {"response": 721, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Dec 13, 1998 (03:19)", "body": "ARGHHHHHHHHH v. bad of Telegraph to NOT connect. Did they forget to pay the bill???? I think M.Darcy is emtionally scarred!"}, {"response": 722, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 13, 1998 (22:28)", "body": "What is going on? Won't the Telegraph shell out for its technical support people to come in on the weekend and fix a problem? Are they that cheap that they won't pay time and a half? And Bethan you made it sound so good. Better be there tomorrow!!"}, {"response": 723, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Dec 13, 1998 (23:48)", "body": "Quote...(always willing to oblige!) \"Oh God\" said Mark suddenly standing still. \"Shopping isn't supposed to be a mystical quest for inspiration in the teeming aisles of John Lewis. It's a systematic purchasing poeration\" \"WEll, what are you getting then?\" \"Father - Archangel by Robert Harris and A Man in Full by Tom Wolfe. Mother - Liberty's silk nightie and dressing gown; ever so slightly Oedipal I accept, but as requested. Debbie the secretary - Tiffany's earrings.\" \"Ooooh\" I said excitedly, wondering what would be for me. \"Giles - bottle of scotch, and that's it\" \"That's it\" I gasped. How could four presents, plus hopefully mine, be \"it\", when I've got to buy for Jude, Shaz, Tom, Magda, Simon, five godchildren, one nephew, one brother, one sister-in-law, Mum, Dad, Una, Geoffrey and Granny. More like this if you want it, and still can't connect!"}, {"response": 724, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Dec 14, 1998 (00:53)", "body": "Didn't Bridget used to think that Mark was a Mummy's boy?! Mark then goes on a shopping roll, buying American Monopoly for Nigel (his other friend) and meditation balls for Jude and Shaz, while Bridget doesn't even get off the starting blocks. Bridge then copies Mark and buys the same for her Mum and Dad, buys joke-y cosmetics which she then returns for a refund and leaves Mum and Dad's presents in the shop (from where they are nicked)! Return (inevitably)to Bridge's flat (one day she will cross Mark's threshhold) where they spend evening pruning BJ's over-sized mas tree with a scissors. Hope you get the full-length version soon! Christmas episode....Mark asks Bridget to spend the night at HIS place?"}, {"response": 725, "author": "venezia", "date": "Mon, Dec 14, 1998 (02:30)", "body": "I just remembered that the National Post (national newspaper in Canada) runs Bridget's column every week in their Arts & Leisure section. ( I stumbled on it by chance when they sent a free copy to the house a few weeks ago). Anyway, they're also on-line and I thought this week's column would've been posted, but unfortunately it isn't, 3 older one's are. But there is an article on HF. It basically states all the things everyone here knows but I thought I'd give you the link anyway if you wanted to r ad it. The Helen Fielding Fan Club I hope the link works. If not go to www.nationalpost.com and do a search for BJD."}, {"response": 726, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Dec 14, 1998 (13:28)", "body": "AH, its there, its there. But... I HATED IT. I think the next step for BJ is to be deemed certifiable and locked up in Bedlam."}, {"response": 727, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Dec 14, 1998 (19:01)", "body": "Didn't do much for me either. Is Bridget really such an idiot that she can't get a normal-sized tree? I did like the bra-shopping and wish she would have gone on more with that. Something to relate to."}, {"response": 728, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 18, 1998 (03:07)", "body": "(Laura)Is Bridget really such an idiot that she can't get a normal-sized tree Hey...I've done that.In a big open-air nursery it's hard to judge size. I liked this week's installment.Verrrry Bridge."}, {"response": 729, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Dec 18, 1998 (13:51)", "body": "I can't quite figure Mark out tho. He seems to only want sex from Bridge, he's not extremely romantic nor does he seem to care one toss about her."}, {"response": 730, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Dec 19, 1998 (18:55)", "body": "Is this the end of Bridge? Is Helen Fielding giving up London for the smog and plastic of LA? Will Bridget come back from LA in six months 1)married and 2)pregnant? And still Mark Darcy is NOT romantic! \"Will you?\" he said, suddenly passionate. \"I need you Bridget. I know you're always getting squiffy and into a mess, but I love you just as you are. And, when I think of being without you, life would be just so, so lonely and . . . dull.\" There is NO passion, no wanting, not flailing of arms to kiss each other. No grabbing at each other in the hot steamy passion for each other. Mark Darcy is DULL!"}, {"response": 731, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Dec 19, 1998 (23:58)", "body": "There is NO passion, no wanting, not flailing of arms to kiss each other. No grabbing at each other in the hot steamy passion for each other. Ah, but you've overlooked the crucial line....\"And I looked at his eyes.\"!! The eyes convey true passion! Who needs flailing arms? :-) I'm puzzled...is this the end of Bridget? The Telegraph (paper) calls this week's episode a \"Christmas cliffhanger\", so maybe the story continues in the New Year. Various options: The absolute end of BJ's Diary OR Temporary break Story continues....BJ and MD living together (Yes!!)in LA (Would this mean that HF is relocating to LA?) Story continues...BJ has second thoughts. What's in it for her? Chucks job, leaves friends...all for \"six months\"? MD refuses longer term commitment, goes to LA alone. Story continues...BJ decides doesn't want to chuck job/leave friends etc. MD makes noble career sacrifice and stays in London with BJ! What do you think?"}, {"response": 732, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec 20, 1998 (02:51)", "body": "( Bethan)What do you think? I think HF is taking a holiday and no more installments till the New Year. Then it's off to LA and more experiences on the thru ways! Laura....Mark is NOT dull. That's just his style. He is not a demonstrative type.(He probably saves it for the bedroom :-))He told her in many words he can't live without her. They don't have to be grabbing at each other's crotches to prove it.!Sheeesh!!"}, {"response": 733, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Dec 20, 1998 (02:56)", "body": "Passion equates feeling. Looking into someone's eyes for passion is boring. MARK IS DULL HE OWNS IT HIMSELF!!!!!!!!!!! He says that Bridget makes his life more interesting not...Dull!"}, {"response": 734, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 20, 1998 (22:09)", "body": "Interesting how the Telegraph put a question mark next to \"Last Bridget Jones.\" My guess is that it is up in the air if HF is going to continue with the column, and if she does resume it may not be for another six months. HF has so much to do you know: work on the screenplay (they must have figured out that her book won't translate well to the screen) and on the sequel. She couldn't possibly fit in the demands of a once-weekly column. ;-) Once again, Mark tells Bridget that he loves her and...once again, have we heard Bridget say the same to him. He loves her, Laura. Who else would put up with her nutso behavior. Also, I think Mark is anything but dull. He's a serious guy (but has definitely loosened up with Bridget), with a serious career, and he's a workaholic. One thing I'm sorry about...if the column goes on hiatus...is we won't get another Geoffrey and Una turkey curry buffet gathering where everyone should be harping on Bridget and Mark about \"why aren't you two getting married\" type stuff!! I thought this week's was a riot, in a \"creative\" way. I also feel very close to you all, as fellow posters, at this time of year. Am now thinking about Nigel.... ;-)"}, {"response": 735, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec 20, 1998 (22:31)", "body": "(Laura)Passion equates feeling. Looking into someone's eyes for passion is boring. MARK IS DULL Wrong, Wrong ,Wrong. Lots of people have a problem demonstrating passion and feelings ...wearing your heart on your sleeve syndrome....doesn't mean passion does not exist in that person. Individual thing...maybe even cultural. And Mark is not dull...don't forget he was \"burned\" once.This time is being cautious. I hope HF doesn't dump us next year.And maybe they should get Nora Ephrom to write that screenplay. I hear \"You've Got Mail\" is v. cute."}, {"response": 736, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Dec 20, 1998 (23:50)", "body": "My guess is that it is up in the air if HF is going to continue with the column, and if she does resume it may not be for another six months. HF has so much to do you know:work on the screenplay (they must have figured out that her book won't translate well to the screen) and on the sequel. She couldn't possibly fit in the demands of a once-weekly column. ;-) Tongue in cheek I think, Karen?! The sequel must be done and dusted as it's due out in April. And when I phoned Working Title way way back, the initial response (before they went all coy and reverted back to \"in development\") was that they were definitely making the movie and would start shooting \"early next year\". So won't HF be twiddling her thumbs by now....or maybe she's got a major re-write on her hands! I think there are many scenes in the book which will very easily translate to the screen....but I think they must press ahead and SHOOT!! There are other Singleton-type movies already in the can. BTW, is Polygram (and Working Title) now part of Universal? Hope this won't affect the casting....MD becomes a Harvard educated attourney!!"}, {"response": 737, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Dec 21, 1998 (01:06)", "body": "Out damned italics! Apparently there is an item in this week's Entertainment Weekly which includes HF in its list of top entertainers and states that \"BJD will be made into a film by early 2000, courtesy of Working Title.\" I take this to mean that the film will be completed BY early 2000, not that filming starts then. Didn't HF say on her publicity trawl that the movie would be out in about 18 months? How do you all read \"BY 2000\"...(good news..they must start shooting soon, or BAD...another year's wait)."}, {"response": 738, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Dec 21, 1998 (06:10)", "body": "Now that Jana's back, Karen... is it possible to post the picture I sent you of us with Helen Fielding? Jana hasn't seen it yet. Thanks!"}, {"response": 739, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Dec 21, 1998 (15:57)", "body": "test"}, {"response": 740, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Dec 21, 1998 (16:00)", "body": "Okay, YOU WILL NOT CONVINCE ME!!!!!!!! I think MDarcy is dullsville, boring, dull and dull again. Doesn't matter who well someone performs in the bedroom, I like romance (okay I'm a hopeless romantic) and BJ and MD just aren't romantic in the \"You've got Mail\" or \"When Harry met Sally\" sorta way."}, {"response": 741, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 21, 1998 (16:08)", "body": "test"}, {"response": 742, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 21, 1998 (16:11)", "body": "Since I haven't received my official okie-dokie from Jana, here's part of the picture. ;-)"}, {"response": 743, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 21, 1998 (16:21)", "body": "(Bethan) The sequel must be done and dusted as it's due out in April. Perhaps we should double-check after the first of the year. \"BJD will be made into a film by early 2000, courtesy of Working Title.\" I take this to mean that the film will be completed BY early 2000, not that filming starts then. Didn't HF say on her publicity trawl that the movie would be out in about 18 months? A movie like that probably wouldn't take all that long to shoot. (Wasn't FP a really short shoot?) Since they haven't started casting, I'd say all these dates are wishful thinking. No one can know or give out any decent information. Is there a director?"}, {"response": 744, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec 21, 1998 (18:03)", "body": "Great pic, Winter. Thanks. We were proud to have you as our LA rep.Along with Jana. Karen...you get better 'n better at this. She cuts people out at the stroke of the mouse....!Once we get Jana's OK can we have a repeat?"}, {"response": 745, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec 21, 1998 (21:33)", "body": "...but of course!!"}, {"response": 746, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Dec 22, 1998 (06:42)", "body": "Hmmm, who is that masked woman ;-)???? I think it's my fault that I'm cropped out. I told Karen I trusted her to use her best judgment and if the picture of me was too awful, please cut me out. I suspect she's just being polite by saying she doesn't have my OK, not wanting to admit that my likeness might frighten small children! Thank you Karen for sparing me the public humiliation :-) Besides, I kind of like being a woman of mystery. Now all you know is that I have brown hair and a perm and you can just imagine the rest. On second thoug t, Winter is cute enough for two. Karen why don't you just paste a second copy of her in my general area :-) ??"}, {"response": 747, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 22, 1998 (16:24)", "body": "But Jana, I gave you the url so you could preview the pic. Well, I'm sure everyone wants to see your permed hair: (Who shall I unveil next?)"}, {"response": 748, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Dec 22, 1998 (21:12)", "body": "Now, all of you should know... that cropped out of the picture, to Jana's right, is Colin Firth. He's actally got his arms wrapped around Jana. But as you know, I have such bad luck with cameras, that he couldn't fit into the shot! :-D"}, {"response": 749, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 22, 1998 (21:18)", "body": "(Winter) Now, all of you should know... that cropped out of the picture, to Jana's right, is Colin Firth. He's actally got his arms wrapped around Jana. Too funny, Winter. I was going to play with trying to get him into the picture, but that's a little advanced for me. Nan could do it though."}, {"response": 750, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 22, 1998 (22:54)", "body": "Hey...a great looking threesome. Like your hair, Jana ...and Winter's radiant smile...no wonder Livia warmed up to her :-)And she does look 16!!I bet they card you when you order a drink."}, {"response": 751, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Dec 22, 1998 (22:54)", "body": "(Winter) Now, all of you should know... that cropped out of the picture, to Jana's right, is Colin Firth. He's actally got his arms wrapped around Jana. LOL! Oh honey, from your lips to God's ears! (Karen) But Jana, I gave you the url so you could preview the pic. Oh goodness gracious, was the URL in the email you sent me? I complete overlooked it. Durf! I got your email the day I got home from Manila. After flying all night I must have been in a jet lagged induced coma. Hope I didn't say anything worthy of a Bridget Jones Christmas card. \"Really Karen, I feel so close to you as one of the hosts of Drool....\" :-) Well, now that I've been outed, who's next?!?!"}, {"response": 752, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 22, 1998 (22:54)", "body": "(Jana) Hope I didn't say anything worthy of a Bridget Jones Christmas card. \"Really Karen, I feel so close to you as one of the hosts of Drool....\" :-) LOL!! That line has quickly become one of my faves, and I know when you are arguing in Manila with all those banker types that your creativity and sensitivity as a human being bubbles up and shows through...If Mark weren't going out with me, I'm sure he would go out with you! Pfoah!!"}, {"response": 753, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Dec  6, 1930 (00:29)", "body": "All you ladies are lovely and you're real brave to put your picture on a public board. I must ask though...it looks like all three of you are putting your hands on the book as if you're ready to take an oath of office. Or is it the Mr. Darcy Pledge of Allegiance?"}, {"response": 754, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Dec 24, 1998 (18:58)", "body": "Okay from the GODS at Telegraph. Cry now or forever hold your peace;) This is the last entry in Bridget Jones's Diary. She has flown off to a better life in LA, with her boyfriend, Mark Darcy. We wish her well and hope she sends us a postcard from time to time. A full archive of her work will appear here shortly. So I guess that's it. We'll never know if MDarcy knocks up Bridget. OOohhh, how disgusting!"}, {"response": 755, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Dec 24, 1998 (19:54)", "body": "NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! It's not true!!!!! It's impossible!!!!! (to quote a line from Empire Strikes Back). But frankly, I was getting upset over the last few entries"}, {"response": 756, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Dec 24, 1998 (21:28)", "body": "Mmmmmmmmm! (To quote someone we all know!)Well done Laura, for going to the source....BUT, I'm surprised if it's really the end. I've been slightly critical of one or two of HF's recent efforts, but only because I thought there were so many characters and situations that she could have made use of. Maybe HF's just had enough of Bridget, with the screenplay and the book! Or (possibility?) she wrote originally for the Independent, then there was a break, then exactly a year ago, she moved to the Telegraph, probably on a more lucrative contract. Perhaps she's had an even better offer (as Bridget is now truely global) to re-locate BJ and MD to the States. Watch the US columns! Or maybe, that's really it, finish. Well, there's always the book and the movie! Merry Christmas!"}, {"response": 757, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 24, 1998 (22:56)", "body": "This is the last entry in Bridget Jones's Diary. Boo Hiss. Well, it was fun while it lasted. But Laura....this presents a new opportunity for Fan Fic....(In the words of our fav actor) Hmmmmmmm."}, {"response": 758, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Dec 25, 1998 (00:57)", "body": "Well to be just a little vain, there is always \"Olivia\" Merry Christmas all! Laura (who hasn't quite learned how to spell!)"}, {"response": 759, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Dec 26, 1998 (14:45)", "body": "I'm sorry too that this looks like the end for Bridget. Why can't good things ever last? I got a delightful little gift from Santa (well, I got it for myself, actually). Bridget Jones Diary 1999 came in from a site in Canada that one of our visitors, Cathy, sent to me. (Thanks Cathy.) Entry for September 10 reads: Mr. Darcy's Birthday mmmm! (or the actor Colin Firth as he is known) Should be NATIONAL WET SHIRT DAY e-mail address for Fanfare Books is fanfare@cyg.net Site address is http://www.cyg.net/~fanfare/ ISBN for the book is 033037558X $25.49 Canadian dollars for book including postage and handling (steep) but $19.61 American dollars for the whole deal."}, {"response": 760, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 26, 1998 (15:30)", "body": "I think we can safely blame Laura for Helen's giving up the column. All that criticism, week after week. For shame!! ;-)"}, {"response": 761, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Dec 26, 1998 (17:53)", "body": "Doesn't anyone agree with my theory that HF (possibly) may be transferring her talents to another newspaper syndicate? Or perhaps she may want to build up some anticipation for the new book!"}, {"response": 762, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Dec 26, 1998 (20:27)", "body": "I think Helen Fielding has sold out, personally. And Karen, if she can't take constructive criticism, then she is definitely in the wrong business;) Now to go back to selling out. She is enjoying the plastic life of LA: Warm weather, palm trees, fake women and men. More of an opportunity she thinks then in London? It's sad, because I think the ending of Bridget was terrible. I need closure (like a wake or something), she can't just run away to LA w/ Mark Darcy. Their relationship wasn't that solid that after two weeks, he'd be sending her back to London! HF if you read this YOU SHORT CHANGED YOUR FANS!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 763, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec 27, 1998 (17:04)", "body": "I think we can safely blame Laura for Helen's giving up the column Yeah!!I liked Bridge....warts 'n all :-))And it will leave a void in my life!! Please, Helen...defect to another newspaper....LA Times??"}, {"response": 764, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Dec 28, 1998 (07:35)", "body": "(Laura) the plastic life of LA: Warm weather, palm trees, fake women and men. Hmmm, it's been in the 20's, we're freezing our butts off and when I pinch myself I certainly seem real :-). Sorry, just couldn't let that dig of my home town go by withtout comment. Jana - an original Valley girl I'll keep an eye peeled on the Times for you all, in case anything develops!"}, {"response": 765, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Dec 28, 1998 (14:52)", "body": "(Jana)Hmmm, it's been in the 20's, we're freezing our butts off and when I pinch myself I certainly seem real :-). Sorry, just couldn't let that dig of my home town go by withtout comment. An abnormality, Jana, an abnormality."}, {"response": 766, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Dec 29, 1998 (02:27)", "body": "Hmm....I'm very disappointed with HF leaving us with very little, if any, closure on Bridge's life. I agree Laura, I feel very short-changed. BTW--- I will also keep my eye open for any news of HF here in town because GUESS WHAT?!?! Throughout the Christmas break, I've been doing temporary office work at the L.A. Times. It's the accounting department, but hey-- I could wander around on my lunch break and when I have to deliver mail! I could very well run into her in the bathroom too! ;-) (BTW, the Times is L.A.'s only newspaper--besides the Spanish \"La Opinion.\". As much as I've grown to dislike this city, I can sure benefit from it being the ubub of our droolworthy stalking."}, {"response": 767, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (00:38)", "body": "I think you'll get closure in the sequel \"BJ -I will survive\" (or whatever). HF has said that it's all about what happens when BJ gets her man. I think that the weekly columns have almost a separate existence...more of a semi-topical social commentary (which could continue anywhere), whereas the book may well start and finish at completely different points. I was in our local Waterstones today and I asked about the sequel...it's still listed as due out in April, but I don't know how reliable this is."}, {"response": 768, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec 30, 1998 (23:02)", "body": "Thank you , Laura, for the BJD Archive. Great fun re-reading. But surely, this isn't the end of Bridget..... Don't we have the new book, to be published in April, to look forward to? Aaaaannnnd. Then there's the movie after that.... Lots more Bridget in our future, folks....."}, {"response": 769, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (10:43)", "body": "Just to say that Nick Hornby has apparently switched publishers (Gollanz to Penguin) in a new \ufffd2 million deal. It may well be that HF is re-negotiating, particulary after her US success. There's a lot more mileage left in Bridge and Mark, and I'm hopeful we'll see more, but not in the Telegraph!"}, {"response": 770, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (07:56)", "body": "I phoned Macmillan (Picador is one of their imprints).\"BJ - I will survive\" is scheduled for publication in April, ISBN 0330 367 34X, price \ufffd12.99."}, {"response": 771, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (11:50)", "body": "Bethan, is there a way for you to find out if it will be published simultaneously in the States??? or shortly thereafter. Ah, so Nicky boy has new publisher, interesting. I wonder if they will require him to start churning the books??? I'm waiting for him to come to Chicago, I think I just might hang around the film site;) John Cusack is temptation enough for me!"}, {"response": 772, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (11:52)", "body": "I meant churning OUT the books! ugh!!!!!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 773, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (07:31)", "body": "Hi Laura....Saw you on National Television yesterday morning. Here I was eating my granola and lo and behold this \"gorgeous\" blond comes on during the Today Show on NBC and is telling me about the snow in Chicago and how it interfered with their plans...... Hey...this looks like Laura...sounds like Laura... IT IS LAURA.... Lookin good kid....so how come you didn't mention CF's interview:-) ******* Laura, why don't you call MacMillan in Boston...if it is to be published in April in the US they would know.Esp. since Bethan graciously got us the ISBN number."}, {"response": 774, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan  6, 1999 (18:07)", "body": "Hi Laura....Saw you on National Television yesterday morning. Probably didn't notice me (wearing a parka the color of CF's eyes) shoveling, while Laura got interviewed!!"}, {"response": 775, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jan 14, 1999 (14:37)", "body": "My 15 minutes of fame!!!! Wow, so now I'm gorgeous, I've been called cute, but gorgeous???? Thanks, Evelyn! Will do call MacMillan!"}, {"response": 776, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (00:25)", "body": "Helen Fielding is writing again in the Telegraph, but in the Travel Section...her experiences on a ski-ing holiday. So she's not taken time off to finish BJD2 or to burn the midnight oil over the screenplay. Sound as though everything is done and dusted, and she has taken a break from Bridget. Oh well..."}, {"response": 777, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (02:45)", "body": "(Bethan).....and she has taken a break from Bridget. Actually, this is a good marketing strategy ....people will be ravenous to read about Bridge and pounce on the book when it's published. If she continued her weekly column, the readership would have enough of a Bridget-fix and not be as eager to purchase the book."}, {"response": 778, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (09:15)", "body": "From \"The Times\" diary Feb 6th: \"Andrew Davies, the costume dramatist[P&P2], has teamed up with Helen Fielding... to pen the screenplay for Hollywood's version of BJD. To appreciate the fictional life of the chain-smoking, caffeine-addicted, young and always single heroine, Fielding took the screen writer around some of her old haunts.... Was the sixtysomething able to stand the pace? \"Of course ,\" Davies says. \"Bridget's big mistake is that she never considers the possibilities of going out with an older man.\" Now , what do we all make of that??"}, {"response": 779, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (09:20)", "body": "Interesting, very interesting!"}, {"response": 780, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (09:20)", "body": "Is that the end of Mark Darcy, hope not?"}, {"response": 781, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (09:53)", "body": "Hah! V. interesting indeed. One thing I've noticed is that by the time something appears in The Times Diary, it's already fait accompli, done and dusted. Which means, I think, that the screenplay is completed. The co-involvement of Andrew Davies is, I think, terrific news. Authors aren't necessarily the beat equipped to adapt their own material as screenplays. You often need a fresh approach. And writing screenplays is very different from writing a more internalised novel. Terrific news! Andrew Davies is a very skilled and highly entertaining screenwriter (who is not averse to the occasional sexy scene! Didn't he want Colin to dive naked into the lake. But CF refused. :-)() And who better to write a screenplay about Mr Darcy, or a contemporary updated version of P&P? Excellent PR possibilities here. As to AD's comment, I merely took this to be a reaction to the question about standing the pace. He's just saying it's a pity Bridget didn't go for an older man....I don't think it means we see BJ walking away into the sunset with an octogenarian!"}, {"response": 782, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (10:43)", "body": "Is that the end of Mark Darcy, hope not? I didn't understand your remark, Ann, until I read Bethan's comment. I think the line about an older man was just an AD joke. I hope!"}, {"response": 783, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (14:04)", "body": "Davies says. \"Bridget's big mistake is that she never considers the possibilities of going out with an older man.\" Now , what do we all make of that?? Merely that Andrew Davies, a known and self-confessed libertine in his private life, made a quip about imagining himself in the role."}, {"response": 784, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (14:15)", "body": "I will add the MD question when I speak to his agent next week. Has AD ever done anything contemporary?"}, {"response": 785, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (16:36)", "body": "Good news! We can keep this topic active with speculation on the upcoming filming. Merely that Andrew Davies, a known and self-confessed libertine in his private life, made a quip about imagining himself in the role. Or perhaps in Helen's life. ;-)"}, {"response": 786, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (17:03)", "body": "Grrrreat News.... Andrew Davies is a great screenwriter....(which was my objection to FP.. weak screenplay, IMO) Now....Sue Birwistle ...where are you when we need you. Anybody have her email??"}, {"response": 787, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Feb  7, 1999 (20:34)", "body": "Andrew Davies IS a great screenwriter, particularly when working for B.B.C. Some of his other British I.T.V. work has been much weaker (Emma). He needs to be part of a \"Dreamteam\", so let's add Susie Conklin and of course our DB and we are on to a \"Surefire winner\"."}, {"response": 788, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb  7, 1999 (23:36)", "body": "Let's not forget the director.....can we hope for Simon Langton?... and- what- the- hell...let's throw in Carl Davis for the music. But, wait a minute...we forgot the crucial one...who will play our Bridge??"}, {"response": 789, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, Feb  7, 1999 (23:42)", "body": "But, wait a minute...we forgot the crucial one...who will play our Bridge?? I've been thinking about this... How about.. Claire Rushbrook (Brenda Blethyn's daughter from Secrets and Lies; played Spice Girls' manager in 'Spice World')? More suggestions to come. p.s.: NOT Helena Bonham-Carter. Much as a I like her, she's too wispy to play someone like Bridget."}, {"response": 790, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (00:03)", "body": "I've always thought Claire Rushbrook would be perfect. when I saw her in SpiceWorld!!!! I brought it up way back when!"}, {"response": 791, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (15:21)", "body": "From today's Evening Standard, a snide and horrid piece about GP by the awful Julie Birchall entitled \"Why I Hate Gwyneth\". One thing she throws in at the end. \"Her (ie GP) heart's desire, it is whispered, is to play the lead in the fil of the pitiful BJD. The wettest film star in the world playing the wettest heroine in the history of literature...\" Arghhh...Surely not. She is way way to young and is just not the right type. But it might account for why she is the only person involved in SIL who mentions Colin. She has him on her mind."}, {"response": 792, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (15:23)", "body": "From today's Evening Standard, a snide and horrid piece about GP by the awful Julie Burchill entitled \"Why I Hate Gwyneth\". One thing she throws in at the end. \"Her (ie GP) heart's desire, it is whispered, is to play the lead in the fil of the pitiful BJD. The wettest film star in the world playing the wettest heroine in the history of literature...\" Arghhh...Surely not. She is way way to young and is just not the right type. But it might account for why she is the only person involved in SIL who mentions Colin. She has him on her mind."}, {"response": 793, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (15:26)", "body": "Ooops. Read the second of those. Not that she deserves, it but I spelt J Burchill's name correctly there. Did not mean to post the first version."}, {"response": 794, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (21:49)", "body": "(Allison) GP to play BJD. She is way way to young and is just not the right type. But it might accountfor why she is the only person involved in SIL who mentions Colin. She has him on her mind. Someone on this board suggested her last year. Let's look at it this way: Automatic hit with Gwynnie.And if she talks Colin to play MD, not bad for him to star with GP. Did you see \"Sliding Doors\"? GP put in a powerful performance as a trendy British chick.Americans and the British love her.Looks like win-win to me."}, {"response": 795, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (22:25)", "body": "New Time magazine has a full page article about the hair extensions she wore to the Golden Globes."}, {"response": 796, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (22:41)", "body": "Her hair extensions looked great! They say she spends hours at the salon. She may be too skinny for BJ, but she could handle the role."}, {"response": 797, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (00:02)", "body": "I'm very pro GP for the role. Six months ago I might have thought differently, but I genuinely like her, and she's hugely popular. If it's a Hollywood backed production they'll go for a name, and I honestly can't think of anyone except Helena BC or Minnie Driver. Bridget only perceives herself as \"plump\"...I always imagine her as rather attractive! GP is rather young, but then all 30 something actresses look 20 something, so why not go for a 20 something? And yes, I'd like to see GP and CF star together...at least she wouldn't slap him in the face this time! Allison, I agree that Julie Burchill is awful...she always goes for the jugular.....but I thnk she does have her finger on the pulse, and if she writes that GP is interested in BJD, then there will be some substance in this. Keep reading the Evening Standard (forget the Mail!)....seems a good source! How about keeping the P&P connection, and having Alison Steadman and Benjamin Whitrow as Bridget's Mum and Dad. And Anna Chancellor as Natasha. And David Bamber as Tom, or Richard Finch? Lots of scope for in-jokes, with AD as co-writer. This may be the nearest we get to a sequel to P&P!! And GP has Jane Austen connections via \"Emma\". :-)"}, {"response": 798, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (16:02)", "body": "I like David Bamber as Tom, that would be coup casting! I'm still iffy on GP as BJ. I would prefer a more plain person. True, we never really know what BJ looks like, but with her weight, she seems quite average for the average 5'5/6 person. BJ should be mid-30s, MD late 30s. I still go with Claire Rushbrook, she is quite pretty and very versatile! And it would be a big boon to her career. Adrian Lukis as Daniel;)"}, {"response": 799, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (16:59)", "body": "Oh yes!! Adrian Lukis as Daniel. But somehow I doubt that the bigwigs would go for such an in joke in their casting decisions. Alack and alas. It would be their loss. :( Gwynnie's good, but I think too young and enough with this Brit thing and her."}, {"response": 800, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (17:10)", "body": "Gwynnie's good, but I think too young and enough with this Brit thing and her. ] Amen to that!!!!"}, {"response": 801, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (18:43)", "body": "I am beginning to worry whether CF will in fact do MD. I was feeling confident but two things worry me. Firstly, will he have the time? I am really not sure how long films take to make but I assume he will only start preparing for DQ after 3DOR i e mid March. I realise I have very little idea about how films are made but they must have a lead in time, rehearsals etc. or do they do that as they go along? It is hard to imagine that they would start filming before the beginning of May. I assume BJD wil be filmed in the Summer. I would guess June or July. Presumably not later if they are looking to an early 2000 release. Wouldn't that make it rather hectic for anybody but especially for Mr\"I hate working back to back\" Firth. Secondly I am worried about that comment about being too old to play moonstruck young lovers any more. Perhaps he doesn't put MD in that category."}, {"response": 802, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (19:34)", "body": "(Allison), Wouldn't that make it rather hectic for anybody but especially for Mr\"I hate working back to back\" Firth. I think Colin seriously wants to change this and is working hard at it now. The new Colin is emerging hold on to your hats!"}, {"response": 803, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (23:00)", "body": "(Laura)I still go with Claire Rushbrook, she is quite pretty and very versatile! Only thing is....who would go to see this movie?.... A bunch of no-names. ******* ( Allison) Wouldn't that make it rather hectic for anybody but especially for Mr\"I hate working back to back\" Firth. (Moon)The new Colin is emerging hold on to your hats! That's known as \"Paying the mortgage on the new house\"syndrome."}, {"response": 804, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (23:32)", "body": "MD isn't a moonstruck lover...he's a successful divorced barrister, late thirties, with a bit of a commitment problem! Mortgage, kid, non-working wife (probably). Hey, he'll be working back to back all the time now! And if a few more bambinos appear on the scene... 3DOR will be over by mid-March (with stage plays most of the work is before the opening). Block out April-May for DomQ, which could be filmed in 6 weeks, and that still leaves June thru' Sept for BJD. And he has just had six months off! I still haven't given up on Mary Queen of Scots...way to win an Oscar, major romantic role in big costume drama, horrible death at end! But that really would be back to back to back. But he's a man with responsibilities now! The Oscars...Why Brenda Blethyn again? She got awful reviews in the UK, and her voice really grates on my poor ol' nerves. And it's always the same performance. And what happened to Bulworth? Got rave reviews over here, ditto The Trueman Show."}, {"response": 805, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (18:19)", "body": "Haven\ufffdt been able to post much this week, as life and work seem to be interfering with my time at Drool. Very good news about P&P and BJD sharing the same screenwriter\ufffd. Anyway, here is an exceedingly short (and bad) poem which sums up my feelings about the MD casting issue: Dear Mr. Firth, please put us to rest, Don the bumblebee socks and ugly vest-- \"Mark Darcy! Mark Darcy!\" they call out to you; We Firthettes need an inside joke or two. Oh won\ufffdt you please be our Valentine And sign the movie contract on the dotted line? Note: after I wrote this, I did check my facts, and in BJD MD is wearing an ugly sweater (jumper) in lieu of an ugly vest (waistcoat). Didn\ufffdt want to rework the rhyme, so I left it alone. My apologies to the BJD purists. Happy Valentine\ufffds Day to all."}, {"response": 806, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (23:36)", "body": "Nice one Lizza! I'll add... \"Cuckolds, madmen,haughty earls, Soccer fans and fickle churls, You've shown your range, Now hear our pleas, Just one romantic hero please!\" Pleas...please, oh well, it's late. What I would like to see is GP winning an Oscar, and then announcing that her next project is BJD with CF. I think this all falls within the realms of possibility!"}, {"response": 807, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (23:38)", "body": "Sorry, Lisa . As I said, it's late!"}, {"response": 808, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (23:42)", "body": "Lisa....Bethan....we hardly know ye...What talent... Poets in our midst!!"}, {"response": 809, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 13, 1999 (16:08)", "body": "Brilliant Ladies! All of our sentiments so succinctly and eloquently put. Far better than what is scrawled in any Hallmark VD card. :)"}, {"response": 810, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Feb 14, 1999 (21:16)", "body": "Such a creative bunch...it only takes a little inspiration. Also in honor of the day, I see in my 1999 Bridget Jones Diary that besides being St. Valentine's Day, today is also National Impotence Day. (That's what it says!) And then a note from Bridget saying, \"You see life imperfect for many\""}, {"response": 811, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Feb 15, 1999 (11:35)", "body": "Has Kate Winslet ever been suggested to play Bridget Jones opposite CF, I think she would be perfect, she has a high Hollywood profile after Titanic, she has a slight weight problem, is about the right age, she is british, and now with her short haircut looks like my idea of BJ. I don't remember her name being mentioned before but I may be wrong."}, {"response": 812, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Feb 15, 1999 (23:12)", "body": "Kate Winslet is TOOOO YOUNG. BJ is in her mid thirties."}, {"response": 813, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (01:23)", "body": "Kate Winslet looks older than she is....she could do it. A British star who is well known to Americans."}, {"response": 814, "author": "venezia", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (04:30)", "body": "I tend to lurk here more than post but I just had to give my two cents, if you don't mind. Has anyone ever thought about Jennifer Ehle as Bridget? Granted she doesn't have the Hollywood profile but it's a British film, isn't it? And personally, I don't want to see an American in the role, especially GP. When actors are shoved down my throat in so many movies and magazine covers and interviews in such a short period of time, they tend to grate on my nerves, and she is bugging me like crazy lately. If she p ays yet another British person, I will scream. Enough already. Try a southern drawl or something. I'd just get such a kick if JE were paired with CF again. What better place than a modern take on P&P to reunite them? That's my ideal casting choices but I have a feeling it'll snow in hell before my wish would happen."}, {"response": 815, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (07:57)", "body": "If GP could play BJ then I don't see why KW couldn't, she must be about the same age and is very popular here in the UK."}, {"response": 816, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (08:34)", "body": "I've thought of JE as Bridget, and if this was a purely British film, I'd think this could be a possibility. But it's the \"Hollywood\" version (Why? It can't be an expensive movie to shoot, London locations,character driven, many interior shots, no special effects, British actors are cheap...couldn't Film Four or BBC Films have done it for \ufffd2 or \ufffd3 million? ) Anyway, if it's Big business, it will be a Big name. I still think GP is the odds on favourite. Although I agree KW could look early thirties...she h s a more womanly type of beauty! But if it's the \"Hollywood version\" it will really boost CF, otherwise he seems to be overlooked. And he has to play this role (Hollywood, d'ya'hear me! Not Hugh Grant, not Ben Affleck, okay!)"}, {"response": 817, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (13:31)", "body": "Hugh Grant would be such a total turn off. BA is too young for the role. Who would look better in that tart outfit Bridget wears? I think Kate W. But at this point it looks like whatever Gwynnie wants she gets. I'm just hoping that they offer MD to CF. JE could be offered the part of one of Bridget's friends. This could be a great P&P reunion film but I doubt it would happen."}, {"response": 818, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (14:31)", "body": "I was reading about the casting for the new Miramax film of Jane Austen's \"Mansfield Park\" shot in England....the lead role of Fanny is played by an Australian actress, and the rest of the principal cast is American, with, I think, one British actor who was in \"Trainspotting\". So I don't know what that portents for BJD!! It's big business, bankability and profits that matter. I wouldn't be unhappy with Gwynnie, provided that she stays loyal to CF! Isn't she quoted somewhere as saying that Harvey wanted an American to play Shakespeare, but she persuaded him that it had to be a British actor!!"}, {"response": 819, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (17:54)", "body": "Again, I will say it Kate Winslet is TOOOO DAMN Young as is Gwyneth Paltrow. JE is on the cusp. They need an unknown British actress who is in her early to mid thirties. Perhaps Helen Fielding could play Bridget. She is Bridget!"}, {"response": 820, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 16, 1999 (22:48)", "body": "(Lisa) CF & JE in BJD....That's my ideal casting choices but I have a feeling it'll snow in hell before my wish would happen. I think you could easily bet the \"family farm\" that they'll never be cast together. *** I vote for Gwyneth.Bag the unknown British actress :-) Movies with unknowns play on each coast and in UK (who also don't go to see them!!)Producers hate them because they can't get funding without a bankable star. They are made alright and then they sit on a shelf because no distributor will touch them."}, {"response": 821, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Feb 17, 1999 (02:33)", "body": "So you know what's practical to make a bankable film. But what do you really want? Forgetting money for a moment, who do you really want to see as Bridget? A fantasy, I know but I'll be damned if I want a 20-something playing a woman in her thirties. There are too many good actresses (American and British) in their 30s who could do this role. I like Jane Leeves or Emily Watson myself."}, {"response": 822, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Feb 17, 1999 (02:44)", "body": "Thank you, Heide. GP is too young!!!! I will not rest until I get everyone to figure that out!"}, {"response": 823, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Feb 17, 1999 (08:18)", "body": "Ok then, not KW, what about Natasha Richardson, (a Month in the Country(, the chemistry between CF and NR was good in AMITC, and I think she would be the right age and is quite well known in the US?"}, {"response": 824, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb 17, 1999 (13:28)", "body": "(Heide), I like Jane Leeves or Emily Watson I can't place JL but I disagree on EW. She is a v. good actress but I don't see as Bridget, and the same goes for Natasha R. Laura, GP may be too young but as Evelyn pointed out it is a Hollywood movie. We should just hope they get it right and at least have the intelligence to offer MD to CF which is NOT a given. I'm afraid the producers are gong to want to reach a younger audience with BJD and if GP wants to be BJ she will probably have first pick. I would prefer a P&P reunion but that would be too much of an inside joke I'm afraid."}, {"response": 825, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Feb 17, 1999 (17:11)", "body": "Age aside, I can't see GP as Bridget. She seems too...I can't describe it...together? Sophisticated? Same for Natasha. I think KW could pull off that manic, disorganized 'why do these crazy things keep happening to me?' quality of BJ but YES, LAURA, she's too young. I've never seen Emily Watson do comedy, but she's not right either. Now Jane Leeves, I could see her, but is it too close to her 'Frasier' persona? Has she done any films lately? Considering the big-bucks Hollywood angle, it's still a ga ble when US TV stars move to films (e.g., 'Friends'). How the closely the screenplay will match the book is another interesting question."}, {"response": 826, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 17, 1999 (21:51)", "body": "Nothing like a little controversy to get some life on this board:-) (heide) Forgetting money for a moment, who do you really want to see as Bridget? A fantasy, I know ... Hmmmm, let's see...if Andrew Davies doesn't change it all around.... Natasha would be OK ( Parent Trap, cute and she wowed 'em in Cabaret). I guess firstly I would like Colin to be cast as Mark...and whom they cast him with is immaterial...I just hate to see these good Brit movies just go on a shelf.Have they announced the director yet?That is crucial. The more I look at P&P the more I think Simon Langton was the unsung hero.Agree with Moon a P&P reunion would be the fantasy \"Dreamteam\"."}, {"response": 827, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb 18, 1999 (00:32)", "body": "Laura, GP may be too young but as Evelyn pointed out it is a Hollywood movie ] I think we will see differently. Helen Fielding has maintained that she wanted creative control when it came to casting BJ. We will not see GP and KW as BJ. How do I know this, because it's HF's baby and she would not let them ruin it. I will remain adamant and when I am proved right, I will then gloat! I really could care less who plays MD, he's a dog anyway!"}, {"response": 828, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Feb 18, 1999 (23:42)", "body": "How about Ruth Gemmel??"}, {"response": 829, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb 18, 1999 (23:50)", "body": "Or Holly Aird, who played RG's flatmate, she has the right kind of dizziness and sense of humour."}, {"response": 830, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (00:39)", "body": "I think Holly Aird would be a great possibility. As far as \"essentials\" - what an actress needs to play Bridget, apart from looking the part (hence no 20-somethings, my rule only), the women we've mentioned above are all actors - I'm sure any one of them can do comedy roles even if we equate them only with dramatic roles now."}, {"response": 831, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (01:42)", "body": "I think Holly Aird would be great...(reminded me of Rosie O'Donell with Meg Ryan in \"Sleepless in Seattle\".) Can't stand Ruth Gemell's voice!!Grating."}, {"response": 832, "author": "venezia", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (02:28)", "body": "OK, so how about a discussion on the secondary roles? Who do you want or would you think would be fun in the following roles? (Please keep in mind, that not that much thought went into this, I haven't read the book in a while so the description of the characters escapes me.) Daniel Cleaver...... Rupert Everett Pam Jones........... Joan Collins Colin Jones......... Sharon.............. Julia Sawalha Jude................ Una Alconbury....... Phillida Law Geoffrey Alconbury.. Michael Caine Natasha............. Elizabeth Hurley Perpetua............ Magda............... Jeremy.............. Vile Richard........ Rebecca............. Richard Finch....... Tom................. Julio............... Ricky Martin This was a lot harder than I thought that's why so many are left blank. Any one else want to give it a try?"}, {"response": 833, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (07:13)", "body": "Well, I guess I am the only one in the dark.... Who is Holly Aird?"}, {"response": 834, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (08:02)", "body": "Wait! and don't forget to cast: Elena Rossini (the domestic servant MD defends in court)........ ME! (I shamelessly asked HF at her booksigning last year if I could possibly have a minor role)"}, {"response": 835, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (19:44)", "body": "I like Imogen Stubbs as Bridget also, aka Lucy Steele or Sarah in Jack & Sarah (she died in childbirth:() Ricky Martin!!! LISA!!!!!!! too funny, but Julio wasn't he an older man?????"}, {"response": 836, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (22:23)", "body": "Who is Holly Aird? She was Ruth Gemell's flatmate in FP."}, {"response": 837, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (23:12)", "body": "(Evelyn) She was Ruth Gemell's flatmate in FP. Thanks, Evelyn. Ah, now I know why I had not heard heard of her. And now I have to wait until May to see her(and CF, of course!) in FP....::sigh:: I used to consider myself a patient person, but waiting for the release of some of CF's movies has tested me beyond reason......::bigger sigh::"}, {"response": 838, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (23:13)", "body": "Sorry for the two *heards* above...."}, {"response": 839, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (23:55)", "body": "When was the release date for FP changed to May, I thought the latest date was March, I don't know first February, then March and now May, goodness knows when we will see MLSF at this rate."}, {"response": 840, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (00:54)", "body": "I reckon FP is being released close to the release date of MLSF, so that perhaps he'll promote the two in tandem in the US. May be too busy now, with 3DOR, and perhaps DOMQ. Holly Aird would be fine, but if they want the film to be an international success, I still think they'll go for a \"name\". All-British cast films often struggle, even in (particularly in?) Britain."}, {"response": 841, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (03:42)", "body": "Ouch! Hollywood's reality is so harsh, I'm just going to forget it and live in my fantasy world - who I'd like to see play the roles, not who Hollywood should cast to get the most bang from their buck. I like Lisa's game. Joan Collins as Pam? Interesting...kind of a viper image. Daniel Cleaver...Colin Firth. Ha ha!! Perpetua...Tracey Ullman in one of her guises."}, {"response": 842, "author": "venezia", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (05:10)", "body": "What's wrong with Ricky? I have no idea how old Julio is but I'd love to see RM in the role. Come on! Shouldn't Julio be this hunky latin guy with buffy broad shoulders that just makes Pam and every lady in the theatre melt? I'd be ready to plunk down 8.50 Cdn multiple times just to hear him say: \"You sleep with MY woman\" in a dangerous, possessive way. I'd rather Julio be younger than Pam anyway. I don't want to see a Ricardo Montalban scaming her but a young latin stud with a great butt do it."}, {"response": 843, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (21:50)", "body": "I think Jennifer Saunders would be a good BJ; watching ABFAB today it hit me that HF must have had Eddie in her mind when she conceived BJ/. Ricky Martin is WAY too young for Joan Collins!"}, {"response": 844, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (22:02)", "body": "Oh no Laura, I would rather see Dawn French as BJ!"}, {"response": 845, "author": "venezia", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (23:24)", "body": "Ricky Martin is WAY too young for Joan Collins! Didn't JC marry a young guy a few years back and he took her money? She'd be perfect for the role of Pam, she wouldn't need to do any research for it! OK, you don't like Ricky, how about Placido Domingo? Is he old enough for you? Or would you prefer Antonio Banderas? (I'm running out of Latin men here!)"}, {"response": 846, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Feb 21, 1999 (00:22)", "body": "No, Lisa, they are good choices, but he must be older. Not Ricardo Montalban older, but in his 40s. I always thought Julio was more greasy, if handsome looking;) Dawn French! Oh dear Lord, that's funny! Okay, I'll stick with Claire Rushbrook, she's pretty and funny! and not your typical perfect looking model, but NORMAL looking. I could always play BJ, but I'm too thin:( ;) Karen, come back to us soon!!!!!"}, {"response": 847, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Feb 22, 1999 (15:04)", "body": "For Julio: that actor from 'Nostromo' (can't for the life of my remember his name), you know, the one who played the soldier/bad guy. Had dark, wavy hair all slicked back. Sorry I can't be more specific, it's been awhile since I watched Nostromo (not one of my Firthfaves). Joan Collins as Pam? What a hoot."}, {"response": 848, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 22, 1999 (18:02)", "body": "I'm back (sorry, folks) Anyway, HF mentioned that she had in mind Omar Sharif for Julio...not a younger guy! ;-) More later"}, {"response": 849, "author": "venezia", "date": "Mon, Feb 22, 1999 (23:42)", "body": "Omar Sharif? Is he Portuguese? Isn't Julio supposed to be from Portugal? How old is OS anyway? I guess he's about JC's age or maybe more... yeah... he's OK... I'll settle for him if I have no choice, although I'd prefer someone a bit younger."}, {"response": 850, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Feb 23, 1999 (01:43)", "body": "Believe it or not I actually watched Nostromo on Sunday! Must have been desperate. Eilenn, that actor who was the nasty Sotillo (sp.) would be good as Julio though a bit older too than I'd imagine. Still, he was slimy. And a bad actor to boot!"}, {"response": 851, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Feb 23, 1999 (05:52)", "body": "Omar Sharif? Is he Portuguese He's Egyptian."}, {"response": 852, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Feb 23, 1999 (13:27)", "body": "Saw Ricky Martin on ET last night. I hadn't been making the connection before. Him? For Julio? Isn't he still in diapers??? And forgive me, but I thought Omar was dead :-( . Guess not, if HF was thinking about him. Seems we're having the same age thing (too old, too young) with this character as well as BJ! I hope the real casting people aren't..."}, {"response": 853, "author": "venezia", "date": "Tue, Feb 23, 1999 (15:09)", "body": "Saw Ricky Martin on ET last night. I hadn't been making the connection before. Him? For Julio? Isn't he still in diapers??? OK, you've all convinced me he's too young, but I still think he'd be fine if they can't find anyone else. He can act, I saw him on General Hospital a few years ago (thank God he chopped that mop off his head!)and if they wanted, Julio could always break out into song and serenade Pam! I saw him on ET too Eileen. I had no idea he was singing at the Grammys on Wednesday. I wasn't planning on tuning in before but I am definitely now. The only thing that bothered me was that he was singing his song La Copa De La Vida in English. What a disappointment! If he was going to sing in English he should've picked Maria, Un, Dos, Tres . There's an English version of that song and it's so much fun to bowl to! I tried looking up other Latin men actors but I didn't have much luck. They are few and far between. I could only come up with three more: Jimmy Smits, Edward James Olmos and Andy Garcia."}, {"response": 854, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 23, 1999 (15:54)", "body": "I think Helen was referring to a certain \"look\" when she said she visualized Omar Sharif in the role. You know, dashingly handsome and mature. A Ricardo Montalban would right as well. (Is he alive?) (Heide) that actor who was the nasty Sotillo (sp.) would be good as Julio though a bit older too than I'd imagine. He's really short!! Was also the bad guy traitor in \"Clear and Presdent Danger.\" But he isn't too old..."}, {"response": 855, "author": "venezia", "date": "Wed, Feb 24, 1999 (15:12)", "body": "OK, I'm grasping at straws here, but Cheech Marin came to mind after I saw commercial for Nash Bridges. If like Karen says, HF wants a dashingly handsome older man for Julio, he's definitely out of the picture, but the thought of him with Joan Collins gave me a good laugh. And Ricardo Montalban is alive!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 856, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 24, 1999 (19:04)", "body": "I like that Hyacinth Bouquet lady for Bridget's mom. Joan is way too glamorous."}, {"response": 857, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (01:11)", "body": "Karen, it's Hyacinth Bucket! What about the grandma on ABFAB as Pam, she's plays ditzy well, I mean who uses condoms to wash dishes? hee hee;)"}, {"response": 858, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (15:59)", "body": "Yeah, as soon as I sent it, I remembered that it's Bucket, but she pretentiously pronounces it like the other. Oh well, I don't watch the show, but she looks about right. Don't watch AbFab either."}, {"response": 859, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (16:14)", "body": "Finally, I shall be able to see what the fuss is about Cadbury Milk Trays!!"}, {"response": 860, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Mar  4, 1999 (22:52)", "body": "Chocolate, Karen, Chocolate. Plus Cadbury is made there, so it's much different from our Cadburys! Oh do bring some back;)"}, {"response": 861, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (17:42)", "body": "OK, managed to find several of the more important Bridget junk foods! Can say categeorically that Jaffe Cakes (brand name) are the exact same thing as a cookie thing made by the LU brand and sold in the US. They call them Pimm's or some such thing and are available with orange or raspberry jelly. Brought a deluxe tin of Milk Tray at the airport on the way out (what else does one do with leftover cash!!). Haven't opened them up yet (or the tin of Flake either), but seems to me they aren't going to be much different from any assorted chocolates one can buy from Fannie Mae, Fannie Farmer, Sees, Whitman,e etc. These were a \"deluxe\" tin, so the shapes and decorations were a bit more la-di-dah! So Helen is addicted to these things..."}, {"response": 862, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Mar  9, 1999 (19:15)", "body": "I don't like Flake;( It's too flaky. Rebecca flipped out when I brought some back from Ireland. She hated it too!"}, {"response": 863, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar 11, 1999 (23:21)", "body": "I like Jaffa Cakes. Karen and I munched on them during the Jennifer Ehle movie on Sunday.Yummmmm. **** I vote for Antonio...(Gi's fiancee) to play Julio. He is Portugese and v. handsome."}, {"response": 864, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (22:43)", "body": "No way, Evelyn! Antonio says there really is a Julio in Albufeira, who lives off foreign women. Antonio has business and lives in part in Albufeira, and can I but dream that they'll shoot BJD there if Colin is in it? :-)"}, {"response": 865, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (23:01)", "body": "(GI)No way, Evelyn! AAA. Did not mean to imply that Antonio is a gigolo:-) Mean't it as a compliment....as handsome as Antonio Banderas;-D"}, {"response": 866, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (15:52)", "body": "No offence taken. But I would not have him play Julio :-)"}, {"response": 867, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (13:28)", "body": "From today's Variety (also a mention of Captain Corelli's Mandolin and High Fidelity toward the end): Working Title duo to stay U may slate 'Bridget,' 'Captain' By ADAM DAWTREY, March 26, 1999 LONDON \ufffd Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, co-chairmen of Working Title Films, have finally signed a five-year deal to continue at the helm of the London-based production company under Universal Pictures. The long-awaited arrangement, due to be announced today, is understood to guarantee them the same creative autonomy they enjoyed under Polygram Filmed Entertainment, as well as richer personal terms. It will enable Bevan and Fellner to greenlight the same kind of risky medium-budget fare, such as the $25 million \ufffdElizabeth\ufffd and the $18 million \ufffdBean,\ufffd that they previously persuaded PFE to bankroll. The first projects likely to be financed by Universal are \ufffdBridget Jones\ufffd Diary,\ufffd an adaptation of Helen Fielding\ufffds bestseller about being a single female over 30, and \ufffdCaptain Corelli\ufffds Mandolin,\ufffd to be directed by Roger Michell, from Louis de Bernieres\ufffd romantic novel set in Greece during World War II. Bevan and Fellner will also be asking U to greenlight \ufffdThunderbirds,\ufffd a blockbuster live-action version of the cult TV series. Concern over Hollywood Bevan, who was not available for comment Thursday, previously has said that if Working Title had been owned by a Hollywood studio for the past five years, the company would only have managed to make \ufffdFrench Kiss\ufffd and \ufffdNotting Hill,\ufffd both mainstream projects costing more than $40 million. Instead the company has produced a stream of low-budget hits, including \ufffdFour Weddings and a Funeral,\ufffd \ufffdFargo\ufffd and \ufffdDead Man Walking.\ufffd One of Bevan and Fellner\ufffds highest priorities during their months of negotiation with Universal was to secure the right to continue making quirky British and American films at lower budget levels. The duo\ufffds old contracts with PFE were due to expire in June, but last year\ufffds takeover of PFE by Universal raised questions about whether Bevan and Fellner would renew their deal or seek better terms elsewhere. They had been heavily courted by other studios but in the end were unwilling to leave behind their company and its slate of upcoming projects, all now owned by U. PFE Intl. to distrib Working Title\ufffds films will be distributed internationally by PFE Intl., soon to be rebranded with a Universal label. Domestically, the company\ufffds big-budget films will go through U, but given the uncertainty over the future ownership of both October and Gramercy Films, the fate of Working Title\ufffds smaller films remains undecided. Meanwhile, Working Title is already in the midst of preparing Stephen Frears\ufffd adaptation of the Nick Hornby novel \ufffdHigh Fidelity,\ufffd starring John Cusack, for Disney. Disney and Universal have also agreed on a split-rights deal for the next Coen brothers movie, \ufffdOh Brother, Where Art Thou,\ufffd starring George Clooney, which Working Title will produce."}, {"response": 868, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (14:04)", "body": "K- I've started reading Correlli's Mandolin, it's very interesting."}, {"response": 869, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (14:27)", "body": "Working Title is already in the midst of preparing Stephen Frears\ufffd adaptation of the Nick Hornby novel \ufffdHigh Fidelity,\ufffd starring John Cusack Didn't Frears do Dangerous Liaisons ?"}, {"response": 870, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (16:08)", "body": "Didn't Frears do Dangerous Liaisons? Yes, so...."}, {"response": 871, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (20:35)", "body": "Good news...Working Title must start shooting BJD soon. I still see CF as a cert for MD, but Bridget herself, who knows?"}, {"response": 872, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (20:40)", "body": "Captain Corelli's Mandolin is a wonderful novel, but in some ways I'd rather it stayed as a book...I can picture the characters in my imagination, and I don't think any film version would them justice."}, {"response": 873, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (01:58)", "body": "On Bethan's recommendation I read \"Captain Corelli's Mandolin\"; it is a brilliant novel and sorry, B. I must disagree..IMO it would make a touching film...talk about a romantic novel...And yes, I can see CF as Captain Corelli....hair dyed black, ,of course:-) ***** Thanks Karen for the Variety article."}, {"response": 874, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (03:04)", "body": "Don't give too much on the book, I've just started it! I like it. Loved the The Duce chapter, lmao!"}, {"response": 875, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (03:33)", "body": "I picked up Captain Corelli's Mandolin about a month ago when I was in Firthland West (that's the book, Winter). Read about 4 chapters and it sits... Think I'd better make a concerted effort. ;-)"}, {"response": 876, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (08:03)", "body": "(that's the book, Winter). That's right! Now I feel I should follow suit...you think I'd have any difficulty tracing a copy?"}, {"response": 877, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (08:22)", "body": "And yes, I can see CF as Captain Corelli....hair dyed black, ,of course:-) I remember reading that Ewan McGregor was going to play him. I must confess, I could not get into CCM. My DH and lots of friends loved it but I could not join their enthusiasm so I don't have much feel for whether CF has been robbed:-)"}, {"response": 878, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (08:42)", "body": "Oh, Ewan McGregor :-( Must admit that despite my comments, a CF film version would have been very acceptable. Ewan McGregor just isn't Captain Corelli, just as Mel Gibson isn't Sydney Carton. But they're big Box Office. I shall stick to the book. Looks like the only hope of another romantic role for CF is in BJD!"}, {"response": 879, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (11:08)", "body": "I don't have much feel for whether CF has been robbed:-) The Antonio/Pelagia story is v-e-ry romantic, but a lot depends on the adaptation. On screen, it could be just another mawkish WW2 love story. And I always feel that depicting characters when they have aged is not convincing. I actually think the part should have gone to a bona fide Italian..I mean , there are actors in Italy! Or to an actor of Italian extraction (or an actor marriied to an Italian:-) )"}, {"response": 880, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (17:19)", "body": "I thought the love story between Kip and Hana in The English Patient was more important than the Katharine/Count Almasy relationship, and they dwindled Kip/Hana down to nothing!"}, {"response": 881, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (19:01)", "body": "I wholeheartedly agree. It's actually the primary love story in the novel, from what I remember."}, {"response": 882, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (19:03)", "body": "Saw Michael Ondaatje yesterday btw...very nice man, interesting sense of humor and pretty near all the questions were about TEP!"}, {"response": 883, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (19:11)", "body": "Details, Karen! Where did you see him?"}, {"response": 884, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (19:59)", "body": "Re: CCMD , Antonio...I remember reading that Ewan McGregor was going to play him. Whaaaat? Burp, burp!!The guy should stick to Trainspotting and heroin...period. ****** Re: CCMD, It goes slowly at first ...maybe first 150 or so pages. After that pure bliss. Not just your usual romantic novel...v. much like Frederico Garcia Lorca's \"100 Years of Solitude\"(Almost said it in Spanish to impress Ben:-)It is inventive , compelling and funny. Stick with it..you will be rewarded.I promise. I think it won the Booker Prize in 1995. *** Yes K. pl. tell us more of Mr. Ondaatje's lecture I can see Juliette Binoche as Pelagia. And Albert Finney as Dr. Iannis"}, {"response": 885, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (20:01)", "body": "100Years of Solitude is not by Lorca...sorry."}, {"response": 886, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (20:18)", "body": "Ewan McGregor as Antonio Corelli...thanks Evelyn for your burp reaction!!! You know, I've been feeling quite depressed about this. Almost spoils the book for me. EMcG is emphatically not, NOT \"my\" Antonio...he's completely WRONG for this role!"}, {"response": 887, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (20:25)", "body": "EMcG is emphatically not, NOT \"my\" Antonio...he's completely WRONG for this role! Think he'll play it with a Scottish-Italian accent?"}, {"response": 888, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (20:42)", "body": "100Years of Solitude is not by Lorca...sorry. Gabriel Garcia Marquez... and a wonderful book BTW. Brilliant writer."}, {"response": 889, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (21:53)", "body": "(Winter)100Years of Solitude is not by Lorca...sorry. Gabriel Garcia Marquez... and a wonderful book BTW. Brilliant writer. Winter to the rescue.!!! Thanks. Was afraid the Mob Squad was going to come after me :-))))"}, {"response": 890, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (01:00)", "body": "WOT? Ewan McGregor as Antonio Corelli!!! Impossible! Is this absolutely confirmed? (Winter)100Years of Solitude is by Gabriel Garcia Marquez... and a wonderful book BTW. Brilliant writer. I am also a big fan."}, {"response": 891, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (10:13)", "body": "I'd rather see Roberto Bergnini as Corelli. But it's \"bums on seats\" that matter, not keeping faith with the book. Sniff!!"}, {"response": 892, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (20:12)", "body": "From today's London Times re: Working Title/Universal merger: ....Other projects include High Fidelity, from Nick Hornby's novel, which will soon start shooting in Chicago, with John Cusack starring; Bridget Jones's Diary, which Helen Fielding has scripted with Andrew Davies; and Captain Corelli's Mandolin, adapted by Shawn Slovo. Looks like BJD and CCMD are a \"go\"."}, {"response": 893, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (20:50)", "body": "Or as they say in the business, \"Green-lighted.\""}, {"response": 894, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (21:02)", "body": "Well, if we know the director and \"star\" of Captain Corelli (am still depressed about the inappropriate choice of EMcGr..... will he keep his clothes on this time?), isn't it time that details of director/cast for BJD were announced."}, {"response": 895, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (10:31)", "body": "I am sorry to get you all upset about EMcG. I might be wrong. I am fairly sure, though, that I read it in an article but it was some time ago, so maybe plans have changed."}, {"response": 896, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (13:45)", "body": "Don't worry about it. It doesn't take much to get this group upset. ;-) Since I haven't gotten very far into Corelli's Mandolin, I haven't formed any opinions on who I would like to play the role; however, Ewan (not Elizabeth McGovern) wouldn't be the first to spring to mind."}, {"response": 897, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (14:41)", "body": "LOL! Now Elizabeth McG - that would be an even more popular choice round here :-))"}, {"response": 898, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (15:53)", "body": "This is very strange in view of Evelyn's posting above from Sunday's Times, but quite by accident I picked up the Tatler magazine and there is an article in it which says that Working Titles has withdrawn plans to make the film Bridget Jones' Diary, who is right. Bethan have you had contact with Working Titles and if so can you clarify. Personally I shan't be sorry I couldn't see CF as Mark Darcy but it would still be nice to know for sure."}, {"response": 899, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (15:59)", "body": "Ann, since the recent news about Handmade was on all the wire services and the Tatler (April issue I assume) went to print eons ago, I'd go with the entertainment news organizations' latest releases. I mean, why would they even mention BJD in talking about their latest deal with Universal if it they had abandoned plans to pursue it?"}, {"response": 900, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (16:00)", "body": "Oops, sorry, meant Working Title, not Handmade."}, {"response": 901, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (16:59)", "body": "I actually rang Working Title about two weeks ago (before the news of the Universal deal) and asked about BJD and when it would be sceduled for release. They said that they hadn't started shooting yet (which means that they are doing it!) and mentioned the end of the year. Which I took to mean release date (although that's a very fast turnaround) as no shoot for a British film with exterior locations would surely start in December...has to be Spring/Summer. Ann, I like Mark Darcy, and with an Andrew Davies screenplay and world-wide distribution, this has to be a good role!"}, {"response": 902, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (17:22)", "body": "The article was really definite that they had cancelled plans to make the film but I agree that it could have been printed a while ago as it was the April issue, but would you ring them again Bethan in a few weeks time just to make sure. Although I am not sure about BJD I can't see anyone else playing MD and it would be nice to know that we have two projects to look forward to."}, {"response": 903, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (22:35)", "body": "And when you ring them Bethan, please ask who are the actors. How could they have a release date in mind and no confirmed actors?"}, {"response": 904, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Apr  1, 1999 (19:30)", "body": "I keep on pressing respond instead of redisplay. Third time lucky! Was trying to say that I think his in his attributed comment re the Internet, he was objecting more to a perhaps unmwelcome encounter in a party with a boorish individual who seemed to know too much about him. Maybe he didn't like to be reminded about his schooldays! :-) He has never actually said that he objects to the websites (respectfully) dedicated to his work! BTW marvellous filming weather in Scotland at the moment...the hottest Easter for 100 years (allegedly!)"}, {"response": 905, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Apr  1, 1999 (19:32)", "body": "I give up ...should have been posted at #118. Not my day."}, {"response": 906, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 1999 (15:53)", "body": "Spring Pledge Drive Terry will gratefully accept any small donation you can make to help keep the Spring out of the hole. No obligations, of course, but if you're able to help out, a check can be made out to The Spring and mailed to: The Spring Rt.2 Box 56r Cedar Creek, TX 78612 I will post this at the other topics, so bear with the repetition."}, {"response": 907, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (10:02)", "body": "A very little tidbit about \"High Fidelity\" at the ain't it cool news site. Hardly meriting the large font size. http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com/display.cgi?id=3381"}, {"response": 908, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 1999 (00:46)", "body": "High Fidelity starts shooting here in Chicago on the 19th."}, {"response": 909, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 1999 (02:28)", "body": "Karen! Be on the lookout! Keep those eyes peeled for John Cusack! ;-)"}, {"response": 910, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 1999 (02:42)", "body": "I had read that there were posters up at a small record shop that said they needed extras for the movie. Went into three used \"vinyl\" shops (all within a few feet of each other) the other day, but no joy. Winter, dear, I always I have my eyes peeled for Cusack. So far have only run into William Devane at the grocery store. (hee hee) Am hoping to see Harrison Ford sitting on my front steps next month!"}, {"response": 911, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 1999 (02:47)", "body": "What's Harrison Ford filming?"}, {"response": 912, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 1999 (02:52)", "body": "It's called Random Hearts. Most of it apparently was filmed in DC, but now they're doing stuff here. Bonnie Hunt is in it and she plays a waitress. The restaurant where she works is the place next door to me. Manager of the restaurant told me about the story, had read the script. Said that Minnie Driver was in it as well, but the IMDb says Kirsten Scott Thomas. Who knows??"}, {"response": 913, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 1999 (02:51)", "body": "Please don't tell me Minnie Driver will be Harrison Ford's love interest. Kirsten Scott Thomas and Robert Redford was bad enough."}, {"response": 914, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 1999 (03:37)", "body": "Michael Douglas and Gwyneth Paltrow was the worst...IMHO."}, {"response": 915, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 1999 (17:46)", "body": "I'd be interested in a game of \"The worst pairings ever\"...Perhaps at 113 if Marcia agrees :-) I just saw \"6 days 7 nights\" and was appalled at Anne Heche/Harrison Ford. Don't these men ever grow too old to be cast as romantic interests?"}, {"response": 916, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (00:22)", "body": "---The problem is NOT that these men are no longer \"sexy\" as they age. To women of a certain age, they may be sexier than ever. Casting them as romantic leads is perfectly appropriate. The problem is that the mindfix in the entertainment business is that the only FEMALE that they can cast in a romantic lead must be under 35 (preferably under 30), nubile and knock-your-socks-off gorgeous. Any other actress may be an interesting character part, but certainly not sexy, and certainly not to be cast as a romantic lead. It's the past-it male's ideal sexual fantasy...and since it's mostly the past-it males who run things, we get these absurd pairings!!"}, {"response": 917, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (01:33)", "body": "The problem is that the mindfix in the entertainment business is that the only FEMALE that they can cast in a romantic lead must be under 35 (preferably under 30), nubile and knock-your-socks-off gorgeous Precisely and I'll bet we all agree with you. What horrifies me even more is when the role calls for an older actress (as in As Good as it Gets) and they still cast a younger actress. Which is what I'm afraid will happen with the casting of Bridget."}, {"response": 918, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (02:49)", "body": "(Gi)I'd be interested in a game of \"The worst pairings ever\"...Perhaps at 113 if Marcia agrees :-) Oh yes, please do! And I will think up one to start them off. New listing on 113. Thank you Dear Gi! I was at a loss to know what would reinvigorate the old site."}, {"response": 919, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (19:12)", "body": "(KJArt)---The problem is NOT that these men are no longer \"sexy\" as they age. The problem is that ...the only FEMALE that they can cast in a romantic lead must be under 35 (preferably under 30) I expressed myself incorrectly. I don't mean older men aren't sexy...What bothers me is the pairings in themselves, and also that older men get cast in parts that seem to me demand a younger actor, while the women are always young (sometimes too young). In the case of 6 days 7 nights, at least she wasn't the usual useless screaming girl, but did a lot of work!"}, {"response": 920, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (19:56)", "body": "(KJArt) and since it's mostly the past-it males who run things, we get these absurd pairings!! Yeah. And think about Harrison Ford and....oh my, who was that girl in...what was that film again?? Oh yes, Julia Ormond in Sabrina. Ormond is great but the pairing of the two really was near pedophilia, disgusted me. The lovely young girl and the old man again. And as a model for everybody on how things should be or at least could be (=\"men can not possibly love women of their own age\"), it\ufffds seriously deranged, downright age racism. I remember somebody wished that Colin would be cast as the professor in the Pygmalion but that\ufffds actually one of the coarsest girl & daddy roles. I wish he\ufffds not going into that sort of stuff but probably he is because romantic scripts just tend to be like that....don\ufffdt tell me MLSF is one of these too? What\ufffds Irene Jacob\ufffds age?!"}, {"response": 921, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (20:18)", "body": "(Elena) And think about Harrison Ford and...Julia Ormond in Sabrina. Ormond is great but the pairing of the two really was near pedophilia, disgusted me. Anyone familiar with the original stage play? I ask this because the first movie version of Sabrina starred Humphrey Bogart (old and seriously out-of-date for the 1950s, boolah boolah type) and Audrey Hepburn at age 25. Bogie was 55 at the time. Actually I didn't think the Ford-Ormand thing was as bad as many others. Harrison still looks good to me. don\ufffdt tell me MLSF is one of these too? What\ufffds Irene Jacob\ufffds age?! Only from the standpoint of her being afianced to Malcolm McDowell, who is 55 now. I'd guess Irene Jacob to be about 30. Older men and younger women is an age-old theme and has prevailed because of what KJ said, \"men control the industry\" and it's their fantasy. Thank goodness, \"Reckless\" is on TV tonight (older woman and younger man with nice ass!) and I am taping it for posterity (no pun intended). ;-D"}, {"response": 922, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (21:17)", "body": "(Elena) I wish he\ufffds not going into that sort of stuff but probably he is because romantic scripts just tend to be like that....don\ufffdt tell me MLSF is one of these too? What\ufffds Irene Jacob\ufffds age?! Now wait a minute...Colin's not that old! ;-) He can still be paired with a 25-year old and it not be outlandish. I agree with you, Elena, about Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond though as Karen points out, it was even worse with Bogie and Hepburn. Marcia's got a new list on this topic going at 113."}, {"response": 923, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 1999 (00:15)", "body": "Irene Jacob is 30-ish (looks younger). Mary Elizabeth Mastranonio must be slightly older than Colin, and of course Michelle Pfeiffer and Jessica Lange were older than him. So he's more the younger man! \"Sabrina\" was on UK TV tonight...I really couldn't be bothered to watch it! I rarely like re-makes."}, {"response": 924, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 1999 (01:50)", "body": "(bethan)I rarely like re-makes. That's what nearly kept me from watching yet another remake of Pride and Prejudice. But, I did. And, here I am =D Things like that haunt me when I tend to dismiss remakes. Of course, if I know the actors they are talking about in the remake and do not care for them...it is much easier. Still...!"}, {"response": 925, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 1999 (17:48)", "body": "(KarenR)Thank goodness, \"Reckless\" is on TV tonight (older woman and younger man with nice ass!) Wasn't it goood?! Robson Green is quite droolworthy (not as much as ODB but droolworthy all the same). Bring on the sequel!"}, {"response": 926, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 1999 (18:23)", "body": "(Elena)I remember somebody wished that Colin would be cast as the professor in the Pygmalion but that\ufffds actually one of the coarsest girl & daddy roles. I wish he\ufffds not going into that sort of stuff (Heide)Now wait a minute...Colin's not that old! ;-) He can still be paired with a 25-year old Pygmalion is girl-and-daddy in the sense that the man is superior, and he \"makes\" the girl, she's his work. Is that what you mean, Elena? In that sense, it can be very male chauvinism, while of course Higgins does not need to be much older than Liza. It can also be taken in other perspectives , like class differences, ecc, and Higgins is so obvious in his egotism that I think it is much less hurtful of women than other, more subtle, stories. Anyway, in the original Bernard Shaw's play, Liza does leave Higgins in the end. (Karen)Harrison still looks good to me. He looks alright with his clothes on :-)"}, {"response": 927, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 1999 (19:27)", "body": "(Gi) In that sense, it can be very male chauvinism Pygmalion of course is a very chauvinistic play and what I\ufffdm thinking of is the version I saw recently in which Leslie Howard played Higgins and is considerably older than the actress, don\ufffdt know her name. That old movie is dreadful, the girl is put into a role of a complete clown because of her social class and sex....and he can love her only after he has made her the kind of creature that he wants her to be. Yuch! With plastic surgery the result would\ufffdve been ever better!! Anyway, what I\ufffdd hate (and what would ruin my admiration) would be to see Colin in a movie that I\ufffdd find chauvinistic, and of course the sort of age racism that we have been discussing here is one form of it. I really wish that he has enough sense to keep away from such films.....btw, I haven\ufffdt seen Playmaker and I have the idea that it\ufffds pretty chauvinistic actually!"}, {"response": 928, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 12, 1999 (23:45)", "body": "Sometimes a \"little\" perspective helps... :) On Pygmalion, from my Halliwell's: \"Despite 1964's My Fair Lady, this straight version of Shaw's play, directed by Anthony Asquith and Leslie Howard, remains the most satisfying and perfectly cast: Howard as Higgins, Wendy Hiller as Eliza, Scott Sunderland as Pickering and Wilfred Lawson as Dolittle. Produced by Gabriel Pascal, photographed by Harry Stradling, with music by Arthur Honegger, it remains one of cinema's most civilized comedies.\" Shaw's plays revolutionized the Victorian stage. This one, written in 1913, satirizes English class attitudes. He based on the Greek myth of Pygmalion, the king of Cyprus, who was also a sculptor, who fashioned a statue of a beautiful woman and, by praying to Aphrodite, was able to bring her (Galatea) to life and then married her. Through the ages, men have fantasized about creating the perfect woman. In the Victorian age, when class was everything, Higgins' transformation of Eliza into a lady who would be accepted by society was a major coup for him professionally. This version did not have the happy ending that was done for My Fair Lady. What does that say to you? Playmaker's male-female relationship is not chauvinism because of gender. It is a master-slave or teacher-pupil type thing. It is power and authority, not necessarily having anything to do with gender."}, {"response": 929, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (01:07)", "body": "Forgot the most important thing! We don't watch Playmaker for the story (unless you want to laugh). Colin is at his most adorable as Michael, the very clean Michael ;-D"}, {"response": 930, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (16:39)", "body": "I will jump in and say that Robson Green looks better with his clothes off, whereas, CF definitely looks better with his clothes on. Just stoking the fire, girls;) hee hee. Yes, bring on the sequel!"}, {"response": 931, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (17:46)", "body": "(Karen) It is power and authority, not necessarily having anything to do with gender. Haven\ufffdt seen Playmaker so I can\ufffdt really say if it\ufffds chauvinistic or not, I only know about that teacher-pupil thing and that the pupil (I\ufffdve understood) is naked or almost in the movie poster!? Anyway, I feel that power and authority have always a lot to do with gender. Naturally one or two cases never prove anything but if there is a tradition of certain type of thing like that superiority is usually a male quality in movies, or that it is usually the man who looks at the woman and she has to please that look, you can see a trend and call it an ism, or even a social pattern that\ufffds reinforced in art....! What I mean is that it\ufffds never JUST a teacher-pupil relationship or an upper class- lower class thing, it\ufffds always a male-female thing as well, and the reason why the woman usually isn\ufffdt the authority with power is called chauvinism. (Laura)CF definitely looks better with his clothes on Why? Tell me more:-)"}, {"response": 932, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (20:15)", "body": "(Laura)CF definitely looks better with his clothes on Actually, it was Robson's puppy dog eyes that got me (he was looking pretty wounded all through Episode 3). There was only one naked butt shot that I recall. I think Colin's taller and thinner (conjuring up images from \"The Advocate\") but I didn't see too much of a difference. And Colin (as of mid-March, anyway) has more hair (on his head)!!"}, {"response": 933, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (21:41)", "body": "(Elena) the pupil (I\ufffdve understood) is naked or almost in the movie? Oh yes, Elena but the teacher is too ;-). Which goes back to Karen's comments as to why we tolerate watching this film. Sorry Elena, you actually had a serious discussion going but I just can't get that mental picture of Ross Talbert out of my mind (Michael's pretty cute too);-)."}, {"response": 934, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (22:13)", "body": "Robson Green vs. Colin Firth I think we need a cheek-to-cheek comparison. ;-) In another PBS/A&E (who remembers) show, where RG was a bodyguard to the Prince of Wales and it was a Cyrano-type story, he's au naturel there too! In Playmaker, there is a reversal of roles. The woman gains the upperhand, the power a little later on. We all remember this turn of events and what poor Michael has to do!"}, {"response": 935, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (05:18)", "body": "don\ufffdt tell me MLSF is one of these too? What\ufffds Irene Jacob\ufffds age?! If Irene Jacob is 30....I'm 50!!That doll has mileage. And Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio is 40. They paired him with some ole broads. **** (BTW...a reminder....let's use role names and not actual names when referring to anatomy:-) Ahem....I'll put Courteois' and Ross Talbert's butt up against anybody's (pun not intended)."}, {"response": 936, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (07:38)", "body": "Karen, there is no comparison in the body parts between Colin & Robson Green, Colin wins hands down as he does in the acting department, Robson always wears the same expression whatever he is in, sorry to get on my soap-bos about Robson Green buts thats all we hear over here, he is very popular over here but not with me . He was in something called Rhinocerous on Sunday which was on at the same time as the BAFTA's and got 10million views approx compared to 4.5 millions approx. for The Bafta's but I person lly can't understand it, I feel as if I would like to wipe the smile off his silly face and as I say in every role he plays himself, that's not acting. Oh dear I have gone on a bit, I apologise to RG fans."}, {"response": 937, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (07:43)", "body": "soap-box not soap-bos"}, {"response": 938, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (13:55)", "body": "(Karen)We all remember this turn of events and what poor Michael has to do! Now some people actually like this. Only kidding, Mr. President! Hee hee. Robson Green has a better body than Colin Firth. It's more toned, in shape, curvier. Yes, he doesn't have the height, but ah, well you can't win'em all! Karen, the PBS movie was Prince of Hearts w/ Tara Fitzgerald playing an American (really bad one at that!). What do I mean about CF looking good with clothes on? Hmmmm... I prefer CF w/ clothes on rather than off. Even he states the same thing!!! Remember when he say something like who'd want to see me in those Arsenal boxers!!! Ha, but Robson Green, he could wear nothing and make me simply happy! CF just doesn't have the \"gorgeous\" body as does Robson Green, doesn't make CF less of a person. {Just means he doesn't work out;)} Now has anyone read Tiffany Trott's Dating Diary. I found it on the ET, it was a column just before BJD and I tried sending it to Karen, did it work???? It was interesting, not as clever nor witty as BJD, but it seems as tho a regular gal did it. It's now out in book form."}, {"response": 939, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (14:59)", "body": "(Evelyn) If Irene Jacob is 30....I'm 50!!That doll has mileage. And Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio is 40. According to the IMDb, Jacob was born in '63 and is 35, but that's OK, her character is supposed to be engaged to Malcolm McDowell, who is in his 50s. Now Mastrantonio was born in 1958, so she's slightly older than Colin by two years. Not all that significant. They paired him with some ole broads. They don't look so old, and I'm a very old broad by comparison! :) (BTW...a reminder....let's use role names and not actual names when referring to anatomy:-) Actually, within this context, it's OK to use real names. :) Now, this is really where we need some side-by-side Snappies! (AnnW) there is no comparison in the body parts between Colin & Robson Green, Colin wins hands down as he does in the acting department As Laura says, they are very different body types. RG is short, compact and curvy. Definitely looks very buff. Colin on the other hand is tall and lanky. Agreed that Colin wins hands down in the acting and overall looks department. RG is not a great actor, though he has incredibly blue eyes and good-looking bum, but that's about it! :) (Laura) the PBS movie was Prince of Hearts Thanks, I'm always forgetting the name of this one and I liked it, a combination Cyrano story and political satire. Even he states the same thing!!! Remember when he say something like who'd want to see me in those Arsenal boxers!! His usual self-deprecating comment. Besides, most guys would say the same thing. :) Tiffany Trott's Dating Diary...I tried sending it to Karen, did it work???? It was interesting, not as clever nor witty as BJD, but it seems as tho a regular gal did it. It's now out in book form. I could read what you copied and sent me via email, but couldn't get to it via the link, nor could I find it by searching at the Telegraph site. What section was it in and when (date)? You are right, though, definitely not as clever as BJD. A second-rate ripoff. This week's Time magazine reviews three new books about the life of 30-something single women. The title of the article is \"Beyond Bridget Jones: Three new novels dig deeper into single life.\" Apparently, these are not clones nor ripoffs, but you do remember that Time magazine hated BJD. The last paragraph: \"Defenders of Bridget Jones brook no complaints about its portrayal of the single condition because the book, after all, is a comedy. But there was something unsettling--something that drained the satire--in Bridget's pursuit of a boyfriend. It was was though she wanted one not because falling in love is a signature experience of humanity but because she saw a man as a necessary accoutrement of urban life, like a Prada bag. Her bane Stateside compatriots aren't nearly as abs rd--or maybe they just have better shrinks.\""}, {"response": 940, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (16:13)", "body": "Karen, I've read all of the Tiffany Trott's Dating Diary. I can't believe the link doesn't work??? I have it bookmarked. this is the link: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/et?ac=000772005502828&rtmo=awHeRbaL&atmo=99999999&pg=/et/97/11/8/tltif08.html It will bring you up to I believe the last diary entry, but above it has all of them that you click on to get one, two, etc..., they were interesting, could've been very good. It had a huge following one and was brought back by popular demand when it was \"cancelled\". At the end of the run, it said if someone else wants to take over the column to send a note to the editor. It does leave one just hanging. I found on Amazon.com/uk that they have it in book form with a couple of reviews, although, most of the reviews do say to stick with BJD. and speaking of BJD, has the new book come out yet, it IS April;) !!!!"}, {"response": 941, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (17:13)", "body": "Now, that link worked. Interesting how BJD started right after this one. Will read the other parts later. Thanks."}, {"response": 942, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (18:09)", "body": "(Ann) and as I say in every role he plays himself, that's not acting Sounds like he has the \"George Clooney Syndrome.\" 'Reckless' is the only thing I've seen RG in. (Laura) Robson Green has a better body than Colin Firth. He has a different body type. Long and lanky can still be appreciated. Variety is the spice of life!"}, {"response": 943, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (18:32)", "body": "Long and lanky can still be appreciated. Variety is the spice of life! ] for someone who IS long and lanky, I hope I can be appreciated:p; However, it could be that I just prefer men of the Robson Green type??? His blue eyes just mesmerize me. Piercing blue eyes!! oooh!!!"}, {"response": 944, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (19:50)", "body": "(Laura)Robson Green has a better body than Colin Firth. It's more toned, in shape, curvier. Yes, he doesn't have the height, but ah, well you can't win'em all! Hey , Laura.....\"size matters\" :-) ***** (evelyn) They paired him with some ole broads. (Karen)They don't look so old, and I'm a very old broad by comparison! Don't take it personal....Don't you know? \"Present company is always excluded.\"..If you don't believe me...take a look at Sabine's picture of the Donmar Dolls!! Anyway Karen...everyone knows you're a Natalie Wood look-a-like\":-) I got pissed at MEMastrantonio because she gave an interview in last month's Movieline...all about a new movie she is shooting and never even mentioned MLSF. Gwynnie was more magnanimous."}, {"response": 945, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (20:14)", "body": "Personally I prefer brown expressive mesmeric eyes that speak that say so much !"}, {"response": 946, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (20:31)", "body": "(Laura)His blue eyes just mesmerize me. Piercing blue eyes!! oooh!!! Could you be a fan of Mel Gibson's eyes as well? ;-)"}, {"response": 947, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (22:30)", "body": "Natalie Wood look-a-like\":-) That would be *after* she washed up on the beach, right? ;-p I got pissed at MEMastrantonio... From looking her up on the IMDb, I found out she was born in Lombard, IL - western suburb of Chicago. I think I had to go there once???"}, {"response": 948, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 1999 (02:27)", "body": "(Evelyn).... got pissed at MEMastrantonio... (Karen)From looking her up on the IMDb, I found out she was born in Lombard, IL - western suburb of Chicago. She is also the wife of Pat O'Connor, Director of C of F. And, also AMITC."}, {"response": 949, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 1999 (14:02)", "body": "I don't think height and \"size\" have much correlation, Evelyn!!!! OR else I would hope so. And I think Karen does look like Natalie Wood, when she was alive, not when she washed up on the beach. (that was bad!!)"}, {"response": 950, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 1999 (19:45)", "body": "Waterstone's has the new BJ book listed as: \"BJ and the Seven Men\" hardback 12.UKP to be published in April 99. I called Waterstone's in Islington and the person in charge will find out exactly when it will be in. Will call tomorrow. Stay tuned...."}, {"response": 951, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 1999 (20:17)", "body": "BJ and the Seven Men? Oh dear!!!"}, {"response": 952, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 1999 (22:06)", "body": "Amazon.co.uk has it listed as \"BJ I Will survive\" paperback 6.99UKP to be published 23 April 1999 by Picador' ISBN 0330367358 I'll go with amazon...they are seldom wrong."}, {"response": 953, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 1999 (22:30)", "body": "Hee hee, Evelyn, I did the same thing!! Bridget Jones: I Will Survive Helen Fielding Our Price: \ufffd6.99 Category(ies): Literature & Fiction Paperback (23 April, 1999) Picador; ISBN: 0330367358 Learn more about 1-ClickSM ordering Availability: We expect to be able to find this title for you within 4-6 weeks. However, please note that titles occasionally go out of print or publishers run out of stock. Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 4,634 hahahahah!"}, {"response": 954, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 1999 (22:43)", "body": "I suggest we coordinate orders to save on the exorbitant shipping!"}, {"response": 955, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 1999 (23:20)", "body": "Bridget Jones: I Will Survive Helen Fielding Our Price: \ufffd6.99 This price seems very low. That's what I paid for my BJD paperback in the UK last summer."}, {"response": 956, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (03:18)", "body": "(Laura) Robson Green has a better body than Colin Firth. (AnnW)...no comparison...Colin wins, hands down... Girls, girls! Now remember, there's no accounting for taste. Laura faults Colin for not having looked like he \"works out\". Well, I vote with AnnW on this one. You may have the bulgy weight-lifters, Laura, but unless they're lumberjacks or construction workers, they look absolutely grotesque to me...(they look like they're perpetually eager for a punch-up, which does not appeal). I prefer Colin's clean natural (and lithe) look...it's more than sufficient for the occasional sword-fight, horseback ri e, or swim; aesthetically it's a great part of the drool factor (but not necessarily the admiration factor...it's the acting for that...) To my artist's eye he has several characteristics that seem positively made in heaven. And even though--overall--I still think he looks like he was assembled by a committee, I only find that endearing. Nevertheless each part is perfectly proportioned within itself. Yum! But that's MY taste!"}, {"response": 957, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (14:23)", "body": "(KJArt) And even though--overall--I still think he looks like he was assembled by a committee LOL! What ever is your meaning? Much as I admire ODB's talent and *other* attributes, I will admit there was a time when he looked too thin. Those Levi's he wore in ATA positively swam on him. Did anyone else notice this? At the time I wondered if he was bouncing so much from country to country (London-Rome-LA) that he forgot to eat!"}, {"response": 958, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (15:57)", "body": "Laura faults Colin for not having looked like Geez, nothing like having words put in my mouth!!! I don't fault him for not working out. I was saying that he doesn't work out. Obviously Robson Green has some sort of physical workout (not horizontal either). RG DOES have a better body. End of subject!"}, {"response": 959, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (16:01)", "body": "But he is too short!!"}, {"response": 960, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (16:03)", "body": "\"Better\" is subjective. :-) To each, his/her own. How I wish! ;-)"}, {"response": 961, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (16:08)", "body": "So what if he's short??? Karen's short but I don't dislike her for it? (Karen, just using you as an example only;))"}, {"response": 962, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (16:10)", "body": "That didn't sound good actually. I mean that because Karen is shorter than me, I would never not like her because of that. I like Karen very much indeed! She's a great person. and I bet Robson Green is a great person too! as is CF also!"}, {"response": 963, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (16:12)", "body": "I like my hero's to be taller and gorgeous and with the most wonderful speaking voice in the whole world."}, {"response": 964, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (16:13)", "body": "a nd Karen is not a man!!"}, {"response": 965, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (16:23)", "body": "and Karen is not a man!! LOL! Yeah Ann, you said it! Besides, it\ufffds the *something* in Colin that is simply unique. Hard to beat that one, Laura? :-)"}, {"response": 966, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (17:21)", "body": "Unique??? He's a man. He goes to the bathroom just like you and me. He brushes his teeth and washes his face. He probably yells and screams like the best of us. Idolizing someone to certain degree is well, weird."}, {"response": 967, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (17:31)", "body": "Ann and KJ , some great comments. It's like comparing the chocolate they use on Reese's peanut butter cups with Lindt excellence chocolate. One is rough and kind of unfinished, the other is quality, smooth and satisfying. Know which one I would rather nibble on!!! Those of us who remember RG in his \"Soldier Soldier\" days and as a sometime MOR crooner, could never find him fascinating in the least. As he is a millionaire, maybe it is his \"wad \" rather than his buns of steel that are the attraction. He certainly doesn't get paid due to his acting talents. Those of us seeing our DB on stage know we have been in the oresence of a phenominal talent. Off for my chocolate ration!!!"}, {"response": 968, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (17:32)", "body": "OK OK it's \"presence\"!!!"}, {"response": 969, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (17:34)", "body": "and phenomenal!!"}, {"response": 970, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (17:50)", "body": "(Laura) Karen is shorter than me just like you and me than I & like you and I!! tsk tsk ;-) He goes to the bathroom just like you and me Not really, unless you're hiding something from me. ;-) I consider myself fairly versatile. Sometimes I like cheapo chocolate candies, although I really prefer the good stuff. I can turn down the cheapo stuff when I want to, but rarely the good stuff. Colin is definitely the good stuff, to be savored and appreciated despite the calories! Nothing wrong with looking at buns of steel, but I don't confuse them with acting ability. ;-)"}, {"response": 971, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (18:59)", "body": "(Ann) I like my hero's to be taller and gorgeous and with the most wonderful speaking voice in the whole world. I couldnt agree more :) (it also helps if they can sing to you... but if they've only got the first three, i wont complain)"}, {"response": 972, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (19:32)", "body": "(Laura) Idolizing someone to certain degree is well, weird. OK I admit I\ufffdm weird enough to think that one can be unique in spite of being a man, using the bathroom, brushing one\ufffds teeth etc.!!!....To be honest, I haven\ufffdt given much thought to these things in Colin\ufffds case, you\ufffdve opened my eyes to reality Laura :-))"}, {"response": 973, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (19:49)", "body": "Entering into the fray, I have to say that Robson Green plays the same part in everything he does (macho Geordie hero gets girl) and is fortunate that both the BBC and ITV seem to fall over backwards to offer him a never ending series of vehicles for his rather limited acting talent. But it's made him very, very rich. He's 5'6\", apparently! I like tall and lean, although I have to agree with you, Eileen, that in ATA Colin really looked too thin and in need of some tender loving care and dollops of pasta!"}, {"response": 974, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (19:53)", "body": "Speaking of buns and their desirability, everyone who thinks his are less worthy of Drool than others should go back and look at the Turkish Bath scene from TA or I'll send Karen one to post...delightful!"}, {"response": 975, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (21:17)", "body": "What other little Snappies do you have squirreled away, Marcia? (one eyebrow is now raised....)"}, {"response": 976, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (21:34)", "body": "Hey I'm 5'6 and considered tall;)"}, {"response": 977, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (21:40)", "body": "(Laura) He goes to the bathroom just like you and me (Karen) Not really, unless you're hiding something from me. ;-) Ditto! Laura, do you have something to tell us? 8-o I've got images of \"The Crying Game\" in my head! ...I'm kidding! KIDDING! Idolizing someone to certain degree is well, weird. Then I must be wierd."}, {"response": 978, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (21:43)", "body": "5'6\" is tall for a girl, short for a man!!"}, {"response": 979, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (21:56)", "body": "These days, 5'6\" is more average for a girl. idolizing to a certain degree is well, weird Nope, you did say *certain* None of us goes overboard or subscribes to stalkerish activities. What we do here is fun. Not weird at all. Now if we were idolizing a serial killer, that would be weird. Colin is deserving of adoration for his talent (and his looks aren't anything to sneeze about)."}, {"response": 980, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (22:03)", "body": "Here, here and isn't that why these boards are called Drool because we love to drool over this man, nothing wrong with that. Aishling, as you were the first to post the report about JE, does that mean that you are a fellow UK drooler, I do hope so as we are in the minority here, so please keep posting and oh yes welcome, sorry."}, {"response": 981, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (23:13)", "body": "Karen, I have just enough of them salted away to prove my point about TDB. He is so exquisite, is he not. I am also 5'6\" and out here that is sky-scraping."}, {"response": 982, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (23:56)", "body": "Welcome, Aishling. (KJArt) And even though--overall--I still think he looks like he was assembled by a committee (Eileen) LOL! What ever is your meaning? I mean the various parts don't seem to quite match to others, as if 2 \"man-kits\" were used but the pieces got mixed up (Incidentally, I'd like to see the other one, too!):) We all focus on the broad shoulders, the long, thick neck, the tapering LONG waist...the torso is beautifully assembled. But hadn't you also noticed that the arms are a bit too slender for that torso, the hands (beautiful though they are) a bit to big for the arms--and for the face, which is about a half-size too small for the neck, tc. Everything is beautiful, but slightly out of proportion to everything else (I won't even begin on those thighs, which shall remain nameless!!!) as if someone else took charge after the one who had started the project had to leave to answer the phone, or something! I can remember several people groaning when the term \"burly\" was applied to our young hero in that article done just after Lost Empires was aired (1986)...but I can understand the illusion. And his appearance in ATA is an excellent example: coming at you he looks broad and bulky, with those wide shoulders and broad chest. But it's not deep--when he turns sideways, he practically disappears!!!;) So I just lovingly think that there was a slipup somewhere--more likely it was done on purpose...we m stn't have perfection, now, must we?! That might go to his level head!!! (which, though a bit out of proportion to the rest, is still the best part of him, what?) All the more reason to admire AND drool! But, as I said before, MY taste and MY perception, which as Karen reminds us is purely subjective!"}, {"response": 983, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 1999 (15:11)", "body": "Nick Hornby will be at the following locations for booksigning: Wed, Apr 21 7:30 PM New York, NY Barnes & Noble 4 Astor Place (212-420-1322) Sat, Apr 24 7:30 PM Dayton, OH Books & Co. 350 E. Stroop Road (937-298-6540) Sun, Apr 25 7:00 PM St. Louis, MO Left Bank Books 399 N. Euclid (314-367-6731) Tue, Apr 27 7:00 PM San Francisco, CA Booksmith 1644 Haight Street (415-863-8688) Bookwire doesn't show that AAB has come out in paperback yet. Only the hard cover is shown."}, {"response": 984, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 1999 (16:31)", "body": "(KJ)the torso is beautifully assembled.....but slightly out of proportion Sometimes an artist can sound about as merciless as a surgeon dissecting people! But I think you\ufffdve probably found something essential about him as an actor, I mean the chameleon quality. He looks very different from different angles and depending on which of his features are emphasized by the makeup & clothing department. But I wish you could see him in real life! You\ufffdd forget everything about proportions. Like I\ufffdve told you his beautiful body looked absolutely perrrrfect on stage, nothing was out of proportion......yes Laura, I\ufffdm being weird again but I just can\ufffdt help it:-))"}, {"response": 985, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 1999 (17:34)", "body": "Laura, how could you possibly be attracted to ODB's brother? There are no muscles there. I have never been attracted to the muscular types. Their brains suffer from it I'm afraid."}, {"response": 986, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 1999 (19:07)", "body": "(Moon)I have never been attracted to the muscular types. Neither have I, and isn\ufffdt it a real turn-off to find a heap of body building gear lying about in a man\ufffds apartment?!? I also can\ufffdt stand men who are aware of their good looks. I liked it that Colin obviously did nothing to his looks when he came down to the Donmar lobby from backstage, except possibly wiping some makeup off and changing for the nice worn clothes of his own. He seems to mind his looks amazingly little for an actor, dunno how that\ufffds possible in such a highly looks-conscious job."}, {"response": 987, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 1999 (19:49)", "body": "Excuse me ...may I digress for a minute to say that Waterstone's in Islington does not have any concrete news on the new BJ book...not even the title...only that the \"new BJ book will be out in April '99.\" Big Deal!!We knew that in October. We better stick with Amazon. Thank you.... Now ,please continue with the discussion at hand....."}, {"response": 988, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 1999 (22:16)", "body": "I phoned our local Waterstone's re BJD..the sequel (whatever the title is!). I was told that it should have come out at the end of last year and a first draft had been submitted, but there was some problem with the structure. I was told that there was no actual date for publication but it should be \"soon\" and news of this would certainly be in the papers. I'm wondering if they'll time it to coincide with the start of filming of the movie...good promotional tie-in. Re. the BJD movie. I noticed in today's Times an item about Working Title and a new film about the Manchester United and Matt Busby which hasn't been greenlighted yet, but they expect to start shooting later this year. What struck me was despite the fact that the screenplay wasn't complete, the greenlight not given, they still gave details of the cast (Liam Neeson, Robert Carlyle). Can't understand why they can't announce who is playing BJ and MD...they must know!!!! His body...one thing I'm in total agreement with Elena about, is that I can't stand any man who is too conscious of his looks. I'm sure a lot of actors spend a lot of time working out and preening in front of a mirror. And you can be fit without being muscular...a lot of athletes are lean (aerobic as opposed to anaerobic). I think if those thin arms suddenly acquired muscles, I'd be disappointed in him! Anyway, strength with vulnerabilty is a rather attractive combination!"}, {"response": 989, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 1999 (23:29)", "body": "Re: His Body... ...If a commitee put him together....they did one-helluva-job!!"}, {"response": 990, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 1999 (23:48)", "body": "--I never denied it!! Such an appealing combination, what? Perfection can be so boring, but he's perfect in the ways we want him to be. To repeat: yum!!"}, {"response": 991, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Apr 18, 1999 (11:20)", "body": "Isn't it great to be \"Weird\". It's even better to know we found each other to be weird together!!! Actually I was convinced that I was weird till I found thees boards. Long Live \"Weirdos\" ( of the drool kind)."}, {"response": 992, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Apr 18, 1999 (11:44)", "body": "Here, here!!"}, {"response": 993, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 1999 (16:00)", "body": "Ditto, Ann and Lizza! I watched 'Reckless-The Sequel' last night and noticed Robson's lack of height (and he is quite follicularly challenged, just like *sob* ODB :-( ). But I uphold my original comment that RG's body is not better than CF's--just different. Thanks for your 'committee' explanation, KJArt. I think of CF as just plain thin (too thin in ATA, part of which I watched on Encore Saturday night. Those jeans he wore in the making coffee scene were way big, but the back ones weren't so bad. And he looked ssoooo handsome in this film--its only redeeming quality!)."}, {"response": 994, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 1999 (16:02)", "body": "Whoops, that should read \"black\" ones, not \"back\" ones... not that I wasn't looking at his back!"}, {"response": 995, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 1999 (16:38)", "body": "(Eileen) ..not that I wasn't looking at his back! Needed more *front and back* in the garbage-y love scene IMO! ;-)"}, {"response": 996, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (00:57)", "body": "In earlier discussions on this board there was word play as to who would make a good BJ. I'm kinda late with my suggestion, however, we don't officially know who's going to get the role. I was wondering what do yout think of Julia Ormond. She's really classy and extremely beautiful and after reading the book I'm not sure she'd fit--it might be a total stretch. But, she's british and thritysomething and she's talented. Funny thing is she used to live in Hackney. I wonder if she knew CF."}, {"response": 997, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (01:19)", "body": "Jana, I like JO, you're right, she could do it. All they need to do is to dye her hair. That Hackney artistic click is breaking up."}, {"response": 998, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (02:37)", "body": "(Ann) Here! here! Isn't that \"hear! hear!\"?? (I know, picky, picky :-))"}, {"response": 999, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (09:05)", "body": "Well it won't be Kate Winslett...she's spending the summer filming \"The Marquis de Sade\" with Geoffrey Rush \"described by insiders as a pornographic SIL\" (do we really need this?!!) And I doubt if it will be GP...she must be overwhelmed with offers. But if it's a Universal production, it has to be someone currently bankable. Really dunno."}, {"response": 1000, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (09:24)", "body": "Of course, \"Hear, Here\"!! oh no \"Hear,Hear\" (got a lot on my mind including another trip to the Donmar with Eveleyn and Lizza.)"}, {"response": 1001, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (13:57)", "body": "Julia Ormond is a TERRIBLE actress!!! UGH!!!! Nope, I hope for Claire Rushbrook, and I will not be swayed!!! Hee hee. On another note, I was a bit disappointed in Reckless the Sequel. I adored the first one, thought it funny, witty, sexy etc...this one left me feeling flat. I mean there were some funny moments. Michael Kitchen is just hysterical and a bit sexy, I must admit. And the woman who played the sister? Could she have enough hair???? Personally in my own opinion, I think when one reaches a certain age, shorter hair is called for. I didn't say short, just shorter. Okay enough of my ranting. Again, Claire Rushbrook! no ifs, ands or buts! ;-p"}, {"response": 1002, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (16:41)", "body": "(Laura) Claire Rushbrook! no ifs, ands or buts! ;-p OK...but who is she?. And what's more if she's another unknown who will go to see her? Can't be a \"no-name\". Besides, I liked Julia Ormond in Semilla's Sense of Snow. But I think they are teaming her up with Richard Harris again in another film this summer."}, {"response": 1003, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (16:52)", "body": "And what's more if she's another unknown who will go to see her? ] we ALL will!!! Because we ALL love BJD!!! and if CF plays MD, then who cares if an unknown plays BJ. I seem to recall JE was a relative unknown when she took the role of EB.... Jesus, the abbreviations! LOL!"}, {"response": 1004, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (16:57)", "body": "(Elena)Sometimes an artist can sound about as merciless as a surgeon dissecting people! Speaks an artist *and* surgeon: he looked very English to me :-). Tall, broad shouldered and thin...that's my experience of young English men. (Elena) isn\ufffdt it a real turn-off to find a heap of body building gear lying about in a man\ufffds apartment?!? I shudder to imagine it! (Lizza) Isn't it great to be \"Weird\". It's even better to know we found each other to be weird together!!! I love it too!"}, {"response": 1005, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (20:10)", "body": "Julia Ormond...too Audrey Hepburn-ish. I couldn't see her as BJ for the same reason I couldn't see GP. They each look too sophisticated (and are TOO YOUNG as Laura will surely point out). I thought Kate Winslet had the right kooky quality (also too young) and a bankable name (she's getting good reviews in 'Hideous Kinky' but the movie itself isn't). Who is Claire Rushbrook??"}, {"response": 1006, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (20:16)", "body": "(Jana)Julia Ormond. She's really classy and extremely beautiful (Laura)Julia Ormond is a TERRIBLE actress!!! LOL! But the truth is of course that Julia Ormond is GREAT. End of discussion:-):-) But for the role as BJ, JO is too classy and too beautiful. I don\ufffdt know if I\ufffdve read that book in another way than you guys but I didn\ufffdt get the idea that BJ is very classy let alone very beautiful. I mean, above all, she\ufffds a great *character* but are there any great young character actresses in this world??.....Hmmm, good question."}, {"response": 1007, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (20:23)", "body": "Here is her IMDB profile: Plunkett & MaCleane (1999) .... Lady Estelle Spice World (1997) .... Deborah Under the Skin (1997) .... Rose Secrets & Lies (1996) .... Roxanne ... aka Secrets et mensonges (1996) (France) She is roughly early thirties; she put on weight and grew her hair long for Secrets & Lies, but in SpiceWorld, she had shoulder length hair and was very attractive! (she played Richard E Grant's assistant). I think she'd make a good BJ!"}, {"response": 1008, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (20:24)", "body": "Uh, sorry that is Claire Rushbrooke's imdb!!"}, {"response": 1009, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (20:38)", "body": "I feel for anyone whose credits include \"Spice World\" (that goes for Alan Cumming, too). Sorry, I can't place her. Does she have enough draw to carry this movie?? Unless they cast Rupert Everett as MD (gag, gag)!!"}, {"response": 1010, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (21:50)", "body": "But Richard E. Grant was in \"Spice World\" too, and he's great! Bob Hoskins as well. (Yes, I admit it, I did see Spiceworld)"}, {"response": 1011, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (22:31)", "body": "Just catching up on my favourite \"weirdos\", I am SURE I saw Claire Rushbrook in Cardiff earlier this year too. Only I didn't know her name, despite seeing S and L 3 times!!"}, {"response": 1012, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (22:36)", "body": "(Laura)I seem to recall JE was a relative unknown when she took the role of EB.... But P&P was a Televison production. And I think at the time she was fairly well known in UK. (Brit fans...am I making this up?)People didn't pay 17 UKP to go see her.....(Folks, that is what a movie costs in London...roughly $17.). Even now, I don't think JE is a bankable star.It takes a lot of have star-wattage... **** And as far as those films that you quoted from IMDb on Claire Rushmore... ROTFLMAO. I would hate to be the producer trying to fund BJD."}, {"response": 1013, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (01:32)", "body": "JE was definitely an unknown in 1995! she made a few tv movies, nothing of much credit. she was probably more known for her stage work, and I recall people freaking out because JE is an American and she had a twang. She needed to be coached for the Regency period language. I read that somewhere, can't remember."}, {"response": 1014, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (02:33)", "body": "(Laura)..and I recall people freaking out because JE is an American and she had a twang. She needed to be coached for the Regency period language.I read that somewhere, can't remember. Now Laura....don't want be nasty...Jennifer Ehle went to the School of Speech and Drama in London before she did The Camomile Lawn for Sir Peter Hall...I hardly think she had a twang...but I never heard her. I never said,however, that JE is a bankable star that people (except me) will go to see...but either is Claire Rushmore:-)"}, {"response": 1015, "author": "aishling", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (10:39)", "body": "Ann -does that mean you are a fellow UK drooler Yes it does. Like others have said before me, I never feel I have anything to add which hasn't been said. Also, I only have access to a computer at work and it isn't always that easy, hence the delay in replying to you. But, I am here and will dive in if and when the opportunity arises."}, {"response": 1016, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (14:41)", "body": "I'm not being nasty, Evelyn, I read it somewhere. They were freaking out because she's from North Carolina! Honestly!"}, {"response": 1017, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (15:24)", "body": "(Winter) But Richard E. Grant was in \"Spice World\" too, and he's great! Bob Hoskins as well. I still feel for anyone whose credits include 'Spice World.' It has nothing to do with their talent. (Evelyn)I would hate to be the producer trying to fund BJD. Or the casting folks. Perhaps that's why the cast hasn't been announced."}, {"response": 1018, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (15:54)", "body": "I seem to recall Helen Fielding stating MOST VEHEMENTLY that an UNKNOWN MUST play Bridget Jones. I think if you have star power in the other vehicles (i.e leading man, supporting cast), IT WILL WORK and people will go see it. People will see it if there are unknowns because WE LIKE BJD. THE FULL MONTY had a bunch of relative unknowns, but they have since been propelled to stardom. (Robert Carlisle and Mark Addy and Emily Woof, specifically.) geez, I seem to recall a lot of things lately, if I can find proof of it, I will. But I'm not going to look very hard;-p"}, {"response": 1019, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (16:00)", "body": "(Laura) THE FULL MONTY had a bunch of relative unknowns, but they have since been propelled to stardom. (Robert Carlisle and Mark Addy and Emily Woof, specifically.) Who's Emily Woof? :) As I've maintained since the beginning, HF probably has little control over the project. She sold it, she tried writing a screenplay, and they've brought in hired guns to help or to take it over completely. Given her lack of clout relative to other hugely successful pulp fiction authors, she couldn't possibly have negotiated creative control over this flick. That just MEO! And stop shouting! ;-o"}, {"response": 1020, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (16:18)", "body": "(Laura)They were freaking out because she's from North Carolina! Honestly! Well, if you say honestly ... what can I say?:-) ***** They said the same thing about GP playing EMMA. Now she's the nation's darling! Janeites are a difficult bunch to please.I\" read \"somewhere that they didn't like the bathtub scene either.\" Oh dear, can't remember where I read it\":-)"}, {"response": 1021, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (16:46)", "body": "I wasn't shouting, just proving a point!!! all caps can't always mean shouting. (that's stupid lingo ANYWAY!!!) :p Honestly!"}, {"response": 1022, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (18:10)", "body": "(Laura) People will see it if there are unknowns because WE LIKE BJD I would venture a guess that \"the money\" (producers) don't see it this way. *We* loved BJD more because of the CF-Darcy link (at least I did) but there aren't enough of *us* to bring the degree of profit desired. They'll aim the picture towards everyone--those who read the book and those who didn't. Translating a successful book into a motion picture is always risky--especially one written in diary format, where the reader sees the character's direct thoughts. The only ways to get the same result in a movie is through voiceovers or when they address the audience directly (a la Ferris Bueller). Sometimes it just doesn't work! PS. CAPS = SHOUTING. Like it or not."}, {"response": 1023, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (18:30)", "body": "Actually, the P&P, CF connection really didn't do it for me. as I really didn't like MD! So I can't use that excuse! I'm difficult:)"}, {"response": 1024, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (18:31)", "body": "Oh and I like Nick Hornby for himself and not because of the CF connection too!"}, {"response": 1025, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (19:09)", "body": "Laura, \"I read somewhere\" that if you want to give emphasis to a word or phrase you put it between asterisks ;-)"}, {"response": 1026, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (20:06)", "body": "Geez, everyone's a comedienne! *WILL DO!* ;)"}, {"response": 1027, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (20:13)", "body": "Karen, Emily Woof, was in \"This Year's Love\" with JE., she played the Lesbian and is in the forthcoming adaption by Alan Bleasdale of Oliver Twist and has the role of Nancy which I had hoped would go to Jennifer."}, {"response": 1028, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (20:18)", "body": "Aishling, did you by any chance go to see Colin in 3DOR at the Donmar in March and if you didn't will you be going at the end of the year if it comes back again, albeit at another theatre and what did you think of him in SIL (so many questions so little time)"}, {"response": 1029, "author": "aishling", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 1999 (09:30)", "body": "Ann, so many questions I didn't get to the Donmar but since delurking, I would love to go when and if 3DOR's comes back at the end of the year. Also, I am having to wait for the video to be released for SIL."}, {"response": 1030, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 1999 (15:09)", "body": "Finally, something about High Fidelity. Wonder what part she will play. This is from Variety (4/22/99): Sara Gilbert has been added to the cast of Disney\ufffds \ufffdHigh Fidelity\ufffd for director Stephen Frears. She joins thesp John Cusack in the pic. Gilbert will next be seen in Samuel Goldwyn\ufffds Morgan J. Freeman-helmed \ufffdDesert Blue\ufffd alongside Christina Ricci, Kate Hudson and Casey Affleck. Gilbert, best known for her role as an angst-ridden adolescent on the ABC sitcom \ufffdRoseanne,\ufffd recently wrapped the CBS pilot \ufffdThe Next Big Thing,\ufffd for creator Brad Hall in which the thesp starred and produced."}, {"response": 1031, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 1999 (17:32)", "body": "Sara Gilbert of \"Roseanne\" fame??? She could NOT play Laura, she's too young! Maybe the singer??? Hmmmm."}, {"response": 1032, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (04:55)", "body": "She DOES have that Susan Dey look about her...;-)"}, {"response": 1033, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (13:57)", "body": "She DOES have that Susan Dey look about her...;-) ] No, she doesn't;) I'm at a loss!"}, {"response": 1034, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (16:52)", "body": "It's the eyes...they both have that 'half-asleep' or heavily drugged look in them."}, {"response": 1035, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (18:46)", "body": "(Evelyn) Janeites are a difficult bunch to please. I read somewhere that they didn't like the bathtub scene either. What?!?! Obviously they have NO appreciation for the finer things in life. ;)"}, {"response": 1036, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (20:18)", "body": "SB, I am sure they *must* have had some other P&P production in mind. Surely No One in their right minds would object to that lovely bit of artilfice we enjoyed so much! It was essential to the story line to the effect that he admired her livliness (while we admired his ... !)"}, {"response": 1037, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (21:04)", "body": "I had a problem with the tub scene, the footman arrived too quickly with the bathrobe!"}, {"response": 1038, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (06:43)", "body": "Sorry I'm a bit late, but SARA GILBERT?!?!? I cannot imagine what part she could possibly play in High Fidelity (not Laura, please not Laura). I adored this book and will be quite depressed if the Hollywood types ruin it. I will have to pin my hopes on John Cusack who rarely puts a foot wrong."}, {"response": 1039, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (12:45)", "body": "She could be Marie, the singer. There are all those \"former\" loves of his life, who might be shown in flashback when he was younger because she is definitely too young to play Laura."}, {"response": 1040, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (18:29)", "body": "(Jana)I will have to pin my hopes on John Cusack who rarely puts a foot wrong Amen to that. (Karen) There are all those \"former\" loves of his life, who might be shown in flashback If this were true...How does one get audition for such a part?!?! ;-D"}, {"response": 1041, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (18:30)", "body": "How does one get audition for such a part?! Ooops! I meant, \"How does one get to audition...\""}, {"response": 1042, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, May  3, 1999 (16:48)", "body": "Apropos to the above discussion, I read in the Sunday paper (May 2) that Catherine Zeta-Jones leaves for Chicago in about a month to star in 'High Fidelity' with John Cusack. The snippet did not specify which role she would play, but it seems reasonable to assume it's Laura. Which begs the question: would any man *ever* leave her? For Sara Gilbert, no less?? Sara can't be playing the singer--must be one of the flashback girlfriends. Or the screenplay is very different from the book..."}, {"response": 1043, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, May  3, 1999 (16:52)", "body": "Amendment: I know he doesn't leave Laura, she leaves him...in his misery he finds himself attracted to Marie...in any event, I can't see Sara as Marie."}, {"response": 1044, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May  3, 1999 (18:05)", "body": "John Cusack and Catherine Zeta-Jones seem oddly paired. She looks like she could eat him alive. He always seemed so short, small and boyish to me. I'm sure NH would love a night out with CZ-J."}, {"response": 1045, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May  3, 1999 (22:07)", "body": "He's about 6'2\" Just saw him on Letterman about a week ago, before Pushing Tin opened. He just doesn't stand straight! Eileen, in what Sunday paper was this mentioned?"}, {"response": 1046, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, May  4, 1999 (02:05)", "body": "There was an interview with Catherine ZJ in the LA Times on Friday that said she was doing a cameo in High Fidelity as John Cusack's former girlfriend. The article specifically mentioned that now she can pick and choose her roles a bit more and can even do interesting cameos without losing momentum (or something like that), so I took that to mean she was his old college girlfriend, not Laura. You know the woman who dumped him in college and he pined for her ever after, and then when he finally met up wi h her again she was kind of odd? I pictured that ex-girlfriend as kind of a nutty, barracuda type and I think CZJ will do a good job with that. But I still don't know who is going to be Laura (and am praying that Sara Gilbert gets no bigger part than Marie!)"}, {"response": 1047, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May  4, 1999 (02:57)", "body": "Oh yes, she'll be Charlie--his great love from university. She lives a ritzy, arty life and has Rob over for the cocktail party. She's supposed to be gorgeous. Aside from the minor detail that she was supposed to be blonde, but what the hey, they've changed everything else. I can see Sara Gilbert as Marie though."}, {"response": 1048, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, May  4, 1999 (17:39)", "body": "Oh yes, she'll be Charlie Mystery solved. I can see Sara Gilbert as Marie though I can't, unless she's gone through a metamorphosis since 'Roseanne' ended (which is possible)."}, {"response": 1049, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, May  4, 1999 (17:49)", "body": "Didnt Sara Gilbert go to Harvard or Yale (or something impressive) after Roseanne? I might be totally wrong- never been a Roseanne fan, and didnt keep up with any of the actors on the show."}, {"response": 1050, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, May  4, 1999 (18:45)", "body": "Yes-- she went to Yale, though I'm not sure whether or not she graduated."}, {"response": 1051, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May  4, 1999 (20:36)", "body": "Question: Do these schools have lower admission standards for child actors? ;-)"}, {"response": 1052, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, May  4, 1999 (20:54)", "body": "Shall we rename this the Nick Hornby page;) Any news on the New BJD book? I have coworker going to London in June, already have her staked out on buying the book if it's been published."}, {"response": 1053, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, May  4, 1999 (23:31)", "body": "Thanks, Jana. Your deduction makes sense. I can't get over how trampy CZJ looks these days. She was quite beautiful in Out of the Blue but I've yet to see a recent photo of her that makes her look anything but hard."}, {"response": 1054, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (14:25)", "body": "CZJ must be doing something right. 'Entrapment' was #1 in US box office last weekend and it has received some bad reviews (Newsweek trashed it). I think it has something to do with that butt shot when she slides under the lasers ;-P (Karen) Question: Do these schools have lower admission standards for child actors? ;-) Do they have any admission standards for child actors? Well, Jodie Foster went to Yale (that strikes me as appropriate), Brooke went to Princeton, etc. Anything for publicity. (Laura) Shall we rename this the Nick Hornby page We go where the action is. Hey, maybe CZJ will be cast as BJ?! (Gag, sputter...)"}, {"response": 1055, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (14:49)", "body": "CZJ must be doing something right. 'Entrapment' was #1 in US box office last weekend and it has received some bad reviews It's not CZJ. Sadly, I think the bombardment of ads over the last few months did the trick. People will flock to see a root-canal, if it's advertised enough."}, {"response": 1056, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (18:37)", "body": "(winter) It's not CZJ. Sadly, I think the bombardment of ads over the last few months did the trick. People will flock to see a root-canal, if it's advertised enough. Oh too true!!! Personally, I thought CZJ was TERRIBLE in OOTB. I haven't seen Zorro, so I can't really say if she wasn't very good. But she is getting away from her Welsh roots! Now, is Sean Connery -- Welsh or Scottish? I saw About a Boy in paperback! $12. Any news on the new BJD book? Anything??????? Evelyn, are you okay? Were you near the tornadoes?"}, {"response": 1057, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (18:49)", "body": "Laura, Sean Connery is Scotish :) (now there's a man i'd like to see in a kilt!)"}, {"response": 1058, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (19:07)", "body": "CZJ was very beautiful and sweet in Mask of Zorro. I'd seen her before only in a terrible mini-series about Catherine the Great, and found her \"trampy\" too. As for \"Entrapment\", most people will probably go see it for Sean Connery. My, has *he* aged beautifully!"}, {"response": 1059, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (19:22)", "body": "(Gi) As for \"Entrapment\", most people will probably go see it for Sean Connery The women will, yes, but the men? My DH wants to see it...and he's not necessarily a SC fan. (Winter) Sadly, I think the bombardment of ads over the last few months did the trick. People will flock to see a root-canal, if it's advertised enough. You're right, Winter. As long as there are special effects. Witness 'The Matrix.' Laura, there was discussion a while ago about the new BJD book. Check out 118 (I think that's where it was--anyone else remember?"}, {"response": 1060, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (19:48)", "body": "(Laura) Personally, I thought CZJ was TERRIBLE in OOTB. As I recall, you hardly watched any of OOTB...30 minutes?? I haven't seen Zorro, so I can't really say if she wasn't very good. And you're not going to comment anyway? ;-) But she is getting away from her Welsh roots! \\ So?? That's her call. She decided she wanted to be a big movie star and now it's going that way. I just read the scripts are flying in. We really have to be less parochial about this. For all you know, she may speak Welsh at home all the time. To whom, who know? ;-)"}, {"response": 1061, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (20:26)", "body": "Why would the new BJD book be discussed on 118? Why did I set up this page?"}, {"response": 1062, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (21:03)", "body": "(Laura)Evelyn, are you okay? Were you near the tornadoes? Tornado two miles away...I was in the basement. I am fine, thank you. And thanks to all who sent me emails. (Laura) Personally, I thought CZJ was TERRIBLE in OOTB. I liked her in OOTB. Good chemistry between those two....and those tongues!!"}, {"response": 1063, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (00:43)", "body": "Evelyn, I am so happy that you are okay!!! YEAH. Karen, I did watch OOTB with you. It was the one where the wife tried to off herself that I didn't finish."}, {"response": 1064, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (03:27)", "body": "Anyone know if CZJ is 100% Welsh? I suppose, nowadays, you can't say anyone is 100% anything. But I'm just wondering about the origins of \"Zeta.\" Sounds Greek to me (and I don't mean that in the figurative sense)."}, {"response": 1065, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (03:50)", "body": "Precisely, winter, Zeta is Greek. That is actually her middle name. She hyphenated it with her last name to make herself sound more exotic than Catherine Jones. I believe she said that was her Greek grandmother's name, Zeta. I did watch OOTB with you. It was the one where the wife tried to off herself that I didn't finish. OK, how did OOTB end? ;-) Didn't I make you a copy of DBS?"}, {"response": 1066, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (12:12)", "body": "It ended with CF getting a mouth infection;) From Cathy Tyson! hardy har har! CZJ leaves the CF I forget why."}, {"response": 1067, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (12:13)", "body": "It ended with CF getting a mouth infection;) From Cathy Tyson! hardy har har! CZJ leaves the CF I forget why. Remember I got a case of the giggles when CZJ notices the white stuff on his tongue? hee hee"}, {"response": 1068, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (12:29)", "body": "...and you singled CZJ out for being bad? You've already mentioned why CZJ leaves CF. ;-) Oops, her name isn't hyphenated."}, {"response": 1069, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, May  6, 1999 (12:31)", "body": "CF and CZJ together??? How did I miss that movie? Took my boys to see Zorro and they liked her.:-D"}, {"response": 1070, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, May  7, 1999 (14:34)", "body": "(Laura) Why would the new BJD book be discussed on 118? Why did I set up this page? Why are we discussing 'High Fidelity' and 'OOTB' here? You just gotta go with the flow..."}, {"response": 1071, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, May  7, 1999 (16:14)", "body": "You just gotta go with the flow... There is no flow!"}, {"response": 1072, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, May  7, 1999 (22:33)", "body": "Sure there is. Great minds are entitled to digress, don't you think?"}, {"response": 1073, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, May  8, 1999 (13:23)", "body": "Sure there is. Great minds are entitled to digress, don't you think? um, no comment? ;p"}, {"response": 1074, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, May 10, 1999 (18:46)", "body": "Then as hostess of this topic, I have no doubt you'll set it right again. Did you find the discussion you were looking for at 118? BTW, did you enjoy your date, 'Dr. Laura?' ;-P"}, {"response": 1075, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, May 10, 1999 (20:16)", "body": "BTW, did you enjoy your date, 'Dr. Laura?' ;-P Oh yeah!! But let me tell you reading about oneself is odd. NO, I have heard nothing about BJD, I've checked Amazon.com/UK and it's listed with no name. Odd. Then as hostess of this topic, I have no doubt you'll set it right again. I've been trying, but everyone else wants to talk about Nick Hornby, which is cool with me, I adore him. but I just want some info on the new BJD book. Anyone, if you have any and all information, could you please pass it along. I'm getting to the point where I might call Picador and find out what's going on!!!"}, {"response": 1076, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, May 13, 1999 (14:13)", "body": "From the Independent (courtesy of AnneR): MYRIAD ADMIRERS of Bridget Jones, the chronically single, self-improving, wine- drenched lovelorn icon of thirtyish urban femmes, will raise a collective glass of Jacob's Creek to the news that Working Title has just greenlighted the film of Helen Fielding's bestselling book. What cool fun to have the amorous japes of Bridget and her two girlfriends, Shazzer and Jude, finally captured on celluloid. But hold up, which thespians will portray Fielding's tangy troika? It's been a hot topic between la belle He ene and her real-life models for Shazzer and Jude, whom Pandora names as (respectively) Sharon Maguire (the writer and documentary maker) and Tracy Macleod (the DJ and broadcaster). The plot quickens when you learn that Working Title has just signed Sharon Maguire to direct the movie. Will the real-life Sharon get some glossy talent to play her fictive counterpart? Will the role of Shazza steadily eclipse that of Bridget Jones as the script goes through its rewrites? Watch this space."}, {"response": 1077, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, May 13, 1999 (14:23)", "body": "Very interesting, Karen. I still think that this movie will be the sleeper hit. Regardless of who's in it. I'm just excited about it. Now if only we could get info on the new book;)"}, {"response": 1078, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, May 13, 1999 (16:21)", "body": "Thank you Karen and Ann for that bit of news. Maybe Sharon Maguire will play the role of Shazzer in the movie. (Don't laugh...stanger things have happened) The question is ...Who is the real Life Bridget?...or is she a composite of all of HF's dippy friends :-)"}, {"response": 1079, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (12:57)", "body": "Another Variety tidbit: U nails Plus pact Transatlantic team backs Working Title pix By ADAM DAWTREY, 5/13/99 CANNES \ufffd Universal Pictures has finally closed a 50-50 joint venture with France\ufffds Canal Plus to co-finance the production, development and operational costs of Working Title Films, U\ufffds London-based production company. For the first three years of the deal, Canal Plus will get continental European TV rights to all of Working Title\ufffds movies. It will also receive theatrical and video rights in France to every second film produced by the company, with Universal Pictures Intl. retaining the other half of the slate. Starting with the fourth year of the deal, that equal split of theatrical and video rights will be extended across the whole of the Continent. UPI will continue to release all of WT\ufffds films in English-speaking territories, and in any other non-European countries where it opens its own distribution operations in the future. UPI also plans to launch in Latin America next year. Sales in other territories will be divided up between UPI and Canal Plus. Radical deal This radical co-financing deal was initiated by Working Title co-chairmen Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, who recently signed a new five-year deal with U giving them wide-ranging powers to greenlight their own movies with budgets of up to $25 million. The two were keen to cement their autonomy by bringing in another financier and to restore their European links after the sale of WT\ufffds former Dutch parent Polygram to U. For U, the deal offers a massive injection of cash \ufffd Canal Plus\ufffd contribution to WT\ufffds annual production slate alone will be $50 million-$100 million \ufffd while taking films off its balance sheet. The pact is being financed under a bank deal with Societe Generale. Film flow follows For Canal Plus, the agreement guarantees a flow of movies from Europe\ufffds most successful film production company, initially for its Euro TV outlets and later to fuel its expanding theatrical ambitions. WT looks set to shoot at least half a dozen films in the next year. The first film to fall under the deal is the Coen brothers\ufffd \ufffdO Brother, Where Art Thou?,\ufffd which just started shooting in Mississippi and will be released in France by UPI. WT\ufffds next project looks likely to be \ufffdBridget Jones\ufffd Diary,\ufffd which will go to Canal Plus in France. Also upcoming is \ufffdCaptain Corelli\ufffds Mandolin.\ufffd Everyone is happy Ron Meyer, prexy and chief operating officer of Universal Studios, said, \ufffdThis strategic partnership ... fulfills Universal Pictures\ufffd commitment to increasing its global production and distribution activity while continuing our strategy of bringing in key partners for strategic co-financing.\ufffd Pierre Lescure, chairman and chief exec of Canal Plus, said the deal is \ufffdsignificant for the European film industry.\ufffd Vincent Grimond, chief exec of Canal Plus Image, the distribution arm through which the deal is channeled, commented, \ufffdWe have always considered Tim and Eric as great producers. We share the same vision and the same culture. Working Title has proven that European films can achieve global critical and commercial success.\ufffd Bevan and Fellner said, \ufffdThis partnership between the U.S. and Europe mirrors our continued strategy to produce European movies with truly international appeal.\ufffd"}, {"response": 1080, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (15:48)", "body": "The fact that Sharon Maguire is the model for 'Shazzer' answers the question as to why she's directing this film despite a background in documentaries. Laura, no doubt by now you've seen news about BJD-the sequel over at 118. Hey Working Title! Announce the BJD cast, already!"}, {"response": 1081, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (17:48)", "body": "Uh, I haven't, but I'll repost it over here."}, {"response": 1082, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (17:52)", "body": "Transfered from 188 Bethan: BJD: The Sequel (whatever the title is!) is going straight to paperback (no hardback) at \ufffd6.99. I was in our local Waterstones the other day and asked about it. They were expecting delivery in April, but the date has been put back. Perhaps to coincide with the beginning of the film shoot...good PR! Sorry, this should be at #80...am too lazy. Uh, Yeah? Thank you for the information. I wonder if they are charging HF for any delays;)"}, {"response": 1083, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, May 14, 1999 (17:52)", "body": "I meant 118, duh!"}, {"response": 1084, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (12:54)", "body": "I'm sure you've all seen the news on BJD from 118. Thanks, Ann, for getting up so early on a Sunday morning. There was one paragraph in that article that must made me laugh: Friends say Fielding once harboured hopes of marriage but Curtis fell instead for Emma Freud. Fielding, 40, remains unmarried and currently has no steady companion. I don't know who else would write like that but a \"smug married\". ;-) I think Cate would be a fine choice. We're used to seeing her in heavy, serious films. She's got to be ready for a comedy break-out. Sounds promising for Colin too. Oh, I hope this new writer doesn't leave out the P&P references. One of my favorites: The testosterone-crazed fans do not wish themselves on the pitch, claims Hornby, instead seeing their team as their chosen representatives, rather like parliament. That is precisely my feeling about Darcy and Elizabeth. They are my chosen representatives in the field of shagging.\""}, {"response": 1085, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (13:24)", "body": "Thank you, Ann, for posting the good parts. I'll copy the entire article from the Sunday Times in the next message for all who want to read it. In the Sunday Times today:-\" Bridget Jones gets her man\" (can't type it all but here are the interesting parts. Oscar nominee Cate Blanchette has been tipped for the lead role, as has Helena Bonham Carter, though she has less in common with Jones than the 29 year old Australian star of Elizabeth. Blanchette would be v. good. She's not beautiful like HBC and can be quite plain. I haven't seen Pushing Tin yet, but it is a broad, over-the-top comedy role for her as a Long Island housewife. I believe I read good things about her in it. COLIN FIRTH who played Darcy in the BBC production of P&P is expected to play the LOVE interest, Mark Darcy.\" Expected!! He'd be a fool to turn down the opportunity to play opposite one of the hottest actresses going. Just think of the publicity machine surrounding this film a la Notting Hill. Wow!! \"Insiders at Cannes said that a film of BJD wold succeed only if there were significant changes to the character...insiders say that Curtis (4 weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill) is likely to insist that Bridget gets her man\" Huh?? In the book I read, Bridget wound up with Mark in the end. Has the script changed that much?"}, {"response": 1086, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (13:35)", "body": "Bridget Jones gets her man by Richard Brooks Arts Editor BRIDGET JONES has found her Mr Right. The creator of the neurotic \"singleton\" has turned to the man who once thwarted her hopes of marriage to salvage a movie version of her book. Helen Fielding, who created a bestseller by portraying modern urban women as shallow, vulnerable and desperate for marriage, has turned to one of the most successful men in the British film industry for help with her screenplay. The involvement of Richard Curtis would have mortified the fictional Jones, who goes to desperate lengths to conceal her dependence on men. But senior sources at Universal, the Hollywood studio, said Curtis would play a vital role in improving Fielding's draft screenplay, which she began more than a year ago. This weekend one industry insider at the Cannes film festival said a film of Bridget Jones's Diary would succeed only if there were significant changes to her character. \"Bridget needed help. Helen was good at scripting characters on the page but not able to transfer them to the screen,\" said the source. Jones is defined largely by her hang-ups. She hates married couples, who ask her about her barren love life and imitate the ticking of her body clock. Insiders say that Curtis, a master of romantic comedy, is likely to insist Jones gets her man. He wrote the screenplay for the movie Notting Hill, in which Julia Roberts's film star falls for Hugh Grant's struggling bookseller. His past box office hits include Four Weddings and a Funeral. Curtis's romantic entanglement with Fielding proved less successful than his films. The couple met each other at Oxford University and embarked on a relationship after he saw her performing in a play. Friends say Fielding once harboured hopes of marriage but Curtis fell instead for Emma Freud. Fielding, 40, remains unmarried and currently has no steady companion. Oscar nominee Cate Blanchette, has been tipped for the lead role, as has Helena Bonham Carter, though she has less in common with Jones than the 29-year-old Australian star of Elizabeth. Colin Firth, who played Darcy in the BBC production of Pride and Prejudice, is expected to play the love interest, Mark Darcy. This weekend there were signs that female solidarity is not entirely dead. The film is to be directed by Sharon McGuire, a close friend of Fielding and the model for Jones's best friend, Shazza. ************** (Heide) I don't know who else would write like that but a \"smug married\". ;-) It does, doesn't it? However, shocked to see the article was written by a man!! Article has pictures of HBC and Helen Fielding at top. Helen has changed her do. :)"}, {"response": 1087, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (15:42)", "body": "Thanks Karen for posting all of that for us to see. I agree that he wouldbe a fool to turn it down. C.B, I still have my reservations and this has been increased by what I have read about her recently on stage. Still as we know, ODB can bring the best out in most (sorry E.MC!!) actresses."}, {"response": 1088, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (18:02)", "body": "(Lizza) Still as we know, ODB can bring the best out in most (sorry E.MC!!) actresses. LOL, Lizza. Be grateful E McG won't be Bridget. ;-) And I'm happy to report since I'm one of the ones who have insisted the actress be at least 30, that Cate is actually 30, not 29 as the article says. Pushing Tin...I had forgotten that one, Karen. I have heard good reviews for her as well though not for much else in that film."}, {"response": 1089, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, May 16, 1999 (22:16)", "body": "She turned 30 this week, I think. At least this confirms that they are trying to get well known actors, so there is backing which can only fare well for Colin. But I still need a confirmation. Heide, we must work on this. I wonder if Curtis has Hugh Grant in mind for any of the male roles? Perhaps, he would only consider the lead role. I've had it with his overacting! Poor Helen, she couldn't cut the sceenplay. But why would Curtis need to touch up Davies's script?"}, {"response": 1090, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (00:44)", "body": "(Moon)But why would Curtis need to touch up Davies's script? Probably for the same reason that they hired Tom Stoppard to \"touch up\" SIL.....IMO , it wasn't v. good.....Why else bring on another screen writer. Davies did CoF and P&P...but I didn't like his TV EMMA."}, {"response": 1091, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (07:47)", "body": "I wonder if Curtis has Hugh Grant in mind for any of the male roles? I think he would make a good Daniel Cleaver! BTW HG is just one day older than Colin."}, {"response": 1092, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (14:49)", "body": "WOW, I go away for a weekend and return to oodles of information. Double WOW!! Cate Blanchett would be a good BJ and of course, CF will DEFINITELY do MD. (being very optimistic!) Thank you to all for the information. Now, any news on the new book?"}, {"response": 1093, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (20:35)", "body": "Argh!! Just drove past a movie set a few blocks away. They were just setting up. Went around the block a couple of times and then asked the police what movie it was. Shoot!! It wasn't High Fidelity, but the Bonnie Hunt movie with David Duchovney and Minnie Driver. Hey Laura, they shot at the Northside Cafe for High Fidelity and no one told me!! Also at one of the harbors. Don't remember Rob being much of an outdoors person. ;-)"}, {"response": 1094, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (20:43)", "body": "From Empire: Bridget Jones is V. Competitive Bafta award-winning actress Cate Blanchett (Elizabeth, Oscar and Lucinda) is among the top three choices mooted to play the neurotic thirty-something heroine Bridget Jones. Helena Bonham Carter and Geri Halliwell are also in the running, but Blancett is thought be have the edge at present. Meanwhile Notting Hill\ufffds Richard Curtis is giving Bridget creator Helen Fielding a hand with the script for Bridget Jones, which she is adapting from her hugely successful novel, Bridget Jones\ufffd Diary. Production on the film is due to start a the end of the summer. ********** Geri Halliwell?? That's one of those Spice Things, right? Or ex-Spicers? Yuck! Or does that appeal to you, Laura. I seem to recall you liked someone in Spiceworld. ;-)"}, {"response": 1095, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (20:46)", "body": "At least (at last) it starts to roll! (Laura McCarthy)of course, CF will DEFINITELY do MD. I so want him to do it too! (Karen)Blanchette would be v. good. She's not beautiful like HBC and can be quite plain. HBC beautiful? How tastes differ... I wouldn't mind CB as Bridget, but isn't she perhaps too thin? I hated the article, BTW. Good news should come in better packaging :-)"}, {"response": 1096, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (20:49)", "body": "Geri Halliwell? Goodness, has everybody gone mad?"}, {"response": 1097, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (20:58)", "body": "Geri Halliwell? AAAArrrrgggg! I cannot believe it. For heaven sake how can they mention her in the same breath as Cate Blanchett (or CF)?"}, {"response": 1098, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (21:05)", "body": "Geri Halliwell??? Gasp! I think I need CPR."}, {"response": 1099, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (21:26)", "body": "Among those short-listed for the role of Bridget Jones are two Academy Award nominees and one ex-Spice Girl. These people are into serious drugs..."}, {"response": 1100, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (22:24)", "body": "Can you imagine if Geri Halliwell actually gets the role?...selected over the other two? Good reason for CF to say: \"No thanks\"."}, {"response": 1101, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (22:46)", "body": "I think then they could pair up Keanu Reeves with Geri..."}, {"response": 1102, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (23:17)", "body": "I think I could stand to miss that version :U"}, {"response": 1103, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, May 17, 1999 (23:20)", "body": "Aaaargh!!! GERI HALLIWELL! If an ex-Spice Girl gets the role I shall burn my copy of BJD. And pray that Colin says NO! Actually, I can't believe this...Cate Blanchett and Helena BC are highly experienced and gifted actresses. Geri Halliwell, well, I'd better not say, as I wouldn't be kind. This would be dumbing down on a colossal scale.....no, I can't believe this! Returning to reality, end of summer sounds okay for both Cate and Colin though."}, {"response": 1104, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (00:14)", "body": "Thanks ladies, I needed a good laugh!"}, {"response": 1105, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (01:39)", "body": "Sorry, Evelyn, but I really LIKED the A&E version of \"Emma\"...found little to distinguish it from the movie version, except shorter (who knows...maybe I'm a closet Mark Strong fan!! ;-))"}, {"response": 1106, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (05:06)", "body": "From the 5/18 Independent: Sunday Times, which has managed to lift one of Pandora's scoops-du-jour just nine days after you first read it here. But commiserations too, because the Murdoch rag, in following up the Bridget Jones movie story, omitted to mention that the current front runner for the film's lead is Emily Watson. ************ Now that's better...Emily Watson. Excellent actress. Loved her in Breaking the Waves."}, {"response": 1107, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (12:26)", "body": "Geri Halliwell I think is more of a joke; sort of like a write-in campaign. Cate Blanchett would be brilliant as would Emily Watson. I tend to lean more towards Cate Blanchett. I find that she can really become the role; and I've seen more of her movies. I've only seen two Emily Watson movies so I can't really say. You know, now that I think of it. Geri is probably built more like BJ. She is spunky. But not quite old enough to do the role."}, {"response": 1108, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (12:52)", "body": "(Karen), Emily Watson. Excellent actress. Loved her in Breaking the Waves. I agree! She really becomes the role and her face can be comical, she would be a great Bridget. CB is too skinny for the role. Now with Helena B.C. as one of her friends. Hugh Grant as Daniel C., CF as MD and Ewan as the plumber and C. Zeta-Jones as Rebecca, it would bring in a big audience."}, {"response": 1109, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (14:36)", "body": "CZJ as Rebecca is brilliant! She's gorgeous, can probably play catty. HBC would have to be Shazzer. I don't think she could do Jude. Jude is a bit wimpy."}, {"response": 1110, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (16:56)", "body": "I think the press has caught up with our posts. Excepting that Geri H. trash, of course! She's too busy being a UN ambassador to star in a movie (read that with all the sarcasm you can muster). Didn't we go through HBC (much too thin--move over Calista) and EW? Next the press will add Kate Winslet (too young) as a front-runner and viola! Was there any discussion about CB? IMO she'd be the best. If ODB *ever* costarred with GH, I'd be wondering who put the gun to his head. (Moon) Ewan as the plumber LOL!"}, {"response": 1111, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (17:11)", "body": "(Eileen) Didn't we go through HBC (much too thin--move over Calista) and EW? Probably, sometime after Minnie Driver, Toni Collette, Jane Leeves, et al. Although, I'd put HBC in the too beautiful as opposed to too thin. She is an OK age and can be made to look plain (as in Margaret's Museum). Wasn't that \"Theory of Flight\" movie, with HBC as a woman with ALS, a comedy? (BTW, I'm not trying to be funny or cruel or anything)"}, {"response": 1112, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (17:48)", "body": "Emily Watson Now, you're talking.... Her performance in Hilary and Jackie was as good as CB in Elizabeth."}, {"response": 1113, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (18:50)", "body": "If you think she was good in H & J rent Breaking the Waves, she was fantastic! I don't consider HBC a beauty or too skinny. She would be a good Shazzer. Let's give CB Jude. (So she won't be out of work);-) Someone, quick, fax our casting ideas to Universal!"}, {"response": 1114, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (19:13)", "body": "CB finishes in \"Plenty\" on July 10, so could certainly be available for filming mid-August (I'm allowing her a short break!). I'd make her first choice, with Emily Watson a close second. What's pleasing, I think, is that all three actresses mentioned (note that I am excluding our non-roving UN ambassador! ) are high calibre Academy Award nominees, which means that BJD must be rated as a high profile project. BTW I'd like to see Alison Steadman as Bridget's mum!"}, {"response": 1115, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, May 18, 1999 (20:33)", "body": "I second Alison S. for her mum!"}, {"response": 1116, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, May 19, 1999 (20:16)", "body": "Hear hear! But I'd like the insufferable Don Johnson as Julio ;-)"}, {"response": 1117, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, May 19, 1999 (21:07)", "body": "But I'd like the insufferable Don Johnson as Julio ;-) hee hee"}, {"response": 1118, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (02:27)", "body": "Moon, you arwe getting so good at flowers...perhaps I should find the transportation - planes, limos, bicycles, sledges...? and tables and dining rooms...so much to do - but that is your thing. I am amidst the green and growing. Off you go - expect to see wheels tomorrow!!!"}, {"response": 1119, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (02:38)", "body": "Ooops - this is where my posting went. I could not find it on 72. Sorry for the intrusion, Laura Dear!"}, {"response": 1120, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, May 26, 1999 (12:24)", "body": "I was wondering if we were going to be overtaken by leis and flower arrangements on everyboard! LOL!!! Don't worry, Marcia, you're allowed one faux pas per board;p"}, {"response": 1121, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, May 28, 1999 (05:16)", "body": "How frightning - it could have been that string of Yaks on that rope bridge...=P"}, {"response": 1122, "author": "vlyne", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (20:01)", "body": "Hi. I hope you remember me. It's probably been a year since I've posted to this board. I really miss reading the weekly BJD & hope she comes back some day. Anyway the reason I have resurfaced is to pass the news that HF is touring again. Her schedule is listed here: http://www.penguinputnam.com/bridgetjones/tour.htm Valerie"}, {"response": 1123, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (20:16)", "body": "Thanks Valerie....we've missed you... Oh Karen....HF will be at your Borders on the 9th....We will await your report anxiously....you know what questions to ask....like when is Bridget II gonna be released!!To say nothing of the BJD film.... Anybody else near the other cities?"}, {"response": 1124, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (20:17)", "body": "Valerie, it has been awhile! Good to see you back here and with great info! Just an aside, I saw the paperback of BJD and it cracked me up. It says on the top of the book National Bestseller! (v.g.) LOL!"}, {"response": 1125, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun  1, 1999 (21:10)", "body": "It seems odd that she would do another tour just before the new book comes out. That should be one of the questions. She does plan to tour once the new book is released I would imagine. And, don't forget the obvious questions like who has been cast for the film and exactly when will the shoot begin. Go to it! Karen, you also get her in Chicago."}, {"response": 1126, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (00:32)", "body": "Great!! Better choice of bookstores this time. I'll be there and I'll ask the question again... maybe this time she'll have a different answer. Hmmm, have nothing left for her to sign. Thanks Valerie for posting the info. I miss her silly column too. :("}, {"response": 1127, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (02:26)", "body": "Karen, just a thought, but a spare program from 3DoR for her to sign, and when she asks what it is, tell her a play with CF - which will be your opening to Mark Darcy et al."}, {"response": 1128, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (03:55)", "body": "A spare program?? What's that? ;-) Maybe I'll print off her Bridget interviews Colin column from the Independent. At least this time she won't have to compete with Bulls Championship games. Anyone want a paperback BJD? I could get it and have it signed for you. Just another thought."}, {"response": 1129, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (12:57)", "body": "I could send you may UK paperback for her to sign...but do I want it signed? I just want to know what the h... is going on with the next book, the movie, the cast, etc. Is it Davies or Curtis, etc."}, {"response": 1130, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (19:20)", "body": "My guess is that she's bringing her new book along....why would she be on a press junket for an old book that is now in paperback already. Doesn't make sense."}, {"response": 1131, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  2, 1999 (19:58)", "body": "No, it's for the paperback. Nick Hornby did a similar mini-tour for About A Boy coming out in PB. Do we really think she's made any progress on the sequel? Looking at the odds in Vegas, I don't think so. ;-)"}, {"response": 1132, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (10:50)", "body": "(Karen)Maybe I'll print off her Bridget interviews Colin column from the Independent. I think that's very clever. Go for it!"}, {"response": 1133, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Jun  3, 1999 (18:36)", "body": "I just read BJD night before last (finally!) I laughed SO hard :) I'm now Dying -along with the rest of you- for info on the movie! Karen, I also think that printing out the BJ interview is an excellent idea :) Cant wait to read your report from meeting her-"}, {"response": 1134, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (12:37)", "body": "This was in Liz Smith's column today about Cate Blanchett. I also read that \"Plenty\" has been extended for a few weeks. She still could be doing BJD, as CG is still a ways off. Anything for Colin in CG, anyone? \"Blanchett has scooped the title role in 'Charlotte Gray,' based on Sebastian Faulks' best-seller about love and betrayal in wartime. John Madden, who put 'Shakespeare in Love' on the map, may direct. And Cate is also on the verge of signing for 'The Man Who Cried,' about the loves of Russian dancers. Her costar would be Robert De Niro. Hmmmm, De Niro in tights, executing a fabulous jete ?!"}, {"response": 1135, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun  4, 1999 (14:37)", "body": "More FYI About High Fidelity Release Date: Spring 2000 Stephen Frears directs this romantic comedy about a slacker (John Cusack) who owns a record store who sets his sights on winning back his ex-girlfriend (Iben Hjejle). Joan Cusack, Beverly D'Angelo, Sara Gilbert, Lili Taylor, Harold Ramis, Jack Black and Todd Louiso star. Catherine Zeta-Jones has a cameo. Based on Nick Hornby's novel. (Touchstone) So Iben Hjejle plays Laura, per the IMDb. She's a Danish actress. Anyone know her? And Sara Gilbert does play Marie."}, {"response": 1136, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 1999 (21:21)", "body": "Charlotte Grey will be a very good serious role.....I wonder if this mean that CB isn't going to do BJD. If she's busy signing up for other roles, she would have signed for BJD as well. Perhaps we'll get an announcement of the casting now! Karen, if you do meet Helen, please ask her when the sequel is due out, and whether P&P's Andrew Davies and/or Richard Curtis have been involved in the screenplay. And, of course, when will we hear about the casting! Perhaps she'll give us a clue (Will Mark Darcy have a bald spot?) :-)"}, {"response": 1137, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun  5, 1999 (21:59)", "body": "I will definitely be going to the booksigning. So I will attempt to get those questions asked, Bethan. The info on Charlotte Grey didn't indicate when they would be getting started on it though."}, {"response": 1138, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Jun  6, 1999 (07:59)", "body": "That's the first I've heard about Lili Taylor being in High Fidelity. She usually seems to take quirky parts in less mainstream fare. If she's not playing Laura, Marie or Charlie though, which part do you think she plays? I can't think of any other big female roles."}, {"response": 1139, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  6, 1999 (13:11)", "body": "From the list of his \"desert-island, all-time, top five most memorable split-ups in chronological order:\" 1. Alison Ashworth 2. Penny Hardwick 3. Jackie Allen 4. Charlie Nicholson 5. Sarah Kendrew Lili Taylor could play any of those. If CZJ plays Charlie, which I'm beginning to wonder about, because her part is being called a \"cameo\" and there's that whole cocktail party thing, I'd guess Lili Taylor might be Sarah."}, {"response": 1140, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun  6, 1999 (13:37)", "body": "From today's Sunday Times: Hornby kicks football habit by Jon Ungoed-Thomas HE FOUND fame and fortune writing about Arsenal, but now Nick Hornby has grown weary of the subject of football. Hornby's memoir, Fever Pitch, which charted his club's fortunes and his own emotional vicissitudes, established football writing as a lucrative literary genre. While other writers, such as Martin Amis and Salman Rushdie, are now eager to pen their own football tomes, Hornby has let it be known that he considers it all slightly pass\ufffd. After the phenomenal success of Fever Pitch in 1992, Hornby went on to write two bestselling novels, High Fidelity and About a Boy. While Hornby's imitators have rushed to publish their own confessional football books, Hornby has decided to leave the sport on the sidelines. \"He is weary of it,\" said Caroline Dawnay, Hornby's agent, last week. \"I don't think he is bored by football, but he would prefer to be thought of as a serious novelist.\" Hornby's decision to steer clear of the subject has been welcomed by both football fans and other writers. Greg Williams, whose novel Football Crazy is due to be published this year, said: \"After Fever Pitch, I would hear fans going to Arsenal matches actually talking about the book, which was a great achievement. The problem was everyone wanted to write a similar book and people have got fed up with the sheer amount of repetition. My own book is not about football, but celebrity.\" Fever Pitch has sold more than 700,000 copies and has been made into a film starring Colin Firth. Its vivid depiction of Hornby's endearing but obsessive fixation on Arsenal helped give the sport a new cultural cachet and also highlighted its importance in Britain. \"Fever Pitch hallowed and directed everybody's sense of football as a religion,\" said Dawnay. \"It also legitimised women's response to football and as a result of that there are many more women watching the sport.\" The success of the book also meant more literary figures were eager to write about football. Despite Hornby's weariness, the trend has not waned and within the last week Rushdie has written about his love of football in The New Yorker while Amis has described a trip to see the match between Manchester United and Bayern Munich. \"I once took the Peruvian novelist Mario Vargas Llosa to White Hart Lane,\" writes Rushdie. \"As I left the ground, beaming foolishly, a fellow Spurs fan recognised me and waved cheerily in my direction. 'Gawd bless you, Salman,' he yelled.\" Such outpourings in praise of football have prompted many fans to argue that the world literary figures should perhaps leave the sport alone. \"There's no objection to them writing about the sport, but they are not saying anything that is remotely new,\" said William Ainslie, 30, an Arsenal fan. For Hornby, the decision to stay away from football writing is unlikely to affect his career or his bank balance. The film rights to About a Boy have been sold for \ufffd1.8m."}, {"response": 1141, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun  6, 1999 (18:13)", "body": "\"Fever Pitch hallowed and directed everybody's sense of football as a religion,\" said Dawnay. \"It also legitimised women's response to football and as a result of that there are many more women watching the sport.\" And you kids say FP is not a film about football....?? You're kidding....!!"}, {"response": 1142, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (13:43)", "body": "Uh oh!! ************** Nicolas Cage May Strum On 'Mandolin' By Chris Petrikin HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Actor Nicolas Cage is in negotiations with Working Title Films and Universal Pictures to star in \"Captain Corelli's Mandolin,\" to be directed by \"Notting Hill\" helmer Roger Michell. While a deal has not been finalized, sources said that Cage wants to do the World War II-era love story, which will likely go before the cameras next March in Italy. The film, based on Louis De Bernieres' British novel, is a \"Doctor Zhivago\" Di-like love story/drama set on the idyllic Greek island of Cephalonia during World War II. Cage would play Captain Antonio Corelli, a sophisticated Italian officer (and musician) who commands the isle's garrison after the Italians invaded Greece. He soon begins a heated affair with the daughter of the local doctor; and despite their feelings for one another, they are forced to navigate their political and personal allegiances against the backdrop of war. Cage recently began production on the thriller \"Gone In 60 Seconds,\" for which he reportedly received his first $20 million payday. \"Gone\" is expected to wrap in late summer, giving the Oscar-winning actor a window to shoot another film before \"Captain Corelli.\" \"Corelli\" will mark the followup for Michell to his current hit, \"Notting Hill,\" the romantic comedy starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant that also was produced by Working Title. Michell, an acclaimed stage director who seems to have come into his own with \"Notting,\" has been developing \"Corelli\" for several years. The film is likely to be the first project greenlit under the newly hatched production pact that Working Title struck with Universal earlier this year. That unique deal allows the British-based banner to greenlight its own films with budgets up to $25 million. While the original \"Corelli\" budget was tagged at that level, it's unclear whether that budget will be significantly increased with the addition of Cage's high eight-figure fee, or whether the actor's deal will go light on the upfront fee but heavy on contingent compensation. ******* Better Nic plays Corelli than Mark Darcy, huh? ;-)"}, {"response": 1143, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (14:46)", "body": "(Evelyn) And you kids say FP is not a film about football I gather you're being facetious, Evelyn. I related more strongly to the football fan aspect of the film than to the love story (I'm an avid US football fan). But without the love story, the film would have been a documentary. It will be interesting to see how it's promoted in the US. 'Gawd bless you, Salman,' After all the hoo-ha concerning Salman a few years ago, I'm glad to see he's progressed to writing about football :-P Nicolas Cage May Strum On 'Mandolin' \"Uh oh\" is an understatement! \"Oh no\" is my statement! I'm 3/4 of the way through this book now (BTW, if anyone is looking for it, the title is 'Corelli's Mandolin'; no 'Captain'). Corelli is not described physically so H'wood can have their way. Heck, at least it's not Roberto Begnini! I generally like Nic Cage but his work has been so...dark. Better Nic plays Corelli than Mark Darcy, huh? ;-) Your point is taken!"}, {"response": 1144, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (15:10)", "body": "(Evelyn) And you kids say FP is not a film about football (Eileen) I gather you're being facetious, Evelyn. I related more strongly to the football fan aspect of the film than to the love story This has been an ongoing argument. I've always maintained it is not a *sports* film, but about a character who is sports obsessed and his relationship with a woman. Unfortunately, the love story was not all that well-developed. Lots of good arguments about why someone like Sarah would love a Paul Ashworth and go back to him."}, {"response": 1145, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (15:25)", "body": "Eileen, it's called Captain Corelli's Mandolin in the UK, Canada, and most of Europe, they shortened it here in the States. Actually, I think Nic Cage will be good in this role. He doesn't come in until halfway through the book. I'd be curious who'd play Mandras and Pelagia. Nic can smolder with those intense eyes of his. I think the casting might be good, and Nicolas Cage is technically a Coppola, so his nationality is right!"}, {"response": 1146, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jun  7, 1999 (23:32)", "body": "Helen Fielding will be on CNN (Riz Khan's Q&A)on Tuesday (tomorrow), answering questions which can be emailed or phoned. Riz mentioned that BJD is about to be turned into a movie. Nic Cage...marginally better than Ewan McGregor, but still IMO completely wrong. I actually think this is one character I prefer to just \"see\" in my imagination. Nic Cage is too old for a start...I think of Corelli as late twenties. I thought BJD was the first project to be \"greenlit\" for Working Title, if they're shooting in September (I hope) But again this begs the question, if the main casting for Corelli can be announced now, why not BJD. Why is it taking so long?"}, {"response": 1147, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (12:05)", "body": "Perhaps, and this is a big perhaps, Colin Firth is doing Mark Darcy, but will get no credit for it. Especially, where it could technically be a cameo role. Similar to Mel Gibson in Fairytale: A True Story. Who knew MG was in that movie until the end????? Oh well, anything to say as to why they haven't announced casting;) I thought it good reasoning;-p"}, {"response": 1148, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (12:49)", "body": "Especially, where it could technically be a cameo role. Technically, it would never been considered a cameo role. A cameo is where an actor makes an appearance in one scene. There is a surprise cameo in Notting Hill and as you said Mel's in Fairytale and there are lots of others. However, Mark Darcy (in the book) appears numerous times. The issue of credited v. uncredited is unrelated to being a cameo and done for different reasons."}, {"response": 1149, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (13:07)", "body": "Laura, you don't really believe Mark Darcy is a cameo role, do you?"}, {"response": 1150, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (14:16)", "body": "Well, I'm not a big Mark Darcy fan, now am I????? Yes, I think it is a cameo role. A few shots here and there. He'll probably only do a couple of days shoot. (because the role is so minimal)"}, {"response": 1151, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (14:28)", "body": "So basically it is an all girl film with guys in cameo roles? (That will cause Bridget to put on a few stones!) ;-)"}, {"response": 1152, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (14:33)", "body": "Oh, come on, this is definitely going to be a chick flick! Men take backdoor to this story. I think I'd like Stephen Fry as Tom;)"}, {"response": 1153, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (14:35)", "body": "Um, I meant, in this story;)"}, {"response": 1154, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (14:45)", "body": "If it is be a \"chick flick\" to use your term, then you've disproved your own comments. A chick flick (i.e., sappy romance and/or tearjerker) MUST have a hunky guy role for chicks to drool over. If you think Mark Darcy is a cameo, then you must think the same of Mr. Darcy. Wrong!"}, {"response": 1155, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (15:14)", "body": "(Karen)If you think Mark Darcy is a cameo, then you must think the same of Mr. Darcy. Wrong! I see confusion here. First of all, Mark Darcy is NOT 1813 Mr. Darcy. Mark Darcy is 1995-98 Mark Darcy. Mr. Darcy doesn't cheat on Elizabeth. Mark Darcy cheats on Bridget. Mr. Darcy is more prominent in P&P. Mark Darcy is touched upon in the book. I don't see MD as a direct takeoff of Mr. Darcy, she alludes to certain qualities, but MD is definitely his own person. We definitely saw more of MD in the weekly columns (where there was no similarity to Mr. Darcy)."}, {"response": 1156, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (17:57)", "body": "You have built up MD's character nicely Laura, it looks like a lead role to me. :-)"}, {"response": 1157, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (18:07)", "body": "Re: Mark Darcy: The character is more than 'touched upon' in the book. It's central to HF's updated P&P theme. Since *none* of us has seen the screenplay (correct me if I'm wrong), who knows?Will the screenplay be based on the book alone, or the book plus the weekly columns? Cameos? John Travolta and George Clooney in 'Thin Red Line' (or I should say George Clooney playing Doug Ross playing an officer in 'TRL', since all his roles are Doug Ross. You know, Doug Ross as Batman, Doug Ross as the army officer with Nicole Kidman, Doug Ross running around with Jennifer Lopez, etc.). (Bethan) I think of Corelli as late twenties Don't forget he ages at the end of the story, but yes, most of the action takes place while he's in his 20's. The central character in the book is Pelagia so that should be the key part (but we haven't seen this screenplay either). I just finished the book yesterday; if the screenplay follows the story the movie should be a good one."}, {"response": 1158, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (19:17)", "body": "(Eileen)Since *none* of us has seen the screenplay (correct me if I'm wrong) Let's see, if Richard Curtis is now involved with the Andrew Davies-amended script, do we really *need* to see the screenplay? I suppose it will go like this: Boy, with floppy hair, meets...oops, sorry... start again Girl (model-like in appearance) meets guy with floppy hair at wedding, funeral, bookstore, parents' friends' New Years Day buffet, etc., or some such trendy locale. Boy makes lasting impression on girl due to ugly sweater and they fall in deep like although neither knows what to make of it. We will because of a camera shot of boy giving girl a LOOK! Each goes own way, but meets up with other at other trendy spots. We will see boy taking a leisurely bath and going for a dip in a pond. Boy will stammer a lot and flutter eyelids, and be endearingly self-deprecating. Years will pass and they keep meeting and we will be suitably aggravated. BTW, there will be loads of colorful characters for the supporting cast. Tom will be played by Simon Callow. Mark will have a colorfully vulgar Welsh co-worker named Spike. Boy and girl will finally get together at end and while credits roll we will see pictures and/or snippets of their life together. The End"}, {"response": 1159, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (19:20)", "body": "Wrong, Moon, I haven't built up his character, I just mentioned one glaring aspect of it in the weekly series. His character most likely in the screenplay will be small. He's not quite the love interest until much later. Pelagia and her father are the main characters. And I liked Mandras before he went off to war. The book had a very weak ending. I do HOPE they change that."}, {"response": 1160, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (19:22)", "body": "Karen, I think YOU should write the screenplay, cast the movie, direct, produce and edit it. That was hysterical;) Much better than what HF could ever do."}, {"response": 1161, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (19:31)", "body": "LOL, Karen. No doubt boy will also have a tendency to oversleep and a propensity for statements such as 'f**kety-f**k'. Boy will have chance encounter with girl, who has just finished excercising and is quite sweaty. Boy will have peculiar look on face, as if he's...ummm..."}, {"response": 1162, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (20:07)", "body": "Forgot to describe boy's first encounter with girl at Una's Turkey Curry Buffet. Boy will spill curried turkey all over girl, whilst muttering \"bollocks.\" Boy will then show everyone his manliness by snuffing out lit candle with fingers."}, {"response": 1163, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (20:21)", "body": "LOL, Karen, you're really on a roll here. Laugh aloud funny, as they say!! And Eileen, your Doug Ross comments, ditto! My take on MD is that in the screenplay of BJD it will be a central role."}, {"response": 1164, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (20:42)", "body": "Bethan, I agree completely. Sorry Laura. LOL, Karen!"}, {"response": 1165, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun  8, 1999 (21:07)", "body": "Have heard that Curtis has changed Mark's girlfriend's name from Natasha to Duckface and will be reprised by KST. Oh, definitely, agree with you Bethan. Mark must be featured in the movie as that allusive guy, seemingly looking down on Bridget, fighting his attraction for her."}, {"response": 1166, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (11:49)", "body": "From Empire: Cage Sharpens his Bow 08/06/1999 He may have started his career in teen angst flicks like Rumblefish and Fast Times at Ridgemont High, but it didn\ufffdt take long for the hell-raising Nicolas Cage to don the action hero cloak and keep it securely fastened while he racked up a repertoire including The Rock, Con Air and Face/Off. All the more strange that he\ufffds reportedly considering the title role in an adaptation of Captain Corelli\ufffds Mandolin, from the best-selling novel by Brit author Louis de Bernieres. Set on the Greek island of Cephallonia during the Second World War, the book follows the story of a sensitive Italian officer who falls in love with the local doctor\ufffds daughter. Despite Cage\ufffds dalliances with matinee idol status in Moonstruck or Leaving Las Vegas (the twisted matinee idol) it\ufffds pretty hard to imagine him speaking soft word of love under the olive trees. Still, with Notting Hill\ufffds Roger Michell slated to directed \ufffd a man who made Hugh Grant appear attractive (apparently) \ufffd Cage might just be the new thinking woman\ufffds heartthrob."}, {"response": 1167, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (12:04)", "body": "Cage to play Captain Corelli? Having established his action man credentials in films like Snake Eyes, Con Air and Face/Off, Nicholas Cage is said to be considering a romantic leading role. One of Cage's most memorable performances was as Cher's volatile Italian love interest in the Oscar-winning Moonstruck: now romance beckons once more. Cage could take the lead role in Working Title's production of Captain Corelli's Mandolin, playing the suave Italian officer and musician whose troops take command of a Greek island in the second world war. British director Roger Mitchell is said to be first choice to direct the adaptation of Louis De Bernieres' best-selling novel. Mitchell's last project was Notting Hill, whose closing shot sees Hugh Grant's character reading a copy of the very novel. Coincidence? We think not. Cage is currently filming Gone in 60 Seconds with Angelina Jolie and Vinnie Jones. With his fees $20 million for 60 Seconds and the budget of Corelli originally limited to $25 million, some financial juggling will be needed. ********** Reading the book on the park bench, huh? Well, didn't think you could see the title, but then again your version doesn't look like ours."}, {"response": 1168, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun  9, 1999 (12:43)", "body": "A Variety gossip column is about all the roles that are being tossed at Blanchett. Says she is being \"courted\" for Charlotte Gray and numerous others. Nothing solid. However, Bridget is not mentioned. (Didn't realize CB's in Costner's \"For Love of the Game\" and I've seen the trailer in the theater already!)"}, {"response": 1169, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (01:52)", "body": "NC will Not be this thinking woman's heart-throb. He makes my flesh crawl!"}, {"response": 1170, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (03:20)", "body": "I must agree with you for the most part, Marcia. While I have enjoyed NC in certain of the roles he has played, he engages in too much scenery chewing (i.e. way too broad, overacting) for my taste. He's kind of the anti-Colin ;-)"}, {"response": 1171, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (04:29)", "body": "This article is about the guys at Working Title. Compares them to the Weinstein bros. Mentions BJD and Captain Corelli's Mandolin and their marketing coup with Notting Hill. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/html/hottx/film/top_direct.html Will write up what HF said tomorrow. *yawn* Nothing to stay up for. ;-)"}, {"response": 1172, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (09:32)", "body": "Evelyn telephoned she is having a lovely time enjoyed TRT, Stephen Dillane and Jennifer were wonderful. She also enquired at Waterstones about\" Bridget Jones Diary I will Survive\" and was told it should be ready in the Autumn and definitely before Christmas. Also \"Son of Adam\" is being re-released in December 2000!!"}, {"response": 1173, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (12:50)", "body": "(Karen), Will write up what HF said tomorrow. *yawn* Nothing to stay up for. ;-) Karen, how could that be? Did you asked her all our questions? :-)"}, {"response": 1174, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (13:44)", "body": "how could that be? Did you asked her all our questions? :-) Of course, I asked as many as I could. However, there were a lot of people there. Not the intimate little gathering of last year. ;-) OK, Helen did her reading from the book. She is definitely improving and put much more into it. Great response from the people. Probably a hundred or so based on number of chairs, rows, people sitting on floor on sides and standing in rear. Took questions. First one asked was \"who she would like to play Bridget in the movie?\" She initially answered about how she would've liked do it herself and described her forays into acting at university, then ended with same line from last year about a \"new face\" and all the Hollywood actresses were too thin and too beautiful. That's what I mean about the event and the news being a *yawn*. Her answers are carved in stone from when she was initially coached by the publicists. She added little new from what I could tell, except when a question was off-the-cuff and/or funny. There were the terribly insipid questions like \"I noticed there was some similarity to P&P. Was that intentional?\" (Do these people live in caves?) Or \"how much of Bridget Jones is yourself?\" (Argh, even the store person used that in her intro.) When asked \"if\" she was writing a sequel (listen, stupid, it was also mentioned in the intro) and when it would be released, HF clowned around and said it was now officially one year from the date when it was due at the publisher. She said it was about 3/4 done then revised downward, ending by saying that she's done \"some.\" Didn't sound very encouraging. Went into this whole thing about how she hates writing, has no disciple whatsoever, lives in Notting Hill and finds too much there to distract her (coffee bars and shops) and that she will go off into the country to do her writing. About the screenplay, she said she did 2 drafts. She said that initially tossing BJD together as book was quick and easy as she had no expectations that people would buy/read it. Now she feels much more pressured with the sequel, to make it good, etc. BTW, when talking about the P&P thing, she mentioned that the sequel will use another Austen novel. It's going to be loosely structured on or borrowing from Persuasion. (Am having a hard time myself trying to make that work with her Telegraph columns.) She did explain to the crowd that she continued to write Bridget after the book's action ended and that the sequel would be about what happens when you've landed Mr. Right (or Mr. Darcy) and how he doesn't do things like clear the table, take out the tra h, etc. (remember the one column about rinsing off a spoon). Never mentioned anything about their breakup. Question that got the funniest response: One woman asked if she imagined Bridget in her later years as one of the AbFab ladies. Helen responded absolutely and started acting like Patsy, a little sloshed. It was cute. OK, enough with the audience interaction. Went up to get a book signed for a friend and it was your basic quick sign and move on type situation. When I got up there, I said \"this is certainly much better than last year.\" She looked up and said \"Oh, I remember you.\" (doubt it, but that was nice). Told her that I wasn't supposed to leave without getting a \"real\" response to some questions. The person from the publisher was standing right next to her as we spoke and Helen continued to sign for others. hen I asked about the sequel, it was very apparent they have absolutely no clue when it will be published. The publisher's rep said they talk about this on nearly a daily basis. I told them that my British friends have been waiting far longer for the sequel. About the movie, my take is that she's out of the loop. She did mention to the crowd that she *hoped* her friend Sharon would be the director. I said I had read the article about her friend being the director and Helen said she hadn't and that sh had been away for a while. About Cate Blanchett being BJ, she said that they are no where near getting started with filming. Nothing about the casting of Mark Darcy, but did forget to ask if she \"beefed up\" his role. (I felt rather pressured as she was continuing to sign and the line was moving along but I wasn't.) Anyway as a final thing, I told her about my search for Milk Tray in Britain as she raved about the stuff last time and gave her a small box of Fannie Mae's Trinidads (do die for). She wa amused at hearing about the Milk Tray adventure (remember Heide and Evelyn??) and appeared very touched that I did this. That's all folks. Sorry there wasn't anything earth shattering. :("}, {"response": 1175, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (13:55)", "body": "OK- what are the Telegraph Columns? And where can I find them? BTW- Karen, thanks for the lovely write up! Since I've just read BJD recently, I didnt know a bunch of this stuff. :)"}, {"response": 1176, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (14:22)", "body": "Essbee, Helen started the column at the Independent and then moved over to the Daily Telegraph. The book is based on columns she wrote at the Independent; however, there is a gap between where the book left off (Mark whisking Bridge away at Xmas) and where she picked up at the Telegraph. You can read the columns at the Telegraph's site by doing a search. They started November 8, 1997 and ended December 19, 1998. You can pull them up sequentially from the search function. The main page of \"Features\" still has I believe a link to \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" that will take you to the last installment. At the end of each column is a link to the previous week, so you can go backwards to the beginning. Here's the link to the Telegraph (you might still need to register, but it's nothing) http://www.telegraph.co.uk This topic was started by Laura to discuss the weekly columns. We all commented on them, speculated and generally ranted and raved about Bridget's stupidity. Last year, Helen actually acknowledged that she had read this stuff on occasion (probably once or twice) to get some feedback. Hope this helps."}, {"response": 1177, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (14:24)", "body": "One last thing, the Independent doesn't archive. And, someone asked if HF and her publishers ever considered doing a blank journal. She described the one that was sold in the UK last Christmas, what they added to the various dates, etc., and said that maybe they would do one in the US this time."}, {"response": 1178, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (14:43)", "body": "What about Davies and Curtis? Who is really incharge? I hope they are not looking for an American to play B. And did you ask about Colin? Thanks Karen, now we should ask Laura to continue and then Winter and Jana2 in LA. We will get our answers yet, I hope!"}, {"response": 1179, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (14:58)", "body": "Is she coming to Boston? I haven't seen that in the line up from Valerie. If she is, where, when and I'll definitely be there! Karen, I think she'd remember you. You have that remembering kind of face. (Natalie Wood, come to think of it.)"}, {"response": 1180, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (15:01)", "body": "Uh, I meant Vivian!"}, {"response": 1181, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (15:19)", "body": "Thanks Karen! :) will check it out sometime this weekend"}, {"response": 1182, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (15:23)", "body": "Re: Curtis and Davies I couldn't figure out a way to word this one without it appearing to be insulting. It really shows that she couldn't write the screenplay and that others have been brought in to help. I probably should have brought the Times article with me, but when I came home and looked at it for the specific wording about her friend Sharon being the director, I remembered how smug the article was about Helen and her turning to her former boyfriend and how Bridget wouldn't translate well to the screen without major c anges. Now I can see why Helen wouldn't acknowledge having seen it. According the schedule, she's already been in LA and I didn't see Boston on the list. Today is Milwaukee, then she goes to Kansas, Minneapolis, and back to NY. Here's the link to the publisher's website. There's an interesting section of \"Discussion Topics\" (hey, maybe we should do this??) and a mention of the Persuasion theme for the sequel. http://www.penguinputnam.com/bridgetjones/index.htm"}, {"response": 1183, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (17:13)", "body": "(Karen)Last year, Helen actually acknowledged that she had read this stuff on occasion (probably once or twice) to get some feedback. Oh really? That\ufffds news to me and very interesting. Where did she make this acknowledgement? Well if she did it once she has definitely done it again (and again?) Hi, Helen! :-p"}, {"response": 1184, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (18:58)", "body": "She acknowledged it to me, then I told her that I had started up the board. I also brought up about Colin Firth playing Mark Darcy in the movie and if she couldn't get him, then his brother (she liked the idea;)). Now don't go all crazy on me, it happened exactly a year ago!"}, {"response": 1185, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 10, 1999 (19:41)", "body": "We talked about it as well. She told the little group last year that there was a place on the web where people discussed her column. I immediately chimed in that I was one of the people and that she would be seeing Laura in a few days. She said that she was (at that time) not very good on the computer and that she had found this place by doing a search for Bridget. She said she had no intention of participating. I remember she asked me about specific columns and why we hadn't reacted much to them. P obably had to do with the fact that Mark wasn't in them!! Go back to last June and read my account and read Laura's account and the LA postings (Winter and/or Jana) of going to the booksigning. I got a few raised eyebrows at the copy of the book (UK paperback) I brought for signature. Will send it back to you shortly, Cathy. ;-)"}, {"response": 1186, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (04:58)", "body": "(Karen)According the schedule, she's already been in LA Wot? When? Why don't I ever hear about these things beforehand? read my account and read Laura's account and the LA postings (Winter and/or Jana) of going to the booksigning. That reminds me, Karen. It was about this time Jana and I first met! And coincidentally, we're meeting up again this Friday to see \"An Ideal Husband.\" a mention of the Persuasion theme for the sequel. EEK! I'm actually not thrilled to hear this. Persuasion is much to sacred to resurface as a BJ sequel. What could possibly happen?...Jude recklessly jumps off a ledge in Lyme, only to dislocate her hip and fall in love with some sailor who keeps her company as she recuperates... (Ann)Evelyn telephoned she is having a lovely time enjoyed TRT Oh, good! I'm glad... Can't wait to hear her account when she gets back next week. Oh, and by the way, our Ben is in England right now, though I don't know if he's going to make a stop at the Donmar to see HDG."}, {"response": 1187, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (07:00)", "body": "HDG??!!"}, {"response": 1188, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (12:24)", "body": "His Dear Girl."}, {"response": 1189, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (12:33)", "body": "our Ben is in England right now, though I don't know if he's going to make a stop at the Donmar to see HDG. Not going to make a stop at the Donmar? Oh I see, if he brings a sleeping bag and tent and sets up camp, it would not be called a \"stop.\" ;-) Too bad we probably won't hear HOW MANY times he will have gone to see it and his \"objective\" of HG' (his goddess') performance."}, {"response": 1190, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (12:33)", "body": "missing word after \"objective\" was: review"}, {"response": 1191, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (17:15)", "body": "Reporting from Hollywood (on Lake Michigan, that is): Can't walk and/or drive anywhere around here without bumping into a movie van. Shooting is going on right now with Minnie Driver. They have set up the Old Town Art Fair (one day ahead of time) so that her character can exhibit her works. On Monday, they will be filming next door to me for two weeks minimum. Now the big news!! Have stumbled on High Fidelity!!! Yeah!! Went over to the post office and parked illegally and noticed the signs. Walked down the residential street and saw the trailers lined up. As I'm reading the signs on their doors, saw \"Barry\" and \"Dick\" written. Yes!! A guy whose sole job it is to sit in a lawnchair and watch the empty trailers was basically doing nothing so I asked if it was High Fidelity. He said yes. Asked where they were shooting and he said the movie theater around the corner). The Biograph? (that was the famous one where John Dillenger went with the Lady in Red and got shot in the alley) No, the other one. The Three Penny Cinema, a little hole in the wall place that was carved up. In talking to the guy I mentioned that I hadn't heard of them being anywhere, and he said they had just finished soundstage work. Asked if Nick Hornby had been there. He looked blank (as befits anybody whose job it is to sit in a lawnchair all day). Another guy passed by and answered, \"yes.\" I went to talk to him. He said Nick had been there a couple of weeks ago for a few days. I asked whether he worked on the script and the guy said he didn't think so as he doesn't have any writing credits. He just stopped by. Then I asked about casting. shut your eyes, Laura He said that Lisa Bonet is playing Marie and that Sara Gilbert is Anna. Since not one of his girlfriends (or childhood crushes) is named Anna, perhaps he meant Sarah. He admitted he wasn't too good with the names of all those *bit* parts. He told me who was playing Dick and Barry, but I've never heard of them. Jack Blake and somebody else. This guy must have wondered why I didn't ask about Cusack! ;-o They hadn't started for the day, so I will walk over later on and see if I can see anything of either shoot."}, {"response": 1192, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (17:28)", "body": "Good sleuthing, Karen. He said that Lisa Bonet is playing Marie Lisa Bonet from The Cosby Show ?? Have they scoured the 'TV Hall of Fame' or what?"}, {"response": 1193, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (18:14)", "body": "yep, that's the one. I must have had a strange look on my face because he specifically said \"The Cosby Show,\" even though I did know who she was. Now I need to find out what Alan Grier (from that Wayans show) looks like. The cashier at my grocery store said he was in there (this must be the lunch break) and he's in the cast of Return to Me."}, {"response": 1194, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Jun 11, 1999 (20:56)", "body": "David Alan Grier was from \"In Living Color\" (Fox comedy variety show, early 90's-- where Jim Carrey got his big break). He;s a great actor-- hilarious guy. Lisa Bonet? \"Denise\" from the Cosby Show? If I had known casting was more diverse, I would've been more agressive in trying to get a part in this film! ;-)"}, {"response": 1195, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 1999 (00:46)", "body": "These are two different movies, Winter. Lisa Bonet is Marie in High Fidelity and that's a definite. Went back to the set and saw her in her trailer, which said \"Lisa/Marie\" on the door. No door was labeled \"Rob\" which would have been Cusack's, but he could have been in any of the ones that said \"producer\" as well. And \"Lawn Chair Boy\" was wrong. They were not shooting in the movie theatre but a bar a couple of doors down called \"Lounge Ax\" Talked to a PA and some of the extras hanging around. David Alan Grier (I looked him on and found a picture of him) is in \"Return to Me,\" the Minnie Driver/David Duchovney movie. I ran into him on the street. Boy was he noticeable. It's hot and humid and here's this shortish, stocky guy wearing a dark business suit. Everyone's in shorts. I actually said something to him. Saw Minnie as well on the art fair set. Hair was long and wild but gathered at the back. She was wearing real baggy capris. They were rehearsing and I just walked over and took a look. They weren't keeping anybody away."}, {"response": 1196, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 1999 (05:09)", "body": "Agh! Sorry!!! This is what happens when one skims..."}, {"response": 1197, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 1999 (12:21)", "body": "Thanks for all the info on HF, Karen. I agree with you that she's probably out of the loop for the movie now. Pobably has very little involvement in any decision making, and certainly won't be able to say anything. But they can't delay filming forever! I'm hoping that there's more Andrew Davies/P&P than Richard Curtis. Davies is a more original scriptwriter ( and does have a dark side). If Curtis takes over I honestly think we'll have Notting Hill 2, with Bridget (as a male Hugh Grant) and her assortment of chums. But that may be exactly what Universal wants! The \"Persuasion\" theme...BJ gets MD, finds he's not perfect to live with, has major row, he feels hurt and rejected, goes to Japan for a year, comes back ,is interested in steady relationahip with Natasha-type, BJ falls for attractive unreliable type who lets her down, BJ and MD realise they still love each other, end."}, {"response": 1198, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 1999 (13:26)", "body": "Wow! You are all getting so good at it. Too bad we have to wait for HF to write it! ;-) I recently read that Minnie D. got engaged to James Brolin's son. She seems desperate for an attachment, with her past luck and many tries. Karen, is she very skinny? You must, if you get a chance, ask her about Colin. I believe Circle of Friends was her first film, maybe he gave her a few tips. I wonder if NH will be returning to Chicago. Just being your fab. self will get you the answers. :-D"}, {"response": 1199, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 1999 (13:47)", "body": "Re: Persuasion The part I'm getting hung up on is *who* persuades Bridget to break it off? Perhaps HF will ignore that minor but pivotal part of the story. ;-) Did MD get engaged to Josh Brolin? I hadn't heard that. Then she'll be Barbra's daughter-in-law. Minnie hit the jackpot. BTW, she's probably thin as a rail, although the outfit she was wearing in that scene was all loose and baggy. Should be able to tell more next week. Am interested to see if she acts like a princess though. On Bridget, I do agree that Curtis' involvement will likely turn the movie into another NH (which isn't bad, guys) or 4Ws. I caught the end of a special on AMC last night about the making of NH and there were interviews with a couple of men, but by that time they weren't showing captions as to who they were. I wonder which one was Richard Curtis and which one was Roger Mitchell."}, {"response": 1200, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 1999 (14:13)", "body": "Minnie Driver was also in \"Chatsky\" with Colin, so she'll know him very well. someone on the set of COF said that MD didn't mix off set, whereas Colin used to go to the pub with the crew."}, {"response": 1201, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 1999 (14:16)", "body": "I know you're probably out right now prowling the movie sets, Karen. Your reports are fun to read. John Cusack bought the rights to HF, am I right? He's not spending too much money on salaries. No big names though I like that idea. Is it too soon to ask when the film is expected to be released?"}, {"response": 1202, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 12, 1999 (14:45)", "body": "There won't be any filming around here today as this weekend is the Old Town art fair (50th anniversary), its hanging-onto-its-coatails cousin Wells Street Art Fair, and the St. Michael's shindig. They aren't THAT STUPID. This is the best weekend of the year around here. Everybody having parties in their yards and on their decks. Love the atmosphere and the crowds of people aren't too bad. Am used to garbage being thrown into frontyard and bottles/cups being left on front steps. ;-) Unfortunately, r in is in the forecast again."}, {"response": 1203, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (04:36)", "body": "Article in Sunday Times in the Culture section: \"Creating the new face of Britain\" A small group friends appears to be responsible for how the world views the UK. Bryan Appleyard worries about Bridget Jones and Notting Hill http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/Sunday-Times/frontpage.html?999 Doesn't provide any info on Bridget but is interesting."}, {"response": 1204, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (14:50)", "body": "Interesting article but just another diatribe on big bad Hollywood - in this case, Curtis pandering to Hollywood to get his films made. Most Americans know there's more to Britain than Hugh Grant's characters. Simplistic analysis, I know but then so's Appleyard's viewpoint."}, {"response": 1205, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (15:05)", "body": "You should read the article in the Telegraph about \"Rogue Trader\" Heide! It's the article about Anna Friel. This movie has been sitting on the shelf for about two years and now the spin is that they had timing issues having to do with Leeson's plight (i.e., cancer and now his release from the Singapore jail). Yeah right!! It didn't sell here and they give some lame excuses about American film execs. \"One setback for Rogue Trader is that it will not be shown in American cinemas, but will be seen instead on HBO, the pay-cable channel. I understand at least one Hollywood studio balked at Dearden's script because Leeson's dodgy dealings could not be traced back to some traumatic incident in his childhood. The mere fact that there was no incident, and that his is a true story, was irrelevant to them. This tells you much about the narrow, predictable mindset of Hollywood executives. In the long run it doesn't matter. HBO paid handsomely for Rogue Trader, and it has been sold into almost every conceivable world territory. 'This film will be in profit even before it opens,' says Dearden. As well as being another step in the inexorable rise of Anna Friel.\" IMO the story does seem more of a \"made for TV\" type."}, {"response": 1206, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (18:44)", "body": "LISA BONET????????????????????? OH MY F*&#$%G GOD!!!!!!!! UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! is this movie a get together of TV sitcom actors??????? Now, I think they can absolutely anything with BJ. Perhaps Mindy Cohn from Facts of Life can play BJ;)"}, {"response": 1207, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (20:07)", "body": "In yesterday's Daily Mail magazine Aishling showed me an article last night that suggested that Liz Hurley might play Bridget Jones!! pleeeese no"}, {"response": 1208, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (20:23)", "body": "NOooooooooo! Get those collagen lips out of my face!"}, {"response": 1209, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (20:24)", "body": "Ann, and you thought JE had become too thin to play Bridget???"}, {"response": 1210, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (20:44)", "body": "Give me JE anyday, too thin or not!!"}, {"response": 1211, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (22:53)", "body": "Ginger Spice....Liz Hurley. Gets worse and worse. Sometimes I have a horrid feeling that BJD The Movie will become just another Hollywood film, driven by \"star\" names and bankability. The ideal couple (who would have maintained the P&P connection) would have been JE and CF. I really would have preferred BJD to remain a small cheap British movie! If it's Liz Hurley for BJ, how about Hugh Grant for MD. Ghastly thought."}, {"response": 1212, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 13, 1999 (23:07)", "body": "If Colin refuses to be Mark Darcy, then I'd accept Jeremy Northam. He strikes me as being able to portray MD correctly (and that's the MD that in my mind's eye, mind you). Hugh Grant? Never, ever and ever. There's absolutely not one iota of Mark Darcy in HG's repetoire."}, {"response": 1213, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (00:32)", "body": "You know this whole 'who's gonna be BJ?' is reminiscent of the casting call for Scarlett O'Hara. I can she a whole list of people 'considered', but in all seriousness, not even in contention. Most likely CF will play MD (okay, I'm being optimistic.), and hopefully, they will get an unknown. Similar to Vivian Leigh was in America;) (meaning, she may be a well-known British actress in UK, but not in America.)"}, {"response": 1214, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (01:43)", "body": "Right on! Jeremy Northam as Mark Darcy! I don't mind JN being second-fiddle for this role."}, {"response": 1215, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (02:34)", "body": "(Laura) Now, I think they can absolutely anything with BJ. Perhaps Mindy Cohn from Facts of Life can play BJ;) LOL! Too cruel! (Bethan)If it's Liz Hurley for BJ, how about Hugh Grant for MD. Ghastly thought. Indeed! But I'd lay odds that their names have been mentioned."}, {"response": 1216, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (06:32)", "body": "Oh dear, I've been away from the board for a few days and such aggravating news. Liz Hurley as a possible BJ?!?! Lisa Bonet as Marie?!?!? Oh, the horrors Hollywood can perform on a good book. I really need Marie to look like Susan Dey :-). BTW, happy anniversary dear Winter. It was lovely to see you as always. Aren't I lucky to have a Spa girl in my very own neighborhood? And ladies, An Ideal Husband was really enjoyable. Rupert E. handled Wilde's witty dialogue well and I enjoyed Cate B. and JN a lot too. Winter and Jana2 give it a thumbs up!"}, {"response": 1217, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (06:47)", "body": "I'm sorry but there is only one actor who can have the name DARCY!!!"}, {"response": 1218, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (06:49)", "body": "sorry\" who can play a character with the name Mr. Darcy,\" to be honest and I exclude Laura from this, I am sure that is why most of us where interested in the book in the first place, certainly for me."}, {"response": 1219, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (06:51)", "body": "BTW Winter will you be going to see MLSF when it opens in LA on the 16th, you will one of the first, I look forward to your report. BTW Evelyn saw AIH in London yesterday and said the performances were good but the film dragged on."}, {"response": 1220, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (12:26)", "body": "Ann, I think I have been very vocal about CF playing MD. I would LOVE to see that. Personally, I can't picture JN playing MD. I still see JN as Knightley and well, Emma is my least favorite Austen book. I can't picture anyone playing MD other than CF. One thing is that I don't care for the character of MD. I felt that in the columns he used Bridget. He would only come over late at night for one thing only, and she generally gave in to him. I like BJ, but I found her to be too much like us, however exagerated she was. I found again in the columns that MD wavered to much. There was no communication between BJ and MD; THAT was the most frustrating part. I am curious to see how they portray MD in the movie though. That should be interesting."}, {"response": 1221, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (12:42)", "body": "(Laura), Most likely CF will play MD (okay, I'm being optimistic.), and hopefully, they will get an unknown. Similar to Vivian Leigh was in America;) (meaning, she may be a well-known British actress in UK, but not in America.) Laura, I think you might have something there, at least, I hope you do.:-) As far MD, there are lots of men out there that work all day, get home late, and decide to call their mate, go over, ...., and return to their home because it is where they have their closet, shaving gear, etc. Bridget knows it, and has a tendency to give in all the time. It would help her if she drank less. ;-) I think that CF wants this part now and he can use MLSF as a barganing chip to get it. Like you Ann, I read the book because of the P&P connection."}, {"response": 1222, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (13:25)", "body": "Unfortunately, I don't feel that optimistic about CF playing MD. Unless there were an A-list actress playing Bridget, what would tempt him to play this role, one that would bring back 1000fold all the wet shirt and tight breeches comments. Yes, we think it would be marvelous casting and could be viewed as his having a great sense of humor reprising this part in modern day, but I remain unconvinced that he would. With Richard Curtis involved you can be sure that changes would be made in the storyline to make both Bridget and Mark more appealing so that when we have the *happy* ending, we will be very satisfied. For me, Darcy existed before Colin and for quite a long time Olivier was Darcy. And I read the book somewhere in between seeing the Olivier version and this production. (I've never seen the Rintoul one.) I like to keep my literary characters separate from real life people. Re: Northam as Darcy, Laura, you haven't seen The Winslow Boy obviously. But as I said he would be my second choice. Like that means anything in the grand scheme of things. ;-)"}, {"response": 1223, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jun 14, 1999 (13:35)", "body": "Well I guess I am off to go see The Winslow Boy;) (Actually, I have wanted to see it, but finding time lately is difficult!) I tend to agree with Karen, Darcy existed before CF. Still when I read the book, I don't see CF as Darcy, I see a young man with wavy hair. I may be prejudiced by a woodcut picture in the first P&P book I had ever read. They had pics of Elizabeth, Jane, Darcy, Wickham, Mrs. Bennet and Lady Catherine. And regarding Mark Darcy coming over to Bridget's late at night, they weren't quite a couple again (yet), and he was definitely using her. He would be with Rebecca the very next day. She (HF) instituted too much of real-life. Meaning, exes getting together for a quickie, but going back to the current girlfriend. THAT bothered me. (It hit a nerve.)"}, {"response": 1224, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 1999 (20:32)", "body": "HF was just on CNN in a 30 minute interview with Riz Khan, talking about BJD. Nothing new, but must be very good promotion as CNN is watched everywhere in the world. A couple of mentions of the movie \"soon to be made.\" Question about casting BJ...usual answer \"would like a complete unknown etc\". Asked about the book (sequel)HF said it starts where BJD finished..\"it's about what happens when you get the guy in your appartment, and he hasn't done the washing up, not tonight, not ever\". Said that sequel was year overdue."}, {"response": 1225, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 1999 (20:36)", "body": "Also have to agree with Ann...it was the P&P connection that got me interested in BJD, and I can't see anyone other than CF playing Mr Darcy. Didn't HF say in a radio interview that CF \"was\" Mark Darcy. He's probably not into washing up!"}, {"response": 1226, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 15, 1999 (21:00)", "body": "HF said it starts where BJD finished..\"it's about what happens when you get the guy in your appartment, and he hasn't done the washing up, not tonight, not ever\". Said that sequel was year overdue. Word for word exactly what she said at the booksigning last week. ;-)"}, {"response": 1227, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (00:23)", "body": "Mr. Darcy will always be Colin for me. I saw P&P with Larry long before 1995. Didn't do a thing for me and I love Larry but I didn't like Darcy played as a fop. Loved the book since age 13. Colin's portrayal met all my expectations and so many more. Doesn't mean I can't separate actors from their roles! As for Mark Darcy, I'd love to see Colin play him but I'm not convinced it's a good career move and never have been. Considering how ignorant the critics are of his entire career, I'm afraid they'll see it as a desperate move for an actor not able to cash in on his brief fame. A supporting role in an Oscar winner means little. After all, he had that same experience 2 years ago. Had to offer my 2 cents since it is the minority opinion. Do agree with Karen that an A-list actress would be a big temptation though."}, {"response": 1228, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (12:59)", "body": "High Fidelity Update From Variety: Todd Louiso, memorable as the new-age nanny from \"Jerry Maguire,\" is John Cusack\ufffds best pal and employee in \"High Fidelity,\" the comedy based on the Nick Hornby novel which Stephen Frears directs from a script by Cusack and writing partners Steve Pink and D.V. deVincentis. Louiso, a semiregular on \"Chicago Hope,\"... ********* Another nobody!"}, {"response": 1229, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (14:03)", "body": "Nooooooooooooo, Karen, he's hysterical!!!! I guarantee you'll like him. He seems to play a lot of gay/homosexual roles, but he's got great comedic timing! I think you'll like him. But I don't see him playing Barry. Maybe Dick."}, {"response": 1230, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (14:28)", "body": "All I said was that he was a nobody (to me). Has no bearing on whether I'd like him or not. I'll have to look him up to see if his face rings a bell, because his name means nada to me."}, {"response": 1231, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (14:39)", "body": "Is this him on the right? It's from \"8 Heads in a Duffel Bag\" but there's no caption."}, {"response": 1232, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (15:23)", "body": "Yep, that's him!"}, {"response": 1233, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (16:15)", "body": "Quite the receding hairline, no? ;-D"}, {"response": 1234, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jun 16, 1999 (17:18)", "body": "Quite, but I don't behoove bald men their baldness. I think he'll add some great comic moments to the movie. His humor is dry, but biting."}, {"response": 1235, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (14:16)", "body": "From today's Variety: IBEN MOST WANTED GAL: Remember the name Iben Hjejle, who savvy Hollywoodites are betting will quickly transform from a walking typographical error to a hot actress. Every agency chased the star of \ufffdMifune,\ufffd and she was signed by William Morris\ufffds Motion Picture co-head John Burnham and Gaby Morgerman just as she signed for the female lead of the Working Title romantic comedy \ufffdHigh Fidelity,\ufffd which John Cusack, Steve Pink and D.V. Devincentis adapted from the Nick Hornby novel. The film\ufffds directed by Stephe Frears, who cast Hjejle after a chance meeting while he was in Germany accepting the Golden Bear Award for \ufffdHi-Lo Country\ufffd and she was being honored as an up and coming star. The WMA contingent flew to Germany to sign the actress, who ought to begin establishing a presence when Sony Pictures Classics releases \ufffdMifune\ufffd later this year. ********** She's the one playing Laura. They make her sound like she's a German actress. She's Danish. Need to find a picture of her just in case I run into her on the street. ;-)"}, {"response": 1236, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (14:30)", "body": "Another item in Variety, this time Army Archerd's column, mentioning High Fidelity. It's about time the PR people started placing tidbits about the movie!! This one is about Natasha Gregson Wagner. It says she is Robert Wagner's daughter, but isn't she really Natalie Wood's daughter with her second husband who was named Gregson? \"Young Wagner also wound a role in Stephen Frears\ufffd \"High Fidelity\" with John Cusack, Joan Cusack, Iben Hjejle and \ufffd Catherine Zeta-Jones (unbilled) \ufffd\""}, {"response": 1237, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (15:26)", "body": "Who is Joan Cusack playing? And does he put his sister in EVERYTHING?????"}, {"response": 1238, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (15:29)", "body": "Karen, perhaps Natasha Gregson Wagner needs an auntie in the movie, you would fit right in;) and you are correct, she is not 'technically' Robert Wagner's daughter."}, {"response": 1239, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (15:37)", "body": "From an unofficial John Cusack website: ...More news about High Fidelity - Barry will be played by Jack Black, Joan Cusack will play Laura's best friend Liz, and Lili Taylor, Beverly D'Angelo, Harold Ramis, and Todd Louiso will also be involved I like Beverly D'Angelo and Harold Ramis. It's like old times again-- bringing back stars from the old 1980's rite de passage comedies!"}, {"response": 1240, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (15:43)", "body": "Harold Ramis and Beverly D'Angelo could be playing Laura's parents???"}, {"response": 1241, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (15:46)", "body": "No, better yet, they are Rob's parents. Would be perfect for that bit when he goes home and the parents are doing the wine sampling thing at the neighbors and reluctantly invite Rob to accompany them to a movie."}, {"response": 1242, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (15:51)", "body": "Strange...they both seem too young to play anyone's parents. Realisitically, yes, they can play Rob or Laura's parents, but I'd pictured a couple much older than BdA and HR."}, {"response": 1243, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (16:33)", "body": "BdA played Ed Norton's mom in American History X (Which was fantastic btw!). I can't see Harold Ramis playing Laura's dad. Plus we know what happens to him."}, {"response": 1244, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (16:42)", "body": "That's why I changed my mind and made them Rob's parents, the closet *swingers*!! Better than Carroll O'Connor, who is playing Minnie Driver's father next door. He looks old enough to play her grandfather. I'm not kidding. He looks real old."}, {"response": 1245, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (17:16)", "body": "Archie Bunker playing Minnie Driver's dad, hmmmmmmmmmmmm........"}, {"response": 1246, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun 27, 1999 (02:24)", "body": "(Ann W.) Daily Mail magazine Aishling showed me an article last night that suggested that Liz Hurley might play Bridget Jones!! pleeeese no Good thing Aishling didn't show it to me...or I would have thrown-up all over the Luna Nuova. Next thing we'll hear is that Mike Meyers is going to play MD!!,"}, {"response": 1247, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jul  5, 1999 (21:03)", "body": "Check out a new interview with Helen Fielding at http://www.powells.com/authors/fielding.html Some new comments on BJD sequel and screenplay"}, {"response": 1248, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul  5, 1999 (22:16)", "body": "Thanks, Bethan, for the new article on HF. The interview was conducted during her last US tour. Definitely some new material, but you wonder how much of it is true. Almost sounds like she and the interviewer are putting each other on. For example: DW: Whenever critics say anything bad about it, they say it's too on the surface. But that overlooks a lot of what's going on underneath. Sentence structures and so forth. It's definitely a grown-up, intelligent voice. Sentence structures? A grown-up, intelligent voice? Pfwah, oof, gaaah, durrr. They seemed obsessed with the ability to write complete sentences. Did like how HF is making fun of her standard sound bites, every single one of which I've heard several times."}, {"response": 1249, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jul  5, 1999 (23:57)", "body": "One thing I felt after reading this, is that the sequel and screenplay are being taken seriously, by HF and by Working Title. It would be very easy to rush out a BJD2, which would sell on the strength of the original. Similarly it would be very easy to \"transplant\" a screenplay directly from the dialogue in the book without worrying whether the humour carries. Most of the humour isn't so much in the dialogue, but in the accompanying comments. If they get both book and screenplay right, I don't mind waiting. And I still think the involvement of Andrew Davies is a good thing....he has over 20 years of experience of crafting entertaining scripts."}, {"response": 1250, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  6, 1999 (00:23)", "body": "I've thought it would be difficult to do BJD on the screen only because so much of the humor is what she's thinking. It could be done in cartoon form, with a little thought bubble above her head. Still, I don't think she's involved with the screenplay anymore. Her attempts failed. Now they've brought in the \"pros from Dover.\" ;-D Hey, F. Scott Fitzgerald failed as a screenwriter. Not that I'm putting Helen in that league."}, {"response": 1251, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Jul  6, 1999 (07:37)", "body": "Thanks for the link, Bethan. The article was interesting and as Karen said, it was nice to hear something new from HF, instead of the tired old blurbs. (Karen) Sentence structures? A grown-up, intelligent voice? Pfwah, oof, gaaah, durrr. I had to laugh at this, Karen. I also thought this was a little over the top! But I did find her comment interesting that the incomplete sentences and words BJ is so famous for started out by HF trying to get her column down to the right number of words."}, {"response": 1252, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (03:54)", "body": "From an article in the Daily Telegraph (7/15) about Stephen Frears: (and yeah, I know this is BJD's topic) Perhaps it's this more recent critical disfavour that makes him say now, \"I've been given tremendous opportunities in America; I see it in a rather romantic sense, as full of endless possibilities. In England, which is much more confined, insular, you're forced into corners the whole time. I found, or find England claustrophobic.\" How reassuring to know, then, that his next film is an adaptation of High Fidelity, a study of north London laddishness by the quintessentially British Nick Hornby, the author of Fever Pitch and About A Boy and a life-long Arsenal supporter. \"Yes,\" confirms Frears. \"It's set in Chicago.\" I wonder for a moment whether he's kidding, but, no: it seems Disney bought the rights to the book, which then passed to the actor John Cusack, a Chicagoan. He adapted it, basing it in his hometown and then turned to Frears, who had directed him in The Grifters. \"I read the script with scepticism and was convinced. First of all, Chicago is actually rather like Camden Town: it's a blue-collar, industrial city. Also, they're absolutely bananas about music there. And they're just as primitive in Chicago as they are in Camden Town. So I'm astonished. But I've clearly accepted it. This may be because I've been fooled into it, or it may be perceptive.\" And he adds (somehow this seems a very Frearsian equivocation), \"You'll tell me in a year's time whether I was right or not.\" ********** Camden Town? Isn't that the setting for \"This Year's Love\"? Is he kidding? Must have been fooled."}, {"response": 1253, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (08:04)", "body": "First of all, Chicago is actually rather like Camden Town: it's a blue-collar, industrial city What is this man talking about? Has he ever BEEN to Camden Town...blue collar, industrial... There just must be another Camden Town somewhere that I don't know about."}, {"response": 1254, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (16:37)", "body": "Stephen Frears: \"Chicago is actually rather like Camden Town: it's a blue-collar, industrial city. Also, they're absolutely bananas about music there. And they're just as primitive in Chicago as they are in Camden Town\" LOL I don't think ole Stephen has ever been in Camden Town or Chicago. And\" bananas about music??\"..every city is...Chicago is better known for its theatre. Yes...Karen Camden Town was the setting for This Year's Love...known for their flee market and tatoo parlors!!! What an insult to Chicago!!!"}, {"response": 1255, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (18:50)", "body": "It has to account for why I haven't seen them filming, except for that one club scene that was done at a bar that would be frequented by DePaul University students. My guess is that someone took Stephen on a drive to So. Chicago, right across from the Gary (Indiana) steel mills. ;-D No, music is big here too. All the blues clubs."}, {"response": 1256, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (02:44)", "body": "OK - this is silly, but it made me laugh for some reason. Could be the late hour and the fact that I'm still at the office. But bear with me Laura, this is actually slightly BJD related :-). I was just reading the latest world wide travel advisory which describes dangerous areas and precautions business travelers should take. Due to idle curiosity I checked out Israel, even though I'm not planning a trip there anytime soon. Here's a quote: \"Occasional attacks by singleton Palestinians also mandate that Old Jerusalem be entered only with security escorts and never late at night.\" Somehow this brings to mind an image of terrorists that are overly concerned with weight gain and finding new boyfriends :-)."}, {"response": 1257, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (02:50)", "body": "Occasional attacks by singleton Palestinians also mandate that Old Jerusalem be entered only with security escorts and never late at night.\" Somehow this brings to mind an image of terrorists that are overly concerned with weight gain and finding new boyfriends :-). Actually, that's very funny! I picture the same thing!"}, {"response": 1258, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (03:22)", "body": "Very funny, Jana. ;-D"}, {"response": 1259, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (15:22)", "body": "*hee hee* Cute Jana :)"}, {"response": 1260, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (15:25)", "body": "ok- here's another leap: over at DWG a writer is posting a story called Anne de Burgh's Diary, and it's a take off on BJD. Quite amusing actually, you might want to check it out. :)"}, {"response": 1261, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (19:09)", "body": "By now everyone has read this from the NY Daily News : Firth is getting tired of playing hopelessly romantic figures. \"I really don't want to go out and make the moony faces anymore,\" he says. Assuming he actually said this (one never knows), what might our chances be of seeing him play Mark Darcy?"}, {"response": 1262, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (19:42)", "body": "Mark Darcy is a lot of things, but moony he ain't. A top-notch human-rights barrister?! Bite your tongue, girl!!"}, {"response": 1263, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (20:47)", "body": "Excuse me?"}, {"response": 1264, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (01:15)", "body": "Oh, I do...I do!!! ;-D"}, {"response": 1265, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (18:59)", "body": "I was not asking you to excuse me, KJArt. And I'm not biting anything. I believe it to be a reasonable question. There's more to a romantic character than simply moony looks. Fitzwilliam Darcy's considered romantic, why not Mark?"}, {"response": 1266, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (19:17)", "body": "CF isn't goin to take BJD... not because of the romantic hero implication.... but because there's bound to be a shag or two......(after the Christmas Curry Lunch...in the hallway!!!)"}, {"response": 1267, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (02:08)", "body": "He could make a stipulation in his contract if he feels so adamant about it. Was HF that explicit about the shags in her book/columns? Seems to me they were implied...thus in the movie too.....(but not if Andrew Davies has anything to say about it!! ;-D ) Question is, how much would they be willing to cede to get the genuine article?? (Again assuming they would have to cede anything.) Parenthetical: we probably shouldn't be throwing \"shag\" around so lightly ... in the U.S. it IS casual, but I \"read somewhere\" that in the UK it's considered even worse than the \"f\" word!! We don't want to be offending our UK contingent, now do we?"}, {"response": 1268, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (02:21)", "body": "Sorry, Eileen, I missed your post. I don't think ODB objects to ANY romantacism in his characters, just to the adolescent, \"moony\", hopelessly smitten ones. After all, despite how Karen defines him, I find Paul's role VERY romantic, but hardly \"moony\" and ODB was perfectly willing to do a \"bed scene\" without its becoming a \"shag\" scene. And until I see MLSF (and, knock wood, SLOW) I am going to reserve judgment on how much of that unwillingness he MEANT. And Mark has a certain dignity that doesn't p t hium into that category."}, {"response": 1269, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (05:13)", "body": "(KJ) After all, despite how Karen defines him Hey, you picking a fight with me now? ;-D Food fight!!! At his advanced age, any adolescent mooniness would be ridiculous. What I would expect to see is *smoldering lust.* That would be more appropriate. That being the case, Mark Darcy would be the same as Mr. Darcy in attitude. I love thinking about the scene at his parents' anniversary party, where Colin...whoops Mark cuts in on raging hormoned teen cousin (?) dancing with Bridget outside in the yard. Visions of a potentially suavely romantic Darcy here. ;-D"}, {"response": 1270, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (10:02)", "body": "we probably shouldn't be throwing \"shag\" around so lightly ... in the U.S. it IS casual, but I \"read somewhere\" that in the UK it's considered even worse than the \"f\" word!! We don't want to be offending our UK contingent, now do we? Shag away! For my part the F word is much worse, tho' these days people (including ODB, I regret to say) use the F-word in every sentence (that's me showing my age...). BTW, I thought shag was a UK slang word or am I wrong?"}, {"response": 1271, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (14:13)", "body": "From the Guardian today, a Corelli update: \ufffd Nicolas Cage has decided to pass on the film adaptation of Louis de Bernieres' World War II romance Captain Corelli's Mandolin. It's reported that the film's producers - including Notting Hill director Roger Michell - and Cage himself were not able to work out a schedule that would allow for the actor's involvement due to other commitments. ****** Do I have a huge sigh of relief? ;-)"}, {"response": 1272, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (14:59)", "body": "All mooniness and romanticism aside, as much as we pine about Colin playing Mark, HF's Mark Darcy is nothing more than an updated Fitzwilliam Darcy, which he's already done to perfection. *Virtually ducking those hurling rocks now* Karen, that is good news about CCM. Now if we can hear the same about Ewan McGregor...(uh oh, this opens the door for Roberto Begnini!)."}, {"response": 1273, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (22:40)", "body": "(Eileen)Re: CCM ..oh, this opens the door for Roberto Begnini!). Or if they go the Italian route...godferbid, the guy who played Nostromo. Re; Shagging..We don't want to be offending our UK contingent, now do we? (Allison) Shag away! Wheww!! Had me worried for a minute...the way we throw that word around...I never equated it with the F word...though it means the same. Yes, it is a British slang word, Allison, but it has become popular usage in the US."}, {"response": 1274, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 1999 (00:46)", "body": "oh GAWD, if they cast Roberto Begnini I'll hurl!!! I HATED LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL!!! yuck!!!!"}, {"response": 1275, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 1999 (01:09)", "body": "And I (and every one else who saw it) hated his schtick at the Academy Awards (and apparently all the other awards show he attended). What a phony! Double Yuck!!!"}, {"response": 1276, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 1999 (02:36)", "body": "(Laura)I HATED LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL!! Ditto. (Lynda) What a phony! Ditto."}, {"response": 1277, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 1999 (03:30)", "body": "I don't think I need to post. ;-) (good thing Moon isn't around)"}, {"response": 1278, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 1999 (10:17)", "body": "Am I the only one to disagree? I liked Life is Beautiful very much; thought it had the right balance of comicity and gentleness. Of course some things were unsubtle or downright impossible, but all in all I was entertained and moved. Benigni's performance at the Oscars... well, he gave an interview on BBC world and acted the same way - \"the intense italian\" stereotype. But it wasn't worse than Gweenie's hysteria, was it?"}, {"response": 1279, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 1999 (13:32)", "body": "(Eileen) All mooniness and romanticism aside, as much as we pine about Colin playing Mark, HF's Mark Darcy is nothing more than an updated Fitzwilliam Darcy, which he's already done to perfection. Agreed! Now Daniel.....love to see him do the absent skirt schtik. * Cowering with you while the rocks are hurled * \"the intense italian\" stereotype. But it wasn't worse than Gweenie's hysteria, was it? Depends on which you think was more scripted."}, {"response": 1280, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 1999 (22:05)", "body": "(Karen) Hey, you picking a fight with me now? ;-D Food fight!!! Yeh...creamed carrots at 20 paces!! ;-D (Heide)...where Colin...whoops Mark cuts in on raging hormoned teen cousin (?) dancing with Bridget outside in the yard. Visions of a potentially suavely romantic Darcy here. ;-D Yeh...after which she won't dance, he starts pacing the patio with his hands in his hair and comes out with the suave, romantic opening: \"read any good books lately? (hee hee)"}, {"response": 1281, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (19:19)", "body": "The thing about Life is Beautiful is that it was SO ridiculous!!! He threw scenes in there as an afterthought, because he wanted the crowd to go \"awwwwwwwwww\". His wife was good, the music I liked. Best use of Offenbach ever. But story wise and acting wise, PUHLEEZE, Nick Nolte deserved that Oscar!!! I've finished my rant. Heide, I think CF would make a GREAT Daniel!!! *and uh, you've always said you'd like him to play that role anyway;)*"}, {"response": 1282, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (01:53)", "body": "Oh dear, have to disagree with you a bit about Affliction (Nick Nolte's role). I haven't seen Life is Beautiful so cannot compare the two performances, but it has been a long time since I have despised a movie as much as Affliction. I usually like Nick N's work very much but thought he was just scenery chewing and a one-note baddie in this one. James Coburn who played his father was even more like Snidely Whiplash (and really got the Oscar for lifetime achievement, not for this role IMHO). I'm a sucke for subtle nuances which explains my devotion to a certain Mr. Firth. But Laura, I seem to be in the minority as the Academy loved Nick N. and Affliction, so maybe it's just me :-)."}, {"response": 1283, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (01:54)", "body": "Eek, that cut off word was supposed to be sucker."}, {"response": 1284, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (03:43)", "body": "hmmm, I would've given it to Ian McKellen myself and to Ed Harris for supporting. Haven't like Nolte since Rich Man Poor Man. ;-p"}, {"response": 1285, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (14:38)", "body": "Hmmm... I just saw Gods & Monsters and well, it was an okay, movie, not great. I didn't think Ian McKellen did anything amazing in that role. Nick Nolte is definitely an underrated actor. NN did look VERY GOOD in RMPM (uh, I saw it in repeats;))"}, {"response": 1286, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (16:23)", "body": "IMO after reading Colin's comments in Parade yesterday (\"it's boring to play the same kiind of role again and again\"), it's a given that he won't play Mark Darcy. I don't think he'll play Daniel either, Heide (too much like Wessex--the baddie). *Virtually digging a foxhole now* oh GAWD, if they cast Roberto Begnini... Ladies, please! I was being facetious!! In your wildest dreams, could you see Begnini as Correlli? \"Bon giorno, Principessa Pelagia...\""}, {"response": 1287, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (16:31)", "body": "Don't worry, we know facetious....very, very well, Principessa! ;-o About the Mark Darcy thing, this weekend on Siskel & Ebert, Rog and Joe Morgenstern (WSJ critic) were reviewing Inspector Gadget. One of them made the comment that it was much too early in Rupe's career to do self-parodying parts. And what would Mark Darcy be? A self-parodying part."}, {"response": 1288, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (17:02)", "body": "At this point...I will gladly take him in a role that he isn't a baddie,a loon, a creep, gay, a cuckold, a two-timer (ATA),a slob (F). Please, Please, Please,...give us \"boring normal\"."}, {"response": 1289, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (17:18)", "body": "(Evelyn) Please,...give us \"boring normal\". That is what we all want ....but that is because we want HIM not all these characters he insists on playing;-)) The trouble with CF is that he decided to become an actor when he could have been my...bank manager, dentist, personal fitness instructor, masseur..."}, {"response": 1290, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (18:02)", "body": "Okay, I saw Inspector Gadget.... IT sucked. I mean this was the worst movie I have ever seen. Now my daughter knew my feelings on this movie because, well, I fell asleep! I was excited to see Rupe play a baddie, but it was pathetic and the worst part. I think there will be a sequel! BTW, DO see Blair Witch Project, it's WONDERFUL. Now to make this jive with BJD, how about Rupert Everett as Daniel?? He can play straight."}, {"response": 1291, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (20:52)", "body": "I'm drinking a cup of coffee now, having just come back from seeing the Blair Witch. *yawn yawn* Could barely stay awake, especially with all those blackout scenes. Would've been so nice to take a nap, but the guy next to me had this distinctive odor about him. ick!!"}, {"response": 1292, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (20:53)", "body": "Rupert Everett as Daniel? Oh, I think that's fabulous casting Laura! I stayed away from Inspector Gadget this weekend, (*pats back*) but did see Drop Dead Gorgous. Laughed myself silly :)"}, {"response": 1293, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (21:49)", "body": "Well, as long as this is developing into Spring's VV..... I saw EYES WIDE SHUT last week. It's really an OK movie...not a masterpiece but not bad. Very visual (not just nudie), script pretty poor. Nicole Kidman is terrific ...Tom Cruise...same ole, same ole...the guy is always Top Gun... double standard...frontal female nudity...no male!!Don't know how they could rate this film R...this is NC 17 if I ever saw one ( and I never have....most of them are soft-porn). Oddly enough, it was not erotic IMO."}, {"response": 1294, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (01:01)", "body": "(Allison) The trouble with CF is that he decided to become an actor when he could have been my...bank manager, dentist, personal fitness instructor, masseur... Brava Allison, I love it!"}, {"response": 1295, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (01:15)", "body": "(Karen) And what would Mark Darcy be? A self-parodying part. Which is precisely why I think CF would be tempted...it is, rather, a Darcy-parodying part. I am hoping he can't resist the opportunity for the dig!!! (Laura)...with BJD, how about Rupert Everett as Daniel?? He can play straight. Laura, brilliant casting!!!!! What better face-off than CF Vs RE?? Oh, I'd love to see these two get together again on the same screen...they've both come so far!! ;-D"}, {"response": 1296, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (01:41)", "body": "Karen, Blair Witch was brilliant!!! Inventive, original, scary as all hell!!!! I definitely see this one going up for Original screenplay at the Oscars. (It was all improvised). THE ENDING.... WOW!!!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 1297, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (01:41)", "body": "(Eileen)... HF's Mark Darcy is nothing more than an updated Fitzwilliam Darcy, which he's already done to perfection. (KJ)... comes out with the suave, romantic opening: \"read any good books lately? (hee hee) Yup. A perfect repeat of Fitzwilliam Darcy... 8-D"}, {"response": 1298, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (15:33)", "body": "Oh yeah, Karen, one other thing, Jimmy figured it out, but with BWP, think of Hansel and Gretl, it makes more sense."}, {"response": 1299, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (18:37)", "body": "(Evelyn) Tom Cruise...same ole, same ole...the guy is always Top Gun I agree. Or 'A Few Good Men': \"I want the truth!\" (to which Nicholson responds \"You can't handle the truth\"). Tom has a line in every movie which he says exactly this way. It's in the EWS commercial!"}, {"response": 1300, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (20:07)", "body": "Yes, I generally agree with you about Mr. Cruise, but I thought he provided some lovely, subtle character changes in Jerry McGuire - some of the best work of his career IMHO. Then again, maybe I was just distracted by his pretty face :-). Evelyn's right, this is becoming the Spring's Virt Views board. Oh well, we have to pass the time productively until there is some BJD news, don't we?!?!?"}, {"response": 1301, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Jul 30, 1999 (14:16)", "body": "Fom August's Cosmopolitan Report on \"Hip to be Brit\" and GP and CB winning awards for impersonating us Brits. Comments on GP's roles and CB in E and AIH AND the leading role in the forthcoming film of BJD. Enjoy your weekend Evelyn!!"}, {"response": 1302, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Jul 30, 1999 (19:33)", "body": "Hi, thanks for that Aishling, was the report about CB & BJD definite or just speculation again."}, {"response": 1303, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug  3, 1999 (01:31)", "body": "Interview with Helen Fielding...nothing really new except she's still hoding out for Colin as Mark Darcy!! http://www.laweekly.com/ink/99/36/books-taylor.shtml"}, {"response": 1304, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (12:07)", "body": "Working Title say that BJD will start shooting in a couple of months (October)."}, {"response": 1305, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (13:35)", "body": "Thanks, Bethan. Did you ask when they will know who will be in it? Doesn't seem likely that CF will do Mark. Schedulewise, it is a smallish part relative to Bridget, her pals and Daniel, but that would be getting near his Donmar run dates."}, {"response": 1306, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (15:08)", "body": "Karen, OT why are you keeping us in suspense, I am dying to know what you thought of MLSF last night!!"}, {"response": 1307, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (08:07)", "body": "No, I didn't ask about casting, Karen. They wouldn't tell me, anyway! I still think that CF will do Mark. It's a Universal film which will have automatic world-wide distribution, and he must see the advantages of that (witness MLSF having to prove itself in the market, and, of course, SLOW!) BJD must be shot in London, and the Mark D scenes could always be scheduled first. Judi Dench filmed SIL whulst doing a London theatre run...the two can be combined. The reason I think he'll do it is that the screenpl y is by Andrew Davies and I can't think who else could play (or would be acceptable as)\"Mr Darcy\"!"}, {"response": 1308, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (13:33)", "body": "Nobody else! I hope!"}, {"response": 1309, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (14:49)", "body": "Hey!! I want Colin to play Mark too. Here's hoping that all the writers (HF and AD) have some input and clout."}, {"response": 1310, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (16:07)", "body": "It would appear Cate B is in discussion for every movie coming up. More conflicts in dates too and same production company. From The Hollywood Reporter: Johnny Depp is committed to star with Christina Ricci in Sally Potter's World War II story \"The Man Who Cried\" for Universal-based Working Title Films. Cate Blanchett and John Turturro are also deep in discussions to join the $20 million film, which is slated to begin shooting next month. Potter, who helmed the acclaimed \"Orlando,\" will write and direct the film, which follows a young woman who flees Germany for Paris in hopes of eventually making it to the United States. Potter and Christopher Sheppard's Adventure Pictures will produce. Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner's Working Title will finance with Canal Plus, which will have world rights outside of English-speaking territories and Benelux."}, {"response": 1311, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (06:59)", "body": "There was an item on Radio 5 yesterday (about movie news) on Cate B. She's been offered the lead in \"Charlotte Gray\" the movie version of the bestseller by Sebastian Faulks, about a woman who goes undercover to France in World War 2 to search for her airman lover who has gone missing in action. It's to be directed by John Madden (a couple of good male roles (supporting, of course!) there as well!). The reporter then said something like \"Cate is also reported to have been offered the lead in the soon-to-b -filmed BJD..Colin Firth is expected to co-star\". Cate B. seems to be in pole position at the moment...her only problem seems to be deciding which roles to turn down!"}, {"response": 1312, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (13:14)", "body": "The reporter then said something like \"Cate is also reported to have been offered the lead in the soon-to-b -filmed BJD..Colin Firth is expected to co-star\". Don't want to give you all the impression that I am in a grumpy mood today but what is all the fuss about CB? I found Elizabeth unwatchable (though that was not particularly her fault) and in Plenty she was fairly dire. \"Acting by Numbers\". Much too shrill and self conscious. Maybe ODB could learn a thing or two. Perhaps that is what it takes to get on in Hollywood."}, {"response": 1313, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug  7, 1999 (14:51)", "body": "OK, Grumpy here's my take on CB... ;-D Like you, I didn't think the movie Elizabeth was all that good, but I did think CB was excellent. I walked out feeling that that was a best actress of the year performance I had just seen. The reason everyone wants her for their films is that she has demonstrated tremendous range as an actress, unlike her co-nominee Gwynnie. Look at the variability of her roles. She does plain and homely (Paradise Rd, Oscar and Lucinda), Long Island housewife (Pushing Tin), intelligent and steadfast wife (Ideal Husban ). She's demonstrated she can do costume drama, historical uplifting tearjerker to intelligent comedy. Gwynnie, on the other hand, has not. She's hasn't shown her stretch in terms of characters. Shakespeare was a stretch, but she was still playing the beautiful upper class girl. Don't stone me, but CB has a chameleon-like ability too. She doesn't look the same or act the same in her varied roles. Just my two cents. ;-D"}, {"response": 1314, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (00:06)", "body": "The CB phenomenon interests me. Obviously I didn't see her in \"Plenty\" but I think (from reading the rather lukewarm reviews) that Allison's assessment is spot on. Yet there was a terrific build-up for \"Plenty\", the run was extended, it was a sell-out and the adverts all managed to stress the few positive references made in the reviews. So CB is established as a great stage actress. Ditto, \"Elizabeth\"...didn't particularly like it, but the role of Elizabeth was a plum...it would have been difficult for an reasonably good (and CB is this) actress to shine. Where CB is fortunate is that she's now being inundated with choice leading roles in Hollywood backed movies, which will be seen worldwide, so her reputation will go from strength to strength. There's a lot of luck...neither CF or JE (both better actors) have had this sort of breakthrough in movies nor the sort of defining roles which enable them to do justice to theit talent. My three cents worth! PS. If CF has to find a niche, it's playing Mr Darcy! I just want to see him playing one more authoritative, rich, heroic handsome alpha-male!"}, {"response": 1315, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (00:08)", "body": "correction...it would have been difficult for any reasonably good actrss NOT to shine"}, {"response": 1316, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (07:04)", "body": "Here's the URL of an interview done with HF on CNN International. (August 6, 1999) It's three parts. http://cnn.com/books/news/9908/06/helen.fielding/"}, {"response": 1317, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (09:55)", "body": "(bethan)it would have been difficult for any reasonably good actrss NOT to shine Indeed... Forceful characters bring actors out. I've said it before, if Colin had played Wessex less \"naturally\", like a more caricatural (?) villain, people would have noticed him more. Not that I would have preferred him to do so, mind you!"}, {"response": 1318, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (14:53)", "body": "Thanks Jana for the link. Was definitely done during her last book tour of the US in June. She's wearing the same suit that I saw her in. And she mentioned that the sequel was due one year ago Monday. Didn't say anything new about the casting. Told same old story about wanting to cast an unknown, but this time she embellished it by saying that she wanted to go up to the girl at the gym who is doing nothing and offer her the role."}, {"response": 1319, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (19:50)", "body": "(Allison)...but what is all the fuss about CB? I found Elizabeth unwatchable (though that was not particularly her fault) I agree with you and Bethan...'n Gi. Really didn't want to say so before....yeah...I do wish Jennifer would get offered those roles.But she's not bankable enough. \"Elizabeth\" was a plum role.Kate Winslett, Emily Watson both tried out for it. And any one would have been as good!! I saw AIH and was not blown away by CB's portrayl as the wife...she played it so bland ...the love scenes with Jeremy Northam (fergawdsakes!)were positively neutral.No chemistry there. \"Paint-by-number\"-acting. I'm glad that filmed bombed...but sadly MLSF came right on its heels. IMO it had a negative effect on MLSF."}, {"response": 1320, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (21:32)", "body": "Am not disagreeing that another good actress *could* do Elizabeth, the point is that CB did it and got the acclaim, the nominations, the awards and therefore the script offers. ;-D As I recall, she got the part of Elizabeth because of Oscar and Lucinda. Re: AIH, I don't think I said she was brilliant in it (no one particularly was). My point is that she's shown her versatility, something Jennifer has been trying to do. And I don't put Winslet in the same category of talented actresses with CB or Emily atson."}, {"response": 1321, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 23, 1999 (02:03)", "body": "From The Guardian, August 19, 1999: Work in progress Film producer David Parfitt It's still terribly early days, but among the projects I've got bubbling away, I'm working on a movie adaptation of Bridget Jones' Diary. Now when I say early days, I mean it - we're basically in pre-pre-production - but taking these first steps (knocking the script into shape, finding our Bridget, generally ensuring everything is on schedule) is something I relish. We're lucky in that our director Sharon Maguire - aside from being enormously talented - has an unusually close relationship with the subject matter. She was Shazza in Helen Fielding's original book (I believe the phrase \"fuckwittage\" was her invention), and she's got a fresh take on what could potentially have seemed slightly dated and clich\ufffdd. For me, one of the attractions of the project is that it's obviously a break from the period pieces which take up so much room on my CV (I've co-produced, amongst others, The Madness of King George, Much Ado About Nothing and Henry V). In particular, it was important for me to find something which was radically different to my last movie, Shakespeare In Love; I'm not, of course, going to feign modesty here - I'm enormously proud of Shakespeare - but it was important to prove I could work with material which was set in the 20th century! Having said that, it's great that I could be involved in a film which has hopefully helped make it easier for British films to get out there and find their audience. What we could do with - and not necessarily from government - is a way of letting development money flow a little easier; ideally, you want to be able to say \"OK, the script's ready - let's get it made\". Because getting it made (whatever it may be) is what a producer's life is all about. \ufffd David Parfitt is the co-producer of Shakespeare In Love"}, {"response": 1322, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Aug 23, 1999 (08:58)", "body": "Thanks, Karen, this sounds promising - at least they *are* working on it!"}, {"response": 1323, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Aug 23, 1999 (16:29)", "body": "While visiting Oxford, I had the manager/buyer for Blackwells (which is an important bookstore), ring up Picador to inquire about the release date of the next BJD book. Their contact at Picador assured us that there is no set date for its release. If the script is still in pre-pre production, I am sure they will want to hold off its release at least until the pre-production stages so that the time difference does not amount to two years. I am happy to see that they want to cast the perfect Bridget, I think we might trust Shazzer on this one."}, {"response": 1324, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 24, 1999 (13:59)", "body": "They must really want this guy!! Cage plays 'Mandolin' again (Variety) After scheduling conflicts caused him to walk away from the project once (Daily Variety, July 22), Nicolas Cage is back in negotiations to star in the Working Title/Universal feature \"Captain Corelli\ufffds Mandolin.\" \"Notting Hill\" helmer Roger Michell is directing the adaptation of Louis De Berniere\ufffd novel, a sweeping love story set on the idyllic Greek isle of Cephalonia during World War II. Cage previously entered negotiations to star in the pic nearly three months ago (Daily Variety, June 7), but later dropped out due to scheduling conflicts. It\ufffds not clear what has been resolved since that time. However, in July, the actor added another starring role to his upcoming roster when he signed to topline Beacon Communications\ufffd \"Family Man\" for Universal. \"Family Man\" is slated to go before the cameras in December, leaving Cage available to shoot \"Mandolin\" in April in Italy, although these dates are likely to change."}, {"response": 1325, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (03:26)", "body": "There was a good article about BJD in the paper Sunday. It seems that there have been several pirate copies written. None of which measures up. The writer really loves the book and recommended that we forget the others."}, {"response": 1326, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  2, 1999 (13:14)", "body": "It's done. Per Variety: Cage just pacted for \"Captain Correlli's Mandolin\" with \"Notting Hill\" helmer Roger Michel."}, {"response": 1327, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep  2, 1999 (21:28)", "body": "...Cage just pacted for \"Captain Correlli's Mandolin\" I am not pleased. But maybe they'll get MEM for the female lead. She's even of Italian heritage...but then so is he."}, {"response": 1328, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Sep  3, 1999 (15:53)", "body": "Pelagia was Greek, not Italian. No matter, MEM could do it. Cage's performance in Moonstruck comes to mind here. Can't see Correlli with a wooden hand, though :-P PS. OT (but then, so is this whole discussion) Ever notice the kitchen in Moonstruck? It bears *strong* resemblance to another notable Italian kitchen: white tile walls, pics of saints hanging...I was looking for the old radio on the shelf (alas, no DB pouring espresso, only Olympia, Vincent and Cher)."}, {"response": 1329, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (16:08)", "body": "Don Johnson as Julio, Gi?? There's one we haven't heard before! I was thinking about the person who proposed Ricky Martin for Julio a few months ago--bet Working Title couldn't afford him now, even though he is *way* too young."}, {"response": 1330, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (19:46)", "body": "Don Johnson would be perfect. I've said it before. Think about it! Look at him and don't you see how he thinks he is so handsome? The perfect gigolo. Ricky Martin is too young and not \"vile\" enough."}, {"response": 1331, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (20:19)", "body": "And is Don Johnson your *type*? Eowwwww!!"}, {"response": 1332, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (21:07)", "body": "Okay, no Don Johnson (though he is cute.) NO KATE WINSLET!!!!! Nada absolutely not!!! Hurricane Floyd won't stop me from jinxing the set;) AND WHEN is CF going to be named as MD. Jane Horrocks would be smashing as BJ actually;) Um on the weather front, Tineke is enjoying this hurricane, I, on the other hand, could do without it!"}, {"response": 1333, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (21:18)", "body": "Jane Horrocks would be smashing as BJ actually Yes... but, just like HB-C she's too thin. The girl's gotta put on a few more pounds before she'd even be considered in the running. BTW, would Toni Collette be considered too young for the role? As for Antonio, there's an actor I'm sure all of you have seen: Joaquim de Almeida ( Clear and Present Danger, Only You, Good Morning Babylon ). Bears a weird resemblance to the late Phil Hartman. I think he'd be perfect."}, {"response": 1334, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 16, 1999 (21:58)", "body": "Joaquim de Almeida He was also in Nostromo! v.v. short, but he only has to seduce Bridget's mom."}, {"response": 1335, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (01:10)", "body": "Nostromo?! Really? Guess I haven't been paying attention."}, {"response": 1336, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (02:26)", "body": "How could you miss him in that bright red jacket. He was the jerky colonel."}, {"response": 1337, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (07:45)", "body": "(KarenR)And is Don Johnson your *type*? Eowwwww!! No, ma'am, he is not. Joaquim de Almeida... v.v. short, but he only has to seduce Bridget's mom. Portuguese actor playing portuguese gigolo? Ummm... A good idea, and Joaquim can act the part. Approved from this side. Short? They can work around that anytime, make him step on a ladder, sit him on a book... whatever :-P"}, {"response": 1338, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (12:27)", "body": "They don't have to do anything about the height thing, you know. Just commenting. He was an effective seducer in Clear and Present Danger. All depends on who plays Bridge's mom. But it still may not matter."}, {"response": 1339, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (15:48)", "body": "Now I'm curious... HOW short is JdA??? It never occurred to me that the man was below average height. But then, I'm only 5'0\"-- Humphrey Bogart never struck me as a short actor either."}, {"response": 1340, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (20:56)", "body": "I've sat in the same restaurant as JdA a few years ago, but as he was sitting too, I didn't notice the height."}, {"response": 1341, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Sep 17, 1999 (22:51)", "body": "Gi-- how popular is he in Portugal? He seems to have a somehwat steady career here, usually as the foreign scoundrel, however. What roles has he played there?"}, {"response": 1342, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Sep 18, 1999 (08:25)", "body": "He is very popular. The Portuguese only value their own after they are recognised abroad - so Joaquim's career in the US has landed him leading roles here for several major films."}, {"response": 1343, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Sep 18, 1999 (23:43)", "body": "Okay, here's my two cents worth. I think Kate Winslet is not a good choice for BJ. 1. she is too young. 2. Can she be neurotic enough? 3. Can she be funny in a zany(and witty) way. 4. She just isn't Bridget Jones material, honestly. Winter, Jane Horrocks could easily gain weight for the part if that is what it called for, but I suspect that BJ is not overweight, nor does she have a weight problem. She's just your typical woman obsessed with weight. I always thought of BJ as a normal size woman. Jane Horrocks has this crazy zaniness about her that is endearing; and she's brilliantly hysterical! I can easily see her getting into BJ-type dilemma's! RE: Who to play Julio? Well I always thought of a Julio Iglesias lookalike, but I guess the Portuguese man Joaquim (insert last name here) would do nicely. All in All, I still think Colin Firth is the only one who could play Mark Darcy. And I think it would be a sad loss if he passed up on the chance. One more thing to note, I hope they have at least a decent screenplay. I don't see how what the difficulty is in turning BJD into a movie. I loved this book and would be really upset if they destroyed it in anyway. We're all very strong as to who shouldn't play BJ. I hope when they finally do cast it they choose someone because of talent and acting, and not just a name. Big name doesn't necessarily mean good, and we know that all too well."}, {"response": 1344, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Sep 19, 1999 (04:37)", "body": "For more on Joaquim de Almeida go to: http://www.hollys.com/joaquim/ There's several pics from his movies and a midi sequence of one of my favourite songs by a Portuguese songwriter, it's called, in translation, \"If I could one day be your look\" - as in \"The Look\". It is here: http://www.hollys.com/sounds/Olhar.mid"}, {"response": 1345, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 19, 1999 (04:58)", "body": "Gi, what are you doing up at this hour?"}, {"response": 1346, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Sep 19, 1999 (05:20)", "body": "She is on IM with me and it is storming out and she could not sleep!"}, {"response": 1347, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep 19, 1999 (15:29)", "body": "I have come up with another Bridget! Why not a real Bridget...Fonda! She could pull it off. I am not so keen on Jane Horrocks, she reminds me too much of that TV actress Amanda...(forgot last name)."}, {"response": 1348, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep 19, 1999 (15:34)", "body": "I remember Joaquim de Almeida , but I think he is too old looking for the part. He should be younger looking for there to be a big contrast in looks between B mom and himself. (some young handsome gigolo type)"}, {"response": 1349, "author": "Hollykins", "date": "Sun, Sep 19, 1999 (16:14)", "body": "Hi! I am the one who has the web site for actor, Joaquim de Almeida. I saw all the hits from this site and HAD to come check it out. Yes, it is true, Joaquim is not very tall. He is between 5'6 and 5'8, but I've never asked his exact height. I can find out if you want. Smiles, Holly Webmaster: Joaquim de Almeida Fan Site"}, {"response": 1350, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 19, 1999 (17:18)", "body": "(Moon) but I think he is too old looking for the part. He should be younger looking for there to be a big contrast in looks between B mom and himself. (some young handsome gigolo type) I don't think Julio is a younger gigolo type. Remember, HF said her role model for the part is Omar Sharif. Could definitely be an older man, who is very suave, debonair, etc. Thanks, Holly, for giving us an approximate height. I don't think we need anything more. His height really showed up in Nostromo, standing next Colin or SST. In Clear and Present Danger, it wasn't as evident."}, {"response": 1351, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep 19, 1999 (18:02)", "body": "HF said her role model for the part is Omar Sharif. Could definitely be an older man, who is very suave, debonair, etc. True, but I think it works better if there is more of an age contrast. After all, he is supposed to be latin and OS is an Arab."}, {"response": 1352, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 19, 1999 (18:06)", "body": "OS could pass for any number of ethnic types. Remember, he was Dr. Zhvaigo and Nicky Arnstein!! ;-o"}, {"response": 1353, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep 19, 1999 (18:07)", "body": "Yes, but never Ricky Ricardo! ;-)"}, {"response": 1354, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 19, 1999 (18:21)", "body": "True, only one person has played Ricky Ricardo. However, Omar did play Che Guevara in the movie Che! He seems to have played a multiplicity of ethnic roles and I can see exactly what HF meant in saying that is who she pictured in the role."}, {"response": 1355, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep 19, 1999 (18:26)", "body": "Case closed!"}, {"response": 1356, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 19, 1999 (18:46)", "body": "Case closed! Judge Moonie has spoken. ;-D"}, {"response": 1357, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Sep 29, 1999 (20:05)", "body": "How nice of Holly to drop by, wasn't it? I think I can welcome her in Drools's name :-)"}, {"response": 1358, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct  2, 1999 (14:38)", "body": "Laura, you might be interested, although the book is probably not available here: ******* She writes about the lives and loves of the Nineties single woman, but Marian Keyes is much more than Ireland's answer to Bridget Jones. Take her new novel, which is even outselling Roddy Doyle at home. By Alex O'Connell ******* Craicing good read The atmosphere in The Clarence, Bono's modernist hotel in Dublin, is a perfect combination of style and surliness. Thank Jesus, Mary and Joseph, then, for the Irish writer Marian Keyes, who is so down-to-earth you are tempted to look for soil under her fingernails. Five foot nothing, with the carefully crafted features of an expensive doll, Keyes is a cross between a young Vivien Leigh and the generic heroine of a children's book. Her cute cheeks, long black hair and green eyes combine to make her look naughty when she's trying to be serious and tragic when she's delivering a devastating one-liner. But then Keyes has a lot to smile about: shortly before we met she learned that her latest tragi-comic novel, Last Chance Saloon, out in Britain this week, had reached the number one position in the Irish book charts. It shot ahead of the competition despite the fact that bestselling Irish authors Patricia Cornwell and Roddy Doyle both have new titles out. This is Keyes's fourth novel. Her first, Watermelon, published in 1995 by Poolbeg, a small Irish publisher, was an immediate success in Ireland. Reed International spotted her and a \ufffd435,000 deal was signed. Her second novel, Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married followed in 1996. In 1997 the giant Random House swallowed Reed and Keyes decided to move to Penguin.The same year, Rachel's Holiday, her third novel, a semi-autobiographical story of alcoholism and recovery, properly established her as a serious cont nder in a by now burgeoning \"single girl\" market. But just how seriously is a female comic novelist taken? Keyes, 36, is definitely earning serious money. She is seriously married to Tony Baine, a book editor, and lives in a seriously grown-up house. (In 1997 she decamped with her husband from a small flat in Gospel Oak, north London, to a townhouse in South, Co Dublin). She has a serious past (the alcoholism and depression that plagued her twenties) and a serious future (two new novels in the pipeline and film deals coming out of her ears). Last Chance Saloon, which is about the lives and loves of three Irish childhood friends living in London, is likely to be seen as following Bridget Jones (although Keyes was published before Helen Fielding's book) and lumped together with other, less stylish contemporary \"women's novels\". Keyes's latest is certainly accessible and addictive. But it is also well-written and entertaining. \"There is a part of me that thinks something is missing, that I'm just not serious, which is a pity,\" she says. \"The thi g that most makes me happy is entertaining people and giving them a lift. But I want everything and nobody can have that.\" In Ireland, she says, there is an even sharper division between literary and mass market fiction than there is in Britain. \"There is a growing acknowledgement for what I write, but it's not going to win the Booker Prize, as people are fond of telling me,\" she smiles. \"There is more than one set of criteria for judging a book. If you divert people, take them away from their own situation, that is valid. I think it is sad that mass-market authors take on the shame given to them by others. It's seeking appro al.\" Keyes's novels are character-based rather than plot-driven, but she reckons that this is hardly a crime. \"I think I'm just really interested in people,\" she reflects. \"I love getting to know people. I don't want to write about perfect people, I like it when they're flawed.\" But does she consider herself a key member of the girly gang led by Helen Fielding and which includes Jane Green, Louise Bagshawe, Lisa Jewell and Freya North? On this point she is impeccably diplomatic. \"Everyone likes to think they are unique, but it is nice to be part of a Zeitgeist. I don't want to write a book that isn't funny. Not yet. It would be excruciating to write an entirely bleak book.\" There is no commercial reason why she should. Watermelon is being optioned for a 90-minute film for Granada Television, with Caroline Aherne as executive producer. Rachel's Holiday has been bought by Touchstone Pictures. And Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married has been made into a 16-part ITV series to be shown next year. Although Keyes was an obsessive Enid Blyton fan as a child, she did not come from a particularly literary family. \"I so wanted to go to those boarding schools and I loved Jilly Cooper and P.G. Wodehouse. But there really wasn't an Irish writer I identified with until Maeve Binchy.\" The eldest child of five, she was born in Limerick but soon afterwards the family moved to Cork. When Keyes was 11 her parents, Ted and Mary, moved the family to Dublin because her father, a local governmen"}, {"response": 1359, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Oct  4, 1999 (08:42)", "body": "I haven't read the latest, but Marian Keyes' first three books are not quite in the Bridget Jones mould. Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married is the most singleton-seeks-man storyline, and a decent read, but Watermelon and Rachel's Holiday are more about a woman with a problem sorting out her love life. In the former, the wife is dumped by her husband an hour after giving birth, and the other is about an addiction clinic recovery. For a classic Bridget Jones style book, track down Blonde With Attitude by Virginia Blackburn (or Blakeburn?)"}, {"response": 1360, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Oct  4, 1999 (18:07)", "body": "I read (or attempted to at least) Watermelon, and only got about a third of the way through it. It just didnt capture my interest the way BJD did and i gave up and went on to another book. I passed Watermelon onto a friend, who loved BJD, and she didnt like it either. Havent tried any of MK's other books -so cant comment on them. I was disapointed, cause i was really hoping to find another good author. I'll have to try BWA -thanks for the tip Mark. :)"}, {"response": 1361, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (04:07)", "body": "Early comments on High Fidelity at the AICN site. Check out the Talk Back section. There are two mentions of Colin and, no, I didn't do it! http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com/display.cgi?id=4535"}, {"response": 1362, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (23:18)", "body": "So Karen, do you agree with \"Grunter's\" assessment why it doesn't matter what the film's locale is?"}, {"response": 1363, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 19, 1999 (01:58)", "body": "In a sense, I do agree. Hornby's characters in FP, AAB, or HF could live anywhere. They are very universal types. Rob's record store clerks--Dick and Barry--are garden variety slackers. That being said, I would have still liked Colin to play the role. I identify him with music than Cusack. So did Suki comment? ;-D"}, {"response": 1364, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (08:34)", "body": "Months of no Bridget, huge delays on the sequel, and only the odd snippets about its progress posted on the CF topic to keep fans of BJD interested, but at last HERE IT COMES! Radio ad this morning announced that BJD - The Edge of Reason would have advanced snippets serialised in the Daily Telegraph from Wednesday (Nov 17) onwards (so online also for sure). I did not recognise the woman reading a diary entry as Bridget on the radio, but doubt they would have cast and obtained the actress for the impending (ha!?) movie yet. And the book is due for release within a couple of weeks as far as I remember from the sleuths over at 123. Incidentally, re post 1358 on Marian Keyes above, Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married is being serialised on ITV at 10.30 on (some, odd) weekday evenings at the moment. It is surprisingly (a) true to the book, and (b) good."}, {"response": 1365, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (13:11)", "body": "I bet the party at the Hilton is on the 17th as well. Any chance of you crashing Mark? Thanks for the info!"}, {"response": 1366, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (15:30)", "body": "Excellent news, Mark. I'll be checking out the ET nightly. *hee hee* We get to read it before you get up in the morning."}, {"response": 1367, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (16:28)", "body": "Karen, I was thinking about not telling you till Wednesday so I could read it first - then I remembered your sleuthing powers, and quailed. Moon, I will admit I was thinking about trying to crash the Hilton bunfight - but I doubt that these things really happen like Notting Hill where you find out where it is and just breeze in at the back. Could I claim I'm from Horse and Hound ? I'm not convinced it's on Wednesday just because that's the first day of serialisation. Should I ring the publishers, the PR company or the hotel to try and find out what day it's on, do you think? Alternatively, I was thinking of ringing Picador to ask for a review copy (claiming to be from online web review site Springnet, perhaps?)"}, {"response": 1368, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (16:47)", "body": "Horse and Hound Brilliant choice of publications! ;-D Do remember to stammer, as is required for all staff. I did check out Picador's website several days ago and nothing on Bridget. Call the publishers and ask. Never hurts to ask. BTW, Helen is very familiar with us, so it's wouldn't be too much of a fib to use Spring. Here's hoping that it works. Should we start referring to you, Mark, as our *colt* reporter? ;-D"}, {"response": 1369, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (17:18)", "body": "Well, Picador just took down my details when I said I wanted to be on the review copy list, as if they'd been expecting my call. I represent SpringNet, an online magazine. Now let's see if a book arrives."}, {"response": 1370, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (17:33)", "body": "Isn't it amazing! These people will give away the store without asking for credentials. And the party? You could drop hints all over the place about who we want them to cast in the movie."}, {"response": 1371, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (17:48)", "body": "I represent SpringNet, an online magazine. Now let's see if a book arrives. LOL! Bravo Mark! And do try to crash the party, what a hoot that would be *grin* you would definately be knighted Sir Mark for that effort, espically if you start every conversation with \"you know of course who absolutely HAS to play Mark Darcy...\" (Karen) Do remember to stammer, as is required for all (Horse & Hound)staff. ROTFLOL"}, {"response": 1372, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (17:58)", "body": "Wow, Mark, you're really in the spirit of all this. *clap clap* Good for you! Go to it! (Karen)Do remember to stammer, as is required for all (Horse & Hound)staff. LOL, too. Don't forget to mess up your hair and maintain a look of perpetual bewilderment on your face."}, {"response": 1373, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (18:06)", "body": "(Karen)Do remember to stammer, as is required for all (Horse & Hound)staff. (Eileen)LOL, too. Don't forget to mess up your hair and maintain a look of perpetual bewilderment on your face. And the blinking.... you can't forget the constant blinking. *hee hee* :D"}, {"response": 1374, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (18:41)", "body": "SB, this book is what I've been waiting for. The whole reason I found Drool was that I was looking for somewhere to talk about BJD. Then of course the hilarious adventures of the CF pursuers keep you coming back for more. I don't personally care who they cast in the film, as long as they capture the flavour of the book. The only reason I would like Colin to get the role is because he's a good actor."}, {"response": 1375, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (19:16)", "body": "(Karen)Do remember to stammer, as is required for all (Horse & Hound)staff. (Eileen)LOL, too. Don't forget to mess up your hair and maintain a look of perpetual bewilderment on your face. (SBR) And the blinking.... you can't forget the constant blinking. *hee hee* :D Gee, who could this be? ;-D *Am laughing hysterically* (Mark) I don't personally care who they cast in the film But since you represent SpringNet, a zine, your editorial staff expect nothing less than a pro-Colin position (stop thinking what you're thinking, ladies). Anywho... we are trying to obviate a similar situation as happened with Ms. Sagay. We know Colin (as Mr. Darcy) is HF's model and first choice. So Bethan, what magazine will you represent? ;-D"}, {"response": 1376, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (19:36)", "body": "DroolNet? *cracking myself up*"}, {"response": 1377, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (19:41)", "body": "How about Modern Drooler or Popular Drooler?"}, {"response": 1378, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 15, 1999 (22:41)", "body": "(Mark),I'm not convinced it's on Wednesday just because that's the first day of serialisation. Should I ring the publishers, the PR company or the hotel to try and find out what day it's on, That is exactly why it would be on that day! Go to it and make the call!"}, {"response": 1379, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (01:27)", "body": "Very enterprising, Mark. I am impressed! The whole reason I found Drool was that I was looking for somewhere to talk about BJD. Then of course the hilarious adventures of the CF pursuers keep you coming back for more. Did we remind you of a certain serial? ;-) But of course we are so glad you found us and have kept coming back."}, {"response": 1380, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Nov 16, 1999 (03:07)", "body": "...and don't forget he is a formidable Cricket player... *smile*"}, {"response": 1381, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (06:01)", "body": "*tapping fingers* OK, where is it? *tapping fingers*"}, {"response": 1382, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (08:17)", "body": "Looks like print version only - and if you think I'm going to type it up..."}, {"response": 1383, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (12:56)", "body": "Mark, there is no need to type...just scan and post. ;-)"}, {"response": 1384, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (13:56)", "body": "Print version only!!! How dare they?! No wonder there was no mention/hype about the \"Return of Bridget\" to its pages. Time to email the ETelegraph editors."}, {"response": 1385, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Nov 17, 1999 (22:18)", "body": "Sorry the Electronic version isn't available. If Mark is a techno-whizz and can scan I'll leave it to him, but I do have two copies (home/work papers) of the excerpts and could post them (and tomorrow's) if need be, if you e-mail me addresses. The book is apparently in the shops tomorrow, so I shall certainly buy a copy! Brief summary...continuing story of Bridget and Mark. Bridget ateends posh \"do\" with some of Mark's legal eagle colleagues, makes discovery about Mark which leads her to question relationship. Mark meets Rebecca and is impressed. Bridget accuses Mark of never taking her to his place. He reluctantly complies. Disastrous evening. Mark Darcy does not even know where to find his own fridge. Bridget makes second even more shocking discovery about Mark. Discovery proves to be erroneous, Bridge and Mark re-unit for evening of lust and dicussion of spiritual tendencies. Bridget decides, in true Mills and Boon fashion, that Mark seemss a bit scary, but \"underneath is very kind and sweet\". Jude and Shazzer seem to think that Bridget should chuck Mark. This takes us to the beginning of February...I can distinctly see the \"Persuasion\" plot-line looming. Great fun, But I'll need to read the whole book before I pass comment. Very much looking forward to Mark's review!"}, {"response": 1386, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (06:12)", "body": "So Jude and Shazzer will be Lady Russells, huh? ;-D Am very curious about that \"shocking, though erroneous discovery about Mark.\" Since this early part of the book would have been based on the columns in the Independent, does it seem familiar to you, Bethan? [I've never read those.] How were you planning on distributing? An emailed scan or a retyping (eek)? How many installment will there be? Did it say? I've sent off an email to the ET's editor asking why. Love this instantaneously democratic internet!"}, {"response": 1387, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (08:49)", "body": "It doesn't say how many instalments we'll get, except today that \"Tom Kemp returns next week\" (who he?). Each day we seem to get about 5,000 words. Bethan is avoiding spoilers by not telling you about Bridget's bizarre \"discovery\" about Mark Darcy. I have no scanner, I'm afraid. Day two is v good also, featuring Jude's marriage to Vile Richard. I did not try crashing the Hilton yesterday. No review copy has turned up so I'll have to buy the book. Does \"published today\" mean \"in the shops today\" always?"}, {"response": 1388, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (13:18)", "body": "It should be in the shops today. Mark and Bethan, we want *spoilers*. What is the discovery? Bethan if you could scan it here it would be fantastic. I too have emailed the DT."}, {"response": 1389, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (14:16)", "body": "I went out at lunch to check the bookshops. No book, just a flier saying \"Bridget Jones is back! Helen Fielding will be signing at our Piccadilly Branch on Thursday 18 Nov at 1.00\" I looked at my watch. It was 12.45! Gaaaah! Mobilised myself on the Tube, and got to the shop just in time to witnes the arrival of HF, and listen to the reading. Enjoyed telling a photographer to shut up until it finished. Q&A was same old, same old: Autobiographical? Well, Bridget is exaggerated. How did the first book go down? I wouldn't have written it if I'd known how many people would read it. Bridget seems to be a universal character (well Europe and USA recognise her). Who will play Bridget? Would prefer an unknown (old story about woman not exercising on exercise bike). Are you writing the film? Well, everybody seems to be writing the film, you know how it is with films (er, no. How is it?) I'm afraid I could not stay to get a book signed, as there were fifteen photographers to satisfy first and a queue of about 150 people with books to be signed, so I bought one (special price 9.99) and left. Helen looked very well, was dressed in black (of course), admitted she missed the deadline by 71 weeks, new book is 420 pages long. Oh, the *discovery* above is a naked Oriental boy, sitting on Mark Darcy's bed, with two wooden balls and a live rabbit."}, {"response": 1390, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (14:44)", "body": "Thanks, Mark, for your report from the field(ing). Her responses are getting v. old. Isn't Tom their gay friend? the *discovery* above is a naked Oriental boy, sitting on Mark Darcy's bed, with two wooden balls and a live rabbit. Am guess that Bridget thinks the former is Mark's son. Can't imagine what she thinks about latter. ;-D"}, {"response": 1391, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (14:46)", "body": "Here's my response from The Telegraph: Dear Karen, I'm afraid we didn't get the legal rights to publish these new extracts online. I'm very sorry about this, but we simply could not afford them. The only Bridget Jones available via our site at the moment is in the archive. If you still want a copy of the new pieces, our back issues department can be phoned on (England) 01268 725579. Please accept our apologies. Best wishes, Richard Greenwood, Electronic Telegraph"}, {"response": 1392, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (14:59)", "body": "Oh, the *discovery* above is a naked Oriental boy, sitting on Mark Darcy's bed, with two wooden balls and a live rabbit. ] My book is in the mail. Can't wait to read that ONE!"}, {"response": 1393, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (15:30)", "body": "Karen, you're too chaste. Bridget in fact says that \"the one time someone seems such a nice sensible person such as approved of by mother and not married, mad, alcoholic or f---wit, they turn out to be gay bestial pervert.\" Needless to say, MD turns out not to be gay bestial pervert (probably). I think the DT means Tom Kemp is a regular feature writer who has been left out for a while as they serialise BJ. But full marks for remembering Tom the gay friend. The book begins where the last book stopped. Does this mean it runs side by side with the columns? Or have we moved into a parallel alternative universe? The first two pages I am sure I have read before: \"Bridget. Will you stop. Bloody. Staring at me while I am asleep.\", but then it's off on a new tack, and straight into a new \"Now back to the studio\" story. Do you think the PR company would have had the launch party last night, then make HF get up and do readings and signing today, or will the launch party be tonight instead? I am pretty sure that this was the only signing session as the Waterstone's flyer claims an \"exclusive\"."}, {"response": 1394, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (19:15)", "body": "(Bridget) they turn out to be gay bestial pervert Actually, my thoughts re: rabbit were along similar lines, i.e., boiled bunny a la Fatal Attraction. But, alas, could not fit in wooden balls. ;-D \"Bridget. Will you stop. Bloody. Staring at me while I am asleep.\" I remember that as well. Seems she will have to fit in parts of her with a basic storyline (the development of which has probably been the difficulty all long). Will definitely want to know if she's left in one of my favs: At Rebecca's house party, Mark clad in towel doing his barrister stride. :-D I may not buy the book if it's not there! (yeah, right!)"}, {"response": 1395, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (20:05)", "body": "\"Bridget. Will you stop. Bloody. Staring at me while I am asleep.\" I remember that as well. ] That was in columns not in the first book. By the way why is it the same picture as the original book? (I mean cover art?)"}, {"response": 1396, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (20:26)", "body": "(Laura) That was in columns not in the first book. I believe that's what Mark meant. That it was from the columns and that Helen had incorporated bits from the columns into the sequel as we expected. Amazon UK and Waterstones show different cover art, both of which are variations on the previous UK PB. Actually, I thought the real cover would be neither and this was something they whipped up to fill space. ;-D"}, {"response": 1397, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (21:42)", "body": "The second installment covers Jude's wedding (to Vile Richard) and seems to come towards the end of the book (December). Also seems to indicate that Bridget and Mark may follow Jude and VR's example, or at least, are a couple again (Rebecca ends up with Giles...remember, Mark's boring colleague) Again, I laughed out loud (several times!} BJD will be a hard act to follow...and I'll bet that several of our vinegarish reviewers will be only too happy to knock the sequel..but I very much like what I've read so far!"}, {"response": 1398, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov 18, 1999 (22:50)", "body": "Thanks Mark and Bethan for giving us day-by-day reports of the the new BJ book. I'm too cheap to pay for all that postage...Wonder when we'll get it."}, {"response": 1399, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (08:49)", "body": "More reports from the Field(ing) - (pun copyright KR) At Moon's insistence, I crashed attended the launch party last night. I can report that celebrities in attendance included Salman Rushdie, Sebastian Faulks (writer), Harry Enfield (comedian) and ...... wait for it ..... HB-C. So I would guess she's a certainty to play BJ. Meanwhile the only male actor I spotted was Tim McInnerny, who played HG's brother-in-law in Notting Hill. Sadly I had used up all my courage getting in, so I did not ask any of these people questions like: HF - do you remember the Internet group who tracked you round the States? HB-C - delighted you're playing BJ, who's the leading man? TMcI - What was CF like when you filmed Blackadder's Time Travel? Further reading in the book suggests that she has mixed the best stuff from the articles with new material - Gary the builder and Rebecca the jellyfisher have been introduced from scratch right at the start of the book, and we just had the incident where Giles whinges at the time BJ spends on the phone succouring her friends and then Giles rings to say he's getting divorced. I guess they have gone with a variant on the same cover art to persuade readers it's just like the original, and keep her looks obscure (i.e. you conjure her up for yourself). The speech of the head of Picador suggested that he has fallen into the *sequel trap* - \"this book is longer, funnier and crazier than the original\" (yeah, maybe the crazy bits weren't the best bits) - of course it'll still sell like hot cakes. HF received an award for passing 1m UK sales (although the total is now 1.5m), and made the same jokes as at lunchtime: In Spain the book is called the Diaria of Bridget Jones (amusing pronunciation) - and an Italian review called it a transcendental study of existentialist despair. She looked great in a sparkly black dress and classic Bridget kitten heels."}, {"response": 1400, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (13:14)", "body": "WHAT are kitten heels?"}, {"response": 1401, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (13:29)", "body": "At Moon's insistence, I crashed attended the launch party last night. Congratulations, Mark! You have now reach official groupiness. :-D It looks like HBC wants to be Bridget. (Laura), WHAT are kitten heels? You want to go buy them? Check the Victoria Secret's catalog, I just got mine in the mail. ;-)"}, {"response": 1402, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (13:31)", "body": "BTW, Mark, does your wife know you kind of follow Bridget around?"}, {"response": 1403, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (13:51)", "body": "I am not the person who wrote a letter to the editor of the Independent saying: \"Dear Sir, I would quite like to shag Bridget Jones. Can you give me her phone number, please? Yours...\" HF read this letter out in her speech and said she thought the funniest bit was the quite . My wife is staggered at the news that I crashed a party. I had better lie low in my stalking activities for a while. Laura, I got into trouble on fashion items before. I will wait for Allison to define kitten heels, and then see if that is what I meant."}, {"response": 1404, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (14:43)", "body": "Bravo Mark! Excellent report. I am awed by your initiative. Further reading in the book suggests that she has mixed the best stuff from the articles with new material Great. I wondered how this would be, as all of us hadn't read the original Independent columns on which the first book was based. Therefore, as a book, it was new and fresh for us. She looked great in a sparkly black dress and classic Bridget kitten heels Bet she's cringing over the picture used on the ES online. Could they have used a more unflattering picture? :-o I had better lie low in my stalking activities for a while. Does this mean you will have to cancel your date with HB-C...now that she is available? ;-D Didn't that kitten heels get answered a long time ago? Would seem they wouldn't be in style anymore? ;-D"}, {"response": 1405, "author": "nky", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (15:36)", "body": "Hello all! I'm back! I have a lot to catch up on. Quick questions, anyone out in London get the sequel to Briget Jone's Diary, The Edge of Reason? I read that it was being released on the 17th or 18th of this month. The book can be ordered through Amazon.uk but I'm hoping it will be relased here in NY very soon. Bye, Nancy"}, {"response": 1406, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (15:44)", "body": "Let's hear it for MarkG from Horse and Hound Magazine! *rousing cheers and applause*"}, {"response": 1407, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (15:52)", "body": "Nancy, I don't think the sequel will be released here all that soon. Remember, the paperback was only released here this June. We might have a significant wait in store."}, {"response": 1408, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (16:58)", "body": "but you still haven't explained to me what a kitten heel is. Is it a spiked heel? what????"}, {"response": 1409, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (19:24)", "body": "As I have used it, a kitten heel is a low spiked heel, typically on a backless shoe. Sorry if incorrect."}, {"response": 1410, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 19, 1999 (23:47)", "body": "Wonder if the shoes have their origin in the classic Ann-Margret film \"Kitten with a Whip\"? ;-D"}, {"response": 1411, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (00:29)", "body": "Mark...I'm impressed...*clap,clap*. You better quit hangin' around with pushy Americans Did we consider HBC for Bridget? CF would not have been able to attend due to 3 DOR."}, {"response": 1412, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (01:07)", "body": "But for some reason H B-C is a VERY WELL-KNOWN name. Why does HF still say she wants an unknown? I think I'll be 40 by the time the movie is made!"}, {"response": 1413, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (01:08)", "body": "Mark, first you bunk off work, now you're gate-crashing parties! I blame it all on Evelyn :-) I'm most impressed! H B-C, well, she was the original front-runner, before names such as Gwyneth P, Kate W, Cate B and (whisper it) Ginger Spice were thrown into the hat. I actually think, on balance, and assuming that Bridget's weight problem is more in the mind, that she's the best candidate. I saw her play a BJ-type comic role in something co-starring Rik Mayall, and she was very convincing. She's the right thirty-something age, and, if life has to mirror art, is currently a singleton, having (according to the purportedly non-tabloid Times!) been dumped by KB. Can also see her working well with CF! Get my copy of the sequel tomorrow. Some reviews have not been kind....but I find it better to ignore all reviews!"}, {"response": 1414, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (01:12)", "body": "PS.....I agree with Laura, they should get a move on, and actually MAKE this movie. Why all the agonising about the screenplay? I'd have been perfectly happy if they had just taken all the dialogue, situations, and characters straight from the book. Why re-invent the wheel?"}, {"response": 1415, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (01:18)", "body": "and to think that H B-C was dumped for Alicia Silverstone! isn't KB old enough to be her father?"}, {"response": 1416, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (02:53)", "body": "No! Really? Where's the Inquirer when you need it! ;-D"}, {"response": 1417, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (03:18)", "body": "I'll take HBC over CB anyday. Where did you hear about Alicia Silverstone?"}, {"response": 1418, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (03:42)", "body": "From the 19 November Evening Standard: MEN JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN - WHICH IS WHY BRIDGET JONES CAN'T GET ONE JULIE BURCHILL wishes it to be known that she's never had any problem having relationships with men. But she's worked out why that fictional thirtysomething does - Briar pipe and monocle notwithstanding, I consider myself to be quite a stereotypically feminine woman in many ways. I hate sports, pubs and violence; I love soap operas, drinks with tiny umbrellas in and photographical representations of fluffy ickle kittens and puppies. Just once in a while, though, some cultural phenomenon comes along which makes me question just how much I have in common with my sisters. If I live to be 100, I will never understand why women in their millions go weak at the thought of Friends, Brad Pitt or being on the receiving end of cunnilingus. And then there's Bridget Jones, whose Diary - as told to the journalist Helen Fielding - has been the publishing event of the decade. Published in 1997 and going on to sell more than a million copies, as well as spawning a raft of damp imitators ('Chick Lit'), it is now in development as a film, with every hot young babe in Hollywood fighting over the awesome task of bringing passion and purpose to a character who has slightly less substance than a paper dressing-doll. And a sequel, Bridget Jones: The Edg of Reason, is published. For anyone who has been living in an underwater cave with King Neptune for the past three years, Bridget Jones is a single woman in her thirties with a job in the media and a burning desire to get married and have children. However, she can't find a man. This is where I have a problem with the whole thing. In my experience, it is impossible not to have a relationship with a man. I am neither loyal, beautiful nor rich (though I am one hell of a lot of fun, which, at the end of the day, seems to work better than being a size 10, or a Cordon Bleu cook, or anything), but apart from six months when I was trying to be a lesbian, I have been in steady relationships with men since I was 18, with not a week off for good behaviour. And when there was dumping to be done, it was always me who did it. MEN WANT WOMEN MORE THAN WOMEN WANT MEN. This is simply a fact. This is why men pay for sex and women don't; why married men, followed by single women, married women and single men, are the most physically and mentally he lthy members of any society; why women instigate two out of three of all divorces; why the one thing the sociologists can agree on is that, as we go into the next century, more and more living-alone women will thrive and men will suffer. I really believe that the only two reasons why a woman has to be without a man is a) if she doesn't want one, or b) if she's a bore. Feminism or the alleged man shortage have nothing to do with it. Some people would have it that BJ (and given her slavish attitude to men, were any initials ever more appropriate?) is satire. Well, I don't want to get so personal so quickly - oh, go on, then - but the first time I met Helen Fielding, at a birthday party on a Hampstead roof, I was about to tell her how much I liked her journalism (she really was a very good, witty journalist), when she asked me if it was true I had two children. I said yes, I'd had them both in my twenties. She asked if I was married; I said I'd been married twice, in my twenties. Her face took on a look of absolute molten envy, and right there and then, in front of her boyfriend and my husband, she actually started talking about her biological clock! I'd never have believed women actually did that! In a highly interesting and ironic twist, Fielding's then-boyfriend (reputed to be the model for the Diary's callous love-object Daniel Cleaver, a notorious 'commitment-phobe') would subsequently go out with my ex-girlfriend (keep up) for two years, and prove himself to be anything but. That's one of the nice things you discover about men as you get older; they'll take a man-hating, theoretical-lesbian, militant feminist over a calorie-counting, self-help-book-reading man-pleaser any time, for the simple reason that they're more fun. 'Read it for its style,' pretentious young New York bohemians used to say to their impressionable girlfriends of the Bible; it is impossible, to put it mildly, to imagine anyone saying this about Bridget Jones books. Made up completely out of diary entries, their strange telegrammish style sounds after a while like a racist doing an impersonation of an Indian: 'Is very, very good bargain!' Every time the telephone or doorbell goes, Bridget shouts 'Gaaah!' On the rare occasions she has sex with the priggis hero Mark Darcy, this is signified by 'Mmm, Mmmm.' In order to show us that she is a 'proper' novelist, Fielding occasionally breaks away from the Vale of Tears that is Bridget's private life to have her incarcerated in a Thai jail for inadvertent drug-smuggling, or make her the target of a mystery madman's bullet. There are o"}, {"response": 1419, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (05:50)", "body": "Excerpt from book (from The Times) 3 a.m. Don't know what I would have done without the girls yesterday. Called them instantly after Mark drove off, and they were round within fifteen minutes, never once saying 'I told you so.' When Shazzer bustled in with armfuls of bottles and carrier bags, barking, 'Has he rung?' was like being in ER when Dr Greene arrives. 'No,' said Jude, popping a cigarette in my mouth as if it were a thermometer. 'Only a matter of time,' said Shaz brightly, unpacking a bottle of Chardonnay, three pizzas, two tubs of H\ufffdagen-Daaz Pralines and Cream and a packet of fun-sized Twixes. 'Yup,' said Jude, putting the Pride and Prejudice tape on top of the video, together with Through Love and Loss to Self-Esteem, The Five Stages of Dating Workbook, and How to Heal the Hurt by Hating. 'He'll be back.' 'Do you think I should call him?' I said. 'No!' yelled Shaz. 'Have you gone out of your mind?' bellowed Jude. 'He's being a Martian rubber band. The last thing you must do is call him.' 'I know,' I said huffily. I mean surely she didn't think I was that badly read. 'You let him go back to his cave and feel his attraction, and you move back from Exclusivity to Uncertainty.' 'But what if he . . . ?' 'You'd better unplug it, Shaz,' sighed Jude. 'Otherwise she'll spend the whole night waiting for him to ring instead of working on her self-esteem.' 'Noooo!' I cried, feeling like they were going to cut my ear off. 'Anyway,' said Shaz brightly, pulling the phone out of the wall with a click, 'it'll do him good.' Two hours later was feeling quite confused."}, {"response": 1420, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (06:00)", "body": "Now the review from The Times. Seems unanimous. Best part of whole book is Bridget's interview with Colin! :-D ********* Bridget Jones was a true Nineties heroine. But the follow-up to her bestselling Diary is about as appealing as last night's ashtray, says Lottie Moggach Not v.g. at all Helen Fielding's Bridget Jones's Diary was a good book. Bridget exemplified the feelings many modern women felt guilty about; that, despite being supposedly independent and career-minded, they secretly yearned for a man to sweep them off their feet. She relentlessly aired insecurities about her looks, which we previously thought best to keep behind a locked bathroom door. She was endearing in her honesty; it's fun reading about people who seem to have it all, but are really in a mess. The book was amusing and palatable. You couldn't blame its author for the fact that a worrying number of women did more than just relate to and laugh at Bridget Jones; they pronounced themselves to be her living embodiment. Or that the huge success of the book has led to hundreds of poor, lurid spin-offs - Straight Talking; Lucy Sullivan Is Getting Married; The Trials of Tiffany Trott. Fielding, obviously an intelligent woman, must be bemused by what she has started. So, in writing a sequel, she had a golden opportunity for some corrective action. Bridget Jones could get a life. And the title, The Edge of Reason, does indeed suggest something a little darker. However, if this book is meant to represent a step towards sense and intelligence for Bridget Jones, it is merely a small teeter in Agent Provocateur mules and a size-too-small pencil skirt, before collapsing on the floor. The form is the same as the first. Calories, Chardonnay, cigarettes. Lusting over Mark Darcy. Shrieking and swooning with her friends Shaz and Jude. The country may have changed but Bridget hasn't; her response to the 1997 election is that Cherie Booth is fantastic because \"she too would probably not fit into tiny bikinis in communal changing rooms\". There is zero character development. Bridget's self-absorption is unchallenged and complete. The nearest she gets to a healthy perspective on life is a momen when, in despair because Darcy is getting off with someone else, she sits by a river and thinks, \"perhaps none of this matters, because there'll always be nature.\" This, though, is just a throwaway comment. Towards the end, there is an unconvincing plot twist. On a girl's holiday to Thailand, Bridget gets duped into being a drugs mule and ends up in prison facing ten years. Extraordinarily, Thai jail sounds rather a hoot. Bridget ends up, by popular demand, performing Like a Virgin, wearing a Wonderbra and sarong and using a Tampax as a microphone. And, of course, being fed on rice and water is very good for slimming. Because this book fails to go anywhere, all the aspects that were original and lively about the first are now irritating and tired. The italicised statistics at the beginning. Sentences without prepositions. Bridget's distressed seagull cries of \"Gaaah!\". The clubby name-checking of the west London media lifestyle. Second time around, the minor characters seem like clich\ufffds rather than caricatures. Gaaah. The more the book sits on your stomach, the more queasy you feel; as if you've gorged on wine, chocolate and pizza at the same rate as Bridget does. The bits which do make you smile (notably when Bridget, trying to forge a career as a journalist, disastrously interviews the actor Colin Firth), quickly fade into insignificance. The morals of this story are being generally self-absorbed, shallow and ignorant. For example, Bridget doesn't know where Germany is; she takes a stranger's bag on to a plane and thinks that a bullet is, in fact, a lipstick (another incredible plot twist, although this is passed off as kooky and charming rather than basic stupidity); and she thinks living her life according to Californian psychobabble is good. Salman Rushdie may consider Bridget Jones to be a \"brilliant comic creation\", but I suspect that other men will think, understandably, that this confirms a view of women as silly, trivial, desperate creatures. It's bad luck that this sequel has come out around the same time as Sue Townsend's Adrian Mole - The Cappuccino Years; it suffers heavily in comparison. Adrian Mole really is a brilliant comic creation, and Townsend's satire much sharper. Every sentence is witty and well thought out, and the whole has reverberations beyond itself. But whatever reviewers say, The Edge of Reason will sell by the truckload. You just can't account for taste."}, {"response": 1421, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (09:04)", "body": "Hmmm, saw the Lottie Moggach interview (LM is a novelist, but not a best-selling one like Helen). Julie Burchill is a nototoriously \"acid\" writer, whom most people avoid like the plague. I thought the personal comments about Helen (\"her face took on a look of molten envvy...biological clock\" and particularly the fact that Helen's then boy friend switched allegiancies to Burchill's ex-girl friend) are way, way out of order. Cruel and unnecessary. Typical Burchill slum standard. As I've said, I'll collect my copy today (Made the mistake of ordering from local bookshop who seem to operate 24 hours behind the rest of the world!). From the extracts, a lot of it seems to be re-cycled from HF's old stuff. The Colin interview must, I'm sure, be the Independent \"interview\". But as the Independent only has a readership of 300,000, going down daily, most people would not have seen this. And it's too good to waste. I expect HF to suffer from the success-envy syndrome. It seems to me that in the UK that once you've been terribly successful, your subsequenrt efforts are always ridiculed. It's \"knock-em off the pedestal\" time. Think CF also suffered from this!"}, {"response": 1422, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (16:59)", "body": "A sophomore slump has become so expected it's almost pre-destined. And as for Burchill - she indeed sounds like a nasty piece of work. What an ego! Just begging to be brought down a few pegs. I'd like to see Helen do the honors. Still, JB was funny at times. Mark, loved your on-the-spot reporting yet again. If we can do anything for you...come up with bail money, intermediate between you and your dear wife...please let us know."}, {"response": 1423, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (17:36)", "body": "Have skim-read the book and, shallow though I may be, I like it ...a lot! Mark Darcy is in evidence throughout, and CF as himself also puts in an appearance (very funny). Will now read properly!"}, {"response": 1424, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Nov 20, 1999 (22:48)", "body": "Couldn't exactly call this the sophmore slump, BJD was her sophmore book! Perhaps its the growing pains for being a junior;) (Well, I thought it was funny!) Still want to read, and who cares if jealous non-bestselling authors condem a book. That's THEIR problem! so, ha!"}, {"response": 1425, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 21, 1999 (05:01)", "body": "Two articles in the Sunday Times about Bridget. http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/Sunday-Times/frontpage.html?999 An interview with Helen, using a Bridget-style setup, repeating many of her standard answers, including Mark's fav. I won't copy the entire thing here. Go to: News Review, \"Me and Ms. Jones\" Differences between this book and the last one: many (obviously have not simply copied it out). The Edge of Reason (very clever sounding, non? ) starts where the last one left off, with Bridget in bed with Mark Darcy and about to discover what happens when you have a man, not as a fantasy in your head, but actually in your flat and he thinks washing up means twiddling one fork under the tap then waiting to be praised for being a New Man. The plot is more dramatic - Bridget goes to Thailand and ends up being banged in jail for alleged drug smuggling - but it is also about her internal state of mind. She starts off using self-help books in the same pick-and-mix way that she once used diets, hopping between the Road Less Travelled and Buddhism Made Simple in the same way that she used to vacillate between the Scarsdale and the F-plan. Number of actresses cast in the part of Bridget in the movie: 0. The film is being made by Working Title and will be shot next year, but we're still at the script stage with quite a few of us involved in writing it. I keep seeing girls who I think would be perfect for the part; my favourite was a girl in the gym who was sitting on a machine for really quite a long time reading a magazine and not exercising at all. I nearly walked up and offered her the part. Plans to start work on new novel immediately: 0. ********* But I must cut and paste the entire Review! It describes in quite a bit of detail the Persuasion angle: Keeping up with the Jones by LYNNE TRUSS There is no escaping recognition humour these days. Satire is struggling, wit is on the wane, but recognition humour arrives by dumper-truck. Everywhere you look, there is someone saying \"What about dandruff then?\" and waiting for applause. So, while the publication of a follow-up Bridget Jones volume - albeit modestly arriving in the shops without fanfare - might look primarily like a cynical way of making an enormous amount of guaranteed money before Christmas (and I do hope Picador realises how easily heir intentions have been penetrated), for the author of such a sequel, there are a number of risks. How many times can you define the comic zeitgeist? Bridget Jones's Diary (1996) was always funnier and more acute than its calorie-fixated reputation presented it as, but hasn't the world moved on a bit since the diary's heyday three years ago? Aren't the mating habits of ditsy urban \"Singletons\" a bit old hat? Good grief, think how quickly everyone got tired of Friends. Moreover, there was a formal problem for Helen Fielding to overcome. Bridget Jones's Diary ended with a heavily underlined Pride and Prejudice romantic conclusion. After disliking and distrusting him for all the wrong reasons (remote behaviour, superior family connections, big house), Bridget had finally recognised the true worth of her very own Mr Darcy - conveniently Mr Darcy was his actual name, to avoid ambiguity - and acquired him at Christmas 1996 as (famously) \"Nice boyfriends 1\". \"Where can go fro here? Where? Where? GAAAH!\" Fielding must have asked herself, in Bridget Jones-type feverish prose, as she surveyed her narrative options. Well, the excellent news is that Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason is - apart from being set without hiatus in 1997, about which truly nobody cares any more - funnier and more accomplished than the original diary, and in fact takes recognition humour into a new dimension. First, there is the everyday dandruffy stuff at which Fielding excels, in any case: Bridget wrestles with \"mad\" hair, buys \"scary pants\" in Marks & Spencer, dials 1471 18 times to keep making sure she hasn't gone inexplicably deaf (who h sn't done this?), and has a mother who takes her to have her colours done in Debenhams and says things such as, \"She's a spring or I'm a tin of pears\". I loved Bridget's married friend Magda, forever addressing her small children while on the phone to her mates. \"Bridget hi!\" says Magda, memorably. \"I was just ringing to say in the potty.\" Then there is the nice, warmfeeling derived from simply meeting Bridget again, because unlike other fictional diary writers in the same league (Pooter; Adrian Mole; Private Eye's John Major), she breaks free of the restrictive faux-naif tradition and is therefore robust and entertainingly good company. And finally, there is an exceptionally nice, warm feeling when you realise that having exhausted the plot of Pride and Prejudice, Fielding has simply refused to be defeated. Instead she has continued wanton y nicking ideas from Jane Austen and not minding at all who knows it. True, Anne Elliot in Persuasion never got into comical difficulties at a Thai airport, as Jones does. True, "}, {"response": 1426, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Nov 21, 1999 (22:16)", "body": "One good review. Thanks for the print out, Karen! I was not able to get to Ms Jones article, tant pis! I hope that our dear friends who are reading the book post the message CF leaves on Bridget's recorder."}, {"response": 1427, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Nov 21, 1999 (23:56)", "body": "Have to say that the bad reviews are totally unjustified, as are the personal attacks on HF,...there seems to be a HF/BJ backlash. It made me laugh...it's a funny book ...why do female reviewers seem to think it should be making serious statements. Here's the main CF bit.. much edited: 10am Colin Firth hasn't rung. 10.03 Still hasn't rung 10.07 Wonder if it's too early to wake Jude and Shazzer up? May be he is waiting til his girlfriend has gone out shopping to ring me. 5pm Flat looks like bomb has hit it, due to Mr Darcy stakeout : sprawled all over sitting room like in Thelma and Louise when Thelma's house is taken over by police and Harvey Keitel is waiting for them to ring with tape recorders whirring in the background..... 6.15 Still has not rung. Maybe girl friend has just refused to go out shopping. Maybe they have just been having sex all weekend and sending out for Italian icecream and laughing at me behind my back. (They go out..return after 14 minutes..answer phone is flashing..) Tremulously as though it was an unexploded bomb, Shazzer reached forward and pressed ANSWER PLAY. \"Hello Bridget, this is Colin Firth\" We all jumped a foot backwards. It was Mr Darcy. The same posh, deep can't be bothered voice that he proposed to Elizabeth Bennet in on the BBC. Me. Mr Darcy said Bridget. On my answerphone. \"I gather you're coming to Rome to interview me on Monday\" he went on. I was calling to arrange somewhere to meet. There's a square called the Piazza Navona, sort of easy place to find in a taxi. I'll meet you 4.30 by the fountain. Have a safe journey\" 1471, 1471\" gabbled Jude. \"Get the tape out... \"Call him back\" screamed Sharon like an SS torturer. \"Call him back and ask him to meet you in the fountain. OhmyGod.\" (Then Tom rings with a message making fun of Mr Darcy..) \"Shut up Tom!\" But it was too late. My answerphone recording of Mr Darcy saying the word Bridget and asking me to meet him in Rome by the fountain has been lost for ever. And there is nothing anyone in the world will be able to do about it. Nothing,nothing. Nice! I like it. Ignore the anti-BJ critics. The sequel isn't perfect, but it's fun. There's another reference somewhere to CF as being \"really nice\". Helen gives him good PR!"}, {"response": 1428, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (00:15)", "body": "Thanks, Bethan. You have certainly whetted my appetite."}, {"response": 1429, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (01:45)", "body": "That was hysterical, Bethan. Loved it. \"meet in in the fountain\" Hoping for a wet interview. :-D Also loved their conclusions about him and Livia laughing at her behind her back. Too much. Can't wait to read."}, {"response": 1430, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (06:07)", "body": "Review in The Observer: http://www.newsunlimited.co.uk/Print/0,3858,3932818,00.html Again, talks about the Bridget-CF Interview being a highlight. Pam goes to Kenya and brings back a tribal warrior too. ;-D"}, {"response": 1431, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (08:24)", "body": "I will wait for Allison to define kitten heels, I have not been to this topic for a while and now I have to confess to failure. Whilst Mark is crashing launch parties and Bethan and Karen are copying out vast tracts from books and press, I have to confess that I have no idea what a kitten heel is. It sounds rather 1950'ish! Have reall yen joyed all the extracts. Will definitely put it on my Christmas list!"}, {"response": 1432, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (08:42)", "body": "Cannot let the Julie Burchill comments pass unstabbed. Possibly HF only started talking about her own personal problems because she felt embarrassed (in a Bridget-like way) that an innocent question had revealed JB's inability to have any kind of satisfactory personal life. 2 failed marriages in her twenties, children, lesbian relationships, back to straight.... And possibly the fact that JB finds it so easy to land a man all the time is that she doesn't know how to form a functional relationship with a man (or indeed a woman) and has no standards. Uh-oh, I'm getting a little defensive about my sex here. Back to the book - later in the evening that Shazzer and Jude bring round the videos, an emotional crisis for Bridget has them shouting: \"Quick - put on the tape - fast forward to the wet shirt ... now ... now!\" I thought that might find some approval here. I take it everyone read the BJ interview with CF when it weas available (on Lisbeth's timeline, I think) last year? In a sense, HF has provided some cement for all the best bits from articles that were in the Telegraph (though I'm only halfway through the book) but done it very well. Given the book's concentration on CF, and the fact that HF told Laura last year that she had visited this board, it's all too easy to believe that HF is lurking out there somewhere (or contributing under a false name ...???)"}, {"response": 1433, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (12:59)", "body": "OK, Mark, I confess, NOT! Thanks for all the postings and the reviews. I can only imagine her to be stressing the CF thing to 1. Convince him to do Mark Darcy. 2. Convince the film producers to get him to be Mark Darcy. 3. To let everyone know that no matter who gets the part, he is Mark Darcy. So Helen, if you are reading this, give us a sign."}, {"response": 1434, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (14:08)", "body": "3. To let everyone know that no matter who gets the part, he is Mark Darcy. Definitely, this is the one. HF thanks CF, right up front, for being her inspiration. Doubt she comes here anymore. The reason was curiosity at our responses to her columns. Since she writes those no longer... About that JB article. I'm constantly amazed at the differences between what can be published in the UK and here. And didn't you say your libel laws were easier to prosecute under than ours...wait, that came from the UK Politically Incorrect show. Oh well...I thought the anti-Bridget and Ally bashing contingents had had their says and we've moved on."}, {"response": 1435, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (17:10)", "body": "After this book, if CF doesn't take the role, I feel sorry for any guy who does.Blatantly second choice...and everyone will compare him to CF... and moan...!"}, {"response": 1436, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (20:31)", "body": "I shouldn't say this, but if Colin appears as himself giving an interview, does this mean he will not appear as Mark Darcy? Unfortunately, this seems very logical to me :'-( Mark, congratulations on crashing the party (I never thought I would say such words :-P) Everybody, you are a great read evenwhen I have no time and must rush through the posts."}, {"response": 1437, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (20:55)", "body": "Ditto to all the Julie Burchill comments made. When a reviewer makes the review all about herself (to which I say in earnest: Who cares?), it diminishes the content of the review. Thanks for taking the time to find and post the reviews, Karen. And a big thanks to Bethan for posting the excerpt. Maybe they have just been having sex all weekend and sending out for Italian icecream and laughing at me behind my back. Fielding certainly hasn't lost her touch! I'll be buying when it comes to our friendly shores. Hey, if CF doesn't play Mark (too busy with Flashman miniseries), maybe he'll play himself in a cameo..."}, {"response": 1438, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (21:33)", "body": "Or perhaps he will play Mark AND himself....that would be interesting."}, {"response": 1439, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (21:40)", "body": "OR better yet, Jonathon Firth plays Colin Firth and Colin Firth plays Mark Darcy. Get the best of both worlds;)"}, {"response": 1440, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (22:21)", "body": "(Gi) if Colin appears as himself giving an interview, does this mean he will not appear as Mark Darcy? that was my first thought as well... but i like Laura's idea!!! :) Mark- congrats on your sucessfully crashing the party!!!! And you didnt get caught!!! I'm so impressed - i crashed a wedding about 2 months ago, and was caught by the bride and groom (who thankfully were very gracious and invited me to stay even thought we had never met before in my life) *blushing* The sequel is sounding wonderful... dont know if i'll be able to wait for it to be released here in the states, might have to order it and pay the horrid postage. Thanks for the excerpts and interviews, Karen and Bethan!!! :)"}, {"response": 1441, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (23:47)", "body": "The new book sounds like a hoot. Thanks Bethan, Mark, and Karen for the excerpts, interviews, etc. Surfing around a bit, I found a reference to a recent \"live interview\" with Helen in which she said, \"We are still working on the new script. IT WILL BE MAINLY BASED ON THE FIRST BOOK.\" It hasn't been cast yet.\""}, {"response": 1442, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Nov 22, 1999 (23:54)", "body": "I'm waiting for Mark to give an erudite, well-considered review, as per SLOW, before I chip in with what will undoubtably be an inferior version! But, in the meantime, I must have my say. I've been dipping into the book all weekend, reading backwards, forwards, from the middle (not how one is supposed to read a book, I know!) And the more I read it, the more I like it, and I just cannot understand some of the uncharitable reviews. It's made me smile...a lot...and frequently hoot with laughter! It's quite sweetly romantic - happy endings all round, Bridget and Mark, Jude and Vile Richard, Bridget's parents, Mark's parents, Magda and Jeremy, even Shazzer. Although Rebecca gets stuck with Giles (Mark's boring colleague), Tom seems to be developing a fancy for Mark Darcy, and Geoffrey (of Una and Geoffrey) turns out to be, as Bri get's mum comments, \"one of those homos -but \"bi\", so it's okay\" :-) Other snippets. Some of the episodes are familiar (taken from the Telegraph columns). Gary the builder is back, though with a slightly different persona, Daniel appears and is punched on the nose by Mark Darcy, some Persuasion parallels, including Rebecca jumping off a bridge and being rescued by Mark and Fat Giles. Mark Darcy wears Newcastle United boxer shorts, wears a towel (twice), gets detained by the police (twice) and admits to sleeping (once)with Rebecca \"I mean one's only human. I was a guest. It seemed only polite\". Pam goes to Africa and brings back a Masai tribesman. Also invites round Elaine Darcy and Admiral Darcy (MD's parents) to tell them off re. Mark's supposed behaviour to Bridget. Colin (Bridget's dad) takes to drink. Colin (Firth) makes several indirect appearances (at one point Bridget surmises that Rebecca is going out with Colin Firth). Richard Finch takes to snorting coke. Bridget gets a good job with Cinnamon Productions, makers of the programme \"Blind Snog\". Mark Darcy goes down on his knees to propose, sort of. Read the book...only 422 pages!"}, {"response": 1443, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (05:49)", "body": "(Bethan) before I chip in with what will undoubtably be an inferior version! Ah... do not sell yourself short. I've been laughing *with* your inferior version. Now, why is reading this book from page 1 to page 422 not desirable? ;-D happy endings all round Uhmmm... almost seemed like Helen was going to pull the rug out from under us. She intimated that Bridget-Mark was not going to be the fairy tale ending, i.e., life is not like that. (bummer, to bring in reality!) ;-D Daniel appears and is punched on the nose by Mark Darcy Yes! Mark Darcy wears Newcastle United boxer shorts Yes! Yes! ...wears a towel (twice) Hoorah!! yes yes yes!! (HF listens to her fans) admits to sleeping (once)with Rebecca \"I mean one's only human. I was a guest. It seemed only polite\". V. convincing barrister-like argument. ;-D Another article in The Telegraph called, \"How Mr Darcy Manages to Turn up in Persuasion\": http://www.booksonline.co.uk:80/booksol?ac=002136006238665&rtmo=fafsvlss&atmo=mmmmmH9R&pg=/99/11/20/bobrig20.html"}, {"response": 1444, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (10:21)", "body": "Interesting that the Telegraph picked up on the Persuasion parallels. They're there, but you have to look for them. Mark Darcy writes a letter to BJ to tell her of his true feelings, but unfortunately gives her the wrong note..a handwritten copy of Rudyard Kipling's poem \"If\". Which BJ thinks is the equivalent of a self-help book. Shazzer/Jude take on the Lady Russell role, phoning up Bridget to give her advice on her relationship with Mark, even when Mark is there. \"'E's 'ere\" I hissed clenched-teethedly. (on phone) !It's all right\" said Mark, nodding reassuringly. \"I realise I'm here. I don't think it's the sort of thing we should be keeping from each other\". Jude goes too far and precipitates major break-up... While I was staring, Mark pulled the piece of paper off the fax, looked at it and handed it over. It was a scrawled note from Jude saying \"Who needs Mark Darcy when \ufffd9.99 plus P&P will buy you one of these\", on top of an advert for a vibrator with a tongue."}, {"response": 1445, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (13:22)", "body": "LOL! Thanks Bethan, for your enjoyable report. And you Karen, for the article."}, {"response": 1446, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (14:35)", "body": "Bethan, I don't think I can top your review. And my \"erudition\" sadly does not extend to having read Persuasion . Shame on me! However, I am delighted if HF has constructed a second conceit based on JA, because I think it introduces a level of art into the humour. I am still only halfway through (reading the book in the old-fashioned manner of start to finish), and fighting with my DW for the book at all times. However, I can say that I think overall the book is tighter and funnier than the first, although maybe a little more two-dimensional and harsh. Bridget's character infuriates some (including my wife and many reviewers) who want her to be a more plausible person rather than a monstrous magnification of certain insecurities and sensibilities. If she is too feckless to look after herself, she earns sympathy and derision in equal measure, and you hope that Mark Darcy will eventually give her the commitment that she craves but hardly deserves. Although it's easy to see why she is reviled by some feminists. The appearance of Colin Firth in the book (often referred to by BJ as Mr Darcy) right next to Mark Darcy, almost seems incestuous at times, but the cast of characters provides enough rich farce to carry the whole project along almost seamlessly. Subjectively, of course, I think it's fantastically good and well-written. Note how many critics deride the style but still imitate it: \"Laughs 26 (v.g.), sympathetic characters 0\" harhar! Love the idea of CF playing both Mark Darcy and himself in the film or a sequel!"}, {"response": 1447, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (15:32)", "body": "Reviewers get too caught up in character analysis. I like it purely for HF's humor: It was a scrawled note from Jude saying \"Who needs Mark Darcy when \ufffd9.99 plus P&P will buy you one of these...\" LOL."}, {"response": 1448, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (16:07)", "body": "Another article in the Evening Standard; can't remember if this was already posted, but is critical. Thinks Bridget is too old (40) to be acting in this way anymore. Pfft!! Stereotypes re: age. Reviewer should be hung up by his toenails. ;-D http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/html/lifestyle/books/top_direct.html"}, {"response": 1449, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (18:12)", "body": "MY BOOK CAME!!! I HAVE IT. Okay, sorry, I needed something to be excited over!!! WooHoo! (Now if I wasn't at work, sigh...) v.g! yessssssssssss!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 1450, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (18:53)", "body": "Bridget isn't 40! She's on the cusp of thirty surely. And the book is, putting it simply, very funny and an entertaining read. (And a book that can be dipped into at random!) It's certainly worth ordering and paying the extra postage charges!! I don't understand why reviewers are trying to take it so seriously and attacking it, unless great success can only be topped by failure. Sour grapes! I hope Helen's friends are supporting her! :-) Thanks Mark, for your supporting views!"}, {"response": 1451, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (19:01)", "body": "It's certainly worth ordering and paying the extra postage charges!! ] Yep, yep, yep, Rebecca will play her Pokemon game on her brand new color game boy, while mom digs into BJ. OH BOY do I EVER need, BJ right now!!!!!"}, {"response": 1452, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (19:57)", "body": "Thank you Bethan for all the blurbs,Karen for the media reviews, and Mark for your comments from the male perspective....what does YDW think of the book? OK Laura...go to it! We are eagerly awaiting what the BJ Topic Host has to say."}, {"response": 1453, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (20:05)", "body": "I've been so entertained by your reviews, excerpts and other posts! Thank you all very much. Can the book make me laugh more than you already managed? I'm working on my shopping list for January :-)"}, {"response": 1454, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (21:22)", "body": "Laura, what site did you order your book from? Do only the British-based sites have it in stock?"}, {"response": 1455, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (21:50)", "body": "Esbee, you have to go to amazon.co.uk or waterstones.co.uk Can't buy it in the US. Shipping is a !@#$% argh"}, {"response": 1456, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (21:51)", "body": "Evelyn, yeah, me too! Esbee, it was ordered thru amazon.co.uk last week (Tuesday to be exact, and was airmailed to me. Received today!). n.b, eh?"}, {"response": 1457, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (21:54)", "body": "For two books w/ shipping it was 28lbs. If I remember correctly, I deleted the shipping info that Lynn sent me."}, {"response": 1458, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Nov 23, 1999 (23:09)", "body": "Thanks Laura and Karen :)"}, {"response": 1459, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (13:21)", "body": "Okay, it's a fast read and I must say that most of it is what we read online, with more filler in it. I'm finding Shaz and Jude to be extremely annoying and Magda with her children while interacting with Bridge is also annoying. Just up to the part where Rebecca has invited Mark and Bridge to her house and Bridge was caught snoggin with whippersnapper(nephew). Anyway, that's all so far!"}, {"response": 1460, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (14:26)", "body": "ooooh, towel bit coming up shortly... ;-D"}, {"response": 1461, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Nov 24, 1999 (14:59)", "body": "Yeah, but it was anti-climactic as I already knew WORD FOR WORD what happened! Right now I'm up to the Persuasion chapter (v. beginning). Mother is still annoying and dad is on drugs;) (not really, just walking around in a haze!)"}, {"response": 1462, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 25, 1999 (03:20)", "body": "From The Independent: It's business as usual in Bridget Jones land Louisa Young Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason by Helen Fielding (Picador, \ufffd12.99) SOME PEOPLE think it a good thing to criticise a novel for what it's not. It's not great literature, for example, or it's not a truly academic work, or it's not as searing/haunting/stringent as this or that \ufffd and its heroine is not a good example of how a modern, independent woman should be. All of which is absolutely true of Bridget Jones: the Edge of Reason (follow-up to Bridget Jones's Diary, international best-seller, public icon and spawner of backlash), and all of which is utterly beside the point. Bridget Jones is what it/she is: funny. I find Bridget, as well as funny, simultaneously reassuring and a pain. She's a pain because I (along with 90 per cent of women in this country \ufffd yes, I do mean you, and nothing Camille Paglia can say will change my view on this) have had those telephone/chardonnay/boyfriend moments, and I don't care to be reminded of them or of myself at the time. She's reassuring because even though she hasn't grown up, I have. I can look back and laugh, like a drain, and hollowly. And that is what Bridget Jones is for. She's for laughing kind of at and kind of with. She's no role model \ufffd she never was. She's a scapegoat, a there-but-for-the-grace-of-God-go-all-of-us-except-of-course-Julie-Burchill-who-is-much-too-grand. Our story takes up with Bridget listing her blessings: \"9st 3 (total fat groove), boyfriends 1 (hurrah!), shags 3 (hurrah!), calories 2,100, calories used up by shags 600, so total calories 1,500 (exemplary).\" So from the beginning we know that it's business as usual in Bridget-land. Bridget has a job in television, a flat of her own, a lovely human rights lawyer boyfriend who owns a huge house in Holland Park, some corking girlfriends, lots of Voyage cardigans and lovely little slippy dresses from Agn\ufffds B, breakfast and dinner in groovy Notting Hill hangouts, weekends in the country, holidays in exotic Far East locations. Sounds all right, doesn't it? Unfortunately for her (though not for Helen Fielding, or really for the reader) Bridget still hasn't cottoned on to the simple truth that, no matter what your blessings, the key to a modern girl's happiness is not to care how much she weighs. Without knowing this, she will never be happy. But if she were happy, would she amuse us? I suspect not, vultures that we are. What's good for Bridget the Best-Seller is sad for Bridget the Girl. No matter what happens to Bridget, she doesn't learn. She lets her girlfriends make her chuck the lovely boyfriend; she carries someone else's bag through customs in Thailand; she gives a builder \ufffd3,500 in cash \ufffd but none of this matters because plot is irrelevant in these books. Even more so than in most novels, if anyone behaved in even a slightly realistic or reasonable manner there would be no story. Bridget and her true love both manage to think that the other has chucked them, and don't bother to check. They are sent wheeling to and fro by classic devices such as a mislaid love note, overhearing a chat behind a hedge, and the heroine's being forced by circumstance to stay in the love object's home. The role of the usual 19th-century storm-induced influenza is played here by one of the most unconvincing death-threats \ufffd no, the most unconvincing death threat \ufffd I've ever read. And also, of course, one of the funniest. No, the funniest. A bullet arrives in the post with her name engraved on it. She thinks it's a promotional lipstick. Attagirl! In an attempt to win the happiness that will render her either fictionally obsolete or, at least, much more difficult to write about amusingly, Bridget has been reading self-help books. Fielding has a field day with them; Bridget, of course, learns nothing. Still, at the end of this book there is a shaft of light. For a moment, she seems to be going to treat her young man as a human being. It's curiously heartwarming. I don't feel that Bridget is letting the sisterhood down by wanting to love and be loved on a day-to-day basis, and I would like her to be happy, because she's a nice girl. She may not prove to be quite so funny any more, but I bet she has other fascinating qualities waiting to emerge in her maturity. Funniness is not everything. Whoops. It's that \"not\" word again."}, {"response": 1463, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 27, 1999 (03:15)", "body": "Evelyn found this: IT'S HELENA-BONHAM CARTER!!! Article in Saturday's Times about the true purpose of BJD. But the best thing is a picture of HB-C (captioned \"tipped to play Bridget\") and the final paragraph: \"The film of the book should be with us next year: another chance for women to explain themselves to men. And with Helena Bonham Carter playing BJ, there shouldn't be any difficulty persuading Mr Right to take a seat in the stalls.\" To the article: http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/tim/99/11/27/x-timwekwek02008.html?999"}, {"response": 1464, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Nov 27, 1999 (04:10)", "body": "Somehow, I just always pictured BJ as a blonde... hmmmm... But I can deal with H B-C. (However, I cannot picture CF as MD now?) Okay, finished BJ: The Edge of Reason. And to give you my honest opinion... It was okay, not great (but, yeah, I was glued, only to find out how BJ would get out of any trouble she got into!) And whatever HF did to Gary the Builder is ridiculous, but I won't spoil it. Will add that the Persuasion aspect of it, was glaringly obvious. Yeah, Rebecca takes a spill, but she's not the injured party in the sense that Louisa Musgrove was. There is another character. Shaz is still crazy as always (and still iving Jude and Bridge bad advice at the same time! {um, hasn't she heard, practice what you preach?}) Mark Darcy is in quite a bit of it, but he's not really explored. She really could've had fun with this character of hers, but she lets us down (again), by not really going into much detail about why he does what he does (taking the Fitzwilliam Darcy persona a bit too far, perhaps? remember, JMHO;)) Again, Mom and Dad are just completely nuts, and no wonder why Bridge is a bit daft. Only Bridge could go to Thailand (during monsoon season, no less), and get into a bit of a squiff. She's gullible, vulnerable and sometimes just plain stupid. (she counts how many minutes she HAS NOT HAD SEX! and she does the math! {on calculator, of course}. I wonder how good Mark Darcy and Bridget Jones are for each other, as they clearly still haven't figured out how to communicate with each other."}, {"response": 1465, "author": "nky", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (18:11)", "body": "Just started to read \"The Edge of Reason\" and got through a couple of chapters and to tell you the truth, I'm not liking it as much as BJD. I guess the excitement died down a little. But, I saw that Helen Fielding acknowledged a bunch of people and Colin Firth's name was mentioned (hurray!!)"}, {"response": 1466, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Dec  1, 1999 (23:32)", "body": "It is getting a little wearing. I'm only in March but I've wanted to ring her neck, let's see, about 60 times now. Still, there's enough to make me crack up and want to read more. For my own curiousity, does anyone know which Kevin Curran it is that Helen gives a special acknowlegement to? Not a new boyfriend, is he? There's a professional tennis player from England or South Africa (forget which) who was around in the 80s - made it to the finals of Wimbledon one year - name of Kevin Curran."}, {"response": 1467, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (19:15)", "body": "Don't read it all at once...pick up, put down. Read it in short bursts. It's sold nearly 50,000 in hardback in just under 2 weeks, which is excellent in terms of UK book sales."}, {"response": 1468, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (19:39)", "body": "Seems it\ufffds expected to be a big hit over here too, I bought it two weeks ago, scooping it from a huge heap in the best place of shop. Btw I like it so far, I\ufffdm on page 296 and have tittered aloud about 20 times. Did somebody say that feminists don\ufffdt like it?? I think this is a seriously feministic oeuvre :-D"}, {"response": 1469, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Dec  2, 1999 (21:10)", "body": "It's sold nearly 50,000 in hardback in just under 2 weeks, which is excellent in terms of UK book sales. ] And I wonder how much flew out of the UK and into the US:)"}, {"response": 1470, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  6, 1999 (01:49)", "body": "Nice review by the Financial Times (4/12) BRIDGET JONES: Still chasing Mr Darcy By Susanna Rustin The diary, by definition, is the most self-conscious of forms, and famous diarists cannot help but be aware of each other. Thus Adrian Mole, aged 30 in Sue Townsend's latest novel, wonders enviously and without irony how Bridget Jones got her diaries published. Helen Fielding is quick to return the compliment: \"Hurrah! The wilderness years are over\" trumpets Bridget in the opening fanfare to The Edge of Reason. The phrase is borrowed from Mole, but to Bridget, for whose unmarried thirtysomething persona Fielding coined the term singleton, wilderness denotes a specific lack: 1996's bestselling Bridget Jones's Diary achieved closure with its heroine's acquisition of \"boyfriends 1\" - as she reminds her new diary at the outset. Now chronic insecurity, combined with pride and neurotic game playing, ensure that romantic bliss with Mr Darcy is shortlived. A series of farcical faux pas - saucy Valentines, botched snogs, filthy faxes - brings about the communication breakdown without which Bridget's love life would have no plot. Her infuriatingly unhelpful friends Shazzer and Jude heap coals on the fires of misunderstanding, until Bridget watches her handsome prince retreat into the clutches of the Other Woman. Back in the wilderness, Bridget resolves to cultivate the inner poise which her library of self-help books values above all else: \"Am woman of world with career\", \"Am going to be top-flight journalist\", she announces, before embarking on a journey to Rome. There, she conducts a ludicrous interview with actor Colin Firth, ostensibly pegged to his forthcoming film Fever Pitch, but in fact entirely taken up with his role in the BBC's adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Even when ostensibly focusing on a career move, Bridget is ruled by romantic fantasies, with the result that her accident-prone working life is never more than a diverting sub-plot. In Jane Austen's day, of course, marriage to Mr Darcy was all a girl could hope for, and Fielding was loudly criticised, first time around, for seeming to perpetuate the vain, self-obsessed, boy-crazy mentality of the sillier Miss Bennets. Certainly, Bridget Jones is no Elizabeth; although she has something of the self-contained dignity of Anne Elliot, whose plight in Austen's Persuasion is the model for the particular torments inflicted here. Publicly, she does retain her composure. And, finally, she lea ns from her mistakes. Two house parties hosted by arch-rival Rebecca provide some of Fielding's finest comic moments, as she works her devious, self-serving caricature to the bone. Bridget's mother is on memorably wild form, bringing a Kikuyu tribesman home from a holiday in Kenya and embarrassing her only daughter at every twist and turn. Magda's daughter Constance lives up to her name deliciously when, at her third birthday party, she makes her preference for honest Bridget over sycophantic Rebecca absolutely clear. Darcy ha dly puts a foot wrong. He has wit - \"dating war command\" is his shorthand for Bridget's dubious line in advice - as well as brains, looks and money. And he does a smooth line in rescues. I must admit to being taken aback to learn that Fielding's character is getting on for 40, and would bet money that the actress who plays her in the forthcoming film will be nearer 30. I laughed at the original Diary more, but for a sequel this holds up well. Helen Fielding is very clever and entertaining, and Bridget Jones has made her rich. Muddled-up and emotionally immature, Bridget is no role model; but since when did we look to satire for those?"}, {"response": 1471, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec  6, 1999 (02:18)", "body": "Good level-headed review....BJ not to be taken seriously.... The reviewer and I see eye to eye on Shazzer and Jude..\"Her infuriatingly unhelpful friends Shazzer and Jude heap coals on the fires of misunderstanding,...\"The friends from hell!"}, {"response": 1472, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Dec 11, 1999 (18:49)", "body": "I haven't read this book, but thought that those of you on this board might be interested to know that the actresses currently touted in the running to play Bridget are: Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslett, Rachel Weisz and Emily Watson."}, {"response": 1473, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Dec 12, 1999 (00:49)", "body": "Thanks, Cheryl1B, where did you get this info? And what happened to HB-C?"}, {"response": 1474, "author": "baine", "date": "Sun, Dec 12, 1999 (02:50)", "body": "OK, you guys got me to read this, and I started laughing aloud on page 1. But--a bit of translation please. What is f***wittage? An action, a condition, a person who behaves in a certain way? Despite the frequency of its use in the text, I'm still not clear on exactly what it means. Thanks to the idiomatic Britspeakers."}, {"response": 1475, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Dec 12, 1999 (04:47)", "body": "You've heard of half-wits and dim-wits, I'm sure. This is a term that HF was accused of inventing, but I'm not sure but what NH thought of it first. It is the condition of having ... um ... what was the Portugese expression? ... tomatoes? ... for brains. Let Gi translate. An moral adolescent. A commitment - phobe. (Mind you, all of this is taken out of context...I don't think it's in the dictionary yet ... But it will be. *Hee hee*!)"}, {"response": 1476, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Dec 12, 1999 (06:23)", "body": "I think H B-C is still in the frame, at least according to UK sources! but I've never known there be so much conjecture about who takes on a role. I mean, Cameron Diaz playing BJ and H B-C playing her, there's quite a difference. Ditto Kate Winslett. There was some news on one of our radio arts programmes yesterday. The sequel to BJD has book sales totalling \ufffd1 million, excluding online orders. It will be available in the US (and worldwide) from the first week of March. The news broadcaster said that the timing was expected to coincide with the start of the production of the movie. The movie is expected to stay true to the first book, with the same characters appearing. No casting has been announced as yet. Mind you as CF seems to dominate the Seque , as himself, as himself playing Darcy, and (IMHO) as Mark Darcy (broad shoulders and bald patch!), he seem to be the obvious choice! BTW, I like the sequel, particularly the bits that hadn't appeared in serial form in the Telegraph. It's the sort of book that can be dipped into, and still be funny. Although, I'm not sure if it's the sort of book to read through in one sitting!"}, {"response": 1477, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Dec 12, 1999 (14:09)", "body": "The book grew on me. I've concluded I like Bridget better when desperately single rather than desperately coupled. Huge laughs in any chapter with Rebecca and Colin Firth. Loved the subplot(?) with Mum's new houseguest. Cymbeline, did you read the first diary? Cameron Diaz as Bridget blows my mind. Throwing names out like this can only mean they're trying to keep generating interest in this very old project."}, {"response": 1478, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 12, 1999 (14:26)", "body": "I agree with Heide about the names. Just for buzz in the US. I'd go with the report in The Times about HB-C. Sounded pretty firm to me."}, {"response": 1479, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Dec 12, 1999 (15:36)", "body": "Will they dye HB-C's hair? I don't picture BJ as a brunette. Rebecca, yes, not BJ."}, {"response": 1480, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 12, 1999 (15:42)", "body": "Rebecca is, as I recall, specifically mentioned as a v. tall blonde with the long lion's mane of hair, as was the American woman who was sun bathing in the nude on Daniel's rooftop. For contrast, BJ should be a brunette IMO. The blondes make her feel inferior."}, {"response": 1481, "author": "baine", "date": "Sun, Dec 12, 1999 (16:22)", "body": "(KJArt) It is the condition of having ... um ... what was the Portugese expression? ... tomatoes for brains? Ah. So would that be someone who thinks with his you-know-what and gets himself and other people into trouble b/c of that or simply refuses to think of women other than as Clarissa's Lovelace thought of them and so makes them miserable? Heide, the first diary is what I'm reading."}, {"response": 1482, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sun, Dec 12, 1999 (18:32)", "body": "The casting information came from \"Entertainment Weekly Online\". Those 4 actresses are considered the front runners, as of this point the film is still uncast."}, {"response": 1483, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (16:17)", "body": "Re: the brunette vs. blonde issue. Funny how I also imagined BJ as a blonde... Well, not a California type blonde, but very light brown hair (or very dark blond hair, whichever). Also, ever since someone suggested Catherine Zeta-Jones might play Rebecca, she had turned brunette in my mind. Otherwise, is she old enough for Sharon Stone?"}, {"response": 1484, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (17:05)", "body": "Daniel's Valentine's Card in the original diary was \"to the dusky beauty\" which (together with the cover art) always made me think of Bridget as brunette. Of course HF (blonde herself) is careful to say almost nothing specific about Bridget's looks."}, {"response": 1485, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (19:21)", "body": "(Gi), Also, ever since someone suggested Catherine Zeta-Jones might play Rebecca, she had turned brunette in my mind. That was me! Rebecca must be sultry. I thought it would play better that way, BJ the blond in the little bunny outfit, etc. Also stressing the opposite attraction to the dark haired MD, to Daniel, the blond. HB-C would be a perfect Shazz. I just saw a picture of a very brunette Cameron Diaz in a mag. I wonder if auditions are going on now?"}, {"response": 1486, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (19:34)", "body": "It's the other way around. HF has set up all Bridget's rivals as Nordic princesses and Bridget by default must be a regular type, i.e., brunette. Sultry can be done with either hair color (Kim Basinger's Veronica Lake character in LA Confidential most immmediately comes to mind). However, Bridget must be a brunette who envies blondes (who have more fun!) and their image, which makes Bridget feel insecure about herself. ;-)"}, {"response": 1487, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (19:55)", "body": "I prefer Veronica Lake to KB doing sultry. I know that in the BJD, it is the other way round, but that is how I imagine it. ;-)"}, {"response": 1488, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (21:40)", "body": "I don't think HF knows either, because in the second book, Rebecca is blonde again. I remember she describing her as being brunette, but BJ looks at her long legs and long swinging blonde hair. Perhaps, Rebecca colored her hair? :)"}, {"response": 1489, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (21:42)", "body": "Rebecca was always blonde. Mark was referring to Bridget being described as dusky. The issue is getting totally confused. ;-)"}, {"response": 1490, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (23:07)", "body": "Do not make yourself uneasy, Karen, we perfectly understand HF choices, we just chose to imagine otherwise. ;-D I guess Gwynnie will be going for the part of Rebecca. ;-)"}, {"response": 1491, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (23:16)", "body": "I guess Gwynnie will be going for the part of Rebecca. ;-) Why? I just saw her on TV yesterday (?) at the Ripley premiere and she's dark haired! ;-)"}, {"response": 1492, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (23:31)", "body": "Oh, No! They are all auditioning for Bridget!"}, {"response": 1493, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Dec 14, 1999 (23:52)", "body": "Oon the book cove,r BJ looks like a brunette and (don't shoot me!) she also reminds me of Meg Tilly. :-) On hair colouring, and quite irrelevantly, caught a glimpse of Joe Fiennes on TV, and he is now blonde with blonde designer stubble!"}, {"response": 1494, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (00:11)", "body": "No!!!! (also quite irrelvantly...unless he's auditioning for Rebecca)"}, {"response": 1495, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (00:28)", "body": "LOL, Karen! He might be auditioning for Daniel. ;-)"}, {"response": 1496, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (01:09)", "body": "My Studio Exec. friend in Hollywood sent me this: The auditions for Rebecca have begun. ;-)"}, {"response": 1497, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (13:21)", "body": "I KNEW she described Rebecca with dark hair, but in the new book, Rebecca is now blonde! From the Telegraph Bridget Jones's Diary Wednesday, March 25 Number of times driven past Mark Darcy's house: 2 (vg); no of times looked up Mark Darcy's name in phone book to prove still exists: 18 (poor); 1471-calls: 12 (better); phone calls from Mark: 0 (tragic) \"But, you're not driving,\" I said. At which I caught Dad's eye in the rear view mirror, just as she yelled: \"Mind that Fiesta! Hoot him!\" \"I'm afraid she thinks she is,\" he said. \"Isn't that Mark?\" said Una suddenly. \"I thought he was working.\" \"Where?\" said Mum, bossily. With dumb horror I followed Una's pointing finger to where, Mark, dressed in his dark blue overcoat and a very white, undone shirt, looking so gorgeous, so lovely, was paying a taxi. As if in slow motion, I saw a figure emerging from the back of the cab: tall, slim with long dark hair , laughing up into his face and taking his arm. It was Rebecca."}, {"response": 1498, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (19:20)", "body": "(Bethan) she also reminds me of Meg Tilly LOL! Well, I do believe that's one name which heretofore hasn't been mentioned in the same sentence as the phrase 'Bridget Jones'."}, {"response": 1499, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (19:37)", "body": "(Laura screaming) I KNEW she described Rebecca with dark hair Argh!! What did you do? Run a global search engine through the Telegraph site? Toot toot!! ;-) Now, where oh where did I read she was blonde? (of course, it wasn't the sequel...been checking my mailbox to no avail) ;-)"}, {"response": 1500, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (19:37)", "body": "I bought The Edge of Reason today and am delighted :-)"}, {"response": 1501, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (19:41)", "body": "Is it in the stores by you now?"}, {"response": 1502, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (19:46)", "body": "So now both Cameron and Gwynnie are brunettes. Back to auditioning for Rebecca. ;-D"}, {"response": 1503, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (20:13)", "body": "No Cameron is back to being a blonde, actually... ;-) Saw her doing the junket interviews for \"Any Given Sunday\" (the football movie) and (*hold your hats*) she's the team owner!! I'll bet that's real believable. :-D"}, {"response": 1504, "author": "nky", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (20:14)", "body": "Are we sure about Rebecca as a blond in BJ's Diary? She's definately has dark hair in The Edge of Reason. In BJ's Diary, Mark Darcy had a girlfriend, Natasha and I think she's a blond."}, {"response": 1505, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (20:31)", "body": "(Laura screaming) I KNEW she described Rebecca with dark hair Argh!! What did you do? Run a global search engine through the Telegraph site? Toot toot!! ;-) Now, where oh where did I read she was blonde? (of course, it wasn't the sequel...been checking my mailbox to no avail) ;-) ] Oh yeah, ick! um, right, tomorrow, ugh! *oh hitting self on head* Would you believe that I am rereading Possession and totally forgot? Okay, that's a bad one. How about I was extremely broke and was waiting to get paid? A bit personal, but the truth. Will send off tomorrow. PROMISE. Yeah, I did a search because I remember Rebecca being dark in the columns and a blonde in the new book. (not really screaming, happily screaming 'coz I was right;)) for once! :)"}, {"response": 1506, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (21:22)", "body": "You don't have to send it. I'll be getting my own copy next month. Just wanted to tweak you. Besides, I'm not done with that blonde thing. I've got my hard-copy of the columns sitting on the floor and I won't rest until I've found it!! BTW, I rented The Innocents today. *oohh spooky* ;-)"}, {"response": 1507, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (21:34)", "body": "I seriously think that HF kept forgetting what her hair color was!!! *am trying to call Karen right now*, but to no avail;( ;) She probably couldn't make up her mind WHAT color hair Rebecca had. What if Rebecca/Bridget were identical twins? but were separated at birth? Okay a bit farfetched really. But you know how HF always changed one thing to another! So perhaps we're all correct and HF is wacked out? (I like it;)) The Innocents is spooky!!! the end is just enough to curl your toes and curdle the blood in your veins!"}, {"response": 1508, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Dec 17, 1999 (16:51)", "body": "(LauraMM)I seriously think that HF kept forgetting what her hair color was!!! How about this: Rebecca and Bridget both occasionally die their hair."}, {"response": 1509, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 21, 1999 (14:51)", "body": "Illness has forced director Roger Michell (\"Notting Hill\") to drop out of the Nicolas Cage starrer \"Captain Corelli's Mandolin\" for Universal Pictures and Working Title Films. The studio and producers have shifted their sights to director John Madden (\"Shakespeare in Love\"). The dramatic project is slated to go before cameras in April. \"Captain Corelli's Mandolin,\" based on Louis de Bernieres' 1994 best-selling novel, is described as a \"Doctor Zhivago\"-like love story set on the Greek island of Cephalloni during World War II. Screenwriter Shawn Slovo (\"A World Apart\") wrote the script's most recent draft, which tells the story of Italian Capt. Antonio Corelli (Cage) who, while stationed on Cephallonia, engages in a heated affair with the local doctor's daughter, causing strong political and personal allegiances to come into play."}, {"response": 1510, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Dec 21, 1999 (15:27)", "body": "Yep, Roger Michell had a heart attack back in October. Hope he is feeling better."}, {"response": 1511, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (23:20)", "body": "(Tracy) Tho' apart from HB-C am racking brains to think of someone else suitable and British. Since it has to be a name, what about Catherine McCormack (b. 1972) or Tara Fitzgerald (b. 1968)?"}, {"response": 1512, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (23:26)", "body": "or Kate Beckinsale? ( Emma)"}, {"response": 1513, "author": "Sylvana", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (23:44)", "body": "The ShowTime section of today's New York Daily News has a full page story about Helen Fielding. The article states that \"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason\" will be published here in the U.S. on February 28th. I'm not sure how fresh this news is, but the article states \"The script is almost ready and Fielding expects the lead to be cast in several weeks. Kate Winslet and Minnie Driver has been mentioned as possibilities.\" The Sunday editions of The Daily News will be carrying excerpts from \"The Edge of Reason.\" The optimist in me wishes that it will pique the curiosity of many (some?) readers to learn about Mark Darcy/Colin Firth, increasing name recognition here in the U.S. ...Well, a girl can hope..."}, {"response": 1514, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Feb  6, 2000 (23:51)", "body": "All those names have been bandied about for soooo long. I pray nightly for NO Minnie Driver. Unfortunately, Kate Beckinsale has little name recognition here, except to watchers of public television. Prefer Helen Baxendale...at least the Friends watchers know who she is. ;-)"}, {"response": 1515, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (05:03)", "body": "I think the way in which the casting for this has taken place so publicly--and so protractedly--is bizarre and does not speak well for the project. And, after today's story, whoever is finally chosen will know it's public knowledge that she was second choice--or third, or . . . Karen, what's wrong with Minnie Driver? It's interesting that of all the names bandied about in the press, Working Title's first choice was the youngest--Winslet at 24. Way too young for BJ, IMO. Diaz is 27--too young also and she'd have to gain about 50 pounds.;) No idea if she could pull off the accent. She is a good comic actress, though, did a great job in Being John Malkovich, and is not afraid of looking silly or unglamorous. I'm just waiting for them to shave 10 years off Mark Darcy and cast Joe Fiennes or Jude Law. :-( :-("}, {"response": 1516, "author": "Donna", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (06:54)", "body": "Hello! I haven't been here for a while. I am still very interested in CF,but i has been a long time waiting to any of his movies. I finally saw Femme Fatal, Camile and MLSF. I was able to rent MLSF at Blockbuster. Of course I was able to go to the movies to see SIL. We now have a B&N is our area and I was able to get a copy of FEVER PITCH. I was surprise to find it in the SPORTS/SOCCER section LOL. I didn't have any problem getting a copy of BJD. I was hoping the JE would take the role but I understand that timing is an issue. Someone mentioned that co-stars do not appear twice in a project together but what about MEG Ryan and TOM Hanks? THey did two moives togther,maybe they meant TV. Oh well anyway the actress I thought of to play Bridget was Andie MacDowell. I thought she would be a great Bridget. I love Four Weddings. She isn't to old. I am sure someone else around here thought of her. I always saw BRidget as a little over-weight burnette.LOL I got this off a JE fanpage: US Theater Alert - The Real Thing venue has changed to the Barrymore Theater for its Broadway run. It will still preview starting March 29th and open April 17th. You all are so dedicated! Donna"}, {"response": 1517, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (14:12)", "body": "Hi Donna and welcome Here's Empire's writeup of the same info: Winslet Drops Bridget 07/02/2000 Despite being more than two years in pre-production, Bridget Jones's Diary is no closer to finding an actress for the lead role. According to sources, the book's author Helen Fielding has been blamed for the problem - particularly for the decision by Kate Winslet to film Therese Raquin instead. Insiders report that Fielding's insistence that Bridget be played by an unknown forced Winslet - who had been very interested in the role - to take on the Raquin role rather than hanging around waiting for Working Title to get its act together. Producer Eric Fellner said 'I am disppointed that I have not been able to sign up Kate.' But he dismissed rumours of a rift with the star, saying, 'She turned down the role because of a class of schedules.'"}, {"response": 1518, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (15:14)", "body": "Following the discussion as it meanders around the drool boards to its proper home. Cameron Diaz? *gack* *poo* Sorry, but I had to get that out of my system. Mari, if you've read the old posts here, you'll see that general consensus was KW is too young. IMO she has the right nuance of kookiness (don't know if that's a word) and disorganization about her that would capture Bridget appropriately. But I suppose she's better than some of the others mentioned. Age (or lack thereof) doesn't seem to be a big deal--most of the names we've heard bantered about over the years (!) are all under 30. Though at the rate Working Title is going...it seems that casting is their biggest obstacle. Insiders report that Fielding's insistence that Bridget be played by an unknown This keeps coming up again and again, so one has to wonder if there's some truth to it. Though I find it extremely hard to believe this first time author has enough clout to force Winslet out of the role."}, {"response": 1519, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (15:25)", "body": "(Mari) what's wrong with Minnie Driver? Any limit on the number of reasons? Also, would you prefer the listing organized into two categories: personal and professional? ;-) (Eileen) Though I find it extremely hard to believe this first time author has enough clout to force Winslet out of the role. Exactly. Also, if HF retained the right to make final casting decisions, why is Working Title negotiating with Winslet, Diaz, HB-C and the rest?"}, {"response": 1520, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (16:54)", "body": "(Karen) Any limit on the number of reasons? Also, would you prefer the listing organized into two categories: personal and professional? ;-) Any way you want to dish it is ok by me; I'm not picky.;-) (Eileen) Age (or lack thereof) doesn't seem to be a big deal--most of the names we've heard bantered about over the years (!) are all under 30. Hey, maybe if they start talking to the Olsen twins and Haley Joel Osment now, they'll be just the right age for BJ and MD by the time this thing starts shooting. ;-) This whole thing smells to me. If I'm not mistaken, KW's decision to do Therese Raquin was announced awhile ago--like before Christmas. And I'd love to know who these \"insiders\" are who seem so anxious to make Helen the fall guy."}, {"response": 1521, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (17:05)", "body": "(Mari) maybe if they start talking to the Olsen twins and Haley Joel Osment now, they'll be just the right age for BJ and MD by the time this thing starts shooting. LOL. You may be onto something. Actually, the whole thing strikes me as a very informal focus group. Whoever gets the best reaction, wins. Right now they're 'testing' CD (I'm kidding, sorta--the actress they cast as BJ will either make or break this movie)."}, {"response": 1522, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb  7, 2000 (17:09)", "body": "(Mari)Karen, what's wrong with Minnie Driver? Bring on the air sickness bag! ~~~~~~ Insiders report that Fielding's insistence that Bridget be played by an unknown I believe it....and think she has the clout with Working Title."}, {"response": 1523, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (19:36)", "body": "(Mari)I'm just waiting for them to shave 10 years off Mark Darcy and cast Joe Fiennes or Jude Law. :-( :-( Hey Mari, if they're considering giving BJ to an Amer. woman, how about Matt Damon for Mark Darcy? Oops, Firthettes, did I say that? Wash my mouth out with carbolic acid! Strike me with lightening! It's just sitting here ... day after day ... listening to your reports from the Donmar ...looking at those pictures with his beautiful arms around you all ... thinking about that smile washing over your flesh ... while I'm back here buried in the snow ... freezing in the dark ... lightyears from the source of happiness ... with nothing to do but listen to Mr. Ripley singing My Funny Valentine over and over and over ... until it just fills up my mind ... and I ... and I ... I just can't go on ... sob!"}, {"response": 1524, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (20:48)", "body": "It'll be Jeremy Northam as MD. You see!"}, {"response": 1525, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (22:29)", "body": "(Allison)It'll be Jeremy Northam as MD. You see! Well, he was a pretty sexy attorney in TWB....and just got an award for it. Do you think the part was not offered to Colin? Or he doesn't want it...or both?"}, {"response": 1526, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Feb  8, 2000 (23:29)", "body": "and just got an award for it JN received another Award today -The Variety Club Showbusiness Award for Best Film Actor and wait for it so did JE & SD for Best Stage Actress and Stage Actor for their performances in TRT."}, {"response": 1527, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (03:40)", "body": "(Cymbeline) Hey Mari, if they're considering giving BJ to an Amer. woman, how about Matt Damon for Mark Darcy? Oops, Firthettes, did I say that? LOL!! He *was* a good Ripley, was he not? ;-) with nothing to do but listen to Mr. Ripley singing My Funny Valentine over and over and over I'll sing with you: Don't change a hair for me Not if you care for me Stay little valentine, stay Each day is valentine's day . . ."}, {"response": 1528, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb  9, 2000 (04:44)", "body": "grrr...Mark Darcy shouldn't have such big white teeth Mr. Northam, would you please step up into the on deck circle..."}, {"response": 1529, "author": "baine", "date": "Thu, Feb 10, 2000 (15:15)", "body": "(Karen) grrr...Mark Darcy shouldn't have such big white teeth The better to sing to us with. Remember, Monday IS Valentine's Day. Will we be smiling with our hearts, Mari?"}, {"response": 1530, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (05:11)", "body": "Since we always talk about High Fidelity here... The cast: John Cusack....Rob Gordon Iben Hjejle....Laura Jack Black.... Barry Lisa Bonet.... Marie DeSalle Joelle Carter....Penny Joan Cusack....[what else, but Laura's friend] nLiz Sara Gilbert....Dick's girlfriend Todd Louiso....Dick Tim Robbins....Ian Raymond Lili Taylor....Sarah Natasha Wagner....Caroline Catherine Zeta-Jones....Charlie Nicholson Rob and Laura The site, but not much there. http://movies.go.com/highfidelity/index.html"}, {"response": 1531, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (05:13)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1532, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (13:07)", "body": "What an odd assortment of characters! Hmmm... I love this book, I hope the movie does it at least some justice!"}, {"response": 1533, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (13:53)", "body": "I read a couple of places accounts from people who had seen test screenings and they say it is very true to the book...except for locations ;-)"}, {"response": 1534, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (14:03)", "body": "I am hoping for a true-to-book sound track. The Fire Engines and all, but I doubt it. NH should have insisted in being music director."}, {"response": 1535, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (14:52)", "body": "Moon, if they could really find the Live version of the Sex Pistol's version of \"God save the Queen\", that would be a hoot!"}, {"response": 1536, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (15:28)", "body": "I saw them live in San Francisco, loved it! Johnny Rotten should have made an appearance in the record shop, he is still around."}, {"response": 1537, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (16:12)", "body": "Rumor (not closely guarded) has it that Bruce Springstein appears in HF."}, {"response": 1538, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (16:48)", "body": "Presumably, Bruce Springsteen would appear as Marie DeSalle's former boyfriend (\"well-known singer-songwriter, let's just pretend it was Lyle Lovett\") in flashback - in fact, I guess much of the film will be in flashback."}, {"response": 1539, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Feb 19, 2000 (08:29)", "body": "Isn't the new BJ book released next week in the US? I was wondering if this might (finally) provoke some announcement of the casting of the movie...good tie-in publicity."}, {"response": 1540, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Feb 19, 2000 (20:24)", "body": "Hi Bethan--Edge of Reason comes out here on February 28. There is an interview with Helen in tomorrow's Philadelphia Inquirer. It should be online tomorrow and I can post the URL. Nothing new though; about the film it only says this: \"Lately, Fielding has been dividing her time between London and Los Angeles for script consultation on the film version of her first book. The script is almost ready and Fielding expects the lead to be cast in several weeks. Kate Winslet and Minnie Driver have been mentioned as possibilities.\" She may be doing personal appearances again here as she did with BJD, so we'll keep our eyes open. It would be a good publicity tie-in as you say, Bethan. Staying optimistic, I'm thinking that CF has signed on, but they aren't about to announce any casting until the lead is firmed up. Let's hope!"}, {"response": 1541, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (17:56)", "body": "Here's the URL for the Helen Fielding interview: www.phillynews.com/inquirer/2000/Feb/20/arts_and_entertainment/BRIDGET20.htm"}, {"response": 1542, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (17:57)", "body": "Try this: http://www.phillynews.com/inquirer/2000/Feb/20/arts_and_entertainment/BRIDGET20.htm"}, {"response": 1543, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (19:58)", "body": "The following article appeared in the Australian NW magazine this week. More to do with the Bridget character, but there is a mention of ODB. ~~~~~~~ KATE\ufffdS DAYS NUMBERED Author Helen Fielding\ufffds \"dithering\" over casting in the film version of Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary has dashed hopes of securing Titanic star Kate Winslet for the lead role. The filmmakers were scheduled to start cameras rolling in the next few months, but have failed to secure a female star to take on the role of the neurotic thirtysomething character whose dating and dieting disasters have attracted millions of readers. According to a set insider, Helen was unhappy with Kate, playing the part of Bridget, and has said she wants an unknown, even suggesting she should play the part herself. Kate recently signed on to another film, Terese Raquin, which is a huge setback to Bridget\ufffds production team, Working Title, who had their heart set on the star. \"She just got tired of waiting around for Working Title to make up their mind,\" a film source says. Produced Eric Feliner expressed disappointment at missing out on the A-list actress. \"I am disappointed that I have not been able to sign up Kate,\" he said. \"We were in negotiations for the deal, and I am absolutely amazed it didn\ufffdt work out with her.\" Despite Helen\ufffds insistence that an unknown be offered the part, the film\ufffds producers are still gunning for a top name. Frontrunners include Cameron Diaz and Emily Watson, as well as Australia\ufffds Cate Blanchett. British heart-throb Colin Firth is tipped to play Bridget\ufffds love interest."}, {"response": 1544, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (20:09)", "body": "There was also a HF interview in last Sunday's NYT. The content is similar to the Philly Inquirer article. This one's n/a on line so here's a brief excerpt: NYT O.K., I want to ask you about Africa. HF Please don't ask me where it is. NYT No, I promise. Your first book was set in a refugee camp. How did you learn about life there? HF I started my career at the BBC in television, and I made some documentaries in Ethiopia and Sudan and Mozambique. I was there doing a lot of reporting on the aid business in the mid- to late 80's, so I did spend a lot of time in those refugee camps. NYT So you have done a lot of pretty serious journalism. HF You should see the article I was made to write about the panties on sale at Marks & Spencer. Vintage Helen!"}, {"response": 1545, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (22:14)", "body": "Cathey, sounds like a reworking of the same article from The Times about the loss of Kate Winslet. Used a different word than \"tipped\" about CF. Wasn't it mooted? The great moot debate. ;-) When will they ever get rolling on this?? Helen as Bridget? I don't think so."}, {"response": 1546, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (22:30)", "body": "Helen as Bridget? I don't think so. I hope not! I am taking bets on CF playing MD. His agent would be insane not to fight for this role after HFs comments in the new book. I bet Colin has signed but is sworn to secrecy until they can announce the whole cast. Too bad about Kate W, I thought she was perfect."}, {"response": 1547, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (01:07)", "body": "(Karen) When will they ever get rolling on this?? It's funny, I was deleting some very old posts today and I came across one from April of 1999, quoting an article that stated \"filming will begin this ('99) summer.\" Strange vibes on this one; protracted loggerheads over the script and the casting. Still, CF would be crazy not to do it if offered. Very low risk for him. (Moon) Too bad about Kate W, I thought she was perfect. Me too. I just rented Hideous Kinky, and thought she played contemporary very well. Can't recall seeing her in another contemporary role."}, {"response": 1548, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (01:41)", "body": "I think we're just too close to it. Many films are in development for years, even put in turnaround by studios, picked up by others and finally make it to the screen. Usually we don't know what's going on, but Bridget is pretty high profile."}, {"response": 1549, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (12:07)", "body": "NEWSFLASH - According to Teletext today Renee Zelwegger is set to play Bridget, sounds pretty definite, no mention of any other casting or CF. Who is RZ, have been to one of her websites and she seems pretty young, too young for Bridget I would have thought, can't see her and CF together with, oh well."}, {"response": 1550, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (12:46)", "body": "I have just read a review for \"The Batchelor\", starring Chris O'Donnell & Renee Zellweger, not a very good review 2 stars only -\"and his (C.O'D) teaming with the pouty Zellweger suffers a terminal lack of onscreen chemistry. After seeing this, you'd think he'd have a better chance pulling Batman\". I would hate to read this as regards Bridget & Mark Darcy!! I think I am beginning to hope he doesn't play Mark Darcy and why oh why an actress from Texas, I can't believe we don't have a suitable British actress."}, {"response": 1551, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (12:53)", "body": "Thanks for the news, Ann. Renee is 30 (31 in April), so actually she's older than most of those who had been mentioned. At least she's not stick thin.;-) She's cute, but not a glamor girl type. What a surprise, huh? I've seen her in a few things, and she's always been very good: she was Tom Cruise's girlfriend in Jerry Maguire. Also, she played Meryl Streep's daughter in One True Thing; if you haven't seen that one, do rent it. It's very good and Renee does a great job; there was some Oscar talk for her that year. Also, I saw her in a film called A Price Above Rubies--again, a good job. She's certainly not a conventional choice, but she does play sympathetic and vulnerable very well. She projects strong but sweet. Oh, and she's Jim Carrey's girlfriend in real life.;-)"}, {"response": 1552, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (13:15)", "body": "She's certainly not a conventional choice, but she does play sympathetic and vulnerable very well. She projects strong but sweet. But can she do a British accent? I doubt that. Plus her voice has an annoying tone. I am disappointed. I do not see that match with Colin at all. Thanks for the scoop, Ann!"}, {"response": 1553, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (13:36)", "body": "(Moon) But can she do a British accent? She will once the dialogue coach gets through with her.;-) According to one of the reports, she's already working with one; I'm sure they'll get her a good one."}, {"response": 1554, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (13:43)", "body": "Well it seems to be pretty definite, it is reported on Ceefax as well and in the Electronic Telegraph, under the heading \"Film's \"perfect\" Bridget Jones is a Texan\". under UK News. I am afraid I am with Moon, I can't see it, RZ & Colin. I guess I was hoping for H.B-C., incidentally what do they mean she is too \"cold\"."}, {"response": 1555, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (14:02)", "body": "Oh my! Renee Zellweger?! This ought to be interesting. Ann: You chose to read the wrong review about her. She's very highly thought of here; considered a very up and coming actress, and intelligent. But The Bachelor was a bottom-of-the-heap type movie. She has that little girly type voice. It's not that annoying (I can think of worse), but wonder how it will sound with an English accent. The mind boggles at that thought. ;-)"}, {"response": 1556, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (14:20)", "body": "Sorry, if this takes a while to load:"}, {"response": 1557, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (14:22)", "body": "I think Renee Zellweger could prove to be a good Bridget. I find her voice to be a bit whiny, but like you guys are saying a voice coach ought to help. (Perhaps GP's coach?) I couldn't picture CF w/ Nia Long, but hey, he might surprise you! (let's hope she doesn't pull out.)"}, {"response": 1558, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (14:29)", "body": "From Ebert's review of Jerry Maguire: There are a couple of moments in ``Jerry Maguire'' when you want to hug yourself with delight. One comes when a young woman stands up in an office where a man has just been fired because of his ethics, and says, yes, she'll follow him out of the company. The other comes when she stands in her kitchen and tells her older sister that she really, truly, loves a man with her whole heart and soul. Both of those moments involve the actress Renee Zellweger, whose lovability is one of the key elements in a movie that starts out looking cynical and quickly becomes a heartwarmer. ******** From his review of One True Thing: Ellen (Renee Zellweger) is bright and pretty but with a subtle wounded look: She has that way of signaling that she's been hurt and expects to be hurt again. And Renee Zellweger, as Streep observed at the Telluride Film Festival, is able to create a place for herself and work inside it, not acting so much as fiercely possessing her character. ************* Don't sell her short."}, {"response": 1559, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (14:37)", "body": "Ann, the reference to HB-C being \"too cold.\" I think it means she's not a \"warm and lovable\" type like RZ or KW. HB-C is so finely chiseled in appearance and demeanor, like stone. That's how I'd interpret it."}, {"response": 1560, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (14:48)", "body": "I've not see RZ in anything, but from the photo above she looks as though she could be be both glamorous/non glamorous as required, and she looks 29/30 -ish, which is okay. With a name like Renee, does she have European parents? She also sounds as though she's a name in Hollywood which I'm beginning to realise really matters! Ann, I also wondered why, according to the Telegraph report, H B-C was considered too \"cold\". She can do zany roles, and very well too! The Telegraph also says that CF has been tipped as \"the love interest, as an in-joke. In the diary the man in her life is named Darcy in honour of Firth in P&P.\" Hope the selection criteria are based on more than an \"in-joke\"...like looks, acting ability etc!! But I hope he's offered this and signs (must have happened by now, surely?). Without being too negative, it seems to be his only chance of playing the romantic lead in a mainstream Hollywood movie, rather than cuckolds and baddies! I wonder who'll play Daniel Cleever...I think this role may also go to a Hollywood actor. Don't see CF getting second billing (maybe third)."}, {"response": 1561, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (14:51)", "body": "Ellen (Renee Zellweger) is bright and pretty but with a subtle wounded look: She has that way of signaling that she's been hurt and expects to be hurt again. Sounds like Bridget. I'd like to see this one. RZ sounds like a good choice!"}, {"response": 1562, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (14:56)", "body": "Story is now hitting the other news sites. From the BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/entertainment/newsid_655000/655190.stm No mention of other casting. While she looked glamorous in the above pic, she's really very normal looking. Cute as a button type. And here's the pic:"}, {"response": 1563, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (14:57)", "body": "Ihad just read the news on Ceefax, so came over here to tell you all but too late! It seems to me that this is a Hollywood movie and the chances of CF being cast are slim unless HF really does have a say. Surely they must go for some big name to draw the crowds and if they do not have a megastar to play Bridget, surely they will have to have one to play MD? Otherwise who will go and see it in the US?"}, {"response": 1564, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (14:57)", "body": "Maybe, I guess that if CF is to play MD, then they will have met and if he likes her then so do I."}, {"response": 1565, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (15:09)", "body": "Wow! Great newsflash, Ann. Who'd have thought? RZ was very good in JM, IMHO, and actually wrung some pathos out of a dire script in Empire Records . Trivia: She made FHM magazine's 100 Sexiest Women List (which must have been on the strength of JM only, where she didn't exactly play a sex-bomb) so she may have a certain part of the UK audience locked up. Good choice, I think, but probably makes it a little CF's chances a little slimmer."}, {"response": 1566, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (15:10)", "body": "From the Guardian: American actress Renee Zellweger has signed to play single thirtysomething Bridget Jones in Universal's upcoming adaptation of the bestselling \"diary\" by British journalist Helen Fielding. But what is v.good news for Zellweger looks to be a snub for the crop of homegrown actresses previously said to be in the running. Ever since the project was announced, industry insiders predicted that the role of scatty, chain-smoking Ms Jones would be fought out between the likes of Kate Winslet, Minnie Driver and Alex Kingston. Hailing from the small town of Katy, Texas, the statuesque Zellweger initially looks miles away from Fielding's heroine - more Lone Star than London lonely-heart. But the thirty-year old actress won plaudits for her role as Tom Cruise's love interest in 1996's Jerry Maguire and is generally held to be one of Hollywood's most underrated players. She will next be seen in Neil Labute's Nurse Betty and the Farrelly Brothers' comedy Me, Myself and Irene opposite long-term partner Jim Carrey. Zellweger is said to be consulting a voice coach in order to master a London accent. Universal already have a finished script, co-scripted by Fielding alongside her friend, Notting Hill scribe Richard Curtis and experienced screenwriter Andrew Davies. A director has yet to be announced. ~~~~~ Statuesque? I was wondering about that. Had the impression she was on the short side because of the Tom Cruise casting and that worried me re: CF. Director: Is Shazzer out?"}, {"response": 1567, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (15:14)", "body": "I don't know if just the casting of an American (which we all seemed to think was going to happen) will mean CF has no chance or a slimmer one. The main characters are Bridget, Shazzer and Jude, followed by Daniel. Mark Darcy kind of walks on and off. It's not like a Notting Hill, where the film centers around a single woman and man. That whole theory gets thrown out if the film includes the sequel. ;-)"}, {"response": 1568, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (15:22)", "body": "I think if AD is still involved, then there is a good chance CF will be MD."}, {"response": 1569, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (15:27)", "body": "True enough, Karen. I stand corrected. Thinking back to Sliding Doors , the only other American in the cast apart from GP played an American (Jeanne Tripplehorn) so maybe they balance an accent-coached lead with real Brits. Wouldn't surprise me if Shazzer was dumped. Sounds like Working Title are desperately fighting against HF's vision of a small movie all the way (mind you with HF as the star and her best friend directing, you'd probably have got all the shots of CF you want to see)"}, {"response": 1570, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (15:29)", "body": "There appears to be lots more behind the scenes about this story. THR has an item about Kate Winslet set to star in another film, called Enigma (co-written by Stoppard), set to begin this spring...before the birth of her first child. So could it be that she couldn't commit to Bridget due to the delays and her pregnancy? Sounds like the other filme Therese Raquine is well off into the future for her...not immediate as was intimated."}, {"response": 1571, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (15:32)", "body": "(Mark) True enough, Karen. I stand corrected. Ha ha! When I was writing my previous post, I hadn't even read yours yet. I think I was responding to Allison's comment. ;-)"}, {"response": 1572, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (15:41)", "body": "I didn't even know that KW was pregnant! I am soooooo behind in the times (I'm going to be an auntie again!!! well it's better than my telling you I'm going to be a mommy again;)) I still think a British cast with an American lead is not bad. (HF wanted unknown, and well, RZ is unknown to you Brits!;) Sharon Corr would've been a good BJ, she of the Corrs and was in Evita. (She's Irish.)"}, {"response": 1573, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (15:44)", "body": "Variety's Michael Fleming says Shazz is still the director: The character is as popular in London as Ally McBeal is in the U.S. Universal will distribute. Pic is being directed by Sharon Maguire from a screenplay by \"Notting Hill\" scribe Richard Curtis, Fielding and Andrew Davies."}, {"response": 1574, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (15:49)", "body": "(Karen), I don't know if just the casting of an American (which we all seemed to think was going to happen) will mean CF has no chance or a slimmer one. The main characters are Bridget, Shazzer and Jude, followed by Daniel. Mark Darcy kind of walks on and off. It's not like a Notting Hill, where the film centers around a single woman and man. Good point. But everyone knows CF is Mr. Darcy and that should count for something. My bet is still on!"}, {"response": 1575, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (16:01)", "body": "All this news flooding in...quite exciting! Thanks all! KW seems to have opted for \"Enigma\" rather than BJD. She must play the girl friend who goes missing mid-way (and is later found to have been murdered). It's not a very star-ry role (although very serious!) and not very demanding. But I would have thought that if she's pregnant she couldn't play BJ in the summer. I didn't think KW \"was\" Bridget anyway. IMHO KZ is a better (and more bankable choice). Mark, I think your comment on \"Sliding Doors\" is very relevant. I think BJD The Movie will have an Anglo-American balance, with maybe Daniel played by a US actor (he could be an American Rhodes scholar type), and Jude, Shazzer and Mark by Brits, and the lesser supporting cast by Brits as well. As Karen says, it's not \"Notting Hill\" with an obvious male lead role with lots of screen time, and so I don't see why CF, despite the fact that he's not Hollywood bankable (and why not, I ask!), couldn't play a crucial but supporting role. BJD is very much an ensemble piece. What's happened to Sharon McGuire then? Sounds as though there's been some blood-letting behind the scenes. Although I did wonder if a project like this could be given to a first-time director."}, {"response": 1576, "author": "Xian", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (16:01)", "body": "They have got Bridget! NEW YORK (Variety) Renee Zellweger, who stole Tom Cruise's heart in the 1996 hit ``Jerry Maguire,'' will star in the upcoming comedy ``Bridget Jones' Diary,'' an adaptation of the Helen Fielding bestseller about a single girl in her 30s. The character is as popular in London as Ally McBeal is in the United States. Universal Pictures will distribute the film. Zellweger is working with a dialogue coach to play the role with a British accent. The Working Title picture will be directed by Sharon Maguire from a screenplay by ``Notting Hill'' scribe Richard Curtis, Fielding and Andrew Davies. Zellweger will next be seen starring with Jim Carrey in ''Me, Myself & Irene,'' directed by the Farrelly brothers, and starring with Morgan Freeman and Chris Rock in the Neil LaBute-directed ``Nurse Betty.'' Big big big surprise to me!!! She is not a British actress! Oh well, now who will be Mark Darcy? Another surprise, I guess ;-("}, {"response": 1577, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (16:05)", "body": "Bethan, Sharon Maguire is still in, per my Variety, Michael Fleming article."}, {"response": 1578, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (16:05)", "body": "re Therese Raquine directed by David Leaveux?,it must be in the far distant future because he is going to be tied up with The Real Thing on Broadway until August."}, {"response": 1579, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (16:09)", "body": "Karen, if they do go by the sequel,The Edge of Reason, then Daniel had quite a small role and I think MD is by far the bigger role - (let's hope Jim Carrey doesn't play MD!)"}, {"response": 1580, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (16:22)", "body": "Yes, that's what I meant. If they incorporate the sequel, then the MD role is far more important and they'd want/need a bigger name for it. If they stick to the first book, then CF still has a shot."}, {"response": 1581, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (16:25)", "body": "If CF isn't MD, then all I can see is I now know hor Michael Crawfrod fans felt, he is the Phantom of the Opera!! as is Colin Mark Darcy!!"}, {"response": 1582, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (17:11)", "body": "RZ is darling....I thought she and Cuba Gooding were the best thing in JM why oh why an actress from Texas, I can't believe we don't have a suitable British actress. C'mon.....Texas can breed good actors too;-) I have always said two British actors with two British accents would send this film to the Art House genre."}, {"response": 1583, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (17:20)", "body": "Just a few questions and thoughts: Is BJD really considered a \"Hollywood\" movie, and if so, why? It's the same group that produced Notting Hill and that's considered a British movie, right? \"If\" there was any pressure to hire a \"name\" actress, I feel it didn't come from any American source. The British actresses mentioned (Winslet, Driver, Watson, Bonham-Carter) along with Blanchett and Diaz are all much better known to the average moviegoer here in the U.S. than Zellweger is, and frankly, any of them would have been considered much more \"bankable\" choices if that were the criterion. It seems to me that Helen may have gotten her wish to cast a (relative) unknown (relative to the other ladies mentioned). Finally, here's a lighthearted reason to feel \"Renee is ok\"--the tabloids here had a field day calling her fat after last year's Oscar's, just because she wore a dress that showed she had (shudder!) hips like a real woman; and (horrors!)a stomach like a real woman; and (no!) breasts like a real woman.;-)"}, {"response": 1584, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (17:21)", "body": "Well, well, news at last! I agree with Laura and Karen, RZ is a good choice. Renee is talented, seems to be well regarded and is able to satisfy divergent criteria: she's well known in the US (good for 'the money') and unknown in the UK (good for the author). I thought her younger than 30 but the films I've seen her in are a few years old. Statuesque? I agree with Karen, she hardly seems tall. I recall her presenting at an awards show, decked out in an awful dress and heels so high she could hardly walk (last year's Oscars??). As for the elusive Mark, I expect we'll hear something soon. (let's hope Jim Carrey doesn't play MD!) Good God, Ann! I'm having a seizure! *twitch, twitch* ;-P"}, {"response": 1585, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (17:23)", "body": "Evelyn, I have nothing against Texas or Texan actresses, I am sure it is and they are lovely, its just that I would have thought we had enough bankable talent in this country to play the definitive Brit girl."}, {"response": 1586, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (17:33)", "body": "(Mari) Is BJD really considered a \"Hollywood\" movie, and if so, why? It's the same group that produced Notting Hill and that's considered a British movie, right? I agree (at least that's how things look on this side of the pond). I do hope, however, they don't turn BJD into another 4 Weddings/Notting Hill (am getting those Hugh-induced shivers, having just recovered from seizure induced by words 'Jim Carrey' mentioned in same sentence as 'MD'). the tabloids here had a field day calling her fat after last year's Oscar's, just because she wore a dress that showed she had (shudder!) hips like a real woman; and (horrors!)a stomach like a real woman; and (no!) breasts like a real woman.;-) It was at the Oscars, then. Personally, I don't recall that she looked fat, but the dress was fugly and she walked as though she had a broom stuck--well, you get the picture. Good thing BJ wears 'kitten heels' (assuming kitten height is less than 4 inches). (Ann) its just that I would have thought we had enough bankable talent in this country to play the definitive Brit girl. I think most of us had one Brit or another in mind; as soon as KW pulled out and CD was mentioned, it seemed clear they were thinking American."}, {"response": 1587, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (17:43)", "body": "(Mari) Is BJD really considered a \"Hollywood\" movie, and if so, why? I DON'T think it will be even though Working Title is owned by Universal. I recall the articles at the time said that WT boys' agreement gave them quite a bit of autonomy. However, I DO think BJD will be in the 4Weddings/Notting Hill mold because: (a) 4 Weddings was a hit and made a lot of money (b) Notting Hill was a hit and made a lot of money (c) Working Title wants hits and to make a lot of money"}, {"response": 1588, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (17:51)", "body": "(Karen) (a) 4 Weddings was a hit and made a lot of money (b) Notting Hill was a hit and made a lot of money (c) Working Title wants hits and to make a lot of money True, true, true! 'Mold' is one thing, 'duplicate' is another. Come to think of it, didn't you start a \"Bridget goes to 4 Weddings and a Funeral in Notting Hill\" script some time ago, Karen?"}, {"response": 1589, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (17:54)", "body": "...and lest you forget: (d) Universal desperately wants hits and to make lots of money \"Bridget goes to 4 Weddings and a Funeral in Notting Hill\" script *hee hee* I forgot about that one. Will have to go searching in the older messages for it. ;-)"}, {"response": 1590, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (18:08)", "body": "Reposting from #1158 (6/8/99) (Eileen)Since *none* of us has seen the screenplay (correct me if I'm wrong) Let's see, if Richard Curtis is now involved with the Andrew Davies-amended script, do we really *need* to see the screenplay? I suppose it will go like this: Boy, with floppy hair, meets...oops, sorry... start again Girl (model-like in appearance) meets guy with floppy hair at wedding, funeral, bookstore, parents' friends' New Years Day buffet, etc., or some such trendy locale. Boy makes lasting impression on girl due to ugly sweater and they fall in deep like although neither knows what to make of it. We will because of a camera shot of boy giving girl a LOOK! Each goes own way, but meets up with other at other trendy spots. We will see boy taking a leisurely bath and going for a dip in a pond. Boy will stammer a lot and flutter eyelids, and be endearingly self-deprecating. Years will pass and they keep meeting and we will be suitably aggravated. BTW, there will be loads of colorful characters for the supporting cast. Tom will be played by Simon Callow. Mark will have a colorfully vulgar Welsh co-worker named Spike. Boy and girl will finally get together at end and while credits roll we will see pictures and/or snippets of their life together. The End Forgot to describe boy's first encounter with girl at Una's Turkey Curry Buffet. Boy will spill curried turkey all over girl, whilst muttering \"bollocks.\" Boy will then show everyone his manliness by snuffing out lit candle with fingers. Have heard that Curtis has changed Mark's girlfriend's name from Natasha to Duckface."}, {"response": 1591, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (18:40)", "body": "The British actresses mentioned (Winslet, Driver, Watson, Bonham-Carter) along with Blanchett and Diaz are all much better known to the average moviegoer here in the U.S. than Zellweger is Disagree....RZ like CD is v. popular with the cineplex crowd. Watson, Bon-Carter, Blanchett..popular with older crowd..you know, the ones who wait to rent the videos;-) ~~~~~~ we had enough bankable talent in this country to play the definitive Brit girl. Bankable in the UK..If you want to show the film only there. Hey, Vivian Leigh played the definitive southern belle...CB just played a perfect Long Island housewife....these guys are actors."}, {"response": 1592, "author": "susanne", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (19:08)", "body": "Ann, I have nothing against Texas or Texan actresses, I am sure it is and they are lovely, its just that I would have thought we had enough bankable talent in this country to play the definitive Brit girl. I have to agree with Ann. Since I live in Texas, I love Texans, but I think there are some very talented bankable British actresses who would have been good in this role. I like RZ but have never seen her as Bridget. Her last movie, The Bachelor, bombed so I don't think she is that much of a big draw on her own. (Evelyn) RZ like CD is v. popular with the cineplex crowd. Watson, Bon-Carter, Blanchett..popular with older crowd..you know, the ones who wait to rent the videos;-) Oh please, It's bad enough I have to face that big birthday this year. Now I have count myself part of the older rent the video crowd. Just because you are part of that fun-loving Cineplex crowd, Evelyn,no reason to call the rest of us \"old\". :-))"}, {"response": 1593, "author": "susanne", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (19:09)", "body": "Sorry about the italics. It's been so long since I posted I screwed it up. Someone fix me please if this does not get it right."}, {"response": 1594, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (19:19)", "body": "closing the italics tag bankable talent in this country to play the definitive Brit girl. Aside from KW and possibly KST (whose not at all suitable for the part), the answer is no, not bankable enough for audience they're intending. Face it, folks, not everyone is like us, i.e., watches and knows who the actors are on Masterpiece Theatre. Personally, I think Renee Zellweger is an inspired choice. And I wouldn't blame The Bachelor on her. It came and went and she's untainted. There are more raves about her than boos. She won the National Board of Review's award for Best Breakthrough Artist in a Supporting Role for Jerry McGuire and was nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role by the Screen Actors Guild (her peers)."}, {"response": 1595, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (19:24)", "body": "Another point is that since it is an ensemble-cast type movie. There is space for Hugh Grant as Daniel C, H B-C as Shazz, Minnie D as Jude, Ben Afflect as Richard, Jim Carrey as the handyman from hell, Cameron D as Mag...and of course ODB as MD.And, for Rebecca how about Liz Hurley?"}, {"response": 1596, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (19:26)", "body": "*horrors* Where was your winky winky?"}, {"response": 1597, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (19:28)", "body": "Hey, anything to get ODB in the picture. ;-)"}, {"response": 1598, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (20:19)", "body": "From Empire0nline, the producer tells why she had the edge; cutie Ren\ufffde Zellweger has nabbed the role. Producer Eric Fellner tells today's Telegraph newspaper that Renee won the much coveted part thanks to her gift for comedy, which gave her the edge over British contenders. Those drowning their sorrows in buckets of Chardonnay and cigs at their local wine bar include Helena Bonham Carter, Emily Watson and Kate Winslet, who were all tipped for the part."}, {"response": 1599, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (20:25)", "body": "KST (whose not at all suitable for the part), the answer is no, not bankable enough for audience they're intending. And KST after The Horse Whisperer and Random Hearts...both which were not exactly great successes...I doubt if she could carry a movie. And I'm sorry, I just can't see Colin Firth and Emily Watson busing them into the cineplexes."}, {"response": 1600, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (20:30)", "body": "Thanks for the news, Ann, it is so good to know this movie has had a good push forwards. I didn't know who RZ was, but she seems lovely, and if a good actress, then it'll be alright and I probably watch the movie ven if - o horror! - ODB should not be in it. I have faith that he will be, though. Why? It's a mystery ;-)"}, {"response": 1601, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (21:35)", "body": "(Mari) Is BJD really considered a \"Hollywood\" movie, and if so, why? (Karen) I DON'T think it will be even though Working Title is owned by Universal. I recall the articles at the time said that WT boys' agreement gave them quite a bit of autonomy. You're right, Karen, as I recall WT had carte blanche on all projects up to a certain ceiling (for some reason $30 million sticks in my mind, but maybe not that high). Anyway, according to one of the sites today, BJD is an $8 million film. Which brings up another observation: RZ had to have come a lot cheaper than some of the others mentioned; could be that budget was one of the considerations also. Is WT actually owned by Universal? You know who owns Universal, right? Seagram's. And Seagram's is . . .a Canadian company! Let's blame the Canadians! LOL! (Don't anybody get offended; I just think it's funny how in this world of mega-conglomerates, it is difficult to trace back exactly who controls what.) LOL over your BJ/4Weddings/Notting Hill \"script.\" Ann, I can understand your wanting the lead to go to an English actress, I really do. It's like, why do we have to get our hands into everything. Please don't think we're insensitive; over here, we're perhaps more used to lots of British actors and actresses coming over to play Americans (just look at the Oscar noms, for example), and nobody here gives it a second thought, so to us it doesn't seem like a big deal when the reverse happens. BTW, a spring start date for filming is now reported. Ok, let's see CF's name on that cast list!;-)"}, {"response": 1602, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (22:20)", "body": "(Mari) BTW, a spring start date for filming is now reported. Where? Let's hope that CF hasn't booked himself solid with commitments for one day here, one day there television work cause he had nothing better to do. ;-)"}, {"response": 1603, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (22:31)", "body": "$8.Mil? That's not much.They'll have to enlist the underling crowd from Notting Hill. Let's hope that CF hasn't booked himself solid with commitments You mean so he'll have a good excuse not to take it;-)"}, {"response": 1604, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (00:05)", "body": "I saw it on the Mr. Showbiz site and they cited Variety so I figured all the sites had it. Anyway, the paragraph in question: \"First-timer Sharon Maguire will direct the film, which Universal will distribute. Bridget is set to start shooting this spring, with an estimated budget of $8 million, according to Variety.\" That figure struck me as low, too, Evelyn, which is why I was speculating that budget entered into the decision. Hey, at least Eileen won't have to worry that Jim Carrey will show up--that's his tip money.;-)"}, {"response": 1605, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (00:58)", "body": "I'm getting very nervous for you all. Looks like the casting of Mark must be announced soon. Will there be mass hari kari on the board if our own DB is not named? I'm standing by with the stretchers. Let our a sigh of relief with Zellweger being named. Never would have dreamed it I agree with most here that it's a very good choice. You'd have had to drag me to the theatre if Cameron Diaz had been Bridget."}, {"response": 1606, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (01:22)", "body": "You'd have had to drag me to the theatre if Cameron Diaz had been Bridget. And if Colin isn't MD, I won't fly to Dallas. But expect me for Sunshine, Sue;-)"}, {"response": 1607, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (03:43)", "body": "(Heide) Will there be mass hari kari on the board if our own DB is not named? I'm standing by with the stretchers. LOL! I'm glad someone is thinking ahead, Heide. I do promise not to be the one who passes out the kool-aid.;-)"}, {"response": 1608, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (08:31)", "body": "The more I think about RZ, the happier I am - an inspired bit of casting (unless she fouls up the accent or something). And I even liked Moon's ensemble list!"}, {"response": 1609, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (14:05)", "body": "(Mari) Hey, at least Eileen won't have to worry that Jim Carrey will show up--that's his tip money.;-) Too true. *wipes brow in relief* Let him stick to the Grinch and Cindy Lou Who (now, that's inspired casting). (Karen) Let's hope that CF hasn't booked himself solid with commitments (Evelyn) You mean so he'll have a good excuse not to take it;-) Hee hee! I agree--despite all this \"mooted\" and \"tipped\" stuff, CF as MD is not a given. We should hear something very soon, I would think. I know! Let's call his agent, that warm, outgoing, font of knowledge (has this guy ever admitted that CF was doing anything? Seems to me all he/his reps ever say is \"no, \"not yet,\" and \"never heard of it.\")."}, {"response": 1610, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (16:10)", "body": "(Eileen)...has this guy ever admitted that CF was doing anything? Seems to me all he/his reps ever say is \"no, \"not yet,\" and \"never heard of it.\"). Or....\"he's reading scripts\". All the agents do that.They feel that's in the realm of a publicist..and CF doesn't have one.I found a nice PA who likes the internet and occasionally comes through with news about JE...but \"not always\""}, {"response": 1611, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (16:23)", "body": "From The Independent (25 Feb 2000): V. Tall, V. Blonde and V. Flattering: Star from Texas to Play Bridget The search to find an actress to play the angst-ridden, fag-smoking, chardonnay-guzzling thirtysomething Bridget Jones in the eponymous film could be compared with the worldwide hunt for Scarlett O'Hara in the 1930s. Nearly every well-known British actress, and some Australian ones, too, have been touted for the part. Helena Bonham Carter was said to be \"too cold\" and Kate Winslet could not find time in her diary. There is no industry gossip consensus on why Cate Blanchett and Emily Watson were turned down. But, after countless auditions and an 18-month search, a Bridget has finally been found. A tall, blond American actress, who bears little resemblance to the dark-haired woman on the cover of the books, has landed the coveted role. Renee Zellweger, who made her name starring opposite Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire, was yesterday said to be \"honoured\". Ms Zellweger is a clean-living American, so it is unlikely that she smokes or drinks. She is also reportedly on the verge of becoming what Bridget would call a smug-married, as her boyfriend, the actor Jim Carrey, has just bought her a pounds 130,000 ring. None the less, the film's director, Sharon Maguire, insisted Ms Zellweger was the right Bridget. \"She has the correct degree of vulnerability mixed with inner strength, and a perfect comic instinct,\" she said. Ms Zellweger, who is 29 and has, therefore, yet to experience the life of a single thirtysomething, said: \"The diary is an amazing evocation of the life of a single girl. It reads like Jane Austen, with comic and ironic twists and turns.\" Eric Fellner, the producer of Bridget Jones's Diary, who made Notting Hill (famous thirtysomethings), Four Weddings and a Funeral (rich thirtysomethings) and Fargo (murderous thirtysomethings), said the search for the perfect Bridget had been exhaustive. He had been urged by Helen Fielding, the author of the Bridget Jones books, to cast an unknown actress, but said that Ms Zellweger had been chosen because she was funny. \"Renee is one of the best comic actresses of her generation,\" he said yesterday. Rumours that Colin Firth, aka Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice and the object of Bridget's slavering affections, will play the love interest Mark Darcy remained unconfirmed yesterday. His agent said simply: \"I have no idea.\" A spokesman for Working Title said no other parts had been cast as they had concentrated on finding Bridget first. Bridget Jones was born in the pages of The Independent in 1995 and became an essential read for all young women (and some of their boyfriends, too). She received Valentine cards from desperate swains and single-handedly made it cool to be uncool in relationships. The following year Ms Fielding turned the column into a novel, which sold more than four million copies worldwide. The book's cover followed the paper's column and featured Susannah Lewis, a former secretary at The Independent. Ms Lewis subsequently ran off to Madrid to live with her Cuban boyfriend. The sequel, which was published last year, has remained at the top of the UK bestseller lists since it was released. But the last word on the casting of Bridget should go to her creator. Ms Fielding, who has left the bartenders and off-licences of Notting Hill bereft since she moved to Los Angeles (where smoking is certainly not permitted), said simply: \"Vg.\""}, {"response": 1612, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (16:46)", "body": "Rumours that Colin Firth, aka Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice and the object of Bridget's slavering affections, will play the love interest Mark Darcy remained unconfirmed yesterday. His agent said simply: \"I have no idea.\" ROTFLOL!!! Put that giant joint down and smell the coffee! If he has no idea who does? Come on Colin, put the guy out of his misery. ;-)"}, {"response": 1613, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (17:08)", "body": "I think he read the little slip of paper that Eileen handed him. ;-) Interesting info about the woman on the bookcover I thought."}, {"response": 1614, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (18:07)", "body": "His agent said simply: \"I have no idea.\" Thanks for the article, Karen. This is so funny/sad in light of the posts just prior to this one! I think the agent's new line should be \"Colin's mooted . . .and I'm mute.\" Evelyn, he does have an L.A.-based publicist--or at least he did back in late '97. Not sure if he deals/dealt just with the U.S. media or not."}, {"response": 1615, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (20:03)", "body": "The font of knowledge speaks, right on cue. At least he didn't say \"never heard of it.\" no other parts had been cast as they had concentrated on finding Bridget first. Aargh! Will the suspense ever end? Ms Zellweger /.../ said: \"The diary is an amazing evocation of the life of a single girl. It reads like Jane Austen, with comic and ironic twists and turns.\" Gee, I wonder why it reads like Jane Austen. This article calls her tall, too. Jim Carrey must be a giant then--doesn't he tower over her? (Karen) Interesting info about the woman on the bookcover I thought. Well, the eyelashes were dark."}, {"response": 1616, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (20:26)", "body": "Rumours that Colin Firth, aka Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice and the object of Bridget's slavering affections, will play the love interest Mark Darcy remained unconfirmed yesterday. His agent said simply: \"I have no idea.\" J-ee-z...just how casual a response is that? A spokesman for Working Title said no other parts had been cast as they had concentrated on finding Bridget first. I find this difficult to believe.....the success of the movie will depend on good ensemble playing as much as an effective Bridget. And good actors have commitments...are they suddenly going to start ringing round? They must have some ideas and have put out feelers!!! Well, I hope \"mooted\" means \"sign on the dotted line\", but sometimes I hae mae doots. But with HF, Andrew Davies and David Parfitt (producer of SIL, now producing BJD) all involved, CF must be the front runner. Yes? Hey, Mr Agent....let us know, pl-ee-ase! I think that the RZ announcement was timed to coincide with HF's new book coming out in the States. Good publicity."}, {"response": 1617, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (22:05)", "body": ".... And good actors have commitments...are they suddenly going to start ringing round? Just what I was thinking. Filming to begin this summer? Or is it spring? What are they gonna do...check out the unemployed actors'roster?"}, {"response": 1618, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (01:12)", "body": "Let the media blitz begin! Helen Fielding will appear on The Early Show (Bryant Gumbel, Jane Clayson) this Tuesday, February 29. Starting to see some reviews for Edge Of Reason: one in Mirabella (excellent), and one in Entertainment Weekly (not v.g.). Guess which one was written by a man? If you said the excellent one . . .you'd be right."}, {"response": 1619, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (03:24)", "body": "Here's the publisher's website with info on the book: http://www.penguinputnam.com/bridgetjones/book.htm Tour Dates...so far New York, NY 03/01/00 12 noon Book Signing and Reading Borders Books World Trade Center New York, NY 03/01/00 7:30pm Book Signing and Reading Barnes & Noble Union Square Bethesda, MD 03/02/00 Book Signing and Reading Barnes & Noble Baltimore, MD 03/03/00 Book Signing and Reading Bibelot Nashville, TN 03/07/00 Book Signing and Reading Davis-Kidd Booksellers Atlanta, GA 03/08/00 Book Signing and Reading Chapter 11 Dayton, OH 03/10/00 Book Signing and Reading Books and Company Houston, TX 03/10/00 Book Signing and Reading Brazos San Diego, CA 03/13/00 7:30pm Book Signing and Reading Warwicks Los Angeles, CA 03/14/00 Book Signing and Reading Vroman's"}, {"response": 1620, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (16:40)", "body": "The cover of the US version is different from the UK one. I guess, they thought Americans would be corrupted by Bridget smoking;-)"}, {"response": 1621, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (16:45)", "body": "I have the British paperback and all you see is the close-up of the face not a brunette. So, any news on casting?"}, {"response": 1622, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (16:57)", "body": "(Mari) Starting to see some reviews for Edge Of Reason: one in Mirabella (excellent), and one in Entertainment Weekly (not v.g.). Guess which one was written by a man? If you said the excellent one . . .you'd be right. Interesting. The People review was written by a woman and is also not v.g. Does say, \"Some of Bridget's escapades are laughable (botching an important interview with a famous actor by flirting with him...)\" but no mention of the film's casting. ;-)"}, {"response": 1623, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (17:01)", "body": "(People reviewer) \"Some of Bridget's escapades are laughable (botching an important interview with a famous actor by flirting with him...)\" When will these serious, career-minded People get a sense of humor? ;-)"}, {"response": 1624, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (17:02)", "body": "fixed"}, {"response": 1625, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (17:37)", "body": "I expect the reviews will be mixed, as they were for the first one (NY Times flamed it) and as they were for this one in Britain. Some folks just don't appreciate HF's humor! But the rest of us will make it a bestseller."}, {"response": 1626, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (18:11)", "body": "At least the EW reviewer gets his name in there: \"Sent on a dream magazine assignment to Rome to interview actor Colin Firth--Pride & Prejudice's Mr. Darcy himself--the professional journalist misses her plane, misses her deadline, and misses the point of the assignment.\" Seems she loved the first book, and is disappointed that Bridge, finally \"in possession of a good man,\" has fallen into sequel-itis where apparently \"possession is nine tenths of a bore\" with Mark and Bridget \"barely allowed a slap and a tickle\" before Fielding steers BJ \"away from the experience of a rewarding releationship and onward to ever more inane behavior and goofy misadventure.\""}, {"response": 1627, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (21:07)", "body": "Prozac is mainly for chronic depression, which is not, I think what Donavan was suffering from. I don't know -- he might have been bipolar (manic-depressive) in which case they had probably used lithium (which he has to continue taking). But all these are mood alterers which wouldn't completely do the trick. I truly believed he had to go through intensive \"counseling\" (read brain-washing) to completely change his reactions to things, his attitudes towards them. He had to be taught to hate and fear....again."}, {"response": 1628, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (21:28)", "body": "I believe KJ's comments belong on the Spoiler topic...so will move them. Or is this somehow related to Bridget? ;-)"}, {"response": 1629, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (21:43)", "body": "Or is this somehow related to Bridget? ;-) vvg!"}, {"response": 1630, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (22:36)", "body": "Did you know that it is a tradition for women to ask men to marry them on Feb. 29? This is from the E.Telegraph: MOST women keep a sliver of their heart for some man they always hoped to marry, who never asked them. But next week, the nation will echo to the sound of tables turning, as lovelorn women get their four-yearly chance to ask him to marry them - on leap year Tuesday, February 29. A rising number of women take the opportunity - around 7,000 each leap year, according to the latest reports. \"I can't see anything dangerous for the relationship in a woman asking a man,\" says Suzy Powing of the counselling service Relate. \"These days, the decision to marry is mutual, anyway.\" He's free to say no. But in times past, coy refusals weren't allowed. \"Accept her, or pay a swingeing \ufffd1 fine,\" decreed Queen Margaret of Scotland in 1288, ordering eligible bachelors to accept any single woman who asked on February 29. Perhaps she was honouring the broken heart of St Brigid, who proposed to St Patrick and was refused. Brigid meet Bridget. ;-)"}, {"response": 1631, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (23:20)", "body": "Did you know that it is a tradition for women to ask men to marry them on Feb. 29? You betcha! I've heard it called Sadie Hawkins Day. Don't be surprised if I have a new last name on March 1. Now where is my multi-millionaire? Not! ;-)"}, {"response": 1632, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (01:56)", "body": "Hope this is new news. Note paragraph four - Murph By ANITA GATES -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BRIDGET JONES The Edge of Reason. By Helen Fielding. 338 pp. New York: Viking. $24.95. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- When last we saw Bridget Jones, she was in a suite at Hintlesham Hall with Mark Darcy, celebrating Christmas with vast quantities of Champagne and sex in a four-poster bed. Bridget was satisfied with her diet too, having gained 74 pounds during the calendar year and lost 72. A happy ending, however, is no excuse for forgoing a sequel. Especially when it comes to ''Bridget Jones's Diary,'' Helen Fielding's fabulously best-selling novel, the one that introduced the terms ''singleton'' and ''smug marrieds'' into the language. Said sequel, ''Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason,'' necessarily lacks the joy of discovery that accompanied the original, but its heroine is still great company -- at least in the abstract. Many things about Bridget haven't changed. She still begins her diary entries with her weight; daily calorie, tobacco and alcohol intake; and other quantitative assessments of her progress toward becoming an ''assured, receptive, responsive woman of substance.'' She still lives in fear of dying alone and ''being found three weeks later half eaten by an Alsatian,'' which is why she hates being in her 30's and single. She still procrastinates madly, infers life lessons from ''Thelma and Louise'' and gets hangovers. And her mother still seems the same too, regularly advising, ''Don't say 'What?' Bridget, say 'Pardon?' '' But time waits for no woman, even the chronically self-monitoring. By Page 12, Bridget is already worried about losing Mark. She soon spends a weekend at a ''country cottage'' (with stables, outbuildings, a pool and its own church) that belongs to the parents of her potential rival, Rebecca. She becomes a bridesmaid. Gary the builder knocks a hole in the wall of her flat. She goes on holiday in Thailand and at one point has reason to make a list of good things about being in jail (weight loss, not spending money, restoration of natural oils to hair because of infrequent shampoos). Her career prospects brighten with the opportunity to interview the actor Colin Firth, but her Mr. Darcy fixation gets the best of her. (Firth starred in a BBC production of ''Pride and Prejudice.'') Her non-Darcy-related questions include ''What is your favorite color?'' and ''Do you think the book of 'Fever Pitch' has spored a confessional gender?'' As Firth fictionally responds, ''Excuse me?'' Yes, the secret Fielding's sequel reveals is this: Bridget may not be terribly bright. We know this because her ex-beau Daniel Cleaver says of her, ''How can you go out with someone who doesn't know where Germany is?'' This is not totally fair because she does know that it's in Europe. And she has some knowledge of its affairs. After a ''motorway signpost debacle,'' she muses parenthetically, ''If war today, better, surely, to confuse Germans by leaving signposts up?'' Later a rival suggests that Bridget believes Rimbaud was a character played by Sylvester Stallone. How can a reader not love this woman -- not in spite of her faults but because of them? Bridget tries so hard. Her days are made up of glorious surges of hope followed by instant defeat or rash interpretations, or both. (Dare we compare her to Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway?) She knows the darkest despair. Reading a self-help book, she comes across ''Feelings of unworthiness? A belief that you are unlovable?'' and quickly answers: ''Huh. Is not belief is fact.'' Yet her spirit soars with the possibility of change. Reading Hello! magazine, she concentrates on pictures of Prince William. ''Cannot, though, ignore impression of great things fermenting around in young royal brain,'' she observes, ''and sense that, at maturity, will rise up like ancient knight of Round Table thrusting sword in air and creating dazzling new order.'' Well, yeah, but will he be a singleton?"}, {"response": 1633, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (01:57)", "body": "Forgot the say the above is from tomorrow's NY times book review. Murph"}, {"response": 1634, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (02:00)", "body": "Sorry. Break time from class :-( KJ"}, {"response": 1635, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (15:10)", "body": "Thanks for the NYTimes review, Murph. Glad to see it's a good one; so many people read the Times book reviews. USA Today gives the book a thumbs up too: By Deirdre Donahue, USA TODAY Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason By Helen Fielding Viking, 352 pp. List price: $24.95 One of the most enchanting heroines ever to overdraw her bank account, the good-hearted if utterly neurotic Bridget Jones returns in Helen Fielding's just-published Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (Viking, $24.95). Like its best-selling 1998 predecessor, Bridget Jones's Diary, the story is presented in journal form, complete with Bridget's daily tally regarding her weight, cigarette intake and love life. \"Minutes since had sex 16,005,124 (must, therefore do something about this).\" Unlike the first book, which focused on Bridget's search for love, Edge opens with the delectable and eligible Mark Darcy parked in Bridget's bed. As the first line of her diary reads, \"Hurrah! The wilderness years are over.\" But love trouble veers into sight. Specifically in the shape of the man-poaching Rebecca, she with the \"thighs of a baby giraffe\" and an enormous country house. Ever at the ready with bad advice and alcoholic libations stands \"the dating war command,\" Bridget's friends Sharon, Jude and Tom. Bridget continues to display the habits that made her so lovable in the first place: an insatiable appetite for useless self-help books, continual communing about men with her friends, a constant striving to be a good daughter to her demented parents. Always one product from greatness, Bridget blithely embraces all sorts of crackpot ideas, from tourniquet underwear to building an addition to her apartment. Her global appeal stems directly from everyone's secret hope that they are loved as much for their faults as for their virtues. One of the most appealing aspects of Bridget' s world is that workaholics do not dominate it. People have time to commiserate and lament, except the Smug Married Magda, who spends her time shrieking: \"Mummy will smack\" while potty-training her children. Bridget's job as a London TV researcher/occasional on-camera reporter continues to be a source of humiliation mixed with merriment. Bridget also spends time with Mark Darcy's very upper-crust \"clinking and braying\" legal set. OK, it is true: Edge's plot is a bit over the top. Foreign intrigue plays a role. And there are those who might find Bridget's constant dwelling and obsessing to be, well, pathetic and silly. But she does grow up a bit by the end of the book. But the truth must be told. This reader had to be evicted from the ladies' room where she was reading the book behind locked doors. Her mad howls of laughter were frightening co-workers. It's that funny."}, {"response": 1636, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (19:42)", "body": "It's that funny. It is, isn't it? :-)"}, {"response": 1637, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (22:39)", "body": "The Wall St. Journal trashed BJ: The Edge of Reason. It was in Friday's edition. Only skimmed article. Art thought vvf as everyone goes nutso over BJ. I tend to like WSJ reviews. But this one was harsh."}, {"response": 1638, "author": "mari", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (19:11)", "body": "From the L.A. Times: Tuesday, February 22, 2000 'Bridget' Creator Discovers Fertile Ground in L.A. Helen Fielding says she's more relaxed here than in London and finds the SoCal obsession with self-image provides plenty of new material. By MARJORIE MILLER, Times Staff Writer For the record, Helen Fielding had zero alcohol units and zero cigarettes at a Sunset Boulevard lunch, during which there was no calorie counting and no boyfriend talk. In other words, the bestselling novelist is not Bridget Jones incarnate, even if some people do mistakenly call her by her 30-something heroine's name, and despite the fact she has just had a very Bridget-like experience with the roof of her new Hollywood house springing leaks in the manner of a garden hose ravaged by a great Dane. \"I am sure it will all be sorted out soon,\" Fielding said with the kind of optimism she admires in Californians. Fielding, whose second diary, \"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason,\" is to be published in the United States at the end of the month, recently moved to Los Angeles to the chagrin of her British friends and fans. It is tempting to ask how she could possibly trade Notting Hill chic at 192--Bridget's favorite hangout--for L.A. hip at Cafe Med, except that we are seated outdoors on a spectacularly bright, sunny day in the middle of what only Californians could call winter. \"I love it here. Look at it, it's February. I swam this morning. It's half an hour to the beach and 40 minutes to the Wild West. I can be in the desert in 2 1/2 hours, and Mexico is two hours away on the plane. It's brilliant,\" Fielding said. \"Especially for a writer, to come to L.A., well, even if things go wrong, there is so much to write about,\" she enthused. Fielding finds it amusing that Angelenos complain about traffic--which does move, after all, and hardly compares to London gridlock. Or the way Californians go to pieces in the rain and refuse to come see her new house because it is wet outside, a condition that would turn Britain into an entire nation of shut-ins. Then there is the positive, good-natured character of Californians, America's alternative to the stiff upper lip. \"As I was leaving a hotel in the desert, I told the woman working there that, by the way, the toilet is broken in the room. And she said, 'Oh, thank you, thank you so much for telling me.' I imagine I could have said that my friend died and I left the body in the room, and she still would have said, 'Oh, fantastic, thank you, thank you so much,' \" Fielding said with a laugh. * * * Fielding clearly is having a v. good time. And why shouldn't she? \"Bridget Jones's Diary\" sold 4 million copies in 30 countries, and the British edition of \"The Edge of Reason\" has sold nearly 500,000 since it was published in November. She is collaborating on the screenplay of \"Bridget Jones's Diary,\" to be directed by her friend Sharon Maguire for Working Title, which brought out \"Four Weddings and a Funeral\" and \"Notting Hill.\" \"Bridget\" has spawned a slew of knockoff books, none of them as successful, and has added several words to the vocabulary of Chardonnay-chugging, urban singletons who identify with this bundle of insecurities trying to live up to impossible standards. In her new diary, Bridget has traded diet books for self-help books and has a boyfriend, the rich and handsome Mark Darcy, whom she is trying to hang on to against the advances of gorgeous Rebecca, a villain \"with thighs like a baby giraffe.\" Telephone-addicted Bridget juggles her relationship with Mark along with the full-time demands of a manic boss, friends Shazzer, Jude and smug married Magda, and a zany mother who goes off to Africa to bring home a tribes man named Wellington. Bridget then heads for Thailand, where she and Shazzer are conned by a Harrison Ford look-alike. She ends up in jail on drug charges, comforted only by the thought that she is shedding pounds. Bridget II offers the same mix of neurosis and parody that attracted and irritated so many women, from London to Los Angeles to Tokyo, the first time around. But what exactly is it, Fielding is asked over salad and scallops, that makes so many women identify with Bridget? \"It is the gap between how you are and how you feel you are expected to be,\" Fielding said. \"There are so many confusing images--wife, mother, Cosmo girl and career woman with the body of an anorexic teenager. Even high-powered New York women in business suits identify with her not being able to find a pair of tights in the morning. \"This feeling of not being as you are supposed to be seems to be pretty universal,\" she said. Many professional women in their mid-30s have had to make difficult choices in their lives, among them, perhaps, the decision not to marry, she said. \"For these women to then be subjected to comments from an uncle like, 'What, still not married?' or about being on the shelf past your sell-by date, it's just not fair.\" * * * While the plot of the first book comes from Jane Austen's \"Pr"}, {"response": 1639, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (19:40)", "body": "Thanks for this article, Mari. \"I can't help it. I already have got piles of notes and interesting characters to think about,\" she said. \"There are all these man-women walking around with the bottom half of a boy and then these enormous breasts. How can it be? I feel I am from a different species. LOL! \"getting the roof fixed.\" Better not call your friend Colin (when he's in town), Helen. He's not too handy around the house."}, {"response": 1640, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (19:45)", "body": "Hilarious. Thanks, Mari :-)"}, {"response": 1641, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (20:12)", "body": "Helen hasn't lost a beat! LOL! Loved the bit about Californians not coming over if it's wet outside or the waiter questioning your order. Too good. Probably won't be another Bridget book, but who cares. Thanks, Mari."}, {"response": 1642, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (21:04)", "body": "Thanks, Mari! \"I love it here. Look at it, it's February. I swam this morning. It's half an hour to the beach and 40 minutes to the Wild West. I can be in the desert in 2 1/2 hours, and Mexico is two hours away on the plane. She is there for all the right reasons, but I wonder how permanent her move is, since there are plenty of handsome men but most of them gay. (Was that v. bad of me?) ;-)"}, {"response": 1643, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (22:30)", "body": "v. bad, Moon. Am sending Rupert over to chain you up and administer some behavior-modification techniques. ;-)"}, {"response": 1644, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (00:54)", "body": "Am sending Rupert over to chain you up and administer some behavior-modification techniques. ;-) Oh, goody! Maybe I can share the room with Daniel Quinn! ;-) PS. In an interview to the Miami Herald Madonna said that Rupert is not your typical gay guy, he is very butch. :-D (That MUST be the attraction)"}, {"response": 1645, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (00:57)", "body": "Yes, but can he possibly be more butch than Madonna? And I am by no means implying that Rupert is a sissy."}, {"response": 1646, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (13:02)", "body": "Yes, but can he possibly be more butch than Madonna? And I am by no means implying that Rupert is a sissy. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out Vanity Fair. GREAT pic of Madonna and RE on cover. Just bought it today. RE is drop-dead gorgeous, and Madonna since having Lola has softened up a bit."}, {"response": 1647, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (18:27)", "body": "Lola? Is that what she's called?"}, {"response": 1648, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (18:58)", "body": "(Karen) Loved the bit about Californians not coming over if it's wet outside or the waiter questioning your order. Too good. Probably won't be another Bridget book, but who cares. Exactly. The L.A. experience will keep Helen in material for quite awhile! Did anyone see her interviewed on The Early show this a.m.? She was bright and funny as usual. Nothing mentioned about the movie. (Gi)Lola? Is that what she's called? Yes, Lourdes is called Lola by her mom. (Deeply ashamed that I keep up with these things;-)"}, {"response": 1649, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (19:41)", "body": "(Mari)Deeply ashamed that I keep up with these things;-) Don't be! How else could you tell me about them? ;-)"}, {"response": 1650, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (19:49)", "body": "...and I was ready to get a dig in at Laura, who lives and breathes the trashy celeb columns! *rats* ;-)"}, {"response": 1651, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (20:01)", "body": "and I was ready to get a dig in at Laura, who lives and breathes the trashy celeb columns! *rats* ;-) ] Hee hee:)"}, {"response": 1652, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (20:58)", "body": "I saw HF this morning...she already looks like a Californian with a mini-skirted pastel (light blue)suit..bomber style jacket with matching turtleneck. Forget London black!Looked younger and prettier too."}, {"response": 1653, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (22:34)", "body": "Personally I don't think anyone can possibly be more butch than Madonna; not even Mike Tyson. I couldn't really get into BJD, but if CF is in the movie I'll see it. Not that I thought it a bad book, not at all. I just couldn't relate to it. Actually I do think CF we be in the movie, playing himself if nothing else."}, {"response": 1654, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (23:02)", "body": "(Cheryl) I do think CF we be in the movie, playing himself if nothing else. Absolutely! Nobody could ever play CF I mean who matches up... that voice, those eyes? *dark thought* You never know with these Hollywood types they'll cast Danny DeVito you just watch :-o"}, {"response": 1655, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar  2, 2000 (00:20)", "body": "(Cheryl) I do think CF we be in the movie, playing himself if nothing else. (Tracy)Absolutely! Nobody could ever play CF I mean who matches up... that voice, those eyes? You mean like hallucinatory flashbacks,... Or dream-like squences? \"The Cameo Kid strikes again\". (Godferbid)"}, {"response": 1656, "author": "NitaE", "date": "Thu, Mar  2, 2000 (14:09)", "body": "(Cheryl) Actually I do think CF we be in the movie, playing himself if nothing else. Wouldn't it be fun if he were to play Mark Darcy as well as himself?"}, {"response": 1657, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  2, 2000 (14:13)", "body": "If the movie included the sequel, then Colin could actually do 3 parts. They would use BBC clips for the Mr. Darcy stuff, but Colin would be himself for the interview segment and then they'd dye his hair dark to be Mark Darcy. I think it would be a riot."}, {"response": 1658, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar  2, 2000 (14:15)", "body": "I think it would be a riot. More like a dream come true. :-D"}, {"response": 1659, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  2, 2000 (14:32)", "body": "Follow-up news item today: LONDON (AP) - Britons adopted a wait-and-see attitude when American actress Gwyneth Paltrow was cast as oh-so-English Lady Viola in the film \"Shakespeare in Love.\" But some newspaper columnists already are sharpening their perfectly manicured fingernails over the casting of yet another beautiful American blonde - 29-year-old Renee Zellweger - as angst-ridden, calorie-counting Londoner Bridget Jones. Jones, a self-obsessed thirtysomething in search of Mr. Right, is the creation of British author Helen Fielding, whose novel \"Bridget Jones' Diary\" has sold 4 million copies worldwide. So what do calorie-counting, thirtysomething British journalists think about Zellweger for the film role? Too young, too pretty, too American. \"Of all the clunking, Hollywood idiocy,\" wrote columnist Zoe Williams in the Evening Standard. \"Casting her as a young and perfect thing is like remaking 'The Elephant Man' with Jude Law.\" \"Ms. Zellweger is a clean-living American, so it is unlikely that she smokes or drinks,\" sniffed Kate Watson-Smyth in The Independent. \"She is also reportedly on the verge of becoming what Bridget would call a smug-married.\" \"The only good thing, I suppose, is it isn't Meg Ryan,\" added Suzanne Moore in her Mail on Sunday column."}, {"response": 1660, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Mar  2, 2000 (14:55)", "body": "\"Ms. Zellweger is a clean-living American, so it is unlikely that she smokes or drinks,\" sniffed Kate Watson-Smyth in The Independent. \"She is also reportedly on the verge of becoming what Bridget would call a smug-married.\" One word: AARGH. Anyone have Zoe's e-mail address? I'd like to send her the definition of that oh-so-complex, abstract term called ACTING. Sheesh. Guess I missed all the fallout when Cate Blanchett was cast as Elizabeth. Horrors! An Australian! What did *she* know about being a queen? *shaking my head*"}, {"response": 1661, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar  2, 2000 (16:28)", "body": "(Karen)If the movie included the sequel, then Colin could actually do 3 parts. If they don't get off the dime soon, Colin can play Colin (BJ's dad;-) Actually that would be a great question to pose to Helen on her book tour, and one that she would probably answer (unlike casting questions)--is the script more 1st book, or a combo of the two? Unfortunately, I don't know of anyone who is going. :-("}, {"response": 1662, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Mar  2, 2000 (19:06)", "body": "(Karen)\"The only good thing, I suppose, is it isn't Meg Ryan,\" added Suzanne Moore in her Mail on Sunday column. (Mari)If they don't get off the dime soon, Colin can play Colin (BJ's dad;-) I don't know which of these made me LOL more :-)"}, {"response": 1663, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (20:15)", "body": "Harumpf! I really should cancel my subscription to Time. That predictable bunch of humorless feminist editors and writers. They hated BJD and now the sequel. Phoo Meander Miss Jones Bridget's still hapless, but she's not so cute by Elizabeth Gleick Oh, dear, oh dear. By the time Bridget has landed in a Thai prison (don't ask) more than halfway through Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, the reader is beyond caring. Hapless is one thing--as the tremendous popularlity of Bridget Jones's Diary showed, hapless can be endearing. But hapless with no sign of a learning curve, in a sequel that has none of the novelty of the original yet is much longer--now that will try the patience of even a Bridget fan. [how would this writer know, as she is not?] Bridget Jones's Diary, originally a column by Helen Fielding in Britain's Independent newspaper (and soon to be a movie) [soon? see, writer does not know beans], was one fo the publishing phenomenons of the 1990s. It has sold 4 million copies worldwide to date and been published in 30 countries. A very funny account of the minor woes and epiphanies of a 30-ish single woman living in London, it spawned [maybe, spoored?] a host of pale imitations and a humorless debate about Bridget's supposedly debilitating effect on the progress of women. (My two cents: Fielding is a wonderful comic novelist who obviously struck some vein of truth. To condemn Bridget for being a more pathetic version of the rest of us is to miss the point.) [Keep your two cents; you have missed the point.] But some hits cry out for sequels, whereas other books are fine just as they are. We may occasionally wonder what happens after Elizabeth Bennett [sic] marries Mr. Darcy (after all he's kind of difficult), but Jane Austen's subsequent novels are variations on a theme, not repetitions of one. [Ms. Gleick really MUST publish.] With her modern-day version of Pride and Prejudice, on the other hand, Fielding got caught in the vise of a lucrative contract and a punishing deadline, and the new book has an air of desperation. With the diary format, complete with alcohol and cigarette logs, and the same wacky circle of friends, Bridget seems to be living in her own private Groundhog Day, unable to learn from her mistakes, move forward or pull herself together the tiniest bit. The plot--and is there ever a plot--is driven by her on-again, off-again romance with Mark Darcy. The fact that the reader is so much smarter and more observant than Bridget is, this time round, irritating rather than suspenseful. Gaa!"}, {"response": 1664, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (20:56)", "body": "I have to agree with the reviewer, I got tired of Bridge always getting into trouble and MD right there to save her."}, {"response": 1665, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (21:00)", "body": "Veronica Chambers' review in last week's Newsweek was much the same. Excerpts: \"Like a relationship in its sixth month, 'The Edge of Reason' challenges our affection. All of Bridget's faults--the obsessive calorie counting, the addiction to self-help books--that seemed charming in the first book grow tired here.\" \"On far too many occasions, Fielding doesn't take her character seriously enough. The gags, like the one about her parents' African houseguests, are too one-note.\" \"...and her beau, Mark Darcy, is back in full swing--still smoldering from afar...Fielding is afraid of exploring a full relationship between Bridget and Darcy, so she keeps them apart for most of the book. As Bridget would say, she should feel the fear and do it anyway. Darcy and Bridget are a wonderful pair. They'd give Smug Marrieds a good name.\" Oh, well. I started it the other day and I can say with certainty that it makes me laugh 'til I cry. Loved this: \"Whilst v. much grateful for being brought skiing, could not believe nightmare of getting up on to hill in first place, baffled by what was point of clunking through giant concrete edifices full of grilles and chains like something out of concentration camp, with half-bent knees and equivalent of plaster cast on each foot...Worst of it is hair has gone mad in altitude, forming itself into weird peaks and horns like bag of Cadbury's Misshapes...Also three-year olds keep whizzing by without using any poles, standing on one leg performing somersaults, etc.\""}, {"response": 1666, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (21:33)", "body": "Letter-writing time to these publications. Am I the only one who liked The Edge of Reason more than BJD? It stood on its own...didn't seem like a sequel to me. IMO, however, it will be an incredibly difficult screenplay to put over.Bridgets thoughts are funnier than what she does .He actions could come over as a bit \"chaplinesque\"."}, {"response": 1667, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (23:13)", "body": "(Evelyn) Am I the only one who liked The Edge of Reason more than BJD? *hand raised high in air* I liked the second book more as well. (Time Austen Scholar) We may occasionally wonder what happens after Elizabeth Bennett [sic] marries Mr. Darcy Enough so that an entire cottage industry of Austen-related sequels exist and the web is full of Austen fan fic. Did Ms. Scholar not read the article in the NYTimes about Austen and the web? (TAS) With her modern-day version of Pride and Prejudice Hadn't she noticed that this one was based on Persuasion? Or did she consider that a \"variation\" on the P&P theme as well? (TAS) Fielding got caught in the vise of a lucrative contract and a punishing deadline, and the new book has an air of desperation. Some punishing deadline. Book was like a year and half overdue. And if she really wants to sample \"desperation,\" try reading the columns in the Telegraph, where Fielding didn't know what she writing from week to week. What I like best about the book, is how well she sorted the columns out. During HF's tour last year, she sounded so down about Bridget and Mark, that the relationship was not going to work out. Remember all the discussions we had about how unbelievable certain columns were? As I read the sequel, I was constantly amazed at how she had patched up huge holes in logic and believability."}, {"response": 1668, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  7, 2000 (01:03)", "body": "Newsflash Read this at Pemberley: There will be an online chat with Helen Fielding at CNN.com at 1 pm EST on Wednesday, March 8. The subject will be BJD and The Edge of Reason. Here's the link: http://www.cnn.com/chat/ ~~~~~~ Remember when we all went on line before to ask HF and Nick questions? What fun!!"}, {"response": 1669, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar  7, 2000 (02:21)", "body": "Remember when we all went on line before to ask HF and Nick questions? What fun!! Yeah....I think that was two years ago.And when she started the book junket,the poor woman was bombarded with questions by droolies all across the country!"}, {"response": 1670, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar  7, 2000 (02:54)", "body": "Thanks, Karen! I am relying on finally getting an answer to the big question...is he or not. Somebody must drag it out of her non-commital answers. Can someone ask who her PR person is? They are doing a v.g. job. Since it is Ash Wed. and if I get a chance to log on, I will ask if MD is a Catholic. ;-D Hey, she would know right?"}, {"response": 1671, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Mar  7, 2000 (10:19)", "body": "Karen, love the [interpolations]! If Ms Gleick publishes, I shall send in a review to Time. Someone please ask if BJD has spoored a host of pale imitations? And what is Helen's favourite colour? not really"}, {"response": 1672, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar  7, 2000 (13:58)", "body": "And please don't forget to ask my personal favorite: \"What is neacher?\" ;-) Seriously, if any of us can get on, we should ask if the screenplay is based mostly on the first book. And also the obvious question (which she probably won't answer;-)"}, {"response": 1673, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Mar  7, 2000 (14:40)", "body": "(Evelyn) IMO, however, it will be an incredibly difficult screenplay to put over. Bridgets thoughts are funnier than what she does ...which is why they had to call all the king's horses and all the king's men to put the screenplay together again. I agree with what you're saying, though. I think the movie will be v. different than the book(s). I can see a few scenes translating intact (tarts and vicars party, dinner party), but as for the rest, I keep feeling a gravitational pull towards 4W&AF and Notting Hill. Don't know why...:-P Am taking my time with EOR, but thus far I can see what some of the reviewers are saying. I'm finding Bridget to be more predictable this time (heck, it is a sequel); however, this book is funnier. Helen's wit is sharper than ever."}, {"response": 1674, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (16:04)", "body": "Helen Fielding Online Chat Today It's at 4:00 pm ET at the CNN site shown below. Previous post said a different time, but the ROP poster must have been giving her \"local\" time. Go here: http://www.cnn.com/chat/qa.html"}, {"response": 1675, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (16:13)", "body": "There will also be another online chat at bn.com (Barnes & Noble) on Monday, March 13, at 7:00 pm ET. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/community/community.asp?userid=4V3K48R6XI&srefer ="}, {"response": 1676, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (16:27)", "body": "Converted time for Europe: 8 p.m. GMT, or 9 p.m. CET. Will try to log in."}, {"response": 1677, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (16:28)", "body": "I mean today. Sorry."}, {"response": 1678, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (16:35)", "body": "Isn't it 9:00 pm GMT?"}, {"response": 1679, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (16:40)", "body": "Karen, the CNN chat message access seems to be about Super Tuesday. Will we only be able to log on at the moment? I thought we were able to send our questions in advance. I admit I am a novice at this."}, {"response": 1680, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (16:41)", "body": "You can go into chat Q&A at anytime, but it will be real time. So you can't send you message in advance."}, {"response": 1681, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (16:44)", "body": "It's at 4:00 pm ET at the CNN site I'll be there:-) Yes, it is 9 PM GMT."}, {"response": 1682, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (16:58)", "body": "In that case I won't be able to log in :,-("}, {"response": 1683, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (21:41)", "body": "The CNN chat was slightly less than a half hour. Questions were typed in online and some seemed to be be coming from elsewhere. Not sure what/where is CNNI (interactive). Tineke was there too. A lot of silly irrelevant questions. She did answer mine about whether the movie was to be based on just the first book or would include the sequel. She said *first book only* but little bits that appear in both and gave the example of Magda potty training her kid. Tineke asked \"who should play Mark Darcy?\" No real answer there. There was a general question about casting and she answered that it hasn't been done yet. Another person asked \"who was going to direct?\" (you see what I mean?) and she answered about her friend Sharon but added that Sharon really knows Bridget's world. Helen tossed in her new soundbites from LA (about the restaurant and chip butties). Let's try again next Monday on bn.com"}, {"response": 1684, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (21:45)", "body": "Hey...Springhost_USA saw you in the CNN Chat just now. Along with Tineke. I was guest #20683. Couldn't get my name in that box...wouldn't take it. Anyway, it was great fun to lurk.She didn't say anything startling...\"no other casting\"...except RZ.I liked her answer to:\"Do you stand up to defend 'shagging'\"....\"I always stand -up\"! Proud of our Firthfans who repped us. Thanks kids."}, {"response": 1685, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (21:50)", "body": "Just watched the chat (that's one step below lurking). Saw we were well represented by Tine and Springhost aka 'Mark's Towelrack' :-P I was glad to see Helen pick up your question, Karen."}, {"response": 1686, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar  8, 2000 (21:58)", "body": "I tried to copy off the chat dialogue to another document, but it didn't seem to work. Oh well, you've gotten the gist of it."}, {"response": 1687, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (01:15)", "body": "Will the interview with Colin be in the movie? Did anybody get the chance to ask ?"}, {"response": 1688, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (01:24)", "body": "(Karen) She did answer mine about whether the movie was to be based on just the first book or would include the sequel. She said *first book only* Thanks for getting that one in there, Karen. Something concrete, finally. Not exactly the answer I wanted to hear given MD's limited appearance in the first book, but as it is the one based on P&P maybe CF has a better shot at the role. If he even wants it.;-) I wasn't able to log on--couldn't get past the opening screen."}, {"response": 1689, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (04:52)", "body": "(Mari) I wasn't able to log on--couldn't get past the opening screen. Really? Is it because of the java?"}, {"response": 1690, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (15:19)", "body": "(Gi) Will the interview with Colin be in the movie? Not likely since, as Karen found out, BJD movie will be based solely on BJD book with bits from EOR (e.g., \"in the potty! In the potty!\")."}, {"response": 1691, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (15:54)", "body": "(EileenG)Not likely since, as Karen found out, BJD movie will be based solely on BJD book with bits from EOR Well, the interview could be one of those \"bits\", maybe...?"}, {"response": 1692, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (17:40)", "body": "She does bring up CF's affair w/ JE in the first book, hmmm...."}, {"response": 1693, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (17:58)", "body": "Let's get a list of questions going to ask her on Monday night on the B&NChat. She does bring up CF's affair w/ JE in the first book, hmmm... Never mind that one, Laura, ...it's old news anyway;-) ~~~~~~~ 1. Will you include in the film the interview with Colin Firth in Rome?"}, {"response": 1694, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (18:55)", "body": "2. Will she include the affair between JE and CF:)"}, {"response": 1695, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (20:53)", "body": "Will she include the affair between JE and CF:) \"It wasn't an affair....we were together for almost a year...\" said 'The Great One' in an interivew."}, {"response": 1696, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (21:26)", "body": "3. Is she having any input into the film's casting? (And yes, Karen, I think my problem with connecting was the java.)"}, {"response": 1697, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (21:31)", "body": "Methinks question 3 should be moved to question 1."}, {"response": 1698, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (22:01)", "body": "Article on Helen in the Atlanta paper: Asked about the casting controversy, Fielding is unflustered and, well, un-Bridget-like. \"She was very good in 'Jerry Maguire.' She had that thing of being able to look both beautiful and ordinary,\" said Fielding, who wrote two early versions of the script for the movie, then lessened her involvement this year because of the demands of promoting the sequel. \"Besides, I can't be involved with things like casting. It hits too close to home. I've got my own picture of how everybody looks, and they don't exist.\" Full article here: http://www.accessatlanta.com/partners/ajc/epaper/editions/today/features_1.html"}, {"response": 1699, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar  9, 2000 (22:42)", "body": "Cute interview, Karen...UK publications must be giving her a hard time over RZ. (They'd give any American actress a hard time, let's face it. Why not? Lots of British actresses need a job.)But this gives ODB a better chance at making the cut. OK, Eileen....that seems to take care of question #3."}, {"response": 1700, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Mar 11, 2000 (15:35)", "body": "Mixed reviews don't seem to be slowing Helen down. The Edge Of Reason is the # 3 bestseller in the U.S., according to Publisher's Weekly."}, {"response": 1701, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Mar 11, 2000 (19:53)", "body": "Some of the best reviewed books don't sell well. Her reviews seem to be quite favorable for what she writes. Gore Vidal would call them \"novels of the consumer\". Will Self has nothing good to say about the writing of either Helen Fielding or Nick Hornby. H. Fielding does not write literature; this chick will probably never win the Booker Prize. She writes books meant to entertain."}, {"response": 1702, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Mar 11, 2000 (21:55)", "body": "Will Self has nothing good to say about the writing of either Helen Fielding or Nick Hornby. To quote Jo from Fever Pitch, do we really care? ;-) I'm pleased to be entertained by Hornby or Fielding and a good or bad review isn't going to change my mind if the writer succeeds on that score. I know intellectuals have nothing to fear from me but I hope I'm never pretentious enough to only read \"literature\"."}, {"response": 1703, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Mar 11, 2000 (22:00)", "body": "Good for you. I do know those whose motto is, \"I have no idea what I like, but I know a lot about art.\""}, {"response": 1704, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 13, 2000 (21:54)", "body": "Moon sent me this article from The Globe and Mail, a Canadian paper, about Bridget and Annette Bening's character in AB: 'Is there a conspiracy here? Probably, but it's so vast that it's more of a united front' HEATHER MALLICK Wednesday, March 8, 2000 I am a great fan of Helen Fielding's Bridget Jones novels, the Diary and The Edge of Reason, mainly because they make me laugh. How many things can you say that about these days? But there is a school of thought that says her heroine is not a charmer but a scatterbrained fool and her ditz act is wearing thin as she nears 40. Would you have an apartment so messy, they say, that you would accidentally throw out your friend's cellphone with the garbage? And if so, would you ask your friend to call his phone, and then go out to the dumpsters and wait for one of them to ring? Would you do this wearing only a leather jacket over your bra and panties? Of course you wouldn't. Of course Jones would. Jones thinks Rudyard Kipling's If is a condensed self-help book. She's a chronically late, messy scrambler of a woman, who thinks the Smug Marrieds are laughing at Singletons like her. She yearns for a rescuer, a rich, patient, handsome, clever, kind human-rights lawyer named Mark Darcy. Mr. Darcy (yes, from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice) is a perfect man, with all of the male virtues (rationality, lovely body) and none of the vices (idleness, unrestricted lechery). He's highly unlikely to fall for a woman who is correct in thinking that she eats too much Cadbury's chocolate, smokes like a barbecue and drinks like a sponge. In real life, she'd be a bovine, smelly alcoholic, and be treated as same. But this isn't real life, it's the confessional novel of the female inadequate and it has a heavyweight literary history. For centuries now, Bridget Jones has been trying to make her way in a world made by and for men. Jones's diaries are descendants of Shamela, the parody Henry Fielding wrote in 1742 when he became immensely irritated by Samuel Richardson's Pamela, a pompous, best-selling narrative of a virtuous servant girl. Instead of diaries, Pamela and her alter ego, the conniving little hussy Shamela, used the device of letters to parents, in which they tell of fighting off lecherous employers and seeking true love. There were no careers for women then, and, strangely, not now either (Jones's job is pure idiocy.) There is only one route to success in the 1700s and the 2000s and that is to marry a Mark Darcy. Helen Fielding (no relation to Henry) ascribes the success of these novels to the notion that there is a little Bridget in all of us, a nice, well-intentioned female striving to be perfect and failing on a colossal scale. To feminists who think Jones is a moron, she rather smugly points out that somebody must be identifying with her because nobody bought her first \"serious\" novel about refugee camps. (I did. It was terrible.) Columnist Johanna Schneller wrote in this section last week about the tidal wave of female idiots clogging American movies. She was dead right. Is there a conspiracy here? Probably, but it's so vast that it's more of a united front. Writers and directors, whether male or female, present women as foolish, dismissable creatures partly because nobody objects and points out that few women (or girls, as they are now unconvincingly called) in real life behave like cartoon characters or indeed, Bridget Jones. Ms. Schneller mentioned the obsessive housewife character played by Annette Bening in American Beauty as the only one in the movie \"who doesn't get a moment of grace.\" There is a scene in which her husband tries to seduce her on the couch, a scene that I think epitomizes the way men are taken seriously and women are laughed at. \"Lester, you're going to spill beer on the couch.\" \"So what,\" he says. \"It's just a couch.\" \"This is a $4,000 sofa upholstered in Italian silk. This is not 'just a couch.' \" Seduction ends, permanently. Apparently audiences are united in their loathing of this woman, while the husband, who's trying to seduce his teenage daughter's best friend, wins their sympathy. I was left so aghast by this interpretation that I was silenced. I am a keen vacuumer and neatener myself and brought my beloved, butter-coloured couches to my marriage, so admittedly I am biased. But Bridget Jones lives in all of us? Bening's character is a virago? And some oaf who gobbles beer while ineptly pawing the mother of his children is a hero? So I committed heresy. I tossed my lifelong feminism in the bin and did what Jones, Pamela, Shamela and the writers and directors named by Ms. Schneller would do. I asked a man, specifically the Mark Darcy I'm married to and am not smug about because he's wise, nice and could easily discard me, as Bridget would say. He was livid at my description. He was entirely on the side of Bening and her chesterfield. Why is this man drinking beer at a moment like that anyway? Clearly, they're going to divorce, so why ruin the"}, {"response": 1705, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 13, 2000 (23:39)", "body": "Reminder!! Chat with Helen at bn.com starts at 7:00 pm ET Here's the link directly to the Auditorium. Questions can be submitted in advance. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/community/aud/uaud.asp?userid=4V3K48R6XI&srefer=#marker"}, {"response": 1706, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 13, 2000 (23:43)", "body": "Here's the transcript from the online chat last year. You'll see a few familiar names. ;-) http://www.barnesandnoble.com/community/archive/transcript.asp?userid=4V3K48R6XI&srefer=&eventId=1392"}, {"response": 1707, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 13, 2000 (23:44)", "body": "Ooops, the chat was in June '98 - nearly two years ago!"}, {"response": 1708, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (00:22)", "body": "OK.. which one of you is Auntie Pasta? ;-)"}, {"response": 1709, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (00:55)", "body": "OK.. which one of you is Auntie Pasta? ;-) I'm notta sayin....but it sure beats \"Heavie Evie\"( n' I wuz Lafn too!!) I copied some of the Q&A.Did you Karen?Want me to post what I copied?"}, {"response": 1710, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (15:45)", "body": "Here are some of the CF or movie-related Q&As from the Barnes and Noble chat: Jude from Los Angeles: How do you feel about Renee Zelwegger being selected to play Bridget? Did you have any casting say? HF: I'm very upset that they didn't ask me. My acting career came to an abrupt halt at university when I was given a part in the review, then in rehearsal, one by one all my roles were taken away from me. Apart from that of Miss Guided, a mute Chamber Maid. I haven't been involved in the casting, but I've heard she's very funny and she's learning to speak English with an English accent. Auntie Pasta from USA: Did you have any input in the casting of the film. I think RZ as Bridget is brilliant! Who will be Mark Darcy? I pray it isn't Hugh Grant... HF: I pray it is Colin Firth of the BBC's Pride and Prejudice fame, but I don't know who it will be. Elisa from Pennsylvania: Has Colin Firth contacted you in regards to his many mentions in the new book? HF: The interview in the book was actually a real interview in Rome with me pretending to be Bridget and him assuming a Mr. Darcy-esque tone. And he was very amused by it afterwards. Benjamin from Atlanta: Do you know when the film will be released? How will they be able to use much of her writing in a diary on screen? HF: to last: which is not to suggest that I am in any way shallow. To this: I hope it will come out before Christmas and I hope that they will use lots of voice-over. Lesley from NYC: What are your fears about Bridget Jones' Diary being made into a movie? Are you working on the script too? How do you feel about Renee Zelwegger playing the part of Bridget? HF: Authors traditionally turn into monsters when their work has been made into film, so I decided a few months ago, the time had come to graciously retire and maybe just turn up glamorously on set one day in a pair of sun-glasses and a gold turban then throw a hissy fit and flounce off for a large martini. Lafn from Oklahoma: Will the film include the interview with Colin Firth in Rome? HF: No, because the film is of the first book. Karen from Chicago: Thought The Edge of Reason was even better than the first book and am amazed at how well you transformed the Telegraph columns into a story. How did you decide to use Persuasion, which worked brilliantly to add depth to Mark's character? If it was just whim, am glad you didn't go the Mansfield Park route. HF: I am very pleased that you liked the book so much and was thinking of asking you to repeat the question seven times over the Internet. I chose Persuasion because it was my second favorite JA book after Pride and Prejudice and also began with a P which added a pleasing air of continuity. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I've put up the whole thing at: http://www.spring.net/karenr/general/hfchat.html"}, {"response": 1711, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (16:09)", "body": "Thanks for the excerpts, Karen. Auntie Pasta? Was that you, Moon? ;-D *heeheehee* There you have it, Ms. Lafn. So I suppose there's no room for CF to play MD, be the Mr. Darcy in P&P whom BJ adores *and* do a cameo as himself. Oh, well."}, {"response": 1712, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (16:24)", "body": "Just read the whole interview. Eileen from NYC was not me--I was away from my computer yesterday (besides, am in Jersey). Sorry I missed it. I finished EOR last week. I did laugh all the way through but found it very predictable (BJ will get herself in trouble, MD will get her out). Liked the ending. Liked Geoffrey Alconbury's line: \"Wheee! Off they go!\" Didn't you want to smack him? On the whole, though I prefer the original BJD, EOR doesn't disappoint."}, {"response": 1713, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (20:17)", "body": "I went to the Chat at about 7:20 pm and asked whether she had spoken to CF about playing MD and if he would be interested in the role. I guess she decided not to answer it. And at this point, I am inclined to think that they will not go for him. I have a feeling they want someone who is better known in the US. :-( Did anyone get that feeling too? Do you believe she is in La Jolla? Yuk! Who is she mingling with? The martini set? Thanks for the link, Karen."}, {"response": 1714, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (20:56)", "body": "Thank you Karen and Evelyn. Am going to the Bucket now to read the whole thing. It looks like it was hilarious. I'm sorry I could not be there. (EileenG)So I suppose there's no room for CF to play MD, be the Mr. Darcy in P&P whom BJ adores *and* do a cameo as himself. Oh, well. As long as he plays Mark Darcy... and this still seems possible :-) BTW, I almost fell from my chair at HF's reply that the interview in Rome was real - sort of. Lucky woman!:-)"}, {"response": 1715, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (21:31)", "body": "... asked whether she had spoken to CF about playing MD and if he would be interested in the role. I guess she decided not to answer it. I got tthe idea they were running out of questions...but I had one too that she didn't answer re: an audio that JE did of Cause Celeb Helen's first book. I have a feeling they want someone who is better known in the US. :-( Did anyone get that feeling too? I got the feeling she really doesn't like to answer anything much about that movie. Tip: Ask lots of questions under different names..I got 2 out of 3 answered. Not bad. Laura honey...I figured you could ask your own question;-)"}, {"response": 1716, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 14, 2000 (23:44)", "body": "(Moon) Do you believe she is in La Jolla? Yuk! Who is she mingling with? The martini set? She had a booksigning yesterday in San Diego. I need to find out if a friend of mine went; she was coming in from London yesterday and planned to go. I truly believe she has no input in the casting decisions and never did, which is usually the case with authors. If she has any influence, it will be via her friend Sharon, who is directing. Let's keep our fingers crossed that Sharon (aka Shaz) is also a P&P-loving, Colin Firth-as-Mr-Darcy fan as she is portrayed in the book. ;-)"}, {"response": 1717, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (00:10)", "body": "HF: I pray it is Colin Firth of the BBC's Pride and Prejudice fame, but I don't know who it will be. I think this is very hopeful. With no prompting, she brought Colin's name into the conversation--his first mention in the interview, looks like. I agree that she probably has little input, if any, into the casting, but I'm sure she is very plugged into the process in terms of where things stand. If that's the case, then based on this interview, CF hasn't been ruled out. The thought of Renee and Colin is really growing on me; physically, it's almost like Carrie and Mr. Big on Sex In The City. Long-haired, vulnerable cute but not gorgeous blonde coupled with tall, dark and handsome guy several years her senior."}, {"response": 1718, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (01:08)", "body": "(Mari)With no prompting, she brought Colin's name into the conversation--his first mention in the interview, looks like. Hee, hee. You catch on fast....that was the plan;-)"}, {"response": 1719, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (03:42)", "body": "You catch on fast....that was the plan;-) Wot? She has a secret plan? And you knew about it Evelyn? I hope this does not mean that we will have to set up petitions at all the CF sites for him to be considered as MD! ;-) Can we wait a little longer for the cast to be announced or do we have to wait for Miss Dolittle to finish her diction lessons first???!!!"}, {"response": 1720, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (13:14)", "body": "I missed both chats:( Sorry, I didn't participate. But I did read the transcript. Karen, LOVED your question! She was bang on by asking you to repeat it 7 times over the Internet;)"}, {"response": 1721, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (13:54)", "body": "I rang Working Title again. They said that shooting for BJD would run through May-June in various locations in London, with a view to an early 2001 release. Other casting is \"currently being finalised\"."}, {"response": 1722, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (14:10)", "body": "Oh, I can't hold it in any longer! Postive report from last night's Fielding reading in L.A. Nothing absolutely definite on the casting news we've been waiting for, but let's just say it's looking good. Hope to have more to report later."}, {"response": 1723, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (15:38)", "body": "Ooooh, sounds like the casting will have to be announced shortly. Wonder if this will be a Friday Baz exclusive? And that shooting schedule will certainly accommodate doing Armadillo this summer!"}, {"response": 1724, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (15:41)", "body": "but what about The Maid of Buttermere?"}, {"response": 1725, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (16:07)", "body": "The Buttermere thing was never confirmed as being a \"go.\" It seems like its still in the preproduction phase, if anything."}, {"response": 1726, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (16:11)", "body": "Oh well, it sounded so perfect for CF, more so I have to say than BJD, I still have my doubts especially as we now know it is based on the first book."}, {"response": 1727, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (17:41)", "body": "Hi ... attended last night's book reading/Q & A/book signing at Vroman's (Pasadena/L.A.), and it was a capacity crowd. Helen Fielding was charming and funny. She read 3 chapters from the book: hellacious haircut; cooking breakfast for Mark (but having none of the ingredients); and writing Christmas cards. I timidly asked her if they (Working Title/Universal/casting agents) would take into account her wishes in regarding who will play Mark Darcy. Her reply (paraphrasing) was that she wants Mark Darcy to be played by THE MR. DARCY of \"Pride & Prejudice,\" Colin Firth. Sorry, can't remember if there was more to that answer as I was overcome by the excitement of actually asking a question. Maybe Jana or Winter can help me out on this. Most of the questions were ones that have already been answered in previous online Q & A's ... Renee Zelwiger ... HF suddenly appearing in turban on the set ... set in Notting Hill ... but, she wouldn't answer what her favorite color was. Well, have to get back to work ... Jana and Winter, it was wonderful seeing you guys again!!!"}, {"response": 1728, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (18:10)", "body": "Thanks for your first-hand report, Marianne. Glad you got to reprise your HF book signing appearance, Winter and Jana!"}, {"response": 1729, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (18:48)", "body": "Why doesn't HF come to Boston???? Did she really think we would run her out ala 1776?"}, {"response": 1730, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (20:02)", "body": "Great report, Marianne. The flame is still burning :-)"}, {"response": 1731, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (21:05)", "body": "Excellent report, Marianne! It was great to see you and winter again last night. We had a mini-Drool reunion over coffee. Oh yeah, the signing was fun too :-). Winter and I thought Marianne very brave to ask \"the\" question. Her plan was similar to yours, Evelyn - ask very innocently about the casting of Mark Darcy hoping for an unsolicited mention of you-know-who. We were not disappointed :-). My recollection of HF's answer matches yours Marianne, although I think after saying she wanted CF for the role she added something like \"but nothing is confirmed\". As Marianne said, we got a lot of the same soundbites from HF that we've heard or read before, but HF delivers them so spontaneously it would be hard to tell she's not making it up on the spot if you didn't have our team of researchers out in the world scouring for her every word. There were a couple of items that were new to me anyway (sorry if this is a repeat for you all). Regarding the name of the book, she said the idea was somewhat based on the reviews of BJD in Italy. She then said the bit we've heard before about the Italian review saying BJD was a \"study in existential dispair\" (something like that - I may not have quoted exactly right.) She then went on to say that she chose the name \"The Edge of Reason\" because it sounded Sartre-esque to her (I hadn't heard that bit before). She also said something new to me about the first book she wrote. I always thought it to be the one set in the refugee camp that she says no one bought. Last night though she said that was the first book she sold. Previously she had written a romance novel called \"The Fires of Zanzibar\" and submitted it to Mills & Boone (?) which from her description sounded to be something approaching the quality (or lack thereof) of Harelequin romance in the U.S. While HF thought her book to be quite good, she got a rejection letter from M&B saying her work was not up to the standards of the M&B reader. She said it was so depressing she didn't write again for six years. Sorry if this is a repeat for you, but it made me laugh! Bottom line, publicly at least HF did not give any firmer comment about CF playing MD than she had in past interviews. We didn't ask her about this again when we had our books signed because that would have made Marianne look like some kind of fanatic :-)."}, {"response": 1732, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (21:43)", "body": "Thank you Jana and Marianne. Winter where are you? (Karen), sounds like the casting will have to be announced shortly. Wonder if this will be a Friday Baz exclusive? I think you might be right. I believe the ink is dry. Get the scoop, Baz!"}, {"response": 1733, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (22:21)", "body": "Great going, Jana and Marianne. Helen must wonder if anyone cares about her new book, if all the questions tend toward the movie. Did anyone ask how her about progress on her new roof? Has she met the LA equivalent of Gary the builder? Doubt though he would be having tea with Helen. FYI, she has mentioned the Mills & Boon (definitely Harlequin-ish) before - not frequently, but she did in the Barnes & Noble chat. The title was never mentioned before this round of promotion if I'm not mistaken. Winter, hon, we want to hear about your *exchange* with Helen. ;-D"}, {"response": 1734, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (22:38)", "body": "Here I am....heheheh... once again, I use my opportunity to meet HF as a way of getting into \"the biz.\" ( 2 yrs ago I asked HF if I could play the convicted housemaid, once BJ started filming...) Basically, Marianne and Jana and I decided to wait until the very end, so we wouldn't feel the pressure to move along the conveyer belt of autograph seekers. After we gushed over 'Edge of Reason,' and after Marianne asked about Mark Darcy's religious background ('Probably Church of England'), I took the opportunity to ask Helen, \"Would you happen to be in need of an assistant???\" I gave her the story of how I dropped out of the PhD program (not really- just taking a hiatus) and am looking for work. Sister Jana was nice enough to back me up on my qualifications and HF actually looked slightly interested, if not amused! She asked for my #, and I dug into my wallet for my business card.... ...well, after fumbling around my bag, I was about to hand over my card when I realized IT WAS MY MANICURIST'S BUSINESS CARD!!! A Bridget moment if there ever was one... Anyway, I apologized and told her it was my manicurist's card, and then found the right one, and then I handed it over to her. Everyone was very good natured about it, I think. We left immediately after, because I didn't want to seem too anxious."}, {"response": 1735, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (22:44)", "body": "*snort* Too funny, Winter. Of all people, I'm sure Helen appreciated your BJesque moment!"}, {"response": 1736, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (22:49)", "body": "Winter, how bold, how brash, how FUNNY!! Now, if only a few Dairy Milk wrappers and a pair of torn pantyhose had fallen out of your purse, she would've hired you on the spot!"}, {"response": 1737, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (23:09)", "body": "Thanks Marianne, Jana and Winter....how gracious of HF to ask for your card, Winter.Great goin' girls. Wonder what the hold-up is on the confirmation of MD."}, {"response": 1738, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (23:14)", "body": "From FoF Leslie who is happy to share: After the session was over last evening, she went up to Helen for autographs and asked her privately, wouldn't it be a hoot if Colin Firth played Daniel. Helen replied, \"Well, he's probably going to play Mark Darcy.\" So, a definite probably! ;-) Enjoyed everyone's reports--thanks."}, {"response": 1739, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Mar 15, 2000 (23:35)", "body": "A \"definite probably\" is better than a \"definite possibly\" but I'm still standing by with the smelling salts in case someone else whose initials are not CF is named as MD. Helen's a hoot. Too bad you didn't ask her to join you for coffee. ;-) Could have made a fab four."}, {"response": 1740, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (00:43)", "body": "Winter, I'm glad you decided to post about your little adventure with HF. I keep thinking about it and it has been making me smile all day - it truly was a moment right out of BJD! I keep imagining the somewhat stricken look on your face when you realized you were proffering your manicurist's business card, albeit in a very professional manner :-). I thought HF's response was funny too. She smiled and with a twinkle in her eye said \"you're fired\". She was definitely kidding though and I'm sure she'll remember you now!"}, {"response": 1741, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (05:03)", "body": "I thought her comments about ELiza Dolittle sounded like she was a bit miffed. Article in Empire (15/03/2000): Bridget Jones Insulted Speaking for the first time since the announcement that Renee Zellweger had been chosen for the role of Bridget Jones, author Helen Fielding said she had given up her involvement in the film-making process. \ufffdI had some initial involvement with the script,\ufffd Fielding told a chat this week on People.com, \ufffdbut authors traditionally turn into monsters when they turn their books into films so I thought I should gracefully retire a few months ago.\ufffd When asked about the eventual choice of actress, Fielding responded, \ufffdWell, I'm very insulted that nobody asked me. My acting career was previously blighted in this way when I was cast in the university review and one by one in rehearsal all my parts were taken away from me\ufffdI've never met Renee but I'm told she's very funny and learning to speak English with an English rather than Texas accent.\ufffd According to rumour, the casting for the part of Bridget had been held up for some months when Fielding couldn\ufffdt agree with the filmmakers on her leading lady. Kate Winslet \ufffd whom most people had thought would take on the role \ufffd eventually gave up waiting, deciding on the Therese Raquin movie instead."}, {"response": 1742, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (05:10)", "body": "Here's the link to the people.com chat with Helen on 3/13/00 - the same day that she did the bn.com one. Wonder if they were done simulataneously? ;-) http://people.aol.com/people/interactive/transcripts/f/hfielding.html"}, {"response": 1743, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (09:00)", "body": "Great story, Winter! With it being a manicurist's card especially, it is too BJ. HF may even think it was a set-up! :-) A definite probably for CF as MD. Now just imagine if HF went away thinking: \"Damn! I wasn't meant to mention that - if it gets into the press, I may be in trouble for leaking it too early.\""}, {"response": 1744, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (13:26)", "body": "Winter, I love your huffspa! (sp?) You do great everytime! Now what if she calls you for an interview on the day you are to leave for Bali? Will somebody please e-mail Baz with HFs latest CF as MD comment and ask him to get the scoop. We are most impatient!"}, {"response": 1745, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (14:25)", "body": "(Moon)Winter, I love your huffspa! (sp?) You do great everytime! Chutzpah;) Yeah, that was very BJ-esque! Now if only she'd come to Boston (or Providence, for that matter!)"}, {"response": 1746, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (14:25)", "body": "ugh! I did close tags!"}, {"response": 1747, "author": "mari", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (19:57)", "body": "And they thought they were rid of me after MLSF! Check this out, from Liz Smith's column today: Miramax has acquired two new choice projects: \"Bridget Jones' Diary\" to star Ren\ufffde Zellweger, and \"Captain Corelli's Mandolin,\" with Nicolas Cage and Penelope Cruz. It will be directed by John Madden of \"Shakespeare in Love\" fame. Harvey Weinstein's studio will meld with Universal, Working Title Films and Canal Plus on these projects."}, {"response": 1748, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (20:01)", "body": "*hee hee hee* digging out Miramax's telephone number! Wonder why Universal feels a need to partner with Miramax on this one? BJD isn't some $40 million production...or is it? ;-)"}, {"response": 1749, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (20:22)", "body": "It must mean an increase in the budget. Remember the cast as I see it. Hugh Grant as Daniel, Elizabeth Hurley as Rebecca, HB-C as Shazz, etc. Colin will be the big bargain, so I bet he is in. :-) Now please let Baz know we want the scoop! Karen, you must have his direct line by now. ;-)"}, {"response": 1750, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (20:26)", "body": "Not me! The Daily Mail is beyond my reach. Besides, we have several fantastic on-the-scene reporters who are already in line waiting for tomorrow Mail to be delivered to the news agent. ;-)"}, {"response": 1751, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (20:34)", "body": "Laura's post on 127 reminded me - Saffron Burrows would be a good Rebecca, don't you think? If RZ is fairly tall, then Rebecca needs to tower over her. Who better than Saffron or maybe Charlize Theron? And both of them have Hollywood appeal for the boxoffice, although it is a small part for the first book. Since Hughie isn't even a consideration IMO - not wasting the grey cells - am going to have to give the Daniel casting some thought. Nobody really comes to mind. Names, need names!!"}, {"response": 1752, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (20:51)", "body": "Daniel - Does it have to be a BIG name? *Throwing names in from God knows where* how about Rupert Graves (Room with a View,The Madness Of King George)? Too good looking perhaps."}, {"response": 1753, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (20:57)", "body": "Ooooh, yeah!! Rupert Graves would do very well."}, {"response": 1754, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (21:04)", "body": "So, Harvey's sticking his finger into the BJD pie? I can't work out if this is good or bad news. Have to say, overall, despite one or two (!) reservations about Harvey, it must be good news for the movie. Harvey's always on the look out for winners. And it should mean more promotion. All we need is that vital confimation re. CF! It has to be via Baz or Teletext (Ann, keep on the alert...you get all the scoops!). Hope he gets co-starring, not fourth billing! I'd love to make a few suggestions re the casting. Saffron Burrows would make a great Rebecca or MD's barrister girl friend. Alison Steadman for Bridget's Mum Ben Whitrow for Bridget's Dad Helena B-C for Shazzer Julia Sawalha or Holly Aid (Sarah's friend in FP)for Jude David Bamber for Richard Finch Kathy Burke for Perpetua (she can do \"posh\") ? Dreyfuss ( co-stars with Kathy Burke in a BBC2 series) Tom Charlotte Coleman (4 weddings) Patchouli Daniel...definitely American, Rhodes scholar type, a sort of younger Kevin Kline RZ is, I think, much better casting for Bridget than KW. KW is too young, and ,although I know you don't have to be an ax murderer in real life to play an ax murderer, she does come over in recent interviews as very happily Smug married. Needs a bit of angst. RZ is apparently very popular over here, with males under 25. And they are usually the main target audience for a successful movie. Ann, CF could still do \"Maid of Buttermere\" later on...sometimes projects take time to get off the ground. But BJD is high profile."}, {"response": 1755, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (21:05)", "body": "And Tom....? For Tom I think (I'm going to show my ignorance here as I'm not sure I've got the right name - but it's the guy who played Hugh in Tumbledown) Paul Rhys(?). Or for the quirky ( we know RC always has room for a quirky character) how about a Scots Tom in the shape of Alan Cumming?"}, {"response": 1756, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (21:06)", "body": "Re Tom James Dreyfuss. inspired...even better!"}, {"response": 1757, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (21:14)", "body": "(Bethan) Daniel...definitely American, Rhodes scholar type, a sort of younger Kevin Kline Am having a hard time with this one. Rhodes scholar type? What is that? A Bill Bradley or a Bill Clinton? Kevin Kline? He's definitely not a Rhodes scholar type (see above) and the clincher is he's married to the less-than-intellectually challenging Phoebe Cates. ;-)"}, {"response": 1758, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (21:57)", "body": "$40 million production...or is it? ;-) { Isn't that CF's price to film the movie? :) Rupert Graves would be a wonderful Daniel or James Wilby. Sam West? Loved Charlotte Coleman as Patchouli is perfect! She has to have a lot of body piercing tho!"}, {"response": 1759, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (22:45)", "body": "(Mari)And they thought they were rid of me after MLSF! Oh Mari...too funny. You must be on first name basis with most of the people in the NY office. And we know all the Miramax reps across the country. It's not all bad to get Harvey on board.But the producer line is getting crowded.Hope Colin's sticker-price (and pl. God it is he!)is more than SLOW."}, {"response": 1760, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (22:56)", "body": "if it is in The Daily Mail tomorrow, Aishling will be first to post it, so look out for Aishling in the morning. I am afraid I don't get out to the shops till midday. Fingers crossed, although I think it is a bit early to hear anything but what has he been doing for the last two months, I thought he said he wasn't taking a break!! If he got a move on he could do Maid of Buttermere now for say 6 weeks and then Bridget Jones til about end of June, all ready for Armadillo in the summer which could mean June, July or August. Yes that will do me! (and then please can we see them before I draw my old age pension!!)"}, {"response": 1761, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (23:09)", "body": "he could do Maid of Buttermere now for say 6 weeks and then Bridget Jones til about end of June, all ready for Armadillo in the summer which could mean June, July or August. Yes that will do me! Poor Will:-("}, {"response": 1762, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (23:31)", "body": "Not at all: he could have some very interesting time in England. There's the Dome for a start...;-)"}, {"response": 1763, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (23:38)", "body": "How about one of the Fiennes bros for Daniel (a bit of role reversal)? And a Hitchcock cameo by CF as CF....Bridget could bump into him in a video store and not recognise him! Final thought...does anyone think there's a resemblance between RZ with straight blonde bob and HF? \"Rhodes scholar\"...Well, if Daniel is played by an American actor, it gives the movie a good Anglo/American balance, and Daniel met MD at Cambridge University."}, {"response": 1764, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (23:50)", "body": "Poor Will well I hope he is visiting with him now and as Arami says he can always come over to sunny England for his school hols!"}, {"response": 1765, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (23:51)", "body": "oops, sorry"}, {"response": 1766, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (23:52)", "body": "Help Karen!"}, {"response": 1767, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (23:53)", "body": "I think I have got it"}, {"response": 1768, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Mar 16, 2000 (23:54)", "body": "one more time"}, {"response": 1769, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (00:05)", "body": "...about tag fixing...please read: If you close a tag on a subsequent message, it WILL NOT APPEAR TO BE FIXED because the *BAD* message is still up on your monitor. To test whether you've chased away the bogeyman, leave the topic and then return so that NO messages appear. Then use the Redisplay box below and put in -1. That one \"fixing\" message should appear in a regular font. OK? :-)"}, {"response": 1770, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (00:27)", "body": "Listen to Karen! What she says is true!"}, {"response": 1771, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (01:40)", "body": "Arami says he can always come over to sunny England for his school hols! Sunny California vs. an Islington flat?.....Sans TV, beach front and a pool?"}, {"response": 1772, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (01:51)", "body": "(Evelyn) You must be on first name basis with most of the people in the NY office. Well, I know what name they call me: Mud.;-) Evelyn, during the infamous \"we only made 22 copies\" phone call, I thought they were going to call Security on me.;-) Will have to adopt a different persona for BJD agitation activities--I dunno, maybe Mud Flaps. . . hee hee . . . I can't figure out the Miramax connection either. With Harve now involved, I suppose Rupert Everett will make an unbilled cameo as Tom.;-) Rupert Graves as Daniel works for me too, Tracy. I saw him in Closer on Broadway and afterwards he and Anna Friel were in the lobby collecting for Actors Equity for AIDS (as cast members do after all the NYC shows). Got up nice and close; he's awfully cute. Gave him a fat donation. Yeah, he'd be fine.;)"}, {"response": 1773, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (02:06)", "body": "From TELETEXT: Fielding drops Bridget Jones movie Furious Bridget Jones author Helen Fielding will not be developing her book into a movie script in protest at not being consulted over casting. Texan star Renee Zellweger won the part of Bridget Jones against a number of English actresses such as Kate Winslet and Helena Bonham-Carter, described as \"too cold\". Fielding said acidly: \"I'm told Zellweger's learning to speak with an English accent rather than Texan.\" 17/03/2000"}, {"response": 1774, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (02:07)", "body": "From Teletext. Are these people on drugs? They've taken her remarks totally out of context. Same for those people at Empire that you quoted, Karen. The irony of \"they didn't ask me and look at all my vast film experience\" was totally lost on them. Oi. ******* Fielding drops Bridget Jones movie Furious Bridget Jones author Helen Fielding will not be developing her book into a movie script in protest at not being consulted over casting. Texan star Renee Zellweger won the part of Bridget Jones against a number of English actresses such as Kate Winslet and Helena Bonham-Carter, described as \"too cold\". Fielding said acidly: \"I'm told Zellweger's learning to speak with an English accent rather than Texan.\""}, {"response": 1775, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (02:15)", "body": "I know, I felt the same way after reading the people.com chat. Her comments were taken totally out of context. \"they didn't ask me\" was about her own acting experience, and not about RZ for the role. However, the remark about Eliza Doolittle, which must have been from the Yahoo chat, struck me as a little !@#$%$ [figure that one out yourself] ;-)"}, {"response": 1776, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (02:15)", "body": "Hey, who said anything about SUNNY England... I just mentioned the wondrous Dome. Besides huge, cold beaches and heated public pools. And don't forget he's upgraded to a house in Islington."}, {"response": 1777, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (04:05)", "body": "An American for Daniel? Ok, I've got one: Aaron Eckhart from that Neil LaBute piece of trash, \"In the Company of Men.\" He has playing a pig down pat. I see he's also in Erin Brockovich, Any Given Sunday and yet to be released Nurse Betty (another piggy movie from aforementioned pig), which RZ is in too ....so maybe it's a no go. Oh well, pick any pig who has been in one of his movies..."}, {"response": 1778, "author": "aishling", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (09:17)", "body": "Sorry ladies - no news regarding casting from Baz. He does say: It's bye Bridget, hi, Bali After doing yeoman work on the screen play for the forthcoming BJ movie, Richard Curtis has departed these shores with his family. They have set up camp on the beautiful island of Bali - complete with laptop. Plans to be on Bali for five mnths in a bid to 'completely get away from it all'. Continues with past projects. And adds that RC is often employed behind the scenes as a script doctor. He performed such surgery on BJ and ended up giving the script a major funny bone implant."}, {"response": 1779, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (13:27)", "body": "Ok, here's the explanation on Miramax's involvment in BJD: it's an accommodation--distribution rights in return for John Madden's services (who apparently was under contract to do his next film for Miramax). From News Unlimited: Screendaily reports that Miramax Films is in talks to handle the US distribution of Working Title Films' upcoming Bridget Jones' Diary. In return, John Madden would be released so that the Shakespeare in Love director can shoot Working Title's forthcoming Captain Corelli's Mandolin. Madden came on board the adaptation of Louis de Berniere's best-selling novel after illness forced Notting Hill director Roger Michell to drop out. Filming is due to begin in May; Nicolas Cage and Penelope Cruz will star."}, {"response": 1780, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (13:50)", "body": "Thanks, Aishling and Mari. That makes sense about Madden and I think it is his next three films. We have had all that info posted here about CCM. So do you think Miramax can handle the heavy burden of distributing 22 reels of this film? ;-)"}, {"response": 1781, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (14:17)", "body": "think Miramax can handle the heavy burden of distributing 22 reels of this film? ;-) The very thought, Karen! This could ruin a girl's breakfast. ;-) Thanks, Aishling and Mari."}, {"response": 1782, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (15:03)", "body": "(Karen) An American for Daniel? Ok, I've got one: Aaron Eckhart from that Neil LaBute piece of trash, \"In the Company of Men.\" He has playing a pig down pat. Yesss! Perfect, perfect, perfect. He nailed that creepy, manipulative pig character in ICOM. Newsweek was singing their praises about his performance in EB; said it was going to be his breakout role. (Bethan) So, Harvey's sticking his finger into the BJD pie? I can't work out if this is good or bad news. Have to say, overall, despite one or two (!) reservations about Harvey, it must be good news for the movie. Harvey's always on the look out for winners. And don't forget this is now the 'kindler and gentler' Harvey, nicotine patches and all. He's supposed to be a changed man. And it should mean more promotion. You're kidding, right? ;-D After MLSF I've learned never to presume anything about Miramax (or this business, for that matter)."}, {"response": 1783, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (16:03)", "body": "(Karen) Oh well, pick any pig who has been in one of his movies... Th-oink you for these casting suggestions, Karen.;-) Actually, I think Aaron Eckhart is a terrific actor, and he'd do a great job. But if we're going for people in Neil LaBute flicks, I've got the definitive Daniel: Jason Patric. Gorgeous and so smarmy under the thinnest veneer of charm in Your Friends and Neighbors. But, I doubt that they'll hire an American for this part; I think the Yank quota on this film has already been exceeded by one.;-) RE: Miramax. This film will be fairly high profile; I think Miramax may bite for a full two dozen reels.;-) One more interesting tidbit from the Fielding L.A. appearance: their original choice for director was Amy Heckerling, who wrote and directed Clueless. HF is apparently a fan of that film and quoted some dialogue. Not sure if this was during the general Q&A or privately afterwards. Not clear why Heckerling couldn't do it; must have been those dreaded \"prior commitments.;-)"}, {"response": 1784, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (16:19)", "body": "Wouldn't see Your Friends and Neighbors (even if someone held a gun to my head), but I do like Jason Patric, especially at a drive-thru carwash. ;-D However, he has dark hair and we'd need a better contrast to Mark, whose hair would have to be darker a la Mr. D. Doubt the part would go to an American."}, {"response": 1785, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (16:26)", "body": "Thanks Aishling and Mari . Pure conjecture: I wonder if after Harvey got into the act RZ came on board (by audition, of course ;-) ). He likes Anglo-American casting."}, {"response": 1786, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (16:35)", "body": "Wouldn't this be wonderful if this were the turning point for both JE & CF, with Harvey investing in TRT and now BJD, if only they could both be sure fire hits (always assuming that CF will indeed play MD)."}, {"response": 1787, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (17:04)", "body": "All the news services are carrying BJD stuff it seems. According to today's Hollywood Reporter, filming starts Monday, May 1. Just 6 weeks away--we have to hear something soon. Aishling, we're counting on you and Baz!;-) And I could be wrong, but I get the impression that Miramax is not going to have much input on this film's production; they've only picked up distribution rights, and only for the U.S. I'm thinking that Working Title still has that carte blanche agreement with Universal, and that WT is still calling all the shots from a production standpoint, as they should."}, {"response": 1788, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (17:29)", "body": "While Miramax won't have much to do with production, we will see a much higher profile film in the making. They are v. good at placing news items. The HR item is evidence of that. RZ being cast as Bridget didn't make it into THR. Hey, if Miramax could promote CHR into getting 7 AA noms, then it can do anything."}, {"response": 1789, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (17:30)", "body": "(Ann)....were the turning point for both JE & CF, with Harvey investing in TRT and now BJD, if only they could both be sure fire hits.. I know BJD will be a hit, but I have no illusions of JE being cast as Annie in TRT when it is filmed by Miramax. Or SD. They are unknown in the US and are not bankable for a Stoppard production. Having two stage hits this year in London, being nominated for a BAFTA and going to Broadway are pretty high accolades for an actress who has been away from the West End for seven years."}, {"response": 1790, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (17:51)", "body": "(Evelyn) but I have no illusions of JE being cast as Annie in TRT when it is filmed by Miramax. Or SD. They are unknown in the US and are not bankable for a Stoppard production. It all depends on how well-known they become from the Broadway run and from how they will do for themselves. Even Judi Dench went on TV show. And look at Alan Cumming, which comes from his run in Cabaret, not Circle of Friends! ;-)"}, {"response": 1791, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (18:07)", "body": "Actually Evelyn, I was referring to the Broadway run of TRT which Miramax is involved in, had forgotten about the film rights. OT In the papers TRT has been advertised as \"must close next week, must close Sat and finally must close tomorrow\", a sort of coduntdown. Incidentally the last week was a complete sell-out which isn't bad for a 700+seater, so they have everything going for them.(sorry I guess this should be on Odds & Ends but it sort of followed on.) Anyway back to topic, is anyone game enough to telephone Colin's agent, I did hear a while aback that he had many irons in the fire and things should have been clearer by the end of February, and it is now nearly the end of March."}, {"response": 1792, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (18:09)", "body": "(Karen) And look at Alan Cumming, which comes from his run in Cabaret, not Circle of Friends! ;-) Shucks, all this time I thought it was Spice World that did it for him... ;-P"}, {"response": 1793, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (20:30)", "body": "is anyone game enough to telephone Colin's agent, I did hear a while aback that he had many irons in the fire and things should have been clearer by the end of February, and it is now nearly the end of March. I can tell you it would be a waste of time. I have sent an e-amil to Baz demanding the scoop on the casting but especially, CF as MD. No word yet but as Mari said, six weeks away for filming to start, they have their cast. I am still having a problem as HF with RZ learning that English diction and I do not like her voice either. I would have preferred KW."}, {"response": 1794, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (20:43)", "body": "Yes, HF did say that Amy Heckerling was her first choice, but that she eventually had other commitments ... (probably the long wait for the script). The two scenes she mentioned were when Cher is feeling down about her life and walking along Rodeo Drive and then spots a pair of shoes in the window and wonders if it came in her size; and the other is when she says she needs to be in a calm and peaceful place, next scene she is in the mall."}, {"response": 1795, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (20:50)", "body": "Can I ask a stupid question? Who is Baz?"}, {"response": 1796, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (21:58)", "body": "(Laura)Who is Baz? Baz Bambigoyne is a columnist in The Daily Mail. His column focuses on British stage and screen stars and their projects, and sadly only appears on Fridays. We brazenly send Aishling out at the crack dawn every Friday to report any news of CF, BJ or JE. BTW he is out best media source for the three. ~~~~~~~~~~ I have sent an e-amil to Baz demanding the scoop on the casting but especially, CF as MD Demanding ...ouch! I have tried to ask him too; once he came through. I have also requested from the Editor of The Daily Mail that they publish Baz's column on line. Never an answer...so far no results."}, {"response": 1797, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (22:23)", "body": "No word yet but as Mari said, six weeks away for filming to start, they have their cast. Agreed. They'll be working on costume fittings etc soon. But I'm sure that CF's agent will still have \"no idea\"! First week of May could be a busy one for Colin, as MLSF also opens. He could have an excellent publicity tie-in ....starring as Darcy again and a lead role in a new movie. Fingers crossed for some good PR. No hiding of one's light under a bushel ! :-)"}, {"response": 1798, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 17, 2000 (23:19)", "body": "(Karen) While Miramax won't have much to do with production, we will see a much higher profile film in the making. They are v. good at placing news items. Good point. That's precisely their strength--nobody promotes better than Miramax *when they want to.* And when they *don't* want to . . .oh, I'm not even gonna go there. :-( Speaking of Miramax and promotion, there's a full page ad for TRT in the new Entertainment Weekly. Will post more on 127. (Bethan) First week of May could be a busy one for Colin, as MLSF also opens. He could have an excellent publicity tie-in ....starring as Darcy again and a lead role in a new movie. I was thinking that too, Bethan, plus Cannes is mid-May and RV will hopefully be on the docket there."}, {"response": 1799, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (04:27)", "body": "From The Express: AUTHOR QUITS AS AMERICAN IS PICKED TO PLAY MOVIE BRIDGET 17-Mar-2000 ATTEMPTS to make a film of Bridget Jones's Diary - the best-selling musings of a neurotic thirtysomething - are becoming as convoluted as the fictional heroine's own life. In the latest twist to the saga, author Helen Fielding has withdrawn her co-operation from the film makers. The news comes after it was announced that an American actress is to play the quintessentially English Bridget, a career woman with a comically dysfunctional personal life. Ms Fielding has revealed that she is upset that she was not allowed a full say in which actress will bring her creation to life. \"I'm very insulted that nobody asked me,\" she said. \"My acting career was previously blighted in this way when I was cast in the university review and one by one in rehearsal all my parts were taken away from me.\" The film makers, Working Title, have chosen the relatively low-profile actress Renee Zellweger for the part in the GBP5million romantic comedy. Ms Zellweger, who appeared in the Tom Cruise film Jerry Maguire, is best known in America as the girlfriend of comic Jim Carrey. Ms Fielding, a former journalist who has now moved to Los Angeles, said: \"I've never met Renee but I'm told she's very funny and learning to speak English with an English rather than Texas accent. \"I had some initial involvement with the script but authors traditionally turn into monsters when they turn their books into films so I thought I should gracefully retire a few months ago.\" Although Ms Zellweger's star is rising in America, she is a far cry from the big name actresses who had originally been pencilled in for the part - including Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Cate Blanchett and Helena Bonham Carter. The role was first suggested to Ms Bonham Carter in 1998 at a meeting with Ms Fielding in America. Kate Winslet then expressed interest but apparently got fed up waiting for Ms Fielding to make up her mind and instead signed up for the lead in a period drama, a version of Emile Zola's novel Therese Raquin. Ms Fielding has said in the past she would rather an unknown played the part of her hard-drinking, chain-smoking heroine. Having a big-name star, however, would have made the film much more saleable internationally. The book has sold well in America and even Japan but that does not necessarily guarantee success for the movie. Ms Fielding, 41, wrote the first draft of the screenplay for the movie but production stalled amid rumours that casting was held up because she and the film makers had fallen out about who should star in it. There have also been suggestions that rather like Joanna Lumley's character Patsy in Absolutely Fabulous - which was toned down in an American remake of the sit-com - US audiences will not be able to take the character in an undiluted form. In the Diary, which began life as a column in The Independent newspaper, Bridget never gets her man and is fond of the odd bottle or two of Chardonnay. In terms of contemporary Hollywood thinking these traits are the kiss of death for a heroine and it seems unlikely that Ms Zellweger's Bridget Jones will be quite the one familiar to fans of the Diary. The book and its sequel, The Edge of Reason, have made the author more than GBP1.5million and have struck a chord with hundreds of thousands of women who relate to the chaotic life of Bridget and her worries about her weight, appearance and love life.A spokesman for Working Title Films said: \"As far as we know, Helen Fielding is completely behind the project and the casting.\""}, {"response": 1800, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (08:45)", "body": "This is how \"news\" is made and why \"no comment\" is the best reply!! How ridiulous....HF makes a joke, and it's taken literally. The bad thing is that is bad promo for the movie, even before it starts... Having a big-name star, however, would have made the film much more saleable internationally. The book has sold well in America and even Japan but that does not necessarily guarantee success for the movie. Films need a good buzz from day one. The Express is a tabloid so hopefully this is not a story that's going to run and run."}, {"response": 1801, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (08:55)", "body": "I also get the feeling that there's a definite anti-RZ backlash in our press. So for damage-limitation sake, it's time Working Title announced some Brit casting!! On a positive note, I think that RZ is v. popular with the folks who matter...younger male movie goers (and Helena B-C isn't!)"}, {"response": 1802, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (17:19)", "body": "there's a definite anti-RZ backlash in our press That's a given for any American actress 'cept Julia Roberts or Gwynnie. I say :\"Get over it \". Anyway, the UK Box Office receipts are v. small. I just checked the #1 film last week in UK was \"Ripley\", it took in UKP153,611.(\"This is London\") That's not even $300,000.I bet LA does better than that on a weekend! ~~~~~~~ ..GBP5million romantic comedy. This is a small budget film. I doubt if they will do mega-publicity for this amount. Agree with Bethan ..time for Working Title to put a spin on the bad press and announce our British hero as the co-star."}, {"response": 1803, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Mar 18, 2000 (21:40)", "body": "The UK market is a very small one, and to be honest, if only the UK is targeted, it's hardly worth the effort. I think that by going for RZ, Working Title have a good a chance of success in the all important US market. And in publicity terms there's a lot to be said for being known as Jim Carrey's girlfriend! What claim to fame does the Swansea-born Catherine Z-J have, for goodness sake!!! I've just watched \"Notting Hill\" (on video, of course!). Must be the last person in the world to see it. But it was most certainly the luminous Julia Roberts who made it watchable and successful....otherwise it would have just been an extended British sitcom (Most of the British actors were familiar from sitcom work.) I know most people love \"Notting Hill\" but I found myself sincerely hoping that BJD won't be \"Notting Hill 2\". In many ways, I think that Andrew Davies is a better writer than Richard Curtis...I hope his original screenplay hasn't been given too much of a face-lift. And I hope that Mark Darcy is rather sardonic and reserved (a grown-up), not a \"boy in love\"! \ufffd5million isn't much...has to be an all Brit supporting cast! But then it shouldn't be an expensive movie to shoot, mainly interior shots, and some London location work."}, {"response": 1804, "author": "MarianneC", "date": "Sun, Mar 19, 2000 (05:01)", "body": "Just saw this on the Sunday Mirror on-line edition ... THE DIARY: HUGH GRANT WANTS BRIDGET JONES ROLE HUGH Grant has thrown his fringe into the ring in the battle to play Bridget Jones's fella in the movie of her best-selling diary. Colin Firth was believed to have already landed the role of dashing Mark Darcy, but insiders reckon Hugh is now favourite with Colin being relegated to play one of Bridget's pals. If it comes to fisticuffs, I wonder who'll be first to step into the breech."}, {"response": 1805, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Mar 19, 2000 (08:31)", "body": "Nevah! Impossible, well I for one won't be buying a cinema ticket if this is the case and surely Colin won't play one of the lesser parts. Talk about ruining my Sunday."}, {"response": 1806, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Mar 19, 2000 (09:17)", "body": "HUGH Grant has thrown his fringe into the ring in the battle to play Bridget Jones's fella in the movie of her best-selling diary Oh Marianne, say it isn't so! And I do know you're just the messenger, dear :-). Please no, not Hugh! I have nothing against Mr. Grant, but I won't be able to bear those halting, blinky mannerisms in Mark Darcy. Particularly since we know who is the perfect MD. Please, please make this just be a rumor."}, {"response": 1807, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Mar 19, 2000 (09:42)", "body": "A-argh!! Absolutely my worst nightmare (having just watched \"Notting Hill\")and I mean WORST!!! Well, so we can now look forward to Notting Hill 2. Perhaps Colin can play Tom! Or,of course, a 2 second appearance as Mr Darcy on television. Jee-z, and what does it mean, \"Thrown his fringe/hat\"...can he just take roles away from people at the last minute..they start shooting in 6 weeks. On the other hand this is a tabloid report (ie likely not to be based on facts)and the budget is only \ufffd5million, Hugh's asking rate. Unless they up the budget. On the other, other hand, it's Hollywood, Colin's not a name (Who is this guy?) and things that I have believed could never, never happen, not in a trillion years, well, sometimes they do. And I don't like the delay in annoucing the cast. Worst case scenario, he could play Daniel. But if it's HG for MD, I think Colin should withdraw with quiet dignity from the whole mess. And I hope it's an absolute box office DISASTER!! Like \"Mickey Blue Eyes\". Thought HG was going to do \"About a Boy\" anyway...is he mopping up on all the leading man roles? And don't the powers that be in Hollywood realise that although Hugh is pretty, women in the UK do not find him attractive. How about in the US?"}, {"response": 1808, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Mar 19, 2000 (09:57)", "body": "Oh Bethan, I thought you might have said something to make me feel better, this is a disaster, there is only ONE, man who can play MR. Darcy. (I think I am having one of Mrs. Bennet's turns). I agree if he does not play MD then he should have nothing to do with BJD and do the Maid of Buttermere. Actually even if people are not Colin Firth fans as such I think most people associate Mr. Darcy with Colin Firth, I just can't see them accepting Hugh Grant, at lease not in the UK."}, {"response": 1809, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Mar 19, 2000 (10:48)", "body": "Sorry, Ann! I actually don't believe this, but at the same time I do. It's the delay in announcing further casting that makes me shiver in my shoes, and the Hollywood connection...Hugh is Hollywood, Colin ain't. But it's a low budget movie....and why is HG allegedly interested now, at virtually the last minute. Perhaps he has a gap in his filming schedule. A-a-rgh, again. But then, do we believe The Mirror?!!!"}, {"response": 1810, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Mar 19, 2000 (11:17)", "body": "I have only one (printable) word to say on the subject....NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! (Ann), Talk about ruining my Sunday. big ditto ;-("}, {"response": 1811, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Mar 19, 2000 (13:01)", "body": "Thanks for finding this, Marianne. I went to the Mirror site, and there it is! All I can say is....\"Say It Isn't So! Murph"}, {"response": 1812, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Mar 19, 2000 (14:37)", "body": "Breathe a little easier...from yesterday's Telegraph thanks to FOF Rai: ******************************** 3/19/00 - THE DAILY TELEGRAPH(LONDON) March 18, 2000, Saturday SECTION: Pg. 20 HEADLINE: News Review: Will Hugh be diary date for Bridget? Saturday Premiere BYLINE: By NIGEL REYNOLDS BEHIND the announcement that the blonde Texan Renee Zellwegger has been chosen to star as the eponymous neurotic in the forthcoming film of Bridget Jones's Diary lay the question - why hire a Yank to play Britain's most famous modern woman? The Working Title production team is hoping to redress the balance and have asked our own Hugh Grant to star alongside her, not as Mark Darcy, object of her desire throughout many diary entries, but Daniel Cleaver, her caddish boss with whom she has a fling. He's said to be \"50-50\" about accepting the film, which will start shooting in May. It is to be directed by Sharon Maguire, who is a friend of the author, Helen Fielding, and was the model for the character Shazza in the diaries. *************** Murph"}, {"response": 1813, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Mar 19, 2000 (15:16)", "body": "It wasn't that long ago that all these female actors' names were being thrown into the ring for Bridget. Surely they're trying to generate the same interest now with throwing out names for Mark. Can't wait to hear who else they'll frighten us with. Thanks for printing the Telegraph article. I can live with that so I don't see Hugh being sexy enough for Daniel. (Bethan) Worst case scenario, he (CF) could play Daniel. I don't think so. I think playing the anti-Darcy would be quite clever. But I'm repeating myself. Hugh is pretty, women in the UK do not find him attractive. How about in the US? I think he'd make a nice girlfriend."}, {"response": 1814, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Mar 19, 2000 (15:44)", "body": "Thanks, Murph. Hughe sigh of relief.;-) I went from suicidal to calm in all of about 15 seconds. Even if CF gets Mark, Hugh's casting is still not good news for him. Guess who will get all the media attention, the interviews, the talk show appearances . . .Is it some sort of rule that HG appear in all Working Title films?;-) Someone please refresh my memory on the first book--Daniel is a much bigger part, right? (Bethan) Hugh is pretty, women in the UK do not find him attractive. How about in the US? I think he's considered as a cute kid brother type. Likable, but definitely not lust-inducing."}, {"response": 1815, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar 19, 2000 (16:05)", "body": "I have always said that HG would be Daniel! I have also said I was taking bets on CF as MD. Ladies get ready, it will happen! :-D This will make the film v. high profile. Thanks for the info! (Eileen I beat you to your crystal ball) ;-)))"}, {"response": 1816, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar 19, 2000 (16:08)", "body": "I forgot to add that I do not find HG attractive at all, but hate-able enough for Daniel. Yes, Mari, Daniel has a much larger part. For CF to be in a film as Hunk Material will get him more such roles. Sweet dreams are made of this... :-)"}, {"response": 1817, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar 19, 2000 (16:49)", "body": "As I told HF in the Barnes and Noble chat room:\"I pray that....\" And she answered; \"I pray that CF plays MD\"...but as we know she is out of casting. But you know HG works v. hard at publicizing his movies.I wouldn't mind if he played Daniel.This is turning into higher profile than we thought."}, {"response": 1818, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Mar 19, 2000 (17:22)", "body": "Have been thinking about this (far more than I should;-), and I have to wonder, what would be in it for Hugh Grant to play Daniel? Nothing! Ok, it's a larger part than Mark Darcy, but ultimately he's a jerk and he doesn't get the girl! Hugh *always* plays the good guy who gets the girl, and he's not the sort of actor who tries to play against type. He's not stupid, he knows that MD is the hero and therefore the role that people will remember. I won't rest easy until CF is confirmed as Mark. The Daniel part is another villain, it does nothing for him. It irks me to no end that Hugh can come in at the 11th hour and have his pick of the roles! (If in fact that is the case, which I pray it's not--as I said above, I've no doubt as to which part HG would prefer). I don't care if HG's presence increases the profile or not. This is a small-budget pic; it's not like they're casting Gone With The Wind, or investing tons of money and they'd need a \"name\" to insure their investment. Oh, I'm depressing myself . . ."}, {"response": 1819, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Mar 19, 2000 (18:56)", "body": "Ok, have taken some positive action and am feeling slightly better. 1. Lit candle at Mass for Colin as MD, and 2. Have prayed for Divine (Brown) intervention in form of another discrediting sex scandal for HG. Where, oh where is Divine when you need her? Er, him. Er . . D'OH!;-)"}, {"response": 1820, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar 19, 2000 (19:05)", "body": "It irks me to no end that Hugh can come in at the 11th hour and have his pick of the role Perhaps Working Title went to him...after all, he's their \"poster boy\". Every film he's done for them has been a mega-hit. Hope that candle does it, Mari...and while you're at it tell Murph to take down that BJ page...Flashman and Buttermere have evaporated.I'm getting a little queasy about wanting to manipulate fate;-)."}, {"response": 1821, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar 19, 2000 (21:07)", "body": "I think Hugh might want to break the mold and play a villain for a change. And, could Elizabeth Hurley be far behind for the Rebecca part? Hugh cold take a cut of the gross and get in at a lower salary."}, {"response": 1822, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Mar 19, 2000 (22:17)", "body": "Have prayed for Divine (Brown) intervention LMAO!"}, {"response": 1823, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, Mar 19, 2000 (22:27)", "body": "and while you're at it tell Murph to take down that BJ page...Flashman and Buttermere have evaporated.I'm getting a little queasy about wanting to manipulate fate;-). ********** Evelyn: They are safe in my \"wishbook\" corner on my hard drive (Buttermere still up on the web). I am hoping that SJD does not join them -- or Armadillo! Nothing about that recently. Murph"}, {"response": 1824, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 19, 2000 (23:29)", "body": "Away all day and quite the ruckus. Am glad that those intitial dozen posts can be discarded. Casting HG as MD is about as perfect as casting Gabby Hayes for Rhett Butler...since we're in a GWTW mode. ;-) I also agree with Mari that Hugh is NOT and cannot be a Daniel. It would require acting, which is beyond his capabilities. Daniel is not a stammering bumbler and, most importantly, as Heide said, one does not LUST after Hugh. He does \"feel-sorry-for. Teddy Bear-type roles.\" For a country that has so many good actors, is this the best they can do? Makes me ill. To quote another of Hughie's former leading ladies (but in a different movie), \"Big mistake; huge.\" gotta go shopping"}, {"response": 1825, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 19, 2000 (23:31)", "body": "...however, if they ever filmed the second book, I'd pay to see Colin punch Hugh's lights out and toss him down the stairs. ;-)"}, {"response": 1826, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar 19, 2000 (23:38)", "body": "(Murph)They are safe in my \"wishbook\" corner on my hard drive (Buttermere still up on the web). I am hoping that SJD does not join them -- or Armadillo Oh Murph...you are a trouper!!Mari with candles, you with BJ in the hard drive...anybody have joss sticks handy?"}, {"response": 1827, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (00:28)", "body": "He does \"feel-sorry-for. Teddy Bear-type roles.\" Huge Grunt doesn't even remind me of a teddy bear's ear and the only person he makes me feel sorry for is myself. And if there is anyone out there who thinks Huge is admirable, let her speak (sensibly and to the point) now - or forever keep her mouth shut. (Divine didn't and look what happened.)"}, {"response": 1828, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (01:50)", "body": "I LOVE Hugh Grant. He is adorable. The lust factor is 100% in Four Weddings and a Funeral. Just admit it!."}, {"response": 1829, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (02:18)", "body": "LOL! I'll reserve my judgement..."}, {"response": 1830, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (04:11)", "body": "The more I think about Hugh Grant being in the movie - in any role - the worse it gets. If he's in it, then the movie is labeled a Hugh Grant film; the critics will phone it in. It'll be so formulaic. They'd be better off without him. Then the movie might stand a chance of being viewed on its own merits."}, {"response": 1831, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (13:54)", "body": "(bethan)... although I know you don't have to be an ax murderer in real life to play an ax murderer, she does come over in recent interviews as very happily Smug married. Needs a bit of angst. I'm sure she was single before she was a Smug Married... But was she single long enough? (Evelyn)Sunny California vs. an Islington flat?.....Sans TV, beach front and a pool? With TV, books, a computer maybe, the British Museum and Dad's movie set? (Bethan)I've just watched \"Notting Hill\" (on video, of course!). Must be the last person in the world to see it. Nah! Unless I come a close second ;-) But it was most certainly the luminous Julia Roberts who made it watchable and successful....otherwise it would have just been an extended British sitcom (Most of the British actors were familiar from sitcom work.) I know most people love \"Notting Hill\" but I found myself sincerely hoping that BJD won't be \"Notting Hill 2\". In many ways, I think that Andrew Davies is a better writer than Richard Curtis...I hope his original screenplay hasn't been given too much of a face-lift. And I hope that Mark Darcy is rather sardonic and reserved (a grown-up), not a \"boy in love\"! I agree with you, Bethan. Julia was the best thing in the movie, and Hugh Grant completely unconvincing, while other characters were just caricatures. (MarianneC) If it comes to fisticuffs, I wonder who'll be first to step into the breech. Count me in! ;-) (Arami)And if there is anyone out there who thinks Huge is admirable, let her speak (sensibly and to the point) now - or forever keep her mouth shut. (Divine didn't and look what happened.) ROTFLMAO! (Passionata) I LOVE Hugh Grant. He is adorable. The lust factor is 100% in Four Weddings and a Funeral. Just admit it!. And *that* is about the only Hugh Grant film that counts. Period. IMHO."}, {"response": 1832, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (15:47)", "body": "Ohh, ladies, ladies. I'm glad to be reading these posts in retrospect! You have to admit, there is a certain stream of consciousness logic to the Mirror's story: Working Title begats Richard Curtis begats Hugh Grant. But it is the Mirror, and a tabloid is a tabliod is a tabloid. Ms Zellweger, who appeared in the Tom Cruise film Jerry Maguire, is best known in America as the girlfriend of comic Jim Carrey. Ouch! There sure aren't many UK members of the RZ fan club. She did more than 'appear' in JM, she was the female lead. And 'best known as the girlfriend'--what an insult. She can stand on her own two feet (but not in really high heels). US audiences will not be able to take the character in an undiluted form. *groan* Puh-leez."}, {"response": 1833, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (20:16)", "body": "Hmmm, I slept on all this, because if I'd said what I was thinking yesterday, I might have regretted it! Like Mari and Karen, I'm not exactly overjoyed at the prospect of HG's involvement, especially as I have, by some strange malignant quirk of fate, literally just watched \"Notting Hill\" . If he says \"yes\", he'll get top billing or co-starring, and it immediately becomes \"From the team who gave you \"Notting Hill\" and \"4 Weddings\", HG and RZ (or vice versa) star in..., and there'll be CF tucked away neatly with the supporting cast. (and if he says \"no\" it's also not good PR...\"HG joins the growing list of British stars who have turned down parts in BJD..) H-o-kay, now for some positive thinking (this is why I slept on it!) For better or for worse HG's involvement guarantees more publicity, and ensures a nationwide multiplex release and probably more coverage in the US. HG is not relegated to art-houses...he'a a movie star.And so all those movie going audiences who only think of CF as the cuckolded husband or the illtempered \"baddie\" will finally get to see him as a romantic lead ( I hope!!) Final thought, less positive. How come it's big news that HG has been offered a part in BJD and is \"undecided\" but absolutely there's no news about CF being offered the romantic lead role...(and one with which he's been associated for nearly 2 years). Are WT sending out offers one at a time?"}, {"response": 1834, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (20:29)", "body": "(Bethan) How come it's big news that HG has been offered a part in BJD Two possibilities: (1) the item was placed by HG's publicist (remember, the Mirror blurb said that HG had thrown his hat into the ring) and (2) WT is sending his name out to see what the reaction is, i.e., testing for a response. Nobody, but nobody, with half a brain is going to object to CF playing MD. It's not the least controversial, whereas HG. Does anybody know if Divine B has a passport? ;-)"}, {"response": 1835, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (21:14)", "body": "RE: Hugh Grant playing a villain, actually he did play a rather nasty character in the film \"An Awfully Big Adventure\". Grant also played an unsympathetic character in \"Maurice\"."}, {"response": 1836, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (21:18)", "body": "(Karen) Does anybody know if Divine B has a passport? Let's call her and ask. *dialing* \"Divine? Divine, put that banana down and pick up the phone!\""}, {"response": 1837, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (23:03)", "body": "Bethan I'm proud of your postive attitude. I slept on it too..and IMO we all had illusions of BJD being a P&P deja vu \"all over again.\".... \"BJD starring...Ms\"British Newcomer\" AND Colin Firth\". That one would have gone to the Art House, like you said. This way...yeah he gets 3rd billing, but it does go to the cineplexes. And he does get the girl (I hope!) AND, v. important, it makes money. His last two films sadly have not. He cannot stand more films in his CV that have not succeeded. Am I the only one looking out for his career here?"}, {"response": 1838, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Mar 20, 2000 (23:29)", "body": "Hugh would be a good Daniel Cleaver. Anyone here seen An Awfully Big Adventure? He was pretty nasty in that. When I first read the post about HG playing BJ's guy, Daniel Cleaver came to mind, because in the first book, MD and BJ AREN'T together!!!! I like Hugh Grant. He can be lovable and nasty at the same time. Cut him some slack, he'll do a great job (if he does indeed get it), and Colin Firth will play Mark Darcy. (The stars have aligned just right tonight, and my migraine has subsided). Okay, the psychic has spoken;) Please, ladies, don't panic. Colin Firth WILL play MD. I feel it in my achy bones."}, {"response": 1839, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (00:30)", "body": "I saw \"An Awfully Big Adventure\"."}, {"response": 1840, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (02:48)", "body": "(Passionata)...Four Weddings and a Funeral ... (Gi).. and *that* is about the only Hugh Grant film that counts. Period. IMHO. I think I was the only person in the US who saw ... Ummm ...What was it called? Something like .. \"The Englishman who Went up a Hill and came down a Mountain\" ... (I think). Anyway, it was one of those art house jobbies, and I rather enjoyed it, I am not ashamed to admit. Speaking in Humble Opinion mode, I think, Hugh Grant can do a very creditable job, but he's always cast in these \"cutsie, embarrassed Englishman\" parts and little else. It makes him and his production companies lots of money, but he's had little chance to expand beyond that. IF he decides to become part of this project (and in my etc., he won't) I think it would count more on the plus side than the negative. He at least goes all out to publicise his stuff, which may very well be why he's such top box office, because he's good at that. If he did it for BJD then that many more would see it and ODB. The Public might COME for Hughie, but who makes the last impression in the plot, eh? They'd leave tingling with an eyefull of something far better!! IMHO. ;-) So by all means let HG go in as Daniel with ODB as Mark. Let HG draw the crowds. It will only help ODB in the long run, humble-opinion-wise. ;-D KJ"}, {"response": 1841, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (04:17)", "body": "KJ: I saw The Englishman, etc. movie. Rather nothing IMO. And for those who saw that other HG movie, its success rather speaks directly to HG's ability to sell anything other than his customary bits. (KJ) but he's always cast in these \"cutsie, embarrassed Englishman\" parts Whoa! He has attempted to play outside that description and failed miserably. In fact, I remember reading last year that he had come to the realization that he shouldn't attempt that anymore. He said that he was aiming to do Cary Grant type roles."}, {"response": 1842, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (04:20)", "body": "On the Helen Fielding front, you can listen to her reading from The Edge of Reason at a NYC B&N and take questions from the audience. The audio program is about half an hour long, but you can take it in segments. Requires RealPlayer. Also, both online chat sessions are linked. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/community/ra/fielding_ra.asp?userid=2U11I1VUPM&srefer ="}, {"response": 1843, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (12:42)", "body": "As I was in an information gathering mood, I rang the BJD office and asked when there would be more news about casting. Reply \"Hard to say. Who knows\". So there's no news. \"Absolutely not\" Anything confirmed? \"No\". When will there be confirmation as you start shooting soon?\" \"Yes, the beginning of May. Two or three weeks maybe\". So, hold your breath.."}, {"response": 1844, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (13:05)", "body": "(KJart), I think I was the only person in the US who saw ... Ummm ...What was it called? Something like .. \"The Englishman who Went up a Hill and came down a Mountain\" ... I saw that film. I liked it. HG in the film would be good for ODB. The exposure would be great and the Darcy attraction would be there. He will end up with many new fans, poor Livia! ;-) Thanks Bethan. The only reason I can imagine no news on casting yet is that they are trying to get stars for the ensemble cast and are negotiating a low base salary in exchange for gross profit. Actors love to be in good ensemble movies. Once again, that could only be good news for Colin."}, {"response": 1845, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (13:12)", "body": "I forgot to mention that Dave Barry's syndicated article last Sunday was called, \"Men are from Mars, Hugh Grant is from Venus.\" Very complimentary to HG. So apart from our group there are a lot of women out there that find him attractive."}, {"response": 1846, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (13:25)", "body": "Karen, I own \"An Awfully Big Adventure\". Alan Rickman is in it also. It's not a bad movie, I'll send it to you. (I promise I will!) You can see how smarmy HG is. The girl in the movie is the star. She was great!"}, {"response": 1847, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (13:52)", "body": "(Bethan) When will there be confirmation as you start shooting soon?\" \"Yes, the beginning of May. Two or three weeks maybe\". I suppose it will take that long for Hughie to decide which role he wants to poach from Colin. :-( Helen's books are bestsellers here--near top of the charts. The film has a sizable built-in audience already; no need for a big marquee name to get people in to see it. It's greed! I do agree that the addition of HG would make it much bigger--but it does nothing for Colin. HG would get all the attention. Thanks for trying, Bethan. I appreciate your efforts."}, {"response": 1848, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (15:17)", "body": "I strongly disagree, Mari. A high profile movie for Colin if he plays the hunk, MD, will get him noticed. Hugh will take the Daniel role because it is the bigger role. It's greed."}, {"response": 1849, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (15:26)", "body": "Firth: I also saw The Englishman who went up a Hill and came down a Mountain, and am afraid it did not make a lasting impression (but that may be Alzheimer...) Second: if HG takes on Daniel, you can be sure Mark Darcy will be a very small part... IMHO."}, {"response": 1850, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (15:28)", "body": "I'm with Karen on the HG front. Saw The Sopran...oops, Mickey Blue Eyes a few weeks ago on PPV. Vintage Hugh--same character, different setting. He's at his best when delivering droll one-liners. (Moon) The only reason I can imagine no news on casting yet is that they are trying to get stars for the ensemble cast and are negotiating a low base salary in exchange for gross profit You think? I was always under the impression this method of payment was rare and reserved only for the biggest stars. Ben Affleck just did this for his new project and it made headlines of the 'wow, look what he was able to pull off' sort."}, {"response": 1851, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (15:44)", "body": "(Laura) I own \"An Awfully Big Adventure\". ..It's not a bad movie...You can see how smarmy HG is. I remember the trailers. Has to do with a director and a play, right? This was a movie that bombed. However, it really doesn't matter if Hugh can play a smarmy character. My point is that he has figured out his commercial strengths (and so has everyone else) and the character of Daniel will be changed to suit our (American's) image of him. Daniel will be the likeable dopehead who oversleeps and stammers. I'll send it to you. (I promise I will!) No need. I can always rent it if I get desperate enough. (Eileen) I was always under the impression this method of payment was rare and reserved only for the biggest stars A percentage of the gross (revenue not profit) only goes to the big boys."}, {"response": 1852, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (15:51)", "body": "KJart), I think I was the only person in the US who saw ... Ummm ...What was it called?Something like .. \"The Englishman who Went up a Hill and came down a Mountain I liked it too. And Tara Fizgerald would have made a cute Bridget. ~~~~~ The film has a sizable built-in audience already; no need for a big marquee name to get people in to see it. I respectfully disagree...the people who read books don't go to the movies. They wait for the videos! It's that 17 to 30 crowd we want."}, {"response": 1853, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (17:54)", "body": "Ok already, I'm willing to give Hughie a *brief* cameo in the film.;-) Picture this original thought: Bridget is walking down the street in her Notting Hill neighborhood on her way home from a shopping excursion. Hugh's character (call him \"faceless man in the crowd\") is walking down a perpendicular street. At the corner, they collide and he spills orange juice all over her. He stammers (what else?) that he is dreadfully sorry and does she want to come to his flat to change her clothes. Bridge calls him a pervert and tells him to sod off. End of encounter. End of his appearance in film.;-) What, you think Richard Curtis could do better?;-)"}, {"response": 1854, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (18:09)", "body": "LOL! Perfect way to fit Hugh into the film with as little damage as possible to the storyline. Suggest that Bridget walks off with Welshman in his underwear. ;-)"}, {"response": 1855, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (18:11)", "body": "What, you think Richard Curtis could do better?;-) ] Nah, can't picture that scenario:) Can picture Bridget walking down street with double caf cap holding chocolate croissant in hand and spilling it all over some jerk just coming out of book store;)"}, {"response": 1856, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (18:12)", "body": "Right. Don't forget that Bridget walks through all four seasons before bumping in to Hugh's character. After she tells him to sod off, she returns to her flat where Tom, a tall, scrawny gay man with Brian Glazer-like hair, answers the door in his underwear."}, {"response": 1857, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (18:13)", "body": "Suggest that Bridget walks off with Welshman in his underwear. ;-) I was thinking more of a Scot in his kilt. ;-)"}, {"response": 1858, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (18:13)", "body": "The pregnant woman (during the 4 seasons sequence) to be played by Magda."}, {"response": 1859, "author": "mari", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (19:09)", "body": "(Karen) The pregnant woman (during the 4 seasons sequence) to be played by Magda. To the tune of \"Ain't no sunshine when she's . . . in the potty! I told you in the potty!\""}, {"response": 1860, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (21:01)", "body": "(KJart), I think I was the only person in the US who saw ... Ummm ...What was it called? Something like .. \"The Englishman who Went up a Hill and came down a Mountain\" ... I saw it as well, I thought it charming, nothing great -- but gentle fun. I agree with Laura, HG was good at being smarmy and ill-tempered in \"An Awfully Big Adventure\"."}, {"response": 1861, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (21:18)", "body": "Englishman has been roaming the cable channels for awhile. I think I saw An Awfully Big Adventure...no, wait, that was Pee Wee's Big Adventure. When were these movies made (Themoviewiththetitlethat'stoolong and AABA)? Before or after that debacle in which Hugh played a doctor?"}, {"response": 1862, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (21:24)", "body": "Before. Both films were made roughly about the time of \"Four Weddings and a Funeral\"."}, {"response": 1863, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (21:25)", "body": "All were made after 4 Weddings (1994) and before Extreme[ly Bad] Measures (1996). Am hoping to catch Lair of the White Worm one of these days. Usually plays on the Sci-Fi channel and have seen bits while surfing the channels. Is this another of those outstanding HG movies you like, Laura? ;-)"}, {"response": 1864, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (21:33)", "body": "Is this another of those outstanding HG movies you like, Laura? ;-) ] Never saw it;) However, he does play Liszt or Chopin in one movie and he's quite good (Judy Davis plays George Sand) Emma Thompson is in there as well oh AND Bernadette Peters! Ah, I remember Impromptu! Julian Sands plays Liszt, HG does Chopin (George Sands boy toy), until he succumbs to TB."}, {"response": 1865, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (21:37)", "body": "(Karen) Usually plays on the Sci-Fi channel Oooh, on Mystery Science Theater 3000?"}, {"response": 1866, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (22:02)", "body": "Oh rats! AABA was on Bravo twice last month. However, themoviewiththeridiculouslylongtitle is on Encore's Love Stories channel this Sunday at 8:00 pm. Good thing, I don't get that station; otherwise it'd be difficult choosing between it and the Oscar telecast. ;-)"}, {"response": 1867, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (22:11)", "body": "\"An Awfully Big Adventure\" was actually made before \"Four Weddings and a Funeral\"; however, at least in the US, it was released after. It seems hard to believe, (to me anyway), that he did have a career before \"Four Weddings and a Funeral\", and for a bit after. He was in \"Maurice\", \"White Mischief\", \"Impromptu\", \"Bitter Moon\", and \"Sirens\". The last 2 were released in the same year as \"Four Weddings and a Funeral\". Grant was also in \"Sense and Sensibilty\", \"The Madness of King George\", and \"Restoration\". So his resume isn't quite putrid, and he can give a credible and cretitable performance when he chooses. It's just that paying customers seem to want to see him do that stammering, upper-class twit with the lock of hair falling in his eyes, over and over again."}, {"response": 1868, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (23:20)", "body": "True, Cheryl. Those scripts were good at least. Lucky him! However, he does play Liszt or Chopin in one movie and he's quite good (Judy Davis plays George Sand) Emma Thompson is in there as well oh AND Bernadette Peters! Ah, I remember Impromptu! Julian Sands plays Liszt, HG does Chopin (George Sands boy toy), until he succumbs to TB. Was he Chopin??? I loved that movie and have been thinking of renting it again. You Liszt and Lake Como...I recommend renting it."}, {"response": 1869, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Mar 21, 2000 (23:45)", "body": "he does play Liszt or Chopin in one movie and he's quite good Is he, really? I've never heard of this film - and am completely baffled how I could miss it, considering the subject. Does anyone know, has it been shown in the UK at all? Chopin (George Sands boy toy) Is that what Chopin is famous for? Well, well... ;-P"}, {"response": 1870, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Wed, Mar 22, 2000 (01:50)", "body": "(Arami) Is that what Chopin is famous for? Well, well... ;-P There's some lovely music in the film as well ;-). I had forgotten that HG starred in this. I quite enjoyed it. I'm not sure if it played in the UK or not, but if it's available for rent it's worth a look. (Karen) Oh rats! AABA was on Bravo twice last month. Coincidentally, I actually happened to watch this last month. I thought the acting was very good all the way around including HG in a type of role he doesn't often play. I liked the movie but didn't love it. It was too full of unlikable characters that were hard to warm up to IMHO. I thought the young heroine definitely worthy of sympathy, but her situation was so poignantly sad I had trouble enjoying watching it. Sorry this isn't very BJD related unless HG in fact joins the cast!"}, {"response": 1871, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Mar 22, 2000 (02:11)", "body": "(Karen) ...speaks directly to HG's ability to sell anything... IF HG joins the cast, he can at the least donate this. Can you picture ODB eager, (or even comfortable) with the scenario of trading bon mots and off-color jokes with the David Letterman types? Whereas HG is highly proficient at it and seems to enjoy doing that sort of thing."}, {"response": 1872, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Mar 22, 2000 (04:01)", "body": "I know, I know, enough, already. But... Did a little research. TEWWUAHACDAM and AADA were both made (1995) just after Four Weddings (1994). And HG was born September 9, 1960. Eerie."}, {"response": 1873, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 22, 2000 (04:33)", "body": "He had one line at the beginning of White Mischief and then was never seen again. Strange, I used think this was a good movie and then watched it again a few months ago. I've always thought he and Emma were miscast in S&S. Loved Rickman, Winslet and Wise though. ;-)"}, {"response": 1874, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Mar 22, 2000 (12:01)", "body": "And HG was born September 9, 1960. Eerie. Yes, they are practically twins. HG as Daniel would be a great idea IMO. The fact that they are so close in age and yet in real life, lead apparently such different lives have such different attitudes to fame, would make a really interesting angle for publicists. Art mirroring life and all that. But (BIG but) HG might not find the comparison flattering and CF would not push himself sufficiently to grab his share of the headlines. He might also think such comparisons were tempting fate....!"}, {"response": 1875, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Mar 22, 2000 (12:45)", "body": "An Awfully Big Adventure is a Beryl Bainbridge story. It's quite good. Alan Rickman is wonderful. Oh and the actress, what is her name, Georgina Cates (she's married to Skeet Ulrich), is a find!!! (she's coming up the ranks in America, albeit slowly.) Hugh Grant was BRILLIANT in Maurice!!! (as some of you know, MY FAVE MOVIE!!!!), James Wilby who played Maurice would be a good Daniel too. He can play smarmy (think Howard's End!). I don't always see HG playing the Cary Grant-type. In Maurice, he was very relaxed as Clive Durham, not one flutter of the eyelids! I can see great potential for HG as Daniel Cleaver. CF is a definite must for Mark Darcy, the part was written JUST FOR HIM. He'd be a fool to pass it up, even if it is a small role. Okay, just my two cents worth;)"}, {"response": 1876, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 22, 2000 (13:59)", "body": "(Laura) James Wilby who played Maurice would be a good Daniel too. He can play smarmy (think Howard's End!). Think Dutch Girls!! (Also, the new movie Cotton Mary - at least from what's shown in the trailers) I don't always see HG playing the Cary Grant-type. This was a recent career revelation that came out in the press during Notting Hill. It's not always the suave, debonair Englishman, but also the screwball comedies."}, {"response": 1877, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Mar 22, 2000 (14:28)", "body": "(Karen) Think Dutch Girls!! I always forget that one! Haven't seen trailers for Cotton Mary. For some reason, I just pictured Daniel as blonde. Hmmm..."}, {"response": 1878, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Wed, Mar 22, 2000 (21:27)", "body": "(KJArt) Did a little research. TEWWUAHACDAM and AADA were both made (1995) just after Four Weddings (1994). As William Burroughs noted, \"Language is a virus,\" that and my propensity for stating things as clearly as mud. What I meant to say is that \"An Awfully Big Adventure\" was released in 1995, the year after \"Four Weddings and a Funeral\", but it was shot before \"Four Weddings...\" -- that's what my research indicated. Shot first, released after, which is not uncommon for movies. Example: MLSF which was made before SIL, but was released later. Submitted for your approval: Why not Greg Wise as Daniel?"}, {"response": 1879, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Mar 22, 2000 (21:30)", "body": "Why not Greg Wise as Daniel? ] Good question, why not?"}, {"response": 1880, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 22, 2000 (22:38)", "body": "Dark hair. IMO Daniel needs to contrast with the dark-haired Mark Darcy."}, {"response": 1881, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Mar 23, 2000 (01:30)", "body": "They could always lighten his hair (a novel thought, indeed). Sam West would be a good Daniel. He's cute, can be likable and hateable at the same time (think Persuasion;)) hee hee;)"}, {"response": 1882, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Mar 23, 2000 (08:15)", "body": "Submitted for your approval: Why not Greg Wise as Daniel? Argghhhh! Sorry but he is the most wooden actor I know. Okay, Hugh Grant is not a thespian great but he does have charm of a sort but Greg Wise really cannot act. Have seen him live on the stage and he just has no life in him. Sorry - IMNSHO."}, {"response": 1883, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Mar 23, 2000 (10:16)", "body": "I am glad you said what I was thinking Allison, HG is the lesser of the two evils. (OT GW is to be seen in the forthcoming Madame Bovery, which I think k has already been shown on US TV, anyone see it).I also didn't like him in S&S., in fact I didn't particulary like S&S, none of the characters were as appealing, sympathetic or endearing as those in P&P, one really felt you knew the Bennets, the Darcy's etc and they seemed so real unlike the characters in S&S, who I really couldn't care less about. (I seem to have digressed, sorry)."}, {"response": 1884, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Mar 23, 2000 (12:53)", "body": "I would prefer HG to GW too. Daniel should be blond and GW with blond hair does not cut it. The S&S casting I thought was good except for HG and ET as well. You just did not care for those two characters. A very sexual Mme Bovary was shown here. The casting was alright, the script was the problem."}, {"response": 1885, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar 23, 2000 (15:25)", "body": "(Ann) GW is to beseen in the forthcoming Madame Bovary, which I think k has already been shown on US TV,anyone see it). I did....Pretty sexy stuff.GW was v. good in part of Rodolphe. Though one wondered why she would leave Hugh Bonneville for GW. (Moon)A very sexual Mme Bovary was shown here. The casting was alright, the script was the problem. Pathetic.Poor Flaubert must have been rolling in his grave."}, {"response": 1886, "author": "Donna", "date": "Sat, Mar 25, 2000 (18:17)", "body": "All they have to do is get someone (if not CF) who can out act out shine Hugh Grant 10 fold. Someone like Daniel Day Lewis, RFinnes,Tom Hanks ect. You get the the idea right? He would who be demolished. LOL Donna who is really sick of Hugh Grant PS Four Wedding's is the only good picture he has made.IMHO"}, {"response": 1887, "author": "Donna", "date": "Sat, Mar 25, 2000 (18:18)", "body": "Correction: He would be demolshed. Donna"}, {"response": 1888, "author": "Donna", "date": "Sat, Mar 25, 2000 (18:19)", "body": "Correction: He would be demolished. Donna"}, {"response": 1889, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Mar 25, 2000 (19:05)", "body": "(Donna)All they have to do is get someone (if not CF) who can out act out shine Hugh Grant 10 fold. Someone like Daniel Day Lewis, RFinnes,Tom Hanks ect. I don't even want to consider this :-("}, {"response": 1890, "author": "Donna", "date": "Sat, Mar 25, 2000 (19:51)", "body": "You might have too. Of course CF would be the best. Donna"}, {"response": 1891, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 25, 2000 (20:12)", "body": "You know how many actors shy away from roles too closely associated with others? Even though Colin has not played the role, everyone knows it was inspired by his portrayal of Mr. Darcy. It's sort of like undertaking to be Rhett Butler in a sequel. Most wouldn't want the inevitable comparisons in the press. I wonder if this will work in Colin's favor. ;-)"}, {"response": 1892, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Mar 26, 2000 (00:10)", "body": "It's rather unfortunate that I've just seen \"Notting Hill\" for the first time...my images of BJD keep merging with those of NH. I can imagine a scene where Hugh Grant, playing Hugh Grant/Will Thacker/Mark Darcy/you name it, bumps into cappucino carrying BJ, after having attention diverted by glimpse of the lovely Rebecca played by Julia Roberts look-a-like. Suffering from the pangs of disappointed love, BJ rushes for solace to trendy non-profit making bookshop where she encounters Colin Firth (playing Colin Firth, but with stuck-on moustache to provide \"unattractive\" foil to gorgeous Hughie). CF is stuffing book down front of trousers. BJ is consumed with lust. Brief sexually explicit cameo follows, featuring stand-up shag (background music as in TEP). Fleeting glimpse of naked buttocks earns movie an 18 rating and huge publicity, vastly boosting popularity with 16 year olds. CF is never seen again in movie. Name appears as Rupert Everett in credits. You never know...!!"}, {"response": 1893, "author": "mari", "date": "Sun, Mar 26, 2000 (05:23)", "body": "Here it is; thanks to Anne R. for spotting: Hugh joins Bridget's singletons on screen Film Unlimited Vanessa Thorpe, Arts Correspondent Sunday March 26, 2000 Hugh Grant is to spend his summer filming in Notting Hill - again. And it is all due to the film project that is closest to the heart of many a single woman. Bridget Jones' Diary, based on the bestselling novel by Helen Fielding, is due to begin filming in London this summer and this weekend casting directors are finalising deals with its two leading male stars. The film is being made by the team behind two of Britain's biggest cinematic hits, Notting Hill and Four Weddings and a Funeral. It was confirmed last month that the Texan actress Renee Zellweger, star of Jerry Maguire, would play the role of Bridget, but until now question marks have hung over the romantic interest: who will play Daniel Cleaver, the cad, and Mark Darcy, the brooding and proud hero of the diaries? This week the film's producers are expected to announce that Grant will take the part of the sexually persuasive, yet emotionally unsatisfactory, Daniel. The actor worked with Jones co-screenwriter, Richard Curtis, on both Notting Hill and Four Weddings and a Funeral. The part of Darcy has gone to the man who was in Fielding's mind when she first created her hero. Colin Firth, who played Darcy in the BBC adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, is to play the role in a pay-off to Fielding's in-joke. The film will be shot around Notting Hill and is not to be Americanised in any way, according to producers Working Title. The loss of Jones's trademark phraseology, for instance, 'fuckwittage' and 'v.g', would have dulled her distinctive voice."}, {"response": 1894, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Mar 26, 2000 (08:12)", "body": "The part of Darcy has gone to the man who was in Fielding's mind when she first created her hero. Colin Firth, who played Darcy in the BBC adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, is to play the role in a pay-off to Fielding's in-joke. E-e-e-k....right at the end. I was almost having heart failure. I thought HG was playing the lead. Although it seems that he is. But, deep breath, must be thankful for small mercies...CF is playing MD. But he deserves an award for \"the guy who has his thunder stolen most times\"!! Thanks Anne R!"}, {"response": 1895, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Mar 26, 2000 (08:19)", "body": "It's very good news!!"}, {"response": 1896, "author": "amw", "date": "Sun, Mar 26, 2000 (09:38)", "body": "Wonderful news, thanks Anne & Mari but I shall still keep everything crossed until it is confirmed by Working Titles!!!"}, {"response": 1897, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Mar 26, 2000 (09:49)", "body": "Oh My God, I almost can\ufffdt believe it. Hope this news is accurate?!?!"}, {"response": 1898, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 26, 2000 (14:33)", "body": "Dateline: Roughly the end of April ;-) Hooray!! A shame the article focused on HG, but at least it's implied that Colin is one of \"its two leading male stars.\" Sounds very equal. Thanks Anne and Mari for posting. :-)"}, {"response": 1899, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Mar 26, 2000 (15:28)", "body": "Finally! The moment we have been waiting for! Thank you, Mari! I will be in London in July!!! Allison, Ann, Tracy, Jana, how about lunch or tea in Notting Hill?"}, {"response": 1900, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Mar 26, 2000 (16:58)", "body": "Exciting news. Just to see his name in print is exciting. I'm keeping my fingers you're not disappointed but this finally looks promising. (Karen) I wonder if this will work in Colin's favor. ;-) I've been saying this for months; no, at this point it's years. But of course I hope I'm wrong. ;-)"}, {"response": 1901, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar 26, 2000 (17:08)", "body": "Grrreat News..thanks AnnR. and Mari. After the interview piece on the Working Title guys in yesterday's Telegraph it was a given for HG to be in it...they are thick friends. (Moon)I will be in London in July!!! Allison, Ann, Tracy, Jana, how about lunch or tea in Notting Hill? Mari, Karen and I know Bridget's neighborhood well and can recommend \"192\" for lunch....:-)"}, {"response": 1902, "author": "Sylvana", "date": "Sun, Mar 26, 2000 (19:25)", "body": "Ohmygosh! I can't believe it's finally true! I think it's great news. For once ODB gets to play the romantic hero--not the cad, cuckold, baddie or nephew of dubious sexual inclination. AND in a film that we can expect to see in our local cineplex. We will not have to drive across three states to a remote art house, fly across the state of Texas, or assemble tour groups to other continents (as much fun as all these things may be). I must be dreaming. Someone please pinch me."}, {"response": 1903, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Mar 26, 2000 (20:30)", "body": "Yah Hoo!! Thank you AnneR and Mari. I am delighted. Who wants to party? :-D"}, {"response": 1904, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Mar 26, 2000 (21:00)", "body": "LOL! Gi It is great news, the more I think about it, the better it gets...and I genuinely like the Hugh Grant casting. It will be marvellous to see Mr Darcy on the Big Screen. And he'll get to smile and kiss the girl!"}, {"response": 1905, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Sun, Mar 26, 2000 (21:02)", "body": "Thank you ladies for this good news. I don't care what happens at work today - I am in a good mood."}, {"response": 1906, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar 26, 2000 (23:24)", "body": "Like Gi says \"Let's Party!!\" I think this calls for a Drool Celebration ..in honor of.... \"A movie that won't be relegated to an art house\"...(pl. God!) C'mon...we deserve it...we've moped around for weeks... Board Host, Laura....waddaya say?"}, {"response": 1907, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Mar 26, 2000 (23:32)", "body": "YEAH!!!!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I still think HG is an inspired choice for DC!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I told you that CF would play MD!!!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Now all I have to do is see High Fidelity, then BJD and I'm golden for the rest of the year!!!!!! Oh yah, YEAHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 1908, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar 26, 2000 (23:38)", "body": "Hold the Bubbly..... ...Just thinkin'.....maybe we should wait til it's officially announced by the gods of Working Title before we have a party, uh?"}, {"response": 1909, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Mar 26, 2000 (23:40)", "body": "Darn, Evelyn, I just started partying! Pizza and Guinness, it doesn't get better than that!!! (and it's OSCAR NIGHT!!! waiting to see if Annette Bening pops tonight;))"}, {"response": 1910, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Mar 26, 2000 (23:53)", "body": "**Hee hee hee* *Titter titter titter* *chuckle chuckle* *Guffaw* *Whoop! Whoop!* *Snicker snicker* *Heh heh heh Heheheheh** **Whew!** That's better! (Sorry about that ... I'm OK, I'm done now!) And bless HG. At least he doesn't hold up everybody by taking forever to make up his mind! 8-D KJ"}, {"response": 1911, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (00:24)", "body": "Wow. Regardless of whatever anyone may think of HG, this is surely promising to be really something. Those two playing off against each other's foil... Sit back and wait. Impatiently. Wow."}, {"response": 1912, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (00:41)", "body": "I haven't read the BJD book in a year, but have just finished Edge of Reason and loved it - mainly because I get to picture CF as MD in some pretty intimate scenes. The first time you see Mark D in BJD, as I recall, is in front of a bookcase at his parent's home wearing a pretty terrible sweater. What fun all we \"in the knows\" will have seeing him play Darcy haughtily observing the crowd. GREAT news! But Evelyn, you are right, let's wait for official word before going crazy. Murph"}, {"response": 1913, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (02:40)", "body": "This week the film's producers are expected to announce ... Yeh, it's that \"are expected to announce\" that makes me a little nervous. Please! no last minute glitches! (Karen) I wonder if this will work in Colin's favor. ;-) \\...\\ (Heide) I've been saying this for months; no, at this point it's years. But of course I hope I'm wrong. ;-) The fact is he is not being asked to reprise Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, but to embody Mr. Mark Darcy ... and knowing ODB, he will set about creating an entirely different individual, with only echos of his predecessor to make a point of the \"in-joke\". He is very good at making things work in his favor. As for comparisons, no one can prevent people who are walking into the theatre expecting to see \"Mr. (F.) Darcy\", and being disappointed, from pointing out their unhappiness by same. But it is their own expectations that disappoint, not ODB, who will be doing his job (with relish, I daresay)(catsup and mustard too, if he pleases! *Hee hee*) 8-D"}, {"response": 1914, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (06:20)", "body": "(KJ) The fact is he is not being asked to reprise Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, but to embody Mr. Mark Darcy Never thought this was case, but won't bother trying to explain what I meant. Who cares! Too happy that this is finally going to be be done. Have put up the Bucket page for BJD: http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/bjd.html Let's definitely do the party as soon as the official word is sent out. :-)"}, {"response": 1915, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (08:30)", "body": "Karen, beautiful page for BJD! I'm holding my breath and hoping the Working Title guys give the official word soon. Hmmmm, starting to turn blue here...."}, {"response": 1916, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (11:20)", "body": "This si really exciting news! The more I think about it the better it seems. Surely it must be true? The only problem is we are going away to Canada for almost two weeks and so I will miss any news. Keep it all for me, won't you? Will try and buy British newspapers but may not have much luck...."}, {"response": 1917, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (12:28)", "body": "Karen: As I said at 129, a terrific page! I just love the look of it. Murph"}, {"response": 1918, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (13:31)", "body": "Great job, Karen! Now we will have to speculate on the rest of the cast. ;-)"}, {"response": 1919, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (14:14)", "body": "(Moon) Now we will have to speculate on the rest of the cast. ;-) Same as we've been doing for about 2 years. ;-) Thank you all. *blushing*"}, {"response": 1920, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (14:53)", "body": "(Evelyn) Just thinkin'.....maybe we should wait til it's officially announced by the gods of Working Title before we have a party, uh? Aha--a voice of reason. If the story is true, I would think it would be reported in various places (that's what happened when Zellweger's casting was announced). Ann, Bethan, Allison, et.al, we're counting on your sharp eyes. If it is true--sorry to rain on the parade, but I can't help feeling a bit disappointed. ODB will never, I mean never, lose his Darcy image no matter what else he's done/will do. (KJArt) The fact is he is not being asked to reprise Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, but to embody Mr. Mark Darcy ... and knowing ODB, he will set about creating an entirely different individual, with only echos of his predecessor to make a point of the \"in-joke\". I know we've talked about this before and I still disagree (unless the screenplay differs significantly from the book, which it certainly might). To me, MD is an updated FD--but my own NSHO doesn't matter. What does matter is the hype. I don't think the role is big enough for CF to create an entirely different character. Having said all that, I never could see anybody else in the MD role. I read both BJD and EOR with the mental image of CF as MD. I hope that the screenplay takes the Darcy character to a different level (it must be a good script if CF agreed to take the role) so the British press doesn't permenently stamp the Darcy label on CF's forehead at the expense of his other work."}, {"response": 1921, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (15:04)", "body": "Good points Eillen, I to have my resevations buth there is just no one else who could play MD."}, {"response": 1922, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (15:07)", "body": "(too) or who I would want to watch playing Mark Darcy, sorry Eileen of course, my fingers are all over the place thinking of Mark Darcy clad only in a towel!!"}, {"response": 1923, "author": "amw", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (15:08)", "body": "Good points Eillen, I to have my resevations buth there is just no one else who could play MD."}, {"response": 1924, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (15:55)", "body": "(Ann) thinking of Mark Darcy clad only in a towel!! Happy thought, indeed; sadly, that's from the second book. One can daydream, though. That was such a funny scene, wasn't it? \"Sinjun\""}, {"response": 1925, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (17:04)", "body": "The debut of the \"BJD Page on the Bucket\"..... First Wave of the party... ~~~~~~ (Eileen)but I can't help feeling a bit disappointed. ODB will never, I mean never, lose his Darcy image no matter what else he's done/will do. Mr. Darcy will always be his tour d'force. Up to now he's done nothing better. By taking this role IMO he has come to that realization and is willing to \"deal with it\". That's known as \"growing -up\";-)"}, {"response": 1926, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (17:19)", "body": "That's known as \"growing -up\";-) No kidding? ;-P"}, {"response": 1927, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (18:26)", "body": "Great BJD page, Karen! Can't wait to see this expand as more details emerge. Wonder if the contracts the principal stars sign will include a commitment to do the sequel. Seems like that's usually the case. If so, more cause for celebration!:-)"}, {"response": 1928, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Mar 27, 2000 (21:56)", "body": "(SusanMC)Wonder if the contracts the principal stars sign will include a commitment to do the sequel. Happy thought indeed!"}, {"response": 1929, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Mar 28, 2000 (00:00)", "body": "Mr. Darcy will always be his tour d'force. Up to now he's done nothing better. Surely Tumbledown was his best piece overall."}, {"response": 1930, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar 28, 2000 (01:13)", "body": "Surely Tumbledown was his best piece overall. Agree. I mean't the role that brought him the most public attention world-wide."}, {"response": 1931, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Mar 28, 2000 (02:16)", "body": "(KJ) The fact is he is not being asked to reprise Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, but to embody Mr. Mark Darcy (Karen) Never thought this was case, but won't bother trying to explain what I meant. Me too and I wasn't going to bother explaining either. But then Eileen did it for me... ODB will never, I mean never, lose his Darcy image no matter what else he's done/will do. It's the critics who can't say Colin Firth without saying Mr. Darcy in the same breath. And I don't want them to see this as Colin trying to regain some fleeting fame because his post Darcy career has not lived up to their expectations. (Evelyn) By taking this role IMO he has come to that realization and is willing to \"deal with it\". That's known as \"growing -up\";-) We know he can deal with it and I applaud him for having the wonderful sense of humor to take on this role. I just hope that everyone else can see why he's doing it...if he indeed is. ;-) No matter how we belittle the critics, they are important. These are only my reservations about this role and of course only MHO. I'm still very happy that he'll be in such a visible project. (Arami) Regardless of whatever anyone may think of HG, this is surely promising to be really something. Those two playing off against each other's foil... What will really be interesting is what angle the publicity will take. Will this be a Zellweger/Grant focus or will they play on the Darcy/Darcy image? You're right, girls, just the fact that HG is in it (we think) really creates a buzz about this film."}, {"response": 1932, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Mar 28, 2000 (02:52)", "body": "From the World News Network: Story Filed: Sunday, March 19, 2000 8:13 PM EST (MAR. 19) WENN - FIFTH - INTERNATIONAL MUSIC NEWS - FASCINATING FACT: HUGH GRANT is the new favourite to play BRIDGET JONES' other half in the forthcoming movie BRIDGET JONES' DIARY. COLIN FIRTH was believed to have already landed the role of MARK DARCY but insiders reckon Firth will now play one of Jones' pals. ******************************** This was posted at the Firth list. Note that the date is earlier than the Observer story, so maybe the facts were confirmed after this was written. One of the worst things, IMO, would be for Hugh to play Darcy and Colin to stand next to him playing someone else. -- like Tom! Murph"}, {"response": 1933, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 28, 2000 (13:22)", "body": "Ladies please! Colin is MD and HG is Daniel. Why would HG want a role that was written for another? In the UK everyone knows Colin is Mr. Darcy and that is that."}, {"response": 1934, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar 28, 2000 (18:05)", "body": "I would be very disappointed if Colin played *any* other character in BJD, except the one that was written for him. I don't think I could deal with the indignity."}, {"response": 1935, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Mar 28, 2000 (19:08)", "body": "COLIN FIRTH was believed to have already landed the role of MARK DARCY but insiders reckon Firth will now play one of Jones' pals. Oh f*** what a mess! Almost dropped my coffee cup on the keyboard when I read this. It simply cannot be true, it would be nothing else but idiotic . But if it is true I swear I won\ufffdt watch that movie, I won\ufffdt touch it with a stick.....and to think of it, why would Colin ever accept a role as one of Jone\ufffds pals, (probably the gay one?!?) when there is a great role written for him in the book? He would be crazy to do anything else in BJD but Mark Darcy."}, {"response": 1936, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Mar 28, 2000 (19:42)", "body": "March 19? Isn't this the same piece which had you ladies ready to jump out windows the weekend before last? There's something very familiar about that last line. Regardless, I was hoping for more articles to back up the Observer story...otherwise I'm not convinced it's true."}, {"response": 1937, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Mar 28, 2000 (19:58)", "body": "This is a re-cycled version of the tabloid Sunday Mail \"report\". They get everything wrong. The Telegraph and Observer are quality papers. Yahoo has indexed the Observer news. The BJD production office told me last Tuesday that news of casting would be out in about 2 weeks. This weekend perhaps?"}, {"response": 1938, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Mar 28, 2000 (20:00)", "body": "Sorry...Sunday Mirror....even more tabloid."}, {"response": 1939, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Mar 28, 2000 (21:00)", "body": "(Eileen) Isn't this the same piece which had you ladies ready to jump out windows the weekend before last? There's something very familiar about that last line. Yes it is...You'd think because it raised such a brouhaha then, that they would remember it. It was posted by Marianne late Saturday, giving everyone nightmares, but Murph came to our rescue Sunday (the 19th) with the Hugh is considering Daniel but only 50-50 about it article from the Telegraph. A week later (the 25th) Mari posted the article confirming the CF/HG casting, after which we proceeded to dissect the pros and cons of their working together. Ah, how soon we forget."}, {"response": 1940, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Wed, Mar 29, 2000 (00:32)", "body": "Yes, that Mirror thing was before The Observer story, and old hat. I'm sorry I reposted something that was obviously wrong. I'm glad to read the Observer article was indexed by Yahoo. I have good feelings. Let's do some Ommmmmmmms for this weekend. Murph"}, {"response": 1941, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Mar 29, 2000 (18:26)", "body": "What is the World coming to, you go away for a few days out of the eyeshot of these wonderful pages and everything is all in a tizzy (to use a quaint English phrase). Murph - will certainly be Ommmmming with great gusto!"}, {"response": 1942, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Mar 30, 2000 (22:34)", "body": "Yea! Another mention of CF as Mark Darcy -- and on a very well respected film site: http://www.upcomingmovies.com/bridgetjonesdiary.html Murph"}, {"response": 1943, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Thu, Mar 30, 2000 (22:43)", "body": "Don't get too excited, I'm afraid. Actually, *I* gave them the link to www.filmsunlimited.com. So, this is not confirmation. The BJD page was up, but there was really erroneous info. about RZ, and how she'd have to wear a lot of makeup and padding for the gaining 70 lbs. thing. I tried to give a gentle nudge in the right direction there, and he did correct it. Also, the male leads info. was not there until I provided the link (which was graciously provided on RoP). I just wish we'd get some further confirmation, from an entirely different source!"}, {"response": 1944, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Thu, Mar 30, 2000 (22:50)", "body": "OH darn! I thought it was new. Sorry all. Murph"}, {"response": 1945, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 30, 2000 (23:05)", "body": "How funny! :-) What goes around, comes around. Hi Meredith, I see you figured it out. Welcome."}, {"response": 1946, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 30, 2000 (23:18)", "body": "Haven't done one of these for a while and it's new: Meredith"}, {"response": 1947, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (01:06)", "body": "(Meredith) The BJD page was up, but there was really erroneous info. about RZ, and how she'd have to wear a lot of makeup and padding for the gaining 70 lbs. thing. Oh how funny. Poor Bridget imagines herself to be overweight and immediately a man shoots her weight up an extra 70 pounds. Meredith. Why don't you stay awhile?"}, {"response": 1948, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (01:09)", "body": "Whoops! That was supposed to be - H-E- O"}, {"response": 1949, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (01:10)", "body": "Ew Yuck...Remind me never to use yellow again. Back to Bridget..."}, {"response": 1950, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (01:17)", "body": "Hi Meredith...good to have you on board. Cute new welcome pics ...thank you Drool hosts:-)"}, {"response": 1951, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (02:37)", "body": "Welcome, Meredith! Enjoy yourself here. I like the new welcome graphics, too; makes we want to leave and come back.;-)"}, {"response": 1952, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (02:39)", "body": "Ooops, should be makes *me* . . ."}, {"response": 1953, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (04:06)", "body": "Cute one, Heide. :-) I emailed Greg to correct a few of his comments, like the ones about Sharon Maguire, Cate Blanchett and the weight thing. Said his source was Carrie's page."}, {"response": 1954, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (04:50)", "body": "The Guardian has again mentioned Hugh in BJD in Friday's paper in an article I've posted in its entirety on 127. Here's the relevant last paragraph: It takes an Oscar ceremony to bring out our natural sense of superiority, to polish up our sense of ourselves as the plucky little heroes holding out for standards in the face of insurmountable vulgarisation and rot. But it's never far from the surface. As I recall, the last really good cause for a bit of a What Have the Americans Done for Us (other than ruin our culture with their mocha-choca latte outlets) was the news that American actress Renee Zellwegger had been chosen to play our Bridget Jones! In our Notting Hill! With our Hugh Grant! Don't you just love being so much better than everyone else? ~~~~~~~ Actually, you can have \"your\" Hugh Grant. ;-p"}, {"response": 1955, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (12:22)", "body": "(Karen)I emailed Greg to correct a few of his comments, like the ones about Sharon Maguire, Cate Blanchett and the weight thing. Poor guy must have had a full mailbox . Gosh! Thanks for such a warm welcome. Quite unexpected and enjoyable! I feel v. welcome! I have to admit, I'm struggling here with trying to find where to \"login\" and just get the \"new\" Drool stuff, but I'll figure it out. So...Any CF news this AM. I may expire from the anticipation..."}, {"response": 1956, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (13:48)", "body": "So...Any CF news this AM. I may expire from the anticipation... LOL! That is always our sentiment. Welcome Meredith!"}, {"response": 1957, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (13:55)", "body": "If you haven't already, bookmark this page, Meredith: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/drool/all/new From there you can see just the topics that have had new responses since you last logged on. Of course for you and other new people, almost everything will show up as new. If you want to explore a topic but don't want to load the whole thing, look and see how many responses are in a topic and then change the address above to (eg) Topic 98 has over 1600 postings right now but if you only want to look at the last 100 or so, type in http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/98.1500 and you can do the same for any topic - just change your last #s to the topic.response # you want to go back to. Is that convoluted enough? Can only assume the article you quoted above, Karen, contained that famous Brit irony Americans can't understand. ;-)"}, {"response": 1958, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (14:10)", "body": "Heide-Thanks so much for the tips. I'm getting there..."}, {"response": 1959, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (14:43)", "body": "...other than ruin our culture with their mocha-choca latte outlets) So, they don't have to go to Starbuck's...why don't they open up Tea Shops;-) I like tea more,anyway"}, {"response": 1960, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (14:52)", "body": "(Heide) Can only assume the article you quoted above, Karen, contained that famous Brit irony Americans can't understand. ;-) That must be it. ;-) Welcome Meredith, with a big thanks for nipping that bit of misinformation in the bud. (Karen) I emailed Greg to correct a few of his comments, like the ones about Sharon Maguire, Cate Blanchett and the weight thing. Said his source was Carrie's page. Oh, dear. Isn't that a fan page? Where did she get her information? Sounds like it's a game of telephone or whispering down the wind...\"he said that she said that...\""}, {"response": 1961, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (18:44)", "body": "Welcome Meredith, and yes, thanks a bunch for setting me straight. It is kind of scary when you find out that film web sites are getting their information from fan sites. I always try to keep mine as truthful as possible, and quote the source. On the other hand, if I hadn't read your post, I would still think Greg's news was new. Hard to keep on top of what is close to official word and what is not. Back to those OHMMMMMMMMs again. Murph"}, {"response": 1962, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (19:15)", "body": "HI EVERYONE!!! I'm writing this from EasyEverything, an Internet cafe in London (on High St. Kensington). Can you believe I get 60 mins. online for only \ufffd1? This is, quite possibly, the only good deal I've gotten so far since arriving into town three days ago. Am staying in Holland Park, a short walk away from BJLand! I'll be there first thing tomorrow morning, as am determined to find rare-but-affordable wedding presents for some friends of mine getting married in the summer. The weather is cold, but no matter, I'm having a great time. Welcome to the boards, Meredith! Kick back and make yerself comfy."}, {"response": 1963, "author": "amw", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (20:01)", "body": "Hi Winter, Glad you are enjoying your time in the UK, I think the weather should improve this weekend!! (famous last words) and welcome Meredith, I'm afraid there wasn't anything in the Baz Column today, he is away in LA, having covered the Oscars, no doubt."}, {"response": 1964, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (20:48)", "body": "(Murph) It is kind of scary when you find out that film web sites are getting their information from fan sites Well, everyone's anxious for the scoop. Yet if a film site's info ('well respected' or not) isn't sourced, that should probably be noted (IMO). Speaking of scoops, I'm going away for a few days and we all know what happens when I'm away: big CF news. OK, there wasn't the last time I was away, but 2 out of 3 ain't bad... Winter, I have it on good authority those little oil burners make great gifts. You can even test it first to see if it takes in milk!"}, {"response": 1965, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (23:53)", "body": "his source was Carrie's page. Oh, dear. Isn't that a fan page? Where did she get her information? Sounds like it's a game of telephone or whispering down the wind...\"he said that she said that...\" Sadly, it is difficult - if not impossible - to know which media or sites are a reliable source of information. That's why it is important to know and always attribute one's sources: that way it may be easier to trace errors."}, {"response": 1966, "author": "mpiatt", "date": "Sun, Apr  2, 2000 (01:08)", "body": "Murph--please don't thank me. I just didn't want us all to get \"overwrought\" as we are like to do :-) (We do not wish to exite our anticipation.) To all--I can't thank you enough (again) for the warm welcome. I feel so special, but I fear it will turn my head! To think, I had not even watched P&P2, or read any JA until 2/99. The rest, as they say, is history. What a wasted life until then!"}, {"response": 1967, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr  3, 2000 (14:52)", "body": "The following blurb was in The Telegraph on Saturday (4/1/00): Phew! Hugh Handsome Hugh Grant has graciously agreed to appear in the film of Bridget Jones's Diary. \"They've been pestering me about it for It's all agreed, though I haven't signed anything.\""}, {"response": 1968, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Apr  3, 2000 (15:55)", "body": "It's quite amazing how he's agreed, but didn't say what role! Though we DO KNOW that he'll be Tom;) (j/k) Daniel Cleaver;)"}, {"response": 1969, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Apr  4, 2000 (00:24)", "body": "In the Express it's said he will play \"the cad\"."}, {"response": 1970, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr  4, 2000 (12:47)", "body": "From Empire: Grant Talks Up Bridget Jones 03/04/2000 Following the cheesy romcom antics of Four Weddings and a Funeraland Notting Hill, it appears that Hugh Grant is trying to shed his soppy, soft-centred image to play more hard-edged roles. The actor told the Express that he is eyeing up a role in the forthcoming film of Bridget Jones\ufffds Diary, the screen adaptation of Helen Fielding\ufffds bestselling novel which follows a thitysomething publishing exec on her quest for a new man. \ufffdRichard Curtis has done an amazing rewrite of the book,\ufffd explained Grant at a recent party in London, hinting that he may be pursuing the role of ne\ufffder-do-well Daniel Cleaver: \ufffdIf I do it, I\ufffdll definitely play the cad.\ufffd ~~~~~~~ \"Richard Curtis has done an amazing rewrite of the book\" Hmm, we know what that means. ;-) ne\ufffder-do-well Daniel Cleaver Is that how they view him? Sheesh, not the term I would use."}, {"response": 1971, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Tue, Apr  4, 2000 (21:16)", "body": "Surely the rewrite wouldn't mean Daniel getting the girl instead of Mark Darcy! Please tell me I'm being silly, please ;-)"}, {"response": 1972, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Tue, Apr  4, 2000 (21:33)", "body": "Thanks, Karen, for the BJD/Grant news. If it is OK with you, I have added it to my news page - credit for finding it there too! Murph"}, {"response": 1973, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr  4, 2000 (21:44)", "body": "Of course, Empire was just repeating what a tabloid (the Express) had printed. (Cathey) Please tell me I'm being silly, please ;-) OK, you're being silly. ;-) Naw, a cad is a cad is a cad. BTW, what island was Curtis going to? Bali? Go check it out, Cathey."}, {"response": 1974, "author": "mari", "date": "Wed, Apr  5, 2000 (00:09)", "body": "\"Richard Curtis has done an amazing rewrite of the book\" Ew. Undoubtedly, Daniel's role will be beefed up considerably for this screen version of Four Notting Hill Funerals.:-( Hughie doesn't do supporting roles, and if as he's said they've been chasing him to do this, you'd better believe they'll make it worth his while, role-wise. Plus he's the Working Title poster boy, can't argue with success and all that. Yeah, this will be 'amazing' alright.:-( Cathey, better to be silly than to be hopelessly paranoid like me.;-) Of course, if they beef up Mark's role also, then I'll think it's brilliant.;-)"}, {"response": 1975, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  5, 2000 (01:33)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1976, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  5, 2000 (02:18)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1977, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr  5, 2000 (02:18)", "body": "As the tabloid makes its way into the more respected arms of the media, here's the how the Press Association wrote the same: Hugh Grant aims to play it tough Hugh Grant could be trying to shed his soppy Englishman image to play more hard-edged roles, it is reported. [notice source unnamed] The star of Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill says he is eyeing up a role in the forthcoming film of Bridget Jones's Diary, the screen adaptation of Helen Fielding's bestselling novel which follows a thitysomething publishing executive on her quest for a new man. The Empire website reports Grant as saying: \"Richard Curtis has done an amazing rewrite of the book. If I do it, I'll definitely play the cad.\" ~~~~~ LOL! They can report what's being reported on by Empire, even though Empire got it from The Express. Richard Curtis' rewrite now has Richard Finch's character played by Simon Callow. ;-)"}, {"response": 1978, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Apr  5, 2000 (23:22)", "body": "Just caught a glimpse of HG on the TV News....he has longish hair at the moment, rather greasy looking, down over the collar (okay, I'm biased!) But it's all down to the power of celebrity. HG is a celebrity, Colin ain't. (Hughie was attending the first night of \"The Graduate\" with Kathleen Turner, which has received massive publicity and sold out since she appeared naked on stage at the preview. Why exactly the British public are so excited at this prospect, beats me!) The papers have also been full of the \"news\" that Liz Hurley visited a Sex Shop and made several purchases! Again, all idle tittle tattle, but the end product is that HG continues to be news, and papers will focus on him rather than the very private and discrete CF. BTW what has happened to Andrew Davies' screenplay? He's been writing original and adapted screenplays for over 20 years now, and has the reputation for turning in the perfect scripts, not a comma out of place. Why the massive re-write? Why bring in Richard Curtis? BJD was a hugely successful and funny book, inspired by Pride and Prejudice, book and TV series. It doesn't need a Notting Hill makeover!!"}, {"response": 1979, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  6, 2000 (15:28)", "body": "test"}, {"response": 1980, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  6, 2000 (15:38)", "body": "Apparently, we are back in business!! Yeah!! From today's Hollywood Reporter (am reposting what's on Springfolks): Grant making entry in 'Diary' Hugh Grant is in negotiations to join Renee Zellweger in Working Title Films' \"Bridget Jones' Diary\" for Universal Pictures and Miramax Films. The project is slated to start shooting May 1 in London, with Sharon Maguire directing. The project reteams Grant with \"Notting Hill\" screenwriter Richard Curtis and Working Title co-chairmen Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner. (Also taking screenwriting credit are Helen Fielding and Andrew Davies.) Grant first teamed with Curtis and Working Title on the 1994 hit comedy \"Four Weddings and a Funeral\" for now-defunct PolyGram Filmed Entertainment. Another male lead is yet to be cast for \"Diary,\" the adaptation of Helen Fielding's best-selling novel about a thirtysomething single woman living in London. Curtis penned the script for \"Diary.\" Universal and Miramax have partnered on \"Diary,\" with Miramax handling domestic distribution and Universal distributing internationally. Universal and Miramax are also splitting rights on Working Title's \"Captain Corelli's Mandolin\" starring Nicolas Cage and Penelope Cruz, with Miramax taking foreign and Universal domestic. For \"Diary,\" Canal Plus will handle some international territories under its 50/50 co-financing deal with Working Title and Universal. Grant most recently starred opposite Jeanne Tripplehorn in the comedy-romance \"Mickey Blue Eyes\" for Castle Rock and Warner Bros. and recently wrapped work on Woody Allen's \"Small Time Crooks.\" He is repped by CAA. [\"another lead\" who shall forever be nameless.] Same bit picked up by Teletext: Hugh Grant to be in Bridget Jones movie Hugh Grant is expected to join the cast of the Bridget Jones movie opposite Texan actress Renee Zellweger in the eponymous role. If he signs up he'll be teaming up again with Notting Hill screenwriter Richard Curtis. The two men also worked together on Four Weddings and a Funeral. Original author Helen Fielding has opted out of the project in protest at the casting of Zellweger. [Can't believe they tacked on that last thing again!]"}, {"response": 1981, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Apr  6, 2000 (18:14)", "body": "(KarenR)Another male lead is yet to be cast for \"Diary,\"(...) [\"another lead\" who shall forever be nameless.] Arrrgh! >-("}, {"response": 1982, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Apr  6, 2000 (19:41)", "body": "Another male lead is yet to be cast for \"Diary,\" Oh, for God's sake, that really is the ******** limit. It's a Hugh Grant movie, he's the co-star (\"opposite\" RZ), This is a small \ufffd5million movie and it should be Colin's. HG has got the lead in \"About a boy\". Why does he need this?????"}, {"response": 1983, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Apr  6, 2000 (19:44)", "body": "has yet to be cast So they're still thinking about who should play Mark Darcy? Why hasn't Colin signed?"}, {"response": 1984, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Apr  6, 2000 (19:48)", "body": "Perhaps he doesn't like the idea of playing second fiddle to HG, either. Perhaps he doesn't like the new script, he only has two lines!! perhaps. If the part isn't right for him I hope he doesn't do it, sorry everyone."}, {"response": 1985, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr  6, 2000 (19:57)", "body": "(AnnW) If the part isn't right for him It is him. ;-) Let's not get nuts here. This just shows the differences in style between HG and CF. One craves publicity (and evidently so does his partner, parading around in sex shops on Hollywood Blvd.) and the other does his utmost to quash it."}, {"response": 1986, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Apr  6, 2000 (23:07)", "body": "Why hasn't Colin signed? Because he probably heard about HFs boycot of RZ and is really thinking it over??? GROW UP COLIN!!! SIGN THE BLOODY PAPERS!!! I agree Karen, the part is him and the role was created for him. Everyone knows that including the script wrtiters and the film company. I repeat that the kind of publicity this movie will get because it also stars HG is only the very best news for Colin. He will be noticed in a big way. Please note that the article stated the other male lead role. Sorry AnnW, but he must do this."}, {"response": 1987, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr  7, 2000 (00:30)", "body": "IMO this is a publicity ploy from Working Title...who wants to trickle the stuff out drip by drip....He'll sign, he's no dummy."}, {"response": 1988, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Apr  7, 2000 (12:52)", "body": "Perhaps we should not discuss this at all anymore until there's definite news? Or is this worse? Everytime I get to this topic my heart rate soars ;-/"}, {"response": 1989, "author": "mari", "date": "Fri, Apr  7, 2000 (15:00)", "body": "(Gi) Perhaps we should not discuss this at all anymore until there's definite news? Or is this worse? Everytime I get to this topic my heart rate soars ;-/ I know how you feel, Gi. It's like passing the scene of an accident: you know you're supposed to remain oblivious and keep moving, but you just can't stop yourself from looking!;-)"}, {"response": 1990, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Apr  8, 2000 (09:57)", "body": "(Mari)I know how you feel, Gi. It's like passing the scene of an accident: you know you're supposed to remain oblivious and keep moving, but you just can't stop yourself from looking!;-) Hummmm... I wonder was that what I meant? %P"}, {"response": 1991, "author": "mari", "date": "Sat, Apr  8, 2000 (11:25)", "body": "More from the gag me department (thanks to Rai for spotting): Scottish Daily Record & Sunday Mail Ltd. Daily Record April 7, 2000, Friday HEADLINE: OTR..OFF THE RECORD: DATE WITH BRIDGET FOR HUGH BODY: MOVIE heart-throb Hugh Grant is to star in the big-screen version of bestseller Bridget Jones's Diary. Hugh will appear alongside US actress Renee Zellweger in the film. Renee, girlfriend of funnyman Jim Carrey, will play the book's heroine - thirty-something publishing company employee Bridget who is desperate to find love and success. Hugh will play the object of her desire - handsome company executive Daniel Cleaver. The film will see Hugh teaming up again with screen-writer Richard Curtis, who penned his previous hits Notting Hill and the 1994 smash-hit Four Weddings and a Funeral. A film insider said yesterday: \"Hugh is the ideal actor for the role and he's hoping the movie will be as successful as Four Weddings and Notting Hill.\" Fans of the critically-acclaimed Helen Fielding book hit the roof when American Renee was cast in the title role. They claimed the part should have gone to a British actress. But the insider said: \"They'll be pleased Hugh's got a role in the film.\" The movie is scheduled to start shooting on location in London on May 1."}, {"response": 1992, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Apr  8, 2000 (14:00)", "body": "Hugh will play the object of her desire - handsome company executive Daniel Cleaver. I'm gritting my teeth and saying nothing!!!! A film insider said yesterday: \"Hugh is the ideal actor for the role and he's hoping the movie will be as successful as Four Weddings and Notting Hill.\" This is the (only?) good thing about the HG/Working Title/Richard Curtis connection. BJD will be promoted as a follow up to two worldwide smashes and should draw in the multiplex crowd...which actually considerably outnumbers the readers of the book. \"Notting Hill\" took \ufffd10 million in its first weekend in the UK. And Mark Darcy can't be a cameo role. There has to be some dramatic balance."}, {"response": 1993, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr  8, 2000 (14:18)", "body": "Hugh will play the object of her desire Technically, it's not untrue. Daniel is that for over half the book. ...but my overall reaction is bleech (Bethan) And Mark Darcy can't be a cameo role. Calm down, Bethan. Most of the other articles referred to him as the other \"male lead\" - far from a cameo and certainly not a supporting role."}, {"response": 1994, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Apr  8, 2000 (19:14)", "body": "Can I say something? I know that the idea of Mark Darcy going to anyone other than Colin Firth is basically sacrileg; HOWEVER, have you thought that HE will BE Mark Darcy and is holding out just to drive you ladies crazy? He's probably reading this board right now, laughing wickedly, saying, \"if they only knew, hahahahahahahaha!\" (of course in a cackle-type of laugh, possibly studying for the role of the Warlock in the new updated \"Wizard of Oz\"...) So where am I going with this? I am confident that Colin Firth will play Mark Darcy. I am not panicking, I LOVE the idea of Hugh Grant as Daniel Cleaver. Heck, we'll have dual bday parties for them come Sept.! Just calm down, the news will come out soon. Have faith, please. Now back to our regularly scheduled programming."}, {"response": 1995, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Apr  8, 2000 (19:14)", "body": "Can I say something? I know that the idea of Mark Darcy going to anyone other than Colin Firth is basically sacrileg; HOWEVER, have you thought that HE will BE Mark Darcy and is holding out just to drive you ladies crazy? He's probably reading this board right now, laughing wickedly, saying, \"if they only knew, hahahahahahahaha!\" (of course in a cackle-type of laugh, possibly studying for the role of the Warlock in the new updated \"Wizard of Oz\"...) So where am I going with this? I am confident that Colin Firth will play Mark Darcy. I am not panicking, I LOVE the idea of Hugh Grant as Daniel Cleaver. Heck, we'll have dual bday parties for them come Sept.! Just calm down, the news will come out soon. Have faith, please. Now back to our regularly scheduled programming."}, {"response": 1996, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Apr  8, 2000 (23:27)", "body": "HOWEVER, have you thought that HE will BE Mark Darcy and is holding out just to drive you ladies crazy? He's probably reading this board right now, laughing wickedly, saying, \"if they only knew, hahahahahahahaha!\" Evil, evil, man! ;-))"}, {"response": 1997, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (01:13)", "body": "(Mari) Evil, evil, man! ;-)) Who ever said he was sweet??? HEE HEE:) My mantra is, if you want to know what my mantra is: COLIN FIRTH WILL BE MARK DARCY COLIN FIRTH WILL BE MARK DARCY COLIN FIRTH WILL BE MARK DARCY ANYONE ELSE CANNOT BE MARK DARCY I WILL KILL ANYONE ELSE WHO IS MARK DARCY. You'd be surprised how that works;)"}, {"response": 1998, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (02:20)", "body": "Sorry, Moon:("}, {"response": 1999, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (04:01)", "body": "Very long article in The Observer, mentions BJD, DQ, and RV: http://www.newsunlimited.co.uk/observer/life/story/0,3879,157249,00.html drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 81, "subject": "Robson Green", "response_count": 4, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 1998 (09:49)", "body": "Okay a little info on him. He has incredible eyes!!!!! And I guess he is quite the pop star in Blighty. He is late 20s early 30s (yeah!) and I think he hates the SpiceGirls (double yeah!!)"}, {"response": 2, "author": "ellenlee", "date": "Thu, Feb 12, 1998 (23:11)", "body": "Luckily I taped the last episode of Reckless, so I can refresh my memory about his eyes. I thought he was irresistible. I wish more like him would grace our television shows, instead of the dumb young things that do."}, {"response": 3, "author": "smaccr", "date": "Wed, Mar 18, 1998 (14:00)", "body": "Did I?!! Check out this site: http://www.geocities.com/hollywood/studio/ 9325. It might interest you to know that a sequel to Reckless has been filmed, but hasn't been televised yet. Not even in the UK. There will be new photos added to the photography section of the aforementioned site in the next couple of weeks. Better quality, I think."}, {"response": 4, "author": "Bess", "date": "Wed, Nov 29, 2000 (10:41)", "body": "I know this is an old topic, but hopefully there's someone out there who still wants to talk about our Robson. I have been thrown head over heels by those bright blue eyes of his, and am immersed in watching the first series of Grafters on PBS, although it's halted for the moment, drat them! I just bought Reckless and the sequel on video, but haven't watched them yet. I also got a copy of The Gambling Man, which I adored. What a wonderful story! How about it? Any Robson fans out there who'll talk about my favorite Geordie with me? Bess drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 82, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 83, "subject": "Richard Gere", "response_count": 33, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 1998 (18:01)", "body": "You know, I was never really considered Richard Gere to be my type but I saw him on Oprah a couple of months ago and he was very sweet and likable. So sweet and likable that I now find myself looking around for any RG movies I have stashed in my archives ;-) He was very eloquent and sincere and though I never really thought about it before, quite attractive. So, I'm ready to talk about him, Annette. Have you been a fan for a long time? What's your favorite of his films?"}, {"response": 2, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 1998 (23:24)", "body": "I like what Gere is doing for the Buddhist community although I hear he is a scientologist, is this true? I need to get to see his current movie about the Dalai Lama."}, {"response": 3, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 1998 (11:36)", "body": "I taped that episode of Oprah, Nan. I have known for a long time about RG's religious affiliations, but I was totally unaware of the depth to the man. He basically exploits his Hollywood fame to achieve spiritual goals that are important to him, such as helping the Tibetan nation. He came off as a pure, gentle, genuine, unique and special man. Even Oprah was somewhat surprised at his effect on the audience, and in fact, on the flow and content of the show. If you ever have an opportunity, go to a bookstore and check out his book \"Pilgrim\". His photographs are spellbinding. All that aside, he was never more handsome than in Pretty Woman, even though he said he really didn't want to make that movie. At all. :)"}, {"response": 4, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 1998 (16:29)", "body": "All that aside, he was never more handsome than in Pretty Woman, even though he said he really didn't want to make that movie. At all. :) You're right, the greying of his hair has made him look better. It's funny because that movie restarted his career, which had been in a major stall mode for quite a while."}, {"response": 5, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 1998 (20:36)", "body": "Here's something pretty to look at ;-)"}, {"response": 6, "author": "LaughingSky", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 1998 (18:18)", "body": "Ooooh, Nan!YOU sure made MY day with those photos!~big 'ole grin~ In answer to Terry's question, I have always known Richard to be a practicing Buddhist, from quite a ways back. I suppose, being Buddhist, he could be open to some of the Scientologist's beliefs. I, too, was rather attracted to him, not because of his distinguished looks, but, because he also proves to be very talented in playing a wide array of characters. Of course, his campaign to help free Tibet only helped me to admire him, that much more!I was glad to see him step up and speak out for the Tibetans."}, {"response": 7, "author": "LaughingSky", "date": "Mon, Mar  2, 1998 (01:41)", "body": "I just came back to drool over those pics of Richard, again...again... again..........(sigh)."}, {"response": 8, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Mar  2, 1998 (02:15)", "body": "Hmm, I'll just have to head over to babes and start a Julia Roberts topic."}, {"response": 9, "author": "LaughingSky", "date": "Tue, Mar  3, 1998 (17:36)", "body": "Be careful on your way over, Terry - I just had to mop! :)"}, {"response": 10, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Mar  4, 1998 (05:55)", "body": "OK I'll watch my step, Annette."}, {"response": 11, "author": "LaughingSky", "date": "Sat, Mar  7, 1998 (19:09)", "body": "I just found a wonderful little site for Richard Gere fans!(Lucky ME, eh?) ~grin~ If anyone's interested, it's at: http://www.milams.com/gere1.htm"}, {"response": 12, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Sat, Mar  7, 1998 (23:05)", "body": "That is a very nice site! This is a stunning photo! One of the best photos I've ever seen of this very photogenic man."}, {"response": 13, "author": "LaughingSky", "date": "Sun, Mar  8, 1998 (19:32)", "body": "THAT, my friend, is certainly a pic worth DROOLING over, eh? Thanks for sharing that link with the Richard fans! :) YaHooo!!"}, {"response": 14, "author": "LaughingSky", "date": "Thu, Mar 12, 1998 (09:39)", "body": "Just got tv hooked up at my new residence. My friend from Mt.Shasta drops me an e-mail, the other night, and tells me that Richard is on an award show, and she can see him, and I can't(knowing that I didn't have the telly hooked up, yet, and adding, \"ha!ha!\")!!!! Rather cruel thing to do to someone, eh?:)"}, {"response": 15, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Mar 12, 1998 (11:25)", "body": "Mean! Did she tape it for you? ;-)"}, {"response": 16, "author": "LaughingSky", "date": "Fri, Mar 13, 1998 (09:22)", "body": "No...she was (sniff...sniff) cruel to me...I might never recover...;)"}, {"response": 17, "author": "angel1", "date": "Mon, Mar 23, 1998 (07:37)", "body": "Re: terry's post of 2/23: You're a little confused, may I clarify for you? Sorry but this kind of misinformation on the Net is how rumors get started and I want to make sure that the facts are reported correctly. I think you're confusing Richard Gere with John Travolta (that happened a LOT early in his career)who IS a Scientologist. Richard Gere has never been a Scientologist. He has been a practising Buddhist since the late 1970s, beginning as a student of Zen (Japanese Buddhism) and then, having met the Dalai Lama in the early 80s, became and remains a devoted practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism (which, by the way is half a century older than Christianity.) Also, Richard had nothing to do with either of the movies about the Dalai Lama (Seven Years in Tibet and Scorceses's KUNDUN) except to be an interested observer as the rest of us. Now everyone is welcome to visit the Unofficial Richard Gere Home Page at www.milams.com/gere1 and share in the Practice of Gere Worship with his Devoted Regulars (who are very experienced Droolers!!)"}, {"response": 18, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Mar 23, 1998 (07:38)", "body": "My apology is tendered. Thanks for the clafification! I did mean Travolta."}, {"response": 19, "author": "LaughingSky", "date": "Mon, Mar 23, 1998 (19:01)", "body": "Heh-heh, Terry...:-) Thanks for the info, Angel1! Isn't that an absolutely ~HEAVENLY~ site about Richard? It's true; I AM usually an ordinarily sensible woman, but.....wow...those photos of Richard truly make me lose my head...my speech...my eyesight...my...my...well, I guess you get the picture!~**"}, {"response": 20, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, May  3, 1998 (21:35)", "body": "test"}, {"response": 21, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, May  4, 1998 (11:11)", "body": "The test worked. :) Oh, Nan, honey! You have outdone yourself. The door montage is exquisite! I had been thinking how much Kevin's old photo looked like Christian Slater, but I didn't wanna say anything for fear you'd take it down. :) The Bull Durham photo is, in my opinion, Kevin's finest hour. And oh my, the competition he has on the door!"}, {"response": 22, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, May  4, 1998 (11:23)", "body": "Charlotte! I was wondering where you were, honey ;-) As you see, I got the new computer and am back amongst the land of the living. I've been saving pictures here and there, waiting to get the scanner hooked up. Now that I have, I'm a dangerous creature. The photo you see above is from a wonderful ET spread--that's not even the best one ;-) I had been thinking how much Kevin's old photo looked like Christian Slater, but I didn't wanna say anything for fear you'd take it down. :) LOL! I knew he reminded me of someone! It think it's the sly arch of his eyebrows. I was going to use the \"dogtag\" photo for the front, then I remembered that it's not one of your favorites, so... And yes, Kevin doesn't get any better than Bull Durham ;-)"}, {"response": 23, "author": "LaughingSky", "date": "Sun, Feb 14, 1999 (11:45)", "body": "Jeez - have I been LoSt, or what?? :o Seems I've wandered back in...(momentary lapse of reason?? you decide...) OK, droolers of Mr. Gere - I am going to take this (free? really?) opportunity to post my Gere site for those of you who might want to drop in: http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Location/6379/index.html Good to be back...I've missed the company...;) Peace be, Annette"}, {"response": 24, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (21:44)", "body": "Oh...yeah? You know him?"}, {"response": 25, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 1999 (09:46)", "body": "Since there has been a little bit of activity, I'll post my Spring Pledge Drive request here too. Drool is here by the grace of Terry at the Spring and we ain't cheap, dears. Every now and then we may ask for a small donation to help keep us running. If you think this sounds fishy, okay, but if you're an active participant here, you probably know of Terry by now and what he has to do to allow us to continue. So if you can spare a small donation, please make a check out to The Spring and mail it to: The Spring Rt.2, Box 56r Cedar Creek, TX 78612 Thanks for your participation."}, {"response": 26, "author": "laughingskye", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 1999 (22:16)", "body": "Thanks for posting that, Heide! :)"}, {"response": 27, "author": "laughingskye", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 1999 (22:16)", "body": "Thanks for posting that, Heide... :)"}, {"response": 28, "author": "laughingskye", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 1999 (22:17)", "body": "Er...was that repetitous? repetitous?"}, {"response": 29, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (00:43)", "body": "(not so that anyone will notice...shhh...)"}, {"response": 30, "author": "laughingskye", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 1999 (09:50)", "body": "WER! What brings you over...? :) I had decided that I have been talking to myself over here, these days...then, again, that's not really too far off-base from anywhere else...wandering around and mumbling...looking for my medication...(sigh)..."}, {"response": 31, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 1999 (16:29)", "body": "Richard Gere always gets the awesome leading ladies, eg. Pretty Woman / Whatzhername Roberts and An Officer and a Gentleman / Debra Winger. Who else had played actress opposite Gere?"}, {"response": 32, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (01:32)", "body": "Well, I haven't, and I'm pretty sure Annette hasn't either... I wonder if Nan has? (same as you, Annette, just wandering around...part of keeping an eye on what's going on around here while not trying to intrude...)"}, {"response": 33, "author": "laughingskye", "date": "Sat, May  1, 1999 (11:19)", "body": "Terry, to add to Richard's awesome leading ladies, there was Sharon Stone, \"Intersection\"; Kim Bassinger, \"No Mercy\"('86) and \"Final Analysis\"('92), and, Julia Ormond, \"First Knight\" ('95). I guess that \"First Knight\" would have to be my favorite Gere movie, as I am also a Sean Connery fan, and, have had a long-time fascination with the legend of King Arthur and Camelot! :) And, wer...I bet I could make a better leading lady than you...unless, of course, you don those black fishnet pantyhose and stilettos...;) drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 84, "subject": "Rufus Sewell", "response_count": 71, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Feb 23, 1998 (22:33)", "body": "Kate, honey...who is this Rufus person? I hear people talking about him and have no clue who they mean. Is he really that droolworthy? Must be, because the women are fanning themselves whenever his name is mentioned. What movies has he been in?"}, {"response": 2, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 1998 (07:20)", "body": "Who is this Rufus person, Nan?"}, {"response": 3, "author": "Kate", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 1998 (09:20)", "body": "Got that Nan???"}, {"response": 4, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 1998 (10:11)", "body": "WOW!!!! Myretta where did you get that awesome pic!!!! definitely droolworthy, right Nan???"}, {"response": 5, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 1998 (12:32)", "body": "Well, he's not Colin, but I'm willing to give it a go ;-) I think I need to watch something he's done. So what should I see?"}, {"response": 6, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 1998 (13:06)", "body": "I think I need to watch something he's done. So what should I see? I'm partial to Cold Comfort Farm"}, {"response": 7, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 1998 (14:28)", "body": "yah, Myretta great flick, he plays a cad but a lovable one!"}, {"response": 8, "author": "AllisonM", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 1998 (15:03)", "body": "The first time I saw him was on the stage. He played Septimus Hodge in \"Arcadia\", the wonderful Tom Stoppard play. In the flesh he was all dark curls and smouldering (remind you of anybody?). However he is very HOTTTT. In all the parts I have seen him, he smoulders (it must be the dark hair and eyebrows). He is also famous for kissing Kate Winslett for 15 minutes with out pause for breath in the Ivy (fancy thespian restaurant)."}, {"response": 9, "author": "AllisonM", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 1998 (15:05)", "body": "I am not sure of the syntax of my last posting. I hope yout understand what I mean."}, {"response": 10, "author": "Kate", "date": "Tue, Feb 24, 1998 (19:46)", "body": "Nan: You've obviously not seen Middlemarch right? Rufus is a major love interest there, but one of only many characters in an ensemble cast (including CF's brother!) He's also very briefly in KB's Hamlet, as Fortinbras, the nephew of the king of Norway who takes over after all the Danes dies. He was one of EThompson's several lovers in Carrington. And he's in two movies showing in this fair city right now - Dark City, which looks rather weird, and Dangerous Beauty. Dangerous Beauty would be a good place to start, if you want to plunge in the deep end... ;-)"}, {"response": 11, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 1998 (06:08)", "body": "He was one of EThompson's several lovers in Carrington. Well, I saw that one...but I'd never remember which one he was. What a horribly depressing film! Dangerous Beauty would be a good place to start, if you want to plunge in the deep end... ;-) Plunging sounds good ;-) And Kate liked that one too. Hmmm. Then again, I've always wanted to see Cold Comfort Farm, so maybe I'll do that first. Also, I can watch that one in the privacy of my own home--much more convenient for drooling ;-)"}, {"response": 12, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 1998 (06:10)", "body": "Oh, but Middlemarch might be good as well...get the RS thing going, little Firth...not a bad idea either. Decisions, decisions..."}, {"response": 13, "author": "Kate", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 1998 (09:15)", "body": "Plunging sounds good ;-) And Kate liked that one too. Nan, it was me that suggest the plunge... I don't think anyone else has seen it yet!"}, {"response": 14, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 1998 (09:29)", "body": "I don't think anyone else has seen it yet! Yes, I noticed that after I hit the submit button. LOL! I got up early this morning and my brain is simply not functioning properly ;-)"}, {"response": 15, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb 25, 1998 (20:16)", "body": "There is a good interview with Rufus Sewell in last Sunday's New York Times. www.nytimes.com/ Under the Arts and Leisure section and then under Film segment. You have to register, but it's easy.They run the A&L all week. So you can access it now. In it the author compares him to \"Colin Firth another appealingly unkempt type\". C'mon."}, {"response": 16, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 1998 (13:48)", "body": "Major Alert According to the TV Guide, Rufus will be on David Letterman tonight! Who says those \"unkempt types\" can't appear on American TV."}, {"response": 17, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 1998 (14:05)", "body": "Nan: You really must rent Cold Comfort Farm. Not only is it funny is a off-way, but Rufus here really does some serious smoldering."}, {"response": 18, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 1998 (14:05)", "body": "Nan: You really must rent Cold Comfort Farm. Not only is it funny is a off-beat way, but Rufus here really does some serious smoldering."}, {"response": 19, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Mar  1, 1998 (12:46)", "body": "Nan, read his interviews and comments whereever you can get them. He is very entertaining, very refreshing view on the world."}, {"response": 20, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, Mar  1, 1998 (22:41)", "body": "good god! pass me the smelling salts, ladies... i've had a double dose of rufus this weekend! yesterday it was 'dark city' and today i saw 'dangerous beauty'. i liked dark city better, since it wasn't as cheesy... never in my wildest dreams did i think someone with a case of lazy-eye could be so appealing!"}, {"response": 21, "author": "Kate", "date": "Mon, Mar  2, 1998 (07:53)", "body": "How is his accent in Dark City? One of the things I liked about DB (though it was marginally on the cheesy side, especially I'm sure after Dark City) is that everyone seemed to speak in their normal voices. The Americans spoke American and the Brits didn't talk especially \"posh\""}, {"response": 22, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  2, 1998 (13:50)", "body": "Siskel and Ebert gave rave reviews on Dark City this weekend. Ebert was so wowed that he said it would be in his Top 10 for the year!! But neither said anything really about Rufus. They were more in awe of the movie and what the director had done. :-("}, {"response": 23, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Mar  2, 1998 (13:57)", "body": "I saw that too, karen!! but RS did look great!!! can't wait to see the movie!!!"}, {"response": 24, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Mar 17, 1998 (13:54)", "body": "Oooh Kate...looky what I found ;-)"}, {"response": 25, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar 17, 1998 (20:39)", "body": "I saw \"Dangerous Beauty\" last week. And I must say it is not-to-be-missed. Esp. the second half. Roger Ebert gave it ***1/2 . Similar to Merchant and Ivory films. He carries the whole film."}, {"response": 26, "author": "Kate", "date": "Tue, Mar 17, 1998 (21:28)", "body": "To Nan: mmMMMMMmmmmm I'm going to have to go and see this again, I think....."}, {"response": 27, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Mar 18, 1998 (10:12)", "body": "Oh Nan. What and incredibly sexy picture. He just oozes in sexuality!!!! moremoremoremoremore"}, {"response": 28, "author": "dt", "date": "Thu, Mar 19, 1998 (07:55)", "body": "Hi! I'm new to the spring and can see I'm in great company! You might want to check out the new Vanity Fair (April 98), the Hollywood issue. The cover unfolds to reveal Rufus (in a tux) on the far right, and then there's a little bit on him in the magazine."}, {"response": 29, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 19, 1998 (14:29)", "body": "Just saw Dark City. I wondered at first if it was all going to be downhill after the opening sequence where we get quite the eyeful of Rufus after getting out of a bath, but the movie was excellent. I tend to think that RS got the role because of his eyes. They work quite well to emphasize his confusion and of course when he has to *concentrate* in order whip those Strangers' butts!!"}, {"response": 30, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Mar 21, 1998 (10:56)", "body": "Yooo hooo...Kaaaate..."}, {"response": 31, "author": "Kate", "date": "Sat, Mar 21, 1998 (13:52)", "body": "hee hee"}, {"response": 32, "author": "dt", "date": "Tue, Apr  7, 1998 (11:52)", "body": "Anyone get to see Rufus looking hot on the April Vanity Fair cover? Also found a tiny article on him with a great picture in the April 6 People magazine. It's on the very last page under the title \"English Muffin.\" Hmmmmm...yum ;)"}, {"response": 33, "author": "marshA", "date": "Mon, Apr 20, 1998 (16:53)", "body": "Hello, girls! Is there any place for a new convert? :-) I just saw \"Dangerous Beauty\" yesterday, and Oh My God! If I wasn't wearing a loose dress, I believe I would have swooned (especially during the trial). I've only seen him in Middlemarch and Hamlet before, and while I liked him, I converted because of Dangerous Beauty. Probably it were those amazing eyes... sigh, swoooon..."}, {"response": 34, "author": "chicox", "date": "Mon, Apr 20, 1998 (17:49)", "body": "HI, I'm from hawaii. Where are you??? phantomx@geocities.co.jp"}, {"response": 35, "author": "Kate", "date": "Mon, Apr 20, 1998 (18:03)", "body": "Hello, girls! Is there any place for a new convert? :-) I just saw \"Dangerous Beauty\" yesterday, and Oh My God! If I wasn't wearing a loose dress, I believe I would have swooned (especially during the trial). Always room for one more. Now we just have to convince Nan, but since it's no longer showing in NYC, that could be difficult :-("}, {"response": 36, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Apr 20, 1998 (18:56)", "body": "Marsha: I've only seen him in Middlemarch and Hamlet before, and while I liked him, I converted because of Dangerous Beauty. Probably it were those amazing eyes... sigh, swoooon... You haven't seen half of it! Go see Dark City while it's still out in the theatres. He does quite a bit with those eyes of his, since he's got 'mystical powers' that can move buildings (and move women as well). It's a really good film too, aside from RS. Chioc co I'm from hawaii. Where are you??? Welcome! I'm in Los Angeles, awaiting any appearance Rufus or Colin firth might make in town. so far, no luck!"}, {"response": 37, "author": "marshA", "date": "Mon, Apr 20, 1998 (19:43)", "body": "*********Chioc co I'm from hawaii. Where are you??? ************* I'm from Ithaca NY (I go to Cornell U) but I live in Albany NY Dark City??? Hmmm. shall I run to buy the tickets now, or way until tomorrow? :-)"}, {"response": 38, "author": "marshA", "date": "Tue, Apr 21, 1998 (22:10)", "body": "Goody, \"Dark City\" is coming to our university theater, so I won't have to bestir my lazy self and go to the mall! I think I've met another (unofficial) RS droolie. I told a friend of mine I went to see \"Dangerous Beauty\" with RS. She asked me if she's seen him in anything, and I told her he was Fortinbras in \"Hamlet\" (we saw that one together). Her firt responce was: \"Oh my God! He's so attractive!\" We had a most satisfactory drool over the phone :-) Now she wants to see \"Dangerous Beauty\" and I'm not averse to seeing it again, so that's what we are doing this weekend. And May 2 we are going to \"Dark City\" (she's also a sci-fi fan) Fun, fun, fun: now we can drool in unison :-)"}, {"response": 39, "author": "CatFan", "date": "Fri, Apr 24, 1998 (19:55)", "body": "Rufus is indeed a babe! I first saw him in Hamlet and thought he was pretty good-looking, but I was concentrating on the sexy blond Kenneth Branagh at the time. Now I concentrate on Rufus, too! These British actors-- maybe it's the accent, but they're simply irresistable. Rupert Graves, Ewan McGregor, Jonny Lee Miller, Kenneth Branagh, Rufus. Darling, all of them."}, {"response": 40, "author": "Kate", "date": "Thu, Apr 30, 1998 (21:37)", "body": ""}, {"response": 41, "author": "Kate", "date": "Thu, Apr 30, 1998 (21:46)", "body": ""}, {"response": 42, "author": "Kate", "date": "Thu, Apr 30, 1998 (21:48)", "body": ""}, {"response": 43, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, May  1, 1998 (14:10)", "body": "WOW!!! Kate incredible!!"}, {"response": 44, "author": "marshA", "date": "Sat, May  2, 1998 (02:48)", "body": "Oh Kate.........( she has to pause to wipe the drool on her bib) How nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 45, "author": "Kate", "date": "Sat, May  2, 1998 (11:04)", "body": ". ( she has to pause to wipe the drool on her bib) How nice!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL! I try...."}, {"response": 46, "author": "marshA", "date": "Wed, May  6, 1998 (01:32)", "body": "Saw \"Dark City\" over the weekend. A really great movie that had me really puzzled for the first half. And you could hear the audience's jaws drop to the floor when the big surprise (don't want to give it away) came! It was great!"}, {"response": 47, "author": "Kate", "date": "Tue, May 19, 1998 (22:26)", "body": ""}, {"response": 48, "author": "Kate", "date": "Tue, May 19, 1998 (22:29)", "body": ""}, {"response": 49, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, May 20, 1998 (06:33)", "body": "Hi, Kate, good to see you are still around. This man here is extremely decorative on a sofa - or is it a bed?"}, {"response": 50, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, May 20, 1998 (06:36)", "body": "Well, this is strange. When I came here there were 3 picture in your post. Then I wrote my message, and when the response appeared there were only 2 pics anymore. Count Almushy??? Away with you, ma subito, hopp, hopp!"}, {"response": 51, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, May 20, 1998 (13:49)", "body": "Well now, Kate\ufffdhaven\ufffdt we been the busy little bee? ;-D Did you get a scanner? (Renate) When I came here there were 3 picture in your post. Then I wrote my message, and when the response appeared there were only 2 pics anymore. Count Almushy??? Away with you, ma subito, hopp, hopp! LOL! Your computer is giving you grief, honey\ufffdI still see 3. And they are still too googly ;-p"}, {"response": 52, "author": "Kate", "date": "Wed, May 20, 1998 (17:15)", "body": "Renate: The first pic is in one post, and the second and third are in the second.... Nan: No scanner - and where would I get them from? ;-). Just surfing. And as for the googliness: you still haven't seen Dangerous Beauty, have you Nan???"}, {"response": 53, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, May 20, 1998 (19:49)", "body": "(Kate) And as for the googliness: you still haven't seen Dangerous Beauty, have you Nan??? Nope...;-)"}, {"response": 54, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Jan  2, 1999 (19:07)", "body": "US movie reviewer Roger Ebert (Chicago Sun Times, http://www.suntimes.com/ebert/ ) named Rufus' movie \"Dark City\" as his #1 movie of 1998!! He thought it was innovative, interesting and original."}, {"response": 55, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, Jan  3, 1999 (15:44)", "body": "whoa! are you kidding?! that's amazing! I dragged some (guy)friends to go see it when it came out. I loved Rufus' performance, and the premise in general, but I was surprised my friends actually loved it too! THey even bought the video! Hopefully, this means more good things to come for him in the near future."}, {"response": 56, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan  4, 1999 (13:30)", "body": "I'm usually not a big fan of those futuristic-type movies, but I really liked Dark City when it came out. I remember Ebert's review and that did entice me a little to go see it. I thought it was so original and held my interest. It didn't hurt to look at Rufus' big eyes either!! ;-)"}, {"response": 57, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Thu, Jan 21, 1999 (20:43)", "body": "You mean bug-eyes, don't you?"}, {"response": 58, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jan 22, 1999 (10:31)", "body": "Let's be a little sensitive. Eyes like that might indicate a thyroid problem!"}, {"response": 59, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Jan 22, 1999 (11:25)", "body": ""}, {"response": 60, "author": "rachael", "date": "Mon, Sep  3, 2001 (13:15)", "body": "Anyone still into Rufus? I saw Knight's Tale yesterday, total b*****ks but absolutely good fun for a dull Sunday afternoon! Some bits very funny, and Rufus looking yummy - I know he's the baddie and we're all supposed to fall for the cute young one, but (a) he's too cute (b) he's too young and (c) I always seem to find bad guys more enticing somehow ... hmmm that could explain a lot *ROFL* anyway, unlike some of the dross that's been foisted on us recently (Pearl Harbour, anyone?? *blech*), IMHO its worth the entry fee if you just want some silly entertainment."}, {"response": 61, "author": "Girl", "date": "Thu, Sep 20, 2001 (09:07)", "body": "Yep! I saw a Knight's Tale too! So why is it that baddies are more attractive?? I had that trouble with the Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal! I mean, was Anthony Hopkins gorgeous or what? Still, Refus has lovely eyes, which certainly keep one enthralled. Good movie!"}, {"response": 62, "author": "maryw", "date": "Thu, Sep 20, 2001 (16:40)", "body": "(Rachel) all supposed to fall for the cute young one, but (a) he's too cute (b) he's too young Who is that?"}, {"response": 63, "author": "rachael", "date": "Thu, Sep 20, 2001 (16:48)", "body": "Heath Ledger - I do believe he's one of your countrymen - I expect all the teenagers fell for him!"}, {"response": 64, "author": "maryw", "date": "Thu, Sep 20, 2001 (16:54)", "body": "Aaah! I'm blind to anyone that does not have the initials CF. Must ask young daughter."}, {"response": 65, "author": "Girl", "date": "Fri, Sep 21, 2001 (02:10)", "body": "Well, I'm still (almost not) a teenager... and I still preferred Rufus! But even he is cast in the shade by the legendary CF!"}, {"response": 66, "author": "maryw", "date": "Fri, Sep 21, 2001 (02:59)", "body": "Carrie - would you like to check your email?"}, {"response": 67, "author": "rachael", "date": "Mon, Oct 22, 2001 (16:36)", "body": "next stage of reporting on over-the-top birthday culture w/e (see AR board for the first bit!) Luther, National Theatre, Saturday night - theatre not quite full, easy to get tix from the half-price place in Leics. Sq. - this was 3h 20 mins of intense theatre, described as Osbourne's psychological drama it certainly is a hard play to watch, covers a long period of time and has a large cast, sometimes making it difficult to follow. It helps to know the story beforehand otherwise it might be a bit confusing I suspect. Anyway, RS gave a very powerful performance and has a phenomenal stage presence; its quite physical and I imagine he is exhausted at the end. My notes on the night: crikey, heavy going; good production and excellent acting, RS has tremendous presence; fine cast including Timothy West (father of Sam); Olivier stage suits the production and is well used, good use of space and good staging. However the 3h20 seemed very long, certainly harder work than the 4h Hamlet at the RSC! Worth seeing but difficult. RS is getting good reviews for this"}, {"response": 68, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 22, 2001 (18:20)", "body": "Thanks for the info on Rufe. I've liked him since Cold Comfort Farm and try to see his movies when I can....like Dark City (fabulous) and Dangerous Beauty (the Honest Courtesan in the rest of the world). Having seen Arcadia (twice) recently, I wish I'd seen Rufe as Septimus."}, {"response": 69, "author": "rachael", "date": "Mon, Oct 22, 2001 (18:40)", "body": "one more thing that I just remembered, that struck me on Saturday - RS has such lovely bone structure in his face, and the lighting really took advantage of this. The poster outside Waterloo station has a great pic of him, but I didn't see it on sale anywhere at the National, more's the pity - could've added to my \"scary SW as Hamlet\" black and white picture collection"}, {"response": 70, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Tue, Oct 23, 2001 (23:10)", "body": "RS has such lovely bone structure in his face I always have to chuckle whenever I think about RS referring to himself as \"bug-eyed\". I then picture JNortham with a bag over his head and laugh out loud. Wish I'd been there to see the play, but 3plus hours must have been trying. I hope the seats were well padded."}, {"response": 71, "author": "Echo", "date": "Thu, Oct 25, 2001 (12:37)", "body": "RS referring to himself as \"bug-eyed\" Is he really? How interesting - and reassuring for me personally... I had an opportunity (and his approval) to take an informal pic of him a little while ago and was startled to notice that one of his eyes was drunkenly half-closed and the other one popping out in a fearful fashion... I wondered then if the poor boy knew how oddly his organs of sight were (mis)behaving. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 85, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 86, "subject": "Clark Gable", "response_count": 1, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, May  4, 1998 (13:15)", "body": "I visited that page when I was looking through the Classic Hunk Ring--great stuff!! Very impressive with all kinds of cool things happening. I love the GWTW background music. What a hoot! ;-) drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 87, "subject": "The Rest of Spring", "response_count": 35, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 1998 (07:24)", "body": "Cool, Nan. I'll think of something!"}, {"response": 2, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Feb 27, 1998 (21:17)", "body": "What do you mean, \"The Rest of Spring\"? Let me know, but meanwhile I return to \"The Best of Spring\" :-)) Colin, coooommmmmmiiiiiinng!"}, {"response": 4, "author": "terry", "date": "Sat, Feb 28, 1998 (01:19)", "body": "I put some procative posts in the Internet conference today in a new topic. Something called Cyberwar: The Information Revolution and Warfare. It turns out, for the last half century, the US has been intercepting and decrypting the top secret documents of most of the world's governments. It's topic 22."}, {"response": 6, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Mar  5, 1998 (07:10)", "body": "(Renate) Colin, coooommmmmmiiiiiinng! LOL! ;-.D (wer) And I've been doing a redesign of the food and restaurant conferences, although I must admit that they aren't up to your all's standards, yet... I saw it, wer...looks good. All it's missing is a couple of photos of prety men ;-) Let's see, edible restaurateurs...hmmm...David Bouley? Wolfgang Puck? Dave Thomas? (hee hee)...Nyah, none of these are really my type. Hey, wait a minute...does Paul Newman count? Ya know...sauce, salad dressing, popcorn? ;-)"}, {"response": 7, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Thu, Mar  5, 1998 (16:45)", "body": "Ahem. Kevin owns a restaurant or two. :)"}, {"response": 8, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Mar  5, 1998 (17:28)", "body": "(Charlotte) Ahem. Kevin owns a restaurant or two. :) Does he? Where?"}, {"response": 10, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Thu, Mar  5, 1998 (20:18)", "body": "Nan, I don't know their names. I don't wanna. I'd be too tempted to go there. :) I think there is one in Pasadena, and then of course there is his resort in south (north?) dakota...the one with the casino. Not sure, but that one may be called the Dunbar Resort."}, {"response": 11, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Fri, Mar  6, 1998 (04:10)", "body": "Charlotte, I believe you are correct about the restaurant in Pasadena. The casino is called The Midnight Star, in Deadwood, South Dakota. I think there is a website, have a look for it. As far as I know The Dunbar Resort is still a work in progress. KC has also become an equity owner of a new restaurant chain called The Clubhouse....Where You Belong. 35 locations planned domestically and internationally over the next five years. Reflecting a clubhouse atmosphere, the restaurant is to display golfing mementos from past and present. Flagship location opened December 1997 in Oakbrook, ILL. KC was there via video due to Postman premiere in LA"}, {"response": 12, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Fri, Mar  6, 1998 (04:31)", "body": "That's my girl Sheila! She always comes through for me! On the eBay web Auction site, I once saw a poker chip from the Midnight Star being auctioned. I shouldda bought it."}, {"response": 13, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  6, 1998 (20:05)", "body": "Haven't been to the Clubhouse, but a cousin of mine went to the grand opening of the Oakbrook one and was positively disgusted that Kevin wasn't there. I forget who else was a celebrity owner and was there, but the only thing that I do remember is that she was tripped by Robin Leach (Rich and Famous...). She said he was disgusting."}, {"response": 15, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar  6, 1998 (20:58)", "body": "Why? What's so different?"}, {"response": 17, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Sun, Mar  8, 1998 (00:33)", "body": "Damn. He's got us pegged, all right. :)"}, {"response": 18, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Mar  8, 1998 (01:28)", "body": "Some folks on the WELL are planning a panty raid on the Spring, I hear."}, {"response": 20, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Mar  8, 1998 (19:54)", "body": "(wer) not to mention the words 'Robin Leach' and 'disgusting' in the same post... Yes, poor Robin would never be considered droolworthy, I\ufffdm afraid... (wer) that much focus can't help but be felt... Indeed, we are a single-minded group...best part about this conference ;-) So, where were we? Oh, yes...celebrity restaurateurs. If we\ufffdre going to get into celebrities who own restaurants, that would keep us busy for quite a while. I was trying to think of actual hands-on chefs...not many are famous enough for us all to know them. Makes drooling hard :-( And the ones who are famous, well...don\ufffdt really rock me. Though, I\ufffdve always thought Dom DeLuise as quite adorable ;-p BTW, do you think he and Paul Prudhomme were separated at birth ;-) (Terry) Some folks on the WELL are planning a panty raid on the Spring, I hear. Ooh...now that sounds interesting! You\ufffdll have to explain the \ufffdWELL\ufffd thing to me, though. I\ufffdm quite sheltered here in the \ufffdhot spring\ufffd and don\ufffdt get out much ;-)"}, {"response": 21, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Mar  9, 1998 (00:27)", "body": "They're planning a \"raid\" of some sort, posting funny things all over, they're another virtual community that's West Coast based in California."}, {"response": 22, "author": "Wolf", "date": "Mon, Mar  9, 1998 (03:53)", "body": "wer will be first in line for that one!"}, {"response": 23, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  9, 1998 (18:58)", "body": "posting funny things all over Then I doubt we shall notice them...we have more than enough funny things posted here already! Re: Celebrity chefs I guess my sister's buffriend won't count, huh? He's just half of that, although he's big on the jet ski competition circuit?"}, {"response": 24, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sat, Jun  6, 1998 (16:44)", "body": "Good Saturday, ladies! For some off the wall reading, check out the GenX Storybook. Chapters 1 and 2 can be found, respectively, at http://www.spring.net/~spew/genxstory/chap1.html http://www.spring.net/~spew/genxstory/chap2.html and if you feel so inclined and/or inspired, drop into the genx conference and add to the madness (specifically topics 16, 17, and 19, but you're welcome anywhere!) http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/genx/all"}, {"response": 25, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Jun 11, 1998 (02:07)", "body": "Thanks for the heads-up, wer. I just read Chapter 2...\"Vulnie Poomp\" and \"The French can be so touchy about those things!\". LOL!"}, {"response": 26, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Thu, Jun 11, 1998 (05:07)", "body": "Thanks...what do you think of the \"extra\" pages?"}, {"response": 27, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Thu, Jun 18, 1998 (19:27)", "body": "The index page is up for the GenX Storybook...it's at http://www.spring.net/~spew/genxstory/indeX.html it's kinda graphic intesive, let me know what ya'll think..."}, {"response": 28, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Thu, Jun 18, 1998 (19:28)", "body": "intensive, actually, oops on the typo...*blush*"}, {"response": 29, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Fri, Jul 10, 1998 (13:28)", "body": "looks like you didn't need my help with the buttons after all...*wink* btw, I'm still in love with the background..."}, {"response": 30, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Jul 10, 1998 (23:05)", "body": "(wer) looks like you didn't need my help with the buttons after all...*wink* Kaylene answered my email before you had a chance to reply. I certainly couldn't have figured it out by myself ;-p btw, I'm still in love with the background... Thanks, dear :-) We've gotten mixed reviews, but I like it quite well. It's a refreshing change of pace from the old \"chalk\". Besides, all wet things belong at Drool ;-)"}, {"response": 31, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Sat, Jul 11, 1998 (18:35)", "body": "or, at least almost all of the \"things at Drool\" are wet..."}, {"response": 32, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (11:22)", "body": "I was going to say something real vulgar to that, but am (just!) able to restrain myself! I find the background great too - reminds me of a certain dream I once had."}, {"response": 33, "author": "KitchenManager", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (07:35)", "body": "were you vulgar in it? or do you often show restraint in bed?"}, {"response": 34, "author": "riette", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (08:11)", "body": "Don't know if I was vulgar - people often think I'm vulgar when I think I'm not. But I was as the background afterwards....! I'm as wholesome in bed as I am here."}, {"response": 35, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Feb  1, 2000 (22:30)", "body": "Geo is really worth looking into now that my wallpaper is back. None of my graphics are up, yet, but I am looking into it (that is about all I feel secure about doing right now!)"}, {"response": 36, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Tue, Feb  1, 2000 (22:37)", "body": "...pehaps I should have called it \"Rocky\" to entice some Droolians there just out of curiosity...hmmm..."}, {"response": 37, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  1, 2000 (22:52)", "body": "ha ha! Am jealous. How did you get your background?"}, {"response": 38, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb  1, 2000 (23:00)", "body": "evelyn is v. confused .....we have gone from NO Spring at one time...to TWO Springs now!! I'm multi-tasking between Two Springs! Besides, I've missed something in the transition....how do we know that Ingrid is not in Londinium and Colin is not in a hot tub? Maybe in ended-up on the cutting room floor.. Quick somebody...retrieve it"}, {"response": 39, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  1, 2000 (23:07)", "body": "Evelyn, we are here at www.spring.net Nothing from the old numeric Spring will be copied over here. The plug will be pulled shortly, so don't bother posting there. how do we know that Ingrid is not in Londinium and Colin is not in a hot tub? Because I was told that was not the case by you-know-who. Mr. Spelling-Challenged ;-)"}, {"response": 40, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Feb  4, 2000 (04:05)", "body": "Karen, do you still wonder at my wallpaper?! Probably not. I am with new directory, have ftp'd all the stuff off my old one and deleted the files. Now I wonder just how much I want to put back up! Mercy...you have much bigger problems than I do over in the Gem Market"}, {"response": 41, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Apr 30, 2001 (04:43)", "body": "Wow, we last just over a year at the old site, hopefully this new provider will be longer term. Their support has been excellent so far. I'm setting up folks with telnet and shell accounts, so far just a basic \"core\" group but others are welcome who want to telnet to spring. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 88, "subject": "Historical Hunks", "response_count": 32, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Tue, Mar 17, 1998 (03:39)", "body": "Thank you, Nan. And now... for something completely different,"}, {"response": 2, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Mar 17, 1998 (03:45)", "body": "Lovely lips! :-)"}, {"response": 3, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Mar 17, 1998 (04:04)", "body": "Oh I wish he hadn't cut his hair! Do he got a name, this sweetiepie?"}, {"response": 4, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Tue, Mar 17, 1998 (14:04)", "body": "This historical cutie is Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864), author of The Scarlet Letter and The House of the Seven Gables ."}, {"response": 5, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Thu, Mar 19, 1998 (02:19)", "body": "Here's one I think Kate might like:"}, {"response": 6, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Mar 19, 1998 (02:55)", "body": "Oh yes...I see a certain similarity between the above HH and Kate's latest squeeze ;-p"}, {"response": 7, "author": "Kate", "date": "Thu, Mar 19, 1998 (04:19)", "body": "Well..... no, I'm sorry. Too darned innocent looking I'm afraid."}, {"response": 8, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Thu, Mar 19, 1998 (16:04)", "body": "Kate: Well..... no, I'm sorry. Too darned innocent looking I'm afraid. But think of the possibilities. You could compromise the innocence of Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres (1780-1867) and maybe even influence the neoclassical movement itself."}, {"response": 9, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Mar 19, 1998 (17:20)", "body": "You could compromise the innocence of Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres (1780-1867) This is a case for my Virtual Casting Office: I think he looks very uncanny like Johnny Depp. Did Monsieur Ingres anything else but give his name to the paper, which would make a biographical movie?"}, {"response": 10, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Mar 19, 1998 (17:25)", "body": "Good idea this topic, historical hunks. You don't have by any chance a nice pic of the Earl of Wessex? :-))"}, {"response": 11, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Mar 19, 1998 (18:32)", "body": "Good idea this topic, historical hunks. I agree...it's a hoot. Very hard to find good photos of cute dead guys, though ;-p After leaving the House of the Seven Gables this weekend (and realizing that Nathaniel Hawthorne was something of a dish), Kate suggested we start a topic for \"Historical Hunks\". So, you may thank her for it :-)"}, {"response": 12, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Mar 19, 1998 (21:31)", "body": "So then, Kate, thank you for this idea! With these hunks at least we don't need to be afraid to embarrass them in case they do a surf-ey for their own name and come up with the Spring drool. ;-))"}, {"response": 13, "author": "Kate", "date": "Fri, Mar 20, 1998 (03:43)", "body": "But think of the possibilities. You could compromise the innocence of Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres (1780-1867) and maybe even influence the neoclassical movement itself. And he had rather a thing for large naked women....hmmmm, maybe I'll have to reconsider...;-) So then, Kate, thank you for this idea It was Nan's idea. I just came up with the name... As to the lack of historical hunks, the unfortunate fashions for wigs and/or facial hair which have preoccupied men over the last 500 years has rather reduced the availability of candidates!"}, {"response": 14, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Mar 24, 1998 (17:33)", "body": "Well isn't this interesting.... Hmmm you gals will drool over just about anything won't you;) Well Nathanial Hawthorne was extremely handsome, but Lord Byron does it for me. Now if I could only find a picture......oh here is one!!!!"}, {"response": 15, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Mar 24, 1998 (18:13)", "body": "I'm with you. Byron's cuter. But boy howdy, he was one messed up puppy!"}, {"response": 16, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Mar 24, 1998 (18:27)", "body": "Well, he sure ain't ugly! :-) I think I like Hawthorne better. Though that may have something to do with personality ;-p"}, {"response": 17, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Wed, Mar 25, 1998 (14:52)", "body": "Who is this historical hunk? Hil might know."}, {"response": 18, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Mar 25, 1998 (15:50)", "body": "Hugh Jackman???? I have no clue..."}, {"response": 19, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Mar 25, 1998 (17:54)", "body": "I like Antonio better ;-p"}, {"response": 20, "author": "Amy", "date": "Thu, Mar 26, 1998 (01:54)", "body": "Maybe it's just because I am a sucker for brainy types, because Sir Humphry Davy does have kind of a pansy look, but he was at once a poet and a scientist. This from an 1822 portrait reproduced in Prince of Pleasure, a neat book about \"Prinny\""}, {"response": 21, "author": "Hil", "date": "Thu, Mar 26, 1998 (02:55)", "body": "Hmmm...thanks Myretta. Not bad, but he looks too cross or serious or something. I think I like Antonio better too, Nan .... well all 3 minutes that I saw of him! Now Humphrey has a pleasing demeanour. I know from experience that men who are scientists and poets (or songwriters in my case) can be very pleasing."}, {"response": 22, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Thu, Mar 26, 1998 (13:06)", "body": "Hil: Not bad, but he looks too cross or serious or something Well, Hil, he wasn't noted for being a fun guy: By the way, I like the looks of Humphrey, too."}, {"response": 23, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Mar 27, 1998 (02:09)", "body": "(Amy) Maybe it's just because I am a sucker for brainy types, because Sir Humphry Davy does have kind of a pansy look, He has a handsome face, but the hair Louisa! ;-p We\ufffdve had a hard time finding historical hunks with a decent haircut. (Hil) I think I like Antonio better too, Nan .... well all 3 minutes that I saw of him! Just in case you have any doubts: See, now...isn\ufffdt this better than that crabby old Che? ;-)"}, {"response": 24, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Mar 27, 1998 (02:15)", "body": "Geez, I hate that!!!"}, {"response": 25, "author": "Hil", "date": "Fri, Mar 27, 1998 (03:41)", "body": "No, I think it must have been mostly the Tuxedo that kicked in for Antonio! That one is too smarmy. As for Che, yes, he wasn't a fun guy, I know. That second one of him is the same as the one I used to have, but mine was appropriately all red and black. This one looks as if someone got to it with an air brush, and the photorealism hasn't done great things for the bags under his eyes, has it!? But thanks, Myretta!"}, {"response": 26, "author": "Hil", "date": "Fri, Mar 27, 1998 (05:59)", "body": "What about this guy? (hope it works...) img src=\" http://www.mk.net/~dt/Bibliomania/Poetry/Brooke/brooke.jpeg \""}, {"response": 27, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Fri, Mar 27, 1998 (12:13)", "body": "Let me give it a shot, Hil. I'm not sure about that nose...."}, {"response": 28, "author": "Coolspirit9", "date": "Fri, Mar 27, 1998 (12:17)", "body": "is this a cool talk conference?"}, {"response": 29, "author": "Kate", "date": "Fri, Mar 27, 1998 (15:45)", "body": "Re Rupert.... I don't think so. Just a tad adolescent. Though he would have fit well into the case of Another Country."}, {"response": 30, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Mar 27, 1998 (17:29)", "body": "(Hil) That one is too smarmy. :-) Yes, it is. I think smarmy works well for him, which is not the case with all smarmy men. BTW, did you check out that site you were emailed? Really beautiful stuff and very well done. I love the message board, \"Casa de Chit Chat\". LOL! People with good taste AND a sense of humor--I love it! ;-) (Kate) Re: Rupert...Though he would have fit well into the case of Another Country. Good call, Kate. That's exactly what he looks like. I do think he's rather pretty. Very clean. Clean is good ;-)"}, {"response": 31, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Mar 27, 1998 (22:48)", "body": "Since you are talking about Rupert Brooke I have to ask: did you ever listen to \"The One Before The Last\", an audio play about a crucial period in the short life of Rupert Brooke? With Colin Firth as Rupert Brooke? Not yet? Let me know if you didn't. Nan: did you? DID YOU? And try the follwing link. No idea if it still exists, we will see: http://www.mk.net/~dt/Bibliomania/Poetry/Brooke/index.html"}, {"response": 32, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Apr  5, 1998 (23:07)", "body": "Very, very quite here. Let's see what's outside the window..... drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 89, "subject": "Val Kilmer", "response_count": 23, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Mar 17, 1998 (13:50)", "body": "A little something to start you off with..."}, {"response": 2, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Mar 17, 1998 (14:18)", "body": "Nice. But not Kevin. :)"}, {"response": 3, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Mar 17, 1998 (17:59)", "body": "(Charlotte) But not Kevin. :) Agreed, but I'm always happy to feed the flames of drool. If Sheila wants some Val, then what the hey ;-)"}, {"response": 4, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Tue, Mar 17, 1998 (18:54)", "body": "A great big HUG....for you Nan, Thank you Sorry Kevin, but Val has given me raging hormones this week. I don't normally go for the blonde adonis look, but his features have matured over the last few years, and I'm smitten...... His Simon Templar pushes all my buttons.......and zippers too!"}, {"response": 5, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Tue, Mar 17, 1998 (22:50)", "body": "Lots of pic's at Planet Kilmer if anyone is interested, http://www.planetkilmer.com Is anyone familiar with ICQ?"}, {"response": 6, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Mar 18, 1998 (09:50)", "body": "Is anyone familiar with ICQ? Ooh yeah...and a beautiful thing it is. Why do you ask?"}, {"response": 7, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Wed, Mar 18, 1998 (11:01)", "body": "OK, I'll bite. What is ICQ?"}, {"response": 8, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Wed, Mar 18, 1998 (12:16)", "body": "I see they use ICQ at Planet Kilmer. A friend of mine got me onto it a few weeks ago and I find it really great to tell when your contacts are on line, chat and send messages quickly. Do you use it much Nan? Are you interested Charlotte?"}, {"response": 9, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Mar 18, 1998 (12:22)", "body": "Do you use it much Nan? Oh honey, all the time. I feel blind without it ;-)"}, {"response": 10, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Wed, Mar 18, 1998 (15:49)", "body": "Well, I'm not sure if I'm interested since I still don't understand what it is. :)"}, {"response": 11, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Wed, Mar 18, 1998 (17:34)", "body": "Sorry Charlotte, it is a communication panel. I found it very confusing at first too and ICQ's home page is a little overwhelming (I am not a computer whiz) Basically you have to download, install and then register as a user. (It's free) You can then send messages, page, chat with other users. The software detects when you or any of your contacts are online. I found the explanation they give at Planet Kilmer very good, and I think you can download directly from there. Have I explained it well enough Nan? I sent my request to add you to my contact list, did it work?"}, {"response": 12, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Mar 18, 1998 (19:36)", "body": "Have I explained it well enough Nan? Yep...although, I know what you're talking about so...;-) Charlotte, I had to be talked into downloading it (because it sounded very confusing to me) and now I just love it. For small messages, it's great...fast as all get out. And the chat is so \"real time\" that you actually see the letters pop up as someone types...very groovy! If you're interested I can send you an information page that will give you detailed instructions about downloading and installing. I sent my request to add you to my contact list, did it work? I haven't gotten the authorization request yet :-("}, {"response": 13, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Wed, Mar 18, 1998 (19:46)", "body": "It's been raining all day, the temperature has been hovering around freezing. I need warming up, it's time to put Simon Templar on (again) I don't know what has come over me, it's like I have....VALitis Not only is he a pretty face, but a good actor too! His Jim Morrison was uncanny, and Doc Holliday sure upstaged Wyatt Earp."}, {"response": 14, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Thu, Mar 19, 1998 (09:35)", "body": "So you can only chat with and look for people online who have installed ICQ?"}, {"response": 15, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Thu, Mar 19, 1998 (12:36)", "body": "From the panel whom you add contacts to; you can request chats, send messages (which are held untll they are online), send URL's and it also indicates to you which of your contacts are on or off line. Make sense? Help me out here Nan."}, {"response": 16, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Mar 19, 1998 (12:37)", "body": "So you can only chat with and look for people online who have installed ICQ? Yes, they have to install ICQ as well. It's really very handy. When you log on a little window pops up telling you which of your contacts are online as well. You can then shoot little messages to each other (and I do mean shoot)or initiate a private chat (and drag other participants in as they log on)."}, {"response": 17, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Thu, Mar 19, 1998 (15:57)", "body": "Ok. I'll give it a shot tonight. Somebody give me that link to the kilmer page again, please?"}, {"response": 18, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Thu, Mar 19, 1998 (17:28)", "body": "http://www.planetkilmer.com It's worth the effort, Good luck! Add me to your contact list."}, {"response": 19, "author": "janet", "date": "Thu, Mar 19, 1998 (22:08)", "body": "hi everyone , i found this picture of val . thought someone might be interested .btw , ICQ is a program that enables ppl to chat or send messages to anyone who has the program .ICQ actually stands for I Seek You . anyone would like me to add their names to my users list ?"}, {"response": 20, "author": "sblacklock", "date": "Thu, Mar 19, 1998 (23:19)", "body": "This someone is interested.... The first pic Nan posted looks BATMAN era, am I wrong? The second is from KILL ME AGAIN, a flick he did with his ex (still very babyfaced) The mature Val is who I dig."}, {"response": 21, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Fri, Mar 20, 1998 (01:23)", "body": "Ok. I got ICQ downloaded on all my machines. I tried to find \"nan@www.spring.com\", but it said no such ICQ member was registered. So I need help in adding you all to my contact list. sheesh...and I've been a computer professional for over 30 years. love love LOVE the new door collage, Nan! And look who is pictured first! I so happy!"}, {"response": 22, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Mar 20, 1998 (07:21)", "body": "My icq is 5384381 at hot.spring.net"}, {"response": 23, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Mar 20, 1998 (08:13)", "body": "Ok. I got ICQ downloaded on all my machines. I sent you an email, m'dear. love love LOVE the new door collage, Nan! And look who is pictured first! I somehow knew you'd like that Charlotte ;-) drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 9, "subject": "James Dean", "response_count": 16, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Amy", "date": "Thu, Jan 30, 1997 (16:03)", "body": "I've been to his grave. His hometown is in Fairmont, Indiana, somewhere north of Indy. It is an unpretentious little tombstone. When I went I wished I had brought something permanent to plant there. Maybe I will in the spring. A little lilac bush or something."}, {"response": 2, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 1997 (23:12)", "body": ""}, {"response": 3, "author": "Amy", "date": "Fri, Jan 31, 1997 (23:53)", "body": "Where did you find these pictures, Johanne. I am guessing the Dean one is on the lot, during East of Eden?"}, {"response": 4, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sat, Feb  1, 1997 (00:01)", "body": "==Nice B&W photo of James Dean. from a postcard. Not much info (no date, etc.)== curtosy of Sunet Swedish University Network"}, {"response": 5, "author": "Amy", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (16:17)", "body": "You know, Dean was probably gay or bi, too. What is it with our attraction to these guys?"}, {"response": 6, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (16:54)", "body": "What is it with our attraction to these guys? Maybe it's the challenge! ;-)"}, {"response": 7, "author": "Inko", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (17:19)", "body": "They're usually really, really nice guys! Just not interested in us!!"}, {"response": 8, "author": "Amy", "date": "Thu, Feb  6, 1997 (17:26)", "body": "] Maybe it's the challenge! ;-) ___ Myretta! I am going to have to think of a rhetorical question that cannot be answered in that way!"}, {"response": 9, "author": "Susan", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (00:54)", "body": "What is with us is that these guys don't act gay in the movies we see; they just act sensual and sexy. Since that's what we want, we're attracted by their portrayal , not realizing who they're attracted to."}, {"response": 10, "author": "Amy", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (07:56)", "body": "] What is with us is that these guys don't act gay in the movies we see; they just act sensual and sexy. __ Or maybe they have a sensitivity we are drawn to?"}, {"response": 11, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Fri, Feb  7, 1997 (14:13)", "body": "Sensitivity, oh yes, so much more than the macho thing"}, {"response": 12, "author": "Ann2", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (14:08)", "body": "This is interesting. One of our most prominent Swedish writers from the younger generation(Jonas Gardell) is gay and it is absolutely amazing the way he writes about women and their feelings and thoughts. I keep asking myself, How does he know..? He is married to a man(Mark), who is in radio and tv entertainment, talk shows like, and they are both rather open about themselves and have a great sense of humour. I think they lack that macho prestige and carefully kept dignity that men usually cling to. Mark is very good at interviewing children and treats them as fellow human beings. sorry if I got beside the topic here..."}, {"response": 13, "author": "JohanneD", "date": "Sun, Feb  9, 1997 (16:02)", "body": "Think you right on it Ann2 :)"}, {"response": 14, "author": "marcusii", "date": "Fri, Jan  2, 1998 (09:42)", "body": "James Dean had a way loving both men and women. He emotionally captivated both sexes. I don't think he was aware of the magnetism that he had. I believe part of it came from within and his desire to constantly learn about life, people and where he fit in. I'm working on a James Dean website. I love the postcard photo. I'd like to see more."}, {"response": 15, "author": "Angeli", "date": "Wed, Jan 28, 1998 (22:18)", "body": "I am a long-time fan of Jimmy, and it wasn't his sexy appeal or the fact that he was bi (not gay). I was most attracted to his yearning for love and yet afraid of it. It's exactly how I react if someone gets too close to me. To guys he is the guy every girl wants and yet the poet every boy wish he could be. Jimmy does appeal to both sexes in different ways. I hope to make the pilgrimage to Fairmount this year to visit Jimmy and maybe find myself in the process."}, {"response": 16, "author": "Reese", "date": "Wed, Feb  4, 1998 (11:15)", "body": "I love James Dean. He is truely a work of art. I agree that both sexes find him attractive, but does anyone have proof that he was gay or even bi? I would be so interested in knowing the truth about this legend named James Dean. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 90, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 91, "subject": "Screen kisses that make you drool", "response_count": 53, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Mar 21, 1998 (18:12)", "body": "This board has been started at the request of the excellent Charlotte (the Kevin Costner lady). She and a friend have been compiling a list of favorite screen kisses. \"The ones that make your knees weak. The ones you wanna fast forward through the whole movie to get to.\" Carlotte will be making a \"power tape\" of these kisses and would like your input. What are your favorites? This is the list she has so far: Those kisses we love to watch... The Whole Wide World (On the cliff, above the river) French Kiss (On the train) The English Patient (Actually when he touches her face) St. Elmo's Fire (When Mare and Rob finally kiss) Revenge (The cabin) Quigly Down Under (When she tries to seduce him) Pretty Woman (When she kisses him in his sleep) Jerry McGuire (That scene on the porch) The Presidio (In front of the fire place) Last of the Mohicans (In the big room - hands...) Dante's Peak (In the kitchen and at the end) LadyHawke (Final scene where he lifts her up) Parting Glances (In the shower) Mary Queen of Scotts (In the bedchamber with hubby fast asleep) Working Girl (The first one) Witness (In the grass) Paradise (Just before she pushed him away) White Palace (Just about any of them) Sixteen Candles (At the end over the cake) Bull Durham (In the kitchen and bath) Home for the Holidays (The accidental kiss) Regarding Henry (On the balcony) Robin and Marion (Kiss from behind, sitting on river bank) Strange Days (The last 2 minutes of the film) The Cutting Edge (End. Leaning her back on the ice.)"}, {"response": 2, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Mar 21, 1998 (18:22)", "body": "Persuasion!"}, {"response": 3, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Mar 21, 1998 (18:40)", "body": "Wait wait Wait! you cannot forget A Room With A View : (George and Lucy sitting on the window sill at the end of the movie, ooohhh, they do more than just kiss!) I have a poster of this scene up in my room...I still get tingly no matter how often I look at it!"}, {"response": 4, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Sat, Mar 21, 1998 (19:26)", "body": "Oh god. How could we have forgotten the one at the end of Persuasion ? Thank you thank you thank you. And I need to rewatch a room with a view, but I remember some weak knees during the scene you mention. Thanks, ladies! Two more on our list!"}, {"response": 5, "author": "Kate", "date": "Sun, Mar 22, 1998 (00:07)", "body": "No Way Out - back seat of the limo.... though I seem to recall it was more than just a kiss....;-)"}, {"response": 6, "author": "Kate", "date": "Sun, Mar 22, 1998 (00:10)", "body": "oh oh oh.... and Green Card - right at the end, outside the Africa Cafe, when he is about to get deported."}, {"response": 7, "author": "Susan", "date": "Sun, Mar 22, 1998 (00:28)", "body": "Baby Boom -- by the side of the road...in the snow..."}, {"response": 8, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Sun, Mar 22, 1998 (00:37)", "body": "Yes! This is just what I need! Of course I'll have to watch all these again before I pass judgment. :) Yeah, right. Like I'm likely to leave any of these gems off my tape! I had completely forgotten about Baby Boom. And I've rewound to rewatch the limo scene from NO WAY OUT so often that I just assumed it would climb onto the list by itself. :) I'm renting GREEN CARD tomorrow. I don't remember that Gerard ever kisses Andie at ALL in that movie. My damn senile memory banks often fail me."}, {"response": 9, "author": "Margaret25", "date": "Sun, Mar 22, 1998 (17:32)", "body": "We mustn't forget \"the kiss\" in Richard Gere's FIRST KNIGHT!!! It was incredible!"}, {"response": 10, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Mar 22, 1998 (19:02)", "body": "Ooh...Charlotte...Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed in It's a Wonderful Life ...the one while he's on the telephone. Oooooooh!"}, {"response": 11, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Sun, Mar 22, 1998 (20:30)", "body": "Damn, Nan! I'm gonna have to tape that whole darn telephone conversation! But it'll be worth it."}, {"response": 12, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, Mar 22, 1998 (23:01)", "body": "Oh GOD! How could I have forgotten?!?! The end of \"Cinema Paradiso\" where 'Toto' is now a famous film director, and he's spliced back all the kissing scenes from the movies he projected back in his hometown (because the local priest had banned all kissing scenes). and on a side note, did any of you notice how the actor who plays the adult Toto looks SO MUCH like Colin Firth?? (I wonder if Livia drooled over that actor before she met Colin)"}, {"response": 13, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Sun, Mar 22, 1998 (23:12)", "body": "[making note to rewatch Cinema Paradiso] I may have to stay home from work a few days to catch up. :)"}, {"response": 14, "author": "Julio", "date": "Mon, Mar 23, 1998 (13:30)", "body": "Hello people!I just found this place via the Richard Gere message board and am happy to see someone included Our Hero Richard on the list of great kisses.I am a devoted regular on the RG board and must tell you ANY and ALL of Richards kisses are noteworthy."}, {"response": 15, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Mar 23, 1998 (13:57)", "body": "Richard knows how to kiss, that's for certain. Why not list some more notable ones for me, Julie?"}, {"response": 16, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 23, 1998 (16:23)", "body": "Baby Boom: By the side of the road has my vote but in the refrigerator as well! C'mon now: Rhett Butler kissing Scarlett after she's buried her second hubby. The one where she says she's going to faint and he says she was made to be kissed and often. Ohh, I'm going to have to consult my film lib at home tonight for more!!"}, {"response": 17, "author": "Clarry", "date": "Mon, Mar 23, 1998 (18:27)", "body": "Is everyone forgetting the most talked about kiss at the moment?... Beautiful sunset... very high up... gentle breeze... calm ocean... TITANIC! I think Leo and Kate captured it perfectly."}, {"response": 18, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, Mar 23, 1998 (18:55)", "body": "Itwas indeed a good kiss. May be awhile before I get hold of the tape, though. :)"}, {"response": 19, "author": "dt", "date": "Tue, Mar 24, 1998 (12:20)", "body": "Braveheart: William and Murron morning after their wedding. Tenant of Wildfell Hall: Malcolm and Helen walking up hill at end."}, {"response": 20, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 24, 1998 (15:55)", "body": "Even though this was on the *small* screen, you must have Richard Chamberlain chasing Rachel Ward on the beach in Thorn Birds and the kiss that ensues when he catches her.... Speaking of beach kisses, there is the all-time famous Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr in the surf kiss in \"From Here to Eternity.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 21, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Mar 24, 1998 (16:10)", "body": "A screen is a screen. :) I think that Lancaster/Kerr scene has lost its effect for me because I've seen it so often. When that film came out, that scene caused quite a commotion, but it is very tame by today's standards. The Thorn Birds kiss goes on the tape."}, {"response": 22, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar 24, 1998 (16:28)", "body": "So what's the ruling on the GWTW kiss? ;-)"}, {"response": 23, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Mar 24, 1998 (16:32)", "body": "I have to see it again, to fairly judge. I'm a tad biased because Clark Gable doesn't do it for me so any kiss from him leaves my knees stable and unshaking. But in fairness to all of you, I will look at that kiss again and let you know. Has anyone besides me seen Vincent D'Onofrio and Renee Zellweiger in The Whole Wide World ? That kiss is at the very top of my list, but it's a sleeper and not too many people have seen it."}, {"response": 24, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Mar 24, 1998 (18:58)", "body": "Oooh Karen!! Good one...Thornbirds...Richard Chamberlain...YUM!! ;-D Charlotte, no...I haven't seen The Whole Wide World ...but I've seen so many trailers I feel like I've seen it :-/"}, {"response": 25, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Mar 24, 1998 (19:38)", "body": "Do the trailers include the kiss?"}, {"response": 26, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Mar 24, 1998 (21:44)", "body": "Do the trailers include the kiss? I don't remember seeing it. How is the movie?"}, {"response": 27, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Tue, Mar 24, 1998 (21:55)", "body": "Quite good. It's based on fact. D'Onofrio is fabulous. (When is he not?) Well worth the rental fee."}, {"response": 28, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Mar 25, 1998 (11:42)", "body": "Luke and Laura in the '80's;)"}, {"response": 29, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Wed, Mar 25, 1998 (11:51)", "body": "Oh no fair! How am I supposed to find tapes of Luke and Laura in the 80's??"}, {"response": 30, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Mar 25, 1998 (12:47)", "body": "next week 35th anniversary of GH is on primetime, set your vcr!!!"}, {"response": 31, "author": "pip", "date": "Wed, Mar 25, 1998 (16:07)", "body": "1. Isabella Rossolini and Kyle Mclachlan in Blue Velvet. 2. Bathtub scene in the English Patient (the whole bit- every touch, every nuanced line of dialogue). 3. The clinch scene in the end of Maurice, between Rupert Graves and James Wilby. The passion on Ruperts face as he looks up is heart-stopping. 4. Leo D. kissing anyone, from Kate Winslet to David Thewlis. I especially like the little peck he plants on David Thewlis's cheek after rocking his world (in Total Eclipse)."}, {"response": 32, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Wed, Mar 25, 1998 (16:40)", "body": "Excellent list, pip! Thanks so much! lordy, there's gonna be some weak knees in my living room tonight. :)"}, {"response": 33, "author": "marshA", "date": "Thu, Mar 26, 1998 (01:35)", "body": "The end kiss of \"Mr Deeds goes to Town\" with Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur (1937) Have anybody seen this one? And I am a huge Gable fan so a kiss from his \"Mutiny on the Bounty\" with his native wife: when he sees the palms waving and tingling as he is kissing her. Nobody was better at kissing in his movies than Hitchcock. The best kiss ever: the two-minute marathon kiss between Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman in \"Nototrious\" which they interrupt every few seconds and then continue nibbling at each other. The kisses in \"Vertigo\" between James Stewart and Kim Novak: the first time I saw them they made me feel wobbly. The hilarious sweet kiss at the end of Hitch's \"The Lady Vanishes\" Gotta think some more (grin)"}, {"response": 34, "author": "Margaret25", "date": "Thu, Mar 26, 1998 (09:54)", "body": "How about the kiss in GHOST, starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore? The one where she's working on her ceramic molds and he comes and sits in back of her. The music gets going, and before you know it, she's in his arms, legs are wrapped around him, and phew! Well, it was pretty hot! :-)"}, {"response": 35, "author": "Kate", "date": "Thu, Mar 26, 1998 (12:43)", "body": "Ghost.... I don't know, I always found that one kind of nauseous. Put me off pottery forever ;-)"}, {"response": 36, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 26, 1998 (13:47)", "body": "Wait a minute...isn't the record for the longest on-screen kiss held by The Thomas Crown Affair? Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway. Oh, Charlotte, that one has to be on your tape, but it can make you dizzy! ;-)"}, {"response": 37, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Mar 26, 1998 (15:18)", "body": "(Marsha) Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman... James Stewart and Kim Novak... Now, here is a woman who has been paying attention! ;-) (Margaret, dear lady of the boots) How about the kiss in GHOST, starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore? The one where she's working on her ceramic molds and he comes and sits in back of her. (Kate) I don't know, I always found that one kind of nauseous. Put me off pottery forever ;-) LOL, Kate! Yes, so messy...and not even edible ;-p Not that I dig that sort of thing anyway. Before I go off on a very kinky tangent, back to the kiss: I don\ufffdt know...Demi Moore ticks me off. I have no idea why, she just does. But Patrick Swayze...hot damn, he makes up for it! ;-) Yes...this one gets my vote for his sake."}, {"response": 38, "author": "Margaret25", "date": "Fri, Mar 27, 1998 (12:37)", "body": "LOL I agree with you on Patrick Swayze, Nan, the man is hot! LOL Thanks for including him on your list of favorite screen kisses. :-)"}, {"response": 39, "author": "Carolyn", "date": "Sat, Mar 28, 1998 (21:39)", "body": "Ok, my favorite movie of all time is Lady & the Tramp. And I love the kissing scene. Aaahh, anticipation"}, {"response": 40, "author": "jdot", "date": "Sat, Mar 28, 1998 (21:59)", "body": "Mine would have to be that good old sappy movie Breakfast at tiffaneys and that seen in the alley ."}, {"response": 41, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Mar 28, 1998 (23:09)", "body": "Carolyn, I love that movie! Whaddya say Charlotte? ;-) (Jerry) Mine would have to be that good old sappy movie Breakfast at tiffaneys and that seen in the alley Sappy works for me. I haven't seen this movie in years. Another one I have to add to the \"rent\" list. BTW, Jerry...welcome to the playground :-)"}, {"response": 42, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Sun, Mar 29, 1998 (08:32)", "body": "Tiffany's, yes. But though it was sweet and cute, I can't say that the L&T kiss made me drool or made my knees weak! Did make me kinda hungry, tho. I found another one yesterday, myself. Gregory Peck/Ava Gardner, On The Beach , in the cabin, where the camera circles them 360degrees and a drunken chorus sings \"Waltzing Matilda\"."}, {"response": 43, "author": "dt", "date": "Mon, Mar 30, 1998 (12:35)", "body": "How about: A Walk in the Clouds -- Paul and Victoria following the grape stomping scene. Couldn't stand the movie, but the kiss is knee-weakening in my book. Little Women ('94 version) -- Teddy and Jo when he asks her to marry him and she turns him down. And maybe: Roman Holiday -- Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn in the car just before she returns to the palace. Crossing Delancey -- Isabelle and Sam at the end in Bubbie's apartment. Anne of Avonlea -- Anne and Gil at the end, although the best is before that scene when he says to her, lying on his bed practically dying, \"There'll never be anyone for me but you.\""}, {"response": 44, "author": "CatFan", "date": "Mon, Mar 30, 1998 (15:58)", "body": "DEFINITELY the last scene between Rupert Graves and James Wilby in \"Maurice\". Also the first kiss of Tara Fitzgerald and Rupert Graves in \"The Tenant of Wildfell Hall\", and all the kisses between Kevin Costner and Susan Sarandon in \"Bull Durham\". Ralph Fiennes and Angela Bassett in \"Strange Days\"."}, {"response": 45, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Mar 31, 1998 (11:25)", "body": "I'm posting this at all the most frequently used topics, so forgive my redundance but it has to be done... By the end of this week, the domain name for Spring will be changed to spring. net (instead of the current, spring.com) please change your bookmarks after the change takes place."}, {"response": 46, "author": "JennieC", "date": "Sat, Apr  4, 1998 (03:39)", "body": "Sorry, I'm new to this so forgive me if I get this wrong. I agree with darcy on March 30, in Anne of Green Gables the Gilbert dying scene makes that kiss at the end so beautiful. Also Titanic - I know it's the *thing* at the moment, but that really was heart-wrenching stuff. And also, I know it's not a kiss but I'm sure one followed it, the bit at the end of Kenneth Branagh's Much Ado About Nothing, when Hero hugs Claudio and her hand just gets the bottom of his ear. For some reason, that made me all teary."}, {"response": 47, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Apr  4, 1998 (21:06)", "body": "(Darcy) Anne of Avonlea -- Anne and Gil at the end, although the best is before that scene when he says to her, lying on his bed practically dying, \"There'll never be anyone for me but you.\" (Jennie) I agree with darcy on March 30, in Anne of Green Gables the Gilbert dying scene makes that kiss at the end so beautiful. I\ufffdm with you two. AoA is one of my favorites. The kiss at the end isn\ufffdt exactly sexy, but it is sweet. (Jennie) Sorry, I'm new to this so forgive me if I get this wrong. You got it right, honey...and welcome ;-)"}, {"response": 48, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, May  4, 1998 (12:07)", "body": "So, Charlotte--how's the tape coming? ;-)"}, {"response": 49, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, May  4, 1998 (15:15)", "body": "Stalled. Currently I have no TV or VCR."}, {"response": 50, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, May  4, 1998 (15:40)", "body": "Oh, my! Just as bad as being without a computer. Poor dear :-("}, {"response": 51, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, May  4, 1998 (18:07)", "body": "Not at all! It was a voluntary decision. I am amazed by the amount of time I used to sit in front of the tube just \"because it was there\". I am reading more now, and finishing one crochet project after another. I still have to go to a freind's house to watch Party of Five, but I hope to wean myself of even that, someday soon. :)"}, {"response": 52, "author": "Claptonia1", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (09:25)", "body": "I don't know if you have already made you tape as it has apparently been a while since this topic has been posted to, but here are some more! The Proposition-Ken Branagh and Madelaine Stowe kiss for the first time in the cabin. Elizabeth-Joseph Fiennes and Cate Blanchet in the first scene that he sneaks into her bedchamber."}, {"response": 53, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (10:52)", "body": "No, I haven't made my tape. I doubt I ever will. I only have one VCR. :) But I still keep my list! I have not seen either of the movies you mention, but I will see if I can rent them and I'll add your two kisses to my list. Thank you! Charlotte drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 92, "subject": "Russell Crowe", "response_count": 19, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Mar 25, 1998 (04:41)", "body": "To get you started, Darcy dear ;-)"}, {"response": 2, "author": "dt", "date": "Wed, Mar 25, 1998 (12:00)", "body": "Wow!!! Thanks, Nan! They're fabulous! Isn't he hunky? When I first saw Russell in \"The Quick and the Dead\" a few years ago, I was like, whoa--who are you? Unfortunately, we Yanks don't get to hear his own Aussie accent too much. I am indebted to you, Nan! Russell is so yummy!!"}, {"response": 3, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Mar 27, 1998 (12:22)", "body": "(darcy) Thanks, Nan! They're fabulous! You're most welcome, dear...but they came from \"The Crowe's Nest\", so you should thank the person who runs that page. Terrific place--everything you could want to know about RC. Go take a looky if you haven't been there already: The Crowe's Nest (darcy) Isn't he hunky? Mercy yes! Look at these (also from \"The Crowe's Nest\"):"}, {"response": 4, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Mar 27, 1998 (14:43)", "body": "hmmm... very hunky indeed!!! he played a great villian in virtuosity with Denzel also!!"}, {"response": 5, "author": "dt", "date": "Mon, Mar 30, 1998 (15:16)", "body": "Yowza! Whew! *fanning myself* Yummmmmmmmmmmy! Yes, RC did play a great villain. Did anyone see him in L.A. Confidential? He was terrific!"}, {"response": 6, "author": "CatFan", "date": "Sun, Apr  5, 1998 (16:46)", "body": "Did anyone see Russell in The Sum of Us? He was so cute and sweet. In Romper Stomper, however, he was a reprehensible neo-Nazi skinhead. He was so convincing it was scary! I guess it just shows his real talent."}, {"response": 7, "author": "Hil", "date": "Sun, Apr  5, 1998 (18:35)", "body": "Yes, he was cute in 'The Sum Of Us'. Did 'Proof' ever show in the States? Its a cool film, and Crowe is good in that too."}, {"response": 8, "author": "dt", "date": "Tue, Apr  7, 1998 (11:58)", "body": "\"Proof\" did make it here; saw it on TV. I liked it a lot. RC seems to have done many projects but we sure don't see too many here, at least I don't find them."}, {"response": 9, "author": "MEC", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (21:33)", "body": "Now this is a real man. I'll take Wendel, Bud, Russell whatever you want to call him any day."}, {"response": 10, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (22:30)", "body": "AAAAAH, MEC...you made it! Excellent. Now that there's some movement here I can post some more Russell photos :-) You might want to check out the Droolworthy Sports Figures topic, too...you'll love it. It's topic 69 (yes, that was purposeful). Go here: Droolworthy Sports Figures Great to see you, babe!"}, {"response": 11, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (22:32)", "body": "Here ya go..."}, {"response": 12, "author": "MEC", "date": "Fri, Aug  7, 1998 (21:40)", "body": "I just finished watching LA Confidential again. This is the man Nan. I am telling you. I know."}, {"response": 13, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Fri, Aug  7, 1998 (22:00)", "body": "(MEC) I just finished watching LA Confidential again. Now, stop tryin' to manipinate me ;-p (Sorry, I couldn't help it) Okay, okay...I'll watch it. Do you own it? If you do, I can make you some bee-yew-tee-ful Snappies. We can even make it your wallpaper :-)"}, {"response": 14, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Fri, Aug  7, 1998 (22:02)", "body": "And, btw, MEC...if you'd download ICQ we can do this much faster ;-D"}, {"response": 15, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (13:38)", "body": "I realize this topic is pretty much defunct, but this is just too funny: Roman Holy/Slayer What Saturday Night Fever did for Quiana, Plexiglas dancefloors and bad hair, Gladiator will do for killing Christians. Sitting in my stadium seat listening to an uncouth secular audience raucously cheer Gladiator, I felt like a rabbi at the Nuremberg rallies. But instead of the crowd whooping it up for an unattractive little man who, all for the want of a fistful of Prozac, killed off half of Europe, the audience at Gladiator was screaming for Christian blood. My blood. Using men with bulging biceps, bulging chests and, well, things that were bulging that no Christian woman should ever have thrust in her face, Gladiator will do more for homoerotic Christian mayhem than anything since Caligula first sashayed into the Colosseum. Gladiator, a film that manages to be crafty without craft, is littered with offensive antifamily propaganda and a level of vulgarity not commonly seen outside of Nevada. But what do you expect from a movie featuring an emperor called \"Commodus\" -- Latin for \"toilet\"? Russell Crowe stars as General Maximus, a downwardly mobile Roman who is forced into the most base of all professions -- show business. He entertains at amphitheaters throughout suburban Rome by decapitating Christians with an unrefined swagger too gruff to remind one of any genuine heterosexual males. Indeed, his technique clearly draws on the exaggeratedly robust manliness that can only be found in Women's Professional Basketball. What will every True Christian despise about this movie? Let's start with the vulgar name attached to the project. It doesn't take a cryptographer to unlock the salacious wordplay of the title to this trashy homage to amorality. Of the seven women from Bringing Integrity To Christian Homemakers who attended the screening with me, only one did not immediately pick up on the shockingly lewd subliminal message glaring down on us in twelve-foot letters. As my dear Sister-in-Christ, the 81-year-old Mrs. Helen Floribunda pointed out: \"It really takes a sick, sick secular mind to give a movie a title like that just to get a puerile giggle out of good, wholesome Christians going around town saying 'Glad He Ate Her.'\" Russell Crowe, here working in a Roman Temple Prostitute Superstore, shows that the film's budget was spent on special effects, not fabric. Let's talk about the sick way that the men dress for a minute. Most eschew the modesty of an ankle-length belted senatorial toga for a more racy gladiator miniskirt with leather/armor kick-pleats. It is a \"look\" perversely Jean Paul Gautier in its decedent homoeroticism and sassy mix of fabrics. Of course, there is a sick purpose behind the Carnaby Street altitude of the men's skirts, which are far too short for even a the most brazen female -- such as, say, a Catholic schoolgirl. The skirts provide ample opportunity for the voyeuristic Steadycam operators to brazenly play peek-a-boo with half the cast's crotches. Mrs. Bowers counted 86 salacious \"genital bulge\" shots -- 7 of which were in a decidedly turgid state. In fact, there may well have been more, but Mrs. Bowers was so utterly overwhelmed by how the character Maximus lived up to his name, she simply lost count. Thank the Lord I was proactive enough to pack a moist towelette in my Prada clutch. Yes, the film is prurient. But what can we expect from an amoral smut-mill like Hollywood? With Gladiator, Hollywood has shed any pretense that it has not been co-opted as the Joseph Goebbels of the Homosexual Agenda. The movie is confected of two things notoriously homosexual: (a) sweaty, muscular men impaling each other within moments of meeting; and (b) an exquisite placement of period furniture. This is Dream Works project -- a studio owned by three men who are, not coincidentally, all either Jewish, homosexual -- or both (just don't tell his wife). And the anti-Christian pedigree shows in every frame. There can only be one reason why Gladiator was made. It was conjured to whet the appetite of jaded Americans hungry for better production values in their Christian persecution. In a country anesthetized by virtual killing, what could be more exhilarating than a coliseum full of secular humanists drinking beer and watching real people of the Only True Faith dismembered? You don't need Diana Ross flying out in a helicopter during half-time after that! No doubt, the director hopes that once given a flavor for the buzz that follows watching godly Christians torn into pieces no larger than a Mariah Carey gown, bloodthirsty teenagers from Concord to Carmel will soon corral Pentecostals in high school gymnasiums every Friday night to watch them be mauled by pit bulls and livestock. Russell Crowe and a fellow gladiator use their swords to make a crucifix -- solely to mock the faith of the beautifully costumed Christians they are about to slaughter. History has been filled with Christian persecution. Sure, Christians hav"}, {"response": 16, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, May  6, 2000 (14:12)", "body": "Saw it last night. My DH could not wait to see it. He was very disappointed poor chap, expected a lot more. He loves the philopher Marcus Aurelios. Will have to make him read this."}, {"response": 17, "author": "Brown32", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (12:10)", "body": "Hi everyone: I'm a fairly new Crowe fan, and an old Colin Firth one. I could not wait for Gladiator to open, and I saw it yesterday. I was very disappointed in it, though Russell was great in his part. No one else could have done it, IMO. I have my own review and post it here. Would be interesting to see if there is a discussion on the film after it opens in the UK: Gladiator - Spoilers My husband and I saw it Saturday afternoon. There were about 12 people in the audience -- after my frantic trip to the theater for tickets when it opened at noon! Russell Crowe was everything we have read about, looming large on the screen, fighting with skill and vigor, saying little a husky voice, moving much, looking mucho masculine. I can't think of another actor today who could have pulled it off. He looked stocky and strong, like he could take a thousand wounds and still get up if he had too, until his job was done. The other actors were also quite good. We thought Richard Harris did a great job in a small role, with no sign to us of \"Guinness\" or pubs. Oliver Reed was swarthy and had soul. You could believe he was a former gladiator. Joaquin Phoenix made a satisfyingly swarmy emperor, and Connie Neilson, new to me, was full of dignity and was beautiful despite some dowdy costumes. But the picture itself -- was not what I hoped it would be. As someone said in his review the lighting was the worst I have seen since Branagh's mystery set in the South. I forget its name. The opening battle was stirring, and probably the best thing in the film. There the murky light fitted the atmosphere of cold and forest and death. I also liked the scenes there in the emperor's tent. But even in the desert later, the sun didn't shine, and I don't think the real Rome lacked bright Italian sunlight, but I could be wrong. The first view of Rome and the Coliseum was so obviously part computer to me -- living as I do on line much of the day. I never once believed I was watching a Roman Street, or seeing thousands in the arena. The scene where the gladiators come out of the depths into the arena was well done, as was the 160 degree look as you saw what they saw. Later, though, the light again was so murky you couldn't really see all the people in the stands. Even the royal rooms looked dark and gloomy, as forbidding as Commodus himself. The sound in our local theater was pretty bad, and I hope it wasn't the soundtrack. The voices had a tinny disjointed sound, and sometimes it was so loud you couldn't hear what they were saying. My poor husband had to go to bed with a headache after this one! And finally too many battles too confusing to see who was doing what to whom. Do me a favor and rent Spartacus again if you haven't watched it in a long time. Despite Kirk Douglas, it still stands for me as the best that Rome had to offer. Ridley tried, but he didn't succeed with me. I wonder if it will indeed be the blockbuster the studio hopes it will be. As hubby said, it has Dreamworks high minded speeches about justice and right. But it is a dark film (in more ways than one), though not as violent as I was led to believe. The violent acts move quickly and happen mostly off camera. I wonder if the young men audience will go to see it. I never felt like cheering the gladiators. They were a sad bunch, fighting out of desperation, caged like animals, and led by a man whose life meant nothing to him any more, other than seeking revenge -- Very sad, really. I never once felt caught up or lifted up by excitement. There were no winners, since Rome after this time completely fell apart. Score: Liked the music very much. Liked Russell, liked Harris and Jacobi and Neilson. Thumbs down for the picture. Mary Murphy (murph)"}, {"response": 18, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sun, May  7, 2000 (13:50)", "body": "Murph, you might be interested in this link to an interview with Russell Crowe. http://mrshowbiz.go.com/interviews/544_1.html"}, {"response": 19, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Dec  9, 2000 (14:39)", "body": "Good Morning America Review Crowe Soars Russell Crowe on Proof of Life, Gladiator Dec. 8 - What a year: one hit movie and one on the way suits Russell Crowe just fine. The Academy Award-nominated actor and star of the summer's smash hit Gladiator, Crowe recently sat down to talk about Proof of Life, his newest film, co-starring Meg Ryan. In the film, Crowe plays Terry Thorne, an expert in terrorist negotiations dealing with kidnap and ransoms. He is hired by Alice Bowman (Ryan) after her husband (David Morse) is snatched by rebels in Latin America. GMA.MOVIES.COM: Tell us about your experience working on Proof of Life: RUSSELL CROWE: The experience of working on this film was amazing. First, there was a great group of people to work with. I was just having a little chat the other day with David Morse who has my friendship and respect. Usually it's me who gets all the crap poured on his head during a film and this time I was lucky enough that it was somebody else. David Caruso is crazy and that comes out really well in the movie. I really wanted to do the film because Meg wanted me to be in it and I never realized that \"K and R\" (Kidnap and Ransom) was a multibillion-dollar business. Basically it's on the rise and very much directed toward American citizens who work for multinational companies, particularly in Eastern Europe and Latin America. It was an amazing experience going from England to Poland to South America. We were four months in Ecuador and it's really an unpredictable place. You don't really know what's going to happen from day to day, let alone within a day. We got through it though. GMA: How were your interactions with Meg Ryan? CROWE: Meg is a great actress. That was one of the big reasons for me to do the movie in the first place. It came to me with the information that Meg would do the film if I would do the film. I was a big fan of hers in her dramatic work in Courage Under Fire and When a Man Loves a Woman. And that to me was the attractive thing about it. It wasn't me going to do something with her that she's particularly known for in America: romantic comedies. This was Meg being put into a situation as an actress that she had never actually been through and she was challenging herself in a big way. GMA: You seemed to fit well into the role of a soldier and negotiator. How did you integrate that into your part? CROWE: I think the thing is that not every soldier can do this job, regardless of what his skills are in soldiering. As we say in the movie, it isn't about rescues. You know, 98 percent of these situations are solved through nogotiations and that's what it's about. The skills and military background are for that other 2 percent. Part of what I tried to do with the character was internal. This man is an insurance agent and part of what he does with it is his bedside manner. He goes into these situations and he's very calm and centered and he has a kind of a mellifluous cadence, which calms the room. Because he cannot work in hysteria. GMA: Many think you should have won Best Actor for your work in Michael Mann's The Insider. With two big movies this year in Gladiator and now Proof of Life, what sort of view are you taking to the Oscars this year? CROWE: I've had a really busy year. The last 12 months have felt like five years. I believe that Gladiator is a great movie. I believe that the movie does deserve to be acknowledged. The fact that it reached a big commercial audience does not lessen its quality. And I've heard that - that since it was commercially successful it shouldn't be recognized by the Academy. I mean, come on. Let's look at the history of the Academy Awards - Gone with the Wind or Dances with Wolves or Titanic. The reality is that that's where the art meets the commoners and that's a great thing. It's a wonderful thing that somebody like Ridley Scott [the director of Gladiator] can create a world like this and the audience responds to it. You show me another filmmaker's movie that combines traditional filmmaking techniques and cutting-edge technology as well. Just show it to me. Ridley deserves recognition - the editors, the sound guys, the special effects people all deserve it as well. Joaquin Phoenix deserves recognition. (Phoenix lays the evil Commodus). If Phoenix wasn't prepared to be as loose a cannon and as strange a counterpoint to where I was, my character would be nowhere near as powerful to the audience. It was because Joaquin was committed to being the crazy guy that the role was so great. It's like \"show me where the edge is and I am going to take it a little bit further.\" GMA: What's next on your agenda? CROWE: Personally, I need some time off. I start my next film in March. It's a new Ron Howard film called A Beautiful Mind. It's an action film about schizophrenia - that was a joke! That was the fight sequence. This awards season in this country just goes on and on and on. I just need to go home and spend some time with my couch. GMA: Growing up, wha"}]}, {"num": 93, "subject": "Ricky Martin", "response_count": 21, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Wed, Apr  8, 1998 (21:54)", "body": "I hope this works."}, {"response": 2, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Wed, Apr  8, 1998 (21:59)", "body": "This is the photo on his new CD. Doesn't he look fabulous? There are some really great shots inside too, especially in the middle. YUM!"}, {"response": 3, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, May  4, 1998 (11:35)", "body": "Remember though, make *all* your links to spring.net and no longer to spring.com!!! Important."}, {"response": 4, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, May  4, 1998 (11:49)", "body": "Terry, what about the spring.com email? Ans you know something Lisa? He's cuuuute! But I'm afraid he might be a little too young for me...I feel like a dirty old woman ;-) How old is he?"}, {"response": 5, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, May  4, 1998 (16:09)", "body": "Email will be forwarded from spring.com"}, {"response": 6, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Mon, May  4, 1998 (18:03)", "body": "He's just a teeny-bit older than me. He's 26. Perfect age! I went to visit his official web site www.rickymartin.com and found out he was born Dec 24, 1971. Apparently, as a youngster he was in the group Menudo. Ever since I bought his CD, that's all I listen to. I wish I understood Spanish. I finally asked someone what \"corazon\" meant and found out it meant heart. I hear that word often in his songs. I should have figured it out though. It's close to the Italian of \"cuore\". Sometimes, it's right before my eyes and I don't see it. I really recommend this CD. Maybe a thread should be started about music recommendations? I always find myself in a music store but never know what to buy. I'm just itching to spend my money, but I don't know on what. Maybe if other music fans think a new CD is worth buying they could let us know. It's just a thought. Lisa"}, {"response": 7, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, May  4, 1998 (18:20)", "body": "(Lisa) He's just a teeny-bit older than me. He's 26. Perfect age! Really? He looks younger to me (which tells you that he probably is too young for me ;-p) Though a younger man is so much easier...hmmm... Apparently, as a youngster he was in the group Menudo. Get outta town! He's that Ricky Martin? Ever since I bought his CD, that's all I listen to. I wish I understood Spanish. Oh, I don't think the language matters much...it's the feeling that counts. I listen to Edith Piaf all the time and I don't understand a word of it. I really recommend this CD. Maybe a thread should be started about music recommendations? Sure, if you want. That's a good idea...\"Droolable singers and their works\". That kind of topic always starts with everyone listing favorites and then it goes off on interesting tangents. I like it. I'll start it for ya, babe ;-)"}, {"response": 8, "author": "Tineke", "date": "Tue, May  5, 1998 (14:54)", "body": "Ricky Martin is very popular here. They play his latest single all the time on the radio. Of course, this has to do with the fact that it's the song for the world cup. Maria was an enormous hit as well. Last time I went to a record store, I saw some old CD's of his, and apparently he had long hair!"}, {"response": 9, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Tue, May  5, 1998 (20:49)", "body": "Yes Nan. He's THAT Ricky Martin! Do you remember Menudo? I have a vague recollection of them. Very vague. All I remember is the name and that they were big in the 80's. Tineke, Isn't that song terrific? Such a terrific beat. GO! GO! GO! And the slow song Vuelve ain't bad either! Just when this thread is beginning to show some sign of life, I'll be away from my computer until Saturday. Damn! BTW, thanks for starting the thread, Nan. I like it. I like it very well, indeed!"}, {"response": 10, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, May  5, 1998 (21:13)", "body": "(Lisa) Yes Nan. He's THAT Ricky Martin! He's improved with age then ;-) (Lisa) Do you remember Menudo? I have a vague recollection of them. Very vague. All I remember is the name and that they were big in the 80's. The 80's was my decade (though I'm not very excited about it ;-p) and yes I do remember them. I rememher wanting to slap them. They were too young for me even then. Think of Hanson ;-) However, my desire for them to shut up certainly didn't keep me from appreciating the fact that they were cute little fellows. I remember Ricky as being the cutest--I wasn't wrong ;-) Just when this thread is beginning to show some sign of life, I'll be away from my computer until Saturday. Damn! It's okay, we'll be here when you get back. BTW, thanks for starting the thread, Nan. I like it. I like it very well, indeed! No problem, babe ;-)"}, {"response": 11, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, May  6, 1998 (09:45)", "body": "The 80's was my decade (though I'm not very excited about it ;-p) LOL, I'm child of the '80s also. Duran Duran, Menudo, Debbie Gibson. It's sooo sad:p Lisa, how old are you if you barely remember Menudo. Geez, they covered all those Teen Beat mags. Hey does anyone remember Leif Garret;p"}, {"response": 12, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, May  6, 1998 (10:26)", "body": "(Nan) The 80's was my decade (though I'm not very excited about it ;-p) LOL, (Laura) I'm child of the '80s also. Duran Duran, Menudo, Debbie Gibson. Oh yeah, Duran Duran was huge when I was in high school. I always thought Simon LeBon a bit of a dish. I saw them on some show a few months ago (only Simon and Nick Rhodes are left from the original members) and I think they should just give it up now. And Debbie Gibson! I took my nieces and nephew to see Beauty and the Beast on Broadway. It was adorable, but I couldn't get past the fact that Debbie Gibson was \"Belle\"...ick. Hey does anyone remember Leif Garret;p Yes indeedy...Buddy's first serious boyfriend on \"Family\" ;-p I was never a big Leif Garrett fan--Shaun Cassidy was my guy ;-)"}, {"response": 13, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, May  6, 1998 (11:28)", "body": "Yes indeedy...Buddy's first serious boyfriend on \"Family\" ;-p I was never a big Leif Garrett fan--Shaun Cassidy was my guy ;-) ] Hee hee. I LOVED Shaun Cassidy!!!!. And I saw Duran Duran in concerts 15 years ago when I was 15:( Scary thought indeed to be 30:p Da Do run run. Oh the memories!!!! John Taylor was my fave!!!"}, {"response": 14, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, May  6, 1998 (15:33)", "body": "(Laura) Hee hee. I LOVED Shaun Cassidy!!!!. Ain't too many of us out there, honey...at least not those who'll admit it. Most were Andy Gibb fans, if I recall properly. I remember a time when the walls of my bedroom were plastered with Shaun Cassidy photos (all those teen magazines). Even then I was obsessive about the guys I liked. I did see Shaun in concert at Madison Square Garden when I was 12. He was wearing a hideous white satin outfit and was skinny as all get out...but I still thought him mighty cute :-) Oh, and Shirley Jones was there that ight (with Shaun's brothers--no David, though) and she wept through the entire thing. Is that not cute? Awwwww ;-) (Laura) And I saw Duran Duran in concerts 15 years ago when I was 15:( Scary thought indeed to be 30:p Eh, you'll get used to it ;-)"}, {"response": 15, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Fri, May  8, 1998 (15:49)", "body": "I'm in my early twenties. (Every time, I think about my age, I get depressed. So I'd rather not be specific. I find my twenties are passing too quickly. My teenage years dragged on forever, but these twenties are zooming away, to my chagrin.) I was never one to buy those Teen Beat magazines, so if Menudo was on the cover I wouldn't have noticed. I was more of a soap opera fanatic. Speaking of the 80's, I remember Duran Duran, but was not a huge fan, but I recall with great clarity Boy George and (Karma Cameleon?). I wanted to puke the first time I saw him. I had never seen a man look so much like a woman. It freaked me out. And I remember the huge fuss made over Tina Turner and her Private Dancer album. I think it was because she was 44 and looked damn good. She still does."}, {"response": 16, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, May  8, 1998 (17:15)", "body": "(Lisa) I recall with great clarity Boy George and (Karma Cameleon?). I wanted to puke the first time I saw him. I had never seen a man look so much like a woman. It freaked me out. Everyone looked strange in the 80's--not a good decade for fashion, I'm afraid. And you mentioned the \"K\" song...poor Kate, it will be rolling around in her head until next Wednesday ;-) And I remember the huge fuss made over Tina Turner and her Private Dancer album. I think it was because she was 44 and looked damn good. She still does. Yes, God bless her. I can't imagine what it must be to have such legs ;-D I'm very jealous."}, {"response": 17, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, May  9, 1998 (14:01)", "body": "She complaining about her twenties!!! Hee hee!!! Oh, Lisa hon enjoy them they do go by very fast. But 30 is awesome!!! I've never felt smarter, sexier, and more in control!!! hee hee. Nan, you'll get to see in June on the Cape!!! Boy George, now does he have an awesome set of lungs!!! He was an amazing singer, still is in my opinion and I'm glad he got off the drugs!!! Tina Turner will always be the epitome of class!"}, {"response": 18, "author": "lisaC", "date": "Sat, May  9, 1998 (18:20)", "body": "Since we're back to the 80's, I remember enjoying Wham! (Can't forget that exclamation point) and falling hard for George Michael. I really was so naive to believe he was straight. (My parents should have never sent me to an all-girls Catholic school run by French-Canadian nuns -- I came out too sheltered to the happenings of the real world) As for Boy George, I too am happy he's off drugs. I wonder why these musicains and actors get hooked on drugs so easily. I guess they just have too much time and money on their hands. Fame comes too quickly and they can't handle the pressure."}, {"response": 19, "author": "Marisa1", "date": "Sat, May  9, 1998 (18:20)", "body": "Just for you Lisa!!!"}, {"response": 20, "author": "venezia", "date": "Sat, May  9, 1998 (18:20)", "body": "Oh Marisa! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! If you have any more photos of this gorgeous specimen of male anatomy--- please share. You made my night!"}, {"response": 21, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (01:00)", "body": "Pretty boy, but too young for my taste. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 94, "subject": "Errol Flynn", "response_count": 5, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, May  4, 1998 (13:20)", "body": "Something to start you off with, honey... He is very dashing."}, {"response": 2, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, May  4, 1998 (13:23)", "body": "Oh, and go take a look at the Classic Hunks Ring if you haven't been there already. Great stuff!"}, {"response": 3, "author": "Charlotte", "date": "Mon, May  4, 1998 (15:12)", "body": "Ever notice how much Errol Flynn looks like Kevin Kline?"}, {"response": 4, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, May  4, 1998 (15:42)", "body": "Not until you said it. LOL!"}, {"response": 5, "author": "marshA", "date": "Mon, May  4, 1998 (16:01)", "body": "Be still my heart! (It just almost jumped through the ribcage ). Thanks Nan for the topic. Now what's wrong with me? I know he's old enough to be my grandfather. But not in these pictures :-) And I do love that picture from \"The Charge of the Light Brigade\" especially. Like Mrs Bennet, I have a weakness for men in uniform drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 95, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 96, "subject": "", "response_count": 0, "posts": []}, {"num": 97, "subject": "Colin Firth - PART II", "response_count": 1196, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Jul  2, 1998 (18:56)", "body": "Since everyone said Topic 59 was taking too long to load, I've frozen that topic and we will continue the conversation here. I'm posting the juicy Valmont conversation below (don't wanna skip a beat, ya know ;-p)... ****************** Topic 59 of 96 [drool]: Colin Firth Response 920 of 935: Cheryl Eliot (CherylQE) * Thu, Jul 2, 1998 (04:29) * 12 lines Hello to all! I\ufffdm glad (in a way) to see it really was Spring acting up and not me. I am new to this sort of board XX so please forgive and correct any lapses of netiquette. Also, I lost one post already, lengthy, so I will proceed with caution (so much writing lost!! Arrrrgh!) All this is my opinion, of course, but it IS based on knowledge of the primary parties, not gossip. *****In 1988, ...\"It felt a bit like walking into a room and telling a joke which everyone had just stopped laughing at,\" remembers Firth. \"Whether you tell it better or not, it's not going to work.\"* **** \"Because my Valmont was not making boo-hiss faces, a lot of people didn't seem to think he was even a bad bloke,\" he continues. \"But Forman didn't want any hint of malevolence. It was a nightmare: 15 tales because he still thought that I was saying the line as if I had some evil plan...\"* Well, he\ufffds just told you everything you need to know about the Big Bust. But since I\ufffdm talking to the Converted, who might not know how much a director can have to do with a movie or a performance, I\ufffdll expand a little. But not now. I'm having trouble posting, so I'll do it in bits and see if that helps. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Topic 59 of 96 [drool]: Colin Firth Response 921 of 935: Cheryl Eliot (CherylQE) * Thu, Jul 2, 1998 (04:31) * 7 lines It\ufffds a tremendous thing to be cast in a Forman film, since he\ufffds very much an actor\ufffds director, having wanted to be an actor himself as teen. But he couldn\ufffdt get into the Prague acting/theater school. He did get into the film school by lying. It was such a stupendous lie, tricking his way into the interview committee room, that the head of the Prague school just had to have him. (This guy is also in the States and was one of my teachers and drinks quite a bit, which is where I heard the story.) Althou h there are things about Milos that I do not like (and I did in fact behave more obnoxiously on the set than I wish I had, which didn\ufffdt help much), on balance I admire his work more than anybody else\ufffds, and it\ufffds just for this thing Colin is talking about. Milos is beyond first grade in acting. Lesson 1: don\ufffdt do the obvious. If you had to have a guideline, the best one in directing is to have your actor play the opposite of what's written, what you'd expect. Deliver a threat in a whisper. Be deadly erious as you do something stupendously ridiculous. Keep your sex appeal under wraps (well, so Milos hasn't mastered that one.) The director has to know this, because if only the actor knows it, most directors will bludgeon them into going for a cartoonish effect , since directors are dolts. Unless you're Gene Hackman or something, you will never win that battle with a director, not matter how young or stupid the director is. I\ufffdve never liked Malkovich, so I was prejudiced from the start, and I think he\ufffds hideous looking on top of being a terrible actor. (No, Cheryl, tell us what you really think!) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Topic 59 of 96 [drool]: Colin Firth Response 922 of 935: Cheryl E (CherylQE) * Thu, Jul 2, 1998 (04:35) * 10 lines The Frears film was just thrown together, partly to beat Milos out of the starting gate for various reasons (not relevant here). Since Frears had so much experience in television (British), he was accustomed to doing several setups a day and moving the pace right along. Movies work more slowly, especially for someone at Milos' level. _Quickly_ was the only way it made sense to do the Frears film, either financially or creatively. Malkovich and Close cleared their schedules (I also dislike Close, BTW). There had been publicity a film based on _Dangerous Liaisons_ the book, so when the Frears film rolled into preproduction people got the two glommed together in their heads. Of course industry people knew the difference, but it became like a tandem bicycle\ufffdyou never notice who\ufffds in the second seat. So the entertainment press covered it that way. Not a line about one without discussing the other. Bad, bad thing. Bad for the film, bad especially for Colin. Colin had signed up for a film with a double Oscar-winning director whose actors generally also got Oscars. Of course, some of them never did as well again, because he casts so well and works with them so well (Tom Hulce, and what\ufffds that guy who played Salieri? I can\ufffdt believe I forgot it; I once wrote his phone number in ink on my palm since there wasn't any paper.) And they get noticed (_One Flew Over the Cuckoo\ufffds Nest_ was to me the best performance Nicholson has turned in, maybe "}, {"response": 2, "author": "Kate", "date": "Thu, Jul  2, 1998 (22:38)", "body": "Thanks Cheryl, it was great. ;-)"}, {"response": 3, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul  3, 1998 (08:44)", "body": "Would someone in UK please check \"Women's Realm\", a UK publication. I understand there is an interview with CF in it. That's all I know. Honestly.. I'm not holding back."}, {"response": 4, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Jul  3, 1998 (13:08)", "body": ""}, {"response": 5, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Jul  3, 1998 (13:15)", "body": "OOOOOOOOOOOOH!!!!"}, {"response": 6, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jul  3, 1998 (14:27)", "body": "Coincidently, I saw \"Womens Realm\" with COLIN FIRTH on the cover when I was waiting in the queue at Tesco's, and popped a copy in my trolley! If I'd looked at it first I don't think I would have parted with 60p! It's NOT an interview, just old quotes cobbled together. Nothing new. The photo is the one taken when he was filming P&P, in that round necked black knitted-type sweater (just like the one he wears in Playmaker....in fact, it probably is the same sweater!)He's wearing \"colour co-ordinated\", gray jeans, plain gray socks and back shoes! He obviously does not shop til he drops....more like a five minute annual visit to Marks and Spencers! :-)"}, {"response": 7, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Jul  3, 1998 (16:13)", "body": "Oooh Renate...it's the jellyfish!! ;-D"}, {"response": 8, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Jul  3, 1998 (17:36)", "body": "I beg to disagree :-p. I believe he left the jellyfish in the pond (or handed it over to his manservant) and emerged wet but undistorted (expr?). (Bethan) The photo is the one taken when he was filming P&P, in that round necked black knitted-type sweater (just like the one he wears in Playmaker....in fact, it probably is the same sweater!)He's wearing \"colour co-ordinated\", Bethan, have you seen this pic somewhere on the web, can you point it out? Otherwise, I hope you know what you have to do with it .... I will reimburse the 60p to you, and the postage fee, too. :-))"}, {"response": 9, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Jul  3, 1998 (17:40)", "body": ""}, {"response": 10, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Jul  3, 1998 (18:50)", "body": "Lovely lips!! :-)~~~ ~~~ ~~~"}, {"response": 11, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul  3, 1998 (21:20)", "body": "Just in case The Spring goes down again,........ Nan had the foresight to set up\" Drool in Exile\" a few months ago: http://www.ntr.net/~nan/drool.html Bookmark it. She communicates with us from there. (Just thought I'd mention this since we have several new\" droolers\".)"}, {"response": 12, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Jul  3, 1998 (22:19)", "body": "Cheryl, dear...that was a wonderful report. Don't go away...there will surely be many more questions to come. I'm very glad you came over (I was afraid we scared you away with our enthusiasm) :-)"}, {"response": 13, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Jul  3, 1998 (22:32)", "body": "(Evelyn) Drool in Exile\" a few months ago...(Just thought I'd mention this since we have several new\" droolers\".) You are an excellent creature! Always thinking ahead :-)"}, {"response": 14, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Jul  4, 1998 (03:02)", "body": "In case anyone is wondering what I am doing here: I just practice posting pics :-), a training I badly need. These are all, by the way, from Sharon's Snappy page, who is the most generous person in Firthland....."}, {"response": 15, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Jul  4, 1998 (03:04)", "body": "Didn't I tell you I need more practice...."}, {"response": 16, "author": "CherylQE", "date": "Sat, Jul  4, 1998 (16:42)", "body": "Please ask anything!! It's fun to remember and to think about these things. And ya'll give me a whole new perspective on things. Perhaps someone can tell me how to quote in italics? (I can install computer networks but I can't get italics, and I can never get HELP to work.) ****Perhaps the failure of Valmont explains his reluctance to take on the leading role of Darcy....must have marked him. ****How could it not? One of the most spectacularly horrible PUBLIC things that could happen to a fabulous actor. It marked ME, for heaven\ufffds sake! ****play Salieri, it was Murray Abraham. *****Yes, F. Murray Abraham. Of course. And it\ufffds Ben Kingsley if anyone cares. ****Or any leading role in a production for that matter. Do you know of Milos Forman blames CF for the failure of Valmont? Probably, he seems like a v. vain and arrogant man. ****No, I don\ufffdt think so. Vain and arrogant he is, but the failure lies with circumstance and with him. Maybe the problem was with the producers (half French, half American). Since we started talking about all this, I\ufffdve been wondering why they didn\ufffdt halt the production before shooting began. I\ufffdm sure tons of money had already been committed, and they didn\ufffdt want it to be a total loss, figuring overseas rights, cable rights, etc. would at least help them recoup their money. But it seems an impossible situation. I\ufffdm sure everyone thought Milos\ufffd film would be head and shoulders abover Frears\ufffd, but it would have to have been sent by God to make the entire world forget any movie, good or bad, which had recently come out based on the same material. Especially a middlebrow film. I think everyone\ufffds just embarrassed by it, which ma e me think about the question somebody asked me about Meg. I was thinking that when I\ufffdve been overwhelmingly defeated in my life, I often retreat into a relationship. You feel bad, you want to feel good, right? And also when I\ufffdve been through a big or especially a traumatic experience _with_ people, I feel close to them (the combat troop syndrome). People I would barely keep as acquaintances in the \"real world\", outside the bubble of our shared experience, I bond with."}, {"response": 17, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jul  4, 1998 (17:28)", "body": "Cheryl, Many thanks again for your contribution.....you've given us a very perceptive account which makes absolutely fascinating reading. I found an interesting review of Valmont, from the time it was shown at the London Film Festival in November 1991. As far as I know it didn't get a theatrical release in the UK, nor was it released on video. (I may be wrong about this). Fortunately the BBC showed it for the first time last Christmas...six years late! From the review... \"The film looks stunningly beautiful throughout and the performances are excellent. The cast is all very young and the 15 year old virgin who is being married really does come across as a sweet innocent...... Colin Firth and Annette Benning's performances are excellent. Colin Firth who was at the screening said how interesting it was to play, as Milos Forman insisted that the character be naturalistic and not give any impression of his nature through his behaviour or speech\". Valmont did get some partial recognition in the UK. In the 1991/2 London Film Critics Awards, Annette Benning got the Best Actress Award. (Gerard Depardieu got Best Actor, Juliet Stevenson got Best British Actress, Alan Rickman got Best British Actor.) CF, predictably, was overlooked (again!) Cheryl, for italics open with and close with"}, {"response": 18, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jul  4, 1998 (17:32)", "body": "Italics....second attempt! Open with brackets with an i enclosed, close with brackets with /i enclosed"}, {"response": 19, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Jul  4, 1998 (17:51)", "body": "For italics and other techniques used to alter text appearance, take a quick look through: Lots of people around here have used it to learn how to do HTML. And they claim it's easy to use."}, {"response": 20, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul  4, 1998 (18:00)", "body": "Thank you Cheryl...for answering my Question on taking the blame for V. failure.It reputedly cost $34M. ten years ago...Would that be $68M in '98 $$? I read somplace that Milos' in his bio said Colin was the best actor he could get for the part for the money....do you know if that is true? If it's any comfort....Valmont is shown a lot more on cable than Dangerous Liaision! .I was particularly interested in your comment : Re: (the combat troop syndrome) Opens up a Great Big Vista on his personal life ."}, {"response": 21, "author": "CherylQE", "date": "Sat, Jul  4, 1998 (18:21)", "body": ""}, {"response": 22, "author": "CherylQE", "date": "Sat, Jul  4, 1998 (18:31)", "body": "Ann, thanks for the HTML tutorial and tip. Bethan, V is on video. Did you mean on video abroad? Many thanks to all of you for your photos and reviews and interviews."}, {"response": 23, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Jul  4, 1998 (18:31)", "body": "Cheryl, the easiest reply first: to italicize you have to put the text in pointy brackets, just as follows: (i)text text text(/i) if you want to print fat/bold use a \"b\" in the place of the \"i\": (b) ............. (/b) I have to use round brackets now, because those pointy brackets would not show up here, but would italicize resp. print bold . You have to replace the round brackets by the pointy brackets on the lower left corner of your keyboard. And don't forget to use the \"/\" in the closing tag. Ann, I cannot find the link for your excellent \"Tag Tutorial\", can you please post it? (Or am I wrong as to the identity of the Ann posting here?)"}, {"response": 24, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Jul  4, 1998 (18:45)", "body": "Well, this must be the Valmont feeling .... a message, however useful, is not going to be of any use because it was told before ... just :-)) Cheryl, which scenes did you witness? Indoor? Outdoor?"}, {"response": 25, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Jul  4, 1998 (19:00)", "body": "I got a major jolt from him when I first saw him... When you feel _that_ smack up against a powerful psyche in a state, it\ufffds...memorable. Cheryl, you poor thing... Are you saying you fell hopelessly under his spell all those years ago - years before most of us here? If so, you are the living proof that it's impossible to know him - or about him - and not to admire him. And that the affliction is long lasting. Dear girl, I'm so relieved to hear your confession. It makes my own confinement in the little padded cell of my soul a little more bearable... :)"}, {"response": 26, "author": "CherylQE", "date": "Sat, Jul  4, 1998 (19:17)", "body": "Renate: I'd have to see the movie again to tell you exactly, which now of course I will have to buy pronto. As you may know, these things are are shot in, well, shots, not scenes. A shot is a little tiny piece, like a jigsaw puzzle piece, which you hope fits together with the others months later when you're editing. And you hope you have enough and the right shots. There were night shots, of the carriage in which Annette Benning is delivering the young innocent to her \"room of love\"---or was it a serva t hurrying Cecile into her house when the mother decides to come home from the opera early? Yes, I'm afraid I really have to see the film again. As an aside, we also shot an interview with the co-screenwriter, who lives in Proust's Parisian house. Totally great. But I promise to get back to you with specific things I personally have witnessed."}, {"response": 27, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Jul  4, 1998 (21:48)", "body": "(Renate) Ann, I cannot find the link for your excellent \"Tag Tutorial\", can you please post it? (Or am I wrong as to the identity of the Ann posting here?) I posted it along with the image above. Just click on the Tutorial Graphic. Or: http://www.spring.net/~anneh/toota.html Cheryl, you seem to be talking of Valmont as a failure. I think it was only so in the marketing and profit sense. I really like the film, and I think it is much better than DL. (Malkovich was awful!)"}, {"response": 28, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Jul  5, 1998 (10:57)", "body": "Thank you, Ann, for the link. Can recommend the instructions to everyone, and in particular every newbie, they are easy to follow. (Cheryl) ....... on balance I admire his (Milos Formans) work more than anybody else\ufffds, and it\ufffds just for this thing Colin is talking about. Milos is beyond first grade in acting. Lesson 1: don\ufffdt do the obvious. If you had to have a guideline, the best one in directing is to have your actor play the opposite of what's written, what you'd expect. Deliver a threat in a whisper. Be deadly serious as you do something stupendously ridiculous. ....such as proposing to Lizzy in this fashion... Very interesting, Cheryl. I remember CF mentioning something to that effect, in context with theater work. \"You can't enter the stage and act your socks off...\" or something. Does anyone remember the full quote, or where it was? My brain hurts... :-) Keep your sex appeal under wraps (well, so Milos hasn't mastered that one.) But CF did put this rule to best use as Darcy .... well, it was this effect that brought us here, I guess. The director has to know this, because if only the actor knows it, most directors will bludgeon them into going for a cartoonish effect , since directors are dolts. Unless you're Gene Hackman or something, you will never win that battle with a director, not matter how young or stupid the director is. I did not realise that the director has soooo much power, or the actor so few - somehow I have the romantic idea of director and actors working together in equal shares, to get the best of results. But I know that's naive.... it hardly ever happens anywhere where money is involved. I read somewhere (on Spring?) that the actor has no control whatsoever over the final product when working on film, as opposed to the theater, where he has the absolute control over it. Why do not all actors line up in front of the theatre casting bureaus? Ok, I know the answer :-$."}, {"response": 29, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Jul  5, 1998 (11:01)", "body": "Ok, so much for pictures.... grrrr."}, {"response": 30, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Jul  5, 1998 (18:19)", "body": "As you may know, these things are are shot in, well, shots, not scenes. A shot is a little tiny piece, like a jigsaw puzzle piece, which you hope fits together with the others months later when you're editing. And you hope you have enough and the right shots. Are you from the filmmaking background, did you say? Correct me if I'm wrong - but methinks shots are stills. And movies are not shot in shots, but takes... You know: Scene 1, Take 1... Scene 1 Take 2... Scene 1 Take 109... :-)"}, {"response": 31, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Jul  6, 1998 (01:56)", "body": "I don't mind how it is called, scenes, shots, takes, or grapefruits, as long as CF is in it... :-))"}, {"response": 32, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul  6, 1998 (11:06)", "body": "I don't mind how it is called, scenes, shots, takes, or grapefruits, as long as CF is in it... :-)) Ditto. And a Big Thanks again to Cheryl for sharing her V. experiences."}, {"response": 33, "author": "CherylQE", "date": "Mon, Jul  6, 1998 (12:00)", "body": "Arami: methinks shots are stills. And movies are not shot in shots, but takes... You know: Scene 1, Take 1... It could, depending on who's talking. To still photographers (who are on a feature set), they are taking still photographs. Movies work like this. The scenes are numbered by the production manager, who runs all the logistics of the set for the length of the production. They are not numbered according to what we think of as scenes (dramatic scenes), but are determined by technical considerati ns. For example, if a character goes from inside of the house to the outside, that's a new scene, because the camera has to move outside to begin to capture the new action outside. If characters are outside and get into a car, inside the car is a new scene. Within scenes there are shots, which are each time the camera is moved (also called a setup). So within a scene there could be many shots, and for each shot there could be many takes. A take is each time you do the same thing again. So when Coli says in the above interview that Milos had him do 15 takes to get rid of any hint of ill will, he\ufffds saying the camera sat in the same place, people and furniture and props were probably pretty much the same (although they could change\ufffdoften they do. The important thing is that the camera didn\ufffdt move.) So the take is one version of a shot, and a shot of the smallest building block of a scene, and scenes build dramatic scenes, and dramatic scenes build acts and movies. And to Renate, thanks for the stunning shots (since we are referring to still photos!). I have been telling my friends about you all, and to my surprise some of my straight male friends agreed that Colin was quite something in PP2 and V. They are in show business, so it's a professional assessment rather than what the average male might think, but I was surprised that they remembered him and the performances! And I haven't even seen PP2 yet. Maybe if I work a little overtime..."}, {"response": 34, "author": "CherylQE", "date": "Mon, Jul  6, 1998 (12:01)", "body": "Now I get all italics. I guess I didn't double check that they were turned off."}, {"response": 35, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Jul  6, 1998 (12:28)", "body": "(renate)I read somewhere (on Spring?) that the actor has no control whatsoever over the final product when working on film, as opposed to the theater, where he has the absolute control over it. I can't believe that that's the absolute truth. It must depend on who the actor is, and who the director, and who the producer. We hear a lot about directors not being quite happy with the end results, anything from having to fit their 4 hour story into the standard 2, to just leaving out a few seconds here and a couple of minutes there. On the other hand, an actor like, say, Tom Cruise or Mel Gibson carry weight enough that they must have a say in the matter - although you can probably argue, then why do these actors feel they have to move to the director's chair? Anyway, on stage they aren't on their own either, and they have a director to contend with as well."}, {"response": 36, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jul  6, 1998 (13:36)", "body": "I have been telling my friends about you all, and to my surprise some of my straight male friends agreed that Colin was quite something in PP2 and V. They are in show business, so it's a professional assessment rather than what the average male might think, but I was surprised that they remembered him and the performances! And I haven't even seen PP2 yet. Maybe if I work a little overtime... Cheryl, you must see P&P2! I am sure that we all quite envy you for being in a position to see it for the first time. Is everyone else getting italics all the time, or is it just me? Marked Man I've just seen Ellen's latest FAQ, and must say that I am v.v. pleased to see the proposed cast list for Marked Man......CF in the lead, with Gabriel Byrne, Jeremy Irons, Elizabeth Shue and Marisa Tomei. This is the sort of league I've wanted to see him in!!!! No more supporting roles! I'm looking forward to SIL but my initial reaction was of severe disappointment that he would again only be fourth (at least) in the billing, whilst all the attention focused on GP and the rather insipid J.Fiennes. I feel ore positive about SIL now as hopefully the Earl of Wessex is a strong role. But \"Marked Man\" looks very promising. What do you think? On SIL again. Ellen's FAQ says that Rupert Everett is in SIL. I wonder if he'll play the Earl of Southampton, the gay friend of (W)essex. it would be interesting to see CF and RE together again in the same movie, so many years on from AC!"}, {"response": 37, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul  6, 1998 (16:27)", "body": "In my euphoria of seeing Spring back up and then Cheryl's account of V., I forgot to report that I called Handmade Films last week. SLOW: So far, no distributor for US or UK. But they do have one for Israel and Scandanavia (Bethan says...\"shows they have good taste\") . They plan to premiere SLOW this summer at Venice Film Festival (which I see is on Sept. 3) or at the Toronto Film Festival. Juliette said it would be released in 1999. Asked me to call back mid-August."}, {"response": 38, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Mon, Jul  6, 1998 (18:44)", "body": "Just closing that pesky italics tag. ;-)"}, {"response": 39, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Jul  6, 1998 (19:23)", "body": "Cheryl, don't take me too seriously. I'm a known troublemaker here... ;-) BTW, what do you call a take in which the camera HAS to move (e.g.on a dolly, track or crane)?"}, {"response": 40, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Jul  6, 1998 (20:23)", "body": "(Bethan) I've just seen Ellen's latest FAQ, and must say that I am v.v. pleased to see the proposed cast list for Marked Man......CF in the lead, with Gabriel Byrne, Jeremy Irons, Elizabeth Shue and Marisa Tomei. This is the sort of league I've wanted to see him in!!!! I second that. The plot synopsis sounds intriguing too. Colin in a suspense thriller, hopefully an intelligent one. Are we being too optimistic? Nothing's been finalized and even if it pans out I'd be surprised to see Marked Man before 2000. But at least to know there are plans to use him well..."}, {"response": 41, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Jul  7, 1998 (01:22)", "body": "Hi gang, I've missed you! Cheryl, welcome and thanks for all the great information and insights about Valmont. And I second Bethan, you must see P&P2! It is delightful, and CF's acting is superb. While we're on the subject of P&P2 (and since no one's been posting at 68 lately), did anyone catch Joanna David (Mrs. Gardiner) on the A&E mystery movies yesterday? It was also fun to see Lucy Briers (Mary) in an old PD James series on Mystery last week. She looked quite pretty and not at all Mary-ish. Keeping my fingers crossed about Marked Man. It sounds like a great project for the DB. And what's the deal with the italics? Even the instructions on the screen are in italics now.... Nan, help?"}, {"response": 42, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Jul  7, 1998 (01:25)", "body": "OK, now I'm embarrassed. After I submitted my post all the stuff that was showing up as italics converted to the correct type. Oh no... could it have been operator error??"}, {"response": 43, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jul  7, 1998 (14:13)", "body": "Thanks for posting the information about SLOW, Evelyn. I actually take this as quite positive news! :-) An incredible 70% of British independently made films NEVER get shown anywhere. The only way most can get picked up for distribution is to be shown at one of the Film Markets where someone like Miramax or Fox Searchlight may show interest. Otherwise they may just get a very limited theatre release in the UK. Or nothing. (At least, if worst comes to worst, we can see SLOW on video with Swedish or Yiddish subtitles! ) Is SLOW actually being shown as a Festival entry or weren't Handmade specific about this? And I was wondering where the info about BVI (on Ellen's FAQ) came from? There was someting in one of the papers about the global movie industry now being totally driven by blockbuster movies or \"celebrity\" star movies...ie the latest Tom Cruise/Harrison Ford/John Travoltla/Bruce Willis etc. Smaller independent movies are being swept aside ( apart from in Sweden or Israel :-))."}, {"response": 44, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul  7, 1998 (14:39)", "body": "(Bethan) Is SLOW actually being shown as a Festival entry or weren't Handmade specific about this? And I was wondering where the info about BVI (on Ellen's FAQ) came from? SLOW has not been accepted yet as an official entry in any festival. Although I assume it has been submitted. I did not ask abut BVI or about having been taken over by Rubicon. I shall do that in August. Pl add any other questions that I shoud ask. Also TV ALERT for US: HOSTAGES will be shown on the History Channel on Thursday from 10AM to 12 noon ET. Just in time as I have been reading \"Some Other Rainbow\" by John McCarthy and Jill Morrell. Thanks to everyone who recommended that book. Really, a fastastic read. ."}, {"response": 45, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (02:11)", "body": "(renate)I read somewhere (on Spring?) that the actor has no control whatsoever over the final product when working on film, as opposed to the theater, where he has the absolute control over it. (Gi)I can't believe that that's the absolute truth. It must depend on who the actor is, and who the director, and who the producer. ........... Anyway, on stage they aren't on their own either, and they have a director to contend with as well. I agree that a lot depends on the personalities of the director and actors. But my above statement goes more for the \"technical\" side of filmmaking, and how the film is put together in the editing room. Whatever an actor thought he was doing in front of the camera can get a different meaning when put into another context. Same may happen to the director, though, and his product is not at all what he/she intended when edited by somebody else. Opposed to that on the theater the course of scenes totally depe ds on the actors while performing."}, {"response": 46, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (09:49)", "body": "Renate, seen in that perspective, I agree with you."}, {"response": 47, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (12:37)", "body": ""}, {"response": 48, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (12:39)", "body": "Hm."}, {"response": 49, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (12:43)", "body": "Sorry. Grrrhm. \ufffdbung macht den Meister."}, {"response": 50, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (14:32)", "body": "That, I'm afraid, is my least favourite of His photographs. But I know that to many of you this is not so :-)"}, {"response": 51, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (15:07)", "body": "Interesting, Gi. Which one is your favourite? If you don't know the location, can you describe it? I think it's funny how MANY Colins there are - perhaps as many as fans? Hey, everyone: what are your 3 favourite CF pics? It may turn out that we like completely different Colins. :-))."}, {"response": 52, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (17:19)", "body": "It may turn out that we like completely different Colins. :-)). New Woman magazine Pic Beer bottle pic (even with that sweater!) Opening shot in MOTM (sexy geography teacher look!) Recommended reading..I've just read a novel called Rogues and Players, by Pauline Bentley, published by Knight Press (ISBN 1 86019 611 X) It's set in Elizabethan England and is a romantic drama about a playwright/actor and his daughter Gabriellen who acts with the band of players. It's set against the background of the court of Elizabeth I and characters include the dashing Earl of Essex and a very romantic curly headed hero called Mark! Well written, well researched, with a very good sense of period, and (be warned!) something of a bodice ripper! I'm afraid it may well be out of print, but it's worth trying to get hold of."}, {"response": 53, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (18:42)", "body": "3 favorite CF pics? the other one of Darcy with that smirk on his face (his hair's too pouffy inthe one above-though he's very cute) the big grin Fever Pitch one whichever picture is the latest"}, {"response": 54, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (18:43)", "body": "3 favorite CF pics? the other one of Darcy with that smirk on his face (his hair's too pouffy inthe one above-though he's very cute) the big grin Fever Pitch one (grey t-shirt and leather jacket) whichever picture is the latest"}, {"response": 55, "author": "Megan", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (18:47)", "body": "Thanks Cheryl for all the info! Great to have you here. I have another question... (fellow droolers please do not despise me for asking this question) Is Colin a little clumsy? Some shots in Valmont gave me the impression that he might be.. For example... when he's diving off the boat, and climbing the stairs...etc.."}, {"response": 56, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (19:26)", "body": "YES! I've also noticed that. He seems to be slipping, stumbling, bumping his head etc all the time. Sweet, really - so natural."}, {"response": 57, "author": "Ann", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (20:40)", "body": "This is my favorite pic:"}, {"response": 58, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (20:56)", "body": "There is a cute new website where you can send Jane Austen postcards. Great selection of Darcy photos. http://home.earthlink.net/~kruse8/card.htm My favorite CF photos: 1. \"The Look\" directed at Lizzie at Pemberley 2.In the Wedding Carriage: Big Toothy smile. Precious little hand on gorgeous thigh. 3. At the postcard website. What Haley calls: \"IBM Darcy\" (Ideal Breeding Material)"}, {"response": 59, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Jul  9, 1998 (06:15)", "body": "Sorry if the next message(s) takes some time to load ..."}, {"response": 60, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Jul  9, 1998 (06:24)", "body": "Here are (some of) my favourite pics: Bethan, the ugly sweater pic is my favourite, too. And perhaps when he sits in the pub with the reporter, against the light, but can't find it right now. But this comes next.... And this one, from Empire (?)"}, {"response": 61, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Jul  9, 1998 (06:26)", "body": "This is not so bad either. Are these the right ones? Sorry, my lunch break is over, will try to find the other ones later..."}, {"response": 62, "author": "lena", "date": "Thu, Jul  9, 1998 (08:19)", "body": "Well I've never done this before but I think I'll give it a try anyway."}, {"response": 63, "author": "lena", "date": "Thu, Jul  9, 1998 (08:31)", "body": "Yeah! It worked! I cannot believe it! As you may guess this is one of my favourite pictures. Since I'm on my lunch break I don't have much time to look for other of my favourite Colin pictures. But I look forward to see which ones you'll pull out of your sleeve, Renate. By the way, I finally got to see Fever Pitch. Yes, yes, yes! I could see some of my male friends' behaviour in Paul, that's for sure. Gotta run, because I'm alredy late. Lena"}, {"response": 64, "author": "Megan", "date": "Thu, Jul  9, 1998 (12:07)", "body": "I LOVE THE BACKGROUND! WET! WET! WET!!!! :-.) I don't think I can limit myself to three, but if I really force myself to choose I'd pick the New Woman magazine Pic (I'm not sure if this is the one... but we're talking cover of a magazine in the 80's, a younger Colin staring right at you... Is this the one?) The red sweater picture Ann put up All the Darcy pictures :-) Bethan : Opening shot in MOTM (sexy geography teacher look!) GASP! I've never seen this one. Where shall I go look for it?"}, {"response": 65, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jul  9, 1998 (13:40)", "body": "Sexy geography teacher look! Actually, I think this is a contradiction in terms (by me) as I've never met a sexy geography teacher! It's the anorak and the windswept walking over the moors look! Clever Renate has almost caught it......see the snappy just above Darcy and Fever Pitch. I say \"almost\" because I think the expression that captivates me is perhaps just fractionally before this. But I'm NOT complaining! My New Woman magazine pic is different...I'll see if I can find the URL somewhere. YES! I've also noticed that. He seems to be slipping, stumbling, bumping his head etc all the time. Sweet, really - so natural. (Arami) I've always wondered how he managed to bump and damage his nose against a girder when swimming in the tank (ie Pemberley pool!)!! He often seems to stumble (although in Valmont wasn't he supposed to be slightly drunk?). Perhaps it's that long loping stride of his, he may trip over his own feet. On the other hand he seems very athletic...riding, fencing etc! Take your pick.:-)"}, {"response": 66, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jul  9, 1998 (13:56)", "body": "SLOW They plan to premiere SLOW this summer at Venice Film Festival (which I see is on Sept. 3) or at the Toronto Film Festival. Juliette said it would be released in 1999. Asked me to call back mid-August. Surfing in my lunch break, I found two sites, one for the Toronto 1998 Film Festival (Sep 10-17) and one for Venice 1998 (Sep 3-13). Over 300 films will be shown at Toronto (it's more of a film market) while at Venice there are several categories for festival entries. Both sites look good and the official film screening schedules will go online late August, early Sept, plus details, news and reviews of films. Something to keep our eye on! Sites are: Toronto http://www.bell.ca/toronto/filmfest/98/xplore/xplore.htm Venice http://www.mclink.it/cinema.venezia/ Hope I've got them right!"}, {"response": 67, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jul  9, 1998 (14:01)", "body": "SUCCESS!!! YE-E-SS!! The Toronto URL takes you straight into the film database (not up and running yet) but if you click on Home you get back to the main info and home page."}, {"response": 68, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul  9, 1998 (17:03)", "body": ". Perhaps it's that long loping stride of his, he may trip over his own feet. He does have v. big feet. Remember that pic from Movieline mag...with the crewneck sweater and wide smile.? Thanks for the Darcy 'look\" pic."}, {"response": 69, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jul  9, 1998 (20:20)", "body": "Hey - who's pulled the plug from the bottom of the sea? ;-) (Bethan)He often seems to stumble (although in Valmont wasn't he supposed to be slightly drunk?). Surely not in the scene where he's talking to Mme T. standing in the boat? At the end he jumps in the lake (of course) and you can just see how his foot catches the side of the boat. The rest of the scene is edited out, but he must have really crashed into that water! He can also be seen bumping his head in Lost Empires, slipping twice in Master of the Moor and once in Fever Pitch (and he fell off a horse whilst filming Nostromo)... I don't think he is especially clumsy - even the most graceful people do stumble sometimes - but what really happens is that, while most actors in that situation would probably insist on re-takes, he probably doesn't mind being seen behaving naturally. It adds an endearing kind of authenticity to his film portrayals."}, {"response": 70, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jul  9, 1998 (20:22)", "body": "LOL - the water is back again. There's something funny going on - does anyone else have that kind of ebb-tide experience?"}, {"response": 71, "author": "Megan", "date": "Fri, Jul 10, 1998 (02:22)", "body": "LOL - the water is back again. Splish! Splash! It's soooo refreshing! :-.D"}, {"response": 72, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Jul 10, 1998 (06:24)", "body": "Thank you, Nan, for not putting in a pond background.... :-)) (PS: the more I look at the more I like the new clear and pure background)"}, {"response": 73, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Jul 10, 1998 (07:21)", "body": "Made it a little lighter for you last night...is the type any more legible?"}, {"response": 74, "author": "Megan", "date": "Fri, Jul 10, 1998 (10:21)", "body": "Ah! Lovely, Renate... But with all this water around, why is he still dry? ;-)"}, {"response": 75, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Jul 10, 1998 (11:35)", "body": "Made it a little lighter for you last night...is the type any more legible? Ah, that's why..... Mille Grazie, ragazza! Ah! Lovely, Renate... But with all this water around, why is he still dry? ;-) If you can't answer this question, Your Wetness, nobody else can. (-???)"}, {"response": 76, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Jul 10, 1998 (11:41)", "body": "I like most the natural looks, such as Master of the Moor, or Fever Pitch:"}, {"response": 77, "author": "TrinaH", "date": "Fri, Jul 10, 1998 (12:14)", "body": "Here's my first attempt at putting in a picture: My favorite: Hope this works!"}, {"response": 78, "author": "TrinaH", "date": "Fri, Jul 10, 1998 (12:35)", "body": "Ok, let's try it again!"}, {"response": 79, "author": "TrinaH", "date": "Fri, Jul 10, 1998 (12:55)", "body": "Ok, now I'm on a role, but I can't do more than one at a time, so here's #2!"}, {"response": 80, "author": "TrinaH", "date": "Fri, Jul 10, 1998 (13:01)", "body": "And finally, #3--I love his hair in this one! The End!"}, {"response": 81, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jul 10, 1998 (15:33)", "body": "I'm SO impressed! Photo no 2 BTW is similar to the one used in the recent Woman's Realm article , except it's a full length version. Jeans and big feet. I should have added the SLOW pic with Nia Long to my list. Just one unrelated question. I've just read Lost Empires for the first time, but have never seen the mini-series. Does anyone know if the series is true to the novel. Richard appears to have a fondness for women (and vice versa!). I counted five, at least. (Lost Empires is out of print but there are lots of second hand copies available from www.bibliofind.com )"}, {"response": 82, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 10, 1998 (17:00)", "body": "Trina: Love all your pics esp Darcy. \"What's there not to like\". No. 3 shirt looks like the same as p. 95 in Making of P&P .At the picnic with JE and Crispin Bonham-Carter. The guy is obviously not a clothes horse. Or that was before Livia. In recent pics he looks v. continental ."}, {"response": 83, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Jul 10, 1998 (18:20)", "body": "Here is the Women's Realm pic - on the left as it was printed, and on the right mirrored. What do you say, which one is correct? Left or Right?"}, {"response": 84, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Jul 10, 1998 (18:20)", "body": "Pretty pictures! Excellent choices, Trina. I don't even mind the sideburns on photo #2 ;-) Just so you know, before posting any Colin photos you might want to ask permission of the person who \"owns\" them (though no one really \"owns\" photos on the net, I suppose). What I mean is the person who created the page from where you got the photo. Most will probably say it's okay, but I know that there are some who prefer that you ask permission first. Better to be safe than sorry...but I do love that BIG D rcy :-)~~~ (Bethan) Jeans and big feet. Ooooh, big feet! You know what that means!!!! Big shoes!! ;-p)"}, {"response": 85, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Jul 10, 1998 (19:50)", "body": "BIG... D....D....D.... deal..."}, {"response": 86, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Jul 10, 1998 (21:07)", "body": "hmmmm"}, {"response": 87, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Jul 11, 1998 (01:04)", "body": "Just so you know, before posting any Colin photos you might want to ask permission of the person who \"owns\" them } Then there is the fact that scanned photos belong to the original publishers, and are in themselves a violation of the 'owner's' rights. ;-)"}, {"response": 88, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Jul 11, 1998 (09:38)", "body": "Oh, poooooh! Those people should be grateful for any extra free publicity at all. The net is a grey area, but as long as the images in question are not used for direct monetary gain, then no one should object."}, {"response": 89, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sat, Jul 11, 1998 (11:06)", "body": "(Ann) Then there is the fact that scanned photos belong to the original publishers, and are in themselves a violation of the 'owner's' rights. ;-) (Arami) Oh, poooooh! Those people should be grateful for any extra free publicity at all. The net is a grey area, but as long as the images in question are not used for direct monetary gain, then no one should object. I absolutely agree with you both, but you know how proprietary some people are about the photos they've scanned. New people post those photos in complete innocence, just wanting to share a good thing, then caca hits fan. I agree, it's ridiculous and not in keeping with the spirit of shared information, but it does happen. Just trying to help the new people avoid the buckets we stepped in all those months ago ;-)"}, {"response": 90, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Jul 11, 1998 (12:45)", "body": "\"...It's my scanner and I'll scan what I want to...!\" ;-)"}, {"response": 91, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Jul 11, 1998 (13:33)", "body": "\"...It's my scanner and I'll scan what I want to...!\" ;-) Oh my! It's Leslie Gore! ;-p"}, {"response": 92, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jul 11, 1998 (15:39)", "body": "The guy is obviously not a clothes horse. Or that was before Livia. There was a discussion in one of the papers about unfashionable items of clothing,which included a reference to \"corduroy trousers as always worn by Colin Firth before he got married\". Definitely a \"before and after\"! Didn't Nick Hornby say that most of the clothes CF wore in FP were his own?"}, {"response": 93, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Jul 11, 1998 (16:08)", "body": "most of the clothes CF wore in FP were his own I still can't believe they told him to bring his wardrobe to the shoot and that was it. Costumes for a film are subject to careful planning and care - it is not a matter of haphazard choice (unless your name is Gloria Swanson, perhaps). On the other hand, actors are often offered the costumes they wore in a film. Perhaps it was a misunderstanding of sorts. I.e. if Colin accepted some of the clothes he wore in FP (e.g. a leather jacket - not too bad), it could mean they were to his own personal taste."}, {"response": 94, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Jul 11, 1998 (16:10)", "body": "P.S. Apologies to any Gloria Swanson fans out there :-)"}, {"response": 95, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 11, 1998 (20:42)", "body": "\"corduroy trousers as always worn by Colin Firth before he got married\". I liked that casual British ..\".Hampshire-man\"..look. His clothes now look definitely more structured ......\"outfits\" from Via Veneta?"}, {"response": 96, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jul 12, 1998 (06:04)", "body": "Huh! I thought I'd spotted an ideal role for CF! Headline in paper....\"Hollywood remake of Pygmalion/My Fair Lady\". I've always fancied the idea of CF as the very English Professor Higgins. But, alas, alack, 'tis not to be. The Hollywood version, set in London, is a 90's role reversal interpretation with (you've guessed it) Gwyneth Paltrow in the Prof role and Winona Ryder as Colonel Pickering. \"Eliza Doolittle\" is a nerdish 30-something (male) trainspotter who lives with his mum. Hollywood have paid nea ly $2 million dollars for this bright idea! What next, GP and Winona as Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson? Or how about CF, Ralph Fiennes & D Day Lewis in a remake of Little Women? :-)"}, {"response": 97, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Jul 12, 1998 (09:58)", "body": "( Bethan) What next, GP and Winona as Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson? Or how about CF, Ralph Fiennes & D Day Lewis in a remake of Little Women? :-) LOL! I am particularly intrigued by your Little Women cast...... While playfully considering other classics for role reversal a terrible thought struck my mind: P&P has not yet been remade for the screen in the really big fashion .....! Eeeeeek! I am terrified at the mere thought what they can do to it (again!), wheras role reversal may be the best we can hope for ..... shudder!"}, {"response": 98, "author": "Kate", "date": "Sun, Jul 12, 1998 (11:03)", "body": "Sorry, an administrative matter that I wanted to post where all would see it ;-) Just a reminder that if you want to \"keep\" your name in Pemberley, you need to toddle on over to the Newbies page, click on \"List of names already in use\", and if you can find your name in black, click the button next to it, scroll down the page and tell us you're still here. If your name ISN'T on the list, and you do post there, you might want to post on the newbie board to let us know... but be patient, it's all manual, so adding new names takes a little while. I noticed that several drool regulars had not confirmed their names, so I wanted to let you know about this in case it had escaped your notice."}, {"response": 99, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Jul 12, 1998 (12:16)", "body": "I pulled these off of the AP Wire. They are the relative sales position for BJD: WALL STREET JOURNAL BEST SELLING BOOKS FICTION 4. ``Bridget Jones's Diary'' by Helen Fielding (Viking) PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BEST SELLING BOOKS HARDCOVER FICTION 3. ``Bridget Jones's Diary'' by Helen Fielding (Viking) USA TODAY BEST SELLING BOOKS 20. ``Bridget Jones's Diary'' by Helen Fielding (Viking) (F-H) Key: F-Fiction; NF-Nonfiction; H-Hardcover; P-Paperback USA Today's list is based on a computer analysis of retail book sales nationwide last week. Included are more than 1 million volumes from approximately 3,000 large-inventory, diverse-content bookstores."}, {"response": 100, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Jul 12, 1998 (12:17)", "body": "Whoops, I meant to post that at the other topic."}, {"response": 101, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jul 12, 1998 (12:53)", "body": "a terrible thought struck my mind: P&P has not yet been remade for the screen in the really big fashion .....! Eeeeeek! I am terrified at the mere thought what they can do to it Eons ago, I vaguely recall an even vaguer reference to the vaguest of possibilities of a big screen version of P&P, with..... (wait for it!)...Rob Lowe as Mr Darcy! Just thought I'd ruin your weekend. Or your life! :-) Well done HF! We'll await the big screen version of BJD, but no tampering with Mark Darcy!"}, {"response": 102, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 12, 1998 (20:06)", "body": "I have just finished viewing a tape of BAFTA Awards '98 and in the intoduction honoring the 50th Anniversary of BAFTA, they showed scenes of films. I noted two flashes (blink and they 're gone ) of FP, The kiss after setting down the coffee cup and the Big Cheer in slo mo when Arsenal scores. Not much, but at least CF's screen skills were acknowledged."}, {"response": 103, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jul 14, 1998 (10:32)", "body": "Renate I'm having problems with netaddress and emailing (temporary I hope!) Have sent info and contact address."}, {"response": 104, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jul 14, 1998 (13:10)", "body": "Actually, shouldn't this be Colin Firth - Part III"}, {"response": 105, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jul 14, 1998 (13:11)", "body": "I know I'm a ten bob short of a pound:)))"}, {"response": 106, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Jul 14, 1998 (14:00)", "body": "Actually, shouldn't this be Colin Firth - Part III Why Part III? When I count the CF boards it would be Part VII - it's 8 boards we have flooded so far: #42, #51, #52, #59, #67, #68, #97, #98. :-)) Did I forget one?"}, {"response": 107, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jul 14, 1998 (14:56)", "body": "I'm surprised the man doesn't have an ego problem with all these boards on him alone;) Lucky guy:)"}, {"response": 108, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Jul 14, 1998 (16:13)", "body": "(renate)it's 8 boards we have flooded so far: #42, #51, #52, #59, #67, #68, #97, #98. :-)) Did I forget one? How about 53? (lauraMM)I'm surprised the man doesn't have an ego problem with all these boards on him alone;) LOL! I tried to post my own three favourite photos but can't :-( One question: does the current trend in these discussions at this time warrant the existence of two different boards?"}, {"response": 109, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Jul 14, 1998 (16:14)", "body": "Damn! Did I forget to close the italics tag?"}, {"response": 110, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Jul 14, 1998 (16:15)", "body": "Guess I did :-)"}, {"response": 111, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Jul 14, 1998 (16:28)", "body": "Go to give your votes: http://www.celebritystars.com/ Then go down the page to \"Fans Top 100 Favourite Actors\". I am usually not very fond of this kind of contests, because it's ALWAYS George Clooney or Brad Pitt. But unless the GC fan club starts an attack we can to it :-)). Last week's result show Colin on #37 right after George Clooney with #38. :-). You can vote only once per week, but every week again! Go to it!"}, {"response": 112, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 14, 1998 (19:54)", "body": "(Gi) One question: does the current trend in these discussions at this time warrant the existence of two different boards? I am personally in favor of keeping the film discussions separate from \"anything pertaining to Colin \" which is 97. And 68, Colin Drool seems to have its own life. But I leave it up to our Reverend Leader."}, {"response": 113, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 14, 1998 (20:03)", "body": "EVERYBODY VOTE. I just did and Colin is # 2. Right behind and only 1 vote away from George Clooney. HURRY!"}, {"response": 114, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Tue, Jul 14, 1998 (22:16)", "body": "But I leave it up to our Reverend Leader. LOL! I don't think Reverends are allowed to drool ;-p As we've seen from past board overloads, it is terribly difficult to follow a conversation when there is only one Colin board. The dear fellow is so popular that it became necessary to break up the conversation four ways. Yes, it's a bit of a pain having to move between boards, but it is still easier than digging (and seeing the board collapse). I think we'll keep it as is, now that we're all used to it :-)"}, {"response": 115, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Jul 15, 1998 (02:14)", "body": "EVERYBODY VOTE I just did, I think. CF was no2 with 37 votes before I voted and still no 2 with 37 votes after!!! I followed the instructions and filled out the form correctly. Has it been nobbled by George Clooney fans?"}, {"response": 116, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 15, 1998 (08:09)", "body": "Re: Voting I think they might only update the votes once a week. So it might take until this weekend or perhaps Monday to see the results of our efforts to move him up out of perpetual second place. That is, unless that site is rigged!! :-)"}, {"response": 117, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jul 15, 1998 (08:30)", "body": "I voted!!! for George Clooney;) hee hee NOT. our DB Mr. Ego himself, with about 9 boards to his name... (RIMSHOT, PLEASE) Mr. Colin Firth. Any idea if he has a middle name, initial, etc..."}, {"response": 118, "author": "Kate", "date": "Wed, Jul 15, 1998 (08:58)", "body": "I voted... and did you see that CF is the most popular actor voted on this week?? They must be totally bewildered... CF outranking Leo? who is this Colin Firth??"}, {"response": 119, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jul 15, 1998 (10:05)", "body": "who is this Colin Firth?? ] Oh, some guys with 9 boards to his credit:) hee hee."}, {"response": 120, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Jul 15, 1998 (13:22)", "body": "#42, #51, #52, #59, #67, #68, #97, #98. :-)) Did I forget one? How about 53? Ooops, my fault. Meant #53. Guess #52 must be dedicated to someone else. (Allison hey, where-have-you-been?:) CF was no2 with 37 votes before I voted and still no 2 with 37 votes after!!! They say somewhere on the page that they update weekly, each Monday, I believe. And then you can / *must* go back and vote again! (Kate) They must be totally bewildered... CF outranking Leo? who is this Colin Firth?? I imagine them to do a search for CF and finding the meanderings of the Firth pages, and they go on and go on and no end ..8-o.... Can't help but giggle. I have left a message offering my help if they are looking for another picture.... That Santa picture surely does not explain anything - I love it, but I guess it's rather for the die-hard fans. Let them figure it out .... :-))"}, {"response": 121, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jul 15, 1998 (13:54)", "body": "Who is this Colin Firth? Not really news ( but in a time of famine, even crumbs count!).......there's a lot about David Puttnam (producer of MLSF) in the British press this week, mainly because he wasn't appointed Deputy Governor of the BBC (despite popular support from BBC staff) but has been appointed to head something called NESTA, to promote creative arts (and sciences) into the millenium. There was a brief mention of MLSF, but no dates. Anyway the whole point of this, is that when MLSF does open, I think it will attract a lot of respectful attention in the UK at least. Puttnam seems to be highly regarded for his dedication to creativity and to promoting good values (as opposed to just chasing huge profits). Another point......most Miramax films are premiered at film festivals (not in competition), well before the official general release date. For example, Wings of a Dove was shown at the Venice Film Festival, then had a Charity premiere in London, and opened a couple of months later. Same goes for Emma and Sliding Doors. It might be worthwhile keeping an eye on the festivals for MLSF. There, told you it wasn't NEWS, not really!! :-)"}, {"response": 122, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Jul 15, 1998 (18:03)", "body": "Bethan, anything of interest in a magazine called Woman's Journal? Apparently their review of ATA was good."}, {"response": 123, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Jul 16, 1998 (02:20)", "body": "(Bethan)Not really news ( but in a time of famine, even crumbs count!). More in that vein. Our local freebie magazine has an article by the editor of International Who's Who. He reveals that this year's new entries include Jacques Villeneuve, Honor Fraser, Prince William and.... Colin Firth!"}, {"response": 124, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 16, 1998 (14:25)", "body": "(Bethan)Not really news ( but in a time of famine, even crumbs count!). Bethan keep an eye on the Edinburgh Festival which I think is immenint. I seem to recall that MLSF was made with Scottish Government Funds. They might want to feature the film and secure their investment. Just a shot in the dark!"}, {"response": 125, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jul 16, 1998 (16:00)", "body": "Woman's Journal Arami, I didn't see the Women's Journal review, but I did actually see a few favourable reviews of ATA....they weren't all bad. I just got incensed by some unecessarily disparaging comments about CF! What surprised me, though, was the total absence of any promotion (interviews etc) by the two stars. ATA had got star power, an award winning novel, King Lear etc.....it could have been marketed. Harrison Ford's latest got absolutely lousy reviews but was well promoted and topped the box office charts. (Ditto no doubt, Godzilla!) I still want to see ATA. Let me know please, anyone, when it comes out on video in Europe! International Who's Who 98/99 Aha! There's our chance to find out his middle name (if he has one!) and hobbies! Provided that he has submitted full details, that is! Does anyone have access to a public/reference library with a decent budget (ie new books!)? Middle name.....I still think there could be a Scottish connection...Andrew, Gordon, Hamish? Edinburgh Film Festival Evelyn, you're quite right, Edinburgh would be a very appropriate venue, although I think it's regarded as one of the smaller festivals."}, {"response": 126, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jul 16, 1998 (16:13)", "body": "Forgot to mention, Shakespeare in Love has its own (unofficial, I think) website. The URL link doesn't seem to work, but you can find it by searching on www.webcrawler.com Shakespeare in Love"}, {"response": 127, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Jul 16, 1998 (17:22)", "body": "Bethan, the link is interesting enough, even if there are no real news, we know there is a crew ..... and the Shakespeare links are very interesting, btw. I'll try to post the link. Shakespeare in Love (plus a lot of links)"}, {"response": 128, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jul 16, 1998 (18:37)", "body": "International Who's Who 98/99 I'll bet any amount that he will not disclose his middle name, even if he has one, and that he will say he has no hobbies (due to no time), only interests: acting, reading (especially when studying/researching for acting), maybe some light music and almost certainly family. It used to be principally his son, but now that he's married, he will call it something like family life."}, {"response": 129, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Jul 17, 1998 (02:03)", "body": "International Who's Who 98/99 He has an entry in \"People of Today\", another Debrett publocation. He gives no second name and lists no recreations. Interestingly, no mention of Will but Debrett presumably only accepts those born the right side of the blanket. How that musy irk him!"}, {"response": 130, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Jul 17, 1998 (02:04)", "body": "'scuse typos. It's too early in the morning for me."}, {"response": 131, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 18, 1998 (16:37)", "body": "Friday July 17 PEOPLE MAGAZINE On-Line HOTTEST MEN, UK-STYLE The Top-10 Sexiest Men in the World (as voted by female readers of Britain's Sun tabloid And CF wasn't even mentioned . Shocking!!"}, {"response": 132, "author": "Kate", "date": "Sat, Jul 18, 1998 (22:31)", "body": "And he seems to have been completely dropped by the site we voted on earlier this week - can't even cast a vote for him any more."}, {"response": 133, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Jul 19, 1998 (04:25)", "body": "I am not at all surprised that Sun readers did not vote for him. He would not have been flattered if they had."}, {"response": 134, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jul 19, 1998 (04:55)", "body": "Re MOM I would say that it was shot without makeup, sometimes in less than flattering light and often in the fullest close up possible. And it's still my favourite, for \"looks\"! And I agree about the \"heavy\" look....he was often wearing a shirt, jumper, corduroy jacket and a bulky unfashionable anorak. I'm surprised he managed to stride across those moors with such alacrity!"}, {"response": 135, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jul 19, 1998 (04:57)", "body": "Sorry, the above should be on #98!"}, {"response": 136, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 19, 1998 (11:01)", "body": "Re; MOTM he was often wearing a shirt, jumper, corduroy jacket and a bulky unfashionable anorak. That's a v. popular look in the US. At one time FOF had a pic of him in this gear entitled: \"The Eddie Bauer Poster Boy\" (For non-US...Eddie Bauer is a store/catalog that specializes in outdoor clothing.)"}, {"response": 137, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jul 19, 1998 (16:36)", "body": "SLOW and Handmade Films Evelyn, Not really news time again! But I noticed that one of Handmade's current batch of films (Lock Stock and 2 smoking barrels) is opening in the UK in a couple of weeks and a few weeks ago The James Gang, also Handmade also opened. Another (Man with rain) is due to open. So at least their products are getting distributed (in the UK at least) There's a site at wysiwig://4/ http://www.filmfestivals.com/cannes98/best/best124.htm which gives an update on Handmade Films. SLOW obviously wasn't completed then."}, {"response": 138, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 19, 1998 (21:04)", "body": "Re: SLOW at Cannes: Bethan....SLOW obviously wasn't completed then. That's what Juliette told me when I called. That film was shot almost a year ago...if those guys in post -production work by the hour, they're wealthy.!! BTW I see at the Handmade website that Juliette is the marketing and sales exec. I shall call again in mid-August to see if they hooked a festival yet. Encouraging to see Handmade Films being released...maybe it's Rubicon money. ."}, {"response": 139, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (06:16)", "body": "That film was shot almost a year ago...if those guys in post -production work by the hour, they're wealthy. What do you expect from a company named \"Handmade\".....?"}, {"response": 140, "author": "CherylQE", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (08:47)", "body": ""}, {"response": 141, "author": "CherylQE", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (08:48)", "body": "So much for italics. When I have my own computer..."}, {"response": 142, "author": "CherylQE", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (08:55)", "body": "This is a test, thank you all for bearing with me. I should have read the tutorial."}, {"response": 143, "author": "Kate", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (09:04)", "body": "Ok, I revisited the celebrity site last night, and this time I emailed them to ask them why they had changed the system so that you could only vote for the options they provided, and why it was such a limited and obviously idiosyncratic list. This was the response: We had problems with visitors not even visiting the site and just banging on the vote form and this we know for sure because the form had an attatched envelope report. Identifying origination.... We gave viewers an opportunity to act civil and appreciate the time and effort we were willing to put in so they could voice their opinions. Unfortunately there were some who would rather play games, which created entirely too much extra work for us and therefore we have decided to automate the vote and limit it to the actors we cover........ We have a very small staff and we recently doubled our celebrity listings and have 40+ big sites to begin writing on as soon as we finish with work at the main site..... Most of the actors you mentioned are fine actors. We especially like Denzel Washington it it very likely that he or Morgan freeman will occupy the 20th spot on the actors list.. Also alot of what we do is contingant upon what information is or will be made available to us upon request. All agents and publicists are not cooperative and others are. This my friend is how we determine who to write for. This is not a commercial site it is a privately owned site that we fund. We also have the right, just like anyone else, to write for whomever we choose.... We would like to be able to write for everyone but it's impossible, without a staff of 100 or more...... The actress list when finished will encompass 40 actresses........... In effect we will be covering 60 celebrities which is way more than most privately owned and written sites. Plus we have other obligations and commitments and we are also not obligated to take the time to explain everthing we do to everybody.... And just for your information George Clooney, Jane Seymour, & Christian Slater were added because of the poll.... Legitimacy is also not having the same person using 8 different and some bogus e-mail address to vote for the same actor in 2 minutes and think we're not gonna know...and forcing us to canvass 100's of votes daily because of it. I hope I have answered some of your questions... cordially alladin@celebritystars.com So, I think it is not worth persuing this one. ;-)"}, {"response": 144, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (10:37)", "body": "Kate, I find alladin's \"explanation\" one of the most \"uncivil\" answers I've ever imagined, don't you? And none of it comes out as a good reason to drop the #2 actor off their list. Just a very good reason not to visit any of their sites anytime. IMHO, anyway."}, {"response": 145, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (14:06)", "body": "Cheryl E I have a (short)list of people I plan to work with and he's on it Can I be your first assistant? :-) I know the business and am thoroughly professional. Oh, and I'm cheap. No, wait - if he's there, I'll pay you."}, {"response": 146, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (16:16)", "body": "Thanks Kate, for taking the time to write to Celebrity Stars and relating the answer to us. V. uncivil indeed.(Moreover, poorly written) However, we had one moment in \"Camelot\" when we saw CF as #2, only one vote away from George Clooney!! They can't take that away from us. :-)"}, {"response": 147, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (17:05)", "body": "Well, Kate...you tried. He's got a rather large bug up his ass, wouldn't you say? \"Plus we have other obligations and commitments and we are also not obligated to take the time to explain everthing we do to everybody...\" Geez, sorry to bother you, buddy. Then he had the audacity to sign the email \"Cordially\" LOL! Last time I visit that site. They can bite me ;-D"}, {"response": 148, "author": "Kate", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (17:12)", "body": "They can bite me ;-D well, they can bite me first. I'm sure there would be other bitees as well...."}, {"response": 149, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (17:35)", "body": "Gi, you have said it in a nutshell. Forget celebr... what was their name?"}, {"response": 150, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (22:45)", "body": "Oh, this place is entirely too quiet. I've discovered the \"storyboard\" feature of my Snappy... This is too cool!"}, {"response": 151, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (22:48)", "body": "Love his hands :-}~~~"}, {"response": 152, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (23:02)", "body": "Woah! WOAH! 8-O Nan, woman, nearly had a heart attack! All this without warning! Wondered all the time what you were up to, so quiet ..... now I understand your \"snapping like a lunatic\" :-))."}, {"response": 153, "author": "cherylq", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (04:58)", "body": ""}, {"response": 154, "author": "cherylq", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (05:16)", "body": "2. Re Renate's questions--a little background. I was with the documentary crew that was doing a \"The Making of ...\" documentary, that got turned into a piece on Milos when V. tanked. Therefore, the principle actors and Milos and Mike (line and exec producer)considered us the enemy camp. Of course we were on the same side, and everyone had arranged this and agreed to it. It's just that when you are working as they all work (not like a special effects film or anything where the acting is secondary, whic is 90% of the time), it's offputting to have a second (or third) camera stuck in your face. You're used to down time, between takes, and now you're being shot when you're not aware and ready for it. People are in your sightlines when you're getting ready for a take (I owe Meg an apology for that one). (A courtesy to actors is to clear some space in front of them so they can collect their thoughts and emotions before a medium or close shot.) Who knows what casual comment might get picked up while the ound tape is rolling? You can't adjust your tight pants quite as brazenly as you might after you're sick to death and no longer conscious of the crew, because it might come back to haunt you. Now Vojtech (director of that film, one of Milos' teachers), being a stand-up guy, would never let anything through editing that would embarrass anyone, but the cast doesn't know that because they don't know him. And Milos and Mike for the moment don't either--we, the documentary crew, are a potential liability t keeping the ship on course and moving forward, and therefore they hate us. If the actors got uptight, we got thrown off the set. Not that there was always a correlation, but I'm sure it was because sometimes it made the actors FEEL better, like someone was watching over them and would do anything humanly possible to help them. Of course it pissed me off, but I was juvenile then :-)"}, {"response": 155, "author": "cherylq", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (05:52)", "body": ""}, {"response": 156, "author": "cherylq", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (06:34)", "body": "(Renate) Keep your sex appeal under wraps (well, so Milos hasn't mastered that one.) But CF did put this rule to best use as Darcy .... well, it was this effect that brought us here, I guess. Mais oui! I think that's why Milos cast him, THAT was already in his bones. Milos doesn't get it about women with less blantant, um, characteristics. (arami) Sure, you can work for me if I don't work for you first! Send me an email if you want and tell me about your film experience, you sly dog. I didn't know until reading the ancient history that you must work or have worked in the business. What, are you Stephen Frears' wife? A famous actress? Perhaps a director in your own right? Maybe it's difference in dialect. What do you call a take when the camera moves? Well, a take. Or are you being sly again? ;-) (Megan)(Arami)(bethan) re natual grace: well, we all know white boys can't jump. However, from what I saw, Bethan's comment seems a propos (Jeez, I didn't realize I used so much French till I learned html:)) Some people, actors included, have a certain consistency about them--they're almost lways analytical, almost always aggressive, generally dishonest, etc. Others pop back and forth between...almost... personas , if you will. When I'm playing basketball or taking a knife away from someo e in aikido, I'm not an Olympic athlete or anything, but I'd never be the last one picked for anyone's team. On the other hand, when I'm working on my book, I have been known to run into walls and/or people at work. I don't think Colin should quit his day job like Michael Jordan did and try baseball, but he could certanly give you a good spin around the dance floor. I agree with Arami, there's so much pressure and so many things to think about, one will make mistakes one wouldn't normally make. Howeve , either he considers it part of his performance, doesn't know till after editing that he wasn't \"taken care of\", or the budget wouldn't allow too many takes. I haven't seen all those instances you mention so I dunno. Re actors requesting another take: One of my favorite stories is about Milos working with Jack Nicholson...did I mention this before? I think I cut it out because it wasn't that relevant at the time...anyway there's a scene where Nicholson is trying to get the Big Indian to pick up a marble sink and use it to break out of the asylum. After maybe 12 takes, Milos say which takes to print and the crew starts to move things around for the next setup. Nicholson says, one more take. Milos says, we got it. Nicholson says no we didn't. Milos says yes, we did. Jack says one more take, I didn't get it. Milos says no. At this time in history, Milos is a barely known Czech director who has done 1 (maybe 2) films in the US, and Nicholson is, you know. So this was unbelievable (this also touches on the discussion of how much clout directors vs. actors have). Hugh standoff, shooting was stopped for the day because neither guy would budge. Correction, Milos walked off the set, and then Jack walked off the the other direction. Terrible problem, money lost, etc., etc. Michael Douglas produced this one, so he's freaking out as well. Eventually, the next morning, after major diplomatic missions, Nicholson took his spot at the next setup. So stars CAN and often do bulldoze even the biggest directors, but this wasn't one of those times. Now if Colin had asked for another take on any shot I saw, he would have gotten it, whether it served the production or his ego or whatever. Everything is relative."}, {"response": 157, "author": "cherylq", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (06:38)", "body": "I think that covers the loose ends. When I grow up I want to be able to use Photoshop, snappy, etc. like Nan. Of course you have to have good material to make it all worthwhile :-)"}, {"response": 158, "author": "cherylq", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (06:51)", "body": "So i guess i didn't learn html :-( Not even one thing."}, {"response": 159, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (07:15)", "body": "I don't think Colin should quit his day job like Michael Jordan did and try baseball, but he could certanly give you a good spin around the dance floor. I wish! Thanks for all that Cheryl....I'll have to re-read it a few times to take it all in. As usual you make some very astute obsevations. Nan, you're becoming a real whizz with the snappy! Mmmmmmm!!"}, {"response": 160, "author": "cherylq", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (07:46)", "body": "I think it was Jody Foster who said that an interview tells you more about the interviewer than the interviewee."}, {"response": 161, "author": "MaryBeth", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (08:05)", "body": "I don't mean to be a loser, but who is Colin Firth??? I mean there are soooo many pages for this guy. I have never even heard of him.... I mean, Bruce Willis, Mel Gibson, David Dochovny, Sam Neill, I can understand, they're all yum-yums, but I have never heard of Colin Firth. Help me out someone."}, {"response": 162, "author": "cherylq", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (10:14)", "body": "Someone more qualified should answer MaryBeth's question--I have one foot in the Drool world and one in the outside, so I would be unintelligible. Help! I just bought about everything you can buy with CF in it! I can call it a professional expense but...I've never done this before. I guess I just have to trust those of you with more experience. This was not on my list of things to do six months ago. Oh my."}, {"response": 163, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (13:46)", "body": "Nan,who is she? As you know, I haven't seen all His films, and I'm afraid I'm not likely to go Cheryl's way and buy the whole lot. Anyway, his hands are indeed lovely... (Renate)Wondered all the time what you were up to, so quiet Well, do pay a visit to topic 68 and see for yourself ;-) (MaryBeth)who is Colin Firth??? Allow me... a British actor, who played in a number of films you may not have seen and some you may have, and was the star of the BBC/A&E production of \"Pride and Prejudice\". You probably saw him as Geoffrey Clifton, the wronged husband, in The English Patient. For more information, I suggest you visit some other sites, like: http://www.teleport.com/~kenellen/firthfaq.htm http://www.members.aol.com/DJohn10589/index1.html and others. Also, stick with us and you'll learn a lot more about him! What d'you all say, ladies? Am I right?"}, {"response": 164, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (17:23)", "body": "(Cheryl) Re: Buying all available CF's videos This was not on my list of things to do six months ago. Oh my. Caution: This is addictive.....happens to the best of us! (Gi) Re: the chick with CF in the latest snappies Nan,who is she Yeah, I don't recognize her either....."}, {"response": 165, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (17:25)", "body": "I did so close the italics."}, {"response": 166, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (18:18)", "body": "must open and close them ...I think??? ;-)"}, {"response": 167, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sat, Jul 25, 1998 (00:27)", "body": "(evelyn) read somplace that Milos' in his bio said Colin was the best actor he could get for the part for the money....do you know if that is true? Without a doubt. Milos wouldn't hold up a film even if another gang decided to do something based on the SAME BOOK AT THE SAME TIME, but he would never go forward without what he considered to be perfect casting. He also had to be diplomatic, I'm sure. You can't just say, he's the best actor and leave it at that. That would offend and burn bridges. Best actor for the part, I'm quite sure he meant. For the money--maybe, but then again one way for people to stay friends while considering each other as potential business partners is to either demand too much money or to offer too little. Milos and his gang like to see the \"money on the screen\", which means you get a lot of production value for your money and i 's not \"wasted\" on things people don't see: crew overtime, sweetheart deal and kickbacks, but also anything they can get away with not paying for ;-). However, it would be easy for him to stay friends with people by saying, sorry, I just can't pay that, and go with the non-star that he was leaning toward in the first place."}, {"response": 168, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sat, Jul 25, 1998 (03:01)", "body": "Italics are happening independent of us. When I posted last part of Karen's and the answer part of mine was just fine. Then I came back and we have droopy letters."}, {"response": 169, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sat, Jul 25, 1998 (03:03)", "body": "And on the little screen you get with your post and the one you're answering, it looks ok. So it's the main board (for the software wizards)."}, {"response": 170, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sat, Jul 25, 1998 (12:39)", "body": "I'm not sure what's going on with the tags here. Are you getting any messages saying that you have a \"missing tag\" when you try to post. The software is supposed to alert you before posting so that you can change it. I wonder if there is something wrong with that feature. Hmmmm...."}, {"response": 171, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sat, Jul 25, 1998 (13:04)", "body": "Welcome, Mary Beth :-) As some ladies here have mentioned, most of us found Colin when he starred as Mr. Darcy in the wonderful A&E/BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Here's a little example of why we lost our minds: The above is from Renate's archives. If you haven't seen P&P, you really must. Go, run...then come back and tell us if you agree :-) Arami, dear...I tried to snap the photos you requested from the first proposal, but it appears that he is moving too fast for the Snappy to capture a clear photo (during the really \"disgusted\" moments, anyway)...hope you'll like this instead:"}, {"response": 172, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Jul 25, 1998 (14:33)", "body": "that is probably the one scene in the movie that I think he doesn't look that good:( Too angry for my taste. We like a Happy Darcy!!!"}, {"response": 173, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 25, 1998 (14:51)", "body": "( Laura ) We like a Happy Darcy!!! And lustful."}, {"response": 174, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Jul 25, 1998 (15:03)", "body": "Oh, but of course, a lustful Darcy. And a witty Darcy, a shy Darcy, A wet Darcy:) Darcy Darcy~!!!!"}, {"response": 175, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Jul 25, 1998 (17:13)", "body": "Nan, love your snappymania! When I saw these pics I thought: \"He really looks %&\"*3^#!\" No wonder, considering what happened 5 minutes ago. Poor Darcy. Wonderful Colin."}, {"response": 176, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sat, Jul 25, 1998 (17:23)", "body": "Nan, love your snappymania! Me too, babe :-)"}, {"response": 177, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Jul 25, 1998 (20:04)", "body": "(Cheryl) I don\ufffdt think it really matters what he has done or hasn\ufffdt done. Absolutely! Of course I wish him success and meteoric rise, but I will always like him primarily for who or what he is - not for what he might be. Vojtech That's a Central European name; what's his surname? Sure, you can work for me if I don't work for you first! ...tell me about your film experience, you sly dog... you must work or have worked in the business. LOL! I'll take it as a compliment. Much as I regret it, my experience is not significant, but I've been close... and I pride myself on reasonably good knowledge of the business. At this time in history, Milos is a barely known Czech director who has done 1 (maybe 2) films in the US, and Nicholson is, you know. So this was unbelievable (this also touches on the discussion of how much clout directors vs. actors have). From Milos's experience of the Central European theatre and cinema tradition, the director is God. (MaryBeth)I don't mean to be a loser, but who is Colin Firth??? We're constantly asking the same question here... ;-) Stay with us, MaryBeth and watch us celebrate a wonderful actor and a decent man. Not a bad looker, either. (Cheryl) Help! I just bought about everything you can buy with CF in it! I'm forever buying everything with or about Colin - and what a nice way to spend one's hubby's hard-earned cash on one's fantasy... (Gi) Nan,who is she? Can't remember her name, but isn't the sequence from Wings of fame? (Evelyn) read somplace that Milos' in his bio said Colin was the best actor he could get for the part for the money....do you know if that is true? (Cheryl) Without a doubt... perfect casting... diplomatic... Best actor for the part, I'm quite sure... maybe, but then again... potential business partners... production value... crew overtime... [etc., etc.] Cheryl, baby, and I mean it in the friendliest way: if you went on and on like that when making a film, your actors and crew would fall asleep... :-) Why don't you just grab the said volume and quote from it verbatim to answer Evelyn's simple question? (Nan) it appears that he is moving too fast for the Snappy to capture a clear photo Yes, I know. It's that blasted steadicam again: great for quick, natural, documentary style scenes, but not good for artistic purposes... (Cheryl, my friend, make a note, please: we shan't be using any such fancy cheapo machinery or crap cameramen in our films :-)!) Nan, the first pic comes quite close to what I expected to see. He looks like he's sucking on a lemon, poor dear, and I don't mind that he's not really pretty with it. In fact I'm sure it's intentional: here's Darcy absolutely fuming and seepe in revulsion, giving vent to his frustration by grimacing in private, but no one will ever see his face screwed up like that because he's too polite and well bred to throw tantrums publicly. That famous old English stiff upper lip, you know... Wonderful! Nan, could you try his flashes of anger and disgust as he rises from the pew in the church at Lydia and Wickham's wedding? (Yes, I also like a happy Darcy, but I positively melt when he's thunderous! :-))"}, {"response": 178, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sat, Jul 25, 1998 (21:54)", "body": "(Gi) Nan,who is she? (Arami) Can't remember her name, but isn't the sequence from Wings of fame? Yes, WOF. Her name is Marie Trintignant--quite pretty, I think. (Arami) He looks like he's sucking on a lemon, poor dear, and I don't mind that he's not really pretty with it. Really? Some of you think he's not really pretty when he's angry. Mercy! I think he's too hot for words when he's pissed...makes my teeth sweat :-D (Arami) could you try his flashes of anger and disgust as he rises from the pew in the church *sigh* I'm having the same problem as before...he's moving too fast to catch the real flash, but I got these... Personally, I don't care if he's smiling or frowning or bouncing off the walls--when he's in Darcy mode, he gives me the \"squinges\" (as Marcia used to say) ;-)"}, {"response": 179, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sun, Jul 26, 1998 (04:35)", "body": ""}, {"response": 180, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Jul 26, 1998 (11:26)", "body": "The BIG WET COLD BORING BLANKET speaking: Dear ladies, let me remind you that it is much easier to lose one's temper than to repair the damage when it is done. Ready wit is a great thing, but diplomacy is the better virtue. I can't always keep to this rule myself, but I try. :-) If you cannot swallow what someone serves you, write down your reply but don't post it before 24, or 48 hours later. You will see it in another light. Perhaps you don't need to reply at all because it is not important anymore. This is the essence of my experience of a year and a half on boards and lists."}, {"response": 181, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 26, 1998 (11:37)", "body": "(Cheryl) .I didn\ufffdt have said volume, Evelyn did. SHE asked ME for additional information about something that was IN said volume. I tried to satisfy the woman as much as possible. And Evelyn is very grateful. I will say I learned a great deal from Cheryl's response. Thank you. Hey, kids....this wasn't my weekend.... I offended Ann on #80 (have since apologized via email) And then I opened up a can of worms on this board...... I'm the one to be shot!!"}, {"response": 182, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jul 26, 1998 (13:20)", "body": "Well, all I can say is that I have really enjoyed Cheryl's very thoughtful contributions and very much appreciate the time and effort taken. I have infact been trying to print off a copy of all Cheryl's postings to read at my leisure, but all I get are blank pages. Any advice, please? I'm not acting as mediator here, but I think that Arami would be the first to admit that she rather enjoys stirring things up occasionally (makes for a lively board :-) )But I also think that Cheryl defended herself very creditably! Baptism by fire! :-)"}, {"response": 183, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 26, 1998 (15:35)", "body": "I have in fact been trying to print off a copy...but all I get are blank pages. Any advice, please? See, Nan!! I'm not the only one. Apparently you and Myretta have *magic* print buttons. Bethan: I've had to resort to copying to a word processing document in order to print anything from Spring since nearly Day 1. :-("}, {"response": 184, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Jul 26, 1998 (16:08)", "body": "I think it's the browser. Since I use Netscape Communicator I cannot print it out anymore; haven't tried MSIE 3 lately, but it used to work. If it's not the browser it must be some options - would be very interested to find out what the reason is."}, {"response": 185, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 26, 1998 (16:10)", "body": "(Bethan) Well, all I can say is that I have really enjoyed Cheryl's very thoughtful contributions and very much appreciate the time and effort taken Here, here!!,. And we don't want anyone running her off!"}, {"response": 186, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Sun, Jul 26, 1998 (17:54)", "body": "Karen: See, Nan!! I'm not the only one. Apparently you and Myretta have *magic* print buttons. Renate: I think it's the browser. Renate is right, Karen. It's not a magic print button. It's a magic browser. MSIE works. Netscape doesn't."}, {"response": 187, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Jul 26, 1998 (18:18)", "body": "Marie Trintignant Oh, yes, of course - Jean Louis's daughter, I think, right? How could I forget. he's moving too fast to catch the real flash, but I got these... Nan, it's brilliant (for what it is... ;-P). I love the way he shoots troubled glances from under his frowning brows - left, right... he's in Darcy mode, he gives me the \"squinges\" Ditto here! (Cheryl) Why don\ufffdt you pick on somebody your own size ;-p Ah, so you also think size matters, then :-D ? I request a moratorium on mockery for a month or so I'll consider it... since you're asking so nicely... coffee keeps one perky, if that\ufffds a problem for you. No, dear, I'm not proud - I'd even sweep the studio afterwards ;-) I might have dissolved in tears Oh, no - no waterworks, please. Can't stand it! Anyway, I can see that you are made of sterner stuff and withstood my trials well... ;-) there\ufffds something fishy there Yes, we all seem to be angling for something... The only time anyone ever fell asleep on me was after a long night of \ufffd You're expecting applause? ;-) Take this to board 34, I would. ;-D SHE asked ME for additional information about something that was IN said volume. Well, whatever it was, I was also interested in the details. And perhaps other people here, too. However, on checking IN the said volume, I find that more or less half of what she said she had heard was in it, wasn't in it after all... :-( So I was wondering what was that you actually commented upon, if you get my drift... I'm still none the wiser :-) You can always use your pretty little mouse or keyboard to skip unsightly verbiage. But when you put your verbiage on a public board, other people will want to read and comment. If you don't want it, you can always use your pretty little private email system. :-) Perhaps you could try to like me primarily for who and what I am, rather than who I might be\ufffdor is that only for DB? (tee hee). Oh, it's never the question of not liking you - I'm not really that nasty! But when facts and sources are quoted, I tend to get very exacting. Why don't you? :-) I didn\ufffdt have said volume, Evelyn did. Exactly! But why has it taken you all this time to admit it? And Evelyn can't have it either, her quotation was incorrect, so you both ended discussing a fallacy. OK - I accept your apology in good faith and offer you mine. Not for speaking the truth - but for the way I go about it. (Thanks, Renate and Bethan, for your noble efforts to diffuse the situation. I don't really deserve all the friends who rally round when I get carried away...) Seriously, I know I'm sometimes annoying, but it's all done in an effort to be stimulating and amusing. Well, at least I had some fun... tee-hee... :) P.S.By the way, I would advise you to ignore the gossip concerning my person... It is of no consequence, I assure you. DB is still the appropriate subject here."}, {"response": 188, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 26, 1998 (21:13)", "body": "(Arami) Well, at least I had some fun... tee-hee... But, at whose expense?"}, {"response": 189, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sun, Jul 26, 1998 (23:14)", "body": "(Myretta) Renate is right, Karen. It's not a magic print button. It's a magic browser. MSIE works. Netscape doesn't. Aha! Mystery solved. All you've gotta do is get rid of that pesky Netscape ;-p (Nan) Marie Trintignant (Arami) Oh, yes, of course - Jean Louis's daughter, I think, right? How could I forget. Yep, that's her. (Arami) I love the way he shoots troubled glances from under his frowning brows - left, right... I just love him when he's dark and brooding. I'm a little annoyed that I can't capture a few of the moments, but I suppose I'll have to live with it. *Sigh* (Arami) Ah, so you also think size matters, then :-D ? Damned straight, it does ;-p ;-p Yes, we all seem to be angling for something... Indeed, baby! (Arami) Seriously, I know I'm sometimes annoying, but it's all done in an effort to be stimulating and amusing...(snip)...By the way, I would advise you to ignore the gossip concerning my person... It is of no consequence, I assure you It's true...Arami is perfectly amiable (and I speak from experience) ;-) Maybe I'm just used to her style, after more than a year of her being an almost daily part of my life, but I've enjoyed every moment of it (good and bad). Slap me if you want, but she makes me LMAO...always has, even when we weren't getting along. I think part of the fun of the Colin boards is that they are frequented by a group of sly, witty, intelligent women. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't trade this for any of the other places I visit where everyone gushes over everyone else. This is far more interesting to me. So, Cheryl dear...settle in, you've been initiated ;-) Give as well as you get and you'll grow to love this place. But I warn you...no Colin information gets past us. If you mention something, prepare to get peppered with questions. And, as Arami mentioned, she is our resident stickler so don't be surprised when she calls you on something ;-)"}, {"response": 190, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Jul 27, 1998 (01:48)", "body": "(Myretta) MSIE works. Netscape doesn't. Aha! Mystery solved. All you've gotta do is get rid of that pesky Netscape ;-p ... only to get that still more pesky MSIE....;-)) For the benefit of newbies: you can have both on your pc, and use them simultaneously. Very useful, and very interesting, because the same page may look very different when watched with one or the other."}, {"response": 191, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Jul 27, 1998 (05:24)", "body": "(Arami) Well, at least I had some fun... tee-hee... (Evelyn) But, at whose expense? You're obviously craving an apology from me personally, too. Oh, all right, then. It's like giving autographs (ask Colin!) - one tries one's best in the interest of world peace... ;-P ;-D So, have you found out yet what Milos Forman really wrote about casting Colin in Valmont? :)"}, {"response": 192, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 27, 1998 (11:16)", "body": "(Arami ) (Evelyn) But, at whose expense? You're obviously craving an apology from me personally, too. \"Frankly, m'dear, I don't give a damn\":-) I just felt sorry that I had put Cheryl in that predicament. You see, I don't get my kicks from injuring other people.And I don't think you're so cute,as Nan does. But I am willing to co-exist with you. I don't think we have to gush over one another....but one should maintain some form of civility. So, have you found out yet what Milos Forman really wrote about casting Colin in Valmont? :) BTW that information was at onetime posted on FAQ. AT this point I shall take Cheryl's word ."}, {"response": 193, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Mon, Jul 27, 1998 (11:34)", "body": ""}, {"response": 194, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jul 27, 1998 (11:35)", "body": "Okay, as we're all amicable once more, I'm going to stimulate some discussion! I've been reading about Spielberg's \"Private Ryan\" opening on the US to a major promotion campaign and hugely favourable audience reaction.....and I presume that one of the reasons, if not the only reason, the opening of MLSF was postponed by Miramax would have been the justifiable fear that it would sink without trace before such opposition. And so they looked for another date. Which begs the question...when can a small budget coming of age movie about a landed gentry family in Scotland in the early 1930's ever be a box office success in the US? Everyone always quotes the example of the Full Monty, but that had a \"secret\" marketing budget of $20million. Miramax would have to promote MLSF heavily, and CF would have to take centre stage on the celebrity circuit..talk shows etc. I was reading about how Kenneth Branagh promoted The Gingerbread Man in the US (BTW this movie has just opened here to dreadful reviews..made the reviews for ATA seem positively glowing) and \"surfing\" cable TV I caught a glimpse of Madonna partying with Rupert Everett and talking about their latest movie. The problem is I just can't see Colin taking this celebrity path, although he may have to. With reasonable marketing MLSF could probably open now in the UK with modest to good box office success, as it could in perhaps somewhere like Scandinavia where Colin is quite popular. But the big box office returns are undoubtably to be made in the US and in the meantime Miramax delay the release of MLSF which doesn't do Colin's career in the UK any good....we're having a long wait to see him in a starring role, especially if SIL comes out first. Basically, my question is, just how difficult is it to be successful on both sides of the pond? Especially for an essentially private unassuming man?"}, {"response": 195, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Mon, Jul 27, 1998 (11:42)", "body": ""}, {"response": 196, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Mon, Jul 27, 1998 (11:45)", "body": "Oh my! Now we're bolded and italiced (italicked?! I only bolded the first word, very, and I have proof in Microsoft Word."}, {"response": 197, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Mon, Jul 27, 1998 (11:49)", "body": "test"}, {"response": 198, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 27, 1998 (12:09)", "body": "Bethan... I keep tellin ya'...Miramax knows what they're doin' with MLSF They are the most successful indie company (not v. indie..owned by Disney) I wish SLOW was in their hands!!"}, {"response": 199, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Mon, Jul 27, 1998 (12:29)", "body": ""}, {"response": 200, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Mon, Jul 27, 1998 (12:31)", "body": "(Evelyn)I had put Cheryl in that predicament Evelyn, my dear, I wouldn't change a thing:-)"}, {"response": 201, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Mon, Jul 27, 1998 (12:32)", "body": "Not only do I get double posts, I get a ghost writer! (This happened on 98 as well)."}, {"response": 202, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Mon, Jul 27, 1998 (13:03)", "body": "Cheryl: I only bolded the first word, very, and I have proof in Microsoft Word. Check your document. You losed your tag with b/ instead of /b I use both Netscape and Explorer, and Netscape works just fine. If you are able to print from Netscape, perhaps you will share your set up options so that everyone else can do it too."}, {"response": 203, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 27, 1998 (13:40)", "body": "Cheryl: Don't feel like you *have* to cite chapter and verse about everything. As far as I know, \"trial by fire\" is not a prerequisite for participating here. You have a unique vantage point and your comments are welcome and interesting. MLSF Bethan, you asked *when* a movie like that could be released. All depends on what they promote it as. A kid growing up in Scotland with quirky relations could be released anytime, but probably the summer would least desirable. FYI, there was considerable controversary about releasing Pvt, Ryan now as this part of the summer through end of August is considered dead. I had heard Spielberg didn't want it to go up against Armageddon. Have heard from people who have seen it and they say it's his best yet. When it was over, no one got up for quite a while. As the old sergeant used to say on Hill Street Blues: Let's be careful with our tags out there! My eyes have barely refocused. ;-D"}, {"response": 204, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jul 27, 1998 (16:17)", "body": "I am gone but a short while and I find you have left me far behind, and somewhat Squinge-less. The pix I flashed through on my way to posting did remarkable things for my Monday, and for that I thank all of you more talented-than-I posters. While I was away some vile person came into my sanctom and removed all TVs, VCR's,(Leaving me Firthless entirely) COMPUTERS!!!!, and short wave receivers. I am now on a Laptop pressed on me by a very foresighted StefanieB before I left her company in California. As I struggle to fill out insurance forms and replace some of the missing items, I will be back here to keep my sanity intact. It seems forever since I have even contemplated serious button snipping!!!"}, {"response": 205, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Jul 27, 1998 (17:19)", "body": "(Bethan) I've been reading about Spielberg's \"Private Ryan\" ....and I presume that one of the reasons, if not the only reason, the opening of MLSF was postponed by Miramax would have been the justifiable fear that it would sink without trace before such opposition. My assumption too and I'm actually glad now that they did not open up the same time. \"Private Ryan\" is HUGE here right now. Actually, I am hoping that perhaps Miramax might be waiting to open MLSF after SIL simply because the big names in the latter movie may awaken more interest in Colin, thus generating more interest in MLSF. Think that's a plausible tactic? Cheryl, I appreciate your good humor and am glad to see you won't be scared off easily. You were really put to the test for some reason and, as far as I'm concerned, have come through with flying colors. Marcia!!! So wonderful to see you. So sorry about your hardware woes! Your unbridled enthusiasm for our sweetie is very welcome."}, {"response": 206, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Jul 27, 1998 (18:21)", "body": "Well... I don't want to be TOO cheeky, but all these hundreds and hundreds of hours in the illustrious company of Valmont makers have clearly taken their toll... ;-P Oh, and by the way, Cheryl: In fact, based on several clues, I KNOW you\ufffdre... I am really intrigued now: what clues, Cheryl, dear?... Do tell, so I may learn to conceal them in future :)"}, {"response": 207, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Jul 28, 1998 (00:34)", "body": "(Marcia) I am gone but a short while and I find you have left me far behind, and somewhat Squinge-less. Marcia! Soo good to see your name again :-) Leave you behind? Never, dear. Think about it this way--you have lots of entertaining reading (and a few photos) to catch up on. Sorry to hear about your trouble, dear :-( (But very glad you haven't forgotten how to snip some buttons) ;-D"}, {"response": 208, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jul 28, 1998 (12:49)", "body": "Actually, I am hoping that perhaps Miramax might be waiting to open MLSF after SIL simply because the big names in the latter movie may awaken more interest in Colin, thus generating more interest in MLSF. Think that's a plausible tactic? (Heide) Exactly! I think the point I was trying to make in my earlier posting is that MLSF could open in the UK on the strength of Puttnam & Hudson, Scotland and CF, but in the US, even with all Miramax's promotional power, it might need something more. In Hollywood terms Colin is the guy who appeared in TEP. If SIL does well/gets Oscar type notice (courtesy of Paltrow and Affleck), then by association CF will be better known, especially if (ple-e-ase, ple-ease!) Wessex is a strong role. I still think he'll have o bite the bullet and do chat shows, though! Isn't there sometimes a contractual obligation to promote ? Thinking about SIL, I just caught the end (on TV) of Elizabeth and Essex, with Bette Davis and Errol Flynn. (Forget Shakespeare.....this is the story I want to see, gallows and all!)The Essex costume was rather fetching.......mid thigh length boots, glimpse of stockinged thigh, very short slightly puckered pants (must be a name for them) and open necked white frilly blouse type shirt. Very nice, especially for men with legs!"}, {"response": 209, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jul 28, 1998 (13:11)", "body": "Desire under the Elms The Bookpages website is turning me into a compulsive bookbuyer! Just read O'Neill's play for the first time. There's a mention of CF in the introduction, as starring in the \"very powerful\" 1987 stage production in London. \"Desire\" is certainly a whole world away from Regency England. Very passionate! If he did it now, he'd probably cause a riot. :-) I quote from the stage directions. \"Eben (CF) is sitting on the side of his bed...On account of the heat he has taken off everything but his undershirt and pants. His feet are bare. He afces front, brooding moodily, his chin propped on his hands, a desperate expression on his face.\" Abbie stands for a second staring at him, her eyes burning with desire. Then with a little cry she runs over and throws her arms about his neck, she pulls his head back and covers his mouth with kisses. At first he submits dumbly, then he puts his arms about her neck and returns her kisses, but finally, subddenly aware of his hatred, he hurls her away from him, springinhing to his feet. They stand speechless and breathless, panting like animals\" WOW!!! There's more... ...mixture of lust and mother love....wild passion overcomes her. She kisses him lustfully, again and again and he flings his arms about her and returns her kisses.......Their lips meet in a fierce, bruising kiss. Mmmmmm!! Wish I'd seen it! A performance to remember......:-)"}, {"response": 210, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Jul 28, 1998 (13:22)", "body": "The dialogue is pretty raunchy at times.....or perhaps it's just my mind, too attuned to innuendo! (Blame Drool!) Again I quote, Abbie (to Eben) She laughs a low humid laugh without taking her eyes from his. A pause - her body squirms desirously - she murmurs languourously Hain't the sun strong and hot? Ye kin feel it burning into the earth - Nature - making things grow - bigger 'n bigger - burning inside ye - making ye want to grow - into something else - till ye're jined with it and it's your'n -but it owns ye too - and makes ye grow bigger - like a tree, like them elms... Is it my mind? Perhaps it's all about Nature.:-) O'Neill can certainly write! Is he still rated as America's no 1?"}, {"response": 211, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 28, 1998 (13:22)", "body": ""}, {"response": 212, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jul 28, 1998 (13:22)", "body": "(Bethan) Desire under the Elms - Just read O'Neill's play for the first time. There's a mention of CF in the introduction, as starring in the \"very powerful\" 1987 stage production in London. Bethan could you let us know the edition, publisher, year, please? Also who wrote the introduction? (I'm a stickler for details, sources, dates... ;-)! Thanks...)"}, {"response": 213, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Jul 28, 1998 (13:22)", "body": "(Bethan) Is it my mind? Perhaps it's all about Nature.:-) Can't say I didn't join you there, Bethan, wherever your mind was. Ooh, I've got to read this play. Our horizons are ever expanding thanks to Colin. Thanks for the images. Marlon Brando-type undershirt, you think? Or the kind my grandpa used to wear. ;-P"}, {"response": 214, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Tue, Jul 28, 1998 (13:22)", "body": "(Myretta)Check your document. You losed your tag with b/ instead of /b. Right you are. So much to learn, so little time. I'll look into the settings. I'm on a network, so I need to extrapolate what they would be on a stand-alone computer. I determined to watch everything before P&P2, so as to be objective, but I didn't. AZ, AMITC, CoF again, and then I was late to work so I could finish P&P2 in one sitting. A joy to read what's been said about them all and what will be said in the future. So much to learn."}, {"response": 215, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Jul 29, 1998 (18:28)", "body": "Watch out, everybody, it's back to the future again...!"}, {"response": 216, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Thu, Jul 30, 1998 (00:21)", "body": "(Cheryl) I'm on a network, so I need to extrapolate what they would be on a stand-alone computer. Okay. When you figure it out, please do share the information as there are several ladies here who are having a problem printing. (Arami) Watch out, everybody, it's back to the future again...! OH CACA! All my settings get screwed up everytime we jump into the future. Now I can't tell what boards have new messages so I have to go into them one at a time. Grrrrr....."}, {"response": 217, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jul 30, 1998 (10:43)", "body": "(Arami) Watch out, everybody, it's back to the future again...! Perhaps not, your own post is back to the present. I guess the Count went back to sleep...:-) (Nan)OH CACA! Nan, why the latin? Have you been reading Collen McCullough?"}, {"response": 218, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jul 30, 1998 (13:15)", "body": "(Nan)OH CACA! (Gi) Nan, why the latin? Very elegant and ladylike, that's why. We're working towards a real refinement here and some are more refined than others ;-P"}, {"response": 219, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Jul 30, 1998 (16:18)", "body": "Lots of screenplays in this place, including SIL ..... The Scriptshop Who would consider to order SIL (or anything else)? Just curious..."}, {"response": 220, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Jul 30, 1998 (16:22)", "body": "Very elegant and ladylike, that's why. We're working towards a real refinement here and some are more refined than others ;-P May I call you Caroline? signed: Louisa"}, {"response": 221, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jul 30, 1998 (17:02)", "body": "(Arami)Very elegant and ladylike, that's why. We're working towards a real refinement here and some are more refined than others ;-P (Renate)May I call you Caroline? signed: Louisa ROTFLOL!"}, {"response": 222, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 30, 1998 (18:36)", "body": "Who would consider to order SIL (or anything else)? Just curious.. Thanks for the great site, Renate. Did a quick cruise through there and it's pretty light in the Colin department (had SIL, TEP and ATA). Can't imagine why a classic like Playmaker isn't in demand. I'm sending an e-mail to them because their FAQ said they only deal in scripts for films that have been released. SiL is a long way from being released. What gives? But I might order it anyway to get an idea of what kind of part this Wessex is?"}, {"response": 223, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Jul 30, 1998 (21:05)", "body": "So sorry to go off tanget, but there's a slightly interesting debate going on in the E!Online gossip column, The Awful Truth . It's about Meg Tilly (CF's ex sig. other) and the columnist's description of her as a 'dishrag\". Poor Meg! Anyway, the picture they've got of her looks so much like Livia... scary! http://www.eonline.com/Gossip/Awful/index5.html"}, {"response": 224, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 30, 1998 (21:28)", "body": "(Winter) Anyway, the picture they've got of her looks so much like Livia... scary! I think Livia does look like a young Meg Tilly...from The Big Chill days. There was a picture on her website that was a deadringer for Livia."}, {"response": 225, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (05:55)", "body": "I'm trying to put together the pieces of the BJ/CF interview to send to people and something's missing. I seem to recall the end where she gets sacked. But now I can't find it...the last piece I can find ends with \"CF: Is that it then\"--about EB's exercise and CF's stage instructions from Davies. Help me, I'm blind."}, {"response": 226, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (07:34)", "body": "Arami, Desire under the Elms is published by NicK Hern Books with the Royal National Theatre. Introduction by Christine Dymkowski. ISBN 1 84549 136 3. Price \ufffd7.99. I also ordered Anthony Minghella's \"Two planks and a passion\" in which CF plays Richard II. From bookpages.com His stage/radio drama career is very interesting .....shows his considerable versatility. But I might order it anyway to get an idea of what kind of part this Wessex is? Aargh!! Brave soul Karen! I live in dread that it's another TEP. But hopefully, NOT!! BTW as semi-official scanner of newspapers, I think it's definitely time for an announcement re casting of Bridget Jones. Does anyone know where the news of the casting of \"Marked Man\" originated? Is that definite? The Times had a snippet about RF taking a paycut (\ufffd800,000 instead of his usual \ufffd4million) to do \"The End of the Affair\" (Love story in London WW2 Blitz). Cornering the Romantic Englishman market! Meg Tilly/Livia........don't men always go for the same physical type, even if they don't see it?"}, {"response": 227, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (07:57)", "body": "(Cheryl) I'm trying to put together the pieces of the BJ/CF interview to send to people and something's missing. No need to piece together anything. It's all in one piece at the click of your mouse. :-) http://hem.passagen.se/lmw/nnnnews.html Help me, I'm blind. All evidence to the contrary. ;-) (Bethan) I live in dread that it's another TEP. But hopefully, NOT!! Another TEP in the sense that it will be a supporting role? V. likely, he'll be way down in the credits after all those Oscar winner/nominee types and the *hot* properties. I think I'm more interested in the character. I too had done some reading about Essex when the project was announced and the impression I got was of very handsome dashing young courtier who manipulated QE to get his way. He would go storming off and she would cave. I'm not expecting any romance here. It was flattery to an older woman. He knew what amused her and he did it to get favors. BTW, the Script place has taken SiL off the list, saying it was in error."}, {"response": 228, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (15:11)", "body": "W/Essex......the impression I got was of very handsome dashing young courtier who manipulated QE to get his way. Very true, except I'm not sure if this is what we'll see in SIL. From the snippets I've read (mainly on Internet sites) it seems that Wessex is engaged or about to be engaged to one of the Queen's ladies in waiting (GP). Presumably she doesn't want the match and runs off to join Shakespeare's players. Shakespeare falls for her and writes Romeo and Juliet. The film is supposed to mirror Hollywood politics...in Elizabethan England most players would depend on noblemen like Essex and Souhampton for patrona e and access to the court and the Queen's preferment. In the original script by Marc Norman the GP character finally marries the Earl of Southampton. In \"real life\" Southampton, who was homosexual, was persuaded by Essex to marry one of the Queen's ladies in waiting, who was pregnant by Essex,in order to ward off the Queen's displeasure. I'm not sure what representation SIL will give us.....I just hope we don't get 2 hours of Junior Fiennes batting his long eyelashes at GP and quoting chunks of Romeo and Juliet. If so, I'm off home!!"}, {"response": 229, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (16:06)", "body": "Bethan .I just hope we don't get 2 hours of Junior Fiennes batting his long eyelashes at GP and quoting chunks of Romeo and Juliet. If so, I'm off home!! Ask for your money back.!! Re: RF in the \"The End of the Affair\"....can't fault ole Rafe for really going after the parts....he did TEP for less $$$ than usual too."}, {"response": 230, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (16:27)", "body": "(Bethan) Wessex is engaged or about to be engaged to one of the Queen's ladies in waiting (GP). Presumably she doesn't want the match and runs off So obviously fiction! Be more believable if were the other way around. ;-) You're right. Sounds like a Geoffrey Clifton role again, unless they concentrate on his relationship with QE and the way he had her wrapped around his little pinkie ring. I just hope we don't get 2 hours of Junior Fiennes batting his long eyelashes at GP and quoting chunks of Romeo and Juliet. If so, I'm off home!! LOL!! So what's Affleck doing while Junior is batting his long eyelashes?"}, {"response": 231, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (17:16)", "body": "(Bethan) Meg Tilly/Livia........don't men always go for the same physical type, even if they don't see it? Flashback! More than a year ago, at the old Pond, we had a similar discussion about the very obvious physical similarities between Meg and Livia. You were there Bethan, remember? I think we decided that Colin had a thing for little brunettes. When someone mentioned Jennifer (who is a blond in the real world), we decided that the only characterisic these three women shared was a mole. This prompted the very clever Megan of the WET SHIRT to create this emoticon... :-.) LOL! I remember hootin' and hollerin' over it. We used to use it quite frequently. I must get back into the habit ;-.)"}, {"response": 232, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (18:06)", "body": "he did TEP for less $$$ than usual too. I think that Rafe's \"less $$$\" is about 50 times the average impoverished UK actor's annual earnings. The Times diarist was rather ironical about RF's \"trivial\" salary of \ufffd800,000. ( The total budget for FP was \ufffd1,500,000). Oh dear, I guess I'm just not generous spirited when it comes to RF (or Junior Fiennes either!):-{ sounds like a Geoffrey Clifton role again No, this is a very ambitious and hot-tempered man, recognised as physically attractive, and doted on by the Queen of England........I see Wessex as more of a \"baddie\" role, rather than a \"cuckold\"! (Where did that word originate?) Colin had a thing for little brunettes Oh yes, I remember this discussion. I also remember quoting something CF was supposed to have said (bet he never did!) to a \"friend\" about liking Jennifer as a brunette and preferring dark haired women as they were more \"mysterious\". The source was a tabloid paper, so take with a pinch of salt!"}, {"response": 233, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (19:39)", "body": "something CF was supposed to have said (bet he never did!) to a \"friend\" about liking Jennifer as a brunette and preferring dark haired women as they were more \"mysterious\". The source was a tabloid paper, so take with a pinch of salt! I think he was quoted as saying so in other sources as well - maybe in The Making Of P&P? He also allegedly said - long before he met Livia - that he preferred foreign (i.e. non- British) women... a \"cuckold\"! (Where did that word originate?) Mediaeval English."}, {"response": 234, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (19:41)", "body": "BTW, Renate, you may call me Milady ;-P"}, {"response": 235, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Aug  1, 1998 (01:14)", "body": "(bethan)she doesn't want the match and runs off to join Shakespeare's players. Shakespeare falls for her and writes Romeo and Juliet. As far as I know, in Elizabethan times there were no women players, so she'd have no cause to join them... Is this right? (arami)BTW, Renate, you may call me Milady ;-P Arami (Maria?) I see you're very much into the Musketeers thing... I wonder who Athos and Porthos are supposed to be, and guess every newbie feels a little like young D'Artagnan... :-)"}, {"response": 236, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Aug  1, 1998 (12:00)", "body": "My dear Gi, you misunderstand me. Milady is a common English word, not a proper name. The association with the Musketeers is purely coincidental, even though I feel a lot like a mature d'Artagnan. But you may still call me Arami :-)"}, {"response": 237, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Aug  1, 1998 (12:04)", "body": "(Bethan)she runs off to join Shakespeare's players. (Gi) As far as I know, in Elizabethan times there were no women players, so she'd have no cause to join them... Is this right? Who said she joined them as a player? She was their tea lady..."}, {"response": 238, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Aug  1, 1998 (13:49)", "body": "(Arami)The association with the Musketeers is purely coincidental Well, maybe we could paraphrase their motto... All for Colin and Colin for all :-)"}, {"response": 239, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Aug  1, 1998 (19:17)", "body": "Colin for all??? Dear girl, dream on... :-)"}, {"response": 240, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Aug  1, 1998 (19:46)", "body": "(Arami or whatever your name is:-.))before he met Livia - that he preferred foreign (i.e. non- British) women... { I recall reading an interview where CF stated that during his acting class days, he was mad about Joanne Whalley. However, she wanted nothing to do with him. As I recall, she is very British;)"}, {"response": 241, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Aug  2, 1998 (05:24)", "body": "I also recall an interview: \"The Daily Express had three days on my tangled love life, says Firth, still incredulous. They didn't talk to me. Instead, they took quotes my parents had given to the local village gazette and ran them. They invented a smoldering crush -- that was how they put it -- on an actress I'd met only once, Joanne Whalley. You can't sue, because none of the things they write are actually defamatory,and you don't want to insult Joanne Whalley, but I felt as if I were reading about someone else, who was using my na e and my picture.\" (CF) Full text available publicly for everybody who cares to verify: Harpers Bazaar, May 1996, \"Colin Firth's Sexy Sensibility\", by Laurie Winer"}, {"response": 242, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sun, Aug  2, 1998 (05:59)", "body": "(karen) Thanks for the link. Friends on Broadway, in Off-Broadway (producers and managers), owners of theaters, people at Miramax, old school chums, ...slowly everybody's getting a note from me \"just wondered how you're doing\" in which I manage to work in shameful (shameless?) queries about C. It's working pretty well, since I've been under everybody's radar working on this book and freelancing for money. Mostly it's the women, of course, who are ROTFLMAO."}, {"response": 243, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Aug  2, 1998 (06:56)", "body": "Arami or whatever your name is I wish people stopped making an issue of me. For one thing it makes me feel frightfully important, which is, I'm sure, quite contrary to everybody else's wishes..."}, {"response": 244, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Aug  2, 1998 (10:00)", "body": "(Gi) As far as I know, in Elizabethan times there were no women players, so she'd have no cause to join them... Is this right? Yes, Gi, you are right. Although in this case, I believe Gwynnie disguises herself as a man to join the troupe. Funny how we're managing to get through this dearth of Firth and now all of a sudden, December doesn't seem so far away."}, {"response": 245, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Aug  2, 1998 (13:51)", "body": "Arami or whatever your name is I wish people stopped making an issue of me. For one thing it makes me feel frightfully important, which is, I'm sure, quite contrary to everybody else's wishes..."}, {"response": 246, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Aug  2, 1998 (13:55)", "body": "She wanted nothing to do with him.. They invented a smoldering crushon an actress I'd met only once, Joanne Whalley. You can't sue, because none of the things they write are actually defamatory,and you don't want to insult Joanne Whalley \"And you don't want to insult Joanne Whalley\"...the mark of a gentleman, to be more concerned about how someone else would feel, rather than your own ego. They didn't talk to me. Instead, they took quotes my parents had given to the local village gazette and ran them. Was this the series of articles in the Express? Interesting...I remember thinking that I didn't think his parents would be the type to give an exclusive to a tabloid. Obviously they aren't....chatting to a cub reporter from the local Grayshott Echo or Lower Puddleton Chonicle is quite a different matter! Wish I'd taken a printout of the series though. Was this the one where CF's mother said he was very loyal to his girlfriends and his dad (when asked about signs of acting talent) said Colin used to like pretending to be Batman when he was a little boy. Note to Colin's dad........my son used to love zooming around shouting \"Dinna...dinna...Bat-m-a-an!\" but his acting talent is nil (so far, one line (totally inaudible) is a school production of Treasure Island) :-) December doesn't seem so far away Very true. I also think that it's possible to have more appreciation for things which are hard to come by, rather than those which are readily available. By the way, when are you planning to take your Jane Austen trip, Heide? You must give us a full report of your impressions!"}, {"response": 247, "author": "Mado", "date": "Sun, Aug  2, 1998 (16:13)", "body": "Testing"}, {"response": 248, "author": "Mado", "date": "Sun, Aug  2, 1998 (16:27)", "body": "Hello droolers."}, {"response": 249, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Sun, Aug  2, 1998 (16:40)", "body": "Bear with me. I am having a hard time here."}, {"response": 250, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Aug  2, 1998 (17:58)", "body": "Hello, Passionata... I think you're doing well... Now all you need to do is gather your thoughts together and plunge in!"}, {"response": 251, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Aug  3, 1998 (08:36)", "body": "For one thing it makes me feel frightfully important Somehow important is not the right word I would have used ridiculous is more to my liking. Renata, Mr Firth seems to say different things to different interviewers. I really would not believe one jot of what he says. A friend mentioned that he says different things on the either side of the pond. I don't find him to be very reliable. One way to refute this is his love/hate of LA; one interviewer he states how much he HATED LA; then not a couple years later he states how much he misses it when he is gone. I find him to be quite disingenious at times. I would suspect he did have a crush on Joanne Whalley, but would not admit to it."}, {"response": 252, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Aug  3, 1998 (09:09)", "body": "And the earth is a plate."}, {"response": 253, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Aug  3, 1998 (10:30)", "body": "And the earth is a plate. ] If you think so, it must be. But the last time I checked, the earth was still round. When you get to the edge, please don't fall off."}, {"response": 254, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Aug  3, 1998 (11:45)", "body": "Most people wouldn't have to check."}, {"response": 255, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Aug  3, 1998 (14:10)", "body": "Oh, c'mon, are you two having PMS? I only knew closely one person in the entertainment business, an actor, and sat through one of his interviews, which was quite bland. I questioned him on a number of things, afterwards, and he said he had to watch out and say nothing that could be misconstrued into a scandalous headline. This, I suppose, is Laura's point. Anyway, I for one had no intention of making Arami feel anything unpleasant. Just had fun playing sleuth..."}, {"response": 256, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Aug  3, 1998 (14:37)", "body": "But Renate with your need to verify everything I had to check that the world was indeed round and not a plate. I only did it to satisfy you. Obviously nothing does."}, {"response": 257, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Aug  3, 1998 (14:53)", "body": "Somehow important is not the right word I would have used ridiculous is more to my liking. And I feel a little more kind and generous today, therefore I am not going to say what word I would have used to describe people who insist on using this board for hurling personal abuse. If you find wit and wisdom incomprehensible, please kindly refrain from addressing me or my comments directly."}, {"response": 258, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Aug  3, 1998 (15:08)", "body": "If you find wit and wisdom incomprehensible ] I would never find those two incomprehensible:) Sorry, you think so:)"}, {"response": 259, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Aug  3, 1998 (16:49)", "body": "Oh dear! I normally enjoy visting this board and find it relaxing. But not today. Laura, I really like Colin (and enjoy liking him) whereas your loyalties seem to have fluctuated. Why can't he have a love/hate relationship with LA? His son lives there, but maybe he's not comfortable with the working environment. Why can't he change his mind about things? And let's avoid personal abuse, please! The Spring is normally a pleasant haven...let's keep it so! :-)"}, {"response": 260, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug  3, 1998 (17:04)", "body": "Why can't he change his mind about things? Perhaps also about Ms. Whalley. BTW Hey,........ Three against one...no fair. In my country, this is known as bullying."}, {"response": 261, "author": "Ann", "date": "Mon, Aug  3, 1998 (19:00)", "body": "I think if I were a famous person, I would intentianally lie to reporters about my private life and I would change my story right and left, until no one could believe a word I said...then maybe they would stop pestering me."}, {"response": 262, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  3, 1998 (19:10)", "body": "I do believe there was a point Laura was making and the LA thing is strictly an example that Colin has said different things to different interviewers. Yes, he may have changed his mind. Yes, he may have been a little disingenous here. Why is it so difficult to accept that a person or actor would say contradictory things. The information about Joanne Whalley may have come out in another interview and he may have decided to put it to rest because it was nobody's business who he may or may not have had crush on. Why is this so difficult to accept? Perhaps, it's years of listening to spin doctors in politics, entertainment, business, you name it. The truth is more than difficult to pin down. I'm sure everyone has seen the interviews where Colin says contradictory things about LA. Getting back to *types* of women. I have always found that men consistently go for the same physical type, whereas women are attracted more so to the same personality type. We all may have our dream guys, but when push comes to shove (not literally, ladies) it's the personality and how well you get along, not the hair color, amount of hair, etc. No offense to you, Gi, but could we not attribute comments to PMS. I find that so demeaning to women in general (even though it may be true). ;-)"}, {"response": 263, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Aug  3, 1998 (19:24)", "body": "CF may have said different things at different times to different reporters. Equally, different reporters may have misconstrued his various moods and opinions."}, {"response": 264, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Aug  3, 1998 (19:39)", "body": "Thanks for asking, Bethan. My trip starts August 13. I recently got the film listing for the Film Festival in Edinburgh and while I wasn't really expecting it, was still disappointed to see MLSF not being shown (though a JE film, Bedrooms and Hallways is). We are spending 3 days in Edinburgh so I guess I'll have to give up hopes of a Colin fix while there. I know there is a bank holiday in August. Can you tell me what day?"}, {"response": 265, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  3, 1998 (19:49)", "body": "CF may have said different things at different times to different reporters. Equally, different reporters may have misconstrued his various moods and opinions. I knew I should have included poor reporting in the list of possibilities, but could we at least acknowledge that they are all possibilities. No one here can say definitively what is in his mind, what he *meant* to say, or anything (although it is common practice in journalism to run feature articles past the subject prior to release), and just because it is in print one way or the other doesn't make it true."}, {"response": 266, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug  3, 1998 (19:56)", "body": "Heide We are spending 3 days in Edinburgh so I guess I'll have to give up hopes of a Colin fix while there. Not necessarily, Heide. The list you got are the films in competition. However, there are also many British films that will be screened. The British Film Market will again take place this year Aug 25-30. And they feature only British films (Variety 7/21/98) I'll call Handmade before you leave and see if they tell me about SLOW. MLSF already has a distrib. Though that wouldn't preclude them from the Festival. Saving Pvt. Ryan is opening the Venice FF withTom Hanks and Steven Speilberg attending. Bedrooms and Hallways of JE's was screened at Cannes. And is in competion at EdinburghFF. It's a jungle out there . RF\" Eugene Onegin\" still has no distrib and he and Liv Tyler were all over the place at Cannes."}, {"response": 267, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Aug  3, 1998 (21:22)", "body": "I live in LA, and I say contradictory things about it all the time. A lot of those things similar to what Colin has mentioned. I do believe he has a love/hate relationship with this city as do a lot of people, and I also think his opinions about it are situational-- depending on whether he's had a good visit or bad visit. Thanks for posting the interview, Renate. I hadn't seen that one in a while. He seems to do a lot of his interviews in Santa Monica, which is a haven for ex-patriate Brits. (Was hanging about there this past weekend, on full Colin lookout. No sign of him.. yet!)"}, {"response": 268, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Mon, Aug  3, 1998 (22:11)", "body": "Excuse me for stepping in in the middle of a war."}, {"response": 269, "author": "sofie", "date": "Mon, Aug  3, 1998 (23:06)", "body": "Hi everybody! I'm new. I've been posting on 98 but I just love a good brawl.In my neck o'the woods we blame it on the dog days. Probably just too little info about CF which is frustrating to say the least. I certainly don't want to throw cold water on you guys...so go to it."}, {"response": 270, "author": "Ann", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (00:02)", "body": "It's a jungle out there . RF\" Eugene Onegin\" still has no distrib and he and Liv Tyler were all over the place at Cannes. } Ralph and Liv? Age difference = 13.5 years. Since the age gap is over 10 years, I won't see it. (Though according to the IMDB, the story is about an older man meeting a younger woman, which if they actually address the age difference instead of just playing into male fantasies, might redeem it.)"}, {"response": 271, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (04:16)", "body": "(Passionata) Excuse me for stepping in in the middle of a war. Welcome Passionata. What a great name! :-) Poor newbie, you are the last one to apologize for stepping on this battlefield. It's me who has to apologize to all droolies here that I did not stick to my own rule to wait at least 24 hours before I reply. You know, I am like a lioness when it comes to ODB :-)). I promise to behave like the grown up woman I am, and bite my tongue at future occasions (it's already numb anyway :-) ), but I also promise to continue to contribute quotes, sources, and links when I think it necessary. Laura: this is the last time I address you personally. It's no secret we don't get along very well, so we better stay away from each other. In the interest of all droolies I ask you politely to refrain from addressing me personally in the future, I'll do likewise."}, {"response": 272, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (07:22)", "body": "(karen)Yes, he may have changed his mind. Yes, he may have been a little disingenous here... Why is it so difficult to accept? It's not what is said but the way that it is said. No offense to you, Gi... None taken! I'm a woman, and very vulnerable emotionally in my PM days myself. So I didn't mean to demean (? what a strange sentence) my own sex. Nevah! (heide)I know there is a bank holiday in August. Can you tell me what day? Monday August 31st. (Passionata) Excuse me for stepping in in the middle of a war. (sofie)Hi everybody! I'm new... Hallo to you both! And welcome. Please feel free to bypass the war and start drooling!"}, {"response": 273, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (08:08)", "body": "(winter) He seems to do a lot of his interviews in Santa Monica, which is a haven for ex-patriate Brits. As I recall there was that restaurant right there (The Ivy??) that was a major celeb hangout. Naw!! Colin probably wouldn't go there. ;-)"}, {"response": 274, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (08:32)", "body": "(Bethan)Why can't he have a love/hate { I guess the same goes for me too. But as was pointed out, I was trying to prove a point. I find myself to be a realist, whereas, some are fundamentalists. I will end this diatribe because there can be no winner. I have always said that I had a love/hate relationship w/him. But I do adore his acting."}, {"response": 275, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (12:05)", "body": "Winter (Was hanging about there this past weekend, on full Colin lookout. No sign of him.. yet!) Take a drive through Brentwood and see if you see a little boy on a bicycle with a dad along. Laura It was your idea to discuss A Month in the Country . Get thee to #98....Now.....outta here! :-)"}, {"response": 276, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (14:05)", "body": "stepping in in the middle of a war Passionata! Sofie! This isn't a war, gals, this is just an everyday discussion resulting in one of our usual clashes of theoreticians, rationalists and crapists ;-D"}, {"response": 277, "author": "sofie", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (16:14)", "body": "(Armani) this is just an everyday discussion resulting in one of our usual clashes of theoreticoans, rationalists and crapists. Oh..O.K....cool."}, {"response": 278, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (16:56)", "body": "Sophie....you can go over to #34 .....there's a plagiarism \"food fight\" goin' on over there. ............you know, a change of pace :-) (joke)"}, {"response": 279, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (18:58)", "body": "(Sofie) Armani LOL! I wish I had his money..."}, {"response": 280, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (20:23)", "body": "Karen: As I recall there was that restaurant right there (The Ivy??) that was a major celeb hangout. The Ivy's in Beverly Hills. But lots of celebs. hang out at King Gerorge's, which is a pub/restaurant also attracting celebs.. Evelyn: Take a drive through Brentwood and see if you see a little boy on a bicycle with a dad along. LOL! Don't think I haven't already tried! My university is just south of Brentwood, so sometimes I take a 'shortcut\" through the neighborhood to see. I feel so... terrible doing that. It was just once though. (BTW: Please don't think I mention these LA-related type things to show off. I hope I don't come out that way. It's just frustrating as hell to know he may just be around the corner, and I haven't sighted him once! And if his son is on summer vacation, that may have given him an excuse to be here in LA. Unless they've all gone elsewhere, which is more likely to have happened. )"}, {"response": 281, "author": "sofie", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (21:29)", "body": "(lafn)joke I checked out #34 and it's no joke. Cyber slap fight is more like it."}, {"response": 282, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (21:35)", "body": "(sofie) I checked out #34 and it's no joke. Cyber slap fight is more like it. Eh (shrug), it happens. Next! ;-p"}, {"response": 283, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (22:16)", "body": "To the drooler who lives in LA (sorry forgot your name) Is Brentwood a part of Santa Monica or is it a separate community? How do you know the Calleys live in Brentwood? I have read interviews which said they lived in Santa Monica. Am I wrong?"}, {"response": 284, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Wed, Aug  5, 1998 (00:41)", "body": "Hi Passionata and welcome :-) The drooler you are referring to is Winter, but since I also live in LA I'll tackle your question. I hope you don't mind Winter! I have read that the Calley's live in Malibu, which is a separate community from both Brentwood and Santa Monica. However, all three communities are more or less adjacent to each other and are home to many affluent people who can afford beach front property. (Karen) As I recall there was that restaurant right there (The Ivy??) that was a major celeb hangout. (Winter) The Ivy's in Beverly Hills Isn't there also the 'Ivy at the Shore' which is on Ocean Blvd. near the pier? And you're right Karen, I've heard it's a Hollywood deal making hang out. Probably explains why I've never been there. (Winter) sometimes I take a 'shortcut\" through the neighborhood to see [cf]. I feel so... terrible doing that. It was just once though. LOL! It's hard not to keep your eyes peeled just a little, isn't it? I keep thinking he must be around here somewhere! Although, since my life mostly consists of my office, my house and errands in the 'burbs where I live, I would say odds are not high for a sighting over the fresh broccoli at Von's market :-("}, {"response": 285, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Aug  5, 1998 (09:45)", "body": "Thanks for clarifying the info, Jana. (I forgot about Ivy at the Shore!) I've been thinking abut this for a while...Realistically, now, how would you react if you bumped into him at, let's say, a restaurant? Would any of you interrupt his meal to say something? Me: I'd probably write a note, and have a waiter/waitress pass it along to him."}, {"response": 286, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Aug  5, 1998 (13:51)", "body": "(winter)how would you react if you bumped into him at, let's say, a restaurant? Would any of you interrupt his meal to say something? I think I would. Though I'd feel terrified of his reaction, but I'm sure I'd find enough courage for: \"Sorry to disturb you, but you must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love... your work.\" :-))"}, {"response": 287, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug  5, 1998 (14:50)", "body": "Sofie I checked out #34 and it's no joke. Cyber slap fight is more like it. It's all over... .Nan diffused the situation ...\"...how many ways can you write about Regency humping\". LOL . I keep telling ya' ...she's one in a million.!! Meg Tilly used to live in Brentwood.I met someone on a plane that lived down the street from her.But that was before my P&P daze, and I did not ask the street. I suppose she moved when she became Mrs. John Cally."}, {"response": 288, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Wed, Aug  5, 1998 (19:05)", "body": "Thank you for the infos to all. There was an interview two years ago he gave in a Santa Monica hotel which (I heard) was a very classy but not pretentious place. Does anyone remember the interview? LA droolers, you could go and have a drink there from time to time, coudn't you? . l"}, {"response": 289, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug  7, 1998 (08:10)", "body": "Hey Nan.....how's about givin' us a pic of Tom Birkin on #98!! Thanks!"}, {"response": 290, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Aug  7, 1998 (16:54)", "body": "Just a thought (playing at Sherlock Holmes)... I just saw an excerpt, for the first time, from an interview CF gave to American Vogue, when filming MLSF, \"Firth is very friendly but a bit on edge. The movie is behind schedule, a nuisance since he had arranged to go on a trip in two days, which he has decided to make anyway. \"I've been a bit distracted sorting things and packing up\" he explained.\" I remember reading that Hugh Hudson hurt his back while filming and the movie scedule was extended by 2 weeks. So, Dr Watson, what trip would the leading man have to make away from a film set when the movie was over-running time and budget. And what things needed to be sorted and why is he on edge? (You've probably all worked this out months ago, but it's all new to me!!) He must have flown to Rome and got married, and then returned with Livia to complete the filming. A working honeymoon? Scotland is very romantic though! Look out for bags under the eyes! :-)"}, {"response": 291, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Aug  8, 1998 (08:12)", "body": "Speaking of bags.... I've never posted this one before because I think it's a bit unflattering. But then, don't we all have a bag day now and then? :3-)"}, {"response": 292, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Aug  8, 1998 (08:58)", "body": "A bit unflatterning? You mean those painted eyebrows again ;-)? Come, come... I've seen worse... Why don't you give it your Paintshop Pro treatment and lighten his face up a bit? It will instantly look better... :-P"}, {"response": 293, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Aug  8, 1998 (16:56)", "body": "Why don't you give it your Paintshop Pro treatment and lighten his face up a bit? I tried it, and it does not help. It's mainly the shadow around the right eye, but I have not yet mastered the tools for detail corrections. :-))"}, {"response": 294, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Aug  8, 1998 (18:32)", "body": "Right or left?"}, {"response": 295, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Aug  8, 1998 (18:42)", "body": "LOL! Is there only one thing you have in mind, Keeper of the Fob and Watch? I say: both, depending from where you look. I hoped I could save myself the whole sermon explaining that I am talking about the eye we see on the right, but that actually is *his* left... ok?"}, {"response": 296, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Aug  8, 1998 (23:20)", "body": "Is this any better (I love digital airbrushing)?"}, {"response": 297, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sat, Aug  8, 1998 (23:24)", "body": "(renate) But then, don't we all have a bag day now and then? Real is good. Thank you, Renate."}, {"response": 298, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sat, Aug  8, 1998 (23:29)", "body": "(ann) ...airbrushing... That's good, too. I never understood what everyone was going on about with the eyebrows, but over time, now I see. Surely there are more than four or five makeup people who have a clue (sometimes his makeup is perfect). I guess he should do like Elizabeth Taylor, etc. and learn to do his own, in a pinch. It's not any sillier that anything else one has to do."}, {"response": 299, "author": "sofie", "date": "Sun, Aug  9, 1998 (00:37)", "body": "I had a friend who landed a job right out of art school touching up photos for a magazine. I visited him there and watched him adding as well as subtracting details from the photos. You really can't tell from the finished product what the original even looked like. That should only be a bad day for most of the men I come across. Mm...mm...mm. (Heavy frustrated sigh)."}, {"response": 300, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sun, Aug  9, 1998 (08:51)", "body": "(Ann) Is this any better (I love digital airbrushing)? Hmmm...I don't think it even matters whether or not he has bags. It's just not a very flattering photo. he has \"hangover\" written all over his face ;-p"}, {"response": 301, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Aug  9, 1998 (10:13)", "body": "Hangover? Indeed he does!"}, {"response": 302, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Aug  9, 1998 (13:40)", "body": "You aren't normally allowed to do your own make-up when fashion or film shooting, surely we experts do know that... In addition, his formal photos often look retouched. There are at least two interviews in which he half-jokingly admits to being a bit funny about his pale eyebrows... (Silly boy... :-)) Ann, too much airbrushing I'm sorry to say. Try lightening the shadow: removing it completely gives an unnatural result. Hangover? How about tiredness after a busy night...?"}, {"response": 303, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sun, Aug  9, 1998 (15:45)", "body": "(Arami) Hangover? How about tiredness after a busy night...? Whatever it was, I hope he had a good time ;-D"}, {"response": 304, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Aug  9, 1998 (19:37)", "body": "Perhaps he was working in a theatre. Or at a late night shoot ;-P"}, {"response": 305, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sun, Aug  9, 1998 (22:11)", "body": "(Arami) Perhaps he was working in a theatre. Or at a late night shoot ;-P Or maybe he just got lucky ;-p"}, {"response": 306, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 10, 1998 (12:20)", "body": "SLOW Called Handmade Films in London. Marketing Director (Juliette) says SLOW will not be screened at the Edinburgh Film Festival. Sorry, Heide :-( Asked me to call back in a few weeks for report on Venice or Toronto. They sounded optimistic; like they're anticipating a positive response. Maybe that's just my reading. ( I'm an eternal optimist, you understand.) Hey, with this guy...you gotta be :-)"}, {"response": 307, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Aug 10, 1998 (13:30)", "body": "I'm all for optimism, Evelyn! Keep up the good work! On make-up....I like him as natural as possible , but post-Darcy, he always seems to be dark. According to the synopsis of SIL in the CF Projects, it looks as though he's going to be dark again in SIL (\"dark and cruel\") . Wessex is definitely the \"baddie\" role, but it sounds a strong role (not a cameo!) which moves the plot forward, and there are sword fights. And he does seem to get GP in the end, courtesy of Queen Elizabeth. Doesn't sound much like history though....Belinda and Edgar?! Anyway, something to look forward to....and it is guaranteed to reach the screen!"}, {"response": 308, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Aug 10, 1998 (14:03)", "body": "(\"dark and cruel\") Can't help but must think of Alan Rickman's Sheriff of Nottingham - delightful baddie, and he stole the film. :-)"}, {"response": 309, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Aug 10, 1998 (14:16)", "body": "(Nan) Or maybe he just got lucky ;-p Lucky?!?!?!? You think he needs to get lucky?!?!?! ;-P (Bethan post-Darcy, he always seems to be dark. Not always. He was natural in Nostromo, at his own wedding, at the FP prremiere in London. (Renate) Alan Rickman's Sheriff of Nottingham Or Alan Rickman's stage Valmont... A slightly different slant, agreed, but still dark and cruel..."}, {"response": 310, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Aug 10, 1998 (15:45)", "body": "Can't help but must think of Alan Rickman's Sheriff of Nottingham - delightful baddie, and he stole the film. :-) Ditto! (Although Nan may not agree!) Goodies can be, well,er, slightly boring. Particularly the case in Rob Roy.....I was less than riveted by Liam Neeson and Jessica Lange, but thought that John Hurt and Tim Roth (although Not A Nice Person) stole the show. I have to admit that in the closing supposed to be deeply moving scenes when Rob is lumbering through the heather towards the embrace of his long suffering wife, I felt bored and switched over to another channel. I rather like a baddie, especially if e suffers! And I think that it's in CF's interests to be as versatile as possible. If audiences didn't recognise him in TEP, what will they make of Wessex?"}, {"response": 311, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 10, 1998 (17:22)", "body": "(Bethan) If audiences didn't recognise him in TEP, what will they make of Wessex? Take heart, he will be wearing tights. We would recognize those legs anywhere! ;-D"}, {"response": 312, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (01:03)", "body": "When I see a man in tights, the last thing I look at are his legs!"}, {"response": 313, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (01:55)", "body": "LOL! That's the spirit!"}, {"response": 314, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (06:26)", "body": "Renate, are you into Art? FOR ALL OF YOU: would you like to come to Art? We have a gallery for our own art, and that of our kids there, one for your best photos, and it's all turning into great fun. And the background is . . . well. . . a little bright."}, {"response": 315, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (08:15)", "body": "(Riette)When I see a man in tights, the last thing I look at are his legs! Wish it were the case. *sigh* Unfortunately, in this role, he'll likely be wearing those pouffy pants (which must have a name). Anyway, we have devoted many a scholarly hour discussing unsaid area. Excellent Snappy over at 34. ;-)"}, {"response": 316, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (11:06)", "body": "Aren't thouse pouffy pants called 'Bloomers'? Anyway, I won't let them distract me from the issues IN hand."}, {"response": 317, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (13:29)", "body": "Not bloomers: perhaps canions (breeches worn underneath trunk hose), or Venetians (baggy breeches fastened below the knee), with more \"pouffy\" varietes called galligaskins, gascoynes or slops... Anyway, where's that Art, Riette?"}, {"response": 318, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (13:35)", "body": "Go to your conference list, and just scroll down until you find 'Art'. I know it used to be pretty boring - I never went either - but Terry and Wer have helped me turn it quite colourful, and we already have some pictures there with lots more to come. Do come, will you?"}, {"response": 319, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (13:00)", "body": "Re Men in Tights. Elizabethan costume is reputed to be one of the most difficult costumes (for men ) to wear, without looking rather ridiculous. Height, a good leg, and a certain masculine swagger are essential. I don't think CF will have a problem! Re My comment on CF appearing in blockbusters (transported from board 98 so as not to disrupt the AMITC discussion). I think someone made the point that there certainly are some good blockbusters (although most are less than inspiring). I suppose I don't EVER want to see him in Lost in Space, but the occasional fullblooded virile role in something like Mask of Zorro woudn't go amiss! I'd actually be quite keen to see him playing a youngish Sherlock Holmes. In the early novels Holmes is very much the actio man - swordsman and pugilist - and he even has a sense of humour (and an unrequited love)! Someone should write a decent screenplay!"}, {"response": 320, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (13:49)", "body": "There was a rumour of Hollywood wanting him precisely for that role about two years ago, wasn't there? Perhaps the screenplay was crap."}, {"response": 321, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (15:22)", "body": "Bethan, my Michelin Guide of Britain mentions that Winchester was once the capital of Wessex and of England in medieval times. I am not an English history scholar, by any means.;( though an anglophile.) I just thought the connection of CF portraying the Earl of Wessex in SIL is interesting since he originally comes from the Winchester area. AmI correct in both premises?"}, {"response": 322, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (16:14)", "body": "Evelyn, you're quite right. Winchester was the capital of Wessex and England...so there is a connection. Sherlock Holmes....I rather hope Hollywood revives the idea. I think it could be a good role (and I'd like to see him again in a top hat!), but a lot would depend on the screenplay. You never know........it's been a long time since Basil Rathbone! (I'm discounting TV versions)"}, {"response": 323, "author": "riette", "date": "Thu, Aug 13, 1998 (06:28)", "body": "As Sherlock Holmes goes - I rather enjoyed the Miss Marple series."}, {"response": 324, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Aug 13, 1998 (12:16)", "body": "Colin Firth has a tremendous range, but I think I don't want to see him as Miss Marple. :-p"}, {"response": 325, "author": "riette", "date": "Thu, Aug 13, 1998 (13:08)", "body": "Why not? You know . .. . Miss Marple working under cover, disguised as Sherlock Holmes . . ."}, {"response": 326, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Fri, Aug 14, 1998 (22:53)", "body": "Entirely too quiet ladies!! ;-p Colin at the 96 Baftas: Thanks, Evelyn :-)"}, {"response": 327, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sat, Aug 15, 1998 (00:22)", "body": "Thanks, Nan! Work is always so much better when I see your snappies first!"}, {"response": 328, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sat, Aug 15, 1998 (00:36)", "body": "FYI gentle readers, in the interest of posterity I asked Nan to pull some of my past posts. I'd be happy to tell more stories of Valmont, making of movies, etc. if you want, and especially the scenes I saw being shot via email or here or 98, whatever seems appropriate. The old posts live on anyway because they were quoted in responses, but I needn't be nasty about the Frears production and and its stars _forever_. I just wanted you all to know how directly it killed a far more sensitive movie and I was very sad about that."}, {"response": 329, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Aug 15, 1998 (07:04)", "body": "Marvellous, Nan! I really love the second shot (just before he didn't win the Best Actor award!)"}, {"response": 330, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sat, Aug 15, 1998 (09:44)", "body": "(Bethan) I really love the second shot (just before he didn't win the Best Actor award!) He was robbed! Grrrr..."}, {"response": 331, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Aug 15, 1998 (11:14)", "body": "That pretty little face on his left, the one you cut across so savagely in the second pic... that's the then Miss G., now Mrs F..."}, {"response": 332, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Aug 15, 1998 (11:27)", "body": "I'd be happy to tell more stories of Valmont, making of movies, etc. if you want, and especially the scenes I saw being shot via email or here or 98, whatever seems appropriate. Whatever you decide, please let us all know in advance, so we can make appropriate arrangements. I wouldn't want to miss one word :-)"}, {"response": 333, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 15, 1998 (14:32)", "body": "(Nan) Colin at the 96 Baftas: First picture... the gentleman on Livia's left is John Ehle, JE's father and next to him was Jennifer.( A bizarre seating arrangement!!) Did the camera cut Jennifer out on that shot , Nan? Actually,I think the pic is backwards, because Jennifer was on the aisle."}, {"response": 334, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sat, Aug 15, 1998 (15:14)", "body": "(CherylE) FYI gentle readers, in the interest of posterity I asked Nan to pull some of my past posts. *sigh* yes, she did. I still think removing 12 interesting posts is excessive, but I will do whatever you ask...they're your posts. I'd be happy to tell more stories of Valmont, making of movies, etc. if you want, and especially the scenes I saw being shot via email or here or 98, whatever seems appropriate. Cheryl, honey...I'm confused. You want me to remove all your posts which contain information about Valmont and then you're going to continue the conversation on the boards? This doesn't make sense to me. Am I misunderstanding you? (Arami) That pretty little face on his left, the one you cut across so savagely in the second pic... that's the then Miss G., now Mrs F... Hey, it wasn't me! Got nothing against Livia (well, except being enormously jealous of her being in the right place at the right time ;-p). Blame the cameraman..he cut her off. (Evelyn) Did the camera cut Jennifer out on that shot , Nan? Actually,I think the pic is backwards, because Jennifer was on the aisle. No, the picture isn't backwards--again, it was the cameraman's fault your honor, I swear! ;-D Got some good ones of Jennifer for you, babe ;-)"}, {"response": 335, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Aug 15, 1998 (16:17)", "body": "Bizarre seating arrangement I'm not sure how else they could have sat...Jennifer next to Livia might have looked odd, and if CF had sat to Livia's right and JE had sat to the right of her dad, then CF would have been sitting between Livia and Jennifer! Difficult to get the placement right! Although arguably if they are all on friendly terms, it doesn't matter! Some non news. Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, made by Handmade Films about 6 months before SLOW, is opening in the UK only in a couple of weeks after being premiered at the Edinburgh Festival. So Handmade Films are making it to the Big Screen! And on blockbusters....I must admit that when I first read a couple of years ago that RF had landed the high profile role of John Steed in The Avengers, I thought \"Huh!\" as I would have quite liked to see CF do it (whether CF would have wanted to take the part is another matter!) But having read the reviews...OUCH!!!! OUCH!!!! Obviously not one of the \"good\" blockbusters! Basically, it's been panned in the UK as one of the worst movies ever made, if not the worst, with acting to match. I saw a clip and t just looked embarrassingly silly and wooden. So perhaps CF is wise to go for the smaller budget productions, even if we do have to wait ages to see them!"}, {"response": 336, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Sat, Aug 15, 1998 (16:59)", "body": "On the same BAFTA tape, do you have a snappy of Colin watching Jeremy Irons and resting his chin on his hand? I love that shot! Thanks, Nan!"}, {"response": 337, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sat, Aug 15, 1998 (17:16)", "body": "(Passionata) do you have a snappy of Colin watching Jeremy Irons and resting his chin on his hand? Not yet, but I will :-)"}, {"response": 338, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 15, 1998 (20:16)", "body": "Bizarre seating arrangement at BAFTA 98 (Bethan) I'm not sure how else they could have sat.. Hey Bethan,...that was a big theatre....the four of them didn't have to sit in the same row in such close proximity.....! I did read that CF leaned over to congratulate Jennifer when she won, but it's not on this tape. Yes, they are friends :-.) Re: The Avengers. Poor Rafe is getting plummeted here too....NY Times said \"...re: RF and Uma Thurman ......\" I've seen more chemistry between a couple of soggy tea bags.....\"Later, re: RF...\"he has the savior faire of a waiter grinding pepper in your salad...\" Poor choice, Rafe."}, {"response": 339, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 15, 1998 (20:24)", "body": "BAFTA 96 is an offering of the Jennifer Ehle Lending Library. It is in NTSC only. It has the complete show. (Also JE on the Rosie O'Donnell show (6 minutes). That was the year that P&P was also nominated for Best TV series and shockingly lost to some dull number about a politician and his wife. BTW if you wish to borrow it, pl. email me at: eboake@tanet.net. The Spring email by my name does not work.And I won't change it for fear of throwing the whole system off like in July!"}, {"response": 340, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Aug 15, 1998 (20:44)", "body": "(Evelyn)that was a big theatre....the four of them didn't have to sit in the same row in such close proximity.....! People attending awards ceremonies like Baftas are usually seated together in accordance with their connection to a relevant project - so Mr Firth and guest, and Miss Ehle and guest, had to sit together as representing P&P."}, {"response": 341, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 15, 1998 (22:55)", "body": "Re: seating at BAFTA 96 - Mr Firth and guest, and Miss Ehle and guest, had to sit together as representing P&P. Later, in the film it shows Simon Langton, Andrew Davies and others obviously representing P&P in another part of the theatre."}, {"response": 342, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sun, Aug 16, 1998 (00:41)", "body": "(Evelyn) Later, in the film it shows Simon Langton, Andrew Davies and others obviously representing P&P in another part of the theatre. Maybe the separate the actors from the crew?"}, {"response": 343, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sun, Aug 16, 1998 (02:35)", "body": "(nan) ... information about Valmont and then you're going to continue the conversation on the boards? ... Info isn't the problem, it's posterity. As I said in my email, my opinions have been shared with this particular group and I think that's sufficient. Facts will still be bandied about, I'm sure, and I'm willing to continue to provide all I can. But information about me personally, and about the Frears production, doesn't need to hang around. BTW I appreciate you're doing this :-)"}, {"response": 344, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Aug 16, 1998 (06:36)", "body": "Simon Langton and Andrew Davies would be in the production section. Don't ask me why separate from the actors, but that was the obvious aim."}, {"response": 345, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug 16, 1998 (13:35)", "body": "Simon Langton and Andrew Davies would be in the production section. Don't ask me why separate from the actors, but that was the obvious aim (Nan) Maybe the separate the actors from the crew? Alright,...... alright ......already. So the seating wasn't bizarre......it was * brilliant*......... Happy ? :-) ( I'm in a mea- culpa- mood .....it's quite fashionable these days.....) :-)"}, {"response": 346, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sun, Aug 16, 1998 (14:26)", "body": "So the seating wasn't bizarre......it was * brilliant*......... Happy ? :-) Oh, no...I still think the seating must have been uncomfortable for all parties (regardless of the friendship). I was just suggesting that it might be common practice to separate the actors from the production people."}, {"response": 347, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug 16, 1998 (17:10)", "body": "I would very much like to hear Cheryle's comments on the Film Industry...in general and specifically......on any board in which it would be suitable. I find the subject fascinating. I apprecitate her willingness to put out the effort....we'll be richer for it. ;-)"}, {"response": 348, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Aug 17, 1998 (16:08)", "body": "RE MLSF Just an update. I rang Enigma Films again today, on the remote possibility that MLSF would be shown at the Edinburgh Festival (well, it is set in Scotland (and part funded by the Scottish Arts Council)). I spoke to David Puttnam's secretary and she said that MLSF would not be shown. I asked if there were any plans to show it anywhere else, and she said \"no\" and added that it had already had a couple of previews.(Where, when, I wonder) I asked about release dates and she asked me to ring EnigmaMoss (Hugh H dson's office). I rang the number and got an answerphone. EnigmaMoss is now EnigmaAfrica (HH is making a movie in Africa with Kim Basinger) and so presumably MLSF is completely done and dusted. The answerphone message asked me to ring another number which I didn't hear properly. At this point, dear readers, I gave up! Then I found another number which I'd scribbled down from the last time I phoned Enigma. I phoned this nummber and to my great embarassment got back to David Puttnam's secretary AGAIN! Boy, I must have seemed persistent!! I'm giving up on this and will just wait until MLSF opens in the UK sometime in the distant future!! Am slightly disappointed from the promotion point of view because I do think that exposure at festivals helps to build up a \"buzz\" of expectation. And I've yet to read a single snippet about MLSF. All in good time from Miramax, I hope!!"}, {"response": 349, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Mon, Aug 17, 1998 (17:31)", "body": "Just another slow news day From the Fall Movie Preview issue of Entertainment Weekly: Coming in December (Dec. 25): Shakespeare in Love Starring J Finnes, G Paltrow, B Affleck, G Rush, Colin Firth, J Dench, S Callow, T Wilkinson \"It was back in 1990 that Universal first fell for the story of a young, frustrated Shakespeare and the lovely woman who helps free Willy of writer's block. \"It has all of the anguish of being young and doubting yourself and your career, and it just happens to be Shakespeare,\" says Rush, who plays the manager of the Rose Theatre. Trouble was, dream pairings like Julia Roberts and Daniel Day-Lewis, or Winona Ryder and Kenneth Branagh, failed to materialized. But as fast as you can say turnaround, Miramax s apped it up. Fiennes and Paltrow won the leads. Mrs. Brown's Madden took the helm, but not too much of a high road. \"There's nothing remotely academic about this film,\" he days. \"it's about first love.\" So ladies, do we all know what we're doing on Christmas day? Another odd thing, just saw the trailer for \"Elizabeth\" and J Finnes and G Rush are both in it. Talk about type casting. Another far fetched connection Just saw Parent Trap with N Richardson, \"There She Goes\" by the La's was the first song on the soundtrack, the same as Fever Pitch..."}, {"response": 350, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Aug 18, 1998 (02:33)", "body": "Fiennes and Paltrow won the leads Dream pairings I'm developing into a nasty sour grapes person here, but if ever there was a candidate for a romantic lead it's CF! Joe F has got three romantic leads this year in major movies, from absolutely nowhere. And CF? He's taller, broader, more masculine, much better looking, and he was Mr Darcy, but still.........I'll see SIL, but I hope that first love proves to be soppy and I'll root for the baddy! But if it's all JF/GP I cast my eyes to the heavens and leave in sheer frustration! Fifth billing?"}, {"response": 351, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Aug 18, 1998 (03:03)", "body": "And continuing in sour grapes vein (it's that blasted \"fifth billing\" AGAIN!), I'm becoming rather dubious about the \"dream pairing\" casting for the \"Hollywood version\" of Bridget Jones. If BJ is a British actress (and she should be), I wouldn't be surprised if an American actor was cast for MD. (Who is Colin Firth?) \"Dream pairings\" in Hollywood terms aren't both Brits. Can someone sweeten my grapes for me?"}, {"response": 352, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 18, 1998 (09:45)", "body": "(Bethan) If BJ is a British actress (and she should be), I wouldn't be surprised if an American actor was cast for MD. That's why I have maintained that CF has a better chance of MD if BJ is an American actress. (Don't shoot me....I'm saying this for a \"cause\") However, after SIL and MLSF and possibly SLOW he might not get a \"Who is Colin Firth\" reaction. Dream pairings sometimes are Brits: Anthony Hopkins & Emma Thompson, RF and Kristin Scott-Thomas, Helena Bonham-Carter and Linus Roche, the recent Dangerous Beauty duo...Rufus Sewell and Catherine McCormack. Feeling better...Bethan? We all have those kind of low days!"}, {"response": 353, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Aug 18, 1998 (16:35)", "body": "I'm changing my life's philosophy and trying to learn to accept what I can't change!! And, (deep breath!) I'm thinking positively. And I'm going to WAIT PATIENTLY for MLSF. And I will sit through the entire length of SIL and not throw popcorn at JFiennes. And CF will play Mark Darcy. There Y'are. Can be done! My Bad Mood was induced by my total failure to get any positive information. I also phoned Handmade Films (on a bit of a roll!), but I think Evelyn manages this much better than I do. Basically, I just asked if SLOW is showing at Edinburgh. Answer \"no\". Then I asked if it would be showing anywhere (meaning festivals) but the girl explained that it would get a distributor and be released. I said (the voice of doom and gloom!)\"Ah, but a lot of British films just disappear and we never see them\". Reply \"This one won't (disappear). You'll definitely see it\". Polite thanks from me. End of report (unsatisfactory!)"}, {"response": 354, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 18, 1998 (20:01)", "body": "I hope someone taped\" Entertainment Tonight\". By the time they said \" and now some previews from GP's new movie\" and I bolted for the tape and VCR... There He was.....sporting a mustache and goatee....looking gorgeous in costume. Of course, they featured William Shakespeare played by JF and Ben Affleck who apparently plays an actor at the Globe. Several scenes were shown , but the one that featured Colin , had the narrator explaining that....\" GP, married to the Earl of Wessex, played by Colin Firth (I would have known that voice anywhere), falls in love with Wm Shakespeare.\" The scene also featured GP and Judi Dench. They announced that SIL would be in theatres in December.... Good News....they are starting publicity on it Now!! :-) Looks like a Winner!"}, {"response": 355, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Tue, Aug 18, 1998 (21:58)", "body": "There He was.....sporting a mustache and goatee....looking gorgeous in costume. Would that be the Earl of Wessex? Oh, why must they cover that lovely chin? Well, we'll just have to concentrate on the legs."}, {"response": 356, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Aug 18, 1998 (22:00)", "body": "Unfortunately, we were down here in Gary's flat checking this damn page when DB was on ET *GRRRRRRRRRRR* Karen and I are going to cry in our beer now:( Evelyn you taped it??????? Perchance? We do love you btw:)!!!!"}, {"response": 357, "author": "sofie", "date": "Tue, Aug 18, 1998 (22:06)", "body": "ET is rerun at 3:00am in my area (Delaware Valley). Thanks for the info! Will set timer and keep my fingers crossed."}, {"response": 358, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Wed, Aug 19, 1998 (00:06)", "body": "Hot damn, how I love a man with a goatee! ;-D"}, {"response": 359, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Aug 19, 1998 (14:30)", "body": "A rare sighting of the elusive Mr F. Well done Evelyn! Long/short hair? Dark/blonde? Short bloomers and tights? Breeches and boots? Moustache and goatee.......is he recognisable? or has he again changed into someone completely different!"}, {"response": 360, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Aug 19, 1998 (14:50)", "body": "Just seen the snappies of Wessex. Why on earth does Gwyneth leave him for young Master Will?"}, {"response": 361, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 19, 1998 (15:20)", "body": "Bless Meluchie ....she has posted at the Circle of Friends website the Snappies from SIL from last night's ET. Go to: http://www.grin.net/~meluchie/index1.html (Bethan) Why on earth does Gwyneth leave him for young Master Will? It does seem unrealistic to leave the handsome Earl of Wessex for young scrawny Will.....once again Colin has a wife cheating on him.!!"}, {"response": 362, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Aug 19, 1998 (16:07)", "body": "(bethan)Moustache and goatee.......is he recognisable? Indeed, although I, unlike Nan, would gladly pass the goatee :-( Anyway, bless Meluchie for posting those snappies, and Evelyn for letting us know about it!"}, {"response": 363, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 19, 1998 (19:31)", "body": "Think he looks just mahhhhvalous!! (and I don't usually like him with facial hair). Did you catch the drop pearl earring he is wearing? What a stud! ;-D Wish there had been a long shot so we could ogle those long thin legs of his. Next time. We're going to have to keep a close eye on ET. They've likely filmed quite a bit on the set and will broadcast it in small snippets until the full press promotional activities start up in November. Can hardly wait."}, {"response": 364, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Aug 19, 1998 (19:46)", "body": "He will never be anything but devastatingly handsome to me, whatever the image, but I do wish he had some other look on his face. One of my least favorites is that wingeful one he gets whenever he seems not to get his way. Perhaps that is why his mustache appeared out of proportion. I also objected to its obscuring his most delicious mouth. How could they??? But, I am being picky as only a devotee can be, and I am most thankful to Evelyn (via Stephanie) for letting me know he was to be on ET early enough for me to catch it on the early showing, and to Meluchie for putting the Snappies on the Net from which I have saved my very own copies. Thank you all!"}, {"response": 365, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 19, 1998 (20:07)", "body": "(Karen) Wish there had been a long shot so we could ogle those long thin legs of his. Thighs, Karen....thighs!!! And as to his goatee.....boo hiss....it hides his dimples. But then, perhaps they were trying to make him less handsome than Will Shakespeare.....(Joe Fiennes.....gag...gag...)"}, {"response": 366, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Aug 19, 1998 (22:17)", "body": "I don't know he looks itchy with that garb on. I think I need to scratch him to ease the itchiness:) hee hee. I, too, can come up with good ones. Flight was fine Karen. Although, I almost missed it:)"}, {"response": 367, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Wed, Aug 19, 1998 (23:11)", "body": "(Evelyn) And as to his goatee.....boo hiss....it hides his dimples. Funny, I hadn't even considered that :-/ What a choice to make...dimples or goatee, dimples or goatee...hmmm... I'll have to go with the goatee. Aside from the naughty, pirate-y look it gives a fellow, there's nothing like some good beard-burn to make me feel like I've had a successful night ;-p (I'm in a wicked mood today ;-D)"}, {"response": 368, "author": "sofie", "date": "Wed, Aug 19, 1998 (23:33)", "body": "(Nan)Dimples or goatee) Look at the picture again...I don't think it covers his dimples! I hope the part allows for some smiling. He looks kinda grumpy...but cute. Beard burn from him would be a trivial price to pay! My only hope is that he acts JF under the table and steals the show! (fingers crossed)"}, {"response": 369, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Aug 20, 1998 (10:15)", "body": "Hmmmm.... Beard burn, sounds quite scandalous:) hee hee. But yeah, I too, could deal w/ it:)"}, {"response": 370, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 20, 1998 (12:17)", "body": "I hope the part allows for some smiling. He looks kinda grumpy.. .but cute. I don't think the Earl of Wessex was a smiley kind of guy....and perhaps the goatee suits the role....sinister...after all, he did attempt a coup and was executed. My only hope is that he acts JF under the table and steals the show! (fingers crossed) CF is known for not hogging the scenes and upstaging other actors. However, if JF does not play his role adequately..... :-) Did you get ETon tape , Sofie? Wasn't Will sort of a jerk in it? This is billed as a comedy, however."}, {"response": 371, "author": "sofie", "date": "Thu, Aug 20, 1998 (16:03)", "body": "No Evelyn I didn't. Damn TIMERS! HATE THEM! AAAHHHHH! I should have had my 11 year old son set it. Live and burn. I have a thing for cute jerks though. Why would they cast someone as good looking as CF in the role unless they wanted Wessex to have some appeal?"}, {"response": 372, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 20, 1998 (16:41)", "body": "(Sofie) I have a thing for cute jerks though. Why would they cast someone as good looking as CF in the role unless they wanted Wessex to have some appeal? Reference to jerk was JF as Will Shakespeare in the ET tape. I agree as to casting CF for appeal.....No one could fathom why Katherine left Geoffrey for The Count.... :-( BTW... Big Relief: Have viewed SIL pics again....dimples will not be hidden by goatee....Happy, Nan? :-)"}, {"response": 373, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 20, 1998 (17:54)", "body": "Big Relief: Have viewed SIL pics again....dimples will not be hidden by goatee....Happy, Nan? :-) We can all breathe a big *sigh* of relief! ;-D"}, {"response": 374, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Aug 20, 1998 (22:44)", "body": "Having looked at the SIL snappies I want to see this before Dec. Why so long. I hope that he gets enough notice for this in the U. S. that we will get to see more of his films. Such as MLSF and TSLOW. I love Fever Pitch and am still hoping it will be released here,but not much chance. He looks gorgeous in SIL Snappies"}, {"response": 375, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 21, 1998 (17:15)", "body": "I just received the Sept. issue of US \"Premiere\" and there is a small write-up on SIL. Since we're low on CF news, I'll give you a gist. Warning: they do not mentions CF (grrrrr) If you get Premiere Mag skip this thread. If you read it at a newstand it is on p. 61. Here goes: Shakespeare in Love The Pitch: Struggling with writer's block, William Shakespeare (JF) is pressured by a debt-ridden theater owner (GR) to produce a hit. During auditions for his work in progress, \"Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter, the bard falls for an actress (GP) who becomes the inspiration for his most famous love story. The Big Picture: Written by playwright Tom Stoppard and Marc Norman the screenplay inspired Miramax's notoriously parsimonious brothers Weinstein to shell out a reported $4.5 M. Even so, SIL's path from script to screen was never smooth. Daniel Day-Lewis rejected the lead in 1992; Julia Roberts followed him and the project came screeching to a halt, even while sets were being consstructed. Fiennes signed on and GP filled Robert's shoes as the inspiration for Juliet. Continued....."}, {"response": 376, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 21, 1998 (17:25)", "body": "\"Gwyneth brings a lot of class to a cast of basically English character-actor rat bags,\" jokes Rush (with notable exception of GP's real-life beau, Ben Affleck who appears in a supporting role) Director John Madden was keen to ensure that this romantic comedy not descend into stodgy costume drama. \"Art house is what you would think with the word Shakespeare flying around, \" he says. \"It's actually very modern and funny.\" In that spirit, cast members brainstormed such alternative titles as \"Good Will Humpi g\" and \"The Full Monologue. \"We think of Shakespeare in reverential tones, but this is set before he hits it big\" says Rush. \"He 's looking for a muse, for inspiration. Shakespeare can't get it up, basically.\" (Miramax, December) I did not add anything to the article. The story sounds a little different....where does Earl of Essex come in if Viola is an actress? Also sounds like they had a lot of fun filming this :-) Who knows? It might even be a \"rumpy-pumpy\"!! :-)"}, {"response": 377, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Fri, Aug 21, 1998 (18:06)", "body": "Evelyn, if you look at Murph's site she has a complete synopsis of what happens to Colin's character and how he fits in based on the screen play. Although we're not sure if they will follow the screen play closely--because in the original screen play Viola was named Belinda."}, {"response": 378, "author": "jcjc", "date": "Fri, Aug 21, 1998 (18:26)", "body": "Sorry Evelyn I meant movie script (the exact words used by the individual who wrote it) not screen play."}, {"response": 379, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Aug 21, 1998 (18:53)", "body": "\"Gwyneth brings a lot of class to a cast of basically English character-actor rat bags\" Gee thanks Geoffrey!:-) I just can't make out what the storyline of SIL is going to be, or what role the Earl of Wessex plays. All the summaries/descriptions seem so different! And if GP is married to him, how can he be a baddie....more an injured husband whose wife runs off to go on the stage. And why does Viola fall for Will, who sounds like a nerd.(Impotent?)Maybe she likes a challenge! I give up!! Positive thoughts...it sounds as though it's a comedy, it will get a lot of promotion and media coverage, and (perhaps because of the timing of the release) maybe some Oscar attention...Best Costumes?) And then maybe MLSF, in which CF is the bona fide lead, will get released, on the back of recognition for SIL. Here's hoping!!"}, {"response": 380, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 21, 1998 (21:03)", "body": "Re: SIL (Bethan) perhaps it will get some Oscar attention...Best Costumes?) Good possibility. Sandy Powell costume designer received an '98 Oscar nomination for \"Wings of the Dove\". Did not win, but went on to win a BAFTA 98 for the same film. :-) MLSF, in which CF is the bona fide lead, will get released, on the back of recognition for SIL Both are produced by Miramax, so it makes sense to capitalize on the strength of the more bankable film. :-) ( Jana) because in the original screen play Viola was named Belinda. Was SIL originally a play? Tom Stoppard is a prominent play writer."}, {"response": 381, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 21, 1998 (21:05)", "body": "Outta here, italics."}, {"response": 382, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 21, 1998 (21:46)", "body": "(Evelyn) Was SIL originally a play? Tom Stoppard is a prominent play writer. I think the original screenplay referred to is the one by Marc Norman. Stoppard appears to have a done a complete overhaul, yet Norman will continue to receive a co-billing. (Bethan) And then maybe MLSF, in which CF is the bona fide lead, will get released, on the back of recognition for SIL. Quite right. I think I read the PR for SiL and after Colin's name it said \"of TEP and the soon-to-be released MLSF.\" So they are already using it."}, {"response": 383, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Aug 23, 1998 (14:49)", "body": "Losing the plot I thought I'd got the hang of Wessex's role in SIL until I saw the snappies. I could see how a dashing baddie out to win Viola by foul means or fair would fit in, but a humiliated husband.....I'm puzzled? Does Viola dress up as a boy and run off to join the players. It's public knowledge that she's obsessed with the theatre. Surely the first thing rich powerful hubbie would do is find her and drag her back (to spend the rest of her days locked up in a nunnery! Anne Boleyn was beheaded for less!) And if sh and Will were having a fling, then hubbie would run him through with a sword. I know it's a romantic comedy but it's difficult to see how a dishonoured husband fits in. If it's all about first love, presumably we're not even supposed to feel sympathy for the Earl. But how can he be the villain of the piece, and how can Viola (in a time when women had no freedom) flaunt her husband so. Very puzzling. Has anyone got any ideas? ATA Positively my last word! (Still not seen it) I saw (at Dolores' website)extracts from Laura Jones' original screenplay. It would seem that what CF signed up for and what made the final cut are completely different. All the scenes/dialogue that would have made Jess a fuller, more sympathetic character have been dropped/edited out. Presumably in the interests of the all powerful sisterhood, although the balance of the movie must have been destroyed by the weakness of the male roles. Can't the poor man sue.. for undeservedly bad critical reviews at least! How could he make any impact when he wasn't allowed the opportunity? Surely, he drew the short straw here!"}, {"response": 384, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug 23, 1998 (16:15)", "body": "Re: Plot of the Film SIL: Bethan, read the plot as presented on Murph's website. .(An awesome project, BTW) Apparently, Viola's daillance with Will occurs prior to her marriage to Robert Devereux....at least in the screenplay. The storyline seems to be loosely connected to the authentic facts. (Of course the whole event has never been documented) Anyway, we are all going to \"Love It'!"}, {"response": 385, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 23, 1998 (17:45)", "body": "Re: Plot of Film Keep in mind the synopsis posted at Murph's website is from the Marc Norman screenplay. It's been completely redone by Tom Stoppard. Too bad that screenplay service that Renate posted withdrew SiL. Maybe they had an old version as well. Some of the press releases coming out of Miramax are providing decent bits of info. (Bethan) then hubbie would run him through with a sword. We do know there is a swordfight, although we don't know who the participants are. As Evelyn says, regardless, we are going to *love* it."}, {"response": 386, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Mon, Aug 24, 1998 (00:26)", "body": "A beautiful new intro to our area, Nan. Thanks!"}, {"response": 387, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Mon, Aug 24, 1998 (01:59)", "body": "I just signed the birthday card for C. Did anybody else?"}, {"response": 388, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Aug 24, 1998 (13:02)", "body": "Where is it, Cheryl, that I may sign it too?"}, {"response": 389, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Aug 25, 1998 (13:33)", "body": "Evelyn, Give Handmade Films a huge rocket from me! I just checked the Toronto Film Festival site which list all the 300 films showing.......and guess what, SLOW isn't there! The other two movies still on Handmade's books, The Man with Rain in His Shoes and Sweety Barratt, are both showing. If they can get two, why not the third? I could do better, for goodness sake. I give up on this. I can understand it not making the smaller Venice festival, but surely when there are THREE HUNDRED films, many of which ar quite obscure, it should be possible...!! How can it get a distributor if they can't even get a screening! GRINDING OF TEETH!"}, {"response": 390, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Thu, Aug 27, 1998 (01:33)", "body": "(gi) Where is it, Cheryl, that I may sign it too? http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/4144/birthday.html I think the cutoff is Sept. 8. It looks like one of the major sites, so I'm sure ya'll have seen it. (I've just caught up to them.) Probably even know the name of it's owner (Delores? Murph? Menuchie? Such a club.) It's also interesting to me that a great many of the things I read correspond with my impressions of C years ago. Example: TEP got away from him as an actor, and \"I won't let it happen again.\" Although to a certain extent the script required his character to be pushed aside, there are many ways to arrive at the same place."}, {"response": 391, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Thu, Aug 27, 1998 (01:54)", "body": "I meant to say, such a club :-)!!! (got interrupted and accidently posted before I was ready) Re reading all of your comments and the comments on the other sites, I'm glad my perceptions weren't out of left field vis-a-vis those of you who have been following much more closely, is what I meant."}, {"response": 392, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Thu, Aug 27, 1998 (02:11)", "body": "(gi) Where is it, Cheryl, that I may sign it too? http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/4144/birthday.html I think the cutoff is Sept. 8. It looks like one of the major sites, so I'm sure ya'll have seen it. (I've just caught up to them.) Probably even know the name of it's owner (Delores? Murph? Menuchie? Such a club.) It's also interesting to me that a great many of the things I read correspond with my impressions of C years ago. Example: TEP got away from him as an actor, and \"I won't let it happen again.\" Although to a certain extent the script required his character to be pushed aside, there are many ways to arrive at the same place."}, {"response": 393, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Thu, Aug 27, 1998 (02:12)", "body": "I meant to say, such a club :-)!!! (got interrupted and accidently posted before I was ready) Re reading all of your comments and the comments on the other sites, I'm glad my perceptions weren't out of left field vis-a-vis those of you who have been following much more closely, is what I meant."}, {"response": 394, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Aug 27, 1998 (10:20)", "body": "Cheryle, thank you for all your insights. I've been away all summer and was not able to do so before. Ladies what great sights greet my return--you are too good! I did not see SLOW listed in the list of films to be included in the Venice Film Festival when I read the \"Corriere della Sera\" last week in Italy. The Toronto Film Festival is very important though( my friends in the industry never miss it. I would guess that Colin may make an appearance himself (get your plane tickets now!!!). Great news about his next starring role: a thriller!"}, {"response": 395, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Thu, Aug 27, 1998 (17:56)", "body": "Moon Dreams, What thriller are you talking about?"}, {"response": 396, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Aug 27, 1998 (20:02)", "body": ""}, {"response": 397, "author": "Ann", "date": "Thu, Aug 27, 1998 (23:17)", "body": "Colin is back on the ballot! Poll for favorite male actors ( http://www.celebrity1000.com/actors.html ) They took him off a month or so ago, but just put him back on. (Though when I just went to vote, the page was broken and not working. I'm sure they'll fix it soon). They also took Reese Witherspoon off the list, for which I'm sure she is grateful!"}, {"response": 398, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Aug 27, 1998 (23:40)", "body": "Is that the same charming site that accused us of \"stuffing the ballot box\" the last time? You'll have to tell me because, after their obnoxiously juvenile and sarcastic answer to Kate, I swore I wouldn't visit that site again. However, if it is a different place, please do tell...so I can vote ;-)"}, {"response": 399, "author": "Ann", "date": "Fri, Aug 28, 1998 (00:10)", "body": "Is that the same charming site that accused us of \"stuffing the ballot box\" the last time? } Yes, I think it is, but I'm not sure. That's why I am surprised they put Colin back on. But I also visit a Highlander site, and they've been doing lots of ballot stuffing for Adrian Paul and Peter Wingfield, too. What does a web site expect from an on-line poll! I remember \"People\" had one a while back where Mitch Peleggi (Assistant Director Skinner) outscored David Duchovny (Mulder.) Yeah, right. That was a natural result!"}, {"response": 400, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Aug 28, 1998 (10:36)", "body": "(Passionata) What thriller are you talking about? The Marked Man, I read about it in Spring but I can not remember where, can anyone help? Checked on-line Yahoo Italia for the list of films at the Venice Fim Festival and SLOW is not listed."}, {"response": 401, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Aug 28, 1998 (13:47)", "body": "Poll for favorite male actors ( http://www.celebrity1000.com/actors.html ) (Nan) Is that the same charming site that accused us of \"stuffing the ballot box\" the last time? You'll have to tell me because, after their obnoxiously juvenile and sarcastic answer to Kate, I swore I wouldn't visit that site again. However, if it is a different place, please do tell...so I can vote ;-) Nan, you can go there. :-) It IS a different place, and apparently they appreciate \"a well organised fanclub\" - in this case Scott Bakulas. Well :-). But the page for the votes is not yet up - looks like they just have their monthly change."}, {"response": 402, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Aug 29, 1998 (19:04)", "body": "For all German lurkers: Sunday, August 30: ARD - 22.30 MESMER with Alan Rickman To my knowledge \"Mesmer\" never made it to the screen and took years to get out on video. same day, same time (alas) ZDF - 22.30 CARRINGTON AND ....... (drumrolls) ........................ Thursday, September 3, ZDF - 0.05 PESTHAUCH DES B\ufffdSEN ( Hour of the Pig/Advocate )"}, {"response": 403, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (06:31)", "body": "Bits and pieces from my scanning of this week's daily papers and some monthly mags..... Handmade Film's \"Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels\" has been extremely well promoted and opened this weekend in 260 theatres (more than, for example, FP). Good reviews (better than \"The Horse Whisperer\") and should be a British success. If Handmade do half as much for SLOW, it should make an impact. CF lives in Bow (a district of Hackney). Hollywood are looking for a new lead to play the lead (double?) role of aristocratic Englishman Charles Darnay and the lookalike heroic lawyer Sidney Carton in Dicken's \"A Tale of Two Cities\", after Liam Neeson (Irish), Antonio Banderas (Spanish) and finally Mel Gibson (Australian) have all backed out. Unlikely to be an English actor though as after the \"critical drubbing\" received by Fiennes and Branagh for their latest efforts, Hollywood is wary of English leads.!!!! :-("}, {"response": 404, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (14:47)", "body": "critical drubbing\" received by Fiennes and Branagh for their latest efforts \"The Avengers\" is not a hit....but Branagh got a bad rap in UK for The Gingerbread Man\". I saw it and think it is good entertainment. IMO UK critics object when any of * their*actors makes a Hollywood movie. They feel it's a betrayal. Anyway, what I started to say is that the September A&E Magazine has a blurb on Ben Affleck \" who has recently finished filming\" Shakespeare in Love\" in London with girlfriend Gwyneth Paltrow\".....the guy has sixth or seventh billing and already they feature him as the co-star.....sheeesh! On a happier side: HOSTAGES will be shown on A&E on September 18th at 4 AM Eastern Time. (Not exactly prime time, but better than no CF at all)."}, {"response": 405, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (16:11)", "body": "(Evelyn) Ben Affleck...the guy has sixth or seventh billing and already they feature him as the co-star.....sheeesh! What can you do? The guy is a HOT property right now. Last night, Mallrats was on TV and the announcer said \"starring Ben Affleck.\" He had a bit part in that one, not like in Chasing Amy. Love Kevin Smith's stuff. The Butch Cassidy spoof was a riot. :-)"}, {"response": 406, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (16:13)", "body": "Saw in today's Book Section that a new audiotape of Romeo and Juliet has been released and it is read by Joseph Fiennes."}, {"response": 407, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep  1, 1998 (10:50)", "body": "Ladies, Colin turns 38 on September 10th! Let's plan a birthday party! What will you bring? And...what gift will you give him?"}, {"response": 408, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Sep  1, 1998 (10:50)", "body": "Great idea, Moon. And...what gift will you give him? Hmmm - my precious self, perhaps? :-)) Oh, well I guess that is not an option, or the game would be over before it began since everybody here would do the same. Ok, let me sleep over it - no, wait - I know! I would give him a cushion to rest his head on."}, {"response": 409, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Sep  1, 1998 (10:50)", "body": "Should we officially open the website on the 10th?"}, {"response": 410, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Sep  1, 1998 (19:20)", "body": "Which one is THE website? Surely you don't mean the 10th of this month? Are you saying it can be designed and executed in eight days? What sort of joke is it? What really IS going on for Firth's sake, Terry?"}, {"response": 411, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Wed, Sep  2, 1998 (02:33)", "body": "(moon dreams) Let's plan a birthday party!...what gift will you give him? I'm glad there's plenty of time to think about it."}, {"response": 412, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Sep  2, 1998 (08:00)", "body": "We are to hold the party in Topic 110 : http://www.colinfirth.com Terry started it yesterday, we shall expect you ladies! See you there!"}, {"response": 413, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep  2, 1998 (16:16)", "body": "(Terry) Should we officially open the website on the 10th? Terry,please confer with Nan. If she is going to be the editor, I think it is only fair that she be consulted and make such decisions. We are all very grateful to Nan . She runs a great board and deserves recognition. We can have the b'day party on #97. Shall we send invitations? All lurkers most welcomed."}, {"response": 414, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep  2, 1998 (17:28)", "body": "SLOW NEWS I have been told by Handmade Films that they are in receivership (read; \"up for sale\") . A bank owns the film and there are no plans at this time for its release :-( The positive side is that SLOW was never submitted to any of the festivals; Cannes, Venice, or Toronto. And, therefore, was also not rejected :-) I will keep in touch with the bank, and let you know what transpires."}, {"response": 415, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Sep  2, 1998 (22:03)", "body": ""}, {"response": 416, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Sep  2, 1998 (23:04)", "body": ""}, {"response": 417, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Sep  2, 1998 (23:04)", "body": "(Evelyn) She runs a great board and deserves recognition. Honey, I've told you before I appreciate your affection, but please...this is really not necessary. And I find it embarrassing. Especially in view of the fact that I've resigned as host of Drool. I sent Terry an email but haven't heard from him yet. I'm not really surprised as he's always busy. Perhaps he hasn't even seen the email, in which case this post might be a shock to him :-o As you can see, I've removed all the links to me as well as the photos. Whoever takes over will be able to put up the pretty things and do whatever needs to be done. School starts next week and, after hearing about everything required of me (at the orientation meeting), I simply don't think I'll be able to devote so much of my time to Drool. Besides, Drool is popular now. You don't need my prodding anymore ;-)"}, {"response": 418, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep  3, 1998 (08:24)", "body": "(Nan) Especially in view of the fact that I've resigned as host of Drool... in which case this post might be a shock to him :-o Too him??? To all of us!! Nan, oh Nan, say it ain't so. ...but if it must be, then my thanks for the great job you've always done here and we'll miss your well-placed comments and interventions when things get out of control around here. (This doesn't mean you won't visit here as they rest of the us--the great unwashed--do. Does it?) Good luck in school. I'm sure you'll knock'm dead. You could try pushing this as a little independent study effort??? ;-)"}, {"response": 419, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Sep  3, 1998 (13:21)", "body": "Many thanks, Nan.......and the best of luck, not that you'll need it, in your studies!! Hope you'll find time to lurk, or better still, throw in the odd comment. :-) Handmade Films ( :-((( ).....ironically, Handmade are going out with a bang. \"Lock,stock etc\" seems set to be the first (only)genuinely British success of the year, beating the heavily promoted \"The Horse Whisperer\" at the UK box office."}, {"response": 420, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Sep  3, 1998 (15:49)", "body": "Yes, Nan, THANKS! I will also look for your comments. I miss your humour and pictures already. You will come to the birthday party, won t you?"}, {"response": 421, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep  3, 1998 (15:59)", "body": "(Nan) Especially in view of the fact that I've resigned as host of Drool. The end of an era ....I am not happy :-((("}, {"response": 422, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Sep  3, 1998 (16:06)", "body": "Oh Nan... Please say you won't just leave. Does \"resigning as the host\" mean you won't come down here to chat with us any more? And why take the pictures away? I don't understand. Tell us what it means ."}, {"response": 423, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Sep  3, 1998 (21:42)", "body": "And thank you all right back ;-) It's been fun (well, mostly) ;-p (Karen) we'll miss your well-placed comments and interventions when things get out of control around here The one part of the job I've never really enjoyed. I just hate being the party pooper. Think about it this way, now I'll be able to say all the things I couldn't as host ;-p (evelyn) ....I am not happy :-((( I know, honey but I thank you for understanding all the same. (Gi) And why take the pictures away? I don't understand. Tell us what it means. It means that my photos are stored in a public_html file at Spring. I assume the use of that file will go to the next host so I have to clean my stuff out. And I will be coming around from time to time, but my classes (and working) will take the vast majority of my time, I'm afraid. I registered today and I have 2 labs...lots of work. Thank heavens it's in front of a computer ;-) Moon, I will try to make the party, but that's the night of my first Multimedia Workshop, so I won't be around until later in the evening."}, {"response": 424, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Fri, Sep  4, 1998 (00:54)", "body": "(Nan) I'm glad you were here, and it's a bonus that you're leaving bits of wisdom behind. If you _can_ stop by from time to time, it'll be nice to have you as a regular person. Her department doesn't know yet: The future has arrived, and it is Nan!"}, {"response": 425, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Sep  4, 1998 (12:18)", "body": "Cheryle)Her department doesn't know yet: The future has arrived, and it is Nan! Yes! And we look forward to Nan taking over in the future (the world that is!) Nan, I am sure Colin does not object to your arriving a little late to the party. Just remember his gift. See you at Topic 110"}, {"response": 426, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Sep  4, 1998 (18:32)", "body": "Oh, well Nan. Have fun in school:) don't study too hard."}, {"response": 427, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Sep  5, 1998 (00:13)", "body": "You've done such a wonderful job here I hate to see you go, Nan. I hope to see your comments often though. Where do you go to school?"}, {"response": 428, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sat, Sep  5, 1998 (02:17)", "body": "Nan, oh Nan - how I will miss your your wit, your charm, your snappies! But real life must intervene. I wish you all the best in your new studies. Thanks for helping to make Drool a fun place that kept me coming back for more. I hope you'll still find time to drop by and chat."}, {"response": 429, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Sep  5, 1998 (10:28)", "body": "I think you can vote for Colin at http://welcometo/Harlequinaid/ by sending and e-mail to the address there, at least thats what I understand."}, {"response": 430, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Sep  5, 1998 (10:48)", "body": "Sorry I missed a dot the address should be http://welcome.to/Harlequinaid/ This is a site to vote for favorite classical British actors and 50 votes are needed to make the list, so get out and cast your votes."}, {"response": 431, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Sep  5, 1998 (11:27)", "body": "(Lucie) Where do you go to school? NYU, m'dear. And Jana, honey...I will be around, just not as often as I used to be. This is my last weekend of freedom before classes start so I'm trying to get my drool fix in ;-)"}, {"response": 432, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Sep  5, 1998 (18:11)", "body": "Can't imagine, Nan, what was involved in running these topics. I can only hope there's someone else out there willing to fill your big boots. (No slur on your shoe size, my dear.) I keep forgetting to ask this. I was in London on August 22 but couldn't get back to my hotel room in time for the Channel 4 radio interview with Malcolm McDowell. Though the blurb I read in the paper said he was going to talk about his upcoming Fantasy Island role, I thought perhaps he might have mentioned something about MLSF. Anyone else hear it? Could it have been a replay when, as is typical, absolutely nothing said of Colin?"}, {"response": 433, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (01:08)", "body": "Who's going to step into her big shoes?"}, {"response": 434, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (07:13)", "body": "Excellent question."}, {"response": 435, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (13:38)", "body": "(Terry) Who's going to step into her big shoes? Ah, so you did notice I was leaving. I thought there was a possibility of your having missed it. Since you appear to have seen it, I can only suppose that you are mad at me *sigh* I'm sorry. (Heide) Can't imagine, Nan, what was involved in running these topics. Are you interested, honey? You'd be a very good host. You get along with everyone, you are always fair, willing to listen, and you appreciate a good-lookin' man ;-). It's a thought. The boards don't require as much work as you'd think. With the exception of an occassional technical problem, the boards run themselves. The host is not expected to be a computer geek--though it helps, as Terry is often really busy and may not have the time to help you through a glitch. All the work is in finding people to play here and then keeping them from ripping each other's faces off (;-p). Oh and, of course, having to defend drool. There are many people out there who simply don't get it (or don't like it). I found this the most difficult part of the job as I'm not a diplomat by nature. But for someone who is, the job would be a snap. In the real world I'm much more likely to say \"bite me\", rather than waste my time trying to justify what we do here. However, you appear to me to be more naturally diplomatic than I nd, as I said, it would be an easy job for someone like that. I'm always reachable if something blows up. Think about it ;-) (Heide) (No slur on your shoe size, my dear.) LOL! If it were a slur, it would at least be an accurate one ;-p"}, {"response": 436, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (16:49)", "body": "(Nan) ...and you appreciate a good-lookin' man ;-). Is that Terry you're talking about? ;-D"}, {"response": 437, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (17:22)", "body": "I'm not mad at you, dear. I'm extremely grateful for your contributions. And everyone will feel the loss. I'm not going to step in to any fray's here because I love your all having such autonomy and freedom to go in whatever direction you choose. You've just done such a terrific job, how could I help but feeling a sense of loss. And I wish you the best in your studies and hope you stay connected!"}, {"response": 438, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (18:25)", "body": "Hear, hear. Spoken like a gentleman. And hopefully Nan will keep her finger in the colinfirth.com pie as well. We had to grab her and drag her back screaming and kicking, but she'll be around... ;-)"}, {"response": 439, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (18:57)", "body": "(Terry) I'm not mad at you, dear. Phew! That's a relief ;-) You're very sweet for saying such nice things about me--I appreciate it. But I'll still be around, just not daily--and being a host is a daily kind of job. When I feel like I've got a handle on things and I've taken the UNIX class, maybe then I'll be prepared to come back and make pretty things ;-) In the meantime, I'll be back from time to time. Guess I shuld stick that photo back at the main page until the next hostess pops up, huh? ;-) (Arami) And hopefully Nan will keep her finger in the colinfirth.com pie as well. Baby, I've got my whole damned hand stuck in there ;-p"}, {"response": 440, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (21:37)", "body": "HI-DE HI-DE HI-DE but only if you want to. ;-D"}, {"response": 441, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (21:38)", "body": "I know you're going to kill me"}, {"response": 442, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Sep  6, 1998 (22:03)", "body": "(Heide) I know you're going to kill me She probably will ;-) It was just a suggestion. One I hope she considers, but I don't want to make her feel obligated either. I just thought she was a really good candidate, you know?"}, {"response": 443, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (04:46)", "body": "HI-DE HI-DE HI-DE -- but only if you want to. I know we're suggesting , and not nominating, but if were were nominating, I'd think that was a great idea. If she thought so too."}, {"response": 444, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (10:54)", "body": "Yes, Yes, Yes, HEIDE...New Queen of Drool.... (BTW....don't flame me...but does anyone out there feel that we should change our name....I mean....some people think it isn't v. dignified....might make it easier for new Queen. Whaddaya think?) Personally, I don't care."}, {"response": 445, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (12:37)", "body": "I think Heide would make a great drool hostess. She is very diplomatic."}, {"response": 446, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (13:03)", "body": "Come on, Drool is droll... ;-) The moment people here start taking this place too seriously, the whole concept will be lost."}, {"response": 447, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (13:22)", "body": "HI-DE HI-DE HI-DE May we have the honour? Do consider it."}, {"response": 448, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (14:32)", "body": "You're kidding, right? Nan, your computer skills are so superior, you can't imagine there is such a total illiterate as I am out there and semi-functioning! plus my hardware is totally inadequate. I'd love the honor but there are at least 3 people who have posted above who would be terrific hosts. Can I nominate them? Jeez, this is what you get for taking a day off from the computer. And I'm not mad at anyone. I'm flattered to death and love you all. Kiss kiss smooch smooch. And the next nomination is...."}, {"response": 449, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (15:13)", "body": "And the next nomination is.... HI-DE HI-DE HI-DE Heide, do you always nominate yourself.:)"}, {"response": 450, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (15:46)", "body": "(Heide) Nan, your computer skills are so superior, While they are better than they were when I started, i assure you that I'm not nearly the geek I hope to be one day. plus my hardware is totally inadequate Well, I did it with a 486 until last April when I got Babette ;-p I'd love the honor but there are at least 3 people who have posted above who would be terrific hosts. Honey, you can do whatever you want. You can nominate anyone you'd like. But personally, (and this is no offense to anyone else) I think Heide is the perfect choice (no pressure you understand ;-p)"}, {"response": 451, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Tue, Sep  8, 1998 (22:37)", "body": "(Evelyn) change our name Any suggestions? I didn't like the name in the beginning, but since I'm new I will say that and no more."}, {"response": 452, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Tue, Sep  8, 1998 (22:51)", "body": "(Evelyn) change our name Any suggestions? I didn't like the name in the beginning, but since I'm new I will say that and no more. (Heide) there is such a total illiterate as I am out there and semi-functioning! plus my hardware is totally inadequate. What a fun way to learn! Are you sure your harware isn't sufficient?"}, {"response": 453, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Sep  9, 1998 (12:40)", "body": "I like \"drool\". What suggestions otherwise?"}, {"response": 454, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep  9, 1998 (15:46)", "body": "(Cheryle) (Evelyn)change our name Any suggestions? I didn't like the name in the beginning, but since I'm new I will say that and no more. And either will I :-) I only said that thinking that it would be easier on the new website manager. Fergeddaboutit."}, {"response": 455, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sat, Sep 12, 1998 (01:12)", "body": "If anyone is interested, Colin made the Classic British Actors list in less than two days with votes to spare"}, {"response": 456, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Sep 12, 1998 (11:54)", "body": "What diligent fans we are. I feel guilty though, I haven't even gone to that site yet. With whom does Colin share this list? I see that SIL is mentioned in the upcoming film releases in the NY Times for Sunday. His name is actually in print. Any other cheap thrills awaiting us in tomorrow's papers? I'd like to know if it will be mentioned in other papers around the country (the world)."}, {"response": 457, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 12, 1998 (15:10)", "body": "If anyone is interested, Colin made the Classic British Actors list in less than two days with votes to spare And we're grateful to you Lucie....I saw your postings of Rambles :-)"}, {"response": 458, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Sep 13, 1998 (01:55)", "body": "(Heide) Any other cheap thrills awaiting us in tomorrow's papers? The LA Times publishes their fall movie sneaks tomorrow (actually it's out tonight but I'm too lazy to go to the news stand. Will wait for the nice gent to drop it on my door step in the a.m.) I'm keeping my fingers crossed hard for FP as well as SIL."}, {"response": 459, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Sep 13, 1998 (13:43)", "body": "Arami has been urging us to be diligent researchers. So here goes....!! Although SIL is a romantic comedy it seems pretty much rooted in reality. Philip Henslowe was the manager of The Rose theatre, Ned Alleyn was his son-in-law, Shakespeare did work for Henslowe. And the young Shakespeare (although married with children) did, at around the time he was writing Romeo and Juliet, fall in love with the so-called Dark Lady. His affair with the Dark lady is chronicled in his Sonnets which are said to be autobiographical. The interesting part is the identity of the Dark lady. She is thought to have been either married to , or a mistress of, one of Shakespeare's friends and patrons, probably the Earl of Pembroke. The affair was an unsuccessful and unhappy one on Shakespeare's part, with the lady returning to her husband/lover. The clues to the affair can all be found in the sonnets.... \"The statute of thy beauty thou will take, Thou userer, that puttest forth all to use, And sue a friend came debtor for my sake. So him I lose through my unkind abuse. Him I have lost: thou hast both him and me: He pays the whole, and yet I am not free\" Him=Shakespeare's patron. My source for all this, Arami, is my copy of\"A Shakespeare Companion\" ,which I must admit I hadn't opened since my Eng. Lit. student days! Sounds like a love triangle! I can't help wonder what the ending of SIL will be. I know it's a romantic comedy, and rather light-hearted (\"Romeo and Ethel\"), but can Viola and Will waltz away happily into the sunset, or does she have to return to the arms of her husband? It has to have a happy ending though, doesn't it?"}, {"response": 460, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Sep 13, 1998 (15:42)", "body": "Bravo, Bethan! Some sources have attempted to imply that the Dark Lady of the sonnets was a man... It would seem that theory has lost its popularity now. my Eng. Lit. student days Ave, fellow academic... :-)"}, {"response": 461, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 13, 1998 (17:55)", "body": "(Bethan) The interesting part is the identity of the Dark lady. She is thought to have been either married to, or a mistress of, one of Shakespeare's friends and patrons, probably the Earl of Pembroke. So they are trying to throw us off the scent by casting a blonde in that role. How very clever of them! Very interesting, Bethan. Your information is always so welcome. The affair was an unsuccessful and unhappy one on Shakespeare's part, with the lady returning to her husband/lover. So that tells us, she returns to Colin. Hoorah! (tart that she is, of course)"}, {"response": 462, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Sep 13, 1998 (19:00)", "body": "she returns to Colin. Hoorah! Excuse me - I don't see a reason to be happy at all. OK, so we don't want Colin to be lonely, but I just can't cheer at the thought of him being with someone else..."}, {"response": 463, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Sep 13, 1998 (19:01)", "body": "Out, damned italics..."}, {"response": 464, "author": "kibako", "date": "Tue, Sep 15, 1998 (12:19)", "body": "Hello everyone, I am Kirsten and this my first post. Till now I've been hanging around on all the CF-web-sites -great work - I always enjoy the time I spent there but it's also always a bit one-sided, I'm only at the 'consumers' side there, so I am really glad I found this conference too where I may be part of the discussion. I first intended to read all your comments before jumping in myself but I fear it will take years before I got through all of them (unfortunately I sometimes do have to do the things I'm paid for). So I decided to stumble in today with a first 'humble' try, just to say 'hello' and that I love your discussion(s). I must confess, I was (honestly still am) a bit hesitant to join. As I've not read all your comments yet it may be difficult for me to catch up and I don't want to repeat what anybody else might have mentioned before, and you all have written sooooo many comments, that I wonder whether I will be able to contribute anything interesting or new to the discussion and last but not least I'm not sure whether my English will suffice (I'm from Germany BTW) .... but anyway ... I'll try my best. BTW, I have a question: You all use these little 'emoticons', but I only know a few of them (only one or two, honestly) but for the rest I haven't got a clue. Can anyone give me a hint, where I can find a list with some 'definitions' or something like that? And to say at least something about our beloved actor: He's GREAT!!!! (nothing new of course) and I admire his work. That'll do for now. Next time more, if you don't mind ... but I think I have to do some homework before to be able to catch up. So long ..."}, {"response": 465, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Sep 15, 1998 (15:05)", "body": "Kirsten, ein herzliches Willkommen! Du brauchst keine Bedenken zu haben, bereits Gesagtes zu wiederholen. Jump in and participate!"}, {"response": 466, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Sep 15, 1998 (17:03)", "body": "Just noticed in the Business section that Seagram are selling Polygram who own Working Title who are producing \"Bridget Jones'Diary\". Bids of up to \ufffd1 billion are expected from mainly European companies, but MGM are interested. But if bids fall below too much below this, Seagram will keep Polygram and cancel future film productions. Keep an eye open for this deal (to be finalised end of the month!) May explain current lack of info on BJD The Movie!"}, {"response": 467, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Sep 15, 1998 (17:42)", "body": "Willkommen, Kirsten! I can vouch for whatever Renate is saying - I'm sure it's right! We feel there never can be enough praise for our hero... :-) And if you have any questions about anything at all - just ask!"}, {"response": 468, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 15, 1998 (20:16)", "body": "Hi Kirsten....Welcome I don't know German or all those obscure \"emoticons\"..... So jump in and give us your comments. Doesn't matter if they have been said before...we love to hear them from new people. :-) (happy)"}, {"response": 469, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Wed, Sep 16, 1998 (00:01)", "body": "Welcome, Kirsten! So glad you dove in to the pond. It's always lovely to welcome a new CF devotee."}, {"response": 470, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Wed, Sep 16, 1998 (05:49)", "body": "Hi, Kirsten! Your English seems good to me. I'm new too and s l o w l y skimmed the old boards. I keep finding out I'm saying things that have been said before, but no two people are the same, so we can't possibly say too much that's been said before ;-)(happy wink) I like to find out what others, including you, think."}, {"response": 471, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Sep 16, 1998 (07:38)", "body": "Welcome Kirsten!"}, {"response": 472, "author": "kibako", "date": "Wed, Sep 16, 1998 (11:15)", "body": "Hello everyone \ufffd thanks for the warm welcome. I'm still muddling through all your comments and when I saw that you have all shown your favourite CF pics I thought, well, that's a good idea why not trying that for the beginning. But then I read that I'm supposed to ask the 'owner' of the pics for permission. So I skip this idea for the moment, I have to look up, where I first saw them. But what about telling you how I became a CF fan? First time I saw him was some years ago ... yes, in P&P and ..... Idid'ntpayanyattentiontoit (blame me!) It was the German version and it only was the last part my sister taped, and as I didn't knew the plot I wasn't interested but read a book meanwhile. The second time was last summer (1997) and ... yes, P&P again, but this time it was the original English version during some holidays in England and for the second time I started somewhere in the middle of the plot and didn't pay any attention to it but preferred reading. Can you believe this????? I hardly can believe it myself! I must have been doomed with blindness. How could I be so ignorant??? But never loose hope .... Sometime at the beginning of this year , during one of my frequent visits to my favourite book shop my eye fell on 'The Making of P&P', and as I saw Emma (with GP) and S&S (with ET) and as I liked them and as I'm interested in 'The Making of ...' stories in general, I thought this might be an interesting book and bought it. But as for CF ... I hardly have the courage to confess the truth ... The cover of the German version of the book shows a big pic of CF and JE int he carriage after the wedding, you know, the one with the huge grin, and ... arrgh ... you may burn me on the stake for what I say now ... Idislikedhim ... ouhh, hard canfession. I thought 'Oh no, that Mr. Darcy never can compete with Mr. Knightley ... with all his 'false' teeth (as my sister said and I thought)' in my defence for all that I can only say, that I never read P&P before (what I certainly have done now for several times) nor had I ever seen any other P&P version \ufffd and of course now I can easily say 'Who the hell is Mr. Knightley??'. Now, do I have your permission to continue or do feel to skip me out of the board in the dark of 'CF loneliness' and to fall into oblivion asap? .... No objection? ... So I'll tell the rest. I read the book (Making of P&P) and I was hooked (at least for P&P and this version of it). So I ordered the video ... and that it was ... As far as I'm able to remember \ufffd because I watched most parts of it a certain state of 'delirium') it was at the latest as he said 'On foot?!' when he met Lizzy at Netherfield that I was fallen not only for Mr. Darcy but even more for Colin. Oh, this look \ufffd slightly mocking, unbelieving \ufffd when he turns to let her pass by and then strides along in this long, creased, grey linen coat .... hmmm, still love after the xx time... The evening I received my P&P video, I watched the whole thing in one, 5 hrs., I couldn't stop, even if it was in the middle of the week and I had to work the other day. I really was intrigued, first of all by Mr. Darcy/Colin but also for the complete cast and everything else \ufffd even if I have to confess, that P&P is not really my favourite now that I have seen some other work of him. I remember crouching just in front of the screen, starring at it like a hypnotised, grinning like a half-wit and 'suffering' one shudder of delight after the other. How glad I am, that nobody saw me like that. So, you see, it wasn't quite a love at first sight, but it is now a so more deeper one. Now, that's how I started my 'career' as a CF fan. And shortly after that I started ma CF research in the internet and I found all these wonderful web sites about him with all those pics and information. And I'm now trying to find all his movies an video with a 'slight' regret that I will probably never see those which are not available on video(sniffle) . Oh Lord, I think I'll better stop now. I don't want to bore you stiff with my tiny little stories right in the beginning, but, you know, it's the first time for me, I ever told someone about my CF passion, so I'm quite a bit garrulous now that I've found this place ... but otherwise I think, concerning CF, we are all suffering from the same (delightful!) illness ..."}, {"response": 473, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 16, 1998 (12:30)", "body": "Glad you joined the club Kirsten. Which films have you seen?. On #98 we discuss his films (among other things). Right now we are on PLAYMAKER. Next,I hope,VALMONT. C'mon over and join us. We would love to have your comments."}, {"response": 474, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Sep 16, 1998 (12:35)", "body": "Kirsten, I'll add my welcome to you .......and say that your English is marvellous! About 10,000 times better than my German! I love your account of how you fell for CF/Darcy. And even his big grin grows on you! The first time I saw him grin (on screen, of course!) I remember thinking \"now stop that, Colin.....get back to looking serious and soulful\". But now I like it, and I'm sure even Mr Darcy must have grinned from time to time! And Kirsten, you're not boring anyone stiff with your stories......pray continue! :-)"}, {"response": 475, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 16, 1998 (13:22)", "body": "Hi Kirsten and a very WELCOME!!! I'd like to second what Bethan said: \"you're not boring anyone stiff with your stories...\" Also, don't worry about what has been said in the past. Most of us wouldn't remember or care for that matter. Another thing, the little emoticons are not so important. You will pick them up, probably as well as you have mastered English. (Anyone know if the emoticons are still at Pemberley in FAQ or in Ann's HTML stuff???) We're looking forward to hearing your views of Colin and how much you adore that wonderful actor. We're all in the same hospital ward! ;-D (winking with a big grin)"}, {"response": 476, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Sep 16, 1998 (17:45)", "body": "Mine wasn't love at \"firth sight\", either - Kirstin, your story sounds so familiar! As for rare films with Colin, sooner or later you'll find a way of getting hold of some more, I'm sure... :-) So just stick around and enjoy!"}, {"response": 477, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Sep 16, 1998 (18:53)", "body": "I'm a little late but let me add my welcome too, Kirstin. You've definitely found the right place. There's nothing you can say about our dear boy that won't be worth hearing. With people coming and going here, there's always something new for someone. We hope you'll stay."}, {"response": 478, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Sep 16, 1998 (20:07)", "body": "Welcome to our madness, Kirstin:)"}, {"response": 479, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Wed, Sep 16, 1998 (21:32)", "body": "Your English is very good, Kirsten so just keep coming. I know what you mean I can't decide which role I like him best in. I love Valmont and Fever Pitch. He is very good in Hostages too and I thought he was gorgeous in TEP. I am waiting on pins and needles for SIL, especially after seeing the snappies."}, {"response": 480, "author": "kibako", "date": "Thu, Sep 17, 1998 (11:39)", "body": "Can't stay away .... (Evelyn) Which films have you seen? P&P (of course), COF, TEP, AMITC, AC, FP, ATA, HOTP, FF, PM, Hostages, Nostromo, AZ, WOF. Not so bad for barely 9 month of Firth mania, what do you think? Apropos AMITC: AMITC was the first video I bought after seeing P&P. After ploughing the Internet several months for more information, I made a long wish list of tapes and books (pointless to mention that they were all related to CF), tied up my bundle and, end of April, started out for London \ufffd officially seeing a friend of mine, but , uhm, you know ... My results there weren't too bad, although I was a bit disappointed about the small number of tapes I was only able to find at that point. But among them was AMITC which stood quite at the top of my list due to all the information I got from FOF and other web sites and I was quite excited that I finally got it. And due to that excitement, in the evening I told my friend (quite casuallly , for not revealing my state of Firth mania) hat I bought this video and to my great surprise she knew it. She saw it fo a film discussion during an English conversation course and she thought it was ... quite booooring \ufffd shocking! ... stubborn disbelief on my part. First thing the next morning, when I was alone at the flat, I started the VCR \ufffd just to watch the beginning and to catch a view of CF I told myself since I had quite a big agenda for the rest of that day, but same procedure as with P&P (and as I know now with all CF movies I watch for the first time), I couldn't abandon it till the end. I sat there in quite th same manner as I described in my last post \ufffd completely lost, wishing to be able to creep into the screen \ufffd IOW drooling. And, Lucy, asked for my favourite CF movie, I'm always inclined to say it's AMITC, although it's always hard to decide, because I really love them all so much (although I think for PM one needs quite a bit habituation) But in AMITC he is so ... hmmmm ... failing words ... On the one hand Tom Birkin seems to be so vulnerable and one is (I am, to be precise) always tempted to comfort him (is comfort the right word? I think not quite, but anyway ...) and to say 'Look, life can be so beautiful, if only you wo ld look at it' \ufffd but, thinking with my head, I'd rather suppose, he doesn't really needn't to be comforted, as he has such an inner strength, as he well shows at the end in resisting the temptation of Mrs. Keach. But I don't want to enter too deep into this subject, I think it's something for #98 \ufffd and yes, Evelyn, I think I'll come over the next days but I'd like to read some of the latest comments first to be able to catch up in a useful manner. But I hope I'll not miss the PM discussion, because if yo really will go on with V, I fear I have nothing more to contribute than my longing to see it, I couldn't get it till now. I tried to order it six weeks ago but ... still waiting in despair. BTW has anybody around here experience in shopping at 'videoshoppers.com'? I ordered some tapes there a couple of weeks ago and they debited my account, but still no tapes. I tried to contact them to enquire after my tapes but all the mails were returned and I can't see why - despite the information that the server or whatever could not be found. So, therefore I'm getting a bit nervous, but a delay of six weeks and more might be regular (after all, from USA to Germany ...) and they might be only too lazy o answer all these irritating enquiries of a panicking CF drooler. Ah yes, Bethan, his grin really has grown on me, no question, my favourite pics of him are those where he is laughing \ufffd I'm still trying to find them (lacking time for a long research till now, but hoping for the weekend) to post them here, if I got the permission.) But I think my all time favourite is 'Our Man in Black', I'm sure you all know it (isn't it a Movieline one? Didn't I find it on Murph's site? I'm not sure but I'll be on the look out) Oh, how I love him smiling, sigh, .... Good point to stop here, I suppose;-D (I'm learning quick, you see ... sometimes ...) CUL ... hmmm, tomorrow??? I think so, it's going to be a drug this drooling stuff .... o dear! ... (Tried some tags here, hope they'll work.)"}, {"response": 481, "author": "kibako", "date": "Thu, Sep 17, 1998 (11:44)", "body": "(Tried some tags here, hope they'll work.) no, not quite ... not all of them. But as far as I see, I'll have lots of opportunities to try again here ..."}, {"response": 482, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 17, 1998 (13:10)", "body": "Kirsten, you have quite the collection for a mere 9 months! Too bad you were not with us for our discussion of AMITC which ended not too long ago. But PM is still going on (amazing, isn't it) and we'd love to hear your views. Regarding Videoshoppers.com, I seem to recall that that might be a disreputable company. Officially notify your credit card company. Videoflicks.com, Critics Choice, and Reel.com are all fine reputable companies that most of us have used in the U.S. I'm sure there are others as well."}, {"response": 483, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 17, 1998 (17:09)", "body": "(Kirsten) although I was a bit disappointed about the small number of tapes I was only able to find at that point. The same happened to me when I went to London last year. I expected to see the video stores dripping with CF tapes,since he is so well known there I was only able to find one or two I already owned. My little local video store in rural Oklahoma has more. Pl. by all means, come over to #98 and give us your views on PM. But I think my all time favourite is 'Our Man in Black', I'm sure you all know it (isn't it a Movieline one? One of my all time favorites too.Personal Photos, that is. Film photos....any Darcy!"}, {"response": 484, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Sep 17, 1998 (19:14)", "body": "Personal Photos There are very few Colin's really \"personal\" photos in circulation. The Movieline pic is a professional fashion photo: he was hired to model clothes and footwear, was groomed and made up. One of the legitimate ways of earning a living for celebrities."}, {"response": 485, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 17, 1998 (20:00)", "body": "few\"personal\" photos in circulation. The Movieline pic is a professional fashion photo: That's what I mean't. Personal....meaning a Colin as Colin photo versus a photo of him in a role.i.e. Darcy, Tim Birkin, Valmont ..... Should have explained this in more literal English. Whether or not he was paid for this photo, I wouldn't know ."}, {"response": 486, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 17, 1998 (21:01)", "body": "FYI This was posted on the RoP Pride & Prejudice Board by a fan in England. \"The large portrait of Darcy now hangs in Sue Birtwistle's home in London.\""}, {"response": 487, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Sep 17, 1998 (21:09)", "body": "No need to explain, Evelyn. I knew what you meant and love those person-al photos too. Kirstin, it looks like you've got it bad. In only 9 months, you not only have videos but have a list of related books to read. This man's not only good to look at but he's educational too! Watch out for videoshoppers.com though. As Karen says, there have been bad stories about them. I ordered Dutch Girls through them, was told it was coming. Waited and waited, finally called them and was told they didn't know when they would have it to ship. I asked them to take it off my charge and they promptly did. I've heard of no problems with the other sites Karen mentioned"}, {"response": 488, "author": "kibako", "date": "Fri, Sep 18, 1998 (11:02)", "body": "Damn videoshoppers:-( I wish my English were well enough to spell a curse on them (Or perhaps I should try a 'nursery rhyme', following Samira's example, hee hee). But anyway, thanks for your information, Karen and Heide. I'll now try to contact them by phone or fax to get an answer. Yesterday I managed to go through all your recent comments you posted before I joined you and it was really great fun and made me LOL several times. But to my mild alarm I noticed your discussion about Nan giving up the host job. I've not the slightest idea how this discussion stuff works and why there has to be a host, but I really hope there is someone to take the job. I'm a bit 'panicking' that you'll give up this board just in the moment I found it. Pleeeeeeeeeeaaase do continue! Apropos photos, newbie question: As a good girl, I tried to find the sources of my favourite CF pics to ask for the permission to post them here. And I found them, but ... I found them on several sites. Now how do I know, who is the 'owner'? I do not have to ask them all, do I? And after all, they are no snappys but magazine pics, so I even could have scanned them myself (if I had the magazines and a decent scanner and and and) so what am I to? I don't want to offend anybody or to hurt the etiquette, but ouldn't it be enough to name the source in that case? (Heide) ... he's educational too! Quite right! That's my all time pretext when I'm seriously thinking about what I'm doing here - I do not mean literally here, or at least not only, but with all this movie watching, book reading and other CF stuff - it's solely to brush up my English (but frankly, who'll believe that?) And as for the books, Heide, reading is another passion of mine, can't get enough of it. B4N"}, {"response": 489, "author": "kibako", "date": "Fri, Sep 18, 1998 (11:06)", "body": "Hurray! I happen to find that SIL will start in Germany on march 11:-)) (oops! my PC in the office (I prepared this message there, but psst!) is a clever one, when I type :-) to show I'm happy, he shows me a smiley instead, how charming) But as for SIL I hope it's true and they won't change it. And I hope they'll show the original English version. Because sometimes it's really hard to see or more to hear what they do to the original with the synchronisation, especially if you know the original voice. An xperience most of you will be save of, living in an English speaking country. COF and TEP were awful as far as I remember. HOTP was OK, but as for P&P ... no comment ... well all right ,I can't restrain myself ... as for the voice you can say, OK, they have to do it and it's of course impossible to find the same but one could at least try to find a similar one and I think one can get used to the German Mr. Darcy voice (if one has no choice ...) but what they did with the rest .... simply unbelievable -at least for any decent P&P2 fan (Renate, did you see it?) I'll only tell you one example: they dared to cut out a great part of the dancing scene, they only started their little battle of words with Mr. Darcy's question whether Lizzy goes often into Meryton, now can you believe that? How insensitive and unfeeling! All in all I think they cut out more than half an hour. I was in such a rage, grrr, I almost was tempted to lodge a complaint about such an offend to all P&P2 connaisseur(e)s. But I didn't ... wat hed my English version again instead and was put at ease. What a blessing to know enough English to be able to follow the English version of CF movies. Are there other 'foreigners' around here who share my experience with weird foreign movie adaptations?"}, {"response": 490, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Sep 18, 1998 (11:51)", "body": "Apropos photos, newbie question: As a good girl, I tried to find the sources of my favourite CF pics to ask for the permission to post them here. And I found them, but ... I found them on several sites. Now how do I know, who is the 'owner'? I do not have to ask them all, do I? No, just ask one, and you will be directed to the right person. But you will find out that some webmistresses are more accessible than others... :-)). And after all, they are no snappys but magazine pics, so I even could have scanned them myself (if I had the magazines and a decent scanner and and and) so what am I to? I don't want to offend anybody or to hurt the etiquette, but couldn't it be enough to name the source in that case? For political reasons you better ask in any case - in the past there have been nasty flame wars about such things, we try not to give any reason to let it happen again. But describe which pics you mean and where you found them - if they are on my Calendar f.e., don't hesitate to post them here."}, {"response": 491, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 18, 1998 (16:31)", "body": "(Kirsten) ....... why there has to be a host, but I really hope there is someone to take the job. I'm a bit 'panicking' that you'll give up this board just in the moment I found it. Pleeeeeeeeeeaaase do continue! Don't panic, there will be a host in the v. near future, we hope. We miss Nan. But it is v. important for a board to have the direction of a host in order to function properly."}, {"response": 492, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Sep 18, 1998 (19:52)", "body": "describe which pics you mean and where you found them Our website colinfith.com will eventually have its own archive - we have access to quite a large number of published photos and are in the (slow...) process of scanning them."}, {"response": 493, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sun, Sep 20, 1998 (13:50)", "body": "I said I\ufffdd post some pictures for comparison of Dale Midkiff at the end of his Star Trax series and Colin in the ATA role. I also want to see if I can post a photo, just a test for the future. Thanks for your indulgence. If it doesn\ufffdt work, I\ufffdll practice somewhere else :-) Dale fan club photos"}, {"response": 494, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sun, Sep 20, 1998 (13:53)", "body": "Jess"}, {"response": 495, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sun, Sep 20, 1998 (13:54)", "body": "Dale fan club photos"}, {"response": 496, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sun, Sep 20, 1998 (13:57)", "body": "\"Darien\"closeup"}, {"response": 497, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sun, Sep 20, 1998 (13:58)", "body": ""}, {"response": 498, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sun, Sep 20, 1998 (13:59)", "body": "\"Darien\" and his computer named Selma"}, {"response": 499, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sun, Sep 20, 1998 (14:00)", "body": "\"Darien closeup\""}, {"response": 500, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sun, Sep 20, 1998 (14:05)", "body": ""}, {"response": 501, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 20, 1998 (14:08)", "body": "OK Cheryle... You did it........great pics. Thanks. Dale is heavier set than Colin...but the stance in the second one is similar to several scenes in ATA. Esp. in the kitchen. Wonder why the long sideburns on CF....certainly doesn't look like an Iowan...but then he had just arrived from Vancouver, at the picnic...hadn't he? BTWdid you ever received AMITC from Waterstones?"}, {"response": 502, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sun, Sep 20, 1998 (14:17)", "body": "EEEEEEEK! Help!!! Terry!!!! Could some host delete this clone? I kept getting a broken picture icon, but the icon seems to have healed itself (I thought that only happened in Russia. ;-)) My apologies. I'll practice in a dark corner. Anyway, you can't even see what I noticed, how Colin's American character was a dead ringer for this guy. Nobody makes Snappies like Nan makes Snappies, it's clear from the rest of the Net :-) And I couldn't find the ATA pictures, which make it a little clearer, but oh who cares. Forgive me."}, {"response": 503, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sun, Sep 20, 1998 (14:26)", "body": ""}, {"response": 504, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sun, Sep 20, 1998 (14:29)", "body": ""}, {"response": 505, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sun, Sep 20, 1998 (14:42)", "body": ""}, {"response": 506, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 20, 1998 (14:44)", "body": "Where is Sofie? We have missed your film comments on #98."}, {"response": 507, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Sun, Sep 20, 1998 (14:55)", "body": "How can you even compare this guy to Colin????? Nice looking but that's it. No magic!"}, {"response": 508, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sun, Sep 20, 1998 (15:47)", "body": "Oh, please don't hate me :-) The history is: I've said he's a terrible actor and bigger. Colin's Jess in ATA is a great deal like this guy's last few performances in a tv series. I've mailed SOSs to get the clones deleted. I promise future pix will be more germaine. Evelyn--I was looking for her too, but she voted against PM (only liked the shower scene, school began) so maybe she's waiting for a more worthy topic."}, {"response": 509, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Sep 20, 1998 (18:24)", "body": "Cheryl, do you just want everything with a \"broken photo\" deleted or the doubles as well? Everyone knows you were testing so I wouldn't worry about practicing in a dark corner ;-)"}, {"response": 510, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Mon, Sep 21, 1998 (00:49)", "body": "Nan, my savior! Everything extraneous, broken photos and doubles."}, {"response": 511, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 21, 1998 (19:52)", "body": "Hey those didn't look so bad. You're doing better than I did. Sofie didn't exactly vote against PM. She only wanted to discuss the shower scenes and some of her *fantasies* So the question still stands. Where is she? ;-D"}, {"response": 512, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Tue, Sep 22, 1998 (07:52)", "body": "I've seen Valmont :-))) Thanks to Renate, who recommended me a local video library (luckily she's happened to discover only from my e-mail address, that we're living in the same town, clever girl:-) ) Valmont is one of the movies I was always the most interested in, but now I hardly know what to think about it. Oh, I like it, that's not the question, but I haven't made up my mind yet, whether I think it's a good film or rather not. But I think it's a harm, if one saw 'Les Liaisons Dangereuses' first. So y u're always tempted to compare. Perhaps I should read the book now, to decide which one is more true to it's roots. At that I may not have been in the right mood to see that film, oh, I certainly wasn't, because it made me burst out laughing plusieurs times (oh shit, what I'm doing here, several times, of course, sorry). No one ever told me that it has a 'comedic touch' ... uhm ....I'm better gonna watch it again this night. That'll do for now, I just wanted to tell my Firth Impressions (and to share my happiness about finding the tape), don't want to anticipate the V discussion which may follow on #98;-D"}, {"response": 513, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 22, 1998 (16:34)", "body": "(Kirsten)Re: Valmont........... but I haven't made up my mind yet, whether I think it's a good film or rather not .... I've seen it about four times and I can't decide either...... I always change my mind though after we discuss the films on #98...... Except for the current one.....ug! ,"}, {"response": 514, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Sep 22, 1998 (17:26)", "body": "Re: Possible location fot MLSF Just seen a programme on TV about a Scottish mansion set on the shores of Loch Fyne, where MLSF was shot. Stunningly beautiful.Idyllic views. I wondered if the house could have been used as the Big House in the film. The interior was completely preserved in 1930s decor and the architect was known to have been very eccentric and had installed his own electricity and plumbing systems which are still used. Ties in with the book! And there was a jetty! Loch Fyne is itself very beautiful....masses of bluebell along the shore's edge and hills in the background. MLSF will be good to look at!"}, {"response": 515, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Sep 24, 1998 (21:53)", "body": "(Bethan) MLSF will be good to look at! Yes indeedy - those curls, those eyes, that cleft, that wet bathing suit. Okay, seriously...Bethan, can you identify for me where Loch Fyne is? I'm sure I was nowhere near it when I was in Scotland but would like to add it to my growing list of other places to visit next time. Kirsten, I hope you and Renate can meet and go to Colin films together. It's so much fun to share the experience than go it alone. You're lucky. I believe in Milos Forman's book he says his Valmont is more true to the book than Dangerous Liaisons. If we discuss the film next on 98, I'd like to hear more about the book from those who have read it."}, {"response": 516, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 24, 1998 (22:01)", "body": "Heide I'd like to hear more about the book from those who have read it. It's out of print :-("}, {"response": 517, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 25, 1998 (11:09)", "body": "(Evelyn)It's out of print :-( The *real* book, Dangerous Liaisons, or just the edition we talked about?"}, {"response": 518, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Sat, Sep 26, 1998 (08:50)", "body": "Twinges of remorse are haunting me. I owe you the description of my favourite CF pics, I know. And I really tried, honestly, but it seems that I'll be unable to fulfil my duties. I'll tell you why: because that's what happened at every single attempt: I take one of the pictures, look at it ( astonishing, eh?!), try to concentrate on what I am supposed to do ... my look is falling on his hand, tearing his hair, propping up his head -- hmm, I love his hands, those long, supple fingers -- and that's where my imagination already starts to ramble and I'm going to imagine how it would be to ... uhm, well, rrmmh, let's say to shake hands with him (just in case that there are any youngsters around) ... then my look turns to his eyes - vivid, dark, worth to drown yourself in and never to return - in one word fascinating, and that's where my knees are beginning to shake -- oddly enough for me, because I could never understand people saying \"the eyes are the mirror of one's soul\" or \"you can see *all* in one's eyes\" tc. pp. I could never see that, I always thought a mouth is much more expressive. But Colin's eyes really intrigued me - don't no why, but his looks are pretty well 'telling' something (but, oh please, don't ask me what!) Though, shaking knees, spreading faint, my look turns down to his m o u t h ... and that's where my knees always give way,and I'm falling over backwards - knocked off - every time ... by his charmingly, devastating, breathtaking smile. And regarding that turning my eyes from his hand to his pretty attractive mouth takes barely half a second you surely see, that in half a second you can't write a decent comment on a picture. So I gave up that intention, but snuggled down in my sofa and re-watched AMITC. And now -- filled with the sound of his velvety voice, drunk by the look of his expressive eyes, captivated by the smile of his alluring mouth -- I'm falling asleep ... hoping for sweet dreams - *sigh* ... Though, I'm sorry, guys, but no drool-worthy pic description from my part -- but perhaps one day I'll be able to stand the look at him - hm, not sure, whether that's something I'd really wish for ..."}, {"response": 519, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Sep 26, 1998 (19:43)", "body": "Oh my, Kirsten, I understand perfectly. That mouth. A sonnet should be written about that mouth, eh? ;-) That delicate curl at the end. And what a fitting film to choose to savor those expressive lips. If you can get beyond the mustache, that is. His mouth just aches to be kissed in that film."}, {"response": 520, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sat, Sep 26, 1998 (23:06)", "body": "My goodness . . . go away for a few weeks and I return to Nan's resignation (we understand) and a newbie who has it as bad as we did/do. Kirsten I must have watched my edited \"drool\" tape 1000 times. I have worn out 2 tapes and made new ones. I eliminate Mrs B (who was the reason I didn't watch it the first time), Mr. Collins, and other annoyances. Marcia came to California and we went to see her son, then on to Denver for the National Conference of Emergency Nurses. Marcia attended classes with me, and we partied and learned lots of new stuff. Then we drove back thru Colorado Springs, Pike's Peak, Zion National Park and home. Then she returned to Hawaii. It is nice that you are all still here . . .who is our new fearless leader . .?? Glad to be back amongst friends and droolers. Nan, we miss you and loved you . . even tho we didn't say it often enough. Keep in touch!!"}, {"response": 521, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Sep 27, 1998 (05:05)", "body": "The \"scarecrow\", one more time:"}, {"response": 522, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Sep 27, 1998 (05:50)", "body": "I,ve often wondered......where was this photo taken? His flat? Nick Hornby's flat? Someone else's flat! Nice taste in porcelain though!"}, {"response": 523, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep 27, 1998 (10:40)", "body": "(bethan) I,ve often wondered......where was this photo taken? His flat? Nick Hornby's flat? Someone else's flat! Nice taste in porcelain though! As I, but, his hair L. his shirt! I mean, \"Back to the Fifties\" or what?"}, {"response": 524, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Sep 27, 1998 (13:52)", "body": "(Heide)I believe in Milos Forman's book he says his Valmont is more true to the book than Dangerous Liaisons... I'd like to hear more about the book from those who have read it. (Evelyn) It's out of print :-( But surely some of us here have read it, nevertheless :-) Forman doesn't talk much about Colin in it, and as for his opinion about his own work, well, what can you expect... ;-) (bethan) I,ve often wondered......where was this photo taken? (Moon Dreams) but, his hair L. his shirt! We know that Colin would be unhappy to let his private world be exposed to public scrutiny... Small print suggests another of those fashion shots which we have briefly discussed before. In this particular photo Colin is modelling \"Cardigan by Matsuda\". Colin's pics in that edition of Vogue are credited to Lance Staedler who apparently is an American photographer (can anyone confirm?). On the preceding page, the credits for the stylist and the grooming man are for a L.A. firm. Adding two and two, the pics seem to have been taken on locations - most likely chosen by Staedler - in or near L.A. Staedler would have been commissioned by Vogue probably around the time when Colin was still working on ATA (studio and post-production). The text (interview by Hornby) would be a subsequent addition. The general idea of these shoots is that whoever sees the (alluring?... :-)) pics is supposed to be moved to buying the rags for husbands, sons and lovers. No personality in his/her right mind would accede to having their name openly linked with the names of (expensive!) clothes makers, hairdressers, etc. just for the love of it, without it constituting some sort of a professional contract. In other words, Colin can legitimately expect some sort of reward for this kind of photos as part of his professiona activities: a little bit of jam on his daily bread, if you like. The actual level of fees is still another matter. Some celebrities may agree to expenses only, in anticipation of the advantage which world wide publication in a well known fashion magazine may bring in terms of publicity. Does that sound plausible, Bethan? :-)"}, {"response": 525, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 27, 1998 (17:10)", "body": "(Kirsten) then my look turns to his eyes -vivid, dark, worth to drown yourself in and never to return - in one word fascinating, and that's where my knees are beginning to shake -- oddly enough for me, because I could never understand people saying \"the eyes are the mirror of one's soul\" or \"you can see *all* in one's eyes\" Yes, those eyes and the face are the most expressive I've seen and there's a unique subtlety about the way he uses them. One of our archivists can probably find the quote much faster than I, but there's the one by Minghella about the transparency. It really says so much about why Colin is so effective. Kirsten, you are not alone. We all go weak-kneed watching that man. *sigh*"}, {"response": 526, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Sep 27, 1998 (17:41)", "body": "A link to a quote It's from the HP article by Laurie Winer. Full article when you click on the first star below the pic."}, {"response": 527, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 28, 1998 (13:12)", "body": "Thanks, Renate. I brought it with me to copy in today, but I see you beat me to it. Can you go a *global search* on *eyes*? There appear to be lots of quotes that mention the expressiveness of his eyes."}, {"response": 528, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 28, 1998 (16:15)", "body": "H eide)I believe in Milos Forman's book he says his Valmont is more true to the book than Dangerous Liaisons... I'd like to hear more about the book from those who have read it. (Evelyn) It's out of print :-( But surely some of us here have read it, nevertheless :-) Forman doesn't talk much about Colin in it, and as for his opinion about his own work, well, what can you expect.. The book that I referred to as being \"out of print\" is not the Milos Forman Memoirs. The book is a special edition of \"Dangerous Liaison\" by Pierre C. Delaclos(ISBN # 014-013-115-9) published by Viking/Penguin in November 1989 titled VALMONT featuring the film's star, Colin Firth on the cover. Karen (lucky girl!) owns it.I tried to get same, but found it was out of print:-( In the Forman book, he comments that the DL film was centered on the play. V. was focused on the book.The MF Memoirs(TURNAROUND0 is a v. interesting book."}, {"response": 529, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Sep 29, 1998 (16:19)", "body": "Karen, can you get the cover scanned and posted here or at cf.com?"}, {"response": 530, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct  1, 1998 (10:31)", "body": "I will see what I can do about the cover."}, {"response": 531, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Thu, Oct  1, 1998 (11:25)", "body": "Just popping in for a last short message ... after rambling around a while at spring I decided that it's not the right place for a decent girl like me ... [ ha ha ....who was it? ... laughing at the idea about me as a decent girl ... pah] but seriously, I'm off for London very soon (yippi di yippi di du), celebrating 'wild' birthday parties - as I missed yours for Colin, I now have to compensate - so I won't be able to post for the next two weeks *sniff* I'm looking forward to all your comments abou V. posted on #98 till I'm back. ;-D;-D;-D"}, {"response": 532, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Oct  7, 1998 (18:40)", "body": "This board seems to have died! Just a question on career paths. I've seen a couple of things recently on television which madde me realise how important it is for actors to choose wisely. I was the TV version of \"The Shining\" which CF turned down It wasn't bad, but would have led nowhere. And I saw Hugh Grant's first starring Hollywood role..\"Nine months\". Y-euchh!! The supporting actors were actually ok, but HG was awful. What worked with an English cast in \"Four weddings\" just didn't transfer. The point of my ramble is that whereas I'm keen to see more of CF, I can see how difficult it is to develop an international movie career. A lot of British actors just disappear in the US. I actually think that some (but not all) of the best drama is on British television, and I hope he continues to combine TV and film work. There seems to be some stigma about \"returning\" to TV roles. I watched \"Hornblower\" on TV and thought it was a very high quality (and, at \ufffd3 million, expensive) production and I would 't mind seeing CF in something similar. The board is alive! Over to you!"}, {"response": 533, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Oct  7, 1998 (18:43)", "body": "Oops.Typo! \"I was the TV version of The Shining\"!!! Delusions of grandeur!!"}, {"response": 534, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct  7, 1998 (20:17)", "body": "(Karen) There seems to be some stigma about \"returning\" to TV roles. That might be true of British television...but in the US it is becoming more prevalent for the film stars to cross over between movies and television. Especially since cable channels are themselves producing some of the best films and winning awards. Of course, the film stars earn more money in movies...that could be a factor. I find it difficult to believe that CF has not been offered a television role by BBC. The man who was voted the most popular actor in the History of BBC?? Or some such award. And the awarding company just lets him slip by?? Is this clever marketing? Any comments out there??"}, {"response": 535, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct  7, 1998 (20:20)", "body": "Sorry...the comment should have been attributed to Bethan...not Karen. Apologies all around.... Now ...for comments..."}, {"response": 536, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Oct  7, 1998 (21:30)", "body": "I dunno. I still think there is a stigma with TV. Actors often do TV roles in the beginning of their careers (serial work or small supporting roles), then take off in films, then they return to TV only after their career appears to be on a downward scale. Not all, I know, but generally. I'm using Meryl Streep as an example in my mind. Holocaust on TV, Oscar winner in films, now she's returned to TV. Though she seems to still be doing films but she's not the bankable star anymore. If this is true in B itain, it may be why Colin is not accepting TV roles. I'd be surprised if they weren't being offered."}, {"response": 537, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Oct  7, 1998 (21:44)", "body": "Of course I meant to say \"downward slide\", not \"scale\". We're all flubbing tonight...if anyone is noticing."}, {"response": 538, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct  8, 1998 (10:16)", "body": "Apart from movies on cable, I never watch TV in the US. But, whenever I'm in the UK I do. Why? I find the dialog so much better written and the plots usually engaging, and, the actors are top rate. Colin should consider more BBC roles, but are they offering? In the US many want to be TV actors for the money. It has become another money inspired career such as sports. In sports, though, you must eventually show some talent, in TV, well..."}, {"response": 539, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Oct  8, 1998 (16:47)", "body": "I still believe Colin would accept a TV role if it sufficiently appealed to his imagination. He has said he would be interested in another role of Tumbledown calibre. I think it's the quality of the scripts, not the medium, that he finds unacceptable."}, {"response": 540, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Fri, Oct  9, 1998 (03:14)", "body": "Let's see if I can post the PAL-NTSC article I scanned and uploaded, partly for practice and partly to share with the class. http://victorian.fortunecity.com/durer/409/pal1.gif?nocache=907917494 http://victorian.fortunecity.com/durer/409/pal2.gif?nocache=907917494 http://victorian.fortunecity.com/durer/409/pal3.gif?nocache=907917617 http://victorian.fortunecity.com/durer/409/pal4.gif?nocache=907917717 http://victorian.fortunecity.com/durer/409/pal5.gif?nocache=907917800 http://victorian.fortunecity.com/durer/409/pal6.gif?nocache=907917881 http://victorian.fortunecity.com/durer/409/pal7.gif?nocache=907917800 http://victorian.fortunecity.com/durer/409/pal8.gif?nocache=907917800"}, {"response": 541, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Fri, Oct  9, 1998 (03:29)", "body": "Oops, was it on another board? Oh well. Scanning it as text was a disaster for some reason, and I got myself a homepage just to upload this. I had to chop it up to get their server to accept it, but I hope to become more proficient soon :-)"}, {"response": 542, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Oct  9, 1998 (17:29)", "body": "News of a sort... Channel Four TV have set up a subscription channel, Four Films, which will be available from next month (1 November) in the UK on digital TV. It will only show independent movies and will provide the opportunity for all independent British movies (which usually only open in London or fail to find a distributor and vanish) to be available for mass audiences. US independents will also be shown. Film Four plan to show about 500 movies a year. The report (in today's Times)said that Fever Pitch would be premiered on this channel. I actually think this could be a major breakthrough for independent film makers. Distribution continues to be a major hurdle in the UK....basically all we get to see in the UK are the Hollywood blockbusters. A new multiplex has just opened near us..and what do we get..Dr Doolittle, Something about Mary, X-Files and TWO Bruce Willis movies (the guy has had FOUR movies open in the UK in the last 6 months! Someone must like him!)...ie exactly the same movies as showing at the other multiplexes. Most of the films I want to see are never shown, so the new subscription channel could ensure hat indies reach an audience without a major theatrical release. Could help CF's career! Is there a similar channel in the US?"}, {"response": 543, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Oct  9, 1998 (20:49)", "body": "Are you actually able to view Digital TV? I was told by a client that for the first week absolutely nobody could watch the programming because they didn't perfect it for transmission!"}, {"response": 544, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Oct 10, 1998 (11:07)", "body": "Thanks, Bethan, for keeping us so very well informed on Colin-related material. I wish there were more actual Colin material out there. Anyway, I'm not aware of any digital stations in the US but there are stations that show independent films - as long as your cable carrier has it available and you subscribe to it. Sundance Channel is one I can think of but I don't have accessibility to it. Don't have a dish either. I may dig up that Times article just to see the words Fever Pitch. ;-) Will any luck Brit ladies out there have access to the Film Four channel?"}, {"response": 545, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 10, 1998 (11:12)", "body": "Heide, there's digital cable, spreading out all over the place. My sister just got it a while ago, and you get menus to select your shows. I think those cable providers are also the ones who have internet access."}, {"response": 546, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Oct 10, 1998 (18:39)", "body": "Heide, I'm glad you like my snippets of news. I wish I could spot some real news...\"Colin Firth has a starring role in...\"!! I'd turn somersaults! Twice over! Some near news in today's papers. Although Film Four will be showing independent films, it looks as though there won't be much British independent cinema to showcase. The Arts Council are apparently withholding \ufffd100 million earmarked for a newly set up Film council and propose using it for theatre and dance instead. That means the potential loss of maybe 50 new movies. So, head for Hollywood, Colin! Or do some television! On the upside, there was a report in the Independent that Working Title productions will be coming under the umbrella of Universal Films. This means that the film version of Bridget Jones Diary will ultimately be distributed by Universal, which I think is good news. (I am continuing to assume that CF is MD!!!)There's a new BJ novel coming out in April \"BJ:I will survive\". I am enthusiastic about CF playing MD because, for once in his career, there may be a chance of a sequel! If Mel Gison can do four Leth l Weapons......"}, {"response": 547, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Oct 10, 1998 (19:41)", "body": "Check out the P&P board at ROP. A gentleman has newly posted there about a dinner he attended with Colin Firth about ten years ago. He's been encouraged to come here with the details. Oh, Ben? Are you out there? We'll be very gentle with you."}, {"response": 548, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Oct 11, 1998 (01:21)", "body": "Heide, thanks for the heads up about the info at ROP! I had overlooked it, and it was well worth the visit. Ben's comments were extremely amusing, and of course it's always nice to hear something pleasant about the DB. Thanks, Ben - just in case you're lurking :-)."}, {"response": 549, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 11, 1998 (15:10)", "body": "Oh, Ben? Are you out there? We'll be very gentle with you. LOL!! Gentle Ben!! Will head on off to RoP to read about this fortuitous bit of news And... Bethan, keep posting those snippets. When you're in the desert, you will drink sand. ;-D"}, {"response": 550, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Oct 11, 1998 (18:34)", "body": "Heide, thanks for that! A side of CF that I hadn't quite imagined...I always thought he was such a serious fellow! Wish I'd been a fly on the wall!! :-) I actually think a lot of people consider him to be rather reserved. Perhaps it's the roles he plays... Do you think he'll ever break his cover and do a chat show? I rather doubt it! Pity."}, {"response": 551, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Oct 11, 1998 (18:35)", "body": "Seems that Gentle Ben has got spooked by our \"wanton admiration\" for Colin. He says he looked in here but fled. Anyway, his reminiscences were posted on Friday, 9th October, starts with a message called, you've guessed, \"Firth\". He probably doesn't remember much else, poor chap and can't bear the thought of being grilled by us..."}, {"response": 552, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Oct 11, 1998 (18:43)", "body": "I actually think a lot of people consider him to be rather reserved. Think Darcy! Colin is shy and uncomfortable when facing strangers, but naturally relaxed and funny in private. His great sense of humour was also hinted at by Crispin Bonham-Carter in an interview."}, {"response": 553, "author": "amy", "date": "Sun, Oct 11, 1998 (18:59)", "body": "] Seems that Gentle Ben has got spooked by our \"wanton admiration\" for Colin. He says he looked in here but fled. __ Maybe he'll check back in and would like some questions to start him off. I think he's a good sort and have a feeling that if he sticks around Pemberley will not turn out to be like some of the other men there who seem to want to make us sweeter or otherwise change or improve us. Maybe something simple to begin: - Did he have a date? - As the evening wore on, did his RP accent slip? - What did your mother say about his effect on her?"}, {"response": 554, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 13, 1998 (13:51)", "body": "Great idea Amy! I would like to ask Ben: -Was the dinner in NY or LA? -Did he speak about his next role which I imagine to be Valmont(going back 10 years). If so was Milos Forman also there? -Did he seem shy at all or was he just a great raconteur? Ben be a dear won't you and indulge us a little. We would like the pleasure of your company."}, {"response": 555, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Oct 13, 1998 (20:57)", "body": "I have finally gained access! Hello, Heide, if you are there. I was very dim and it took me an age to get in. It's now so late that everyone has presumably gone. (How do I know if they haven't, by the way?) Anyway, while I am here, I've noticed a few questions about this dinner. I should say that this was years ago - around 1989 - so I wasn't making copious notes, and we all got quite drunk in any case. The dinner was in London (I am English and have lived in NY only for a year), with an actor friends of my parents, called John Castle. John, CF and a few others were in some play together and it was mostly an actor-y evening. (My excuse was that I'd acted in a few things as a child, one of them with John.) Anyway, all I can really say was that it was a vastly entertaining evening, and much more fun than I'd imagined it would be. CF is a v. good mimic - unsurprisingly - and a good joke teller, but he avoided hogging the limelight and he listened to others. A few specifics - no, he was not with a woman and yes, his pronunciation was received, as far as I can remember. I do remember that my mother fancied him, though these things are never serious. She also fancies my father. (She and her sister always quote s me line about \"Mrs Stone\" when struck by the beauty of a younger man - some literary reference I forget.) No he was not shy. There must have been around 10 people there and it was v. v. riotous and crude towards the end. That's about all I can remember, except thinking on the way home what fun it would be if you could make a living from acting. And being ill the following morning. My parents have met him a couple of times since, but shortly after that I came over here and have not seen CF since. Then, finding a site where Austen was discussed, and gauging carefully that a long-since passed, and thoroughly tenuous connection wit CF might gain me acceptance, I revealed it to the world. Little did I know what was lurking round the corner..."}, {"response": 556, "author": "amy", "date": "Tue, Oct 13, 1998 (22:09)", "body": "thanks so much, Ben. Mrs Stone: character in Roman Spring, early 60s movie with Vivien Leigh and Warren Beatty."}, {"response": 557, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Wed, Oct 14, 1998 (00:22)", "body": "Thank you so much, Ben. Please stay, at least for our film discussions, if you can."}, {"response": 558, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct 14, 1998 (09:40)", "body": "Very pleased to meet you Ben. You said CF is a v. good mimic, could you be more specific? What did he do that impressed you so? I know you were quite drunk but do try."}, {"response": 559, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Oct 14, 1998 (10:36)", "body": "Welcome gentle Ben! John Castle is a wonderful actor, played Uncle Nick in \"Lost Empires\"!!! Sounds like a riotous evening indeed! And deer, tenuous wit is well received here. See I just did it;-)"}, {"response": 560, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Oct 14, 1998 (15:28)", "body": "Hallo, Ben, so nice of you to have popped in, after all! Are you related to Jim Broadbent by any chance? By the way, we never know who is or isn't here at any given time: this chat is sort of \"on-going\": people post any time they feel like it when they want to share their views, or make a comment, or ask something, or make a reply. Please try to remember as much of that evening with Colin as possible. We are all very diligent students of Firthology and it is - sadly! - such a very rare occasion that we can listen to someone who has breathed the same air, let alone imbibed the same spirit... :-) What did he drink, by the way? Did he smoke a lot? (Yes, we know he did...) Did he use \"inappropriate\" words often? (Don't worry - some of us know enough of the acting fraternity to realize that flowery language comes easy to them!) Moon Drea s seems to think that you were \"quite intoxicated\" - were you telling her stories behind our backs? ;-) Then you must also tell us if Colin was also rolling on the floor with the rest of you? ;-D ? And one more thing - if the party comprised people like John Castle, Colin Firth and others who were in \"something\" together around that time, then it had to be Lost Empires: in which case it must have been earlier than 1989. Is it possible? Think hard, Ben, think hard, man! Sorry if the grill seems a bit hot... ;-) ;-D"}, {"response": 561, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Oct 14, 1998 (15:34)", "body": "Oh, and another thing - where was the party held - in a restaurant or someone's private place? We absolutely *must* know every possible detail... :-)"}, {"response": 562, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 14, 1998 (16:11)", "body": "Thank you, Ben, for persevering to get into Drool. As others have mentioned, you never know who will be here at any point in time. Also, as a co-host, I'd like to second Cheryl's recommendation that you join our film discussion group. It is as Topic 98. Right now there are some problems in accessing it from the main Drool menu, but just replace 97 with 98 in the url and you will get there. We are doing Valmont right now. So, your mother fancied him, did she? Shows she has excellent taste. ;-) But sounds like this was based on looks alone, with the \"Springtime and Mrs. Stone\" reference. Were you all familiar with his work at the time? From film? Or television? BTW loved John Castle in Lost Empires (but until the credits roled thought it was Ian Holm!!)"}, {"response": 563, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Oct 14, 1998 (18:50)", "body": "Thank you, Ben. You've made me quite giddy. As you know by now, there is no detail too small to discuss so I hope you'll brave the vagaries of Drool and join us again. See? I told you we were nice ladies."}, {"response": 564, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct 14, 1998 (19:03)", "body": "(Ben),and we all got quite drunk in any case. ( Arami), Moon Dreams seems to think that you were \"quite intoxicated\" - were you telling her stories behind our backs? Arami, Ben and I just met, it's too soon for us to be sharing secrets. We absolutely *must* know every possible detail... This is the truth and nothing but the truth! Do entertain us a little more Ben."}, {"response": 565, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Oct 17, 1998 (07:18)", "body": "Oh, why are you silent, Ben? Don't do a Darcy on us now, that we need your good will and generosity... Just a few more words, a further brief statement, and we shall be eternally grateful and deliriously happy... Please? :-)"}, {"response": 566, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Sun, Oct 18, 1998 (14:50)", "body": "... back from London, with a question: Browsing the video stores in London I've seen many tapes out of the Ruth Rendell Mysteries's. Does anybody around here know why MOTM isn't available on video??? ... and how entertaining to find Ben's story on my return. Thanks, Ben."}, {"response": 567, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Oct 18, 1998 (15:31)", "body": "Does anybody around here know why MOTM isn't available on video??? Good question, Kirsten. I emailed ITV, the production company of MOTM, and they wrote me back that there are no plans for a video release - without giving any reason. Do you recall which videos were out? Inspector Wexford only, or others, too?"}, {"response": 568, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Oct 18, 1998 (18:16)", "body": "Ben, thanks for braving the hen party to share your close encounter with CF. As you can see, any tidbit will do and have us going for days so thanks for taking the time :-)."}, {"response": 569, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Oct 19, 1998 (19:18)", "body": "hey Jana-- I've got a tidbit for you: I was browsing through some old CF articles, where an article last year mentioned that he had been relaxing in the gardens of the Pasadena Ritz-Carlton without being noticed! Thanks for the juicy exploits, Ben. Can you remember what exactly he was doing his mimics of? Or what jokes he told? Hey Arami-- I saw a post of yours in RofP. Did anyone ever find out about this Livia-as-a-model thing? I'm curious."}, {"response": 570, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Tue, Oct 20, 1998 (04:05)", "body": "(Renate) Do you recall which videos were out? Inspector Wexford only, or others, too? I'm sorry, but I didn't pay any attentions to the titles, only realised that there was no MOTM:-). Do you know the others? BTW, has anybody around has read \"Some other Rainbow\" by John McCarthy and Jill Morrell (you know, Hostages)? I just bought it during my stay in London. I actually wanted to read \ufffdAn Evil Cradling\" by Brian Keenan but since I forgot it at home ... It's a great story, very moving, you don't want to put it down. Reading John McCarthy's depiction, I think that the makers of Hostages have portrayed the main characters very well, their characteristics, the feelings and the emotianal and physical stress of the ituation are striking to my mind, although I can understand the objections of the former hostages against the film. Don't no whether any of you has discovered yet that in the latest issue of \"Film Review\" there are two pictures of CF, one (about 9 x 10 cm) from Hour of the Pig and another, smaller one from TEP (paper wedding). A reader asked for news about CF's latest work, but they told nothing new, only that he has worked on MLSF and SLOW and joined the cast of SIL."}, {"response": 571, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Oct 20, 1998 (05:22)", "body": "Again, in the \"not really news\" department, there was an item in one of the papers about Polygram/Working Title who seem to be forging ahead with projects. They gave details of one movie and said that shooting would start next month. It would seem that they sometimes don't release details until the filming is about to start. Will keep eyes open for BJD! BTW John McCarthy is getting married sometime soon, to a book editor."}, {"response": 572, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Oct 20, 1998 (07:42)", "body": "BTW John McCarthy is getting married sometime soon, to a book editor. ] Ah, so happiness does not elude him. Very good!"}, {"response": 573, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Oct 20, 1998 (07:59)", "body": "Yes,apparently they are very happy! More *not really news\". Handmade Films \"Lock stock and barrel\" (made for just \ufffd1 million) has now taken \ufffd10million in 3 weeks at the UK Box Office (huge in UK terms) and opens in the US soon. I don't know much about company finance, but surely this success should help rescue them from receivership and enable them to start promoting SLOW, which seems to be held temporarily in limbo. Any accountants out there? Colin's brother and Rupert Graves (and the actress who played Anne Elliot in \"Persuasion\") are doing a radio series at the moment, reading from letters of the \"lost generation\" in the first world war."}, {"response": 574, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 20, 1998 (10:28)", "body": "(Bethan) Handmade Films \"Lock stock and barrel\" (made for just \ufffd1 million) has now taken \ufffd10million...I don't know much about company finance, but surely this success should help rescue them from receivership. Haven't heard how much Handmade is in debt; however, it's probably a lot more. Film accounting is a lot of smoke and mirrors and voodoo chanting. Films rarely make a profit, which would be after everybody gets his/her cut, that would be ploughed back into the company. Should we start a SiL countdown? As I walk through the main shopping areas, I'm reminded that the Christmas window decorations will probably be unveiled shortly after Halloween (Oct 31). Any word on when SiL will be released in England and other countries in Europe. I know it's rare for a film to be released simultaneously in both the U.S. and Europe. Need to check out what trailers are being shown in the theaters. Usually the Christmas releases have already started by now."}, {"response": 575, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Oct 20, 1998 (13:07)", "body": "I've heard nothing further on the matter of Livia having been a model, but I think it must have been a mistake. BTW, are you, ladies, seriously equating marriage with happiness? Isn't it merely coincidental? Haven't I seen the date 4th December mentioned somewhere as the planned SiL premiere?"}, {"response": 576, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 20, 1998 (15:41)", "body": "Yes, I've seen December 4 listed as the premiere date (NY or LA) but wide release in the US is slated for Christmas Day. Now, everyone keep in mind that the stars will be paraded around the talk shows the week of Dec 4 and that ET and Access Hollywood will show bits from the premiere. I now have E! on my cable, so should that about cover it? How many more days????"}, {"response": 577, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Oct 20, 1998 (16:16)", "body": ""}, {"response": 578, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Oct 20, 1998 (16:24)", "body": "Ah, this is spooky indeed. Count All Mushy has posted my message again, completely without my participation. What a silly joke, and not for the first time, as we know. Can't someone bring this blasted thing to its senses, please? (Or at least delete duplications.)"}, {"response": 579, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Oct 20, 1998 (18:28)", "body": "No dates for SIL in the UK as yet, although I have seen a reference to opening this year...but that could mean in the US. I think that if Miramax are pushing SIL for Oscar nominations, they'll delay its international release until Spring 99. I'm looking forward to SIL, but am bearing in mind that CF is fourth in the billing and may not be used in the promotion. I see SIL more as an \"awareness heightening\" vehicle for CF (particularly in the US), so that when MLSF, SLOW etc open, people will say \"oh yes, olin Firth\"!! I want to know more about the GP's \"raunchy\" scene on a Norfolk beach, as reported in the UK press. I can't imagine Will Shakespeare on the beach (paddling?)...he was strictly a city man, and in those days there were no day trips to the coast! So, who is this scene with?! Handmade Films..I doubt if they would be hugely in debt. They're a small company making maybe three movies a year on budgets of \ufffd1 - \ufffd3 million. A \ufffd10million windfall would mean a lot. But as you say, Karen, film accounting is a strange business!"}, {"response": 580, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Oct 20, 1998 (19:22)", "body": "Why shouldn't one equate happiness with marriage? Maybe it is an old-fashioned way to look at things. But aren't we supposed to be romantics? Don't we read Jane Austen for the romance?"}, {"response": 581, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Oct 21, 1998 (13:31)", "body": "It is not fear that drove me away this time - my ****** hard drive collapsed, and I lost EVERYTHING having backed up NOTHING. This is an unparalleled disasater. I am now on a new computer. All sympathy is welcome. I cannot, by the way, remember what brand of cigarettes CF was smoking or which particular filthy words he spoke. There were a few wonderfully disgusting jokes. The dinner was in John's house. I am an admirer though not a relative of Jim Broadbent. Ummmm......that's it. On a related point, I agree that JC is a wonderful actor. When my parents first met him, he was part of a new crop of talented actors that had joined the National in the mid-1960s. (The group included John Woodvine and Ian McKellen, for example.) The story goes that he was offered, around the same time, a role in a Hollywood film and a big part in a National production of Hamlet....he chose the movie, which bombed, and missed out on the vital theatrical opportunity. I don't know the details. Now, I'm not ure that a stint in films or on TV would be so frowned on by the thesps. Anyway, he's a good laugh."}, {"response": 582, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct 21, 1998 (14:15)", "body": "(Kirsten),Don't no whether any of you has discovered yet that in the latest issue of \"Film Review\" there are two pictures of CF, Thanks for the info, Kirsten. Ben, I do hope you plan to join our in our many future discussions. Maybe you can drop by our Film Disc. group, Topic 98. You must let us know if your mother meets up with Colin again. (Winter),mentioned that he had been relaxing in the gardens of the Pasadena Ritz-Carlton without being noticed! Winter, maybe Meg lives in Pasadena and that's why he stayed there? Does anyone know where she lives? My friend in NY taped MOTM for me and it's in the mail, I'm so excited, never seen it! I've yet to see any previews of SiL in the theatres and I go to the movies everyweek."}, {"response": 583, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Oct 21, 1998 (18:09)", "body": "Ben - a new computer! And forgot/neglected to do backups! This deserves no sympathy whatsoever ;-) I cannot remember what brand of cigarettes CF was smoking or which particular filthy words he spoke Oh, this is a great misfortune indeed! Thanks to some diligent interviewers, we happen to know quite a lot about some of Colin Firth's filthy habits in mid-nineties - but it would have been greatly illuminating for our historical and comparative studies to know details of his earlier tastes... There were a few wonderfully disgusting jokes. Great! We shall happily settle for that instead ;-D! Fire away...! What? Too indelicate for ladies...;-)? But, with all due respect, what about your mother - you didn't report any fainting fits; on the contrary, according to your own words, she was absolutely under the spell... Well, then? Come on, don't let us beg you for too long... (Girls, I need some support here!) And yes, Ben, do join us for film discussions, too. In fact any discussions at all. It's so refreshing to listen to a male point of view for a change... :-)"}, {"response": 584, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Oct 21, 1998 (19:26)", "body": "Arami begging is quite a site, I must needs take a picture and keep for ever! Well, then? Come on, don't let us beg you for too long... (Girls, I need some support here!) Her own words! Arami, will will crawl on your knees and beg too;-p"}, {"response": 585, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Oct 21, 1998 (19:39)", "body": "I might have to consult my mother for the details of the jokes - I don't want to get them wrong. (My parents are fairly worldly and unfazed by these things.) My memory, suffused in alohol as it was, is of having a great evening and being surprised by it. As for begging, it's not that I object to it - quite the opposite. It's just a mixed pleasure, surely you understand, to be begged to talk about the charms of another man, charming though he is. (You can start by being (or at least seeming to be) a great deal more sympathetic about my computing disaster.) Some degree of pride should sooner or later prevent one from wielding the power to introduce women to an irresistably attractive friend, of which this is the virtual equivalent. That said, beg away."}, {"response": 586, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Thu, Oct 22, 1998 (06:03)", "body": "Having had my own computer pass recently, I too am in a mourning period. Bitwise and I shared so much for so long, and now I am alone. I do see a Compaq at work quite often, but we both know it's just for now ... You got out there and replaced your old model right away, Ben; it seems to be easier for men. I'm still all in black and can't imagine being involved again. (Of course, everyone in New York is all in black.)(And the last part is hogwash. I'd have an entire harem of powerful, supercharged, sle k computers if I could afford it.) I commend your kindness and generosity. Probably all of the men I know and like (which means they are special indeed) would make a face and ignore women who wanted to know about charming acquaintances. I hope that when you are the irresistably attractive friend women inquire after, another man of quality is as forthcoming and good-natured."}, {"response": 587, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Oct 22, 1998 (15:00)", "body": "And there you are, Ben. Cheryl has said it ever so well for all of us! I couldn't put it better myself... As to your computing disaster, I stand suitably chastised - but then I should have introduced myself as the joker (or a clown, perhaps? definitely wild...) of the pack... To be honest, much as I try, I'm not terribly good at begging, either... but I'd buy you a pint or two and we'd come to some \"gentlemanly\" agreement, I'm sure. Furthermore, whilst your virtual friend continues to be irresistibly attractive, he is at the same time completely beyond anyone's reach here - and you stand a very good chance of filling that void... does that tickle you sufficiently for the time being? ;-)"}, {"response": 588, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Oct 22, 1998 (16:35)", "body": "Of course. When I said \"pride should..\", or something equally pompous, I didn't mean that I had sufficient pride NOT to enjoy the situation. Now I have to work out how to broach the joke subject with my poor Mama. How can I possibly explain that the amusement of dozens of Firth devotees - none of whom I've met - depends on her memory of a crude joke a decade ago? Or maybe she'll understand better than I think. In the meantime, I can fill in a couple of less exciting details, and I will ask a couple of questions of my own. Someone asked whether I knew of him at the time, and I certainly did, because I'd seen A Month in the Country by then. In fact, I didn't see CF again, apart from in the flesh (as it were), until the English Patient. Also, there was no female companion, on that evening at least. Now my questions: why is his accent of particular interest? And is there the same frenzy about his brother? Finally, I should say that although I was surprised to come across all the virtual ogling going on here, I can't be too superior about it, because my thoughts about Jennifer Ehle while watching P&P were not, I confess, entirely pure."}, {"response": 589, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 22, 1998 (19:24)", "body": "Ben worldly parents always turn out to have the BEST memory, believe me, I know. Do please insist with your mum. She might surprise you."}, {"response": 590, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Oct 22, 1998 (19:53)", "body": "Ben - you are an angel. Those snippets are most welcome. And do ask your Mama, please. Believe me - she will understand. You see - she's a woman... I'm also very glad to hear about your reaction to JE. All this means that you must understand us better than you admit... ;-) I guess the only difference might be that females of the species are perhaps better at relieving their virtual frustration through collective purging of various thoughts, which you are here privy to. So watch and learn - it's so refreshing... There's a board for guys who wish to drool, too - have you seen it yet?"}, {"response": 591, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Oct 22, 1998 (20:09)", "body": "BTW, CF's accent is of interest because he has once mentioned in an interview that he apparently used to speak with a broad Hampshire accent until he learned RP in the drama school. Everyone is now curious if he still lapses into his youthful speaking habit when talking privately. Knowing such details would let us imagine that we know him better. There is some interest in his siblings, Jonathan in particular, but the fact is that Colin is considered a superior actor by far and that clinches it. The measure of superiority being the range and psychological depth of characters he has so convincingly portrayed so far. These are my own views and I do not speak on behalf of others here. You may receive other explanations in due course. :-)"}, {"response": 592, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Oct 22, 1998 (20:25)", "body": "Since you are being so kind as to answer some of our questions, I can try at least to answer some of yours, Ben: (Ben) Now my questions: why is his accent of particular interest? For me, it's not the accent (though we US girls often fall for that \"cultured\" posh Brit-speak), but the deep, resonant voice. I guess we want to know if his accent is more Mr. Darcy-ish or more Paul Ashworth-ish. (Guess you didn't see the Nick Hornby-scripted flick Fever Pitch in England last year?) And is there the same frenzy about his brother? Absolutely not, no way, nada. But we'll take Jon in a pinch. Do you know him too? I can't be too superior about it, because my thoughts about Jennifer Ehle while watching P&P were not, I confess, entirely pure. Aha! Then you did see Colin in P&P, also. Or were your eyes just drawn to , um, Miss Ehle's eyes and you didn't recognize your dinner partner from a few years back. By the way, you haven't told us yet what you were drinking to get everyone so soused. We actually even want to know this minute detail. Thanks for being such a great sport."}, {"response": 593, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Oct 23, 1998 (08:49)", "body": "(Heide)And is there the same frenzy about his brother? Absolutely not, no way, nada. But we'll take Jon in a pinch. Do you know him too? Now, Heide, Jonathan is closer to my age, and we practically share the same birthday! And I happend to think JF is adorable!!!"}, {"response": 594, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 23, 1998 (15:07)", "body": "Ah, this is spooky indeed. Count All Mushy has posted my message again, completely without my participation. What a silly joke, and not for the first time, as we know. Can't someone bring this blasted thing to its senses, please? (Or at least delete duplications.) Done...well, just the elimination of duplicates thing. Must be that Spring is under water. ;-)"}, {"response": 595, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Oct 23, 1998 (16:46)", "body": "(Laura) Now, Heide, Jonathan is closer to my age, and we practically share the same birthday! And I happend to think JF is adorable!!! Sorry, my dear, but for me it's the difference between a boy and a man. ;-)"}, {"response": 596, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Oct 23, 1998 (18:52)", "body": "Still haven't plucked up the courage to call my mother. She occasionally uses email, but communication takes place only every two or three weeks (they're in London, I'm in NYC) and while I know your need is urgent, all of you, I hope you can wait until a natural opportunity presents itself. I had noticed the JE site, but if truth be told, I'd feel like a bit of a sad perverted git if I hung around there much. This is not meant to reflect on you lot at all - somehow it's less guilt-ridden and more fun her (certainly for me). So I'll take the opportunity to say here that, quite apart from the fact that she is gorgeously pretty and has the most TREMENDOUS figure, JE has the advantage of portraying Elizabeth Bennett. To play someone as wise and as amusing as anyone in literature must help, and one can't but dream that in order to portray the qualities she must have them herself, however unlikely that is. (Surely the same goes on with CF?) Anyway, that said, I'd be quite happy to find out at breakfast how clo ely JE resembled EB in reality. And that is the last word about her, I promise. Dreg of Info: drunk on wine, wine and more wine. Never met JF. Haven't seen Fever Pitch but have read it (am mad soccer fan). p.s. Hampshire accent good deal more appealing than North London whine. But, I bet that he wouldn't have kept it (Hampshire) long anyway, and that his parents spoke RP. Just a guess."}, {"response": 597, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 24, 1998 (10:08)", "body": "(Ben) Anyway, that said, I'd be quite happy to find out at breakfast how closely JE resembled EB in reality. And that is the last word about her, I promise. One of our Drool ladies, Evelyn, will be happy to oblige when she returns any day now from England. Evelyn is in charge of the Jennifer Ehle website and has met her--actually had a conversation or two with her. Who knows what excellent tidbits of information she can pass on to you!! A little QPQ for being such a sweetie and sharing with us."}, {"response": 598, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Oct 24, 1998 (19:26)", "body": "Yes, Ben, we will wait patiently (more or less). :-) I'd feel like a bit of a sad perverted git... This is not meant to reflect on you lot at all - somehow it's less guilt-ridden and more fun LOL! It's as I said before - women generally seem to feel much more relaxed about daydreaming. Men call it fantasizing, and they almost invariably feel guilty... Another silly question: what type of wine? Red, white?"}, {"response": 599, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Oct 24, 1998 (21:56)", "body": "Sorry, my dear, but for me it's the difference between a boy and a man. ;-) } No, my dear, you are comparing apples to oranges. JF is actually more successful at 31, than CF was. CF was residing w/MT when aged 31. Remember in the backwood of BC. Also, JF is a more open sort of person, making him more accessible than older brother C. They are not similar types of personalities. JF is just a man, like his older brother."}, {"response": 600, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Oct 25, 1998 (01:36)", "body": "(winter) hey Jana-- I've got a tidbit for you: I was browsing through some old CF articles, where an article last year mentioned that he had been relaxing in the gardens of the Pasadena Ritz-Carlton without being noticed! winter, thanks for sharing. Goodness, do you think we perhaps trod on the same dirt? My heart's all aflutter :-). (Ben)To play someone as wise and as amusing as anyone in literature must help, and one can't but dream that in order to portray the qualities she must have them herself, however unlikely that is. (Surely the same goes on with CF?) I think you must be right, since the majority of us found our way here after watching CF play Darcy. For myself anyway, my already warm feelings towards Darcy definitely helped me notice CF."}, {"response": 601, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Oct 25, 1998 (14:47)", "body": "Sorry, Laura. I knew I'd rile you up a bit. JF's a sweetie but for me, there's no contest."}, {"response": 602, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 26, 1998 (11:08)", "body": "(Laura) No, my dear, you are comparing apples to oranges. JF is actually more successful at 31, than CF was. CF was residing w/MT when aged 31. Remember in the backwood of BC. Just riding big brother's long coat tails.... ;-) Can't get the image of JF in that leper episode of Cadfael out of my mind. Actually, the guy who played the second Hugh Beringer looked more like Colin that his real brother. ;-)"}, {"response": 603, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Oct 26, 1998 (14:49)", "body": "(Karen)Just riding big brother's long coat tails.... ;-) He doesn't need to at all. He's successful in his own right. Puh!;-p"}, {"response": 604, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 26, 1998 (16:20)", "body": "Ladies, as you are well aware JF has his own Topic here, and it is v. lonely there, no one stops by. You may wish to continue this there (let's not upset big brother here)."}, {"response": 605, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Oct 26, 1998 (16:44)", "body": "Perhaps not even so much the big bro as his true and devoted fans who may be upset. Me, for one. Why should we tolerate Jonathan's fan's (yes, fan's) incessant teasing? Out, damned nuisance, out, I say. Go and praise your small idol somewhere else. This is no place for testing brotherly love."}, {"response": 606, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Oct 27, 1998 (10:53)", "body": "Now wait one minute!! I am NOT a damned nuisance, I was just trying to prove a point to Heide, who brought it up. I DO NOT drool over JF at all. All I was saying that he is a fine actor in HIS OWN RIGHT!!! I have drooled incessantly over CF for years now. I am entitled to be drooled out, but give me a couple of months for the drool to replenish, and replenish, it will. And to think, this is coming from someone who lives by the words of a TEENAGER who had dinner with CF over TEN YEARS AGO and wants to know exactly what dirty joke was said. That is pathetic!"}, {"response": 607, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 27, 1998 (11:40)", "body": "When did this become the official site for the WWF? Time to calm down and sit on those fingers, itching to retaliate. There's room here for all opinions and good-natured ribbing of JF and CF alike. The amount of one's drool should never be a factor and I think scares away those who don't froth at the mouth as much as others. Admiration comes in many forms, as should tolerance."}, {"response": 608, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Oct 27, 1998 (13:19)", "body": "Goodness. I shall be more careful with my questions in future. Laura; I was an earnest 22-yr-old at the time and I haven't been a teenager for...well, an awfully long time. Puerile, yes, but puer no longer, alas."}, {"response": 609, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Oct 27, 1998 (13:44)", "body": "Sorry, Ben, I thought you were younger when you had dinner w/ the droolmeister:) It's just that Arami can be sooooooo irritating!"}, {"response": 610, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Oct 27, 1998 (14:40)", "body": "Hey, no problem :) I've been called worse things than a teenager in my time....particularly when I was a teenager."}, {"response": 611, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Oct 27, 1998 (18:08)", "body": "Ben, thank you for your anecdotes....I must admit I had wondered how old you were at the time, especially with the wine flowing freely! A propos of nothing, there's an interesting discussion on fame in one of the popular science magazines. It seems that when CF says that you must \"be mad to want fame\", he's right! A \"scientific\" study shows that the more well-balanced you are, the more stable your upbringing, and the more parental love you receive, the less you need or desire fame. Fame junkies and self promoting \"stars\" tend to have had traumatic childhoods. (Actually, this all just sounds like commonsense to me!) Fame is also addicti e and can destroy people. And (the study concludes!) the best way to deal with fame is to avoid it altogether. So now we know!"}, {"response": 612, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Oct 27, 1998 (18:14)", "body": "I've also been called worse things than pathetic and irritating, but it's infinitely preferable to the misfortune of appearing humourless... Now then, Ben, where were we? Oh, yes - the wine. Red, white - or parsley? ;-)"}, {"response": 613, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Oct 27, 1998 (18:31)", "body": "Yes. That's comforting. I can now claim to my utter anonymity to be a choice, if an unwitting one ;). In fact, I have made a careful study of how NOT to be famous - ever vigilant, I've had to fight incessantly to avoid becoming famous. I'm pretty pleased with the results. To be serious for an instant, though, it makes perfect sense that people starved of affection and love should later seek a substitute in fame. The tragedy is that it's a woefully inadequate one. Sadly, my admiration of Jennifer Ehle from a distance helps her not one jot, and the same goes for the legions of CF's supporters. By the way, I must confess that I was a well-practiced wine drinker by the time of that dinner."}, {"response": 614, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Oct 27, 1998 (18:33)", "body": "Sorry, Arami. Didn't see your note. Red."}, {"response": 615, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Oct 27, 1998 (20:47)", "body": "Oh, actually I have a wonderful sense of humor, but one must be funny in order to excite it. And darling, you are no Dame Edna!"}, {"response": 616, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Wed, Oct 28, 1998 (01:44)", "body": "Ben, after an aggravating day at the office your humor is greatly appreciated. So glad that non-fame thing is working for you :-) Bethan, thanks for the interesting thoughts about fame. I remember an occasion about 10 years ago when I saw Valerie Bertinelli at the supermarket. (OK, OK, I know she's an extremely minor celebrity but at the time she was v. popular on U.S. TV). She was clearly trying to be inconspicuous wearing sweat pants, with her hair up in a pony tail and a baseball hat, but the checker made a big fuss over her anyway. After she left I heard the checkers commenting on what she purchased (how she looked fat and d dn't need the ice cream, etc.). I remember feeling a huge wave a pity at the horror of not being able to buy milk and mallomars in peace. Which brings us back to Bethan's point and our boy's quote that \"you'd have to be mad to want fame.\" Also, I'm going to take Renate's advice from awhile ago and pointedly ignore that which is not pleasing in the hopes it goes away. 'Nuff said? Jana, signing off from the land of Rodney King"}, {"response": 617, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Wed, Oct 28, 1998 (07:35)", "body": "Yes, Ben, your humor is much appreciated. A delightful surprise. I'm glad it was red. Can't imagine anyone having fun with white, so for the birthday party we gave CF I gave him two bottles of red. Ah, fame. Mainly it seems pretty dangerous to me. I don't think I'll need any tips on warding it off--one thing less to do, thank goodness."}, {"response": 618, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 28, 1998 (10:32)", "body": "Is there not a difference between celebrities *seeking* fame and those who, because of their phenomenal talent, would receive it naturally? To me the difference is between celebrities and great actors. Fame sought and fame acquired. Truly great actors need not seek fame, it is thrust upon them. Isn't that what we have been expecting for our DB? Recognition for his talents. Not that he should be the cover boy for the Inquirer, Daily Mail or what have you. BTW Jana, saw Angela Lansbury at the grocery store. Didn't think to look into her cart. ;-p How awful though about what the checkers said. Question to our amiable friend Ben, have we covered what CF was wearing?"}, {"response": 619, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Oct 28, 1998 (12:19)", "body": "Question to our amiable friend Ben, have we covered what CF was wearing? ] I can answer that one: He was wearing black. Black trousers, black jacket, white miami vice style shirt, opened at the neck. He was sporting a Don Johnson wannabe five o'clock shadow and drank way too much white wine. The reason being for the dirty jokes. Had he been drinking red wine, he would have had some dirty limericks!;-p"}, {"response": 620, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 28, 1998 (13:09)", "body": "Argh!! What a horrible pictures!! Whatever he was wearing, it was probably loose, comfy, non-designerwear."}, {"response": 621, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Oct 28, 1998 (17:01)", "body": "Nah, he was in Armani:)"}, {"response": 622, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Oct 28, 1998 (19:05)", "body": "You tax my memory excessively. Beyond its resources in fact. I'm afraid I am unobservant about clothes at the best of times, so to ask me to conjure up what a fellow dinner guest was wearing ten years ago is too much. (I wouldn't be able to tell you a thing about his clothes if the dinner had been yesterday and I'd been stone-cold sober all the way trough it. Fat chance as it is.) What I can say is that, remembering him (and t'others) as I do as remarkably straightforward, I doubt he'd have been wearing a ything too extravagant. Ben"}, {"response": 623, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Oct 28, 1998 (19:47)", "body": "Alert to you West Coasters who might happen to check in yet tonight. Film clip from SIL is on Entertainment Tonight! I just happened to catch it while visiting my mom tonight - unfortunately, no tape to ram into that VCR but it's supposed to be rerun in the wee hours. Colin in at least 2 clips (that I can remember in my shock) and they say his name! He says but one word - \"Shakespeare!\" - and then unsheathes his sword. Now, ladies, no jokes. More later."}, {"response": 624, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Oct 28, 1998 (20:01)", "body": "Sadly, my admiration of Jennifer Ehle from a distance helps her not one jot, and the same goes for the legions of CF's supporters. Ben, this is debatable. In reality legions of admirers are very desirable, as long as they remain at a reasonable distance... (Red wine! Great stuff! How was your head the following morning?)"}, {"response": 625, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 28, 1998 (22:16)", "body": "Hi y'all. Had a great time in UK...catching up on Drool. You guys have really been busy. Nice to meet you, Ben. I'm Evelyn and co-editor of the JE website. Glad you admire her talents....and she has many. I attended the premiere of WILDE last year in London and got to converse with her..mostly about the website. She is a real charmer...let me tell you. Extremely polite...enthusiastic....quite posh, but not snobbish. I got the idea that she has many of Lizzie's personality qualities. You can read her interviews under the articles segment of the website, and get an insight into her wit and intelligence.As far as we know she is unattached. Currently filming in Budapest with Ralph Fiennes in \"A Taste of Sunshine\". BTW have enjoyed all the details of the CF party. This crowd can really interrogate you...Thanks for being such a good sport. Hope you stick around."}, {"response": 626, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Thu, Oct 29, 1998 (00:52)", "body": "Evelyn, so glad you're back! Hope you had a lovely trip. We missed you :-)"}, {"response": 627, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Oct 29, 1998 (06:58)", "body": "A warm welcome back, Evelyn dear!"}, {"response": 628, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 29, 1998 (07:51)", "body": "Yes, welcome back, Evelyn! Ben, don't forget you've promised to ask your mum, she might remember. Keep in touch."}, {"response": 629, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 29, 1998 (13:44)", "body": "Thanks to Heide's alert, I've got Colin's appearance on ET on tape. Watched it a couple of times, but I'd say he was shown about 4 times--all different scens from the first ET clip a month or so ago--in the 1-1/2 minute elapsed time of the clip. They gave Ben Affleck a ridiculous amount of time (and buildup) for the size of his role, but did show Rupert Everett and, of course, Joe Fiennes...lots of Joe Fiennes (what can I say, he's the title character). Shades of Geoffrey Clinton, though, as Colin's head is bowed to QE when she remarks that Viola looks as though she's been plucked, but not by him!! Eeowww!! Although technically, Wessex can't be called a cuckhold here as they are not married yet. Let's just say he's been \"Gercourted!!\" ;-) Colin's wears really pouffy pantaloons. Will have to go back to check, but I don't think JF or BA wore those. I'll have to slo-mo through it tonight to check out the legs. And he's definitely wearing an earring in several shots. Great that you're back, Evelyn!! P.S. Ben, when you ask your mom about the joke, ask her about the clothes. She might remember....... ;-) You've been a wonderful sport about all this."}, {"response": 630, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Oct 29, 1998 (14:52)", "body": "To me the difference is between celebrities and great actors. Fame sought and fame acquired. Truly great actors need not seek fame, it is thrust upon them. Isn't that what we have been expecting for our DB? Recognition for his talents. Not that he should be the cover boy for the Inquirer, Daily Mail or what have you. Good point, Karen! Although unfortunately I think that nowadays a modicum of \"celebrity\" is needed to support the \"recognition\" factor. Ben Affleck (in the US) and Gwyneth Paltrow have celebrity status, which means that movies in which they appear are hyped and promoted, photos are taken of them at premieres, and they are regarded as bankable and continue to be offered starring roles. I'm sure that SIL will be mainly promoted using the names of GP and BA, and, of course, JF, as he is Shakespeare. In the UK certainly, JF will get the press coverage and interviews, and I will have to grit my teeth and accept this!!! I've always assumed (hope I'm right on this!) that the only reason MLSF has been delayed is that Miramax expect CF to be more familiar to cinema audiences after SIL( and TEP), and therefore to be more of a \"name\". Recognition of talent opens doors, but does not necessarily lead to starring roles. Nor is success in another medium (TV, theatre) always credited. pouffy pantaloons I'm not sure if I like the sound of these! Although this may be the extravagant court dress, which wouldn't be worn by mere common actors! He can't wear pouffy pantaloons on a horse, can he? Or fight a duel? Wot, no legs! Welcome back, Evelyn! I hope you enjoyed your trip and weren't caught up in the gale force weather."}, {"response": 631, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Oct 29, 1998 (14:59)", "body": "Ooh...sorry! Those cursed italics, instead of proliferating, have actually done a bunk! The first comment in the above was originally made by Karen!"}, {"response": 632, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Oct 29, 1998 (15:13)", "body": "Fame sought and fame acquired Vulgar notoriety versus well deserved merit."}, {"response": 633, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Oct 29, 1998 (16:51)", "body": "Hello, Evelyn. I am pathetic - I cannot help a little tingle of excitement running through my system at the news that JE is single. AS IF. It reminds me of the first time the National Lottery was drawn in England. My flatmate and I had each bought a one pound ticket, which gave us a chance of one in the billions (or something) of getting anything back. We got increasingly feverish during the day, to the point where, when asked whether I was going to cook some supper, I said I'd delay it till later because we'd already agreed to go the Savoy if either of us won. Terrifyingly idiotic. That said, I don't suppose you have her telephone number? (\"Hello, Jennifer. I'm a sad git who's never met you but fancies you in a Regency dress and is convinced that because you played Lizzie Bennett you must also be just like her. How about a drink?\")"}, {"response": 634, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 29, 1998 (19:16)", "body": "(Bethan), pouffy pantaloons I'm not sure if I like the sound of these! Although this may be the extravagant court dress, which wouldn't be worn by mere common actors! You're so right , my dear. He can't wear pouffy pantaloons on a horse, can he? Or fight a duel? Wot, no legs! He does ride so v. well. I wonder if he will come on the junket to promote SiL in the US? One never knows with him. You may be right about MLSF, but it is a sad state of affairs, isn't it?"}, {"response": 635, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Oct 29, 1998 (19:47)", "body": "So glad to have you back, Evelyn. We've truly missed you. When you get all caught up, settle in for a nice chat. Yes, our boy is all fancied up as a nobleman would be - ruffles, lace, gilt. I think I saw that earring too, Karen. Oh my. And I'd be willing to bet that horseman was Wessex too. No boot sighting, but we can only hope. I too am glad Colin does not have the \"notoriety\" of a Paltrow or Affleck but can only be glad that their fame will make people sit up and take notice of this film. All I really want is for CF to be appreciated and offered exciting, challenging roles. A film like this is one way to assure it."}, {"response": 636, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 29, 1998 (21:08)", "body": "Thank you all for the warm welcome and kind words...(blush,blush). And yes, Bethan, I was caught up in that storm last Saturday in Wiltshire. On Sunday I was being taken to Lacock (Meryton) and I was bound to see it on a clear day and it was :-)). I kept looking for Lizzie!! Chawton and Winchester ...magic...even under misty rain. Would like to return in sunny weather , though. (Ben)Re: JE:That said, I don't suppose you have her telephone number? Sorry to disappoint you. but I don't. But I do administer the JE Lending Library, if you want to see her early tv projects. Will that help a little?? Let me assure you all the CF fans commiserate with you."}, {"response": 637, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Oct 29, 1998 (21:20)", "body": "Winchester indeed magic! Went to school there. Whereabouts in Wiltshire were you? (p.s. telephone number request not serious in the least. Wouldn't know what to say anyway. p.p.s. why am I writing in italics?)"}, {"response": 638, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 29, 1998 (21:40)", "body": "(Ben) Winchester indeed magic! Went to school there. Whereabouts in Wiltshire were you? I hope the italics quit...(I did so put the ending tag on)...let's complain to the management... I was visiting friends in Chippenham, 14 miles from Lacock. Chawton, as you know is the home of Jane Austen. And she is buried at Winchester Cathedral. They don't mention P&P on her grave stone..or that she was even a writer!!Heide went in August and recommended the tour. A...n...d...Ben, I bet you don't know this....Colin Firth was born in a village nr. Winchester!!No, the tour did not include Grayshot....but someday...maybe it will!!"}, {"response": 639, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Thu, Oct 29, 1998 (23:35)", "body": "away, italics!"}, {"response": 640, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Oct 30, 1998 (02:23)", "body": "I am feeling rather guilty at having been lurking here for so long without joining in all your wonderful conversations. I have been enjoying them though. I have been very busy and v v preoccupied so have not had much time to collect my Colin thoughts! BUT just as I was deciding that I really would have to stop taking the Daily Mail, some SIL news (though not much about CF apart from a mention). SIL will open in UK in January. Harvey Weinstein was at Shepperton Studios yesterday suoervising details of the films release. Baz Bamigboye, DM showbiz writer, says that December opening in US timed with Oscars in mind. I do think it quite possible that it will be chosen for the Royal Fim Premiere which will mean lots of coverage. CF could not fail to turn up. Could he? Winchester indeed magic! Went to school there. Welcome Ben! Do we have a Wykehamist in our midst? I though your contributions were rather erudite. I am glad they taught you how to appreciate wine and dirty jokes as well!"}, {"response": 641, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct 30, 1998 (09:54)", "body": "Welcome Back, Allison....we have missed you ...inquired about you and there you were lurking all the time!! Naughty girl:-)) But all is forgiven...for the great news you bring us of SIL. Oscar talk indeed....CF Best Supporting actor?? Dare we dream?? Now pl. join us on #98 Film Discussion.We're winding down on Valmont. But we'd like to hear from you. (Can you believe, 70 postings in the time I was gone; still wading through.)"}, {"response": 642, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 30, 1998 (10:22)", "body": "(Bethan) I've always assumed (hope I'm right on this!) that the only reason MLSF has been delayed is that Miramax expect CF to be more familiar to cinema audiences after SIL That seems v. reasonable. Timing is everything. This discussion of *hot* stars and bankable types reminds me. Don't anybody waste their money on \"The Governess\" (your Arts Council already did). I wanted to walk out at least three times during the first 30 minutes, but felt guilty dragging someone else to see it that I stayed. It was so incredibly bad to merit a \"Year's Worst\" designation. So much for being Minnie Driver!! (Heide) Yes, our boy is all fancied up as a nobleman would be - ruffles, lace, gilt. Yes, the dress is befitting his rank and JF and BA wouldn't own such finery. I am hoping for a few more casual scenes for CF. When ET showed a preview of the piece there was a little love scene going on between GP and the side of head. My pulse raced and thought we were going to be treated. But alas and alack, nope. Gwynnie was fooling around with JF. (Allison) Baz Bamigboye, DM showbiz writer, says that December opening in US timed with Oscars in mind. I do think it quite possible that it will be chosen for the Royal Fim Premiere which will mean lots of coverage. CF could not fail to turn up. Could he? Great to see you back, Allison, with such fabulous news. We clutch at every last morsel. How exciting!! This is just the beginning of the promotion for this film. There's no way--in my mind--that CF won't be at the premieres. He was at TEP's, so there's no reason to believe he wouldn't be at this one, unless he were filming elsewhere, which doesn't seem to be the case. Whether he gets trotted out to be on the talk shows, who knows???? I'm hoping Oprah devotes a whole show to this one, with most of the cast, like she did with Good Will Hunting, Primary Colors, etc. Will have to start calling Harpo Productions to find out re getting tickets!! (Evelyn) Oscar talk indeed....CF Best Supporting actor?? Dare we dream?? No law against it!"}, {"response": 643, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 30, 1998 (10:25)", "body": "Snappies from the October 28 Entertainment Tonight preview of SiL: http://members.xoom.com/michaelr/sil102898.html"}, {"response": 644, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Oct 30, 1998 (12:00)", "body": "Can someone expand all these acronyms for me? I am quite lost. (p.s. Allison - yes, but a frighteningly long time ago. I also almost married a girl whose brother was a Wykehamist and whose father was a Don there, so the connection continued for many years, but that's another story. Mixed feelings about the town now, though it's undeniably v. pretty and historically important. Not JUST CF's local town, but once the capital of England too! My parents are now in Dorset - bang in the middle of Hardy country - which is why I was asking about Wiltshire.)"}, {"response": 645, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Oct 30, 1998 (13:35)", "body": "Can someone expand all these acronyms for me? I am quite lost. Ben, the acronyms usually refer to CF's films. SIL = Shakespeare in Love, MLSF = My life So Far, TEP = The English Patient, ATA = A Thousand Acres etc I do think it quite possible that it will be chosen for the Royal Film Premiere which will mean lots of coverage. CF could not fail to turn up. Could he? Well he could....but, OFF WITH HIS HEAD! Welcome back Allison! And at last the Daily Mail has delivered! Good to have some \"real\" dates.....and I would think that a Royal Premiere is very possible from the timing. What was it last year? The Man in the Iron Mask? Titanic? Definitely a Leo! Don't anybody waste their money on \"The Governess\" (your Arts Council already did). Interesting to get conflicting viewpoints, Karen! You're in agreement with the UK critics who disliked it, but I remember reading a few US reviews on the Net and they were most enthusiastic!! But over here , it just seemed to be regarded as a \"big yawn\" Talking of conflicting viewpoints, I'll finally get the opportunity to judge (thumbs down?) ATA, which is apparently available for rental on 7 December. Evelyn, have you caught up with Valmont yet? And please do share some of your impressions of Chawton, Laycock etc....even in the rain!"}, {"response": 646, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct 30, 1998 (15:40)", "body": "Winchester is a very pretty village. I have two cousins that went to Winchester College. Excuse my ignorance, but, what is a Wykehamist?"}, {"response": 647, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Oct 30, 1998 (15:50)", "body": "Someone at Winchester College! (The founder was a bloke called William Wykeham.)"}, {"response": 648, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 30, 1998 (16:16)", "body": "(Bethan) Talking of conflicting viewpoints, I'll finally get the opportunity to judge (thumbs down?) ATA, which is apparently available for rental on 7 December. After all the bad things you've already read about it here and elsewhere, you'll probably think it's not so bad. ;-) The Governess was 100x worse. Arami, you would have a field day trying to find anything in that movie that was true to the times. A tediously boring, poorly acted and scripted exercise in the waste of public funding. You've been more than warned. (Ben) Can someone expand all these acronyms for me? I am quite lost. If you think these are confusing, try reading the Valmont discussion. We are drowning in a sea of initials: MM, MT, MF, C, CD, MV, MdeV, AB, JM, GC, UT, HT.......XYZ!! ;-)"}, {"response": 649, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Oct 30, 1998 (16:40)", "body": "Blimey. Sounds like the Civil Service. (I used to be a Mandarin in London, where acronyms abound. They're exclusive - not knowing always makes one feel terribly left out - and I thought I'd managed to escape them, but no. I will make sure to learn the list given me here.)"}, {"response": 650, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Oct 30, 1998 (16:58)", "body": "After all the bad things you've already read about it here and elsewhere, you'll probably think it's not so bad. ;-) (Karen) I'm all in favour of low expectations! Often leads to pleasant surprises! I will make sure to learn the list given me here. We're hoping to add BJD to the list. Any guesses, Ben? Tests are mandatory! By the way, the good times may finally be rolling....I caught a snippet on the radio the other day, in which David Puttnam (I presume) was being interviewed. He was asked about his continuing involvement in film making and he said he had a \"delightful\" film starring CF and Irene Jacob, coming out next year."}, {"response": 651, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Oct 30, 1998 (18:26)", "body": "Belgian Jazz Delegation? British Journal of Dentistry? Blueberry Jam for Dinner? By Jove, it's Darcy! I give up."}, {"response": 652, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Oct 30, 1998 (18:50)", "body": "By Jove, it's Darcy!......close! THF (Think Helen Fielding)"}, {"response": 653, "author": "faza4", "date": "Fri, Oct 30, 1998 (19:50)", "body": "Search many friend.........."}, {"response": 654, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct 30, 1998 (20:01)", "body": "( Moon) Winchester is a very pretty village. Winchester is a city...has a cathedral. (I made the same error, Moon, and was corrected) (Ben) I used to be a Mandarin in London, where acronyms abound. They're exclusive - not knowing always one feel terribly left out What's a Mandarin, Ben.And perhaps we should use full terms for a while till Ben catches on. Doesn't CF's (Colin Firth) parents currently teach at Winchester College? Dad, American Studies ?(whatever that is). Mom , Comparative Religions? Pl. someone correct me, if I'm wrong. ( Ha, as if you wouldn't!) Re: The Governess...even with good reviews, I was going to skip it...don't like Minnie Driver.Though she was good in CoF (Circle of Friends).Maybe I like her fat.... Bethan, I shall give my impressions of Chawton and Lacock when I'm lucid. Thank you for inquiring. OK, Ben...have you guessed BJD yet?"}, {"response": 655, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Oct 30, 1998 (20:59)", "body": "Hee, Hee. poor Ben and acronyms. By jove it's darcy was very funny thought:)"}, {"response": 656, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Oct 31, 1998 (02:11)", "body": "(Evelyn)Doesn't CF's (Colin Firth) parents currently teach at Winchester College? Nope. It's confusing but Winchester College is a public school (think private high school). The oldest in the world to have been in continuous use. It was founded in the 14th century. CF's dad taught (he is retired now according to JF) at King Alfred's College in Winchester which was a teacher training college but now may be a more widely based institution. Don't know much about it. Mrs or should it be Dr F was a lecturer at the Open University. Aren't we all such a mine of information!"}, {"response": 657, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Oct 31, 1998 (03:08)", "body": "King Alfred's College King Alfred's College has been affiliated to the University of Southampton for ten years or so. Offers undergraduate/postgraduate degree courses in a wide range of subjects, including education and drama. I actually attended a conference there a couple of years ago....a very pleasant setting and an attractive mix of old and new buildings."}, {"response": 658, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 31, 1998 (10:22)", "body": "Belgian Jazz Delegation? British Journal of Dentistry? Blueberry Jam for Dinner? By Jove, it's Darcy! ROTFLMAO!!!! And THF!! Mandarin?? Haven't seen that one for quite a while. Just a fancy word for bureaucrat, but should be lower case. ;-)"}, {"response": 659, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sat, Oct 31, 1998 (11:41)", "body": "By Jove, I've think I've got it Holmes! Is it......Bridget Jones' Diary? It only took me 24 hours to notice it on this very web page. Mandarin indeed bureacrat - forgive the self-importance of the cap. M. I worked at HMT for five years, by the way, passing through PSF, EA1 and MPG. I commuted on LRT, listened to the BBC, drank IPA, supported QPR and lived in SW13. So there. Put that in your pipes and smoke it."}, {"response": 660, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Oct 31, 1998 (12:07)", "body": "By Jove, I've think I've got it Holmes! Is it......Bridget Jones' Diary? It only took me 24 hours to notice it on this very web page. Mandarin indeed bureacrat - forgive the self-importance of the cap. M. I worked at HMT for five years, by the way, passing through PSF, EA1 and MPG. I commuted on LRT, listened to the BBC, drank IPA, supported QPR and lived in SW13. So there. Put that in your pipes and smoke it. I don't like smoking, Ben. However, I do love a laugh and you have made me laugh over and over again!!! You are too funny!!! So what's this I hear you have a thing for Jennifer Ehle???"}, {"response": 661, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Oct 31, 1998 (12:16)", "body": "(Ben) Put that in your pipes and smoke it. Honey, we don't need anything else to make us more spacey. But I love the banter. Allison too! By Jove (it's Darcy), it's like old home week here. All we need is Nan. And such good news that Shakespeare in Love will be released in January. Looks like many of us will be seeing it around the same time. Kirsten, Renate? Any word in Germany? How about Gi?"}, {"response": 662, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sat, Oct 31, 1998 (12:33)", "body": "Ahh, Jennifer Ehle, my brown-eyed girl. A wonderfully keen wit, a kind and knowing smile, and lips made for kissing. Or was that Elizabeth Bennett?"}, {"response": 663, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct 31, 1998 (16:34)", "body": "(Evelyn),Winchester is a city...has a cathedral. (I made the same error, Moon, and was corrected) Thanks Evelyn, but you know, I am used to Italy, where every small village has its cathedral. I have been to Winchester Cathedral ( for JA), also on my tour of Chawton etc. Ben, add me to the list of people you make LOL! Another one! By Jove, it's Darcy! Now that's a title! Nan would be v. proud of you!"}, {"response": 664, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct 31, 1998 (16:48)", "body": "Mandarin indeed bureacrat - forgive the self-importance of the cap. M. Easily forgiven. Was a quasi-mandarin myself in former life, although could never grow my nails as long as should. I have driven all those acronyms out of my brain to be replaced by much more important ones, such as HOTPig."}, {"response": 665, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 31, 1998 (17:38)", "body": "(Ben) Jennifer Ehle, my brown-eyed girl They're sparkling brown eyes too. In person her eyes really glitter. Like Nan says...\"with her looks and her body, I could have ruled the world\" (We miss you Nan). Nice to have you around, Ben...makes two...\"Friends of Fine Eyes\" Thanks Allison and Bethan for the CV info on the Firth Folks...a talented family. BTW pl. tell us what you think of Vanity Fair Andrew Davis' new project which starts tomorrow on BBC1. (I so wanted JE to play Becky Sharp)"}, {"response": 666, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sat, Oct 31, 1998 (20:45)", "body": "Hotpig? Absolutely no idea on this one. Please enlighten. And what is a quasi-mandarin? Actually, I suppose I was only a quasi-mandarin, though moving in a mandarin's world. That's why I left, in the end. Like I said, too many acronyms. I will put the Treasury's recruitment department onto this website....fertile ground. I think JE would have made an excellent Becky, too. Who's doing it? I seem to remember a BBC adaptation of Vanity Fair only around 10 years ago - is there room for another. (Actually, I don't remember its being that good. Becky was, sadly, too plain.) There was a wonderful radio version some years earlier. Evelyn, please tell me how you have seen the eyes up close, you lucky thing. And why didn't you ask them for their telephone number?"}, {"response": 667, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sun, Nov  1, 1998 (02:40)", "body": "It's probably poor form to post twice consecutively, but I'm a bit drunk and I couldn't resits it. (Been to a party. Hic) Also, I've rigged up my lap top and I'm calling form home! I'm impressed, anyway. I'm due to speak to dear parents maniana, so will broach joke subject. I already asked, a couple of weeks ago, about the likelihood of owning Pemberley and not having a title (for my friends at Pemberley.com), so I have already invented a real person who wants to know about these things. (It's a white lie - M. understands dirty jokes but not computers. Besides, y'all are real people.) Night all."}, {"response": 668, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov  1, 1998 (12:09)", "body": "Re; Vanity Fair (Ben) I think JE would have made an excellent Becky, too. Who's doing it? Natasha Little ( she played Fanny in FFTMC (Far From the Maddening Crowd) ....is there room for another? (VF) This one is adapted by Andrew Davis, (Middlemarch, P&P, Emma). The current \"poster-boy\" for classic novels adaptations. (Ben)Re; JE Evelyn, please tell me how you have seen the eyes up close, you lucky thing. Told you....attended the premiere of WILDE in October '97 in London. Got to talk to her during reception and dinner. Hey, Ben....hope you've recovered from the Halloween Hangover :-)"}, {"response": 669, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov  1, 1998 (12:16)", "body": "Correction: Andrew Davies and Far From the Madding Crowd (And I didn't even go to a party..!!)"}, {"response": 670, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Nov  1, 1998 (17:12)", "body": "I have just watched VF pt.I and I think it's well scripted and brilliantly produced. The period, sets, and costumes are all reminiscent of P&P. The actors are brilliant - what a wealth of strong satirical characters! There are hardly any very beautiful people in it, especially men (so, sadly, no one to drool over, so far ;-)), but it only adds to the realism. It should be a hit. As for the heroine, Natasha Little is very good but underplaying somewhat, IMO (that's in my opinion, Ben). I would have preferred someone a bit more feisty - and JE would fit the bill admirably. But I must admit that it might have been a bit too soon after starring in a visually very similar piece, and it could have gone against her."}, {"response": 671, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Nov  1, 1998 (18:52)", "body": "Is it......Bridget Jones' Diary? Well done Ben, although I'll deduct two points for prompts, or three as you're an ex-mandarin (lower case!) By the way, if you've read the book and/or HF's columns in the Daily Telegraph, we'd welcome an additional male perspective on the Bridget Jones/Mark Darcy relationship, over at #80. Is Mark Darcy a male paragon, a normal bloke with excusable failings, or an absolute rotter? Answers on a postcard please! Look forward to your parents' reminiscences! Arami, I'm not sure about Vanity Fair. My initial impression was that I would have preferred it to have stayed on the written page, although I'm sure the critics will approve. I enjoyed reading the novel (quite some time ago) but find the characters so unappealing that I don't particularly enjoy watching them on screen! My appreciation of satire must be muted...I have the same problem with Dickens! But I agree that Becky Sharp is a prime part, and that JE would have played the part to perfection (more ani ated than Natasha Little). Do JE and CF still get offered television roles, do you think? I rather doubt it."}, {"response": 672, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov  1, 1998 (20:04)", "body": "I would have preferred someone a bit more feisty - and JE would fit the bill admirably. But I must admit that it might have been a bit too soon after starring in a visually very similar piece, and it could have gone against her. Thank you Arami and Bethan for your impressions of Vanity Fair. I must admit after P&P, it is a fav with me. I wondered if JE auditioned for it. And agree that it would really type-cast her forever for costume dramas...even though she says she loves them :\"Bring on the Bonnets\", she said.I read that Tara Fitzgerald auditioned...she would have been good.But they wanted a \"new face\". (Bethan)Do JE and CF still get offered television roles, do you think? I rather doubt it. What a pity...it's a medium they both excel in. And now,since this is a Colin Firth board, I shall not bring up Jennifer comments again. I was only answering Ben."}, {"response": 673, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Nov  2, 1998 (02:22)", "body": "(Evelyn)I wondered if JE auditioned for it. The Daily Mail to the rescue again. What would we do with out it (have a clearer view of world events, I know, but that is another story!). Emelia Fox, Samantha Morton, Justine Waddell and Tara Fitzgerald were auditioned for the part."}, {"response": 674, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Nov  2, 1998 (11:25)", "body": "(Bethan) Do JE and CF still get offered television roles, do you think? I rather doubt it. Why doubt? I mean: why shouldn't they get offered something? Has the BBC an \"Avoid Success at any Price\" policy? :-p Would like to see CF play the psycho in another one of those crime mini series as 'Prime Suspect' or 'Cracker' which the British do so well. But perhaps, after 'Master of the Moor' he would avoid another such role. And I would like to join the chorus re abbreviations. Since most people here are not at all shy of writing/reading long texts the additional extra effort to spell out the names a bit more can't hurt, and not only help the lurkers to keep up. Pleeease."}, {"response": 675, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov  2, 1998 (13:50)", "body": "(Renate) But perhaps, after 'Master of the Moor' he would avoid another such role. Why? He did Master of the Moor after Apartment Zero....that was a psycho number. I think Master of the Moor is way up there with Tumbledown and A Month in the Country. (Hey, typing all these titles is a royal pain....how many lurkers out there anyway? Don't they catch on after a while? Perhaps we should have an FAQ like Republic of Pemberley)"}, {"response": 676, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Nov  2, 1998 (16:59)", "body": "(Evelyn) Perhaps we should have an FAQ like Republic of Pemberley) I was just thinking about it myself ....... send me a list, and I'll load it up to cf.com, unless you Karen and Heide, want to place it somewhere else. Until then, what about a compromise: Apt Zero or Apt0 MotMoor Tdown A Month... JEhle MdMerteuil etc. etc. Though I think it is not so much his films (easy to guess, and list by far too short, anyway!) but other mentions, such as non-Colin films (i.e. VF) or less obvious names of actors/actessess, or characters, where someone who cannot join/follow the discussion permanently is lost after a while."}, {"response": 677, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov  2, 1998 (18:08)", "body": "( Renate) Re: Glossary of abbreviations and acronyms used on this board;.....\"send me a list, and I'll load it up to cf.com, unless you Karen and Heide, want to place it somewhere else.\" Very kind of you to offer to do this.I think our co-hosts (if they consent) could create a list and send it to you. Perhaps it could be linked at the top where the other websites are listed. I dunno...does anybody ever read those things? Non-Colin films should be spelled out...I only used VF after I had said \"Vanity fair\". And I notice even the academics do that. (What do I know??) Anyway...it's a thought worth bouncing around. Thanks :-)"}, {"response": 678, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Nov  2, 1998 (18:31)", "body": "I really didn't mean to be such a bother. Acronyms are fine - I'm just lazy. Well, I consulted Mama..... I had it pretty wrong - not really a dirty joke at all - though it comes back to me now. (This is of some concern; tipsy I may have been, but for my aged mother to have a memory 10 times keener than mine...What the hell will I be like when I'm eighty?) Well, not that wrong. CF was describing a game that they had been playing during some production at the Royal Court (dunno what), designed to make the other actor laugh during the most crucial and serious scenes of what was, apparently, a very serious play. There had been some joke about a doctor who, when confronted with a man with a very painful boil up his arse, had realised that the only way he could treat it was by sticking his head up there and biting it. This, in the original graphic telling, had involved much contortion - CF very expert at imitating the doctor's face on entry and exit. Anyway, each night on stage, the idea was to try and make the other actor laugh by showing the merest hint of the imitation - just a tweak of the face, or a hand passe across the face in the right way. Ian McKellen was the opposite number. He succumbed badly at least once, consummate professional though he is. There. Now my purpose is fulfilled. Am I to be discarded, thrown away like a toy that has lost its novelty? Or will I pathetically eke out a little more from this tired story, only to remain a semi-welcome guest for a few more, precious days? I await the verdict."}, {"response": 679, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov  2, 1998 (19:12)", "body": "Ben, you wonderful creature, we need you here! You're charming and make us laugh, and, I'm sure there is more you will eventually tell us of your soiree. As I had predicted, your mum did remember! Worldly types always do. Merci beaucoup et reste avec nous."}, {"response": 680, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Nov  2, 1998 (19:58)", "body": "Bethan, Dickens is not one of my greatest favourites either: I find him just a touch too heavy, even in his lightest moments... Do JE and CF still get offered television roles, do you think? I rather doubt it. There's absolutely no reason to doubt that many a director would love to work with actors of Colin and Jennifer's calibre. The point is that, as is very well known, Colin won't do anything which doesn't appeal to his imagination, and will not necessarily accept any offer that happens to come his way. (And before someone screams again - yes, he's done one or two crappy things which he regrets, but that was at the time of an unusual depression in his career). (Evelyn) I wondered if JE auditioned for it. I believe that both Colin and Jennifer have now reached that happy level of an actor's career when their quality is so appreciated in the business (at least in their own home country) that they are usually sought for roles, rather than have to audition. By the way, what Ben describes, and Colin revelled in telling apparently so vividly, is termed \"corpsing\". Often it is unintentional, but actors sometimes play tricks on one another, and that was one instance. Colin himself was not working in that play - but obviously repeating some hilarious gossip... Ben, thanks for that delightful glimpse! And please, don't go away."}, {"response": 681, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Nov  2, 1998 (20:15)", "body": "Nah, Ben, ya can stay. But I really wanted a dirty joke:) hee hee. Only kidding, natch!"}, {"response": 682, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Nov  2, 1998 (21:08)", "body": "Dear Arami, was he not in the play? How knowest thou? Dost thou have the Firth biography at thy fingertips? I remembered it as something he'd told about himself....but as you know my memory is flawed. I cannot go back to my parent for a clarification. You must verify. Dear Laura, I am sorry to disappoint you. I know a large number of quite filthy jokes myself, but I admit they wouldn't have the thrill of having passed The Firth's delicate lips. But I'm sure he would repeat them if told....This may be stretching your imagination a bit far, of course. Or, you could look elsewhere on this website, which, on closer inspection, seems has any number of extraordinary subjects under disccusion. This is much the most tame. What's \"natch\"?"}, {"response": 683, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Nov  2, 1998 (21:18)", "body": "I'm all for making it easy for people to follow us here but I don't think it's for lack of understanding that they don't post. However, if enough people think an acronym FAQ will bring more people in, let us know. Karen and I have an e-mail address for just this very thing - nomdedrool@yahoo.com Ben, that story earns you a big group hug but we're not the huggy type so instead we'll make you our honorary boy toy and hope you'll stick around."}, {"response": 684, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov  2, 1998 (22:54)", "body": "(Arami) I believe that both Colin and Jennifer have now reached that happy level of an actor's career when their quality is so appreciated in the business (at least in their own home country) that they are usually sought for roles, rather than have to audition. I wish... in the last interview JE gave (9/97 to The Times) she said: \"I really enjoy auditions; yes, you're being judged, but it's usually by strangers. And I think I have competition blindness. Although I still don't get jobs I want, I don't take it personally. You're either right for a part or you're not.\""}, {"response": 685, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Nov  3, 1998 (02:06)", "body": "(Ben) Am I to be discarded, thrown away like a toy that has lost its novelty? Or will I pathetically eke out a little more from this tired story, only to remain a semi-welcome guest for a few more, precious days? I await the verdict. LMAO! Ben, you little muffin, please stay. I've laughed more in the last few weeks then in recent memory. You are much appreciated, with or without CF connections!"}, {"response": 686, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Nov  3, 1998 (02:15)", "body": "(Arami) I believe that both Colin and Jennifer have now reached that happy level of an actor's career when their quality is so appreciated in the business (at least in their own home country) that they are usually sought for roles, rather than have to audition. Sue Birtwhistle mentioned that in \"the Making of P & P\" CF was not auditioned. I recall something to the effect that the script was sent to him and once he had decided to do it, that was that. I think she actually said that you do not audition someone of his stature."}, {"response": 687, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Nov  3, 1998 (02:16)", "body": "Sadly, I imagine the above would only apply to television!"}, {"response": 688, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Nov  3, 1998 (08:20)", "body": "Natch--Naturally:) Eh, I'm not a dirty joke kinda gal, actually. I was just tweaking you. Your story was lovely and a group hug is indeed needed. I think everyone needs a hug to brighten the day!"}, {"response": 689, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Nov  3, 1998 (18:37)", "body": "Our Dear Honorary Boy Toy (?), Dost thou have the Firth biography at thy fingertips? Indeed, and methinks so does everyone else around here... I remembered it as something he'd told about himself...I cannot go back to my parent for a clarification. You must verify. The signs of an urgent, unbridled interest in the minutiae of your distant encounter of a Firth kind might alarm your excellent and hitherto remarkably patient parent, I fear... ;-) All right, then: according to my sources CF has never worked with Ian McKellen, and has not trodden the boards at the Royal Court. However, he was on stage in Old Vic with Anthony Hopkins in 1985, roughly around the time when Lost Empires - in which he worked with John Castle - was still in production... His next theatre appearance was in 1987, some months after the British TV premiere of Lost Empires. I would venture that either some (ultimately unimportant) details might have become slightly blurred ove the years, or that it was one of those practical jokes which are often circulating around the London (or indeed, any!) theatreland, passing from one troupe to another. Could someone, please, dip into IMcK's webpage (I can't remember the URL) and find out if he was at the Royal Court about 11-12 years ago? Soon we'll be able to pinpoint the exact year of Ben's Firth adventure. :-)"}, {"response": 690, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov  3, 1998 (20:57)", "body": "Ben's Joke: Regardless of the year...place...who with.... This is one funny joke and Ben's vivid narrative makes it more so. Thank you for a jolly laugh, Ben :-))"}, {"response": 691, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Nov  3, 1998 (22:42)", "body": "Bless you all. Of course, you've all fallen for my master plan. I get my foot in the door with a long-distant story about The Firth, and now I've squeezed my way into the room. Hooray! I will check out the Ian McKellen story. I can always ask John Castle. He too is massively entertaining. These people have such fun, at least when they're working, and I do remember leaving that dinner resentful that God had not seen fit to endow me with a huge acting talent. It simply isn't fair. The cost may be an insecurity about work, and where it's coming from, and the remarks of Jennifer Ehle above (and here, though you can't see it, I bow my head at the mention of her name) reveal that one has to b philosophical even at her level. My little brother has a school friend who is now doing v. well as an actor, working at the National. But, if there is no work a month ahead, he is all angst and nerves. Artistic temperament'n'all that."}, {"response": 692, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Nov  4, 1998 (00:10)", "body": "(I've come out of \"lurking mode\" now that it takes me only a minute to load all the messages rathern than 7 minutes) did anyone see \"Entertainment Tonight\" tonight? Meg Tilly was at the premier of the \"Big Chill\" re-release. She cut her hair exactly to the style and length as as she had it in the film. I kept my eyes open for any signs of little Will, but alas, no; I doubt she'd take the kids to a film like this. Ben: Hi! Thanks for the joke. Whether or not it was true, it was entertaining all the same. (I'll relive it in my mind as if it HAD actually happened). By the way, have you seen Jennifer Ehle in \"The Camomile Lawn\". I assure you, any fan of Jennifer Ehle's will not be disappointed by this. I can loan you my copy of you like. Also, on a side note, what are you doing in Columbia?"}, {"response": 693, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Wed, Nov  4, 1998 (03:13)", "body": "Photo and couple of paragraphs on SIL in New York Magazine last week. Photo: Gwenyth and maid. Paragraphs: everyone mentioned except CF."}, {"response": 694, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Nov  4, 1998 (07:28)", "body": "Ben, glad you managed to squeeze in :-)."}, {"response": 695, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov  4, 1998 (14:20)", "body": "Renate, there should be a picture when Lizzy is at the piano at Rosings that Ben would appreciate even more. Do you have it? ;-)"}, {"response": 696, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov  4, 1998 (17:13)", "body": "(Ben).... Jennifer Ehle (and here, though you can't see it, I bow my head at the mention of her name) Oh Ben....borrow...steal.. a VCR....You've got to have a\" Jennifer-fix.\" The Camomile Lawn is good but, Pleasure is brilliant. What we need is a picture as a natural blonde from the website...(not the one with the dreadlocks,pl.)I give permission...but I can't figure out how to do it."}, {"response": 697, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Nov  4, 1998 (17:21)", "body": "Hey, hey, what is it - why are some of you doubting Ben's truthfulness? I quite believe his story is absolutely true! I only said that some details may be slightly blurred after all these years. Colin may have been talking about other actors and not necessarily himself... or maybe he was talking about himself as well as, but not necessarily together with, some other actors... if you see what I mean... oh, never mind! Boil in the bum to you all! ;-D Ben, you are so right about actors having fun at work and play. I myself have some intimate knowledge of the business and I know exactly what you mean. When actors have fun, it's really gigantic... and by the same token, their troubles can also be enormous... Everything is larger than life, even though some actors (like Colin, bless him) make a calculated effort to retain an objective take on the matters around them. If at all possible."}, {"response": 698, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Nov  4, 1998 (17:43)", "body": "Why doesn't some enterprising director/producer cast CF and JE together in a new project? Suggestions (for as yet officially uncast but happening projects).....Bridget and Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones Diary (look mum, no acronyms!), Eliza Doolittle and 'enery Higgins in My Fair Lady (they can always talk-sing), or Mary and Bothwell in Mary Queen of Scots. The latter would be unremittingly tragic.. two passionate but fallible/misguided lovers meeting their separate and terrible fates - Mary executed, Bothw ll imprisoned in a windowless Danish gaol for seven years, dying insane. On second thoughts I prefer BJD! The sequel to BJD by the way ( as listed by Amazon) now seems to be Bridget Jones and the Seven Men. Seven?!! And I caught a glimpse of Fever Pitch on the new Film Four channel. We subscribe to some cable channels and seem to have been given Film Four as a \"taster\" for one day only. Does anyone know if the preceding film \"It's only a game\" (which I didn't see) was about FP?"}, {"response": 699, "author": "mrobens", "date": "Wed, Nov  4, 1998 (19:32)", "body": "What we need is a picture as a natural blonde from the website...(not the one with the dreadlocks,pl.)I give permission...but I can't figure out how to do it. How about this one, Evelyn?"}, {"response": 700, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Nov  4, 1998 (19:51)", "body": "Okay, very pretty. We can see that Colin enjoyed her for her mind as well as... well, we have the picture. Now that Ben has had his drool, where is ours? Bwaah! No mention of Colin in New York magazine? Well I never liked that rag. ;-)"}, {"response": 701, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Nov  4, 1998 (21:01)", "body": "Well hello, Ms.Ehle. *&%$&$(% V(U****!!!. BLOODY HELL. I am dumbstruck. It is almost too much not to grab and kiss the screen. However, if it were real life....sadly I can see myself meeting her at a party and asking her something incredibly stupid, like \"So tell me: what d'you do?\", or \"Gosh. It's very crowded, isn't it? Would you like some apple juice? I've got an extra sausage roll here if you want one. I live in America.\". Still - since on this webpage she's frozen in anticipation of my next word, I h ve time to work out something worthy. I hope that rather delicate strap on her dress lasts long enough. Looks as though it would snap with the gentlest bite. :-)"}, {"response": 702, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov  4, 1998 (21:51)", "body": "why are some of you doubting Ben's truthfulness? I didn't hear anyone doubting Ben.....everyone enjoyed the joke tremendously. and moreover thanked him profusely. Thank you Myretta for Jennifer's picture. Empire Magazine(UK) November 97 And Ben....in person she would put you at ease...v. easy to talk to. Intensely interested in what you are saying. (know the type?) Watch that strap!!:-)"}, {"response": 703, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Nov  5, 1998 (13:38)", "body": "Ben, wow.... now, that's what I call drooling! And, you know, the art used to be practised here at the slightest mention of Colin's name..."}, {"response": 704, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Nov  5, 1998 (15:24)", "body": "Cowabunga. Thank you, Myretta. Ms Ehle is now the background on my computer screen, and her luscious eyes will greet me every morning. Talk about limpid pools. And I thank you, Arami, for your compliments about my drooling. However, I must not forget that this is really a site about CF, and that I'm sure I have a lot to learn in the art. So, no more about the divine JE, at least not until I've spent mamy more hours at the feet of the expert droolers.:-). Can someone tell me what theatrical work CF has done? Has he ever acted with the National or the RSC? Has this Ian McK question been resolved?"}, {"response": 705, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Nov  5, 1998 (17:07)", "body": "Can someone tell me what theatrical work CF has done? Ben, could it be you haven't yet explored our very own tribute to the man at http://www.colinfirth.com ??? Admittedly it is still in (alas, slow) development, but do make haste thither: among the links there you will see Chris's Firth On Stage page, 6th link down in the left hand column. Other pages are also warmly recommended. Here and there Colin may be seen accompanied by Ms Ehle... so it may be worth it! ;-)"}, {"response": 706, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Nov  5, 1998 (17:08)", "body": "Can someone tell me what theatrical work CF has done? Ben, could it be you haven't yet explored our very own tribute to the man at http://www.colinfirth.com ??? Admittedly it is still in (alas, slow) development, but do make haste thither: among the links there you will see Chris's Firth On Stage page, 6th link down in the right hand column. Other pages are also warmly recommended. Here and there Colin may be seen accompanied by Ms Ehle... so it may be worth it! ;-)"}, {"response": 707, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Nov  5, 1998 (17:12)", "body": "Sorry - it's that computer again! I was convinced the first transmission was halted in time - but there you are. Anyway, the second message is the correct one (I think...)"}, {"response": 708, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Nov  5, 1998 (17:14)", "body": "Here's a link to Ellen's Firth FAQ about the theatre work with links to further info"}, {"response": 709, "author": "Renata", "date": "Thu, Nov  5, 1998 (17:16)", "body": "Oooops. Well, great minds think alike... :-)"}, {"response": 710, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Nov  5, 1998 (20:03)", "body": "No ooops at all, Renate - the more the merrier, and I'm sure Ben will enjoy studying the life and times of our favourite actor (who used to be his favourite actress's favourite... ahem, actor, too). Ben, we shall test your knowledge later... (or is it patience...? Hmmm ;-))"}, {"response": 711, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Nov  6, 1998 (02:22)", "body": "More news from the Daily Mail. Judy Dench is about to Concorde to US for promotion of SIL. Harvey Weinstein is telling all and sundry that he thinks she will get a nominatian as best supporting actress even though she is in only three scenes. What about our DB???"}, {"response": 712, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Nov  6, 1998 (09:59)", "body": "I have been wiling away some time perusing these Firth sites. Amazing devotion. There's a quote from The Firth about how he couldn't understand the Darcy effect - \"I've never tried so hard not to be sexy\", or something (a remark he later said he regretted). Yes. Sure. I understand, Colin. Try as I might, I cannot help being irresistable. I was also reminded that I saw CF in a film earlier this year. In NY cinemas, one is quite often offered tickets for previews - showings to test audience reaction - and I saw this Hugh Hudson film set in Scotland with CF as an eccentric father who lusts after someone other than his wife. On the website it says the film was called Field of Moss, but I'm sure it was NOT called that when I went to see it. Instead, the title had something to do with curling, like \"The Grand ...something-or-other (can't rememb r what, needless to say). The Great Game? The Grand Game? Something like that. I wasn't over-impressed by it, I have to say. Slightly contrived. (No doubt the film would be redeemed for you gels by the sight of CF in a kilt.)"}, {"response": 713, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Nov  6, 1998 (11:39)", "body": "HEE HEE YOU SAW THE MOVIE THAT EVERYONE HERE IS DYING TO SEE! Lucky you! So he's in a kilt, eh? Wonder what he had on under it. Not that it matters at all;-)"}, {"response": 714, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Nov  6, 1998 (12:05)", "body": "I didn't think it was THAT great, frankly. It just didn't flow. Some nice moments, but for me it didn't work. It ends up with a curling match that's meant to be of great significance, but.... It was nowhere near finished - no titles, basically unedited, so maybe it's improved in its final cut. And I did have a nice time looking at beautiful shots of the Highlands. No doubt there will be other things in the landscape that attract your admiration. :-)"}, {"response": 715, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Nov  6, 1998 (12:35)", "body": "Gasp! Dear me! Just think! Spasms and flutters all over me! Ben, you dropped this little bomb so casually. You saw - *just so* - a film battalions of women would shave their eyebrows for to get a glimpse! Was the title of that film \"The Roaring Game\"? Originally it was \"World of Moss\", and now it is \"My Life So Far\", but I've heard about the above title, too. What a pity you cannot give a more enthusiastic report - but perhaps that may explain why we still have to wait for it to start, though shooting was finished September - last year, that is! And in a kilt? No kidding? :-p....."}, {"response": 716, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Nov  6, 1998 (12:55)", "body": "Yes! That's it - the Roaring Game. It referred to some curling competition. I saw it in February, or some time around then. It's episodic - which is fine if there is a strong and plausible enough story at the centre to carry the other bits along. But the main story just didn't grab me. Malcom McDowell is good, and Mary Mastro-thingumajig does a surprisingly good Scots accent. But beyond that...I can't even tell you CF is kilted in every scene, because he's not."}, {"response": 717, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Nov  6, 1998 (13:13)", "body": "Oh, dear... here we go... And David Puttnam has referred to it as a \"delightful\" film... so sad to think it obviously hasn't got the capacity to delight everyone... OR ARE YOU EXCEPTIONALLY FUSSY, BEN???"}, {"response": 718, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Nov  6, 1998 (13:40)", "body": "OR ARE YOU EXCEPTIONALLY FUSSY, BEN??? ] I think it might have something to do with his being a MALE and probably doesn't give to hoots about Colin Firth, now had Jennifer Ehle been in it wearing only Victoria Secrets, then we'd get more information:)"}, {"response": 719, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Nov  6, 1998 (14:30)", "body": "Yes! That's it - the Roaring Game. It referred to some curling competition. I saw it in February, or some time around then. It's episodic - which is fine if there is a strong and plausible enough story at the centre to carry the other bits along. But the main story just didn't grab me. Malcom McDowell is good, and Mary Mastro-thingumajig does a surprisingly good Scots accent. But beyond that...I can't even tell you CF is kilted in every scene, because he's not."}, {"response": 720, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Nov  6, 1998 (14:36)", "body": "Weird. My message appeared twice, even though I wasn't here the second time round. Well, call me fussy, but I'm afraid I demand a little more than a fleeting glimpse of a side of beef with a skirt on. I care about dialogue, characterisation, cinematography. Stuff like that. (Somehow all these things tend miraculously to fall into place when Ms.Ehle is on screen. Something to do with the way she affects everyone else on the project, I suppose.)"}, {"response": 721, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Nov  6, 1998 (15:18)", "body": "Ben, if you saw it in February, it must have been the \"rough cut\". I think it had a second preview in June/July, with presumably some major editing/re-editing in between. It didn't have a further preview so must have passed muster. The movie is based on an autobiography by Denis Forman and is supposed to be a rites of passage movie, about a young boy growing up in an eccentric family, which means that it is intrinsically episodic. The curling game (I think!) was supposed to represent the one time when \"th usual authorities disappeared and the gentleman's writ no longer ran\"...the sort of society which the young boy preferred. Well, call me fussy, but I'm afraid I demand a little more than a fleeting glimpse of a side of beef with a skirt on. I care about dialogue, characterisation, cinematography. Stuff like that. So do we all! So do, presumably, CF, David Puttnam and Hugh Hudson, Miramax, Harvey Weinstein and the UK Arts Council!! Ben, you give favourable mention to Malcolm McDowell and Mary Mastro...(?), but nothing specific about CF, other than the skirt! His performance didn't exactly grab you then? And what about the beautiful Irene Jacob? And Jennifer's mum? Scottish accents throughout? I realise that February is fairly dim and distant now for total recall!"}, {"response": 722, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Nov  6, 1998 (15:34)", "body": "Sorry Bethan. I wasn't being TOO serious about my film standards - as usual, it was a knee-jerk facetious response. However, I do say that I didn't ADORE the film, at the stage at which I saw it, at least. I've nothing against episodic films in principle. Two of my favourite films - La gloire de mon pere and Le chateau de ma mere - meander like anything, but they have sufficient charm and naturalness to pull it off. The same goes for the John Boorman film about his wartime childhood (what was it called? w nderful film). This didn't, at least not its rough cut. CF was fine, but he plays someone to whom one's reaction is necessarily mixed. I'll leave it at that, but I think it's a hard part to play. (Irene Jacob plays a frenchwoman, BTW - M.McD's wife.)"}, {"response": 723, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov  6, 1998 (16:27)", "body": "(Ben) I didn't think it was THAT great, frankly. It just didn't flow. Some nice moments, but for me it didn't work. Not surprising, given the material the movie was based on. One of the books, Son of Adam was a real snooze. Makes one wonder why Forman could get that book and his follow-up published. Friends in the right places, no doubt. It ends up with a curling match that's meant to be of great significance, but... The description of the curling in the book takes up about half a page. Although it might stand for his entire family, Forman (the kid in the movie) was more shaped by the family's emphasis on music. No doubt there will be other things in the landscape that attract your admiration. :-) We are counting on that!! Still can't forgive them for not incorporating the skinny dip in the pond that is described in the book. :( (Renate) You saw - *just so* - a film battalions of women would shave their eyebrows for to get a glimpse! LOL!! Do you know how difficult it is to grow back eyebrows? And in a kilt? No kidding? :-p..... Which do you suppose is better? A kilt or tights? (Ben) Well, call me fussy, but I'm afraid I demand a little more than a fleeting glimpse of a side of beef with a skirt on. Do your same standards apply to a side of beefette? ;-) (Somehow all these things tend miraculously to fall into place when Ms.Ehle is on screen. Something to do with the way she affects everyone else on the project, I suppose.) Smitten, definitely!! (Bethan) The curling game (I think!) was supposed to represent the one time when \"the usual authorities disappeared and the gentleman's writ no longer ran\"...the sort of society which the young boy preferred. Not familiar with that term, \"the gentleman's writ.\" Can you explain, Bethan? Are you saying that Forman longed for the old, genteel country gentleman lifestyle of his parents/grandparents? In the book, he rejected their religious foundations and outlook. (Ben) CF was fine, but he plays someone to whom one's reaction is necessarily mixed. Why? Because he is contemplating an affair with Irene Jacobs or because of how he raises his children? Or something else? Because he's an eccentric? Although I have no problem with characters who are in that gray area."}, {"response": 724, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Nov  6, 1998 (16:40)", "body": "Ben, you have certainly earned your keep here!! My God, you all are discussing this so casually! I'm sitting here palms asweat because someone has seen this movie! We have been holding our fingers tightly together for so long hoping it will be shown ever that I need a crowbar to pry them apart and you have seen this #@*$# movie! You can't leave it at this. I'm afraid we're going to have to open your memory cells again. Ladies, will we offend too many people if we ask for the spoilers now? Keeping in mind it has been reworked since Ben saw it."}, {"response": 725, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Nov  6, 1998 (17:18)", "body": "Flippin' 'eck. I'm perpetually surprised by the heat of desire on this website. (I can feel my fingers burning.) Therefore, I always under-estimate the value of little Firth vignettes (call them Firthettes - or maybe that's you lot?). I'm v. sorry. I really would have paid greater attention to the movie if I'd known. I feel like someone who's walked away from something of great value, without realising its worth. (\"You mean they're worth something? All those blocks of shiny yellow metal I threw away? Oh. hoops.\") I went to the film on a date. So there is, in this case too, someone else to consult. However, this time it's EVEN STRANGER than asking mother, because I haven't seen her (la date) since. So it can't be pushed, I'm afraid."}, {"response": 726, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Nov  6, 1998 (17:37)", "body": "Two of my favourite films - La gloire de mon pere and Le chateau de ma mere - meander like anything... (Ben) Two of my favourites too, and I must admit I was hoping for something like this! But there can be quite a difference between the rough cut and the final edit, especially if (and I presome this is the point of previews in the US) critical comments are taken on board. One of the books, Son of Adam was a real snooze. (Karen) Again, beg to differ! I liked it! Are you saying that Forman longed for the old, genteel country gentleman lifestyle of his parents/grandparents? (Karen) No, sorry I wasn't clear. Quite the opposite. The curling match, where the gentlemen were outnumbered and outclassed in terms of natural skills, was much more to the boy's liking than the stratified privileged society in which he moved. I presume the curling match (in the film) is symbolic of the world as he wants it to be (and as it will be). Which do you suppose is better? A kilt or tights? (Karen) Hmmmm!!!! \"Better\" in which sense?"}, {"response": 727, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Nov  6, 1998 (17:38)", "body": "Flippin' 'eck. I'm perpetually surprised by the heat of desire on this website. (I can feel my fingers burning.) Therefore, I always under-estimate the value of little Firth vignettes (call them Firthettes - or maybe that's you lot?). I'm v. sorry. I really would have paid greater attention to the movie if I'd known. I feel like someone who's walked away from something of great value, without realising its worth. (\"You mean they're worth something? All those blocks of shiny yellow metal I threw away? Oh. hoops.\") I went to the film on a date. So there is, in this case too, someone else to consult. However, this time it's EVEN STRANGER than asking mother, because I haven't seen her (la date) since. So it can't be pushed, I'm afraid."}, {"response": 728, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Nov  6, 1998 (17:52)", "body": "I went to the film on a date. Ah, it's all clear now. You were not concentrating... ;-)"}, {"response": 729, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Nov  6, 1998 (18:43)", "body": "Kilt v tights I've reflected on this weighty matter. Bearing in mind what they say about Scotsmen, and, of course, the blustery climate in the highlands, I'm opting for kilts! \"Men in skirts\"...now there's a good title!"}, {"response": 730, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov  6, 1998 (20:18)", "body": "(Ben) Somehow all these things tend miraculously to fall into place when Ms.Ehle is on screen. Something to do with the way she affects everyone else on the project, I suppose. Interesting you should say that. One critic commented that Ms. Ehle brought out the best in her leading men. I will go to see My Life so Far to see CF and the cinematography....the story is a snoozer, for sure. Sorry Bethan. And I even read \"To Reason Why\"...worse!The only humorous part I remember is that Denis Forman was known at Cambridge as \"Forskin\".But maybe they went through rewrites after Ben saw it. And changed the story."}, {"response": 731, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov  6, 1998 (20:40)", "body": "OK. The December Permiere Magazine (US) arrived today. The barrage of publicity for Shakespeare in Love (SIL) has started. At the beginning there is a two-page spread advert. CF has fourth billing after Geo. Rush.Go to the Miramax website: www.miramax.com. They are promoting a SIL sweepstake for a trip to Shakespeare's England. Mail a postcard with your name,address and tel to SIL Sweepstakes PO 6047, Sherman Oaks, Ca. 91413 or enter at the website. If you are a Premiere subscriber and live in some selected cities you may receive tickets for an exclusive screening of SIL. Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, LA, NY, Miami, Wash.DC, SF (Didn't hit Okla. City:-( ) Read the Miramax Book. And Soundtrack available. In the Holiday Movie Mania segment of the issue there is a page write-up . Not one mention of CF. They quote Gwyneth \"I've never worked so hard\", says Paltrow of the demanding period piece. \"I thought I was going to go into a coma\". Harvey Weinstein wanted an American actor to play Shakespeare,but GP said; \"And we were like, 'Come on Harvey, . You can't have an American guy play Shakespeare '\".Lots about Joe Fiennes and even a line about Rupert Everett whom I can't even find in the advert credits.!!"}, {"response": 732, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov  7, 1998 (08:07)", "body": "I saw the SIL preview last night!!! We get three small glimpses of our DB. My husband was v. quick to point out that he has grown fat and he is a cockhold once again (he is not over my CF devotion). Now, I must admit he does look like he has put on some weight, it may be due to the enormous amount of clothes he wears, three glimpses were not enough to judge! BTW, I went to my local Cinemateque to see La Vita e Bella which I highly recommend. SIL will be starting there for Christmas. The cinemateque is v. small and now I'm wondering what kind of release Miramar is planning. Colin does get fourth billing even in the preview."}, {"response": 733, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov  7, 1998 (10:05)", "body": "(Evelyn) The barrage of publicity for Shakespeare in Love (SIL) has started. At the beginning there is a two-page spread advert. No pictures? bummer (Moon) My husband was v. quick to point out that he has grown fat and he is a cockhold once again IMO must be the clothing. Lots of it. Moon, please correct your husband on this cuckhold thing. They weren't married. She was just playing around. ;-) Must nip these comments in the bud. Need to go check the Miramax Cafe... (he is not over my CF devotion). Now, I must admit he does look like he has put on some weight, it may be due to the enormous amount of clothes he wears, three glimpses were not enough to judge!"}, {"response": 734, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Nov  7, 1998 (13:17)", "body": "CF isn't exactly what I would call buffed. He does as someone in chat pointed out hysterically last night, have bit of a belly:) changing topics, just saw the VH1 special on the BIG CHILL. They interviewed Meg Tilly (MT) and can I honestly say that I don't think she has a clue? even the interviewer had no clue what she was saying. She did mention that she enjoys prose and probably will not go back to acting, because she likes being with her children."}, {"response": 735, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Nov  7, 1998 (16:00)", "body": "Fat.... beer belly Oh dear, give the poor man a break! No wonder he says he doesn't want to be a sex symbol and completely shuns the limelight or indeed any form of publicity. I can recall some unkind references to him in TEP as the \"fat husband\"...which he wasn't! His problem (if problem it is!)is that unlike many actors he is rather broadshouldered (witness the dinner jacketed scene in TEP when he looks almost twice as wide as RF et al). Put those shoulders in a flying suit or the lipped shouldered thick-materialed waistc ats of the Elizabethan era (plus cape, and those wide bloomers) and the result could be \"unflattering\" (and there's that villainous goatee beard!). I also get the feeling that we are not supposed to sympathise with Wessex, and CF will play the part accordingly, to give credibility to the young lovers. He's an actor not a matinee idol! And it's often the jobbing actors who have the longest careers."}, {"response": 736, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Nov  7, 1998 (17:10)", "body": "Laura: just saw the VH1 special on the BIG CHILL. They interviewed Meg Tilly (MT) and can I honestly say that I don't think she has a clue? even the interviewer had no clue what she was saying. I saw that too! I had never seen her interviewed before, but it's so strange how much she resembles her sister (Jennifer Tilly) in terms of speech. Not as high pitched of a voice, but getting there... I also had a feeling MT did not have a clue. I never noticed it before, either, but Meg had a mole! As soon as I spotted it, i was instantly ROTFLOL! Fat.... beer belly I noticed it too. But Marlon Brando he is not... So I don't mind. He appears \"comfortably husky.\""}, {"response": 737, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Nov  7, 1998 (18:16)", "body": "Moon, did you say you saw the SIL preview in the theatre? Prior to La Vita e Bella? I'd agree he looks heavier at least on the preview I saw on ET. But I know what I'd look like with a high ruffley collar that stands out like a platter - my face would be Charlie Brown size. I wish I could see this beer belly. I've never seen him look anything but skinny when he is not wearing a lot of clothes. Not that it matters. ;-) Okay, Ben. Do you remember a scene in The Roaring Game (MLSF) where Colin jumps into a loch? Does he ever actually bed Irene Jacob? (I doubt it but I'd like to know how far it goes.) I understand you were distracted and it was a long time ago and the movie didn't exactly impress you, but please try, dear boy."}, {"response": 738, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov  7, 1998 (22:00)", "body": "(Heide), Moon, did you say you saw the SIL preview in the theatre? Prior to La Vita e Bella? Yes, at a v. small cinemateque and SIL will be there for Xmas. La Vita e Bella will probably win best foreign film at the Oscars and has had a v. limited release from Miramar, I wonder why? I agree with everyone's comments about the amount of clothing he wears, but, his face was a lot fuller too. But do not fear, my devotion is unchanged, no matter how hard my husband tries. Robert De Niro once gained 40 lbs for a Scorsese film and they came off quickly enough!"}, {"response": 739, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sun, Nov  8, 1998 (01:07)", "body": "Hi. Heide, I think there was a scene with people skinny-dipping in the Loch, but...my memory is that only the boys were swimming. I may be mistaken. (Perhpas they only wanted to have thin people in the nude....;~)). And I think he does get off with Irene Jacob. In the woodshed. One of the reasons I didn't buy the story, as I remember, was that she didn't seem much to like him in the film (he had become obsessed with her), and yet they got off with each other. I would just like to add, on a completely unrelated note, that in ferreting around the Miramax website someone referred us to, I discovered that another fave of mine is now taken. The woman in Ballykissangel (Dervla Kirwen, or something - simply ravishing) has gone and married the bloke who played the priest (Stephen Whatsisname). Would you believe it."}, {"response": 740, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Nov  8, 1998 (04:20)", "body": "A new old addition to the archives"}, {"response": 741, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Nov  8, 1998 (08:30)", "body": "I downloaded a movie trailer from the Miramax cafe and it had quite a bit of CF in it. But he was definitely being tormented or ridiculed by Queen Elizabeth. He laughs, sways, and is mortified that his \"Wife\" is at the center of a wager. He looks somewhat evil."}, {"response": 742, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov  8, 1998 (13:27)", "body": "(Ben) And I think he does get off with Irene Jacob. In the woodshed. Now that would jazz-up the story (MLSF). In the book this liaison does not occur. And Bethan, CF is a great actor, but he definitely IMO is also a great\"matinee idol\". Why else the Darcymania after P&P? Didn't happen after David Rintoul in P&P 1. And who cares about the weight...beer belly, pasta pouch...the guy has the best looking thighs on earth!"}, {"response": 743, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Nov  8, 1998 (15:19)", "body": "Renate, thanks so much for sharing this with us. He could pass for 16. The article is interesting too though I have to make judgments about what he actually said and what the writer said for him. \"I find the thought of journalists quizzing me quite frightening,\"\ufffd says the burly six-footer... Burly? Oh no, not this again. He may go up and down now but he was a beanpole 12 years ago. He doesn't want to be rich and famous. \"It's vulgar to be rich, don't you think?\" he says over dinner at a splendacious Buckinghamshire riverside retreat (admittedly not his choice of venue)... \"..I always think it's a shame if something I really admired gets the Oscar treatment. You suddenly see all these actors who have given wonderful performances dressed up in horrible clothes, behaving like idiots.\" I cringe at stuff I said 12 years ago too. The poor chap - normally a jeans and T-shirt man - is decked out in borrowed clothes to fit the restaurant's jacket and tie regulations. This is kind of cute. All in all, delightful. (Moon) But do not fear, my devotion is unchanged, no matter how hard my husband tries. Don't worry, I never doubted you. I'm sure your husband is a sweetheart but jealousy can be an ugly thing to even the best. ;-) (Ben) my memory is that only the boys were swimming. I may be mistaken. (Perhpas they only wanted to have thin people in the nude....;~)). Ah, that explains why they put Colin in a bathing suit. Just kidding, just kidding, since we're all in such good humor about this subject. (Evelyn) And who cares about the weight...beer belly, pasta pouch...the guy has the best looking thighs on earth! Bar none, baby. (Laura) (SIL) He looks somewhat evil. Oh dear, he cheats on his wife in My Life So Far, we know he's a villain in Shakespeare in Love. He was a charmer but a cad in 1000 Acres and he pretty much ends up killing Almasy and Katherine in The English Patient. He wasn't too great in Nostromo either! Oh no, where is this going? The next Bond villain? The life of Pinochet? The Marquis de Sade? Before I scrap everything I've just written, let me just say I'm kidding. But I do hope his character isn't written as a cartoon villain in SIL. He's never been to a premiere and hopes he never will. \"I find those occasions silly. People indulging in congratulating each other is so phoney and embarrassing. I always think it's a shame if something I really admired gets the Oscar treatment. You suddenly see all these actors who have given wonderful performances dressed up in horrible clothes, behaving like idiots.\"\ufffd"}, {"response": 744, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sun, Nov  8, 1998 (15:57)", "body": "Moon. Your poor husband. Give me his email address, and I will redress things by sending him a photograph of La Deesse Ehle. :-)."}, {"response": 745, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Nov  8, 1998 (16:52)", "body": "My husband is really the best man I have ever known, and, if you could meet him, you would all be charmed. An Italian aristocrat and an intellectual, he would not think twice to challenge CF to a duel. He is very much like the Jean Giono character Angelo in the Horseman on the Roof (always the cavaliere). But my CF admiration can\ufffdt be helped and I thank you all for being here and understanding. A big smooch to you all!"}, {"response": 746, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Nov  8, 1998 (17:38)", "body": "One of the reasons I didn't buy the story, as I remember, was that she didn't seem much to like him in the film (he had become obsessed with her), and yet they got off with each other. (Ben) Remember Beatrice and Benedick? Sexual attraction is often masked by hostility, especially if there are moral reasons for suppressing the attraction! So. if a woman slaps you, she may like you, but if she's all chummy and treats you like her long-lost brother, well...!!! And I think he does get off with Irene Jacob. In the woodshed. In a kilt? He looks somewhat evil. Wot, no dimples! But Viola cheats on him, and Will is a married adulterer, so maybe he's a really nice guy who's just having a bad day. :-) I discovered that another fave of mine is now taken. The woman in Ballykissangel.. (Ben) And there's me thinking you're a one gal guy! Tut! This is kind of cute. All in all, delightful. (Heide) Agreed. And he seems quite genuinely to have no interest in fame (or love scenes and wimpy lovers - \"Who wants to watch sex anyway?)!"}, {"response": 747, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov  8, 1998 (18:11)", "body": "(Heide)But I do hope his character isn't written as a cartoon villain in SIL. I have the same fear, Heide. The more trailers I see, and write-ups I read. Thank you Renate, for the article. I doubt he's that cynical now. He was 25 then....now 38."}, {"response": 748, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Nov  8, 1998 (19:58)", "body": "The woman in Ballykissangel (Dervla Kirwen, or something - simply ravishing) has gone and married the bloke who played the priest (Stephen Whatsisname). Stephen Tompkinson. Would you believe he once was in a play with Colin, too (Rattigan's The Deep Blue Sea, adapted for BBC TV). All roads lead to Rome...? ;-)"}, {"response": 749, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Nov  8, 1998 (21:47)", "body": "But he looks good, in the movie Trailer. You should download it. It's called Wager!"}, {"response": 750, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov  9, 1998 (12:50)", "body": "Renata, I enjoyed reading that old interview too and since consistency is for small minds, Colin has probably changed some of his opinions. It is a shame that he does not like to give interviews because we are all so anxious for them! Laura, I downloaded the Wager clip. None of the clips available for downloading from Miramax are used in the SIL preview I saw at the theatre. Colin seems to be always picked on and quite vexed as well, I miss his smile. Why can\ufffdt he be offered a role where he gets to be the hero?"}, {"response": 751, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Nov  9, 1998 (12:55)", "body": "but he laughs albeit, fraudulently:)"}, {"response": 752, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Nov 10, 1998 (03:33)", "body": "(Heide)But I do hope his character isn't written as a cartoon villain in SIL. I have the same fear, Heide. The more trailers I see, and write-ups I read. I hope there are some subtleties (why is Wessex just quietly watching the performance of Romeo and Juliet at the end instead of storming the stage and claiming his wife) but I'm not holding my breath. There's a US daily press review site on the Net and I've seen a couple of references to SIL, both favourable, but zilch comments about CF. SIL (rough quote)\"combines hot young stars GP, BA and JF with the acting talent of Judi Dench. Rupert Everett and Geoffrey Rush\"..\"steamy sex scenes (GP/JF) and comedy\". SNIFF!!! I guess CF isn't sufficiently wellknown in the US to warrant comment (although he is high in the billing, correct?). Shades of TEP! OH well, I hope it's like \"Rob Roy\" where the evil Tim Roth and John Hurt were the beat things in it, and I fast forwarded thru the love scenes (ditto Robin Hood Prince of Thieves!) Moon, I'd really like to see him play a hero, but, regretfully these kind of roles rarely go to Englishmen! I had hopes for the anguished and very English Sydney Carton, but the part went to Mel Gibson. The closest to a hero may be MarK Darcy (well he does take time off work to save Bridget's mum!) and of course, my favourite, the Earl of Bothwell (casting directors, are you listening, NOT Mel G.!)"}, {"response": 753, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Nov 10, 1998 (13:05)", "body": "When did Mel Gibson, of all people, get to play Sidney Carton? I've always thought this would be a fantastic role and, I must say, I think CF would do it wonderfully. We already know he can play a complicated man, whose heart, though buried deeply, is good beyond measure. What a wonderful part Carton could be. What was the film? What was the script like? BTW, I never know how to react to the laughable stereotypes of the English in Hollywood films. They are usually gay, usually evil, and often both. (And the former trait is often portrayed homophobically, as though it's part of their evil.) On the other hand, they are redeemed by being clever. On the whole, I think, I am flattered and surprised that people from a wet little island in Northern Europe are worth stereotyping at all - the worst reaction would be indifference. Payment for stepping outside subject area: I hope the Roaring Game sticks with its wonderful opening shot, which mirrors that, funnily enough, in TEP (see - I'm learning). A biplane wings its way across a grand landscape - only this time the beautiful Western Highlands. (It bears a French aviator, who makes a couple of fleeting appearances. Their significance escaped me completely, but the arial shots are spectacular.)"}, {"response": 754, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Nov 10, 1998 (17:08)", "body": "Aack!! Mel Gibson as Carton! No, no! I love Mel but enough is enough. tkae a vacation. Since we're sort of fantasizing here about what we'd like to see Colin do next, I'd really like another contemporary role. I have hopes for this Marked Man project (which may already be dead) because it's a thriller, with hopefully intelligent intrigue. Something a little out of the ordinary for our boy. Oh, thank you Ben for some more little nuggets. If you keep spacing them out like this, we'll keep you around forever. ;-)"}, {"response": 755, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Nov 10, 1998 (17:17)", "body": "Sydney Carton Tale of Two Cities.....casting was announced a couple of months ago. Perhaps shooting has just started. Oh well... :-( Appparently there are plans afoot to film the life of Shackleton, the Polar explorer, and also Guy Gibson, in a re-make of \"The Dam Busters\". BUT, according to my reliable magazine article, English actors are unlikely to be cast in these roles, as they are considered to be \"too effete\"!! Don't know about the Scots and the Irish (and what about the Welsh?). And it's not just Hollywood...the British film industry rarely (never?) portrays the Englishman as Hero. Although perhaps that's just plain economics ..it must be hard to capture Antarctica or World War II on a budget of \ufffd1.5 million! However there do seem to be some feisty roles for English actresses/female actors...but is \"feisty\" the same as \"heroic?\" My hopes of a Royal Charity Premiere for SIL have receded , infact, gone. Last night the Queen attended a showing of (wait for it) \"The Parent Trap\". No further comment"}, {"response": 756, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 10, 1998 (17:31)", "body": "Ben...Bethan.. pl. enlighten me....who is Sidney Carton? And hey,...how's about Daniel Day Lewis...Ralph Fiennes...Kenneth Branagh..(with a pretty good American accent in The Gingerbread Man), Jeremy Northam,and Ewan MacGregor. Not all the English actors are portrayed as being non-mainstream. Rupert Everett is gay and Austin Powers and Mr. Bean are comedians. Hugh Grant always plays Hugh Grant.The competition is fierce for starring roles in good films.But IMO British actors are not discriminated against. Maybe we can talk about how little the British public supports their own films and stars. When I was in England, \"Elizabeth\" was the only British film around. The big hit was \"There's Something About Mary\"...it was cleaning up.Big queues at the neighborhood Odeon on Kennsington High Street. The Full Monty was the last big audience draw."}, {"response": 757, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 10, 1998 (20:06)", "body": "BTW Ben...your presence is requested on #80 (Bridget Jones' Diary). Since you are an ex-mandarin we hope you'll explain to us the meaning of a government \"Green Paper\" and \"White Paper\" . Very crucial ;-)"}, {"response": 758, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Nov 10, 1998 (21:07)", "body": "Dear Evelyn, I'll wander over to #80 shortly. I read BJD in February, but as you know my memory is like a sieve and I've already forgotten most of it. I do remember liking it, but as for Green and White papers - where the hell do they come in?? Also, re English (and more generally British actors): I think there are fewer roles for them but this is no great surprise, since most of the audience is American, and prefers to see aliens killed by Bruce Willis, not some Limey. Fair enough, I think. (The exception, Sean Connery, is Scottish. They're allowed to be heroes.) You cite some actors, but none of these plays heroic roles Fiennes: fraudulent upper-class game show participant - classic part for an Englishman - psychopathic Nazi concentration camp commander, and over-cooked Hungarian traitor. Hardly Die Hard. Branagh: hero in Shakespeare but otherwise a flop. Day Lewis: Last of the Mohicans an exception! Ewan McGregor: Scottish. Finally, you're quite right that British films tend not to cater for the mass market. Pretty hopeless, a lot of them. Besides, the English themselves are loathe to revel in winning anyway. The flawed hero is the best thing. That's why I would have thought Sidney Carton would be meat and drink to an English actor. Carton is also effete! (p.s. Sidney Carton is the hero (anti-hero?) of A Tale of Two Cities (Dickens). \"It is a far, far better that I do now than I have ever done....\"etc. Great stuff. I urge you to read it before any film comes out!)"}, {"response": 759, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Nov 10, 1998 (21:09)", "body": ""}, {"response": 760, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Nov 10, 1998 (22:25)", "body": "What did the zero say to the eight? Nice belt."}, {"response": 761, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 11, 1998 (13:01)", "body": "Do you think?"}, {"response": 762, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Nov 11, 1998 (14:10)", "body": "I was there with her when she took those pictures!!! btw!!!"}, {"response": 763, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 11, 1998 (17:08)", "body": "I can't make out the script, what does it say?"}, {"response": 764, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Nov 11, 1998 (17:19)", "body": "Maybe we can talk about how little the British public supports their own films and stars (Evelyn) You have a point here, Evelyn. There is a major problem with distribution - films finding screens - but even when British films are released they rarely attract a huge audience. The odd one is highly successful, yes, but overall, most films die. Ben is correct when he says that British films don't cater for the mass market, and even critically acclaimed films tend to be rather downbeat and worthy, rather than entertaining. And unlike, let's say, France where local actors like Depardieu, Auteuil, Binoche h ve a loyal following, we really don't support our own \"stars\". Sydney Carton is more of an anti-hero, but one who makes the ultimate sacrifice of willingly going to the scaffold to save the husband of the woman he loves. Truly noble unrequited passion! He's physically languid, slightly unkempt, tall with dark eyes...not an action man leaping over the barricades! It will be interesting to see the Mel Gibson version, but I don't think it will invoke the spirit of the book. \"Colin of London\"... well, you may have struck lucky! Giving himself hairs and graces, is he?"}, {"response": 765, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 11, 1998 (17:52)", "body": "Ben Sidney Carton is the hero (anti-hero?) of A Tale of Two Cities (Dickens). Oh you mean that Sidney Carton....You guys have to tell me when you're jumping around centuries. We were talking about MLSF and Denis Forman and I thought Sidney was a contemporary. LOL. Yes, I read it...long time ago. Ben, Bridget Jones' Diary installments are published every Saturday in The Electronic Telegraph.Last week she had several comments re: a Green Paper encouraging British citizens to get married. You should read it. Really, we would appreciate your comments .It stays up all week... under \" Excetera.\" You are harsh on poor Ralph Fiennes. Who is having difficulties lately eaking out a hit. In \"Sunshine\" he plays three generations of the same character.Let's hope this role pleases you. (Jennifer is his wife.) BTW, I liked \"Quiz Show\"....hey, he was a Columbia professor (or was that only his dad)."}, {"response": 766, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 11, 1998 (18:49)", "body": "( Bethan),not an action man leaping over the barricades! Definitely not a hero, more a monkey! Sidney Carton would have been perfect for him, I agree. There are plenty of other literary heroes for Colin out there, I wish he would develop his own projects soon."}, {"response": 767, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Nov 12, 1998 (01:48)", "body": "What? No-one liked my joke? Just because The Firth's thighs don't get a mention. \"What did the Firthettes say to Colin? Nice thighs.\" How about that? Your homework: chat up lines for CF. I'll be the judge. (p.s. Yes. Fiennes' father was a Columbia prof. in the film...but he was the honest one...;-) Great film, don't you think? Also, I haven't heard about this Green paper on marriage. As if the bloody Government has anything to do with it. Anyone - meaning anyone - can comment on prospective legislation, but it helps if you represent others, so lobby groups most often do so. MPs get their chance in the Commons. Check out, for an electrifying evening, www.open.gov.uk for some sample Green and White papers and published responses to them.)"}, {"response": 768, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Nov 12, 1998 (12:23)", "body": "(Ben),Your homework: chat up lines for CF. I'll be the judge. Colin, why don't you convert religion? As a muslin, you can have up to four wives!"}, {"response": 769, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Nov 12, 1998 (12:33)", "body": "How's this, You know you look like how I pictured Mr. Darcy in Pride & Prejudice. Okay, it's weak:)"}, {"response": 770, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Nov 12, 1998 (13:19)", "body": "Hallo ladies and gentleman, I've not contributed anything lately because of problems with my computer/modem/software/whatever. Anyway, I've managed to read your posts and have been very entertained by them ... as usual. Ben has been a wonderful addition to the group, pleased to meet you! ;-) I love the homework you suggested...must think of something. I am convinced that I'd never sum up the courage to say a word to any favourite celebrity, so maybe I get one or two ideas from this? Laura, I don't think h would like your line very much, would he? Considering his (at the very least)mixed feelings about Darcy... So, ladies, let's *think*! :-)"}, {"response": 771, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Nov 12, 1998 (13:26)", "body": "Teacher is far from impressed so far. Is this how you chat people up at home? What would your parents say? So eloquent away from the man, and yet I only have to put his virtual image before you and you are all mumbles and bashfulness. All I can say, as his representative on this website, is that The Virtual Firth is already looking over your shoulder and preparing to tell you he that he's run out of wine. Tick tock."}, {"response": 772, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Nov 12, 1998 (14:07)", "body": "Terry, colinfirth.com seems to be down!!! Help!!!"}, {"response": 773, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Nov 12, 1998 (14:09)", "body": "All right, Ben - how's that: Your thighs or mine? (Well, that's a start...)"}, {"response": 774, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Nov 12, 1998 (14:46)", "body": "(Ben),Teacher is far from impressed so far. Colin, allow me to introduce to you our most severest critic: Ben!"}, {"response": 775, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Nov 12, 1998 (15:31)", "body": "Well I don't chat people up, they chat me UP! hahahahahahha!"}, {"response": 776, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Nov 12, 1998 (15:46)", "body": "Okay, then. The thighs of the Virtual Firth are striding across the room to chat up Laura. What are the rest of you gonna do?"}, {"response": 777, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Nov 12, 1998 (17:35)", "body": "Good game, Ben! But I think you've called our bluffs! I've conjured up the Virtual Firth and I couldn't even ask him for directions to the Colisseum or St Peter's Square, let alone say something challenging, witty and seductive. I thought perhaps that marriage was the impediment and removed it - it's wonderful what you can do in a Virtual World - but even a footloose and fancy-free Firth still renders me dumb. C-minus. Failed. Or are we allowed to use an Italian phrasebook? \"Possiamo vederci di nuovo? Vuol darmi il Suo numero di telefono?\" Okay, teacher, how about tackling your own assignment? If you met the Virtual Miss Ehle (or even the real thing!) what would you say to her?"}, {"response": 778, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov 12, 1998 (17:44)", "body": "I have always said that if I ever meet \"The Man\" I would inform him that he has the nicest fans on Drool. ( Moon ) Laura, I don't think he would like your line very much, would he? Considering his (at the very least)mixed feelings about Darcy...\" And I don't care if he likes it or not I gonna thank him for taking the role of Mr. Darcy. (It put you in a better neighborhood, friend\") Alright, so he's gonna chat up Laura...I'm going over to tell him that brother Jonathan is missing out by not contacting her...they have the same birthdays...born under the same sign....mean't for each other, for sure After that, I'll look down at his thighs. OK Ben? Do I pass? '"}, {"response": 779, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov 12, 1998 (17:49)", "body": "(Bethan)If you met the Virtual Miss Ehle (or even the real thing!) what would you say to her? Yeah, Ben...let's hear it. Witty, intelligent....What would you say to the Divine Ms. Ehle........I'm listening ...."}, {"response": 780, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Nov 13, 1998 (02:22)", "body": "Ben, I would say: \"Please, may I use your handy / phone card / gettoni [applying to situation]- I have an emergency call to make! Just think, firth.com is down!!\" \"Wot?\" TERRY, looks like firth.com is down, have you noticed? (I'll leave this message in several places, since I don't know where to find you)"}, {"response": 781, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Nov 13, 1998 (06:08)", "body": "Thank you, Terry!"}, {"response": 782, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Nov 13, 1998 (07:48)", "body": "I'll look at it and get it running!"}, {"response": 783, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 13, 1998 (10:28)", "body": "Ben, how about these: \"Beg pardon, but I've been writing a story and I need some help with British slang ...so which would be more correct? A wanker or a tosser?\" ;-) Or then again a nonverbal chatup: I'd dangle my *Arsenal keychain* before his lovely eyes..."}, {"response": 784, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Nov 13, 1998 (11:22)", "body": "Hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee. ;-p"}, {"response": 785, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Nov 13, 1998 (15:23)", "body": "Terry, and again no access to cf.com, neither with browser nor ftp."}, {"response": 786, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Nov 13, 1998 (18:43)", "body": "Have you voted for Colin in the Celebrity 1000 poll at http://www.celebrity1000.com.actors.html"}, {"response": 787, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Nov 13, 1998 (18:51)", "body": "Sorry, I screwed that up it should be http://www.celebrity1000.com/actors.html"}, {"response": 788, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Nov 13, 1998 (18:58)", "body": "Lucie, we should name you Colin Firth's faithful cheerleader!"}, {"response": 789, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 13, 1998 (20:44)", "body": "Yes I voted in the Celebrity 1000 poll. Last time Colin got 187 votes.Beat K. Branagh 104, DDLewis 97 and RF 87. And the results of the Favorite Actress Poll : (Drum Roll) Jennifer Ehle 87...Kristin SThomas 44. Hoorah for our team. When you vote for Colin pl. give Jennifer a vote (you can vote for 5) This from today's \"E- Online Newsletter\" Jerry Seinfeld, with that new faux married type he hangs with, at an advance screening of Shakespeare in Love. (Oh, what a tangled web these two are weaving.) Upper East Side. NYC. Think Colin attended?"}, {"response": 790, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov 14, 1998 (09:39)", "body": "Evelyn, I think you have the right idea, sidetrack Colin with Jon, Laura would not object (or so she has made us believe). Also I do not believe Colin attended the preview, there will be lots of previews set up in LA as well. Will he attend the US opening, that's the question? Karen, I do like your line, sure to get a reaction! I would love to use my favorite Mae West line Ben, but, I'm too shy: \"Is that a gun in your pocket or are you just glad to me?\" Which brings to mind that old English hit: \"I'm feeling glad all over, yeah, baby, I'm glad all over, so glad you're mine...\" Lucie, when will Colin do something for us in return, like an interview? Renate, we no longer use gettoni in Italy, phone cards are the big thing: scheda del telefono, otherwise cambio will do. But EVERYONE in Italy has a telefonino. So Ben, got your courage up to ask Ms. Ehle...?"}, {"response": 791, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov 14, 1998 (09:41)", "body": "That should be: Is that a gun in your pocket or are you just glad to see me?"}, {"response": 792, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Nov 14, 1998 (17:41)", "body": "Chat up line - nonchalant? in-your-face? Frankly, I wouldn't speak to him at all. But if it were the virtual Firth, I'd probably see if I could bum a cigarette off him (I don't smoke) and then thank him for privileging this female's gaze. And that's the best I can come up with after 2 days. :-p Ben? Oh, Ben? Since you're making us embarrass ourselves here (just kidding, we're all grownups here), care to do us a favor? Wink, wink. If we find anything out about a certain someone attending the Shakespeare in Love premiere in NYC on November 30, you wouldn't want to, um, perhaps take a little walk that evening? That sharp pain you're suddenly feeling is my elbow in your ribs. I don't know anyone with better luck than you."}, {"response": 793, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Nov 15, 1998 (02:57)", "body": "Frankly, I wouldn't speak to him at all. (Heide) Nor me, I'm afraid! Not unless it was ABSOLUTELY unavoidable (like two people stuck in the lift scenario!) Reminds me of that rather mournful comment he made in the (book) \"The making of Pride and Prejudice\" about the read-through. Something like \"not a soul came up to me....out of a cast of over fifty very few seemed willing to talk to me (not even JE?)...I had to work quite hard to convince people I was friendly\". Oh dear, rather like the most popular boy in the school (only he doesn't know he is) tryin to woo the attention of the other kids in the playground\". :-) Jerry Seinfeld, with that new faux married type he hangs with, at an advance screening of Shakespeare in Love (Evelyn) SIL seems to have a \"buzz\" about it, which is good. One thing that strikes me (in the UK at least) is how few films make any kind of impact at all. Six or seven releases every week and only one, if at all, may register on the public consciousness. Primary Colours, for example, didn't even get a selected release. BTW when are the Golden Globes? Is SIL released in time for (potential) nominations? Point to note, CF's last two leading ladies, Kristin Scott Thomas and Jessica Lange, both got Golden Globe Best Actress nominations, so maybe he'll bring good luck to GP and JD (provided he kisses them, of course....unlikely in the case of JD!)"}, {"response": 794, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Nov 15, 1998 (09:41)", "body": "BTW when are the Golden Globes? Is SIL released in time for (potential) nominations? According to variety and my memory, nominations have to be in by the beginning of December, so that would preclude SIL, I imagine unless the previews count!"}, {"response": 795, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Sun, Nov 15, 1998 (12:35)", "body": "I voted for Jennifer too and KST. Judith Dench too, I love her, she wonderfulin the 1/2 hour comedy As We Were."}, {"response": 796, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 15, 1998 (15:49)", "body": "(Bethan)One thing that strikes me (in the UK at least) is how few films make any kind of impact at all. UK doesn't publicize enough. SIL is supposedly getting a preview on November 30th in NYC (according to Karen's posting yesterday). This is Miramax's most expensive film yet ($42 M). The day before, Sunday Nov. 29, A&E will show all six hours of P&P continuously. Now, Miramax and A&E are owned by Disney.... Coincidence? Primary Colours, for example, didn't even get a selected release Deservedly so. I saw it. IMO it was dreadful.Lost wads of money in the US."}, {"response": 797, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 15, 1998 (21:48)", "body": "From \"The New York Times\" Sunday November 15, 1998 Arts & Leisure Section \"A Blizzard of Holiday Movies\" article \"...Miramax has been especially successful opening films late in the year -- \"The English Patient,\" \"The Piano\" and \"Good Will Hunting\" -- and turning them into Oscar contenders. This year the company has hopes for \"Shakespeare in Love,\" a comedy-drama with Gwyneth Paltrow, and \"Little Voice,\" a poignant comedy with Jane Horrocks and Michael Caine. \""}, {"response": 798, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Nov 15, 1998 (22:11)", "body": "I too disliked Primary Colors...I never got past the first few scenes. I enjoyed the book, and I liked Travolta in Pulp Fiction, but this horribly fake Clinton pretender! :-(( Here's my chat-up line for CF (first attempt): \"Excuse me, didn't you play Mr. Bingley in Pride and Prejudice? I thought you were splendid!\""}, {"response": 799, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, Nov 15, 1998 (23:40)", "body": "Gi-- My chat up line is along the same lines: 'Oh Mr. Firth! I'm a big fan of your work! I especially loved your performance in Far From the Madding Crowd! '"}, {"response": 800, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Nov 16, 1998 (01:44)", "body": "Gi, Winter, considering his attitude towards fame I suppose he would just *love* you for these lines. LOL!"}, {"response": 801, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 16, 1998 (10:18)", "body": "Got up at 2:00 in the morning to watch the weekend edition of Entertainment Tonight because they were doing Holiday Releases. Yes, they showed about 15 seconds of SiL but NO Colin!! Just that ridiculous emphasis on GP and Ben Affleck, with a good measure of Joe Fiennes thrown in. Boo Hiss!!"}, {"response": 802, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 16, 1998 (15:50)", "body": "Gi) Here's my chat-up line for CF (first attempt): \"Excuse me, didn't you play Mr. Bingley in Pride and Prejudice? I thought you were splendid!\" Winter) Oh Mr. Firth! I'm a big fan of your work! I especially loved your performance in Far From the Madding Crowd!' Winter...Gi ...you are the winners so far. LOL. And I bet Colin would LOL too."}, {"response": 803, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Nov 16, 1998 (18:27)", "body": "Laura you are right about my being a cheerleader for Colin, I guess. I would say that I am for Derek Jakobi too. Incidently, Derek could use a few votes too. I have been an avid fan of his longer than Colin."}, {"response": 804, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Nov 16, 1998 (18:56)", "body": "Went away for the week-end. Flirter's block on chat up line. Have been acting the strong silent type. Well, silent anyway. Virtual Jennifer about to run off with better flirter/man/-looking man. Pressure building....... I will check out premiere of SiL, and take my thigh detector. (The range is from flaccid and mishapen - 0 Firth Units - to firm and rippling - 1 Firth Unit.) I'll get back to you if it bleeps."}, {"response": 805, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Nov 16, 1998 (19:37)", "body": "I agree - I think Winter and Gi are nose to nose headed for the finish line. But let's not forget to throw Nick Hornby in there too though it would take someone stunningly near-sighted to mistake him for DB. You can keep your thigh detector wrapped up for now, Ben. (Can this used on women too? God forbid.) Premiere dates appear to be changing. I'll track you down later."}, {"response": 806, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Nov 16, 1998 (20:00)", "body": "WAIT! I've got another one! \"*Ahem* excuse me.... but I just have to ask...didn't I once see you in a production of Jack Frost?!\""}, {"response": 807, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 16, 1998 (21:28)", "body": "Now there's a guide that suggests what to say when you bump into a celebrity.(Ben, this one's for you and anyone else who was tongue-tied as to what to say to Colin as an opener). Check out: The Sunday Times : Style Section The Art of Schmoozing"}, {"response": 808, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Nov 16, 1998 (23:32)", "body": "Ben, I have two possible chat up lines for you to Ms. Ehle: Ben: Have been acting the strong silent type. Well, silent anyway. 1)If that's the case, I suggest you stalk about the room a bit and then say, \"you must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.\" OR 2)\"Umm... excuse me, but I couldn't help but notice your accent. It's North Carolinan isn't it?\""}, {"response": 809, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Tue, Nov 17, 1998 (02:00)", "body": "Is JE from North Carolina? (not really a fan)"}, {"response": 810, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Nov 17, 1998 (03:07)", "body": "They showed about 15 seconds of SiL but NO Colin!! Just that ridiculous emphasis on GP and Ben Affleck,with a good measure of Joe Fiennes thrown in. Boo Hiss!! (Karen) It's all about bankability and marketing and image. Selling the product. Presumably GP/BA are a \"hot\" couple in the US. And JF is Shakespeare (and Rafe's younger bro)! I was reading a tongue- in- cheek article about \"celebrities\" and gaining an \"image\" which sells. CF's got it all wrong! Gets married (wrong), very privately (very wrong)to a non-celebrity girlfriend (wrong again) and although now has beautiful clever photogenic wife ( almost right) then completely disappears with aforesaid wife and is never seen in public (wrong) and seems very happily married (wrong, wrong). It also helps to have a dysfunctional background, the odd public row with partner/spat with the aw, and an ex-drink/drugs problem! I tell you, he hasn't got a clue! Chat up lines....I think Winter and Gi have hit the mark! Appeal to his sense of humour! I remember reading (I'm a great reader!!) an interview in which CF talked quite appreciatively about people coming up to him and making comments like \"you're much better looking on the telly\", \"what have you you done to your hair?\", \"I don't want it (his autograph),it's only for a friend\". Obviously he's not accustomed to adulation!! All I can think of is.. \"Gee, I LOVE Ralph Fiennes/Joe Fiennes (delete as applicable). Weren't you in one of his movies?\""}, {"response": 811, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Nov 17, 1998 (04:36)", "body": "thanks all for your appreciation of my chat-up line... I can only wish to one day meet the man, use the line, have him fall for it, then burst out laughing and tell him there's a dozen women who'd be ready to use it too if they were the ones to meet him first... Then I'd bring him over to Drool and we'd all have a Mega-Party :-)) Anyway, Bethan, your line is even more wicked! Good for you! LOL!"}, {"response": 812, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Nov 17, 1998 (12:00)", "body": "Okay, I've come up with a great chat up line for either Firth bros. \"Hold me, Thrill me, kiss me... You show me your knickers, I'll show you mine\" said very huskily! (with flu and pnuemonia, voice is very husky now!) Ha! Putty in my hands;)"}, {"response": 813, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Nov 17, 1998 (19:01)", "body": "(Bethan) It also helps to have a dysfunctional background, the odd public row with partner/spat with the aw, and an ex-drink/drugs problem! I tell you, he hasn't got a clue! So right, Bethan. And it would probably help if he'd be photographed in public with another woman, preferably a model/actress but I'm sure one of us would do in a pinch which brings us back to the chat up lines again... ...I shall definitely remember \"You're much better looking on the telly.\" Evelyn, what are some of those lines to say to a celebrity? I'm too lazy to look it up. Cheryl, JE spent a great deal of her childhood in North Carolina (is that right, Evelyn?). Her father is a Carolinian writer and I've even read one of his boosk though I can't remember which one...hillbillies, strong woman, unforgiving patriarch. Sorry you're still sick, Laura."}, {"response": 814, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 17, 1998 (20:11)", "body": "Winter) Re: Chat up line for JE: Umm... excuse me, but I couldn't help but notice your accent. It's North Carolinan isn't it?\" Don't think I would try that one, Ben. Although she doesn't hide the fact that she was born in Winston-Salem NC.Educated on both sides of the pond. Went to Central School for Speech and Drama (alum: Judi Dench).Has lived in England for the past 11 years.Dad, John Ehle, regional writer of NC.Wrote the book and screen play \"Journey of Austust Moon\" (Miramax and a lovely movie)His prose is v. lyrical remind me of Michael Ondadje. No critic has ever detected a NC accent and I did not either when speaking to her. She has never made an American mov e.Her mother , Rosemary Harris , who is British, is a great stage actress both in the Westend and on Broadway. She has played the lead in\" Streetcar....\"with a southern accent."}, {"response": 815, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 17, 1998 (20:45)", "body": "(Heide) Evelyn, what are some of those lines to say to a celebrity? I'm too lazy to look it up. Actually, it's a cute article. The authors say that celebrities want to be treated like normal people. Don't just comment on how much you liked their last film.(Old chestnut) One comes to mind: \"My mother is going to LA next week, she likes sushi, do you have any restaurant that you would recommend? Don't try to make a splash. If you know their hobby capitalize on it. John Travolta likes flying, Kevin Costner likes billiards. When I spoke to JE, I told her about the website. She had not seen it, but gave me the impression she was going to rush out and buy a computer and log on. (Although deep inside she might have been thinking \"Get outta mylife!)"}, {"response": 816, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Nov 17, 1998 (22:14)", "body": "No critic has ever detected a NC accent and I did not either when speaking to her The chat up line was not meant to be serious. It's just a hilarious scenario. She'd immediately think Ben was a master linguist, fall for him on the spot, and they could run away and have a torrid love affair before she realizes that we gave him all the info. on her life story. But really- as a native English speaker, people have been able to pick up major subtleties of my speech, and say, \"Are you by any chance of Southeast Asian descent?\" (and I am, but by 2 generations) BTW -- which of CF's movies portray his real accent? Anyone know? Is it FP?"}, {"response": 817, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Nov 18, 1998 (02:13)", "body": "which of CF's movies portray his real accent? Anyone know? Is it FP? FP is definitely not his accent. In FP he was portraying a Nick Hornby character who assumes a sub cockney twang to hide his middle class roots and to empathise with other Arsenal supporters. CF says that at school he spoke with his native Hampshire accent. I don't think he has ever been asked to reproduce this publicly! I always assumed that, Nornby like, the Hampshire accent was assumed. CF has told us that his Dad went to public (ie private) school and Cambridge, so we can assume the family accent is RP. The few times we have heard CF speak with his own voice eg at the BBC awards ceremony, he sounded just like Mr Darcy .......sighhhhhhhhh!"}, {"response": 818, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Nov 18, 1998 (02:14)", "body": "For Nornby read Hornby!!"}, {"response": 819, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Wed, Nov 18, 1998 (05:58)", "body": "(Heide) JE spent a great deal of her childhood in North Carolina Thanks for the lesson. I'm from NC too, and I'll check out Mr. Ehle's work. And about those accents. I'm also from Atlanta. I haven't lived either place for 20 years, but I can still tell which state (of the entire South) someone's from, and often which part. It takes longer if someone's gone away to school, as I did. But eventually, the truth will out. Hmmm. If I met CF, I'd tell him he was much calmer than the first time we met. No matter what is going on (unless our airplane is crashing) it would be true. So we'd talk about Bordeaux and Valmont more or less, taking my cues from him. Then I could go on to link whatever he said to various other performances I'd seen. I could handle that brilliantly, thanks to you all, and he'd think I was either a nutcase or an informed young woman of remarkably good taste and breeding. Mostly I'd ask him questions about whatever he said. \"Getting older and wiser, for better and worse\" is always a good topic, as long as the person hasn't become a failure. I never hold people involuntarily. In fact, the opposite; people generally think I'm stand-offish. Athogether, not \"traditionally\" sexy. But it would make both of us happy. And somehow, that seems to make an impression ;-)"}, {"response": 820, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 18, 1998 (08:06)", "body": "(Allison), CF has told us that his Dad went to public (ie private) school and Cambridge, so we can assume the family accent is RP. RP? Might that be rather posh? With Colin my best chances would be if my husband and I were to meet him with Livia. My Guido and his Livia would break into Italian and I would seize the day and maybe hint at the many times I have saved his life by talking my husband out of challenging him to a duel! (heehee) (Hopefully Guido would take pity on Livia and not seize the moment!)"}, {"response": 821, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Nov 18, 1998 (10:43)", "body": "RP? Might that be rather posh? Received Pronunciation, I think. That is Standard English. I would not describe that as \"posh\". It is just english as spoken by educated english people who do not have a regional accent."}, {"response": 822, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Nov 18, 1998 (11:28)", "body": "Okay, re: chat up lines. shouldn't we feign indifference that way, he would be more taken in by us? When one brings up the celebrity, they back away. Right? So I say, play on their one weakness, love for women! and then when one snags them, and brings them home, hide all the videos of them quickly! RE: accent and pronounciation: I think the accent of him in Dutch Girls is probably more closely his accent."}, {"response": 823, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Nov 18, 1998 (12:52)", "body": "The few times we have heard CF speak with his own voice eg at the BBC awards ceremony, he sounded just like Mr Darcy .......sighhhhhhhhh! (Allison) I think the accent of him in Dutch Girls is probably more closely his accent. (Laura) I would say his natural accent is definitely Mr Darcy but not quite as assertive, with a very slight tendency to drawl! But definitely RP. He said somewhere that both his parents had a private education, so he would have an RP background....although not all offspring speak like ma and pa! It's interesting though how some actors have very different private/public accents. Does this apply in the US? Do actors change their accents to fit different roles? And what is the equivalent of RP.....Boston? Talking about accents, I am reliably informed that the ATA video (oops, no acronyms....A Thousand Acres) will be in UK Blockbusters from Dec 7th, so we will have the chance to hear a Mid-West accent! I m actually looking forward to seeing ATA...the last time I saw contemporary CF (as opposed to CF in old movies) was well over 18 months ago! It's like war-time rations (and definitely a case for more TV work!!)"}, {"response": 824, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Nov 18, 1998 (14:52)", "body": "Well, I live in Boston and the whole country makes fun of our accent. You know Pahk the cah in Hahvahd Yahd. and of course my favorite Rebeccer:)"}, {"response": 825, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Nov 18, 1998 (15:44)", "body": "It's actually quite a relief to escape an accent-sensitive environment. I don't know much about the accents in the U.S., and that is refreshing too. (I can tell broad areas apart, and having lived in Boston for three years, I know that one pretty well. BTW, someone told me that Virginians thought they spoke the best English in the U.S.) In England, I reveal my origins as soon as I open my mouth. As for The Firth, I remember his accent as RP too. No great surprise. Equally, as a impressionable teenager who wants to fit in, it's completely natural that he would have had a Hampshire burr while in school. As a London football fan, one developed the same bilingual ability."}, {"response": 826, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 18, 1998 (17:32)", "body": "( Bethan) And what is the equivalent of RP.....Boston? I am not a linguist, but I believe there is an East Coast accent which the British actors call \"trans Atlantic\" that comes closest to RP in UK. It dos not have a regional accent...Ivy League, but not Boston. Ralph Fiennes did a masterful job with that accent in \"Quiz Show\" when he played Charles Van Doren.In fact it was later I learned he was British. Re: CF's accent in ATA...it's rather mid-west subtle. Some people objected, I thought it was pretty good...but then I live in the Southwest. Glad you are finally getting to see ATA, Bethan. Good, now we can discuss it sometime soon on #98.Thanks to Karen, some of us now own it!!"}, {"response": 827, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Nov 18, 1998 (20:00)", "body": "The RP equivalent in the US is called SAE-- Standard American English. (I have a degree in linguistics) It's distributed over a wide array of regions. The West Coast and Mountain areas speak it, and some parts of the East Coast as well. Broadcasters on the news are the best example (NOT Dan Rather--He's a Texan I think). But, let's say someone like Bernie Shaw from CNN."}, {"response": 828, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 18, 1998 (20:20)", "body": "Thank you Winter....didn't realize you were so educated on accents. Please tell us more. I have a question: Why do British actors capture American accents so easily (Jeremy Northam in Mimic) and American actors can't grasp the British accent. Did anyone see William Hurt in \"Jane Eyre\"? (gag, gag).BTW don't they call accents \"dialects\" in UK? On a different vein:(Drum Roll) We have just heard that 'Bedrooms and Hallways\" Jennifer's new film won The New British Cinema Award from The Guardian and Channel Four at the London Film Festival tonight:-)"}, {"response": 829, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Nov 18, 1998 (21:01)", "body": "So much for my Virginian story. (I suppose I was influenced by James Stewart. Not a bad voice to have, if one was to choose.) The Van Doren accent is what an American friend of mine here in New York calls \"Locust Valley lock-jaw\". (Talk through gritted teeth and it begins magically to appear!) It's more an upper-class American than RP, I would say. Wander into the Knickerbocker club and you will be surrounded by it. How say you, Winter? p.s. I have failed not only to chat up La Sorceresse Ehle, who is even now slinking away with the wretched show-off who managed to pick her up, but I have not yet adjudicated the Firth chat-up competition. I will do so v. shortly. p.p.s. Learning the JE is also a Southern Belle only adds to her charm. I can see her in the garden of some colonial mansion. She is lying in a hammock, her bare shoulders caressed by the Spanish moss. She sighs whistfully. Suddenly, she starts....in the distance, is that the approaching sound of horses' hooves? Excitedly, and picking up her beautiful silk (low cut) dress, she walks towards the stables. \"Whoooa, Xanthus!\" I say, pulling back the stallion. \"Steady!\". My shirt dripping with sweat, I dismount,and....etc.,etc."}, {"response": 830, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Nov 18, 1998 (21:08)", "body": "hi Evelyn. Didn't notice your message. I think British actors may be better at American accents than the converse because they're more exposed to it. We get so much American telly when young, and so many American films, that it's easier for us. What's \"Bedrooms and Hallways\", by the way?"}, {"response": 831, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 18, 1998 (21:51)", "body": "(Ben) What's \"Bedrooms and Hallways\", by the way? It's Ms. Ehle's new film .A small indie directed by Rose Troche, an American, (from NYC!). Was screened at Cannes, and at Edinburgh Film Festival. She co-stars with Kevin McKidd. Her website features the plot under Articles segment.Did you manage to catch \"Wilde\"?Like it? Liked your fan fiction of \"Lizzie on the Plantation\"....must have that wet shirt too!! One of the reasons British actors aren't popular in the US is because people have a problem understanding them.Our real exposure to the British accent is through Masterpiece Theatre on PBS and now on A&E.Of course, now that they are doing crossovers with American accents......I am eager to hear how CF fans in UK like his accent in A Thousand Acres. I felt his sonorous voice went flat in the process; much prefer Mr. Darcy . (Sigh)"}, {"response": 832, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Nov 18, 1998 (23:51)", "body": "Evelyn: Why do British actors capture American accents so easily (Jeremy Northam in Mimic) and American actors can't grasp the British accent. As much as I love Jeremy, I have to say the accent made me cringe. His 'R's were a bit more stressed than necessary. But Ben's right. The UK sees a lot more US telly than vice-versa. Maybe the new BBC America channel can change things! Ben : The Van Doren accent is what an American friend of mine here in New York calls \"Locust Valley lock-jaw\". Is that anything close to the Mr. Howell character's accent on 'Gilligan's Island'? (Familiar with the show?) How say you, Winter? winter is fine. has determined that new man in life is Mr. Thesis. To be proceeded by Mr. lit review, and Sir Oral Exam. ;-) Ben!! ROTFLOL!!! I see we have a closet romance novelist in our midst! Shall we open up a fanfic board for the continuing saga of \"Ben Broadbent: Master horseman, scholar, ladies' man\"? Evelyn: Our real exposure to the British accent is through Masterpiece Theatre on PBS and now on A&E. Yeah-- and that's why most Americans associate the British accent with high culture, and thus, we never get the daily, mundane exposure to that accent as the Brits do with ours. The only ones who can imitate that accent are usually either a)naturally skilled at doing accents and/or b)exposed to British media in households that watched Masterpiece or A&E."}, {"response": 833, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Nov 18, 1998 (23:51)", "body": "Sorry"}, {"response": 834, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Nov 18, 1998 (23:52)", "body": "AGH!! Can someone please help unitalicize?!! Thanks much."}, {"response": 835, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 19, 1998 (11:35)", "body": "\"Un\" I say!! BTW, Mr. Powell on Gilligan's Island! Perfect example of lockjaw!"}, {"response": 836, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 19, 1998 (11:45)", "body": "Also, Boston's too general. Depends on what part of Boston you're talking about. (A Southie's accent would not be very posh.) Regarding Colin's midwestern accent in ATA (sorry) but it was just OK. I've found that Branagh is excellent with his accents. He was perfection in Dead Again and I've seen clips of his newest (Celebrity) and his Woody Allen is incredible (not just the voice but the mannerisms and the way he moves, stands, etc.)"}, {"response": 837, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Nov 19, 1998 (11:48)", "body": "Actually, South Boston is given a bad rap, but Revere or the North shore accents are much worse. I don't think my Boston accent (Although I don't think I have an accent!), is terrible. But I can go right into that Good Will Hunting fiasco of an accent when need be! I think I sound quite posh;) Coming from posh section of Boston and all!"}, {"response": 838, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Nov 19, 1998 (16:43)", "body": "it begins magically to appear! Ben, you brilliant thing! I thought there was no one left in the whole English speaking world who wouldn't split their infinitives. Thanks, pal. Most refreshing. Winter: To be proceeded by Mr. lit review However, according to my linguistic information (which may be inadequate), verb \"proceed\" appears to be intransitive: as a non-native speaker I am thus at a loss to grasp your meaning. If it is an idiom, please explain! I'm always keen to expand my horizons. Thanks!"}, {"response": 839, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Nov 19, 1998 (17:40)", "body": "Arami, you're almost as much as a grammar Nazi as I am. ;-) Winter presumably meant either \"prEceeded by\" or \"followed by\". (I'm sure you can look after yourself, Winter, but you're not around so I felt bound to defend you.) BTW, to return to another topic, I hadn't noticed that there was an English actor in Mimic, so his accent can't have been too bad. (Or my ear is.) Anyway, I checked out the movie's website, and low and behold this bloke HAS played an Englishman before, in \"The Net\", where he was.........A BADDIE! You see! It's a law of nature. All Englishmen in Hollywood films are baddies and almost all baddies are Englishmen. It's because of this that I have decided NOT to have a stellar Hollywood career - I feel I would be typecast, you see. (:-)). Any news on the SiL premiere here? I need to know if I'm to fulfill my assignment."}, {"response": 840, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Nov 19, 1998 (18:14)", "body": "Arami, you're almost as much as a grammar Nazi as I am. ;-) Oooooooooooooh, I just love a man who can pay a grand complement to a lady! ;-) (Altogether now: Wot? Arami, you - a l..... ? ;-P) You didn't use to be a teacher by any chance, Ben, did you? Or still are? Or something equally as venerable?"}, {"response": 841, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Nov 19, 1998 (18:19)", "body": "Oooops! It should be: all together... Yes, I know: it can happen to the best of us..."}, {"response": 842, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Nov 19, 1998 (18:53)", "body": "Hmmm... Ben, I guess the credentials as Professor of Economics is completely lost on Arami;p And at Columbia U, yet! split infinitives are horrible, but sometimes one must do it:)"}, {"response": 843, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Nov 19, 1998 (19:50)", "body": "To complement Ben's story, or is that \"compliment\"? ;-)... Alighting from his faithful Xanthes, steam rising from his overheated flanks, the stranger approached the breathless lady. As hard as she tried to hide her trembling as the white shirt loomed closer and closer, her quivering only intensified as his manly gaze dropped lower and lower to her heaving.... Oops, better save this for fan fic. All this talk about dialects and accents, I only know I love the sonorous timbre of his voice. American, British, makes no difference. A striking example for me - \"Tis no very striking resemblance of your own character, I am sure.\" Quick, quick - what scene?"}, {"response": 844, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov 19, 1998 (20:04)", "body": "(Ben) I checked out the movie's website, and low and behold this bloke HAS played an Englishman before, in \"The Net\", where he was.........A BADDIE! That\" bloke\"( Jeremy Northam)was also Mr. Knightly(sigh) in\" Emma\"A good guy."}, {"response": 845, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Nov 19, 1998 (21:38)", "body": "Thanks for defending, Ben. It was just a slip of the wrist and the fact that in my particular US regional English, 'proceed' and 'preceed' or homonyms (i.e, 'Marry' and 'Mary' or homonyms too)-- but now I know why I don't use my degree... Jeremy Northam was alright. Still a bit much on the R's.. I'm standing by that. But one of the best contemporary Brits I've seen do a perfect American accent was Olivia D'Abo (Karen on the TV show 'Wonder Years'). Anyone know how I can find out the SiL premeire date/site in LA? I'd be willing to take pictures and send to 'em someone with a scanner. I'm sure he'd at least show up here, since it would be close to Christmas and he'd most likely want to see his son."}, {"response": 846, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Fri, Nov 20, 1998 (07:43)", "body": "Ok, ok, I've been waiting for the obvious line, but no one has claimed it. \" Playmaker is my favorite film in the world! I give copies of it as gifts.\""}, {"response": 847, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Fri, Nov 20, 1998 (07:49)", "body": "\"It's the perfect gift--no one has ever seen it!\""}, {"response": 848, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 20, 1998 (10:28)", "body": "\"Playmaker is my favorite film in the world! I give copies of it as gifts.\" \"It's the perfect gift--no one has ever seen it!\" Give this woman a cigar!! (people here are wondering what I'm laughing about)"}, {"response": 849, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 20, 1998 (10:29)", "body": "Hey, perhaps Heide and Ben could collaborate on a story for fan fic. One can't leave a heaving.... just sitting there!"}, {"response": 850, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 20, 1998 (17:43)", "body": "Has anyone noticed that in this group when someone starts a thread of thought the posts get better 'n better as we go along. The first chat -up lines were luke-warm (mine included), then we got to Moon and Winter's (notice Grammarians that I am only using the last proper noun as possessive:-). Now, Cheryle with Playmaker, LOL. (Cheryle, I think you better stick to talking about France and burgundy wines.) Safer."}, {"response": 851, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Nov 20, 1998 (18:51)", "body": "A slip of the wrist, yes, mine too. Two slip-ups in one post, oh, my, oh, my! The only excuse I have is that I'm working all hours on something important, eyes glued to my pc, and am exceptionally tired. Am taking brief breaks looking up you lot here for fun and relaxation, so don't tease me for I have no strength to retaliate. Not nice to kick a foreigner when she's flat on her face, besides it's probably against the government rules of discrimination :-P notice Grammarians that I am only using the last proper noun as possessive:-). Ah, but is it Moon and Winter's line (one line shared by the two)? Or Moon's and Winter's lines (each has a line)? Or Moon and Winter's lines (both share more than one line?) Seriously, I'd welcome a clarification from native speakers, please! Thanks muchly in advance. Btw, sorry if I missed Professor Ben's credentials somehow... split infinitives are horrible, but sometimes one must do it:) There is no compulsion as far as I'm aware. (And now despise me if you dare!:)) Quick, quick - what scene? What a question - Netherfield ball - The Dance, of course. I'm not that unconscious... ;-P"}, {"response": 852, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 20, 1998 (20:28)", "body": "(evelyn) then we got to Moon and Winter's (notice Grammarians that I am only using the last proper noun as possessive:-). \"Moon and Winter's (lines, understood...[spoken English only]) I should hope each one has her own line :-). On these boards, I (and others, I notice) post the way I speak...which is different from standard written English.( Sentences are not always complete...sometimes just a phrase will do.)And with some of us the manner we express ourselves can be regional. Confusing, I know...but there it is. God forbid, I should write a business letter or essay in the manner I post. I would be considerate illiterate"}, {"response": 853, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Nov 20, 1998 (20:29)", "body": "A slip of the wrist, yes, mine too. Two slip-ups in one post, oh, my, oh, my! The only excuse I have is that I'm working all hours on something important, eyes glued to my pc, and am exceptionally tired. Am taking brief breaks looking up you lot here for fun and relaxation, so don't tease me for I have no strength to retaliate. Not nice to kick a foreigner when she's flat on her face, besides it's probably against the government rules of discrimination :-P notice Grammarians that I am only using the last proper noun as possessive:-). Ah, but is it Moon and Winter's line (one line shared by the two)? Or Moon's and Winter's lines (each has a line)? Or Moon and Winter's lines (both share more than one line?) Seriously, I'd welcome a clarification from native speakers, please! Thanks muchly in advance. Btw, sorry if I missed Professor Ben's credentials somehow... split infinitives are horrible, but sometimes one must do it:) There is no compulsion as far as I'm aware. (And now despise me if you dare!:)) Quick, quick - what scene? What a question - Netherfield ball - The Dance, of course. I'm not that unconscious... ;-P"}, {"response": 854, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Nov 20, 1998 (20:31)", "body": "Bloody hell. An experience I'd rather not go through again. My aging mother, who, madly, is doing another degree, this one in psychology, has to write an essay about the effectiveness (or otherwise) of \"pop\" self-help books. They (my parents) are coming to New York in the New Year, and since the books are cheaper here, I said I'd get them for her. So I've just been to Barnes and Noble and given the girl behind the desk a massive pile of books with earnest, imploring titles like \"Women who love to much..\", \"Facing love addiction...\", \"Nasty people\". I don't mean to criticise these books and I should probably read some of them myself. It was just a bit much having to put up with the smile on the face of the saleswoman, especially when she turned over \"How to satisfy a woman every time and have her beg for more.\" \"It's for a friend,\" I said, rather weakly. \"Right.\" The smile didn't go away. A quite different subject: I'm an occasional collector of mixed metaphors, and someone on the RoP site has recently coined a beautiful example - she said that she ought not to be \"branded with the same brush\" as someone else. This must rank with my top two, (i) \"I wouldn't trust him with a bargepole\", (a friend), and (ii) \"sailing a bit close to the bone\" (heard on the radio). Any others? Best chat-up line to be announced v.v. shortly - promise. Tried hard to follow up \"Plantation Romance\" with JE ('ripping the thin silk of her nightgown...', or 'feeling his hot breath on her shoulder..' were a couple of openings that occurred to me). But not really cut out for it. Everythings much more vivd in my mind's eye than on the page, somehow. :-)."}, {"response": 855, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Nov 20, 1998 (20:32)", "body": "Hey, it's All Mushy at work again!"}, {"response": 856, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Nov 20, 1998 (20:34)", "body": "Can I start campaigning for mine?????"}, {"response": 857, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 20, 1998 (20:35)", "body": "TV ALERT Just posted on the P&P Board. Tonight at 10:pm PBS Channel 36 (don't know where) will air MOTM Monday Nov.23 at Midnight PST Channel 24 (SHOW) will air AZ If these channels sound familiar...go to it...crank up the VCR. We hope to discuss both films in the near future on #98."}, {"response": 858, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Nov 20, 1998 (20:38)", "body": "That's in Providence, it started last week! I do get it because I live about 8 miles from Providence!"}, {"response": 859, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Nov 20, 1998 (20:46)", "body": "Ben, LOL! I'd say that the effectiveness of those mass produced self-help books and other suchlike items of similar appeal is best felt in the bank balances of their authors and sellers..."}, {"response": 860, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 20, 1998 (20:47)", "body": "(Ben) I'm an occasional collector of mixed metaphors, One of my faves used in rural Oklahoma which I have never heard before is: (Pulling the wool over my eyes) \"I just didn't fall off the turnip truck\""}, {"response": 861, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sat, Nov 21, 1998 (03:45)", "body": "Self help books are the Devil's own work. I confess to reading them in my early 20s, so I speak from experience. I'm sure no one else here can. Generally I read them in the bookstore because a)you can skim, b)I'm a speedy reader and c)once is enough. I'm quite interested in your mother's findings. I've thought a great deal about them and their effect on American culture through their audience: historically white middle-class women, now including women of color. Thousands of ways to articulate dissatisfaction and to hold someone else responsible are displayed like a cheap buffet. It's fascinating how unhappiness and desperation have been expressed since the 16th century (ok, it's tangential to my current novel, is how I know.) The other tack is to convince readers th y're responsible for things they can't do anything about. Either way, they're vampiric. (Here I hop off my soapbox, pick it up, and sally forth, a little encumbered by the soapbox.)"}, {"response": 862, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Nov 21, 1998 (03:45)", "body": "(Pulling the wool over my eyes) \"I just didn't fall off the turnip truck\" Sorry, I must be more tired (or dim) than I realized - I'm not quite sure I get it. But if we're expanding into wit and wisdom of the nations of the world, here's one from my youth in yet another country: \"I didn't fall from under a magpie's tail.\" How's that? ;-)"}, {"response": 863, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Nov 21, 1998 (03:45)", "body": "Oh, shhhhhh.........t, look at that date again. I told you something's afoot!"}, {"response": 864, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sat, Nov 21, 1998 (03:45)", "body": "Feb 7 2036? What is this? The Millenium Bug? Dr Who? Just to warn you lot - this morning (Feb 7 2036), whizzing down the Kings' Road in my fusion-powered motor, I noticed a bent figure making his way slowly towards Sloane Square. Barely able to place one foot in front of the other, he shuffled along only with the help of a Zimmer frame, which he gripped with gnarled, arthritic hands. Whisps of white hair lay untidily across his scabeous old head. Eventually, he drew level with the \"Bill Gates Cinema of The People\". Straining, he looked up and noticed the ti les: \"Festival of Late Elizabethan Cinema. This week: 'Price and Prejudice'.\" He caught the eye of the doorman. \"Them were the days, eh Mr Firth?\", said the doorman, \"them were the days.\""}, {"response": 865, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 21, 1998 (03:45)", "body": "Doncha just love our getting a jump on the twenty-first century? OOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHH, I finally saw the Shakespeare in Love trailer in the theater last night (before Elizabeth--a double dose of Joe Fiennes and Geoffrey Rush). Was carefully studying costumes in both and the general *build* of the respective actors. Regarding the Girth of Firth, he's wearing ever so much more than most of the others in both films, but he does have a rather filled out jowly face in this one. As Moon said, Colin's name is mentioned third, right behind JF and before the long list of Academy Award winners/nominees. It even gives the implication that Affleck's was for acting by sandwiching him in between Rush and Dench. There's a little scene (not shown on ET) where Colin asks if \"she is Fertile?\" and then the other guy comments that she (Viola-GP) can be returned if she isn't. \"More, more, I'm still not satisfied.\""}, {"response": 866, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Nov 21, 1998 (03:45)", "body": "Aha - females as chattels sort of thing. Ben, your vision of the old Firth shuffling along King's Road is too painful... surely he'll be able to afford a motorized Zimmer frame? But most likely he'll be warming his old bones in sunny Italy surrounded by scores of his children, grandchildren, and their own bambinos."}, {"response": 867, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Nov 21, 1998 (03:45)", "body": "(Karen) Regarding the Girth of Firth, he's wearing ever so much more than most of the others in both films, but he does have a rather filled out jowly face in this one. I suppose we'd rather have the Girth of Firth than the Dearth of Firth. Still, I insist it's that round ruffly collar that makes his face filled out. Not that there's anything wrong with a little extra flesh. ;-) Thanks for the heads up on Elizabeth . Guess this will be one film I shan't wait for the video."}, {"response": 868, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Nov 21, 1998 (03:45)", "body": "Grammar Infinitives To boldly split....at our last editorial meeting we were told that it is now acceptable, though not preferable, to split infinitives. Mixed metaphors There's a lot of moving of goal posts on level playing fields going on at the moment! And I always remember asking a colleague (from Greece) how he was (after a bout of 'flu) and he replied \"as fit as a button!\" Although,it's not as silly as it sounds. I mean, are fiddles fit, or fleas? Are buttons bright? Final example .... many years ago I worked in Nigeria and saw a lovely sign outside the local barber shop.. \"London-trained head cutter.\" Ouch! I will check out the SIL premiere (Ben) An opportunity for a real-life chat up line! As a fellow Englishman in New York, you can presume on your previous acquaintance...\"I say, didn't we meet at....in....\", ask him out for a drink, and then, as (according to wot the tabloids say) he and JE are still \"good friends\", you can bring up the subject of Miss Ehle. Easy peasy! Rather filled out jowly (Karen) Maybe he takes character acting seriously! :-) Puts on weight when he's the loser, so as not to outshine the romantic lead (and JF, like Big Bro, is slight in build) and loses it when he gets the gal!! (He looked pretty skinny in the still shots I saw from ATA).But, with some regret, I don't think Wessex is going to be a nice guy!! Self help books.... (Ben) Good for your mum, Ben, and an extra brownie point for being a Good Son. Your mum should check out Bridget Jones' Diary in the Telegraph ....BJ is hooked on self-help books...would be an excellent case study! Brief mention of BJD on a radio programme about books becoming movies. But, unlike the Alex Garland book, and \"Cold Mountain\" which Anthony Minghella is directing, no details of cast or director were given. BJD is to start shooting \"soon\"."}, {"response": 869, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Nov 21, 1998 (03:45)", "body": "Girth of Firth Elizabethan fashion (nobility) can be rather unflattering. Padded shoulders, waistcoats, heavy capes, bloomers, tights, and ruffly collars which obscure the neck and jawline, plus goatee beards! No open necked white frilly shirts and britches, unfortunately!"}, {"response": 870, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 21, 1998 (03:45)", "body": "Girth of Firth (Bethan) No open necked white frilly shirts and britches, unfortunately! Well then somebody really blew it doing their costume research for Elizabeth because that's Joe Fiennes principal wardrobe!! However, when he is more formally attired, it is very unflattering. The key thing is the face. JF's face is rather long and lean and Colin's is rather round, so that will give the impression that he is round all over. I do agree he is probably a de Niro-ish actor who puts on the pounds and sheds them for each role. Christopher Eccleston looks Positively Portly as Norwich. FYI, the audience seemed to enjoy the SiL trailer (laughed at all the right things). It's going to be interesting which movie (E or SiL wins for best costume design--a real tossup.)"}, {"response": 871, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov 21, 1998 (03:45)", "body": "Bethan and Heide asked me to post my impressions of Lacock. Lacock , situated in Wiltshire nr. Chippenham was the town of Meryton, Hertfordshire in P&P. I was there about a month ago on a crisp autumn day...leaves turning..similar to the day of the second proposal. Lacock , and CastleCombe (5 miles away) vie for the most picturesque village in England. Having been to both, I vote for Lacock with its cottages that date from the 13th C..The whole town is a conservation area owned by the Nat\ufffdl Trust.. P&P only used High Street which is a wide street and runs down the center of the village. (Moll Flanders was also filmed there, but on East Street.)Lacock bustles with life...not \ufffdtouristy\ufffd like Williamsburg.The shops are working commercial establishments...a green grocer, a bakery, a butcher. Several stores have bowed windows. I went into the general store which must have been the millinery shop for the Bennett girls. The Red Lion Inn whose outside was used for the Assembly Ball is on High Street. A short walk out of town is Lacock Abbey (f. 1232). I assume the town originally was the home of the workers at the Abbey. Today, the Abbey has been converted into a private house despite its surviving monastic buildings. It is opened for tourists. I was amused to see tricycles and toys around . Fascinating place. And oh yes, coming out of town there is a bridge over a brook which was probably the one Mr. Collins and the girls walked over. Longborn is in Luckington which is north of Lacock. It is not opened for tourists. However, my hosts told me the owner opens the garden once a year for a charity event and since P&P, she gets overflow crowds. It would be fun to see the garden where Mr. Bennett read the letter from Mrs. Gardiner . I have an article from \ufffdHomes & Antiques\ufffd UK Autumn \ufffd95 that goes into more detail about Lacock. I\ufffdll be glad to send anyone a copy (lurkers included) Email me at eboake@tanet.net. You definitely get the feeling that you are stepping back in time when you visit Lacock. I recommend it. I'll do Chawton/ Winchester later. Only if Heide and Ben chime in."}, {"response": 872, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov 21, 1998 (03:45)", "body": "There's a little scene (not shown on ET) where Colin asks if \"she is Fertile?\" and then the other guy comments that she (Viola-GP) can be returned if she isn't. Karen, my preview did not include this clip!!! What's going on? Miramax getting reactions to different clips? Last month, the people who put together the Oxford Dictionary, have broken down and made public in a statement that it is now acceptable to SPLIT INFINITIVES! Ahh! I'm quite put out! Ben, dear, you always make me LOL!"}, {"response": 873, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Nov 21, 1998 (03:45)", "body": "The key thing is the face. JF's face is rather long and lean and Colin's is rather round, so that will give the impression that he is round all over. I do agree he is probably a de Niro-ish actor who puts on the pounds and sheds them for each role. Christopher Eccleston looks Positively Portly as Norwich. (Karen) I'm nit-picking here, but it's all a matter of contrast. JF does have a very long, lean face, and a rather thin head. I saw him in a clip of a movie with Rufus Sewell, and RS's face, quite literally, looks twice the size of JF's. The effect is to make RS seem \"fat\", which he isn't. BTW,Christopher Eccleston is a dedicated runner who competes in the London Marathon, so if he looks portly it must be the costumes! As to open-necked shirts, well, JF is the romantic hero, and CF ain't. Unfortunately! But Englishmen do make good baddies!"}, {"response": 874, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Nov 22, 1998 (13:34)", "body": "I re-watched much of P&P last night, Evelyn, and I always look closely at the shops in Meryton. I believe some of them are actually private homes. With the windows right up against the sidewalk, can you tell which homes are private? I can make out the mailbox that was converted into the town's water pump. I assume it's back to being the mailbox. The article you have says that Lacock is in 4 scenes and was surprised that count is correct. By the way, you said it was a crisp autumn day. From the picture you sent, I'd say it was quite blustery too. One wonders how SIL will deal with the adultery angle. Shakespeare was certainly married in 1593 (which Miramax says is the year). Will Anne be mentioned at all or are we to assume she's a shrewish harridan who's driven her husband into the arms of other women. (Trying to make Wessex a little more sympathetic.)"}, {"response": 875, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 22, 1998 (15:48)", "body": "(Heide) ....Meryton. I believe some of them are actually private homes. With can you tell which homes are private? I can make out the mailbox that was converted into the town's water pump. The article said that the National Trust owns all except four houses and the school. I could not tell which houses were privately owned...they all looked the same.BTW in the lousy picture with me in front of the general store...do you see the mailbox is back on the right. It was windy but not cold. Hey, it was the only sunny day that week, you don't think I was going to complain about a little wind, do you!!"}, {"response": 876, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 22, 1998 (16:00)", "body": "Thank you Evelyn for your writeup on Lacock. Very interesting and the article you mentioned (which you've sent me) was as well. Moon, the trailer you saw didn't have that scene. How odd. Although it is likely that more than one was made. Colin is talking to another man. Bethan, regarding girth and portliness. It must be a requirement for baddies as Eccleston/Norwich does have his moments. More than split infinitives, I absolutely hate ending a sentence with a preposition. That's the worse thing I can think of. ;-)"}, {"response": 877, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 22, 1998 (16:07)", "body": "Hi Ben.... On #113 Keepsakes and other Amusements...we can now claim some of Lizzie's items. I claimed the long white gloves that she used at the Netherfield Ball...But if you want them (you can't have the low-cut night gown she wears at the end), I'll spring for the rust-color gloves that matches her bonnet which she wore at Pemberley when Mr. Darcy helps her into the carriage. LOL at your scenario of 2036. But for us, Mr. Darcy is ageless."}, {"response": 878, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 22, 1998 (17:09)", "body": "During my stay in London, I took a day\ufffds tour to Winchester & Chawton with Backroads Tours (recommended by Heide who went in August). Winchester is about 1 1/4 hrs from London. It is an ancient cathedral city , capital of England from the early 9 C. The River Itchen which flows through the city has the clearest water I have ever seen. (Due to the chalk in the soil which acts as a filter, we were told). The cathedral with its long nave (one of the longest in Europe) is v. impressive . Near the 12 C. font (north aisle) is the simple tomb of Jane Austen with no mention of her literary achievements. There is a window and brass dedicated to her memory in 1900.Winchester has a charming High Street, a pedestrian street and a 15 C.Butter Cross, around which markets were held .Unlike Bath, it is not overrun with tourists. A castle, b. in 1222 by Wm I, was destroyed during the Civil war. But the Castle Great Hall survived...a spendid medieval hall replete with a huge Round table mentioned in 14 C. records. It is painted with a Tudor Rose in the center, King Arthur and a list of his knights on the edge. Colin must have gone to school in Winchester, since this is his hometown, but I don\ufffdt know where. Winchester College was founded in 1382 by Bishop Wm. of Wykeham ( the pupils are still known as \ufffdWykehamists\ufffd . Ben, our resident \ufffdWykehamist \ufffd, can add to this. As can Heide . On to Chawton.....later."}, {"response": 879, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Nov 22, 1998 (17:12)", "body": "(Ben) I'm an occasional collector of mixed metaphors Thanks for sharing these Ben. They were very amusing indeed. I like malapropisms myself. There was quite a charming one in a recent fan fiction. Since I have no intention to be unkind I will not quote exactly, but the gist of it was something like this. \"He could tell by her continence that she was still angry.\" Hmm, the mental picture of that one made me grin :-) winter, I read your note at Ramble and am thinking good thoughts for you. I just got back yesterday from a longish stint in Manila, Singapore, Tokyo so am behind in my email. Will try and respond to yours (about \"Elizabeth\") in a day or two. I have missed you all!"}, {"response": 880, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, Nov 22, 1998 (17:32)", "body": "(Bethan) BTW,Christopher Eccleston is a dedicated runner who competes in the London Marathon, so if he looks portly it must be the costumes! Really? Interesting... For a while there I thought he was either seriously ill or doing smack. But now that makes sense. Runners have incredibly high metabolisms (marathoners), and it's difficult to tell whether they're ill or in good shape. As to open-necked shirts, well, JF is the romantic hero, and CF ain't. My impression of JF is still undecided. I saw Elizabeth last night and I was unimpressed (one of the few out there, I think). BTW, how can we discern the two JF's in further discussion (Joseph Fiennes and Jonathan Firth)? JANA!!!! You're back! How was the stint? I bet Manila was flooded (as always). We have to catch up on find out when SiL is premiering in town!"}, {"response": 881, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Nov 22, 1998 (18:43)", "body": "One wonders how SIL will deal with the adultery angle. Shakespeare was certainly married in 1593 (which Miramax says is the year). Will Anne be mentioned at all or are we to assume she's a shrewish harridan who's driven her husband into the arms of other women. (Trying to make Wessex a little more sympathetic.) (Heide) You have a valid point, Heide. On moral grounds, we actually should feel a lot of sympathy for Wessex. Okay, he's marrying for money, but that was standard practice for the nobility. A belted earl would expect a handsome marriage settlement and the prospect of male heirs. And Wessex must find Viola attractive. And then what does she do? She makes him a laughing stock at court by having an affair with a man who turns out to be married, and so Wessex tries to end the affair (what's wrong with that?). But he still marries her. Is he really a baddie? He certainly has every good reason to be scowling...more sinned against, than sinner, I would think! BUT, this is all about romantic lurve, and it's a comedy, so,.... Happy Thanksgiving!"}, {"response": 882, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 22, 1998 (19:33)", "body": "Winter: Today's London Theatre Newsletter announced that Jeremy Northam will appear on stage in the Westend in \"Some Good Men\" this winter. Rufus Sewell will star in \"MacBeth\" in March. Where the hell is Colin??"}, {"response": 883, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Nov 22, 1998 (20:04)", "body": "Where the hell is Colin?? I feel a quiz coming up, any guesses?"}, {"response": 884, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 22, 1998 (20:57)", "body": "(Bethan) I was reading a tongue- in- cheek article about \"celebrities\" and gaining an \"image\" which sells. CF's got it all wrong! Gets married (wrong), very privately (very wrong)to a non-celebrity girlfriend (wrong again) and although now has beautiful clever photogenic wife ( almost right) then completely disappears with aforesaid wife and is never seen in public (wrong) and seems very happily married (wrong, wrong). It also helps to have a dysfunctional background, the odd public row with partner/spat with the aw, and an ex-drink/drugs problem! I tell you, he hasn't got a clue! Add to that....goes to live in a foreign country.Aaaaaagggg. Career hari-kari, for sure."}, {"response": 885, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 23, 1998 (15:05)", "body": "(winter) I saw Elizabeth last night and I was unimpressed (one of the few out there, I think). I'm with you. All the acting (except Queen Mary) was top notch and CB will most certainly be nominated, but it did not have a *best picture* feel to it. A few of the technical things bugged me throughout the film (shooting from above and going and in and out of focus a number of times). ****SPOILER****DO NOT READ**** Re the ending: The director is no Francis Ford Coppola. ALERT!! Gwyneth Paltrow is scheduled to be on David Letterman this week (Wednesday???) and Judi Dench is supposed to be on Conan O'Brien on Friday night."}, {"response": 886, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 23, 1998 (15:47)", "body": "Colin is in NYC today doing press! He leaves tomorrow for the UK!!! It does not look like he will be at the SIL premiere. More later..."}, {"response": 887, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 23, 1998 (16:26)", "body": "Ladies, please write down the questions you would like to ask Colin, ASAP! I believe we might get an answer."}, {"response": 888, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Nov 23, 1998 (17:10)", "body": "Just spoke to Moon and we'll probably have to get the questions to the rep tonight to have any chance Colin might answer them by tomorrow before he leaves. Agh!!! The obvious, of course: What's your next project? Will the project \"Marked Man\" go forward? Do you know if we'll ever get to see \"Secret Laughter of Women\"? Have you done any \"Shakespeare in Love\" promotional interviews, either TV or print? How do you like being described as a \"cuckold\" in two of your recent films? (should we ask such a thing?) Rewording of questions? What else? I hate asking him for release dates since that's something the studio would answer. I have to go back to work tonight for a late-night meeting. I could fax any questions from work to his rep that are posted here tonight. Don't tell."}, {"response": 889, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 23, 1998 (17:36)", "body": "Does he have a favorite role from his films? Has he been considering playing Mark Darcy? What's his favorite Italian city? Is he open to doing more period drama? Does he have a role he would love to play? Does he plan to develop his own projects in the future?"}, {"response": 890, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 23, 1998 (17:41)", "body": "And also the little questions: Fav. color, car, season. And invite him to check out the site WWWCF.com. How old was he when he started horseback riding? Does he enjoy it? Does he enjoy dancing? Will he ever want to do a musical? (agh!)"}, {"response": 891, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 23, 1998 (17:43)", "body": "Fav. books All time fav. film Fav. rock band"}, {"response": 892, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Nov 23, 1998 (17:55)", "body": "-Favorite curse word? -When will he be in L.A. next? Is it to promote SiL? -Funniest on-stage blunder? -One thing from his own childhood that he'd like his children to experience? One thing that he would not want them to experience? -Favorite article of clothing? Oh, I hope these questions get to him...."}, {"response": 893, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 23, 1998 (17:56)", "body": "And one more: Is he learning Italian?"}, {"response": 894, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Nov 23, 1998 (18:23)", "body": "Is he going to do any theatre in the near future? Is he going to play Mark Darcy? What is his next project...when does he start? Any more projects lined up/ When will we see SLOW? Has Will got a baby brother/sister yet? (Too cheeky, really!)"}, {"response": 895, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Nov 23, 1998 (19:01)", "body": "More...Does he know that the BBC are making a movie \"Mary Queen of Scots\" and would he be interested in playing Bothwell? Any plans for more TV work? Would he like to play a major classical dramatic role....Shakespeare, Ibsen? Has he ever given a poetry reading? Fave poet/author? Does he still live in London? Would he like to write a screenplay? Or direct? Does he have a middle name?!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 896, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Nov 23, 1998 (19:24)", "body": "Would he like to play a major classical dramatic role....Shakespeare, Ibsen? He did say Hamlet in one of the interviews not so long ago. Has he ever given a poetry reading? He recited verse rather beautifully in a BBC radio play \"The one Before The Last\" in which he played Rupert Brooke."}, {"response": 897, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Nov 23, 1998 (19:28)", "body": "Okay ladies, I am faxing the above. Wish us all luck!!"}, {"response": 898, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 23, 1998 (19:45)", "body": "Hoorah for you Moon! We're proud of you. All the questions (except the personal life stuff) sound terrific. Remember we're only supposed to be interested in his professional projects. (Oh yeah???) I have just spoken to Karen and she adds: How much weight did you have to put on for SIL. Of the recent movies, what role would you have liked to play. What Blues Club did you go to in Chicago. Just talked to Nan and she doesn't have any questions to add. They all sound good. (But I would select the popular ones...let's not send the man into exile again.) Thanks Moon. Don't forget to tell him we celebrated his birthday on line. It was a good party too."}, {"response": 899, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Nov 23, 1998 (21:33)", "body": "(Evelyn):Winter: Today's London Theatre Newsletter announced that Jeremy Northam will appear on stage in the Westend in \"Some Good Men\" this winter. Wish I were there. how long's the winter season for theatre, anyway? Maybe I can get a weekend ticket to London. ;-) Good job with the questions, everyone! Let's hope we get an answer soon!"}, {"response": 900, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Nov 24, 1998 (07:26)", "body": "FYI: CF@Four Seasons Hotel in NY until 5p.m. EST. I have spies too!"}, {"response": 901, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Nov 24, 1998 (07:44)", "body": "Can you get a video interview with CF that we could run on our Spring main page?"}, {"response": 902, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 24, 1998 (10:25)", "body": "Excellent work, Moon and Heide!! I think I need to get a cordless telephone headset for home. All the questions were wonderful. (Laura) CF@Four Seasons Hotel in NY until 5p.m. EST. I have spies too! If I get on a plane now, I could make it.... Just kidding...wouldn't do that to DB. However, I wonder if the seat next to him on the plane is taken. Could you get your spies working on that one, Laura."}, {"response": 903, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Nov 24, 1998 (11:03)", "body": "And three way calling, Karen so I don't get stuck holding for all those calls that come through when I'm paying for the call:) Ah, yes the seat beside him is taken by a woman who goes by the name of Livia Firth;)"}, {"response": 904, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov 24, 1998 (12:36)", "body": "Ladies, I have v. good news! The rep. received the fax with all the questions and told me that we should have them answered in about two weeks time!!! Hooray! I will ring him again with a reminder in the future. Now we can all have a wonderful Thanksgiving (big grin). Terry, I think we should take it one step at a time. After all the DB has agreed to answer our questions--THAT IS A BIG STEP! I'm sure once Colin gets to know us well...he might agree to one."}, {"response": 905, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov 24, 1998 (12:39)", "body": "I'm sure once Colin gets to know us well...he might agree to one. We are harmless little kittens with purrfect manners!"}, {"response": 906, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov 24, 1998 (13:00)", "body": "One more thing, I would like to thank Evelyn who posed the question: Where the hell is Colin? I took it v. seriously! Thanks also to Heide who had the good fortune of working late last night."}, {"response": 907, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Nov 24, 1998 (13:53)", "body": "moon et alt.: you are brilliant! :-))"}, {"response": 908, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 24, 1998 (13:53)", "body": "Moon....ole dear...you are brilliant (as well as a great party-giver). I am glad my harmless question precipitated you to ACT!! Frustrating to read about all his contemporaries' projects! You have enhanced the reputation of Drool. Hopefully, others will join us. And thanks to our leaders...Heide and Karen...who have taken their responsibility seriouly but with good humor...it all adds up to great fun. Laura...you sly fox. We discussed last night that Miramax always puts their stars up at The Four Seasons.....Then YOU went into action! Winter, I shall get dates for you on Jeremy Northam's play . And the Theatre. Check TWA , Continental and Northwest Airlines for weekend rates. Cheap in winter.Call the theatre direct for tickets...they charge your card and you pick -up at box office. That's what I did for Judi Dench play.You don't have to pay commission that way. (Didn't like JD play...sorry)"}, {"response": 909, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Nov 25, 1998 (16:01)", "body": "I hear tell you can't post in this topic. Rumors. Rumors!"}, {"response": 910, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 25, 1998 (16:10)", "body": "Decided to move it: Topic 112 of 113 [drool]: Colin Firth - Darcy Drool (cont. from 68) Response 34 of 34: Karen (KarenR) * Wed, Nov 25, 1998 (16:07) * 10 lines Since this one appears to be working thought I'd post here (better here than no where). Was wondering why Colin left town so quickly. Only reasons I came up with were: 1) Stores were already too crowded to do Christmas shopping. 2) Checked the TV Guide and noticed that for the next week everything is either a rerun or football (not his kind). 3) Wanted to avoid one of the busiest days at the airports. 4) Transit pass expired. 5) Nothing good left in minibar. I'm sure you all can do better!!"}, {"response": 911, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Nov 25, 1998 (16:34)", "body": "Sorry, I'm being rather slow on the uptake here, although I did post some questions, not really understanding why! But has CF been in NY/USA (promoting SIL)? How did you know, and was it a brief stay? Moon, do you have a contact at the Miramax office (hence the questions)? Heide, has Colin agreed to actually answer the questions? Within a fortnight? Sorry to sound so dim, but I'm just so accustomed at the moment to never expecting any news of CF, that I've got a brickwall mentality! FP is being shown on terrestial TV. Saw a re-cycled \"interview\" with CF in one of the TV mags (Didn't buy it). Just old stuff. Although he is quoted as saying that he \"never loses sight of the fact that it was Darcy everyone fell for , not him\"...or something like that!"}, {"response": 912, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Nov 25, 1998 (16:40)", "body": "FP is being shown on terrestial TV. When, Bethan? And where?"}, {"response": 913, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Nov 25, 1998 (16:40)", "body": "FP is being shown on terrestrial TV. When, Bethan? And where?"}, {"response": 914, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Nov 25, 1998 (16:41)", "body": "FP is being shown on terrestial TV. When, Bethan? And where?"}, {"response": 915, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Nov 25, 1998 (16:42)", "body": "First I couldn't post at all and now too many times!"}, {"response": 916, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 25, 1998 (17:07)", "body": "Bethan, Colin has been in the US briefly, the SIL gang was in NY doing press on Monday. I have contacted his rep. and he agreed to pass the questions on to Colin for him to answer. He said it should take about two weeks, let us hope! Since he was to leave, we had to get the questions out to the rep. ASAP, that is why Heide had to fax them, luckily, she was working late and did it all from her office. Heide should receive a fax with the answers. I will contact them again to make sure it is done. Colin is not expected for the SIL premiere here. I do not know how long he'd been in the States for and I did not ask."}, {"response": 917, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Nov 25, 1998 (17:28)", "body": "Moon, Heide - Who is Colin's rep? Where? How did you locate him/her?"}, {"response": 918, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Nov 25, 1998 (17:32)", "body": "We're a small group (at least those of us who post) so it's continually amazing to me how much stuff we can find out. Mostly it's from those of you with contacts like Moon and Bethan but the perserverance of this group is amazing. I have to admit I'm not going to set myself up for a fall so I won't be surprised and just a little disappointed if we don't get our answers. But Moon's optimism is contagious. This is really a strong lead. By the way, I did send in all the questions but explained that we didn't have a lot of time for forethought. We also understood if he didn't answer the personal questions. Just trying not to sound like a looney - not everyone get's our collective sense of humor."}, {"response": 919, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Nov 25, 1998 (17:38)", "body": "Arami, these are Moon's contacts. I'm just the conduit."}, {"response": 920, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Nov 25, 1998 (20:08)", "body": "Just to let you know that CF left NYC on British Airways at 7pm EST First class arriving in London at 6.30a.m. GMT. He stayed at the Midtown (?) Four Seasons. Apparently this source's information was very good:) Miramax puts all the stars at FS. I had NO clue that NYC has TWO Four Seasons, but then again I didn't know that Chicago did too;) Karen will understand that one! People who actually went to the Four Season looking for him, didn't know how to go about and ask. And I'm not about to tell how it was done to get the information. Earlier this morning I had this wonderful witty response, but because I couldn't post to this blasted topic, it has since died away:( Oh, well maybe eventually, he will come to Boston. We are just as uptight as your normal Londoner! hee hee. PS: luckily my friend who got the info knew of their being two Four Seasons:)"}, {"response": 921, "author": "Ann", "date": "Wed, Nov 25, 1998 (23:29)", "body": "I had NO clue that NYC has TWO Four Seasons, but then again I didn't know that Chicago did too;) Karen will understand that one! } Hee hee hee. Not just Karen :-)"}, {"response": 922, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Thu, Nov 26, 1998 (00:25)", "body": "I would have loved to just catch a glimpse of this man. He is such a wonderful actor. Wonder why he was travelling alone???"}, {"response": 923, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Nov 26, 1998 (16:40)", "body": "Allison, FP is being shown on Channel 4 this Sunday evening. Colin is not expected for the SIL premiere here. Officially not?"}, {"response": 924, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Nov 26, 1998 (17:33)", "body": "The Pierre is the other Four Seasons Hotel in New York."}, {"response": 925, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov 26, 1998 (19:27)", "body": "I think the mid-town Four Seasons is on 57th St. and IMO they should leave him alone. (Or them, if L. was along). This guy will never come out of hibernation if he's hounded everywhere he goes. You know how much he abhors all the entrapments of fame. BTW saw GP on The Tonight Show with David Letterman. She was v. nervous. They mentioned the film a few times...spoke about how Harvey Weinstein, \"the coercer\", made her come on the show. (Giggle, giggle).Showed a clip which I have seen several times of a love scene with Joe F.She mostly talked about Ts'giving with her family.Not a great interview. I wonder if A&E will show any clips of SIL during the Sunday Day-Long P&P Marathon.A&E is also owned by Disney. Has everyone entered the SIL Sweepstakes for the free trip for two to England. Includes hotel. Somebody has to win."}, {"response": 926, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Fri, Nov 27, 1998 (00:19)", "body": "I also had news and witty remarks which I forgot now, couldn't post. News : Friends saw SIL at screening. Um, do you really want to know? The good news is, it's supposed to be beautiful. I believe this because the publicity photo are. Witty remarks: Completely gone. Next time: I can email my phone number if an agent is needed in NY. It's amazing the amount you all got done in such a short time! And such intlligence operations!"}, {"response": 927, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Nov 27, 1998 (02:03)", "body": "I also had news Cheryl, that link to the news about SIL did not work- \"internal server error\" Was it bad news?"}, {"response": 928, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Nov 27, 1998 (02:11)", "body": "In this morning's Daily Mail a story about Miramax pushing Liitle Voice for Oscars. Michael Caine, Best Actor; Jane Horrocks, Best Actress; Brenda Blethyn, Supporting Actress; And possibly Ewan Mcgregor, supporting actor! Also, I notice that a film called \"If Only\" has just opened in the UK - produced by Handmade Films. So what happened to SLOW I wonder?"}, {"response": 929, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Nov 27, 1998 (03:24)", "body": "Eech! I wouldn't rely on the Daily Mail! I've read a few reviews of Little Voice...Ewan McGregor is barely in it (plays a pigeon fancier) Brenda Blethyn apparently screeches irritatingly throughout. It's set in a northern seaside town in the fifties. Promotion of SIL seems to have started in the UK. Preview of article in the next issue of \"Sunday Times\" describes SIL as Oscar bound. Front cover pic of JF in white frilly shirt open to the waist, looking suitably moody and passionate.SIL has a galaxy of supporting actors, all \"dressed for their parts\".....Judi Dench has rotten teeth, Geoffrey Rush is unrecognisable, all padded out, with lank greasy hair. My one (major!)reservation about SIL is that it sounds TEP-ish...high profile, but all the emphasis on the passionate leading couple, with CF again as a cuckold! Could we PLEASE, PLEASE see MLSF and SLOW!! Allison, who stars in \"If only\"? How come Handmade are allowed to release it?"}, {"response": 930, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Nov 27, 1998 (06:42)", "body": "Allison, who stars in \"If only\"? How come Handmade are allowed to release it? I saw a trailer of it last week. The only person I recognised was Mark Strong! I assume that Handmade have not actually gone bankrupt. I am not an expert in these matters but if they have gone into voluntary liquidation they can call in the receivers and the receivers then run the company with a view to recouping losses. They would only stop trading immediately if that was the only way to repay creditors. No doubt one of our drooling group will have these facts at their finger tips! Though if that were the case then I would have thought the success of Lock Stock etc would have ore than filled their coffers."}, {"response": 931, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Nov 27, 1998 (07:04)", "body": "I think \"If only\" must be a re-titled \"Man with rain in his shoes\" which was made a few months before SLOW, but was, I think, because of the timing, actually shown at film markets before the receivership. It's interesting (and encouraging) to see that it's got a nationwide release."}, {"response": 932, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Fri, Nov 27, 1998 (08:01)", "body": "Hope this doesn't ruin anyone's weekend...they felt it was ok. Summary: \"I didn't know how to take it. It was pseudo-biographical, but then it wasn't. Lots of anachronisms--weren't sure if some were supposed to be funny. But there were so many [anach.], it didn't make sense. You just never knew how to react. Acting fine. Film's intentions seemed to be all over the place. Beautiful, though.\" This from artsy gay guys but not film buffs. In the past, their opinions on many other plays, concerts, etc. have been in synch with the major reviewers here in NY. I think they were saying there were story problems and directing problems."}, {"response": 933, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Fri, Nov 27, 1998 (08:04)", "body": "Oh, and it wasn't a news link. I just wrote \"news\" with a colon after it and it got converted to a link. HTML shorthand? A quirk?"}, {"response": 934, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Nov 27, 1998 (08:25)", "body": "Thanks for the news on SIL. I won't be disappointed if this movie is not great and I don't really expect any Oscars out of it, mainly because \"Elizabeth\" is out there and while they are two different films, I can't see two Elizabethan-era films duking it out at the Oscars. If your friends weren'st sure if the anachronisms were supposed to be funny, I think that's a fair assessment of what others' reactions will be. All I hope for is that Colin blows them away and I would expect the minor acting roles to be flawless as well. (Evelyn) IMO they should leave him alone. Absolutely agree. But don't think I wouldn't be interested in what they mighth find out. ;-) Saw David Letterman too. Yeah, GP was very nervous and giggly. I was getting furious at Dave yelling at him to let her talk but I suppose he was doing her a favor. So even though she didn't mention Colin, she mentioned absolutely no one else either. Hope for better luck with Judi Dench on Conan O'Brian tonight."}, {"response": 935, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Nov 27, 1998 (08:30)", "body": "I wonder how popular Tom Stoppard is in the States? Have his plays been played on or off Broadway? He has a very particular verbal style. I wonder how that would go down with American audiences. My favourites of his are \"Travesties\", \"Arcadia\" and \"Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead\". Magic plays IMHO. But not sure how Americans would react. Were they popular in the States? Did they ever make the stage? Sorry to be so ignorant I'm just wondering whether The US and UK are on the same wavelength on this. On a similar theme, I felt that public reaction in the UK to TEP was more muted. Interestingly I noted at the time that the BAFTA nominations (which mirrored the Oscars re TEP)came out BEFORE TEP had been generally released. Don't ask me how that happened. I just felt that BAFTA were reacting to American adulation. The UK critics were uniformally in praise but a lot of other articles by non film buffs echoed my husband's comments about 15 minutes into TEP \"this is a load of c**p\". Some others (none of t em CF fanatics)echoed my feeling that the basic plot was unmoving. It was about lust not love. Not very drooly. Perhaps I should have posted this on #98."}, {"response": 936, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Nov 27, 1998 (08:34)", "body": "Tom Stoppard is fairly popular amongst the Broadway crowd, he does reel them in. Not quite Andrew Lloyd Webber, but what the heck, right?"}, {"response": 937, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Nov 27, 1998 (08:34)", "body": "Cheryl, if your friends saw the screening on Tuesday, could they tell us if any of the cast were around? Suppose that's not common at a screening but we do know a certain someone was in NYC at least during the day."}, {"response": 938, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Nov 27, 1998 (08:41)", "body": "What happens on the stage in New York has very little impact on the rest of the country so while Tom Stoppard productions may be praised by critics, it's the musicals that Ma and Pa Kettle go to see when they come to the Big City. I'm generalizing, of course but I don't think Stoppard is very well known outside of certain small circles."}, {"response": 939, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 27, 1998 (08:59)", "body": "(Allison)Re: Tom Stoppard He has a very particular verbal style. I wonder how that would go down with American audiences. My favourites of his are \"Travesties\", \"Arcadia\" and \"Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead\". they popular in the States? Did they ever make the stage? Agree with Laura...Tom Stoppard popular with the theatre crowd which is v. small in the US.Movies are far more popular. Probably because they are marketed more and tickets are not as expensive.Saw \"Rosencrantz and G.\" and also \"Travesties\"at the Kenndey Center years ago. I enjoyed them...but my husband\"s reply was similar to yours re: TEP \" a load of c***\". I don't know how Stoppard's verbal style\" will play in Peoria,\" as we say (mid-America). But Harvey Weinstein is no dummy...he would not let a edantic script slide through. I agree Heide..fun to find out about Colin's doings...prefer interviews or word from someone who has spoken to him at a social function...I have a problem with paparazzi-type of behavior,though."}, {"response": 940, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 27, 1998 (09:03)", "body": "I did not do the omission.......that was\"pedantic script\""}, {"response": 941, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Nov 27, 1998 (09:19)", "body": "One significant point about SIL is that it will attract some attention and be a \"cv-type\" movie. It seems to me that an incredible number of films open every week in the UK (and probably more in the US) and perhaps only one film a month will really register. It doesn't always mean that it's the best film, but perhaps it has more media attention. In Hollywood terms, CF will probably be associated with TEP and now SIL. BTW Tom Stoppard has just become the first English playwright to have his work performed (in translation) by the Comedie Francaise."}, {"response": 942, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 28, 1998 (10:02)", "body": "(Bethan) Preview of article in the next issue of \"Sunday Times\" describes SIL as Oscar bound. Would have to be for things like costume design, etc. One thing to remmeber, it is a comedy and they are *rarely* major Oscar contenders. If they are in the running, then they have to be great comedies. (Heide) I don't really expect any Oscars out of it, mainly because Elizabeth\" is out there...\" But Elizabeth didn't feel like a *Best Picture of the Year* to me. Of course the voters could forget about \"Saving Private Ryan,\" I mean it was released months ago (i.e., a lifetime to Academy voters), but then again there's Pleasantville--brilliant film!! (Allison) this is a load of c**p\" If the missing letters are rap, I think we can post *crap* on the boards...some do everyday (I don't exclude myself) !! ;-) Judi Dench on Conan O'Brien Well at least she mentioned Geoffrey Rush. One positive thing, though, evidently they went for authenticity in some of the makeup. I believe you mentioned before, Bethan, about the rotten teeth. Dench said that only herself and Rush had the crummy teeth. So they didn't touch Colin's. Thank goodness for small favors. Am hoping for a special on E! about the making of SiL or the premiere. These stars are pathetic on the talk shows and am tired after having stayed up to watch it last night."}, {"response": 943, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 28, 1998 (10:03)", "body": "better close that tag, now"}, {"response": 944, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 28, 1998 (10:04)", "body": "test"}, {"response": 945, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Nov 28, 1998 (10:21)", "body": "test"}, {"response": 946, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Nov 28, 1998 (15:26)", "body": "Checked out the CF Roles site for the first time in ages, and there are two very nice new pics of CF....the poster for MLSF, showing Colin & Mary Mastrantonio (I've got that wrong again!), and a pic of Colin as Wessex. Karen, I don't think he's filled out at all.....I can see cheekbones! But the costume is certainly multi-layered and heavy looking.....how can he fight a duel in that cloak?! I can't see Elizabeth getting a Best Picture nomination, although I'm sure Cate Blachett will be nominated. And aren't there about a hundred more movies opening in the next few weeks!"}, {"response": 947, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 28, 1998 (16:31)", "body": "(Bethan) two very nice new pics of...Colin as Wessex. I don't think he's filled out at all. I can see cheekbones! But the costume is certainly multi-layered and heavy looking Saw the pictures, Bethan, and agree. He looks just fine in those. I did read about all the heavy padding for the men's costumes. Must have been his most heavily padded that showed up in the clip used on ET and the trailer in the theaters. I'm sure Cate Blachett will be nominated. And she deserves it."}, {"response": 948, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov 28, 1998 (21:01)", "body": "Roles I Wish CF would have gotten: ( a hobby of mine) \"Les Miserables\" He would have played a brilliant Jean Valjean. Liam Neeson ain't it!!Little or no emotion in his face...CF would have excelled in that. Geoffrey Rush as Inspector Javert steals the show.As a whole the film is slooooow."}, {"response": 949, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov 28, 1998 (21:42)", "body": "MEDIA ALERT Sunday TIMES under the Culture Section do not miss the article entitled: November 29 1998 CULTURE Film - Will Shakespeare, star-crossed lover Tom Stoppard's romantic fantasy could dance away with the Oscars, reports Garth Pearce *Glowing * review. A special screening was held for journalists in New York this past week.(Now we know what CF was doing in town)"}, {"response": 950, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Nov 29, 1998 (18:38)", "body": "Here's the link (I think) for that London Times review: Sunday Times Quote from Colin in there somewhere but I don't know what he's talking about."}, {"response": 951, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 29, 1998 (18:57)", "body": "I think this part bodes well for Colin's performance. It had Geoffrey Rush's friend in stitches or was laughing hard enough to fall off his seat: \"But I watched the film with a friend who almost fell off his seat when Wessex grabs Shakespeare and says, 'I am going to spill your blood, but not now. What is your name?' And he says, 'Christopher Marlowe.'\""}, {"response": 952, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sun, Nov 29, 1998 (19:19)", "body": "Hello, all. Goodness, you have been active. If necessity is the mother of invention, then her father is surely desire. Since last time I was here, there have been hundreds of messages, co-ordinating Operation Track Firth with military precision. You should have alerted me: I could have sat inconspicuously in the hotel lobby, hidden behind dark glasses and an FT. I wasn't aware that Stoppard is the author of SIL. Should be a reasonable script, then. Hope you all had a nice break."}, {"response": 953, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 29, 1998 (20:00)", "body": "If you want to thank A&E for re-showing P&P here is their URL for the Feedback Page. ( I also requested that they show it yearly) http://www.aetv.com/cgi-bin/aetv-user.cgi?a=056"}, {"response": 954, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Nov 29, 1998 (21:06)", "body": "Thanks for the link Heide. It sounds like SIL is quite witty and well written: a dream come true for actors. Colin seemed to have fun too. I loved the Marlowe line. We'll see what happens when it opens in the US, if people actually get it. I find myself laughing at a film and no one else getting the jokes more times than not. I wish we could all see it together, *sigh*! Nice to have you back Ben."}, {"response": 955, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Nov 29, 1998 (21:26)", "body": "Ummm, yearly??? I could barely sit through it today:( I have no attention span of late!"}, {"response": 956, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sun, Nov 29, 1998 (21:27)", "body": "Thanks, Moon. As the chief planner of OTF, you have my congratulations. I hope it bears fruit. As for a group view of SIL, the most sensible meeting place would have to be a big city, obviously...within easy reach of other cities, whether in Europe or the U.S....somewhere with nice movie theatres, obviously, and good places to eat. It could only be a bonus if The Firth were himself to have visited this city recently, so that to its other attractions one could add the hotel at which He stayed, or the cab in which He sat...... Now let me see...why! Eureka! Blow me down, I live in just such a place! New York City seems to be the only choice. QED. By the way, I watched P&P again. Ms Ehle has lost none of her allure. In fact, she seems to have found some more. I was cooing at the screen. It struck me, incidentally, that if modern woman needed an argument against the extraordinary charge (sometimes voiced by aged English judges) that victims of violent assualt invite attacks by the clothes they wear, she might wonder aloud why regency gels got away with it. Perhaps the blokes were more decent."}, {"response": 957, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Nov 30, 1998 (02:00)", "body": "Goodness, I agree with Ben. I stepped away for a week and you ladies have been busy. Hope we don't scare the D.B. away. I mean Colin, not you Ben. We know you're made of sterner stuff than that :-). I watched P&P today also and found myself being drawn in again by Mr. Darcy's considerable charms. Too bad I'm a west-coaster because my sighing would have made nice stereo accompaniment to Ben's cooing."}, {"response": 958, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 30, 1998 (02:00)", "body": "I cancelled most, if not all, of my regular Sunday activities to watch a six-hour miniseries that I have taped twice from television and have in a lovely boxed set. What is the matter with me?? Ben, you are going to have check this site on a more regular basis or give us the number to your pager/cell phone so that you can execute Operation Firth Tracking with the military efficiency such a strategy requires. ;-) Are you working on the *limo* he rode in or the restaurants, bars, he went to (oh those nasty prepositions)?"}, {"response": 959, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 30, 1998 (02:00)", "body": "(Laura) Re: A dose of P&P Yearly Ummm, yearly??? I could barely sit through it today:( Laura, baby, just think...you'll have a whole year for your \"tusch\" to recover:-)) (Ben) I watched P&P again. Ms Ehle has lost none of her allure. Agree. But did you hear the announcer: (Not the place to post this) \"Pride and Prejudice, starring Colin Firth\". Period. Not a word about about his co-star who was practically in every scene. Grrrrr. (I think even CF would agree that she deserved a mention) Am I the only one who has not noticed \"Murph's Corner\" in cf.com. Great new pictures from the SIL press kit and the poster from the Toronto Premiere on Wednesday night. These are heady days indeed."}, {"response": 960, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Mon, Nov 30, 1998 (02:00)", "body": "Having \"lurked\" so long and derived so much pleasure from your CF discussions and consistent drooling over recent weeks, what better time to join in. Both sides of the Atlantic seem to be reluctantly recovering from our recent \"Firth Fest\"! P&P2 and FP here last night on C4. Can we keep this going until Jan 29th when SIL is released? I admire all your dedication in tracking CF down last week by the way. Any news on that limo yet Ben?"}, {"response": 961, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Nov 30, 1998 (02:00)", "body": "Lizza, welcome with open arms. You lucky, lucky girl to have seen Fever Pitch on TV. Though you probably saw it in the cinema and have the tape, just like us on the other side of the pond watching P&P, you watched it anyway as if you never saw it before. Any prologue to the film before showing it? Once a year for A&E's showing of P&P sounds very reasonable, Evelyn. I would have asked for twice. Ben, dear, you are lucky we didn't track you down. We would have gotten you on that plane (and first class too!) back to London with a very agreeable seat mate. (Yeah, right.)"}, {"response": 962, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 30, 1998 (02:00)", "body": "Hi Lizza, Welcome to Drool. Always a treat to have a new fan on board. Once a year for A&E's showing of P&P sounds very reasonable, Evelyn. I would have asked for twice. Let's not get greedy.I don't think they showed it in \"97...did they?"}, {"response": 963, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Nov 30, 1998 (02:00)", "body": "They showed it THREE times in 97! February, June and October, I remember October because it was the day I came home from Europe and couldn't watch because I was so jet-lagged!"}, {"response": 964, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Nov 30, 1998 (02:00)", "body": ""}, {"response": 965, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Tue, Dec  1, 1998 (03:49)", "body": "(Evelyn) *Glowing * review. Now that's what I call a review! The director of _Mrs. Brown_(I had no idea.) It sounds like it did so hold together."}, {"response": 966, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Dec  1, 1998 (06:17)", "body": "To have six whole hours of P&P2!!!! We should be so lucky! We did get a whole page colour advert of CF this weekend to promote FP. No other film has had this, so CF is still high on the publicity ratings-- despite the FP hair style ( o.k. just a very minor bad hair day!!)"}, {"response": 967, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  1, 1998 (10:36)", "body": "(Heide) Ben, dear, you are lucky we didn't track you down. We would have gotten you on that plane (and first class too!) back to London with a very agreeable seat mate. (Yeah, right.) First class seating is in twos. Since I've already reserved the seat next to DB, I'm afraid Ben would have to take the seat across the aisle, in front or behind him or...there's my lap! ;-) ***Warning****(that's for you, Ben...you have a camera, don't you?) SiL premiere is this Thursday in NY. Welcome, Lizza. Glad you joined in and like the others am envious that you got to see FP on television. Am still hoping it will be shown in the theaters here eventually as was mentioned a while back. Did the full-page adverts have any good pictures of Colin?"}, {"response": 968, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Dec  1, 1998 (12:30)", "body": "Welcome! His hair, Lizza, his hair?"}, {"response": 969, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Dec  1, 1998 (12:44)", "body": "TV Alert in Germany: Nick Hornby news. His new book \"About a Boy\" was recommended by \"B\ufffdcher, B\ufffdcher\" (HR3), and will be reviewed in \"Literarisches Quartett\" this week (Friday, I think, in ZDF). So now we know it is \"really\" literature. :-) To become the target of this exclusive circle means something! Even if they don't like it, it will get countrywide attention. For the minority ;-) of those who don't know this show: this treatment is the best that can happen if you want to promote a book. I wish NH every success."}, {"response": 970, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Dec  1, 1998 (12:47)", "body": "His hair, Lizza, his hair Through a bush, backwards! SIL Sunday Times review SIL is definitely being \"talked up\" in the UK, which I'm all in favour of! And if publicity starts well ahead of the opening (Jan 29), that's all to the good. I think promotion is very important and films go a long way on raised expectations. Roles that CF could have played....Les Miserables (Evelyn) I agree, but it's a bit of a Catch 22 really. Established \"star names\" get the good roles, which means that they then continue to get offers of plum parts. English actors, by and large, get baddies and butlers. I still regret the casting of Sydney Carton! Mel G is not a sad-eyed, tall and lanky loser! But I'm sure he'll go to the scaffold very gallantly. The only slightly \"heroic\" role I can see in the offing for CF is the modern Mr Darcy!"}, {"response": 971, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Dec  1, 1998 (14:30)", "body": "Renate, thanks for such a swift view of the CF \"bush.\" I recently read the new NH \"About a boy\" and enjoyed it. It's being turned into a screenplay along with another of his books (High Fidelity I think).Do you think CF will be offered the lead in either? He did invite NH to his Tuscan wedding afterall!! Maybe too much like another Paul Ashworth for CF?? Thanks for the continued welcomes, it's great to be among so many fellow droolers."}, {"response": 972, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec  1, 1998 (16:53)", "body": "His hair, Lizza, his hair Through a bush, backwards! I like his hair style in FP; goes with the era. It's the cheap dye-job I object to."}, {"response": 973, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Dec  1, 1998 (17:58)", "body": "Welcome, Lizza - nice to see another fellow European here. We're so underrepresented, we'll have to drool twice as hard. Through a bush, backwards! A spiky one, too. A yummy scruff of a dedicated teacher. I'd love to see him in a film reprising this role in a different situation - e.g. with a classroom Lolita setting a trap for him and all the anguish arising from his fighting wrong accusations and suspicions."}, {"response": 974, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Dec  1, 1998 (18:25)", "body": "Nick Hornby / German TV \"Literarisches Quartett\" this week (Friday, I think, in ZDF). Correction: It is next week. Friday 11, Dec., 22.20h, ZDF"}, {"response": 975, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Dec  1, 1998 (19:21)", "body": "For the American ladies~ SIL alert on Access Hollywood tomorrow (12/2). Since they're interviewing Gwynneth Paltrow I don't hold out much hope but I believe they will show clips."}, {"response": 976, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Dec  1, 1998 (20:39)", "body": "Bonsoir a toutes. Can't do this premiere thing - I'm out of town on Thursday. Lizza, how the hell do you know the identity of The Firth's wedding guests? More efficient spies than here? I would have tried, at least, though to what end I don't know. Perhaps I could have rifled through his waste-paper basket [ALERT: Firth uses a Gilette Sensor!], or his underwear drawer [HEAR YE: The Firth wears boxers]. I will order the new Hornby book. I v. much enjoyed the first two, in particular Fever Pitch. (I am a fairly rabid football fan, though not in his league.) Weirdly, one of his flings, referred to v. cursorily in the book, is my cousin, who used to teach at the same school as him, years ago. She's rather odd."}, {"response": 977, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Dec  1, 1998 (21:05)", "body": "Ben: I will order the new Hornby book Please do! I read it this summer, and was truly entertained. Hornby is really keen on pop culture, and though he denies it, seems to be really in-tuned to this whole \"New-Ladism\" movement. I heard this story is partially based on a real life experience he had with a young boy he befriended (probably during his teaching years)."}, {"response": 978, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Wed, Dec  2, 1998 (05:16)", "body": "(bethan) Mel is not a sad-eyed, tall and lanky loser! But I'm sure he'll go to the scaffold very gallantly. He's had practice, in Braveheart. What a dopey film, but it did revise my, um, assessment of MG. I liked him in Tim and his early movies. Then, as always happens with these guys (Costner et al) they think they're God and it shows in all their work. V. v. v. unattractive. In Braveheart, however, he was quite a fella. However dopey the film, I must confess I own a copy ;-) Why don't I visit the MG board? His oeuvre doesn't lend itself to discussion. Unless anybody knows his equivalent of Playmaker nd Femme Fatale."}, {"response": 979, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Dec  2, 1998 (11:53)", "body": "Ben , I know about the wedding coming as I do from generations of Tuscan olive growers!! No, but there was an interview with NH in the paper ( Sydney Herald?) in which he talked of said event etc . But I am sure all avid droolers knew this as they have visited the FP sites countless times and already knew about the \"gunners\" boxer shorts. How many MG sites/boards are there , surely less than CF? Hope I haven't offended any MG diehards!"}, {"response": 980, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  2, 1998 (13:29)", "body": "(Lizza) \"About a boy\" and enjoyed it. It's being turned into a screenplay along with another of his books (High Fidelity I think).Do you think CF will be offered the lead in either? Sorry, dear, but John Cusack is doing (starring in, writing, and producing) High Fidelity. Both books are being Americanized. Haven't heard much about the casting of AAB. When Hornby was on his promotional tour, he did say quite often that it would likely go to an American as well. (Ben) Weirdly, one of his flings, referred to v. cursorily in the book, is my cousin, who used to teach at the same school as him, years ago. She's rather odd. And which one might she be? Chapter and verse. ;-) Dream Roles for Colin: Here's a description of a famous literary character: About 40, a miner's son who has misanthropically withdrawn from the world. He is tallish, with blue eyes (but that's not important), and rather frail. He speaks in a broad Derbyshire dialect and the king's English when he wishes. He is ironical and mildly derisive toward the female protagonist. Now a little quote from the book of a scene we'd all like to see: In the little yard two paces beyond her, the man was washing himself, utterly unaware. He was naked to the hips, his velveteen breeches slipping down over his slender loins. And his white slim back was curved over a big bowl of soapy water, in which he ducked his head, shaking his head with a queer, quick little motion, lifting his slender white arms, and pressing the soapy water from his ears, quick, subtle as a weasel playing with water, and utterly alone...In spite of herself, she had had a shock. After all, merely a man washing himself; commonplace enough, Heavens knows! [...] The man was looking at her with those blue [brown pools would work just as well], all-seeing eyes of his, which made her turn her face aside a little. He thought her comely, almost beautiful, in her shyness, and he took command of the situation himself at once. So we have the *requisite* bathing scene and then there's a famous, running naked in the woods during the rain scene. Two wet scenes!! Who could ask for more?? Is this not tailormade for Colin? ;-)"}, {"response": 981, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec  2, 1998 (16:21)", "body": "(Cheryle), Why don't I visit the MG board? His oeuvre doesn't lend itself to discussion. Unless anybody knows his equivalent of Playmaker and Femme Fatale. LOL! Ben, what team do you root for? I'm for AC Milan, Real Madrid and thanks to Nick Hornsby Arsenal. My British cousins root Chealsea. BTW, when NH mentioned the Firengines (Scottish band), in High Fidelity, he won me over...I thought I was the only one! Karen, thanks for reminding us of what could be. Maybe in the future. *sigh*"}, {"response": 982, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Dec  2, 1998 (16:35)", "body": "Karen, who should play the \"comely \" lady? Don't even think of posting your answer Ben, we know your choice!! I think that dream role should include some riding as well as bathing. Both show his firm thighs off to full advantage. Moon, good to drool with a fan of \"The Gunners\"."}, {"response": 983, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Dec  2, 1998 (18:04)", "body": "Hello Lizza! The film rights to Nick Hornby's \"About a Boy\" were purchased by Robert de Niro's production company, and the setting will be relocated to a US city, presumably with a US cast. FP....Evelyn, I agree with you about the cheap hair dye!! The make-up person should have been defrocked or whatever, for penny-pinching....what's wrong with brown anyway?"}, {"response": 984, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Dec  2, 1998 (18:58)", "body": "Access Hollywood report: yes, it was all Gwynnie which is fine. No mention of any of her co-stars that I can remember except for Ben (Affleck, Ben dear). However, several clips with Colin in and a couple of on-set glimpses too - all in costume. Showed a kiss-and-slap scene where the earring is very noticeable - a big pearl one. A few more clips where you'd miss him if you blinked. Still, I'm getting very excited. Just a few more weeks."}, {"response": 985, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec  2, 1998 (20:41)", "body": "From \"Murph's Corner\" of colinfirth.com website Colin appeared with the other stars of SIL at a gala premiere on December 3 at the Ziegfeld Theater in NYC. Hillary Clinton introduced the film. So....He's Baaaaaack!! This is to happen, apparently,tonight.Wow!!"}, {"response": 986, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Dec  2, 1998 (22:02)", "body": "I just saw a few SiL clips on \"Acccess Hollywood\" (an entertainment news program) tonight. OOOhhh, he's such a baddie! Forced poor Gwynnie into a most unwelcome kiss, and she proceeded to give him such a slap! What I would've done to be in her shoes! So Colin's in town? Ben--- still in town? Laura, are your spies busy?"}, {"response": 987, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Dec  3, 1998 (07:20)", "body": "Ladies, I am confirming, Colin is in NY today, he will attend the premiere! Hopefully, one of you might go and take pictures. Ben, you must change your plans!"}, {"response": 988, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Dec  3, 1998 (07:59)", "body": ""}, {"response": 989, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec  3, 1998 (10:16)", "body": "Re: Access Hollywood Wasn't that great? They showed him five times (six if you think it was him riding on horseback shown from the rear). Loved that kiss and slap. Have been slo-mo-ing it for the reaction on his face. Does look like he is being showcased. Didn't someone post that some of the early PR said \"introducing Colin Firth\"? Another bit of info amidst the long-awaited SiL deluge--on another subject. The Secret Laughter of Women had its world premiere on August 20th at the Martha's Vineyard film festival. This information has been confirmed; however, it does not mean that anyone has bought the film or that it has a distributor. Actually, it was shown without the approval of the Handmade's creditors despite efforts to get it off the program. According to one of the festival organizers, it was well-liked. There was no mention of Colin in the newspaper articles promoting the festival, only Nia Long's name, and since it was a festival (i.e., the film wouldn't be shown again), there weren't any print reviews."}, {"response": 990, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Dec  3, 1998 (13:59)", "body": "Can you believe that here I live in MA and it was shown on Martha's Vineyard, hello?????"}, {"response": 991, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Dec  3, 1998 (17:32)", "body": "Scour the entertainment news programs, ladies, for clips of the premiere. With Mrs. Clinton there, it's bound to get decent press. I'm kicking myself for thinking it would have been impossible to go to NYC. The weather here is so balmy right now. It's going to be a beautiful night. Yes, it does look like he's being showcased and his role is larger than I had feared. But oh dear, \"introducing Colin Firth\"? I hope that's a mistake. We certainly know it's a huge mistake. Any idea how we could have missed the SLOW premiere, Karen? We read the wrong trades?"}, {"response": 992, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Dec  3, 1998 (17:56)", "body": "So we have the *requisite* bathing scene and then there's a famous, running naked in the woods during the rain scene. Two wet scenes!! Who could ask for more?? Is this not tailormade for Colin? ;-) (Karen) Ah, but don't forget, there's also Sir Clifford, Lady C's cuckolded husband! :-) OOOhhh, he's such a baddie! Forced poor Gwynnie into a most unwelcome kiss, and she proceeded to give him such a slap! What I would've done to be in her shoes! (Winter) More baddie than cuckold, then? Good!!! And he certainly seems to be interested in more than her money. Colin appeared with the other stars of SIL at a gala premiere on December 3 at the Ziegfeld Theater in NYC. Hillary Clinton introduced the film. (Evelyn) I'm VERY VERY impressed!! Does Hillary attend many premieres? SLOW... According to one of the festival organizers, it was well-liked. (Karen) It's good to hear of a positive reaction to SLOW. Fancy missing something in your own back yard, Laura! :-)"}, {"response": 993, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Dec  3, 1998 (18:11)", "body": "ET will show scenes from the SIL premiere tomorrow (Friday) they just announced. Let's hope Hillary likes British actors with curly hair and gorgeous dimples and holds on to his hand just a little too long so we can get that extra camera shot."}, {"response": 994, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Dec  3, 1998 (18:19)", "body": "ALERT! ALERT ALERT! Was watching an interview with Jeremy Piven on MTV Live this afternoon. He's a good friend and writing colleague of John Cusack's. JP mentioned that \"High Fidelity\" is currently in the screenwriting process (John and the writing team from \"Grosse Point Blank\" and Stephen Frears are in London with Nick Hornby, doing the final touches, I believe). The filming begins this coming Spring, or Summer-- and get this-- the story's to take place in .... CHICAGO?! Also, if any of you US viewers can tune in, 'Charlie Rose' on PBS tonight is supposed to do an interview with Tom Stoppard. That should be interesting..."}, {"response": 995, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec  3, 1998 (19:39)", "body": "Colin appeared with the other stars of SIL at a gala premiere on December 3 at the Ziegfeld Theater in NYC. Hillary Clinton introduced the film. (Evelyn) I'm VERY VERY impressed!! Does Hillary attend many premieres? Not many. But I'm betting that Harvey and Bob made a big donation to the Bill Clinton Legal Defense Fund. \"Entertainment Tonight\" did announce that they are covering the SIL premiere and will show it tomorrow night. Do you think they will have a similar premiere in LA next week? UK fans stay alert...we expect you to give us a running account of the January Premiere in London!!"}, {"response": 996, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Dec  3, 1998 (19:50)", "body": "Moon (or anyone else): Can you check with your sources to see if Colin will be attending any LA premieres? I live here in LA, and would be very willing to stand in the rain for pictures, autographs, hugs, pinching bottoms, etc. ;-)!"}, {"response": 997, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (00:38)", "body": "Please see if there will be any promotion in Dallas. I would be willing to stand in the rain too. I doubt there will be though. Rita"}, {"response": 998, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (02:50)", "body": "winter, honey I'll meet you there! I'll gladly hold an umbrella over you if you promise to let me share a pinch ;-). Seriously, I have seen no mention of a premiere in L.A. but then again, there wasn't much mention of the NY premiere until right before it happened. Hope springs eternal."}, {"response": 999, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (03:44)", "body": "Oh to be in NYC !!!! The Brit Premiere will have a lot to live up to after this . Go for it Girls."}, {"response": 1000, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (10:58)", "body": "Hooray! I'm the 1000th posting! Winter, if you have not done so already...(W. is v. efficient...:-) Why don't you call Miramax in Hollywood? They would know. Or his agent at UTA. The Firth Frenzy continues....."}, {"response": 1001, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (12:25)", "body": "(Bethan) Ah, but don't forget, there's also Sir Clifford, Lady C's cuckolded husband! :-) I would cast Ralph Fiennes as Sir Clifford. Turnabout is fair play! ;-) (Heide) ET will show scenes from the SIL premiere tomorrow (Friday) they just announced. All the entertainment news shows are on at the same time here. Argh!! Will be switching channels wildly with my VCR in a constant ready mode. (winter) Jeremy Piven...a good friend and writing colleague of John Cusack's...mentioned that...[High Fidelity] filming begins this coming pring, or Summer-- and get this-- the story's to take place in ....CHICAGO?! YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!! JP and JC are both from here and still live here. (winter) 'Charlie Rose' on PBS tonight is supposed to do an interview with Tom Stoppard. That should be interesting... It was interesting, at least the parts I could keep my eyes open for (those nasty prepositions again). They showed the same (long) trailer that is shown in the theaters and another short one. He only mentioned Joe Fiennes in the context that he ran into him in a bookstore and was rather surprised that he was playing William Shakespeare. He took JF back to his flat and gave him some books on Will. He was aware that brother Ralph was under consideration. Saw another clip of SiL on E! Daily News show yesterday about the costumes. They showed Colin at that court gathering again, but the clip was different. He was applauding in a strange way. Palm to top of hand. Very bizarre movement. Wonder who came up with that one? ;-) I would think there would be an LA premiere, not quite on the scale of the NY one, but one nonetheless. Get your cameras and camcorders out of moth balls ladies!!"}, {"response": 1002, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (12:25)", "body": "out I say"}, {"response": 1003, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (12:30)", "body": "away, away! I bring news!"}, {"response": 1004, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (12:52)", "body": "Don't worry your pretty little heads about being in NY--the film can't be seen here yet. However............guess who has the press packet? And a tipster from Miramax? Alas, I shouldn't be on the computer even now to spread the news--I've been under doctor's orders not to look at a keyboard or a mouse for 2-6 weeks, depending on how physical therapy and other drastic measures go. Needless to say, this really f**** up my work life. However. I wanted to say: now I can't put these things up on our si e myself (or anywhere else, for that matter.) Who can? And where should they go? I have color slides (10), black and white photos (11), and production notes (40+ pages). Colin is in 2 of the 1/2 page B&Ws--1 by himself, 1 in profile leaning over to talk to Judi Dench. I'll post this and send emails to some people with my phone number. My problem is, I'm not going to my freelance job right now, and that's where I'd get to scan the photos and put them up. I could get it done somewhere else; if that's the verdict of the Drool board, I'll pay for it and accept contributions. Or I could overnight it to somebody who can oversee the whole project. What do you want and how quickly? Maybe if everyone's seeing the clips, this isn't that important."}, {"response": 1005, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (14:24)", "body": "Good girl, Cheryle.!! There are enough people with scanners available that you/we shouldn't have to pay to have it done. I'll call Karen and see what she says. Will get back to you. Don't let the kit out of your sight, heah? (I lived in Atlanta too!)"}, {"response": 1006, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (15:08)", "body": "Oh my, I feel foolish. I never look at other sites anymore except ours. Today I looked at ours (my congrats to the team! I'm so proud!) Then I looked around to see what else anybody else has on SIL, and I see mine is old news. That's what happens when you are out of the loop for a few days. I wish I could have gotten it to you sooner. (I read all our boards, but didn't see any references to the new stuff on Murph's Corner. Oh well.) Then I couldn't get back into Spring for 2 hours to post my apologies, or to re-email the pillars of the community with said apologies. I suppose now we'll have them for ourselves and not need permission to use them, but I did so want to have a scoop. I'm clearly not a journalist! At least you you all know I'd risk my mouse arm for the cause ;-) I tried to get stills from the set photographer, but we'd need to be a much larger circulation to get them to take the time to do so. Like Entertainment Weekly. Evelyn There are enough people with scanners available that you/we shouldn't have to pay to have it done For the color slides I think it's a special scanner. But once again, I'm probably the only one who's behind the curve on this topic."}, {"response": 1007, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (15:15)", "body": "Quick bulletin: I saw SIL this morning. Oooh, really good movie ladies! It's one that Colin can be proud to have his name attached to. Of course, his part is small (but no smaller than in ATA) and what we see of him isn't exactly pleasant. His character is completely unsympathethic and frankly, is the butt of an occasional joke. However, it's still Colin and therefore worth seeing. Love the earring, too ;-p BTW, the film itself is terrific--tight, intelligent, witty script, visually beautiful and, though I hate to admit it, Joe Fiennes is really good (but he ain't Colin ;-p)"}, {"response": 1008, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (15:16)", "body": "Cheryle: You are OUR Journalist and we're proud of you to have secured a presss kit for Drool. I just talked to Karen. Yes, she will oversee the project... Will email you this afternoon. Thanks. We are v. grateful ."}, {"response": 1009, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (15:21)", "body": "Karen, did you change the background???"}, {"response": 1010, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (15:52)", "body": "(Cheryl) I tried to get stills from the set photographer, but we'd need to be a much larger circulation to get them to take the time to do so. Like Entertainment Weekly. Our circulation is huge!! This place gets tons of hits a day. Make up some number. It can't possibly be proven wrong. ;-) Or say we have a large, exclusive subscriber base, but can't divulge much because there are many famous people, royalty, captains of industry, movers and shakers, etc., on it. Very hush-hush. For the color slides I think it's a special scanner. The place I go to has a several different scanners, I'll check. One I know says something about photographic something.... Just saw the little tidbit of the premiere on CNN's Showbiz Report. Highlighted the First Lady and then had little snippets with Bennie and Gwennie (separately) about what it was like to have the FL at the premiere. Nada nothing nil. A background change? Huh?"}, {"response": 1011, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (15:56)", "body": "For one brief moment, Spring went NUTS!!!!"}, {"response": 1012, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (15:56)", "body": "Here are some Snappies from the first showing of SiL on ET. Heide taped and Nan snappied. These really reflect our team spirit!! Rah Rah!! Thank you both."}, {"response": 1013, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (15:56)", "body": "For one brief moment, Spring went NUTS!!!! And the date went to Feb 2036"}, {"response": 1014, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (15:56)", "body": "Well, I've sifted and scoured in the hope of at least touching on some of the things I missed since I've been in school, but I might as well forget it. There is simply too much. So, I've marked everything as read and am starting over *sigh*. I'm particularly sorry I missed Ben's arrival. Fortunately, Arami asked all the nosey questions I would have asked, so I don't feel completely unfulfilled ;-) And now for something completely different... I had a little project to do for school. Now I didn't wish to do something entirely boring, so we now have a nifty little thing over at cf.com. Come take a look... http://www.colinfirth.com/chat/talk.cgi I can't remember the last time I was able to have a good drool in real time ;-)"}, {"response": 1015, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (15:56)", "body": "Nan, just tried Chat...first time ever for me! I never realised it was so simple! But you've done all the hard work....clever girl! I suppose we all operate in different time zones, although at weekends I burn the midnight oil! Glad that you really enjoyed SIL! Sometimes there's just a lot of hype. I guess I was hoping for a slightly more sympathetic role (baddie with redeeming feature) for CF, but I recognise the advantages of his being associated with a critically successful film in the US....and he is an actor, not Colin Firth playing Colin Firth (which, actually, I wouldn't mind!)"}, {"response": 1016, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (15:56)", "body": "(Nan) His character is completely unsympathethic and frankly, is the butt of an occasional joke. However, it's still Colin and therefore worth seeing. Lucky, lucky girl. Did you get advance tickets? Might you have a clue why Colin is getting absolutely no notice in the reviews I've read? Since he's fourth billed I would have hoped his role was large enough and since his character is the villain, it would be unlike the other roles in the film but still no mention. Judi Dench is already being touted for an Oscar nomination for chrissakes. Not that I expected the same for our DB but this is the role I was hoping would springboard My Life So Far into the theaters. I don't mean to sound down because I really am quite excited. After all, as you say, it's still Colin . Cheryl, you done good. Pictures of Colin are never too late. I'm glad to see there's a reason why you've been scarce here. I'm sorry though that it's so serious. Please visit when you can. Well, at least we got a glimpse of Livia at the premiere on ET. Too bad Geoffrey's head was blocking Colin's. Think the cameramen didn't recognize Colin sans beard and menacing expression? Sigh. Back to the future. Oh Terry?"}, {"response": 1017, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (15:56)", "body": "I'm so F****** pissed off... ET was not shown in L.A. tonight because of some special bloody program spotlighting community service in the city! ACK! It's nice that people get their 15 minutes of fame for rescuing puppies or helping illiterate senior citizens... but I wanted to see at least 15 SECONDS of Colin Firth! And now I hear Livia was on camera too!?! I checked the local listings... they aren't even showing ET later in the evening to make up for this. Can someone PLEASE post the snappies soon? Sorry gals... it's that time of the month... I'm more touchy than usual I think..."}, {"response": 1018, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (15:56)", "body": "(Bethan) Nan, just tried Chat...first time ever for me! I never realised it was so simple! I'm glad you found it easy, honey. And I can't take all the credit. I had help from a couple of my favoritest geekly peoples ;-p (Bethan) I suppose we all operate in different time zones, although at weekends I burn the midnight oil! Yes, we should probably pick a time when a bunch of us can be in there and have ourselves a little virtual Colinfest. (Bethan) I guess I was hoping for a slightly more sympathetic role (baddie with redeeming feature) for CF Me too. Unfortunately, it's not with this film. (Heide)Did you get advance tickets? I have a friend with the National Board of Review. He's promised to take me to any Firth screenings. It's a bee-yew-tee-ful thing ;-) Might you have a clue why Colin is getting absolutely no notice in the reviews I've read? Truth? I think it's because his part isn't really large enough (or important enough) to justify much notice...and it pains me to say it. I was much more annoyed after having seen ATA because I felt the part of Jess was critical to the plot. It was sinful to ignore Colin's role in that film. However, in this case, I can say that his part was really not a focal point, so I'm not very upset about it. He looks great, though...does that help? ;-p (Heide) Judi Dench is already being touted for an Oscar nomination for chrissakes. OY! For what? No offense to the great Judi, but really ... (Heide) Sigh. Back to the future. Oh Terry? I don't think there's a cure for the back to the future bug. It's been part of Spring for so long that I became rather fond of it over time ;-) (winter) I'm so F****** pissed off... ET was not shown in L.A. tonight because of some special bloody program spotlighting community service in the city! Oh, don't be upset, winter--you didn't really miss anything. There was really only a piece of Colin's head--but we did get a nice shot of Livia :-/"}, {"response": 1019, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (15:56)", "body": "winter, thanks for making me LOL and relieving my crabbiness. I actually remembered to set my VCR for ET, raced home from hideously crowded Christmas shopping, manged to scream in the driveway at about 7:10 only to flip on the TV and see Hollywood Squares and then puppy saving. I was yelling at the TV \"where is ET?\" as if that would make Colin magically appear. Sigh, at least we know we only missed the side of his head. Nan, oh Nan how lovely to see you back with us!"}, {"response": 1020, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (15:56)", "body": "Wow girls the drooling is just electric !! Hello Nan, thanks for giving us your views of SIL, who needs the critics? You are soooooo lucky, we are counting the days until 29.1.99 over here. Cheryl, just to let you know that your efforts are MORE than appreciated on this side of the water too!! Thank you and I hope you will be able to manage to keep in touch."}, {"response": 1021, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (15:56)", "body": "What a great team, we have here! Nan, v.v. lucky girl to have seen SIL! I like the idea of setting a chat time. I hope you had a great birthday. Cheryle, the slide can be made into a color print, then scanned. Hope to see you more often. Karen, thanks for the snappies. I taped the ET segment and was v. disappointed, no Colin, now, I'll check for Livia. Lizza it's so nice to have another drooler amoungts us. Good news is that Colin does have our questions, lets keep our fingers crossed!"}, {"response": 1022, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec  5, 1998 (10:25)", "body": "Take heart, ladies, about the lack of Colin on the entertainment news shows. We know that all of them spent time on the set and filmed quite a bit. Then there were the press junkets. Colin must have been interviewed and, if the interviewer had a brain in his/her head, filmed it. I'm sure that at the premiere (NY one) everybody, but everybody from cast was interviewed. You can bet that more filmed interviews will occur at the LA opening. (Fingers crossed that Colin & Livia stay for that, as NY openin was apparently mandatory.) These little snippets will be doled out to us frame by frame until the Christmas Day opening and then even afterwards. Hillary Clinton was the big deal on Thursday. As you noticed, nothing really was said about the film. We barely saw Joe Fiennes, except on show and he's the STAR of the film with whatshername. Don't stop watching, especially next week. GP and Ben Affleck will be on the Tonight Show and from that we'll find out if there's a second premiere (is that an oxymoron??) in LA."}, {"response": 1023, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Dec  5, 1998 (14:17)", "body": "Good news is that Colin does have our questions, lets keep our fingers crossed! Isn't the two weeks nearly up? Timely reminder?! Might you have a clue why Colin is getting absolutely no notice in the reviews I've read? I think it's also something to do with name recognition..he's not Gwynnie, Ben, Geoffrey, Rafe's bro, Rupert, Judi or even Tom (the Full Monty)! Am I right in assuming that the majority of moviegoers in the US won't really have heard of Colin? I think that SIL will be a springboard for MLSF in so far as Miramax can connect Colin with both TEP and SIL, which hopefully may get a few Oscar nominations (screenplay? director?)I noticed on the MLSF poster (which at least has a great shot of CF) that the cast credits are small and alphabetical...no names at the head of the poster. This suggests to me that when the poster was designed Miramax didn't see Colin as a starring \"name\", but they do seem to be promoting him in SIL. As to his part not being large (Nan), I mentally sighed then reconciled! SIL sounds as though it will be very successful critically in the US and around the world. There was an article in one of the UK papers about the abysmal state of the British film industry. I've said this before, but basically very, very few British made films ever reach the screen anywhere. Also British films are never marketed (no budget) whereas Hollywood really sells its movies. Add to this the fact that British actors are rarely offered lead roles in Hollywood backed movies, you can see how tough it is. BTW how many actors can convincingly play a charming sexy Regency gentleman, a \"cuckold\", a football-mad teacher and a villainous Earl? And BTW why is Wessex seen as so evil and villainous...there was absolutely nothing wrong in impoverished aristos marrying for money...and his plans to go tobacco farming in Virginia show some initiative and ambition, surely!!!"}, {"response": 1024, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Dec  5, 1998 (15:56)", "body": "And BTW why is Wessex seen as so evil There is a comment somewhere from Colin saying just that. That this was a perfectly normal way for an impoverished aristocrat of the time to behave! And Let us not forget that Shakespeare was married at the time (I believe). What about poor Mrs S? Once again a Feinnes gets away with behaving disreputably and poor Colin gets the title of bad guy."}, {"response": 1025, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec  5, 1998 (16:35)", "body": "Nan, thanks for the Chat Room. My first time too Bethan. Only I'm still not very good at it. Will practice.Good idea to set up a time.When? -but we did get a nice shot of Livia :-/ I didn't see her...hope someone posts a snappy.Saw Harvey, though with Hilary and Gwynnie in a \"see-through\" dress, by Armani. BTW Nan thanks for the SIL stills.We have our own archives now and Karen doesn't have to beg permission from other websites to scan them on :-) I know SIL is a high-profile film for Colin...but I can't bear having him be the butt of jokes.I might punch someone in the face if I hear them laughing at him. As for MLSF only *he* can promote that film."}, {"response": 1026, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Sat, Dec  5, 1998 (16:35)", "body": "Thank you all for sharing your Colin sighting etc., how exciting! I'm just thrilled to have him on the big screen...even if he is the baddie. Entertainment Weekly magazine gave the movie a glowing review: \"the dialogue just about percolates with bubbly finesse; SIL is that rare thing, a literate crowd-pleaser. Yet it's also the richest and most satisfying romantic movie of the year.\" Here's their description of DB: \"Unfortunately, their love is doomed. Viola, you see, is set to marry Lord Wessex (Colin firth), a crusty lout who promises to take her to some dreadful place called Virginia.\" At least they mentioned his name."}, {"response": 1027, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Dec  5, 1998 (16:35)", "body": "Bethan, the two are nearly up but the DB has been busy, I am willing to him more time aren't you? I still don't see Miramax really promoting Colin with SIL. He is rarely mentioned on TV. Evelyn, I'm afraid my husband will have quite a bit to say about Colin...I will bare it, the best I can. Now let's see what happens at the LA premiere."}, {"response": 1028, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Dec  6, 1998 (11:18)", "body": "crusty lout ?!?! Is this worse than a cuckold? (Evelyn) I can't bear having him be the butt of jokes.I might punch someone in the face if I hear them laughing at him. Me too, Evelyn. We should go together to see this film. I plan on loudly exclaiming as I walk out of the theatre how wonderful that Colin Firth fellow was. (Bethan) Am I right in assuming that the majority of moviegoers in the US won't really have heard of Colin? Dead right, unfortunately. But I like to think that the reviewers are more in the know. They have certainly heard of him. And even if they hadn't, they would still pick out a shining performance from an \"unknown\". But still, it's early. Plus the most important reviewers (we experts) have yet to see this film. Except for Nan who has given it a glowing recommendation. Thumbs up Colin! Karen, keep lifting my spirits. There's no reason for me to get down. Snippets of information will still be doled out for quite awhile. And yes, perhaps an LA \"premiere\". Winter, you'll be there right (if there is one)? Too bad Jana's going to be in the Philippines for 2 weeks! We'll miss you, dear. Bethan, Allison, you are so right. Colin is behaving perfectly reasonably. And I shall loudly mention that too as I leave the theatre. \"Imagine, wanting to leave Lord Wessex for that scrawny Shakespeare\", I shall snort. Moon, do you think Colin is carrying that fax around with him from country to country? Carefully weighing his answers. He wants to give them all the attention they deserve. ;-) No, I don't care if it take two months for a response."}, {"response": 1029, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Dec  6, 1998 (13:36)", "body": "Heide, it would be great if he responded just in time for Christmas, the perfect present. But if not it's something to savour for 1999. Well my tiny crumb of CF excitement is that ATA is finally released over here on video tomorrow!! It was previously mis-announced as 7th October and after beating a frenzied path to several shops I was turned away empty handed. Let's hope tomorrow is THE day!"}, {"response": 1030, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sun, Dec  6, 1998 (15:08)", "body": "Flippin' 'eck. Every time I go away, this board springs into verdant life. I suppose I should infer something. In addition, I always seem to be away just when The Firth is around, and I'm needed on some cloak-and-dagger operation to find out the brand of his toothpaste. (Hey...have you ever seen Colin and me AT THE SAME TIME? Perhaps I'm the Bruce Wayne to his Batman...) I think I'll go and see SIL tonight. This is the great advantage in living in the best city in the world. I understand the huddled masses have to wait until the new year... Speaking of which, hail Nan. I was in Cambridge, Mass. this week-end and had the great pleasure of having lunch w. two Pemberlians, Myretta and Jane. V. good to meet them both. Anyway, your name came up."}, {"response": 1031, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Dec  6, 1998 (15:22)", "body": "Lizza, I'm now REALLY looking forward to seeing ATA....I saw one brief clip (on good ol' Barry Norman) and he looked very dishy! I shall just turn the sound down and fast forward! Crusty lout, villain etc As Allison mentioned, I think CF has been quoted somewhere as saying that Wessex is not really a villain, that his behaviour is normal for the period, and that Wessex is quite right to resent the \"snivelling playwright\"! Actually, historically, Colin is quite correct. If we look at the example of the real life Earl of Essex.......He was a good looking man, a favourite with the Queen , but much disliked by most other courtiers for his arrogance and quick, ferocious temper. He was notoriously in debt (owing the equivalent of \ufffd1/2million in his mid twenties, and married for money (he married the widow of Sir Phillip Sidney, who was wealthy in her own right,...and then dumped her at his country estate and never brought her to court.) He was a famous \"resenter\", always challenging people to duels. The Queen favoured him for his good looks but there are several recorded examples of her making fun of him in public...once he drew his sword on the Queen. He was very interested in making money (had a wine monopoly) and was ruthless if anyone crossed him. In one instance, he arranged for an enemy to be falsely charged with treason, tortured and executed! But all this behaviour was regarded as normal for a man of his class and ambitio . Maybe the critics should have a history lesson! I actually wonder if Stoppard part based Wessex on Essex...there are parallels."}, {"response": 1032, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Sun, Dec  6, 1998 (16:01)", "body": "Ben: I am so jealous that you live in the world's greatest city. How I would long to live there. I hope that you enjoy SIL. Nan did. I can't wait to eee it. Rita"}, {"response": 1033, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec  6, 1998 (16:23)", "body": "(Ben) I think I'll go and see SIL tonight. It's going to take living in the *world's greatest city* (cough, cough) to accomplish this, my dear. The film doesn't open until Dec. 11. ;-) I'd say Wessex's having a plantation in Virginia should suit our Colin. Tobacco, you know!"}, {"response": 1034, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Dec  6, 1998 (16:29)", "body": "(Bethan) If we look at the example of the real life Earl of Essex.......He was a good looking man That's all I need to know... Seriously, my only info on the Earl of Essex is from an old Bette Davis film. Was he not eventually executed himself? Ladies, when you watch ATA soon, I'm sure you'll concentrate on just the most important parts and my, oh, my those parts are very nice indeed. Have fun and come back and tell us your thoughts. And Ben, please tell us your thoughts on Shakespeare in Love too. I'm a member of the huddled masses, I'm afraid. (Ben) (Hey...have you ever seen Colin and me AT THE SAME TIME? Perhaps I'm the Bruce Wayne to his Batman...) Nan, you'll have to meet up with Ben someday and tell us if he has some conspicuously placed dimples. One of these days I'm going to get into the chat room and someone else will be there! It's a lovely idea, though."}, {"response": 1035, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Dec  6, 1998 (16:38)", "body": "Karen, I'm in the chatroom. Are you coming?"}, {"response": 1036, "author": "Sabine", "date": "Sun, Dec  6, 1998 (17:22)", "body": "Hello room !"}, {"response": 1037, "author": "Sabine", "date": "Sun, Dec  6, 1998 (17:25)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1038, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Dec  6, 1998 (17:56)", "body": "(Ben)This is the great advantage in living in the best city in the world. I'm a NYer, but IMO London is.I guess we're both turncoats :-) (Heide)Imagine, wanting to leave Lord Wessex for that scrawny Shakespeare\", Or Geoffrey Clifton for Count Almasy.!"}, {"response": 1039, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, Dec  6, 1998 (18:05)", "body": "(Heide) And yes, perhaps an LA \"premiere\". Winter, you'll be there right (if there is one)? Darn right, I'll be there! Have a fairly good idea where it might be held too. I'll give his agent a ring tomorrow, and see if I can scrounge up any info.. I have nothing better to do these days anyway... our teaching assistants' union is on strike at the moment. Must draw plan of action should the Man Himself show up at an L.A. premiere!"}, {"response": 1040, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Dec  6, 1998 (19:26)", "body": "I saw \"Elizabeth\" and was disappointed. The one noticeable thing is how v. photogenic JF is. He was even handsome but, not handsome enough to tempt me! He does not look as well in the SIL clips."}, {"response": 1041, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Dec  6, 1998 (19:29)", "body": "Ben, you where in the Boston area and did not meet Laura? Laura, what happened?"}, {"response": 1042, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Dec  6, 1998 (19:59)", "body": "More dream roles for Colin how about: Dante in \"Dante and Beatrice\" or Petrarca in \"Petrarca and Laura\" I think I'll start writing the scripts. We will have plenty of white shirts and a few wet ones as well. A wonderful love story and, there will be no prevarication on either Dante or Petrarca. Our hero all the way!"}, {"response": 1043, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Dec  6, 1998 (20:52)", "body": "(Heide) crusty lout?!?! Is this worse than a cuckold? He can't seem to escape derogatory words, the poor dear. (Ben) Speaking of which, hail Nan. I was in Cambridge, Mass. this week-end and had the great pleasure of having lunch w. two Pemberlians, Myretta and Jane. V. good to meet them both. Anyway, your name came up. Indeed? Fortunately, I completely trust the two ladies you mentioned or I would be tempted to say they were lying ;-) Myretta and Jane are great company, aren't they? (Heide) Nan, you'll have to meet up with Ben someday and tell us if he has some conspicuously placed dimples. Well, we'll have to see what we can do about that. When the semester is over, perhaps. Ben, you're uptown, yes? (Bethan) If we look at the example of the real life Earl of Essex... You description of the Earl is very similar to the character in SIL. At least they didn't tamper too much. Did I mention that Colin looks great with that glorious dark hair and goatee. I think all men should be required to wear a goatee. It should be a law ;-p"}, {"response": 1044, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Mon, Dec  7, 1998 (00:17)", "body": "Nan: I had a really good time chatting about our favorite person Friday night. I would love to do it again. We should all set up a time to be in there. Then we can all fix our addictions at the same time. Rita"}, {"response": 1045, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Mon, Dec  7, 1998 (00:19)", "body": "To all: GP will be on the talk show circuit this week again. Rosie and Jay I believe. I wonder if she will mention our CF. Rita"}, {"response": 1046, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Mon, Dec  7, 1998 (00:19)", "body": "To all: GP will be on the talk show circuit this week again. Rosie and Jay I believe. I wonder if she will mention our CF. Rita"}, {"response": 1047, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Dec  7, 1998 (01:52)", "body": "Well gang, I finally saw a print ad for SIL in our illustrious rag, the LA Times. The film is opening Friday in a very limited release, only four theatres. As mentioned before, CF has fourth billing behind Gwynnie, Joe, and Geoffery Rush, but ahead of Ben Affleck and Judi Dench. For entirely selfish reasons I kind of hope there is no LA premiere of SIL, because I think I would cry if he was here when I was out of the country. I know our dear winter would give me the play by play, but it wouldn't be q ite the same as being there, ya know? I would like to get CF to sign my Fever Pitch screenplay though. Right next to where Nick Hornby signed it. Now wouldn't that be a souvenir to hang on to?"}, {"response": 1048, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  7, 1998 (10:47)", "body": "Do you know what day GP will appear on Rosie?"}, {"response": 1049, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Dec  7, 1998 (11:22)", "body": "Friday"}, {"response": 1050, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Dec  7, 1998 (14:03)", "body": "UTA...What a bunch of losers! I called Colin's agent here in L.A., and they have no info. regarding Colin's schedules or appearances re: SiL. I was flabbergasted....\"You don't have your own client's schedule in town?\" The agent's assistant said I have to call his ICM agent in London, as they haven't got a clue. No wonder Colin hasn't been able to get better PR. Any Londoners out there willing to make a local call for me? (please) I'd really appreciate it."}, {"response": 1051, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  7, 1998 (15:55)", "body": "Think I'm going to have to learn how to *fix* these images... ;-)"}, {"response": 1052, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Dec  7, 1998 (16:22)", "body": "Winter call Miramax in LA for the SIL info. They are the ones who would know not the agents. I believe there is a v. good chance of his being in LA (to visit his son), but his agents don't have to know that."}, {"response": 1053, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Dec  7, 1998 (18:12)", "body": "Diverting from SIL (sorry!), but I have finally managed to get a copy of the ATA video. I've not been able to view it properly yet because of lack of time, a sort of fast-forward preview! But I actually think I'm pleasantly surprised. I approached it with very low expectations...but it really doesn't seem too bad. CF looks very handsome!! Will post more impressions when have time!"}, {"response": 1054, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Dec  7, 1998 (18:19)", "body": "(Nan) Did I mention that Colin looks great with that glorious dark hair and goatee. I think all men should be required to wear a goatee. It should be a law ;-p Yum, I do look forward to that. And the earring too. Ladies, what think ye of creating a topic (temporary) for Shakespeare in Love? Those of us who have seen it and want to talk about it without creating \"spoilers\" for the rest who have yet to see and don't want to know the whole story. Once it opens to general release in Europe (March?) we can transfer the comments back to one of the regular topics. I, for one, don't know if I could resist visiting this topic even if I hadn't seen the film but there are those who are stronger than I. Another note, we will be continuing our dear Colin Drool on a new topic number soon. These 1000+ messages get me nervous. How wonderful though that there is so much to discuss. So watch for the new topic."}, {"response": 1055, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec  7, 1998 (19:12)", "body": "Great idea, Heide ,for a SIL topic. I'll go on day after Christmas!! Winter, depending on what you hear from LA Miramax re: LA Premiere of SIL this week (and it could be imminent) I would go anyway...those agents aren't always infallible.But if you want me to ring ICM in London, I will be glad to call."}, {"response": 1056, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Dec  7, 1998 (19:41)", "body": "Thanks for the advice, Moon and Evelyn. I've just called Miramax, and apparently there's a 'special screening' (not 'premiere') that MAY be happening this week. The guy on the other line sounded almost as clueless at UTA... however, he did say that I should leave a message with the promotions department (I did) so that I could possibly be contacted about getting tickets!!!! I will keep you all posted..."}, {"response": 1057, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec  7, 1998 (21:16)", "body": "(Winter)I should leave a message with the promotions department (I did) so that I could possibly be contacted about getting tickets!! If you don't hear in 24 hrs., call back. GP is to be on Jay's on Wednesday night. Karen says sometimes the guests go right to a screening aft.So maybe Wed. Good luck, Winter. Go for it!We're proud of you :-))"}, {"response": 1058, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Mon, Dec  7, 1998 (23:55)", "body": "Thanks you to everyone with all of this information. You are so wonderful. It is so informative. Lord only knows we couldn't get it anywhere else. Rita"}, {"response": 1059, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Dec  8, 1998 (07:24)", "body": "Ladies, I am confirming that Colin is in LA! There is no guarantee that he will be at the special screening, but it is worth a shot Winter so go to it. We will want to know all about it. Heide, an SIL topic sounds like a good idea."}, {"response": 1060, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Dec  8, 1998 (10:01)", "body": "Mornin' all. Another coup - Colin tracked to LA. I only hope your agents there will be more dedicated than me. (Winter looks as though she's primed and ready.) Actually, I rather regret I wasn't here - it might have been fun. (Karen - you are quite right - it doesn't open till Friday; forgive my exaggeration. NYC still a cool place, though. Nan, I am on the Upper West side - where are you? Finally, I didn't meet Laura, which I regret, because she couldn't come to lunch, I suppose. There was some Pemberley tea on Sunday, but I had to leave before then. Next time...) I have a question. Well, two. Wasn't there a post a while back (two weeks or so) saying that someone had seen SIL and thought it awful? And now the previews seem to be good? I will make up my own mind on Friday, but it seems to me that, for whatever reason, people come to these sorts of films with strong preconceptions. There are lots of people, I reckon, who are predisposed EITHER to love it (or, without naming names, to love someone's Elizabethan britches and what's inside them) OR to hate it. I've not ced that quite a few people here react pretty negatively simply to the accent - the voice of the typical English stage actor seems immediately comes across to them as affected and conceited, regardless of what he is saying (it's less of a problem for the women.) It comes back to what I was saying about Hollywood films and baddies, I suppose. Is this fair, or is it paranoid gibberish?"}, {"response": 1061, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Dec  8, 1998 (10:56)", "body": "Ladies, I am confirming that Colin is in LA! Why does the thought that the DB is in LA send shivers up my spine? For a large part of the year he lives just a handful of miles from me! It must be the confirmation that he actually exists and is not just a hologram or a trick of the light. BTW someone has just posted a message over at Pemberley saying that they have just seen a poster advertising FP under \"coming soon\" at their local cinema. I got the impression that this person was in the US. Maybe CF is doing some FP interviews whilst he is in LA."}, {"response": 1062, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Dec  8, 1998 (11:26)", "body": "COLIN FIRTH IS GOING TO BE AT THE L.A. SCREENING OF S.I.L. TONIGHT !!! I just confirmed it with Miramax L.A.... unfortunately, I couldn't get a ticket (surprise surprise), but I will be outside the theatre (Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences) tonight, with my camera ready! Jana, if you're in town, the screening begins at 8:00 p.m., but I will be there by 6:00. It's on Wilshire Blvd. in Beverly Hills (don't remember the exact address), but it's the one between LaPeer and Doheny, I believe. (on the left hand side if you're going East on Wilshire). Wish me luck! My camera is not of the best quality, but I'm crossing my fingers and hoping I'll get a long enough glimpse of him to snap a few shots, and maybe even yell a word or two at him. I'm so excited!!!! AGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 1063, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Dec  8, 1998 (12:09)", "body": "Winter, buy a disposable camera if need be! Panoramic; that way you CAN'T miss him;)"}, {"response": 1064, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Dec  8, 1998 (12:13)", "body": "Go to it Winter, best of luck! Ben, I believe the women in the US are quite taken with a proper british accent, not slang or cockney. CF not only has it, but a wonderful voice to match. It baffles me why he is not cast as a romantic hero."}, {"response": 1065, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Dec  8, 1998 (12:55)", "body": "One more thing Winter, I have been to many screenings there when I lived in LA, the place is huge, so if by chance you do get in by asking someone to take you in with them, hang out in the lobby, only the v. famous stars go to their seats straight away. You may find Colin hanging out with some friends there. Once again, buena suerte!"}, {"response": 1066, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Dec  8, 1998 (15:17)", "body": "Excellent sleuthing!! Winter you carry our collective envy and longing with you to L.A. GOOD LUCK. we shall be hanging on your EVERY word (and snappy) when you return."}, {"response": 1067, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Tue, Dec  8, 1998 (15:22)", "body": "BTW there was a lovely pic of Darcy inone of the papers today - something about a Fay Weldon script/screenplay casting the Bennett Girls as men. I was too busy taking in CF's luxuriant locks to remember any more detail. Ben, could this be the very role you have been waiting for? Playing Lizzie could change your life and of course bring you so much closer to Jennifer!! How about it?"}, {"response": 1068, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  8, 1998 (15:30)", "body": "Oh you lucky dog! Hope you get lots of pictures and can post them for us to see. (You can always send them to me for scanning, btw, *hint, hint*) From USA Today, today (Dec 8) by Jeannie Williams: \"Firth was on hand with lovely brunnette wife Olivia. Fans of Firth as Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice will be happy to know that though he looks less trim in this movie, in person he's still boyishly handsome.\" Always good to hear a little reassurance from a *disinterested third party*!!"}, {"response": 1069, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  8, 1998 (15:31)", "body": "One more thing, since the special screening is tonight, we're going to have to watch ET and the others tomorrow for film clips."}, {"response": 1070, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec  8, 1998 (16:48)", "body": "Winter...take an extra disposable camera in your purse, in case yours malfunctions. Don't forget to take FP screenplay and two pens. Walmart develops pictures in an hour. If you send them to Karen (I'll send address in email) I'll pay for the overnight espress mail. Once again....You're Our Girl in LA!!"}, {"response": 1071, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec  8, 1998 (17:00)", "body": "Almost forgot....TIME Magazine gives SIL a **glowing** review.... by Richard Corliss who is v. hard to please. If Movies be the Food of Love.... Let them be as romantic and ravishing as this one... But the true, rare glamour of the piece is the ...flourishing of words for their majesty and fun, and--in the love play between JF and his enchantress--the kindling of a playfully adult eroticism . Also talks about the cast...alas not a mention of Colin, but it looks like it's gonna be a winnah!!"}, {"response": 1072, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Dec  8, 1998 (17:44)", "body": "Grabbed my Time Magazine, Evelyn, which just came today and rushed to the page before I finished reading your post. Can you believe absolutely no mention of even his character? Grrr. But the USA Today notice sounds great. Poor (O)Livia. Winter - you go girl! I e-mailed Jana at work to tell her but I know she's leaving for Manila in a day or two (might even be there by now). Wish you tons of luck."}, {"response": 1073, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Dec  8, 1998 (17:48)", "body": "Just got off the phone with Evelyn... what a sweetie! Yes, I will Fed Ex the pictures to Karen once they're ready (hopefully tomorrow). On my way home from school today, I stopped by the Academy, to make sure the screening was in fact going to happen. Sure enough, guys rolling out red carpets, setting up bright lights, and.. unfortunately, barriers to separate journalists from the stars as they walk in. But no matter, I will try to get as close up as possible. I also checked on the parking situation, as the theatre is in a residential district that requires permits. So, I spotted a side street where I can park my car for a few hours. Also I may come back to the theatre when people are leaving, so hopefully get a glimpse of Colin after the film's over. On another fanatical whim, I drove up the street to the Four Seasons Hotel, where Miramax usually puts their people up. No sign of Colin, but plenty of limos parked in front. Perhaps? I can't tell you how excited I am. I'm just so nervous that something may go wrong... but I will take all necessary precautions to ensure nothing doesn't... extra pen, back-up disposable camera, etc... I didn't count on anything happening this week-- so I'm so excited about this. Now I'm just going to take a deep breath, rehearse my questions, make sure my hair and makeup are in order (darn I wish I had plucked my eyebrows this past weekend!), and get my things together.. unfortunately, I do not have the ever Pitch screenplay (where do you all get yours?)."}, {"response": 1074, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Dec  8, 1998 (18:00)", "body": "There's a review at imdb.com by James Beradinelli which actually mentions Colin \"the British heart-throb who played the male lead in the superlative P&P (thank you!!)..plays the cold, loveless Lord Wessex.\" He says of JF/GP \"not one of the great pairings of the year\" but there's a lot of praise for the overall film. Perhaps reviewers who know CF notice him, otherwise not. I've noticed that quite a few people here react pretty negatively simply to the accent - the voice of the typical English stage actor seems immediately comes across to them as affected and conceited, regardless of what he is saying (it's less of a problem for the women.) It comes back to what I was saying about Hollywood films and baddies, I suppose. (Ben) There was a recent newspaper article about Hollywood's attitude to a \"good\" British accent. It really works for women....British actresses are much sought after at the moment, and their accent denotes class, spirit and intelligence. But the male actor with the equivalent accent is seen as (quote) \"an effeminate twit!\" Why does the thought that the DB is in LA send shivers up my spine? For a large part of the year he lives just a handful of miles from me! It must be the confirmation that he actually exists and is not just a hologram or a trick of the light. (Allison) Well, this is the man who I have yet to see give an interview, who often refers to the need to withdraw, and who once gave up acting completely and disappeared to Canada! He's very elusive!!! Winter, as Lizza said, \"Excellent sleuthing!\" Go for it!"}, {"response": 1075, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Dec  8, 1998 (18:30)", "body": "I've said it before and I'll say it again...if the Marines had hired you lot the Gulf War would have lasted one hour, not a hundred. You are BRILLIANT! As for me, it appears I'm an effeminate twit. Mind you, it appears CF is too. I blame Hugh Grant. Why the extra pen, by the way? To poke competing fans in the eye? BTW, I am going back to Blighty for Xmas, and......I'm going to be having dinner with John and Maggie Castle! I've seen them plenty of times since the fated (and now feted) evening, but now I'll know the right questions to ask."}, {"response": 1076, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec  8, 1998 (19:56)", "body": "(Ben) .I'm going to be having dinner with John and Maggie Castle! I've seen them plenty of times since the fated (and now feted) evening, but now I'll know the right questions to ask Grrrreat. Hey, we've got Winter in LA and Ben in London...what more can one ask for!! Perhaps....just perhaps...you might come across The Man Himself. And Ben,...talked to Jenn's agent this week. She's back in London\"reading scripts\". Take a walk around Sloane Square :-)) ."}, {"response": 1077, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  8, 1998 (20:19)", "body": "...and since your going to see John Castle, could you ask the guy if he has a decent copy of Lost Empires. Based on the commercials I've seen on mine, I believe it walked across the US from New Zealand!! Yes, blame Hugh Grant for the bad rep. ;-)"}, {"response": 1078, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec  8, 1998 (20:20)", "body": "Just think Winter is outside the theater now. I am all a-quiver!! Can't wait to see the pix and I promise to get them up on the board within 24 hrs. of receipt. That would be barring any acts of God, etc., written into the small print. :)"}, {"response": 1079, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Dec  8, 1998 (22:11)", "body": "(Karen)Think I'm going to have to learn how to *fix* these images... ;-) If you want to schedule a time for a little phone meeting (after December 17, please) I think I can help you, babe. (Ben) Nan, I am on the Upper West side - where are you? Midtown, west side. (Ben) (or, without naming names, to love someone's Elizabethan britches and what's inside them) And lovely, frilly breeches they are ;-p (Moon) I believe the women in the US are quite taken with a proper british accent, not slang or cockney. CF not only has it, but a wonderful voice to match. I'm with you, honey...it does me just fine ;-) (Winter) (darn I wish I had plucked my eyebrows this past weekend!) LOL!"}, {"response": 1080, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Tue, Dec  8, 1998 (23:50)", "body": "WInter: I am so jealous that you get to be there. Talke a long look for me. Hope you get lots of pictures and send them our way. You are so terrific. I wish that I could be there also. Congratulations again! Rita"}, {"response": 1081, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (01:30)", "body": "So I'm posting this here, but emailing this to friends who also know how much I love Colin\ufffd I drive to Beverly Hills around 5:00. The traffic was of course, a nightmare, and I thought \"will I ever get a spot to see him?\" Well, after getting to the neighborhood, I park my car on Clifton Drive. That, my friends, is a good omen. I show up, and only one photographer is there. He and I chit chat about the business, until he points me in the direction of this tiny cage, where autograph seekers have to wait behind, and politely ask for signatures. Papprazzi get the privileged spot along the red carpet. The good paparazzo told me to claim my spot QUICK, before the professional autograph hunters take my spot. So there I am, at 5:15 p.m., standing alone in this make-shift police barricade square. But, sure enough, by 6, I was surrounded by people with 8 x10 glossies, talking trade and swapping stories about what premieres are going on that night too. \"HA!\" I think, \"I'm the only civilian here!\" It's f***ing cold, and I'm waiting till about 7:40 p.m.. A black Lincoln town car shows up, and I yell \"IT'S COLIN!\" Nobody out there (at least 20 autograph seekers and 60 camera people) don't flash their cameras or yell out the actor's name, as they had done with the stars who had arrived just minutes before (they all went wild for Diane Cannon, for some unknown reason). So I yell again, \"Colin, can you please come here and sign an autograph?\" He turns around, and with Livia, walk toward our barricade. I've got my camera ready and shooting, I hold up my \"Making of Pride and Prejudice\" book to be signed, as I wait for Colin to sign the autograph hounds' paraphanelia, I see Livia standing politely behind. She was toward me so I nudge to her, \"So they had your name spelled 'Olivia' in the papers today.\" She smiled very nicely, and said something to the effect of, \"It's Livia\"\ufffd but really in the nicest way. She was gorgeous\ufffd I felt like such a toad Colin was still signing things so I turned to Livia again and said, 'You must be tired of this movie. You've seen it more than once now haven't you?\" And she said yes, but she didn't mind because it's such a great film and it's funny and seems funnier every time they see it again. Then, Colin takes my book, and as he signs it I say \"I hope you sign on to play Mark Darcy! I've talked to Helen Fielding about this!\" To which he replied \"Oh really?!\" and then walked off. (note-I did talk to H.F. about this, but not in such the intimate manner in which I probably projected this scenario. It was at the BJD booksigning). part II to come..."}, {"response": 1082, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (01:42)", "body": "part II: So.. with the autograph and pictures taken (I took about 8 with the disposable, and about 4 with the real camera), I wade out of the barricade, and stand there along with people who want to get inside and watch the film. I was on such an adrenaline high that I kept talking to myself going \"I came here for one person, and I finally got his picture and autograph.\" Behind me I hear something to the effect of \"Is it for Colin Firth?\" Sure enough\ufffd a person from the listersev showed up! Her name is Elizabeth, nd she had her camera ready, but didn't get in on time to see him (she had taken the bus there from work). THEN\ufffd I hear Jeff, one of the bodyguards (whom I had befriended while waiting out in the cold) tell me that if I wanted to see them movie, I could stay in that line, and maybe there's room for \"laughters\". A laughter, in this case, is a civilian (non-film- industry) person who can sit in on a screening, and laugh at all the right parts because all these stuffy coats and ties have probably already rea the script or seen the film. Sure enough, Elizabeth and I get in!!!! HOLY F****!!!! This was more than I could ever ask for. Geofrrey Rush was there, and so was GP and BA. No Judi Dench nor Joe Fiennes to be seen. But, Elizabeth and I make our way inside, scan for Colin, find seats up toward the front (7th row-lucky number) and sit down. Harvey Weinstein (Miramax) gives an opening speech, introduces the cast who are in attendance, and lo and behold, Colin is toward the back, center row. The movie was so hilarious, so witty\ufffd it was a great ensemble cast. GP was alright-but I was much more entertained by Judi Dench, Tom Wilkinson, Colin (so funny-the butt of jokes, but not too bad), and surprisingly, Ben Affleck (he was quite good)."}, {"response": 1083, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (02:00)", "body": "part III (finale): After the movie, Elizabeth and I wait outside the screening room, which is on the 2nd floor. The 1st floor had a reception, with lots of people dispersing downstairs. I had just gotten out of the bathroom when I spotted Livia! I (politely) stopped her, and said, \"Your husband was brilliant! I was so entertained!\" I told her how witty the film was, and how it was just a great showcase for excellent writing. She thanked me (for Colin), got a tissue from the bathroom, and walked back to Colin, who was surrou ded by lots of unknown people (Geoffrey Rush was part of the crowd too). Livia, I have to say, is one of the nicest persons I've met in a long time. So genuine\ufffd I didn't feel an inch of jealousy as I used to back in the day. She's just the nicest person, very friendly and approachable\ufffd Elizabeth, in the meantime, is waiting to get a picture. She really needed to get one, as well as an autograph before going home. I myself was debating about staying around because Colin was surrounded by EVERYONE and we were told spefically by Jeff the Bodyguard that we would be ousted if we asked for pix or sigs. inside. So, as I mull this over, I turn around and who is standing right next to me? Ben Affleck and Gwyneth Paltrow! GP was talking to lts of people,as Ben stood politely behind. I nudged BA i the arm and said \"I think you did a great job!\" To which he replied, \"Well thank you!\" Nothing more I could say, and nothing more he could say, so he turned back to GP and the rest of the crowd. I didn't care, however, because all I kept thinking of was Colin, Colin, Colin. I'm standing next to an Oscar winner, and all I could think of was how I could talk to Colin and tell him more about us on the Internet! So Elizabeth spots them all walking down toward the stairs, to the reception\ufffd Oh my gosh! We fly down the stairs, and sure enough, Elizabeth catches Colin first. She exchanges some words with him (I'm in a daze at the moment, staring at him), and then I turn to him and tell him how we wanted to say hello to him, on behalf of all his fans on the Internet. He smiled very warmly to me and said thank you very much, and that he appreciated us (!!!!!). I then told him how big a fan I was, that I had already acc sted his poor wife twice tonight, to which he laughed and said \"That's OK.\" We make our way down the stairs as this exchange is going on, and I notice that it's just us (me, Elizabeth, Colin and Livia) standing on the stairs, with HUNDREDS of people waiting below for the reception. (ROBERTO BEGNINI WAS THERE!!!! I was the 1st person to yell it out when he stepped out of the limo outside!) I felt like it was a scene from \"Cinderella\". We're being presented in court, with Colin standing next to us! Well, not really, but the thrill of it was priceless. I extended my hand, and he, after a second, got the hint and shook it back, and then others began talking to Colin, so I decided this was the end of the exchange. MIRACLE!!! By the way, he has much lighter hair than I thought, and is surprisingly pasty. He is in need of a tan, but he still looked so handsome. Very tall too. So that's the end, I may fill in with other details if people ask. I just wanted to share this with you all, and get this out of my system. The film will be developed in the AM and FedEx'd ASAP."}, {"response": 1084, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (02:17)", "body": "Winter, You are a wonder! More questions, of course. How good was Livia's english? Does she have a strong accent? Does he have a firm handshake? What was he wearing? What was she wearing? Do you still like him?? Thank you so much from us all. What an evening, you must be in shock."}, {"response": 1085, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (03:57)", "body": "(Allison)How good was Livia's english? Does she have a strong accent? Her English was excellent. I have a friend from the same area in Italy as Livia(Tuscany) who is a PhD student in the US, and Livia's English is better. The accent is there, but not strong to the point where she's unintelligible. She's not sing-songy either with her English, which is what I've observed with Italians who speak to me in English. Does he have a firm handshake? Can't remember. I kept staring at him thinking, \"God he's pasty!\" I know, it's awful, but that's really what I thought. What was he wearing? What was she wearing? Go to the 'English Patient' L.A. premiere pictures. It's the same outfit I believe! (I shake my head at this fashion faux pas). Light colored sports jacket, black top. Livia was wearing a flowy velvety pants-suit type thing (dark color-- either black, or wine, or both). She had the most wonderful black beaded choker around her neck. She's really beautiful... but so skinny! Do you still like him?? YES! I don't know what to do right now... I can't sleep... I kick myself for all the things I did not mention like: -How much I loved him in FeverPitch and thought it was his best performance. -Asking when MLSF or SLOW was coming out -To say \"hello\" to Jonathan, or Nick -To ask what's his next project -I had also wanted to tell him that now that I had met him in person, I was only one celebrity shy from my British icon Holy Trinity: Nick Hornby, Helen Fielding and him!"}, {"response": 1086, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (06:12)", "body": "(Winter)I don't know what to do right now... You'll just have to come over for the London premiere! She's really beautiful... but so skinny! How skinny? Anorexic? You make them sound an unhealthy pair. Pasty and skinny! Now I think you should get some sleep. It's 4am there isn't it! Sweet Dreams."}, {"response": 1087, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (06:16)", "body": "He appreciates his Internet fans? But he has no way of knowing the difference between us at Drool and the FOF listserv, does he? I guess he appreciates all."}, {"response": 1088, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (06:27)", "body": "He appreciates his Internet fans? But he has no way of knowing the difference Difference? What difference?"}, {"response": 1089, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (07:30)", "body": "Bravissima Winter! We have all stated before that if we ever met him we would probably do nothing at all, and look at YOU! We are so proud of you! Happy to hear he appreciates his internet fans and hopefully, he will answer our questions as soon as he returns home. Allison, had v. good questions. Just a few more: Is Livia v. tall? Where his eyebrows noticeable? Is his hair short now? Is his english closer to Darcy? Again, complimenti!"}, {"response": 1090, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (08:21)", "body": "Winter, you lucky girl, you must be sooooo happy. Thanks for charing all this with us."}, {"response": 1091, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (08:52)", "body": "More questions Winter: Did Livia speak with a british accent? Most of the Italians I know do, including my husband's family. Was there other media interest in Colin? Did he smile a lot? OK, OK, I'll stop now!"}, {"response": 1092, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (09:18)", "body": "It's 7 am right now, and I've gotten about 3 hours of sleep. I woke up this morning quite groggy, but after realizing that I had been at the screening, and recalling all the events that took place, my pulse went up about threefold, and then I couldn't ge back to sleep. (Allison)How skinny? Anorexic? You make them sound an unhealthy pair. Pasty and skinny! No, not anorexic skinny. I'm sorry to have portrayed them as so unhealthy. Livia was tall(er)-- I'm 5 feet exactly, and I estimate her to be about 5'7\" in her heels. She was very slim, long neck.. sort of Audrey Hepburnish...but I know a girl who had anorexia/bullimia, and believe me, Livia was not in that category. She had a healthy complexion, nice cheekbones, the nicest smile. Believe me girls, I felt so bad about myself for being so jealous when they married. She's the nicest person, really. As for Co in, he was just paler, I think because his hair is really light (straw colored), and I'm so used to darker features. And I may be very subjective about the word pasty, since I naturally have a dark complexion. (Moon) Where his eyebrows noticeable? Is his hair short now? Is his english closer to Darcy? I didn't notice anything peculiar about the eyebrows. As for his hair, it's sort of moppish, and the curls are definitely growing out. Oh yeah-- you'll be happy to know he's not as jowly or heavy-set as I thought he'd be. Either the costuming in SIL was fantastic, or he's lost lots of weight since after the filming. His English is what I would consider Standard... From what little exchange there was, I couldn't detect anything in particular. Maybe because he was in the States, or whatever, but now that I hink of it, Darcy's English was a bit more \"accented\" than what Colin was speaking last night. Oh god, oh god, oh god... the most awful thing I've just noticed. My disposable camera had no flash! We were in front of plenty of floodlights/camera lights. Any film experts out there?! I will see in a few hours. At least my back-up camera had a flash! (Moon)Winter: Did Livia speak with a british accent? Was there other media interest in Colin? Did he smile a lot? No.. she didn't acquire a British accent, from what I could remember. It's funny, a few times as we were waiting outside the theatre, I would yell out stars' names as they arrived way before the papparazzi did (Thank you, People magazine subscription! I know my celebs!). That happened with Colin, Begnini (I yelled it out in a sin-songy Italian accent), and Jennifer Tilly (oh yeah, she was there with another sister, not Meg). The media seemed to know who he was, because they all called out hi name to get his picture. Also, as I chatted with the autograph hounds, they all knew who he was, and even had his glossies there to sign. (Note-- when seeking autogrpahs, the best pen to use is a Vis-a-Vis marker...no smearing! When the star approaches, everyone has a Vis-a-Vis ready, but it's used for doing ALL the autographs, so it's easier on the star). Livia is accustomed now to all this... She and Colin knew to smile in front of the papparazzi, walk a few feet, smile again, walk of few feet, etc... And YES! He did smile a lot! One of the things I noticed about him. It made him seem so.... contemporary. He has a nice broad smile, and he it made him seem so much more easy-going and friendly than the dark, brooding type I'm so used to imagining. Even now, I've noticed, it's hard for me to even visualize him if I read fanfic now... he's so much more lighter and more.... real (for lack of a better word) than I had previously imagined."}, {"response": 1093, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (11:27)", "body": "Hello, everybody! I\ufffdve been lurking here for ages and admiring your beautiful conversation in silence because I\ufffdm shy for my bad English. Now that Winter has done something so marvellous, I just have to speak. Winter, you\ufffdre wonderful, thank you very much for sharing your adventure with us. It\ufffds like fantasies had become reality, I mean, He really EXISTS??!! I wonder how courageous you really are, I\ufffdm afraid I would\ufffdve fainted out of excitement in your place."}, {"response": 1094, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (12:22)", "body": "I think we must all applaud Our Girl Winter for the great composure she showed under extraordinary circumstance. You did us proud.Just like last spring when you represented us at the Helen Fielding booksigning.We look forward to the pics. I hope there are listserve people lurking so we can share this account with them. Would someone on the listserve pl. copy this and post it on the list serve. We want to share Colin with them. And, at times, I wish they would share things with us.We are all Internet fans together.....ALL of us are Friends of Firth. Welcome Elena...your English is fine and we love hearing from you. and we encourage all lurkers to join in the fun with us."}, {"response": 1095, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (12:49)", "body": "Oh, Winter, you had the experience of a lifetime. Your write-up was great and I can well imagine that you'd be on such a high that you couldn't get to sleep (another Audrey Hepburn, \"I could've danced all night\" moment!) Could it be that he looked so pasty because you're in California. In non-sunny climes, we get used to *pasty*!! ;-) And then to have gotten in to see the film...before the great unwashed masses...sitting within popcorn-throwing distance of Colin, Gwennie and Bennie, and Harvey...hobnobbing in the ladies room with Livia...making small talk with Ben Affleck...dropping names like you did (HF). So proud of you. Is there an award we can give this woman? A statue we can erect? Bravo! Bravo! Question: Do you think you were caught on film by any of the entertainment shows? Did you see the ET, Access Hollywood, or E! people there interviewing? You will have to carefully scrutinize the shows today and let us know if you're in the shot (and what you're wearing). I'm going to reread what you've written and savor every word. Thank you so much and I eagerly await the package."}, {"response": 1096, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (13:10)", "body": "Got it!! Dame Winter. What say you all? A knighthood? I then told him how big a fan I was, that I had already accosted his poor wife twice tonight, to which he laughed and said \"That's OK.\" What a guy! I loved this part. A very human response when the comment wasn't about him."}, {"response": 1097, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (13:44)", "body": "I have just gotten off the phone with Winter..... Disappointing news....pictures did not come out. The disposable camera did not have a flash and the other camera had crowd shots of people's heads. Of course, she feels terrible...I told it that it did not matter...her account was so fabulous; (I have downloaded it) . And the important thing is that She told him that she was representing all his fans on the Internet . Hopefully , Elizabeth , from the listserve , took a successful pic and she'll share it with us. Karen, I think, \"Dame Winter\" is definitely in order.I second the motion."}, {"response": 1098, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (14:07)", "body": "Dame Winter it is! Maybe Nan can air-brush Colin's pix and give him straw color hair!!! I can't imagine. I can see why you would have a hard time with the FF stories, the dark hair looks so good on him. So Dame Winter, would you say Livia is 5'5 without heels? If she speaks english with an American accent? She must have studied here at one point. Did you notice if she spoke with Benigni? This is so great, to be able to ask all these questions about the man himself!"}, {"response": 1099, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (14:10)", "body": "It is a shame about the pictures, but as Evelyn said maybe Elizabeth has some to share, could you call her?"}, {"response": 1100, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (14:55)", "body": "Yes, it\ufffds a disappointment about the pics but I think what happened is very understandable. Don\ufffdt be sad, Dame Winter, you\ufffdre still my hero. In a situation like that one is more than likely to do something wrong with a camera and to tell you the truth, I didn\ufffdt expect wonders; needs a LOTof nerves to be able to take cool shots when you\ufffdre far from calm yourself."}, {"response": 1101, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (15:07)", "body": "Winter, terrific stuff!! You've really made the evening come alive...and don't worry about the photos...your words supply the pictures! What pleases me is that you've met the \"real\" Colin and that you LIKE him (and almost become a bosom pal of his wife! :-) ) Is he still \"Mr Darcy\" to you, or will you now have a different sort of image. BTW most Englishmen are pale...we just don't have that LA sunshine over here! Lest I forget (in all this excitement)..!! Ben, you mentioned that you would be meeting up with John Castle again over Christmas. If you feel that it's appropriate to the occasion, could you please perhaps ask him if \"Lost Empires\", in which he starred with Colin, is ever likely to be shown again on one of the satellite channels or released on video. It's a major Granada production, like \"Brideshead Revisited\" and \"Jewel in the Crown\", both of which have been recently released on video. But no \"good\" copy of LE seems to exist! Thanks! I really admired John Castle's performance in LE by the way!"}, {"response": 1102, "author": "StefanieB", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (15:49)", "body": "Gosh Dame Winter . . . .sounds like a wonderful experience! Great job!!!!!"}, {"response": 1103, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (16:33)", "body": "WOW!!!!! What a night!! Winter you are our very own Dame of Drool. Thanks for sharing everything with us. Who needs snappies when your prose just conjured up the experience for us all so vividly. Now you'll give us all sleepless nights too!! I was interested to see you recognised his outfit ( from the snappy with Alan Cummings?). I read somewhere that he isn't interested in clothes but I'll bet the lovely Livia's outfit was getting it's first airing. Congratulations, you were just brilliant-- calm, cool and collected."}, {"response": 1104, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (16:47)", "body": "Dame Winter, Might you have your retinas scanned? I am sure He is imprinted on them - permanently! Thanks for providing us such a thrillingly vicarious close encounter. And, to have actually *touched* him!!! Never wash that hand again!!! Or let anyone use your Vis-a-Vis, either."}, {"response": 1105, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (16:49)", "body": "Karen e-mailed me the comments above to me at work so I could catch all this excitement. Your ladyship, I could barely work for the rest of the afternoon. Your evening was fantastic. I am so proud of you and glad you represented us. You did a terrific job. Don't be disappointed for us about the photos. As Bethan said, your words made the evening come alive. I know you're disappointed for yourself but just remember - he touched your hand!! If Elizabeth's photos came out, I'm sure they'll be public on omeone's website soon so we can all share in them (and print them!) Are your feet touching earth yet? Can you believe you got in to see the movie? And then shared the landing with him? Shook his hand? Got some words out of him? My dear, I'm still shaking my head in amazement. I have a question for you - did Livia pronounce her name with the accent on the first or middle syllable? Can you even remember? Thank you so much for going and then so quickly reporting back to us. Another exciting day."}, {"response": 1106, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (17:29)", "body": "Everyone... I'm so sorry about the pictures. I called Evelyn collect from the photoshop (thanks for accepting the charges!) and told her what had happened. Apparently, the disposable camera I used was for outdoor shots, and thus, no flash was attached to it. Typical me... I know nothing about cameras. I called Elizabeth at work (we're both at UCLA!) and asked her what had happened. Apparently, she waited over half and hour, Colin and Livia came out, and she got his autograph and his picture, and herself and Colin in a picture!! Oh! How I wished I had braved the cold to see him again. But I felt so obtrusive already, having stopped Livia in the bathroom, talking to her outside, and then talking to him on the stairs...I didn't want to come off as a stalker. Liz will make me an extra copy of the photos. Liz and I reminisced over the phone a bit about last night. You know what? We both noticed that when I mentioned his \"Internet fans\" -- his face lit up after a second, and he immediately recognized the connection! That's probably why he felt so appreciative and told us so. I guess that's a moment that couldn't be put into a picture anyway... I'm so upset over this whole thing, I taught class today in the worst mood. My students usually like me, but I think they were taken aback by my irritable behavior. And.. it was the last week of classes, so I couldn't even make it up to them! I cancelled my office hours, since I didn't want to sit there for 2 hours and brood over this in silence. So I went home early from school, and logged on to here. At least, on the Internet, I have a cyber-shoulder to cry on. Watch the entertainment shows tonight. I walked behind Jennifer Tilly as she was giving a TV interview (I'm not sure which show). Look for the short Asian girl with the pony-tail, wearing a black pea-coat and beige top-- that's me! I talked to a friend today about last night's experience. He told me that Livia was probably very friendly to me because I always come off as someone so young. She probably thought I was about 16-- when we're actually almost the same age, I think. Ben Affleck probably blew me o f because he might of mistook me for a teeny-bopper fan. And Colin might've thought I was a polite teeny-bopper fan:-). More details... Livia is probably 5'5.5 at least. I didn't take a look at her shoes to see how tall her heels were. (But I really liked her choker!)She pronounced her name, I believe, with accent on the first vowel. (Just rhyme her name with that hand lotion \"Nivea\". ) I keep talking about her, but that's probably because I was amazed at how nice she was. She hugged a couple of other women after the screening... I think wives of some studio exec's or actor's wives... The movie is great... Ben Affleck has a great little role. He plays a very pompous actor who is duped by Shakespeare to take on the role of Mercutio."}, {"response": 1107, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (17:29)", "body": "Just created Topic 15 for Shakespeare in Love spoilers. We know two people now who have seen this film. They can entertain each other there until the rest of us see this movie. ;-) Ben, dear, I don't think you're an effeminate twit though perhaps Hollywood movers and shakers do so you can forget your film career. However, most of the women in the US (and I am the official spokeswoman) love an RP Brit accent (short of the royal family's). Sounds dashing and heroic but also intelligent and sensitive - every woman's dream. A whopping stereotype, but what can I say. Glad you're going back to the bosom of your family for the holidays. We expect a full report when you return. By the way, many of us think John Castle was pretty nifty looking in Lost Empires too - you can tell him that. Maybe a little older than I like and of course 10 years later he's even older yet, but still a nice looking gent. Bethan, looks like the wheels of publicity are starting to turn in the UK! Bet DB will be coming home soon. Ladies, keep your eyes peeled for us. Elena! Welcome. Tell us where you're from, if you like. We hope Shakespeare in Love will open for you soon too. Your English is lovely and I hope you'll continue to post with us."}, {"response": 1108, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (17:34)", "body": "And of course that's Topic 115 for SiL."}, {"response": 1109, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (17:35)", "body": "Anyone want to chat tonight?"}, {"response": 1110, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (18:16)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1111, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (18:31)", "body": "I'm so upset over this whole thing Winter, the photos really, really DON'T matter!!! The eye-witness account you've given us is marvellous, and I think you should be going around with a huge Cheshire cat grin on your face. Well done!"}, {"response": 1112, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (20:05)", "body": "TV ALERT \" E!CHANNEL\" The E! NEWS DAILY"}, {"response": 1113, "author": "BenB", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (20:10)", "body": "Congrats. to Winter. A flawlessly executed operation. I shouldn't worry about the photographs. They rarely capture the mood of the moment, in my experience, and your memories will be all the more vivid without them. Sounds like Colin has snared himself a wonderful wife, but none of you would expect anything less, I suppose. I have a v. good Italian friend who's just had a daughter called Livia, coincidentally. My memory is that Claudius' mother, Tiberius' wife, was Livia, and not a terribly nice one. (Pl ase correct me, classical scholars.) These two sound better. I'm glad you liked the film, Winter. (Serves me right for the idle boast about New York that half this board will have seen it before me!) As for the pastiness, it's an occupational hazard of living in England. (Or New York, for that matter.) You should make sure the next meeting is in September, after a few months of Tuscan sun. Now you know him, I'm sure you could drop by the Villa Firth for a glass of Chianti next summer... Heide, many thanks for the reassurances. I wonder how long the effect of the accent normally lasts before the horrible truth comes out...."}, {"response": 1114, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (20:11)", "body": "TV ALERT \" E!CHANNEL\" (cable) The E! NEWS DAILY SHOW features Colin FULL SCREEN being interviewed at last night's LA Premiere. It will be shown again tomorrow at: 6AM CT and 12 noon CT Karen called me on this. She just saw it. I do not get E! channel. Look for Her Ladyship. Dame Winter...Your Ladyship...when you get the pics from Elizabeth our original mailing plan (Overnite to Karen) goes into effect...ok?"}, {"response": 1115, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (20:59)", "body": "Winter: Congrats to you. You lucky girl. I am so jealous. I am glad that you liked the wife. I have always been jealous too. Rita"}, {"response": 1116, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (10:34)", "body": "Okay, I've got the note pasted on my door again for the Fed Ex guy to just leave the package...whenever it shows up. I know you must be sad, Winter, but like everyone here says, we have experienced it vicariously through your words. Don't feel like you've let us down. We don't think so at all. You came through for us and we are so glad you made it and had the presence of mind to speak to both Colin and Livia. I know I'd be just tongue-tied like I was with Nick Hornby and he's no where near the same as Colin. ;-) **************** I've just received a message from Firth High Command for our *Batbuddy* You have been selected from thousands of able-bodied (just guessing, mind you) men to execute OPERATION FIND LOST EMPIRES!! The details of this strategically important operation will be made known to you when our military attache arrives with the sealed documents. Suffice to say, we'd like a copy of this miniseries (NTSC and/or PAL)...no questions asked. By the way, M has sanctioned your use of your double-o classification, if necessary. ;-)"}, {"response": 1117, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (10:51)", "body": "Another thing: Siskel and Ebert will review SiL next week. Since it is syndicated, the dates will vary. Mine is on Saturday. Anyway, the new Star Trek is also on the bill, so who knows which will lead off. I am getting so sick and tired of Ben Affleck and his mugging for the camera. I liked him after Good Will Hunting, but now if I see him one more time being interviewed about this movie, I'm going to get seriously ill. On one of the shows, he actually said there wasn't any Shakespeare in SiL. Did this guy go to school or is he just another ignorant dropout? Who does he think Mercutio is? E! Update - My cable was acting weird yesterday so I am going to retape this snippet today. The 6:00 a.m. was not the same; hopefully the noon rebroadcast will be the same as yesterday's. Anyway, it showed Colin being interviewed by someone, although you couldn't really make out what he was saying. But as Evelyn posted, he was the only one on screen!!! You didn't have to use a magnifying glass to see him. Looked positively adorable. Not at all jowly or anything. Wish I had a Snappy."}, {"response": 1118, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (11:30)", "body": "Now that our very own Dame of Drool has experienced that gorgeous and expressive face light up at the mention of his internet fans maybe THIS should henceforward be known as \"THE LOOK.\""}, {"response": 1119, "author": "susanne", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (13:28)", "body": "WOW! What excitement on this board. I usually lurk, but this event has driven me out of my lazy mode to actually post. Winter, You have my full admiration on your meeting with Le Firth. I would have been struck dumb, but you kept your composure and even got to talk to his wife. The pictures don't matter at all because in this case a picture would not have been worth your \"1000\" words. Anyway, E Entainment so kindly supplied us with the visual. His hair was a lot lighter and perhaps a bit more receding, but he still looked gorgeous. Now we know Livia is not pregnant. Thanks again for your account of your evening. BTW, for what does DB stand?"}, {"response": 1120, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (13:32)", "body": "DB=Dear Boy You'll get the hang of our shorthand. :) Nice to see you posting here as well, Sue."}, {"response": 1121, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (13:53)", "body": "What do you mean, Winter? This is a great picture! No, actually this is from the Miramax site. Only one they have with Colin...at least so far..."}, {"response": 1122, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (14:07)", "body": "Oh my god, I keep thinking over and over again about your magnificent experience, Winter. It\ufffds so miraculous that you actually managed to meet him, stood close to him, could observe his features and hear his voice in real life, talked to him and even touched him....!!! I can\ufffdt get enough of the idea. On the other hand, isn\ufffdt it funny to say things like this, as if Colin was a deity of some kind and not just a good-looking bloke who\ufffds exactly as human as we are. That\ufffds actually what your adventure made so wonderfully clear to me, Winter, Colin\ufffds lovely humanity I mean. There was such a long while without any news from him that he started to seem to me as something from a fairytale. I\ufffdm laughing at myself and the text I\ufffdve written here but I have a hunch that I share these mixed feelings with some of you. By the way, I used to be jealous for Livia, now I\ufffdm deeply jealous for all of you who have been able to see Colin and his new look in tv. You lucky people. Thank-you, Heide and Evelyn, for welcoming me. I live in Finland and I guess it\ufffdll take some time before SIL can be seen over here. Haven\ufffdt read one word of it anywhere."}, {"response": 1123, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (14:13)", "body": "I am somewhat mystified by the advertising for SIL. Miramax have, what would appear to be a coup, with the attendance of HC at the premier but we have seen almost no publicity for that event. Is that because it has just not appeared on the Net or has there been very little coverage in the press outside of specialist entertainment programs? Not being in the US, in particular in NY and LA, it is hard to judge. It opens there tomorrow, doesn't it? CF and Livia must have had their photographs taken sooo many times by the press, but nothing have we seen. Sob, sob!! (BTW that was meant to indicate sorrow not US swear word!)"}, {"response": 1124, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (14:42)", "body": "(Allison) Sob, sob!! (BTW that was meant to indicate sorrow not US swear word!) The latter would never have occurred to me, but now that I think about it... Where are those !@##ed pictures and interviews? Who is hogging that film?"}, {"response": 1125, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (15:10)", "body": "I've been particularly quiet about Winter's tete a tete w/ CF himself. I can't believe that my lunch buddy met him:) Oh, Winter, you definitely HAVE to come BACK to Boston, (this time my life isn't a mess as it was in August when you were here last!) You handled yourself better than I could've. I probably would've passed out:) Why do I all of sudden feel like Amazon woman amongst you little women:) and I'm only 5'6\"!!!! I am completely and utterly;) enthralled by your narrative. Great Job!!! (PS. my favorite was telling CF that you accosted his wife not once, twice! I was chuckling it up. And his \"That's okay.\" Quite the gentleman! (Ha! He did behave in a gentlemanly behavior!) to paraphase!"}, {"response": 1126, "author": "sabine", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (16:14)", "body": "Hello, i\ufffdve just seen the J. Leno Tonight show with BA. But I am so depressed. The film scene they showed didn\ufffdt bring CF up. His name wasn\ufffdt even mentioned while the talking (bla,bla). They only talked about BA (what a shame). I don\ufffdt know if this was a show from today, because I live in Germany and I don\ufffdt know if they just showed the Tonight show of today !? So some of you might have seen this show ? Does anyone know of a comming show with CF himself ??? Sorry for my bad english ! :-)"}, {"response": 1127, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (16:28)", "body": "Hallo ladies, one cannot take a few days vacation but things happen around here. Words can't express my delight at Winter's adventure. Dame Winter, thou art the Indiana Jones of Drool, boldly going where we all would love to go - but would we dare? (actually, this is a very mixed comparison) When I read that you were going to the screening I felt a twinge of envy, but when I read your account I was just thrilled. A thousand thanks. How did you manage to keep your head?! And talk to both of them not once but several times! And get in a word about his Net fans! Much, much better than photographs. We all love you for your exploit, and sharing it with us. In Portugal, unfortunately, we can't be sure we will ever see SiL. We haven't seen a number of the other CF films (a few were given on television). But historical fiction appears to be in now, so maybe we will. Historical correction: Ben, Livia was not Tiberius's wife but his mother, the wife of emperor Augustus (who was not Tiberius's father). And Tiberius wasn't Claudius's father either, but his uncle."}, {"response": 1128, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (16:31)", "body": "Hey gang....remember a few weeks ago Ben initiated the contest of the opening \"Chat up line that we would use when we met The Man Himself\" And Winter was the winner with... \"Didn't I see you in Far From the Madding Crowd?\" We all had a good laugh over that one.....Little did she know.... that on December the 8th.....What did you say first Winter? Anyway, Your Ladyship...this was just a practice mission for MLSF in June. He'll remember you then....can you top December the 8th?!! And between now and then ...a photography crash-course, Winter??? :-))"}, {"response": 1129, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (16:55)", "body": "(Evelyn)And Winter was the winner with... \"Didn't I see you in Far From the Madding Crowd?\" Was there a winner? I can't recall."}, {"response": 1130, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (16:56)", "body": "God. What a pig's mistake I made of Claudius' lineage. Thanks, Gi. (You can tell how much attention I paid in my Latin classes and how long ago they were.) So, if I've understood, Livia was Claudius' great aunt. Do you know if she was nice or nasty (in Robert Graves' mind)? I've a vague memory that she was horrid. Re: chat-up lines; I congratulate Winter on being able to say anything at all, let alone a coherent sentence, let alone one which signals her admiration. Extreme coolness under fire. Strangely I've already been to TWO Anglo-Italian weddings this year, both involving an English man and an Italian woman. So it's all the rage. How did they meet? Perhaps I should spend more time in Rome, or at least Little Italy."}, {"response": 1131, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (17:01)", "body": "Ben, Livia was actually Claudius'grand-mother, through her son Drusus. And Graves presented her under a very bad light, a manipulative and even murderous woman."}, {"response": 1132, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (17:06)", "body": "(Evelyn)And Winter was the winner with... \"Didn't I see you in Far From the Madding Crowd?\" (Gi)Was there a winner? I can't recall. You're right, Gi....we did nominate Winter and Cheryle whose line was: \"I saw you in Playmaker...loved it...give it for gifts....\" (Because no one has seen it...). OK, Ben...You're ON. It was your contest and you promised to judge it. There were several other good ones too. These two I remember well."}, {"response": 1133, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (18:16)", "body": "I am getting so sick and tired of Ben Affleck and his mugging for the camera. (Karen) Ah, but Ben and Gwynnie SELL the movie, Karen! It's all good marketing! An \"interesting\" snippet on SIL in the Daily Telegraph ...(quote) The delightful actress GP has been reduced to a flustered bundle of maroon embarassment in the hands of a bunch of English actors....SIL..for which she was required to dress as a boy. Once dressed as a chap, she found herself attracting unseemly amounts of attention from the male members of the cast. \"When I was dressed up like a boy, the men's energy was so different with me than when I was a woman\" she tells American reporters. \"It was palpable to me, and there were a few men who were really, really fascinated by me dressed as a boy. This epecially happens in England, where they're very into that kind of thing and freely admit that they are.\" I think we can safely exclude CF (Gwynnie is always very womanly in the Wessex scenes!), Geoffrey (Austray-lian) and of course Ben (American) from this unseemly fascination!! I lead a very sheltered life( :-) )...so...what does \"especially happen in England\"?!!!"}, {"response": 1134, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (19:08)", "body": "Didn't you know? We English only fancy girls if they're dressed up as boys. Public school, nannies, dormitaries, matron, chapel choir, fagging'n'all that. WHAT A LOAD OF CRAP. What is GP on about? Or maybe she's right, and Jennifer Ehle, God bless'er, would only need to slip into a pair of grey shorts, an airtex shirt and a prep-school blazer to send me into paroxysms of desire. Come to think of it, though, I wouldn't say no even if she asked me in a dress. I will print out all chat up lines and retire to my chamber to judge them tonight. Promise."}, {"response": 1135, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (19:15)", "body": "(Karen and her photo from SiL) What do you mean, Winter? This is a great picture! ROTFLMOL!! This cracked me up. Must be the wine I'm drinking. (Gwynnie's quote) \"It was palpable to me, and there were a few men who were really, really fascinated by me dressed as a boy. This epecially happens in England, where they're very into that kind of thing and freely admit that they are.\" (Bethan) I lead a very sheltered life( :-) )...so...what does \"especially happen in England\"?! ROTFLMOL again!! I've heard of the other way around but this is news to me. Do you think she really said it? Just when I was beginning to think she wasn't a twit. (Sabine) Hello, i\ufffdve just seen the J. Leno Tonight show with BA. We just saw the same one too last night. Like Karen, I was really annoyed with Mr. Affleck. He was trying really hard to be funny but I couldn't crack a smile. Guess I'm only amused by my Drool buddies or else I'M ANNOYED NO ONE MENTIONS COLIN!! Believe me, Sabine, if anyone knows of an upcoming show with Mr. Firth on, you'll read it here. But you might want to check Jay Leno tomorrow (for you, tonight for the US). Ms. Paltrow is on. (And your English is fine. You should see my German.) (Elena) isn\ufffdt it funny to say things like this, as if Colin was a deity of some kind and not just a good-looking bloke who\ufffds exactly as human as we are....I\ufffdm laughing at myself and the text I\ufffdve written here but I have a hunch that I share these mixed feelings with some of you. Exactly so. I don't dare speak for the rest but I know I'm laughing at myself as I type some of the things you see here. We're grown up women living our lives and then something about this guy just reached out, grabbed hold and stuck. I know I'm ridiculous half the time but I'm having a ball."}, {"response": 1136, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (19:52)", "body": "The 1998 Firth Chat-up Championship, Official Results. Due to the wonderfully high standard this year, we are awarding three prizes. In second= place, we have Gi, for #798, the \"Bingley\" line, and Karen, for #783, the Arsenal key-chain. And, with her nose out in first place, Winter, for #799, the inventive \"Madding Crowd\" line. Congratulations to all. See you next year."}, {"response": 1137, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (20:34)", "body": "CONGRATULATIONS WINTER....GI......KAREN..... May you all have the opportunity to deliver the chat-up lineto The Man Himself Up Close and Personal..... Thanks Ben. Happy Holidays!!We'll miss ya'."}, {"response": 1138, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (21:03)", "body": "(Heide)We're grown up women living our lives and then something about this guy justreached out, grabbed hold and stuck. I know I'm ridiculous half the time but I'm having a ball. Ditto, Heide. I wish, though, I would have chosen a better name...not my own. Now, let's see....what's evelyn backwards....nyleve...sounds Middle Eastern or Welsh!"}, {"response": 1139, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (21:42)", "body": "Should I say that Karen really used that line!!! I was right there beside her in Irish Pub in Chicago last October!!! His name was Paddington! (yes, as in the bear!)"}, {"response": 1140, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (23:43)", "body": "Whoa! I leave for about a day and there are so many posts already! Thanks so much everyone, for your comments. That night was truly a collective experience, and you were all in my mind as everything happened. How did I keep my composure? I still wonder at that myself. The only thing I can equate this to is those life or death experiences, in which you've performed beyond your own expectations, and your weaknesses fly out the window (temporarily). Ever have to rush a loved one to the hospital, even though you usually cringe at the sight of blood? It's that feeling... (Elena) isn\ufffdt it funny to say things like this, as if Colin was a deity of some kind and not just a good-looking bloke who\ufffds exactly as human as we are. I know what you mean...It's so weird now reading the P&P fanfic, because I actually feel guilty picturing CF's face in the narratives, as I used to do. I almost feel like I'm imposing on him by doing that, because he was just so real...like, fantasizing your local butcher as Mr. Darcy! But I'm sure I will bounce back from this. Karen-- Since the pictures were not spectacular, I sent them to you regular mail. It will be about 3 business days, I think. The shot from the premiere was really bad... rather than playing \"Where's Waldo?\", it's more like, \"Where's Colin?\" (Ben) Jennifer Ehle, God bless'er, would only need to slip into a pair of grey shorts, an airtex shirt and a prep-school blazer to send me into paroxysms of desire. LOL, Ben! But what would you do, if she were to furthermore appear to you wearing the above, and ask you, \"Prof. Broadbent... I'm in need of extra tutoring...\" BTW, What's an airtex shirt? I'm assuming those white, button down, starched things some of us had to wear in Catholic School? Actually, a (British)friend of mine, who is v. beautiful, said she got more passes from the men as a young schoolgirl in a uniform, as opposed to now, in her mid 20's in provacative clothes. (Ben)And, with her nose out in first place, Winter, for #799, the inventive \"Madding Crowd\" line. Thank you, thank you. Though, obviously, that line didn't materialize. I wonder what the reaction would've been, had I used it... hmmm...."}, {"response": 1141, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Dec 11, 1998 (03:37)", "body": "I almost feel like I'm imposing on him by doing that, because he was just so real...like, fantasizing your local butcher as Mr. Darcy! (Winter) My local butcher is about 5 foot small, fat and bald! Seriously, on the psychology of fan-dom, how do you now see Colin... as a nice, approachable bloke, and a good actor, rather than an elusive fantasy figure....or is there still a touch of the \"fantasy heartthrob\" figure? Are you still going to swoon when you see him on the Big Screen, or is that no longer possible when he's so nice and NORMAL...and you've chatted with his charming wife in the ladies rest room! If he had swept past you, unsmiling, clad in shades and a tightly fitting sharp suit (not last ear's oufit from the TEP premiere!), with tinted black hair and an artificial perma-tan, plus sulky, sultry partner, would your fantasy have remained intact....or are you much happier with \"reality\"? (I think I would be!) My only experience of meeting the \"object of my affections\" was as a teenager, when I queued to see a \"famous\" actor emerging from the stage door. I still remember thinking \"Oh God, what a prat!\" (He was SO churlish, and much smaller than I imagined). I lost interest INSTANTLY, and still dislike him to this day (the destroyer of adolescent illusions!). Will mention no names!"}, {"response": 1142, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Dec 11, 1998 (05:43)", "body": "Winter, I hope you\ufffdre not saying that he reminded you of your local butcher...?! Seriously, I think it was very interesting what you said about feeling guilty about the fanfic. I really do wish that our feelings about Colin won\ufffdt be shattered by realizing that he\ufffds real. Why should they? Can\ufffdt he be loved as he is, flesh and blood? My answer is: YESSS. The truth is that I haven\ufffdt fantasized about Mr. Darcy, not once. For me the role was only the reason why I got interested in the actor behind it. I want to confess to you that I\ufffdve always daydreamt about meeting the real CF etc.... Looking back, it was Colin\ufffds wonderful acting ability, his intelligence and ways of thinking that really made me fall for him. I loved him in P&P of course but it was only when I read his interviews that I got permanently stuck. My obsession would never have started without his lovable frankness and wit...(and those eyes....) By the way, what\ufffds LOL, and ROTFLMOL???Sounds so funny I can almost figure it out but not quite."}, {"response": 1143, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Dec 11, 1998 (07:43)", "body": "(Bethan), Seriously, on the psychology of fan-dom, how do you now see Colin... as a nice, approachable bloke, and a good actor, rather than an elusive fantasy figure.... We'll see how quickly he answers our questions, and if he truly appreciates his internet fans as he says, he will! Dame Winter you are on a roll, first Colin now first start up line. Next you'll run into him at a restaurant, and if you do, we expect a full report as only you can do. Have a Happy Christmas Ben, on your return we will look forward to some news as well as your witty anecdotes."}, {"response": 1144, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Dec 11, 1998 (08:30)", "body": "Happy Xmas Ben. Please let us know how your Sloane Square vigil goes!!"}, {"response": 1145, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 11, 1998 (10:17)", "body": "After getting a courtesy phone call this morning (7:30) from Evelyn alerting me to the fact that GP was on one of those morning shows, I blew it!! They showed a different clip (GP dancing with JF) and Colin walks up to the couple and takes JP away, I think. But I didn't capture it on tape. Bwaaaa!!! Geoffrey Rush was on another show this morning. His clip didn't have Colin in it, but I didn't expect it would. Again neither star mentioned one single name of anyone else in the film. What is this????? Are they that egotistical? Gwynnie is on Rosie later. Will have the VCR humming.... :) BTW, sorry, Moon, I just can't take Roberto Begnini (and I've seen the movie)"}, {"response": 1146, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 11, 1998 (10:33)", "body": "Gwynnie will also be on Good Morning America next week. One has to hand it to GP she sure goes at this marketing. This am interview was taped and she was not nervous. And absolutely charming...talked about the bean bag in her tights to have her walk like a man...giggled and blushed. She has crossed this country several times since T'sgiving. (Wish I had her frequent flyer miles). Let's see how she does on Rosie this aft. Miramax is lucky to have her."}, {"response": 1147, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Dec 11, 1998 (11:32)", "body": "Now that I think it over, perhaps the butcher analogy is ill-fitted. What I really felt was more a discomfort for fantasizing about him, now that I've seen him in the context of a present-day situation, in which he was a real person, with a family, and friends and basically...just a person with a job. But like I said before, this is probably a post-event syndrome, and I'll go back to my usual drooling ways soon afterward. The very realness of him was the reason why I didn't wait for him outside the theatre, as Liz had done, to get his autograph and more pictures. He clearly wasn't the type of guy who was used to this fawning and attention, and I would've felt like I was imposing on his space had I stayed...Liz hadn't gotten anything yet, so I understood her position. But you know me... bathrooms weren't even off-limits that night!"}, {"response": 1148, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Dec 11, 1998 (11:51)", "body": "But had you walked into the men's room, Winter, then we would worry;)"}, {"response": 1149, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Dec 11, 1998 (12:16)", "body": "(Karen), BTW, sorry, Moon, I just can't take Roberto Begnini (and I've seen the movie) Don't apologize Karen, I don't understand why he choses to shout instead of talk always. I think he must be v. insecure about his english, and, he is short and tries with all his gestures to be larger than life. In italian he is v.v. funny, so do excuse him. Did you like the movie? I hear there's talk of an Oscar best picture nomination instead of best foreign film?"}, {"response": 1150, "author": "Stacey", "date": "Fri, Dec 11, 1998 (12:41)", "body": "Just to let everyone know, there's a review of SiL in USA Today where it only lists CF's name twice as being in the movie. There's absolutely nothing else said about him which is kinda upsetting and what is more upsetting is that one time his name is listed as Colin Friel! FRIEL??? Also, GP will be on The View on Monday! I'll try to tape it, but I just wanted to let all of you know if anyone else is interested!!"}, {"response": 1151, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Dec 11, 1998 (12:48)", "body": "I've got the Rosie tape. Unbelievably, the chose a clip of GP and Colin instead of JF. I am all astonishment. Snapping as we speak... Get back to you later."}, {"response": 1152, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Dec 11, 1998 (13:32)", "body": "I am beginning to feel sorry for J Fiennes (I never thought I would say that!) From what you are all saying, he has had little mention. He is Shakespeare, after all. I know CF hasn't been interviewed, but has there been any word from JF. He is on stage in London at the moment, so he is otherwise occupied But GP and BA are everywhere."}, {"response": 1153, "author": "susanne", "date": "Fri, Dec 11, 1998 (13:39)", "body": "Stacy beat to posting about the USA Today name error. The only goods news is that they gave the movie 3 1/2 stars. Mr.Showbiz gave it 91 out of 100. The reviews are looking good on this movie even if CF is rarely mentioned. Our DB continues to be undervalued and unappreciated by the Hollywood film community, but not by us. Also in USA Today (I made a special trip to buy this paper so I could cut out the review and now the name is wrong)they had an article on how the Oscar race is stacking up. GP was mentioned as Best Actress with Cate Blanchett being the front runner. JD was mentioned as front runner for Supporting Actress. GR was mentioned as front runner for Supporting Actor. NO COLIN! If anyone wants to write in for the film you are rooting for th catch Academy Award recogintion email them at backtalk@usatoday.com On Friday, they include some of the e-mails in the paper. I think we should write in and bombarde them with SIL and be sure to spell Firth correctly. :-)) USA Today SIL Review"}, {"response": 1154, "author": "Stacey", "date": "Fri, Dec 11, 1998 (13:42)", "body": "From the review that I was reading today it sounded like JF really didn't do a fantastic job in the movie. Supposedly GP and BA were just terrific but of course they both are very popular here in the US so there's going to be a lot of promoting with the two of them!!!"}, {"response": 1155, "author": "susanne", "date": "Fri, Dec 11, 1998 (13:49)", "body": "Sorry for typo- should be to catch. Thanks Nan for the Rosie update. I'll set my vcr since I pick up my kids from school when Rosie is on at 3:00. By the time the movie comes out, we might have seen all the scenes with CF already. Allison, Don't feel to sorry for JF,he got pretty decent notice in the Mr. Showbiz review and at least he gets his name spelled correctly."}, {"response": 1156, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Dec 11, 1998 (13:59)", "body": "I am having the same sort of luck with SIL and no Colin FIRTH!!! Time Mag (December 14th issue) reviewed the movie, liked it very much, mentioned all sorts of actors in it, but not one mention of DB. Cannot believe it. Watched both CBS and NBC morning shows today with their requesite SIL \"famous actors\", none of which mentioned HIM. I am all disgustment! (Is there such a word?!)"}, {"response": 1157, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Dec 11, 1998 (14:31)", "body": "TV ALERT FOR GERMANY / REMINDER Set your videorecorder! About A Boy by Nick Hornby will be reviewed tonight at 22.20h, ZDF, im Literarischen Quartett."}, {"response": 1158, "author": "Stacey", "date": "Fri, Dec 11, 1998 (14:49)", "body": "I was just thinking, we all would love to see more of Colin but maybe he's not really into all of the fame. I would hate to see the photographers and reporters chasing him around all of the time. He would have absolutely no peace. Just look at it this way, he gets to do what he loves(acting) without being mobbed by every crazy person out there. He gets to have a real life and we should be happy that he has that opportunity because most actors don't. His true fans know how wonderful he is and we know wh re to look when we want to find out what he is up to! Just think of him like he was a private secret that you didn't have to worry about sharing with everyone else!!!!"}, {"response": 1159, "author": "Stacey", "date": "Fri, Dec 11, 1998 (15:39)", "body": "Colin finally got some press from GP on Rosie! She said that he played Wessex brillantly and that he was hilarious, but nothing other than that! They also showed a pretty long scene with him and GP kissing. She wasn't enjoying it much, but I know I would if I were in her place!!!"}, {"response": 1160, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 11, 1998 (16:26)", "body": "I am so mad!!! How dare they interrupt the Rosie Show for the four thousandth apology from the President and then they cut away again for those useless people we've elected to vote on an article of impeachment. And GP had just mentioned Colin's name!! Isn't that what CSPAN was created for??? History-making vote, my !@# Anyway, fortunately, they Rosie at a *safe* hour in NY, so I'll post her Snappies. One more thing, I finally got through to the Oprah Show (took a whole week at least) and they haven't taped a show on SiL and they are not in production again until Jan 11th."}, {"response": 1161, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 11, 1998 (16:34)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1162, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 11, 1998 (16:36)", "body": "More from our DEER nan:"}, {"response": 1163, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Dec 11, 1998 (16:57)", "body": "I agree with Stacey. If we profess to love him so much we should honor his wishes in this regard. Our NEEDING to know is for our own pleasure, not his. I wish him a HAPPY (and therefore, undisturbed) Holiday with his family!"}, {"response": 1164, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Dec 11, 1998 (17:05)", "body": "Oooooh! Thank you! He is indeed gorgeous. Thanks for reminding me, as if I needed reminding. Sahll we all look for keepsakes?!"}, {"response": 1165, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Dec 11, 1998 (17:57)", "body": "Reviews of SIL/CF.... net surfing, I've seen a couple of reviews praising CF, and didn't he get a decent mention in the New York Times? But I sometimes think he's the invisible man as far as critics are concerned!! Our Cable TV mag called him \"a fine, but consistently under-rated actor.\" TOO true! Great pix, Nan! So he's not scowling ALL the time! Way, way back Ben (I think) asked how CF and Livia met. Not in Rome but in South America, on the set of \"Nostromo\". Livia was working as Producer's assistant, taking time off from her PhD studies (Eng. Lit) at Rome University. BTW, has Geoffrey Rush given any interviews on talk shows, or is the main focus GP and BA? But all credit to GP for promoting the movie. I think Colin must lack the \"name recognition\" needed for marketing. Perhaps after FP and MLSF, he'll be better known in the US....not Colin Friels (Australian actor)or Colin Frith!!!"}, {"response": 1166, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 11, 1998 (18:07)", "body": "(Bethan) BTW, has Geoffrey Rush given any interviews on talk shows, or is the main focus GP and BA? Geoffrey Rush was on one of the morning news shows today as well. He did not mention any of his co-stars either and his clip was naturally of himself. Yes, the emphasis is on GP and BA. Wait until the public sees what a small part BA has! :-) The one I also feel sorry for is JF...he's no where to be found. Could he be even more shy than Colin or is he just a poor interviewee? Sorry about the interruption in posting the Snappies from Nan. The computer was not cooperating. The remainder:"}, {"response": 1167, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 11, 1998 (18:32)", "body": "Let me try this again..."}, {"response": 1168, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 11, 1998 (18:33)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1169, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Dec 11, 1998 (19:57)", "body": "Oh Karen!!! If I just unfocus my eyes a little I can pretend it is me with my back to the camera. I wonder if his whiskers tickled?! Many thanks again."}, {"response": 1170, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Dec 11, 1998 (20:31)", "body": "Karen, are you able to get snappies from the E! channel's brief shot of Colin?I taped it, so if you can scan him on the computer, email me and let me know, and I can mail it to you. The pictures are on their way. They include a picture of his signature on my 'Making of P&P' book, the ticket stub from the screening, and that one and only shot of his hair amidst a crowd of journalists and photographers :-("}, {"response": 1171, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 11, 1998 (21:19)", "body": "I can't do any Snappying. Nan has been doing the magic on those, but I'm pretty sure that shot of Colin (and it's good ladies) can be caught. If you don't mind parting with the videotape, I can email Nan's address to you. But first you need to email me: rosie45@hotmail.com We'll get this show on the road one way or another. (Marcia) I can pretend it is me with my back to the camera. I wonder if his whiskers tickled?! Excellent idea, Marcia. Would it matter, though, if his whiskers tickled!! (winter) that one and only shot of his hair amidst a crowd of journalists and photographers :-( Actually, I can't wait to see that one!"}, {"response": 1172, "author": "Rita2", "date": "Sat, Dec 12, 1998 (00:24)", "body": "Winter: I am in awe still today. I can't believe that you actually got to meet Colin. I am so jealous. Of course, if I would have had the opportunity I am sure I would have really messed it up. You were too cool and collected. It is very disappointing that in Dallas SIL is no where to be found. I love all the pictures that have been posted. You guys are great. I watched Jay Leno last night and I was upset that Colin didn't get mentioned but, that is okay. We all know he is great. Rita"}, {"response": 1173, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Dec 12, 1998 (13:35)", "body": "Elena-- Almost forgot... LOL means 'Laughing out Loud\" ROTFLOL means \"Rolling on the floor laughing out loud\" ROTFLMAO = 'Rolling on the floor laughing my ass off\" (my personal fav.) Check you papers and magazines and tv entertainment shows, sisters. Isn't this about the time all of those press junket interviews from SiL come out? I know that whenever a movie premieres, the stars are usually put up at a posh hotel for days, doing intervew after interview. You'd think Colin was part of that."}, {"response": 1174, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Dec 12, 1998 (15:39)", "body": "Winter, thanks for LOL etc. By the way, I loved your definition of our beautiful DB as \ufffdjust a person with a job\ufffd. Right....just the most droolable person with a job I know. While waiting for him to answer your list of questions, I\ufffdd like to ask if any of you have ever written to Colin and if so, did you get an answer of any sort? I haven\ufffdt done it simply because I suspect he doesn\ufffdt read his fanmail. I guess somebody opens his mail at the agency by his permission and throws them away; it\ufffds unlikely that he would open any his fanmail personally. Haven\ufffdt seen him commenting on this in any of his interviews (oh yes, he did say once that he was disappointed because no-one sent him their knickers or naughty pictures. Maybe that would do the trick...!)"}, {"response": 1175, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Dec 12, 1998 (16:08)", "body": "(Elena) I\ufffdd like to ask if any of you have ever written to Colin and if so, did you get an answer of any sort? Actually, YES! I wrote him (for the first time) this week, after my pictures didn't come out. I wrote him a hilarious account of my night, waiting in the cold to see him, stopping Livia in the bathroom, etc. and then asked if he could send me an autographed photo. I doubt he'll get to see it-- You're right Elena. his agent, or even his agent's assistant will read the letter, and then send me back a stock photo with the typical 'Best wishes' or whatever. I jokingly told him to personalize the autograph, so that I could see how he signs the letter \"J\" (My real name's Jennifer)."}, {"response": 1176, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 12, 1998 (16:11)", "body": "(Winter) Isn't this about the time all of those press junket interviews from SiL come out? I know that whenever a movie premieres, the stars are usually put up at a posh hotel for days, doing intervew after interview. You'd think Colin was part of that. Colin was part of it; that was when he was in the US the week before. Some of the interviews (mainly of GP) have already been used. You can tell, she is wearing the same thing (a black outfit) and there are draperies and a movie poster in the background. It might be a little early for the rest of the country since the movie doesn't open until Xmas Day, although we've been barraged for weeks with Stepmom ads. For me, Siskel and Ebert will be reviewing SiL tonight. Check your listings!!"}, {"response": 1177, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Dec 12, 1998 (16:51)", "body": "I didn't want to disturb the flow of Winter's narrative of her thrilling experience by doing this sooner. However, before this topic reaches 1200 posts (and this is Part 2!), I'll be opening up a new Colin topic (Part 3) so we can put this to rest before it blows up the Spring. Look for it soon."}, {"response": 1178, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Dec 12, 1998 (19:03)", "body": "(Karen) Marcia. Would it matter, though, if his whiskers tickled!! Since my huband is going to be Santa tonight and next Saturday night, and he uses no pillows or fake whiskers, YES, I know they do tickle! And, NO, it does not matter. It is the guy growing them which matters!"}, {"response": 1179, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Dec 12, 1998 (22:02)", "body": "Thanks for the snappies of the Rosie Show Nan....they are great. Rita...only LA and NY are getting SIL this week. The rest of the country gets it Christmas Day; Dallas and Okla. City to be included, I hope."}, {"response": 1180, "author": "arra", "date": "Sun, Dec 13, 1998 (07:20)", "body": "(Winter) His agent\ufffds assistant will read the letter, and then send me back a stock photo with the typical 'Best wishes' or whatever. Ouch, such pessimism. That\ufffds not necessarily the fact, though. We just do not know the truth about this. If I were him I would read my fanmail regularly out of sheer curiosity and because it must be fun to get love letters from strangers. So, it\ufffds possible that he won\ufffdt read your letter but it\ufffds also very possible that he WILL (and remember you thinking, \ufffdOh, what a lovely girl she was\ufffd)!!! So, if it happens that you get an answer, please please please tell us about it, at least about receiving one (we don\ufffdt want to be nosy about the contents.....do we...;-)"}, {"response": 1181, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Dec 13, 1998 (07:21)", "body": "Re: Colin's fan mail: It is usually opened by someone he employs as his personal assistant, but if Colin is around, he has been known to grab a handful of letters and take them away with him to read. If Colin can't reply in person, the assistant will usually make it clear. The most usual reply is typed, signed by hand - often just his first name only - and contains words of thanks for taking the trouble to write to him. It would appear that the assistant types replies to Colin's specifications and sometim s the reply is more personal, but handwritten ones - known in the past - are now extremely rare. And he has referred to fanmail in some of his interviews: he has indicated that the volume and contents often baffle him."}, {"response": 1182, "author": "arra", "date": "Sun, Dec 13, 1998 (07:27)", "body": "Girls, it was me posting response 1180, not arra. That\ufffds my husband\ufffds pseudonym! He created it a minute ago while showing me how to copy and paste plus italicize!! I just forgot to change it when I posted. BUT I assure you, he didn\ufffddo it here in the Drool, I wouldn\ufffdt dream of letting him see all of this."}, {"response": 1183, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Dec 13, 1998 (07:44)", "body": "Elena, that makes two of us, Drool is my little secret too."}, {"response": 1184, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Dec 13, 1998 (07:58)", "body": "Sorry for my names mix-up. Arami, how do you know all this about Colin\ufffds varying answering habits? Have you been corresponding with him? Sounds like you WERE the assistant in the agency....:-)"}, {"response": 1185, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Dec 13, 1998 (08:06)", "body": "Re: Colin's fan mail: It is usually opened by someone he employs as his personal assistant, but if Colin is around, he has been known to grab a handful of letters and take them away with him to read. If Colin can't reply in person, the assistant will usually make it clear. The most usual reply is typed, signed by hand - often just his first name only - and contains words of thanks for taking the trouble to write to him. It would appear that the assistant types replies to Colin's specifications and sometim s the reply is more personal, but handwritten ones - known in the past - are now extremely rare. And he has referred to fanmail in some of his interviews: he has indicated that the volume and contents often baffle him."}, {"response": 1186, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Dec 13, 1998 (08:14)", "body": "Hey, I haven't posted this twice, I assure you! This silly program plays tricks sometimes. Now, how do I know... it's called research and deduction. Or an informed guess based on general observation and experience."}, {"response": 1187, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, Dec 13, 1998 (13:40)", "body": "Arami-- it's a good deduction. I have friends here who work as agents' assistants and that's precisely what they do. I DO HOPE, however, that as he grabs a handful of letters to read himself, that mine gets somehow lodged into the pile! So, if it happens that you get an answer, please please please tell us about it, Are you kidding me?! You are all the first people I go to to share all this stuff. As Moon says, this place is my little secret too. None of my IRL (in real life) friends would get it... they already thought I was insane after this week's outing. BTW-- Renate: How was the Literarischen Quartett show (re; About a Boy)? I would love to hear what they had to say. Do we have a Nick Hornby board? Some people may not feel so \"Drooly\" about him in the same Colin Firth or Antonio Banderas way... but I love his work, and it would be great to talk about him in another forum. Esp. hear the accounts of people who got to meet him during his book tour."}, {"response": 1188, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Dec 13, 1998 (14:47)", "body": "Hey, I haven't posted this twice, I assure you! This silly program plays tricks sometimes. Now, how do I know... it's called research and deduction. Or an informed guess based on general observation and experience."}, {"response": 1189, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Dec 13, 1998 (16:20)", "body": "Oh, yes, das Literarische Quartett. To understand the following you have to know this circle is a very exclusive one, and that usually only the best of literature is their target. The head of the quartett is Marcel Reich-Ranicky, is nicknamed \"Literatur-Pabst\" (Pope of Literature), and his word - and to some extend the word of his 3 colleages - can decide over the future and the sales of a book, and perhaps about an author's career. The review was between mixed and good. They stated it may not be real good literature , but it came across that it is very entertaining. The strongest point of critic was that NH always writes about the same kind of man (himself?), the boy-man who never wants to grow up. They have a point here, IMO. I think they did the book and the author a big favour by a) putting it on their list at all, as one of 4 or 5 books b) not tearing it apart because it is not \"high literature\" c) Marcel Reich-Ranicky said he liked the book. I don't think NH needs their recommendation - but it cannot hurt to have this extra push. Don't know how much money someone can make with such a book (not too much I'm afraid), but I think NH shouldn't worry anymore how to pay the rent opposite the Arsenal Stadium. :-) Winter, good idea about a Nick Hornby (and Fever Pitch!) board. He surely deserves one! What about reading a book together and discuss it ... About a Boy?"}, {"response": 1190, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Dec 13, 1998 (16:23)", "body": "Oy, oy, oy, time to freeze this board! Count Almushy is playing tricks again: now he has specialized in repeating Arami's messages."}, {"response": 1191, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Dec 13, 1998 (16:48)", "body": "Hey, I haven't posted this twice, I assure you! This silly program plays tricks sometimes. Now, how do I know... it's called research and deduction. Or an informed guess based on general observation and experience."}, {"response": 1192, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Dec 13, 1998 (16:50)", "body": "Yes, but how did Renate know about it BEFORE it happened again, huh? Spooks!!!"}, {"response": 1193, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Dec 13, 1998 (17:29)", "body": "So now your message was posted 3 times, Arami! Count Almushy loves you! :-)**"}, {"response": 1194, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Dec 13, 1998 (18:00)", "body": "I spoke about this with Kaylene some months ago and she assured me that any Conference can safely have 2,000 topics and 6,000 responses per topic--theoretically, anyway. I used to freeze the topics not because of the high numbers but because new people complained they would have to load 1,000 replies before they could respond. But I have to admit, between the time warp and the double posts, it looks like Yapp is choking :-/"}, {"response": 1195, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Dec 13, 1998 (20:18)", "body": "Whatever... Anyway, I have created Part 3 at Topic 116 now. Just to be safe. ;-)"}, {"response": 1196, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Dec 15, 1998 (18:14)", "body": "Winter, it sounds like you had a great time. Thank you for the colorful account. It sounds like your experience was like every interviewer I've read. They all say how nice he is. I wish I could find the one that said she was so surprised to find an actor who wasn't concieted at all but very down to earth and a great sense of humor, with the ability to laugh at himself. Lucie drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 98, "subject": "Colin Firth - Film Discussions PART II", "response_count": 1926, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Jul  3, 1998 (00:16)", "body": "Topic 67 of 97 [drool]: Colin Firth - Film Discussions Response 1058 of 1071: Karen (KarenR) * Wed, Jul 1, 1998 (14:04) * 16 lines (Evelyn) Did anyone else feel that there was an intense physical attaction between Nostromo and Emilia?...I can't find any reference in the book that would document this, nor in the notes. But I felt the screenplay made a point of this in a subliminal manner. You're quite right, Evelyn, it does give that impression but is unsupported by the book. What the book (or my reading of it and other stuff) would support is an adoration of the one character that Conrad has set up at the *good* end of the values continuum. Nostromo is the \"natural\" man (at the far left, i.e., beginning of evolution) and is only interested in his good name. He really has no principles, so to speak. Emilia, on the other hand, comes to symbolize the greater humanity that Conrad advocate (far right of the spectrum). She has given up her self and is understanding and kind with no ulterior motives. Throughout the book, Conrad mentions her and a Madonna image. Remember, in episode one, at the mining camp as they are eating, Nostromo calls her a Madonna. Anyway, at the very end, when Nostromo is trying to confess his sin and she doesn't want to hear it, this becomes her moment of vision, her renouncement of the materialism that she supported with her husband. There are so many great comments here today that I will need to read them over carefully and get back later or manana (pretend there's a tilde sobre la n)! Best Looking/Fav Scene (No deep symbolism here) ;-) Colin has got to look his absolutely best near the end when they're having a dinner party after they're won the battle against the Monteros. He's wearing a red vest and an open-necked shirt and looks soooooo confidant and yummy, maybe because he thinks all his troubles are over. Nostromo shows up and Charles tries to offer him some reward for his accomplishment in going over the mountains to notify General Barrios. Nostromo of course tells him that he can't do anything for him and Emilia goes after him. I love how Charles/Colin sees what is happening and understands what she is doing and how right it is for Nostromo. As he approaches them in the garden and addresses Nostromo as Senor Fidanza, his eyes look to the side, to Emilia as if to show he fully supports whatever she has just said. More later -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Topic 67 of 97 [drool]: Colin Firth - Film Discussions Response 1059 of 1071: bethan (lizbeth54) * Thu, Feb 7, 2036 (00:36) * 2 lines I really enjoy your comments, Karen. I think a lot of people just thought about Nostromo \"oh, it's not P&P\" and gave up on it. But it does warrant some serious thought.... and he does look good, open necked, hatless and relaxed,(and wet in the mine!) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Topic 67 of 97 [drool]: Colin Firth - Film Discussions Response 1060 of 1071: bethan (lizbeth54) * Thu, Feb 7, 2036 (00:44) * 8 lines I am too brain dead to make any serious contribution, so here are a few quotes from about the time Nostromo came out in the UK (as always,ignore if you've seen them!) Producer (Italian) \"I owe so much to the stoicism of the British actors. While the Italians and Spaniards would storm off the set complaining they couldn't work in the heat, Colin Firth and Albert Finney would just sit there sweating it out. Thank goodness for the stiff upper lip.\" Good lad, Colin! CF on Gould \"He isn't very expressive but there are lots of complex emotions bubbling under the surface, I enjoy twisted characters. Playing heroes isn't my strong point!\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Topic 67 of 97 [drool]: Colin Firth - Film Discussions Response 1061 of 1071: bethan (lizbeth54) * Thu, Feb 7, 2036 (00:54) * 3 lines I'm doing this in short installments, as I keep on losing messages (so frustrating!) The same article says that filming Nostromo was very difficult because of the sweltering heat. CF had an assistant to supply him with water so he didn't become dehydrated, Sets were washed away by rainstorms, the director collapsed from exhaustion, SST was ill after being bitten by bugs, there were some murders near the film set, and local corruption was a problem. CF comments on the children begging for food. Not exactly a fun location! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Topic 67 of 97 [drool]: Colin Firth - Film Discussions Response 1062 of 1071: Evelyn (lafn) * Thu, Feb 7, 2036 (01:24) * 9 lines I think a lot of people just thought about Nostromo \"oh, it's not P&P\" and gave up on it. I think that happened in UK more than in the US where N. was quite popular on PBS. Also didn't BBC sort of force-feed the audience with \"mine shows\". Rhodes, for instance. Favorite Look: Yeah, Karen, he looks the best in Black Tie. Also in the b"}, {"response": 2, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul  3, 1998 (01:00)", "body": ". Though P&P-fever reigned in the US, it seems nowhere near to the depth as in the UK. True. However, had P&P been shown on PBS (Public Broadcasting System... (BBC-Lite), it would have had far greater audience than it did on A&E. Which is a cable channel and reaches only a v. limited viewing audience. Unfortunately, PBS could not commit the money at production time and A&E did. Sadly, we also got commercials with A&E."}, {"response": 3, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jul  3, 1998 (11:25)", "body": "I don't know if we've ever had such a successful discussion here as we seem to be having with Nostromo. Why is that? It can't be counted as anyone's favorite. Guess the complexity of the plot has more merit that we've given credit. Nostromo is flawed, but it isn't shallow...at least it's trying to say something about the human condition. I too love this scene although I think he sees the tenderness between N. & E. (yes, not in the book) and needs to show he is in charge here. But he knows the right thing and the necessity to show respect and he does it. That's what I like best about Charles--he knows just what to do (except doing poor Emilia). I found myself wishing there were more scenes between Charles and Emilia. I think Emilia continues to love Charles (and he her), but she is deeply saddened by the loss of passion, or the transfer of it to the mine. In the book (and at the beginning of the film) it is very clear that there is a strong physical bond beween them... they both find each other very attractive. Okay, down to the basics. Does he fight effectively with Montero? Heck, he misses him with the gun. How do we compare his fighting technique with say, 1000 Acres or others? I could think of other more interesting and visible basics we could get down to but I don't mind using my eyes to scrutinise his fighting technique! I don't think Charles was used to physical combat....I mean , he's bigger than Montero! As to CF's technique elsewhere, I can only recall The Advocate when Courtois punches someone and then rubs his hand. I don't think CF is into macho \"I can beat everyone and it doesn't hurt\" roles. I wonder if he takes a stand on gratuitously violent roles (he never appears in them)....a missionary-influenced upbringing perhaps? John the Baptist...you're a regular font of knowledge, Arami! :-)"}, {"response": 4, "author": "Kate", "date": "Fri, Jul  3, 1998 (13:13)", "body": "I wonder if he takes a stand on gratuitously violent roles (he never appears in them)....a missionary-influenced upbringing perhaps? Didn't he say somewhere that he would have a problem if a child of his wanted to join the army?"}, {"response": 5, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Jul  3, 1998 (18:18)", "body": ""}, {"response": 6, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul  3, 1998 (20:07)", "body": "(Bethan) I think Emilia continues to love Charles (and he her), but she is deeply saddened by the loss of passion, or the transfer of it to the mine. Agreed, they still love one another, but Charles just has no time for Emilia. He is obsessed with the mine and neglects her as a result. Initially though Emilia appears to be as caught up with the working of the mine until she realizes that it alone will not change the violent and corrupt ways of the country. In the book (and at the beginning of the film) it is very clear that there is a strong physical bond beween them... they both find each other very attractive. I too noticed a few sections in Part I of the book where that physical attraction is described as follows: \"Then, surprised by her husband's silence, she raised her eyes, opened wide, as pretty as pale flowers. He had done his spurs, and, twisting his mustache with both hands, horizontally, he contemplated her from the height of his long legs with a visible appreciation of her outward appearance. The consciousness of being thus contemplated pleased Mrs. Gould.\" ***** \"Mrs. Gould, frowning, surveyed him from head to foot. With his riding breeches, leather leggings,...a Norfolk coat of gray flannel, and those great flaming mustaches, he suggested an officer of cavalry turned gentleman farmer. This combination was gratifying to Mrs. Gould's tastes....\" Re: John the Baptist I must not have phrased my inquiry correctly. I was just wondering if anyone noticed anything about Nostromo (film or book) to suggest a parallel to the life of John the Baptist. All I know is that John the Baptist was a martyr; he gave his life for Jesus. However, I see nothing of a martyr in the actions of Nostromo. The Viola family continue to call him Gian Battistia throughout. Do they think he is a martyr to the European powers in charge? Or is it meant to be ironic. Nostromo's last name is Fi anza, which means fidelity or loyalty. However, Nostromo is not loyal really to anyone--not even himself. He betrays his good name. Nostromo betrays not only Charles and Captain Michell, but nore importantly the Viola family. So, if this explanation helps, does anyone see a tie-in? If not, there's a Catholic church a block away--and the Cardinal's residence is about 4 blocks from here. I would think some priest over there might be tickled to discuss the allegorical use of John the Baptist's name in Conrad's work!!"}, {"response": 7, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Jul  3, 1998 (21:50)", "body": "The Viola family continue to call him Gian Battistia throughout. That's because, notwithstanding any deliberate or coincidental allegory, as the case may be, Gian Battista - as I've been trying to point out in my faltering English all along - is supposed to represent his actual Latin American Christian (=baptismal; given; first) name, and it would be completely against his mummy's and daddy's, as well as, coincidentally, the author's wishes to call him Jose Maria or Colin, or anything else at all."}, {"response": 8, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jul  4, 1998 (00:24)", "body": "I understand your question, Karen, and I'd be interested in knowing too if Conrad chose Gian Battiste for Nostromo's Christian name intentionally. If he did, I would imagine it's meant to be ironic. Saintly, martyred, dying for his ideals... Nostromo's image appears noble and good but he is anything but that. Actually, he is more of a victim of his own image. Of course, this could all be bullsheet' too! :-)"}, {"response": 9, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Jul  4, 1998 (08:09)", "body": ""}, {"response": 10, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Jul  4, 1998 (08:11)", "body": ""}, {"response": 11, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Jul  4, 1998 (08:13)", "body": ""}, {"response": 12, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jul  4, 1998 (14:54)", "body": "Lovely photos, Renate. Thanks. ...he contemplated her from the height of his long legs with a visible appreciation of her outward appearance. The consciousness of being thus contemplated pleased Mrs. Gould.\""}, {"response": 13, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Jul  4, 1998 (15:18)", "body": "I'd be interested in knowing too if Conrad chose Gian Battiste for Nostromo's Christian name intentionally. If he did, I would imagine it's meant to be ironic. Saintly, martyred, dying for his ideals... I've read a bit about Conrad and do not recall any evidence of his intentional manipulation of characters' names."}, {"response": 14, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Jul  5, 1998 (09:46)", "body": ""}, {"response": 15, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Jul  5, 1998 (15:26)", "body": "Arami on the issue of given names: yours seems a very sensible approach. If you cannot find any allegory, then probably there is none. And Renate's photographs: lovely, are they not? Oh, I must catch a viewing of those films sometime somehow!"}, {"response": 16, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Jul  5, 1998 (16:03)", "body": ""}, {"response": 17, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Jul  5, 1998 (16:07)", "body": "Not that I mind, but I know I did NOT post this pic a second time - I just sat there looking at it full of admiration....."}, {"response": 18, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul  5, 1998 (19:23)", "body": "If you cannot find any allegory, then probably there is none Perhaps the allegory is not in the name itself, but the person whose name it is. I do not know much about John the Baptist. But features of his life might be similar to Nostromo's. My booknotes says that the name Gould suggests gold. Costaguana comes from Costa Rica and guano (manure) My notes , (written by Martin Seymour-Smith( who died on July 1st, a famous British poet and scholar,) do not mention Gian Batista . One can say...Conrad was pretty tricky!!"}, {"response": 19, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Jul  5, 1998 (23:28)", "body": "I do not know much about John the Baptist. But features of his life might be similar to Nostromo's. One thing is certain: John the Baptist didn't steal a load of silver... The tragedy of Nostromo is his fall as an honest man. How can we talk about a parallel with a Biblical martyr?"}, {"response": 20, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul  6, 1998 (02:29)", "body": "John the Baptist didn't steal a load of silver That's for sure. But Nostromo started out as an idealist...an honest man....faithful to his country and his friends. Only at the end was he corrupted. BTW this book was originally serialized in a weekly magazine: \"T.P.'s Weekly\"."}, {"response": 21, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jul  6, 1998 (17:26)", "body": "I've read a bit about Conrad and do not recall any evidence of his intentional manipulation of characters' names. I seem to recall the adage 'There is always a first time for everything'. John The Baptist as I remember the story (though pathetically bad). Growing up Catholic and all, he became a scapegoat for Jesus. In order for Jesus to spread his word and work, someone had to be sacrificed and as John The Baptist was the closest friend (in a manner of speaking), was the most logical person. Gian Battista(sp) was sacrificed due to love at the end."}, {"response": 22, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Jul  6, 1998 (17:46)", "body": "John the Baptist was an older cousin of Jesus, born when his parents were already too old to have children.An angel told Zachary that his wife would bear him a son, and that the child should be named John. Zachary was incredulous and for that punished by becoming dumb. When the baby was in fact born, his wife asked what name should he be given. Zachary wrote \"John\" and was then given back speech. In adult life John became a famous prophet. He said that the Messiah was coming soon to Israel. He poured water over people's heads to symbolically cleanse them of their sins. When Jesus grew up, he visited John and asked to be baptised. John, however, hailed him as the Messiah and said that it was he, Jesus, who should cleanse him, John. In the end he let himself be convinced to baptise Jesus. After that we only hear about him because King Herod's wife bore him some grudge and when the king promised his daughter Salome anything she wanted after she danced especially well, Salome, by her mother's wish, asked for John's head, and so the baptist was beheaded. I hope this helps clear things."}, {"response": 23, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul  6, 1998 (17:48)", "body": "Since I promised Evelyn that I would summarize the article she sent me, here goes: \"An Epic Fight for Survival\" by Nicholas Hellen describes the 10-year effort involved to film Nostromo. When the BBC originally considered it in the mid-1980s, \"costume drama was at a low ebb It concluded that the subject was simply too big.\" David Lean then became interested in making a big-screen version, but six weeks prior to shooting in 1991, Lean died, and his scriptwriter said: \"There seems little likelihood that anyone will be tempted to invest $30m in a story whose essential point is that mo ey is the root of all evil.\" When the BBC revisited it in the 1990s, the focus was on \"frock flicks\" or \"adaptations of novels with romantic story lines that can be given a contemporary edge by accentuating their insights into the battle between the sexes. Jane Austen and the Bront\ufffds are apparently required reading in the BBC drama department.\" Nostromo did not fall into this category as \"the story is complicated and what love interest there is is fraught with compromise and disillusionment. The relationship between the English c aracters, Gould and his wife, Emilia, offers little emotional depth.\" Another perceived deterrent to ratings success in Britain was that the title characters had to be played by an Italian. The novel, although considered by Conrad to his \"greatest and most difficult achievement,\" was not well-received at the time, and Conrad today is perhaps the least read great novelist in Britain. While compared to War and Peace, \"Conrad's novel is ironic and stark where Tolstoy's is triumphal and heroic.\" When he finished it, Conrad wrote: \"I've finished. There's no elation. No relief even.\" The TLS declared it \"an artistic mistake.\" Conrad noted that the readers of the magazine serialisation compla ned \"of so much space being taken by utterly unreadable stuff.\" In 1992, Fernando Ghia approached Michael Wearing, a BBC producer, who put his reputation behind the project. He \"was attracted by the epic sweep of the book and saw it as fundamentally different to Rhodes. 'Rhodes was a drama documentary; this is an allegorical novel....It is one of those stories showing elements of the human condition on a grand scale.'\" Financing turned the project into a \"Europudding - a joint venture with producers divided by language and culture....Nostromo was too big for the BBC to tackle on its own.\" The funding diversity shows in the casting, and \"British viewers will notice the compromises. Italian actor speaks to Italian actress in heavily accented English....Nostromo is taken by the Italian actor, Claudio Amendola, and Decoud by a French-Canadian, Lothaire Bluteau. The Goulds are played by Colin Firth and Serena Scott Thomas, with Albert Finney appearing as the disillusioned, alcoholic Dr. Monygham. As Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, Firth made millions swoon. But the role of Gould calls for an unattractive beard and the silver mine as his only true passion, if also the setting for a loveless coupling with his wife. The only romance involving Firth took place off-screen. During filming he split with Jennifer Ehle, his co-star in Pride and Prejudice, and fell in love with Livia Giuggioli, an Italian production assistant.\" After four months, the difficulties associated with the location and climate came to a climax as the director Alastair Reid had to be hospitalized \"after losing consciousness. For months he had spurred himself on with heavy doses of energy-giving glucose. His body had finally refused to cooperate.\" On one night's shoot, Serena Scott Thomas called the hospital for direction. \"The tension was palpable. Michael Wearing...admits now that at that point he began to fear the \ufffd10 production might have to be bandoned....Filming was only eight days from completion, but a stoppage could wreck a venture that had already taken 10 years to reach this stage. Reid took the call, and for two days resumed command from his sick bed.\" \"The production seemed to be cursed by bad luck from the start. Ghia thought he had come forearmed against disasters by securing the personal blessing of the president of Colombia and being able to enlist 15,000 Arhuaco Indians as extras.\" Despite this, there were pay disputes, noisy political demonstrations, set construction disasters and bad publicity over environmental issues (destruction of some rainforest on the edge of Cartage\ufffda's botanical gardens). There were also fears of sabotage by disgruntl d crew. The weather was of course a major factor. \"Unwelcome breaks caused by the frequent downpours became routine....The heat and humidity were overpowering. A video diary kept by Reid shows Firth struggling into his period costume, saying: 'You have to have a masochistic delight in sweating and suffering. The Brits love this stuff more than anybody. It is the Italians and the Spanish who complain about it.'\" \"Unsurprisingly, a dark humour gripped the film-makers. In the claustrophobic jungle, the father "}, {"response": 24, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jul  6, 1998 (18:50)", "body": "Well done, Karen! There was also another quite long article about Nostromo in the Sunday Observer. It was a favourable article, praising the intrinsic value of the project and the performances, but stating that its worth would not be reflected in the viewing figures....ie it was unlikely to be popular viewing. Funnily enough, I saw a comment by Michael Wearing just the other day ...he said that a drama about the impact of industrialisation in the 19th century on a Third World country just wouldn't have mass appeal, unlike P&P (for which he was also Exec. Producer) which was all about gender politics."}, {"response": 25, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul  6, 1998 (20:31)", "body": "Thank you, Karen. Only you could have given us such an interesting and accurate summary of a v. long article. a feature film version that would be directed by Hugh Hudson. My thought when I read this was: If BBC with six hours couldn't make the book's plot logical and seemless.....can you imagine what a movie in two hours will do!!"}, {"response": 26, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul  6, 1998 (20:34)", "body": "seemless. , pl. correct to: seamless"}, {"response": 27, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jul  7, 1998 (00:38)", "body": "John The Baptist.... a scapegoat for Jesus... someone had to be sacrificed... Gian Battista(sp) was sacrificed due to love at the end. You're so right - this is a pathetically inadequate, inappropriate and completely wrong comparison."}, {"response": 28, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jul  7, 1998 (16:07)", "body": "Ah yes, Arami, but my 7 year old daughter beat you to the quick:) She explained all to me that John the Baptist was indeed the cousin of Jesus, Elizabeth being his mother, who was 40 when she had him. I went to Public School whereas my daughter is receiving a Catholic education:) As for inappropriate, not nearly as some of what you wrote."}, {"response": 29, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jul  7, 1998 (17:53)", "body": "As for inappropriate, not nearly as some of what you wrote. Now, now - let's not get personal. You don't really want to make me angry, do you? Well, then - back to the film discussion, there's a good girl :-)"}, {"response": 30, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jul  7, 1998 (18:55)", "body": "You don't really want to make me angry, do you? Haven't quite decided yet. But getting your ire up is indeed fun;) Hee hee."}, {"response": 31, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  7, 1998 (20:03)", "body": "Well, then - back to the film discussion I'm sorry. Have you been a participant in this film discussion?"}, {"response": 32, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jul  7, 1998 (20:07)", "body": "Hee hee;)"}, {"response": 33, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Jul  7, 1998 (22:32)", "body": "(Laura) She explained all to me that John the Baptist was indeed the cousin of Jesus, Elizabeth being his mother, who was 40 when she had him. Oh. Lets see.... If Elisabeth was the mother of John the Baptist Fitzwilliam Darcy must be his father! And if his sons' cousin was Jesus, the latter must have been the lost brother of either Fitzwilliam Darcy or his wife Elisabeth. I knew it! I knew it!!! Oh, had I but more time I would write the story of John Baptist Fitzwilliam Darcy, who would also be the grandson of Lady Catherine, and somehow related to the likes of Mr. Collins and George Wickham, unfortunately. ;-P"}, {"response": 34, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jul  7, 1998 (22:44)", "body": "LMAO!"}, {"response": 35, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jul  7, 1998 (22:49)", "body": "I'm sorry. Have you been a participant in this film discussion? I see you're really overstretching your wits to provoke a confrontation :-)"}, {"response": 36, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (01:07)", "body": "(Renate) Oh, had I but more time I would write the story of John Baptist Fitzwilliam Darcy, who would also be the grandson of Lady Catherine, :-S"}, {"response": 37, "author": "nan", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (02:25)", "body": "Renate, LOL!! :-D"}, {"response": 38, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (12:45)", "body": "By George, I think she's got it;)"}, {"response": 39, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (18:58)", "body": "John the Baptist didn't steal a load of silver. Allegory: 1(a) the expression by means of symbolic fictional figures and actions of truths or generalizations about human conduct or experience, (b) an instance of such expression. 2. a symbolic representation. The tragedy of Nostromo is his fall as an honest man. Nostromo is neither honest nor dishonest. He is a \"natural\" man as is discussed in most of the lit crit. He has no ideals; he is amoral. He exists for himself, his good name, his vanity. There is no good or bad, honest or dishonest in his fundamental world. He just *is.* His fall is most often described as the original Fall of Man, i.e., Adam's fall. He awakens to the \"knowledge of good and evil that is said to have corrupted the first man in Eden....Gould is not God--or the devil--dealing out the choice, or tempting the man. He is Nostromo's double as well as the initiator of his fall. That is to say, Gould's corruption is the model for Nostromo's, and Gould himself is an Adam, disturbing creation in the 'paradise of snakes' where the mine slept until he resolved to use it for human salvation. Evil (one cannot tell about good, since there's very little of it in the novel) is exterior and is not, even, moral. The evil is the silver.\" (Hay, pp.182-3) How can we talk about a parallel with a Biblical martyr? By the mere fact that Conrad gave his title character that name. Naming characters is not a haphazard exercise for some authors. Conrad borrowed extensively from several sources for the names of most of his major and minor characters, situations and scenery. They are: Edward B. Eastwick's Venezuela (1868), which was in Conrad's library when he died; G.F. Masterman's Seven Eventful Years in Paraguay (1870); and S. Perez Triana's Down the Orinoco (1902). In The Political Novels of Joseph Conrad by Eloise Knapp Hay, which I have quoted above, the real sources of the characters' names are discussed at some length. Another author, Albert J. Guerard, in Conrad the Novelist notes how Conrad subtly juxtaposes the figure of Charles Gould on horseback and the equestrian statue of Charles IV of Spain. I believe he chose John the Baptist's name in the same way as he chose the last name of Fidanza. Both are literary devices and he uses them symbolically and ironically. Conrad, while an avowed atheist, was respectful of his upbringing. He did not use the name in an irreverent way. In the same way, I hope no one will take offense at my own conclusions because no disrespect is intended. John the Baptist is an agent in the process of saving souls. When Nostromo assumes his real name, he has saved the mine and lost his own soul. After burying the silver on the island, he comes to the realization that he has been betrayed by the Europeans and that both Giorgio and Teresa were right. \"The decision is based on a moral bargain: he has bought the treasure with his own soul, forfeited when he betrayed Decoud and Teresa to save it.\" (Hay, p.205) According to Conrad: \"Nostromo had lost his peace; the genuineness of all his qualities was destroyed. He felt it himself, and often cursed the silver of San Tom\ufffd. His courage, his magnificence, his leisure, his work, everything was as before, only everything was a sham.\" He is described later as \"the man whose soul was dead within him.\" When material interests are put before humanity, all have lost their souls: Gould, Decoud and now Nostromo. At the end, I think there is some ambiguity whether his a tempt at repentance is successful. But then again, Nostromo may be no different than Moby Dick (a fish story) or Grapes of Wrath (about migrant workers) or East of Eden (about lettuce). Like Heide said earlier, this could all be bullsheet! ;-) wits overstretched No, just my patience."}, {"response": 40, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (19:09)", "body": "Perhaps we can move on to subject on which there can be no disagreement. Could they have picked an uglier woman to play Antonia? ;-)"}, {"response": 41, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (19:45)", "body": "Antonia should have been beautiful...not well cast, I'm afraid. She was modeled on Conrad's first love. I think we should touch on some lighter things! Question, what colour is Colin's hair, really? In some shots he looked almost blonde, but when kissing Emilia's hand at the harbourside (\"God willing, never without you!) his hair looks reddish. Ditto in the scene when he and Emilia meet the new President in the presidential palace after the political upheaval. Highlights brought out by the sun? And he always looks so clean, almost schoolboyish......particularly in that white Eton collar. I thnk I prefer him slightly rumpled!"}, {"response": 42, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (20:02)", "body": "Allegory: ...the expression by means of symbolic fictional figures and actions... ...a symbolic representation. And I still don't see what John the Baptist has to do with it. By the mere fact that Conrad gave his title character that name. I would really need a better proof than that. wits overstretched No, just my patience.,/I. Right again - the former just doesn't come into this..."}, {"response": 43, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (20:10)", "body": "Out, damned italics."}, {"response": 44, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (20:11)", "body": "Out, damned italics."}, {"response": 45, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (20:33)", "body": "(Karen)By the mere fact that Conrad gave his title character that name. (Arami)I would really need a better proof than that. Well tonight I will have a seance and invite Conrad himself to explain all. I will give him the URL to this damn board and have him personalize it just for you Arami. Don't you think that is enough information, how much research must one do to satisfy you. Why don't you do the research?"}, {"response": 46, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (21:33)", "body": "Thank you Karen... For a scholarly treatise. I would have to go to a university library to get such. Your rural friend is grateful. (Bethan) Re; color of CF's hair. Highlights?? I think so. Very cool. I thnk I prefer him slightly rumpled! I keep telling ya' that rumpled baggy, beige linen suit.!!!!"}, {"response": 47, "author": "Ann", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (22:09)", "body": "Gould's hair is supposed to be red, so maybe they were going for a strawberry blonde look?"}, {"response": 48, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (22:17)", "body": "Joseph Conrad about Nostromo"}, {"response": 49, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (23:21)", "body": "...Nostromo's corruption... Deprived of reputation, Nostromo seeks compensation in wealth... Like Gould, Nostromo pins his faith on materialism in order to compensate for his loss of prestige... The central tragedy of \"Nostromo\" is incompatibility of material interests and moral principles... (from \"Joseph Conrad, A Biography\" by Jeffrey Meyers)"}, {"response": 50, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Jul  8, 1998 (23:35)", "body": "I read both Hay's and Conrad's texts cited above and find them complementary to each other. A fitting conclusion to the debate. I did find Conrad's reference to \"the beautiful Antonia\" amusing. She would be the only reason he would return to (fictional) Sulaco. In your dreams, Joe. (Ann) Gould's hair is supposed to be red, so maybe they were going for a strawberry blonde look? Do you think they colored his hair for this role too? I thought he had some reddish tint to his hair in other movies- Fever Pitch comes to mind so I always assumed his hair color in Nostromo was authentic, just lightened a bit by the sun."}, {"response": 51, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul  9, 1998 (00:40)", "body": "I thought he had some reddish tint to his hair in other movies- Fever Pitch comes to mind so I always assumed his hair color in Nostromo was authentic, The dark brown hair with reddish tint in FP looked like a cheap dye job to me."}, {"response": 52, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Jul  9, 1998 (06:29)", "body": "Test Test test test"}, {"response": 53, "author": "nan", "date": "Thu, Jul  9, 1998 (06:30)", "body": "Are the italics done now? *sigh*"}, {"response": 54, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jul  9, 1998 (19:14)", "body": "I thought he had some reddish tint to his hair in other movies- Fever Pitch comes to mind so I always assumed his hair color in Nostromo was authentic, The dark brown hair with reddish tint in FP looked like a cheap dye job to me. Evelyn I think his hair does have auburn tints, brought out by sun or strong arc lights. Nostromo is the authentic colouring, I believe. Strongly agree with you about FP! I suppose if you make a movie for $2.5 million you have to economise, but not on his hair! Dyed black hair can have a metallic red glint in strong lighting (as on a film set). The Makeup people (person?) should have avoided this. I doubt if CF would have noticed!"}, {"response": 55, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul  9, 1998 (19:45)", "body": "(Bethan) I must admit to being rather transfixed by the scene where he strides (and I really mean STRIDES)...after Dr. Monygham...Or perhaps it's just those oh so keen eyes of mine again!!! And your *oh so keen eyes* have been focused on what is truly important! I had referred that little sighting over to our MIA contour checker when I received my tape, but never got a confirmation. Good catch. Keep those eagle eyes alert. ;-) (Ann) Gould's hair is supposed to be red, so maybe they were going for a strawberry blonde look? (Heide) I thought he had some reddish tint to his hair in other movies- Fever Pitch comes to mind so I always assumed his hair color in Nostromo was authentic, just lightened a bit by the sun. Didn't one of the interviews call his hair \"ginger\" colored? Really makes you wonder what color his hair is. Bethan: I know how you collect articles, etc. I can e-mail the unabridged text of The Times article that Evelyn sent me if you wish."}, {"response": 56, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Jul  9, 1998 (22:20)", "body": "And your *oh so keen eyes* have been focused on what is truly important! (Karen) Gives new meaning to the expression \"hanging loose\"!! :-) Thanks for the offer of the Nostromo article, Karen. But I checked my archives and it is actually one that I'd kept. I remembered reading it but wasn't sure if I'd cut it out."}, {"response": 57, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Jul  9, 1998 (23:34)", "body": "(Karen) Really makes you wonder what color his hair is. Has anyone ever actually seen him in an au naturel state (and no, I don't mean in the buff ;-))."}, {"response": 58, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Jul 10, 1998 (01:31)", "body": "Another Country, Dutch Girls, A Month In The Country - natural hair colour. Master Of The Moor - slightly questionable, but sometimes the film or video tape quality (contrast) may alter colours. Playmaker, The Hour Of The Pig (The Advocate) - the buff."}, {"response": 59, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jul 10, 1998 (13:45)", "body": "I always thought he hair was brown, sort of a chestnut brown. Darkened for P&P and lightened with highlights for Nostromo."}, {"response": 60, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Jul 10, 1998 (18:07)", "body": "I've found an interview in which he says that he used to be blonde as a child. He is now presumed light brown with fair-reddish highlights, but one can never be sure, and colour hair rinses seem temptingly easy to apply."}, {"response": 61, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jul 10, 1998 (20:14)", "body": "I think light to chestnut brown with fair-reddish highlights is a pretty accurate description! I don't think it was lightened for Nostromo, more likely naturally bleached by five months in the sun."}, {"response": 62, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jul 10, 1998 (20:45)", "body": "Ah, very true about the sun!!! And I'm glad I was right on target. This time:)"}, {"response": 63, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 10, 1998 (21:48)", "body": "Would anyone, besides me, like to discuss Valmont.? If Cheryl would graciously consent to be at the helm. I feel this is a golden opportunity. Or have we done V. too many times."}, {"response": 64, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jul 10, 1998 (22:36)", "body": "Would love to do Valmont, particularly in view of Cheryl's most interesting comments and insight. And I've never actually discussed Valmont....it's still quite \"new\" to me! blonde as a child He must have have looked like little Lord Fauntleroy, blonde, curly headed and angelic!"}, {"response": 65, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Jul 10, 1998 (23:32)", "body": "Oooooh, little Lord Firthleroy! A Valmont discussion the umpteenth time is fine by me, now that I have found a way to avoid AB's drawl by simply watching the dubbed version :-))."}, {"response": 66, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Jul 11, 1998 (00:57)", "body": "have we done V. too many times. When it comes to HIM, how many times is too many? He must have have looked like little Lord Fauntleroy, blonde, curly headed and angelic! Indeed: there is a picture of Colin as a child somewhere on FoF's main site, I believe. Or at least there used to be."}, {"response": 67, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jul 11, 1998 (20:59)", "body": "Indeed: there is a picture of Colin as a child somewhere on FoF's main site, I believe. Is that the one where he's attempting to cram a whole bun into his mouth? Very sweet (although obviously hasn't mastered the art of polite eating!) :-)"}, {"response": 68, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sat, Jul 11, 1998 (21:36)", "body": "Is that the one where he's attempting to cram a whole bun into his mouth? Very sweet (although obviously hasn't mastered the art of polite eating!) :-) } I must be spending too much time around here, because my mind conjured a very different image upon reading \"cram a whole bun into his mouth\"."}, {"response": 69, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jul 13, 1998 (15:20)", "body": "Have we EVER done a discussion on A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY ? I don't recall that we have?"}, {"response": 70, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jul 17, 1998 (19:04)", "body": "For 1999 Production Notes/Status Status: Announced Comments: Director Stephen Frears is near a deal to direct after Mike Newell had to leave the project because of schedule conflicts. Last Updated: 19 March 1998 Note: Since this project is categorized as being in production, the data is subject to change or could be removed completely. Directed by Stephen Frears Cast (in alphabetical order) John Cusack Written by John Cusack Nick Hornby (nov"}, {"response": 71, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Fri, Jul 17, 1998 (19:49)", "body": "And this involves Colin Firth how..."}, {"response": 72, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jul 17, 1998 (20:11)", "body": "Sheer willpower:)"}, {"response": 73, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jul 17, 1998 (20:12)", "body": "Ya never know maybe CF will have a cameo; it is in preproduction stage!"}, {"response": 74, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Fri, Jul 17, 1998 (20:58)", "body": "Ya never know maybe CF will have a cameo; it is in preproduction stage! Aaah..."}, {"response": 75, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jul 17, 1998 (21:07)", "body": "Or John Cusack will morph into CF and then we will all be happy:)"}, {"response": 76, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 17, 1998 (21:47)", "body": "I thought we were going to discuss either: VALMONT or A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY. Waddya' say?? No one's been at home here all week.... Now I find Nick Hornby in ????? (what is the name of the film?) :-)))))"}, {"response": 77, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Fri, Jul 17, 1998 (22:10)", "body": "I vote for AMITC :-)"}, {"response": 78, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Jul 17, 1998 (23:12)", "body": "When will we ever discuss Master of the Moor?! Or Tumbledown? :-)"}, {"response": 79, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sat, Jul 18, 1998 (03:39)", "body": "(Renate) Master of the Moor?! I haven't seen it yet, baby :-("}, {"response": 80, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sat, Jul 18, 1998 (04:28)", "body": "nor have I"}, {"response": 81, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 18, 1998 (14:46)", "body": "Nor have I"}, {"response": 82, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Jul 18, 1998 (17:07)", "body": "I have:) It doesn't have wide distributorship here in the States for some unknown reason. AMITC is a great movie and looking forward to discussing it!! I had a great idea didn't I:)"}, {"response": 83, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sat, Jul 18, 1998 (18:24)", "body": "I have:) It doesn't have wide distributorship here in the States for some unknown reason. AMITC is a great movie and looking forward to discussing it!! I had a great idea didn't I:) I have AMITC. It is \"Master of the Moor\" most of us have not seen. You have, Laura???"}, {"response": 84, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Jul 18, 1998 (18:33)", "body": "I've seen Master of the Moor, yes!!! about two years ago right around the time I saw Lost Empires:) Sorry, that was during my love affair w/ dear boy. I haven't seen The Widowing of Mrs. Holroyd. Where he plays a drunk (tho I've heard not a good one either:)) Master of the Moor is a Ruth Rendell/Barbara Vine mystery that leaves one quite flat at the ending. He's heavier in this role; face is a little bit more puffed out. One good thing the girl who played his wife was ugly:) hee hee. Hated that stringy long hair!!"}, {"response": 85, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 18, 1998 (21:47)", "body": "Laura : Master of the Moor...flat ending....fat face...ugly wife What a recommendation!! AMITC I had a great idea didn't I:) You know, Laura...I really admire your humility :-) I'm for AMITC"}, {"response": 86, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 18, 1998 (21:51)", "body": "AMITC or Tumbledown would be fine with me. Make it TD. I feel my shoulder twitching. ;-)"}, {"response": 87, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jul 18, 1998 (22:09)", "body": "Laura : Master of the Moor...flat ending....fat face...ugly wife What a recommendation!! Each to her own taste. It's actually my favourite in terms of his appearance...I prefer the slightly heavier look . I guess that was his inbetween relationships period, probably he was living on his own and not as happy as he is now. But \"fat\"......NO! And I liked The Widowing of Mrs Holroyd. The BBC Performance series was intended to reflect stage performances....single sets and limited action as you would see in the theatre. The style of acting therefore differs. All the actors in the series were well known actors from the theatre rather than TV. AMITC is fine by me."}, {"response": 88, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 18, 1998 (22:38)", "body": "Re: Master of the Moor and The Widowing...: Bethan...each to her own taste, Know what you mean...I like Joe Prince ....in FF"}, {"response": 89, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Jul 19, 1998 (00:23)", "body": "(Laura) Master of the Moor is a Ruth Rendell/Barbara Vine mystery that leaves one quite flat at the ending. He's heavier in this role; face is a little bit more puffed out. One good thing the girl who played his wife was ugly:) hee hee. Hated that stringy long hair!! Laura, it is not the first time that our tastes go into different directions, so you will not be surprised that I disagree with you again. All what he wears, the wide shirts, pullover and parka, even his hearcut seem designed to make him look heavier, and physically strong. (.... and then act against it...) Perhaps also the very economical use of make up - if there was any make up at all. - I found Emma Croft, the actress who played Lynn, very creditable as a pretty young woman (but I agree that her uneven skin was brutally exposed by the light). She was *not* pretty in the way we usually get to see actresses in films, with perfect hair and skin and make up in every situation, but pretty in the way we see someone in real life, in a rural surrounding. And Lynn Whalby wasn't supposed to wear make up, anyway. In the first scene her hair was stringy, yes, perhaps just a bad hair day, perhaps? :-). But no kidding, I would not be surprised to find out it was done purposely, to emphasize the change in her appearance later on. The light of the whole production is everything but flattering, it reveals, displays mercyless every spot, scar and skin imperfections of the actors, and there are many. But it gave the production a kind of very realistic, almost \"documentary\" look. Fascinating. I am afraid I will have to wait a long time until I find a movie that is as rich in so many aspects as this one. On this movie it all came together, apparently everybody did a great job (other than, f.e. P&P and FP, which have irritating flaws des ite all their excellence): Great script, very good characterisation, intelligent dialogues, dialogues which don't insult the thinking brain, great photography, terrific use of music, excellent settings, gorgeous if dark scenery. Excellent performances by everybody. Apparently very efficient director. It is a dark, dramatic and sad story, with a perfect ensemble of actors, would like to mention in particular George Costigan, his Inspector Manciple was just terrific. I would give MOTM five out of five stars any time. First time I watched it I was a bit doubtful, I found it too \"mysterious\" :-), i.e. too many hints, too many distracting details, too many loose ends, but I have changed my mind very soon. Since then I have watched it almost as often as P&P, and I find something new and amazing in there eve y time. What a perfect production, and what an honour and luck for an actor to be part of it. What a pity hardly anyone gets to see it outside the UK. \"What a waste. What a waste!\" Can you guess I am excessively fond of MOTM? :-) But not of \"Mrs. Holroyd\"."}, {"response": 90, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sun, Jul 19, 1998 (00:34)", "body": "Arami, I like your review of MOTM. I watch for it every time a Ruth Rendell mystery is on cable, but it never is the correct one! Sounds very interesting! I should like to see it someday! Yes, I can tell it is one of your favorites!"}, {"response": 91, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Jul 19, 1998 (08:49)", "body": "Stephanie, though Arami and I have a lot in common, we are not identical. ;-)) How you can tell: she knows much more four-syllable words (and, perhaps, four-letter words, too), and her English is in general, eh, well, more British, - so I take it as a compliment that you take me for her. ;-) Talking of vocabulary, please forgive my repetitions, and if I wasn't clear in some points. I was very tired when I finished the post."}, {"response": 92, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Jul 19, 1998 (09:06)", "body": ""}, {"response": 93, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Jul 19, 1998 (09:13)", "body": ""}, {"response": 94, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Jul 19, 1998 (09:17)", "body": "Sorry, dear friends. Not my day today I'm afraid .... Nan, would you please remove this garbage.... thanks a lot."}, {"response": 95, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Jul 19, 1998 (12:24)", "body": "I have copied Bethan's post from #98, for continuation: Bethan wrote: Re MOM I would say that it was shot without makeup, sometimes in less than flattering light and often in the fullest close up possible. And it's still my favourite, for \"looks\"! And I agree about the \"heavy\" look....he was often wearing a shirt, jumper, corduroy jacket and a bulky unfashionable anorak. I'm surprised he managed to stride across those moors with such alacrity!"}, {"response": 96, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Jul 19, 1998 (12:29)", "body": "I would say that it was shot ..(snip)..... and often in the fullest close up possible. ;-)! That's perhaps why we love it so much, because that is as near as we ever will get to him! And it's still my favourite, for \"looks\"! Agreed. He looks neither gorgeous, nor stunning or beautiful in the Darcy way in this one, but very real, and very cuddly :-)."}, {"response": 97, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Sun, Jul 19, 1998 (15:26)", "body": "Renata, Ooops. I'm sorry. I'll be more careful next time."}, {"response": 98, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jul 19, 1998 (15:45)", "body": "Master of the Moor!! I have a raging headache to remember it by. I saw it last night for the first time and since I always watch a new Colin film with a bottle of wine, let's just say next time I ought to eat some food too. How did it end? No, just kidding, although I was a bit confused and probably will need several viewings to clear it up. As for looks, yum yum yum. Especially the outdoor shots on the moors. How come I can't sit outside in the middle of nowhere and have a gorgeous, rugged, masculine nature boy with windblown hair and a beautiful smile come upon me? As for next movie choice, I am up for anything. Do enough of us have Tumbledown? Another non-controversial film ;-)"}, {"response": 99, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Jul 19, 1998 (16:21)", "body": "very real, and very cuddly :-) Especially with that shirt hanging out! Definitely needs a tuck in! And I agree about the \"real\" look!"}, {"response": 100, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Jul 19, 1998 (22:07)", "body": "Definitely needs a tuck in! Oh, yes, please, let me tuck it in! :-d... (Heide) Master of the Moor!! I always watch a new Colin film with a bottle of wine.... Mercy, woman! With MOTM being only 2 hours long, how did you survive P&P and Nostromo?! How many gallons did you need, and how many aspirin? ;-)) I saw it last night for the first time ......(snip)...... I was a bit confused and probably will need several viewings to clear it up. Do it, and give us full report, please!"}, {"response": 101, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (01:21)", "body": "Renate: MOTM - only 2 hours long? But it's in 3 parts... have I f...d up something? :-) Stefanie: Renata, Ooops. Hope you don't mind another correction, but her name is RenatE :-)"}, {"response": 102, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (02:33)", "body": "Stef, it's good to see you back posting regularly. I hope you'll stay awhile even if I do misspell your name frequently. I think it was that extra hour of MOTM that did me in. Luckily, I hadn't started my bottle of wine policy when I first saw P&P or Nostromo but I haven't seen Lost Empires yet. Perhaps I should switch to a pitcher full of smoothies when I watch that. So which will be our next film? AMITC? Valmont? Tumbledown?"}, {"response": 103, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (11:42)", "body": "Renate: MOTM - only 2 hours long? But it's in 3 parts... have I f...d up something? :-) :-) Don't know, how many hours has *your* version? 4? 5? In this case I would like to have the uncut version :-))! I've heard rumours that it shows a very long and passionate affair with a beautiful German woman aka Frau Sch\ufffdtterli? Stefanie:Renata, Ooops. Hope you don't mind another correction, but her name is RenatE :-) Thanks, Arami, for putting this right. You aren't in proof reading business, by chance? Stefanie (or Stephanie? :-) ), though I am indeed very peculiar about my name, RenatA is ok with me, since it is a) written on top of the message, and b) the Italian version of my name...."}, {"response": 104, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (13:22)", "body": "(Evelyn)You know, Laura...I really admire your humility :-) Hee Hee Renata, darling, where in the world did you get that I did not like MOTM in the diatribe that I wrote? I only gave a physical description of CF. I did not care for then ending that leaves one guessing what the hell went on! I think you take too much on a two sentence paragraph and start ranting because you like to. I liked MOTM. I'm not a Mystery fanatic, so it really isn't my cup of tea:) CF played S. Whalby quite credibly. Quite eerily, too. But I'm still trying to figure out who did what to whom."}, {"response": 105, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (18:48)", "body": "Ciao, Renata! Come sta? :-) I did not care for then ending that leaves one guessing what the hell went on! Double suicide pact."}, {"response": 106, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (19:24)", "body": "Me: MOTM - only 2 hours long? But it's in 3 parts... RenatA: Don't know, how many hours has *your* version? I would like to have the uncut version... Could it be only 40 mins per episode? I've never really noticed that. Very strange! it shows a very long and passionate affair with a beautiful German woman aka Frau Sch\ufffdtterli Uhmmm... Thanks, Arami, for putting this right... RenatA is ok with me Oh, bother..."}, {"response": 107, "author": "TrinaH", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (20:20)", "body": "This may have been asked before, but has anyone in the U.S. been able to get their hands on MOTM, Lost Empires, or Tumbledown? If I remember correctly, these were all made for tv movies? Anyway, if anyone has been able to track down a copy of these that we can watch on our VCR's, please let me know--I feel so deprived! I was fortunate enough to get a copy of FP from wonderful Heide a few months ago, for which I am eternally grateful! Trina"}, {"response": 108, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (20:46)", "body": "My 2 cents on MOTM Like most Colin films, it gets better with each viewing. He looks quite appealing. Once again, his portrayal of a tortured soul is dead on. Father and son, both so caught in their love the wife/mother. She destroyed 2 lives when she left. My question is: why did it take so many years for the rage to surface? Did anyone notice that his running was very odd here? Nothing like FP. Hope he was only running \"in character\"."}, {"response": 109, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Jul 20, 1998 (22:53)", "body": "Did anyone notice that his running was very odd here? Nothing like FP. Hope he was only running \"in character\". Emma, can you specify a bit what you mean with \"very odd\"? Curious. I did not find his running odd so far, but it was indeed different from FP, or Tumbledown. But I will watch it again soon :-)) , and pay some more attention to his running style."}, {"response": 110, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Wed, Jul 22, 1998 (01:56)", "body": "Stephen Whalby ran like a non-althlete, his arms were flapping about, like he was going to trip on something. especially when he waa running down the alley. But his walk was the same, that some long legged stride, can spot him walking anywhere. Those soulful Eyes His big brown eyes, full with tears when he said, \"I don't know, God, Lynn, I don't know...\" When he was recording notes for his article, into a small tape recorder, I imagine this is how he records his tapes for son Will."}, {"response": 111, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jul 22, 1998 (18:30)", "body": "He runs differently in Wings of Fame. He must adjust running style to character! Same eyes though! I don't know if we've decided what the next film discussion will be, but would anyone be interested at some stage, not necessarily now, in discussing the Rupert Brooke radio play \"The One Before the Last\". I've just heard it for the first time, and thought it was excellent. It was marvellous to hear so much of Colin's voice, and I've always wondered how he would read poetry (very well!) He really does have the Voice and the Looks ....all he needs are the right roles to display his talents!! And a little bit more dialogue, pl-e-eease! Anyway I'll save my enthusiasm for the discussion (hopefully!). I think I enjoyed the play more because I'd just read \"Forever England (life of Rupert Brooke) by Mike Read (ISBN 1-85158-995-3), and felt I knew more about the characters. Recommende read."}, {"response": 112, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Jul 22, 1998 (18:46)", "body": "Oh, incase the above all sounds terribly serious and lit-critty, this was the first time I have EVER found a radio play to be sexy! How does he do it? :-)"}, {"response": 113, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Jul 22, 1998 (18:50)", "body": "(Bethan)I've just heard it for the first time Arghhh! Has the Beeb just repeated it and I missed it?"}, {"response": 114, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (10:35)", "body": "Days and days I couldn't log in, and I feel guilty continually signing up as a new person just to get to write. Maybe I'll send an Email about how to clean that up. That said, I am catching up on the CF boards--it's a lot to read, but wonderful fun and I love what everyone has to say. I also ended up on the Porch once while trying to log in, and came across Nan outside of Drool. It made me glad that 1)she's running things and 2)well, that's she's running things. I mean, I am new and have NO opinion on anything so far, except that here it's easy to have fun and meet interesting, cool gals (and maybe guys, for all I know). But I was grateful for her defense of thi space. It was so metaphorical to me, the whole contretemps , but on a plain old earthly level it was practically and tactically well handled. If nobody knows what I'm talking about I'll elaborate (or look for yourself on Porch 15). I look forward to getting current on this topic as well as other CF related. It just tickles me that people on other boards could get annoyed with CF and Firthmania :-)"}, {"response": 115, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (12:25)", "body": "(CherylE)It just tickles me that people on other boards could get annoyed with CF and Firthmania :-) Yes, we had some unpleasantness a few months ago at that topic but it is well over now. In fact, it's so over that Mike and I have been chatting in email about Spring things and sharing ideas. It was really just a misunderstanding that got out of hand. I didn't mention it before because I didn't want to drag anyone else into it. Knowing you all as I do, I know that there will be some comments you read that will make you wild...I implore you to remember that it's over. You don't have to comment on somethin that happened 4 months ago...it will do no good because, as I mentioned, Mike and I have worked it out between us. Be nice, now :-) And Cheryl, I thank you for the compliments...you're sweet :-) But in reality, I'm just here to make the place pretty and keep the conversation going--the site belongs to Terry."}, {"response": 116, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (14:08)", "body": "Nice job, Nan. But next time you're ambushed and outnumbered, feel free to call out the Cavalry!! :-)"}, {"response": 117, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (14:30)", "body": "So when do we start discussing AMITC; I've read the book a couple years back, and thought maybe we could throw some insights from book to movie. I know not all has read the book, but it really doesn't stray too far. Oh, and one other thing, AMITC, the book, is listed as a childrens/preteen book at the Boston Public Library. *shrug*"}, {"response": 118, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (19:57)", "body": "(cheryl E) I also ended up on the Porch once forgive my ignorance: what or where is the Porch?"}, {"response": 119, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (20:54)", "body": "Well, I found it out by myself - and that took me to the babes conference - and mygod those guys do tackle their drool differently. I don't mean to be discorteous to them, but thank you all ladies for drooling the way you do. I really enjoy it here. I'm very glad I found you."}, {"response": 120, "author": "terry", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (21:12)", "body": "Maybe you could give us seminars?"}, {"response": 121, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Jul 23, 1998 (21:45)", "body": "Terry, you don't really mean it!"}, {"response": 122, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (00:21)", "body": "I hope this is the right board : I recently wrote to The History Channel (History Channel.com) since they have shown Hostages about once a year. I asked them to show TUMBLEDOWN, since it pertains to the Falklands War and is directed by Sir Richard Eyre. (did not mention DB...wanted them to think I was a real history scholar!) They answered: \"We also appreciate the program suggestions mentioned in your e-mail. We will certainly keep your ideas in mind as we acquire future programming for The History Channel. Viewer correspondence is the best way for us to know what subjects interest our viewers. Be assured that we will continue to try and acquire comparable material, especially those programs likely to attract viewers as appreciative as yourself.\" I know it's a canned remark, but if enough viewers request a program, they might show an interest. email to: view1@aetv.com address to \"Viewer Relations\" Now this\" history scholar \" is off to the Babes Conference (thanks Gi)!"}, {"response": 123, "author": "cherylq", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (07:22)", "body": "(nan) Absolutely, Terry was/is magnificent and did/is doing a fabulous job. Yup, history is history, and it's such as run-of-the-mill kind of discussion.But it can get so stupid if the general goal of peaceful coexistence gets lost. For me it highlights one of the cliches that you hear both ways: women are better at getting along and working togther despite differences (nurturing, blah, blah as evidence) AND men are better .......(sports, business, and combat teams as evidence). I think it's a charac er thing. And I am in awe of the technical and managerial skills and time it takes to run something like this. Very grateful. Nice that you're humble, Nan, but entropy is death. Nobody around here seems controlling or uptight (hurray), but tiny loving nudges can make all the difference. Which brings me back to the topic. I will post part of this on 97 on the off chance that there are some people who don't overlap. What must be posted twice? Ya'll are so funny you brightened up half of Manhattan's day. I printed (whew) a lot and read it in a restaurant and on the subway, and I was laughing and pounding the table or my leg, depending on where I was. People didn't seem to think I was crazy; they were intrigued as to what was so damn funny. I must be very cool to have such a thick sta k of SUCH funny writings, was the general consensus. And when I wasn't laughing, I had that special smile mentioned on 59. Thank you all and I look forward to AMITC or whatever."}, {"response": 124, "author": "cherylq", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (07:30)", "body": "I'm not sure it's really clear that (I think I understand that) Terry runs the site and Nan the board. I'm speechless with admiration, appreciation, gratitude, ...(I'm speechless, but somebody tell Terry.)"}, {"response": 125, "author": "cherylq", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (07:33)", "body": "I'm not sure it's really clear that my kudos are...I'm speechless with admiration, appreciation, gratitude, ...(I'm speechless, but somebody tell Terry.)"}, {"response": 126, "author": "cherylq", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (07:35)", "body": "Well now that's bizarre . . ."}, {"response": 127, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (13:05)", "body": "Now, AMITC, can we get back to it? How about we view it over the week-end and start a discussion on Monday or Tuesday?"}, {"response": 128, "author": "cherylq", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (13:29)", "body": "I'm in. I ordered 3 things through RoP (everything that was less than $80) to begin with, but I'll rent AMITC. I echo Trina's question re the TV movies that someone in the US might have. Pardon my ignorance, but does it make a difference whether a movie's custodian is in the US or not? If the gal who benefits is willing to foot the bill?"}, {"response": 129, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (17:44)", "body": "Kate: Don't read this!! ;-) but does it make a difference whether a movie's custodian is in the US or not? Only from the standpoint of compatible VHS formats. At some point, the original (if it was only shown on British TV) has to be converted from PAL to NTSC, and then the usual duplication process would go on."}, {"response": 130, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (17:45)", "body": "(Laura) AMITC, can we get back to it? How about we view it over the week-end and start a discussion on Monday or Tuesday? Your choice: AMITC or SC. Not both."}, {"response": 131, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (18:28)", "body": "Oh, Karen!!!! Hee hee!!!! I can try and do both;p"}, {"response": 132, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (18:57)", "body": "(Terry)Maybe you could give us seminars? Terry, I said I meant no offence, just that it's more to my taste the way we do things over here. I read some posts on the topics on Autumn (all, I think) and Claudia Shiffer (some)to get some impression, and came back because I'm more interested in this group... also in CF, naturally, but he's not the only actor I admire, and I've quit other discussion groups in the Net because they were not my style. So what I really mean is I'm very glad to have found this group of people I have fun with. OK? :-)"}, {"response": 133, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (19:00)", "body": "Cheryl, I think most people do visit all the CF topics in activity, so maybe you don't have to bother and post in 2 different topics. Not that it isn't interesting to read you in any of them!"}, {"response": 134, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (19:58)", "body": "I meant that in a very friendly, joking way... I really admire how drool is conducted!"}, {"response": 135, "author": "Kate", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (22:03)", "body": "Kate:Don't read this!! ;-) It matters not whether I read it, it's whether some law enforcement agency reads it. And it's not me that will get into trouble!! ;-)"}, {"response": 136, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (22:31)", "body": "Re: Tape conversion from PAL to US format: (Kate) And it's not me that will get into trouble!! ;-) I'll share a cell with Karen....and we'll watch all the CF films on NTSC :-)"}, {"response": 137, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 24, 1998 (23:30)", "body": "And it's not me that will get into trouble!! ;-) Who knows? Aiding and abetting. Certainly knowledge of our nefarious activites!! Could lead to early deportation. Designation as persona non grata, making you ineligible to return. ;-) Can just see the headlines: \"Firth Fans on Internet Busted. Ringleader from Oz Plead, \"I tried to get them to stop, but they're addicts!\" 'Nuf nonsense. We should confine our requests for *lending* our tapes to private e-mails. They should not be bandied about on a public board as Counsel suggests."}, {"response": 138, "author": "Kate", "date": "Sat, Jul 25, 1998 (04:24)", "body": "LOL! Luckily I'm leaving the country voluntarily before my visa expires ;-)"}, {"response": 139, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sat, Jul 25, 1998 (05:00)", "body": "Absolutely! Who said anything about copying?! I buy (which is what I said.) And I'm sure you do too. I just meant the PAL/NTSC thing isn't a problem in this day and age and with round trip Federal Express... I'm sure by \"duplication\" Karen meant the normal process of watching something several times and returning it to it's lawful owner. Or custodian, as I put it. Maybe it's from being in the film, music, software business and having always been a voracious reader. I buy it if I can, to support th t product. Libraries and video stores don't work for me. I always end up with bigger fines that if I'd bought the thing in the first place, and I do in fact study things on video, use my gazillion CDs for listening but also for scratch soundtracks (to give a composer an idea of what I'm looking for), and scribble on books unless they're out of my price range and thus from the library. And that's what my question really was, a formerly veiled request for further info. My CDs and tapes also make me very popular--I'm a little lending library all by myself. This actually is why I bought what I could. I would end up paying more in the long run, and I hate bad prints. I did buy the ones for video stores (priced $89.00 or so) used when that was the only format I could find. I'm not insane."}, {"response": 140, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sat, Jul 25, 1998 (05:06)", "body": "Of course, most of my collections were free because I was in the business."}, {"response": 141, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 25, 1998 (13:08)", "body": "Ya see...simple misunderstanding. ;-) However, I'm pleading *insanity* should the need arise."}, {"response": 142, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jul 26, 1998 (21:39)", "body": "Cheryl, and any other CF video seekers, I highly recommend The Video Shop (www.videoshop.co.uk) in England for those Lost-in-America Brit films like Fever Pitch or Another Country. They're not only prompt, they're reasonably priced even with shipping and it's not too difficult to find a way to convert from PAL. I had to laugh though when I read you hate bad prints. Don't we all but when you're crying out for a new Colin fix and there's nothing out there but 6th generation off the TV tapes, anything's gonna look good. Desperation is a curious thing. So what did you get? And are we discussing AMITC?"}, {"response": 143, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Jul 28, 1998 (02:12)", "body": "Permission to enter AMITC? Has anyone read the book?"}, {"response": 144, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Tue, Jul 28, 1998 (03:09)", "body": "(Heide) Permission to enter AMITC? By all means, sweetie...go to it :-)"}, {"response": 145, "author": "Ann", "date": "Tue, Jul 28, 1998 (03:38)", "body": "Has anyone read the book? } Yes, I was just rereading it on the way to and from Cape Cod. The movie kept amazingly close to the novella. It helped that the book is only 100 pages."}, {"response": 146, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jul 28, 1998 (13:17)", "body": ""}, {"response": 147, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 28, 1998 (13:17)", "body": "I read it too. Found it helped to fill in the blanks in the film. Though the film was v. fathful to the book. I am getting it back this week from Library Loan."}, {"response": 148, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jul 28, 1998 (13:17)", "body": "Evelyn, you jumped a couple of years on us:)"}, {"response": 149, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Jul 28, 1998 (13:17)", "body": "The book is on my reading list. I'd like to hear how the book is different/similar to the film. Is there more about Vinnie? Moon is supposed to be homosexual but that's not clear from the film except from the one line the man says to Tom in a message he wants to be delivered to Moon but I have difficulty making it out. Something about \"Bugger his bum\". Is there more pertaining to Moon's homosexuality in the book? The apple symbolism is very strong in the film. Is it conveyed in even more depth in the book? How is Tom described in the book? Can you picture Colin from the description? With what emotion are the people on the train looking at Tom? Guilt? Pity? Distaste? It's not immediately obvious that he was in the war. A twitch and stammer does not automatically brand you as a veteran though there were so many \"intact\" wounded men from the war wandering around, he may not have been an uncommon sight even in Oxgodby. (Laura) I found the children to be wonderful characters who suprisingly help heal a very wounded Tom Birkin. I love the Ellerbeck children in the film and can see how they are comforting to Tom as they sit quietly in the pew with their gramophone watching him work on the mural. I felt badly for Cathy when Tom pretended he wasn't in his belfry at the end of the movie when she comes to call. I hope she couldn't smell his cigarette and know he was up there."}, {"response": 150, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 28, 1998 (13:17)", "body": "As soon as the book comes from Library Loan, I'll answer your questions, Heide. Quoting the \"chapter and verse\". I read it over a year ago. Tremendous. Actually, the film also served to make the book more enjoyable. BTW for those who wish to read the two books on which MLSF is loosely based on. Here are the ISBNs: Both By Denis Forman: Son of Adam: ISBN: 0233 98593 X To Reason Why ISBN 0233 987312"}, {"response": 151, "author": "Ann", "date": "Tue, Jul 28, 1998 (13:17)", "body": "About the movie: For a long time, I thought the book that Birkin pressed the flower in was just any old book, but after about my 10th time watching the film (which gets better each time), I now think that it is the same book the Old Birkin is carrying at the very end of the story. The old man is carrying a book on architecture that he wrote, and when the flower is pressed, you can see a diagram of different columns. --In other words, he presses the flower in a book he has not written yet. I really like the circularity of that image."}, {"response": 152, "author": "miki", "date": "Tue, Jul 28, 1998 (13:17)", "body": ""}, {"response": 153, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Jul 29, 1998 (22:05)", "body": "The first time I saw this film, I didn't think I could bear watching it again but now that I own it, I watch it again and again. I thought it was painfully sad at first but now don't find it so. What saves me is seeing that as an old man, Tom is well (meaning healthy), perhaps not prosperous but he still finds meaning and takes pleasure in what he did. Beautifully filmed, beautifully, subtly acted. Rife with symbolism which I love to try to decipher. I hope some people have thoughts on the questions I'd like to bring up. Some I've decided on the answer, some I have not. Why does Tom resist Alice? I don't think it's because of Vinnie. Does he think she is that unapproachable for someone as damaged as he considers himself to be? Is it his sense of morality? We know she's Eve tempting him. Tempting him from where? He's not exactly in the garden of Eden. She's practically quivering, she wants him so much. What keeps him from kissing her in the belfry? One of my favorite scenes is when Alice comes to see the mural and she climgws up the scaffolding. He's so eager and happy she's there. My favorite look is when she starts to descend the ladder and for a moment she pauses and they're at eye level. He looks so anxious as if he doesn't want her to leave. Love the scene in the woods when he says, \"Many men would say that you were beautiful, Mrs. Keach.\" If it was going to happen, I think it would have happened there. Is he humiliated that she saw him so vulnerable after the shot rang out? More and more scenes I love- in town when Alice sees Tom watching her through the window of the pub. She looks at him, quickly, guiltily looks at her husband, then looks back at Tom. They walk away and he gazes after her. (Ann) The old man is carrying a book on architecture that he wrote, and when the flower is pressed, you can see a diagram of different columns. Thanks, Ann, I had no clue. I knew it couldn't be a bible. What makes you say he wrote the book? I will re-watch, of course, but I never saw that."}, {"response": 154, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (08:41)", "body": "(Gi)I guess I'm the only one who doesn't read all the boards. (I hadn\ufffdt seen the films but now I've seen most of them.) (Laura) \ufffdchildren to be wonderful characters who suprisingly help heal\ufffdBirkin. I ordered the book (I only knew the play.) Interesting about the children--in the film I was so annoyed with them\ufffd. (Heide) Moon is supposed to be homosexual\ufffdone line\ufffddifficulty making it out. \ufffdis there more\ufffdin the book? I wondered when 1)he offers to Birkin, \"Just haven\ufffdt met the right girl yet,\" which is a pretty standard line, especially in the past. 2)He doesn\ufffdt seem interested in Alice or any other women. But really the only other clue to me, and the thing I liked most about Branagh\ufffds understatement, was this: 3)Birkin meets the angry officer in town, and in the next scene, Moon offers Birkin milk (for his tea, I assume) by the tent. The way Branagh sits, legs tucked under and hands folded in his lap demurely, was new to us. They discuss Alice and Moon reverses himself, agreeing that maybe it's not so bad that Birkin hasn\ufffdt seen her very much. Moon says something about giving \"it\" up, the two of them, f r the easy life. Birkin toasts to the easy life. But Moon doesn\ufffdt toast back. It makes sense to give up sex to make things simpler, but apparently Moon can\ufffdt or won't, which is what happened to get him taken off the front. The next scene, I think, in the tavern, Moon says he went around the bend a little six months before the end, losing \"chaps he cared for.\" Moon may try to veil his history while referring to general horrors of war, but given the earlier scenes in this sequence we hear them with a exual twist: he was willing to risk his reputation for sex/love; or he used sex/love to help him survive and got caught; or he realized that who you care for may be dead this afternoon. However it was, he can't toast to giving it up. So, visual cue: the way Moon's sitting; accompanying story development: Sequence (of scenes) about Moon's private life, which we've known nothing of till now. \ufffddidn't think I could bear watching it again\ufffdpainfully sad at\ufffdas an old man,\ufffdhe still finds meaning and takes pleasure in what he did. This, like most of CF\ufffds movies, make me smoke. All that longing ! When Alice said to him he\ufffdd found what he was looking for, I thought, what a wishful/mean thing to say. But with Old Birkin\ufffds happiness at returning to the church and remembering, I suppose it was true. It might not have been what I wanted him to have, but it was what he\ufffdd come for. Why does Tom resist Alice? \ufffd kissing her in the belfry? Much to my dismay, she can\ufffdt do anything; she\ufffds the vicar\ufffds wife. He\ufffds been as open with her as he can, and she hasn\ufffdt stepped the least out of bounds, so can he really do anything more than he did? What can he offer her? She has a husband and home and life, and he has a wife, war wounds, and not much else. He\ufffds (masterfully)inarticulate; she nods in agreement/understanding; but she proves to be not the kind of woman who\ufffds going to step out of her big house (however empty it is.) Now she probably nev r will. But that doesn't make ME feel any better :) You just want her to say something, anything. But there I am, suffering right along with him."}, {"response": 155, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (11:17)", "body": "(Heide) AZ, AMITC, FF, CoF(had it), Advocate, V, ATA, FP, Playmaker, Hostages...everything except P&P2, WoF, AC, MOTM, Tumbledown, I think. I rented P&P2 for the moment."}, {"response": 156, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (11:27)", "body": "Also TEP (bought)."}, {"response": 157, "author": "sofie", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (15:25)", "body": "Hello everyone. I'm new to the boards. I've been a CF fan for a while and have seen most of his work that is available on video. Love your discussions and hope I will be able to add something of interest along the way. You guys seem to have alot of fun here and I thought it was time I jumped in. AMITC is one of my favorite CF films. I agree with hiede about the wonderful symbolism. Restoration of the painting as well as his life. Scene of hell and his view of war. When he first sees Alice, next scene he is uncovering an angel. When I read hiede's question about why he doesn't make his move on Alice in the belfry, I watched it again. In the scene before he confronts the vicar and I think he gains sympathy for him. He also knows what it's like to have a wife be unfaithful and does'nt want to inflict that pain on another. The healing experience has givin him back his own moral agency and the desire NOT to hurt or destroy others. I'd love to hear more of everyone's opinions."}, {"response": 158, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (19:52)", "body": "Hello there, Sofie! I'll be the first to welcome you to the board! I think that your interpretation of why Tom holds back from Alice, despite the obvious pain to both of them, is very perceptive. There's a lot I would like to say about AMITC (when time permits) - it is undoubtably one of my favourite CF films and one which I can watch and re-watch. The ending I find almost unbearably moving. It is the music, the juxtaposition of the young Birkin and his older ravaged self, the poignancy of the old man reliving his memories, and the heartrending fact that he has obviously never again found love. He carries the book with the pressed flower, which Alice gave to him on the day in the woods when he nearly declared his love for her. TEP didn't move me one jot (except poor sweet Geoffrey!)...this I find difficult to watch."}, {"response": 159, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (21:21)", "body": "Sophie He also knows what it's like to have a wife be unfaithful and does'nt want to inflict that pain on another. The healing experience has givin him back his own moral agency and the desire NOT to hurt or destroy others. Hi Sophie,Welcome.... you have given us a v. poignant reason for his repression in the belfry.!! Does anyone else see Alice as a temptress and not so angelic? Fondling those apples...biting one...lots of smoldering looks...almost assaulting him. Great cast!"}, {"response": 160, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (22:24)", "body": "Welcome, Sofie! Glad you decided to unlurk :-.) Is it me or are the tags flipping out again? One minute it's okay and the next, everything is italicized. *sigh* Well, just in case, I'm going to close that tag"}, {"response": 161, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Aug  1, 1998 (00:52)", "body": "Test"}, {"response": 162, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Aug  1, 1998 (03:01)", "body": "Two very good points to ponder as to why Tom doesn't take Alice in the belfry: (Cheryl) What can he offer her? She has a husband and home and life, and he has a wife, war wounds, and not much else. (Sofie) He also knows what it's like to have a wife be unfaithful and does'nt want to inflict that pain on another. Though Tom gained strength during his month in the country (was it only a month?), he seems to feel inadequate in Alice's presence. Doesn't his stutter return when she is near him? And he is a kind and thoughtful man who feels Vinnie's desertion strongly. (Evelyn) Does anyone else see Alice as a temptress and not so angelic? Good point, Evelyn. Despite the lighting, Alice is no angel. Especially felt this when Tom comes to the house to collect his payment. First she shows Tom all the empty rooms of the house. Her voice is trembling with repressed emotion (anger?). \"Can be quite oppressive. Gives me nightmares sometimes.\" IMO, the rooms are a symbol of the emptiness of her marriage and she seems quite eager to show Tom this. Then when they arrive in the room where her husband is, she seems to be goading Keach. \"The rooms, we don't know how to fill them, do we?\". Keach seems almost cowed by his wife. What is going on here? The undercurrents are so strong. And then we have the apple scenes. The way she sniffs it and rubs it with her hands, smells her hands. Yeah, she learned it from her father but it's very suggestive and is making the apple very tempting to poor Tom. More, please."}, {"response": 163, "author": "sofie", "date": "Sat, Aug  1, 1998 (03:28)", "body": "(heide)the rooms are a symbol of the emptiness of her marriage. She seems to be goading Keach. I also saw her obvious intentions toward Tom in this scene. Her offer of showing him the way through the wood in front of her husband? PLEASE!! And she didn't mention that she had seen the painting because she probably didn't go there to see it as much as to see him. Or she might have been too flustered after the meeting to want to bring it up. After making Tom aware of the emptiness of her married life she gives him a rose. She is all silky and sweet, and he seems to be hanging on her every word whereas with others he is guarded."}, {"response": 164, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Aug  1, 1998 (05:54)", "body": "Test"}, {"response": 165, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Aug  1, 1998 (05:58)", "body": "It worked for me, so maybe you'll want to try it: next time those italics invade the board, start your response by closing the italics tag. Just that. Now don't ask me why! :-)But I tried it before and it worked, and again in the previous (test) post and it seems to work, so..."}, {"response": 166, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug  1, 1998 (15:14)", "body": "(Heide) . Keach seems almost cowed by his wife. What is going on here? The undercurrents are so strong. I think the Reverend Keach is impotent. That would explain the emptiness of the marriage and her \"hots\" for Tom. (Don't have my book yet. But Laura owns it.) But what is the symbollism of that lone piece of furniture....that in-laws bought at an auction?? Does that represent Rev. Keach...all alone playing his violin in that empty room?"}, {"response": 167, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Aug  1, 1998 (17:07)", "body": "Clever little geek, Gi..."}, {"response": 168, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Aug  1, 1998 (23:19)", "body": "I thought the other one was the clever little geek; must have been wrong;-) I do own the book; I read it about two years ago. Moon is more of a homosexual in the book than they portray him in the movie. Tho' the guy who sees Birkin in the cafe in town mentions that Moon \"Buggered the batboy\" and the award he received wasn't a well-respected decision, in his opinion."}, {"response": 169, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sun, Aug  2, 1998 (07:48)", "body": "Hi, Sofie! So glad to have you! (heide) ...seems to be goading Keach. \"The rooms, we don't know how to fill them, do we?\". Keach seems almost cowed by his wife. (evelyn) But what is the symbolism of that lone piece of furniture... auction?? Does that represent Rev. Keach...violin in that empty room? Keach doesn't invite Birkin to stay in his house the very beginning, never considering that an option. Birkin remarks during Keach's sermon, what about me (having no bed)? Alice started her relationship with him by saying it didn't seem right for him to be sleeping in the belfry when they were in their beds. Moon asks what Keach has done for Birkin, which is nothing. Alice makes an opening you could drive a truck through for Keach to invite him stay, and Keach doesn\ufffdt. Throughout, Keach's lack of char ty. And lack of relationship, connection\ufffdhe wants only to listen to himself; he doesn't even imagine visitors will come anymore. Alice wants Birkin and Keach to know that it's ok with her for Birkin to move in, which everyone knows would be a disaster. Alice points out the mystery thing, in the course of talking about emptiness and filling. That piece seems to symbolize her desperation with Keach (piece of something else, don\ufffdt know what it is, no one wanted it, doesn't do anything, but at least it was something). And maybe Birkin, who might be something for her to fill her emptiness with. (sofie) \ufffdshe didn't mention that she had seen the painting because she probably didn't go there to see it as much as to see him... And maybe to keep it between themselves, to pointedly exclude Keach. One of my favorite themes is when Birkin talks about being a restorer\ufffd\"too much and some chap disappears, not enough and someone doesn\ufffdt make it back from 500 years ago.\" By the time he leaves he\ufffds uncovered those who around him are, by not forcing but also by not resisting. Had he pushed, Alice might have changed, and that\ufffds not what he does. He serves the Great Painter, cleaning so you can see what\ufffds there, but doesn\ufffdt consider himself an artist to create or effect some change. He\ufffds horrified by the idea of touching up something he finds. Also, Alice is not the only one to underscore the kind of man Keach is\ufffdhe does himself. In the last monologue when he talks about people not being religious and not being moved by the practices, it\ufffds so painful to see him looking for his own spiritual satisfaction through other people\ufffds behavior. What a walled-off man."}, {"response": 170, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Aug  2, 1998 (14:50)", "body": "(Evelyn)I think the Reverend Keach is impotent. Cha-cha-cha! Interesting point. We know he is impotent as a minister. I don't have his dialogue handy but he complains bitterly to Tom about his congregation, they're not moved by him, he's only wanted at funerals, etc. A signal about his marriage too? (Sofie) And she didn't mention that she had seen the painting because she probably didn't go there to see it as much as to see him. Love the guilty looks on both Tom and Alice's face when Keach expresses surprise that she has already seen the painting. They hadn't even done anything other than \"lusting in their hearts\". (Cheryl) By the time he leaves he\ufffds uncovered those who around him are, by not forcing but also by not resisting. Had he pushed, Alice might have changed, and that\ufffds not what he does. He wouldn't even have needed to push much. She would have come with a whistle. But yes, she would have changed and as you said earlier, she is a wife, has a home. What kind of woman would she have become if she had given up that comfortable life? But we want her to. I'm always questioning even my own convictions about the story and that's why I love to read others' views even if I don't always agree with them. At their best, these film discussions give me new insight into the stories and I love to see the collaboration. But to get to the less lofty images, how about Tommy boy working in the grave? Oomph. He's sweaty, he's dirty, those braces are off, that shirt is hanging out. Love to see him get physical. Don't mind looking at the shot of him from above when the bells go off on his first Sunday in the belfry. He's lying there (love that undershirt), looking so long, lean and lanky."}, {"response": 171, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Aug  3, 1998 (00:58)", "body": "I've been lurking, but have had no time to post lately. Sorry to be responding to something a bit dated... (Bethan) I don't know if we've decided what the next film discussion will be, but would anyone be interested at some stage, not necessarily now, in discussing the Rupert Brooke radio play \"The One Before the Last\" I just listened to this for the first time last week. It was excellent. (Can't argue with something that has the DB in almost every scene.) I have a hard time getting into audio plays sometimes, but this was quite interesting and CF's acting very good indeed. Sorry to divert from AMITC. It's one of my favorites, but I haven't seen it for a long time. I'll try and re-watch this week so as to have something to add to the discussion. Welcome, Sofie! I appreciate your insightful comments."}, {"response": 172, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (01:18)", "body": "I received AMITC today and read it. So in the next few days I'll answer questions from the book. Heide, Sophie, Cheryl, Ann, Bethan , you were all correct in your assumptions. The jacket of the book has a reviewer : \" Mr. Carr's small tale of lost love is also a hymn about art and the compensation joy of the artist, both in giving and receiving.\" JL carr has written seven children's books ..short stories, historical and architectural subject books. Vinnie Is there more abut Vinnie in the book? Not much. \"I told him (M) about Vinny and that she'd gone off with another chap. I didn't tell him that she'd almost certainly bedded down with other men whilst I was overseas . Nor that she left me once before\" Earlier, he remarks that \"Viunny had quality....look where it got me\"'. P.110 When he gets her letter at the end. \"Heaven knows how she had learnt where I was, but it was from V.: she wanted me home again. There were other things too but that is what it amounted to...she wanted me back. I had no illusions. She would go off again, would come back again. And I should be there\". How is Tom described in the book Written by Tom as a flashback, so no physical description . But he says he is 26, Keach 30, Alice 19 or 20. Moon is 26. Sgt Milburn:\" Last time I saw you they were carting you off...shell shocked, wasn't it......not many of you chaps came through. Tomorrow:Discussion of hell with Alice. Moon's homosexuality. With Alice in the belfry"}, {"response": 173, "author": "sofie", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (03:51)", "body": "(lafn)last time I saw you they were carting you off...shell shocked. I was reading a book for school called Trauma and Recovery. It is written primarily for people who are in the mental health field. It has some interesting information about the history of emotional trauma and how society viewed it and treated it during WWI. There was a terrible stigma attached to any emotinal symptoms that were debilitating to the soldier. Treatment was cruel and humiliating. The scene where Moon says how hard it is for the \"in tact ones\" like himself and Tom. They are far from in tact an will likely suffer some symptoms for the rest of their lives. I really liked the hymn that was playing when he goes in to find a table from where he can watch her through the window. I recognized it and racked my brain till I found out what it was. \"To a Wild Rose\" by, I think McDowell?(American). It doesn't necessarily mean anything, except to me. I love when a movie makes me this curious about details. Love the scene when he's lying in the sun in the graveyard. She tells him she's been there ten minutes. Doing what exactly? I know what I would be doing. Great discussion. Love everyones insights."}, {"response": 174, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (11:51)", "body": "(sofie)I was reading a book for school called Trauma and Recovery...It has some interesting information about the history of emotional trauma and how society viewed it and treated it during WWI. Could you elaborate?"}, {"response": 175, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (12:40)", "body": "I've been following the discussion, but only started to rewatch AMITC last night. It's been so interesting reading everyone's views. Speaking of music, when Birkin first lays his hands on the wall, a choir of heavenly voices begins to sing. He has not started his restoration work but is instead trying to feel/understand what lies behind the plaster and paint. I was immediately struck by that use of music and wondered if anyone else did. Does it mean he has reached his day of Judgment? (Sofie) I love when a movie makes me this curious about details. Join the club. Love the scene when he's lying in the sun in the graveyard. She tells him she's been there ten minutes. Doing what exactly? That scene is so lovely and so full of symbolism. CF stretched out on a grave. He looks so happy and peaceful among the dead. Then the angel shows up. He looks up at her and the sun is behind her creating an aura surrounding the halo-shaped hat on her head. But she's hardly an angel. Yes, what has she been doing? ;-) One criticism: The scene where Tom is watching the church service from the belfry and sarcastically comments on the Reverent Keach's (and by implication at this point, the entire congregation's) lack of Christian charity I found a little heavy handed. I think you get the idea that the Reverend's words are hollow from their initial meeting and don't need Tom to spell it out. Evelyn: Have you figured out what is in Moon's suitcase yet?"}, {"response": 176, "author": "sofie", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (14:05)", "body": "(patas)Could you elaborate? The horrors of trench warfare caused men to break down in shocking numbers.Number of psyciatric casualties so great that hospitals had difficulty housing them. Some say 40% of British casualties were due to mental breakdowns. Military authorities supressed reports because of demoralizing effect on public. British psycologist Charles Myers attributed first cases to physical cause,effects of exploding shells, resulting in nervouse disorder \"shell shock\". Syndrome could be seen in soldiers not exposed to any physical trauma. Gradually military psyciatrists forced to acknowledge trauma due to emotional stress of prolonged exposure to violent death. When existence of combat neurosis could no longer be denied, authorities centered on the moral character of the patient.Traditional views held that soldiers should not succumb to terror. The soldier who developed neurotic symptoms was at best seen as inferior human being, at worst a malingerer and coward.Medical writers of this period described these individuals as \"moral invalids\" and did not deserve to be patients at all.Some military authorities maintained that these men should be court-martialed or di honorably discharged. Lewis Yealland (British psychiatrist of the traditional view)advocated treatment strategy based on shaming, threats, and punishment. Hysterical symptoms such as mutism, sensory loss, or motor paralisis were treated with electric shocks. Yealland reports treating a mute patient by applying electric shocks to his throat. Treatment went on for hours until patient finally spoke.While shocks were applied Yealland exhorted the patient to \"remember, you must behave as a hero and have better control over yourself \" Within a few years after end of war, numerous men with long-lasting psychiatric disabilities became an embarrasment to civilian society eager to forget. Judith Herman,M.D. goes into great detail primarily to help clinitians recognize symptoms of trauma so that more acurate diagnosis can be made which will lead to more appropriate treatment. I hope this info is helpful. I found it helped me understand Birkin and Moon. They were damaged by war but their wounds were cause for shame not heroism."}, {"response": 177, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (16:48)", "body": "(Sophie) I love when a movie makes me this curious about details. Great to have you ,Sophie. What a gem you are to come up with all this trauma info. Makes us understand ( and love) Tom more. OK... The Book \"....good old Bannister-Fletcher, our bible in Miss Witherpen's English Architectural Class\". \" that rose, Sara Van Fleet,... I still have it. Pressed in my book. My Bannister-Fletcher, as a matter of fact. Someday after a sale, a stranger will find it there and wonder why. The Walk in the Woods...Paradise..the rabbit..the shot..not in the book. The lsst scene as an old man...not in the book. The whole book is a flashback (Pl . tell me if you want me to quote from the book in italics) Sometimes they hurt my eyes. \"Mrs. Ellerbeck says you are attractive.\" \"Attractive, she said, as though this had never occurred to her or no one had told her before. You are attractive,\" I said \"Attractive?\", she repeated. All right, Alice Keach, I thought , you are going to be pushed You can lie awake in the dark too. \"Many men would say you are attractive. They'd say you were beautiful\" (I stopped shor of I) \"Oh\", she said... And you? \"Me, Well, I'm not an artist, but they gave me a diploma at LCA so I could recognize Beauty. So, professionally, I must tell you. \"Yes, your are beautiful. Very And could she have made herself go that bit further and given me the nod, I would have recited a catalog of her charms, because my blood was up.\" But, then Mossop stepped in... This scene reminds me of the visit to Lizzy at Rosings....when he almost....commits himself!! He does repression so well. (Bethan) the day he almost declared his love By the window.. \"She turned so her breasts were pressing against me. And although we both looked across the meadow, she didn't draw away as quite easily she could have done. I should have lifted an arm and taken her shoulder, turned her face and kissed her. Then everything would have been different. My life, hers. We would have had to speak and say aloud what both of us knew, and then maybe, turned ro the window and laid down together on my makeshift bed. Afterwards, we would hve gone away. Maybe on the next train. My he rt was racing. I was breathless. She leaned on me, waiting. And I did nothing, and said nothing. She drew back and said shakily. \"thank you for showing me (the mural). Arthur will be wondering about me. No, please don't come down.\" Karen: Nothing in the book about Moon's suitcase. But after Sophie's research, it must have been medication ...vials?"}, {"response": 178, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (16:53)", "body": "Sorry, didn't mean to put everything in italics. Hope this isn't."}, {"response": 179, "author": "sofie", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (17:20)", "body": "(lafn)must have been medication...vials No medication available in those days for psyc. problems. People self-medicated with alcohol or whatever. I noticed Moon covering his medal when Tom looks at the open case. He (Moon) is obviously ashamed of the medal given the stigma attached to his emotional breakdown. If he had lost a limb that was a visible disability he would feel more deserving of the medal, but given the bias against any emotional problems during that period he is left in isolation and shame. It is interesting how little things have changed. Society seems more accepting of mental illness but there is still a great deal of blaming the victims of traumatic experiences."}, {"response": 180, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (18:55)", "body": "Out, you blasted italics!! until you are needed!! And could she have made herself go that bit further and given me the nod, I would have recited a catalog of her charms, because my blood was up.\" *** \"She turned so her breasts were pressing against me. And although we both looked across the meadow, she didn't draw away as quite easily she could have done. I should have lifted an arm and taken her shoulder, turned her face and kissed her. Then everything would have been different. My life, hers. We would have had to speak and say aloud what both of us knew, and then maybe, turned ro the window and laid down together on my makeshift bed. THIS is is classified as a children's book? Wow, think I'll head off to the library to get this one. There is a strange little war going on in his mind. The trained artist who can recognize beauty and just want to look at it and the man, who wants to possess it. Medals He might be embarrassed about the medals for another reason, not just the stigma of an emotional breakdown. There was the incident that Tom hears about in that little village. It sounded as though Moon were being accused of some act of cowardice in addition to his preference for men. Something happened that put his men in jeopardy and most were killed. Must take a closer look to see if they look like medals. Looked like little vials and a bunch of leather straps like a harness to mean???? :-)"}, {"response": 181, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (18:56)", "body": "Out, you blasted italics!! until you are needed!! And could she have made herself go that bit further and given me the nod, I would have recited a catalog of her charms, because my blood was up.\" *** \"She turned so her breasts were pressing against me. And although we both looked across the meadow, she didn't draw away as quite easily she could have done. I should have lifted an arm and taken her shoulder, turned her face and kissed her. Then everything would have been different. My life, hers. We would have had to speak and say aloud what both of us knew, and then maybe, turned ro the window and laid down together on my makeshift bed. THIS is is classified as a children's book? Wow, think I'll head off to the library to get this one. There is a strange little war going on in his mind. The trained artist who can recognize beauty and just want to look at it and the man, who wants to possess it. Medals He might be embarrassed about the medals for another reason, not just the stigma of an emotional breakdown. There was the incident that Tom hears about in that little village. It sounded as though Moon were being accused of some act of cowardice in addition to his preference for men. Something happened that put his men in jeopardy and most were killed. Must take a closer look to see if they look like medals. Looked like little vials and a bunch of leather straps like a harness to me???? :-)"}, {"response": 182, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (20:31)", "body": "(Sophie) I noticed Moon covering his medal when Tom looks at the open case. Keep this girl around. You're right on the money, Sophie!! (I'll slash my wrists if this comes out in italics) At Ripon when Sgt. Milburn comes over..... \"Milburn\", he said.\".Sgt. Milburn\"' ... I knew him then...not a bad chap. I mentioned Moon... \"...the M.P.s found him in bed with his batman. They really shat on him at the Court-Martial. Crucified him. \"Corruption of young men\". \"Dishonour of the king's commission.....\"That sort of balls \"His M.C. (Military Cross) made made it worse.\" \"Can't understand that\". \"He never mentioned an M.C.\" I said.\" Immediate award. Brought in one of his chaps from the wire. Went back when he heard another screaming. Poor bugger! I suppose he was born that way\" ....Knowing Moon was a homosexual didn't upset me. Though , of course, it wasn't something I could forget. It was the idea of an independent man, a proud spirit being shut up like an animal in a military prison...that's what appalled me. Then later at the pub....in the film...Moon says the last six months were the worst when he didn't see any corpses. Tom: \"You got the M.C., didn't you. I saw it in the tent\"!! So Moon was court-martialed and spent the last six months of the war in the \"glass house\" as Milburn says.Like Sophie says he is ashamed of the medal probably because of the court-martial. (I think in the US anyone court-martialed is stripped of his medals) Karen: This is not a children's book. I said LL Carr had written 6 children's books. This is not in that category. Some of the parens are mine(: M.C.Mil Cross) In the film Tom doesn't say MC I also rescind my perception that Rev. Keach is impotent. Can't find any reference to assume that. CF portrays Tom perfectly. Natasha Richardson plays her a bit more of a temptress.(Or perhaps that is how Pat O'Connor (Cof F), the director saw her). The apples symbollism in the book are not as graphic as in the film.No fondling etc. Though I am sure \"the Eve factor\" is what they are supposed to represent. I really prefer the film.(Of course, CF is in it!) And I admire the director for getting a 2 hour film out of a 110 page book!!"}, {"response": 183, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (20:34)", "body": "Count Almasy is having a Big Day!"}, {"response": 184, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (20:55)", "body": "Trying to close the italics tag"}, {"response": 185, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (20:56)", "body": "Wow. It worked. :-)"}, {"response": 186, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (22:17)", "body": "Hope you haven't slashed your wrists Evelyn! Some very interesting insights here. I wish I'd read the book. BTW is it something of a collector's item? The only copy I could find listed for sale was a secondhand copy for $100! If you've got a copy, hang on to it.....it may make you rich! I love watching this film, and think that virtually all the scenes have some intrinsic value. I'm always moved by the scene in the woods when Birkin reacts to the gun shot, also by his reaction after seeing the dying child, when he himself also seems terribly ill. And I think that CF acts very well with the children...they treat him as one of themselves. and he treats them as equals. What's with these italics?"}, {"response": 187, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (22:56)", "body": "(Karen) when Birkin first lays his hands on the wall, a choir of heavenly voices begins to sing. ... is instead trying to feel/understand what lies behind the plaster and paint. I was immediately struck by that use of music LOL! I was immediately struck by his beautiful hands in that shot. You know, those long fingers. Thank you so much Evelyn and Sofie - great information. (Sofie) I found it helped me understand Birkin and Moon. They were damaged by war but their wounds were cause for shame not heroism. A stigma still existent today. Evelyn, perhaps you can tell us from the book whether Tom was able to finish out the war. We know Moon spent the last 6 ontohs in \"the glass house\". (Evelyn-from the book) And could she have made herself go that bit further and given me thenod, I would have recited a catalog of her charms, because my blood was up.\" Aha! This is the scene (in the woods) where I thought he would kiss her but for the shot. Sounds likely now. I should have lifted an arm and taken her shoulder, turned her face and kissed her. Then everything would have been different. My life, hers. Sound familiar, Cheryl? You asked what could he offer her. Sounds like he is very aware of that. (Evelyn) I also rescind my perception that Rev. Keach is impotent. Oh but it was a good perception. Surely his sexuality is not mentioned at all in the book. Or do we get some steamy love scenes between the Reverend and his Mrs.? Only 110 pages!!! What a disappointment."}, {"response": 188, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (23:32)", "body": "(heide)I was immediately struck by his beautiful hands in that shot. You know, those long fingers. Long, are they? ;-p"}, {"response": 189, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Aug  4, 1998 (23:34)", "body": "The italics thing: As I said before, just closing the italics tag seems to make them disapear. At least for whoever's closed the tag. What I still don't understand is, why do they appear in the first place."}, {"response": 190, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Aug  5, 1998 (01:21)", "body": "Hmmm..... I own the book and my friend bought it at Argosy on Lexington in NY for $1.00:) She inscribed it to me, does that mean it's not worth anything?"}, {"response": 191, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug  5, 1998 (01:35)", "body": "I tried closing the tag when I started the last time...and it did not work. Pl. give us a more detail instruction, Gi. \"Summertime! And summertime in my early twenties! And in love! No, better than that---secretly in love, coddling it up in myself. It's an odd feeling coming rarely more than once in most of our lifetimes. In books, as often as not, they represent it as a sort of anguish but wasn't so for me. Later perhaps, but not then. I was married. Vinny had gone off with him but neither of us had done much about it. She'd shrewdly left the door open so that, if need be, she could slip back--before she went again. And Alice Keach. I was sure that she was a deeply religious woman: marriage for her really did mean \"Let no man put asunder\". Never forget this was 1920, another world. So there it was and there it would stay until the day I would go. Then for a year or two , perhaps we'd exchange polite christmas cards and after that we'd draw farther away. But now she was here and, unknowing, mine. Well, that's how I liked to think of it.\" Interesting line:End of first paragraph: \"Later perhaps but not then.\" Does he repent not having made the overture to Alice?What does everyone think? Was it his innate morality that made him hold back? ( He was not a religious man) No sex bet. the Reverend and Alice. I got this book from a small country library nearby....I hope I can talk them into selling it to me. No one has checked it out since I did two years ago! I assume he was in the war until he was carted away shell shocked. Gotta go check out that \"hand\" scene you all mentioned. (Notice I did not use italics)"}, {"response": 192, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Wed, Aug  5, 1998 (08:32)", "body": "test"}, {"response": 193, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Wed, Aug  5, 1998 (08:39)", "body": "(bethan) After _MUCH_ ado, I found a copy at Borders(a book/music store)online. Less than $20. It hasn't arrived yet. (sofie) I also like that book. The main thing I\ufffdve appreciated as I\ufffdve gotten older was how shocked the participants were at \"the Great War.\" As is often said, no one was prepared for the extent of the violence. The armament and the planes delivered more destruction than ever before, but the soldiers were still as close to the damage as when wars were fought on horses. In WWII we (humans) had the experience of the first modern war (WWI) to learn from somewhat, but for soldiers in WWI there was no prepa ation, nothing to compare it to. We could now deliver many shells more quickly, so there was geometrically more horror to process (modern world for you.) (evelyn) From the quotes so far, I don\ufffdt think I\ufffdm going to like the book\ufffds Birkin as much either :-)"}, {"response": 194, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Wed, Aug  5, 1998 (08:42)", "body": "Hurray, no italics! I closed them 3 times right off the bat. But maybe all this thinking we have some effect on these critters is like throwing virgins into a volcano to satisfy the rain gods."}, {"response": 195, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  5, 1998 (13:40)", "body": "The technology of destruction has always outpaced man's ability to deal with it on the battlefield and afterward. The closest thing to WWI in terms of impact would be our Civil War for the numbers of dead, wounded and psychologically scarred veterans. The \"shock\" of participants at the Great War also stemmed from Britain's threatened position as a world power, France's rapid demise, etc. The ability of upstart Germany to overrun Europe was the kicker and was horribly dealt with in the Treaty of Versailles. (but of course that's with 20-20 hindsight)"}, {"response": 196, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug  5, 1998 (18:58)", "body": "Karen: I think that his outburst at Rev. Keach who is delivering a sermon on The Beautitudes....\"what about me..did you feed me..give me a bed\". And later when after going to visit Emily..he shouts: \"There is not God\"., all occur near the beginning of the film/book...when he is still agitated , stammering..twitching , ..still feeling the negative effects of his head trauma.. Later, he seems calmer...more rational. Don't you love the ending? He takes the apple she gave him, looks at it tenderly seems to grasp it firmer ,and then bites into it lustily. After doing Tom Birkin, I bet he could do Joe Prince in an afternoon.! This film is held in v. high esteem...even among Kenneth Branagh fans. I'll give you another scene that was not in the film...after the scene in the belfry."}, {"response": 197, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug  5, 1998 (19:31)", "body": "The next evening I pulled myself together and thought; Well usually there's a second chance for most of us; perhaps she is waiting there as I am waiting here . (He goes to the house...stood breathless...as if he had been running , but found the house empty). \"They're not here, I thought, they've gone.\" And I turned away. (Then he remembers the bell by the door) And I pulled at it, so that the bell's sounds came hurrying along corridors, round corners, down staircases, echoing and re-echoing, spreading through the dark emppty house like ripples of her laughter. But know I knew that it was laughter calling to me from the past...clearly, playfully, and yet poignantly . it was the worst moment of my life. And I dragged at the wire again and again, savagely, dispairingly. For how long I cannot, say, but when , at last, I turned away and went, I knew I should never see her again."}, {"response": 198, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  5, 1998 (22:53)", "body": "I think that his outburst...\"what about me..did you feed me..give me a bed\". And later...he shouts: \"There is not God\"...he is still feeling the negative effects of his head trauma.. Later, he seems calmer...more rational. Oh no, not with a ten-foot pole! ;-) the missing belfy scene That was so poignant. He has kept himself in check throughout and now is sitting there ringing a bell, hoping that she will return to him. Ringing the bell is almost like shouting it from the rooftops. He's declaring his love or whatever for her. But there's no one to hear it. Incredibly sad."}, {"response": 199, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug  6, 1998 (02:01)", "body": "\"All this happened so long ago. And I never returned, never wrote, never met anyone who might have given me news of Oxgodby. So, in memory, it stays as I left it, a sealed room furnished by the past, airless, still, ink long dry on a put-down pen. But this was something I knew nothing of as I lifted the loop and set off across the meadow. Stocken, Preseigne September, 1978 This is the end of the book. But this locale doesn't sound like England. Does anyone know where it is?"}, {"response": 200, "author": "sofie", "date": "Thu, Aug  6, 1998 (05:16)", "body": "(lafn)But this is something I knew nothing of as I lifted the loop and set off across the meadow. Is he looking back with regret? or is he just remembering a notable time in his life?"}, {"response": 201, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug  6, 1998 (19:29)", "body": "(Sofie) But this is something I knew nothing of as I lifted the loop and set off across the meadow. Is he looking back with regret? or is he just remembering a notable time in his life? The latter.The whole book is a flashback. So he is remembering when he left with all his various pieces of luggage and walked away."}, {"response": 202, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug  6, 1998 (19:31)", "body": "Testing ..I put an end tag.Let's see if this works"}, {"response": 203, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug  6, 1998 (19:39)", "body": "I read the Cinematic Discourse on FOF on AMITC and it is v. scholarly. However, there seems to be a difference of opinion on whether Piers is the mural's artist. After Tom and Moon dig in the pit---find the stone coffin and shroud, and peak in... Moon says: ...\"let's put the chain back and leave him. But first we'll climb your ladder and have a look at his face before it fell off.\" Tom say:\"Do you know , until that moment, it hadn't occurred to me that this bundle of bones was my falling man.\" Doesn't Tom say earlier that the artist had fallen...and someone else had painted his face in? This author is pretty tricky...makes you work for the plot."}, {"response": 204, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Aug  6, 1998 (20:10)", "body": "Tom says most likely that the apprentice finished the mural."}, {"response": 205, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Fri, Aug  7, 1998 (22:32)", "body": "Do these do you, Evelyn :-)"}, {"response": 206, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug  8, 1998 (00:59)", "body": "Yes,....thanks Nan. The top one is in the belfry with the shirtand suspenders (sorry, braces) that Heide likes. The bottom one is at the beginning coming in from the rain after checking the gutters...can't you hear that pitiful stammer. :-)"}, {"response": 207, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug  8, 1998 (01:01)", "body": "correction: stammer :-("}, {"response": 208, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sat, Aug  8, 1998 (02:49)", "body": "(Evelyn) The top one is in the belfry with the shirtand suspenders (sorry, braces) that Heide likes. Well, Heide's got damned good taste! :-) (Evelyn) can't you hear that pitiful stammer I know, poor baby :-( Dontcha just wanna kiss it and make it all better? ;-p"}, {"response": 209, "author": "sofie", "date": "Sun, Aug  9, 1998 (05:12)", "body": "I really enjoyed everyone's take on AMITC. Loved the scenes from the book which helped me to understand the characters further. CF does seem to give Tom this quality that makes you want to \"make it all better.\" When he enters the belfry for the first time I just want to help him take off those damp clothes make him a cup of hot tea and tuck him in. Of course I'm speaking of my desire to nurture his poor wounded soul. I would go to any lengths to divert him from his painful memories of the war. Question to those who read the book. What was the purpose of Moon being a homosexual? Nan, not to be a bother but, while you're snapping, would love one of him shaving. Re: different topic...I came across a web sight that listed FP with a fall 98 release date for N.Y. and L.A. I assume that it is a theatrical release, not video."}, {"response": 210, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sun, Aug  9, 1998 (06:37)", "body": "(nan11) Dontcha just wanna kiss it and make it all better? (sofie)...you want to \"make it all better.\"...help him take off those damp clothes...tuck him in...my desire......any lengths to...him And the weird thing is, you think (I think) (one thinks) you really can! With some screen stammerers (like Brad Dourif in \"Cuckoo's Nest\"), you get the idea that it's hard wired, that it's been with them forever, it's a part of them. But with CF's you think you can soothe it, the tension, the conflict--right on the money. And like Heide, I didn\ufffdt really get the first time through that it was from the war. Maybe the book made this clearer."}, {"response": 211, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  9, 1998 (14:33)", "body": "(Sofie) Re: different topic...FP with a fall 98 release date for N.Y. and L.A. I assume that it is a theatrical release, not video. Yes, theatrical release. It opened in Canada during World Cup. On his book tour, Nick Hornby mentioned it would be released later in the year in the US in a limited number of cities. I hope it's more than NYC and LA. Then, release on video here is next logical step????? :-D Have picked up AMITC from the library (just yesterday) and noticed publisher is local. Will give them a call tomorrow. (Telephone number/address printed on book are no longer good. They've moved.)"}, {"response": 212, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug  9, 1998 (20:45)", "body": "(Sofie) Question to those who read the book. What was the purpose of Moon being a homosexual? I didn't find anything explicit in the book. (But what is..in this book!) Moon's psychological injuries, IMO are worse than Tom's . Also he had shrapnel in his leg which is why one saw him late at night trying to straighten it out). Does anyone have an insight on Moon's homosexuality and it's place in the story. Tom's physical twitches and stammer subside..And while he leaves sadly..still one gets the feeling that he isn't the lonely pitiful person who arrived in the beginning of the summer. So, ...a Question to ponder.... What heals Tom.....restoring the mural? Alice?, the children? the pastoral countryside? ...friendship...love...art? Do you think that as he restored the mural it became a metaphor for his own healing...or is the mural a venue through which he healed . (Am I making sense?) Let's hear from everybody out there. PS. Natasha Richardson was featured this week in Parade and didn't even mention AMITC as one of her films. Boo, Hiss on her!"}, {"response": 213, "author": "Ann", "date": "Sun, Aug  9, 1998 (20:57)", "body": "Moon's homosexuality?.... Perhaps his name gives us a clue. Moon--crescent--Muslim. I think the name is meant to draw a parallel between Moon and the Muslim Piers. Where Piers returned from the Crusades a converted Muslim, and became an outcast in his Oxgoodby--and permanently remained one, Moon is also a permanent outcast in his society because of his homosexuality. Neither could convert to a more socially acceptable way of life. Perhaps this is also why Moon remains more damaged by the war and doesn't find the cure that Birkin does. Birkin could 'convert' himself back, but Moon, like Piers, must accept the way he is."}, {"response": 214, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sun, Aug  9, 1998 (21:24)", "body": "PS. Natasha Richardson was featured this week in Parade and didn't even mention AMITC as one of her films. CF's co-stars often seem to find their way to mega-stardom......Catherine Zeta Jones, Kristin Scott Thomas, Minnie Driver, to name a few. (Evelyn, I'm sure JE will be up there soon!)"}, {"response": 215, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 10, 1998 (01:21)", "body": "Ann, I find your connection of Moon....crescent....Muslim/Piers...both outcasts of society....very plausible. The puzzle coming together slowly. Catherine Zeta-Jones....when did she co-star with Colin? She is a stunner alright. I bet none of the\" dolls\" in TA make it. Sheeesh. I think JE is inching along. Like CF, I see lots of roles I would have liked to see her in. She admits at having been disappointed that she didn't get some roles."}, {"response": 216, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 10, 1998 (18:05)", "body": "AMITC Book Update: I called the publisher this morning and they said it had been out of print for quite a while. Usually, they keep some around, but there had been a number of requests recently. She went to check and there weren't any on the shelves. She said that periodically some are returned but not in good condition. I asked about reprinting the book and she said that it cannot be because of an agreement with the author. She took my name and number and will call me if any show up. She said the book apparently had *cult* following. Imagine that!! ;-D"}, {"response": 217, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Aug 10, 1998 (18:44)", "body": "Catherine Zeta-Jones....when did she co-star with Colin? In the BBC production \"Out of the Blue\" which I haven't seen. I think she's been based in LA for a few years. Like CF, I see lots of roles I would have liked to see her in. She admits at having been disappointed that she didn't get some roles. I think that after Lizzie and Darcy (and all the other good work they'd done before) neither has achieved the recognition they deserve...or the major breakthrough roles(in terms of worldwide movie success). But it will happen, I'm positive! Both seem quite happy to be Europe-based, rather than US, so maybe that determines the kind of work they're offered. AMITC .....hang on to your copies! Collector's items...I told you!"}, {"response": 218, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Aug 10, 1998 (19:24)", "body": "(Bethan) the kind of work they're offered. Somehow no one seems to consider the kind of work they choose to accept ... that also makes a lot of difference. Michele Pffeifer may feel comfortable as Catwoman (?), Jack Nicholson as Joker, etc., but that's not the type of roles Colin would aspire to... Not yet, anyway."}, {"response": 219, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Aug 10, 1998 (20:57)", "body": "Somehow no one seems to consider the kind of work they choose to accept Very true. I actually don't want to see CF in a huge blockbuster type of movie (I have a feeling that The Avengers may prove a mistaken choice for RF), but these are the movies which, unfortunately, get all the promotion. It's a bit of a Catch 22 situation really."}, {"response": 220, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (01:02)", "body": "(Bethan) I actually don't want to see CF in a huge blockbuster type of movie Why not, Bethan? Quality and blockbuster are not always in opposition. I don't think he'd turn down a role in a film that had blockbuster written all over it. Doubt that would be part of the criteria he'd use in choosing a role but one can only presume."}, {"response": 221, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (01:16)", "body": "Back to AMITC..... I did some research over the weekend... At the end Old Mr. Birkin ( I figured he must have been 85 yrs old when he returns in the film) signs off Stocken, Prestigne September, 1978 The place didn't sound like England...but I found it in E. Wales. nr. the border....North of Hereford,. Ripon ( where they went to purchase the organ...Alice apples...Sgt Milburn tells about Moon) is in the middle of the moors NW of York. Then I found on the map a town, at the tip of England almost touching N. Wales , called Birkenhead coincidental....I wonder?"}, {"response": 222, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (06:08)", "body": "Heide, I agree with you. The shame about blockbusters are that it is all about special effects nowadays - often the script is $hit, the actors don't act (because they don't need to with all that extra help), and everyone in it is a millionaire (which I resent!). I like actors who go for the scripts they like, not the scripts that are going to bring them thirty million instead of three million. It shows that they still care more for their art than for money."}, {"response": 223, "author": "sofie", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (07:42)", "body": "Re: Blockbusters. Just try and have an interesting discussion about the symbolism in Titanic. Although to be honest, I rarely think of metaphores when I am focusing on C.F."}, {"response": 224, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (11:28)", "body": "Can't say I do either. But a good script and good acting is important to me - otherwise I can't be persuaded to sit still for two hours."}, {"response": 225, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (20:33)", "body": "But a good script and good acting is important to me - otherwise I can't be persuaded to sit still for two hours. Or pay $$$ for it. But not all blockbusters are created equal....some have good storylines and acting. IMO Titanic was terrific. And so is the current; Saving Private Ryan. the scripts that are going to bring them thirty million instead of three million. I'd go for the thirty:-)"}, {"response": 226, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (20:35)", "body": "Nan...Sofie requested a pic of Tom Birken shaving outside in AMITC. Can we impose on you one more time? Thanks"}, {"response": 227, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (20:36)", "body": "I wouldn't - I'd be $hit scared of that much money. But my sister told me Saving Private Ryan is an oscar winner in her book, so I'll go see it once it comes to Switzerland."}, {"response": 228, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (21:32)", "body": "(Riette) I'd be $hit scared of that much money. I think you'd get confidence in yourself real fast!! BTW went to your Art Conference. Very cool. Colorful (no pun) too. Congrats...you and Terry have a great site goin'."}, {"response": 229, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (22:31)", "body": "....so I'll go see it once it comes to Switzerland. Gruezi wohl! Segged Sie, wie lebbed Sie, wie geihts dann Ihrem Maa..... :-). I just peeped in to Arts, and Nan, will you ever forgive me to complain about the Drool background being too strong? Riette, it's just a joke, I really like what I have seen, and will come back (as soon as I have dimmed down my colour settings - no, no, Riette, kidding again! The sunglasses will do :-D)"}, {"response": 230, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (23:38)", "body": "(Evelyn) However, there seems to be a difference of opinion on whether Piers is the mural's artist. Finished the book and my take on it is that Piers and the muralalist are not one and the same. Tom is marveling throughout on the level of detail the muralist has used, especially on the falling man with the crescent on his forehead. He considers this unknown artist to be decades ahead of Brugheuel because of the detail used. Tom does believe that real people were used to populate the mural. So it stands to reason that the artist chose to use Piers, a Muslin convert, who had recently been discovered a d excommunicated as the model for that character. Doesn't Tom say earlier that the artist had fallen...and someone else had painted his face in? Tom concludes that the artist fell from the scaffold but it was other areas of the mural that were done by his apprentices...not the falling man. What heals Tom.....restoring the mural? Alice?, the children? the pastoral countryside? ...friendship...love...art? Do you think that as he restored the mural it became a metaphor for his own healing...or is the mural a venue through which he healed. Have conclued that it was Oxgodby because it brought together everything that he needed to return to the living. In Oxgodby, he finds what may be the greatest medieval mural of them all and he rediscovers Art and his own abilities not as just someone who cleans up after artists. In Oxgodby, he meets Alice and he rediscovers Beauty and Love. In Oxgodby, he meets Moon, with whom he can face the horrors of the war with someone with shared memories. In Oxgodby, he meets the Ellerbecks, primarily Kathy, who befriend him and show him the other side of religion, not the establishment sort, that didn't comfort him in the foxholes when he called out to that God. Kathy Ellerbeck is a little more even. She's a little Tom. Perhaps, that's why he calls her his \"kindred spirit.\" \"We understood each other perfectly from the moment she flung open the door.\" Moon's homosexuality?.... (Ann) Moon is also a permanent outcast in hissociety because of his homosexuality. Neither could convert to a more socially acceptable way of life. I think the movie and the book deal with Moon's homosexuality differently. I need to go rewatch that part in the cafe in Ripon where Tom hears about Moon, but the impression I got was that Sergeant Milburn was totally disgusted with Moon. In the book, he is sympathetic to what happened to Moon. He laughts and expresses thoughts that perhaps the powers that be made an example of Moon. \"They really crucified him. 'Corruption of young men'...Dishonour of the king's commission....' that sort of balls. His MC made it worse. Can't understand that.\" I think Moon's crime was that he was found out. Homosexuality was always around, but was not supposed to be in the open. Like AC or Wilde or a zillion other films."}, {"response": 231, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (01:22)", "body": "( Karen) Tom concludes that the artist fell from the scaffold but it was other areas of the mural that were done by his apprentices...not the falling man. Thanks Karen for clearing up the mystery.Your insight makes more sense. Surely, a Muslim would not have painted a religious mural. And Oxgodby with all its \"ingredients\" is a logical healing agent for his condition. Anybody else have any different takes on this.?"}, {"response": 232, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (01:59)", "body": "(Evelyn) Nan...Sofie requested a pic of Tom Birken shaving outside in AMITC. Yes, I know, honey. I'm afraid I'm eyeball-deep at the moment. I'm on tape 5 of P&P2. Yes, you heard me right. I'm Snappin' everything worth Snappin'--yes, honey\ufffdJennifer, too ;-) I'll certainly try to get to it...hate to disappoint a fellow drooler. (Evelyn) IMO Titanic was terrific. Overall, I liked it but by the beginning of the third hour all I could think of was \"okay, sink already!\" ;-p Let's face it--Titanic's financial success had more to do with Leo than the film itself. Every girl under the age of 18 saw it 4 or 5 times each. Having several obsessions myself, I certainly understand the impulse, but I don't share it. I thought the whole love story was the weak link...because Leo's just too young for me. (Evelyn) And so is the current; Saving Private Ryan. Oh, I won't see that in a theatre. I'm a horrible weeper and could never see that in public. I'm going to have to do the same thing I do with all Spielberg films...wait for the video, turn out the lights, get a big box of Kleenex and sob until I feel like my head's going to explode ;-O (Renate) Gruezi wohl! Segged Sie, wie lebbed Sie, wie geihts dann Ihrem Maa..... :-). Geez, woman! How many languages do you speak?! (Riette) I just peeped in to Arts, and Nan, will you ever forgive me to complain about the Drool background being too strong? I was waiting for an apology, missy ;-p (Renate) Riette, it's just a joke, I really like what I have seen, and will come back (as soon as I have dimmed down my colour settings - no, no, Riette, kidding again! The sunglasses will do :-D) Riette, you must not take Renate seriously. She is notoriously tongue-in-cheek (I love this about her, btw) ;-) Hint: You can tell she's in a playful mood by the number of emoticons she uses... Actually, I really like the way the Art Conference \"feels\" (if that makes sense). It's got a creative, festive, funky atmosphere...but I know what you mean about the text. I don't think it's the color as much as the stripes being horizontal--sometimes cuts through the center of the text. Hate to see it changed, though\ufffdI kinda like the flavor :-)"}, {"response": 233, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (02:39)", "body": "Evelyn, just wanted to say, great job bit of research locating those places on the map. Did you happen to find Oxgodby perchance? ;-D BTW, if you turn your monitor to the left about 10 degrees the italics go away."}, {"response": 234, "author": "StephanieB", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (03:51)", "body": "(Nan)Oh, I won't see that in a theatre. I'm a horrible weeper and could never see that in public. I'm going to have to do the same thing I do with all Spielberg films...wait for the video, turn out the lights, get a big box of Kleenex and sob until I feel like my head's going to explode ;-O And you didn't cry in TEP??? I sob every time I see the movie. I cry very easily . . .just the mention this month of Diana gets me all teary eyed and I wasn't particularily a fan . . .but what a waste. I cry over Lassie and commercials, like AT&T, and Kodak moments . . .Can't take me anywhere!!"}, {"response": 235, "author": "sofie", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (04:28)", "body": "(Nan) I'm afraid I'm eyeball -deep at the moment. Yeah Nan. Just watch that nothing \"pokes\" it. I do not mind waiting. We must all focus our attention on what is truly important. Re: Titanic. I took my 11 year old son and his friend to see it. Since entering the 5th grade, girls have become his main topic of interest. He wanted to see what they were all fussing about because most of them had seen it several times. His favorite scene was the topless one (big surprise) and he laughed when the people were falling into the ocean. He is a sensitive kid who is easily touched so I asked him what he found so amusing about that scene. He said, \"Mom, it's all so fake. It would make a cool video game though.\" He loved the music score. In AMITC, I came to the conclussion that Oxgodby was more than just a nice place to visit. It was as if the whole town was a metaphore for what people need in order to heal from the experience of war. He was not only restoring himself with the mural, he was uncovering a mystery. The mystery itself might be symbolic."}, {"response": 236, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (05:04)", "body": "The Spring has registered the name colinfirth.com Anyone interested in building http://www.colinfirth.com ?"}, {"response": 237, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (07:05)", "body": "The Spring has registered the name colinfirth.com That's only appropriate. ;-)) Terry, you and Riette will be sorry anyway you ever invited us to Art, we will flood the place with Colin pics, all in the name of Art. ;-) Anyone interested in building http://www.colinfirth.com ? Yes, and we start with the \"Official Firthaholics Anonymus\" page."}, {"response": 238, "author": "riette", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (08:20)", "body": "NOOOOOOOOOO, please!!! Thank you all for the feedback on art - should I list a survival kit for those who go there for the first time? The first thing to bring along will be ..... you guessed it - sunglasses!!! But I did warn you in advance!!! So are any of you dearies going to post your art and loo sketches in our gallery or not?"}, {"response": 239, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (12:32)", "body": "(Terry) The Spring has registered the name colinfirth.com Anyone interested in building http://www.colinfirth.com ? Of course...don't go anywhere. We'll think of something ;-)"}, {"response": 240, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (13:55)", "body": "(Sofie) It was as if the whole town was a metaphore for what people need in order to heal from the experience of war. Very nicely put. I'd forgotten to include the little girl who died. Birkin came face to face with a death more senseless than those resulting from war. The death of an innocent child. I think this put his own experience back into perspective. He was not only restoring himself with the mural, he was uncovering a mystery. The mystery itself might be symbolic. What do you mean by *mystery*? About the muralist? Would like to hear how you see it as being symbolic."}, {"response": 241, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (20:39)", "body": "What does it mean? Spring has registered Colinfirth.com. In practical terms. Aren't there already 3 boards?"}, {"response": 242, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (20:40)", "body": "Re; Saving Pvt. Ryan . (Nan) I'm a horrible weeper and could never see that in public. You would not be alone. I saw it in a full movie house and no one stirred at the end of the three hours ...not a dry eye in the place...men too.Tom Hank's best. And Steven Speilberg's gift to this century. NOW...back to AMITC.... Karen, I could not find Oxgodby anyplace even with a magnifying glass. . Perhaps a hamlet...but then it would not have a train station. It must be fictional. Sofie: By the \"mystery\" of the mural do you mean the fact that it had laid uncovered for so many centuries? Terry: Re: www.colinfirth.com.......are you evicting us?"}, {"response": 243, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (20:46)", "body": "Nan....we do impose on you fiercely. Thank you for all the work you put on the snappy pics..... but now you've gotten us used to images to accompany the film discussions. And the cheekiness of us...we expect it, already!! :-.)"}, {"response": 244, "author": "terry", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (21:47)", "body": "Evicting you ??? Heavens no. I am trying to add more value to your incredible manifestation here."}, {"response": 245, "author": "sofie", "date": "Thu, Aug 13, 1998 (04:03)", "body": "(Karen}*mystery* Tom arrives in Oxgodby a hurt and bitter man. It's dark and raining and his reception by Keach is cold. When he watches Keach's sermon he speaks of Christ wanting some answers. I think he is speaking for himself.The mural becomes symbolic of the answers he seeks.He turns and sees Alice and in the next seen he is uncovering an angel.He has made assumptions about the town's people as being a smug Yorksire lot. His experience has made him view mankind as lacking in goodness and charity. After uncovering the angel, the children arrive bringing companionship and music.Their unjaded view of the world is expressed in genuine interest for what he is doing, which contrasts his view of simply being a laborer. When he first meets Alice he describes the mural as being a puzzle. It comes together slowly if it comes together at all. Alice describes it as being like opening a parcel at Christmas which is in direct opposition of his own pessimistic view. It is as if she seduces him back to life as he lies among the dead. Keach is the antithesis of what Tom wants to be, yet it is as if he is holding a mirror up showing him what can happen if he shuts himself off to life and love. It is also Keach who minimizes the importance of restoring the mural as it will \"distract.\" From his own self importance maybe and the emptiness his life has become because of it. Although Tom leaves the town without expressing his love and desire toward Alice , he is able to bite into the apple she has given him and seems to relish it without bitterness. He has solved the mystery as to who he is. He can feel love and desire while remaining moral and forgiving."}, {"response": 246, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Thu, Aug 13, 1998 (10:24)", "body": "(Karen) called the publisher this morning and they said it had been out of print for quite a while. Borders online has them for less than $20. Vinyl covering--haven't got mine yet, so I don't know what that means exactly."}, {"response": 247, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Thu, Aug 13, 1998 (11:25)", "body": "I doublechecked. Borders still has them for $15.21 plus S&H etc., 2-4 weeks to ship. Maybe there's a vault somewhere."}, {"response": 248, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 13, 1998 (13:38)", "body": "Cheryl, the *vinyl* edition is in Braille. Perhaps, you should contact Borders to confirm, but I noticed the same at amazon.com's listing. Sofie: Love your interpretation of the mystery of the mural, but I think I prefer to look at Tom's experience in Oxgodby as the putting together of a broken jigsaw puzzle. He is more a broken man I think rather than someone who doesn't know who he is. Keach is the antithesis of what Tom wants to be, yet it is as if he is holding a mirror up showing him what can happen if he shuts himself off to life and love. In their final scene together, when he is paying Tom, Keach turns around and says (kind of): \"I know what you think of me...\" Keach is saying to Tom that he is a *realist* He reminded me of the character played by Edward Fox in The Choir. Someone has to attend to the business of the Church. I rewatched the movie last night and it was even *better* after reading the book. You can see and understand more of what people are saying and little things that go on. For example, on the train at the very beginning, he bumps into someone in the aisle. You can make out an \"excuse me\" said very sarcastically. This goes so perfectly with the sarcasm and cynicism that fairly flies off the pages from paragraph one. Oh, yes, the Sgt. Milbourne meeting in Ripon is totally different. In the book, he is totally sympathetic to Moon's plight and that he got the shaft, whereas in the movie he is bitter and the sentiment expressed is resentful that he and the other captains suffered while Moon got to sit out the remainder of the war in the glass house."}, {"response": 249, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 13, 1998 (17:11)", "body": "(Karen) He is more a broken man I think rather than someone who doesn't know who he is. Karen, do you think at the end Tom is still a boken, lonely man? I tend to agree with whomever said that Oxgodby and the mural, as a conduit ,helped to heal him. Great insight into his persona, Sofie."}, {"response": 250, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 13, 1998 (18:43)", "body": "(Evelyn) Karen, do you think at the end Tom is still a boken, lonely man? Oh, no, he leaves Oxgodby sans stammer and twitches. He is on the mend. When he returns, he is just looking back on the miraculous place and time he spent in the country. He is marveling at how such a place (the church and mural, the children, Alice via the book & rose) saved him."}, {"response": 251, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Aug 13, 1998 (19:13)", "body": "When he returns I don't think he's just looking back. I find almost unbearable pathos in this scene. The old man's eyes are so sad. I always interpreted this scene to mean that he never again found true love (what sort of future would he have had with Vinny?) and that he carried the book and the pressed rose to remind him of the feelings he had for Mrs Keach and also the times when he came so close to declaring them. He briefly found happiness - and remembering the children only intensifies this feeling of loss. Or am I being too fanciful? What sort of interpretation does the book give? Was this Tom's only experience of love?"}, {"response": 252, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 13, 1998 (21:21)", "body": "AMITC Ending Bethan What sort of interpretation does the book give? The book does not have Tom as an old man returning ot Oxgodby. Or biting into the apple, for that matter.He says\"I never returned,never wrote, never met anyone who might have given me news of Oxgodby\". Before that he says: \"We can ask and ask but we can't have again what once seemed ours for ever---the way things looked, that church alone in the fields, a bed on a belfry floor, a remembered voice, a loved face. They're gone and you can only wait for the pain to pass\". Could also be recapturing youth. Have you ever done that? Returned to a place that has happy memories that can never be duplicated again...that could never go on forever. This is one tricky author....lots of interpretations. And Vinny...I hope that nymphomaniac wasn't around long!"}, {"response": 253, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 13, 1998 (22:10)", "body": "Waterstone's UK's largest on-line bookstore says they have AMITC . Would this also be a braille edition? Has enybody contacted them? http://waterstones.co.uk./"}, {"response": 254, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Fri, Aug 14, 1998 (10:09)", "body": "(Karen) Thanks! I sent them an inquiry. I didn't see the little W A T BRAI off to the right, but you're probably right that it means Braille. Now if only you could read the movie by feeling it ;-)."}, {"response": 255, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 14, 1998 (14:05)", "body": "(Cheryle) Now if only you could read the movie by feeling it ;-). Way to go, Cheryle.....A COLIN FIRTH FILM IN BRAILLE.....to accompany the book. You're in the business....here's a goal to shoot for. Think of the great contribution this would be to \"womankind\"!!"}, {"response": 256, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 14, 1998 (15:45)", "body": "Re: Waterstone's Does it give the name of the publisher? That would be one hint. (Bethan) I don't think he's just looking back. I find almost unbearable pathos in this scene. The old man's eyes are so sad. Oh dear, I thought I saw a little twinkle in his eyes. Was that a tear? I must go back and check this out. He may not have worked things out with Vinny (the little tramp), but that summer in Oxgodby gave him enough to make it through life and into old manhood. ;-) (Evelyn) Way to go, Cheryle.....A COLIN FIRTH FILM IN BRAILLE.... LOL!! Let's not be too demanding. Book, film, who cares!! The man himself and my fingers would do v.nice for me."}, {"response": 257, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 14, 1998 (22:33)", "body": "( Karen) Book, film, who cares!! The man himself and my fingers would do v.nice for me. \"Grabby\"(pun intended).....there's one in every crowd!! :-)"}, {"response": 258, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Aug 17, 1998 (01:46)", "body": "This conjurs up new possibilities for Contour Checkers which were heretofore unimaginable. Where does the line start? I am right behind you!!!!"}, {"response": 259, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Wed, Aug 19, 1998 (07:04)", "body": "(Evelyn) Waterstone's UK's largest on-line bookstore says they have AMITC. Yes, they do say that. I've emailed them to ask them and will pass on the results."}, {"response": 260, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Aug 20, 1998 (18:09)", "body": "I know, this is not in line with what is being didcused now, but there are some new Snappy pictures of Colin in Romeo In Love, over at FoF. Does anyone know if it is going to be released in the U. S or if it is, when. After viewong these shots I really want to see this film."}, {"response": 261, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Aug 20, 1998 (19:50)", "body": "lucie, do you mean *Shakespeare* in love?"}, {"response": 262, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 20, 1998 (19:57)", "body": "Lucie, we've been discussing the Snappies over at topic #97 (General - Colin Firth). The movie is Shakespeare in Love (SiL) and it most definitely will be released in the US. NY and LA on December 4 or 5 and the rest of the country on Christmas Day. This is a big movie with big names and will have megapromotion. There's little chance it will sit on the shelf. We are all counting the days... ;-D"}, {"response": 263, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Mon, Aug 24, 1998 (05:14)", "body": "How do we know when to move on? I'm probably the only one who now has seen almost everything but wasn't privy to past conversations about them at Pemberley, so I may be the only one who's so eager to see what others think."}, {"response": 264, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 25, 1998 (01:05)", "body": "Don't worry, Cheryl, we haven't done all that many. In this separate topic format, there was Fever Pitch, The English Patient, Nostromo and AMITC now. You can go back to read the old ones, but we don't do them according to any prescribed schedule. Somebody just needs to stand up like in an old Mickey Rooney film and say, \"Hey kids, let's discuss a film. We can use my uncle's old barn. I'll be fun!\" But sometimes we need to take a rest between discussions to tend to our wounds and replace lost limbs. ;-) What would you like to do next? Just a hint."}, {"response": 265, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 25, 1998 (01:05)", "body": "Don't worry, Cheryl, we haven't done all that many. In this separate topic format, there was Fever Pitch, The English Patient, Nostromo and AMITC now. You can go back to read the old ones, but we don't do them according to any prescribed schedule. Somebody just needs to stand up like in an old Mickey Rooney film and say, \"Hey kids, let's discuss a film. We can use my uncle's old barn. It'll be fun!\" But sometimes we need to take a rest between discussions to tend to our wounds and replace lost limbs. ;-) What would you like to do next? Just a hint."}, {"response": 266, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 25, 1998 (01:07)", "body": "there *was* Fever Pitch, The English Patient... How did I ever get out of the second grade? :-o ."}, {"response": 267, "author": "Ann", "date": "Tue, Aug 25, 1998 (01:14)", "body": "Somebody just needs to stand up like in an old Mickey Rooney film and say, \"Hey kids, let's discuss a film. We can use my uncle's old barn. I'll be fun!\" } Didn't someone say something like this at our get together in Chicago? ;-)"}, {"response": 268, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 25, 1998 (14:25)", "body": "(Ann) Didn't someone say something like this at our get together in Chicago? ;-) Did someone? Or could you have imagined it during your blackouts caused by loss of blood? ;-D Oh, I know, this was in reference to something else, wasn't it? ;-)"}, {"response": 269, "author": "Ann", "date": "Tue, Aug 25, 1998 (19:28)", "body": "Oh, I know, this was in reference to something else, wasn't it? ;-) } It was pre-blackout (BTW it is healing very nicely!!) Hey kids! Let's put on a show. We can use my uncle's barn. Everybody will com. It'll be swell!"}, {"response": 270, "author": "Ann", "date": "Tue, Aug 25, 1998 (19:29)", "body": ""}, {"response": 271, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Thu, Aug 27, 1998 (07:49)", "body": "(Karen) How did I ever get out of the second grade? :-o My sentiments exactly when I see some of my posts. However, 1) we were generating sentences at a much slower rate then :-) and 2) it seems grammar and spelling should be the least of _my_ worries here ;-) Hmmmmm. It doesn't seem Playmaker is a big favorite. It's cheesy, but there are things about it that I really like about Colin's performance in the beginning. And unfortunately it's practically a docudrama for the ridiculous way actors can be and are preyed upon. WofF? Completely in line with what C has said and done about his own fame, but the only thing that surprised me was Peter O\ufffdToole\ufffds line in the end\ufffd\"I really liked it.\". Apartment Zero toes C\ufffds Party line as well (\"all those people boring in, desperate to get in, and they don\ufffdt really know or care about you\" or however it was put). HOTP would be fun, its\ufffd thin spots aside. FF: puh-leeze. FP is waiting for me at the post office. TD is either there, or I haven\ufffdt ordered yet. ATA: general acclaim, I th nk, that there's not enough there. V someday, even though the end is bizarre to me. Is PM too much of an \"insider\" flick to be of any interest (never mind that most of it is not believable)? They\ufffdre tedious, movies about the movie business and writing about writers block and songs about being about being a rock star. (Even _8 1/2_. Maybe if you\ufffdre Kafka or Jackson Browne it\ufffds ok. :-) ) What about the Piggy Movie? There are several things it does well. Votes?"}, {"response": 272, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Aug 27, 1998 (23:42)", "body": "I'm game for Playmaker, Advocate, anything. Hope we discuss them all some day. I don't think PM is too much of an \"insider\" flick or at least for me, that's not why I don't like it. I dislike it mostly for the laughable acting (not Colin) and also because I hated seeing Colin grovel as Michael though he looked mighty cute. It would be an entertaining movie to dissect. Your collection is growing by leaps and bounds, Cheryl! Even if we've discussed them here, I hope you feel free to give us your thoughts on them at any time. I must put in a good word for FF, though, and that word (words) is \"Where can I find a Joe Prince?\" Colin is absolutely adorable and on that level, FF is very watchable. And I go down to that level a lot. ;-)"}, {"response": 273, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Aug 28, 1998 (01:05)", "body": "Please, anything but the \"P\" movie...."}, {"response": 274, "author": "sofie", "date": "Fri, Aug 28, 1998 (02:49)", "body": "I just wish T or MOTM was available for all of us to watch. It is very vexing to think that we have to wait till December for something new w/ CF. Nan and Lou will just have to sustain us all with illustrated fanfic until then."}, {"response": 275, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Fri, Aug 28, 1998 (07:55)", "body": "(nan) Please, anything but the \"P\" movie.... Maybe if we just whisper quietly in the corner, trying not to disturb you? :-) We won't talk about groveling, we'll say g********. I just think/feel there are cool things in the early part of the movie that are a clue to his \"memorability factor.\" Those without refined sensibilities obviously need a bludgeoning to remember C, and there aren't many other roles I've seen where he's gotten to have as much authority as in the acting coach. Don't we th nk one of the charms of Darcy is his authority? There's a little authority in the Advocate role (not to mention---livestock!) But a lot of victim elsewhere. And as for the end of the of \ufffdshall we call it Q? Well, that was the role. Did he do his job, despite the other \"actors\" and the \"director\" and the \"script\", as far as we can tell? What did he uniquely bring to it? In other words, pretend it\ufffds a long acting exercise. (heide) ...growing by leaps and bounds, Cheryl! I'm afraid when I do something, I really do it :-# ...that word (words) is \"Where can I find a Joe Prince?\" \"My mama told me, you'd better shop around.\" :-) I'm tired of movies where men find clearly insane women attractive (Betty Blue, etc.). That's one of my prejudices. However, let's talk! And I go down to that level a lot. ;-) I certainly would ;-) As often as possible."}, {"response": 276, "author": "nan", "date": "Fri, Aug 28, 1998 (12:55)", "body": "(CherylE)I just think/feel there are cool things in the early part of the movie that are a clue to his \"memorability factor.\" The last time we talked about this, Arami used similar words to defend it to me. I remember her being annoyed because I used the word \"stinkiosity\" to describe the overall feel of the film. LOL! Those days of butting heads seem like years ago. Anyway she, too, believes that, regardless of what's happening around him, Colin has some very good moments in that film. I can agree that it isn't the worst movie ever made. He just seems so miserable to me, that I feel almost (*almost* ;-p) guilty watching it. There are certain scenes (you know which ones) where I actually cringe for him, the poor dear. Colin, himself, wishes it would \"sink without a trace\" (Arami or Bethen, tell me if I got that quote right), so... However, I was just giving my opinion about the next film discussion, same as everyone else. The fact that I don't like the movie shouldn't stop you from talking about it or force you to whisper if you do ;-p Knock yourselves out ;-)"}, {"response": 277, "author": "sofie", "date": "Fri, Aug 28, 1998 (14:10)", "body": "(hiedi)Where can I find a Joe Prince? I'd love to find one! Hope there's one looking for (not insane) but somewhat off-balance woman! (nan) \"stinkiosity\" I can see your point nan, and the fact that he hates the film does sway my opinion too. There is that pesky little fantasy of having him on the casting couch though. HHhhhmmm...slap me."}, {"response": 278, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Aug 28, 1998 (19:02)", "body": "Here's a rarely seen quote...... ***************** The Sun, 27 August, 1994 MY DUFF JOB FOR THE BOY ...(snip)...... It wipes out memories of his last job - a Hollywood thriller The Playmaker, which he brands \"complete rubbish.\" Colin, 34, who was kidnapped journalist John McCarthy in Hostages, only did the film so he could be with Will, his three-year-old son by ex-lover Meg Tilly, also 34, the American actress. He says: \"My son happened to be in Los Angeles at the time. It was a three-week job and it paid extremely well. \"It's a rather silly story about an acting coach who trains an actress by psychologically torturing her. \"I knew it would be complete rubbish and I sincerely hope no one ever sees it.\" *************end of quote"}, {"response": 279, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Aug 28, 1998 (22:04)", "body": "But with just enough alcohol *P* is quite enterntaining:)-"}, {"response": 280, "author": "sofie", "date": "Fri, Aug 28, 1998 (23:18)", "body": "(LauraMM) But with just enough alcohol. Or large quantities of herbal refreshments. The you can overlook the dumb script."}, {"response": 281, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sat, Aug 29, 1998 (10:49)", "body": "(renate) Here's a rarely seen quote.. Always something new up those sleeves! \"It's a rather silly story about an acting coach who trains an actress by psychologically torturing her. Fascinating, as Spock would say. Isn't it about an actress who decides to take drastic action to further her acting career, and finds herself entangled in a web of mystery and murder? She was passable, he was really great. It might be easier to see that if he didn't think it was all about him, which it wasn't. (nan) I was just giving my opinion.....Knock yourselves out ;-) Yeah, you know we'll be overwhelmed by the putrid slime emanating from each frame and learn our lesson ;-) Ok, ok. Absolute stinkiosity. I wanted to bash his head in when he starts with the scissors. Or the stupid wheelchair thing. She needs to be in AA, not slurping a dirty red. But gentle readers, that's my point. I remember someone (one of us) saying she doesn't know the difference between the actor and the director and the script. In a sense, we can't know everything, for reasons I suppose I ought not go into just now ;-). But Arami seems to be pretty good at drawing the distinctions inasmuch as on can, and maybe other people I can't remember right now are too (sorry). We could talk about that, here and in other stinkers: How to separate Colin from the project. The piggy writer and piggy director got that girlie on the piano. It _is_ painful. Once I had a terrific actor who had done great things, did something great for me, did a couple more great things, but then was in a lull. I was casting for something and Danny coincidentally invited me to his off-off-Broadway play. It was entertaining---not even someone getting shot outside the theater budged the audience. (Someone had already called the ambulance\ufffdwhat else could we do?) Seeing him do nude scenes in a small loft/theater, all the other people being so bad, this adaptat on being so bad--it nearly broke my heart. But I learned: if you want to be an actor, or be friends with an actor, or be more ;-), this is the deal. Actors have to work. Any dramatic artist can work privately for only so long. You are compelled to be IN something. That\ufffds the whole point of what you do. I read yesterday something Jodie Foster said about not wanting to do nude scenes for a long time. On *Hotel New Hampshire* director Tony Richardson told her something to the effect that she would never be a real actress until she could include her body. She wanted to hit him at the time, but now she sees what he means. HNH is not a work of art; most things aren\ufffdt. Most of Jodie\ufffds movies, for example, aren\ufffdt. But we are all behooved to do our best, even in the 85-90% that leaves a lot to be desired. aybe you don't, but I look ridiculous a great deal of the time. Being embarrassed is another thing altogether. It\ufffds hard to develop an attitude that will keep us vibrantly on the field (any field): \"_It_ stunk, but I was great.\" Or, \"I did the best I could with what I had at the time.\" Or \"Oh, what I learned!\" Whatever you think of Michael Caine or Gene Hackman or Anthony Hopkins or anyone who works a lot, they must have this or they\ufffdd have shot themselves long ago. If people have talent and skill, they can\ufffdt do it just for the money. Often, these guys, and (to raise the stakes) Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, and Jo n Plowright are the best thing about whatever they do. How? By not by being ashamed to be there, in their less-than-stellar projects. I read something recently about Zeffirelli directing a difficult, hot scene in *Tea With Mussolini.* These three actresses, Cher, and extras (=warm bodies) are shooting (=hot lights) in a tiny basement, and the streets outside are too narrow to get the stars\ufffd trailers parked within walking distance. Dench, Smith, and Plowright had the worst of it, waiting around in woo and fur, and they were silently furious. They nailed their lines every time, and went back to crossword puzzles while everyone else on the set tried to get their contribution to the take(s) right. The writer was struck by the actresses\ufffd attitudes of doing your job and moving on. One of them said, \"When this is over, all we\ufffdll remember is that it was very hot.\" I aspire to this equanimity. This is not to say that a Zeffirelli film could have stinkiosity, but as REM says: Everybody hurts sometimes. But maybe the game of *What Percentage Colin, What Percentage Dumbo X and Y* runs counter to the point of this board. Maybe it\ufffds no fun to imagine DB in the real world, with mundane problems. I love watching actors deal with wacky material\ufffdif we both know they\ufffdre in a wacky situation, it becomes a game, and they know I think highly of them so no matter what they do it\ufffds good fun. WoF and AZ were certainly wacky. Valmont, well, the poor guy didn\ufffdt _have_ playable material at the end. And so on."}, {"response": 282, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Aug 29, 1998 (20:09)", "body": "Whoa, Cheryl, you've lost me. Are you saying actors will take roles, any role because they have to act? I like to think DB was offered other roles besides PM at that time but took it because it fit his other needs and obligations, not his acting needs. But maybe the game of *What Percentage Colin, What Percentage Dumbo X and Y* runs counter to the point of this board. I think we generally discuss the role CF is playing rather than CF himself though I always find time to comment on his looks which are undeniably, at the core, CF's own, not the character's (chameleon though he is). But I don't think anything runs counter to the point of this board, that is as long as we're discussing CF's films or related topics. Maybe it\ufffds no fun to imagine DB in the real world, with mundane problems. Actually I prefer to think of him with mundane problems, like the rest of us. Which to me can mean being embarrassed about a particular piece of work (or something shoddy you prepared at the office) and really rather just forgetting it. But there it is. Playmaker is out there for public consumption and I have no problem critiquing it. Weren't we going to do Valmont in the near future though?"}, {"response": 283, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 29, 1998 (21:42)", "body": "( Heide) Playmaker is out there for public consumption and I have no problem critiquing it. Weren't we going to do Valmont in the near future though? Playmaker is OK by me,.....only if Cheryle promises we'll do Valmont sometime. I certainly am looking forward to the redeeming qualities of P.!! :-) (It won't be the first time I've changed my mind on a film)"}, {"response": 284, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (06:29)", "body": "(heide) Whoa, Cheryl, you've lost me. Are you saying actors will take roles, any role because they have to act? I like to think DB was offered other roles besides PM at that time but took it because it fit his other needs and obligations, not his acting needs. Isn't that the same thing? They have to act (and probably need to make money, support the family, etc.) You can be offered different things, and you take something like PM because it fit his other needs and obligations, not his acting needs. We all are (heide) being embarrassed about a particular piece of work (or something shoddy you prepared at the office and really rather just forgetting it. But when that's so, I try not to bring it up again at a client meeting or to my boss (or, in C's case, to a reporter.) The less said the better. And most people have to do things we dislike or are \"beneath\" us for money--even years-long jobs or whole careers, if we can't find our way out. Everybody knows that's true for actors. But it seems to me that if I work with people and take their money, though I hate them and the project, again, less said the better. I heard that Jack Nicholson never said anything bad about anybody in the business. I find that very hard to believe, but it made me start thinking about this dilemna of tacky projects and having a career. 1. You don't like the people or the project. (Their response: They probably are aware of your opinion, especially if you're leaking hostility, and they don't feel too warmly about you because of it.) 2. The project is over years ago and you continue to put it down in the media. (Reactivates hatred of former co-workers and all of their cronies; who likes to be scorned?) 3. What comes of it? We're reminded of a stinker. But maybe it was just an actual \"real\" comment of many made to the reporter, and it's nice to say your real feelings once in a while. (heide) I think we generally discuss the role CF...don't think anything runs counter ... discussing CF's films or related topics. Just checking. Sometimes my enthusiasm is a Big Wet Blanket to people who don't really care about mechanics:-) (heide) Weren't we going to do Valmont in the near future though? (evelyn) ...if Cheryle promises we'll do Valmont sometime. Sure. I thought from skimming the boards you had done it pretty thoroughly."}, {"response": 285, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (06:54)", "body": "Hi gang. I have been away for yet another week on business and have enjoyed catching up on all your posts today. You inspired me to re-watch AMITC. It had been awhile and I enjoyed it even more after your insightful discussions. Thanks! Hmmm, Playmaker. I seem to remember this being discussed back in my lurking days, but I'm game. It will give me an incentive to watch the whole thing over from the beginning. I have to admit my copy seems to keep re-winding over the same parts, but I won't say which ones ;-)"}, {"response": 286, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (15:24)", "body": "Given the dearth of comments found in print about PM, I would think CF is trying to avoid bringing it up. Perhaps the one Renate posted was the result of some rather persistant questioning by an obnoxious reporter who wouldn't take \"Let's move on; I have\" as an answer. Remember, when in doubt, blame the media.;-) Discussing PM is fine with me. I think I'm going to enjoy hearing more of the insider view that you've already been writing about, Cheryl. Yeah, its a crappy film (a 9 on the Stinkosity Scale), but I'm willing to watch it again even beyond those couple of scenes in slo-mo. ;-D Another thing. You're so right, Cheryl. CF's comment was all wrong. The film is about the actress. Wonder why he said that? His comments about his films have been right on in the past. He has usually provided great insight into the written works as well. Strange about this one."}, {"response": 287, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (15:25)", "body": "Question: Can we start PM after Labor Day (i.e., after 9/7)? Puhleez????"}, {"response": 288, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug 30, 1998 (19:55)", "body": "You're so right, Cheryl. CF's comment was all wrong. The film is about the actress. Wonder why he said that? Sounds to me that he is pretty defensive about it....embarassed....trying to rationalize choosing it . I don't think it's that bad."}, {"response": 289, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Mon, Aug 31, 1998 (09:50)", "body": "(Karen) Can we start PM after Labor Day (i.e., after 9/7)? Puhleez???? Ok by me. That'll give me time to look at it again too. One thing that I find helps is if you think about it in sequences. I've only seen it once and that was when I first got here so I maybe including too much, but ...I think it goes: Actress is unhappy about career. Agent is scum. Bartender tells her about acting coach and MC (main character) decides to go for it. End of sequence 1. That may be two sequences--I can't remember if there are a lot of scenes of drinking and complaining and ov rhearing in the bathroom and such. Maybe it's just a long sequence. MC goes to house, blah, blah, blah. MC leaves house for good after much ado. There are sequences within this, mainly beginning and ending as their relationship changes. For example, the pearl thing is a scene (which is smaller than a sequence, what add up to sequences, but it begins with the chat about how much does she want to be a star. Many things happen to build her determination (some to our disgust, some of C's greatest moments IMO), but when the pearls go down, there's a release, a resolution of he challenge he's made to her. (Liked that scene v. much BTW. He's very good at the up-close work, the relationship stuff.) Then the relationship is different, and when does it change again? (I think he gets even better.) If I remember correctly, that (the relationship and its changes) is what drives each sequence until we get to the murder. Then it's action driven again. (Karen)(Evelyn)I think you're right. Definitely blame the media--they have to keep themselves employed, at anyone's expense and certainly at the expense of reality. I wish I were a musician so I could write a song which I can only convey in mountains of words here--to tell him it's OK, he didn't do anything wrong. That's why I need actors _and_film _and_music, and a good editor ;-) To get across simple things that nobody told us or we forgot. (Karen) He has usually provided great insight into the written works as well. Mais oui! If he wasn't smart, I wouldn't like him. And *jornalists* have long done as ET does--collect as much info as possible, file it, and run it when you feel like it. So it can be way out of context."}, {"response": 290, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Mon, Aug 31, 1998 (10:26)", "body": "So sorry, I didn't read the earlier post closely enough and I don't think it makes sense. Retransmit 2nd paragraph: MC goes to acting coach's house= beginning of sequence 2. Blah, blah, blah. MC leaves house for good after much ado=end of an overarching sequence. This is one long sequence, but there are sequences within this. These smaller ones are the ones I look for, and if memory serves, these sequences begin and end as their relationship changes. For example, the pearl incident, beginning with her waking up and ending with the pearls getting ground up, is a _dramatic_ scene. So as not to confuse things let's leave all that way of looking at it aside. Sometimes these correspond with sequences, sometimes they don't. (Unless you're a playwright or novelist or simply don't find this confusing; then have at it!) Another way to look at the pearl incident is that it's a sequence that begins when she arrives at the house. The focus of their struggle is: how bad do you want it? She has various responses, things happen, but ultimately her answer is: enough to lose the pearls forever. There's a release. That leads to the next sequence. I think this pearl sequence and the next one or two have a lot of startlingly good work (C); he's _so_ good at the up-close work, the relationship stuff. BTW, am I the only one who eels sorry for the girl? Part of my cringes here are for her, and I want to take a baseball bat to the writer and the director. If I remember correctly, the relationship (and when it changes) drives each sequence until we get to the murder. Then it's action driven again."}, {"response": 291, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug 31, 1998 (13:14)", "body": "Shoot! And all I ever got out of the movie was the shower scene! ;-D Bethan, post your directions now so that everyone can study the film adequately in conjunction with Cheryl's excellent guide above."}, {"response": 292, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Aug 31, 1998 (14:48)", "body": "firth.com is coming online soon. Ready for the content producers almost. And colinfirth.com will be at the same address. I'll see about setting up a placemarker page and co-ordinating with nan and the firth web team."}, {"response": 293, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Aug 31, 1998 (19:05)", "body": "Terry, *TWO* Firth-domains at once? Wow! :-))"}, {"response": 294, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 31, 1998 (19:58)", "body": "Terry, will the Firth-domain websites belong to Drool.....since we are all part owners of this Spring community? I like the idea of \" owning a piece of Colin\". :-))))"}, {"response": 295, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 31, 1998 (20:07)", "body": "Thank you Cheryle for giving us a guideline on how to view and appreciate ( are you listening, Nan?) this film. . OK everybody....start viewing Playmaker and we shall start discussion on Tuesday ...Sept.8"}, {"response": 296, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Sep  1, 1998 (03:19)", "body": ""}, {"response": 297, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Sep  1, 1998 (03:21)", "body": "(Terry) I'll see about setting up a placemarker page and co-ordinating with nan and the firth web team. Thanks Terry. Just send me an email when Jeff's done and we'll go from there."}, {"response": 298, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Sep  1, 1998 (03:59)", "body": "(Evelyn) I like the idea of \" owning a piece of Colin\". :-)))) Now, now...I know you're only kidding, but let's not go there. Only Colin owns Colin (well, perhaps Livia, too ;-p). BTW, Spring is the registrant of the domain name, not Drool. One has nothing to do with the other. (Karen) Shoot! And all I ever got out of the movie was the shower scene! ;-D Now this I understand. LOL! (Evelyn) Thank you Cheryle for giving us a guideline on how to view and appreciate (are you listening, Nan?) this film. Yes, I read it but it doesn't change my opinion. Honey, school starts next week. (aaaaaaaagh!!!) No offense to anyone, but do you think I'm going to waste my few remaining brain cells trying to be cerebral about Playmaker? ;-p I'm lucky if I get through this program in one piece... Nan (having back-to-school anxiety)"}, {"response": 299, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  1, 1998 (12:32)", "body": "(Nan) No offense to anyone, but do you think I'm going to waste my few remaining brain cells trying to be cerebral about Playmaker? ;-p OK, if you don't want to be cerebral, be technical. Need you to enhance a glass block segment. You know which one. ;-)"}, {"response": 300, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Sep  1, 1998 (17:54)", "body": "Third from the right, second row up (or was it second from the right, third row up? :-) )The Full Monty for the eagle sighted (or wishful thinking for the over imaginative!)"}, {"response": 301, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep  1, 1998 (17:54)", "body": "(Nan) Spring is the registrant of the domain name, not Drool. One has nothing to do with the other. But aren't we all \"one family\"? Need you to enhance a glass block segment. You know which one. ;-) Yesssssss!!"}, {"response": 302, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep  2, 1998 (03:45)", "body": "Get your little Snappy clicking away, Nan."}, {"response": 303, "author": "sofie", "date": "Wed, Sep  2, 1998 (07:13)", "body": "I'm in total agreement with nan. I'm starting my last year of grad. school next week and I vote we all cut to the chase. The shower scene is about all I want to deal with, although there is one scene that does bring a special little fantasy to mind. Hhhhmmmm? Where's that boy toy when I need him?"}, {"response": 304, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Wed, Sep  2, 1998 (07:29)", "body": "(nan) ...waste my few remaining brain cells trying to be cerebral about Playmaker? LOL! No way Jose! PM isn't going anywhere :-) Anyway, I don\ufffdt think of PM as a film. When I really look at C, what he does, how he does it ---miraculously, everything else vanishes (almost). Cerebral? Visceral . . . aren\ufffdt you the one who likes a certain hockey player? I was married to one once. I lurve visceral. C is visceral here. I watched it again today since I'm going away for Labor Day, and I retract my earlier statements. I think ALL of his performance is first rate and I'm proud to be promoting it. (karen) And all I ever got out of the movie was the shower scene! ;-D Some of the rest is just as, um, visceral when you feel connected to his performance. For me it's like the difference between liking a song because it makes you have a story or feeling, and loving a song because you feel like you are having YKW with the singer; you are knowing him _intimately_. The latter happens as I know more about acting. It can be a very direct experience, that connection. Cheryl's excellent guide above. I dunno about that, but if only you could see just him. He's talking to you. You\ufffdre reading the girl\ufffds lines with him, so you don\ufffdt have to worry about the rest of the characters; they\ufffdre just somebody\ufffds relatives filling in for today . You\ufffdre only in the scenes with C. (Of course, you\ufffdre much better than she is. ;-) ) He's talking to you. (terry) firth.com is coming online soon...web team. I had wondered but thought it was bad form to ask. I can't wait to see what happens. (bethan) Third from the right... imaginative! Were these the instructions from the past that made me laugh so hard I choked?"}, {"response": 305, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Wed, Sep  2, 1998 (08:32)", "body": "From Waterstone's, if you're still in the market for AMITC: Just to confirm that the above title published by Quince Tree Press is in fact a normal print edition and was despatched on 29/08/98 via Airmail as requested. Thanks for the suggestion, Evelyn."}, {"response": 306, "author": "Donna", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (00:07)", "body": "FILM RELEASE SCHEDULE USA Fever Pitch October or November 1998 New York and LA does this me only these cities?"}, {"response": 307, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (00:21)", "body": "(cherylE) aren\ufffdt you the one who likes a certain hockey player? Indeed I am. He is the very essence of my lustful aspirations ;-) I was married to one once. Aah! A man with scars who wears garters. YUM! ;-) Anyone I know?"}, {"response": 308, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (00:24)", "body": "(Donna) does this me only these cities? Looks that way. Fortunately, I happen to be in one of them ;-)"}, {"response": 309, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (00:32)", "body": "(Donna) does this me only these cities? Nick Hornby said at his book signing that FP would be put out in a limited release. I was hoping that meant more than just two cities, but maybe not. (Nan) Looks that way. Fortunately, I happen to be in one of them ;-) And fortunately, I'm in the other one. Hmmm, access to CF almost makes up for all the smog and 112 degree weather we've been having."}, {"response": 310, "author": "Donna", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (00:33)", "body": "Thanks for such a quick response. So then I'll have to wait a year for the VHS video! I give up:("}, {"response": 311, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (02:28)", "body": "Fever Pitch will likely be in other cities, but just not in wide release. I can't imagine that it would be *that* limited. I can't think of any film that only played NY & LA. Doesn't even make distribution worth one's efforts. It will play here. (I know it will, I know it will, I know it will). If I keep saying it, it will happen. ;-D"}, {"response": 312, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (09:35)", "body": "(Nan) Anyone I know? Probably not. He was the first Russian to be in the draft and play in the States. Went to the wrong team (for his playing style, LA), and it was not pretty. (Nan) I happen to be in one of them ;-) (Jana) I'm in the other one. I'm in one:-) (Karen) I can't think of any film that only played NY & LA. Doesn't even make distribution worth one's efforts. Maybe something that needs to be shown before the deadline for Academy Award consideration. Or if it needs a theatrical release to fulfill a contractual obligation before it can go to cable or video. But for everyone's sake I'll see if there's a distribution spell in my witchcraft manual . . ."}, {"response": 313, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (13:18)", "body": "(Cheryl) Maybe something that needs to be shown before the deadline for Academy Award consideration. Don't think FP fits in this category. ;-) But those films go into wide release in January or later when the Xmas stuff has run its course. Or if it needs a theatrical release to fulfill a contractual obligation before it can go to cable or video. Interesting...cable or video. Bwaaa!! I want to see it on a BIG BIG screen. But for everyone's sake I'll see if there's a distribution spell in my witchcraft manual. What about contacts at the distributors for I'm sure the *complete* list of cities? I believe I heard the name Phaedre or some such."}, {"response": 314, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (13:24)", "body": "Should have said: But those films go to other cities later when the Xmas stuff has run its course or at the art houses when screens are freed up from the 4Q crush of films. But as FP is not an art house type of film..."}, {"response": 315, "author": "nan", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (18:27)", "body": "(CherlyE) Probably not. He was the first Russian to be in the draft and play in the States. Went to the wrong team (for his playing style, LA), and it was not pretty. You were married to Victor Nechaev? Then again, I don't know if he was drafted. But he was definitely the first Russian to actually play in the NHL...and with the Kings. (Karen) Interesting...cable or video. Bwaaa!! I want to see it on a BIG BIG screen I haven't seen Colin on a big screen in an actual starring role. I don't think ATA counts, for obvious reasons."}, {"response": 316, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (19:16)", "body": "(Nan)I happen to be in one of them ;-) (Jana)I'm in the other one. I'm in neither. But I'd still love to see FP released in the US somewhere. I want to see Siskel & Ebert review it. I want to see the video in our local stores and not with a big SALE sticker on Colin's face like I saw on every copy of FP in a London Tower record store). I want..I want...I want...."}, {"response": 317, "author": "Donna", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (19:46)", "body": "But I'd still love to see FP released in the US. Yes I agree with this,but I could care less what S&E think. Now your last statement must mean that the movie ran its course. That is understandable and now way refers to the quality of the movie,right? I do believe that very many soccer fans here in the states would really enjoy this movie."}, {"response": 318, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (20:15)", "body": "Fever Pitch will likely be in other cities, but just not in wide release. Often the distrib tests the film on each coast to see how it \"sells\". WILDE started in LA and NYC then a few weeks later covered other major cities.(Chicago, Dallas, Detroit ) It was not scheduled for Oklahoma City (not a major city...only 2 M people!), but was released there and played three weeks at an AMC Cinema. FP should do at least as well. Has a good target audience too."}, {"response": 319, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (20:24)", "body": "I want to see the video in our local stores and not with a big SALE sticker on Colin's face like I saw on every copy of FP in a London Tower record store). FP was released end of October 97 when I was in UK, and selling v. well. Came out same time as TEP. At Heathrow I was pleased to see FP and TEP both with big displays...thinking how great it was to see two CF vids prominently featured at once. Maybe the sale ones are from an additional press. I also wonder if the British are into buying videos as we are. I don't think they attend the cinema as often as we do in the US."}, {"response": 320, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (20:57)", "body": "Okay, I've just spent my lunch break surfing the net......movie release dates! Found October 98 release NY and LA for FP (Phaedra). I also found, puzzlingly, a US site dated about six months ago which listed FP as actually released and (v.g} reviewed it very favourably....praise for Colin and Ruth Gemmell in \"one of the most pertinent and entertaining movies of the year\". (BTW I think FP did well in video sales in the UK. I agree, we're not a nation of movie goers...perhaps more video watchers (borrow not buy!)!) Then found, very annoyingly, that the two other Handmade movies, Lock Stock and Man with Rain are both listed for January 99 release in the US (While SLOW languishes held by a Bank, for goodness sake...GRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!). Also other UK Arts Council funded movies are making it big....Plunket & Greene on general release early 99 in US, ditto Jackie and Helen, plus Venice Film Festival. I'm a lady (:-) ) but doesn't it make you want to SPIT!! Colin must be lucky in love, cause in business he sure has his bli s (not his fault!) MLSF....only found second quarter 99. Why thea delay? Hopefully for a release with some impact.\"Colin Firth of Oscar winning TEP and SIL\" perhaps? :-) Couldn't find any UK dates. We're in for a long, long wait. :-( A fruitful lunchbreak? I dunno. Can anyone come up with anything else."}, {"response": 321, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Sep  7, 1998 (23:53)", "body": "(Bethan)just spent my lunch break surfing the net...Found October 98 release NY and LA for FP (Phaedra). I also found, puzzlingly, a US site dated about six months ago which listed FP as actually released and (v.g} reviewed it very favourably... I don't want to appear ungrateful, but it would be nice and helpful to have the links as well, dear...:-)"}, {"response": 322, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep  8, 1998 (02:03)", "body": "FP did open in Canada during World Cup, perhaps that was its North American release date???? (Donna) I do believe that very many soccer fans here in the states would really enjoy this movie. It's not really a soccer movie. It is more a romantic comedy about a man who has an obsession and the woman who comes between him and his obsession. Any obsession or any sport can be substituted. Hopefully it will be marketed to reach the wider audience. If it is promoted as a soccer movie, then it will likely fail to be noticed. They need to push it as a \"When Harry Met Sally\" or \"Sleepless in Seattle\" type, then all the right people will go (i.e., women who cannot but fall for the ever-adorable Pet r Panlike Paul Ashworth)."}, {"response": 323, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Sep  8, 1998 (18:21)", "body": "Well, has it come out in video over there? Coz I'm flying to Toronto the day after tomorrow, and might borrow and watch it when my boyfriend isn't looking... Although he's a soccer fan, he'll probably fall asleep in the middle anyway ;-)"}, {"response": 324, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep  8, 1998 (21:05)", "body": "(Donna) I do believe that very many soccer fans here in the states would really enjoy this movie. (Karen) It's not really a soccer movie. I know that no one agrees with me....including the star of the picture..... but I think it's a soccer movie. :-)"}, {"response": 325, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Sep  8, 1998 (22:23)", "body": "I didn't mean to imply by my Tower Records story that FP was not a success because it was on sale. Actually, if I remember correctly, it was part of a promotion at that particular store, along with The Full Monty and other big name films so I would think it was pretty successful. What I found funny was that on all the Girl Side covers, nothing obstructed the viewing of Ruth Gemmell but on every single Boy Side cover (and I looked at a bunch) a big red sticker was smack on Colin's face. It was like some sadistic store employee (male of course) was out to get even with every Darcy fan. Bethan, don't get discouraged. We're all in this with you, we're just making you do the legwork. Someday you're going to find out something fantastic and I can't wait to read that."}, {"response": 326, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Sep  9, 1998 (00:03)", "body": "on every single Boy Side cover (and I looked at a bunch) a big red sticker was smack on Colin's face. It was like some sadistic store employee (male of course) was out to get even with every Darcy fan. But this photo of Colin isn't the best one can imagine... in fact it's the least favourite of mine: he's totally unrecognizable, so who cares."}, {"response": 327, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Wed, Sep  9, 1998 (03:27)", "body": "(Nan) he was definitely the first Russian Now how on earth could you possibly know a thing like that? Yes, none other."}, {"response": 328, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Sep  9, 1998 (18:31)", "body": "But this photo of Colin isn't the best one can imagine... in fact it's the least favourite of mine: he's totally unrecognizable, so who cares. Agreed. Colin doesn't look like Colin, He doesn't even look like Colin as Paul Ashworth. Part of a misguided marketing ploy to dispel the Darcy image?! Movie release dates......I can't remember the exact web sites. I just use various meta-search engines, such as askjeeves.com, and just see what comes up through the search terms."}, {"response": 329, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Sep 11, 1998 (01:16)", "body": "I know I need remind no one of the date today (happy birthday, sweetie) but it's also 3 days after US Labor Day. Let Playmaker begin."}, {"response": 330, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Sep 11, 1998 (01:49)", "body": "Okay, \"Playmaker\", may not be CF's better films, (again, Happy Birthday, Colin!!) but Good God!, he does look very good;) I particularly like the glasses, the sweater when he is outside when whatshername shows up at that fabu house! Oh, when he is watching her in that room -- he looks sinister, but sexy!! I watched it, well tried to watch it while sober. I think I definitely like this movie better whilst drunk. You get so much more out of it:) I like Michael, but don't understand how he can be so forceful as the \"Playmaker\", then lose it as himself. I know that he is playing a role here, (Michael, I mean), but he SLEPT with her and SHOWERED with her. Ya think he woulda known:) On the rock, I mean;) And she(what the heck was her name?) looked better with that wig on!"}, {"response": 331, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 11, 1998 (02:21)", "body": "Hey Laura....who the hell is Michael? The Playmaker is RossTalbot, and she is Jamey Harris. The bartender is Eddie. OK..let's start all over again..... Tomorrow, Heide...we'll start in earnest. We've been distracted with B'days (Happy B'day DB), and the debut of new website. Such excitement at Drool...."}, {"response": 332, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 11, 1998 (02:58)", "body": "OK, Laura...I apologize.... Now I know who you mean by Michael -on-the-rocks vs. Ross-in-the-shower. And are you a new Auntie tonight?"}, {"response": 333, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Sep 11, 1998 (03:49)", "body": "No, she still hasn't had the baby:( So I guess pushing for September 10, was really pushing it:) Hee hee. Michael is his real (character) name; Ross was the real \"Playmaker\", the dead guy:)"}, {"response": 334, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Fri, Sep 11, 1998 (08:18)", "body": "I thought Playmaker was the name of the movie Jamie and Michael wanted to be in. (Laura) don't understand how he can be so forceful as the \"Playmaker\", then lose it as himself. I know that he is playing a role here, (Michael, I mean), but he SLEPT with her and SHOWERED with her. Ya think he woulda known:) On the rock, I mean;) Hard to say if that\ufffds the stupidest thing in the movie, but it\ufffds got to be in the top 3. If he\ufffds so enamored of her, at first her voice would remind him of Jamie, even if he wasn\ufffdt expecting her. And it\ufffdd be downhill from there\ufffdcertainly not uphill ;-) To me, at least 3 things contribute to this part being clear, sharp, and sexy. 1)(the best) Playing Ross, he always has something to do. 2) As an actor, these scenes are about standard things actors actually talk about, so he\ufffdd know the material like the back of his hand, and the authority comes through. 3)He doesn\ufffdt care what anybody thinks, and that\ufffds priceless. Maybe because he thought the movie was garbage from the beginning. Characters who don\ufffdt give a damn (and are cute) can be very engaging. 1)Having something to do is really important; actors ACT. Unfortunately, scripts and directors are usually stupid and/or untrained and/or not suited for the job, and actors are asked to \"be jealous\", \"be upset\", etc. What does that mean? It doesn\ufffdt belong in a screenplay or a shooting script since it\ufffds not something the eye can see. It\ufffds not something directors should tell actors because \"jealous\" isn\ufffdt a verb. In all these scenes, even if the actions are stupid, C\ufffds given himself something to do. I think he did it, because all the other scenes are limp and people don\ufffdt have clear objectives and there\ufffds no conflict. One thing great screen actors do (I don\ufffdt know theater) is they try to overcome bad directors just this way: they direct themselves. Michael would also have been through all these acting classes and exercises before, and because he isn\ufffdt doing so well in the business, could relish the role of sadistic master instead of village idiot. Having clear objectives, meeting obstacles, and overcoming them is seductive, and scene after scene in the house follows this pattern. Because C knew where he was going in a scene (as C and as M, as I realized on second viewing), the actress had something to react to, and these scenes crackle (relatively peaking). I\ufffdm sometimes tricked into thinking one thing is the objective when it turns out to be another, but the twists keep me more interested. This \"having an objective and achieving it\" is to me the difference Laura talks about. Michael loses when he\ufffds himself because it\ufffds Jamie\ufffds turn to be in charge, and she falls into clich\ufffd (as Jamie and as an actress). Well, the writer/director (henceforth WD) does. The catalog of men\ufffds abuse of women onscreen is much richer than vice versa, and male WDs do so hate to see women abusing male characters, so they just don\ufffdt let it go on too long. Neither Jamie nor the actress who plays her is forceful enou h to engage C; she just barks. If C is stronger, he\ufffdd take over the scene, and they wouldn\ufffdt be making the right movie. He was probably really limited by her, since in the shooting scene he picks up again just before he dies. PS Happy, happy birthday to you, Colin!"}, {"response": 335, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 11, 1998 (17:46)", "body": "(Laura) Michael is his real (character) name; Ross was the real \"Playmaker\", the dead guy:) (Evelyn) The Playmaker is RossTalbot (Cheryl)I thought Playmaker was the name of the movie Jamie and Michael wanted to be in. Think sports, sports, sports. Michael and Jamie have already been cast in the role of playmaker. They put Eddie in a position to score. (Cheryl) In all these scenes, even if the actions are stupid, C\ufffds given himself something to do. I think he did it, because all the other scenes are limp and people don\ufffdt have clear objectives and there\ufffds no conflict. Beyond self-direction, he is just a much better actor. You can see it in Jennifer Rubin. After she's been through this ordeal that brings her out, frees her from what is holding her back, she's really the same, actingwise, a nothing. She just moves with more assurance and sucks her finger a little less. Michael loses when he\ufffds himself because it\ufffds Jamie\ufffds turn to be in charge Love how we see Michael reacting to Jamie sprawled out on the piano. She's appealing to Ross (What do you want?), but it's Michael who is responding. That should have given us a clue that he was not really Ross, the sadistic acting coach who had an irate husband take a baseball bat to his legs. Then of course in bed afterward, he knows he shouldn't have gone there. A mistake. He broke character. Major failure for an actor. Perhaps, this is supposed to indicate why he hasn't made it in Hollywood, can t get parts. Michael is just not a good or great actor. male WDs do so hate to see women abusing male characters, so they just don\ufffdt let it go on too long. I think in its usual incarnation we would find that scene equally distasteful. What is interesting is that most people comment on how embarrassed Colin looks in that scene. He's supposed to be embarrassed, as would anyone being forced to perform sexually for a role in a movie. Question: Do you think it was necessary to go to such lengths to differentiate Michael from Ross? (the accent and the hair) Colin's certainly able to be two different people without having to don costume and makeup. (Laura) but he SLEPT with her and SHOWERED with her. Ya think he woulda known:) What was that line that Jellicoe's father told him and that he passes onto Neil? \"In the dark, all cats are black.\" ;-D"}, {"response": 336, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Sep 11, 1998 (21:18)", "body": "My take on PM.......strictly B-movie-ish, but not as bad as Nan thinks! CF makes it very watchable, and for once we see a lot of him, in all senses of the word. I tend to suspend critical judgement, totally,........ I must admit that when I first saw PM, I couldn't help wondering how all the armies of women who'd fallen for the delectable but restrained Mr D, would react to the scene on the rocks. (I also can't make out if he is genuinely embarrassed or acting embarrassed). Rather illogically (I was busy rewinding and freeze-framing at the time!) I wondered if it would damage (enhance?) his following!!! Is PM readily available in the US? In the UK, as far as I know, it's only been shown once, very late, on Sky, and isn't available on video. Preserving his reputation or depriving us of treats untold? :-)"}, {"response": 337, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Sep 11, 1998 (21:29)", "body": "Can someone keep a copy of this discussion, please, so that we may perhaps consider posting an edited version permanently on colinfirth.com? Also, has anyone kept a record of our previous film discussions, or at least some interesting excerpts? Or could someone research/retrieve them? It would be great to have a permanent record of these ruminations so that the visitors to the site could compare them with similar ones at other sites. Let Nan know."}, {"response": 338, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 11, 1998 (21:41)", "body": "(Laura) but he SLEPT with her and SHOWERED with her. Ya think he woulda known:) Michael is a little thick....first clue he gets that she is Jamie is when she tells him she'll meet him in the playroom. Karen, I like your view that Michael broke character when he responds physically to her. He didn't follow through, because he was a rotten actor. You think CF purposely played it that way? Or was the part written with that intention? Thanks Cheryle for all the WD ideas .CF self-directing....maybe a Robert Redford some day :-) He was probably really limited by her, IMO She's the real weak link in this film. Has to be one of the worst actresses on record. As Michael or Ross, he still looks cute though. Gonna view it again tonight :-)"}, {"response": 339, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 11, 1998 (21:51)", "body": "(Bethan) Is PM readily available in the US? Yes. Critics Choice has it...I got it for $5. on sale. I think I read that Best Buy had it in the sale bin. Actually, it has been shown several times on HBO late at night. Definitely, not in prime time. Blockbuster video stocks it too for rent. And not even in the porn section. It is R rated but not NC-17. Hey, with what we're reading in the News....this stuff is pretty mild."}, {"response": 340, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Sep 12, 1998 (02:05)", "body": "Let's not be too hard on Michael's acting skills. The poor guy had to stay in character for 24 hours, he's allowed a slip-up. The role of Ross was a role of a lifetime for Michael. He got to play a character he obviously wasn't - cold, demanding, commanding, sinister - and he pulled it off. He had me fooled anyway. Plus I think Michael was cuter but then I'm a sick-o for vulnerable men. (Cheryl) 1)(the best) Playing Ross, he always has something to do. True, true. He gets to show some of his chops - um, I mean acting chops. ANd at least he's in the film for much of it. Although the movie would be probably be a bit more bearable if he hadn't had to share all his film time with her . Michael would also have been through all these acting classes and exercises before.. Horrors! You mean the putting the hand in the garbage disposal exercise and the putting on the clown make-up lesson? I think that wheelchair lesson had me more embarrassed than the rocks. (Karen) Love how we see Michael reacting to Jamie sprawled out on the piano. Just what is the attraction anyway? She looks incredibly awkward in that dress, very boyish, not sexy at all. I think she was a pretty girl but she looked so gawky trying to be sexy. (Laura) but he SLEPT with her and SHOWERED with her. Ya think he woulda known:) On the rock, I mean;) And she(what the heck was her name?) looked better with that wig on! Snort! (how does one draw an emoticon for that?) You got the whole problem of this plot in a nutshell, Laura. (Karen) After she's been through this ordeal that brings her out, frees her from what is holding her back, she's really the same, actingwise, a nothing. Don't you just love the stunned looks on the faces of the casting people? What an audition! What a performance! We've got the next Meryl Streep here! Can she do accents? (Evelyn) Critics Choice has it...I got it for $5. About what it's worth. I'll probably have more to say after I watch it. I was going to mention the shower scenes but since the discussion is still taking the high road, I didn't want to pull it down yet. Arami has a good suggestion but how does one go about saving the discussions... other than copying and storing in a word processing program. See, I told you I was ignorant. I think adding a Film Discussion to the new site would be a hoot. Kind of like a Chicks on Flicks. (Sorry, there's already a site called that.)"}, {"response": 341, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Sep 12, 1998 (13:27)", "body": "(Evelyn) Michael broke character when he responds physically to her. He didn't follow through, because he was a rotten actor. (Heide) Let's not be too hard on Michael's acting skills There's another way to look at it: the dilemma an actor faces when real life interferes with his/her work. As gossip columns and celebrity biographies tell us stories of actors having affairs with their acting partners, on the surface it may be acceptable when the fictional characters are also supposed to fall in love ( one or two examples readily spring to mind...;-)). In this film, actor Michael allows the reality to cause a temporary collapse of the character of Ross - a character he obviously wasn t - cold, demanding, commanding, sinister . His falling for Jamie's charms (whatever they might be...) is the only indication that he, Michael, wasn't like Ross in real life. He involuntarily created a flaw in Ross's character, if you like. The mask has slipped. Does it mean he was a rotten actor? And what does it tell us of his \"real\" self - a vulnerable, lonely man or a sexual predator? How all this shaped his acting ability? It must have seemed a very interesting thread for an actor to play, but... as we have already said, the infuriating thing is that all this elaborate set-up in the first part of the film leads to absolutely nothing at all. The second half is botched in a criminal way. What a waste. BTW, I don't think Colin was showing his own embarrassement in that stupid scene on the rocks - it was Michael who was embarrassed and humiliated. Colin was definitely acting. I am convinced there's not one single moment in any of his films in which he isn't in character. If anyone suspects otherwise - that in my view only reinforces Colin Firth's triumph as an actor. (Evelyn) how does one go about saving the discussions... other than copying and storing in a word processing program. Exactly so. I'll try to do it with this discussion, but perhaps someone has already copied and saved some of our previous ones?"}, {"response": 342, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 12, 1998 (15:42)", "body": "(Evelyn) He didn't follow through, because he was a rotten actor. What do you mean, Evelyn, by \"he didn't follow through\"? With what? Michael's Acting Ability I don't think I'm being too hard on Michael. I believe I only said he wasn't a \"good or great actor\" and \"Perhaps, this is supposed to indicate why he hasn't made it in Hollywood, can't get parts.\" He is a young, struggling actor. Much like Jamie. According to the casting director: \"He's a nobody...well, nobody special. He's done some off-off Broadway and some regional theater, a few commercials. No film experience as far as I know.\" Taking this part--to be Ross Talbot--is what young, struggling actors do. They dress up in bunny suits with balloons and deliver birthday wishes and they perform in murder mystery dinners. Being Ross Talbot is sort of like a murder mystery dinner. Or maybe its like being in one's birthday suit and delivering one's best wishes... ;-D Michael did not do well at his audition for Playmaker. \"He seemed kinda nervous. He kept forgeting his lines and everything. I don't know. Like he was on drugs.\" His slip out of character may only be due to the rigors of having to be in character for more than 24 hours as you suggest, Heide, but it may also be his attraction for her--physically and emotionally. Despite what we think of Jennifer Rubin's looks, everyone has their *type*!!"}, {"response": 343, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 12, 1998 (20:32)", "body": "(Arami) (Evelyn) how does one go about saving the discussions... other than copying and storing in a word processing program. Exactly so. I'll try to do it with this discussion, but perhaps someone has already copied and saved some of our previous ones Someone else said this...not me. Nothing I say is worth copying or storing. But I do think we have had some excellent comments on H, N, and AMITC. And even FP. (Karen) What do you mean, Evelyn, by \"he didn't follow through\"? With what? I mean he didn't follow through as an actor by remaining detached from the real Jamie. He allowed himself to revert to his real-life emotiona/physical feelings. And get out of character. But who knows...maybe Ross would have shagged her too. Anyway, I'm not crazy about the rock scene....but hey folks, that second shower scene was worth the five bucks I paid for the vid :-)))"}, {"response": 344, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Sep 12, 1998 (22:24)", "body": "I know we're discussing PM but #97 is so quiet that I think I'll post here. Just to say that Handmade's \"Lock Stock etc\" has made \ufffd3million in just over a week in the UK. I realise that in US box office terms this may sound very small, but for the UK this is an impressive return. \"The Horse Whisperer\" has made \ufffd2.6 million, and \"The Avengers\" has faded away at \ufffd2million. And these are hugely expensive movies. I don't know if this will have an impact on Handmade's financial crisis or rescue them from receivership. They only have 3 new movies on their books, \"Lock Stock\" and \"Man with Rain\", both with a budget of \ufffd1million each and SLOW,with a budget of \ufffd3.4million. It is not as though they're a huge movie production company borrowing hundreds of millions. Could \"Lock,stock\" bale them out? Back to PM! I'm afraid I've no intellectual contribution to make. I like his feet though!"}, {"response": 345, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Sep 12, 1998 (23:06)", "body": "(Bethan) I like his feet though! Fine. So tell us exactly why."}, {"response": 346, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Sep 13, 1998 (00:34)", "body": "(Nan) he was definitely the first Russian (CherylE) Now how on earth could you possibly know a thing like that? Yes, none other. Because I am a true and genuine hockey fan, dear. Did you think I was kidding? Yes, the scarred men oozing testosterone help, but it's really the sport I love. And btw, I don't think any team in the NHL was ready for the Russian playing style in 1982 (well, maybe Edmonton)\ufffdso it wouldn't really have mattered where he ended up, I suppose. (bethan) My take on PM.......strictly B-movie-ish, but not as bad as Nan thinks! I stand by my verdict ;-) BTW, I don't think Colin was showing his own embarrassement in that stupid scene on the rocks - No rocks, no rocks! I beg of you\ufffd;-)"}, {"response": 347, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 13, 1998 (03:18)", "body": "(Bethan) \"Lock Stock\" and \"Man with Rain\", both with a budget of \ufffd1million each and SLOW,with a budget of \ufffd3.4million. You once asked why the bank took over SLOW as collateral....probably because it's the most expensive film Handmade had....also it was not yet finished when they went into bankruptcy. Remember when Rubicon was going to take them over...SLOW was still progressing at glacial speed in post-production. But I am not despondent...I think we shall see it yet on the big screen."}, {"response": 348, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Sep 13, 1998 (06:44)", "body": "While the rest of PM is not up to Colin's talent, I do enjoy watching him show his stuff with the two very different characterizations. I'm with Heide (I think it was with you,dear?) in that I prefer his looks as Michael, rather than Ross. I also enjoyed Michael's American accent. It seemed natural to me. I can't say the same about ATA. The MidWestern twang sounded forced to me and took me out of CF's portrayal as Jess. But I thought Michael's voice was right on. This is a very minor point, and I know Jamie was supposed to lack confidence, but what was up with the wardrobe they gave her to wear? The dresses with those vest things were not only ugly, they were quite unflattering on that particular actress. And even after Jamie was supposed to be confident and successsful, I could have done without that white crocheted skull cap at the end. I can't imagine anyone looking lovely in that. Sorry my post isn't very cerebral. Not feeling too clever today :-(. (Evelyn) that second shower scene was worth the five bucks I paid for the vid :-) The first one wasn't too bad either!"}, {"response": 349, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sun, Sep 13, 1998 (06:45)", "body": "(Nan) don't think any team in the NHL was ready for the Russian playing style in 1982 True, but me and Harry Sindon (sp?) wanted him to go to Boston. ;-) Or Hartford. It would have been closer in style. And the Russian communities were less sleazy, and I had more friends (Russian and otherwise) in Boston than LA. (Karen) think it was necessary to go to such lengths to differentiate Michael from Ross? (the accent and the hair) Nope, but maybe that was for the audience (if we're stupid enough to be watching this movie...) On that topic, did anybody else get the agent and the bartender confused the first time around? They\ufffdre so similar in type. When Eddie comes in after shooting Michael, I thought he was the agent. . . (Arami) The second half is botched in a criminal way. What a waste. If it hadn't gone so far off track, it could have been \"seriously flawed\" instead of \"goofy and ridiculous\". (Arami) He involuntarily created a flaw in Ross's character, if you like. The mask has slipped. Does it mean he was a rotten actor? Exactly. It doesn\ufffdt. Just hard to hold onto Ross\ufffd character through all this for all this time. (bethan) isn't available on video. Reel.com--I got it used for cheap. (Evelyn) Ross would have shagged her too. I thought that was his primary pedagogical technique. (Heide) You mean the putting the hand in the garbage\ufffd? I think that wheelchair lesson had me more embarrassed than the rocks. It\ufffds amazing what passes for an acting lesson. However, that\ufffds an interesting thread, the pearls in the disposal. Why did Michael do that? If she got the $5000 by pawning the pearls (unlikely but what we\ufffdre led to believe), and he bought them back, then Michael threw his own money away. They both lost a lot. Ross couldn\ufffdt have planned the pearl thing since he didn\ufffdt know how she\ufffdd get the money. So then I wonder, what motivations of his own, as a failing actor, did Michael have in this shenan gan? Now that would have been interesting to see. Hmmmmm. Anybody for a PM knockoff? Maybe Nan will help with storyboards. ;-) The wheelchair thing was horrid. Too much S&M posing as a lesson in \ufffdnot quite sure. Too many other topics rearing their ugly little heads for the scene to be about anything but S&M: her alcoholism, her hatred of herself, hatred of her looks \ufffd. You can just see the WD saying, oh, this\ufffdll be visual, he\ufffdll put this makeup on her, and then she\ufffdll have it on while she\ufffds taped into the wheelchair, and there\ufffdll be this pool of wine \ufffd.blah, blah. It\ufffds visual, but rootless and stupid. If the sc ne was about her learning to do anything to achieve her objective in a scene, we would have been happy when she succeeded. Instead we were embarrassed, because it wasn\ufffdt about anything we would want her to achieve. It wasn\ufffdt a worthy goal (an alcoholic needing a drink ); it was sexually degrading (yet another woman licking yet another floor); it wasn\ufffdt about learning to act better, it was about something the actress wanted in real life, and so on. (Karen) After she's been through this ordeal that brings her out, frees her from what is holding her back, she's really the same\ufffd (Heide)Don't you just love the stunned looks on the faces of the casting people\ufffd Can she do accents? LOL! They were stunned? So that\ufffds what that was. I\ufffdve seen theoretical mathematicians act better than those casting people :-) They were all sort of, \"first day on the job as a used car salesperson.\" It seems to me it was fine for Michael as Ross to sleep with her, that he was supposed to, since that was a Ross thing to do. But Michael was the one who was overly upset the first time they woke up together, and Michael was leaking through when she said, \"You\ufffdre not so tough after all.\" One reason I think he was supposed to sleep with her was that he had to set her up to be curious about the darkroom, to find the book with the pictures twice, and to conclude that her life was in danger. He followed he from bed that last time, and it would have been difficult to get the timing down if they hadn\ufffdt been in bed together. Basically, I ditto everything everybody says. But a fine acting exercise by C recorded for us that someone else paid for ;-) Some flicks have NO reason for existence."}, {"response": 350, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sun, Sep 13, 1998 (09:17)", "body": "(Jana) what was up with the wardrobe they gave her to wear? Oh yesssss, I forgot. I mean, it was low budget and everything, but Salvation Army would have better clothes than that. I vote for Michael in both guises. Each has his charm. If Michael had really been a Ross-like character, smelly scum, then I wouldn't care if he were Adonis (such a typical female, I am.) But that's what I like about C's Michael-as-Ross; there were moments that I did have sympathy for him even before I knew that he wasn't really Ross. When he was shot. A few other times, which were surprising, and totally thanks to C's work. And I can't really say I know much of Michael except at the very end, when he's walking toward her before he gets shot. I don't think the telephone call or the bar booth or the drive or the rocks count, in a way. He was a guy who needed a job. Most people, and especially actors, would have been just as jumpy. The drive and the rocks were in the harassment category, and people tend to react far more to men being sexually violated than women (how many male rapes can you think of, other than Deliverance and the prison movie with Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins?) Although he did have a gun on him, I got a sense of him as a person, not a job hunter or an object of harassment, at the end. So I like Michael, but I don't know if I'd like him as much if I didn't know he had the capacity for his version of Ross."}, {"response": 351, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 13, 1998 (15:00)", "body": "(Jana) Michael's American accent. It seemed natural to me. I can't say the same about ATA. The MidWestern twang sounded forced to me... But I thought Michael's voice was right on. Definitely preferred this accent to ATA's. (Evelyn) that second shower scene was worth the five bucks I paid for the vid :-) (Jana) The first one wasn't too bad either! I'd have paid lots more to be the cameraman for the first shower scene. ;-D (Cheryle) If she got the $5000 by pawning the pearls (unlikely but what we\ufffdre led to believe) Very true. Would have gotten significantly less than a thousand for those. and he bought them back, then Michael threw his own money away. They both lost a lot. Ross couldn\ufffdt have planned the pearl thing since he didn\ufffdt know how she\ufffdd get the money. Not necessarily. Michael/Ross couldn't have planned it, but Eddie could have. Eddie set her up with Ross and it's likely that she discussed how she would pay for the session. Eddie knew her mannerisms from the ice chewing to the pearl twisting. The fact that she wore those pearls all the time (regardless of appropriate outfit) tells me that they are more than just an accessory. They have deeper meaning. Would a *man* pick up on this? Maybe not, but he is also a bartender and Jamie likes to drink. he has probably cried a lot over her life at the bar and Eddie has heard it all. One reason I think he was supposed to sleep with her was that he had to set her up to be curious about the darkroom...and to conclude that her life was in danger. He followed he from bed that last time, and it would have been difficult to get the timing down if they hadn\ufffdt been in bed together. I disagree on this one. Watched that part again yesterday to see if I could pinpoint when Michael turns back into Ross. As they are lying in bed and Michael is upset with himself over sleeping with her and she is pleased with herself for \"being in control,\" he is still Michael. I think you hear it in his voice when he says \"I only wanted you to think that.\" (or something to that effect) There's a desperation there. Definitely not a Ross-type thing. It was all scripted for her to go to the room twice. When he notices she has left the bed, he just turns over on his back and waits. He is relieved in a sense because now the plot is back on course and he becomes Ross again. Could this have been achieved without their being in bed (timing aspect). Sure, why not? She's totally under surveillance in her own bedroom. Michael vs.Ross Definitely Ross. The hair, ladies, the hair!! And the accent, but of course. :)"}, {"response": 352, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Sep 13, 1998 (15:27)", "body": "Cheryl, vi gavarit'e po russki? Davay gavarim i nikto nas nye budet' ponial!:-)"}, {"response": 353, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 13, 1998 (18:31)", "body": "( Cheryle) The wheelchair thing was horrid. Too much S&M posing as a lesson in \ufffdnot quite sure. I know it was a repulsive scene...but IMO logical in the story line. I saw it like a \"initiation to a frat\" or a \"Marine boot-camp\"....degrading, humiliating but necessary for the person (Ross) to absolutely control the other (Jamie) henceforth. He definitely was Ross here."}, {"response": 354, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Sep 13, 1998 (20:47)", "body": "One of the few things I quite liked was that piano piece Ross persistently played on the piano."}, {"response": 355, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 15, 1998 (17:25)", "body": "(Cheryle) The wheelchair thing was horrid. Too much S&M posing as a lesson in \ufffdnot quite sure. (Evelyn)..but IMO logical in the story line. I saw it like a \"initiation to a frat\" or a \"Marine boot-camp\"....degrading, humiliating but necessary for the person (Ross) to absolutely control the other (Jamie) henceforth. He definitely was Ross here. Cheryl you made some excellent points about using the wine as the bait. Very cruel for someone who likes to drink. But she's not an alcoholic I think, which would have made it criminally cruel IMO. Liked your analogy, Evelyn, about the initiation aspect. When you're breaking a person, you have to go to the nth degree, push them to their \"so-called\" limits to get beyond. The only way I can imagine Eddie coming up with all these little games is that the real Ross did them to his wife. BTW, I think Jamie looked better in clown face. :) Her normal look is v. Linda Evangelista to me. Let's talk PEARLS...that's what got me started (and interested in doing PM) when Cheryle posted her first dissection of the story."}, {"response": 356, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 16, 1998 (01:26)", "body": "(Karen) Let's talk PEARLS... That pearl scene, IMO, is CF's finest hour in this film.He starts slow...builds the crescendo and culminates when he grinds-up the pearls. BTW, when Ross is coming down the stairs to fix her breakfast.... does it remind you of the similar stair descent at Netherfield? Let's talk the ending of PM. Why does she kill the agent? (Not that he didn't deserve it) Did Jamie love Michael? Or did she love Ross?"}, {"response": 357, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Wed, Sep 16, 1998 (10:36)", "body": "(Evelyn) Why does she kill the agent? Well, she said what she wanted to get out of her time with Ross was to tell people not to **** with her, \ufffdor for people NOT to **** with her (forget which). His main activity seemed to be sticking his hand down her shirt. He was a prime candidate. And he has has her management contract for a year or two more, though he didn\ufffdt lift a finger to help her. (Karen) Being Ross Talbot is sort of like a murder mystery dinner. That\ufffds stuck with me ever since you said it and it seems more and more the way I see it now ;-) Definitely preferred this accent to ATA's. Hands down. In ATA he reminded me v. much of...has anyone ever seen \"Darien Lambert\" (aka Dale Midkiff)of Star Trax \"fame\". Sci fi syndicated TV show, 3 or 4 seasons of episodes on cable stations. Dale looks similar to Darcy, with brown hair/eyes, but until 10 years into his career was one of the worst actors known to videotape. In the last season of Star Trax he got better, but he'll never make up for his version of Elvis in a made-for-tv movie controlled by Priscilla Presley, no less. I gues there was a whole lotta shakin goin on there . Anyway, what got left of C in ATA--accent, way he moves, etc., is eerily reminiscent of Dale at his best. Poor C. Maybe Dale got better in the past few years. Probably I\ufffdm the only person in the universe to relate these two. \ufffdshe has probably cried a lot over her life at the bar and Eddie has heard it all. No doubt. I keep thinking Ross hired Michael because that was my first impression, but that doesn\ufffdt work out with the rest of the totally believable plot. I think you hear it in his voice when he says \"I only wanted you to think that.\" That makes sense. But it wouldn\ufffdt have been the end of the world if \"Ross\" wasn\ufffdt supposed to have scruples. Or was it fear of messing up the murder mystery dinner theater? The hair, ladies, the hair!! Absolutely. With that hair, and how he moves in the Michael section he now reminds me of a better-looking Brad Dourif. I adore Brad and he\ufffds one of the best actors in the world (Cuckoo\ufffds Nest, Ragtime\ufffdmore recently Mississippi Burning, episodes of Millennium and X Files, voice of Chucky the murderous doll in that movie series), but he doesn\ufffdt look like C. (Arami) Cheryl, vi gavarit'e po russki? Ach, it\ufffds been sooo long, and was sooo tumultuous. I never wrote without Cyrillic letters\ufffdEzvenetsia, pazhalsta\ufffdspaciba bolshoi\ufffd I\ufffdll get back to you ;-) piano piece Ross persistently played on the piano. It was nice. I wonder if it\ufffds in the music credits. Never watched the credits \ufffdafter C dies, what\ufffds the point? J (Karen) Let's talk PEARLS... (Evelyn) That pearl scene, IMO, is CF's finest hour in this film. He starts slow...builds the crescendo and culminates when he grinds-up the pearls. Tell me how far off I am, those of you more familiar with every single scene DB has done: I can\ufffdt think of many scenes where he is playing against just one woman in a well-crafted, balanced dramatic scene. The Darcy/Elizabeth scenes are beloved; JA knew those scenes would tell us what we want to know about a man. But nearly all of the other scenes that come to mind when I think of C are of him by himself (AMITC and waiting in the cab in TEP), or him in scenes with many people (in V, breakfast out oors when he urges Cecile\ufffds mother not to marry her to Gercourt, many in H, etc.) In V, he\ufffds often around lots of people. In AZ, he\ufffds not in opposition to his mother, really (fault of the script), and there\ufffds that homoerotic thing happening. CofF, his scene of paying off Nan is short. He doesn\ufffdt get a lot of Richard Burton/Elizabeth Taylor stuff, does he? (Karen) Did Jamie love Michael? Or did she love Ross? Did she love anybody? I missed that part. \ufffdBut she's not an alcoholic I think,\ufffd Well, 1) she thinks she shouldn\ufffdt drink so much (big hint). 2) Eddie and friends tell her to lay off, and most bartenders don\ufffdt say that unless they think you have a problem (based on experience of my reformed alcoholic friends). Eddie tells her this early on, before his scheme. 3) The way she says to the cops (on the phone), I haven\ufffdt had a drink in two days! (or all week or whatever)\ufffdThat\ufffds alcoholic behavior, to be proud of a week without drinking. I do think it\ufffds criminal, but if the pearls can be used for manipulation, why not her alcoholism. BTW, I must admit. The first time I saw PM I really didn\ufffdt know if the pearls would get ground up. I thought maybe \"Ross\" would pull them out later to jerk her around some more (the same way after she shoots him, I thought he would come to her house and we'd find out it was part of the exercise.) But I was kind of glad, in the context of the exercise, the pearls went. If you really want to change, all kinds of things have to go, and that's a good point to make. But I didn't care about them enough bec use I didn\ufffdt know I was supposed to until then. I don\ufffdt remember a single reference to her mother or the pearls before \"Ross\" serves them up. On second viewing I"}, {"response": 358, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Sep 16, 1998 (23:39)", "body": "The pearls? Well I suppose Michael is playing Ross here at full crescendo - the ultimate sadistic manipulator. Good lesson, yes, but if I hadn't thought Ross was a psycho up to that point, I'd believe it now. Would Michael, as Ross, have turned on the garbage disposal if Jamie had gone in to retrieve the necklace? The big test and I think Michael would have failed. So what's your take on the pearls, Karen? We see Ross wearing glasses in a couple of scenes but never in front of Jamie. Is he Michael then? I know he's always Michael but is he not in character when he's studying her through the monitors? (Evelyn) Did Jamie love Michael? Or did she love Ross? Good question and of course I don't know the answer. I'd think it would have to be Ross. She doesn't know Michael at all unless she falls in love with him on the rocks. ;-) There is a semi-cute scene where we only see Ross after he's done with her makeup. Her back is to us and she's being rather playful with him, tweaking his nose and playfully slapping his face when he calls her \"almost perfect\". Maybe she was falling in love with him by then. (Karen) Her normal look is v. Linda Evangelista to me. That's it! I think Jamie is kind of pretty though but she's incredibly gawky - not graceful at all. (Evelyn) BTW, when Ross is coming down the stairs to fix her breakfast.... does it remind you of the similar stair descent at Netherfield? But he doesn't give a little hippy hop at the bottom! (Cheryl) I can\ufffdt think of many scenes where he is playing against just one woman in a well-crafted, balanced dramatic scene. I have to concede you're right. I thought about it and came up with a fair number such as Mrs. Keach/Birkin in the belfry and Paul Ashworth/Sarah during their fight after the stampede. There are others such as scenes in Master of the Moor and other roles less accessible to us but you've made me realize there aren't a lot of his movies where he plays a dramatic role against a woman.Too bad we have to count this movie as one of them. But if we count this then we have to count 1000 Acres too. I can't believe no one has talked about the shower scenes. Such serious girls we are."}, {"response": 359, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Sep 17, 1998 (01:11)", "body": "Okay, Heide, you want shower scene. Here ya go: Well they coulda shown him FULL MONTY:-0"}, {"response": 360, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 17, 1998 (02:07)", "body": "(Cheryle)....( Karen) Did Jamie love Michael? Or did she love Ross? I said that, not Karen. (Hate to lay my stupid questions on another person.....sorry, Karen) The reason I alluded to that is because at the end as she is leaning over the fence the voice-over (hers)...\"I don't really do this kind of thing..but you remind me of someone...someone I once knew...someone who broke my heart\". Then when I viewed it again, I realized those were the lines she was to say in the PM audition. Still, I had the feeling she cared for him in a bizarre sort of way.....(hell, the whole damn thing is bizarre) Motorcycle/ shower scenes. I know this was a low budget film...but does anyone think they used a double for these scenes.? Does CF ride a Harley...he looks the type.(Daring...risk-taker....vis-a vis RF) I know he must shower.....and.....oh -you-know-what-I-mean. I do think Ross had the whole thing scripted right to the end....at first he takes her car keys. Then after she kills Ross,she jumps in the jeep and guess what...the keys are in the ignition. Ross knew exactly what she was going to do. Someone inquired about the music Ross plays on the piano. The credits don't list it...must be original music by a Mark Snow. Anyone else like the scene when he's dancing with her? Sorta' sweet. Has he ever danced in any contemporary film? Mobetta American accent than ATA. LOL at Cheryle's comparison of Jess with the Elvis look-a-like actor. I've looked at this film four times since we started....enough already."}, {"response": 361, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 17, 1998 (15:44)", "body": "(Evelyn) BTW, when Ross is coming down the stairs to fix her breakfast.... does it remind you of the similar stair descent at Netherfield? I'm just going to have to take another look, but my VCR seems to be stuck on a scene a little earlier. ;-) Why does she kill the agent? (Not that he didn't deserve it) This has always bothered me and is just another indication of what a poor film this is. Granted the agent more than deserved it, but does Jamie think she will get away with this. Here she is--finally successful--this would be after she has made PM--and she throws it all away by killing her scummy agent. Have I missed something? Does the gun she uses have someone else's fingerprints on them? Can't be Eddie's gun? Cops won't believe he rose from the dead to do this one as well. Very dissatisfying end ng and totally unbelievable. Did Jamie love Michael? Or did she love Ross? Again, I find it unbelievable that she would love either. One roll in z'hay and another on z'rocks wouldn't do it, especially since in the latter he was doing it for a job. (Cheryle) He doesn\ufffdt get a lot of Richard Burton/Elizabeth Taylor stuff, does he? Taking it down one notch, wouldn't you love to see him in the Giancarlo Giannini role in Swept Away? I know terribly non-PC, but that film keeps popping up in my mind as being a great showcasing role for him. (I haven't seen it but it does strike me as possible that the Anne Heche/Harrison Ford movie might have been an updated version of Lina Wertmueller's classic.) 1) she thinks she shouldn\ufffdt drink so much (big hint). 2) Eddie and friends tell her to lay off, and most bartenders don\ufffdt say that unless they think you have a problem...3) The way she says to the cops (on the phone), I haven\ufffdt had a drink in two days! Good points, Cheryle. Missed those clues. A bartender definitely knows. (Evelyn) Has he ever danced in any contemporary film? There was Dutch Girls, but he's supposed to be a 17-year old in that one and very shy and awkward with the girls. It definitely shows in his slow dance with Romelia. He looks pretty good here. Wouldn't mind swaying to the music with Ross/Michael, no indeedy!! More later."}, {"response": 362, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Sep 17, 1998 (16:44)", "body": "(Cheryle) On second viewing I see all the hokey close-ups on the pearl twirling, but it still means nothing to me. (Heide) So what's your take on the pearls, Karen? When Cheryle had first mentioned them in her plot outline post I was struck by the symbolism of the pearls. How perfectly they represented the Jamie that had to go for her to be successful as an actor. When you think about pearls, the image is always prim and proper, white gloves, 1950s and '60s graduation pictures in cashmere sweaters. Pearls look warm but are not. Pearls look hard but are not. They can be crushed. I thought about how pearls are created (not the simulated variety). An oyster gets i ritated (natural or cultured--makes no difference) and secretes nacre, which builds up around the foreign object. Jamie has years of another type of protective coating inhibiting her ability to express her emotions. Pearls are never perfect, except those of the simulated variety. They always have flaws. They can also lose their lustre--another component of value. (FYI, the other two are color and size.) The pearl twirling is very typical behavior. I don't know anybody with pearls of a decent length who doesn't play with them. One becomes very attached to them and likes the feel. What has this to do with Jamie, they become an unconscious extension of her. Very valid IMO. (Heide) We see Ross wearing glasses in a couple of scenes but never in front of Jamie. Is he Michael then? How about Michael trying to figure out what Ross would do? Needs help *seeing*? (major groaning, here) :-) she's being rather playful with him, tweaking his nose and playfully slapping his face when he calls her \"almost perfect\". Maybe she was falling in love with him by then. I remember that one two and it struck me as neither was acting at the time. Seemed way tooooo natural, like we got a peek of Colin. (I know, not possible.) (Evelyn) Hate to lay my stupid questions on another person.....sorry, Karen I'd be more than happy to claim your brilliant question, Evelyn!! ;-) someone...someone I once knew...someone who broke my heart\". Maybe she meant Eddie. He really let her down and they did have a relationship of friend to friend (although it was apparent he was trying to make it something more and was rebuffed). A friend's betrayal could lead to a comment like that. I still can't believe she meant either Ross or Michael. No way!! Then when I viewed it again, I realized those were the lines she was to say in the PM audition. Missed that one. So now she's substituting lines from a movie for real life. I've seen that in another movie. Hmmm, which one???? This will kill me until I remember. ...but given that she and Michael were the Playmakers, very appropriate that she uses those lines. Wouldn't you say? Motorcycle/ shower scenes. I know this was a low budget film...but does anyone think they used a double for these scenes.? No way. Love my big new TV. See so much better with it."}, {"response": 363, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 17, 1998 (22:24)", "body": "(Heide) We see Ross wearing glasses in a couple of scenes but never in front of Jamie. Is he Michael then? I think he is Michael when he is wearing glasses. He wears them in the dark room at the beginning as he sees Jamie approaching the house. Then later in the dark room as he is developing photos. And then at the end when he is reclining on the bed (I like those feet too, Bethan....BIG). Apparently,Michael had a vision deficiency and Ross didn't. Re: Motorcycle/Shower Scenes..used doubles?? (Karen) No way. Gee, I'm glad. I'd hate to think he wasn't riding that motorcycle.....:-))))"}, {"response": 364, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 17, 1998 (22:33)", "body": "Re: Pearls: Thank you Karen, for all the information on pearls....(CF films always lead us to inquire about other topics) Your take on the symbolism is v. logical. But I wonder if the screen writers saw that. I felt that the whole thing was sort of thrown together. BTW in the credits it says that \"PM is based on a screenPLAY by blah, blah, blah, AND a Story by blah, blah,blah.\" How could so many writers come up with a film with so many holes???"}, {"response": 365, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Sep 17, 1998 (22:45)", "body": "Gee, I'm glad. I'd hate to think he wasn't riding that motorcycle.....:-)))) LOL!!! Keep going, ladies......you've really got into this discussion. I never realised PM could be so interesting! I still haven't got any intellectual comment to make. Am still focusing on those elegant (but big) feet!"}, {"response": 366, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 18, 1998 (01:06)", "body": "you've really got into this discussion. I never realised PM could be so interesting Hey, by the time we finish people are going to wonder why it wasn't nominated for an Oscar."}, {"response": 367, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Sep 18, 1998 (01:46)", "body": "(Evelyn) Hey, by the time we finish people are going to wonder why it wasn't nominated for an Oscar. Apparently,Michael had a vision deficiency and Ross didn't. LOLOLOL!! You're in fine form, Evelyn. But then this film inspires jokes. Karen, dear, leave it up to you to find the symbolism in the pearls. Not that I find fault with your reasoning - an extension of her. She's wearing those \"lovely\" sweater vests and long dresses (kind of cheap Laura Ashley) in the beginning. After she loses the pearls she's in that little black cocktail dress (not her choice, I know). She becomes quite chic in the end. S-t-r-e-t-c-i-n-g? I'd have to admit I am. After all, she's also quite rich and can afford better clothes. Like Evelyn, I don't think s ch symbolism would even register with the creators of this film. It does seem all thrown together. By the way, even though her clothing is quite awful in the beginning, she sure wears sexy underwear. Many women save theirs for special occasions. Did she want to make sure her stuff matched, just in case? ;-) There, Bethan, that's my intellectual contribution. Come and join us."}, {"response": 368, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Fri, Sep 18, 1998 (11:40)", "body": "(Heide) The pearls?\ufffdhave turned on the garbage disposal\ufffd I can see two scenarios. 1)Ross couldn\ufffdt have done it, he\ufffdd have been arrested. Rape you can get away with but human sausage-making is a no-no\ufffdAlternatively, 2)if he did, he could have claimed to the authorities it was an accident, and there\ufffds no proof otherwise. I think our man would have made decision trees and flow charts and planned his options either way. We see Ross wearing glasses\ufffd I\ufffdd completely forgotten about the glasses in the control room! It does link them, I suppose, in the mind of the genius who wrote in the pearl-twirling as a significant gesture without making much of it. (As Karen says, playing with long pearls is such a common thing\ufffdthat\ufffds probably why I didn\ufffdt even notice it in a normal viewing.) But now I wonder: what was Michael doing when he wasn\ufffdt wearing glasses in the control room: stumbling around blind, or popping in his contacts quick like a bunny? Another hole. we have to count 1000 Acres too. Was there a scene with him at odds with either sister? Forgot. I can't believe no one has talked about the shower scenes. Such serious girls we are. Hard to add to what\ufffds already been said, even though I haven\ufffdt read half of it. ;-) I thought I could barely see him bring his right hand down in a possible reflex reaction to, um, protect himself before leaving the glass bricks, and then drop it when he stalks out of the shower, camera tilting up. Orchestration with the cameraperson? I still have to go back and find the navigation coordinates (six blocks down, for blocks across...)I read on an old board (by Karen?) for a Loch Ness-type sighting. Stil one of the biggest laughs of my little life. (Karen) Okay, Heide, you want shower scene. Here ya go: All I have is a big empty space. Am I missing something again? :-( (Evelyn) \ufffd those were the lines she was to say in the PM audition. An acting class or another audition, I believe. Those lines were at the very beginning, before she drank so much she got sick and threw up and lay on the bathroom floor and thus found out about PM. (another AA alert I forgot). Still, I had the feeling she cared for him in a bizarre sort of way I could see it. For the Michael as Ross persona : most people want to be drawn out, to have somebody force them to reach into their depths because we\ufffdre too chicken to do it ourselves (#1 reason why actors like to act.)(And why S&M is more profitable than extreme sports or dieting.) Given that Michael/Ross wasn\ufffdt as slimy as Ross/Ross probably would have been, she could have cared for him until she thought he was going to kill her. Then, when Michael is killed and she kills Eddie and she has time to r flect on the past knowing that Michael was a pawn and she got him killed, \ufffd..well, they did share things, and there are few things as mystically attractive to me as a fab interlude that you can never have again. Motorcycle/ shower scenes. I know this was a low budget film...but does anyone think they used a double for these scenes.? I\ufffdd guess for part of the motorcycle scene, because the insurance on him for the film would have been less. But I remember thinking the same thing and there\ufffds one rip-roaring shot where it had to be him (reminded me of him on a galloping horse :-). For the shower pas de deux , definitely . It really struck me the second time\ufffdtheir voices against unrealistic visuals. For some of her positions she would have had to be standing on a box, and the people in the shower don't move like our stars. But I guess that\ufffds artistic license for ya. Colin wouldn't have done it, since with his professional stature he wouldn't have had to and we KNOW how much this flick meant to him. Someone inquired about the music Ross plays on the piano. The credits don't list it...must be original music by a Mark Snow. I missed the composer (can we give her a prize, Heide or Nan?), but I did discover that the only thing he plays is the ragtime/silent film type music to accompany the famous wheelchair scene. The piece I think we\ufffdre referring to is a theme (their theme) that gets repeated, and probably was original. Anyone else like the scene when he's dancing with her? Adored it. \ufffdJess with the Elvis look-a-like actor. Never repeat never watch \"My Life With Elvis.\" However, one day soon I\ufffdll post some pictures of Dale and take a vote. You won\ufffdt be a able to judge how they move, which is really the main characteristic that\ufffds similar, but why not. (Karen) Why does she kill the agent?\ufffd gun she uses have someone else's fingerprints on them? \ufffd I still think it\ufffds because 1)the one thing she told Michael/Ross she wanted was to tell people not to **** with her any more. This she was telling the agent, when she said she didn\ufffdt need him. As she said, he was a liar and manipulator and rapist. 2) He had her under contract for 2 more years. She\ufffds assuming his out-of-the way office (\"small little man in a corner office\", repeating his lie about why he \"didn\ufffdt\" know about PM auditions) is a "}, {"response": 369, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Fri, Sep 18, 1998 (11:42)", "body": "OH NO! Italic hell!"}, {"response": 370, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 18, 1998 (16:32)", "body": "(Evelyn) How could so many writers come up with a film with so many holes??? Sometimes that's the reason. You know the one about 'too many cooks...' ;-) Hey, by the time we finish people are going to wonder why it wasn't nominated for an Oscar. You mean it wasn't!! Coulda knocked me over with a feather! ;-o (Bethan) Am still focusing on those elegant (but big) feet! Always good to go with one's strengths, I always say. And you're so good at focusing on....things! :) (Heide) she sure wears sexy underwear. Many women save theirs for special occasions. Did she want to make sure her stuff matched, just in case? ;-) Too funny. And I thought we had noticed just about everything there was. ;-) Like Evelyn, I don't think such symbolism would even register with the creators of this film. It does seem all thrown together. Absolutely, I hope no one here think that the pearl symbolism was meant to be intentional. That's just what occurred to me and seemed totally appropriate to the character. Yeah, they probably stumbled into it. (Cheryle) For the shower pas de deux, definitely. (snip) Colin wouldn't have done it, since with his professional stature he wouldn't have had to and we KNOW how much this flick meant to him. So it's your opinion that Colin wouldn't do the second shower scene, but he did do the first one. He also stripped down on the rocks. How is the second shower scene any different? It's not like they actually showed him doing any hard core pornographic acts. Who should play against him? What a great little casting exercise for subway rides and other forced down time. Excellent notion. Can we get therights? ;-) Whoa honey!! I claim rights to be executive producer. Casting the Mariangela Melato role has been giving me nightmares. Rewatched the film last night as hadn't since it played in theaters, and found that it was more S&Mish than I remembered. Colin's \"18-year\" rants would work very well in the part. Of course the political commentary would have to be updated. Actually, you could probably give us Colin's grocery list and license plate and we could make something of it. I know a funny story about this involving Truffaut(who was a critic before he was a director) and Hitchcock), but I don't need to tell it because we are in the process of doing that very thing ourselves ;-) Don't worry, dearie, on this trashola movie, it's all in fun. BTW, do you have his grocery list? I'll take a crack at it later. ;-D"}, {"response": 371, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Sep 19, 1998 (01:20)", "body": "Arami, can this be our first project? No floor sweeping for you, my dear. We'll need all hands on deck for this one! Cheryl, have I been promoted now? Bless you! And let's go to it! (Karen) 'too many cooks...' ;-) Are you sure it's the right spelling? ;-)"}, {"response": 372, "author": "nan", "date": "Sat, Sep 19, 1998 (02:36)", "body": "(Karen) 'too many cooks...' ;-) (Arami) Are you sure it's the right spelling? ;-) LOL!"}, {"response": 373, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Sep 19, 1998 (03:19)", "body": "(Karen) 'too many cooks...' ;-) (Arami) Are you sure it's the right spelling? ;-) LOL! ] I don't get it."}, {"response": 374, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Sat, Sep 19, 1998 (05:18)", "body": "(Karen) 'too many cooks...' ;-) (Arami) Are you sure it's the right spelling? ;-) LOL! ] I don't get it. Think \"rooster\", Laura. ;-)"}, {"response": 375, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sat, Sep 19, 1998 (10:48)", "body": "(Karen) So it's your opinion that Colin wouldn't do the second shower scene, but he did do the first one. He also stripped down on the rocks. How is the second shower scene any different? It's not like they actually showed him doing any hard core pornographic acts. Most actors hate doing love scenes, and despise sex scenes. (Famously, even porn stars have to be high to begin.) Unless it's absolutely necessary for the shot (like in TEP when ?Katherine? gets into the tub with that homewrecker Baron), they get a body double. Same with insert shots (Michael/Ross's hand throwing the pearls into the disposal, which BTW was shot wrong--it's his left hand when it should be his right hand, and v. jarring. A production doesn\ufffdt waste an actor's time unless they\ufffdre idiots. The \"closeup of hand throwing pearls into disposal\" shot and the \"closeup of finger on disposal button\" might be, for example, somebody in wardrobe's hand. The bodies in the shower scene could be the two stand-ins for all we know. (Stand-ins, surprisingly enough, stand in for stars during the long hot tiresome process of setting up the lights for each shot. They should resemble the actor in height and coloring.) Bottom line is, you don't waste anybody\ufffds energy when somebody further down the food chain could do it for you cheaper. Also, I don't know if it was a union picture, but the two squirming bodies could have been paid only as extras. It's possible we even saw them later, clothed, in the Callback Bar. If these two actors had spoken, and if it were a union picture (which it probably was), the extras would have been bumped up the pay scale to \"day players\", and gotten paid more. So the producer probably used two anonymous bodies they had already rented to go with two voices: Colin and Jenifer's Another thing to consider: I remember reading on these boards somewhere one of you quoting C on just this subject, something about \"bums going up and down.\" :-) If anyone would invoke his right to a double, he would have. (Oh no. Sorry ladies! I just realized I might be disappointing people.) He had to come out of the first shower scene, to intimidate Jamie. Then he had to take it off on the rocks, because Michael is being humiliated. The nudity was necessary for the story (hey Nan, it could have been worse: a bad movie with NO extra C for your viewing pleasure ;-). I hope no one here think that the pearl symbolism was meant to be intentional. Geez, Karen, no time to be modest. I sent it to someone at Film Comment and he wants you to do freelance work! I claim rights to be executive producer. As well you should, you genius. That means you find the money? Does the saga of this production go on one of the existing boards or do we need another one ;-). Can I be one of the writers (non-credited is fine) and director? I'll look around to see if I can find the script so we can get started. BTW, do you have his grocery list? Me and my big mouth. All I'll say is, they need to be eating more fruits and vegetables. (Arami) Cheryl, have I been promoted now? Bless you! And let's go to it! I knew we could count on you! And hey, you're the one who wanted to do the floors. (You think we don't see that with broom, you have an excuse to go anywhere at any time. I'll bet you have a French maid's outfit too, knowing C's predilection for \"foreign\" women. ;-)) Speak to Boss Karen, but I hope you take another position. You can still wear the outfit. Are you sure it's the right spelling? ;-) LOL!!! I\ufffdm stealing your new and improved proverb. I\ufffdm sure this was the original form of it. ;-D"}, {"response": 376, "author": "kibako", "date": "Sat, Sep 19, 1998 (12:34)", "body": "Knock, knock ... may I come in? I intended to go through your previous PM discussion first, but didn't get the time to do so -at least not through the whole thing, just the beginning - and as Evelyn pleased me so forceful to come over from #97 and join ... here I am. But I have to warn you, I'm not only ignorant of what you've posted till now, I even haven't re-watched PM before writing this ... and at that, as I'm 'foreign' it isn't too unlikely that there are always some details and nuances which may escape me, so, please don't regard my comments with a too critical eye. Oh, of course you can correct me, never mind another point of view, of course not, quite the contrary, I'd like to be put on the right way. All right, that's enough of that 'preface' stuff, let's get going! (CherylE) Michael would also have been through all these acting classes and exercises before, and because he isn't doing so well in the business could relish the role of the sadistic master instead of village idiot. Like your comments, Cheryl, but can't follow you there. The main problem I have with this movie, or more with it's plot, is, that it escapes me, how an actor with poor acting abilities - as Colin is introduced as Michael at the end - should be able to replace (i.e. to *act* like) someone who is so completely different to him for such a long time - OK, he takes some 'breaks' as e.g. in the scissors scene, but still, such a long time. And re. 'those acting classes and exercises' : Ross Talbert, the 'r al' one, is described as a class of his own, sort of 'guru'. And I suppose Michael 'only' has studied at one 'out of the usual catalogue', otherwise he wouldn't have such difficulties to get casted. But I may be wrong with all this. Eddie might have given him *the* script, the one which enabled even a poor actor to act his (and the audience's) socks off. Seems not to be too likely from my point of view, after all, Eddie is 'only' the bartender (sorry, no offend to any bartender, they might be the best wri ers of all IRL) And for the 'relish the role of sadistic master' thing, I cant' imagine a Michael character to do this. I imagine him to feel ill at ease in the sadistic role, hardly able to disguise his indisposition from his audience. Don't forget, it isn't really theatre, because Jamie doesn't play a role there, Jamie is real and I think he must be aware of this from the beginning. But my point of view may be a bit a 'black and white' one. I do not know any actor personally, but they are sometim s said to be quite ... um, how can I put it ... don't find the right word ... different, unusual .. whatever .. . what I'm driving at is, that there might be a remote possibility that it really is the role of his lifetime. While thinking about this another thought occurs to me: All those psychological things Michael as Ross knows about Jamie - I could imagine the 'real' RT to be able to seize Jamie's weaknesses and problems at first sight. But I do have difficulties either to consider Michael being able to seize them in that way or - even more unlikely for me - to imagine Eddie giving him such a detailed and sensitive description/script, that enabled Michael to make such an apt analysis of Jamie's (here above all I'm thinki g about that pearl necklace/mother thing). (Heide) He had fooled me anyway. I think the one who fooled us is Colin, not Michael. Sorry, but I can't help feeling, that there is a gap in the plot, that is not to be closed by what they are giving us with that movie. (Laura) I think I definitely like this movie better whilst drunk. Great idea! I'll try that the next time 'll watch PM, perhaps it gives me the final clue. Break. ... got to get some wine before re-watching PM ..."}, {"response": 377, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Sep 19, 1998 (12:59)", "body": "I compliment you ladies for such an extensive discussion on perhaps my least favorite CF movie! Of course, we always welcome nude scenes. I would like to join the film crew too, maybe you need a European coordinator? How about it producer?"}, {"response": 378, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 19, 1998 (20:57)", "body": "(Moon) I compliment you ladies for such an extensive discussion on perhaps my least favorite CF movie! Hey Moon, we didn't say it was our favorite. Most of us rank it way down there. But in any film discussion this gang really gives it their best shot. BTW thanks Kirsten for jumping it. You gave us lots of good analysis there. I shall let Cheryle answer your comments since you directed them to her. But this is what we want to hear from everyone . It doesn't have to be academic....or even complimentary in content. Most of us are amenable. And when we're not it's usually a cultural difference I find. With several countries represented there's bound to be differences of opinions which we respect. We do have Freedom of Speech...but it does not mean license to indulge in personal abuses or ridicule. So there....all you lurkers....let's heah' from youse!! (Aw shuddup,Evelyn)"}, {"response": 379, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Sep 19, 1998 (21:37)", "body": "(Cheryl) for a Loch Ness-type sighting When you or anyone else spots Nessie, tell Bethan and she will show you the secret *hand shake* known only to an elite few. ;-D Stand-ins, surprisingly enough, stand in for stars during the long hot tiresome process of setting up the lights for each shot. Very true. I've seen it when the crews have been around here on location. I've never seen a more boring and tedious process. He had to come out of the first shower scene, to intimidate Jamie. Intimidate??? Not the word I'd use. ;-) As well you should, you genius. Already sucking up! OK, you get to be director and will collaborate on the script. Was thinking (if Renate doesn't mind) of using Topic #85 to discuss the project. Will need an assistant (first things, first) capable of juggling more than two balls in the air simultaneously. I'm only capable of doing two. Strike that. Will honor long-standing Hollywood tradition and have two assistants. One to do the work and one to follow me around (will be total chauvinist and hire a male for latter role). Have dea for updating of story that will still anger most feminists, but will work. (Kirsten) (Knock, knock ... may I come in? Absolutely. We love to hear all sorts of opinions and other nonclassifiable stuff here. For someone who hasn't intently studied this classic of the silver screen, you've made some excellent observations. I imagine him to feel ill at ease in the sadistic role, hardly able to disguise his indisposition from his audience. Don't forget, it isn't really theatre, because Jamie doesn't play a role there, Jamie is real and I think he must be aware of this from the beginning. But Michael doesn't know that anyone is going to be killed. At the end, he is very surprised at that. For money, desperate people will do all sorts of things. We don't know how this was explained to Michael. It could have been explained as an elaborate joke on an old friend, an acting test for a very important part, who knows. He had a job and was given a detailed script and some general guidelines for how the scenario was likely to be played out. As an actor he would be fairly proficient in improv, so he should be able to respond to slight changes in the *script* (Kirsten) Sorry, but I can't help feeling, that there is a gap in the plot, that is not to be closed by what they are giving us with that movie. Jillions of gaps. Agreed. And a million mistakes, gaffes, etc. Love it when everyone finds more errors in this film. This could be quite a new game. Wrong hand shot, huh, Cheryl? (Moon) Of course, we always welcome nude scenes. ...with open arms. ;-) I would like to join the film crew too, maybe you need a European coordinator? How about it producer? Coordinator of what??? Hey, when has that ever mattered. We'll talk later on 85 when Colin's agent (that's you, Renate) gets him to sign on the dotted line. (Evelyn) Most of us rank it way down there. Way down there. But that should stop us from talking about it. Should it? ;-D (Aw shuddup,Evelyn) Who said that? ;-D"}, {"response": 380, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Sep 19, 1998 (22:16)", "body": "Okay, make way for the intellectual heavyweight.....I actually have something to contribute and (guess what!) it's about the second shower scene! Cheryl, you don't mean to say I've spent all those hours and hours and hours of close study...for a stand-in !!! No way, it is Him. My sixth sense tells me so. And it looks like him anyway, even through the fuzzy glass! A slight diversion from PM (but please all keep on track!). I've just watched part of the first episode of the miniseries of \"The Shining\" on TV....the role that Colin turned down. A sensible choice, I think. You just can't follow the movie..it's all been done. But, strangely, the actor who played Jack rather resembled (IMHO) CF as Michael. And isn't Pat Hingle in ATA? OK, back to those fuzzy glass panes..!!"}, {"response": 381, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 19, 1998 (23:25)", "body": "OK, back to those fuzzy glass panes..!! A \"stand-in\" ?? What a job.....!!! Oh well...somebody's gotta do it :-))) I'm with you Bethan.....Hate to think the guy in the shower is not Ross!! Time to give the Navigation Coordinates for Shower Scene #2. \" Loch Ness-Sighting.\"... LOLROF Are we gonna talk about feet?You're on Bethan... How about The Rock Scene for Monday......."}, {"response": 382, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Sep 19, 1998 (23:52)", "body": "(Karen) Will need an assistant (first things, first) capable of juggling more than two balls in the air simultaneously. Groan! Sorry, sorry, I shouldn't have let my mind even go there but that's what this movie does to me. Great catch, Cheryl, with the right hand/left hand garbage disposal scene. Makes me almost want to re-watch though I'm waiting for Bethan's explicit instructions for the shower scene. Logically, I know you're right, Cheryl, but it's fun anyway. (Kirstin)for the 'relish the role of sadistic master' thing, I can't imagine a Michael character to do this. I imagine him to feel ill at ease in the sadistic role, hardly able to disguise his indisposition from his audience. I completely agree. True, he doesn't know anyone will be killed but he still has to play the role of someone easily interpreted as a sadist (from Eddie's point of view). Lesson #1, making her walk blindfolded through the house and letting her fall down the stairs. Lesson #2, threatening to grind her hand or her pearls in the disposal. Lesson #3, the make-up/wheelchair scene. I use this to bolster my contention that Michael can not be a lousy actor if he can make us believe he's Ross just some people n the film tell us he is. (Cheryl) Is she rich? I thought she was broke Sorry, must explain myself. I meant, when talking about Jamie's clothing, that she had money only at the end after she was an ACTRESS! and she started dressing better. It was a stupid point of mine though. I can't believe we've gotten so many good points out of this discussion though. Evelyn, you're doing a terrific job keeping us in line. The rocks scene next? Could be fun."}, {"response": 383, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Sep 20, 1998 (00:17)", "body": "Hey just wondering... if there are any lurkers out there, why don't you come and post what you think about this discussion. It would be nice to get some fresh perspectives on what we are talking about. This is NOT an exclusive club at all!!!! Laura Trying to market the place:)"}, {"response": 384, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 20, 1998 (02:31)", "body": "(Laura) if there are any lurkers out there, why don't you come and post what you think about this discussion. It would be nice to get some fresh perspectives on what we are talking about Do you mean \"what you think about PM?\" or \"what (content) we are discussing?\" If it's the latter..... Laura....that's known as\" setting yourself up\". I don't go for this \"sensitivity workshop\" stuff. We have had a good time discussing, or I should say \"dissecting\", this film....given it more time than it deserves.I am not going to hang out there and have lots of people tell me what a damn fool I am..... I know that"}, {"response": 385, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Sep 20, 1998 (07:32)", "body": "(Cheryl) I thought I could barely see him bring his right hand down in a possible reflex reaction to, um, protect himself before leaving the glass bricks, and then drop it when he stalks out of the shower, camera tilting up. Orchestration with the cameraperson? Cheryl dear, I must thank you for yet another excuse to watch that scene again. All in the cause of thorough film analysis, don't you know."}, {"response": 386, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Sun, Sep 20, 1998 (16:34)", "body": "I've just re-watched PM and here's what striked me: The photo shooting at the beginning: Why had it been directed in that way, rather 'action like', with short cuts, all the flash lights and him thus shouting? Obviously to create some excitement, but in the rest of the movie they've produced the threatening, excitement producing moments in a more restrained way, rather with the choice of music than by the acting of the protagonists, or the way they've cut the scenes. First showering: Why is she surprised finding him in the shower? She must have heard the running water while approaching. (But, admittedly, I didn't catch, what she is saying while entering the bathroom) The 'shopping' story: It's her choice there, but why did she chose something that doesn't suit her? Wouldn't one usually take something correspondent to one's type, or to the type one wiches to be? But surely nothing to feel ill at ease with, no? (Heide) ... after he's done her make up ... she's been rather playful with him ... may be she was falling in love with him then. IMO her behviour there doesn't fit in with the rest. I'd say you show such gestures only to someone you know well, someone who's close to you. And I think that's not the case with J and M/R (Evelyn) Did Jamie love Michael? Or did she love Ross? Neither M nor R, I'd say. That's why: Jamie says after the thing with the wheelchair: 'I want to tell people to stop fucking with me.' and then - another contradiction in the movie - just after that she makesM/R to do exactly that. I can't imagine her doing is motivated by love. She asks him 'What do you want, Ross?', that implies to me, that she is only trying to please him, to answer his demands. And she's tempting him just in the moment, when she is realising that he's losing control (as she admits later on). She starts by saying 'Let's pl y.', i.e. act = pretend, and then, 'What are you feeling, Ross, you have to know, what you're feeling.' Why would she say that -exactly what he asked her to start lesson no.1 -, if not to show, that she's only 'playing a game', acting in a play, where now she's the master. Why is he always wearing different clothes , whereas she hasn't even brought one thing to change for the whole weekend? (CherylE) What was Michael doing, when he wasn't wearing his glasses in the control room ... stumbling around blind ... another hole. He doesn't only take off his glasses to play Ross. Even as Michael he isn't always wearing them - noticed, he doesn't wear the glasses on the rocks, but before, in the car. And for the stumbling: Not everyone wearing glasses is as blind without them as to be unable to trace his way (as I know well out of my own experience) So, not necessarily another hole:-) (Evelyn) Hey, by the time we finish, people are going to wonder why it wasn't nominated fo an Oscar. LOL!!! BTW, has qnybody ever tried to hide in a grand piano? As always with PM: more questions than answers."}, {"response": 387, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sun, Sep 20, 1998 (16:37)", "body": "(Karen) Will need an assistant (first things, first) capable of juggling more than two balls in the air simultaneously. (Heide)Groan! Sorry, sorry, I shouldn't have let my mind even go there but that's what this movie does to me. ROTFLMAO! She forgets that for once she won\ufffdt need more than two...;-) one to follow me around (will be total chauvinist and hire a male for latter role) Absolute boy toy, as is your right and obligation. But if he could spell well enough to get our lunch orders right, that would be a plus. when Colin's agent (that's you, Renate) gets him to sign on the dotted line. Well, we\ufffdre a virtual production company (Virtual Productions?); we\ufffdre getting virtual positions; maybe Renate could get a virtual contract? I bet she\ufffdll have outrageous demands on his behalf, and I can\ufffdt wait to see them. Negotiate well for us, fearless leader! Pretend we\ufffdre also considering Rupert Graves or somebody else you fancy. (Moon Dreams) would like to join the film crew too, maybe you need a European coordinator? How about it producer? (Karen)Coordinator of what??? Oh, I\ufffdm sure we\ufffdll need to shoot a great deal in Europe. How could it be Swept Away Revisited otherwise? But Moon, you don\ufffdt want to be stuck in an office doing paperwork. Go for European production manager, or if you don\ufffdt want to work that hard, work with the lighting or camera people(1st Assistant Director?). Then you\ufffdre always around for every shot. If you\ufffdre totally selfish, you could be in charge of hair and makeup ;-) But you\ufffdd have to be more professional than poor Bridget at her interview. Intimidate??? Not the word I'd use. ;-) Well, Jamie thought he was scary. If she\ufffdd known he was really Darcy, we might have had a worthwhile movie on our hands. (Karen) Logically, I know you're right, Cheryl, but it's fun anyway. (bethan) No way, it is Him. My sixth sense tells me so (heide)I'm waiting for Bethan's explicit instructions for the shower scene. I\ufffdm with Bethan\ufffds sixth sense on this. If the world ran logically, there would be no movie business at all, and we would not know Him. Because there are movies, it is Him. (Moon) Of course, we always welcome nude scenes. (Karen)...with open arms. ;-) Quite open to them ;-). (Evelyn)How about The Rock Scene for Monday....... I probably won\ufffdt be online Monday, so I\ufffdm asking my question now. He really is good there, once you get over the fact that it\ufffds Colin and we\ufffdd be on his side even if he had been the murderer. Do you think people who are not yet enamored of DB cringe as much as we do in reaction to that scene?. I know anyone with an IQ higher than her age would know it\ufffds an implausible scene, but do you think they\ufffdre embarrassed for him? I think he wisely makes the character sympathetic, but wonder if anyone else has s ientific data on this\ufffdperhaps a drinking buddy\ufffds reaction when you haven\ufffdt told them the ending yet? (Kirstin)for the 'relish the role of sadistic master' thing, I can't imagine a Michael character to do this. I imagine him to feel ill at ease in the sadistic role, hardly able to disguise his indisposition from his audience. (Karen)I completely agree. True, he doesn't know anyone will be killed but he still has to play the role of someone easily interpreted as a sadist (from Eddie's point of view). Lesson #1, making her walk blindfolded through the house and letting her fall down the stairs. Lesson #2, threatening to grind her hand or her pearls in the disposal. Lesson #3, the make-up/wheelchair scene. I use this to bolster my contention that Michael can not be a lousy actor if he can make us believe he's Ross just some peopl in the film tell us he is. Acting exercises get awful intense sometimes. All the questions and attitudes \"Ross\" has would be second nature to any actor who\ufffds been taking classes for, say, one to two years, almost no matter what style of training (Meisner, Method, Hagen, etc.). It\ufffds a little disconcerting to have someone flash a camera in your face and shout at you when you don\ufffdt know them, true. But the question, \"What are you feeling?,\" for starters--he would have been asked that (put on the spot) as often as customers ask a wa ter to bring them things. If you\ufffdre in a scene, \"you\ufffdve got to know what you\ufffdre feeling\"\ufffdto know how to know what you feel (as opposed to what you think, and be honest with yourself and with the scene); to broaden the range of things you can feel (we\ufffdre all blocked); to know how to convey your feelings in this context, and so on. People are forever shrieking and hitting each other and simulating sex and spitting on each other and ripping clothes and all sorts of things in exercises, scene st dies and rehearsals. Acting teachers (and directors) are generally imperious, so all Michael would really have to do, throughout the weekend, is ape what he\ufffds seen. Tough to sustain it, true, and that\ufffds one of the main stupidities of the film. But as Karen says, he isn\ufffdt necessarily a bad actor. He could have been bad in the audition because 1)Most ac"}, {"response": 388, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Sun, Sep 20, 1998 (18:09)", "body": "(Karen)But Michael doesn't know that anyone is going to be killed. Yes, but don't you think, it's quite tough to make her belief, she really has killed him? But it's perhaps all explained with Cheryl's interesting 'lesson' about acting classes. And, Karen, I absolutely agree, We don't know how this was explained to Michael. I think that's the main problem, they don't give us any background information, or very poor, that's why the plot is lacking coherence. Cheryl, did I really say Michael is a lousy actor? What I meant to say is, he is introduced to us as a poor one by stating, he's a nobody, only some off-off broadway stuff blabla, they want to make us believe it. But I think we can't really judge because we never see him acting, except as Ross. And that we can't finally judge because of the lacking background information. Therefore we can't judge whether it's only Colin acting as Ross or Michael. (Any sense?????)"}, {"response": 389, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Sep 20, 1998 (19:39)", "body": "( Kirsten) Cheryl, did I really say Michael is a lousy actor No, I did...about a week ago..initially . Any guy that can stand Jamie for three days and keep up the sadistic pace has to be better than I thought. (Kirsten) First showering: Why is she surprised finding him in the shower? She must have heard the running water while approaching. I thought she was surprised when he came out of the shower\" in the full monty.\" But what I want to know is why does Ross appear while she is taking a shower. Then the camera goes to the glass blocks wall and when it comes back, Ross has suddently disappeared. Is there a R/M moment there.?(Without the glasses) Thanks for the rock scene question & analysis, Cheryle. It might be difficult for anyone to get on tomorrow. So we'll keep rock scene on for a few days."}, {"response": 390, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Sep 20, 1998 (23:37)", "body": "I don't think Jamie loved Michael or Ross; Michael fell in love w/ Jamie."}, {"response": 391, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Sep 20, 1998 (23:45)", "body": "(Karen) But what I want to know is why does Ross appear while she is taking a shower. Then the camera goes to the glass blocks wall and when it comes back, Ross has suddently disappeared. Is there a R/M moment there.?(Without the glasses) Good question - was that Ross or Michael? Ross because he wanted her to sense he was always watching her or Michael because he thinks she's just a terrific girl and he wants to ask her for a date ;-D ? As for the other shower scene, Ross leaves the room and five seconds later we hear the water and five seconds after that Jamie finds him already undressed, in the shower, and very wet. And I don't think the bathroom was that far away from the dining room or else that house has awfully thin walls. (Kirstin) BTW, has anybody ever tried to hide in a grand piano? And without making a sound too!! Also as an aside, if Michael was considered to be a 3rd-rate actor, maybe someone should have advised him to switch careers to music. How convenient that he could play the piano so well. (Karen) It might be difficult for anyone to get on tomorrow. So we'll keep rock scene on for a few days. Oh dear, I see what you mean. Well, if we can't get on the Internet tomorrow, blame it on the \"bipartisan\" judicial committee. (Hope that wasn't too controversial.)"}, {"response": 392, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 21, 1998 (20:58)", "body": "I am re-posting Cheryle's rock scene question and comments..since she included it among other comments. And we said we would direct our comments on this scene today. Evelyn)How about The Rock Scene for Monday...... . I probably won\ufffdt be online Monday, so I\ufffdm asking my question now. He really is good there, once you get over the fact that it\ufffds Colin and we\ufffdd be on his side even if he had been the murderer. Do you think people who are not yet enamored of DB cringe as much as we do in reaction to that scene?. I know anyone with an IQ higher than her age would know it\ufffds an implausible scene, but do you think they\ufffdre embarrassed for him? I think he wisely makes the character sympathetic, but wonder if anyone else has scien ific data on this \ufffdperhaps a drinking buddy\ufffds reaction when you haven\ufffdt told them the ending yet?"}, {"response": 393, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 21, 1998 (21:11)", "body": "( Cheryle) Do you think people who are not yet enamored of DB cringe as much as we do in reaction to that scene.......do you think they\ufffdre embarrassed for him? I thought about this while I was watching The President's video tape today. I am not a fan of Bill's.....but I was embarassed for him. I think this is an individual perception. I hate to see people humiliated...even those who brought it on themselves. Even if I was not an avid fan of CF (Colin for President!!). I would still cringe and dispise this scene. I know she is trying to get revenge, but I failed to see the logic of the scene in the story...except for a titillating effect. I agree that he puts on a terrific performance....but when the director asks him....\"what do you feel, Michael\"....I bet he didn't have to hesitate to feign embarassment."}, {"response": 394, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 22, 1998 (00:23)", "body": "(Cheryle) Oh, I\ufffdm sure we\ufffdll need to shoot a great deal in Europe. How could it be Swept Away Revisited otherwise? But Moon, you don\ufffdt want to be stuck in an office doing paperwork. Go for European production manager, or if you don\ufffdt want to work that hard, work with the lighting or camera people(1st Assistant Director?). Then you\ufffdre always around for every shot. Thanks Cheryle, I would love to be 1st A.D. I never thought to be stuck in an office, c'est pas moi! And I speak several languages so I can be the trait d'union with the European crew. I am also v.v.g. with pampering actors. When will we start meeting and where? The rock scene was I imagine very humiliating to do. I remember reading that Colin made films he'd rather forget just to be in LA and close to his son Will. To think that he'd done Apt.O (which was so good), and then this!"}, {"response": 395, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 22, 1998 (01:13)", "body": "Am going to catch up on the great discussion that's been going on over the past two days. Wow!! This is some great movie to generate such discussion...one would think. Hey, Swept Away Revisited doesn't have to be set in Europe. Had another location in mind."}, {"response": 396, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 22, 1998 (14:18)", "body": "Come now producer, we could all use a European working vacation. Swept Away was filmed in Sardinia and now with huricane George ravaging the Caribbean, where, could you possibly have in mind? We do want water right? The swim, the white shirt? The long hair? AHHH! The thought just drives me wild!"}, {"response": 397, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 22, 1998 (17:05)", "body": "I'm taking the Swept Away II discussion over to Topic 85."}, {"response": 398, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 22, 1998 (21:11)", "body": "(Evelyn) I don't go for this \"sensitivity workshop\" stuff. (snip) I am not going to hang out there and have lots of people tell me what a damn fool I am.....I know that Am still rolling on the floor laughing at this one. People here must think I'm nuts. Evelyn, you are a stitch!! :-D (Evelyn) Time to give the Navigation Coordinates for Shower Scene #2. (Heide) I'm waiting for Bethan's explicit instructions for the shower scene. Hallelujah!! I've found them. Knew I had them around here somewhere. Bethan's step-by-step instructions may be found at Topic 59, Response 110. Here we go: ****** OK, I've got the house, computer, VCR all to myself, so here goes. Playmaker, second shower scene, let me talk you through it. And CONCENTRATE!! Ready..He's in the shower, first of all he's on the right, she's on the left. She turns back to the shower screen. He turns so he's on the left, she's on the right. Then HE's on the right, she's on the left. AND THEN.. (NOW REALLY CONCENTRATE HERE!! HE is in a crouching position but rises until his head is level with hers, kisses her, turns slightly and places his hand on her rear. At this precise mini-second, JUST BEFORE he turns (AND THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! don't look at the level of his face, look at the level of his, ermm, waist. Focus directly on the bottom row of full glass panels visible on your screen, third panel from your right. Just a very, very fleeting glimpse, but I see clearly, almost hard (!), evidence that he is rather enjoying the scene!!!! Now tell me I am seeing what I think I'm seeing?!! Demolish my fantasies if you can! And no, I don't have defective eyesight or an overactive imagination....:-) Nor do I have the one and only unexpurgated version of PM! ******** (Cheryl) I thought I could barely see him bring his right hand down in a possible reflex reaction to, um, protect himself before leaving the glass bricks (Jana) Cheryl dear, I must thank you for yet another excuse to watch that scene again. Agreed, although do I really need another excuse? I hadn't been concentrating on his hand during that scene. Was looking elsewhere. :-o (Kirsten) The photo shooting at the beginning...Obviously to create some excitement... This could be merely the first step in getting her disoriented, off-balance and confused. The shock of all those flashes, while being forced to eat, coming from every direction, with questions being thrown at you. In fact, I think I've seen flashing lights deployed in other movies during psychological torture scenes with prisoners. Was it in The Manchurian Candidate? I know it was in Noble House. Another thought is that he is making Jamie concentrate on what she is doing, eating, so that when she does act or audition she will ignore all that is going on around her. She has to focus. she hasn't even brought one thing to change for the whole weekend? Gaping script hole number 210!! No suitcase. Excellent catch, Kirsten. has anybody ever tried to hide in a grand piano? No, just behind the floor-length curtains (another movie convention) ;-D (Cheryl) Do you think people who are not yet enamored of DB cringe was much as we do in reaction to that scene? (snip) but do you think they're embarrassed for him? Phrased another way: If a different actor were playing the part, NO, I wouldn't even consider for a moment that the scene was embarrassing to do. Rather, I'd be embarrassed for myself that I was wasting my time watching this movie!! As I said earlier, I think the reason we feel so embarrassed for him is that Colin is showing that emotion so strongly and convincingly as Michael. While a struggling actor will go to great lengths to get a part, I'm beginning to wonder whether a man in that position would really be embarrassed. Is this another example of male writer/director with a double standard as, Cheryl, you mentioned earlier? After watching lots of men being interviewed on the news lately, I don't really think they would care about the circumstance! They'd go after it with gusto!! ;-D (yeah, yeah, yeah, I know, Michael is a sensitive type and would care) Didn't you just think Jamie's hand curling up toward the camera's lens as Michael is ..um..er..doing ya know the corniest?! ;-D He could have been bad in the audition because...He'd just had a rather bizarre weekend and found himself attached to a woman he could never approach again. Now that's an interesting thought! He came out of the weekend emotionally scarred, whereas Jamie, who supposedly KILLED someone other than the corpse and couldn't get the police to believe her, comes out of it a stronger person. Bizarre is definitely the right word, not just for the weekend but for the character development. (Kirsten) but don't you think, it's quite tough to make her belief, she really has killed him? Sometimes it's hard to go back to one's first impressions, but didn't you think she had killed him when you watched the movie the first time? Jamie is very scared, off balance, shocked at what she has just s"}, {"response": 399, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Sep 22, 1998 (21:52)", "body": "(Laura) I don't think Jamie loved Michael or Ross; Michael fell in love w/ Jamie. (Karen) I'm with you on this, but love might be too strong a word. He was drawn to her, interested, infatuated, etc. He's drawn to her alright...but it's Lust, my friends.....Michael liked that second shower scene.!!!"}, {"response": 400, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Wed, Sep 23, 1998 (11:33)", "body": "Re: photo shooting at the beginning, acting classes Well, girls, you really showed me what's what. Thanx:-) Seems that I'm pretty ignorant of acting/acting classes. (Karen) but didn't you think she had killed him when you watched the movie the first time? Oh sorry, Karen, seems that I'm not able to say what I think (at least not in English) Of course I did believe she shot him, as well as Jamie did (let apart that I knew he was not, because I read it in some review, but I'm sure I would have, if I had not known in advance). But Michael knew it was only a fake and did nothing to put Jamie at ease. And that's what I think is pretty tough. But, as we all said before, we know none of his motives and what was explained to him about Jamie so it's all pure specul tion and I'd rather put an end to it now, for my part. Re: Why is she surprised finding him in the shower?... (Evelyn) I thought she was surprised when he came out of the shower \"in the full monty.\" (Karen) And that he just walked so nonchalantly passed her. I don't want to harp on that, but I still think she was surprised - or perhaps I should say embarrassed - even before he came out of the shower. But my feeling there was caused by what she said entering the bathroom, or more precisely by the way she said it, but as I admitted before, I wasn't able to catch what exactly she did say then, so I may be wrong there. (Evelyn) why does Ross appear while she is taking a shower...Is there another R/M moment there? I never was 'suspicious' there, but you made me think about it. But I'd stick to my first impression and say that it is a Ross moment (otherwise he would - perhaps - not have disappeared that quick, but only 'perhaps'). To my mind it's another way to intimidate her by making her feel observed and under control at all time and in all conditions. (Karen) ... her panties miraculously got sewn back together. LOL! Perhaps she had another 'shopping' in Ross's fund. Dear me, isn't it amazing what you can see in a film if only you look at it!?! (Not that we're uhm sort of ehmm obsessed ..................................) Ah, and Karen, thanx for putting in Bethan's comments on shower scene no.2. But - as I read it in the office, (oh well, I know I should not ...) - could you pleeeaaase tell me how on earth I now should manage to go back to work and concentrate ????? *Sigh* Thank you all the same, what better distraction one could wish for:-)))))"}, {"response": 401, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Sep 23, 1998 (15:56)", "body": "(Kirsten) But, as we all said before, we know none of his motives and what was explained to him about Jamie IMO Michael's motives were five thousand bucks....and Lust...... Not a bad combo when you think about it. :-)"}, {"response": 402, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 23, 1998 (16:39)", "body": "(Kirsten) ...so it's all pure speculation and I'd rather put an end to it now, for my part. I don't want to harp on that That's fine, Kirsten. Please don't feel like you have to continue defending a point if you don't want to. Since I hadn't been on for a day or so, I had to throw in my two cents. If you don't buy it, you're in the majority!! ;-D"}, {"response": 403, "author": "sofie", "date": "Thu, Sep 24, 1998 (05:43)", "body": "Hi everybody. Boy have I been gone too long? Thanks for the emain Evelyn. I have started school and so have the kids. So schedules have to be worked out, etc. I also have a new man in my life and you know how much space they can take up in your head.I would probably have been better off just sticking to drool than venturing out into the reality of dating in the 90's. I just can't believe how much discussion there's been here on PM. I guess it's time to watch it again, holding on to the remote to FF through the really s**ty parts. I think the movie really sucks but you all did give me food for thought..I think. I mean, to be perfectly honest the movie simply had no impact on me whatsoever. Except for totally turning me off to glass block! SO MUCH DISTORTION! I think (and I hope I can be perfectly honest with all of you and not be condemned as a total pervert) but the ock scene does have some redeaming qualities...LOL! But enough about my own personal lurid fantasies. Congratulations on a very in depth evaluation of a totally bad movie. We'll just go to any lenths for that man! Evelyn, you mentioned in your email that Valmont will be next? I'll be here, ready and willing to give it my best shot. I find it a WHOLE lot easier to watch than PM. It's good to be back among my fellow CF obsessives."}, {"response": 404, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Sep 24, 1998 (20:10)", "body": "(Sofie) Evelyn, you mentioned in your email that Valmont will be next? I hope this will be the consensus....any other suggestions out there? We're so lucky to have Cheryle (if she can tear herself away from Fitzwilliam Films on #85) to give us the peripheral details of Valmont."}, {"response": 405, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Sep 25, 1998 (02:38)", "body": "(Karen)If a different actor were playing the part, NO, I wouldn't even consider for a moment that the scene was embarrassing to do. Rather, I'd be embarrassed for myself that I was wasting my time watching this movie!! Exactly my thoughts. I think I would be more embarrassed to be watching it. Which makes me wonder if we haven't spent enough time on this. Though I will be checking out those shower blocks. Valmont seems to be picking up steam, Karen. What do you'all think? Does everyone who wants to participate have a copy? Speak now. Welcome back, Sofie. Glad there's still room in your head for our boy. Hope your new man is the understanding type."}, {"response": 406, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 25, 1998 (03:05)", "body": "I agree that we have really dissected this film. And most of us would have pressed the rewind button except for the star!! There was no salvation for this film...but CF did his best."}, {"response": 407, "author": "sofie", "date": "Fri, Sep 25, 1998 (07:34)", "body": "The best thing I can add about this film( and I use the term losely) is that no matter what we chose to discuss next....IT'S GONNA BE BETTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 408, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Fri, Sep 25, 1998 (12:17)", "body": "OK by me. Should we start around Oct. 1?"}, {"response": 409, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Sep 26, 1998 (21:38)", "body": "I hope Yapp accepts this posting....I upgraded to Explorer 4.and could not post Pox on Bill Gates..... Cheryle, pl. give us a rough guideline for Valmont. Similar to the one that you did for PM. It really helped in our discussion.We can then take it by increments. (BTW do you realize we had over 100 postings on PM???)A whole wad on the shower scenes!!!"}, {"response": 410, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Sep 27, 1998 (00:32)", "body": "(Evelyn) A whole wad on the shower scenes!!! Help me, help me!! My mind is going to those bad places again. Quick, let's move on to Valmont. October 1 sounds ideal. Karen, any symbolism we should look for as we watch? (You know I love you.)"}, {"response": 411, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sun, Sep 27, 1998 (04:31)", "body": "(Evelyn) pl. give us a rough guideline for Valmont. Similar to the one that you did for PM. It really helped in our discussion.We can then take it by increments. (BTW do you realize we had over 100 postings on PM???)A whole wad on the shower scenes!!! I'm glad it was helpful and not too nutty (as in \"nuts and boltsy\".):-) But ya'll know this stuff so well...Who would have thought 100 on PM? And I appreciate the job he did even more now than I did before. I call that time well spent. ;-) I was thinking about how to go about V. It might be clearer to talk about the movie just as it is, how it might have been done, etc. and then we can talk about what we know of Milos' and C's intentions, etc. To do them both at the same time might get messy. Opinions?"}, {"response": 412, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Sep 27, 1998 (22:04)", "body": "(Heide) Help me, help me!! My mind is going to those bad places again. You're at Drool, so how can it be going to *wrong* places? ;-) any symbolism we should look for as we watch? (You know I love you.) Hey, I don't do it on purpose!! It just pops out at me. hee hee I have no problem with a free-form Valmont. I've just gotten into the book and have read over the relevant sections from Forman's memoirs. Does anyone have that picture of Colin in bed with Meg and Milos and other sundry crew up on the a website somewhere? The book is a riot so far...."}, {"response": 413, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Sep 27, 1998 (22:27)", "body": "(Cheryl) It might be clearer to talk about the movie just as it is, how it might have been done, etc. and then we can talk about what we know of Milos' and C's intentions, etc. Perhaps that's best to encourage as many people to post as possible because everybody's opinion is valid. Hear that, everyone? I don't want the esoteric stuff we talk about make it seem as if we're an insulated cliquish group of nuts. Though I wouldn't want you or Karen (or anyone else who's done their homework) to keep your perspectives to yourself. Not that I think either of you are more nuts than the rest of us! ;-D"}, {"response": 414, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Sep 27, 1998 (23:35)", "body": "I love Valmont! This certainly has great possibilities with dear Cheryl's insights. Duals both physical, mental and musical are very big here. I look forward to a lively discussion. `a bientot!"}, {"response": 415, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Sep 28, 1998 (00:07)", "body": "My spelling goes out the window when I get excited. Of course I mean duel!"}, {"response": 416, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Sep 28, 1998 (05:55)", "body": "(Karen) Does anyone have that picture of Colin in bed with Meg and Milos and other sundry crew up on the a website somewhere? Try this web site for a whole series of Valmont press photos. Trust me, it's well worth the trip!. I'm sorry I don't know how to insert a link so will just have to type the web reference. http://www.grin.net/~meluchie/vpk01.html . Click on the \"next\" at the bottom of the page because there are seven or eight pages of photos. The particular picture you referred to Karen, is on the sixth page in the series at the following url: http://www.grin.net/~meluchie/studio1.html although my particular favorit is at http://www.grin.net/~meluchie/studio4.html ;-). Can you tell I had this one book marked? Enjoy!"}, {"response": 417, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Sep 28, 1998 (05:58)", "body": "Well look at that! This clever software made all those links for me. How accomodating..."}, {"response": 418, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 28, 1998 (18:10)", "body": "Thanks Jana for the links. Will check it out and read up on how to do those image things (v.technical jargon) Just for you, Heide: As Valmont emerges from the pond, his hair takes on the appearance of an octopus. Does this indicate he is trying to reach out? ;-D"}, {"response": 419, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Sep 28, 1998 (19:10)", "body": "Congratulations to Karen and to Heidi, the new drool hostesses! We'll be getting you enabled soon. And thanks to Evelyn for helping with the transition!"}, {"response": 420, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Sep 28, 1998 (20:09)", "body": ""}, {"response": 421, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Sep 28, 1998 (20:09)", "body": "WOO HOO!! CONGRATULATIONS Heide and Karen. And Karen on such a milestone:)"}, {"response": 422, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Sep 28, 1998 (21:27)", "body": "Thank you ...Heide and Karen...for being our new DROOL HOSTS. We appreciate your willingness to take us on. Promise to behave :-) And thanks to Evelyn for helping with the transition! All I did was call Terry...I live in Oklahoma and feel I can open the window and shout out to Terry down-the-road-a-piece in Austin, Texas!! I spent the weekend grappling with my upgraded browser Explorer 4.which Yapp would not accept. Called Nan (who else?)who suggested I download Netscape and now all is well:-)"}, {"response": 423, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Sep 28, 1998 (21:38)", "body": "Thank you Heide, Karen, Evelyn......and once again, Nan and Terry! I tend to assume that Drool will always be here without thinking of all the hard work necessary to maintain it. Look forward to Valmont! You can still buy (I think) Christopher Hampton's play (as performed in the theatre) \"Les Liaisons Dangereuses\" Published by Faber. ISBN 0-571-13724-5. \ufffd5.99"}, {"response": 424, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Tue, Sep 29, 1998 (06:56)", "body": "Thank you Heide and Karen. Yippee! We are no longer hostless :-)"}, {"response": 425, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Tue, Sep 29, 1998 (14:58)", "body": "Thank you, thank you, thank you."}, {"response": 426, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Sep 29, 1998 (15:08)", "body": "It is indeed most kind of you. What a terrific duo! Thank you."}, {"response": 427, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 29, 1998 (15:43)", "body": "(Terry) We'll be getting you enabled soon. Wonder what *that* means!! ;-) [Have I been disabled all along? Hmmm] And thanks to Evelyn for helping with the transition! You guys have no idea what this woman did! She pushed both of us into this! I think Evelyn should run for President. She's the only person I know who could shake that town up and get something done. *big round of applause* :-) OK: Housekeeping The book that Evelyn mention, while out of print, is available via used book dealers. There are two sites that show copies available for minimal cost. This is a paperback. They do not reference by ISBN number, so go by publisher, date and translator if given (this edition is by P.K. somebody or other)--you will see. If you need additional info email me. The sites are: www.abebooks.com www.bibliofind.com I have seen the Hampton screenplay for the Frears movie and in the prologue he mentions the run to get it on the screen because of the Forman film. But not much else. Also, there is an PB edition of Lost Empires with Colin's picture on the back. The book was issued in conjunction with the Mobil Masterpiece Theater presentation of the miniseries. Again, it is available via used book dealers or shops. I found it that way. The edition of Lost Empires is by Vintage. I can can provide more info later. Thank you all for your good wishes. Hope we are up to the task of stepping into Nan's shoes."}, {"response": 428, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 29, 1998 (17:14)", "body": "Additional Book Info: Valmont, Penguin edition, translated by P.W.K. Stone. Must be published 1989. Lost Empires, Vintage edition (NY) 1987 or later. Since the ordering with these websites is done completely by regular email, you might want to verify the details with the bookseller before ordering. Happy hunting! :-)"}, {"response": 429, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 29, 1998 (17:15)", "body": "Ooops, Valmont is listed under Dangerous Liaisons--its real name."}, {"response": 430, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Sep 29, 1998 (19:32)", "body": "Hey, I got back from my vacation in Toronto to find a lot's been happening here! Congratulations, and a thousand thanks, to our new hosts, and best wishes for your work. :-)))"}, {"response": 431, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct  1, 1998 (02:30)", "body": "I'm jumping the gun a little bit. By posting VALMONT comments on the 29th, but I'll be away tomorrow. Someone posted this on RoP Virtual Views after I invited anyone who wanted to join our discussion to come over. I think it's pretty funny...and would seve aas an okay guideline... \"Are you guys doing a discussion of the film, as in film-book comparison, film-play comparison,film-film comparison, bits-they left-out-of-the-translations comparisons,was-the-director-nuts stuff,why-did-they-mess-up-the-ending stuff,logistics-of- shooting-arrows-into-hot-turkeys stuff,whether-powder-blue-had- been-invented stuff, history-of-punting stuff? Or is this going to be pure Colin Adoration?\" My answer to her is that \"...we're goin' to do all of the above\"... I hope the person does join us. And I hope people feel comfortable posting their comments."}, {"response": 432, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct  1, 1998 (03:32)", "body": "cont'd I have only viewed half of the film this time around..IMO I found the cinematography brilliant. I am not familiar with photography,butI thought this was shot in a muted color- \"ochre\".Lent itself to the unpredictable undercurrent running through the plot . Cheryle would youpl. tell us of this photographic technique...if there was one? The music was memorable (Can Sir Neville Marriner do wrong? He also did Amadeus).The settings in France breathtaking. Costumes that rated the Oscar nomination which it received. This was a $35.M production ten years ago...no telling what it would be in 98$$$."}, {"response": 433, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct  1, 1998 (03:43)", "body": "cont'd In Milos Forman's Memoirs he writes that he offered the role of M. de Merteuil to Michelle Pheiffer..she turned him down, and later signed up to play M. de Tourvel in the film Dangerous Liaison. The he cast Annette Bening in the role. He found it harder to cast Valmont...auditioned many American actors but the \"accents didn't go with the gold embroidered waistcoats...and V. ingrained ine manners.\" He finally decided to cast an Englishman and chose CF. My question to him would be :why did he feel that an accent was necessary for the lead male and not for the others? Did anyone feel that M. de Mertueil sing-song inflections were distracting. The script too vernacular for the period.? More later on plot development... Memorable Colin scenes... ....was Andrew Davies inspired by the lake scene replete with wet shirt, bathtub scene, and fencing scene for P&P?"}, {"response": 434, "author": "Audrey", "date": "Thu, Oct  1, 1998 (17:53)", "body": "Wow!! A place to drool over Colin Firth. Amazing! I am a fairly new Colin Firth Obsessive. I must say it started with my first viewing of \"Pride and Prejudice\". I mean was that man Mr. Darcy or what! Rides a fine horse too! I haven't seen many of his movies, but did enjoy the discussion of the \"Playstar\" that you were discussing. I understand that he is a newlywed? Lucky guy, I guess. I have checked out the colinfirth.com page. Lots of information. And on one guy! I hope to be able to join in when I get up to speed with his movies. Tonight I will watch \"Circle of Friends\" and possibly tomorrow will be spent hopefully with \"Valmont\"! That is what you are going to currently discuss, no? Well I hope this is a long and lasting obsession, wouldn't want this to turn into a Hugh Grant thingy. (Yes, I used to adore him, but not anymore; please don't hold it against me)"}, {"response": 435, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct  1, 1998 (18:45)", "body": "One question that I hope we will answer is : Does Valmont love the Marquise? This of course should happen much later on, since his declaration comes at the end of the film. Which brings me to quote the Marquise, \ufffdMore, I want more!\ufffd. It is certainly Annette\ufffds movie as well and she is wonderful. How could Milos have possibly considered Michelle P. for the role? The casting of DL was horrendous IMO. My only casting question in V is Meg Tilly. And to think that Milos had wanted her to play Mozart\ufffds wife in Amadeus baffles me as well. Amadeus was perfectly cast. Colin and the old matron who played his aunt were absolutely charming and quite funny too. I loved her lines. Cheryle was that a full wig he wore? When he is all wet I say yes, otherwise it seems that it could just be the pony tail. Valmont and C\ufffdcile were like two children. Valmont\ufffds game was to seduce. C\ufffdcile\ufffds to play the vestal virgin. In the end a switch takes place. C\ufffdcile is seduced and Valmont is ready to abandon seduction and proposes marriage to the Marquise. He loses then, as he lost in the dueling game he played with C\ufffdcile at his aunt\ufffds estate. More later."}, {"response": 436, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct  1, 1998 (22:30)", "body": "(Moon) The casting of DL was horrendous IMO. Did you think so , Moon? It's portrayed so differently. Glen Close is vicious .(nominated for Oscar for role,,,so was DLas a film)..I looked at it yesterday.Uma Thurman was Cecile, and Keanu Reeves Darceny!!It's an entirely different film, IMO My only casting question in V is Meg Tilly. Again IMO I thought MT was v. good in the part...prudish,plain.Michelle Pheiffer in DL plays it with more glamor...not as naive as MT."}, {"response": 437, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Oct  1, 1998 (22:43)", "body": "Welcome, Audrey. Remember to check all the CF discussion boards, there are several, some with straight, some with oblique references ;-)"}, {"response": 438, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct  1, 1998 (23:12)", "body": "Welcome Audrey. Always nice to have new people join us. Great comments, Moon. I agree, let's wait to discuss the big question about who Valmont loves? Is it the M de M or is it M de Tourvel? Need to refresh my memory on Valmont so any comments (fav scenes, dialogue, etc.) will have to wait for a couple of days. Then I'm sure we'll be rolling along."}, {"response": 439, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Oct  2, 1998 (00:05)", "body": "There's so much to discuss in this film (Colin? Colin who?) and Evelyn and Moon have gotten the ball rolling. I join in welcoming you Annette and hope you'll stay awhile. Beware though, the more you get involved here, the harder it is to break away. First stab - I will just take my impressions from simply the film for now - no extraneous information yet garnered from the book, Milos's book, Cheryl's information or even Dangerous Liaisons. I have some observations and questions which might help provoke discussion. Cast is terrific except for Annette Bening. We differ here, Moon. I had no problem with the American accents and actually prefer that they all didn't put on unnatural, posh accents. Still, Annette's breathy and as Evelyn says \"sing song\" voice is terribly annoying. She had a tough role and perhaps would have been stronger if she could have made the audience feel some understanding or sympathy for her character. Or is that going completely against Laclos's intention? Does Valmont have intentions of seducing Madame de Tourvel before Madame de Merteuil comes into the picture? From the lake scene, one sees he is being very playful, enjoying teasing her. Would he be willing to leave it at that if MM had not pushed him into the bet? Yes, we know he is a snake and perhaps would be satisified seducing her without an audience. Then again, in a later scene when MT is being mocked at the dinner table by the more worldly guests, he takes up her defense or at least deflects t e attention from her. Is he defending her or is this just a ploy in his quest to seduce her? MM wants all of Paris to laugh at Gercourt after he finds out Cecile is not pure. How would all of Paris know this? Would Gercourt admit this to anyone? In dinner scene at Madame de Rosamunde's, what the heck is MM nibbling on from her fork? Very suggestive. Does Madame de Volanges mistrust MM? We see glimmers of it: when Cecile is missing when MV unexpectedly returns from the opera, she returns to confront MM; she looks less than confident at the wedding of her daughter. MT has heard from \"a friend\" about Valmont's reputation. Is that friend MM? I believe Valmont suspects that. He looks non too pleased (and very good throughout the movie when he must wear that pout). Even after scenes when I assume he does love MT, he is very cruel to her. If you agree, why is he thus? After his first night with MT, he asks her when her husband comes home. I thought that was rather cruel to remind her of her infidelity. In his letter to her he urges her to find another lover as if she has now joined the ranks of women who casually take lovers. Does anyone know what Valmont says to his aunt before he leaves for Paris? He is whispering to her and MM is annoyed she doesn't know what he's saying and Aunt pretends to be deaf. Am I correct in making out the last words as \"Trust me.\"? When MT returns to Valmont and they make love, her wedding ring is very prominently shown on her finger. Intentional? We know she planned on leaving him, giving him a taste of his own medicine. Is the ring meant to show she has no plans of leaving her husband which is the only way she would accept Valmont for a lover. Is Valmont a better human being than MM? A resounding \"YES!\" Why? Because he can apologize. MM tells Danceny apologizing is not her style. Valmont, very dejected at being thrown over by MT tries to make up with MM. He sounds truly contrite when he apologizes for sending D. to challenge her. Agree with Evelyn whole heartedly about the cinematography, sets and costumes. Very opulent production. (Moon) Valmont and C\ufffdcile were like two children Agree, Moon. Almost like brother and sister. I think of their dueling game and their very lively dance. C\ufffdcile is seduced and Valmont is ready to abandon seduction and proposes marriage to the Marquise. I think he performed his obligation and moved on to more worthy opponents. I'll save my comments on love and MM and love and MT after others have a chance to comment. Next?"}, {"response": 440, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct  2, 1998 (01:10)", "body": "MM wants all of Paris to laugh at Gercourt after he finds out Cecile is not pure. How would all ofParis know this? Would Gercourt admit this to anyone? I have not gotten my book yet, but in the film Valmont gives Dalceny all of MM letters when he is dying and tells D . to circulate them around Paris. In the closing scene MM goes to the opera and the audience looks up at her and boos! Her punishment. Heide, it was me, not Moon that objected to the vernacular American accents, and script using 20th Century vocabulary. But that is IMO."}, {"response": 441, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct  2, 1998 (01:15)", "body": "Sorry, I mean't to say that in the film ,Dangerous Liaisons, when Valmont is dying he gives the blood-stained letters to Dalceny..... Welcome Audrey. View the film and pl give us your comments. And welcome back Gi...we have missed you. And have a good trip Kirsten...perhaps I'll run into you in London, I shall be there after the 10th for three weeks :-))"}, {"response": 442, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Oct  2, 1998 (02:15)", "body": "Oops, sorry Audrey. Guess I have Annette on the brain. (Evelyn) Heide, it was me, not Moon that objected to the vernacular American accents, and script using 20th Century vocabulary. Actually, what I meant to say in my rather stilted paragraph is where I differ with Moon is in our opinion of Annette Bening. But I think I may be prejudiced against her because of the thorougly unlikeable character she plays - in which case she does an excellent job of making you hate her. We will miss two highly vocal, thoughtful posters when Evelyn and Kirsten are travelling. Have a wonderful time!"}, {"response": 443, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Oct  2, 1998 (07:35)", "body": "Welcome, Audrey! (Heide) Still, Annette's breathy and as Evelyn says \"sing song\" voice is terribly annoying. You take the words out of my mouth. I find her way of speaking so distracting that I rather watch the German dubbed version. But I think I may be prejudiced against her because of the thorougly unlikeable character she plays - in which case she does an excellent job of making you hate her. But we are not supposed to hate her for her speaking manners, are we?! :-p Which she uses, if I remember right, mainly when trying to be seducing: to Cecile and to Valmont. ??? I may be wrong - have to see it again. It's just too obvious and unnatural, IMO, she could also wear a tag \"Look what a great seductress I am\". I prefer the \"less is more - acting school\". Though, I am looking forward to the discussion. Just a thought: This Valmont seems to be a big boy, not very passionate, but to whom making love is as natural as drinking and eating or any kind of sportive activity."}, {"response": 444, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Oct  2, 1998 (15:35)", "body": "( Heide), Cast is terrific except for Annette Bening. We differ here, Moon. I had no problem with the American accents and actually prefer that they all didn't put on unnatural, posh accents. Still, Annette's breathy and as Evelyn says \"sing song\" voice is terribly annoying. She had a tough role and perhaps would have been stronger if she could have made the audience feel some understanding or sympathy for her character. Or is that going completely against Laclos's intention? I still preferred it GC\ufffds. Annette was coquettish and very feminine (flirty eyes and all). I could understand why V would be v. taken by her, even after his many conquests. Meg T. I would have replaced by Sophie Marceau. Does Valmont have intentions of seducing Madame de Tourvel before Madame de Merteuil comes into the picture? YES! He is the seducer, it is a game to him. And at the dinner table the game continues. To charm is to seduce, with or without an audience. MM wants all of Paris to laugh at Gercourt after he finds out Cecile is not pure. How would all of Paris know this? Would Gercourt admit this to anyone? He wouldn\ufffdt need to, MM would take care of informing their Aristocratic acquaintances. In dinner scene at Madame de Rosamunde's, what the heck is MM nibbling on from her fork? Very suggestive. What a tease! I thought it to be a slice of a pear. Does Madame de Volanges mistrust MM? We see glimmers of it: when Cecile is missing when MV unexpectedly returns from the opera, she returns to confront MM; she looks less than confident at the wedding of her daughter. Bien sur! MT has heard from \"a friend\" about Valmont's reputation. Is that friend MM? I believe Valmont suspects that. He looks non too pleased (and very good throughout the movie when he must wear that pout). I think that to be a safe bet. V always looks good. What about those smiles? Even after scenes when I assume he does love MT, he is very cruel to her. If you agree, why is he thus? After his first night with MT, he asks her when her husband comes home. I thought that was rather cruel to remind her of her infidelity. In his letter to her he urges her to find another lover as if she has now joined the ranks of women who casually take lovers. He is taken by her, but I don\ufffdt believe he really loves her. He shows no remorse. She may eventually accept him as a lover because that seems to be the thing to do. Showing the wedding ring was one way of letting us know. She had written a letter to her husband but then we see him still at home. There is no explanation for this. Does anyone know what Valmont says to his aunt before he leaves for Paris? Ma ch\ufffdre tante, excusez-moi, mais je dois all\ufffd \ufffd la salle de bain\ufffd\ufffd Paris. Is Valmont a better human being than MM? A resounding \"YES!\" Absolutely. We are led to believe that there was something between the two of them in the past when she says \ufffd still love you, you know.\ufffd I believe that he loves her. At this point, he realizes that the game of seduction has gone too far, he wants to end it perhaps with the only woman that might have left him first? That would be the perfect end. MM of course challenges him instead when she shows him the Chevalier in her bed. Why would he strike her if he didn\ufffdt love her. C\ufffdcile was no longer innocent, why should the Chevalier be? The irony is that V is challenged to a duel for 1. C\ufffdcile\ufffds seduction and 2. His slapping MM. Since MM started the whole bloody business to begin with. It is she alone who is responsible for V\ufffds death. Little did she know V\ufffds will to live had died in her house at that moment. More later."}, {"response": 445, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  2, 1998 (16:32)", "body": ""}, {"response": 446, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  2, 1998 (16:33)", "body": "This is cool!!"}, {"response": 447, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  2, 1998 (16:34)", "body": "Hmm spoke too soon, apparently. :-("}, {"response": 448, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  2, 1998 (16:36)", "body": "One more time (fingers crossed, which makes typing difficult.)"}, {"response": 449, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Oct  2, 1998 (17:43)", "body": "Yo Ho! Lovely job, Karen!!! And welcome back, thought you disappeared there for a while!!! I love the movie Valmont , I especially love the costumes and the music!!! Old Auntie was very funny. But everytime CF is on that screen my heart would just melt!!! Oh at the Opera when he meets Cecile for the first time. I could be putty in those deep chocolate brown eyes! And the grin, beatific yes, but oh what a smile!!!"}, {"response": 450, "author": "Audrey", "date": "Fri, Oct  2, 1998 (19:38)", "body": "Hmmm... Thanks for the welcomes!!! Okay, saw circle of friends. He was okay. I mean I don't htnk i liked the mustache. tonight is valmont!! will be able to post I htink on monday. you guys get so into it and i don't think i'd add antyhing insightful at all. i like him because i find him to be acreidt and ccredible actor. I wish I could type better!"}, {"response": 451, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct  2, 1998 (22:13)", "body": "(Moon)V always looks good. What about those smiles? (Laura) And the grin, beatific yes, but oh what a smile!!! You know, that's why I like this film. He smiles throughout...big wide happy smiles. (Almost worth putting up with AB.) Karen...so proud of you. Does help in a discussion to get an image occasionally. Any smiley ones around?"}, {"response": 452, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Oct  3, 1998 (16:41)", "body": "Yum, I think I can really sink my teeth into this discussion. Great insights and great photos! Karen, you sly thing. Lovely! Any other delectible photos out there for others to share? (Renate) This Valmont seems to be a big boy, not very passionate, but to whom making love is as natural as drinking and eating or any kind of sportive activity. Yes, I agree he is a big boy in this film and comparing making love to sport is quite accurate, IMO. If you think that Valmont is not passionate, would you say that he is incapable of love? Which brings us to the interesting debate of love for MM or love for MT or both or none. Anyone ready to tackle that yet? (Moon on MT) He is taken by her, but I don\ufffdt believe he really loves her. He shows no remorse. (Moon on MM) I believe that he loves her. Moon's put her toe first in the water here. This should be an interesting debate. (Moon) She had written a letter to her husband but then we see him still at home. There is no explanation for this. Agreed, at least not from the film. I would guess, without looking at other sources, that he has either returned home despite the letter or she has asked him to return him, probably throwing herself at his feet. No MM she. Thanks, Moon, for letting us know what Valmont has whispered to his aunt. How do you know this and will you provide a translation? I can only make out the first phrase. Frankly, I'm disappointed. I was hoping he was giving his aunt an inkling of MM's treachery. (Moon) The irony is that V is challenged to a duel for 1. C\ufffdcile\ufffds seduction and 2. His slapping MM. Very good example. Drove me nuts. The real instigator of all this unhappiness gets away scot free, almost. Of course MM's comeuppance is more visually realized in DL. Here it appears that MM's punishment is just her realization that she has lost the only man worthy of her. (Moon) It is she alone who is responsible for V\ufffds death. Little did she know V\ufffds will to live had died in her house at that moment. Did it here? My impression is that he lost his will when he found MT had returned to her husband. He wasn't ready to admit this yet and instead went to MM thinking that he could reclaim happiness by collecting on his bet. I think this is an important point that was brought up by Moon about Valmont losing his \"will to live\". Do you think the DL film conveys this better or do you prefer the subtlety of Valmont? In the duel scene, Valmont looks relieved (and very, very enticing - I love him in this scene) as if now he can finally pay for the hurt he's caused. (Laura) And the grin, beatific yes, but oh what a smile!!! (Moon) I think that to be a safe bet. V always looks good. What about those smiles? (Evelyn) You know, that's why I like this film. He smiles throughout...big wide happy smiles. Sounds unanimous. Frankly, though, I was a bit put off the very first time I saw this which was (I think) the first film of Colin's I watched after P&P. I guess it was because he never smiled in P&P. Those teeth were all I could focus on but now I love that smile very much."}, {"response": 453, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Oct  3, 1998 (17:07)", "body": "Oh, but he did smile in P&P - once. How could you miss it?"}, {"response": 454, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct  3, 1998 (21:28)", "body": "(Heide)Which brings us to the interesting debate of love for MM or love for MT or both or none. Anyone ready to tackle that yet? The foreword to my book has a Harry Levin from Harvard saying: \"The real game is between these two accomplices , and their complicity turns in a mutually destructive campaign in the perennial battle of the sexes. He is much the simpler character: a dandy, a Don Juan, cold-blooded enough about women but head-over-heels in love with himself , aach amorous success on the scoreboard of male vanity. She is less a coquette than a femme fatale ....a self-professed Delilah , with a vengence of hate to wreak on the opposite sex\" We don't have to accept this perspective, but I thought it interesting. I saw her really hating men as a genre...enjoyed injuring them...even Valmont.Obviously, she only loved herself too."}, {"response": 455, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct  3, 1998 (21:33)", "body": "Arami Re: smiles \" Oh, but he did smile in P&P - once. How could you miss it?\" Yup, my favorite P&P pic. It's my desktop wallpaper and each time I log on I see the both of them...smiling, happy.. and she has that precious little hand on his thigh...(sigh) (sigh)"}, {"response": 456, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct  3, 1998 (22:02)", "body": ""}, {"response": 457, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct  3, 1998 (22:03)", "body": "Jana had mentioned that was her *favorite* ;-)"}, {"response": 458, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct  3, 1998 (22:51)", "body": "Karen, lovely pictures, *sigh*. (Renate) This Valmont seems to be a big boy, not very passionate, but to whom making love is as natural as drinking and eating or any kind of sportive activity. Seduction is a game that he plays very well. (Heide), Thanks, Moon, for letting us know what Valmont has whispered to his aunt. How do you know this and will you provide a translation? My dear aunt, please excuse me but I must go to the bathroom\ufffdin Paris. (heehee) (Heide), My impression is that he lost his will when he found MT had returned to her husband. V was perhaps hurt at the thought that if MT was back with her husband, well then, he hadn\ufffdt done such a good job of seducing her (by making her fall completely in love with him). (Heide), He wasn't ready to admit this yet and instead went to MM thinking that he could reclaim happiness by collecting on his bet. He went to MM to brag about his success with MT. They did have a bet after all. He won the bet\ufffdhe won the game. (Heide), Do you think the DL film conveys this better or do you prefer the subtlety of Valmont? Valmont without a doubt. DL is a disaster, too Hollywood. The Academy Awards are a big popularity contest. Cheryle, where are you?"}, {"response": 459, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct  3, 1998 (22:59)", "body": "During the film when the above seduction is taking place, did you notice the film gets very grainy on that close up? I wonder if Milos filmed it as a wider shot but then changed his mind and had to zoom in and re-film directly from the film. Cheryle, can you answer this?"}, {"response": 460, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sun, Oct  4, 1998 (05:50)", "body": "Hi folks, just got back. I sprained my ankle and am only now returning to the world. Lots to catch up on both here and at work, so I'll be back on the air asap. Good to see your start :-)"}, {"response": 461, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Oct  4, 1998 (06:24)", "body": "(Karen) Jana had mentioned that was her *favorite* ;-) Karen, how can I ever thank you? And it's so big, too ;-)! (Moon) During the film when the above seduction is taking place, did you notice the film gets very grainy on that close up? Interesting observation. I'll check that out on my next viewing. I watched this film on the Bravo channel a little while ago (I have it on tape but get a cheap thrill watching CF in real time). Bravo doesn't show anything R rated, but they also don't cut films. So in this scene they just zoomed in really tight on Colin's face until his huge blurry head filled up the screen and you couldn't see the rest of the ahem, action. Very odd! Next time I stick to watching my tape :-) Welcome Audrey. Glad you came to play"}, {"response": 462, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sun, Oct  4, 1998 (09:51)", "body": "A fun fact I learned about a month ago: did you know that PAL tapes run almost 5% faster than NTSC tapes and the films themselves? Recently I read an article in the Director's Guild Magazine by an editor who discovered this. After preparing, shooting, editing, and promoting a film, most directors leave it to their editors to check the film transfers to tape (if they worry about it at all. I'm sure it wasn't a concern on PM ;-).) Usually they're checking to see that the colors are ok. The NTSCs are r n before the PALs over here, so editors and directors assume that once a transfer is done, it's done. Au contraire! This guy happened to see a PAL version of his film, and nearly cried. It was a drama and it was almost comical. All the editing seemed a little off. He then looked at a ton of other PALs, and found the sad truth. The feeling was very different. Our PALs are seeing a slightly different film than the rest of us."}, {"response": 463, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sun, Oct  4, 1998 (10:13)", "body": "Our PALs are seeing a slightly different film than the rest of us. And that would be the whole world except North America. :-) I wonder what happens to PAL films when they are converted to NTSC? But, I wonder, did he really watch them on a PAL system? I once watched an NTSC version of Apartment Zero on my PAL vcr, and it, erhm, worked somehow. Only it was bw and the voices were a bit darker. But I have seen a lot of films which were originally NTSC, and they were not likewise mutilated. So there must be a way to make a proper translation. I have recently got an NTSC enabled PAL vcr, so I can check both versions. Will let you know what I find out. Just curious: has any of you guys ever put a PAL tape into your NTSC-only recorder? If I remember correctly, the main difference is that PAL has 24 frames per second, and NTSC 25."}, {"response": 464, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Oct  4, 1998 (13:58)", "body": "I have a PAL/ NTSC VCR and view both without a problem. I'm afraid I can't answer your question. Jana, I taped V from Bravo too. Let me know what you think. I hope you are feeling better now Cheryle. Look forward to your many observations."}, {"response": 465, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct  4, 1998 (19:31)", "body": "Hope you're feeling better, Cheryle....we've missed you. Glad you're back :-)) (Renate) Just a thought: This Valmont seems to be a big boy, not very passionate, but to whom making love is as natural as drinking and eating or any kind of sportive activity. It was interesting to see this interpretation by Milos Forman.For CF plays Valmont as a \"bonhomie with a big libido\" rather than a despicable predator.My question to Cheryle (when you have time) : Did you get any knowledge of how CF personally interpreted the character of Valmont.? Did he and MF see \"eye -to -eye ? MMy question"}, {"response": 466, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Tue, Oct  6, 1998 (05:37)", "body": "I seemed to me that so much happened at once that V lost his will to live his plot to bring Cecile and Chevalier together failed, then he found Chevalier in MM's bed. MT went back to her husband. I think he really loved MM but when she took such delight in showing him that she had seduced Chev. he really saw how corrupt she was. In the end when Chev was in the balcony laughing with the girls, the look MM gave him made me think that she is going to make him pay dearly for killing V. I liked Valmont much better than DL. He wasn't so blatently evil and cruel as JM was in DL, he was more like a big spoiled boy playing the game of seduction I got the impression at the cemetary that MT might be carrying his child too, did anyone else think this."}, {"response": 467, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct  6, 1998 (21:40)", "body": "I'm going to try to catch up here without being repetitious, and BTW I do have the book cover scanned but need our Spring Administrators to give me access to load it. Sorry. (Evelyn) My question to him would be: why did he feel that an accent was necessary for the lead male and not for the others? Very true, Evelyn. He didn't feel the same way in casting other period films like Amadeus. Perhaps there was something in the character of Valmont that he didn't feel would be believable with an American accent. Not that any of us aren't glad he did cast CF, although if he hadn't then don't you wonder what might have happened with his career, i.e., the major disappointment of V, his years in exile with MT, etc., but that probably belongs on another topic!! Maybe it was just the \"voice.\" A voice like that could seduce anyone. Did anyone feel that M. de Mertueil sing-song inflections were distracting. Maybe I just like AB too much in this and her other roles, but I didn't find her voice to be distracting. That's just how she is. ....was Andrew Davies inspired by the lake scene replete with wet shirt, bathtub scene, and fencing scene for P&P? Also, musn't forget the pinkie ring twirling. ;-) (Moon) It is certainly Annette\ufffds movie as well and she is wonderful. Totally agreed here. My only casting question in V is Meg Tilly. I liked Meg Tilly in the role and can see why she was cast. (Wasn't Agnes of God before this?) She has that look of piety and innocence that are required for MTourvel. In his first letter to MM in the book, Valmont describes her as : \"you know her piety, her conjugal devotion, her austere principles.\" They argue over the \"inexpressiveness\" of her face, which V defends as being due to purity of heart, i.e., nothing as yet has touched it. the old matron who played his aunt were absolutely charming and quite funny too. Took me a while to place her. Wasn't she also Mabel Leighton in the Jewel in the Crown? Valmont\ufffds game was to seduce. C\ufffdcile\ufffds to play the vestal virgin. Well, C\ufffdcile was a virgin until..., but she's more than interested in finding out all there is to know about love, marriage, sex, etc., and believes herself in love with Danceny. She's very excited to be getting married initially (pre-Danceny). Do you mean that she's to play that part for Gercourt? When I think of Valmont, I find I cannot help but think of the film Ridicule, as another excellent illustration of society at that time. These titled, upper class people were idle. They had nothing to do but play games. If not seduction and affairs, then it was wordplay. Valmont and MM had roles in society. Both of them were notorious for their sexual escapades, although it is apparent from Madame de Volanges' trust of MM that MM was better able to conceal her true nature or maybe that MM (as a relat on) was better able to convince her otherwise. He loses then, as he lost in the dueling game he played with C\ufffdcile at his aunt\ufffds estate. Ooooh!! My kind of foreshadowing. Brilliant observation, Moon, of the final duel. (Evelyn) Glen Close is vicious. (Heide) [AB] had a tough role and perhaps would have been stronger if she could have made the audience feel some understanding or sympathy for her character. The character of MM is vicious from page 1. She instigates the whole thing. Her motives are nothing but vengeful. We don't see AB's full-blown demasking until V's proposal scene near the end, which I think is good. We're not sure up to this point of her true character, just as we haven't been entirely sure of Valmont. Both come out then. (Heide) Does Valmont have intentions of seducing Madame de Tourvel before Madame de Merteuil comes into the picture? Yes, he's been working on her for some time. She represents a major challenge for him. The ultimate in the unattainable. He's also feeling a little old/bored at this point (mid-life crisis, perhaps), in a rut, same-old same-old, and she's his little red Porsche. ;-) Would he be willing to leave it at that if MM had not pushed him into the bet? Doubt it. I think it all depends on how many people knew. He had told her about his latest seduction target or love (depending on how you view it). If he gave up, what would it do to his reputation? All these people did was gossip about one another. Which brings me back to M de Vol. How could she trust MM? Was MM so discreet that no rumor about her exploits and her affair with Gercourt ever reached the ears of M de Vol? in a later scene when MT is being mocked at the dinner table by the more worldly guests, he takes up her defense or at least deflects the attention from her. Is he defending her or is this just a ploy in his quest to seduce her? Definitely ploy. Total act. He's been trying to show MT that he isn't anything like the reputation he has throughout Paris, and she's halfway believing him. Naive little simp. MM wants all of Paris to laugh at Gercourt after he finds out Cecile is not pure. How would all of Paris know this? Would Gercourt admit this "}, {"response": 468, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct  6, 1998 (23:15)", "body": "(Evelyn) I saw her really hating men as a genre... Perhaps, her husband cheated on her and now she was going to take it out on all men. . She has to be in control at all time I don't know whether her husband cheated on her...but she was livid when Gercourt cut out on her for Cecile. And at one point she tells Valmont: \"Want to know why I never remarried...because I didn't want to take orders\". Vindictive and in absolute control..all the time. I would have liked to have seen a more sensuous actress take this role ....Sharon Stone, Demi Moore (except she can't act ) I am intrigued with whoever said that M. Torvel looked as if she was carrying Valmont's child...that was not mentioned in the book. But Milos Forman took a lot of liberties."}, {"response": 469, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Oct  7, 1998 (00:34)", "body": "Geez, Karen, you could've written your own novel with that lengthy discussion on Valmont. I think THIS movie shoulda won the oscar not Playmaker:)"}, {"response": 470, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Oct  7, 1998 (01:27)", "body": "I can't disparage Dangerous Liaisons because I think it was a fine film, excellently cast (for the most part) and beautifully filmed. My favorite scene is when Valmont keeps saying, \"It is beyond my control\" to MM as she pleads for him to take her back. Curious to see if that is in the book. I do quibble with DL's intensely vicious portrayal of MM. Isn't she supposed to be likeable to the unaware? Bening's portrayal is the complete opposite - so candy sweet, she's as obviously evil as GC. Now CF's Valm nt. Well.... Ladies, by whom would you rather be seduced? Oops, sorry, trying to show the proper decorum. (Karen) My only quibble on casting is Sian Phillips as Cecile's mother. She could be playing MM's mother more credibly. LOL!! Though I'd have to say she beats Swoosie Kurtz by a mile. (And I like SK.) (MT's possible mistrust of MM) However, by the end, she knows (remember the scene in Cecile's bedroom) that her daughter has been with Valmont and that a duel was fought over that point of honor. You bring up an interesting point unrelated to the above - the whole town would surely know of the duel (illegal as they may have been at the time). How do you think the purpose was explained and if Cecile was supposed to be the cause, wouldn't Gercourt start to wonder if his little honey was still pure and unadulterated? Perhaps the book will tell. Comparing Valmont to MM: how about Valmont had a conscience, MM did not. (Evelyn) And at one point she tells Valmont: \"Want to know why I never remarried...because I didn't want to take orders\". Sums her up pretty well. Perhaps her husband cheated, surely she cheated on him. She tells Valmont he sounds like a husband. About the worst thing she could call him?"}, {"response": 471, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Oct  7, 1998 (18:34)", "body": "Just to say that I am very impressed, as always, with the perceptive and interesting discussions which CF's movies stimulate! Your comments are much appreciated and enjoyed. I'm a reader, rather than a contributor at the moment."}, {"response": 472, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct  8, 1998 (00:28)", "body": "(Karen), Well, C\ufffdcile was a virgin until..., but she's more than interested in finding out all there is to know about love, marriage, sex, etc., and believes herself in love with Danceny. She's very excited to be getting married initially (pre-Danceny). Do you mean that she's to play that part for Gercourt? Not play the part, she would have been a virgin on her wedding night had it not been for MM inciting V to play his seduction game with her. We don't see AB's full-blown demasking until V's proposal scene near the end, which I think is good. We're not sure up to this point of her true character, just as we haven't been entirely sure of Valmont. Both come out then. Yes, and wasn\ufffdt that brilliant! Which brings me back to M de Vol. How could she trust MM? Was MM so discreet that no rumor about her exploits and her affair with Gercourt ever reached the ears of M de Vol? Yes, otherwise, MdV would not have let MM be so close to C\ufffdcile. M de Vol is well-aware of Valmont's reputation and she corresponds with MT (in the book) and tells her unequivocally what he is. MT\ufffds house in Paris is small servants lacking etc. which makes me think her social position is much lower than MdV. Why would she constantly correspond with her? In the movie we are led to believe that it is MM who warns MT of his reputation. It\ufffds a much stronger scene this way. How MT ended up visiting with V\ufffds aunt is something that might be said in the book, Karen? However, by the end, she knows (remember the scene in Cecile's bedroom) that her daughter has been with Valmont and that a duel was fought over that point of honor. Not exactly. Let\ufffds not forget the other reason for the duel , which one may dare say the reason: V hit MM. Paris society would accept this as a reason and C\ufffdcile would still be the innocent virgin for G. I don\ufffdt think G would have married her otherwise. Valmont like many men are uncomfortable when feelings of real love confront them. Being cruel, running away, driving off that person who has or can have power over you is their first reaction. Denial, pure and simple. Of course MT made it easy for him by staying with her husband. But, if V loved her, why leave the flowers at all. Wouldn\ufffdt he be angry with her? Or is he so vindictive as to want her to see the flowers and think that he loves her and she blew it? How would it look for the great lover Valmont to have fallen hopelessly in love? People might laugh at him. Well, he did propose to MM, and, she did laugh at him! Is it heart-felt? Is she sorry she drove Valmont over the edge with that little scene in her salon? Is it heart-felt? Is she sorry she drove Valmont over the edge with that little scene in her salon? Probably, they were two of a kind. He had gone to her in all earnest. Had they married, they both might have become better persons. Just a thought. Valmont had experienced true love. MM wasn't capable of it maybe. What does the book say Karen? Just the way their love-making is photographed, all that whirling around and tenderness (her tears) I think is Forman's way of showing us that it is for real on both their parts. Real emotions are on display. The streets outside are a big mess and quite confusing to get around. Just like V\ufffds relationship with MT. It was at that point that MM and Valmont had their affair, but I haven't gotten to the point where they break up and why. Let us know. Isn't Moon referring to the second night with MT? Yes, I was. I did sense a sadistic quality in her nature. But not as much as Glenn C. Perhaps, her husband cheated on her and now she was going to take it out on all men. How else to account for the level of vengefulness we see in her. She has to be in control at all times. Perhaps, she was very happy with her husband and after his death she was seduced by someone who turned out to be a real jerk. That could have been her turning point, that would explain the reason for her need to be in control at all times and not controlled by anyone."}, {"response": 473, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Oct  8, 1998 (02:15)", "body": "Interesting that in Valmont the film, there seems to be no connection between MT and MV at all. I see from the book (and I'm just in the beginning) that MV apparently had a hand in arranging MT's marriage. Which explains why, as Karen mentioned earlier, it is MV who writes to MT to warn her of of his character. I believe though that the film wants us to think it is MM who is writing to MT, hence no thread shown between MT and MV in the film. Another ploy Forman used to show MM's devious nature? I agre with Moon that it is a stronger scene using MM as the device. (Moon) Of course MT made it easy for him by staying with her husband. But, if V loved her, why leave the flowers at all. Wouldn\ufffdt he be angry with her? Or is he so vindictive as to want her to see the flowers and think that he loves her and she blew it? He has no reason to be angry with her. She did to him what he has done to countless others. To me, leaving the flowers is a sign of surrender and of love. He knows he's lost her. He's telling her she's won. She's not the kind of woman though who would have considered this as a victory. (Karen) I think we're talking about two different scenes No, actually I was referring to the last scene of Valmont with MM. He thinks he is finally going to collect on his bet as she leads him toward the bedroom only to fling the doors open to reveal poor, clumsy Danceny."}, {"response": 474, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct  8, 1998 (15:26)", "body": "(Heide),To me, leaving the flowers is a sign of surrender and of love. He knows he's lost her. He's telling her she's won. She's not the kind of woman though who would have considered this as a victory. OK, I'll buy that. But Heide, V comes to collect on his bet when MM is taking a bath, remember? She gets on the bed with legs open and he can't bare to do anything."}, {"response": 475, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct  8, 1998 (17:23)", "body": "(Moon) Not play the part, she would have been a virgin on her wedding night had it not been for MM inciting V to play his seduction game with her. I saw Cecile as being very eager. She may have gotten Danceny to do more than just leave her notes in the harp with or without MM's intervention. How MT ended up visiting with V\ufffds aunt is something that might be said in the book, Karen? I'll take another look toward the beginning, but I don't think it says anything. Well, he did propose to MM, and, she did laugh at him! But that was private. The other type was all of society laughing at him. Ridicule. Perhaps, she was very happy with her husband and after his death she was seduced by someone who turned out to be a real jerk. That could have been her turning point, that would explain the reason for her need to be in control at all times and not controlled by anyone. That issue of *control* makes me think MM married young and since we all know she's an extremely intelligent woman, couldn't stand an inferior husband telling her what to do and with whom. I'd say total disillusionment with marriage. (Heide),To me, leaving the flowers is a sign of surrender and of love. He knows he's lost her. He's telling her she's won. She's not the kind of woman though who would have considered this as a victory. Another thought. I just saw something (TV or movie, can't remember) where a woman berated her boyfriend/fiance for not coming after her. Valmont left the flowers to show her that he came after her. That he had changed and he really wanted her. Not just as a lover, but perhaps more."}, {"response": 476, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Oct  9, 1998 (00:48)", "body": "(Moon) But Heide, V comes to collect on his bet when MM is taking a bath, remember? Yes and I'm sorry for not explaining myself very well. I know the bath scene is when he comes to collect his bet. The second scene that I'm referring to, it appears to Valmont that he is going to bed MM, therefore collecting on his bet. I think we mentioned this scene in reference to when V. loses his will and I had said he had come to MM to reclaim his happiness by collecting on his bet. Poor description by me since V. has already resigned himself to not collecitng on it. But it appears he is trying to get back in MM's good graces, tryin to blot out MT's rejection of him. Don't wish to draw the condescension of others (oh, why the hell not) but: Favorite Colin look: drunk, disheveled, and unshaven after getting off his horse to meet D. for the duel. Even with the shadows under his eyes, he looks delectible to me. It's the mixture of relief at being punished for the misery he has caused and affront for being challenged by this silly boy when the real schemer is sitting smugly at home."}, {"response": 477, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  9, 1998 (15:47)", "body": "(Moon) Let\ufffds not forget the other reason for the duel , which one may dare say the reason: V hit MM. Paris society would accept this as a reason and C\ufffdcile would still be the innocent virgin for G. I don\ufffdt think G would have married her otherwise. Bad me!! Skipped ahead to the end of the book and Danceny's note to Valmont is provided. Apparently, Danceny felt that Valmont had abused him, used him. No mention of MM or Cecile. Best little insight: MV is still an idiot even at the end. She writes a letter to M de Rosamunde, bewailing the fact that MM's reputation is being sullied by Danceny's showing people MM's letters to V. She refuses to believe that MM could be so manipulative, cruel, etc. Question: In the Cecile seduction scene, does anyone remember their impressions the very first time they saw it. I remember thinking it was cute, but when he stood up and started removing his coat, I felt a little repulsed. Of course, I no longer feel that way, but anyone?????"}, {"response": 478, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  9, 1998 (20:44)", "body": "One last item: Why do you think he changed his mind? Was it the rejection by MT or did he find those feet flailing in the air irresistible? He had not wanted any part of MM's little intrigue...it was beneath him. So why did he change his mind?"}, {"response": 479, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Oct 10, 1998 (16:36)", "body": "It's hard to put aside my feelings for the actor when figuring out my felings during his seduction of Cecile. I think I was nervous that it would be a \"rape\" scene and was relieved that the scene was manipulated to make us think that Cecile was not repelled. I know that's a very fine line to tread. Forman dare not let us believe for a moment that he thinks raped women really want it. And I know this scene does turn some women off though I think the DL scene is more dangerous. Does Forman \"reassure\" u by having Cecile agree with MM that Valmont is indeed a very fine writer and her saying that there were times when she felt like she loved him? Would Valmont have stopped if she had fought him? Was she too terrified to fight him? Another good question, Karen, is why he changed his mind in the first place about seducing her. I think he is disturbed by MT's pleading with him to leave. He's failed for the moment. Probably figured, oh what the hell. After all, he is still a cad. Bedding fifteen year olds I'm sure was not that uncommon. And she is a sweet little thing. I'm sure those flailing feet were irresistable."}, {"response": 480, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sat, Oct 10, 1998 (18:02)", "body": "(heide)I'm sure those flailing feet were irresistable. Filmmakers and their feet. Does anybody remember Scorcese's contribution to \"New York Stories\"? Master painter and groupie/young painter; always these zooms in to her feet. Boy, folks, I don\ufffdt know where to begin! But I\ufffdm glad you did. I tried to start responding on a comment-by-comment basis, but it got very confusing for me. So I thought I\ufffdd just say how I looked at it as a film then and now, excluding everything else for now. I didn\ufffdt like V when it came out, for a few reasons. I had already read the V script (and didn\ufffdt like parts), read the DL script, and seen DL. Then I got ten years older (learning more about life and movies,) and I didn\ufffdt see it in the interim. I still haven\ufffdt read the book, but did have more interactions with Milos & Co. after seeing the film. Taking the film as a film, as much as I can: it seems to me the sequences go something like this: 1. MM finds she needs revenge on G, and chooses V as the weapon, but 2. V wants MT. 3. MM changes to CD for as tool for revenge, then 4. MM refocuses on V. 5. V opposes MM, which becomes 6. V crushed by (societal) forces he\ufffds set off So it\ufffds MM\ufffds film, really, but it\ufffds called Valmont, so that\ufffds confusing. Then, the film opens and closes with Cecile\ufffdMM is in both scenes, but the first scene focuses on C, \ufffd I messed up who said what in all the processing of words. Please correct me if it matters, so others can follow your lines of discussion, and accept my profound apologies. I can\ufffdt do better today. (In addition to the sprain, I have Mouse Disease, caused by years of mousing. I am treating it with Chinese herbs, and am learning to mouse with my left hand. So it\ufffds kind of like dueling when you\ufffdre drunk, this mousing.) (Moon on MT) He is taken by her, but I don\ufffdt believe he really loves her. He shows no remorse. (Moon on MM) I believe that he loves her. Moon's put her toe first in the water here. This should be an interesting debate. I think he loves them both in different ways. (Moon) She had written a letter to her husband but then we see him still at home. There is no explanation for this. Agreed, at least not from the film. I would guess, without looking at other sources, that he has either returned home despite the letter or she has asked him to return him, probably throwing herself at his feet. No MM she . I thought he came home from his trial\ufffdit\ufffds house, where else would he go? It was interesting that he was old and bald on top, and the juxtaposition of the husband (Arami or someone, what would MT\ufffds husband\ufffds initials be? Since he\ufffds a judge, wouldn\ufffdt his first initial be different, and thus we could use it to distinguish the two of them?) Evelyn (Heide)Which brings us to the interesting debate of love for MM or love for MT or both or none. Anyone ready to tackle that yet? The foreword to my book has a Harry Levin from Harvard saying: than a femme fatale ....a self-professed Delilah , with a vengence of hate to wreak on the opposite sex\" We don't have to accept this perspective, but I thought it interesting. I saw her really hating men as a genre...enjoyed injuring them...even Valmont. Obviously, she only loved herself too. Did I see somewhere that Harry said this in the 60s, or did I dream it? Men always think they\ufffdre simpler and less harmful. From the movie, MM seemed self-destructive. I\ufffdll think this through later. Moon Dreams (Moon) During the film when the above seduction is taking place, did you notice the film gets very grainy on that close up? I wonder if Milos filmed it as a wider shot but then changed his mind and had to zoom in and re-film directly from the film. Cheryle, can you answer this? Will be talking to someone in the know in the next couple of weeks. ( CherylE) A fun fact I learned about a month ago: did you know that PAL tapes run almost 5% faster than NTSC tapes\ufffd I put links about this on 97 (Evelyn) My question to Cheryle (when you have time) : Did you get any knowledge of how CF personally interpreted the character of Valmont.? Did he and MF see \"eye -to -eye ? This is for later ;-0 Lucie (alyeska) I seemed to me that so much happened at once that V lost his will to live his plot to bring Cecile and Chevalier together failed, then he found Chevalier in MM's bed. MT went back to her husband. I think he really loved MM but when she took such delight in showing him that she had seduced Chev. he really saw how corrupt she was. In the end when Chev was in the balcony laughing with the girls, the look MM gave him made me think that she is going to make him pay dearly for killing V. Ah, yes. And I think V saw that now there would be no safety or companionship anywhere in the world for him. Even if you\ufffdre doing evil things and causing mischief, well, few people do them alone. There\ufffds something about a human connection, even if it\ufffds all wrong\ufffd Karen (Evelyn) My question to him would be: why did he feel that an accent was necessary for the lead male and not for the others? Ve"}, {"response": 481, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sat, Oct 10, 1998 (18:05)", "body": "go away italics!"}, {"response": 482, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sat, Oct 10, 1998 (18:11)", "body": "Whew! (Moon) It is certainly Annette\ufffds movie as well and she is wonderful. Totally agreed here. I now agree as well. I hated her in the old days, and even now there are things I don\ufffdt like, but I think she does the job very well. \ufffdin a later scene when MT is being mocked at the dinner table by the more worldly guests, he takes up her defense or at least deflects the attention from her. Is he defending her or is this just a ploy in his quest to seduce her? Definitely ploy. Total act. He's been trying to show MT that he isn't anything like the reputation he has throughout Paris, and she's halfway believing him. Naive little simp. I\ufffdm halfway believing him. I love the way it\ufffds not clear! I love the way we don\ufffdt know what he\ufffds really up to! MM wants all of Paris to laugh at Gercourt after he finds out Cecile is not pure. How would all of Paris know this? Would Gercourt admit this to anyone? MM would make sure everyone knew. She would probably have started spreading the rumor at the wedding ceremony itself had not the other events transpired. Absolutely. And everyone would want to believe it, such delicious gossip. Is Valmont a better human being than MM?...He sounds truly contrite when he apologizes for sending D. to challenge her. Well, I don't know about better....;-) but he is definitely not as cruel as she is. MM looks very contrite at V's funeral and at Cecile's wedding. She looks totally broken. Is it heart-felt? Is she sorry she drove Valmont over the edge with that little scene in her salon? Who knows. However, I didn't see Colin's Valmont as being cruelly sadistic as AB's MM was. It was a game for him and her only way of life. Valmont had experienced true love. MM wasn't capable of it maybe. I don\ufffdt know about \"true\", but otherwise I ditto everything. This is part of my thinking on how she\ufffds self-destructive. She\ufffds so busy trying not to be controlled that she\ufffds at the mercy of consequences of actions she herself began. (is that English?!) That parlor dance. Look at the expressions on MT's face. Is she interested or what? I thought that was one of the most brilliant scenes I\ufffdve ever seen in movies. Works in the movie, and on a universal level, blah, blah. I loved it, in addition to its beauty, its elegance as a film scene, and its marvelous execution. (Renate) This Valmont seems to be a big boy, not very passionate, but to whom making love is as natural as drinking and eating or any kind of sportive activity. Interesting observation. Seducers come in all flavors. There are your suave debonair types and your cute as a button puppy dog types. Colin's Valmont is smooth alright, but he's a cutie with dogged persistence and humor. (Moon) I still preferred it GC\ufffds. Annette was coquettish and very feminine (flirty eyes and all). I could understand why V would be v. taken by her, even after his many conquests. But is he taken with her or has he resigned himself to hooking up with her because of their true natures. Two of a kind. It wouldn't be right to pursue MT seriously when he was a scoundrel at heart. He wouldn't have to be or try to be anything other than himself with MM. Who better than your best friend and confidante? Keep thi king about the lawyer-shark jokes: professional courtesy! Agree. He is taken by her [MT], but I don\ufffdt believe he really loves her. He shows no remorse. I still think he's in denial that he actually has those feelings. I think he's positively crushed when she leaves him that night. He sits there drinking wine and thinking about what has happened and what he should do. Just the way their love-making is photographed, all that whirling around and tenderness (her tears) I think is Forman's way of showing us that it is for real on both their parts. Real emotions are on display. It\ufffds gotta be confusing to a guy, just as it was confusing to MM to see him taken with her. They\ufffdre actually having a life, changing with experience, and that threatens your denial like crazy. What if MM found herself wanting V desperately? It cannot be! We are led to believe that there was something between the two of them in the past when she says \ufffd still love you, you know.\" It\ufffds true, and it\ufffds also manipulative. At the beginning of the book, MM solicits Valmont's help with the Cecile seduction because he too has something against Gercourt. That makes tons of sense to me. (Heide) My impression is that he lost his will when he found MT had returned to her husband. Yes, I think it occured then. He had put her up on a pedestal and really did not think her capable of being another one of those society ladies who kept lovers. When she came to him, he would have thought that she was desperately in love with him and had already left her husband (the letter she had written after the first time) and would take whatever crumbs he would throw her way. But had she in fact returned to him? I thought she had just disappeared. He disappeared first. Now it\ufffds shockingly done to him, and he finds it matters. Again, I just take i"}, {"response": 483, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct 10, 1998 (20:54)", "body": "(Cheryle),He was heated and hopeful from MT. His dictation of the letter was to her; his lovemaking was to her. I like this Cheryle. That would change our P.O.V. of Cecile's seduction scene. He does not seduce a child but a woman. More later."}, {"response": 484, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Oct 11, 1998 (01:15)", "body": "I like your explanation too, Cheryl. I've wondered if he was really writing to MT but then thought it too simplistic. But why let it get too complicated? You've sold me. (Cheryl) So it\ufffds MM\ufffds film, really, but it\ufffds called Valmont, so that\ufffds confusing. Agree it's confusing. Any idea on why the title Valmont was chosen? (Cheryl on MM) This is part of my thinking on how she\ufffds self-destructive. She\ufffds so busy trying not to be controlled that she\ufffds at the mercy of consequences of actions she herself began. (is that English?!) It certainly is English. Couldn't have said it better myself and rarely have. The dance scene was mentioned again and it is my favorite scene in the entire movie. Valmont may be a rascal but he sure knows how to make the ladies happy. Look at how his aunt adoringly looks at her handsome nephew. Love watching the faces of the onlookers while he partners another lady. Love how he blatently looks at MT while dancing with MM, succeeding quite well in annoying MM."}, {"response": 485, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sun, Oct 11, 1998 (06:32)", "body": "Oh, oh! Thank you all for your good wishes re my absence. I did miss you...I'm buying a computer next week for home, so I won't be as constrained in the future as to when I can read and post. (Moon Dreams)I like this Cheryle. That would change our P.O.V. of Cecile's seduction scene. He does not seduce a child but a woman. Maybe. But to my sensibility, absentmindedly prying apart the legs of a child while hot for someone else is one of the world's many wrongs. I don't always think of a 15 year old as a child, but given V's age and position, she's an infant. (heide)I like your explanation too, Cheryl. I've wondered if he was really writing to MT but then thought it too simplistic. But why let it get too complicated? You've sold me. V whole dictation keeps \"breaking character\", not really from C to D. (Cheryl) So it\ufffds MM\ufffds film, really, but it\ufffds called Valmont, so that\ufffds confusing. Agree it's confusing. Any idea on why the title Valmont was chosen? Yup, and I think it's been touched on above, but I'll say my piece when we're ready to include outside influences ;-) The dance scene was mentioned again and it is my favorite scene in the entire movie.... And it's such a great snapshot of V with 4 stages in a woman's life. Oh, so carefree and harmless (heh,heh,heh.) (I really do have major attitude about Milos and the film, I'll try to be good till later . . .) As Nan would say, BWWWAAAHHHAAAHHHAAAHHHAAA!!!!"}, {"response": 486, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Oct 11, 1998 (12:23)", "body": "(Heide) Bedding fifteen year olds I'm sure was not that uncommon. (Cheryl)I was pissed and would have called the Child Protection Agency. (Moon Dreams) He does not seduce a child but a woman. LOL, Cheryl! I have read in another boring history book that the age of consent for females in England was actually 12 until early 19th century! I imagine France would not have been different. (However, general views and practice had been evidently changing during Jane Austen's times: e.g., she didn't imply that Lizzy was an old spinster at 21, and both Lydia and Georgiana are described as mentally immature for a sexual relationship at 15. I believe these were quite progressive ideas then!) (Cheryl)(Arami or someone, what would MT\ufffds husband\ufffds initials be? For myself, I don't remember off hand if MT's husband had a first name, but why not just call him JT? But perhaps that other someone will have a better suggestion? :-) Perhaps there was something in the character of Valmont that he didn't feel would be believable with an American accent. I have a theory I\ufffdll run by you later. Cheryl, you so tantalizingly defer so many replies! :-) Can't wait for your own computer... Any idea on why the title Valmont was chosen? Maybe simply because he was a more sympathetic character, more complex and capable of reform, and she was ultimately just a scheming bitch? ;-)"}, {"response": 487, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 11, 1998 (20:30)", "body": "(Moon Dreams)I like this Cheryle. That would change our P.O.V. of Cecile's seduction scene. He does not seduce a child but a woman. (Cheryl) I don't always think of a 15 year old as a child, but given V's age and position, she's an infant. Let us not forget that Cecile is going to marry Gercourt shortly, so 15 is marriageable. Given the bedroom antics that were going on, they couldn't keep them virginal much past that time. ;-) (Heide) Any idea on why the title Valmont was chosen? Who said we can't bring in any outside references yet? In Forman's Memoirs, he does allude to it. He admits to not sticking religiously to the book and instead intended to concentrate on the character of Valmont. I do believe that DL is much more MM's movie than is Valmont. In DL, it begins and closes with MM looking at herself in a mirror. She looks young and vibrant, fresh in the morning in the opening scene, but at the end she is removing that hideous white face powder that makes her look like dea h warmed over."}, {"response": 488, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Mon, Oct 12, 1998 (14:46)", "body": "(Arami) (Cheryl)(Arami or someone, what would MT\ufffds husband\ufffds initials be?) For myself, I don't remember off hand if MT's husband had a first name, but why not just call him JT? But perhaps that other someone will have a better suggestion? :-) I didn't think he had a first name, but I figured that if he's a judge, he had a title, and you always know that sort of thing---what judges in late 18c Paris were called. JT for Judge Tourvel is fine by me. Perhaps there was something in the character of Valmont that he didn't feel would be believable with an American accent. I have a theory I\ufffdll run by you later. Cheryl, you so tantalizingly defer so many replies! :-) Can't wait for your own computer... (Karen) Who said we can't bring in any outside references yet? In Forman's Memoirs, he does allude to it. He admits to not sticking religiously to the book and instead intended to concentrate on the character of Valmont. Gosh. Ok. If our co-host has fired the gun, then I'm off to the races. As it's a marathon, and I do have my Mouse Disease, I'll take it piece by piece. I get all mixed up if I don't start at the beginning with the first sequence, because I forget who's said what about this or that. Or maybe it's the storyteller in me--beginning, middle, and end. Anyway. No complex theories. Valmont is Milos, and he thinks he's a great guy. He thinks most men are great guys. He thinks men simply cannot cause as m ch harm to women as women can to men. And that's the problem with the script, and that's the problem Colin had with the part, IMHO. Passive characters don't work. If you're writing about yourself, the main character is usually passive, since we perceive things as happening to us. And I don't think he saw it as passive, and it was not cool when I brought it up with someone. I'll defend my thesis, as well as others, as I go through. It's the most common thing in the world. If I had a dollar for every time I sat in a class and heard, \"You're not treating your character badly enough.\" \"Your character is too good.\" Etc., etc. It's a given with me that it was a good choice to have V a charming, light seducer. But at the end, when MM says, \"you're a very bad man,\" I didn't get it. Gotta go but I look forward, etc. (Karen) Let us not forget that Cecile is going to marry Gercourt shortly, so 15 is marriageable. Given the bedroom antics that were going on, they couldn't keep them virginal much past that time. ;-) I buy that. I think my perspective is twisted, since I haven't read the book and I haven't spent time with that character. I'm reacting from my own prejudices. (Karen)I do believe that DL is much more MM's movie than is Valmont. In DL, it begins and closes with MM looking at herself in a mirror. She looks young and vibrant, fresh in the morning in the opening scene, but at the end she is removing that hideous white face powder that makes her look like death warmed over. I haven't seen DL in all these years, but I do remember that powder. I'll watch it again. At the time, I was immersed in V."}, {"response": 489, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Mon, Oct 12, 1998 (15:53)", "body": "Ladies, I have been lurking, the discussions are both insightful and provocative, I have but little to add, so with Heidi's encouragement, here goes: 1. Valmont -- it's success, or lack of it. We agree that Valmont was well done, just not well received. There were so many things that worked against it. a. Amadaues -- unless Forman's next movie was an even bigger success , it will be considered a failure. b. Such a young cast -- in 1989, MT was probably the only name known to American audience. (I didn't hear about AB until she started to date Warren Batey. c. Timing -- in this case, second was last place. 2. V's most seductive seduction scene. a. My vote goes to the dance scene. He is charming 4 women, all different ages, each in their own way comes under his spell. 3. V's most disgusting action. a. \"something about your husband's nose.\" This was a turnoff for me, it shows how indiscriminate V is with women, anyone will do, it's just another conquest. 4. Was MM in love with Gercourt? I hardly think so, she only wanted him for his wealth and position. (Jeffery Jones seems to be another Forman favorite, he was the emperor in Amadaues.) 5. When did MT fall for V? Little by little, but the deciding moment was when they were dancing, she was completely under his spell. The way they looked at each other, the dancing and the acting were both superb. 6. V's most tender moment. In MT's room, when she asked him to go away, his eyes seem to be full of tears. \"And this is what you want?\" He knows that success soon be his. 7. Re: the Cecileseduction scene. I too think it's cute. V is so playful, and so easily distracted by a pair of pretty legs. I don't think it was premeditated. I agree with Cherly that he was thinking of MT all the while. BTW, no one has mentioned the \"butt\" double in this scene, wonder if she was listed in the credits, imagine having that job ;-)) Re: (Cheryl) Valmont is Milos... Are we talking Titanic \"King of the World\" ? This is turning into quite an educational board! Actually, I enjoy \"bad\" characters, they seem to have all the fun. And is it true that many actors like to play the badie, because the characters are much more complex and demanding to play?"}, {"response": 490, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Oct 13, 1998 (01:24)", "body": "Oh, Emma, glad you've come to play. I think you've brought up three very significant reasons for Valmont's \"failure\" with c being perhaps the most important, in my mind. Your point with lack of well known names is well taken too though I guess I'd have to say that Amadeus prospered without well known names. Still, I too remember only having heard of Meg Tilly when it first came out. And she was never a draw for me. Oh, if only I had known what I was missing! (Emma) no one has mentioned the \"butt\" double in this scene, wonder if she was listed in the credits, imagine having that job ;-)) Come on, Cheryl, 'fess up."}, {"response": 491, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Wed, Oct 14, 1998 (05:38)", "body": "Would that it were so. I mean, to look like that. It's really not easy to be exposed to the other actors and crew. But then I guess you'd have to be an exhibitionist to sign up for that job. I do know someone who was Val Kilmer's subject while he learned to be a masseuse for some role recently. Rendezvous at his hotel suite, 20 times, an hour each; he was an enthusiastic student. Now that's an assignment..............sorry, forgot what I was doing.........."}, {"response": 492, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 14, 1998 (20:52)", "body": "(Heide) Comparing Valmont to MM: how about Valmont had a conscience, MM did not. (Karen) Valmont had experienced true love. MM wasn't capable of it maybe. (Moon) What does the book say Karen? The book (MM herself!!) exposes her character through one particular letter (No. 81) to Valmont. It is v.long, so I will do only bits of it. She is a self-made woman. She created herself and left out those feelings which would be considered weak and typical of her sex. To achieve her objective, MM could not be helplessly in love nor could she have a conscience. In a way, she made herself over to be a typical man, without conscience in his conquest of women and in control over the course of the affair when it begins and ends). (MM on her life) ...you have seen me controlling events and opinions; turning the formidable male into the plaything of my whims and fancies; depriving some of their will, others of the power to hurt me....I have kept my reputation untarnished...that I, who was born to revenge my sex and master yours... When have you known me to break the rules I have laid down for myself or to betray my principles? I say 'my principles' intentionally. They are not, like those of other women... I have created them: I might say that I have created myself. At my entrance into society I was still a girl, condemned by my status to silence and inaction, and I made the most of my opportunities to observe and reflect....I paid little attention, in fact, to what everyone was anxious to tell me, but was careful to ponder what they attempted to hide. This useful curiosity...taught me to dissemble....I tried...to control the different expressions on my face. When I felt annoyed I practised looking serene, even cheerful ...I went so far as to suffer pain voluntarily so as to achieve a simultaneous expression of pleasure. I labored with the same care...to repress symptoms of unexpected joy. In this way I was able to acquire the power over my features at which I have sometimes seen you so astonished. (MM on love/pleasure) I proceeded a virgin into the arms of Monsieur de Merteuil...I awaited the moments of enlightenment with confidence, and had to remind myself to show embarrassment and fear...I took exact account of pains and pleasures, regarding the various sensations simply as facts to be collected and meditated upon...My studies soon became a delight. But faithful to my principles...I decided, for the very reason that I had become susceptible to pleasure, to appear in his eyes as impassive. This apparent frigidity proved later to be the unshakeable foundation of his blind trust in me...never did he think me more of a child than when I was most flagrantly deceiving him. [Note: She did not have other affairs.] It was here...that I confirmed the truth that love, which we cry up as the source of our pleasures, is nothing more than an excuse for them. [emphasis added] (MM on Valmont) ...when you first favoured me with your attentions. No homage ever flattered me more. I desired you before I had seen you. Your reputation so impressed me that it seemed that only you could bring me glory. I longed to measure swords with you. This is the only one of my desires that has ever for a moment gained sway over me...It is true that I have since surrendered all my secrets to you: but you are aware of the interests that unite us... Sorry for this lengthy quot tion. Wish I could have summarized it, but her words are so fascinating. (Moon) But Heide, V comes to collect on his bet when MM is taking a bath, remember? She gets on the bed with legs open and he can't bare to do anything. Moon, you mentioned this earlier. Doesn't this scene clearly show the difference between V and MM. It seems to me that, if they were exactly the same, he would have *collected* on his bet regardless of her attitude of disinterest. She's mercenary enough. (Heide) Don't wish to draw the condescension of others (oh, why the hell not) but: Favorite Colin look So difficult to narrow down. I love the scene at the opera when he is introduced to Cecile. I also love when he gallops up to MT, sweeps her up into the saddle to shoot the arrow (OK, into the roast turkey) and then gallops off to the picnic in the clearing. Then, finally, the whirling and twirling heady love scene when MT comes to him. Argh, pure pain to watch. ;-D (Karen) He's been trying to show MT that he isn't anything like the reputation he has throughout Paris, and she's halfway believing him. (Cheryl) I\ufffdm halfway believing him. I love the way it\ufffds not clear! I love the way we don\ufffdt know what he\ufffds really up to! Yes, I'm really seeing the ambiguity in the book. His letters to MT. You don't know what is real and what he is making up just to get on her good side. Many were shown in DL. Forman must want to show that his Valmont's attentions to MT were truer, even though he may not have understood/known it himself. (Cheryl) And she\ufffds [MM] jealous. They\ufffdre both jealous when it seems someone else might come between"}, {"response": 493, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Oct 15, 1998 (00:38)", "body": "Thanks for the book excerpts. The description begs the question whatever happened in her life to make her become such an expert at deception? That she is an extremely intelligent woman impatient and unaccepting of her sex's fate doesn't explain why she can not love. As long as she receives her pleasures she has no need for love. The letter is an interesting insight into her character. (Cheryl) And she\ufffds [MM] jealous. They\ufffdre both jealous when it seems someone else might come between them, in their twisted relationship. (Karen) Yes, MM is also jealous and she accuses V of the same in a letter before her Declaration of War. And Valmont is certainly trying hard to arouse her jealousy. My favorite example of this when he dares to give his attention to MT even while dancing with MM. (Cheryl) I thought he was so glad to be on intimate terms again with someone, someone who could accept him as was (Karen)Maybe not glad, but resigned to the fact that that was the best he could expect. They've enjoyed playing their games for years. They enjoy one-upping each other. They're worthy competitors but I would gather from Forman's version that Valmont does not always play the game at MM's level - no one can be he comes closest. I'm not sure what's meant by Valmont being described as a passive character. I think of passive characters having things done to them rather than acting themselves. Valmont is a pawn but I think he acts with MT. Can you explain why you would consider Valmont as being passive?"}, {"response": 494, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Thu, Oct 15, 1998 (03:27)", "body": "(Cheryl) I do know someone who was Val Kilmer's subject while he learned to be a masseuse for some role recently. Rendezvous at his hotel suite, 20 times, an hour each; he was an enthusiastic student. Now that's an assignment..............sorry, forgot what I was doing.......... Hmmm, so where do we sign up? Karen, thanks for the fascinating passage from the book, shows MM's superior intelligence and level of self control. The symbolism in DL, when Glen Close powdered her face, she was in effect donning a mask to conceal her true nature. (sorry if someone has mentioned this already) ....I have kept my reputation untarnished...that I, who was born to revenge my sex and master yours... She would've made quite a wife for Henry VIII (I know, wrong country, wrong century, but MM would've \"mastered\" Old Henry.) I longed to measure swords with you. This is the only one of my desires that has ever for a moment gained sway over me...It is true that I have since surrendered all my secrets to you: but you are aware of the interests that unite us... (Heide) They've enjoyed playing their games for years. They enjoy one-upping each other. They're worthy competitors but I would gather from Forman's version that Valmont does not always play the game at MM's level - no one can be he comes closest. MM was interested in V because of his reputation, it became a challenge to beat V at his own game. Yes, I agree, in the end, the victories seem hollow if she cannot share her success with someone. Anyone care to comment -- MM was one for equal opportunities, an early feminist gone wrong."}, {"response": 495, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 15, 1998 (18:59)", "body": "(Heide) That she is an extremely intelligent woman impatient and unaccepting of her sex's fate doesn't explain why she can not love. It seems to me that she must just be afraid of the consequences. You know someone having that much influence over her. In whatever limited capacity she has for love, she did love Valmont but caused it to end. Or maybe it's like some kind of kinky sex thing like asphyxiation!! ;-) To each his own. (Emma) MM was one for equal opportunities, an early feminist gone wrong. Oooh!! What an idea!! Excellent observation, Emma. There are plenty of women like her in the workplace today. Unfortunately, they give the rest of us a bad name, which I wouldn't use here on a public board. ;-)"}, {"response": 496, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 15, 1998 (19:55)", "body": "Thank you Karen for the insightful quotations. (the book): I might say that I have created myself. I paid little attention, in fact, to what everyone was anxious to tell me, but was careful to ponder what they attempted to hide. I tried...to control the different expressions on my face. When I felt annoyed I practised looking serene, even cheerful ...I went so far as to suffer pain voluntarily so as to achieve a simultaneous expression of pleasure. I labored with the same care...to repress symptoms of unexpected joy. In this way I was able to acquire the power over my features at which I have sometimes seen you so astonished. One can see how skillful AB was in her portrayal of MM. Her facial features where quite expressive even in concealing emotions. The last scene with V comes to mind. Certainly less of a charicature than GC in DL. But faithful to my principles...I decided, for the very reason that I had become susceptible to pleasure, to appear in his eyes as impassive.This apparent frigidity proved later to be the unshakeable foundation of his blind trust in me...never did he think me more of a child than when I was most flagrantly deceiving him. [Note: She did not have other affairs.] In the book she did not have other affairs??? What about V and G? See below: (MM on Valmont)...when you first favoured me with your attentions. No homage ever flattered me more. I desired you before I had seen you. Your reputation so impressed me that it seemed that only you could bring me glory. I longed to measure swords with you. This is the only one of my desires that has ever for a moment gained sway over me...It is true that I have since surrendered all my secrets to you: but you are aware of the interests that unite us... Was V her only affair in the book? (Karen ), It seems to me that, if they were exactly the same, he would have *collected* on his bet regardless of her attitude of disinterest. She's mercenary enough. This always puzzled me too. Why wouldn\ufffdt he collect on his bet right there, that\ufffds what he came for. What else did he expect from her? Did his true feelings for her get in the way? Love? Favorite Colin look: I have a weakness for Colin on horseback and dancing. Just show me a smile! I'm really seeing the ambiguity in the book. His letters to MT. You don't know what is real and what he is making up just to get on her good side. Exactly! I still believe that she might have been his most hard earned conquest, but not true love. For V to be jealous, he would have to have deep feelings of love for her. He does not. She knows that he *loves* MT and his desire to return to her (MM) put her in second place, something she could not tolerate. I need proof. This is not clear to me. (Heide) she leads him toward the bedroom only to fling the doors open to reveal poor, clumsy Danceny (Cheryl) I thought he was so glad to be on intimate terms again with someone, someone who could accept him as was (Karen),Maybe not glad, but resigned to the fact that that was the best he could expect. A predictable life, with someone he understood and who did not have the capacity to touch his soul. But she did touch his soul. They were two of a kind. DL was also written by a man. A very vindictive man. Ouch! (Cheryl) And that's the problem with the script, and that's the problem Colin had with the part, IMHO. Passive characters don't work...It's a given with me that it was a good choice to have V a charming, light seducer. But I agree with Heide\ufffds definition of a passive character. V is not a passive character. Many things happen because of him, he doesn\ufffdt just react, he acts. But at the end, when MM says, \"you're a very bad man,\" I didn't get it. You\ufffdre a very bad man because you should have wanted me sooner and not have let me go. You have made me become like you. You have made me hate you. ( Karen), BTW, wouldn't you say Frank Capra made characters who were essentially passive until the end (like V) interesting? It's a Wonderful Life, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, Meet John Doe. If the JS characters were so passive, I wouldn\ufffdt feel so passionate about these films. Those are strong characters Karen. (Emma) V's most tender moment. In MT's room, when she asked him to go away, his eyes seem to be full of tears. \"And this is what you want?\" He knows that success soon be his. ( Karen), Does he know this? Or is his conscience kicking in? Anyone else have an opinion here? His conscience might be at work here, but, the next day she leaves and he follows her to her house and success is indeed his. If he were so conscientious, he would have accepted her departure and not kept insisting."}, {"response": 497, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 16, 1998 (15:35)", "body": "(Moon) In the book she did not have other affairs??? What about V and G? Sorry, if I was not clear. She did not have other affairs while she was married. She had plenty of other affairs once she came out of mourning. You couldn't believe how she plotted and planned her reentry into society and how she made sure that the right guys knew she was available (her mother wanted her to go into a convent!!) (Moon) This always puzzled me too. Why wouldn\ufffdt he collect on his bet right there, that\ufffds what he came for. What else did he expect from her? Did his true feelings for her get in the way? Love? To me it just shows that they fundamentally are different animals. Also, she's dishonorable. I think this also shows her lack of class. Doesn't a gentleman always honor his bets? This lady was no gentleman. (Moon) I still believe that she might have been his most hard earned conquest, but not true love. I need proof. This is not clear to me. OK, let me get my book out later (I'll post this weekend). He writes many letters to MT, but there are two done in quick succession--one that he allows MM to read *before* he sends it because she will get a chuckle out of it and a second, which he doesn't let her review. The second contains some v.interesting comments about how MT reaches his soul. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I hear you cry. A bunch of hooey!! But I took it as perhaps his true feelings because he wouldn't share it with MM. (Moon) You\ufffdre a very bad man because you should have wanted me sooner and not have let me go. You have made me become like you. You have made me hate you. But MM did this all to herself. Valmont had nothing really to do with her choice of careers. She chose it herself and trained herself. I also get the feeling that she pushed him away to end their affair, although in the movie, didn't AB say something about \"who would betray who first, this time\" when V comes to see her and sort-of proposes they go back together. (Moon) Those are strong characters Karen. They're naive and idealist characters until the end when they get passionate and break out of their passivity. BTW, I don't believe Valmont is a passive character either. Both MM and V are actively manipulating people and each other throughout. It's just that MM doesn't play by M of Queensbury rules. ;-)"}, {"response": 498, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Oct 16, 1998 (20:47)", "body": "Some thoughts: Don't like MdM at all, but she seems to be a surprisingly modern woman for her times, when women, like MdT, were completely dependent on their husbands, and only gained a certain amount of personal freedom as rich widows or high class courtesans. So I understand her quite well when she defends her freedom fiercely. Sometimes I wonder what I would [like to] be if I lived in Choderlos de Lenclos' (or Austens) time, and I would rather be a MdM than MdT. (Colin let aside, that is. :-) ) And where are we now? I am not dependent on a husband or a lover, but I am dependent on my job. Speak about progress... :-p After all they won't throw me out of my bathtub. BTW: German TV is very good to us - VALMONT on Wednesday, Oct. 21 (VOX, 22.05h), and the day before, CIRCLE OF FRIENDS (Pro7, 20.15h). Good reviews for both."}, {"response": 499, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Oct 17, 1998 (00:20)", "body": "Oh, you lucky thing! Except that... aren't those films dubbed? Shame... ;-)"}, {"response": 500, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Sat, Oct 17, 1998 (02:10)", "body": "V's most tender moment. In MT's room ( Karen), Does he know this? Or is his conscience kicking in? (moon)...If he were so conscientious, he would have accepted her departure and not kept insisting. Don't forget about that bet with MM, V would've had to be a \"little Monk\" had he lost. Why he did not collect on his bet: He must be more romantic at heart than he admits, the look of disgust on Colin's face was priceless...he was not about to make love to a women who didn't want him, the man does have his pride. V went through quite a few emotions in this scene, triumph, disgust, anger...how well CF plays these emotions."}, {"response": 501, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 18, 1998 (01:37)", "body": "Check out the main Drool page. Ya like??? ;-D Finally, thanks to Ann, it's up!! http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/drool/all/new"}, {"response": 502, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sun, Oct 18, 1998 (06:05)", "body": "Unbelieveably cool. Deep bows, curtseys, and thanks to you all."}, {"response": 503, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Oct 18, 1998 (07:31)", "body": "Great stuff! Just out of curiosity, who is the woman in the picture? And what movie is this from?"}, {"response": 504, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 18, 1998 (15:32)", "body": "Tell you what, Terry, I'll give you the answers if set up my account!! ;-) (Meg Tilly and Valmont"}, {"response": 505, "author": "terry", "date": "Sun, Oct 18, 1998 (16:15)", "body": "Sure, what username will it be under?"}, {"response": 506, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Sun, Oct 18, 1998 (18:52)", "body": "Hi everybody, It's good to be back again. I'm a bit late, but nonetheless: Welcome, Audrey! Good to see another newbie. Don't worry for your typos, we won't mind and you'll improve your typing by posting your comments constantly, and as you'll see my English isn't very good but I keep posting stubbornly only hoping that it is at least more or less understandable. Whow! you all have been quite hard working during my absence, it won't be easy to catch up, but I'll try and hope that I won't be too repetitive:-) Which one is more faithful to the book, DL or V? After reading the book there is no doubt for me, it's DL, the Frears's version, in terms of the plot. The Hampton script is very close to the original. It is not only that he has adopted the facts that C loses her baby and MT dies in the end, but there are also many details in the book which you can find again in the movie and which were neglected in Forman's adaptation. On the other side Forman not only \"invented\" some nice things as the horse and arrow scenes, but took the freedom to change the end. But as I see, by doing this Forman made his characters more realistic. As much as I like the Frears's version, I always found it a bit exaggerated, especially in the end: All the evil characters got their punishment and the good is triumphant: V dies in the duel, MM is despised, sneezed at, thrown out of the good society (in the book she even loses all her money, suffers from smallpox and her face is even completely disfigured by them). MT was not really evil, but someone who has been a \"saint\" before can't c ntinue her life as a \"normal\" human being with all his weaknesses and failings, so she must die too, but out of a broken heart, which is a very appropriate kind of dying for a good character. It is not clearly said what happened to C afterwards in the Frears's version, so I thing she is going to lead a \"normal\" life (but in the book a remorseful C with shattered illusions and unsuitable for life, decides to live in the convent - as MT she is not really evil but only an innocent victim, who has done immora things, but she can't continue life in the good society and possibly be married to a decent husband after such failings, so she has to become a nun, voluntarily of course, because she genuinely is a good girl) Sorry for that digression, but what I'm driving at is, that the DL (Book and movie) in the end seen to be a bit theatrical, overdone and unnatural, a concession to the demands of the 18th century audience suggesting they want the bad chaps to be punished. So Forman's changes render the plot more re listic: they all have learnt their lesson but are (almost) all still alive. As the book is narrated in form of letters, it's a bit difficult to judge the characters, because all the descriptions are prejudiced by the writers and not made by an independent narrator. But I have some difficulties to see MV, C, MT and the others in the Frears's version trusting V resp. MM (except MV who warns MT about V), who are so obviously mean and nasty in their appearance as alleged nice and trustworthy characters. Whereas MM and V in Forman's adaptation - as I see it - are more convincing as th apparently nice and caring characters - nice and caring on the outside only, of course, but evil, nasty and malevolent in their true hidden natures -. I daresay CF conveys the pretended kindness much better than JM(who therefor is the better monster IMO) CF's V is very convincing as Mr. Nice. So if you didn't know of the bet and his true intentions but only saw what is obvious to the other characters, you would believe him, wouldn't you? OK, admittedly, MT and C are doomed to blindness: MT by her goodnes , C by her innocence and both are - as well as Danceny - very naive, but that's it, people are credulous, gullible, naive and innocent in reality. And V plays his role to perfection, he is Mr. Right to everyone (reminds me of Jack in AZ): the nice and friendly nephew to Mme. de Rosemonde; the supporting friend to Danceny; to C the playful companion and confidant on the one side and on the other the strict teacher - not only to improve her writing skills -; the unscrupulous 'playmate' to MM and the reckles master of seduction for his own sakes. CECILE... C clearly is a focus of Forman's version. Although in the Frears's version the sexual relation between V and C is more elaborated as part of the plan to humiliate Gercourt [BTW does anybody know, why they changed his name in DL into M. de Bastide???] whereas Forman's V restricted himself to take her virginity. UT's C seems to be more grown up .. but they didn't gave her too much in the script ... To my mind FB plays her C to perfection: the naive-lecherous curiosity of the virgin C, who as a result of her convent upbringing has no power to resist the quick and effective action of her seducer who lets the seduction take place as the most natural thing in the world - only a small incident in the fringe of the letter writing. The "}, {"response": 507, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Sun, Oct 18, 1998 (18:53)", "body": ""}, {"response": 508, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Sun, Oct 18, 1998 (18:54)", "body": ""}, {"response": 509, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Sun, Oct 18, 1998 (18:58)", "body": ""}, {"response": 510, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Sun, Oct 18, 1998 (19:28)", "body": "Oh no!!! what's going on there??? What have I done?? ( Have I done anything?)arrgh ... All that stupid, much too long stuff, and four times, I'm terrible sorry. Is there any possibility to skip the repetitions????"}, {"response": 511, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Oct 18, 1998 (22:26)", "body": "Welcome back, Kirsten. Tell us about your trip on 97, if you like. Your message was so full of little goodies, that posting it four times seems reasonable. ;-) Since we've had a bad experience \"retiring\" a topic, I'm afraid to \"kill\" your extra responses but perhaps Karen can work that out yet. Kirsten, you call Forman's version more realistic than Frears. I would agree and also call it more subtle. You mention the malevolence in the characters of MM and V in DL. Almost black/white. There are more grays in Forman's Valmont thought JM's portrayal in the end also shows V. as questioning his original intention. MM's punishment is also more subtle in Valmont. One would never know she was being punished but for her tears for Valmont (genuine tears but whether for Valmont or for herself, who kno s?) and her being alone at the wedding. How gratifying ;-) to know how she will fare later. We're having quite a discussion on whether Valmont truly loved MT. I think in discussing the film, Valmont, we have to discount what the book tells us and go by what Forman wants us to believe and decide for ourselves if he brings it across. I'm in the camp who thinks Forman wants us to believe V. did love MT. Frankly, I think JM's Valmont also ends up loving MT. In effect, both Valmont's end up committing suicide - both have lost their will. Have their eyes been opened by MT to what true love really s, know they'll never experience it and only by killing themselves be able to repent? Or have they finally experienced that love themselves and now having lost it, feel they can never regain it, thus making their lives worthless? Ouch, way too deep. I think Valmont fights his love for MT and doesn't recognize it until the very end. His sole purpose is winning that bet. He's cruel to MT - reminding her of her infidelity by bringing her husband up after their first night together,, his irritation at her for sending her husband the letter. The game is still the most important thing to him. Even after he realizes he has lost MT, he is still playing the game with MM though now it is a battle. Only after his final failure (bringing about Cecile's escape) does he realize he's lost. Which brings up a new thought for me - just something else to debate. Does he allow his death because he's lost the only love he's ever felt as I said above. Or is it the only way he can finally beat MM? (Emma) Don't forget about that bet with MM, V would've had to be a \"little Monk\" had he lost. Which makes me wonder - would he have honored the bet if he had lost? Methinks not. Lovely cover page, Karen and Ann. I never realized Meg could look so pretty. I had no such reservations about our DB."}, {"response": 512, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Oct 18, 1998 (23:10)", "body": "Well Heide, I was going to say that I didn't think V truly loved MT, but you present a convincing argument and food for thought. I think he was moved that she loved him in a true fashion that he may never have felt before. And that by being moved by her love he allowed himself to care and realize what a horrid thing he had done to her. I suspect remorse was a somewhat new feeling for him. But did he love her? Maybe a little, but I think he would have gotten bored with her in a week if he'd tried a re ationship with her. (Kirsten) And V plays his role to perfection, he is Mr. Right to everyone (reminds me of Jack in AZ): Very interesting point. V is somewhat like Jack Carney (except not quite as nuts!) Karen and Ann, I second Heide's comment. Thanks for the beautiful cover page. Much drooling potential over that photo, I assure you :-)"}, {"response": 513, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Tue, Oct 20, 1998 (02:00)", "body": "(Kristen) there is a lot of stumbling around in V: V jumping into the water, V running up the stairs to see MT... even V's horse is stumbling crossing the water on his way to Paris to see MT. Thank you for the visuals, I think that's part of V's charms, his boyish energy. (Heide) would he have honored the bet if he had lost? Methinks not. And I thought he was a gentleman. But V was so sure of winning. (Heide) Lovely cover page, Karen and Ann. I never realized Meg could look so pretty. I had no such reservations about our DB. Yes, just lovely, so this is the Meg DB fell for... (Jana)But did he love her? Maybe a little, but I think he would have gotten bored with her in a week if he'd tried a reationship with her. I agree, V seem to be only interested in fun and games, and the prusuit of women, relationships do not interest him."}, {"response": 514, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Oct 20, 1998 (11:11)", "body": "I've really enjoyed reading this dicussion, even though I haven't contributed to it! Many thanks! And now a dumbo question.....what were Valmont's motives when he tried to persuade Cecile to run away with him and told her that Daunceny was waiting in the country for her. I was never able to work this one out. What was he planning to do? Best scene for me, by the way, is the magnificent dance sequence with the four women in his life!"}, {"response": 515, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 20, 1998 (15:15)", "body": "(Bethan) what were Valmont's motives when he tried to persuade Cecile to run away with him and told her that Daunceny was waiting in the country for her. I was never able to work this one out. What was he planning to do? I'm just guessing, but if V spirited Cecile away, the wedding would never take place. Cecile's reputation would become known and Gercourt wouldn't marry her and MM's big revenge (having G marry a nonvirgin) would never happen. Kristen, so many interesting points that you made in comparing and contrasting the book and the two movies. I have some comments but haven't had the time. BTW, there are no dumbo questions. Just as there are no details too small or insignificant concerning CF that we can't discuss. Isn't that right, ladies? I want to hear it all and talk about it all. ;-)"}, {"response": 516, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Oct 21, 1998 (01:55)", "body": "(Emma) Thank you for the visuals Ah yes, the visuals. Something we haven't talked of too much yet. Where shall I begin? Those sidelong glances at Cecile when he is first introduced to her? Not really interested but she is female and he enjoys making her uncomfortable. Okay Karen, I know his hair looks like octopus tentacles in this one but doesn't he look a bit sexy all soaking wet (again) when he enters his room to change and finds MM there? Shirt soaked through...starts to change. Too bad he didn't finish. Didn't y'all get a little thrill when he hoists Meg (I mean MT) up on the horse with him. So strong, so effortless...okay, he grunted a bit. There, I've said it, it's the \"basics\" of these films I really enjoy. ANd I'm not even sheepish about it. Baaaaa!"}, {"response": 517, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Fri, Oct 23, 1998 (02:53)", "body": "(Heide) Didn't y'all get a little thrill when he hoists Meg (I mean MT) up on the horse with him. So strong, so effortless... ...V and MT on the horse...the dancing that follows is quite charming, too bad she had to spoil it by reading that letter. Loved his walk, those long strides. (cheap thrill :-)"}, {"response": 518, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 23, 1998 (15:49)", "body": "(Heide) Didn't y'all get a little thrill when he hoists Meg (I mean MT) up on the horse with him. So strong, so effortless...okay, he grunted a bit. That particular move I have replayed and replayed and still can't figure out how they did it. (MT's in a harness and there's a little man on the other side of the horse with crane.) What grunt??? Will I have to watch it again???"}, {"response": 519, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sat, Oct 24, 1998 (15:39)", "body": "Overall (Karen) The book that Evelyn mention, while out of print, is available via used book \ufffdadditional Book Info: Valmont, Penguin edition, translated by P.W.K. Stone. Must be published 1989. I found this one at Amazon.com, if anybody still needs it. But all my comments are just about V the film for now. Movies and books have different requirements for their stories. I can\ufffdt remember if we talked about his, but my favorite example is always \"The Firm\". Completely different in many ways. I\ufffdm going to read Laclos after I catch up, see how they compare, then see DL. (Evelyn)...photography, but I thought this was shot in a muted color- \"ochre\".Lent itself to the unpredictable undercurrent running through the plot . Cheryl would you pl. tell us of this photographic technique...if there was one? How observant! I have been waiting to be in touch with a cameraman who was on the set. I think he\ufffds in NY soon. This, and other plans I had, I didn\ufffdt want to mention because if they didn\ufffdt work out I\ufffdd be bummed. (Moon)\ufffdwas that a full wig he wore? When he is all wet I say yes, otherwise it seems that it could just be the pony tail. Whatever was needed. Hair grows over several weeks, and most of the interiors were shot at the end in Paris. (Moon)Agree with Evelyn wholeheartedly about the cinematography, sets and costumes. Very opulent production. Me too. And I\ufffdm always impressed by something different. A stunning amount of work, a stunning result. (Moon)During the film when the above seduction is taking place, did you notice the film gets very grainy on that close up? I wonder if Milos filmed it as a wider shot but then changed his mind and had to zoom in and re-film directly from the film. Cheryl, can you answer this? Will put this on my list of questions for the cameraman. Some things are etched in my mind (the people things), and some things I find I\ufffdm really wrong about when I check back with people or documents. (Cheryl) And that's the problem with the script, and that's the problem Colin had with the part, IMHO. Passive characters don't work... (Emma)I'm not sure it's the passivity that's the problem, but that Forman left so much out.. I finally put this notion of mine at the end, to think about in a \"Conclusions\" or \"Summaries\" section. It\ufffds just there, to me, in the film, even after all these years. To start with, I rethought the sequences in the film. Now they look something like this to me: 1. MM discovers her lover is marrying Cecile 2. MM chooses V for revenge, but he\ufffds pursuing MT 3. MM changes to CD for revenge, but MV discovers the liason 4. MM brings C to V, but MT confesses her attraction to V 5. V deflowers C and opposes C\ufffds marriage, then pursues MT 6. V leaves MT, urges C\ufffds marriage to D 7. MM and V challenge each other; V returns to MT 8. V returns to MM, but MM revenges herself on him So if I look at who instigated things, it really was MM. If she hadn\ufffdt wanted C to be deflowered (such an odd term), she\ufffdd never have made the bet with V. There wouldn\ufffdt have been any C or CD, no duel, and all we\ufffdd have is that maybe she\ufffdd be jealous of MT\ufffds place in V\ufffds heart. Or whatever. It also makes sense to talk about Milos\ufffd intentions and influences for the film separately from the sequences, since there were so many comments on them. Basically, my reasons are many, and it\ufffds too confusing for me to jump around. But I tried to copy in relevant posts into my sections."}, {"response": 520, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sat, Oct 24, 1998 (16:42)", "body": "Milos My question to him would be :why did he feel that an accent was necessary for the lead male and not for the others? \ufffdThe script too vernacular for the period.? V had to have as much class as could be bestowed on him in a modern film and still be watchable by medium-brow audiences. M likes accessible films, so he likes them in accessible language. English is his second language (or more, if you count Russian and whatever else he had to learn before left Czechoslovakia), and although he\ufffds fluent and appreciates a well-written sentence (Salieri on Mozart\ufffds music), he\ufffds not going to choose sentence structures or words that are arcane. It wouldn\ufffdt serve him, or th goal of having a film watched by as many people as possible. He\ufffds proud of bringing Mozart to the masses and that sort of thing. And to have made the language in V more aristocratic would have not only put some of the audience off, but would have distanced them from us; we could say, these people play these games, but we do not. Most of the problems are more universal in the film than in the book (I gather)--MT's problem is that of every married woman's. (Moon Dreams) Annette\ufffds movie as well and she is wonderful. How could Milos have possibly considered Michelle P. for the role? She would have been, to his eye, as classy as Colin. We would have had more of a sense of their equality, desirability and complicity. My only casting question in V is Meg Tilly. And to think that Milos had wanted her to play Mozart\ufffds wife in Amadeus baffles me as well. Amadeus was perfectly cast . I thought so too. There\ufffds always the cost/benefit analysis. But you can\ufffdt argue with anybody who\ufffds smitten. Colin and the old matron who played his aunt were absolutely charming and quite funny too. I loved her lines . That\ufffds one of the many things I love about M's films--Bringing a wide variety of characters to the screen, as do many European and Asian directors. American movies would have you think the world is populated with 2 to 30 year olds, along with Harrison Ford, Jack Nicholson, and the usual male suspects. There was an old Star Trek (the original series) episode about a society where everybody dies at 30\ufffd (Renate) But we are not supposed to hate her for her speaking manners, are we?! :-p Which she uses, if I remember right, mainly when trying to be seducing: to Cecile and to Valmont. ???\ufffdIt's just too obvious and unnatural, IMO, she could also wear a tag \"Look what a great seductress I am\". I prefer the \"less is more - acting school\". I've said that too, and usually that\ufffds M\ufffds strength, why I treasure my time with him so. But when it comes to women, subtlety is not always a virtue with him. Maybe because he grew up backstage. And he is of a certain age, and a certain place. (heide) (Cheryl) So it\ufffds MM\ufffds film, really, but it\ufffds called Valmont, so that\ufffds confusing. Agree it's confusing. Any idea on why the title Valmont was chosen? arami)Maybe simply because he was a more sympathetic character, more complex and capable of reform, and she was ultimately just a scheming bitch? ;-) According to M. He really thinks men, all of them, really don\ufffdt cause that much harm, unless of course they\ufffdre Nazis or Communists. Political oppression is a bad thing, but there\ufffds no such thing as sexual oppression or even annoyance. He wonders if they can change, and in the film, he's open to the possiblity, but MM tells him no, they can't. With friends like that... (Evelyn)(Renate) Just a thought: This Valmont seems to be a big boy, not very passionate, but to whom making love is as natural as drinking and eating or any kind of sportive activity. Passion means you care, and who wants to do that? It was interesting to see this interpretation by Milos Forman. For CF plays Valmont as a \"bonhomie with a big libido\" rather than a despicable predator. My question to Cheryl (when you have time) : Did you get any knowledge of how CF personally interpreted the character of Valmont.? Did he and MF see \"eye -to -eye ? Even if you\ufffdre sleeping with an actor (if he/she knows what they're doing), you don\ufffdt know how they prepare their roles, or even what they think about their characters. You see the actions. So I know only what I observed on set, but I had been watching M direct for months prior to this and hearing his critiques of us directing and actors acting. A number of films have \"soft\" endings (AMITC, for one,) this one didn\ufffdt make as much sense as it could have. The end was based on an experience M had, and that makes it difficult for the actor playing an alter ego. The writer/director really thinks something is in the story, but it\ufffds not, to a strangers' eyes and ears. An example of something which was food for thought was the tavern scene, as I mentioned months ago. All the extras from MT\ufffds exterior market scene are there, an interesting lot. It was \ufffdt clear what M wanted from CF, and CF was frustrated. In this sequence, he\ufffds pretty much decided to kill himself\ufffdsuicide by duel. There\ufffds the power we"}, {"response": 521, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sat, Oct 24, 1998 (16:44)", "body": "away, italics!"}, {"response": 522, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, Oct 24, 1998 (17:39)", "body": "away, italics! Something I always wanted to ask: Why is it called \"italics\"? Why not, lets say, \"greeks\", or \"germans\" or \"frenchies\"... ?"}, {"response": 523, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Oct 25, 1998 (00:39)", "body": "Re: The significance of Valmont's accent in casting of the role: Let me ask again: Could someone please at last quote what Milos Forman himself wrote about it, instead of repeating what one or another thinks he meant?"}, {"response": 524, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Oct 25, 1998 (00:43)", "body": "BTW, Renate: they're called italics, because they were introduced to printing by an Italian. One Aldo Manuzio from Venice."}, {"response": 525, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Oct 25, 1998 (07:14)", "body": "(Bethan) Best scene for me, by the way, is the magnificent dance sequence with the four women in his life! I love this scene also. Favorite moment - at the end of the dance with MTwhen he turns her into him and his arms are around her with their cheeks almost touching. V. romantic indeed. (Heide) Didn't y'all get a little thrill when he hoists Meg (I mean MT) up on the horse with him. So strong, so effortless...okay, he grunted a bit. Hon, don't you know it? I can't think of anything intellectual to add to this discussion but will second your motion as to the delights of this particular scene :-)."}, {"response": 526, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sun, Oct 25, 1998 (08:17)", "body": "1. MM discovers her lover is marrying Cecile (Heide)She had a tough role and perhaps would have been stronger if she could have made the audience feel some understanding or sympathy for her character. Or is that going completely against Laclos's intention? One of my favorite scenes (ending that sequence) is when MM discovers who C will marry. Cecile begs MM to find out who her husband is to be. MM says she'll try. It\ufffds amazing to me what she goes through in this sequence. She faces a lover who tells her maybe she should get another lover; he doesn\ufffdt know when he will see her again. She finds that her lover is marrying Cecile, and that she is the one who is known to MV and perhaps others as \"a mistress who\ufffds hard to get rid of and a little \ufffd\" I liked th look on AB\ufffds face when Gercourt turns around, and the interchange between JJ and AB. I don\ufffdt know what sort of person she is yet, but what a raw deal. I can't remember if I felt sympathy the first time I saw this scene, but I did when I saw it again recently."}, {"response": 527, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sun, Oct 25, 1998 (08:22)", "body": "2. MM chooses V for revenge, but he\ufffds pursuing MT (Moon Dreams) Does Valmont have intentions of seducing Madame de Tourvel before Madame de Merteuil comes into the picture Seems like a lark to me."}, {"response": 528, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sun, Oct 25, 1998 (09:10)", "body": "3. MM changes to CD for revenge, but MV discovers the liason (Moon)Not play the part, she would have been a virgin on her wedding night had it not been for MM inciting V to play his seduction game with her. (Karen)I saw Cecile as being very eager. She may have gotten Danceny to do more than just leave her notes in the harp with or without MM's intervention . True, but hard to know what from the movie. I agree with comments that FB was the perfect child/woman, shifting back and forth between budding womanhood and awkward teenager. She was also fresh from the convent. Had she not been, she would have been so much more skilled in her relations with men and Danceny, had D even been interesting to her at that point. I loved the way they swapped letters in the hideaway and just stood there, reading them. And him correcting her playing, even there. And his twelve verses. The clumsiness, C slipping as she comes back with the note from the harp and D dropping his sword, his harp, etc. D\ufffds exit went on a little too long for me, but the agony of the situation is that of a boy/man. The exit sets up such a contrast with later. I have this clumsy-exit image in the back of my mind, and then I see him fight Gercourt. Then I see him try to give V a way out of the duel, but from his outing with Gercourt I know that he\ufffds not one to be pushed around. Pushing him around is the onl possibility in V's besotted state, and however much I want there to be another way out, it\ufffds inevitable that the clumsy harp-dropper will kill V quickly. D\ufffds accent bothered me\ufffdtoo American, jarring."}, {"response": 529, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sun, Oct 25, 1998 (11:03)", "body": "4. MM brings C to V, but MT confesses attraction to V (Heide) Does anyone know what Valmont says to his aunt before he leaves for Paris?\ufffd Am I correct in making out the last words as \"Trust me.\"? Great touch ;-) The seduction sequence. What an awfully long way V, MT, and MM go. By the end, MM realizes V feels something for MT which is new to her, and she\ufffds jealous of MT. MT breaks down and actually tells V she\ufffds his for the taking. I\ufffdm not sure what V\ufffds up to in the last scene, and that\ufffds great, but I do, like MM, believe he cares for her. That doesn\ufffdt mean he will leave MT alone, but he isn\ufffdt going to crush her, either. Kindness from a predator has an overwhelming effect. After his dance with MT\ufffdoh my. Had I there that evening, I\ufffdd have been annoyed. Since I wasn\ufffdt, I can imagine such a pas de deux in my future. Someone mentioned the archery scene. It seemed flat to me, and I wish it didn\ufffdt. However, when CF says, walking away, \"I don\ufffdt know,\" it\ufffds the first time I think there may be something interesting in this guy. I still think it\ufffds all a scheme, but there\ufffds a niggle of a thought that it might be more interesting than that."}, {"response": 530, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Sun, Oct 25, 1998 (11:26)", "body": "5. V deflowers C, opposes C\ufffds marriage, and pursues MT I still would have done the letter-writing scene differently, but CF was perfect. It\ufffds fun to see V taunting MM (and incidentally; sewing the seeds of his future destruction by outraging MV) by championing marriages of love. Not everyone looks good on a horse. Heartstopping scene: when MT takes off her scarlet hood and V steps into the room. Even though we saw him racing off, it was a magnificent surprise. Another \"oh my.\" I love the twist in the breakfast scene\ufffdV has done what MM wants, but he could still deny her her victory if Cecile doesn\ufffdt marry Gercourt. A lively scene. \"Where is everybody?\" ;-)"}, {"response": 531, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Oct 25, 1998 (15:17)", "body": "D\ufffds accent bothered me\ufffdtoo American, jarring. Not important enough a character to attach too much significance to it, apparently. According to MF."}, {"response": 532, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Oct 25, 1998 (20:39)", "body": "He also frolicked w/ ET. How could we take him seriously?"}, {"response": 533, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Oct 25, 1998 (21:15)", "body": "(Laura) He also frolicked w/ET. How could we take him seriously? I knew there was something that bothered me about him. Touche, Laura. (Cheryl)4. MM brings C to V, but MT confesses attraction to V...when CF says, walking away, \"I don\ufffdt know,\" it\ufffds the first time I think there may be something interesting in this guy. I still think it\ufffds all a scheme, but there\ufffds a niggle of a thought that it might be more interesting than that. One of my favorite scenes for precisely that reason. We don't know if it's part of his game or if he's let his mask drop. MT-\"Why do you keep trying?\" V-\"I don't even know\"... and walks away. (Cheryl) Heartstopping scene: when MT takes off her scarlet hood and V steps into the room. Even though we saw him racing off, it was a magnificent surprise. Another \"oh my.\" Oh my, I do agree. I love a man on a mission. Reminds me of Darcy, the avenging angel."}, {"response": 534, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 26, 1998 (22:57)", "body": "Re: The significance of Valmont's accent in casting of the role: Let me ask again: Could someone please at last quote what Milos Forman himself wrote about it, instead of repeating what one or another thinks he meant? This is from MF's book. The only mention of casting CF. (On Casting) \"I found it much harder to cast Valmont. I auditioned many American actors and several of them had the combination of raw virility, awareness, and quick-thinking charm that I associated with the role, but their accents just didn't go with the gold-embroidered waistcoats, the filigreed swords, Valmont's ingrained fine manners. I saw the man as an aristocrat who was absolutely secure in his bloodlines and class; American voices undermined that impression to my immigrant ear. I finally reconciled myself t the fact that I'd only accept an Englishman in the role and concentrated my casting efforts on the Eastern shores of the Atlantic, where I finally chose Colin Firth, a young Englishman who had played a variety of roles in British films.\" [p.285] \"Madame de Tournvel was easy to cast. I immediately saw Meg Tilly as the virtuous wife whom Valmont seduces on a dare and for whom he falls hard.\" [p.285] Other tidbits: \"Before I can direct a scene, I have to tie it somehow to my own frame of reference. I need to test the authenticity of the characters and their behavior against something I myself have felt or experienced. Understanding the character of Valmont in Les Liaisons Dangereuses wasn't difficult. All my life, I've had relationships with women-some long, some brief. I have spent a lot of time in pursuit of the intoxication and grace that occurs when the whole world falls awa from you and your lover. This state, by necessity, never lasts, but while it does, it is like nothing else.\" [p.283] \"In my version of the story, Valmont searches for this very feeling. He is a womanizer, a libertine with a long history of conquests, but only because he is seeking a deeper relationship. When he finds it, ironically with Madame de Tourvel, the prudish wife of a judge, it scares him so much that he drives her away and throws himself into a suicidal duel.\" [p.283] \"Valmont's longest-lasting relationship in the book, however, is with his female counterpart, Madame de Merteuil. She has wit, charm, and as much experience with the opposite sex as he. She is his equal in all things. He boasts, competes, and confides in her, but the real nature of their relationship in the book remains enigmatic: the relationship between Valmont and Merteuil is like the strange flirtation that often develops between a director and his leading lady. At least that's what has always hap ened to me.\" [p.284]"}, {"response": 535, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Oct 27, 1998 (00:51)", "body": "Thank you, Karen - I auditioned many American actors and several of them had the combination of raw virility, awareness, and quick-thinking charm that I associated with the role, but their accents just didn't go with the gold-embroidered waistcoats,... Ah, so he found an actor who had not only the required accent but also the required combination... virility, awareness, and quick-thinking charm . What a find. I hope Evelyn returns before this discussion winds down to a crawl. Not that I don't appreciate the wit, wisdom, and lust that has already been expressed but I miss her comments as well as a few others who haven't posted. I'm not naming names."}, {"response": 536, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 27, 1998 (01:28)", "body": "Thanks Karen, v. interesting. I have not reafd the book and appreciate these insights. \"Valmont's longest-lasting relationship in the book, however, is with his female counterpart, Madame de Merteuil. She has wit, charm, and as much experience with the opposite sex as he. She is his equal in all things. He boasts, competes, and confides in her, but the real nature of their relationship in the book remains enigmatic: the relationship between Valmont and Merteuil is like the strange flirtation that often develops between a director and his leading lady. At least that's what has always happened to me.\" So even MF says that V loves MM. Just like the director falling for his leading lady. \"Madame de Tournvel was easy to cast. I immediately saw Meg Tilly as the virtuous wife whom Valmont seduces on a dare and for whom he falls hard.\" We can thank MF for getting them together."}, {"response": 537, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 27, 1998 (16:44)", "body": "(Moon) So even MF says that V loves MM. Just like the director falling for his leading lady. No, he calls it a \"strange flirtation.\" This part--from the MT quote--sounds more like love to me: \"he is seeking a deeper relationship. When he finds it, ironically with Madame de Tourvel...it scares him so much that he drives her away and throws himself into a suicidal duel.\" As Kirsten discussed many a post ago, the book and the film Valmont are different. I was watching the American Masters program on Forman and it is interesting how he discusses how he remembered the book so differently. It did become a different story. Since there are questions about his casting of ET's little buddy as CD, I will type those up for you. Maybe tomorrow. Also, I owe you, Moon, that evidence from the book. I haven't forgotten. Where are you Evelyn? Aren't you back? Catching up with this great discussion?"}, {"response": 538, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 27, 1998 (19:08)", "body": "(Karen), This part--from the MT quote--sounds more like love to me: \"he is seeking a deeper relationship. When he finds it, ironically with Madame de Tourvel...it scares him so much that he drives her away and throws himself into a suicidal duel.\" V seems to be v. happy with the way he is. Why would he seek a deeper relantionship? I did not get this from the film. Also his suicidal duel is not solely driven by by MT, MM has her part in it too."}, {"response": 539, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Oct 27, 1998 (23:14)", "body": "From the sidelines again.... Heide, don't be disheartened by the lack of contributors! The standard of this discussion is so high that I'm just sitting back and enjoying it! Keep up the good work!"}, {"response": 540, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Wed, Oct 28, 1998 (13:11)", "body": "(Karen), This part--from the MT quote--sounds more like love to me: \"he is seeking a deeper relationship. When he finds it, ironically with Madame de Tourvel...it scares him so much that he drives her away and throws himself into a suicidal duel.\" (Moon Dreams)V seems to be v. happy with the way he is. Why would he seek a deeper relantionship? I did not get this from the film. Also his suicidal duel is not solely driven by by MT, MM has her part in it too. That's my feeling too, Moon Dreams. This is the split I see, between what MF intends (intended) to do, what he thought he did, and how it seems to the viewer. I don't believe MF is telling the truth, and as we've discussed re CF, why should he? I rarely believe what any experienced public figure says, and when they do, I'm extremely appreciative, even if I don't like what they say. MF knows most people wouldn't want a main character who was a libertine and not interested in changing. Didn't someone sa in Laclos' book that V had his own revenge motive for getting involved in MM's scheme? Not a desire for a better character, not a desire for any kind of relationship at all (transcendent, kinky, or otherwise). So, the \"seeking a deeper relationship\" part I think is absurd, unless it's the kind of deeper relationship you can have with a Playboy Bunny. Which is not to be dismissed, as long as the context is clear. What he says he did and what I see are far apart, further apart than with any other of his films. For V to feel for MT I did see, and that it bothered him was pretty clear. Evelyn!! She's the one who wanted to do V next!! I hope she returns!! I miss you Evelyn!!"}, {"response": 541, "author": "susanne", "date": "Wed, Oct 28, 1998 (16:47)", "body": "I hope it's OK to jump in here. I've been enjoying the Valmont discussion v. much. It's one of my favorite period dramas. For some reason I really hated DL. I think I never accepted that hundreds of women slept with JM. He is entirely too creepy. My favorite scene in Valmont was the letter writing scene. That voice was so sexy that I was completely ready to be seduced. Valmont could give Darcy a few pointers on writing letters. Just a note on the casting of Valmont-earlier this year or last year, I read in the people section of the newspaper that David Duchovny lost the role of Valmont to Colin Firth. When I read this I remember thinking that losing this role must have really bothered DD because he was mentioning it so many years later. I'm grateful that he did because I don't think DD has the emotional range in his acting that CF does."}, {"response": 542, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 28, 1998 (19:33)", "body": "Of course, you may jump in Sue--especially when you have *delicious* little tidbits like this one. David Duchovny!? You're so right, he would have failed miserably. He has *no* range to speak of. I feel the same way about JM--physically, but maybe he had extra special talents that the ladies gossiped about. Such skills could overcome a rather unattractive countenance. ;-) Re Casting: The part about casting Cecile and Danceny wasn't worth retyping. All he wanted to do was keep the ages true to the book. \"That two teenagers receive their sentimental education in the beds of the principals, and I was resolved to keep the age of the actors as low as it was in the novel because of real innocence--the curiosity, the excitability, the bluffing and the sexual clumsiness--is very hard to recapture once it has gone.\" Re: Love (of the Valmont type) This is from Letter No. 52--V to MT, which he does not send first to MM to preview as he did with Letter No. 47 and then invites her to have a good laugh at what he has written to MT: \"What after all, was I guilty of but a failure to struggle against the whirlpool into which I had been cast? I came into society young and inexperienced; I was passed, so to speak, from hand to hand by a series of women all of whom, in their readiness to succumb, seemed in a hurry to anticipate what they felt would inevitably be an unfavourable opinion of themselves. Was it for me to set an example of resistance, when no resistance was offered me? Should I have punished myself for momentary aberrations to which very often I had been encouraged, by promising fidelity which would certainly have been unnecessary, and could only have been regarded as ridiculous? Pah! What else but breaking it off immediately can excuse a shameful connexion? \"Yet I think I may say that this disorder of the senses--perhaps, too, it was inflamed vanity--never touched my heart. My heart was made for love: intrigue might serve for distraction, it was never my whole concern. I was surrounded by seductive but contemptible creatures; none of them could reach my soul. I was offered pleasure: I sought virtue. At length, because I happened to be fastidious and sensitive, I began to think myself inconstant. \"When I met you my eyes were opened: I soon realized that love depends for its charms on qualities of the soul: only they can provoke it to an excess which only they can excuse. And finally I found that it was as impossible for me to keep from loving you as it would be to love anyone but you. \"You see, Madame, to what sort of heart you are afraid to yield, the heart whose fate it is for you to determine. Whatever the destiny you hold in store for it, you will never alter the feelings by which it is bound to you. They are as unchanging as the virtues that gave them being.\" ******** Yes, he's a great letter writer!! Maybe I'm just too much of a softie and am reading way too much into these words."}, {"response": 543, "author": "susanne", "date": "Thu, Oct 29, 1998 (19:00)", "body": "Since I've taken the plunge on this board, I will relate one other Valmont related item. In this month's Movieline magazine there was an article on Annette Bening and the author went on about how fantastic she was as MM. In the same issue there was a little article on Fairuza Balk and listed some of her credits but no mention of Valmont. Article says she is 24,but the picture of her looks pretty scary and she looks about 10 years older. Two Valmont actors in one issue. Wow! Too bad it wasn't CF."}, {"response": 544, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Oct 30, 1998 (02:05)", "body": "David Duchovny lost the role of Valmont to Colin Firth And so did Richard E. Grant (and quite a bunch of others) - if anyone wants to know."}, {"response": 545, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Oct 31, 1998 (03:05)", "body": "I like Richard E. Grant. he's wonderful!!!"}, {"response": 546, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Oct 31, 1998 (18:35)", "body": "Since Valmont is on its last legs, how about a new film November 15? Some of us have used up too many precious brain cells on Valmont so, as Karen suggests, how about some Colin-lite? Any suggestions?"}, {"response": 547, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct 31, 1998 (22:49)", "body": "Lighter than Fever Pitch?"}, {"response": 548, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Nov  1, 1998 (01:20)", "body": "Hmmm how about Circle of Friends?"}, {"response": 549, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov  2, 1998 (02:29)", "body": "Re: next film discussion....(Laura) Hmmm how about Circle of Friends? That's not Colin-lite....all that Catholic stuff!! Let's decide soon though...so some of us can read the corresponding book. Actually, this guy hasn't done anything humorous except for FP. Camille is short...but talk about a \"downer\". Anyway, I picked Valmont so I'll go along with the crowd. .."}, {"response": 550, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov  2, 1998 (03:11)", "body": "(Bethan)The standard of this discussion is so high that I'm just sitting back and enjoying it! You said it in a nutshell, Bethan. (No pun intended). I have just finished reading the 70 postings that you all made while I was gone...really, the discussion got better and better. I have nothing to add. I am awed."}, {"response": 551, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Nov  3, 1998 (02:59)", "body": "How about Dutch Girls?"}, {"response": 552, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov  3, 1998 (04:33)", "body": "Sounds good to me :-) When do we start?"}, {"response": 553, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Nov  3, 1998 (14:23)", "body": "I HATED Dutch Girls!!!! Well, was extremely hung over when watched and I DON'T own it. Karen, dear, you know how much I respect you:)"}, {"response": 554, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov  3, 1998 (17:31)", "body": "(Laura) I HATED Dutch Girls!!!! Sometimes after a film discussion I change my mind.... I hated Fever Pitch...(don't kill me)... at first. And while it is not among my CF faves...I learned to appreciate the nuances of the film . (Though I still think it's a football film) :-) Let's go for it,Ahuntie Laura. Be a sweet sport."}, {"response": 555, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov  3, 1998 (19:47)", "body": "Where will I get Dutch Girls??? Suggestions? I guess I'll just follow everyone's thought on this one."}, {"response": 556, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Nov  3, 1998 (19:56)", "body": "(Evelyn)Let's go for it,Ahuntie Laura. Be a sweet sport. *Big Whine* But I don't own it:( Karen, dear;) hee hee."}, {"response": 557, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Wed, Nov  4, 1998 (07:25)", "body": "I don't have it either, so I'll hum along as well. HOTP is kinda funny; did ya'll ever do that? Maybe next or next?"}, {"response": 558, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Wed, Nov  4, 1998 (09:22)", "body": "Well, sports fans, DG is available, used VHS, for $6.99 at Reel.com. Availability 2-3 days."}, {"response": 559, "author": "Renata", "date": "Wed, Nov  4, 1998 (13:32)", "body": "A help to make up your mind:"}, {"response": 560, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov  4, 1998 (20:23)", "body": "\"I give to you and you give to me\"....Neil, honey!! How about one in his cute shorts?"}, {"response": 561, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov  4, 1998 (23:20)", "body": "(Karen)How about one in his cute shorts? His thighs are thinner in this film.....they really beefed up those thighs in P&P. Thanks Cheryle for sleuthing DG copies."}, {"response": 562, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Nov  6, 1998 (08:01)", "body": "Thighs? In shorts? Where?! :-p,,, I have to watch DG - ooops - Dutch Girls - soon. Karen, I'm afraid I have no such pics, but add some others soon to the archives. Oh, if only Nan would find time to start her Snappy machine and capture my favourite looks, i.e. his look and turning of the head before Lyndon Baines says \"I'm off to the bog...\". One of the greatest understated comedy moments, accentuated by the immediately following most disgusting comedy moment ever.... Meanwhile, and for some more warming up, here's a wealth of other Snappies on Sharon's page"}, {"response": 563, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Nov  6, 1998 (08:08)", "body": "Sorry I meant to take you to the Dutch Girls Killerlooks directly, but apparently this highly commercial page host doesn't work that way. You have to click \"Killerlooks\" and, what else, \"Dutch Girls\" to get there."}, {"response": 564, "author": "Renata", "date": "Fri, Nov  6, 1998 (14:29)", "body": "This is it, hopefully."}, {"response": 565, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov  6, 1998 (17:52)", "body": "(Renate) Thighs? In shorts? Where?! :-p Remember, the game they play against the Dutch hockey club, when all the boys are only interested in going to the disco that night? They lose horribly as a result and are berated in the locker room afterward. Anyway, Colin (and the team) are wearing short shorts. yum yum If is not up at a site, then I fear someone needs to lock Nan in her apartment and get her to Snappify this and other *adorable* looks in DG and there are many. Angelic and other. ;-)"}, {"response": 566, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Nov  6, 1998 (20:13)", "body": "Sorry to cut in here Karen, but, what has happened to Swept Away? Lately, I've been thinking maybe a re-male of my Truffaut favorite: Jules et Jim. Colin and Jonathan might be well matched together, and, that would make Laura v.v. happy I'm sure. Just think of the lucky actress!!!"}, {"response": 567, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Nov  7, 1998 (02:45)", "body": "I could be that actress, Moon:) I'm cute, blonde, could fake a great Italian accent (okay total lie here:))"}, {"response": 568, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov  7, 1998 (02:58)", "body": "Thanks Renate for alerting us to the DG pics. Love the way he casually wears that scarf in the film.Do you think Sharon would mind if we used the pics during our discussion? FYI reel.com says they have Dutch Girls. Amazon says they can get the screenplay . I ordered it and also Apartment Zero and Circle of Friends. Talked to Nan tonight. She says hi to everybody. Busy, Busy. Lotsa' work and projects that have to be completed.Poor baby."}, {"response": 569, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Nov 10, 1998 (22:58)", "body": "Was wondering if Moon and Cheryl have been successful at getting Dutch Girls. We can hold off the discussion until you (and others) do and have a real chance to capture the sweetness and innocence that is Neil Truelove. ;-) Does anyone need any help getting this film? If so, e-mail Karen and me at nomdedrool@yahoo.com"}, {"response": 570, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Nov 10, 1998 (23:11)", "body": "Didn't mean to leave you out, Laura, dear. But I think your hinting may have worked already?"}, {"response": 571, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Tue, Nov 10, 1998 (23:24)", "body": "Dutch Girls sounds like a good idea!"}, {"response": 572, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Wed, Nov 11, 1998 (12:16)", "body": "Dutch Girls would be great. I haven't seen it but I'd like to hear about it all the same. Tried to order it at Reel -thanks to Cheryl- and hope for the best. So I may be able to catch up later on."}, {"response": 573, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Wed, Nov 11, 1998 (12:30)", "body": "From the Austen list: Date: Tue, 10 Nov 1998 11:58:43 -0500 From: Linda Veronika Troost Subject: My new book! Dear list, I am delighted to report that my book JANE AUSTEN IN HOLLYWOOD, edited with my husband, is now available (University Press of Kentucky, 1998). It's a collection of essays on the film and television versions of 1995-96. In general, the films come off pretty well so don't fear academic savaging of them. In fact, it's not aimed at academics alone, despite the University Press imprint. It's a book for lovers of Austen. Most bookstores both on- and off-line should be able to get it for you. Hope you enjoy it! My husband and I certainly loved working on it (and know you see why I have been so silent on the list lately--exhaustion!). Yours, Linda Troost (editor with Sayre Greenfield) PS. If you are in the Northern New Jersey area, Sayre and I will be on a channel 12 show \"Jersey's Talking\" on Friday the 13th of November at 8 pm. The topic will be the Austen movies. That's all I know. Ordered Dutch Girls, so go right ahead and I'll catch up."}, {"response": 574, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 11, 1998 (16:32)", "body": "Where's the fire? We can hold off on the Dutch Girls discussion until everyone who has ordered it from reel.com has it. (Kirsten)Tried to order it at Reel -thanks to Cheryl- and hope for the best. Was there a problem? If you didn't get an immediate confirmation from them, don't worry. They've slowed down ever since they got so big and started gobbling up other enterprises. Anyway, unless there's been a deluge of orders of DGs (as a result of the posting) and demand has outstripped supply, you should get a confirmation w/in a 2-3 days. Chin up."}, {"response": 575, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 11, 1998 (18:58)", "body": "Before we start on DG, I finally got this and didn't want all my effort to be *entirely* wasted!"}, {"response": 576, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 11, 1998 (23:05)", "body": "Is that Cheryle talking with Milos? (heehee) Great pix--look at him smile! I plan to order my copy of DG, thanks for the info."}, {"response": 577, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Nov 11, 1998 (23:59)", "body": "From Karen...the scanner .....congrats. We can hold off on the Dutch Girls discussion until everyone who has ordered from reel.com has it. I'm for that...let's wait. More funner when everyone joins in. \"sides, I'm trying to get the book and....you got it....it's out of print."}, {"response": 578, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 12, 1998 (16:34)", "body": "(Moon) Is that Cheryle talking with Milos? (heehee) Is it? ;-)"}, {"response": 579, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Nov 12, 1998 (18:19)", "body": "If it is, I don't know how she resisted jumping in bed herself! Maybe with a long hat pin to stick Meg with. (Calma i bollenti spiriti)"}, {"response": 580, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Nov 12, 1998 (18:38)", "body": "Moon, very mean indeed, :)"}, {"response": 581, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Nov 12, 1998 (20:40)", "body": "Laura, I checked myself right away : (Calma i bollenti spiriti) see."}, {"response": 582, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 13, 1998 (00:02)", "body": "(Moon) Calma i bollenti spiriti) Translation, please. The Italian is really flying around today. Over on #97 Bethan is speaking Italian...I swear. (Hitting the Chardonnay, Beth?) I received Apartment Zero from reel.com today. Order if you don't have it. They must have them in stock. I got a used one..cheap...And a $5. phone card included.Have we ever discussed AZ on Drool?"}, {"response": 583, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 13, 1998 (00:30)", "body": "(Evelyn) I received Apartment Zero from reel.com today. Order if you don't have it. Wow, that was fast. Haven't gotten my bona fide copy of DG (with scannable video jacket yet) :( They must have them in stock. Reel.com bought one of the video chains (Hollywood or West Coat Video, I forget, and they're even advertising on TV. Must have access to lots of old CF videos now. Have we ever discussed AZ on Drool? No, but I'm sure we will! ;-)"}, {"response": 584, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Fri, Nov 13, 1998 (12:37)", "body": "(Karen)Was there a problem? No, just thought there might be because it's a used version and if all droolers tried ... but received my shipping statement two days ago. So if the parcel won't get lost on it's way (as my HOTP tape first does) ... I'm optimistic to have it soon it my VCR:-) (Evelyne)Have we ever discussed AZ on Drool? I just saw again yesterday and the same question occurred to me. I think there's quite a lot to talk about. (Karen)No, but I'm sure we will! ;-) Glad to hear this, I'm looking forward to it."}, {"response": 585, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Nov 13, 1998 (13:53)", "body": "I just paid $140 to the Internic to register these two names, firth.com and colinfirth.com. Time to crank up the pledge drive again! List of Domains Count Domain Name Invoice Number Amount Due 1 firth.com 2193175 70.00 2 colinfirth.com 2234835 70.00 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you for using the On-Line Payment System. If you wish to pay for another domain, click on the Start button. If you have completed your transactions, click on Quit to exit the system and visit the Network Solutions Home Page. So now they should kick back in. Sorry folks!"}, {"response": 586, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 13, 1998 (15:35)", "body": "I just paid $140 to the Internic to register these two names, firth.com and colinfirth.com. Time to crank up the pledge drive again! This is a terrific website and the editors have employed a lot of effort. I congratulate them all. BUT Terry...Nan....Renate....Arami.... Pl. enlighten me. I was firmly told that firth.com didnot belong to Drool. That it is a separate entity. Why do they now need funds? Why come to Drool?"}, {"response": 587, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 13, 1998 (16:51)", "body": "(Kirsten)Glad to hear this, I'm looking forward to it. There might be others ahead of it, though. Know there is a vocal contingent out there wanting to discuss MOTM...;-) Speak up now or forever hold your piece. Maybe not. ;-)"}, {"response": 588, "author": "terry", "date": "Fri, Nov 13, 1998 (19:35)", "body": "firth.com and colinfirth.com belong to the Spring. And they are keep alive by voluteer efforts and funding. Should we fund them by getting an advertiser? If so, who would be interested in putting ads on this site? A movie company?"}, {"response": 589, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Fri, Nov 13, 1998 (20:10)", "body": "(Karen)There might be others ahead of it, though. Know there is a vocal contingent out there wanting to discuss MOTM...;-) Speak up now or forever hold your piece. Maybe not. ;-) Well, in that case, I feel tempted to second the crowd voting for MOTM. I haven't seen it yet but wouldn't mind a discussion about a film I haven't seen. I read the book some months ago and was somehow intrigued by Stephen's character, so I'm very interested to hear about Colin's performance in that movie. Sorry, Karen, hope you won't stop playing with me now;-)"}, {"response": 590, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 13, 1998 (22:24)", "body": "(Kirsten) Sorry, Karen, hope you won't stop playing with me now;-) I'm an EOP (equal opportunity player)! I'm for MOTM and for Tumbledown. They are both on my *want to* lists. (Suggest you check with Renate about MOTM.)"}, {"response": 591, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov 14, 1998 (15:49)", "body": "(Evelyn), Calma i bollenti spiriti) Translation, please. It's a more formal way of saying: Chill Out. I'm happy we're doing DG, don't have my copy yet, though. I did not like MOTM much."}, {"response": 592, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 14, 1998 (16:53)", "body": "(Moon) I did not like MOTM much. Them's fightin' words round here (for some people, that is)! ;-) But, hey, I didn't like A0. But let's not start that up again, just yet.... ;-P"}, {"response": 593, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Nov 14, 1998 (19:01)", "body": "Hey last night while chatting with Karen (in between coughs and blowing of nose) I happen to see in my local TV Guide that Ruth Rendell Mysteries were on. And Lo and behold, CF is on my screen!!! Made my daughter real happy, I can tell ya. MOTM was on Providence Public TV!!!! hmmm... wonder if they'll rebroadcast?"}, {"response": 594, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov 14, 1998 (19:59)", "body": "(Karen), But, hey, I didn't like A0. I really liked AO! It was a truly challenging film for an actor. The script was v. weird (especially the end:YUK!) But its different enough for my cinematic taste. My problem with MOTM is with the story, I don't care much for RR. But,I always look forward to seeing CF."}, {"response": 595, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov 14, 1998 (20:01)", "body": "(Laura), Made my daughter real happy Have you hooked your daughter on CF? (Heehee) How does she feel about JF?"}, {"response": 596, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Nov 14, 1998 (21:43)", "body": "She thinks Mr Darcy is cuter:)"}, {"response": 597, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Nov 14, 1998 (23:23)", "body": "Maybe she says that to humour her mummy :)"}, {"response": 598, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Nov 15, 1998 (00:02)", "body": "Right, she really prefers Mr. Collins;p"}, {"response": 599, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 16, 1998 (22:17)", "body": "Sneak Peek Shall we set a date to start?"}, {"response": 600, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov 17, 1998 (00:55)", "body": "I received my copy today! Where is Cheryle? She was so kind to alert us all for the purchase of the tape. Ready when you are!"}, {"response": 601, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Nov 17, 1998 (01:46)", "body": "Yeah!! Moon is ready. I'm hoping Cheryl and anyone else who ordered has their copy now too. How about November 22? We can start with 5 reasons why this video cover grossly (and I do mean the Americanized \"gross\") misrepresents the film. Porky's Goes to Amsterdam indeed."}, {"response": 602, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 17, 1998 (02:29)", "body": "The guy who designed that cover didn't see the film, for sure. I think maybe with used vids they do that . My Apartment Zero cover goes on and on about \"starring Colin Firth (The English Patient)\" Never mind that AZ was filmed eight years before TEP."}, {"response": 603, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Tue, Nov 17, 1998 (07:54)", "body": "I'm here and OK. My RSI is flaring up and I have to ration my typing. Let's go! There have been so many funny things I've wanted to respond to but couldn't that day--work has to come first. Definitely looking forward to AZ as well; that one I have."}, {"response": 604, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 17, 1998 (17:00)", "body": "Cheryl and Kirsten - Have your copies arrived? Perhaps we should snap Riette to join us? A little Vincent Van Gogh tie-in? ;-)"}, {"response": 605, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Wed, Nov 18, 1998 (09:27)", "body": "(Karen)Cheryl and Kirsten - Have your copies arrived? No, not yet. But please don't wait for me. It may take weeks and weeks before I get it. Up to ten weeks from US to Europe, they mentioned at Reel, it has never taken such long time in the past, but who knows. And reading your comments before watching the film will only increase my anticipation. So, go on, please:-)"}, {"response": 606, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Wed, Nov 18, 1998 (11:11)", "body": "Not yet but any second. Please begin!"}, {"response": 607, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 18, 1998 (11:11)", "body": "A snippet of *thigh* *sigh*"}, {"response": 608, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 18, 1998 (11:11)", "body": "A glimpse of *thigh* *sigh*"}, {"response": 609, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 18, 1998 (11:11)", "body": "How about starting our discussion on Monday?"}, {"response": 610, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Nov 18, 1998 (11:11)", "body": "Sure!!! seeing that I now HAVE the movie!"}, {"response": 611, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Nov 22, 1998 (22:31)", "body": "Mmm, can't wait. This will give me an excuse to re-watch DG over the Thanksgiving long weekend to look for tidbits to comment on. DG is definitely something to be thankful for :-)"}, {"response": 612, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Mon, Nov 23, 1998 (12:20)", "body": "Got the tape in the meantime and saw it several times since. And my first (amd last) thought was how terrible and embarrassing it must be to be a boy at that age. All those tortured, desperate souls. But Colin is gorgeous as Neil, so innocent and shy ... *sigh*"}, {"response": 613, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 24, 1998 (16:29)", "body": "I know everyone is waiting on the edge of their seats for the answers to the questions but, since we're just starting Dutch Girls, could you (Arami or Renate) post those lovely and rare publicity pictures from your Treasure Trove?"}, {"response": 614, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Nov 24, 1998 (18:11)", "body": "I'm in exile because my pc crashed, so I cannot check anything - have to dig into my memory for the adresses of the still unlinked pics: Ok, I'll try:"}, {"response": 615, "author": "terry", "date": "Tue, Nov 24, 1998 (18:36)", "body": "Hope your pc gets well!"}, {"response": 616, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov 24, 1998 (18:45)", "body": "He looks great with the scarf wrapped around. Thanks Renate! Will be posting thoughts of DG's at a later date, too much going on right now on Topic 97. I am totally distracted!"}, {"response": 617, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Nov 24, 1998 (19:25)", "body": "Phew! It worked - to my greatest surprise. I watched DUTCH GIRLS again last night, and though my opinion of this film raises every time, I find it painful to watch in some passages, and I am not talking about the disgusting scenes (ick!). All the awkwardness of youth, the disappointments... it's a comedy, but with some painful truth. Something different: Some of you perhaps waiting for replies from me - please be patient. Though I have net access in exile while my pc is down, it is pretty inconvenient and never undisturbed to write from here. Got a nasty cold into the bargain, and have to go home now. *sniff*"}, {"response": 618, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 24, 1998 (19:25)", "body": "Thanks for posting the pictures, Renate. They are gorgeous! (Renate) All the awkwardness of youth, the disappointments...it's a comedy, but with some painful truth. Definitely. Have just read the screenplay and the introductory essay by William Boyd about life in a boarding school. The awkwardness of youth is compounded by the *unreal* aspects of a monosexual existence. Won't dwell on the serious right now, but will start jotting down my favorite scenes, lines, etc. (Moon) I am totally distracted! Aren't we all. I need to rewatch DG and take some notes."}, {"response": 619, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 24, 1998 (19:25)", "body": "Thank you Renate....What a sensational Debut for our Dutch Girls discussion.(Hope you recover soon from your cold :-( Isn't that Wickham's shoulder that Colin is resting his head on?? (Grammarians pl. ignore sentence ending in preposition...am excited about doings on #97...cannot think straight....)"}, {"response": 620, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Nov 25, 1998 (23:16)", "body": "We're back up!! And I'll bet some of you didn't even know we were down. Adorable photos - even the close-ups turned out terrific. Those pink uniforms! Reminds me of Wickham's line to an uncomprehending Neil, \"What girl's going to look at us in this get-up, you daft prat?\". I still have to re-view the movie but forge ahead."}, {"response": 621, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Nov 26, 1998 (23:42)", "body": "What,was there a Wickham too?"}, {"response": 622, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Nov 27, 1998 (01:00)", "body": "Not a Wickham - the Wickham! Adrian Lukis played one of the schoolboys."}, {"response": 623, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 27, 1998 (01:44)", "body": "the Wickham! Adrian Lukis played one of the schoolboys. Murray is his name. Is featured about four or five times times. Best line: when they're in the clubhouse disco ..and M. says \"Get a load of that one in red\" Simon: \"Don't go a bundle on her face\" M. \"Who's looking at faces?\" Have to watch DG again. Gets better every time."}, {"response": 624, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Fri, Nov 27, 1998 (06:26)", "body": "I overheard friends discussing SIL on Tuesday--they had attended screening recently. They were quite surprised by my interest. Gentle readers...well, it's supposed to be pretty."}, {"response": 625, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Fri, Nov 27, 1998 (06:27)", "body": "Oh, and I couldn't post till now. Sorry."}, {"response": 626, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Fri, Nov 27, 1998 (13:40)", "body": "I mean, because we were down."}, {"response": 627, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Fri, Nov 27, 1998 (15:30)", "body": "(Renate) All the awkwardness of youth, the disappointments... it's a comedy, but with some painful truth. That's exactly what I feel, watching Dutch Girls. There are a number of moments, which are quite familiar, remembering one's own teenage / school days: those school trips, where everybody is in utter excitement because boys and girls are spending all day together and the nights under the same roof - carefully housed in different wings [things are much easier in a \ufffdmixed school\" ;-)). And the only interest is, how to escape without alarming the teacher in charge and rumours are flowering like flowers in th spring: who with whom?. The teachers eagerly trying to give the kids an minimum understanding of culture while their faces are glazed with boredom and the fatigue of the latest nuit blanche; the teachers trying to do a decent job, driven to despair by a load of teenagers behaving like silly toddlers. Or the awkward feeling when someone you're interested in is finally addressing you and you have not the slightest clue what to say or to do - let alone the guts to do it (a feeling not necessarily linked onl to teenage days;-/) So, it's not too difficult to sympathise with Neil - and the other lot, if you feel like it. That's all for today, later more, favourite moments etc."}, {"response": 628, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 27, 1998 (23:15)", "body": "Regardless of the fact that all the actors were too old to play at most 17-year-old school boys (Colin was 24 at the time of filming), I love watching Colin playing the awkward and naive Neil Truelove who lacks confidence in his own abilities in both sports as well as girls. He is just so good being shy around Romelia. You just want to oooh and aaah and put your arms around him and say poor baby. What a cutie, especially in his little shorts. In the opening sequence we get a closeup of Colin's eyes. I don't think we've ever seen them so big and so brown. Wow! Speaking of eyes, you shouldn't blink in the opening credits, otherwise you might miss the full monty. I know I did first time around. Another miss (I'm embarrassed to admit) was spotting Adrian Lukis initially. Now when I watch it, I wonder how could I have missed him in the headmaster's office as they receive their lecture on going to Amsterdam, but the first time it wasn't until t e disco scene when he orders the Bacardi and Cokes that I recognized him. He's a few inches taller than Colin, isn't he? From P&P, I had the impression they were the same height, but they don't exactly have too many scenes together there, do there? All of his scenes with Romelia are my favorites. In the first meeting, he is called over to the tree by the Sirens (love the vocalist in background) the light is streaming through the branches creating a magical effect. Then you have the backlighting on Romelia and Neil, illuminating their hair and faces. She smiles and stares at him unabashedly and he casts his eyes downward, hardly able to look at her, but he smiles totally embarrassed at each exchange of glances. He can't believe she is inviting hi to the disco. \"Who? Me?\" \"Yes, you...and your friends, of course.\" Always the gentleman. \"Yes, please.\" The first of his \"yes pleases\" as if someone had asked if he wanted another helping at the dinner table. Then there's that look of annoyance when Cone and Roote interrupt. I'm annoyed too! I don't want the camera to leave his adorable face. At the disco, Neil's watching of Romelia from the sidelines, shades of the Netherfield Ball's Darcycam. He can't get up the nerve to ask her to dance and his inaction allows Dundine to move in. (As Dundine tells Neil, \"You've got to make your own chances\" or \"You can't just sit back and wait. Think someone will come along and say, 'Hey, I like you. Let's make the earth move, baby.'\") One of my favorite sequences within this scene is when he's at the bar with Fforde (why two Fs anyone??) and is watchin Romelia dance with Dundine. Neil is lighting up a cigarette and she turns around and looks at him and gives him a superobvious wink. Then he exhales in the most *longing* gesture I've ever seen. Argh! Another choice sequence is Colin dancing with Romelia. Love his fast dancing; it's perfectly stiff and lacking in any rhythm. True to character. But the best is watching him react to Romelia, when she lassoes him with her arms to make sure he doesn't get away for the slow dance. He looks so uneasy. e's not sure what to do with his hands. There's a look of relief when she snuggles in against his shoulder. Finally, all's well with the world. **Love how Romelia keeps looking up at Neil as Dundine tries to whisk Neil away to go home. Looks like she's (1) disgusted with Dundine's interference and (2) trying to decide if she needs to do anything to ensure she will get to take him home with her!! At Romelia's house, now there's a scene for the books. She's tempting him again--siren music. When she takes off her sweater, could he be more stunned? Where are his eyes? Has a sweat broken out on his forehead? This is way more than he can process. More temptation: the lure of those so-called biscuits as she stretches up (braless) to reach the tin! R: \"You want a biscuit?\" Hungry?\" N: \"No thanks. R: \"I am...You sure?\" Sure, she's offering him a cookie. I dearly wanted to push him at her. Go for it Neil! What do you need an engraved invitation? At the bus when the team is leaving, I think Neil goes over to Romelia just to be polite because Neil is a polite kind of guy. When she tells him there was no *student friend* the look of anguish on Neil's face is palpable. His friend has betrayed him and he lost his chance with Romelia. Love how she puts her hand on his chest over his heart (wonder how fast it was beating?) and then he covers it with his own. Again, I just wanted to scream: \"Kiss her Neil!\" The longing, the pain, the anguish, the betr yal, the hatred. Colin's face shows it all. His body language as he strides past Dundine on the bus and slumps down by himself, looking dejected, but thinking all the while what to make of this experience. Actually, I blame it all on Mrs. Van Der Merwe. She should have sat down and had a little chat with Neil, taken him under her wing like a good mom. Did anyone think she was a dead ringer for Marion Ross (Mrs. Cunningham on Happy Days) in both appearance and her voice? Who b"}, {"response": 629, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Nov 28, 1998 (16:48)", "body": "The scenes Karen mentions between Romelia and Neil are my favorites too. He can't work up the nerve to do anything and if Dundine is in the picture, Neil just assumes he is the one Romelia would want anyway. Love the part when Dundine asks Romelia for a lift but she says, \"Sorry, I am taking Neil.\" Then Neil mutters that Dundine can go but D. lets it go. 'Course then he says later that he hadn't expected much to have happened. Poor repressed boy. Neil in his buttoned-up pajamas, Neil all wrapped up in his bathrobe, Neil snug in his little twin bed with the covers pulled tightly under his chin. The other boys are looking at girlie magazines on the bus but not Neil. ANyone know what book he's reading? What part, if any, do you think Dundine played in Neil's weighted hockey stick? It's alluded to once in the film when D. says, \"But he didn't have the magic stick, did he?\" when talking about Neil's rival for the team. I wouldn't think Neil would do that on his own and he's so heavily influenced by Dundine. So then are we to gather that his flinging the hockey stick into the air at the end of the film not only signifies his rebellion against his rigid world but the end of his friendship, or at least his reliance, on Dundine? (Karen) Did anyone think she (Mrs. vd Merwe) was a dead ringer for Marion Ross (Mrs. Cunningham on Happy Days) in both appearance and her voice? LOL!! And what a gracious hostess."}, {"response": 630, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov 28, 1998 (20:38)", "body": "Have you all noticed, that the producer is Sue B. (P&P and BBC). Apart from Wickham, there was a v. funny Bill Patterson (Yes, Minister series and The Witches: a film by my fav. Director Nicolas Roeg). It was v. well cast counting on our suspension of disbelief when it came to their ages. Neil Truelove, what a cool name! He did seem more like \ufffdpuppylove\ufffd the sad eyes, his shyness, afterall, that\ufffds all they talked about right: getting girls? Here was Romelia quite taken with him and what does he do? Nothing! Is it believable? When they are in her kitchen, no sweater, reaching for cookies, what holds him back? I\ufffdm baffled. Like you Karen, I wanted to push him to react. I did love the way he grabbed her hand when they were saying goodbye, it said so much. Funny how in the end, I felt he had more in common with his roomate than the other guys. Neil was disgusted by his behaviour but probably appreciated tha fact that he really acted on his word. He wanted the girl, he got the girl. BTW, he also had my fav. line \ufffdclassique artist de pisoir\ufffd! Fav. look: the scarf. Can someone scan a pix, he looks so good! I was looking forward to his dancing but...not the disco type, and to that I add THANK HEAVENS! Loved the little sister, funny, smart and wicked."}, {"response": 631, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 29, 1998 (02:52)", "body": "This is one cute movie. And I wonder why the Disney Channel hasn\ufffdt picked it up ...it must be PG.(Well maybe Lyndon trying to shag Greetje...) Filmed in 1985, it must have been a poplular TV movie if it made the cover of TV Times. They guys might not look 17, but they act it...what a horny bunch . Poor Neil...a victim of the public school institutional mentality for ten years. Who could not express himself outside of his environment. Home life didn\ufffdt help: \ufffdI don\ufffdt hate it (school) because I\ufffdm far away from home....\ufffd Cheats to get on the hockey team. (BTW does anyone else think Dundine knew about the stick ...maybe even put him up to it?) Neil:\ufffdI thought Bucknell would get picked\ufffd Dundine:\ufffdAh yes, but he didn\ufffdt have the magic stick , did he..\ufffd Dundine has a hold over him....his best friend. The team tour..only way to get away from school ? Sports prowess certainly helped in gaining popularity among peers. Agree that the close ups of the eyes are wonderful; they say so much. I can see why Sue Birdwistle was inspired to cast him as Mr. Darcy nine years later. Lots of Darcy looks...at the disco yearning to dance with Romelia... later at her house (lustful Darcy), meeting little Anna, the mischievous look he gives Lyndon, reminds me of the look as he approached Lizzie playing the piano at Rosings.And then there\ufffds that scarf tied twice around his neck. Cast is excellent. Lyndon a little over the top at times (the houseguest from hell!) Mole is outstanding.But would someone pl translate the expression:\ufffdMilk it\ufffd The scene when Neil sees the girls is wonderful...almost dreamlike...misty...he can\ufffdt believe it. And at Romelia\ufffds house when she offers him a biscuit, takes a bite herself...close-up of Neil watching her mouth reminded me of Mrs. Keach biting the apple. Favorite scene: when Romelia drops him off...he draws close to her...almost kisses her... loses his courage"}, {"response": 632, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 30, 1998 (00:41)", "body": "(Heide) The other boys are looking at girlie magazines on the bus but not Neil. Anyone know what book he's reading? Author's name might be: Anthony ***ewell. Fill in the blanks. Means nothing to me. (Heide) What part, if any, do you think Dundine played in Neil's weighted hockey stick?I wouldn't think Neil would do that on his own. It hadn't occurred to me that Dundine told him to do it, although it's certainly possible. As his \"best\" friend, he would be aware of it. Are we to believe that Neil is that innocent, that pure? Don't know. He does share many of the normal vices, i.e., smoking, drinking, swearing. The stick represented (1) a way to meet girls and (2) being one of those guys on the team. Neil had to cheat because he lacks assurance in his own abilities to get on the team. (Heide) flinging the hockey stick...not only signifies his rebellion against his rigid world but the end of his friendship, or at least his reliance, on Dundine? He is going his own way, just as Lyndon advised. Neil is going to be his own man, an individual. He doesn't want to be like *them.* I take it as a given that their friendship is over. (Moon) When they are in her kitchen...what holds him back? I=m baffled. So is Neil. Remember how he asks Lyndon if he has discussions about girls/sex with his dad. He looks envious of their relationship. \"The only thing my father ever told me was that 'women are a lifetime's study'...What if he's right? Because if he is, I've got off to a bloody slow start.\" Neil knows nothing and his father didn't help at all. (Moon) I did love the way he grabbed her hand when they were saying goodbye, it said so much. Do you think that she slipped her address in his breast pocket? Or is Neil going to address his letters to her in care of Kees or to Romelia, 20 miles outside of Amsterdam? (Moon) to that I add THANK HEAVENS! And for the fact that he never wears one of those beanies! On the subject of clothing, while I thought they all looked adorable in their pink sweaters or jumpers at hockey practice, is pink a representative school color in England or Scotland? Wouldn't be here. The pink blazers were a little difficult to take. (Evelyn) They guys might not look 17, but they act it...what a horny bunch. In other words, you found it realistic! ;-D (Evelyn) meeting little Anna, the mischievous look he gives Lyndon Yes, that was so cute. Lyndon was so hot to meet the *sister* and good old Neil wants to rub it in. (Moon) Loved the little sister, funny, smart and wicked. Loved what Lyndon said about her after that first dinner: \"She's a right bitch, though...That little sprog Anna. I just hope that all Dutch girls won't be like her.\" (Evelyn) Lyndon a little over the top at times (the houseguest from hell!) Reminds me of another great line. When Dundine comes over to tell them the game has been canceled due to rain. He asks Lyndon, \"What happened there?\" To which Lyndon replies, \"Oh...Winter.\" During that scene, Dundine did an excellent Eddie Haskell. (My mind must be in a time warp of old sitcoms.) \"What a beautiful house you have...Very, very...tasteful. Very...Are you an interior designer by chance?\" After those remarks, how else could Lyndon characterize Dundine to Neil at the outdoor cafe but as an oily bastard, a classic artiste du pissoir? (Evelyn) when Romelia drops him off...he draws close to her...almost kisses her...loses his courage. Wasn't that little move toward her subtle? Could barely tell that he was going to try. (Evelyn) Gets better every time. Agreed! ;-D"}, {"response": 633, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Nov 30, 1998 (01:25)", "body": "(Evelyn) Gets better every time. Agreed! ;-D YUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!"}, {"response": 634, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Nov 30, 1998 (07:52)", "body": "I agree that the business with the sister Anna is hysterical. I re-watched the first half again today and was reminded of one of my favorite lines. \"Why don't you sit next to Anna, Lyndon Baines?\" in that wicked voice. I also love the part where Neil is hanging around the disco trying to get courage to ask Romelia to dance. It reminds me of Darcy at the Netherfield Ball. All those intense looks. Mmmmm, in my best Lydia voice. (Evelyn) Gets better every time. (Karen) Agreed! ;-D Ditto! I'm enjoying it much more the second time around."}, {"response": 635, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Nov 30, 1998 (07:52)", "body": "The only thing good about this movie is Giles' descent into madness! and that he is really cute! But overall, nah, I'll give you Anna, she's cute and my daughter thought she was very funny. The pink is way too jarring! I like James Wilby (Maurice is excellent!) Adrian Lukis is too nerdish. Sorry cannot be swayed on this one. I think Playmaker is better!"}, {"response": 636, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov 30, 1998 (07:52)", "body": "The only thing good about this movie is Giles' descent into madness! and that he is really cute! Thank you for quoting me, Laura. She is referring to *my* favorite thing about the whole movie, as anyone (Ann) can attest to. Watch for Giles in the background of various scenes, with the sunglasses, being carried out of the disco, taking a swig from a bottle, checking out the mags, etc. Loved when the other team's sponsor said that he knew his brother Mungo and asked how he was. Giles responds: \"I'm afraid, he's in a sort of clinic...\" By the end of the trip, poor Giles is hosting parties, having decided that hisd responsibility to become an example is too much and definitely not fair."}, {"response": 637, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 30, 1998 (07:52)", "body": "Add me to the list, Giles, is it! (Laura), I think Playmaker is better! . Now, you're ready to join Giles's brother in that clinic! I hope he's as cute as Giles. (heehee)"}, {"response": 638, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 30, 1998 (07:52)", "body": "(Jana)my favorite lines. \"Why don't you sit next to Anna, Lyndon Baines?\" in that wicked voice. And the same mischievous smile that he gives Lizzy at the Netherfield Ball when her partner, Mr. Collins,goes the wrong way bumping into people. Giles \"loses it\" alright, Big Time. I wonder why Mole had the obsession with Van Gogh...obviously why he scheduled the tournament in Amsterdam. BTW, great shots of Amsterdam. Love it when they go into b/w cinematography. I've been down that \"red light\" district of Amsterdam....just like the movie.Only the girls aren't as attractive.The sit in the storefront windows.....polishing their nails, \"scratching\"...they didn't look fetching to me."}, {"response": 639, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Nov 30, 1998 (07:52)", "body": "Cigarettes, swearing, drinking--just normal boyhood passges. Don't think cheating is so I continue to say Phil talked Neil into the weighted hockey stick. I'm sure Neil wants to get laid as badly as the other boys but being less \"wordly\" than suave-o Phil, would tend to follow his advice. What's with this reputation Dutch girls have anyway? Favorite secondary characters are Giles and Anna. Love when she screams at the top of the steps when Neil returns from Romelia's. Was it Moon who said she's \"wicked\"? I agree, she's a wicked imp."}, {"response": 640, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 30, 1998 (07:52)", "body": "(Heide), What's with this reputation Dutch girls have anyway? Not just Dutch girls but Scandinavian girls: I believe it has to do with having all that darkness: the night! They also drink heavily. Men of course love it."}, {"response": 641, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Mon, Nov 30, 1998 (07:52)", "body": "Why is his name Lyndon Baines Jellicho? LBJ???? I asked Karen about it, and we couldn't figure out why he would be named after a US President?"}, {"response": 642, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec  1, 1998 (22:58)", "body": "Why is his name Lyndon Baines Jellicho? LBJ???? I asked Karen about it, and we couldn't figure out why he would be named after a US President? Maybe William Boyd is a Republican."}, {"response": 643, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Dec  2, 1998 (01:06)", "body": "His name is Lyndon Baines Jellicoe. His parents are nouveaux riches with all the ostentation of elevated bumpkins and naming the kid after a US president was one example of it."}, {"response": 644, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Dec  2, 1998 (22:26)", "body": "It's the noveaux riches obliges!"}, {"response": 645, "author": "cheryle", "date": "Fri, Dec  4, 1998 (18:59)", "body": "Please check 97 and tell me what to do!"}, {"response": 646, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Dec  7, 1998 (01:41)", "body": "Neil and his hockey stick, let's not let that theme go away. We can compare how his actions might have been influenced by Dundine and his stick to the point of his disgust for both. He then rids himself of both and is free. But, will he go back to Romelia? Probably yes."}, {"response": 647, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Mon, Dec  7, 1998 (07:38)", "body": "I finally had time to re-watch the second half of DG. I loved the part at the disco when Neil finally got up the nerve to dance with Romelia. Boy our Neil just can't take a hint, can he? Poor Romey did just about everything but disrobe and still he didn't kiss her. I had also forgotten how hysterical the scene was when that hideous teacher of theirs lost some of the boys in the red light district. He was running back and forth trying to catch the strays and yelling at the rest of the boys to \"look down, just look at your footwear\" to avoid seeing anything suggestive. Too funny."}, {"response": 648, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  7, 1998 (15:49)", "body": ""}, {"response": 649, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Dec  7, 1998 (21:06)", "body": "(Evelyn) I've been down that \"red light\" district of Amsterdam....just like the movie. Only the girls aren't as attractive. Isn't that the way it alway is? ;-) I only have vague memories of Amsterdam; it was so many years ago, but I did have to take a look at the red-light district! What did you think of the one and only prostitute who caught Mole's fancy? What do you think that tells us about his character? ;-) BTW, Evelyn, she would be considered 'zahftig' plus! (Laura) Why is his name Lyndon Baines Jellicho? LBJ? (Evelyn) Maybe William Boyd is a Republican. You're a riot, Evelyn!! (Arami) His parents are nouveaux riches with all the ostentation of elevated bumpkins and naming the kid after a US president was one example of it. Thank you, Arami, and thank goodness such trends don't exist to my knowledge in the US. Boyd certainly tossed in a number of LBJisms (toilet antics, does that ring a bell, Evelyn?) and stereotypical Texan stuff (cowboy boots, yi-haa) but what is interesting to me is that Lyndon becomes a sympathetic character despite his crude and crass behavior. You can see that he likes Neil and tries to help him. (BTW, Heide, he has new-found admiration for Neil when he discovers the doctored hockey stick!) At the cafe, he tries to get Neil to put the \"Romelia-Phantom Boyfriend\" thing into perspective. \"Nasty one...But why don't you just come along anyway?\" Then, \"Forget the girl, forget the student. Just come along.\" By far the best thing is Lyndon's expression when he dances past Dundine and Romelia later. Wow, what a look! He knows he had him pegged. (Moon) his actions might have been influenced by Dundine and his stick to the point of his disgust for both. He then rids himself of both and is free. Very nice way to put it. They are both so related. The stick represented belonging to that so-called elite group, but I think it was also a means to an end--as Heide so succinctly put it--to get laid. As Mole is yelling to him: \"Don't you dare, boy. Don't you dare...I'm warning you, Truelove. My word is law! My word is LAW!\" Is this our Rebel With a Cause now? ;-) BTW, I'd give him a 10.0 on his hammer-throwing technique, but then again I'm a little biased, no different from an Olympics judge! (Jana) Poor Romey did just about everything but disrobe and still he didn't kiss her. Don't you wonder why she didn't kiss him? I don't think Romelia was too forward, but girls (especially at that age) are more mature than boys of any age! Maybe she would have on their second date had Dundine not interfered."}, {"response": 650, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Dec  7, 1998 (22:32)", "body": "The Lyndon thing could also be a critique of the US. The British have always had had a love/hate relationship with the US. In fact at first, we are disgusted by Lyndon, later, he's the one that sticks by Neil, so we soften towards him. Wouldn't you agree?"}, {"response": 651, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Dec  7, 1998 (22:34)", "body": "Did I say sticks?"}, {"response": 652, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Dec  8, 1998 (00:35)", "body": "(Moon) sticks? Pun intended? Interesting point, Karen. How is our Neil going to be when he returns to school? I like the image of him as rebel. Hanging out with Lyndon, scoffing at the whole scene. His new found independence will be very attractive to the ladies, should he meet one, and maybe, just maybe, he'll recognize a come-on when he sees one. Interesting that Mole looks just like the little furry, blind creature. And hilarious when he tries to find a connection with his name to Van Gogh's name. Mole is \"grockle\" in Scottish dialect. \"Now you say that quickly....Gogh: grockle..See what I'm driving at?\" No mention yet of delectible Neil in jeans and his blue sweater in the bedroom scene? What a loss for Romelia. Yes, Karen, she must have put her address in Neil's pocket. She's not going to let that boy slip away. I shall be romantic too, Moon, and agree that he will see her again."}, {"response": 653, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec  8, 1998 (01:26)", "body": "Very perceptive of Karen to bring out all of LBJ's characteristics in Lyndon. In fact at first, we are disgusted by Lyndon... Yeah, then at the end, after we realize the guy has lots of \"streets smarts\", and befriends Neil ...he doesn't seem so disgusting. But I still don't want him in my house:-) How about Romelia....is she a prototype of Dutch Girls? All girls? She sure sends out strong signals...but he's not connecting."}, {"response": 654, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Dec  8, 1998 (14:04)", "body": "Why was I under the impression that when he got back to Scotland, he would leave school?"}, {"response": 655, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Tue, Dec  8, 1998 (16:29)", "body": "(Moon) But, will he go back to Romelia? Probably yes. (Heide) Yes, Karen, she must have put her address in Neil's pocket. She's not going to let that boy slip away. I shall be romantic too, Moon, and agree that he will see her again. I do not want to disturb your romantic feelings, but I don't see that. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to keep a relationship going through such a distance -let alone develop a relationship after such a short acquaintance- and at that age, and remember, he is living in a boarding school, how will he manage to see her? Or she him? She may have given him her address and they may write letters, but if they really meet again, not before years later. Sorry, girls, I'm not always so non-romantic - quite the contrary :-) (Jana) I had also forgotten how hysterical the scene was when that hideous teacher of theirs lost some of the boys in the red light district. He was running back and forth trying to catch the strays and yelling at the rest of the boys to \"look down, just look at your footwear\" to avoid seeing anything suggestive. Too funny. that's one of my favourite non-Colin scenes, when he says: \ufffdKeep calm! Eyes front! Don't panic! Stick together!\" I really wonder, whom he wants to calm, to protect, who is panicking. Another one of my non-Colin favourites is Lyndon saying \ufffdWinter!\" as if he would say, \ufffdWhat a question to ask, it's obvious, isn't it, leaves are falling.\" (Karen) Is this our Rebel With a Cause now? ;-) (Heide) Interesting point, Karen. How is our Neil going to be when he returns to school? I like the image of him as rebel. Hanging out with Lyndon, scoffing at the whole scene. His new found independence will be very attractive to the ladies, should he meet one, and maybe, just maybe, he'll recognize a come-on when he sees one. Hasn't he been a rebel before, but in secret? After all, he has been cheating with his hockey stick to get into the Amsterdam team. But, yes, I can well see him hanging out with Lyndon, ready for open rebellion, going his own way, like Lyndon put it. But all the same, I hope he will not adapt too much of his behaviour. (Heide) No mention yet of delectible Neil in jeans and his blue sweater in the bedroom scene? What a loss for Romelia Yes, isn't he gorgeous there, and that smile of him, so smashing ... *sigh*"}, {"response": 656, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Dec  8, 1998 (18:19)", "body": "Kirsten, at that age, it is so easy to travel, especially within Europe. Everyone I know did it in their youth, and it is a lot easier to travel when you actually know someone in the country. Sorry, but I stick (here I go again!), to what I said."}, {"response": 657, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (01:08)", "body": "Way, way back someone asked what book Neil was reading in the coach. It must be a novel by Anthony Powell (who wrote the \"Dance to the Music of Time\" saga). Serious stuff! Neil really does look sweet seventeen! DG is one of my favourites....especially like the disco scene, and the \"by the trees bathed in light\" scene."}, {"response": 658, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (02:23)", "body": "I'm sorry to disagree with you all....but aside from breaking with Dundine and the crowd (including \"Wickham\"), I don't think Neil will change much.Cheating with the hockey stick was instigated by Dundine, so they could go to Amsterdam on the tour. He came from a family thatdid not interact and did not show emotions (DNA), then he's been at schoolthat promoted regimentation for ten years. IMO This is part of his persona. He will always be shy, intimidated by women, and exceedingly polite.This doesn't nece sarily make Neill a loser."}, {"response": 659, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (14:26)", "body": "(Moon) Kirsten, at that age, it is so easy to travel, especially within Europe. You're right, Moon, it's only that I imagine life in an English boarding school to be very restricted with not much time and freedom to travel around the world and the holidays I suppose are to be passed with the family, but I have to admit, that my image may be that of a very, very, very traditional one, and that I tend to forget that even in English boarding schools life may have changed. Sorry, my fault ;-) Besides, with my remark about the age I had not the possibilities of travelling in mind. Neil's only 17 and dreaming about \ufffdfirst love\", longing for any opportunity to meet girls and to make his first experiences (my impression was that the guys were so excited about the trip because of the possibility to meet girls, not only Dutch girls - because of their reputation - but any girl). Do you think he feels like having his girlfriend miles and miles away, only able to see her every couple of weeks for a sho t weekend? I have another question related to that \ufffdwill they meet again\" one: Do you all think Neil is seriously fallen in love with Romelia? He is surely taken by her, she is nice, she is charming, she is kind and she makes his mouth water, and Neil is really depressed about the lost date with her. But isn't it possible that he is so sad about the \ufffddisaster\" because of the lost opportunity, considering his remark about his slow start? Don't flame me, it's just a question, something that came into my mind - in my h art I do prefer the romantic version. (Evelyn) I'm sorry to disagree with you all.... Oh, I think I have to put things right, I mean try to make clear what I wanted to say: I'm with you, Evelyn. I didn't want say that Neil will turn out to be a second Lyndon. He will always be the well-mannered, charming 'boy'. With saying he is \ufffdready for open rebellion\" I carried things perhaps a bit too far. But I do imagine him hanging around more likely with Lyndon than with the rest of the crowd, respecting his (Lyndon's) readiness to confront people with \ufffdhis own way\" and appreciating that Lyndon is more honest and more a friend than his \ufffdsupposed to be best one\". Neil surely will nev r offend other people in a way Lyndon does at the van der Merve's but he now is certainly willing to go for some length for his \ufffdown way\" - his, not Lyndon's. And of course, he's not a loser! (Wonder whether this is really any clearer than before, I'm always mixing up my thoughts, sorry) BTW, I'm not so sure whether it was really Dundine's suggestion with the hockey stick. Neil may have \ufffdconfessed\" it later to him as his \ufffdbest friend\", but if it was Dundine's idea, why wasn't he with him preparing it, and why didn't he try it himself, was he so convinced to be in the team with no doubt? Could see that film again and again, Colin's so cute."}, {"response": 660, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (18:36)", "body": "(Kirsten) Don't flame me, it's just a question, something that came into my mind - First of all...let's get something straight....NO ONE flames anyone around here for voicing her opinion.And if anyone does...I'm the first to \"defend her to the barricades\", believe me. This is why I like this board...people are polite and cililized. Anyway, Kirsten, I know what you mean't to say...and I agree with you about the post-hurling-the stick-Neil. He will be different. As to falling in love...I think he had a crush on her...who wouldn't?...she gorgeous! And she approached him first.(Don't you love the scene when she calls out to him on the field and he looks around to see if she is calling someone else?) On the other hand one never knows where a crush can lead to.....:-)"}, {"response": 661, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (18:40)", "body": "that should be\"people are polite and civilized\". (Obviously yours truly should learn to proofread better...shocking!)"}, {"response": 662, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (19:35)", "body": "Just a couple of comments for now. Neil's 17. Isn't that about it for his boarding school experience. He'll be going to university soon. He may not be up in the northernmost reaches of Scotland then. Besides, if there's good road (short Hovercraft ride), he will later consider it *an easy distance* ;-) (Bethan) it must be a novel by Anthony Powell (who wrote the \"Dance to the Music of Time\" saga). Damn!! What eyesight you have!! If Bethan says she sees something (even behind a glass-block wall), we shouldn't doubt her. It's there!"}, {"response": 663, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Dec  9, 1998 (22:02)", "body": "Bethan) it must be a novel by Anthony Powell (who wrote the \"Dance to the Music of Time\" saga). (Karen)Damn!! What eyesight you have!! If Bethan says she sees something (even behind a glass-block wall), we shouldn't doubt her. It's there! New Title: Eagle- Eye- Bethan"}, {"response": 664, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (00:39)", "body": "I saw what I saw what I saw!! And I'll tell you one thing (forget about paperbacks).....he'll never ever do a shower scene again, EVER!!"}, {"response": 665, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (17:20)", "body": "Why not?"}, {"response": 666, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 10, 1998 (19:34)", "body": "(Moon) But, will he go back to Romelia? Probably yes. I agree that Neil is likely to try to pick up again with her. He's so shy that it would be far easier to go along this path than to try to meet a *new* girl. Romelia has already indicated that he wouldn't be rejected and, hopefully, he's understood this. In my scenario, I'm not talking a \"heavy-duty, looking-to-get-married\" kind of relationship. This is just a 17-year-old boy who might correspond with her and see her during his holidays and who might invite her to go with him to special parties. What s the equivalent of prom? (Heide) How is our Neil going to be when he returns to school? I like the image of him as rebel. Hanging out with Lyndon, scoffing at the whole scene. I think he'll be somewhat of a loner as he tries to find himself. His friendship with Dundine is over, but he won't openly snub him. Neil won't try fitting in with those boys anymore; he has seen them for what they really are. You can see him questioning their values right after the confrontation with Dundine, as they are siding with Dundine or at least trying to convince him to forget about it. (Heide) Interesting that Mole looks just like the little furry, blind creature. LOL! Does he? And they're blind? Can you post a picture of one? (Heide) No mention yet of delectible Neil in jeans and his blue sweater in the bedroom scene? He looked scrumptious in that scene, staring out of the window and smoking his contraband cigarette. (Evelyn) the guy [Lyndon] has lots of \"streets smarts\" Precisely the old LBJ. The consummate good ol boy. Apparently Boyd didn't realize that similarity with his public school boys. (Kirsten) But all the same, I hope he will not adopt too much of his behaviour. I don't think he will stop being the nice, well-mannered Neil. He just won't allow people to walk all over him and he won't be so trusting and therefore so gullible. Take heart, he knows what the little thingie on the side of the bog is for! ;-) (Evelyn) He came from a family that did not interact and did not show emotions (DNA), then he's been at school that promoted regimentation for ten years...He will always be shy, intimidated by women, and exceedingly polite. Maybe this is the difference between what the movie is trying to show and reality. As Neil is hurling his hockey stick into the deep blue sea, while Mole is ordering him to stop, saying his word is LAW, aren't they trying to make us believe that Neil is rejecting those perverted ideals and the regimentation? I agree he will probably remain shy, etc. (Kirsten) Do you all think Neil is seriously fallen in love with Romelia? (Evelyn) As to falling in love...I think he had a crush on her. Crush or as Moon said earlier, puppy love, just about sums it up for me. (Kirsten) But isn't it possible that he is so sad about the \"disaster\" because of the lost opportunity, considering his remark about his slow start? Oh yes, he's sad about having lost out, but he's also in turmoil because his \"best friend\" betrayed him. I like the description in the book of what Neil sees at the bus that wasn't really shown in the movie. Romelia: What student? What are you talking about? (Truelove's face. Suspicion dawns. He looks around, sees Dundine laughing in a group containing Cone and Roote. Dundine doesn't meet Truelove's eye. (Kirsten) but if it was Dundine's idea, why wasn't he with him preparing it, and why didn't he try it himself, was he so convinced to be in the team with no doubt? Dundine's a jerk alright, but I would imagine he's smart enough not to take the unnecessary risk of getting caught. Apparently, Dundine must have been a good enough player to not need the doctored stick. At most schools, cheating would likely be cause for getting kicked out or \"sent down.\" Besides, those kind of guys are usually spineless chicken-sh*ts! ;-)"}, {"response": 667, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 11, 1998 (02:43)", "body": "Moon) But, will he go back to Romelia? Probably yes. (Karen)I agree that Neil is likely to try to pick up again with her. A far more likely scenario IMO is that Romelia will pick up with Neil. This is a determined lady...hey, she's got a plan"}, {"response": 668, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Dec 12, 1998 (18:12)", "body": "In the preface to School Ties, the book that has the screenplay to Dutch Girls as well as another television film called Good and Bad at Games, Boyd has the following quotation from W.H. Auden's \"The Old School\": Everyone knows that the only emotion that is fully developed in a boy of fourteen is the emotion of loyalty and honour. For that very reason it is so dangerous. By appealing to it, you can do almost anything you choose; you can suppress the expression of all those emoti ns--particularly the sexual--which are still undeveloped; like a modern dictator you can defeat almost any opposition from other parts of the psyche. But if you do, if you deny these other emotions their expression and development...they will not only never grow up, but they will go backward, for human nature can never stand still. They will, like other things that are shut up, go bad on you. How do you think this relates to the boys at the Strathdonald School?"}, {"response": 669, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Dec 12, 1998 (22:45)", "body": "Everyone knows that the only emotion that is fully developed in a boy of fourteen is the emotion of loyalty and honour. And probably lasts for several years in an all boys school where conformity is the key to surviving (Tommy Judd notwithstanding). like a modern dictator you can defeat almost any opposition from other parts of the psyche. Dundine understood this quite well. While not a ringleader, he still seemed able to pull Neil around by the ring in his nose. Perhaps because the actors playing the boys were so mature looking, they didnt' come across to me as emotionally backward. Actually, they seemed quite ready to break free. They showed no respect for authority at their school - the headmaster and Mole in particular were openly ridiculed. If anyone would have a problem I'd say it would be Giles - so confused and conflicted. Karen, I can count on you to bring something cerebral into our discussion. Now, can you tell me how to get rid of this indent?"}, {"response": 670, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Dec 13, 1998 (02:44)", "body": "But if you do, if you deny these other emotions their expression and development...they will not only never grow up, but they will go backward, for human nature can never stand still. They will, like other things that are shut up, go bad on you. And that is what probably happened to Giles's brother. That is why Giles is so tense, in his mind he knows he doesn't want to end up like his brother, he fears it. There is v. little liberty in boarding school, your life is commanded by rules, and you get v. little sympathy from others. My cousin's best friend committed suicide while they where students at Winchester College. My cousin has never gotten over it. In that competitive atmosphere you can easily withdraw into yourself when you should be asking for help or talking to friends. Neil saved himself when he threw his stick overboard. That was his release, his loyalty and honour was suddenly for himself alone."}, {"response": 671, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Dec 13, 1998 (16:16)", "body": "test"}, {"response": 672, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Dec 13, 1998 (16:16)", "body": "test."}, {"response": 673, "author": "Donna", "date": "Mon, Dec 14, 1998 (00:34)", "body": "You left the center on,Heide.."}, {"response": 674, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Dec 14, 1998 (02:16)", "body": "I am always a little suspicious of generalizations...... Surely, individual strengths and weak tendencies must come into play in the public school environment. Frankly, I would like to hear of the positive experiences of the boarding shool in England. If theses schools were so devastating to the human psyche surely someone would have corrected them by now."}, {"response": 675, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Dec 14, 1998 (08:26)", "body": "Frankly, I would like to hear of the positive experiences of the boarding shool in England. Thank you Evelyn. There are some! I have been reading these posts but did not really want to get into a discussion of the pros and cons of the British Public School. It is worth bearing in mind that the only way the institution has survived for so many centuries is that it has always adapted to the climate of opinion of its day. Generalisations are aften based on an outdated idea of what these schools are really like but I don't want to get into a discussion on it. It's not the place and it is such a complicated and contentious subject."}, {"response": 676, "author": "Lise1975", "date": "Mon, Dec 14, 1998 (08:40)", "body": "(someone above) Not just Dutch girls but Scandinavian girls: I believe it has to do with having all that darkness: the night! They also drink heavily. Men of course love it. whaaaat??? Dutch girls too? well, well...that would be a new one."}, {"response": 677, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 15, 1998 (16:29)", "body": "Frankly, I would like to hear of the positive experiences of the boarding shool in England. (Allison)Generalisations are aften based on an outdated idea of what these schools are really like but I don't want to get into a discussion on it. It's not the place and it is such a complicated and contentious subject Of course it's your option on whether or not you wish to voice the Pro-side of the Public School. I think someone should. William Boyd obviously viewed them with abhorrence. Yet, I have friends who have enjoyed the experience. And there's Ben who attended Winchester College. And there is always the view that perhaps Neil was a better man for having had a \"life-altering experience\" early in life; a lesson in life. ."}, {"response": 678, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 16, 1998 (19:26)", "body": "test"}, {"response": 679, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Dec 17, 1998 (09:05)", "body": "Of course it's your option on whether or not you wish to voice the Pro-side of the Public School. I have only just received a tape of Dutch girls and therefore cannot comment on closely on the system as exposed by William Boyd.. I got the impression from your discussions, that poor Neil had been at boarding school since the age of 7 or so. I could not defend that. I do not understand how any parent could bear to send such a young child away from home. I have a number of friends who have done that, however, and their children do not seem particularly damaged. It does however seem to make for more onformity amongst those who have been away most of their lives and sets them apart from the rest of society. Though it is hard to distinguish between nature and nurture! The Public School is a school which caters for pupils from 13 to 18 and I think there are definitely arguments to be made in favour of that, particularly for boys. For one thing, in a good school, they tend to work harder when surrounded day and night by their peers without too many distractions. They also do make such strong friendships which last all their lives (BTW homosexuality does not seem to be any more a part of life there than at day schools!). They also have the opportunity to do every sort f extra curricular sport and activity. There are obviously, as with everything, disadvantages, the main ones being the cost and the fact that those who do not go think that such an education buys you privilege. Sadly, the season of goodwill is upon us and I don't want to provoke an acrimonious debate! Paticulaarly as I know somebody who, I think, would be very strongly in the anti camp. Are he and Livia home from LA by the way?"}, {"response": 680, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Dec 17, 1998 (16:10)", "body": "Thanks Allison, for you views of the Public Schools. In Neil's situation, I think one can be betrayed by a friend in a public or state school. And I bet young Master Firth goes to a Private School in LA :-)"}, {"response": 681, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Dec 17, 1998 (22:19)", "body": "And I bet young Master Firth goes to a Private School in LA :-) I have often wondered about that!! I hope so for his sake!"}, {"response": 682, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Dec 18, 1998 (19:48)", "body": "(Heide) they didn't come across to me as emotionally backward...They showed no respect for authority at their school - the headmaster and Mole in particular were openly ridiculed. I agree that the boys acted like typical (normal) teenagers on a class trip, except for tossing the TP out of the train windows perhaps. (Heide)If anyone would have a problem I'd say it would be Giles - so confused and conflicted. (Moon) And that is what probably happened to Giles's brother. Yes, he appears to be the only one who takes the headmaster's and Mole's words seriously about honor and representing the school. (Evelyn) I am always a little suspicious of generalizations. But we mustn't forget this story is one man's experience and his views. It shouldn't be viewed as a White Paper, Green Paper or Purple Paper on the public school system as commissioned by a think tank or governmental body. (Evelyn) If these schools were so devastating to the human psyche surely someone would have corrected them by now. I would imagine that they've evolved over the years and I'm reminded of the fraternity/sorority systems here. During my time at school, they had fallen out of favor and their tradition-bound, rules orientation was relaxed considerably for those who belonged. However, there is a tendency for people who have gone through such ordeals to NOT want them to change, merely because of the belief that if they had to do it, then why shouldn't someone else. (Fraternity hazing: \"If I crawled across the room naked through peanut butter and jelly, while balancing a six-pack of beer on my head, so will you.\") On ER a week ago, Dr. Corday (Alex Kingston) gives an impassioned speech about doing away with the practice of having interns on 36-hour shifts. She compared it wi h air traffic controllers who work no longer than four-hour shifts because lives depend on them. She accused the hospital doctors of not changing this archaic practice, which contributes to mistakes, because of the attitude that they had to do it. Wasn't it in Another Country (?) where someone is complaining that their fathers couldn't know what went on at these schools and another who counters that they do know precisely what went on because they themselves had been subjected to it. (Allison) it is such a complicated and contentious subject If we limit our discussion to what the author/film are trying to portray, then it doesn't have to be contentious. Does it? What the author believes is just that, a belief. It's his, not necessarily mine and frankly I have no opinion on the subject. (Evelyn) And there is always the view that perhaps Neil was a better man for having had a \"life-altering experience\" early in life; a lesson in life. Good point."}, {"response": 683, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Dec 18, 1998 (21:57)", "body": "(Evelyn) I am always a little suspicious of generalizations. (Karen)But we mustn't forget this story is one man's experience and his views..... My comment referred to your quote by Auden re: public schools not Willam Boyd's in DG."}, {"response": 684, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Dec 22, 1998 (01:51)", "body": "A bit of a dry spell and I'm afraid I don't have a lot to add. I thank you, ladies, for trying to spice things up with a discussion of British public schools but we seem to have hit a snag. After the holidays, let's try a new discussion. There's been a groundswell of support building for 1000 Acres. A possibility? I know there are also some votes out there for The One Before the Last. Other suggestions? In the meantime, Dutch Girls still rules."}, {"response": 685, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Dec 22, 1998 (02:26)", "body": "Heide, we haven't heard from everyone who owns this tape. Allison just received it. And how is Cheryle coming along? If ATA is difficult to rent in UK , maybe we should wait a while. I hope we do Master of the Moor in '99 too."}, {"response": 686, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Dec 22, 1998 (09:28)", "body": "Allison just received it. Yes! I only manged a furtive glimpse as I am surrounded by inquisitive sons at the moment. Can't wait for a moment to watch it properly. I don't want to bore the rest of you so do go ahead with whatever you wish. I have not tried to rent ATA yet though after Bethan's experience I am not sure I dare! If I feel an overwhelming need to discuss DGs, I shall just have to interrupt your ATA deliberations!"}, {"response": 687, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 22, 1998 (16:30)", "body": "Can we discuss Thorton's face? Could they have added one more pimple, cold sore and/or blemish? And the taped-together glasses... What kind of stereotype was he supposed to be? Another noncontroversial subject...dancing styles. Which boy knew how to dance? Was it Lyndon, who got down? Dundine, who had \"attitude\"? Lamb (the kid who was pointing)? Or Neil? Another great scene at the disco are the wallflower boys sitting there putting Lyndon's tart down as well as the entire place because no one will have them. As they leave, Roote does his best Bette Davis, \"What a dump.\" Loved that bit as well as Giles being helped out at that moment."}, {"response": 688, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Dec 22, 1998 (20:17)", "body": "(KarenR)On ER a week ago, Dr. Corday (Alex Kingston) gives an impassioned speech about doing away with the practice of having interns on 36-hour shifts. She compared it wi h air traffic controllers who work no longer than four-hour shifts because lives depend on them. She accused the hospital doctors of not changing this archaic practice, which contributes to mistakes, because of the attitude that they had to do it. My dear Karen I'm very thankful to you for having posted this, and to ER for having broached the subject. I'm a doctor and am totally against long shifts in the Emergency Room. With us it's 24 hours. We all do it, interns, residents and attendings, as long as we're under 50 years old (after that, untill you're 55 you may work only 12 hrs shifts, no nights, if you ask, and after 55 you may be excused from all emergency work, again if you ask). I hadn't thought of the analogy with the airline pilots, but that's a great one."}, {"response": 689, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Dec 22, 1998 (20:19)", "body": "Sorry, it was air traffic controllers. But airline pilots also have time limitation rules."}, {"response": 690, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Dec 22, 1998 (20:19)", "body": "(Gi) I hadn't thought of the analogy with the airline pilots, but that's a great one. See, you never know when you'll pick up something worthwhile here. ;-)"}, {"response": 691, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Dec 27, 1998 (23:05)", "body": "(Karen) Another noncontroversial subject...dancing styles. Which boy knew how to dance? Was it Lyndon, who got down? Dundine, who had \"attitude\"? Lamb (the kid who was pointing)? Or Neil? Okay, I'll bite. Who was that boy who was dancing alone - the one still wearing his little beanie? Was that Lamb? Karen, you're a wonder. He was enjoying himself. I'll bet it was hard to drag him off the dancefloor. I'll take sweetie Neil's dancing (of course). That's slow dancing. I'm trying to remember the placement of his hands. One was lightly touching her shoulder but where was the second one? Did he actually have it around her waist? The boys were dancing in the beginning. I imagine they just burst into the disco and right out onto the dancefloor. The girls weren't really dancing with them. When they didn't immediately live up to their Dutch Girl reputations, I suppose, the boys got disillusioned real fast."}, {"response": 692, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sat, Jan  2, 1999 (07:23)", "body": "This is only tenuously related to DG, but I just read in the paper today that our pal, Lyndon Baines Jellicoe (Timothy Spall) will be in the Masterpiece Theatre presentation of Dickens' \"Our Mutual Friend\" on Sunday night. They even had a picture of him in the paper. My, he hasn't aged awfully well. He's playing a nasty, garbage-picking type of character so maybe I should chock it up to make-up. Come to think of it, he didn't look all that well in DG, did he?"}, {"response": 693, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jan  2, 1999 (17:07)", "body": "That's interesting, Jana, thanks. I'll check him out. Let's see, he was about 35 in DG so he must be close to 50 now! ;-)"}, {"response": 694, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Sat, Jan  2, 1999 (22:32)", "body": "Timothy Spall was also the main character in SECRETS AND LIES."}, {"response": 695, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan  2, 1999 (23:14)", "body": "(Heide)Re:Timothy Spall.... Let's see, he was about 35 in DG so he must be close to 50 now! ;-) Was he really 35 in DG? I thought he would have been Colin's age.I'll look for him in \"Our Mutual Friend\". It got rave reviews when it was shown last spring in UK."}, {"response": 696, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jan  3, 1999 (00:08)", "body": "I'm just teasing, Evelyn. I'm sorry. But he looked like he was about 35!"}, {"response": 697, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Sun, Jan  3, 1999 (03:30)", "body": "Timothy Spall was about 27 at the time of DG."}, {"response": 698, "author": "nan", "date": "Sun, Jan  3, 1999 (05:37)", "body": ""}, {"response": 699, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Jan  3, 1999 (19:08)", "body": "Nan, how right you are... ;-)"}, {"response": 700, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sun, Jan  3, 1999 (23:58)", "body": "(Passionata) Timothy Spall was also the main character in SECRETS AND LIES. Was he really? I saw DG after Secrets and Lies but now cannot place Timothy Spall at all in that film. Was he Brenda Blethyn's brother? That's the only main character man I can think of from that film other than the daughter's boyfriend."}, {"response": 701, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan  4, 1999 (19:33)", "body": "Yes, he was Blethyn's brother--the photographer."}, {"response": 702, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jan  4, 1999 (21:20)", "body": "I could identify Lyndon Baines last night in \"Our Mutual Friend\"... he looked 50, Heide. But I read on RoP that Colonel Fitzwilliam was in this Dickens production too but I couldn't find him. Anyone have any luck...there's tonight and Tuesday."}, {"response": 703, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Jan  5, 1999 (00:06)", "body": "Timothy Spall has been recently recovering from leukemia."}, {"response": 704, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (11:42)", "body": "I found Colonel Fitzwilliam in \"Our Mutual Friend\".Anthony Calf in the credits. He is Alfred Lamle....the bankrupt sleaze-ball who's about to rip-off the Ruperts(sp?) Didn't recognize him though with a floor-brush mustache and mop-style hair.Once again....definitely more attractive at Rosings. These guys don't seem to get any better than they were in P&P:-)"}, {"response": 705, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (12:42)", "body": "Timothy Spall has been recently recovering from leukemia. ] Oh, how terrible! He is a great actor, I hope he pulls through."}, {"response": 706, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (07:28)", "body": "Timothy Spall has been recently recovering from leukemia. Oh no! I hope he pulls through, too. So talented-- he's hilarious in \"Life is Sweet.\""}, {"response": 707, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jan  7, 1999 (03:18)", "body": "Has there been any decision made on our next film discussion? I always like to have time to read the book."}, {"response": 708, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (02:47)", "body": "Hate to see a Colin topic go dormant. We must set up a new film to discuss. Anyone who's recently seen Dutch Girls or expects too soon can speak up anytime on any topic. I love to hear film comments when our DB is discussed. In honor of Valentine's Day, how about a love story? Oh God, does that mean Camille? Think of some of his films that might qualify that we haven't discussed yet. We can always stretch the criteria a bit."}, {"response": 709, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (03:31)", "body": "(Heide)Oh God, does that mean Camille? Hey...watch it....I like \"Camille\".......mobetta than FP!! So, flame me....."}, {"response": 710, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (15:12)", "body": "Camille...mobetta than FP?! Evelyn, this is war!!"}, {"response": 711, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (16:06)", "body": "Hey! These posts have not been showing up as new so perhaps that is why the topic has gone dormant. Have we discussed Tumbledown? (Evelyn)I always like to have time to read the book. Oh my, you all set such impossibly high standards. I bet Mel Gibson fans don't do that sort of thing."}, {"response": 712, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (16:26)", "body": "(Allison) Have we discussed Tumbledown? No, we haven't. I'd like to do this one or Master of the Moor (I just finished reading the book!)"}, {"response": 713, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jan 16, 1999 (18:56)", "body": "(Allison) I bet Mel Gibson fans don't do that sort of thing. Hey, we've got class...besides CF mobetta than MG!! ****** (Heide)Camille...mobetta than FP?! Evelyn, this is war! Knew that would get you .(As Laura would say...hee,hee)"}, {"response": 714, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jan 17, 1999 (00:52)", "body": "Ah, Tumbledown... a love story between a man and his rifle. Or Master of the Moor...a love story between a man and his mother. Yes, yes, yes, you're right. None of his films are simple love stories. Camille doesn't count, Evelyn, except that it's simple. That's actually an instruction tape on bad acting (not Colin's, of course). Karen, what films haven't we done? I'm up for anything (except Camille) but if we don't get other suggestions, let's do Tumbledown February 1. If you don't have it and want it, contact me or Karen at nomdedrool@yahoo.com"}, {"response": 715, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jan 17, 1999 (00:55)", "body": ""}, {"response": 716, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jan 17, 1999 (00:58)", "body": ""}, {"response": 717, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jan 17, 1999 (01:01)", "body": "And one more time. I didn't mean to yell at you. Don't ever type in the words \"big smiley face\" in brackets."}, {"response": 718, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 18, 1999 (21:31)", "body": "Here's what we haven't done: Another Country Apartment Zero Camille Circle of Friends Deep Blue Sea Lost Empires Master of the Moor 1919 One Before the Last (radio play) Out of the Blue Tales from the Hollywood Hills Widowing of Mrs. Holroyd Tumbledown A Thousand Acres Wings of Fame Technically Femme Fatale was done, but no very in-depth. Apartment Zero might be a good one to do. Many people really like it and it is readily available."}, {"response": 719, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (21:56)", "body": "(Allison) I bet Mel Gibson fans don't do that sort of thing. (Evelyn)Hey, we've got class...besides CF mobetta than MG!! (Heide)Camille...mobetta than FP?! Evelyn, this is war! CF mobetta than MG? Evelyn, take care! :-)"}, {"response": 720, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jan 20, 1999 (22:46)", "body": "(Gi)CF mobetta than MG? Evelyn, take care! :-) AAA. I should have prefaced that with IMHO and added a :-) Will I ever learn?"}, {"response": 721, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jan 21, 1999 (21:42)", "body": "No offence taken, Evelyn :-)"}, {"response": 722, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Jan 22, 1999 (00:56)", "body": "Evelyn, I plan on usurping AAA next time I offend someone. But let's not forget KMA, very effective though only to be used in case of emergency. Tumbledown....going once..."}, {"response": 723, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Jan 22, 1999 (08:16)", "body": "Heide, what's KMA?"}, {"response": 724, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jan 22, 1999 (14:58)", "body": "Heide, what's KMA? IMO it's Kiss My A--. And Nan will kill you if you use it without a emoticon!!"}, {"response": 725, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jan 23, 1999 (02:31)", "body": "Tumbledown...going twice..."}, {"response": 726, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jan 24, 1999 (20:06)", "body": "And Tumbledown...gone. No other suggestions so it looks like this is the one to discuss starting February 1. Remember, if you want to join us and don't have the film, contact Karen and me at nomdedrool@yahoo.com A good source for background information on this film is Jane's Articles Page. You can access some articles on the film and the reaction in Britain to its airing. Just click here"}, {"response": 727, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jan 25, 1999 (13:58)", "body": "Thanks for the Tumbledown link Heide, I'm sure it will help make our discussion more interesting."}, {"response": 728, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jan 25, 1999 (21:48)", "body": "Just to start the anticipatory juices, do check out Drool's main page...."}, {"response": 729, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jan 25, 1999 (22:57)", "body": "Cannot wait to admire the Dear Boy in those fisherman sweaters. He does them justice, and then some!!! Now, if I can convince Ray to watch it with me....!!!"}, {"response": 730, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jan 26, 1999 (16:56)", "body": "(Marcia) Now, if I can convince Ray to watch it with me....!!! Just make sure you send him out of the room for the scene when his mates come to pick him up and he says good-bye to Sophie. Might put a dent in his ego when you drool at that deep shoulder action!!"}, {"response": 731, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Jan 26, 1999 (19:37)", "body": "Karen, the Tumbledown cover on the main page is AWESOME! I was thinking of asking my husband to see it, but I'll have to wait until the Sophie scene to ask him, thanks for the warning (heehee). He might watch until he recognizes CF, then he'll walk out. I'm sure he's quite allergic to him. Thank heaven for my drool friends, otherwise I'd go mad."}, {"response": 732, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jan 27, 1999 (00:26)", "body": "Karen, that is a cool pic, where'd ya get it????? Oh no, I'm gonna have to look deep into my videos and try and find it;( It's taped off of Canadian TV!!! Can't wait to virt view w/ you guys!"}, {"response": 733, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jan 27, 1999 (00:59)", "body": "(Moon Dreams)He might watch until he recognizes CF, then he'll walk out. I'm sure he's quite allergic to him. Thank heaven for my drool friends, otherwise I'd go mad. Spoken like a true Firthian. I think all of our husbands are allergic to him! Definitely, have husbands watch after Sophie's Scene!"}, {"response": 734, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 27, 1999 (18:54)", "body": "Need to close that tag!! Hmmm, as for myself, I can't wait to rewatch that scene with his best-ever deep shoulder grind... ;-)"}, {"response": 735, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jan 27, 1999 (18:55)", "body": ""}, {"response": 736, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb  1, 1999 (15:10)", "body": "I guess I shall start the discussion. Tumbledown has one of the best performances I have ever seen from CF. I found it quite disturbing and at times hard to look at. The same feeling that Sophie felt when she saw him in the hospital. It was strange that even after he had decided and told his parents that going to war was not worth it, he would rather watch the war programs on TV than anything else. I guess he was having problems reconciling the fact that he, a Scots Guard career officer was having those thoughts. I did laugh at some of his remarks at the hospital especially with the doctors and nurses (but I attribute that to my mostly warped sense of humor), did anyone else laugh? They built the story very well and even incidents we had heard him tell became even more powerful when they were shown almost at the end of the film, i.e. His stabbing of the Argentine soldier and his tumbledown. On a lighter note: what a nice shape his head has! We certainly got lots of close ups of his neck, and not a bad backside either (but we\ufffdre familiar with that part thanks to the Advocate aren\ufffdt we?)."}, {"response": 737, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Feb  1, 1999 (20:04)", "body": "I thought it was a good performance but it is an interesting insight into his attitude to acting that he has said (I think)that he was disappointed when he first saw the final version of Tumbledown. Typical drama school fare. I can see that all the writhing, screaming, groaning is the sort of thing you learn in the first year of drama school but those are the sort of parts that get awards! I think he has also said that he was appalled that his portrayal of RL was just impersonation. His accent in this is a typical upper class drawl that you would expect from a guards officer. It also has a very nasal twang to it which I assume was the way RL actually spoke. Those of you who recently saw the film about the bayonet in which RL spoke; was Colin's portrayal just mimicry? Lots of other things I loved. When he is talking to Sophie on the night before he left for the Falklands, there is one of his \"looks\" which is so wonderful, when he says something on the lines of \"been busy have you?\" Arghhh! His eyes are wonderful."}, {"response": 738, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Feb  2, 1999 (03:13)", "body": "I don't know if I can think of another performance that's more physical than this. I imagine it's his idea of what a man like Lawrence, someone who was probably going to be a career soldier like his daddy, someone who seemed to love the military, would act - brash, arrogant - not necessarily likeable. It's such a different performance, I love to watch it. Energy in every scene - kissing, drinking, soldiering, even his recovery is angry and loud. I love that scene you mention, Allison. For all his macho posturing he did seem to care for her. This is also one of my favorite drunk scenes he plays. (Favorite is Femme Fatale.) What remarks did you find funny, Moon? I would probably agree but none are coming to mind now. I found the scene on the hospital ship when he has a running dialogue going on while the doctors are picking pieces of dirt out of his brain very eerie. We could do a long discussion on how the medical profession is portrayed in this film. Anybody care to?"}, {"response": 739, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Feb  2, 1999 (08:53)", "body": "We could do a long discussion on how the medical profession is portrayed in this film. I read a comment by somebody(?) at the time Tumbledown came out that it was not a good idea to take the account of a man who has had half his brain blown off as an accurate account of what went on. His agressive attitude to doctors and nurses and the portrayal of the patronising attitudes of the chaplain was sometimes a bit too overdone IMHO. Having your brain blown apart does affect the personality. It would have been interesting to know to what extent his personality was changed by his injuries. Tha was not clear. I think we were meant to conclude that only his mobility was impaired."}, {"response": 740, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb  2, 1999 (14:01)", "body": "You have a very good point Allison. I would think losing 40% of your brain would afect the personality. Maybe it was wrong to make think that only his mobility was impaired. His rehabilitation was very successful, watching him drive, walk and eat seemed quite normal. Heide, the lines that made me laugh were his sarcastic comments to doctors and nurses in the hospital, but once again, it's probably my warped sense of humor."}, {"response": 741, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb  2, 1999 (14:08)", "body": "I should have read before posting. Excuse my spelling & etc."}, {"response": 742, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  2, 1999 (16:35)", "body": "(Allison) he was appalled that his portrayal of RL was just impersonation. Robt Lawrence's accent is upper class and sounds like he has marbles in his mouth. So, yes, Colin is definitely imitating his speech."}, {"response": 743, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb  2, 1999 (23:34)", "body": "His agressive attitude to doctors and nurses and the portrayal of the patronising attitudes of the chaplain was sometimes a bit too overdone IMHO. I felt the same way when I started the film...but then I came to the conclusion that this was his way of dealing with this injury. I have not finished the film...but at the end of the book he is a more serene person. I have Robert Lawrence's book which he wrote with his father John. \"When the Fighting is Over\" TUMBLEDOWN. ,According to his brother Nick, Robert was always a \"stroppy little sod\". After reading the book...IMO I feel Colin underplayed the real Robert. This guy was always a rebel, impetuous, alienated people etc. Wrong profession for that personality. But a v. brave man who is lucky to be alive. Not many people survive head injuries from a bullet wound originating from a rifle."}, {"response": 744, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (07:08)", "body": "I too had a hard time believing the hospitals would have treated Lawrence so callously. The exceptions were few and far between. I believe the point the film was trying to show was how unprepared the hospitals were to treat such injuries as if they didn't expect the soldiers to come home so ravaged. IMO the point was exaggerated but not false. How do you feel Sophie was portrayed? I wouldn't have wanted to be his real ex-girlfriend."}, {"response": 745, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (09:44)", "body": "I wouldn't have wanted to be his real ex-girlfriend. I understand one of the controversies surrounding the film and a reason why it has not been shown again were the objections raised by the mother of that girlfriend who understandably objected to the portrayal of her daughter. Robert was always a \"stroppy little sod\". That is interesting. That would account for Sophie's possible love/hate feelings about Robert. CF portrayed him as rather a sweet man under it all which is what, IMO, made his attitudes in hospital rather hard to fully understand. The film makers maybe baulked at showing RL in his true light. There had to be some sympathy for his plight."}, {"response": 746, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (06:53)", "body": "You're right about the hospitals not being prepared for such injuries, and it is surprising. Not all doctors or nurses treated him badly, they were just not capable to handle him psychologically. They should have had more compassion towards him, but since Robert was usually in a bad mood and quite angry, they rather kept their distance. He was told and knew that if he would behave himself they would treat him better. His military attitude did not abandon him in the hospital bed."}, {"response": 747, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Feb  3, 1999 (22:36)", "body": "that would account for Sophie's possible love/hate feelings about Robert. I really feel it was all over between S & RL before he went away. She was just being dutiful going to see him and... ahem...letting him relieve his sexual tensions with her. In the screen play she says: One can't get away from the fact , you are a different person. I mean, not just your injury, but that of course...I mean, it terrifies me to think of living with you. We weren't , after all going to marry or anything, were we? We hadn't seen each other for weeks before you went down there. Robert: Yes, all right. Look, I've made a mess in the bed...Hope you don't expect me to apologize. It happens. The British doctors are world renowned for treating head injuries. They're probably not a bunch of \"Patch Adams\"...but are v. serious in their treatment.I despised the nurses who were discussing their sex lives and were rude to him.But the doctors worst failings IMO were talking about him as if he was an inanimate object. But as RL said about his incontinence....It happens."}, {"response": 748, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (01:31)", "body": "In the Jane's Articles page on Tumbledown, the real Sophie's mother questions Lawrence's motives for making this film - that it was solely for his financial benefit and he shouldn't have made public their intimate moments. Granted, the woman is defending her cub and I wouldn't expect less from a mother but nowhere does she deny any of these moments took place. How can the story of his injury and recovery be complete without Sophie's role? I don't particularly like Robert Lawrence in this film. I don't think we're supposed to like him. Maybe it takes someone with his kind of abrasive, arrogant attitude to make it through something this catastrophic. Then again, it doesn't hurt to have Daddy be so influential. I'd be curious to know about his friend Hugh's feelings about his portrayal. Do you think he was jealous of Lawrence as Robert insists in the film?"}, {"response": 749, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (13:39)", "body": "Sophie and Robert's relationship didn't seem to be that close. She was still his friend and visited him in the hospital. It was a v. kind and noble jesture on her part to have him over from the hospital. Her mother should be proud of the jesture too. Afterall, they were no longer together and she had someone else, remember the phone rang and I assume it was her current beau, didn't you? I did not think that Lawrence was jealous of Robert, he said so, but we didn't really see it (I didn't)."}, {"response": 750, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Feb  4, 1999 (23:35)", "body": "Wow, what an actor. I received a copy of Tumbledown this morning from a very kind Firthfan, and have just finished watching it. Colin never ceases to amaze me, in every part he disappears into that role, I was moved to tears, he just becomes Robert, as someone else has said a chameleon among actors. If I thought he deserved a Bafta for P&P then he should certainly have won one for this role. He did everything so well, he was arrogant, he cried, he was so convincing as a cripple and his torment and anquis just showed through, he really should be pround of this performance. I am so glad I have seen this, is there no end to this man's talents. Just as a point of interest did anyone else notice Mark Williams as Lumpy, he was in SIL and was the tailor who narrated R&J and had a stutter."}, {"response": 751, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb  5, 1999 (01:39)", "body": "And Lady Catherine de Bourgh was Robert's mother. He was nominated for a Best Actor BAFTA for Tumbledown, I believe in 1989 and lost. However, TUMBLEDOWN, did win a BAFTA for Best Drama. After Heide commented on them...I went to the articles on T. on Jane's article page. I got there via colinfirth.com and click on links. After reading about all the controversy I was surprised it won a BAFTA. Everyone got into the act... I did not consider T. an anti-war movie...or a political one.Or even anti-army Anti-bureaucratic, yes. Was the Falklands War unpopular in UK? Some of the articles referred to it as \"Mrs. Thatcher's war\""}, {"response": 752, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Feb  5, 1999 (01:59)", "body": "Women are treated rather unflattering in this film. Except for Robert's mother who I think is great...I'd like to talk more about her later. We see Sophie portrayed as a spoiled child who can't deal with Robert's injuries (though I agree, Moon, that she was generous having Robert over). The nurses are awful, Mrs. Stubbs looks like she can't wait for Robert and Hugh to get out of her house. Hugh's girlfriend treats him terribly. Is this Robert's view of women or is this an example of how people who have never been in a war situation, can't understand what has happened to these men. Thanks, Evelyn, for reminding us who played Mrs. Lawrence. By the way, I believe Robert Lawrence married later and had a child."}, {"response": 753, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb  5, 1999 (15:17)", "body": "The actress who played Mrs. Stubbs\ufffds daughter is Emma Thompson\ufffds sister. How many films are there that portray women as they should? Why even \ufffdYou\ufffdve Got Mail\ufffd, does a detestable job, and it\ufffds supposed to be so acceptable. Yuk! Why would Mrs. Stubbs be so affected by him? He was quite presentable, albeit, a bit nervous (all that smoking), but she had kept her daughter upstairs in her room during their visit, and the daughter did not seem to complain. Is that an anti-war statement, is beauty not supposed to see the beast? In contrast, Mr. Stubbs was very curious to know all and talk to Robert. Yes, the male vs. female point of view is certainly a part of this film."}, {"response": 754, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Fri, Feb  5, 1999 (17:40)", "body": "Do you think the film was drawing a parallel between the way the Stubbs's, Sophie and the Army were all at a loss to know how to deal with these damaged and shocked men?"}, {"response": 755, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (01:21)", "body": "Although Colin missed out on BAFTA in 1988 (he seems to be unlucky with them!), he received a Royal Television Society award for Best Actor for TD."}, {"response": 756, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (02:03)", "body": "The actress who played Mrs. Stubbs\ufffds daughter is Emma Thompson\ufffds sister. Sophie Thompson...who played Miss Bates (giggled all the time) in \"Emma\". Women are depicted as unable to cope with the aftermath atrocities of war. But what I really want to know is.... Who are the Stubbs?...Helen and George and daughter Louise.They are not in the book...only the screenplay. Are they relatives? Friends? Or are they symbolic ?.... The public at large? George seems curious and talks to Robert...Grace prefers to get away and talk to Hugh.And Louise...she just stays up in her room. Yet Hugh inquires after her. I wonder if a scene or two were edited out.(But they're not in the screenplay)."}, {"response": 757, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (04:28)", "body": "Do you think the film was drawing a parallel between the way the Stubbs's, Sophie and the Army were all at a loss to know how to deal with these damaged and shocked men? Yes, I'd agree. A similar statement is also made in A Month in the Country, I believe, though we know dear Birkin was able to find solace and healing in Oxgodby. Don't know how or if Lawrence ever found his peace. Who are the Stubbs?. They seem like just a device (or convention as DB puts it ;-)) to allow Robert to tell his story. Stubbs' daughter is Hugh's girlfriend but she doesn't seem to have any affection for him. One of my favorite scenes in this film is the long shot of Lawrence's partents coming out of the hospital after first seeing him wounded. They're both in a state of shock. The father is obviously affected but talks about how proud he is of Robert, presumably for his bravery. \"God,he's done well. Hasn't he?\" , he says. But the mother is mostly silent. As if all she can think of is how grievously wounded her son is...as good an Army wife as I'm sure she is, I think she could care less how he was w unded, only that he was. I think this difference is reflected several times in the film and I love her for it. Barbara Leigh-Hunt is great in this film."}, {"response": 758, "author": "amw", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (08:51)", "body": "I see also that is was directed by Richard Eyre, isn't he Sue B's husband, people do seem to like to work with people they have worked with before, and,of course, BL-H was memorable as Lady C.D-B in P&P. Arami, do you happen to know who won the BAFTA in 1988 for best actor, actually I have just thought I might be able to look it up, I have the BAFTA Wwards book for 1996."}, {"response": 759, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (09:28)", "body": "I assumed the Stubbs daughter was Hugh's girlfriend. Hugh is an engaging character but I have to say, as played by Paul Rhys, an unlikely army officer. Don't get me wrong I really like PR as an actor. Did any of you see him as Stringer in \"Dance to the Music of Time\"? He is a welshman and I cannot resist welshmen! I thought, though, that Hugh was just too effete to be a realistic soldier. I cannot believe that he was like that in real life. What does the book have to say on that?"}, {"response": 760, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (17:15)", "body": "Ann, if you go to Jane's Article Page (if it's still up...I heard after the recent interview, she might take it down!)there is an article on the '88 BAFTAs. (Heide) Don't know how or if Lawrence ever found his peace. Yes, at the end of the book he does. Marries a girl he met after being wounded who accepted him as he was...Tina, they had a son, Conrad. John Lawrence says: His main problem is the British weather and I think it quite likely that they will eventually emigrate to Australia where ttthe climate should help to make Robert's life a lot more physically comfortable. Later, I'll tell you about the nice letter he had from the US Army Attache. The poor guy craved recognition.The same could have been written about our Viet-Nam veterans. Always happens after a controversial war."}, {"response": 761, "author": "EllieP", "date": "Sat, Feb  6, 1999 (23:30)", "body": "Test"}, {"response": 762, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Sun, Feb  7, 1999 (20:37)", "body": "re: Sophie It's some weeks now that I saw T'down last, but I do not remember that Sophie did anything particularly blameworthy. As I see it Sophie and Robert split up before he left for the Falklands - the last night before his departure didn't change anything on that matter in my eyes. So you can't say she left him because of his injury. What I don't see clearly is how it happened that Robert spent the night at her place during his recovery, why she did it. Was it meant as a generous gesture? Did she simply not know how to say \"No.\"? Was it pity? Sympathie? That question and the phone call at an inconvenient moment are certainly questions one may judge differently - I do not know how to judge them myself. Though she may not have chosen the best way for her final \"Adieu\" I can't really blame her - she was very young, how would she have kno n how to handle such a situation, how to cope with what has happened to Robert - how would anyone know. And I'm sure she meant well - and she didn't love him anymore, they split up before he has been wounded, so what would have been the use of a relationship out of simple sympathie or pity?"}, {"response": 763, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (01:22)", "body": "I agree, I don't really think Sophie is that unsympathetic either though I didn't take it that they had broken up before he left...merely that they hadn't seen each other for awhile. It isn't clear. She did return to visit him in the hospital which frankly was a generous gesture in itself if she wanted to break up with him. I don't see Sophie's actions as contradictory but I think the screenplay may have been a bit harsh on her. Robert's mother seemed to understand her. The real Sophie's mother seemed to object mostly about her daughter being portrayed as a \"sex kitten\". Well, it's not like she was sleeping with the whole regiment...or was that part cut out? ;-) After all, \"we all saw Sophie\". Is there any facet of Robert Lawrence's character that is likeable to you? Cid you like him before his injury? during his recovery? after his recovery?"}, {"response": 764, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (02:15)", "body": "Is there any facet of Robert Lawrence's character that is likeable to you? id Did you like him before his injury? during his recovery? after his recovery? When I read the book, I didn't like RL...I thought...\"What did he think he was joining ...the Boys Scouts?\"Soldiering is not a glamourous profession, one can get killed...or maimed. He always was looking for the negative side of things. I think Charles Wood's screenplay softened him up some...Colin smiled...I don't think RL did in real life. However, this man had unsurpassed courage...in battle and more so in recovery. I have great admiration for him.And yes I liked him for his determination."}, {"response": 765, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (13:45)", "body": "That s a good question Heide. I admit I did not feel much for Robert, I was mostly studying Colin s portrayal of him. Oddly, I did like Valmont and found him sympathetic. I was not sympathetic to him in Wings of Fame either."}, {"response": 766, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (22:31)", "body": "(Moon) ... told his parents that going to war was not worth it He said, \"It wasn't worth it!\" He's upset because he thinks all his men are dead. When he is assured that is not the case, he calmed down. Robert is proud of being a soldier and of what he did in the Falklands. That underlies everything. He sought recognition. (Allison) I can see that all the writhing, screaming, groaning is the sort of thing you learn in the first year of drama school but those are the sort of parts that get awards! So who beat him out for the BAFTA that year? Anyone? (Heide) how the medical profession is portrayed in this film I think we're given all sides. Not all medical personnel were unfeeling toward the patients and it is common to talk about patients as if they were not there (especially in teaching hospitals) and then refer to them by their medical ailment and not their name. Possibly the fact that these were military hospitals could account for the lack of bedside manner. However, there was the nice doctor who gave him the beer after he fell out of bed and talked to him. That, I think, was the issue. Communication. eople who were honest with Robert and talked to him were portrayed positively. (Evelyn) I feel Colin underplayed the real Robert. This guy was always a rebel, impetuous, alienated people etc. I think it's important to remember he was only 21 when this happened. The only rebelliousness and impetuousity I noticed were in the hospital scenes. His abrasive behavior was to make people treat him as a normal human being and not an invalid. He was a fighter and he was going to be in their face so they didn't forget and relegate him to some rest home for injured war veterans. Wrong profession for that personality. I saw him as a real career type who was in the wrong regiment. Robert wanted the prestige of being a Guards officer, but he also wanted to see action. The dichotomy of being in the pretty boy Guards, whose main function is to pose for tourists' pictures, while longing to be with the marines and paras getting down and dirty in the Falklands and their getting all the glory IHO. (Interesting little factoid, the Guards units were not supposed to have seen combat; they were to maintain already taken position .) Robert made it into the officer corps the hard way (not through daddy's connections or school) and sought out training assignments to make himself a better, more well-rounded soldier. At the same time, he drilled his platoon to be ready for action. Contrast that with Hugh's response to his commanders about an emphasis on boots and \"looking good.\" Robert was acknowledged for his leadership skills and highly respected and liked by his men. He was out there on Tumbledown with his troops, leading the charge. He questioned why he was the only officer of his unit to be injured. (Heide) How do you feel Sophie was portrayed? I wouldn't have wanted to be his real ex-girlfriend. I wonder if the controversy about the real ex-girlfriend led to some changes in his book. She doesn't come off as bad as in the film. The father mentions her (Mitty) showing up at the airfield at Brize Norton and going to the hospital: \"Jean straightened up and let Mitty in to kiss him gently on the lips. She was only nineteen, but very brave as she fought back the tears.\" Later Robert gives a brief mention of his field trip to her flat. \"It all ended between us that night. I spent an awful night sleeping on a mattress on her floor, knowing that something was wrong, that she had found someone else. And I had a sense that relationships were going to be a lot more worrying in future, and not necessarily in the physical sense....The problem was going to be finding someone who could understand, and cope with, the demands of my disability.\" (Evelyn) I really feel it was all over between S & RL before he went away. That is certainly the way it looked. As Kirsten also points out, Robert says that he hasn't seen Sophie for a couple weeks before he shipped out. (Heide) I don't particularly like Robert Lawrence in this film. I don't think we're supposed to like him. But the screenwriter Charles Wood did like him. I think we're supposed to admire him and sympathize with his frustrations with the bureaucracy, mistreatment by his regiment, and the alienation from the public. (Heide) I'd be curious to know about his friend Hugh's feelings about his portrayal. Do you think he was jealous of Lawrence as Robert insists in the film? Just like the Stubbs family, there is no \"Hugh.\" Maybe he's been put into the film to represent a typical Guards officer, whose brush with the reality and horrors of combat have taken their toll. He's conflicted and not as strong as Robert. Instead of jealousy, do you think what he feels is guilt over not being able to finish him off per their drunken pact? (Ann W) did anyone else notice Mark Williams as Lumpy Thanks for pointing that out. I watched it again last night and there he is large as life! (Evelyn) After reading about a"}, {"response": 767, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (22:45)", "body": "As the cousin of a couple of guards officers, I must defend the regiments (or at least theirs, the Blues and Royals). Pretty they may be, and paras they are not, but they spent most of their time on the Falls Road and one went to the Falklands."}, {"response": 768, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb  8, 1999 (23:19)", "body": "Ben...why was the war so contoversial.... Or is that Robert Lawrence's perception? Of course, the screenplay was written by Charles Wood, an avowed pacifist. So, even before the film was released...people probably had an opinion. RL was distressed with the treatment he received from his regiment post war. Felt they did not support him or assist him in any way. Like the rest of the population, his own regiment felt RL was an embarassment."}, {"response": 769, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (01:23)", "body": "(Ben) Pretty they may be, and paras they are not, but they spent most of their time on the Falls Road and one went to the Falklands. And...? I never felt warmly for the character of Robert Lawrence though I'd agree, Evelyn, that his determination was something to be admired. I guess it's easy for me to say what a stupid shit I think he is while I'm sitting back on my comfy sofa with the remote in hand, knowing what happens to Robert as he screams about how fun it all is. But I loved Colin's portrayal and want to know too who won the BAFTA that year. (Karen) Speaking of running, doesn't it make your mouth water when he's running around the barracks with his platoon, wearing a t-shirt and singing. My oh my, he looks very fit! Amen, sister."}, {"response": 770, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (08:39)", "body": "Karen, apparently according to my LLoyds Bank 1996 Lloyds Bank BAFTA Awards book, Ray McAnally, won the BAFTA for the best actor, the name rings a bell but perhaps Allison or Bethan may know him. I'M afraid I don't know the name of the series/serial in which he appeared as it only has the names of the directors,producers, writers etc., but having watch TD for a second time I would say he was robbed, nobody could have done better."}, {"response": 771, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (08:41)", "body": "sorry, hadn't read your post Heide, but that answer is to you also."}, {"response": 772, "author": "amw", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (08:41)", "body": "Karen, apparently according to my LLoyds Bank 1996 Lloyds Bank BAFTA Awards book, Ray McAnally, won the BAFTA for the best actor, the name rings a bell but perhaps Allison or Bethan may know him. I'M afraid I don't know the name of the series/serial in which he appeared as it only has the names of the directors,producers, writers etc., but having watch TD for a second time I would say he was robbed, nobody could have done better."}, {"response": 773, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (08:51)", "body": "McAnally, won the BAFTA for the best actor, the name rings a bell but perhaps I cannot remember the name of the play but I think he played a politician. How we miss the FAQ, I am sure it was in there. (Ben)I must defend the regiments I would agree with Ben. All the Guards regiments have a reputation for military efficiency and bravery in battle, they really should not be judged by how they appear on ceremonial duty. That is why still maintain that Hugh is too effete. Most Guards officers may be grand and well connected but they are also tough nad look as if they could make a good show in battle. IMHO Paul Rhys looks as if a puff of wind would blow him over."}, {"response": 774, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (19:39)", "body": "I agree the Guards are a highly respected regiment. Isn't there a lovely retirement home (more like a palace), in London for the Guards?"}, {"response": 775, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (20:26)", "body": "There are several guards regiments - Blues and Royals, Grenadier Guards, Scots, Irish, Welsh, Coldstream, Life....blah, blah. Check out and look up the various regiments. I don't know which has a base on Birdcage Walk (running alongside St James Park), which is perhaps what you're thinking of, Moon. There is a general retirement home for old soldiers at Chelsea Hospital on the Kings Rd. Evelyn - the war was controversial because there were suspicions that Thatcher had (domestic) political motives for going ahead. The was a big outcry about the sinking of the Belgrano, for example, and a row with the church about the nature of the service in St Paul's in the summer of 1982. I'm sure there was at least a little of the political in Thatcher's decision, but she also believed in defending invaded territory to the hilt, a principal that commanded popular support. The Task Force did not have to go in the teeth of public opposition. In fact, there was the usual loutish jingoism from the tabloids - The Sun's famous headline after the Belgrano was sunk: \"Gotcha!\". (I liked Private Eye's mock Sun front page at the time, which included the starred ad. in the top corner, \"Kill an Argie nd win a Metro! See page 10.\"] You can imagine how this went down with the educated, and generally liberal and tolerant, bourgoisie (the \"chattering classes\") in Britain."}, {"response": 776, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (22:10)", "body": "(Ben) I must defend the regiments (or at least theirs, the Blues and Royals). Sorry if you took my words to mean that a bunch of toy soldiers or the equivalent of the Pope's Swiss Guards were sent off to lead the assault on Stanley for that is not what I intended. Lawrence's Guards unit was part of 5 Infantry Brigade that sailed from Southampton aboard the QE2 on 12 May. (Have seen references to the Blues and Royals participating in Operation Sutton, the amphibious landing on San Carlos Bay on 21 May, so your cousin was not in RL's unit.) To compensate for transferred units, 5 Brigade received 1st Battalion Welsh Guards and 2nd Scots Guards on 22 April for two weeks of training. From Hastings and Jenkins' Battle for the Falklands, : \"From the beginning, it never seemed that the Ministry of Defence took the prospect of 5 Brigade going to war very seriously.\" [They had difficulty obtaining supplies.] ...on 12 May, the clothing deficiencies had been solved only by the unofficial intervention of a Guards officer's father in the House of Lords....Senior officers of the brigade were convinced that the Ministry of Defence simply did not expect them to have to fight. \"They sailed amidst emotional scenes at the dockside, to enjoy two weeks of magnificent food and wine aboard QE2 ....Even the war cabinet found something faintly bizarre about dispatching men to war on the greatest luxury liner in the world. \"There were also officers who asked in bewilderment, 'What possessed the Ministry of Defence to send two public-duties battalions to the South Atlantic?' Both Guards battalions joined 5 Brigade from prolonged tours of ceremonial duties, during which their infantry training was obviously less intensive than that of a marine or parachute battalion. The Welsh Guards had completed an exercise in Kenya the previous winter. Like all Guards units, these two could be accounted among the finest in the army. But however, enthusiastic and efficient their officers and men, they could scarcely be as mentally and physically attuned to a campaign in the Falklands as 3 Commando Brigade. They were trained to fight from armoured personnel carriers. 'We are not bergen soldiers,' as one of their officers said. In the firm opinion of many of 5 Brigade, the Ministry of Defence sent the Guards because they were expecting them to serve as a garrison, not to have to fight. A very senior officer at the Ministry of Defence co firmed after the war that, when they were dispatched from Britain, 5 Brigade was considered a reserve for 3 Commando Brigade, not a force of matching capabilities.\" The image of the Guards units, particularly the Welsh Guards, was not enhanced by their failure to complete a \"modest yomp\" to Goose Green. Of course, they lacked adequate supplies and snow-type vehicles. \"They walked for twelve hours before 5 Brigade agreed with their CO that the exercise should be abandoned. The Guardsmen were far too heavily laden. Their handful of Sno-tracs were breaking down every few miles....'We have got to wait for 5 Brigade to get its act together,' they were told.\" The decis on was made to send them to Fitzroy by sea. This is where it gets really bad. Despite horrible weather and under constant shelling, the SGs made their landing on the beach at Bluff Cove. They were exhausted after spending seven hours at sea and there were numerous cases of exposure. The WG's landing was a disaster, literally, in terms of loss of life. They were put aboard the Galahad, which was hit by an Argentinian air attack. Many died. The WG's image suffered because of poor communications nd judgment; they failed to understand the necessity of disembarking quickly. I've also found this: \"The first troops into action on 13 June were thirty men of the headquarters company of the Scots Guards, commanded by Major Hon. Richard Bethell...Bethell, supported by a troop of the Blues and Royals, was to conduct a diversionary attack on Argentine positions south-east of Mount Harriet.\" So are the \"Blues and Royals\" Scots Guards? Looked to me as if they were an armored division? In War in the Falklands: The Full Story, by the Sunday Times of London's Insight Team, there is a similar account of 5 Brigade's part in the war. Major General Moore made the decision that they would join battle instead of relieving 40 Commando, which was holding San Carlos; the Lt. Col. was furious: \"his marines were trained for the kind of battles that were to come...\" Frankly, Hunt also thought the Guards were not up to it. Earlier he had watched a Welsh Guardsmen come ashore at San Carlos wit a full pack on his back, walk 400 yards from the jetty, and then sit down in the road in tears, saying he could not go on. And the crew of the Canberra had been deeply uncomplimentary about the guardsmen, saying that on the voyage from South Georgia they had done no physical exercise, but \"sat around all day.\" They had grumbled at the need to share cabins, and they had complained when lunch was late. (T"}, {"response": 777, "author": "BenB", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (22:26)", "body": "Karen, that's fascinating. (BTW, I meant to include a link, which didn't work. I am hopelessly HTML-illiterate. How do I do it? This will tell you more about the Blues and Royals). I never meant to claim that the Guards were as tough or as well-trained as the Commandos, the Paras - who were examplary in the Falklands - or the real nuts in the SAS. Simply that they aren't a bunch of wimpy toffs. (The Falls Road is in West Belfast, by the way.) Having said that, I must confess that my cousin always thought of his biggest moment (he had a three-year commission) was presenting colours to the Queen on her birthday. He is a v. good-looking man anyway, and wearing his red tunic and pranci g around on a horse seemed to do wonders for his love life. There was considerable sympathy for RL at the time, I remember (Tumbledown first came out in 87/88?, which is when I saw it), although he was also thought to be a bit of a plonker. I don't remember the message as anti-war, necessarily. More anti-politician. What I found rather chilling was the training that allows men to run screaming into a hail of bullets, and the exhiliration that RL professed to feeling at the top of Tubmledown."}, {"response": 778, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (22:49)", "body": "Karen...thanks for your exhaustive research. I only have RL's book and his perspective. He also mentions that not only were they not prepared , but they ran out of ammunition which is why they had to use bayonnets. Could there be another interpretation to the ending line \"Isn't this fun?\" In the book RL tells this to his second Guardsman in Command as they are approaching Stanley, the city on the other side of the mountain..... ...the lights of Stanley below us and thinking how strange that it hadn't been blacked out. This was supposed to be a war. I turned to Mc Entaggart as we went along and for some inexplicable reason, suddenly cried out, \"Isn't this fun?\" Seconds later, it happened. I felt a blast in the back of my head and felt more as if I'd been hit by a train than a bullet. It seems to me that RL exhausted, sees the end of the battle ...mission accomplished...sadly an Argie sniper got him."}, {"response": 779, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb  9, 1999 (22:55)", "body": "Ben, for a link, just make sure you put the http:// before the address and you will have a working link. No need to get all fancy. He is a v. good-looking man anyway, and wearing his red tunic and prancing around on a horse seemed to do wonders for his love life. So there must be lots of Mrs. Bennet's around... ;-) Lawrence's book does mention the *social* aspects of being a Guards officer. One does tend to get invited to all the right places. Those two Guards units just happened to have come off long ceremonial stints. They were good, bad timing. And the Gurhka Rifle unit just came from Nepal. I don't remember the message as anti-war, necessarily. More anti-politician. And he got one of the biggest payouts from the South Atlantic Fund (donations from the public)."}, {"response": 780, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 10, 1999 (19:31)", "body": "Robert Lawrence on \"Decisive Weapons: The Bayonet\": [On training to use bayonets] It's the nearest thing that you get to what you might call battle inoculation. And it was not unknown for our staff to get from the local butchers the gizzards and innards of animals that the butchers would save and put them in plastic bags in these dummies just to get a feel of what would be the real thing. That was the first time that you could expect to start looking at these bayonets or real and it was only eventually when I led my platoon on a right flanking attack against some machine gun posts at the end of Tumbledown that we really took on the classic bayonet charge of the movies as it were. [Music - Scene from Tumbledown of CF charging.] Obviously, this was happening with a great deal of ammunition being used as well. So the bayonet at that point is more of a symbol of your intention than it is som thing you are actually using. They were, of course, used. They were used when we closed with the enemy. (um) And in fact proved themselves to be invaluable pieces of equipment. By the time you use it, you've been firing at each other with modern weapons, often under artillery fire. Grenades are being used, antitank rockets are being used, machine guns. So by the time you close with the enemy, the blood lust is certainly up and the use of the bayonet, ya know, this isn't a precise business at that point of the war. (um) You just use it and you kill him any way you can. Anyone who has ever taken part in close quarter combat, where you are fighting hand to hand with bayonets, I think that can only ever just stay with people who have done it because, by its nature alone, it means you are within feet of this man. You can hear him. You can see him. You can smell him and ultimately with a bayonet you're only ever killing him at a maximum of three feet, let's say. With a small arm or pistol or whatever, yes, they are close range weapons, but there is a detachment. You must also remember that, when you stab someone with a bayonet, you are holding on to one end of something that is stuck into him at the other. You are actually physically joined at that point. You are not standing ten feet away and emptying a magazine from a pistol into him. So it's a very memorable, different event which is the true nature of warfare. Much, much different to pressing a button that releases bombs."}, {"response": 781, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Feb 10, 1999 (20:52)", "body": "You are actually physically joined at that point. And you hear him beg for his life. One must really be cold blooded to be able to carry on with life after such an experience. The Vietnam veterans had a hard time with it as we've seen in all those films. Everyone says we're supposed to learn from history, I guess they're not referring to war. War seems to be an ungoing tragedy."}, {"response": 782, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (06:44)", "body": "and now for something completely different... Real troops enroute to Falklands...had to cut Colin out of picture because of all the controversy!!"}, {"response": 783, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (06:43)", "body": "Before Jane's Articles' Webpage went into oblivion...I copied these quotes from Colin. Remember, this was not a documentary....this was a drama... and this is how CF depicted RL. \"8His girl leaves him, his best friend can't understand him. He survives and triumphs over his disabilities only by adopting a black, bitter outlook. The film's steady refrain is: \"It wasn\ufffdt worth it. It wasn't worth it.\" Said Firth: \"It's about the creation of a chocolate soldier, a man made to impress tourists outside Buckingharn Palace, who turns into a psychotic beast during wartime, as any man must if he doesn't run away. \"It's not about the suffering war victim; it\ufffds about a man who was the perpetrator of his own misfortune, he said. \"He comes back furious and inglorious, minus 43 percent of his brain, dribbling and incontinent. Instead of being lauded he's relegated to the back of the church during the memorial service, finally given a medal and told to shut up. ****** And you hear him beg for his life. One must really be cold blooded to be able to carry on with life after such an experience. In re: to this RL says in the book \"But had I left him he could have ended up shooting me in the back. \" At this point...it's kill or be killed.IMO I don't think it's a matter of being cold blooded."}, {"response": 784, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (07:17)", "body": "My grandfather was killed just after D-Day, and my grandmother then married another soldier who had just spent three years in various Japanese PoW camps, which wasn't much fun. Before that, he had fought against the Japanese in Singapore. Much later, shortly before he died (which was three years ago), he told me about a recurring nightmare he'd had for some years after the war. While fighting in Singapore, his battalion had attacked a Japanese machine-gun post which had killed several men. He ended up ju ping into this post, bayonetting a Japanese soldier in the neck and waiting the few minutes, which passed like hours, it took this man to die. His nightmare involved seeing this young Japanese soldier's face, imploring for help, and he had it night after night well into the 1950s. But he'd never told anyone, and seemed to recall it completely dispassionately when he eventually told me. My (step) grandfather was a tough SoB and, in many ways, he was cold-blooded. But no-one is unaffected by the ghastliness of war, and after his experiences he often seemed to prefer the company of his dogs to that of other people. Thank GOD we have none of us had to suffer it directly."}, {"response": 785, "author": "susanne", "date": "Thu, Feb  7, 2036 (09:55)", "body": "Karen, I'm truly impressed by your extensive knowledge of related topics to Tumbledown. I feel like a kindergartner wandering into honors History. I've been badgered into posting (you know who you are) so I will give my views on this film. I have watched Tumbledown twice and have not read anything else on the subject so everyone is much more knowledgeable than I. I found RL v. sympathetic. CF might have softened the character a bit in the name of drama, but regardless this is about a man who lives his life in the protection of British interests. Whatever Robert's motivation to be a soldier, he and men like him deserve our respect and compassion. It is easy to judge them while the rest of us are living our comfortable lives. RL must be an extremely strong individual to be able not only to survive his injuries, but to perservere over them. I loved the part where the doctor is talking about him and acting like he's not even in the room. RL gets mad and tells the doctor to go stick it up his (sounded like fluffy but prob was another word) ass. I think that illustrated the level of frustration with which RL was dealing. I can't conceive of going through the same experience and coming out of it sane. I consider this to be CF's finest role. Mr. Darcy is dearest to my heart, but RL enabled CF to use the full force of his acting talent. I can't believe the performance that won the BAFTA is better than this one (not that I am totally objective)."}, {"response": 786, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Feb 11, 1999 (19:41)", "body": "Thanks Sue....well put. and RL felt that people not only criticized him but as an injured soldier he was an embarassment. Re: \"It wasn't worth it\".... He says at the end of the book: \"I still believe that what I did in the Falklands War was worth doing . I still believe that what I did had to be done. When thousands of fighting troops suddenly march into your house to tell you, with the barrel of a gun stuck up your nose, that you must no longer speak English, but Spanish, you have a right to be defended by any civilized nation\". IMO this indicates that he is finally at peace with himself and his country."}, {"response": 787, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Feb 11, 1999 (22:28)", "body": "Ben - amen, man, AMEN! CF mentioned several times that for about three years after filming TD, he had suffered heavily from nightmares brought about by his attempts to penetrate the mind of a soldier in mortal combat. He has been trained as a method actor: acting for him involves not so much impersonating, as actually immersing oneself in a character and situations. Tumbledown is unquestionably his greatest acting triumph."}, {"response": 788, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (00:54)", "body": "Tumbledown is unquestionably his greatest acting triumph. Apt.0 would be my choice."}, {"response": 789, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (01:55)", "body": "I'm sorry the scenes on the QE2 that are in the screenplay were not shown in the final film. There is a lot of background information shared here that was illuminating but not necessarily portrayed in the film. The scenes of them training on the decks outside the Beauty Parlor and the Perfume Boutique might have shown more how incongruous it was that these elite troops, apparently used to a pretty cushy life (at least for the army) were sailing off into war on such a luxury ship. One telling line from the film shows perhaps how the Ministry of Defence never really expected these units to have to fight. Doesn't Lawrence at one point, say the Argies were supposed to run at the sight of them...but they didn't. I too think this is one of his best performances though it's a showy role and one bound to get more notice than his more subtle portrayals. I'm starting to get more fond of Apt. 0 myself. Don't you think the first soldier in the Union Jack shorts is FAT!!!"}, {"response": 790, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (01:58)", "body": "Rereading my first paragraph above, I realized I wanted to change it. It's not incongruous at all that these elite troops are sailing off to war on such an elegant ship. Rather fitting, actually."}, {"response": 791, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (02:58)", "body": "I just want to say one thing: Not everyone who goes off to war comes back a psycho or a drug-addict.That war is a life-altering experience that should never happen ...there is no doubt. But most men return...move on to lead productive lives in an ordinary way...without any fanfare. ******* Tumbledown is unquestionably his greatest acting triumph. Apt.0 would be my choice. Have to go with Tumbledown."}, {"response": 792, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (03:17)", "body": "Evelyn, I quite agree. And there was certainly much less fanfare, as you put it, from the generation that returned from the second world war than from those who returned from Vietnam. (I think this says something about the two generations.) The tale I told about by grandfather is a case in point - he related the experience as one might a day in the office, in an oddly detached way. Most of what I know about his experiences I discovered from others. But some experiences are worse than others. And the original point was that killing a man with a bayonet was more disturbing, after the event, than dropping a smart bomb from a great height."}, {"response": 793, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (05:20)", "body": "This movie really gets to me. I have to watch it in halves. Maybe because my son took part in Desert Storm. More than likely it is because of the performance given by C.F. He really got into the character. The way the goverment treated the men who participated in that war remined me of the way the men who returned from Vietnam were treated. I always think that I wish the one doctor could have to go through what RL was going through. The man who played his father was very good too, I could feel his frustration. Didn't he go to South Africa?"}, {"response": 794, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (16:45)", "body": "(Ben) My grandfather was killed just after D-Day Your grandfather? Boy, do I feel old! (Sue) I feel like a kindergartner wandering into honors History. I didn't want anybody to feel somehow inadequate, but this stuff interests me (guess that's why I have a degree in history). Anyway, after I saw this movie, I wondered what all the controversy was all about. I didn't see the film as being anti-war. Britain didn't lose the war as the US did in Vietnam, so there couldn't be any national humiliation at being defeated by some two-bit tyrant like Galtieri, so there had to be more... The Vietnam vets I remember from college tried to hide it. They were ashamed of having been there (both from the standpoint of embarassment at not having gotten out of the draft and at what went on there). Robert Lawrence was proud of what he did for Queen and country. As his brother said, he was a real soldier and that's all he ever wanted to be. I don't think he ever became disillusioned and you can tell from his commentary on the history channel. BTW, the words sound worse in print. They don't sou d half so bad when he is speaking. Even if the Lawerence role is viewed as typical of acting school exercises, I think Colin does a fabulous job showing the fighter inherent in Lawrence's character. From the moment he's hit, he is still in charge (giving commands) and this continues all through. Under no circumstances, does he want to be viewed as a cripple, physically or mentally."}, {"response": 795, "author": "susanne", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (17:53)", "body": "(Evelyn)Not everyone who goes off to war comes back a psycho or a drug-addict.That war is a life-altering experience that should never happen ...there is no doubt. But most men return...move on to lead productive lives in an ordinary way...without any fanfare. I think this has to do with not only what a soldier experiences during the war but his psyche. Dare I say some men are more sensitive than others. RL was a very strong individual with keen insight to who and what he was. Somehow if what happened to Robert happened to Hugh instead, I think the outcome would have been different. Not everyone could go through what Robert endured and come out a complete, functioning person. (Karen)The Vietnam vets I remember from college tried to hide it. They were ashamed of having been there (both from the standpoint of embarassment at not having gotten out of the draft and at what went on there). Robert Lawrence was proud of what he did for Queen and country. I grew up during the Vietnam War and while I was quite young during it, I still remember following the war with fascination and horror. There was no glory or a sense of pride for those veterans. The American public considered the war and them an embarrassment. The Vietnam vets that I know are quite bitter over the experience. At least, RL could be proud of his efforts"}, {"response": 796, "author": "susanne", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (17:57)", "body": "Sorry about the italics. I did not close correctly."}, {"response": 797, "author": "susanne", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (18:01)", "body": "test test If this does not work someone will have to help me out of this italic problem."}, {"response": 798, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (18:56)", "body": "test"}, {"response": 799, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (18:59)", "body": "(Ben), And there was certainly much less fanfare, as you put it, from the generation that returned from the second world war than from those who returned from Vietnam. (I think this says something about the two generations.) I agree Ben. There is a tremendous generation gap between the Second World War and that of the Vietnam War generation. Just think of all the social changes taking place in the US, and, the flower power/make love not war, the fashion:the mini skirt, rock music and drugs. The 2nd WW made more sense because you went to defend the \ufffdold country\ufffd, your roots. Not so with Vietnam, it was not so convincing, it was a vicious, just kill, kill, kill war. Only by then, the collective conscience was growing and it was anti-war. The Eighties were the Thatcher, Reagan decade. The MBA generation in full greed force. (I don\ufffdt consider you one of them, you have culture) Do you think Blair would have gone all out for las Maldivas, which IMO should be part of Argentina? You can guess how I feel about Northern Ireland or should I say Eire? Karen, thank you for all the above information, all quite interesting. Did you really cut CF out of that pix? LOL!"}, {"response": 800, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (23:37)", "body": "It has just been announced that Sophie Thompson (sister of Emma T. and Louise Stubbs in Tumbledown)has won the Best Actress Olivier Award for the musical \"Into the Woods\". Maybe next year.....!!!"}, {"response": 801, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Fri, Feb 12, 1999 (23:52)", "body": "Currently showing at the Donmar! I'd love to see CF getting an award (long overdue!), but I always think the odds are stacked against him. I even hold my breath about his reviews! But maybe the tide will turn. I've really enjoyed reading the above discussion...only lack of time has prevented me from contributing. Will try to add some points over the weekend."}, {"response": 802, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Feb 13, 1999 (01:57)", "body": "He is too handsome. Pretty boys don't get awards: everybody thinks success comes too easy to them."}, {"response": 803, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sat, Feb 13, 1999 (18:42)", "body": "Pretty boys don't get awards, says Arami. So THAT'S why my mantlepiece is so bare, darn it. ;-) If only my jaw were a little flabbier, my eyes a little duller, my cheekbones a little vaguer and my butt not so firm...I'd be drowning in awards. Or maybe it's because I've as much acting talent as a gnat. A gnat that's very bad at acting."}, {"response": 804, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 13, 1999 (22:16)", "body": "(Arami) Pretty boys don't get awards: everybody thinks success comes too easy to them. The latter part is remarkably close to a line (and theme) in The Way We Were. (Ben) Or maybe it's because I've as much acting talent as a gnat. A gnat that's very bad at acting. Should we be looking for you in Antz or A Bug's Life? ;-) I've been thinking about Hugh a little bit. Very strange relationship that appears to exist between him and Robert. As I said before, there is no Hugh in RL's book, in fact, I don't think he mentions any friends from the regiment at all (Evelyn??) At the Stubbs' home, Colin actually has a sadistic look in his eye when he refers to Hugh. He taunts him constantly. Is he keeping Hugh around to make him feel guilty? It's almost like they feed off each other. Also, at the bar before they ship out, Tug says to Robert: \"That man is not your friend, Robert...\" What is he?"}, {"response": 805, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Feb 13, 1999 (22:45)", "body": "(Ben)A gnat that's very bad at acting. You alluded to performing at the Donmar once as a \"young thesp\"...Or am I mistaken..... care to expand on that? ****** Guardsman Mc Taggart was with him when he was hit...but he would not have been a friend since I assume that rank is enlisted. **** Tug says to Robert: \"That man is not your friend, Robert...\" What is he? I have wondered about that remark. Robert's remark to that is interesting too: Yes, he is.Tug. He'll do it . To be honest , he'll do what I tell him. He is almost obsessed with the fear of being a \"cripple\". Does he blame Hugh for his condition?"}, {"response": 806, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Feb 13, 1999 (23:02)", "body": "So THAT'S why my mantlepiece is so bare, darn it. ;-) (Ben) Well, we don't judge men by their mantlepieces! :-) A few points, picking up on earlier discussion threads, particularly the impact of/recovery from the war experience, and the use of bayonets. It's been well documented that close combat is much more traumatic than the more detached experience of smart, or semi-smart weaponry. Air bomber commands don't watch their victims die, or hear them plead for mercy. The bayonet was used extensively in WW1 and was notoriously unreliable as a killing tool. Infantry men had to plunge the bayonet in several times, it would sometimes break, become imbedded in bone. Killing a man took time, and soldiers, often decent and sensitive men, had to live with the very real memory of the \"enemy\" they had killed. Some soldiers in WW1 committed suicide because they were tormented by guilt. Many suffered from post-war trauma and depression. There's a very moving poem by Wilfred Owen who was killed in 1918, which I think relates directly to RL's experiences in \"Tumbledown\", and shows that wars never change and, most emphatically, \"it's not worth it\". Some quotes (not the entire poem) from \"Disabled\".. He sits in a wheeled chair, waiiting for dark, And shivered in his ghastly suit of grey, Legless, sewn short at elbow. Through the park Voices of boys rang saddening like a hymn, Voices of play and pleasure after day, Till gathering sleep had mothered them from him. Ah he was handsome when he used to stand Each evening on the curb of the quays. His old soft cap slung half-way down his ear: Proud of his neck, scarfed with a sunburn band, And of his curl, and all his reckless gear, Down to the gloves of sun-brown on his hand. ........ Some cheered him home, but not as crowds cheer Goal. Only a solemn man who brought him fruits Thanked him, and then enquired about his soul. Now he will spend a few sick years in Institutes And do what things the rules consider wise, And take whatever pity they may dole. Tonight he noticed how the women's eyes Passed from him to strong men that were whole. How cold and late it is! Why don't they come And put him into bed? Why don't they come? Mandatory reading for all those who consider war a great and glorious endeavour?"}, {"response": 807, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sun, Feb 14, 1999 (00:56)", "body": "Quote too much Owen and I'll start to cry... Too awful. Have you read any other Great War poets - Brooke, Sassoon, Graves? Heart-rending stuff, all of it - the ghastly carnage destroying more than millions of lives - but Owen is my favourite."}, {"response": 808, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Feb 14, 1999 (02:13)", "body": "Have we read any other Great War poets, Ben? Ahem, I guess you're not familiar with the radioplay, The One Before the Last based on Rupert Brooke's relationship with Ka Cox (and other equally complicated affairs). Guess who plays Rupert Brooke? And since our horizons are ever expanding due to the varied repertoire of our boy, yes, many of us have read at least Brooke if not the others. (Karen) Also, at the bar before they ship out, Tug says to Robert: \"That man is not your friend, Robert...\" What is he? A doormat? Another example of Hugh being treated like crap - by Robert, by his girlfriend. Yes, what is Hugh's purpose? An example of the only person who can understand him because he's been through it with him? He keeps saying how Hugh is jealous of him. Perhaps, but your comment, Eveyln, He is almost obsessed with the fear of being a \"cripple\". Does he blame Hugh for his condition? makes me think perhaps Robert is jealous of Hugh too since Hugh came out \"whole\". Another scene from the screenplay I wish we had seen...the Swedish \"prostitute\" who comes to the hospital."}, {"response": 809, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Feb 14, 1999 (02:13)", "body": "Have we read any other Great War poets, Ben? Ahem, I guess you're not familiar with the radioplay, The One Before the Last based on Rupert Brooke's relationship with Ka Cox (and other equally complicated affairs). Guess who plays Rupert Brooke? And since our horizons are ever expanding due to the varied repertoire of our boy, yes, many of us have read at least Brooke if not the others. (Karen) Also, at the bar before they ship out, Tug says to Robert: \"That man is not your friend, Robert...\" What is he? A doormat? Another example of Hugh being treated like crap - by Robert, by his girlfriend. Yes, what is Hugh's purpose? An example of the only person who can understand him because he's been through it with him? He keeps saying how Hugh is jealous of him. Perhaps, but your comment, Eveyln, He is almost obsessed with the fear of being a \"cripple\". Does he blame Hugh for his condition? makes me think perhaps Robert is jealous of Hugh too since Hugh came out \"whole\". Another scene from the screenplay I wish we had seen...the Swedish \"prostitute\" who comes to the hospital."}, {"response": 810, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Feb 14, 1999 (02:15)", "body": "Sorry, must have hit the \"response\" button twice."}, {"response": 811, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 14, 1999 (02:58)", "body": "Quote too much Owen and I'll start to cry... The one that makes me cry is Brooke's... THE SOLDIER If I should die, think only this of me: That there's some corner of a foreign field That is forever England. There shall be In that rich earth a richer dust concealed; A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware, Gave, once her flowers to love, her ways to roam, A body of Englands's breathing English air, Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home. ......."}, {"response": 812, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Feb 14, 1999 (14:10)", "body": "(bethan), Some soldiers in WW1 committed suicide because they were tormented by guilt. Many suffered from post-war trauma and depression. True and unfortunately, they didn't have all the psychologists out in full force ready to help them with their trauma as they do now. It was all too new. Reagarding Hugh, Robert may wish to be around him as a reminder that he did not fullfil his promise, that his handicap is partly Hugh's fault. Hugh may feel this as well, and spends time with Robert as to recapture the past before the Tumbledown."}, {"response": 813, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Feb 14, 1999 (18:36)", "body": "I forgot to mention last night that my knowledge of Rupert Brooke's poems comes from Evelyn who very kindly brought back a book of his poems from when she was in London last autumn. Back to Robert...how about that left shoulder motion as he kisses Sophie? (Need a bit of levity here.)"}, {"response": 814, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 15, 1999 (02:04)", "body": "Back to Robert...how about that left shoulder motion as he kisses Sophie? (Need a bit of levity here.) Didn't he do that in FP too when he kissed Ruth Gemell?"}, {"response": 815, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Mon, Feb 15, 1999 (13:44)", "body": "Just popping in to add some of my thoughts re: Tumbledown. 1 - Robert's aggressive attitude: As I see it Robert Lawrence's aggression was essential for his recovery, in two ways: a) I think it was his aggression that gave him the force to get through this dreadful time, to get over this terrible injury. I suppose that's why the physio therapist tries to provoke him by showing him how helpless he his, by showing him off as a cripple. I see that provocation as the (successful) attempt to set free through his aggression the adrenaline that keeps Robert going, the attempt to mobilise the inner forces he needs to get through the tortures of his recovery. The way Robert was treated by t e medical staff etc. not only woke his aggression but through that his ambition to recover, to proof that he is still there and \ufffdnot a cripple\" - Of course he has been ambitious before and a less strong character wouldn't have recovered so well, I think. b) The other reason, why I think his aggression was essential for his recovery is, that I'm convinced that in his situation he simply had to be an embarrassment to the persons in charge, otherwise it would have been too easy for them to ignore him, to put him aside, to cut back his rights and needs. - perfect example: the doctors who were talking as if he hadn't been there too. 2 - As much as I like the film I think he didn't really convey Robert Lawrence's intention of telling his story, as I understood it reading his book. I think his aim is not only to tell how well he has recovered but more under what circumstances, to show that there are two classes of returning soldiers: The ones who have not been injured or at last not so seriously that they couldn't return to the live they've lived before and the ones like him who had been seriously ill in a way that it had changed their future live completely and who just want to be treated with the same respect and esteem but don't get it without fighting for it. I'd say his idea w s to show a dark side of war that most people don't realise (or simply ignore) and that's not the cruelty and the horror of the battle but the cruelty of an every day live one is exposed to in the case one returns from war in a state like Robert Lawrence's, to show the disrespect and (perhaps even worse) the ignorance of the people you've risk your life for - however they may think of it's necessity; to show at what length one has to go to gain back or not to lose ones dignity. I think in the book there are some good examples of that which they left out in the film, alas. And in the book Robert Lawrence mentions a good question: what would have happened if all this had happened to a \ufffdsimple\" soldier from \ufffdnowhere\" with a father working I don't know where, in a coal mine or whatever, who wouldn't have know as his father had known as a senior officer where to go, to whom to address and who has been able to put in all his efforts to get the best for his son. Just my interpretation."}, {"response": 816, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Feb 15, 1999 (18:11)", "body": "I agree, Kirsten that it was Robert's \"aggressive\" attitude that pulled him through. A attitude, of course, that he always had - witness his pre-injury scenes, especially the bar scene. I don't particularly like the guy but that's meaningless. he didn't really convey Robert Lawrence's intention of telling his story, as I understood it reading his book. Do you mean the writers or director didn't convey it? I think Colin did what was called for in the script. Good point about what happened to the other wounded soldiers whose fathers were not military men. You could argue that Robert fought the system for all of the men. Too bad that wasn't shown in the film - we see the others languishing in the hospital but don't really know what happened to them. That shoulder roll when he kisses - one of my favorite signature CF mannerisms."}, {"response": 817, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 15, 1999 (20:11)", "body": "Agree with Kirsten on the aggression and determination . (Kirsten)....he didn't really convey Robert Lawrence's intention of telling his story, as I understood it reading his book. (Heide)Do you mean the writers or director didn't convey it? I think Colin did what was called for in the script. Agree with both of you...Yes, Colin did depict RL in the script ..but Charles Wood the screenplay writer didn't follow the \"spirit\" of the book.Colin's RL not as aggressive ...the book is not anti-war (I use this term in the vernacular...no one is pro-war!)And IMO the film was.However, CW says in the forward that this is a drama and not a documentary.Robert was not ashamed to have been in the Falklands War...felt it was justified...Charles Wood has another opinion . I wonder if Colin didn't get a BAFTA because the film was so controversial.Although the film did get the BAFTA that year. \""}, {"response": 818, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Mon, Feb 15, 1999 (20:28)", "body": "(Kirsten)....he didn't really convey Robert Lawrence's intention of telling his story, as I understood it reading his book. (Heide)Do you mean the writers or director didn't convey it? I think Colin did what was called for in the script. (Karen)Yes, Colin did depict RL in the script ..but Charles Wood the screenplay writer didn't follow the \"spirit\" of the book. Yes, that's what I meant to say."}, {"response": 819, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Mon, Feb 15, 1999 (21:04)", "body": "Ooops, sorry, the last quote was from Evelyn, not Karen."}, {"response": 820, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (00:47)", "body": "Any opinions on Robert's father? mother? brothers? Which Robert do you think was the most complex for CF to play? Robert, pre-injury; injured Robert; post-injury Robert. Anybody detect any Darcy mannerisms?"}, {"response": 821, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (01:59)", "body": "I will respond to your questions later, Heide. But after viewing T. again....I saw a parallel between George Stubbs and Charles Wood, the author. Both were professed pacicfists, and interviewed Robert in order to tell his story.Both admired Robert though, \"each held different political views\" from Robert. Both George and Charles Wood had served in the military. Do you think Charles Wood wrote himself into this film in the character of George Stubbs?"}, {"response": 822, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Feb 19, 1999 (06:21)", "body": "I am late to this discussion, as I only recently requested and received the tape of TD. Please forgive me if I am revisiting some of the themes discussed earlier.... The images of disability and impotence were prominent in the film. IMO, RL was not the only one in TD who was disabled or powerless. Some people enter the so-called *helping professions* because of their inability to heal themselves. Therefore, the disabled are tending to the disabled. During RL\ufffds convalescence in the hospital, the night nurses were more concerned about how he had violated their privacy (by involuntarily listening to their conversations) than the fact that they were violating RL\ufffds dignity. The nurses/ physical therapists (and their patronizing use of the *hospital we*) were almost dumbfounded by Robert\ufffd burst of anger as they forced him to look in the mirror. The arrogant chaplain could not tend to RL\ufffds spirit\ufffd. The only person who treated RL with a modicum of respect was the doctor who offered him a beer. (I seem to be in the minority in thinking that the hospital scenes were not exaggerated. Guess you have had better experiences with the medical profession than I.) I am curious: do you think that RL (as portrayed by CF) is devoid of self-pity?"}, {"response": 823, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Feb 20, 1999 (03:32)", "body": "Two very good questions: (Evelyn) Do you think Charles Wood wrote himself into this film in the character of George Stubbs? I'd never thought of this. From your references to the real Robert Lawrence, I've gathered there never was a Stubbs. Always thought of them as the method used for Robert to tell his story. It makes perfect sense then for Wood to interject himself into the story. He admires Robert and finds him fascinating though he seems to look at him as a case study. Lisa, your points were very thoughtful too. do you think that RL (as portrayed by CF) is devoid of self-pity? Very good question and right now I'd have to say yes. When does he ever express any self-pity? He cries but it is for his men he thinks he's lost, not for himself. That presents another interesting insight into the man."}, {"response": 824, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Feb 23, 1999 (01:46)", "body": "One more thing...I must say while I'm not enamoured of soldiers I do like those uniforms. Not that I fall for just any man in a uniform but if he's wearing a beret...well!! I hate to admit to being so shallow, but I can't help those base urges."}, {"response": 825, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Feb 24, 1999 (19:26)", "body": "(Evelyn) He is almost obsessed with the fear of being a \"cripple.\" Does he blame Hugh for his condition? For someone whose profession required he be \"fit,\" what could be worse than being a cripple? The army had no jobs for him in that state. With his limited perspective (upbringing), he could not envision living as anything other than a soldier. I do think he blamed Hugh and that might explain some of the comments directed at Hugh that I thought were cruel and/or sadistic. (Bethan) It's been well documented that close combat is much more traumatic than the more detached experience of smart, or semi-smart weaponry...Some soldiers in WW1 committed suicide because they were tormented by guilt. Many suffered from post-war trauma and depression. Very true what you say about killing at close range; the same is echoed in RL's words on the TV show and in the scene in the movie with Pete Postewaite. However, I didn't get a sense either from his book or the movie that he was traumatized or tormented by the experience. Not to say that it was done \"all in a day's work,\" but there is the exchange between George and Robert where Robert says he is not \"ashamed\" and George calls him a killer who \"does not apologize.\" Robert tells the Postewaite character t at \"It didn't feel like anything.\" Some cheered him home, but not as crowds cheer Goal. Only a solemn man who brought him fruits Thanked him, and then enquired about his soul. Thank you, Bethan, for bringing in some poetry to our discussion. Most appropriate. (Heide) An example of the only person who can understand him because he's been through it with him?...makes me think perhaps Robert is jealous of Hugh too since Hugh came out \"whole\". Robert says: \"In lots of ways I don't think dear old Hugh knows what I've been through.\" Maybe he isn't really referring to the fighting, but the aftermath (hospitals, military bureaucracy, etc.). If he is jealous of Hugh, IMO, it would only be because Hugh could go on being a soldier. Hugh is more screwed up psychologically than Robert. (Heide) Another scene from the screenplay I wish we had seen...the Swedish \"prostitute\" who comes to the hospital. Oh, yes, his *other* physiotherapy! I like the description of the action: \"Robert is nonplussed. Ingrid slides her hand under the coverlet.\" Then as she leaves, Robert says, \"Well done, Ingrid.\" Robert apparently believes at that point that his injuries extend to that area as well. Agree that scene needed to be there. Otherwise, how could he go to Sophie's? (Heide) how about that left shoulder motion as he kisses Sophie? (Evelyn) Didn't he do that in FP too when he kissed Ruth Gemell? Yes, but in this one he really grinds that shoulder. I've watched it a million times and never get tired of it...and the preceding bit getting out of bed!! Oooowheeeee!! (Kirsten) As I see it Robert Lawrence's aggression was essential for his recovery Absolutely. Makes you wonder if someone less determined/aggressive by nature would have had such a successful recovery. You have to want to overcome these types of things. It's far easier to sit back and live on a disability pension and be bitter. Robert's inherent dislike of limitations made that choice impossible. (Kirsten) As much as I like the film I think he didn't really convey Robert Lawrence's intention of telling his story, as I understood it reading his book. RL's book came out after the movie, and I expect that Lawrence wanted to expand on his experience. So in some respects, your observation is correct, Kirsten. The movie doesn't (perhaps couldn't) delve that deeply into his life afterward. Lawrence was intimately involved in the making of the movie and formed a production company with Wood. What I see is each little scene of frustration, ignorance and triumph attempts to show what Lawrence confronted in his battle to be recognized as a fully functioning a d contributing member of society. (Heide) I don't particularly like the guy but that's meaningless. Can't let that one go... Why do you find him unlikeable? (Heide) You could argue that Robert fought the system for all of the men. Too bad that wasn't shown in the film Maybe because he didn't. He did it for himself. There are scenes of concern for the injured members of his platoon, but we never see him really acting as an advocate for them. He seems to be a loner, looking for individual recognition. Maybe that's what Evelyn was referring to earlier about Robert not having the right personality for this profession??? (Heide) That shoulder roll when he kisses - one of my favorite signature CF mannerisms. Yeah, he can give me his signature any old time. (Evelyn) I wonder if Colin didn't get a BAFTA because the film was so controversial. Although the film did get the BAFTA that year. I think the film was controversial because of the antagonism going on between the government and the media, especially the BBC's alleged anti-Thatcherism. There were two other Falklands dramatizations in the works at the t"}, {"response": 826, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (01:30)", "body": "(Heide) I don't particularly like the guy but that's meaningless. (Karen)Can't let that one go... Why do you find him unlikeable? Purely a personal level, Karen. He's got a huge ego, I never find that attractive. I think he likes the action to be centered around him. He's cocky and rude. At the Stubbs: \"I know you don't like smoking\" as he lights up a cigarette. Mr. Stubbs tells him it was fascinating to have met him. Robert just smiles as if he's thinking, of course I'm fascinating. He's good to his men, have no sense as to how he is with women. I'm not judging him during his recovery and of course I'm making my judgment ba ed not on any familiarity with the real Robert Lawrence other than the film. (Heide) You could argue that Robert fought the system for all of the men. Too bad that wasn't shown in the film. (Karen) Maybe because he didn't. He did it for himself. If that's true, simply another reason to dislike him. He is an officer, not just a grunt. Surely some responsibility there. Initially, I found the mother unsympathetic. Those scenes where she is more concerned that the dog and John's father felt what was happening to Robert during Tumbledown seemed selfish Never felt that. Many mothers (and I'm not one) say they can sense if something has happened to their child. You often hear of this after the fact and I'm not questioning that it happens so what would happen if your child is in a horrific accident and you had no clue until the hospital called. Where was your intuition? Are you an inadequate mother because you didn't sense it? I think Robert's mother was questioning her adequacy as a mother. Thinks if her father-in-law sensed it, she should have. The father can only talk about how brave Robert is and how proud he is of him. His mother could care less - she only cares that her son has been grievously injured. She doesn't care how it happened or how brave he was. I like him in his blue blazer and white pants with the fedora at the end. Yes'm! ;-) Glad we agree on the essentials."}, {"response": 827, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (02:54)", "body": "Having part of one's brain destroyed CAN alter one's personality. A good example was that easygoing miner in the mid-1800's who blew a crowbar through his head tamping dynamite--didn't lose consciousness either and lived. But the path of the abr was from below, destroying one eye socket and a good part of the frontal lobes in the forehead. This is the seat of inhibitions and decision-making. His personality changed remarkably to an aggressive, argumentative man who died of extreme alcoholism. From what I saw of the damage, it was the right rear portion of RL's brain that was destroyed. This governs movement and sensation in the opposite side of the body. So, yes, the vast majority of the damage was in his movement, as the front of the brain did not appear to be damaged. He'd probably not exhibit severe alterations in personality--it looked to me that he was just as capable of being an unpleasant S.O.B. before the injury as after it!! I think Mrs. Stubbs was wary because she realized she was in the presence of men that were both shocked and shocking--Laughing or joking about the most grisly things, treating it all as a game...the one most nonchalant about the most horrifying details wins. It is a game to cover the trauma of what they were exposed to, but they were in turn exposing it to those around them. They had a willing audience in Mr. Stubbs, however. And Hugh. How could he blame Hugh for his present condition, which was being alive, though maimed. Watching how hard Robert fought to live and recover instead of giving up and dying, do you honestly think today he would say, \"I'd rather be dead?\" The jealousy comment, I think, just reflects on his personality...he is a bit of a bully, after all, if he is allowed to get away with it. Why Hugh tolerates such demeaning abuse may be his penance for coming back whole, it's true. Does that make him a bi of an enabler??"}, {"response": 828, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Feb 25, 1999 (10:28)", "body": "This thing about brain damage - I don't see it as automatic, just because one or another part is affected. Think what it does to your perception of yourself and your prospects in life, the loss of physical powers, the disfigurement, the anger, resentment, despair. From there it becomes severely psychological. It's easy to wallow in self-pity and one has every right to do so. It's a great victory if you don't allow it to destroy you in the end - RL has achieved that; the miner obviously didn't succeed."}, {"response": 829, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (02:30)", "body": "(Arami) ...\"brain damage - I don,t see it as automatic...It's a great victory if you don't allow it to destroy you in the end - RL has achieved that; the miner obviously didn't succeed.\" If by \"to succeed\" you mean that the miner could ultimately control his violent outbursts...sorry; That is like saying that RL will ultimately control the use of his left arm and hand. The\"equipment\" that controlled those functions was destroyed in both permanently. So it is, to a certain extent \"automatic\", I'm afraid. On the other hand, the effects of trauma and devestation are things that take tremendous inner strength to regain the sense of the self being in control of his own existance...in that, RL succeeded, but I,m afraid the miner couldn,t."}, {"response": 830, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Feb 26, 1999 (17:26)", "body": ""}, {"response": 831, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Feb 27, 1999 (16:50)", "body": "(Heide) I don't particularly like the guy but that's meaningless. Actually, it might not be that meaningless and may explain why Colin didn't receive the BAFTA. Rarely do unlikeable characters win Best Actor type awards. About the only one I can think of is George C. Scott for Patton. Even disgusting and evil characters like Hannibal Lector are likeable overall, but the way RL is portrayed by Wood you don't see if he has an likeable qualities other than to admire him for his bravery (maybe) and determination to overcome his disabilities. Another good-looking scene: When he takes off his tunic after the Key ceremony and you see him in the Human League t-shirt and braces. Not bad, not bad at all!!"}, {"response": 832, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Feb 28, 1999 (20:32)", "body": "It just so happens that HBOP is showing Hostages this month. It was on yesterday, but alas, I didn't have a blank tape. It will be on again on Friday/early Sat. Shall I tape it? There are some scenes that are not in the A&E version."}, {"response": 833, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar  1, 1999 (20:20)", "body": ""}, {"response": 834, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (01:14)", "body": "There are scenes cut from the A&E Hostages but I don't know how many people have this version. Mine is from HBO and many others have the actual video. Still, can't hurt to tape, Laura, if you've got an extra cassette lying around."}, {"response": 835, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (15:38)", "body": "Will do, I can tape while I'm in bed (sleeping, really!) Have fun you guys, I'll miss you!"}, {"response": 836, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Mar  2, 1999 (17:44)", "body": "Yeah, but the bigger issue is sending the tape, isn't it Laura? ;-p"}, {"response": 837, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (15:23)", "body": "We're not finished with Tumbledown yet unless you want it to be. Any new viewers with fresh ideas? (Or old viewers with stale ones :)) I'm curious...why do you think Robert goes around showing pictures of his gory wounds to everyone? He also points to his head at the old man in the veteran\"s (?) hospital and yells that he's proud of it, grandpa. What is he proud of? That he went to war? That his injury is a badge of honor? That he defied death by surviving? And we can get more base: Favorite looks? Mine is the tough soldier in his natty beret, Karen's is the post-injury Robert in his panama. There's another one I can think of but perhaps someone else would like to bring it up."}, {"response": 838, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 13, 1999 (16:03)", "body": "Oh goodie, I'd like to continue with Tumbledown!! (Heide) I'm curious...why do you think Robert goes around showing pictures of his gory wounds to everyone? I agree, Heide, he is proud of what he's done and his injuries are evidence that he, an officer, was in the thick of the battle. Remember, at the first hospital, where he asked about other officers. His implication being that perhaps other officers hung back and let the grunts clear the way; otherwise, they should have been in the ward too. Also, he is definitely a guy who goes for the shock value of is his actions. Like the bullying and belligerent attitudes he affects. He wants to shock people. Taking out pictures of one's head injuries is not the same as showing someone your grandchildren. And Robert knows he's going to show them to Mr and Mrs Stubbs. He says something like: \"You always do.\" It has become a routing and Robert shows a certain sad acceptance that that is what Robert likes to do. ...on those baser things, remember my fav is the *fit* Robert jogging around the barracks! ;-)"}, {"response": 839, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (03:07)", "body": "I copied this quote of CF's from Jane's Article website before she took it down. Tumbledown was the most exciting film script to work on that I've ever had, and Charles Wood is the most underrated screenwriter possibly in the world! It's funny, you know, in the theater you can talk about a Mamet play, you can talk about going to a Pinter play, but you'd never talk about a Wood script. And I think that the writer 's position in terms of recognition in the business, is just appalling. We're nowhere without them. I've thought of Charles ever since I did Tumbledown. Nothing else has been interesting in the same way.\" Of course he might feel differently since SIL. At first I disagreed with Colin...thought the script had lots of holes but when I read it again, I changed my mind. (See....there's hope for me and FP!!) I think the flash-back technique is brilliant..esp. when he interjects the Bergen Man swaying , and confused....(symbolic of RL even in his postwar life??)throughout the script.And of course keeping the actual battle of Tumbledown til the end is v. innovative. Most war films begin with the battle. ***** Favorite Looks: For me has to be the ending at Chelsea Barracks. The Panama hat raised in salute. (Karen)There's another one I can think of but perhaps someone else would like to bring it up. The one in that big baggy sweater , like Walker in 3 DOR, ain't bad either. **** Karen)why do you think Robert goes around showing pictures of his gory wounds to everyone? Agree with Karen.This guy likes to shock people.Make them uncomfortable looking at his disability.As if to say: \"this is your part...you have to view my injuries\"."}, {"response": 840, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (03:11)", "body": "I sincerely hope Colin surprises us in the future...but I maintain that he did his best work ten years ago."}, {"response": 841, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (15:52)", "body": "I sincerely hope Colin surprises us in the future...but I maintain that he did his best work ten years ago. So do I, so do I, Evelyn, hope for a surprise in the future I mean. And I still haven\ufffdt seen Tumbledown, have to get Heide\ufffds tape converted. I just wish you\ufffdll want to hear what I think of it by the time it\ufffds done, even though everything about it has been already discussed here! WARNING: anybody who likes Fever Pitch, do not read the following: Fever Pitch is a disappointment to me, and NOT because of Colin, I think he did good and sincere work and is cute as hell in it. Yes, I\ufffdm getting used to that anti-Darcy style of Paul Ashworth, it\ufffds rather touching actually. Poor Colin, how he must have suffered from the Darcy thing, to choose a role like that after it. Mr Ash worth is such an opposite to Mr. Ten thousand a year that it makes me laugh. But what surprised me is that FP is such a low budget film and worse is that the cast is so good while the film isn\ufffdt. You feel sorry for the excellent actors in such a film where so many simple but important things just suck. For instance, I don\ufffdt think that the story of Paul\ufffds youth works in the film, it breaks the structure badly and the boy in Paul\ufffds role is terrible!(Not to mention his hairdo). You\ufffdre right Evelyn, the screenplay of FP is not the best one in the world and I doubt very much that it\ufffdll be a success in the US. Girls, I\ufffdm beginning to understand the desperate debate here about Colin\ufffds career in January much better now. What he has done after P&P is good work in some pretty unsuccessful movies (FP, Nostromo, ATA) and some that haven\ufffdt even reached the market, and a small part in SiL....I\ufffdd love to know what he really thinks of his career and what the good reviews of 3DOR and the hordes of fans at his feet in Donmar mean to him. A LOT, I believe, and that\ufffds why I\ufffdm glad that we were there to add our small part int the celebration."}, {"response": 842, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Mar 14, 1999 (16:42)", "body": "(Karen) It has become a routing and Robert (Hugh?) shows a certain sad acceptance that that is what Robert likes to do. You mean Hugh there, right? And if so, you opened up another view into the relationship between R & H. It's a burden that Hugh has to bear for not finishing Robert off, for not being the one who was wounded. A burden that Robert likes to make a little heavier, perhaps. (Evelyn) I think the flash-back technique is brilliant. Absolutely and also very confusing. I had to watch it more than once to understand that the film is really three stories and they're interwoven beautifully. (Karen) on those baser things, remember my fav is the *fit* Robert jogging around the barracks! ;-) Of, of course. Those tight jeans! Does anyone know if CF had to go through any physical fitness training for this? Not that he's buff ;-) but he does look more beefed up and quite fit. I keep thinking of his very flat stomach as he hurriedly pulls his pants on in Sophie's flat. (Evelyn) I maintain that he did his best work ten years ago. Surprise, surprise, I don't necessarily disagree with you, Evelyn, and Elena too. But I'd say that it's not his work that was better 10 years ago but the work he's been in. After all, he never disappoints us, does he Evelyn, no matter what he's in. (Elena) WARNING: anybody who likes Fever Pitch, do not read the following: LOL, Elena. It's okay, sweetie, you bring up some very valid points and I'll defend your right to the end to air your opinion. Yes, I think the young Paul was awful and the production does look low budget. But I love the script because I think it reflects so accurately the mindset this man is in. I'm very glad you brought your viewpoint to us and I hope you keep doing so. We did a film discussion on FP awhile ago but I'm game to talk about it or any of his films any time."}, {"response": 843, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (00:24)", "body": "(Elena) ..... I\ufffdm glad that we were there to add our small part int the celebration. Very well put, Elena. I think last Saturday was an emotional evening for him as well.He realized that he had fans all from over the world...that's why I kept telling him where everyone was from.It was a celebration and I hope the beginning of good offers from directors and producers who see his amazing talen and the fact that he has a following. **** Oh, ....FP is.. alright. But the guy has so much to offer to be in that nickel n' dime film!After I first viewed it, I remember telling Nan.\"Well, he doesn't have to get a BAFTA speech ready for that one.\" It grew on me somewhat after a few more viewings. Who knows.. it might do well in the US? I equate it to \"The Waterboy\",and it did Ok at the boxoffice. **** By all means, pl. tell us what you think of Tumbledown, Elena. It was a television production and also low-budget, but quality stuff."}, {"response": 844, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (16:02)", "body": "Fever Pitch = The Waterboy?! No way, Josefina!!! It is just a nice romantic comedy. Nothing mind probing, but pleasant, whereas a Waterboy is money down the drain and the permanent loss of probably 90 minutes of my life that I will never regain. A complete waste of my time and money. I enjoyed watching Fever Pitch. It wasn't deep and it wasn't the best display for CF's talents, but I liked it. It was decent entertainment and I continue to hum the soundtrack. ;-)"}, {"response": 845, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (17:28)", "body": "(Elena) WARNING: anybody who likes Fever Pitch, do not read the following: I know we are not talking about FP but I had to say I agree, Elena. Paul Ashworth was a slob. Cute though Colinwas, I think he was too much gravitas to play a part like that. Alexander Walker, the eminent film critic of the Evenong Standard had a damning review of FP which I hated at the time but sanity has returned and I think he was right. I will see if it is still on their site and give you a link if I can. Re Colin's recent work. I am pleased that he is doing television again. As he said himself, television has given him some of the best satisfaction in terms of work. I think it is very hard for British film actors. British films do not get distributed and it is hard to get good Hollywood parts unless you play the Hollywood fame game."}, {"response": 846, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (17:39)", "body": "That should read .....has too much gravitas... Do not read the following if you do not want to read a bad review http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/dynamic/results.html?in_text=colin+firth&in_button=Go"}, {"response": 847, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 15, 1999 (21:50)", "body": "(Allison)Cute though Colinwas, I think he was too much gravitas to play a part like that. Alexander Walker, the eminent film critic of the Evenong Standard had a damning review of FP which I hated at the time but sanity has returned and I think he was right. To continue...Trash FP Day......:-) Allison...You hit on the word I wanted gravitas . IMO he was desperate to shake the Darcy mantra and this was as far to the left as was available...short of a \"George of the Jungle\" genre. BTW I went to the E'vning Standard link but only found 3 DOR review."}, {"response": 848, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (00:24)", "body": "What is the Darcy mantra , by the way? Or do you mean mantle ? :-)"}, {"response": 849, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (02:07)", "body": "What is the Darcy mantra , by the way? Or do you mean mantle? :-) \"I shall conquer this, I shall conquer this...\" :-)"}, {"response": 850, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (03:41)", "body": "I loved Fever Pitch (not that anyone really cares, but just to contribute to the conversation). I think it was really honest in terms of depicting what can go through men's heads as they try to juggle both their romantic lives and their personal interests. Yes-- I know of men who seriously weigh their options between going spending wuality time with their sig. others, or staying home to watch the game on TV. Allison: As he said himself, television has given him some of the best satisfaction in terms of work. Good to hear he feels this way. I was always skeptical about his opinions re; telly. He's certainly well within his rights not to own one himself, but I was afraid he'd written the meduim off completely. I get really irritated by people who don't count TV as a legit. resource for the arts...that there's nothing but crap on it. It's one of the few places people with little money can go to get any type of exposure to the arts, when the theatre, opera, even films, are too pricey. And we know how much Colin s rives to become a \"man of the people.\" OK, I'm jumping off my soapbox now..."}, {"response": 851, "author": "winter", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (03:44)", "body": "yikes! lots of typo's and cut offs... I meant to say: \"going and spending time with sig. others\" and, \"...we know how much Colin strives to become a 'man of the people.'\""}, {"response": 852, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (08:37)", "body": "(evelyn)What is the Darcy mantra , by the way? Or do you mean mantle? :-) \"I shall conquer this, I shall conquer this...\" :-) LOL! When do we start on 3DoR? something I have seen recently - forgive my egotism..."}, {"response": 853, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (08:38)", "body": "(Evelyn)BTW I went to the E'vning Standard link but only found 3 DOR review. Sorry about that. Haven't time to sort it out but if you go to Thisislondon site and search on Colin Firth, the review is number 11 of 11 hits. Winter. I think television is a more repsectable medium for an actor than it is in the States. It is not taken as a sign that your career is slipping if you take on roles in television drama. Look at DJD. She appears in soaps and she is la creme de la creme."}, {"response": 854, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (11:25)", "body": "(Winter) I loved Fever Pitch (not that anyone really cares) What, no-one cares?! I do, I\ufffdm very interested to hear opposite views! And why couldn\ufffdt we talk here without apologies about all the stuff he has made, old or new, if we come up with something to say? Anyway, I watched FP the second time last night. Something is happening to me....I liked him as Paul A even more than the first time. Just WHAT is it in him that makes me this way, most other actors in films are quite unsignificant to me and I wouldn\ufffdt bother to watch their films twice."}, {"response": 855, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (13:48)", "body": "(Elena), Anyway, I watched FP the second time last night. Something is happening to me....I liked him as Paul A even more than the first time. Just WHAT is it in him that makes me this way, most other actors in films are quite unsignificant to me and I wouldn\ufffdt bother to watch their films twice. You shall conquer this...you shall! (ONLY KIDDING!) Paul is just like a kid who needs love but also loves to play. It is the mother in all of us that gravitate to this character. My fav. scene is when he is asked to stay over at her place and he does a double take, walks straight over and kisses her. (That is the one I always rewind) (we seem to be tumbling down to a fever pitch)"}, {"response": 856, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (16:33)", "body": "All though I do not think it is a very good movie, I do think it has some wonderful Colin moments. I know we have discussed this before and we are supposed to be talking about Tumbledown but don't you love the scene at the parents evening when he is talking to Robert's mum? So cute. And when he says \"go for the \ufffd12 seats, sting the bastard for all you can get...\" Love it, well him actually:-)"}, {"response": 857, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Mar 16, 1999 (16:40)", "body": "Allison)All though I do not think it is a very good movie, I do think it has some wonderful Colin moments. We all concur on that .Dynamite soundtrack too. Like I told him...he never disappoints us. But the character in the script is never developed...the film just turns out to be a string of events."}, {"response": 858, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (08:02)", "body": "Yes! the soundtrack is amazing, Evelyn. Thanks for picking it up for me. I listen to it every morning on my commute to school. I esp. love the first part, when it does his monologue on \"anthropologists have always had a hard time with football.\" THIS anthropologist sure doesn't! ;-) Moon, you are so right. I think FP brings out my maternal side, in that I really sympathize with Paul as a lost, lonely boy, trying to find some sense of love and belonging just as his personal life came crashing down around him. The characters DID need a lot more development. But I will tell you this though, NH did manage to stay true to the psychology of sport obsession in the screenplay. Good god, it's scary. I watched part of it tonight BTW, and the one scene that I have personally relived over and over again was: -\"It's only a game\" -DON'T SAY THAT! PLEASE! That's the worst, most stupid thing anyone could say because it quite clearly isn't only a game...\""}, {"response": 859, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (09:02)", "body": "I really sympathize with Paul as a lost, lonely boy, trying to find some sense of love and belonging Sure but this man is supposed to be a TEACHER! Would you entrust the education of a child to this man? He had no interests apart from football and pop music and when put on the spot to some up with a D H Lawrence novel, could only think of Lady Chatterley's Lover. I am prepared to help Colin Firth find a sense of love and belonging anytime but as for Paul Ashworth:-))"}, {"response": 860, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (13:46)", "body": "(Allison), I am prepared to help Colin Firth find a sense of love and belonging anytime but as for Paul Ashworth:-)) LOL! Poor NH, he does need to group. Winter, if another man had said, its only a game, to Paul, he would have hit him(I am quite sure)."}, {"response": 861, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (13:47)", "body": "Correction, NH needs to grow up!"}, {"response": 862, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (16:53)", "body": "(moon) Correction, NH needs to grow up! His characters are doing just that in his subsequent books, but ever so slowly. What was Paul? 12ish. Rob (High Fidelity) is definitely teen-age, maybe around 17-18 in psychological development. Now, Will (AAB), he's a tad older. At this rate, I'll be dead and buried when NH's protagonists reach middle-age! ;-D"}, {"response": 863, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (21:31)", "body": "LOL!"}, {"response": 864, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (21:46)", "body": "My newest FP watching report: I\ufffdm falling in love with Paul A. I watched it the 3rd time today and every time I\ufffdve found something new about that fine actor, what\ufffds he called now. Funniest thing is that I\ufffdve realized how much Paul actually resembles Mr. Darcy, I mean the various typical expressions in his face that can be found in Darcy\ufffds face too......it\ufffds so sweet. Btw, among many other moments, I like it when he\ufffds alone at home and gets up from his bed in his underwear. Dunno why :-D"}, {"response": 865, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Mar 17, 1999 (21:54)", "body": "Oh my God, that wonderful grey sleepsuit....those wonderful legs..slurp...slurp..."}, {"response": 866, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (00:13)", "body": "(Elena) I\ufffdm falling in love with Paul A. Me too. Throwing all practical matters out the window, I would have run back to him too. \"...and I don't know where he can be, my baby, but I'm gonna find him.\""}, {"response": 867, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (01:43)", "body": "Elena) I\ufffdm falling in love with Paul A. Don't. He's bad news. Better stick with Joe Prince:-) As Winter says;\"You could be sure he'd be there in the morning\". Paul would be off to an Arsenal game with the boys ...and after that the pub:-)"}, {"response": 868, "author": "winter", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (03:29)", "body": "Evelyn: Don't. He's bad news. Better stick with Joe Prince:-) As Winter says;\"You could be sure he'd be there in the morning\". good god! I said that a year ago, I think. And you remember that? But, sisters... It's the masochist/dysfunctional girlfriend in me. I went out with a Paul Ashworth for 6 years. I know, I know, women deserve better (I deserve better!), but a lot of us end up cringing when a Joe Prince actually does come into our lives...we think, \"what am I doing with this guy?! He's too nice!\" The football fanatic has become, sickly enough, the late 20th century version of the dark, brooding love-interest."}, {"response": 869, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (08:40)", "body": "(winter)a lot of us end up cringing when a Joe Prince actually does come into our lives...we think, \"what am I doing with this guy?! He's too nice!\" After we have been hurt enough times, we grow up...I hope!"}, {"response": 870, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (12:30)", "body": "Are we still on Tumbledown? During our stay in London we were able to put our hands on a very interesting book \ufffdThe British Television Drama In The 1980s\" And there's a chapter by Geoffrey Reeves about \ufffdTumbledown (Charles Wood) and The Falklands Play (Ian Curteis)\". Seems to be an interesting and insightful study. I don't know wether you already know it but if Tumbledown is still our subject and if you're interested I'll post some quotes. Let me know."}, {"response": 871, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (15:49)", "body": "Kirsten, I really think we could be on anything he has done, makes it much more interesting....if nobody hasn\ufffdt anything against it? Also, isn\ufffdt it time for us to talk about 3DOR too? I\ufffdll try now even though I think all of this has already been said. Firstly, I\ufffdm so glad that he chose to be in 3DOR, it shows something about his intelligence again, and careful thinking. The play was an opportunity for him to show a new side of his professional skills and it was about 100% or more up to what I expected of him (although I must confess that I was a LITTLE bit afraid that the play might be terrible and Colin too!!!!). I also liked it that the play was so intimate and \ufffdsmall\ufffd, and that things mostly happened through words and expressions which is exactly what Colin is so good at. ....Oh god, I must stop for now, one should never try to post at work, people are running around, talking to me and peeking curiously at the screen over my shoulder!"}, {"response": 872, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (18:04)", "body": "Kirsten (gasp!!) You found that book! I'm impressed. I have information on the Curteis play and have read it. He has a long intro explaining what went on and why his teleplay got its plug pulled. Also, Wood's intro to Tumbledown mentions Curteis' big broughaha and tries to disassociate their work from his. Where shall we talk about 3DOR? Here or 118?"}, {"response": 873, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (19:31)", "body": "3DOR - no complain from my side. (Karen if you'Re interested in a copie of that article I may send it to you by mail or fax if possible (cheaper). Please let me know) (Karen) Where shall we talk about 3DOR? Here or 118? I'd prefer to discuss it here. It's easier to follow if the discussion isn't muddled up with other things. What do you think? But first I have to work on the pics to be put up."}, {"response": 874, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (19:35)", "body": "Here would be fine, I think. Same reasons as Kirsten."}, {"response": 875, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (20:48)", "body": "(Winter).The football fanatic has become, sickly enough, the late 20th century version of the dark,brooding love-interest. God forbid.It's a long life girls...... **** Winter....don't you remember ranking \"3 characters of CF that we liked most and why\" (your idea!during the dearth of news last spring!) And you mentioned that about Joe Prince.V. insightful. Obviously , it impressed me..re: your maturity....don't tell me I was wrong!! **** 3 DOR discussion here, please.But give us a little lead time to read it. Elena...please continue with 3 DOR when we get to discuss it. Is this the first American play you have seen?I know some people were apprehensive about understanding an American accent. **** But I'm not finished with T.I would like to hear Kirsten's comments from the book, please."}, {"response": 876, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Mar 18, 1999 (23:11)", "body": "(Evelyn) understanding an American accent I thought I wouldn\ufffdt understand the American accent in 3DOR but the accent was not that American, was it? Maybe the director should have let the actors articulate the way they do normally, because trying to imitate an accent usually fails more or less. Am I wrong if I remember that Colin\ufffds first line \ufffdMeanwhile, back in the city....two nights of insomnia\ufffd was his only clearly American accented bit?! Not that I\ufffdm an expert in English accents, you guys know this so much better. AND I love his British articulation. I do not know why it sounds so sexy to me, a funny thing really that an accent can be erotic.....my god, I think I\ufffdll have to watch FP for the fourth time..... **** Evelyn, just to make sure, did you receive that email of mine on Monday? I got the impression yesterday in Chat that you didn\ufffdt."}, {"response": 877, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (02:34)", "body": "(Elena)but the accent was not that American, was it? IMO he did....trans-Atlantic (generic American). I do agree that his voice is showcased better with a British accent. I think the British vowels resonate better. But we better ask our resident linguist, Winter. *** No, I did not receive an email from you this week :-("}, {"response": 878, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (04:15)", "body": "Hi all...just stopping by before I get down to grading final exams this weekend (and meeting up with Ben and Jana2 for lunch on Saturday!) Evelyn--you're right, I did say that about Joe Prince. I was just in awe that you've managed to remember something I posted so long ago. But I have terrible memory to begin with...:-) re Accents: I don't play any musical instruments, nor am I talented in any sports, but I have been known to have an ear for tracing accents (scared the bejezus out of a lady at a sandwich shop in Nevada when I asked her if she was from Minnesota). Anyone have a soundbite from his performance? Many Brit actors tend to be inconsistent with vowel enunciation-- particularly the O's as in \"sorry\" and A's as in \"bland.\" I wonder if he ever tried speaking to his son in more of an American (Californian) accent, t practice. Hopefully not, we wouldn't want ODB's language peppered with \"like\" or even worse, \"dude!\" On an aside-- I always wondered how much Jennifer Ehle had to work on changing her American accent to Brit. She spent most of her life in the States, and during the formative years, you're more likely to pick up the accent you are more exposed to."}, {"response": 879, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (22:36)", "body": "( Winter) On an aside-- I always wondered how much Jennifer Ehle had to work on changing her American accent to Brit. She spent most of her life in the States, and during the formative years, you're more likely to pick up the accent you are more exposed to. Interesting comment esp since I am sending you a tape of a TV interview she gave in UK last month on \"This Morning; the presenter asked her the same question. She said that she can go from one accent to the other easily.Actually she went to school in UK also and her mum is British, as you know.So was her nanny. British accent is her natural one, apparently. (Best southern accent I ever heard was by her mom in \"Street Car...\"It must be a family trait.) BTW did you know that Mel Gibson was b. in Poughkeepsie, NY...lived there till he was 12 and then moved to Australia.And Bob Hope was b. and raised in England!!"}, {"response": 880, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 19, 1999 (22:50)", "body": "Since Moon provided that lovely quote from the play, let's start talking about the play. Even though not everyone has seen it, many more have the script in their hot little hands and have read it. So here goes: Ned is the most important character in the play. His mood, his personality, and his thoughts set everything in motion and color our thinking about all the other characters. How would you describe his character? Is he brilliant? Is he really lonely? Is is truly a misfit? What IS Ned's problem?"}, {"response": 881, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 20, 1999 (01:54)", "body": "(Excuse me....are we putting Tumbledown to bed? Before Kirsten has told us about the comments in the book she bought in London? Was it \"Television Films of the 1980s\"?) Perhaps she can just jump in when she surfaces. I would like to hear it. Thank you:-)"}, {"response": 882, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Mar 20, 1999 (09:00)", "body": "(Evelyn) are we putting Tumbledown to bed? .....Or should we have another topic in which to discuss his theater work only and leave this one to movies?? Hoping that there will be a new theater role SOON! Apart from Tumbledown which I still haven\ufffdt been able to get converted, I\ufffdm afraid I\ufffdll have to disturb the 3DOR discussion with my FP experiences."}, {"response": 883, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 20, 1999 (20:10)", "body": "(Elena) I\ufffdm afraid I\ufffdll have to disturb the 3DOR discussion with my FP experiences. You can break in anytime....Elena, this is a loose board (we are loose women!!) we like to hear comments anytime:-)"}, {"response": 884, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Mar 20, 1999 (22:00)", "body": "we like to hear comments anytime:-) Exactly, so if Karen wants to start 3DOR, that's okay with me too. The girl's prepared. I mean she was practically reciting the lines along with the actors. As far as Tumbledown, I know I'm still sending out tapes to people so where are you? And any other films - please, don't wait for the formal discussion to begin. Chime on in any time. I could talk about FP forever."}, {"response": 885, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar 21, 1999 (03:42)", "body": "(Heide)As far as Tumbledown, I know I'm still sending out tapes to people so where are you? I thought that was the rule....\"you get a tape...you post...\" That's what you told me :-)"}, {"response": 886, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Mar 22, 1999 (13:52)", "body": "(Winter:) The football fanatic has become, sickly enough, the late 20th century version of the dark, brooding love-interest. Hey, I can be a football fanatic if you want me to be one. Just not Arsenal, please. Back from sunny California, which was HOT. It's grey and grinding here in Gotham (NYC). Work and rain. I miss the warmth of Santa Monica. Met up with divers Pemberlians/Droolers and fun was had. (Failed Winter's pronunciation test, however.) Sorry to post a completely irrelevant thing here but messages are arriving so thick and fast on Colin Firth 94 (or whatever we're up to by now) and posting there is like trying to cross Oxford Street at rush hour. Looking forward to seeing FP, despite the club."}, {"response": 887, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Mar 22, 1999 (15:20)", "body": "And wot's wrong with Arsenal? I've seen a couple of their most recent games (on Spanish television, which makes it a bit of a chore to understand)..and they're not bad at all. But I don't know much about the game aside from basics, so you'll have to enlighten us before it's released on the big screen."}, {"response": 888, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Mon, Mar 22, 1999 (19:31)", "body": "(Evelyn) (Excuse me....are we putting Tumbledown to bed? Before Kirsten has told us about the comments in the book she bought in London? Was it \"Television Films of the 1980s\"?) Perhaps she can just jump in when she surfaces. I would like to hear it. Evelyn, I\ufffdll do my best to post some quotes soon, but unfortunately I\ufffdm *very* busy these days. But since I feel that the T\ufffddown discussion is dying it would perhaps do if I send the comments to you privately. So that the other discussions are not muddled up by it. Well, we\ufffdll see, first of all I have to type it! It was \"British Television Drama in the 1980s\" edited by George W. Brandt."}, {"response": 889, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (01:54)", "body": "(Kirsten) But since I feel that the T\ufffddown discussion is dying it would perhaps do if I send the comments to you privately. Please, Kirsten, not privately. I'm interested and perhaps you can rev the discussion up a bit. Surely Arsenal is better than Manchester United! At least you don't see any Gunners going round with odd assorted Spice Girls."}, {"response": 890, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (20:38)", "body": "I happen to be fairly knowledgeable in Arsenal football. (I'm secretly in love w/ Dennis Bergkamp;)) Man U? uck! However showdown w/ Man U is inevitable;( (I secretly hate David Beckham!:))"}, {"response": 891, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (20:52)", "body": "As promised I\ufffdve finally typed the quotes (should rather have checked my scanner to see what\ufffds to do to scan a text - next time) . I\ufffdve tried to keep the layout of the original text but don\ufffdt know whether I got all the HTML tags right - hope so. I typed this text very carefully and really hope that there are not too many typos or even misquotes - if so I apologies. The whole study is very interesting and it was difficult to decide which bits to quote. I hope I\ufffdve chosen something that allows you to gain an insight into the whole story. Hope you enjoy. Quotes from \ufffd Tumbledown and The Falklands Play \ufffd by Geoffrey Reeves as published in \ufffdBritish Television Drama in the 1980s\ufffd, 1993. Referring to the \ufffdbattle\ufffd fought prior to the transmission of Tumbledown ********************* \ufffd As the book Robert Lawrence had written with his father, When the Fighting is Over , was published the same day as Tumbledown was transmitted - 31 May 1988 - the previous week the press was filled with reviews, interviews and much comment. Lawrence told The Times on 27 may that he had decided to tell the truth about the Falklands conflict because the public had been given a sanitised version of the events. He also wanted to show how the wounded had been treated when they returned home. He said he was angry he had not been allowed to take part in a victory parade in London. The Times also interviewed his former CO, Brigadier Mike Scott, who as a Lieutenant-Colonel led the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards against Argentine troops on Mount Tumbledwon in 1982. The underlying theme of the book is that the regiment failed to look after the wounded. But I really cannot accept that. It makes me very sad to hear Robert talking like this. We did all we could for the wounded. The next day the Scots Guards held a press conference to prove the regiment had looked after its own. They had a document listing how the regiment had catered for the needs of the forty-two soldiers wounded in the assault. Corporals, lance-corporals and colour-sergeants, all with shattered limbs, were wheeled on to tell their stories of being found jobs and given loans. Journalists were busy interviewing all veterans they could trace. The Sunday Times gave the book to the Corporal who was closest to Lawrence when he was shot. He said, \ufffdIt glamourizes war, makes it more dramatic than it was. He mentions things he could not possibly have seen.\ufffd It emerged on 30 May that the BBC were being asked to cut one scene from the film before it was transmitted. The scene, which occurred in the last sequence during the assault on Mt Tumbledown, showed Lawrence passing a fellow officer: in the published script PETER FYSHE is sitting behind a rock, shivering, looking incredebly young. He hisses at ROBERT as he goes past: \ufffdDon\ufffdt go on, Robert. It\ufffds awful. Don\ufffdt let them make you. Shoot anyone who tries to make you ...\ufffd ROBERT glares at PETER FYSHE , who shuts up. ROBERT and his platoon go on. In the next scene the sergeant explains that Mr Fyshe back, sorr, got caught in the back-blast of an 84-mm. Soon be out of it. He\ufffdll be fine. The same day the BBC issued a statement: \ufffdOur position is that Tumbledown is a play which speaks for itself. We have never suggested that it is a documentary or a drama-documentary.\ufffd The next day it was reported that lawyers acting for Captain James Stuart, 24, had taken last-ditch action on the day of transmission to have the scene removed. In the morning, Captain Stuart couldn\ufffdt comment. \ufffdI have to have someone from the Ministry of Defence here at my side before I can say anything\ufffd, he told the reporters, but by the afternoon, presumably with a little help from the Ministry, he issued a statement: I also fought on Tumbledown with many brave guardsmen in my platoon, as we achieved our objectives at the end of a very long and very bitterly fought battle. At no time on Tumbledown, nor at any stage of the Falklands campaign did I say to Robert Lawrence that we should not go on or that he should shoot anyone who tried to stop him going back. The BBC said it was decided to remove the scene \ufffdon compassionate grounds\ufffd after representations had been made. (Ten days later Lawrence and Stuart \ufffdsettled their differences on honourable terms\ufffd: the 100-word reference to abandoning the assault would be removed from further editions of the best-selling book.) So, minus twelve seconds and almost four years after the inception, Tumbledown was finally shown. Its audience was estimated at 10.55 million, being tenth in the week\ufffds ratings, significantly higher than the norm for serious drama. (Alan Bennett\ufffds Talking Heads had 4 million in the same slot.)\ufffd ***************** More to come."}, {"response": 892, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (20:53)", "body": "More quotes from \ufffd Tumbledown and The Falklands Play \ufffd by Geoffrey Reeves as published in \ufffdBritish Television Drama in the 1980s\ufffd, 1993. Some reactions after the first transmission of Tumbledwon: ********************* \ufffdAlthough Today found a guardsman who said Robert Lawrence was a \ufffdgood bloke\ufffd, other journalists talked to the anaesthetist who cared for Lawrence in the field: he said the film was wrong - \ufffdFive times over the top\ufffd, and the Drill Sergeant who pushed Lawrence\ufffds wheelchair to St Paul\ufffds also said the film was wrong; Lawrence had been in the front row of the transept aisle.\ufffd [...] \ufffdPhysiotherapists from St Thomas\ufffds Hospital were reported as having written directly to Richard Eyre demanding an apology for being portrayed as patronising, abusive, negligent and even sadistic. The times had the thunderers of the old brigade. General Sir John Hackett, writing from the Cavalry & Guards Club: A signal disservice is being done to the Scots Guards, one of the British Army\ufffds most distinguished regiments, outstanding in performance on the battle field, and, as is common in great fighting regiments, well known for its concern over the well-being of all members of the regimental family. It has been attacked by an ex-officer badly wounded in the Falklands in writings and public utterances which have saddened many by their insensitivity, arrogance and inaccuracy. This is a good young man gone sour ... Not a few would have been grateful for a small fraction of the 130,000 pounds ... Robert Lawrence was handed out from the charity to salve his wounds. And distraught mothers: Mrs Rosemary Calder-Smith wrote to The Times : As the true-life mother of \ufffdSophie\ufffd portrayed in last night\ufffds film of Tumbledown I am saddened and disappointed at the exploitation of unquestioned bravery - exploitation solely for the financial benefit of Robert Lawrence himself. Nothing was re-enacted or mentioned of the unfailing support and encouragement which my daughter gave to him during his first months home from the Falklands and which undoubtedly gave him the will and the determination to live and to make the amazing recov ry he has since made. The pressures on her were enormous and she spent every possible moment of every day a his bedside. She was portrayed as nothing more than a feelingless sex kitten ... I take great exception to this, having seen at first hand the constant support she gave Robert whilst under a terrible strain in her own life ... I suggest that the powers that be in future look deeper into the background of potential officers in the Brigade of Guards before recruiting. The Sunday Express was soon onto her daughter, Victoria Calder-Smith, reporting she was outraged at the way I was represented as an uncaring loose woman ... A lot of it was pure invention. I was in bed with Robert as they showed in the play. But they really spiced up the dialogue. When some weeks later Richard Brooke revealed that Miss Calder-Smith had been shown the script by Robert Lawrence before transmission and had approved it, her mother merely said, \ufffdAs far as I\ufffdm concerned the matter is over.\ufffd In July The Times reported a BBC crackdown on TV drama that mixes fact and fiction. Marmaduke Hussey, said to have been \ufffddeeply affected\ufffd by Ms Calder-Smith\ufffds letter, has signalled his concern at the hurt and suffering which can be caused to friends and relatives of people portrayed in such programmes, known as faction. Tumbledwon raised issues about drama based on real life which the BBC will have to consider seriously. \ufffd *********************** More to come."}, {"response": 893, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (20:54)", "body": "More quotes from \ufffd Tumbledown and The Falklands Play \ufffd by Geoffrey Reeves as published in \ufffdBritish Television Drama in the 1980s\ufffd, 1993. Something about the film itself: **************** \ufffd Of the published screenplay, 20 per cent wasn\ufffdt filmed. One sequence on board the Queen Elizabeth II as the regiment sailed to the Falklands was cut on grounds of costs. Others, mainly towards the end, appear to have gone on grounds of length or repetition. A speech about the bureaucratic hurdles that had to be overcome so he could drive again was cut. Sally, a therapist who tried to get him to do woodwork, also went (she got the same treatment as the others - \ufffdYou silly bitch\ufffd - \ufffdYou simpering wet ow!\ufffd), as did the hospital visit of a beautiful Swedish girl who brings him pornographic magazines and slides her hand under the coverlet. This fragmented structure enables Wood to gain sympathy for the most unsympathetic of heroes by presenting only the minimum of the pre-battle gung-ho warrior and keeping the most Ramboesque image for the end. First we are confronted with the hard-done-by victim of mindless bureaucracy and inefficiency, guaranteed to get a response from anyone who has had any dealings with an NHS Hospital or Social Security office in Thatcherie Britain. It enables him to have the discussion about the emotional problem of stabbing a man to death before we are shown the butchery. Given the tenacious qualities of Robert Lawrence we would clearly have viewed the ordeal differently had the first 20 minutes simply shown the ruthless young warrior going about his trade with such obvious enjoyment. It also constantly juxtaposes the physically whole body of the youth who went to war with the appalling disablement that followed. The strength and weakness of Tumbledown lie in the character of the protagonist: energetic he may be, but attractive or admirable he is not. The anger which is constantly expressed in Colin Firth\ufffds extraordinary performance may be quite justified but it hardly makes for complexity: the action of the film forces us to consider the nature of heroism. It doesn\ufffdt come from the hero itself, comfortable with military clich\ufffds and Sloany friends. The successful soldier in this film is represented as a unthinking trained killer with surface manners and no emotional maturity. What he has to do he clearly does well, and Wood rightly poses the question about the relationship to society of the men who are paid to protect it and yet are in some ways totally alienated from it by their disruptive behaviour; but does this make for a dramatically complex hero? This man never comes to terms with the fact that he lost almost half his brain for nothing. [...] What is interesting is what his story throws up about the society in which he lives. Here Wood is masterly. Being anti-war but pro-soldier enables him to write short but sharp scenes from the inside, with many telling details. The quality of the writings gives actors superb opportunities, and under Richard Eyre\ufffds direction they are all taken. It is surprising just how little screen time it takes for the cameos to bite. As the parents, David Calder and Barbara Leigh-Hunt reign supreme; they are also g ven the best single shot of the film: the long walk into camera as they emerge from the first meeting with their wounded son, down a covered corridor between the blocks of the hospital. He is fighting back his tears. She is very quiet. Indeed, it is one of he few shots which has any visual distinction to it at all, where what happens in the frame actually has some correlation with the emotional movements inside the characters. For the rest it is a case of straightforward television shooting of talking hea s: except for what appears to be a striving towards the mythic. There are a couple of shots of Lawrence sitting on the prow of a ship, shot in black and white and looking like the poster for a British 1950s film about the Second World War. These shots relate directly to what Lawrence is thinking (the first comes while he performs the ceremonial duties at the Tower) and appear to express his wish fulfilment: Lawrence as a Boy\ufffds Own Paper hero of the 1930s. There is another shot, interposed seven times during the second hour of the film, of a back-lit soldier, wear ng his framed back-pack and carrying a rifle, moving slowly as a guitar strums. Unrelated to the visual design of the rest of the film, it seems like a monster cut adrift from arctic lands. The monolithic rhythm contrasts with Lawrence\ufffds relentless energy so it appears as an author\ufffds comment on his subject: but signifying what?\ufffd [...] \ufffdOf course, by using Lawrence Charles Wood attracted a far greater audience for his work than if it had been a totally fictional piece bursting on an unsuspecting viewing public. By this device he entered the market-place and so got much greater hearing for his work. [...] Unfortunately, as a result, Wood condemned his work to be seen in a highly charged and politicised atm"}, {"response": 894, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (20:55)", "body": "Well, and the cream topping at the end. That's the picture accompanying the text. Lieutenant Robert Lawrence (L) getting to know Colin Firth who is to playhim in the quasi-documentaryrecreationof an aspect of the Falklands campaign: Charles Wood's Tumbledwon . BBC 1988 I'm sorry for the quality, I couldn't manage to get it better."}, {"response": 895, "author": "Kirsten", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (20:58)", "body": "Oops, seems that I'm getting tired, forgot some blanks, sorry. But at least it all worked out as planed."}, {"response": 896, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Mar 23, 1999 (21:26)", "body": "Although I LOVE to watch Colin as Paul A (because I love to watch him as anything it seems), I don\ufffdt think the role is exactly right for him. He lacks the something that you need to be a really plausible \ufffdlad\ufffd, he just is not one, he looks far too sensitive and intelligent for that. I think that\ufffds a problem in the movie actually, he simply doesn\ufffdt look like a football fanatic to me! And he swears (bollocks, fuck etc.) like someone who doesn\ufffdt normally use those words."}, {"response": 897, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (01:37)", "body": "Kirsten, thanks for posting all of the above. The military certainly felt a strong need to defend their position. I don't doubt that Lawrence was an angry young man and what happened to him colored his perception of the events but it is his perception. I think this is what he thinks he saw and his version is never going to agree with what the army says they did. Did he exaggerate events? Who knows but I would say he himself is not shown in a very complimentary manner either. I think Lawrence's basic message in this film is that the army and civilians were not prepared for the brutality of this dirty little war. I don't think he was focusing on cowardice by other officers or unfaithfulness by a selfish girlfriend - they're just parts to a whole. An interesting quote: Of course, by using Lawrence Charles Wood attracted a far greater audience for his work than if it had been a totally fictional piece bursting on an unsuspecting viewing public So fiction works better than faction. Thanks for giving us a picture too, Kirsten. (Elena on FP): He lacks the something that you need to be a really plausible \ufffdlad\ufffd, he just is not one, he looks far too sensitive and intelligent I agree he looks sensitive and intelligent (sigh) but I think the point that Nick Hornby makes, at least in his book, is that you could be sensitive and intelligent and yet still have this unending obsession. Paul's not a football hooligan though he may be a yob (whatever the hell that is). As for the swearing, to me it came so naturally it barely registered."}, {"response": 898, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (05:04)", "body": "This man never comes to terms with the fact that he lost almost half his brain for nothing. Perhaps in the film...but in the book he does. Thanks Kirsten, for giving us this additional source of background. And for that pic that I have never seen. ****** (Heide)....the army and civilians were not prepared for the brutality of this dirty little war. Is anyone ever prepared for the eventualities of a war....are we prepared for the current potential explosion in E. Europe?Perhaps as we speak?"}, {"response": 899, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (07:59)", "body": "to UK fans, not sure if this is the right place to post this but Nick Hornby is in Brighton on Sunday, th 28th, in the Churchill Square Shopping Centre, book-signing Also an I add my thanks Kirsten for th above information and picture."}, {"response": 900, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (14:29)", "body": "Ann, what book is he signing for? Does he have a new book out?"}, {"response": 901, "author": "amw", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (15:25)", "body": "Laura, I am afraid I don't know to both questions, just saw a notice advertising him being at this particular store on Sunday, but will try to find out."}, {"response": 902, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (19:58)", "body": "(Evelyn)are we prepared for the current potential explosion in E. Europe?Perhaps as we speak? Please leave East Europe out of it. The Balkans are towards the east of *South Europe*."}, {"response": 903, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (19:59)", "body": "(Evelyn)are we prepared for the current potential explosion in E. Europe?Perhaps as we speak? The Balkans are towards the east of *South Europe*, if you please."}, {"response": 904, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (20:01)", "body": "And bomb this idiotic program as well!"}, {"response": 905, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (21:10)", "body": "And the UK is not part of Europe as the English put it:)"}, {"response": 906, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (22:18)", "body": "Steering us back to less contentious ground, Elena, re. the swearing in FP. I saw NH in a television interview, and he mentioned the scene in FP where Paul/Colin opens the window and yells \"f*** off\" and said that CF was ill-at-ease about doing it. Perhaps it doesn't come naturally to him! I do like CF as Paul, but I also agree with a comment that Allison (I think) made way, way back, that CF is perhaps better suited to roles with some gravitas. However I find him equally convincing in both kinds of roles. Kirsten, thanks for all the Tumbedown info."}, {"response": 907, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (22:26)", "body": "And the UK is not part of Europe as the English put it:) The Balkans are towards the east of *South Europe*, if you please. Please leave East Europe out of it. The Balkans are towards the east of *South Europe What is this? \"Trash Evelyn Day\"? Can't I make a comment on this topic? Even if I have the wrong geographical terms? Sheeeesh!. (BTW Laura, did you receive the 3 DOR program I sent you)"}, {"response": 908, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Wed, Mar 24, 1999 (23:00)", "body": "BTW, the point behind the NH anecdote above, was that apparently a group of rather elderly P&P fans arrived at the FP shoot looking for Mr Darcy and were told by crew members that if they waited a while, Mr Darcy would look out of the window and speak to them! I reckon Colin must have lost a few fans! :-)"}, {"response": 909, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (01:41)", "body": "LMAO! (Even if I have heard that one before... Btw, I don't think Colin is necessarily averse to swearing - actors do it like troopers, believe me - but he certainly has a sense of the right time and place among other things, methinks.)"}, {"response": 910, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (10:53)", "body": "Bethan, LOL! Arami, to my southern european mind, the Balkans are more eastern than southern europe...even middle eastern..."}, {"response": 911, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (16:20)", "body": "(Bethan)NH...mentioned the scene in FP where Paul/Colin opens the window and yells \"f*** off\" and said that CF was ill-at-ease about doing it. Bethan, that was so sweet!! I loved it. I KNEW he\ufffds not the swearing type or else he\ufffdd say those words in FP in a quite different way, whatever the situation. Believe me, I know, I swear like a trooper myself and that\ufffds why I\ufffdm very attracted to men who don\ufffdt and can\ufffdt do it plausibly! Btw I don\ufffdt think it\ufffds something that comes with your job, it\ufffds a personality thing. (Allison)He\ufffds better suited to roles with some gravitas EXactly. I\ufffdm desperately looking forward to one for a change."}, {"response": 912, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (17:06)", "body": "(Allison)He\ufffds better suited to roles with some gravitas EXactly. I\ufffdm desperately looking forward to one for a change. A shame he's not doing Syd.Carton, which is melodrama, but at least with some gravitas thrown in. Elena, I'm sure the sound of troopers swearing in Finnish is charming and genteel.:-). I'm not sure it's character, but it's certainly a habit that's hard to break. Going to football matches in England is not very conducive to self-reform."}, {"response": 913, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (17:25)", "body": "(Ben) it's certainly a habit that's hard to break Voi perkele, you\ufffdre right."}, {"response": 914, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (19:17)", "body": "Evelyn, no I have not rec'd booklet:( But I am anticipating it. Britny Spears donning her 17-year old underwear (not old underwear, her Underwear!) wasn't on the cover, was she. Oh right, that was my Rolling Stone! RE: Colin Firth feeling uncomfortable swearing. I have to disagree with Whoopi (Hollywood Squares joke for you non-Americans)on this on. He said in an interview he felt more like himself and not Mr Darcy. Don't ask me which interview its in one of them. RE: Swearing in general. Irish and British use the vulgar language like I say hello and goodbye in a day."}, {"response": 915, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (19:25)", "body": "Laura, so far you have us (nous autres les Anglais) as Euro-hating and foul-mouthed. Is Colin, the clean-mouthed husband of an Italian, the exception that proves the rule? ;-)"}, {"response": 916, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (19:35)", "body": "(Ben)Is Colin, the clean-mouthed husband of an Italian, the exception that proves the rule? ;-) Did I say that? No, I didn't. As a rule, Brits and Irish use swear words in everyday language. As for the UK being Euro-hating, it's a well-documented fact. England, Scotland and Northern Ireland does not consider themselves as part of Europe or they would be using the infamous Euro! Do I care whether or not TDB swears? Not particularly. Do I care whether he has a clean mouth to his Italian-born wife. Again, not particularly. Am I being very sarcastic. Oh definitely!"}, {"response": 917, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (19:36)", "body": "I don't mean to say that not using the Euro is the only reason. It's well-known fact that UK is anti-Europe."}, {"response": 918, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (19:36)", "body": "hmmmm........."}, {"response": 919, "author": "BenB", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (20:09)", "body": "test? Yes, my dear. We cannot compete with Napolean and Hitler - these guys loved Europe so much they wanted to have the whole place to themselves. Two million Brits, dastardly Euro-sceptics that they are, died in the fields of France this century stopping these European heroes from uniting the continent. My grandfather, who lies buried in a cemetary in Bayeux, really should have known better. Seriously, though, I take issue with the view that the UK is anti-European, \"well-known fact\" though it may be. I might be fairly typical - v. much a European but distrustful of the EU and the Commission. I have vacationed in France, Germany and Italy umpteen times and I lived in Paris for a year. My best friends at grad. school were an Irishman and an Italian. I listen to French and German music, I read French and Russian literature. But all this has nothing, thank God, to do with the EU or the Euro."}, {"response": 920, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (20:41)", "body": "Hey I didn't say you didn't like Europeans! I just said that UK is anti-being called Europe!"}, {"response": 921, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (20:44)", "body": "Hmmm.... are we developing an adversarial relationship? We must fix that!"}, {"response": 922, "author": "amw", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (20:50)", "body": "Laura, NH is promoting his book \"About a Boy\"?"}, {"response": 923, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Mar 25, 1999 (23:56)", "body": "Thank you, Ann. Back to something that makes sense. Please, let's not get into this type of shit. There, I swear too."}, {"response": 924, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (01:17)", "body": "Sorry. Sorry, sorry, sorry. No more self-righteous ranting, I promise. However, I cannot promise not to show off my new HTML skills."}, {"response": 925, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (01:33)", "body": "Sorry, I broke a cardinal rule of mine and am now suffering poster's remorse. Lest anyone think I am a prude, I have no problem with a discussion on swearing. It can be a fairly effective way of getting one's point across when done with wit and skill though I myself don't get much beyond a few banal expletives bellowed from behind the safety of the steering wheel. It's gross generalizations that bother the bejesus out of me. But I should have waited 24 hours before putting fingers to the keyboard. And I probably shouldn't be posting this message either. Back to the subject at hand - Elena, did you think CF sounded forced during 3DOR when his dialogue contained a few of the more common swear words we hear daily?"}, {"response": 926, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (02:20)", "body": "(Gi) to my southern european mind, the Balkans are more eastern than southern europe...even middle eastern... To my Eastern European mind, I wasn't born anywhere near the Balkans... Judging from the map, it's definitely south-east. And having lived among the Brits for nearly half of my life, I often find them more European than some other Europeans..."}, {"response": 927, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (10:47)", "body": "(Arami) I often find them more European than some other Europeans And what the hell is European anyway. Sorry, I\ufffdm swearing again. Ben, do you happen to know any handy ways to break the habit? (Heide) did you think CF sounded forced during 3DOR \ufffdA fucking weather report\ufffd? Not really. Actually I\ufffdve been thinking how funny it is to make guesses about an actor\ufffds personality or his personal habits by what he does at work, he\ufffds an ACTOR, dammit. Softness in Paul Ashworth can be intentional, just a careful construction, but at home Mr. Firth possibly swears like a trooper when he reads the morning paper, fails to attach things to the wall etc.! And remember, he claimed once that in real life he \ufffdDOESN\ufffdT SMOULDER\ufffd! That was just too devastating."}, {"response": 928, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (13:47)", "body": "# 11 reason why Livia thinks Colin is not always wonderful: He swears too much. I wish I could add this to my original list. ;-)"}, {"response": 929, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (14:01)", "body": "Amazingly enough, my grandfather is from Montenegro and he considers it Southeastern Europe. Ah, Laura is part Serbian on my mom's side!"}, {"response": 930, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (17:57)", "body": "Elena, you ask about breaking the swearing habit.... I have learned only to curtail it in appropriate circumstances. Otherwise, I have taught myself, as if I were both Pavlov and his dog, to modify the words. Christmas! replaces Christ, as an exclamation, 'effing' stands in for f***ing, bloody I accept in myself, and wank and bollocks also slip through the net, as it were. 'For Pete's sake!', `blast' and 'hell's teeth' often come to my rescue. I'm hoping, as you can see, that quantity is no substitute for severity. Having said that, I sometimes go for it in French, the assumption being that no-one around me understands. Sometimes I am wrong."}, {"response": 931, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (19:00)", "body": "(Laura)...he considers it Southeastern Europe Thank you, Laura, I'll take your granddad's opinion about it, he ought to know! :-) (Ben) I sometimes go for it in French, the assumption being that no-one around me understands. Sometimes I am wrong. LOL! I thought I was the only one...I sometimes swear in English, or in Spanish...and do it in England or Spain <-("}, {"response": 932, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (19:40)", "body": "(Ben)I have learned only to curtail it in appropriate circumstances. I haven't even gotten that far yet. I'm still known for blurting out expletives in playgrounds full of toddlers (by accident, of course)."}, {"response": 933, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (19:44)", "body": "(Gi) Thank you, Laura, I'll take your granddad's opinion about it, he ought to know! :-) The only problem with this is that no self-respecting Montenegrin would call himself a Serb! :)"}, {"response": 934, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (20:10)", "body": "The only problem with this is that no self-respecting Montenegrin would call himself a Serb! :) ] But, he is Serbian. I don't think that's particularly funny!"}, {"response": 935, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (21:39)", "body": "He is one or the other. There is Montenegro and there is Serbia. They were only one place when they were Yugoslavia."}, {"response": 936, "author": "Ann", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (21:47)", "body": "He is one or the other. There is Montenegro and there is Serbia. They were only one place when they were Yugoslavia. } But that's at the root of the problem over there. People's ethnicity does not correspond to the country they are living in. Just as my relatives are ethnically Macedonian, but have the unfortunate ;-) fate to have been born in Greece. So which are they, Greek? Macedonian? Macedonian Greeks (like African Americans?)"}, {"response": 937, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (22:10)", "body": "Thank you, Ann, my great grandfather left Serbia in the late early 1900s and settled in Montenegro. Technically, my grandfather is Serbian, but lived in Montenegro until he moved to the States."}, {"response": 938, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (22:10)", "body": "sorry, early 1900s. don't know where the late came from!"}, {"response": 939, "author": "winter", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (22:50)", "body": "(Ann)People's ethnicity does not correspond to the country they are living in. It's interesting, this discussion we've been having. It sort of wakes a lot of people up to the fact that multiculturalism and ethnic melting pots don't apply solely to North America or Western Europe. You know the largest Japanese population residing outside of Japan is in Brazil? And they've been there for generations. Armenians all over the Middle East as well. And, I have two generations of relatives in Saudi Arabia."}, {"response": 940, "author": "BenB", "date": "Fri, Mar 26, 1999 (23:53)", "body": "(Winter)..You know the largest Japanese population residing outside of Japan is in Brazil? Witness Fujimori, the president (ex-president?) of Peru. (Not Brazil, I know, but not far) Indians in East Africa, Welsh in Argentina,...Hell, I even spent the night north of the Thames, once. [This is a real wrench - it is easier for someone from Barnes to pass through the eye of a needle, or live in New York, than to spend much time on Hampstead Heath. Don't ask me why. Anyone else?] I've a general question for the film-focussed Firthettes on this board. Do you think Your Hero is capable of playing an action hero? A comic role? An extrovert? How do you think he could best be stretched (stop tittering and keep your answers clean)?"}, {"response": 941, "author": "winter", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (00:10)", "body": "(Ben)How do you think he could best be stretched (stop tittering and keep your answers clean)? Damn! For split sec, I thought I could get away with something smart... Alright, alright...Spiderman and Superman are both in the pre-filming stages. Nicholas Cage has already been cast as Superman, though Spiderman is still up for grabs. I don't want ODB in an action role, that's the problem. After seeing Jeremy Northam in \"Mimic\" (action/sci-fi), my love for him has gradually been waning. Oooohhh....but I wouldn't mind seeing CF in the Mission:Impossible sequel (the first, w/ Tom Cruise, is a guilty pleasure)."}, {"response": 942, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (03:03)", "body": "Argentina has a very big Jewish Population as brother-in-law is Jewish and from Argentina."}, {"response": 943, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (03:39)", "body": "Let's not confuse ethnicity with religion. Your grandfather being a Serb, who lived in Montenegro is of course possible and likely. He would have been an ethnic minority there, just as the Serbians are an ethnic minority in Kosovo. Unfortunately, in that part of the world, they just can't stop fighting about these things."}, {"response": 944, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (03:56)", "body": "Ah, Laura, if I have a t-shirt made up for your next visit saying \"Erin Go Dubrovnik\" will you wear it at Fado's? ;-)"}, {"response": 945, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (08:28)", "body": "I don't want ODB in an action role, that's the problem. (Winter) Ditto. I'd hate to think of him enhancing his naturally athletic build by obsessive pec-building workouts in the gym....and he does have a slight tendency to trip over things!! Also, on the few occasions when he hits anyone onscreen, I've noticed that he always rubs his knuckles (in \"real life\", hitting hurts the hitter and the hittee). Now Bruce Willis never does that! Just can't imagine CF bursting forth, all barrels blazing... The downside is that for male actors, most roles on offer seem to be action movies!"}, {"response": 946, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (10:40)", "body": "(Ben)Do you think Your Hero is capable of playing an action hero? A comic role? An extrovert? How do you think he could best be stretched? I think he could play anything, really, he may not officially bea Method actor but he creates an empathy with his characters and is credible in anything he does. And since action heroes don't do their own stunts, he'd be alright :-)"}, {"response": 947, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (13:23)", "body": "He would be a great swashbuckler, Errol Flynn move over! Perhaps a re-make of my fav. comedy Bringing Up Baby, the Cary Grant role is perfect. Still, I would love to see him in more period pieces...I seek him here, I seek him there, frankly, I'd seek him anywhere. ;-)"}, {"response": 948, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (14:46)", "body": "he may not officially be a Method actor And whence does this information come, pray tell?"}, {"response": 949, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (16:37)", "body": "(Bethan)....re; Action roles....and he does have a slight tendency to trip over things!! LOL, Bethan. In 3 DOR I held my breath as he ran up the stairs!!! Only once did he mess up the rug and he went back and smoothed it out. But the best part was in the matinee when the stupid faucet top fell off and the water wouldn't stop running. He tried to turn it off with a blue cloth..finally went around and picked up the top from the floor and casually put it back...never missing a beat of the dialog.What a pro!!And I almost had an anxiety attack."}, {"response": 950, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (17:22)", "body": "Ah, Laura, if I have a t-shirt made up for your next visit saying \"Erin Go Dubrovnik\" will you wear it at Fado's? ;-) But will anyone get it? I think it's hysterical! Yeah, I'll wear it."}, {"response": 951, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (17:55)", "body": "Not that I'm that much of a grammar nazi, but shouldn't it me Dubrovnik Go Bragh? Isn't Erin Ireland? Just a warning, Laura. Some time ago, on these boards, in the winter of Firthette discontent, there was an ongoing spat about how ambitious on someone else's behalf it is decent to be. Some thought YDB too retiring. Without wishing to rekindle the argument, I will say that if Firth were substituted for Hugh Grant in any film role, the chances for all English actors in H-Wood would improve. Anyway, that unfortunate episode is long past, made glorious summer by Three Days of Rain."}, {"response": 952, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (19:16)", "body": "(Evelyn)In 3 DOR I held my breath as he ran up the stairs!!! Oh yes, now that you mention it I realize that so did I! He did it in such a careless way, I can\ufffdt quite describe it. With big movements, without looking down to make sure he\ufffds stepping where he should..... And the faucet top, he obviously used too much force with it. When it flew from his hand behind the table with a bang I really thought that a catastrophe was happening. But it\ufffds possible that it wasn\ufffdt exactly a surprise for him, he handled the situation with such an amazing peace of mind, not looking baffled at all after it, was he. Maybe things like this happen to him every day and he\ufffds used to fixing them!!"}, {"response": 953, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (19:38)", "body": "And didn\ufffdt he break his nose during the filming of P&P in a water tank or something?? Btw, in my Donmar pics he seems to have a bruise in his forehead exactly below the curl. It is not hair or a shadow, I\ufffdm sure of it. But still I\ufffdd like to see him in an action role, to be honest. Something very physical!Yes!"}, {"response": 954, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (21:05)", "body": "(Winter)I don't want ODB in an action role, that's the problem.(Winter) (Bethan) Ditto. I'd hate to think of him enhancing his naturally athletic build by obsessive pec-building workouts in the gym.. Not that I think this role is going anywhere but I'd classify Marked Man as an action role. There is such a thing as a \"thinking man's\" (or should I say woman's) action hero. Not that I wouldn't mind a peek at a washboard stomach but I don't think that's likely to happen. (Gi) I think he could play anything, really Absolutely agree. (Elena) Something very physical!Yes! Yes! Yes!! (Moon) Perhaps a re-make of my fav. comedy Bringing Up Baby, the Cary Grant role is perfect I can see him as the Cary Grant of the new Millenium.. ;-) Love to see him do his role in The Philadelphia Story too. (Ben) I will say that if Firth were substituted for Hugh Grant in any film role, the chances for all English actors in H-Wood would improve. I think that's the nicest thing you've ever said about our boy and I will admit you have been very kind. I agree wholeheartedly except for that excreble film (my memory blessedly has erased the name) with Julianne Moore about having a baby."}, {"response": 955, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (22:18)", "body": "(Bethan) Ditto. I'd hate to think of him enhancing his naturally athletic build by obsessive pec-building workouts in the gym.. Sometimes the part calls for it though. Look at frail little Edward Norton. He bulked up and got an AA nomination for American History X and now is back to his slender little self. (Heide) There is such a thing as a \"thinking man's\" (or should I say woman's) action hero I agree. Still think CF would be great in espionage/thriller types (old LeCarre, Ludlum, etc.), but not the current incarnation of Mission Impossible. (Heide) I agree wholeheartedly except for that excreble film (my memory blessedly has erased the name) with Julianne Moore about having a baby. Then I won't restain it! ;-) Saw some trailers for Notting Hill; it looked cute. Very insiderish about the effects of celebrity. Shame that they had to put HG in it; hasn't Hollywood a clue that we don't want to see HG anymore!"}, {"response": 956, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (23:43)", "body": "I'm not really all that eager to see ODB accompanying numerous explosions, but a certain level of THE RIGHT action (i.e. horse-riding, fencing, swimming, etc would be acceptable. I'd love to see him in a combination action/satire!! (Just short of slapstick, of course!) Running around or crawling through the mud seems equally within his reach. Speaking of \"reach\" (Now don't laugh!) I read this neat (**shudder**) romance (regency-type) that involved the wounded in the Napoleonic wars and a lady's newly-found involvement with them. The hero is one of them. I read the book several times and could see CF in the title role more and more each time...with a little good screen adaptation I think it would make a marvelous vehicle for ODB...and don't groan unless you've read the book first... With this Ring by Carla Kelly . Oh, **SIGH**!"}, {"response": 957, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (23:48)", "body": "I agree wholeheartedly except for that excreble film (my memory blessedly has erased the name) with Julianne Moore about having a baby. Dreadful (nameless) film...I had to switch off because I was embarrassed. HG does all Englishmen a major disservice, with his \"oh golly gosh\" eyelash fluttering pseudo-diffidence. But, doesn't Notting Hill come out at about the same time as MLSF? I have a horrid feeling that the Englishman you're going to see on all your talk shows and adorning the front covers of movie mags will not be ODB! I thought that American women were supposed to love HG? Y-u-uch!"}, {"response": 958, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Mar 27, 1999 (23:57)", "body": "I've got it!! Opened the TV guide and \"Sweet Bird of Youth\" popped out at me. Early Paul Newman movies from the late 1950s to mid-1960s (pre-Cool Hand Luke). Colin would be great in those movies. Here are some: Torn Curtain and The Prize fit in with my espionage/thriller genre; From the Terrace; the Young Philadelphians; The Long, Hot Summer (Oooohhhhh my mouth waters at the idea of him playing Ben Quick); and of course Cat on a Hot Tin Roof!"}, {"response": 959, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (02:07)", "body": "(Bethan)I thought that American women were supposed to love HG? Get otta' here...who said.? HG a hunk....?\"I would just as soon call his girlfriend a nun\"!! He is popular because he is so ridiculous.People laugh **at**him. His one serious role...forget the title,.. played a doctor...anyway, it bombed."}, {"response": 960, "author": "BenB", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (02:25)", "body": "Maybe she is a nun - that's why he had to seek assistance in Beverly Hills that night... I agree about HG. It's not so much his affected simpering that gets to me - though it does - it's simply that he can't act. I rather like the idea of CF as a spy, but he couldn't be Smiley. A Cary Grant type he could be. If only Hitch were still around."}, {"response": 961, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (02:44)", "body": "(Karen) The Long, Hot Summer (Oooohhhhh my mouth waters at the idea of him playing Ben Quick); Yesssss.... one of my absolute favorite sexy roles. Would a Southern drawl be required? HG's charm lasts for about five minutes, then the act gets real stale. I have no idea who finds him attractive though I bet I'll hear from her real soon."}, {"response": 962, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (10:48)", "body": "he may not officially be a Method actor (Arami)And whence does this information come, pray tell? I think I read it \"somewhere\", but I may be wrong. Anyway, Arami, we all seem to be ruffling your feathers these days, I don't know why, for my part it is not intended, so please take it easy, will you? :-)"}, {"response": 963, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (11:15)", "body": "Dear Gi - and all who may not actually care to remember my early days in Drool - my sole existence here is based on having my feathers ruffled! It is part of the tradition. I am the voice in the Drool wilderness... ;-) I think he is a method actor. He aims at identifying himself with the character he portrays (but only whilst he is acting, of course). He has said that it entails a lot of emotional suffering at times."}, {"response": 964, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (16:19)", "body": "(Heide) Yesssss.... one of my absolute favorite sexy roles. Would a Southern drawl be required? Yes, but if Branagh could do it so well in The Gingerbread Man, so could Colin. How else could one make \"hair\" a two-syllable word (as in my favorite speech in TLHS)? ;-) You run. Run like hell. Buy a bus ticket and disappear. Change your name. Dye your hair. Get lost. Then, maybe, you'll be safe from me. Knew you'd go for sweaty, menacing and earthy, Ben Quick."}, {"response": 965, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (19:50)", "body": "(Arami)Dear Gi - and all who may not actually care to remember my early days in Drool - my sole existence here is based on having my feathers ruffled! It is part of the tradition. Who said ..\"it's part of the tradition\"...maybe your tradition. All of the oldies can defend themselves v. well, but I agree with Gi... .\"playing gotcha\" might be fun for you...but my concern is that it puts newbies off. People should be able to give their opinions without having to document them every time.:-) Happy Palm Sunday everybody...:-)"}, {"response": 966, "author": "winter", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (19:53)", "body": "Happy Palm Sunday everybody...:-) Oh, that's right! Thanks for reminding me, Evelyn. Gotta give mom a call..."}, {"response": 967, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (21:03)", "body": "(Evelyn)Who said ..\"it's part of the tradition\"...maybe yourtradition. Are you trying to alienate me even more than I already am? ;-P People should be able to give their opinions without having to document them every time.:-) Even possibly mistaken opinions? People should be given a chance to modify their opinions whilst searching for the facts."}, {"response": 968, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (21:27)", "body": "Even possibly mistaken opinions? No opinion is mistaken. One can disagree, politely."}, {"response": 969, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (21:32)", "body": "(Arami)Evelyn)Who said ..\"it's part of the tradition\"...maybe yourtradition. Are you trying to alienate me even more than I already am? ;-P I am sorry if you feel alienated,Arami...no one, IMO ,has gone out of the way to do so. I work v. hard to recruit new members for Spring and I don't want them to read some caustic remarks and be afraid to post. It takes a lot of courage for some newbies to post. I want Spring to be a friendly place...which it has been for a while now."}, {"response": 970, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Mar 28, 1999 (23:46)", "body": "\"Pray tell me..\" is caustic??? And yes, opinions can be mistaken. Your opinion of me is completely off course. I am a sarky court jester. You are prigs. I am not mistaken - it's just my opinion and I am entitled to it - by your own decree. ;-DDD"}, {"response": 971, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (00:14)", "body": "Aw,C'mon Arami...get off it."}, {"response": 972, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (04:37)", "body": "Isn't this Topic 98? Film Discussions? Or did I wander onto the Jerry Springer Show? ;-) Looks to me like we need a film to dissect instead of each other? Are we done with Tumbledown? Does anyone want to start Three Days of Rain while it is still reasonably fresh in our minds? Other ideas?"}, {"response": 973, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (04:39)", "body": "Before Ben, our grammar nazi, jumps in, the fourth question mark was a typing mistake. ;-)"}, {"response": 974, "author": "BenB", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (13:57)", "body": "Jer-ry! Jer-ry! Jer-ry!"}, {"response": 975, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (15:34)", "body": "(Karen)I wander onto the Jerry Springer Show? ;-) (Jer-ry! Jer-ry! Jer-ry! In my opinion, I prefer Oprah...more class:-)"}, {"response": 976, "author": "winter", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (16:59)", "body": "Jerry's final thought: Coooool it, willya!? ;-)"}, {"response": 977, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Mar 29, 1999 (22:52)", "body": "Spoilsports..... ;-P"}, {"response": 978, "author": "susanne", "date": "Wed, Mar 31, 1999 (16:32)", "body": "I've been offline several weeks. I come here ot find some serious dicussion on Tumbledown and instead find brawls breaking out. Ouch! Will a new CF role be picked soon for discussion? I vote for Apartment Zero. It's one I actually have."}, {"response": 979, "author": "winter", "date": "Wed, Mar 31, 1999 (16:44)", "body": "(Sue)I vote for Apartment Zero. It's one I actually have. That's one I'd be willing to discuss too. Slightly OT, but the first time I saw Apartment Zero was in a hotel room, on a teeny, tiny island north of Borneo, about two years ago. Couldn't flippin' believe I'd be watching a CF movie in, what seemed like, the remotest place in the world!"}, {"response": 980, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Mar 31, 1999 (19:46)", "body": "What about discussing 3DOR? Many have seen it and others have read the script. There is so much to talk about, afterwards, I would love to do Apt. 0, one of my all time fav. CF films."}, {"response": 981, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Apr  2, 1999 (15:51)", "body": "Spring Pledge Drive Terry will gratefully accept any small donation you can make to help keep the Spring out of the hole. No obligations, of course, but if you're able to help out, a check can be made out to The Spring and mailed to: The Spring Rt.2 Box 56r Cedar Creek, TX 78612 I will post this at the other topics, so bear with the repetitions."}, {"response": 982, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (15:19)", "body": "What, did this board dry up? I've been lurking for a few days, waiting for the decision on the next project for discussion. Will it be 3DOR? AZ? How about ATA?"}, {"response": 983, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (21:56)", "body": "OK, I want to say something about AZ. Saw it last night. Interesting! The movie truly is weird and quite disgusting, and the end of it.....well, I\ufffdve seen better ones! A Psycho allusion. The attempts of twisted humour in the last part of the film were terrible and I felt that the movie started to lose its credibility badly at some point. But mostly I found it pretty good, very good at times, I mean that ominous quietness, long takes, effective close-ups to faces, intensive contact between actors, the surrealism. What was very interesting was to see Colin\ufffds face that young. In AZ he looks so very very young, smooth faced, unbelievably innocent. I\ufffdll never forget his boyish face and those deep bright eyes when Adrian comforts Jack in his agony. I think Colin is brilliant as Adrian and seems to fit perfectly into the nervous, vulnerable role. He keeps his face pretty expressionless and still it says so much. Well, AZ made me wish (again!) that he could get roles in better movies than SiL, where he could really put his talent to use in all its subtlety. Please, I\ufffdd like to hear what other people thought about Apartment Zero. Comments, anyone?"}, {"response": 984, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Apr  7, 1999 (22:44)", "body": "Btw isn\ufffdt it strange and miraculous that the same actor who did the touching role as Adrian was Darcy too?? And that stocky Wessex! And what\ufffds more, Walker/Ned. I could almost say that it couldn\ufffdt be. Which reminds me, I\ufffdd like to know what Colin does to his weight when he needs to. He obviously weighed much more as Wessex than he did in Donmar as the lean Walker. Or maybe it\ufffds just the costume and hairdo & makeup that makes an actor look so different every time."}, {"response": 985, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (00:13)", "body": "AZ is a quirky film..got a lot of good reviews but not from me when I first saw it. It has grown on me a lot. Since I've given it more of a chance, I've always found something new in the dialog or in his expression that I hadn't seen before. Yes, what a chameleon and not just in his appearance. What did he do to his voice?"}, {"response": 986, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (15:16)", "body": "(Elena) I felt that the movie started to lose its credibility badly at some point Yeah, I started losing patience when they cut up the girl and stuffed her into the trunk. But CF is marvelous. \"Mother!\""}, {"response": 987, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (15:45)", "body": "(Elena)I\ufffdd like to know what Colin does to his weight when he needs to Well, think of the topmodels: beautiful on television, horribly thin in real life. Film adds a couple of kilos to you."}, {"response": 988, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Apr  8, 1999 (17:02)", "body": "(Eileen)Yeah, I started losing patience when they cut up the girl Exactly, the chiropractical humour by the trunk was the last straw, after that the movie can\ufffdt be taken seriously for a second. The director possibly meant it to be a part of the surrealism but I don\ufffdt think it worked, rather it\ufffds a mistake and ruins everything after it. Just like the scene where the transvestite is revealed to be a guy, it\ufffds ridiculously out of place. But Adrian\ufffds role was like made for Colin."}, {"response": 989, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 1999 (19:57)", "body": "I also thought things were getting out of hand when Adrian fell over the balcony. I thought he was dead--how he survived that far a fall with just a gash on his head and no broken bones is beyond me. That came before the cut up girl, right? It was funny how the neighbors hung over the railing and gaped at him. What an odd bunch (I suppose that was the point)."}, {"response": 990, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 1999 (20:18)", "body": "OK, then I guess it's official: We are discussing Apartment Zero. That's good, now I'm going to HAVE to rewatch it."}, {"response": 991, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr  9, 1999 (20:56)", "body": "then I guess it's official: We are discussing Apartment Zero. That's good, now I'm going to HAVE to rewatch it. Me too. But please let's not forget 3 DOR. I want to do that one sometime...before we forget it...no film to go back to, you know. (Oh why didn't we rent a camcord in London!!!)"}, {"response": 992, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Apr 10, 1999 (17:42)", "body": "Well, should we set up a new topic dedicated to 3DoR?"}, {"response": 993, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Apr 11, 1999 (01:45)", "body": "Hmmm.... we must all be studying Apartment Zero. I mean to do it myself one of these days. In the meantime, by all means discuss Three Days of Rain here. Or Fever Pitch or The Advocate or whatever. No reason why we can't keep concurrent discussions going. Thinking of Apartment Zero, how many other films has Colin made in which he has a mother fixation? Back to the VCR for me."}, {"response": 994, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (05:47)", "body": "I think by today/tomorrow (depending on time zone) everyone will be back in town. What will our next discussion be? Three Days of Rain or Apartment Zero There was interest in both, even to the point of setting up a new topic. Let's hear from those who will be participating or who \"think\" they might participate! ;-)"}, {"response": 995, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (14:13)", "body": "I think it would be nice to do 3DOR since it is still fresh in so many minds. ;-) I did not see the play but have read the script and would enjoy disecting it."}, {"response": 996, "author": "susanne", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (14:52)", "body": "I would participate in an Apartment Zero discussion. I was not lucky enough to see 3DOR nor have I read the screenplay, but would enjoy reading the discussion on it. I think you should discuss it before everyone forgets all the little things in the play."}, {"response": 997, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (17:02)", "body": "My vote for 3DoR for the simple reason I haven't seen Apartment 0... Selfish, but I'd like to be able to contribute to the discussion (have hardly been able to do so in this topic to date) :-) But will lurk (!) happily if you decide otherwise ;-)"}, {"response": 998, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (17:05)", "body": "Actually, I'm so pressed for time I probably should vote for Apt 0!"}, {"response": 999, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (20:06)", "body": "Agree with all who would rather discuss 3DOR. AZ's a film so that can wait."}, {"response": 1000, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (01:55)", "body": "(Sue)I think you should discuss it before everyone forgets all the little things in the play. I agree with Sue. We can rewind and check things in video. Nothing brings back a memory. Get to work, you lucky ladies and we will bask again in your light."}, {"response": 1001, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (05:12)", "body": "The tally after ONE (1) day of voting: With results in from just 5 precincts, 3DOR should be discussed while we all remember it. The polls have not closed. ;-)"}, {"response": 1002, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (21:52)", "body": "If you seriously want to discuss 3DoR and haven't read the play yet, just e-mail me and I can e-mail the entire script to you"}, {"response": 1003, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (22:06)", "body": "I vote for 3 DOR...before I forget parts of it too. And Karen...let's invite the Springfolks to join us since a lot of them attended the 2nd weekend. **** BTW Karen the MLSF page is terrific....I am looking forward to seeing it...even though the book was insipid.But to see this man in any period film is a treat. He wears clothes so well..."}, {"response": 1004, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 14, 1999 (22:35)", "body": "Please take advantage of KJ's offer and you'll be able to join in (that is, IF we discuss 3DOR). You can ask questions, like \"how did Colin do such and such?\" (Evelyn) But to see this man in any period film is a treat. Or: But to see this man in any film is a treat. Period!! He wears clothes so well... Or: He wears no clothes so well... ;-)"}, {"response": 1005, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 1999 (08:17)", "body": "I\ufffdve suggested this once before and I\ufffdm doing it again: why don\ufffdt we send a NEW list of questions to Colin, about 3DOR and maybe his other \"recent\" projects, SiL for instance. He didn\ufffdt answer the previous question list but I don\ufffdt see why we couldn\ufffdt try again! I remember the questions in the other list were pretty personal ones, now we should stick stricktly to professional things. The press hasn\ufffdt interviewed him about the making of 3DOR and how he and the play got together etc. but he COULD be willing to answer some good questions about it directly to his fans....especially after seeing what a big bunch of his fans found their way to Donmar because of the Internet. And if he won\ufffdt answer, we can send him another list about MLSF and later about Don Quick, and so on! Sooner of later he\ufffdll react.(?)"}, {"response": 1006, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 1999 (18:36)", "body": "Elena, I agree with you about the question idea. However, as I mentioned over on #118, I think questions would work better in an online chat, like the ones on chat.yahoo.com and AOL. And I don't think it's such a far-fetched idea that Colin would (will) agree to do such a chat this summer. He's got 2 movies coming out in the U.S. quite close to one another -- movies that *he* will be responsible for promoting, since (should be blare of trumpets here) *he* is the lead:-) And online chats are fairly painle s compared with other forms of promo -- heck, he could do it from the desktop PC in Will's bedroom;-)"}, {"response": 1007, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 15, 1999 (19:26)", "body": "(SusanMC).....Re;CF logging on....he could do it from the desktop PC in Will's bedroom;-) Or from his agent's office. ICM is hooked up to the Internet. That's where JE logs on to her website. (According to her agent's PA)"}, {"response": 1008, "author": "Elena", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (08:33)", "body": "(Susan) And I don't think it's such a far-fetched idea that Colin would (will) agree to do such a chat this summer. The chat idea is great and what fun it would be Susan but somehow I find it hard to believe that Colin would do it! This is just my personal instinct and I hope to be proved wrong....and the chat possibility of course must be tried out. Even though he didn\ufffdt answer to the other question list I still feel that the traditional method is the best way to approach him (in just about everything)!!"}, {"response": 1009, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (14:13)", "body": "Pre-Donmar, I wouldn't have given Colin's participation in an on-line chat a chance (due to my hunch that he's not into computers and, most especially, that infamous 'internet' comment). But post-Donmar...a big chunk of his fans in attendance were from spring, FoF or RoP. I would think the other groups told him, as did Gi and others from our group, about their involvement in the internet. Winter told him at the LA SiL premiere. He's got to know by now that's where alot of his fans are, so IMO it's re sonable to think he'd do it given the appropriate technical support (if they had someone typing for Nick Hornby, who surely knows his way around a keyboard, then this won't be a problem). But we need a publicist to contact--I can't recall our discussion from January. Does he have one or not?"}, {"response": 1010, "author": "SusanMC", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (17:10)", "body": "Eileen, I agree -- I think the Donmar experience with his fans made Colin aware of the beneficial effects the Internet has on his career. He must know that but for the Internet, none of his fans outside the U.K. would have had a clue that he was doing 3DOR. I like the idea of contacting the publicist. At worst, he'll say no, and he just might say yes. If he's skittish, we could even promise that questions would be limited to 3DOR and his film projects (i.e. nothing personal)."}, {"response": 1011, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (17:27)", "body": "we could even promise that questions would be limited to 3DOR and his film projects (i.e. nothing personal). But I still want to know his musical taste. What does he play on that guitar of his? I must know! You two have a v. good point. I do not think he would be adverse to the idea, if someone does type for him, and now that Yahoo list cf.com (thank you Renate!), he might even do it there. Heide, Karen, something to think about, and act upon. ;-)) I will be away for the summer, but I am willing to leave a few questions for you ladies to ask on my behalf. :-D"}, {"response": 1012, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (17:43)", "body": "Great idea Ladies. Afterall he did take our flowers home with him, (Livia did), so he is not, as we well know, unaware of us. Looking forward to 3DOR discussion, that is if it has been agreed."}, {"response": 1013, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (22:49)", "body": "Moon) I do not think he would be adverse to the idea, if someone does type for him I volunteer my services!"}, {"response": 1014, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (23:05)", "body": "(Lizza), Afterall he did take our flowers home with him, (Livia did), so he is not, as we well know, unaware of us. Lizza, how do you know this? Pray tell! And, what did you write on the card?"}, {"response": 1015, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Apr 17, 1999 (09:46)", "body": "Lizza, how do you know this? Yes, Lizza, please. I\ufffdve been waiting for you to tell us the rest of the story about the flowers. Or maybe you already did but I didn\ufffdt notice? (What flowers were they?)"}, {"response": 1016, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 18, 1999 (15:58)", "body": "Shall we start the discussion of Three Days of Rain tomorrow? Monday? Rather pointless to start tonight, as some of us will be watching either Horatio or Mr. Buns of Steel (thank goodness for VCRs)!! To get this rolling, what are your overall impressions of Walker? He starts the play, lying there on the bed, comtemplating the noises of a city in which he doesn't feel he belongs, telling us his views on the \"World According to Walker.\""}, {"response": 1017, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 1999 (18:27)", "body": "If I\ufffdm interpreting this silence correctly, we really didn\ufffdt see a play but Colin in a play and that\ufffds about it!? Actually I didn\ufffdt find 3DOR a very interesting play, not because I only had eyes for Colin in Donmar but because the play IS kind of trivial. When I read it before London I really wondered how a play like this could be made interesting. It was interesting enough because of two very good performances, Colin\ufffds and DM\ufffds but the text is boring. Why did Colin choose to be in that play? Maybe because there\ufffds something in Walker\ufffds character that\ufffds close to Colin\ufffds own personality. I could imagine the same sort of frustrated enthusiasm about some things.....and because Walker also had been hiding for too long in Tuscany:-)"}, {"response": 1018, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 1999 (22:42)", "body": "(Elena) ....but the text is boring. LOL Elena....I thought the dialogue was brilliant. V. contemporary, sophisticated, poignant at times, yet humorous .I am from NY ...I have met people like Walker (the name conjures his personality!!) I think this was an excellent choice for Colin to make for his re-entry after five years to the Westend. For starters, it had never been done before...no comparisons; a mystery/comedy as I saw it. V. inventive story-line. I agree that he made the part...but then he makes all the parts he plays. As they say...\ufffdsome actors come on stage and you have to spotlight them, some actors bring the spotlight with them\ufffd. He\ufffds definitely the latter. When he first came on stage in that Darcy -stride (you\ufffdd know him anywhere.. even in the dark) and started the story- line, I was hooked. Of course I had read it many times (thanks to Karen). ****** (Karen)what are your overall impressions of Walker? Walker..is a troubled loner..hippie-like... a \ufffdtrustaferian\ufffd( ran across that word recently and can\ufffdt find it in the dictionary)...a rich kid feigning poverty. You bet he\ufffds a mis-fit and enjoys it...works at it. Irresponsible. Cruel to Pip...that relationship was not well developed, IMO. But one got to know Walker well. **** Question: Is the stage setting part of the script? I mean, does the individual company have options to alter their own settings? The room looked like a Soho loft in New York.That minimalist look that is so \ufffdin\ufffd.The stairway and balcony was brilliant. Although I held my breath every time Colin ran up!! Given his propensity to trip.He never did...but he did trash the faucet in the matinee...but recovered gracefully."}, {"response": 1019, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Apr 19, 1999 (23:06)", "body": "I've just read the script and defer to all you experts who've seen the play. But it seems to me that Walker's got some baggage. What causes him to flee at the drop of a hat, telling no one? IMO it had something to do with, at the ripe old age of eight, seeing his mother become catatonic then fly through the glass door. How on earth did you all *not* LOL when Nan asked Walker where he was for the past year and he responded \"Italy?\""}, {"response": 1020, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (01:03)", "body": "I am from New York too and found the dialog extremely funny often sarcastic and pretentious as well. Luckily, I did not have a problem with the many references, literary or architectural in nature. There was of course Trimalchian which my DH quickly explained. Overall, it was not for everyone, and that\ufffds probably what attracted ODB to the role, it was for a selective audience (of course, the irony is that women will flock anywhere, and across oceans and mountains to see him, and, if he also happens to be on a bed and get wet, well\ufffdso much the better ;-)) He wants to shake off that Darcy image but that\ufffds just what sold out the show. He met the fans, he knows. (Karen)what are your overall impressions of Walker? Walker has his \ufffdmad moments\ufffd like his mother. He is also jealous of his father. We see this in his opening description of his father\ufffds accomplishments. He is also an architect and in Italy he states that he rented \ufffdquite a fine villa, to study it and learn the bones of the building\ufffd, (I did not think he was a rich kid feigning poverty), and remember he travels with lots of traveler\ufffds checks. He ends up in that apt. because it\ufffds available after his long journey home. He wants his father\ufffds house because he is trying to make peace with him, it is harder to be jealous of a dead man. (Think Ned and Theo). *Something to do with fenestration, he sees clearly through it now that his father is dead.** (Sorry, couldn\ufffdt resist, blame Greenberg) :-)"}, {"response": 1021, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (01:30)", "body": "I think the play translates pretty well beyond American borders but it is still essentially an American play so I can see non-Americans questioning what the heck this is all about. There's a caffeine-induced (or in this case sleep-deprived) edginess bordering on neurotic that is very familiar in American characters today. I don't really want to use Woody Allen to guide you here because this goes beyond that - there's humor but it's sarcastic and caustic. To me it's reflective of an American generation t at has everything materially but still can't find happiness. (Evelyn) When he first came on stage in that Darcy -stride (you\ufffdd know him anywhere.. even in the dark) I'm getting shivers as I remember this. You'll have to forgive us sometimes for bringing up personal observances every now and then. It's still what's most clear in my mind...not necessarily the play itself, just moments. I remember clutching my friend Debbie's arm when he first walked on the stage in the dark. .The stairway and balcony was brilliant. Although I held my breath every time Colin ran up!! And when he ran down. There was one moment when he came pounding down the stairs in those big heavy boots. Made a hell of a noise. (Eileen) What causes him to flee at the drop of a hat, telling no one? IMO it had something to do with, at the ripe old age of eight, seeing his mother become catatonic then fly through the glass door. Probably central to his character. It seems also that he's been told that he's like his mother. He probably thinks he's a bit nuts himself so he must act the part. How on earth did you all *not* LOL when Nan asked Walker where he was for the past year and he responded \"Italy?\" Probably because we all had our fists in our mouth to keep from sighing too loudly. ;-) I think there was a slight rustling in the seats though when he did say \"Italy\". (Moon) He wants his father\ufffds house because he is trying to make peace with him, it is harder to be jealous of a dead man. (Think Ned and Theo). I think that's an interesting observation and I'd like to search through more of the play to see if there are examples where Walker may be trying to make peace with Ned. I'd answer your questions, Karen, but I still have to study."}, {"response": 1022, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (02:21)", "body": "(Eileen)...defer to all you experts who've seen the play. We're not experts....you must understand that some of us were catatonic ourselves. i.e. I saw the whole matinee through my binoculors...does that make me an expert.? No. That makes me a Peeping Tom :-). So anyone who read it is on an even keel. (Moon) He wants his father\ufffds house because he is trying to make peace with him, it is harder to be jealous of a dead man. (Think Ned and Theo). *Something to do with fenestration, he sees clearly. Interesting concept. Worth pondering. I can see where fenestration comes in with this idea. Hmmmmmmm"}, {"response": 1023, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (13:19)", "body": "(Moon)Overall, it was not for everyone I guess I\ufffdm one of everyone then:-) It\ufffds a nice play but pretty unsignificant IMO. Still it was very interesting to see, I haven\ufffdt seen that sort of stuff live in a theater before. It\ufffds subtle and sophisticated enough to work well in tv, and only in a very small theater like Donmar. (Heide)non-Americans questioning what the heck this is all about Yes, there really is a cultural difference what comes to theater and I believe you have no idea how big it really is. 3DOR is a play that wouldn\ufffdt sell in Finland for an instant. And tell you what, it didn\ufffdt really make me laugh, just as little as American sitcom does, and just as little as Finnish humour would probably entertain Americans!"}, {"response": 1024, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (16:49)", "body": "(Elena) And tell you what, it didn\ufffdt really make me laugh, just as little as American sitcom does,... Oh Elena...please don't judge our sense of humor based on American sitcoms...they are mostly dreadful ,IMO. On the same par as some of the talk shows.When I was in UK, I saw the worst of each of these genres... I was mortified I have never had the oportunity to see a Finnish film, I would like to v. much."}, {"response": 1025, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (16:57)", "body": "(Elena)Actually I didn\ufffdt find 3DOR a very interesting play...When I read it before London I really wondered how a play like this could be made interesting Indeed, I wondered so too. I thought the plot was rather transparent at times, to the point of clich\ufffd. Antonio even asked whether I really wanted to go, after I told him the story. But seeing it on stage was great. To see what good actors can do with a screenplay, and what very good actors can... (Evelyn)I have met people like Walker (the name conjures his personality!!) Walker..is a troubled loner..hippie-like... a rich kid feigning poverty. You bet he\ufffds a mis-fit and enjoys it...works at it. Irresponsible. Cruel to Pip... (Moon Dreams)Walker has his \ufffdmad moments\ufffd like his mother.He is also jealous of his father... He is also an architect...He wants his father\ufffds house because he is trying to make peace with him... (Heide)It seems also that he's been told that he's like his mother. He probably thinks he's a bit nuts himself so he must act the part. Oh, I think he is terrified of becoming mad like his mother. He is a very lonely person, has always been, more sensitive and more intelligent than the others around him, or regarded as such and regarding himself as such, which comes to the same thing. He follows this road as though it were his destiny. He longs to belong, though, and I think he wants the house because he needs roots. He cannot make peace with his father, whom he completely misunderstands, and is terribly jealous and hurt at his discovery f his father's closeness to Pip. We in the end find out that he is what is father would want to be \"if he were stronger\", but poor Walker doesn't know this. And I don't think he is very strong, though possibly a survivor. I wonder did his father recognize this, I don't think so. (Eileen)How on earth did you all *not* LOL when Nan asked Walker where he was for the past year and he responded \"Italy?\" I'm sure I chuckled :-)"}, {"response": 1026, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (19:33)", "body": "Offer still open to send manuscript of play via e-mail to anyone who wants it--just send me your e-mail address!"}, {"response": 1027, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (19:55)", "body": "(Gi) Oh, I think he is terrified of becoming mad like his mother. I agree. Seems to me that's why he kept running away, not telling anyone where he was--escaping, if you will. (Evelyn) We're not experts....you must understand that some of us were catatonic ourselves But most of you did see it twice (catatonic or not!) and read it as well. Reading only the script is so one dimensional, particularly one that includes such minimal stage direction. (Heide) You'll have to forgive us sometimes for bringing up personal observances Feel free. It helps me to put the script in context. For example: when did Walker and Nan run up and down the steps? When did Ned douse himself with water (famously pulling the tap off in the matinee)? I thought there were a few quips relative to NYC that outsiders wouldn't get (for example, there was a joke about the IRT) but there were far more references to other things that were beyond me. (Moon) There was of course Trimalchian which my DH quickly explained Please share! Speaking of Walker, did anyone else sense the irony of this passage? NED: I haven't g-got the strength of character. But it's what I would w-wish...for someone better than I am. I think it would be the best thing! To be this...vagabond prince. Do you know? A wanderer through the city. A walker. Hmmmmm..."}, {"response": 1028, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (22:18)", "body": "(Eileen)..A wanderer through the city. A walker. I alluded to that in my opener.... a flandeur (I think that is what I am....always thinking of the next best place to go!!)"}, {"response": 1029, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (22:53)", "body": "(Eileen)Speaking of Walker, did anyone else sense the irony of this passage? NED: I haven't g-got the strength of character. But it's what I would w-wish...for someone better than I am. I think it would be the best thing! To be this...vagabond prince. Do you know? A wanderer through the city. A walker. Didn't I?"}, {"response": 1030, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (23:54)", "body": "(Elena) the play IS kind of trivial...the text is boring. I thought the text was its best aspect. The dialogue was smart, sharp and biting. In some reviews, his dialogue is compared to Noel Coward's Everytime he mentions a person or thing (from Trimalchian to the World of Suzy Wong), it means something--very clever how they all link so well. I did put together a Cliff's Notes to the play if anyone is interested (I can email it). It does elaborate on all the references, which are exceedingly clever. It might also provide some clues as to what the play is about on another level. BTW, after consulting assorted reference materials, I couldn't find Trimalchian. Guido came through. (Elena) Why did Colin choose to be in that play? My guess is the opportunity to play two different characters in the same play. This would be so challenging for him and would showcase his abilities to the max. A tour de force for him, especially since both were such bizarre characters. (Evelyn) Is the stage setting part of the script? I mean, does the individual company have options to alter their own settings? The playwright provides as much or as little information as to the set as he/she wants, but it's really up to the director and set designer. They do what they think works best for them, based on the director's vision/interpretation and budget!! (Eileen) But it seems to me that Walker's got some baggage. Absolutely, everybody has baggage, most of it in the form of his/her parents. When each of the present-day characters does his/her monologue to the audience, what do they talk about? Their parents, not themselves. As some have written, the play is also about a legacy, an inheritance, but the inheritance is more than just a house, it is genetic as well. What causes him to flee at the drop of a hat, telling no one? IMO it had something to do with, at the ripe old age of eight, seeing his mother become catatonic then fly through the glass door. Very interesting, Eileen, please go on. (Eileen) How on earth did you all *not* LOL when Nan asked Walker where he was for the past year and he responded \"Italy?\" As others have said, it was difficult. But there was another line that Pip says about his mother that gave me a case of the inner chuckles: \"I think she's looking for another park bench, and another wet guy.\" Another wet guy, indeed!! (Moon) it was for a selective audience (of course, the irony is that women will flock anywhere, and across oceans and mountains to see him, and, if he also happens to be on a bed and get wet, well\ufffdso much the better ;-)) I see our criteria are much the same. ;-) (Moon) and remember he travels with lots of traveler's checks Hilarious!! Walker with traveler's checks. So middle class, so normal that it becomes perverse. (Moon) He ends up in that apt. because it's available after his long journey home. His long day's journey into night. Sorry, I couldn't resist (you started it, Moon). ;-) (Moon) He wants his father's house because he is trying to make peace with him....*Something to do with fenestration, he sees clearly through it now that his father is dead.** Love the bit about the fenestration although am not sure about the jealous part. In Walker's mind, having the house would help him understand his father (the father who didn't act like a father). Remember his explanation to Nan about finding this apartment/office: \"The place is so nothing. I couldn't imagine why he'd kept it. I paced the floor for two days, screaming at the walls: 'Speak! Speak!' It was infuriating.\" Shame he didn't realize that the walls were screaming back at him! ;-) (Eileen) What causes him to flee at the drop of a hat, telling no one? IMO it had something to do with, at the ripe old age of eight, seeing his mother become catatonic then fly through the glass door. (Gi) Oh, I think he is terrified of becoming mad like his mother. I definitely agree with you two. He must have been scared out of his mind that he would indeed end up like his mother. Escape. (Gi) He is a very lonely person, has always been, more sensitive and more intelligent than the others around him, or regarded as such and regarding himself as such, which comes to the same thing. Well said. (Gi) is terribly jealous and hurt at his discovery of his father's closeness to Pip. I love both Walker's and Nan's reactions to when Pip is trying to dig himself out of the hole, to lessen their suspicions about his relationship with Ned. \"I was just somebody he found it easy to talk to.\" They are amazed, stunned, that the great silent one found it easy to talk to anybody! (Eileen) When did Ned douse himself with water (famously pulling the tap off in the matinee)? Second act after hyperventilating when Theo rides him hard about his own lack of talent. (Eileen) Speaking of Walker, did anyone else sense the irony of this passage?...a walker I've gotten accustomed to listening hard to the audience at this point for some sign of recognition. Actually, all the names mean somethin"}, {"response": 1031, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (02:04)", "body": "(Karen), I love both Walker's and Nan's reactions to when Pip is trying to dig himself out of the hole, to lessen their suspicions about his relationship with Ned. \"I was just somebody he found it easy to talk to.\" They are amazed, stunned, that the great silent one found it easy to talk to anybody! Yes, and why did he find it so easy to converse with Pip? To Ned he was the closest thing to Theo. Ned and Theo\ufffds relationship was cut short by Theo\ufffds death. We know that Ned did not like or care for children, and Nan and Walker suffered from it. Lina and Theo\ufffds relationship was also unresolved. Lina and Theo were a couple and then Theo runs off when he sees Ned and Lina only to go sit in the park and meet his future wife (Theo\ufffds mother). What if Lina were in love with Theo and only considered Ned a trist? Theo meets someone else, Ned is willing to marry her and she needs that security. \ufffdThe beginning of error.\ufffd She marries Ned but is resentful and unhappy which makes her slightly mad, not close to her children and\ufffdshe takes a flight of fancy through some glass. (fenestration, the repetitive underlying theme). In Walker's mind, having the house would help him understand his father (the father who didn't act like a father). Remember his explanation to Nan about finding this apartment/office: \"The place is so nothing. I couldn't imagine why he'd kept it. I paced the floor for two days, screaming at the walls: 'Speak! Speak!' It was infuriating.\" And when the journal spoke, in the end, he burned it. Apart from the Italy remark how did you manage when he brings up Jane Austen?"}, {"response": 1032, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (02:44)", "body": "Apart from the Italy remark how did you manage when he brings up Jane Austen? About 40 women in the audience took deep breaths to stifle chuckles:-) Same with removal of wet sweater!!"}, {"response": 1033, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (03:07)", "body": "Walker is reacting to a phrase in the journal that changes how he sees things; to the effect that \"I (Ned) took everything from him (Theo)\". What goes into that list of \"everything\" as Act II is written? Has it occurred to anyone that at the end of Act I, it is Pip who has \"taken everything\"...the house, Walker's father's acknowledgement, even approval, his sister's affection, all in that vague, unintentional way. Now Walker is in the position that Theo was."}, {"response": 1034, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (03:30)", "body": "--Karen-- I'd be very interested in seeing your \"Cliff's notes\" on this one. Please send them to me..."}, {"response": 1035, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (13:45)", "body": "(KJArt), Walker is reacting to a phrase in the journal that changes how he sees things; to the effect that \"I (Ned) took everything from him (Theo)\". What goes into that list of \"everything\" as Act II is written? In Act II I believe Ned took everything when he ends up with Lina. The house and the fame came much later. Has it occurred to anyone that at the end of Act I, it is Pip who has \"taken everything\"...the house, Walker's father's acknowledgement, even approval, his sister's affection, all in that vague, unintentional way. Now Walker is in the position that Theo was. Please elaborate KJArt, in what way is Walker in the same position? Pip was just as surprised as W and N when he heard the house was left to him, why he even wants to give the house to Walker. Pip doesn't like the house. Ironically Pip and Nan might have left each other for fear of Ned's reaction to their relationship."}, {"response": 1036, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (14:41)", "body": "Eileen, you asked about Trimalchian earlier. This is the explanation Moon provided: The word is Trimalci\ufffdnico, it comes from Trimalcione, the character in Satyricon by Petronio. Trimalcione gives a huge banquet: grandiose, sumptuos, spectacular. The word is associated with banquets. It was just a salad!!"}, {"response": 1037, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (15:13)", "body": "(KJArt), Walker is reacting to a phrase in the journal that changes how he sees things; to the effect that \"I (Ned) took everything from him (Theo)\". What goes into that list of \"everything\" as Act II is written? (Moon) In Act II I believe Ned took everything when he ends up with Lina. The house and the fame came much later. Indeed, Ned took Lina from Theo (BTW, was that pronounced Lee-na or Line-a?) but he also came up with the design for the house. Theo was supposed to be the genius. Theo went away with the specific purpose to develop an original idea; he returns to find his girlfriend has moved on and his partner has \"scooped\" him on a design. So in a way, Ned has taken Theo's genius. The world at large doesn't know which partner came up with the idea, but Ned and Theo (and Lina) know. (Moon) Ironically Pip and Nan might have left each other for fear of Ned's reaction to their relationship. They might have been more concerned about Walker's knowledge: PIP: -but I didn't do it. And Walker is great, I mean, don't get me wrong, Walker is great. He's great. Sometimes I question Walker's greatness, but he's great...and he's in so much pain-but to call me things like that in front of all the wood and the leather and the lawyer-it's really inexcusable, it's incorrigible. And you can't say anything to him. You can't scream at him, you can't disapprove of him, you can't even, you know, mildly remonstrate with him because he's in so much pain. NAN: Yes PIP: I mean, has there ever been a time when he wasn't in so much pain? NAN: No. PIP: No, I mean, I remember when we were ten, not doing things because he was in so much pain. I connected everything to it: \"I better not eat that baloney sandwich, Walker is in so much pain.\" I mean, a ten-year-old boy shouldn't be so emotionally, whatever, fastidious about another ten-year-old boy's feelings, but, with him... NAN: I know. PIP: There comes a time, Nan, there just comes a point when you have to say: enough, I don't care that you're in so much pain, you cannot behave like this any longer. (Beat) But you can't because he's in so much pain. Walker needed help (the psychological kind) as a child and never received it. Now he's paying the price. He's scared s**tless and tries, unsuccessfully, to cover it up. (Moon) She marries Ned but is resentful and unhappy which makes her slightly mad IMO her madness goes way beyond this. She was probably always sick (schizophrenic?) and her condition eventually became acute. Now Walker is in the position that Theo was. Good point. Thanks for the info on Trimalchian, Karen."}, {"response": 1038, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (15:49)", "body": "Now Walker is in the position that Theo was. Good point. Please explain, Eileen, I do not see it."}, {"response": 1039, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (16:27)", "body": "Trimalchian Whoever said this play was pretentious (Elena?) was right. Or rather Walker was. **** I still like it....but it's hard work."}, {"response": 1040, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (16:49)", "body": "Trimalchian (Evelyn) Whoever said this play was pretentious was right. Or rather Walker was. Lina (pronounced line-a, Eileen) made the comment about the salad Ned prepared. But doesn't that tell you something about what Greenberg is doing? What kind of people they are and the world in which they live. As Lina says to Ned after the caterwauling scene: \"Everybody I've met in this city is a genius. And the ones that aren't are connoisseurs.\" (huge laugh) What a brilliant putdown on the tony people of the town."}, {"response": 1041, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (17:53)", "body": "(KJArt) Now Walker is in the position that Theo was. (Eileen) Good point. (Moon) Please explain, Eileen, I do not see it. KJ's initial comment concerned the perception that Ned took everything from Theo (Lina, etc.). Now Walker believes Pip has taken everything from him (father's attention/?affection, the house, etc.). That's my interpretation of KJ's observation."}, {"response": 1042, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (18:10)", "body": "(Moon) Yes, and why did he find it so easy to converse with Pip? To Ned he was the closest thing to Theo. However, it could just be that Ned was able to converse easily with Pip because he was now an adult. Ned said, \"I just...n-never know what to say to them.\" He's afraid of them because of their candor and ability to humiliate him and says (with all candor) that they are intensely boring. (More big laughs as most of the audience can definitely relate to the tedious examples.) Ned couldn't establish that kind of relationship with his own children because they were irreversibly harmed. (Moon) What if Lina were in love with Theo and only considered Ned a tryst? One of the bigger themes of this play is the role of destiny. Lina probably thought herself in love with Theo or was (past tense); however, she couldn't make herself in the kind of person Theo needed. He was an ambitious man, hell bent on fame and fortune and he was going to do it. He was capable of doing it. He was a follower of Nietzsche. At the very end Ned questions Lina about what Theo is going to do and she says, \"He's a handsome young man in Manhattan, something will happen to him.\" It does. I particularly liked Ned's and Lina's comments about \"running into each other\" on that day. They were fated to hook up together. But fate doesn't always mean a happy ending, does it? See Oedipus. ;-) (Evelyn) About 40 women in the audience took deep breaths to stifle chuckles:-) Same with removal of wet sweater!! Re sweater: No, I think the sound was major disappointment! ;-) (KJArt) Has it occurred to anyone that at the end of Act I, it is Pip who has \"taken everything\"...in that vague, unintentional way. That's a very interesting observation, KJ, and I can see it. (Moon) In Act II I believe Ned took everything when he ends up with Lina. The house and the fame came much later. But Ned wrote that phrase in his journal just after Theo died. The world didn't know that Theo had lost his genius (did he ever have it?). That was strictly among Ned, Theo and Lina. (Eileen) So in a way, Ned has taken Theo's genius. Did he ever really have genius? What did you make of this then: \"Theo's been a little st-stalled since school...\" Makes me wonder what has really been going on. (Eileen) Walker needed help (the psychological kind) as a child and never received it. Now he's paying the price. He's scared s**tless and tries, unsuccessfully, to cover it up. Notice that he specifically mentions Walker as a 10 year old child (post-mother-through-the-plate-glass-window incident.) FYI, Eileen (and anyone else vaguely interested) this scene was incredibly funny (despite the serious content) and milked for maximum laughs by the Chicago actor. He had a cadence in his voice, so that by the last \"he's in so much pain\" the audience can't hold it in. This is Pip's biggest and best scene-stealing scene and the Chicago actor was far better than David Morrissey (he was adequate). (Eileen) IMO her madness goes way beyond this. She was probably always sick (schizophrenic?) and her condition eventually became acute. Didn't someone (Nan??) say it might have been mistaken for being southern? The cutsey view of southerners as being eccentric or mad promulgated by southern writers from Faulker to Tennessee Williams to Walker Percy to Carson McCullers ad nauseam."}, {"response": 1043, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (18:28)", "body": "(Karen) Did he ever really have genius? No, he didn't. He couldn't come up with an original thought. Apparently others believed he was (perhaps due to early success in school, looks, personality vs. Ned). When Ned comes up with the house idea (particularly in the wake of Theo's failure), it becomes glaringly obvious who the genius is. Both Ned and Theo have known all along. But this begs the question: Why were Ned's subsequent projects less successful? Guilt? (Sorry, we digress from the topic of Walker). Thanks for the info on how the \"pain\" scene was played. How were Walker's lines \"Theo dying, Theo dying, Theo dead\" and \"you must publish?\" (the latter in response to Pip's \"do the f**king math\" view of Oedipus) received?"}, {"response": 1044, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (19:03)", "body": "( Karen), Re sweater: No, I think the sound was major disappointment! ;-) Why Karen? The cutsey view of southerners as being eccentric or mad promulgated by southern writers from Faulker to Tennessee Williams to Walker Percy to Carson McCullers ad nauseam. I love this! Very good point. Did he ever really have genius? What did you make of this then: \"Theo's been a little st-stalled since school...\" Makes me wonder what has really been going on. But Theo was being interviewed at the Plaza remember, he must have done something right. But doesn't that tell you something about what Greenberg is doing? What kind of people they are and the world in which they live. As Lina says to Ned after the caterwauling scene: \"Everybody I've met in this city is a genius. And the ones that aren't are connoisseurs.\" (huge laugh) What a brilliant putdown on the tony people of the town. It\ufffds a put down and a compliment at the same time, and it works very well. :-D Can you imagine Greenberg in company with plebeians? I suspect not."}, {"response": 1045, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (19:06)", "body": "Let's see now, \"Theo dying, Theo dying, Theo dead\" Colin reads them to Nan as if imparting words of major significance. He has to because he will build to his own crescendo during the paragraph starting with \"Reconstruct along with me this moment.\" He is at his emotional peak for \"April 3rd to April 5th: Three days of rain.\" A weather report. A fucking weather report! As the stage directions indicate, he quiets down after that. Colin did it so well. I loved when he got all worked up. \"you must publish\" One of my all-time favorites!! There is initial amazement at Pip's inane conclusion about doing the math (big laugh). Those lines are said dripping with sarcasm and amusement at his own ability to manipulate Pip so easily. He's egging him on. Right after that Pip realizes that he is being taunted (\"I walked right into--\"). What do others think?"}, {"response": 1046, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (19:07)", "body": "(Eileen), Why were Ned's subsequent projects less successful? Maybe in his mind only because the house was such a hard project to conceive. There are many of his buildings around town and abroad. BTW, how many of you are waiting for the opportunity to use the word Trimalchian in conversation? (heehee)"}, {"response": 1047, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (19:09)", "body": "Disappointment? Because that's all he took off! ;-)"}, {"response": 1048, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (22:10)", "body": "(Moon Dreams)Lina and Theo\ufffds relationship was also unresolved. Lina and Theo were a couple and then Theo runs off when he sees Ned and Lina only to go sit in the park and meet his future wife I don't think seeing Ned and Lina really registered on Theo. His only concern was that he'd \"brought nothing back\", that his genius had let him down. Lina didn't really mean much to him at that moment. (Moon Dreams)And when the journal spoke, in the end, he burned it. Ah, but again: he didn't understand the journal. At the end, I felt sorry for him, because \"we\" understood and \"he\" never would. (Karen)Ned said, \"I just...n-never know what to say to them.\" He's afraid of them because of their candor and ability to humiliate him and says (with all candor) that they are intensely boring. Walker doesn't like children either. To him they are all alike (twins) (Evelyn) About 40 women in the audience took deep breaths to stifle chuckles:-) Same with removal of wet sweater!! (Karen)No, I think the sound was major disappointment! ;-)...Because that's all he took off! ;-) Yes! He wore the sweater over a white shirt (T-shirt? I don't remember)and the shirt stayed on. THe sweater was (un)buttoned in front, so there wasn't even the beautiful stretching movement of taking it off over his head :-( (Karen)...a cadence in his voice, so that by the last \"he's in so much pain\" the audience can't hold it in. This is Pip's biggest and best scene-stealing scene Shakesperean, I thought: \"For Brutus is an honourable man\" (Eileen)obvious who the genius is. Both Ned and Theo have known all along. No, I don't think so. At least not Theo, to him it came as a terrible surprise. Ned might have known, but been too shy to aknowledge it (even to himself?) (Eileen)But this begs the question: Why were Ned's subsequent projects less successful? Guilt? Perhaps no special reason? Most people who make a masterpiece never can math it again. (Moon Dreams)But Theo was being interviewed at the Plaza remember, he must have done something right. They were partners. \"They\" had done something right, but Theo would be the natural interviewee. (Karen)\"you must publish\" One of my all-time favorites!! There is initial amazement at Pip's inane conclusion about doing the math (big laugh). Why inane? I can see his point. Most tragedies don't make sense. I know, we do not love them for their content's sense but for their form's beauty. I do too, of course. But I can look at them dispassionately as well as passionately, and and Pip is a very pragmatical guy. Not an antiques collector, you may be sure! (Moon Dreams)BTW, how many of you are waiting for the opportunity to use the word Trimalchian in conversation? (heehee) Trimalchion (Greek name) was also a nouveau riche type, as opposed to Lucullus, also known for his lavish banquets but who was a (real) Roman aristocrat.;-P"}, {"response": 1049, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (23:01)", "body": "(Gi) Ah, but again: he didn't understand the journal. At the end, I felt sorry for him, because \"we\" understood and \"he\" never would. I can't feel too sorry for him because, when Nan questions his conclusions, he says \"I want it to be.\" Not that its correct, but it's the only conclusion that makes any sense to him. One can't get at the truth when one's ego is in the way. ;-) (Gi) Why inane? I can see his point. Most tragedies don't make sense. Only from the standpoint that Pip oversimplifies a very complex story as if life were that simple. Agreed, he is a very pragmatic guy, but he doesn't think anything is complex. It doesn't always work out that way."}, {"response": 1050, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (23:03)", "body": "Yes, luculliano, a Lucullan banquet (a sumptuous dinner). (Just the thing I'm planning for your bridal shower Gi):-D"}, {"response": 1051, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (23:07)", "body": "Lucullan is used more frequently than Trimalchian. But I'm sure Greenberg knew that.;-)"}, {"response": 1052, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Apr 21, 1999 (23:17)", "body": "(KJArt) Has it occurred to anyone that at the end of Act I, it is Pip who has \"taken everything\"...in that vague, unintentional way. (Karen)That's a very interesting observation, KJ, and I can see it. I think that is a brilliant conclusion and one that Greenberg hid under the stairs.It all makes sense from that premise. ** Yes, Karen...the line \"...you must publish\" by Walker was terrific as deliver by Colin..he has great comedic timing."}, {"response": 1053, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 1999 (03:12)", "body": "What keeps nagging at me is the attempt to reconstruct the beginning of the Theo/Ned relationship. Remember, Theo kept accusing Ned of \"running away\" or \"evasion\", so Walker is being true to form. And yet, I believe the basis of this relationship is that Ned was trying to be very supportive of Theo's ambition (\"he-he...wants things...I...I...n-never...much. Theo wants\"), and VERY protective of his ego, of his confidence in the illusion of his own genius. This is probably out of gratitude for Theo's bef iending him and taking him out of his own horrible environment(\"I l-left home to get away from people...who have no g-grace, People who are r-randomly cruel...\") which makes Theo feel the protective one (\"You had no other friends, I took you in--\"). Ned merely perpetuates this illusion, too. Walker believed the complete opposite of his father's background. He thought that the parents had commissioned the house \"because, I guess, they loved him so much...\" whereas Ned reveals that they did it \"as a way of making up.\" Thus that arch of \"guilt\", I think. But Theo was a natural self-promoter, a PR man, and Ned just let him drift that way, hoping, I suppose, that EVENTUALLY Theo would come up with something that would, at last, manifest Theo's illusion of greatness. Only Theo himself finally realized it was an illusion, which shattered Ned. Ned felt he had failed to protect him, I think. Ned was too diffident to push his own ideas. Even when he had to finally produce something, he wanted to \"hire someone\" rather than be the one to show up Theo, shatter him further. But Lina insisted. I'm sure their whole life Ned did everything to push the appearance of an equal partnership, but even after Theo died, one can see why Ned felt he had taken \"everything\" away from Theo."}, {"response": 1054, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 1999 (13:56)", "body": "(KJArt), I'm sure their whole life Ned did everything to push the appearance of an equal partnership, but even after Theo died, one can see why Ned felt he had taken \"everything\" away from Theo. And therefore left the house to Pip as a way to give \"something\" back. Walker believed the complete opposite of his father's background. He thought that the parents had commissioned the house \"because, I guess, they loved him so much...\" whereas Ned reveals that they did it \"as a way of making up.\" Thus that arch of \"guilt\", I think. And this tells us once again how little they really know of each other. The windows are opaque when they should be clear (fenestration strikes again). In fact, as Walker says, \"All the glass, the house is a prism.\" We don't see clearly through a prism, and we don't see these characters clearly either."}, {"response": 1055, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 1999 (19:25)", "body": "Well, Walker believed that if he had the house it could at last \"speak to\" him of his father. He believed that because the house was beautiful, \"it could only been designed by someone who was happy\" (true, true), and he wanted a taste of that happiness. But as soon as he believed the house was Theo's, he didn't want it any more."}, {"response": 1056, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 1999 (22:55)", "body": "\"All the glass, the house is a prism.\" We don't see clearly through a prism, and we don't see these characters clearly either. Are we slowly getting to realize that that house is a microcosm of their lives? Is this what the playwright wanted us to see? Does the Janeway House stand for something else besides an edifice that Ned and Theo designed? ***** And taking it further....is there a Janeway House in each of our lives? Maybe,\" I'm reaching for it.....\""}, {"response": 1057, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 1999 (23:24)", "body": "(KJArt)as soon as he believed the house was Theo's, he didn't want it any more. Hadn't thought of that one.Humm!"}, {"response": 1058, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Apr 22, 1999 (23:44)", "body": "(KJArt) What keeps nagging at me is the attempt to reconstruct the beginning of the Theo/Ned relationship. They sound codependent to me. Ned needs Theo on a personal level for friendship and professionally because Theo's a \"people person.\" Theo needs Ned's loyalty and dependence. (Eileen)obvious who the genius is. Both Ned and Theo have known all along. (Gi)No, I don't think so. At least not Theo, to him it came as a terrible surprise I see your point Gi, but stick with the belief that on some level Theo knew. IMO it's one of the reasons he's so dependent on Ned--to reinforce the illusion. (Moon) We don't see clearly through a prism, and we don't see these characters clearly either. Great point, Moon. And they certainly don't see eachother clearly! (Evelyn) Yes, Karen...the line \"...you must publish\" by Walker was terrific as deliver by Colin..he has great comedic timing. As soon as I read it, I thought this was the most overtly funny line in the play. I knew ODB would nail it!"}, {"response": 1059, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (00:48)", "body": "( Evelyn), Are we slowly getting to realize that that house is a microcosm of their lives? Is this what the playwright wanted us to see? Does the Janeway House stand for something else besides an edifice that Ned and Theo designed? Yes! To all three questions, and, we are working our way through it rather nicely, don't you think?"}, {"response": 1060, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (03:05)", "body": "Throughout most of Act I, we see Walker asking for the house, begging for the house, (when given to Pip) mourning for the house. Nan, remember, asked him directly \"you hated him...why do you want his house?\". Walker's reply showed the many things the house stood for, as far as he was concerned: He wanted a place of his own, he wanted to stop being what Ned had always wanted to be--a flaneur . He believed the house held for him security and safety...he was terrified of his mother's legacy; he didn't want to \"end badly\", he didn't want to be a \"burden\" on the ones he loved (BTW, who ARE the ones he loved??) and he wouldn't be that if he had that place of his own. Notice when he and Nan walked out how he wanted the family to come, to be there, to visit. But mostly I think he wanted the house to be his last chance to connect with a father who evidently rejected him (at least ignored him), who never spoke--he wanted the house to speak to him the way Ned couldn't (or didn't). And this father, at the last, denied him even this last chance to connect, to be sane, to have a center, to have his own place (to hide?), to have his fears soothed. This father gave the house to Pip instead. What a terrible loss!! --until he believed the house was not of Ned after all. What a wonderful relief!! Remember...he wanted the interpretation to be that way. Maybe he burned the book to make sure it stayed that way...his father hadn't rejected him after all."}, {"response": 1061, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (03:19)", "body": "(Evelyn) Yes, Karen...the line \"...you must publish\" by Walker was terrific as deliver by Colin..he has great comedic timing. (Eileen)As soon as I read it, I thought this was the most overtly funny line in the play. I knew ODB would nail it And did he ever... sitting on a stool and waving those gorgeous hands around. ( I don't think he is a vane actor....but I think he knows he has beautiful hands because he uses them so much..)"}, {"response": 1062, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (03:23)", "body": "vain! , Evelyn, vain!"}, {"response": 1063, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (04:45)", "body": "(KJArt) Remember...he wanted the interpretation to be that way. Maybe he burned the book to make sure it stayed that way...his father hadn't rejected him after all. Yes, that interpretation was the only one he could accept, but I don't think that's why he burned the book. He said he felt like Hedda Gabler at that moment. There was a devilish look in Colin's eyes as he said the line. He's striking back; he's destroying something that meant a great deal to his father. It's revenge, pure and simple. (KJArt) He wanted a place of his own, he wanted to stop being what Ned had always wanted to be--a flaneur. Doesn't it make you wonder why Ned, who hadn't the courage to be a flaneur himself, got married. His marriage was doomed because he admired a rootless life. It may not have been just Lina's madness. Ned may not have been suited to being married. (BTW, who ARE the ones he loved??) Nan is one, but yes...who are they? ;-) Great observations, KJ."}, {"response": 1064, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (08:38)", "body": "( Evelyn)Does the Janeway House stand for something else besides an edifice that Ned and Theo designed? I'm sure it is, but \"a microcosm of their lives\" is perhaps too much :-) ( Evelyn)I don't think he is a vane actor....but I think he knows he has beautiful hands because he uses them so much.. Not necessarily ;-)He just knows that real people use their hands, don't just stand there and throw words out of their mouths. Perhaps he became more conscious of it since he's been consorting with italians... BTW, one thing that nagged me was that EMcG kept her hands in her raincoat's pockets although evidently using them too. (Karen)Doesn't it make you wonder why Ned, who hadn't the courage to be a flaneur himself, got married. His marriage was doomed because he admired a rootless life. It may not have been just Lina's madness. Ned may not have been suited to being married. Why do you think the marriage was doomed? I didn't think it was, apart from the fact that Lina went insane, and that didn't necessarily have much to do with Ned. Who is Hedda Gabler?"}, {"response": 1065, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (12:22)", "body": "(Gi) Who is Hedda Gabler? From my own little Cliffs Notes: Ibsen heroine who is selfish and willful, whose unbridled desire to dominate and destroy others brings death to herself. L\ufffdvborg, Hedda's castoff lover, is inspired by another woman (Thea) to write a book and becomes famous. He writes another manuscript with Thea's help and inspiration which Hedda ultimately burns. \"I am burning your child.\""}, {"response": 1066, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (14:14)", "body": "( Evelyn)I don't think he is a vane actor....but I think he knows he has beautiful hands because he uses them so much.. (Gi),Not necessarily ;-)He just knows that real people use their hands, don't just stand there and throw words out of their mouths. Perhaps he became more conscious of it since he's been consorting with italians... I agree Gi, not a very British thing to do. :-D ( Evelyn)Does the Janeway House stand for something else besides an edifice that Ned and Theo designed? I'm sure it is, but \"a microcosm of their lives\" is perhaps too much :-) But Greenberg is too much himself. Do not put it past him. Ned loves Lina, that is why he marries her. We do not see other examples of his being a flaneur. It is just talk. Walker on the other hand is. His wanting the house meant a commitment to change. His burning the book ultimately keeps him as he was. His using the book as a memorial at the end was in contrast to his lighting the candle at his father s grave in the beginning when the candle would not light because of the rain. (beat) I enjoyed your observations too KJArt."}, {"response": 1067, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (17:43)", "body": "(KJArt)...vain!, Evelyn, vain! Thank you, KJArt:-) I thought it looked odd!! ***** Rain, rain, rain,.....rain at the cemetery,rain at the house.... What's with all this rain, anyway!! And did the candle not light at the cemetery because of the rain...or the father's ultimate rejection of poor Walker. Thank you KJArt for bringing the discussion of the play to another level."}, {"response": 1068, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (18:27)", "body": "What's with all this rain, anyway!! 1. The title. 2. Can not see clearly through it (fenestration once again). 3. Susie Wong. The candle did not light at the cemetary because of the rain. The memorial was not to happen until the end when he burns the journal and finally cuts off any connection left to his father."}, {"response": 1069, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (21:16)", "body": "( Evelyn) Are we slowly getting to realize that that house is a microcosm of their lives? I don't know if it's a microcosm--perhaps symbol is a better word? (Forgive me, it's been a looong time since my last Lit class). (KJArt) Maybe he burned the book to make sure it stayed that way...his father hadn't rejected him after all. (Karen) He's striking back; he's destroying something that meant a great deal to his father. It's revenge, pure and simple. Each of these observations make sense. Can't it be both? Walker seeks revenge since anger is easier to deal with than rejection, but both rejection and anger motivate the behavior. (Karen) Doesn't it make you wonder why Ned, who hadn't the courage to be a flaneur himself, got married? ...And named his only son, his heir, his legacy-- Walker . \"Flaneur Janeway\" just doesn't have a ring to it! By the time baby Walker came along, Ned made peace with the fact he wasn't going to be the flaneur of his dreams and passed the wish onto his son. I agree with Gi: I think Lina's madness (and how they didn't deal with it) pushed this family from dysfunctional to seriously dysfunctional. Thanks for the Cliffs Notes, Karen. I missed much more than I thought (I blew that 'IRT' joke, for sure! Had nothing whatsoever to do with NYC as I hang my head in embarassment )."}, {"response": 1070, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (23:28)", "body": "Evelyn, from where did you acquire the knowledge that ODB \"has a propensity to trip?\" His own observation in an interview, perhaps? Or someone else's on a set? I like the way he can add this little catch in motion for comedic purposes...(Ex: Valmont), but I wasn't aware he had this weakness in real life."}, {"response": 1071, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (23:41)", "body": "Oh, and it is NOT a Darcy-stride as you and others often describe (with appropriate delighted reactions appended to the notation...) It is a Firthian-stride which he has made an attribute of the Darcy character as well as with several other characters (including Walker). Colin does not walk like Darcy--Darcy walks like Colin!! (So does Walker...Strange coincidence, what?!)"}, {"response": 1072, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Apr 23, 1999 (23:55)", "body": "Eileen, you once asked a question way back when which I believe was not satisfactorily covered. To wit: Why were Ned's subsequent projects less successful? Even Walker (I think)(or was it Pip?) remarks that in the later years he just coasted . I don't think this was a conscious attempt by Ned to preserve Theo's \"legend\" by not overshadowing him. Theo was the one who \"wanted things\", i.e. was ambitious for fame and success. Ned didn't. I think with Theo around to impel him, he pushed his own creativity (and probably Theo's as well), but once the goad that was Theo was removed, I think Ned just slipped back into living life the way he wanted...he let his young proteges do the sweating after fame and fortune (but never as well as he had...)"}, {"response": 1073, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr 24, 1999 (01:01)", "body": "(Moon) And therefore left the house to Pip as a way to give \"something\" back. Like his reputation? If Walker believed that Theo was the creative genius behind Janeway House, it is likely others would as well and, in that way, Ned gave Theo the fame he desired. (KJArt) Walker believed that if he had the house it could at last \"speak to\" him of his father...But as soon as he believed the house was Theo's, he didn't want it any more. Right, why would he want it? It wasn't his father's; it served no purpose for him. (Evelyn) Are we slowly getting to realize that that house is a microcosm of their lives? I'd agree that it is a symbol of something. The aspect of fenestration and prisms is quite apt, but what about the other characteristics mentioned by Nan and Walker? The alternating use of solids and voids. Then the mention of light. Rooms that change like liquid. What do these all mean? I'm clueless. :( Could the house be Ned? or people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones? (couldn't resist) ;-D (Gi) Why do you think the marriage was doomed? I didn't think it was, apart from the fact that Lina went insane, and that didn't necessarily have much to do with Ned. Maybe her insanity was hastened by the realization that she shouldn't have married Ned when she really loved Theo? (Gasp! How could anyone prefer David Morrissey to Colin?) That hadn't occurred to me until I saw it in the London reviews. I'm not sure it can be substantiated by the text either, but I thought I'd mention it. ;-) Lina and Theo had a symbiotic relationship, like Theo and Ned. Could two codependents (codependent on a third party) be happy together, compounded by the fact that one wished e could be free to roam the world? You didn't think it odd that neither of the children could see any traces of a loving marriage? Lina's hospitalization occurred when Nan was 10. At that age, she should have some recollection of earlier, happier, more normal days. Lina wasn't always catatonic and rocking soundlessly before throwing herself through plate-glass windows (glass again??). Remember she said she was a nonstop talker. Why didn't she tell her \"future\" drinking partner about herself and her dad? Lina is a big missing piece in my puzzle. I really feel that, if we knew what she represented, we'd understand what happened. Lina, Carolina, southern state, what??? It's killing me! (Moon) 3. Susie Wong. Don't you just love it? The boy cloud and the girl cloud. I cannot believe how it all just works so beautifully. (Eileen) I missed much more than I thought Don't be embarrassed. I didn't just jot these down.. It took a lot of work. I had to turn into Sherlock Holmes Do you think \"The World of Suzie Wong\" can be found at Blockbusters?! All those writers and philosophers had to mean something. And I think they do. Much more on this later."}, {"response": 1074, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Apr 24, 1999 (03:10)", "body": "(KJArt)Evelyn, from where did you acquire the knowledge that ODB \"has a propensity to trip?\" \"I read somewhere\"... \"Honestly\"...that he tripped up the stairs in Valmont and in P&P going up the stairs in Rosings. I don't know about this propensity personally...(Do you think he would purposely trip in a movie scene?) He does have big feet though. (KJArt)Oh, and it is NOT a Darcy-stride as you and others often describe..... It is a Firthian-stride which he has made an attribute of the Darcy character as well as with several other characters (including Walker). I know that. Hey, I even recognized that stride on Earlham Street on a dark rainy night...across the street from the theatre!! The reason I call it a Darcy -stride is because P&P is the first film I ever saw him in. Actually, if one wishes to be totally accurate ...one could call it \"St. Louis swagger\"!!!:-)"}, {"response": 1075, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Apr 24, 1999 (18:24)", "body": "(Karen) Lina is a big missing piece in my puzzle. So true, so true. I, too, wondered why Nan is pretty much ignorant of how her Dad and Mom got together...both children refer to the marriage as something that was \"settled\" on when all other options expired... Even Lina maybe felt that way, but I don't think because of affection. She thought it was \"tragic\" when Ned revealed that there was no \"secret\" to the city, but she ultimately responds: \"Still...I want something...I suppose I'll marry Theo and that will be something--\" and when Ned asks (sharply) \"is that happening?\" , she replies, \"Nobody ever says anything, but...what else?\" She doesn't sound terribly enthused about it...I think she was \"settling\" for Theo, until she realized how mitten Ned was for her. Therefore I don't believe she was really ever in love with Theo, and never really sounded like she was suffering for his loss. The breakup of the marriage with Ned came, I think simply because after Walker is born: \"my father became spectacularly successful, and his partner died shockingly young and my mother became increasingly mad...\" My guess is that by the time the children were old enough to talk to, Lina was already beyond the pale, sanity-wise. Her glaringly insane behavior in the hallway was being seemingly ignored by the rest of the family--how long had it been going on and how intensely? Schizophrenia is of en a progressive condition which can have remissions and relapses. What kind of model did these children have of what normality was supposed to be? Unless there is intersession by, say grandparents or professional caretakers (which were not mentioned), it is a wonder that either of them could grow up into an even remote copy of normal adulthood ( and I think Walker obviously didn't...). But through all of this, I don't the destruction of the marriage had anything to do with Theo. His death may have tr ggered even further withdrawal behavior in Lina, but can't be said to have \"caused\" it. The divorce was simply a response to Lina's complete separation from reality and became necessary. I have to admit that when she and Theo were still going together, she had come to know him very well...and never suffered the guilt pangs Ned did when she shifted allegiances..."}, {"response": 1076, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Apr 24, 1999 (18:35)", "body": "(KJArt).... intersession intercession, Karen J, intercession..... '-)"}, {"response": 1077, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (01:29)", "body": "I'm way behind this discussion and will never catch up. It's been asked how we in the audience felt when Jane Austen and Italy were mentioned. What gave me a thrill was hearing Colin as Walker says to Nan, \"Would you please, please, please just... hug me.\" Shades of Paul Ashworth. See, KJ, we don't see Darcy in everything. ;-) I don't think Walker hated his father as he seems to do and as his sister says he did. I think he was desperate to understand him. He obviously has studied architecture, perhaps as a key to understand Ned? I agree with others who've said by reading the passage in the journal that Ned has taken everything from Theo, that he thinks he now understands his father. This is what \"I want it to be\". It's an agreeable revelation to him. He doesn't want to know more. He burns the book then ...\"a selfish and ilfull act\" as Karen says. IMO it's not out of revenge, though. There's no need for revenge anymore...he found (he thinks) what he needed to know and there is (mis)understanding and forgiveness. Ironic that it is Nan who at first wants to know nothing of what is in the journal but when Walker starts to burn it, wails \"Now we'll never know anything.\" There are signs of Lina's problems in the play. She wakes to a \"brown study\". She's gloomy sometimes and opaque. (Fenestration again, Moon?). I doubt the children ever knew a mother who could pass for normal. I feel sorriest for Lina. She's so bright and witty. She's responsible for Ned's success. Her scene where she charts Ned's \"flight path\" is loving and poignant. But you see the desperation and yearning. Was she ever happy? I like Gi's (?) take on Theo as the PR man. Karen said he was hell bent on fame and fortune. He found it but not in the way he expected though only he, Ned and Lina knew it. His wife had an idealized vision of him...doubt she ever knew what the true roles in the firm really were. I like Greenberg's joke on us in the Pip monologue - his mother liked to get caught up in a play where you could never remember the plot of where the girl got caught in the rain and had to put on the man's bathrobe and they sort of did a little dance around each other and fell in love. Then in Act 2, Lina's coquettish line to Ned when she goes to put on a robe after getting caught in the rain, I've seen this scene before. The little dance Lina and Ned did around each other then was superb."}, {"response": 1078, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (12:43)", "body": "I have so enjoyed your discussions here and wish I had the time to join in regularly at the moment. You have brought it all back for me, I can see, hear and smell it all over again. I wish I could add \"touch \" to that list!!!"}, {"response": 1079, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (12:44)", "body": "Moon, tried to email you about 3DOR last week, but it was returned several times."}, {"response": 1080, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (14:39)", "body": "Lizza, my DH does not know about my alter-ego. I have emailed you and hopefully will receive that most desired 3DOR info. Thanks. :-)"}, {"response": 1081, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (15:17)", "body": "(Evelyn) Are we slowly getting to realize that that house is a microcosm of their lives? ( Karen), I'd agree that it is a symbol of something. The aspect of fenestration and prisms is quite apt, but what about the other characteristics mentioned by Nan and Walker? The alternating use of solids and voids. Then the mention of light. Rooms that change like liquid. What do these all mean? I'm clueless. :( One can\ufffdt see through solids. Voids in one\ufffds life can block the understanding of oneself. They are metaphors for thecharacters themselves. We need the missing pieces (all the solids), to fully understand the whole(structure). Rooms that change like liquid are never quite the same, or never what they seem. Ned, Lina and Theo are never quite what they seem. Lina and Theo had a symbiotic relationship, like Theo and Ned. Could two codependents (codependent on a third party) be happy together, compounded by the fact that one wished e could be free to roam the world? Codependents in a building is a solid, free to roam the world is a liquid. Lina is a big missing piece in my puzzle. I really feel that, if we knew what she represented, we'd understand what happened. It may be Greenberg is using her as a Deus-Ex-Machina. In that case, we really wouldn\ufffdt need to know. :-) Lina, Carolina, southern state, what??? I like the Carolina idea, especially since we know it was pronounced. All those writers and philosophers had to mean something. And I think they do. They make us understand the characters. Hegel and Heidiger are very \ufffdheavy\ufffd. Ibsen, I think he admires. Heide, you and Paul A. can\ufffdt get him out of your mind? :-) Evelyn, I love his stride too, it matches his horsemanship. (sigh*)"}, {"response": 1082, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (15:39)", "body": "Lizza, your email came back. How can I contact you?"}, {"response": 1083, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (17:53)", "body": "(KJArt) [Lina] thought it was \"tragic\" when Ned revealed that there was no \"secret\" to the city Speaking of which...what to you all make of Walker's aversion to the city? Is it that no city dweller can really have roots? (KJArt) The breakup of the marriage with Ned came, I think simply because after Walker is born: \"my father became spectacularly successful, and his partner died shockingly young and my mother became increasingly mad...\" Let's not forget that Lina loved to drink and Ned may have withdrawn even more with some feelings of guilt at Theo's death. (Heide) \"Would you please, please, please ... That line should be required for every part Colin plays! ;-D (Heide) Ironic that it is Nan who at first wants to know nothing of what is in the journal but when Walker starts to burn it, wails \"Now we'll never know anything.\" I too found it very strange that Nan was so adamant about not reading journal. Having personally gone through lots of family papers, I can't understand this at all. Irrational. What is she afraid of finding out? (Heide) I like Greenberg's joke on us in the Pip monologue - his mother liked to get caught up in a play where you could never remember the plot of where the girl got caught in the rain and had to put on the man's bathrobe and they sort of did a little dance around each other and fell in love. Then in Act 2, Lina's coquettish line to Ned when she goes to put on a robe after getting caught in the rain, I've seen this scene before. The little dance Lina and Ned did around each other then was super . I loved that foreshadowing as well. (Lizza) You have brought it all back for me, I can see, hear and smell it all over again. I wish I could add \"touch \" to that list!!! Tell us your favorite parts then. Fighting the urge to reach out and touch him a mere inches away took every fiber of my being. Besides, I didn't fancy getting hauled off to jail and embarrassing all of you!! ;-) (Karen) All those writers and philosophers had to mean something. And I think they do. (Moon) They make us understand the characters. Actually, they helped me understand what the play was about. The search for truth. Each developed his own form of logic (or structure/architecture) for getting at the truth and for understanding relationships. Their individual methods and conclusions matter not, but I think it ties everything together. The one exception: La Rochefoucauld. His writings go right to the heart of this play."}, {"response": 1084, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (18:57)", "body": "Thanks Karen!!!!"}, {"response": 1085, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (20:09)", "body": "(Karen) what to you all make of Walker's aversion to the city Perhaps another rejection of his father? His father (we assume) saddled him with the name Walker taken from flaneur..a wanderer through the city. And when I say \"saddled\", I mean that many of the connotations we find in this name are negative in the play. The saddest of all is one of the definitions of flaneur Ned gives Lina: \"His life has no pattern...just traffic...and no hope-\" Is it that no city dweller can really have roots? Even a weed growing through the cracks of a city sidewalk has strong roots."}, {"response": 1086, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (21:30)", "body": "Ladies, such incredible insights, I'm really enjoying this discussion, and Karen, please pass on the cliff notes, there are so many literary references in the play... (Heide) The saddest of all is one of the definitions of flaneur Ned gives Lina: \"His life has no pattern...just traffic...and no hope-\" But at the same time, it is what Ned would wish for someone better than himself. \"I think it would be the best thing! To be this...vegabond prince...\" By naming his son Walker, it's Ned's wish that his son would have the strength of character he lacks, a wanderer is never loney. So I would assume that Ned is rather loney. I do have one question, during the first act, all three characters mention food, and how hungry they are, and ask each other, \"Did you ever eat?\"...but somehow they never manage to eat (except when Nan munched on something from her purse), is Greenberg communicating a deeper sense of hunger here?"}, {"response": 1087, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 1999 (16:24)", "body": "(Karen) what to you all make of Walker's aversion to the city WALKER: It had become-the filth of it-the chaos of it-it just happened. So I left. He's not averted to the city, but to his life. He flees. I think he actually likes big cities, flanuer that he is: WALKER: What could ever possibly happen to you on a street in Boston? You might, what, run into a cleric and repent something? Boston is only a city if you're a swan boat. I also enjoyed the running joke about the restaurant/art gallery/cigar store across the street. (Karen) You didn't think it odd that neither of the children could see any traces of a loving marriage? Both Walker and Nan are quite blase about why their parents married: WALKER: They married because by 1960 they had reached a certain age and they were the last ones left in the room. NAN: My parents married because it was 1960 and one had to and they were there. And I don't think that's a contemptible thing-for people who have reached a certain age and never found anything better. These passages come from different places in the play yet they're almost identical. (KJArt) both children refer to the marriage as something that was \"settled\" on ...IMO as a rationalization of why they didn't see traces of a loving marriage. (Emma) is Greenberg communicating a deeper sense of hunger here? Good point. Definitely a metaphor."}, {"response": 1088, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 1999 (19:02)", "body": "Walker: \"I love the city, but it's dangerous to me. It's let me...become nothing.\" Even after he gives up the idea of having the house he says he'll stay in the barren apt. until he finds somethin in the country..."}, {"response": 1089, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 1999 (19:07)", "body": "City, country...I don't think it makes a difference with Walker. He just keeps on running away from life. After they took Lina to the hospital post running throught the glass, he hid in the laundry room for hours. He's still trying to hide."}, {"response": 1090, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 1999 (19:13)", "body": "(Karen) ...It is Nan who at first wants to know nothing of what is in the journal. IMO I had the feeling that Nan didn't so much not want to hear what was in the journal as she was trying to get Walker to stop reading it...remember he is in a very shaky state already...no sleep for 2 nights, no food...and I really think she is worried about the effect it has/will have on Walker. Notice when he reads out some entry to her, followed by his reaction, she always addresses herself to his reaction. Walker: It was incredible. Nan: It's always incredible.. She just wanted to put off his reading it. And she was right. Note what his very last (over)reaction to its content was...."}, {"response": 1091, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 1999 (19:15)", "body": "(evelyn) \"Intercession, Karen J, Intercession\" Touche!! (I knew it was wrong, I hoped you'd catch it!!"}, {"response": 1092, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 1999 (20:54)", "body": "I might be going off on a tangent...but...here is a thought.... Act I WALKER: ...Something happens somewhere, makes a noise, the noise travels, charts the distance: The Story of a Moment ... Act II (p.289)LINA :..isn\ufffdt that moment thrilling, right before it starts, and everything turns purple, and the swnings shake and the buildings ignite from the inside ?. I love that part. NED (p.294) I slept...late.....and when I woke up, it was...already raining a little. (and then comes that part about the 2 women in trench coats and the African violet plant spilling on her shoes....v. obscure) NED (p.297) The ..preposterous instinct that we are...wholly re-responsible for events...completely out of our control. (moments?) END of PLAY: LINA: Begin. NED: What? LINA: The house. Begin the house. NED: NO. LINA: I know you see it. I know you see the whole thing. Don\ufffdt you? NED: Yes. I know every moment Drawing a house with moments ??? Somehow I think if we can crack the correlation between ..Rain...Moments...House... We\ufffdll know what Greenberg is trying to allegorically tell us. Does the house symbolize Ned\ufffds life? Made up of events beyond his control? Anyone have a clue?"}, {"response": 1093, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 26, 1999 (23:14)", "body": "(Heide) The saddest of all is one of the definitions of flaneur Ned gives Lina: \"His life has no pattern...just traffic...and no hope--\" But as Ned goes on to say, \"Because he has no need of hope! The only thing he wants from life is...the day at hand.\" While that lifestyle is solitary, it is never lonely. Maybe Walker hasn't learned to appreciate what the city has to offer or maybe Ned's ideal is warped. ;-) (Heide) Even a weed growing through the cracks of a city sidewalk has strong roots. Was that meant to remind me of what needs to be done outside?? BTW, I'm putting out a contract on one of the trees in the parkway. ;-) (Emma) during the first act, all three characters mention food, and how hungry they are, and ask each other, \"Did you ever eat?\"...but somehow they never manage to eat (except when Nan munched on something from her purse), is Greenberg communicating a deeper sense of hunger here? Oh my!! What an interesting set of circumstances. They are constantly putting off eating by some other action. Didn't you just love Walker, who hadn't eaten in days, but had tried to order a hamburger and was intimidated by the waiter; Pip, who really wanted to get something but Walker's return and the return of guilt interrupted, and Nan who turned down the squid-tiramisu thing. Can't get much more nourishing than Pip's star fruit! (hee hee) When did Nan munch on something? (KJArt) Walker: \"I love the city, but it's dangerous to me. It's let me...become nothing.\" In the city, he's a flaneur and he is not comfortable with it. He doesn't seem to share Ned's ideals because it makes him unhappy. I think as someone said earlier, he wants to be normal, set down roots, and have people over to his place. When he was in Tuscany, he rented a villa and he stayed put for nearly a year. (KJArt) She just wanted to put off his reading it. And she was right. Note what his very last (over)reaction to its content was.... No, I don't think so. Remember, the house for the journal - that was her offer. She didn't want him to read it at all and she didn't want to hear it. But why she put it back under the mattress. Silly woman. Walker and only Walker was meant to read it - the Princess and the Pea! ;-) (Evelyn) Does the house symbolize Ned's life? Made up of events beyond his control? I am thoroughly convinced that Greenberg is making a statement about the will of the individual and shaping one's destiny. He comes out firmly on the side of destiny (and one's genetic makeup). Poor Theo tries to make himself into something noteworthy and what happens? He dies at a very young age. Everybody else just goes with the flow and lets life happen to them. Lina: \"I didn't even realize I was here! I didn't even realize I'd come to the neighborhood. It was not my intention.\" Ned: \"It was the same as you...I...d-didn't come home right away. I walked out of my way because it was all so...pleasant, the day. I felt like a...flaneur.\" Maureen, initially tried to make something of herself. \"she arrived with a carefully though-out plan to be amazing at something.\" But as fate would have it, nothing happened until she had given up on the plan and sat on a park bench in Washington Square Park, where she ran into an identical individual. The happiest and most normal person in the entire play is Pip. He has no great aspirations. He just lets life happen to him and he enjoys it. \"Life is good.\""}, {"response": 1094, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 1999 (02:01)", "body": "Great and glorious summing-up, Karen!! Your clarity awes me!! (Really...I'm not pulling a \"Walker\", here!) Fantastic. Since we can no longer address the ultimate meaning of the entire piece, I guess we'll have to go back to nit-picking details... Building the house with moments... (Ned): I know every moment But didn't Ned earlier see with \"astonishing clarity\" that \"the whole thing will blow up in our faces...\" Initially, Lina's \"Genius\" fate had seemed to win out over Ned's \"Guilt\" fate. His envisionment of collapse, poverty, abandonment--this was not his (or Lina's) immediate fate. So how can he see \"every moment\" of the house? Evelyn: why \"St. Louis??\" AND do you think he would purposely trip in a movie scene? YES!!!"}, {"response": 1095, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 1999 (14:48)", "body": "(KJArt) (Really...I'm not pulling a \"Walker\", here!) Then, should I \"publish\"?? (hee hee) (KJArt) Since we can no longer address the ultimate meaning of the entire piece Why? There's more. We can talk about the \"legacy\" from one's parents. (KJArt) I guess we'll have to go back to nit-picking details... I'm not averse to that; have degree in nit-pickology. ;-D Need to get back to thinking about the \"house built with moments\" and the \"guilt/genius\" views on life."}, {"response": 1096, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 1999 (18:46)", "body": "Evelyn: why \"St. Louis??\" \"I read somewhere\"...in an interview that he learned that swagger when he attended an inner city (sounded like) grade school in st. Louis...to mask the fear he had of some tough boys. AND do you think he would purposely trip in a movie scene? YES!!! Hardly cool."}, {"response": 1097, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 1999 (18:49)", "body": "(KJArt) Since we can no longer address the ultimate meaning of the entire piece Why? Giving Up? I'm not.I 'm not always right...but we seem to build on each other's ideas...makes for spirited discussion,which I like:-)"}, {"response": 1098, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 1999 (19:03)", "body": "KJ, couldn't let you have all the epiphanies! Sorry, just doing a Joycean riff here. ;-p Haven't felt like researching the Reynolds comment. What did he have to say about \"talent being divided into genius and taste.\" I know he set the standard for what was tasteful, but like everything, Greenberg must mean more. Is it ironic in some way? Was the division of work meaningless because talent should not be bound by taste??"}, {"response": 1099, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 1999 (20:32)", "body": "KJArt, don't abandon us now, we still have lots to do. We should also dwell on La Rochefoucauld, and the trio of Act I and Act II. At some point, we should invite Greenberg to join us. He should receive the whole discussion and then fill in the blanks (if we will leave any;-) How difficult could it be to reach him? Karen? Is it still running in Chicago? Perhaps the manager there can help with a contact in NY (I assume he leaves in NY). Evelyn, I can't believe his strut is something he copied(say he what he will), he was born with it."}, {"response": 1100, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 1999 (20:35)", "body": "(I assume he leaves in NY). That should be lives, unless, Jung is trying to tell us something. Greenberg the flaneur. :-D"}, {"response": 1101, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 1999 (23:00)", "body": "Not bad, ladies, a very interesting discussion. I would wish you could get Greenberg to join, or at least explain himself. I'm still in the dark as to the essence of the play, but then the discussion still continues. :-) From the very beginning when I read the first pages of the play: the talking about architecture and liquid light, and about Walker just walking away for a year, and him being so isolated in the big city and elsewhere, and Ned and Lina barely understanding each other....... I can't help but imagine very intensely Edward Hoppers pictures. I did a search for Hopper pics, and it is not just one picture, but the whole atmosphere. Buildings in changing \"liquid\" light, and people alone or together, but always st angely unconnected, isolated. That would be one of the questions I would ask Greenberg: if he had Hopper in mind when he wrote 3DOR. http://firth.com/donmar/morn_sun_sm.jpg http://firth.com/donmar/room_sea_small.jpg http://firth.com/donmar/chair_car_sm.jpg And finally, 6 weeks too late, I can of a good question to ask CF: What HE thinks the play is about! ;-). Too late! And I wouldn't get it out anyway."}, {"response": 1102, "author": "Renata", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 1999 (23:05)", "body": "Ok, sorry, I have violated the golden rule: Never try to post a link when you are awfully tired......"}, {"response": 1103, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Apr 27, 1999 (23:21)", "body": "Thanks Renate! Visuals are always helpful. Such angst and desolation. Resnais's film comes to mind (scripted by Alain Robbe-Grillet), \"L'\ufffdnn\ufffd Derni\ufffdre \ufffd Marienbas.\" I wonder if Greenberg has seen it."}, {"response": 1104, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (01:42)", "body": "Karen; I have no intention of abandoning such a promising project. I suppose I must confess that: Since we can no longer address the ultimate meaning of the entire piece.. WAS at least a partial \"Walker\"...Its just that you did such an impressive job in your summing-up of where Greenberg was going, it seemed like the last word on the subject...;-) You MUST publish, by all means!! You know, I really loved W's description of trying to get a hamburger, too. ...but it didn't work out... . hee,hee ;-) That response being, to him \"really annihilating...I had to leave,\"just breaks me up every I read it!! (Evelyn) Hardly cool. i.e. tripping on purpose. I noticed several times when he did it in Valmont, just to give the impression that he was something of a clutz. Remember when he dove off the back of the boat to save his man, but tripped on the edge for a most ungraceful entry into the water?...:-) On purpose, I say!! (Heide) ...please, please, please...\" Instant connection with (drool) Paul! I just hope CF didn't deliver the line in the same tone, though...(not being there, I wouldn't know). And I didn't catch that play-within-a-play reference at all! (I think I needed to see that one!) Thanks! ;-)"}, {"response": 1105, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (01:46)", "body": "--Moon-- Our minds must work alike...I was just thinking this afternoon about how to find out where Richard Greenberg could be reached. It was for the mere purpose of a fan letter, but your idea is better! **Thanks for the Hoppers, Renate!**"}, {"response": 1106, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (01:59)", "body": "Two nits I'd like picked-at: 1) According to Nan, her husband, Harry, \"always says the right thing...\" When Pip appeared to take slight umbrage at this (as implying he didn't), Nan said, He's...what you would be if I hadn't met you until I was 25.\" What do you think she meant by this? that he'd literally would be a different sort of person, or that he would be different in her eyes, or what?? 2) When Nan asked Walker whether he was, in fact, in love with Pip, and he answered: Oh, who knows? You know he's such a dunce, I envied him. I think he was being quite honest about the envy, but what did he mean, do you think? And an extra that has been haunting me for several days; When all is said and done, how do you think Ned REALLY felt about his son Walker?"}, {"response": 1107, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (17:28)", "body": "Found this synopsis on the web for a biography written recently about Sir Joshua Reynolds. According to this, Greenberg's tongue is firmly in cheek again: \"That Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792) became the most fashionable painter of his time was not simply due to his artistic gifts or good fortune. The art of pleasing, Richard Wendorf contends, was as much a part of Reynolds's success-- in his life and in his work--as the art of painting.\" \"At the heart of Wendorf's text is an investigation of how Reynolds shaped his own persona in order to accommodate others and guarantee his own continued professional advancement. The key word, and one which his contemporaries used in describing him, is 'complaisance'...Reynolds could, when he wished, charm the birds from the trees.\" http://www.hup.harvard.edu/S98Books/S98Catalog/sir_joshua_reynolds.html Will have to add this to my Cliff Notes! Any other addition? This is an evolving piece... ;-)"}, {"response": 1108, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (19:23)", "body": "Just added to the Cliff Notes, Karen, good idea. I also think we should discuss Walker's sexuality as KJArt pointed out, it was a queer remark by Nan. (OK, pun intended)."}, {"response": 1109, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Apr 28, 1999 (20:34)", "body": "Earlier, Walker implied the possobility that Ned and Theo might have been lovers, (because of the single mattress), to which Nan replied sarcastically: \"Not everyone is as sexually fluent as you, Walker--our loss, perhaps, but the case;...\""}, {"response": 1110, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 29, 1999 (03:43)", "body": "FYI, there are pictures of the 3DOR set from the Donmar at Murph's site, including the cast taking their bows. Go to it: http://www.geocities.com/~murphyat65/daysrain.html"}, {"response": 1111, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Apr 29, 1999 (15:55)", "body": "(Evelyn) Building the house with moments... (KJArt) But didn't Ned earlier see with \"astonishing clarity\" that \"the whole thing will blow up in our faces...\" His envisionment of collapse, poverty, abandonment--this was not his (or Lina's) immediate fate. So how can he see \"every moment\" of the house? I do see the house as Ned; it being built on moments of his life, although not necessarily his future. (He would need a \"crystal ball.\") Interesting that Ned does see his life blowing up, but maybe it too is not entirely clear. He doesn't foresee that it will be personal and not professional destruction. His losses are of a more personal nature, i.e., relationships (Lina, Theo and his children). These did occur shortly thereafter. Theo died six years later and Lina must have well on her way to... Nothing is \"crystal\" clear in this play. Can't be. ;-) (Moon) At some point, we should invite Greenberg to join us. He should receive the whole discussion and then fill in the blanks (if we will leave any;-) I would love to have the blanks filled in; these things nag at me and I can't let them go. Like: Why is there not a poem named Randolph? ;-) (Moon) How difficult could it be to reach him? Karen? Is it still running in Chicago? Perhaps the manager there can help with a contact in NY (I assume he leaves in NY). No, it's not running here, but I believe it is supposed to open in Boston or has??? Greenberg must have a literary agent. The publisher would know. (Renate) I can't help but imagine very intensely Edward Hoppers pictures...Buildings in changing \"liquid\" light, and people alone or together, but always strangely unconnected, isolated. Excellent choice of pictures, Renate, but where is \"Nighthawks\"? Walker stopped there for a cup of coffee. ;-) Cities are usually portrayed as isolating. Where better to get lost (or to hide, Eileen) than in a big city? (KJArt) I noticed several times when he did it in Valmont, just to give the impression that he was something of a clutz...On purpose, I say!! Of course, it was on purpose. Cecile did some tripping as well. I remember Kirsten listed all the tripping scenes in Valmont in our film discussion (check the archive on firth.com). ODB is no klutz! :-) (Heide) ...please, please, please... (KJArt) I just hope CF didn't deliver the line in the same tone, though Actually yes (correct me if I'm wrong, ladies). Differences: (1) wasn't as loud and (2) head was not stuck out of a window. Who among the Firth lovers in the audience did not experience a little tingle when they heard that? (KJArt) Harry, \"always says the right thing...\" When Pip appeared to take slight umbrage at this...Nan said, He's...what you would be if I hadn't met you until I was 25.\" What do you think she meant by this? that he'd literally would be a different sort of person, or that he would be different in her eyes, or what?? The latter I think. Nan must be admitting that she couldn't commit to anything or anybody before that age or that's when she finally got her act together. (Criticism coming) Greenberg appears to be another male author who relegates women to lesser roles and simply cannot draw them as equally interesting characters. Nan is a case in point. She is so incompletely drawn that I wonder if any actress can play that role well and not fade into the scenery? (btw, EMcG has not been let off the hook.) (KJArt ) \"Oh, who knows? You know he's such a dunce, I envied him.\" I think he was being quite honest about the envy, but what did he mean, do you think? Walker was probably envious of Pip being normal and happy. Then, Pip appears to have had a fairly normal mother and Walker could have been envious of that. (KJArt) When all is said and done, how do you think Ned REALLY felt about his son Walker? He loved him and gave him the wherewithal to fulfil his own dreams. Shame that Ned couldn't see how unhappy that made Walker. ****** Still have a few more points (from previous posts) to cover, but does anyone remember how Colin (Ned) and EMcG (Lina) used their hands to describe the Guilt and Genius thing? I can remember the Chicago one very distinctly and remember thinking it worked better, but now can't imagine what was done in London. Other London Ladies..."}, {"response": 1112, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Apr 29, 1999 (17:04)", "body": "(Renate) I can't help but imagine very intensely Edward Hoppers pictures. I did a search for Hopper pics Did you, Renate? He is one of my favourite painters of this century! You must tell me more about your work on him. (Renate)...the whole atmosphere. Buildings in changing \"liquid\" light, and people alone or together, but always strangely unconnected, isolated. Yes, very anguishing. What a marvelous insight! (KJArt)...He's...what you would be if I hadn't met you until I was 25.\" What do you think she meant by this? that he'd literally would be a different sort of person, or that he would be different in her eyes, or what?? I think she means that Pip has turned out to be the same kind of person as her husband, but that she and Pip had had their chance at 18, (when either he wasn't like that yet or she hadn't appreciated him as such at that age); if they had met at 25, they might have a relashionship even now. (KJArt)When Nan asked Walker whether he was, in fact, in love with Pip, and he answered: Oh, who knows? You know he's such a dunce, I envied him. I think he was being quite honest about the envy, but what did he mean, do you think? Probably that he admired Pip in a way, and that now he cannot tell whether at the time it was love or the admiration. (KJArt) When all is said and done, how do you think Ned REALLY felt about his son Walker? I've wondered about that too. We can only speculate. I think he probably admired his son, who had become what *he* would have liked to be. But he couldn't get close, and I don't think he really tried. He must have thought that Walker was \"strong\" and didn't need an intimacy that didn't come naturally between them. But we know Walker really wasn't that way, and that his father's remoteness caused him pain."}, {"response": 1113, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Apr 29, 1999 (17:18)", "body": "(KJArt) I noticed several times when he did it in Valmont, just to give the impression that he was something of a clutz...On purpose, I say!! (Karen)Of course, it was on purpose. Of course it was! Had it been an accident, they would have done another take. (Karen)The latter I think. Nan must be admitting that she couldn't commit to anything or anybody before that age or that's when she finally got her act together. We seem to agree on this point, then."}, {"response": 1114, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Apr 29, 1999 (21:48)", "body": "(KJArt) When all is said and done, how do you think Ned REALLY felt about his son Walker? ) He probably ignored him...didn't know how to relate to him as a child. I don't think he hated his son...but Walker must have grown up thinking so. Pain all over the place . What makes anyone think that Ned admired Walker? The guy was never around...was off in Boston or Peru.....was a flaneur."}, {"response": 1115, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (01:45)", "body": "Help!! My e-mail seems to be blocked. I think the account got overloaded wityh K's. They tell me I should delete some messages to commence use (I agree), but since access is being blocked, I can't get in to delete anything!! Anybody have any suggestions?"}, {"response": 1116, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (03:43)", "body": "Weren't there any warnings that your mailbox was approaching its limit? That happened to me after the play, when all those pictures were being emailed around. Wait for a while. It might be a problem at their end. Happens too often with Hotmail (Wednesday being a recent example when my messages all disappeared for hours and when they returned had multiplied and were not where they should be.) Anyway, if the problem persists. Open up a new account at Yahoo and try to communicate with the tech people through it."}, {"response": 1117, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (04:10)", "body": "Karen, can you send email to anyone there at Yahoo who could help you? I do not use it and I think I am the only one awake now, but it might be worth a try to go into Yahoo and click on email like you were going to sign up for some. I have been very good about not clogging you up with postings. Will hunt around tosee what I can find out"}, {"response": 1118, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (04:23)", "body": "Even my private ISP jams up as it did this morning. My son was sending lots of digital photos he took on a recent trip. I ended up with 2 or 3 of most of them, and 5 of one! It took forever to unjam it! But it does eventually! I have never heard of your using up all the space without their telling you! Try again tomorrow, and use The Karen's wise advice about opening up another Email box and writing from there to the people at Yahoo. TK, you are not in any way related to The Donald =P"}, {"response": 1119, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (13:05)", "body": "(Karen), Nothing is \"crystal\" clear in this play. Can't be. ;-) No, it's all liquid light. Seeing through prisms. The oldest examples of this use in are churches. When the sun shines through the many colored glasses, prisms reflect all over, the feeling is quite surreal and beautiful. You swim in the light. My DH is back, more later."}, {"response": 1120, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (15:14)", "body": "(Evelyn) Does the house symbolize Ned's life? Made up of events beyond his control? (Karen) I am thoroughly convinced that Greenberg is making a statement about the will of the individual and shaping one's destiny. He comes out firmly on the side of destiny (and one's genetic makeup). Poor Theo tries to make himself into something noteworthy and what happens? He dies at a very young age. Everybody else just goes with the flow and lets life happen to them. This is from a couple of days ago but I wanted to comment before more time goes by. I agree with your conclusion, Karen. That's one of the statements. Another more concrete theme is legacy, or how family dysfunction perpetuates itself from one generation to the next. One of the obvious conclusions one makes at the end of the play is how Walker completely misunderstood his father: WALKER: Reconstruct along with me a moment. You are this young man. Ambitious, of course-- what architect isn't ambitious? And it's that moment when you're so bursting with feeling that people aren't enough, your art isn't enough, you need something else, some other way to let out everything that's in you. You buy this notebook, this volume into which you can pour your most secret, your deepest and illicit passions. You bring it home, commence--the first sacred jottings-the feelings you couldn't contain: \"April 3rd to April Sth: Three days of rain.\" A weather report. A fucking weather report! (Beat. He quiets down) You know, the thing is with people who never talk, the thing is you always suppose they're harboring some enormous secret. But, just possibly, the secret is, they have absolutely nothing to say. And we come to know the opposite to be true in Act II (underscored by the fact that it's the last act even though chronologically it should have been the first, but that would have ruined the effect). What do you think? The subject ties into the Walker/Ned relationship discussion. How about Lina/Nan? LINA: Well...one child, at least. One beautiful little girl. Someone precious I can drink with."}, {"response": 1121, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (18:46)", "body": "Thanks for the help--and sympathy. I went down to the community college computer labs and they got me in fine--no overload--probably just the loval ISP for the Library (the CC has no ISP to foul up!!!) Anyway, thanks."}, {"response": 1122, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (19:36)", "body": "(Evelyn)...Pain all over the place. Agreed...but Ned must have been aware that Walker was interested enough in architecture to study it. (Indeed, I think that's why Nan erupted with, \"It was wicked.\" .) Did she believe that denying Walker the house was done out of spite? Was it? Did Ned feel neglected and resent it? Or was he contentedly anti-social? Did he avoid contact with the grandchildren, too? (Poor Nan!) (Gi)...Pip has turned out to be the same kind of person as her husband,... \"He [is]...what you would be\" doesn't seem to me to be an equivalancy...Although I suppose you could extend that to an understood: \"He [is][to me?]...what you would be [to me?]\" Not blatantly apparent, alas!"}, {"response": 1123, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Apr 30, 1999 (22:25)", "body": "(KJart)Did Ned feel neglected and resent it? Or was he contentedly anti-social? Did he avoid contactwith the grandchildren, too? (Glad you got your email problems settled....) Pip thinks that Ned was neglected....p.264...\"He was a pretty lonely man the last few years. I don't think he was doing that much work on his own....partners buzzing around him...twiddling his thumbs. I thought it was my responsibility. You were always flittering off ....\" Ned,however, was anti-social...though he did make cities of Tinker Toys for the children...while \"he sat in a Modern Chair ...flipping silently through an art book\" Walker never had a chance to be normal....by genetic cause or environment."}, {"response": 1124, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, May  1, 1999 (03:41)", "body": "Taking what some of you are saying and just thinking aloud with no specific purpose in mind.... Does Ned appear to be anti-social as a young man? I mean any more so than a man who is shy and has the added burden of stuttering? To me he appears a someone on the edge looking in but not daring to join though he'd like to. I think he admires Theo's gregariousness...considers him a more valued member of the team. Do you think he became even more withdrawn as he grew older (secluding himself inside his shell as his wife grew madder) so the Ned his children knew was not the same Ned we see in Act 2? Wo ld they have had more sympathy for that younger Ned or would they have misunderstood him too? Ned's journal entries give away nothing. Why can't he use this to speak what he can't say out loud? (Because then Greenberg wouldn't have a play.) You have to admit, his entries are weird. What does this say of Ned's state of mind? I'd suppose it's that he can't give outlet to his emotions or else they'll overwhelm him as we see when Theo is baiting him and he's shaking and gasping for air. He's conditioned to repressing them when at all possible."}, {"response": 1125, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, May  1, 1999 (10:40)", "body": "(Heide)Do you think he became even more withdrawn as he grew older (secluding himself inside his shell as his wife grew madder) so the Ned his children knew was not the same Ned we see in Act 2? Probably right. (Heide)Ned's journal entries give away nothing. Why can't he use this to speak what he can't say out loud? You have to admit, his entries are weird. Maybe he's too shy or private to elaborate. Journals (and diaries...) can be found and read. I use photography sometimes the way Ned used his journal entries, as topics to remind me of events, not as complete reposts of these."}, {"response": 1126, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, May  1, 1999 (18:58)", "body": "( Heide)...You have to admit, his entries are weird. Ned was a man of few words....but stutterers measure their words carefully...(doesn't he say that somewhere?...he can't waste words). Nothing much has been said about Ned's stuttering. Surely, as a child he must have suffered at the hands of his peers. NED: ( to Theo) \" I l-left home to get away from people who have no.....people who have no g-grace, people who are randomly cruel and y-you are.....\" He never elaborates who these people are...parents? friends? But they caused that pain Stuttering is a neurological disorder....why did Greenberg create a character that stuttered?"}, {"response": 1127, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, May  1, 1999 (21:41)", "body": "(Karen), Nothing is \"crystal\" clear in this play. Can't be. ;-) (Moon), No, it's all liquid light. Seeing through prisms. The oldest examples of this use in are churches. When the sun shines through the many colored glasses, prisms reflect all over, the feeling is quite surreal and beautiful. You swim in the light. The house does reflect upon the characters, in this liquid light you either sink or swim. Ned, Nan, Pip and Walker swim, they survive. Lina and Theo sink. The house is \"the best one for living in...\" as Nan says. The quality that it does not capture is the \"frozen music.\""}, {"response": 1128, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, May  1, 1999 (21:57)", "body": "(Evelyn), Ned,however, was anti-social...though he did make cities of Tinker Toys for the children...while \"he sat in a Modern Chair ...flipping silently through an art book\" LOL! Don't you just love that vision? Walker lost it and triggered something in his mother that made her start her flight and end up through the glass facade. He followed her all the way. Maybe he was trying to save her before it was too late. But \"before the blood started she looked like something crystal.\" It was too late, he could no longer save her. He knew because he wss like her. We are told repeatedly. Walker has a guilty feeling of not being able to save his mother and being the cause of her break-down. He is a flaneur because it is a curse to settle down. Ned knows this well, and, decides to leave the house to Pip. He is trying to save his son and indirectly free himself of the curse that has been the house and all it represents."}, {"response": 1129, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, May  1, 1999 (21:59)", "body": "But did Ned do it for love?"}, {"response": 1130, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, May  1, 1999 (22:11)", "body": "(Moon).... He(Walker) knew because he was like her. We are told repeatedly. Walker has a guilty feeling of not being able to save his mother I'm with you here.Nan tells him he's like his mother \"on a good day\". ....and being the cause of her break-down. Don't remember any dialogue that relates to this part though. He is a flaneur because it is a curse to settle down. At least Ned thought so...but Walker wanted to. (I bet he wanted to dump that name too!) Ned knows this well, and, decides to leave the house to Pip. He is trying to save his son and indirectly free himself of the curse that has been the house and all it represents. Lots to think about here, Moon. You might be on to something. Thanks."}, {"response": 1131, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, May  1, 1999 (22:23)", "body": "It is because of his guilty feeling of not being able to save his mother that he feels that he is responsible fro her break-down which is triggered by Walker,\"And I lost it. I mean it was uncontrollable. Anyway this triggered something in my mother and she just dashed out of there.\" He pursued her but couldn't catch her. (Thus his guilty feeling comes out because he couldn't catch her/couldn't save her)."}, {"response": 1132, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, May  1, 1999 (23:39)", "body": "Moon, I'm afraid I can't follow you all the way on this one. The guilt feeling Walker has about his mother may be implied by the words, but--other than the mention of this triggering behavior-- Walker only describes her as more-or-less-mad . Nor does he seem to feel any responsibility...her behavior was due solely to her madness (although \"an amphetomine may have been involved\"...) Those who attended the play: Was there any nuance placed on any of Walker's references to imply guilt? I only read it, but the first reaction would have horror and trauma...he went and hid in the laundry room for the next ten hours...from a sense of helplessness? Probably. but not, I think of responsibility. And he has been running and hiding ever since, because part of the trauma was--for this eight-year-old-boy--was the realization that he had no one to run to . Not his mother, certainly. Not his uncommunicative father. His sister is much his own age, so does not have much more of a clue about things than he does. But you'll notice that when he runs away later in life, he does it so that she must come and look for him...the only sign in this world that anybody cares about him. I suspect that Pip joined in the search as they got older, but Walker is still a man with no one to run to, not really. He is a burden on Nan, and he knows he is a burden. He is still looking for that ideal place to hide--but not too ideal--or Nan won't be able to find him."}, {"response": 1133, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May  2, 1999 (16:06)", "body": "(Evelyn) He probably ignored him...didn't know how to relate to him as a child. I don't think he hated his son...but Walker must have grown up thinking so. Yes, Ned and Walker share that inherited trait--the inability to relate to children--continuing the saga of Ned's poor relationship with his parents. Interesting that Ned's parents used money to bridge that \"guilt span\" just as Ned does for Walker, by giving him the money instead of the house. No one learns in this family. (KJArt) Did Ned feel neglected and resent it? Or was he contentedly anti-social? Did he avoid contact with the grandchildren, too? (Poor Nan!) Ned probably withdrew as Lina's madness progressed. She was the one who drew him out and, if she wasn't there, then he became the silent one again. (KJArt) \"It was wicked.\"...Did she [Nan] believe that denying Walker the house was done out of spite? Was it? Apparently. Janeway House was Ned's most important legacy and he didn't bequeath it to his children. What else would people think? But unfortunately, it is consistent with Ned's modus operandi. Like his journal scribbles, he didn't care what others understood. He knew what it meant and that's all that mattered to him. (Evelyn) Walker never had a chance to be normal....by genetic cause or environment. Excellent point. (Heide) Ned's journal entries give away nothing. Why can't he use this to speak what he can't say out loud?...What does this say of Ned's state of mind? Geniuses often use a form of shorthand for their ideas. As an architect, it makes sense that Ned wouldn't rely on words. He used his art. With Janeway House, even Walker knew implicitly that \"it could only have been designed by someone who was happy.\" (Moon) Ned...is trying to save his son and indirectly free himself of the curse that has been the house and all it represents. I can't agree with the concept of the house and all it represents being a curse. The house was the tangible result of the best three days of his life. If the house were a curse that caused Lina's madness and Theo's loss of self, why would he give it to Pip? He got along fine with Pip. If it were a curse, he would have given it to a charity, taken it out of the lives of all he care for. (Moon) But did Ned do it for love? Yes, but IMO Ned's mistake was in thinking that Walker would be happy pursuing the life he himself wanted--that of a flaneur. Walker is a combination of both Ned and Lina. He isn't the perfect \"flaneur-to-be\" because he has inherited traits from Lina, which make that impossible. (KJArt) Was there any nuance placed on any of Walker's references to imply guilt? Colin spoke matter-of-factly about the mother's madness, with the line about the amphetamines tossed off very casually. (KJArt) But you'll notice that when he runs away later in life, he does it so that she must come and look for him...the only sign in this world that anybody cares about him Nan is his substitute mother image even though she's only two years older than he. Scares him into returning when she hasn't found him."}, {"response": 1134, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, May  2, 1999 (16:20)", "body": "(Karen) Geniuses often use a form of shorthand for their ideas. As an architect, it makes sense that Ned wouldn't rely on words. That's the best explanation I could imagine for Ned's cryptic journal entries but I'm still not satisfied. Did he use his journal for his ideas? What ideas? \"Theo is dying.\" \"Theo is dying\" \"Theo is dead\". We don't really know what else was in it other than what Walker read to us. If he doesn't rely on words, why use a journal - a diary for boys. (Karen) I can't agree with the concept of the house and all it represents being a curse. The house was the tangible result of the best three days of his life. Agree with Karen. And how well Colin conveyed that happiness. You could see his adoration of Lina. It was wonderful. Is the house the \"beginning of error\"? Before he begins he says, \"Things are so much better before they actually start.\" Then he makes his first mark. \"The beginning...of error.\" Speaks of his relationship with Lina too. The beginning of error. Liked what Lina said though, \"Make a home.\""}, {"response": 1135, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May  2, 1999 (17:08)", "body": "(Heide) (Walker)....\"Things are so much better before they actually start.\" Then he makes his first mark. Lina says that too: Isn't that moment thrilling, right before it starts (rain) and everything turns purple and the awnings shake and the buildings ignite from the inside? I love that part. That is so true with many events and experiences...that split second before a kiss!!:-)"}, {"response": 1136, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May  3, 1999 (17:54)", "body": "( KJArt), Walker only describes her as more-or-less-mad. Nor does he seem to feel any responsibility...her behavior was due solely to her madness (although \"an amphetomine may have been involved\"...) This is his adult analytical response, and probably repeating something he has heard over the years. but the first reaction would have horror and trauma...he went and hid in the laundry room for the next ten hours...from a sense of helplessness? Probably. but not, I think of responsibility. He is a small boy who has just experience a major traumatic experience which was triggered by his \ufffdlosing it.\ufffd A child that age would think it was his fault. That feeling of guilt stayed with him. And he has been running and hiding ever since, because part of the trauma was--for this eight-year-old-boy--was the realization that he had no one to run to. Agreed. (Karen), I can't agree with the concept of the house and all it represents being a curse. The house was the tangible result of the best three days of his life. If the house were a curse that caused Lina's madness and Theo's loss of self, why would he give it to Pip? He got along fine with Pip. If it were a curse, he would have given it to a charity, taken it out of the lives of all he care for. They might have been the only three best days of his life. It is a curse because of the unhappy turn of events. Theo dead, Lina mad, his having to take care of two small children when he didn\ufffdt like children or want them in the first place. The house for a manqu\ufffd flaneur is a holding block, a prison, a curse. He gives it to Pip because he has a different outlook on life. The house would not be a prison for Pip and Ned felt that it ould be for Walker. (Moon) But did Ned do it for love? (Karen), Yes, but IMO Ned's mistake was in thinking that Walker would be happy pursuing the life he himself wanted--that of a flaneur. Walker is a combination of both Ned and Lina. He isn't the perfect \"flaneur-to-be\" because he has inherited traits from Lina, which make that impossible. That was Ned\ufffds mistake. But there always was a problem communicating in that family. Ned always spared his words, we see that in the journal."}, {"response": 1137, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (02:08)", "body": "I can remember the first feedback from those who had actually seen the play performed. Almost all expressed how moved they were by (and were in sympathy with) the character Ned. Looking back over these analytical remarks, I find it interesting that--as we dig deeper into the implications of this play--the mood seems to have shifted... Walker was the first character we were introduced to...he was funny but obnoxious,too, caustic, opinionated, bitter. Then Nan trying anxiously to be nuturing but split between her brother's, her family's and her friend's needs. We next met Pip, good-natured, seemingly simplistic, even enthusiastic at times. The events in Act I changed how they interpreted their past lives, and how, I think, they see their futures. Act II introduces us to Theo--ambitious, brash, an extrovert. He's arguing with his girlfriend Lina (who's just messed up an important interview). She seems sly and definitely vociferous. These two are bounced off Ned...painfully shy, with difficulty in communicating to others, but also bothered by this ongoing argument between the other two. By the end of this act, Theo's ambitions have been, if not thwarted, then greatly altered as is his self-image. Lina's allegience has been switched to Ned, because he's such \"a nice man\", and Ned has embarked on a new vision of what his future could be. If we go by personality, Walker has to be the least sympathetic of these characters (with Theo, perhaps a close second). We watch him manipulate, humiliate, and control his friends, who, nevertheless, seem to tolerate this behavior because \"He's in so much pain\". Well, is it just me, but I sense a shift as these discussions have progressed to a greater and greater sympathy for Walker; and I'm trying to figure out why we do we seem to sympathize with such an unsympathic character? We have seen, I think, that he IS in so much pain, has always been, and this is his legacy for the future. Theo loses Lina and a piece of his self-esteem, but he wanders off, gains Maureen (who seems to be a NICE woman) and obviously his ego can't be that bruised because he's still i the firm Wexler and Janeway when he dies. Lina's been confused and insecure about Theo, but she gains Ned, marriage and children, just as she wanted. Ned, who IS terribly sympathetic throughout the second act, gains love, inspiration and ultimately will not lose his friend Theo after all. Pip was pretty much happy with his life to begin with and not much about that changes...he gains an inheritance of a very valuable house and still seems to be in good books with both Nan and his travelling mother (st ll looking for another \"wet guy\"). Nan's been torn up a bit, I think, by events, but she has her friends and family who she obviously enjoys and is proud of...they are still there to provide moral support. Walker loses what he expected to gain, loses even his sense of value he had for it and is given nothing to replace it or compensate for it. Where is his \"Lina\"?. Where is his \"family about him\"?, his \"Wexler and Janeway\" (or his \"Butte\"!!!) Where is his future? We percieve his pain, his inability to change much of it or move beyond it. In the end, it is Walker we sympathize with most.."}, {"response": 1138, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (12:57)", "body": "I understand Walker the most but I don't sympathize with him. You have some very good points, KJArt."}, {"response": 1139, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (15:26)", "body": "Thank you, KJArt for your perceptive comments...and I mostly agree with you...we certainly dissected all of them pretty thoroughly. (KJArt)In the end, it is Walker we sympathize with most.. I understand where \"Walker is coming from\"...but I don't sympathize with him either....And in a way, he is content too...at the end. There is closure to his unresolved feelings. (His ritual at the cemetery...burning the Journal..) I personally subscribe to: \"You- play- with -the- cards- you're -dealt\" philosophy. And of course, even if poor Ned was disappointed later in life....he still had those Three Days of Rain!! Anyway, that's MO."}, {"response": 1140, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (18:31)", "body": "Just dropped by for a massive fix of 3DOR, it is wonderful to read everything you have all written."}, {"response": 1141, "author": "Lizza", "date": "Wed, May  5, 1999 (18:35)", "body": "It has certainly illuminated much more of the play, I wish I had time to join in but if I stopped to comment on the \"comments\" ,I would still Be here when the rerun starts!!! Thanks again Moon , I owe you an apology re an email I did promise- bear with me!"}, {"response": 1142, "author": "Renata", "date": "Sat, May  8, 1999 (15:23)", "body": "Hi all, I m writing from a small unknown tabacchi shop in a hidden street of Volterra, Tuscany ..... I managed to excape the wilderness to join the civilized world for half an hour. No finds in antique shops yet :-) hope all is well with you all."}, {"response": 1143, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, May  8, 1999 (17:14)", "body": "That is really amazing Renate, in wonderful Volterra with all its Etruscan trasures, a place off the beaten track, you found a Tabaccheria with Internect access!!! Sending a big greeting back to you. If you're serious about antique finds, I recommend Lucca. We will want a full report on your return."}, {"response": 1144, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, May  8, 1999 (17:16)", "body": "Excuse the spelling please, I was in a rush."}, {"response": 1145, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, May  9, 1999 (15:24)", "body": "(Heide) Did he use his journal for his ideas? What ideas?...If he doesn't rely on words, why use a journal - a diary for boys. Not relying on words doesn't mean to me that he doesn't use them. He uses them sparingly, makes each one count, consistent with Evelyn's earlier comment about stutterers. Ned might have begun the journal because he had something in his life he wanted to record and replay in his own mind. It meant something to him for all time. He made the comment about going to architecture school \"to kill time.\" That was his life before Lina, he was a demiflaneur. Now, he desired some permanent record of his own existence, even if it was cryptic to the outside world. (Heide) Is the house the \"beginning of error\"? Speaks of his relationship with Lina too. The beginning of error. The BIG question, isn't it of this play? What is the \"beginning of error\"? Given the circularity of the play, it would have to refer to all the erroneous conclusions the children will form about their parents. But on another level, it would touch on Ned's life again. As KJ asked earlier, if Ned could see \"every moment\" of the house with \"astonishing clarity,\" why did he go forward with Lina (the beginning of error)? Simple as it sounds, why not? He was so happy. His fate be damned. (Moon) The house for a manqu\ufffd flaneur is a holding block, a prison, a curse. He gives it to Pip because he has a different outlook on life. The house would not be a prison for Pip and Ned felt that it would be for Walker. Love the term manqu\ufffd flaneur, but I still don't think Ned viewed the house as a curse. Ned wanted to ensure that Walker could live the life of a flaneur and all that required was sufficient means; a house has permanence and causes one to set down one's roots. Walker had all that was necessary: \"most of my money is in traveler's checks.\" (KJArt) I find it interesting that--as we dig deeper into the implications of this play--the mood seems to have shifted... Well we have uncovered new aspects to these characters through the give and take of our discussion. So unless one is a stubborn donkey (to put it nicely), initial impressions are bound to change as new facts are brought to light, new facts contingent on an understanding in some case of the cultural/literary references. KJ, I thought your synopsis was great and I agree with most all. Am calling the university presses as we speak!! *You must publish* ;-) (KJArt) I'm trying to figure out why we do we seem to sympathize with such an unsympathetic character? I enjoyed the Walker character from the beginning, but then again I love sarcastic, self-centered jerks! ;-) It also didn't hurt that Colin looked pretty damn good as Walker. But I digress... We the audience/readers are \"normal\" or \"average\" human beings like Pip (not geniuses or connoisseurs) , so we fall into the category of feeling sorry for Walker \"because he is in so much pain.\" We are sympathetic to the bad cards he's been dealt (Evelyn's metaphor) by design (the environment in which he was raised) and by life (genetics). Poor baby didn't have a chance. While Walker denied feeling his father didn't love him, it is apparent to me that it was central to his character. Why else would he eed to reconcile Ned's final bequest? ******* What do you think of Greenberg's use of architecture and marriage as structural elements? Janeway House survived but the Janeway's Home did not."}, {"response": 1146, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, May  9, 1999 (16:44)", "body": "...consistent with Evelyn's earlier comment about stutterers. I dated a stutterer in college. It's frustrating....conversations tend to be one-way. One feels sorry for them...they are somewhwat anti-social. And then one day one realizes that one is confusing pity for love. We don't see many stutterers today...speech therapists pick them up early in school. ***** (Karen)What do you think of Greenberg's use of architecture and marriage as structural elements?Janeway House survived but the Janeway's Home did not. Well, in this case it is a little unfair to compare the two...the house was built with better foundations than the Janeway marriage...Hey, these two made Paul Ashford's marriage look good!!"}, {"response": 1147, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, May  9, 1999 (23:31)", "body": "(heide)...If [Ned] doesn't rely on words, why use a journal...a diary for boys. As I remember, Gi pretty much had the handle on that one but nobody noticed!;-) His first entry...3 Days of Rain...\"I'll know what it means...\" As Karen noted, he wants to record and replay in his own head. Gi uses photos for the same thing....Ever notice how totally disinterested we usually are to other people's photo collections, but how fascinating our own are to us? That is because most of the images trigger ric memories in our heads--often of things, incidents, or people not even in the photograph. We use them as cues to our own rich memory, whereas they mean little to others beyond the surface image. Ned's \"journal\" is probably a series of cues. He is probably as secretive of his thoughts as he is with his words...he wouldn't want the journal to be found and reveal all...HE'LL know what it means...no one else needs to...and he can use it to replay his memories or remind him of events."}, {"response": 1148, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, May  9, 1999 (23:43)", "body": "(Karen) What is the \"beginning of error\"? Good question. I'm sorry I don't have the manuscript with me, but I seem to recall something Ned said earlier as he was describing his horrible visions...Something to the effect that if he MINDED total failure or catastrophe then he wouldn't be part of this project, but evidently he didn't mind...he seemed very fatalistic about it. Maybe that's where the \"beginning of error\" remark came from...his belief that he would get nothing, didn't deserve anything and failure was inevitable to him. He is doing this for Lina, but I do not think he has turned suddenly into an optimist because of her...he's just willing to go with the flow (and the flow is always downhill, isn't it?)"}, {"response": 1149, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, May  9, 1999 (23:57)", "body": "Sorry about the multiple entries, but there are so many ideas in all different directions and my thoughts are easily fragmented...(as most of you must have noticed by now...) ;-) (Karen)\" While Walker denied feeling his father didn't love him, it is apparent to me that it was central to his character. Who was it that said that the opposite of love is not hate but apathy? Hate at least acknowledges someone's existence...apathy wipes it out. I think the most affective characteristic of Walker is his almost plaintive need to be found by Nan...it reaffirms his existence and worth. (Karen) Janeway House survived but the Janeway Home did not. You know, it has just occurred to me that there is no evidence whatsoever that Ned or his immediate family ever actually lived in Janeway house. It was built as his parents' residence and they moved into it when it was finished...When Lina had her breakdown, they were living in some large apartment at the top of a skyscraper that Ned had designed. Did anybody ever see any clue that Ned and family had ever lived in Janeway House? (And if not, why would it be interpreted as a curse?). When Lina told him to \"build a home\", it was a home for somebody else! Maybe Ned's major \"error\" was that he never paused long enough to \"build a home\" for his own family..."}, {"response": 1150, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, May 10, 1999 (03:40)", "body": "No, there isn't any mention that Ned and family lived in Janeway House. However, I didn't mean to imply that they did. I meant any *home* for the Ned Janeways and a \"home\" is anywhere you hang your hat as the old song goes. It's not that prism (prison) place on Long Island. I don't view it as a curse either."}, {"response": 1151, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 10, 1999 (13:57)", "body": "(Moon), The house for a manqu\ufffd flaneur is a holding block, a prison, a curse. Regardless of the fact of whether they lived there or not as a family, I assume that Ned was living there at the time of his death. The house also represents the beginning of the end to Ned the manqu\ufffd flaneur, because without it, there would not have been the Architectural firm of Janeway/Wexler and all it\ufffds subsequent successes which blocked Ned\ufffds true persona, cursing him to a life not of his choice but chosen for him first by his grandparents who put up the money and second by Lina who got him started n the drawings, something that the \ufffdtalented\ufffd Theo was supposed to do not him. When one goes against one\ufffds true nature, it will not fare well. Call me superstitious, but I truly believe that a place be it a home or business can give off good or bad vibrations, and these vibrations reflect the state of mind of the people that live and work there. The Orientals call it Feng-Shui."}, {"response": 1152, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, May 10, 1999 (14:02)", "body": "Ibsen was a believer in freedom of will, but concerned with how heredity and environment shape a man's destiny. I find Greenberg very influenced by Ibsen."}, {"response": 1153, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, May 10, 1999 (19:13)", "body": "(Karen)*You must publish*;-) LOL! Let's publish jointly..\"Karen & Karen\"...sounds like a Law Firm!!;-)"}, {"response": 1154, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, May 10, 1999 (19:14)", "body": "...Or an architectural one!!;-)"}, {"response": 1155, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, May 11, 1999 (22:46)", "body": "(KJArt)I think the most affective characteristic of Walker is his almost plaintive need to be found by Nan...it reaffirms his existence and worth. When Lina first broke down, remember how Walker hid for many hours until somebody found him?"}, {"response": 1156, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 17, 1999 (14:08)", "body": "This is in Liz Smith's column today and might explain somewhat why Tracy Letts' played Walker the way he did in the Steppenwolf production I saw. Letts' wrote this play Killer Joe that has been playing off-Broadway, I believe, for some time. THERE IS quite a fascinating showdown at the Soho Playhouse, a serio-comic slice of life, Tracy Letts' \"Killer Joe.\" This is one hell of an evening in the theater - so graphic, violent and emotionally charged as to make the audience voyeurs, looking and listening to what is definitely not their business, wishing it would go away. But they remain hypnotized as well. It's the story of a trashy trailer park family - father, son, daughter, stepmom, planning to do away with the ex-wife, in order to collect her life insurance. They hire Killer Joe, and the madness commences. I have rarely seen performances of such intensity and shading. The great Scott Glenn, who originated the role of Joe in New York last October, has returned for a few weeks. His performance as the perverse killer is bad-tothebone chilling . . . Mim Drew as the sluttish stepmom . . . Marc A. Nelson as the desperate son . . . Michelle Williams as the pathetic but oddly crafty daughter, and Seth Ullian as the dopey, easilyledastray father are simply superb. This is strong stuff, be warned - there's frontal nu ity and no-holds-barred language."}, {"response": 1157, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jun 27, 1999 (01:07)", "body": "Time to start a new film discussion? A groundswell of support had begun for Femme Fatale the last time I checked but I believe Apartment Zero and Master of the Moor is still in the running too. I think Moon would be disappointed if we did Apartment Zero without her so I vote we wait for that. Any other nominations?"}, {"response": 1158, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 27, 1999 (02:32)", "body": "Oooh goodie!! Another movie I can curl up with!! ;-) (as all good succubi would)"}, {"response": 1159, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jun 27, 1999 (03:19)", "body": "...circling like a sleepy pussycat...waiting to pop the chosen film into the VCR for a long summer's look-see and dissection...L@@king..."}, {"response": 1160, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jun 27, 1999 (15:53)", "body": "Is it FF then? **Sometime** I want to put my bid in for CAMILE....I know it's not a favorite around here ('cept for Nan and me). But there's great chemistry with Gretta Sacchi."}, {"response": 1161, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 27, 1999 (16:02)", "body": "No, it's not decided. I was just voicing my opinion. After a serious one like 3DOR, a change of pace would be nice. But I'm open to others and will participate in whichever one receives the most interest."}, {"response": 1162, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sun, Jun 27, 1999 (17:15)", "body": "This was a great week for me Firthwise. I saw three new (to me) films. The downside of this is, of course, that I shall soon be reduced to your situation of having to wait on pins and needles for CF's one or two films a year...not a pretty thought. Thanks to Heide, I have just viewed Tumbledown and Master of the Moor. A few thoughts on these... Both were excellent. DB should surely have received the BAFTA for Tumbledown, as his performance IMO was what made the movie so effective (and the reason it won the BAFTA). One couldn't say Colin is an actor who is vain about his looks. He was so moving in the scene with his parents (among many others), crying about the loss of his men. RL may have seemed arrogant with the Stubbs, but that attitude is probabl what saved him. I found him for the most part admirable; he really cared for his men and they for him. I didn't like Mrs. Stubbs' assessment of RL and Hugh as killers, not heroes. Yes, war should not be necessary, but sometimes it is, and often these young soldiers are, indeed, heroes in terrible situations not of their own making. BTW, can anyone tell me what \"yomping\" is? As for Master of the Moor, it was gripping start to end and very, very sad. Excellent performances all around, along with a great script and cinematography. Had me in tears at the end when CF was crying in his Dad's arms (I also liked the scene when he told his dad he loved him).The interrogation scene was masterful - the inspector was terrifying and Stephen's hands, posture, eyes and inarticulateness so eloquent .Colin does vulnerable far better than any actor I have seen. But, I must wonder why he is so concerned about typecasting when he plays so many victims. I really, really hope that he doesn't play any more corpses, along with cads and neurotics. The perfect antidote to MOTM is Fever Pitch, which I just loved. It might have been low-budget, but then, Paul's world is low-budget.I didn't care for the kid, as he didn't seem at all like the adult Paul in either looks or personality; he had no charm and that is an inherent trait, not a learned one (the boy in MOTM was very effective, on the other hand). Adored the restaurant scene, which conveyed brilliantly and succintly both Paul's charms and his weaknesses in just a few minutes. Paul must be reasona ly intelligent, even if he isn't steeped in D. H. Lawrence, since his apartment is filled with books. As for his teaching abilities, never underestimate the value of enthusiasm, energy and the ability to relate well to children to inspire them to learn. Paul is the best kind of teacher for the ordinary students (and their parents) who mostly fill classrooms. Beyond all of this, Colin is CUTE, ADORABLE, DELICIOUS in this film. My vote for the film discussion goes to either FF or MOTM."}, {"response": 1163, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jun 27, 1999 (20:00)", "body": "Evelyn, if Camille was more widely available, I would vote for it, also. I love his Young Darcy look with the wildly curly locks and the emotive eyes. However it is out of the question for now, I imagine, so whatever the majority chooses I will watch and probe and analyze and drool."}, {"response": 1164, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 27, 1999 (21:06)", "body": "Yomping is hiking/marching cross country with backpack. if Camille was more widely available than what? The other widely available Colin films? ;-) You know we have a can-do attitude for those who pledge to participate. Where there's a will there's a way...and priority mail."}, {"response": 1165, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sun, Jun 27, 1999 (22:32)", "body": "This is true, but I have a copy of TA and cannot manage to copy it for the several who requested it. The local guys want more to copy mine than Reel.com did when I bought it there. (I am alone too much here and it is sunday and the new car sits idle while R does good things for his own glory elsewhere. I will go read something...)"}, {"response": 1166, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 28, 1999 (01:46)", "body": "(Marcia) if Camille was more widely available, I would vote for it, also I thought it was available from reel.com.It is a lousey tape however.Starts off like a second."}, {"response": 1167, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Mon, Jun 28, 1999 (05:01)", "body": "True,it is a poor tape, but is he not the most gorgeous Darcy in the making you have seen in any of his early movies? I am Trying to encourage everyone interested in a young and droolworthy Firth to go straight away to Reel.com and grab one. It should be in your hands and your hearts by the end of the week...get to it!!!"}, {"response": 1168, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Mon, Jun 28, 1999 (17:53)", "body": "For those of you who want to see more of Camille, the Roles Pages feature Camille among others. Go to the FOF (Meluchie ) Page or Murph's Page and scroll down."}, {"response": 1169, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jun 28, 1999 (19:16)", "body": "I vote for FF. Karen (as all good succubi would) Heehee! Have you got a lovely tattoo also? ;-)"}, {"response": 1170, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 28, 1999 (20:19)", "body": "For those of you who would like a copy of 3 DOR** in book form The Drama Bookshop will send one to you. Only $5.25 plus postage... 1-800 322-0595 723 seventh Ave. New York, NY 10019 FAX 212-730-8739. ** 3 DOR by Richard Greenberg ISBN 0-8222-1679-0 KJArt email me...I have yours."}, {"response": 1171, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 1999 (01:15)", "body": "I got my copy of Camille by getting it from my public library and making a copy (when I still had 2 nicely-working VCR's, that is). You might want to check out this resource...it's how I got my copy of Apartment Zero as well."}, {"response": 1172, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Tue, Jun 29, 1999 (03:29)", "body": "Watch for the pirating police. This is a public board."}, {"response": 1173, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 1999 (02:01)", "body": "Is that all? Thanks, ladies, who gave your votes. I'd like others to send out their votes too. Remember, not all discussions have to be on the same level as the recent Three Days of Rain. Not everyone has the time to do more than list your favorite Colin (character) Looks, Walk, Lines, etc. and frankly, I love those discussions as much as the highly literate and researched discourse we've enjoyed in the past. And I can think of quite a few favorite looks for FF but sorry, Evelyn and Marcia, can't think of any for Camille. Still, if Camille gets the most votes, I bow to you."}, {"response": 1174, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 1999 (02:21)", "body": "You're probably right. He was too young to give meaningful looks and gestures in Camille , but I think it worth the effort, sometime. Even if it is just to get the movie into wider circulation. I have a whole bunch of wav files from FF including \"come back to bed\" and \"you have to marry me\" (they *are* from FF, are they not?)"}, {"response": 1175, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 1999 (04:26)", "body": "I have a whole bunch of wav files from FF including \"come back to bed\" and \"you have to marry me\" (they *are* from FF, are they not?) Oh yeah!! I get freezer burn when I hear that last one. ;-)"}, {"response": 1176, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 1999 (23:07)", "body": "I don't recall \"come back to bed\" but that last one, *sigh*. (Heide) Remember, not all discussions have to be on the same level as the recent Three Days of Rain Goody. I'm afraid the 3DOR discussion got so far over my head it was up there with the satellites. It's time for something light and fluffy! Vote for FF! Vote for FF!"}, {"response": 1177, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 1999 (23:45)", "body": "FF...FF...FF....FF...\"Light and Fluffy\"....\"Light and Fluffy\"."}, {"response": 1178, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul  1, 1999 (23:56)", "body": "(Eileen) I'm afraid the 3DOR discussion got so far over my head it was up there with the satellites. Unless you lay down with head on curb, doubt this will happen with FF! ;-D"}, {"response": 1179, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (00:30)", "body": "Yup! FF it is from Hilo but the way he got walloped at that tree, it was not all sweetness and light. I hurt right along with him, or am I confused again?!"}, {"response": 1180, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (00:31)", "body": "Besides, it is the only one of his movies in which he mentions MY Island!"}, {"response": 1181, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (01:24)", "body": "Femme Fatale it is! Light and fluffy sounds good. Since the weekend will probably be slow, how about we start Tuesday, July 6? Does anyone remember while watching this film the very first time, if they suspected Elijah, even for a second, of being in on Cynthia's disappearance? We can discuss Tuesday along with those favorite looks, outfit, line, grin, carnal moment, etc."}, {"response": 1182, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (03:36)", "body": "July 6th it is! Fav carnal moment - other than the vertical shag which Arami has claimed?! Keepsake and fav scene list opening for use any time now!"}, {"response": 1183, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (03:49)", "body": "Does everyone have this film? We haven't had much of a response. Vacations?"}, {"response": 1184, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (14:43)", "body": "dont have the movie, but will swing by BlockBuster this weekend and see if i can rent a copy. Btw- what's it rated? Will have a 13 yr old staying with me this weekend, should i watch it after she goes to bed?"}, {"response": 1185, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (15:41)", "body": "Are you suggesting we wait until more people respond before beginning a new film discussion? Don't hold your breath, Karen. SB, a couple of bed scenes, one sex scene, no nudity (oops, forgot the topless model), very little profanity (total sucking fuccubus). Hope you find it!"}, {"response": 1186, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (15:56)", "body": "Heide ...take a head count....so far: Heide, Karen, evelyn, Marcia ,esbee, Eileen... Anybody else? Speak -up!! KJArt...how about you?"}, {"response": 1187, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (16:03)", "body": "(Karen) Unless you lay down with head on curb, doubt this will happen with FF! ;-D LOL! Ideal summertime fare! Unless of course we decide to debate the existential symbolism of the scene in which the bad guy pulls the lollipop off his butt in the minivan... :-D I don't know if you'll have success at Blockbuster's, SB. Look in the bargain bin! I taped the movie from the Lifetime channel. It's been edited for TV and is full of commercials, but most of the good parts are there. If you can't find it, I'm sure our hostesses will accomodate you. I'm off today so I'll rev up the VCR. Haven't watched FF in awhile. Hang on Joe, here I come! See you all next week. To my fellow Americans, happy 4th!"}, {"response": 1188, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Jul  2, 1999 (19:53)", "body": "What are we counting? Participants? OK by me if time allows."}, {"response": 1189, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 1999 (22:25)", "body": "I have FF and will try and re-watch this weekend so I can participate. But be forewarned that none of my comments are likely to be of the highbrow nature - not that this film warrants them :-). As Eileen said, a perfect film for my lazy, summer mood."}, {"response": 1190, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Jul  3, 1999 (22:45)", "body": "I must wonder why he is so concerned about typecasting when he plays so many victims. I really, really hope that he doesn't play any more corpses, along with cads and neurotics. He has said that he finds playing screwed up characters most interesting and challenging. it is the only one of his movies in which he mentions MY Island! He has never mentioned anything of mine in his movies so far... :-( [FF]very little profanity I believe the European cut has more \"f...s\" in the scene when he gets drunk. Even I was shocked the firth time I watched it!"}, {"response": 1191, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (03:27)", "body": "It's 7/6...I've done my homework...I have an excuse for using the computer because cable TV is out (blasted heatwave)...so I guess I'll start (unless someone beats me to it while I'm pounding this out). FF (or Fatal Woman, if you will) is my favorite Firth film looks-wise. Joe is quite the hunk, IMO. I like the way his hair is cut and the clothes he wears (excepting the baseball-style cap, which was too far back on his head). He's all broad shoulders and dimples, dimples, dimples! *Sigh* Joe is so sweet and innocent, you just want to hug him. The storyline ranks somewhere between 'P' and SiL (much closer to P!). The drug theft subplot is totally superfluous; it would have been a better movie without those stupid amatuer (on purpose, I know) crooks and that ridiculous ending: \"$50,000? No problem\" and they all go home! The script might just as well have said right out \"the movie's almost over and the writers are way off on this tangent. Let's just wrap it up now, OK?\" There was enough going on with the psychiatric issues to keep the story going. Favorite scenes: 1. Can't beat that shopping/proposal scene. The first kiss (after \"who are you calling a tart?\" \"There are people watching\" \"They're just jealous\") is one of his sexiest. Definitely a rewind moment! And as we've mentioned on the other boards, the look on his face after the cat comment and her line \"you come when I call\" is precious. 2. Going through the box of Cynthia's stuff with Elijah--v. funny banter between them. Favorite lines: \"Still can't draw faces?\" Talking Cynthia to sleep \"Is this your old navy days?\" \"Talk to me...\" \"I married a succubus\" \"Wagner? All that passion\" (with smile as he waves the paintbrush) \"OK, so you were lovers, and, um, drug dealers. What else can you tell me about her?\" \"Well, I always wanted to meet her friends...\" \"How many of you are there?\" \"Not even one.\" Favorite looks: Kissing Cynthia's neck from behind at the wedding Laying in bed when she's trying to convince him to paint again When Joe realizes it's Cynthia in the tape (stabbing the fork--yecchh). He's got such horror and revulsion in his eyes Chewing the limp celery stalk Watching the video of Cynthia with Dr. Beaumont At the end, sleeping with his arms up around his head My questions for discussion (take 'em in context, this script was no prize winner): Is Joe independently wealthy? Considering Dom Perignon at the wedding, honeymoon in Hawaii (Marcia's house?), he takes unlimited leave from work to search for Cynthia, etc. all on a park ranger's salary. At the art gallery, how about that live sculpture mummified in toilet paper? Was that ODB? It sure looked like him. What was the meaning of that? And was that Cynthia-as-Maura popping up on Elijah's TV as he's surfing through the channels? Again, it sure looked like her. At the end, when Joe finds Elizabeth in the wheelchair in her father's home, she moves her feet when he approaches her. Could she move them all along? Was Cynthia, a super-ego personality, faking Elizabeth's paralysis? Or at this point, was she faking Elizabeth all together as a means to hide from Dino and his clumsy jerk--oops, accomplises? It's been 20 years since I had psych in nursing school (not my favorite subject) and I can't recall if the personalities in MPD usually manifest themselves on a predictable, perhaps stress-induced basis. Does anyone know? Cynthia/Elizabeth sure showed up at the right time (likely just another plot flaw). Lasly, what's the deal with that ending? \"I'm here\" I take it that means \"I haven't run off again\" but it could also mean \"I'm here and for once the rest of me is here as well\" ???? Looking forward to a (heehee) lively discussion!"}, {"response": 1192, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (13:55)", "body": "Excellent start, Eileen. Unfortunately, the dog ate my homework. ;-D"}, {"response": 1193, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (18:19)", "body": "(Eileen) Favorite lines: \"I married a succubus\" Line is much funnier in FF. FW suffered from bleeping disorder. I'm sure it will surface on Heide's list of favs! She also has a soft spot for Colin's drunken bits. ;-D (Eileen) Favorite looks: Chewing the limp celery stalk Will definitely have to study this one in greater detail. hee hee"}, {"response": 1194, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (20:38)", "body": "On this subject I am not by any manner or means an expert, but I did have a very close friend who had MPD. She got progressively worse and there was less and less of the lady I knew and more and more different personalities. I never quite knew who I was going to have lunch with. I served as her ground point to what she considered normalcy. Finally, the Mental Health Association called me one day and asked for help with her. By then, her \"real\" self had completely disappeared and she was someone no one kn w. She was institutionalized shortly thereafter in Pennsylvania where her Mother lived. I have no idea what has happened to her, but this idea of Joe making Cynthia well again was too painfully unreal for me and infused the whole movie with an air of unreality."}, {"response": 1195, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (21:31)", "body": "(Karen) FW suffered from bleeping disorder They did leave in most of that line (I believe just the word \"sucking\" was omitted). There were alot of missing words (or bad voiceovers--v. funny). Most of the lovemaking scene was likely edited out as well (but they did leave in the infamous sliver of blue! Shows you where I'm looking). (Marcia) but this idea of Joe making Cynthia well again was too painfully unreal for me and infused the whole movie with an air of unreality. Lynda has an interesting angle on this. I chalk it up to a less-than-stellar script. The writers weren't going for realism, they were going for \"drama.\""}, {"response": 1196, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Wed, Jul  7, 1999 (23:56)", "body": "(Marcia) this idea of Joe making Cynthia well again was too painfully unreal for me and infused the whole movie with an air of unreality. I am repeating myself here, but IMO the movie is not saying that Joe is going to cure Cynthia, only that he is planning to try to help her, firstly by giving her his love, loyalty and some more objective stability than her guilt-ridden father can do. His reaction to her not being in bed and the expression on her face in the final shot does not indicate a fairy tale ending. Ambivalent ending, at best. In the TV Guide review (rated 3 stars out of 5) for this movie, the writer says that \"the only real flaw n (FF) is Joe's misguided assumption that he...can help someone who is obviously severely disturbed \". Joe is young, passionately in love and idealistic, so this naivete is, to me, a flaw in Joe's character, (one shared by many, many people, therefore, believable), not a flaw in the screenplay. On a much lighter note, Colin as Joe is lovely to look at in this film; he is heroic, not nuerotic; he doesn't die (and had he abandonned Cynthia, would he not have been a cad); and best of all, he is in every scene. I also love the talking Cynthia to sleep scene; Joe can tell me bedtime stories whenever he wants, although it's highly unlikely that I would fall asleep. Colin does have a wonderful voice and in this scene uses it most effectively. Thanks for the great start, Eileen; I'll be back later with my favorite parts of FF."}, {"response": 1197, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (02:25)", "body": "I haven't done my homework either but since FF is one of my favorite films, Firth look-wise (and yes, those are the ones I watch the most), I won't have to do too much review. But great start... Don't you love the relationship between Joe and Elijah? There are some great lines between them (\"Still can't draw faces\" one of my faves too). At first I thought maybe their friendship was too good to be true and Elijah was in on this somehow. He did know just where to take Joe to get some clues. But I was glad they didn't try to complicate the plot by weaving something sinister in there. I give the film points for that and points for the model. I enjoyed her mothering of Joe. She had some cute li es too. \"You're from England, aren't you.\" Duhh. I also give the film points for the bad guys. I know the ending sounds trite and Eileen gave it a good summation when she said \"the movie's almost over and the writers are way off on this tangent. Let's just wrap it up now, OK?\" But I'm generous here and saying this was something unexpected which I appreciated in this otherwise very predictable film. The name of the place where Joe first sees the Maura video escapes me now but what was with that waifish blonde guy who keeps staring at Joe? You see him furtively looking at Joe as he is looking at the \"exhibits\" and then you see him again when they're outside the men's room. And the shoes! Poor Joe buys his shoes at a department store. Tres outre'. (Eileen) I like the way his hair is cut and the clothes he wear.. Yes, yes..yummm. I love his clothes - the kind of ratty light blue shirt he wears when he's painting is one of my particular favorites. And how about the black sleeveless T? Was he with Meg during the filming of this? Lucky girl. how could she let him get away? (Eileen) Is Joe independently wealthy? Considering Dom Perignon at the wedding, honeymoon in Hawaii (Marcia's house?), he takes unlimited leave from work to search for Cynthia, etc. all on a park ranger's salary. LOL, my thoughts too though I never thought to express them. He just comes and goes at will...no boss to report to? Oh, I know he was supposed to be on his honeymoon anyway but how long do you think he was gone? And was that Cynthia-as-Maura popping up on Elijah's TV as he's surfing through the channels? I always thought Elijah was continuously watching the Maura videos. He seemed to have some kind of fascination for her lifestyle...I mean he really dug the cut-out black leather bra. (Karen) soft spot for Colin's drunken bits. You know me. Colin does drunk very well. It's \"sucking fuccubus\" he says that was altered on the TV version. (Marcia) have no idea what has happened to her, but this idea of Joe making Cynthia well again was too painfully unreal for me and infused the whole movie with an air of unreality. I won't make light of your friend's plight though I was tempted to mention the Pennsylvania connection. Lynda's summary at least can give us some grasp at plausibility. Joe thinks he can help Cynthia, no matter what we think, and that's the most important thing. (Lynda) On a much lighter note, Colin as Joe is lovely to look at in this film; he is heroic, not nuerotic; he doesn't die (and had he abandonned Cynthia, would he not have been a cad); and best of all, he is in every scene. Oh yes, don't we all want a Joe Prince of our own? He is truly a prince among men. Think that's deliberate, Karen? ;-) More later. Let's not stop."}, {"response": 1198, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (02:26)", "body": "Thank you Eileen and Lynda for getting us started on FF. After P&P this is my fave Colin role ( I see it\ufffds Murph\ufffds too from her Guest Book). But...I have a love/hate relationship with the film. On the one hand I love Joe Prince as a character...and the tender, sweet way Colin plays him.(maybe a lot of the real Colin in him??) A nature-nerd ( love the park ranger outfit and who else would stop to pick off a moth cocoon off a tree right after he\ufffds spent the night in a cemetery getting beaten up) But I hate to see him in this low-class B- film ( a Bomb..as one critic called it) with such a lousy cast and script. The Zane sibs lack talent Big Time. They\ufffdre awful. Billed as a psycho-thriller...the only psychos were the script writers. The story line wasn\ufffdt all that bad. Agree with Eileen the drug sub-plot was terrible. The opening scene ..where he tenderly kisses bride Cynthia on the neck and then casually looks away..\ufffdwho me?\ufffd... is a favorite. Agree about when he recites his... \ufffdtrick for falling asleep\ufffd.... \ufffdYou know there\ufffds a trick I use...I listen...concentrate on the closest sound ...I disappear and try to become that sound ...the refrigerator...and the next sound farther away...the water...the stream...further ...and... further.\ufffd The timbre of his voice...the timing... He gives ordinary words a dimension.... rhythm...almost pentameter-like. I\ufffdd go anywhere to hear this guy read a cookbook!! Hate my Lifetime tape.....have ordered a real one from reel. com. They have it in stock.Should be here in a few days. Will ask psychologist son about MPD....but he usually de-bunks such stuff"}, {"response": 1199, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (03:04)", "body": "Agree with what has been said about Joe and his aching need to cure her. I know all about that, too. I hung in there with what became a stranger for a year or more hoping I would see a tiny sliver of her former self and grasp it before it disappeared again. Favorite quote was about the Honeymoon in Hawaii where the Volcano is erupting (hey, did you not see the email address I put down for him on my Birthday list?!) Favorite look - any time I can see him is my favorite one =)"}, {"response": 1200, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (03:43)", "body": "The only good thing I saw in this movie was Colin. Was the woman who played Cynthia billy Zane's sister? She is about the worst actress I have ever seen. The rest of the cast wasn't much better and as was said before the script was a bummmer."}, {"response": 1201, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (04:56)", "body": "(Heide) The name of the place where Joe first sees the Maura video escapes me now The Waste Gallery?? (Heide) He is truly a prince among men. Think that's deliberate, Karen? ;-) Ask Arami. ;-p Shouldn't have put my *homework* on the floor! That dog has no respect... tsk tsk..."}, {"response": 1202, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (15:07)", "body": "(Evelyn) Billed as a psycho-thriller Really? Puh-leeze! (Heide) \"You're from England, aren't you.\" Duhh. Hee hee! Da dumb blonde broad from Brooklyn (with a terrible accent, too). The Waste Gallery Did you notice the camera over the urinals? I didn't until this last viewing (while doing my homework :-P). Elijah pushes it over towards Joe. BZ's not so bad, IMO. CZ's not great but at least you could tell the difference between her character's personalities (Cynthia vs. Elizabeth vs. Maura) and compared to the female lead in 'P' she's terrific. (Lynda) Joe is young, passionately in love and idealistic, so this naivete is, to me, a flaw in Joe's character, (one shared by many, many people, therefore, believable), not a flaw in the screenplay. Yes, Joe's so naive he believes he can help her after browsing through a few books, such as 'Sybil.' That's perfectly consistent with his character. He can't stand the thought of losing her, so he'll do whatever it takes. I have no gripes about this theme in the script. It's how her personalities seem to come out as if on cue (e.g., Elizabeth doesn't take over until after the wedding; Cynthia convenienty emerges during the final drive to Joe's), among other things, that lead me to diss the script."}, {"response": 1203, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (23:20)", "body": "Yes...Lisa Zane and Billy are sibs. Re: LZ...She is about the worst actress I have ever seen No...IMO Jennifer Rubin (P.) is the worst...but LZ is close second. Re: the urinal scene....did anyone notice that after they \"releived \" themselves Elijah shook **it ** several times. Joe didn't....or did he and my Lifetime tape edited it out. themselves....Elijah shooj"}, {"response": 1204, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul  8, 1999 (23:22)", "body": "sorry for the extra tag line...I wonder where it went:-)"}, {"response": 1205, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 1999 (01:51)", "body": "That whirring sound you hear is the world-wide rewind and fast forward of thousands of VCRs looking for the Urinal scene. Thanks, Evelyn. No, had not noticed before!"}, {"response": 1206, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 1999 (15:51)", "body": "OK- have ordered FF from reel.com and * fingers crossed * hopefully it should appear in a few days. Meanwhile, i'll continue to read all your interesting comments and live in eager anticipation of its arrival. :) Cant wait to check out that Urinal scene * hee hee *"}, {"response": 1207, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 1999 (17:51)", "body": "While everyone is checking the U scene....check this one out.... I thought Mr. Darcy's hair on his chest was black (or so it look through the white shirt).In the last scene of FF...Joe Prince's chest hair is very light...almost non-existent....Is that my tape? Or did they dye Mr. Darcy's chest hair too. (getta life,evelyn!!)"}, {"response": 1208, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Jul  9, 1999 (20:18)", "body": "I have seen several pictures where it is quite light, but then so is his head-hair. I think they dye it to match if he's dark and it is to show."}, {"response": 1209, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 1999 (03:34)", "body": "In The Advocate he's got quite a dark patch but then his hair is dark. In other films, his chest hair is invisible. Guess I'll wait for MLSF to make a final determination. There I go, breaking my promise to myself not to discuss that M...film anymore. Anyway, back to FF. I like what you said, Eileen (I think) about Cynthia so conveniently changing her character at just the right moment. She turns back into Maura when the gangsters find her back at Joe's place, she turns into the Baby when things go bad when they're digging for the money at the end. A personality to match every mood! Love near the beginning when Joe comes to Elijah's apartment and flops backwards onto his bed. I've noticed him do this move in quite a few other films...Wings of Fame, The Advocate, Lost Empires, to name a few. Another Colin signature like the famous hand to mouth signature move he does in almost every film? I actually like Billy Zane in this film and as I've said before I really enjoy the buddy relationship between the two."}, {"response": 1210, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 1999 (08:28)", "body": "(Heide) I actually like Billy Zane in this film and as I've said before I really enjoy the buddy relationship between the two. I agree, this is one of my favorite aspects of this film. The male friendship seems real and warm, unlike most of the other preposterous elements. I'm not a huge BZ fan (thought he was a bit too Snidely Whiplash-ish in Titantic) but I enjoyed his camaraderie with CF in FF. And for those of you with only the tape of FW from Lifetime channel, I would recommend purchasing the original video if you can dig up the scratch. I've seen both and let me assure you that the bits they cut for Lifetime are ahem, definitely worth seeing!"}, {"response": 1211, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jul 10, 1999 (08:52)", "body": "I seem to remember that in MOTM (when he is buttoning up his shirt in the first episode) his chest hair looks luxuriant...and I think he has his natural colour in MOTM. My contribution to the FF discussion! :-) It's very hot and humid over here....my brain cells have wilted!"}, {"response": 1212, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 11, 1999 (00:19)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1213, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 11, 1999 (00:24)", "body": "(Eileen) my favorite Firth film looks-wise. Joe is quite the hunk, IMO. He looks so Neil Truelove, especially during the opening credits wedding scenes. Maybe it's the haircut or the amount of hair he had! (Eileen) the baseball-style cap, which was too far back on his head Is that what the problem is? Sheesh, hadn't figured that one out. (Eileen) it would have been a better movie without those stupid amateur (on purpose, I know) crooks I kept thinking \"who would be afraid of a poorly dressed golfer?\" Anyone else notice the resemblance to Lenny or is it Squiggy? ;-D (Eileen) At the art gallery, how about that live sculpture mummified in toilet paper? Was that ODB? It sure looked like him. What was the meaning of that? What excellent eyes you have!! I never noticed it before, but it sure looks like him. Joe is walking around taking it all in, then he sees the mummy and his face changes. He looks disturbed. Maybe he sees the resemblance. And was that Cynthia-as-Maura popping up on Elijah's TV as he's surfing through the channels? You mean the platinum blonde with the poodles? This was before they had the Jenny Purge video, right? (Eileen) when Joe finds Elizabeth in the wheelchair in her father's home, she moves her feet when he approaches her. Could she move them all along? You mean when she's using them to help her turn the chair around to escape Joe? ;-) Oh yeah, she just thinks she's paralyzed; Beth is her paralyzed personality. (Eileen) Cynthia/Elizabeth sure showed up at the right time (likely just another plot flaw). My favorite is when Maura comes out at the end to deal with Dino, Desi and Billy and Jenny. (Eileen) \"I'm here\" I take it that means \"I haven't run off again\" I'm in the same camp. She hasn't run off again. The other (i.e., I'm cured) is just too implausible for me to believe. But it could be...NOT!! (Lynda) I also love the talking Cynthia to sleep scene Has anyone noticed a little Darcy deja vu moment here? When Joe comes running in, he says \"can I get you some aspirin?\" Just like \"can I get you something for your present relief\" at the Inn at Lambton. (Evelyn) The Zane sibs lack talent Big Time. They're awful. (Eileen) BZ's not so bad, IMO. CZ's not great but at least you could tell the difference between her character's personalities I agree, Billy wasn't too bad and Lisa!! Didn't you think she did a bang up job playing all those roles? Don't think Sally Field or Joanne Woodward could do any better. ;-) (Evelyn) Will ask psychologist son about MPD....but he usually de-bunks such stuff Interestingly, the father (a psychiatrist) says he doesn't believe in MPD either when he's showing Joe the video in his office. He says that \"she's one person who has walled off different aspects of her personality.\" (Evelyn) Re: the urinal scene....did anyone notice... Don't get me started on this!! My all-time pet peeve about movies and television. When did someone decide that we needed to watch men facing a wall and hopping up and down? Do all important men's conversations have to take place at a urinal? Then it expanded to women. In Secrets and Lies, the wife is sitting on the toilet reaching for a tampon. There are just some bodily functions I don't need to see in movies. Ugh!! ...and no, Evelyn, he didn't shake it. But there was a great stride out of the bathroom. Very purposeful, like he didn't want to be filmed in there and couldn't get out fast enough!! Am compiling my list of favs (lines, scenes, looks, etc,) but I have some nagging questions: I just noticed that Joe said he and Cynthia had been together for a year and a half before they were married. Other than a few headaches, she seems to have been just fine all that time. Strange that the father hadn't mentioned anything about searching for her. I mean if you had a sick daughter like her, don't you think he would have hired people to look for her? Why hadn't Joe taken the TP off the truck when he went to pick up the pictures three days after the ceremony?"}, {"response": 1214, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sun, Jul 11, 1999 (04:27)", "body": "(Karen) I just noticed that Joe said he and Cynthia had been together for a year and a half before they were married. I thought that too, but I believe Elijah made that comment, when Joe and he were in the pool - meaning that Joe has been going on and on about Cynthia without really saying anything about her. At the cemetery, Ted (or was it Ed) said that Maura went to Vancouver three months earlier and diappeared. (Karen) Strange that the father hadn't mentioned anything about searching for her. I mean if you had a sick daughter like her, don't you think he would have hired people to look for her? Dr. Beaumont told Joe at the end that Cynthia had gone off before and that sometimes he wished she wouldn't come back. He didn't fight too hard to keep Joe from taking Cynthia away; IMO, though feeling guilty about it, he was relieved to be handing over the responsibilty to someone else. Re the multiple personalities and how conveniently they appeared in FF, my husband (and I, though not very attentively) were watching Dateline NBC this past week and it was profiling a man who apparently suffers from this disorder. I remain very sceptical, but my husband (and others on the show) was convinced - said he could actually see the man change in response to stress- inducing questions. Perhaps personalities change in response to external stimuli. I do not think Cynthia was acting. She was paralyz d when she was with her dad - some kind of (unconscious) sick script she and her dad enacted over and over. I still believe that she had a better chance (though perhaps not much of one) with Joe than with her dad. Favourite Looks: The beautiful smile Joe flashes at Cynthia as she lies on the floor; the look on his face when Cynthia tell Joe she likes his drawings in the nature centre scene (in fact, I adore Joe's face in that entire meeting Cynthia scene, depite the baseball cap. Completely adorable). Favourite clothes: the sweater he wears in the proposal scene - makes him look so big and strong and virile. Actually, I liked all Joe's clothes in FF Favourite scenes: nothing origianl here.The proposal scene - loved Joe and Cynthia dancing, Joe saying \"Mrs. McGillicuddy's home for fallen felines\" and \"they get squishy\". The lovemaking scene - CF gave Joe a physical tenseness and stiffness that I found very erotic (and not seen by me in any other lovemaking scene I've watched). I am partial to the scene in Elijah's trashed-out apartment, when Joe talked about being better than the world - I wanted CF to keep talking indefinately. Most uncomfortable scene: the kidnapping, particularly Joe with a gun in his mouth, pleading. No macho man here, but a real guy helpless in a horrifying situation."}, {"response": 1215, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jul 11, 1999 (22:53)", "body": "I do agree with you, Lynda, that Cynthia/Elizabeth has more of a chance with Joe than with her \"enabler\" father. Don't really think she has much of a chance at all without proper treatment. What is the cure rate for MPD? Didn't we once rate their marriage the least likely to survive? Slightly lower than Paul and Sarah in Fever Pitch but that's another story. I have some stupid questions but they're nagging at me: Who are all these people at the wedding? Cynthia's been there for 3 months and Joe doesn't strike me as a very social guy out there in the woods. Who loves more in this relationship? Joe drives Cynthia back to the cabin. He thinks she's still paralyzed until they get to the store the next morning and she tells him she doesn't need his help. What did he do when they had to take a bathroom break? This film does give us some showcasing moments for Colin's subtle expressions. I love his acting when he first meets the model Andrea and she starts to undress. Shyness, embarrassment, and interest all rolled into one. He looks at her, looks away, fidgets with his collar as his eyes move back to her. Then he bites the bullet and strides over to her to introduce himself. The handshake was omitted in the Lifetime version, I believe because she's topless at that point. Also his growing awareness of what his wife was as he watches the video of Maura for the first time. Elijah is scoffing and scornful, disbelieving this could be Joe's wife but the camera pans in on Joe as he accepts this fact. Is it possible to project hopeless acceptance? And another...his reaction when Jenny tells him that Maura and she were lovers. \"You do know about her and me.\" Lightning bolt! \"You were lovers.\" He takes off the icepack from his head and strides to the window. You can see him thinking, \"okay, I can deal with this, but please don't tell me anymore.\" A couple of standing at the window scenes but no real Darcy moments that I detect. A bit of a stretch to say Joe driving through the night to get to LA to find Cynthia is the same Avenging Angel bit as Darcy riding through the night to get to London to find Lydia but I'll go for it. (Lynda) The lovemaking scene - CF gave Joe a physical tenseness and stiffness that I found very erotic (and not seen by me in any other lovemaking scene I've watched). Well put, Lynda. Tense and stiff are the right adjectives. We love to speculate on what could have caused that rather startled expression on his face at one point. Thanks for posting the mummy picture. There's no question now that is Colin/Joe. What do you think the point of that is? And Eileen, I see now that the scene where Elijah is watching a tape that looks like Cynthia is before they even went to the Waste Gallery so that can't be the video they picked up there as I replied. Same idea then as the mummy and Joe? Billy Zane's okay in this film. Favorite exchange is while Elijah is painting: E: \"No art in England.\" J:\"I got a scholarship....\" E. \"...from Masterpiece Theatre.\" Favorite outfit is the black tee shirt and black leather jacket (that old familiar jacket) he wears to the tatoo parlor. Most uncomfortable scene: the kidnapping, particularly Joe with a gun in his mouth, Pretty awful to see our boy that helpless. Most frustrating scene: Joe's got the gun, he lets Ted/Ed (or is it Desi or Billy-like that, Karen) hit him with the shovel. Then Joe takes a weak swing at Ted/Ed and just stands there leaving himself wide open for another punch which of course he gets. I know our boy is a lover not a fighter but I think I could even have protected myself a bit better."}, {"response": 1216, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (08:13)", "body": "Thanks for posting the mummy picture. There's no question now that is Colin/Joe. What do you think the point of that is? IMO there's no significance for the storyline. I always imagined it as a joke, very likely the result of an off-camera fun. You can even see him grin under that paper. The toilet-paper-mummy is an inserted, unconnected shot, and not part of the countershot which shows us the whole scenario Joe is watching. Since I discovered that, my view of the whole film changed. I take it less serious, more from an ironic angle, and it improved a lot! :-) I got the impression they must have had some fun at least, when aking that film."}, {"response": 1217, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (18:13)", "body": "(Karen) He looks so Neil Truelove, especially during the opening credits wedding scenes. Maybe it's the haircut or the amount of hair he had! I did see the *sob* bald spot, though. It's when he's with Jenny. I don't recall the precise moment, but the ice pack is off and he turns his head. There it is (funny how I never noticed it until you Donmar ladies verified its presence. Now I notice it all the time. I suppose I was in denial). (Lynda) I adore Joe's face in that entire meeting Cynthia scene, depite the baseball cap. Completely adorable Don't you love it when he says \"yeah--drink beer?\" I've not heard him say a line like that! (Heide) Love near the beginning when Joe comes to Elijah's apartment and flops backwards onto his bed. I've noticed him do this move in quite a few other films...Wings of Fame, The Advocate, Lost Empires, to name a few It reminded me of Valmont falling backwards into the water, as the talking Cynthia to sleep scene reminded me of the letter dictation to Cecile. You can just close your eyes and listen...*sigh* (Heide) She turns back into Maura when the gangsters find her back at Joe's place, she turns into the Baby when things go bad when they're digging for the money at the end. A personality to match every mood! (Lynda)Perhaps personalities change in response to external stimuli I can buy this, but then why didn't Cynthia change into someone else while she and Joe were \"dating,\" whether it was three months (much more believable) or a year and a half? As Karen says, other than a few headaches, she seems to have been just fine all that time . Again, I don't think this movie was striving for clinical accuracy. (Heide) What did he do when they had to take a bathroom break? Hee hee! Good point. Joe was drinking all the coffee (3 cups stacked). Perhaps he just pulled over when nature called (and didn't shake it afterwards ;-P ) (Lynda) I do not think Cynthia was acting. She was paralyzed when she was with her dad - some kind of (unconscious) sick script she and her dad enacted over and over It's plausible that Cynthia (rather, Maura) purposely faked Elizabeth in order to hide out from Dino, Desi and Billy (LOL, Karen--now there's a blast from the past) and even Joe. I believe MPD patients become aware of their various personalities while they're in treatment. (Lynda) Dr. Beaumont told Joe at the end that Cynthia had gone off before and that sometimes he wished she wouldn't come back. He didn't fight too hard to keep Joe from taking Cynthia away; IMO, though feeling guilty about it, he was relieved to be handing over the responsibilty to someone else A pox on Dr. Beaumont as both a physician and a father. He meets Joe in his professional capacity and appropriately advises him that he can't divulge any details of his patient's history even though Joe's her husband (as verified merely by those snapshots. What if it had been Halloween?). Less than a minute later he \"does a 180,\" abandons all professional ethics and readily breaches confidentiality to spill the gory details. As you said, Lynda, he never should have been treating her in the first place He's professionally unethical, paternally guilt-ridden, burnt out, hopeless and ready to hand the baton to someone else: a complete stranger who is naive and unprepared to take on a patient with an extensive history and who's been refractory to treatment. My initial reaction to all this was *phooey* but, hey, it could happen :-p Thanks for that snappy, Karen. My videotape kept jumping when I froze it so I wasn't sure. (Renate) I got the impression they must have had some fun at least, when making that film. Absolutely. Or just had a really low budget (no funds for extras--had to pay Dino, et al.). (Karen) Why hadn't Joe taken the TP off the truck when he went to pick up the pictures three days after the ceremony? Because he's in L-U-V and is so happy to be married, he wants the whole world to know about it. Didn't that truck crack you up? Loved those animal cutouts above the door. (Heide) Who are all these people at the wedding? Cynthia's been there for 3 months and Joe doesn't strike me as a very social guy out there in the woods. Yeah, who are they? Thirsty park visitors? Shoppers from the convenience store? Perhaps after Joe and Cynthia got together they entertained alot?? Cynthia can't know anyone and Joe, as Elijah put it, likes to run away and hide. Which begs the question...why? We really don't know much about Joe. He came to the US from England on an art scholarship, loves nature, is talented but has abandoned painting (why?). In pursuit of the \"succubus\" theme, I would think the Joe character would be pure and naive period. The artsy nature-lover fits the bill. Why introduce this conflict? So Cynthia could draw him out and make him paint again?"}, {"response": 1218, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (23:20)", "body": "Re: MPD Psychologist son does not consider this a bonafide psychotic mental disorder.And does not take the condition seriously. This condition was never identified until this century and then the number of cases skyrocketed.....known only in the US...ocurrs more often in women .Has recently gone down in number. Can be compared to the condition of \ufffdbeing possessed by the devil\ufffd(which is virtually unknown today).Or people who \ufffdhear voices\ufffd. In other words...it is a contemporary eccentric cultural mental condition. Of course Elizabeth probably inherited some schizophrenic genes from her mother and then was abused by her....so the poor girl was a prime candidate for a serious mental disorder....perhaps she manifested it in MP. This is his opinion only.... you understand. For the doctors who do treat MPD the usual protocol is hospitalization and therapy. Of course without MPD we would not have had the storyline of FF. But one must think that the future of this marriage looks grim...unless Joe makes a commitment to love Maura/Elizabeth...or whomever he wakes -up next to in the morning. and that could make an interesting marriage...for sure it would never be dull. ****** I have an extra FF tape( Lifetime version). And will gladly give it to anyone who promises to join in our discussion. Pl. email me."}, {"response": 1219, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Mon, Jul 12, 1999 (23:50)", "body": "Pardon me for the spelling errors in my last posting; I was watching Fever Pitch (again) and was distracted by the coffee cup scene as I proofread.. I love this film, more so every time I see it. CF is sooo cute and RG (and the whole cast) is terrific too. I certainly want to see this on the big screen. (Evelyn) But one must think that the future of this marriage looks grim...unless Joe makes a commitment to love Maura/Elizabeth...or whomever he wakes -up next to in the morning. and that could make an interesting marriage...for sure it would never be dull. Joe asks Cynthia in the truck and in bed about her personalities so his committment may not be the problem. His real difficulty is going to be living with someone who may run out on him at any given time or who may drag him into serious unpleasantness. He's never going to be relaxed in this marriage and will always be afraid to upset her. It's no way to live. BTW, Joe does show some (understandable) anger in the truck and in the grocery store at the end. Will he be able to control it forever? He has been badly deceived and ill-used. Look at Joe's face while he's watching the Marilyn video in the motel room - when he realizes that everything Cynthia told him in the lovemaking scene was word-for-word from the script of the MM video."}, {"response": 1220, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jul 13, 1999 (22:54)", "body": "IMO whatever it was that attracted Joe to Cynthia in the first place (her lovely tattoo, perhaps?) will not withstand the stressors you mention, Lynda and Evelyn--never knowing who he's waking up with or if any of them will even be there. IMO this movie peaked before the drug sub-plot and went somewhat downhill until its \"huh?\" ending. But how else could it have ended (the storyline of Joe and Cynthia, that is)? I think most of us agree that she's not miraculously cured when she says \"I'm here.\" The ending's as uncertain as Joe and Cynthia's future."}, {"response": 1221, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 1999 (00:08)", "body": "(Eileen) It's plausible that Cynthia (rather, Maura) purposely faked Elizabeth in order to hide out from Dino, Desi and Billy ... and even Joe. But why? She was quite well hidden from Dino and the lads in the woods, especially after three months - the bad guys weren't closing in on her. Why hide from Joe; IMO, Cynthia loved him (the painting and proposal scenes convinced me). And why fake Elizabeth with her father - he was aware of her other personas and wouldn't have betrayed her. (Eileen) He meets Joe in his professional capacity and appropriately advises him that he can't divulge any details of his patient's history even though Joe's her husband ... Less than a minute later he \"does a 180,\" abandons all professional ethics and readily breaches confidentiality to spill the gory details. However, Dr. B. as Cynthia's father and, most likely, guardian, could divulge Cynthia's history. He decided the only chance he had of ridding himself of Joe was to scare him off. That film would have scared most guys, but Joe was a prince, after all. BTW, the actor playing Dr. B did a terrific job in his final scene with Joe - most believable and poignant. My favourite non-Colin moment in FF. A question: How did Joe find out where Dr. Beaumont lived? (Eileen) I don't think this movie was striving for clinical accuracy. Don't think the W/D ever remotely imagined us (or anyone) doing a film discussion (dissection?) on FF! (Heide) Who are all these people at the wedding? (Eileen) Thirsty park visitors? Shoppers from the convenience store? How about Joe's Forestry Service colleagues? He would have hardly been out there in the woods all by himself. (Eileen) I did see the *sob* bald spot, though. DB's hair looked thin in the rain scenes in MOTM and one scene in FP, but always where his hair is parted. FF was made 10 years ago; is CF balder now (asked to those of you who saw him in 3DOR)? Seems that he would be pretty bald by now if he were noticeably thiining a decade ago. Maybe his hair (quality or quantity) is of a type which when wet or parted shows a lot of scalp. Ok, OK, I am in denial, too...but his thinness doesn't seem to have increased from FF (1989 ?) to FP (1996)."}, {"response": 1222, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 1999 (00:37)", "body": "I was in denial too, Lynda, until the Donmar. But even then it's quite easy to disguise with the amount of hair he does have on that lovely head. Let's just make sure he always carries an umbrella."}, {"response": 1223, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 1999 (02:22)", "body": "(lynda) the actor playing Dr. B did a terrific job in his final scene with Joe - most believable and poignant. My favourite non-Colin moment in FF. I agree with you, Lynda. After Colin, I thought he was the most convincing in his role. **** Re: The mummy scene at the Waste Gallery...how's about: Joe is so upset over the recent events..which are progressively getting worse...that when he looks at the mummy encased in gauze he seems to see the mummy as the current situation that he's in...thus he sees his face on the mummy. Watch the expression on Joe's face when he glances at the mummy... Too big a stretch??? **** Anybody who went to the Donmar see the same washing of the face when he gets upset ? Ned getting insulted by Theo.....Joe after finding the letter from Cynthia.... ***** Dumb-Dumb lines... along with ..\"Where do you buy your shoes'? \"Are you English\"? Andrea to Elijah after the apt. gets trashed...\"Do you have insurance\"? Dino: \"We're getting side-tracked here..\". ***** Joe to Elijah...\"What's my type\"? Feeling insulted...cute look. Elijah..\"Thought you'd go for a wholesome mouse\"...Boy, was he wrong!!"}, {"response": 1224, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 1999 (17:23)", "body": "Ok- saw FF for the first time yesterday. First impression: He is SO FREAKEN CUTE!!!! Is our darling, darling boy not the most GORGEOUS thing in the world? Heavy drooling ensued, I can assure you! ....* drip, drip * Second impression: (more of the same) :) That butt in those jeans! That body on white sheets! And the dimples!!! *attempting to regulate breathing...* Third impression: what an odd movie. Were those 'hoodlums' supposed to be the comic relief? What in God's name where they wearing? I seem to remember somebody mentioning their resemblence to Lenny and Squigy, and I must whole heartly concure! :) Joe Prince: very noble, stubborn, and likeable (need I mention to cute for words?) Elijah: nice friend, but obvious woman/paper bag issues. :) idiot blond from NY: an idiot blond from NY Cynthia(and crew): lost count of how many personalitis there were. none of them held my interest. remember Cynthia most clearly because that's what Joe called her during the bedroom flashback scenes... and we all know what held my attention during those scenes! Dino/Lenny & Squiggy wanna bes/redheaded chick with the bad dye job: were we really supposed to believe that these are the people running the crime scene in LA???? I know that Dino wasnt supposed to be a character from The God Father, but please! Part fastforwarded through: in the cemetary when they have a gun in Joe's mouth. Sorry, just couldnt watch that. Part I missed: the infamous patch of blue. That's supposed to be in this movie -right? Oh Well. Guess I'll just have to watch all those bedroom scenes again. :) Part I laughed out loud at: \"Where do you buy your shoes?\" who wrote this script?"}, {"response": 1225, "author": "Passionata", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 1999 (18:26)", "body": "\"Where do you buy your shoes\" is street talk for \" Do you have any drugs?\""}, {"response": 1226, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 1999 (18:50)", "body": "(SB) First impression: He is SO FREAKEN CUTE!!!! Is our darling, darling boy not the most GORGEOUS thing in the world? Heavy drooling ensued, I can assure you! ....*drip, drip* YES, YES, YES !!! CF/Joe is absolutely beautiful - for looks, the perfect man. Maybe we should send FF to Rosie - how could she then resist having ODB on her show? Other favourite looks: The closeup of Joe's eyes in the painting scene... such entrancing eyes. Joe in profile under that remarkable tree... very droolable there. The nature centre scene: all big, dark, expressive eyes and lovely mouth in a very pale face , and (Heide) This film does give us some showcasing moments for Colin's subtle expressions. The scene where Joe is in the motel watching the MM video. Not only is Joe breathtaking with his sweet battered face and his neck and chest so vulnerably exposed, but his expressions are wonderful, especially when he gives a little sigh of weary disappointment as he realises that Cynthia's words to him when they were making love came from this video and that absolutely nothing he knows of her is true. (SB) Dino/Lenny & Squiggy wanna bes/redheaded chick with the bad dye job: were we really supposed to believe that these are the people running the crime scene in LA???? Nah. Dino's a Canadian godfather - how bad can he be? Ted and Ed are strictly amateurs - how else to explain \"stubby\" fresh out of the box. I don't think they'd frighten any really bad guys, only an innocent like Joe. (Eileen) *Sigh* Joe is so sweet and innocent, you just want to hug him. I can think of a few other things I'd rather do with (to) Joe! But you are so right about the dimples and broad shoulders. *Sigh*"}, {"response": 1227, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Jul 14, 1999 (22:51)", "body": "Maybe his hair (quality or quantity) is of a type which when wet or parted shows a lot of scalp. That has always been my own impression too. But after the Donmar, when we had a chance for a really close look, there's no denying that the top of his head has become an even area of gradually receding growth - though I don't see any completely bald patches as yet."}, {"response": 1228, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (00:55)", "body": "(Evelyn) Dino: \"We're getting side-tracked here..\" Isn't that the most perceptive line?! that when he looks at the mummy encased in gauze he seems to see the mummy as the current situation that he's in...thus he sees his face on the mummy. Good one, Evelyn! But don't go too '3DOR deep' on us... (but then again, I recall reading a thoughtful discussion about the pearls in the dreaded P. If that *cough* movie merited such fine literary analysis, so does FF!). (SBR) First impression: He is SO FREAKEN CUTE!!!! Nobody says it like you, SBR! :-) How about at the end of the bedroom scene, when Joe's lying on his back and says he supposes his paintings \"hide a crack in the wall.\" There's a close up right before he says the line that's v. droolworthy. As you would say, SB, *drip, drip*! Murph had that snappy up at her site last year (oh, Kaaaren...;-)). \"Where do you buy your shoes\" is street talk for \" Do you have any drugs?\" Well, when all the characters proceeded to look down at the shoes (and the camera panned down to them) you'd never know he was asking about drugs. Did they think he kept them in those shoes?"}, {"response": 1229, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (01:07)", "body": "(Eileen) .... But don't go too '3DOR deep' on us... I promise I won't go into analyzing FF. Though there are possibilities like.. when Cynthia looks at the tree frog in the tank that changes colors according to its environment.And how about the silk moth encased in the cocoon....!!! Naaah...let's go back to the blue line in a bed scene that I never found either. Give us explicit instructions....we need eagle-eye- Bethan here."}, {"response": 1230, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (01:54)", "body": "**How about Cynthis encased in a cocoon!?! On my very first viewing, I found it jarring during during the love scene that when she's shot from the back, she's bare all the way down, but when shot from the front or side, she has suddenly and miraculously wrapped herself up to the armpits or chin in a sheet. When she fell out of bed that way, I found it histerical...here is an actress that will only go so far for the sake of her art...but it's so obvious!! Hee hee. Also, I suspect Elijah ( Aha, says Heide!! ) of being familiar with Maura's work before this, and that's why he was also familiar with the nature and location of her sick arty subculture...he just didn't make the connection with Joe's Cynthia (Remember, he didn't attend the wedding). As to whether or not he's a fan.....????"}, {"response": 1231, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (04:23)", "body": "If it's not this one, then I'll have to check with Murph... BTW, I'm changing the one on the main Drool page, as Heide doesn't like Joe Boy Scout. ;-p"}, {"response": 1232, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (16:54)", "body": "Thank you Karen...I like the new one on the Drool masthead...how about this bed scene one later. **** This movie is getting better....(we always do this...enhance the rubbish...) Does seem like Elijah knew Maura alright... Poor Joe...he married Cynthia..but her dad says Elizabeth is the \"core person\". \"I'm still here\" ,she says at the end...but for how long?"}, {"response": 1233, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (18:03)", "body": "Re: Multiple Personality Disorder (now called Dissociative Identity Disorder): http://members.aol.com/BoyyM/FAQ.html Doesn't answer everything, but a good start."}, {"response": 1234, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (20:10)", "body": "(Lynda) At the cemetery, Ted (or was it Ed) said that Maura went to Vancouver three months earlier and disappeared. Joe is definitely a fast mover! Or maybe that accounts for why his suit didn't fit well. No time for tailoring or borrowed! Thanks, Lynda, for the correction. I must pay closer attention to the dialogue and plot. ;-D (Lynda) He [Dr. Beaumont] though feeling guilty about it, he was relieved to be handing over the responsibility to someone else. But also relief that he wasn't hiding anything anymore from Joe, the lawful husband. Question: Are they legally wed?? Cynthia can't be considered \"mentally competent,\" although you can marry under any name you want and still be married. (Lynda) the sweater he wears in the proposal scene - makes him look so big and strong and virile. Actually, I liked all Joe's clothes in FF Must take issue with the rolled up jeans. Speaking of sweaters, when Joe returns to find Cynthia missing, he's wearing another big old sweater and you get all sorts of close-ups of his neck and the moles on his neck. yummy!! (Heide) when Jenny tells him that Maura and she were lovers....You can see him thinking, \"okay, I can deal with this, but please don't tell me anymore.\" But it changes to jealousy and curiosity because later he says to Elijah that he wants to know everything that they did. (Heide) We love to speculate on what could have caused that rather startled expression on his face at one point. Well, let's see. Cynthia stretches her arms down as she is lying on top of him... (Eileen) Don't you love it when he says \"yeah--drink beer?\" I've not heard him say a line like that! Yes!! And my favorite part is that he changes into an American accent for that bit of the line. (Eileen) He's professionally unethical, paternally guilt-ridden, burnt out, hopeless and ready to hand the baton Exactly. Guilt is at the core of his behavior and he's fleeing from it again. He chose to ignore the mistreatment by his schizo wife because of his career. (Eileen) In pursuit of the \"succubus\" theme, I would think the Joe character would be pure and naive period. The artsy nature-lover fits the bill. Why introduce this conflict? So Cynthia could draw him out and make him paint again? Good question. Yes, Joe needs to paint again, but what caused him to stop? Are we ever told? He is a nature lover and has escaped from the pollution (i.e., waste) of LA into the woods. (Evelyn) he seems to see the mummy as the current situation that he's in...thus he sees his face on the mummy. Watch the expression on Joe's face when he glances at the mummy... I think we should call this the \"cocoon\" shot because that's what I think it's supposed to represent. Joe is in a cocoon, safe and snug as a bug in a rug in his woods. This trip to LA is an eye-opener for him and is forcing him to come out of his cocoon. (SB) First impression: He is SO FREAKEN CUTE!!!! Is our darling, darling boy not the most GORGEOUS thing in the world? Heavy drooling ensued, I can assure you! ....*drip, drip* I take it you enjoyed the movie? ;-D (Lynda) Joe in profile under that remarkable tree... very droolable there. Oh, you're not kidding. Love that and wish someone would snappy it. (Lynda) Dino's a Canadian godfather - how bad can he be? What makes you think that? The action is supposed to take place in LA. They all travel up to somewhere in the Pacific Northwest. All we know is that Maura had to make a drop in Vancouver. (Passionata) \"Where do you buy your shoes\" is street talk for \" Do you have any drugs?\" (Eileen) Well, when all the characters proceeded to look down at the shoes (and the camera panned down to them) you'd never know he was asking about drugs. Did they think he kept them in those shoes? LOL!! They don't call them *mules* for nothing. (KJArt) Also, I suspect Elijah (Aha, says Heide!!) of being familiar with Maura's work before this, and that's why he was also familiar with the nature and location of her sick arty subculture I didn't. As I recall, Elijah said that the Waste Gallery had some of his work. The only thing was that he was very familiar with Jenny Purge's work and could name Maura Sade on sight. Great line here: \"Her stuff's alright if you like repulsive shit.\" Other good ones : \"It's nice you can still find time to broaden your vocabulary.\" (succubus) \"So you were lovers and drug dealers. What else can you tell me about her? Well, I always wanted to meet her friends.\" \"You know, I'm starting to like this girl\" (Elijah checking out goodies) As Joe explains about the silk moth having no mouth and only being able to mate, lay eggs and die, the model says: \"huh, kind of sad.\" \"The worse it gets, the more I want her back.\" Brilliant bits of dialogue: Joe: Christ, not my eyes (as Jenny is holding knife) Jenny: She married you? Oh shit, I'm sorry, that must really hurt. [duh!] **** Joe: Don't you ever eat? Elijah: Not in front of other people."}, {"response": 1235, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (22:46)", "body": "(Karen) Yes!! And my favorite part is that he changes into an American accent for that bit of the line. Practising for Playmaker??? Very cute. (Heide) We love to speculate on what could have caused that rather startled expression on his face at one point. (Karen) Well, let's see. Cynthia stretches her arms down as she is lying on top of him... Yes, when he lies down, LZ reaches behind her a couple of times and laughingly says something in his ear, and CF seems to say something like,\" no\" or \"don't\" and very definitely \"stop, stop\" seconds later. CF's performance in this scene deserved an Oscar and my kudos to The Drama Centre for his fantastic Method training! His face for those few moments, particularly while they are upright, is ... words fail me. An aside - CF makes a couple of little moans similar to that in the shower/lovemaking scene in , which convinces me that that was no double. More favourite lines: From the lovemaking scene: \"What...eternal love not good enough for you?\" \"I don't know...just hide a crack in the wall.\" (sort of like CF's comments about Darcy, that he didn't do anything special, that it was all the character, the costumes, the hair-dye, etc. I believe the director of The Advocate mentioned CF's self-deprecating quality, too) Maybe Joe's lack of belief in his talent (because his art wasn't selling?) is why he quit painting. Elijah may have been less talented, but he was more confident, ambitious and self-promoting (wasn't he voted most likely to succeed?). (Lynda) Dino's a Canadian godfather - how bad can he be? (Karen) What makes you think that? The action is supposed to take place in LA. They all travel up to somewhere in the Pacific Northwest. All we know is that Maura had to make a drop in Vancouver. Ed tells Joe, \"in Vancouver, she (Maura) recieves from Dino $112.000 in exchange for this aforementioned blue flight bag\". Now I'm no expert on the drug smuggling business, but living near (and crossing frequently) the Cdn.- US border as I do, I should think that it would be an incredibly stupid risk (and a waste of energy) for Dino to have Maura bring drugs through customs (even we have been stopped and searched on occasion), and then take them himself back over the border. And I don't think that Canadia drug lords (I am sure we have them, though I don't know any personally) would take kindly to having an outsider distributing drugs on their turf. Maybe Maura left the drugs behind in the U.S. before reaching Vancouver. BTW, what kind of a drug dealer would hand over big money without sampling the merchandise?"}, {"response": 1236, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (23:20)", "body": "(Karen) If it's not this one No, this is it! *scrolling back up there now* Isn't that the best? As Kitty and Lydia would say, aaaaahhhhhUUUUUUUmmmmmmmm! Thanks, Karen! (Evelyn) when Cynthia looks at the tree frog in the tank that changes colors according to its environment Yes, I picked that up during my second viewing (proves it couldn't have been that deep ;-)). (KJArt) she has suddenly and miraculously wrapped herself up to the armpits or chin in a sheet I noticed that and I have the FW (cropped) version. She looks somewhat giftwrapped! BTW, all you \"blue sliver\" missers--fear not. You're really not missing much. It's more an editing error than a peek at prime gluteus maximus. But don't let me stop you from searching again! It appears after giftwrapped/coccoon Cynthia hits the floor, says \"what, did the earth move?\" He replies \"I think so\" [I think] and joins her on the floor. As he leaves the bed, the camera pans down his back...further...further...just when you think there's going to be a butt shot, there's a glimpse of his left ip (sacroiliac region, for all you anatomy buffs) and the bright blue waistband of what Joe presumably wouldn't be wearing during sweaty love-making! (Karen) Cynthia can't be considered \"mentally competent,\" I'm no lawyer, but I do know she'd first have to be judged incompetent in court. She wasn't a danger to herself or others, so she's not commitable from a psych standpoint either. This trip to LA is an eye-opener for him and is forcing him to come out of his cocoon You mean insofar as his search for Cynthia and exposure to her complicated past, right? How about Jenny's stunning wardrobe? Must go out and get myself a corset to wear over my clothes ASAP ;-P *scrolling back up to that snappy again*"}, {"response": 1237, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Jul 16, 1999 (01:06)", "body": "Lovely change of scenery there on the main page. And the one up above ain't bad either. Of course the real reason I watch this film is for it's deft and witty script, it's poetic cinematography and it's classic symbolism. Kidding aside, EVELYN! you woke me up to a very important fact. Elizabeth is the \"core person\". Cynthia was dominant but will she be forever? So which one was Elizabeth? The girl in the wheelchair? Cynthia stretches her arms down as she is lying on top of him... I thought they were sitting up but I like it, I like it. \"Where do you buy your shoes\" is street talk for \" Do you have any drugs?\" I don't think everyone has seen this film. (KJArt) Also, I suspect Elijah of being familiar with Maura's work before this, and that's why he was also familiar with the nature and location of her sick arty subculture (Karen) I didn't. As I recall, Elijah said that the Waste Gallery had some of his work. The only thing was that he was very familiar with Jenny Purge's work and could name Maura Sade on sight. But it sounds just about the same. Both possibilities mesh. (Karen) Question: Are they legally wed?? Good. Then it will be easier for Joe to leave her assuming she doesn't wander off again first."}, {"response": 1238, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 16, 1999 (01:57)", "body": "So which one was Elizabeth? The girl in the wheelchair? That's what Dr. Beaumont said. And after reading the FAQ on MPD that KJArt found for us, (Thank you KJ..) Cynthia could have more personalities to go...sometimes they can have 50!!! So assuming she's cured...she'll go back to the \"core person\"....Elizabeth. Who will not know Joe!! Poor guy could be in for quite a trip!!"}, {"response": 1239, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Jul 16, 1999 (02:01)", "body": "(Evelyn) ...the story line wasn't all that bad... *Ahem*. I contend that the story line is terrible , it is the PREMISE that was not all that bad; it could have made an interesting study of the man who marries a MPD sufferer and gradually learns she is one and how to cope (certainly dramatic enough), but the direction the writers took with it (purely for shock value) practically made that drug sub-plot almost inevitable (or, should I say some drug plot almost inevitable!) That's their idea of dray-ma--nothing less would do!! A shame! (Eileen)...her personalities seem to come out as if on cue... Having looked into the MPD/DID syndrome, I'd suggest that you are exactly right, Eilleen, and it often happens that way. These different \"entities\" were created to contain, modify, or protect against some aspect of the trauma that they suffered as a child. When the person is threatened, it would not be surprising that an angry and aggressive \"protector\" entity would suddenly take over. (Cynthia)...\"I'm here...\" Considering the expressions on her face preceding and following that statement, I would suggest it is her realization or recognition of where she is, and with whom she is. A dawning appreciation of what lies before her, and that she has someone to count on to see her through it. (Granted, only Cynthia would see this now, but proper therapy is meant to \"introduce\" the entities to each other, to the core person, and allow all to become familiar with the therapist and the people around them... nd hopefully integrate into a cooperative unit.) (Pure conjecture on my part! 8-D). Re: meeting Andrea... If Joe and Elijah attended art school together, it would be highly unlikely that either would be thrown by the sight of a naked model..."}, {"response": 1240, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Jul 16, 1999 (02:09)", "body": "... PREMISE that was not all that bad That's what I mean't by storyline....certainly not the script (dialogue) or director... Andre Guttfreund, never heard of him. But the writer Michael Freeris went on to write The Net (JN and Sandra Bullock)which wasn't half-bad. Maybe he wrote this one while still an apprentice."}, {"response": 1241, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Jul 16, 1999 (22:33)", "body": "Well, the first time I saw it, that ending destroyed what little belief in the story was left...SURE, those two goons plus accomplice are just going to shrug and walk away and leave those two scott-free, knowing, as they do, all about who's doing the dealing and how much money was involved and how the traffic got through, etc. I'd always had the impression that in the drug business, Rule #1 was Leave No Witnesses ! Unbelievable!! It occurred to me that the people at the wedding could well be Joe's Forest Service Co-workers, but also Instructors, etc, from Art School, and friends from the art community, which can often be tight and interdependent (Maura's ilk being left out of it). As to the reasons why Joe left that community and doing art were probably as suggested...his art wasn't selling and he had to leave it and do something else for some dependable income (I can vouch personally for that situation...!! :-D) I have a question, though. I thought Maura was the only one in the art/movie business (not to mention the lesbianism and drugs!!) So how is it that Cynthia knows the MM speech by heart??"}, {"response": 1242, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (00:55)", "body": "( KJArt) Cynthia Baker was Maura's false name on the passport ..or so Jenny said. The name Baker was after MM real name.So there's a connection someplace ...but I can't figure it out.Anybody?"}, {"response": 1243, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (00:57)", "body": "Sorry about the misquote, KJ..and the italics."}, {"response": 1244, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (08:42)", "body": "CF's performance in this scene deserved an Oscar and my kudos to The Drama Centre for his fantastic Method training! (Lynda) He was quoted a couple of years back in the British press saying that the part he disliked most about his work was sex scenes because he \"enjoyed sex too much to pretend to do it for a living\". !!! I'm very impressed by the discussion, ladies! My initial impression of FF was of how young he looked in the opening shots...not a day over nineteen :-)"}, {"response": 1245, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (13:52)", "body": "(bethan) ... the part he disliked most about his work was sex scenes because he \"enjoyed sex too much to pretend to do it for a living\". !!! aahh...but he pretended so very well in FF! (KJart) So how is it that Cynthia knows the MM speech by heart?? (Evelyn) Cynthia Baker was Maura's false name on the passport ..or so Jenny said. The name Baker was after MM real name.So there's a connection someplace ...but I can't figure it out.Anybody? Dr. B. said that these personas were just walled-off aspects of Elizabeth's personality, so there must have been leakage from (and at least subconscious awareness of) one persona to another. IMO, Cynthia was not consciously reciting MM's speech to Joe to decieve him; the speech had just ended up being a part of Cynthia's reality. And didn't Jenny say that Maura had a thing about MM and the female vulnerability trip (hardly surprising). Hence the passport name and Cynthia's internalisation of the MM speec . BTW, the Jenny Purge and Maura (Marat?) Sade names, along with Joe Prince, Dino and Ted and Ed - the W/D's idea of wit? Loved the way Joe kept fondling Cynthia's hair - so sweet and tender. Speaking of hair, what's with Jenny's hairstyle at the end? Talk about art-trash - without the art! What a hoot! (Karen) Has anyone noticed a little Darcy deja vu moment here? Absolutely, though perhaps we should say a Joe moment in P & P. Another one - Joe asking Cynthia \"Where are you from?\" is similar to Darcy asking Lizzie in the Pemberley scene \"Where are you staying?\". I was also reminded of Adrian LeDuc in the scene when Joe asked Elijah \"What's my type?\"."}, {"response": 1246, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (19:10)", "body": "KJart) So how is it that Cynthia knows the MM speech by heart?? (Evelyn) Cynthia Baker was Maura's false name on the passport ..or so Jenny said. The name Baker was after MM real name.So there's a connection someplace ...but I can't figure it out.Anybody? Maybe it's just that the scriptwriters didn't do their homework...:-) Something occurs to me reading Lynda's response, and so far I have not come across anything to answer it...Does each of these separate identities also already have their own separate (and different) pasts? Must each invent one? ...And we know that these entities sometimes are, or can be made to be, aware of the others, but does that mean that they just know that the others are there, or do they have a total understanding of the other's personality? From the description of typical \"alters\", I get the impression that such awareness is very variable in extent from one entity to another, for the others. (Are we having fun yet?! 8-D)"}, {"response": 1247, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (19:20)", "body": "(Evelyn)....(we always do this...enhance the rubbish...) ROTFLOL!!! Ain't it the truth!?! I love it! (Evelyn, you always state the most profound concepts so succinctly!!) ;-)"}, {"response": 1248, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (19:54)", "body": "Based on *my research* of MPD (i.e., Sybil, 3 Faces of Eve, and Primal Fear), it seems that the various personalities seem to know one another and their histories. Sometimes they are afraid of the more destructive ones and protective over the weak ones. Using Primal Fear as an example of where Edward Norton's character fooled the psychologist, his violent personality actually talked about the stutterer. Usually though, when another one takes over (as a result of a specific stimulus), the actor will phy ically let you know by some action (jerking about as if possessed or curling up into a fetal position). Lisa Z was just being subtle here. She didn't want to tip us off!! ;-D OK, let's talk about my favorite actress Lisa Blount!! What a talent! In the nine years since she played the trashy bimbo in Officer and a Gentleman, look at how her range has expanded!"}, {"response": 1249, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (20:42)", "body": "(Bethan).. he \"enjoyed sex too much to pretend to do it for a living\". Every man picks his job,Colin. ****** I was looking at the 3 DOR program today and I see that among his film credits CF neglects to mention P and FF!! Don't blame him. ***** these entities sometimes are, or can be made to be, aware of the others, but does that mean that they just know that the others are there, or do they have a total understanding of the other's personality? I thought the FAQ on MPD said that one persona doesn't know about the other... Does the core person have any control over which persona is taking over?"}, {"response": 1250, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (20:58)", "body": "...but the screenwriters haven't read the FAQ! Their knowledge of MPD is probably based on the Sally Fields' movie they remember from TV. ;-D"}, {"response": 1251, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (22:38)", "body": "(Bethan)...he \"enjoyed sex too much to pretend to do it for a living\". Maybe he made that discovery AFTER doing Femme Fatale... (Evelyn) I thought...that one persona doesn't know about the other... ...does the core person have any control over which persona is taking over? Initially, each doesn't know about the others. The purpose of therapy is to introduce all the entities to each other and ultimately hope to integrate them into a whole. Some entities may do this on their own. Another page under the same site is somewhat enlightening. There is often a \"gatekeeper\" entity which does not appear itself but regulates \"who\" comes and goes. Also says that the core person often NEVER appears...it is buried deep and is being protected from trauma by all the others. Descript ons of the various types of \"alters\" (atrociously written, but fascinating) is at: http://members.aol.com/BoyyM/Alters.html (I suspect that various alters of the author write different pages of this site!) Then lighten up with this page and its ilk (use links at the end for others: http://members.aol.com/BoyyM/Hotline.html (Hee hee) :-D"}, {"response": 1252, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 18, 1999 (01:30)", "body": "There is often a \"gatekeeper\" entity which does not appear itself but regulates \"who\" comes and goes. Aw c'mon...are ya' pulling my leg?"}, {"response": 1253, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (00:49)", "body": "He was quoted a couple of years back in the British press saying that the part he disliked most about his work was sex scenes because he \"enjoyed sex too much to pretend to do it for a living\". !!! If I didn't know enough about the way some (most?) press reports are concocted, I'd say - what a prat! But I imagine he must have been pestered for a \"story\", an interesting comment, something saucy... Come on, Colin, give us a good quote...! And voila. I guess it made him squirm later."}, {"response": 1254, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (14:31)", "body": "(Bethan) He was quoted a couple of years back in the British press saying that the part he disliked most about his work was sex scenes because he \"enjoyed sex too much to pretend to do it for a living\". !!! Hee, hee! Thanks for this, Bethan, I've never seen it before. Of course he'd retract it now that his 'rumpy pumpy' days appear to be, at least for the time being, over. (Karen) Lisa Z was just being subtle here. She didn't want to tip us off!! ;-D You mean it was her abundance of talent, right ;-P ? I read she played a girlfriend of George Clooney's character in ER a few seasons ago. I have no recollection--and I've not seen her in anything else that I can think of. Has anyone? Same for Lisa Blount. Guess a whole new crop of bimbos has come along to take her roles! (KJArt) As to the reasons why Joe left that community and doing art were probably as suggested...his art wasn't selling and he had to leave it and do something else for some dependable income (I can vouch personally for that situation...!! :-D) This is very plausible but doesn't explain why he would stop painting all together. I believe it was posted earlier that Joe lacked the confidence Elijah seemed to have, so when his work didn't sell, Joe likely figured it was because he wasn't any good. That would explain his answer to Cynthia when she pursued his promise to start painting again (end of bedroom scene): \"Why?\""}, {"response": 1255, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (16:25)", "body": "(Lynda) Ed tells Joe, \"in Vancouver, she (Maura) receives from Dino $112.000 in exchange for this aforementioned blue flight bag\". The bits of dialogue that have gone in one ear and out the other! Thanks Lynda. OK, so Dino's a Canadian godfather; however, Ted and Ed seem to be based in LA. They give Jenny a lift back after their visit to Camp Nature Center. (Shouldn't it have been Centre on the sign if Canada?) (Eileen) She wasn't a danger to herself or others What about with scissors? ;-D (Karen) This trip to LA is an eye-opener for him and is forcing him to come out of his cocoon (Eileen)You mean insofar as his search for Cynthia and exposure to her complicated past, right? I prefer to think that the cocoon image is Joe, not Cynthia. She's not hibernating in the woods or asleep, but he is. The symbolic representation of Cynthia is that portrait he did, behind the sectioned panes of glass (get it?!). Even when he comes to LA, he is still asleep. He persists in believing and telling people that \"they were happy.\" After the Waste Gallery, where he sees himself wrapped up like that (most likely just in his mind's eye as Evelyn suggested), he is disturbed by that real zation. In his drunken speech to Elijah, he says: \"She descended upon me while I was sleeping to steal my soul.\" He goes through phrases of change as does the silk moth (larva, pupa, adult imago). The more he learns about her, the closer he gets to the adult stage and emerging from the chrysalis. Joe begins to emerge or \"wake up\" literally and figuratively in the cemetery after having had the gun shot off in his mouth. (Hmm, must think about the moth with no mouth and his having the gun in his mouth.) There of course he finds the cocoon, shakes it (hee hee) and brings it back to Elijah's. Elijah even accuses Joe of \"hiding in the woods\" and Joe agrees. Major epiphanies here: he didn't know what he wanted; she made him feel less alone; he felt he was a superior thing, better than the world and above all the bullshit. He is facing the reality of himself now. As he reads the scholarly lit about MPD (Sybil), we see the adult moth on the nightstand. Do we see any other moths or butterflies anywhere el e or with another character? It's with Joe and it's right before he goes off to confront Dr. Beaumont. Joe is out and my Prince has arrived. (OK, maybe not as good as the pearls. ;-D ) (Lynda) \"I don't know...just hide a crack in the wall.\"... Maybe Joe's lack of belief in his talent (because his art wasn't selling?) is why he quit painting. (KJArt) his art wasn't selling and he had to leave it and do something else for some dependable income The \"hide a crack in the wall\" comment is cynicism. Yes, he probably left because his art didn't sell and junk like Elijah's did. However, I don't think he ever lost faith in his talent. He withdrew because of the superior attitude that \"they didn't appreciate me.\" Very typical. I can understand that one. Was thinking about Joe and Cynthia's nature walks in the grocery store. Isn't it interesting that she invented a game where you made up histories about people just from looking at them? ;-D"}, {"response": 1256, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (19:10)", "body": "There is often a \"gatekeeper\" entity which does not appear itself but regulates \"who\" comes and goes. (Evelyn) Aw c'mon...are ya' pulling my leg? At that \"Alters\" link they (He?/She?/It?) discuss both the \"gatekeeper\" alter and the core personality plus others. To repeat: http://members.aol.com/BoyyM/Alters.html"}, {"response": 1257, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (20:21)", "body": "Thanks Karen, for the Cocoon analogy....Gives me more to think about....Have to view it again. ***** KJArt...who are these people at MPD website? Anybody a health-care professional. Or are they just \"Friends of MPDs\". ***** OK...Who won the \"shag-fight\" on #113??"}, {"response": 1258, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (23:32)", "body": "(Eileen)Of course he'd retract it now that his 'rumpy pumpy' days appear to be, at least for the time being, over. You mean, he doesn't enjoy it any more? At least for the time being? ;-P"}, {"response": 1259, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (00:52)", "body": "think I need to kick start this topic. ;-D"}, {"response": 1260, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (02:04)", "body": "--Ooooohhhoooommm! Um, yes. Leads into my personally-claimed scene, if I'm not mistaken. Wearing \"my\" sweater, too!! 8-) I love the close embrace, forehead to forehead that locks the rest of the world out!! Stop bemoaning, Colin!! No one can play the hopeless romantic as well as you. Wooo!"}, {"response": 1261, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (02:34)", "body": "Oh my, it's the look he gets in his eye in this scene. It's so full of affection it makes me melt. Karen, you know how to pick 'em - I feel suitably jumped ;-)"}, {"response": 1262, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (03:24)", "body": "Look at that dimple! OK, so he's a tad moony here. I don't have any complaints. ;-D"}, {"response": 1263, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (15:28)", "body": "(Karen) Look at that dimple! I'm looking i'm drooling, girl. Oh Man! * hot flashes *"}, {"response": 1264, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (19:37)", "body": "Maybe he doesn't want to do any more hopeless romantics because everytime he does, he keeps getting drool-soaked!! Yuk! 8-D"}, {"response": 1265, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (20:25)", "body": "No, it's probably because one of the Fiennes bros. usually gets the girl. ;-D"}, {"response": 1266, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (21:29)", "body": "Theoretically, he reads the scripts for these things BEFORE he signs them. Therefore, that sort of thing should come as no surprise. No, the problem is that he has discovered the efficacy of his incomparable moony expession on women of a certain age with Volvos and Labradors and has decided enough is enough! Being damp for too long a time results in a sore throat or worse!! Upon his doctor's advice, therefore, he must scrap the moony expressions in future. (*SOB*) :-D"}, {"response": 1267, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (23:27)", "body": "Look at that dimple! Dimple and cleft in one shot! Can hardly contain myself. Even so, if we'd see a \"moony\" snappy of Joe next to a \"smoldering\" snappy of Darcy, which do you think would win? No contest for me. So if he wants to ditch \"moony\", that's fine with me as long as he still goes for the smoke."}, {"response": 1268, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (01:12)", "body": "I don't care what roles he does in the future...he'll never take Mr. Darc away from me (as much as he might want to.) But.... ( KJArt)....No, the problem is that he has discovered the efficacy of his incomparable moony expression on women of a certain age with Volvos and Labradors and has decided enough is enough! You might have something there....hates to build on that \"hunk\" reputation."}, {"response": 1269, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Jul 22, 1999 (18:50)", "body": "Are we still discussing FF? Or has it run its course?"}, {"response": 1270, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (00:09)", "body": "Please excuse a diversion or two. I get distracted by lovely snappies. Isn't the video box cover really cheesy? Surpassed only by the Incredible Hul lurking in the background in the Playmaker box. We see Maura, legs up in the air as she puts on her fishnets with a superimposed Joe watching over her looking not moony but what...despairing? introspective? There's no decent pic of him in the photos on the back either. Unfortunately it's the cemetary scene."}, {"response": 1271, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (00:45)", "body": "(Heide) Isn't the video box cover really cheesy? Must have been designed by members of the Waste Gallery. I'll bet there were a few disappointed renters (buyers) of this video. I liked the way the camera seemed often to focus on CF's non-verbal acting in FF; at least, the W/D appreciated the specialness of CF's talent, which kind of went missing in SIL. I wonder what the Chicago reviewer would think of Joe's rigidity in the lovemaking scene?"}, {"response": 1272, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (01:43)", "body": "(Heide)...if he wants to ditch \"moony\", that's fine with me as long as he still goes for the smoke. Didn't we all rejoice when CF finally gave up smoking? Maybe it was symbolic! (Hee hee)."}, {"response": 1273, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (01:49)", "body": "Incidentally, several people appreciated it when Joe \"went American\" when he was talking about drinking the beer, but did anyone notice Cynthia teasing him by going Brit? -- \"Who are you calling a taht ?\""}, {"response": 1274, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jul 23, 1999 (14:43)", "body": "...Joe's rigidity in the lovemaking scene Hee hee!"}, {"response": 1275, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 1999 (13:40)", "body": "(KJ) Didn't we all rejoice when CF finally gave up smoking? Maybe it was symbolic! (Hee hee). Bite your tongue, girl! Heaven forbid if we never see him smolder again. did anyone notice Cynthia teasing him by going Brit? -- \"Who are you calling a taht?\" Heck, I thought that was a Hahvahd Yahd routine. So if Cynthia turns back into Elizabeth is Joe going to have to get her a wheelchair?"}, {"response": 1276, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 1999 (20:10)", "body": "(Eileen) Are we still discussing FF? Or has it run its course? Yes. No. ;-D (but then again, I never want these discussions to end...) (Evelyn) Thanks Karen, for the Cocoon analogy. Gives me more to think about. So what do you think? Also, what about the painting of Cynthia? Or am I just stating the obvious here? ;-D (Jana2) Oh my, it's the look he gets in his eye in this scene. It's so full of affection it makes me melt. Your comment made me think of something. Throughout that entire scene, couldn't you tell that Joe was on the brink of a proposal? He really wanted to get out of the store. \"Are we done yet?\" It looked like he was just waiting for a suitable spot to ask her, but when she swung her caboose down that aisle, he was a goner!! (Heide) Isn't the video box cover really cheesy? Surpassed only by the Incredible Hulk lurking in the background in the Playmaker box. Let us not forget the cover of The Advocate, with the boob-fondling mystery man. Colin's not even on it! (Heide) We see Maura, legs up in the air as she puts on her fishnets with a superimposed Joe watching over her looking not moony but what...despairing? introspective? He's psychologically analyzing the fishnets. Let's see, he's talked himself blue in the face trying to convince everyone that he loves her, she loves him and that he can make her normal. ;-D (Lynda) I wonder what the Chicago reviewer would think of Joe's rigidity in the lovemaking scene? I may not be \"the\" but I am \"a\" Chicago reviewer. ;-) One of my favorite parts of that scene (aside from that *look* and the sweat dripping off his body while in the seated/vertical position) is when he is covering her back with kisses. Ooooh wheee!! Can this guy act? I am getting major tingling sensations through the television set. (KJ) but did anyone notice Cynthia teasing him by going Brit? -- \"Who are you calling a taht?\" Yes, adorable. Never looked at it as reciprocal, but yes it would be. (Heide) So if Cynthia turns back into Elizabeth is Joe going to have to get her a wheelchair? Thinking of the practical again, are we? Daddy can drop it off when he visits his daughter(s). ;-p"}, {"response": 1277, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Jul 24, 1999 (21:50)", "body": "(Heide)...Heaven forbid if we never see him smolder again. Yeh, but you gotta dye him dark first! You know how he hates coming across as \"petulant\" ;-) (Heide) So if Cynthia turns back into Elizabeth is Joe going to have to get her a wheelchair? (Karen) Daddy can drop it off when he visits his daughter(s). ;-p Excellent solution to a stickly problem, Karen! What worries me is what Elija's going to have to bring when she turns into Maura. (Hee hee) (Karen) Also, what about the painting of Cynthia? Or am I just stating the obvious here? ;-D The obvious what? Sorry, whatever it is it ain't that obvious....(Don't mind me, my mind wanders every now and"}, {"response": 1278, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (14:40)", "body": "(Karen) Throughout that entire scene, couldn't you tell that Joe was on the brink of a proposal? He really wanted to get out of the store. \"Are we done yet?\" Something new to ponder. Scene looks that way to me too. He hadn't intended to propose to her in front of the orange juice. Probably had something much more romantic in mind. I must admit it played pretty romantic the way it was done. Wonder if there was an engagement ring. We never really see them as a married couple except for their wedding day. Any ring(s) visible? Anybody notice if Joe wears a wedding ring while in LA? I like to know these small details. what about the painting of Cynthia? Well let's see...she's trying to tell Joe she thinks he's a lousy painter? ;-) Or when she slips into Elizabeth/Maura or whoever she was when she fled, she doesn't recognize this girl in the picture so slashes her rival in a fit of jealousy? ;-) ;-) I'm just trying to think of something other than the obvious."}, {"response": 1279, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (16:05)", "body": "(Heide) Wonder if there was an engagement ring... Anybody notice if Joe wears a wedding ring while in LA? Cynthia left only a wedding ring with the note, so IMO, no engagement ring. Joe does wear his ring throughout the whole movie. I think the obvious is correct re the slashed painting; Cynthia hates herself. Did we ever decide which persona walked out of the cabin? I think it was Cynthia; she loved Joe too much to inflict her sickness on him. She had some awareness that she was f***ed up, because she offered to change at the end. Re the note: was it referring to Joe or to Cynthia herself? (Heide) I know our boy is a lover not a fighter but I think I could even have protected myself a bit better. I was thinking the same thing the first time I watched FF, but Joe is a gentle soul, probably never hit anyone in his life. When it comes to Hollywood films, we are so brainwashed into believing that all men (and particularly leading men) can fight off hordes single-handedly. Joe turning into Arnie would have been phony. But those two scenes with the baddies are hard to watch. Other favourite lines: Joe to Elijah \"...grooming the rabbits, exercising the tree frogs.\" (I like the thing CF does with his fingers there - cute).. Elijah:\"It's (love) an illusion to keep people reproducing. So it's a psychological hard-on.\" and seconds later, to Andrea, \"Touche\". (Karen) ...when he is covering her back with kisses. The trail of kisses is beautiful - loving, gentle, so giving, just what poor Cynthia needed."}, {"response": 1280, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (16:33)", "body": "OK this is what I meant about the picture, I posted it a few days ago: The symbolic representation of Cynthia is that portrait he did, behind the sectioned panes of glass (get it?!) Just like the father said: \"she's one person who has walled off different aspects of her personality.\" Ironic how Joe painted her precisely how the father described her. (Heide) Any ring(s) visible? Lynda is quite right on the ring thing. Initially I thought we had storyline problem here because she would have shown up at home with a wedding ring and Daddy might see it and wonder. Then, Joe keeps it with the wedding pictures and you see Cynthia fingering it when Joe goes to talk to Daddy. (Lynda) Did we ever decide which persona walked out of the cabin? Good question!! My initial feelings would be Elizabeth, but she prefers not to walk and pretend she is paralyzed. :( Re the note: was it referring to Joe or to Cynthia herself? I thought she was referring to Joe. Just as her father mentioned later that her other personalities would not know him if he walked into a room."}, {"response": 1281, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (19:37)", "body": "Still thinking about the painting of Cynthia... (Karen)The symbolic representation of Cynthia is that portrait he did, behind the sectioned panes of glass (get it?!) Just like the father said: \"she's one person who has walled off different aspects of her personality.\" Ironic how Joe painted her precisely how the father described her. But Joe didn't know about her different personalities when he was painting the picture. Dr. Beaumont told him later. Do you think the different panes of glass somehow signify a perception he had about her unknown and disturbed background,(\"people always wanted pieces of me...\" which later materialized into multiple personalities.Remember he asked her to close the window so he could continue painting."}, {"response": 1282, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jul 25, 1999 (21:11)", "body": "(Evelyn) But Joe didn't know about her different personalities when he was painting the picture. Dr. Beaumont told him later. Right, but sometime artists see things differently about a person. Why else would he have her pose behind a window? Without knowing it, he did paint her likeness? A splintered personality. Sections of a person hidden behind something."}, {"response": 1283, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (00:40)", "body": "Karen, you amaze me. You can find symbolism in a Coke can but nine times out of ten you're dead on. I like your idea of the sectioned or fractured personalities of Cynthia. Joe didn't know it but we are being hit on the head with it though it takes a few knocks for me to see it. (Evelyn) the different panes of glass somehow signify a perception he had about her unknown and disturbed background,(\"people always wanted pieces of me...\" This is perfectly plausible too. I like the \"pieces\"/panes connection. And he had her behind a window because he could never really touch her, never really know her. HAH!!! We could go on and on. (Lynda) Cynthia left only a wedding ring with the note, so IMO, no engagement ring Missed it or forgot it. I'm going to you next time for the details, Lynda. Like your quote selection. I like a lot of Elijah's dialogue and again, must reiterate my fondness for the buddy relationship in this film."}, {"response": 1284, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (01:50)", "body": "I've re-watched the opening wedding scene several times....there is an older couple on the left. After the ceremony Joe shakes hand with the man and kisses the lady in a perfunctory manner giving the impression they are parents of the bride.Had she been his mum who came over from UK he would have kissed and hugged her more warmly, IMO. Still thinking of that picture....if Joe suspected she had a splintered personality by painting her in that manner...why was he so surprised when she left him. And why did he look so shocked when Dr. Beaumont gave credence to his suspicions.(\"Aha...I thought so\" would have been more like it)"}, {"response": 1285, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (03:52)", "body": "(Heide) And he had her behind a window because he could never really touch her, never really know her. HAH!!! We could go on and on. Go on!! And Evelyn's comment about how he closed the window on her? (Evelyn) if Joe suspected she had a splintered personality by painting her in that manner No, it wasn't a conscious thing for him. (KJ, help me-explain how and what an artist sees) I think he saw her and for some reason felt that painting her behind that sectioned glass window was right. Maybe he felt deep down that she was hiding behind something. He didn't say anything. Remember when he was in the pool with Elijah and realized that he knew nothing of her background. But his feelings of not knowing her and that she was a mystery to him came through in that portrait."}, {"response": 1286, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (13:06)", "body": "All this symbolism - very interesting. So why do we think this is a poor film, instead of a decent movie with some iffy bits in it? Speaking of symbolism, I like the juxtaposition of Maura's corpse-like eyes (and using the word corpse in the dialogue at that moment) with Joe's natural, alive ones; the juxtaposition of the ugly and degraded art of the Waste Gallery and the beauty and love in Joe's painting of Cynthia. Destruction vs. Creation. Obvious, I guess, but effective."}, {"response": 1287, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (16:08)", "body": "(Karen) Throughout that entire scene, couldn't you tell that Joe was on the brink of a proposal? Oh yeah. At first I thought he had another motive, since she got him all hot and bothered with that \"taht\" kiss (agree she was teasing him about his accent). (Heide) And he had her behind a window because he could never really touch her, never really know her. I had the same initial thoughts about the window. But as you say, Karen's right on target with her interpretation. It makes sense insofar as intended symbolism (along with the coccoon business). I agree with Evelyn, Joe doesn't realize something's not right with her until he's forced to, during his search. It also took me a while to make the Wagner connection--why Cynthia holds her hands over her ears and claims the music gives her a headache. Repressed memories of Maura with the fork! I watched (most of) FF again last week and have to disagree, Karen, with your interpretation of why Joe stopped painting. IMO he doesn't think he's good enough, not the reverse. It comes down to his reaction when Cynthia asks him to paint again. The way he responds \"why?\" doesn't convince me he's become jaded. If he were, perhaps he would have said \"why bother?\" instead. I also think of Joe as essentially naive, sweet (a natural target for all you succubi out there;-)) and therefore can't make him cyn cal at the same time. I also realized what had thrown me off about this movie. I somehow thought Cynthia was really Maura faking Cynthia (follow?) to hide from Dino et al. It was the \"I never had a home\" Marilyn Monroe speech that made me think along these lines (I assumed she purposely lied to him about her past, using a story she was familiar with), along with the succubus theme (evil woman steals soul of innocent man). Guess I missed the point of seeing all the individual personalities displayed on Dr. Beaumont's video. (Heide) Any ring(s) visible? (Karen) Lynda is quite right on the ring thing. Yes, she is. I was looking carefully because in the end, when she's Elizabeth, there is a ring on her finger as she opens the envelope with the wedding pictures (thought it was a continuity problem). The ring's on her middle finger, though. (Lynda) Did we ever decide which persona walked out of the cabin? (Karen)Good question!! My initial feelings would be Elizabeth, but she prefers not to walk and pretend she is paralyzed And it was a long walk (hitch, most likely, unless the bus route goes through the woods--or better yet, \"taxi!\") back to LA. (Lynda) I think it was Cynthia; she loved Joe too much to inflict her sickness on him. One would think she could bail out before the wedding, then. But she's a superego personality. Maybe that solution never occurred to her. (Lynda) So why do we think this is a poor film, instead of a decent movie with some iffy bits in it I see your point but still think the movie could have been a whole lot better if they skipped the iffy bits and unneccessary subplots. But in the immortal words of Paul Ashworth, \"we all have our reasons for loving things the way we do...\""}, {"response": 1288, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (22:24)", "body": "(Eileen)It also took me a while to make the Wagner connection--why Cynthia holds her hands over her ears and claims the music gives her a headache. Repressed memories of Maura with the fork! The Wagner theme from the boom-box while he is painting is the same background music from Jenny Purge's film: \"Rite of Passage\".It brings on her headache.But when Elijah and Joe are watching the film...the music brings back to Joe the recollections of the painting event. ***** (Karen)....Re: the Painting...But his feelings of not knowing her and that she was a mystery to him came through in that portrait I'll buy that...Karen. When artists paint they see things differently...because a different part of their brain is activitated...the emotional part, not just the visual part which everyone uses when they see an object/person. Soooo Joe in employing his emotional brain was painting her behind a window didn't know her at all because those were his subliminal feelings. Did I get it right? **** I think this is a lousy film because the stupid sub-plot and supporting actors are so poor. IMO except for Dr. Beaumont...none of them are believable. ***** Let's get back to more impt. things like the verical shagging scene...:-)"}, {"response": 1289, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (22:45)", "body": "(Evelyn) Did I get it right? No right or wrong answers here. (although Eileen is all wet about what caused Joe to stop painting!!) But for extra credit... ;-p Didn't even notice the music being the same. But it make sense. Am I going to have to watch this again? Oh noooooooooooooooo!!!! (Evelyn) Let's get back to more impt. things like the verical shagging scene...:-) I continue to replay in my imagination (entire brain working diligently) the back kissing part."}, {"response": 1290, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (00:11)", "body": "(Lynda) So why do we think this is a poor film, instead of a decent movie with some iffy bits in it? Evelyn has coined the perfect answer for this one! ;-D It went something along these lines: \"By the time we finish with this, people will wonder why it didn't win an Academy Award!\""}, {"response": 1291, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (00:41)", "body": "(evelyn) When artists paint they see things differently...because a different part of their brain is activitated...the emotional part, not just the visual part which everyone uses when they see an object/person For the Esoteric among you: http://www.physiol.ox.ac.uk/~rcm/pem/index.htm"}, {"response": 1292, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (01:33)", "body": "(Eileen)...why Joe stopped painting. IMO he doesn't think he's good enough, not the reverse. It comes down to his reaction when Cynthia asks him to paint again. Very perceptive of you , Eileen. I tend to agree. He seemed entirely surprised at her urging him to start again, and looked very doubtful when she told him he was good. (Karen) (KJ, help me-explain how and what an artist sees) Can't...No two artists see things in quite the same way. Gives a lot of room for for debate.... (Lynda) Did we ever decide which persona walked out of the cabin? (Lynda) I think it was Cynthia; she loved Joe too much to inflict her sickness on him. Can't agree here...I doubt the conscious Cynthia \"believed in\" the others quite yet. And Cynthia wouldn't react violently by cutting up the picture. I'm inclined to think it was Maura (who WAS aware of Elizabeth and only had contempt for her) or a persona much like her. Remember, there was one entity in the video that was nameless? And I'm sure that we haven't been introduced to the full panoply...it could have been another one we aren't aware of (probably one who can hike well...) ;-D None of them w uld know Joe either..."}, {"response": 1293, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (18:22)", "body": "(KJArt) I'm inclined to think it was Maura Elizabeth can't walk and Baby can't get out of the fetal position. This leaves Cynthia and Maura, or, as you pointed out it could have been another one we aren't aware of (probably one who can hike well...) . IMO Maura wouldn't have taken the time to leave a note and would've hocked the ring for cigarettes :-P I vote for the unknown hiker. But more than likely it's just another loophole in the plot."}, {"response": 1294, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (20:52)", "body": "(Eileen) Re: \"I don't know who you are...\" note Maura wouldn't have taken the time to leave a note and would've hocked the ring for cigarettes \".. True, but it's only Maura of the three we know that would have slashed the painting. ***** Re: The cocoon. Elijah says to Joe \"Go home. Go to bed. Go hide. It's what you're good at..\" Agree that the moth is Joe...\"I was hiding...\" (in denial?).\"She made me feel less alone\". I can't give up\". In the next scene you see Joe calling Dr. B. back and the camera goes to the moth which is emerging from the cocoon. A turn in the life of Joe. The cemetery ordeal IMO was the turning point!! Agree with Karen on this one. ***** A Darcy moment: As he walks about the trashed apt. \" Sorry, Elijah...I never should have gotten you involved in this one\"...Same determined tone of voice as when he told Mr. Gardiner...\"It was my fault.....I must insist on this..I will not give way..\" ****** I like Elijah's selection of hats!!"}, {"response": 1295, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Jul 28, 1999 (01:34)", "body": "(Eileen)...Maura wouldn't have taken the time to leave a note and would've hocked the ring for cigarettes \".. I vote for the unknown hiker. But more than likely it's just another loophole in the plot. Excellent analysis all the way ...I agree ... especially the part about the loophole. But then that only leaves an huge opening for our own invention ... and we are better at that, I believe, than at the analysis!!! ;-)"}, {"response": 1296, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 1999 (15:50)", "body": "OT: who was it that \"just\" saw ATA a few days ago? Coz I just did! I unexpectedly ran into it at Blockbusters (you wouldn't believe the name they gave it in portuguese: \"Friends and rivals\"!), brought it home and saw it immediately. CF looks gorgeous! Tall and thin, his wonderful walk, the expressive face... Only less than perfect thing is his voice... somewhat flat, like in 3DoR. And of course the fact that he is seldom on screen, as you all have said."}, {"response": 1297, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 1999 (17:08)", "body": "(Lynda) Joe is a gentle soul, probably never hit anyone in his life. When it comes to Hollywood films, we are so brainwashed into believing that all men (and particularly leading men) can fight off hordes single-handedly. Actually, I thought Joe's punch was one of Colin's better ones. He really puts his arm into it, not like The Advocate!! (a girlie swing if I've ever seen one) Of course, overlooking baddie with shovel as potentially dangerous we could chalk up to lack of sleep, hasn't been to bathroom yet, etc. (Lynda) Joe turning into Arnie would have been phony. Agreed. Would take away from the realism of rest of movie. ;-D (Lynda) I like the juxtaposition of Maura's corpse-like eyes...with Joe's natural, alive ones Excellent observation on the symbolism. Hadn't noticed that before. Lots in this movie. Whenever I see the closeup of Maura's eyes on that poster, they remind me of Theda Bara. (Eileen) IMO he doesn't think he's good enough, not the reverse. At Elijah's he makes the offhand comment about Elijah's work still selling like hotcakes. There's a note of astonishment/disbelief in his voice. Seems to me (promise I won't belabor the point) that both he and Elijah know that Joe is the more talented of the two. The fact that Joe's work failed to sell could only be reconciled in my mind by an attitude of \"they don't understand my work or appreciate it.\" Remember, he did confess (after the eye-opening cemetery scene) that he tended to think of himself as a superior human being and didn't need anyone. I'm done. We can disagree amicably on this point. (Eileen) But more than likely it's just another loophole in the plot. Speaking of which, how long would it take to drive from Vancouver (if that's where it is set) to LA? Anybody know? Long enough for the black eye to fade? Another: Joe doesn't seem to think anything so unusual about a woman so well-dressed in the woods at the beginning - and it didn't look like a Maura outfit to me. A fav scene: At the morgue, the camera pans up on Joe, who is wearing tight jeans, t-shirt and open shirt. Look carefully at the t-shirt. His chest appears to be stuck out and you can make out his pecs. Nice definition! ;-D This would explain how Joe is so easily able to lift Elizabeth out of her wheelchair in one swooosh motion!! Best prop: Elijah's water squirter"}, {"response": 1298, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 1999 (17:13)", "body": "Gi, it was Elena who just saw ATA. Also, I'd say Colin's on screen maybe 75% of the time. He just doesn't say much. ;-D"}, {"response": 1299, "author": "Elena", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 1999 (17:31)", "body": "(Gi) Tall and thin, his wonderful walk, the expressive face... Ah, Gi! You saw it too? Yes, I bumped into it last week. Great to hear from someone to whom ATA is still fresh stuff, I\ufffdm afraid these other gals have seen it already too many times to remember the first and the best drooly impulses that Jess inspired... ;-)"}, {"response": 1300, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 1999 (17:44)", "body": "ATA. Also, I'd say Colin's on screen maybe 75% of the time. He just doesn't say much. ;-D A good-looking -potted- palm!!! I really think we should do ATA next...since so many have seen it recently. ***** Question on FF.... Who got the money at the end? Dino tasted the cocaine, was the money in the blue flight bag he throws to Ed? If so why is Ed telling Jenny that he's out $50,000.?Cynthia told Joe she only had $15. in her purse. **** It's a long way from LA to Vancouver..but black eyes last about a week."}, {"response": 1301, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jul 29, 1999 (18:30)", "body": "(Elena) I\ufffdm afraid these other gals have seen it already too many times to remember the first and the best drooly impulses that Jess inspired... ;-) Oh nooooooo!! C'mon, when that white-shirted back moves across the screen and he has to bend down to kiss MP.... I remember it well. I also remember the jogging and the leaning in doorway and .... ;-p"}, {"response": 1302, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 30, 1999 (00:38)", "body": "Ahhhhh, I remember it well"}, {"response": 1303, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 30, 1999 (00:43)", "body": "Now back to our regularly scheduled film: Didn't someone say something about liking him in the black leather jacket and the sleeveless tank top? ;-D"}, {"response": 1304, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Jul 30, 1999 (01:22)", "body": "Didn't someone say something about liking him in the black leather jacket and the sleeveless tank That was me!! But I like the black sleeveless he wears while chewing celery and waiting for Dr. Beaumont's office to call. (Evelyn) Who got the money at the end? Dino tasted the cocaine, was the money in the blue flight bag he throws to Ed? If so why is Ed telling Jenny that he's out $50,000.? Have no idea. Lynda, you're the go-to girl on these details. Maybe after lying around outside for three months in Vancouver weather, coke will lose its fizz? ;-)"}, {"response": 1305, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Jul 30, 1999 (02:19)", "body": "(Karen)...how long would it take to drive to Vancouver from L/A.? ????It's about 1400 mi. Depends on how crazy a driver you are, I guess. But I had no impression it was set in Vancouver (and as a matter of fact I recognized several spots from Griffith Park where they were \"living\"). But I got the feeling they implied the drive would take overnight (Remember, Joe had only been married 3 days when he showed up at Elijah's door). I'd suggest somewhere in Central to Northern CA and was a long days' drive to LA."}, {"response": 1306, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Jul 30, 1999 (13:51)", "body": "(Karen)I'd say Colin's on screen maybe 75% of the time. He just doesn't say much. ;-D 75% of the time? No way: that is because nowadays you only see his scenes ;-) (Evelyn)A good-looking -potted- palm!!! I really think we should do ATA next...since so many have seen it recently. But a potted palm that sways so gracefully... I'd love to do ATA soon, but I believe Apartment 0 is scheduled next, isn't it? Otherwise, Elena and I can always go to some other forgotten topic and slobber about this ;-p"}, {"response": 1307, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 30, 1999 (13:59)", "body": "Why do you have to go anywhere else? Was FF unavailable to you? Not in PAL? Same with AZ?"}, {"response": 1308, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Jul 30, 1999 (15:21)", "body": "(Karen) At Elijah's he makes the offhand comment about Elijah's work still selling like hotcakes. There's a note of astonishment/disbelief in his voice. Seems to me... that both he and Elijah know that Joe is the more talented of the two. I'm with you so far. The fact that Joe's work failed to sell could only be reconciled in my mind by an attitude of \"they don't understand my work or appreciate it.\" Remember, he did confess (after the eye-opening cemetery scene) that he tended to think of himself as a superior human being and didn't need anyone I see your point but for me, it just doesn't work with the rest of his character (sweet, unassuming, etc.). I must still be stuck on that whole succubus thing :-D We can disagree amicably on this point Agreed! You say potato, I say potahto...whatever. (Heide) But I like the black sleeveless he wears while chewing celery and waiting for Dr. Beaumont's office to call. Ditto! Don't you love the way he runs and lunges for the phone? (Evelyn) Who got the money at the end? Good question. Perhaps Ed was counting what he would have had if the drugs had been sold? Lynda?? (KJArt)I'd suggest somewhere in Central to Northern CA and was a long days' drive to LA. That's what I always thought. (Gi)75% of the time? No way: that is because nowadays you only see his scenes ;-) Hee hee! I haven't watched this one in a while, but I tend to use that fast forward button more than the rewind button! I would love to discuss ATA (have always had a question about why they dubbed over Jess' opening scene. His lips don't say \"it's the Cook girls!\"). But will defer to those in line ahead of me."}, {"response": 1309, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (12:13)", "body": "I have really been enjoying your discussion of FF. I have not been joining in because of lack of time and the fact that I no longer have a copy of it. But,Karen,I would love to see a snappy of one scene which always sticks in my mind. Colin is sitting in what looks like a children's paddling pool. When he gets out he stands and teeters on the side of the pool before getting out. It is the only real close up of his (unclothed) legs that I can remember. Very distinctive legs they are too."}, {"response": 1310, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (15:13)", "body": "Very distinctive legs they are too. I agree his legs are rather distinctive, Allison. And as he climbs the stairs, I'd say rather bow legged. There've been many \"important\" discussions on those legs but not among the ladies of this group, at least as long as I've been here. I know I'm bringing the discussion waaaaaay down but I promise we'll delete this from our general discussion whenever we move it to colinfirth.com."}, {"response": 1311, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (15:44)", "body": "but I promise we'll delete this from our general discussion whenever we move it to colinfirth.com. And why, pray? :-)) Are you trying to give everyone the wrong impression of us? I agree his legs are rather distinctive, I do not claim to be an expert in all the works of CF but FF has the only example of a full frontal display of the unadorned CF legs. In FP and HOTPig, I recall delightful visions of the rear of his legs (and more...) but only in FF is there a view of them from the front. It is therefore unique in the Firth oeuvre."}, {"response": 1312, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (15:53)", "body": "(Allison) full frontal display of the unadorned CF legs. full front legs! That's a new one. ;-D Will have to pop in FP and ff to the scene where he gets out of bed (grey shorts) and walks into kitchen to have a little think. Thought we got to see the FFL in that one... or do you mean if it's cut off at the knee, it doesn't count? (Allison) Are you trying to give everyone the wrong impression of us? Absolutely! ;-D"}, {"response": 1313, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (16:00)", "body": "This is the sleeveless outfit he wore whilst eating celery, I believe:"}, {"response": 1314, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (18:27)", "body": "By Jove,you've got it!, she shrieks. I think he's even chewing! (Allison) Are you trying to give everyone the wrong impression of us? Well I thought we might be able to fool some people into thinking we're sober film critters interested only in discussing all components of a film, not just that fella sitting there with his arms and legs exposed. But you're right...we can't fool anybody. (Karen) Will have to pop in FP and ff to the scene where he gets out of bed (grey shorts) and walks into kitchen to have a little think. And he looks bow legged in that scene too! What about the rear view of Ross as he walks away from the shower? Do we see the calves there? I know we don't see the front of his legs or we'd be seeing more than R-rated material at that point. I also say he looks bowlegged as he runs up the stairs after Lizzy's refusal of his hand at Hunsford. Hmmmm....I'll have to study the loch scene very closely when I finally get to see MLSF."}, {"response": 1315, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Aug  1, 1999 (22:54)", "body": "He is not, repeat, NOT bow-legged. His long bony thighs have strong, gently arching muscles (from horseriding, I guess) and as he walks in that lolloping, loose-jointed fashion, his toes point firmly forward and it somewhow gives an impression of slight bow-leggedness, but if you look carefully, his legs are really straight. And what a lovely pair indeed! Yum! (Only the last remark may be removed from the edited version. ;-))"}, {"response": 1316, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 1999 (00:18)", "body": "I'll buy that. Just as I'll buy the notion that his hair's not thinning, it just looks that way when wet."}, {"response": 1317, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 1999 (17:46)", "body": "Ah, well... his hair... His hair, Louisa, erm, Heide, is another, completely different matter, I'm afraid..."}, {"response": 1318, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 1999 (18:59)", "body": "Full frontal legs you want, full frontal legs you get!! Thanks to Sharon who Snappied them especially for us and to Murph, who passed them along to me. I've blown it up and cropped out as best I could, with this awful result. There is one more shot from Sharon as he's coming through the doorway, but that hasn't transferred well. We are still working on it."}, {"response": 1319, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 1999 (20:48)", "body": "Thanks Sharon, Murph and Karen.... Are those the same thighs we all know and love from P&P? I know he was a little heavier in P&P...but they must have padded them... thighs that is:-)"}, {"response": 1320, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Aug  2, 1999 (23:16)", "body": "Must they? I wouldn't be so sure. There's a difference of about 4 years. He already looked quite heavy in Master of the Moor. I don't subscribe to the padding of the thighs theory: they were wrapped in good quality material made to look exactly like the period stuff. And the breeches were made of doe skin, a kind of suede."}, {"response": 1321, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Tue, Aug  3, 1999 (07:38)", "body": "Who cares about the trousers, its what is in them that counts:-)) Thank you so much Karen, Sharon, Murph. I have a theory that CF's weight does not vary much, its just that he has a squarish face which can look a little...well, jowly from certain angles and particularly when he is wearing a tight ruff. I think his body is always very slim. His legs were still slim in FP."}, {"response": 1322, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Aug  3, 1999 (17:44)", "body": "I have a theory that CF's weight does not vary much...I think his body is always very slim. I agree, Allison. IMO he's long and lanky with not an ounce to spare. He hasn't looked otherwise in anything I've seen. In fact, he looked almost too thin in ATA (especially in those baggy jeans). When I first saw it two years ago I wanted to shout \"Livia! More pasta!\""}, {"response": 1323, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Aug  3, 1999 (18:10)", "body": "But have you seen Master of the Moor? He never really looks puffed up, but sometimes even a few ounces seem to make difference. Though mostly it's to do with his chameleon quality, the way he carries himself and the effect of various costumes, of course."}, {"response": 1324, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug  3, 1999 (19:16)", "body": "I thought he looked a little chunky in TEP..in the aviator's ensemble and the tuxedo scene.One didn't see his legs, of course, (unlike RF). But his chest and neck looked bigger."}, {"response": 1325, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Aug  3, 1999 (21:06)", "body": "Right - who out of the next Donmar expedition company will be the brave one to ask him politely how he does it and if he finds it easy to control his weight, etc., you know, that kind of thing... :-)?"}, {"response": 1326, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug  3, 1999 (21:49)", "body": "Wasn't that one of the questions we faxed to his agent in London? How much weight did he gain for SiL? ;-D"}, {"response": 1327, "author": "Arami", "date": "Tue, Aug  3, 1999 (23:42)", "body": "And what is your success? :-)"}, {"response": 1328, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (01:47)", "body": "(Allison)I have a theory that CF's weight does not vary much...I think his body is always very slim. (Eileen)... he's long and lanky with not an ounce to spare. He hasn't looked otherwise in anything I've seen. I'd just seen OotB, and I was so used to his arms being slender that I was surprised to note that they looked a bit \"bulked up\" in that one. Also to a lesser extent in FF. I was conjecturing with Heide that maybe he had been chopping a lot of wood in the Canadian backwoods right about then... :-) (Eileen) In fact, he looked almost too thin in ATA (especially in those baggy jeans). Agreed. But it depends on the angle you see him at. (we've remarked on this before). His shoulders and chest are disproportionately broad so bulky flying jackets or padded shoulders make him look simply massive when he's coming at you. ATA illustrates it best BECAUSE he's so thin in that one...wide from the front/practically disappears when seen sideways!! ;-D"}, {"response": 1329, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (02:02)", "body": "And what is your success? :-) Wot? You didn't see the answers when they were posted? :-)"}, {"response": 1330, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (23:45)", "body": "His shoulders and chest are disproportionately broad Nothing is disproportional about that image of perfection... :-) wide from the front/practically disappears when seen sideways!! ;-D Are you implying he's flat and two-dimensional??? ;-) You didn't see the answers when they were posted? :-) Frankly, my dear, I can't remember... :-) Care to refresh my memory and enlighten our newbies?"}, {"response": 1331, "author": "Quimby", "date": "Wed, Aug  4, 1999 (23:50)", "body": "Not to interrupt the flow or anything--I've read here on and off for the past 2 years and am saying hello. In a world of change, this board remains the same. In a good way, of course ;-)"}, {"response": 1332, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (00:04)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1333, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (00:09)", "body": "Thanks, Quimby. Glad you checked in. We sometimes have to try hard to keep this topic going and as you see Femme Fatale has seemed to peter out but we enjoy any Colin film and character. Who said it was the high collars that also tend to make his face look broad? I have to agree. Besides SIL, I think he looks a bit fuller in the face in Nostromo. But you look at his body in those tight trousers and fantastic boots and you realize he's as lanky as ever."}, {"response": 1334, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (01:23)", "body": "(Arami) Are you implying he's flat and two-dimensional??? ;-) When he's that thin...very nearly! :-D"}, {"response": 1335, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (14:50)", "body": "Have we decided on Apt Zero as the next movie? I need to locate a copy before we begin disecting it. :) btw- loved the pics of his legs- *sigh* why does the occupant of my wadding pool have to be a toddler with water wings?"}, {"response": 1336, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (17:21)", "body": "*sigh* why does the occupant of my wadding pool have to be a toddler with water wings? Look what he's doing to us... mothers turning against their own offspring now... ;-)"}, {"response": 1337, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (17:23)", "body": "*sigh* why does the occupant of my wadding pool have to be a toddler with water wings? Look what he's doing to us... mothers turning against their own offspring now... ;-) (Btw, hallo to Quimby and all lurkers and ex. Welcome to the best little madhouse online :-))"}, {"response": 1338, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (17:24)", "body": "*sigh* why does the occupant of my wadding pool have to be a toddler with water wings? Look what he's doing to us... mothers turning against their own offspring now... ;-) (Btw, hallo to Quimby and all newbies, lurkers and ex. Welcome to the best little madhouse online :-))"}, {"response": 1339, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (17:28)", "body": "And one of the crappiest conference programs. There's no preview and edit facility and hitting \"stop\" reveals all your cybersins and weaknesses."}, {"response": 1340, "author": "quimby2", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (17:35)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1341, "author": "quimby2", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (22:13)", "body": "Thanks, Quimby. Glad you checked in. We sometimes have to try hard to keep this topic going and as you see Femme Fatale has seemed to peter out but we enjoy any Colin film and character. I saw Femme Fatale a long time ago. I'll find it again and see if I can think of anything to add anything to the discussion. Have we decided on Apt Zero as the next movie? Now _that_ is the wierdest movie. Looking forward to discussing _that_ one in public!"}, {"response": 1342, "author": "quimby2", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (22:14)", "body": "Oops. Better learn some HTML before I try to get fancy."}, {"response": 1343, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (22:46)", "body": ".... hitting\"stop\" reveals all your cybersins and weaknesses. Oh Arami...I commiserate with you....I have decided that once I press that \"submit\" button...let the errors all hang out...trying to press \"stop\" and make corrections just compounds the problem."}, {"response": 1344, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Aug  5, 1999 (23:42)", "body": "You see? It's the crapness... ;-)"}, {"response": 1345, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (01:54)", "body": "(Hee hee)...I feel SO much better now!"}, {"response": 1346, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Aug  6, 1999 (13:32)", "body": "I feel it is just my inadequacy and precipitation... Hi Quimby, welcome! I also saw your post on 72... Wasn't that a hoot? :-)"}, {"response": 1347, "author": "lizbeth54", "date": "Mon, Aug  9, 1999 (23:35)", "body": "You're all going great guns here! Was reading a novel recently (Robert Henriques: No arms,no armour) about the First World War. There's a description of the perfect young officer and Englishman... \" a blend of so many opposites, modesty and easy charm...you had it here at last: tall, wide at the shoulders, thickset and heavy at the top: but from the waist down, tapering quickly, slim hips, slender legs, thighs flat - God knowing well that they were incomplete without a horse(!!!) between them.\" Am tempted to make a lewd comment and lower the tone somewhat. But, seriously (!), it's the combination of those very broad shoulders, lean hips and lankiness which makes him so attractive."}, {"response": 1348, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 10, 1999 (01:07)", "body": "(Bethan)...very broad shoulders, lean hips and lankiness which makes him so attractive. The dimples and brown eyes aren't bad either :-)"}, {"response": 1349, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (00:08)", "body": "Evelyn, I caught your practice at 61 and am hoping you bring your new found talent over here. I'm speaking particularly of that charming photo of the happy newlyweds. I assume it's yours from the website. Putting it up here would spur a lovely discussion, I think. I know that shot fuels my dreams."}, {"response": 1350, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (01:10)", "body": "Bethan).....lean hips and lankiness You know what they say about tall ,lanky men, Bethan? ......they have big feet :-D ****** (Heide) ... that charming photo of the happy newlyweds. I assume it's yours from the website. Putting it up here would spur a lovely discussion... Actually Lyda brought it over...I think from Jennifer's site. I'll take it to Darcy drool on #112. ...since this is still FF. (I have one last posting to do on FF too). Didn't think anyone was looking at me on #61...great place to make a fool of oneself!!"}, {"response": 1351, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (04:34)", "body": "In remembrance of our discussion of 3DOR, this cow is named: Fene-STRAY-tion. Hope Moon get to see this one. ;-D"}, {"response": 1352, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (16:38)", "body": "I have a Colin movie question- my friend told me that she'd seen him in a movie where he had dyed his hair red and he had long side burns. apparently it was set in the 70's -and they tried to do an afro thing with his curls... what movie is this? anyone else seen it? i must admit i start giggling everytime i try to picture him with a red afro! :)"}, {"response": 1353, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (16:39)", "body": "btw- great cow Karen! :)"}, {"response": 1354, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (17:02)", "body": "A red Afro?! Closest thing to a movie set in the '70s would be the flashback bits in FP and that kid did have one interesting head of hair, but it wasn't red."}, {"response": 1355, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug 17, 1999 (20:24)", "body": "Although we have been pre-occupied with discussing MLSF....I have one last posting for FF..... And it\ufffds encouraging for Joe... . The American Psychiatric Association print-out for Dissociative Identity Disorder (formerly MPD) does not deny the condition but concedes that controversy exists concerning the different diagnosis ...some clinicians believe that MPD has been underdiagnosed, while others are concerned that it is a highly suggestible condition and is overdiagnosed..... Anyway.....the first symptoms occur at 6-7 yrs. old,,,,but become less manifest as individuals age beyond 40!!! . Hang in there, Joe....Cynthia/Elizabeth is gonna\ufffd make it.!!! (Actually, I give the marriage of Mr. & Mrs Joe Prince a better chance than Mr. & Mrs. Paul Ashford ) :-D ***** I have enjoyed the discussion of FF. After Mr. Darcy...Joe is my fave of Colin's roles.His innate kindness shines through."}, {"response": 1356, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Aug 18, 1999 (00:36)", "body": "Thanks for posting your picture over at 112. That's what I meant but I know you know that. I'm slipping fast."}, {"response": 1357, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 22, 1999 (15:27)", "body": "As a *final* post in our discussion of Femme Fatale, I thought you might be interested in a review of the film from the Hollywood Reporter from 1991: \"A strong cast and the use of classic Ross MacDonald-type Los Angeles backgrounds, both human and architectural, fail to compensate for a lack of suspense and atmosphere in this case of a missing bride. The film is unspooling in a one-week showcase forum in Los Angeles, but has already made its way to domestic video, so commercial prospects are obviously limited. Colin Firth starsas Joe Prince, a former painter cooling his brushes while he runs a nature station in the mountainous forests above L.A. The action begins when he awakens one morning to find his wife, Cynthia (Lisa Zane), missing and her portrait slashed, and so moves down to Venice where he crashes with an artist friend (Billy Zane). Plastering posters around town, he begins to come across a few clues that lead him to a bitter avant-garde lesbian filmmaker (Lisa Blount), assorted gangsters and tough guys, and a nervous psychiatrist (Scott Wilson) who tries to persuade Joe to let the whole matter drop. Although the story's overall pattern is cohesive--with the discovery that Cynthia is a multiple-personality victim, and dovetailing with the arrival of hoods seeking revenge on one of her less appealing personas--individual scenes lack drive, and transitions are perfunctory rather than compulsive. Attempts at revivifying stereotypes, as wehn one hit man turns out to be a laid-back golf nut, have an aura of deja vu about them, as if someone else had tried the experiment before. Also, depicting the one independent woman in the film as a conniving, underhanded bitch, while holding up Cynthia's most dependent aspect as her best personality, comes across as a thematic anachronism. Binding L.A.'s rustic and urban sides, as well as its sleazy and chic neighborhoods, is a good idea and well handled, however, and the cast, particularly Billy Zane in what amounts to an expository crutch (\"So what happened? What now?\") is very good."}, {"response": 1358, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Aug 22, 1999 (19:47)", "body": "I can't believe someone gave this film such a serious review. Interesting read. I must remember to use \"perfunctory transitions\" next time I see a sloppy, disjointed film. Is the reviewer calling Maura the \"one independent woman\"? I see Cynthia as independent also. Her headaches, her stories of her miserable childhool encouraged Joe's protection but she always seemed to me to be in control of the relationship. And in the end, I think it was her personality who left Joe. Anyway, thanks for digging this one out of the archives, Karen."}, {"response": 1359, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Aug 22, 1999 (22:08)", "body": "(Heide) Is the reviewer calling Maura the \"one independent woman\"? I see Cynthia as independent also. I think Maura was more implied than directly depicted in this film. Films of her, others talking about her, are the only evidence we have. The only apparent direct interaction between Maura and Joe is in the truck, when she fleetingly surfaces muttering an expletive or two (and that's only a guess that that was Maura). She surfaces to deal with the crooks but pretty much ignores Joe and is gone again all too quickly. I think the reviewer meant Jenny as the \"one independent woman\"...she definitely fit the description as \"a conniving, underhanded bitch\"."}, {"response": 1360, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Aug 22, 1999 (22:20)", "body": "Yes, Jenny immediately came to mind as \"a conniving, underhanded bitch,\" but Maura was the one who made the switch on Dino, so who knows. That's what I call poor writing when you don't even know which conniving bitch the reviewer is referring to! ;-D"}, {"response": 1361, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Aug 22, 1999 (23:49)", "body": "ROTFLMAO!!!!!!"}, {"response": 1362, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Aug 23, 1999 (19:03)", "body": "(Heide) I see Cynthia as independent also. Her headaches, her stories of her miserable childhool encouraged Joe's protection but she always seemed to me to be in control of the relationship. This is evident during the shopping/proposal scene, when she's the leader and he's the follower (he seems preoccupied with something--perhaps an enormous...er, appetite?) during the 'nature walk.'"}, {"response": 1363, "author": "quimby", "date": "Tue, Aug 24, 1999 (00:42)", "body": "Sorry I missed this whole discussion but I really didn't like this film at all, or His character, so I would've been a party pooper anyway. I will make a point of seeing it again, just in case I missed something or have had a taste transplant in the last few years. It _does_ happen."}, {"response": 1364, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Tue, Aug 24, 1999 (01:50)", "body": "(Quimby) Sorry I missed this whole discussion but I really didn't like thes film at all, or His character, ... I didn't either when we first started this discussion, but listening to and participating in everybody else's point-of-view during the analysis can open your eyes to things you never noticed before. I still don't think it's a good film overall, but it does have its moments! ...to paraphrase Evelyn, our analyses \"can turn trash into Academy Award material\". True, true. HeeHeeHee Seriously, though, you should go back over the discussion before you watch the film again...you will probably get a lot more out of it."}, {"response": 1365, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Aug 24, 1999 (01:56)", "body": "Quimby, I'd be interested to know why you didn't like the film and especially why you didn't like the Joe Prince character. Joe appears to be high on many people's lists, possibly because he's such a nice, reliable guy (a rarity or an endangered species), although I've never held him that high in my esteem. (I much prefer the misunderstood Valmont) ;-D"}, {"response": 1366, "author": "quimby", "date": "Thu, Aug 26, 1999 (05:29)", "body": "Love the cow."}, {"response": 1367, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Aug 26, 1999 (22:06)", "body": "Cows are very big on this Conference of late...even in film discussions! It is a thing of wonder and amazement."}, {"response": 1368, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Aug 26, 1999 (23:51)", "body": "Speaking of cows, will we be mooooooving on to another project? Forgive me, I'm having attacks of corny-itis lately... Moon's back, how about AZ? Or ATA?"}, {"response": 1369, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (00:57)", "body": "I'm in favor of not doing another obscure one like AZ....Everyone on both sides of the pond has access to ATA."}, {"response": 1370, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (14:36)", "body": "Go ahead and do ATA. I could use more time to catch up on everything I have neglected for two months. We could do Apt.O after Y2K by candlelight. ;-))"}, {"response": 1371, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (14:45)", "body": "In remembrance of our discussion of 3DOR, this cow is named: Fene-STRAY-tion. Hope Moon get to see this one. ;-D Karen, it brings up so many memories."}, {"response": 1372, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (18:08)", "body": "OK, help out the ignoramous among you and tell me what ATA stands for so i can get my hands on a copy. :) btw Karen, i'm loving all the cows! :) that Marilyn one over at 72 is such a riot!"}, {"response": 1373, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (18:13)", "body": "ATA = A Thousand Acres"}, {"response": 1374, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (18:15)", "body": "Thanks Gi! :)"}, {"response": 1375, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (18:21)", "body": "You're welcome. Did you see this movie?"}, {"response": 1376, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (18:25)", "body": "Nope havent seen it yet, but seem to remember it being in the theaters a few years back. Is it the one with Sharon Stone where everybody gets molested? or am i completely off?"}, {"response": 1377, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (19:43)", "body": "*Paging SBR...SBR....come in please....* Esbee, ATA is the one with Michelle Pfieffer(?sp), Jason Robards and Jessica Lange. Is it the one with Sharon Stone where everybody gets molested? No, dear, Sharon wasn't in Playmaker!"}, {"response": 1378, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug 27, 1999 (19:57)", "body": "Thanks, SB, I love the Marilyn cow as well. BTW, you might want to check out the previously viewed videos at Blockbuster. I saw ATA on the shelf just last week maybe for $6.99, plus they are having a take $2 off sale right now. Can't get much cheaper, except for the Wings of a Dove that I bought for $2.99 net. ;-D"}, {"response": 1379, "author": "quimby", "date": "Sat, Aug 28, 1999 (05:55)", "body": "Just read these posts and will happily review post haste. I was just going to skip it but now that you're all experts it'll be interesting to see what you've seen. Will report back over the weekend."}, {"response": 1380, "author": "quimby", "date": "Sat, Aug 28, 1999 (06:04)", "body": "But ladies--so little Colin! I can send AZ to people. ATA is so heavy-handed. I'm not as against it as some of the more virulent posts I read in the archives, but it's no wonder the author was as silent as possible on the film. And so little Colin. Did I mention that there is very little Colin?"}, {"response": 1381, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Aug 28, 1999 (15:49)", "body": "Ah, but there's not so very little Colin if you have the edited version.'-) ThThe only ATA I watch is the one I have featuring Jess, Jess, Jess...even the little snippet of the scene where Ginny is in the house talking to her father and glances out the window as Jess runs by. Notice how much of a hurry she's in to leave the house once she sees who is outside. But I suppose I'll have to watch the whole thing again if we make this our next discussion piece. Fine by me."}, {"response": 1382, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 28, 1999 (19:47)", "body": "(Quimby)But ladies--so little Colin! I can send AZ to people. ATA is so heavy-handed. The problem is that ATA is easily available in NTSC and PAL...so Elena and Gi can join us.Maybe even the UK fans. There is little of Colin...but as much as in SIL.And it's a complex role.We don't have to go 6 months on it. But I'm on , for any of them."}, {"response": 1383, "author": "quimby", "date": "Sat, Aug 28, 1999 (21:21)", "body": "Hokey-dokey."}, {"response": 1384, "author": "kcjones", "date": "Sun, Aug 29, 1999 (04:47)", "body": "ATA is indeed difficult for fans of CF....too bad his role was not larger... I honestly do not even consider this a \"Colin\" film, because he has so little time in it. I'd rather consider \"Valmont\" or some other film that has a really nice \"CF\" role to discuss.....after seeing ATA, I was saddened by the (MY percieved) lack of use of CF talent....he was the equivalent of a \"commercial\" in ATA (in my opinion).....too bad!!"}, {"response": 1385, "author": "patas", "date": "Sun, Aug 29, 1999 (08:55)", "body": "If you do ATA, I will be glad to participate. Will also glad to read your comments on any film I haven't seen - like I usually do... :-)"}, {"response": 1386, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Aug 29, 1999 (09:01)", "body": "Power watched (=countless rewinds) ATA last night and enjoyed Colin tremendously. Perfect bed-time entertainment. Those eyes, subtle smiles and that sexy lean body.....((Quimby, I agree totally and full-heartedly with what you said about him in the Hottest Topic on Spring! ;-D)) Karin, the film really did waste his acting potential, he\ufffds just a sex object in it and I believe that he expected much more from that project than what it actually turned out to be. Jess is not really a character at all in the film but I\ufffdm primitive enough to like it anyway."}, {"response": 1387, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Aug 29, 1999 (09:07)", "body": "....and I also think that none of his roles is too small to discuss. I\ufffdm not very interested in ATA as a whole but Colin did his best in it, like always."}, {"response": 1388, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Aug 30, 1999 (15:30)", "body": "If you're counting, Heide and Karen, I vote for discussing ATA next. Karin, Valmont was discussed a while back. Whereas relative newbies like myself didn't participate in that one, I think it'll be nicer to get into something new for all of us. And no part is too small (OK, except The Secret Garden). I didn't care for Colin in ATA and am sure at the conclusion of our discussion I'll be changing my mind :-)"}, {"response": 1389, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Aug 30, 1999 (15:51)", "body": "(Eileen)I didn't care for Colin in ATA Why?"}, {"response": 1390, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Aug 30, 1999 (16:58)", "body": "I'll opine further when the discussion begins. Wouldn't want to get ahead of things."}, {"response": 1391, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug 30, 1999 (17:21)", "body": "(Eileen)... And no part is too small (OK, except The Secret Garden) Hey, I like The Secret Garden...love a man in a uniform...only two minutes.... but I go for quality :-D"}, {"response": 1392, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Mon, Aug 30, 1999 (18:15)", "body": "Can't say I like ATA at all and IMO Colin was wasted in it, however lovely to look at. It pains me to see him in these nothing roles (ATA, CoF, TEP, SIL - I know, I know...he played these parts well) when he is so talented. I do hope we will discuss AZ, WoF, and The Advocate someday...and that CF will give us the opportunity of discussing that handsome scoundrel, Flashman."}, {"response": 1393, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Aug 30, 1999 (20:21)", "body": "(Eileen) Esbee, ATA is the one with Michelle Pfieffer(?sp), Jason Robards and Jessica Lange ...Sharon wasn't in Playmaker!\" ok -i was totally confused :) a video store in my town is going out of business and selling all of its stock, (bad for them, good for me) so, i'm going to go see what Colin movies i can pick up for dirt cheap. :)"}, {"response": 1394, "author": "SBRobinson", "date": "Mon, Aug 30, 1999 (20:23)", "body": "oops! Sorry about the italics!!!! :p"}, {"response": 1395, "author": "quimby", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (07:32)", "body": "Karen I'd be interested to know why you didn't like the film and especially why you didn't like the Joe Prince character... Sorry for the delay (I'm sure you were holding your breath ;-) ) but I was called away. I'm still not home but I did watch it again and will just write what I remember. Basically, I felt sorry for C in many, many scenes because he didn't have anyone to play against/with. There were two different movies going on: a feeble attempt at a mistaken notion of hip-cool-knowing humor (gack) against a messy silly attempt at a love story. The love story works better (everything's relative) because there's an actual connection between J & M. I hereby apologize for trashing this film: the sex scene is good. I vote yes. But skip the rest. It was an atrocious mess and I hope C paid m ny bills. The scene in the back of the kidnappers's van is right up there with the hill scene in Playmaker for getting \"our poor DB\" stars; both are 5 star scenes. No. We should hereby invent 6 stars specifically for this kidnap scene. Let's look at that HR review. I bet Variety wasn't so kind. BTW thanks Karen, it was good for laughs! \"A strong cast and the use of classic Ross MacDonald-type Los Angeles backgrounds, both human and architectural, fail to compensate for a lack of suspense and atmosphere in this case of a missing bride. The film is unspooling in a one-week showcase forum in Los Angeles, but has already made its way to domestic video, so commercial prospects are obviously limited. Truer words were never spoken. Colin Firth stars as Joe Prince, a former painter cooling his brushes while he runs a nature station in the mountainous forests above L.A. The action begins when he awakens one morning to find his wife, Cynthia (Lisa Zane), missing and her portrait slashed, and so moves down to Venice where he crashes with an artist friend (Billy Zane). There was not a hint that he was a painter throughout the film. Replace \"painter\" with \"gas station attendant\" and the film would have worked just as well. There could have been a picture on the wall of Joe pumping gas, and the \"promise me\" scene would have been fine. Change the music (or keep it) that gives M a headache; change the painting scene to him getting a job at a local station and her sitting nearby to cheer him on, and the scene would've worked fine. He could even look at her throught a window. Plastering posters around town, he begins to come across a few clues that lead him to a bitter avant-garde lesbian filmmaker (Lisa Blount), assorted gangsters and tough guys, and a nervous psychiatrist (Scott Wilson) who tries to persuade Joe to let the whole matter drop. That's polite. Try: \"a bunch of lousy actors. The gangsters (including the BAGLF) thought this was a comedy. The guy with the bad face lift tries to convince Joe of something or other, grateful that he's found the only person in the world who's a bigger wuss and stupider than he is.\" Although the story's overall pattern is cohesive--with the discovery that Cynthia is a multiple-personality victim, and dovetailing with the arrival of hoods seeking revenge on one of her less appealing personas--individual scenes lack drive, and transitions are perfunctory rather than compulsive. Puh-leeeeeze. Not cohesive. \"Lack drive?!\" The engine block is cracked. In not a single scene is there a single conflict. Nobody convinces anybody of anything, but J and M get away with it barely (tee ee). People just do the exposition (blah, blah, blah, yeah, sure Maw I remember back in '63 when that fierce storm killed Uncle Joe who always said he was gonna haunt us.) Stupid writer, stupid director. Attempts at revivifying stereotypes, as when one hit man turns out to be a laid-back golf nut, have an aura of deja vu about them, as if someone else had tried the experiment before. Also, depicting the one independent woman in the film as a conniving, underhanded bitch, while holding up Cynthia's most dependent aspect as her best personality, comes across as a thematic anachronism. Tried the experiment before? In thousands of acting classes across the land every day for thousands of days, thous nds of stupid idiots have done the character better. Because of course it wouldn't take anything, neither talent nor craft. He's just hopeless. But they all are. All the characters have been tried before (Dino?!) The \"dependent aspect\" was not either held up as the best one. There was an amalgam ( I can't believe I'm actually defending the most lamebrained thing of all: the basic premise of the story.) Binding L.A.'s rustic and urban sides, as well as its sleazy and chic neighborhoods, is a good idea and well handled, however, and the cast, particularly Billy Zane in what amounts to an expository crutch (\"So what happened? What now?\") is very good. Binding well handled? Not. Billy Zane good? I have two words for this reviewer: first scene. BZ's first scene, greeting JP at the door with a wrench, is mortifying; he looks like a caricature o"}, {"response": 1396, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (14:48)", "body": "Wow, Quimby! But tell me, how did you like the movie? Hee hee hee! Seriously, I agree with many of your points, e.g., the gangsters (including the BAGLF) thought this was a comedy . It sounds as though you know a thing or two about acting: In not a single scene is there a single conflict...People just do the exposition...Tried the experiment before? In thousands of acting classes across the land every day for thousands of days, thousands of /.../ have done the character better...even though she insists on trying to look and act like Madonna, and as we know Madonna can't act But this observation confuses me a bit: There was not a hint that he was a painter throughout the film What about the portrait painting scene? What else would you have them [the writer/director] do, insofar as representing Joe as a painter? Or have I missed your point entirely?"}, {"response": 1397, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (14:57)", "body": "There was not a hint that he was a painter throughout the film Sure there was. Joe could look at the topless model and only see the bag and what it represented! (Elijah still couldn't draw faces)"}, {"response": 1398, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (22:13)", "body": "Thanks Quimby...I think we all would agree in our discussion with most of what you said. (Quimby)Re: Billy Zane.. He can't act his way out of a paper bag. He can't do a \"scene,\" so he wears funny glasses, fiddles with wrist remote controls, quibbles with topless blond, etc. Totally worthless and stupid. I really agree with you here...yet there were some who thought BZ was good. Outside of her father...and Joe P., of course, I thought the rest of the cast was dismal. I noticed that in his credits on the Donmar program he neglected to mention FF and Playmaker...Oh well, every actor is entitled to a few clunkers."}, {"response": 1399, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Fri, Sep 10, 1999 (23:33)", "body": "I noticed that in his credits on the Donmar program he neglected to mention FF and Playmaker...Oh well, every actor is entitled to a few clunkers. If you add ATA to FF and Playmaker, it would seem that CF's worst movies are his American ones. Didn't he say somewhere that by the time Hollywood movie roles get to British actors, they've already gone to a hundred other actors? I also read a remark he made, vis-a-vis Nostromo, to the effect that many American actors just want to hit their mark, say their dialogue and call it a day. And he doesn't think much of American screenwriting, either. Perhaps that is why he, so admirably and sensibly, has decide to base his career in the U.K. (quimby) However, C is magic. As always. And since he is in every scene, his performance gives this movie a high rewind factor, IMO. Much higher than the rather boring TEP, whose main redeeming quality was CF's few minutes (and that scene in the taxi was also magic) of screen time."}, {"response": 1400, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Sep 11, 1999 (20:08)", "body": "No need to take FF too seriously. I think we all agree it ain't one of his better and we've managed to find a few redeeming qualities (as we always do). Are we ready for our next one? Lynda, I don't think the comment you paraphrased above was meant as a trashing of all American acting. Our DB doesn't normally make such broad statements, does he?"}, {"response": 1401, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (18:09)", "body": "(Heide) Are we ready for our next one? Oh, yes *clap clap* ! What shall it be, ATA, AZ or other?"}, {"response": 1402, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (19:01)", "body": "Please check out Kirsten's new and improved versions of our past film discussions. She has added lots of gorgeous Snappies from the films to illustrate points made in the discussion. This link will take you to the index: http://www.firth.com/filmdis/disindex.htm Wonderful job, Kirsten!"}, {"response": 1403, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Sep 13, 1999 (19:03)", "body": "For the next discussion, I will go with whichever: AZ or ATA, but I do like the idea that ATA is more readily available to those currently participating. If that's the case, then we would do AZ next, right? ;-D"}, {"response": 1404, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Sep 21, 1999 (19:19)", "body": "Shall we set a date for our discussion of ATA? (am getting antsy, now that I've read the script - aha!!)"}, {"response": 1405, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Sep 21, 1999 (20:45)", "body": "Aha indeed! What insights await!"}, {"response": 1406, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 22, 1999 (05:05)", "body": "Stumbled across this in The Guardian and it reminded me of 3DOR, and I'll be adding the info to my Cliff's Notes. ;-D Here's the url for viewing the entire article: http://www.newsunlimited.co.uk/Print/0,3858,3903699,00.html Do you see this building and hear Julie Andrews? No? Maybe you should. Jonathan Glancey on the elusive relationship between architecture and music Monday September 20, 1999 The Guardian When I hear the words \"frozen music\" to describe architecture, I think of that warm Hindu aphorism, \"an arch never sleeps\". For arches, and timbers, and columns, and thus the buildings they make up, are never quite still and certainly not frozen. (Anyone who says \"What about igloos?\" can kindly leave this column.) Timbers decay. Moss grows in cracks between window frames and walls. Floors expand with summer heat. Mice scratch under floorboards, bats and house martins flit from attics and eaves. Rain drums on roofs and wind howls in lift shafts. The idea of architecture as frozen music came from German writers - Goethe (conversations with Eckermann) and Schelling (Philosophie der Kunst) - because it was in Germany, above all, that architects strove to create monuments of stillness. Yet they failed. The lofty arches of Cologne cathedral are almost asleep, but if frosty are not frozen; and though the great flat-roofed pavilion of Mies van der Rohe's New National Gallery in Berlin is as cool as architecture gets, it is still thawed by the moods of t e weather, of sunlight modulating its icy, geometric perfection. Yet architecture can be musical. When you encounter a building, especially one you're not familiar with, it feels as if it has a life, a character and, somewhere between arches, columns, RSJs and I-beams, a music of its own. [...] In the sixth century BC Pythagoras established (or posited) the mathematical equivalents of musical intervals. By extension, it would almost be possible to imagine a building, like a Greek temple, its design adhering to strict mathematical rules, being read like a musical score. Interesting, but you wouldn't get anything more exciting than a collection of incomprehensible notes or, at best, a repeated scale. And the Parthenon, I'm sure you'll agree, is a little more interesting than Julie Andrews singing o-Re-Mi. In fact, it was buildings like the Parthenon that Goethe and Schelling would have been thinking of when they talked of architecture as \"frozen music\". Since then, we have learnt a lot more about the ideas temples like the Parthenon were designed to express. Far from being frozen, Greek temples were representations on one level (this idea is still fluttering in the realm of theory) of warships, on which the vessel of the Greek state depended. Entasis - the swelling of Greek columns designed, so we say, to ensure that the columns appear forever straight - was also a way of suggesting the billowing sails of a warship. You don't have to believe this, but if you can feel the sense of the idea, then you can also hear the music of the Parthenon. We might try to listen to the real music of individual buildings, yet when it comes to architecture, our ears are largely pre-programmed. Film directors and radio producers have helped create aural cliches. Whenever we are shown a classical building, whether it's a 16th-century Florentine palazzo, a Palladian villa, or a crescent in Bath or Edinburgh, we hear Vivaldi or Bach. Woody Allen has single-handedly welded Gershwin's Porgy & Bess to the Manhattan skyline. Modern Movement designs by Le Corbusier or Walter Gropius must be accompanied by Stravinsky. I hear the music of Pierre Boulez (as well as CRS sirens and a babel of tourist languages) as I walk past the Pompidou Centre. Can we walk into a medieval cathedral without hearing monkish plainchant in our mind's ear, or look at pictures of 70s suburban houses (not a daily occurrence, mind you) and not think, thanks to Mike Leigh and Alison Steadman, of Demis Roussos singing \"For ever and ever and ever...\" over and over again? We do this sort of thing all the time, with landscapes and townscapes as well as architecture. If I see a black-and-white film of southern English wealds and downs, with unspoiled timber-framed farmhouses and ploughs driven across Paul Nash fields by heavy horses, I hear William Walton's Spitfire Prelude and Fugue (and, expect to see one of those exquisite aircraft arc over a hill, a machine with a truly wizard - Merlin - music of its own). When I've taken the train from Fenchurch Street to Southend and l oked over East End chimneytops and over the goalposts that define Hackney Marshes, my head fills with old cockney music-hall songs. Perhaps it shouldn't in these hippity-hoppity times, but it does and I can't help hearing that old refrain \"With a ladder and some glasses/ You could see to Hackney Marshes/ If it wasn't for the houses in between\". Sometimes, though, your ears can escape their conditioning. As a student, I came across Paul Beaver and Bernie K"}, {"response": 1407, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Sep 29, 1999 (20:25)", "body": "Excellent, Karen, thank you. You really can be trusted to unearth the most interesting articles :-) I'll make a note of that Hindu aphorism."}, {"response": 1408, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Sep 29, 1999 (21:59)", "body": "So when are we going to set a date to start that farmland classic, A Thousand Acres?"}, {"response": 1409, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Sep 30, 1999 (07:23)", "body": "Anytime after the 5th of October, please."}, {"response": 1410, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Sep 30, 1999 (18:35)", "body": "Just checked the TV Now site and saw that ATA will be playing in prime time as follows: Mon Oct 11 08:00P ENC- Encore Regular"}, {"response": 1411, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Oct  1, 1999 (01:11)", "body": "I don't know why I get excited whenever I see a Colin movie get aired on TV even when I've already seen the video innumerable times. Even a film like ATA....I shall watch on 10/11. But let's not wait that long to discuss here. I was going to say start the discussion Monday but I'm sure we can wait 'til Wednesday. Can't wait to find out how many of you found Jess redeemable. And what you really think of Colin's acting. Oh, must we talk about those women too? Too confusing. I still don't know if this was a film about love and hate or love and forgiveness."}, {"response": 1412, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct  1, 1999 (13:26)", "body": "Wednesday, October 6th, is fine with me....thought the film was about hog farming. ;-D"}, {"response": 1413, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct  1, 1999 (13:43)", "body": "(Heide) Oh, must we talk about those women too? Karen)...thought the film was about hog farming. ; Hey...this film is heavy-duty....are we gonna talk about the whole film or just Jess :-))"}, {"response": 1414, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Sat, Oct  2, 1999 (00:02)", "body": "I hated Jessica L in this movie - looked far too old for the part!"}, {"response": 1415, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sat, Oct  2, 1999 (00:53)", "body": "Think of it as an illustration of the idea that \"Women of a Certain Age Need Love too!!\" ... and should be cast more often in those parts which, now, are most often peopled by bimbos who couldn't act their way out of a paper bag. :-D"}, {"response": 1416, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Oct  2, 1999 (13:45)", "body": "(Karen) thought the film was about hog farming. ;-D Bingo! I think you're right. (Evelyn) are we gonna talk about the whole film or just Jess :-)) Oh, I'd much rather just talk about Jess....Jess in his blue jeans, Jess in his running gear, Jess in his red shirt, Jess without his red shirt. But I dont' think we'll be able to avoid the rest of the story. Hey, we can try! ;-) (Marcia) Jessica L in this movie - looked far too old for the part! I was kind of surprised how much older she looked in this film than in films past. But her acting was far superior to Michelle Pfeiffer's, I thought. (KJ) Think of it as an illustration of the idea that \"Women of a Certain Age Need Love too!!\" ... and should be cast more often in those parts which, now, are most often peopled by bimbos who couldn't act their way out of a paper bag. :-D Couldn't agree more (since I'm of that certain age too). Isn't it interesting though that Colin in some interview mentioned \"the charms of Michelle Pfeiffer but we did not hear him mention Jessica Lange though she was the one he had his love scenes with. Oh no! Colin, an age-ist pig?! ;-)"}, {"response": 1417, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct  2, 1999 (14:26)", "body": "Oh no! Colin, an age-ist pig?! ;-) Karen did say the film is about hog farming. :-) (You will all hate my comments on this film, since I have NEVER seen Colin act so badly in a film)"}, {"response": 1418, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Oct  2, 1999 (16:25)", "body": "Moon, as long as you bring your comments here, I don't care what you say. And you'll probably find you're not alone in your opinion."}, {"response": 1419, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sat, Oct  2, 1999 (23:49)", "body": "(Heide)I was kind of surprised how much older she looked in this film than in films past. But her acting was far superior to Michelle Pfeiffer's, I thought. I thoroughly agree. I have really liked M.P's work in some of her films but thought she was too \"one-note\" angry throughout this entire film. It just wasn't believable to me. At least J.L. showed some interesting reactions and character development. (Moon) I have NEVER seen Colin act so badly in a film Can't say I disagree with you here. I remember how disappointed I was when I first saw this film. I thought CF was a bit wooden and uninteresting - not at all like his usual performances. But can't fault his looks too much ;-)"}, {"response": 1420, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Oct  3, 1999 (00:04)", "body": "Once we start talking about character development and stuff like that in ATA, I would suspect that the biggest element to raise its ugly head here will be the effects of cut-throat editing. Indeed, we might even make comparisons between its effect on this film and vs.that on MLSF! ;-)"}, {"response": 1421, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Oct  3, 1999 (02:15)", "body": "I think it's hard to talk about character development with a movie that didn't have one. I read the book then saw the movie (btw, HATED the book too.) How it ever won the Pulitzer is beyond me. What I found unrealistic in it (other than a total ripoff of King Lear) is that there is no resolution. i.e. the girls accusing the father of abuse. When Jason Robards runs into the corn field. Hey, let him go!"}, {"response": 1422, "author": "Xian", "date": "Sun, Oct  3, 1999 (03:15)", "body": "(Moon) I have NEVER seen Colin act so badly in a film I think he did not ACT at all! I had a feeling when I was watching the movie that he was an outsider to others, as an actor and as Jess. I still managed to rewind the tape many short times just to see Jess ( or ODB as fact). I can't help it, he was just irresistible no matter whom he played :-))"}, {"response": 1423, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct  3, 1999 (13:40)", "body": "(Laura) other than a total ripoff of King Lear So? Would that mean you would dismiss West Side Story as being a total ripoff of Romeo & Juliet? ;-D My book says Shakespeare \"ripped off\" King Lear from a variety of sources, one was an anonymous play entitled \"The True Chronicle of King Leir and His Three Daughters,\" while the Gloucester subplot (of the blind king) came from Sir Philip Sidney's \"Arcadia.\" To me, the important thing is whether the author does it well or provides a new or interesting angle on the story. Using this measure, I didn't care for Jane Smiley's book. ;-D"}, {"response": 1424, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Sun, Oct  3, 1999 (19:32)", "body": "To me, the important thing is whether the author does it well or provides a new or interesting angle on the story. Using this measure, I didn't care for Jane Smiley's book. ;-D Perhaps you stated it better than me. You're right, she didn't provide a new or interesting angle. She rehashed King Lear I don't go for supressed memory either, I think that is just psychologist mumbo jumbo and it screws up a lot of innocent people. And Karen, please, out of all of Shakespeare's tragic plays, Romeo & Juliet is my LEAST favorite. I thought West Side Story actually did justice to it! (my being a Natalie Wood fan notwithstanding:-p) One thing I hated about the book is at the very beginning, you haven't a clue who is narrating the story for geez, at least 60-70 pages! I think the relationship Ginny has with her husband was the only sane relationship she could ever hope to have and she blew that one! I couldn't feel sorry for the sisters. (However, the poisoned pickeled peppers? THAT was hysterical.) I still don't understand how (or what the parameters were) for Jane Smiley to win the Pulitzer. I've read another one of her books, quite a departure from A thousand Acres , called Duplicate Keys it was an interesting read. There is so much to this movie that is missing that in the book could've redeemed it. Ginny's complete hatred of Rose when Jess went to \"the pretty one\". And the use of Rose's girls as Ginny's own, I think that could've been a very good subplot."}, {"response": 1425, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct  4, 1999 (15:06)", "body": "(Laura) There is so much to this movie that is missing that in the book could've redeemed it. Believe it or not, the script I have follows the book much more closely. The poisoned sausages and sauerkraut begin and end the film, emphasizing the hatred that is missing. I bought the script to see what if anything might have interested Colin about doing this film. Haven't we all wondered about scenes that were edited out? If anyone would like to read it, contact me."}, {"response": 1426, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct  4, 1999 (16:33)", "body": "(Evelyn) are we gonna talk about the whole film or just Jess :-) A discussion about Jess alone would take no time at all (due to cutthroat editing referenced by KJ). I'd like to talk about the whole film, the book and the script. I have lots of questions and Karen answered one already: the script I have follows the book much more closely . My first reaction to the film was one of disappointment because the movie was *such* a superficial version of the book (which, though not my favorite, I found a quick and interesting read. However, I knew ODB was playing Jess when I read it which may have influenced my opinion ;-) I had also never read King Lear). There were no subplots. I didn't like the fact that it was set in the present, not in 1979. I initially thought Colin's Jess was OK, but changed my mind after subsequent viewings. He came across so...flat, so blah, especially in the I-can't-believe-you-don't-know-about-the-water scene. But I'm getting ahead of things. Will watch the video again before Friday. (Heide) Even a film like ATA....I shall watch on 10/11 Hey, don't forget who's playing on MNF that day! Does your TV have 'picture in picture'?"}, {"response": 1427, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (00:39)", "body": "I can flip to the game during the scenes Jess isn't in. Although of course if they're losing that may mean I should flip to the game during the scenes Jess is in."}, {"response": 1428, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (08:04)", "body": "Karen, I would like to read the script, but how could we manage that?"}, {"response": 1429, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (09:51)", "body": "I love the new Firth pic at the door to drool :-)"}, {"response": 1430, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct  5, 1999 (22:09)", "body": "(Gi)I love the new Firth pic at the door to drool :-) Me too. Almost worth discussing the film:-)"}, {"response": 1431, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (01:27)", "body": "Wednesday, 10/6 is nigh. So glad we managed to wait to talk about this film 'til then. ;-) Dug out that old Vogue article from two years back and thought I'd re-type some of Colin's comments about Jess: Reminded of a friend who, like Jess, lost his mother early. \"He needed to make every woman fall in love with him. He would cry with all of them and announce every time, 'That's the first time I've cried since my mother died.' I don't believe that was cynical. He was licking his wounds with every woman he met.\" \"You might see that (pouring on sensitivity with both women) as his narcissism, but I see it as his pride in his sensitivity. He needs to convince himself that he is sensitive. I don't believe it's cynical. He actually appealed to me the most when he became violent, because that is when he is most honest.\""}, {"response": 1432, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (01:35)", "body": "Well...as long as we're digging out the old stuff... Before we start trashing ATA..I have the April '98 Movieline Critcs' Choice and while it ranked 94th in the 100 movies ranked ,La Times , Philly Inquirer, and Newsweek gave it two stars. (Recommended)."}, {"response": 1433, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (04:36)", "body": "(CF) He would cry with all of them and announce every time, 'That's the first time I've cried since my mother died.' I don't believe that was cynical. He was licking his wounds with every woman he met.\" B!@#$%^& That's a manipulative action if I've ever seen one. He wants to control the women and he can do that best by wearing his heart/sensitivities on his sleeve. He's being the Alan Alda figure of the 1980s. ;-D"}, {"response": 1434, "author": "baine", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (11:51)", "body": "Agree with Karen that the crying/sensitivity behavior is certainly cynical, if not consciously so at least in the sense that one continues to rely on other people for emotional support *at the expense of the other's needs and without examining ones own* which is how children treat parents, i.e., this is not a mature act. To turn to the character of Jess, he is certainly the Mr. Rat of ATA although he is made to seem charming and attractive (certainly to us). But that is the most dangerous kind. I'm at a disadvantage since I haven't read the book and don't know anything about how they edited the film, but the impression I have simply from watching ATA is that they threw in Jess to supply the sexual buzz since there is none from the other male characters. He makes no major contribution to the dramatic unfolding of the plot esp since he just fades away at the end. What would have added tension would be conflict within Jessica Lange between her attachment to her husband and t her adventure with Jess. As far as we know, her husband never finds out, so within the movie it's just a little bit on the side to titillate (sp?) the audience. I thought more should have been made of the husbands--one is a jerk, the other a drone, and that's that. But let's think about these men who have put their adult lives into working their wives' father's farm without any guarantee that they would ever be more than glorified sharecroppers. What would that do to a man's sense of self and his rel tionship with the wife on whose father he is completely dependent in a precarious business. I thought Jessica's husband was very well played (sorry can't remember the character's or the actor's name--a Carridine), and much more could have been done here. What would have added to that drama would have been tension between the sisters over rival *illegitimate* relationships with the same man. Apparently that occurs in the book but wasn't brought out in the movie. So what you have is just a little thrill with silly dialogue and poorly evoked motives. They would have been better off (IMH drooler's O) to have cut the dialogue and given us a good deal more sex. In sum, ATA's main value is as a source of snappies, and the one at the head of the main page is a good one. Have you noticed that if you cover up everything but the face, you will see Darcy looking at Elizabeth? IMO the best snappy material occurs just before this pic when Jess arrives at the kitchen door and you see him from JL's point of view. He's leaning against the door frame and you see him down to about knee level. His body makes a beautiful S curve, and he looks great in that shirt--how many people look good in dark gray. Add the smile and the voice when he says, \"Do you want to take a walk?\" and \"About a minute.\" Well, that's what it's all about, isn't it, fellow droolers. Too much here. Thanks for your indulgence. I'm new to this list, and the joy of being able to deconstruct CF's every eyeblink to sympathetic listeners is almost more than I can handle."}, {"response": 1435, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (19:02)", "body": "Welcome Cymbeline....Read your posting re: MLSF.Bless you...you tackled the bad weather to go to Long Island(?) to see the film. Join the crowd that \"despite rain, sleet etc..\"we GO!! (Cymbeline)I have simply from watching ATA is that they threw in Jess to supply the sexual buzz since there is none from the other male characters Sadly he didn't IMO he didn't deliver that buzz... the Dallas Morning News reported...he was a \"lustless lug\".Maybe it was chemistry that was lacking. ...her husband never finds out, so within the movie it's just a little bit on the side to titillate (sp?) the audience. I don't think Ty ever knew...but I believe Pete did. I thought Jessica's husband was very well played (sorry can't remember the character's or the actor's name--a Carridine), and much more could have been done here. His part was singled out by the critics as outstanding. Actually, that was one of the main criticisms of the film...all weak men. (On purpose by Jane Smiley?) Larry (Daddy) was particularly irritating. Paul Newman had been the first choice and I think he would have played the role differently(he was too expensive).... (I bet he was glad he didn't get involved with the whole bunch!)"}, {"response": 1436, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (20:38)", "body": "(Evelyn)Actually, that was one of the main criticisms of the film...all weak men. (On purpose by Jane Smiley?) No, IMO, it was the film editor. The story was molded into the \"Jessica and Michelle Oscar Show.\" Guess the joke was on them. According to Laura, ATA [the book] is just an updated King Lear. Ginny, Rose and Larry are the main characters in the book as well as the movie. Jess, however, was more dominant in the book. Although we \"see\" him through Ginny's eyes (it was written from her perspective), there is a better understanding of his character and the wounds CF references in one of the quotes Heide posted (thanks, BTW). (Cymbeline) they threw in Jess to supply the sexual buzz I see how you arrived at this conclusion. This is on heckuva dark film about deceit, manipulation (lots of that going on) and hatred. I find the most fascinating character to be Larry. What's up with him? First he gives the kids the farm, then he wants it back. First he shuts Caroline out, then treats her as if she's his only child. He did more flip-flops than a fish in a frying pan. Your thoughts? I have my own ideas but want to hear everyone else's. Re: the acting--thought Jessica did a yeoman's job. Michelle's constant frown and angry monotone started wearing on me toward the end. Jason captured Larry, all right (Paul Newman? That would have been something to see); Keith was great as Ty. Colin and Kevin [Pete] were just kind of...there. Colin did his usual great job of conveying emotion with those soulful eyes of his, but we didn't get enough information about Jess' character to intepret those emotions in some way (except the scene in which Gi ny tells him she loves him. You sure could tell he didn't love her). Like Colin, Jess appealed to me most when he whacked his father. Jennifer J-L drove me nuts as Caroline. Karen, how did the script treat the vegetable garden scene between Ginny and Jess (the one in which she's planting the tomatos and they discuss what happened to his mother)? Was it included? Re: CF's accent--it wavered mightily in the opening sequence, when he first reunites with Ginny and Rose. BTW, his lips don't say \"it's the Cook girls.\" Wonder why they dubbed it over? In the rest of the movie, it was much stronger but it seemed to take some energy away from his acting. Karen, was it you who said (months ago) that he sounded like Wm. Shatner? :-D Wonder why they left in that sole reference to Loren (\"frick and frack\") when they cut him out of the rest of the movie? Cymbeline, didn't you find that confusing? Enough rambling for now!"}, {"response": 1437, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Oct  6, 1999 (23:32)", "body": "(Cymbeline) I'm at a disadvantage since I haven't read the book and don't know anything about how they edited the film.. Perhaps that gives you an advantage. We'll get mired in talking about the book and doncha know we'll bring King Lear into the mix too. You'll be able to judge the film \"as is\" - no extra baggage. There is no internal conflict shown by Ginny at all regarding her adultery. Seems rather unnatural. It's true she's betrayed by her husband (and everyone else) but she's not aware of that betrayal yet at the time she's betraying him with Jess. What I really miss in the film is the hate. Rose is consumed by hate. It eats her up like her cancer. She uses it as a weapon and uses it to manipulate people. She doesn't want to get beyond it but that's not clear in the film. Guess we can't have Pfeiffer be oo unlikeable. I thought Lange did more credit to her character. At least she has more of a journey in her role. But I hate her in that scene where she's outside Jess's window and tells him she loves her. She looks up, she looks down, she looks up, she looks down. Get the hell out of there, I say. (Cymbeline) IMO the best snappy material occurs just before this pic when Jess arrives at the kitchen door and you see him from JL's point of view. He's leaning against the door frame and you see him down to about knee level. His body makes a beautiful S curve... Yum, yum. My favorite too. You've got the hang of this, Cymbeline. (Evelyn) Sadly he didn't IMO he didn't deliver that buzz... He looked good to me! I know what you mean though but I'm waiting for Moon to elaborate for us. ;-) (Eileen) I find the most fascinating character to be Larry. What's up with him? To me it's another weak link. How did he descend into madness so quickly? Wonder why they left in that sole reference to Loren (\"frick and frack\") when they cut him out of the rest of the movie? I guess that was Loren at the church supper. Though you'd never know it if you hadn't read the book. I looked mightily for him at the barbecue in the opening of the film but couldn't see him."}, {"response": 1438, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Thu, Oct  7, 1999 (13:23)", "body": "Larry wanted dominance over the women in his life. Obviously, he could control the women when they were younger. Ginny and Rose stayed relatively close by and helped out. Caroline was the only daughter who made a name for herself. (i.e. she left the ruralness and moved to the big city.) By shutting out Caroline, he was in fact, shutting out her independance. Ginny always betrayed her husband, by not telling him about the last miscarriage. I think that is what pushed him over the edge (in book, not movie). One thing I found incredibly sad is that Ginny's husband was good for her and she didn't see it. Jess was a horrible person and Ginny and Rose were horrible people for not admitting that they were sexually abused by their father. (not in a literal sense.) One thing that disgusted me about the book and movie is that the girls never confront their father about the sexual abuse. He dies. How convenient. I must say, that I did like the book up until the very end. Did Ginny go on her own quest for identity at the end of the book. And if she did, why was it so skewered?"}, {"response": 1439, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Oct  7, 1999 (15:52)", "body": "Just before she bolts, Ty tells Ginny \"I think you've shown off plenty this summer.\" What did he mean by that? (Laura) Did Ginny go on her own quest for identity at the end of the book She pursues the childhood fantasy Rose had for their mother (she brought it up while they were folding laundry, I think). (Heide) What I really miss in the film is the hate Yes, we only see Rose's hate. We miss Ginny's descent into hatred (the poisoned sausages), which was an important dimension to her journey from repressed \"ninny\" to a hardened, somewhat bitter woman. (Laura) the girls never confront their father about the sexual abuse. He dies. How convenient. Once Ginny moves, Larry fades from the story completely (although I think he dies before Rose does in the book). It's as though, like Jess, his character wasn't needed anymore. (Heide) How did he descend into madness so quickly? Was it because he stopped working? Or was he mad all along?"}, {"response": 1440, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (00:23)", "body": "Yeah, keeping the poisoned sausages would have brought another dimension, I think. Since as you point out, Eileen, Ginny finally allows her hate and jealousy to manifest itself. You scarcely see it in the film except for a couple of dirty looks Ginny gives Rose as she's walking with Jess. I didn't hate Jess. Really, what is there in the film that would make you hate him other than he slept with two married women (yes, at the same time) and then left them? Hardly noble but most of these people are not admirable. The fact that the film tells us Jess left when Rose's cancer returned is a cheap shot. He left before that happened. I can't remember if this is in the film or just from the book and screenplay (thanks Karen) but I liked at the end how Rose and Ginny each paint their own personalit onto Jess: (Rose) \"He was more self-centred and calculating than you gave him credit for\". (Ginny) He was kinder and had more doubts than you gave him credit for.\" I was sympathetic to Ty but his betrayal of Ginny was more serious than she hiding her miscarriages. She did it to keep him from hurting. His loyalty appeared to be to the farm and even to his father-in-law before his wife. Ty tells Ginny \"I think you've shown off plenty this summer.\" I always took this to mean that Ty knew subconsciously Ginny and Jess were sleeping together. He at least is implying that her flirtation hasn't gone unnoticed. I believe in the book, Ginny felt that her father knew what was going on but this is only touched on during the rainstorm scene when he calls her a whore. I think it would have been rather more convenient though perhaps not more realistic for the girls to have confronted their father about his abuse. Would have made for a tidier ending. Now there are some scenes that I like. \"Would you like at that.\" as Ginny and Rose carry their dishes to the table all the while admiring the new boy. What a delicious change from their boring unhappy husbands. I like the jogging scene too with Pete in the truck. Jess looks mighty fine when he's physical. Love to see a man sweat. Think he knew at that point that Pete knew? Was perhaps a little nervous as to what Pete might have in mind for him?"}, {"response": 1441, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (00:29)", "body": "\"Would you like at that?\" I swear I typed in \"Would you LOOK at that.\" Freud's little gremlins at work in my fingers."}, {"response": 1442, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Oct  8, 1999 (20:00)", "body": "Ty tells Ginny \"I think you've shown off plenty this summer.\" (Heide) I always took this to mean that Ty knew subconsciously Ginny and Jess were sleeping together. He at least is implying that her flirtation hasn't gone unnoticed. I believe in the book, Ginny felt that her father knew what was going on but this is only touched on during the rainstorm scene when he calls her a whore. Agreed. Also agree about the \"would you look at that\" line. How did Rose read our minds? ;-D Re: potential confrontation with Daddy Don't think Jane Smiley or the film folks went there because it would focus us on abuse instead of the broader themes of hatred and betrayal. How is this approached in King Lear? Had the King done anything to his daughters? Of Jess' scenes, I like the screen door scene followed by the walk to the garbage dump. Of the others, I like the one in which Harold comes to tell Ginny \"you've got a problem, girlie.\" That Harold's such a troublemaker. Ginny begins to come apart a bit and show her anger. (Heide) Think he knew at that point that Pete knew? Yup. Surely Rose had told him."}, {"response": 1443, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Oct  9, 1999 (16:07)", "body": "Sorry, I haven't been able to get into the discussion yet, but other things intruded. Have sort of watched it with the script in hand, but need to watch it again and take notes. Marcia, you said earlier that you \"hated Jessica L in this movie - looked far too old for the part!\" Her age seemed OK to me, but no matter what they did to both women, they didn't look convincing as Iowa farm wives. It was so apparent at the church supper. Look around the room at the extras, probably locals from the greater Rochelle area (to include DeKalb, Rockford, and other booming metropoli surrounding the Quad Cities). They are plain folk. Sure, Ginny and Rose might go to the beauty parlor (not a salon), but I doubt it. Their hair should be Clairol from the bottle. Look at Rose's kids. They are plain, farm kids. Does anyone remember the trio of farm disaster movies (Sally Field, Sissy Spacek and Jessica Lange's)? Maybe the difference is that they were all poor, but I don't think so. Even Meryl Streep's appearance was changed considerably in Bridges of Madison County. Attractive, yet plainish. Then there's Amy Madigan in Field of Dreams. What transplanted Angeleno decided that Rose should carry a Kenya bag? Where would Rose get a Kenya bag in Iowa? Surely not at Roberta's in Pike or any store in Des Moines! (Heide) Jess in his running gear I know I've carped about this before but Jess should have been wearing shorts. Who goes running in summer, a hot Iowa summer, in the nineties, wearing sweatpants? Only someone wanting to burn off all the fat from their body. Does it look like Colin's Jess needed to slim down anymore? Weren't his jeans loose enough? But on the bright side, Colin's running is the best we've seen to date. Horrible running in Master of the Moor and in SiL (flat-footed and probably intended to be comical). Do you think he had a coach? We know he didn't use a dialect coach. ;-D (KJArt) I would suspect that the biggest element to raise its ugly head here will be the effects of cut-throat editing. The circumstantial evidence is overwhelming. FYI, will answer Eileen's questions on what was in the script later. But as I said before, the story is there--pretty much intact--from the novel, as far as I can remember. Have some thoughts as to why it was so radically altered, but let's get to that later too. (Laura) How it ever won the Pulitzer is beyond me. Roger Ebert (who has also won a Pulitzer) said the following at the end of his review: \"The screenplay is based on a novel by Jane Smiley, unread by me, which won the Pulitzer Prize--which means that either the novel oo the prize has been done a great injustice.\" (Xian) I had a feeling when I was watching the movie that he was an outsider to others, as an actor and as Jess. Then Colin succeeded as an actor. Jess was an *outsider* A mysterious outsider, who came back and insinuated himself into all their lives for his own purposes. (Eileen) He came across so...flat, so blah, especially in the I-can't- believe-you-don't-know-about-the-water scene. Have to agree with you on this aspect. I noticed a lot of flatness--not counting the countryside--especially after reading the descriptions in the script. Another is after the church supper. Back at the house, Rose is telling him that they've been set up. The script (sorry) talks about how this is what begins their relationship. She draws him into her web and he is captivated by her. I saw little on Colin's normally expressive face to show me that he was being bewitched by Rose. Laura said earlier bout how Jess left Ginny for the \"pretty one.\" He actually didn't do the caddish thing. He was drawn away by Rose. Maybe the flatness of the acting had to do with something in the water? ;-D [more later]"}, {"response": 1444, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Oct  9, 1999 (16:35)", "body": "Maybe the flatness of the acting had to do with something in the water? ;-D I can not help but compare how very ill-fitting his suit was at the trial, with how very ill-fitting this role was for Colin. The attraction must have been in the cast, working with such stars. Even in Playmaker, he managed to do something with his role. What happened here?"}, {"response": 1445, "author": "Xian", "date": "Sat, Oct  9, 1999 (19:02)", "body": "(Karen) Then Colin succeeded as an actor. Jess was an *outsider* A mysterious outsider, who came back and insinuated himself into all their lives for his own purposes. I don't think that I made myself clear about my feeling of CF was outsider as an actor. I meant that I felt he was *outsider* to other actors. Maybe because Jess was such insignificant role and nobody really care too much about him. He did not have much room to dig into the role as he usually does. Jess was so plain (save his looks) even when he spoke and he only had a few sentences in the whole movie I think. The only emotion moment was the fight with his father and that was not clearly developed (the hi tory of the relationship with his family) up to the point. I have never read the book or script and have no idea what is about Jess in them. I would not like Jess a bit if he was not played by ODB and now I give all excuses for his bad behavier and try to understand him. Oh how terrible I am?!"}, {"response": 1446, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Oct  9, 1999 (22:23)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1447, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Oct  9, 1999 (22:25)", "body": "I agree with all the above about Colin's portrayal of Jess. But who to blame? The director? The stars? Colin himself? I'd suspect a mix of everything. The director wasn't able to elicit a convincing portrait of Jess. Some key scenes that might have helped explain his character more were left out of the final product (though that may not have been Moorhouse's fault). It was a vehickle for JL and MP - all the men were ciphers. And Colin? There was no vitality to his portrayal. Was he misled in t inking that Jess had to deliver his lines in a monotone? Xian, your impression of Colin appearing to be an \"outsider\" may be key to this disappointing role. But he sure looked good!"}, {"response": 1448, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 10, 1999 (17:40)", "body": "(Cymbeline) I'm at a disadvantage since I haven't read the book and don't know anything about how they edited the film Not to worry. While I did read the book prior to seeing the movie, I barely remember the details now and I've never read Lear--only know the basic plot. However, just to refresh people's memories, there was quite a bit of controversy when the film came out because the director wanted her name OFF the film, which means that she wasn't pleased with the final cut. (Cymbeline) they threw in Jess to supply the sexual buzz...He makes no major contribution to the dramatic unfolding of the plot (Evelyn) Maybe it was chemistry that was lacking. You can feel the buzz every time Jess touches Ginny. He is always touching her. Shame they didn't include the one in the basement by the freezer in which Jess runs his hand across Ginny's butt (now this is one detail I do remember from the book)! While Jess's affair with Ginny isn't the cause of her splitting up with Ty, it is significant to the breakup of the Rose-Pete relationship. Rose told Pete that she was involved with Jess just prior to his driving into the ditch. He however blamed Daddy as Rose told Ginny. (Cymbeline) I thought more should have been made of the husbands--one is a jerk, the other a drone, and that's that. I assume you mean that Pete is a jerk and Ty is a drone. Unfortunately, the more I think about Ty, the more I think he's the bigger jerk. What an imbecile!! To have gone to his sister-in-law and told on his wife! What fool would do that? I'm one of three sisters and no brother-in-law should ever do this. Yes, Ty thought he was doing it for the farm's sake and he clearly didn't approve of the way Ginny and Rose were treating Larry, as if he were a child, making rules (see him roll his eyes in the car sigh loudly, say \"Now, Ginny\"), but after Caroline slaps them with a lawsuit, he still doesn't wise up. Doing it for the farm? No, he's an owner of the farm. Why isn't he thinking like one? (Eileen) thought Jessica did a yeoman's job. Michelle's constant frown and angry monotone started wearing on me toward the end. I thought JL and MP worked well together in their big scenes, where they slowly and gradually reveal past secrets. It's in other scenes where I tend to find fault, especially with MP. Can you believe that beady-eyed seething look that MP does after Daddy comes off the stand!! Incredibly bad acting. I also have to laugh when I see her in the kitchen stirring the breading. Looks like she's never had a spoon in her hand before. (Eileen) BTW, his lips don't say \"it's the Cook girls.\" Wonder why they dubbed it over? I can't believe you saw this!! What he says is \"Hey, it's the big girls\" per the script and that should match his lip movements. Jess is supposed to be younger than both of them, I think. Maybe some vain person wanted to eliminate that reference. ;-D (Eileen) Karen, was it you who said (months ago) that he sounded like Wm. Shatner? :-D Oh no, not me. I try never to think about Wm. Shatner. ;-D (Heide) Rose is consumed by hate...She doesn't want to get beyond it but that's not clear in the film. Anger and hate define Rose, as Ginny says in her voice-over at the end. However, Ginny has it too. It's under the surface and she's covered it up with the nice, sweet ninny image that Ty loves. Once that ninny veneer started cracking, he couldn't handle it nor did he want to. (Heide) Guess we can't have Pfeiffer be too unlikable. Or Lange. IMO that's why so much was edited out. That \"poison-your-sister\" subplot would have made Lange unlikable and I think the studio didn't like it. (Heide) I guess that was Loren at the church supper....I looked mightily for him at the barbecue in the opening of the film but couldn't see him. Yup, that was Loren, sitting next to Harold. He is in the credits. Couldn't find him at the BBQ either, but it took until now to realize it was Colin's back we see in front of the tractor. Need to get my eyes checked! :-) (Laura) One thing I found incredibly sad is that Ginny's husband was good for her and she didn't see it. He betrayed her too. At least when Ginny hid her miscarriages from him, she was trying to save him from the disappointment of the loss. She could handle it (obviously, if she was successful in hiding it from him) and it was worth it to her to keep trying. Ty's betrayal cannot be excused. (Heide) I was sympathetic to Ty but his betrayal of Ginny was more serious than she hiding her miscarriages. We see totally eye to eye on this one. (Eileen) Ty tells Ginny \"I think you've shown off plenty this summer.\" (Heide) I always took this to mean that Ty knew subconsciously Ginny and Jess were sleeping together. I felt that Ty was referring to the public airing of the family's problems. (Heide) I like the jogging scene too...Think he knew at that point that Pete knew? Was perhaps a little nervous as to what Pete might have in mind for him? Hmmm, never thought of that. Possibility. (Eileen) That Harol"}, {"response": 1449, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 10, 1999 (17:47)", "body": "I believe this might be the \"S-curve\" Cymbeline admired:"}, {"response": 1450, "author": "baine", "date": "Sun, Oct 10, 1999 (20:07)", "body": "That's the one all right. Thank you, Karen! It goes right into my growing collection of private drooliana. BTW, I saw Carrington this weekend b/c of the mention some of you made of it either here or on one of the other CF lists. Enjoyed it--Emma T. great as always. But I realized I have reached a new plane of addiction. My chief reaction was annoyance that ODB wasn't in it. What a waste of time. And why would Emma fall for any of those soggy twits she kept struggling with when a)she could have had Rufus Sewell and *especially* b) she should have demanded that at least one if not all of them be played by y u know who. I beg your pardon for having offended those of you who also admire those admirable English actors, but, as our 39th U.S. Pres. said, Why Not the Best?"}, {"response": 1451, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Oct 10, 1999 (21:01)", "body": "He did looked good in ATA, thanks Karen! Now, let us discuss the kiss he gives JL. It must rate as one of the worst screen kisses ever! It looked so forced and passionless. When I think of Paul in FP and that first kiss in the kitchen. But, there are many others too. Is it possible that he just did not get anything right in this movie?"}, {"response": 1452, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Sun, Oct 10, 1999 (22:01)", "body": "(Eileen) Karen, was it you who said (months ago) that he sounded like Wm. Shatner? :-D Wrong Karen. It was me, just before Christmas of last year. It amazed me that that resemblence just popped into my mind while watching ATA, and I never shook it. Tell me, was it there for 3DoR? I'd think not; East coast has a distinct tang to it; Midwest is about as flat and featureless as they come ... and Colin DID have a voice coach for it. (Perhaps his sounding like W.S. announces the coach's success?? Hee hee!) 8-D"}, {"response": 1453, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Oct 10, 1999 (22:10)", "body": "(Moon) Now, let us discuss the kiss he gives JL. It must rate as one of the worst screen kisses ever! LOL!!! Tell it as it is, Moon. Forced and passionless kiss is right. There was absolutely no movement at all. And then they compounded the error by going for a second one. But my-oh-my, that pic is nice. As was he throughout the film. He knew how to look tasty...just wasn't too deep. (Karen) \"Outsiders\" can be exciting and intriguing. Correct me if I'm wrong, Xian, but I think you meant that Colin the actor felt like an outsider to you, not Jess the character. Which is what I was responding to. That perhaps Colin never did fit in with the cast which could explain the rather lusterless performance he gives. You brought up a good point, Karen, about the age difference. Besides Jess being younger than the Cook girls (or the big girls), he's not supposed to have known Pete before nor Rose's daughters before he left 13 years before. Hmmm, that older daughter sure looked at least 13 to me. (Karen) Anger and hate define Rose, as Ginny says in her voice-over at the end. However, Ginny has it too. Yeah, she does and that is almost completely missing in the film except in the dirty looks she's shooting at Jess and Rose when they're walking by. However, I think Ginny has the ability to forgive and Rose does not. She is defined by her hate. Dear Michelle could only come across as strident. (Karen) You can feel the buzz every time Jess touches Ginny. He is always touching her. You can certainly feel it when he walks by her in the kitchen while she's making coffee. I could almost feel that hand grazing across my own back. That scene in the flatbed of the rusted out truck....did Jess and Ginny just have sex? Yes, I know they did. My, they were unrumpled. Ginny's shirt modestly covering her with just that coy exposure of her pretty white silk bra. Give me a break."}, {"response": 1454, "author": "kcjones", "date": "Sun, Oct 10, 1999 (23:11)", "body": "OK - my opinion on the ATA \"kiss\" scene between Jess & Ginny...I agree, my dog gives more passionate kisses!!! But then, she doesn't have a director and a bunch of stage hands watching! (her name is Pearl, a cocker spaniel, btw). Perhaps CF had a case of the stomach flu??? Can that be a good excuse? Heide - I agree re: truck scene...was there even a HINT of a \"sex glow\" about them? Perhaps JL had a case of the stomach flu, too!!! Can this whole movie be blamed on a REALLLLLY bad case of the flu, stomach or otherwise?!!"}, {"response": 1455, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Oct 10, 1999 (23:56)", "body": "... but no matter what they did to both women, they didn't look convincing as Iowa farm wives. Wasn't the director, Jocelyn Moorhouse, an Australian?Maybe that's what Australian farm wives look like.:-D BTW...FYI..The NY Times gave that book rave reviews. And JL got a Golden Globe nomination for her role as Ginny. ( Hold the rotten tomatoes...I just thought you'd want that bit of information.:-D )"}, {"response": 1456, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (15:11)", "body": "Nice snappy, Karen alas, IMO he looks too thin . I wonder if that's why they swaddled him in sweats?? I agree with ya--was looking forward to short nylon running shorts as described in the book. Was also looking forward to the veggie garden scene in which he removed his t-shirt. Sigh--'twas not to be! (Karen) but it took until now to realize it was Colin's back we see in front of the tractor. Need to get my eyes checked! :-) Ohh, yes! How many fingers am I holding up now? :-P (Karen) I think all the scenes that would have let you understand Jess's character better or even sympathize with him (naw) were cut out. Why? Who knows. (Heide) Some key scenes that might have helped explain his character more were left out of the final product (though that may not have been Moorhouse's fault). It was a vehicle for JL and MP - all the men were ciphers. (Karen) there was quite a bit of controversy when the film came out because the director wanted her name OFF the film, which means that she wasn't pleased with the final cut. Didn't know about that last bit. It fits, though. When the movie came out, I remember reading that either Michelle's or Jessica's (or both?) production company(s) grabbed up the film rights soon after the book was published. Sooo, I subscribe to the notion that it was one or both of *them* who was responsible for the cut-throat editing. I'm still at a loss as to why the film was brought up to present day instead of leaving it in '79. Would it have stretched the budget to toss in a few older cars and trucks in Pike? That's all they would have had to do. The wardrobe was dowdy and could have passed easily. The appliances and furnishings in the houses aren't modern. Roberta's isn't modern. Corn is corn. Harold's new tractor is just as described in the book. The only modern bells and whistles were Caroline's laptop and car phone, and they seemed totally out of place and superfluous to me. Did we really need to see an on-line photo of Larry? Did she really need to call Ginny from her car? What we gain is seeing Caroline as the modern daughter, the one who broke out of the mold. What we lose is the entire subplot about the reason for Jess' absence (he was a draft dodger from the Viet Nam war). Why make this unequal trade? To simplify or downplay the character of Jess, IMO, and focus on the females. (Karen) You can feel the buzz every time Jess touches Ginny. He is always touching her. Shame they didn't include the one in the basement by the freezer in which Jess runs his hand across Ginny's butt And he kisses her ear, right? MMmmmmm. (Moon) [The kiss] It looked so forced and passionless. I agree (didn't like the way he kissed MEM in MLSF either. He needs to turn his head more ;-D. The best smooch award goes to Femme Fatale!). However, in retrospect it does fit with his character's motivation--he's only using Ginny and though he likes her, isn't passionate about her. (Heide) Ginny's shirt modestly covering her with just that coy exposure of her pretty white silk bra. This is consistent with the book (but the scene itself was sexier). However, in the conversation that follows, Jess becomes enraged when Ginny tells him about her 5 miscarriages. Not so in the movie. Colin was trying to portray Jess' sensitivity but...*kerplop* (KJArt) Wrong Karen Oops! Right church, wrong pew. I agree with you--Shatner it is! (Karen) Another is after the church supper. Back at the house, Rose is telling him that they've been set up. The script (sorry) talks about how this is what begins their relationship. She draws him into her web and he is captivated by her. I saw little on Colin's normally expressive face to show me that he was being bewitched by Rose. Laura said earlier bout how Jess left Ginny for the \"pretty one.\" He actually didn't do the caddish thing. He was drawn away by Rose. Yes, yes, yes. But (and I know you'll agree) blame needs to be shared with MP. CF had to play off her in that scene. Her anger towards Larry comes through, but nothing else. BTW, Jess' defection from Ginny for Rose caught me by suprise in the book. Afterward it made sense, since she was becoming more ambitious and overt about getting back at the older generation."}, {"response": 1457, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (15:43)", "body": "Passionless kiss?? Wot! He's giving it the full Firthian shoulder grind: and he doesn't do it all the time!"}, {"response": 1458, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (16:00)", "body": "Thanks for the snappy. IMO despite ++ shoulder grind, it still doesn't compare to the grocery store \"tart\" kiss from FF. It must have something to do with the frozen food... ;-P"}, {"response": 1459, "author": "Xian", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (16:29)", "body": "(Heide) Correct me if I'm wrong, Xian, but I think you meant that Colin the actor felt like an outsider to you, not Jess the character. You got it!!! Just in this case, Jess was outsider as well. CF did not look like a part of (casting) TEAM to me. Think about it, those big Hollywood stars in the casting, who would pay attention to CF, a British nobody (to them), especially his Jess was only one of footstools for the main characters. Jess just faded away (when no longer needed) unnoticed until Rose mentioned it in a hospital. I remember reading an article about him in ATA, he was asked how he got a role to work with the superstars and the reason he got the role was that he happened to be in LA (visiting his son) and ATA casting was looking for \"Jess\", so somebody introduced him. It's been a long time since I read it, I could be mistaken by another film. I'm searching for the article and not successfully so far. But I'm still trying."}, {"response": 1460, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (16:38)", "body": "You're right, Xian. I remember reading that one as well (but have no recollection as to where I read it)."}, {"response": 1461, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (16:41)", "body": "(Moon) [The kiss] It looked so forced and passionless. (Eileen) However, in retrospect it does fit with his character's motivation--he's only using Ginny and though he likes her, isn't passionate about her. Bingo, Eileen. My sentiments exactly. Jess was an opportunist and a cad... he never was out for a real relationship with Ginny or Rose. Thanks for the pic, Karen....but the ole shoulder grind doesn't always mean passion.Joe Prince, IMO, was out for the real thing. There is one scene at the end of the book which does not occur in the script or film:Ginny has gone back to be with Rose's girls.Rose is still in the hospital. One night she can't sleep..... \"I got up and went to the phone and called Vancouver information.... There it was a Jess Clark, and I dialed the number. ..On the fifth ring, an American man's voice did answer, but when I asked whether this was the Jess clark who'd once lived in Iowa, he said no. I thought I recognized his voice. There was a baby crying in the background.\" I submit that Jess Clark went back to Iowa because Harold was getting old and he wanted to make amends to inherit the land.He overtures to Ginny and Rose was self-serving entirely."}, {"response": 1462, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (16:45)", "body": "Jocelyn Moorhouse, the Australian director would know what a great actor CF is....Although unknown in the US...he is v. well known in Australia."}, {"response": 1463, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (19:25)", "body": "(Eileen) How many fingers am I holding up now? :-P Oh dear! It's even worse than I thought. I can't make out. ;-D"}, {"response": 1464, "author": "baine", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (19:57)", "body": "Right, the shoulder stuff makes it look fake rather than enhancing the passion--like a high school play. I noticed it on my first view, even before this discussion confirmed it. And yes, he should have turned his head more--it looks like the clash of the Titan noses. Was he just going through the motions here? But think about the P&P kiss--the hat (should have been removed--for verisimilitude as well as convenience), the bumpy carriage ride making it hard to get the lips together, the extreme closeup making the difficulties more obvious. I haven't seen Femme yet, so tell me, experts, have I seen a really good smack yet? And yes, in ATA he was definitely too thin--the S-curve pic at the kitchen door illustrates it, yummy as it is. Maybe I know too much now to suspend disbelief, but he didn't convince me as an Iowa farm boy, and the accent ruined that gorgeous voice. Of course, we know why anyone making a movie would want ODB to be in it, but it's hard to believe there was no American who would have been more convincing--although by no means better or more desirable."}, {"response": 1465, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (20:20)", "body": "(Cymbeline) it looks like the clash of the Titan noses LOL! He gets the head turning part right in SiL, but I don't think that's the kind of 'passion' we're looking for in a kiss (since Viola belts him one afterwards)! but it's hard to believe there was no American who would have been more convincing Colin fits the book's description of Jess to a 'T' except for eye color (not blue). He had to read for the part (recalling that article Xian mentioned) so with his looks, talent and availablity obviously beat out others for the role. By all means catch up with FF--there's a whole lotta smoochin' [and more] going on!"}, {"response": 1466, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (20:34)", "body": "(Eileen)Colin fits the book's description of Jess to a 'T' Absolutely. Plus he likes to do those \"boo hiss\" parts: Ross T., Stephen Whalby, Simon Westward, certainly Lord Wessex, and in some ways Charles Gould, and Valmont, also the two leads in Deep Blue Sea and Out of the Blue."}, {"response": 1467, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 11, 1999 (21:09)", "body": "I would hate it if Colin were not a good kisser. That has to be #1 in my book. All roads lead from the kiss. Might he be in need of a kissing coach? Sign me up!!! Did anyone notice he slips slightly into an Irish accent(kind of flatened), when he is leaning by the tree in a scene with JL (the linguist in me picked that up, it is subtle, but it is there). BTW, ATA is on Encore tonight at 8pm."}, {"response": 1468, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 12, 1999 (16:07)", "body": "(Heide) except in the dirty looks she's shooting at Jess and Rose when they're walking by. But where's her anger and hatred for her sister, when sister Rose nonchalantly drops the bomb? Ginny is stunned by the news and then crushed when Rose casually acknowledges that Jess told her \"at some point\" so that Ginny and Jess have nothing private anymore. Ginny walks away without any trace of anger. In fact, doesn't she lay her hand on Rose's shoulder? Totally ridiculous. (Heide) I think Ginny has the ability to forgive and Rose does not. Perhaps, but she doesn't. She doesn't forgive Ty. Did you notice that, when she got the call about Rose dying, she is going under the name Ginny Cook at the restaurant? (Heide) Ginny's shirt modestly covering her with just that coy exposure of her pretty white silk bra. Give me a break. The underwear maven strikes again!! (Evelyn) And JL got a Golden Globe nomination for her role as Ginny. Yes, I remember and I remember thinking that JL is well-liked by the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. The GG are nothing more than a very establishment popularity contest. (Eileen) Was also looking forward to the veggie garden scene in which he removed his t-shirt. Script doesn't say anything about removing his t-shirt in that scene. Think I'll check in the book. Sometimes, it's good to reread the \"good\" parts. At that point in the script, however, is a really good statement concerning Jess: \"Then Ginny turns and sees a terrible look on Jess's face, of pain and anger....Ginny feels she has never seen such a marvellously expressive face. She is drawn intimately into his willingness to reveal his pain and anger to her.\" Does that scream \"Colin Firth\" to you? ;-D (Eileen) either Michelle's or Jessica's (or both?) production company(s) grabbed up the film rights soon after the book was published. Sooo, I subscribe to the notion that it was one or both of *them* who was responsible for the cut-throat editing. They did grab up the rights, probably seeing a rarity (i.e., strong parts for women); they must have understood the story. My feeling is that the studio didn't like the final product or that it tested poorly, lots of negative feedback on the women. So the cuts were aimed at making the women more palatable, and to do so, they had to make Jess a one-dimensional cad and they had to eliminate the sisterly hate (poisoned sausages). It all had to be directed at Daddy. (Eileen) I'm still at a loss as to why the film was brought up to present day instead of leaving it in '79. Until you mentioned it, I hadn't thought how significant it was. It really doesn't make any sense and does gloss over important pieces of background info from the original story, like the fact that Jess was a draft dodger. That fact alone, in that place, can help understand why Harold and the other townspeople don't trust Jess. This is a flag-waving bunch, in apple pie and cornfield America. Another is this was the period of go-go agricultural lending. Land values were greatly inflated and bankers were begging farmers (who owned their properties free and clear) to borrow. The farmers were paper millionaires and borrowed heavily. As the banking follies surfaced (can't remember if it was touched off by Penn Square), these people lost their farms, their livelihoods and their heritage. All of this is important to an understanding of why they lost the farm. (Cymbeline) the shoulder stuff makes it look fake rather than enhancing the passion The shoulder thing to me has always been Colin's best move, when he's used it in Tumbledown (max shoulder action), FP and FF. Let's not forget that the first kiss here is tentative. He's not sure Ginny will go along with it. He knows she's interested, but she's a good wife and has never been with anyone else before."}, {"response": 1469, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Oct 12, 1999 (17:12)", "body": "Someone mentioned how the movie seemed choppy; I recall reading that Joycelyn Moorhouse tried her damndest to get her name off of the movie. She lost control in editting when JL and MP went nuts in editting (As producer, you have final say). Which is why the Jess part was cut down. I think Moorhouse really wanted it to say (directed by Alan Smithee [Karen did a write up on that before]). So anyway, that's my two cents;)"}, {"response": 1470, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Oct 12, 1999 (18:40)", "body": "More evidence of editing: When Ginny drives past Daddy's place and stops to see him sitting in the window, there's a shot of him looking out toward the road. You can see the kitchen cabinets piled up on the lawn through the window. That whole aspect--showing Larry's descent into madeness--was in the script, mentioned several times, and we can see that it was filmed as well."}, {"response": 1471, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Oct 12, 1999 (20:06)", "body": "Karen, you confused me?"}, {"response": 1472, "author": "Xian", "date": "Tue, Oct 12, 1999 (22:13)", "body": "Eileen, I found it!!! The article which I was talking about in my previous post. It was an interview with Colin in Elle, May 1997 by Jasper Rees. Here it is the excerpt: ( JR: )You're not so fond of Hollywood? ( Colin: )I just find it a bit boring really. I find it so regimented. There's nothing social happening there. It needs to be contrived, because nothing incidental can happen very easily. You've really got to make an appointment to go somewhere, to get in your car and do it. There's a whole climate there which doesn't fire me up very much, and I don't want to pursue a Hollywood career for the sake of being there. I don't have great ambitions to be rich. Not that I scorn money. I do want to be comfort ble, as anybody would, it's just not for it's own sake. I really would not turn my nose up at a Hollywood offer of a wonderful film which paid a lot of money. But there's a real out-of-sight, out-of-mind mentality. I was offered A Thousand Acres only because I happened to be there. It would never have occurred to them that I would have been happy to fly out for a screen test . ( JR: )A Thousand Acres is an adaptation of a novel by Jane Smiley that is itself a modern parallel of King Lear. Is Jess, the Edmund role that you can sort of see John Malkovich playing, a comfortable fit? ( Colin: ) I think I was extremely inappropriate for the part . Jess in the book is described as an Adonis, a female fantasy figure. There is a paragraph describing his thighs as 'woven themselves braids of discreet tensions', and that could in no way describe my thighs. ( JR: )Your thighs had quite a following in Pride and Prejudice ( Colin: Well, they were carefully swathed in buckskin. I assure you they don't have the same effect seen in shorts. I wore Arsenal boxer shorts in Fever Pitch. I'm fairly confident my thighs won't have the same impact in that scene. The last part is not related to our topic, but think you want to hear it too. I can't wait to CF in Arsenal boxer :-)) BTW the article is at Article"}, {"response": 1473, "author": "Xian", "date": "Tue, Oct 12, 1999 (22:15)", "body": "Sorry, forget close the tag"}, {"response": 1474, "author": "Xian", "date": "Tue, Oct 12, 1999 (22:32)", "body": "Here was the director's view of CF to be Jess: As Jess Clarke, a childhood friend of the Cook sisters who returns home to further fracture the already divided family, Moorhouse cast British actor Colin Firth. \"I didn't deliberately cast a Brit,\" says the director. \"I was just looking for an intensity and an unusual troubled quality. I loved him in Valmont and Apartment Zero, and thought he was really good in Pride and Prejudice, too. He has a very strong presence.\" It was from the same site: TV, Film & Plays"}, {"response": 1475, "author": "Xian", "date": "Tue, Oct 12, 1999 (22:37)", "body": "Try again TV, Film & Plays"}, {"response": 1476, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Oct 12, 1999 (23:23)", "body": "Thanks Xian! It is inteesting to see that the director and Colin did not see eye-to-eye even in the reason why he was cast as Jess. I really would not turn my nose up at a Hollywood offer of a wonderful film which paid a lot of money. Ben should see this on 119. :-D"}, {"response": 1477, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Oct 13, 1999 (03:02)", "body": "Here's some contemporary commentary Re: the rumored \"cut-throat\" editing on ATA. From Entertainment Weekly, Fall Double-issue '97, which serves as a preview for upcoming releases: ... Says producer Marc Abraham: \"In Michelle's case, I have rarely seen a star as willing to be that tough and unrepentant and angry.\" She wasn't the only one; after Disney demanded a recut, Moorhouse reportedly threatened to take her own name off the film. and: From a *positive* review in the 22 Sept. issue of Newsweek by David Ansen: ...Moorhouse and her fellow Australian Screenwriter Laura Jones succeed where it counts, in capturing the close, sometimes bitterly fraught relationship between the sisters. The men in the tale -- Rose's unstable husband (Kevin Anderson), Ginny's virtuous but obtuse mate (Keith Carradine) and the neighbor's seductive son Jess (Colin Firth) -- are merely sketched in. The storytelling \\...\\ can seem melodramat c and clunky at times, and Moorhouse doesn't have much feel for the Iowa landscape or for the community that demonizes the two sisters. But if the movie isn't all it could have been, when Pfeffer and Lange are on the screen, you don't want to be anywhere else. And later... The problems came after the shooting ended, when Moorhouse (\"How to Make an American Quilt\") turned in her cut. Everyone was disappointed. The story meandered; the emotion got lost. The producers hired an outside editor to come in and work alongside Moorhouse's editor. The director stormed off, threatening to take her name off the movie. With the input of the stars and the producers a new version emerged. \"My feeling was the storytelling was not clear,\" says Lange of that first cut. \"I had no problem shooting with Jocelyn,\" says Pfeiffer. \"Postproduction was the hard thing. It may have been that she was too close to it. We were all too close to it. It took bringing in a new editor who was objective and brutal. It's still Jocelyn's movie.\" (KJ): I might add that this was one of the few positive reviews of the movie when it came out ...I think David is a MP and JL fan first and foremost! 8-D"}, {"response": 1478, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Oct 13, 1999 (14:00)", "body": "I have a problem with that. Moorehouse did \"How to Make an American Quilt\" and pretty much had small town America down pat. Her vision of Iowa didn't have anything to do with editting the movie."}, {"response": 1479, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Oct 13, 1999 (14:58)", "body": "(Reviewer) But if the movie isn't all it could have been, when Pfeffer and Lange are on the screen, you don't want to be anywhere else. WRONG!! You want to be anywhere else. ~~~~ Thanks KJArt, and when you have time we want to hear your comments on the film...please?"}, {"response": 1480, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Oct 13, 1999 (15:17)", "body": "(Karen) Ginny feels she has never seen such a marvellously expressive face. She is drawn intimately into his willingness to reveal his pain and anger to her.\" Does that scream \"Colin Firth\" to you? ;-D It screams so loud that I have to cover my ears ;-D That \"marvellously expressive\" line's directly from the book. (Karen) Script doesn't say anything about removing his t-shirt in that scene. Think I'll check in the book. Sometimes, it's good to reread the \"good\" parts My comments are based only on the book. Have the good parts mostly committed to memory (tee hee). If I recall correctly, he came up to her after a run. During their conversation, he removed his shirt and used it to wipe his face. (Karen) You can see the kitchen cabinets piled up on the lawn through the window Oh yeah! I had forgotten all about the cabinets and did not notice 'em in all my viewings of that scene (there's nothing wrong with your peepers 8-)). Thanks for the articles, Xian! Good sleuthing! Our Colin's got a thing about his thighs. Thanks also for the info about the editing (thanks to KJ, also. I didn't know Disney was meddling as well). Perhaps that's why Colin was quoted in an article shortly after ATA came out saying [I'm paraphrasing] \"there's too much money [in H'wood], everyone's always checking and doublechecking, it stifles creativity and it stifles fun.\" About this editing: What a mess postproduction must have been, with the production company disappointed and Disney kicking in its 'two cents' about toning down the women. Karen, does the script as written lend itself to a 'meandering story in which the emotion got lost'? In your opinion, was Jess' character diluted (from the book version) more in the script or the editing room?"}, {"response": 1481, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Oct 14, 1999 (00:17)", "body": "(Heide) except in the dirty looks she's shooting at Jess and Rose when they're walking by. (Karen) But where's her anger and hatred for her sister, when sister Rose nonchalantly drops the bomb? Exactly! Isn't that what I've been saying? There's not enough of the hate shown in this film. Even jealousy. Barely touched on. Rose is jealous of her daughter's affection for Ginny. Not shown. I can't believe I'm a proponent of wanting more hate and jealousy in a film but it's the one thing that could give this film some bite. Is this Disneyfication? So how many of you think Jess is a liar, conniver and cheat who wants only to love 'em and leave 'em? And how many of you think Jess is a confused sapwho thinks he's being sensitive to these women's needs? Or any other description of his character? Does anyone find Pete's story about the Afghans and the van remotely funny? Guess you had to be there. I don't think Colin found it too funny either considering the fake laugh he gives. Does Jess's fiddling with his leather braid around his wrist remind you of Darcy's fidgeting with his pinkie ring? Any other Darcy-isms? (Colin-isms)"}, {"response": 1482, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 14, 1999 (01:32)", "body": "(Heide) And how many of you think Jess is a confused sap who thinks he's being sensitive to these women's needs? Or any other description of his character? How about Colin's \"take\"...maybe Jess was grieving for his mother and felt he had to unburden his emotions (in bed!) with every doll he met.... (Bull****). The guy was a scheming conniver under the guise of a tender vegetarian.Having said this...IMO Colin played the role v. well. He did not belong in that rural group...he had been away for 13 years and was an outsider. I think he purposely gives Jess a detached aura.He did not approve of any of them. Of course, we never know what Jess is really like...the story is told through Ginny and she obviously was smitten with him.But I think Colin knew. and portrayed him that way."}, {"response": 1483, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Oct 14, 1999 (12:57)", "body": "(Evelyn) The guy was a scheming conniver under the guise of a tender vegetarian. LOL! Got to watch out for those vegetarians. In case anyone out there is reluctant to post their positive views because the ones here so far seem to be negative, please don't let that bother you. There were some good things in this film and I'd like to discuss those too. And more about Jess! Wouldn't he have tempted you? Or would you have kept that lust in your heart. Let's hear it, married ladies."}, {"response": 1484, "author": "baine", "date": "Thu, Oct 14, 1999 (13:33)", "body": "Would Jess have tempted me? If my poor husband knew how fast I'd agree to take a walk in the woods with ODB, it would ruin his whole day (I hope I'm not being optimistic here.) The mysterious stranger comes to town is a whole genre of which Paul Newman was once the reigning deity, and female leads have always found them impossible to resist. The difficulty with trying to judge Jess's motives from the movie, however, is, as we've said, so much apparently ended up on the cutting room floor. So I can't really tell how CF meant to play the character. The other thing that would be interesting to know is if he built the character solely from the screen play or read the book as well and, if so, how he managed the differences. And presumably the director had something to do with how the character came across too. How all of those things worked to ether and then got more or less deformed by editing would make a very interesting seminar if we could only get the principal to come tell us about it."}, {"response": 1485, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 14, 1999 (15:58)", "body": "Thank you, Xian and KJ, for all your research. I tend to read the Jasper Rees interview as showing Colin's humor. C'mon, the bit about the thighs and the Adonis remark! ;-D On Moorhouse's comment, \"He has a very strong presence.\" That's precisely what is called for in the movie. Jess has to be a major presence. He's what triggers so much of the action. Unfortunately, he's treated in the final cut like a piece of furniture. His big speech was whacked out. How can you tell anything about a character from his playing of Monopoly?? ;-D The EW article says exactly what I felt must have happened. The studio couldn't handle showing MP in such an ugly light and, for that matter, JL making a poisonous concoction and delivering it. They probably didn't feel it was marketable that way. What bothers me is that some suits thought it was too ugly. A shame they didn't understand the relationship between sisters. Sisters \"are\" capable of doing/saying the meanest things to each other. However, no one should attempt to intervene or take sides a la Ty) between sisters. That's the kiss of death. Men just don't understand. Why does that \"Sisters\" song from White Christmas keep running through my head? (Pfieffer) \"It's still Jocelyn's movie.\" Baloney! (Eileen) does the script as written lend itself to a 'meandering story in which the emotion got lost'? Nope, but it certainly would be longer. FYI, most of the voice-overs are not in the script and might have been their way of \"fixing the story-telling\" aspect. (Eileen) In your opinion, was Jess' character diluted (from the book version) more in the script or the editing room? I don't remember the book all that well, but it was certainly a better part in the script. There was the speech while Ginny is planting the tomatoes where Jess gets to tell his story about how he was ostracized by Harold and how no one told him about his mother dying. That's the speech in which Jess gains Ginny's sympathy and later we can wonder if it was just manipulation. (Heide) So how many of you think Jess is a liar, conniver and cheat who wants only to love 'em and leave 'em? And how many of you think Jess is a confused sap who thinks he's being sensitive to these women's needs? He's a mystery man and his motives are unclear. Did he run away initially for valiant, political or spiritual reasons? Or was he just a coward? In the movie, we are given no details or background. I do think he came back for Harold's farm. But there isn't a chance in hell that Harold is going to give him beans. Why does he hang around? Seems to me like he doesn't know what he wants to do so he's biding his time. Another phase in his uprooted life. (Heide) I don't think Colin found it too funny either considering the fake laugh he gives. But he sure looked \"embarrassed\" as I recall. (Cymbeline) The mysterious stranger comes to town is a whole genre of which Paul Newman was once the reigning deity, and female leads have always found them impossible to resist. Exactly!! You've put your finger on it. Those Paul Newman roles were the quintessential mysterious stranger I've been alluding to. A Ben Quick, a man with a dangerous past. Am seeing all sorts of new things in this recent rewatching. For the longest time, I thought Colin was in the outfield during that softball game and now I see he was playing catcher. Didn't anyone tell him that the catcher should squat a bit?! ;-D"}, {"response": 1486, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 14, 1999 (17:40)", "body": "I see he was playing catcher. Didn't anyone tell him that the catcher should squat a bit?! ;-D Oh, No! I sense another baseball discussion in the making. ;-) The conclusion to make from all these observations is not a favorable one for ATA, so when do we move on to the next one? sorry do continue"}, {"response": 1487, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Oct 14, 1999 (18:58)", "body": "Moon, you've hardly said a thing and now you want to move on already? Honey, we spent six weeks on Playmaker. (Karen) For the longest time, I thought Colin was in the outfield during that softball game and now I see he was playing catcher. Ack! Now this I have to see. I always thought he was standing in the outfield looking ineffectual. Could it be sloppy editing that shows him playing both positions? Or is he just a very fast runner. He does get practice on those Iowa roads. Thanks for the heads up, Karen."}, {"response": 1488, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 14, 1999 (20:05)", "body": "(Moon)Oh, No! I sense another baseball discussion in the making. ;-) Aaaaaamen!!One board is enough,thank you :-)"}, {"response": 1489, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Oct 14, 1999 (21:17)", "body": "Moon, you've hardly said a thing and now you want to move on already? Honey, we spent six weeks on Playmaker. I sometimes follow the rule, \"If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all.\" Besides, there were lot's of angles to discuss in Playmaker. To quote Groucho Marx, \"If you know what I mean!\" ;-)) don't mind me, do carry on"}, {"response": 1490, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Oct 14, 1999 (23:18)", "body": "I watched the baseball game scene again (promise, no Yankees/Red Sox in this discussion)and now I see it from Karen's perspective. Here I've been viewing it from the wrong angle all along. Jess is the catcher. What we think is the outfield is actually Jess standing behind home plate. Anyone know what the song is that's playing in Pete's truck when he comes across Jess jogging? Fits well into the my favorite scene in the whole film."}, {"response": 1491, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (17:59)", "body": "(Karen) His big speech was whacked out. How can you tell anything about a character from his playing of Monopoly?? ;-D /.../ That's the speech in which Jess gains Ginny's sympathy and later we can wonder if it was just manipulation. That speech explains Jess to the movie audience. Pulling it out reduced the character to just another pretty face. I thought one of Jess' funniest lines in the book came at the end of the monopoly game, just after Rose turns the board over: \"There was a long silence. Pete's face reddened and he bit his lip /.../ Ty looked at me as if this were the result of my failure to settle down, and Jess bent down to pick up his property cards. He said, 'Unrestrained capitalism always ends in war.'\" (Karen) For the longest time, I thought Colin was in the outfield during that softball game and now I see he was playing catcher (Heide) I always thought he was standing in the outfield looking ineffectual Me three! That blew by me completely. (Heide) So how many of you think Jess is a liar, conniver and cheat who wants only to love 'em and leave 'em? And how many of you think Jess is a confused sap who thinks he's being sensitive to these women's needs? Ahh, good question. It can go either way, IMO. That's why he's so mysterious. Perhaps he's a bit of both--a conniver who thinks he's being sensitive. (Heide) Why does he hang around? Those leaning toward the 'conniver and cheat' persona can argue that he was holding out for the best deal possible. If Harold gave him the farm--great. If he didn't, there was Ginny or Rose. Think he had a grand plan to unite the two farms? (Heide) Wouldn't he have tempted you? Or would you have kept that lust in your heart. Let's hear it, married ladies. (Cymbeline) If my poor husband knew how fast I'd agree to take a walk in the woods with ODB, it would ruin his whole day Hee hee! ODB yes, but Jess? You gotta watch those sensitive types :-P (Heide) Anyone know what the song is that's playing in Pete's truck when he comes across Jess jogging? Pink Floyd's 'Wish You Were Here'? just kidding! I don't know."}, {"response": 1492, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (19:17)", "body": "Since Eileen mentioned the nylon running shorts, here's portions of an article about the costume designer from ATA, Ruth Myers. She's English and was trained at the Royal Court Theatre, but at the same time as ATA, she did the costuming for LA Confidential, which is also the subject of the article (compare and contrast styles). A Thousand Acres was a quickly-put-together film under the direction of Jocelyn Moorhouse, whom Myers had worked very happily with on How to Make an American Quilt....Despite the pedigree of its actors and source material, the Disney-produced ATA was something of a rush job for Myers. \"I think I had three weeks' prep,\" she recalls. \"We shot in Rochelle, IL, and the location people were sending me newspapers and church bulletins, because there wasn't time for me to go. Local newspapers are very, very us ful, because they often have things like church bakes and barbecues in them. I drove to the outer [San Fernando] Valley to shop at K-Mart and Sears and other places, and then when I got to Rochelle, I managed to find a lot of stuff. Jessica was in France doing Cousin Bette, and I fitted her the day she came. I'd never seen her before, but literally, I put her clothes on her and she worked. Unlike the heavily built LA Confidential, Myers' experience on ATA was primarily one of shopping, overdyeing, and reconstructing. Keith Carradine is cast in the role of Lange's solid, uncomplicated husband, and his entire wardrobe was purchased at Farm and Fleet in Rochelle. \"When we left, they kept pumping his hand,\" Myers says of their trip to the store. \"Jocelyn trusted that I wouldn't glamorize it, and that I wouldn't do anything arty. It wasn't much of a challenge, but the challenge was that it w sn't a challenge.\" Still, the designer had strong costume concepts in mind for the film. \"I kept to very clear color schemes,\" she says. \"I wanted that sense of colors fading and coming back, and as the film progresses, we wash out a little. It's not very obvious.\" Blatant or not, Myers' ideas can be seen operating especially with Lange and Pfeiffer's characters, Ginny and Rose. (The third sister, Leigh's Caroline, is a Des Moines lawyer, which Myers says was \"easy\" to portray.) \"When we start off,\" the designer explain , \"the feeling is that Ginny, whatever her problems, is quite comfortable in her body; we see her being soft and easy and calm. Whereas Rose has had a breast removed, and she's also the one with anger. Her clothes, in many ways, serve as some sort of protection. She has a lot of patterns in the early part.\" What is revealed about both characters in ATA is that appearances can be deceiving. \"As the film progresses,\" Myers continues, \"I tried to bring them together by putting them both in jeans and T shirts, so that visually you see them become very similar. Then they burst off again--Rose becomes more feminine, Ginny darker. It's little, it's not big. In fact, I try not to talk to too many people about these ideas, especially producers,\" she adds with a laugh. \"But I do think of my work like that,\" Myers goes on. \"I do see myself as a conceptual designer. I don't see it as a shopping j b, I do not see myself as a stylist...My feeling is not about making so-and-so look beautiful, but of telling a story.\" ********* That definitely explains MP's purse, i.e., purchased in the Valley. Wonder if Colin went to the \"Farm and Fleet\" store for his clothes. If they were going ga-ga over Carradine, it might not have been safe to bring Colin in. They'd be swooning in the aisles! ;-D"}, {"response": 1493, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (20:00)", "body": "That was a cute article. Somehow I didn't think it would be too hard to costume these characters. At the risk of drawing stereotypes, I never thought Rose's short tight pink skirt fit in too well at Harold's picnic. (Karen) That's the speech in which Jess gains Ginny's sympathy and later we can wonder if it was just manipulation. A mistake in our minds anyway. Yeah, I think he was manipulating her a little bit. Not that he didn't feel pain at his mother's death but he wanted to make sure Ginny know that he felt wronged too. Poor sad Jess. (Eileen) He said, 'Unrestrained capitalism always ends in war.'\" Too bad that was left out. That deadpan remark might have brightened his character up a little. I'm also sorry they left out a moment during the bickering while playing Monopoly where Jess's face expresses irritation at Ginny's shrill tone. I'd have like to see him show he was not always Mr. Sensitivity."}, {"response": 1494, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (20:26)", "body": "I think Ruth Myers bought the dark suit that Jess wears in the courtroom at a garage sale. (It's worse than the BAFTA tux.) Best is the pizza delivery man outfit....let's hear it for K-Mart!!"}, {"response": 1495, "author": "baine", "date": "Fri, Oct 15, 1999 (21:52)", "body": "Yes, Evelyn, the best outfit is that gray Henley. But the article about the speed with which they put the film together may explain why the rest of Jess's shirts don't look right. What did y'all think? He puts on a red shirt after the love scene that is just too bright and too big for him, and the shirt in the Monopoly scene, though dark, is still too big. As for the white shirt in the picnic scene--the less said the better! IMO as they released the film, with all the cuts we've discussed, he comes across as almost entirely a sexual character, and, although he is better looking than the two husbands, if they want to show the difference between him and the husbands, his clothes should emphasize his body b/c that is the currency he uses in the film. And except in the kitchen scene they don't--and even there his jeans are too big. If they want his appeal to be obvious despite his Walmart farmboy clothes, they should have left n the sensitivity and made his character more appealing, more complex, and more needy. To me he comes across as an exploiter, and I would think he'd dress like one. Of course it's possible I'm biased and just wanted to see more screen time in his skivvies or less. But I'm trying to be a seriously objective film critic here."}, {"response": 1496, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sat, Oct 16, 1999 (16:15)", "body": "Well I loved his shirts, I thought they were what a good-looking country boy could wear. Agree that they look too big sometimes, they were probably chosen to make him look bigger. He was very slim during the shoot. Haven\ufffdt read the book/the script so I can only say what I see in the film: I don\ufffdt see Jess as an exploiter. The women were grown up people and free to make up their own mind. They needed sexual entertainment just like he wanted to be entertained, nothing very serious after all. I think Colin conveyed this situation very well, he wouldn\ufffdt have been a plausible choice for adult women as a lover if he had been more provocative sexually."}, {"response": 1497, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Oct 17, 1999 (00:36)", "body": "Glad to see you here, Elena. I like the idea of \"sexual entertainment\". Getting a little too dull down on the farm and here comes the prodigal son after 13 years. Jess was filling a need. Hey, Jess, there are a lot of needy women around. Cymbeline, maybe the costumer bought Colin's clothes before she met him. Was basing her idea of sizes on those manly thighs ;-) she saw in Pride & Prejudice. He did look very thin in this film. I agree with Evelyn on best outfit!"}, {"response": 1498, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (00:44)", "body": "Hey, you guys...lets hear from everybody....I stuck my neck out for the firthettes across the pond. Some of the folks here wanted to do AZ and I said \"No,that's an obscure film...let's do ATA ...everyone everywhere now has access to that one.\" We've only heard from Elena (and that's because I mentioned Margaret Thatcher (pardon the espression:-) on #119. Now ....everyone has a favorite scene...favorite shirt?...We all seem to like the pizza delivery man shirt(even though no farmer in Zebulon County would be caught dead wearing a Henley shirt!). My second fave is the white shirt he wears when he's looking out the window at Larry's house...a little dorky...( reminds me of what an assistant manager at Walmart would wear... but he smiles and looks luminous. Let's hear from everybody...OK?"}, {"response": 1499, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (03:02)", "body": "At the risk of being considered exceptionately dense: by the \"pizza delivery man shirt\" are you referring to the gray one he wore in the screen door scene (as shown in the intro to Drool which comes up with \"pizza delivery man\" label every time you point an arrow on the photo)? (What is this, an in-joke derived from the little scenario cooked up for Karen's Birthday Bash on 72?!)"}, {"response": 1500, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (03:05)", "body": "Incidentally, that IS one I like the best, myself. The costuming lady knew just how well it sets off that lovely neck and throat! Mmmmmmmmmmmmm!"}, {"response": 1501, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (04:08)", "body": "Finally!! Someone got it. ;-D Bravo, KJ! Now, how about some comments on the movie?"}, {"response": 1502, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (11:45)", "body": "We've only heard from Elena (and that's because I mentioned Margaret Thatcher) Ha ha! Far out. No, I\ufffdm not commenting Colin\ufffds shirts because of Margaret Thatcher but because they make me drool uncontrollably ;-)"}, {"response": 1503, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (16:50)", "body": "Wonder if Colin went to the \"Farm and Fleet\" store for his clothes LOL! I know the Fleet Farm chain from hubby's homeland in Wisc. In fact, I'll be out there later this week--want any udder cream? It works great on your hands. I swear! Thanks for the excerpt, Karen. V. interesting. (Heide) I'm also sorry they left out a moment during the bickering while playing Monopoly where Jess's face expresses irritation at Ginny's shrill tone. I'd have like to see him show he was not always Mr. Sensitivity. Check out the look on his face when Rose turns the board over. He doesn't look sensitive here--just very annoyed. (Elena) The women were grown up people and free to make up their own mind. I agree, but... They needed sexual entertainment just like he wanted to be entertained, nothing very serious after all Nothing serious? He broke up both of their marriages (the second of which might have instigated Pete's careless death). So you see it as casual sex, huh? I can understand how you arrived at this conclusion, with the essence of Jess' character and ulterior motives lopped out of the film. Fav outfit? Hmmmm. I guess I'll fall in with everyone else and say the \"pizza delivery man\" shirt (yeah, I got that joke too, Karen. *Sigh* my pizza delivery man doesn't look like that...). I thought all his clothes were OK except the long sleeved red shirt (I agree, Cymbeline, it does look too big) because it was supposed to have been a very hot day (book bias spilling over again). I didn't mind the white one he wore at the picnic. And I liked that leather braid he wore on his wrist throughout. (Heide) Was basing her idea of sizes on those manly thighs ;-) she saw in Pride & Prejudice Heeheehee!"}, {"response": 1504, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (17:45)", "body": "Nothing serious? He broke up both of their marriages Eileen, my point is that I do not see Jess as an exploiter. HE did not broke their marriages, he just gave the women a chance to have fun and boy did they take that chance, at the risk of breaking their tedious marriages THEMSELVES. They gladly lost control. What happened after that casual sex was serious but that\ufffds another story....you see, I\ufffdm only talking about Jess\ufffds character and how Colin did the role, and I think he did it fine from this point of view."}, {"response": 1505, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (18:31)", "body": "I see your point, Elena, and understand how you arrived at your conclusion. Anyone who hasn't read the book or the script was given nothing else to work with in regard to Jess--his background, his motives for returning home, why he hooked up with Ginny in the first place, why he went from Ginny to Rose, etc., etc., etc. The movie reduced all the complexities to a single dimension. Perhaps it would have been a more enjoyable experience (that's probably not the right word for this film, though) if I had not read the book first. But having done so, I can't help but pine for what was cut out. I also think that if Jess had originally been written in this single dimension fashion, Colin would not have been interested in the role."}, {"response": 1506, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (19:09)", "body": "(Cymbeline) [Jess] comes across as almost entirely a sexual character...his clothes should emphasize his body b/c that is the currency he uses in the film. Couldn't agree with you more. While I adore that shot of Jess in the doorway with the grey Henley, the jeans are way too big. Both Carradine and Anderson's jeans fit like one would expect. And following your example of serious film criticism, Cymbeline, I'm not too fond of the shape of KA's butt! I think the only time I've seen Colin in skintight jeans is in Tumbledown. (Elena) I don't see Jess as an exploiter. The women were grown up people and free to make up their own mind. They needed sexual entertainment just like he wanted to be entertained There is another side to Jess that I think wasn't adequately portrayed in the film. Ginny's having sex with Jess was more an act of rebellion against her life of being the dutiful daughter and wife. Jess was the complete opposite of her father. He saw the Cook sisters as human beings and not the possessions or objects that Daddy did. He's horrified with the connotation of women being referred to as \"breeders.\" Moreover, Jess is a catalyst for Ginny's anger to emerge. Ginny had an unfulfilling and barren marriage with Ty, whose loyalty was with the farm (Larry). Jess, the sexy outsider who runs around shirtless or in skimpy running shorts, reawakens her sexuality, taking away the shame and dread that are legacies from her father and Ty as well. Ginny is flouting conventions, her Daddy's definition of her, and is making a pathetic attempt to explore an alternative to her awful life. (Eileen) He broke up both of their marriages (the second of which might have instigated Pete's careless death). I don't think anyone blamed Jess (except Harold of course and the silent Frack). As I remember, Rose told Pete that she was \"with\" Jess and he blamed Daddy. Everything stemmed from Daddy's abuse of the girls. We don't see the scene where Pete first goes to Harold's and threatens to shoot Larry before driving off into the quarry. Ginny and Ty's marriage was also doomed because Ty put Larry and farm above his wife. (Eileen) I also think that if Jess had originally been written in this single dimension fashion, Colin would not have been interested in the role. Agree with you here, most definitely."}, {"response": 1507, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (19:24)", "body": "All right, what is the essential difference between Jess-in-the-book and Jess-in-the-film, except for having more lines, probably? And what\ufffds the most important difference in his character between the script and the film??? Btw has he ever indicated in any of his interviews that because of editing, Jess turned out to be something else than what he expected? Of course it\ufffds interesting to compare the book and the film and to guess what was edited out but after all, most of the audience of this movie never read the book or see the script, they just take the film as it is. I\ufffdm one of them and pretty happy with Colin\ufffds stuff in it."}, {"response": 1508, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (19:27)", "body": "I see Karen that you answered some of my questions before I posted them!!"}, {"response": 1509, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (19:32)", "body": "(Karen) I don't think anyone blamed Jess You're right, none of the main characters ( silent Frack --LOL) blamed Jess for the marriage casualties. It was a two way street. Each sister was desperately unhappy despite their lives appearing to be wonderful on the surface. Nevertheless, Jess can't be blameless--he knew they were married. As Elena says, in the movie it seems he was just out for a fling. In the book, he was out for more. And you know what the script says :-) Rose told Pete that she was \"with\" Jess and he blamed Daddy Yes, Pete hated Larry to the same extent as Ty was loyal to him. It's interesting that they all got along so well--in their own separate versions of reality. Of course, Pete knew about the abuse whereas Ty did not."}, {"response": 1510, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (20:21)", "body": "(Eileen)Nothing serious? He broke up both of their marriages Those marriages were \"goners\" long before Jess. In the book...on the day of her tryst with Jess, Ginny inserted her diaphram (he had a condom...in his pocket!)...a little premeditated,I'd say.After all, all he said by the freezer the day before was \"Meet you by the garbage heap(?)\".... (Elena) I\ufffdm only talking about Jess\ufffds character and how Colin did the role, and I think he did it fine from this point of view. I agree."}, {"response": 1511, "author": "alyeska", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (21:01)", "body": "Having read the book I was disappointed with this movie. Why do they do that? Theyey find a good book and want to make a movie of it, then they proceed to change it so that it comes out nothing like what they read in the first place. One of the worst ones for this was \"The Firm.\" I didn't think there was enough Colin in it."}, {"response": 1512, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (23:07)", "body": "I agree entirely. One reviewer wrote that it was merely a showcase for the two leading actresses-cum-produceresses ;-) who in reality got so carried away as to show their lack of perspective, a total inability to stand back and overview, and keep a proper distance. An utter reluctance to let go and let live. A complete directorial failure and a lack of direction for which Moorhouse - stripped of her rights - rightly refused to take responsibility. A classic example of too many cooks. A bad case of three h adstrong women (four, if you count the writer - who, although she had no direct hand in it, was very openly disappointed with the outcome) unable to agree on one thing: who was the real director of the movie and why. Or what was the real point of the story. One of the best illustrations of some (but not all) actors' incompetence outside of acting. Not one of my favourite books, but I still think that with a skilfull reworking, it could have been a very powerful adaptation. What was left of it on screen was pathetically inadequate. Naturally Colin and the rest of the cast couldn't know what was going on until the two primadonnas reportedly started messing about with editig."}, {"response": 1513, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (23:26)", "body": "(Lucie) I didn't think there was enough Colin in it. Amen!"}, {"response": 1514, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (23:31)", "body": "By the way, I meant to argue that Jess was just the catalyst for the breakup of the sisters' marriages but y'all beat me to it. Eileen, been too long since I read the book so help me out here. What do you mean by saying in the movie it seems he was just out for a fling. In the book, he was out for more. ? I can't recall other motives."}, {"response": 1515, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Oct 18, 1999 (23:36)", "body": "(Lucie) I didn't think there was enough Colin in it. (Heide),Amen! (Arami), Or what was the real point of the story. I guess we are ready to move on to another one. ;-) just kidding, carry on"}, {"response": 1516, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Oct 19, 1999 (15:34)", "body": "(Evelyn) Those marriages were \"goners\" long before Jess I disagree, in part. Were they healthy marriages? No way. Ginny was pretending to be happy. Rose was miserable. Rose and Pete may well have divorced without Jess' help, but I think Ginny and Ty would have gone right on pretending. I find two inciting incidents in the book and film: 1)Jess comes home and 2)Larry decides to sign the farm over to his children. Together these result in the implosion of the character's lives. (Heide) been too long since I read the book so help me out here. What do you mean by saying in the movie it seems he was just out for a fling. In the book, he was out for more.? I can't recall other motives. You never really know for sure since we only see Jess through Ginny's eyes. However, Jess was clearly out for a farm of his own--he first worked on Harold for all or part of his. He \"courts\" and sleeps with Ginny during this time (this was glossed over in the film. We only see the kiss and next thing we know, they're in the truck bed. In the book, it's evident that over time Jess wooed Ginny to the garbage dump). Jess was researching organic farming and trying to gain Ginny's support for his ideas. t the church supper, Harold puts an end to his plans when he tells Jess \"I know what you're after, and you're not gonna get it.\" The next thing we know, Jess is with Rose. Her desire to hurt Larry gave him his opening and he took it. They do end up farming together, but it (and their relationship) ultimately fails. So...to me it's much clearer why Jess jumps from Ginny to Rose, but not why he pursues Ginny in the first place. He liked her as a friend and wanted her support for his ideas, but why sleep with her? To wangle a way into her inheritance? For the pleasure of turning this placid, repressed, naive woman into an adulteress? Taking an Oedipal tack, did he see her as a mother figure? Was he trying to quash his guilt about not being there for his mother while she was dying? Any other ideas? (Lucie) Having read the book I was disappointed with this movie. Why do they do that? IMO movies are never, never as good as the books they're based on (miniseries are a different story ;-)). I'm always disappointed when I see a movie based on a book I enjoyed. I'm trying a new tactic--read the book after seeing the movie (have you read Binchy's Circle of Friends? I liked the movie but the book is muuucch better). Elena, I hope this info helps to answer your question regarding the difference in Jess' character from book to film. Essentially, Jess-in-print was waaaaay more complex than Jess-on-film. Hence the pre-editing role was right up Colin's alley. There was more to convey than merely the mysterious stranger who sleeps with two sisters. PS. Thanks for the script, Karen! I received it yesterday afternoon."}, {"response": 1517, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 19, 1999 (21:20)", "body": "Eileen)Rose and Pete may well have divorced without Jess' help, but I think Ginny and Ty would have gone right on pretending. Disagree....if Pete hadn't drowned himself I think Rose would have stayed on even in the abusive relationship because of the girls. Ginny, on the other hand, saw the disloyalty in Ty (who sided with Caroline and Larry..\"because of the farm\") as a personal attack, and blatant opportunism. He put his interest in the land over his own wife's feelings. Hard to live with someone who makes that choice."}, {"response": 1518, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Oct 20, 1999 (16:18)", "body": "(Evelyn) Ginny, on the other hand, saw the disloyalty in Ty (who sided with Caroline and Larry..\"because of the farm\") as a personal attack, and blatant opportunism. He put his interest in the land over his own wife's feelings. Hard to live with someone who makes that choice. I agree with you regarding this aspect. So much for love, right? I look at it this way: if Jess had not come along and the story dealt only with Larry leaving them the farm, Ty's disloyalty would still have occurred and would still have affected Ginny. Now...would she have left? IMO her bond with Rose was so strong (united front) and she was such an easily cowed 'sweep everything under the rug' ninny that she wouldn't have had the guts to leave. There were two things that drove her away: the Ty bus ness and her inability to bear seeing Rose with Jess (one could also argue that she didn't want to be near her father any longer). We know from the book that the Rose-Jess issue took precedence, since she went so far as to try to poison her sister. Her love turned to hate and their bond was destroyed. This is, of course, all watered down in the movie. There's only a short shot of Ginny observing Jess and Rose together when he bends to tie her shoe. Ginny leaves after having words with Ty (although she never truly confronts him), leaving the viewer to conclude she left because of Ty. On the other hand, Rose verbalized more about her problems with Pete (his drinking, abuse and rejection of her disfigured post-op body) and fantasized about leaving him before Jess came along. Her intrinsic anger was greater than the sisterly bond which mattered so much to Ginny. So, IMO, she would have had the guts to leave, despite her children. Any other ideas? Thoughts? Where is everybody?"}, {"response": 1519, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 20, 1999 (19:56)", "body": "(Elena) And what's the most important difference in his character between the script and the film? In the film, you never get a feel for Jess's background: why he left, why his return turned the county upside down. He's just hanging around, sleeping with the sisters. If he comes across as merely a plaything for casual sex, then the film has done him a disservice. (Elena) Btw has he ever indicated in any of his interviews that because of editing, Jess turned out to be something else than what he expected? Sometimes it's best to keep quiet if one hopes to work again. Colin picks roles that he finds challenging. The book's Jess is interesting and pivotal and the script's Jess has better, character-revealing scenes. (Elena) most of the audience of this movie never read the book Perhaps, but the book was a national bestseller. Probably more people read the book than saw the movie. ;-D (Eileen) Pete hated Larry to the same extent as Ty was loyal to him...Of course, Pete knew about the abuse whereas Ty did not. First off, even when Ty found out, he didn't believe it and said that no one else in the county who'd heard Rose's allegations believed it. They all turned a deaf ear to the truth. Second, Pete never got along with Larry, long before he was told about the abuse. Pete was not the \"right kind of farmer\" in Larry's eyes and they always fought. Pete was a musician first and foremost, who eventually settled down on the farm and who probably took out his frustrations on Rose before her operation. (Lucie) Having read the book I was disappointed with this movie. Why do they do that? One of those questions we ask all the time. Like Eileen, many times I won't read the book until after I've seen the movie. Seems to work better. (Evelyn) Those marriages were \"goners\" long before Jess (Eileen) Were they healthy marriages? No way. Both of you have excellent points about the state of their marriages. They were \"over\" before Jess arrived. Rose may have divorced Pete, but Ginny wouldn't have done anything. She was, as Eileen points out, the \"ninny.\" A weak, spineless, pretending that all was right ninny. She clung to her own versions of reality and what she was \"told\" to believe by her father and her husband. (which lead me to another comment later...) So...to me it's much clearer why Jess jumps from Ginny to Rose, but not why he pursues Ginny in the first place. But does he really pursue her? From the film, you can see the excitement and attraction on Ginny's face every time he's around. He does sense and take advantage of that. She was willing and he was able... Seriously, from the beginning, Jess seemed more attached to Ginny even when the other Cook sisters were around. [Maybe it was the tabbouleh she made that was the capper. ;-D] (Evelyn) if Pete hadn't drowned himself I think Rose would have stayed on even in the abusive relationship because of the girls. I think Rose was capable of driving Pete away, with the same result as initiating a divorce."}, {"response": 1520, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Oct 20, 1999 (21:14)", "body": "[Maybe it was the tabbouleh she made that was the capper. ;-D] LOL! I think you may be on to something there, Karen. (Karen), Sometimes it's best to keep quiet if one hopes to work again. Colin picks roles that he finds challenging. What was the role he played after this and how soon after did he do it? I keep thinking this film hampered him instead of helped him to get starring roles. Afterall, in the original script his part was much more than what it turned out to be. And of course, working with such *stars* would equate him to them somehow."}, {"response": 1521, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 21, 1999 (00:56)", "body": "(Karen)But does he really pursue her? From the film, you can see the excitement and attraction on Ginny's face every time he's around. Oh yeah? So who kisses her on the ear by the freezer? Who tells her to meet him by the garbage heap?"}, {"response": 1522, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Thu, Oct 21, 1999 (02:57)", "body": "Sorry to be so behind, but I was catching up on old posts today and ran across this quote from the lady who did the ATA costumes: \"We shot in Rochelle, IL, and the location people were sending me newspapers and church bulletins, because there wasn't time for me to go. Local newspapers are very, very useful, because they often have things like church bakes and barbecues in them. I drove to the outer [San Fernando] Valley to shop at K-Mart and Sears and other places... How humiliating, she's talking about my neighborhood. I assure you ladies, that we have other attractions besides Sears and KMart here. And why oh why did this costumer not bring Colin to Sears for his jeans fittings? I could have helped her get the fit right ;-)."}, {"response": 1523, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Fri, Oct 22, 1999 (22:00)", "body": "...check that inseam..make sure there is enough room for him to bend over...etc etc...*sigh*"}, {"response": 1524, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Oct 23, 1999 (13:49)", "body": "(Eileen) I find two inciting incidents in the book and film: 1)Jess comes home and 2)Larry decides to sign the farm over to his children. I agree but why wouldn't you also include Ginny's acknowledgment of her sex abuse. I know you can argue that Ginny would blithely continue her life without it ever returning to her memory but I would argue that Rose could not keep that information to herself forever. I don't think it was only receiving the farm that opened that can of worms and IMO this incident has to be included as a major factor in breaking up the farm and the families. In this incident, Ginny's world is found to be only make-believ . (Eileen) However, Jess was clearly out for a farm of his own--he first worked on Harold for all or part of his. He \"courts\" and sleeps with Ginny during this time (this was glossed over in the film..) Jess was researching organic farming and trying to gain Ginny's support for his ideas. Yeah, that comes back to me now. Strangely, it doesn't make Jess a duplicitous person to me. He genuinely wanted to practice organic farming (how noble!) and naturally would return to his father's farm to practice it. Ginny is sympathetic and interested in his ideas - he turns to her. The next thing we know, Jess is with Rose. Her desire to hurt Larry gave him his opening and he took it. They do end up farming together, but it (and their relationship) ultimately fails. Excellent point. At this point his plans are all awry and who better to be on his side than the fighter Rose? Jess isn't a fighter, he's a lover. (Karen) I think Rose was capable of driving Pete away, with the same result as initiating a divorce. Agreed. There was no way Rose was going to leave that farm. She felt she had paid plenty for her right to be the new \"king\". (Karen)But does he really pursue her? From the film, you can see the excitement and attraction on Ginny's face every time he's around. (Evelyn) Oh yeah? So who kisses her on the ear by the freezer? Who tells her to meet him by the garbage heap? Let's just say that her obvious excitement to have him around didn't go unnoticed. The opportunity was seized. I felt sorry for Ginny but I don't think she regretted her liaison with Jess one bit. (Jana) And why oh why did this costumer not bring Colin to Sears for his jeans fittings? I could have helped her get the fit right ;-). Since obviously the costumer couldn't get it right. A little more fit to the form would have been greatly appreciated and I know you would have obliged us."}, {"response": 1525, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Oct 23, 1999 (17:13)", "body": "(Heide)...Jess isn't a fighter, he's a lover. ...it doesn't make Jess a duplicitous person to me. He genuinely wanted to practice organic farming (how noble!) ..... Well...what can I say to a person who thinks Simon Westwood (CoF)is humorous:-) Any minute now...it's gonna be...\"St. Jess..\":-D We love you for that, Heide (Heide)I felt sorry for Ginny but I don't think she regretted her liaison with Jess one bit. Agree. At the end she tells Rose...\"For every one thought I've had about Ty..I had twenty about Jess\". I think we can safely say...that Droolies can beat her any day:-D"}, {"response": 1526, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Oct 23, 1999 (23:01)", "body": "Well, I was kidding about the \"noble\" part. ;-)"}, {"response": 1527, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 24, 1999 (23:56)", "body": "(Heide) Ginny's acknowledgment of her sex abuse....has to be included as a major factor in breaking up the farm and the families. While I agree that Ginny remembering the abuse is important to her character's development, the farm and family deterioration was well under way (and irreversible) when this occurred. The movie changed when this occurred too--while she was hiding in the dressing room at Roberta's. In the book, Ginny remembers her father coming into her room while she is lying on her old bed that she's just made up for Jess. Now, all it looks like is that Ginny is thinking of Jess as she lies there. OK, all you Kiss Kritics, here's how that first kiss is described: \"He smiled warmly at me, then wrapped his hand around my arm, pulled me toward him, and kissed me. It was a strange sensation, a clumsy stumbling falling being caught, the broad, sunlit world narrowing to the dark focus of his cushiony lips on mine. It scared me to death, but still I discovered how much I had been waiting for it.\" From Ginny's POV, Jess was integral to the story. Listen to this, from the book: \"But really the story of those days was the story of Jess Clark, of the color and richness and distinctness his presence in the neighborhood gave to every passing moment. When I think of him, or of that time, I think vividly of his face and figure, and how startling it was, for one thing, to see someone nearly naked in running shorts with no shirt in a world where men wore work pants, boots, and feed cap on the hottest day . I think of the muscles of his legs, defined by years of roadwork into sinuous braids of discrete tensions. I think of his abdomen and arm and back and shoulder muscles, present in every man, but visible in Jess, like some sort of virtue. But the fact is that it's impossible to think of him by himself, apart from everything else. What concentrated itself in him diffused through the rest of the world, too. I always expected him to manifest himself at any time, because everything I saw around me had g tten to be him--it reminded me of him, expressed him, promised something about him. When he showed up, things were complete. When he didn't show up, they were about to be.\" And that \"outsider\" image is reinforced by this description from the beginning: \"The Clark brothers were both good-looking, but with Loren you had to gaze for a moment to find the handsomely set eyes and the neatly carved lips....Jess was about a year older than Loren, I think, but in those thirteen years they'd gotten to be like twins raised apart that you see on TV....But the years hadn't taken the toll on Jess that they had on Loren: his waist came straight up out of his waistband; his thighs seemed to bow a little, so you got the sense of the muscles inside his jeans. From behind, too, he didn't look like anyone else at the pig roast. The small of his back narrowed into his belt, then there was just a little swell, nicely defined by the back yoke and the pockets. He didn't walk like a farmer, either, that's something else you noticed from behind. Most men walk in their hip sockets, just kicking their legs out one at a time, but Jess Clark moved from the small of his back, as if, any time, he might o a few handsprings.\" I love how just thinking about Jess arouses Ginny. The night before they have sex in the truck, she gets all hot and bothered thinking about the next day, while she's in bed with Ty and finally has to turn to him to act out. Too bad they didn't use that scene. Would really reinforce how infatuated she was with him."}, {"response": 1528, "author": "Xian", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (16:58)", "body": "\"...his waist came straight up out of his waistband; his thighs seemed to bow a little, so you got the sense of the muscles inside his jeans. From behind, too, he didn't look like anyone else at the pig roast. The small of his back narrowed into his belt, then there was just a little swell, nicely defined by the back yoke and the pockets. He didn't walk like a farmer, either, that's something else you noticed from behind. Most men walk in their hip sockets, just kicking their legs out one at a time, but Jess Clark moved from the small of his back, as if, any time, he might o a few handsprings.\" Doesn't it sound almost like ODB :-)) At least it might be the image of him in the producer/director's mind when they picked up CF for the role."}, {"response": 1529, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (19:30)", "body": "(Karen) First off, even when Ty found out [about the abuse], he didn't believe it and said that no one else in the county who'd heard Rose's allegations believed it. I remember--Ty didn't find out about it until after Ginny left. He stayed true to character and refused to believe Rose. She clung to her own versions of reality and what she was \"told\" to believe by her father and her husband Yes. Ginny and Ty's marriage was a study of 'let's pretend' and repressed feelings. They're codependent in this aspect. Second, Pete never got along with Larry You're right. (Moon) What was the role he played after this and how soon after did he do it? Let's see...he did ATA in the fall of '96, after Fever Pitch. The next one would have been MLSF, followed by SLOW (both starring roles). After that came SiL and the loooonggg drought. Jess was researching organic farming and trying to gain Ginny's support for his ideas. (Heide) Strangely, it doesn't make Jess a duplicitous person to me. He genuinely wanted to practice organic farming /.../ and naturally would return to his father's farm to practice it. Ginny is sympathetic and interested in his ideas - he turns to her. OK, let me try this on for size. Jess is the somewhat repentant (maybe not) son who returns home after a long absence. He's reunited with his childhood acquaintances, the Cook girls. His sensitive nature draws him to Ginny, the eldest, who is receptive first to his friendship (he finds her easy to talk to), then to his advances. Ginny is flattered that Jess has chosen her over Rose. They sleep together once. After being publicly spurned by his father, Jess' anger sparks a kinship with Rose. He is d awn under her spell of hatred and begins an affair with her. As it happens, she takes over her father's farm and he is able to fulfill his desire to try organic farming. I know that's a crude oversimplification, but the more I think about it, the more it works. Early in the story, during the tomato planting scene, we're given rare insight into Jess' character and some foreshadowing: \" [Jess, talking to Ginny] I did have a fiancee. She was killed in a car accident...you know, Alison saw things very darkly. Her parents lived in Manitoba, and they were extremely religious. When she went to live in Vancouver, they repudiated her in specifically biblical terms. The conviction that they truly thought she was damned dragged at her more and more as time went on. The fact was that she was a very kind person, generous and sweet and careful of other people's feelings. Actually, we never rea ly knew whether the accident was an accident. She pulled into the oncoming lane of a two-lane highway, into the path of a semi. She had been depressed, that made it look like suicide. But she endangered someone else. That was very unlike her. /.../ I used to call her parents from bars and threaten to come to Manitoba and kill them...while I was raving, they would be praying for me. I don't think they ever felt remorse...I stopped being mad all the time when I stopped drinking. I mean, that was when I ealized that maybe Alison and I wouldn't have lasted together. I lover her, I really did, but what I loved most was being mad at her parents for her. Being on her side, when nobody else had been that I could see.\" There's some of Ginny (\"kind, generous, sweet\") and Rose (\"saw things very darkly\") in this tragic fiancee. That must be what Colin meant in that Vogue article when he said that Jess was 'licking his wounds with every woman he met' (not to mention Jess' guilt about being absent when his mother died). There is also Rose's deathbed discussion with Ginny (part of this made it into the script. Too bad it was left out of the movie). I think Karen has posted some already: \"Jess Clark wasn't the way you thought he was, Ginny. He was more self-centered and calculating than you gave him credit for.\" I parroted her. \"He wasn't the way you thought he was, he was kinder and had more doubts than you gave him credit for.\" We stared at each other aggressively for a long minute... \"Kindness wasn't freely given with him, Ginny, it was a way to get where he wanted to go...the difference is that I loved him without caring whether he was good. He was good enought and I wanted him a d he slipped away. You know what? At the end, he was too good! When it came right down to building something on what we had, it scared him to build on death and bad luck and anger and destruction.\" Rose goes on to explain Jess' reconciliation with Harold before leaving her and returning to Canada. It was the final undoing of their relationship: \"Whatever you have, however passionately you want it and he seems to want it, what he wants more and more is to fit in and be a good boy. Then everything he feels for you feels wrong to him.\" Ginny sees Jess one way; Rose another. Somewhere in the middle lies the truth. (Heide) wouldn't you also include Ginny's acknowledgment of her sex abuse It bothered me that the abuse had never com"}, {"response": 1530, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (21:47)", "body": "That speech reveals a lot about Jess and does relate it back to the Vogue article's quote. He's had some major disappointments in his life--death of a fiancee and his mother--and the Cook sisters appear to be the only ones to give two hoots about it. \"I stopped being mad all the time when I stopped drinking.\" In the book, he doesn't drink alcohol ever, but in the movie (kitchen scene with MP pushing around some breading) Ty hands Jess a beer, he takes a swig and walks out the door. Guess it wasn't deemed important to retain this little detail of his life! ;-D \"...but what I loved most was being mad at her parents for her. Being on her side, when nobody else had been that I could see.\" Are he and Rose two peas in a pod or what!! Being mad at life and Daddy in particular defines Rose as we\"ve all said. In the scene where Rose confronts Ginny about how she watched Daddy go into Ginny's room at night, Ginny denies anything happened to her. Ginny starts to cry and apologizes that it happened to Rose, to which Rose says, \"Don't make me feel sorry for myself. The more pissed off I am, the better I feel.\" Rose's main accomplishment is: \"So all I have is that I saw! That I saw without being afraid and without turning away, and that I didn't forgive the unforgivable.\""}, {"response": 1531, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (22:25)", "body": "I find it hard to reconcile Jess's kindness and sensitivity with leaving Rose when the cancer recurred.One would think that such a man would remain with her...almost compensating for having left his mother."}, {"response": 1532, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Oct 25, 1999 (23:09)", "body": "I agree, Evelyn, but that was another product of the mucked up script/editing. In the book, he's gone long before Rose's cancer recurs. I hate how they linked the two in the movie. I also thought the \"Rose died later that day\" business was melodramatic soap opera at it's worst. I was making puking noises in the theater. Blecch!"}, {"response": 1533, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (16:11)", "body": "So, are we saying that there are two Jess's? The one in the book/script according to Ginny and the one in the film...? Which one are we discussing? The Jess in the film doesn't have a background (fiancee dying etc), he doesn't even figure in the future ..he emerges as an adornment..albeit a a pivotal one....but a hunk..a stud... just physical beauty. It's unfair, to judge him as anything else that wasn't in the film...."}, {"response": 1534, "author": "baine", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (17:08)", "body": "(Evelyn) So, are we saying that there are two Jess's? The one in the book/script according to Ginny and the one in the film...? Which one are we discussing? Exactly. We really aren't discussing ODB's performance anymore, rather the role of Jess. I started the book last night and am struck to see how pivotal he is in Ginny's life and how much more fully his character is drawn. Also that so far I like Ty better than I did in the movie. He's the only one with a sense of humor so far. Also struck (again--I had read Moo some years ago) with the quality of Jane Smiley's writing. Her physical description of Jess, which someone quoted a number of postings back is great, isn't it? His back came straight up out of his waistband, and the little swell set off by the yoke and pockets, etc. You don't come up with that kind of vivid detail without a good deal of field work. I'm getting a wonderful picture of Smiley sitting in the student union at the U of Minn studying men's a***s, and I like a woman like that."}, {"response": 1535, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (17:50)", "body": "(Evelyn) It's unfair, to judge him as anything else that wasn't in the film.... Sorry you feel that way, Evelyn. I'm trying to figure out Jess' motivation for 1. coming home, and 2. Getting together with Ginny. You're right about this: The Jess in the film doesn't have a background (fiancee dying etc), he doesn't even figure in the future ..he emerges as an adornment..albeit a a pivotal one....but a hunk..a stud... just physical beauty. Yes, we all agree about that. But IMO it makes for mighty superficial discussion. The Jess in the screenplay has a little more meat than movie Jess. So if we're sticking only to movie Jess, perhaps it's time to move on."}, {"response": 1536, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (19:33)", "body": "(Eileen)Yes, we all agree about that. But IMO it makes for mighty superficial discussion. The Jess in the screenplay has a little more meat than movie Jess I agree with you absolutely...more interesting to discuss Jess as depicted in the book. Hey, anybody in the book for that matter. And BTW thank you for all the book research and typing all the sections of the book to support you comments. It's just that I'm confused about who we're talking about:Jess in book...script...movie? But maybe it's just me."}, {"response": 1537, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (20:03)", "body": "Re: Colin\ufffds Portrayal of Jess: IMO Colin originally portrayed Jess as the book depicted him...with all the assets and liabilities. Perhaps even Jane Morehouse interpreted Jess the same.Then the scenes that would have given his character gravitas suffered in the editing. Consequently, the film Jess emerges as a vegetarian -draft -dodger- stud who returned home to talk his father into giving him some land to farm (organic) . And along the way does a little running...and screwing the neighbors\ufffd wives.So we are left with a Jess that required no acting skills..only looks. And of course everyone is disappointed. Incidentally, I don\ufffdt see the \ufffdbook Jess\ufffd in the script either..although it is marginally better than the film. I maintain that the \ufffdmovie Jess\ufffdis a \ufffdboo-hiss\ufffd character, because we don\ufffdt know all the background that Sue has given us from the book The \ufffdbook Jess\ufffd is a nice senstive guy like Heide says."}, {"response": 1538, "author": "heide", "date": "Tue, Oct 26, 1999 (23:50)", "body": "I agree with you, Evelyn. You can only make a judgment of Jess from what you know and see. Your description of Jess is perfectly valid based simply on the film. It's just so hard for us to keep things simple. ;-) Anyway....forgot I had a power tape of ATA around and found it by accident the other night. (Power tape = Colin only scenes). Think Colin was milking his last scene? Everyone's walking out of the courthouse hallway backs turned to the camera but at the last moment, Jess(Colin) turns his head back to the camera. ;-) I know our boy's not a scene stealer but I always find this funny."}, {"response": 1539, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 27, 1999 (23:01)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1540, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Oct 27, 1999 (23:04)", "body": "(Eileen) Ty didn't find out about it until after Ginny left. He stayed true to character and refused to believe Rose. I think that, even if Ginny had told Ty, he wouldn't have believed her. During the restaurant scene, Ty asks what happened to the old Ginny (pretty, funny and optimistic). He doesn't like the new and improved Ginny and blames Rose for being the change agent. He would've preferred to go through life with a sweet and complacent wife who said, \"yes, Daddy\" or \"yes, honey\" all the time. Better for the farm. ;-D (Eileen) I know that's a crude oversimplification, but the more I think about it, the more it works. It works for me as well. ;-D Thanks for the quotes, Eileen. You can see what a complex character Jess was, but the screenwriter couldn't handle that within the context of a 2 hour movie, and so they made him very one-dimensional as many here have said. (Eileen) Somewhere in the middle lies the truth. Very true. And speaking of \"truth,\" in Ginny's final voiceover, she says that she didn't tell Caroline the truth about Daddy because it would have been Rose's truth. Why do you think she said that? (Eileen) It bothered me that the abuse had never come up between them until now...maybe Rose had never been this mad at her father before? I don't think it had anything to do with Jess, but two other things. First, when she and Ginny talk about the night time visits, she says that Daddy \"seduced her; he didn't force her; and she felt special. In a way, she sounds like women who are told they are at least partially to blame if a man rapes them. The other reason Rose finally discusses the issue is her own feelings of mortality, having just survived breast cancer. She has a new life and she won't live with the old poisons inside anymore. (Evelyn) The Jess in the film doesn't have a background....It's unfair, to judge him as anything else that wasn't in the film Aren't we just pointing out that the original character had depth? But you're right, Evelyn, the film version of Jess was little more than a catalyst for the action (dramatic and otherwise)! ;-D As with our other film discussions, background information has always been acceptable. When we point out what is or isn't in the movie, all this is to further an understanding of why the film did not do well with the general public and with critics, many of whom had read the book and saw the film as a pale reflection of it. Moreover, we've always gone beyond ODB's performance to discuss many aspects of the film. Why should this one any different? (Cymbeline) I'm getting a wonderful picture of Smiley sitting in the student union at the U of Minn studying men's a***s, and I like a woman like that. LOL!! I have an interview with Smiley done at the time the film was released. Will dig that out. There are a couple of interesting answers. (Eileen) I'm trying to figure out Jess' motivation for 1. coming home Given they never tell us why he left, seems consistent that this is also not explored. With the film set in the present, they couldn't keep him a Viet Nam-era draft dodger (he'd be a grandfather). No reason is given for why there was bad blood between him and Harold. Just goes to prove that they didn't care enough to give him a background. Usually actors like to create one for their own motivation. Wonder what or if Colin used that approach. (Heide) Think Colin was milking his last scene?...I always find this funny. It sure is, especially when you find out that is the last time you will see Colin in the film. Personally, I would rather he would have slapped MP silly for making a public spectacle of herself in the courthouse lobby, but that's just my view... ;-D"}, {"response": 1541, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Thu, Oct 28, 1999 (00:01)", "body": "(Karen) I would rather he would have slapped MP silly for making a public spectacle of herself in the courthouse lobby, but that's just my view... I couldn't agree more. Rose (at least as played by MP) was so one-dimensional and angry throughout the film that instead of being sympathetic to the horrors she'd endured, I just wanted to say \"Oh, shut up and get over it.\" I especially hated the courtroom hallway bit."}, {"response": 1542, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 28, 1999 (00:44)", "body": "(Jana2) Rose (at least as played by MP) was so one-dimensional and angry throughout the film that instead of being sympathetic to the horrors she'd endured, I just wanted to say \"Oh, shut up and get over it. EAsy to say when one hasn't endured what she had...a sexually abusive father, physically abusive husband, breast cancer and(in her perception) a husband who found her repulsive afterwards...these are pretty heavy burdens for a woman to carry. Actually, I found her the more attractive (?) of the two sisters... ~~~ (Karen) Moreover, we've always gone beyond ODB's performance to discuss many aspects of the film. Why should this one any different? I'm all in favor of discussing all aspects of the film (including cinematography which was excellent!), but Jess's character is so different in each media (book/film). I find I empathize with one and dispise the other. But that is just me as I said previously.There are lots of holes in the book as well..."}, {"response": 1543, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Thu, Oct 28, 1999 (01:18)", "body": "(Evelyn) EAsy to say when one hasn't endured what she had...a sexually abusive father, physically abusive husband, breast cancer and(in her perception) a husband who found her repulsive afterwards...these are pretty heavy burdens for a woman to carry. I don't think I made myself clear in my earlier post. I agree that the character of Rose had an almost unendurable burden to shoulder and did not mean to trivialize the difficulties her character had experienced. What I meant to say is that MP's portrayal of Rose at that one unwavering level of fury, rather than make me relate, sympathize or understand Rose's plight merely got on my nerves. I wish MP had offered a more nuanced and layered presentation of Rose. (Evelyn) Actually, I found her the more attractive (?) of the two sisters... Very interesting! Actually, I found Ginny a much more sympathetic and interesting character and liked JL's performance quite a bit better than MP's. That's what makes these discussions fun. It takes all kinds to make a world :-)."}, {"response": 1544, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 28, 1999 (01:28)", "body": "(Evelyn) Easy to say when one hasn't endured what she had...a sexually abusive father, physically abusive husband, breast cancer and(in her perception) a husband who found her repulsive afterwards...these are pretty heavy burdens for a woman to carry. Ooops!! I think we've been slapped silly by Evelyn! As Jana said, we didn't mean to trivialize her problems. (Evelyn) Actually, I found her the more attractive (?) of the two sisters... JL's performance grated on me. While acting babyish does fit the role to a certain extent, I found it difficult to take after several scenes of the same. They were both one-note performers, lacking subtlety and nuance. Could the same naivete (repression) and anger have been achieved without having to resort to these tactics, I think so."}, {"response": 1545, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Thu, Oct 28, 1999 (04:30)", "body": "Sorry for coming in at the end of this discussion. I finally watched ATA last night and liked it better the second time around. I'm afraid that my huge disappointment with CF's role coloured my reception of the film in general on first viewing, but even he looked better this time (and I don't mean just his looks). As I have only just now read the 100+ posts, I am not going to reference anyone's comments and if I repeat anything, please forgive me. My opinions are based on the film, as I haven't read the book or screenplay. Thanks for the references, though. They made interesting reading. In particular, the description of Jess from the book was very droolable, sexy actually...good writing. The visuals, music and narration used in the opening credits were very effective; I thought I was going to see a great film...alas Just a few comments about Jess tonight: DB's looks: Colin looked sensational. Unlike some (all ?) of you, I like him slim. He looked fit, not emaciated. When I saw the People mag picture of him with the dogs, all I could think was that he'd put on too much weight. Colin's slenderness made Jess seem vulnerable and young, IMO. I have noticed that in most of his films, including ATA, Colin's face makes him look heavier than he is. My sister agreed with that reviewer's description of him as stocky in MLSF, yet his body was slim in that film. Favourite outfit: My prurient self votes for the one that Mother Nature provided him with in the truck bed. I really, really wanted that camera to pan DOWN!! (The close-up of Ginny's hands on Jess' chest was a little thrilling, IMO). BTW, did this film settle the debate about ODB's body hair. I guess he is just my kinda guy, sparse body hair and all (again adds youthful vulnerability). I liked his big shirts, even the red one, but not the white one in his first scene; he looked too washed out in it. His clothes reminded o Joe Prince's outfits. Didn't Joe have an awful suit, too? Jess didn't seem like a suit sort of person; maybe that's why it didn't fit. Perhaps, like Joe, he borrowed it or bought it from K-Mart's bargain basement. CF looked quite fine in the henley (my 2nd fav); he wore something similar in FP in the Bread scene, and looked just as jumpable. Re: the kiss. It didn't sizzle, but it wasn't that bad, considering that Ginny and Jess weren't in love. You can't compare it with the one in FF; Cynthia and Joe (well, at least Joe) were passionately in love...and lust). I liked the look Jess gave her after the first kiss and his beautiful smile earlier in that scene; it looked like the one in the Good Taste pic (my wallpaper). That smile is my favourite Colin look. In the well-water discussion scene, his eyes were incredibly huge and dark, very soft. Y ah. I would go for a romp with Jess anytime. IMO, Jess did not come across as an exploiter or as a seducer at all. I agree with the comment that she was ready and he was able. Self-centered, looking to satisfy his own needs firstly, but also adrift and lonely Thirteen years in exile without really making a new life for yourself is pretty grim. As has been said, he was an outsider, maybe using sex as a way to connect himself to what he hoped would be a new life. As for why Jess came back, in the kiss scene he tells Ginny that his father \"loves me, wants to win me, thinks he can keep me here, wants to fix me...\", so I got the impression that his father had lured him back with a promise of allowing him to try out the organic farming. Harold was getting long in the tooth and maybe the farm was too much for Loren to look after by himself. After the fight, either Ginny or Rose actually said something about his father setting Jess up to be rejected in revenge for him l aving home all those years before. The fight with his dad, who was totally out of line, was very sad. No wonder he sought comfort in women, with a such a deplorable family life. I am not trying to make him a hero, just an isolated, damaged guy who didn't seem able to commit in any area of his life. Not good husband material in any way or even good friend material. More later."}, {"response": 1546, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Oct 28, 1999 (04:32)", "body": "After reading Colin's interview at the site Murph posted at 123, I read Jeremy Northam's. Check this out: Northam praises The Winslow Boy for presenting the drama in a straightforward manner without unnecessarily fleshing out scenes to explain a character's particular motivation. \"I'm going to name drop now,\" he warns. \"Paddy Chayefksy said to Sidney Lumet (adopts Chayefsky's thick accent), \ufffdThere's no rubber ducky scene.' He used to define a rubber ducky scene as: (picks up accent again) \ufffdWhen King Lear was a little kid, his mother took away his rubber ducky and that's why he is what he is.' You don't really know why King Lear goes mad, it just happens. It's not part of the drama's responsibility to say what is the justification, it's justified within itsel .\""}, {"response": 1547, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Oct 28, 1999 (16:40)", "body": "(Jana) I liked JL's performance quite a bit better than MP's And of course, you're right...JL got the Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress. I just happen to gravitate to strong,\"in your face\" women. (No analyzing, Karen:-D ) Rose was nasty til the end..I think that was part of her DNA!! I would have hated to see her turn syrupy sweet on her death bed."}, {"response": 1548, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (00:02)", "body": "(Jana) Actually, I found Ginny a much more sympathetic and interesting character and liked JL's performance quite a bit better than MP's. Me too. Found more layers to her performance than MP's one-note death's head stare. (Karen) \ufffdWhen King Lear was a little kid, his mother took away his rubber ducky and that's why he is what he is.' You don't really know why King Lear goes mad, it just happens. Thanks for the quote. Nice and succinct. Larry went mad because they took away his rubber ducky. Glad we don't have to discuss that story line. Lynda, glad you joined the party. You always bring something new to the mix. You brought something up I had forgotten: in the kiss scene he tells Ginny that his father \"loves me, wants to win me, thinks he can keep me here, wants to fix me...\", Can this be taken in two ways? Fix as in to \"affix\" or \"fasten\" e.g. keep him tied down to the farm or at least in one spot. Or fix as in to \"mend\" or \"adjust\", e.g. change him into something Harold thinks he should be."}, {"response": 1549, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (00:56)", "body": "he is just my kinda guy, sparse body hair and all Sparse ALL? ;-P"}, {"response": 1550, "author": "baine", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (01:06)", "body": "(Heide quoting Lynda quoting the book or movie) wants to fix me...\", The next line in the book is: \"His voice sounded horrified. I said, \"You sound like he wants to fix you the way Bob the Beef was fixed.\" (note: the steer he raised in 4-H) He laughed. \"Well, maybe it would feel like the same thing. I don't know.\" Then he says the line about Frick and Frack and how he and his brother will be living there for the rest of their lives which he also says in the movie. Then he kisses Ginny. So maybe this adds an emasculation fear which is further motivation to go after Ginny and Rose (since they seem to be the only nubile women in his life at the moment)to prove to himself that he's not like his sort of sexless father and brother. This is just as far as I've gotten in the book, so I don't know how it continues into t e affair. It seems plausible that a guy as virile as Jess is pictured would not want to settle into the kind of sluglike existence that Harold is portrayed as living."}, {"response": 1551, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (15:31)", "body": "(Karen) First, when she and Ginny talk about the night time visits, she says that Daddy \"seduced her; he didn't force her; and she felt special. In a way, she sounds like women who are told they are at least partially to blame if a man rapes them. I'm not sure I follow you on this point, insofar as why Rose waited to bring up Daddy's abuse. I totally agree with your other observation. That alone is reason enough. (Evelyn) I find I empathize with one and dispise the other. The cynic in me did not find Jess at all sympathetic in the book. When I read it, I was suspicious about why he hooked up so quickly with Ginny. I thought he was a total sh** to dump her for Rose. Then Rose's condemnation (that may be too strong a term) of his motives in the end confirmed my suspicions. It's only been in the course of this discussion that I've changed my mind, and needed to pull those bits from the book to convince myself (there's nothing to pull from the movie). Re: JL and MP's performances--I also preferred JL to MP. However, Ginny's goodness and Rose's anger both seemed very exaggerated. I don't know if this was the outcome of their performances or if the cutthroat editing contributed. (Karen) \ufffdWhen King Lear was a little kid, his mother took away his rubber ducky and that's why he is what he is.' You don't really know why King Lear goes mad, it just happens. (Heide) Thanks for the quote. Nice and succinct. Larry went mad because they took away his rubber ducky. Glad we don't have to discuss that story line. That's probably the conclusion we would have reached anyway. (Lynda) I am not trying to make him a hero, just an isolated, damaged guy who didn't seem able to commit in any area of his life. I think you've more or less nailed it!"}, {"response": 1552, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Oct 29, 1999 (16:57)", "body": "(Lynda) I am not trying to make him a hero, just an isolated, damaged guy who didn't seem able to commit in any area of his life. Oh no...another flaneur :-)))"}, {"response": 1553, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Oct 30, 1999 (12:58)", "body": "(Cymbeline) You sound like he wants to fix you the way Bob the Beef was fixed.\"...emasculation fear I love it...fear of being neutered. Considering how he hopped around from bed to bed, maybe Harold had the right idea.;-) (Evelyn) Oh no...another flaneur :-))) Excellent! At this point I think we've got Jess's character nailed down flat."}, {"response": 1554, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (17:44)", "body": "(Heide) Fix as in to \"affix\" or \"fasten\"...Or fix as in to \"mend\" or \"adjust\" I'd go with the latter. Jess wasn't your customary Joe Farmer. We never once saw him (thank god) with a feed cap on!! As the Smiley descriptions of Jess point out, he didn't look or walk like them, and we know he didn't sound like one. ;-D (Cymbeline) \"You sound like he wants to fix you the way Bob the Beef was fixed.\" (note: the steer he raised in 4-H) He laughed. \"Well, maybe it would feel like the same thing. I don't know\"....So maybe this adds an emasculation fear I love it! An image of Jess as the only bull in Zebulon County and whose job it is to impregnate those cows. All the other menfolk in this novel have already been neutered. (Eileen) insofar as why Rose waited to bring up Daddy's abuse As clarification, Rose said she felt special and that Daddy had seduced her. She became a somewhat willing participant. That might make her feel partially to blame. Therefore, why would she bring it up to Rose when she felt a little guilty herself? Her view changed after the mastectomy. She had a new lease on life and she was going to air the dirty linen. Earlier I asked this question: in Ginny's final voiceover, she says that she didn't tell Caroline the truth about Daddy because it would have been Rose's truth. Why do you think she said that? Anyone thoughts? Another interesting thread is the role of \"Mommy.\" Both sisters say that Mommy didn't tell them such and such. One that is repeated twice (beginning and end in voiceover) is that \"Mommy didn't tell them what to think about Daddy.\" There's also a scene left out of the movie (but in the script and book) where Ginny is at the town swimming pool and Mary Livingstone tells her that she was supposed to tell both Ginny and Rose certain things on her mother's behalf. First she says, \" She knew what your father was like, even though I think she loved him.\" Then, \"Lord, Ginny, I shouldn't have brought this up. But I promised your mom, and then Jimmy had his accident, and , well, I let it go. She wanted you to have more choices...There was another thing, too-\" Ginny asks what and Mary answers, \"Oh. Nothing really.\" Mommy left everything unsaid, unlike Rose who \"saw\" and said everything. At the hospital, Rose tells Ginny that she has prepared her daughters unlike Mommy. Ginny's big conclusion is that \"Daddy is just a man.\" What does that say?"}, {"response": 1555, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (23:53)", "body": "Ginny's big conclusion is that \"Daddy is just a man.\" What does that say? I forget..when did she say this? Before or after her memory returned? Not having to much to go on, I'd imagine their mother would not admit to herself what her husband was doing but knew it subconsciously...similar to Ginny. Perhaps with her death imminent, she knew she had to give her daughters something to protect themselves with but didn't really know or admit from what. First she says, \" She knew what your father was like, even though I think she loved him.\" Doesn't necessarily mean that their mother knew and also told her friend what Larry was doing to their daughters. We see he was a tyrant in all ways."}, {"response": 1556, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Nov  1, 1999 (16:03)", "body": "(Karen) As clarification... Gotcha. Thanks. she says that she didn't tell Caroline the truth about Daddy because it would have been Rose's truth Her years away from the farm have given her perspective. She realized that Rose saw things in a particular way, but that wasn't the only way or necessarily the right way. \"Daddy is just a man.\" It seems to me that Ginny was resuming her \"default\" character: repressed, seeing the good side of things. He may have been 'just a man,' but he was a sick man. (Heide) Doesn't necessarily mean that their mother knew and also told her friend what Larry was doing to their daughters I could be wrong, but I had the impression that the sexual abuse didn't start until after mommy's death. There are other types of abuse, though. He used to beat the children regularly (in the book there's an anecdote about how he beat young Ginny because she lost her shoe after an event at school). [from script] She wanted you to have more choices... Such as, \"get off the farm and away from sick, domineering, mean men like daddy\"??"}, {"response": 1557, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Nov  1, 1999 (16:20)", "body": "(Eileen) Such as, \"get off the farm and away from sick, domineering, mean men like daddy\"?? Yes or \"get off the farm where your main role will be to feed the menfolk. Better to go off to the big city and be a waitress, pouring coffee for men all day.\" ;-D"}, {"response": 1558, "author": "Xian", "date": "Mon, Nov  1, 1999 (16:57)", "body": "(Eileen) \"Daddy is just a man.\" It seems to me that Ginny was resuming her \"default\" character: repressed, seeing the good side of things. He may have been 'just a man,' but he was a sick man. I agree that Ginny was back to her old character then. Just a thought: in per opinion or view, all Men were the same, they only care about to satisfy their own desires of life. Her just a man include her daddy, her husband, and Jess ."}, {"response": 1559, "author": "Xian", "date": "Mon, Nov  1, 1999 (17:00)", "body": "I meant \"in her opinion or view...\""}, {"response": 1560, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov  2, 1999 (01:22)", "body": "she says that she didn't tell Caroline the truth about Daddy because it would have been Rose's truth IMO Ginny is an enigma... book/script & film...Jane Smiley never really defines her. Ginny just reacts to Rose, Ty or Larry all the time. That's why I prefer Rose...one always knew where she stood. To me, Ginny is just as mysterious as Jess."}, {"response": 1561, "author": "baine", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (21:22)", "body": "Now I'm here, and I didn't copy what you said about the pajamas, Heide, so I'm posting this in order to have something new to reload from."}, {"response": 1562, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Nov  6, 1999 (23:41)", "body": "Well it wasn't earth shattering but I find it illuminating that Tommy Judd's pajamas are never buttoned to the neck - remember in one scene when Guy sneaks up behind Tommy and slides his hand underneath his pj top. Doesn't ruffle old Tommy one bit. He's confident in himself and his sexuality. Now in Dutch Girls, poor Neil is always buttoned up, not only buttoned up but his bathrobe is always tightly wrapped too. Fairly typifies his character too - repressed, can't kiss the girl even when she's begging for it. Maybe if we'd see Neil in his pajamas after he throws away his hockey stick, we might see he's loosened up a bit. Too bad we don't see Jess Clark in his pajamas. ;-) Somehow I doubt Nature Boy wears 'em."}, {"response": 1563, "author": "baine", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (04:32)", "body": "(Heide) Doesn't ruffle old Tommy one bit. He's confident in himself and his sexuality. Going from there, what does Tommy reply to Guy in the laundry room when Guy asks if girls are different from boys? I can't ever get it, but it sounds like, \"How should I know? I've never even had a girl.\" If so, then we are to believe that he is a virgin, by implication about the only one among the nonjuniors, whatever their proper title is. Guy has just mentioned Tommy's what sounds like usherette (what does that mean, anyhow; is it some kind of English slang?) who is never mentioned before or after. Makes me wonder if something was left on the cutting room floor. Can anyone who's read the play script shed some light on this? One interesting thing is that Tommy, one of the few who hasn't been with Guy, is the only person who is really his friend and really loyal to him and willing to sacrifice his principles for him. I love the lines, \"If you appeal to me as a friend, I'll never forgive you. Menzies did that. I didn't mind it so much from him; he's not a friend.\" Another is that what happens to Tommy is the same thing that happens to Elizabeth Bennett--he changes by learning the truth from another character, and we see him do it. Just as we see Elizabeth change when she gets self-knowledge while reading Darcy's letter, we see Tommy change when Guy says to him that with all his talk of equality, he's really like the other guys whom he despises so much--he thinks some people are better than others b/c of the way they make love. You can almost hear him say, \"Until his moment, I never knew myself.\" ODB was so good in that role that I'd love to have been able to see him in the role of Guy Bennett. What an interesting study."}, {"response": 1564, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (15:51)", "body": "Thanks to Karen, I have the script. Bennett: Is it really so different? Judd: How would I know? I've only ever had girls. Nothing about the usherette in the script that I could find (or remember). You know, Cymbeline - usher/usherette in a theater? I imagine a movie theater. The script goes on in the same scene: Judd: I discovered I liked girls when I was eleven. The male body has never attracted me in the slightest. Bennett: It might if you let it. You ought to try everything once, you know. Judd: I wouldn't mind having every girl in the world once. Lucky usherette. I admire Tommy for his integrity, earnestness and even innocence. We know the defects of socialism now but I presume he died before he would have become disillusioned. Another is that what happens to Tommy is the same thing that happens to Elizabeth Bennett--he changes by learning the truth from another character, and we see him do it. I don't take it to that extent but your points are well taken and I'd love to discuss more as long as we're sure ATA is completed. No reason why we can't discuss another film \"informally\" until we decide what the next film will be (which I think Apartment Zero is in the running.)"}, {"response": 1565, "author": "baine", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (20:24)", "body": "he changes by learning the truth from another character, and we see him do it. I think what happens here is that Tommy, who has been living almost entirely cerebrally, begins to understand that there is more motivating him than logical thought. He says to Guy that you can't trust that kind of intuition (after Guy says he knows he will never love women), and Guy says what else is there? Are you a Communist b/c you read Marx? No, you read Marx b/c you know you are a Communist. You can see from Tommy's face that he's never thought about it like that. He assumed he was drawn to Marxism b/c of the arguments in the book. He begins to understand more and become a fuller person. No one else, even Guy, does that. Guy realizes what he's going to have to go through to live his own life, and he becomes bitterly disillusioned when he realizes he's not going to be able to get the rewards that straight men will, but he already knows himself in a way that Tommy doesn't until that convers tion. I'm glad to discuss any books you like or several at once. I've just finished ATA if we have more to discuss there. I love Another Country which I imagine you all did a while back. Thought A0 is one of the most interesting movies I've ever seen besides offering scope for learning some history and politics in an area I know almost nothing about (and that's even without the incentive of ODB). So whatever is decided upon, I'm ready to go to it !"}, {"response": 1566, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Nov  7, 1999 (22:37)", "body": "Haven't done Another Country yet so you're in luck. But again, there's nothing to stop anyone from bringing up a film they want to discuss...even if it's already been discussed here. I love the different viewpoints."}, {"response": 1567, "author": "baine", "date": "Wed, Nov 10, 1999 (15:09)", "body": "Over here at Film Discussion, and I feel as though I'm talking to myself, but I had my first viewing of Femme Fatale yesterday, and I am so sorry to have missed y'all's discussion last summer by only a couple of weeks. Sweet, sweet Joe Prince looking like an overgrown Neal Truelove, and what appropriate names he does get in his movies. I have never seen lust portrayed more eloquently than on the expressive face of ODchameleon (or should I say tree frog), and any time he wants to go to the 7-11 with me, am ready! I went back and read your discussion and found it most illuminating and helpful for my many subsequent reviewings to come. Anything coming up on this discussion board or are we just waiting for the reports of the Donmar goer *next week*?"}, {"response": 1568, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 10, 1999 (15:15)", "body": "Sorry, Cymbeline, that I haven't joined in on your comments for Another Country, but I haven't watched it lately. And, as Heide said, we haven't done AC yet on this board...plenty to cover! Usually we like to take a breather between discussions, but feel free to talk about that Prince of a man here. Most have seen it umpteen times and never tire of talking about that 7-11 scene or slamming most other aspects of the plot. ;-D"}, {"response": 1569, "author": "baine", "date": "Wed, Nov 10, 1999 (19:08)", "body": "(Karen) Usually we like to take a breather between discussions I've been breathing too, esp in the 7-11. I'm willing to wait till anyone's ready to discuss anything as long as I can ramble on here trying to catch up with you veterans. I'm way behind on the number of buckets I've been able to fill up. Just saw my brand new copy of AMITC--noticed how red his hair is. Of course it looks as though everyone in the film except Jim Carter is slightly red-headed, so maybe they fiddled with the color somehow--you techies know more about that stuff than I. Anyhow, I really like thinking of ODB as a redhead although he is usually discussed as being dark--not as dark as Darcy I realize--but like the screen door pic. I hope the Donmar party can give us a report on the current state of affairs, color-wise as wel as quantity-wise. And how do you think he's going to look when the gray starts appearing at the old temples? Ahhhhh-mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!"}, {"response": 1570, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Nov 10, 1999 (20:23)", "body": "And how do you think he's going to look when the gray starts appearing at the old temples? Probably the same as my mom, who swore she never had any grey hair, but then again, she never saw her natural hair color. ;-D BTW, saw Dustin Hoffman on the TV. No grey on him either..."}, {"response": 1571, "author": "baine", "date": "Wed, Nov 10, 1999 (22:30)", "body": "saw Dustin Hoffman on the TV. No grey on him either.. Nor on Ronald Reagan as I remember. Can you mean you think ODB is going to employ artificial means to deny acknowledging what comes naturally? Next you'll be telling me he's planning a face lift like Richard Chamberlin. ODB's going to age like Paul Newman, and he won't need any help. And please don't start sending me a load of citations detailing what Paul Newman has done to himself over the years. I don't want to know!"}, {"response": 1572, "author": "heide", "date": "Wed, Nov 10, 1999 (23:06)", "body": "I think ODB will let a few silver strands show through - better grey than the alternative IMO. Look closely, girls, when you see him in person. 'Course I'm older than him and my hair's the same color it was the day I was born. ;-) But Speaking of hair color in AMITC, my copy doesn't show it as being particularly red though it was sort of amber in the bright sun. Methinks that's his natural hair color - not as dark as Darcy. Doesn't it break your heart when he lets Alice get away?"}, {"response": 1573, "author": "baine", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (02:25)", "body": "my copy doesn't show it as being particularly red though it was sort of amber in the bright sun Not bright red but red as opposed to any other color. I think that's my favorite movie for hair color of all the ones I've seen except maybe AC which is about the same. Doesn't it break your heart when he lets Alice get away? It is a riveting scene, both of them just bursting to speak and completely inarticulate. And Alice hangs around for as long as she can, then she comes back with the book, then she pauses on the ladder, then her hat sinks below the floor and you know it's over and she has to go back to that latterday Mr. Collins. You can see why ODB said it's the role he's proudest of--someone did say he said that, didn't she? KB is good too--that scene in the pub where he touches on his war experiences--both of them are great there. Isn't it rather nice that, though Tom Birken lost her, his grandson John McCarthy finally got her?"}, {"response": 1574, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (04:13)", "body": "Isn't it rather nice that, though Tom Birken lost her, his grandson John McCarthy finally got her? Uh oh, should we tell her what really happened? :-o"}, {"response": 1575, "author": "MarciaH", "date": "Thu, Nov 11, 1999 (05:45)", "body": "...is that the sound of disillusionment setting in I hear...?"}, {"response": 1576, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (16:26)", "body": "(Cymbeline) Can you mean you think ODB is going to employ artificial means to deny acknowledging what comes naturally? Next you'll be telling me he's planning a face lift like Richard Chamberlin Or (gawd forbid) Jack Lemmon, whose eyes are now perpetually open? Speaking of nips and tucks, in both AMITC and Hostages NR had her old nose. Regardless of what really happened . (Which is what , Karen?) CF and NR were great together in both. I loved AMITC but had alot of trouble hearing and understanding certain lines. The book helps (it's a quick read)."}, {"response": 1577, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (16:38)", "body": "What really happened? To John McCarthy and Jill Morrell...they split up. Saw a mention in the news not long ago about JM - he married a woman who was the editor on a book he wrote. So sad. Bethan can tell you more."}, {"response": 1578, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (16:58)", "body": "they split up Oh, that."}, {"response": 1579, "author": "Jana2", "date": "Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (09:50)", "body": "I saw a really interesting documentary a few weeks ago that was all about the hostage crisis. Really fascinating stuff that sort of tied up all the political events for me. The best part were the bits of interviews with John McCarthy, Brian Keenan, Thomas Sutherland (did I get that right?), Terry Anderson and Terry Waite. They also interviewed Jill Morrell briefly. I thought her voice and manner of speaking sounded amazingly like the way Natasha Richardson played her character. BTW, John McCarthy was by far the wittiest and most entertaining of the interviewees. I can see why the other prisoners said he helped them keep their sanity. CF played him very well, IMHO, but I don't think anyone here will argue with me about that!"}, {"response": 1580, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Dec 12, 1999 (14:15)", "body": "Let me throw a question out and see if it generates any conversation. Don't know why it popped into my mind - maybe from Nancy's happy event over at 34 - In which films does CF's character impregnate someone? Looking particularly for films where the pregancy occurs during the film, not before. Besides naming the film(s), perhaps you'd like to discuss whether it's a happy event and would his character be a good father."}, {"response": 1581, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 12, 1999 (20:54)", "body": "No one's answered this yet?! OK, I'll bite... The two that come to mind immediately have to be: Fever Pitch and Valmont. Can't you just see Paul as a father? I can. He'd be having a great time playing with the kid (that is, if it were a boy) and dragging him as soon as he's able to Arsenal games. He'd be a horrible father in Sarah's eyes. More like a single-parent situation but with two children, exactly what she fears. Now Valmont, would never have the opportunity to acknowledge little Cecile's baby as his own, but I can imagine he'd be just as proud as Auntie Madame de Rosamonde. ;-)"}, {"response": 1582, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Dec 12, 1999 (21:06)", "body": "Yeah, Paul would treat his kid like a buddy and of course all the baby clothes would be red and white or yellow and blue. I think Valmont's child would be one of those secrets that everyone knows. He might have enjoyed rubbing Gercourt's nose in it every now and then. There's at least one more film where he plays a daddy-to-be..."}, {"response": 1583, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Dec 12, 1999 (21:11)", "body": "Oops, how could I forget Mr. By-the-Book! ;-)"}, {"response": 1584, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (04:19)", "body": "It's too bad radio plays aren't included here...you could add Rupert Brooke."}, {"response": 1585, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Dec 15, 1999 (06:46)", "body": "Wow! That's right. Forgot about him. Are there more?"}, {"response": 1586, "author": "heide", "date": "Thu, Dec 16, 1999 (00:33)", "body": "Good for you, KJ. We can count Rupert. I think he'd make the worst father of all!"}, {"response": 1587, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Dec 16, 1999 (01:32)", "body": "Worse than Simon? ;-)"}, {"response": 1588, "author": "KJArt", "date": "Thu, Dec 16, 1999 (04:15)", "body": "Neither would provide the emotional support and attention a child needs. I see Simon as rather consciously egocentric, i.e. he'd practice studied and purposeful indifference, whereas Rupert strikes me as rather vague and ill at ease...he'd be a \"Ned-like\" father, I think."}, {"response": 1589, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Dec 17, 1999 (01:28)", "body": "Simon would be distant but I think he liked little kids...at least, little girls. Considering the mummy Rupert had, I don't think he'd make a very good daddy. He'd be having a nervous breakdown every time the kid had a tantrum."}, {"response": 1590, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (12:23)", "body": "(Heide)In which films does CF's character impregnate someone? I finally saw Valmont again yesterday (I have had some converting trouble Karen but yes, now it\ufffds done) and I see now that he really did impregnate \"someone\" in it. Didn\ufffdt remember he did that because the first time I saw Valmont was 10 years ago. Ladies, I think I\ufffdm suffering from a severe Valmont trauma at the moment, the film makes me melancholy. Reasons: 1.) It\ufffds a great movie and it shocks me how underrated it is, it does not deserve the oblivion. It\ufffds just not right that this film is so totally forgotten because it\ufffds clearly a better movie than Dangerous Liaisons or whatever that gross movie of JMalkovich was called, in terms of ambitious film making. I think it was a wonderful idea from Forman to make Valmont look so innocent and utterly charming while doing terrible things, it\ufffds an intelligent and a plausible approach. 2.) Now I finally and completely understand what Colin must have felt like when this film was not a big success. It must have been a terrible disappointment and not only becuse of his own career but because of the business and audiences in general. Quality is not what counts in this world and realizing this fact in any trade can badly ruin one\ufffds illusions and ambitions. 3.)Colin is very good in Valmont, he really acted full-heartedly I think, and he must have truly believed that they\ufffdre making a masterpiece. One of his best performances."}, {"response": 1591, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (15:22)", "body": "I agree, Elena, Valmont is one of his best performances along with Apt.O and P&P."}, {"response": 1592, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (15:38)", "body": "Always happy to talk about our beloved Valmont. Agree that it is shockingly underrated. I've argued (facetiously, but you know it's fun) that it was Meg who undermined our boy's career for a time. What a fool for love he became. ;-) But one could argue (and many have) that it was the failure of this film that made him step back a bit. Perhaps he was starting to crave bigger things. His star was certainly rising. Would love to know how much influence this experience had with his career and if it caused him to re-assess his career values. He certainly had enough time to do that. I think it was a wonderful idea from Forman to make Valmont look so innocent and utterly charming while doing terrible things, it\ufffds an intelligent and a plausible approach. I too like Forman's approach for all his characters - young and pretty, even Annette looks like sugar can't melt in her mouth. In DL, Malkovich looks like a snake. Still I also enjoy Dangerous Liaisons and think the quality is equally high. Just a different approach, more dark and decadent, imo. One of his best performances. Don't you just love him at the end when he's realized what he's lost? To me it's like he's laughing at himself not only for what he's become but for what he's missed all his life. To him death was his only redemption. Grrr..., these noble men."}, {"response": 1593, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (16:59)", "body": "..I've argued (facetiously, but you know it's fun) that it was Meg who undermined our boy's career for a time. What a fool for love he became. ;-) But one could argue (and many have) that it was the failure of this film that made him step back a bit Ahem...May I have equal time???? IMO (and remember that before you flame me) ;-) We can always blame someone else for the poor decisions we have made... I have never blamed Meg for his career decision. He did it himself...he was not exactly 20 years old either.He is a rebel by nature (and we love him for it) and this type of behavior is characteristic .I think having a child,a loving understanding wife ,and another life besides his career has altered his perspectives.. He is no longer career-driven .I don't consider him a failure...he seems v. content."}, {"response": 1594, "author": "Elena", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (18:14)", "body": "(Heide)the quality is equally high. Just a different approach Well, what is quality? Is it quality to play it safe and give the audience what the majority of them wants? That is entertainment and money-making IMO and that\ufffds the difference between the two films I think. Valmont looks like a film that was done primarily to make a good film. DL on the other hand is primarily a marketable product, and very good at that. I appreciate it that Forman gives the audience freedom to understand what kind of people Valmont and Mme de M. really are, without splashing it on our faces. That\ufffds quality, I think. For intance, I like it in Valmont that his death is not actually shown. That\ufffds a very uncommercial choice, almost revolutionary. (Reminds me of what Colin once said about sex scenes; that it\ufffds not necessary to show everything)."}, {"response": 1595, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (22:45)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1596, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (22:48)", "body": "(Evelyn) He is no longer career-driven. I don't consider him a failure...he seems v. content. Warning! Warning! I see another debate coming up again. ;-) I beg not to be blamed. After all, I did use the word \"facetiously\". Elena, I believe we differ in just one point. I perfectly understand your admiration for Valmont and have hopes one day it will be \"discovered\". Wondering if anyone is actually reading my posts. ;-)"}, {"response": 1597, "author": "sprin5", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (02:21)", "body": "Colin Firth is appearing at this moment on the Spring's webcam in \"Turn of the Screw\"."}, {"response": 1598, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (08:17)", "body": "(Heide)Wondering if anyone is actually reading my posts. ;-) Hehe, aren\ufffdt we all? I mean: wondering if anyone is actually reading our posts! But I\ufffdm not yet giving up hope ;-)"}, {"response": 1599, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (16:44)", "body": "Am very pleased to see your posts, ladies. Valmont has been on my mind since I caught most of it on cable 2 weekends ago (have the tape, but haven't popped it in lately). (Elena) 3.)Colin is very good in Valmont, he really acted full-heartedly I think, and he must have truly believed that they\ufffdre making a masterpiece. One of his best performances. You've read my mind, Elena. This is why Valmont stays at my #2 'best of' spot. I've been asking myself if it's because he's the main character and is on screen so much, but I think there's more. He's so totally and completely Valmont and no other character (indeed, this was made much earlier in CF's career before all the others came along, but lately, since I've watched him over and over in so many things, Colin's new characters strike me more as conglomerations of older ones). And yes, it must have been a disappointment--wasn't Forman hot from his Amadeus success at the time Valmont was cast? This had to be one of those 'big breaks' CF referred to in the A&E interview. Too bad audiences can't bypass the irresistable urge to compare Valmont to DL. They're each so good but so different (love the end of DL when everyone laughs at Mertuil (sp?) and she's mortified. It's more satisfying). I can watch Valmont again and again (fast forwarding through the insufferable Cecile-Dalceny (sp?) parts, of course) and never get tired of CF in it."}, {"response": 1600, "author": "Ming", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (17:36)", "body": "(Evelyn) I have never blamed Meg for his career decision. He did it himself...he was not exactly 20 years old either.He is a rebel by nature (and we love him for it) and this type of behavior is characteristic . I agree but IMO he did not make a wise decision. Just imagine that he had not hiden away after Valmont, his career might be a boom many years earlier (he was main cast in Valmont after all, someone had to notice him!). He never really talks about that period of his life since he is such private man. Don't you think that he regrets? I do for him ;-) I think having a child,a loving understanding wife ,and another life besides his career has altered his perspectives.. I don't think he and Meg were ever married or am I mistaken?"}, {"response": 1601, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (17:51)", "body": "I don't think he and Meg were ever married or am I mistaken? No, you are not mistaken. Evelyn was referring to the fact that Colin is now married to another. Hello Ming and welcome to Drool."}, {"response": 1602, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (18:04)", "body": "Hi Ming... WELCOME (Ya' never know what comment can bring on a newbie...) My comment is just because I seem to be the resident Meg Tilly apologist around here. (Hate to have a woman blamed for a 28yr. old guy's decision. ) But I really have nothing else to say on that point.. Glad to have you, Ming...stick around we love to have new fans come on board."}, {"response": 1603, "author": "Ming", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (18:07)", "body": "Thanks, Karen! I did not introduce myself because I have been in Drool ( anything related to CF ) for almost two years thus already felt like a part of yours. The fever of admiration, respect, love to one of the best actors ever breathed brought me to this board. I do not incline to post at all, partly because it is hard for me to express my thought in English (BTW, I am a Chinese - now you know why) but just reading all the posts here, especially to know everything related to ODB, gives me great pleasure! Enough said and go back to my lurking chair, as Chinese say \"Zai Jian\"!"}, {"response": 1604, "author": "patas", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (19:13)", "body": "Ming, do not go back to lurking, you are very welcome and you make yourself understood very well. Stick around. As you know, we all come from different parts of the world and sometimes make mistakes...It is a cozy place, though, I believe :-)"}, {"response": 1605, "author": "Elena", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (19:27)", "body": "(Evelyn)because I seem to be the resident Meg Tilly apologist around here. Hate to have a woman blamed for a 28yr. old guy's decision. Remember Yoko Ono was blamed for the breakup of the Beatles! :-D :-D And Meg\ufffds just so beautiful in Valmont, she almost makes me jealous because I know he\ufffds actually kissing her in those love scenes, not \"Mme T\", that\ufffds why those scenes look so true. (Ming)because it is hard for me to express my thought in English (BTW, I am a Chinese Hi Ming! Please don\ufffdt lurk, post more! And don\ufffdt worry, you\ufffdre not the only one here who has hard time expressing oneself in English. Not all of us are native English speakers you know. But I\ufffdm trying to relax about the problems because language perfection is not the most important thing here. :-)"}, {"response": 1606, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (19:51)", "body": "Even us (we?) native English speakers take many liberties. Not to worry (at least, I don't :-P). How about CF's physicality in Valmont? My favorites are when he trips out of the boat, when he's creeping into Cecile's room on tip toe, when he pulls off his glove with his teeth (after saying one of my favorite lines, \"what shall we do, send for our harps?\") and duelling with Cecile with sticks on the lawn."}, {"response": 1607, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (20:17)", "body": "(Eileen) duelling with Cecile with sticks on the lawn. Love that scene Ming, as everyone says, don't worry about the language thing. Post whenever you have anything to say or want to discuss."}, {"response": 1608, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (20:59)", "body": "Hello Ming, happy you joined the discussion. (Eileen),but lately, since I've watched him over and over in so many things, Colin's new characters strike me more as conglomerations of older ones). I am glad you said it first Eileen, my feelings exactly. That is another reason I am such of fan of Apt 0. There are some unrepeated moments there that are a treat to watch."}, {"response": 1609, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (21:08)", "body": "Let's face it, the average person doesn't scrutinize like we do, and we don't have much (relatively speaking) to scrutinize. I've watched some of his films so many times that it has probably spoiled me for anything new--although alot of Edward Pettigrew was fresh, I thought."}, {"response": 1610, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (21:14)", "body": "alot of Edward Pettigrew was fresh, I thought. Quite right! Even wardrobe got this one right. :-) I am beginning to be prejudiced for his roles where the wardrobe matches the character."}, {"response": 1611, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (22:32)", "body": "(Moon) I am beginning to be prejudiced for his roles where the wardrobe matches the character. Even though it's television, his wardrobe in Armadillo should be to our liking."}, {"response": 1612, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (23:00)", "body": "Hello Ming. Your posts are actually better than mine, and English is my native language. I can't spell. I apologize for any strange looking words that may appear in my posts. But enough about me. It's good to know you're here."}, {"response": 1613, "author": "Ming", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (23:10)", "body": "Thank you very much for your warm welcome and comforting words, ladies! I'll stick around as long as you are here and as long as CF is ODB here, I promise ;-)"}, {"response": 1614, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (23:42)", "body": "Eileen),but lately, since I've watched him over and over in so many things, Colin's new characters strike me more as conglomerations of older ones). I feel the same...and I hope some erudite person will expand on this. I feel we have seen too many of his films and know his \"tricks of the trade\". I am doing the same with JE...which is why I like TRT...Annie is refreshingly new ...a real stretch. DQ is more of a stretch than anything he has done in the last ten years."}, {"response": 1615, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (18:38)", "body": "(Evelyn)I feel we have seen too many of his films and know his \"tricks of the trade\". Pehaps we have. And maybe there aren't so many different ways to express the same emotions. I am still delighted by them."}, {"response": 1616, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (19:20)", "body": "(Evelyn) DQ is more of a stretch than anything he has done in the last ten years. Interesting that you picked DQ. I'm trying and trying to focus on Donovan/Daniel and all I see is Paul (yelling), Darcy (gazing at Lucy before he tells her she's beautiful), Joe Prince (striding around, posting flyers), etc. Don't get me wrong, DQ is a wonderful performance and I probably need to scrutinize it more (haha) to fully appreciate it on its own merits. Don't know why, but I find more freshness to Edward though he has his Darcy and Geoffrey moments as well. Maybe I just need to be exorcised before Londinium and RV :-D"}, {"response": 1617, "author": "Elena", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (20:19)", "body": "Maybe more Playmaker sort of stuff is what we really need? :-D I\ufffdve seen it now. Hee hee and I\ufffdm sure I won\ufffdt surprise some of you naughty girls when I confess that I\ufffdm not shocked, just a little amused and....well, entertained in some funny way that makes me feel guilty ;-) I really expected something much worse judging by some of your \"projectile vomiting\" comments here. I\ufffdm relieved that it\ufffds not nearly as bad as I imagined, it\ufffds just a stupid B-movie but thank god, not nearly as stupid as they can get. You just need some sick sense of humour to be able to almost enjoy it! This movie can\ufffdt be taken seriously for a second. But....I must say it\ufffds a bit weird to see our lovely brown-eyed boy do what he does with the scissors. Poor Colin, that\ufffds really beneath him, almost falls into the soft porn category."}, {"response": 1618, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (20:35)", "body": "(Elena) This movie can\ufffdt be taken seriously for a second. Precisely. I've never been ashamed of the movie. Really, haven't we all seen worse? Besides, Colin really looks good here and there's nothing wrong with his acting. I kind of enjoy his performance and looks, especially as Ross. almost falls into the soft porn category. No where near that category IMO."}, {"response": 1619, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (00:43)", "body": "it\ufffds a bit weird to see our lovely brown-eyed boy do what he does with the scissors. Am I right to remember (can't get to the tape at the moment) that he is forced to manipulate the scissors with his left hand, because the moronic director couldn't visualize a better camera angle? Talk about making films by numbers..."}, {"response": 1620, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (16:39)", "body": "Hello Ming, a belated welcome, I hope you'll post often. BTW, I'm also Chinese, and writing has never been my forte, however, you'll find the ladies here witty and supportive, with many interesting views points. I've the good fortune of meeting some of the them, and they're just as lovely in person. he is forced to manipulate the scissors with his left hand, because the moronic director couldn't visualize a better camera angle? Thanks for the explaination, I've always wondered about that, for a while I thought he was left handed. almost falls into the soft porn category. No where near that category IMO. I agree with Karen, just a couple of very awkward moments\ufffd BTW, the above mention scissors scene was included in a preview for the movie, one of several trailers in a movie rented from Blockbuster. Elena: just a little amused and....well, entertained in some funny way that makes me feel guilty ;-) As die hard Firth fans, we deserve a little guilty pleasure every now and then."}, {"response": 1621, "author": "Elena", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (18:12)", "body": "(Elena)almost falls into the soft porn category. (Karen)No where near that category IMO. (Emma)I agree with Karen, just a couple of very awkward moments... Hi Emma! Nice to see you here. I\ufffdm surprised, maybe we\ufffdre not talking about the same thing. I think that the slow cutting of her clothes is not only an awkward scene, it\ufffds a mildly porny scene and the element of a cold weapon onto the bare female skin while the woman is waiting passively to experience what he\ufffdll do to her next is borrowed from pornographic imagery (which the film is repeatedly hinting to anyway. The shower stuff, the mysterious red light, him peeping at her through cameras, the you-know what with Michael etc). Now I know it\ufffds terrible to mention porn and Colin in the same sentence but IMO in Playmaker he was closer to that genre than in anything I\ufffdve seen so far. Not too close of course. But I\ufffdm sure we\ufffdd all see the film very differently if Colin wasn\ufffdt there. Because he is there I honestly can\ufffdt say that the film is complete rubbish like he said himself! Oh no, this precious film is a very valuable piece of Colinology! ;-)"}, {"response": 1622, "author": "patas", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (19:31)", "body": "(EmmaE)for a while I thought he was left handed He plays a left-handed person in SLOW. (Elena)pornographic imagery (which the film is repeatedly hinting to anyway Agree with you, Elena."}, {"response": 1623, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Mar  1, 2000 (20:17)", "body": "He plays a left-handed person in SLOW. And in Plmkr...?"}, {"response": 1624, "author": "patas", "date": "Thu, Mar  2, 2000 (19:08)", "body": "(Arami)And in Plmkr...? Will have to check ;-)"}, {"response": 1625, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Mar  2, 2000 (22:10)", "body": "Will have to check ;-) Oh, the things we suffer for that man... ;-)"}, {"response": 1626, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Fri, Mar 10, 2000 (19:38)", "body": "Will have to check ;-) Will soon be able to check, have just managed to secure a copy through eBay sohopefully in a couple of weeks I'll know what you're all talking about!"}, {"response": 1627, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Mar 10, 2000 (22:49)", "body": "Tracy, what a treat... brace yourself... ;-)"}, {"response": 1628, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Mar 11, 2000 (09:01)", "body": "I'm bracing, I'm bracing!!"}, {"response": 1629, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Mar 11, 2000 (19:56)", "body": "\"Playmaker\" is beyond belief and beneath contempt, well at least Jennifer Rubin's \"acting\" is. On the plus side you do get to see CF naked. As a friend of mine said, \"You can see pubic hair.\". How good is the pause on your machine?"}, {"response": 1630, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Mar 11, 2000 (21:39)", "body": "(Cheryl) How good is the pause on your machine? LOL - Mmmmm..that does it I'll just have to go and test it out on HOTP....again!"}, {"response": 1631, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Mar 11, 2000 (21:48)", "body": "How is your copy of HOTP holding up? Any need to replace it due to wear and tear?"}, {"response": 1632, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Mar 11, 2000 (21:53)", "body": "Well it is still watchable but the Maria/Courtois scene has seen better days, I've got a widescreen TV which goes bonkers when it is playing , flicking between normal & letterbox view ..it makes it very diffcult to concentrate on...erm...matters in hand as it were!"}, {"response": 1633, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Mar 11, 2000 (22:01)", "body": "In hand...and other places?"}, {"response": 1634, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Mar 11, 2000 (22:10)", "body": "I can't think what you mean :-D Not many about this evening are there? It's not often I get to have a real-time chat. What's in your VCR at the moment?"}, {"response": 1635, "author": "CherylB", "date": "Sat, Mar 11, 2000 (22:20)", "body": "I'm trying to catch up on the Oscar nominees, so I've just seen \"Election\". I'll be going out a little latter. Since is the CF film discussion topic, the film of his I've been watching most lately is \"Donovan Quick\". This was fun, but I've got to go get ready to go out."}, {"response": 1636, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Mar 11, 2000 (22:49)", "body": "Hope you enjoy your evening (?) (sorry I don't know where you are)...I'll just go and sulk now as I haven't seen DQ and don't think I will in the short term. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I'm currently watching Dutch Girls which I have recently acquired. I'm sorry to say this ladies but I was a little disappointed. Granted there were nice short shots and some winning smiles but I dunno...it just didn't seem to go anywhere for me, perhaps that was the point! I hadn't realised that so many 'faces' from other CF works were in this, TS, AL, the blond chap who played Delahay in AC whose name escapes. It was good to see all that bad 80's fashion again and hear those funky disco tunes...Ah happy days!"}, {"response": 1637, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Mar 12, 2000 (16:31)", "body": "Tracy, you're doing so well adding to your Colin collection. I'm surprised you were disappointed by Dutch Girls. You must have had higher hopes for this than I did. When I first heard the title I was afraid it was going to be a Porky's Goes to Amsterdam type of film so I was actually relieved it wasn't that bad. I think it's kind of a charming flick for that kind of teen movie. Hey, it's no Camille and Evelyn knows that's my nadir for Colin's film career. Don't you just want to give little Neil a kiss and a cuddle? Poor innocent lamb. It was fun picking out the young actors. Do you mean James Wilby (Philip Dundine)? I know you've seen him in a bunch of things though he wasn't in Another Country. Robert Addie played Delahay, I think. I know, I know, it's a little sick to admit knowing these little details. ;-)"}, {"response": 1638, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Mar 12, 2000 (23:47)", "body": "Thannks Heide - Robert Addie that's the bunny I knew somebody would pick me up there. When I first heard the title I was afraid it was going to be a Porky's Goes to Amsterdam type of film LOL! The cover to the vid is a little worrying and definately gives the above impression. Is that lad in the scarf on the cover supposed to be ODB?? *splutter, choke* Don't we always have high hopes for Colin's outpourings (!)- I can't remember where it was but I read someone on the web raving about DG or perhaps it was just Col's appearance as Neil which granted is cuddlable and indeed kissable though he should have dropped the scarf! I have only watched it the once so perhaps a few more viewings will make it \"improve on closer inspection\". Yes the collection's coming along in leaps and bounds...Wings of Fame is on the way to me too so I'll be able to regale you all with my pearls of widsom on that too, I'm only missing a couple to films now (including Camille- though from what you say, Heide, should I bother?)! You know where to come for a Colin-a-thon if ever you're in the neighbourhood (I'm sure Firthettes of your calibre will have all DBs works but the offer's there nontheless)!"}, {"response": 1639, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 29, 2000 (17:02)", "body": "The answer is here: ;-D http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/98.657"}, {"response": 1640, "author": "Allison2", "date": "Wed, Mar 29, 2000 (17:12)", "body": "Thank you Karen!! How could you have forgotten, Bethan? ;-))"}, {"response": 1641, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Mar 29, 2000 (18:03)", "body": "I never would have remembered that in a million years. But after reading the article I bet Neil was reading \"The Joy of Sex\" by Anthony Powell;-) Not so very serious stuff after all;-D"}, {"response": 1642, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Mar 29, 2000 (20:25)", "body": "when you edit something, you tend to remember every, little thing as you've gone over it 40 million times. ;-)"}, {"response": 1643, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Mar 31, 2000 (01:26)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1644, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Apr  4, 2000 (16:33)", "body": "I had that same thought, Heide;)"}, {"response": 1645, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Apr  8, 2000 (22:06)", "body": "In the interests of preserving our sanity, anyone interested in discussing a film? Think the next one up is [ta-duh!!!] Apartment Zero"}, {"response": 1646, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Apr  8, 2000 (23:31)", "body": "Just when I am over-worked, exhausted and expecting lots of Italians in the next week and two and three and... you are starting on Apt.O!"}, {"response": 1647, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (00:25)", "body": "Let's wait until the Italians have gone...cause that's Moon's film and we've put her off now for almost a year. Perhaps we should do one that no one likes ('cept me)...like \"Camille\" so everyone can have a hearty laugh."}, {"response": 1648, "author": "heide", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (20:04)", "body": "Perhaps we should do one that no one likes ('cept me)...like \"Camille\" so everyone can have a hearty laugh. You know us so well, Evelyn. Hack, hack...cough, cough. Quoting that harridan, Prudence, \"Why can't he find himself a proper mistress?\" We could always find value in discussing the funny hats Armand wears. My personal favorite is that fez-like thing he wears in Moscow."}, {"response": 1649, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sun, Apr  9, 2000 (21:09)", "body": "I like young Colin in Camille. One can see how some of his acting style has evolved. And those hats! He does smile alot too. I would be most obliged if Apt. O could be postponed. :-)"}, {"response": 1650, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Apr 10, 2000 (16:58)", "body": "Ooh, goody, Camille! The firthfilm I love to hate! The one in which Greta sheds new light on acting: how to laugh, cry or cough using the exact same expression! Let's discuss the death scene first ;-P"}, {"response": 1651, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Apr 10, 2000 (19:17)", "body": "(Moon) Just when I am over-worked, exhausted and expecting lots of Italians in the next week and two and three and... you are starting on Apt.O! So if we put it off for you, you will promise to contribute more than \"horrible film, cannot watch, can we move on.\" Right? ;-)"}, {"response": 1652, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Apr 10, 2000 (21:09)", "body": "Karen!!! I happen to like more than dislike Camille, FYI! ;-)"}, {"response": 1653, "author": "heide", "date": "Mon, Apr 10, 2000 (23:57)", "body": "I happen to like more than dislike Camille, FYI! ;-) A ringing endorsement if I ever heard one. Are we ready to start this week or should we wait 'til April 17?"}, {"response": 1654, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (22:47)", "body": "Little discussionlets have sprung up on numerous topics recently. Appears that people want to talk about one Colin work or another. Since we have so many new people here, who are bursting at the seams to talk about such classics as Fever Pitch, HOTPig, among others, why don't we just choose one and let'r rip? ;-)"}, {"response": 1655, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Jul 28, 2000 (23:03)", "body": "Great idea Karen to re-open a topic,there can never be enough CF discussions for me.I have no preferences as to what film we discuss,The two you mentioned are two of my favourites and are so very different from each other but then I think of FF and Vso I find it impossible to pick so I think you should choose one and I'll go with the flow"}, {"response": 1656, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (17:43)", "body": "Well...somebody has to get the ball rolling ;-) FP is such a fun movie to watch. I'd hazard a guess that I watched it several times a week when I first got the tape, then once a week for quite some time after that. And the cassette is in my car's tape player, like, all the time!! (wonder if other drivers get scared when they see my hands hitting the steering wheel to the beat of FYC) Colin's Paul is such an interesting character. So disheveled, so huggable. Don't you wonder what he and Sarah did most of the time (besides the obvious, that is directed at you, Judy!!) as they had absolutely nothing in common, especially music (a Bread woman)."}, {"response": 1657, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (18:06)", "body": "Yippee thank you Karen!I'm now sat here screenplay & cd at my side.Where to begin I have to agree with you about him being disheveled & huggable but you forgot shaggable(have a reputation to live upto). Surely that is the only thing you would get upto with him.I would have been his perfect mate I love football,don't like Bread and loved his boxers. One of my favourite scenes was at the interview,he looked gorgeous in his jacket & tie & I really felt for him in his discomfort (or did I mean to say I felt him to help his discomfort) Another fave was him asleep on the park bench I would have done a BJ and stared at him while he was asleep.Oh and didn't he look so big stretched out I'm looking at that pic in the screenplay at the moment,those curls,that mouth oh help!"}, {"response": 1658, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (18:09)", "body": "Can we not have a cold shower topic to cool down rampant droolers?"}, {"response": 1659, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (19:55)", "body": "(Judy)I would have been his perfect mate I love football,don't like Bread and loved his boxers. And pizza? Bet you'd like that coffee too..and what came after;-) Thanks Boss..I'll start watching now...let the fun begin;-))"}, {"response": 1660, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (21:27)", "body": "(Evelyn)..and what came after:-)mmm yes please but I wouldn't let a small matter of a carpet delay the deed...I'm into carpet laying BTW re-enjoy the film!"}, {"response": 1661, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (22:29)", "body": "(Judy) but you forgot shaggable Ahhh nevah forget shaggable. Is understood at all times as a given. Only one, maybe two (am mulling over Charlie Holroyd's shaggability now), movies in which I haven't found Colin's character to be \"shaggable.\" I would have been his perfect mate I love football, don't like Bread and loved his boxers. But did he want to share any of that with Sarah? It's far easier to claim, \"you don't understand any of us.\""}, {"response": 1662, "author": "judy", "date": "Wed, Aug  2, 2000 (22:54)", "body": "(Karen) Only one,maybe two(am mulling over Charlie Holroyd's shaggability now),movies in which I haven't found Colin's Character to be \"shaggable.\" Ah its not fair some people get the best jobs have you not heard of delegating? 'But did he want to share any of that with Sarah?' Did Sarah wanted to share any of it with him,she scoffed at what was important to him."}, {"response": 1663, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (18:27)", "body": "(Karen) Colin's Paul is such an interesting character. So disheveled, so huggable ...so stuck at age 16. One of the reasons I consider FP among CF's best is that he absolutely convinces me he's an adolescent inside a man's body. One of my favorite scenes is where Ted approaches him about the head of year job. 'It's more work, why would I want to do that?'. I love it when he's jumping around with the team after the goal is scored--just one of the boys. Don't you wonder what he and Sarah did most of the time as they had absolutely nothing in common, especially music When I first saw the video, I thought their relationship was entirely unrealistic. Everything about their getting together was wrong. Over time I've just accepted it as 'opposites attract.' At first, they probably don't have much of a relationship outside the bedroom. Sarah says in the 'fixture list' scene, \"we've been seeing eachother...well, we've been sleeping together for 6 months.\" Another of my favorite things about FP is how Paul's love of Arsenal infects everyone around him. We see young Paul's mother and sister becoming more involved along with him, discussing the team over dinner. We see his mother dressing her cat in Arsenal colors. We see Sarah and then Jo become affected. Part of it has to do with caring for Paul--since Arsenal's important to him, it becomes important to them; it also has to do with getting caught up in the spirit of football. It comes together so well during the cup final, when they're all watching and rooting. Lastly, as a rabid [American] football fan (of a team which has been called 'doomed to mediocrity') I completely relate to Paul as a fan. When your team wins and you're there, you really do feel as though you made a difference (especially when crowd noise forces a penalty). Paul's desire leave before halftime during the big match is completely understandable to me, as is his 'love them and hate them all at the same time' line."}, {"response": 1664, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (19:02)", "body": "(Eileen) I've just accepted it as 'opposites attract' have to agree there,I struggled to see what it was about Sarah that Paul found appealing.I thought that RG was a weak link in the film and it was CF's strong presence that carried her.read in an interview with RG a couple of months ago that she had struggled to find work since FP.I'm not surprised."}, {"response": 1665, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug  3, 2000 (20:17)", "body": "Well, I'm watching and reading the script as I go along...and finally understand some of their mumbling.It really is a sweet movie...but only because of ODB. Paul, IMO , is a loser, but a lovable one, because Colin makes him so .And you forgive him for all his juvenile antics and think them endearing.... It's a credit to his versatility and covering himself with the mantle of every role he takes. But you do have a point, Eileen, that Pauls' love of the game is infectious. And of course in the end he admits that there is more of a balance in his life...but I'm not there yet. Little Paul sure mimics Colin's walk and he has dimples!! My screenplay intro says :\"A number of brilliant actresses [who?] read for the part, but none seemed to understand how it was possible to love Paul.....RG understood immediately and intuitively that Paul wasn't so bad...In audition she struck up the right note of indulgent impatience,while showing ..sarah buttoned-up neuroticism\".I didn't think she was so bad...'cept for her voice. Wasn't an easy role. Question:Do all state school kids in UK wear uniforms?I assume this school is a state school. Droolable movie ...and he had such a good time making it."}, {"response": 1666, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (13:21)", "body": "Thanks for suggestion to join discussion Karen! Just saw Fever Pitch again not that long ago. I agree with Evelyn that Paul is so appealing because of CF's great talent. And it's great fun to watch CF in this role, so obviously enjoying himself. I wasn't as put off by their opposite personalities as some. Sarah needed some loosening up, and Paul needed to learn to be in an adult relationship. Can see how they'd be drawn to each other. I thought she was pretty patient with him until she feared he was going to impose on her freedom. But I'm glad she got more swept up in spirit of things than she intended. Don't you just love the ending? I'm thinking particularly of the adorable way Paul yells out the window, then realizes it's Sarah and makes the choice to run after her. *Sigh* Still, I'm very glad he didn't miss the big win. It's so funny and cute, the way he dives for the T.V. I would have been devastated for him if he had missed it."}, {"response": 1667, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (14:45)", "body": "(Evelyn, quoting screenplay) none seemed to understand how it was possible to love Paul.....RG understood immediately and intuitively that Paul wasn't so bad... Thanks for this info, Ev. I can see Sarah being attracted to Paul, but I had a harder time accepting Paul being attracted to Sarah. For example, during the parent conference, he's got a long line of people waiting to see him while she has nobody. He's clearly more popular than she is and she's attracted to that (not to mention his looks, even with that hair and stubble). So what if he was obsessed with Arsenal, had no ambition and always left the toilet seat up? ;-) On the other hand, I would think that the quasi-adolescent Paul would reject the staid, file folder counting, buttoned-up Sarah--but he didn't exactly hunt down other women; she was there, available and interested. If she hadn't made that first, unexpected overture one can assume he never would have. You can see they go on to have a relationship based on a lot of teasing. For example, Sarah's comment about his having a (I think) Bollock Brothers album (yoo hoo, screenplay possessors, is this what she says?); she hides his Arsenal boxer shorts and he finds them (v. nice little bit); at the end she says he's still a 'horrible human being', etc. My favorite lines: P: 'What are these for, then?' S: 'Nothing, just to look nice.' P: 'Are they yours?' What ludicrous questions, Paul! Hel-LO! S: 'What are you thinking about?' P: 'Oh....stuff.' and 'I've got the vary the answers...I mean, I can't say Arsenal every time, can I?' P, quoting Byron: '...black and old gold...crap.' Don't know why, but they crack me up every time."}, {"response": 1668, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (15:33)", "body": "(Eileen) Bollock Brothers Yes, that is correct. Do you think Holly Aird would have made a better Sarah? I read both she and Mark Strong had tested for the leads. The scene that always cracks me up is when Paul is talking to the headmaster, Ted: P: I thought you'd be pleased. T: About which part? The clandestine affair? The accidental pregnancy? P: Not those parts maybe. But me applying for the job. That's good news, isn't it? T: Are you a complete fool, Paul? I'll talk to you later."}, {"response": 1669, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (17:43)", "body": "(Eileen) she was there,available & interested.If she hadn't made that first,unexpected overture one can assume he never would have-great explanation Eileen, I've always had trouble with Pauls attraction to Sarahbut that helps to explain it a bit better for me"}, {"response": 1670, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (17:46)", "body": "In answer to the question about school uniforms,yes most English secondary schools have a uniform although compared to what I had to wear that's a very loose term."}, {"response": 1671, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (17:48)", "body": "(Eileen) she was there,available & interested.If she hadn't made that first,unexpected overture one can assume he never would have-great explanation Eileen, I've always had trouble with Pauls attraction to Sarahbut that helps to explain it a bit better for me"}, {"response": 1672, "author": "judy", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (17:53)", "body": "Oops I sat on tha keyboard!"}, {"response": 1673, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (20:54)", "body": "(Eileen)S: 'What are you thinking about?' P: 'Oh....stuff.' and 'I've got the vary the answers...I mean, I can't say Arsenal every time, can I?' The Christmas shopping scene...my second favorite...after the restaurant scene. Paul is trying to be a lit buff to impress Sarah...\"thinking about DH Lawrence\". But he can't pull off the act.He's such a sincere, uncomplicated bloke. s. ..But why did you lie. P. I've got to vary the answers , haven't I? I can's say Arsenal every time. The restaurant scene is a winner, not just because the napkin/fire part..which is funny. But when he tells her about all his plans ...mortgage, bigger house, applying for job... s. Oh Paul, I don't want to extinguish your napkins with one haand and change nappies with the other P. That was just a one-off. I've never done that before. I promise it won't be a regular feature of life.. S. Paul, I haven't made up my mind what I'm going to do about this yet. Do you understand? P. Yes. well..not really, no. [Watch his eyes...there's a hurt there.]Big contrast to COF when Simon Westwood tells Nan she has to have an abortion.How does he get his eyes to talk like that.. [Karen, Heide...aren't you proud of me?...I'm really getting into this FP mode;-)]"}, {"response": 1674, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (21:56)", "body": "How does he get his eyes to talk like that.. Method acting? He lives the part, becomes the character, pours the emotions from his own heart. For that particular moment he is Paul and he means it."}, {"response": 1675, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (22:24)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1676, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (22:27)", "body": "(Judy) at the interview, he looked gorgeous in his jacket & tie & I really felt for him in his discomfort Yes, that is probably one of the only scenes where he truly looks like he's trying to be serious and adult but Stephen Rea won't let him be. You've pointed out something very interesting though. After Ted notifies him that he didn't get the job and Sarah comes over to console him, he does the 18 years rant about how he couldn't possibly care about that \"poxy job.\" Do you believe him? During the interview, it did look like he was trying to give it his best shot. (Judy) asleep on the park bench...those curls, that mouth oh help! Oh help is right! That flat-footed running! ;-) (although markedly better than MOTM and SIL) (Judy) Did Sarah wanted to share any of it with him, she scoffed at what was important to him. Did he appear to care about anything that was important to her? But that would've been another movie. Their entire relationship can be summed up by the exchange in the corridor when she complains about the football chants. Paul: You'll get used to it. Sarah: I don't want to get used to it. (Eileen) At first, they probably don't have much of a relationship outside the bedroom. Sarah says in the 'fixture list' scene, \"we've been seeing each other...well, we've been sleeping together for 6 months.\" I agree, very telling comment. However, Paul is aware that she has a sister and Paul's mother does know about her, so they are a couple in some sense. (Eileen) how Paul's love of Arsenal infects everyone around him. It's called colonization and will leave it at that or else will turn into Shazzer and go into huge rant. Where's my Chardonnay? ;-) (screenplay) \"but none seemed to understand how it was possible to love Paul...RG understood immediately and intuitively that Paul wasn't so bad...In audition she struck up the right note of indulgent impatience, while showing..Sarah buttoned-up neuroticism\". Loving Paul shouldn't be difficult to understand, but staying with him is the hard part because of the realization that she'd have two kids on her hands and have to handle it all by herself. She's such a realist and wouldn't for a moment think that she could change him. She knew she'd have to take him \"as is.\" Sarah's reason for staying with Paul is so eloquently put forward by Hornby in the pub scene with Jo. Jo: If everything's as bad as you let on, how come you haven't been applying for jobs in Pitlochry? Sarah: I don't know, really, I suppose... I know Paul's gone completely mad, but it sort of rubs off on you somehow. Paul sort of rubs off on you. Quite a reason. Hornby is terrible in understanding women's feelings. It's just as bad in High Fidelity. Most people scratch their heads trying to figure out why Laura went back to Rob. Hornby seems to favor \"the path of least resistance\" philosophy to life. (Sadie) Sarah needed some loosening up, and Paul needed to learn to be in an adult relationship. She sure did and perhaps he could be taught the rudiments of adult behavior, but am only hoping that he makes it to age 21 or so. ;-) (Eileen) but he didn't exactly hunt down other women; she was there, available and interested. If she hadn't made that first, unexpected overture one can assume he never would have. Absolutely. He definitely noticed her and mentioned her to Steve at the night game, but he completely wrote her off because he assumed she wouldn't be interested in him. \"Oh, she's just one of those women. You know, if you like football, you must be a yob.\" Which leads into one of my favorite lines by Paul: \"a) she hates, b) I hate her and c) what's the point of all that anyway? It's a fucking waste of fucking time.\" The path-of-least-resistance philosophy of life strikes again. (Eileen) What ludicrous questions, Paul! Hel-LO! Actually, they aren't. But for their meaning you'd have to have read FP, the nonfiction book. P, quoting Byron: '...black and old gold...crap.' (Eileen) Don't know why, but they crack me up every time. As well they should. Poor Sarah was expecting Paul to quote one of Byron's great romantic sonnets but instead he quotes from The Destruction of Sennacherib, which is about a battle but sounds remarkably like a football match. (Donna's fav scene) T: Are you a complete fool, Paul? I'll talk to you later. I love that one too, Donna. Then two seconds later, we see Sarah walking across the playing field and the first words out of her mouth are, \"are you a complete fool?\" (Evelyn) Paul is trying to be a lit buff to impress Sarah I don't think so. Paul tells her exactly why he lied. He is like a child. He blurted out the truth. He tried to cover up what he was really thinking about. S: Paul, I haven't made up my mind what I'm going to do about this yet. Do you understand? P: Yes. well...not really, no. (Evelyn) [Watch his eyes...there's a hurt there.] Big contrast to COF when Simon Westwood tells Nan she has to have an abortion. My reading of his eyes is that he truly doesn't have a clue "}, {"response": 1677, "author": "Arami", "date": "Fri, Aug  4, 2000 (22:56)", "body": "My reading of his eyes is that he truly doesn't have a clue as to what she means. Right - and that's why he is hurt. He doesn't like not being able to follow her meaning instantly. She is practical and smarter (in more ways than one) and he is intellectually lazy (stuck with his immaturity). Yet another example of how they don't \"click\" together. They don't seem to be well matched, yet there's something which attracts one to the other nevertheless. Maybe it's that reluctance to look for a more suitable partner (or any other partner, for that matter) which someone mentioned above a little while ago. Neither can be bothered, so they try to make the best of what's readily available. It's anybody's guess if they succeed in the end, but our hopes and wishes are for the best. That flat-footed running! ;-) (although markedly better than MOTM and SIL) Yes, what is it with this man's certain movements? He is sometimes so awkward and ungainly... His feet didn't seem flat on stage in the Donmar, so it's not a physical impediment. Mind you, I think this gawkiness is very endearing."}, {"response": 1678, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (04:20)", "body": "(Arami) Yes, what is it with this man's certain movements? He is sometimes so awkward and ungainly... But he's a top-notch stair taker (MLSF, DQ hopping on the bus, etc). I rewind often. Second to none. ;-)"}, {"response": 1679, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (08:01)", "body": "Karen I don't think he was bothered about the job,he never considered it as a career move,(as explained byhis reasons- enough money for season ticket etc)witha baby on the way money became more important & being promoted was his way to show Sarah he was trying to grow up.I think it was his conception of an adult thing to do & never his wish. 'but that would have been another movie' agree sarah's character was never given any detail & my problems with her stem from this.P & S knowing about each others mum & sister was,to me,NH's weak attempt to introduce a bit more depth into their relationship. Karen (MLSF,DQ hopping on th bus etc) I rewind often. now you're rubbing it in ;-)"}, {"response": 1680, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (12:34)", "body": "he's a top-notch stair taker Oh, yes, of course... Also it seems that his feet turn slightly inwards when he's in a hurry."}, {"response": 1681, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (12:51)", "body": "(Sadie) I thought she was pretty patient with him until she feared he was going to impose on her freedom. That's an interesting thought. At what point are you suggesting he's imposing on her freedom? I'm assuming it's during his suggestion they get married but am wondering if it might even be before. Of course now Sadie's gone disconnected so she can't answer my question. :-( (Eileen) I would think that the quasi-adolescent Paul would reject the staid, file folder counting, buttoned-up Sarah--but he didn't exactly hunt down other women; she was there, available and interested. If she hadn't made that first, unexpected overture one can assume he never would have. Bingo! Not that he seems to be in the position to reject too many women. They're not exactly knocking down his door. A relationship with a woman is not a high priority for Paul but easily available sex is manna from heaven. And our dear Paul mistakes this sexual relationship with a mature love relationship. Oh, why do I love this dear boy so? Probably because I tell myself he really is maturing as the film progresses. And probably because he's just so damn cute."}, {"response": 1682, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (13:21)", "body": "I like Ruth Gemmell in the part. Think she's just saucy enough besides being pert and cute. Love how small she is and how easily she gets swallowed up in those big hugs. Grrr.... (Karen) You've pointed out something very interesting though. After Ted notifies him that he didn't get the job and Sarah comes over to console him, he does the 18 years rant about how he couldn't possibly care about that \"poxy job.\" Do you believe him? During the interview, it did look like he was trying to give it his best shot. Hmmm...I'm unsure. Agree he seemed to give it his best shot (and probably wore his best [only] suit-yikes). But then never in the following scenes does it seem that he's at all disturbed. My guess is it would have to bother him at some level but he's so good at rationalizing away real life failure. By the way, I hate watching this scene - can't stand that Stephen Rea's character is allowed to get so out of hand. I fast forward through this. (Karen) Which leads into one of my favorite lines by Paul: \"a) she hates, b) I hate her and c) what's the point of all that anyway? It's a fucking waste of fucking time.\" The path-of-least-resistance philosophy of life strikes again. The man doth protest too much. (Karen)Karen (MLSF,DQ hopping on th bus etc) I rewind often. (Judy(now you're rubbing it in ;-) But there are so many others to choose from which you have seen, dear. You surely love the several stair scenes in Fever Pitch. Thinking right now of the one when Sarah comes to console over the loss of his promotion. He answers the door in all his black t-shirt, blue jeaned, stubbled glory (biting my finger here to keep from sighing). Glumly trudges up the stairs. Which brings up a favorite sticking point of mine. Why doesn't Sarah have a key to his flat? At this point they've been \"sleeping together\" for more than 6 months. They obviously have sex a lot (I mean, wouldn't you?) and most likely always at his place. I'd want a key to come and go as I please at this point. I don't think it would occur to him to refuse if she asked for one."}, {"response": 1683, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (13:55)", "body": "Heidi you've given me a few things to think about. \"love how small she is and how easily she gets swallowed up in those big hugs.\" Yes I love those big hugs too but its Colin's hugging technique that gets to me,I don't think of the person he's hugging I just think of myself in that position. \"his best(only)suit-yikes\" I love him in that suit it's very Paulish-out of fashion-just had a terrible thought I bet it's Colins really -erm well whatever he still looks cute in it. \"several stair scenes in FP\" ah well that will have to keep me going for a while,I know he's got long legs but you'd think at his age he'd be used to them. Its becoming a trademark of his that stride,those stumbles,there's no disguising them no matter how much he changes from film to film."}, {"response": 1684, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (17:17)", "body": ")(Evelyn) Paul is trying to be a lit buff to impress Sarah (Karen)I don't think so. Paul tells her exactly why he lied. He is like a child. He blurted out the truth Of course you have the benfit of having read the book;I haven't .(And don't plan to...I'm not a NH fan, only Colin).But I don't think he maliciously mean't to deceive her....just bringing up a topic he thought she might enjoy (DHLawrence) rather than Arsenal again.)But he couldn't carry it off...so he told her the truth. It was S. who accused him of lying. (Karen)My reading of his eyes is that he truly doesn't have a clue as to what she means. (Arami)Right - and that's why he is hurt. He doesn't like not being able to follow her meaning instantly. Again...I haven't read the book. But I looked at his eyes again and IMO he wants to \"do the right thing\"...and Sarah's ambilvalence about \"what to do\"about the pregnancy disturbs him. Paul can follow what people say. Paul is simple,... but not a simpleton. He's no Forrest Gump...sitting on a bench eating a stupid box of chocolates;-)"}, {"response": 1685, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (18:49)", "body": "Great discussions\ufffddon't mind if I jump in. (Donna)P: I thought you'd be pleased. T: About which part? The clandestine affair? The accidental pregnancy? P: Not those parts maybe. But me applying for the job. That's good news, isn't it? T: Are you a complete fool, Paul? I'll talk to you later. This is one of my fav funny moments too, show how that Paul is completely clueless. (Evelyn) Paul is trying to be a lit buff to impress Sarah (Karen)I don't think so. Paul tells her exactly why he lied. He is like a child. He blurted out the truth (Evelyn) I don't think he maliciously mean't to deceive her....just bringing up a topic he thought she might enjoy (DHLawrence) rather than Arsenal again.)But he couldn't carry it off...so he told her the truth. It was S. who accused him of lying. Shows that Paul is trying to live up to Sarah's expectation of him. That he is not just a YOB. (Heide) Which brings up a favorite sticking point of mine. Why doesn't Sarah have a key to his flat? At this point they've been \"sleeping together\" for more than 6 months. At first I thought it was just one of those movie devices, if S had a key, we would have the \"Would you please, please\ufffd\" scene out the window, nor the last minute near miss of the final goal\ufffdnor the lonely and rejected Sarah. Which leads to the very last scene, when Sarah said, \"I've never seen him so happy\" maybe it help her understand Paul a little better. The more I watch the film, the more I like RG. In the restaurant scene, the expression on her face was priceless when Paul started comparing her to the football coach. One of my male friends called FP a feel good film, he has no idea how good \ufffd"}, {"response": 1686, "author": "patas", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (19:06)", "body": "(Heide) Which brings up a favorite sticking point of mine. Why doesn't Sarah have a key to his flat? At this point they've been \"sleeping together\" for more than 6 months. So what? To \"sleep with\" someone doesn't mean giving away your privacy to them..."}, {"response": 1687, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (19:41)", "body": "Paul is simple,... but not a simpleton. Well summed up."}, {"response": 1688, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (20:01)", "body": "(Gi)So what?To\"sleep with\" someone doesn't mean giving away you privacy to them... but if you thought he/she was the one then surely a key to your flat wouldn't be an issue.Another sign that Paul wasn't interested in a serious relationship with Sarah. The issue of the key had never crossed my mind until this discussion & I'm not sure it crossed NH's either. Evelyn I've never read the book either but bought the screenplay as soon as it was available but only because of Colin.Wasn't part of the hooh-ha at the time that it wasn't enough like the book,if thats the case has it any relevance to the discussion? Karen I take it that you've read it would you recommend it to help understand the film more? If so I'll head to the library Monday;-)"}, {"response": 1689, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (20:28)", "body": "Hi all, I have read the book (some time ago and admittedly after I had seen the film) but I don't think it helped understand anything much except the various scores of Arsenal's matches through out the 70's and 80's! The film appeared to be vee-rry loosely based on the book in that it's about a football obsessed bloke from Maidenhead...and that's about it( or maybe I skipped a few pages and missed the plot!)"}, {"response": 1690, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (21:30)", "body": "(me) At this point they've been \"sleeping together\" for more than 6 months. (Gi)So what? To \"sleep with\" someone doesn't mean giving away your privacy to them... But giving her a key would keep him from having to trudge up and down those stairs all the time. On the other hand, we wouldn't have the pleasure of seeing him trudge up and down the stairs. I understand your point now about the plot device, Emma. ;-)"}, {"response": 1691, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (21:46)", "body": "(Judy)Another sign that Paul wasn't interested in a serious relationship with Sarah. IMO he is v. serious.In the restaurant aft she tells him \"I haven't made up my mind what I'm going to do about this yet..... S. I can't see this working out. P. This is my last chance. S. Don't be silly. what does that mean? P I don't know. That's just what it feels like. Paul like others of his gender has a problem articulating his feelings... flowers 'n chocolates...that'll do it! ~~~~~~~ Emma, dear, I am always proud of you.And you are welcomed to jump in anytime... Soooo glad you are getting to see your fave on the big screen. Do they know you at the box office? ;-) I would give anything to see P&P on a big screen with stereo sound..... Pure bliss ;-))"}, {"response": 1692, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (22:14)", "body": "Evelyn that snippit of conversation is not proof,to methat Paul is serious,Sarah makes all the moves in their relationship.Marriage etc only occured to P whenhe found out about the baby,if it wasn't for the baby I think their differences would have drove them apart eventually."}, {"response": 1693, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (22:59)", "body": "(Evelyn) [re: lit buff] Of course you have the benfit of having read the book; I haven't (Evelyn) [re: eyes] Again...I haven't read the book. Let me make this perfectly clear, the nonfiction book does NOT contain anything of the storyline (except the Arsenal season) from the movie. However, the voiceovers have been lifted from that book. What benefit it does provide is little bits and pieces that Hornby threw in from his life that actually do enhance your understanding of the character and his life. None of these are crucial to your enjoyment of the movie. One example is the ritual of the sugar mice that Steve refers to while they're playing pool at the pub, which is glossed over. Another example is when he first visits the apartment and is checking out the knick knacks. Hornby devotes several paragraphs to what you can tell about girls by the furnishings in their rooms. I was so intrigued by her tastes and whims and facies, and her belongings induced in me a fascination for girls' rooms that continued for as long as girls had rooms. (Now I am in my thirties they don't have rooms any more - they have flats or houses, and they are foten shared with a man anyway. It is a sad loss.) Girls' rooms provided countless clues as to their character and background and tastes; boys, by contrast, were as interchangeable and unformed as foetuses, and their rooms, apart from the odd Athena poster here and there...were as blank as the womb....We had passions instead of personalities, predictable and uninteresting passions at that, passions which could not reflect and illuminate us in the way that my girlfriend's did... So that's why Paul is so interesting in knowing whose stuff it was. He was sizing her up. He's not that simple. Glad to see the discussion has taken off... Must read now in depth, but wanted to correct any misunderstandings about the other book. I loved the book and do recommend it."}, {"response": 1694, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (23:03)", "body": "Oh yes, and I don't think there was anything \"malicious\" in trying to cover up his preoccupation with Arsenal. I merely think he was embarrassed and desperately grasped at something/anything so he wouldn't look like a moron in her eyes. ;-)"}, {"response": 1695, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug  5, 2000 (23:23)", "body": "And about those keys... They are in the nonexistent purse with her wallet needed to pay the cabdriver. Actually, I can imagine a scene where Sarah asks for a key (all perfectly efficient in her mind). He agrees, but cannot be relied upon to have a duplicate made. She keeps asking and he keeps forgeting to get it done. Finally, she says, \"I can do it for you (just like the fixture list scene in bed).\" And Paul says, \"You don't understand us. You never will.\" ;-)"}, {"response": 1696, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug  6, 2000 (00:32)", "body": "And about those keys. Has she actually moved out of Jo's flat?Is she living with Paul full time or just staying overnight now and then...for the \"last six months.\" ~~~~~~~~~~~ (judy) that snippit of conversation is not proof,to methat Paul is serious,Sarah makes all the moves in their relationship Of course everyone is entitled to her opinion... But aren't most guys \"commitment -phobic\"? I certainly don't recommend pregnancy as a ploy (doesn't always work!).But sometimes gals have to plant the seed of marriage as an option in a relationship...;-)Paul isn't a sleaze-ball, IMO he was thinking \"for the long haul\"...eventually.He's not methodical, or organized he lives \"in seasons\"..."}, {"response": 1697, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sun, Aug  6, 2000 (00:44)", "body": "It still bothers me that he sits in front of a blackboard covered with misspelt names of famous writers... I come from a part of Europe where teachers are expected to be paragons and it is sad to see that similar standards are not always adhered to in my adopted home country. In fact I do recall having read about teachers who can't spell (so the film is true to the reality)."}, {"response": 1698, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Aug  6, 2000 (08:11)", "body": "(Evelyn) Of course everyone is entitled to her opinion Yes and at least we agree on the fundamental thing- Colin so we have to differ on somethings,it keeps the conversation flowing;-) I'm not sure that Sarah's the type to let the seed be planted on purpose,after all she's worried about her job,(maternity leave etc) & the fact that she's not sure that she's going to keep the baby,the shock at his half-hearted proposal shows that even she's realizing that the relationship is eventually doomed. I can understand Paul more than Sarah(because I relate to his feelings for his team) I've never took toher character. For me its one of Colin's most enjoyable & easy-to-watch films & for those reasons I've just accepted the relationship as a happy ever after ending. Arami don't get me started on the subject of teachers in this country,they cannot spell,they have the strangest ways of teaching Maths .I've taught my son more than they have! (Tracy) Vee-rry loosely based (Karen) The non-fiction book does NOT contain anything of the storyline. Well I think that lets me off then!"}, {"response": 1699, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Sun, Aug  6, 2000 (16:30)", "body": "(Evelyn) I would give anything to see P&P on a big screen with stereo sound..... Pure bliss ;-)) Yes, P&P and Valmont on the big screen, that'll do me. I think the biggest difference between P & S is their people skill. Paul has an easy relationship with most people, the students and parents like him, not so with Sarah. The opening of the film \ufffdwith the students repeating Ms. Hughes\ufffdshe started off on the wrong foot. (karen) And about those keys... They are in the nonexistent purse with her wallet needed to pay the cabdriver. It always bothered me that she left the kids' present behind. Unless that polka dot dress has some very deep pockets. (judy) Arami don't get me started on the subject of teachers in this country,they cannot spell,they have the strangest ways of teaching Math At my daughter's school, when they teach students how to write, spelling is not stressed until later. First, learn to write, then the spelling will come."}, {"response": 1700, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Aug  6, 2000 (17:17)", "body": "(Arami)I come from a part of Europe where teachers are expected to be paragons Oh dear, I hope Paul is not supposed to exemplify a paragon....nice guy...but... (Tracy) Vee-rry loosely based (Karen) The non-fiction book does NOT contain anything of the storyline. But it must talk about Paul... Books always give one a better insight into a character...and discussions on this board have always been enhanced by the folks who have read the book. Question:Pl explain\"fixtures\" re: Arsenal (Judy)I can understand Paul more than Sarah(because I relate to his feelings for his team) LOL Paul relates everything to his feelings for the team...even marriage... P.Look, I know where this is going,and you're dead wrong. I am capable of commitment and the long haul and all that stuff, and if it doesn't happen with you, well, that's because of you, not me. Twenty-one years I've been going to arsenal. Twenty-one years! S.Paul I don't know if you've noticed , but Arsenal are a football team. P. And you think there's a difference? S. Yes, I do. P Well, that shows what you know about it ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (Judy) For me its one of Colin's most enjoyable & easy-to-watch films & for those reasons I've just accepted the relationship as a happy ever LOL I haven't watched this film in two years.And won't again til we discuss it. I have no feeling for any football team. I'm only viewing it because it's a Colin film that we are currently discussing... ."}, {"response": 1701, "author": "judy", "date": "Sun, Aug  6, 2000 (18:25)", "body": "Evelyn 'fixture' in this case relates to a football match arranged for a set date.In England we have fixture lists where every league match is set out for a full season. I think their discussion of commitment illustrates the growing gap between them.The two aren't meant to benow of course in my role of a long term football fan (from the age of 8)I'm more than willing to take her place ;-) (Evelyn) I have no feeling for any football team.I'm only viewing it because it's a Colin film we are currently discussing...agree I only watch because of Colin,in doing so I'm being disloyal to my team,but those feelings are the same for any team you support"}, {"response": 1702, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (01:21)", "body": "(Emma) First, learn to write, then the spelling will come. An duz it? (Evelyn) I hope Paul is not supposed to exemplify a paragon... No, he doesn't originate from MY part of Europe... England has a somewhat different, \"insular\" way with aspects of civilization. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I mean, when teachers are poor at spelling, surely that's appaling."}, {"response": 1703, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (01:40)", "body": "(Heide) And our dear Paul mistakes this sexual relationship with a mature love relationship. Coming from a broken home, he doesn't exactly have any good role models, and it sure didn't appear as though little Paul liked being with his dad's new family. Jungle Book, any one? ;-) (Emma) Which leads to the very last scene, when Sarah said, \"I've never seen him so happy\" maybe it help her understand Paul a little better. You're really onto something there, Emma. She probably now can understand him a lot better because she's experienced it herself. Sarah is embraced by the crowd and is swept up into the euphoria. She's not Miss Jean Brodie anymore, as Paul says a bit later. She's singing, dancing and hugging babies with everyone. Remember when Paul made that comment during his 18 year rant, that maybe a little bit of her had gone missing? I think now she understands that little \"bit\" much better. (Emma) In the restaurant scene, the expression on her face was priceless when Paul started comparing her to the football coach. Wasn't it?! I think RG was fine in the role and they made an adorable couple. (Arami) It still bothers me that he sits in front of a blackboard covered with misspelt names of famous writers. Was there more than one? And it was corrected in subsequent shots (note the erasure). (Judy) the shock at his half-hearted proposal shows that even she's realizing that the relationship is eventually doomed. \"Paul, you do talk some terrible nonsense.\" or \"I've been impregnated by a twelve-year-old.\" Those two pretty much sum up her feelings IMO."}, {"response": 1704, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (01:51)", "body": "Was there more than one? And it was corrected in subsequent shots (note the erasure). Even one was one too many, IMO, and the erasure embarrassing."}, {"response": 1705, "author": "Renata", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (06:06)", "body": "It was \"FaulkEner\" and \"HemMingway\", and as far as I recall [which doesn't mean much], you only see them on that one pic (link below). What I found interesting was that F. actually was corrected later in the film (and H. not visible, I think). How much would I like to know the \"behind the scenes\"! Also, how this little \"Oscar\" remark slipped in into the kitchen scene. I bet it wasn't in the original script, because, why would Paul care (or not care) about an Oscar. But somebody else might not care ;-). http://members.aol.com/valmont123/paulbb.htm"}, {"response": 1706, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (14:08)", "body": "(Emma) First, learn to write, then the spelling will come. (Arami) An duz it? She's ah bettor spellor than me. (Evelyn) I have no feeling for any football team. I'm only viewing it because it's a Colin film that we are currently discussing... Yes, CF is the only reason here...but it has given me a better perspective, in a way, being a football fan is a lot like my CF obsession. Instead of games, it is movies and videos and the internet, and there's a community out there, and we (most of the time) hope and wish for the same things. (Renata) It was \"FaulkEner\" and \"HemMingway\", and as far as I recall So they only had trouble with the American writers."}, {"response": 1707, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (16:25)", "body": "(Eileen) What ludicrous questions, Paul! Hel-LO! (Karen) Actually, they aren't. But for their meaning you'd have to have read FP, the nonfiction book. Um, I have read FP, more than a year ago. It was a little like reading a foreign language but it did give me a frame of reference when I saw the movie. I have no recollection of Hornby's bit about knick-knack analysis, though. Thanks for providing it. So that's why Paul is so interesting in knowing whose stuff it was. He was sizing her up. He's not that simple. Sorry, still don't agree. If the only line was 'are they yours', I would, but the preceding 'what are these for, then?' line when they're obviously knick-knacks is, IMO, ludicrous. I interpret the exchange as Paul's woefully inexperienced attempt at making conversation. It works for me. ;-) BTW, Evelyn, there's no Paul in the book (the only Ashworth I can recall is Angela Ashworth in HF). FP the book is a first person, non-fictional account of NH's obsession. In most ways, Paul is Nick (especially young Paul) but there's no Sarah (although Nick does bring a girlfriend to a match once). (Eileen) how Paul's love of Arsenal infects everyone around him. (Karen) It's called colonization and will leave it at that or else will turn into Shazzer and go into huge rant. Where's my Chardonnay? ;-) *switching to sports fan mode* I don't agree, completely. Jo's wry comments about colinization (i.e., involvement in or following a sport or hobby as a means of facilitating a relationship) best apply to Sarah but not equally to Paul's mother and sister, Jo, Robert and Robert's mother. Paul's mother may have started out colinized by her son, but now she's a fan in her own right. (Karen) She [Sarah]probably now can understand him a lot better because she's experienced it herself. There you go. And did you notice the colors of the polka dot dress (with the deep pockets [LOL, Emma])? Agree with Judy and Emma about Paul's not giving Sarah a key. It wouldn't have occured to NH and it would have spoiled some great bits. (Emma) In the restaurant scene, the expression on her face was priceless when Paul started comparing her to the football coach. Of course, when one of her students relates the same comparison at the party, the lightbulb clicks on over her head. Paul's right. She's got to tell him... (Renate) How much would I like to know the \"behind the scenes\"! Also, how this little \"Oscar\" remark slipped in into the kitchen scene. Yes, yes! I've wondered about that myself. (Evelyn) The restaurant scene is a winner, not just because the napkin/fire part..which is funny. But when he tells her about all his plans ...mortgage, bigger house, applying for job...[Watch his eyes...there's a hurt there.] How does he get his eyes to talk like that.. I love this scene, but my favorite 'eye talk' comes at the end of it--after Paul says 'it'll be brilliant'. (Emma) being a football fan is a lot like my CF obsession Ditto."}, {"response": 1708, "author": "judy", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (18:36)", "body": "(Emma) being a football fan is a lot like my CF obsession.Yes I understand that but I have an obsession for both.Paul in one of his voice overs says'..perhaps it's something you can't understand unless you belong.' He's talking about football but it can be applied to ourselves on drool,as Emma has said. Talking about the writing on the blackboard,NH,in his introduction in the screenplay,says that Colin wrote down the names of Arsenal squads.I've never noticed it before & for the same reason I've not seen the spelling mistakes-when Colin's on screen I struggle to notice anything else!"}, {"response": 1709, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (22:00)", "body": "OT I was FF through \"Deep Blue Sea\" to get to the FP Premiere (Eeeek RG is not as attractive with brown hair!!)I noticed Freddie, when he's telling Hess that he's taking the job in South America,goes to the mantel, leans on it...hesitates..walks away...turns and speaks to Hess... sound familiar? The guy has done so many quirky roles...he must have a roladex in his six-pack belly by now and can bring up any characteristic on call.... Freddie is like Paul in many ways...immature,..rationalizes his actions in a logical manner...to him anyway."}, {"response": 1710, "author": "Arami", "date": "Mon, Aug  7, 2000 (22:02)", "body": "So they only had trouble with the American writers. They were doing the American literature. Had it been an English lit class, we might well have been treated to Chosser, Shakespeer, Tennison, Brontey, Austin... how this little \"Oscar\" remark slipped in into the kitchen scene. It wouldn't surprise me to learn that he was ad libbing (improvising) in part."}, {"response": 1711, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (07:37)", "body": "Arami: we might well have been treated to Chosser, Shakespeer... Ah well, even Shakespeare couldn't spell his own name. Re: \"black and old gold\" - a subtle little joke included here is that Paul has (accidentally?) replaced Byron's \"purple and gold\" with the official colours of Wolverhampton Wanderers pre-1980, and it still scans. I've never seen \"old gold\" used in any other context."}, {"response": 1712, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (09:45)", "body": "(Evelyn)Freddie is like Paul in many ways...immature,..rationalizes his actions in a logical manner...to him anyway. This is what Colin always does and does so well: remember what he said about the first proposal scene in P&P2? Something to the effect that to Darcy the whole thing seemed natural and logical, and that he (Colin) had to understand the logic to be able to play it effectively. In SiL also, he went on about how to Wessex a name-for-money trade marriage was absolutely normal and this made him a normal person for his time, not a villain."}, {"response": 1713, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (15:28)", "body": "(Mark)Re: \"black and old gold\" - a subtle little joke ROTF...we're lucky to have you Mark. Only a football fan (WW by any chance?) and perhaps a Byron-lover (no pun) would pick up on that.... When S. asks him has he read Byron. P. Yeah. 'The Assyrian came down like the wolf on the fold, and his somethings were gleaming in...black and old gold' Crap. That would get a bigger laugh in UK than in the US for sure."}, {"response": 1714, "author": "MarkG", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (16:38)", "body": "Well the only laugh it got in the cinema I was in was mine. My DW stared at me and called me a \"show-off\" when I explained the \"joke\" later. As usual, she's not wrong;-)"}, {"response": 1715, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (18:16)", "body": "(Evelyn)That would get a bigger laugh in the UK than in the US for sure. (Mark)Well the only laugh it got in the cinema I was in was mine. Yes I'm not surprised it didn't work too well W haven'tbeen a force in English football for a long time, perhaps only recognizable to a slightly older age group than the usual Eng.cinema goer.On a slightly different track part of the problem in England with the film was that Arsenal,although successful, aren't over popular."}, {"response": 1716, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (19:32)", "body": "(Evelyn) That would get a bigger laugh in UK than in the US for sure. Well, I always laugh and *I* haven't read Byron. There's something about the way he uses the word 'crap' ;-)"}, {"response": 1717, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (19:57)", "body": "(Eileen)...Well, I always laugh... The one that sets me off is: \"Mortgage...wife...kid...cool...\" And.. \"Brilliant\"."}, {"response": 1718, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (20:07)", "body": "Wow! I'm away for a few days and I miss all this great discussion. Too much in fact to know where to start. Oh yeah, on the subject of spelling, do you think this was an oversight on the part of crew, or a statement about Paul's lack of interest/caring about teaching? BTW, I am an accomplished misspeller without even trying. But I can't say I care all that much. I think for a man to take an interest in a woman's surroundings (her apartment) says a lot about his sensitivity. I didn't find that simple. IMHO, he doesn't approach the world intellectually, but kinesthetically. Perhaps he needs to cultivate other aspects of himself more, but his comments often reveal a fine self-irony, which suggests enough reflection: \"I've got to vary the answers, haven't I? I can's say Arsenal every time.\" And the funny comment \"what are these for, then?\" I took to be a typical male comment about the uselessness of knick knacks. (A view I sympathize with.) Still, his sports addiction would be a problem for me in reality. But I still enjoy this film as a male fantasy into the foray of love and relationships. Hornby may not be up to snuff on relationships, but at least he dares to try to explore them in his stories. The whole problem for me is simple: Paul and I just don't share the same addictions! Since you love sports too, Judy, I can see how this could work for you! That's if your love of different teams didn't tear you apart. Oh but think of the making up...Are you feeling tormented yet? (Judy) Did Sarah wanted to share any of it with him, she scoffed at what was important to him. (Karen)Did he appear to care about anything that was important to her? But that would've been another movie. I agree, Karen. That's why I rationalize it as a male fantasy film. We are invited so far into Paul's reality, that a lot of effort is required to stand back and remember how Sarah's life is really being impacted. (And how typical of some of my experiences in relationships this is!) (Judy) I'm not sure that Sarah's the type to let the seed be planted on purpose, after all she's worried about her job,(maternity leave etc) & the fact that she's not sure that she's going to keep the baby I agree with you here, Judy. She seems quite willing to raise the baby on her own. The idea of marriage comes from Paul. It maybe isn't all that surpising. He wants a family. His loyalty to the Arsenal team seems to be largely driven by his hunger to be close to his father. A family of his own would be another way to obtain what drives him. (Evelyn)Freddie is like Paul in many ways...immature,..rationalizes his actions in a logical manner...to him anyway. (Gi)This is what Colin always does and does so well: remember what he said about the first proposal scene in P&P2? Something to the effect that to Darcy the whole thing seemed natural and logical, and that he (Colin) had to understand the logic to be able to play it effectively. Yes, he certainly does. And it makes it that much harder to be an objective viewer! Not only is he distracting to watch because he's so goodlooking, but he had to be talented too! (Heide)At what point are you suggesting he's imposing on her freedom? I'm assuming it's during his suggestion they get married but am wondering if it might even be before. To paraphrase my fave fic man: I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the foundation for my suspicion. But I would say the moment that Sarah starts doing extra because he's not doing enough, is the moment that he's imposing on her freedom and she's letting him. I'm gonna have to watch the film again . What a burden, poor me!"}, {"response": 1719, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (20:35)", "body": "You know Sadie for someone who didn't know where tostart you've not done a bad job;-D 'Oh but think of the making up..' yes I'd start a row just for that,I'd love to soothe his ruffled feathers (should that be hair?)I know where to kiss him better when he's feeling blue over his team losing especially when my team beat his quite often!There's another row & some more making up to do,it's like a pleasure circle. 'he wants a family'Doesn't he say somewhere that Arsenal is his family?well thats my excuse to watch it again."}, {"response": 1720, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (21:03)", "body": "LOL Judy, glad to see you zeroed in on my most important humble reflections! It is a v. long post! What can I say, CF is a fave topic!"}, {"response": 1721, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (21:10)", "body": "One (I have a few) of my favourite lines in FP is when Paul and Sara are looling for a house and she says something along the lines of that there are other places to live other than something or other and Paul says \"com' on Sara, you know thats not true\"."}, {"response": 1722, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (21:21)", "body": "I enjoyed the long post, you were suffering withdrawal symptoms & had a lot to get off your chest (thats not an excuse to get them out) Cathey I enjoy that scene as well,the only place to live is near the stadium (I chose my uni to be near my team ;-D so understand where he's coming from, in my defence I was only 18 & he's older)"}, {"response": 1723, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (21:34)", "body": "Me too Cathey!Another endearing moment. Yes you are right, Judy. I was suffering from withdrawal. Apologies all round, I should have at least broken the post up into two, but I just got carried away! So many comments from others I just had to respond to!"}, {"response": 1724, "author": "judy", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (21:41)", "body": "It wasn't a criticism Sadie I was only teasing;-) Get carried away anytime it was good fun."}, {"response": 1725, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Tue, Aug  8, 2000 (21:43)", "body": "Oh I know you were just kidding! I was just laughing at myself too."}, {"response": 1726, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (16:20)", "body": "(Renate) why would Paul care (or not care) about an Oscar. Yes, seemed so out of place within that speech. (Mark) Re: \"black and old gold\" - a subtle little joke There are probably lots more. On a videotape of film review shows, one of the critics said that Paul is teaching his team how to do an offside trap, a play used frequently by the ever-boring Arsenal. Of course, Sarah wouldn't have gotten the joke either, but was perhaps expecting to hear \"she walks in beauty, like the night...\" (Sadie) on the subject of spelling, do you think this was an oversight on the part of crew, or a statement about Paul's lack of interest/caring about teaching? As Renate pointed out, the FaulkEner had been erased and rewritten on the board, but the HemMingway shows. But the real issue is those photographs were part of the official presskit, so you'd think somebody would've noticed them and pulled them out because it would be embarrassing. But I also wonder why \"Miller\" is up on the board. Arthur Miller doesn't fit in with that group and can't imagine they would be reading Henry Miller's The Tropic of Cancer. Nor does Twain fit in for that matter (\"modern Am lit??). Another question for when Nick Hornby is on the booksigning circuit. ;-) (Sadie) but his comments often reveal a fine self-irony, which suggests enough reflection As in: Robert's Mother: He's always going on about you... Paul: Yeah, well. It's my infectious enthusiasm for Steinbeck's prose style, probably. Either that or something else. Paul knows very well why the kids like him. Very cute and irreverent quote from an Irish paper: Instead, it's about a man, his woman and his football team and she doesn't know where she comes in the pecking order. Silly woman, she comes after the 11 players, the four subs, the manager, the directors, the coach, the hot-dog seller, the editor of the match day programme, the other fans and the wee lad who runs out as the club mascot. Paul is not just a fan; he has an obsession. There's a vast difference between the two IMO."}, {"response": 1727, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (17:23)", "body": "I really need to see this film again. I really appreciate people sharing the in-jokes. Of course, I am not a sports fan, or a Byron fan, so I missed all those subtle references. Oh the agony of ignorance! Yes I agree, with you Karen. He spends most of his time and energy on the Arsenals. It shapes everything he does --- clearly an obsession. *Gulp* Trivial pursuit question: are there any football players with the names Faulkener, Hemmingway, & Miller?"}, {"response": 1728, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (18:36)", "body": "(Karen) Paul is not just a fan; he has an obsession Yes, what does he say? (paraphrasing) 'You don't know whether life is crap because Arsenal is crap or if it's the other way round'. He can't tell the difference. YOU KNOW YOU'VE WATCHED FP TOO MANY TIMES WHEN... - After watching your team's kicker (we're talking American football here) miss yet another crucial field goal, you stand and shout 'Oy! Numbah nine! You're a donkey!' - You refer to your football team's 2000-2001 schedule as a fixture list. - You go on a job interview and determine the position to be unsuitable. You tell yourself '...the job? You'd think I'd be this upset over a stupid, poxy job interview?' - The words 'crap' and 'shut up' creep into your everyday vocabulary, not to mention 'f**k' and 'bollocks' (the latter said twice in row, wistfully) - You ask your husband 'are you a complete fool?' (gratefully catching yourself before you call him Paul, as his name is not Paul). - When a car cuts you off on the highway, you catch yourself shouting 'won't you pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease...' The same holds true when the phone rings while you are watching FP (again)."}, {"response": 1729, "author": "EmmaE", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (19:45)", "body": "LOL, Eileen, that was brilliant."}, {"response": 1730, "author": "catheyp", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (20:57)", "body": "Well done Eileen. Great start to my day. Thank you."}, {"response": 1731, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (21:31)", "body": "Good one, Eileen...almost as good as Moon's Ten Reason's Why ...."}, {"response": 1732, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (21:54)", "body": "...sorry, I was thinking about DH Lawrence ROFLOL, Eileen. Can just picture you (oops, sorry, this was purely hypothetical, right?) at football game yelling the first one. Me, I'd be looking for Jenkins."}, {"response": 1733, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (22:43)", "body": "Great Stuff Eileen! you could also add, - You go into a sweet shop and just can't avoid buying sugar mice!"}, {"response": 1734, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (23:00)", "body": "This would apply only to Gi or Eileen...they walk into a patient's room and exclaim: \"You need medical help. You've got some kind of disease that turns people into miserable bastards.\" ;-p"}, {"response": 1735, "author": "Arami", "date": "Wed, Aug  9, 2000 (23:17)", "body": "I know quite a number of people who think I'm the patient... ;-)"}, {"response": 1736, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (00:02)", "body": "LMAO Eileen! I particularly find 'won't you pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease...' to be true, true, true. V. funny in scary way!"}, {"response": 1737, "author": "octavia", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (09:30)", "body": "Hello, this really is my first time, and I know this one appeals to me most."}, {"response": 1738, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (14:13)", "body": "(Octavia)I know this one appeals to me most. It's my favorite board too, Octavia.We practically always have an ongoing Firth film discussion going on.Have you seen Fever Pitch? Tell us your fave moments....or comment on what others have said."}, {"response": 1739, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (15:42)", "body": "(Evelyn) almost as good as Moon's Ten Reason's Why .... Heck, while the Moon's away, the [sugar] mouse will play."}, {"response": 1740, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (15:48)", "body": "The Moon will be back in a week and half... Warning: Critical and Sexist Comment Coming Up he breaks like a woman *sniff sniff* shattering all my illusions about a certain scene in P&P"}, {"response": 1741, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (16:12)", "body": "Ummm...waddaya mean, 'breaks'?"}, {"response": 1742, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (18:01)", "body": "Well, as long as he doesn't make love like a woman, and break like a little girl. One woman in the bed (preferably me) is enough. ;-) (Arami)I know quite a number of people who think I'm the patient... ;-) I've always enjoyed your sense of humour, Arami. The ;-) always give it away. You're going to have to try harder to be a MB in my eyes! (That's not a challenge though...)"}, {"response": 1743, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (18:03)", "body": "Ditto where I come from its only wind that breaks! (while indulging in above activity men have been knownto give an enigmatic smile,thinking here of my son)"}, {"response": 1744, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (18:05)", "body": "Was replying to Eileen there! where did you pop up from Sadie?"}, {"response": 1745, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (18:15)", "body": "I've always enjoyed your sense of humour, Arami. [So it's not all in vain... :-)]"}, {"response": 1746, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (18:37)", "body": "No Arami, as long as I \"am seriously [pleased]\", your existence is justified....Dry sardonic tone is catching. ;-)"}, {"response": 1747, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (18:40)", "body": "I've been bouncing from board to board in quest of Drool chalice. *Your using coconuts*"}, {"response": 1748, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (18:41)", "body": "Oops, last was reply to Judy's question. Getting trigger-happy."}, {"response": 1749, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (18:49)", "body": "Does anybody out there know what we're talking about"}, {"response": 1750, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (18:59)", "body": "I don't have any idea what I'm talking about . So what we're talking about is right over my head. Hmmm. I'm thinkin' tall, dark, and handsome. I'm thinkin' smouldering eyes. I'm thinkin' a walk which is sometimes Mr.Darcy's walk, purposeful and sure, and sometimes not Mr. Darcy's walk, toes turned slightly inward, occasional trip. I'm thinkin' strong beautiful hand on neck. I'm thinkin' prominent Adam's apple on neck....Ah, the benefits of meditation for focusing in one's life...."}, {"response": 1751, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (19:00)", "body": "You see, Tommy. It's all about group visualizations at Drool."}, {"response": 1752, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (19:49)", "body": "(Eileen) Ummm...waddaya mean, 'breaks'? (Judy) where I come from its only wind that breaks! What you do all call the first/opening shot in pool? It's the break and is a verb as well."}, {"response": 1753, "author": "judy", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (20:01)", "body": "Ah thank you Karen,I was worried but unfortunately it just shows the way my mind works!Who says he does it like a woman?"}, {"response": 1754, "author": "Arami", "date": "Thu, Aug 10, 2000 (23:04)", "body": "Who the f...f...f...irth is Tommy?"}, {"response": 1755, "author": "EileenG", "date": "Fri, Aug 11, 2000 (13:57)", "body": "What you do all call the first/opening shot in pool? Thanks, from one who has played pool once in the past 20 years. Bet CF no longer breaks like a girl, now that Cornel has rid him of weakness, flab and girly-man muscles."}, {"response": 1756, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Aug 12, 2000 (20:34)", "body": "OK, have question. On one of the television shows reviewing FP (way back when), they mention that the movie has two hunks appearing in it and the second is Neil Pearson. What has he done to earn that label?"}, {"response": 1757, "author": "judy", "date": "Sat, Aug 12, 2000 (20:49)", "body": "Simply that he does quite a bit of TV & is consideredone of TV's heart-throbs.Can you believe it?"}, {"response": 1758, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Aug 12, 2000 (22:50)", "body": ".... two hunks appearing in it and the second is Neil Pearson. ROTF... a sex symbol? But I thought he was pretty cute when he remarked to the interviewer something like...\"Well, it's better than vomiting at the sight of me...\" I would have thought they mean't Mark Strong . (Not me...but some people think he is....)Mr. Knightley indeed...*burp*,*burp*"}, {"response": 1759, "author": "Arami", "date": "Sat, Aug 12, 2000 (22:59)", "body": "He - Neil P. - has also said, \"Me - a sex symbol? It's garbage, of course, but I can live with that...\""}, {"response": 1760, "author": "SadieR", "date": "Sun, Aug 13, 2000 (06:48)", "body": "Neil P? So there were other men in the movie! Missed that little detail right along with the way Paul breaks."}, {"response": 1761, "author": "Sylvana", "date": "Mon, Sep  4, 2000 (05:03)", "body": "Coming out of lurkdom once again briefly. Visited my local Blockbuster Video store today, and among the previously viewed videotapes I found a single copy of My Life So Far. There is a sale on previously viewed tapes right now. Total cost (including tax)$7.41. Thought this might be of interest to others who frequent these boards. Hope you have similar luck, because I couldn't believe mine. Now I'm not one to believe in advertising campaigns, but this time it's true--I went to Blockbuster Video and \"came home happy!\" Good luck."}, {"response": 1762, "author": "patas", "date": "Tue, Sep  5, 2000 (19:25)", "body": "Good for you, Sylvana!:-)"}, {"response": 1763, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Nov  9, 2000 (15:44)", "body": "Apartment Zero has it all; a good script, wonderful actors and a good director. The soundtrack compliments the film and sets the tone remarkably well. Adrian Le Duc is always alone. The loner. He has no patience for the outside world or for his neighbors. He escapes into the world of film/fantasy by owning a theatre as well as keeping framed pictures of movie stars in his apt. He can talk to them. Then one day, Jack, a James Dean look-a-like enters and he changes. Adrian immediately confesses a secret, that he is Argentinean and speaks Spanish. That makes Jack, who has a big secret himself, feels safe. In the beginning Adrian asks Jack to change his sign, \ufffdYou\ufffdre not a Gemini, you are an Aquarius\ufffd. That implies change your date of birth, become someone new. That is exactly what Jack was looking for, a new mask. He stays and the drama begins. We can also say that everyone that lives in the apt. Building wears masks. Nothing is what it seems to be. There is the obvious transvestite, to the \ufffdnon-married widow\ufffd, the delusional next-door neighbor, and the \ufffdLatin lover\ufffd type\ufffd They wear masks because they are afraid of the government, afraid of what goes on outside in Argentina, of the mass murders. Ironically, that all enters their haven when Jack moves in. There is also Adrian\ufffds relationship with his mother. (IMO, the director wanted to through in a \ufffdPsycho\ufffd reference). He wants to talk to her, as the next-door neighbor says, \ufffdConfess sins to a stranger because they will absolve you\ufffd. She is his mother but also a stranger. He does not feel comfortable around her; in fact he always gets angry with her when he leaves. Does he think he is going to end up like her? Perhaps. Is that what happens at the end, when he goes in tilt? Is it insanity or finally, sanity? Does his mother\ufffds death trigger it? More later."}, {"response": 1764, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov  9, 2000 (22:38)", "body": "Excellent intro to the film, Moon. (Moon) Apartment Zero has it all; a good script, wonderful actors and a good director. I never used to think that. When I saw it the first time, I didn't particularly like it. It was creepy, like Psycho, and I don't like creepy. Psycho is the only Hitchcock film I don't like watching over and over again. However, I've changed my mind on AZ. There's so much more there than just creepy behavior. Colin is excellent and I can understand why he would win the best actor award at that film fest. (Moon) Adrian Le Duc is always alone. The loner. He has no patience for the outside world or for his neighbors. Is it that he doesn't have patience? When he warns Jack not to become friendly with them, he says they might turn into \"a great big ugly family.\" Family is not a desirable thing to Adrian as he's attached an ugliness factor to it. Do you think it is merely because of his mother or was it broader? (Moon) \"You\ufffdre not a Gemini, you are an Aquarius.\" That implies change your date of birth, become someone new. v. interesting. Jack is continually changing into someone new. Hmmm, what's Adrian's sign? ;-D (Moon) in fact he always gets angry with her when he leaves. Does he think he is going to end up like her? Is it anger or frustration? I felt it was more of the latter. Adrian mentions several times how awful it is watching his mother deteriorate. That can make one angry because you're ineffectual. Think I know why you like AZ so much. Adrian and Geoffrey could be twins. ;-D"}, {"response": 1765, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Nov  9, 2000 (23:22)", "body": "Great start, Moon. I hadn't seen this film in three years and amazingly the mask symbolism hit me...is it because I am looking for so much more in films now than just the story? Poor Adrian...life has really dumped on him. He has a personality disorder (genes?), his mother is mad, his neighbors are all unstable , and his livelihood is even tenuous.Along comes Jack who is going to bring the companionship that he yearns for (besides he sorta looks like his idol, James Dean).Don't you cringe when he offers to do Jack's laundry and then washes , irons and neatly fold his shirts! This is a masterful film...IMO a film ahead of its time...if it were released today , I think it would be a \"go\".Scarry, psycho movies are \"in\"..and this is an indie, but not a cheapo one.Ilike the way it's filmed in muted colors and sometimes reverts to B/W. So what's with this Martin Donovan guy...why the nom d'plume. Why didn't he use his real Argentine name? I have lots of questions on this film...but I'll wait til later.."}, {"response": 1766, "author": "heide", "date": "Fri, Nov 10, 2000 (00:55)", "body": "Great synopsis of the film, Moon. I haven't watched it in awhile so can't contribute much right now. Do agree it's one of his best though not one of my top watchable films. I think it takes several viewings to see the humor in this film. There are a lot of funny lines and scenes. Colin's portrayal of Adrian's abhorrence of his neighbors is hilarious. One of my favorite scenes is Adrian's tailing of Jack to his supposed place of business. The music is fantastic."}, {"response": 1767, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Nov 10, 2000 (02:23)", "body": "(Karen),When he warns Jack not to become friendly with them, he says they might turn into \"a great big ugly family.\" Family is not a desirable thing to Adrian as he's attached an ugliness factor to it. Do you think it is merely because of his mother or was it broader? Well, at the end, Jack tells Adrian, \"I am your brother\", and there is a close up of Adrian and he does not take it well. Maybe this triggered something in him because after this Adrian goes for the case and the whole mess happens. (Moon) in fact he always gets angry with her when he leaves. Does he think he is going to end up like her? (Karen), Is it anger or frustration? I felt it was more of the latter. Adrian mentions several times how awful it is watching his mother deteriorate. Both. He needs and wants to be able to talk to her. In one scene it looks as if they were talking and she goes postal (;-) and he becomes angry and frustrated because he can not finish what is on his mind (his confession?) (Evelyn), This is a masterful film...IMO a film ahead of its time...if it were released today , I think it would be a \"go\".Scarry, psycho movies are \"in\"..and this is an indie, but not a cheapo one. I agree! I hadn't seen this film in three years and amazingly the mask symbolism hit me...is it because I am looking for so much more in films now than just the story? IMO, that is what film should do. The camera also tells a story. Otherwise, one should just to go the theatre. Films should never be static. (Heide) I think it takes several viewings to see the humor in this film. There are a lot of funny lines and scenes. Brilliant black humor. It is disturbing and that is what makes it so well done. Have you thought about the similarities with Psycho? There are many. More later."}, {"response": 1768, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Fri, Nov 10, 2000 (06:31)", "body": "Well, I haven't watched DIV again, as I cannot find a copy to rent. Hope there won't be a pop quiz. ;-) Very interesting comments on AZ, thus far. I really enjoy these film discussions, and everyone's take on the films. Like you, Karen, I am not fond of creepy films, either. Upon first viewing AZ, I thought it was well made and suspenseful, but did not particularly enjoy it. It is still not an easy movie for me to watch, especially at the end. I also find it hard to feel sympathetic toward Adrian, as he thinks he is superior to everyone else, and uses his knowledge of films to distance and isolate himself from other people and the outside world. This is sad, and his mother's demise is tragic, but I still do not like him. (Moon) The soundtrack compliments the film and sets the tone remarkably well. Yes, particularly at the beginning of the film along with the shots of Buenos Aires at night. (Moon) \"You're not a Gemini, you are an Aquarius.\" That implies change your date of birth, become someone new. Yes, and perhaps Jack was giving Adrian a hint that as a Gemini (the twins), he (Jack) wore more than one mask already, so this wasn't much of a stretch for Jack to change his astrological sign, or his persona. I also think it interesting that Jack's last name is Carney. I am wondering if this is a play on words: a Carnie is a circus/carnival/sideshow worker. Adrian's neighbors are Fellini-esque: a veritable sideshow of characters.....Or Carney could represent carnage. (Karen ) v. interesting. Jack is continually changing into someone new. I noticed this, too. Jack is very good at morphing into the person each neighbor wants Jack to be, as well as telling each neighbor what he/she wants to hear. This makes him popular with the other tenants and above suspicion. It probably doesn't hurt that Jack has a pretty face, either. ;-) (Heide) I think it takes several viewings to see the humor in this film. The cat rescuing scene and the looks exchanged between the cat and Jack really cracked me up this time around. Jack has a really crazy look on his face, and the cat looks repulsed at the sight of Jack (Or maybe that sort of cat always has a repulsed look on its face.;-)). Regarding Adrian and his mother, did anyone else think that Adrian is inappropriately stroking and touching his mother's head and shoulders? It makes me wonder if their relationship is an incestuous one, and the cause of the mother's mental illness/madness, and Adrian's real secret? This certainly is along the lines of Psycho."}, {"response": 1769, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Fri, Nov 10, 2000 (11:37)", "body": "If you want to read a brilliant analysis of one of the best AZ scenes go to: http://members.aol.com/skbutler/azm.html"}, {"response": 1770, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Nov 10, 2000 (13:49)", "body": "Thanks, Lassie. It is good to have snappies to refer to. Maybe you could invite skbutler to join our discussion. (Lisa), It is still not an easy movie for me to watch, especially at the end. I also find it hard to feel sympathetic toward Adrian, as he thinks he is superior to everyone else, and uses his knowledge of films to distance and isolate himself from other people and the outside world. This is something to analise. Why is he like that? How does the director explain it? etc."}, {"response": 1771, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Nov 10, 2000 (17:48)", "body": "(Heide) One of my favorite scenes is Adrian's tailing of Jack to his supposed place of business. Yes! For a film fanatic, Adrian's tailing of Jack is pure Keystone Kops. Could he be more obvious? Loved it when he tells the cabdriver to \"follow that man.\" Right out of the movies, but doesn't go as smoothly as in the movies. At one point, Adrian is literally a few feet behind Jack at the zebra crossing. Then, amazingly, once Jack walks into the company, Adrian turns and walks away, without waiting for even a few minutes or checking to see if Jack comes out another exit. Too funny. (Moon) Well, at the end, Jack tells Adrian, \"I am your brother\"...Maybe this triggered something in him because after this Adrian goes for the case and the whole mess happens. Why Adrian goes for the case has been bothersome to me. (Moon) Have you thought about the similarities with Psycho? There are many. Let's see, Adrian doesn't dress up in his mother's clothes, but there is a shower scene. ;-D (Lisa) he thinks he is superior to everyone else, and uses his knowledge of films to distance and isolate himself from other people and the outside world. Also by pretending to be English and not letting on that he understands Spanish. (Lisa) perhaps Jack was giving Adrian a hint that as a Gemini (the twins), he (Jack) wore more than one mask already Good one. Jack was already two people. (Lisa) I am wondering if this is a play on words: a Carnie is a circus/carnival/sideshow worker. Adrian's neighbors are Fellini-esque: a veritable sideshow of characters.....Or Carney could represent carnage. Ummmm! A discussion of names and their meaning. Something I can sink my teeth into. ;-D Both of your interpretations work very well, but I'm leaning toward the carnival/circus worker, which segues perfectly to the cat discussion.... ;-D (Lisa) The cat rescuing scene and the looks exchanged between the cat and Jack really cracked me up this time around. What I saw in this scene was a little different. It was \"blinkmanship.\" Who would blink first. Jack stared the cat down. The cat gave a big blink and gave up and Jack could take it down. Sort of like a lion tamer in a circus. All in the eyes. (Lisa) It makes me wonder if their relationship is an incestuous one, and the cause of the mother's mental illness/madness, and Adrian's real secret? This certainly is along the lines of Psycho. Not sure if there actually was incest, but it sure seems Oedipal. Also the neighbor across the way from AZ has the opposite fixation. Electra, wasn't it? ;-D"}, {"response": 1772, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 10, 2000 (19:38)", "body": "Both. He needs and wants to be able to talk to her. In one scene it looks as if they were talking and she goes postal (;-) and he becomes angry and frustrated because he can not finish what is on his mind (his confession?) In the last scene at the hospital when he walks in and sees her cadaver, he claws at the door and hears his mother pleading:\"Adrian, don't leave me here...\" You next see him with her clothes... fingering her pearls...definite remorse and as Karen says...oedipal relationship for sure. The cat scene is a complete mystery to me.... How about the scene where the couple is in the cafe...they part...she looks around and there is a shot. Is that Christian, Claudia's friend? Does the mysterious girl betray him to the hoods?"}, {"response": 1773, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Nov 10, 2000 (20:02)", "body": "I've just started to watch AZ again. Wish I could se it on a bigger screen and with better image. Still. (Moon) Adrian Le Duc is always alone. The loner. He has no patience for the outside world or for his neighbors. (Karen)Is it that he doesn't have patience? When he warns Jack not to become friendly with them, he says they might turn into \"a great big ugly family.\" (LisaJH) I also find it hard to feel sympathetic toward Adrian, as he thinks he is superior to everyone else Thinking oneself superior is the most basic line of defense for an insecure person. Adrian is an outsider. He was an Argentinian boy in England - he had to learn a new language and a new culture. Then he came back, and was an English young man in Argentina. Could he but feel different? Of course he could have taken a different path. BTW, Argentina and the UK have a territorial dispute over the Falkland Islands= Islas Malvinas. I thought the taxi driver who refused to \"follow that man\" unless he was told why, cried after Adrian \"Malvinas!\" a couple of times. (Karen)Colin is excellent I love his reaction to the smoke in his face (from Jack's cigarette). (LisaJH)Adrian's neighbors are Fellini-esque: a veritable sideshow of characters. Indeed they are :-) (LisaJH)Regarding Adrian and his mother, did anyone else think that Adrian is inappropriately stroking and touching his mother's head and shoulders? It looked aboveboard to me. And I agree with Karen that he's more frustrated than angry. I also don't think she's mad, just suffers from some form of Alzheimer's disease. So I don't think he goes mad either. A question: why is Jack so out of sorts (is this the word?) after he kills Claudia? He's killed before, he's a pro, why doesn't he deal with it calmly on his own? Does he need Adrian's help (must wait for the night) and hence the brotherly love-you-need-me-I-need-you speech? Jack's masks: I think he's a charmer, a seducer. His stares into other people's eyes (even the cat's eyes, for a moment) are blatantly ;-) sexual, or are meant to be taken as sexual promises."}, {"response": 1774, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Nov 10, 2000 (20:15)", "body": "(Karen)Then, amazingly, once Jack walks into the company, Adrian turns and walks away, without waiting for even a few minutes or checking to see if Jack comes out another exit. Too funny. He really wants to believe in Jack, he wants him to work where he said he works. (Karen)Why Adrian goes for the case has been bothersome to me. At that point, he needs to know more than to believe? I see Adrian going through every anxiety in his love for Jack: fear of being abandoned, fear of being deceived, pure jealousy, fear of rejection, fear of not doing enough, of doing too much... (Evelyn)How about the scene where the couple is in the cafe...they part...she looks around and there is a shot. Is that Christian, Claudia's friend? Does the mysterious girl betray him to the hoods? I don't think it's Christian, but I believe she betrays him. The \"oedipal relationship\" between Adrian and his mother: it's there, I suppose, although it's subtle, but also typical of portraits of latent homossexuality (I don't know if it's typical of the actual latent homossexuality)."}, {"response": 1775, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Nov 10, 2000 (21:44)", "body": "(Heide) One of my favorite scenes is Adrian's tailing of Jack to his supposed place of business. (Karen), Yes! For a film fanatic, Adrian's tailing of Jack is pure Keystone Kops. I love this scene too! Very Hitchcock, Cary Grantish also. (Karen), Then, amazingly, once Jack walks into the company, Adrian turns and walks away, without waiting for even a few minutes or checking to see if Jack comes out another exit. That bothers me too. It seems as if he blindly trust Jack. He believes because he wants to believe. Why Adrian goes for the case has been bothersome to me. Just before this happens, there is a close up of Adrian looking at their picture. What happens? Did he see through the mask? Did he think he would be next? but I'm leaning toward the carnival/circus worker, which segues perfectly to the cat discussion.... ;-D LOL! In Spanish it it carnaval. It is closer to carnivero, carnivorous or carnicero, butcher. (Lisa) The cat rescuing scene and the looks exchanged between the cat and Jack really cracked me up this time around. (Evelyn), The cat scene is a complete mystery to me.... Apt. 0 is all the way on top. Let us say the cat = Adrian. Jack comes oit of the blue to rescue him from his perilous lonelyness. The stares are the mistrust. Will the cat accept his help or will it attack him. Can Jack trust the cat not to hurt him? (Evelyn), How about the scene where the couple is in the cafe. I thought it was Christian having dinner with Claudia. Adrian stares at them. Why? (Gi), Thinking oneself superior is the most basic line of defense for an insecure person. Unless the person really has a reason to feel superior. A question: why is Jack so out of sorts (is this the word?) after he kills Claudia? He's killed before, he's a pro, why doesn't he deal with it calmly on his own? He is a pro who has never been caught before. Now he was. Would he have to kill Adrian too? How would Adrian react? Too many people knew him in the building. This was not going to be an easy job to walk away from. Or so he thought, because as it turned out, Adrian helped him. Why would Adrian help him get rid of Claudia\ufffds body? He liked her. He even use to dream of her. What was his purpose in helping Jack?"}, {"response": 1776, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Nov 10, 2000 (21:48)", "body": "closing tags sorry"}, {"response": 1777, "author": "lyndaw", "date": "Sat, Nov 11, 2000 (04:31)", "body": "I have to go watch AZ to refresh my memory, so just a quick comment about why Jack is upset after he kills Claudia. In an early scene, a murder occurs, then Adrian hears Jack crying in the middle of the night and tries to comfort him. Later, after Jack kills the young fellow for his passport, he is almost berserk as he cuts up a passport photo fit the new document. Then there is his breakdown after Claudia. IMO, Jack is not cold-blooded; in the aftermath of killing, he seems emotionally devastated. I think he is falling apart, which is why he allows Adrian to kill him at the end. He is unable to kill Adrian and really doesn\ufffdt want to go on living with what he has become. Adrian becomes stronger as Jack crumbles. As for why Adrian goes for the case...Adrian makes a telling comment to Jack after Claudia\ufffds death about the apartment finally being his. I get the impression that when Jack claims to being Adrian\ufffds brother, he triggers the fear in Adrian that his life will be taken over yet again by someone else, that he will be dominated by Jack as he was dominated by his mother, a circumstance he simply cannot endure. Going for the gun is his last grasp at being his own man, or at least whatever his idea of what a man is. Although the last scene shows Adrian as a movie type, it is an image of a strong, in-charge kind of guy, not the wimp he has always considered himself. I hope the above makes a little sense. BTW, what did Adrian do with Jack\ufffds body?"}, {"response": 1778, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Nov 11, 2000 (15:29)", "body": "I think you have a good point, Lynda...in the course of the film there is no doubt that Adrian is gaining confidence . What was the point of showing his mother's funeral? Why does Adrian always carry an umbrella, when no one else is and it's not raining? When they are discussing Florida after Jack kills Claudia, Adrian begins to realize that he's not part of that picture.What does everyone else think? BTW on a frivolous note...isn't this the first film that Colin runs up the stairs ...that was later copied in Valmount, P&P and SIL?"}, {"response": 1779, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 11, 2000 (15:33)", "body": "(Evelyn) Why does Adrian always carry an umbrella, when no one else is and it's not raining? 'Cause he's supposed to be English. ;-D"}, {"response": 1780, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Nov 11, 2000 (16:33)", "body": "Good points, Lynda. (Lynda), which is why he allows Adrian to kill him at the end. We do not see exactly what happens when Jack is killed, the camera pulls away, so we do not really know if jack just lets Adrian kill him. It was a struggle, it could have been either one. If Jack wanted to die I think he would have pulled the trigger on himself. That might explain why Adrian still has Jack in the Apt. after he is dead: he did not pull the trigger, so to him Jack is not dead. As for why Adrian goes for the case...Adrian makes a telling comment to Jack after Claudia\ufffds death about the apartment finally being his. I get the impression that when Jack claims to being Adrian\ufffds brother, he triggers the fear in Adrian that his life will be taken over yet again by someone else, Agreed! Although the last scene shows Adrian as a movie type, it is an image of a strong, in-charge kind of guy, not the wimp he has always considered himself. Adrian never considered himself wimp. He had his British aloof/mind-your-own-business persona. At the end, I felt he had taken over a bit of the James Dean persona that Jack had. He had become the Gemini, changed his mask. BTW, what did Adrian do with Jack\ufffds body? We can assume that he was still in the Apt.waiting for his return because we do not have a shot of an empty Apt. at the end. (Evelyn),What was the point of showing his mother's funeral? The closure, the acceptance of the death. He is now truly alone. There is a shot from within the cript that stresses that separation. Why does Adrian always carry an umbrella, when no one else is and it's not raining? (Karen), 'Cause he's supposed to be English. ;-D I would agree. It will also help to underline the persona change at the end. (Evelyn),When they are discussing Florida after Jack kills Claudia, Adrian begins to realize that he's not part of that picture. No! Not Florida, they are still deciding who will be president. ;-) It was California. Home to Hollywood, stars, films, etc. Maybe this is what makes Adrian offer his help. Maybe if he helps, Jack might let him go with him."}, {"response": 1781, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 11, 2000 (16:41)", "body": "(Lynda) which is why he allows Adrian to kill him at the end. (Moon) We do not see exactly what happens when Jack is killed, the camera pulls away, so we do not really know if jack just lets Adrian kill him. What I saw was Jack's hand over Adrian's, turning the barrel of the gun toward himself. Jack had wanted to get out (mercenary business, Argentina, etc.) and he finally just gave up and ensured that Adrian would do it. (Moon) If Jack wanted to die I think he would have pulled the trigger on himself. I don't think Jack could trust himself to do that. He might, on reflex, kill Adrian if he were in that much control."}, {"response": 1782, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 11, 2000 (22:25)", "body": "(Gi) Thinking oneself superior is the most basic line of defense for an insecure person You can see Adrian's insecurity at the bar when Jack is checking things out, wanting to socialize with others. (Gi) I thought the taxi driver who refused to \"follow that man\" unless he was told why, cried after Adrian \"Malvinas!\" a couple of times. Will take another looksie. ;-D (Gi) Jack's masks: I think he's a charmer, a seducer. His stares into other people's eyes (even the cat's eyes, for a moment) are blatantly ;-) sexual, or are meant to be taken as sexual promises. Seducer is an excellent description. (Heide) One of my favorite scenes is Adrian's tailing of Jack to his supposed place of business. (Moon) I love this scene too! Very Hitchcock, Cary Grantish also. I can see the Hitchcock too, but not just Cary Grantish. ;-) (Moon) In Spanish it is carnaval. It is closer to carnivero, carnivorous or carnicero, butcher. Carne (two syllable pronunciation) does mean meat in Spanish, the writer/director's language. Will check my English-Spanish dictionary to see if there's anything close to LeDuc. ;-) Probably is just meant to give Adrian (male/female name) an aristocratic air. (Moon) Why would Adrian help him get rid of Claudia's body? He liked her. He even use to dream of her. What was his purpose in helping Jack? Adrian loved Jack, so of course he would help him out. When did Adrian dream of Claudia? (Moon) At the end, I felt he had taken over a bit of the James Dean persona that Jack had. Then, he really should've been wearing a red jacket. ;-) (Moon) It was California. Home to Hollywood, stars, films, etc. Maybe this is what makes Adrian offer his help. Maybe if he helps, Jack might let him go with him. Actually, ALL of America that held this interest for Adrian. Remember when Jack says he is from Connecticut? Automatically, Adrian associates it with Paul Newman. All of America is Hollywood films to Adrian."}, {"response": 1783, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Nov 11, 2000 (23:56)", "body": "What was the point of showing his mother's funeral? When Adrian's away, Jack will play. At least we know why he's not home recovering from his horrific accident when Claudia comes calling. (Lisa) The cat rescuing scene and the looks exchanged between the cat and Jack really cracked me up this time around. (Karen) What I saw in this scene was a little different. It was \"blinkmanship.\" Who would blink first. Jack stared the cat down. The cat gave a big blink and gave up and Jack could take it down. Perfect, Karen. I watched it this afternoon and the cat actually did \"surrender\" after finally blinking. Jack looked rather feline himself. (Gi) I thought the taxi driver who refused to \"follow that man\" unless he was told why, cried after Adrian \"Malvinas!\" a couple of times. Listened for that too, and again, you're absolutely right, Gi. A comical scene nevertheless. I don't dislike Adrian. He has a dry sense of humor that appeals to me. Am not sure why he contains himself so strictly within that British pouf exterior. He's given some great lines - \"I haven't the heart to tell her (his mother) she sounds like Erich von Stroheim.\" \"He (Carlos) doesn't know who Geraldine Page is...'Who's Geraldine Page?' I just knew I couldn't talk to him after that.\" But my favorite is: \"I don't like girls. I like women.\" (Lisa)Adrian's neighbors are Fellini-esque: a veritable sideshow of characters. As are the people who answered his ad to share his flat. That last woman, the one with the bad makeup who was pricing everything in his apartment looking at his film star photographs, \"Who are these people anyway? Will I have to meet them?\" Cracks me up. An aside, I notice a prevalence of photos of homosexual or bisexual male film stars - Montgomery Clift, Charles Laughton, James Dean. Coincidence? ((Gi), Thinking oneself superior is the most basic line of defense for an insecure person. (Moon) Unless the person really has a reason to feel superior. Ah yes, where there is a real superiority of mind, pride will always be in good regulation.;-) (Lynda) In an early scene, a murder occurs, then Adrian hears Jack crying in the middle of the night and tries to comfort him. Later, after Jack kills the young fellow for his passport, he is almost berserk as he cuts up a passport photo fit the new document. Then there is his breakdown after Claudia. IMO, Jack is not cold-blooded; in the aftermath of killing, he seems emotionally devastated. Agree completely with you, Lynda, that this explains his loss of control. (Karen) Why Adrian goes for the case has been bothersome to me. (Moon) Just before this happens, there is a close up of Adrian looking at their picture. What happens? Did he see through the mask? Did he think he would be next? (Lynda) I get the impression that when Jack claims to being Adrian\ufffds brother, he triggers the fear in Adrian that his life will be taken over yet again by someone else I see Jack's mask is continually slipping at this point. Now that Adrian knows the real Jack, he tells him \"you'll get used to it\". Adrian doesn't want to get used to this Jack. So which \"Jack\" does Adrian become in the end?"}, {"response": 1784, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Nov 12, 2000 (06:57)", "body": "(Gi) A question: why is Jack so out of sorts (is this the word?) after he kills Claudia? He's killed before, he's a pro, why doesn't he deal with it calmly on his own? Claudia is one of the few people in the film not wearing a persona. IMO, Jack becomes unglued after he kills Claudia because she has confronted Jack in the apartment and identified him as the killer, thus removing Jack's mask. Claudia is not a \"faceless\" person -- she is Adrian's employee and acquaintance, which makes her murder more personal in nature and less of an anonymous, random act of violence. (Karen) What I saw in this scene was a little different. It was \"blinkmanship.\" Who would blink first. Jack stared the cat down. The cat gave a big blink and gave up and Jack could take it down. Sort of like a lion tamer in a circus. All in the eyes. Interesting. I will have to watch the scene again . I thought that animals (and children) would most likely react to Jack on a more instinctual level, see right through his nice guy persona and pick up on his creepiness. I can imagine a small child taking one look at Jack and running out of the room screaming. (Evelyn) Why does Adrian always carry an umbrella, when no one else is and it's not raining I think Martin Donovan is having a bit of fun with symbols and stereotypes: a black cat, a ladder, etc. Maybe this is Adrian having his David Niven moments. ;-) (Heide) I don't dislike Adrian. He has a dry sense of humor that appeals to me. Now, if we could only do something about his arrogance and neuroses. ;-) (Heide) He's given some great lines - \"I haven't the heart to tell her (his mother) she sounds like Erich von Stroheim.\" LOL, that was a gem! Carlos doesn't know who Geraldine Page is...'Who's Geraldine Page?' I just knew I couldn't talk to him after that. I thought he was dead serious. Adrian is the charter and sole member of his movie Mensa. ;-) (Heide) But my favorite is: \"I don't like girls. I like women.\" Could he mean\ufffdhis mother? ;-) (Moon) Unless the person really has a reason to feel superior. (Heide)Ah yes, where there is a real superiority of mind, pride will always be in good regulation.;-) V. good, Heide! ;-) It is fun to see how Adrian's knowledge of the cinema pushes people away, whereas Martin Donovan's script -- chock full of movie references -- engages and draws the audience in. This is definitely a movie lover's movie. Do you think Adrian gets caught for murdering Jack and assisting with the disposal of Claudia? Does he continue to kill? That last scene of Adrian as James Dean is spooky, but look at those broad shoulders in that jacket! Wowwee! ;-)"}, {"response": 1785, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sun, Nov 12, 2000 (08:38)", "body": "(Gi) A question: why is Jack so out of sorts (is this the word?) after he kills Claudia? He's killed before, he's a pro, why doesn't he deal with it calmly on his own? (Lisa) Claudia is not a \"faceless\" person -- she is Adrian's employee and acquaintance, which makes her murder more personal in nature and less of an anonymous, random act of violence. This is something that has been puzzling me. I thought that maybe Jack's killings were hits. Claudia became an innocent bystander because she recognized him. Then he had to kill that fellow to get his passport. Or had Jack gone off the deep end and became a loose cannon serial killer?"}, {"response": 1786, "author": "Tracy", "date": "Sun, Nov 12, 2000 (11:48)", "body": "(Lynda) which is why he allows Adrian to kill him at the end. (Moon) We do not see exactly what happens when Jack is killed, the camera pulls away, so we do not really know if jack just lets Adrian kill him. (Karen)What I saw was Jack's hand over Adrian's, turning the barrel of the gun toward himself. Jack had wanted to get out (mercenary business, Argentina, etc.) and he finally just gave up and ensured that Adrian would do it. What I also saw (or thought I saw) was Jack's hand squeeze Adrian's trigger finger as he was aiming the gun toward himself. Once thing puzzles me though, when the inevitable shot rings out around the apartment block and we see all the reactions from the tenants (i.e. TV volumes being turned up and winces and gasps all round including that of Laura) why then does she call at zero to ask whether he has heard from Jack...and what has happened to most of the furniture?"}, {"response": 1787, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Sun, Nov 12, 2000 (17:23)", "body": "(Donna)This is something that has been puzzling me. I thought that maybe Jack's killings were hits. Claudia became an innocent bystander because she recognized him. Then he had to kill that fellow to get his passport. Or had Jack gone off the deep end and became a loose cannon serial killer? My take on this was that Jack was originally a paid political assassin, but when his services were no longer needed he could not stop himself and became a serial killer. (Karen)but I'm leaning toward the carnival/circus worker, which segues perfectly to the cat discussion.... ;- (Moon)LOL! In Spanish it it carnaval. It is closer to carnivero, carnivorous or carnicero, butcher. My Webster's New World Dictionary lists the following etymology for carnival: ML carnelevarium; carnem levare, to remove meat (see carnage and lever); associated by folk etymology with ML, carne vale, \"Flesh, farewell!\" Carnival (Mardi Gras in New Orleans) is also the period of merrymaking before Lent. During Lent one would abstain from eating meat\ufffdflesh, farewell. One more thing: what is a popular side show at a carnival? The shooting gallery."}, {"response": 1788, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Nov 12, 2000 (17:48)", "body": "Wonderful research work, Lisa, although it does not address the important fact that Jack was a lovely piece of meat. ;-0"}, {"response": 1789, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Nov 12, 2000 (23:20)", "body": "(Lynda), which is why he allows Adrian to kill him at the end. (Moon)We do not see exactly what happens when Jack is killed, the camera pulls away, so we do not really know if Jack just lets Adrian kill him. It was a struggle, it could have been either one. On my screen, Adrian kills Jack. Adrian planned to kill him...sitting there on the bathtub rim (an odd place to contemplate such an action!)with his legs in an inverted V position. He expressly went out in the sitting room and lunged for the case with the gun...why else would he want to get a gun?"}, {"response": 1790, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 13, 2000 (17:26)", "body": "(Evelyn), On my screen, Adrian kills Jack. Adrian planned to kill him...sitting there on the bathtub rim (an odd place to contemplate such an action!)with his legs in an inverted V position. He expressly went out in the sitting room and lunged for the case with the gun...why else would he want to get a gun? He was going over the events of the evening.It seemed to me that Adrian felt he had to get the guns away from Jack. He thought he might be next. He wanted to protect himself. I do not see Adrian planning to kill Jack. (Karen), When did Adrian dream of Claudia? There is a scene with different shots of Claudia and the next scene is Adrian waking up in bed, a bit shaken. (Heide), I don't dislike Adrian. He has a dry sense of humor that appeals to me. I think I could get along with Adrian on a man to woman base. ;-) He's given some great lines - There are lots of good lines: \"People like you don\ufffdt grow on trees\" \"The dark is safe, in the dark I seem real\" \"If that is a mask take it off now or keep it on forever\" An aside, I notice a prevalence of photos of homosexual or bisexual male film stars - Montgomery Clift, Charles Laughton, James Dean. Coincidence? What? Charles Laughton maybe but Monty and Dean? I had no clue! (Gi), Thinking oneself superior is the most basic line of defense for an insecure person. (Moon) Unless the person really has a reason to feel superior. (Heide),Ah yes, where there is a real superiority of mind, pride will always be in good regulation.;-) I knew you would fall for it! ;-D (Heide), Adrian doesn't want to get used to this Jack. So which \"Jack\" does Adrian become in the end? He physically transforms himself, he even smokes. We can assume that Adrian does not want to go back to being his old self. He can\ufffdt, too much has happened. (Lisa),I can imagine a small child taking one look at Jack and running out of the room screaming. Jack is the worse type. He can smile his way into and out-off anything. It is fun to see how Adrian's knowledge of the cinema pushes people away, whereas Martin Donovan's script -- chock full of movie references -- engages and draws the audience in. This is definitely a movie lover's movie. And here we are! J Do you think Adrian gets caught for murdering Jack and assisting with the disposal of Claudia? Does he continue to kill? I think Adrian gets away with it. (But maybe we can talk Martin Donovan into doing a sequel). ;-) (Donna),I thought that maybe Jack's killings were hits. Claudia became an innocent bystander because she recognized him. Then he had to kill that fellow to get his passport. You are correct, that is what happens. Jack was ready to leave the Country instead he found himself stuck in a situation and he had to act. He was not a cannon serial killer but he had to kill those two for the obvious reasons. At the end he might have thought that he might not be able to stop killing and that probably affected him psychologically. Tracy), What I also saw (or thought I saw) was Jack's hand squeeze Adrian's trigger finger as he was aiming the gun toward himself. This comes the closest to what I saw. So we can assume that Jack killed himself. Once thing puzzles me though, when the inevitable shot rings out around the apartment block and we see all the reactions from the tenants (i.e. TV volumes being turned up and winces and gasps all round including that of Laura) why then does she call at zero to ask whether he has heard from Jack...and what has happened to most of the furniture? At this point the tennants are not going back up to Apt. 0 and accuse Adrian again. The furniture seems to be left in disarray. Adrian has not picked anything up. He is ging through his changes at this point. He is no longer the tidy English man he once was. Lisa), etymology with ML, carne vale, \"Flesh, farewell!\" I like this one."}, {"response": 1791, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 13, 2000 (17:51)", "body": "Do you think Adrian gets caught for murdering Jack and assisting with the disposal of Claudia? Does he continue to kill? (Moon)I think Adrian gets away with it. Jack was already dead according to the authorities...didn't the man in the raincoat tell him that? I don't think Adrian continues to kill...his new persona doesn't go that far... Of course, IMO , his new persona also is certifiably insane.. He was on the edge before, the killing pushed him over the edge. BTW...did anyone hear buzzing sounds, like flies, in the scene where he's serving wine to Jack's cadaver? An aside, I notice a prevalence of photos of homosexual or bisexual male film stars -Montgomery Clift, Charles Laughton, James Dean. Coincidence? (Moon)What? Charles Laughton maybe but Monty and Dean? I had no clue! Yup...they all have a big gay following."}, {"response": 1792, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 13, 2000 (18:34)", "body": "(Evelyn), Jack was already dead according to the authorities...didn't the man in the raincoat tell him that? Huh? A man in a raincoat said that? When? BTW...did anyone hear buzzing sounds, like flies, in the scene where he's serving wine to Jack's cadaver? Yes, it was so creepy. The flies were flying around Jack's face. Yuk!"}, {"response": 1793, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 13, 2000 (18:38)", "body": "(Evelyn), Jack was already dead according to the authorities...didn't the man in the raincoat tell him that? You mean that agent. But he told Jack. Adrian did not know this."}, {"response": 1794, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 13, 2000 (19:34)", "body": "(Evelyn), Jack was already dead according to the authorities...didn't the man in the raincoat tell him that? (Moon)Huh? A man in a raincoat said that? When? In the men's room... (Moon)You mean that agent. But he told Jack. Adrian did not know this. I know...but no one would miss Jack since he was already officially\"dead\". Therefore Adrian would get away with it...which is the original question that someone asked."}, {"response": 1795, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 13, 2000 (19:35)", "body": "Italics closed, sorry."}, {"response": 1796, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Tue, Nov 14, 2000 (04:35)", "body": "Apologies if this favorite line has already been stated (I don't recall seeing it), and apologies if I've got it wrong: \"Don't try and confuse me, because you'll only ... confuse me.\" And Monty Clift. Sigh. He was my first big crush. Then I read his bio, and was crushed. Of course, I never was able to look at Merv Griffin again in the same way (tee hee, you have to read the book). However he still is a heck of an actor and shares the subtle qualities that we tend to like in our men. :-)"}, {"response": 1797, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov 14, 2000 (16:31)", "body": "Comparison with Psycho: 1) Both had a room to rent. 2) Both had a warped relationship with their mothers. 3) Both have snoopy neighbors. 4) Both live high up. 5) Both kill. Has anyone else noticed the scene where Adrian dreams of Claudia? What can we tell of their relationship?"}, {"response": 1798, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Nov 14, 2000 (18:06)", "body": "(Donna),I thought that maybe Jack's killings were hits. Claudia became an innocent bystander because she recognized him. Then he had to kill that fellow to get his passport. (Moon) You are correct, that is what happens. Jack was ready to leave the Country instead he found himself stuck in a situation and he had to act. He was not a cannon serial killer but he had to kill those two for the obvious reasons. At the end he might have thought that he might not be able to stop killing and that probably affected him psychologically. Now I am confused. I watched AZ again a few weeks ago, so perhaps my memory is a little cloudy, but were the first two murders in the film \"hits?\" I may be wrong, but I don't remember the news coverage of the first murder supporting this. Plus, if Jack is still an assassin and not a serial killer, why would the neighbors be worried about their own lives? They weren't involved politically; were they only worried that the killer could be living amongst them? Wasn't the second murder a woman (the one before the guy with the passport), and isn't the cross that Jack gives to Adrian ( for his mother) from the dead woman? Is there anything in the film to support that this murder is a \"hit?\" I am trying to remember if this is when Jack met up with the other guy (when Adrian was following Jack to work), thus receiving his instructions and money. Also, why didn't Jack just steal the guy's passport, as he did Adrian's? Or do you think Jack got caught in the act and then had to kill him? Didn't Jack say to Adrian something to the effect that now that he (Jack) was longer needed, no one would take responsibility for what he had become? BTW, I also looked up (online) the origin and meaning of the name Jack. Most sites listed Jack as a variation on John. One site, however, showed the name Jack as Hebrew in origin, the name as meaning \"supplanter\": someone (or something) that takes the place of another, usually by force. Time to pull out all the Beatle albums and play them backwards for clues! ;-)"}, {"response": 1799, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov 14, 2000 (19:02)", "body": "(Moon) You are correct, that is what happens. Jack was ready to leave the Country instead he found himself stuck in a situation and he had to act. He was not a cannon serial killer but he had to kill those two for the obvious reasons. At the end he might have thought that he might not be able to stop killing and that probably affected him psychologically. (Lisa), were the first two murders in the film \"hits?\" I may be wrong, but I don't remember the news coverage of the first murder supporting this. Plus, if Jack is still an assassin and not a serial killer, why would the neighbors be worried about their own lives? The neighbors never suspected Jack, they suspected Adrian. We can assume that Jack was a hit man from 1) The agent that speaks to him. He probably has been working for him all along. 2) The military picture that Adrian finds of Jack. We later see the same symbol in the background at the theatre during the lecture that Christian gives. Wasn't the second murder a woman (the one before the guy with the passport), and isn't the cross that Jack gives to Adrian ( for his mother) from the dead woman? Is there anything in the film to support that this murder is a \"hit?\" I considered that woman to be a hit. It shows us that Jack also kills women and it sets it up for the end when he kills Claudia. I agree about the cross, Jack probably took it from that dead woman and planned to give it to Adrian for his mother. A gift of friendship. Also, why didn't Jack just steal the guy's passport, as he did Adrian's? Or do you think Jack got caught in the act and then had to kill him? How could he just steal the guy\ufffds passport? He had to kill him. With Adrian it was easier. Adrian was sleeping in his room and he knew where to find it. the name Jack as Hebrew in origin, the name as meaning \"supplanter\": someone (or something) that takes the place of another, usually by force. Time to pull out all the Beatle albums and play them backwards for clues! ;-) LOL! Maybe we will hear Apt. 0 on # 9. ;-)"}, {"response": 1800, "author": "LisaJH", "date": "Tue, Nov 14, 2000 (20:31)", "body": "(Moon) We can assume that Jack was a hit man from 1) The agent that speaks to him. He probably has been working for him all along. 2) The military picture that Adrian finds of Jack. We later see the same symbol in the background at the theatre during the lecture that Christian gives. Yes, I remember all of this, and do not doubt that he WAS a hit man; rather, I had originally thought that he was crossing over to serial killer during the course of the film. (Moon) The neighbors never suspected Jack, they suspected Adrian. Didn't the neighbors suspect Adrian only toward the end of the film when they thought he had murdered Jack and Adrian fell over the railing of the stairs? I was not implying that the neighbors ever suspected Jack, but rather they were fearful of a killer on the loose in Buenos Aires."}, {"response": 1801, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov 14, 2000 (20:45)", "body": "they were fearful of a killer on the loose in Buenos Aires. I believe there was mass hysteria back then. People were disappearing by the hundreds. That is why the felt safe behind their masks . It was another way to detach themselves of the outer world, Buenos Aires."}, {"response": 1802, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Nov 14, 2000 (21:33)", "body": "(Lisa) and isn't the cross that Jack gives to Adrian ( for his mother) from the dead woman? (Moon)I agree about the cross, Jack probably took it from that dead woman and planned to give it to Adrian for his mother I thought the cross was given to Jack by Vanessa (gay guy). Jack had been in his/her apratment before he went in to Apt 0...When he saw Adrian distraught, he said ...\"here...I got this for your mother today in ? (sounded like some flea maarket)\""}, {"response": 1803, "author": "caribou", "date": "Wed, Nov 15, 2000 (21:46)", "body": "Hi everyone! I am a fan of Colin Firth and have been following your Apartment Zero discussion and had to join in. This movie was always very upsetting and unsettling for me until now. I think I have been able to understand it better because of your discussion. I have a question. What do you think is the underlying statement this Apartment Zero is making?"}, {"response": 1804, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Nov 15, 2000 (22:52)", "body": "Glad to hear our discussion is helping you understand it better, Caribou. I think we are slowly working our way to answer your question. Stay tuned. :-)"}, {"response": 1805, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 16, 2000 (05:15)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1806, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Nov 16, 2000 (05:17)", "body": "(Lisa) Do you think Adrian gets caught for murdering Jack and assisting with the disposal of Claudia? Does he continue to kill? No, I wouldn't think he continues to kill and he probably wasn't caught for either murder. Claudia's would be chalked up to being political retribution as she was a member of that group trying to uncover the identities of the death squad. (Moon) There is a scene with different shots of Claudia and the next scene is Adrian waking up in bed, a bit shaken. The scene of a man and woman in a cafe is seen through Jack's eyes. Yes, Adrian wakes up a bit shaken, but he is hearing Jack's sobbing in the other room. Toward the end, after they've dumped Claudia's body, Adrian has little flashbacks of Claudia at the theater. (Tracy) What I also saw (or thought I saw) was Jack's hand squeeze Adrian's trigger finger as he was aiming the gun toward himself. Having just rewatched this sequence over and over to try to sort out the hands and fingers, I don't think you can tell whose finger is on the trigger. However, it sure sounded to me like Jack says, \"do it,\" which would mean Adrian actually pulled the trigger. (Evelyn) Jack was already dead according to the authorities...didn't the man in the raincoat tell him that? Jack actually tells this to Adrian in the car after dumping Claudia. In the men's room, the raincoated man tells him he doesn't want to see him anymore. (Moon) Comparison with Psycho Both had a shower scene. ;-D (Lisa) Now I am confused. Join the club. I got totally confused, so just rewatched. ;-D (Lisa) but were the first two murders in the film \"hits?\" I think so. Why else would Jack continually be meeting up with the raincoated man in BA? He's getting his orders. (Lisa) I don't remember the news coverage of the first murder supporting this. Although the death squad activity was technically over, the news coverage did mention that the method of killing was the same as by the death squad members. (Lisa) isn't the cross that Jack gives to Adrian ( for his mother) from the dead woman? The woman wasn't wearing a cross. (Caribou) What do you think is the underlying statement this Apartment Zero is making? Get three solid references before renting. ;-) OK, onto a question I have: Jack's eyes intrigue me. As Gi mentioned early on, he uses them to seduce people. But a couple of times, Jack is wearing sunglasses, covering those mesmerizing eyes. When he tries to leave the country, the customs official asks him to take off his glasses and they do a little staring, but Jack doesn't get his way and is denied. Later, he wears the sunglasses when Claudia is at the door. What do you think is going on? Who noticed that the name on Adrian's mother's door was Princessa? ;-D"}, {"response": 1807, "author": "Moon", "date": "Thu, Nov 16, 2000 (14:50)", "body": "Who noticed that the name on Adrian's mother's door was Princessa? ;-D VG, Karen! Since that was the ambience that Adrian grew up in, it explains his standoffish attitude with the rest of the neighbors very well. It also makes the change that takes place at the end a harder one, more psycho logical. ;-) When he tries to leave the country, the customs official asks him to take off his glasses and they do a little staring, but Jack doesn't get his way and is denied. Later, he wears the sunglasses when Claudia is at the door. What do you think is going on? He has lost his identity and tries to hide behind his dark shades. He is starting to lose it and he does not trust what his eyes might reveal."}, {"response": 1808, "author": "caribou", "date": "Thu, Nov 16, 2000 (23:31)", "body": "(Karen)Who noticed that the name on Adrian's mother's door was Princessa? ;-D This just adds to the feeling I get that Adrian's mother represents Eva Peron. The scene where he sees her lying on the bed in the glowing white room hauntingly reminded me of seeing Evita in her glass coffin."}, {"response": 1809, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Nov 17, 2000 (13:49)", "body": "If Adrian's mother \"represents\" anyone but herself, then I guess Adrian must be a symbol too?"}, {"response": 1810, "author": "lafn", "date": "Fri, Nov 17, 2000 (15:28)", "body": "If Adrian's mother \"represents\" anyone but herself, then I guess Adrian must be a symbol too? From a CF website: \"Director Martin Donovan: \"Apartment Zero for me was a metaphor for Argentina. For me, Adrian LeDuc is Argentina - old-fashioned, elegant, detached. He senses himself invaded by a presence which he at first finds positive. By the time he discovers that it is not, it's too late. He's grown used to it.\" [Giuliana Mercorio, September 14, 1989]\" So his mother could be construed to be Evita. Thanks Caribou for that insight. and Karen for picking up the clue of her name on the door..."}, {"response": 1811, "author": "patas", "date": "Fri, Nov 17, 2000 (20:32)", "body": "Interesting... Thanks, Evelyn."}, {"response": 1812, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Nov 18, 2000 (04:15)", "body": "So what must that make Jack? Hmmm, let's see. He's the horrible foreigner (or American) that is all things to everybody but screws and kills them all. Work for you? ;-D"}, {"response": 1813, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 20, 2000 (19:28)", "body": "If Adrian represents Argentina, then the other neighbors could also represent some part of Argentina. The old English ladies that stayed = the colonization of foreigners ie. Maldinas. The young woman = loneliness and isolation. Vanessa the transvestite = the non-morals of present-day society, etc. Argentina is not stable, Adrian is not stable. They are both being taken over by different circumstances, mainly the killings, and the desaparecidos. Jack loses it with the passport. He had become comfortable with who he was, the mercenary. He has to change identity once more and feels comfortable with Adrian Le Duc\ufffds passport. But when that one does not work out and he has need for another passport a once more a new identity, he loses it completely. Adrian loses it with the death of his mother. Of course, these two circumstances occur at about the same time. Visually we see the crypt doors close on Adrian. The next scene goes to Claudia entering Apt. 0 and the door closing behind her. With his mother dead, Claudia is now the only other woman Adrian likes and actually talks to. With Claudia dead, Adrian is completely trapped. But why does he help Jack? Maybe it is the only way he can know what happens to the body. It is the least he could do for Claudia."}, {"response": 1814, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Nov 20, 2000 (19:41)", "body": "In the beginning of the film Adrian says, \ufffdA James Dean retrospection always works miracles\ufffd. At the end Adrian has transformed himself into a James Dean type. It is a miracle he got through it all, as Argentina has. I watched the end again and saw that Jack did put his thumb over Adrian\ufffds finger on the trigger. So we can assume that they both pulled the trigger. In the creepy scene at the end we see Jack dressed in Adrian\ufffds suit and we also see a hole on his right temple. In the end shot in front of the movie theatre, we see Adrian dressed liked Jack and he even has the stitches on his right temple. Adrian took full responsibility for changing Jack, the Gemini once more."}, {"response": 1815, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Nov 20, 2000 (20:25)", "body": "Good conclusions, Moon. I must watch it again.This film is like a mine field. (Moon)at the end we see Jack dressed in Adrian\ufffds suit and we also see a hole on his right temple. In the end shot in front of the movie theatre, we see Adrian dressed liked Jack and he even has the stitches on his right temple Probably dressed in Jack's clothes.Completing the exchange of personas."}, {"response": 1816, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (03:46)", "body": "(Moon) In the beginning of the film Adrian says, \"A James Dean retrospection always works miracles\". Have always had a problem with Adrian's comment. James Dean only made three movies. How could that solve his financial problems? ;-D More later"}, {"response": 1817, "author": "Moon", "date": "Tue, Nov 21, 2000 (14:08)", "body": "At the end Adrian had put up black curtains to separate the living room from the dining room where Jack waited so patiently for him. ;-) The drama, the stage, the pretense, the actor, all things that attracted Adrian were now more than ever part of his life. He could handle it. The rest of the house could stay a mess, but his stage was set."}, {"response": 1818, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Dec  2, 2000 (17:32)", "body": "(Lisa) isn't the cross that Jack gives to Adrian ( for his mother) from the dead woman? I think I found the origin of the cross necklace. Something is happening off-camera when the scene opens with Jack in Vanessa's apartment . There is an exchange of some sort and a thank you. I think Vanessa gives Jack the necklace and he is still holding it when he comes home to find Adrian there early in the day. (Karen) So what must that make Jack? Hmmm, let's see. He's the horrible foreigner (or American) that is all things to everybody but screws and kills them all. Work for you? ;-D Jack is the American that shows up to help Adrian with his financial problems but he is almost like the American Adrian wishes would show up. Adrian says he reminds him of James Dean (America \"Hollywood style\"). It's almost a dream come true for a fan."}, {"response": 1819, "author": "tamzin", "date": "Thu, Feb  8, 2001 (20:09)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1820, "author": "terry", "date": "Mon, Apr 30, 2001 (04:45)", "body": "Wow! karenr's BJD is number one on google.com now when I search for \"Bridget Jones Sequel\". It's ahead of some pretty big sites. Not surprising, since the content there is head and shoulders above everyone else. Great work, Karen!"}, {"response": 1821, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Sat, Jun  2, 2001 (03:55)", "body": "Have been waiting patiently for the last several days and was just wondering: what is considered a quorum for the purpose of discussing WOF? Have been watching it multiple times in order to be able to participate. Since I have missed all of the very interesting and entertaining discussions to date, am eager to begin. Please advise how long these things usually take."}, {"response": 1822, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun  2, 2001 (04:58)", "body": "Usually, we just set a date to start it off - which we haven't done yet. I think a number of people were going to be ordering it from Amazon or elsewhere. How does a week from Monday sound? June 11? Should it be sooner? Let's hear some opinions."}, {"response": 1823, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun  2, 2001 (16:37)", "body": "Not sooner, please! I will extremely busy in June, but will add my two cents, and my two euros. ;-) It hope that gives everyone enough time to get the tape."}, {"response": 1824, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Sat, Jun  2, 2001 (21:55)", "body": "June 11 is fine with me, if it gives everyone time to join in. I'll look forward to it."}, {"response": 1825, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Tue, Jun 12, 2001 (03:59)", "body": "Gaaah! I just looked at the paper for the first time in days and realized that we were supposed to begin discussion of WOF today. I haven't had much time lately to put my thoughts together, but if someone else starts I will gladly jump in with my comments. I thought this was a pretty interesting choice for CF. I wonder if it was because he wanted to work with PO'T. I found CF's character to be the most \"normal\" in his behavior--perhaps intentionally, since he was the only person on the island who was famous only due to his connection to a famous person--by proxy, as it were. Since he had never been famous while on earth, it didn't bother him when his fame in the afterlife turned out to be fleeting. That's all for now. Will be back tomorrow when I have more time."}, {"response": 1826, "author": "toyce", "date": "Tue, Jun 12, 2001 (13:36)", "body": "I'll throw my two cents in, but I'm starting with 2 very prosaic questions: 1. What was the name of the resort where it was filmed? 2. What do you think the reason is that Bianca won't go back? Is she too afraid that she won't be able to handle regaining her memory and would rather be in the vacuum?"}, {"response": 1827, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jun 12, 2001 (15:23)", "body": "I think it's because Bianca doesn't think she is even dead. And what's with Dr. Frische (am I spelling that right?). Why is she there to talk to the guests and then it turns out she was never registered at all? It's almost like Smith is taking Valentin on a journey of self discovery (in his wirter's head) in order to show him how awful it was that he stole his manuscript and to appease his own anger at the same time. Did you notice the plaque on Smith's door in the afterlife? It read: Brian SMITH 1957-1966 Murderer. Those dates make him only nine years old. Was that a mistake or was that when the book was published or something? The movie is very surreal to me. Is it possible that the whole movie, starting at the point he takes the gun, is in Smith's head? Remember he says to Valentin at the dock, I didn't say \"I did,\" I said \"suppose\" (about killing him). I do love the way CF pronounces Bianca's name--more like \"Bi-Anka\" as in Paul, the singer ;-). And I love his look, at the end, when he watches the teens (who he gathered) ask Valentin for autographs. Very sweet and satisfied. When he walks off, is he going to Paris (it was on the departure board that he looked up at)? Maybe to research and write about Bianca's life in order to keep her comfortable in the afterlife (if he couldn't take her with him), if that was a reality or is it to immortalize her? I guess it's the same thing... And what's the symbolism of the dolphin earring? I'm not sure where reality and imagination begin and end in this movie. And where was the movie shot? Is it supposed to be London (everyone speaks in British accents, except a reporter in 1966 and the two Valentin retropective participants in 1990)? So many questions...sorry...it is a very strange and hard movie to understand completely. More comments to come on CF's performance which was very subtle since he had to seem like a fanatic fan at the beginning, but was really angry writer because his manuscript was plagiarized."}, {"response": 1828, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 12, 2001 (16:22)", "body": "Thanks to all our new ladies for starting us off so well. I'll be with you soon. Started watching it last night, pausing to take notes, which I won't be able to decipher later. This process makes a 2 hour movie at least 4 hours long... What we don't go through. ;-D Couple of quick things: (Lora) Why is she there to talk to the guests and then it turns out she was never registered at all? I think she lost her fame on earth, so in the hotel's eyes, she doesn't exist anymore and that's why the attendant said she wasn't registered. They too forget their guests. (Lora) I do love the way CF pronounces Bianca's name--more like \"Bi-Anka\" as in Paul, the singer ;-). Me too. :)"}, {"response": 1829, "author": "toyce", "date": "Tue, Jun 12, 2001 (16:38)", "body": "\"It read: Brian SMITH 1957-1966 Murderer. Those dates make him only nine years old. \" I noticed that as well. Also, how long do they spend on the island? In real time it doesn't seem to be that long, but I can't believe that when they go back Valentin is such a total unknown. I know it's supposed to mean fame is fleeting, but I can't believe it goes that quickly for a star of Valentin's repute. You are so right. It is sweet that Colin arranges for those girls to ask him for his autograph."}, {"response": 1830, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Jun 12, 2001 (17:26)", "body": "(Karen)I think she lost her fame on earth, so in the hotel's eyes, she doesn't exist anymore and that's why the attendant said she wasn't registered. They too forget their guests. That was my take on this, too. (the way people were moved around made me think of \"The Prisoner\") I was disappointed when she faded. I loved how she was helping Brian deal with understanding the place. A sane, caring person in a sea of egos. I found Bianca very confusing. At first I thought she was twins, or maybe schizophrenic, because she didn't remember bumping into Brian in the maze. didn't even recognize her own earring, but then later she was looking for it. I expected her to turn out to have been a suicide--that maybe the loss of memory was the result of her erradication of her own life. From a movie-making point of view, I think Bianca doesn't go back with Brian because it serves the plot better to have Valentin go back with him. But we wouldn't expect Brian to choose Valentin when he could take Bianca. When Bianca refused, I wasn't surprised to see that Valentin was the one he took back. It gives the movie a nice symmetry. And I did love the autograph set-up that was such an act of kindness. On a more frivolous note, I thought Colin looked good, although I still prefer his hair to be curly. But wavy is OK. And did they lighten/highlight his hair, or is it naturally that light? (I know it isn't naturally \"Darcy-dark\" but is it that light?) And there were lots of opportunities to see that wonderful loping walk. Finally, does anyone remember an interview from the P&P days, when Colin said something about not wanting to be terribly famous (so famous that you can't go out for a bog roll without it being in the press)? I wonder if his distrust of fame comes from doing this movie (does he ever think of Brian when he walks past lines of drooling fans?), or did his distrust of fame draw him to this project?"}, {"response": 1831, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jun 12, 2001 (18:33)", "body": "(Karen)I think she lost her fame on earth, so in the hotel's eyes, she doesn't exist anymore and that's why the attendant said she wasn't registered. They too forget their guests. So many of the artists that started to lose their fame went to the attic first, though. She was the only one that just suddenly and completely disappeared because of its apparent loss. (KateDF)I loved how she was helping Brian deal with understanding the place. A sane, caring person in a sea of egos. I missed her presense, too, which is why I wondered how and why it happened so completely. Could it be that society on Earth had become so cynical and self-absorbed (in 80's & 90's)that her psychological theories could not exist for them anymore? Valentin sought her advice, too, and she helped him start to treat Brian as an equal. I think that it is a lot of time that passes (maybe 15 to 20 years or so)for Brian Smith and Cesar Valentin because when they return to Earth there's a video game machine in the train station restaurant (you can hear video music in background)and Brian has a little bit of a surprised reaction to having the electronic glass doors open for him at the train station as he and Valentin walk through. When were those invented? Probably later than the late 60's. Yet time seems to stand still for them - no clocks, sundail doesn't move, and when the man asks Valentin what year it is in the lobby, the man is surprised that it's *already* 1966."}, {"response": 1832, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 12, 2001 (19:51)", "body": "(Louise) I found CF's character to be the most \"normal\" in his behavior--perhaps intentionally, since he was the only person on the island who was famous only due to his connection to a famous person--by proxy, as it were. In a sense he is normal as Brian Smith and is caught up in the glitter of others' celebrity, but look at the pen name he has taken: Norman Eliot Trigorin, which even Valentin says is \"fairly pretentious in its own right.\" [Norman Mailer, T.S. Eliot and Trigorin, the fictional famous writer in Chekhov's The Seagull. I'll give you more about the latter in a bit.] (Toyce) What was the name of the resort where it was filmed? Have no idea. Didn't see anything in the credits. To me, all that marble in the hotel's lobby looked more like a museum than a hotel. (Toyce) What do you think the reason is that Bianca won't go back? Is she too afraid that she won't be able to handle regaining her memory and would rather be in the vacuum? IMO she's very confused and may even be a little schizo, as seen in her warnings to Brian at the party not to believe them about returning to life (just like all the lying about being dead, everyone's a doctor, etc.). During the shag scene, she repeats, ahem, among other things, \"this reminds me of someone...I'll find it.\" Then there's this strange look on her face as if she had remembered something, but afterward, returning from the window, she tells Brian that she \"Can't remember.\" I think she did remember, but chose not to, just as she chose not to return to the living. Something back there was too painful for her and she wants it blotted out. (Lora) It's almost like Smith is taking Valentin on a journey of self discovery Absolutely, yet the admissions he makes do not show much growth as a human being. More about that later, as I get my thoughts in order. BTW, I never noticed the dates 1957-1966. I can't believe the filmmakers were this negligent. Surely, there must be some esoteric reason for this. *haa haa* (Lora) Is it possible that the whole movie, starting at the point he takes the gun, is in Smith's head? Remember he says to Valentin at the dock, I didn't say \"I did,\" I said \"suppose\" (about killing him). I took this more as a part of the cat and mouse or head game that Brian is playing with Valentin. (Lora) And where was the movie shot? Is it supposed to be London (everyone speaks in British accents, except a reporter in 1966 and the two Valentin retropective participants in 1990)? From the credits, it might have been shot in Belgium and France. The present-day scenes don't look very London to me and I thought I caught a sign behind the Metro that looked like it might be a Flemish name. (Toyce) how long do they spend on the island? Judging from the modern appearance (hair and clothing) of the people at the end, I'd put it some 20+ years later. Plus Bruce Springsteen's Dancing in the Dark is in the jukebox and that was 1984. (Kate) I expected her to turn out to have been a suicide We can't rule that out. All we are told is that it was a car accident. It may not have been an accident. Fits with her wanting to blot out the past and not return as I mentioned before. (Kate) When Bianca refused, I wasn't surprised to see that Valentin was the one he took back. Besides, who else did he know? That old hag who was throwing herself at him? ;-) (Kate) On a more frivolous note...And there were lots of opportunities to see that wonderful loping walk. Not a frivolous thing to me. Why do you think it took me so long to get through this movie? Man, oh man, that overcoat was just swinging away. ;-) (Lora) She was the only one that just suddenly and completely disappeared because of its apparent loss. Or the basement. Who knows the rules of this place. ;-0 (Lora) Could it be that society on Earth had become so cynical and self-absorbed (in 80's & 90's)that her psychological theories could not exist for them anymore? Excellent thought and would require that she get the boot immediately. (Lora) Yet time seems to stand still for them--no clocks, sundial doesn't move, and when the man asks Valentin what year it is in the lobby, the man is surprised that it's *already* 1966. Time goes very quickly."}, {"response": 1833, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Tue, Jun 12, 2001 (20:11)", "body": "Lora: \"I think that it is a lot of time that passes (maybe 15 to 20 years or so)for Brian Smith and Cesar Valentin because when they return to Earth there's a video game machine in the train station restaurant (you can hear video music in background)and Brian has a little bit of a surprised reaction to having the electronic glass doors open for him at the train station as he and Valentin walk through.\" You're absolutely right. I can't believe I missed this. The scenes at the railroad station did look like current day (1990ish?). If I remember right, video game craze was either in the late 70's or early 80's. (A couple of my brothers were obsessed, but I found the repetitiveness of early video games boring.) The idea that time passes quickly in the afterlife is pretty standard. It seemed like only a couple of days had passed on the island. I noticed that the pool was full at the beginning but was empty by the time CF and PO'T had their little confrontation on the high diving platform. Something else I thought of: this appears to be a German (or possibly Dutch) production. I wondered about the significance of the title--there was a film back in the '80's that also touched on the afterlife called \"Wings of Desire\", which I believe won awards at various film festivals (maybe even best foreign film Oscar?) It was directed by Wim Wenders and was about an angel in love with a circus performer. Very surreal also. I haven't seen it since then but wondered if the \"wings\" idea was a quote of some kind and how it related to the two films. Re the Bianca character: I think her refusal to admit that she was dead may have been related to a couple of things. When you pass from life to the afterlife, what determines how you perceive your existence? Ghosts are supposed to be people who don't know they are dead--hence they hang around the places they knew when they were alive--usually the place where they died. Someone has to convince them they are dead before they can travel to the \"other side\". Is this Bianca's problem? Is she \"lost\" (i.e., unaware of her \"real\" plane of existence) because her fame removed her from the place where she died and put her on the island? Another question I'd wondered about: who were all the people swimming and wailing around the island? Were they people who were semi-famous, and didn't quite make the list, so they were trying to get there by swimming? Were they people who had once been on the island, had been banished when their fame ran out, and were trying to get back? And what was the significance of the fact that the Russian poet who didn't want to be famous tried to get off the island by swimming, but didn't make it. Also, what is the significance of the fact that CF and PO'T arrived by boat (a la river Styx) and departed by superspeed train (if any)? One thing the existence on the island reminded me of was a play by Sartre called \"No Exit\" (\"Huis Clos\"). Unfortunately I haven't read it since college, but from what I remember hell is eternity in a room with no exit with someone you can't stand. Oh well, that's enough of my \"stream of consciousness\" for now. However, I'll leave you with my favorite from the film: when CF decides to leave the session with the \"new age\" guru, he says, \"This is bulls**t. I'm off.\" You gotta love a man with that attitude."}, {"response": 1834, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Tue, Jun 12, 2001 (20:35)", "body": "(Lora)Brian has a little bit of a surprised reaction to having the electronic glass doors open for him at the train station as he and Valentin walk through. Yes! I noticed the reaction, but totally missed the significance. And contrast the Metro cars. The ones from 1966 didn't look as sleek as the ones at the end. I liked the use of the newspaper (Daily Mail) with the article about John Lennon saying that the Beatles were more popular than Jesus. (I remember that this statement raised quite a fuss) Lennon was killed by a fan. Would anyone know who Mark David Chapman was if he hadn't killed Lennon? I wonder if this \"hint\" was placed there to give the audience the expectation that Brian was an obsessed nut case/stalker?"}, {"response": 1835, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jun 12, 2001 (21:07)", "body": "Yet time seems to stand still for them--no clocks, sundial doesn't move, and when the man asks Valentin what year it is in the lobby, the man is surprised that it's *already* 1966. (Karen)Time goes very quickly. Karen, you are so right. The surrealism of the movie plays tricks with my head. Time on the island/in the afterlife does go very quickly. I guess it's just the sundial that makes time or the measurement of time stand still and non-existent ;-). (Karen)[Norman Mailer, T.S. Eliot and Trigorin, the fictional famous writer in Chekhov's The Seagull I loved the sound of his pen name (especially when CF said it). I caught Eliot, but not the others. Very interesting. Would love to hear about Trigorin reference. (Louise)I'll leave you with my favorite from the film: when CF decides to leave the session with the \"new age\" guru, he says, \"This is bulls**t. I'm off.\" You gotta love a man with that attitude. That was great, Louise! All that humming and ear lobe touching was too funny and too embarrassing for ODB to be a part of ;-). But did you notice that the red-headed woman followed him out and then he came out of her room in the next scene with a giant smirk on his face? Of course then she slapped him *Ouch*. But I couldn't tell if they did something naughty in that room together or not? Why did he have that \"cat that ate the canary\" grin on his face? Then he goes and washes his face in the sink, something he does in a lot of his movies when he's upset. So what do you think happened in there ;-) ;-)? I didn't catch that grin until the second time I watched it."}, {"response": 1836, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 12, 2001 (21:42)", "body": "A little housekeeping request regarding the format: Please put the person's name who you're quoting or responding to at the beginning in parens. If your own comment is there too, make sure it's labeled. Also, no quotation marks are necessary. All this will make my life easier for editing and everyone can follow who said what. Thanks, ladies. This is a going so very well. Come on, you old Colin hands, dust off that tape and get in here. Back later. ;-)"}, {"response": 1837, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 12, 2001 (21:46)", "body": "(Louise) \"Wings of Desire\"...It was directed by Wim Wenders and was about an angel in love with a circus performer. Very surreal also. I haven't seen it since then but wondered if the \"wings\" idea was a quote of some kind and how it related to the two films. The title does harken back to that film, plus the overcoat that Brian wears is reminiscent of the angel figures. However, the big difference between the Wenders classic and this one is that this one didn't put me to sleep! ;-D"}, {"response": 1838, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Tue, Jun 12, 2001 (22:17)", "body": "Karen: However, the big difference between the Wenders classic and this one is that this one didn't put me to sleep! ;-D Wot? You mean the sight of Columbo in a raincoat did not have the same effect on you as sight of ODB? Can't say that I blame you. Now that I think of it, maybe that is the significance of the whole raincoat thing (which was repeated in \"City of Angels\" as standard issue for the well-dressed angel)--Columbo obviously had an enormous influence on Wenders and subsequent directors of angel movies."}, {"response": 1839, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 12, 2001 (22:25)", "body": "(Karen)To me, all that marble in the hotel's lobby looked more like a museum than a hotel. Or a mausoleum. (Lora) Then he goes and washes his face in the sink, something he does in a lot of his movies when he's upset In his plays too....3 DOR, Act II. Very impressive ladies...I'm lurking here, but will soon finish film and jump in."}, {"response": 1840, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 13, 2001 (00:24)", "body": "(Lora) Why is she there to talk to the guests and then it turns out she was never registered at all? (Karen), I think she lost her fame on earth, so in the hotel's eyes, she doesn't exist anymore and that's why the attendant said she wasn't registered. They too forget their guests. Agreed. However, the big difference between the Wenders classic and this one is that this one didn't put me to sleep! ;-D This will be the biggest of all the differences in our POV, Karen. Wim Wenders is untouchable and this film is so deep... put those BJD books away! Which film came first? Are you sure it was WoF? A great classic to do a compare/contrast with would be \"Last Year at Marienbad\" an Alain Resnais film. Come on, you old Colin hands, dust off that tape and get in here I don't have too much time now to contribute as I would like, but, you asked for it, Karen. Now let's get to the existencial question: Is he happy? (She asks as she dips into her bowl of cherries. ;-)"}, {"response": 1841, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 13, 2001 (03:14)", "body": "OK, the final scenes took place in Brussels. Check out the Metro map (M logo matches, plus they exited at De Brouckere as the sign was visible, and the little girls were speaking French. (Moon) Which film came first? Are you sure it was WoF? Oh no, Wings of Desire was first (1987), that is, after Last Year at Marienbad, but existentially speaking, does it really matter? ;-D"}, {"response": 1842, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 13, 2001 (04:51)", "body": "Took another look, paused and stared at the screen. It's 1937 not 1957, which would make Brian 29. Perfect. :-)"}, {"response": 1843, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Jun 13, 2001 (12:49)", "body": "(Lora)Yet time seems to stand still for them--no clocks, sundial doesn't move, and when the man asks Valentin what year it is in the lobby, the man is surprised that it's *already* 1966. (Karen)Time goes very quickly. I've been thinking about this. Time goes very quickly for them on the island/in the afterlife, but it also stands still because they do not age! Which made me think about Brian Smith's plaque again. I thought what you thought, Karen, that 1937 would make Brian the more appropriate age of 29 (probably Colin's age when he made the movie since it was probably made in 1989). Then I put the tape back in and used the still button when they focus on his plaque... (Karen)Took another look, paused and stared at the screen. It's 1937 not 1957, which would make Brian 29. Perfect. :-) Lo and behold, if you use the still button on that shot, the number changes every other frame! It goes from 1957 to 1937 to 1957 to 1937 and so on! I even had my kids watch to make sure that my eyes were not playing tricks on me ;-). Try it if you have the still frame capability. So, maybe it is supposed to be a forshadowing or hint that Brian goes back to Earth (was he reborn in some way in 1957?)and when he does it would have to be in 1986 (video games and Dancing in the Dark help support this)which would keep him at 29 years old. That's why the plaque really appears to be both numbers (definitely playing tricks on your eyes when it runs at normal speed)!"}, {"response": 1844, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Jun 13, 2001 (15:47)", "body": "(Lora)(probably Colin's age when he made the movie since it was probably made in 1989). Sorry, I'm wrong about the 1989 date. I just re-read Karen's #1841 post (under map) that the movie came out in 1987. The *video* came out in 1990 (I was looking on the package for a date--bad idea). So CF was only 27, but of course he can play any age ;-). But in the movie he needs to stay 29, so it must be 1986 when he returns to Earth (from the 1957 year of birth). Wonder what Valentin's plaque says? We don't get a look at it. We do see Einstein's, which is correct...I think."}, {"response": 1845, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 13, 2001 (19:24)", "body": "I\ufffdve only viewed WOF once this time. Have to agree that it is surreal. I don\ufffdt usually like this genre (popular with the Europeans, I know...but then I\ufffdm ..NOT).Can see why it was a hit in the FF circuit and no distributor would touch it.These stories are always difficult to decipher and I don\ufffdt think we ever will. I would not go to see this film except for ODB. Still, it is intriguing and the acting is pretty good. CV & IMDb says he filmed this in 1989...after Valmont.... \ufffdThe Difficult Years\ufffd Lots of loose ends & symbolism all over the place. But at the end we can all agree in how much Valentin and Brian have changed. Brian is calmer, not as angry and in control. He saunters out of the train first, followed by a humbler -clothes -ruffled Valentine. I like the way he accepts Brian\ufffds authorship of the book and asks him to sign it with his pseudonym. To reciprocate Brian asks the girls to seek Valentin\ufffds autograph. Each one has achieved self -esteem. Now...as for Bianca..that takes another viewing... Who are the hoods in black who come storming out of the troop-carrier? The moaning ,drowning swimmers must be the people who are no longer famous and have been banished."}, {"response": 1846, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 13, 2001 (22:06)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1847, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 13, 2001 (22:09)", "body": "(Louise) Someone has to convince them they are dead before they can travel to the \"other side\". Is this Bianca's problem? Did Dr Frisch fail to give Bianca her orientation tour? ;-D I tend to believe--based on absolutely nothing mind you--that she was disturbed before she died and wanted to forget something that occurred around the time of her death, which may even have been connected with it. Aren't most causes of amnesia due to trauma...or a clunk on the head (another kind of trauma)? (Louise) And what was the significance of the fact that the Russian poet who didn't want to be famous tried to get off the island by swimming, but didn't make it. I think he just represented a \"type,\" a revolutionary type who didn't want to be there on principle. ;-D He didn't make it because the people there had no ability to control their fates. (Louise) Sartre called \"No Exit\" (\"Huis Clos\")...from what I remember hell is eternity in a room with no exit with someone you can't stand. I love it! There's really quite a lot going on in this movie. Merrick (guy who asks about the year) is supposed to be Sartre, who also refused to accept his Nobel Prize for Lit. One of my favorite bits involves Merrick and Valentin at the pool. Their conversation is hysterical, especially this bit: Merrick: The simplicity of the actor's mind is fascinating. You must make a novel...a very short novel. Valentin: What would that be? Only 200 pages. (Kate) I liked the use of the newspaper (Daily Mail) with the article about John Lennon saying that the Beatles were more popular than Jesus. Actually, I thought that was pretty nifty myself. Not only did the headline establish the year, but it also spelled out the film's subject: our celebrity culture and fame. (Lora) But I couldn't tell if they did something naughty in that room together or not? I think she slapped him because he disrupted their meditation and was rude (true but rude). Nothing naughty in the way I think you mean. ;-D Love what she calls him to return the insult: \"You're nothing, a common assassin.\" Little does she know he's far from that. (Evelyn) Still, it is intriguing and the acting is pretty good. That's funny, because the first time I saw WOF I thought the supporting cast was pathetic. But now, I'm either more tolerant of them or seeing things in a new light, i.e., that they're acting caricatured parts intentionally. (Evelyn) followed by a humbler-clothes-ruffled Valentine. Since you bring up clothes, I find it very amusing that Valentin's first request is for a change of clothes, but poor Brian wears the same outfit throughout. While watching the credits, I saw so many names for the wardrobe crew and had to laugh as I pictured 4 hangers allocated for Colin's wardrobe and racks and racks for PO'T. ;-D"}, {"response": 1848, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 13, 2001 (22:20)", "body": "(Karen) Aren't most causes of amnesia due to trauma...or a clunk on the head (another kind of trauma)? Didn't the waiter at the coffee shop at the end say she was in an automobile accident.That would account for the head injury. (Louise) Someone has to convince them they are dead before they can travel to the \"other side\". Is this Bianca's problem? If she has amenesia, then all she knows is the present. Why would she want to go back? She does not remember a life back there. It means nothing to her."}, {"response": 1849, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 13, 2001 (23:37)", "body": "(Evelyn), The moaning ,drowning swimmers must be the people who are no longer famous and have been banished. This made me think of one of the rings of hell in Dante's Inferno. (Louise) Sartre called \"No Exit\" (\"Huis Clos\")...from what I remember hell is eternity in a room with no exit with someone you can't stand. Yes! And Sartre is the father of existentialism which brings me to my question: Is Brian happy? He finally gets the chance to be around Valentin all the time. Was that not an earthly pursuit?"}, {"response": 1850, "author": "Lora", "date": "Thu, Jun 14, 2001 (02:24)", "body": "(Moon)He finally gets the chance to be around Valentin all the time. Was that not an earthly pursuit? Yes, I think it was an Earthly pursuit in order to talk to him about stealing his manuscript, not because he was a fanatic fan. In the afterlife, he finally gets to confront him on the diving board at the now empty pool. He seems like he is waiting for him there, doesn't it? Also in this scene I love how Brian gets Valentin to save him (Brian) from falling by appealing to Valentin's vanity about his role in Julius Ceasar (even though Brian had never seen the film). Brian seems to be more in control (over Valentin) in the afterlife than he was on Earth and he seems to know that he has that power. When Brian is out on the patio area listening to those people talk, he is sitting at a table that has a surface covered with a layer of sand. He seems to be drawing the labyrinth in the sand with his finger like he is trying to figure it out. Then he wipes it away (with great Darcy-like aloofness). Is he trying to understand Bianca a little better here? The only thing Bianca does remember is how to do is get in and out of the labyrinth. No one else can do that without going through the hedges. I don't think Brian is happy on Earth until he returns there with Valentin and each of them has reached a new understanding about each other and about themselves."}, {"response": 1851, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Thu, Jun 14, 2001 (02:43)", "body": "Moon: Is Brian happy? He finally gets the chance to be around Valentin all the time. Do you really think this is what Brian is after? IMO what he really wanted was recognition in his own right--as a great biographer. During his stay at the island he realizes that being famous may not be what it's cracked up to be, especially after you're dead. In life, you may have nuts in every cheering crowd who want to kill you for their own, obscure, twisted reasons. In death, you're only as good as the memories of the fans--which are fickle and unreliable, at best. I think he also realizes that in the end it's more important to be remembered by those who love you rather than by a bunch of strangers. Maybe the latter is just my interpretation of the Bianca thing--what a tragedy that he loves her and will remember her forever and she'll forget him as soon as he's gone. Brian sees that even though he envied Valentin in his (Brian's) former life, he does not really want what Valentin had because it turned out to be such a pathetic thing in the end. O.K. that's all I have time for now. SPOILER ALERT: If you haven't seen MOTM, do not read beyond this point!!! I have a quick question for you \"old-timers\": is there a discussion somewhere in the archives about MOTM? If so, please tell me the approximate time frame I'm looking for. I have looked on this thread and did not see it. I just saw MOTM and am very interested in your interpretations of CF's character and his father's illness--were they supposed to be suffering from the same mental disorder, just in different stages, or were SW's actions just a \"one-off\", but one he couldn't live with? P.S. I hope it's O.K. for this to be here, I wasn't really sure where it belonged. This film really intrigued me, and I would like to find out more about it. Thanks."}, {"response": 1852, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Thu, Jun 14, 2001 (03:03)", "body": "(Lora)Also in this scene I love how Brian gets Valentin to save him (Brian) from falling by appealing to Valentin's vanity about his role in Julius Ceasar (even though Brian had never seen the film). Yes, very clever how he uses this to get saved, and then tweaks Valentin by admitting that he hadn't seen that film. Considering that Brian was an expert on Valentin, I wonder if he had, in fact seen it, but couldn't resist teasing Valentin. Interesting that this is also the film that is shown in the Valentin retrospective (after they return). Didn't the projectionist tell Brian that it was the last one, as in the last exisitng print of the film (or possibly the last print of any of Valentin's films)? If so, Valentin got out of \"wherever\" just in time to avoid becoming unfamous and getting dumped in the water with the other forgotten souls."}, {"response": 1853, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 15, 2001 (05:14)", "body": "About MOTM: No, we haven't held a formal discussion of it here. *************** (Evelyn) If she has amenesia, then all she knows is the present. Why would she want to go back? She does not remember a life back there. It means nothing to her. She seems to want to know her past, trying to understand her dreams. But then again, she also confuses the present with a dream as on the staircase. (Moon) Is Brian happy? He finally gets the chance to be around Valentin all the time. (Louise) Do you really think this is what Brian is after? IMO what he really wanted was recognition in his own right--as a great biographer. What makes you think he's a biographer? My take on the situation is that he wrote a story (the manuscript) and probably sent it to Valentin (for some reason or other) and Valentin appropriated the story, renaming it his autobiography. I do agree with you , however, that Brian sought recognition and an acknowledgement from Valentin that what he did was wrong. Initially, Brian envied the celebrity lifestyle, was in awe of it, but he does finally see through it as Valentin's loss of fame takes its toll. At the end, Brian appears happy, but that kind of happiness was not what he sought. The one thing that I really like is that, once they arrive at the place, the tables are turned. At the beginning, Brian is pursuing Valentin. Later, Valentin pursues Brian, wanting to know who is and why he shot him. I love how amused Colin is with the reverse in roles, taking every opportunity to be enigmatic and to give him the slip. And what's with the toothpick chewing? ;-) I've also heard that both Colin and Marie Trintignant had body doubles. Naturally a stunt man hung from the diving platform in the long shot, but it's just not possible for the bedroom scene. The credits show stand-ins for the two, as is done for all movie leads. Someone has to stand there for the boring lighting tests, etc., but come on, how would that be possible?! No way."}, {"response": 1854, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Jun 15, 2001 (14:43)", "body": "(Karen)I've also heard that both Colin and Marie Trintignant had body doubles. I don't believe it, either. He certainly hasn't been shy in other movies! I wonder if the person who originally said this misunderstood the role of a stand-in? Or was misled by the fact that the credits show stand-ins for CF and MT, but not PO'T? (although he would probably have had one as well)"}, {"response": 1855, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 15, 2001 (14:50)", "body": "I can't tell you *how* many times I've watched that scene (purely in a technical capacity, mind you) and there's no way. Hmmm, maybe I should get the magnifying glass out to see if I can match up those moles on the back of his neck. Gosh, somebody's got to do the heavy lifting here. ;-)"}, {"response": 1856, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Jun 15, 2001 (20:49)", "body": "If your eyes get too weary, Karen, and you need a \"designated watcher,\" I'm willing to fill in! When I went to check on something in WOF, I popped the tape in and discovered taht I had left it \"parked\" on that scene. Can't remember why, but I think I might remember..."}, {"response": 1857, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Sat, Jun 16, 2001 (05:18)", "body": "You know, my WOF tape is stopped in the same place. And my P&P2 tape is stopped on the pond scene, etc. I'm sure the fool who said that CF had a body double was just jealous because his girl friend did the same thing with her tape. I did think it strange that Marie T refused to be topless but was not opposed to being bottomless in that scene. At least they didn't try to cover the action with a sheet--just CF's back. By the way, am I the only one who loves the way CF says \"So what's all this about a paraffin heater, hmmmmm?\" It's so sexy. Jeez, the man could make vanilla pudding sound sexy. I also love it when he smiles smugly, which he does a lot in WOF. Sigh, I'm off to rewind to the good part again."}, {"response": 1858, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 16, 2001 (13:58)", "body": "So what's everybody's second favorite scene ;-)) Mine is at the end when Valentin asks Brian to sign the book...and Brian gives him a big smile *sigh*"}, {"response": 1859, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jun 16, 2001 (14:39)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1860, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jun 16, 2001 (16:42)", "body": "I enjoy this film because there's so much going on and has a lot of clever parody. Was it ever released to the screen? Some of the acting is strained and the interior sets are pretty cheesy but I think it's a pretty sharp statement on fame's fleet flight (sucker for alliteration). I'm trying to find Peter O'Toole's second volume to his autobiography to see if he ever mentions this film but I can't find the book in my local library. (Toyce)What do you think the reason is that Bianca won't go back? Is she too afraid that she won't be able to handle regaining her memory and would rather be in the vacuum. She doesn't want to have to face her demons again? I like what Kate said about her possibly being a suicide. What kind of a life will be waiting for her on real earth? (Karen) Something back there was too painful for her and she wants it blotted out. or She doesn't know she's dead so in her mind Brian can't be taking her back to the real world. She thinks she's already in it. She doesn't know where he thinks he's taking her. (Lora)And what's the symbolism of the dolphin earring? Good question. Surprised no one's taken you up on that yet. ;-) Has always bothered me too that Dr. Frisch was completely obliterated while others hung on. You'd think the slide to obscurity would be less dramatic. I guess there were all different level of dealing with lost fame. Perhaps it wasn't her loss of fame but her perception of life on the island that was dangerous to her existence there. Found the untouchables interesting too - Albert Einstein, for one. No fear of him losing his fame. He's even exempt from the game at the end. We don't see Lassie or the Lindbergh Baby there either. ;-) I noticed there's no artwork in the hotel. Even the lowliest Budget Motel has something on the walls. They don't perpetuate anyone's fame, do they."}, {"response": 1861, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sat, Jun 16, 2001 (20:05)", "body": "I wonder who Dr. Frisch is IRL. I think all those people represent *someone* who has been famous.That architect who is surrounded with the model and places the swatika on top of one of the buildings..the Russian poet. I bet they are all identifiable. The dolphin earring...only one, and she wears it later.The waiter did say at the end that she died in an automobile accident. Perhaps it was self-inflicted. Her voice sure sounds like Edith Piaf."}, {"response": 1862, "author": "fitzwd", "date": "Sat, Jun 16, 2001 (20:24)", "body": "(Evelyn) I think all those people represent *someone* who has been famous.That architect who is surrounded with the model and places the swatika on top of one of the buildings Albert Speer? Is that actress related to Jean-Louis Trintignant?"}, {"response": 1863, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Sat, Jun 16, 2001 (21:03)", "body": "It is his daughter."}, {"response": 1864, "author": "Moon", "date": "Sat, Jun 16, 2001 (21:07)", "body": "This discussion is great. I need more time now to get into it. Like the dolphin earring, will have to think about it."}, {"response": 1865, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sat, Jun 16, 2001 (22:00)", "body": "(Louise)At least they didn't try to cover the action with a sheet--just CF's back. I think that they did cover some *parts* of ODB, however :-). I used my still button on this scene which allows me to go one frame at a time (just like on the dates on Brian's plaque ;-)) and you can see that CF has what looks like white bikini underwear on which are about the same color as the sheets. If you look at that scene one frame at a time you will definitely see them. And once you know when they appear you can even pick them up for a split second when the scene runs at regular speed. So maybe a body double wasn't necessary afterall ;-). Try it! (Heide) Has always bothered me too that Dr. Frisch was completely obliterated while others hung on. You'd think the slide to obscurity would be less dramatic. I guess there were all different level of dealing with lost fame. Upon another viewing of the scene when Dr. Frisch and Brian are walking and see the Lindbergh baby, he asks her where are the old chaps? (The Shakespeares, Gallileo's and Mozarts). She answers him with, who says there is only one island or hotel around here. So maybe she goes suddenly to *that* level of fame. I guess it's also possible for a guest to go in the totally *opposite* direction, to permanent fame (Brian and Valentin kept seeking her advice and wanted more even after she left). (Heide)Found the untouchables interesting too - Albert Einstein, for one. No fear of him losing his fame. He's even exempt from the game at the end. We don't see Lassie or the Lindbergh Baby there either. ;-) Except that Einstein does seem bothered by the gong from the ceremony when he comes out to steal some more chalk (and maybe an eraser). He still keeps at his formulas. Even Dr. Frisch said that she really missed her mice and rats, I guess to keep at her experiments since she said that she learned more from them than from people. They are all more afraid of oblivion than death (as she told Brian on their walk). BTW, was that Hemingway struggling up and jumping wildly from the platform into the pool? What is it that he doesn't want to lose? (Evelyn)The dolphin earring...only one, and she wears it later. There *is* only one and dolphins usually travel in pairs or schools/families. So she is without the pair. So maybe her lover died with her in a car crash, but he wasn't famous, so she is without him? Is she looking for him in the other men? She does seek Valentin and she and the dart thrower had something at one time. Brian seems to take his place for a while... (Evelyn) I think all those people represent *someone* who has been famous. Ironically, I was reading a review yesterday of the new movie, Bride of the Wind. The female lead is Alma Mahler, the wife of Gustav Mahler, and who was famous for being his muse and the muse of and lover to artist Oskar Kokoschka, architect Walter Gropius, and novelist Franz Werfel. She sounded a lot like the fictional muse in WOF (who is described similarly on stage)! Also why isn't Brian ever held in contempt for being a murderer? There's no reaction from the registrar or Dr. Frisch. And why, as a murderer, is he *rewarded* with winning the lottery and getting the grand prize (which is never repeated)? Also thought is was interesting that the only Americans in the afterlife were maybe the astronauts ;-)."}, {"response": 1866, "author": "Lora", "date": "Sat, Jun 16, 2001 (22:21)", "body": "(Lora)And what's the symbolism of the dolphin earring? (Heide)Good question. Surprised no one's taken you up on that yet. ;-) Heide, thanks for bringing it up again. I meant to include your statement above. I took a stab at it myself, but I think there must be a lot more to that earring. I look forward to more discussion about the earring and other things as well. Like you said, there is so much going on!"}, {"response": 1867, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Sun, Jun 17, 2001 (00:10)", "body": "Re Bianca: a couple of things. She feels safe at the center of the labyrinth. What do we know about labyrinths? The only thing I could remember was the story about the minotaur. Didn't Ariadne help Theseus to kill the minotaur and provide a way out for him by unwinding a ball of yarn? I can't quite make the bridge from that tale to WOF. However, I looked up labyrinth on the internet and came up with the following: This is the classical or seventh circuit labyrinth. Seven circuits refers the seven paths that lead to the center or goal. This is an ancient design and is found in most cultures. It is sometimes dated back more than 4000 years. Also known as the Cretan Labyrinth it is associated with the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur. This design was found on Cretan coins. Labyrinths have most likely always been used in a spiritual manner. They can create a heightened awareness of the human condition and aid psychological and spiritual growth.To build a labyrinth is to create a sacred space. To walk a labyrinth is to imbue it with power and meaning. The more a labyrinth is used the more powerful it becomes as a symbol of transformation. The classical labyrinth has an association with Christianity. A cross is the starting point used to construct this labyrinth. The cross at the center can become the focus for meditation and the experience of the labyrinth. The classical labyrinth design is found in many churches in Europe. You'll notice that Brian Smith doesn't seem to be interested in taking the meaningful path into the labyrinth. He just wants to see Bianca as soon as possible, so he barges through the hedge instead (I'd always heard the phrase 'looked like he was dragged through a hedge backwards', but this was the first time I'd actually seen it). So Bianca is a seeker of the meaning of (her former) life and what her dreams can tell her about it. Brian, on the other hand, is more of a pragmatist. He goes after his goal, and is interested only in the best way to achieve it. He's not interested in the journey. As for the meaning of the dolphin earring, I also looked up dolphin in mythology: apparently it can be associated with birth (same root word as Delphi) and the god Apollo. I'm not sure what, if anything, this has to do with WOF, however. I'm just throwing things out to see if they ring any bells. I noticed that Bianca's hit song was called \"L'Amour partira demain\" and the flip side was \"Tous les deux\". As far as her relationships go (with Valentin one day and Brian the next), it would appear more like \"L'Amour partira hier\" in Bianca's case. She's searching for someone to help her regain her memory, her 'life'. She leaves Valentin because he only wants to talk about himself. She leaves Brian because he keeps trying to tell her what she doesn't want to hear--that she's not an amnesiac in a mental hospital, but a dead soul in the afterlife. I wish we knew if Bianca's character was supposed to represent a real person, or not. A lot of the other characters on the island are based on real people, so why not Bianca. Does anyone know about a French girl pop star of the '60's who died in an auto accident? It might make her character make more sense if we knew. I've got a feeling that we're missing quite a few things in this film because we're not familiar with the originals. I'll have to watch the film again to see if anything else pops out at me."}, {"response": 1868, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 17, 2001 (21:55)", "body": "Hmmmm, need to get back in here, but Lora's comment about that famous woman in WOF reminding her of Alma Mahler Gropius Werfel reminded me of a very very funny song by Tom Lehrer many years ago about her. Too bad you can't hear it, but this is his intro (it was a live performance) and the lyrics which were to a waltz tempo song: Last December 13th, there appeared in the newspapers the juiciest, spiciest, raciest obituary that has ever been my pleasure to read. It was that of a lady name Alma Mahler Gropius Werfel who had, in her lifetime, managed to acquire as lovers practically all of the top creative men in central Europe, and, among these lovers, who were listed in the obituary, by the way, which was what made it so interesting, there were three whom she went so far as to marry. One of the leading composers of the day: Gustav Mahler, composer of Das Lied von der Erde and other light classics. One of the leading architects: Walter Gropius of the Bauhaus school of design. And one of the leading writers: Franz Werfel, author of the song of Bernadette and other masterpieces. It's people like that who make you realize how little you've accomplished. It is a sobering thought, for example, that when Mozart was my age he had been dead for two years. It seemed to me, I'm reading this obituary, that the story of Alma was the stuff of whic ballads should be made so here is one. The loveliest girl in Vienna Was Alma, the smartest as well. Once you picked her up on your antenna, You'd never be free of her spell. Her lovers were many and varied, From the day she began her -- beguine. There were three famous ones whom she married, And God knows how many between. Alma, tell us! All modern women are jealous. Which of your magical wands Got you Gustav and Walter and Franz? The first one she married was Mahler, Whose buddies all knew him as Gustav. And each time he saw her he'd holler: \"Ach, that is the fraulein I moost have!\" Their marriage, however, was murder. He'd scream to the heavens above, \"I'm writing Das Lied von der Erde, And she only wants to make love!\" Alma, tell us! All modern women are jealous. You should have a statue in bronze For bagging Gustav and Walter and Franz. While married to Gus, she met Gropius, And soon she was swinging with Walter. Gus died, and her tear drops were copious. She cried all the way to the altar. But he would work late at the Bauhaus, And only came home now and then. She said, \"What am I running? A chow house? It's time to change parters again.\" Alma, tell us! All modern women are jealous. Though you didn't even use Ponds, You got Gustav and Walter and Franz. While married to Walt she'd met Werfel, And he too was caught in her net. He married her, but he was carefell, 'Cause Alma was no Bernadette. And that is the story of Alma, Who knew how to receive and to give. The body that reached her embalma' Was one that had known how to live. Alma, tell us! How can they help being jealous? Ducks always envy the swans Who get Gustav and Walter (you never did falter), With Gustav and Walter and Franz. I know some people feel that marriage as an institution is dying out, but I disagree and the point was driven home to me rather forcefully not long ago by a letter I received which said: \"Darling, I love you and I cannot live without you. Marry me, or I will kill myself.\" Well, I was a little disturbed at that until I took another look at the envelope and saw that it was addressed to 'Occupant'. Speaking of love, one problem that recurs more and more frequently these days in books, and plays, and movies on, is the inability of people to communicate with the people they love. Husbands and wives who can't communicate; children who can't communicate with their parents, and so on. And the characters in these books, and plays, and so on, and in real life, I might add, spend hours bemoaning the fact that they can't communicate. I feel that if a person can't communicate the very least he can do is to shut up."}, {"response": 1869, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sun, Jun 17, 2001 (22:12)", "body": "BTW, Alma died in 1964 so she's very likely the woman who inspired all those creative geniuses. ;-)"}, {"response": 1870, "author": "lafn", "date": "Mon, Jun 18, 2001 (00:55)", "body": "Hilarious. *wiping tears* \"She said, \"What am I running? A chow house? It's time to change partners again.\" What woman hasn't thought *that* one..."}, {"response": 1871, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Mon, Jun 18, 2001 (01:46)", "body": "Karen! I can't believe you typed out that whole song! I love Tom Lehrer, and as soon as someone mentioned Alma, that song came to mind. Lehrer isn't as well known as he once was, so thank you for helping to keep him out of the water with the other formerly famous souls! I'll have to watch WOF again and try to see if I can recognize anyone specific. I did notice the astronauts. Since they were \"in uniform,\" I wonder if they were supposed to be the ones who died in a pre-launch fire--can't remember how long ago that was. And was the red-haired woman supposed to remind the viewer of Rita Hayworth, either specifically as an individual, or as a \"type?\" Her hair and dress were Hayworth-ish. As for the dolphin earring, I haven't a clue what that represents. Louise, I like the labyrinth symbolism. Excellent point! Bianca is definitely trying to get something--probably self-knowledge--out of her experiences in the labyrinth. As you said, Brian isn't interested in the journey. He wasn't interested in the meditating/chanting experience, either."}, {"response": 1872, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 18, 2001 (04:58)", "body": ""}, {"response": 1873, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jun 18, 2001 (05:00)", "body": "I didn't type it out, but found it on a Tom Lehrer website. In fact, I wouldn't even be able to play the song as I only have the old LP and, of course, no turntable. ;-) I'm going to have to get the CD as am humming: \"First you get down on your knees...\" The other woman wouldn't be Rita Hayworth, as she hadn't died yet. (Louise) am I the only one who loves the way CF says \"So what's all this about a paraffin heater, hmmmmm?\" It's so sexy. Jeez, the man could make vanilla pudding sound sexy. I also love it when he smiles smugly, which he does a lot in WOF. No, you're not the only one. I thought his chewing on a toothpick was pretty damned sexy. ;-) He's quite smug every time Valentin catches up with him and tries to get him to answer. A little role reversal going on (the star chasing the fan??) and Brian is vastly amused at Valentin's expense. (Evelyn) So what's everybody's second favorite scene ;-)) LOL. Well, if I have to pick another one, it is right before the shag, in the labyrinth, when Brian is holding Bianca. Oh, I could just get lost in those arms. But I also like when he's yelling at Valentin on the diving platform. (Heide) Albert Einstein, for one....He's even exempt from the game at the end. Didn't see Bianca in line either. (Evelyn) Her voice sure sounds like Edith Piaf. It does? Not to me. She sounds like all the Euro pop singers, something which has never caught on in the US. (Lora) you can see that CF has what looks like white bikini underwear on which are about the same color as the sheets. Am shocked that our eagle-eyed compatriots have never noticed this before, as with that smidgen of blue showing in Femme Fatale and the illusive Nessie. I'm off to pop that tape back in the VCR shortly. (Lora) Also why isn't Brian ever held in contempt for being a murderer? How one gains fame doesn't appear to matter. It's one's degree of fame. Remember the people trying to amuse themselves outside, and the one lady asks how everyone died. One guy said he was a serial killer of women. The lady didn't look pleased, but nothing happened. Also, you had terrorist there as well. No one cared. (Lora) And why, as a murderer, is he *rewarded* with winning the lottery and getting the grand prize (which is never repeated)? He held the lucky number, so them's the rules. ;-) Loved the riot that ensues. (Lora) Also thought is was interesting that the only Americans in the afterlife were maybe the astronauts ;-). Why do we presume they were Americans? Was the flag patch visible? They could've been Soviet cosmonauts. I'm sure a number of them died in accidents. (Lousie) Labyrinths have most likely always been used in a spiritual manner. Great stuff on labyrinths. Brian doesn't want to go back to meet Bianca there either. It all fits with his pragmatic approach to things in contrast to Bianca's search for more spiritual meaning. Plus she does say that the center of the labyrinth is the only place she feels safe, i.e., a sacred space."}, {"response": 1874, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Tue, Jun 19, 2001 (05:28)", "body": "I found a reference that said that in some cultures, dolphins lead souls into the afterlife. I don't know if this was the reason for Bianca's earring, but I suppose it could be. Also, I don't think we've touched upon something that is a critical part of Brian Smith's experience on the island, which is when he asks Dr. Fritsch an important question: Dr. Fritsch, do you believe there is love after death . . .the love of a man for a woman? Her response is that of the pragmatic scientist: The only emotions I have observed here are jealousy, vanity and anger. Brian thinks he's falling in love with Bianca, but isn't sure about it and decides to ask Dr. Fritsch's opinion. When he sees her with Valentin, he is indeed angry and jealous. But later I think he realizes that to Valentin, Bianca was more of an \"audience\" than a lover. The more he knows about what makes Valentin tick, the more he forgives him for stealing his book. In the end, he tries to make amends for killing Valentin by paying the young girls to ask for autographs. Who is redeeming whom in this movie? Is Brian's purpose to teach Valentin a lesson about not taking his fans for granted? Is Valentin's purpose to teach Brian that all the fame in the world doesn't amount to much if you don't leave people who love you behind when you die? And what is Bianca's character supposed to be telling us: don't deny the truth in front of your face just because you're afraid to admit it? Or maybe it's that you should never turn down a free trip back to earth with a gorgeous guy unless you really are crazy. I don't know the answers to these questions, I'm just trying to figure this movie out."}, {"response": 1875, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 19, 2001 (13:41)", "body": "(Louise) I don't know the answers to these questions, I'm just trying to figure this movie out. And you're doing a brilliant job of it! I love your find about the dolphin. Bianca keeps losing her earring, which prevents her from going to the afterlife. Dr. Fritsch, do you believe there is love after death . . .the love of a man for a woman?...The only emotions I have observed here are jealousy, vanity and anger. I've had that one marked down as well because her observation bothered me. On surface, it would appear correct, but how do you explain the gay couple? Right before the party, what they had looked like love to me. Brian may have been falling in love with Bianca, but I put that down to his not belonging in that place. He wasn't truly one of the famous people. But I would need my mice and rats to test that out. ;-)"}, {"response": 1876, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jun 19, 2001 (14:07)", "body": "Well done, Louise.I think you've hit on something here...but why only one dolphin earring? (Louise)Is Valentin's purpose to teach Brian that all the fame in the world doesn't amount to much if you don't leave people who love you behind when you die? Just a thought.... Is \"fame\" in this movie a symbolic term for immortality? Is \"loving\" on earth the only way we can be remembered after death?"}, {"response": 1877, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jun 19, 2001 (14:44)", "body": "(Karen)Loved the riot that ensues. Me, too ;-). (Lora) Also thought is was interesting that the only Americans in the afterlife were maybe the astronauts ;-). (Karen)Why do we presume they were Americans? Was the flag patch visible? They could've been Soviet cosmonauts. I didn't say they *were* Americans, remember I said *maybe* ;-). I couldn't make out a flag patch, but I did see three of them sitting together at the front table during the ceremony. The pre-launch fire that killed three American astronauts, Gus Grissom, Edward White, and Roger Chaffee, was in Jan. 1967, so that would work date-wise. (BTW, I also thought I might have even caught a glimpse of Eleanor Roosevelt as Brian leaves the ceremony to go look for Bianca, she died in 1962.) They could have been cosmonauts, I just don't know that history very well. I was just wondering if there were *any* Americans. (Louise) In the end, he tries to make amends for killing Valentin by paying the young girls to ask for autographs. I hadn't noticed that he paid them. I'll have to look again. I did, however, love what you said about Brian learning so much from Valentin about the price of fame and how ugly it could be. He seemed changed so much for the better when he returned to Earth and I couldn't put my finger on what was the catalyst. You wrote so clearly about Brian's observations of Valentin in the afterlife and how that taught him how fleeting fame could be. You explained his metamorphosis very well for me. I wish I could copy those comments from one of your first postings on the movie, but I fear I'll lose what's here. (I'll try it at my next posting ;-)). (Louise) And what is Bianca's character supposed to be telling us: don't deny the truth in front of your face just because you're afraid to admit it? Or maybe it's that you should never turn down a free trip back to earth with a gorgeous guy unless you really are crazy. I quite agree with you that she gave up a really grand opportunity there ;-)! One thing I have noticed about Bianca, though, are her attributes: everything is circular or almost a complete circle -- her records, her record player (have never seen one quite like that)& she carries it with her a lot, and her bed are all circular. The hair at the sides of her face and the dolphin earring are roundish but not complete circles--maybe representing the gaps in memory she has. Doesn't the circle represent something here? Unfortunately, everytime I have a theory about Bianca, I end up at a dead end just like in a labyrinth when one doesn't know the way ;-). My second favorite scenes are when Bianca says to Brian outside the elevator: You can look really mean, did you know that? (thought of what many said about Darcy--but didn't know the real man inside), and what Brian says to Bianca as he is about to go through the hedge into the heart of the labyrinth: I'm coming in! (and in he goes *heehee*, like the pond scene ;-))"}, {"response": 1878, "author": "caribou", "date": "Tue, Jun 19, 2001 (22:04)", "body": "Re Bianca: She has sleepy eyes and voice and is always talking about dreams. I think she represents some sort of dream-oriented psychotherapy. Re the labyrinth: the concrete sculpture behind Brian and Bianca has a bow and arrow on it. Maybe it belongs to cupid but it also reminds me of the bow and arrow that the woman uses to chose Brian to return to earth. This movie is sometimes disorienting because things happen for no other reason than the plot requires them to happen. Such as, the workers are all-knowing and all-seeing like when one walks into Valentin's room and straight over to Bianca hidden behind the wall. But then, when Valentin needs to know who Norman Eliot Trigorion is the desk clerk is totally frozen. I think Dr. Frisch disappears because she had furthered the plot as much as she could. I am enjoying watching the film for the art elements in it. Two of the outdoor scenes by the pool look surrealistic to me. I think one of Dali's melting clocks would fit right it. I don't know a lot about cubism but a couple of things remind of that kind of art. Has anyone else noticed the one table in the dining room that had more than a white tablecloth? It had some glasses and then, colorful shape things that didn't seem to belong. Also, did anyone notice the orange jello served to someone at the ceremony? I always thought this was an \"art\" film but I don't think all of them actually display art like this one."}, {"response": 1879, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jun 19, 2001 (22:39)", "body": "(Lora) I didn't say they *were* Americans, remember I said *maybe* ;-) Actually, you're probably correct. Thinking logically, the Soviets never let on about their space failures, so how could their cosmonauts become famous? Doesn't the circle represent something here? A circle typically represents wholeness/unity, no beginning; no end. The circle is a universal symbol with extensive meaning. It represents the notions of totality, wholeness, original perfection, the Self, the infinite, eternity, timelessness, all cyclic movement, God ('God is a circle whose center is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere' (Hermes Trismegistus). As the sun, it is masculine power; as the soul and as encircling waters, it is the feminine maternal principle. It implies an idea of movement, and symbolizes the cycle of time, the perpetual motion of everything that moves, the planets' journey around the sun (the circle of the zodiac), the great rhythm of the universe. The circle is also zero in our system of numbering, and symbolizes potential, or the embryo. It has a magical value as a protective agent, ... and indicates the end of the process of individuation, of striving towards a psychic wholeness and self-realization. BTW, I've found some references to the labyrinth being a key image from the Marienbad movie, so I've picked up the movie (not as easy as I thought) and am anxious to see how closely WOF follows. (Caribou) Such as, the workers are all-knowing and all-seeing Except when Brian slips out from the party and behind their backs up the grand stone staircase. Did he magically find a pair of crepe-soled shoes? ;-)"}, {"response": 1880, "author": "Moon", "date": "Wed, Jun 20, 2001 (01:37)", "body": "Hermes Trismegistus Now you are moving into alchemy too! This is my type of discussion. I regret that I don't have the time to get into it. :-( the labyrinth being a key image from the Marienbad movie, so I've picked up the movie (not as easy as I thought) and am anxious to see how closely WOF follows I am very impressed, Karen! You know how much I like that film. I had a little crush on Alain Robbe-Grillet, the writer, and imagine my surprise when he came to UCLA for a conference! I had a very long chat with him en francais."}, {"response": 1881, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Jun 20, 2001 (14:10)", "body": "(Karen)BTW, I've found some references to the labyrinth being a key image from the Marienbad movie, so I've picked up the movie (not as easy as I thought) and am anxious to see how closely WOF follows. I seem to remember from a film class I took in college something about concentric circles of time in the film, Last Year at Marienbad. How time is in the form of concentric circles, events fitting into each other which have the same center, but not following each other like in regular chronological time. In WOF, this seems to apply since people are not seen going from one place to another usually. The film goes from scene to scene without concern for chronological time, sometimes with characters wearing different clothes from the scene that you thought came before it (except for Brian who always wears the same clothes ;-)). Wish I could remember more or what concentric circles of time mean here. I'll try to think about it some more as I clean out all the cobwebs ;-)."}, {"response": 1882, "author": "Lora", "date": "Wed, Jun 20, 2001 (15:42)", "body": "(Louise)During his stay at the island he realizes that being famous may not be what it's cracked up to be, especially after you're dead. In life, you may have nuts in every cheering crowd who want to kill you for their own, obscure, twisted reasons. In death, you're only as good as the memories of the fans--which are fickle and unreliable, at best. I think he also realizes that in the end it's more important to be remembered by those who love you rather than by a bunch of strangers. (...) Brian sees that even though he envied Valentin in his (Brian's) former life, he does not really want what Valentin had because it turned out to be such a pathetic thing in the end. Thanks, Louise. Your summary above is what I was refering to in response # 1877 and what helped me understand Brian's transformation towards happiness and satisfaction at the end of the film."}, {"response": 1883, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 20, 2001 (16:31)", "body": "...understand Brian's transformation towards happiness and satisfaction at the end of the film. I don't want to appear contentious here...but why do we think Brian was unhappy at the beginning? He was mad as hell at Valentin for pinching his manuscript... the manuscript Brian sent him for a film script. Who wouldn't be mad to find one's work encased in a bio? He takes revenge in an extreme form, mind you. Was Brian seeking fame at the beginning? I didn't see that. I do agree that he sees the liabilities of fame and accepts Valentin's apology."}, {"response": 1884, "author": "Lassie", "date": "Wed, Jun 20, 2001 (22:03)", "body": "Moon, I met Alain Robbe-Grillet also (and Michel Butor) at a conference on the Nouveau Roman. In the context of this discussion it is interesting to note that he wrote a novel entitled Le Labyrinthe (his best IMHO). BTW there is an interesting webpage on WOF at the Friends of Firth Roles Project website."}, {"response": 1885, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Wed, Jun 20, 2001 (22:16)", "body": "Perhaps you'd like to join this discussion, Lassie, as you appeared in the film. ;-)"}, {"response": 1886, "author": "lafn", "date": "Wed, Jun 20, 2001 (22:28)", "body": "(Lassie) BTW there is an interesting webpage on WOF at the Friends of Firth Roles Project website. I tried to access it, but it is no more. Can you pl. give us the URL where WOF is now living?"}, {"response": 1887, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Thu, Jun 21, 2001 (03:38)", "body": "Evelyn: Was Brian seeking fame at the beginning? Fame for its' own sake? No. But he wanted the recognition and success as a writer that Valentin \"pinched\" from him--and being famous would just go with the territory. And yes, I do think that he wanted to have the money Valentin got from the book, as well as the kudos for a best-seller. Look at the way he behaves in his crummy hotel room. You can tell that he is angry that this is all he can afford, while Valentin stays at a luxury hotel across town. I think Brian wants everything that Valentin has--especially the \"power\" that his position gives him. Brian hates the fact that he is pushed away by the bored hotel clerk. He is a nobody as far as Valentin's protective circle is concerned--not worth V's time to even speak to. I think that given a choice between being rich, successful and famous or poor, a failure and unknown, Brian would choose the former. If Brian truly did not want fame, he would be like the Russian poet--writing for writing's sake, and not caring if he received recognition, a fancy hotel suite, etc. In other words, I think there's a reason the movie is called \"Wings of Fame\"."}, {"response": 1888, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 21, 2001 (04:09)", "body": "Yes, recognition is what Brian sought and that he's star struck. But I think his motivation is summed up in that answer he gives to Valentin about why he killed him, the nonsensical one. At the end, he says \"a feeling that you exist.\" Brian didn't exist before, nor did Norman Eliot Trigorin. Do you think it coincidental that at the moment that Brian tells Valentin why he killed him it signals the beginning of Valentin's loss of fame? After having watched Last Year at Marienbad, I'm amazed by how much was used for WOF. You would really have to be knowledgeable of 1960s art films to be able to appreciate how much was used from this or from Bergman's The Seventh Seal (hooded figure represents Death). Would your average filmgoer realize that this film is a parody of those films? I don't think so. BTW, the frozen desk clerk is also from Marienbad where the extras were like statues or mannequins."}, {"response": 1889, "author": "caribou", "date": "Thu, Jun 21, 2001 (16:39)", "body": "(Karen) ...Bergman's The Seventh Seal (hooded figure represents Death). I'm glad you made that connection. It was very obvious having recently seen the other movie, too. Also, during the final ceremony, there is a guy playing chess but they do not show his partner. And, somebody escapes death (oblivion) in that one,too - don't they? (Karen) Would your average filmgoer realize that this film is a parody of those films? I don't think so. That's part of the fun for art film lovers -- seeing something that everybody else misses. That's part of the fun of these film discussions -- it's makes me go beyond my initial reaction to the film--Do I like it? Do I not? (Karen) BTW, the frozen desk clerk is also from Marienbad... I retract my statement about it only serving the plot then. I'm glad to know they had a reason, though obscure, for doing what they did."}, {"response": 1890, "author": "lafn", "date": "Thu, Jun 21, 2001 (20:44)", "body": "They ought to hand out Cliff Notes for this movie. Or at least warn you in the prologue: \"Psst...rent Marienbad and The Seventh Seal before you see this one\" Sheeesh. I'm finished."}, {"response": 1891, "author": "caribou", "date": "Fri, Jun 22, 2001 (19:19)", "body": "Re: Colin always wearing the same clothes. I noticed Patrick Swayze did in Ghost, too. It encourages me to not wear anything I don't want to wear forever (or be as famous as Valentin so I can demand a change of clothes.;-)"}, {"response": 1892, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 22, 2001 (21:20)", "body": "Speaking of Brian's clothes, it was pointed out to me that his outfit is very un-1960s and that's true. The filmmakers went to great lengths to put the extras in very '60s clothes and hair during the opening scenes, but Brian is definitely not dressed for the right period."}, {"response": 1893, "author": "Moon", "date": "Fri, Jun 22, 2001 (21:35)", "body": "Maybe Colin used his own clothes. ;-)"}, {"response": 1894, "author": "heide", "date": "Sat, Jun 23, 2001 (14:15)", "body": "Caribou, I like your observation of the \"artistic\" set decoration - the pool set looking like something out of Dali and the out-of-place objects set on the dining room table. I intend on searching for more next time I watch the film. Yet there is also an absence of art - at least they type of art one would expect in a hotel to please the eye and soothe the senses. The rooms are all quite austere. I know you've gone past the absence of American famous people in this disucssion but thought I'd point out that besides the astronauts, there was also Ernest Hemingway and the Lindbergh child. Who is to say that some of the other actors portrayed Americans too but decided not to affect the accent. ;-) A favorite - Valentin: Brian would you get me a pair of dark glasses? Brian: (incredulous look)-Go and get them yourself. V: I'd rather not. I don't want to be recognized. (Brian's little laugh and shake of the head. Next scene, Valentin is wearing the glasses.)"}, {"response": 1895, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sat, Jun 23, 2001 (16:49)", "body": "(Heide)Next scene, Valentin is wearing the glasses. Yes, and isn't it sad at the restrospective, when almost nobody is there, he removes the glasses and breaks them. Getting the boot from the \"island\" didn't sink in as confirmation that his fame was gone. It took the reality of nobody going to his film retrospective to make him understand. And that makes Brian's gesture of getting the kids to ask for autographs more poignant. And Valentin certainly perks up at that. Doesn't take much to feed a big ego. And here's another observation about Bianca. Did anyone else notice the hospital-style screen in her room? Her furniture didn't look at all like what you'd see in a hospital, but the screen did (although I don't know that hospitals would use flowered fabric). Is this related somehow to her belief that she is in a hospital? Do the caretakers who know everything provide each individual with the props they need to maintain their activities/beliefs? Einstein had his chalkboard for working out equations (although he had to steal chalk to keep working)."}, {"response": 1896, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Jun 23, 2001 (22:33)", "body": "(Kate) Do the caretakers who know everything provide each individual with the props they need to maintain their activities/beliefs? Also, the terrorists - they shouldn't let those people near the matches or explosives. The rock musicians would need fresh guitars for every jam session. The artist kept having enough canvases. The composer had a piano even in the attic and the poet had paper and pencil even in the basement. (Heide) Yet there is an absence of art. ...very austere. Right. So it makes me wonder why they put it where they do. For example, Valentin has a rather large abstract sculpture in his room which is later moved out into the hall when he is demoted. I did notice a huge stain glass window at the interior stairs when Brian first goes to his room. Another art connection is the staircase. When I stop to think about them I can't guess which go up and which go down from a distance. \"Like an Escher drawing\" (as ODB might say.) To summarize Dali connections: -the artist mentions Salvadore and Pablo (Picasso? - don't see any of his though) -the long shot of the pool both when Valentin wonders out and again when Brian is sitting throwing stones To summarize cubism connections that I noticed: -the misplaced items in the dining room -the long shot of the dining room itself -the orange jello triangle on the couples' table at the selection -the sundail and the fountain at the labyrinth -the hourglass - the two bases are square and the two chambers are triangular Any others? Has anyone already said how the ceremony was like The Gong Show? One night after watching the ceremony I caught a bit of The Late Show. Paul Shaffer used that exact same music when a blind-folded psychic failed to guess the name of a Rupurt Gee sandwich. :-) (Karen) Brian is definitely not dressed for the right period. Thanks for pointing this out. I was so occupied with how nice he looked that I had failed to notice. I also found it interesting to list the games and pasttimes people are doing: dress up (two people with one large red piece of fabric) darts roller skating (love that guy,reminds me of LA Story with Steve Martin) painting composing violin playing trap shooting tennis tag hide and seek Other games? I'm glad this movie is part of Colin's CV because it deals with death and the afterlife. He recently said that death is the one great inevitability we all face and facing it can only be good."}, {"response": 1897, "author": "rachael", "date": "Tue, Jun 26, 2001 (13:39)", "body": "sorry to come to this discussion very late and having missed one of my fave films (ATA), and living in a part of the world where most of Colin's films are too esoteric for video shops to stock; I know you've moved on from FP but one of my favourite facts about it, that maybe you all know but I didn't spot from scroling through all your discussions above, is that Nick Hornby has a small cameo in it. Wish I could get WoF and join in"}, {"response": 1898, "author": "Lora", "date": "Tue, Jun 26, 2001 (16:13)", "body": "Rachael, welcome! I'm a newbie myself. WoF can be purchased, if you're interested, from Amazon.com for about $7.99 plus shipping. You can just click at the bottom of this page on the Amazon icon to get there. I want to rent Last Year at Marienbad to jog my memory about it. I also remember something about convoluted time being discussed regarding the movie. I believe labyrinths (and inner ears) can be described as convoluted, coiled, twisted, and winding as well. (Maybe that's why Brian fidgets with his ear with his finger after Biance whispers directions to the heart of the labyrinth in his ear ;-))."}, {"response": 1899, "author": "caribou", "date": "Tue, Jun 26, 2001 (22:44)", "body": "(Lora) (Maybe that's why Brian fidgets with his ear with his finger after Bianca whispers directions to the heart of the labyrinth in this ear ;-)) LOL! We enjoy every little bit of his acting, don't we? Karen, what was the more about Trigorian and the journey of self discovery on which Smith takes Valentin? If you've already addressed those just point me to the posting number."}, {"response": 1900, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Wed, Jun 27, 2001 (14:47)", "body": "Re one of CF's mannerisms: do you think he wipes his mouth after drinking because he thinks that uptight people do this (have observed it in P&P2 and WOF), or do you think this is a \"personal\" mannerism? If the latter, it would be difficult for him to do a \"got milk?\" ad--they'd have to keep putting the \"mustache\" back on. It's rather endearing, really. To me, he looks almost like a little kid who's minding his p's and q's. You can just picture Darcy as a small, curly-haired boy, being told by his mum to be sure to wipe his mouth when eating or drinking."}, {"response": 1901, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Thu, Jun 28, 2001 (05:20)", "body": "(Kate) Doesn't take much to feed a big ego. He has nothing inside; no real history even. Makes you really feel sorry for him. (Kate) Did anyone else notice the hospital-style screen in her room?...Do the caretakers who know everything provide each individual with the props they need to maintain their activities/beliefs? Good observation. It would certainly reinforce Bianca's belief that she is in a hospital rather than convince her of her death. Caribou, great listing of artistic details and activities. (Gah! These dead people are more active than I am.) At my next viewing, I'm going to have a copy of your lists in hand. The Dali images contribute to the film's surrealistic dreamlike feel. Since you've reminded me about my Trigorin teaser, here it is: Brian's choice of the penname Norman Eliot Trigorin is interesting. Trigorin comes from the 'famous' writer in Chekhov's play, \"The Seagull.\" While Trigorin is described as a 'successful' writer, he has turned into a hack. His lack of aim as a writer is a reflection of his lack of aim as a person. Trigorin as a writer is so busy observing life that he cannot experience life directly. He searches for something that he can believe in and can feel strongly about. He looks for some strength of purpose in his writing. He knows what he is lacking. ...I see that life and science fly farther and farther ahead of me, and I fall farther and farther. behind, like the countryman running after the train; and in the end I feel that the only thing I can write of is the landscape, and in everything else I am untrue to life, false to the very marrow of my bones. Trigorin is the lover of Arkadina, an actress. Her son, Constantine, is the protagonist, another writer but a rebellious one. A rivalry deve ops between Constantine and Trigorin over the mother's affections and Trigorin's fame. But it deepens when the girl that Konstantine loves (Nina) falls for the false romanticism of Trigorin's works. Nina, an innocent type, does not see the man but the celebrated artist. She is carried away by his fame and stirred by his presence; an infatuation with him quickly replaces her affection for Constantine. To her Trigorin embodies her dream of a brilliant and interesting life. Arkadina is an interesting character, one with some parallels to Valentin. She has been described as \"an artist who lacks all conception of the relation between art and life. Barren of vision and empty of heart, her only criterion is public approval and material success. Needless to say, she cannot understand her son. She considers him decadent, a foolish rebel who wants to undermine the settled canons of dramatic art.\" One of the main themes presented in \"The Seagull\" is the desire to be appreciated and loved. It also explores the concepts of love and death within the context of theatre and literature. Makes you wonder what WoF's writer thought of Norman Mailer or T.S. Eliot, doesn't it? One hit wonders perhaps? ;-)"}, {"response": 1902, "author": "caribou", "date": "Fri, Jun 29, 2001 (20:09)", "body": "Karen, that is so helpful. I think those are clearly the connections the WOF writer is making by using the name Trigorin as Brian's pen name. Does anyone know who wrote WOF and if they have written other things? (Karen) re: Chekov's \"The Seagull\" Trigorin as a writer is so busy observing life that he cannot experience life directly. This is exactly the feel Brian Smith gives me during his \"afterlife\". Especially, when he responds to Dr. Frische as if he is reading back what has just been written. He was very involved while it was life but after death he seems so detached, very much only an observer. He seems aimless and doesn't seem to care about hardly anything. While this is Brian's story, in all regards, he is still mostly an observer. (Karen) Makes you wonder what WoF's writer thought of Norman Mailer or T.S. Eliot, doesn't it? One hit wonders perhaps? ;-) I've tried to see the connection between the writers Norman and Eliot and Chekov, but have been unsuccessful. They seem to have written during different eras and in different ways. Could that be the connection? Brian wanting to show how eclectic his writing? Could anyone possibly see them as one hit wonders? I only know T. S. Eliot's \"Cats\" but I'm sure there is much more. Isn't Norman Mailer still writing now?"}, {"response": 1903, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Fri, Jun 29, 2001 (20:45)", "body": "(Caribou) Could anyone possibly see them as one hit wonders? Not necessarily one-hit wonders but perhaps writers who made a big splash and then were never able to equal their early successes. I know Mailer made a huge splash with his first novel \"The Naked and the Dead\" and has even won a Pulitzer. But his name seems synonymous with hack journo-fiction and he's more a celebrity than his writing merits. It's funny that you mention the Cats thing for T.S. Eliot because that represents his post-important works such as The Waste Land or Prufrock, when he succumbed to the mundane. I'm going to run this past someone I know in the biz to see if she can make sense of it."}, {"response": 1904, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Sat, Jun 30, 2001 (04:16)", "body": "Caribou, as an ex-English lit major, I must tell you that T. S. Eliot wrote a lot more than children's verses about cats. I can never think of Eliot without thinking of \"The Wasteland\" ('April is the cruellest month') and \"J. Alfred Prufrock\". Take a look at this little excerpt from the former--the girl reminds me a little of Bridget Jones (if BJD wasn't a comedy): He, the young man carbuncular, arrives, A small house agent's clerk, with one bold stare, One of the low on whom assurance sits As a silk hat on a Bradford millionaire. The time is now propitious, as he guesses, The meal is ended, she is bored and tired, Endeavors to engage her in caresses Which still are unreproved, if undesired. Flushed and decided, he assaults at once; Exploring hands encounter no defense; His vanity requires no response, And makes a welcome of indifference. . . . Bestows one final patronizing kiss, And gropes his way, finding the stairs unlit... She turns and looks a moment in the glass, Hardly aware of her departed lover; Her brain allows one half-formed thought to pass: \"Well now that's done: and I'm glad it's over.\" When lovely woman stoops to folly and Paces about her room again, alone, She smoothes her hair with automatic hand, And puts a record on the gramophone. Or is that a CD and a bottle of wine? Eliot could paint a word picture complete with characterization in just a few lines. If you're interested in knowing a little more about him, take a look at this link: http://people.a2000.nl/avanarum/ which contains some info on the man and also some of his poetry. He also wrote \"Murder in the Cathedral\", which you may have heard of if you've ever seen \"Becket\". There was an interesting movie about him called \"Tom and Viv\" starring Willem Dafoe and Miranda Richardson. It was about his first marriage and how he stayed with his wife while she got crazier and crazier. He ended up committing her to a mental institution. In it, Eliot was almost like Mr. Rochester in \"Jane Eyre\". I think it's on the Independent Film Channel this month sometime. Sorry to go on at such length, but I like to throw in stuff like this just to show I didn't totally waste my tuition."}, {"response": 1905, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Jun 30, 2001 (16:59)", "body": "Karen, I think you've explained why the screenwriters choose those names. Brian tells Dr. Frisch that he had sold some stuff but they bought the latest not the good stuff. Within the context of the story, Brian chose that pen name in the 60's and he could have been aspiring to Norman Mailer's Pulitzer-Prize-winning level of writing. However, the film was made in the 80's so, the screenwriters would have known what had become of Mailer by that time - being more famous but not maintaining a high standard. Louise, thanks for the sample and link for T. S. Eliot. I'll take advantage of that when I have time. One interviewer said CF reminded them of a rather intense graduate student who could sit for hours in a pub discusssing T. S. Eliot. I'll never meet him but I was rather panicked after reading that because what IF I did and I couldn't even think of one thing about T. S. Eliot. I had Cats to fall back on but knew I wouldn't even remember Rum Tum Teaser's name under stress. :-) (Yes, there's a bit of Bridget in all of us. Salmoooon! Salllmon! ;-)) Has anyone noticed what is going on with the Valentin film clip shown in the movie? It is Caesar Valentin playing Mark Anthony in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. I never can catch all the words at once so, I looked it up and was really touched by what the film makers did with that. We hear lines 190-199 of Act III,ii. Even at the base of Pompey's statue, Which all the while ran blood, great Caesar fell, O, what a fall was there, my countrymen. Then I, and you, and all of us fell down, Whilst bloody treason flourish'd over us. O, now you weep, and I perceive you feel The dint of pity: these are gracious drops. Kind souls, what weep you when you but behold Our Caesar's vesture wounded? Look you here, Here is himself, marr'd, as you see, with traitors. The next scene we see of Valentin, he is still in his seat, dejected, crushing the unnecessary sunglasses (vesture wounded). Isn't that great movie making? Valentin telling us what has happened to Julius Caesar but, also to himself, Caesar Valentin. BTW, it is the painter that uses the term \"traitors\" during his temper tantrum when he is being moved to the attic. I think they are saying fickle fans are traitors who can wound and cause the great to fall. Love that \"look you here\" part. That's exactly what moviemakers want us to do and this one even says so outright."}, {"response": 1906, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul  2, 2001 (00:11)", "body": "(Caribou) Does anyone know who wrote WOF and if they have written other things? It was written by Otakar Votocek (also the director) with Herman Koch. According to the IMDb, Votocek hasn't done too much and Koch has no other credits listed but I think he may be writing books. (If Tineke has some time, maybe she can translate some webpages for updates as my Dutch isn't too hot! ;-) ) (Caribou) Isn't that great movie making? Valentin telling us what has happened to Julius Caesar but, also to himself, Caesar Valentin. And let me applaud you wildly for that Caesar Valentin/Julius Caesar connection. It was brilliant. I had previously only taken that for an example of Valentin's heavy-duty emoting. Julius went way over my head. OK, I think I've got the writer references all sorted out with some background help from a friend. The context is fame at different periods of time. What fame did these \"real\" writers have when this movie was set? One's fame is subject to the ever-changing preferences of future generations and whims of fashion. Trigorin's fame, however, is set in type, he being a literary character. Also, Trigorin is one of Chekhov's most famous characters. In 1966, when the movie begins, Brian had chosen the names of three writers he admired. Eliot had just died (1965) and Mailer was at the top of his game and frequently compared to Ernest Hemingway. However, by the end of the movie, Eliot is more well-known for having written the poems that were turned into ALW's Cats in 1988. Few people knew how important he was other than for that. The whims of current fashion overshadowed his huge significance to literature, poetry, drama and literary criticism. Mailer went through a period where he ran for mayor of NY with Jimmy Breslin and championed all sorts of headline-generating causes. He became someone whose celebrity status overshadowed his writing. The general public would probably know him more from his appearances on talk shows than for having won a Pulitzer or his incisive journalistic essays. (Caribou) fickle fans are traitors who can wound and cause the great to fall. Precisely. ;-) And Louise, your tuition money was well-spent. This is for Lora, who wants to know *who* everybody is. According to an official synopsis there is a hint: \"This hotel is exclusively inhabited by dead celebrities whose fame on earth has lived on. Terrorists continue their attacks in this exclusive hereafter, two mistresses of famous men won't give each other the time of day, a victim of the wreck of the Titanic wistfully reminisces about that fatal night, a composer tries to ward off oblivion by composing new works.\" I'm afraid if Mistresses of Famous Men were a Jeopardy category, I wouldn't do very well. ;-)"}, {"response": 1907, "author": "Moon", "date": "Mon, Jul  2, 2001 (01:19)", "body": "I'm afraid if Mistresses of Famous Men were a Jeopardy category, I wouldn't do very well. ;-) LOL! How would you do with Lovers of Famous Women? ;-) My sincere compliments to everyone on this heady discussion. The official synopsis seems very ordinary in comparison. Wings of Desire was shown last week on Bravo. It's worth checking to see if they have it on rotation again."}, {"response": 1908, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Mon, Jul  2, 2001 (02:56)", "body": "(Moon) The official synopsis seems very ordinary in comparison Well, that's only a small part of it. WOF was on Bravo? Hmmm, bet there was a bit taken out and it wasn't the archery scene. ;-)"}, {"response": 1909, "author": "Lora", "date": "Mon, Jul  2, 2001 (15:20)", "body": "(Karen)The context is fame at different periods of time. What fame did these \"real\" writers have when this movie was set? Maybe this is why by the end of the movie, a definite different period of time than the beginning of the movie, Valentin has now come to recognize the \"real\" writer of the book and asked Brian to autograph his *real* name in the book rather than the name that represents fleeting fame or ever-changing preferences of who one thinks is famous. Valentin, having gone to the retrospective, has been changed with a new perspective on fame (great find Caribou!)and he finally recognizes Brian for who he is and acknowledges his ability. Brian is pleased and satisfied with this and can forgive Valentin for stealing his manuscript. And this is all he needs in terms of fame and really all he sought from Valentin in the first place*(even though he seemed somewhat enthralled with fame on Earth). *Remember that scene in the Hotel Imperial lobby with Valentin's agent? The agent (and we) mistake Brian for a lunatic fan, when all Brian, I think, wants to do is talk to Valentin about using his writing. He even says that this has nothing to do with fan mail. I also love the way Brian says the word please, complete with pleading hands, reminds me of a favorite scene from FP ;-). ----------------- So maybe in terms of *who* everyone really is, it doesn't really matter. It matters more in life what you strive to learn about yourself and what you make of yourself and having the satisfaction of knowing inside who *you* really are, not what other people think you are or of you. Hope I didn't ramble too much here."}, {"response": 1910, "author": "caribou", "date": "Tue, Jul  3, 2001 (19:52)", "body": "(Karen) The context is fame at different periods of time. Kudos, Karen. You've uncovered and explained one of the more vailed references to fame. It was obvious to everyone that the movie is about fame but this detail was harder to see and understand. Lora, I appreciate your summary. The movie does end with the two protaganists having learned something and it feels right that we should too. And now, from the sublime to the ridiculous. I have spotted more jello just when I thought I had seen all that the movie had to offer. After Brian discovers Dr. Frisch has been moved, he stops the first attendant he sees and asks where she has been moved. The attendant comes onto camera pushing a cart of jello sculptures! Two thoughts: -No wonder Bianca thought it was a hospital - with that much jello around. -I wish ending credits had been as detailed in 1989 as they are now. Then, we could find out the name of the jello artist and their assistant(s). :-) In search of more jello: What do you think the woman is throwing at the man to eat at the outside table? What is the first waiter at the ceremony serving besides drinks? What is on the table when Brian finds Bianca looking for her earring? Candles or jello? Now, from the ridiculous to the sublime. I have to hand it to Otakar Vocotek for making a movie with so many details. I expect it when the film is based on a book but this one seems to have only been a screenplay. I also appreciate the fact that it is Mr. Vocotek that is communicating in this way because he is the writer and the director and I have enjoyed spending time trying to understand what he was trying to say. Of course, it was a stroke of genius to cast CF and thereby secure an audience for years to come. :-)"}, {"response": 1911, "author": "lafn", "date": "Tue, Jul  3, 2001 (21:21)", "body": "I also appreciate the fact that it is Mr. Vocotek that is communicating in this way because he is the writer and the director and I have enjoyed spending time trying to understand what he was trying to say. I have thoroughly enjoyed the discussion of the symbolism in this movie...er..I mean...puzzle. But I can now understand why it was never released commercially.To really understand this film you just can't see it once in a theatre, you have to own it for repeated copious viewings in order to decipher it. Of course that's not a problem with Colin fans...we welcome the challenge. Makes me think that I've missed out on other films that I didn't understand first time around."}, {"response": 1912, "author": "rachael", "date": "Tue, Jul  3, 2001 (21:24)", "body": "have just watched WoF for the first time, and will now spend time reading through your comments, which I deliberately avoided before seeing the film. First impressions - I'm really not sure what I make of it; its an oddity but right now I don't know whether it rates higher or lower in the oddity scores than HOTPig; Colin looks very young, but maybe that's the haircut; the Bianca storyline maybe could have been a bit stronger as it ends somewhat feebly, IMHO; there are lots of questions in my mind which maybe will be answered in your earlier discussions so I will get on and read them, and return in due course."}, {"response": 1913, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Tue, Jul  3, 2001 (23:40)", "body": "(Caribou) No wonder Bianca thought it was a hospital - with that much jello around. ROTFLOL!! OK, now you've piqued my interest. I brought WOF with me out of town just in case another viewing was necessary. It definitely appears to be. I must have my share in the jello discussion. Don't you wish you could contact either Otokar or Howard and ask about the jello? Did you notice any tapioca? ;-)"}, {"response": 1914, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Wed, Jul  4, 2001 (14:46)", "body": "(Caribou)Of course, it was a stroke of genius to cast CF and thereby secure an audience for years to come. :-) Yes, perhaps he was planning ahead and making his reservation for the island of fame???"}, {"response": 1915, "author": "rachael", "date": "Wed, Jul  4, 2001 (18:10)", "body": "Well, finally watched the film yesterday, and read all your comments today - its been a very interesting discussion, and helpful in terms of understanding the film and getting more out of it. My comments are these: I thought the clerk was frozen when Valentin went for the book because they weren't expecting any arrivals so he didn't have to be awake - after all, he's there as a worker rather than as of by right as a famous person, so perhaps he's only \"alive\" when necessary? At first I thought the terrorists were people who'd managed to get onto the island to destroy it, but then realised that people can't choose to get on or off (as we see with the poet), so the terrorists are supposed to be there, so who might they be? I thought maybe the Bader-Meinhof gang, since its a German co-production (isn't it?). Then they have to have bombs etc in order to be able to carry on doing what they became famous for, and the desk clerk wasn't at all surprised when they ran in with a Molotov cocktail, so having them try to blow things up must be a regular occurence. re Bianca, I've changed my mind since my comment last night! I couldn't see how one minute she's with Valentin having already left the darts player, and next minute she's with Brian in the labyrinth, then in bed with him - it seemed too quick and simple, but on reflection I wonder whether it shows Bianca going from one man to the next as she realises that they can't give her what she's searching for (\"this reminds me .... I'll find it\") - Valentin is too self centred, Brian keeps telling her something she doesn't want to know - so she has to keep moving to keep searching. sorry if I've gone over old ground as a newbie, I've only watched the film once, its strange and fascinating, now I must watch it again with notes! By the way, Wings of Desire is on FilmFour at 12.35 tonight - must set the video."}, {"response": 1916, "author": "caribou", "date": "Thu, Jul  5, 2001 (16:59)", "body": "Rachel, I think that's an accurate (and sad) summary of Bianca. She also really likes to chase or be chased. It seems to make her feel like she exists or is important. (Karen) Don't you wish you could contact Otokar or Howard and ask about the jello? I really do. I can just imagine some of the things that happened on the set the days the jello was scheduled to arrive. Just think of the logistics - how many they needed, where they were stored before the shoot, how everything had to be just right before they brought them out of the fridge, and the pressure to get the scene right before the jello dissolved under the bright lights. But seriously, does anyone know a way to email Otokar Votocek? Everytime I mention one of these discussions to my DH, he recommends we get a comment from the movie maker. (Karen) Did you notice any tapioca? ;-) No, in fact there is a decided lack of food anywhere else. Brian's toothpick hints that he has just come from the dining room but we never see a big buffet table like I would expect in a hotel of that magnitude. I have a nagging suspicion that this illustrates the European lack of emphasis on food and that my noticing it highlights my American view that no party is complete without the proper menu. (Evelyn) Makes me think I've missed out on other films that I didn't understand the first time around. I know I've missed alot but some of them are so depressing I don't want to understand too much more. I always hope Colin is careful in what he is choosing next since I am sure I will be watching it repeatedly. From what has been offered to him, ODB does seem to chose interesting scripts or working with a giant in the business or working with an interesting director. WOF must have looked intriguing as a script, he works with Peter O'Toole and Otokar Votocek seems to have been busy and making a difference in film making in the Netherlands in the 80's."}, {"response": 1917, "author": "rachael", "date": "Thu, Jul  5, 2001 (17:25)", "body": "Caribou, interesting comment about European lack of emphasis on food - there are some good European films that feature food, I just have to remember them! I hadn't noticed that there isn't food in WoF, but wouldn't it be because they're all dead? So they don't have to eat?"}, {"response": 1918, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Fri, Jul  6, 2001 (03:21)", "body": "Rachel: there are some good European films that feature food Babette's Feast would be one. And among the oldies but goodies, don't forget Tom Jones (famous food=sex scene). And, of course, who could possibly forget BJD--\"blue soup, omelettes, and marmalade\". Got to love a man who's \"helpful in the kitchen\" as well as in the bedroom. Tee, hee."}, {"response": 1919, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Fri, Jul  6, 2001 (15:41)", "body": "(Caribou)the pressure to get the scene right before the jello dissolved under the bright lights. Do we see anyone actually eating it? If it's just going to sit there, it can be made super-concentrated, and NOTHING can melt it. There are all kinds of tricks for stage/movie food, especially if it doesn't have to be consumed. (Rachel)I hadn't noticed that there isn't food in WoF, but wouldn't it be because they're all dead? So they don't have to eat? Makes sense to me. Perhaps the toothpick thing has nothing to do with a meal, and is just s nervous habit? (LouiseJ)And among the oldies but goodies, don't forget Tom Jones (famous food=sex scene). YES! Now there's a fantasy remake with ODB. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm"}, {"response": 1920, "author": "Echo", "date": "Fri, Jul  6, 2001 (18:52)", "body": "Just back after a long absence (and in case anyone is tempted, please spare me any unfunny comments on this). Great discussion, everyone. Re: Brian's costume not being the right period: I'm not very good on modern costume, but what period do you think he wore? Contemporary with the date of the film? There is at least one example of this kind of deliberate symbolism in the European cinema: in Andrzej Wajda's Ashes and Diamonds, a film set in 1945, made in 1958, the hero wears a pair of jeans."}, {"response": 1921, "author": "caribou", "date": "Sat, Jul  7, 2001 (17:00)", "body": "Echo, good example. It would not surprise me if they did that because of that movie. (Rachel) ...wouldn't it be because they're all dead? So they don't have to eat? They do, however, do a lot of drinking. Valentin is seldom without a drink, people have drinks when they are sitting outside, at the dance, and at the ceremony. Just found out that a physicist is credited with directing WOF so, I assume that means Otokar Votocek is a physicist. It's interesting to think of the movie as being from a physicist's point of view. So, I asked my DH, what is interesting about jello to a physicist. He says it is a semi-solid material so, in terms of physics, it is hard to predict and define but most physicists like nice, predictable properties of matter. I think of it as \"it wiggles, it giggles\" but apparently that is the fascination - how long will it wiggle? which direction will it giggle? what can make it wiggle in different directions? So, possibly Otokar has added jello because it is unpredictable and so is fame and residence at this hotel. Maybe he is giving us a visual clue that there will be parts to this movie that will happen randomly. So, then, the fun is finding which ones have rhyme and reason. He seems to have hidden a lot in this film but I like to think we are finding them. BTW, isn't hide and seek, itself, also included? :-)"}, {"response": 1922, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Sat, Jul  7, 2001 (17:00)", "body": "I wonder when jeans became an \"urban\" fashion statement. They've been around since the nineteenth century, but were considered to be worn only by \"hicks\" until some time in the 50's (possible James Dean influence--did he wear them because they were the trend or was he a trend setter?) As for Brian's clothes, to tell you the truth, I did not notice that they were anachronistic, fashion-wise. To tell you the truth, all that I noticed was that CF looked yummy--whatever he was or wasn't wearing. What was the style in the 60's--narrow pants without cuffs and skinny ties? I'll have to watch the film again and try to focus on the scenes where Brian is wearing clothes."}, {"response": 1923, "author": "LouiseJ", "date": "Sat, Jul  7, 2001 (17:08)", "body": "It never fails to amaze me--the things you can find on the internet. I put \"blue jeans in the 1950's\" into google and came up with the following link. Apparently James Dean was one of the trend setters. http://www.designboom.com/eng/education/denim2.html"}, {"response": 1924, "author": "KateDF", "date": "Sat, Jul  7, 2001 (17:11)", "body": "(LouiseJ)try to focus on the scenes where Brian is wearing clothes Oh, right, uh, they were good too... ;-)"}, {"response": 1925, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul  7, 2001 (18:19)", "body": "(Louise) I did not notice that they were anachronistic, fashion-wise. Even if he wasn't a slave to \"Mod\" fashion (girls at train station at beginning wearing those tell-tale hats), at a minimum, he'd be wearing a turtleneck. The t-shirt with suit is a dead give-away. By 1966, I'd say his pants should be getting flared, as Sgt Pepper was but two years away."}, {"response": 1926, "author": "KarenR", "date": "Sat, Jul  7, 2001 (18:49)", "body": "Aha!! Lots more on Mod fashion (think Carnaby Street): http://www.geocities.com/modmiss/ Plus his hair is very very wrong. drool conference Main Menu"}]}, {"num": 99, "subject": "Antonio Banderas", "response_count": 36, "posts": [{"response": 1, "author": "Marisa1", "date": "Mon, Jul 13, 1998 (21:33)", "body": "Welcome! Let's drool with Antonio..."}, {"response": 2, "author": "Marisa1", "date": "Mon, Jul 13, 1998 (21:52)", "body": "Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..........Anto\ufffdin!"}, {"response": 3, "author": "Marisa1", "date": "Mon, Jul 13, 1998 (22:59)", "body": "Are you ready for this...?"}, {"response": 4, "author": "Kate", "date": "Mon, Jul 13, 1998 (23:48)", "body": "Hil! Hil! where is Hil!? ;-)"}, {"response": 5, "author": "Marisa1", "date": "Tue, Jul 14, 1998 (09:05)", "body": "DESPERADO!"}, {"response": 6, "author": "Marisa1", "date": "Tue, Jul 14, 1998 (09:15)", "body": "\"The look\"... (the Spanish version... of course!)"}, {"response": 7, "author": "Marisa1", "date": "Tue, Jul 14, 1998 (09:38)", "body": ""}, {"response": 8, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Tue, Jul 14, 1998 (10:36)", "body": "Oh, Marisa, Muy Guapo!!!! Hee hee. Love the \"look\" btw:)"}, {"response": 9, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Tue, Jul 14, 1998 (19:14)", "body": "Well, Marisa! You just plunged right on in, didn't you? Excellent! This is what I like to see--enthusiasm for a thick-lipped man ;-D I have to tell you a story... Did I tell you that my 87 year old grandmother has the hots for Antonio? LOL! It's true. I was stuck in a car with her for an hour and she spent the greater part of it telling me all about \"Desperado\". It was a riot! I should explain, also, that my grandmother is a nut-case, but at least she'd got good taste :-)"}, {"response": 10, "author": "Marisa1", "date": "Wed, Jul 15, 1998 (08:26)", "body": "my grandmother is a nut-case, but at least she'd got good taste :-) \\ Indeed! LOL!!! ....................... This is a fragment from Isabel Allende's latest book \"Aphrodite: A Memoir of the Senses.\" Another woman with good taste ... \"...I dreamed I was arranging a naked ANTONIO BANDERAS on a Mexican tortilla, I slathered on guacamole and salsa, rolled him up, and wolfed him down . That time I woke up in terror. And a few days later, I dreamed... well, there's no point in going on with the list, it's enough to say that when I told my mother of these cruelties, she advised me to see a psychiatrist -or a cook.\""}, {"response": 11, "author": "LauraMM", "date": "Wed, Jul 15, 1998 (10:03)", "body": "\"...I dreamed I was arranging a naked ANTONIO BANDERAS on a Mexican tortilla, I slathered on guacamole and salsa, rolled him up, and wolfed him down. That time I woke up in terror. And a few days later, I dreamed... well, there's no point in going on with the list, it's enough to say that when I told my mother of these cruelties, she advised me to see a psychiatrist -or a cook.\" OH MY!!! YUMMY!!!!"}, {"response": 12, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Wed, Jul 15, 1998 (18:01)", "body": "I slathered on guacamole and salsa, rolled him up, and wolfed him down. What? No sour cream? ;-p Sorry, I couldn't help myself :-}"}, {"response": 13, "author": "Marisa1", "date": "Wed, Jul 15, 1998 (18:33)", "body": "Antonio Appearances!! Here we go! Have fun! July 18th, Saturday \"Siskel & Ebert\" -(CBS) 6:30pm Central.e July 18th, Saturday \"Larry King Weekend\" -(CNN) 8:00pm and 1:00am Central. July 19th, Sunday \"Today\" -(NBC) 7:00am Central. July 21st, Tuesday \"Biography\" (\"Zorro\") I don't think Antonio is in this, but you never know! -(A&E) 7:00pm & 11:00pm Central. July 23rd, Thursday \"Jay Leno\" -(NBC) 10:35pm Central."}, {"response": 14, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Wed, Jul 15, 1998 (20:48)", "body": "Mercy! The woman is doing all kinds of research--good for you honey! It's the best way to get everyone talking. I can't believe you missed him cooking on Rosie O'Donnell (wearing a Zorro mask, no less ;-) What was it you were telling me about his opening a restaurant?"}, {"response": 15, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 19, 1998 (12:41)", "body": "Kate; Hil! Hil! where is Hil! LOL. Never thought of Mr. Darcy a Zorro-type....but yes, he is. Talk about JE having good taste in men....how about Melanie Griffith!!"}, {"response": 16, "author": "Kate", "date": "Sun, Jul 19, 1998 (13:34)", "body": "Kate; Hil! Hil! where is Hil! Evelyn: LOL. Never thought of Mr. Darcy a Zorro-type....but yes, he is. Evelyn, I was summoning HIL, not Hill, because our Hil is known to have something for a thing for AB!"}, {"response": 17, "author": "lafn", "date": "Sun, Jul 19, 1998 (21:13)", "body": "Kate; Hil! Hil! where is Hil! Evelyn: LOL. Never thought of Mr. Darcy a Zorro-type....but yes, he is. Evelyn, I was summoning HIL, not Hill, because our Hil is known to have something for a thing for AB! Oh,.....LOL. Well, you can see Kate , I have a one-track mind....."}, {"response": 18, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Jul 28, 1998 (00:49)", "body": ""}, {"response": 19, "author": "nan", "date": "Tue, Jul 28, 1998 (00:52)", "body": "(Evelyn) Talk about JE having good taste in men....how about Melanie Griffith!! I know! Damn! Personally, I think her most recent choice was the best one ;-) Yooo-hooo, Marisa...looky what I found... WET! WET! WET! Don't know what this is about, but I like it ;-)~~~ BTW, I got these from the wonderful \"Antonio Banderas Web Mall\". I see that you've already been there, Marisa. For those of you who haven't, here's the URL...it's a hoot! Antonio Banderas Web Mall"}, {"response": 20, "author": "Marisa1", "date": "Tue, Jul 28, 1998 (00:52)", "body": "Yooo-hooo, Marisa...looky what I found... Nan... OH NAN!!!!!!!!! Absolutely gorgeous! Thanks!"}, {"response": 21, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Tue, Jul 28, 1998 (00:52)", "body": "(Marisa) Absolutely gorgeous! Woman, do you see the lips on that man? Mercy! :-)~~~"}, {"response": 22, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (20:39)", "body": "Has Melanie Griffith wrested control of this site from you, Nan? ;-) Why won't Antonio Banderas go away?"}, {"response": 23, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (21:35)", "body": "(Margaret) Why won't Antonio Banderas go away? Are you suffering from Antonio overkill, baby?"}, {"response": 24, "author": "Meggin", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (23:07)", "body": "No, the link won't go away, even when there's no new messages. Isn't anyone else thus afflicted? Funny, I don't feel crazy. ;-)"}, {"response": 25, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (23:23)", "body": ""}, {"response": 26, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (23:26)", "body": ""}, {"response": 27, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Fri, Jul 31, 1998 (23:33)", "body": "Well, don't know what happened there. Hmmmm. It's posting strange things from me and won't let you get him off your list. Scaaaaary ;-p"}, {"response": 28, "author": "Marisa1", "date": "Mon, Aug 10, 1998 (07:57)", "body": "Today is Antonio's B-DAY. You are all invited to our drool party in his honor. Sorry... no cake or ice cream. I'll be posting pictures all day long. Hasta la vista!"}, {"response": 29, "author": "Marisa1", "date": "Mon, Aug 10, 1998 (17:03)", "body": ""}, {"response": 30, "author": "Marisa1", "date": "Mon, Aug 10, 1998 (17:13)", "body": "Ole!"}, {"response": 31, "author": "Marisa1", "date": "Mon, Aug 10, 1998 (17:21)", "body": "The look... Zorro version."}, {"response": 32, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Mon, Aug 10, 1998 (19:37)", "body": "Oooh, Marisa...I love the first one with the grapes. He looks mighty ticked ;-)"}, {"response": 33, "author": "riette", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (01:10)", "body": "I love Banderas' singing voice."}, {"response": 34, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Tue, Aug 11, 1998 (19:41)", "body": "I like his lips ;-)"}, {"response": 35, "author": "riette", "date": "Wed, Aug 12, 1998 (03:21)", "body": "You are not alone."}, {"response": 36, "author": "Nan11", "date": "Sat, Aug 22, 1998 (16:42)", "body": "Marisa, I bought a copy of another movie and the preview was Zorro. Thought you'd like these ;-) Where have you been, btw? drool conference Main Menu"}]}]}